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oFPROMlNENf^RiPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 
 
 OF THE COUNTY 
 
 TOGETHER WITH- PORTRAITS AND -B/OGRAPHIES-OF-ALL ■ THE 
 
 »©• tf ¥fllf I§ • W-IW -STAT© 
 
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 CHICAGO: 
 
 1890. 
 
pF(Ep/^(?E. 
 
 -J»t^-H>-^-<5«^- 
 
 ;glIK greatest uf P^nglish historians, Macaul.vy, and one of the most brilliant writers oi 
 the present century, has said : "The liistory of a country is best told ina record of the 
 lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Poutiiait and Biggrai'iiical 
 Aliium of tills county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
 taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our 
 cori)S of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, b}' their 
 enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those 
 comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
 struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
 gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
 imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty by 
 industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
 advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
 nfluence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
 ave risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
 tecoine famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed and 
 records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 
 many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
 to have it said of them us Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
 they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
 anvil, the lawyer's oftice and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
 call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
 once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
 be lost upon those who follow after. 
 
 Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
 that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
 inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and evciy opportunity possible 
 given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers Hatter them- 
 selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biowr.-inh- 
 ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 
 
 The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
 publishers are not to l)lame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to o-ive the 
 information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
 the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
 one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
 at their residence or place of business. 
 
 Ch>cauo, September. iS'M. CHAPMAN BROS. 
 

 ^^-ig>'<CG>J< 
 
 S'^' 
 
 
 
 'a 
 

FIJiST s'RESinE/\n\ 
 
 '!> 
 
 m^ 
 
 
 HE Father of our Country was 
 Qv born in Westmorland Co., Va., 
 Feb. 2 2, 1732. His parents 
 were Augustine and Mary 
 (Ball) Washington. Tlic family 
 to which he belonged h;is not 
 l)een satisfactorily traced in 
 England. His great-grand- 
 father, John Washington, em- 
 igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
 and became a prosperous 
 [)lanter. He had two sons, 
 Lawrence and John. The 
 former married Mildi*d.:::f.Warner 
 and had three children, John. 
 .Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
 tine, the father of George, fiist 
 married Jane Butler, who bore 
 liim four children, two of whom, 
 Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
 maturity. Of six children by his 
 second marriage, Cieorge was the 
 eldest, the others being Betty, 
 Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
 and Mildred. 
 Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
 in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
 eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
 the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
 and to George he left the parental residence. George 
 received only such education as the neighborhood 
 schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
 school, when he received private instruction in 
 malhemal'cs. His siK-llinsi v/as rather defective. 
 
 Remarkable stories are told of his great physica. 
 strength and development at an early age. He was 
 an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
 was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
 ness and veracity wliicli characterized his whole life. 
 
 When George was i4yearsoldhehadadesire togoto 
 sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
 but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
 abandonid. Two years later he was appointed 
 surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
 this Inisiness he spent three years in a rough frontier 
 life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
 essential to him. In 175 t, though only 19 years of 
 age, he was ai)[)ointed adjutant with the rank of 
 major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
 active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
 after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
 Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They 
 soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
 died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
 who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
 estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 
 
 Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
 ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia wa? 
 reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
 tary districts, of which the northern vv-as assignee to 
 Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
 a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
 cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
 ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
 western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
 was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
 and the journey was to be made without military 
 escori, through a territory occupied by Indians. The- 
 
GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
 losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
 a full and useful rejjort of his expedition. A regiment 
 of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
 mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
 commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
 then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
 Washington took a most imix)rtant part. In the 
 memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
 dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
 of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
 day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
 were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
 alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
 to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through 
 my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
 unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
 on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
 not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
 direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
 him. 
 
 After having been five years in the military service, 
 and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
 took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
 expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
 CO resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
 Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
 active and im|3ortant part. January 17, 1759, he 
 married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
 widow of John Parke Custis. 
 
 When the British Parliament had closed the port 
 ^f Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
 that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
 It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
 gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
 delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
 peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
 ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
 Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
 England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
 cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
 first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
 mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
 responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
 who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
 it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
 receive no salary. He would keep an ex'act "account 
 of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and 
 nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
 trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
 fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
 were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
 him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
 forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
 obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
 and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
 nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in 
 a paiting address of surpassing beauty, lesigned his 
 
 commission as commander-in-chief of the army 10 
 to the Continental Congress sitting al Annapolis. He 
 retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
 his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
 connection with public life. 
 
 In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously 
 elected President. In his presidential career he was 
 subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
 government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
 of other governments ; trials from want ol harmony 
 between the different sections of our own country; 
 trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
 owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
 beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
 clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
 while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
 sinking at the very outset, it left him exjiosed to 
 attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
 very annoying. 
 
 At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
 mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
 were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
 refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
 1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
 dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
 his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
 public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
 seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France 
 At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
 take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
 ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
 ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
 home. In accepting the command he made the 
 reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
 it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
 his life was suddenly cut off. Decemlier 12, he took 
 a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
 ill his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
 fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
 teenth his body was borne with military honors to its 
 final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Of the character of Washington it is imjiossible to 
 speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
 miration. The more we see of the operations of 
 our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
 difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
 the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
 ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
 the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
 tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
 of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
 be as lasting as the existence of man. 
 
 The jierson of Washington was unusally tali, erect 
 and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
 great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry'. 
 He commanded respect without any appearance of 
 hnughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 
 
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 /^iJk^m,. 
 
 '<J 
 
^JOOND 1'iXESjDEN T. 
 
 •3 
 
 
 t-aaaattiM 
 
 gSiSfiBait^ 
 
 pjnsr^ 
 
 
 OHM ADAMS, the second 
 President and the first Vice- 
 President of the United States, 
 was born in Braintree ( now 
 Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
 miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry- 
 Adams, emigrated from England 
 about 1640, with a family of eight 
 sons, and settled at Braiatree. The 
 parents of John were John and 
 Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
 father was a farmer of limited 
 means, to which he added the bus- 
 iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
 eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
 tion at Harvard College. John 
 graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
 school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
 'sci'.ool of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
 gain .elief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
 study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
 under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
 h.id thought seriously of the clerical profession 
 but seems to have been tiirned from this l)y what he 
 cermed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
 cils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
 of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
 his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
 profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
 ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
 tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
 and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
 marriage, (17C15), the attempt of Parliamentary ta,\a- 
 *jon turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
 steps toward holdin^ t town meeting, and the resolu- 
 
 tions lie offered on the subject became very populat 
 throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
 word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
 ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
 and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
 was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
 lislature) in 1770. 
 
 Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
 from Massachusetts to the first Continental Cong^e^s, 
 which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt 
 by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
 vocated the movement for independence against ths 
 majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcved 
 and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
 should assume the duties of self-government. He 
 w.:s a prominent member of the committee of iive 
 appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
 pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
 on Adams devolved the task of battling it tlirough 
 Congress in a three days debate. 
 
 On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
 was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th; 
 glow of e.xcited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
 which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
 by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
 greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
 in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
 be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
 without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
 States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
 pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
 July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
 of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
 by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
 festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
 deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
 God. It ought to be solemnized with jxjmp, shows- 
 
24 
 
 JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
 tiom one end of the continent to the other, from this 
 time forward for ever. You will think me transjxjrted 
 with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
 tlic toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
 maintain this d-eclaration, and support and defend 
 these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
 rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
 worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
 will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
 hope we shall not." 
 
 In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
 delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjaniin 
 Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
 the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
 from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
 to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
 compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
 posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
 ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
 1779. In September of the same year he was again 
 chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
 ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
 with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
 might l)e found willing to listen to such pioposels. He 
 sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
 Holland, where he negotiated imiortant loans and 
 formed important commercial treaties 
 
 Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
 Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
 toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
 threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
 tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
 was advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
 Bath. While in England, still drooping anddesiwnd- 
 ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
 urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
 negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
 delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
 storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 
 
 February 24, T785; Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
 envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
 to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
 garded hiin as a traitor. As England did not 
 condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
 States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
 plishing Init little, he sought permission to return to 
 nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 
 
 When Washington was first chosen President, John 
 Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
 home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .^gain 
 at the second election of Washington as President, 
 Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
 ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
 elected President, though not without much opposition. 
 Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
 Mr. Je''''erson, his opponent in ]»!itics. 
 
 >/hile Mr Adams was Vice President the great 
 
 French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
 and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
 the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
 Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
 in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
 power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
 classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
 On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
 enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
 iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
 men, and two jxiwerful parties were thus soon organ- 
 ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
 were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
 sympathy with F'rance. 
 
 The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
 moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
 old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
 had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
 appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
 after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
 form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
 and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
 of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
 emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
 good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
 institution which he had been so active in creating and 
 supixirting. In r824, his cup of hap])iness was filled 
 to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the liighest 
 station in the gift of the people. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
 century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
 signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
 earth to hail its morning I'ght. And, as it is 
 well known, on that day two of these finished theit 
 earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
 to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
 Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
 of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
 his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
 customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
 dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
 in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
 he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
 what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
 ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
 In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
 glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
 "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
 signed his s]iiiit into the hands of his God. 
 
 The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
 Adams were not particularly preixjssessing. His face, 
 as his jiortrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres- 
 sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
 manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
 He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
 the engaging elegance and i;racefulness which marked 
 the manners and address of Jefferson. 
 
'4% 
 
 ■"ffjh ^ -^^^ 
 
 wz. 
 
THIRD PRESIDENT. 
 
 27 
 
 
 IPFIEBS4)Ko <f 
 
 
 HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
 
 born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
 
 S<^«ell, Alherniarli; county, Va. 
 
 His parents were Peter and 
 Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
 the former a native of Wales, 
 and the latter born in Lon- 
 don. To tlieni were born six 
 daughters and two sons, of 
 whom Thomas was the elder. 
 When 14 years of age his 
 father died. He received a 
 most liberal education, hav- 
 ing been kept diligently at school 
 from the time he was five years of 
 age. In 1760 he entered William 
 and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
 of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
 a. id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
 years old, lived somewhat e.\pensively, keeping fine 
 horses, and much caressed by gay'sociely, yet he 
 was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irrejiroacha- 
 able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
 s\u:h intluences,tliat he was not ruined. In the sec- 
 ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
 explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
 society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
 previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
 hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
 ercise only a run in tlie evening twilight of a mile out 
 of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
 higii intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
 phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
 Creek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
 scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 
 
 S^f^ 
 
 there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
 more pureniinded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 
 
 Immediately upon leaving college he began tl'.e 
 study of law. For the short time he continued in tl;e 
 jfractice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
 guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
 lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
 The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
 resistance of tlie American Colonies, and the enlarged 
 views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
 him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosei 
 a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses I r_ 
 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
 ful, wealthy and liighly accomplished young widov, 
 
 Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, th-n 
 was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, whicl 
 commanded a prospect of wonderful extent ar.G 
 beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
 home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye" 
 elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Veri.oi; 
 became the most distinguisiied resort in our land. 
 
 In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress 
 where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
 writer and a reasoner soon become known, and Ir; 
 was placed upon a number of important commitieeD, 
 and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
 ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
 mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John .'Vdanis. 
 Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
 Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
 to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
 a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
 gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were m:;de 
 in it by Congress, and it was passed antl signed July 
 4, 1776 What must have been the feelir.gs of that 
 
z8 
 
 THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
 man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
 who was cliargcd with the preparation of that Dec- 
 laration, which, wliile it made known the wrongs of 
 America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
 sioverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
 aiarkahle papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
 if the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
 hufticient to stamp his name with immortality. 
 
 In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
 Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
 the Ihitish officer, Tarletoii, sent a secret expedition to 
 Monlicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
 minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
 ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
 sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
 very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
 \\\ the summer of 1782 she died. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
 Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
 tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
 in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
 in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
 Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
 dent, and four years later was elected President over 
 Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
 and George Clinton, Vice President. 
 
 The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
 tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
 tran(iuilily and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
 spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
 to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
 ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
 military expedition intc the Spanish territories on our 
 southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
 a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
 was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
 generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
 doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
 character. 
 
 In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
 which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
 to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
 fjrty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
 .ic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
 the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
 voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
 country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
 declining years reijuired, and uixin the organization of 
 the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
 well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
 families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
 fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
 nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
 Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
 fashionable watering-place. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 
 
 sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
 great preparations were made in every [lait of ihi; 
 Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
 the ciuzens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
 of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer 
 and one of the fetv surviving signers of tlie Declara- 
 tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill- 
 ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
 had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
 decline the invitation. 
 
 On the second of July, the disease under which 
 he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
 state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
 hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
 sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
 day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
 him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
 the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha', 
 he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
 anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
 dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
 burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
 ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
 life! To die on that day,— the birthday of a nation,- - 
 the day v/hich his own name and his own act had 
 rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
 festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
 as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
 was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 
 
 Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
 dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
 him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
 Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
 freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desider- 
 ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
 animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
 century they had labored together for the good of 
 the country; and now hand in hand they dejiart. 
 In their lives they had been united in the same great 
 cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
 divided. 
 
 In i)erson Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
 above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
 were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
 white and silvery ; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
 head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
 thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
 well as personal courage; and his command of tem- 
 per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
 never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
 His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
 affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
 all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
 sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
 his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
 was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
 discernable the care with which he formed his slylt 
 upon the best models of antiquity. 
 
J- (Z/C<^^^^ .^y(^ (*-<.M-'^-( ty'K 
 
FOURTH PRFSIDENT. 
 
 priQES ni^Disoi]. 
 
 1 
 
 AMES MADISON, "Father 
 of the Constitution," and fourth 
 ^' President of the United States, 
 was born March 16, 1757, and 
 died at his home in Virginia, 
 '■^^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
 James Madison is inseparably con- 
 nected with most of the important 
 events in that heroic period of our 
 country during which the founda- 
 tions of this great republic were' 
 laid. He was the last of the founders 
 of tlie Constitution of the United 
 States to l)e called to his eternal 
 reward. 
 
 The Madison family were among 
 the early emigrants to the New World, 
 landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
 peake but 15 years after tiie settle- 
 ment of Jamestown. The father of 
 James Madison was an opulent 
 lanter, residing upon a very fine es- 
 tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
 Va. The mansion was situated in 
 the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
 esque and romantic, on the west side 
 of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
 It was but 25 miles from the home of 
 The closest personal and 
 
 Blue Ridge. 
 
 Jefferson at Monticello. 
 
 political attachment existed between these illustrious 
 
 men, from their early youth until death. 
 
 The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
 mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
 iS he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
 Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 
 
 prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but ihret 
 hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
 seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
 of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
 body, with a character of utmost purity, and wi;h a 
 mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
 which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf 
 quent career. 
 
 Returjiing to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
 law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
 This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
 which he lived, and the society with which he asso 
 ciated, all combined to inspire him with a stroi'g 
 love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ol 
 a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of- 
 mind, and his frail health leading him to think tluv 
 his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
 tion to theological studies. Endowed with a nv.nj 
 singularly free from passion and [jrejudice, and wi:l; 
 almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weiphcd 
 all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
 until his faith became so established as never to 
 be shaken. 
 
 In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
 was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, lo 
 frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
 (1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
 He refused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and 
 consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
 witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
 modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
 and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 
 
 Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson weie 
 Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
 member of the Council ; and their appreciation o\ liis 
 
32 
 
 JAMES MADISON. 
 
 intcllecuial, social and mural worth, contributed not 
 a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
 1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
 Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
 our land, and he was iuniiediately assigned to one of 
 the most conspicuous positions among them. 
 
 For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
 gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
 In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
 elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 
 
 No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
 utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
 tional government, with no power to form treaties 
 which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
 was not any .State more prominent than Virginia in 
 the declaration, that an efficient national government 
 must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
 carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
 Virginia, inviting tiie other States to appoint commis- 
 sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
 this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
 convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
 by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their 
 delegates to Pliiladelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
 a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
 uf tnat Confederate League. The delegates met at 
 I he time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
 was represented. George Washington was chosen 
 president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
 tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
 There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
 tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
 and the pen of James Madison. 
 
 The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
 to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
 But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
 we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
 States, with but little power at liome and little respect 
 abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
 tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
 States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
 and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
 to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
 went into effect in 1789. 
 
 Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
 sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
 avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
 New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
 young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
 whom he married. She was in person and character 
 queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
 so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
 which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
 Madison. 
 
 Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
 Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
 was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
 ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. , 
 
 British orders in council destioyed our conuueii.e, and 
 our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
 was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, reiiiing 
 in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
 meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
 boil, even now, to think of an American slii[) brought 
 to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an Englisli cruiser. 
 A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
 crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
 ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
 designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
 ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
 deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
 battles of England. This right of search and im- 
 pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
 the British cabinet to relinquish. 
 
 On the i8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
 iiis approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
 against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
 hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
 in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
 of March, t8i3, was re-elected by a large majority, 
 and entered upon his second term of office. Tliis is 
 not the place to describe the various adventures of 
 this war on the land and on the water. Our infan'- 
 navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
 pling with the most formidable power which ever 
 swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
 by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
 i8t3, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
 coast of the United States under blockade. 
 
 The Em|>eror of Russia offered his services as me 
 ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
 ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
 of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
 peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
 burg, upon Washington. 
 
 The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
 into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
 at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of tiie 
 metroix>lls. The whole population fled from the city. 
 The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
 House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
 await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
 in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
 and he could not go back without danger of being 
 captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
 Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
 Washington were in flames. 
 
 The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
 Feb. 13, 18x5, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
 office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
 to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
 tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
 mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
 age of 85 years, lie fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
 son died July 12, 1849. 
 
7 
 
 ^^Zl, 
 
FIFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 35 
 
 ^ r^LM^ 
 
 PEQES njOIJItOE. 
 
 
 AMES MONROE, the fifth 
 .Presidentof The United States, 
 was born in Westmoreland Co., 
 Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
 life was passed at the place of 
 nativity. His ancestors had for 
 many years resided in the prov- 
 ince in which he was born. When, 
 at 17 years of age, in the process 
 " «' of completing his education at 
 William and Mary College, the Co- 
 lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
 delphia to deliberate upon the lui- 
 just and manifold oppressions of 
 Great Britian, declared the separa- 
 tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
 gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
 dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
 probable that he would have been one of the signers 
 of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
 school and enlisted among the patriots. 
 
 H.> joined the army when everything looked hope- 
 less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
 from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
 in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
 mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
 who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
 tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
 to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
 Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
 difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
 political emancipation. Tiie young cadet joined the 
 ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured counlry, 
 with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 
 
 for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
 ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
 Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
 before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
 after the Declaration of Indei)endence, the patriots 
 had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
 Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
 ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
 shoulder. 
 
 As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was i)ro- 
 moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered 
 from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
 receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
 officer in the staff of Lord Steding. During the cam- 
 paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of Brandy 
 wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
 aid-de-camp ; but becoming desirous to regain his 
 position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
 regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
 owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
 this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
 that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
 ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
 entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
 but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
 teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 
 
 In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
 a member of the Ueglislature of Virginia, and by that 
 body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
 Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
 of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
 at this early period displayed some of that ability 
 and aptitude fi>r legislation, which were afterwards 
 employed with unremittii^g energy for the public good, 
 
56 
 
 JAMES MONROE. 
 
 he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
 ihe Congress of the Uiiiicd States. 
 Decplyas Mr. Monioefeh the imi)erfe<tionsof theolcl 
 ■ 'onlcderacy, he was opposed lotlienew Constitution, 
 •,hi:iking, with many others of 'he Republican parly, 
 '.hat it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
 and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
 tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
 sui)porters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
 secured its adoption. In 1789, lie became a member 
 of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
 four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
 tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
 the Federal and the Rei)ublican, was growing more 
 distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
 arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
 sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
 siiict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
 Central Government as little power, and the State 
 Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
 warrant. The Federalists sympathized with F^ngland, 
 and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
 stitution, which would give as much power to the 
 Central Government as that document could possibly 
 authorize. 
 
 The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
 alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
 good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
 pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
 James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
 iiuilding u|) this majestic nation, which is destined 
 to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
 bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
 light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
 nounced as almost a demon. 
 
 Washington was then President. England had es- 
 poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
 ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
 into the conllict. We were feeble and far away. 
 Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
 tween these contending powers. France had helped 
 us in the struggle for our liljcrties. All the despotisms 
 of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
 from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
 thai; that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
 magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
 whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
 their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
 and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
 ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
 magnanimity. 
 
 W'ashington, who could appreciate such a character, 
 d .'veloped his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
 by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
 nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
 (if that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
 Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
 in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 
 
 Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
 roe was elected Ciovernor of Virginia, and held the 
 office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to 
 co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
 the vast territory then known as the Province of 
 Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
 tained from Sjiain. Tlieir united efforts were sue ■ 
 cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
 millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
 district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
 This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
 which was ever made in all the history of the world. 
 
 From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
 tain from that country some recognition of our 
 rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
 odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
 land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
 land on the same mission, but could receive no 
 redress. He returned to his home and was again 
 chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
 to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
 Madison. While in this office war with England was 
 declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
 these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
 were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
 bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
 business man in his cabinet. LTpon the return oi 
 peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
 tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
 jii ration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec 
 tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
 been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
 upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years j 
 later he was elected for a second term. 
 
 Among the important measures of his Presidency 
 were the cession of Florida to the LTnited States; the 
 Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 
 
 Tliis famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe 
 doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
 time the United States had recognized the independ- 
 ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
 to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
 due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
 is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
 on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
 tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
 to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
 view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
 or controlling American governments or provinces in 
 any other light than as a manifestation by European 
 powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the LTnited 
 States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
 of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
 sentiment of the LTnited States. 
 
 At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired 
 to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
 when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
 law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831 
 
j, 3, Ai 
 
 ''OYt^ 
 
SIXTH PRESIDENT, 
 
 '^'''' j^-<^''^ a^T^''-' jLt'^"' jbt'^'^^-'-' jLj^'^^^^^ 
 
 I 30RI] QniI]6Y ^D^IIQS. I 
 
 OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
 sixth President of the United 
 ^Slates, was born in the rural 
 iionie of his honored father, 
 John Adams, in Qaincy, Mass., 
 on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
 mother, a woman of exalted 
 vorth, watched over his childhood 
 during the almost constant ab- 
 sence of his father. Wiien but 
 eight years of age, he stood with 
 ' his niotlier on an eminence, listen- 
 ing to the booming of the great bat- 
 tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
 upon the smoke and flames billow- 
 ing up from the conflagration of 
 Charlestown. 
 
 When but eleven years old he 
 took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
 to sail with his father for Europe, 
 through a fleet ol ho.;tiL' Britisii cruisers. The bright, 
 animated l/oy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
 his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
 \ninister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
 ihe notice of these distinguislied men, and he received 
 from them flattering marks of attention. 
 
 Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
 cou:-try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
 loi.a Quincy accompanied his father. ■ At Paris he 
 ap[)lied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
 to :.'udy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
 vnere he entered, first a scliool in .\msterdam, then 
 llie llniversity at Leyden. About a year from this 
 'ime, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
 yea"; of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
 ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 
 
 In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
 •ulture he s[)cnt fourteen months, and tlien returned 
 10 Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
 Bremen. Tliis long journey he took alone, in the 
 winter, when in liis sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
 his studies, under a priv.-ite tutor, at Hague. 'I'hence, 
 
 in tiie spring of r782, he accompanied his father tc 
 Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
 with the most distinguished men on the Continent- 
 examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings 
 and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
 became associated with the most illustrious men of 
 all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
 themes which can engross the human mind. Afte" 
 a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
 consecrated all liis energies to study until May, 1785, 
 when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
 man of eighteen, v,ho had seen much of the world, 
 and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
 residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
 cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
 but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
 ferred to return to America to complete his education 
 in an American college. He wished then to study 
 law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
 able to obtain an independent support. 
 
 Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty 
 he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
 ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
 pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
 Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, lie reached 
 London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
 ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
 assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
 Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight ir, 
 London, he proceeded to the Hague. 
 
 In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal a.-, 
 minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
 upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
 directing him to the court of Beiiiii, but requesting 
 him to remain in London until he should receive his 
 instructions, ^\'hile waiting he was married to an 
 American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
 gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
 of Mr. Joshua Tohn.son, American consul in I ondon ; 
 a lady endownd with that beauty and those iccom- 
 plisliment which eminently fitted her to move in tl.e 
 elevated sphere for which she was destined. 
 
4° 
 
 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 
 
 He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
 where he reniaincd until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
 filled all the puri»ses of his mission, lie solicited his 
 recall. 
 
 Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
 the Senate of Massai:husetts, from lioslon, and tlien 
 was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
 from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, liis 
 aliility and his e.\i)erience, placed him immediately 
 among tiie most prominent and influential members 
 of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
 ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
 ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
 sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
 funiliar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
 these points, and no one more resolved to present 
 a firm resistance. 
 
 In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
 idential chair, and he immediately nominated Jolin 
 (^uincy .-Vdams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
 ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
 at Boston, in August, 1809. 
 
 While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
 dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
 history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
 European system of weights, measures, and coins; to 
 tlie climate and astronomical observations; while he 
 Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
 Latin classics. In all the universities of Eurojie, a 
 more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
 .\11 through life the Bible constituted an important 
 part ol liis studies. It was his rule to read five 
 cha[)ters every day. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
 Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
 .'Vdanis Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
 erous friends in public and private life in Europe, lie 
 sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
 i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
 home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
 roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
 of State. 
 
 Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
 term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
 foi the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
 forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
 Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
 sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
 ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
 William H. Crawford, torty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
 se/en. As there was no choice by the people, the 
 question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
 (!llay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
 he was elected. 
 
 The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
 combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
 Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
 *f>e ii:ist history of our country than the abuse which 
 
 was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
 high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
 an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
 scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
 try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
 haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
 lously and outrageously assailed. 
 
 Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
 stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
 early, and taking much exercise. M'hen at his home in 
 Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
 seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
 that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
 own fire and apjilying himself to work in his library 
 often long before dawn. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
 from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- 
 Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
 dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
 jwrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
 Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
 abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
 main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
 elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
 years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
 sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
 do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
 "the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
 the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
 self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
 member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
 the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
 leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
 be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
 battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
 the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
 in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
 presenting petitions for the aliolition of slavery, he 
 was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
 with expulsion from the House, with assassination; 
 but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
 triumph was complete. 
 
 It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
 body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
 fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
 child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
 he slept, the prajer which his mother tauglit him in 
 his infant years. 
 
 On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
 of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
 speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken t>y jiara ly- 
 sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
 For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
 the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
 ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
 said " This is the end of earth .-"then after a moment's 
 pause he added, "I am eontent" These were the 
 last words of the grand " Okl Man Eloquent." 
 
SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 -13 
 
 
 
 '^S:^?^, , Sis' 
 
 NDREW JACKSON, the 
 -■venth President of the 
 United States, was born in 
 Waxhavv settlement, N. (J., 
 March 15, 1767, a few days 
 after his father's death. His 
 parents were [joor emigrants 
 from Ireland, and took up 
 their abode in Waxhaw set- 
 tlement, where they lived in 
 deepest poverty. 
 Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
 universally called, grew up a very 
 rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
 features were coarse, his form un- 
 gainly; and there was but very 
 little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
 tractive. 
 
 When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
 teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
 17X1, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
 imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
 ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
 a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
 the dauntless boy. 
 
 The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
 Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
 Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
 ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
 head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
 with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
 ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
 disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
 his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
 were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
 mother was successful mi obtaining their exchange, 
 
 and took her sick boys home. After a long iilnosE 
 Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
 left him entirely friendless. 
 
 Andrew supported himself in various ways, s i:h as 
 working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
 clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
 entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
 gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
 times than to his studies. In 1788, he was ap[)ointed 
 solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
 which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
 many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
 every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
 and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
 witti the Sharp Knife. 
 
 In 1 791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
 supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
 Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
 to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
 definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
 ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
 rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
 Jackson into disfavor. 
 
 During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
 sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
 one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
 ially disgraceful. 
 
 In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
 containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
 people met in convention at Kno.wille to frame a con- 
 stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
 counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
 The new State was entitled to but one meml cr in. 
 the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack-I 
 son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
 rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 
 
44 
 
 ANDREW JACKSON. - 
 
 sv;siions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 
 
 Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
 cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. lie admired 
 Bonaparte, loved France and hated iMigland. As Mr. 
 Jackson took his seat, Cien. Washington, whose 
 second term of office was then expiring, deliveied his 
 last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
 complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
 did not a[)i)rove of the address, and was one of the 
 twelve who voled against it. He was not willing to 
 say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
 " wise, firm and patriotic." 
 
 Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
 Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
 Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
 of Iris State, which (losition he held for six years. 
 
 When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
 menced, Madison occujiied the Presidential chair. 
 Aaron P.'.irr sent word to the President that there was 
 an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
 would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
 ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
 ofTeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
 volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
 were assembled at Nashville. 
 
 As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
 tack i.pon New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
 in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
 with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
 expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
 eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
 the men were ordered liack to their homes. But the 
 energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
 devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
 golden opinions ; and he became the most po|)ular 
 man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
 toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 
 
 So.Tu after this, while attempting to liorsewhi|) Col. 
 Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
 made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
 which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
 he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
 lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the 
 Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
 Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
 -lers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
 cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
 his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
 a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
 tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
 army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 
 
 The Creek Indians had established a strong ford on 
 nnf i'{ t!ie bendsof theTallanoosa River, near the cen- 
 ter of .Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
 With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
 t'aversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
 d 'VS. He re iched their fort, called Tohopeka or 
 Horse-shoe, oa th_> 27th of March. 1814. The bend 
 
 of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
 tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
 neck the Indians had constructed a formidable brea.st- 
 work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
 with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 
 
 The fort was stormed. 'I'he fight was utterly des- 
 perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
 bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
 deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
 ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
 awful and revolting. Some threw themselves ii.Io the 
 fiver; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
 they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
 rios were killed A few probably, in the night, sw; rn 
 the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
 power of the Creeks was broken forever. ']"his 1 eld 
 plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic sl.mghler, 
 so appalled the savages, that the haggard remi.aiits 
 of the bands came to the camp, begging tor peace. 
 
 This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
 centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
 allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
 than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
 campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
 was appointed major-general. 
 
 Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
 men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
 Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
 a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fori, 
 and from l)Oth ship and shore commenced a furious 
 assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
 one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 
 
 Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
 army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
 And the battle of New Orleans w hich soon ensued, 
 was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
 for Gen. Jackson an imjjerishable name. Here his 
 troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
 won a signal victory over the British army of about 
 nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
 loss of the British was two thousand six liundred. 
 
 The name of Gen. Jackson soon Ijegan to be men- 
 tioned in connection with the Piesidency, but,in 1824, 
 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
 successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
 for a second term in 1832. Tn 1829, just before he 
 assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
 the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
 his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
 perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock cf 
 her death he never recovered. 
 
 His administration was one of the most menioral>le 
 in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
 condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
 enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
 two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
 he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
 son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 
 
^ "7 2^Uc^ .^^^-^-^^-^.^-e^ 
 
 i 
 
EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
 Ck 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
 hth President of the 
 United States, was born at 
 Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
 1782. He died at the same 
 [)lace, July 24, 1S62. His 
 body rests in the cemetery 
 at Kinderhook. Above it is 
 a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
 high, bearing a simple inscription 
 about half way up on one face. 
 V The lot is unfenced, unbordeved 
 or unbounded by shrub or flower. 
 
 There is but little in the life of Martin Van Bureu 
 of romantii; interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
 in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
 political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
 signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
 incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
 cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
 and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
 to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
 residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
 also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
 ligence and e.xemplary piety. 
 
 He was decidedly a jirecocious boy, developing un- 
 usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At tlie 
 age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
 in his native village, and conuiienced the study of 
 law. As he h.ad not a collegiate education, seven 
 years of study in a law-ofifice were required of him 
 before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
 a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
 sued his studies witli indefatigable industry. After 
 bl^ending si.\ years in an office in bis native village. 
 
 he went to the city of ^few York, and prosecuted his 
 studies for the seventh year. 
 
 In 1803, Mr. VanBuren, then twenty-one years of 
 age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
 lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
 Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
 Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
 perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listeni^ig to the 
 many discussions which had been carried on in his 
 father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
 Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
 cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed- 
 eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
 and State. 
 
 His success and increasing ruputation led him 
 after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tlu 
 county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years , 
 constantly gaining strength by contending in tht- 
 courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
 the bar of his State. 
 
 Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
 Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished foi 
 beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
 years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
 tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
 her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
 an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
 of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
 In t8i 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
 the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
 Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1S15, he was ap- 
 pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
 to Albany, the capital of the State. 
 
 While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
 prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 
 
♦s 
 
 MARTIN VAN BUREN. 
 
 the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
 not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
 the vile, tlie degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
 governing the State. In true consistency with his 
 democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
 path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
 to every man without distinction, no one should be 
 invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
 in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
 and some property interests in the welfare of tlie 
 State. 
 
 In 1 82 I he was elected a member of the United 
 States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
 in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
 -lative State. His course in this convention secured 
 [he approval of men of all parties. No one could 
 doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
 interests of all classes in the community. In the 
 Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
 conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 
 
 In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
 Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
 .he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
 .ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
 'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
 deemed tlie Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 
 
 Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
 the State of New York, and accordingly resigned liis 
 seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
 States contviiiuted so much towards ejecting John Q. 
 Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
 Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whetlier 
 entitlcHl to tlie reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
 g.irded throughout the United States as one of the 
 most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
 "t was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
 ;o touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
 ;he wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
 organize a political army whicii would, secretly and 
 fteaithily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
 these powers it is said tliat he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
 Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
 lew thought then could be accomplished. 
 
 VV ij 1 Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
 .■.;ip.,inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
 poiiiion lie resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
 apjioipted Minister to England, where he went the 
 sime autumn. The Se;iate, however, when it met, 
 refu.sed to ratify the nomination, and he leturjied 
 
 home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
 President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
 of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
 frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
 Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
 as ambassador. 
 
 His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
 President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
 ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
 secured his elevation to the chair of the Cliief Execu 
 five. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
 ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
 Jackson as President of the United States He was 
 elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
 retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
 canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
 Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
 Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
 upon him the power to appoint a successor." 
 
 His administration was filled with exciting events. 
 The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in 
 volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
 of the slavery question, and finally tlie great commer- 
 cial panic which spread over tlie country, all were 
 trials to liis wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
 tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
 and brought the President into such disfavor that lie 
 failed of re-election. 
 
 With the exception of being nominated for the 
 Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
 Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate un'il 
 his death. 
 
 He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
 and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
 competence for his declining years. His unl)leniislied 
 character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
 patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
 had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
 cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
 the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
 4th of March, 1841, tliat Mr. Van Buren retired fiom 
 the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald 
 he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
 of the country. From this time until his death, on", 
 the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
 resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, ot 
 culture and of wealth; enjoyirg in a healthy old 
 age, probably far more happiness than lie had before 
 experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life 
 
af^*-^: 
 
 /t/. )9r )9a^iyi^ 
 
 "H^ 
 
NINTH PRESIDKNT. 
 
 S' 
 
 
 ■« wiii^MM wm^m m4^^ii 
 
 ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
 SOM, the ninth President of 
 the United States, was born 
 at Berkeley, Va., Fel). 9, 1773. 
 His father, Benjamin Harri- 
 son, was in comparatively op- 
 ulent circumstances, and was 
 one of the most distinguished 
 men of his day. He was an 
 intimate friend of George 
 Washington, %\ as early elected 
 a'meinberof the Continental 
 Congress, and was conspicuous 
 among the patriots of Virginia in 
 resisting the encroachments of the 
 British crown. In the celebrated 
 Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
 rison and John Hancock were 
 Ijoth candidates for the office of 
 speaker. 
 
 Mr Harrison was subsequently 
 chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
 was twice re-elected. His son, 
 William Henry, of course enjoyed 
 in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
 intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
 ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
 entered Hampden Sidney College, where be graduated 
 with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
 -hen repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
 the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
 lObert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 .'Jpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
 withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
 ai)andoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
 having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
 
 dent Washington. He was then but ly years old. 
 From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
 until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
 death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
 pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. 'I'his 
 Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
 Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
 position. 
 
 In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
 was divided liy Congress into two portions. The 
 eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
 in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
 north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
 included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
 \\'isconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
 liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- 
 pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
 Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
 Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
 extensive a realm as any sovereign u]X)n the globe. He 
 was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
 vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
 rapidly increasing white [wpulation. The ability and 
 fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
 duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
 times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
 twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
 dent Madison. 
 
 When he began his adminstration there were but 
 three white settlements in that almost Ijoundless region, 
 now crowded with cities and resounding with all tlie 
 tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements 
 was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
 Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the thiid a French 
 settlement. 
 
 The vast wilderness over which Gov. H.nrrisci. 
 reigned was filled with many tribesof Indians. Abou' 
 
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 
 
 the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
 of the Shavvnese tribe, rose among them. One oi" 
 these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
 Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or " The Pro[)liet." 
 Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
 of great sagacity, I'ar-reaching foresight and indomit- 
 able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
 engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
 and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
 the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
 grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
 anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
 Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
 they dwelt. 
 
 But the Prophet was not merely anoratcn:: he was, 
 in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
 with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
 magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
 tiie Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
 from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
 by the Great Spirit. 
 
 Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
 the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
 canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
 October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
 near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
 tlieir appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
 approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
 short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
 ing the next day, to agree upon terms of [leace. 
 
 But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
 the Indian character to be deceived by such ])rotes- 
 tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
 campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
 His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
 upon their arms. 
 
 The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
 rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
 loaded musket l)y his side, and his bay oiict fixed. The 
 wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
 the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
 tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
 was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
 the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
 ble, and Just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
 the desperation which superstition and passion most 
 highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
 little army. The savages had been amply provided 
 with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
 war-whoop was accompained l)y a shower of bullets. 
 
 The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
 light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
 Dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
 s|ieedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
 troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
 \intil day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
 charge witli the l>ayone.t, and swept every thing be- 
 fore them, and completely routing thf" foe. 
 
 Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
 to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
 adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
 with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
 forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
 ing, plundering, scali)ing, torturing, the wide frontier 
 was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
 the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
 The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
 forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
 tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
 the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
 Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
 was appointed Ijy President Madison commander-in- 
 chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
 Detroit, and to protect tlie frontiers. 
 
 It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
 demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; bul 
 Cieneral Harrison was found equal to the position, 
 and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
 sponsiliilities. 
 
 He won the love of his soldiers by always sharinji 
 with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
 pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
 valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
 lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
 his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
 The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
 before the fire, without bread or salt. 
 
 In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
 the National House of Representatives, to represent 
 the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
 active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
 force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
 the attention of all the members. 
 
 In iSrg, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
 Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
 of tliat State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
 same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 
 
 In 1836, tlie friends of Gen. Harrison Ijrought him 
 forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
 Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
 Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
 party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
 by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency. 
 The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
 all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
 his triumph was signal. 
 
 The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
 at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
 brilliant with which any President had ever been 
 surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
 istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
 more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
 joyous prospects. Gen'. Harrison was seized by a 
 pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
 ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after 
 his inau<ruration as President of the United States. 
 
 I 
 
i 
 
7/7Z/ 
 
TENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 55 
 
 ^WSm T¥ILEMo 
 
 ^'^?i7f 
 
 OHN TYLER, the tenth 
 , I'residentof the United States. 
 He was born in Charles-city 
 Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
 was the favored child of af- 
 fluence and high social po- 
 ' sition. At the early age of 
 twelve, John entered William 
 and Mary College and grad- 
 ii.ited with much honor when 
 hut seventeen years old. After 
 graduating, he devoted him- 
 self with great assiduity to the 
 study of law, partly with his 
 father and p.irtly with Edmund 
 Randolph, one of the most distin- 
 guished lawyers of Virginia. 
 
 At nineteen years of age, lie 
 'k commenced the practice of law. 
 His success was rapid and aston- 
 ishing. It is said that three 
 months had not elapsed ere there 
 was scarcely a case on the dock- 
 I et of the court in which he was 
 
 not retained. \\'hen but twenty-one years of age, he 
 was ;',hnost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
 Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
 nratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
 lefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
 w,s elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
 unanimous vote or his county. 
 
 When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
 a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
 ably with the Djmocratic party, opposing a national 
 bank, intPTnal improvements by the General ^Vivcn- 
 
 ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con* 
 struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
 vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
 were so arduous that before the close of his second 
 term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
 estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
 however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
 State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
 in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
 reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
 by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
 native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
 cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 
 
 John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
 man, thtn represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
 United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
 was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
 and brought forward John Tyler as his op|)onent, 
 considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
 popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
 Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 
 
 In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
 seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
 tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
 voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
 uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
 ing all projects of internal improvements by the (jen- 
 eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
 Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
 Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
 abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
 Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
 in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
 had always avowed. 
 
 Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
 l;is profession. There was a ;pl:t in the Deir.ocraiic 
 
S6 
 
 JOHN TYLER. 
 
 party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
 fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
 ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
 forty-si.x. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
 sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
 vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
 not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
 of law, and devoted iiimsclf to tlie culture of his plan- 
 tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
 for the better education of his children ; and he again 
 took his seal in the Legislature of Virginia. 
 
 By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
 convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
 1839. The majority of.votes were given to Gen. Har- 
 rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
 the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
 ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
 convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
 ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
 thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
 President has but very little power in the Govern- 
 ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
 side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
 pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
 Democratic Vice President were chosen. 
 
 In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
 dent of the United States. In one short month from 
 that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
 thus -cund himself, to his own surprise and that of 
 the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
 chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
 institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
 country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
 was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
 une.xpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
 son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
 April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
 office. He was placed in a position of e.xceeding 
 delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
 opposed tc tb.e main principles of the party which had 
 brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
 sistent, hone:t man, with an unblemished record. 
 Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig caliinet. Should 
 he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
 sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
 on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
 whicii had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
 mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
 views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
 lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
 vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
 selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
 day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
 bless us. 
 
 The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
 incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
 The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
 his veto. He tsuaeested, however, that he would 
 
 ajiprove of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
 proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
 privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
 It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
 with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
 It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
 ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
 Bolls, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
 touched the pride of the President. 
 
 The opposition now e.\ultingly received the Presi- 
 dent into their arms. The parly which elected him 
 denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
 cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
 of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
 meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
 United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
 between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
 an end. 
 
 Siill the President attempted to conciliate. He 
 appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
 Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
 men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
 forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
 the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
 tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
 land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
 and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
 however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
 old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
 he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
 Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
 harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
 probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife, 
 Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
 and in June, 1844, PresidentTyler was again married, 
 at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
 many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 
 
 The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
 in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
 est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
 his manners, richly furnished with information from 
 books and experience in the world, and possessing 
 brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
 the scene of unasual attractions. ^Vitll sufficient 
 means for the exercise of a generous ho=|)itality, he 
 might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
 friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
 storms of civil war which his own principles and 
 policy had helped to introduce. 
 
 When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
 rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
 houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
 allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
 erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
 and while engaged in active measures to destroy, b" 
 force of arms, the Government over which he had 
 once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 
 
C^J^ 
 
 U-^;^. ^ ^g» — _ 
 
ELE I Ei\ Til PRESWEN T. 
 
 59 
 
 i 
 
 AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
 
 ^5&President of the United States, 
 
 was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
 
 N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
 
 >":>^ ents were Samuel and Jane 
 
 / (Knox) Polk, the former a son 
 
 -tS of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
 
 at the above place, as one of the 
 
 first pioneers, in 1735. 
 
 In the year 1006, with his wife 
 and children, and soon after fol- 
 lowed by most of the members of 
 the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
 grated some two or three hundred 
 miles farther west, to the rich valley 
 of the Duck River. Here in the 
 midst of the wilderness, in a region 
 which was subsequently called Mau- 
 ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
 and established their homes. In the 
 hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
 derness, James K. Polk spent the 
 early years of his childhood and 
 youth. His father, adding the pur- 
 suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
 ' gradually increased in wealth until 
 
 he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
 mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
 sense and earnest piety. 
 
 Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
 reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
 :i liberal education. His mother's training had made 
 him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
 uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
 principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
 father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 
 
 i 
 
 sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
 counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 
 
 This was to James a bitter disapixjintmeut. He 
 had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
 were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
 uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
 earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
 arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
 after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. ^V'ith 
 ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
 forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
 years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
 class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
 Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
 scliolars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
 himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
 service. 
 
 He graduated in 1818,, with the highest honors, be« 
 ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
 mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
 three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at thi? 
 time much impaired by the assiduity with whicli he 
 had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
 relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
 office of Felix Grundy, to sludy law. Here Mr. Poll- 
 renewed his acquaintance with .Andrew Jackson, who 
 resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
 miles from Nashville. They had probably beci 
 slightly acquainted before. 
 
 Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republiciui, 
 and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
 cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and \v."s 
 constantly called ujx)n to address the meetings of h.is 
 party friends. His skill as a speaker was such thct 
 he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
 He was a man of unblemished morals, genial aid 
 
 \ 
 
6o 
 
 /AMES K. POLK. 
 
 lourterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
 nature in the jojs and griefs of others which ever gave 
 him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
 to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
 strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
 Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 
 
 In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
 Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
 altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
 ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
 member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
 to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
 for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
 tinuec- in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
 only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
 of 'I'^nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
 member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
 always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever 
 he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
 ambitious rhetorical display. 
 
 During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
 Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
 and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
 formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
 tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
 passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
 March, 1839. 
 
 In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
 candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
 elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
 ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
 his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
 didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
 ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
 the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
 its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
 administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
 nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
 3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
 the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
 as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
 Almonte, imme"diately demanded his passports and 
 left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
 to be an act hostile to Mexico. 
 
 In his first message, President Polk urged that 
 Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
 ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
 other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent 
 
 with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
 sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
 western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
 two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
 where he erected batteries which commanded the 
 Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
 the western banks. 
 
 The anticipated collision soon took place, and wa; 
 was declared against Mexico l>y President Polk. The 
 war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
 with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
 called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
 then of " invasion, ''was sent forward to Monterey. The 
 feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
 and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
 alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
 It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
 that the war was brought on. 
 
 'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
 prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands 
 We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
 Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
 all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
 ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
 Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
 was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
 size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
 majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
 some Americans who thought it all right: there were 
 others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
 of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
 more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
 money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 
 
 On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
 office, having served one term. The next day was 
 Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
 as his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
 same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
 ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
 Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
 He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
 and his health was good With an ample fortune, 
 a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
 of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
 of tranquility and hapinness were i)efore him. But the 
 cholera — that fearful scourge— was then sweeping up 
 the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
 and died on the 15th of June, 1S49, in the fifty-fourth 
 year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 
 
i \^ / 
 
 -j^i 
 
 ^%^- 
 
TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 63 
 
 
 ACHARY TAYLOR, iweltth 
 President of the United States, 
 was born on tiie 241]! of Nov., 
 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
 %s father, Colonel Taylor, was 
 ''^ a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
 tinguished patriot and soldier of 
 the Revolution. When Zachary 
 was an infant, his father with his 
 wife and two children, emigrated 
 to Kentucky, where he settled in 
 the pathless wilderness, a few 
 miles from Louisville. In this front- 
 ?(ii5* ier home, away from civilization and 
 I all its refinements, young Zachary 
 could enjoy hut few social and educational advan- 
 tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
 school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
 rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
 acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
 oianifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
 the Indians wlio were ravaging the frontiers. There 
 is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
 childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
 In iSoS, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
 the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
 army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
 at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
 tliis he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
 from one of the first families of Maryland. 
 
 Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
 land, in 1S12, Capt. Taylor (for lie had then been 
 promoted 10 that rank) was put in command of Fort 
 Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
 Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
 ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. 
 It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
 icd by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 
 
 company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
 whom were sick. 
 
 Early in the autumn of 181 2, the Indians, stealthily, 
 and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. The.i 
 approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
 soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
 made every possible jireparalion to meet the antici- 
 pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
 forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
 waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
 in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
 with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
 to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
 Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
 them at 'a distance. 
 
 The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
 garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
 midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
 in the forest around, followed by the discharge ol 
 musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
 and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
 defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
 ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
 ture. No pen can describe, r.o immagination can 
 conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
 ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
 Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
 continued. The savages tiien, bafiled at every point, 
 and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
 Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
 rank of major by brevet. 
 
 Until the^lose of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
 in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
 service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
 wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
 empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
 to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
 best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 
 
64 
 
 ZACHARY TAYLOR 
 
 tellectiial stimiilas. Thus witii him the unevenlfiil 
 years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
 colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
 the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
 took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 
 
 For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
 the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
 emiiloyments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
 beyond the limits of his own immediate ac(iuaintance. 
 In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
 the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
 ■ tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
 hac' promised they should do. The services rendered 
 heie secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
 the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
 tc ;he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
 after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
 mand of the United States troops in Florida. 
 
 After two years of such wearisome employment 
 amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor 
 obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
 r..nd was stationed over the Department of the South- 
 west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
 Alabama and Georgia. Establishing liis headquarters 
 al Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
 to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
 Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
 from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
 imposed upon him. 
 
 In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
 between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
 being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
 by tlie United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
 was l)rought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
 Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
 Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
 was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
 was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
 the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
 Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
 forces much larger than he commanded. 
 
 His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
 simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
 \\\Q sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 
 
 Tlie tidiiigs of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
 ;pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
 name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
 Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
 ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
 lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
 Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
 nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
 claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
 office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
 for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
 without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
 who had been long years in the public service found 
 fl.tir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 
 
 had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
 Aito, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
 Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
 marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 
 
 Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
 writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
 pared such few communications as it was needful 
 should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
 the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
 umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
 Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
 Thougii he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
 old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
 and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
 His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
 tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
 was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
 tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
 pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
 stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
 the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
 trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
 Indians. 
 
 In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
 after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
 over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
 but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, r85o. 
 His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
 ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
 universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
 pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
 affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
 mented his death. 
 
 Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
 Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
 description of his character: — " With a good store of 
 common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
 larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
 with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
 quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
 been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
 rank, and quite i)igoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
 plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
 dices, amusing and incorrigilile, well suited to the 
 tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
 chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
 a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
 a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out 
 side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
 offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
 whom he would not, to use his oft repeated jihrase, 
 'touch with a pair of tongs.' 
 
 "Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
 worth's spelling-book, on the jiart of one wearing a 
 sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
 unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Insliorf 
 few men have ever had a more comfortable', labo:- 
 saving contempt for learning of every kind." 
 
(^C^t.c^^^ J t/^^:^'i'-i^ocnx) 
 
THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 67 
 
 
 ting to 
 ( iimsl 
 
 ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
 teenth President of the United 
 States, was born at Summer 
 Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
 the 7lh of January, iSoo. His 
 hither was a farmer, and ow- 
 mg to misfortune, in humble cir- 
 mistances. Of his mother, the 
 daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
 i^ll, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
 said that she [XJssessed an intellect 
 of very high order, united with much 
 personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
 position, graceful manners and ex- 
 quisite sensibilities. She died in 
 1 83 1 ; having lived to see her son a 
 young man of distinguished [jiom- 
 .>e, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
 dignity which he finally attained. 
 
 In conseciuence of the secluded home and limited 
 ineans of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
 vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
 mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
 very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
 r.nd expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
 acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
 wns about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy; 
 intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
 influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
 a:;d had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
 AN'hen fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
 some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
 Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
 Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 
 
 enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
 village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
 to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
 ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
 Ijooks. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate 
 and the selections which he made were continually 
 more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
 biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
 kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
 than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
 coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed^ 
 educated man. 
 
 The young clothier had now attained the age of 
 nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
 and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha'. 
 there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
 pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
 Wood, — who was struck with the jirepossessing au- 
 pearance of young Fillmore. He made hisaccjuaint- 
 ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
 attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
 trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
 young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
 r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
 tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
 so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
 take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
 money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
 offer was accepted. 
 
 There is in many minds a strange delusion abou'; 
 a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
 be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
 lege. But many a boy loiters through university hall- 
 ind then enters a law office, who is by no meaas »s 
 
08 
 
 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
 Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
 mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
 which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
 tense mental culture. 
 
 In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
 admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He tlien 
 went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
 practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
 his [)ractice of course was limited, and there was no 
 opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
 Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
 moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
 she might be called to fill, — -Miss Abigail Powers. 
 
 His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
 his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
 gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
 enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
 circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
 Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
 he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
 State of New York, as a rei)resentative from Erie 
 County. Though he had never taken a very active 
 part in [jolitics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
 the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
 and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
 Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
 [hat his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
 unusual degne the respect of his associates. 
 
 In the autiHiin of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
 Ihe United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
 irena in some of the most tuumltuous hours of our 
 national history. The great conflict respecting the 
 national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
 then raging. 
 
 His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
 his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
 utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
 he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
 elected, and- look his seat in 1837. His ]iast ex|ie- 
 rience as a re[)resentative gave hmi stiength and 
 confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
 any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
 He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
 gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
 measure received his impress. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide re|)ute, and 
 his popularity filled tiie State, and in the year 1847, 
 he was elected Comptroller of the State. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
 years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
 Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
 siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
 find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
 dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
 waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
 soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
 with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
 proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
 it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
 ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 
 
 Lhider the influence of these considerations, the 
 naniesof Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
 the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
 President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
 signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1S49, 
 Cicn. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
 Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 
 
 On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
 aliout one year and four months after his inaugura- 
 tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
 stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
 dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
 the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 
 
 Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
 with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
 Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
 the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
 the inadeipiacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
 The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
 creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
 evitable that the power of the Government should 
 soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
 famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
 Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
 was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
 more, having served one term, retired. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
 idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
 by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
 retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
 he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
 his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
 deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
 Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
 cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
 He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
 old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 
 

 
 M^^^cy^^ 
 
FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 7« 
 
 ^'W 
 
 ^■^a.'J-'KpA 'Wg 
 
 Wfm- ^" FRANKLIN FIERCE 
 
 15 
 
 
 RANKLIN PIP:RCE, tht 
 fourteenth President of the 
 I'f United States, was born in 
 Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
 23, 1804. His father was a 
 Revolutionary soldier, who, 
 with his own strong arm, 
 hewed out a home in the 
 wilderness. He was a man 
 of inflexible integrity; of 
 strong, though uncultivated 
 mind, and an uncompromis- 
 ing Democrat. The mother of 
 Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
 could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
 dent, affectionate. Christian wom- 
 an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
 
 Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
 erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
 love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
 loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
 looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
 by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
 doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
 which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
 veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
 devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
 in mind, in affections, a finely-develoijed boy. 
 
 When si.xteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
 entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
 one of the most popular young men in the college. 
 The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
 courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
 
 genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
 There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
 address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
 gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
 own magnanimous and loving nature. 
 
 Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
 commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
 Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
 the State, and a man of great privgite worth. The 
 eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
 father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
 political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
 tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
 nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
 the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
 Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
 practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
 to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
 he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
 chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 
 
 In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
 a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
 part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
 and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
 he was associatad. 
 
 In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
 he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
 taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
 his administration. He was the yoimgest member in 
 the Senate. In the year 1834. he married Miss Jane 
 Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
 plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
 station with wiiich her husband was honored. Of the 
 
72 
 
 FRANKLIN PIERCE. 
 
 three sons who were born to thein, all now sleep with 
 
 their parents in the grave. 
 
 In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
 and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
 residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
 President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
 Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
 the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
 professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
 state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
 same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
 Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
 Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
 brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
 troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
 He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
 self a brave and true soldier. 
 
 When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
 State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
 cates of the Me.xican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
 nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
 very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
 tions, giving his cordial sui)port to the pro-slavery 
 wing of the Democratic party. Tlie compromise 
 measures met cordially with his ajjproval ; and he 
 strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
 mous fugitive-slave law, whicli so shocked the religious 
 sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
 guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'* 
 The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
 quently regarded him as a man wliom they could 
 safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 
 
 On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
 tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
 Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
 and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
 two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
 for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
 brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
 move ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
 gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
 received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
 other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
 the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
 great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
 sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
 electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice 
 «as therefore inaugurated President of the United 
 States on the 4th of March, 1853. 
 
 His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
 comitry had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
 tween slavery and freedom was then approaching ite 
 culminating point. It became evident that there was 
 an " irrepressible conflict" between them, and tliat 
 tills Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
 free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
 ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
 the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
 year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
 of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
 ern breeze. 
 
 Such was the condition of affairs when President 
 Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
 of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
 ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
 by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
 the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
 Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
 ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
 unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
 cated those measures of Government which they ai> 
 proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
 rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
 able acceptably to serve them, ungratefidly dropped 
 him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
 tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two . 
 liad died, and his only surviving child had been 
 killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
 wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
 ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
 hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
 alone in the world, without wife or child. 
 
 When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
 vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
 Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
 had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
 that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
 allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
 or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
 ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
 the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
 1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
 men, an honored communicant of the Kpiscopai 
 Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
 erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
 leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
 people were often gladened by his material bounty. 
 
d 
 
 ZZyyjze^ (2^ 
 
 ^ca:y:^£€^/n.€6^?7/y 
 
I'lFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 75 
 
 >»» 
 
 
 L'.'^i'j^^'^'.^'i'^'i'J^^i'^^^'^igi'^'i^'giivatar^i'^-T'jX 
 
 «^ 
 
 <«« • 
 
 -»-• 
 
 •-« 7**- 
 
 AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
 .teenth President of the United 
 States, was born in a small 
 frontier town, at the foot of the 
 eastern ridge of the Alleglia- 
 nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on 
 the 23d of April, 1791. The ;;lace 
 where the humble cabin of his 
 father stood was called Stony 
 Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
 mantic s[)Ot in a gorge of the moun- 
 tains, with towering summits rising 
 grandly all around. His father 
 was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
 a poor man, who had emigrated in 
 1783, with little property save his 
 own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
 Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
 and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
 ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
 clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
 form his obscure part in the d-rama of life. In this se- 
 cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
 for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
 advantagi s. When James was eight years of age, his 
 father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
 liis son was placed at school, and commenced a 
 course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
 Ijrogress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
 entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
 veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
 the first scholars in the institution. His application 
 to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 
 
 abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
 facility. 
 
 In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest 
 honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
 age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
 athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
 an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
 commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
 and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
 but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
 in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
 with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
 twenty-si.x years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
 cessfully defended before the State Senate or^e of the 
 judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
 impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
 admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
 there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
 crative practice. 
 
 In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
 candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
 ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
 During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
 tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
 altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
 quired an ample fortune. 
 
 Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
 appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
 duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
 gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
 1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
 Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
 Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
 ures proposed by President Jackson, of m ikaig repri- 
 
76 
 
 JAMES BUCHANAN. 
 
 sals ag.ii.ist Fiance, to enfovce the payment of our 
 (.Liinis igaiii^t that country ; and defended the course 
 of the i'ro-.kient in his unprecedented and wholesale 
 reuijval from office of those who were not the sup- 
 porters of his administration. Upon tliis cpiestion he 
 was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
 He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
 from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
 against ^'iw. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
 Earnestly he oi)posed the abolition of slavery in the 
 District of Columbia, and urged the [jrohibition of the 
 circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
 States mails. 
 
 As to petitions on I lie siiliject of slavery, he advo- 
 cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
 that the reply should be returned, tliat Congress had 
 no power to legislate u|)on the subject. " Congress," 
 said lie, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
 slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
 States where it now e.\ists." 
 
 U|ion Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
 Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
 took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
 the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
 the Nueces by the American troops into the disjiuted 
 territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
 the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
 of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
 account of tlie course our Government [jursued in that 
 movement 
 
 Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
 the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
 of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
 to l)ear against the VVilmot Proviso. He gave his 
 cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50, 
 which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
 upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
 Buchanan with the mission to England. 
 
 In tlie year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
 tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
 political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
 oar country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
 slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
 striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
 mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
 ceived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
 174, and was elected. The [lopular vote stood 
 1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. Gn 
 March. 4th. 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
 ■'ears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
 ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
 allied in political principles and action for years, were 
 shaking the destruction of the Government, that they 
 might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
 nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
 In this emcrgeniv, Mr. fiuclianan was hnpe'cssly be- 
 wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 
 
 ciples, consistently opiwse the State-rights party in 
 their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
 bound by his oath faitht"ully to administer the laws 
 he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
 unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
 lic. He tiierefbre did nothing. 
 
 The op^ionents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
 nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
 in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
 party declared, that if he were elected, ancl the con- 
 trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
 hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
 with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
 Washington, and the lion's share of the territor_\' of 
 the United States. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the [iro-slavery 
 party was such, that he had been willing to offertheni 
 far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
 South had [irofessed to ask of the North was non- 
 intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
 chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
 operation of the Government to defend and extend 
 the institution. 
 
 As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
 claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
 ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
 the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental ini- 
 becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
 declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
 laws in any State wliich had withdrawn, or which 
 was attempting to witlidraw from the Union. This 
 was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
 his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed. "The 
 Union must and shall be preserved!" 
 
 South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
 three months before the inauguration of President 
 Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
 The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Fort Sumpter 
 was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
 were seized ; our depots of military stores were plun- 
 dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
 appropriated by the rebels. 
 
 The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
 Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
 on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
 and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
 ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
 ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
 scepter. 
 
 The administration of President Buchanan was 
 certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
 perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
 pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame,' 
 that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
 of flame and blood over our wlioleUind, no word came 
 from his lips to indicate his wish that our countrv's 
 banner should triuni|ih over the flag of the relieltion. 
 He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 
 
^Mt!t 
 
 <^ 
 
 ^-^T^^ 
 
SIXTEENTH PKESIVENT. 
 
 79 
 
 
 ABRAHAM 1> ^^,,/ , ,,.,^^ ._:_ 
 
 ■ c:. <. >.. ,:<■ ^i 
 
 
 BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
 
 sixteenth President of llie 
 •{viXJnited States, was born in 
 Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
 1809. About the yean 7 80, a 
 man by the name of Abraham 
 ^ Lincohi left Virginia with his 
 family and moved into the then 
 wildsof Kentucky. Only two years 
 after this emigration, still a young 
 man, while working one day in a 
 eld, was stealthily approached by 
 an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
 was left in extreme poverty with five 
 ittle children, three boys and two 
 girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
 )oys, was four years of age at his 
 father's death. This Thomas was 
 the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
 President of the United States 
 whose name must henceforth fo'-ever be enrolled 
 wiih the most prominent in the annals of our wodd. 
 Of course no lecord has been kept of the life 
 of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
 I he poorest of the (wor. His home was a wretched 
 log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest, 
 luhication he had none; he could never either read 
 or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
 himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
 starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
 .ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
 self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
 laborer in the fields of others. 
 
 When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
 cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
 daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
 grants, who had also come from Virginia. _ Their 
 second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
 this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
 woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
 a iialace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
 " All that I am, or hope to be," e.xclaims the grate- 
 ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. ' 
 
 When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 
 
 cabin and small farm, and moved to Tndi.T.ia Where 
 two years later his mother died. 
 
 Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
 community around him. He could not have had a 
 better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
 into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
 books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
 and re-read until they were almost committed to 
 memory. 
 
 As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
 was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
 griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
 Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
 ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
 soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
 Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's cl.aim in 1830, 
 and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
 With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
 another log-caliin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
 until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
 small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
 he announced to his father his intention to leave 
 home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
 tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
 liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
 education and was intensely earnest to unprove his 
 mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
 which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
 strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
 cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
 God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
 Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he 
 was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
 morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
 single vice. 
 
 Young Abraham wotked for a time as a hired laborer 
 among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
 w^here he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
 In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
 the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
 sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
 coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
 great satisfacticn to his employers. In this advcn- 
 
So 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 tiire his cmployiiis were so well pleased, that upon 
 his rot.irii tiiey placed a store and mill under his care. 
 
 Ill 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
 enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
 returned to Sangamon County, and allliough only 23 
 yeai's of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
 was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
 Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
 His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
 received lie carried there ready to deliver to those 
 he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
 made this his business. In r834 he again became a 
 candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
 Stuart, of S[)ringfield, advised him to study law. He 
 walked from New Salem to Sjiringfield, borrowed of 
 Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
 began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
 sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
 one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
 1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
 was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
 moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
 His success with the jury was so great that he was 
 soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 
 
 In 1S54 the great discussion began between Mr. 
 Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
 In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
 in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
 one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
 speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
 test in 1 85 8 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
 notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
 slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
 .he Declaration of Independence, that all men . are 
 created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
 test, but won a far higlier prize. 
 
 The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
 on the i6th ot June, i860. The delegates and 
 strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
 live thousand. An immense building called "The 
 Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
 tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
 were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
 as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
 orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
 Ih.e nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
 the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he tlien 
 dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
 bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
 and aslittledid he dream that he was to render services 
 to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
 the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
 a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
 tnly, if second, to that of AVashington. 
 
 Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
 electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
 constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
 The tirade of abuse that vas poured upon this good 
 
 and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
 greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
 high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
 for Washington, stopi)ing in all the large cities on his 
 way making speeches. The whole journey was froughi 
 with much danger. Many of the .Southern States had 
 already seceded, and several attempts at assassination ji 
 were afterwards brought to liglit. A gang in Balti- '! 
 more had arranged, upoir his arrival to "get u|) a row," 
 and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
 revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
 the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
 take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an 
 unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
 half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
 cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
 federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hail 
 started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
 reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
 although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 
 
 In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
 to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
 prominent opjionents before the convention he gave 
 important positions. 
 
 During no other administration have the duties 
 devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
 the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
 the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
 feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
 his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
 learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
 determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
 trials, bo»h personal and national. Contrary to his 
 own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
 most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
 rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
 with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
 had left Si)ringfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
 made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
 to oneof thein. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
 was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
 was announced that they would Le present. ' Gen. 
 Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
 ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
 it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
 very 'reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
 the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
 entered the box where the President and family were 
 seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
 next morning at seven o'clock. 
 
 Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
 plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
 Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
 anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
 in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
 model. His name as the savior of his country v-^.W 
 live with that of Washington's, its father; hisco-.ntry- 
 men being unable to decide wiiii h vs tl'e creator. 
 
^^^;^^-?^^i52>^ 
 
67? KAi V TEliN J 7/ rRESID£:i\ T. 
 
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 :^lii,.D'lt;!l^'W aifflMWSLD.iNo 
 
 
 1. 
 
 b NDREW JOHNSON, seven - 
 '« teenth I'resident of the United 
 
 States, 
 
 The early life of 
 Andrew Johnson contains but 
 
 syjf ,^-'' ,;^^ ' /-- '-^ ^'■"J record of poverty, destitii- 
 
 y tion and friendlessness. 
 7 was born December 29, 180S, 
 in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
 belonging to the class oi' the 
 "poor whites " of the South, -were 
 in such circumstances, that they 
 could not confer even the slight- 
 est advantages of education upon 
 their child. When Andrew was five 
 years of age, his father accidentally 
 lost nis life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
 friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
 was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
 labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
 her own hands. 
 
 He then, having never attended a school one day, 
 and being imable either to read or write, was ap- 
 prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
 Was i:i the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
 ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
 read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
 men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
 than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
 in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
 was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 
 
 He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
 with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
 learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
 man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 
 
 pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book., 
 but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
 into words. Under such difficulties he pressed o\- 
 ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
 at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
 and recreatior to devote such time as he could to 
 reading. 
 
 He went to Tennessee in 1S26, and located at 
 Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos 
 sessed some education. Under her instructions lip 
 learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
 in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
 the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
 ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
 alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
 position he held three years. 
 
 He now began to take a lively interest in political 
 affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
 to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
 member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
 see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
 He became a very active member of the legislature 
 gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
 1840 "stuinped the State," advocating Martin '^'an 
 Buren's claims to the Presidency, in ojjposition to thos , 
 of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired nnicli 
 readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
 his reputation. 
 
 In 184T, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
 was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
 elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
 1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
 was re-elected in 1855. In all these responsible |X)si 
 tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi. 
 
 i 
 
84 
 
 ANDREW JOHNSON. 
 
 ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
 ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
 United States Senator. 
 
 Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
 the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
 reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
 ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sal)le 
 sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
 and become merged in a population congenial to 
 themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
 promise measures, the two essential features of which 
 were, that the white people of the Territories should 
 be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
 would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
 the *'ree States of the North should return to the 
 South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
 on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
 he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
 said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
 that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
 was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
 ior was the son of a carpenter." 
 
 In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i8bo, he 
 was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
 Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
 irn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
 stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
 must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
 cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
 imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
 Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
 Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
 pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
 established the most stringent military rule. His 
 numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 
 
 1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
 States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 
 
 1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
 he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
 they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
 must be punished ; that the Government will not 
 always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
 only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
 must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
 crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
 administration, the history of which is so well known, 
 was in utter icKonsistency with, and the most violent 
 
 opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 
 
 In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
 amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
 acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
 defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
 the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
 and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
 removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
 ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
 ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 
 
 It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
 months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
 length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
 certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
 would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
 the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
 sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
 quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
 him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
 side would have sustained the impeachment. 
 
 The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
 but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
 his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
 think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
 dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
 alleled since the days of Washington, around the name I 
 of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
 The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
 President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
 there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
 mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
 nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
 in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
 politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
 struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
 nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
 gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
 session convened by President Grant, on the 5 th of 
 March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
 made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
 Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
 apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
 ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
 stricken with, paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
 He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
 2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
 eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
 with every demonstration of respect 
 
A-^^^. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 I 
 
EIGH TliENTll rKESlDENT. 
 
 87 
 
 ')f^'<5)(2VV®)g<®>5g!^^^, 
 
 i^r- 
 
 m^^^m^ 
 
 
 LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
 j§) eighteenth President of the 
 T^> United States, was born on 
 the 29th of April, 1822, of 
 Christian parents, in a humble 
 home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
 banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
 his father moved to George- 
 town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
 mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
 received a common-school edu- 
 cation. At the age of seven- 
 teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
 the Miliiary Academy at West 
 Point. Here he was regarded as a 
 ioiid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
 sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
 as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
 middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
 fantry to one of the distant military jiosts in the Mis- 
 souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
 solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
 Indians. 
 
 The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
 sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
 battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
 for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
 Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
 of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
 he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
 horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
 munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
 a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
 Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
 grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
 side of the anir»al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 
 
 From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
 10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
 preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
 was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
 battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
 first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
 pultepec. 
 
 At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
 turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
 sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
 discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
 tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
 Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
 Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
 migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
 Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
 States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
 tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
 little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
 munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
 the leatlier business, with a younger brother, at (ia- 
 lena, III. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
 of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
 of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
 "Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
 I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
 I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
 my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
 and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 
 
 He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
 unteers, and led them .as their captain to Springfield, 
 the capital of the State, where their services were 
 offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
 the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
 Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
 volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
 State in belialf of the Government. On the 15 th of 
 
88 
 
 UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 
 
 June, t86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
 Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
 unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
 had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
 that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
 General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
 rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
 of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
 peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
 rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
 stripes were unfurled in its stead. 
 
 He entered the service with great determination 
 and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
 ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
 he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
 effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
 prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
 won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
 at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
 victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
 immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
 district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 
 
 Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
 to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
 pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
 terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
 siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
 unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
 thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
 non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
 severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
 and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 
 
 Gen. Crrant was next ordered to co-operate with 
 Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
 ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
 his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
 was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
 of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
 by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
 ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
 followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
 Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
 were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
 bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
 ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
 general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
 He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
 and enter uix5r. 'Jif duties of his new office. 
 
 Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
 the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
 troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
 capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
 stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
 sembled from all quarters foi" its defence. The whole 
 continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
 majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
 Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
 were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
 plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
 campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
 ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
 render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 
 
 The war was ended. The LTnion was saved. The 
 almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
 Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
 vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
 tlie country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
 Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 
 
 At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
 May 2r, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
 Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
 majority of the popular vote, and 2r4 out of 294 
 electoral votes. 
 
 The National Convention of the Republican party 
 which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
 placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second tenn 
 by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
 cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
 electoral votes being cast for him. 
 
 Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant 
 started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
 visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
 and was everywhere received with such ovations 
 and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
 as well as public and official, as were never before 
 bestowed ujxjn any citizen of the United States. 
 
 He was the most prominent candidate before the 
 Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
 nomination for President. He went to New York and 
 embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
 nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
 wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
 the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
 cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
 manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
 General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
 cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
 1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
 the illustrious General. 
 
 i 
 
s 
 
 iyi'^_,£j^. 
 
 o- 
 
NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 9* 
 
 RUTHERi:ORD) B, HAYES. 
 
 %^A^. 
 
 h UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
 m the nineteenth President of 
 gj the United States, was born m 
 M Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
 most three months after the 
 ''^ death of his father, Rutherford 
 Hayes. His ancestry on both 
 the paternal and maternal sides, 
 was of the most honorable char- 
 acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
 as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
 Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
 tains, fighting side by side with 
 Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
 Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
 nobility, owned extensive estates, 
 and had a large following. Misfor- 
 tune ovtrmking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
 land in i6;io, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
 George wat born in Windsor, and remained there 
 during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
 ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
 riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
 son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
 turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
 son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
 born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
 blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
 Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
 where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
 erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 
 
 born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
 Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
 grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
 among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
 Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
 t63S, to John Birchard, one of tht; principal founders 
 of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
 in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
 frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
 chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
 ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
 undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
 in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
 ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
 the close of the war of i8t2, for reasons inexplicable 
 to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 
 
 The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
 when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
 was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
 first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
 mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
 in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
 fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
 son,of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
 reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
 her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
 household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
 mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
 some time l)efore as an act of charity. 
 
 Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 
 
9^ 
 
 RUTHJ:.JiFOJZV B. IIAVBS'. 
 
 subject of this sketch was so feeble at binli that he 
 was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
 most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
 weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
 quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
 last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
 familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
 boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
 aim, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
 him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
 wonder if he would really come to something yet." 
 
 " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
 vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
 President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
 in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
 death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was 
 drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
 mother. 
 
 The boy was seven years old before he wont to 
 school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
 He probably learned as much from his mother and 
 sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
 were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
 his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
 tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
 sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
 of others, which are marked traits of his character. 
 
 His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
 in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
 proved, and he was making good progress in his 
 studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
 paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
 was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
 Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
 tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
 and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 
 
 Innnediately after his graduation he began the 
 study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
 in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
 Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
 the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
 mained two years. 
 
 In 1 845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
 Admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
 afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-Iaw 
 with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
 mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
 and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
 fession. 
 
 In 1849 he moved to Cincumati, where his ambi- 
 tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
 ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
 this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
 quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
 Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
 Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
 cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
 members such men as'^hief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 
 
 Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
 others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
 marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
 everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
 Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
 and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
 more than she to reflect honor upon American woman 
 hood. The Literary Club brought Mr. Hayes into 
 constant association with young men of high char- 
 acter and noble aims, and lured him to display f.ie 
 qualities so long' hidden by his bashfulness and 
 modesty. 
 
 In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judgj of 
 the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ar- 
 cept the nomination. Two years later, the office ol 
 city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
 elected him for the unexpired term. 
 
 In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
 the zenith of his professional 1:5.. His rank at the 
 bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
 attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take -id 
 arms for the defense of his country. 
 
 His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
 October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
 in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
 regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
 and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
 was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
 of Souti'i i>iountain he received a wound, and while 
 faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
 that won admiration from all. 
 
 Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
 his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
 in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
 and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
 of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
 promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
 Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished Fervices 
 during the campaigns of 1S64. in AV'est Virginia." In 
 the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
 shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 
 
 In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
 the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
 ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
 and after his election was importuned to resign his 
 commission in the army; but he finally declared, "I 
 shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
 the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1S66. 
 
 In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
 over Hon. Allen G. Thunnan, a popular Democrat. 
 In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
 Ho was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 
 
 ]n 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
 lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
 hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
 augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
 full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to his party, 
 but his admin \stration was an average op.° 
 
TWENTIETH PRESIDENT. 
 
 95 
 
 
 5f,'i' ' in- ?ij 
 
 AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
 tieth President of the United 
 States, was born Nov. ig, 
 1 83 1, in the woods of Orange, 
 Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
 ents were Abram and EUza 
 (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
 England ancestry and from fami- 
 lies well known in the early his- 
 ^% tory of that section of our coun- 
 try, but had moved to the Western 
 Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
 ment. 
 
 The house in which James A. was 
 born was not unlike the houses of 
 poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
 ...IS about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
 ,ween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
 lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
 cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built, 
 i'he household comprised the father and mother and 
 heir four children — Mehetaliel, Thomas, Mary and 
 'ames. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
 .racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
 diis time James was about eighteen months old, and 
 Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
 (ell how much James was indebted to his brother's 
 (cil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
 ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
 much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
 itrs live in .Solon, O., near their birthplace. 
 
 The early educational advantages young Garfield 
 enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
 them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
 jienter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
 would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
 motlier in lie' "Struggles to keep the little family to- 
 
 gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
 origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
 gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
 ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor 
 the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
 greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sureof the 
 sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
 of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
 sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
 modest gentleman. 
 
 The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi 
 was about si.xteen years old was to be a captain of 
 a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
 a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
 finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with th.^ 
 understanding, however, that he should try to obtair 
 some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
 way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
 After making many applications for work, and trying 
 to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
 success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
 Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
 mained at this work but a short time when he wen'- 
 home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
 about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
 Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
 the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
 was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
 which church he was then a member. He became 
 janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
 He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
 " exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
 fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
 he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
 ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
 College as its President. As above slated, he early 
 united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
 Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
 ber, often preaching in its pulpit and [)laces where 
 he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
 Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 
 
90 
 
 /AMES A. GARFIELD. 
 
 " President Garfield was more than a man of 
 strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
 history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
 man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
 faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
 of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
 iiy judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
 liis character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
 Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
 sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
 communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
 and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
 the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
 in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
 that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
 nificance they step upward from one degree to 
 another in some of the many types of fashionable 
 Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
 jhurch of his mother, the church in which he was 
 trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
 evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
 tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 
 
 Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
 Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved herself 
 worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
 mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
 v/hom are still living, four boys and one girl. 
 
 Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
 w Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
 years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
 ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
 was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
 Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
 and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
 Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
 and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
 talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
 ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
 second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Lifantry, Aug. 
 14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
 vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
 was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
 and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
 work of driving out of his native State the officer 
 (Humphrey Mirshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
 those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
 to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
 ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
 ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
 Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
 been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
 before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
 army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
 in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
 Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the 
 General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
 Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
 crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of StafT." 
 
 The military lu'story of Gen. Garfield closed with 
 
 his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
 the stars of the Major-General. 
 
 Without an effort on his part Gei? Garfield wav 
 elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
 Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
 had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
 mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
 R. Giddings. It was not without a straggle that he 
 resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
 tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
 body. There he remained by successive re- 
 elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
 Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
 the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
 has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
 tribunel of the American people, in regard to whict 
 you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu- 
 ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
 better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
 the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
 Mr. Garfield." 
 
 Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
 the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
 same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
 party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
 He was elected in the following November, and on 
 March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
 ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
 auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
 day it grew in favor with the peoijle, and by the first 
 of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
 liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
 ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
 College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
 pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
 liim, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
 The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
 assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
 left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further 
 injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
 " the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
 before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
 curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peopfe 
 for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
 ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
 was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
 days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
 he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
 master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
 bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
 noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
 very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
 ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
 19, 1883, at Elheron, N. J., on the very bank of the 
 ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
 world wept at his deatli, as it never had done on the 
 death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
 The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
 cuted, in one year after he committed the fouJ deed. 
 
/)" 
 
rWEJSTY.FIRST PRESIDENT. 
 
 99 
 
 
 
 mw,m'^m}^ ^.. ^mwimisib^ m 
 
 HESTER A. ARTHUR, 
 
 _?) twenty-first Presi'Liu of the 
 
 s''-*United States was born in 
 
 Franklin Com' ty, Vermont, on 
 
 thefifthof Odober, 1830, and is 
 
 the oldest of a family of two 
 
 sons and five daughters. His 
 
 father was the Rev. Dr. William 
 
 Arthur, a Baptist d ,rgypian, who 
 
 emiguited to tb.s counti')' from 
 
 the county Antrim, Ireland, in 
 
 »y his 18th year, and died in 1875, in 
 
 Newton ville, neai Albany, after a 
 
 long and successful ministry. 
 
 Young Arthur was educated at 
 Union College, S( henectady, vvhere 
 he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
 ter his graduation he taught school 
 in Vermont for two years, and at 
 the expiration cf that time came to 
 New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
 and eiitered the office of ex-Judge 
 ^W E. D. Culver as student. After 
 being admitted to the bar he formed 
 a partnership with iiis intimate friend and room-mate, 
 Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
 \\\ the West, and for three months they roamed about 
 in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
 but in the end returned to New York, where they 
 hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
 ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
 soon afterward iruarrpd the daughter of Lieutenant 
 
 Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
 sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
 recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
 sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
 nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
 children. 
 
 Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
 in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
 brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
 been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
 Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
 athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
 his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
 they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
 that they could not be held by the owner under the 
 Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
 the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
 Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
 Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
 to represent the People, and they won their case, 
 which then v/ent to the Supreme Court of the United 
 States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
 of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
 Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
 the emancipation of the black race. 
 
 Another great service was rendered by General 
 Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
 a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
 Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
 General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
 verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
 ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
 on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 
 
loo 
 
 CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 
 
 followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
 nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
 sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 
 
 General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
 at Saratoga that founded the Re])ublican party. 
 Previous to the war he was Judge- Advocate of the 
 Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
 ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hun Engineer- 
 in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
 tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
 ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
 great service to the Government during the war. At 
 the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
 practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
 Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
 of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
 tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
 tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
 lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
 not indeed one of national extent. 
 
 He always took a leading part in State and city 
 politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
 New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
 ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
 20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 
 
 Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
 ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
 National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
 June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
 convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
 was composed of the '-ading politicians of the Re- 
 publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
 fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
 respective candidates that were before the conven- 
 tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
 ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
 for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
 was one of the most animated known in the history of 
 our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
 the Democratic [larty, was a popular man, and his 
 party made a valiant fight for his election. 
 
 Finally the election came and the country's choice 
 .vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
 March 4, 1S81, as President and Vice-President. 
 A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
 President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
 came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
 anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 
 
 tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
 covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
 able patience that he manifested during those hours 
 and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
 fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
 seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
 like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
 Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
 credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
 desire that tlie suffering Garfield might recover, to 
 serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
 ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
 in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
 honored position in the world was at any moment 
 likely to fall to him. 
 
 At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
 field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
 before in its history over the death of any other 
 man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
 the Vice President to ussume the responsibilities of 
 the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
 Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing 
 one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
 eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
 what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
 lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
 greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
 and many important measures were to be immediately 
 'decided by him; and still farther to embarrass him he 
 did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
 became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
 this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
 Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
 hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
 affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
 wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
 He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
 close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
 a popular candidate before his party for a second 
 term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
 vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
 favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
 of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
 been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
 for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
 rying with him the best wishes of the American peo 
 pie, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
 to them and with credit to himself. 
 
 I 
 
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 Cj^t^uC^Oy'^^^Z 
 
TIVENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 
 
 103 
 
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 v0Xitx ^yUmlnuS.. 
 
 
 , <xr o 
 
 coo 
 
 TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
 LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
 ident of the United States, was 
 born in 1837, in the obscure 
 town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
 N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
 -story white house which is still 
 standing, characteristically to mark 
 the humble birth-place of one of 
 America's great men in striking con- 
 trast with the Old World, where all 
 men high in office must be high in 
 origin and born in the cradle of 
 wealth. When the subject of this 
 sketch was three years of age, his 
 father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
 ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
 by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
 Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
 larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most^ 
 straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
 Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born, 
 
 At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
 menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
 way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
 manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
 ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
 all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
 arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
 capacity of the village school and expressed a most 
 
 emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
 his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
 days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
 become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
 means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
 to be a position in a country store, where his father 
 and the large family on his hands had considerable 
 influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
 the first year, and if iie proved trustworthy he was to 
 receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
 menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
 had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
 that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
 definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
 hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
 eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
 But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
 ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
 Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
 high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
 studies until the family removed with him to a point 
 on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
 village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
 N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
 but three Sundays. This event broke uyi the family, 
 and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
 small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
 asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
 years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
 this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 
 
I04 
 
 S. GROVE R CLEVELAND. 
 
 calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
 he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
 to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
 there was some charm in that name for him ; but 
 before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
 isk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
 stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
 rpeak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
 my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
 )avv," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
 the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
 that into your head? How much money have you 
 got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
 any." 
 
 After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
 place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
 year, wiiile he could " look around." One day soon 
 afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
 Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Lhem what he 
 wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
 gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
 ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
 tiave the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
 of $3 or $4 a week. Out of tliis he had to pay for 
 his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
 uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
 the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
 shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
 none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
 On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
 ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
 with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
 where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
 circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
 was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
 Out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
 Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
 exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
 chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
 possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
 "t," was practically his motto. 
 
 The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
 elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
 which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
 to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
 criminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
 City of Bufflilo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
 pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 
 
 in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
 city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
 performance of duty has generally been considered 
 fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
 reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
 campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
 a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
 tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
 plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
 be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
 a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
 to betray the interests of the peopls and to worse 
 than squander the people's money." The New York 
 Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
 land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
 upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
 State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
 and his administration of the affairs of State was 
 generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
 any, were made very public throughout the nation 
 after he was nominated for President of the United 
 States. For this high office he was nominated July 
 II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
 Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
 Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
 Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he 
 was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
 thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
 lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
 land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
 January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
 the Chief E.xecutive of the United States, in which 
 capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
 March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
 the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
 Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
 Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretary 
 of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
 Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
 York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
 Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
 of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
 Arkansas. 
 
 The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
 tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
 silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
 Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
 inauguration. 
 
t:-- • ■ 
 
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 dZ^^?^"/\,4.-*H^^-i<. 
 
TWENTY-THIRD PKESIDENT. 
 
 107 
 
 g^Mn':ja'inin ^aiwi^on^ 
 
 
 
 
 ■•o*o-©V'<v1g)-<^°" 
 
 •iENJAMIN HARRISON, the 
 
 oweiity-third I'lesidciit, is 
 
 fV^ the descendant of one of the 
 
 'In 
 
 historical families of t li i s 
 country. The head of tiie 
 °A.}3 family was a Major (leneral 
 ji0 Harrison, one of Oliver 
 ^' Cromwell's trusted follow- 
 
 ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- 
 well's power it became the duty of this 
 Harrison to p.articipate in the trial of 
 Charles I, and afterward to sign the 
 death warrant of the king. He subse- 
 quently paid for this with his life, being 
 hinig Oct. 13, IGGO. His descendants 
 came to America, and the next of tiic 
 family that appears in history is Benja- 
 ;;:in !Iarrison, of Yii-ginia, great-grand- 
 father of the subject of this sketch, and 
 after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
 was a member of the Continental Congress during 
 the years i774-5-G, and was one of the original 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
 was three times elected Governor of Virginia. 
 Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the 
 
 distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
 cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
 and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
 western Territory, was elected President of the 
 United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
 by death within one month after Ins inauguration. 
 President Harrison was born at Nortii Bend, 
 Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. ."^O, 18;j3 His life up to 
 the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
 at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
 try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
 able to give him a good education, and nothing 
 more. He became engaged while at college to the 
 daughter of Dr. Scott, Princip.al of a female schoo' 
 at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
 ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
 cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
 expiration of that time young Harrison receiv. d th:. 
 only inheritance of his life ; his aunt dying left him 
 a lot valued at S<800. He regarded this legacy as & 
 fortune, and decided to get married at once, <ak3 
 this money and go to some Eastern town an", be- 
 gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
 the monej- in his pocket, he started out witii his 
 young wife to fight for a place \n the world. Ke 
 
lOi^ 
 
 iiKlNdAMliSr HARRISON. 
 
 deciilcd to go to In;lianapolis, which was even at 
 ihat time a town of promise. He met with slight 
 ciicoiii-agement at fust, making scarcely anything 
 the first j-ear. He worked diligently, applying him- 
 self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
 practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
 fession. He is the father of two children. 
 
 In 18G0 Mr. Harrison was nominated for tlie 
 position of Supreme Court Reporter, and *,'ien be- 
 gan his experience as a stump speukc He can- 
 vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
 handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th 
 Indiana Infantrj', and was chosen its Colonel. His 
 regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
 out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
 mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
 when he therefore came to move toward the East 
 with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
 arilled and organized in the army. At Resaea lie 
 especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
 r.t Pcachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
 cr.al, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
 complimentary terms. 
 
 During the absence of Gen. Harrison in tlie field 
 he Supreme Court <)cclared the office of the Su- 
 preme Court Reporter vacant, and auotlier person 
 was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
 irg Indiana willi his regiment until the fall of 1 hG t 
 he had taken no leave tif absence, but having been 
 nominated that year for the same ollice, he got a 
 thirty-day leave of absence, .and during that time 
 made a briiliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
 for another term. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
 man, but on the wa}- was stricken down with scarlet 
 lever, and after a most trying siege made his w.ay 
 to the front in time to participate in the closing 
 incidents of fhe war. 
 
 In 18G8Gen. Harrison declined :\ re-election as 
 j«porter, and resnmctl the practice of lavv. In 187G 
 fie was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
 / Bated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him 
 3 National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
 pecial.y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
 as usual, he took an active jtart in the campaign, 
 und w;» elected to the United States Senate. Here 
 iie served six j'ears, and v;as known as one of the 
 ablest men, best lawyerr and strongest debaters in 
 
 that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
 term he returned to the practice of his professior., 
 becoming the head of one of tlie strongest firms in 
 Die State. 
 
 The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
 inost memorable in the history of our country. The 
 convention which assembled in Chicago in .lune and 
 named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard be.arer 
 of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
 ular, and on this .account, and the attitude it as- 
 sumed uj^on the vital questions of the day, chief 
 among which w,as the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
 in the campaign throughout the Nation. Slujrtly 
 after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
 Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
 ment became popul.ar, and from all sections of the 
 country societies, clubs and deleg.ations journeyed 
 thither to p.ay their respects to the distinguished 
 statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
 increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
 made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
 the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
 tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
 his speeches that they at once placed him in tiie 
 foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 
 
 ( )n account of his eloquence as a speaker and his 
 power as a debater, lie was called upon at an un- 
 commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
 of the gre.at questions that then began t j agitate 
 the country-. He w.as an uncompnmiising ant: 
 shnery man, and was matched against some of i.'_e 
 n.ost eminent Dera(>cr.atic speakers of his State. 
 No man who felt the touch of his bl.ade desired to 
 be pitted with him again. "With all his eloq-'encc 
 as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, 
 but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
 He is purely American in his ide.as and is a spier 
 did type of the American st.atesm.an. Gifted wit; 
 (piick [u'reeption, .a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
 he is one of the most distinguished .iniprduiplu 
 si)eakers in the Nation. Many of these soeeches 
 s[)arkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
 .•iigumenls of greatest weight. Many of liis terse 
 statements have already become ai)horisnis. Origi- 
 nal in thouglit, precise in logic, terse in statement, 
 yet with.'il faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
 the sound statesman and bril'iaut orator o*' the day 
 
o^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 Egc^^iBo-^^ 
 
 ^ HADRACH BOND, the first 
 Governor of Illinois after its 
 organization as a State, serving 
 from iSi8 to 1S22, was born in 
 Frederick County, Maryland, 
 in the year 1773, and was 
 raised a farmer on his father's 
 plantation, receiving only a plain 
 English education. He emigrated 
 to this State in 1794, when it was a 
 part of the "Northwest Territory," 
 continuing in the vocation in which 
 he had been brought up in his native 
 State, in the " New Design," near 
 Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe 
 County. He served several terms as 
 a member of the General Assembly 
 of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such, 
 and in 181 2-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelftli 
 and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3, 
 1 81 2, and serving until Oct. 3, 1814. These were 
 the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov- 
 ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain. 
 The year i8i2is also noted in the history of this 
 State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature 
 was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and 
 adjourned Dec. 26, following. 
 
 While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond 
 was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp- 
 tion on the public domain. On the expiration of his 
 term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of 
 Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of ihe 
 Territory. In company with John G. Comyges, 
 
 Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones, 
 Warren Brown, Edward Humphries and Charles W 
 Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the 
 initial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favor- 
 able location at the junction of the two great 
 rivers near the center of the Great West, would 
 rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter- 
 prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis- 
 lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of 
 Cairo. 
 
 In 18 r 8 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor 
 of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6 
 that year, which was several weeks before Illinois 
 was actually admitted. The facts are these: In 
 January, 1818, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti- 
 tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a 
 State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The 
 petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the 
 State on the latitude of the southern extremity of 
 Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend- 
 ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In 
 July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a 
 constitution, which, however, was not submitted to 
 the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros 
 ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record- 
 ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed 
 by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This 
 constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At 
 that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties, 
 namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, 
 Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington 
 and Franklin, the northern portion of the State be- 
 ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears 
 that Mr. Bond was honored by tlie naming of a 
 
SHADRACH BOND. 
 
 county b3foie he was elected Governor. The present 
 county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80 
 miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor 
 the people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and 
 worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State 
 is named. In this election there were no opposition 
 candidates, as the popularity of these men had made 
 tiieir promotion to the chief offices of the S^ate, even 
 before the constitution was drafted, a foregone con- 
 clusion. 
 
 Tlie principal points that excited the people in 
 reference to political issues at this period were local 
 or "internal improvements," as they were called. 
 State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the 
 personal characteristics of the proposed candidates. 
 Mr. Bond represented the " Convention party," for 
 introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias 
 Kent Kane, his Secretary of State, and John Mc- 
 Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led 
 the anti-slavery element. The people, however, did 
 not become very much excited over this issue until 
 1820, whin the fun jus Missouri Compromise was 
 adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south 
 of the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. While 
 tliis measure settled the great slavery controversy, 
 so far as the average public sentiment was tempor- 
 arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed 
 under the leidership of Stephen A. Douglas, the issue 
 as considered locally in this State was not decided 
 until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See 
 sketch of Gov, Coles.) The ticket of 181 8 was a 
 compromise one. Bond representing (moderately) the 
 pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery. 
 
 An awkward element in the State government 
 under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec- 
 tion of the State constitution. The Convention 
 wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditor 
 of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that the 
 new Governor would not appoint him to the office, 
 the Convention declared in a schedule that "an 
 auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and 
 such other officers of the State as may be necessary, 
 may be appointed by the General Assembly." The 
 Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large ajipoint- 
 ing power in the Governor ; but for the purpose of 
 getting one man into office, a total change was made, 
 and tlie power vested in tlie Legislature. Of this 
 provision the Legislature took advantage, and de- 
 
 clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners, 
 bank directors, etc., were all '" officers of the State " 
 and must therefore be appointed by itself independ- 
 ently of the Governor. 
 
 During Gov. Bond's administration a general law 
 was passed for the incorporation of acadeinies and 
 towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of 
 1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis- 
 sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners 
 appointed by the State of Lidiana, to report on the 
 practicability and expediency of improving the navi- 
 gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation 
 generally. Many improvements were recommended, 
 sotne of which have been feebly worked at even till 
 the present day, those along the Wabash being of no 
 value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the 
 capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to 
 Vandalia. Li 1820 a law was passed by Congress 
 authorizing this State to open a canal through the 
 public lands. The State appointed commissioners 
 lo explore the route and prepare the necessary sur- 
 veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution; 
 but, being unable out of its own resources to defray 
 tlie expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned 
 vuitil some time after Congress made the grant of 
 land for the purpose of its construction. 
 
 On the whole. Gov, Bond's administration was 
 fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from 
 any party. In 1824, two years after the expiration 
 of his term of office, he was brought out as a candi- 
 date for Congress against the formidable John P. 
 Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,460 for the 
 latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made 
 many fast friends by a judicious bestowment of his 
 gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously 
 fur him in the campaign. 
 
 In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg- 
 islature, with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom 
 Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni- 
 tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton. 
 
 Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis- 
 position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap- 
 preciation of events. His person was erect, stand- 
 ing six feet in height, and after middle life became 
 portly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were 
 strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and 
 eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died 
 April I [, 1830, in peace and contentment. 
 
» 
 
Ld/\^<-uZc) Co-U2<^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLIiVOlS. 
 
 "5 
 
 (TSji-V.' 
 
 '^v 
 
 
 ]£6war5 Colee. 
 
 'r 
 
 ^C^^^ 
 
 DWARD COLES, second 
 Governor of Illinois, 1823- 
 6, was born Dec. 15, 1786, 
 ill Albemarle Co., Va., on 
 the old family estate called 
 " Enniscorthy," on the 
 Green Mountain. His fath- 
 er, Jolin Coles, was a Colonel in the 
 Revolutionary War. Having been fit- 
 ted for college by private tutors, he 
 was sent to Hampden Sidney, where 
 he remained until the autumn of 1805, 
 when lie was removed to William and 
 Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va. 
 This college he left in the summer of 
 iSo7,ashort time before the final and graduating 
 exami lation. Among his classmates were Lieut. 
 Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer, 
 United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice 
 Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The 
 President of the latter college. Bishop Madison, was 
 a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir- 
 cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming 
 personally acipiainted with the President and re- 
 ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15. 
 The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir- 
 ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old- 
 fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by 
 such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, 
 Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the 
 age of 23, young Coles found himself heir to a plant- 
 ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever 
 since his earlier college days his attention had been 
 drawn to the question of slavery. He read every- 
 
 thing on the subject that came in his way, and 
 listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more 
 he reflected uiwn the subject, the more impossible 
 was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration 
 "that all men are born free and equal " with the 
 practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to 
 free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove 
 his residence to a free State. One reason which de- 
 termined him to accept the appointment as private 
 secretary to Mr. Madison was because he believed 
 that through the acquaintances tie could make at 
 Washington he could better determine in what part 
 of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he would 
 prefer to settle. 
 
 The relations between Mr. Coles and President 
 Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished 
 men, were of a very friendly character, arising from 
 the similarity of their views on the question of slavery 
 and their sympathy for each other in holding doc- 
 trines so much at variance with the prevailing senti- 
 ment in their own State. 
 
 In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a 
 portion of the following autumn in exploring the 
 Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo- 
 cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his 
 negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with 
 an extra man and horse for emergencies, through 
 many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, 
 determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, 
 however, a misunderstanding arose between our 
 Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected 
 to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear- 
 ing important papers concerning the matter at issue. 
 The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex- 
 
ii6 
 
 EDWARD COLES. 
 
 andar) of the error committed by his minister at 
 Washington, and the consequent withdrawal of the 
 the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles 
 visited other parts of Europe, especially Paris, where 
 he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette. 
 
 In the spring of rSig, he removed with all his 
 negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with the 
 intention of giving them their liberty. He did not 
 make known to them his intention until one beautiful 
 morning in .^pril, as they were descending the Ohio 
 River. He lashed all the boats together and called 
 all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad- 
 dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him- 
 self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in 
 liie shortest and fullest manner that they were no 
 longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty 
 to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas- 
 ure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is 
 best desciibed in his own language : 
 
 "The effect upon them was electrical. They stared 
 at rr.e and then at each other, as if doubting the ac- 
 curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless 
 silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word, 
 but with countenances beaming with expression which 
 no words could convey, and which no language 
 can describe. As they began to see the truth of 
 what they had heard, and realize tlieir situation, there 
 came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After 
 a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed 
 in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to 
 their gratitude and implored the blessing of God 
 on me." 
 
 Before landmg he gave them a general certificate 
 of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu- 
 larly with tiie law of this State requiring that each 
 individual should have a certificate. This act of 
 Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering 
 the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding 
 him, has challenged the admiration of every philan- 
 thropist of modern times. 
 
 March 5, i8ig. President Monroe appointed Mr. 
 Coles Registrar of the Land Office at EdwardsviLe, 
 at that time one of the principal land offices in the 
 State. While acting in this capacity and gaining 
 many friends by his ixjliteness and general intelli- 
 gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in 
 Illinois on the slavery question culminated in the 
 furious contest characterizing the campaigns and 
 elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a 
 new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. 
 Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, 
 putting forward for the executive office Joseph 
 Piiillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. 
 Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mil- 
 ilia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. 
 Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, 
 s'.icceeded in electing him as Governor. His plural- 
 ity over Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote of 
 
 over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected 
 by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech 
 was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a 
 wise expression of appropriate suggestions as to 
 elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But 
 he compromised not with evil. In his message to 
 the Legislature, the seat of Government being then 
 at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the 
 modified form of slavery whi';h then existed in this 
 State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi- 
 tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when 
 it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the 
 population of Illinois being at that lime almost ex- 
 clusively from slave-holding States and by a large 
 majority in favor of the perpetuation of tiiat old relic 
 of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course, 
 a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority of 
 them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of 
 the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and 
 deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the 
 public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of 
 mob, or " shiveree" party, who visited the residence 
 of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled 
 and groaned and spat fire. 
 
 The Constitution, not establishing or permitting 
 slavery in this State, was thought tlierefore to be 
 defective by the slavery ])oliticians, and they desired 
 a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub- 
 mit a new Constitution ; and the dominant politics 
 of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven- 
 tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people. 
 Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address 
 published by the latter party. This address revealed 
 the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly , man- 
 ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti- 
 mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in 
 which the Governor was placed at that time. 
 
 Our hero maintained himself honorably and with 
 supreme dignity throughout his administration, and 
 in his honor a county in this State is named. He 
 was truly a great man, and those who lived in 
 this State during his sojourn here, like those who 
 live at the base of the mountain, were too near to see 
 and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them. 
 
 Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bisliop 
 De Lanccy, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter 
 of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestrv, 
 who cam." to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682. 
 
 After the expiration of his term of service, Gov. 
 Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup- 
 erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond 
 of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri- 
 cultural society in the State. On account of ill 
 health, however, and having no fannly to tie him 
 down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. 
 About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadel- 
 phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at 
 Woodland, near that city. 
 
:^/0 
 
 '(i>cp^^tHyb>KP^ 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 119 
 
 .er'-^^Tx^''^ ■■■■'••>J 
 
 ^ \n I a 11 E'^ d, w, a^P d^ s 
 
 ••<^^###'-^>" 
 
 «« 
 
 INIAN EDWARDS, Governor 
 from 1827 to 1S30, was a son 
 of Benjamin Edwards, and 
 was born in Montgomery 
 o County, Maryland, in March, 
 ~,.^ 1775- H'^ domestic train- 
 ^^' ing was well fitted to give 
 his mind strength, firmness and 
 honorable princii)les, and a good 
 foundation was laid for the elevated 
 character to which he afterwards 
 attained. His parents were Bap- 
 tists, and very strict in their moral 
 piinciples. His education in early 
 youth was in comi)any with and 
 partly under the tuition of Hon. Wm. 
 Wirt, whom his father patronized 
 and who was more than two years 
 older. An intimacy was thus 
 formed between them whiclr was lasting for life. He 
 was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car- 
 lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but 
 before completing his course he moved to Nelson 
 County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to 
 purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and 
 sisters.. Here he fell in the company of dissolute 
 companions, and for several years led the life of a 
 spendthrift. He was, however, elected to the Legis- 
 lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson 
 iJounty before he was 2 i years of age, and was re- 
 elected by an almost unanimous vote. 
 
 In 1798 he was licensed to practice law, and the 
 following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes- 
 see. About this time he left Nelson County for 
 Russellville, in Logan County, broke away from his 
 dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and 
 devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He 
 then began to rise rapidly in liis profession, and soon 
 became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years 
 he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge 
 of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth J^'dge of 
 the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State, 
 — all before he was 32 years of age! In addition, in 
 1802, he received a commission as Major of a battal- 
 ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1804 was chosen a 
 Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton 
 ticket. In 1806 he was a candidate for Congress, 
 but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of 
 Appeals. 
 
 Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in 
 the spring of iSog, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief 
 Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, received 
 from President Madison the appointment as Gover- 
 nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date 
 April 24, 1S09. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia i.i 
 June, and on the i ith of that month took the oath of 
 office. At the same time he was appointed Su|)eriii- 
 tendent of the United States Saline, this Government 
 interest then developing into considerable proportion; 
 in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three 
 years of his administration he had the power to make 
 new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always 
 allowed the people of each county, by an informal 
 
120 
 
 NINIAN EDWARDS. 
 
 vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili- 
 tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward 
 United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed 
 by Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of 
 the Territory, which office was accepted for a short 
 time only. 
 
 The Indians in tSro committing sundry depreda- 
 tions in the Territory, crossing the Mississippi from 
 the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol- 
 lowed between the respective Governors concerning 
 the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav- 
 ages at Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation of 
 ihe treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de- 
 predations, and was not re-settled for many _years 
 afterward. 
 
 As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in 
 1S12, he was re-appointed for another term of three 
 years, and again in 1815 for a third term, serving 
 until the organization of the State in the fall of 18 18 
 and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time 
 ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States 
 Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As 
 Senator, Mr. Edwards took a conspicuous part, and 
 acquitted himself honorably in all the measures that 
 came up in that body, being well posted, an able de- 
 Dater and a conscientious statesman. He thought 
 seriously of resigning this situation in 182 1, but was 
 persuaded by his old friend, \Vm. Wirt, and others to 
 continue in office, which he did to the end of the 
 term. 
 
 He was then appointed Minister to Mexico by 
 ('resident Monroe. About this time, it appears that 
 Air. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of 
 Wm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States 
 Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi- 
 dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of 
 his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in 
 order fully to investigate the charges. The result 
 was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards. 
 
 Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws," 
 disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and 
 .he State of Illinois during the whole of his career in 
 ;his commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main- 
 tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important 
 ;.ctor in the great struggle which ended in a victory 
 for his party in 1824. 
 
 In 1826-7 the Winnebago and other Indians com- 
 mitted sone depredations in the northern part of the 
 
 State, and the white settlers, who desired the lands 
 and wished to exasperate tiie savages into an evacu- 
 ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of 
 the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be- 
 tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war, 
 known in history as the "Winnebago War." A few 
 chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson 
 succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief, 
 and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at 
 least until the troubles commenced which ended in 
 the " Black Hawk War " of 1832. In the interpre- 
 tation of treaties and execution of their provisions 
 Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The 
 Indians kept themselves generally within the juris- 
 diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor, 
 Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready cor- 
 respondence with him was difficult or impossible. 
 Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard to 
 the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to have 
 been very efficient and satisfactory. 
 
 For a considerable portion of his time after his re- 
 moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his 
 farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with 
 horses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also with 
 fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He estab- 
 lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively 
 in mercantile business, having no less than eight or ten 
 stores in this State and Missouri. Notwithstanding 
 the arduous duties of his office, he nearly ahvays pur- 
 chased the goods himself with which to supply the 
 stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi- 
 cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex- 
 tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and 
 taking care of, the sick, generally without charge. 
 He w.is also liberal to the poor, several widows and 
 ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to him 
 even for their homes. 
 
 - He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in 
 1803, and they became the affectionate parents of 
 several children, one of whom, especially, is weh' 
 known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely, 
 Ninian Wirt Edwards, once tlie Superintendent c' 
 Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield 
 Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas- 
 kaskia from 1809 to 1818; in Edwardsville (named 
 after him) from that time to 1824; and from the lat- 
 ter date at Belleville, St. Clair County, until his 
 death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cholera. Edwards 
 County is also named in his honor. 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 127 
 
 »■ » > i « fr— o'g^-<ill>'-$e^ # 1 1 " ' 
 
 ^l|oHN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831- 
 J! 'f&g^ 4, was born in Montgomery Coun- 
 ' ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788. 
 
 His father, Robert Reynolds and 
 his mother, nee Margaret Moore, 
 were both natives of Ireland, from 
 which country they emigrated to 
 the United States in 1785, land- 
 ing at Philadelphia. The senior 
 Reynolds entertained an undying 
 hostility to the British Govern- 
 ment. When the subject of this 
 sketch was about six months old, 
 his parents emigrated with him to 
 Tennessee, where many of their 
 relatives had already located, at the base of the 
 Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of 
 the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex- 
 posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest- 
 ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior 
 of the State. They were poor, and brought up their 
 children to habits of manual industry. 
 
 In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with 
 eight horses and two wagons, encountering many 
 Hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed 
 the most of his childhood, wliile his character began 
 to develop, the most prominent traits of which were 
 ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle 
 and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating 
 liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal, 
 
 this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of 
 the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest 
 of Edwardsville. 
 
 On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing 
 tliat he must look about for his own livelihood and 
 not yet having determined what calling to pursue, 
 concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly 
 went to such an institution of learning, near Knox- 
 ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his 
 diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of 
 his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered 
 wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a 
 shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himsel ' 
 into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of 
 Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years, 
 going through the principal Latin authors ; but it 
 seems that he, like the rest of the world in modern 
 times, had but very little use for his Latin in after 
 life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good 
 degree of literary disciplme. He commenced the 
 study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble 
 came en and compelled him to change liis mode 
 of life. Accordingly he returned home and re- 
 cuperated, and in 1812 resumed his college and 
 law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 1812 he was 
 admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time 
 he also learned the French language, whicli \\h 
 practiced with pleasure in conversation with his 
 family for many years. He regarded this language 
 as being superior to all others for social intercourse. 
 
124 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 From his services in the West, in the war of 1812, 
 lie obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He 
 was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate. 
 
 Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the 
 winter and spring of 1814, inthe French village of 
 Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County. 
 
 In the fall of 1S18 he was elected an Associate 
 Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General 
 Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than 
 ever into the practice of law, and the very next year 
 was elected a member of the Legislature, where he 
 acted independently of all cliques and private inter- 
 ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for 
 the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi- 
 nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and 
 raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a 
 iudicial calmness and moderation. The real animus 
 if the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson," 
 'he former party carrying the State. 
 
 In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov- 
 .rnor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he 
 did all within his power to advance the cause of edu- 
 cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich- 
 igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun- 
 try, etc.; also recommended the winding up of the 
 State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously 
 complicated. In his national politics, he was a 
 moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the 
 most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin- 
 istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred 
 in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted 
 the contest with commendable diligence, appearing 
 in person on the battle-grounds during the most 
 critical periods. He was recognized by the President 
 as Major-General, and authorized by him to make 
 treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the 
 general Government the war was terminated without 
 much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This 
 war, as well as everything else, was materially re- 
 tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the 
 West. This was its first appearance here, and was 
 the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds' 
 term. 
 
 South Carolina nullification coming up at this time, 
 t was heartily condemned by botli President Jackson 
 e.nd Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same 
 grounds as the Unionists in the last war. 
 
 On the termination of his gubernatorial term in 
 .834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con- 
 t^ress, still considering himself a backwoodsman, as 
 ' & had scarcely been outside of the State since he 
 became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful 
 days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first 
 DOve in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in 
 all elections made by the House for officers the votes 
 should be given viva voce, each member in his jjlace 
 naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This 
 created considerable heated discussion, but was es- 
 
 sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin- 
 ciple for many years. The ex Governor was scarcely 
 absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses- 
 sions of Congress, covering a period of seven years, 
 and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed 
 to get the Democratic party to foster his " National 
 Road " scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a 
 large autobiography he published), that it was only 
 by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in 
 VVashington. During his sojourn in that city he was 
 married, to a lady of the place. 
 
 In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company 
 with a few others, he built the first railroad in the 
 Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long, 
 leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to 
 the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not 
 the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it 
 by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com- 
 pany sold out, at great sacrifice. 
 
 In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the 
 Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow 
 money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord'ngly, he 
 repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining 
 a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth 
 of what was wanted. The same year he and his 
 wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr. 
 Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility 
 of introducing to President Van Buren the noted 
 Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day 
 Saint!" 
 
 In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of 
 the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu- 
 larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter 
 for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis, 
 a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately 
 built, and was the first road of the kind in the State. 
 He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, when 
 he was chosen Speaker of the House. In i860, aged 
 and infirm, he attended the National Democratic 
 Convention at Charleston, S. C, as an anti-Douglas 
 Delegate, where he received more attention from the 
 Southern Delegates than any other member. He 
 supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After 
 the October elections foreshadowed the success of 
 Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo- 
 crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi- 
 ately preceding and during the late war, his corre- 
 spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern 
 secession, and about the first of March, i86r, he 
 urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the 
 treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal 
 at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative 
 man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch- 
 words that ever gained currency, besides many cun- 
 ning and odd ones of his own manufacture. 
 
 He was married twice, but had no children. He 
 died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close 
 of the war. 
 
I 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 127 
 
 II LIAM LEE D. EWING, 
 Governor of Illinois Nov. 3 
 8 to 17, 1834, was a native 
 of Kentucky, and probably 
 of Scotch ancestry. He bad 
 -» . a fine education, was a gentle- 
 
 ' mm of polished manners and 
 
 iclmcd sentnnent. In 1830 John Rey- 
 nolds w lb elected Governor of the State, 
 and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor, 
 and for the principal events that followed, 
 and the characteristics of the times, see 
 sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we 
 ^^ see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in- 
 forms us that he was a Receiver of Public 
 MoLeys at Vandalia soon after the organization of 
 t<iis State, and that the public moneys in his hands 
 v.'ere deposited in various banks, as they are usually 
 -■'• thi. present day. In 1823 the State Bank was 
 obbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand- 
 dollar deposit. 
 
 The subject of this sketcli had a commission as 
 /^olonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies 
 he ac^ed also as Major. In the summer of 1832, 
 ■"/hen i- was rumored among the whites that Black 
 Hawk and his men had encamped somewhere on 
 Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of 
 reconnoisance, and with orders to drive the Indians 
 from the State. After some opposition from his 
 subordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up 
 Rock River in search of the enemy. On the 19th of 
 July, early in the morning, five baggage wagons, 
 
 camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti- 
 cle.i were piled U[) and left, so that the army miglit 
 make speedy and forced marches. For some miles 
 the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps 
 aid the worst thickets; but the large, fresh trail 
 gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen. 
 Dodge and Col. Ewing were both acting as Majors, 
 and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the 
 orniy. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50 
 miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed 
 Ijecame fresher, and was strewed with much property 
 and trinkets of the red-skim that they had lost or 
 thrown away to hasten their march. During the 
 following night there was a terrific thunder-storm, and 
 the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor- 
 oughly drenched. 
 
 On approaching nearer the Indians the next day. 
 Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a 
 battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the 
 battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day 
 Forced marches were continued until they reached. 
 Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued, 
 resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's 
 men. The next day they continued the chase, and 
 as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians 
 leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed 
 his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order 
 of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the 
 ground and ordered a charge, which directly resulted 
 in chasing the red warriors across the great river. 
 Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly 
 efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors 
 in driving the main body of the Sacs and Fo.xes, in- 
 
128 
 
 WILLIAM L. D. EWING. 
 
 eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi, 
 while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex- 
 pedition, with a lK)dy of the army, was hunting for 
 them \n another direction. 
 
 In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to 
 as a "General," wliich title he had derived from his 
 connection with the militia. 
 
 It was in the latter part of the same year (1832) 
 that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con- 
 gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to the 
 Senate, was chosen to preside over that body. At 
 ihe August election of 1834, Gov. Reynolds was also 
 elected to Congress, more tlian a year ahead of the 
 time at which he could actually take his seat, as was 
 then the law. His predecessor, Charles Slade, had 
 just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec- 
 tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his 
 unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash- 
 ington in November of that year to take his seat in 
 Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as 
 President of the Senate, became Governor of the 
 Stat2 of Illinois, his term covering only a period of 
 15 days, namely, from the 3d to the 17th days, in- 
 clusive, of November. On the 17th the Legislature 
 met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his 
 message, giving a statement of the condition of the 
 affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin- 
 uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor ; and 
 on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan 
 was sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from 
 
 the responsible situation. This is the only time that 
 such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi- 
 nois. 
 
 On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was 
 elected a United Slates Senator to serve out the 
 unexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The 
 latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the 
 early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is 
 named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to 
 the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi- 
 tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several 
 important offices in this State, and Richard M. 
 V'oung, afterward a United States Senator and a 
 Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On 
 the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes. Young 19 
 •uid Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was 
 dropped; the ninth and tenth stood a tie; but on 
 the 1 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was 
 accordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewing 
 received some votes for a continiiance of his term in 
 Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, was 
 elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State 
 Audit 'r on the ticket with Gov, Ford. 
 
 Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer 
 by profession, and was much in public life. In person 
 lie was above medium height and of heavy build, 
 with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and 
 short face. He was genial, social, friendly and 
 affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of 
 originality. He died March 25, 1846. 
 
Jc/^^/^i^ ^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 »3« 
 
 
 iv/gg^J/OT^'^v. ^1>:s 
 
 % -vii!£j2A3^^*<S-'^«»* ' 
 
 
 K^is?- 
 
 OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor 
 1834-8, was born at Paris, 
 Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the 
 tender age of 19 years he en- 
 ^ hsted in the war against Great 
 Britain, and as a soldier he 
 m acquitted himself with credit. He 
 was an Ensign under the daunt- 
 less Croghan at Lower Sandusky, 
 or Fort Stephenson. In Illinois 
 lie first appeared in a public capa- 
 city as Major-General of the Militia, 
 a pjosition which his military fame 
 had procured him. Subsequently 
 he became a State Senator from 
 Jackson County, and is honorably 
 mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for 
 a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt- 
 able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such 
 men as John McLean, Elias Kent Ka)ie and ex- 
 Gov, Bond, came up for the fourth time for Congress, 
 Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his 
 friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians. 
 As yet he was but little known in the State. He was 
 an original Jackson man at that time, being attached 
 to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of 
 his militaiy achievements. His chances of success 
 against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless, 
 but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His 
 speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were 
 full of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of 
 the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of 
 his health. The most that was expected of Mr. 
 Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would 
 
 obtain a respectable vote, but wiiiiout defeating Mr. 
 Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a 
 source of surprise and amazement to both friends 
 and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 641 votes ahead! 
 He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un- 
 til this dcnoHcincnt, the violence of party feeling 
 smoldering in the breasts of the people on account 
 of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated. 
 Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no 
 oiher than mere local and pergonal considerations 
 had ever before controlled an election in Illinois. 
 
 From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his 
 seat in Congress until his election as Governor in 
 .\ugust, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the 
 Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey- 
 nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the 
 volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock 
 Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash- 
 ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did 
 not personally participate in it, but addressed circu- 
 lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed, 
 attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- 
 cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his 
 political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely 
 in ascendency in the State, was complete; but while 
 his defection was well known to his Whig friends, 
 and even to the leading Jackson men of this State, 
 the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact 
 to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at 
 that day were far inferior to those of the present 
 time. Of course the Governor was much abused 
 afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re- 
 garded party ties and affiliations as above all 
 other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless 
 
132 
 
 JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 sincere in his opposition to the old lieio, as the latter 
 j;ad vetoed several important western measures 
 which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural 
 message he tlirew off the mask and took a bold stand 
 rgainst the course of the President. The measures 
 '.e recommended in his message, however, were so 
 desirable that the Legislature, although by a large 
 majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain 
 .from endorsing them. These measures related 
 /iiainly to bai:ks and internal improvements. 
 
 It was while Mr. Buncan was Governor that the 
 people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in- 
 ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank- 
 'upted the State. The hard times of 1837 caiiie on, 
 and the disasters that attended the inauguration of 
 diese plans and the operation of the banks were mu- 
 tually charged upon the two political parties. Had 
 any one man autocratic power to introduce and 
 carry on any one of these measures, he would proba- 
 bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public ; 
 Lut as many jealous men had hold of the same plow 
 handle, no success followed and each blamed the other 
 'or the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan 
 was carried along, suffering the like derogation of 
 character with his fellow citizens. 
 
 At the height of the excitement the Legislature 
 "provided for" railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton 
 to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the 
 eastern boundary of the State in the direction of 
 Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabash, 
 Bloon-.ington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, — in all 
 about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the 
 improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia, 
 Illinois, Great and Little Wabash aiad Rock Rivers ; 
 also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis- 
 tributed to the various counties wherein no improve- 
 ments were ordered to be made as above. The 
 estimate for the expenses for all these projects was 
 placed at a little over $10,000,000, which was not 
 more than half enough ! That would now be equal to 
 saddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000! It 
 was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times 
 over, even counting all the possible benefits. 
 
 One of the most exciting events that ever occurred 
 'a\ this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love- 
 by in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's 
 term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist," 
 editing the Observer at that place, and the pro- 
 slavery slums there formed themselves into a mob. 
 
 and after destroying successively three presses be- 
 longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse 
 where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring 
 to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends 
 were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the 
 brave reformer! 
 
 About this time, also, the question of removing the 
 State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for 
 its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close. 
 There was, of course, considerable excitement over 
 the matter, the two main points competing for it be- 
 ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat- 
 ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully 
 allayed. 
 
 Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842 
 he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu- 
 tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam 
 W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the 
 Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi- 
 date for the same position. Mr. Snyder, however, died 
 before the campaign had advanced very far, and his 
 luirty substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected, 
 receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and 
 909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success 
 at this time is mainly attributed to the temporary 
 support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the 
 want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses, 
 that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy en- 
 tertained in the respective localities. 
 
 Gov. Duncan was a man of ratlier limited educa- 
 tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited 
 greatly by his various public services, and gathered 
 a store of knowledge regarding public affairs which 
 served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear 
 judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral 
 courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his 
 deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira- 
 tion of the people. His intercourse with them was 
 both affable and dignified. His portrait at the Gov- 
 ernor's mansion, from which the accompanying was 
 made, represents him as having a swarthy complex- 
 ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black 
 eyes and straight black hair. 
 
 He was a liberal patron of the Illinois College at 
 Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and 
 died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted 
 member of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife 
 but no children. Two children, born to them, had 
 died in infancy. 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 «35 
 
 
 m 
 
 ii^i 
 
 
 
 
 ynOMAS CARLIN, tlie sixth 
 Governor of the State of 
 lUiiiois, serving from 1838 
 to 1842, was also a Ken- 
 tuckian, being born near 
 Frankfort, that State, July 
 18, 1789, of Irish paternity. 
 The opportunities for an education 
 being very meager in his native 
 place, he, on approaching years of 
 jud",ment and maturity, applied 
 himself to those branches of learn- 
 ing that seemed most important, 
 and thus became a self-made man ; 
 and his taste for reading and 
 study remained with him through 
 life. In 1803 his father removed 
 10 Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he 
 died in 1 8 10. 
 
 In 1812 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici- 
 ]ialed in all the "ranging" service incident to the 
 war of that [leriod, proving himself a soldier of un- 
 daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rel)ecca 
 Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the 
 Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis- 
 sc.;vi, where he followed farming, and then removed 
 to Greene County. He located the town site of Car- 
 n/»ton,in that county, and in 1*525 made a liberal 
 donation of land for county building purposes. He 
 was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate 
 organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a 
 Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the 
 Hlack Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a 
 post of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap- 
 pointed by President Jackson to the position of 
 Receiver of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office 
 
 more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy. 
 
 While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal improvement 
 system of the State was in full operation, with all its 
 expensive macliinery, amidst bank suspensions 
 throughout the United States, a great stringency in 
 the money market everywliere, and Illinois bonds 
 forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest 
 limes " e.xisting that the people of the Prairie State 
 ever saw, the general election of State officers was 
 •'approaching. Discreet men who had clierished the 
 hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua- 
 tion, met with disappointment. A Governor and 
 Legislature were to be elected, and these were now 
 looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State 
 policy. But the grand schemt^ had not yet lost its 
 dazzling influence upon the minds of the people. 
 Time and experience had not yet fully demonstrated 
 its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting 
 its career of profligate expenditures did not become 
 a leading one with the dominant party during. the 
 campaign, and most of the old members of the Leg- 
 islature were returned at this election. 
 
 Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State 
 Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the 
 office of Governor, and S. H. Anderson for Lieuten- 
 ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed- 
 wards, brotherof Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor, 
 and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly 
 for a continuance of the State policy, while Car'i. 
 rcmained non-committal. This was the first tmic 
 that the two main political parties in this State were 
 unembarrassed by any third party in the field. The 
 result of the election was: Carlin, 35,573 ; Ander- 
 son, 30,335 ; Edwards, 29,629 ; and Davidson, 28,- 
 
 7t.';- 
 
 Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature 
 
 (1839), the retiring Governor CDuncan) in his mes- 
 
136 
 
 THOMAS CARLIN. 
 
 sage sjxike in emphatic terms of the impoHcy of the 
 internal improvement system, presaging the evils 
 threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost 
 to correct the great error; yet, on the contrary, tlie 
 Legislature not only decided to continue the policy 
 but also added to its burden by voting more appro- 
 priations and ordering more improvements. Although 
 the money market was still stringent, a further loan 
 of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich- 
 igan Canal alone. Cmcago at that time began to 
 loom up and promise to be an important city, even 
 the great emporium of the West, as it has since in- 
 deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe- 
 tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan, 
 and accordingly hastened to tlie East on this respons- 
 ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera- 
 ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment 
 tc Curlin's administration, the Legislature also de- 
 clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary 
 of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a 
 Whig, who had already held the post by appointment 
 througli three administrations, was determined to 
 keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car- 
 lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in 
 this regard, however, was finally sustained by the 
 Supreme Court, in a. quo warranto case brought up 
 before it by John A. McClernand, whom the Gov- 
 ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that 
 dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!' 
 endeavoring to establish the principle of life-tenure 
 of office. 
 
 A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici- 
 ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges 
 were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas 
 Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B. 
 Scates, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — 
 all Democrats. 
 
 It was during Gov. Carlin's administration that the 
 noisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc- 
 curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however, 
 did net affect Illinois politics very seriously. 
 
 Another prominent event in the West during Gov. 
 Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by 
 the Mormons and tlieir removal from Independence, 
 Mo., to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time 
 they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On 
 account of their beheving — as they tliought, accord- 
 ing to the New Testament — that they should have 
 
 " all things common," and that consequently " all 
 the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's " 
 and therefore the property of his " saints," they 
 were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing 
 many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that 
 were so rife throughout this country in those days. 
 Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the 
 Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of 
 Missouri the Mormons always supported the Dem- 
 ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic 
 government, when they turned their support to the 
 Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the 
 Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter 
 of great interest with both parties to conciliate these 
 people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben- 
 nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing 
 through the Legislature (both parties not daring to 
 oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir- 
 tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed- 
 eral Government itself. In the fall of 1841 the 
 (lovernor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov. 
 Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader, 
 as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued the 
 writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved. 
 It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested, 
 but was either rescued by his followers or discharged 
 by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. 
 
 In December, 1841, the Democratic Convention 
 nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov- 
 ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla- 
 ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter 
 naturally turned their support to the Democratic 
 party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex- 
 Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime 
 the Mormons began to grow more odious to the 
 masses of the people, and the comparative prospects 
 of the respective parties for success became very 
 problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and 
 Thomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as 
 a candidate, and was elected. 
 
 At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin 
 removed back to his old home at Carrollton, where 
 he spent the remainder of his life, as before his ele- 
 vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In iS/.g 
 he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the 
 Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4. 
 1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife 
 and seven children. 
 
 I 
 
r 
 
'«igf^UT& 
 
 oM/^^^-^^u^ ar (r^<i:l^ 
 
r 
 
 GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 J 39 
 
 t-aasSit^ 
 
 
 
 jp^C*"**^' ■•-'sse 
 
 -» 
 
 i__i_ 
 
 A. -A. 
 
 £?- 
 
 5HOMAS FORD, Governor 
 from 1842 to 1846, and au- 
 thor of a very interesting 
 history of Illinois, was born 
 at Uniontown, Pa., in the 
 year 1 800. His mother, after 
 the death of her first hus- 
 band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob- 
 ert Ford, who was killed in 1802, 
 by the Indians in the mountains 
 of Pennsylvania. She was conse- 
 quently left in indigent circum- 
 stances, with a large family, mostly 
 girls. With a view to better her 
 condition, she, in 1804, removed to 
 Missouri, where it had been cus- 
 tomary by the Spanish Govern- 
 ment to give land to actual settlers; but upon her 
 arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to 
 the United States, and the liberal policy toward set- 
 tlers changed by the new ownership. After some 
 sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to 
 Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water- 
 loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis- 
 sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first 
 
 schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey, 
 for which he had to walk three miles. His mother, 
 though lacking a thorough education, was a woman 
 of superior mental endowments, joined to energy 
 and determination of character. She inculcated in 
 her children those high-toned principles which dis- 
 tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a 
 rigid economy to provide her children an education ; 
 but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older 
 than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit 
 school to aid by his labor in the support of the family. 
 He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois 
 affairs, and but for his early death would probably 
 have been elected to the United States Senate. 
 
 Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities, 
 received a better education, though limited to the 
 curriculum of the common school of those pioneer 
 times. His mind gave early promise of superior en- 
 dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His 
 proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P. 
 Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend. 
 The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states- 
 man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant 
 of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the 
 Illinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the 
 I county of Cook was named. Through the advice of 
 
140 
 
 THOMAS FORD. 
 
 this i^entleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the 
 study of law, but Forquer, then merchandising, re- 
 garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl- 
 vania University, where, however, he remained but 
 one term, owing to Forquer's failure in business. On 
 his return he alternated his law reading with teach- 
 ing school for support. 
 
 In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed him Prosecuting 
 Attorney, and in 183 1 he was re-appointed by Gov. 
 Reynolds, and after tliat he was four times elected a 
 Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a 
 Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As- 
 sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1S41, 
 the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition 
 of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to 
 the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity 
 he was holding Court in Ogle County he received a 
 notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven- 
 tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re- 
 signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In 
 August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De- 
 cember following he was inaugurated. 
 
 All the offices which he had held were unsolicited 
 by him. He received them upon the true Jefferson- 
 lan principle, — Never to ask and never to refuse 
 office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood 
 deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him 
 rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo- 
 cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void 
 of the moving power of eloquence, so necessary to 
 success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were 
 "ound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In 
 practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in- 
 sinuating address of the politician, but lie saw through 
 ihe arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was 
 [ilain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at 
 one time after the expiration of his term of office, 
 during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by 
 a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door- 
 keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid- 
 r.iglit by a knot of small office-seekers with the view 
 of effecting a "combination ! " 
 
 Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary 
 politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a 
 political leader. He cared little for money, and 
 hardly enough for a decent support. In person he 
 was of small stature, slender, of dark complexion, 
 with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a 
 pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one 
 side, and a small mouth. 
 
 The three most important events in Gov. Ford's 
 r.dministration were the establishment of the high 
 iinancial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and 
 .he Mexican War. 
 
 In the first of these the Governor proved himself 
 *o be en;inentlv wise. On coming into office he found 
 'he State badly |)iralyze(l by the ruinous effeits of 
 die notorious "internal improvement" schemes of 
 
 the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to 
 show by way of "improvement." The enterprise 
 that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the 
 rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this 
 promised to be the most important thoroughfare, 
 feasible to the people, it was well under headway in 
 its construction. Therefore the State policy was 
 almost concentrated ui^on it, in order to rush it on le 
 completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State 
 was growing so large as to frighten the people, and 
 they were about ready to entertain a proposition for 
 repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to 
 recommend such measures as would maintain the 
 ]juljlic credit, for which every citizen to-day feels 
 thankful. 
 
 But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for 
 his connection with the Mormon troubles than for 
 anything else; for it was during his term of office 
 that the " Latter-Day Saints " became so strong at 
 Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num- 
 bers throughout the country, committed misdemean- 
 ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of 
 theirleader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven 
 out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a 
 Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of 
 course was no i-committal concerning Mormon affairs, 
 and was therefore claimed by both parties and also 
 accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the 
 other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of 
 religion, the Governor no doubt was "between two 
 fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather , 
 " gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when ' 
 that pestilential people left the State. Such compli- 
 cated matters, especially when religion is mixed up 
 with them, expose every person participating in 
 them to criticism from all parties. 
 
 The Mexican War was begun in the spring of 
 1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term 
 of Mr. Ford's successor. The Governor's connection 
 with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it 
 was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc. 
 
 Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and 
 entertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and is 
 destined to increase in value with the lapse of time. 
 It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forcible 
 thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In 
 tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations 
 of the professional politician, in which he is inimit- 
 able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection 
 that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place- 
 seekers, while many of them have since been judged 
 by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings 
 seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit 
 a little splenetic partiality against those of his con- 
 temporaries who were [jrominent during his term of 
 office as Governor. 
 
 The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111., 
 Nov. 2, 1850. 
 
/^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 143 
 
 ^^r'/>^^ :^^. 
 
 }i„ — — ■'- 
 
 * 
 
 Augustus O. French. 
 
 I 
 
 
 ■^ 
 
 ''" ■ 'iUGUSTUS C. FRENCH, 
 Govcrnov of Illinois from 
 1 846 to 1852, was born in 
 the town, of Hill, in the 
 State of New Hampshire, 
 Aug. 2, 1808. He was a 
 descendant in the fourth 
 generation of Nathaniel 
 French, who emigrated from England 
 in 1687 and settled in Saybury, Mass. 
 In early life young French lost his 
 father, but continued to receive in- 
 struction from an exemplary and 
 Christian mother until he was 19 years 
 old, when she also died, confiding to 
 his care and trust four younger broth- 
 ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with 
 parental devotion. His education in early life was 
 such mainly as a common school afforded. For a 
 brief period he attended Dartmouth College, but 
 Irom pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers 
 and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently 
 read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, and 
 shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at 
 Albion, Edwards County, where he established him- 
 self in the practice of law. The following year he 
 removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained 
 eminence in his profession, and entered public life 
 by representing that county in the Legislature. A 
 strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste- 
 phen A. Douglas. 
 
 In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver of 
 the United States Land Office at I'alestine, Craw- 
 ford County, at which place he was a resident when 
 
 elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was 
 a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for 
 James K.. Polk. 
 
 The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet- 
 ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French 
 for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were 
 Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of 
 Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scales, 
 Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly, — an array of 
 very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per- 
 haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that 
 he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
 as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant 
 Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi- 
 dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton 
 Cloud, J. B. Hamilton and \V. W. Thompson. The 
 resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita- 
 tion of the old State Banks. 
 
 The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, held 
 their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected 
 Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor, 
 and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for 
 Lieutenant Governor. 
 
 In the campaign the latter e.xposed Mr. French's 
 record and connection with the passage of the in- 
 ternal improvement system, urging it against his 
 election; but in the meantime the war with Mexico 
 broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un- 
 popular in this State. The war was the absorbing 
 and dominating question of the period, sweeping 
 every other political issue in its course. The elec- 
 tion in .A.ugust gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, and 
 Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist 
 candidate for the same office, received 5,152 votas 
 
144 
 
 AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH. 
 
 By the new Constitution of 1S4S, a new election for 
 State officers was ordered in Novenibet of that year, 
 before Gov. French's term was half out, and lie was 
 re-elected for the term of four years. He was there- 
 fore the incuinbeiu for six consecutive years, the 
 only Governor of this State who has ever served in 
 that capacity so long at one time. As there was no 
 organized opposition to his election, he received 67,- 
 453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of the 
 first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V. 
 Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and r,36i for 
 James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurlry, of 
 Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in 
 place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected 
 and did not run again. 
 
 Governor French was inaugurated into office dur- 
 ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed 
 during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of 
 Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2, 
 1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com- 
 mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair 
 he was, of course, only an administrative officer. 
 During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legisla- 
 ture, by special permission of Congress, declared that 
 all Government lands sold to settlers should be im- 
 mediately subject to State taxation; before this they 
 were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar- 
 r.ingement the revenue was materially increased. 
 .\bout the same time, the distribution of Government 
 land warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty 
 llirew upon tlie market a great quantity of good 
 l.mds, and this enhanced the settlement of tlie State. 
 The same Legislature authorized, with the recom- 
 mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern 
 Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the 
 first in the State and now a section of the Wabash, 
 St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds, 
 although it had cost the State not less than a million. 
 The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve 
 in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern- 
 ment to the State, were also authorized by the 
 Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. In 
 1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State 
 revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was 
 sufficient to meet the current demands upon the 
 treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the 
 State at this time was over !| 100,000,000, and tl' ; 
 (Mpulation 85 1,470. 
 
 In 1849 the Legislature adopted the township or- 
 ganization law, which, however, proved defective, 
 and was properly amended in 1851. At its session 
 in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed 
 a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions 
 This beneficent measure had been repeatedly uiged 
 upon that body by Gov. French. 
 
 In 1S50 some business men in St. Louis com- 
 menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of 
 their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi 
 in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking 
 away from them as it sometimes threatened to do. 
 This they undertook without permission from the 
 Legislature or Executive authority of f,his State; and 
 as many of the inhabitants thers complained that 
 the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable 
 land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re- 
 sulting in favor of the St. I.,ouis project ; and since 
 then a good site has existed there for a city (East St. 
 Louis), and now a score of railroads center there. 
 
 It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted 
 to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of 
 the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
 which constituted the most important epoch in the 
 railroad — we might say internal improvement — his- 
 tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com- 
 pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in- 
 terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi- 
 zens, and by the charter a good income to the State 
 Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road. 
 
 In 185 r the Legislature passed a law authorizing 
 free stock banks, which was the source of much leg- 
 islative discussion for a number of years. 
 
 But we have not space further to particularize 
 concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra- 
 tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised, 
 while the country was settling up as never before. 
 
 In stature. Gov. French was of medium height, 
 s(iuarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face 
 and pleasant countenance. In manners he was 
 ]5lain and agreeable. By nature he was son.iewhat 
 diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con- 
 victions of duty. In public siieech he was not an 
 orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In 
 business he was accurate and methodical, and in his 
 administration he kept up the credit of the State. 
 
 He died in 1S65, at his home in Lebanon, St 
 Glair Co., 111. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 147 
 
 %uti %. |jKHi4es0ia. 
 
 
 2^^«^^:<5^^ 
 
 
 .??^<- 
 
 
 S<s§-<iBW®><t 
 
 :;<)EL A. MATTESON, Governor 
 f^'2»s 1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808, 
 :i in Jefferson County, New York, 
 to which place his father had re- 
 moved from Vermont three years 
 before. His father was a farmer 
 in fair circumstances, but a com- 
 mon English education was all 
 that his only son received. Young 
 Joel first tempted fortune as a 
 small tradesman in Prescott, 
 Canada, before he was of age. 
 He returned from that place to 
 his home, entered an academy, 
 taught school, visited the prin- 
 cijial Eastern cities, improved a farm his father had 
 given him, made a tour in the South, worked tlierc 
 in building railroads, experienced a slorni on the 
 Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern 
 Georgia, and returned 7>ta Nashville to St. Louis and 
 through Illinois to his father's home, when he mar- 
 ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed, 
 ivith his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered 
 a claim on Government land near the head of An 
 Sable River, in what is now Kendall County. At 
 that time there were not more tlian two neighbors. 
 within a range of ten miles of his place, and onl\ 
 three or four houses h-etween him and Chicago. He 
 opened a large farm. His family was boarded 1 j 
 
 miles away while he erected a house on his claim, 
 sleeping, daring this time, under a rude pole shed. 
 Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by 
 a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed. 
 
 In 1S35 he bought largely at the Government land 
 sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which 
 broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State, 
 he sold his lands under tlie inflation of that period 
 and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy 
 contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon 
 tlie completion of his job in 1841, when hard times 
 prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State 
 scrip; when all the public works except the canal 
 were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons 
 of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat- 
 teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and 
 sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit, 
 enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a 
 surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise 
 next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet, 
 in which he prospered, and which, after successive 
 enlargements, became an enormous establishment. 
 
 In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but, 
 by a bungling apportionment, John Pearson, a Senator 
 holdi'ig over, was found to be in tlie same district, 
 and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat- 
 teso.i's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however 
 with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of 
 
148 
 
 JOEL A. MATTESON. 
 
 greed for office, unwilling lo rei)resenl his district 
 under the circumstances, immediately resigned his 
 unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a 
 few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days 
 time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took 
 his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity 
 as a business man, he was made Chairman of the 
 Committee on Finance, a position he held during 
 this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms, 
 discharging its important duties with ability and faith- 
 fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest, 
 when work was resumed on the canal under the new 
 loan of $1,600,000 he again became a heavy con- 
 tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in 
 l>uilding railroads. Thus he showed himself a most 
 energetic and thorough business man. 
 
 He was nominated for Governor by the Demo- 
 cratic State Convention which met at Springfield 
 April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con- 
 vention were I). L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of 
 Cook; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of 
 Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton ; and D. P. Bush, 
 of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom- 
 inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices 
 the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and De-xtcr A. 
 Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at 
 the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat- 
 teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul- 
 tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being 
 all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took 
 rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His 
 turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage- 
 ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov- 
 ernmental principles, as in those more solid and 
 enduring operations which cause the physical devel- 
 opment and advancement of a State, — of commerce 
 and business enterprise, into which he labored with 
 success to lead the people. As a politician he was 
 just and liberal in his views, and both in official and 
 private life he then stood untainted and free from 
 blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social 
 rirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or 
 citizen, he had few superiors. His messages present 
 a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the 
 State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant 
 diction. 
 
 The greatest excitement during his term of office 
 was the repeal of the Missouri (Compromise, by Con- 
 
 gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in 
 1 85 4, when the bill was passed organizing the Terri- 
 tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of 
 the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op- 
 position to the Democratic party, naturally drifted 
 into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what 
 was temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party, 
 while the followers of Douglas were known as " Ne- 
 braska or Douglas Democrats." It viras during this 
 embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham 
 Lincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska" 
 candidate for the United States Senatorship, while 
 Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-nom- 
 inated by the Democrats. But after a fewballotings 
 in the Legislature (r8s5), these men were dropped, 
 and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
 was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson, 
 then (Governor, by the latter. On the iith ballot 
 Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was ac- 
 cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson 's 
 term expired, the Republicans were fully organized 
 as a national party, and in 1S56 put into the field a 
 full national and State ticket, carrying the Stale, but 
 not the nation. 
 
 The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import- 
 ant measures, — the present free-school system and a 
 submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the 
 people. The latter was defeated by a small majority 
 of the popular vote. 
 
 During the four years of Gov. Matteson 's admin- 
 istration the taxable wealth of the State was about 
 trebled, from $i37,8r8,o79 to $349,951,272; the pub- 
 lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,- 
 144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the 
 State resumed paying interest on its debt in New 
 York as fast as it fell due ; railroads were increased 
 in their mileage from something less than 400 to 
 about 3,000 ; and the population of Chicago was 
 nearly doubled, and its commerce more than tpiad- 
 rupled. 
 
 Before closing this account, we regret that we have 
 to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an 
 upright man and a good Governor, was implicated 
 in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrip, amount- 
 ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir- 
 cuit Court the State recovered the jirincipal and all 
 tlie interest excepting $27,500. 
 
 He died in the winter of I.S7 2--3, at Chicago. 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 151 
 
 1 1 f'-j'^>^t-.i-^^;j^^&U^^^gltaa^t;^'^|'^/V■;^|^^■'r^■' ■'^■'^|:^^ 
 
 i^'i\'<iF''^ 
 
 '^>-5— # — o-s^HiiB)>-5s5>o 
 
 1 1 LIAM H. BISSELL, Gov- 
 ernor 1S57-60, was born 
 A))ril 25, 181 1, in the 
 bUite of New York, near 
 Painted Post, Yates County, 
 flis parents were obscure, 
 IiDiiLst, God-tearing i)eo[)le, 
 "ho reared their children under the daily 
 cxam|)le of indusliy and frugalitv, accord- 
 ing to the custom of that class of Eastern 
 society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta- 
 ble but not thorough academical education. 
 By assiduous application he acquired a 
 knowledge of medicine, and in his early 
 manhood came ^Vest and located in Mon- 
 roe County, this Slale, where he engaged in the 
 practice of that profession. But he was not enam- 
 uved of his calling: he was swayed by a broader 
 ambition, lo such an extent tliat the mysteries of the 
 healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him 
 further any charms. In a few years he discovered 
 his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when 
 lie approached the ago of 30 he sought to begin 
 anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him- 
 self, discovered a singular facility and charm of 
 speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a 
 ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under- 
 
 stood that he desired lo abandon his profession and 
 lake up that of the law. During terms of Court he 
 would spend his time at the county seat among the 
 members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready 
 welcome. 
 
 It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift 
 into public life. In 1S40 he was elected as a Dem- 
 ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and 
 was an efficient member of that body. On his re- 
 iLirn home he qualified himself for admission to the 
 Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo- 
 cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a 
 [Jure diction, charming and inimitable gestures, 
 clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly 
 Iiumor, his effoi'ts before a jury told with irresistible 
 effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut- 
 ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and 
 in that position he fully discharged his duty to the 
 State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom 
 failed to convict the offender of the law. 
 
 In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and 
 with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis- 
 tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, 
 his head well poised, though not large, his address 
 pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplary 
 in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent. 
 He was twice married, the first time to Miss James, 
 
'52 
 
 WILLIAM H HfSSKCL. 
 
 ol Monroe County, by whom he had tvvo children, 
 botli daughters. She died soon after the year 1840, 
 and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter 
 of EUas K. Kane, previously a United States Senator 
 from this State. She survived hi n 'nit a short time, 
 and died without issue. 
 
 When the war with Mexico was declared in 1846, 
 Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his 
 regi'nent, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost 
 unanimous vote, — 807 to 6. Considering the hmitid 
 opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of 
 military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista 
 he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished 
 ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second 
 Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver- 
 ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely 
 contested battle. 
 
 After his return home, at the close of the war, he 
 was elected to Congress, his opponents being the 
 Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served 
 two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician. 
 During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor 
 of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he oppos'ed 
 the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and 
 therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and 
 thus became identified with the nascent Republican 
 party. 
 
 During liis first Congressional term, while the 
 Southern members were following their old practice 
 of intimidating the North by bullying language, 
 and claiming most of the credit for victories in the 
 Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the 
 Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena 
 Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern 
 troops : whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel, 
 which was accepted. This matter was brought uj) 
 against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor 
 and during his term of office, as the Constitution of 
 this State forbade any duelist from holding a State 
 office. 
 
 In 1856, when the Republican party first put fortli 
 a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the 
 United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell 
 for Governor of Illinois, and Jolin Wood, of Quincy, 
 for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi- 
 nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County, 
 for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook 
 County, f'.'v Lieutcnnnt Governor. The result of the 
 
 election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard- 
 son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a 
 ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal- 
 anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor. 
 His message to the Legislature was short and rather 
 ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup- 
 posed obligations of the people to the incorporators 
 of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re- 
 opening the slavery question by allusions to the 
 Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion- 
 ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was 
 passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor 
 at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious 
 debate followed, and the question whether the Gov- 
 ernor had the authority to recall a signature was 
 referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in 
 favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another 
 outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment 
 and to gerrymander the Stale, but the Legislature 
 failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor. 
 
 It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that 
 the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light, 
 implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent 
 State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat- 
 ing i|2S5,5oo, was all recovered by the Stale except- 
 ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.) 
 
 In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudu- 
 lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and 
 thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a cjuarler of a 
 million dollars. The State Government was impli- 
 cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex- 
 plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other 
 matters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has been 
 severely criticised, and he has also been most shame- 
 fully libelled and slandered. 
 
 On account of exposure in the army, the remote 
 cause of a nervous form of disease gained entranced 
 into his system and eventually developed paraplegia, 
 affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left 
 his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco- 
 , motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was 
 generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste- 
 rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its 
 stealthy hold, to the close of his life, Marcli 18, 
 i860, over nine months before the expiration of his 
 gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He 
 died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. 0/ 
 which tie ha'i been a member since 1854. 
 
1 
 
Go VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 'SS 
 
 ■*- 
 
 #^<^ 
 
 ( »IIN WOOD, Governo.- iS6o-i,and 
 ^9* the first settler of Quiiujy, 111., 
 J. ' y/jT'/J was horn in the town of Senipro- 
 
 •rfS*^^ IS>z^> k... nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co., 
 N. v., Dec. 20, 1798. He was 
 the second child and only son of 
 Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother, 
 lice Catherine Crause, was of 
 German parentage, and died 
 while he was an infant. Dr. 
 Wood was a learned and skillful 
 physician, of classical attain- 
 ments and proficient in several 
 modern lai guages, who, after 
 serving throughout the Revolu- 
 tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land granted 
 liim by the Government, and resided there a re- 
 si)ected and leading influence in his section until his 
 death, at the ripe age of 92 years. 
 
 Tlie subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit 
 of Western adventure then pervading everywhere, 
 left his home, Nov. 2, 1818, and passed tlie succeed- 
 ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum- 
 mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown, 
 and spent the fall and folhiwing winter in Calhoun 
 County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes, 
 he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast 
 of Quincy, where for the next two years he pursued 
 farming. In 1821 he visited "theBUififs" (as the 
 present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited) 
 and, pleased with its prospects, soon after [)urchased 
 a (piarter-sectioii of land near by, and in the follow- 
 ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin, 
 
 18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of whi'h 
 he then became the first and for some months tin- 
 only occupant. 
 
 About this time he visited his old friends in Pike 
 County, chief of whom was William Ross, the lead- 
 ing man in building u[) the village of Atlas, of that 
 county, which was thought then to be the possible 
 commencement of a city. One day they and others 
 were traveling together over the country between the 
 two points named, making observations on the com- 
 parative merits of the respective localities. On ap- 
 proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place, 
 the latter told his companions to follow him and he 
 would show them where he was going to build a city. 
 They went about a mile off the main trail, to a high 
 point, from which the view in every direction was 
 most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet 
 untouched by the hand of man. Before them swept 
 by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by 
 navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at 
 length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross 
 replied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to 
 anything!" 
 
 Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is a 
 city of over 30,000 population. 
 
 In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice, 
 as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply 
 to the General Assembly for the formation of a new 
 county. This was done the following winter, result- 
 ing in the establishment of the present Adams 
 County. During the next summer Quincy was se- 
 lected as the county scat, it and the vicinity then 
 containing but four adult male residents and half 
 
•5" 
 
 JOHN WOOD. 
 
 ihat number of females. Siiioe that period Mr. 
 Wood resided at the place of his early adoi)tion un- 
 til his death, and far more than any other man was 
 he identified with every measure of its progress and 
 history, and almost continuously kept in public posi- 
 tions. 
 
 He was one of the early town Trustees, and after 
 ihe place became a city he was often a member of 
 ihe City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the 
 ■"ace of a constant large opposition political majority. 
 In 1S50 he was elected to the State Senate. !n 1856, 
 on the organization of the Republican party, he was 
 chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the 
 ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the 
 death of the Litter, March 18, 1S60, he succeeded to 
 the Chief Executive chair, which he occupied until 
 Gov. Yates was inaugurated neariy ten months after- 
 ward. 
 
 Nothing very marked characterized the adminis- 
 tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam- 
 paign of 18C0, resulting in the election of the honest 
 r.linoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the 
 United States, occurred during the short period 
 while Mr. Wood was Governor, and the excitement 
 and issues of that struggle dominated over every 
 other consideration, — indeed, supplanted them in a 
 great measure. The people of Illinois, during ail 
 that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes 
 under Bissell's administration to the overwhelming 
 issue of preserving the whole nation from destruction. 
 
 In 1S61 ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele- 
 gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at 
 Washingtoii, and in April of the same year, on the 
 breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed 
 
 Quartermaster-General of the State, which jxjsition 
 he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com- 
 mand as Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf, with 
 whom he served until the period of enlistment ex- 
 pired. 
 
 Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi- 
 fied with the Whig and Republican parties. Few 
 men have in personal experience comprehended so 
 many surprising and advancing local changes as 
 vested in the more thar. half century recollections of 
 Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler 
 on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor 
 within a score of miles, the world of civilization away 
 behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his 
 only visitant, he lived to see grjwing around him, 
 and under his auspices and aid, oversi)reading the 
 wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second 
 only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in 
 beauty, prosperity and promise; whose people recog- 
 nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and 
 liberality that attach to the name and lengthened 
 life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor." 
 
 Gov. Wood was twice married, — first in January, 
 1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter, 
 formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had 
 eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in 
 June, 1865, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow 
 of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4, 
 1880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight 
 children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of 
 Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C, who married Mary J. 
 Abernethy; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner, 
 and Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. The 
 last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and 
 all the rest are still at Quincy. 
 
 
D 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 '59 
 
 I'^^^^'g'^' 
 
 
 %\'q%WL%^ 
 
 [:;!^:^^-VT^ 
 
 
 ;^ICHARD YATES, the "War 
 
 ■"'* Governor,'' 1861-4, was born 
 .? Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of 
 the Ohio River, at Warsaw, 
 r Galhitin Co., Ky. His father 
 S^ moved in 1831 to Illinois, and 
 afier stopping for a time in 
 Springfield, settled at Island 
 Grove, Sangamon Connty. Here, 
 after attending school, Richard joined 
 tlie family. Subsequently he entered 
 Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
 vl'f'K^^L where, in 1837, he graduated with 
 
 first honors. He chose for his pro- 
 fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har- 
 din being his instructor. After ad- 
 mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an 
 advocate. 
 
 Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon 
 appeared in the political hustings, and, being a 
 passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the 
 West. Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to 
 .he party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great 
 ^■rdor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign for 
 rfarrison. Two years later he was elected to the 
 Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic 
 stronghold. He served three or four terms in the 
 Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora- 
 ■ory that by 1850 his large Congressional District, 
 extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties 
 . orth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him 
 tne '^Vhig nomination for Congress. His Democratic 
 opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very jiop- 
 -c\zx man who had won distinction at the battle of 
 Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had 
 aeaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position. 
 
 two years before, by a large majority. Yates wa? 
 elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over 
 John Calhoun. 
 
 It was during Yates second term in Congress that 
 the great question of tlie repeal of the .Missouri Com- 
 [jromise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re- 
 opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took 
 strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became 
 identified with the rising Republican party. Conse- 
 quently he fell into the minority in his district, which 
 was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he 
 fell behind Major Harris only zoo votes, after the 
 district had two years before given Pierce 2,000 
 majority for President. 
 
 The Republican State Convention of i S60 met at 
 Decatur May g, and nominated for the office of Gov- 
 ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B. 
 Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blnoraing- 
 ton, two of the ablest men of tlie State, wlio were 
 also candidates before the Convention. Francis .\. 
 Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for 
 Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr. 
 Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re- 
 membered as characterized by the great v/hirlpool 
 which precipitated the bloody W ir of tlie Rebellion. 
 The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of 
 Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ro>s, 
 of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The 
 Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party 
 had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear- 
 ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr. 
 Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr. Allen 159,253. Mr. 
 Yates received over a thousand more votes than did 
 Mr. Lincoln himself. 
 
 Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the 
 
i6o 
 
 RICHARD YA TES. 
 
 most critical period of our country's history. In the 
 fate of the nation was involved that of each State. 
 The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance 
 from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates 
 seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself 
 both loyal and wise in upholding the Government. 
 He had a deep hold u|)on the affections of the 
 people, won by his moving eloquence and genial 
 manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of ])re- 
 possessing appearance, with a winning address and a 
 magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele- 
 ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and 
 captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they 
 were transported. He was social and convivial. In 
 the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far. 
 
 The very creditable military efforts of this Stale 
 during tlie War of the Rebellion, in putting into the 
 field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers, 
 were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel- 
 lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of 
 "the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battleof 
 Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look 
 after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were 
 promptly responded to by tlie people. His procla- 
 mations calling for volunteers were impassionate 
 ap[)eals, urging upon the people the duties and re- 
 quirements of patriotism; and his special message 
 in 1S63 to the Democratic Legislature of this State 
 pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded 
 soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor 
 of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in 
 beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes- 
 sages on iiolitical and civil affairs were able and com- 
 prehensive. During his administration, however, 
 there were no civil events of an engrossing character, 
 although two years of his time were rejilete with 
 partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar- 
 rests, Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton 
 County, attem]3ted suppression of the Chicago Titnes 
 and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of 
 1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting 
 during the Governor's term. This Convention assem- 
 bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that 
 ■\e law calling it was no longer Ijinding, and that it 
 ad supreme power; that it represented a virtual 
 assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was 
 sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary to 
 \;ffiRct a peaceable revolution of tlie State Government 
 
 and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness, 
 prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only 
 by the Federal Conuitution. Notwithstanding the 
 law calling the Convention required its members to 
 take an oath to support the Constitution of the State 
 as well as that of the general Government, they 
 utterly refused to take such oath. They also as- 
 sumed legislative powers and passed several import- 
 ant "laws!" Interfering with the (tiien) i)resent 
 executive duties. Gov. Yates was provoked to tell 
 them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right 
 of the Convention to instruct him in the performance 
 of his duty." 
 
 In 1S63 the Governor astonished the Democrats 
 by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after 
 a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to 
 waste time upon various partisan resolutions ; and, 
 while the two houses were disagreeing upon the 
 question of adjourning «';/<? die, the Governor, having 
 the authority in such cases, surprised tliem all by 
 adjourning them " to the Saturday next [)recediug the 
 first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to great 
 excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the 
 Governor's act to t!ie Supreme Court, who decided in 
 his favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive 
 abuse for weeks and months afterward. 
 
 During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de- 
 lected at Chicago which had for its object the liber- 
 ation of the prisoners of war at Camp I)ouglas, the 
 burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellion 
 in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the 
 camp at the time, firs', had his suspicions of danger 
 aroused liy a number of enigmatically worded letters 
 which passed through the Camp postoflice. .\ de- 
 tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen. 
 Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed 
 name, and he, with other rebel officers — Grenfell, 
 Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Charles 
 Walsh — was arrested, most of whom were convicted 
 by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to 
 imijrisonnient, — Grenfell to be hung. The sentence 
 of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison- 
 ment for life, and all the others, after nine months' 
 imprisonment, were pardoned. 
 
 In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov- 
 ernincnt Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in 
 which, office he continued until his decease, at St. 
 Louis, Mo., on tlie 27th of November following. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 163 
 
 Ridiard J. Oqles 
 
 -^^. 
 
 -^^ 
 
 JI^ICHARl) J. OGLESBY, Gov- 
 P» eriior 1865-8, and re-elected 
 '%^ in 1872 and 1884, was born 
 July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co., 
 Ky., — the State which might 
 >v be considered the " mother of 
 Illinois Governors." Bereft of 
 liis parents at the tender age 
 t^ of eight years, his early education 
 was neglected. When 12 years of 
 age, and after he had worked a year 
 and a half at the carpenter's trade, 
 he removed with an uncle, Willis 
 Oglesby, into whose care he had 
 been committed, to Decatur, this 
 State, where he continued his ap- 
 prenticeship as a mechanic, working six months for 
 Hon. E. O. Smith. 
 
 In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring- 
 field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him 
 one year. He wasiidmitted to the Bar in 1845, and 
 commenced the practice of his chosen profession at 
 Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County. 
 
 The next year the war with Mexico was com- 
 menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered, 
 was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois 
 Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat- 
 tles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. 
 
 On his return he sought to perfect his law studies 
 by attending a course of lectures at Louisville, but 
 on the breaking out of the California "gold fever" in 
 1849, he crossed the plains and mountains to the 
 new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com- 
 
 ^ 
 
 [)any of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader. 
 
 In 1852 he returned home to Macou County, and 
 was placed that year by the Wliig party on the ticket 
 of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe, 
 .\sia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his 
 return home he resu ned the practice of law, as a 
 member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby. 
 In 1S58 he was the Republican no.uinee for the 
 Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the 
 Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 he 
 was elected to the Illinois State Senate; and on the 
 evening the returns of tliis election were coming in, 
 Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " Cerro 
 Gordo Williams," in wliich he came out victorious, 
 and which was regarded as "the first fight of thi 
 RebeUion." The following spring, when the war 
 had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature 
 quickly responded to the demands of patriotism a id 
 he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature 
 elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, 
 the second one in the State raised to suppress the 
 great Rebellion. 
 
 He was shortly entrusted with imiiortant com- 
 mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point 
 and Cairo; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen- 
 eral; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van, 
 being stationed on the right of General Grant's army 
 and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500 
 men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these 
 men were from Macon County. He was engaged ii 
 the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave ciiarge at this 
 place, was shot in tlie left lung with an ounce ball, 
 and was carried from the field in expectation of iu^- 
 
I 64 
 
 R ICHA RD J. OGL ICSB ) '. 
 
 mediate death. Thai ichol ball he carries to thio 
 day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as 
 Major General, for gillaiUry, his comaiissiou to rank 
 from November, 1862. In the sprinj^ of 1863 he 
 was assigned to the command of tlie i6ih Army 
 Corps, but, owing to inability from the effects of his 
 wound, he relincpiished this command in July, thai 
 year. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept his 
 resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow- 
 ing, to court-martial and try i\\i Surgeon General of 
 the Army at Washington, where he remained until 
 May, 1864, when he returned home. 
 
 The Republican, or Union, State Convention of 
 
 1864 was held at Sprin;^rield, May 25, when Mr. 
 Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor, 
 while other candidates before the Convention were 
 Allen C. Fuller, of lioone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga- 
 mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. Wm. 
 Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant 
 Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were 
 James C. Robinson, of ("lark, for Governor, and S. 
 Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor. 
 The general election gav_' Gen. Oglesby a majority 
 of about 31,000 votes. The Re[)ublicans had also a 
 majority in both thi Legislature and in the repre- 
 sentation in Congress. 
 
 Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. 
 The day before the fiist time set for his installation 
 death visited his hj ne at Decatur, and took from it 
 his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of six 
 years, a great favorite of the bereaved [larents. This 
 caused the inauguration to be postponed a week. 
 
 The political events of the Legislative session of 
 
 1865 were the election of e.K-Gov. Yates to the 
 United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13th 
 amend. nent to the Constitution of the United States, 
 abolishing slavery. This session also signalized 
 itself by repealing the notorious " black laws," part 
 of which, although a dead letter, had held their place 
 upon the statute books since 1819. Also, laws re- 
 quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a 
 State Board of Equalization, were passed by this Leg- 
 islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor- 
 ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted 
 some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota- 
 bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse 
 railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now 
 sought to be e.xtended 99 years. As this measure 
 was promptly passed over his veto by both branches 
 of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to 
 attempt to check their headlong career. At tlris 
 session no law of a general useful character or public 
 interest was perfected, unless we count such the 
 turning over of the canal to Chicago to be dee|)ened. 
 The session of 1867 was still more productive of 
 privi^^te and special acts. Many omnibus bills were 
 nroi:.-sed, and some passed. Tiie contests over the 
 
 ;caiion of the Industrial College, the Capital, the 
 
 Southern Penitentiary, ami the canal enlargement 
 and Illinois River improvement, dominated every 
 thing else. 
 
 During the year 1S72, it became evident that if 
 the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to ihc 
 officx' of Governor, they could also elect him to the 
 United States Senate, which they desired to do. 
 Accordingly they re-nominated him for the E.\ei u- 
 tive chair, and placed upon the ticket witii him for 
 Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook 
 County. On the other side the Democrats put into 
 the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John 
 C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election 
 gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from 
 3S>334 to 56,174, — the Democratic defection being 
 caused mainly by their h.iving an old-time Whig and 
 Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket 
 for President. According to the general understand- 
 ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature niet 
 it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate, 
 whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena- 
 tor Oglesby 's term ex|)ired March 4, 1S79, having 
 served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of 
 statesmanship beyond criticism. 
 
 During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was 
 nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the 
 State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor 
 of Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both 
 gentlemen " stumped " the State, and while the peo- 
 ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a jjint 
 ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the 
 jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov- 
 ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. The 
 Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on 
 account of its equal division between the two mai:i 
 parties and the consequent desperate tactics of e.acli 
 party to checkmate the latter in the organization of 
 the House. 
 
 Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, with 
 regular, well defined features and rotund face. In 
 stature he is a little above medium heiglit, of a large 
 frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical appear- 
 ance is striking and prepossessing:;, while his straight- 
 out, not to say bluff, manner and speech are well 
 calculated favorably to im|)ress the average masses. 
 Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol- 
 icies of his party, he intensifies Reimblicanisiu 
 among Republicans, while at the same time his iovial 
 and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite 
 party from hating him. 
 
 He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehe- 
 ment, ])assionate and scornful tone and gestures, 
 tremendous physical power, which in speaking he 
 exercises to the utmost; with freipient descents to 
 the grotesque; and with abundant h.imcly compari- 
 sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest 
 vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis, 
 ho delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure. 
 
^_-^^^6ii^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 ' '7 
 
 ^^^^^^^ 
 
 JO'HN M. Palmer 
 
 fe I f ^" ^>^r'^j^R^:m^mmt^u-^:\^':i'i:'^^^i\^^:'>yfi^:^i^ii^^ 
 
 
 > «^ 
 
 -G- 5t:W^'|:OHN Mc AUI.EY PALMER, Gov- 
 ernor 1869-72, was born on 
 Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Ky., 
 Sept. 13, 1817. During his in- 
 •• fancy, his father, who had been 
 a soldier in the war of 181 2, re- 
 moved to Christian Co., Ky., 
 where lands were cheap. Here 
 the future Governor of the great 
 Prairie State spent his childhood 
 and received such meager school- 
 ing as tiie new and sparsely set- 
 tled country afforded. To this 
 he added materially by diligent 
 reading, for which he evinced an 
 His father, an ardent Jackson man, 
 was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which 
 he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831 
 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County. 
 Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for 
 ;'.biut two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's 
 nuiiher broke up the family. About this time Alton 
 College was opened, on the "manual labor " system, 
 ;!nd in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his 
 elder brother, Elilui, entered this school and remained 
 18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried 
 variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching. 
 
 Duiing the summer of 1838 he formed the ac- 
 quain'.ince of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his 
 
 eaiiy aptitude. 
 
 first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in 
 ]3olitical accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi- 
 dence, fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. The 
 following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be- 
 gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading 
 of la.v, and in the spring entered a law office at Car- 
 linville, making his home with his elder brother, 
 Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con- 
 siderable orginality of thought and doctrine.) On 
 the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners. 
 He was not immediately successful in his profession, 
 and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville 
 had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty 
 was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes 
 the success of his life. 
 
 From 1839 on, while he • diligently pursued his 
 profession, he participated more or less in local 
 politics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. In 
 1S47 '-'S ^^^s elected to the State Constitutional Ccn. 
 vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 hi, 
 was elected to the State Senate, and at the special 
 session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slaver) 
 sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op 
 position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, 
 and when the Nebraska question becairie a part; 
 issue he refused to receive a re-nomination for thi 
 Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuin; 
 a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward 
 
t68 
 
 JOHN MC AULEY PALMER. 
 
 however, hesitating to break with his party, he par- 
 ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nojui- 
 T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which 
 unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas- 
 Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made 
 the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska 
 Democrat, and was elected. The following winter 
 he put in nomination for the United States Senate 
 Mr. Trumbull, and was one of the five steadfast men 
 who voted for him until all the Whigs came to tlieir 
 support and elected their man. 
 
 In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State 
 Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in 
 1859, but was defeated. In i860 he was Republican 
 Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861 
 he was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re- 
 publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace congress at 
 Washington. 
 
 When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his 
 services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the 
 i4ih 111. Vol. Inf , and participated in the engagements 
 at Island No. 10; at Farmington, where he skillfully 
 extricated his command from a dangerous position ; 
 at Stone River, where his division for several hours, 
 Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a 
 rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major 
 General; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's 
 divisions for two hours maintained their position 
 when they were cut off by overpowering numbers 
 Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the 14th 
 Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign. 
 At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert 
 disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as- 
 signed to the military administration of Kentucky, 
 which was a delicate post. That State was about 
 half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter 
 element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves. 
 He, who had been bred to the rules of common law, 
 trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary 
 power over the persons and property of his fellow 
 men, with which he was vested in his capacity as 
 military Governor ; and he exhibited great caution in 
 the execution of the duties of his post. 
 
 Gen. Palmer was nominated for Governor of Illi- 
 nois by the Republican State Convention which met 
 at Peori I May 6, 1868, and his nomination would 
 probably liave licen made by arcl.imation had he not 
 oersistenily declared that he could not accept a can- 
 
 didature for the othce. The result of the ensuing 
 election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 over 
 John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee. 
 
 0.1 tlie meeting of the Legislature in January, 
 1869, the first tiling to arrest public attention was 
 th.it portion of the Governor's message which took 
 broad State's rights ground. This and some minor 
 pjints, whi:h were more in keeping with the Demo- 
 cratic sentiment, constituted the e.itering wedge fir 
 the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received 
 from the Republican party, and itltim.rtely resulted 
 in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The 
 Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro- 
 duction of numerous bills in the interest of private 
 parties, which were eiribarrassing to tlie Governor. 
 Among the public acts passed was that which limited 
 railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum 
 of three cents per mile ; and it was passed over the 
 Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto, 
 the "tax-grabbing law" to pay r-iilroad subscriptions, 
 the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The new State 
 Constitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was a 
 peacefitl " revolution" which took place during Gov. 
 Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the 
 great Chicago Fire of October, 187 r, was greatly 
 alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency. 
 Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's te^m, he has 
 been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and 
 h.is been talked of by many, especially in the Dem- 
 ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a 
 United States Senator. His business during life has 
 been that of the law. Few e.xcel him in an accurate 
 appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles- 
 The great number of his able veto messages abun- 
 dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to 
 [loinl them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner 
 and an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker, 
 though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his 
 dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with 
 appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot 
 and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is 
 above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy 
 complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament. He 
 has a largo cranial development, is vivacious, social 
 in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his 
 habits of life, democratic in his habits and manners 
 and is a true American in his fundamental principle 
 of statesmanship. 
 
GVVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 171 
 
 
 -B£C^ 
 
 OHN LOWRiE BEVER- 
 
 IDGE, C.overnor 1873-f), was 
 ^■^ born ill the town of Green- 
 wich, Washington Co., N. Y., 
 July 6, 1S24. His parents 
 were George and Ann Bever- 
 ■*) idge. His father's parents, An- 
 drew and Isabel Beveridge, be- 
 fore their marriage emigrated 
 from Scotland just before the 
 RevoUitionary War, settling in 
 Washington County. His father 
 : ^ was the eldest of eight brothers, the 
 1%) youngest of whom was 60 years of 
 age when ffie first one of the num- 
 ber died. His mother's parents, 
 James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated 
 from Scotland at the close of the 
 Revolutionary War, settling also in 
 Washington Co., N. Y., with their 
 first-born, whose " native land " was 
 the wild ocean. His parents and 
 grandparents lived beyond the time 
 allotted to man, their average age 
 being over So years. They belonged to the " Asso- 
 ciate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of 
 
 America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid 
 was the training of young Beveridge that he never 
 h.Mrd a sermon from any other minister e.xcept that 
 of his own denomination until he was in his iglh 
 year. Later in life he became a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still 
 holds. 
 
 Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed- 
 ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood 
 only by rigid economy and industry, could not send 
 him away to college. He was raised ui)on a farm, 
 and was in his iSth year when the family removed 
 to De Kalb County, this State, when tli.at section was 
 very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000 
 inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a 
 farm laborer, teaching school during the winter 
 months to supply the means of an education. In the 
 fill of r842 he attended one term at the academy at 
 Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently several 
 terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, 
 Ogle Co., 111., completing the academic course. At 
 this time, the fall of 1845, '^'^ parents and brothers 
 were anxious to have him go to college, even though 
 he had not money sufficient; but, n jt willing to bur- 
 den tiie family, he iiacked his trunk and with only 
 $40 in money started South to seek his fortune 
 
JO II AT L. BEVEKIDGE. 
 
 Poor, alunc, without friends and influence, he llius 
 entered upon the battle of life. 
 
 First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and 
 Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which ex[)crience he under- 
 went considerable mental drill, both in book studies 
 and in tlie ways of the world. He read law and was 
 admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn 
 to love the institution of slavery, although he ad- 
 mired many featuies of Southern character. In De- 
 cember, 1847, he returned North, and Jan. 20, 184S, 
 he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Claik- 
 Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that 
 time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring 
 of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee, 
 where his two children. Alia May and Philo Judson, 
 were born. 
 
 In the fall of 1849, through the mismanagement 
 of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu- 
 lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to 
 earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb 
 Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pn)- 
 fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival 
 from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in 
 money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself 
 and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced 
 law, worked in public offices, kept books for some of 
 the business men of the town, and some railroad en- 
 gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed 
 to Evanston, 1 2 miles north of Chicago, a jilace then 
 but recently laid out, under the supervision of the 
 Northwestern University, a Methodist institution. 
 Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial 
 agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge 
 prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law 
 office in Chicago, where he found the battle some- 
 what hard; but he persevered with encouragement 
 and increasing success. 
 
 Aug. 12, 1861, his law partner. Gen. John F. 
 Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of 
 cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a 
 company for it. He succeeded in a few days in rais- 
 ing the company, of course enlisting himself along 
 with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles, 
 111., was mustered in Sept. 18, and on its organiza- 
 tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at- 
 tached, Oct. II, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the 
 Army of the Potomar. He served with the regiment 
 until November, i86j, partici[)ating in some 40 bat- 
 
 tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days' 
 fight around Riclimond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
 villa and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment 
 thegreaterpartofthesummerof 1863, and it was while 
 lying in camp this year that he originated the policy 
 of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac- 
 ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system. 
 It worked so well that many other officers adopted 
 it. In the fall of this year he recruited anothercom- 
 pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was 
 commissioned Colonel of the 17th 111. Cav., and 
 skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the 
 reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's 
 army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various 
 sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered 
 out Feb. 6, 1866, safe from the casualties of war and 
 a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men 
 idolized him. 
 
 He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with 
 no library and no clientage, and no political experi- 
 ence except to help others into office. In the fall of 
 1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving 
 one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced 
 law and closed up the unfinished business of his 
 office. He was then elected State Senator; in No- 
 vember, 1871, he was elected Congressman at large; 
 in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov- 
 ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby ; the latter be- 
 ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became 
 Governor, Jan. 21, 1873. Thus, inside of a few 
 weeks, he was Congressman at large. Lieutenant 
 Governor and Governor. The principal events oc- 
 curring during Gov. Beveridge 's administration were: 
 The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun 
 in 1869; the partial success of the "farmers' move- 
 ment;" " Haines' Legisla.ture " and Illinois' exhibit at 
 the Centennial. 
 
 Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov. 
 Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever- 
 idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial 
 paper at 7 1 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block), 
 Cliicago, and since November, 18S1, he has also been 
 Assistant United States Treasurer: office in the 
 Government Building. His residence is still at Ev- 
 anston. 
 
 He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in 
 De Kalb County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet 
 Henry and Mrs. Isabel French. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 >7« 
 
 8BELB Y 31. CULLO'M, 
 
 / HELBY U. CULLOM, Gover- 
 nor 1877-83,18 the sixth child 
 of the Lite Richard N. Cullom, 
 and was born Nov. 22, 1S29, in 
 Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa- 
 ther then resided, and whence 
 both the Ilhnois and Tennessee 
 branches of the family orii^inated. In 
 the following year the family emi- 
 grated to the vicinity of Washington, 
 Tazewell Co., Jil., when that section 
 was very s[)arsely settled. They lo- 
 cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at 
 the time occupied by a party of In- 
 dians, attracted there by the suiierior 
 hunting and fishing afforded in that 
 vicinity. The following winter was 
 known as the " hard winter," the snow being very 
 deej) and lasting and the weather severely cold; and 
 the family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or 
 hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In 
 the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom- 
 inent citizen and was several times elected to the 
 Legislature, both before and after the removal of the 
 cajiital from Vandalia to Springfisld. He died about 
 
 '873- 
 
 Until about ig years of age young Cullom grew up 
 to agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had 
 opportunity during the winter. Wiiiiin this time, 
 nowever, he spent several months teachini-' school. 
 
 and in the following summer he "broke prairie "with 
 an ox team for the neighbors. With the money ob- 
 tained by these various ventures, he undertook a 
 course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a 
 Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County; 
 but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu- 
 dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken 
 home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While 
 at Mt. Morris lie heard Hon. E. B. Washburne make 
 his first speech. 
 
 On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to 
 study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln, 
 at Springfield, who had by this time attained some 
 notoriety as an able lawyer ; but the latter, being ab- 
 sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr. 
 Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
 After about a year of study there, however, his health 
 failed again, and he was obliged to return once more 
 to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs for 
 packing, for A. G. Tyng, in I'eoria, and while he re- 
 gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in 
 a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he 
 went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City 
 Attorney, on the .\nti-Nebraska ticket. 
 
 In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi- 
 dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as 
 such, he was at the same time elected a Representa- 
 tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a 
 local coalition of the American and Republican par- 
 ties. On the organizatio 1 of tlie Ho.ise, he received 
 the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicing 
 
176 
 
 SHELBY M. CULLOM. 
 
 law uiuil 1S60, he was again elected to the Legisla- 
 ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo- 
 cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow- 
 ing he was elected Speaker, probalily the youngest 
 man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis- 
 lature. After the session of 1861, he was a candidate 
 for the State Cjustitutional Convention called fur 
 that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the 
 disgrace of being connected with that abortive parly 
 scheme t.j revolutionize the State Government. In 
 1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but 
 was defea'ed. The same year, however, he was a.\>- 
 pointed by President Lincoln on a Government 
 Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of 
 Massachusetts and Cnarles A. Dana, since of the 
 New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the 
 Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at 
 Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty. 
 
 In 1864 he enteied upon a larger political field, 
 being nominated as the Republican candidate for 
 Congress from tlie Eighth (Springfield) District, in 
 opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had 
 been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over 
 Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago. 
 The result was the election of Mr. Cullom in Novem- 
 ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he 
 was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by 
 the magnificent majority of 4,103 ! In 1868 he was 
 again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards, 
 another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes. 
 
 During his first term in Congress he served on the 
 Committee on Foreign Affairs and E.xpenditures in 
 the Treasury Department; in his second term, on 
 the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territories ; 
 and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of 
 O'.-.io, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro- 
 duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of 
 law in Utah, which caused more consternation among 
 the Mormons than any measure had previously, but 
 which, though it passed the House, failed to pass the 
 Senate. 
 
 The Republican Convention which met May 25, 
 18/6, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the 
 other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten- 
 ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor 
 of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the 
 Democrat?, combining with the Anti-Monopolists, 
 olaced in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy 
 
 farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The 
 result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom 
 obtaining only 6,Soo majority. He was inaugurated 
 Jan. 8, 1877. 
 
 Great depression prevailed in financial circles at 
 this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of 
 1873 and afterward, the effect of wlych had seemed 
 to gather force from that time to the end of Gov. 
 Cullom's first administration. This unspeculative 
 period was not calculated to call forth any new 
 issues, but the Governor's energies were at one time 
 put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination thqjt 
 had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring 
 classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East 
 St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring 
 men for a short time refused to work or allow others 
 to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and 
 the wheels of industry again set in motion. 
 
 In May, 1S80, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by 
 the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the 
 Democrats; and although the former party was some- 
 what handicapped in the campaii^n by a zealous 
 faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant 
 men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected 
 by about 314,565, to 277,532 forthe Democratic State 
 ticket. The Greenback vote at the same tmie was 
 about 27.,ooo. Both Houses of the Legislature again 
 became Republican, and no representative of the 
 Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov. 
 Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 18S1. In his mes- 
 sage he announced that the last dollar of the State 
 debt had been provided for. 
 
 March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as United 
 States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul- 
 lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted . 
 Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov- 
 ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United 
 States Senate will expire March 4, 1889. 
 
 As a practitioner of law Mr. C. has been a member 
 of the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, at Spring- 
 field ; and he has also been President of the State 
 National Bank. 
 
 He has been married twice, — the first time Dec. 
 12, 1S55, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had 
 two daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863, 
 to Julia Fisher. Mrs. (" is a member of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr, 
 C. is also in sympathy. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '79 
 
 
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 OUN MARSHALL HAMIL- 
 ^ TON, Governor 1SS3-5, was 
 Y'' born May 28, 1847, in a log 
 lOuse upon a farm about two 
 1^ miles from Richwood, Union 
 / County, Ohio. His father was 
 
 '^imuel Hamilton, the eldest son 
 1 1 Rev. Wni. Hamilton, who, to- 
 gether with his brother, the Rev. 
 Samuel Hamilton, was among the 
 early pioneer Methodist preachers in 
 Ohio. The mother of the subject of 
 this sketch was, before her marriage, 
 Mrs. Nancy McMorris, who was 
 born and raised in Fauquier or Lou- 
 doun County, Va., and related to the 
 two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well 
 known in that commonwealth; and from the latter 
 family name was derived the middle name of Gov. 
 Hamilton. 
 
 In ALarch, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's father sold out 
 his little pioneer forest home in Union County, O., 
 and, loading his few household effects and family 
 (of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons, 
 moved to Roberts Township, Marshall Co., 111., being 
 2 1 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams 
 and innumerable hardships and privations met them 
 on their wav. Their new home had been previously 
 selected by the father. Here, after many long years 
 of toil, they succeeded in payiiig for tiie land and 
 making a comfort it^'i^ home. John was, of course, 
 
 brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling 
 except three or four months in the year at a common 
 country school. However, he evinced a capacity 
 and taste for a high order of self-education, by 
 studying or reading what books be could borrow, as 
 the family had but very few in liie house. Much of 
 his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in 
 the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial 
 panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing 
 their home, to pay debts ; but the father and two 
 sons, William and John, "buckled to'' and perse 
 vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed 
 their place from the mortgage 
 
 When the tremendous excitement of the political 
 campaign of i860 reached the neighborhood of Rob- 
 erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been 
 brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal- 
 ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Makingspcii.il 
 efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he 
 joined a company of Lincoln Wide-Awakes at Mag- 
 nolia, a village not far away. Directly after the 
 ensuing election it became evident that trouble 
 would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake 
 company, like many others throughout the country, 
 kept up its organization and transformed itself into a 
 military company. During the ensuing summer the\- 
 met often for drill and became proficient ; but when 
 they offered themselves for the war, young Hamilton 
 was rejected on account of his youth, he being then 
 but 14 years of age. During the winter of 1863-4 he 
 attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County. 
 
rSo' 
 
 JOHN MARSHALL J/AM/LTON. 
 
 and in the following May lie again enlisled, for the 
 fourth time, when he was placed in the 141st 111. 
 Vol. Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111., 
 for the roo-day service. He took with him 13 oilier 
 lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the 
 service. This regiment operated in Soulhwestem 
 Rentncky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine. 
 The following winter, 1864-5, ^''- Ha'i''ilton taught 
 school, and during the two college years 1865-7, lie 
 went through three years of the curriculum of the 
 Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The 
 third year he graduated, the fourih in a class of 46, 
 in the classical department. Iii due time he receivetl 
 the degree of M. A. P"or a few months he was the 
 Principal of Marshall " College " at Henry, an acad- 
 emy under the auspices of the M E. Church. By 
 this time he had commenced the study of law, and 
 after earning some money as a temporary Professor 
 of Latin at the Illinois Wesleyan University at 
 Blooniington, he entered the law office of Weldon, 
 Tipton & Benjam'n, of that city. Each member of 
 this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge. 
 .\dmitted to the Bar i.i .VI ly, 1870, Mr. Hamilton 
 was given an interest i.i the same firm, Tipton hav- 
 ing bee^i elected Judge. In October following he 
 formed a partnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time 
 Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then 
 small, but they increased it to very large proportions, 
 practicing in all grades of courts, including even the 
 U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continued 
 unbroken until Feb. 6, 18S3, when Mr. Hamilton 
 was sworn in as E.\ecutive of Illinois. On the 4th 
 of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con- 
 gress. 
 
 In July, 1871, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen 
 M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Wni. G Williams, 
 Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wejle\ a:i University. 
 Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son. 
 
 In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re- 
 publicans for the State Senate, over 01 her and older 
 competitors. He took an active part '■ 0.1 the stump" 
 in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was 
 elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic- 
 Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on 
 the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti- 
 tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel- 
 lany ; and during the contest for the election of a 
 U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re- 
 
 elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war (hief on 
 every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi- 
 cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and 
 the Democrats and Independents elected Judge 
 Divid Davis, .^t this session, also, was passed the 
 first Board of Health and Medi( al Practice act, of 
 which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, ai';''" ' , . 
 much opposition that the bill was seveial limes 
 "laid on the table." Also, this session authorized 
 llie localicn and establishment of a souihern pc' 
 tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the sessio"^ 
 of 1879 Ml'. Hamilton was elected Presidi/nt/r;; /(V/». 
 of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John 
 A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who wa ■. this lime 
 elected without any trouble. 
 
 In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on 
 the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his 
 principal competitors before the Convention being 
 Hon. Will. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of 
 Rejireseiitatives, Judge Robert Bell, of Wabash 
 County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and 
 Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged 
 actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected 
 by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor, 
 he presided almost continuously over the Senate in 
 the 32d General Assembly and during the early days 
 of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship 
 When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Culloni 
 to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton 
 succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the 
 oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the 
 annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon 
 taking up another's administration. The principal 
 events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as 
 the Chief E.xecntive of the State were, the mine dis- 
 aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison 
 Counties in May, 1883, the appropriations fur the 
 Slate militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license 
 liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc. 
 
 The Governor was a Delegate at large to tlie 
 National Republican Convention at Chicago in June, 
 
 1884, where his first choice for President was John 
 A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but 
 he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr. 
 Blaine, true to his party. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30, 
 
 1885, wlien the great favorite " Dick " Oglesby was 
 inaugji rated. 
 
^^^ 
 
JOSEPH W. FIFER. 
 
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 OSKPII WILSON FIFER. 
 
 This 
 was 
 
 off 
 
 '^lij.^: (Hstinguished gentleman 
 
 'i^»ii elected Governor of Illinois 
 November 6, 1888. He was 
 popularly known during the 
 campaign as '-Private Joe." He 
 had served with great devotion 
 to his country during the Re- 
 hellion, in the Thirty-third 
 Illinois Infantry. A native of 
 Virginia, he was born in 1840. 
 His parents, John and Mary 
 ( Daniels) Fifer, were American 
 born, though of German de- 
 scent. His father was a brick 
 and stone mason, and an old 
 Henry Clay Whig in politics. John and jMary 
 Fifer had nine cliildrcn, of whom Joseph was the 
 sixth, and naturally with so large a family it was 
 all the father could do to keep the wolf from the 
 door; to saj- nothing of giving his children any- 
 thing like good educational .advantages. 
 
 Young Joseph attended school some in Vir- 
 ginia, but it wiis not a good school, and when 
 his father removed to the West, in 1857, .R)sc]ili had 
 not advanced much further than the "First Reader." 
 
 Our subject w.as si.xteen then and suffered a great 
 misfortune in the loss of his mother. After the death 
 of Mrs. Fifer, which occurred in Missouri, the 
 familv returned to Virginia, but remained onl}' a 
 short time, as during the same year Mr. Fifer 
 came to Illinois. He settled in McLean County .and 
 started a brickyard. Here Joseph and his broth- 
 ers were pnt to work. The eliler Fifer soon 
 bought a farm near Bloomington and began life as 
 an agriculturalist. Here Joe worked and attended 
 the neighboring school. He alternated farm-work, 
 brick-laying, and going to the district school for 
 the succeeding few years. It was all work and no 
 l)lay for Joe, yet it Ijy no means made a dull hoy 
 of him. All the time he was thinking of the great 
 world outside, of which he had caught a glimpse 
 when coming from Mrginia, yet he did not know 
 just how he was going to get out into it. He 
 could not feel that the woods around the new 
 farm and the log cabin, in which the family lived, 
 were to hold him. 
 
 The opiiortunity to get out into the world was 
 soon offered to young Joe. He traveled a dozen 
 miles barefoot, in company with his brother George, 
 and enlisted in Company C, 33d Illinois Infantry; 
 he being then twenty years old. In a few day 
 
184 
 
 JOSEPH W. FIFER. 
 
 the regiment was sent to Camp Butler, and tlien 
 over into Missouri, and saw some vigorous service 
 tliere. After a second time helping to chase Price 
 out of ISIissouri, the ;i3d Kegiment went down 
 to MiiiiUen's Bend, and for several weeks '• Private 
 Joe " worked on Grant's famous ditch. The regi- 
 ment tiien joined the forcoB operating against Port 
 Gibson and Vicksburg. Joe was on guard duty in 
 the front ditches when the Hag of surrender was 
 rnn up on the Itli of July, and stuck the bayonet 
 of his gun into the embankment and went into the 
 city with the vanguard of Union soldiers. 
 
 The next day, July 5, the 38d joined the force 
 after Johnston, who had been threatening Grant's 
 i-ear; and finally an assault was made on him at 
 Jackson, Miss. In this charge '-Private Joe" fell, ter- 
 ribly wounded. He was loading his gun when a 
 minie-ball struck him and passed entirely through 
 his bod}'. He was regarded as mortally wounded. 
 His brother, George, who had been made a Lieu- 
 tenant, proved to be the means of saving his life. 
 The Surgeon told him unless he had ice his brother 
 Joe could not live. It was fifty miles to the nearest 
 point where ice could be obtained, and the roads 
 were rough. A comrade, a McLean county man, who 
 had been wounded, offered to make the trip. An 
 ambulance was secured and the brother soldier 
 started on the journey. He returned with the ice, 
 but the trip, owing to the roughness of the roads, 
 was very hard on iiim. After a few months' care- 
 ful nursing Mr. Fifer was able to come home. The 
 33d came home on a furlough, and when the 
 boys were ready to return to the tented field, 
 young Fifer was ready to go with them; for he was 
 determined to finish his term of three years. He 
 was mustered out in Octol)er, 18C4, having been 
 in the service three years and two months. 
 
 "Private Joe" came out of the army a tall, 
 tanned, and awkward young man of twenty-four. 
 About all he possessed was ambition to be some- 
 body — and pluck. Though at an age when most 
 men liave finished their college course, the young 
 soldier saw that if he was to be anybody he must 
 have an education. Yet he had no means to ena- 
 ble him to enter school as most young men do. 
 He was determined to have an education, however, 
 and that to him meant success. For the following 
 
 four years he struggled with his books. He entered 
 Wesleyan University Jan. 1. 1865. He was not a 
 brilliant student, being neither at the head nor the 
 foot of his class. He was in great earnest, how- 
 ever, studied hard and came forth with a well- 
 stored and disciplined mind. 
 
 Immediately after being graduated he entered 
 an office at Bloomington as a law student. Ilciiad 
 already read law some, and as he continued to work 
 iiard, with the spur of ])overty and promptings of 
 ambition ever with him, he was re.idy to hang out 
 his professional shingle in 1809. Being trust- 
 worthy ho soon gathered about him some intlnen- 
 tial friends. In 1871 he w.as elected Corporation 
 Counsel of Bloomington. In 1872 he was elected 
 State's Attorney of McLean County'. This ollice 
 he held for eight years, when he took his seat in 
 the State Senate. Here he served for four years. 
 His ability to perform abundance of hard work 
 made him a most valued member of the Legisla- 
 ture. 
 
 Mr. Fifer was married in 1870 to Gertie, daugh- 
 ter of William J. Lewis, of Bloomington. Mr. 
 Fifer is six feet in height and is spare, weighing 
 only 1.50 pounds. He has a swarthy complexion, 
 keen black eyes, quick movement, and possesses a 
 frank and sympatiietic nature, and naturally makes 
 friends wherever he goes. During the late Guber- 
 natorial campaign his visits throughout the State 
 proved a great power in his behalf. His happy 
 faculty of winning the confidence and good wishes 
 of those with whom he comes in personal contact is a 
 source of great popularity, especially during a polit- 
 ical battle. As a speaker he is fluent, his language 
 is good, voice clear and agreeable, and manner 
 forcible. His manifest earnestness in what he says 
 as well .as his tact as a public speaker, and his elo- 
 quent and forceful language, makes him a most 
 valuable campaign orator and a powerful pleader 
 at the bar. At the Republican State Convention, 
 held in May, 1888, Mr. Fifer was chosen .as its candi- 
 date for (Tovernor. He proved a popular nominee, 
 and the name of " Private Joe " became familiar 
 to everyone throughout the State. He waged a 
 vigorous canqiaign, was elected by a good m.ajority, 
 and In due time assumed the duties of the Chief 
 Executive of Illinois. 
 
WILL COUNTY, 
 
 ILLINOIS. 
 
m INTRODUCTORY. »• 
 
 ^>^^-m^^^ 
 
 |>^^HE time has arrived when it 
 becomes the duty of the 
 people of this county to per- 
 petuate the names of their 
 pioneers, to furnish a record 
 of their early settlement, 
 and relate the story of their 
 progress. The civilization of our 
 day, the enlightenment of the age 
 and the duty that men of the pres- 
 ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
 themselves and to their posterity, 
 demand that a record of their lives 
 and deeds should be made. In bio- 
 graphical history is found a power 
 to instruct man by precedent, to 
 enliven the mental faculties, and 
 to waft down the river of time a 
 safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
 people who contributed to raise this country from its 
 primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
 the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
 the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
 heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
 maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
 of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
 actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
 vation of events without delay, before all the early 
 settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 
 
 To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
 from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
 in spite of their l)est works and the most earnest 
 efforts of their friends to perserve tlie memory of 
 their lives. Tlie means employed to prevent oblivion 
 and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
 tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
 Th"; pyramids of Egypt were built to_perpetuate the 
 names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
 mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
 buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 
 
 to perpetnate the memory of their achievements. 
 The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
 purpose. Coming down to a later period we find the 
 Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
 ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
 great acliievements and carry them down the ages. 
 It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
 up their great mounds of earth, liad but this idea — 
 to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
 these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
 treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
 ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
 perpetuate, and scarcely anytiiing of the masses of 
 the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
 some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
 the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
 bling into dust. 
 
 It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
 gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
 a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
 limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
 this is through the art of printing. 
 
 To the present generation, however, we are in- 
 debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
 of local biography. By this system every man, though 
 he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
 has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
 through the coming ages. 
 
 The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
 physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
 dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
 tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
 life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
 which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
 by a record of this kind. 
 
 To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
 engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
 lect the attainable facts of their iiistory. Nor do we 
 think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
 wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
 them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
 pubhsh to the world the history of those wjiose lives 
 are unworthy of public record. 
 
^ <^i=.~^-^^^^;:^l^-,r<^-^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 191 
 
 ^^^^^^^AM^^^^^^^ 
 
 
 >:.'VJ^- 
 
 ^■'VoKc^<^ 
 
 r/Gl 
 
 
 V'-teJ 
 
 -f^^- 
 
 IDGE FRANCIS GOODSPEED. 
 
 &. The name of JiKlge Goodspced 
 bII^i was for many years a familiar 
 one to the people of Will 
 County, among wliom he en- 
 tered upon and finished a most 
 worthy career. He was born in 
 Tioga County, Pa., January 
 25, 1821, .and departed this life 
 at his home in Joliet, April 10, 
 1889. In 1847, he became a 
 resident of this city which 
 thereafter remained liis home 
 and with whose growth and 
 [irosperity he w.as intimately 
 identified. The subject of this 
 notice received the ordinar}' common-school edu- 
 cation in his youtii, hut he aspired to something 
 belter and before reaching his majority left home 
 and entered the famous Genesee Seminary at Lima, 
 N. Y., where he spent two years. Then coming 
 to tlic West he entered the oflice of the Hon. 
 Hugh Henderson, a former Circuit Judge, where 
 lie devoted his attention to the study of law and 
 in 1818, was admitted to the bar. Shortly after- 
 ward he associated liiraself with O. II. Haven, in a 
 partnership which continued until tlie hitter's 
 death. Subsequently he was in partnership with 
 
 the Hon. .losiali McRoberts, and hater with the 
 Hon. Henry Siiapp and Augustus F. Knox, his 
 partnership with the two latter gentlemen con- 
 tinuing until 1876. The following year upon tiie 
 formation of the present judicial circuit he w.as 
 first elected to fill the additional seat on the bencii 
 created by this act, and in 1878 was re-elected 
 for the full term of six years. In June, 1884, on 
 account of failing health he resigned his office and 
 thereafter battled with the insidious disease which 
 finallj' caused his deatii. 
 
 Aside from his regular practice Judge Good- 
 speed was prominent in local affairs, serving as 
 Mayor of Joliet and occupying other positions of 
 trust and responsibility. In 1861 , he was selected as 
 delegate to the Constitutional Convention which 
 met in the city of Springfield and was an active 
 participant in the deliberations of that body. He 
 was possessed of strong intellectual powers and was 
 entirely devoted to his profession, in which lie la- 
 bored to excel. As a lawyer and judge for nearl}- 
 forty years he made an enviable record. No man 
 stood higher in the esteem and confidence of his 
 fellow-citizens. He was a man of strong convic- 
 tions and S3anpathctic nature, conscientious and 
 truthful ; and while he exacted much iierhiqis from 
 his fellow-men, he required from them no more 
 than he was desirous of bestowiag in trust and 
 
192 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 integrity. Apart from the literature of the law he 
 was a great student of books generall}', was a clear 
 and lucid writer and used his pen in connection 
 witli his sword as long as his failing heallii would 
 permit. Politicall3', he was in hearty synipalhy 
 with the Democratic part}^ until 18G0, when lie be- 
 came a Reijublican and ever afterward voted and 
 used his influence in behalf of its principles. In all 
 political organizations he was prominent and liis ac- 
 tive influence was never withheld in behalf of tiiose 
 objects or persons he firmly believed to be worthy, 
 lie left behind liim when he dieil a character for 
 honor, patriotism, generosity and courage which is 
 not the least |)rized inlieritance of liis descendants. 
 
 Judge Goodspecd was (irst married in 1841), to 
 Miss Esther Weathcrbee, wlio only survived her 
 wedding one month. His second wife was Lucre- 
 tia Knox, to whom he was wedded in 1 854, and 
 who died in I8G4. In 1867, he contracted a third 
 marriage witii Miss Frances Henderson, who is still 
 living. Mrs. Frances 'Henderson) Goodspeed, 
 was born in Steuben County, N. Y., November SO, 
 1830, and is the daughter of Dryden and Maria 
 (Coe) Henderson, wlio weie natives of Herkimer 
 County, N. Y., and wlio spent their last ^ears in 
 Steuben County, the same State. Their family 
 consisted of tliree ciiildi'eii. Miss Frances 'eceived 
 a good education and remained a member of the 
 parental housclHjld until lier marriage. 
 
 Charles F. and Frederick, sons of .ludge (!ood- 
 speed, are now living in Joliet. His eldest son, 
 John C, a young man of mueli promise, fitted iiim- 
 self for the medical profession but died in October, 
 188.3. During the man}' years in which Judge 
 Goodspeed reniiined a resident of Will Count}-, he 
 not only witnessed its progress from a compara- 
 tively unimportant portion of tlie State to its proud 
 position as one of the foremost counties of Hliiiois, 
 but he aided in its development and his history is 
 closely interwoven witii that of the county. His 
 portrait, wiiich is presented in connection witli tiiis 
 biographical sketch, represents a man widely known 
 and lionored wlierever known. His life was a busy 
 one; realizing that, as has been said, "We have a 
 whole eternitv to rest in" and that the aim of life 
 is not to merely "kill time'" he rightly valued ever}' 
 moment given him, and thus gained a reputation 
 
 for promptness in originating [ilsns and dispatch in 
 executing them. Of this it might well be said that 
 he was one of those 
 
 "Who comprehend their trust and to the same 
 
 Keej) faithful witli a singleness of aim; 
 
 And therefore do not stoop nor lie in wait 
 
 For wealth or honor or for worldly state; 
 
 Whom they must follow, on whose head must fall. 
 
 Like showers of manna, if they come at all." 
 
 HRISTOPH SCIIOENSTEDT, who is one of 
 the foremost business men of Monee, lias 
 been a conspicuous figure in its upbuilding 
 and is prominent in the management of its jnibiic 
 affairs. Our subject is of German origin, born 
 January 30, 1837, in ihe village of Urbaeli Tliuer- 
 ingen, near Erfurt, Germany. His parents, Fred 
 and Fredericke (Wilke) Schoenstedt, were natives 
 of the same village as himself. The}' had five 
 children, namely: Charles or Karl, Henry, Chris- 
 to|)li, Frederick and Dorothea. Frederick came to 
 the Iniled Stales aliout 18G2 or 18(13, remained 
 with our subject two years, and is now a resident 
 of Livermore, Cal.; the rest of the family are still 
 I'viiig ill Germany. 
 
 The suljject of this sketch came to this country 
 in 1854, landing in New York June 28, and the 
 following August fouii<I him in Chicago. The 
 cholera was then prevalent here, and fearing an 
 attack of that dreaded illness, he took himself to 
 New ISremen. He had no ca|)ital with which to 
 start in l)usiiiess, having, in fact, left New York $13 
 in delit, having borrowed that sum of some one to 
 pay his jiassage. He, therefore, sought any em- 
 ployiiient by wliicli he could make an honest living, 
 and for two months he was engaged in mowing, at 
 $10 a month. After the haying season was over 
 he worked si.x months for ^5 a month. At the ex- 
 piration of that time he went to Blue Island to 
 learn the trade of a wagon-maker, receiving for 
 payment sB50 the first year, $75 the second year, 
 and $110 the third year. He had considerable tal- 
 ent for music which had been carefully cultivated 
 in Germany, and here he was enabled to earn quite 
 a sum of money playing on a clarionet. After he 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 193 
 
 had acquired a thorough knowledge of his trade he 
 went to woriv on his own account, coming to ISIo- 
 nce in March, 1859, and opening a .shop here, en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of wagons the ensuing 
 fifteen years. He tlien estal)lis>lied himself, in 
 A]»ril, in the implement business, wiiich he carried 
 on until February 1, 1890, meeting witli more than 
 ordinary success, and deriving a handsome income 
 from the profits. Coming to this country without 
 means, his stalwart, vigorous manhood, clear brain 
 and skillful hand being his only capital, he has se- 
 cured wealth, and is one of the richest men in this 
 part of the county. lie is the owner of four hun- 
 dred and sixty-eight acres of land, three business 
 buildings and good residence property in this city, 
 besides owning valuable realty in Chicago. To the 
 lady who presiiles over his attractive home he was 
 united in marriage March .5, 1859. Her maiden 
 name was Louise Gantz, and she was born in tlie 
 Province of Saxony, Germany, May 17, 1839. She 
 was a daughter of Lawrence and Sophie Gantz. In 
 1 M5.3 they came to the I'nited States and first set- 
 ilcd at New Bremen, near Chicago, where he 
 bdught a farm, on which they resided the rest of 
 their days, his death occurring in 1880, and his 
 wife's in 1882. They had four daughters — Mary, 
 Louise, Caroline and Rafine, all of whom are mar- 
 ried and have families. Our subject and his wife 
 have seven clu'ldren, namel}': Fred; Anna, wife of 
 Louis Bischmann; Rudolph, who died at the age 
 of six months; Leopold ; August; Louise, who died 
 at the age of twelve years; and Otto. 
 
 Although not one of the earliest settlers, Mr. 
 Schoenstedt may justly be regarded as one of the 
 l)ioneers of this county, which owes much to his 
 untiring labor. His name will alvva3S be indisso- 
 luble' linked with that of Monee, as partly by his 
 influence it has attained its present position as one 
 of the leading towns in this section of the State; 
 he has ever been active in extending its com- 
 mercial and business interests, has contriluited 
 generously to all schemes that vv-ould enhance its 
 material jirosperitj', and he has its educational, re- 
 ligions and social interests at heart. A man of 
 such vigorous mind, such unerring sagacity and 
 keen vision cannot well avoid accepting [lublic 
 oflice at the call of his fellow-men, when it seems 
 
 his imperative duty as a loyal citizen to do so, and 
 hence, while having the care of an extensive busi- 
 ness and a large property, Mr. Schoenstedt has 
 found time to take a part in the a<lnrmistration of 
 of local affairs, and has served as Village Trustee 
 eigiit years. In politics his views coincide with the 
 principles promulgated by the Republican party. 
 Religiously, our subject and his estimable wife are 
 memliers in high standing of the United Presbyte- 
 rian Church, activeh' assisting in the good work 
 carried on by their pastor and fellow-members. 
 
 'ifJOSEPH E. GOUGAR. This is one of the 
 most worthy representatives of the well- 
 known Gougar family, who have since the 
 ' pioneer days been closely identified with 
 the interes's of New Lenox Township. The father 
 of him of whom we write was the late William 
 Gougar, who with others of the family is written 
 of on other pages of this volume. They have 
 uniformly followed agricultural pursuits, and have 
 obtained the re[)utation of being the most thor- 
 ough and skillful agriculturists, as well as being 
 numbered among the leading business men of 
 Will County. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the youngest child 
 of his parents, and was born at the old homestead 
 in New Lenox Township, March 21, 1834. He 
 spent his boyhood and youth at the farm, becom- 
 ing familiar with the various employments of 
 rural life, and pursuing his earl^' studies in the 
 district school. Later he was a student one year 
 at Beloit (Wis.) College, and also pursued his 
 studies for the same length of time in the .State 
 University at INIadison. His education was com- 
 pleted in T. J. Sloan's Commercial College at Chi- 
 cago, from which he was duly graduated. This 
 last-named institution was instituted and conducted 
 by Col. T. J. Sloan, who during the Civil War 
 commanded the One Hundred and Twentj^-fourth 
 Illinois Infantry. 
 
 For eight months after leaving college Mv. Gou- 
 gar was emploj'ed as book-keeper for the firm of 
 Reynolds & Willis in Chicago. With that excep- 
 
l'J4 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lion he has spent the most of his life in his native 
 township. During; tlie Civil War lie was an active 
 Union man, and raised two companies of troops, 
 these being assigned to tlio One Hundred and 
 Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He also visited 
 the South, and relieved the wants of many of his 
 old friends whom he found in need. 
 
 For three years Mr. Cougar bought grain at llii' 
 village of New Lenox, and operated tlie warehouse 
 at that point. For nearly one year he taught 
 scliool in the township. Afterward he turned his 
 attention to farming, in wiiich he has since been 
 engaged. He is the owner of one hundred and 
 sixty acres of choice land, upon which he lias 
 made good improvements, including a fine set of 
 buildings, besides planting fruit and shacie trees, 
 liuilding substantial fences and gathering together 
 all the necessary machinery for the successful pro- 
 secution of agriculture. There is an air of thrift 
 and prosperity about the place, which invariably 
 attracts the eye of the passing traveler, and is in- 
 dicative of the progressive s|)irit and industry of 
 the proprietor. 
 
 Mr. Gougar remained a bachelor until thirty 
 years of age, and on the 24th of November, 18fi4, 
 was joined in wedlock with Miss Ilatlie Perkins, 
 the ceremony taking place at the briiie's home in 
 Minooka, Grundy Countv, this Slate. Mrs. Gou- 
 gar is the only daughter of her parents, William 
 and Elizabeth (VanDalson) Perkins, and was born 
 in (irundy County, Dccenilar 28, ISil. She was 
 carefull}' trained anrl educated, and for some time 
 prior to her marriage followed the profession of a 
 teacher. Her father, the late William Perkins, 
 was one of the pioneer settlers of Grundy County, 
 and departed this life at his homo .lunc 17, 1887. 
 He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, 
 lilicral and progressive in his ideas, and when his 
 children were of suitable j'eais removed from his 
 farm to Joliet for the purpose of giving them the 
 education he desired them to have. This accom- 
 plished, he returned to the old homestead. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins was born a family of 
 three children, two sons and one daughter. The 
 eldest son. Van Dalson Perkins, was a non com- 
 missioned officer, serving in the late Civil War, 
 and met his death on the battlefield of Chicka- 
 
 mauga. The other son, Charles E., is farming in 
 Ivendall County, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Gou- 
 gar arc the parents of six children, two of whom — 
 Ella and Florence — died at the ages respectively 
 of three years and_^sixteeii months. The survivors 
 arc: Cliarles^P., Hattie M., Harlow W. and Eva A. 
 Mr. Gougar since early manhood has taken an 
 active part in local politics, and is a stanch sup- 
 porter of the Democratic parly. For the past 4 
 eighteen years he has been connected with the " 
 School Board of his district, has held the office of 
 Township Assessor four years, and Collector one 
 year. Both he and his estimable wife are promi- 
 nently connected with the E[)iscopal Church, at- 
 tending services at New Lenox. They have one 
 of the most pleasant homes in the county, and 
 occupy a high position in the social circles of 
 their communitj'. 
 
 L'^^^RIIEMAN A. MASON. No visitor to Joliet 
 would long 1)0 in ignorance of the name 
 and estate of the gentleman above named, 
 as his home is that of an ideal farmer. The splen- 
 did place is situated on the Boulevard and is sup- 
 plied with all the modern conveniences in the resi- 
 dence and outer i>reniises. Mr. Mason spends his 
 time in looking after his Hocks and herds, taking 
 great delight in the line sheep and cattle that graze 
 upon his fertile fields. After an active business 
 career of j-ears during which he gained a fine reii- 
 utation for honorable dealing, enterprise and zeal, 
 he has become the possessor of means which enable 
 him to indulge his tastes and take the ease he 
 desires. 
 
 A histoiy of the lives of Daniel and Hannah 
 Mason, parents of the subject of this sketch, is in- 
 corporated in this volume. The son was born in 
 New Hartford, N. Y., March 14, 1846, and at- 
 tended the schools in Utica, completing his educa- 
 tion begun in the public schools by studying at 
 Whitestown Seminar}' in the same city. His years 
 until 1866, were spent in the East, and leaving 
 his native place at that date, he came to Chicago, 
 111. Entering the euiploy of the Chicago & Alton 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 
 
 195 
 
 railroad, he worked for that road a few months 
 relurninc? to the Empire State in the fall of 1807, 
 and engaged in the wholesale [laper and stationery 
 bnsiness. 
 
 In 1869, Mr. Mason disposed of the bnsiness and 
 began dealing in lumber, sash, doors and blinds, 
 doing both a wholesale and retail trade in eoin- 
 [lany with F. AV. Plant nnder the stylo and title 
 (if Mason & Plant. In 1881, Mr. Mason dis- 
 [losed of liis interest and again coming west em- 
 baikt'd ill the same business at the Michigan Cen- 
 tral cut-off in .Toliet, continning in the trade until 
 May, 1889, when he sold out lo Wilcox Brothers. 
 Mr. Mason also owns a lumber business in Plain- 
 lield of which Albert R. Caton is manager. 
 
 In 1872 the rites of wedlock were celebrated 
 between Mr. Mason and Miss Hannah E. Caton 
 whose family' is represented elsewhere in this vol- 
 ume. Under the efficient care of Mrs. Mason, the 
 dwelling to which friends are so cordially wel- 
 comed presents the appearance of order and refine- 
 ment so attractive to family and guests, and all 
 who enter are charmed by the gracious manners of 
 the hostess. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason 
 bas been blessed by the birth of the following 
 named children: Cornelia, who was born in i873; 
 William Caton, in 1875: Marie, in 1878, and who 
 died in 1880; Bessie, born iu 1880, died in 1881; 
 True Caton.born in 1887, died March 26, 1888. Mr. 
 Mason's family belongs to the Presbyterian C'luuxli 
 at Joliet. 
 
 ^ DWY C. OGDEN, M. D. The medical pro- 
 fession of this county includes the names 
 of many skillful and successful practioners 
 among whom may be properly mentioned he with 
 whose name we introduce this biographical reconl. 
 lie located in Joliet in 1879, and in a short time 
 fully established himself in the confidence and es- 
 teem of the people, both as a pli3sician and sur- 
 geon and as a member of the community. He is 
 essentially a Western man with western interests, 
 his native place being Fond du Lac. Wis. and the 
 date of his birth May 25, 1859. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the son cif iJr. M. 
 B. Ogden, an eminent physician and a native of 
 Cooksville, Province of Ontario, Canada,who there 
 grew to man's estate and with his brother, Dr. 
 Edwy J. Ogden, read medicine and took his first 
 course of lectures at V'ictoria (,'ollege, Toronto. For 
 some years he followed the methods of the regular 
 school and then removing to Fond du Lac, Wis., 
 adopted the Ilomeopathie system to which he ad- 
 hered subsequently. In 186 1-65, he attended lec- 
 tures at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, 
 then in August, 18()6, removed to Joliet, where he 
 resumed his practice which he continued up to the 
 time of his death. This event occurred September 
 6, 1884. He was cut down in the prime of life 
 having been born iu 1838. He was one of the ear- 
 liest Homeopaths in this section of the country 
 and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Dr. 
 Ogden has two uncles in Chicago and a large num- 
 ber of cousins, members of the medical profession. 
 As he remarks, this seems to be "a family' failing." 
 The father was a member in good standing of 
 the Episcopal Church, and in politics, voted the 
 Republican ticket. His wife had preceded him to 
 the silent land, her death taking place March 8, 
 1879. 
 
 Dr. E. C. Ogden was the only child of his par- 
 ents and spent his boyhood and youth in Jol- 
 iet where he pursued his first studies in the 
 city schools. He finished his literarj' education 
 at the Chicago L^niversity and l)eg3n the reading 
 of medicine with his father, who proved a most 
 thorough and safe instructor. He first attended 
 lectures during the winter of 1877-78 in Hahne- 
 mann Medical College and February 27, 1879, he 
 graduated and practiced with his father until the 
 latter's death. He then continued the practice 
 and has thus formed an extended acquaintance 
 tliroughout the county, receiving the patronage of 
 its best people. He has been a close student and 
 an extensive reader and keeps himself thoroughly 
 posted upon moflcrn methods of treatment. He 
 belongs to the State Medical Association an<l is 
 President of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. 
 The marriage of Dr. Ogden and Miss Hettie A. 
 White of Joliet was celebrated at the bride's home 
 September 28, 1882. Mrs. Ogden was born in 
 
196 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Spartansburg. Pa. and is the daughter of Edward 
 D. and Margaret E. Wliile who came to tin's 
 county in 1875. Her father is now living in 
 Joliet, her mother is deceased. Of this union there 
 has been Ijorn one child, a son Arthur W., Decem- 
 ber 13, 1884. Tlie Doctor and his estimable lady 
 stand liigh in social ciicles and their pleasant home 
 is the frequent resort of the cultured people of this 
 city. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican. 
 
 LONZCj H. brooks. This veteran of 
 eiglity-one years and his estimable partner 
 are familiarly linown to a large portion of 
 the residents of Homer Township, where 
 they have sojourned many years, and by their 
 sterling wortli have drawn around them many 
 friends. They are passing their declining days 
 quietly and comfortably at their snug liomestead 
 on section 10, with tlie satisfaction of having per- 
 formed life's duties well as far as in tliem lay, 
 molving for tliemselves a good record and one of 
 wliich their cliildren will never be ashamed. Mr. 
 Brool<s has for sometime beenalHicted with failing- 
 eyesight, but bears the dispensation of Providence 
 in a philosophical manner, and still is enabled to 
 find much that is good in life. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born February' 14, 
 1809, in Otego Township, Otsego County, N. Y., 
 and went with his parents to Delaware County. 
 that State, when a lad of about six years. He 
 lived there with his parents until 1826, and then 
 the family removed to Hamburg, Erie County, 
 where the parents lived until 1836, when they 
 came to Illinois. 
 
 In due time Mr. Broolcs returned to Delaware 
 Countj', and was married to Miss Alice, daughter 
 of Joseph and Sarah Edmonds. They settled 
 in Hamlnirg, Erie County, wliere tlicy resided 
 until the following spring, then Mr. Brooks return- 
 ing to Otsego County, occiii'ied himself as a mill- 
 wright. Afterward he removed to Erie County, 
 of which he was a resident until 1837. In June of 
 that year he came to this State. He was then joined 
 hy liis wife, who was only permitted to remain 
 
 with him a short time tiiereafter, her death taking 
 place October 14, 1837, in Lockport Township. 
 Of tliis union there was born one child, a son, 
 Josepii E., who is now a resident of Lockport. 
 
 Mr. Brooks contracted a second marriage in 
 August, 1838, in Homer Townsiiip, to Miss Jane 
 Weaver. This lady was born in Washington 
 Count}', N. Y., January 21, 1807. After marriage 
 Mr. Brooks remained in Lockport for a short time, 
 then in the spring of 1839 settled on his present 
 farm. This comprises eighty acres of good land, 
 which under his careful management is in a highly 
 productive condition, and is the source of a com- 
 fortable income. Of this marriage of our subject 
 tliere have been born five children, only one of 
 whom is living, a son, Sterling A. The latter was 
 married in Northport, Mich., to Miss Emily Cor- 
 nell, and is living with our subject. 
 
 The father of our subject was Benjamin Brooks, 
 who died about 1865, at the home of his son, 
 Alonzo B., witii whom he had lived for eleven 
 3ears. The mother, who bore the maiden name of 
 Anna Warner, died in Crete Township about 1838. 
 Our subject lias held the oflice of Assessor and 
 Justice of the Peace for man^' years. He officiated 
 as Highway Commissioner several terms, and in 
 politics is a firm supporter of Republican princi- 
 ples. He and his estimable wife are consistent 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as 
 was also the first Mrs. Brooks. 
 
 <S^ HARLES HEUTZOG. The life of tiiis 
 gentleman presents a record of arduous 
 
 "<JfJ labor which is perhaps not exceeded in that 
 of any other resident of the county. He has now 
 retire<l from active work, feeling tlie weight of 
 seventy-five years and the toil which he endured. 
 A twenty-acre tract of land with a pretty cottage 
 upon it is the home of himself anil wife, and his 
 farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, 
 Kankakee County, is rented to his son. He also 
 owns forty acres of land on section 22, in this 
 township, a part of which he uses for pasture, the 
 rest being rented out. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 197 
 
 Grandfatber Ilertzog came from Alsace to 
 America many \ears ago, being sold for liis pas- 
 sage. He settled in Pennsylvania, where his son, 
 George, the father of onr snliject, was born. The 
 latter married Catherine loh, a native of the same 
 State, whose fatlier had served during the entire 
 Revolutionary struggle, spent the memorable win- 
 ter with Washington at Valley Forge, and walked 
 barefooted on the snow and ice, leaving tracks of 
 blood to mark his way. He hated a Hessian sol- 
 dier with all the strength of his being. 
 
 Charles Hertzog, of this notice, was born in the 
 Keystone State September 5, 1815, and had such 
 limited educational privileges that his schooling 
 was not more that a year all told. When sixteen 
 years old he was bound out to learn the shoemaker's 
 trade, at which he serTed four years and eight 
 months, receiving only his board and clothes, 
 alth ingli during haying and harvesting he worked 
 for farmers and his master took the pay. The 
 vouth h.ad very hard treatment during the jears of 
 his apprenticeship. 
 
 After learning his trade young Hertzog went tu 
 Pottsville, where for a short time he was engaged 
 in journey work, after which he became a laborer 
 in the coal mines for several years. In the inter- 
 vals of mining he worked at other occupations, 
 some of his labor in Pennsylvania bringing him 
 the wages of fifty cents per day, from which he 
 was oliliged to board himself. He labored in saw- 
 mills and also followed the river a while. 
 
 On September 11, 183G, Mr. Hertzog was united 
 in marriage with Miss Abigail Fiddler, a native of 
 the Keystone State, in which they continued to 
 reside until 1850. They then came to Illinois, 
 making their home in Napierville, a few m(;nths 
 after which they removed to Kankakee County, 
 then a part of Will Count}'. Mr. Hertzog bought 
 one hundred acres of prairie land, twenty acres of 
 which had been broken, and opened up a good 
 farm. He was almost empty-handeil when he lo- 
 locuted upon the place and he had a hard time to 
 get along, but stubl)Orn perseverance finally con- 
 quered. He remained upon the farm until his 
 home was burned out, when he spent a short time 
 in Kankakee, returning to his farm, from which 
 he removed to Will County several years since. 
 
 The first vote of Mr. Hertzog was east for Mar- 
 tin \anI5uren. Since then he has been a Whig 
 antl a Kepul>lican of conservative views. While in 
 Kankakee Township he served as Director of the 
 School Board and as Overseer of Highways. Dur- 
 ing his residence in Pennsylvania he was a member 
 of the Sons of Temperance. He is the father of 
 eleven children, of whom the following survive: 
 Charles W^'sley, .Mrs. Henrietta Nicolai, Mrs. Ellen 
 Fisher, Henry II., James N., and Mrs. Martha 
 Fleming. He lost one son during the Civil War, 
 at which time Charles Wesley and William F. be- 
 longed to the Thirty-ninth Illinois, Vates Phalanx. 
 The first-mentioned returned to his home at the 
 close of the war, but William was killed June 18, 
 1864. 
 
 ^^ HARLES W. SOLLITT. The Sollitt home- 
 l( stead, now occupied by this gentleman, 
 
 ^^^ comprises one hundred and sixty acres on 
 section 30, Washington Township, which is well 
 adapted for general farming and the feeding of 
 stock. For the past nine years Mr. Sollitt has 
 been much interested in the Hereford breed of 
 cattle and has made a specialty of raising them. 
 At present he has a herd of thirty, at the head of 
 which is the noble animal. Justice, whose registered 
 number is 1G240. 
 
 For some thirteen 3-ears Mr. Sollitt has had the 
 personal control of the homestead, on which he has 
 lived since 18G1, at which time the parents came 
 here on .account of the failing health of the wife 
 and mother. He was born in Chicago, Jul}- 18, 
 1854, but grew to manhood in the township he 
 now calls home. His education was finished at the 
 llniversity of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., 
 and he chose as his vocation in life the peaceful 
 pursuit of a farmer. In this work he has been 
 fairly successful, and b}- hard work and earnest 
 zeal for his pursuit has attained a good rank 
 among the agriculturists of the vicinity. 
 
 The father of our subject is an old resident of 
 Chicago, where he has manj' friends, and is held 
 in excellent reinite as a former builder, of integrit}' 
 and reliability-. He has become well-to-do, owning 
 
198 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 iriuch real estate in the city, and now lives :i re- 
 tired life at No. 519, Jackson Boulevard. lie was 
 born in Yorkshire, iiugland, and is the eon of a 
 mechanic, who died there in the prime of life. 
 The ancestors for several generations had been 
 born in the mother country, but the remote pro- 
 i^enitors were natives of France, whence they 
 went to England during the Huguenot troubles 
 prior to the date of the American Revolution. 
 
 John Sollitt was taught the trade of a whfel- 
 wright. and follovveil the same in the land of his 
 birth until about 1836. lie had married Miss 
 Mary Truitt, of his own shire, and to them had 
 been born two children prior to their removal to 
 America. They settled in Kingston, Canada, 
 where Mr. Sollitt engaged as a builder, leaving 
 that city for the United States after a sojourn of 
 two years. He located in what was then a small 
 village, but has now grown to be the second city 
 iu tiie United States and a power in commercial 
 circles. 
 
 It is worthy of note that Mr. Sollitt was a poor 
 man with a wife and three children to support and 
 but ^r> he could call his own when he reached Chi- 
 cago. The first work he obtained was the con- 
 struction of a stage curtain roller for the first 
 theatre built in the cit3', and this job, allhough a 
 small and simple one, secured him further work 
 by its good execution. After he had gotten a 
 start as a builder, Mr. Sollitt became a partner of 
 Peck tfe Updike, and ere long was prominently re- 
 cognized in his business. He built the first court- 
 house in Cook County. 
 
 The wife of Mr. Sollitt died of the cholera, July 
 18, 1850, in the prime of life, leaving a family of 
 small children without a mother's care. The hus- 
 band contracted a second matrimonial alliance in 
 Racine, Wis., choosing Mrs. Annie Wilson, lice 
 Rountree, as his comi)anion. This lady was born 
 in County Durham, England, and was there mar- 
 ried to Samuel Wilson, an Englishman. They 
 cam.e to the United States, locating in Buffalo, 
 where Mr. Wilson died of the cholera, llis widow 
 afterward came West to Wisconsin, and after her 
 marriage to Mr. Sollitt resided in Chicago until 
 her health failed and they bought property for a 
 country home in Will County. Tills farm, now 
 
 owned and operated by our subject, was the par- 
 ental home until the death of the mother in 1871, 
 when she jWas about fifty years old. She had 
 borne her last husband two children — our subject 
 and a sister, Blanche, now Jlrs. Board, who resides 
 in Oak Park, a part of Chicago. 
 
 John Sollitt was again married, the ceremonj' 
 taking place in Racine County, Wis. The bride 
 was Miss Ann Blackburn, also a native of England. 
 She had come to this country when a young lady, 
 and since her marriage, with the exception of the 
 first two j'ears, has lived in Chicago. Mr. Sollitt 
 is a member of the Old Settlers' Society of that 
 city. 
 
 Charles W. Sollitt won as his companion in life 
 Miss Cl.ara Marsh, an educated and refined woman 
 who was born in Crete, January 13, 1858. She 
 was reared and educated in this and Cook Coun- 
 ties, and was engaged in teaciiiug for some time 
 prior to her marriage. The wedding rites were 
 celebrated at the bride's home iu Matteson, Cook 
 County, March 23, J 877. Her parents, Edwin and 
 Mary (Frank) Marsh, are now living in Chicago 
 ratlier retired, although they still own an interest 
 in a ranch in Russell County, Kan. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sollitt, of this notice, have had 
 three children — Anna died at the age of three 
 years; Leslie and John still live to gladden their 
 parents hearts by their intelligence and affection. 
 Mr. Sollitt is a Republican, and stanch in the faith. 
 He and his good wife attend the Congn^gational 
 Church at Beecher. They are respected and es- 
 teemed by their fellow-citizens as their merits de- 
 mand. 
 
 cOo~ 
 
 "(li OIIN BEDFORD, deceased, was a worthy 
 member of the farming community of 
 Plainfleld Township, and during his busy 
 career he was active in advancing its ma- 
 terial interests, and we are pleased to be able to 
 pl.ace this brief outline of his life on the pages of 
 this volume. A native of Lincolnshire, England, 
 he was born September 28, 1828, his father, bear- 
 ing the same name, also being a native of England, 
 and was there bred to farming pursuits and spent 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lOf) 
 
 Lis entire life on liis native soil. Our subject was 
 reared to an agricultural life, and resided in the 
 land of liis birth until 1852. Tlieu in the prime 
 of a vigorous, self-reliant manliood, lie set out for 
 the New World, trying to see what life lield for 
 him in this land of promise, embarlving at Liver- 
 pool in the month of March on the sailing-vessel 
 "Lady Ash burton." He landed in New York and 
 came directlj- to Illinois, whe'-e he thought he 
 would be most likely to prosper as a farmer. He 
 found emploj'ment on a farm in AVill County, and 
 was engaged there for some time. In 1855 he re- 
 turned to his old home, and in the same year was 
 married to Miss Ann Foulston, a native of Lin- 
 colnshire, England. Her father, John Foulston, 
 was born in Nottinghamshire, his father, of the 
 same name, being a native of the same shire, where 
 he carried on farming until his death. Mrs. Bed- 
 ford's father was reared on a farm and followed 
 agricultural pursuits, spending his entire life in 
 the laud of his birth. The maiden name of his 
 wife was Elizabeth Nicholson. They were the 
 parents of eleven children, four of whom came to 
 America — George, now deceased, resided in Illi- 
 nois some years; James lived in Canada some 
 years, spending the latter part of his life in Mani- 
 toba; Francis came to Illinois and has since died; 
 Charles lives in this county. 
 
 In March, 1856, our subject again set sail for 
 America, embarking on the vessel "Neptune," 
 accompanied by his young bride, whom he was 
 bringing with him to assist in the upbuilding of a 
 home in his adopted country. Six weeks later 
 they landed in New York, and came to Illinois 
 and located at Lockport. Our subject was there 
 engaged as an engineer, running a stationary en- 
 gine for a few years. He then resumed the occu- 
 pation to which he had been bred. In 1876 he 
 bought the farm where his family now resides. 
 This contains ninet3'-two acres of finel3'-cultivated 
 land, provided with substantial buildings and 
 every necessary improvement. It is very fertile, 
 and is finely located four miles from riainfield 
 and eight miles from Joliet. 
 
 Ere he had attained to old age, and while it 
 seemed as Lhough he had many years of usefulness 
 before him, his iionorablc career was cut short by 
 
 his untimely death, March 28, 1880. A man of 
 sterling integrity, whose every day life bore testi- 
 mony to the iulierent uprightness of his character, 
 by his demise the townsliip lost one of its most 
 respected and trustworthy citizens; his family a 
 good husl)an(l and faithful father, who was always 
 kind and considerate, and his neighbors, one who 
 was always helpful in his relations with them. 
 He deserved the prosperity that followed his work, 
 as he labored conscientiously and perseveringly, 
 and exercised sound judgment and due discretion 
 in all his dealings. In his wife, who survives him, 
 he always found a faithful and ready assistant, 
 one to whose aid he was greatly indebted for the 
 coziness and comfort of a good home. To them 
 were born four children — Albert F., who lives 
 with his mother; "Walter S., who resides in Joliet; 
 Lizzie J., who is in St. Louis; and Sarah J. at 
 home. The family occupies a good social position, 
 and all are attendants at the Episcopal Church. 
 
 "JOSEPH F. LEISING, dealer in grain, lum- 
 ber and live stock, established himself in 
 business at Goodenow in 1877, and has con- 
 ducted an extensive and successful business. 
 He was formerly a book-keeper with the Crete 
 Manufacturing Company, and possessing business 
 talents of a high oi'der, has naturally made steady 
 progress until he is now numbered among the most 
 reliable men of his town. He was born in the 
 Province of Wcstphalen, Germany, December 4, 
 1845, and lived tiicre until a young man of twenty- 
 four years, coming in 1869 to America. During 
 his residence of twenty years in his adopted coun- 
 try, he has become thoroughl}' adapted to her in- 
 stitutions wliieh find in liim one of their warmest 
 defenders. 
 
 The father of our subject was Henry Leising, 
 also a native of Westphalen, who spent his entire 
 life in his native land, engaged in farming pursuits. 
 He had served his country as a soldier and was a 
 reliable and substantial citizen, and one who en- 
 joyed in a marked degree the esteem of all who 
 knew him. He was (iftj'-six years old at the 
 
200 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 time of his death; he was married in early man- 
 hood to a maiden of ills own province, Miss 
 Elizabi'tii (Senger, who survived licr iiusbnnd a 
 nuiiit)er of years, living to be quite aged. Both 
 were members of the German Calliolic Cliurcii. 
 'J'liere liad been born to tliem two sons and tiirec 
 daughters of whom Joscpli V. of tliis sketch was 
 the eldest, and lie was the only one who came to 
 tlie United States. His two sisters are still residents 
 of Wcstphalen f)ne of them being married. 
 
 Mr. Leising in accordance with tlie laws and 
 custonis of liis native country was placed in school 
 at an early age and received a thorough educa- 
 tion, becoming familiar with the French and Latin 
 liinguages. He commenced his business career as 
 a clerk and was thus occupied for nine years in 
 his native province. Not being satisGed however, 
 with his condition or his i)rospects, he decided 
 upon seeking the New World and in the summer 
 nf 1869 repaired to the port of Bremerhaveu and 
 look [i.nssage on a steamer bound for New York 
 fity. Arriving safel}' at his destination be at 
 (in( e set out for Chicago, but not long afterward 
 came to Crete Township, where he soon found 
 employment as a clerk and book-keeper and by 
 his faithfulness and attention to his duties gained 
 the goodwill of his employers and the esteem of 
 all who knew him. 
 
 Mr. Leising was married at Crete to Miss Eliza, 
 daughter of Andrew Schwendemann. The latter 
 was a native of Bavaria and was married in the 
 Grand Duchy of Mechlenburg to Miss Elizabeth 
 Miller. Later the}' emigrated to the United States, 
 settling in Buffalo, N. Y., where the father con- 
 ducted a hardware store for a number of years 
 and died at the age of fifly-thrce. The mother 
 and daughter then came to Illinois, locating in 
 Crete Township where they lived until the mar- 
 riage of the latter. The mother then returned to 
 Buffalo where she is now living with one of her 
 daughters. Although sixlj- ^ears of age she is 
 bright and active. 
 
 l\Iis. Leising was born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 
 31, 18')G, and was one of a family eomijrising two 
 sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. 
 She was subjected to careful parental training and 
 after her father's death remained with her mothei' 
 
 until her marriage, obtaining her education in the 
 common schools. Of her union with our subject 
 there have been born five children, viz: Henrietta 
 M. died aged eleven months; those living are: 
 Ida S., Ella C, Leo A. H. and Augusta. Mr. 
 Leising, i)olitically, is decidedly in favor of the 
 Democratic party and has served as Township 
 Clerk, besides holding other minor offices. He is 
 |)rompt to meet his obligations, a square man in 
 his business trans.actions and looked upon in all 
 respects as a representative citizen. 
 
 V.Ml'EL G. NELSON, Supervisor and 
 .lustice of the Peace of Milton Township, 
 is a native of Randolph County, Ind., and 
 a son of John and Elizabeth (Gra}') Nel- 
 son. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and 
 was reared in Huntingdon County, Pa., he later 
 removing to Kentucky and from there to Ohio. 
 His next removal was to Randolph County, Ind., 
 whence he went to Montgomery County, making 
 his home on a farm four miles west of Crawfords- 
 ville. He represented his count}' in the India!;a 
 Legislature and at one time made a strong race 
 for the Stale Senate from that district, but was 
 defeated. In 1848 he came to Will County, III., 
 where he died in 1851 at the residence of our sub- 
 ject. His life work was that of farming, and his 
 labors were successful. During the War of 1812 
 he served in the American army. In politics he 
 was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the 
 Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He 
 was an own uncle of Senator .Toseiih E. McDonald, 
 of the Iloosier Slate. His wife was born near 
 Wheeling, W.Va., and died in this county in 
 1 852. 
 
 The parental family consisted of the following- 
 named children: McDonald, I]slher, William T., 
 Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy, Samuel G., Mary and 
 Daniel M. The only survivors of this household 
 band are: William T., Samuel G. and Daniel M. 
 He of whom we write was born May 8, 1827, and 
 passed his early life on the farm in Montgomery 
 County, Ind., receiving his education in the com- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 201 
 
 raon schools, under the instruction of Joseph E. 
 McDonalcl, later one of Indiana's prominent legis- 
 lators. When about of age young Nelson came 
 to Illinois, settling on the farm where he yet lives. 
 He owns one hundred acres of land on section 3, 
 ills residence being in the village of Wallingford. 
 Every dollar that he possesses has been made by 
 his own exertions and in farming, which has been 
 his life work. 
 
 In 1SG2 Mr. Nelson joined the Union Army as 
 a private in Company H, One Hundredth Illinois 
 Infantry, but was soon elected First-Lieutenant of 
 his company. In November, 1863, he w.as pro- 
 moted to the Capitanc}', and subsequently to the 
 rank of Major, in which he finished his service. 
 AftiM' the close of the war he was mustered out, 
 .lune 12, 18G5. at Huntsville, Ala., and at Chicago, 
 III., w.as discharged Jidj' 1. During his campaign 
 life Maj. Nelson bore a part in the famous battles 
 of Stone River, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and 
 other conrticls of less prominence yet no less dan- 
 gerous to those who participated. Among these 
 were tlie engagements at Nashville, Franklin, au<l 
 the minor affrays of the Georgia campaign as far 
 SDuth as Jouesville. At Mission Ridge he was 
 wounded in the left hip b}' a miuie ball. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Nelson w.as celebrated 
 at the home of the bride in Wilton Township. 
 Mrs. Abigail (Meachani) Nelson was born in 
 Oneida County, N. Y., in 1830, and died August 
 29, 1855. She left one daughter, Elizabeth H., 
 born September 24, 1854. On December 12, 1878, 
 this daugiiter became the wife of Alexander Price, 
 who died November 1, 1879. They had one son, 
 Herbert A., who with his widowed mother now 
 lives with our subject. 
 
 Mr. Nelson contracted a second matrimonial 
 alliance Ma}' 1, 185G, choosing for his companion 
 Miss Sarah A. Thomas, of Cook County. This 
 lady was born in Florence Township, Oneida 
 County, N.Y., in 1837, and died April 19,1877. 
 This marriage was blessed by the birth of six chil- 
 dren, whose record is as follows: Celia J., who 
 was born July 1, 1857, married W'illiam II. War- 
 ren, a farmer of Wilton Township, and has four 
 children— Minnie, Celia, Ella and Walter; Will- 
 iam T. was born May 21, 1859, and was killed by 
 
 the kick of a horse August 24, 1873; Sarah E. 
 was born October 28, J 861, and died August 30, 
 1881; Mary M., born October 8, 1866, is the wife 
 of Anthony F. Dennis, a farmer in Peotone Town- 
 ship, and has one daughter. Elsie M. James M. 
 w.as born January 1, 1872, and Laura B., Novem- 
 ber 29, 1875. 
 
 For eighteen years Mr. Nelson has held the 
 official station of Justice of the Peace, and is serv- 
 ing his sixteenth year as Township Supervisor. 
 He takes daily and weekly papers in sufficient 
 numbers to keep himself thoroughly informed in 
 the progress of mankind and the news of the d.ay, 
 and is much better read and more intelligent than 
 most men. His home is one in which both friends 
 and strangers are sure of a cordial welcome and 
 the best of entertainment he can give; while to 
 enterprises of genuine worth he is a liberal con- 
 tributor. Although not connected with an}' relig- 
 ious organization, he believes in and supports 
 them. He has always been a Democrat and taken 
 an active interest in party affairs. He belongs to 
 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
 
 -l-^f=^<^^-f-4- 
 
 I^^AVID S. STEPHEN. This gentleman occu- , 
 pies a prominent position among the busi- 
 ness men of Frankfort Station, being 
 proprietor of the Frankfort machine shop, a dealer 
 in engines, machines, pumps, [lipes, etc., and also 
 occupying the offlci.al station of Justice of the 
 Peace. He is a son of Joseph and Jane (Garden) 
 Stephen, both of whom were born in Aberdeen- 
 shire, Scotland. Joseph Stephen studied for the 
 ministry, and during his college life was a class- 
 mate of the famous Lord Byron. He began his 
 ministerial labors in his native shire, as pastor of a 
 Baptist Church, abandoning his field of labor there 
 in 1843, when he crossed the Atlantic and located 
 in Canada. There he engaged as clerk for a Mr. 
 Barnet, a contractor on the Welland Canal. 
 
 After sojourning in the Dominion a 3-ear, Mr. 
 Stephen came to the United States, accompanying 
 his employer to Lock|)ort, this county, where he 
 died not long after. The disease which caused his 
 death was bilious fever, ai\d he was then sixtj'- 
 
202 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 thi-ee years old. Ho was :in ardent Abolitionist, 
 preaching the doctrine from the pulpit and writing 
 upon the question of slavery for the public press. 
 During his boyhood he had become proficient as 
 a mechanic, having inherited a taste for handicraft 
 from his father, William Stephen, a native of Wales, 
 and a piaclical mechanic, who had served for a 
 time in the English army. 
 
 After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Jane 
 Stephen became the wife of James Logan, and 
 they are living at Frankfort Station. B3' her 
 first union she became tlie mother of five children, 
 viz.: Jane, Mrs. Bruce, who died in Loclqiort 
 Township; David S., our subject; Pj. C, who is 
 running a planing, saw and feed mill, and nianu- 
 factujing general wood work in Frankfort; Jo- 
 seph S., a machinist in Chicago; George W., who 
 died when eleven years old. Joseph S. served in 
 the Twentieth Illinois Infantry three months, and 
 re-enlisted in another regiment, serving until dis- 
 charged on account of physical disabilitj'. When 
 sufliciently recovered he enlisted again, continuing 
 to act in defense of his country until honorably 
 discharged at the close of the war. The second 
 union of the mother of our subject was blest by 
 the birth of one child, William H. Logan, now con- 
 stable in Frankfort. 
 
 The birthplace of the gentleman whose name 
 stands at the head of this sketch was St. Fergus, 
 Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and his natal day March 
 14, 1836. Until he was five years old he was 
 reared in his native village, and he then went to 
 live with his grandfather at Almouth, where he re- 
 mained until his parents removed to America, 
 wlien he accompanied them hither. He traveled 
 by steam to Edinburg, thence by rail to Glasgow, 
 where the family embarked on the "Naverina." 
 After a tedious voyage of ten weeks, landing was 
 made in New York City, whence they went to St. 
 Catharines, Canada, and then to Thorwald, seven 
 miles from Niagara Falls, whose roar they could 
 distinctly hear. 
 
 The removal to Illinois was made by a steamer 
 to Chicago, which was then but a village, and by 
 team to Lockport. A home was made on the Bar- 
 net farm, in the township of Homer, and the lad 
 bes-an his attendance at the common schools. 
 
 Previous to this time he had been instructed en- 
 tirely by his parents, and he was able to begin his 
 school life in the Third Reader class. The In- 
 dians had left this region not long before and the 
 country was an almost unbroken prairie, neigh- 
 bors were few and far between, and all the sur- 
 roundings were of a primitive nature. Some four 
 or five years later he of whom we write, and his 
 brother, E. C, walked to Frankfort Township, 
 where their stepfather bought a farm, on which 
 our subject lived until his eighteenth birthday. 
 
 During his early years David Stephen was occu- 
 pied in farm pursuits, but when eighteen he began 
 working as a millwright and carpenter finding em- 
 ployment in .Joliet and Lockport. He also en- 
 gaged somewhat in jobbing and repairing, all 
 handicraft coming naturally to him as an inherit- 
 ance from his mechanical ancestors. Not only had 
 his father and grandfather Stephen been excellent 
 mechanics, but his grandfather Garden was also a 
 fine workman as a millwright and plowwright, and 
 the eilicient proprietor of a general implement shop 
 in Aberdeenshire. Young Stephen drilled during 
 the late war and volunteered, but was rejected by 
 the examining physician. 
 
 In 1863 our subject and his brother, E. C, 
 ojiened a machine and repair siiop in Frankfort, 
 the connection continuing three years, after which 
 the older brother retired, and spent tlu'ee years la 
 Kalamazoo County, Mich. In lS7t the partner- 
 sliip was resumed, and the firm of D. S. <fe E. C. 
 Stephen built a machine shop, feed mill, sawmill 
 and other edilices, continuing in partnership until 
 1889, when the connection was again dissolved. 
 Since that time our subject has been carrying on 
 his present business, having a fine sot of machinery 
 for working iron, and doing a large trade in re- 
 pairing engines and other machines, and manufac- 
 turing a double-force pump of the Stephen Bros', 
 invention. Ho has manifested an unusual degree 
 of enterprise, and has a reputation for mechanical 
 skill which is unexcelled. 
 
 At the home of the bride in Frankfort, in Novem- 
 ber, 1867, the rites of wedlock were celebrated be- 
 tween Mr. Stephen and Addie C. Bathrick. The 
 bride was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, was 
 educated in Buffalo, N. Y., and was for a time en- 
 
xi^^C?*^ /^iS^^*-^^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 •205 
 
 gaged in teaching, a profession for wliieli her cult- 
 lue, tact and fine chcaracter well filled her. She is 
 a daughlcr of the Rev. Slephen Bathrick, a Free 
 Will Bai)tist minister and also a practicing homeo- 
 pathic physician. He labored in various States — 
 New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc. — 
 alily advancing the cause of Christianity for years, 
 lie entered into rest in Frankfort, this county, 
 in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephen two children 
 have been born, named respectively Marian F. 
 and Edwin L. 
 
 Mr. Stephen is now serving his third term as 
 .lustice of the Peace, and his second term as a 
 member of the Board of Village Trustees. A man 
 of ripe intelligence, good judgment and firm 
 principles, he proves an efficient worker for the 
 prosperity and order of the town. He belongs to 
 Joliet Lodge. No. 42, F. & A. M. He is a stanch 
 Republican, politically', and has frequently been 
 sent as a delegate to county conventions. 
 
 R. CHARLES RICHARDS. The medical 
 profession of Will County received a wor- 
 thy addition in 1868, by the advent of 
 
 Dr. Richards, who thereafter prosecuted a 
 successful practice until his death, which occurred 
 Februarys, 1890. He was born in Newport, Her- 
 kimer Count3-, N. Y., July 26, 1832, and was the 
 son of Richard and Mary Agnes (Newton) Rich- 
 ards, who spent their last years in Ohio. 
 
 When Charles was a lad of ten years, his parents 
 removed to New Haven, Ohio, where he completed 
 the rudiments of an English education, and, when 
 of suitable years, began the study of medicine in 
 the odicc of Dr. V. G. Armstrong. Later he at- 
 tended lectures at the Albany IMedical College, 
 from which he was graduated in 1855. He con- 
 liiuied his residence at New Haven, and followed 
 his |)rofession until coming to Illinois. 
 
 During his citizenship in .loliet. Dr. Richards 
 won the respect and esteem of all by iiis sterling 
 (pmlilies of heart and mind. Not only was he 
 skilled in dispensing medicines, but he possessed 
 that .sympathetic and geninl nature which at once 
 
 inspired confidence among his patients, and which 
 was often of more assistance to them in their re- 
 covery than anything which could be obtained 
 from the pharmacist. Dr. Richards built up a 
 large and profitable practice, and in social as well 
 as business circles was a universal favorite. From 
 1870 to 1874 he held the office of County Coroner, 
 and for some time he was Secretary of the Will 
 County Medical Society. His religious belief coin- 
 cided with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, of which he was a leading light in Joliet, 
 and of which his widow is also a member. Polit- 
 icallj'. Dr. Richards was a stanch Republican, and 
 was inrtuential in his party in this portion of the 
 State. 
 
 The marriage of Dr. Charles Richards and Miss 
 Harriet, daughter of Thomas T. and Phebe (Stew- 
 art) Mulford, was celebrated at the bride's home, in 
 New Haven, Ohio, March 25, 1858. Mrs. Richards 
 was born March 19, 1835, in New Haven, Ohio, 
 and was one of a family of six children born to her 
 parents. The latter were natives respectively of 
 Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and are now de- 
 ceased. Mrs. Richards, who survives her husband, 
 is a lad}' of excellent character, and highly re- 
 spected in the community. She occupies a beauti- 
 ful home on Richards Avenue, and enjoys the 
 friendship and a,ssociation of the best people in the 
 city. To her active co-operation may be attrib- 
 uted not a little of the Doctor's success, for she 
 was a true helpmate to him in every sense of the 
 word . 
 
 In connection with this sketch we present a lith- 
 ographic portrait of Dr. Richards. He is remem- 
 bered affectionately by a very large circle of 
 acquaintances, to whom his worthy traits of ciiar- 
 acter endeared him. He was distinguished not 
 less for his kindness of heart than for his superior 
 talents of mind, and. .as became a true Christian, 
 his word was alwaj-s as good as his bond. 
 
 UILLIAM. C. TROWBRIDGE, junior mem- 
 ber of liio firm of Tillotson (t Trowbridge, 
 ^)f^ is familiarly known as one of the editors 
 and publishers of the Crete Journal and its aux- 
 
■206 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 iliaries, which includes the local interests of Bloom, 
 Monee, Beecher, Maltesou and (ioodonow. 'I'lii' 
 combination of papers was established by Mr. W. 
 H. Gardner, in March, 1888, and in May ft)Uowing 
 he was succeeded by the present firm. They have 
 nboiui fide issue of five iiiindred copies weekly, and 
 publish a paper which is heartily welcomed by the 
 pe()|)le of this region, being full of local news, and 
 treating concisely all the important topics of the 
 day. 
 
 Mr. Trowbridge is a practical printer, with an 
 experience of eight years as foreman of the Brccd- 
 ers's Journal, a stock paperjformerly published at 
 Beecher, 111. He served a full apprenticeship at 
 the "art preservative" in Lewistown, Pa., and 
 Grand Rapids, Mich., and subsequently was em- 
 ployed five years in the State Printing Office at 
 Lansing. His native place was Altoona, Pa., and 
 the date of his birth April 14, 1856. His father, 
 William S. Trowbridge, was' born in Granville, 
 Washington County, N. Y., August 24, 1825, and 
 died October 5, 1889, at Grand Rapids, Mich. The 
 latter was of stanch New England stock, and on 
 account of the death of his father when he was but 
 a boy, was thrown upon his own resources at an 
 early age. He learned the trade of an iron 
 moulder at Poultney, Vt., and later emigrated to 
 Harrisburg, Pa., where he followed his trade and was 
 married to Miss Henrietta Kuhn. Mrs. Trowbridge 
 was born and reared in Harrisburg, and was the 
 daughter of Jacob and Susan Kuhn, who died there. 
 
 After their marriage the elder Trowbridge and 
 his wife remained for some years residents of Har- 
 risburg and then removed to Altoona, Pa., where 
 the father operated some time as a foundryman. 
 He then removed to Juniata C'ount3\ and later to 
 Lewistown, where he became the employe of a 
 firm engaged in the manufacture of agricultural 
 implements. He was thus occupied until the fall of 
 18G3, and then, the Civil War being in progress, 
 enlisted in the Two Hundred and First Pennsyl- 
 vania Infantry, in which he served until the close 
 of the war, when he received his honorable dis- 
 charge. 
 
 Returning now to his home and family in Lew- 
 istown, Pa., the father of our subject not long 
 afterward took charge of the smelting department 
 
 of the Freedom Steel Works, one of the largest 
 manufacturing enterprises of the kind in Pennsyl- 
 vania, and he there remained until 1870. We next 
 find him making his way to Grand Kai)ids, Mich., 
 where he was joined by his family in 1871, and 
 where he spent the remainder of his life. In Grand 
 Kapids he was man.ager of Chubb's Agricultural 
 Implement Works. He was a skilled workman, and 
 was of that genial and conii)anionable disi)Osition 
 which drew around him hosts of friends. His re- 
 ligious views coincided with the doctrines of the 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 The mother of our subject died at her home in 
 Grand Rapids, Mich., in March, 1875, aged about 
 sixty years. She, like her husband, was a member 
 of the' Episcopal Church. There were born to them 
 ten children, seven of whom, five daughters and 
 two sons, are j'et living. These with one exception 
 are all married. William C. is next to the eldest, and 
 like them obtained his education principally in his 
 native county. He accompanied the familj' in the 
 removal to Grand Rapids, Mich., and was there 
 married, March 10, 187G, to Miss Lelia M. Wil- 
 kins. This lady was born in Grand Rapids, Au- 
 gust 31, 1856, and was carefully reared and edu- 
 cated. She grew up an accomplished and intelligent 
 woman, and by her union with our subject has 
 become the mother of three children, viz. : F. 
 Winona, William Roy and Myron. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Trowbridge are members of the Congregational 
 Church at Crete, and Mr. Trowbridge, politically, 
 is a sound Republican. 
 
 — ^ 
 
 ♦^■■ A . 
 
 ^ 
 
 Vl^OHN DAY. No member of the farming 
 communit3^ of this county is more wortli\- 
 of representation in this BioGKArniCAL 
 Ai.nuM than this gentleman, who has been 
 identified with the agricultural interests of this 
 part of the State for many j-ears, and now owns 
 and occui)ies a choice place of ten acres in Plain- 
 field Township, and also one hundred and eight}-- 
 two acres in I)u Page Township. 
 
 Mr. Day is of P^nglish birth, born in Lincoln- 
 shire, April 2, 1836. His father, bearing the same 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIUURAJ'HILAL A1>1JLA1. 
 
 207 
 
 nnme iis liimself, was a native of the same shire, 
 and Lis graiirlfatlier was a lifc-l<)iis>: resiflent tliere. 
 The father of our siihjict wa* reared on a farm in 
 his native county, and was tiiere employed in 
 aoricultural i)ursuits until 1856, wiien he came to 
 America and settled in Illinois, buying a home 
 with our subject in Dul'age Township, and living 
 there until his useful life was closed by deatli. The 
 maiden name of the mother of our svibject was 
 Heb'K'ca Brickies, and she was also a native of 
 England. Siie spent her last years at the home of 
 our subject at Plainfield. She and her husband 
 wcie the parents of four children, namely: Mary, 
 William, John and .Sopiiia. The latter died at the 
 age of four years, and the others came to Amer- 
 ica. Mar}' married William Pepper. They lo- 
 cated in this county, and she is now deceased. 
 William located in Manhattan, but is now residing 
 in .Tolict. 
 
 John, of wlioni we write, was reared in the land 
 (if his birth until he was eighteen years of age. 
 lie had heard of America, and being an ambitious, 
 self-reliant, adventurous youth, he longed to try 
 his fortunes here, but was restrained by his par- 
 ents from coming to this countr}^ until the age 
 mentioned. Having finally obtained their per- 
 mission, he set sail from Liverpool April 2, 1854, 
 and after a tedious vojage of seven weeks landed 
 in New York. He started thence at once to Illi- 
 nois to join friends at Plainfield. He immediately 
 sought eni()loyment here, as he needed the money, 
 and soon found work on a farm at *iI6 a month. 
 He was thus engaged for about three years, and 
 then rented land on shares until 18G(), when he 
 bought ninety-one acres of land on section 30, 
 DuPage Township, and about eight yeai-s later 
 bought ninety -one acres adjoining on the same 
 section. He resided there until 1884, then rented 
 the farm ami came to town, antl bought the pleas- 
 ant residence in which he has since lived retired, 
 he having aciiuired a handsome coni})etencc by 
 untiring and well-directed labors. 
 
 To the wife who makes this home cozy and at- 
 tractive, Mr. Daj- was united in marriage in Octo- 
 ber, 1851). Mrs. Day's maiden name was Cath- 
 erine Stratton, and she was born in Wayne 
 County, Ohio, December G, 1840. Her father, 
 
 William Stratton, was a native of New Jersey, 
 and moving fi-om there U) ()hio. located among 
 the pioneers ot Wa\ nc ■ onnlw and luie spi-nt 
 the remainder of his life. The maiden name of 
 his wife was Barbara Hicks. She was born, it is 
 thought, in Pennsylvania, and was of Dutch des- 
 cent. She spent her last years in Ohio. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Day have three children living — Sophia A., 
 Lizzie J. and Carrie C). 
 
 Our subject is in every sense of the word a 
 self-made man, as all that he is and has he owes 
 to his own exertions. He is a man of self-re- 
 specting character, is well dowered with firmness, 
 activity and sound business qualilicalions, and is 
 classed among our best citizens. 
 
 LBERT L. DAVIS. The subject of this 
 notice, who is a familiar figure among the 
 111 mercantile interests of Joliet, was born 
 October 7, 1845, in Dublin, Wa^-ne County, 
 Ind. His parents were Norton and Ellen (Cham- 
 berlin) Davis, who were natives of New York. 
 Norton Davis spent his early years in his native 
 county of Monroe, and after reaching man's estate 
 occu|)ied himself at various employments, and was 
 successful financially. For many years he'oi)erated 
 a machine-shop, and was engaged in the manufac- 
 ture of farming implements at Dublin, Ind. He 
 died there on the 4tli of December, 188;5. He 
 was a man of fine business abilities, the architect 
 of his own fortune, commencing life without 
 means at the age of sixteen j'ears, and gained for 
 himself a good position sociall}' and financially. 
 
 The mother of our subject survived her husband 
 seven years, dying Feliruary 9, 1890, at the old 
 homestead in Dublin, Ind. The parental house- 
 hold consisted of six children, onlj' two of whom 
 are living — Albert L. and Walter C, the latter 
 living in ('aml)ridge City, Ind., where he follows 
 the occupation of a jcwe!er. 
 
 Albert L. attained his early educati(jn in the com- 
 mon schools, and later he entered Miami Com- 
 mercial College, from which he was graduated in 
 1861. He commenced his business career as a 
 
■208 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 book-keeper for the firm of Davis, Lawrence & 
 Co., which subsequently was known as the Wayne 
 Agricultural Company, and Mr. Davis held his 
 position with the firm for a period of twelve 
 years. In 1880, in company with S. S. Chamber- 
 lin, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking 
 business at Lockport, and the firm holds a lead- 
 ing position among the business interests of the 
 place. In July, 1888, he entered into partnership 
 witii the firm now known as S. S. Chaniberlin & 
 Co. 
 
 Mr. Davis was married January 21, 1869, at 
 the bride's home in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Clara S. 
 Odell. This lady was born August 18, 1849, in that 
 city and is the daughter of Thomas W. and Caroline 
 L. Odell, who were natives respectively of Canada 
 and Ohio. This union resulted in the birth of 
 four children, viz.: Nelle C, Arthur R., Clarence 
 O. and Ada N. He is a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity in Jolict, l)eing a Knight Templar. He 
 has one of the most valuable collections of ancient 
 and Roman coins in this country, some of them 
 dating back as far as three and four hundred years 
 before Christ. lie and his wife are both active 
 members of the I'niversalist Church, and hold 
 membership in the First Universalist Church in 
 Dublin, Ind. 
 
 ' • ' ^_ 
 
 z^ » •' 
 
 iHOMAS TUCKER. The agricultural ele- 
 ment that has been so largely instrumental 
 >^^' in tlie upbuilding of Will County is well 
 represented by tliis gentleman, who is one of the 
 foremost farmers and stock-breeders of Monee 
 Township, where he owns a 'large and valuable 
 farm. 
 
 Mr. Tucker was born September 27, 1835, near 
 Siiasberr>% Dorcliester, England, a son of Luke and 
 .Sarah Tucker, who were natives of the same place 
 as their son. Ilis father was a farmer during his 
 early life but for many years he was engaged as a 
 collector of tithes for the church. He and his wife 
 had a family of eight children: Elizabeth Rose, of 
 England; Ann, who l)ec.ame the wife of George 
 Hitchcock and died in England, leaving a son and 
 
 daughter; Israel is a resident of Chicago; INIary, 
 wife of Abraham Scrivons, of Will Township; 
 Sarah married Thomas Randerson, and has since 
 died; Thomas; Stei^lien ; John, tiie eldest, died in 
 England. The mother of our subject died in 
 England about 1842, and his father witii five chil- 
 dren came to tiie United States two years later, 
 landing after a voyage of eight weeks, arriving in 
 Syracuse on the Fourth of July, in season to cele- 
 brate our great National holiday. Mr. Tucker was 
 a resident of that city about thirteen years, and 
 subsequently going to Chicago died tiiere in Sep- 
 tember, 1876, aged eighty-three years and five 
 months. 
 
 A lad of only nine years when he came to this 
 country, our subject has been reared under its in- 
 stitutions and was educated in its public schools, 
 and no native-born citizen is more loyal than he. 
 He followed farming in Syracuse until 1858, when 
 he came to Chicago with his brother Stephen and 
 was engaged in the butchering business there for 
 some years. In the spring of 18G3 lie took a most 
 important step in life, as he then came to this county 
 to resume his early occupation as an agriculturist 
 and located on the farm where he now resides. 
 Tills comprises two hundred and forty acres, sup- 
 plied with all substantial improvements and he 
 has besides much other land. He lias two hundred 
 and fort}' acres adjoining in Monee, one hundred 
 and sixty acres in Will Township, and has eighty 
 acres of the two hundred and forty acres which he 
 and his brothers owned joint!}' at one time. Mr. 
 Tucker began life without a dollar and has acquired j 
 all this valuable property by the exercise of keen 
 judgment, incessant industry and the wise economy 
 that knows when to spend as well as when to spare ^ 
 money, and is numbered among our moneyed men 
 who are using their influence to advance the town 
 and county in every direction. Mr. Tucker takes 
 a leading place in the township as a stock-breeder, 
 and for the last six years has made a specialty of 
 rearing Hereford cattle, importing a part of his 
 herd directly from England. He is also interested 
 in raising horses, the Hamliletonian stock being his 
 favorite, of which he has some fine specimens. 
 
 May 3, 1860, Mr. Tucker and Miss Ann Shevlin 
 were uniteil in marriage. She was born in Count}' 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGUAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 209 
 
 Donegal, Ireland, a daugliter of Charles and Ann 
 (Goliahar) Slievlin, who were also natives of lliat 
 county, where the father carried on farming. Mrs. 
 Tucker was one of a family of four children, the 
 others being James, of Chicago; IMary, of New 
 .Jersey ; and Edward, of Chicago. The latter, the 
 ehlest, was the first to come to the United States, 
 he coming in 1857 and Mrs. Tucker in 1859. 'i'his 
 marriage of our subject has lieen blessed to iiim 
 and his wife by the birth of nine children, namely: 
 Ann; Saiah Mar}', wife of James O'Shea, of Chi- 
 cago; Thomas, Emma, Rose, Charles; Stephen, 
 who died at the age of twelve; Anna, and Israel. 
 During an honorable career as a sagacious, en- 
 terprising agriculturist. Mi. Tucker has displayed in 
 a good degree those solid traits of cliaracter that 
 are needful to the attainment of good fortune in 
 any calling, and in his dealings with all, either in 
 a l)usiness or social way, he has ever shown himself 
 to be a man of honor and truthfulness. He is a 
 consistent member of the Baptist Church, and his 
 wife is a devoted communicant of the Roman 
 Catholic Church. Politically, our subject is a 
 sound Republican. 
 
 ^^mm^ 
 
 HARLES SCHIRRA. This gentleman is 
 numbered among the practical and and suc- 
 cessful farmers of Crete Township, in which 
 he has resided since 1865. lie now owns two hun- 
 dred and thirty-five acres of land on section 7, it 
 being well improved, well stocked, and well culti- 
 vated. Farming has been the life work of Mr. 
 Schirra and in its pursuit he has brought to bear 
 a marked degree of determination, intelligence, 
 .and keenness of observation. As u reliable citizen, 
 an affectionate husband and parent, and an indi- 
 vidual interested in the world's progress, he re- 
 ceives the respect of those about him and fills a 
 worthy place in the list of foreign-born citizens. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Nicholas and 
 Mary (Loufe) Schirra, botii of whom were natives 
 of Prussia, the former being of French ancestrj' 
 and the latter of German blood. Both lived to a 
 good old age, spending their entire lives in their 
 
 native land. Mr. Schirra was usually employed at 
 farm labor. He and his wife belonged to the Ger- 
 man Catholic Church. They were the parents of 
 seven sons and three daughters, the subject of this 
 sketch being the third child. 
 
 In one of the Rhine Provinces, Charles Schirra 
 was born April 17, 1817. He obtained a good 
 German education and becoming a farmer worked 
 as a tiller of tlie soil in his native land until thirty 
 years old. He then, in the spring of 1847, started 
 to America, taking passage at Antwerp on a sail- 
 ing vessel and spending forty-two days on the At- 
 lantic. He was followed to this country in later 
 years by two brothers and a sister, all of whom 
 are yet living. He landed in New York City 
 without means to continue his journe}', and he 
 therefore worked his waj' to Chicago, which he 
 reached sometime in the fall. He worked in var- 
 ious parts of Cook County luitil 1853, when he 
 purch.ased one hundred and fifteen acres of land 
 in Bloom Township, upon which he remained un- 
 til he became a resident of Will County. His first 
 purchase here was of two hundred acres, to which 
 he afterward added. 
 
 In Rich Township. Cook Count}', he of whom wo 
 write was united in marriage with jMiss Mary E. 
 Ladoux, with whom he lived happilj' until June 14, 
 1876, when she was called hence by the angel of 
 death. She was then forty-eight j'ears of age, 
 having been born in S^yitzerland, December 25, 
 1827. Her parents Joseph and Lizzie Ladoux were 
 natives of Switzerland, who upon coming to 
 the United States in 1845, settled at once in Rich 
 Township, Cook County, where they began to im- 
 prove a farm. After some j'ears the mother died 
 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Goodseid, 
 being then in her seventy-second year. The father 
 afterward came to Crete Township, Will County, 
 and died at the home of his son, Joseph, he also 
 being seventj'-two j'ears old. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ladoux belonged to the Catholic Church. 
 
 To Mr. Schirra aud'his good wife, fourteen chil- 
 dren were born. John and Charles died young 
 and they also lost an infant. Of the living chil- 
 dren we note the following: Eliza married Peter 
 Wehren, a furniture dealer who lives in INIadison, 
 Cook County ; Matilda is the wife of Peter 
 
210 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Scliiiiult, their lionio being in Oliicago; Carrie be- 
 came the wife of Sebastain J. Lux. who is now 
 deceased and siie lives on her father's farm; 
 .losepli is operaling a farm in this township; 
 I'liillip C. lives in Rlonee Townshii): Ida M. is the 
 wife of Metz Miller, a carpenter in Chicago; 
 Charles C. and Anna A. are at home; George is now 
 associated with his l)rother, Joseph, in oi)erating a 
 farm; Walter P. and Jacob O. are at home. All 
 the children were educated in both German and 
 English and arc intelligent, well informed, and 
 manifesting energy and thrift. Mr. Schirra is a 
 sound Democrat. 
 
 '^OllN T. CLYNi: is one of the bright and 
 enterprising young business men of Will 
 County, being closely identified with its 
 I stock interests. He is connected with S. W. 
 Simmons in the breeding and handling of trotting 
 slock and they are the proprietors of the Stone City 
 Stables in Joliet, where they have a fine stud of 
 horses. They issue the Will County //o;-se»«a/i, of 
 which our suliject is Die business manager. Ihey 
 are making a great success of this paper published 
 in the interests of the turfmen, as it already has a 
 good circulation. It is a' four-column, eight page 
 quarto, having l)een enlarged from a four-page 
 sheet. Our subject comes of sterling New York 
 ancestrv and is a native of that State, born in Co- 
 hoes, Albaii}- County, December 8. 1857, to James 
 and Catherine Clyne. His mother w.as the daughter 
 of John and Mary (Juinn, of Washington Count}', 
 N. Y., who were of Irisii descent. The father of 
 our subject was the son of Thomas and Margaiet 
 (McCormick) Clyne, the latter a native of Oneida 
 Count}', and the old liomestead on which she was 
 born is still in possession of the family. Iler an- 
 cestrj' came to America in Colonial times. Thomas 
 Clyne was born in Couuty Longford, Ireland, his 
 father having gone there from Germany during the 
 exodus from that countiy. 
 
 Our subject was reared in llie city of his birlli 
 until he attained the age of nine years and there 
 
 laid the foundation of his education. At that age 
 he commenced working in the knitting factories and 
 was thus employed until 1875, when at the age of 
 seventeen, on a certain Sunday evening, he and his 
 " chuni" started out to make their fortune in the 
 West. His friend, Martin Mahon, is now a wealthy 
 man in San Francisco, Cal. When our subject thus 
 ventured out into the world he liati luit a few dol- 
 lars in Ids pocket, and after traveling some days he 
 secured a job in a sash and blind shop at ninety 
 cents per day. He worked there two weeks and 
 then left to learn ihe trade of a bricklayer, but the 
 contractor skipped the county and left him in the 
 lurch. Fortunately he had a friend who could aiul 
 did lend him ^i'), and he made his way to Lockport, 
 where he obtained work in the harvest field and 
 was there employed nine days, which was his lirst 
 experience of farm life, and for the next three 
 years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, the 
 last two working for Jiulge Simmons, the father of 
 his partner. Feeling the need of a better education 
 he entered a good school at X'alparaiso, Ind., and 
 was closely engaged in study there for a year. He- 
 then returned toPlainfield and worked for the same 
 man for a time and then resumed his scholastic 
 pursuits and was in school for a }'ear, paying his 
 own way in the meantime. When he had com- 
 pleted his education he again went back to Plain- 
 field and there took part in a ceremony wiiich has 
 had an important bearing on his afterlife as he was 
 at that time married to Miss Anna L., daughter of 
 John and Hannah McClosky. She is an earnest 
 Christian and a consistent member of the Methodist 
 Cliurch. Of her happy union with our subject 
 three sons have been born — Jlcad, Wade, and Vard. 
 After marriage our subject utilized his education 
 by teaching school in DuPage. He subsequently 
 took charge of the business of J. W. Fnnk, who 
 was a great horse shipper and contractor. After 
 that .Mr. Clyne was appointed to take charge of the 
 County Poor House, under Judge Simmons, and was 
 kee|)er for three years, an<l then was made Superin- 
 tendent of the Poor, and continued in that [losition 
 fioni 1885 until the present time. He is now as- 
 sociated with S. AV. Simmons, as before mentioned, 
 riu'v have a valuable stud of horses of which we 
 m.iy nientiiMi Dictator, .Ir., son of Dictator and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 211 
 
 Delwood a member of the Nutwood family; AH 
 Busliaw, son of Greens Busliaw; T. B. Mount, re- 
 presentative of old Almont, No. 33; Harry and 
 Leo McGregor, descendants of the famous Robert 
 Gregor of time 2:17^, .and many others of consid- 
 erable note. 
 
 Mr. Clyne is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
 Madison Lodge, No. 175; Chapter of Joliet, No. 
 27, and also belongs to the Joliet Commandery 
 of Knight Templars, No. 4. As ti public-spirited 
 citizen fully alive to the best interests of his county 
 and township, he is a thoroughbred Republican 
 and takes a great interest in politics and has l)een 
 instrumental in getting manygood measures through 
 the State Legislature, notably, the opening of the 
 boulevard at Joliet. A man of ambitious, forceful 
 character, well-trained intellect, and excellent hab- 
 its, our subject is an intluenee for good in the 
 community and exerts himself to promote its 
 advancement. 
 
 \TOHN GOUGAR. This aged veteran, who 
 has passed the eightieth year of his age, has 
 ,1 been a resident of New Lenox Township 
 ^^/z since IH'30. He has seen much of pioneer 
 life, contributed his full quota to the development 
 of the agricultural resources of this section, and is 
 now in the enjoyment of a competence, being able 
 to look back upon a well spent life, and feeling that 
 his labors have not been in vain. Duringhis long 
 residence in AVill County he has gathered around 
 him hosts of friends, who have long recognized his 
 sterling qualities, and whose confidence and esteem 
 he enjoys in a marked degree. The biographer 
 linds him pleasantly situated in a beautiful home, 
 amidst all tiie comforts and many of the luxuries 
 of life. 
 
 The immediate progenitors of ftlr. (;lougar were 
 \\'illiam and Catherine (Abel) Gougar, natives of 
 Pennsylvania, and the father born in Berks Count}-. 
 They were reared and married in the Keystone 
 State, but in 1818 removed to Ohio, and lived 
 eight years in Pickaway Countj'. Thence they re- 
 moved to Vermillion County, Ind., and from there. 
 
 in June, 1831, to Illinois, settling on section 18, in 
 what is now New Lenox Township. .The father tilled 
 the soil successfully, and constructed a good home- 
 stead from a Ir.-^ct of wild land, where he spent the 
 remainder of his life, dying March 31, 18G1. The 
 mother died Januaiy 6, 1854. 
 
 To the parents of our subject there was born a 
 family of eleven children, nine sons and two daugh- 
 ters, eight of whom are living. John, our subject, 
 was the eldest of the family, and was born in 
 Northumberland County, Pa., March 20, 1810; be 
 accompanied the family in their removals to Ohio 
 and Indiana, and attained to manhood on a farm 
 in Vermillion County, wiiere he sojourned until 
 the fall of 1830. He then came to what was then 
 Cook, but is now AVill County, 111, and settled on 
 section 18, New Lenox Township, of which be has 
 since been a resident. He thus bears the distinction 
 of being one of the oldest living settlers of this 
 county. 
 
 Mr. Gougar remained a bachelor until a man of 
 thirty-nine years, and then he met his fate in the 
 person of Miss Mary Ann Miller, to whom he was 
 married in Joliet, January 2, 1849. Mrs. Gougar 
 was born May 21 , 1813, ne.ar Shippensburg, Pa., 
 and was the daughter of Jacob and IMary (Boots), 
 Miller, likewise natives of the Keystone State, in 
 the eastern part of which they spent the closing 
 years of their lives. They were the parents of 
 nine children, two of whom arc living. 
 
 Our subject and his wife commenced their wed- 
 ded life together at the home which thej' now own 
 and oecupj'. Of their union tliere has been born 
 one child only, a son, Lewis F., November 15, 
 1852. He has spent his entire life at the old farm, 
 and for many years past h.is had the chief man- 
 agement of it, relieving his |)arents from many 
 cares. He was given a good education in the 
 schools of New Lenox Townsliip and at Englewood, 
 111. For several years he has been a School Di- 
 rector in his district, and also served as Overseer 
 of Highways. Both jiarents and son are regular 
 attendants of the Episcopal Church. 
 
 John Gougar cast his first Presidential vote for 
 V^an Buren, and from that day to this has contin- 
 ued a stanch supporter of the Democr.atic party. 
 He served in the Black Hawk War, being a member 
 
212 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of a company of niounted volunteers, under the 
 coniinand of Capt. Holden Scission, and had three 
 hroLhiTS — Williams, Nicholas and Daniel — who 
 served in the sanic company, all being mustered 
 into service in Augiist, 1832. During the early 
 days the post-office was at the house of Mr. Gougar, 
 Cornelius Van Horn acting as Postmaster, and con- 
 stituted one of the stations between Danville and 
 Chicago. Mr. Gougar served on the petit jury in 
 Chicago, walking the entire distance. In 1830 he 
 went to mill with an ox-team to a (ilace near Ot- 
 tawa, lie hauled his giain and other produce to 
 Chicago, also drove his live-stock there to market. 
 Upon one occasion, during the Black Hawk War, 
 he in company with David Magnet, sought safety 
 in a cave north of Joliet, where they remained un- 
 disturled until the danger was past. 
 
 Near the residence of Mr. Gougar is an old In- 
 dian burying ground. During the early days the 
 pioneers endured untokl hardship, and but few sur- 
 vived to tell the tale. The subject of this notice 
 is looked upon as one of the old landmarks, whose 
 career has been one of more than ordinary interest. 
 He traces his ancestry to Germany, and the family 
 was first represented in America jjrobably during 
 the Colonial days. Mr. Gougar has in his possess- 
 ion a German Bible, which was printed about 1600, 
 and which is carefully i)reserved as an invaluable 
 relic. He has made for himself a good record, 
 and his name will be held in kindly remembrance 
 long after he has been gathered to his fathers. 
 Two of his brothers, who have also been men of 
 note in their community, are represented elsewhere 
 in this volume. 
 
 •— »T^ 
 
 'i^m- 
 
 'i|/OHN CANN stands among the leaders of the 
 stock-raising and farming interests of Will 
 Township, where he owns a farm which in 
 point of cultivation and general improve- 
 ment is scarcely surpassed by any in the neighbor- 
 hood. Mr. Cann was born and bred in England, 
 Tavistock Parish, Devonshire, being his native 
 place, and April 30, 1851, the date of his birth. 
 His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (White) Cann, 
 
 were also natives of that place. During some 
 period of his life his father moved to Plymouth, 
 England, where he had a position on the police 
 force. He was a farmer and butcher by occupa- 
 tion. He was the father of six children, of whom 
 four grew to maturity, naraelj': Salina, now de- 
 ceased; -lohn; George (living in England), and 
 Samuel 11. The mother, who died in her native 
 land, was a devoted Christian, and a member of 
 the Church of England. The father came to the 
 United States in September, 1875, and made his 
 home with his children. He was one of a family 
 of three sons and three daughters, of whom he was 
 the only one who ever came to the laiited States. 
 The names of his brothers and sisters were Jose|)h, 
 ,lohn, Elizabeth, Julianna, and Mary. Our sub- 
 ject's mother was a daughter of John White, who 
 had three sons and three daughters: John, who 
 lives in Iowa, and Mar3', wife of James Joslyn, of 
 Kansas, being the only members of the family to 
 come to this country. 
 
 John Cann, of this sketch, passed his boyhoo<l 
 and youth in his English home, receiving his edu- 
 cation in the local schools. In the month of April, 
 1860, in the dawning of a vigorous, manly man- 
 hood, he embarked for America to begin life anew 
 on tills soil, accompanying thither his cousin,George 
 Berry. For awhile after landing on these shores he 
 lived near Niagara Falls. In April, 1871, he re- 
 moved to Peotone, and worked on a faru) there, 
 and was also employed at one time in Chicago, till 
 1876. In that year he located on his present farm, 
 and two years later he began his independent ex- 
 istence as proprietor and manager of a farm of his 
 own, buying this of its former owner and from its 
 rich harvest fields he reaps a good income. It is 
 pleasantly located on section 8, and its one hundred 
 and sixty acres are in a fine state of cultivation. 
 He does a good general farming business and for 
 the past six years he has been paying particular at- 
 tention to raising Short-horn cattle. . 
 
 To the wife who has materially assisted him in 
 making their COS3' home and looks so carefully to 
 the comfort of the household, ;Mr. Cann was united 
 in marriage August 21, 1872. Mrs. Cann's maiden 
 name was Amelia Ahlborn, and she was born in 
 New York City, Jul}' 31, 1856, to William and 
 
^^^H.6/{^ «X^,^ 
 
 d,^^^^^^,^^^ .<^W^^s<^, ^7^/<^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 215 
 
 Amelia (Epson) Ahlborn, wliocame from Germany 
 lo Monee in 1855, anil located on a farm, wliere 
 the father subsequently died. His widow now re- 
 sides in I'eotone. Of tiie tliree eliildren born lo 
 lier, two are livinof, Amelia and Henry. Shu lias 
 married a second time, taking as her husband Hcniy 
 Uapiiof, by whom she has one child, (jeorge. The 
 wedded life of our subject an<l liis estimable wife 
 has been blessed by the eight children born to them: 
 George, William, Herbert, Clarence, Thomas and 
 Richard. Two of their (thildren died, one in in- 
 fancy and one at ten years. 
 
 The years that have passed away since our sub- 
 ject landed in this country have been fraught with 
 much care and labor, but every obstacle has been 
 steadily conquered by a quiet determination to turn 
 everything to his advantage as far as practicable, 
 and by wise economy and thrifty management he 
 has placed himself in an honorable position among 
 his fellow-townsmen, he having increased the small 
 ca[)ital of $5 with which he landed in this 
 country, to a comfortable competence. He is al- 
 ways interested in the welfare of his adopted town- 
 ship, and has aided in its material and moral 
 elevation. At one time he served as Road Com- 
 missioner, working faithfully to improve the local 
 highwai'S. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian 
 Church and identifies herself with all its good work. 
 
 
 « IVILLIAM DOUGALL, M. 1). On the op- 
 
 W 
 
 f/ posite page appears a lithographic portrait 
 of Dr. Dougall, whose long residence in 
 Will County, together with his active participation 
 ill all worthy measures for the development of the 
 resources of the community, has made him promi- 
 nent both socially and in llie ranks of the profession. 
 His life lias been such as to shed an added lustre 
 on a gooil old name, and ho inherits those substan- 
 tial trails of character which have rendered the 
 Scotch famous amid a galaxy of nations. It has 
 been said that there arc two kinds of education, 
 one which is received al school, and the other, more 
 
 important, which we give ourselves. Dr. Dougall 
 was fortunate in gaining each kind of training, and 
 as a result his character has been rounded out and 
 developed, while he has acquired those habits of 
 perseverance and energy, which are so essential to 
 success in any [irofession. 
 
 Our subject, who was the fifth son of J(jhn and 
 Margaret (Iloustoun) Dougall, was born at Ihider- 
 wood. Paisley, Scotland, IMarcli 1, 1842. His father, 
 who was a leading cotton spinner in the west of 
 Scotland, came with his family to this country in 
 18.'>8, .ind purchased a farm near New Haven, Ind. 
 On this homestead he died December 28, 1874, hav- 
 ing reached the ripe age of seventy five years. His 
 life was characterized by sincere piety, uncompro- 
 mising rectitude, and by social qualities which se- 
 cured for him the love and esteem of his neighbors. 
 The mother of Dr. Dougall w.as born January 1, 
 1801, in the village and [)arish of Houstoun, Ren- 
 frewshire, Scotland, and was descended from a 
 French-Huguenot family who left France .at the 
 time of the massacre of St. Bartholomew. She 
 survived her husband several years, dying June 1 7, 
 1888. The family included twelve children, eight 
 of whom survive. Tliese are Mrs. David McGre- 
 gor, of Manchester, England; Mrs. .John Hadden, 
 of Milwaukee, Wis.; James, of the Ro3al Botanic 
 Gardens in Glasgow, Scotland; Allan 11., of Ft. 
 Wayne, Ind. ; David, of Georgetown, British Guiana, 
 South America; Mrs. Dr. M. F. Williamson, and 
 our subject of Joliet, 111.; and Mrs. J. F. Beuret, 
 (.)f Antwerp, Ohio. 
 
 The family are truly cosmoitolitan. Of the four 
 wlio are deceased, one is buried in Scotland, one in 
 England, one in America .and one in China. The 
 widow of the eldest son lives in London, England; 
 some of the grandchildren live in Lisbon, Portugal; 
 and in China are to be found a son-in-law, grand- 
 daughter, and three great-grandchildren. These 
 are the family of a lieloved daughter, Isalielle F. 
 Williamson, who after thirty years spent in the mis- 
 sion field of China, died, and was buried in August, 
 1886, in the field which she had selected for her 
 life work. Her memory- survives her, perpetuated 
 as it is liy numerous translations and a widely' 
 known and celebrated work entitled "Old High- 
 ways in China," Such is the family to which the 
 
216 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 subject of this sketch belongs and he is a worthy 
 representative of a good old sto<;k. 
 
 William Dougall was tHliu-ated at lliu High School 
 at (ilasgow, au institution founded in the twelfth 
 century. Here he finished his preparations for the 
 study of medicine, upon which he was about to 
 enter, when the change of circumstance and loca- 
 tion by reason of his father's emigration to America, 
 compelled him to relinquish for a time his pro- 
 jected career. Upon the breaking out of the Civil 
 War he quickly responded to the call for troops, 
 and on June 1, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Fif- 
 teenth Indiana Infantry, at Ft. Wayne. He served 
 with his command in every engagement, sustaining 
 severe wounds at the battle of Stone River, Tenn. 
 On October 1, 1863, having passed the "regular" 
 examination he was commissioned Captain in the 
 Thirteenth United States Colored Infantry, in which 
 caiiacity he acted, often with an independent com- 
 maiid, until the close of the war, when he resigned. 
 His brother, iVUan Ilousioun Dougall, was also a 
 Captain and Adjutant of the Eighty-eighth Indiana 
 Infantry. 
 
 On his return from the field William Dougall 
 took up his medical studies, subsequently taking 
 the regular medical course in the University of 
 Michigan at Ann Arbor, and remaining there dur- 
 ing 18G6-'G7. On March 1, 1808, he received the 
 degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Chicago 
 Medical College, and on the first of the following 
 month began the practice of his profession at Le- 
 mont. Cook Count}-, 111. He was married t.tclober 
 1, 1872, to Miss Cassie W^alker, daughter of Edwin 
 W alker, of Lemon t, and then removed to .loliet, 
 where he now resides. Here he has followed his 
 profession with great success and has especially dis- 
 tinguished himself by his skill in surgical cases. 
 He takes a laudable interest in the advancement of 
 his profession, in which he has secured a leading 
 position. 
 
 Dr. Dougall is now President of the Board of 
 Examining Surgeons for pensions at Joliet, and also 
 President of the Will County Jledical Society. In 
 1875, being an ardent Republican he was Chairman 
 of the County Central Committee. As an organizer 
 he possesses elements of success and is capable of 
 abl}' assisting in the party work. In 1879 he was 
 
 ajjpointed Postmaster at Joliet, a position which he 
 111 Id until 1883. At present he is Commander of 
 liartleson Post, No. 6, O. A. R. He is a gentleman 
 of scholarly tastes and ripe culture, and is active 
 in the promotion of all efforts for the material and 
 social advancement of the ct)ramunity in which he 
 lives. 
 
 l/OHN O. PIEPENBRINK. Among the pros- 
 perous farmers of Crete Townshi|) he with 
 whose name we introduce tiiis sketch, holds 
 no unimportant position. He has been suc- 
 cessful as a tiller of the soil and has made a specialty 
 of stock-raising, for which purpose he has one of 
 the finest bodies of land within the township, this 
 being locrated near the town limits and comprising 
 seventy-three acres on section IG, and thirty-two 
 acres on section 2, adjoining. The land is very 
 fertile and improved with good buildings and has 
 been occu|'ied by Mr. Piepenbrink since the fall of 
 1878. 
 
 With the exception of eighteen months whicli 
 he spent in the city of Joliet, Mr. Piepenbrink has 
 been a resident of Crete Township since a child 
 tiiree years of age. He was born in Hesse-Cassel, 
 Germany, January 5, 1847, and when three years 
 old accompanied his parents, John and Sophia 
 (Willie) Pie[ienbrink to the United States, they set- 
 tling in Crete Township, where they are still living. 
 The father purchased land, where vvitii the aid of 
 his estimable wife, they built up a good homestead 
 which they still own and occupy. John O. was 
 reared to habits of industiy, becoming fully fami- 
 liar with the various pursuits of farm life and re- 
 maining with his parents until setting about the 
 establishment of a home of his own. 
 
 With the above-mentioned object in view, Mr. 
 Piepenbrink was married April .5, 1875, at the 
 bride's home in Crete Township to Miss Dora Or- 
 kenberg. This lady is a native of the same prov- 
 ince in Germany as her husband and was born 
 January 8, 1850. She likewise was a child of three 
 years win n her parents came to America, and the}' 
 settled in Crete Township, where the father im- 
 proved a farm and where both parents si)ent the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 217 
 
 remainder of their days. Both were past seventy- 
 four years of age, the mother surviving her husband 
 but a short timo. Tliey were most excellent and 
 worthy people and members in good standing of 
 the Lutheran Church. 
 
 To our subject and his estimable wife there have 
 been born four children, viz.: William O., Eda D., 
 Albert F. and Martin J. Mr. and Mrs. Piepcnbrink 
 belong to the Lutheran Church at Crete and hold 
 no secondary position among the leading people of 
 their tovvnship. Mr. Piepenbrink, politically, affil- 
 iates with the Republican party and has held the 
 various local ollices. Ho is one of the Directors 
 of the Crete Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, 
 a member of the Finance Committee and has been 
 no unimportant factor in contributing to its 
 success. 
 
 -I- 
 
 ^^-- 
 
 -RED SENIIOLTZ. A well-improved 
 ji farm of one hundred acres located on sec- 
 tion 3, Washington Township, has been the 
 life-long home of the gentleman above named, who 
 nr)w owns this part of the parental estate. He was 
 liorn June I'J, 18G2, and was educated in the com- 
 mon schools of the neighborhood. He is well in- 
 formed on general topics as well as in the work to 
 wliich he has given his attention as a life labor. He 
 is successfully conducting the vocation of a general 
 farmer, keeping up the improvements on the home- 
 stead, and displaying many of the cpiaiities which 
 Ic'il his father to success in the same field of labor. 
 
 The chosen comi)anion of Mr. Senholtz was known 
 ill her maidenhood as Miss Minnie AVehrniann. She 
 uas horn in the same township as her husband, .laii- 
 iiary li), 18G8, and reared and educated here under 
 the oversight of worthy parents who had removed 
 hence from tiernmny at an earl}' day. They im- 
 proved a farm which they still make their home. 
 The happy union of Mr. and l\Irs. Senholtz has been 
 blest liy the birth of one cliild, Amel. IMr. .Senholtz 
 is a Kepublican and both he and his wife have 
 good standing in the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The fatlier of him of whom we write was Fred 
 Senhollz, Sr., who was born in Germany and there 
 reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1848, when 
 
 abofit of age, he came to the United States and 
 journeying from the coast to Chicago found em- 
 jiloyment in that vicinity for some time. In Cook 
 County he was married to ]Miss Augusta Trube, 
 who was born in the Fatherland and when a young 
 wom.in crossed the Atlantic, living in Chicago until 
 her marriage. The young couple soon came to 
 Will County and securing one hundred and sixty 
 acres of wild land in Washington Township, ma<le 
 that their home during the balance of their lives. 
 
 The estate was increased to two hundred and 
 eighty acres and placed under excellent improve- 
 ment and cultivation. There three sons and three 
 daughters were born to the worthy couple, the sub- 
 ject of this union being the second son and child. 
 But one of the fraternal band has been called from 
 time to eternit}'. The mother breathed her last in 
 1875, when past fifty years of age. She was a life- 
 long member of the Lutheran Church, had been an 
 efficient companion and a devoted mother. The 
 father lived to the age of sixty-four years, dying 
 June 28, 1886. He left the reputation of a good 
 citizen, a hardworking man and a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a 
 Kepublican. 
 
 -^-^-^ ^ 
 
 ,/RANCISL. KERCHEVAL. This gentlc- 
 ii man is one of the leading young men of 
 New Lenox Township, a position to which 
 his intelligence, business energy and good charac- 
 ter fairly entitle him. His father was the late 
 .lames C. Kereheval, who was born in Preble 
 County. Ohio, August 10,1810. His mother was 
 Anna Koiindtiee, who was born in North Carolina, 
 January 5, 1820. The Houndtree family removed 
 from Nortji Carolina to Indiana about the _\ear 
 182o, settling near Crawfordsville, Montgomerj- 
 County, at which place the parents of our subject 
 were married in the year 1841. 
 
 At that time James C. Kereheval was a resident 
 of New Lenox Tovvnship, having come to Will 
 County in the fall of 1830. He was, therefore, one 
 of the very earliest settlers in the county, and as 
 such deserves grateful remembrance for his assist- 
 
•218 
 
 PORTllAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ance in the early work of development to wlfieh 
 the resiilents of llu; county ;ue iiulcbted for their 
 beautiful estates ami the many comforts and con- 
 veniences which surround lliem. lie brought his 
 bride to tills tovvnsiii[i, maiiing a home on Maple 
 Street, wliere years of happy wedded life were 
 spent and a useful career pursued by both luisban<l 
 and wile. Mr. Kercheval lircathed his last Fcb- 
 uary 6, 1873, after having secured the esteem of 
 those about him. His widow survived until Feb 
 uary 7, 1888, when she too entered into rest, leav- 
 ing behind iier a record of good deeds and kind 
 wolds which affords a pleasing remembrance to 
 ail who lovel her. 
 
 The family of Mr. and Jlrs. .1. C. Kercheval in- 
 cluded tttelve children, two of whom died in in- 
 fancy. The record of those who lived to grow up 
 is as follows; Mar3' J. became tlie wife of Francis 
 Granger and died in New Lenox Townshii), in Oc- 
 tober, 1882; Charles E. resides near the city of 
 Joliet; Sarah E. is the wife of H. C. Larsh, of 
 Crawfordsville, Ind.; Martha 1. is the wife of Dr. 
 James McCann, of Normal, tiiis State; Annie E. is 
 the widow of Elvis D. Lynk, who died in the vil- 
 lage of New Lenox, in July, 1879; Margaret died 
 when twelve j'ears <Jd; Winfield S. lives in Joliet 
 Township; Francis L., of whom we write, and 
 Frances F. are twins; Albert R. lives in Joliet 
 Township. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in New 
 Lenox Township, November 17, 1859, and with 
 the exception of one year that township has been 
 his home during his entire life. He was educated 
 in the township schools and in the city of Joliet, 
 becoming well-versed in practical knowledge and 
 laying the foundation for his present fund of infor- 
 mation. He was engaged in mercantile business 
 In the village of New Lenox for two and a half 
 years and was also employed as a clerk there for 
 about two years. AVith this exception he has fol- 
 lowed farming. The estate on which he lives con- 
 sists of one hundred acres on section 5, which was 
 the old homestead of his father. The buildings 
 which stand upon it are well built and adequiite, 
 the dwelling being especially noticeable for its 
 substantial and comfortable a])i)earance and the 
 taste which is manifested in its surroundings. Va- 
 
 rious other improvements have been made upon 
 the farm which is conducted according to the most 
 improved methods, Mr. Kercheval showing lilm- 
 self an able agrlcidturist. 
 
 The many sterling qualities of Miss Emma F. 
 Lynk won the regard of Mr. Kercheval, who was 
 prosiiered in his wooing, winning that lady's con- 
 sent to be his wife. Their marriage rites were 
 celebran^d in Joliet, May, 26, 1880, and happiness 
 has followed their union. Mrs. Kercheval is the 
 3'ounger of two children born to Tunis and Lydia 
 A. (Hartshorn) Lynk, the other chlkl liaving died 
 in infancy. Mr. Tunis Lynk was a native of New 
 York, and his wife, formerly Lydia A. Hartshorn, 
 was born in the State of Vermont. Her mother 
 died in New Lenox Township, January 15, 1877, 
 and her father is now living in Lawte}', Bradford 
 County, Fla. Mrs. Kercheval was born May 18, 
 18G1, in tiie township which is still her home. She 
 is the mother of two sons — Frank C. and .lames F. 
 
 Mr. Kercheval is a member of the Republican 
 party. His townsmen have shown their confidence 
 in his worth of character and good judgment by 
 electing him to the office of Township Assessor, 
 which i)osition he has now held for five years. Mrs. 
 Kercheval is a member of the Episcopal Church, 
 which her husband also attends. Both are popu- 
 lar members of society and well-spoken of on .all 
 sides. 
 
 j^'REDERICK C. WILCOX. Although but 
 t^&j little more than thirty' years of age, the 
 1\ above-named gentleman holds a prominent 
 
 place among the business men of Joliet, and among 
 her most public-spirited and enterp'ising citizens. 
 He is the manager of the immense business of the 
 Wilcox Bros'. Lumber Yards, and of the Carriage 
 Repository wliicli has been added to the former 
 business, and has [ilace in social orders and i)ublic 
 responsibilities. Probably no man of his years in 
 the city that contains so many fine business men, 
 can boast of an ecpial record in worldly affairs and 
 popular esteem. 
 
 The natal day of Frederick Wilcox was ISIarch 
 29, 1858, and his birthplace the city in which he 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 219 
 
 yet makes his home. His father, Edmund Wilcox, 
 is an old settler and well-known resident here, be- 
 ing one of three or four who have lived here fifty- 
 two years. His biography- will appear on another 
 page of this volume. The lad was educated here, 
 and after completing his stndies was engaged as a 
 clerk in the hardware store of Brooks & Co., from 
 the age of eighteen until his majority, when he 
 went to Russell County, Kan. There he remained 
 some two and a half years, returning to Joliet in 
 August, 1881. 
 
 At that time our subject, with his brother Will- 
 iam G. Wilcox, bought the entire lumber business 
 of the firm of Mason & Plants. Ere long the 
 brother, who was teller in the First National Bank, 
 was elected cashier to take the place made vacant 
 bj' the death of the former incumbent, and our 
 subject became sole manager of the lumber Imsi 
 ness. He has carried it on successfully, and now 
 has the largest j^ard and trade iu the city. In May, 
 1889, he purchased the wholesale yards of T. A. 
 Mason, at the Michigan Central Yards, and has 
 carried on both departments of the business since. 
 
 In 1887 Mr. Wilcox erected a carriage reposi- 
 itory, and undertook the control of that enterprise 
 also. He has recently been elected Secretary and 
 Treasurer of the Swan Carriage Company, a cor- 
 porate body that was organized not long since and 
 located in this city, the object being to do a whole- 
 sale jobbing business. Of this company he was 
 one of the organizers. The enter|)rises in which 
 he is eng.aged call for much wisdom and tact in 
 controlling and guiding the men employed, but the 
 manager seems to be at no loss to do this, and to 
 push forward both so as to insure their increase. 
 Nor do these affairs prevent him from taking part 
 in other enterprises of a less personal charactei-. 
 
 Mr. Wilcox has held various olficial stations in 
 societies and civic bodies. lie w.as Worshipful 
 Master of Matteson Lodge, No. 175, A. F. S:. A. M., 
 in 1878-79; and is novv Eminent Commander of 
 Joliet Commanderj- No. 4, Knights Templar. He 
 was Master of the Blue lyodge at the time of the 
 conclave in Washington, and took with him to that 
 city his entire corps of officers. His lodge was 
 honored with an invitation to confer and exem- 
 plify the third degree at Alexandria, Va., in which 
 
 lodge Gen. Washington belonged, and over which 
 he presided eight successive years. Mr. Wilcox 
 therefore occupied the same chair, conferring the 
 degree in the presence of three hundred of the most 
 distinguished Masons of the United States. He is 
 one of the originators of the Joliet Masonic Asso- 
 ciation, an institution gotten up for the purpose 
 of building a Masonic Temple in the cit\'. Its 
 present capital is 160,000, and Mr. Wilcox is Treas- 
 urer and Director, as well .as a member of the 
 building committee. The intention is to erect a 
 building on the North side of Jefferson Street, east 
 of the Chicago & Alton tracks, which will be the 
 largest and finest edifice in the city. 
 
 Mr. Wilcox is also now a member of the Board 
 of Education, and President of the Union Club, a 
 large and fine organization, numbering in its mem- 
 bership the best elements of Joliet socictj-. He is 
 likewise President of the Joliet Improvement Com- 
 pany, a .syndicate of property owners, organized in 
 1888, he being one of the originators. He votes 
 with the Democratic party. As can be seen b}' the 
 brief mention above, Mr. Wilcox is a busy man, 
 manifesting his capability in a highly successful 
 business career, in the aid of his fellow-men in their 
 efforts to upbuild the city and improve its society 
 .and material appearance, and filling a leading place 
 in the community. He is educated in a broad and 
 liber.al sense, and possesses upright principles of 
 life. 
 
 ON. URI OSGOOD. Among the settlers 
 ij) of Juno, 183(>, came the subject of this 
 !'\^ notice who located in Joliet and began 
 j^ the practice of law, being among the 
 first attorne3's of the embryo cit}- — his competitors 
 being Messrs. Newkirk, Henderson, Boardnian 
 and Wilson. Mr. Osgood in addition to his law 
 l)ractice in due time eng.aged in private banking 
 at which he continued until 18(52. 
 
 In the meantime, having lieen recognized as a 
 valued addition to the community, Mr. Osgood 
 was elected to various offices and finally to the 
 Legislature, being elected to the State .Senate in 
 which he served from 1854 to 1860. He w.as then 
 
220 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 nomiiiatefl by the Democracy ns a member of 
 Congress f;om this (Hslrict Init was defeated by 
 Owen Los'ejoy. Subsc')iuuitly lie lived the life of 
 a private citizen, atlendiiig to bis law practice un- 
 til his death whirli occurred Februar}- 8, 1871. 
 From the Lime of locatinjif in .loliet his home had 
 been at the corner of .lofferson and Eastern Aven- 
 ues, where he liveil comfortably and surrounded 
 himself and his family with many of the luxuries 
 of life. He left live children at the time of his 
 death all of whom are liviiiir: havirg had eight chil- 
 dren in all. Julia became the wife of Charles Scott 
 of Cincinnati and died of cholera in St. Louis, 
 Mo. in 1867, at the early .age of twenty-two years; 
 Aliiha M. died when six years old; Occar died 
 aged about six months. The surviving sons are 
 Augustus A., Algernon S. and Henry R., all resi- 
 dents of Chicago. Virginia A. is the wife of 
 George S. House, a prominent attorney of Joliet; 
 Emma Aldrich married Charles Seymour of Ba- 
 tavia, N. Y., and they are living in Oakland, Cal. 
 
 On January 1, 1839, the subject of this notice 
 was united in marriage with Miss Caroline V., 
 daughter of Fonner and Emoline (Wade) Aldrich. 
 Mr. Aldi'ich was born in Mas.sachusett& in 1803, 
 and was a son of one of the earliest families of 
 the B.ay State. The [laternal grandfather, David 
 Aldrich, married Miss Mary Capron, and removed 
 to Pennsylvania whore he took up a large tract of 
 land in tlie vicinity of Harper, Susquehanna 
 County. There he and his good wife spent the 
 remainder of their day.s. His children later re- 
 moved to Northern [llinois, but one son, Levi, 
 went in 1852, to California. The mother of Mrs. 
 Osgood bore the maiden name of Emoline Wade; 
 she was born in Connecticut and was the daughter 
 of Sylvanus and Mary (Chace) W.ade, the for- 
 mer of whom served .as a soldier in the Revolu- 
 tionary War. 
 
 Fenner Aldrich came to Illinois in October, 
 1834, settling in Will County, when it was a part 
 <if Cook County and of which Mr. Aldrich became 
 D('liuty Sheriff before the division. He was also 
 projirietor of two hotels, the Juliet House and 
 Exchange H(>use. In 1836, he was elected the 
 Sheriff of Will County, and re-elected in 1839. 
 He enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout the 
 
 county and was universally liked on account of 
 his genial disposition. For a time he resided in 
 Springfield and cond'icted the St. Nicholas House, 
 during which time Governor Matteson was one of 
 his guests. 
 
 Mr. Aldrich preferring Joliet as a place of res- 
 idence, returned to the city and conducted the 
 E.xchange Hotel duiing the remainder of his active 
 business life. He departed hence August .'), 1881. 
 He was a Democrat politically. The mother |)a.ssed 
 awaj' several years prior to the decease of her hus- 
 band, her death taking i)lace February 16, 1872. 
 Mr. Aldrich was a member of the Masonic frater- 
 nity- and in religion w.as a Universalist. 
 
 ]\Irs. Osgood was born October 3, 1824, in Har- 
 ford, Susquehanna County, Pa. and came to Jol- 
 iet with her' parents when quite young. She ob- 
 tained her education in the city schools and when 
 reaching womanhood was married January 1, 1839, 
 to the subject of this notice. Mr. Osgood was 
 born December 22, 1809, in Preston, Chenango 
 County,' N. Y. where he lived until 183G, coming 
 then to Joliet. The politics of Mr. Osgood was a 
 stanch Democrat. Many years ago Mr. and Mrs. 
 Osgood joined the Universalist Church and in 186 I 
 tlici' transferred. their membership to the Episco- 
 iinl Church. 
 
 (^ li.ATSON F. TWINING. Of honorable an- 
 \rj// L-estr}', from whom he inherited sterling 
 ^'^ qualities of mind and character, which 
 have been developed under the care and training 
 of worthy parents, this young gentleman is bear- 
 ing his jiart in the battles of life in a manner 
 which wins the regard of those about him and 
 causes him to be numbered among the most enter- 
 prising of the 3founger farmers of Green Garden 
 Township. He, with his brother Dana, owns and oc- 
 cupies an excellent farm, comprising two hundred 
 and fortj' acres on section 17, the same being the 
 estate which his father secured in 1851, and which 
 father and son developed from the raw prairies into 
 cultivated fields, which produced abundantly. 
 The original owner of this fine farm was Hiram 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBDM. 
 
 221 
 
 'r^vming, who was born in Townsciul Township, 
 Essex County, Mass., in IS 19. Ih' was reared 
 princi|mlly in New Ilanipsliirc and Vermont, and 
 followed farming- and dairying in the latter State 
 durinir his early manhood. There he was married 
 to Miss Betsey Needhani, a native of Rutland 
 County and daughter of Isaac Neeilham, a farmer 
 and dairyman. 
 
 In 1851 Iliram Twining and his family, which 
 at that time comprise<l his wife and two children, 
 located on one hundred and sixty acres whicli he 
 had secured with a Government land warrant. He 
 first put up a board shant}-, hauling the material 
 from Joliet. The breaking of his ground was done 
 wilii a Lockport steel plow made bj' "Jim" Lane, 
 the motive power being oxen. IVIr. Twining began 
 the dairy business, but it did not prove a success, 
 as he had the misfortune to lose his hay and meet 
 with other catastrophies. lie, therefore, turned 
 his attention to general farming, and this venture 
 proved a successful one. He added one hundred 
 and sixty acres of land to that which he al- 
 ready possessed, forming two farms, on each of 
 which he had a good set of buildings. He imi)roved 
 his herd of cattle, those of a high grade or full- 
 blood taking the place of the animals he had. 
 
 Mr. Twining was an Abolitionist and Repub- 
 lican. He belonged to the Christian Church, but when 
 the congregation in the neighborhood was disorgan- 
 ized he united with the F'rcc-Will Baptists. He 
 served as Justice of the Peace one term. His 
 death, which was caused by heart disease, took 
 place December 14, 1889. His widow is still liv- 
 ing, making her borne with her son, our subject. 
 She is now three-score and ten 3-e.irs old and in 
 somewhat delicate health. In addition to our sub- 
 ject, her family includes Dana E., Leonora L. and 
 Irena E., who also live on the homestead, and Jas- 
 per E., who occupies a farm of eighty acres south 
 of his old home. 
 
 The Rev. Jonathan Twining, grandfather of our 
 subject, was born in the village of Orleans, on 
 Cape Cod, and was the son of a Revolutionary- sol- 
 dier. In early life he vvent with his parents to 
 Essex County, Mass., where he married Eliza Fes- 
 enden, of the old Bay State. His trade was that 
 of a cooper and be owned a shop in Essex County. 
 
 After a time he removed to New Hampshire, 
 where he sojourne<l but a short period ere going 
 into Vermont. In Rutland County he worked at 
 his trade and at teaming until his death. He was 
 an active member of the Christian Church and for 
 some years labored as a minister. Flis widow came 
 to Illinois and died at the home of her son, Hiram, 
 at the age of sevent^'-li ve 3'ears. 
 
 The gentleman whose name stands at the head of 
 this sketch first opened his eyes to tiie light in 
 Shrewsbury Township, Rutland County, Vt., April 
 8, 1848. He was only a babe when his parents re- 
 moved to this State, which is the scene of his 
 earliest recollections. The broad prairie over which 
 herds of deer roamed at will, wolves and other 
 wild animals were frequently to be seen and the 
 appearances of civilization were but rare, is that 
 to which he looks back. He was carefully reared 
 by his parents, who gave him every advantage of 
 which their surroundings would admit. He attended 
 the first schoolhouse which was built in the neigh- 
 borhood, it being District No. 1. In study he 
 spent his -time during the summer until he w.as 
 fourteen years old, and from that time until he was 
 eighteen enjoyed similar privileges in the winter. 
 In the meantime he had been assisting, as his 
 strength would permit, in the home duties, having 
 begun to drive a team when nine years old. 
 
 Young Twining assisted his father until ho had 
 reached man's estate, after which he began a more 
 personal career, although he continued to reside on 
 the homestead, in the pa3nnent for which he bore a 
 part. He carried on the farm for his father until 
 the death of the latter, and then he took entire 
 charge of it. The land is all fenced and is well 
 supplied with substantial buililings of various 
 kinds, among tliem being a commodious barn, 40x80 
 feet, which was built in 1878, a corncrib, granary, 
 windmill and tank, creamery, etc. Orchards and 
 groves adorn the land, which is fertilizeil by Mud 
 Creek, at the head of which it is located. 
 
 General farming is the work to which Mr. Twin- 
 ing gives his attention, and he secures "excellent 
 crops of good grain by an intelligent use of fertil- 
 izing agents and modern means of cultivation. He 
 raises high-grade Short-born cattle, graded Po- 
 land-China hogs, and good draft horses, seven hea<l 
 
222 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of the latter being kept and three teams constantly 
 used upon the farm. 
 
 Mr. Twining vvas Townsliii) .Supervisor in 1886, 
 and succeeded H. 11. Stassen, the present County 
 Clerk. Ills f.alhor jicted as School IJirector, .School 
 'J'rnstee, and delegato to county conventions, and 
 the son is followiiii; in his father's footsteps as a 
 useful public servant. He is a Republican of the 
 stancliest kind and has served his p.irty as a mem- 
 ber of tiic Central Conimitlec. During two terras 
 of court he has sat upon liie [letit jury. His re- 
 ligious belief is that expressed in the creed of the 
 Baptist C'hurch. He and the other members of the 
 family circle are numbered among the best citizens 
 of the section, having an unusual degree of intelli- 
 gence, good breeding and honorable piinciple. 
 
 kind. 
 
 \Y. OHN .J. WALZ. Tiie life of this gentleman 
 shows in a striking manner what can be ac- 
 complished by persistency and diligence, 
 backed by honorable conduct toward m.an- 
 Frora the jiosilion of a jioor boy he has 
 risen to that of a man of means, rtie owner of a 
 large amount of real estate, including three hun- 
 dred and twenty acres in New Lenox Township, 
 and thirteen hundred and sixty acres in Ellsworth 
 Countj', Kan. The farm lands of Ellsworth, Kan. 
 belonging to our subject are quite valuable, eighty 
 acres of them being laid out in town lots in the 
 beautiful city of Ellsworth, which is the county 
 seat of Ellsworth County, besides being under- 
 laid with a vein of salt one hundred and fiftj'-four 
 feet thick and it being 97 per cent. pure. AVhile yet 
 a youth he landed in New York, "a stranger in a 
 strange land," with ten francs in monej' (less than 
 two dollars) and tlie lirst money he earned in 
 America w.as sent to his father to rep.ay the indebt- 
 edness for his p.assage money. Under circum- 
 stances which would have discouraged many, 
 young Walz began the course of i)ersevering in- 
 dustrj' which has resulted in securing to him the 
 fine estate already mentioned. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write is the eldest 
 of three sons born to Daniel and Margaretta (Kalm- 
 
 bach) Walz, his brothers bearing the names of Dan- 
 iel and George C. His father was born in Wal- 
 dorf, and his mother in Spieldberg, both towns in 
 the kingdom of Wurtemburg. which forms a part 
 of the Germanic confederation. Both parents died 
 in their native land. In Waldorf, he of whom we 
 w'rite was born Februar}' 5, 1836. He acquired a 
 good fundamental education and learned the Ir.adc 
 of a book-binder prior to leaving his native land, 
 which he did in April, 1854, embarking in a sail- 
 ing vessel which reached New York tlie last of 
 June. In the metropolis j'oung Walz remained 
 nine months, after which he went to Torrington, 
 Litchfield County, Conn., where he worke<l on a 
 farm for ¥8 a month. 
 
 In December, 18.56, Mr. Walz left Connecticut 
 to become a resident of Will County, 111. Here 
 he took a contract with another raaii to cut two 
 hundred cords of wood and in the spring l)egan 
 working b^' the month for different farmers in New 
 Lenox Township. He continued to work in this 
 way for several years, even after he had purchased 
 eighty acres of land, which he was able to do in 
 the spring of 1861. This he rented until 1866. 
 In the spring of 1863, he went to California, re- 
 maining on the Pacific coast three years and wliile 
 there engaging iii different occu|>alions. On his 
 return to the Prairie State he purchased an adcli- 
 lional eighty acres of land and turned his atten- 
 tion to the cultivation of his own farm. He has 
 increased the acreage still more and erected thereon 
 an excellent set of buildings, including a pleasant 
 dwelling, commodious barns, granaries and other 
 outbuildings. 
 
 At the home of the ))ride's parents in New ].,enox 
 Township, April 6, 1868, ttie rites of wedlock were 
 celebrated between Mr. Walz and IMiss Henrietta 
 A. Stricher. This l.ady was born in Mecklenburg, 
 Germany, November 20, 1846, being the fifth in 
 a family of si.x children. Her brother and sisters 
 are named Sophia, Louis, Louisa, Carolina and 
 Fredericka. Her parents, Frederick and '"»ophia 
 (FreierX Strieher.were born in the Duchy of Meck- 
 len1)urg and lived there until the latter port of the 
 '50s when they emigrated to America. They came 
 to this county and located in Green Garden Town- 
 ship, whence they afterward removed to New 
 
/^/^ T^z^^i-e-e.^-^ 
 
PORTRAIT AMD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 225 
 
 Lenox Township where Mr. Stuichcr died in 1880. 
 Mrs. Strifher is still living .and makes her home 
 with our suljject. Mrs. Walz was well educated 
 and from her honored parents received good in- 
 struction in tiie principles of right living and the 
 useful lialiits in which the German women excel, 
 while her manners are marked wilh'the friendliness 
 and courtesy which everywhere win regard. Her 
 liap|>y union has resulted in the birth of seven 
 children — Addie !>., George A., Frank IL, Arthur 
 L., Sadie A.. Florence E. and Estella 11. Of these, 
 Frank, Artliur and Sadie are dead. 
 
 Mr. Walz has been Ilighway Commissioner and 
 School Director, in these public stations as in his 
 personal affairs exhibiting zeal and good judgment. 
 In politics, he is a Uepublican, firmly believing 
 that by that party the best interest of the Nation 
 will be advanced. The family attends the Ger- 
 man Lutheran Church, supporting it l)y means and 
 iiitluence. It is needless to state that Mr. Walz is 
 highly respected, not simpl}^ because he is a man 
 I f means, but because his character is an honor- 
 able one. The younger members of his family are 
 worthy descendants of parents whom they regard 
 with loving reverence. 
 
 IMOTHY L. MILLER. No visitor to this 
 county would long be unfamiliar with the 
 name and personality of the gentleman above 
 named, who is widely known to stockmen and 
 others as one to whom the advancement of the 
 cattle interests in this section is largely due. He 
 has undoubtedly done more to introduce fine H'ere- 
 foiil cattle than CMy other man in this vicinity, 
 an<l ranks as one of the leaders in stock-raising in 
 the entire Slate. Not less than $100,000 has been 
 spent by him in this direction, and at all the 
 prominent expositions he carries off his share of 
 laurels on the stock exhibited. He became promi- 
 nent as the owner of the famous bull. Success, 
 which has a wonderful record for his fine descend- 
 ants, and went far to popularize the noble breed. 
 Mr. Miller began the introduction of Herefords 
 In the spring of 1872, wlu'n he introduced JSir 
 
 Charles, No. .543, from the Province of Ontario, 
 Canada. He subsequently became the owner of 
 Success, whom he imported from Herefordshire, 
 England, hy the side of his dam when he was three 
 months old. This animal was regarded as the great- 
 est of his breed in the world, Lord Wilton of Eng- 
 land not excepted. Mr. Miller refused *25,000 
 for him, and kept him until his death in the fall of 
 1886. 
 
 Mr. Miller claims that eighty per cent, of his 
 herd are daughters and granddaughters of this 
 famous animal. The present head of tlie herd is 
 Conqueror, the son of Success from Leonora III., 
 the dam being the sister of Mrs. Edwards Leonora, 
 which was regarded as the best cow of England. 
 Foremost among the other animals are Dictator 
 and Grove Turner, the latter being the grandson 
 of Lord AVilton on tJfe sire's side and of Grove 
 III. on the dam's side. The entire herd consists 
 of about two hundred fine animals, three-fourths 
 of which are cows and heifers, and represent some 
 of the finest strains in this country. 
 
 Mr. Miller was born in Middletown, Conn., April 
 7, 1817, and is a representative of fine old New 
 England families of English arid German descent. 
 He grew to manhood in his native place, receiving 
 as good an education as New England afforded in 
 her common schools. He removed to Summit 
 County, Ohio, in 1842, purchasing his first land 
 two years later, and living upon it until 1856. He 
 then came to Illinois, immedlatelj^ after the com- 
 pletion of the Illinois Central Railroad, securing 
 Government land in this county. His first pur- 
 chase was two hundred and fort3' acres, which was 
 subsequently increased until his estate amounted 
 to over six hundred acres, all of which is highly 
 improved and about half drained by tiling. All 
 of the outbuildings are first-class, the immense 
 stock barn being one hundred and eighty feet 
 square, and so arranged as to shelter three hun- 
 dred head of cattle and feed to supply the whole. 
 The residence is one of the largest in the State, 
 being two hundred and four feet long; it is built 
 in sections, the main building on the west, office in 
 the center, contains twenty-five sleeping rooms, 
 and is well designed for the pleasure and accommo- 
 dation of the household and the numerous visitors 
 
226 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 who enjoy its hospitality. A cellar is built under 
 the entire edifice. 
 
 The father of our subject w.is Timothy B. Miller, 
 a native of Middletown, Conn., and the son of 
 Peter Miller, who was born in Prussia and there 
 educated for the ininistry. He did not follow the 
 ministerial profession, but coming to America 
 when a young man, settled in Connecticut and de- 
 voted himself to business. He married a Miss 
 Jo3'ce, who came of English parentage, and both 
 died in New England at an advanced age. The}' 
 were members of tlie Episcopal Clmrcli. Timothj' 
 I>. Miller early in life learned the business of a 
 shoe manufacturer, which he followed for some 
 years, later becoming a trader in meats, continu- 
 ing in this business during the remainder of his 
 active life. He removed to Ohio in 1846, dying- 
 there a few years later. % 
 
 In Middletown, Conn., the fatlier of our subject 
 was married to Miss Mary Hughes Pierce, a native 
 of that city and the daughter of an P^nglish couple 
 who has resided in Boston during the Kevolution- 
 ary War. The}' subsequently removed to Middle- 
 town, where Mr. Pierce for man}' years had the 
 Hianagement of a brewer}'. Rlrs. Timothy B. 
 Miller after the death of her husband came to Illi- 
 nois, and lived with her children in tliis State 
 until 188G, when she was called hence at the ad- 
 vanced age of eighty-six years. Her demise took 
 pl.ace at the home of Jier daughter, Mrs. Edward 
 Mize, of Chicago. She and lier husband were 
 Mci.ive members of the Episeojial Church. They 
 were the [jarentsof si.\ children, two of whom died 
 young and one iu mature years. The survivors 
 are: our subject, who was the first-born; Charles 
 P., a business man of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and the 
 diuighter before named. 
 
 The first marriage of the gentleman witli whose 
 name this sketch is introduced took place at the 
 lifide's home in Mi Idletown, Conn. His chosen 
 companion was Miss Abigail S. Elliott, who was 
 born in that place, was carefully reared b}' excel- 
 lent parents, and well educated. Her parents were 
 Clark and Almira (Gillett) Elliott, who belonged 
 to prominent New England families and were also 
 natives of Connecticut. Mi-. Elliott was a carriage- 
 maker in his earl}' life, but in later years devoted 
 
 bis attention to general merchandising. He died 
 in his native State when about three-score-and-ten 
 years old. Mrs. Elliott survived him some years, 
 dying in 1888 at the ripe old age of ninety-five. 
 Both were members of the Congregational Church. 
 
 Their daughter, Mrs. Miller, shared her hus- 
 band's joys and sorrows until ISaS, when in the 
 prime of life she was called from time to eternity. 
 She was the mother of five children, dying at the 
 birth of the last, who was christened Henry, and 
 who died when three years of age. The surviving 
 offspring of this marriage are: Kate E., wife of 
 George B. Woodward, who has charge of the 
 branch house of the Fairbanks Scale Company in 
 St. Paul, Minn.; Abbie A., the wife of Frank 
 Gould, a wholesale merchant of Chicago, whose 
 residence is in Evanston; Mary 1'., wife of Albert C. 
 Reed, who resides in Crete, this county, and does 
 business as a broker in Chicago; and Timothy E., 
 a farmer of Washington Township. 
 
 The lady who now presides over Mr. Miller's 
 home became his wife in Rockford, prior to which 
 time she had borne the name of Anna E. Hodges. 
 She was born in Clarendon. Vt., July 22, 1828, 
 being a daughter of Silas W. and Polly (Gillett) 
 Hodges. Her parents were natives of Vermont 
 and Connecticut resi)ectively, and of New Eng- 
 land parentage. The father was a son of Dr. Silas 
 Hodges, a prominent physician who died in Clar- 
 endon in 1804, at the .age of sixty-one years. The 
 mother belonged to a family of seafaring people. 
 The old stock in both lines were Congregationalists 
 in religion. The parents of Mrs. Miller were mar- 
 ried in Rutland County, Vt., and there the mother 
 died at the age of fifty. two years, and the father at 
 the age of seventy-two. He had been a farmer, 
 merchant and owner of a marble quarry. 
 
 Mrs. Anna Miller was educated in Holyoke, 
 Mass., and there acquired an excellent mental 
 training and development, together with a knowl- 
 edge of the high principles which should animate 
 womanhood. She came to Rockford, 111., after 
 reaching maturity. She is the mother of one child, 
 a daughter, Abbie, who died in infancy. She and 
 her husband have been members of the Congrega- 
 tional Church for many years. Mr. Miller is a 
 genial man who takes great pleasure in showing 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 227 
 
 visitors over his fine estate, and his stock is by no 
 means overlooked. The good cheer of tiie mansion 
 is dispensed with grace by his wife, whose culture 
 and refinement fit her for any circle of society. 
 JMr. Miller was formerly a Democrat, and was 
 President of the Hickory Club in Middletown, 
 Conn., in 1840, but since the organization of the 
 Republican party he has taken his place in its 
 ranks. 
 
 Elsewhere in this voliinie appears a lithographic 
 portrait of Mr. Miller. 
 
 ILLIAM H. HUNTER, coal dealer in Jol- 
 f.jll let, is a native of this city, in which he 
 W^j was born August 1, 1854. He is a sou of 
 Thomas K. and Lucinda (Smith) Hunter, the for- 
 mer of whom was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., 
 l'V'l)iunry 2, 1818, and came to Will Count}', 111., 
 in 1837. En route to this place he stopped at 
 Oiand Haven, Mich., for a time, and after arriving 
 in .lolict opened a smithy, he being a blacksmith. 
 Ill 1849 he was attacked by the gold fever, and 
 wont to California, where he was very successful 
 dm ing the one short year he remained there. On 
 his return, in 1850, he built a residence on the 
 coriier of Oneida and Broadway Streets. In 1854, 
 ho began the propagation of fruit, opening a nur- 
 sery in the southwestern part of the city, which he 
 CDUtiiiucd until 1882. He enjo^-ed the respect 
 and cunfidence of his fellow-citizens, and was twice 
 elected by them to a place in the city council, 
 lie died April 22, 1888. His wife, the mother of 
 William H., died March 25, 1882. 
 
 The above-named Thomas R. Huntei- was mar- 
 ried .III!}- 23, 1845, to Miss Lucinda, daughter of 
 H.irtini and Fatlia Smith, both of whom were 
 early settlers of this county, to which they had 
 come from Indiana, in 1835. For many years Mr. 
 Smith was a Justice of the Peace. Originally a 
 Tcnnesseean, in politics he was a pronounced Dem- 
 ocrat, and during the war. when ho believed that 
 slavery was doomed, he said he hoped he would not 
 be spared to see the bl.-ielis liberated. Altliou<;li the 
 Emancipation Proilamntion was issued prior to his 
 
 death he did not witness much of its effect, and 
 may almost be said to have realized his wish as he 
 died September 22, 1863. The union of Thomas 
 R. Hunter and Lucinda Smith was blessed by the 
 birth of two children: Fatha E., wife of J. Q. A. 
 King, of Kansas City, Mo.; and William H., of 
 whom we write. The devoted mother preceded 
 husband to her long home, dying March 15, 1882. 
 She also was a native of Tennessee. The ancestry 
 of the Hunter family is traced back to Scotland on 
 the one hand and through the Davenports to Col- 
 onists who came to America in the good ship "May- 
 flower." 
 
 The boyhood of our subject was passed in Jol- 
 iet in acquiring a common-school education, and 
 laying the foundation for the habits which mark 
 his.life. The coal trade possessed a great attraction 
 for him, and his first business venture was to pur- 
 chase an interest with Ferdinand Munch. A short 
 time afterward we find him in partnership with 
 Frey & Hawkins, and after a year of this associa- 
 tion, he bought out the interest of Mr. Frey, and at 
 the end of the second year that of Mr. Hawkins. 
 From a comparatively small beginning, he built 
 up the coal trade to large diraemsions and was 
 compelled through Increase of business to greatly 
 enlarge his facilities for handling "black dia- 
 monds." 
 
 From the smallest, the business of Mr. Hunter 
 has become the largest in the county. In 1881 he 
 associated Mr. O. W. Curtis with himself, but a 
 year ago again assumed entire control of the 
 trade. Step by step, through singleness of pur- 
 pose and the practice of strict integrity, Mr. Hunter 
 has climbed, round by round, the ladder of success. 
 He attends strictly to business, taking but little 
 part in politics, although an ardent Republican. 
 Socially he stands high in popular esteem. 
 
 He was married, November 13, 1878, to Miss 
 MoUie P. Tuiiier, of Loekport, this county. Two 
 children have been born to them: Carrie L., Au- 
 gust 17, 1879; and Robert Samuel, October 17, 
 1884. 
 
 S. S. Turner, the father of Mrs. Hunter, was a 
 native of Berwick, Pa., whence he came to Illi- 
 nois, in 1851. He was a moulder and pattern 
 maker, but finding little to do in this line, in the 
 
228 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 comparatively new "West to which he liad come, he 
 euipluyed himself in boat builfling and carpenter- 
 ing. At that time tiie heavy business done by 
 canal, made boat building a most desirable indus- 
 try, lie died M.ay 25, 188:^, that being his six- 
 tieth birthday. Ilis first wife, the mother of Mrs. 
 Hunter, Mrs. Caroline Turner, had breathed her 
 last December 24, 18C0. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ijr=>r*)HOMAS LARKIN. Among the well-regu- 
 lated homes of .loliet Township none have 
 about tlieni an air of greater comfort and 
 content tlian that which has been buill u\^ by the 
 joint efforts of Mr. Larliin and his estimable wife. 
 They make no pretensions to elegance in their 
 style of living, but have plenty to eat, drink and 
 wear and something laid by for a rainy day. It is 
 possible that in their modest Iiome there is vastly 
 more genuine liap|iiness than is to be found in a 
 palace. 
 
 A native of County Galway, Ireland, Mr. Lar- 
 kin was born in the year 1838, and is the son of 
 Edwin and Mary (Kelley) Larkin, who were also 
 natives of the Emerald Isle and who spent their 
 entire lives there. Thomas lived with his parents 
 until a young man of twenty years and then re- 
 solved to seek his fortunes in America. Repair- 
 ing to lielfast, he embarked on a sailing vessel 
 which, after a journey of four weeks, landed him 
 safely in New York City. Soon leaving the great 
 metroi^olis, he turned his steps toward the far 
 West, coming to this county and for two years 
 was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad 
 Company. After tliis he engaged in farming, 
 working by the month for about three years. At 
 the expir.atioTi of this time he had saved a litile 
 money and taking unto himself a wife and help- 
 male, rented a farm in Lockport Township, which 
 he operated successfully for several years. Next 
 he purchased the farm on which he now lives, se- 
 curing at first eigiity acres and later added to his 
 Landed possessions, so that besides tliis farm which 
 now embraces one hundred and liiirly acres, he 
 has eight}' acres in Troy Townshij). The whole 
 
 is in R good state of cultivation and the home 
 farm is supplied with neat and substantial build- 
 ings. 
 
 The marriage of Thomas Larkin and Miss Ellen 
 Goss was celebrated at the bride's home in Joliet 
 in the year 18;VJ. Mrs. I^arkin was Ijorn in 
 County (Queens, Ireland, .about 1840, and is the 
 daughter of Anthony and Catherine (Downy) 
 Goss wiio were likewise natives of that county, \\ 
 where they si)ent their entire lives. The father 
 was a farmer by occupation and the parental fam- 
 ily comprised six children. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Larkin there have been born 
 five children, all living and named respectively, 
 Edward, Mary, Thoinas, Bernard and Agnes. Marj' 
 is tlie wife of Frank McManus and they live in 
 Lockport Township. Mr. Larkin, politically is a 
 pronounced Democrat, well informed, progressive 
 in his ideas and possessing more tliaii ordinary in- 
 telligence. He has served as School Director in 
 his district and Overseer of Highways. Both he 
 and his estimable wife belong to the Catholic 
 Church. Mr. Larkin before making permanent 
 settlement crossed the Mississi|)pi into Missouri, 
 but not liking the country returned and he thinks 
 there is no section which in all respects is equ.al 
 to the Prairie State. 
 
 NDREW J. LINEBARGER. Probably 
 no section of country has advanced more 
 rapidl}' than that of Northern Illinois and 
 this has been wholl}' owing to the character 
 of the men who first made settlement here. They 
 encountered m.any didiculties during the first years 
 of their sojourn in the Prairie State, but they came 
 equipped, not so much with worldly goods as the 
 spirit of resolution and perseverance which admitted 
 no such word as "fail." They battled with the 
 elements of a new soil, the inconvenience of rude 
 farming implements and imperfect transportation 
 of their produce, and have lived to see prosperity 
 smiling upon their labors. 
 
 He with whose name we introduce this sketch 
 deserves more than a passing mention in noting 
 
PORTRAIT AND BI0GRAP1II<:3AL ALBUM. 
 
 229 
 
 the early settlers of Will County. He is the son of 
 one of its most worthy pioneers and was born at 
 Ills father's old homestead in .Jackson Township, 
 January 7, 1834. His father, Henry Linebargcr, 
 was a native of North Carolina wliile his mother 
 who bore the maiden name of Nanc^' Ilougham, 
 Was a native of Ohio. Henrj- Linebarger came to 
 Illinois in the fall of 1832, accorai)anied by his 
 brother George, then went back to Indiima, and in 
 the spring of 1833, returned to Will County, 
 wiiere he spent the following summer and in the 
 fall of the year went back to Park County, Iiid., 
 for his family. They settled on section 21,. Jack- 
 son Township, in the month of November, at a 
 time when the country was very tiiinly settled and 
 tliere they continued to live until called from their 
 earthly labors. Tiie father died September 8, 
 1842, when comparatively a young man. The 
 mother survived her husband foi' the long period 
 of thirty-five years, remaining a widow, and de- 
 parted tills life April 22, 1877. 
 
 To tile i)arents of our suliject there was boni a 
 family of seven children, of whom Andrevv J., 
 was the tliinl. He lias been a life long resident of 
 .lacksiin rownshi|) and obtained his education 
 mostly ill the log scliooUiouso in the neighbor- 
 hood of liis father's farm. .After tlie hitter's 
 death he remained with his mother until his mar- 
 riage. This interesting and important event 
 occurred April 30, 18.50, at Joliet, 111., the bride 
 being Mi.ss Elizabeth, daiigiiter of Josejih and 
 Frances ( Ilildebrand) Piiilliiis. Soon after their 
 marriage Mr. and Mrs. Linebarger settled upon 
 tlie land which they now own and occupy, and 
 which comprises four hundred and thirty' five broad 
 acres on section 20. Here they liavc since made 
 their home. The household circle was completed 
 liy the birth of three children, the eldest of whom, 
 a son, Lewis II., is a Iianker in Peotoiie, this Slate; 
 Laura is unmarried and remains with her parents; 
 ICmma J., is the wife of J. R. McCleer\', of O.xford, 
 Iowa. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Linebarger were natives of 
 Germany, where they were roareil and married. 
 Upon emigrating to America they settled in Mad- 
 ison County, N. Y., where the mother died in April 
 1881, and the father in October, 1888. Their 
 
 family consisted of eight children, of whom Mrs. 
 Linebarger was the next to the eldest. She like- 
 wise is a native of the Fatherland and was born 
 January 1, 1831. She was a child of twelve 
 years when coming to America with her par- 
 ents and was reared to womanhood in Madison 
 County, N. Y. She has been the true helpm.ate of 
 her hut-band in all -his worthy undertakings and 
 has assisted him materially in the accumulation of 
 their property. 
 
 The Linebarger farm is one of the most valuable 
 in Will County, being improved with good build- 
 ings, fruit and shade trees and all the other appur- 
 tenances required by the progressive and indus- 
 trious agriculturist. Mr. Linebarger keeps himself 
 posted upon modern methods of agriculture and 
 avails himself of the most approved machinery in 
 the cultivation of his land. It is devoted largely 
 to grain raising, while Mr. Linebarger gives due 
 attention to the breeding of good grades of live 
 stock. He is conservative in politics, usually giv- 
 ing his support to the Democratic party. He has 
 never been an ofiice-seeker, preferring to give his 
 time and attention to his farm and his family and 
 is looked upon as a peaceable and law-abiding citi- 
 zen who has contributed his full quota to the gen- 
 eral welfare of the community. Our subject was 
 the first white child born in Jackson Township. 
 
 JC^LEXANDER V. PATTERSON. Among 
 l@/4il the leading enterprises of Joliet may be 
 Is mentioned the liver}' business of Mr. Pat- 
 terson, whicli is carried on in that sys- 
 tematic manner which indicates in a marked 
 degree his adaptation to this calling. Prompt and 
 courteous in the treatment of his customers and a 
 straightforward man in all the relations of life, he 
 occupies an enviable position, both in business and 
 social circles. 
 
 The subject of this notice traces his ancestry to 
 one of the best nationalities on the face of the 
 globe — the ^cotch-Irish, from which have emanated 
 qualities that on both continents have constituted 
 a large portion of their bone and sinew. Andrew 
 
■230 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Patterson, tlie father of oiir subject, was liorn in 
 County Tyrone, Ireland, l)ut was of Seoteli ances- 
 try. Tlie mother bore the niaiilen name of Kliza 
 Vainer. She was also a native of County Tyrone 
 and of ancestry similar to that of her iiusbaiid. 
 Tlicy spent their ehihlood and youth near the 
 place of their birth, where they were married .and 
 where they still live, the father engaged in agricul- 
 tural pursuits. 
 
 To the parents of our subject there was born a 
 family of ten children, nine of whom are living and 
 making their homes, five in the United States and 
 four in Europe. Alexander V., the fourth in order 
 of birth, is a native of the same place as his [lar- 
 ents, and born in Count}' Tyrone, October 1(5, 
 1862. He remained with them until approaching 
 the twentieth year of his age, and then, believing 
 that he could better himself in the United States, 
 left the old roof-tree April 26, 1882, embarking 
 for the promised land. Landing in New York City 
 on the 2d of May following, he came directly to 
 Illinois, locating in Joliet, tind for six months 
 thereafter was in the employ of his uncle, T. II. 
 Patterson. At the expiration of this time he en- 
 o-atred as a fireman with the Michigan Central 
 Railroad Company, remaining thus occupied about 
 three years. The Joliet Steel Company next 
 claimed his services, and he remained with this 
 company until October, 1888. 
 
 Having now the wherewithal to embark in busi- 
 ness on his own account, Mr. Patterson secured a 
 goodly numlier of horses and vehicles, establishing 
 himself on Ottawa Street, occupying Nos. 208 and 
 210. His stables are equipped with modern con- 
 veniences and patronized liberally by the best 
 people of Joliet and viciuit}-. About the time of 
 starting his business, Mr. Patterson also formed 
 matrimonial and domestic ties, being wedded, Oc- 
 tober 2, 1888, to Miss Minnie M., daughter of the 
 late John and Melinde (Hareth) Stock. The young 
 couple established themselves in a snug home on 
 Oneida Street, and are now the proud parents of a 
 little daughter, Linda L., who w.as born October 
 12, 1889. 
 
 Mrs. Patterson was born in August, 1868, in 
 Joliet, of parents who were both natives of Oer- 
 raany. They emigrated to America in 1854 and 
 
 settled in Troy Township, where the father en- 
 gaged in fanning. Mr. Stock died in March, 1881, 
 in .loliet. I'he mother had passed away ten j'ears 
 l)rior to the decease of her husband, her death 
 taking jilace at .loliet. May n, 1871. There was 
 born to them a family of four children, of wliom_ 
 Mrs. Patterson was next to the youngest. 
 
 The paternal giandfather of our subject was 
 James I'attersou, who was born in Scotland and 
 who spent his last d.ays in Ir"land. His wife bore 
 the maiden name of Jane Ilawley. She also was 
 (_)f Scotch birtii and ancestry. They were married 
 in Scotland, whence they removed to Ireland, 
 where (irandfather Patterson eng.aged in farming. 
 On the maternal side of the house Grandfather 
 Alexander A'erner was a man of note in his day 
 and a Colonel in the British army. He married 
 Susan Rankin. Both were natives of Scotland, 
 whence they removed to Ireland and died in Count}' 
 Tyrone. 
 
 Upon becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Patterson 
 identified himself with the Republican party, of 
 whose principles he is a warm supporter. Both he 
 and his estimable wife are members in good stand- 
 ing of the Central Presbyterian Church, of .Joliet. 
 They have started out in the journey of life under 
 favorable auspices and with the good wishes of 
 hosts of friends. 
 
 OUIS METTERHAUSEN, publisher of Das 
 Volksblatt, is conducting the only German 
 paper in Will County. It is a journal 
 largely patronized by the German residents of 
 Will County, being well edited and devoted to 
 local interests while expounding in a clear and 
 decided manner the principles of the best interests 
 of the people, independent of any political party. 
 The subject of this notice was born January 21, 
 1840, in the town of Gilten, Hanover, and lived 
 there until a young man of twent}"-five 3'ears, ac- 
 quiring a good education, and following the profes- 
 sion of a teacher. In October, 1865, he emigrated 
 to the United States and first located in Naperville, 
 III. Subsequently he was in Detroit, Mich., Cleve- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 231 
 
 land, Oliio, Cliicago and Beeclier, 111. prior to lo- 
 catinf"' in .loliet wliere he settled in Octolier, 1889, 
 at which time he moved Dan Volksblalt from 
 Boeeher where it had been est'il)lished in May, 
 1882. At Beeclier, he was a prominent man, hold- 
 ing the offices of I'ostm.aster and School Treasurer 
 and Trustee. When first locating at Beeclier in 
 18G9, he established himself as a general merchant 
 and conducted the store in conneftiun with otiicr 
 business until his removal. 
 
 Mr. Metterhausen was married May G, 1871, to 
 Miss Minnie Klusnicyer at Beeclier, 111., and they 
 are now the parents of three bright children — 
 Carl, born April 6, 1872; Charlotte, February 9, 
 187G, and p:mil, March .31, 1881. Mr.«. Metter- 
 hausen is likewise a native of (Tcrmany and born 
 in Ihe I'rovince of Hanover, November C, 1853. 
 She came to America with her parents when a 
 young girl of fourteen years. They settled in 
 Washington Township, this county; the father is 
 deceased and the mother resides in Cliicago. 
 
 
 iOBIAS FAILS. Through the efforts of such 
 men as Tobias Fahs, the prairie lands of 
 Peotone Township, that once were covered 
 with the rank growth of coarse grasses and brilliant 
 wild llowers, have become the fertile fields, fruitful 
 orchards and velvety lawns of an advanced civili- 
 zation. The farm which is the home of our sub- 
 ject lies on section 14. antl is furnished with all 
 needful buildings and the other improvements 
 which indicate to the passer-by that it is under the 
 control of a man of industry, good judgment and 
 taste. 
 
 The Fahs family is of Swiss stock, an<l has been 
 represented in America for several generations. In 
 Maryland, Al)i'ah.'>.in Fahs, the father of our subject, 
 was born and made his home during his entire life, 
 lie was a whitesmith by trade. He married Elizabeth 
 Siess, a native of the same State, daughter of 
 George Siess, a blacksniilh, who in later life became 
 .1 largo farmer and the owner of several farms. 
 Abraham Fahs died in 1813, and the widow subse- 
 
 quently married Conrad Willhide. She died in 
 1832, and Mr. Willhide in 1839. The fruit of her 
 (irst marriage was four children, all now deceased 
 except our subject. Her second marriage was also 
 blessed bj' the birth of four children, of wliom one 
 is deceased. 
 
 The subject of this biographical review was born 
 September 2, 181 1, in Frederick County, Md. He 
 attended a subscription school about two months 
 in the winter season, and even in boyhood had to 
 work very hard on his stepfather's farm. His ex- 
 periences were the ordinary ones of a farmer's bo3', 
 and his time and labor were given to his stepfather 
 until he was nineteen years of age. He then bought 
 some mountain land, and worked in the timber, 
 getting out bark, posts and cooper's stuff for five 
 or six years. In 1841 he removed to Perry County, 
 Pa., where his brother had a large tanuery, working 
 there eight years as a finisher of leather, and dur- 
 ing the last two years teiuiing a store of his 
 brother. 
 
 Tlie health of Mr. Fahs became somewiiat im- 
 paired, and he was obliged to return to farm labor, 
 as better suited to his constitution. He operated a 
 farm in Pennsylvania until IS.'jCthen came to Illi- 
 nois, settling in Knox County, but sojourned there 
 but a year. lie then came into Will County, pur- 
 chased a farm on section 14, and began his labors 
 as one of the pioneer farmers of the township. 
 The section was i)ut thinl3' settled, and although 
 the country is level, he could see but two houses 
 from his home. His farm was all raw land, which 
 he placed in good condition, retaining it in his pos- 
 session until some three years since. Since that 
 time he has made his home with his son, Corne- 
 lius L. 
 
 Mr. Fahs was fortunate in his choice of a life 
 companion, securing for his wife Miss Arauiinta 
 Willyard, oldest child of Peter and Elizabeth 
 (Miller) Willyard, n.atives of Maryland. Miss 
 Aramiuta w.as born in Frederick County, Septem- 
 ber 22, 1812, receiving a common-school education 
 and a training in useful accomplishments and good 
 principles from her worthy parents. Of the seven 
 brothers and sisters who once composed the familj' 
 circle, she and two others are all that now survive. 
 
 The union of Mr. and Mrs. Fahs was celebrated 
 
232 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 April 3, 1833, and ton children have conu; to bless 
 their happ}' home. Those who h:ivc been reared 
 to m.alure years are Harriet S., wife of Christ. 
 Scliryer, their liome being one mile south of Peo- 
 tone, and their family inoluding five children; 
 James A., who married Ruth E. Winslow, has one 
 child, and lives at Hinckley; Elizabeth, widow of 
 August Chase, has one child; Julia, wife of John 
 Gloss, and motlier of seven children, their home 
 being in Carbondale, Kan.; Maria, wife of the Rev. 
 Joseph J. Tobias, of Chicago, and mother of two 
 children; the Rev. David W., wlio married Jennie 
 Kerr, lives at LeM;u's, Iowa, and has three cliildren; 
 Cornelius and Amelia, wiio are still single and at 
 home. 
 
 Cornelius Fahs disi)lays marked talent as an 
 artist, doing beautiful work in free-hand drawing, 
 without instruction, and also painting in oil and 
 water c()lc>rs exceedingly well. He has taken two 
 painting lessons from the artist Higelow, of Chicago. 
 IMan^- specimens of his work adorn the walls of 
 the home, and afford pleasure to his parents and 
 many friends. All of the brothers and sisters liave 
 received a good common school education and take 
 advantage of the means afforded by the [iress to 
 add to their store of knowledge and keep pace with 
 the world. 
 
 Mr. an<l Mrs. Fahs, their children and their sons- 
 in-law and daughters in-law lielong to the Presby- 
 terian Chureli. The only exception is the Rev. J. 
 J. Tobias, who is identified with the Methodist 
 Episcopal denomination. All are actively interested 
 in the Sunday-school, in which tlic father has been 
 a teacher. lie is an Elder in the church. He lias 
 been School Director and School Trustee for many 
 years, manifesting the interest in the cause of edu- 
 cation which would naturally be expected of a 
 gentleman as intelligent as he. The first school 
 in this localit}' was on his farm, the first teacher 
 being Ruth E. Winslow, now Mrs. J. A. Fahs. 
 The Rev. J. J. Tolnas was also a teacher in the 
 same school. 
 
 Mr. Fahs was elected Township Supervisor, serv- 
 ing in that oftice two terms. He has alw.ays been 
 strongly on the side of temperance, and has be- 
 longed to a temperance society.- In politics he has 
 been a Whig, a Know-Nothing and a Republican. 
 
 During the Civil War he was a warm advocate of 
 the Union cause, supporting it very liberally with 
 money as well as with his personal influence. He 
 helped to organize the first church in this neighbor- 
 hood, and was one of Llie charter members. His 
 religion is not put on as a Sunday garment, but is 
 a clothing for every-day life; his tastes are refined, 
 his mind aglow with intelligence, and take him all 
 in all, he is one who may well be taken as a model 
 citizen and man. 
 
 rjS^ DWARD J ARM AN is managing his farming 
 JW] interests in DuPage Township with satis- 
 factory results. He is a native of Wales, 
 
 born August 24, 1846, and on his father's side 
 coming of a well-knoivn old family of exclusively 
 Welsh origin. His parents, Edward and Martha 
 Jarman were likewise natives of that country. He 
 was but a year old when his father died. His 
 mother survived her husband several j'cars; her 
 death occurring after our subject had been in 
 America for a long time. He was the youngest of 
 four children and wnt» reared in his native land by 
 his mother's brothers, making his home with them, 
 more or less until he came to this country. His 
 father was a farmer and he was bred to that pur- 
 suit. 
 
 Starting out in life with no capital excepting his 
 physic.'d and mental endowments, in 18G7, thinking 
 that he could better his condition in this great 
 Republic, he took passage for this country at Liv- 
 erpool and, after a voyage of thirteen and one-half 
 da^'s, first set foot on these shores in the great me- 
 tropolis of the country. Rightly believing that his 
 best chances for carrying on his calling as a farmer 
 were in Illinois, he came directly to this State. He 
 began his life here b}' working out for others and 
 was thus engaged for seven years. For more 
 than two years he was in the employ of Reuben 
 Smith, and afterward worked for Jonathan Royce 
 about four years, and for nearly three years farmed 
 that gentleman's place on shares. After that for 
 five years he farmed on shares in Wheatland 
 Township, and in 1882 came to this township to 
 
^i<? 
 
 a. r. 
 
 l^ ^^V^21^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 235 
 
 l;ike np his icsulciict'. He located first on section 
 7, made liis aboile tliere two years and then settled 
 on his present farm on section 19. He lias more 
 tli.'iii one hundred and ninety-three acres of land, of 
 whicii one liinidred and three acres comprise the 
 home farm. 'J'his is already under excellent culti- 
 vation an(1 yields, in repayment for his hard labors, 
 line harvests. It su|)plied with suital)le buildings 
 ;ind Mr. .larman has good niacliinery to curry on 
 his farm work. 
 
 By his marriage, November 15, 187."?, witli Miss 
 Mary A. Campbell, a native of Ireland, our subject 
 secured the co-operation of a cheerful hel|)er and 
 active worker. Three children, (iertie, Mary and 
 Lulu, have blessed their marriage to them. 
 
 As we have seen, Mr. .larman has had his own 
 way to make in the world, and that lie has done 
 well so far is evinced by the condition of his es- 
 Itita. lie i)ossesscs a fair share of energy, acumen 
 and thrift, and a knack of working to the best ad- 
 vantage, and these, with other attributes, have 
 contiibuted to his prosperity. He is a man of 
 inlelligence, is well posted in general affairs, and 
 manifests proiier public spirit. lie has done good 
 service as School Du'cctor. lie interests himself 
 sufficiently in the politics of his adopted country 
 to take sides with the l{ei)ubliean party. 
 
 Vf^DMUNI) WILCOX. For a period of thir- 
 ^ teen years 'Squire Wilcox has officiated as 
 i]^^ Justice of the I'eace in Joliet, being elected 
 to this office in the spring of 1877, and serving 
 continuously by re-elections since that time. He 
 was elected each time bj' an almost niianinK>us 
 vote, and at the last election received all but fifty 
 of the ballots cast. One year he received twenty- 
 three hundred out of about twenty-four hundred 
 votes cast. Although a pronounced Democrat, 
 his name w.as on all the tickets of all parties and 
 these facts ini'icate his popularity among the peo- 
 ple of this county. He keeps one of the neatest 
 dockets ever opened, there being scarcely a blot on 
 all tlie pages on which he has entered records for 
 the last thirteen years. Socially and in business 
 
 circles he is a universal favorite, being of genial 
 and obliging disposition, and making friends where 
 ever he goes. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born September 
 18, 1816, in Onondaga County, N. Y., and is thus 
 ap|)roacliing the seventy-fourth year of his age. He 
 is the offspring of an excellent family, being the 
 son of Loanimi and H:innah (Paddock) Wilcox, 
 who were natives respectively of Connecticut and 
 Washington County, N. Y. The father was a 
 farmer by occupation and met an accidental death 
 in Onondaga County in 183G, at the age of fifty 
 years. The parental household consisted of four 
 children, of whom Edmund was the second born. 
 His younger brother, Harvey, of Los Gatos, Cal., 
 is now deceased ; Cordelia W., Mrs. Clement, re- 
 sides in Joliet; Caroline, the wife of Dr. Wilson, 
 died \n her native county ; Loammi Wilcox was a 
 carpenter by trade, which he followed, however, 
 but a few years, finally engaging in the more con- 
 genial occupations of farm life. The Wilcox fam- 
 ily was an old and prominent one in New England. 
 The district school afforded Mr. Wilcox his early 
 education and later he entered Hamilton College 
 at Clinton, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 
 1835. The following year he came to Joliet, and 
 for thirty years thereafter was engaged in the dry- 
 goods business, being part of the time associated in 
 partership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Clement. 
 He h.as alw.aj's signalized himself as a progressive 
 and public-spirited citizen and for ten years was 
 President of the Gas Company, superintending the 
 construction of their building and being otherwise 
 prominent in its management, and for a number of 
 years was a prominent member of the City Council. 
 In making the journey hither from New York State 
 he traveled overland by team, sometimes in a 
 wagon and sometimes on a sled, it being in winter, 
 and accompanied by three other young men. He 
 thus had a full experience of pioneer life and h.as 
 been the interested witness of the transformation 
 of this section of the country from a wilderness 
 into the abode of a civilized and prosperous people. 
 After becoming a resident of Joliet Mr. Wilcox 
 was married March 26, 1845, to Miss Sarah M.. 
 daughter of Joseph and Electa (Chauncey) Green. 
 The parents of Mrs. Wilcox came to this State 
 
236 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 from Washington County, N. Y., settling in Mc- 
 Henry County. During liis younger years Mr. 
 Green engageil in merchandising, but after coming 
 to Illinois, turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
 suits. Mr. ;ind I\Irs. Green spent their last years in 
 Blue Island, Cook County. Mrs. Wilcox was born 
 July 23, 182.5, in Washington County, N. Y., and 
 remained a member of her fatlicr's household until 
 her marriage. Of her union with our subject there 
 was born a family of seven children, three of whom 
 died in infancy: Alvin C. who died May 11, 1873, 
 leaving one child, now the wife of H. E. Porter, of 
 .loliet; William O., is Cashier of the First National 
 Hank; Frederick C. is engaged as a lumber dealer, 
 manager and partner of the firm of Wilcox Bros.; 
 diaries C. is <he City (.'lerk of .loliet. Mrs. Sarah 
 M. Wilcox de])arted this life at her home in Joliet, 
 March 12, 1890. at the age of sixty-four years. 
 
 The long period during which Mr. Wilcox has 
 resided in Will County has raaile him well known 
 to the citizens, who will therefore welcome his por- 
 trait as a valued addition to the Ai,i;iiii. 
 
 =1^:- 
 
 ,!^ALTER PADDOCK, a pioneer of fifty-two 
 years standing, established himself as a 
 W^J resident of Homer Township, this county, 
 in February, 1838, and he has since resided within 
 its limits. The country was then in wide contrast 
 to its present condition and no man has looked 
 with warmer interest upon its progress and develop- 
 ment than he with whose name we introduce this 
 sketch. He has had a full experience of life in the 
 early days and by his industry and his good quali- 
 ties as a citizen, has contributed his full quota to 
 the growth and progress of his adopted township. 
 No man in the township has made for himself a 
 better record and none are held in higher esteem. 
 The subject of this notice was the fifth in a fam- 
 ily of fourteen children, the oflfspring of Jonathan 
 and Mercy (Weaver) Paddock, and was born in 
 Camillus, Onondaga County, N. Y., August 19, 
 1817. He remained a resident of his native county 
 until a youth of eighteen j'ears and afterward lived 
 in Cayuga County two years. Then, in February, 
 
 1838, he emigrated to Illinois and has since been a 
 resident of Homer Tovvnslii|), this county. 
 
 The early years of Mr. Paddock were spent in n 
 comparatively uneventful manner, in attendance at 
 the district school and learning the various arts 
 pertaining to farm life. He was content to adopt 
 this as his life vocation aud has been uniformly 
 successful as a tiller of the soil, securing a home 
 and a competence for his declining years. When 
 nearly- thirty years of .age he was married in Homer 
 Township l-'cbruary 2;"), 1817, to Miss Jane S. 
 daughter of the late T. 'J', and Mnry (llolleMliacU) 
 Roberts, who were natives of Wn-mont. 
 
 After marriage the newl}- wedded pair settled 
 ou a farm on section 21, Homer Township, whence 
 in 1849, they removed to that which they now 
 own and occupy. The household circle was com- 
 pleted by the birth of live children, the ekiest of 
 whom, a son, (ieorge A., died Sei)tember 9, 1887, 
 at the age of thirty nine years. Jerome is farming 
 in Homer Township; Florence died when three 
 3ears old; Elmer E. and Merton F., are farming 
 in Homer Township. Politicall3-, iMr. Paddock is 
 in accord with the )irincii)les of the Kepulilican 
 party. He has represented Homer Township in the 
 County Board of Supervisors for a period of six 
 years and has also officiated as Assessor several 
 terms. The cause of education has ever found in 
 him a firm friend. He has officiated as a School 
 Trustee, also as Highway Commissioner and Town- 
 ship Collector, and to whatever position he has 
 been called, he has fulfilled its duties in a manner 
 creditable to himself and satisfactory to all con- 
 cerned. Mrs. Paddock belongs to the Congrega- 
 tional Church in Homer Township. 
 
 The father of our subject was Jonathan Paddock, 
 a native of Washington County, N. Y., who mar- 
 ried Miss iNIercy Weaver, who was also born in the 
 Empire State. The parents were married in Wash- 
 ington County and settled in Onondaga Country, 
 whence they removed later to the town of Aurelius, 
 in Cayuga County, where they both died at the age 
 of sixty-six years. NJne of their children lived to 
 become men and women; seven are now living and 
 residents mostly of Michigan, New York and Illi 
 nois. 
 
 Mrs. Paddock was born March 1 1, 1825, in Men- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 237 
 
 (Ion, iMoiiroeC'oiinly, N. V., and was tlie third in a 
 f;iniily of eight children. Slie came willi her parents 
 to Illinois about 1815. The latter were natives of 
 Vermont and after their removal to New York 
 State with their res[)ective parents were residents of 
 Monroe and Niagara Counties. Mrs. Koherts de- 
 parted tliis life at Lemont, 111., a few years ago. 
 Mr. Roberts died in Monienco about 1851. They 
 were most worthy and estimable pef)ple, enjoying 
 the respeck of all who knew them. 
 
 '' ' ^^ - 
 
 z^ 
 
 ((« 
 
 ACOB KARCII. One of the most enterpris- 
 ing and (niblic-spirited farmers of Frankfort 
 Townshij) is the gentleman above named, 
 whose pleasant home is located on section 
 25. Ilis estate comprises one hundred and sixty 
 broad and fertile acres, which under his careful and 
 intelligent control produce abundantly and make 
 llieir cultivation both pleasant and profitable. , A 
 fidl line of farm buiklings is oonvenientlj- dis- 
 pensed, and a tine orchard supplies an abundance of 
 fruit as well as adorning the farm with its i)leasing 
 shade and waving boughs. Mr. Karoh raises grain 
 and cattle and a good grade of draft horses, of 
 which he keeps about fifteen he.ad. 
 
 Tliis gentleman is of German ancestry, his father, 
 Henry J. Karcb, having been born near Frank- 
 fort on the Rhine. He was a baker there but after- 
 ward engaged in hotel-keei)ing until 1838, when lie 
 came to America and located in Herkimer County, 
 N. Y. There he continued tlie occupation of an 
 hotel keeper and also conducted a farm finally 
 operating one hundred acres. In 1850 he changed 
 his location to Will Count}', 111., buying two hun- 
 dred and fortj' acres on section 3G, Frankfort 
 Township. Here he broke the soil and made all the 
 imiirovements, carrying his produce to Chicago by 
 teams and consuming three days in the trip. He 
 was a ver3' successful farmer and eventually be- 
 came the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of 
 land which is divided into three improved farms. 
 He held township offices at various times, built the 
 first school-house and church in his vicinity and 
 manifested a high degree of public spirit, lie be- 
 
 came well-known as a straightforward business 
 man. In politics he was a strong Hepublican and 
 in religion a member of the German Methodist 
 E[>iscopal Church in which'be was Class-Leader and 
 otherwise pioniinent. He died on his homestead in 
 1888, at the .advanced age of eighty 3'ears. 
 
 The wife of Henry Karch was Catherine I>cter, 
 who was born in Bayren, (lermany, and who died 
 on the home farm four weeks after her liusb.and. 
 She had borne eight children named respectively, 
 Catherine, Caroline, Henrj', Charles, Jacob, Martin, 
 Margaret and P'red. Henry was a member of the 
 One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, in which he on- 
 listed in 18C2, and was killed at the battle of Chick- 
 amauga. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name we introduce 
 this sketch was born on the Mohawk River, near 
 Frankfort, Herkimer County, N. Y., September 5, 
 1846. He was but four 3-ears old when his father 
 removed to the Prairie State, the journc}- being 
 performed by rail to Chicago and by team to the 
 farm in this county. Here the lad grew to man- 
 hood amid the usual surroundings of a farmer's 
 son and was early set to work in the fields. His 
 education was received at what was known as 
 "Skunk's Grove Knowledge Shop," an old log 
 schoolhouse with slab benches and the other prim- 
 itive furnishings common in new settlements. 
 
 During the boyhood and youth of our subject 
 wild game was still plentiful in the vicinity of his 
 home and oxen were used upon the farms, several 
 3oke being attached to the breaking plows, and 
 which he learned to drive. On one occasion when 
 about fourteen years of .age he was sent to Chicago 
 to sell a yoke of fine large oxen. On the way he 
 had to cross a creek which was frozen over and the 
 cattle refused to go upon the ice. As soon as they 
 came to the edge of the stream they would back 
 and in spite of his efforts they continued this 
 process for about an hour when the boy thought of 
 a scheme by which he could get them across. Turn- 
 ing them with their heads toward home he backed 
 them on to the ice and as soon as they saw it before 
 them, they continued the backing process very 
 rapidl}'. 
 
 Young Karch remained at work for his father 
 until about twenty-four years old when he took 
 
238 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 personal control of the farm, continuing it some 
 three years. He then purchased his present place, 
 tiic quarter section iiavinii; no iniiirovenients except 
 the hroaiiiiig. The soil being all tillable except 
 wliat is left in the timber and tlie owner having the 
 IvHowledgc antl experience of a i)ractical farmer, he 
 soon brougiit it to its present condition of bcautj' 
 an<i worth. The lady to whom he owes the com- 
 fort of his home life was known in her maidenhood 
 as Miss Louisa Schracder. She was born on board 
 a Mississippi steamer when her parents were com- 
 ing from New Orleans. Her father, Martin Schrae- 
 dcr, was formerly a fanner at Blue Island, Cook 
 County, but is now residing in Chicago, having be- 
 come well-to-do and retired from his active labors 
 four years since. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Karcii was 
 celebrated in this county in 1873, and lias been 
 l>lest by the birth of six children named resjjectivel^', 
 Albert, Laura, Charles, Carrie, Lydia and Artliur. 
 Their liome being but two miles from Frankfort, 
 they liave excellent advantages whicli combine tlie 
 best of country and town life,and their children are 
 being well reared and educated. Mr. Karcli was 
 School Director nine years and was the means of 
 placing the school on the improved footing in 
 which it is now carried on. He belongs to the 
 Methodist Episcopal Churcli at Frankfort, in which 
 he lias been Steward and Trustee. In politics he is 
 a stanch Republican. His personal popularity' is 
 great and all recognize his worth as a man and cit- 
 izen. 
 
 %=^ ON. MICHAEL COLLINS. Day by day 
 
 lf)l] each human beinsr is buildins a monu- 
 
 il J/J ° ° 
 
 il^^ ment more enduring than Time itself — 
 
 (^) one which for grandeur and sublimity 
 
 dei)ends entirely upon the subject and is in no wise 
 
 affected by what '• they " say or do. This is the 
 
 monument of a life, and the pleasing task of the 
 
 biographical writer is to set this upon the printed 
 
 page. When the mind and heart of men are 
 
 attuned to noble deeds and upward growtii, it needs 
 
 not that we add to the_^ simple lecord wliat would 
 
 but "gild refined gold" but to call attention only 
 
 to what has been done in business, office or society, 
 and the traits that a personal ac(iuaintance will 
 reveal. 
 
 The Irish race is honored in tlie person of the 
 gentleman named aliove, wiio is now engaged in 
 business in Peotone, owning a large grain elevator 
 there, and also holds membership on the Chicago 
 Board of Trade. He is a self-made man, as will 
 be seen, and the reason therefor understood by fol- 
 lowing tiie facts of the i>areiital liistor}-. His 
 parents, .lohn and .Bridget (iMulvihill) Collins, 
 were born in County Clare, Ireland, the one in 
 1815 and the other in 1817, the father being a 
 gardener in his own land. They were married in 
 1843, and became the parents of five children — 
 Michael; .lohn, deceased; Martin, who is in the 
 hardware business in Peotone; Thomas, Illinois 
 Central Agent at (!r:ind Crossing; and iNIaiy, wife 
 of William T. Shatter, a farmer in Wayne County. 
 
 When the Emerald Isle was sorely' afflicted by 
 famine in 1848, Air. Collins came to America anil 
 obtaining work on the Vermont Central Railroad 
 earned money to sencT his suffering family and 
 finally to bring the mother and two sons — the fam- 
 ily then — across the briny deep. A temporary 
 home was made in tlie Green Mountain State, 
 whence they removed to Canada. There the father 
 worked on the Great Western Railroad for six years 
 or until its completion, then locating in F'ayette 
 County, III., where he still resides. He helped to 
 build the Illinois Central Railroad, continuing his 
 arduous labors until about a dozen years ago. He 
 is still active, bearing his j'ears well, but his wife 
 is not in robust health. Thej' were not able to 
 bestow upon their children all the advantages that 
 would be possible if they were young now, but 
 gave them good advice and what education they 
 could. 
 
 Michael Collins was born in County Clare, near 
 the historic groinnl of the Shannon River, October 
 15, 1845, and was about (Ive years old when 
 brought to America. The schooling he received 
 was barely suflicient to givu him an understanding 
 of the rudiments of education, but since attaining 
 manhood he has diligently ajiplied himself to study 
 and made wonilerful progress. He has carried on 
 a systematic course of general reading, including 
 
 I 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 239 
 
 law, politics and ethics; and has collected one of 
 the finest and best selected libraries in this locality. 
 It contains standard works on almost every con- 
 ceivable subject, scarcely a topic referred to in his 
 home being without its volume for consultation. 
 
 When sixteen years old young Collins began life 
 for himself hy securing u clerkship in a store -at 
 Farina, Fayette C^ounty. The opportunity for ad- 
 vancement seemed limited and his ambition led 
 him to desire a broader field. Ho tlierefore went 
 to Kinmundy, Marion County, where he learned 
 telegraphy and station work on the Illinois Central 
 line. In 18(53, lie was appointed night oper.ator at 
 Gilman, Iro(|uois County, and a month later w■^s 
 transferred to Makanda, Jackson County, as agent 
 and operator for the Illinois Central Railroad. He 
 performed the duties of the office but a year when 
 on account of fever and ague he obtained a trans- 
 fer to Peotone, where he added tiic duties of ex- 
 press agent to those he had formerly carried on. 
 
 For twelve years Mr. Collins held tlie position 
 here, satisfying his employers and the public, and 
 he then resigned in favor'of his brother Thomas, 
 himself entering into the grain and hay business 
 in company with Robert Rains, under the firm 
 name of Rains & Collins. In 1875, the connec- 
 tion was dissolved and a new partnership formed, 
 the linn of Schroeder, Smith & Collins embarking 
 in the sale of general merchandise and carrying it 
 on five years. During that time our subject and 
 Mr. Schroeder were also connected in the grain 
 business, the style of the lirm being Collins and 
 Schroeder. 
 
 The same year that Gen. Garfield was elected to 
 the Presidency, Mr. Collins made the race in tliis 
 district for the Legislature and was elected on the 
 Republican ticket by a large m.ajority. His record 
 in the 'riiirty-sccond General Assembly of Illinois 
 is one of an opponent of all ring jobs, unnecessary 
 and extravagant a|)|>ropriations, and the friend of 
 every means of real development and moral growth. 
 He has held local ofHcos for many years and his 
 popularity is indicated in the fact that he has 
 repeatedly defeated candidates of the German race 
 which predominates in his locality. He has been 
 Supervisor of Peotone Township for years, has 
 also been Chairman of the County Board, member 
 
 of the Village Board and School Director. He has 
 likewise been Justice of the Peace, although he 
 read law for purely business purposes and not 
 with tiie intention of practicing it other than in 
 his own affairs. 
 
 Tiie same fall that he was elected to the legisla- 
 ture, Mr. Collins sold out his interest in the gen- 
 eral merchandise business and bought out his part- 
 ner in the grain trade, to which he has given his 
 exclusive attention as a means of support and gain. 
 The trade has constantly grown in his liands, the 
 month of May, 1890, having brought him $20,000 
 in business in Peotone. In connection with tiiat 
 business he holds a membership in the Chicago 
 Board of Trade, thus being able to operate among 
 the bulls and bears of the grain market that'almost 
 rules the deals of the eountiy. Mr. Collins also 
 has a half interest in the Tile Works at Peotone, 
 and a share with his brother in the hardware busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Mr. Collins was fortunate in his choice of a life 
 companion, gaining for his wife Miss Caroline Folke, 
 who became Mrs. Collins, December 2,1869. She looks 
 well to the ways of her household, graciously pre- 
 sides over the tasteful dwelling, and surrounds her 
 family with the joys of home only possible to a 
 true and devoted woman. She was born May 22, 
 1852, was educated in the common schools and 
 belongs, like her husband, to the Presbyterian 
 , Church. Her father, Dr. Henry Folke, was a prom- 
 inent pli3'sician of this county for many years; he 
 died in 1879. Her mother bore the maiden name 
 of Louisa Klinsraan and is still living, making her 
 home with Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Dr. and Mrs. 
 Folke were born in Germany whence tlie3' came to 
 America manj^ years ago. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Collins three children have been 
 born — Kittle, Grace and Paul. Miss Kittle was 
 graduated from the Peotone High School in 1890, 
 and will take a course of instruction in instrument- 
 al and vocal music at Lake Forest University, near 
 Ciiicago, next year. Miss Grace will .accompany 
 her and take a classical and scientific course, while 
 it is the intention of the parents to give Master 
 Paul ecjuall}' good opportunities as his j'ears 
 increase. 
 
 Mr. Collins is Elder and Trustee in the Presby- 
 
240 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lerian Cburch nnd Superintendent of the Sunday 
 School. Miss Kittle teaches the infant class. In 
 ])iincii)les and practice, Mr. Collins is a temperance 
 man. lie has been a Republican since he arrived 
 at manhood and was a member of tiie Union 
 League when it was dangerous, in Southern Illinois, 
 to belong to it or the Republican party. He has 
 taken an active part in conventions, county, State 
 <ind Congressional. He belongs to I'eotone I^odge, 
 636, A. F. and A. M., in which he has occupied the 
 Secretary's chairman}' times. 
 
 The residence of Mr. Collins was a purchase and 
 has been remodeled and beautified since he became 
 the owner. It is furnished throughout in accor- 
 dance with the taste of the occupants and is a pop- 
 ular gathering place for the best citizens. A few 
 years ago Mr. Collins platted Collins' Ad<lition to 
 Peotone. He has owned several farms but only for 
 purposes of speculation, selling when good oppor 
 tunities came. When three jears old he had the 
 .'•mall pox, and, taking cold, the disease settled in 
 his right side and liml), permanently crippling 
 liim. 
 
 iiHOMAS CULBERTSON. Tliis gentleman 
 is numbered among the old settlers of Will 
 'I' County, in which his residence began in 
 1836, a few mouths after he had attained his ma- 
 jority. The long years which he has spent here 
 have given him an extended acquaintance through- 
 out the county, and he is well-known as one whose 
 3 ears have been spent in industry and good citi- 
 zenship. He is the youngest of ten children who 
 conqirised the family of Thomas and Mary 
 (Wood) Culbertson, parents and children being 
 natives of New Castle County, Delaware. 
 
 The eyes of our subject opened to the light Au- 
 gust 23, 1814, and his boyhood was passed in the 
 pursuit of knowledge and the home duties suited 
 lo his years. WMien sixteen years old he learned 
 tlie miller's trade, at which he was occupied in his 
 native Slate until he came to Joliet. Here he 
 found em|iloymcnt in the McKee mill, in which he 
 remaided until August, 1838, after which he spent 
 two or three months in the Norman mill, the dam 
 
 of which was then taken out for the canal. He 
 then went to Wilmington, finding employment at 
 his trade in the mill of Dr. Bowen, and after 
 twelve months spent there returned to Joliet and 
 entered the Robert Jones steam mill. There he 
 was engaged but a few weeks, leaving to settle on 
 Hickory Creek, where he engaged in milling for 
 iiimself. The old Red Mill having been begun 
 but left unfinished, Mr. Culbertson rented and fin- 
 ished it, operating it for two years prior to his 
 purchase of the property, which he continued to 
 manage until the summer of 1805. Since that 
 time he has followed different occupations, having 
 sold his mill a short time after he gave up oper- 
 ating it, and having since his marriage occupied 
 the homestead on section 12. His home is one 
 of comfort, the dwelling being a cozy one, and 
 the land which accompanies it sufficient in extent 
 to furnish farm products "enough and to spare" 
 for the usf of the family-. Tiie little farm com- 
 prises thirlec!) acres, which under careful control 
 is of more value than many estates much greater 
 in extent. 
 
 In March, 18.')0, having been attacked by gold 
 fever, INIr. Culbertson, with several companions 
 left Joliet to cross the plains to California. Their 
 journey to the P^ldorado and the experiences 
 which Mr. Culbertson passed through in the four 
 years of his residence upon the Coast, become 
 very interesting when graphicallj- pictured by 
 himself, bi\t it is not our purpose to attempt their 
 recital here. Suffice it to sa}' tiiat the mining to 
 which he devoted himself proved more luciative 
 than in the case of many who had left home and 
 friends and ex[)0scd themselves to danger and pri 
 vation in their search for the precious metal. 
 
 On November 19, 1856, in Joliet Townshiii, Mr. 
 Culbertson was united in marriage with Miss Mar- 
 tha M., daughter of Lewis and Mary (Run3on) Ker- 
 cheval. The bride was born in Preble Count3% 
 Ohio, October 9, 1824, and was six years of age 
 when brought by her parents to the Prairie State, 
 their settlement being made in New Lenox Town- 
 ship, this county, where they abode until death. 
 Mr. Kercheval was a native of Virginia and his 
 wife of Kentucky. They had ten children, of 
 whom Mrs. Cull)ertson is the fifth in order of 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 241 
 
 birth. She had tlie advantage of excellent home 
 lraiiiinj>, acquiring many useful arts, together 
 with the qualities of disposition and character 
 whic'h make her respected and admired, and which 
 have been a potent factor in the comfort of home 
 life. She has borne her husband three Qliildren — 
 Thomas E., Mary K. and Anne E. The son is now 
 book-keei)er for Sanger & Moody, in Chicago; 
 Mary is the wife of Wilbur II. Smith, of Jolict; 
 Anne died wiien about nineteen months old. 
 
 Mr. Culbcrtson has served both as School Dii'ec- 
 tor and School Trustee, fullilling the duties of the 
 ollices in a crt'dital)le manner, and evincing a deep 
 interest in the progress of education. In politics 
 ho is a Democrat, liotli himself and wife have 
 many warm friends in the county, and all hough 
 they are highly regarded for the labors of their 
 earlier 3'ears and their record as old settlers, the 
 respect in which they are held is due still more to 
 their i)leasant natur(\s and upright characters. 
 
 \fl EVI M. CLA"iES. This name represents 
 I ((^ *^"® ^^ '^'"^ oldest living pioneers of Will 
 /IL^i^ County. lie came to this region as early 
 as 1832, when the present site of Jolict was covered 
 with weeds lifteen feet high. The main thorough- 
 fare through tliis part of the country' terminated 
 at Lockport, which was a hamlet of li.alf a dozen 
 shanties located near the river. i\Ir. Claycs took 
 u|i a tract of Government laud in the vicinity of 
 Lockport, and after making some improvements 
 left it and went to Clielsea, now Frankfort, where 
 he established a store of general merchandise, 
 having mostly the i-ed nn-n of the forest for his 
 customers. 
 
 Mr. Claycs likewise was one of the first Postmas- 
 ters in Will County, and conducted the oflice and 
 his store until failing health compelled him to a 
 eliauge of occu|)atioii. He then turned his atten- 
 tion to farming on the section of land of which he 
 was the owner and became well-to-do, bringing a 
 large [lortion of his land to a good state of culiva- 
 tion and putting ui) fine buildings. He also set out 
 
 an orchard with numbers of other fruit and shade 
 trees, wliile about one mile south grew ui) by de- 
 grees the town of Frankfort. 
 
 In IMarcli, 1868, Mr. Clayes sold out and re- 
 moved to another farm belonging to him and lo- 
 cated in the same section. There also he operated 
 a steam sawmill and in this manner disposed of 
 about eight}' acres of oak and walnut timber. The 
 Rot'k Island Railroad furnished him abundant ship- 
 ping facilities and he realized from this venture 
 handsome returns. He remained there until wisely 
 d(!ciding to lessen his labors and cares, and in 1873 
 removed to Joliet and erected a large tine house at 
 the intersection of Scott and Weljster Streets. This 
 forms one of the most attractive homes of the city. 
 The dwelling stands liack from the street and in 
 front of it is an extensive lawn while the general 
 surroundings of the place indicate the cultured 
 tastes .and ara|)le means of the proprietor. Mr. 
 Clajes is the owner of other valuable city property 
 and a farm in Green Garden Township, besides real 
 estate in Wilmington. He has accumulated his 
 possessions by his own industry and economy, hav- 
 ing at the start no resources but those with which 
 nature had endowed him. He has had little time 
 to meddle with political matters, aside from giving 
 his unqualified supiiort to the Republican party. 
 
 During his younger 3'cars Mr. Claycs enjoyed in 
 more than an ordinary degree 3'outhful pleasures 
 and recreations, and in comi)any with ^Ir. Stillman, 
 inaugurated the first ball ever given in the county. 
 The invitations were gotten up in fine st}'le, the 
 paper being embellished with the United States 
 coat-of-arms and the American eagle. They were 
 headed "Union Hall" and read as follows: "The 
 managers present their compliments and respect- 
 fully solicit the company of — at the Joliet 
 
 Hotel, Thursday, the •24th insi,., at 3 o'clock, P.:\l., 
 fall of 1834. 
 
 (). W. Stillman, J. W. Brown, (). T. Rogers, L. 
 M. Clayes, S. S. Chamberlain, C. S.ayre, A. Castle, 
 R. Nixon, S. Munson, Managers. 
 
 O. W. Stillman, L. M. Clayes, Floor Managers." 
 
 The sul)ject of this notice was born February 8, 
 1808, in New Hampshire, and is the son of Peter 
 and Lois Claycs, who were natives of Scotland and 
 Massachusetts, respectively, anrl spent their last 
 
242 
 
 PORTllAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 yeai's in Frankfort, Will County. Peter Clayes 
 was the oii<,'inal manufacturer of the Chickcring 
 Pianos at New Ipswich, N. H. L. M. when a young 
 man removed to Pittsford near Rochester, N. Y. 
 When reaching manhood he re|)aired to Pittsburg, 
 Pa. and subsequently to Louisville, Ky., in both of 
 which places his brother-in-law, Sylvauus Lathrop, 
 was engaged as a builder and contr.actor, mostly of 
 bridges, and put m) several large structures of the 
 kind at both places. lie came to Illinois when 
 about twenty-three years old and was subsequently 
 married in Mokena, 111., November 21, 18.58, to 
 Miss Parthena F. Benedict. This lady was born in 
 Colborne, Canada, June 29, 1832. Of this union 
 there are two daughters, viz. : Hattie A., the wife 
 of C. II. I'alcott, Cashier Of the Will County Bank, 
 and Louise B., who remains at home with her jiar- 
 ents. The parents of Mrs. Clayes were Arazi L., 
 and Lucy (Iloyt) Benedict, natives of Connecticut 
 and New Hampshire, respectively, now deceased. 
 
 -»»?-' 
 
 *)HOMAS D. FERGUSON. Farming has 
 been the chief occupation of Mr. Ferguson 
 
 '<^'' since be reached man's estate, and be now 
 gives his attention to that and to the dairy busi- 
 ness at his pleasant home on section 6, New Lenox 
 Township. Although still on the sunny side of 
 forty, having been born March 31, 1853, I\Ir. 
 F^erguson li.as manifested the qualities of true 
 manhood, and won an honorable name among his 
 fellow-men. His estate com))rises eighty-eight 
 acres, on which a complete line of farm buildings 
 has been erected, all above the average, while 
 other improvements are in accord with the edifi- 
 ces. The snug estate is so well managed that it 
 alTords an excellent income and is more profitable 
 than a larger number of acres would be if under 
 1( Si efllcient control. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write derives his 
 sterling qualities from honorable Scotch ancestors, 
 combining traits which the friends of his deceased 
 parents well remember in them. His father was 
 William Ferguson, and his mother Elizabeth Doig, 
 
 sister of Thomas Doig, whose sketch appears in 
 this volume. Thej' were born in the land which 
 has given to the world a Bruce, a Burns, and many 
 heroes of sword and pen. After their marriage 
 they emigrated to America, settling in New Lenox 
 Townshi]), this county, about 1833. They were 
 therefore numbered among the early settlers, and 
 shared in the labors which have resulted in the 
 [iresent prosperity and high development of this 
 county. They continued to live in New Lenox 
 Township until the death of Mr. Ferguson, which 
 occurred in May, 18(J2. His widow breathed her 
 last in Chicago, in August, 1871. 
 
 The parental family consisted of four daughters 
 and five sons, he of whom we write being the fifth 
 in order of birth. His early years were spent at 
 the home in this county' and in Cliicago,-his edu- 
 cation being obtained in the common schools. He 
 was first married, .January 10, 1878, to Miss Sadie, 
 daughter of Sylvanus and Mar}- (Doxtader) Lynk. 
 The wedding took place in Now Lenox Township, 
 in which the bride was born, and where she died 
 after a brief married life, i)assing avvay Decembpr 
 10, 1879. She left an infant son, William L. Tiie 
 second marriage of Mr. F'ei-guson took pl.aco at the 
 residence of the Hon. Dwight Haven, October 19, 
 1881. The bride was Miss Nellie L., daughter of 
 Dwight and Helen L. (Savage) Haven, and w.as 
 born in New Lenox Township, November 2, 1853. 
 Her |)arental and ancestral history is given in the 
 sketch of her father, found elsewhere in this vol- 
 ume. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson has served edicicntlj' as School 
 Director, as an ollitial and as a i)rivate citizen 
 manifesting a deep interest in the cause of educa- 
 tion. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Fergu- 
 son is a member of the Episcopal Church. Growing 
 to maturity amid the most favorable surroundings, 
 she developed into a lad}' of pleasing manners, 
 more than average intelligence, and a knowledge 
 of both useful and ornamental arts, which fitted 
 her for any sphere in life and causes her not only 
 to be cherished by her companion as his choicest 
 blessing, but to make friends wherever she is 
 known. Mr. Ferguson is likewise one of whom 
 good is spoken, atTording the biographical writer 
 a pleasant task in inditing his life history. 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 245 
 
 JULIUS S.HOLMES. Among the prominent 
 [ citizens of Will County, considerable nicn- 
 1 tion belongs to the gentleman whose por- 
 '^^Jj trait is shown on the opposite page, and 
 who has l)cen a life-long resident of New Lenox 
 I'ownsliip. In his native place he has aeciuirod a 
 reputation for integrity and perseverance, and 
 wherever known is highly respected. When still a 
 small child he was or|jliancd by the death of his 
 father, who was a farmer in New Lenox Township. 
 Our snbjeet was therefore early thrown upon his 
 own resources, and though at present only in the 
 |iriine of life has li_v his own efforts made himself 
 inde|)endent. To such men as he. America owes 
 heihigh standing among other ohier countries, and 
 to the efforts which such citizens as he have made. 
 Will County may justly attribute the development 
 of her limitless resources. 
 
 The gentleman of whom this sketch is written is 
 a son of Ihe late Asher Holmes and his wife, Eliza 
 Ann Klmore. Loth were born in Sherburne, Che- 
 nango County, N. V., the father on September 28, 
 1797, and the mother on Septemlicr 22, 1805. lu 
 their native county thej' made their Hrst home 
 after marriage, sulisequently removing to Chautau- 
 qua County, and in 1832 returning to that in which 
 they were born. In the spring of ISS.'i they turned 
 their footsteps westward, and coming to Will 
 County, 111., made a settlement on section 22, New 
 Lenox Township. Here the father was engaged in 
 farming until his deatli, January 24, 18."i4. The 
 widowed mother continued to live on the old 
 homestead until her death, which occurred June 
 r>, 1880. They had six children — James E., My- 
 ron 1'., j;iiza A., Orsamus, Lydia and Julius S. 
 F;iiza, who was the wife of Thomas Stolp, died in 
 Nebraska in May, 187:5. 
 
 The natal d.a}- of our snbjeet was August ."30, 
 1848, and his birtbiJace the old homestead on 
 which he grew to manhood and continued to live 
 until the spring of 1890. He was educated in the 
 common schools, and l)y the use of the means 
 which are open to all who desire knowledge, he has 
 added to the knowledge obtained at school the 
 broader education which can only be gained by a 
 mature mind and a practical application of theories 
 in contact with mankin<l. After having pursued 
 
 an agricultural life until the date before mentioned, 
 Mr. Holmes rente<l his farm and removed to New 
 Lenox ^'illage. He is now giving his attention to 
 the grain trade, his in'incipal place of business 
 being Manhattan, although he is also a member of 
 the Chlc.'igo r.oard of Tr.ade. His business ability 
 is undisputed, and has been m.ade use of by his 
 fellow-citizens, who have i^allcd upon liini to fill 
 oDicial stations of various natures. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Holmes was celebrated in 
 New Lenox Townsbii), .lanuarj' 24, 1871 , his bride 
 being l\Iiss Sophie, youngest "child of Abraham 
 and .lane (AVood) Willis. Mrs. Holmes was born 
 in New Jersey, August 14, 18r)2, but grew to 
 womanhood in this count3\ to which her parents 
 came in I8GI. The3' were natives of the Em|)ire 
 State and the parents of nine children. The 
 mother died in Wenona, Marshall County, III., 
 February 28, 1880; Mr. Willis is yet living. Mrs. 
 Holmes possesses an estimable Christian character, 
 and has the knowledge of domestic arts and .social 
 accomplishments which m.ake her home a happy one 
 and give her po[)ularity among her acquaintances. 
 She has borne twelve children, named respective- 
 ly : Kaynor E., Arthur W., Laura E., Herbert H., 
 liessic J.. Eva M., ]\Iamie E., Ethel J., Mattle A., 
 Olive I., Sophie L. and .lulius W. Eva M. and 
 Olive I. are deceased. 
 
 Mr. Holmes has ever taken an active interest in 
 politics, and is numbered in the Republican ranks. 
 He has held the ollice of School Trustee for twelve 
 years, and has also been School Director. Both 
 he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, in which he lias held the oHices 
 of Steward and Trustee, positions of financial Im- 
 [lortance, for which his business talents and deep 
 interest in the work of the church well qualified 
 him. 
 
 jILLIAM GOOD.SON has for a period of 
 // twenty j-ears pursued his farming opera- 
 W^ tions in Plainfield Township, and is counted 
 one of the most substantial residents of the place. 
 He is a native of Leicestershire, England, born De- 
 cember 11, 1834. His father, John Goodson, was 
 
24G 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 born in the .same sliiic fine] was lliore reared to 
 afjric'ulUiral |)ursuits, ami always earned his living 
 tilling the soil, spending his entire life in his native 
 land. The maiden name of the mother of our 
 subject wag Lucy Howell, .and siie was born in 
 Rutland, Kiigland. She came to America in 186'), 
 and now makes her home with her children, she 
 having attained the age of eighty-on(^ years. There 
 were eleven children born to the parents of our 
 subject, eight of whom were reared to maturity as 
 follows: George, William, .Sanuiel, Thomas, llcnr^-, 
 .lolin, Richaril and Robert, all of whom came to 
 America, e.\cc|)t Richard, and settled in dilTerent 
 parts of the country. 
 
 lie of whom we write went to work on the farm 
 at an early age and earned his own living. J'he 
 wages were low and the chances of securing a home 
 in his native land were almost nil, and he deter- 
 mined to see what life held forh im in America, and 
 on the 2iHli of Octol)er, 185G, accompanied by his 
 bride, set sail from Liverpool in the good ship 
 "Cultivator," and on the 29th of November landed 
 in New York. From there he and his wife pro- 
 ceeded to Orange County, N. Y., where they found 
 themselves penniless and among strangers. Our 
 subject with characteristic self reliance immediately 
 set aliout finding employment, and soon obtained 
 work upon a farm. He resided thereuntil August, 
 1856, and then went with his family to St. Clair 
 County, I\Iich., and there was engaged in a saw- 
 mill until 18.)9. Tn that year he again started 
 westward, and ccuning as far as Illinois resumed 
 his old employment as a farm hand in Canton, 
 Fulton County. In 18G4 he went to Kendall 
 County. Having prudently saved his earnings he 
 was enabled to be more independent, and com- 
 menced faniiitig on his own Account, renting land. 
 He carried on his farming operations in that man- 
 ner for six years, and then bought eighty acres of 
 land, which is included in his present farm in Plain- 
 field Township. This was scarceh' at all improved, 
 and a rude shanty on the place was the only build- 
 ing. Since then lie has been much prospered, and 
 has brought about great changes on bis place, hav- 
 ing erected a good set of frame buildings, planted 
 fruit and shade trees, fenced the land and now has 
 it under admirable cultivatit)n. lie has been so 
 
 successful that he has added to his estate, and no" 
 has one hundred and eighty-six and one-third acre 
 of fine farming land, all lying in a bod}' and eoi; 
 stituting as productive and well-improved a fan 
 as is to be found in the locality. 
 
 In 18.06 Mr. Goodson was happily married t 
 Miss Sarah Broom, a native of Rutland, Knglanc 
 and a daughter of John Broom. Their niarriagi 
 has been blessed by the birth of eleven childrerl 
 nine living, namely: Mary A., Lucy, Lillie, Ameli; 
 Edward, Charles, Ernest, Herbert and Eva. Th 
 deceased were Hannah and William II. Mr. Good 
 son's career as a farmer, since he took up his resi 
 dence in this place, proves him to be a shrewd 
 practical, industrious man, and the honorable, up 
 right life that he has alwaj's led entitles him to bt 
 called a trustworthy man and a good citizen, an^ 
 he and his family are well respected in this com 
 munity. 
 
 \ 
 OHN W. DOWNEY. The legal fraternit; 
 of Will County numbers among its mos 
 painstaking and promising members him witl 
 whose name we introduce this notice. H 
 is yet young in years, having been born April 3 
 18G0, and his childhood home was in Normal 
 Township, Grundy County, this State. His pac 
 entiS were John and Mary (O'Halloran) Downejj; 
 who were natives of County Tipperary, IrelancJ 
 The father of our subject came to America ii 
 1849, and in 1851 was married to Miss O'Hallo 
 ran, in LaSalle Countj', this State. They settle( 
 upon a farm, and there were born to them six chi| 
 dren, five sons and one daughter. One son, Ed 
 ward, died at the age of twent3'-six years. Th* 
 others, with the exception of our subject, are re 
 siding in Grund}- County. John W., who was tin 
 fourth in order of birth, spent his boyhood on tin 
 farm, assisting in its labors, and attending, mostVi 
 during the winter season, the common school. Hi 
 was of studious habits, improving his leisui 
 hours by reading and studj-, and after leaving 
 school occupied himself as a teacher, which is th( 
 usual stepping stone to other professions. He wa; 
 desirous, however, of advancing his educatior, 
 
 m\ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 217 
 
 and in the summer of 1882 entered the Normal 
 School at Valparaiso, Ind., wliicli he attended three 
 terms. 
 
 Mr. Downey, having resolved upon following 
 the profession of law, came, in the si)ring of \SHi>, 
 to Joliet, and entered the ofliee of Hale}' it O'Don- 
 nell, where he closelj' applied himself to the stndy 
 of the hest legal works iinlil December following, 
 wlien he was admitted to the bar. He remained 
 with his preceptors one year, then opened a law 
 olliee, and has since confined himself to the prac- 
 tice of his i)rofession. lie was elected City Attor- 
 ney in April, 1889, for a term of two years. 
 Politically, Mr. Downey atHliates with the Demo- 
 cratic party, and in religion he adheres to the 
 Catholic faith of his forefathers. Socially, he be- 
 longs to the Independent Order of Foresters. He 
 gives bis whole time to the duties of his profession, 
 and is rapidly acquiring a substantial footing 
 therein. 
 
 KNRY C. (JULLOM. Tlie real-estate and 
 r )Yi insurance business of Joliet and vicinity 
 y^ finds a lively representative in Mr. Cullom, 
 ^ who with his partner, James W. Patterson, 
 has a vvell-equipped office on Chicago Street. He 
 embarked in the.se enterprises in the fall of 1888, 
 writing fire, life and accident policies. He is a 
 native of Illinois and was born in Tazewell County, 
 April 1, 1839, to Richard N. and Betsey Elizabeth 
 (Coffey") Cullom. 
 
 The parents of our subject were natives respect- 
 ively of Tennessee and North Carolina, and met in 
 Kentucky, where they were married. In the fall 
 of 18:i0 they emigrated to Illinois, and the father 
 tliereafter occupied iiimself at farming in Tazewell 
 County, 111. The mother passed awaj' in Deccm- 
 lier, 18fi8. The household circle numbered five 
 sons and six daughters, of whom the subject of 
 this notice was the youngest. Five of these are 
 living. 
 
 The subject of this notice lived in iiis native 
 county until reaching man's estate — in fact eight 
 years after reaching his majority. The most of 
 
 this time was employed in farm pursuits. His 
 education was such as vvas afforded by the common 
 school, and he acquired tliose habits of industry 
 and economy whicii iiave followed him through 
 life. In 18G8 he rajiaired to Springfield, 111., and 
 engaged in the mei-cantile business until 1874. 
 Then, going to Southeastern Nevada, he enteicd 
 the employ of the Government as Indian Agent, 
 and was in that region and Indian Territory 
 about eighteen months. 
 
 At the expiration of this time we find Mr. Cul- 
 lom on a farm in Lawrence County, 111. Later he 
 took a contract from the penitentiary in Joliet, 
 to manufacture hosiery and (jlothing, and occu- 
 pied himself at that industry for a period of 
 twelve years. Then, selling out, he embarked in 
 his present business. He was married October 29, 
 1861, to Miss Anna M. Kingman. Mrs. Cullom 
 was born May IG, 1841, and like her husband is a 
 native of Tazewell County, this State. Their union 
 has resulted in the birth of four sons and four 
 daugjiters, seven of whom remain under the par- 
 ental roof. The second daughter, Jennie N., is 
 the wife of Edward C. Barrett, of Joliet. Mr. 
 Cullom cast his first Presidential vote for Lin- 
 coln, and in politics, continues a stanch supporter 
 of the Republican party. He is an Elder of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America. 
 
 'T^REDERICK A. LUTHEH. Probably a ma- 
 U?^ jority of the farmers of Wilmington Town- 
 (^ ship are men well-to-do, and of that class 
 who have been the architects of their oivn fortunes. 
 Among them may be properly mentioned the sub- 
 ject of this notice, who is comitaratively young in 
 years, and who is a native of this State, born in 
 Kankakee County, March 28, 1855. He is the rep- 
 resentative of a substantial old family of New 
 England ancestry, the son of Charles and Lucy 
 (Holland) Luther, who were natives of A'erraont. 
 The paternal grandparents of our subj(!ct were 
 Jabez and Elizabeth (Parkman) Luther, the former 
 of whom was a son of Caleb and Rebecca (Brown) 
 
•248 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Luther. Caleb was the son of Jabez and Alse Lu- 
 tlier, who were natives of Massachusetts, and Jabez 
 was a son of Caleb and Mary Luther, natives of the 
 New England States. Caleb was a son of Samuel 
 and Sarah, likewise natives of New Enjjland, and 
 Samuel w.is the son of Samuel, Sr., and Mary Lu- 
 ther. Samuel, Sr., was the son of Ca])t. John S. 
 Luther, a seafaring man and commander of a mer- 
 chant vessel. The latter was killed l)y the Indians 
 on the Delaware River, in 1645; he was of German 
 descent, but born in Ireland. 
 
 Some of the early members of the Luther family 
 were men of note in New England, and exercised 
 no unimpurtant influence in their communities. 
 Grandfather Jabez Luther was a merchant in Cor- 
 nish, N. n., for many years. He lost both his arms 
 by the premature discharge of a cannon, on the 4tli 
 of July, 1805. Charles Luther, the father of our 
 subject, was born in Pitlsford, Rutland C^ounty, 
 Vt., June 30, 1819, and spent the first twelve years 
 of his life there. He was married there, in 1844, 
 and in 1849 set his face westward, coming to Illi- 
 nois and settling on a farm in Kankakee Count}'. 
 He lived there until 1865, then removed to Wil- 
 mington Township, this county, where he still 
 lives. 
 
 The mother of our subject, also a native of the 
 Green Mountain State, was born in Stockbridge, 
 Windsor County, to Jonathan and Mary (Ranney) 
 Holland. The latter were also natives of Vermont, 
 where they spent their entire lives. To Charles and 
 Lucj' Luliier there were born three children only, 
 viz.: Julius J., Charles W. ; and Frederick A., of 
 this sketch. The latter is the only surviving mem- 
 ber of the family. Julius J. was in Chicago sev- 
 eral years prior to his death. He was a man of fine 
 business qualifications and considerable means, and 
 for several years was the owner and superintend- 
 ent of the Brink Express Company. 
 
 Frederick A. Luther has been a resident of this 
 county since 1865. He has followed farming all 
 his life, and owns one hundred and sixtj' acres of 
 land, comprising a well-improved farm lying about 
 one and one-half miles northwest of Wilmington. 
 He has a fine residence, with substantial outbuild- 
 ings, an ample supply of farm m.achinery, and all 
 the other appliances for prosecuting his calling in 
 
 
 a prolilahle and successful manner. In additi( 
 general agriculture he is considerably inleresti 
 blooded horses, of which he is enabled to ex: 
 some fine specimens. He makes of farming 
 stock-raising an art and a science, and by rea 
 and observation keeps himself thoroughly y>i 
 as to the best methods employed in conne 
 therewith. 
 
 One of the most important events in the 1 
 Mr. Luther was the occasion of his marriage, 
 tember 7, 1877, with Miss Mary E. Thoma? 
 wedding taking |)lace at the bridle's home in 
 mington. Mrs. Luther was born January 10, 
 in England, to Henry and Mary (Lester) Thfl 
 who were likewise natives of England, and 
 whom she came to America when a child nine 
 of age. They settled in this county; the fatlj 
 deceased, and the mother is still living. INIr 
 Mrs. Luther are the parents of two sons — CL 
 J. and John H. Both parents and sons beloi 
 the New Jerusalem Church, and our subject 
 litically, atliliates with the Democratic party 
 
 AVID L. CHRISTIAN occupies a far 
 two hundred and forty acres on sectioi 
 Peotone Township, which is sufHciently | 
 to afford a comfortable maintenance. He 
 however, obtained what is better than silve 
 gold, a good name and the respect of his fe 
 men. He has been a leader on the side of ir 
 ity when it took high moral courage to annc 
 his beliefs and uplift the standard of right| 
 justice in the community. 
 
 Our subject was born in Cayuga County, >' 
 September C, 1824, and is the oldest child ol 
 vid and Jane (Wolverton) Christian. The f 
 was born in 1795, and the mother April 26, 
 both in the Empire State, where their mai^ 
 also took place, the date of that event beingi 
 uary 15, 1822. The wife breathed her last: 
 gust 26, 1833, after having borne three chil 
 of whom our subject is the only survivor. ^ 
 years after her death the father removed to I 
 igan, sojourning but four years ere settlin 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 249 
 
 mPage County, 111., on a farm which he con- 
 Bued to occupy until overtaken by death, in 
 S15. He married for his second wife Mrs. 
 hristianna Ketchum, nee Churchill, who still sur- 
 jves. This union was blest b}' the birth of two 
 lildren. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write received a 
 )mmon-school education in New Yorkand Mich- 
 lj.n, his youthful days being passed in the 
 •dinary manner of a farmer's son. Being tlie 
 West child, he had charge of his father's busi- 
 jss for a few years prior to the latter's death, 
 id for a short time after. He took up the High 
 ;hool studies in the old Chicago Academy, fitted 
 ^uself for teaching and found employment in 
 le district schools of DuPage Count3', for three 
 filters. In the intervals of his |)i'ofessional work 
 i was employed on the construction of the 111- 
 lois <fc Michigan Central Railroad, from Kensing- 
 m to Cliicago. During a jiart of three seasons, 
 ^1852-53-54, he was occupied under a contract 
 >r fencing the road, and some of the fence is 
 ill standing near Madison, after thirty-seven 
 ears. 
 
 Jn the fall of 1851, Mr. Christian returned to 
 le old home, remaining thereon until the spring 
 f 1858, when he located in the village of Peo- 
 )ne. Will Count3\ In the spring of 1867 he re- 
 oved to the farm where he has since resided. 
 I consisted of two liundred and forty acres of 
 pod land, wholly unimjiroved at the time of his 
 iircbase. He erected upon it, in 1867, a good 
 ;si.'euce, which cost $2,500, the accompanying 
 iirns and other outbuildings, and placed the en- 
 re acreage under good cultivation. When he be- 
 jn life for hirasplf Mr. Christian was nearly 
 iipty-handed, §250 being his siiare of his father's 
 itate. He has an interest in the old homestead 
 I DuPage County. 
 
 On October 23, 1851, Mr. Christian was united 
 r marriage with iSIiss Clara, daughter of Suniuel 
 ^d Judith (Elliott) Page, natives of New Hanip- 
 lire. Mr. and Mrs. Page removed to Illinois in 
 839, settling in Kane County, wiiere the husband 
 led in 1840, his widow surviving until 1863. 
 hey were the parents of six children, three of 
 now are now living, and Mrs. Christian was the 
 
 fifth in order of birth. Her natal day was March 
 28, 1833, and her native State New Hampsiiire. 
 Slie attended a select school in DuPage County, 
 111., enriching her mind with useful knowledge and 
 mental culture. A womanly woman, her quiet 
 dignity is felt in every circle that she enters, and 
 she has stood side by side witii her husband in 
 moral and Christian endeavors. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Christian six children have 
 been l)orn, as follows: Walter, September 22, 1852: 
 Ella, February 27, 1854; Mary, October 1, 1856; 
 David Warren, November 6, 1859; Sarah F., 
 March 17, 1863; Clara Jenny, May 30, 1866. 
 The}' have received more than common-school ed- 
 ucations, and Warren and Clara have taught in 
 this county. More than one of the family are es- 
 pecially gifted in intellect and possess musical 
 and other t.alents. The three eldest children are 
 deceased. Ella passed away Novemlier 11, 1879, 
 leaving a host of friends to honor her memory. Her 
 especial talent was for music, and she excelled in 
 organ playing, also succeeding wonderfully as a 
 teacher. With a strong intellect and a noble heart, 
 she bore a share in the good works instituted 
 throughout the vicinity, and became greatly loved. 
 She was the leader of the music in the church 
 where the family attended, and promoted its in- 
 terests very largely. She was the wife of John 11. 
 Braytou. 
 
 Two of the surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Christian are living in homes of their own. David 
 W., a merchant in Kankakee, III., married Cora J. 
 Palmer, and has one child, David Palmer. Sarah 
 F. is the wife of II. Anson Harsh, of Normal Park, 
 Cook County, and they have one child, Clara. 
 
 Mr. Christian has been School Director in Dis- 
 trict No. 6, also Township Trustee of Schools, 
 Township Treasurer of Schools, Supervisor of Peo- 
 tone Township and Justice of the Peace. He has 
 always taken an active interest in politics, and at 
 the beginning of his political experience was a 
 strong Abolitionist. For twenty-five years he has 
 been identified with the Republican iiarty, for which 
 he has acted as Township Representative, in con- 
 ventions, probably a greater number of times than 
 anj' other man here. He has also been a delegate 
 to State and Congressional conventions. Before 
 
2r)0 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAr> ALBUM. 
 
 the w:ir lie was uoimefled with the "umlerf^ronnd 
 lailiimd," and (liirin<>- tlie war lie was also a mem- 
 1)01- «>r Ihi' I'liiou League. 
 
 For alioiit livi; yoais Mr. Christian was tlic only 
 man In the vilia<;(! of I'wUjne wiio would s|)eak out 
 in liiliMlf (if li'mpcranuf, iiciuor being at that lime 
 sold tliere without license. So franii had he been 
 in expressing ids views, and so ardently had he 
 labored against tiie liijuor interest, lliat he was at 
 one time threaleiid by mob violence, but good 
 counsel linally pievailed and he was not molested. 
 Botii he an<l liis wife formerly lielonged to the 
 (Jood 'I'emplars' org.anizalion and held ofliee therein. 
 
 The entire Christian family belong to the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in 
 the work of the denomination, especially in the 
 Sunday-school and music. The son Warren has 
 ever been connected with the choir, his line b.ass 
 voice a<lding volume and depth to the liglitei- tones 
 of his sisters and others. Mr. Christian took part 
 in the initiatory steps to secure preaching of liie 
 Gospel, and a place of worship in the village of 
 Pcotone. He is Trustee, Steward and Class Leader; 
 he lias been Superintendent of the Sund.ay-school 
 in Peotone twenty-three years continuouslj', and 
 held the same position elsewhere. At present he 
 leaches the IJilile class. Mrs. Christian ii;is had a 
 cbiss for about twent^'-two years continuously, and 
 the children have also been teachers. The influence 
 exerted by such a father and mother is beyond 
 calculation, and when extended by the sons and 
 daughters the benefit to mankind is boundless, 
 giving re.asoii for the approval of all who feel an 
 interest in the advaneeinent of humanity. 
 
 
 ^^j" 
 
 ■^OHN WILLIAM DIERSEN is a prosperous 
 farmer and stock-raiser, whose fine farm is 
 located on section 1.0, Crete Township. He 
 is the fortunate possessor of tvvo hundred 
 and forty acres of highly-improved land, besides 
 thirty acres of timber, all of which formerly be- 
 longed to his father, whom he succeeded in the 
 ownership and operation of the homestead. It has 
 been almost his life-long home, as he came to it 
 
 with his parents in his youth, having previously 
 lived in Chicago some six years. The family ar- 
 rived in America in 1.S46 from Ilesse-Cassel, Ger- 
 m.-iny, where be of whom we writi! was born, Sep- 
 lenilier 2, IHW. 
 
 .lolin II. Dierseii, father of our subject, was of 
 good (ierman blood, and in his native country was 
 in the employ of a (jerman nobleman bearing the 
 name of Munchhausen, from the time he was a 
 young man until he came to the I'nited States. He 
 married Sophia Hue, who was, like her husband, a 
 native of the Prussian Province of Ilesse-Cassel 
 and of [lure Hessian ancestry. After the birth of 
 four children, one of whom dieil in infanc}', Mr. 
 Dierseu set out for America with his wife, son and 
 two daughters. The}' set sail from Bremen in 
 May, 184(;. and after a tedious voyage landed in 
 the American metropolis, .luly ■'). Thence they 
 went up the Hudson Kiver to Albany, thence 
 on the canal to Buffalo, where they embarked upon 
 a lake steamer, which anchored in Chicago iu the 
 latter part of the month. They remained in that 
 city until 1852, when Mr. Diersen procured forty 
 acres of Government land in ^Vill County and be- 
 gan agricultural labors as a poor farmer. 
 
 By hard work and the rigid economy best 
 known to themselves, he and his wife got on in 
 the world, linally becoming quite rich. The}' ac- 
 cumulated the land now owned by their son, im- 
 proved and occupied it for some 3'ears, finally 
 removing to Crete Village, where both died. The 
 death of Mrs. Dierseu took place in 188j, and that 
 of her husband in 1887. both being about seventy- 
 three years of age. Tlie_y were estimable peo|)le, 
 well known in the vicinity and well respected. 
 They were closely connected with the work of the 
 Lutheran Church, to which they gave liberallj'. 
 The only members of his family' now living are 
 our subject and his sister, Mrs. Sophia Brown, 
 of Chicago. Before his marriage Mr. Dierseu had 
 served his country as a soldier in the Hanoverian 
 War. 
 
 .1. W. Dierseu assisted his parents as his strength 
 would permit, becoming of age on the farm he 
 now owns and in the improvement of which he 
 took part. He was married in this township to 
 Engel Desenisz, who was born in Ilesse-Cassel. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 251 
 
 Gormany, August 28, 18t2. AVhen sixteen years 
 'old she aecoinpanied lier brother I'liilip to Amer- 
 ica, their home being made in lliis county. Philip 
 Desenisz served some time during the late Kebellion 
 Sis a member of the Union army. Mrs. Diersen re- 
 ceived a good practical education and excellent 
 home training from her worthy parents, and dur- 
 'ing her mature years has exhibited marked ability 
 Ifis a housewife and great kindness in her donieslic 
 and social relations. Her mother, Si>|ihia (Sailer) 
 'Desinisz, died in the year 1884, being then 
 quite old. Her father, l'hili|i Desenisz, Sr., is still 
 living in his native clime, where he has lieen a 
 small farmer. He is a lifelong member of the 
 ^..utheran Church, of which his deceased wife was 
 also a communicant. 
 
 ' The wife of our subject has borne him twelve 
 children, of whom we note the following: John is 
 a hardware dealer in Crete, his wife being Sophia 
 Piepenbrink; William is at present working in a 
 
 «:rain house in the same town; Louisa is the wife of 
 r 
 Phillip Pieperhrink, a farmer in Crete Township; 
 
 Ueiiry is now with his brother, assisting him in the 
 hardware business ; August, Herman, Gotleib, 
 Anielia, Emma, Walter. Anna and Otto are at 
 home Herman is learning the trade of a black- 
 smith. Mr. Diersen has held the minor offices of 
 the township and is now acting in the capacity of 
 School Director, and has been Highway Commis- 
 jsioner since 1871, and h.as also been Treasurer 
 for the same length of time, and is Secretary of 
 the Crete Farmers' Mutual Insurance Companj-. 
 He and the members of his family who are entitled 
 to vote belong to the Republican party. The en- 
 xire family, parents and children, belong to the 
 iLntheran Church. 
 
 EV. ERNST A. BRAUER, pastor of the 
 Evangelical Lutheran Church at Crete, is 
 one of the ablest men in the ministry and 
 besides possessing natural talents of a high 
 ortler, is finely educated, a close student and an 
 extensive reader. For the last forty-three years 
 he has given his entire attention to the interests of 
 
 his church and people and is greatly esteemed in 
 the couimuiiity, not only among those with whom 
 he is intimately associated, but by the people at 
 large. Mr. lirauer came to this place from St. 
 Louir, Mc)., where for six years he had been p.astor 
 of Trinity, one of the oldest Lutheran Churches 
 in that city. Prior to this he was for ten yeais a 
 Professor in Concordia Theological .Seminarj' at 
 St. Louis, to which he removed from Pittsburg, 
 Pa., where he had been connected with the oldest 
 church in that city for six years. During the 
 Civil War he served with the Missouri Militia and 
 assisted in quelling tlie disturbances in that State, 
 although never having regularly enlisted. 
 
 Mr. Brauer assumed charge of his first congre- 
 gation at Addison, DuPage County, 111., in No- 
 vember, 1847, during the pioneer days, when his 
 salary, like his congregation, was exceedingly small 
 and continued so for a number of j'ears and he 
 lived to see this society become one of the largest 
 and most prosperous in the S3'nod, comprising the 
 States of Indiana, Illinois, ^Missouri and others. 
 He was one of the earliest preachers of the Luth- 
 eran denomination in Illinois which was not rep- 
 resented by any other for a number of years. He 
 labored faithfully in the service of the Master 
 and was rewarded by witnessing in due time a 
 bountiful harvest. 
 
 The subject of this notice was liorn in the King- 
 dom of Hanover, April 19, 1819, his early home 
 being in the vicinity of Northeim. He received 
 his education at a cloister in Elfeldt, where he pur- 
 sued his studies six years, but he afterward en- 
 tered the University at Gottingen from which he 
 was duly graduated and after this he became a pu- 
 pil in the college at Berlin. Subsequently he be- 
 came a private tutor in the family of Mr. Omp- 
 teda, the German Ambassador at London, and was 
 thus occupied two years. At the expiration of 
 this time he sailed for America in October, 1847, 
 and after a nine weeks' voyage landed in New 
 York City. He had only intended remaining a 
 few years in this countr}', but his labors have 
 been attended with such prosperity and he has 
 made so many friends, besides becoming greatly 
 attached to its institutions that he has no desire of 
 returning except to visit the scenes of his youth. 
 
252 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 \A'^liilc a n,-itlciiL i.f Addison, Mr. Biauer made 
 lli.'Hcquaintance of Miss Bcalc Reiinnann, who bc- 
 caiiio his wife Septeiiilier 9, 1849, llie wcddiii-,' luii- 
 injf place in Chicago. Mrs. Br.-uicr was born 
 October 23, 1822, in the town of Schullmburg', 
 Hanover, and is the daiigliterof Uicharil Rcinniann 
 who was of [Hire (lernian ancestry. I^be was carc- 
 fullN- reared and received a thorough education 
 ill liei- native tongue. She went to Paris, France, 
 with an un(de and from tliere came to America in 
 1819. Of iier unJDii with our subject tiiere iiave 
 been born nine chihlrcn, all of whom are living. 
 Five sons and two ilaughtei's are marricil. Albert 
 n. was born in IbfiO and at an early age evinced 
 more llian ordinary talent, being fond of his books 
 and ambitious to excel in liis studies. He was 
 graduated at Ft. W.ayne, (liid. ) College and later at 
 Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, lie now has 
 charge of the Lutheran congregation at Beecher, 
 111. He married Miss Louisa Stein, of St. Louis, 
 Mo. and they are the parents of seven children. 
 .lane became tlie wife of Prof. Theophile Meos, 
 Rector of the Ohio Seminary at Woodville, Ohio; 
 they have six ehihiren. Dorothea is at home witli 
 her parents; Charles II. married Miss Anna Bart- 
 llng and is living at Eagle Lake, III. He was 
 •educated in SpriMg(iel(i, III., and has charge of 
 St. .lolin's Kvangclical Lutheran Church. He 
 is the father of four children. August G. was 
 educated in a Seminary at St. Louis, where he now 
 lives engaged as a stove repairer; he married Miss 
 Amelia Sehuricht and they have four ciiildren; 
 Ilelene is the wife of the Rev. Frederick Pfoten- 
 hauer, who has charge of a congregation at Lewis- 
 ton, Wis. and they have four children; Herman E. 
 is the pastor of the Lutheran Church at Niles, this 
 State; he was educated in St. Louis, Rio. and 
 Springfield, III., and married Miss Johanna Brock- 
 man of Chieago;they have four children. Frederick 
 E. was graduated at Ft. Wayne, (Ind.) Seminary 
 and later at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and is 
 now assistant pastor with his father, besides having 
 charge of other local churches; he married Miss 
 Anna Meyer of Lake View, III.; they make their 
 home with our subject. William A. is a minister 
 of the Lutheran Church, having charge of a flour- 
 ishing congregation at Hammond, Ind.; he was 
 
 graduated from the college of his church at 
 
 Springfield, HI. Ho is unmarried. 
 
 Mr. Braucr and his son Frederick have a fine 
 library of which they make constant use and which 
 contains many choice volumes including some an- 
 cient works of great value. The family holds a 
 high social position, representing the culture and 
 refinement of the community. 
 
 -,»* .0*o..^y^><A^..O*o.. -t,^ 
 
 [; BRAHAM GOCKLEY. A comi)end of 
 biographies of residents in Jackson Town- 
 ship would be incom[)lete if it did not in- 
 S*// elude that of the gentleraaTi above named, 
 
 a retired farmer who is now enjo3'ing the fruits of 
 his early industry. His farm is on section 24, 
 where he has resided since April 1857. He now 
 makes his home in Joliet. His lauded estate com- 
 |)rises two hundred and seventy acres which he 
 rents, feeling that he is entitled to repose in his 
 declining years. The residence is of pleasing ar- 
 chitectural design, well furnished and pleasantly 
 located, and all of the outbuildings upon the 
 estate are well l)uilt aii<l sudicient in size and num- 
 ber to .•ide(|nately shelter stock, crops, and ma- 
 chinery. 
 
 The early life of Mr. Gockley was spent in Lan- 
 caster County, Pa., in which he was born May 17, 
 1827. He was reared on a farm and early deter- 
 mined to follow the business of farming and stock- 
 raising, which he has done throughout his entire 
 active life. He was married in his native count}' 
 in October, 1848, to Miss Hannah Lutz, who was 
 born in the same county in 1827. AVhen the re- 
 moval to this county was made the family in- 
 cluded three children. The parents have had ten 
 sons and daughters, five of whom died when they 
 were young. 
 
 The living children of Abraham Gockley and 
 his esteemed wife are: Henry, a resident of Joliet; 
 Sarah, wife of Harmon Deutschman of Jackson 
 TowL'ship; Marinda, wife of Andrew Peterson, of 
 Jackson Township; Albert, a resident of Joliet, 
 and Mary, wife of Jerry Johnson, of Rice County, 
 Kan. The devoted wife and mother was called 
 
J-y^a^AMy 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 255 
 
 fi-oiii time to eternity April 25, 18G7. She was a 
 im^nibor of the German Baptist Cliurch, whose 
 principles she ever endeavored to carry out in 
 daily life. 
 
 The nature of Mr. Gockley Is extremely genial 
 and social, and his memory is stored with infor- 
 mation and incidents of earlier life, wliich make 
 iiim an entertaining coni[)anion. lie manifests a 
 deep interest in the welfare of those about him, 
 particularly in the cause of education and the 
 spreading of the Gospel. He has been School Di- 
 rector for twelve years and is an active member of 
 the German Baptist Church. 
 
 ♦^-^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 AMES R. ASHLEY. The subject of this 
 notice is familiarly called "the father of all 
 the wire mills of this county." He is one 
 the oldest residents of the county, having 
 come to Plainfleld as earl3' as 1837, when a boy of 
 twelve years. He was born February 3, 1825, in 
 Martinsburg, Lewis County, N. Y., and is the son 
 of Riley 15. and Sally (Searles) Ashley, the latter 
 of whom died when her son James R. was only two 
 years old, also leaving an infant daughter who died 
 in early childhood. 
 
 The subject of this notice remained with his fa- 
 ther in his native place until 1837, and then the 
 latter decided to emigrate to Illinois, set out with 
 his little family and in company with three other 
 families journeyed overland with teams from New 
 York to this county. After a tedious journey' of 
 one month they arrived in the embr3'o town of 
 Joliet, June 9, following. 
 
 The father being a Baptist minister purchased a 
 home in the village of Plainfield and also bought 
 a farm in that vicinity, the latter of which he 
 leased while he confined his attention to his pas- 
 toral duties. He organized the first Baptist Church 
 in the place and remained in charge of it for sev- 
 eral years. Through his efiforts various other 
 churches were organized throughout the surround- 
 ing country, and among these he labored faithfully, 
 sometimes going as far as Chicago to preach. He 
 nuiintained his home continuously in Plainfield and 
 
 died there in August, 1880, at the advanced age 
 of eighty-one years. He had in the meantime con- 
 tracted a second marriage and there were born to 
 him tliree more children, only one of whom is 
 now living. After the death of his wife he was 
 married a third time, and his widow is at present 
 residing in Leyden, N. Y. 
 
 James R., of this notice, was reared by his father 
 and step-mother in I'lainfield, and was given a 
 good education, completing his studies at Warren- 
 ville, this State. He first engaged in business in 
 I'lainfield as a merchant in a small way and by the 
 exercise of a wise economy, succeeded in accumu 
 lating sufficient means to erect a large store build- 
 ing in which he placed a first-class stock of 
 merchandise. He conducted the business until 
 July, 1870, and then sold out. In the meantime, 
 when the township organization was effected he 
 was elected Township Clerk, which position he 
 held for a period of fifteen years. During that 
 time he also held the office of Justice of the Peace 
 two terras and in addition to this, from the fall of 
 1862 until the spring of 1870, was the United States 
 Ganger for what was then the Eighth Congres- 
 sional District, comprising six counties. He had 
 the supervision of all the distilleries, wholesale 
 liquor and rectifying establishments within his 
 bailiwick, and was required to inspect all liquors 
 made and collect the tax thereon. It will thus be 
 seen that during those years he was a very busy 
 man. 
 
 After dls[)osing of his mercantile interests Mr. 
 Ashley rested for a time, then, in 1874, removed to 
 Joliet and became connected with the firm of A. B. 
 Sharpe & Co., with whom he remained until Jan- 
 uary, 1876. He then sold his interest in the con- 
 cern and that same day he and his brother formed 
 a partnership with H. B. Scuttand William Wat- 
 kins, for the purpose of manufacturing wire fence — 
 Mr. Ashley furnishing, with the exception of $500, 
 all the capital. The partners operated together 
 until the summer of 187G, and resolved themselves 
 into the Joliet Wire Fence Company, taking in 
 several new men and Mr. Watkins dropping out. 
 They located their plant at Adam's Dam until the 
 1st of August when it was destroyed by fire. Not 
 finding a suitable location elsewhere, they took 
 
256 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 their inauliinciy to the poiiitenti;uy and the fom- 
 pany continued to do Ifiisiuess until Jiuuiary 1, 
 187!). TluMi Ml-. Suutt, D. Robertson and Mr. 
 Asidey piirehased the interest of tlie otiier part- 
 ners and formed tlie new firm of II. 1!. .Sciitt & 
 Co., and they operated until September, 1881, 
 when Mr. Asliley disposed of his interest in the 
 business to liis partners. 
 
 In tlie meantime Mr. Ashley organized another 
 firm ealled the Joliet Wire Company, with a capital 
 of $r)0,0()0, and in connection with it established a 
 wire drawing company, which, however, was sepa- 
 rate in its operations. At this time there had been 
 no enterprise of this kind west of the city of Cleve- 
 land, Ohio, and it was made a grand success. In 
 July 1882, Mr. Ashley purchased the mai hiuery of 
 the Joliet Wire Company and took the contract for 
 emiiloying one hundred and twenty-five convicts 
 for eight years. At the expiration of this time he or- 
 ganized the present Ashley Wire Company, of wliich 
 he was made President and Treasurer. On account 
 of his failing health, W. S. Brooks was appointed 
 Acting President and Treasurer, while Mr. Ashley 
 retained the chief supervision of the concern. At 
 the last election of stockholders he was reelected 
 President and Treasurer. The company are re- 
 moving their plant to the southwest part of the 
 city on the banks of the canal, whei'e they are 
 erecting extensive brick buildings and will thus 
 double their present capacity. In 1876, II. B. 
 vScutt & Co., constituted the third firm in the 
 United States engaged in the manufacture of barb 
 wire and solved the problem of the feasibility of 
 such fencing on the western plains. Mr. Ashley 
 has large real-estate interests in Joliet, and at one 
 time owned forty thousand acres of land in Flor- 
 ida, three-fourths of which he subsequently disposed 
 of to parties in this city. 
 
 Tlie marriage of James R. Ashley and Miss Julia 
 F. Tyler was celebrated in Plainfield, October 27, 
 1850, Mrs. Ashley was ijorn in April, 1825, in 
 Bridgewater, Mass., and was the daughter of Daniel 
 Tj'ler, who spent his last years in. Troy, N. Y. 
 The Tyler family left the Bay State in an early 
 day, settling in Troy, N. Y., where Mrs. Ashley 
 spent her younger years. She came with her sister 
 to Plainfield about 1841. Of this union there were 
 
 born four daughters, only one of whom is now 
 living, Ella M., the wife of (ieorge W. ]5ush, of 
 Joliet. Religiously, iNIr. Ashley is a memljer of 
 the Baptist Church in Plainfield, while in political 
 affairs he is a stanch Republican, and in the coun- 
 cils of his party occupies a iiromincnt place. He 
 has made for himself a fine record in business cir- 
 cles while as a member of the communit}- he occu- 
 pies no secondary' position among his fctllow-citizens. 
 Elsewhere in this volume will be found a litho- 
 graphic portrait of Mr. Ashley. 
 
 .^*;^.i — 
 
 # 
 
 jT^ AMUEL S. WHITE. Among the energetic 
 ^•1? men who came to Joliet a number of years 
 ago, and who were identified with its in- 
 terest for years, living an upright and use- 
 ful life in the midst of their fellow-men, may be 
 numbered the late Samuel S. White, who entered 
 into rest February 3, 1884. He was born in Law- 
 rence Count}', Pa,, where he grew to manhood, ob- 
 tained his education, and learned the trade of a 
 painter. For some years after reaching man's es- 
 tate he continued to reside in the Keystone State, 
 finding gibundant employintntathis trade, in which 
 he became proficient, and which he followed until 
 his death. 
 
 At the home of the bride, in New Castle, of his 
 own native county, on April 22, 1851, Mr. AVhite 
 was united in marriage with Miss Inez E. Craw- 
 ford. This lad}' was a native of the town iu which 
 her wedding took place, and had opened her eyes 
 to the light July 25, 1835. She is the third of six 
 children born to David and Rebecca (Hozack) 
 Crawford, the parents having also been natives of 
 the Keystone State. She po'isesses many virtues of 
 character, much intelligence, and the cordial man- 
 ners which acKl to the attractions of the true wo- 
 man. 
 
 After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. White con- 
 tinued to reside in New Castle some five or six 
 years, after wiiicli, in 1856, the}' came to Joliet. 
 In the spring of 1 868 they settled on a tract of 
 land not far from the city, and there Mr. White 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 257 
 
 hreatlied his last. The widow still occupies the 
 hornesteaci, which consists of altoul eighty acres of 
 fertile laiul, ii|)on which such improvonients have 
 been mide as are common to the homes of those 
 who are in comfortable circumslauces and pos- 
 sessed of energy and good taste. 
 
 Mr. White belonged to tlie rniversalist Church, 
 in which he held good standing, and among the so- 
 cial bodies was connected with the Knights Temp- 
 lar, lie wKs the father of live children, named 
 respectively: Ella L., Jjillian M., C. Harold, Da- 
 vid C. and Florence K. 
 
 AMUEL LOEBSTEIN. The late Samuel 
 Loebstein, who died at his home in Beeclier, 
 March 15, 1888, was a prominent citizen 
 of the place in which he had been the first 
 to establish a general store. It was situated in 
 what is now the eastern part of Beccher, but was 
 formerly known as Washington Center. A store 
 building was erected and the business established 
 in 1870, and the proprietor had from the start an 
 excellent trade, which increased and brought 
 wealth to the originator and extended his reputa- 
 tion as an honorable and enterprising dealer. The 
 store was well located to accomodate the country 
 trade, and Mr. Loebstein thoroughl}' understood 
 the needs of his custpmers and with the assistance 
 of his able wife keiit the establishment well stocked 
 and the business carefull\- man.aged in every de- 
 tail. During his active life at this place Mr. Loeb- 
 stein was also extensively engaged in buj-ing and 
 selling stock. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was February 13, 
 1832, and his birthplace Ilebenhausen, Wurtem- 
 berg, Germany. He was the son of Jacob Loeb- 
 stein, a native of the same kingdom, whose business 
 was that of a horse dealer and who was a promi- 
 nent man in his town. He had married a native 
 of the same kingdom, who also passed her entire 
 life there. 
 
 Their son, of whom we write, was but a boy 
 when he lost his parents and after becoming of age 
 he set out to try his fortune in the New World. 
 
 After landing in New York he wont at once to 
 Chicago, 111., from which point he traveled in 
 Illinois, Indiana and Mi(^higan for some time, fin- 
 ally locating in Dwyer, Ind. There he began his 
 career as a stock dealer, thence coming to what is 
 now Beecher, III. He possessed excellent busi- 
 ness qualifications and made a success of whatever 
 he undertook. He belonged to the Masonic fra- 
 ternity, being enrolled in Blue Lodge, No. 740, at 
 Grant Park. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. 
 He came of the old Hebrew stock and was a firm 
 believer in the .lewish religion. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Loebstein and Miss Anna 
 Hess was celebrated in Chicago. The bride was 
 born in Aufhausen, Germany, September 23, 1849, 
 and was quite young when her parents came to the 
 United States. In this countiy she grew to matur- 
 ity and received her education. She possesses a 
 cultured mind, friendly manners and a more than 
 ordinary amount of business abilit}-, which has 
 been particularly manifested since the death of her 
 husband in keeping the enterprise in which he had 
 been engaged going with its normal success. Her 
 judgment regarding stock, her shrewdness in buy- 
 ing, and the thorough oversight which she gives 
 to every detail of the business marks her as a 
 worthy member of a race from which such able 
 financiers as the Rothchilds and others have sDrun"-. 
 She is the mother of five children, of whom Min- 
 nie, Jennie and Polly died in infanc}'. The sur- 
 vivors — Emma and Fannie — are now making their 
 home with their maternal grandparents in Chicago 
 and being well educated in the Douglas School of 
 that city. Mrs. Loebstein belongs to the Jewish 
 Church. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Loebstein are Lippmau and 
 Jetty (Leiter) Hess, natives of Aufhausen, Ger- 
 manj', where the father was born May 22, 1818, 
 and the mother June 25, 1825. They were com- 
 panions in j'outh and their childish regard strength- 
 ened and led them to unite their lives and for- 
 tunes. Mr. Hess was a manufacturer of vinegars 
 in (iermaiiy until Jate in thcsummer of 1856, when 
 he emigrated to America. The family which in- 
 cluded three children, after crossing the ocean set- 
 tled in Rochester, N. Y.. later removing to llar- 
 risburg, Pa., anil still later to Freeport, 111. They 
 
258 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 finally located in Chicago where Mr. and Mrs. Hess 
 ran a hotel for some years. They have now re- 
 tired from active hibor and are still living on the 
 Soutii side. They are now quite full of years but 
 smart and active, and are excellent representa- 
 tives of their race. Mr. Hess is a man of much 
 ability, recognized as such by all who knew him, 
 and both have many friends in their wide circle of 
 acquaintances. They are devoted adherents of the 
 Jewish faith. 
 
 Vl/OHN II. ROBINSON, deceased, began his 
 residence in AVill County, in the fall of 1844, 
 making his first settlement in Troy Town- 
 ship, but several years later removing to 
 Joliet Townsliip. In the latter he breathed his 
 last December 8, 1 873. During the early years of 
 bis residence here he filled the official station of 
 Supervisor. His birtii took place in Tonawanda, 
 Niagara County, N. Y., June 5, 1811, and at his 
 native place he resided until he was nineteen years 
 old. He then came West as far as Ashtabula 
 County, Ohio, which was his home until he removed 
 to Illinois. During his residence in Ohio, he re- 
 turned to his native State and in tlie town of Hamp- 
 ton, Washiugtoii County, was united in marriage 
 with Miss Nancy A. Ilulett. This worthy lady 
 was a u'ltive of that place, where her e3'es opened 
 to the light October 14, 1813. Their union was 
 blessed by tlie birtli of six children, four of whom 
 died in infancy. The survivors are Andrew J. and 
 John 11., the former a resident of San Francisco, 
 Cal., and the latter of tiie parental homestead in 
 this count)'. 
 
 Tlie young man, who, since his father's death, 
 has had charge of the Robinson homestead, was 
 born in Channahun Townshi|), February 20, 1855. 
 He was educated in the schools in Will County 
 and grew to manhood in possession of a goodly 
 store of practical knowledge which, taken in con- 
 nection with his natuial inclination toward all that 
 is progressive and enterprising, has brought him 
 ra[)idly to the front in the business enterprises in 
 
 which he is engaged. The homestead comprises 
 eighty .acres on which are excellent improvements 
 and its ap|)earance shows that it is ably managed 
 antl remunerative. 
 
 Mr. Robinson is also eng.iged in the Fire Insur- 
 ance Ijusiness, representing the Home Company of 
 New York, and he also represents the Michigan 
 Mutual Life Insurance Company of Detroit. He 
 is thoroughly adapted to this work, having an acvite 
 and almost instantaneous judgment of human na- 
 ture, and a persistence in presenting his cause that 
 is kept from being disagreeable by affable manners 
 and good conversational powers. In all business 
 transactions he is careful 3'et enterprising, while he 
 ranks high among the public-spirited citizens, being 
 one of the most foremost in all meritorious snter- 
 prises. He is an active member of the Richard 
 Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Joliet, and 
 in both city and country is well and favorably 
 known for his private character and his business 
 ability. 
 
 An imi)ortant step in the life of Mr. Robinson 
 was taken June 16, 1886, when at the bride's home 
 in Joliet Township he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Jennie II. Lawrence. She is a well educated 
 and amiable lady, a native of this county, and one 
 well calculated to fill her place at the head of 
 household affairs. Their union has been blessed 
 by the birth of two children. Jay and Alice. 
 
 OSES BOWE occupies an important i)lace 
 among the leading farmers and stock-rais- 
 ers of Will Township, who have contributed 
 to raise it to its present prosperous condi- 
 tion, and have thus materially advanced the inter- 
 ests of the county. Mr. Bowe is of Irish birth and 
 parentage, born in County Wexford, town of Ball- 
 clay, June 22, 1835, a sun of John and Annastatia 
 Bowe. They had five children, namelj': Mary. 
 Ellen, Elizabeth, Moses and .lohn P., all of whom 
 grew to maturity, and Ellen and Mary married and 
 reared f.amilies. 
 
 Onr sulijeet spent the early years of his boyhood 
 in the laud of his nativit)', commg to the United 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 259 
 
 States with his uncle, I'liilip l'>owe, in 1K15, wlio 
 located in Peniisjlvania. In 1852, Mr. Bowe came 
 to Chicago, where he lived two years, working in 
 the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad. In 
 1854 he came to Monec, wliere he was connected 
 with the same railway till about 1881. He then 
 took up farming for a living and located on the 
 one hundred and sixty-nine acres which he had 
 purchased here in 1864, and on which he had made 
 various improvements. He now has his place in an 
 excellent condition, provided with suitable build- 
 ings, and the land well tilled. He gives much 
 attention to stock-raising and has a fine herd of 
 thoroughbred Short-horns. Our subject has ac- 
 quired this property by the exorcise of his keen 
 foresight and practical ability. 
 
 May C, 1860, Mr. Bowe took unto himself a wife 
 in the person of Miss Hanora Hurley. She is a 
 native of County Kerrj', Ireland, and a daughter 
 of Michael and Catherine (Green) Hurley. They 
 were the parents of five children.- Ellen, John, 
 Mary, Catherine, Hanora, all of whom came to 
 America, with the exception of the oldest, all mar- 
 rying and rearing families, excepting John. The 
 latter was an officer in the Fedeial Army, serving 
 as Sergeant during the late war, and was killed in 
 the battle of Lookout Mountain. Mary was the 
 lirst to come to the United States, taking up her 
 residence in Glens Fall, N. Y., in 1847, and then 
 subsequently removing to Chicago. Mrs. Bowe 
 came to the United States in 1852 and has ever 
 since been a resident of Illinois. Of her happy 
 wedded life with our subject the following children 
 liave been born : Philip S., John J., Michael M., Will- 
 iam M., and Agnes. William died at the age of 
 seventeen. 
 
 W^e have seen that our subject is a self-made 
 man, and we may add, what seems to be the uni- 
 versal testimony of the entire community, that he 
 is a strictly honorable, straightforward man, a most 
 desirable citizen and in IlIs domestic relations is all 
 that a considerate husband and wise father should 
 be. He interests himself in public, social and reli- 
 gious matters and bears a prominent part in the 
 civic life of county and township, having been 
 elected Supervisor to represent the township of 
 Will on the C"ount3' Board for five j'ears without 
 
 opposition, which fact speaks well for his popularity 
 and ability. In politics he is a decided Democrat. 
 Religiously he and his wife arc esteemed members 
 of the Reformed Church. 
 
 ^ AVID S. HENNEBRRRY occupies one of 
 the fine tracts of land of which Wesley Town- 
 ship boasts so many, being joint proprietor 
 with his brother John. It consists of two hundred 
 and seventy fertile acres on section 24, on which 
 both crops and stock are raised. The fields pro- 
 duce abundantly under the intelligent manage- 
 ment to which they are subject, and the most care- 
 less eye will discern that the stock is in excellent 
 condition. The Messrs. Ilenneberr}' are single, but 
 their pleasant home is presided over by their sister 
 Jenny, who surrounds them with all the home 
 comfort which they desire. 
 
 In County Tipperarj', Ireland, David llenne- 
 berry and Bridget Reeves were born. They be- 
 came man and wife, and have reared a family' of 
 seven ciiildren, viz: David; John and Annie 
 (twins), Jenny, Christopher, Mary and Agnes. 
 The parents came to America in 1849, making 
 their first settlement in DuPage County, 111. They 
 removed thence to Grundy County, and a few 
 3'ears later lo Marshall (bounty, where they so- 
 journed but a short time. Returning to Grundy 
 County they resided therein until 1883, when they 
 took up their abode on a farm on section 2, Wes- 
 ley Townshi[), AVill County, where they still live. 
 
 The subject of our sketch first opened his eyes 
 to the light of day December 31, 1857, in Grundy 
 County. He was educated in the district schools, 
 and began life for himself when seventeen years 
 old by hiring out on a farm. He worked as a farm 
 hand two years, then in 1876 with his brother 
 bought the place which they now occupy and oper- 
 ate. Being still young in years, they have plenty 
 of time before them in which to reach a high posi- 
 tion among the farmers of the county, and to add 
 to their already comfortable possessions. 
 
 jNIr. Henneberry is now serving his fourth term 
 as Supervisor of Wesley Township, and his con- 
 
260 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 linuance in office indicates the opinion that is held 
 by his fellow-citizens of his good judgment and 
 zeal. For three years he held the office of Road 
 Commissioner of the district. The Republican 
 ticket is always voted by him, and he has ever 
 been active in poiilical work, both as one of the 
 rank and file of tlie i)aity, and as a delegate to 
 county' and congressional conventions. He lias the 
 readj' speech and quick Intelligence of the race 
 from wliich he descends, is respected as his good 
 qualities deserve, and like otlier members of his 
 faniilv, is a devout member of the Catholic Cliurch. 
 
 t^ANIEL PATTERSON. In the annals of 
 ))) Wheatland Township, tlie name of this gen- 
 
 ■ -^ tleman occupies an honoiable place as one of 
 its efficient pioneers wl\o has given practical aid in 
 making it one of tlie finest farming regions in this 
 section of tiic county. By steady toil and excel 
 lent management lie has acquired a valuable prop- 
 erty since he came to Illinois forty 3'ears ago, and 
 he and his brother own a large tract of land, all 
 lying in a body, and in a fine state of cultivation 
 and exceedingly well improved. 
 
 Our subject is a native of Dumfriesliire, Scot 
 lanfl, born October 1.3, 1828. His parents were 
 .John and .Tane Patterson, also natives of that 
 country. He was reared in the land of his birth 
 on a farm, and received a fair education. Ambi- 
 tious to see something more of the world and to 
 build up a home for himself, he emigrated to Amer- 
 ica in 18.50, taking passage at Liverpool on a sail 
 vessel. He encountered a heavy storm at sea 
 which lasted nearly a week, but at last, after a voy- 
 .age of thirty-seven dajs, landed in safety in New 
 York Cit3'. From there he came directly to this 
 county, and for a time in.ade his home with his 
 brother Mungo. He finally settled on his present 
 farm on section 10, in which he owns a half inter- 
 est, his brother James, who lives with him, being 
 tlic proprietor of the remainder. Ihis is one of 
 the largest farms in this vicinity, and is well pro- 
 vided with substantial buildings, modern machin- 
 ery and everything to operate it to advantage. 
 
 When he and his brother first took po.ssession of it 
 it was in a wild condition, and by their united 
 labors they have made it what it is to-day. Their 
 farm is well stocked, as they pay much attention 
 to that branch of business. When they began 
 farming here Lockport was their grain market, and 
 grain was shipped to Chicago from that iilace bj' 
 canal. Almost the entire growth of this section of 
 Illinois has taken place under their ej'es, and tiiey 
 have ably assisted in placing this county where it 
 is to-day, among the foremost agricultural counties 
 in the State. 
 
 The maiden name of Mr. Patterson's wife was 
 Jane Williamson, and she is also of Scottish liirtli. 
 He has found in her a true helpmate, one who is 
 devoted to the interests of her family, and by her 
 patient toil has been a factor in bringing about his 
 prosperity. They have had ten children, of whom 
 the following are living : William, Robert, Mar- 
 garet, John, Mary, Grace, Laura and Frank. 
 
 j\Ir. Patterson's life has been one of industrious 
 toll, guided by discretion, prudence and sound 
 coniinoii sense, that have placed him among the 
 moneyed men of Wheatland. He has alw.a^s dis- 
 played the qualities which mark a good citizen. Is 
 loyal to Ills adopted country, and gives his alleg- 
 iance to the Republican party. A man of earnest 
 views and strong principles, he is a firm temperance 
 advocate. lie has Interested himself in forward- 
 ing the educational advantages of the township as 
 School Director, which office he still holds. 
 
 (^^HOMAS DOIG. New Lenox Township prob • 
 ably has not a more enterprising, liberal or 
 public-siiirited man within its limits than he 
 with whose name we initiate this sketch. He is a 
 life-long farmer by occupation, but notwithstand- 
 ing the cares and labors involved in looking prop- 
 erly after a large tract of land, he has alw.ays taken 
 time to keep himself informed In regard to the 
 various enterprises calculated to benefit his com- 
 munity, and to these has given bis uniform sup- 
 porn. Ills well-tilled fields yiebl abundantly liie 
 choicest crops of Northern Illinois, and he culti- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 261 
 
 vales tlicin with tlio latest improved niac-hinery' 
 He has a neat ami substantial farm dwellini^, and 
 the various outbuildings required for the profjcr 
 prosecution of his calling. 
 
 Thomas Doig traces his ancestry to one of the 
 best nationalities on the face of the globe, being 
 the son of Andrew Doig, who was born September 
 21, 1797, on the river Tay, in' the city of Dundee, 
 in Forfarshire, Scotland. The latter when reach- 
 ing manhood married Miss Isabella Fife, a native 
 of his own shire, tiie wedding occurring in October, 
 1805, at Dundee. The father set out for America 
 in 1830, and located at Philadelphia, Pa., where he 
 was joined by his family two j-ears later, and they 
 lived there several years, lie followed his trade 
 of a stonecutter, was a skilled workman, and was 
 employed in the erection of Girard College, the 
 Exchange Building, and other important edilices 
 in the city of Brotherl3^ Love. 
 
 Early in the '-iOs the parents of our subject 
 removed to Washington, D. C, where Andrew 
 Doig continued his former business, also being con- 
 cerned in the erection of various public buildings, 
 including the postoftice, and he put up the self- 
 supporting hanging stairs, a piece of architecture 
 dilficult to accomplish, and which lias been gazed 
 upon by admiring thousands. He was also em- 
 ployed on the Capitol Building and other import- 
 ant structures, remaining there until 1847. That 
 year he decided to seek his fortunes in the West, 
 and coining to Will County settled in lIomerTown- 
 ship, and securing a tract of land changed his 
 occui)ati<)n, to that of a farmer. He built up a com- 
 fortable home and lived there until after the death 
 of the mother, who passed away May 4, 1861. Mr. 
 Doig survived his estimable partner for a period 
 uf twenty-six years, departing this life at the home 
 of his son Alexander, on Maple .Street, New Lenox 
 Township, February 17, 1887. 
 
 To the parents of our subject there was born a 
 family of ten children, of whom the record is as 
 follows: IMary Ann died in I'liiladelphia in girl- 
 hood; Elizal)eth became the wife of Wiiyam Fer- 
 guson and died in Cliicngo, 111.; Thomas resides 
 on Majilc Street in New Leno.x Township; Andrew 
 is a miller by trade and lives in Mcllcnry Co\inty; 
 Jessie died in I'liiladelphia wlien quite young; 
 
 James is farming in the State of Kansas; Isabella 
 is the wife of Stanton Lynk, of New Lenox Town- 
 ship; William died at lladley, in Homer Township, 
 when a youth of sixteen years; Alexander is farm- 
 ing in New Lenox Township; .lohn II. prosecutes 
 .agriculture in the same township. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the third child of 
 his parents and is also a native of Dundee, Scot- 
 laud, born March 3, 1826. He came to America 
 with his mother in 1832, and at the early age of 
 twelve 3'ears started out to earn his own living, 
 being employed in a butcher shop in Philadel[)hia 
 until a youth of eighteen. He then accompanied 
 the family to Washington, D. C, where he was 
 emplo3^ed at bricklaying three years. We next 
 find him in Baltimore, Md., where he was similarly 
 employed until 1849. In the fall of that year he 
 came to this connty, locating in Homer Township, 
 but in 1850 joined the caravan moving toward the 
 Pacific Slope, and until Januar3-, 1 853, was en- 
 gaged in hunting for the yellow ore. He was fairly 
 suceessfnl, but decided to return to Homer Town- 
 ship, and a year later settled on Maple Street in 
 New Lenox Township. In May, 1854, he removed 
 to his present farm, where he has since resided and 
 given his entire attention to its improvement and 
 cultivation. He has one hundred .and seventy -two 
 acres of good land with modern improvements. 
 
 Thomas Doig was married in Chicago, 111., Ma3- 
 5, 1854, to Mrs. Ann M. (Lynk) Van Duser. This 
 lady was born in Columbia Township, N. Y.. No- 
 vember 17, 1820, and is a daughter of Z. W. and 
 Sallie (Harder) Lynk, mention of whom is made 
 in the sketch of Stanton L)'nk, on another page in 
 this Ai.i'.i'M. Her first husband was Gilbert Xtm 
 Duser, wiio died on Maple Street, New Lenox 
 Township, April 2, 1853. C)f tiiis union there 
 were born two children: Sarah ('., the wife of Alex- 
 ander Doig, of New Lenox Township, and Joim I. 
 who died here in April, 1882. 
 
 l\Ir. and Mrs. Doig arc the parents of four chil- 
 dren, viz: Isabella, who died in childhood; Annie, 
 the wife of George L. Francis, of New Lenox 
 Township; Irene, who died j'oung, and Thomas J., 
 who is farming in New Leno-x Township. Mr. 
 Doig is a stanch Democrat, i)oliticall\', and has 
 taken an active part in the councils of his '|3''*''^yi 
 
262 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Iioklino: various iiositions of trust and responsibil- 
 it}', and representing liis township in tlie County 
 Board of Supervisors. Mrs. Doig is a member in 
 good standino- of the INIethodist Episcopal Cliureli. 
 The family iiold a good social position in the com- 
 munity, and are contriliuting their full quota toward 
 the promotion of its best interests. 
 
 -%«• — ^- 
 
 — sJifei, 
 
 ^w^- 
 
 >;1LLIAM GKORGE JACKSON. Proba- 
 bly no business man in tlie city of .Toliet 
 is more slirewd, careful and persistent in 
 his operations, or displays a greater vigor in his 
 undertakings than the above-named gentleman, 
 who witlial is modest and conscientious in his deal- 
 ings. A few years ago he abandoned the. occupa- 
 tion in whicii he had previously been engaged, to 
 emb.ark as a furniture dealer, which he thought 
 would be a more congenial and mone3--making 
 business. He has lieen well repaid for the change, 
 his present enterprise reaching a tr.ade of $20,000 
 per year. 
 
 Mr. .I.ackson is of Knglish ancestry .ind parent- 
 age, and l)elongs to a family' whicli for five genera- 
 tions had followed the same business. In 1841 
 his parents, W. S. and Frances M. (Ilogbin) Jack- 
 son, left the mother country to make a home in 
 America. They located at Utica, N. Y., where our 
 subject was born, Octc^ber 27, 18.'jl, being one of 
 three sons and one daughter who comprised the 
 parental household. The father was a first-class 
 butcher and did a large market business. Young 
 Jackson finished a commercial course of study at 
 the age of twenty-two years, and being ready to 
 embark in business for himself followed the foot- 
 steps of his ancestors, thinking it a rut fro;n which 
 he could not escape. 
 
 In 1878 Mr. Jackson determined to seek a home 
 farther west than his native State, and after trav- 
 eling around considerably decided upon Joliet as 
 liis future location. He went into J. J. Culver's 
 meat market, but in the latter part of August, 1879, 
 started a similar business for himself in the build- 
 ing next door to the First National Bank, where he 
 remained until tlie IJoard of Trade building was 
 
 erected on North Ottawa Street. Into that he 
 moved, continuing to prosper, and soon afterward 
 buying a splendid home just outside the cit}' 
 limits. 
 
 It took many hard knocks to bring about the 
 prosperity which is so easily men'^ioued, and it was 
 not without some misgivings that in 1884 Mr. Jack- 
 son ab.andoued the block to engage In his new 
 enterprise. On the 1st of September he rented 
 the entire second floor of the l?oard of Trade Block, 
 and with this and his market store-room he IiIooukkI 
 out with a first-class furniture repository. The 
 many friends he had made in his old business nat- 
 urally clung to him in the new, and a deserved 
 success has been his. 
 
 On April 20, 1876, at the home of the bride in 
 New Hartford, N. Y., the rites of wedlock were 
 celebrated between our subject and IMiss Maggie 
 E. Craig. This lady is a daughter of James Craig, 
 was the recipient of careful home training and ex- 
 cellent educational advantages, and her (udtured 
 mind, refined manners and fuie character Ht her for 
 the positions of wife and mother, and member of 
 society. She has borne her husband three children, 
 named respectively: (Jeorge Elliott, l)oru Septem- 
 ber 18, 1878, Clarence Mason, born Octolier 20, 
 1S80, and Cleora W., born February l, 1884. l\Ir. 
 Jackson is a Repuljlican. He belongs to the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, to the Knights of Pythias, and to 
 several insurance societies. 
 
 •Ml OUIS WENBERG was born in the southern 
 I f(^ part of Sweden in 1856, and grew to man- 
 1 1 L-^, hood in his nntive land, engaging in the 
 occupations of a farmer and stonemason. At the 
 age of twenty-four years, in company with his 
 mcither and four brothers, he embarked at Gutten- 
 berg and ere long landed in New York. They 
 came West at once, locating in Joliet, where our 
 sukject resumed his trade of a stonemason and his 
 brothers engaged as quarrymen. Two years later 
 the Wenberg brothers and a brother-in-law formed 
 a co-partnership under the style of Wenberg & Co., 
 and having bought three acres of land on Maple 
 

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'IIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 265 
 
 Street, embarked in the business of quarrying. 
 Business grew rapiflly, and bj' 1889 tliey had trans- 
 acted a tra(ie which reached the vahie of $1G,()00. 
 The firm of AVenberg & Co. was dissolved in 1800, 
 Alfred Wenberg and his brother-in-law taking the 
 department of contracting and masonry, and Louis, 
 our subject, continuing the quarry business alone. 
 
 Of the four brothers of our subject two are now 
 deceased. Frank was born in 1818 and died in 
 1886; Peter was born in 1850 and died in 1884. 
 leaving two children, whose lionie is with his 
 mother. This .estimable lady was born in 1821, 
 and is now living in -loliet with iier grandchildren. 
 She is noted for her excellence of character, and is 
 regarded with loving respect by hosts of friends. 
 Her husband died in Sweden in 1878. The mother 
 and sons were |)receded to America b3' a sister of 
 (uir subject, Ida Louisa, who married Charles E. 
 Swerbeig in 1881, and died in 188.5, leaving one 
 child. 
 
 Louis Wenlierg was married in 1883 to Miss 
 Lottie Soderland, a native of Sweden, who came to 
 America in 1882. To them have been born two 
 children: Albert, aged five jears, and Laura, aged 
 ten months, whose childish beauty and hi-ight ways 
 ai'c aconstant<leliglit to their parents. Mr. Wenberg 
 lias risen by his own industr3' and judgment to an 
 honorable place, and is highly respected for his 
 integrity and social qualities. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
 AVenberg belong to the Swedish ria[)list Churcli. 
 
 =!^EORGE M. CAMPBELL, Secretary, Treas- 
 urer and General Manager of the Joliet 
 Stone Company, is one of that class of men 
 wIk) have been instrumental in advancing the ma- 
 terial interests of the citj-. A residence of nearlj- 
 twenty-eight years, during which he has made for 
 himself a good record, both in social and business 
 circles, has fully established him in the esteem and 
 confidence of .all who know him. With the exce[>- 
 tion of three years, one of which was spent in the 
 South, and two at his old home in New England, 
 he has been a continuous resident of Joliet since 
 April, 18(;2. 
 
 TliC native place of our subject was in I'uity, 
 
 Waldo County, Me., and the date of his birth Jan- 
 uary 5, 1848. He is the son of John B. and Mar- 
 garet W. (Norton) Cami)liell, the former of whom 
 was a native of Montville, Me. The father of our 
 subject, grew to mature years in his native town, 
 and at an early age went to sea and followed 
 a sailor's life for four years, in the meantime be- 
 coming first mate of a vessel. He then learned 
 the trade of a carpenter, and finally became expert 
 as an architect and a skilled mechanic. After mar- 
 riage he moved to Medford, Mass., and thereafter 
 lived in several places in the B.ay State until 1857, 
 employing himself as an artisan. That year he 
 resolved to seek the far west and removed with 
 his family across the Mississippi to Lynn County, 
 Iowa, settling at a point sixt3'-five miles beyond 
 a railroad. H(! still continued at his trade and 
 took the lead in the building interests of that 
 section of the Ilawkeye State, putting u|) some 
 of the best structures in the surrounding countrj', 
 including Central City. At that |)lace he built the 
 lirst church and schoolhouse and left the marks of 
 his handiwork upon various other important struc- 
 tures, remaining there until 1862. 
 
 In the spring of 1802, Mr. Campbell returned 
 East as far .as .Joliet, 111., where he followed his 
 tr;i(le one year, and then on account of an accident 
 which cri[)pled one of his hands, he turned his 
 .attention to portrait painting, taking up the art 
 readily and iiecomiug very proficient. He subse- 
 quently returned to Iowa, where he lives at a i)leas- 
 ant country seat, called "The Pines," situated two 
 miles east of the capitol building at Des Moines. 
 He was first identified with the AYIiig iiarty, and is 
 now a stanch Reinililicau and one of the leading 
 men of his county. 
 
 The parental family of our subject consisted of 
 three children, the youngest of whom died in in- 
 fancy. The survivors are George M., our subject, 
 and Susan E., now the wife of Gurdon Fox, of 
 Des jNIoiues, Iowa. The mother is likewise living. 
 She was born January IC, 1827, while the fatiier 
 was born September 15,1822. IMrs. Campbell was 
 in her girlhood Miss Marg.aret W. Norton. She 
 w.as born near Bucks Harbor, Me., in what is now 
 the town of Brooksville, in the same house under 
 whose roof her father first opened his eyes to the 
 
26G 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 light, though !it the tiine of liis birth the iil.ice 
 formed a part of Uie State of Massaeliusotts. 
 
 George M. Campljell pursued his early studies in 
 the Joliet schools and completed them in the Eng- 
 lish and Classical Institute at Springfield, INIass., 
 where he spent two 3-ears. He then occupied him- 
 self as a teacher in Tennessee at the foot of Lone 
 Mountain for five rnontiis. We next find him in 
 Joliet, where he followed the trade of a carpenter, 
 which he had learned from his father, and he soon 
 commanded journeyman's pay. While at school 
 he had taken a commercial course and became fitted 
 for an accountant and now occupied himself in this 
 capacity from July, 1867, until May, 187.'). 
 
 The next move of Mr. Campbell was to embark 
 in business for himself, having as his partner, Mr. 
 George H. Monroe. In 1875, the Joliet Stone 
 Company was formed and incorporated two years 
 later with Mr. Monroe as President and Mr. Camp- 
 bell as Secretary and Treasurer. The latter also 
 became interested in the Crescent Stone Company, 
 Joliet, and is at present one of its Directors. lie 
 is also engaged in real estate to a certain extent. 
 
 Mr. Campbell has always been an active worker 
 in the Republican part3' but with the exception of 
 servin"' as Assistant Supervisor of Joliet, he has 
 declined to assume the responsibilities of ofHce. He 
 was married December 25. 1873, to Miss Elizabeth 
 R., daughter of the Hon. Henry Snapp. Mr. Snapp 
 in former j'cars was a noted attorney and repre- 
 sented this district in Congress. He is now jiving 
 retired from the active duties of life in San Jose, 
 Cal. Mrs. Campbell w.is born in Joliet, tliis county, 
 August 25, 1851, and obtained her education in tlie 
 common schools. She possesses considerable musi- 
 cal talent and perfected herself in this accomplish- 
 ment in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have 
 two children, Jessie M. and Ida A. Our subject 
 and his estimable wife are members of the Univer- 
 salist Church. 
 
 The Joliet Stone Company was incorporated in 
 1877 with a capital of $30,000, winch later was in- 
 creased to 1100,000. The principal quarries are 
 near the foot of Richards Street and from them are 
 obtained the largest output of any quarry in this 
 part of Illinois, tiie district covering an .area of 
 about eighty acres from which is t.aken all tiie va- 
 
 rieties of stone known to this region. The main 
 office is at Joliet and there are five branch otflccs 
 in Chicago to which is run a fleet of boats owned 
 l)y the company and operated by a force of two 
 hundred and fifty men during the l)usy season. 
 Tliey have connection with all the railroads center- 
 ing in Joliet, being the onlj' quarry enjoying such 
 ample transportation facilities. 
 
 On another page of this Album .appears a litho- 
 graphic portrait of Mr. Campbell. 
 
 W^ALTER J. FIDDYMENT. After years 
 of well-directed efforts as one of the farm- 
 ers and business men of Lockport, this 
 gentleman has retired in affluence to the enjoyment 
 of an elegant iiome and the society of a charming 
 family. He is a son of John and Sophia (Blogg) 
 Fiddyment, natives of Norfolk, pyugland, where he 
 was born, April 3, 1837. His father came to 
 America the same year, and was joined by the 
 niolher and son in 1839. John Fiddyment was a 
 distiller, and carried on his business in Lockport 
 until 18()5, when lie removed to a farm in Lock- 
 port Township. 
 
 Walter J. Fiddyment attended the public schools, 
 proving an apt pupil and fitting himself for a prac- 
 tical api)lication of the theories which he learned 
 with his father. When liis father removed to his 
 farm our subject eng.-iged in farming with him, 
 but resided in Lockport. In 1881 he embarked in 
 the business of a quarrynian, by opening a quariy 
 at Lockport, in which the quality of the stone is 
 unsurpassed. By strict attention to business and 
 honorable methods, his product obtained a ready 
 sale, and the business which began with but a few 
 men, en)plo3'ed from one to two luindred when our 
 subject disposed of his interest in 1889. 
 
 In 1886 Mr. Fiddyment organized a stock com- 
 pany called the Lockport Stone Company, of which 
 he became President; Olas Paulsen, Secretary and 
 Treasurer; W. J. Fiddyment, Olas Paulsen and 
 J. C. Fiddyment, son of our subject, Directors. 
 The business was extended until it became one of 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 267 
 
 the best equipped and most pnifituMe plants in tlie 
 West. Having disposed of liis jilant to the West- 
 ern Stone Company, ISIr. Fiddyment retired from 
 the business. Fie has always been noted for his 
 lllurality and wenialit}'. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat. The record of his business life is creditable 
 alike to his financial ability and maul}' spirit, while 
 his personal character 'ommands tiie respect of his 
 friends. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Fiddymont and Miss Ellen 
 .1. Clarkson took place in 18G2, and has been blessed 
 with the birtii of fourteen children, eleven of whom 
 are living in Will County near the parental home. 
 Mrs. Fiddyment is a native of Joliet and belongs 
 to one of the oldest and most honored families of 
 (he county. She is a member of St. Dennis Cath- 
 olic Church, is a woman of devout Ciiristian char- 
 acter, and possesses the gracious manners which are 
 sociiarming in a iiostcss. 
 
 
 ^^EORGE M. LYND. It affords the bio- 
 (11 ^-—^ graphical writer pleasure to be able to re- 
 ^^^i^| cord in this volume the main incidents in 
 the life of an honest and upright citizen, a good 
 business man and a patriotic soldier, who has been 
 well known in Lockiiort for a number of years. 
 Mr. Lynd was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1836, 
 ruul as the fortunate son of educated parents and 
 the inheritor of the zeal and mental ability which 
 have characterized his progenitors, he became pro- 
 ficient in book lore and capable of performing well 
 his part in life. 
 
 Tlie father of him of whom we write was Samuel 
 Lynd, a native of Germantown. Pa., wlio devoted 
 himself to the ministry in the Baptist Church. Such 
 was liis devotion to the cause of the M.aster that 
 he left a lucrative position in the Pjast and came to 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, when it was but a straggling vil- 
 lage, 'i'liere he remained eighteen j'ears, building 
 up a large congregation, afterward going to St. 
 Louis, Mo., as pastor of the First Baptist Church. 
 He was chosen as President of the Western Baptist 
 Theological Institute, located at Covington. K3'., 
 
 and moved to Georgetown, Ky. Subsequently he 
 came to Chicago, 111., .as pastor oi the North Street 
 Chunli. but was recalled to Cincinnati, where he 
 closed an active ministry of fort^'-five years, to 
 spend his last days with his son in Lockport. 
 
 Tlie wife of this able minister and the mother of 
 our subject was born in New .lersev, and was a 
 daughter of the Rev. James Staughton, at onetime 
 Chaplain of the House of Representatives at Wash- 
 ington, D.C. The Rev. Mr. Staughton was the divine 
 whose eloquence made Chatham Street Church, of 
 Philadelphia, famous, drawing thither such crowds 
 that the capacity of the building was never suffic- 
 ient to accommodate them, although the edifice 
 was so spacious that no successor w.as able to fill it, 
 and it was eventually torn down. 
 
 The subject of this sketch w.as educated in the 
 school presided over by his father, and began his 
 personal career as a teacher, his particular field 
 being that of a private tutor. '"The shot heard 
 round the world" aroused him from his peaceful 
 calling, .and answering the first call for troops to 
 sujipress the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company C, 
 One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. His command- 
 ing officers were Capt. Bacon and Col. Bartleson, 
 under whose leadership he saw service in the West, 
 participated in the battle of Chickamauga and in 
 Sherman's march to the sea. He was subsequently 
 sent back to Nashville, where he assisted Gen. 
 Thomas to defeat and destroy Hood's army. He 
 was never touched by a bullet, but passed through 
 the many dangerous scenes of war unscathed, ex- 
 hibiting the qualities which led to his successive 
 promotions from the rank of Sergeant to that of 
 Captain, which he held when mustered out. 
 
 Ui)on returning to the North at the close of the 
 war Mr. Lynd entered the grocery business with his 
 brother-in-law, Mr. Lull, in Lockport, III., and to- 
 gether they carried on a growing trade for a num- 
 lier of years. About a decade ago Mr. Lull retired, 
 his former partner continuing the business at the 
 old stand, where he has an excellent trade and en- 
 deavors to meet every want of his patrons. Mr. 
 Lynd is fortunate in his home life, having won as 
 his companion Miss Mary M. Blount, whose family 
 is one of the oldest and most prominent in the 
 count\'. Her father, .Samuel Blount, was the first 
 
2G8 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Supervisor of Homer Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Lynd are the parents of twodaughlers — Carrie and 
 Louise. Mr. Lynd is a member of Gooding Post, 
 G. A. R., at Lockport. 
 
 ^^E 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ARTIN WESTPHAL was born at Brain- 
 stadt, Holstein, October 27, 1837, when 
 tiiat section of the country was under 
 Danish rule. In 1856 lie came to America, 
 and in liie fall of the same year located in Crete, 
 this county ; here he remained until 1803, when 
 coming to Joliet, he was employed as Deputy Re- 
 corder until the autumn of 18G9. Having been 
 admitted to the bar, he now began the practice of 
 law, and in 1875, opened tlie German I^oan & Sav- 
 ings Bank, wiiich he continues at present with the 
 assistance of his two sons as clerks. 
 
 '^l^KRGAN BROS. The Messrs. Michael, John 
 and Daniel Bergan own and operate three 
 hundred and twenty acres of land on sec- 
 tion 4, Manhattan Township, their specialty 
 being the importing, breeding and sale of horse- 
 flesh. They have become known far and near for 
 their herd of Shetland ponies which generally 
 numbers from fifty to sixty head; and for the fine 
 Kentucky saddle horses in which they deal. They 
 also raise draft horses, full-blooded Short horn 
 cattle, thorough-bred Cottswold sheep and full- 
 blooded Poland-Chnia swine. The zeal which they 
 have manifested in their business is bringing them 
 the success which they merit, and they have the 
 pleasure of knowing that in their former line of 
 lalior they were also successful, not only gaining 
 worldly goods, but relieving their parents of a 
 great burden and securing their ciioiccst blessing. 
 Martin Bergan, the father of our subject, was 
 l»orn in County Kilkeune}', Ireland, in 1803, and 
 tilled the soil in his native land until the fall of 
 1847. In November he bade adieu to the Emer- 
 ald Isle, crossed the Atlantic to New C>rleans and 
 
 started northward with his family. The river 
 froze so that he was not able to reach Joliet, III., 
 until April, 1848. He then bought eighty acres of 
 raw land which now forms a part of the Bergan 
 Bros, estate. At that time the township of Tren- 
 ton, comprising what are now Gi'een Garden and 
 Manhattan Town.ships, contained but seven voters, 
 and Mr. Bergan is the oldest settler therein now 
 living. He improved and operated his farm, for 
 some years being very successful, and adding to 
 his landed estate until his possessions here 
 amounted to three hundred and twenty acres and 
 he held land elsewhere in the county. Misfortune, 
 however, overtook him about a decade since, and 
 he retired, his sons assuming control of affairs With 
 the determination to recover all that he had seem- 
 ingly lost. 
 
 Mr. Bergan has at different times been the in- 
 cumbent of the various township offices, and he has 
 also been useful in his day and generation by rea- 
 son of the assistance which he h.as given to the 
 cause of education and religion. He put up the 
 first schoolhouse in his district and has helped to 
 build churches. He has always voted the Demo- 
 cratic ticket. He is now eighty-seven years of age, 
 while his wife, formerly Miss Esther Welsh, of 
 County Kilkenny, Ireland, has reached her three- 
 score j'ears and ten. Both belong to the Catholic 
 Church and as devout believers have reared their 
 children in the tenets of the faith. Their family 
 includes Michael, IMary, John and Nicholas, who 
 were born in Ireland, and two of whom are mem- 
 bers of the firm of which we write. Mary is the 
 wife of John Peterson and lives in Harris, Ander- 
 son County, Kan., and Nicholas resides in Nuckolls 
 County, the same State. The children born in 
 America are William, who died at the age of 
 twenty -eight years; Mrs. Bridget Hay den, of Flor- 
 ence; Ann, widow of Thomas C. Kelly, who lives 
 with her parents; Daniel, of the firm of Bergan 
 Bros.; and Martin, who keeps a livery stable in 
 Manhattan. 
 
 The three brothers, of whom we write, were 
 reared upon the farm which they now operate and 
 the work of which they learned the rudiments of 
 when quite young. They enjoyed the privileges 
 of the district school in wliich they acquired a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 26'J 
 
 practical education. John was the hunter of the 
 famil}- anil made several trips to Green Bay, Wis., 
 and the hunting grounds of Minnesota, where he 
 spent some time in hunting and trapping, doing 
 well in this occu|)ation. In 1880, after their father's 
 misfortune, they put their shoulder to the wheel 
 and together bought the home farm and engaged 
 in the cultivation of grain. They worked hard, 
 managed carefully and won success, soon being re- 
 warded by seeing the mortgage lifted and having 
 the deed of a well-improved farm in their posses- 
 sion. 
 
 The brothers gradually worked into the stock 
 business and in 1887 began importing Shetland 
 ponies. John Bergan went to the Shetland Islands 
 bringing back a herd and is now making his'fourth 
 trip thither. They not only import but they also 
 breed the little animals, having the best herd of 
 brood mares in the country. It includes Minnie 
 \\'arren, the smallest brood mare in the United 
 States; her weight is but one hundred and ninety 
 |)<)unds. She took the honors at the American 
 Horse Show, in t'hicago, where three other first 
 premiuuia were secured by the Bergan Bros. Their 
 ponies are all registered. Few prettier sights can 
 be imagined than that afforded by the i)layful an- 
 tics of the tinj- equines. 
 
 The liergan Bros., keep nothing but fine stock, 
 and in all their labors use the latest farm machinery, 
 likewise keeping up to the times in the construc- 
 tion and arrangement of necessary buildings. An 
 immense barn having a frontage of one hundred 
 and sixty feet affords stabling and shelters the 
 large amount of hay and grain needed to supply 
 the wants of the stock. The land is watered by 
 Jackson Creek and is further su[)plied with the 
 cooling liquid b_v means of a windmill and tank, 
 while a beautiful orchard and shade trees provide 
 fruit and afford shelter from the scorching rays of 
 the suu. 
 
 In 1888 the Bergan Bros., assisted to organize 
 the American Shetland Pony Association, of which 
 John Bergan is Mce-President. All are members 
 of the Grange at Manhattan, three miles distant 
 from their home, and Daniel is Treasurer of the 
 Lodge. He has also been Highway Commissioner 
 for four3ears and is now serving as School Direc- 
 
 tor. He is likewise a member of the Central C'om- 
 mittee of the Democratic party, to the principles of 
 which all the brothers stanchly adhere. They be- 
 long to till' S.acred Heart Catholic Church in Joliet, 
 and have a high standing among its members. 
 
 LLEN G. HAWLEY, editor of the Will 
 County Commercial Advertiser, was born 
 in Centralia, 111., April 25, 1858. He is 
 the son of Henry S. and Deborah (Bramen) 
 Hawlej-, natives of the Empire State, who settled 
 in Lockport early in the '30s. Our subject was 
 educated in the public schools of Lockport and 
 at an early age entered the oUice of the Lockport 
 Courier, which was then edited by N. S. Grim- 
 wood, the balloonist. After two years spent in 
 the employ of that gentleman he entered the office 
 of the Joliet Sun, where be finished his apprentice- 
 ship. He ha<] become thoroughly conversant with 
 the printer's trade, and had also acquired a good 
 knowledge of journalistic work in editorial and 
 other departments. 
 
 In 1877 Mr. Hawley opened a small job print- 
 ing otiice in Locki)ort, and during the same year 
 began the publication of the Lockport Standard. 
 The enterprising spirit of the man and his ambition 
 to reach a high standing in the fields of joiirnalism 
 was not satisfied with this enterprise, and he, there- 
 fore, began the publication of the Advertiser, be- 
 lieving that a sheet of this nature would reach a 
 larger circulation and a more influential place. He 
 liegan it b}' himself filling the vaiious positions of 
 editor, reporter, printer, devil and business man- 
 ager. The plant consisted of one old press pro- 
 pelled by hand. 
 
 Ere long the standing of the paper had become 
 sufficiently assured to allow the use of horse-power 
 to run the press, and eventually the business grew 
 until all the modern ai)pliances of a first-class es- 
 tablishment were obtained and steam became the 
 motive power. The Commercial Advertiser now 
 has eight editions for as many places in Will 
 County. Mr. Hawley is without a peer as a solid- 
 
270 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tor for advertising and job work, and is what in 
 Western parlance would be called a "hustler." 
 
 The euteriirise of Mr. Mawley is not confined 
 to the newspaper business, but in 1888 he built a 
 brick bnildiu<j;- at No. 407 Chicago Street, Joliet, 
 and in 188;i inaugurated the electric light system 
 in Locki)ort. He introduced the Edison incandes- 
 cent light, placed the business on a firm basis and 
 liicn dipnsed of his interest to Norton & Co. He 
 is now Iniilding for iiimself an elegant home, 
 which, when completed, will be a ciedit to the 
 city. As he is yet in hi.s thirties anil has not yet 
 reached the highest point of man's vigor, it is but 
 natural to sup|)ose that this section of country will 
 hear yet more of his work in years to come. 
 
 In 187;) Mr. Hawley led to the hymeneal altar 
 Miss Aretta M. Riggs, of Pontiac, a lady well fitted 
 to assist in building up his fortunes and making a 
 happy home. She is a native of Pennsylvania, 
 descends from an old family, and inheribs the pro- 
 verbial industry of the ancestral race. She worked 
 in the printing-office as long as her assistance was 
 needed, and has by her clear understanding and 
 good advice also assisted her husband in his labors. 
 Mr. Hawley takes no special interest in politics, 
 but is descended from l\c|iublican ancestors. He 
 belongs to the lodges of the Independent Order of 
 Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternity, and to the 
 Universalist Church. The Hawley family have 
 been pillars in that church for years and assisted 
 in founding the university of that faith. 
 
 ICHAEL WALTER. No better example 
 of pluck amid discouragements can be 
 found than in the life of this gentleman, 
 who is a prominent groceryman of Lock- 
 port. His industry is tireless, his integrity be- 
 yond question, and his personal popularity almost 
 unbounded. He is liberal-hearted, generous to a 
 fault, his good traits of head and heart win for him 
 the respect and friendship of all who know him, 
 while in citizenship he is progressive and energetic. 
 Mr. Walter was born in Kleinwelzheim, Ger- 
 many, December G, 18."!8, Init became a resident of 
 
 America in 1851. He learned the trade of a shoe- 
 maker but after working at it for sometime, he 
 became a clerk in the store of J. S. Finch, subse- 
 quently- finding emploj'ment with N. S. Rafferty, 
 who was engaged in the clothing business. 'I'iring 
 of indoor life young Walter left Lockjiort in 1859, 
 and went to Pike's Peak where he endured all the 
 hardships which were to be met with in the rough 
 mining camps. He returned to Lockport with but 
 little to show for his peril and toil, except the ex- 
 perience of human nature which he had gtiined. 
 
 The smoke of the shots upon Ft. Sumter had 
 scarcel}' disappeared, when at the first call for vol- 
 unteers 3'oung Walter answered by enrolling his 
 name in a Lockport artillery company. The date 
 of his enlistment was Ajiril 19, 18(il, and the Urm 
 three months. At the expiration of that time he 
 re-etdisled as a member of Dresser's Battery, and 
 was assigned to duty in Battery D, Second Ar- 
 tiller}^ During the severe campaigns of that bat- 
 ler3' he was never absent from his post of duty. 
 The battery was organized at Cairo and mustered 
 into service in December, 1861, beginning their 
 active work at Ft. Donclson, where they partici 
 pateil in the entire siege. They then went to 
 Pittsburg Landing and on the Friday preceding 
 the great battle took up their position, being in 
 constant readiness until the opening of the fierce 
 conUict Sund.ay. December G. Battery D was one 
 of those that formed on the advanced line within 
 one hundred 3'ards of Shiloh Church and was not 
 surprised at the first onset of the enemy. 
 
 Battery D accompanied (ien. Grant to Corinth 
 and subsequently went with Col. Ben Grierson on 
 his famous raid, after which they did post duty 
 until ordered to join the esi)edition against Vicks- 
 burg. They accompanied Sherman on his march 
 from Vicksburg to Meridian, Miss., and until mus- 
 tered out of the service November 21, 18G4, Mr. 
 Walter took part in all the marches, raids and bat- 
 tles in which the battery participated. His record 
 for bravery and devotion to duty was second to 
 none, and he received the commendation of his su- 
 perior officers and the good will of his comrades. 
 
 At the close of the war ISlr. Walter again re- 
 turned to Lockport and engaged in business, first 
 as a dealer in dry-goods. Disposing of this busi- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBDM. 
 
 271 
 
 ness he went to Leniout to superintend a store and 
 finally on May 25, 1875, he began the business in 
 wliicii he is at present engaged. lie was married 
 October 16, 1865, to Miss Margaret Pitts, a native 
 of this county, who bore liim ten children, nine of 
 whom are living. Mrs. Walter died in 1881, and 
 Mr. Walter was again married in June, 1887, to 
 Miss Adline Heron. He is interested in the social 
 orders, being b(>th a Mason and Odd Fellow and is 
 Commander of Gooding Post, G. A. K., at Lock- 
 port. 
 
 -i^l- 
 
 \f 
 
 m 
 
 OlIN H. BURKnAR'r,.Supervisor of DuPage 
 Township, occupies a pleasant home on sec- 
 tion 36. He is a well-informed and enter- 
 prising man, has been engaged in some form 
 of agricultural work since boyhood and commands 
 the respect of his fellow-men. He was born in 
 Cook County, October 21, 1858, was educated in 
 the public schools and linished the High School 
 studies at Lemont. Subsequently he attended a 
 business college in Chicago, thus fitting himself for 
 a practical sphere of life. 
 
 In 1869, our subject removed with his parents 
 to Will Count}', here growing to manhood and be- 
 ginning his personal career which has not yet 
 taken him from the paternal fireside. He is a Re- 
 publican and has been called upon by his associates 
 to fill several olticial stations. For two terms he 
 was Justice of the Peace, one year Assessor, and in 
 the spring of 1890 was elected Township Super- 
 visor. 
 
 Henry Burkhart, father of our subject, was born 
 in Saxony, Germany, Januar}' 26, 1819, to George 
 and Susan C. Burkhart,also natives of that kingdom. 
 He was reared to manhood, receiving a fair educa- 
 tion in his native tongue, to which since coming to 
 America he has by personal effort added a knowl- 
 edge of English reading and writing. In 1845 he 
 emigrated, sailing from Bremen to New York in 
 forty-two days, and going at once to Erie County, 
 N. Y., where he worked as a farm hand for several 
 years. There he was married, October 31, 1848, to 
 Aliss Fredericka Dorre, a German lady of fine 
 character and useful knowledge. She bore her part 
 
 in the cares and shared in the joys that he en- 
 countered until February 4, 1886, when she en- 
 tered into rest, leaving a wealth of affectionate 
 remem'orances. 
 
 The family of Henry and Susan Burkhart con- 
 sisted of seven children, five of whom survive their 
 mother. Emma is the wife of Peter Williams, 
 living in California, John H. is at home; Charles 
 A. lives in Stockton, Cal.; Louisa is the wife of 
 George A. Hills, of Chicago; Amelia is at home. 
 In 1849, the father removed ffom the Empire 
 State to Cook County, III, where he remained un- 
 1869. He then took up his abode in DuPage 
 Township, this count}', on the farm that is the 
 home of our subject. It comprises eighty acres, 
 devoted principally to gardening, in which line 
 of agriculture Mr. Burkhart is meeting with de- 
 served success. He began life poor, and by economy 
 and industry has gained all that he has of woldly 
 goods. His political views are like those of his 
 son, in whose public life he rejoices as a fond fa- 
 ther will, as a field suited to his talents and indi- 
 cating the reputation he hears. 
 
 
 ENRY W. OHLENDORF. Among the 
 younger members of the farming commu- 
 7/^ nity of Crete Township the subject of this 
 ^^ notice may be properly mentioned as hav- 
 ing achieved success in more than an ordinary de- 
 gree. He was born July 17, 1857, at his father's 
 homestead on section 35, Crete Township, which is 
 now his property, and where he owns nearly three 
 hundred acres of some of the finest farming land in 
 this part of the State. This is well improved and 
 largely devoted to the breeding of fine stock, Mr. 
 Ohlendorf making a specialty of Holstein cattle 
 and Berkshiic swine. He was bred to farm pur- 
 suits from his youth, while his natural habits of in- 
 dustry and enterprise ensure his continued success 
 in his undertakings. 
 
 The subject of this notice is the scion of a sub- 
 stantial old family, being the son of Henry Ohlen- 
 dorf, one of the oldest settlers of Crete Township 
 and one of its most successful farmers. The latter 
 
272 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 is a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, and was born 
 September 16, 1821). He was reared in his native 
 Province, beeoniiiii; familiar with agricultural pur- 
 suits and obtaininj,' a good education in the Ger- 
 man tongue. Alxjut liie time of reaeliing his ma- 
 jority liis parents, .lohn Henry and Sopliia (Senne) 
 Olilendorf, accompanied by the balance of their 
 family, emigrated to tiio United .States, setting out 
 on a sailing-vessel fnim Ilremerhaven about 1850. 
 After a nine weeks' voyage they landed in New 
 York City, whence tliey proceeded directly to 
 Chicago, 111., and from there to Crete Township. 
 
 The grandfather of Mr. Olilendorf, upon reach- 
 ing his desiin.ition, purchased one hundred and 
 si.xty acres of partially improved laud on section 
 3'), where he built up a comfortable homestead 
 and remained with his good wife until the marriage 
 of their eldest son. They then removed to another 
 farm in Crete Townshii), and when their third son 
 was married removed the third lime, buying a 
 farm each time a son was married, until the five 
 were all comfortably located. The parents liually 
 settled on a farm on section 19, where Grandfather 
 Ohlendorf died in 1882. He had then arrived at 
 the advanced age of nearly eigiity years. His 
 widow, who is now nearly eighty years old, is still 
 living, making her home with her son, August. 
 Both were mcmbsrs for many years of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 Henry J. Ohlendorf, the father of our subject, 
 was the eldest of five sons and two daughters born 
 to his parents, all of whom were natives of Ger- 
 many and five of whom are still living, four of 
 them being in this county. Henry J. was mar- 
 ried to Miss Minnie Arkenberg, who was born in 
 the Kingdom of Hanover, and who was quite 
 young when her parents emigrated to America. 
 Tliey likewise settled in Crete Township and died 
 there. Mrs. Ohlendorf is still living and is now 
 past fifty years of age. She has been from early 
 youth a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. 
 To her and her husband there was born a family 
 of four children, one of whom, a son, John, died 
 at the age of eleven years; Henry W., our subject, 
 was tiie eldest born; Emily is the wife of Henry 
 Trebold, a farmer of Crete Township; Regina lives 
 with her mother in Crete. 
 
 The subject of this notice received a careful 
 parental training, attended the district schools in 
 his native township and grew up healthful in 
 mind and body with strength and courage for tiie 
 battle of life. When reaching iiis majority, he 
 crossed the Atlantic to visit the scenes of his 
 father's early years and bis grandfatiier's iiome. 
 Tliis proved not only a pleasant but a very valu- 
 able experience, and he returned feeling that the 
 time and money thus emjjloyed could not have 
 been spent in a wiser manner. Subseciuently he 
 was married, in Crete Township, to Miss Mary 
 liartm.'iun. Mrs. Ohlendorf vvas born in this town- 
 ship June 18, 18t)I,and is the daughter (^f John 
 and Ellen (Behrens) Hartmann, who were likewise 
 natives of Germany and earl}- settlers of this town- 
 ship, and who are now residents of Crete. Mrs. 
 Olilendorf is a lady of more than ordinary intelli- 
 gence, and by her union with our subject has be- 
 come the mother of four bright children — Agnes, 
 Charles O., Walter and Ida. Both our subject and 
 his wife were trained in the doctrines of the Luth- 
 eran Church, to which they faithfully adhere. Po- 
 litically, Mr. Ohlendorf is a stanch sni)porter of the 
 Kei)ublican [larty. He has been tax collector of 
 his township for the past year and is a man in 
 whom the community ii.as entire confidence. He 
 is reliable in his business transactions and as a 
 farmer, skillful and progressive, and in all respects 
 is proving a worthy representative of one of the 
 leading families of this section. 
 
 9£^J^^^« 
 
 ON. FRED KAUKA. It is probable th.at 
 !io resident of Beecher is more widely 
 known than the Hon. Fred Kauka, a retired 
 farmer and ex-Representative. He was 
 born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, November 17, 
 1823, and lost his father when very joung. His 
 mother married again, and she and his stepfather 
 died after our subject became a resident of the 
 United States. He grew to maturity in the land 
 of his birth, receiving an excellent education in his 
 native tongue. He married Miss iSIary Hasenjacr, 
 and after the birth of one child the young couple 
 
t^^^£^ 
 
 ^7^^c^-~ 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 275 
 
 set sail for the United States, leaving Bremeriiaven 
 on the "Gaeta," Cant. IIoiikmi coininanding. After 
 u vuyago of seven weeks they landed in the Ameri- 
 can metropolis, whence they went direct to Ciiicago. 
 
 Mr. Kanka settled fourteen miles west of that 
 city, remaininji;; there from 1817 to l.sr)4, at which 
 time he became a resilient of Will County. He 
 seinireil one hundred and sixty acres of Govern- 
 ment land on section 13, AVashington Township, 
 his lidmcstead lieing surrounded by unbroken lands 
 devoid of habitation. He improved the estate, 
 seeing cultivated fields giadually take the place of 
 the primitive sod, and various improvements spring 
 up about iiim. The enterprise which he displayed 
 redo\inded to his credit, and he became known as 
 one of the most judicious and enterjjrising farmers 
 in this vicinity. After some years he sold his fer- 
 tile estate and bought five acres on section 21, near 
 the town of Beecher. Here he has made his home 
 since 1881, retired from the arduous labors of 
 farm life, while yet surrounded with all which 
 makes country living pleasant. 
 
 Mrs. Kauka was born in Hesse-Cassel, August 25, 
 1S23, and is the daughter of natives of that Dilchy, 
 who were of pure German stock. They came to 
 America three years after their daughter, and set- 
 tling in this county, died here at an advanced age. 
 They were members of the Lutheran Church, as 
 were also the parents of Mr. Kauka. They were 
 the i)arents of one son and three daughters, three 
 of whom arc now living in Illinois and one in Iowa. 
 Mrs. Kauka was the third in order of birth, and 
 like her brother and sisters was carefully reared 
 and well e<lucate(l in her native land. She is an 
 excellent housewife, a kind neighbor and a devoted 
 wife and mother. She is the mother of seven chil- 
 dren, all now settled in homes of their own. Caro- 
 line is the wife of Jacob Frahrn and lives on a farm 
 in Saunders County, Neb.; Mary is the wife of 
 Heiny Letz, who operates a farm in Washington 
 Township, this count}'; Sophia married Fred Gev- 
 eke, who is farming in F'illmore County, Neb. ; Liz- 
 zie is the wife of Peter Blayne anil resides in 
 Uceclur; Fied II. married Emnm Hatteudorf, their 
 home being in Chicago; Ellen is the wife of Thomas 
 Peterson, a mechanic in Chicago; Lavina married 
 Fred Uorman, a milkman in Chicago. 
 
 In 1877 Mr. Kanka was elected by the Republi- 
 cans of this county to represent them in the State 
 Legislature, and was reelected in 1879. Heserved 
 on the committees of Agriculture and Horticulture 
 during the entire time that he was in the Legisla- 
 ture, and he also acted on special committees on 
 IMining, Manufacturing and Penitentiarj-. As a 
 committeeman he was p;i,instaking .and judicious, 
 and his friends have no reason to be ashamed of 
 the record which he made in the legislative halls. 
 As a local ollicial he has served in various offices, 
 among them being those of Township Collector, 
 Supervisor, Commissioner of Highways, and .lustice 
 of the Peace. In the latter office his term of serv- 
 ice amounted to sixteen years. This fact alone is 
 proof that his fellow-men regard him a* upright, 
 intelligent, and interested in the best good of his 
 fellow-men. He and his estimable wife attend the 
 Congregational Church of Beecher. 
 
 ^^ HARLES PETTIGREW. On the opposite 
 page appears a [lortrait of this gentlemen, 
 who is Superintendent of the Illinois Steel 
 Works. He has for raanj- years been intimately 
 cpnnected with the business interests of Joliet and 
 is recognized everywhere as a man liberal and pub- 
 lic-spirited and of more than ordinary ability. He 
 was President of the first Building and Loan Asso- 
 ciation organized in the place and held the office 
 until the press of other business compell'.'d his res- 
 ignation. 
 
 One of the best countries on the face of the 
 globe claims Mr. Pettigrew as her son, he hav- 
 ing been born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, February 
 ■L 1814. His parents were John and Agnes 
 (Hislop) Pettigrew, who were likewise of Scotch 
 birth and ancestry; they are both living and are 
 now residents of Scotland. The father for many 
 years was engaged in the grocery trade and was a 
 man noted for his sturdy honesty and reliability. 
 The parental Itousehold included eight children: 
 John is a resident of Joliet; Charles, our subject, is 
 the second child; Ellen, Mrs. Scott, lives with her 
 husband in Melbourne, Australia; Isabel remains 
 
276 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 in her native Scotland; Gavin, who resides in tlie 
 city of London, England, is engaged in tlie mer- 
 cantile business; Andrew is proprietor of a dry- 
 goods establisUnient in the city of Glasgow, Scot- 
 land. One cliild, also named Isabel, died in infancy, 
 and Agnes when about twenty years of age. 
 
 The subject of this notice spent his boyhood 
 days in his native village of Lanark, and after a 
 brief time spent in school went into the cotton fac- 
 tory of the Lanark Spinning Company, where he 
 remained seven years and until a youth of eigh- 
 teen. Then, determining upon a change of occupa- 
 tion, lie repaired to the city of Glasgow and served 
 an apprenticeship of five years at the trade of a 
 machinist. Not yet satisfied with the condition of 
 his prospects he. in 1807, crossed the Atlantic and 
 making his way to Chicago, 111., followed his trade 
 there until 1870. 
 
 In August, of the year above mentioned, Mr. Petti- 
 grew came to .lolietand entered the employ of what 
 is now known as the Illinois Steel Company but 
 wliat was then the Union Coal, Iron and Transpor- 
 tation Company, of which A. l'>. Meeker, was Presi- 
 dent. His fortunes now began to mend perceptibly 
 and here he has since remained. 15y strict atten- 
 tion to his duties he secured tlie confidence of his 
 emi)loyers and in 1872 was promoted to the fore- 
 manship of the machine shop. A year later he was 
 made Master Mechanic witii its attendant duties 
 and responsibilities. In 1882 he became Assistant 
 Superintendent and in 1889, was appointed Super- 
 intendent, which office he still fills to the entire 
 satisfaction of all. 
 
 Upon becoming a voting citizen Mr. Pettigrew 
 identified himself with the Republican party, but he 
 has meddled very little in politics with the excep- 
 tion of serving as an Alderman of the First Ward 
 for two years. He took unto himself a wife and 
 helpmate in June, 1869, Miss Agnes, daughter of 
 Daniel and Agnes (Stewart) Cameron. Mrs. Petti- 
 grew, like her husband, is a native of Lanarkshire, 
 Scotland, and was born in December, 1844. Her 
 childhood home was in the same town as that of 
 her husband. Her parents were of Scotch birth 
 and ancestry and are now deceased. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. Pettigrew there hare been born three chil- 
 dren, the eldest of whcnn, a daughter, Edith Stew- 
 
 art, is the wife of H. H. Delos and lives in Chicago. 
 Tiie ulher daughters, Agnes and Clara Belle, are at 
 home witii their parents. The Pettigrew family 
 occupies a tasteful and commoilious residence at 
 No. 709 Collins Street, and is numbered among 
 tlie first families in tlie social circles of the city. 
 
 ~ ENRY COLE. One of the finest farms 
 "jXj within the limits of Crete Township is 
 
 ^ owned and occupied by Mr. Cole, who is 
 
 '^ recognized as one of its leading citizens. 
 This comprises his father's old homestead, embrac- 
 ing four hundred and ten acres, finely located and 
 improved, well watered, and plentifully supplied 
 with timber. Among its valuablu features is a 
 mineral spring which is utilized by both the pro- 
 prietor and outsiders, 
 
 Tlie main points in the history of the subject of 
 this notice are as follows: He is the son of the 
 well-known Erastus Cole, a native of New Hamp- 
 shire and of English descent. The latter when a 
 child of three years was taken by his parents to 
 Herkimer County, N. Y., where he was reared and 
 educated, and where he lived until forty years old. 
 In the meantime he learned cabinet-making, which 
 he followed in the Empire State until 1838, and in 
 that 3'ear he came to Illinois, an unmarried man 
 aud secured a tract of Government land, which 
 land is now comprised in the farm occupied by his 
 son Henry, and which he secured at a land sale in 
 Chicago. It embraced a part of Sections 5, 0, 7 
 and 8, in what is now Crete Township, and there he 
 spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1864, when 
 sixt}--six years old. 
 
 Erastus Cole was an honest, hard-working man 
 who gained a competence through his own efforts. 
 Possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and 
 decided in his views, he was first a member of the 
 Whig party, a stanch Abolitionist during the 
 slavery- days, and died firmlj^ grounded in Re- 
 publican doctrines. His religious views accorded 
 with those of the old school Baptist church. After 
 coming to Illinois he was married in Danville to 
 Mrs. IMartha (15oardman) Gilbert. This lady was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 277 
 
 1)011) ii) Rushville Townsliip, Ontario County, N. 
 Y., ill 1810, uiul came of American parenUige. Slie 
 grew to womanhood in her native county, and was 
 liiere married to Ascl Gilbert. They lived in New 
 York State until almut 18.'35, then came to Illinois 
 :inil settled near Danville, wheie Mr. Gilbert en- 
 ,<;aged in farniin<>: and died. To Mv. and Mrs. Gil- 
 bert were born three children, all of whom are now 
 deceased. 
 
 Mrs. Cole proved the true helpmate of her hus- 
 band ill all his worthy undertakings, and contributed 
 by her good judgment and frugality, largely to his 
 success. She survived him a number of 3'ears, and 
 died at her home in Crete February 28, 1870, at the 
 age of sixty, years. For some time she had been a 
 member of- the Congregational Church. Of her 
 union with Mr. Cole there were born three children, 
 two daughters and a son. The eldest, Emma, was 
 married to D. P. Shoemaker, and died in 1880 in 
 LaPorte County, Ind., at the age of thirty-eight 
 years, leaving two sons. iMr. Shoemaker is still 
 living anil a resident of Indiana. Miss Ellen Cole 
 is uninairied and a resident of .loliet. Henry, our 
 subject, was the eldest born, lie was reared on the 
 farm and completed his studies at the village schools 
 of Crete. 
 
 Mr. Cole was married in Crete April 22, 1862, to 
 Miss Luc}' A., daughter of (). O. and Lydia (Skin- 
 ner) Hordwell. Mrs. Cole was born April ,'>, 184,'j, 
 in Shelbunie, Mass., of which Slate her parents 
 were also natives and where they were reared and 
 married. They came to Illinois in 1854, settling in 
 Crete, but in 1866 removed to Manteno where they 
 are now living retired from active labor. Mr. 
 Hordwell is seventy-eight years old, while his esti- 
 nialile wife is a year his senior. They are greatly 
 respected in their community, nnd possess all the 
 liaits of character which made them kind and in- 
 dulgent parents and hospitable neighbors. 
 
 To the parents of Mrs. Cole there was born a 
 f.-uiiily of six children, three of whom are living, 
 and of whom she was the fourth in order of birth. 
 She was a child of niiiej-ears when her parents came 
 to Crete, where she was reared to womanhood and 
 obtained her education in the village school. Of 
 lier union with our subject there have been born 
 six children — Laura E., Willaid M., Ada B., Frank 
 
 W., Inez G. and Ray E. They are all at home 
 with their parents, with the exception of Ada, wdio 
 is the wife of \Villiara E. Hall, and who resides at 
 Manteno, this State. 
 
 Mr. Cole, politically, is a strong supporter of Re- 
 publican principles, and has been prominent in local 
 affairs, serving as Township Assessor eight years; 
 Road Commissioner four years, and School Director 
 for many years. 
 
 REEMAN II. ROBERTSON, editor and 
 proprietor of the Peotone Eagle, is a native 
 /4i of the Granite State, and possesses marked 
 
 characteristics of the Yankee race. He is the sec- 
 ond of three children born to John W. and Martha 
 T. (Huntoon) Robertson, who were .also natives of 
 New Hampshire, and spent all their wedded life 
 therein except two years. During that period they 
 resided in New York, where the husband died in 
 1855. The widow survived until 1875. 
 
 The town of Franklin was the birthplace of our 
 subject, and May 3, 1843, his natal day. He ob- 
 tained a common-school education, and at the age 
 of eleven years took up the; labors of life by be- 
 ginning the trade of a printer. He finished his 
 apprenticeship in the odice of the Statesman at 
 Concord, when sixteen years old, spending the fol- 
 lowing two and a half years in advancing his 
 studies and improving his mind. 
 
 Coming to Illinois in 1865, Mr. Robertson 
 worked on the Peoria Transcript a year and a half, 
 then found employment in the Democrat office, in 
 Henrj'. A twelvemonth later he went to low.a, 
 and entered the office of the Bedford Southwest, at 
 Bedford, remaining then; but a year, and thence 
 going to Mount Ayr, where he bought a half in- 
 terest in the Ringgold Record. After a brief so- 
 journ of eight months he sold out, and removing 
 to Dakota City, Neb., purchased a half interest in 
 the Dakota City 3fail, retaining it but a twelve- 
 month, when he again changed his location, first 
 selling his share in the journal. 
 
 M.adison was the next home of Mr. Robertson, 
 and his enterprise the purchase and publication of 
 
27^ 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 the h'l'vk'w, wbiuli lie sold after a year, buying in- 
 stead the plant of the old l^akota City Mail, and 
 removing it to Stanton. In that town he pnblished 
 a paper two yeais, then moved the plant to Mis- 
 souri ^'alley, Iowa, continuing his journalistic 
 labors there until an accident brought them to a 
 close. A runaway team had caused a fracture of 
 his skull, and six months after beginning his work 
 there IMr. Robertson was obliged to close out his 
 business. 
 
 The next newspaper venture of Mr. Koberlson 
 was at Oilman, 111., where he ran the Argus, Cres- 
 cent City (^wnand Lahogue A^cics at the same time, 
 al.so carrying on an office and publishing a sliect 
 called the Panhandle, Advocate, at Piper. The 
 office at Oilman was burned, in 1884, entailing 
 upon our subject the loss of all his machinery, pa- 
 per and other material. His spirit was undaunted, 
 and he was soon in the possession of the Oovvrie 
 Register, at Oowrie, Iowa, the plant of whicii he 
 subsequently removed to Orand Junction, later 
 selling it and returning to the Prairie State. 
 
 Entering an office at Kankakee, Mr. Robertson 
 remained there until November, 1889, when he 
 became editor of the Sunday Hero, in Chicago, 
 leaving that city to begin an enterprise in Peotone 
 - for which he saw a gpod opening. His work there 
 was begun May 19, 1890. and already the Eagle is 
 (inding its w.ay into many a household, continually 
 growing in favor. "Ye editor" adds to his native 
 energy the training given by years of experience 
 amid varied surroundings, and sucli is his financial 
 shrewdness that he wins success where many a man 
 would see nothing hut disaster. He wields a facile 
 pen, ol3serves keenly, judges quickly, and judi- 
 ciously selects matter for publication. 
 
 The choice of a companion is an important step 
 in a man's life, and fortunate is he who chooses 
 well. The lady who shares the joys and sorrows 
 of Mr. Robertson became his wife in 1869, prior 
 to vvbich time she bore the name of Sarah Herold. 
 Shs is a daughter of Amos and Margaret (Gander) 
 Herold, who lived in Ohio many years. The mother 
 was born in that State and the father in Virginia. 
 Mrs. Herold died in 1849, and Mr. Herold after- 
 ward went to California. Returning to the States 
 he married again and removed to Livingston 
 
 County, 111., dying there in 1873. His first mar- 
 riage resulted in the Inrtii of seven children. His 
 (laughter Sarah, Mrs. Robertson, w;is born March 
 14, 1814. .She is a capable iioiisewife, an honored 
 member of society, and a loving wife and mother. 
 She has one son, Willie H., a bright lad wiio has 
 already been working at the printing business a 
 year and a half. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Robertson belong to the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and have good standing among 
 its members. He belongs to the Ancient Odd Fel- 
 lows. In politics he is a Republican, and no man 
 in the party has more abounding faith in its prin- 
 ciples, or is more interested in its advancement than 
 he. Although Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have been 
 so siiort a time in Peotone they have sliown the 
 qualities of mind and character that win friends, 
 and are likely to be the center of a Large circle as 
 they l)ccome better known. 
 
 <^»^NESHIA MEERS, LL. 15. The legal pro 
 fession is represented in Joliet l)y severa 
 •! men of pronounced ability and erudition ini 
 the law, who are an honor to the legal brotherhood 
 and lo the community of which they form a part. 
 When a young man assumes a prominent place 
 among them, rising in the esteem of his associates 
 and extending his practice, these facts indicate his 
 possession of a high degree of professional skill and 
 knowledge,and the manners which win success and 
 respect. Such has been the case with the subject 
 of this sketch, who began his practice in the city 
 in the fall of 187G, and whose office in the Masonic 
 Building is pointed out as that of one of the prom- 
 inent and rising attorneys and couliselors of the 
 flourishing town. 
 
 The parents of our subject, Dennis and Anna 
 (Ilalloran) Meers, were born in Ireland and came 
 to the United States soon after their marri.age, their 
 first location being in Massachusetts. They after- 
 ward lived in other Eastern States, the husband 
 being engaged in railroad work and contracting. 
 In New York City and the State of New Jersey the 
 I greater i)art of his life was spent. In 187o witli 
 
PORTRAIT AIvD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 279 
 
 his family Iio removed to Jolict, 111., where lie en- 
 gaged in the hardware business. He continued the 
 same until his death, in June, 1888, having asso- 
 ciated with him his son Robert, who still carries on 
 the business. Mr. Meers belonged to the Demo- 
 crat party, and although always ready to cast his 
 vote, had never been an office seeking politician, 
 being always a busy man, whose attention was 
 given exclusively to his personal affairs. He had 
 reached the age of sevent3--two years, when he 
 broalliod ids last; his widow still lives. Both be- 
 longed to St. M.ary's Catiiolic Church before the 
 division of tiie parish, after whicii they were num- 
 bered among tlie early members of the Sacred Heart 
 Churcli, and helped to build the church edifice. 
 
 The birtli of E. Meers took place in I'loomsbury, 
 N. J., Fetiruary l.'i, 1854, and his youthful days 
 were spent in lii.s native State and New York City, 
 lie was educated at Seton Hall College, a well- 
 known Catiiolic institution, located at Orange, N. 
 J., and of wliicli Father Corrigan, now Arch-bishop 
 of New York, was President. After completing 
 bis studies in lliat institution young Meers assisted 
 his father in liis work of contracting until the re- 
 moval to tlie West. He then read law with Messrs. 
 Olin & Phelps, and with the late Judge McRoberts, 
 taking liis lectures at the University of Micliigan, 
 in Ann Arbor, wiiere he was graduated in the class 
 of '76. 
 
 Returning to Joliet Mr. Meers began the prac- 
 tice witli C. W. Brown, a prominent attorney of 
 lliis city, with whom he remained four years, or 
 until tlie election of Mr. Brown to the position of 
 States Attorne}'. He then opened an office for 
 himself, and continuing to practice alone, has 
 proved very successful in acquiring business and 
 in winning cases wliicli have been given into his 
 hands. He is a vigorous pleader, able at will to 
 employ the shafts of wit which are so pecuh'ar to 
 the Irish race, and whicli so tlioroughly impress 
 a point upon tlie hearers; he is well versed in the 
 principles of equity and in legal precedents, and in 
 all respects a worthy disciple of Coke and Black- 
 stone. 
 
 Mr. Meers served two terms as City Attorney, 
 holding the office from 1879 until 1883. He has 
 not run for any other office, although an active 
 
 worker in the ranks of the Democrat party. Dur- 
 ing the Presidential campaigns he has alwa^'s taken 
 a prominent part in the canvass, making speeches 
 and aiding his party as much as possible. He 
 belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters; 
 Catholic Order of Foresters; Ancient Order of 
 Hibernians; and tlie Irish-American Club. He 
 belongs to the Church of the Sacred Heart. Mr. 
 Meers is still single, living with his mother in a 
 fine home on Third and Eastern Avenues, a beau- 
 tiful part of the city, where his father first built. 
 
 SAAC HENRY, a worthy citizen of Plaiiifield 
 Township, where he is engaged in agriculture, 
 came to this county .as early as 185(5 and cast 
 his lot with its pioneers. He is a Pennsylvaniau 
 by birth and liis father, Jacob Henry, is supposed 
 to li.ave been a native of the same State. He 
 moved from there to Ohio in 1835, and was an 
 early settler of IJichland County. At that time 
 tliat |)art of Ohio was sparsely settled, and l)ut 
 few improvements had been made. Deer and all 
 kinds of wild game were plentiful where now are 
 fine farms, thriving towns and cities. Mr. Henry 
 bought a tract of tini})er land, and after building 
 a log house fc)r the accommodation of his family, 
 entered upon the hard task of clearing a farm from 
 the primeval forests. There were no railroads in 
 those days, and Milan, fifty miles distant, was 
 the nearest market. Mr. Henry lived there six- 
 teen years and then sold out and removed to De- 
 fiance Count)', and bujing land there, entered 
 upon the task of its improvement. His useful 
 career, however, was soon brought to a close, as he 
 died there about one j'car later. The maiden 
 name of his wife was Christiana Coulser, and she 
 was a native of Pennsylvania. In 18G() she re- 
 moved to Wisconsin, and after living there a short 
 time, to Grundy County, Iowa, and later to Marion 
 County, Mo., and there died. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was five j'cais old 
 when he removed with his parents to Ohio, and 
 there be was reared under pioneer iulluences to the 
 life of a farmer. When the family removed to 
 
280 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Defiance County lie bonglit a trad of timber land 
 and built tliero. 'I'liinking to better himself by 
 lemovinjr to Illinois, ho came here in J 856, and 
 was employed in a cabinet shop for a year. He 
 then tvent to Michigan City, Ind., but after a .stay 
 there of two months returned to his own home, 
 and the following year again came to Illinois. He 
 engaged in farming, working land on shares for 
 eight years, and then purchased the place where he 
 now resides, on section 13, Plainfield Township. 
 Jt comprises eighty acres of land of exceptional 
 fertilitj', and he has it under good improvement, 
 and lias made here a comfortable niu\ cozj' home. 
 IMr. Henry is, no doubt, greatly indebted to the 
 aid he has received from his capable, helpful 
 wife, to whom he was united in marriage in 1858. 
 Her maiden name was Sarah Smith and she was a 
 daughter of G. Y. Smith, of whom see sketch on 
 another page of this work. The pleasant home 
 circle of our subject and wife is completed by the 
 five children born to them, namely: Mary M., 
 Clara M., Werner L., Laura and Frank. A simple, 
 n|)i'ight, independent man, Mr. Heniy bears a good 
 reputation and is held in genuine respect for his 
 sterling qualities. He has made his way in the 
 world by persistent industry, and by the careful 
 management of his affairs to a place among our sub- 
 snbstantial citizens. 
 
 -^-^-^ 
 
 lEORGE H. HARSHBARGER is classed 
 among the leading agriculturists of Plain- 
 Held Township, and there is no finer or 
 better im[)rovcd farm in all the county than his. 
 He was born in Penn's Valley, Center Counl3-, Pa., 
 January 27, 1829. His father, John Harsh barger, 
 was of German descent. The grandfather of our 
 subject was a native of that country, and w.as there 
 reared and married, and subsequently came to 
 America and settled in Pennsylvania, and there 
 passed the remainder of his life on his farm in 
 Penn's \'allev. 
 
 The father of our subject was bred to agricul- 
 tural pursuits, and followed farming profitably for 
 man}' 3'ears, until his life was brought to a close in 
 
 his comfortable home in Penn's Valley, at the age 
 of sixty-three yeai-s. The maiden name of his wife 
 was Mary Rishel, and she was a native of Pennsyl- 
 vania. After the death of her husband she went 
 to live in Hublcrsburgh, Center County, and there 
 passed away in February, 1890, at the venerable 
 ago of eighty-five years. She reared six sons and 
 four daughteis to good and useful lives. 
 
 The son of whom wo write received his educ-i- 
 tion in the district school, and was early set to 
 woik on the farm and obtained a practical knowl- 
 edge of agriculture, continuing to live with his 
 parents until 1844. In that j'ear lie commenced 
 to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he followed 
 in Pennsylvania until 18t7, when he concluded to 
 come West to try life on the prairies of Hlinois. 
 He took the most expeditious route at the time, 
 and hy foot and stage made bis way to Erie, Pa., 
 and from there by the Lakes to Chicago, where he 
 embarked on the canal for Lockport, and from that 
 place he went to Morris, Grundy County. There 
 he found emploj'ment at his trade the ensuing 
 three months, and then he took up his residence in 
 Plainfield, continuing here as a carpenter and 
 builder until 1878. He had previously bought his 
 present farm, .and he then decided to devote him- 
 self entirely to its management. It is pleasantly 
 located on section 8, one mile west of Plainfield, 
 and contains one hundred and twenty acres of 
 finely-tilled land. It is exceptionally well im- 
 proved, having upwards of five miles of tile, and 
 i.s amply provided with neat and commodious 
 buildings, and ranks as one of the finest pieces of 
 property in this section of the countr}'. 
 
 Mr. Harshbargor has been twice married, his 
 lirst marriage, which occurred in Plainfield, being 
 to Miss Harriet Baker, a native of Ohio. Her death 
 in 1862 deprived him of a true and faithful wife, 
 and their four children — Tacy, Frank, Seldon und 
 Anna — of a good mother. Our subject was again 
 married, taking .as a hcliimate Mrs. Sophia Hoa}', 
 lice Barney, a native of New York State, and to 
 them have come two children — Mabel and John. 
 Mv. Harslibarger'.s daughter, Tacy. married Thomas 
 H.ayes and resides in J'lainfield. His daughter, 
 Anna, married Wilson Davis, and also lives in 
 Plainlii'ld. iSIabcl is the wife of Frank G. Cuiskin, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 281 
 
 of Plainfield. Frank resides in Somonauk, this 
 State, and Seldon, in Kendall County, 111. 
 
 Mr. Harshbarger is endowed witli a sonnd under- 
 standing, decision of character, and other traits 
 that have enabled iiina to make his own way in 
 the world without the adventitious aids of fortune 
 and birth to an independent position among his 
 fellow-townsmen. He and his wife are highly re- 
 garded in this community, where they have lived 
 for many years, and have the warm friendship of 
 many of their fellow-citizens, as they are social, 
 hospitable people, making their home attractive to 
 all who cross its threshhold. They ai'e valued 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
 do all the}' can for the good work in which it is 
 engaged. 
 
 siHOMAS inLE.S. Northern Illinois h.as long 
 been known as a land where fine crops arc 
 garnered and fertile fields abound. Among 
 the very productive estates which are included 
 within its borders m.a}' be mentioned that of Thomas 
 Ililes, located on section 20, Wesley Township, 
 along tlie banks of the Kankakee River. A vast 
 amount of labor has been performed here in order 
 to redeem this acreage from its condition as a part 
 of the primeval forest, and prepare the soil to bring 
 fortii abundant]}' to the full extent of its capacitj'. 
 
 Mr. Ililes is an Englishman, born in Uecembcr, 
 1S27, and as the son of a farmer had fewer priv- 
 ileges in the educational line than are afforded that 
 class in free America. Although his schooling was 
 quite limited and his book learning is therefore 
 somewhat meagre, he possesses native intelligence 
 and (piickly comprehends all that is going on about 
 him. At the age of twelve years he began working 
 out for farmers, continuing to supi)ort himself in 
 this manner until he ha<l reached his majority. 
 Having decided that in America he would find op- 
 pdrtunilies for advancement not afforded in his 
 native land, he bade adieu to home and friends and 
 crossed the broad Atlantic. 
 
 Mr. Hiles landed at Philadel[)hia a friendless 
 stranger, with about $.50 as a capital with which to 
 
 begin his labors. He came directly to Cook County, 
 111., where for nine months he worked on a farm. 
 In the spring of 1850 he came into Wesley Town- 
 ship, Will County, entered the employ of Elijah 
 I'reer for two 3'ears, and then purchased eighty 
 acres of the land which he has brought to so excel- 
 lent a condition. He had but few neighbors. He 
 erected a frame house and began clearing the land, 
 doing all the labor of felling trees, etc., himself. 
 From time to time he .added to his farm other tim- 
 bered lands, which he cleared in succession until he 
 now has two hundred and ten acres of improved 
 land, about two hundred acres of which were 
 cleared by himself. This is a record which has 
 been made b^- few even of our most enterprising 
 farmers, and Mr. Hiles deserves great credit for 
 that which he has accomplished in redeeming the 
 fertile land to man's use. He is engaged in general 
 farming, and successfully pursuing his vocation. 
 
 Mr. Ililes and Miss Sarah Carpenter were joined 
 in holj- wedlock Septembers, 1852, and lived hap- 
 pily together until February 24, 1880, when the 
 wife was called hence. She was a daughter of 
 Charles and Abigail (.Milliman) Carpenter, natives 
 of the Empire State, who removeil to Illinois about 
 the time of the Black Hawk War. The occupation 
 of Mr. Carpenter was tilling the soil. He and his 
 wife are now deceased. i\Irs. Sarah Hiles was born 
 January 17, 18.35. She bore her husband six chil- 
 dren, the record of the survivors being as follows: 
 Mary, born J.anuary 1, ]8'57, is the wife of Mike 
 Miller, of Joliet, and the mother of six children; 
 Fred M. was born October 21, 1867; Benjamin T. 
 February 15, 1880. 
 
 A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by 
 Mr. Ililes February 1, 1881. His bride on this 
 occasion w.is Miss Aseneth Hamblin, who was born 
 May 29, 1832, in Onondaga County, N. Y. She 
 received a good education in the district schools, 
 and upon the foundation thus laid has reared a 
 structure of wide knowledge through extensive 
 reading and keen observation. She is an active 
 worker in the Siind.ay-school, was constantlj' en- 
 gaged .as a teacher while in New York, and is a 
 willing worker in the promulgation of every good 
 cause. Her home is not neglected, but is conducted 
 in such a waj- that the domestic machiner}- moves 
 
282 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 sniootlily, and every comfort sunouiids tlio mem- 
 bers of the home circle. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. lliles were Abner I. and 
 Electa (Neariiii;) llamblin, natives of Massachu- 
 setts and Connecticut rcspectivel}'. They became 
 husband and wife in the Empire State, and there 
 continue<l to leside until their death. Their home 
 was in Madison County, where Mrs. llamblin 
 breathed licr last August 6, 1 8G3, and her husband 
 March 15, 1875. Both were active participants in 
 ciiurch work, and Mr. llamblin was a farmer. Mrs. 
 Hiles was the ninth of the eleven children born to 
 them, of whom seven survive at this writing. 
 
 Mr. Ililes has always taken an active interest in 
 politics, and gives his vote to the Republican 
 partJ^ Before he left ids native land he became a 
 member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
 but has not been identified with lodges of that fra- 
 ternity in America. He now holds the office of 
 Township Trustee, in which he has served for fifteen 
 years p.ast, and is also a Director of the local School 
 Board. He has served as Pathmaster. He and his 
 wif(^ belong to the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch. 
 
 » ^-*-^ -^ 
 
 ON. AUGUST W. BERGGREN, Warden 
 ~^) of the Illinois State I'enitentiary at Joliet, 
 has held several important official stations 
 in other parts of this State, and won a high 
 H'putation for his uprightness, good judgment and 
 public spirit. He was ap|)ointed to tlie position he 
 now holds in April, 1889, and took charge on May 
 1st, following. He is a native of the Scandanavian 
 Peninsula, his birthplace Sweden, and his natal 
 day August 17, 1840. His parents were John and 
 Catherine Berggren, the latter of whom died in 
 their native land, leaving to her husband's care 
 six sons and one daugiiter. 
 
 In 1856 the widower and his family came to 
 America, drawn to cross the briny deep by the ac- 
 counts they had hoard of the " land of the free and 
 tiie home of the brave," and its opportunities for 
 all who desire to rise in the social scale or improve 
 their worldl}- condition. A location was selected 
 at Oneida, this State, but tin; fatlier subsequently 
 
 went to Glendale, Iowa, where he breathed his last 
 in 1863. Two of his children have also passed 
 away: Peter Anton died in the Hawkeye State, 
 in 1863; and Anna Christina in Knox County, 
 this State, the year after her arrival in America. 
 The surviving members of the fraternal band are: 
 .lolm Eric, a Aletliodist Episcopal minister, now 
 retired and living in Iowa; Louis G., a farmer in 
 Polk County, Neb. ; Charles, a stonemason in Gar- 
 rison, Kan.; he of whom we write; and William, a 
 farmer in Pettis County, Mo., who holds tlie office 
 of Justice of the Peace. 
 
 In his native land August W. Berggren was ap- 
 prenticed to the tailor's trade, serving two years. 
 After reaching the Western Continent he worked 
 at his trade both in Galcsburg and Monnioutli, 
 this State. His workmanship was always to be re- 
 lied upon, and his citizenship was equallj- trust- 
 worthy. Ere long these facts were recognized by 
 his fellow-citizens, and wiiile still quite young he 
 was placed in public office. In 1809 he was elected 
 Justice of the Peace, in 187'2 became Siieriff, and 
 to the latter station was re-elected in 1871, 1870 
 and 1878. A still higher honor awaited him, his 
 friends desiring his services in a more important 
 function, to which his intelligence, interest in pub- 
 lic welfare, and keen perception of its needs fitted 
 him. In 1880, therefore, he was sent to the Senate, 
 representing the Twenty-second District, composed 
 of Knox and Mercer Counties. Four years later 
 he was returned to the Senatorial boil}' as a mem- 
 ber from the same district, then composed of Knox 
 and Fulton Counties. During the last session of 
 his second term Senator Berggren was President 
 pro tern of the Senate. His record as a lawmaker 
 is a matter of history and well known to his con- 
 stituents, whose cordial esteem he has won by his 
 position on the side of all that is elevating ond 
 true. 
 
 The lion. Mr. Berggren is quite interested in 
 social and benevolent orders, and is identified with 
 the Knight Templars and the Iiide|)endent Order of 
 Odd Fellows. He has been President of the Cove- 
 nant IMvitual Benefit Association of Illinois, located 
 at Galesburg, since its organization in 1877, and he 
 is also a Director in the Galesburg National Bank. 
 He chose .as his comiianion in life a Swedish lad^-, 
 
i/y^^A 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 285 
 
 Miss Christina Nasliiiul, tlieir msininire licing eeie- 
 lii'atcd Marcli S, I8G0. Mrs. Berggren excels in 
 lioiisewit'er}', is intelligent anil refined, and with a 
 character which causes her to he highly regarded 
 by all to whom she is known. Tlie union has been 
 lilesseil by the birth of six children — t'apitoia 
 Maud, Guy Werner, Ralph Augustus, Clans En- 
 gene, Jay Valentine and Earl lingo. The daughter 
 is finely educated, being a graduate of Knox Col- 
 lege, and the others have also received excellent 
 advantages proportionate to their years. Death 
 has entered the family circle, removing from its 
 midst the son and brotlier, Ual|)h Augustus, who 
 was accidentally killed by a gravel train on the 
 .Santa Fe Railroad, on May 20, 1887. 
 
 
 ;r:REDERICK WILLIAM WERNER, M.D., 
 
 i^ bears the reputation of being one of the 
 busiest persons in the city of Joliet. He is 
 in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice, 
 ■ind is widely and favorably' known throughout 
 \\ ill County, where thus far he hasspi nt his entire 
 lite. He was born February 8, 1858, in Joliet, and 
 is the son of William and Barbara (Goebel) Wer- 
 ner, who were natives of Germany. The mother 
 while single emigrated to America, in 1843, and 
 the father a few years later. 
 
 The Werner famil}' is of pure German stock, 
 as far back as is known, and possessed in a marked 
 degree the substantial and reliable traits peculiar to 
 that nationalit}'. They were unusuallj' well edu- 
 cated, conforming to the laws of their native land, 
 which required that a child should be placed in 
 school at the age of six 3'cars, and jnirsue his stud-' 
 ies until fourteen. 
 
 The father of our subject was trained to habits 
 of industry in his j'outh, learning the trade of a 
 stone mason, developing into a contractor and 
 builder. Fpon coming to America he settled in 
 Will County, III, and departed this life May 20, 
 1 887. The mother bore the maiden name of Bar- 
 bara Goebel. Th',' parents were married in Joliet, 
 
 and Mrs. Werner now makes her home with the 
 Doctor. The household circle included seven 
 children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Eliza- 
 beth died when two j'ears old ; Annie Marie died 
 in infancy; Frederick W., our subject, was the 
 third child: Louis Charles Frederick died when 
 about eighteen months old ; Frederick Charles is 
 eng.aged as a harness-maker and living in Joliet; 
 George Washington, a veterinary surgeon of good 
 repute, makes his home in Kansas City, Mo. ; Ed- 
 ward Herbert is one of the leading dental surgeons 
 of Joliet. It will be observed that these children 
 were named in honor of the patriots of both Ger- 
 many and America. 
 
 Dr. Werner in his b03'hood days attended the 
 city schools of Joliet, and when approaching man- 
 hood began the study of medicine under the in- 
 struction of Dr. A. W. Heise, in the winter of 
 187G-77. Later he entered the medical depart- 
 ment of the Michigan State University, and after- 
 ward BcUevue Hospital Medical College, New 
 York City, from which he was graduated March 1, 
 1880. Returning then to his native city, he 
 opened an oifice, and his career has been one of 
 uniform prosperity. 
 
 [n politics Dr. Werner favors the principles of 
 the Republican party, but he meddles very little 
 with public affairs, otherwise than those connected 
 with his profession. He served as Coroner of Will 
 Count}' from June, 1880, to December, 1884, first 
 by appointment and subsequently was twice elec- 
 ted to the office. He was County Physician from 
 1881 to 1888, and City Physician from 1884 to 
 1887. From 1882 to I880 he held the office of 
 Treasurer of the United States Pension Examining 
 Board. He is a member in good standing of the Will 
 County Medical Societ}', the Chicago Medical 
 Society and the American Society of Microscopists. 
 
 On the 28th of May, 1881, Dr. Werner was 
 united in marri.agc with Miss Louisa Fredricka, 
 daughter of C. W. and Marie Agnes (Bertch) 
 Staehle. Mrs. Werner was horn in Joliet, and re- 
 mained with her parents until her marriage, receiv- 
 ing a good education in the common school. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Staehle were natives of Germany, and 
 are now residents of Joliet. Their family consists 
 of seven living children. 
 
286 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 In connection with this sketcli a litliograpliic 
 portrait of tlie Doctor is presented to the readers 
 of the Aludm. 
 
 iraraE 
 
 (F ^ENRY BOHL owns and occupies a farm on 
 
 ^^j section 34, Washington Township. A gen- 
 eral air of thrift and prosperitj' is noticeable 
 and even a casual glance is sufficient to 
 show that tlie land is well tilled and tli.at the 
 buildings which have been erected upon it are .ad- 
 eqii.ate to their requirements, while they and the 
 other improvements are well kept in every par- 
 ticular. 
 
 The eyes of our subject opened to the light in 
 Mecklenburg, Germany, April 14,1838. His father, 
 Herman Bohl, was a farm laborer who had mar- 
 ried a lady of his own Duchj- — Miss Mary Buhr- 
 ling. Tlie^' lived in the neighborhood in which 
 they had been reared until after the birth of six 
 children, two of whom died when quite young. 
 The parents with the surviving members of the 
 family set out for America in the fall of 1857, tak- 
 ing passage from Hamburg in the sailing vessel 
 '•America" and landing at New York City after 
 having spent four weeks and three days at sea. 
 The family came west together and made a settle- 
 ment in Du Page County, 111. After some years 
 the parents, their onl}' son and one daughtei', re- 
 moved to Will Count}' and settled on the farm 
 now owned by our subject, the parents living with 
 liim until their death. The father breathed his 
 last in 1883 at the age of seventy-seven j'ears; the 
 widow survived until 1889, reaching the advanced 
 age of eighty-two j'ears. During the last two 
 years of her life she was entirely blind. Both of 
 the parents were life-long members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 Henry Bold is the third in order of liirtli in the 
 [larental family. He received his education in his 
 native country- to which he bade adieu when about 
 nineteen years old. He became of age in Du Page 
 County, 111., and was there united in marriage 
 with Miss Minnie Sehuld. This la<ly vvas born in 
 M(!cklenberg, Germany, in 184G, and after being 
 
 left an orpiian she came alone to the United States 
 wlien she had almost reached womanhood. She 
 made her home in Du Page County where she w.as 
 married not long after her arrival. She was well 
 skilled in domestic arts, was a consistent member 
 of the Lutheran Church and a woman whose good 
 qualities were recognized by her neighbors and ac- 
 quaintances. She breathed her last at her home in 
 Washington Township, August 25, 1883, when b.ut 
 thirty-eight years old. 
 
 The happy union of Mr. and. Mrs. Bohl was 
 blest by the birth of eight children, of whom Wil- 
 lie, Lena and two infants are deceased. The sur- 
 vivors are: Recka, Henr}', William and .Tohn, all 
 of whom yet cluster around their father's fireside. 
 Mr. Bohl and his children attend the Lutheran 
 Church and he is a stanch Republican. 
 
 
 J 
 
 \T/ULIAN E. WHITE. This young gentle- 
 man is engaged in tlie drug business in Jol- 
 iet in which he made a permanent location 
 in 1885, establisliing himself in a business 
 that is rapidly growing. "With an upright charac- 
 ter, the courteous and pleasing manners of a well- 
 bred gentleman, and an intelligent mind, he has 
 been admittecl into the "inner circle" of society, 
 while in business circles he is regarde<l as one of 
 the most promising young men of the city. He 
 is the third child of E. D. and Margaret (.4.dams) 
 White who came with their family to .Joliet in 
 1876. The father is now engaged in the music 
 trade iiere and in addition to pianos and other 
 musical instruments also handles sewing machines. 
 He is a native of the Empire .State, wiiile his wife 
 opened her eyes to the light in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice was born 
 Mar(^h 9, 1851, in M.ayville, Chautauqua County, 
 N. X ., but his boyhood was spent in Crawford 
 Countj', Pa. After completing his education he 
 became a drug clerk in his home town where he 
 continued in tiiat employment a year. Being at- 
 tracted by the accounts lie had heard of the Rocky 
 JMountain region, Jie then went to Denver, C'ol., but 
 finding no opening in the drug business became a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 287 
 
 clerk ill an estaljlislinient devoted to the sale of 
 men's fui'nisliiiig goods. For two years lie was 
 lluis employed when lie joiirne^'ed eastward, reach- 
 iiii,' .loliet in the sprino; of 1877, his |)arents in tlie 
 meantime having located here. He entered the 
 estalilisiiment of J. D. Brown & Co., remaining 
 tlu'ie lluee or four years after which he went to 
 Chicago. There lie engaged with the drug firm of 
 r^ord, Stoutenlicrgct Co., as a triiveling salesman and 
 after two and one-half years spent in that capac- 
 ity, he became an employe of the firm of Fuller S: 
 Fuller. For the latter nriii he worked about three 
 vears after which he began business for himself at 
 the time and place before noted. 
 
 Mr. White is a firm believer in the principles of 
 the Henublicnii part}', which he therefore supports 
 on all occasions. He is identified with the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, having reached the Royal Arch 
 Degree and being Captain in the Chapter. An 
 event interesting to Joliet society and particul- 
 arly to Mr. White, took place at the residence of 
 ( ).srn(iiiil Fox, Aiiril 23, 1890. This was the mar 
 liMgc of our sul)ject and ^liss Jessie Fox, dau'ghter 
 (if the host, a young lad}- whose intelligence, cul- 
 uiie. and amiable character have given her pop- 
 iibiiity in society and endeared her to the hearts 
 (if many friends. The wedding ceremony was per- 
 formed at six o'clock and was followed by an 
 elegant recei)tion participated in by the society peo- 
 ))Ie of Joliet. 
 
 ' cC>o " 
 
 ^, ICHAEL SHENK is a substantial, well-to- 
 do farmer of Custer Townsliii), and he has 
 borne an honorable part in bringing about 
 the great change wrought by the pioneers 
 and present citizens of AVill County that has placed 
 it in the front ranks of its sister counties. His 
 parents were Christian and [ IMagdalene (Wolf) 
 Shenk, natives of Lancaster Count}', Pa. His father 
 operated a mill there for thirty years, and with 
 his wife was a life-long resident of that part of the 
 conntry, she dying in 1850, and he in 1824. 
 
 Our subject is the only survivor of six children. 
 He was born in August, 1818. His education was 
 conducted in the cominon schools. He suffered 
 
 an accident at a raising when he was eighteen years 
 of age, whereby his right shoulder, ribs and leg 
 were broken, and for four years he was unable to 
 do anything. After that he went to work on a 
 small farm for himself in Erie County, Pa., made 
 improvements upon it, built a house and barn, and 
 made full payment at the rale of V2'2 per acre, he 
 l)uying it of his mother. He remained on that 
 place about fourteen years, and then disposed of it 
 in order to try agriculture in this county, and com- 
 ing here in 1858, he Ixjught his present farm. The 
 improvements upon it were very meagre, but he 
 has placed it in a good condition. He built his 
 present dwelling in 1875, and also erected a good 
 barii at a cost of '^1,000. He has one hundred and 
 sixty acres in the home farm, all of which is under 
 fine cultivation except thirty acres, and he has ad- 
 joining it eighty acres of land that is well adapted 
 to pasturage and is used for that purpose, he hav- 
 ing his farm well stocked. 
 
 By his marri.age, in 1851, to Miss Sarah A. Car- 
 ter, our subject secured the substantial aid of a 
 wife who, by her good management of their house- 
 hold affairs, has contributed in no small degree to 
 bring about their present prosperous circumstances. 
 ]\Irs. Shenk is a native of England, born in 1822, 
 and received a good education in the land of her 
 birth. Her marriage with our subject has been 
 gladdened by the birth of eight children, all of 
 whom are living, and are well settled in life. Their 
 record is as follows: John, who is living in Yates 
 Center, Kan., m.arried Sarah Wright, and they have 
 four children; William, a resident of Fairbury, 
 married Alma Robbins, and they have one child; 
 Jerome, of Reed Township, married P.elle Morrill, 
 and they have one child; Elizabeth, wife of Harvey 
 Brown, of Chicago, is the mother of nine children; 
 Delia Ann is the wife of Napoleon Leslie, of Braid- 
 wood, and has five children; Joseph, a resident of 
 Braidwood, married Ella Rankin, and they have 
 five children; Minnie married John Jiison, who 
 lives on the home farm, and they have three ehil- 
 ilren; Ida married Calvin Whitson, of Pontiac, and 
 they have four children. .John Shenk bore an hon- 
 orable part in the late war as a soldier in the C)iie 
 Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and was slightlv 
 wounded at Mission Ridge. William went out 
 
288 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 with the same regiment, but came home sick before 
 the expiration of iiis term of eiilistmont. Ileuftur- 
 ward served in a throe months' reti'inient. 
 
 Since 1 858 Mr. Sheiik has been associatert with 
 tlie people to wliom Custer Township owes its pros- 
 perity, and lie lias conducted himself in all ways so 
 as to secure the entire coufidence and respect 
 of his fellow-citizens. He has taken part in the 
 manasrement of public affairs as School Director 
 of this district, and at one time he was Assessor of 
 Custer and Keed Townships for a period of two 
 years. He votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. 
 Slienk has for many j'ears been a devoted member 
 of the Episcopal Churcli, and is equally esteemed 
 with her husband. 
 
 ^p^EORGE S. BRISTOL represents the llour- 
 fff |— ^ ishing agricultural interests of Plainfield 
 ^^ Township, and his farm on sections 33 and 
 34. is one of the most desirable in this locality as it 
 is under the best of cultivation and is amply pro- 
 vided with good machinery for cver^- purpose. 
 
 Our subject is a native of Ohio, horn in Perry 
 Township, Franklin County, Januarj' 26, 1843, a 
 worthy descendant of an old pioneer family of that 
 State. Corel Bristol, his father, was a native of 
 the same county, born in Sharon Township, May 14, 
 1810. His father, Eri Bristol was born in Bristol, 
 Conn., a son of Jacob Bristol, who was of English 
 birth. The father of the latter, great-great-grand- 
 falher of our subject, emigrated from Bristol, Eng- 
 land, about 1 776,and settling in Connecticut, bought 
 land in the town of Bristol. He was a clockmaker, 
 and it is said manufactured the finest clocks ever 
 made in America in his day. During the Revolu- 
 tion he proved to be a patriotic citizen to his 
 adopted country and building two ships he placed 
 them at the disposal of the colonists and aided 
 them in fighting the British. Jacob Bristol was 
 ten 3'ears old when he came to America with his 
 parents. He became a clockmaker and spent the 
 rest of his life in Connecticut. Eri Bristol, grand- 
 father of our subject, became a member of the 
 Scioto Company that bought sixteen thousand 
 
 acres of land in what is now Franklin County, Ohio, 
 and he was thus an early pioneer of the .State. In 
 the spiing of 1804 each member of the colony sent 
 a son into the wilderness of Ohio, to build log 
 cabins and prepare the way of the others who soon 
 joined them, the removal of these families being 
 made with teams, some of them having horses and 
 others oxen. They were among the first to locate 
 in th.at part of Ohio, and the grandfather of our 
 subject, settled in wh.it is now Sharon Township, 
 nine miles north of the present site of Columbus, 
 on Whetstone Creek. In that time the State was 
 in a wild and unsettled condition, the dense prime- 
 val forests being inhabited by various tribes of 
 Indians, and deer, bears, wolves, panthers, and wild 
 cats were numerous. There were no railwr.ys nor 
 canals, and in fact no public roads, all conniumica- 
 tion with the outside world was by [)ersons passing 
 through the narrow paths or Indian trails on foot 
 or horseback. The people lived in the most primi- 
 tive manner, obtaining their food from products of 
 the land, wild game and fish, and the women spun 
 and made all the clothing used. The grandfather 
 of our subject resided on the homestead that he 
 hewed from the wilderness, until death closed his 
 mortal career. 
 
 The father of our subject was reared, married 
 and resided in the place of his birth until 1870, 
 -when he came to Plainfield, and with his sons, 
 bought the farm where our subject now resides. 
 He is still living, is in his eighty-first year, and 
 makes his home with his children. The maiden 
 name of the mother of our subject was Annah 
 Ross and she was a native of Westmoreland County, 
 Pa., a daughter of David and Mary (Satcher) Ross. 
 Her death occurred in Franklin County, Ohio. 
 
 George S. Bristol received the rudiments of his 
 education in the public schools and then had the 
 advantages of a fine course at Eastman's Business 
 College at Chicago. In May, 18G4, at the age of 
 twenty-one j'ears, he enlisted in Company E. One 
 Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio National Guards, 
 for one hundred days, and was dispatched with his 
 regiment to Parkersburg, W. Va.., and after re- 
 maining there six weeks was sent to Washington, 
 and thence to the James River of Virginia, where 
 he did garrison duty until the expiration of his 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 289 
 
 term of enlistment, when lie was discharged liaving 
 done honoialile service in the cause of his countrj'. 
 After his military experience, Mr. Bristol returnee) 
 to his native State and remained a resident thereof 
 until the spring of 1868, when he made a new de- 
 parture and ill the vigor of a stalwart manhood 
 came to Illinois to try fanning in the Prairie State. 
 He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Plain- 
 field in the suinnier and in the winter utilized his 
 education by teaching. He taught six winter 
 terms and the remainder of the j'ear was engaged 
 as liefore mentioned. In 1871, he located on the 
 farm he now owns and occupies and has been thor- 
 oughly successful in its cultivation. In ISSi), he 
 had the misfortune to have his dwelling burned, 
 and he has since replaced it by his present neat and 
 comfortable residence. 
 
 The marriage of our subject in 1872 with Miss 
 Uosabelle Clark was an important step in his life 
 and be thereby secured an able assistant in his 
 work. She is a native of Plainfleld, born in March, 
 18 17, and a daughter of Erastus Clark. Her father 
 was born in (ireenfield, Franklin County, Mass., his 
 f.ilher bearing the same name, being also a native 
 of that county, born in the town of Colerain. His 
 father, John Clark, is supposed to have been a native 
 of the same town and a descendant of English ances- 
 try, who were early settlers in that place, and he was 
 there engaged as a manufacturer. Mrs. Bristol's 
 grandfather learned the trade of a woolen manu- 
 facturer and established the first spinning jenny, 
 and carried on the business there some ^eais. He 
 subsequently removed to Niagara Falls, established 
 a factory, and resided there until 183G, when he 
 came to Plainfield. He was an early settler here, 
 l)uying a tract of land about one mile south of the 
 village. He and his son operated a flour and saw- 
 mill for a few years and^ he then went to Kalamazoo, 
 AHcli., and there died at the home of a daughter at 
 the advanced age of eighty -six years. Mrs. Bris- 
 tol's father was young when he came to Plainfleld 
 with his parents and assisted his father in operatiuw 
 the mills, finally buying the sawmill, which he op- 
 erated for a time. He then disposed of it and 
 turned his attention to farming, and resided here 
 until 1878. In that j'ear he removed to Kansas, 
 bought a faiiii in l{eno County and still makes his 
 
 home there. The maiden name of Mr. Clark's wife 
 was Caroline Cotton. She was born on the Isle of 
 Wight, a daughter of William and Jane (Brett) 
 Cotton, also natives of that island, who were pio- 
 neers of Plainfleld. Mr. and .Mrs. Bristol's pleas- 
 ant wedded life has brought to them two children, 
 Mabel .1. and Elsie C. 
 
 Mr. Bristol is a man of honorable character and 
 high standing in this commnniiy, with whose best 
 interests he has earnestl}' identified himself more 
 than twenty years, and by his manly, straightfor- 
 ward course in all his business dealings and in his 
 social relations he has gained a warm place in the 
 regard of his fellow-citizens. He has a well-balanced, 
 well-cultivated mind and sincere religious views 
 whieh find expression in the Universalist faith, he 
 and his wife being valued members of the society 
 of that denomination in Plainfield. Politically he 
 is a stanch Republican. 
 
 
 ^jENJAMIN OLIN. The legal profession of 
 Will County is worthily represented by the 
 ■, subject of this notice who has been engaged 
 in the practice of law at Joliet since June, 
 of the year 1870. He is a native of the Empire 
 State and was born in Allegany County, August 
 12, 1.S38. He emigrated to Illinois with ' his pa- 
 rents when quite young, they settling first in La 
 Salle County, from which they subsequently 
 removed to Kendall County. 
 
 Judge Olin received his English education in 
 the common and select schools of La Salle and Ken- 
 dall Counties and subsequentl^y entered Beioit Col- 
 lege, Wis. He commenced the reading of law in 
 the oflice of JNIessrs. Gray A Bushnell at Ottawa, 
 HI., anil later studied with John Cruthers, of Os- 
 wego, Kendall County. 
 
 Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Olin in 
 April, 18G1, a.ssisted in raising Compan}- K, Twen- 
 tieth Illinois Infantry and was elected First Lieu- 
 tenant of his company. After about one 3-ear 
 spent in the service he was obliged to send in his 
 resignation on account of ill-health. He then 
 
2:)0 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 weiii to Colorado wlieiu he spent several raonllis 
 and upon his rotuin resumed his law studies at 
 Cliicago with the firm of INIather, Taft & Bates. He 
 was admitted to the liar in 1863 and began the 
 practice of his profession at Morris, this State. 
 
 Subsequently Mr. Olin associated himself in 
 partnership witii Hon. V. A. Armstrong, of Morris, 
 and they engaged in the practice of law until the 
 removal of Mr. Olin to Joliet in June, 1870. In 
 the meantime he had become prominent in the lo- 
 cal affairs of Grundy County, representing his 
 ward in the City Council of Morris and holding 
 the otHee of School Inspector, besides tilling other 
 positions of trust and responsibility. He was looked 
 upon as a man of sound judgment and his opinions 
 were generally respecteil. 
 
 After his removal to Joliet .Judge Olin associated 
 himself in [lartnership with Capt. Phelps in the 
 practice of law, which partnership continued until 
 1873, when it was dissolved by the election of Mr. 
 Olin to the Judgeship of the County Court, lie 
 acquitted himself with great credit, serving his full 
 term and in 1877 was re-elected and held tlie olHce 
 the full term of the four years, and one year over 
 on account of a change in the law lixing the time 
 of holding elections. Then after nine yeai-s of 
 public service and when his nomination was again 
 talked of, he declined to be a candidate for re-elec- 
 tion. 
 
 Since his removal to Joliet Mr. Olin has been 
 identified with many of its leading enterprises and 
 has distinguished himself as a liberal and public- 
 spirted citizen. He is ijarlicidarly interested in 
 educational affairs, having lieUl the office of School 
 Inspector for several years, and was also a member 
 of the Board of Directors of the Joliet Public Li- 
 brary, whicli office he has recently resigned. As an 
 attorney he has been entrusted with important in- 
 terests, while his intimate knowledge of the intri- 
 cacies of law has enabled him to serve his clients in 
 a just and satisfactory manner. His strict Integrity 
 and honorable dealings have gained him the confi- 
 dence and esteem of his fellowoitizens and both in 
 social and business circles he occupies an enviable 
 position. 
 
 Mr. Olin in September, I860, w.as joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Julia Schauber. Mrs. Olin is a lady 
 
 of high culture and varied attainments anil well 
 fitted to be the partner of such a man as her hus- 
 band. She was born in Saratoga County, N. Y. 
 The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 
 102 Young's Avenue. In 1889 Judge Olin asso- 
 ciated himself in partnership with George J. Cow- 
 ing, a young gentleman of line attainments, who is 
 rapidl\- risirig in his |)rofession. 
 
 RED BOLTMANN. The late Mr. Bolt- 
 mann was born in Hanover, Germany, 
 June 9, 1846. lie was the son of Henry 
 and Sophia (01enkem|i) Boltmann, natives of 
 Hanover, where the}' were reared and married, 
 and lived for some years thereafter. They came 
 to America in 1853, taking passage at Bremer- 
 haven on a sailing-vessel that crossed the Atlantic 
 at a rapid rate, making the quickest time ever re- 
 corded by a sailing-vessel. The hurricane which 
 had speeded it on its course at so rapid a rate 
 neai'ly caused the destruction of the vessel, and 
 many of the passengers died from fright or sick- 
 ness in the short space of three weeks and three 
 days. The Uoltmann family survived the dangers 
 of the passage, and coming from New York to 
 Chicago, settled on a farm in l)u Page County. 
 There they made some imiiroveinents ere changing 
 their residence to Will County and settling on 
 section 35, Washington Township. 
 
 The elder Jlr. I»oltmann secured a farm of one 
 hundred and sixty acres, mosll\' wild land, on 
 which he at once began to make improvements. It 
 is now known far and near as a home of great 
 comfort, where pleasing hospitality abounds and 
 the social pleasures of life «re thoroughly enjoyed. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Boltmann are now quite old, having 
 been born in 1812, the former July 19 and the lat- 
 ter September 19. Mr. Boltmann has been identi- 
 lied with the Republican party, and he and his 
 wife have been active members of the Lutheran 
 Church since their childhood. They are particu- 
 larly well known by the best (Jerman families of 
 the county and are respected b^- all. 
 
 The sentleman with whose name this " sketch 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 •291 
 
 is introduced, was educnted in tlie public! schools 
 of Du Page aiul AVill Counties, and acquired a, 
 practical knf)wledge of agriculture on the parental 
 estate. He was engaged in tilling tlie soil until 
 after the breaking out of the Civil War. when he 
 entered the Fnion arni^' as a member of Company 
 H, .Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. Going south, 
 the regiment was put under the general couiuiaiid 
 of Sheridan, and under that gallant leader partici- 
 pated in the battles which have made his name 
 famous. Mr. Boltmann also took part in the bat- 
 tles of Atlanta and others of prominence, escaping 
 injury, excepting a slight wound on the knee, in 
 all his arduous and dangerous campaigning. He 
 remained in the Hold until the close of the war, when, 
 being discharged, June 8, l.SG.'j, he returned to his 
 father's home justl}^ proud of his record as a loyal 
 citizen and brave soldier. 
 
 Mr. Boltmann continued to occupy himself with 
 agriculture until 1873, when he established himself 
 in business at Beecher, dealing in wines and liquors 
 until his health failed. He closed his ^'es in death 
 August 24, 1878, since which time his widow has 
 successfully carried on the business, to the inter- 
 est of which he had given his entire attention after 
 its institution. The nature of Mr. Boltmann was 
 a thrifty, kindly and capable one, and he was well 
 known for his generosity toward his fellow-men 
 and looked upon as a good business man. He was 
 a member of Blue Lodge, No. 740, F. & A. M., at 
 Grant Park, and had filled the various chairs. He 
 was a sound Democrat in politics and his religious 
 faith coincided with the doctrines of the Lutheran 
 Church, to which he belonged, and to which he 
 gave liberally. 
 
 The marriage of Fred Boltmann and Miss Sophia 
 Olenkemp was celebrated in Du Page County, this 
 State. The bride was born in Hanover. (Jermany, 
 October 9, ISKi. She was reared to womanhood 
 in her native land, receiving an excellent educa- 
 tion there, and after she came to America acquired 
 good use of the English tongue. In 1S6G she 
 crossed the ocean in compan_y with an uncle, tlie 
 passage from Breuierhaven to New York on the 
 sailing-vessel "Shakespeare" consuming seven weeks 
 and two days. She came at once to Illinois, and 
 for a time resided in Du Page County, subse- 
 
 quenntly making her home in Washington Town- 
 ship, AVill County. Her parents were William and 
 Sophia (Herman) Olenkemp, both natives of Han- 
 over and descendants of German stock of the bet- 
 ter class. Mr. Olenkemp was a shoemaker. Two 
 years after their daughter had come to America 
 he and his wife made their arrangements to follow 
 her to the New World. They were about ready to 
 start when the husband and father sickened and 
 died when about fifty-five years old. The widowed 
 mother subsequently made the journey with the 
 children who remained with her, and joining her 
 daughter in Will County, spent her last days there. 
 She died July 27, 1879, at the ripe age of seventy- 
 five years, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
 Boltmann. She and lior husband belonged to the 
 Lutheran C'hurch. Their family consisted of four 
 daughters and one son, the latter of whom, Henry 
 Olenkemp, is now running a meat market in W3'o- 
 ming. He has served five, years in the regular 
 army. 
 
 Mrs. Boltmann is a shrewd and capable woman, 
 who manages her business affairs with great abil- 
 ity. She belongs to the Lutheran Church and 
 generously supports every good work which is 
 done therein. She is the mother of six children, 
 one of whom, a daughter, Emma, died when eight- 
 een months old. The living arc: Tilda, wife of 
 Henry Biefeldt, a lumber dealer of Beecher: Henry 
 and William, who are carrying on the farm in 
 Washington Township, and Alvina, who keeps 
 house for them ; and Rosa, who remains at home 
 with the mother. 
 
 ? 
 
 A^IKS C. ZARLEY is the owner and occu- 
 pant of one of the fine farms of Joliet 
 Township, his home being located on sec- 
 ^^Jj tion 28, and comprising three hundred acres 
 of beautiful land, upon which complete and excel- 
 lent improvements have been made. The place is 
 devoted to the dairy business, from sixty to eighty 
 cows being kept, ;uid three wagons run to Joliet, 
 where the milk is solil. That part of the estate 
 which is under tillage is thoroughly cultivated, 
 
292 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and on every hand are to be seen evidences of the 
 thrift and prosperity of the owner. 
 
 Among the very earliest settlers in this county 
 were the late Reason Zarloy and his wife. Me was 
 horn ill Kentucky, and in 1814 was married ti) 
 Sarah ISIustard, a native of Ohio. In Sciota 
 County, of that State, they made their first home, 
 CH>ming to Illinois in 1828, and spending about 
 three years in the vicinity of Danville, Vermilion 
 County. In 1831 they removed to this county, 
 sotlling on the farm now owned by our subject. 
 Here they took up the labors of pioneer life, un- 
 Hinohin<ily enduring the arduous toils and severe 
 privations to which they were subject, and braving 
 danger ami even death in tiieir efforts to subdue 
 nature and develop the resources which she pos- 
 sessed.- ()u at least one occasion they were obliged 
 to have llieir home and seek protection from 
 savage foes in a town where some preparation was 
 made to meet and repulse the Indians. This was 
 during the Black Hawk AVar, when the Sacs and 
 Foxes were terrorizing Hie settlers upon the fron- 
 tier. Belter times giaduall}' dawned, the ccuntry 
 became more thickly settled, the comforts of life 
 more easy to obtain, and tlie surroundings more 
 pleasant and cpiiet. Reason Zarley became a highly- 
 ri'siieclcd and inlluential citizen, and when called 
 hence in August, 1 85'.l, he left to his descendants 
 that best of all inheritances — an honored name. 
 Ho was oiic'of the tirst Justices of the Peace in 
 this vicinity, having been elected when what is 
 now Will County was still a part of Cook County. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Zarley was a daughter of the Rev. 
 William Mustard, one of the [lioneer Methodist 
 preachers in Ohio. She joined the Methodist 
 Church when eighteen years old, and was a mem- 
 ber for over seventy-five years. Her death took 
 place August 4, 1887, at the home of her son-in- 
 law, Gabriel Noel, in Jackson Township, this 
 county. Her meraoiy is held in loving reniem- 
 lirance by her descendants, to whom Grandma 
 Zarley was a model of beautiful old age. She had 
 borne lier husband twelve children, of whom the 
 subject of this sketch is the tenth. Two of their 
 deceased children were for many years proprietors 
 of the Joliet Signal. These were Calneh and 
 Calvin Zarley, the former of whom was born in 
 
 Pike County, Ohio, April 21, 1822. In May, 
 1840, in company with his brothei Calvin, whose 
 death occurred many years ago, he began the 
 publication of the Joliet Signal, which he editetl 
 for forty years. At the time of his death he was 
 in company with R. S. Brown, the (uililisliing linn 
 being kn;/wn as Zarley & Brown. Calneh Zarley 
 died August 20, 1886. He is well remembered by 
 the citizens of Joliet, and by many outside this 
 flourishing corporation. 
 
 The gentleman with whose naiiu; this sUetcli is 
 introduced, was born August 26, 1832, in Danville, 
 to which place his parents had fled for safety dur- 
 ing the Black Hawk War. He grew to manhood 
 on his father's homestead in this county, wlieie the 
 greater part of his life has been spent. In 1864 he 
 went to Montana and engaged in mining for ten 
 years, meeting with varying success, but return- 
 ing to his native Slate somewhat better off finan- 
 cially than when he had left it. Since that time 
 he has given his attention entirely to fanning, be- 
 coming an expert in the business, and iiailicularly 
 in the management of a dairy farm. 
 
 Personally, Mr. Zarley is well calculated to make 
 friends, being cordial in manner, intelligiMit in 
 mind, and honorable in his dealings with his fel- 
 low-men. He held the office of Su|iervisor of 
 .loliet Townshiii one term, and has been School 
 Director for a number of j-ears. In the advance- 
 ment of the cause of education he. has always been 
 greatly interested, .as well as in other matters which 
 tend to elevate society and increase the prospcrit}' 
 of the country. In politics he is a Democrat. He 
 attends the Baptist Cluirch, of which his wife is a 
 member. 
 
 In .loliet, ()ct(jber .'!, 1876, Mr. Zarley was 
 united in marriage with Miss Ida, daughter of 
 Jacob and Eliza (Boss) Patrick. Mrs. Zarley is 
 the youngest in a family of ten children, and was 
 born in Aux Sable, Grundy County, October 6, 
 1845. She is an educated and refined woman, who 
 looks well to the ways of her houfehold, is devoted 
 to husbaiKl and children, and full of kindly deeds 
 to those about her. Her father was a native of 
 New York and her mother of C'p.nada, their first 
 home after marriage being in the latter country. 
 Thence they came to this county in an early day, 
 

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 295 
 
 settling in .ToHct Townsliip, but afterward remov- 
 infr to Grundy County. Tlioy subsequently re- 
 luiiied to tills townsliip, in which they breathed 
 llieir last. Mr. and Mrs. Zarley are the parents of 
 live cbildren — William 11., Arthur M.. G. Noel, 
 .Maud H. ami Louie E. 
 
 NDREW .1. MILLS. M. I)., the Coroner 
 (@/lJI1 of this county, is numbered among its 
 prominent and most successful practitioii- 
 ^ ers, and is in the enjoyment of a good busl- 
 
 ines. Ill' Is a man In the prime of life, having 
 lieeii born September It), 1834, and is a native of 
 Essex County, N. Y. 
 
 Dr. Mills is the offspring of substantial stock, 
 being the son of William Mills, likewise a native 
 Tif Essex Count}', N. Y., and who was born May 2. 
 IS 12. The latter grew to mature years in his na- 
 tive county and was there married to Miss Lura 
 A. Fisk. The mother of our subject was born in 
 Uutland County, Vt., May 21, ISll, and was taken 
 b\ her parents to New York State when a child of 
 eight years. In the year 1836 the family took u\> 
 their line of inarch toward what was then the far 
 West, locating in Franklin County, Ohio, where 
 they sojourned niUil 1851, the father engaging in 
 farming pursuits. Tliat year the}' decided upon 
 another change of residence and coming to this 
 ciiunly, settled near Twelve Mile Grove. The 
 father In IS IS had entered one hundred and sixty 
 acres of land and upon this he took up his residence 
 with his family and prosecuted agriculture until 
 (sCil. Then with his estimable wife, retiring from 
 the active labors of life, he left the farm and re- 
 moved to Joliet, where the father Is still living. 
 The mother departed this life August 8, 1887. Both 
 parents had identified themselves with the Metho- 
 dist l<;|iiscopal Church during their j'ounger years. 
 William Mills originally was a Jacksonlan Demo- 
 crat, but voted for William Henry Harrison in 
 18 10, and upon the formation of the Republican 
 party identified himself with it. He however has 
 never been a political aspirant, but is contented to 
 cast Ills vote at the general elections. He is highly 
 
 respected and may be properly- numbered among 
 the pioneer residents of this county. 
 
 Dr. A. J. Mills, the subject of this notice, spent 
 his younger ^years in his native Slate and upon the 
 removal of the family to Ohio, pursued his first 
 studies in the common schools, making good head- 
 way and becoming cpiite proficient at an early age. 
 He began the reading of medicine alone and after 
 entering the army was under the instruction of Dr. 
 Z. P. Hanson, now a noted physician of Chicago. 
 His studies however were frequently- interruijted, 
 as he was obliged to secure the means for continu- 
 ing them. 
 
 Upon the oulbreali of the Civil War the Doctor 
 entered the ranks of the Union Army, enlisting in 
 the Forty-second Illinois Infantry and being com- 
 missioned as Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. 
 He was at the front and in the field hospitals and 
 for four months was on the medical staff of the 
 Artillery Brigade, Fourth Army Corps, going 
 through the Atlanta canipaign. He served until 
 the close of the war, receiving then his honorable 
 discharge and being mustered out April 16, 18G5. 
 
 Upon leaving the army Dr. Mills entered the 
 Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, in the class 
 of 18G5 and 1866, from which he emerged fully 
 qualiiied for the duties which awaited him, having 
 graduated March 1, 1866. It is liardi}- necessar}' 
 to state that politically, he is a stanch Republican. 
 He was elected to his present ollice in the fall of 
 1888 and is ()rominently connected with the Will 
 County Medical Society. 
 
 Miss Sarah E. Whiteinore was wedded to our 
 sul)jcct INIarch 29, 1855. Mrs. Mills* was born 
 September 26, 1835, in Washington County, Pa., 
 and is the daughter of F^rancis W. and Frances A. 
 (Webb) Whitemore, who were natives of \'irginia 
 and Maryland, resi>ectively. They came to Illinois 
 about 1811, and settled first at Magnolia, Putnam 
 County. Subsciinently they came to this county, 
 where they sojourned for a fevv years, and are now 
 deceased. 
 
 The children born to Dr. ISIills and his esti- 
 mable lad}' are recorded as follows: William F. was 
 graduated from Rush Medical College in the class 
 of 1887, and is now a practlcMiig physician of Man- 
 hattan, this county; he married Miss Agnes R. 
 
296 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 McDoiiougli, !uu) the}- have one c-liild, a dauirliter, 
 Elda A. George W. offleiales as the Northwestern 
 Agent fur tlie tobacco manufacturing firm of Wil- 
 son, McCallay A Co., making his lieadquarters at 
 Otnaha, Neb.; he married Miss Nellie A. Diamond, 
 and they have three daughters: Merle Ada, llilma 
 Lillian and Veidene Eloise. Lura Frances is the 
 wife of William M. Mitchell of Rockville, Kanka- 
 kee County, and they have one child, a son, Ken- 
 neth ]Mills. 
 
 Dr. Mills is one of the oldest members of Wilton 
 Lodge, No. 640, I. O. O. F., in which he has held 
 tlie different ofliees and represented bis lodge in 
 the Grand Lodge of the State, since its organiza- 
 tion in 1877. He also belongs to William A. Webb 
 Post, No. 657, G, A. R., of which he was the first 
 Commander, lie takes pride in his practice and 
 aims to excel. The medical profession was one 
 which he chose in his boyhood fur his life vocation 
 and one to which he gives his best efforts as the 
 result of his practice indicates. Socially and per- 
 sonally, he is held in high esteem, being numbered 
 among the leading citizens of Joliet. 
 
 A lithographic portrait of Dr. Mills appears else- 
 where in this volume. 
 
 ILLIAM CALHOUN. This great Re[)ublic 
 owes a larger deljt than she can ever pay to 
 the loyal citizen-soldiers who rallied to her 
 defence in the darkest hours of the Rebellion, and 
 heroically fought and suffered, and never laid 
 down their arms till the glorious Stars and Stripes 
 once more waved over a free and undi viiled country. 
 As a representative of those heroes it pleases us to 
 give this brief life record of William Calhoun, who 
 with several of his brothers did honorable service 
 in the Union array during the late war. Our sub- 
 ject is a farmer in Custer Township, owning and 
 managing a good farm on section 20. 
 
 Ab»er Caliioun, the father of our subject, was a 
 farmer, and a native of New York. He was a soldier 
 in the Black Hawk War, and received a land war- 
 rant for his good Services. The mother of our sub- 
 ject was Mary (Hoyt) Calhoun, a native of Ohio. 
 
 She was married to the father of our subj(^ct in 
 that State, and removed to Michigan at an early 
 day of its settlement. They came to Illinois in 
 1H5;3, find located on the farm now belonging to 
 our subject, and there spent the remainder of their 
 days, lie dying in 185.'), and she April 19, 1878. 
 They were the parents of twelve children, all sons 
 but one, eight of whom are now living. 
 
 The one of whom we write was the sixth child 
 in order of birth, and was born in the month of 
 January, 1836. His educational advantages were 
 very meagre, and consisted of a short attendance 
 in the district school. He was earl}' called upon 
 to assist his father in the farm work, and after the 
 latter's death took tender care of his mother as 
 long as she lived, and did not ruarr}' until after her 
 death. 
 
 After the breaking out of the war our subject 
 watched its course with patriotic interest, and as 
 soon as possible offered his services to his country, 
 enlisting August 12, 1862, in Company F, Seventy- 
 sixth Illinois Infantr}', and served faithfully till 
 August 12, 1865. He took part in man}' battles, 
 and his officers always found him to be an efficient 
 and trustworthy soldier. He was in the battle of 
 Mobile, Ala., and participated in a large num- 
 ber of severe skirmishes. He served under Geus. 
 Steele, Crocker, Thomas, McPherson, Grant and 
 Sherman. Li December, 1862, Mr. Calhoun was 
 sick in the hospital for a short time, and was then 
 sent to the convalescent camp at Memphis, Tenn. 
 From the hosi)ital there he was sent to St. Louis 
 Hospital, in whicli he remained till after the siege 
 of Vicksburg. He then rejoined his regiment, and 
 while it was on a raid from Natchez he received a 
 sunstroke, which was very severe in its effects, and 
 for eighteen months he was almost blind, and he 
 lost the entire use of his left ear, and could scarcely 
 hear with his right one. Notwithstanding his ter- 
 rible condition he never left his regiment all 
 through his sickness, and vvas finally discharged 
 with it after the close of the war, at Galveston, 
 Tex. 
 
 The Calhoun famil}- was well represented in the 
 armj-, as besiile our subject three of his brothers 
 did valuable service in the defence of their coun- 
 try's honor — Ransford, Henry and Albert. The 
 
roRTRAIT AND HIOGUAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 •297 
 
 last named sacrificerl his life for the old Hag. He 
 was a joiif.h of seveuteeii )e:irs when Ik- en- 
 listed in the same company and regiment as our 
 subject, and in 1864 he received injuries from whieii 
 lie died at his iiome soon after at the age of nine- 
 teen, and his body now lies in the cemetery at Cus- 
 ter Park. His brother, Henry .1., enlisted in the 
 same regiment and conjpau}' at the age of twenty 
 years, and did brave service on many a hard-fonght 
 battlefield. He endured the hardships and priva- 
 tions of a soldier's life without a murmur, and is 
 still suffering from a knee which was injured while 
 in the array. He is forty-eight years of age, and 
 in the prime of life has acquired a competence on 
 his farm in Plymouth County, Iowa. He is mar- 
 ried and has a fine family of four children. 
 
 After retiring from the army Mr. Calhoun quietly 
 resumed farming operations on his farm in Custer 
 Township. He has labored assiduously to place 
 its one hundred and twenty acres under the best 
 of cultivation, and now has it well improved, and 
 sup|)lied with neat buildings, and everythii.g nec- 
 essary for operating it to good advantage. 
 
 December 21, 1883, Mr. Calhoun took an inijior- 
 lunt step in life, which has contributed greatly to 
 his comfort and hapi)iness, as on that date he was 
 married to Miss Ellen A. Bra3-. Her father, l)om- 
 inick Bray, is an old soldier, and is now suffering 
 from the effects of his faithful service while in the 
 army. He and his wife have a comfortable home 
 near Jamestown, Cloud County', Kan. Mrs. Cal- 
 lioun is a native of this .State, born in Kankakee 
 County, where she received an excellent com- 
 mon-school education. The pleasant home cir- 
 cle of our subject and his wife is completed by 
 three children — Frank 1!., William Wesley and Jes- 
 sie L. 
 
 Mr. Calhoun is a man of sterling, self-ri'Si>ccling 
 character, well-balance<l mind, and his whole career 
 has shcpwn him to be a patricjtic, trustworthy eiti- 
 zen, deserving of all confidence and regard. He 
 concerns himself in the welfare of this township, 
 where he has made his home since bo\hc)od, and 
 when he has been called to oflice has, by his faith- 
 ful and eflicient attention to the duties thus 
 devolving upon liim, materially forwarded its inter- 
 ests. He is Dircctorof this school district, and has 
 
 held this iwsition for the last fourteen years, and 
 he has also been Pathmaster. He is a member of 
 Bowen Post, G. A. \l.. at Wilmington. He is a 
 sturdy suj)porter of the Republican i)arty, and 
 always votes for its candidates. Ho began life for 
 himself empty handed, and has attained his present 
 good circumstances by persistent and well directed 
 toil. 
 
 '^m- 
 
 J, ICHAKL J. CUNNINGHAM. It is sel- 
 dom that a young man reaches a more 
 lli prominent station than that held by the 
 above-named gentleman, or exhibits so 
 many intellectual and business qualities at SQ early 
 an age. Mr. Cunningham, although not yet thirty 
 years old, is Mayor of Manhattan and one of its 
 most popular business men, and added to this he 
 has a record of usefulness in pedagogical work, 
 both as teacher and institute worker. He is shrewd 
 and energetic in the prosecution of whatever he 
 undertakes, has mental ability of no mean order, 
 and is full of public spirit and interest in the pro- 
 gress of the country. 
 
 Even a brief record of the lives of his parents 
 will suttice to show that Mr. Cunningham is the 
 inheritor of many of the qualities which give him 
 prominence in the community and that he would 
 be unworthy of his parentage were he not enter- 
 prising and zealous. His father, James Cunning- 
 ham, was born in County Longf(jrd, Ireland, and 
 became a machinist. He emigrated to America and 
 for some time worked at his trade in Poughkeepsie, 
 N. y. In lKo7, he located in this county, for five 
 years operating a farm in the northern [)art of this 
 townshii). lie then |Hirchased one hundred and 
 sixty acres of raw land in New Lenox Township, 
 placed it under gooil improvement and successfully 
 operated it until 1871, when he was taken sick. 
 After three years of invalidism, he closed his eyes 
 to earthly' scenes, leaving his farm encumbered 
 somewhat by :i mortgage. 
 
 With wonderful tact and good management, Mrs. 
 Cunningham succeedeil by the aid of her children 
 in clearing their home from indebtedness and in so 
 conducting their ;iffairs as to be able to secure 
 
298 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 AVesU'in lands also. Slif now owns two huudred and 
 forty acres nuar MarysviUe, Ivan., and relains jios- 
 scssiou of llie fuiui in tliis county which is now 
 itMitcd. but u|)on which .'^he resided until 1889. She 
 now lives with our subject and her daughter, Katie 
 L. Like her husband, she was born in Ireland, 
 County Kilkenny having been her birthplace. She 
 bore the maiden name of Bridget King and is a 
 daughter of Thomas Ring, who, although a farmer, 
 was a graduate of the Latin School of Dublin. She 
 is a sister of the Rev. Patrick Ring, of St. Louis, 
 prominent in the Catholic Church, and with whom 
 she came to America, stopping in the Empire Slate 
 where she was married to Mr. Cunningham. Both 
 she and her husband have been active members of 
 the Roman Catholic Church and Mr. Cunningham 
 was a' Democrat. 
 
 The family of which our subject is the sixth 
 member includes also Matthew, foreman for the 
 Nebraska City Packing House; Thomas, a man of 
 leisure, wiio is traveling a great part of the time; 
 Richard, Mayor of Summerfleld, Kan., and engaged 
 in the agricultural implement business; Martin, 
 deceased; Mary PI, wife of Nelson Lynx, partner 
 of our subject; Katie L. ; and Maggie E., now Mrs. 
 Nugent, of Wilton Township. 
 
 The grandfather of our subject was James Cun- 
 ningham, wlio followed agricultural pursuits in the 
 Emerald Isle, and who bore a very active part in 
 the Irish Rebellion. Some seven years before his 
 death he had a paralytic stroke, and from that time 
 he suffered more or less. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was April 1 1, 1862, 
 anil Ills birthplace, the township iu which he is now 
 so popular. He was reared in New Lenox Town- 
 ship and prior to his seventeenth jear attended the 
 district schools. He then entered the Normal 
 School at ^'aIparaiso, Lid., and after completing 
 the scientific course, was graduated in 188i. He 
 adopted the profession of teaching, the first two 
 years of his professional labor being given to the 
 schools iu Spencer. He then accepted the Princi- 
 palship of the New Lenox graded school, retaining 
 the position three years and during the time taking 
 an active part in the work of the county institutes, 
 and in other ways advancing the cause of educa- 
 tidu. His services were requested at New Lenox 
 
 the fourth year, but he resigned the position to 
 which he had been elected in order to embark in 
 mercantile |)ursuits. 
 
 Forming a partnership with Nelson Lynx, of 
 Spencer, Mr. Cunningham began the sale of general 
 merchandise in a rented building in Manhattan. 
 The stock was new and well selected, the proprie- 
 tors pleasant and courteous, and success attendeil 
 their efforts. In the fall of 1889 they put up a 
 new store building. 24x72 feet in dimensions, and 
 increased their stock which is now the largest .as- 
 sortment of general merchandise in town. Mr. 
 Cunningham also does a large business for the 
 Home Insurance Company, of New York, and at- 
 tends to the renting of the home farm and his 
 brother's estate. 
 
 During 1889 Mr. Cunningham was X'ilhige Clerk 
 and in 1890 he was elected Mayor without exertion 
 on his part. This fact is indicative of his po])U- 
 larity and the reputation which he has. He is an 
 active Democrat and has been a delegate to county 
 and State conventions. He belongs to the Sacred 
 Heart Catholic Church' of Joliet. 
 
 -s ^ » •" 
 
 « l»ALTER B. STEWART, M.D., Ph.C., 
 \rJ/i junior i)artner of the firm of Curtis & 
 V^^ Stewart, is one of the younger members 
 of the medical profession c>f this county, a'-.d lo- 
 cated in Joliet May 1, 1888. He wjis born in 
 Wilmington, this county, February 13, 18GG, and 
 is the son of J. W. Stewart, one of the early set- 
 tlers of this region and now a leading banker of 
 Wilmington. The mother bore the maiden name 
 of Lettie Whitten. The parental familj' consisted 
 of four childien. 
 
 Dr. Stewart obtained his i)reliminar3' educatiou 
 in the scliools of his native i)Iace, and completed 
 his studies in Champaign College in 1885, receiv- 
 ing the degree of I'h.t'. Soon afterward he com- 
 menced the reading of medicine under the instruc- 
 tion of Dr. Curtis, his partner, with whom he 
 continued until entering a course of lectures at 
 the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Chicago, 
 from which he was graduated in the class of '88. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 299 
 
 Soon afterward he was appointed House Surgeon 
 of St. Joseph's Hosiiital, wliicli position he still 
 holds, lie malves a specialty of surgery, and has 
 already attained considerable reputation in this 
 branch of the practice, having rare opportunities 
 for study and observation in connection with his 
 duties at the hospital. 'Ihis in.stitution accommo 
 dates over fifty patiei ts, and aside from this Dr. 
 Stewart is building up quite an extensive private 
 practice. His skill and ability are acknowledged 
 facts among the peoi)le who have sought his ser- 
 vices, and it is predicted that in the near future he 
 is destined to make for himself a reputation as a 
 physician and surgeon of ikj mean acquirements. 
 He is unmarried. Politically, he is a Repnltlican. 
 
 UGUST BOEIIL, as a farmer of large 
 il experience, great capability', sagacious and 
 far-seeing, and |)rudent in the manage- 
 ment of his affairs, is considered one of 
 the most successful of the well to-do agiiculturists 
 who are active in pushing forward the material 
 interests of Will Count}' in general, and of Monee 
 Townslii]) in particular. Associating himself with 
 the pioneers of this region, he has tilled the soil to 
 some (jurpose during the three or more decades 
 that he has lived here, as is shown by the fine ap- 
 liearance of his well-appointed and well-stocked 
 farm, with its neat buildings and well-tilled fields. 
 While doing a general farming business, Mr. Uoehl 
 lias paid special attention to rearing horses the 
 last seventeen years, and for six years h.as been a 
 breeder of thorough-bred English Shire horses, 
 and now has a fine herd, .among them being some 
 that are imported. 
 
 August Boehl is of foreign birth, born in I'rus- 
 sia, (Jermau}', August 13. 18.3.5. His parents, 
 Christian and Christina (Weigand) Hoehl, were 
 natives of the same place .as himself. They had 
 three children — Christina, Wilhelmenaand August. 
 While our subject was scarcely more than a babe, 
 he had the misfortune to lose his good mother, who 
 died in 1838. His father married again, Freder- 
 icka C.acker becoming his wife, b}' whom he h.ad 
 
 the following seven children: Louisa, Catherine, 
 C'hristian, George, William, Ilenr}- and Frederick. 
 The father was a manufacturer of cloth in his 
 native country, but abandoned that business when 
 he came to the United .States in 18.')7, accompa- 
 nied by his family with the exception of the 
 eldest daughter. lie settled on forty acres of 
 land on section 15, Monec Township, where his 
 earthly jnlgrimage came to an end in 18G3, at the 
 age of fiftj'-seven years. His wife survived him 
 until 1885, when she too |)assed aw.a}'. 
 
 The subject of this biographical review passed 
 the earl}' years of his life in his native Germany, 
 and there received a substantial education. He 
 worked for his father in the old countr}', and 
 after coming here spent his first six months at 
 employment for which he w.as paid 112 a month. 
 He subsequently began life on his own account, 
 and in 1859 purchased eighty acres of the land 
 where he now lives for $1,000. At different times 
 he has added to this, first a tract of twenty acres, 
 then one of eighty acres, and subsequently one of 
 forty acres, paying $5 an acre for the limber land. 
 This, by incessant toil, he now has well cultivated, 
 and has all the necessarj' improvements and ap- 
 pointments to make it one of the best-equipped 
 farms in the township. 
 
 iMr. Boehl has not been ininided in his laliors. 
 but has had the cheerful co-operation of a capable 
 wife, to whom he w.as married in the month of 
 May, 1858. Nine children have been born to 
 them, namely: Emma, deceased, who was the wife 
 of Henry Dierchas; Edward, a resident of Minne- 
 sota; August, Arthur, Charles, George, Louis, 
 IJlly and Mary. 
 
 Our subject h.as always honored industry in 
 word and deed, and hence he has done well in his 
 life work. A man of roundal)ont common-sense, 
 wise and careful in the management of his alt'aits, 
 his fellow-citizens, appreciating these character- 
 istics and his general trustworthiness, have called 
 him to the responsible office of Supervisor, and 
 he represented his township on the County Board 
 for three terms, and has used his influence to 
 promote the best interests of the public. In 
 politics, he favors by voice and vote the Repub- 
 lican party, he having been a member of that 
 
300 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 oi-gaiiiziition siiioc he onst his first ballot for Lin- 
 coln. He anil liis wife ai-e amonj>- the most es- 
 teemed members of the Tnited Presbyterian 
 Chiir<-li. and their every-day lives are guided by 
 theis' religious principles. 
 
 AVPillT C. HAYEK. Among the younger 
 members of the Joliet bar, none are more de- 
 serving of honorable mention than Dwight 
 C. Haven, who vvas born in New Lenox, May 10, 
 186;{. The Havens trace their history back to the 
 days when the '-Mayfiower" was plowing the waters 
 of the mighty deep. In one of her later trips she 
 brought a progenitor of the family to America. 
 The grandfather of our subject was Samuel Haven, 
 who came with his family to this county in 1835, 
 from Chautauqua County, N. Y. He and his sons 
 were very pronounced, outspoken Abolitionists, and 
 particularly was tliis trne of the father. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Dwight and 
 Lizzie (Craig) Haven, the mother being a native 
 of Dublin, Ireland, although of Scotch parentage. 
 Of the five children born to them one is dead. The 
 living are: Samuel Rush Haven of Joliet; Edith A., 
 and Bertha A., who are yet at home, and he of 
 whom we write. The father was School Commis- 
 sioner for Will County, from 1865 to 1868, and 
 the Haven family was one of prominence among 
 the early settlers. 
 
 The early life of our subject was passed in his 
 native place, his boyhood being marked with no 
 eventful incident. Being ambitious for the acquire- 
 ment of knowledge he was sent to the Illinois Uni- 
 versity at Champaign, from which institution he 
 was o-raduated in the class of '83. In the military 
 (k'liartment of the University he received from the 
 (iovernor of Illinois the commission of a Captain 
 (Pirevet) of the Illinois National Guards, for his 
 proficiency in military tactics. He has since taken 
 a "reat interest in the National Guards and is now 
 Captain and Adjutant of the Fourth Infantry Regi- 
 ment. He served through two strikes in which the 
 troops were called out, in the years 1885 and 1889. 
 
 After his graduation young Haven adopted the 
 
 profession of teaching, which is an almost universal 
 stepping stone to other professional work, liis knowl- 
 edge being made useful as an instructoi- at his own 
 home. He began reading law in the (jitice of Hill 
 A' Dibell in 1884, and was admitted to Hie bar in 
 1886. lie at once began practice in connection 
 with the Il(m. Charles A. Hill, M. C, who was one 
 of his preceptors, the firm name being Hill \- Haven. 
 It was changed in .lanuary, 1881, to that of Hill, 
 Haven & Hill, u|)on the admission of Alfreil M. 
 Hill, son of Capt. Hill, as a partner. 
 
 In social circles Mr. Haven stands high, his cour- 
 teous manners, intellectual culture, and good habits 
 entitling him to esteem. He is a Knight Temi)lar 
 and niiiniber of the Independent ( )rder of Red Men. 
 In politics he is a Repul)lican and is President 
 of the.loliet Lincoln Club. He was married April 
 3, 1890, to Miss Marian Robinson, of Minneapolis, 
 Minn. 
 
 -5- 
 
 ^ 
 
 -?- 
 
 C. HALEY. This gentleman, although still 
 a young man, has a fine reputation as a mem- 
 ber of the legal profession and a citizen of 
 whose worth no one is in doubt. lie was 
 born in Saranac, Clinton County, N. Y., Jlaich 17, 
 1849, and with his parents came to Will County, 
 III., in 1851. He attended the public schools and 
 added to his store of learning by a course of study 
 in the University of Notre Dame, at South Bend, 
 Ind. He then read law with T. L. Breckenridge, 
 of .loliet, and .took a complete law course in the 
 Universitj', at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he 
 w.as graduated in 1871. 
 
 The same year Mr. Haley was admitted to the 
 bar and immediately began practice soon having a 
 large and lucrative business. He is a clear thinker, 
 a close student into the details of a case, a logical 
 pleader an<l iias the keen wit and commanding 
 presence that go far to secure the attention of coun- 
 selors and jur) men. His abilit}- attracted attention 
 and he was elected City Attorney, and he has also 
 served on the Common Council. Such is his fitness 
 for office that no one questions his services. It was 
 natural that he should be selected as the standard 
 bearer ft)r his (larty in political battles and he h.as 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 301 
 
 been the nominee for Member of Congress twice in 
 succession in the Kiniitls District, nearly overcom- 
 ing a Republican niajorit3' of six thousand and 
 laoiiing but one hvindrcd and seventy eiglit voles 
 of election. 
 
 It is l)Mt natural to conclude that in choosing a 
 companion in life Mr. Haley would seek for a lady 
 witli cultured mind and manners, and a character 
 of nobility. Such was the case, and among the 
 mendjers of a prominent family of this city he 
 found the woman lie desired as his wife. This was 
 Miss Mary A. D'Arcy, and they were united in 
 marriage December 1, 187.'). Mrs. Haley is no less 
 [)<)pular than her husband and the home over which 
 she presides is a frequent gathering place for the 
 cultured and accomplished friends they possess. 
 
 ^^s AMPBELL BROS. This firm comprises 
 (li James and Alexander Campbell, two of the 
 
 ^^<' most enterprising young citizens of iMan- 
 hattan Townsliii>, who operate two hundred and 
 forty acres on section 13, this being their mother's 
 farm, and forty acres adjoining, and whose spec- 
 ialt3' is breeding full-blooded Clydesdale horses. 
 They have as much money invested in imi)orted 
 cquines as any firm in the township, and a lover 
 of horse llesh would lie much pleased with the 
 fine animals to be seen on their place. The}' are 
 also doing a successful farm business, their cro[)s 
 being equal to any in the neighborhood in quality 
 and amount per acre. 
 
 A brief space devoted to the more immediate 
 ancestors of the Campbell Bros, will not be amiss, 
 as in this wa}" an insight may be gained into the 
 character which they inherit, and a reason found 
 fur llieir success. Their paternal grandfather, John 
 Campbell, was a native of Scotland, wherein he 
 followed the trr.dc of a mason until his death, also 
 serving for a time in the English army. His son 
 .Tohn was born in Blerathel, Scotland, learned the 
 trade of the father, and in 1851, while still un- 
 married, came to America. After working at his 
 trade in New York City for some time he went 
 South, sojourning during various periods in Ala- 
 
 bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other Southern 
 States. He finally made his w.ay to Joliet, III., 
 where he continued his former pursuits, among the 
 jobs in which he assisted being the "Warden's Iiouse 
 at the penitentiary. He .also worked at his trade 
 in Chicago, although making his lif)me still in 
 Joliet. 
 
 About 1859 this gentleman removed to llie 
 country, and some two years later l<^ft Joliet Town- 
 ship to take possession of one hundred acres of 
 raw land, which forms a part of the present Camp- 
 bell farm. Immediately after his purchase he be- 
 gan making improvements, hiring liel)) to run the 
 farm while he continued to work at his trade in the 
 two cities before mentioned. He proved a suc- 
 cessful manager and overseer, added to his kinded 
 estate, and at the time of his death owned two 
 hundred acres. He breathed his last March 18, 
 1886, when sixty-four years old. For years he did 
 efficient service as School Director. He belonged 
 to the Republican part}', and to the Presbj'terian 
 Church. 
 
 The mother of the Campbell Bros, was born near 
 Glasgow, Scotland, and is a daughter of Sand}- 
 Kier, who came to America in I85t. Iler father 
 was a mason, who like the gentleman who became his 
 son in-law, worked at his trade in New York City, 
 and afterward in -loliet and Chicago, making 
 his home in the former place. He invested in 
 land, and eventuall}- became a large farmer. (Sec 
 sketch of James Kier.) His daughter Grace was 
 reared in Scotland, and w.as a young lad}' when 
 she crossed the Atlantic, not long after which she 
 became the wife of John Campbell. She is now 
 living in Hamilton County, Iowa, with her chil- 
 dren. She has borne eight sons and daughters, as 
 follows: Kale, now ]\Irs. McLaughlin, of Hamil- 
 ton County, Iowa; John, a farmer in the same 
 county; Charles, who died in Will County; James 
 and Alexander, of this sketch; Eliza, who lives 
 with the two brothers just namerl; Maggie is de- 
 c*.ased; and Archie is attending the High School at 
 Joliet. 
 
 James Campbell openeil his ey.ee to the light of 
 day May 4, 186;?, on the farm ■which is his present 
 home. He was reared upon it, and e<lncated in the 
 district schools, remaining under the parental roof 
 
302 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 until the (le;it1i of liis f.-itlicr, in 1880. He then 
 rented a fiinii of two bundred and forty aci'es in 
 Manhattan Tovvnsliip, from liis uncle, .lames Kiel', 
 and operat (1 the same until the s|)ring of 1880, 
 nlieu he formed a connection vvitii his hrot'iier and 
 returned to his former home. 
 
 Alexander Cam|)bell was also born on this farm 
 August 3, 1865. lie enjoyed llic privileges af- 
 forded in the common schools, and i-emained u|ion 
 the farm with his mother until September, 1888, 
 receiving wages for his services after lie had 
 reached his majority. He then m.ade a journo3' to 
 Scotland, for the double purjjose of improving iiis 
 health, and buying Clydesdale horses foi' himself 
 anil brother .lames. Going to New York City he 
 embarked on the Cunard steamer ''Umbria," Sep- 
 tember 1.5, and si.x and a half ilays later landed in 
 Liverpool. Going to Glasgow he made that city 
 his heacfquavters while traveling somewhat in the 
 land from which his ancestors came, visiting the 
 former homes of his ^jarents, etc. He sailed from 
 Glasgow November 10, on the steamer "Grecian," 
 stO|)ping at Halifax twenty-four hours, and arriv- 
 ing in Philadelphia November 29, whence he canie 
 directly homo. 
 
 While abroad Mr. Campbell jjurchased five full- 
 blooded Clydesdale horses and an Iceland i)ony, 
 which he brought with him to America. Soon 
 after his return he rented the home farm and an 
 adjoining tract, and with his brother began the 
 operation of the same. They have all the modern 
 conveniences in the way of buildings, use the lat- 
 est improved farm machinery, and devote them- 
 selves with unremitting zeal to the work they have 
 in hand. About one hundred and ninety acres arc 
 planted, principally with corn and oats, and the 
 lialaiice is used as pasture and h.wing giound. 
 They employ four teams in their farm labors, and 
 in addition to their specialty raise a good grade of 
 cattle and hogs. 
 
 The Campbell Bros, now have about twenty-five 
 lu^'id of graded horses on their i)lace, while their 
 full-blooded equines include three marcs and two 
 stallions. Mabel Eden is a l>eautiful bay five years 
 old; Betsey is three, and Florence two. These 
 were imported Ijy themselves, as was Sir Burt, a 
 three-year old, registered as No. COO. I'rinee 
 
 Kevenswortli, also an ini|)orted animal, is eight 
 years old, and registered as No. 1700. The Camp- 
 bell Bros, imported Bed Moss Chief, who is now 
 owned by their brother in Iowa. 
 
 Neither member of the firm is married, but -they 
 have an cflicient housekeeper in their sister, .lames 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Church at, .loliet, 
 and both are held in excellent re|)ute in that city, 
 and wherever they are known, .lames is a Demo- 
 crat, while Alexander is independent in politics. 
 
 •IIOMAS .1. Ivl HIv, whose pleasant home in 
 llifr^^x '" Florence Township, is a native of .lanes- 
 V_y ville. Wis. and was born .July 18, 1854. His 
 parents, James and Elizabeth (Forsythe) Kirk, were 
 born in the Emerald Isle and married in Ogdens- 
 burgh, N. Y., whence they removed to .Tanesviile. 
 In 1860 they changed their place of abode to Will 
 County, HI., locating on a farm in Florence Town- 
 ship, where both subsequently died. The elder 
 Kirk was a cooper by trade and also a farmer. 'I'lie 
 family consisted of six children — Mary .1. now 
 wife of .loseph Whalen, a Dakota farmer; our sub- 
 ject; Elizabeth, still unmarried ; Andrew, .lames and 
 William, farmers in this count}', two of them hav- 
 ing homes in the same townsliii). 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was reared in 
 this township from about his sixth V'ear, and lips 
 foUowecl farming since youth. He owns eighty 
 acres of fertile land, which is carefully and intelli- 
 gently tilled and bears adequate improvements. At 
 present the attention of Mr. Kirk is divided be- 
 tween his agricultural work, threshing and well 
 drilling. He stands well in the estimation of his 
 fcUowinen, being reliable and energetic in his bus- 
 iness affairs, kindly in social and domestic life, and 
 useful as a citizen of the county and State. 
 
 Mr. Kirk has served five years is Collector of 
 Florence Township and is now acting for the sec- 
 ond term in the capacity of Assessor. His politi- 
 cal affiliation is with the Democrat party. The 
 order and attractiveness of his home are due to the 
 housewifeh' skill and plensing qualities of his wife 
 who bore the maiden name of Fannie .lackson. She 
 
{/iyV'\y-)^y--^---(s^-v^^^.^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 305 
 
 was 1)0111 in Florence Townsliip, August 1, 1855, 
 to Cliurles and Ellen (Cating) Jackson, anil be- 
 came the wife of our subject January 7, 1880. 
 Four cliarming daughters have come to bless the 
 union. Tluw are named vespectivel}' : Laura K., 
 Ktlicl Pi., Alice and Klinor. 
 
 ^— 
 
 •^^ 
 
 Sf AJIES C. AVEKSE. The building interests 
 I of .Toliet would be but poorly represented 
 I in this volume did not its pages contain 
 J mention of J. C. Weese. who has been en- 
 gaged as an architect and builder for inan3'' years. 
 In this city he has designed and bnilt m.any of the 
 best residences, among them being the dwellings 
 of H. B. Scutt, M. Calmer, Dr. Raynor, and others. 
 He has also done much work in Morris, Aurora, 
 Yorkville, and other places. He is a practical car- 
 penter and architect, whose knowledge has not 
 licen picked up but was acquired under competent 
 masters and improved by practical labor in both 
 lines. 
 
 The Weese familj^ is of German extraction, the 
 grandfather of our subject having been born in 
 the Fatherland. His father, John Marcus Weese 
 and Laura Howell were born in Canada, and after 
 their marriage lived for many years. To them 
 were born thirteen children, eleven of whom are 
 now living, the subject of this sketch being the 
 second. The others are: William, a blacksmitb 
 and carriage builder in Plattville, Kendall County; 
 Mrs. Catherine Morden and Mrs. Victoria Lazier, 
 twins; Elias N., whose home is at Minooka, Grundy 
 Countj'; Lorain C. and Wellington, deceased; Mrs. 
 Laura Hurd; Walter; Mi's. Cliloe Pierce; and 
 Adeline and John, twins, the latter of whom re- 
 sides in Chicago; Adeline, the first, is deceased. 
 
 In County Hastings, Province of Ontario, on 
 .August ,30, 1842, the subject of this sketch was 
 born. His father being a f.armer, his early life 
 was spent amid rural surroundings, and until the 
 age of fifteen years he shared, as a boy could, in 
 various agricultural labors in the intervals of his 
 school life. Ill' then served his time as a carpen- 
 ter's apju'ent ice. Working at that trade exclusively 
 
 for seven years. He next devoted himself to archi- 
 tecture, which he learned in the city of New York, 
 for a period of ten years, and since that time has 
 been dcsiguing and building. In 1871 he came to 
 Joliet, which has been his home during most of 
 the years since that date. He now occupies an at- 
 tractive residence at No. 105, Second Avenue, 
 whose internal arrangements are a model of house- 
 wifely skill. 
 
 On .lanuary •22,1 872, the rites of wedlock were cel- 
 ebrated between our subject and Miss Kittie Farley, 
 a resident of Leiand, LaSalle County, III. The 
 bride is the daughter of the Rev. A. and Mary 
 (Anderson) Farley, the father having been a min- 
 ister in the United Brethren Church. During the 
 cholera scourge, which decimated so many neigh- 
 borhoods, in 1852, Mr. and Mrs. Farley were 
 stricken down with the dread disease, dying within 
 a week of each other. Their daughter was reared 
 by an aunt, and under her loving care grew to 
 womanhood, a noble and refined young lady fitted 
 for any sphere in life. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Weese are childless, but have an 
 adopted d.aughter. Mrs. Weese is a consistent 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
 Weese is a true blue Republican, whose first Presi- 
 dential ballot was cast for Rutherford B. H.ayes, and 
 who has followed that vote with a steady adherence 
 to the party which he then chose. A reliable citi- 
 zen, an intelligent and upright man, he is regarded 
 with respect by his fellow-citizens, his wife sharing 
 in their esteem. 
 
 -^r- 
 
 !hyj^ ARTIN H. DEMMOND. To pay the trib- 
 ute of honor and respect to those pio- 
 neers who went in advance of civilization 
 and hewed a path for the approach of nian, 
 is always a pleasant duty. Their self-denial has 
 given us the comforts of life; their perseverance 
 laid the foundations of our large cities and thriv- 
 ing towns. They planted the seed, knowing that 
 they vvould not live to enjoy the ripciu'd fniit. 
 T^iey worked not for themselves, but for poster- 
 ity, trusting in faith that in due time the reward 
 
306 
 
 PORTilAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 
 
 of their patient efforts would be realized. The 
 genllenian whoso name introduces this biographi- 
 cal review is numbered among the worthy pio- 
 neers of Will County, and thougii long since 
 passed from the busy scenes of life, yet, liice the 
 good man of old, "his works do follow him." 
 
 A native of Massachusetts, Mr. Demmond was 
 born March 4, 1803, but early in life lemoved to 
 Oneida County, N. Y.. then located in Herki- 
 mer County, where lie grew to manhood. He spent 
 the years of his youth in the usual manner, and by 
 studj' and observation gradually acquired a busi- 
 ness education, which he used successfully in after 
 life. After lieing firmly established in the dry- 
 goods business, he set up his own household, plac- 
 ing at its head an estimable lady who bore the 
 maiden name of Sophia Murray. Mrs. Demmond 
 was liorn July 26, 1804, in Petersburg, N. Y., 
 whence when she was still quite young her father 
 removed to Cayuga and later to Sharon. After a 
 brief residence there, they went to Whitesboro, 
 Oneida County, and there she grew to woman- 
 hood. After the death of her father, John Mur- 
 ray, she went to live in Frankfort, Herkimer 
 County, N. Y., where she met Mr. Demmond and 
 with him was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
 mony April 10, 1831. In that place the3' began 
 their married life. 
 
 In October, 1834, Mr. Demmond closed out his 
 business in Frankfort and having resolved upon 
 removing to the promising AVest, came to Illinois 
 and, settling in Joliet, engaged in the mercantile 
 business. With far-seeing prudence he bought 
 eighty acres (/f land lying west of the river, and 
 platted Demniond's addition. His business enter- 
 prise soon led him into building, and several 
 blocks which still stand were erected by him. He 
 became the owner of a number of fine fa"ms and 
 in the later j-cars of his life was interested in the 
 raising of fine cattle. His busy, useful and suc- 
 cessful life came to a close during the cholera epi- 
 demic of 1854; he died July 18, of that dread 
 disease after an illness of but twelve hours. His 
 remains were first interred at the old homestead 
 but were afterward removed to Oakwood Cemetery. 
 He was a Democrat until slavery became a party 
 issue, when his views on that subject led him to 
 
 join the Whig party. Mr. Demmond was very 
 charitable, but performed his deeds of kindness in 
 a quiet way, not letting his left hand know what 
 his right hand did. 
 
 After the death of her husband Mrs. Demmond 
 closed out his business, which left herjin po.ssession 
 of ample mean.s. Her mother came to live with her 
 and (lied at her home. Her household now consists 
 of her sister, Mrs. Eliza Foltz, a daughter of the 
 latter, Mrs. Lafavour, and nephew. Will Lafavour. 
 The latter, a rising young artist, has made a trip 
 through Europe in pursuit of his studies and in 
 search of health. They are numbered among the 
 oldest and most influential families of the city and 
 occupies a spacious residence on Broadway, sur- 
 rounded by ease and luxury. Mr. and Mrs. Dem- 
 mond were not blessed by children, but a niece. 
 Miss Catherine Murray, was a member of their 
 household from her youth until her marriage to 
 Col. Bartleson, who was killed during the late 
 Civil War. She afterwards became the wife of 
 Rush Cassellierry, of Chicago. A portrait of the 
 late Mr. Demmond is presenlod in connection with 
 this sketch. 
 
 
 ^iEORGE LIVERMORE VANCE. One of 
 
 the most elegant business blocks of Joliet 
 JAj stands as a monument to the industry and 
 energy of INIr. Vance, who erected it in 1888, and 
 utilizes all of it for the sale of furniture ami other 
 articles in that line. He is one of the leading busi- 
 ness men of the cit}-, occupying a good position, 
 socially and financially. He is of stanch New 
 England stock, a Vermonter by birth, first opening 
 his eyes to the light in Caledonia Count3', Groton 
 Township, March 13, 1840. His immediate pro- 
 genitors were Aaron and Lucinda (Tucker) Vance, 
 who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain 
 State. They traced their ancestry to England. 
 
 Aaron ^'ance, in addition to being engaged as a 
 boot and shoe dealer, also carried on farming. The 
 parental household included eight children, all of 
 whom are living and of whom the subject of this 
 notice was the eldest born. David E. is a prac- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 307 
 
 ticiiig attorney of Winona, Minn.; William A. is 
 tiic postmaster at Houston, that State; AUiert N. 
 is niercliandising in Decorab, Iowa; Nicliolas W. 
 is a l)aiiliPi' in Wolsey, S. D. ; Xanc}' A., Mrs. Dyeri 
 is tiie wife of a merchant in Houston, Minn. ; Abby, 
 ftFrs. Calvin Vance, is a resident of Money Creek, 
 tiiat State, an<l Aaron K. lives in .Toliet. The par- 
 ents celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their 
 wedding May 3, 1888, at their home in Money 
 Creek, Minn. The occasion was one of general 
 rejoicing, and at whicii were convened a large 
 number of relatives and friends. 
 
 .Mr. ^'ance was reared to manhood in his native 
 State, acquiring a good education, and upon ap- 
 proaching manhood engaged in teaching district 
 schools four years. Later he went to Rutland and 
 was occu|)ied in the boot and shoe business two 
 vears. We next find him in the ITnited States 
 Treasury department at AVashington, D. C, where 
 lie held a clerkship from 1864 to 1870. During 
 this time he devoted his leisure hours to the study of 
 l;uv. nnil w!is graduated from the Columbia in the 
 law department, and was admitted to the bar by 
 the supreme court of the District of Columbia. 
 
 Deciding now upon seeking his fortunes in the 
 West, Mr. Vance emigrated to Minnesota and was 
 engaged in the mercantile business at Money Creek 
 until .lanuary 1, 1873. During that year he came 
 to .Toliet and established himself in the furniture 
 trade, which he has prosecuted successfully and 
 thereby accumulated a competency. Polilicall3', 
 he is a pronounced Republican, and while in Min- 
 nesota served as Postmaster and Justice of the 
 I'eace. 
 
 While sojourning at the national capital Mr. 
 Vance formed the acquaintance of Miss E. K. Fow- 
 ler, and the mutual attachment which followed 
 resulted in their marriage May 30, 1868. Of this 
 union there were born two children: George A., 
 teller of the Will County Bank, and Grace Fow- 
 ler, who is attending the High School at Winona, 
 Minn. Mrs. Vance was a native of A'irginia, and 
 departed this life at her home in Joliet, November 
 6, 1873. Mr. Vance on the llHh of July, 1877, 
 contracted a second marriage with Miss Jennie, 
 daughter of William and Keziah Lewis. This 
 lady was born March 18, 1813, in England, and 
 
 spent her early years in a comparativel3' unevent- 
 ful manner under the home roof, acquiring a good 
 education in the common schools. Of her union 
 with our subject there have been born two chil- 
 dren, one deceased. Beulah A. the survivor. So- 
 cially, Mr. \'ance is identified with the Masonic 
 fraternity. being a Knight Templar. is Prelate therein 
 and also belongs to the Rojal Arcanum. For three 
 years he was President of the Young Men's Christ- 
 ian Association, and is now its Vice President. His 
 religious views coincide with the doctrines of the 
 Baptist Church. He is President of the Will 
 County Sundaj'-school Association, and takes an 
 active interest in the religious training of the 
 young. The various enterprises calculated for the 
 good of the community receive his cordial and 
 uniform support. He has been for some time con- 
 nected with the Will County Bank, in which he 
 now holds the office of Vice-President. 
 
 ^. 
 
 LBERT L. GRANGER. There is proba 
 bly not within the limits of IJomer Towri- 
 I II) ship a more thorough or substantial farmer 
 ^ than Mr. Granger, who is successfully 
 
 operating two hundred and eighty .acres of choice 
 land on section 32. He has good improvements, 
 including a substantial brick residence, which, 
 with its appurtenances forms a very attractive and 
 inviting home. In ailditiou to general agriculture 
 he makes a specialty of heavy draft horses and 
 highly-bred roadsters, and is conducting this de- 
 partment of his business in a manner which indi- 
 cates his thorough knowledge of it and his pride in 
 it. As a member of the commimity he is held in 
 high esteem. 
 
 Mr. Granger w.as born at his present home in 
 Homer Township, September 20, 1843, and there 
 spent his boyhood and jouth in attending the dis- 
 trict school; later, Knox College atGalcsburg. Til., 
 and the military academies at Fulton, 111., and Phil- 
 adelphia, Pa. He was married at St. Johnsbury, 
 Vt., July 17, 1873, to Miss Georgiana. daughter of 
 Horace B. Jones, of Victory, Vt. Mrs. Granger 
 was born in St. Johnsbury, December 10, 1848. 
 
308 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Iler parents were natives of Vermont, wlierc they 
 still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Granger are the t'o.ster 
 parents of three ehildren — Gertrude R., Lottie K. 
 and Albert L. 
 
 Mr. Granger, politically, is an active Republi- 
 can, and takes a deep interest in public .iffairs. 
 During the late Civil War lie enlisted in Feb- 
 ruary, 1863, in Company F, Eighth Illinois Cav- 
 alry, and in October following was promoted to a 
 First Lieulenancy in the Twenty-ninth United 
 States Coloreil Troops, serving in that capacity 
 uritil November, 1865. He wont all through the 
 Appomattox Campaign, was present at the siege of 
 Petersburg, and also had the satisfaction of wit- 
 nessing the surrender of Lee. 
 
 The father of our subject was M.aj. Alanson 
 Granger, a native of Cortland County, N; Y., born 
 in the town of Preble. November 18, 1802. He was 
 there reared to manhood and was married at Trnx- 
 ton, that county, June 8, 1826, to Miss Mary 
 Perry. The latter was born in Truxton, Novem- 
 ber 25, 1809, and after marriage the young people 
 settled in Homer, N. Y., where the}' remained until 
 1833. That year he emigrated to Illinois and 
 located a tract of land on section 32, in Homer 
 Township, this county, and bad the honor of nam- 
 ing the township after his native place. He was 
 joined by his wife the following year, and they 
 continued to live on the same farm the remainder 
 of their lives. Mr. Granger departed hence Octo- 
 ber 7, 1871. Tlie mother survived her husband 
 for nearly fifteen years, her death taking i)lace July 
 7, 1889. Mr. Granger held the oflice of Township 
 Supervisor several terms, and was a man thoroughly 
 respected among his neighl)ors. The parental 
 household included eight children, three of whom 
 are living, named respectively: Helen M., wife of 
 Wesley D. Jones; Alvan P., of Denver, Colo.; and 
 the subject of this sketch. 
 
 vip^DWARD P. & HENRY S. LYON. The 
 |W) Hedge Lawn Stock Farm is a noticeable 
 /*' — '-^ feature in the landscape of Washington 
 Township, and is well known to stockmen as a 
 place where Hereford cattle are made a speeialt}'. 
 
 The estate is located on section 31, and consists of 
 two hundred and forty acres of well-improved 
 land, su|)plied with excellent buildings, which in- 
 clude everything necessary for the convenience 
 and comfort of the owners, and the housing of 
 the stock and crops which they raise. The subjects 
 of this sketch are associated in iiartnersliip, and 
 the two have been carrying on their affairs jointly 
 for more than fifteen years. The farm which they 
 operate was purch.ased by their father, Caleb Lyon, 
 in 1853, and was the familj' homo until the death 
 of the father in August, 1881. 
 
 The Lyons come of an old New Jersey family of 
 Huguenot stock. In Elizabethtown, Caleb Lyon 
 was born in 1808, but was still a child when his 
 father, Caleb Lyon, Sr., removed to Schenectadj' 
 County, N. Y. The latter w.as a stage-coach and 
 carriage maker, and was a pioneer in his business. 
 He lived to be more than four-score years old. He 
 had married Martha Lyon, a distant relative, who 
 also died in the Empire State, at the age of fifty- 
 eight years. They belonged to the Presbyterian 
 Church, as did all of the old stock. 
 
 The father of our subject was reared in the Em- 
 pire State, and under the tuition of his father 
 learned the trade of a carriage and stagecoach 
 maker. He married Miss Jeanette Mansfield, and 
 they continued to reside in the Empire State until 
 1850, in the fall of which they came West and lo- 
 cated in the citj' of Chicago. There the father 
 followed his trade for a time, finally putting his 
 family on the Will County farm, but himself con- 
 tinuing his emploj^ment in Chicago for some time 
 longer. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, 
 and he and his wife were charter members of a 
 society in Will Township, this count}^ which they 
 assisted in organizing. They were the parents of 
 four sons and one daughter. 
 
 LeverettM., one of the members of the parental 
 household, gave his life to his country, being 
 killed by a rebel gunshot at the battle of Chicka- 
 mauga, September 19, 1863. He had served for 
 some time as a member of Companj' H, One Hun- 
 dredth Illinois Infantry, and held the rank of 
 Corporal at the time of his decease. His superior 
 otlicers were Capt. Goddard and Col. Bartleson. 
 He was twenty-four years old wlien his life was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 309 
 
 cut slioit b3- tlic civil contest. The living mem- 
 bers of the fiunily are: William C, Edward P., 
 Henry S. and Amelia A. William married Mar- 
 gan.'t Buck, and lives in Coffey County, Kan., 
 where he is engaged in farming; Henry S. mar- 
 ried Miss Margaret Crawford, of New York, and 
 has one child, Robert C; Amelia remains with 
 her mother and her brother, Edward P. 
 
 Mrs. Caleb Lyon, who still survives and is now 
 an active old h\(\y eighty-one j'ears of age, lives 
 with her son, Edward P. She was lioru in Scho- 
 harie County, N. Y., .Tune 14, l.sOi*. being a 
 daughter of Levcrett and Sarah (San ford) Mans- 
 field, wlio were natives of New Uaven, Conn. In 
 the city of their birlh Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield 
 grew to maturity and were married, going at once 
 to Schoharie County, N, Y., where Mr. Mansfield 
 took up the occupation of a merchant, hotel-keeper 
 and farmer in the village of Esperance. In later 
 life he and his family removed to Illinois, making 
 their home in Princeville, Peoria CouiUy. There 
 lie anil his wife died within a few d.a3's of each 
 other, the one being eighty-one and the other sev- 
 enty-nine years of age. They had been members 
 of the Presbyterian Church from earl}' life. 
 
 Edward P. Lyon, of this brief sketcii, was born 
 in the Empire State, July 18, 1842, but has spent 
 the greater part of his life on the farm which he 
 now operates. He married Miss Lottie Rose, the 
 wedding ceremony being celebrated at Beecher, 
 October 18, 1879. Mrs. Lyon was reared in this 
 State, and was graduated from the institution at 
 Normal. For some years she was engaged in 
 teaching in the public schools of Chicago. She was 
 deeply interested in educational and liter.ary mat- 
 ters and in all that was elevating and refining. A 
 good mother and a loving wife, she was sincerely 
 mourned by her household and many friends when 
 she was removed by death, December 21), 1885, at 
 the age of thirty-six 3^ears. She was the mother of 
 three children — Mary M., Edward R. and Lever- 
 ett S. 
 
 i\Ir. L)'ou has been for some time associated with 
 the Congregational Church, of which liis wife was 
 also a member. Ho and all his brothers vote and 
 work for the cause of temperance. Mr. Lyon is 
 not an office-seeker, but is ever read}' to look after 
 
 the interests of his party in local matters and is an 
 able worker in the ranks. He is respected a.s he 
 deserves for his general intelligence, his zeal in the 
 work to which he has devoted himself, and the 
 ufirightness of his character. 
 
 NDUIS A. INGERSOLL. This name is 
 
 Oi [n'oniinent among those of the public- 
 spirited citizens of Homer Township, as 
 one who has always taken an active part 
 in the jiromotion of its best interests. .Judging 
 from his home surroundings he is more than or- 
 dinarily intelligent, industrious and enterprising, 
 having good buildings on his farm, and all the 
 other appliances for the successful prosecution of 
 agriculture. He has been a School Director in his 
 <iistrict for the long period of twenty-four years, 
 and most of the time for twenty-five years past has 
 officiated as Overseei- of Highwaj-s. He takes an 
 active part in political affairs, giving his uniform 
 support to the Republican party. 
 
 Mr. IngersoU is a native of this county, and was 
 born in Plainfleld Township, November 20, 1831). 
 In the spring of 1840, his parents removed to Ho- 
 mer Township, where the father secured a farm on 
 section 9, and where Andrus A. was reared toman's 
 estate. His education was obtained principally in 
 the common schools, while his habit of reading and 
 observation have conspired to make him a thor- 
 oughly-informed man, with progressive ideas, and 
 an acquaintance with most of the topics of the day 
 under general discussion. He chose farming for 
 bis vocation, and with the exception of the lime 
 spent in the army, has followed this his entire life. 
 
 During the second year of the Civil War Mr. 
 IngersoU enlisted in the Union service, August 6, 
 18G2, in Company G, One Hundredth Illinois In- 
 fantry, and served until .Tune 30, 1865, being mus- 
 tered out on that day. He remained with the 
 regiment until November G, 1862, when he was de- 
 tailed for detached service as an artificer, being 
 thus occupied until October 8, 1864. He was then 
 transferred by General Order No. 108. of the War 
 Department, to the First United States Veteran 
 
310 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 VoluiUeer Engineer Corps, with vvliioli lie served 
 \iiitil receiving his honorable disi-hargo. He was 
 mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., with the rank of 
 First Sergeant. Upon one occasion while gathering 
 timber in the swamps to be used at Ft. Negle^-, he 
 w.as disabled by a shot from the enemy from 
 which, however, he soon recovered. 
 
 I'pon leaving the army Mr. IngersoU returned 
 to Homer Townshij) and resumed farming. He 
 has one hundred and sixty-three acres of good land, 
 upon which he has erected substantial buildings, 
 and gathered around himself and his family all the 
 comforts of life He was married March 28, 1866, 
 in Orlaud, Cook County, this .State, to Miss Fannj' 
 M., daughter of Icliabod and Ann E. (Reynolds) 
 Myrick. Mr. Myrick was a farmer by occupation 
 and iliid .'it Morgan Park, 111., August 17. 1872. 
 The mother is still living, making her home at 
 Morgan Park. 
 
 Mrs. IngersoU was the third in a family of 
 eleven children and was born in Orlaud, 111., Sep- 
 tember 19, 1847. Her childhood and youth passed 
 quietly and uneventfully under the home roof 
 where she remained until her marriage. Of this 
 union there have born four children, viz.: Anna 
 A., Walter .1., Florence and Percy. The two latter 
 died at the ages of twenty--two months and four 
 days respectively. Mr. IngersoU has served as 
 a Justice of the Peace for a [jcriod of fourteen 
 years, and was Township Clerk one year. 
 
 Alonzo A. IngersoU, the father of our subject, 
 was a native of Vermont, while his mother bore the 
 maiden name of Barbara Weaver, and was a native 
 of Syracuse, N. Y. The latter came with her par- 
 ents to this county in 1833. Her father was Benja- 
 min Weaver, and the maiden name of her mother 
 was Pliebe Paddock. Upon coming to Illinois 
 they settled in Homer Township, where they si)ent 
 the remainder of their days. The paternal grand- 
 parents of our subject were Chester and Lucretia 
 (Burdick) IngersoU, the former of whom was a 
 Colonel in the Sauk War. He came to this county 
 in 1828. Subsequently he was married in Chicago, 
 in 1834, and kept the first hotel in that city, which 
 was familiarly known as the Green Tree House. 
 Mr. Ingersoll's parents were married in what is 
 now the town of Homer, but which was then called 
 
 the "Yankee Settlement," October 8, 1838. The 
 father secured land on section 9, Homer Township, 
 and on the farm which he built up he and iiis es- 
 timable wife spent the remainder of their days. 
 Mr. IngersoU met !iis death l)y being struck by 
 lightning, March 19, 1847. Tiie mother died at 
 the old homestead Oclober 5, 1861. There were 
 born to them three children only — Andrus A., 
 Anna A. and Phebe P. The two sisters of Mr. 
 IngersoU are deceased. 
 
 '?i;iOTLIEB SEOGEBRUCII. One of the 
 largest farms in Crete Townsliip is oivned 
 by the gentleman above named, comprising 
 four hundred and ten acres, and occup3'ing a portion 
 of sections 30 and 31. A portion of it is now op- 
 erated by the sons of our subject, who, after many 
 years of thrifty and laborious life is content to 
 allow his offspring to relieve him of some (jf the 
 burdens which he has borne. He is the only repre- 
 sentative in America of the parental famil}- which 
 comprised eight children, and is a worthy descend- 
 ant of German parents who lived to a ripe old .age 
 and died heartily respected by those who knew 
 them. They were farmers in the Kingdom of Lippe 
 Schambourg, where the eyes of their sou, Gotlieb, 
 opened to the light April 19, 1815. He was reared 
 to farm life and became a farm laborer in his own 
 land, where he remained until some years after he 
 had set up his own household. 
 
 The wife whom Mv. Seggebruch chose in his 
 early manhood was Louisa Siegmann, a native of 
 Hesse-Cassel, who w.as reared to womanhood in her 
 native State After the birth of five children the 
 family, in the fall of 1854, left Bremerhaven for 
 America, landing in New York after a voyage of 
 six weeks. Thence they journeyed to Detroit, 
 Mich., t)n a boat, and thence to Chicago, two d.a3's 
 later coming to Will County and purchasing eighty 
 acres of land. Here Mr. and Mrs. Seggebruch 
 have grown old upon tje land where tlu'y first set- 
 tled. The acreage has lieen increased and the 
 whole placed in a fine condition of improvement 
 and tillage, and well stocked with domestic animals 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 311 
 
 find adequate macliinery, while tlie dwelling lias 
 been supplied with conveniences and the household 
 affairs conducted in the thrift^' manner which is 
 earl_v taught to the daughters of Germany. 
 
 The happy union of our subject and his com- 
 panion has been blessed by the birth of live sons 
 and four daughters. One son, Henry, died when 
 seven years old; Caroline is the wife of Henry 
 Oldreg, a farmer in Pottawatomie County, Kan. : 
 William married Eliza Brjmeier, and operates a 
 farm in Ashgrove Township, Iroquois Count}'; 
 August C, who lives on a farm in Monee Township, 
 this county, married Sophie Miller, who died leav- 
 ing three children, after which he married Anna 
 Kaurtz; Amelia is the wife of Henry Arkenberg, 
 a farmer in Crete: John assists his father in work- 
 ing the homestead and resides with his parents; 
 Sophia is the wife of Charles Waggoner, who has a 
 grocery store on South Butiorlield Street, Chicago; 
 Louisa is the wife of Fred Miller, a farmer in Pot- 
 tawatomie County, Kan.; Fred W. is still at home 
 and assisting in carrying on the estate. Mr. Segge- 
 brueh and his sons all belong to the Republican 
 party. The sturdy qualities of industrious, upright 
 manhood and womanhood belong to our subject 
 and his good wife, and they are not only honored 
 by their progeny but respected by neighbors and 
 Hcqnaintnnces. 
 
 ENUY LANGREDER. 'I'his gentleman 
 ranks among the enterprising farmers of 
 Washington Township, owning a pleasant 
 (,(;£)) and well-improved farm of one hundred 
 and twentj' acres on section 31. It has been thirty 
 3'oars since he obtained a tract of unbroken prairie 
 from the railroad company, and during this inteiim 
 he has made of it a fruitful expanse where fields of 
 waving grain take the place of the wild grasses 
 which formerly covered it. The buildings are well 
 constructed and sufficiently numerous and commo- 
 dious to answer the purpose for which they were 
 designed, and everything about the estate bears the 
 appearance of order which those aoqu.ainted with 
 Mr. and Mrs. Langreder would expect. 
 
 The [)arents of our subject were Detrick and 
 Grace (Avers) Langreder, both of whom were boru 
 in Hanover, Germany, and the latter of whom died 
 there. In October, 1848, the father, accompanied 
 by his three children, set out for the United States, 
 leaving Bremen on a sailing vessel which made a 
 lauding at New Orleans, La., after a tedious voyage 
 of nine weeks and five days. The father and son 
 worked about four months in the Southern metrop- 
 olis to earn money vvith which to continue their 
 journey, and finally the family reached Chicago, 111. 
 Two days after their arrival the father died, when 
 somewhat past his three-score years of age. He and 
 his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church and man- 
 ifested in their daily walk and conversation the 
 virtues which belong to the Christian religion. 
 
 The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch 
 was born in Hanover, Germany, July 24, 1828, and 
 is the 3'oungest member of the parental family'. He 
 was eleven years old when he lost his mother and 
 about twenty when he bade good-by to his native 
 land. Ilis education was obtained in the F\ather- 
 land under the excellent school laws which provide 
 all German children with a fair share of school 
 privileges. Besides himself, the only survivor of 
 the parental household is a sister who is married 
 and living in Minnesota. 
 
 After the death of his father the young man 
 went to California, where he spent some years in 
 the mining regions with the varying success which 
 usually attends such experiences. ■ On returning to 
 the States he resided in Cook County, 111., three 
 years and then, in 1860, became a resident of Will 
 County. He was first married in Cook County to 
 Miss Louisa Riesperkart, who was born in Germany 
 and came to the United States when eighteen years 
 old. She died at her home in Will County when 
 yet in middle life leaving a large family to whom 
 she had been a devoted mother. All her offspring 
 are yet living and all are now married but two 
 sons: William; Henry, married and lives in Beecher; 
 Fred, married and lives in Beecher; Edward, 
 Adolph, Louisa and Emma. 
 
 Mr. Langreder contracted a second matrimonial 
 alliance, celebrating his marriage to Mrs. Louisa 
 Swarica in Washington Townsliip. This worth}' 
 lady was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to 
 
312 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 America alone, following her parents to this coun- 
 try. She is tlic niotlier of six cliildreu by her 
 present iinicm and two by a former marriage, viz.: 
 15erlie, Mary, Lillie, Anna, Carrie and I)ctricl<. 
 
 -OIIN C. BROADIE, a son of one of the 
 eai'ly pioneers of New Lenox Township, was 
 born at tlie iiomestead wliich he now owns 
 and oecnfiies, Sei)tember 12, 1868. He is 
 a young man of fine talents and stands well in the 
 community, being possessed of the trails of cliar- 
 acter which seldom fail to enable a man to become 
 prosperous in business and possessed of the esteem 
 and eonlidence of his fellow-citizei.s. 
 
 The father of our subject was the well-known 
 Robert J. Broadic, a native of Franklin County, 
 Ohio, and born near Columbus, February 5, 1829. 
 The mother bore the maiden name of Ann Cooper, 
 and she was born in Brown County, Ohio, 
 February 28, 1832. The latter was brought by 
 her parents to New Lenox Township when a child 
 three j'ears of age. After their marriage Mr. and 
 Mrs. Broadie settled on section 28, New Lenox 
 Township, where the father prosecuted farming 
 successfully, and dieil December 21, 1873. The 
 mother survived her husband for nearly twelve 
 years, also dying at the old homestead, June 7, 
 1885. Their family consisted of five children, the 
 eldest of whom, a daughter, Lydja J., died young; 
 Anna L. also dieil in early childhood; Esther Ann 
 became the wife of Dr. G. E. Briukerhoff, and 
 died in Xew Lenox Township, November II, 
 188.5; John C, the subject of this notice was the 
 next in order of birth; Sarah A, became the sec- 
 ond wife of Dr. Brinkerhoff, and they are living 
 in Oakland, Cal. 
 
 The subject of this sketch has spent his entire 
 life at the homestead which he now owns and oc- 
 cupies, and which embraces three luindred and 
 hfty acres of as fuie farming land as is to be found 
 in Will County. I'pon it is a set of neat and sub- 
 stantial frame buildings, with quantities of fruit 
 and shade trees, while the fields are enclosed and 
 divided with good fencing, and in fact Mr. Broadie 
 
 lias all the facilities for carrying on agriculture 
 after the mo.st apprt)ved methods. He brongiit a 
 bride to the old roof-tiee in 1889, being married 
 September 18, that year, to Miss Wary, daughter 
 of Addison and I'amelia (Lynk) Collins. 
 
 Mrs. Broa<lie was the fifth child of her parents, 
 and was born in Homer Township, this county, 
 September 18, 18()9. Her father, Aildison Collins, 
 was born in Rochester, N. Y., and the mother was 
 born in the same State, near the city of Syracuse. 
 They were reared and married in this State, whence 
 they came to Illinois at an early day, each with 
 their [jarenls, and have since been residents of 
 New Lenox Township. Their family consisted of 
 seven children, three sons and four daughters, live 
 of whom are living. 
 
 Mr. Broadie was reared by his excellent mother 
 in the doctrines of the Jlethodist Episcopal 
 Church, of which he is now a faithful and consist- 
 ent member, and gives to his church a liberal sup- 
 port. He is a young man of excellent education, 
 having completed his studies in Bryant & Strat- 
 ton's Business College, at Chicago, from which he 
 was graduated March 1, 1888. Ho and bis young 
 wife have begun the journey of life together un- 
 der the most favorable auspices and with the kind- 
 est wishes of hosts of friends. A handsome litlio- 
 graphic view of Mr. Broadie's residence is shown 
 on another page of this work. 
 
 ^, RENTICE G. STORRS, who is actively 
 engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 
 ing, paying much attention to breeding 
 _ horses, stands among the most clear sighted, 
 practical and business-like men of his calling in 
 Will County. His farm in Troy, lying along the 
 DuPage River, whicli (lows through the eastern part 
 of it, thus affording a never-failing supply of 
 water for his stock, shows every evidence of careful 
 cultivation and constant improvement. 
 
 A native of New York, our subject was horn 
 near Platlsburg, Clinton Count}-, November 22, 
 18.')4. He remained a resident of the place of bis 
 l)irth till 1860. when he started out anew in life, 
 
Res. AND Farm Property OF JohnC.Broadie,Sec.H8.New Lenox Tp, Will Co. III. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 315 
 
 coming to tin's State to carry on liis calling on this 
 fertile soil. lie lived for several years on a farm 
 in (Inindy County, and then bought a farm in 
 Manhattan, on which he resided until his wife's 
 death, when lie returned to the East for a while. 
 He subsequently sold his place in Manhattan and 
 purchased his present farm in 1882. Here he has 
 one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, all 
 under good cultivation, and finely situated five 
 miles west of Joliet. He is managing his affairs 
 with excellent success, doing a general farming 
 business and paying considerable attention to breed- 
 ing horses, of which he has about thirty of good 
 grade on his place. 
 
 Mr. Storrs has been twice married. He was first 
 wedded to Mrs. Caroline Ingram, daughter of Wash- 
 burn Storrs, and widow of Mr. Ingram, of Platts- 
 burg. Their married life was not of very long 
 duration, her death occuning in 1857. She left 
 two children, Franklin and Harriet. The former 
 resides at home with his father, and the latter is the 
 wife of Henry Willis,, a milkman of Chicago. The 
 maiden name of the present wife of our subject was 
 Clara Comstock, to whom he was united in Platts- 
 burg, N. Y., she being a daughter of Ezekiel Com- 
 stock, of Beekmantown, near Plattsburg. Two 
 children have been born of this union, Raymond, 
 and a child who died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Storrs is a fair dealing, straightforward man, 
 possessing the confidence and esteem of all about 
 him, and his energy, persistence and shrewdness 
 have placed him in the possession of a comfortable 
 property. In his politics he sides with the Repub- 
 lican party. Mrs, Storrs is a devoted member of 
 the ;\lethodist Episcoi)al Church. 
 
 j^*\ HARLES S. SEAVER, successor to the firm 
 ' of Monroe & Seaver, wholesale dealers in 
 
 c 
 
 flour, fruits, produce, cigars and tobacco, 
 occupies a prominent business place on La Fayette 
 Street, where he has been established since October 
 4, 1884. At that date the firm was organized being 
 a continuation of the business of G. Monroe & Son, 
 wholesale grocers. Mr. Seaver then purchased 
 
 with George H. Monroe, an interest in the business 
 with which he remained connected until September, 
 1888, and then became sole proprietor. The build- 
 ing is a fine brick and stone structure, comprising 
 an office and warerooms, a large store and basement. 
 It is located opposite the Rock Island depot, which 
 was built in 1887, and they do a business approach- 
 ing $500,000 annually. In addition to his city 
 employes, three salesmen represent his interests on 
 the road. Mr. Seaver is an enterprising, go-ahead 
 man and forms no unimportant f.actor among the 
 business interests of Joliet. 
 
 A native of Orleans County, Vt., the subject of 
 this notice was born August 17, 1852, and is the 
 son of Samuel Stillman Seaver, likewise a native of 
 the Green Mountain State. The latter grew to 
 manhood in his native county and was married to 
 Miss Martha Wright. He was born in 1808, fol- 
 lowed farming and merchandising, and spent his 
 entire life upon his native soil, dying in September, 
 1H70, at the age of sixty-two years. The circum- 
 stances of his death were very distressing he having 
 been run over by a train of cars, death ensuing in 
 a short time. He was one of the oldest members 
 of the Masonic fraternity in the State and under 
 their solemn ceremonials his remains were consigned 
 to their last rest. The mother being ill at the time, 
 survived the shock only four weeks. In addition 
 to farming, Mr. Seaver dealt quite extensively in 
 live stock, mostly' cnttle and horses. 
 
 To the parents of our subject there was born a 
 family of five children, viz.: Clarendon S., and 
 Charles S., residents of Joliet; Henry Q., in Geneva, 
 Neb.; William W., Walnut Grove, Minn.; and Mat- 
 tie E., in Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
 Charles S.,our subject, acquired a good practical 
 education in the schools of his native county and 
 engaged in the mercantile business until coming to 
 Joliet in 1881. In this cit3' he first purchased the 
 retail grocery business of G. Monroe & .Son, which 
 was located in the Opera House Building and con- 
 ducting this until purchasing that which he now 
 owns. 
 
 Mr. Seaver was married in September, 1872, to 
 Miss Ella A. Parker, of Orleans County, Vt., and 
 they are the [larents of one child, a daughter, 
 Maude E. Mrs. Seaver was born November 27, 
 
.Mr. 
 
 I'OKTKArr AM) lUOCKAl'lIK'AL AI.IU'M. 
 
 1851, in W-rnioiit. !iii<l is the ilHUglikT of .luliii C". 
 Parker, mi niil re.siclfiil of N'enmjiit. t'lftri'iKlon S. 
 ciiiiio tu .liiliet ill 18HI, aii<l has iiiiidc lliis t'ilv his 
 lii'>i<U]unrtfr!t since tlinl time. 
 
 •-•#•■:••*- 
 
 'IIGUSTUS C. VAN IIORNK. The iiie- 
 clianieal iiml eoiiiiiierciu! iiileicsts of .liiliet 
 woiihl lie jHiorly repieseiiletl in this vol- 
 iiiiie. Were no nieiillon inatleuf tlie railroad 
 husiiiess ami Ihe men who liave 11 in tiielr eontrol. 
 Aside from this reason for |)iil)lishi!ij,' liii- hinir- 
 rapliy of the geiitleinan above-imiued, it is a pleas- 
 ure to leeord the success of the worthy son of a 
 learned and honored father. 
 
 The late Cornelius C. N'aii Iloriie was a pioneer 
 of Will County, to which he came in l.s.33. and in 
 which his name is perpetuatetl \>y \an Home's 
 I'oiiit. lie ^aineil an extended reiiutation as a 
 teacher, heinj: prolialdy the first in the county :he was 
 an early I'ostniaster and when, in IS.")';!, he moved 
 iiilo .loliet he was at once chosen Mayor, beinp the 
 lirst to occupy that position. lie was a m.'iii of 
 tine mental attainments, a lawyer and counselor of 
 aliility, ami his character won him the regard of 
 his associates. In Irt-Kl he married Miss Mary .M. 
 Richards, and they hecnme the parents of three 
 stins and two daughters. One of these, William C, 
 is now I'resident of the Canadian Pacilic Railroad, 
 with headquarters at Montreal, Canada. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born in this 
 county, in September, lH-14, his birthplace being 
 the town of Frankfort. He attended the public 
 sehtiola. and being an apt pupil, advanced rapidly 
 in his studies and soon acquired a good education. 
 In Ihe year 18G1 he entered the employ of the 
 .Michigan Central Railroad, remaining in tli.-it ser- 
 vice until .September 7, 1 8(> I, when he became an em- 
 ploye of the Chicago A- .Mlon road. Two years 
 later he changed to the Kansas City and Northern, 
 after which for a brief time he worked for the Clii- 
 cngo, Milwaukee <t .St. I'aul. Again he entered the 
 service of the Chicago iV Alton road, and has 
 labori-"! for it continuously since. From 1871 to 
 
 I8H2 he was an engineer, but at that dale he was 
 put in charge of the roundhouse, ami ha."* elllciently 
 su|M.-rinteniled it since. 
 
 An im|mrtanl step in the life of Mr. Van Home 
 was taken in 187.'), when he was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Kmma A. Hull, of New l.enox, 
 the daughU'r of an old family in I'laintieUI. She 
 is a l.'idy |Hjs.sessing many estimable qualities an<l 
 a consistent member of the Richards Street Meth- 
 odist Kpiscopal Church. She presides ably over 
 the elegant homo that was erected by Mr. \'an 
 lloriie in 188.'). Mr. Van llorne belongs to the 
 Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of thi 
 .Masonic fraternity, lie standi well in the opinion 
 of his fellow-ini'n, both employers, employed and 
 general acijnaintances. 
 
 II. I', W AKIIIKN. .V favorably locat.d 
 ill ill and well-tilled farm of two hunilred and 
 Vi^' thirty-eight acres in Lockport Township, is 
 owiicil and occupieil by this gentleman, who finds 
 enjoyment in his chosen calling and the pleasaii' 
 surroundings of his home. Kvery iletail of the 
 farm work is under ellicient ovei-sighl, and tilling 
 the soil has proved a remunerative vocation. 
 
 In Licking County, Ohio, in the year 1828, a 
 child was born, whose simple record is contained 
 in these brief paragraphs. His early years were 
 spent ill attendance At the common schools, and in 
 such home duties .as generally fall to the lot of 
 growing lads in town. He is of Revolutionary 
 parent.age, being a son of Alvin Warthen, a native 
 of Virginia, who died in 183(1. The widowed 
 mother survived until 1888, reaching the advanced 
 age of ni!iely-two years. .She was a hotel kee|)er 
 for sixty-seven years. 
 
 Our subject came to Illinois in 1853 and pur- 
 chased a farm near I'lainfield. which he afterward 
 solil, buying his present estate November 6. In 
 1851 he became the husband of .Miss Charlotte 
 Kendall, who. like himself, is a native of the Buck- 
 eye StaU;'. and who possesses many of the qualities 
 belonging to honored womanhood. To the happy 
 Couple have bwn born eleven children, nine of 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM, 
 
 317 
 
 whom are liviii"' and six yet under the parental 
 roof. Mr. Wartlien is a Democrat of the old 
 school. He is a reliable citizen and an upright 
 man. especiall}' charitable, and the doer of many 
 kindly deeds known only to their object. 
 
 m/fi 
 
 -0*0.-f5y^><^@ -O^O.. 
 
 ILLIAM STEDT. The sterling traits that 
 make the better class of the Germans de- 
 
 \y ¥' sirable citizens are exhibited in the life 
 
 and labors of this gentleman. He is engaged in 
 general farming and stock-raising on section 26, 
 Washington Township, where he owns eighty acres 
 of fertile land. The estate i-* well-improved and 
 bears good buildings, all erected by the owner and 
 including every needful and convenient structure. 
 Success is crowning his efforts and a competence 
 waits upon his labors. 
 
 In the Grand ])uchy of Mecklenburg, German}', 
 the eyes of our subject first opened to the light 
 in the year 1840. His parents, Joseph and Reirca 
 (Sass) Stedt, had been born in the same duchy, 
 and therein grew to maturity and united tiieir 
 fortunes. The husband and father was a sheep- 
 herder. In 1856 the parents, with five children, 
 sailed from Hamburg, believing that in the New 
 World thej' could Qnd larger opportunities than in 
 their native land, for themselves and offspring. 
 After an ocean voyage of sis weeks they arrived 
 in New York, whence they came direct to Illinois, 
 settling in Du Page Count}'. They began their 
 life in the new home on rented land, determined 
 to succeed in their intention to become land- 
 owners and people of comfortable finances. The 
 father died in that county when sixty-six years of 
 age; the widowed mother is yet living, her pres- 
 ent home being near West Union, Iowa. She is 
 now seventy-seven years old. She has been all her 
 life a member of the Lutheran Church, as was her 
 respected husband. She is the mother of three sons 
 and three daughters, all but one of whom, a daugh- 
 ter, lived to come to America. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was about sixteen 
 years olil when the family came to the United 
 States. His education was therefore obtained 
 
 principally in the land of his birth. He became of 
 age in Du Page County, and was there married to 
 Miss Anna R. Bold, to whose housewifely skill and 
 domestic virtues he owes the joys and comforts of 
 his home. Three years after their marriage the 
 young couple came to Will County and began 
 their life here on an almost raw prairie, which 
 now stands as a monument to the enterprise that 
 has made it into a fine farm. 
 
 Mrs. Stedt was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, 
 November 18, 1843, and came to America with her 
 parents when thirteen years old. The family first 
 settled in Du Page County, afterward removing to 
 Will County, where the father, H. Bohl, died in 
 1885, when seventy-six years old. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church, to which his good 
 wife also belonged. She survived until the spring 
 of 1889, breathing her last when eighty- two years 
 old. Her maiiTen name was Mary Burling. 
 
 The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stedt has been 
 l)lessed by the birth of five children, named re- 
 spectively: William, Henry, Charles, Herman and 
 Mary. The parents are members of the Lutheian 
 Church. Mr. Stedt is a thorough Republican. 
 Their upright and industrious lives, their kindli- 
 ness toward their neighbors and all in need, and 
 their desire to aid in the true development of the 
 country, gain for them the hearty respect of all to 
 whom they are known. 
 
 ' • ' -^z 
 
 E^^ 
 
 <ji OIIN THEILER. A stroll through the princi- 
 pal business streets of Joliet will reveal the 
 fact that that city contains many men whose 
 / enterprise and aliility is manifest at a glancet 
 and who, one is not surprised to learn, have a high 
 standing in business circles. One of the establish- 
 ments which gives such indications is that of 
 John Theiler & Son, dealers iu groceries, provisions, 
 dour and feed, liquors, wines, etc., and occupying 
 Nos. 108,110 and 112 South Bluff Street. The 
 senior member of the firm is also the owner of 
 Theiler's Hall, which occupies the upper floor of 
 the building in which his business is carried. on. 
 The birth of the subject of this sketch took 
 
318 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 place ill Switzerland, i)eccml)er" 8, 1829. Ho ac- 
 comiiaiiic'il liis parents to the Iniled Stales in 
 1S47, their lirst luinie heiiig in Chicago, whence 
 they came to Joliet in IboU. Our subject first ein- 
 harketl in life as a farmer, luit in 1858 came 
 into the city to begin the business in wliieh he is 
 yet engaged, lie opened upon a small scale, en- 
 larging tiie establishment as trade increased, and 
 in 187.'! building the edifice he now occupies, 
 afterward adding to both hall and store, lie is 
 agent for the celebrated Itottled beer of the Au- 
 heuser Husch Brewing Association, at St. Louis. 
 
 In I\liss Elizabeth Fender, of Joliet, Mr. Theiler 
 found the (pialities which he considered desirable 
 in a companion, and after a successful wooing she 
 became his wife May 9, ISftS. She presides judici- 
 ously and pleasingly over the homo, and has care- 
 fully reared the children whom she has borne. Five 
 sons and daughters comprise the Irousehold band. 
 The first-born, Mary, is now the wife of John 
 Schcit, of this city; John is the junior member of 
 the firm; the other members of the circle arc 
 Lizzie, Louisa and Joseph. 
 
 Mr. Theiler in former years served two terms 
 as Alderman, and is highly spoken of in the Fifth 
 Ward, lie and his family belong to St. John's 
 Catholic Church. His honesty and square dealing 
 ill all transactions with his fellow-men, his kindli- 
 ness in domestic life, and his social characteristics, 
 gain for him the respect of his acquaintances and 
 an excellent reputation, in business circles. 
 
 OYAL E. BARBER. Among the veteran 
 iff lawyers of Joliet Mr. Barberstands a promi- 
 nent figure, and has made for himself a fine 
 v{^ record during an uninterrupted [a'actice of 
 nearly forty-five years. He [jossesses in a marked 
 degree the talents and ajiplication requisite to suc- 
 cess, and numbers among his clientage a large por- 
 tion of the solid residents of this county. During 
 his long career in the profession he has disposed of 
 a large number of intricate cases, and there are few 
 points in common law which ho is not able to han- 
 dle in an adroit and skillful inanuer. He is of 
 
 stanch New England ancestry, a native Vermonter, 
 and was born in Benson, that Slate, August ;J, 
 1 822. 
 
 John and Emma (Perry) Barber, the immediate 
 progenitors of the subjci't of this notice, were na- 
 tives of Connecticut, and descended from Puritan 
 stock, their ancestors being among the early Col- 
 onists. The mother was a cousin of Commodore 
 Perry, who distinguished himself in the battle of 
 Lake fc^rie. J(jhn Barber was a life-long farmer, 
 and the parental household included seven children, 
 who reached mature years, and three who (iied in 
 infancy or early childhood. 
 
 Royal, our subject, was the second horn. In 
 1831, when he was a lad of nine years, a party of 
 John Barber's neighbors came to the West on a 
 prospecting tour, and sent back such glowing ac- 
 counts of this section of country that Mr. Barber 
 was led to join them the following year. In the 
 autumn t>f that year the party chartered a canal 
 boat at Whitehall, N. Y., and a week later reached 
 Buffalo, where they took passage on the steamer 
 •■Henry Clay" for Detroit. There they boarded 
 the schooner "Austerlitz," which in one week 
 reached Chicago or near there, anchoring, however, 
 outside of the bar about three miles from shore. 
 The part}^ and the schooner's cargo were thence all 
 transported to the shore in the yawl boats. The 
 steamer which conveyed Gen. Scott's troops to 
 Chicago, in 1832, is saJ.d to have been the first 
 craft of its kind which had struck that port. 
 
 Landing near Ft. Dearborn the party encount- 
 ered various thrilling incidents. When attempting 
 to cross tbe sand bar the yawl grounded, and the 
 sailors jumping out got it off quickly and then 
 jumjied in again in readiness for the next wave. 
 The " Austerlitz" was bound for St. Joseph. La- 
 ter the yawl boat was stranded upon the bar at the 
 mouth of that stream, overturned and the Captain 
 and most of his crew were drowned. 
 
 At the time John Barl)er landed in Chicago, the 
 onl^' buildings were a few log houses and Ft. 
 Dearbory was enclosed with a log stockade. There 
 ■was one frame budding which had been erected 
 that summer by J. 11. Kinzie, with lumber which 
 he had hauled from a sawmill at Plainfleld. this 
 i county. The original plat of the village of Chi- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 319 
 
 cago, lying between what is now State and Canal 
 Streets, Madison and Kinzie, was laid out tiiat suiii- 
 raer. Tlie agent besought .lolin Barbei' to bu}- a 
 town lot, and took liiin out to what he said was 
 Lake Street, and showed him a lot eighty feet 
 front, and two hundred feet deep, wiiicli he offered 
 for ^i'lO. Mr. Barlter stepped on to a bog. shook 
 hinisfif, and the earth trembled all around him. 
 He therefore replied tliat lie was "not going to sink 
 any ^')0 in Ihiit mud liole." 
 
 Joiin Barber now hired a team of horses and a 
 double wagon, and gathering together his family 
 and some goods, forded the south branch of the 
 Chicago River, and struck off across the prairie for 
 Naiierville, where some of his acquaintances had 
 settled. lie made his selection of a farm at what 
 later was named Barber's Corners, tiiis county, 
 and in Fel)ruary. 1833, moved his family into a log 
 house, where the children were reared, .and where 
 he and his wife both died. Mrs Barber departed 
 this life May 1, 1874. Mr. Barber [lassed away in 
 the winter of 1877. Soon after coming to this 
 county he contracted rheumatism, which rendered 
 him an invalid many 3'ears. This was the result of 
 exposure during the cold winters, when engaged in 
 getting out rails for his fences. 
 
 The subject of this notice remained on the farm 
 until he found that the labor of harvesting, which 
 was then all done by hand, made him ill every 
 year. So, deciding to abandon farm life, in 1845, 
 he came to Joliet, and became the Deputy' Clerk of 
 several courts, discharging the duties of these in 
 connection with the study of law, until his election 
 in 1852, as Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex-oHi- 
 cio Recorder. At the completion of his term he 
 compiled the first set of abstracts of records, and 
 then entered upon the regular practice of law, 
 which he has since pursued. With the assistance 
 of clerks he managed the abstract department until 
 selling out to his son, January 1, 1889. In 1876- 
 77 he was Mayor of Joliet, and as School Inspector 
 he iierformed much labor in behalf of education, 
 holding this ollice nine 3'ears. In 1887-88 he 
 erected the Barber Building, one of the most ele- 
 gant structures in the city of Joliet. 
 
 Mr. Barber was first married, April 24, 1840, to 
 Miss Elizabeth Ellen Crowle}-. This lady died of 
 
 cholera in 1850. Mr. Barber contracted a second 
 
 inarriaL'e, Novcmlier 7, 1854, with Miss Frances 
 Cornelia House. Of this union there were born 
 five children, one of whom died at the age of three 
 years. There are now living two sons and two 
 daughters. The eldest daughter. Miss Alice Slill- 
 man Barber, is engaged in a mission seminary at 
 Beirut, Syria, whither she went in the fall of 1885. 
 Before she h.ad acquired command of the Arabic 
 tongue she was left in ch.arge of the institution for 
 two years. Edward M., tlie eldest son, is now in the 
 State of New York; William C. is engaged in the 
 abstract business in .loliet; the younger daughter, 
 Emma F., is the only child remaining under the pa- 
 rental roof. 
 
 ^ACOB J. HARTONG is carrying on agri- 
 cult\ire very advant.ageously iji Plainfield 
 Township, where he owns a farm, which for 
 fertility and productiveness is classed among 
 the best in this locality. His skill and experience 
 in practical farming have proved of inestimable 
 value to him since coming to this county, and he has 
 done exceptionally well since purchasing his pres- 
 ent farm, and is one of our substantial moneyed 
 men. 
 
 Our subject was born in Green Township, Stark 
 County, Ohio, August 25, 1830, his father being 
 an early pioneer of that section of the country. 
 Jacob Hartong was a native of Pennsylvania, his 
 father, grandfather of our subject, also having been 
 i)orn in that State, of German parentage. lie was 
 a farmer and spent his entire life there. The 
 father of our subject was left an orphan whtn 
 quite young, and was reared b}' his elder brother, 
 Philip. He was bred to farming pursuits, and also 
 learned the trade of a weaver. He was married in 
 the Keystone State to Elizabeth Urich, a native of 
 that State. After the birth of five of their children 
 they lemoved to the wilds of Ohio to hnild up a 
 new home in that part of Stark Count}', now in- 
 cluded in Summit Count}'. Mr. Hartong bought a 
 tract of land in the primeval forests of that region, 
 and built a log cabin which afterward became the 
 birthplace of our subject. There w^ere but few 
 
320 
 
 I'ORTRAIT AND KfOGRAlMlICAL AI.BDM. 
 
 si'ltlunients in llml piirl of the StiiU'. IiHliniis still 
 liiUJcrt'il nroiiiul Itifir olil haiiiiU. ;iii<l the wdlf nnd 
 the tleer, busides oilier kinds of wild yiune, often 
 rim l>v the door of their pioneer home. They lived 
 in the most jiriniitive nntnner, the mother cooking 
 their food licforc the (Ire in the rude llre|iln(e. and 
 Muikiufj the cloth for tlu-ir clothes, spinniiiff the 
 ll.-ix Mini wool with her own IkukIs. In the years 
 tlrnl followed Imnl lahor was Mr. Ilnrton^r's lot, 
 lint he thereby improved a desirable farm, 
 which he made his home until he closed his eyes 
 in death. Hi-* "'fe too pa.ssed aw.iy t<j the life 
 bevond from the old homestead. They reared a 
 lar"e familv of eliililrcn, seven sons and live daugh- 
 ters, to tfood nnd useful lives. 
 
 The subject of whom we write was the eighth 
 child in ordt-r of birth, and was reared and edii- 
 ciiteil in his native town, lie resided with his par- 
 ents until his t wenty-lirsl year, and then married 
 and established .m home of his own, and for four 
 years managed his father's profierty. During that 
 time he bought a farm in .lackson 'I'ownship. .Stark 
 ('ountv. anil operated it fur two years, when he 
 sold it and then liveil on his fatln r's farm until 
 ISGI. Ill- then left Ohio, to take up his abode in 
 this State, as he was much impressed with the many 
 adv!inta<'e3 offered to young men of enterprise and 
 abilitv, to pursue farming with liTiancial success in 
 the rich farming country of Will County. After 
 eomina here he bought a farm on section 15, 
 IMaiutield Township, where he resided until ISGH. 
 Selling Unit | lace, his next purch.ise was in Man- 
 hattan Township, where he dwelt the succeeding 
 thirteen years. Disposing f>f that place at a goo<l 
 profit, he bought the farm lie now owns and occu- 
 pies, which comprises one hundred nnd forty-four 
 acres of laud under excellent tillage, and supplied 
 with a substantial .set of buildings and all needed 
 improvements. In 1 «'.>0 he bought a desirable 
 residence in the village, to which lie intcn<ls to 
 remove in the spring of IK'.) I. 
 
 Ill 1H.'»II, .lacob llartong and .Mary Heard were 
 united in mntrimony. She was a native of Summit 
 Coiintv. Ohio, and a daughter of Henry and Kli/.a- 
 beth Heard, natives of \irgiiiia, and early settlers 
 of Summit (.'ounty. After a pleasant wedded life 
 of ten years, death deprived him of her compiiii- 
 
 ionship. and their four children — Mary K.. Marthn 
 A. nnd two since deccnsetl — of n goo<l mother. Mr. 
 llartong wils married to his present estimable wife 
 in l«()l, and by lln'ir marriage they have four 
 ehil'lrcn now living — \N'illiuiii II.. Klins (•..Charles 
 V. and Martin F. Mrs. Ilartong's mnitlen nann- 
 was .Magdaliim 'lardiwr, and she wa.s Ixirn in Wit- 
 t4-nburg. (iermany, daughti-r of .Martin and Hen- 
 rietta Dewey (Inrdncr. nl.so natives of (iermany. 
 Mrs. llartong came to America with her parcnt.s 
 when she was live years old. They located in 
 Cleveland, and later came to Illinois, in April, 
 I8()2. and settled • in l.iwkport Township, where 
 Mr. ( l.-irdnor bought a f.arm. They reside* I there 
 some years, and then removed to .Itdiet, where the 
 father died, the mother dying in l,o<-kport Town- 
 ship. 
 
 Mr. ll.'irUing's life has been guided by principles 
 of honor and integrity, nnd he is a man of un- 
 spotted charai-tcr. He is well dowereil with lirm- 
 ness and stidiility. which attributes, together with 
 forethought and persistent labor, have been in- 
 strumental in bringing about his present prosper- 
 ous circumstances. He nnd his wife are memlK'rs 
 of the ICvangelical Assocation. Tliev are not of 
 those who '•hide their light under a busln-l." and 
 in the selfish striving for gain forget their duty to 
 others, but they are ever kind and thoughtful in 
 their relations with all about them, and no one is 
 readier to extend sympathy or iielp to those in 
 distress than they. Mr. llartong interests himself 
 in the political situation of the day. an<l siiles with 
 the Uepiiblican |)arty. 
 
 « IklLMAM .\. .sTUO.Nt;. One would not 
 \/sJ/i ''^*^ '" "'"''^^ loi'fJ. without becoming nv- 
 "S^ ipiainted with the part that has been playeil 
 by Mr. Strong in the progre.-is of this thriving 
 municipality. As an able member of a prtuniiient 
 business Brin, aa the improver of city real estate, as 
 a member of corporations and as a public olllcial he 
 has deserved and won the esteem fif his fellow-men 
 for his uprijjihtnrss. ability and success. No greater 
 proof could be given of the conlidmcs reposed in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 821 
 
 him than is shown in the number of estates that 
 liave been left in liis hands for settlement. Among 
 these were tlie Bissell, the Moore, the Curry and 
 tiie Steel, while others are still held in trust by 
 him. 
 
 The parents of our subject were .1. C. Strong, a 
 native of Northampton, Mass., and A. C. Wood- 
 worth, a native of New York State. In the latter 
 State he was born in 1828, his birthplace being the 
 town of Waterloo. lie attended the public schools, 
 obtaining a good education, and learned in his 
 uncle, W. A. Strong's store, the habits and methods 
 of successful business men. In the hardware trade, 
 to which he had grown uj), he was engaged in his 
 native i)lace from 1845 to 1850, when his uncle 
 sold out and came to Illinois. He became a part- 
 ner with his uncle, W. A. Strong, in .loliet, the 
 liiin name being W. A. Strong & Co. until 1855, 
 when a new co-partnership was formed with Messrs. 
 Brooks and Barrett, and the style became Strong 
 ife Co. The business was continued under different 
 firm names, but always as a prosperous institution 
 until 1805. 
 
 Mr. Strong, of this notice, then retired to become 
 President of the .Joliet Oas Company, in which 
 position he still continues, and through his good 
 judgment the success of the corporation w.as as- 
 sured. 
 
 Mr. Strong had faith in the growth of the cit}' 
 to which he had come, and purchased one hundred 
 and twenty-five acres of land, which he laid out as 
 a subdivision. It is one of the most beautiful parts 
 of the city, and a residence in Glenwood is con- 
 sideied very desirable. The executive and busi- 
 ness qualities of Mr. Strong were called into recjui- 
 sition by his fellow-citizens, who elected him to 
 the Mayoralty and to the Cit3' Council, in both of 
 ivhich positions he made a good record. He is 
 now a Director in the National Bank, and he was 
 for a fevv years engaged in the quarry business. 
 
 In 1855, at the bride's home in Kochester, N. Y., 
 Mr. Strong was united in marriage with Miss Char- 
 lotte A., daughter of .ludge Buell, one of the build- 
 ers of the Erie Canal. Mrs. Strong is universally 
 praised by those who knew her. She was strong 
 in her convictions and steadfast in her purposes, 
 yet possessed rare modesty and sweetness of dispo- 
 
 sition, was charitable without displaj', and withal, 
 a devoted Christian. This [jcerlcss woman died in 
 Thomasville, fta., March 20, 1889. She had borne 
 her husband four children. 
 
 One daughter, Mrs. Budlong, died in .January, 
 1885, leaving a child, Alice, whose home is with 
 Grandpa Strong. Two sons are in business and 
 one daughter at home. The Episcopal Church 
 contains a splendid memorial to the deceased daugh- 
 ter. To that church Mr. Strong belongs, and of it 
 his wife was a meml)er. In a handsome and spa- 
 cious dwelling overlooking the cit}', he of whom we 
 write is spending his time in deserved ease, afflu- 
 ence and honor. 
 
 OHN M. SWIGGART. A large portion of 
 the business interests of Joliet is in the 
 hands of its young and enterprising men, 
 ((^// among whom Mr. Swiggart occupies a posi- 
 tion in the front rank. He commenced compara- 
 tively without means, dependent upon his own 
 resources, and about 1884 embarked in the grocery 
 trade, locating at the northeastern corner of Easton 
 Avenue and Cass Street. He has been in business 
 at this point about six years and occupies a fine 
 large double store in the Union Block, with two 
 street fronts, and in which he has a fine and well- 
 selected stock of staple and fancy goods. He owns 
 a one-third interest in thi.s block. He gives his 
 close attention to his business and has a fair out- 
 look for the future. 
 
 A native of Scottsville, Mo., our subject was 
 born Januar3' 22, 1850, and is the son of John .1. 
 and Mary (Fulk) Swiggart, who were natives of 
 Iowa and are now deceased. He s|H!nt his boyhood 
 and youth in Hamburg, Iowa, acquiring a practical 
 education in the common schools. He came to 
 Joliet in 1875, and for eight years thereafter was 
 in the employ of the Joliet Steel Company. In the 
 meantime he was recognized as a valued addition 
 to the community', and after filling various other 
 positions of trust and responsibility was, in 1884, 
 elected Town and City Collector on the Uei>ub- 
 lic.'ln ticket. 
 
322 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 At tbe close of his term of oflice Mr. Swiggart 
 
 established himself in the grocery trade on the 
 southwest corner of Cass Street and Easton Ave- 
 nue, and hy a course of fair dealing and courteous 
 trc.nluient of his customers, his business increased 
 to such an extent that he was obliged to move into 
 nioi'c counnodious quarters. Then, in partncrshi|) 
 with George Monroe and William McDermont, he 
 |)urcliascd the ground occupied by the Union Block, 
 upon which they built, and of which they still re- 
 tain ownershii). He now has the largest grocery 
 in the city, building it up from first principles by 
 his own exertions. He is a favorite both in social 
 and business circles, a member of the Masonic fra- 
 ternity, having attained to flie Chapter degree, be- 
 longs to the IndciH'udent Order of Odd Fellows 
 and the Ro3'al Arcanum. In the latter he occu- 
 pies the position of Treasurer. 
 
 Mr. iSwiggart was for a time Vice President of 
 the Amalgamated Association of Iron and .Steel 
 Workers of the Fourth District, and President of 
 (he Trade and Labor Council, but thought best to 
 resign these positions upon going into business. 
 Mr. Swiggart. on the 2M of September. 187.5, was 
 wedded to Miss Isaphine Croncli, who at that 
 time was a resident of Tluunian, Iowa. Mrs. Swig- 
 gart was born .Tanuarj- 21, 1851, and is the daugh- 
 ter of lliram Crouch and wife, who are now 
 deceased. The youug couple immediately after 
 their wedding came to Joliet, of which they have 
 since been residents. 
 
 John .1. Swiggart, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Ohio, where he w.as reared to man's estate 
 and married. Thence he removed to Missouri, and 
 from there to Iowa, locating in Hamburg, where 
 he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of 
 their days. 
 
 /p^EOROE^ 
 
 if (i^ through 
 Vyl reveals tl 
 
 ,^^ EOROE NAPOLEON POMEHOY. A stroll 
 the prominent streets of Joliet 
 the fact that it contains many busi- 
 ncsi houses of fine appearance, well stocked with 
 the best goods and evidently the centers of a nour- 
 ishing trade. .Such is the furniture store of the 
 
 firm of Rocky <fe Pomeroy, which was estal)lislicd 
 in 1887, and which is now doing a business of 
 1:9,000 per year. The careei- of the junior mem- 
 ber of the firm has been marked with a determina- 
 tion and persistence that could scarcely fail to win 
 success. AVhile woiking for others he was faithful 
 to the interests of his emplo3'ers, and in serving 
 others he learned how to be a master. His busi- 
 ness is conducted according to honorable jjrinci- 
 ples of square dealing, which, combined with the 
 courteous treatment received by the patrons of the 
 establishment, redounds to his credit thrf)ughout 
 the community, and brings custom. 
 
 The natal da}- of our subject was November 5, 
 185.5, and his I)irth|)lace Bay City, Mich. His 
 parents were William and Charlotte (Sherman) 
 Pomeroy, and the father was a millwright by trade. 
 He was originally from the Green Mountain State. 
 In the family were seven children, all still living 
 but William, who was drowned in the Saginaw 
 River. The others are : Mrs. Dr. Nash; C. II., of 
 li.ay City. Mich; Mrs. John .Icnkins, of Detroit; 
 David and Daniel, (twins ), the one living in De- 
 troit and the other farming in Sliiawassee County, 
 Mich.; and the subject of this sketch. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write p.is.sed his 
 boyliood upon a farm near Howell, i\Iich., his 
 father being at that time the keeper of a tavern at 
 whnt was known as the Three Corners. Pomeroy's 
 Hotel became a popular and well-known [ilace of 
 rendezvous for those engaged in the lumber trade. 
 The family removed from the farm to Ann Aibor, 
 where our subject attended school four or five 
 years. When the father died, Febriiar}- 22. 1874, 
 the family became scattered and George went to 
 Lansing, doing whatever offerc<l in the way of 
 work. Subsequently, after spending a short time 
 _in Grand Rapids, he worked on a farm for a 
 time, then rcfdizing the highest ambition of his 
 boyhood by entering a shop as a clerk. 
 
 After eleven months of this work Mr. Pomeroy 
 became foreman of a bakery and confectionery 
 shop in Bay City, which he left to take a position 
 in a cracker factory that had been |)urchased by 
 his brother C. H., .and C. C. Whitney. With them 
 he remained three years, attending to the shipping, 
 buying, and similar details of the business. In 
 
\ V 
 
 C^i^7<J2o^^yi^. 
 
 -^r^^^^Q^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 325 
 
 1884 he was nailed to Joliet by a telegram announc- 
 ing the exiiected death of his mother. His first 
 labor in this city was in a conservatory, his em- 
 ployer beiPf^ A. R. Sparr. He next entered the 
 employ of George Monroe \- Son, first working on 
 a hiiilding they were erecting, and then becoming- 
 assistant shipping clerk for the firm. He next 
 learned the upholstering trade of E. F. Etmyre, 
 for whom he worked nearly a year, leaving him to 
 establish a business of iiis own in Kankakee. There 
 he remained but eighteen months ere returning to 
 .loiiet to continue the upholstering business here. 
 
 In Miss Jennie Rocky, Mr. I'onieroy found 
 united the qualities of mind and heart, tiie pleasing 
 manners, and useful accoQiplishments which won 
 his deep regard and aroused in his breast the desire 
 1() make her his wife. His wooing proved success- 
 ful, and on September 2(5, 1885, the young couple 
 were united in marriage. Mr. Fomeroy is a mem- 
 bv'r of the society know as the Modern Woodmen 
 (if America. He is identified with the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, having full fellowship in that 
 religious organization. 
 
 ''%)^y- JAMES J. McGOVERN, D. D. The 
 .Yj record of the life of this gentleman, whose 
 li lyv portrait appears on the opposite page, affoi'ds 
 a striking illustration of the results of force 
 and decision of purpose in a man, as well .as of the 
 power which an energetic and honorable eharatter 
 exercises ufjon the lives of others. From boyhood 
 he h.as unceasingly applied himself to the gaining 
 of knowledge and, as a consequence, is highly cul- 
 tured and wields a large influence both from the 
 puljiit and with the pen. Although he has been a 
 resident of Lockport only about ten 3ears, he is 
 nevertheless inseparably associated with the most 
 important religious enterprises of Will County in 
 the ranks of the Catholic Church. 
 
 Chicago w.as the native place of Father McGovern 
 and there he was born March 25, 1839. He spent 
 his boyhood in his native city, being among the 
 first i)upils attending the Dearborn public school, 
 on Madison Street, and afterward studying classics 
 
 in the llniversity of St. Mary of the Lake. When 
 fourteen years of age he was sent to Rome, Italy, 
 where he entered the Propaganda College, remain- 
 ing there ten years, graduating with high honors 
 and earning the title of Doctor of Divinity. On 
 his return to C'hicago he was appointed Vice-Presi- 
 dent of the University of St. Mary of the Lake, 
 and Rector of the Theological .Seminary connected 
 with that institution. When the university ceased 
 to exist he went to Fulton, 111., where he began the 
 career of upbuilding for which he h.as since become 
 noted. His efforts secured the erection of a beauti- 
 ful church and residence, but the energetic priest 
 did not long enjoy the fruits of his lalior in that 
 city. 
 
 The next location of Father McGovern was 
 Piloomington, 111., where the large church building 
 which had l)een in course of construction was de- 
 molished bj' a cyclone Ajjril 24, 1868. He took 
 hold of affairs with the characteristic energy which 
 had led to his being sent to this field of labor, and 
 not only ri'built the church edifice, but also erected 
 a residence and started a boys' pai-ochial school 
 which has since become an educational |)Ovver in 
 that city. When the new See of Peoria was fiu'med 
 he returned to his native diocese and took charge 
 of the church in Rock Island, 111., filling the place 
 of the Rev. Joseph P. Roles, who went on a tiip 
 to the Holy Land. While occupying the temiior- 
 ar\' vacancy he was instrumental in the erection of 
 churches at Edgingtou and I're-emption, Mercer 
 County. 
 
 In 1875, Father Mc(!ovcrn was sent to Lake 
 Forest, Lake County, where he built a church and 
 parsonage and reorganized the parish, so that on 
 his departure to another field of labor he had one 
 of the most tlourislung churches in the diocese. 
 Lockport became his home in 1880, and here he 
 has again founded a school which is rapidly gaining 
 in uumeriL'.al strength and reputation. He has the 
 second largest church in Will County, a fine parish 
 residence that he bought for the church, a devoted 
 people, and his influence is unbounded. 
 
 Rev. Dr. McGovern is a man of deep theological 
 knowledge, classical information and literary taste, 
 and has pleasant ways which gain good will and 
 prepossess strangers in his favor. As an author 
 
:i •_'(•. 
 
 roUTUAIT AND BIOCiKAlMIICAK AMUIM. 
 
 Ill' Im.i gained wido i , In* cliiof work wliicli he 
 
 li'is wrilton lu-iiiK tlio lift- of |{isln»|> McMulU'ii, i>f 
 Diivpiiporl, lowu. which iniik.s hi;;li anion;,' liio- 
 ^riiphicnl wiiliii^^s. ilc has always huvn a lihiTal 
 j'ontiihiitor lo tho |>ulilic; and Catholic prt-ss. and 
 ■nam to wlioiii his voice is iiiiraiiiilinr know iiiiii 
 well throii^^h iiis writings. 
 
 ♦r^*' 
 
 •>-r#-:- 
 
 <y^ '. 
 
 RANKLIN r. KHEV. Among the younger 
 bubiness men of Jolict, honorahlc mention 
 /1\ shoulil bo ;,'ivcn lo the above-named ficn- 
 
 tlcnmn, wiio lias been identified with the coal busi- 
 ness for a number of years and who has been 
 prospered in iiis worldly affnirs by reason of his 
 square dealing, excellent jiiilgment, and wise man- 
 agement. He does a business of from *8,000 to 
 *lit,000 a year. 
 
 The Frey family is traced back to Switzerland 
 whence the gramlfather of our subject came to 
 America at the age of seventeen years. lie was a 
 tanner by trade. To him, at his liome in Pennsyl- 
 vania, was born a son, J. II., who after becoming 
 a man turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. 
 ,1. II. Frej- married Margaret Ilartong, who was 
 also a native of the Keystone State, and in an early 
 day they took up their abode in Ohio. In 18.'i6, 
 Ihey came to Illinois, locating in Plainficld, this 
 county, whence they removed to Joliet in 1858. 
 Mr. Frey had kept the toll gate on the old plank 
 road, prior to his removal to this city. To this 
 couple nine children were born, their record being 
 as follows: Mrs. Fiannali Peddicord lives in West- 
 ern Kansas; Daniel K., in Dakota; .'^.•imuel M. died 
 in Iowa in June, 1876; ()uri;»sdietl at Camp Doug- 
 las, III., in 18fi3, being a member of the Sixty- 
 fourth Illinois Infantry; Byron S. lives at Lock- 
 port; Adam tlicd in infancy; F. P. is the next in 
 order of birth; Mrs. Ilattie M. Mapps, lives in 
 York, Neb.; Anna still remains at home. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name we introduce 
 this sketch was born in Manchester, Ohio, Septcm- 
 lier 29, 18."»2, but passed his boyhood in .loliet, 
 having been broiiirbt thither at the age of four 
 
 years. In the common .-iImm.N i > , i 
 
 erbicalion and from his worthy parents the moral 
 teaching and liabitM of industry which have been 
 practiced in his business and social career, lie 
 started out in the coal trade by entering the em- 
 ploy of .1. *l. A. King, for whom he worked liy the 
 monlli until 1874. when he opened an ollice for 
 himself. Since that dale he has continued a 
 scari'cly interrupted busines.'i. 
 
 The lirst Piesidcntial ballot of .Mr. Frey was 
 cast for r. S. Cirant. and his political allegiance has 
 ever been given to the Iie|.ublican party. He was 
 nfiminated for Assistant Supervisor in 1890, 
 against his protest, as he had no desire to enter 
 public life. His talents are made available in so- 
 cial and religious matters, and he is Financial .Sec- 
 retary of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, 
 anil Treasurer of Krwin Council. No. 1 10. of the Na- 
 ti(mal Union. He is also .Secretary of the Presby- 
 terian Sunday-school, a position he has held eight 
 3-ears, and is numbered among the active members 
 of the church. 
 
 The lady whom Mr. Frey wooed and won for his 
 wife, was in her girlhood Miss Minnie M. Hicks. 
 .She is a daughter of S. ,J. Hicks who now resid»!S 
 in Oshkosh, Wis., and is an estimable lady with 
 cultured mind, useful knowledge an<t pleasing man- 
 ners. The rites of wedlock were celebrated .luly 31, 
 1881, and four bright children have come to bless 
 the union. They are named res|K>ctfully — Chester 
 C, Edna M.. Lulu M. and Klla Kue. 
 
 HOMAS W. ItUOWN. As a sagacious, 
 \ practical, industrious farmer, the subject of 
 ^ this biographical review has pl.iyed an im- 
 portant part in the development of the rich agri- 
 cultural interest,s of Plainfield Township, and hi> 
 well-ordered farm, with its neat buildings and well- 
 I tillcfl fields, compare favorably with the finest in 
 I this part of the county. Mr. Hrown. though 
 I looking after his agricultural affairs himself, does 
 not occupy his farm but makes his home in the 
 I village, where a few years ago he piirchiiseil a fine 
 residence, which is built in a uuxlern and pretty 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 327 
 
 stylo of urcliilectiu'e, and is vvull and taslefully 
 furnislied. 
 
 Our sulijcct was boni in Fifeshire, Scotland, 
 April 1 I, 18.'W. His father, John Brown, is thought 
 to have been a native of Dumfrieshire. his fa- 
 ther of the same name, being also a native of Scot- 
 land, and of Scotch ancestry. He was a weaver and 
 followed that trade the greater part of liis life. 
 The father of our subject was reared to agricultu- 
 ral pursuits, but for a number of years after mar- 
 riage, operated a stationary engine in a spinning 
 factory. He continued to reside in the land of his 
 birth until 11^53, when with his wife and thirteen 
 children he embarked for America in the month of 
 August. Landing at New York he came directly 
 to Chicago and after a short stay there, came to 
 Will County, and settled in Wheatland Township, 
 where he purchased a tract of land a few acres of 
 which were broken and scTme small buildings were 
 on the place. He was actively engaged in the 
 management of that farm until his life was brought 
 lo a close in 1885, and thus passed away one of the 
 worthy pioneers of the county. The maiden name 
 of the mother of our subject was Lumsdale. She 
 never came to America but died in her native 
 Scotland, in 1849. The father married a second 
 time. His wife survives him and still resides on 
 the homestead in Wheatland Township. Mr. Brown 
 was the father of eight children by his first mar- 
 riage and five by the latter. 
 
 The son, of whom we write, received his educa- 
 tion in the schools of his native shire. He was 
 fourteen years old when he accompanied his pa- 
 rents to America, and lie commenced life here as a 
 farm laborer, working by the month. After a few 
 years he returned home to assist his father in the 
 management of his farm and remained with him 
 until his marriage, when he rented land in Kendall 
 Count}'. So well was he prospered that in 1870, he 
 was enabled to become a land-owner himself, pur- 
 chasing in that year sixty-two acres of land in 
 Plaiufiekl Townsiiip and a few years later, buying 
 the seventy acres adjoining, and subsequently be- 
 coming the possessor of fifty acres more, so that 
 his farm now contains one hundred and eighty- two 
 acres of unsurpassing fertility wliose improvements 
 are of the best. He did not, however, settle on his 
 
 farm but lived in Kendall County until 1888, rtheii 
 he removed to PlainHehl to his present fine resi- 
 dence. 
 
 Air. Brown has been twice married. In 1859, 
 he was wedde<l to Marian Vandervort, a native (jf 
 Vermont, and a daughter of John ^'andervort. 
 The following four children were born of that 
 marriage: Morian Elizabeth, Silas A., Florence K. 
 and Dilroy M. Our subject's second marriage oc- 
 curred in 1879, when he was united to Miss Han- 
 nah M. Smith, a native of Kickapoo, 111. Her fa- 
 ther, Daniel Smith, was bom in Kent, England, 
 and came to America with his wife and three chil- 
 dien. He resided in New York for a time and 
 then, coming to Illinois, was a pioneer of Peoria 
 County. About 1842, he caroe to Will County 
 and bought a farm in Plainfield Township, on 
 which he resided until his mortal career was 
 brought to a close in 1863. The maiden name of 
 his wife was Mary Bachelor. She was born in Eng- 
 land and died in Plainfield. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a self-made man in the truest sense 
 of the word ; with sound understanding developed 
 by intelligent reading and careful observation, 
 a stable character and industrious habits, he is 
 an influence for good in this community \vith 
 whose social, religious, and material interest he is 
 associated. He and his wife are members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and l)y their conduct 
 in the every day affairs of life show themselves to 
 be sincere Christians. A citizen of public spirit 
 and alwaj's evincing a general interest in the wel- 
 fare of the township and county, our subject inter- 
 ests himself in politics and is a devoted follower of 
 the Republican party. 
 
 70HN H. OHLENDORF, .Tu. The late John 
 Ohlendorf was a leading farmer of Crete 
 Townshi[) and quite an old settler therein. 
 / He was a native of Hesse, German^', born 
 September 16, 1827, and died at his home in this 
 township. May 25, 1888. He was the oldest of 
 five sons and two daughters born to his parents, 
 and grew to man's estate in his native land. He 
 
r^L'H 
 
 I'ORTUArr AND BIOratA I'll 1 CAT. ALBUM. 
 
 ri'oeivcd .1 jjood |iriu*licnl c*<liiciili(iii in llic Knllici- 
 litiiil, wliciu-o, ill IH.')2. he ciiiiio to Aiiioi'icii Willi 
 till' other uii'IiiIh'Is of the parentnl fiiiiiily. Stiil- 
 iiig from llifiiiorhiivuii in .liini-. they spout seven 
 weeks on the itriiiy fleep, fiiiiilly Iniulinj' in New 
 York City, ami, im n imiled fiiinily, eoniiiijj west 
 to t'hiiajjo, 111. Sooii afterward they all eaiiie to 
 to tlii« county. 
 
 John Henry Olili'iidorl, Sr., was reared to farm 
 pursuits ill hi^ native liesse. and was also a local 
 ofHcer there for some years, lie m.-iriied a lle.ssinn 
 lady, Miss Sophia Senile. When lliey arriveil in 
 this eounty, he purchased one hundrcil nnd sixty 
 nercs of land on sections 31 nnd 35, Crete 'i'own- 
 ship, paying; i<l.lOti for the same. It was mostly 
 wild land at the time of purchase. There tin; 
 parents of our subject liveii for some years, when 
 they purchased another farm and ^nvc their ori*:!- 
 innl estate to their ehlest son. 'I'hey suhseijuently 
 gave their second farm to their second son, and coii- 
 tiimcd this process until all Iheir sons were oslali- 
 lislied in good homes, when they iiiaile their home 
 with their youngest son, August. There the 
 father died .July 11, 1H><2. at the advancerl age of 
 seventy-eight years. Ilis widow is yet living, still 
 making her home with her son. August. She is 
 now nearly seventy -eight years of age. She is a 
 inemher of the Lutheran t'liurch. of which her hus- 
 band was also a member, .and like his, her life ha.s 
 been characterized by industry and piet^'. 
 
 Kealizing that it is not good for man to live 
 alone, he of whom we write led to the hymeneal 
 altar Miss Wilhelmina Arkenlierg. the marriage 
 rites lieing performed at the home of the bride in 
 this township. She was born in the Kingdom of 
 Hanover, Germany, November IG, 1835, and is the 
 oiliest child of William and Dora ((lisika) Arken- 
 berg. Her father was .-i shepherd in (lerinany, that 
 having been the avocation of the family for several 
 genernticins. After tiie birth of their four sons and 
 two (laughters. .Mr. and Mrs. Arkenlierg emigrated 
 to America, sailing from Bremcrhavcn l<j New 
 York. They came at once to Chicago and later to 
 this county, this being in 1H53. Mr. Arkeuberg 
 purchased a farm near Goodenow. Crete Town- 
 ship, making of it an estate of considerable value. 
 Tlure he brcitlied his last in 1 HhO, at the agi- of 
 
 seventy-two years. Ilis wido»v departed this life 
 four years later when seventy-one years of age. 
 Both were members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The wife of our subject having been seventeen 
 years of age when she ac(!oinpaiiieil her parents to 
 America, receive<| the greater part of her educa- 
 tion in her native clime. \Vith the devotion of a 
 true wife, she iaboretl hard with her husband to 
 make a home for their family, proving her elUciency 
 in household duties, and as a (roiinselor and sym- 
 ]iathi/iiig helpmate wherever woman's work is 
 needed. After the death of her husband, she t<Mik 
 up her ri'sideiice in Crete, where she is still living, 
 with her youngest child. She is the mother of 
 three children — Henry W., whose biography occii- 
 |)ies a page in this volume; Amelia, wife of Henry 
 Triebold, tlu'ir home being on a farm in Crete 
 Township; ami Kegiiia, who is her mother's com- 
 panion. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
 to which her children also belong, and with which 
 her deceased hiisb.-ind was idcntilied. The life of 
 Mr. Ohlendorf was one of persevering imlustry, 
 neighborly kindness, and uiia.ssiiming devotion to 
 the principles in which he believed, nnd his death 
 removed from the township a citizen whoso worth 
 was unquestioned. Besides leaving a good home 
 to his heirs, he left to them that best of all inheri- 
 tances, n name nnd memory which can be thought 
 upon with loving reverence. 
 
 ^E0K(;E K. SHAW, one of the most pros- 
 perous farmers of I'lainfield, has lieen a 
 resident of this township for more than 
 thirty years, ami h.as been closely associated with 
 its agricultural development, helping to make Will 
 County one of the finest farming regions in the 
 .State, and during this time he has acquired a 
 goodly amount of property and has placed him- 
 self among the substantial citizens of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Mr. Shaw is a native of Klizabethtown. N. .1., 
 bom February 2. 1HI5, a son of Klijah Shaw, 
 who is thought to have been born in New York 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 329 
 
 State. The latter leai'iied the trade of a cooper 
 and followed that falling in Cohimbia and IJutchess 
 Counties. At his death, in 1822, in the town of 
 Milan, a useful and honorable life was brought 
 to a close. The maiden name of the mother of 
 our subject was Catherine Altiiouse. .She is thought 
 to have been born in Dutchess County and spent 
 her last years with a daughter in Westchester 
 County, N. Y. There were seven children born 
 to the parents of our subject of whom tHe fol- 
 lowing six were reared: Mary, Jane, CJeorge E., 
 Elijah, Pluebe and Helen. The mother of the sub- 
 ject of this sketch was married a second time, 
 becoming the wife of George Shaffer and they 
 reared one daughter, Louisa. 
 
 Our subject was but seven years old when he 
 had the misfortune to lose his father and one year 
 later he went to live with a farmer, Philip I. 
 Zink. He was lired to agricultural pursuits, re- 
 ceiving in return for his services his board and 
 clothes. At the age of twenty-one he started out 
 for himself, with empty pockets and in debt for the 
 cloth to make the suit of clothes that he wore. A 
 young man of his willingness and capability to 
 work found but little difficulty in obtaining a situ- 
 ation, and he was soon engaged on a farm in 
 Dutchess County, his wages being $12 per month 
 for eight months in the 3'ear, and during the win- 
 ter season he was obliged to work for $8 i)er 
 month. He labored very hard and i)rudently 
 saved his earnings, and the following spring in- 
 vested a part of them in a tract of three hundred 
 acres of wild timber land in Cochecton, Sulli- 
 van Count}', in part payment for it giving eight 
 months more work. He did not locate on his pur- 
 chase at that time but continued working for a 
 few years, until he was enabled to buy two hun- 
 dred acres adjoining it, and after marriage he 
 bought a house and three acres of land in Stan- 
 ford, Dutchess County. The following year (1847) 
 he sold that place and went to Sullivan County 
 intending to settle on his land there, but before 
 building, he embraced a fine opportunity to sell a 
 part of his land for an improved farm in the 
 town of Bethel, the same county, and two ^-ears 
 after that he bought the remainder of the first 
 tract he had previously purchased. Hearing much 
 
 of the wonderful fertility of the soil of the Prai- 
 rie State and the various other advantages offered 
 to the pr.aetical, wide-awake farmer, he determined 
 to tr}' life here, and selling his farm in New York, 
 he came to this State and two years later pur- 
 chased the farm where he now resides. Eighty 
 acres of this is located on a part of section 35, 
 and he has besides another eighty-acre tract on 
 the same section, and eleven and one-half acres 
 of valuable timber land on section 27. In the 
 years of hard labor that followed his settlement 
 here Mr. Shaw devoted himself assiduously to 
 the work of his farm, and has brought about a 
 great change in everj' respect, erecting roomy, 
 convenient buildings, suitable for every purpose, 
 cultivating- the land after the best methods and 
 providing himself with the best machinery, so 
 that his place may be regarded as a model in its 
 way. 
 
 Mr. Shaw has been married three times. His 
 first wife, to whom he was united in 1844, was 
 Catherine -E. Schoonover. She was a native of 
 Dutchess County, N. Y.,and a daughter of Richard 
 and Ann Schoonover. Her death, October 31, 
 1850, deprived him of a good wife. He was next 
 married, September 11, 1851, to Mary A. Colsen, 
 a native of Ireland and a daughter of William 
 and Ann Colsen. After a pleasant wedded life of 
 nearly thirteen years he was deprived of her assist- 
 ance by death Jul}' 10, 1864. To them had been 
 born three children, namely: William E., George 
 H. and Lewis. William married Martha Kennelly, 
 and has three children— Ella, Margaret and Lester; 
 George II. married Estella O'Strander and has one 
 child, Ethel. 
 
 The marriage of our subject to his [iresent wife 
 was solemnized May 16,1809, her maiden name was 
 Anna Coon, and she was born in Milan, Dutchess 
 County, N. Y. Iler father, Philip A. Coon, is sup- 
 posed to have been born in Columbia County, 
 N. Y., and his father, John Coon, was a farmer 
 and died in Johnstown, Montgomery Count}', N.Y_ 
 Mrs. Shaw's father was also a farmer and at one 
 time owned a farm in Milan. He came to Illinois 
 with Sirs. Shaw and died at her home in 1871. 
 The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Link, 
 and she was a native of Milan. Her father, John 
 
:i;5() 
 
 I'OKTKAIT AND lUOGRAl'HICAI- ALBUM. 
 
 I. ink, is .sii|i|)0!<('il til liiivo lifi-ii liorii llii-re, nml to 
 linvi- Ihtii u ilfsci'iiiliinl (if (uTiiian nntvslry. Ilu 
 I'arrifil un furniiiiL: in thai l<iwii milil liis dralli. 
 Mrs. SliHw's miillici- (lii'il in Milan alMuil IH'iM. 
 
 Mr. .Sliaw is .•! slurdv ri'iirrsi-nlalivc of our si'lf- 
 niailL' nii-n, as, licj,Mnnin;,' lift' in i«ivcrty, lie iia.s 
 workcil his way up to a position of I'oniparativu 
 wi-altli all tlirou*r|i his own ffTorls, he haviiii; lucii 
 wi'll i'()'.iippi'(l for the slru^'{,'li' with i'niTf;y. ik'lir- 
 niination, ami a j;ii<icl capacity for skillful lahor, 
 liosiilos being a man of steady liahits. thorough 
 I'onseientiousness and unswerving integrity, lie 
 and his wife are sincere rtMigious people, and the 
 Congregational t'hureli finds in llieni two of its 
 most faithful nieniliei-s. lie was a Whig in former 
 days, hut since the formation of the Kepulilican 
 party has been one of its most consistent sup- 
 porters. 
 
 KTKU I'. ADI.KK. This gcnllenian is 
 y, numbered among the prominent citizens 
 of .loliet, where lie lins been engaged in 
 business for a number of years, manifest- 
 ing a degree of ability and enterprise that has 
 giTen him a high standing in business circles and 
 wins for him a nourishing trade. lie is a member 
 of the firm of Adler lirolhers, stock dealers and 
 shippers, and wholesale antl retail dealers in meats. 
 Their market is situated at No. 112 Kxchange 
 ."street, in the National IJKick; and their liusiness 
 of shipping slock to the Kast necessitates the buy- 
 ing by wholesale in Kansas City. Mo., and yarimis 
 other points in the West. 
 
 The subject of this sketch owns considerable 
 land in the townsliip and has charge of the estflle, 
 whereon horses, mules, cattle, and hogs are raised 
 in considerable numbers. lie is knotrn as a gen- 
 eral farmer in a large way, while he Ims also at- 
 tendeil to the shipping of the stock of the linn, 
 simply overseeing the business. 
 
 Mr. Adler was born in .loliet Township, this 
 county, October H, 1812, being a son of Mielmcl 
 Afller, whose history will be found in the sketch 
 of .I.acob Adler on another page of this Ai.ia'M. 
 lie grew to the age of nineteen years on the farm. 
 
 after which he lenrnc<l the traile of a shocmnker in 
 the city of .lolie'. After mastering his Irmle, he 
 engaged in the clothing busiiu'ss, continuing in it 
 several years, but in iMCiM beginning the meat liusi- 
 ness. lie bought with his brother Jacob, having 
 charge of the market, and since they extended 
 their business to include the buying and shipping 
 <if stock, he has spent much of his time in Knnsas 
 City. .Mo., or in various parts of the Stnte of Kan- 
 sas, iiflerested with his brother-in-law, K. (I. Uap- 
 |)le. lie has an interest in the building in which 
 the maiket is carried on. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Adler t<iok place at the 
 bride's home, in Joliet, in ISC'). She was born in 
 Ohio, in l.HI t. to .loseph .ind Kli/.abelh Flick and 
 was christened .Mary \. Her father w.as a native 
 of Alsace, when it was a department of France, 
 and her mother was born in IVunsylvania, her 
 maiden name having been .Scuter. The family 
 came to this county in 18.'i3, and .Mr. Flick en- 
 gaged in the hotel business in the same house the 
 family now occupies, lie died in 187^, leaving a 
 widow and four daughters, three of whom now 
 survive, two being at home. 
 
 To Mr. AtUer and his estimable wife six children 
 have been born, three of whom are living. They 
 are named respectively: Angeline. l.iz/Jeand I'eler 
 M. .1. The parents belong to St. John's Catholic 
 Church and stand well in the esteem of their ae- 
 quaintances. their characters anil intelligence ren- 
 dering them useful and agreeable members of 
 society. 
 
 ^ IIAKI-KS C. McCLAl (;1IUY, A. H. This 
 
 jli -^ young gentleman, who is now filling the 
 ^iiJf^ position of Chief Kngineer of the Illinois 
 .Slate Penitentiary, at .loliet, is a man of more 
 than ordinary ability and strength and nobility of 
 character, lie was the recipient of excellent nd- 
 vanUiges duiing his boyhood and youth, made a 
 good use of them, and possesses a mind well 
 stored with useful knowledge and capable of grasp- 
 ing with firmness and with acute perception, sub- 
 jects brought before him for consiileration. With 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 331 
 
 this, he has firm principles .and agreeable, courte- 
 ous manners. 
 
 Tlie subject of this brief biographical notice 
 was born at Carthage, Hancock County, April 7, 
 1863, while his fattier was in the army. When 
 eleven years old he came to Joliet with his parents, 
 finishing his education at Knox College and being 
 graduated witli the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 
 the class of '85. He then entered the machine 
 shops of the Ulinois ISteel Corap.any in order 
 to acquire the trade of a machinist, which he 
 completed in that estr.blishment. He was after- 
 ward connected witli the firm of E. R. Brainard 
 & Co., in their maciiine department in the peniten- 
 tiiry, leaving their employ November 1, 1889, .it 
 which time he was appointed chief engineer of the 
 prison. He is a member of tlie Lincoln Club, an 
 organization of young Republicans, and belongs to 
 the Central Presbyterian Church. 
 
 At the residence of W. C. Demmond, of this 
 city, June 28, 1888, the marriage ceremony was 
 performed which united the subject of this sketch 
 and Miss Helen A., daughter of the host. The 
 bride was born in this city, whicii has ever been her 
 home, and where she has made many friends by her 
 o-enial manners, intelligence and estimable charac- 
 ter. To her and her husband one child has been 
 born, who bears the name of Helen B. 
 
 Maj. Robert W. McClatighry, the father of our 
 sul)ject, was Warden of the penitentiary in Joliet 
 for fifteen years. He w.-is born in Fountain Green, 
 Hancock County, July 22, 1831), and remained at 
 home on a farm until 18.")G. He then entered Mon- 
 mouth College, being graduated in 1 800, and re- 
 maining in the institution one year as Professor of 
 Latin. Returning to Hancock County in 1861, 
 he settled at Carthage and became editor of the 
 Carthage Kopublicaii. In response to President 
 Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand men, he 
 enlisted, in August, 1862, as a private in the One 
 Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. He was 
 chosen Captain of Company li, and in November 
 following was elected Major of the regiment. He 
 particii)at,ed in all the campaigns in the Gulf de- 
 partment, which resulted in the capture of Vicks- 
 burg, and in all tliose in Western Louisiana until 
 June, 1804, when he was transferred to the pay 
 
 department as Paymaster and assigned to duty at 
 Springfield, 111. He remained thereuntil October, 
 1805, wlien he was mustered out of the service. 
 
 Having been elected Clerk of Hancock County. 
 Maj. McClaughry at once assumed the duties of 
 that office, which he held until 1869. During the 
 next two years he was engaged in the stone quarry 
 business in Sonora and furnished stone for the rail- 
 road Inidge over the Missi8si[)pi at Keokuk,and also 
 for the Government canal at the same place, and 
 for the foundations of the new State Ca))itol at 
 Springfield. In 1871 he went to St. Louis, Mo., to 
 take charge of the St. Genevieve quarries, but the 
 following year, his health failing, he returned to 
 Monmouth, 111., and entered the office of Judge 
 Glenn, to attend to a portion of his business. There 
 he remained until August 1, 1874, when he was 
 appointed Warden of the penitentiary of this 
 place. He was married, in 1802, to Miss Eliza- 
 beth Madden, of Monmouth, and has five children 
 living. 
 
 ^^- 
 
 nICHOLS D. DYER. Tlie flourishing city 
 ) of Joliet contains many business houses in 
 ; whose management great tact is displayed, 
 
 and in which a trade is carried on that gives circu- 
 lation to thousands of dollars per annum. One of 
 these flourishing establishments is that of the sub- 
 ject of this sketch, who is a dealer in dry-goods. 
 
 Fifteen years after the Pilgrims of the "May- 
 flower" had landed on Plymouth Pock, the first 
 record of William and Mary Dyer, who were first 
 cousins, is found in Boston. Like many others in 
 that day they had left the refinements of an Eng- 
 lish home, to brave the discomforts of the Western 
 wilderness in order to enjoy the blessing of relig- 
 ious liberty. William Dyer was led by the elo- 
 quence of Roger Williams to espouse the cause of 
 the Baptists, whereui)on he was disfranchised and 
 like many others compelled to leave the colony. 
 His wife walked out of a meeting of Puritans in 
 comjjany with Mrs. Hutchinson. The banished 
 Dyers bought tlie little isle — Rhode — Island — then 
 called Aquidunk or Isle of Peace. Of the new 
 colonv who settled '-Little Khody," William Dyer 
 
832 
 
 POKTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 wns solci'tcil ns Clerk, snlwi-qui'iilly bncoiiiiiig Uc- 
 ftudiT. C'k'ik of llu- As.seiiililv ami Alto m'y-<M'ii- 
 (•r:il. His wifi- titiil mlliiTi'il to tin- (^imkLT iK-lii-f 
 iilllioii^li o|i|(Osc<l to till' spirit of iiiloli-rHm-f 
 cliiuafti-ribiiiv; that IkmIv, ami osiiwiallv. tin- im- 
 JII-.1 law of baiiislimi'iil. UeslU'ss uiiil»-r it aiwl 
 tiniily liciicviii^j .hIiu liail a iiiissioii to perforin, she 
 ri'turiu'd to Massarliusitls to sociire a reforiDaliou. 
 Ill this she f'liled. ami was thereforr a iiiarlyr to 
 her reli';ioiis heiief. ami was liroii^ihl to tliej^allows 
 for exeeiilioii as one sowiiij; the seeds of sedition, 
 \t\ ilireelion of Cov. Kiidieolt. 'riiniiigh the inler- 
 veiilKiii of a son she was spareil, only to ajiaiii re- 
 tni'ii to the same mission anil liecoine a martyr l<» 
 her faith, t^iiilen numl)er of the proireny of these 
 Puritans have lieeome noted in American history. 
 N. J). I)\cr, of whom we write, is one of llie lineal 
 deseenilanls. 
 
 Thi' sulijeel of thjs hio^raphieal nutiee was Ixirn 
 in l.exinijton, Ohio, .lanuary II, l«ll. lie is the 
 i'ij;hth in !i family of five sons and four daughters, 
 liorii to Daniel II. and Phila ( Heaversluek ) Dyer, 
 natives of NCrmunt. and is llic only snrvi\ or ex- 
 cept his sister, Mrs. I'hila .M. Watson, of losva City, 
 Iowa. I'ntil thirltHMi years of ajre lit^ w.'is with his 
 p!irelit{< in his native villajje, after whuh In- aeeoni- 
 panied them to Callaway (.'onnty, .Mo., where his 
 father followeil farming. 'The !:id was e<lnc!ited in 
 the coinmon schools and, his father having lost his 
 Mifsouri property, in his youth liegaii working liy 
 the month in Iowa, lie continued his laliors on a 
 farm there untd the winter of I 800, when lie taught 
 school near Plainlichl. 111. In IHC-J, he entered the 
 Comniis.sary Department of the army at Pilot 
 Knol), Mo., under his uncle, C'ol. George Dyer. 
 
 Six months later young Dyer went to Farmiiig- 
 l<»ii. Mo., and raised a company of Union refugees, 
 wh(»m he acconi|)anied to St. Louis, joining Frank 
 P. Hlair's brigade as a .Second Lieutenant, 'i'hey 
 were sent to join .Sherman, anil took (tart in the en- 
 gagement at Chickasaw IJayou, where the Pnion 
 forces were sadly defeated. They then went to 
 Arkansas Post, where the tide turned and they 
 captured nil the artillery. After wintering at Mil- 
 liken's BencL where a portion of their time was 
 spent in digging the canal in ^lie vain endeavor to 
 make the Mississippi run up hill, thev were scut to 
 
 Vickshiirg mid bore nn nctive part in the Hiegc of 
 that cit\ . 'riiere Mr. Dyer acted as Capl,-iin. Prior 
 to this he had lieeii made an aide on Gen. Carr's 
 stafT. with the rank of Lieutenant, but hud declined 
 the appnintincnt becniise the lH>ys hnil insisted that 
 as he had started out with them he should remain 
 in their company. The next prominent point at 
 which the young soldier wiw found was .lackson. 
 .Mi.ss., after the capture of which he took part in 
 other conilicts, among them being the noted eiignge- 
 incnt at Lookout .Mountain, where iiiuny of our 
 brave boys fought above the clouds. Following 
 this came the battles at Uinggold. Dallas, Peach 
 'Iree Creek :ind Hig Shanty. ISreaking down in 
 health while en route to Atlanta. Captain Dyer was 
 dischargeil .S.-plcmber 4, lf<lil, on a surgeon's cer- 
 tilicate of disability. 
 
 'i'he succeeding two years were spent li\ Mr. 
 Dyer in recovering his health, and he then engaged 
 in the hardware business in Chicago, continuing it 
 a year, lie then went to Iowa, where in the town 
 of Atalissa. Seplcinber 12. IMt'.T, he w.as united in 
 marri.'ige with Miss Amanda .M., daughter of 
 Thomas Lewis. The same year he went to St. 
 Louis, Mo., where he receivcl the appi*iiilnient of 
 Deputy City Collector, the place being secured for 
 him by fJov. Fletcher, and hehl .a little over n 
 year. On account of his wife's health they re- 
 tunied 111 Iowa, where he was engaged in the mer- 
 cantile business until iHj.j. at which lime he 
 reiuove<l lo.Ioliet. His wife was reiiKjved by death 
 .lune '20, 1870, leaving one child, George L., who 
 is now with his father. .Sinc-e coining to .loliet .Mr. 
 Dyer has followed Ihe diy-goods business. 
 
 On May (>. 187:!. Mr. Dyer contracted a second 
 matrimonial ailianee. taking for his companion 
 Miss .luliette Hardy, with whom he live<l happily 
 until December 27, 1K7G, when she brenlhed her 
 last. She w;is a daughter of Otis Hardy, iif .loliet. 
 The union was blessed by the birth of one child, 
 Florence .1. On April 10. 1878, Mr. Dyer was 
 again married, his bride being Miss Amelia A. 
 Hardy, who has borne him two chililren, now liv- 
 ing — F.mma Phila and I^Iarion A. 
 
 The first Presidential ballot of .Mr. Dyer was 
 cist for Abraham Lincoln, and his allegiance h.-u 
 has always been given to the Hepiiblican party. In 
 
f*^ 
 
 // 
 
 C^i^'^yi/^ylj^.^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 335 
 
 llic infancy of lliat political organization liis fatlicr 
 and lirotlieis dosireil to vote for (Icn. Fremont, 
 but dare not do so in the sectif)n of Missouri in 
 wiiieh tliey lived. Mr. Dyer belongs to tiic(iran(l 
 Aimy of the He|)ublic. 
 
 -m-- 
 
 ATKICK W.DlINNK.l'astorof St. I'atrick's 
 Church in .loliet, allhougii comparatively 
 ^ young holds a high position in the ranks of 
 the ('atholic |)riesthood as one who is do- 
 ing r.;nch to advance the interests of the church in 
 various ways. To him are due the great improve- 
 ments around tlie edifice in which his charge 
 meets. Personally he is a genial, wlioJe-souled 
 man, very companionable, and not only dearly 
 loved by his [wople but liigldy respected by the 
 community in general for his good qualities of 
 mind and heart. His intellect has been thoroughly 
 cultured and iiis mind is stored with learning. In 
 charitable work he is ever ready to lend a helping 
 hand and the members of his • own charge are 
 treated with the greati^sl consideration regarding 
 llu'ir physical needs, as well as the wants of their 
 
 ^OMls. 
 
 Father Dunne is of mixed ancestry, his father, 
 Kdward Dunne, having been a native of Ireland, 
 and his mother, Mary Finn, of Prince Kdward Is 
 land. Edvvard Dunne came to Prince Edward Is- 
 l.md in 1819, and 1851 went to Watertown, Wis., 
 where he built the first church and first bridge in 
 that place, the latter being over the Rock River. 
 He had been reared to carpentering, his six broth- 
 ers following the same trade or conibining it with 
 ship-carpentering. The seven Dunne brothers 
 came to America, and two — William and Patrick — 
 are now living in Chicago. T'he yoimgest brother, 
 Dennis, was a man of wide reputation and in'gh 
 character, wlio became X'icar General of the Chi- 
 cago Diocese. He departed his life in 1868. The 
 father of our subject died in Joliet, July 2, 1888. 
 His last work was remodeling St. Patrick's Church, 
 for which he had drawn all the plans and specifica- 
 tions and which he personally sni)erintended. His 
 widow i.s .still living, making her home in Chicago, 
 
 where a numljcr of her children reside. To Kdward 
 and Mary Dunne nine daughters and six sons were 
 born, ten of the number being yet alive. These 
 all live in Chicago except Patrick and his sister 
 Catherine who is with him in .Joliet. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Walei- 
 town, Wis., March 4, 1852. His education was 
 begun in the College of the Christian Brothers in 
 Chicago. In the spring of 1868, lie entered St. 
 Charles College, at Kllicott City, Md., from which 
 institution he was graduated in 1874. Owing to 
 sickness his studies were abandoned for a year, af- 
 ter which he renewed them in St. Mary's Seminarj' 
 at lialtimore. In that institution he remained four 
 and a half years, completing the line of studies 
 which fitted him to enter the priesthood. On De- 
 cember 22, 187,'J, he was ordained and sent to St. 
 Patrick's Church, Chicago, where he arrived two 
 days later, celebrating his first mass at midnight of 
 that same day. Father Dunne became the Assis- 
 tant Pastor of St. Mary's Church in -loliet, Feb- 
 ruary lo, 1880, retaining that |)osition until 
 .January 29, 1886, when he was appointed to that 
 which he now fills. Here he became the suc^eessor 
 of Father Walter Power, who died Januarj' 27, 
 and whose pastorate had extended through seven- 
 teen years. 
 
 In 1889, the Golden Jubilee of St. Patrick's 
 Church was celebrated, the event being the grand- 
 est that Joliet had ever seen in connection with 
 Catholic church work. T'he occasion was one that 
 will long be remembered, not only by those who 
 adhere to the Catholic faith but by all who wit- 
 nessed it. The Pontifical High Mass was celebrated 
 by Bishop Burke, of Cheyenne, and Arch-bishop 
 Riordan, of San Francisco, the latter a cousin of 
 Father Dunne, delivered the sermon. 
 
 A lithographic portrait of F'ather Dunne appears 
 in connection with his biographical sketch. 
 
 Vwp^RKDIiRICK IIASKMAN. Among the young 
 
 f—^ farmers of the county a high place is meri- 
 
 /1\ ted by the gentleman above named, who 
 
 successfully operates a tract of land in Washington 
 
33U 
 
 PORTRAIT AND HIOORAIMIIOAL ALBUM. 
 
 Towiislii|». Tlii« fsUiU- <•< iiipiisis two IiiiiuIiimI 
 lu-res of cxiTlliMil IhikI mitli-r i-iiri.-fiil iiiid iiiU'lli- 
 jji'iil tillngi-, Hiiil liiis l>t'i;ii lilt; lioiiiu of our »iilijc<-t 
 from his infniuy. For six yeiirs lie Inis bcoii tlie 
 owner of llie fnrin lliiil wjks piirclmsfd 1)> lii.s fnllier 
 in a rnw statu, iiml \>y liini unit liis sons broiiylit to 
 H flno loiiililion of improvi'ineiit and culliviilion. 
 I'lie work hegiin by the parent is iilily eonliniu-il 
 by the sou, wlio is inlelli},'enl. imhistrious and 
 tlirifly. Ho was born near Kii;;le I^ake, in this 
 township, August 12, 1H02, anil is tiie youngest 
 child of his parents and the only one bt)rn in Amer- 
 ica, lie was but a year olil when lie came to his 
 present home, where he grew to manhood, was 
 educated and bctran his own career. 
 
 The father of our subject is .lohn Ilaseman, who 
 was bom in Sliambourg, Lcipsic, Germany, .lanu- 
 ary 2.'), 181 I. He married theilnughtor t>f a neigh- 
 boring family — Miss Mary I'auls — who like him. 
 self had bi-en reared un<ler the care of e.\cellent 
 parents. After their uiarriaire Mr. and Mrs. John 
 llaseiiian lived on a farm iii the Katlierlaiiil until 
 after the birth of seven children. 'I'liey then set 
 sail for .\iiicric:i, leaving Hreuierhaven, May 1, 
 18(10, and landing in New York City Iwcnty-threc 
 d.iys later. The family came to Chicago, 111., and 
 thence to Kagle L.ake, this county, where they 
 rented a farm, upon which lliey lived for three 
 years, anil where our subject first saw the light of 
 day. 
 
 In 1803 the fatlier purchased one hundred and 
 twenty acres on section 8, Washington Township, 
 the iie.vt year adding an eighty-acre tract adjoin, 
 ill"'. UlMjn this he put up good buildings, recliiim- 
 ing the land from its primitive state and making a 
 comfortable home in which to spend his declining 
 years. lie is still living, making his home with 
 our subject, and is smart and active for one of his 
 years. lie lost his companion in March, 1881, she 
 being then sixty ye.-irs old. .She was a lifelong 
 meniber of the Lutheran Church, and conscien- 
 tiously endeavored to fulfil the duties which de- 
 volved upon her as wife, mother and member of 
 society. Her husband belongs to the same church, 
 and he too has endeavored to act well his part in 
 life. 
 
 Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Mnsc 
 
 , man we note the following: Anna marrieil IK-iiry 
 Walker, and died jit the birth of her first rliild; 
 Henry married .Sophia Meyer, and died leaving 
 
 I four children; Carolina became the wife of Will- 
 iam .Meyer, and died leaving four children ; .lohn, 
 Jr., who is now living on a farm in Will Township, 
 this county, married Louisa Winsenburg; Engel is 
 the wife of Charles Laiige, a farmer in Washington 
 Township; Mary is the wife of William N'oltner, 
 and they occupy a farm in Lake County. Ind.; 
 Sophia married George A|>king, who is a farmer 
 in Crete Township this county; Fred is the young- 
 est son and child. 
 
 The latter married Mary Thurner. who was born 
 in Eagle Lake Village, December 18. 18C2. She 
 received a good education, and acquired an excel- 
 lent knowledge of the domestic aria and the kindly 
 olfiees in which womanhooil excels. .She is the 
 mother of four childieii, namely: Lena, Alviiia, 
 Albert and Autli}'. She and her husband belong 
 to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hitseman, of this 
 notice, is a sound Hepublican, :is are his father and 
 brothers. 
 
 The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
 John (). and Kngel (Nieders) H.iseman, who spent 
 their entire lives in Germany. They were consis- 
 tent members of the Lutheran Church. The hus- 
 band w:is a shoemaker by trade, and followed that 
 occupaticui from his youth until his death, which 
 occurred when he was about sixty-three years of 
 age. 
 
 \f()lLN FAHKNKR. M.I)., a rising young 
 l>hysician and surgeon of .loliel, obtained 
 his medical education in Chicago, 111., in 
 / the Bennett Meilical College, from which he 
 w."« graduated in 1882. Immediately afterward 
 he entered u|)on the practice of his profession in 
 Joliel, where he is rapidly building up an extensive 
 business. He obtained likewise an excellent liter- 
 ary and classical education, with the Benedictines 
 of Chicago. He is a member of the Illinois Eclec- 
 tic Medical .Society. Close application to his 
 studies while he had the opportunity, made him 
 thoroughly acquainted with the duties of his chosen 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 337 
 
 calling, wliilc he keeps himself posted upon the 
 uielhods which are constantly being brought to tlie 
 atlfntion of tlie profession. 
 
 Dr. Fahrner was born on the otlier side of tlie 
 Atlantic, in the town of Marienl)a(l, Austria, Feb- 
 ruary 11, 1851, and is the son of Dr. Valentine and 
 Mary Ann (Tauber) Fahrner, who were of German 
 birth and ancestry. Valentine Fahrner, also a 
 [iracticing physician of good repute, followed his 
 profession in his native land several years, then 
 came to America, in 1854, locating first in Chicago, 
 lie followed his profession there until 1868, then 
 roturnc<l to his native land. Finally he came back 
 to America and located at Mokena, 111., where he 
 sojourned two years. In 1871 he took up his resi- 
 dence in ,Ioliet, and followed his practice in this 
 city until his death, July 7, 1879. The wife and 
 mother had preceded her husband to the silent 
 land, her dcatli occurring May 28, 1873. They 
 were tlie parents of throe children only— our sub- 
 ject and his sister, Mrs. Lehner, of this county; 
 Anna died aged twelve years. 
 
 Dr. Fahrner was marriedDccember 28, 1875, in 
 .loliet, to Miss Jlagdalena Kachelhoffer. Mrs. 
 Fahrner was "oorn in Joliet, and by her union with 
 our subject theue have been born seven children, 
 viz.: John, Pius, Angela, W.alter, Alphonse, Char- 
 lotte aiid Frederick. Their home is at No. 609 North 
 Nicholson Street. Dr. Fahrner has his office at 
 No. 200 North Center Street. 
 
 Politically, the Doctor is a sterling Democrat, 
 and he and his family are members of St. John's 
 Catholic Church. 
 
 ► ^ ■' S ' l "** 
 
 ^f■ UDGI-: SOLOMON SIMMONS. No cili/.en 
 of Plainfield has read more extensively, 
 ,, thought more deeply, or is belter posted 
 i^j/i than the gentleman above named. His judg- 
 ment is keen, and after once arriving at a conclu- 
 sion he is very positive, and only serious thought 
 and study of (uos and cons will change his ideas. 
 Frank and open-hearted, all know the meaning of 
 his words and actions and respect him accordingly, 
 lie is liberal iu his religious belief, has never even 
 
 touched tobacco with his fingers and has always 
 I)eeii an ardent advocate of temperance and a be- 
 liever in iirohibition, although not a third party 
 man. 
 
 Judge Simmons was born in Claverick, Colum- 
 bia County, N. Y., March 18, 1812, and is a son of 
 Solomon and Rebocci (Murray) Simmons. The 
 father was born in Germany, January 31, 1762, 
 and was one of nine sons and daughters born to 
 William Simmons and his wife. The grandparents 
 of our subject came to America about the time of 
 the Revolutionary War, and the grandfather died 
 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, N. Y., at the great 
 age of one hundred and five years. He owned a 
 tract of land there on which he had been engaged 
 in farming and to the same pursuit his son Solo- 
 mon was reared. 
 
 The father of our suliject was in his teens when 
 he came to America with his parents, and in the 
 Empire State when forty years of age he was mar- 
 ried. His first purchase of real estate was a farm 
 of one hundred and twenty acres at Rhinebeck and 
 upon this estate he settled after his marriage. He 
 purchased one hundred and thirty acres in Colum- 
 bia County but lost it by a defective title. He 
 continued to reside in Dutchess County until 182C, 
 when he removed to Penfield, Monroe County, 
 making that his place of abode until he was re- 
 moved from the toils and cares of earth in Sep- 
 tember, 1831. 
 
 The family of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Simmons 
 comprised five children, viz: Daniel and Jacob 
 (twins), Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Solomon, the sub- 
 ject of this sketch. The mother married the second 
 time and spent the latter years of her life in Pen- 
 field, lireathing her last there in January, 1833. 
 Her father, John Jlurray, served in the Revolu- 
 tionary War and died in the service; he is believed 
 to have been born in Ireland. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was fourteen 
 years old when his father removeii to Monroe 
 County, N. Y., and there he began working on a 
 farm at $5 per month. When sixteen years old 
 he became a driver on the Erie Canal, following 
 the tow path six months. For five years he con- 
 tinued in the employ of the canal company, soon 
 being placed in charge of a boat. In 1833 he went 
 
338 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 to Ohio and bought :i tiai't of titnl)cn- hind in 
 Geauga County, noar liainhridge. There he Iniilt 
 a log house; he began cuiting down the trees, grub- 
 bing out the stumps and otherwise [jrepaving the 
 soil for cultivation. During the year he cleared 
 quite a tract, after which he sokl the place and 
 bought another wliieli already liad quite a large 
 clearing upon it. 
 
 In 1836 Mr. Simmons began boating on the Ohio 
 Canal, but after following that (jccupalion two 
 seasons again turned his attention to the improve- 
 ment of a farm. In 1839 he explored the north- 
 ern part of Illinois, purchased eighty acres in 
 Kane County' and a claim to eighty more of Gov- 
 ernment land. It was his intention to remove 
 hither that fall, but money due him could not be 
 collected, and other misfortunes happening, he sold 
 the land and remained in Ohio until 1845. Then, 
 with his wife and children, he started westward, 
 making an overland journey to Illinois, arriving at 
 I'lainfield September 19. He purchased a tract of 
 wild land in DuPage Township and two years later 
 eighty acres of improved laud near Wheatland. 
 To this estate he added until it amounted to two 
 hundred and forty acres. This he operated until 
 18G3, when he sold it, purchasing another farm 
 which consisted of one hundred and ninety-two 
 acres and cost $50 per acre. This valuable [)iece 
 of property was his home until 1880, when he sold 
 it and took up his abode in Plainlield. 
 
 It will thus be seen that the persevering efforts 
 of Judge Simmons resulted in the accumulation of 
 a comfortable fortune and the ease to which he is 
 entitled is made possible by his finances. For a 
 time he followed in the footsteps of his father and 
 voted the Democratic ticket, but on removing to 
 Illinois he joined the anti-slavery forces and has 
 been a Republican since the formation of the party. 
 He has filled various offices of trust, and in every 
 position has acted wisely and well. In 1853 he was 
 elected County Judge, in which capaeiL\- he served 
 one term. For six years he represented Wheatland 
 Township on the County Board of Supervisors. In 
 1862 Gov. Yates appointed him enrolling officer 
 for Will County, and President Lincoln subse- 
 quently appointed him to a similar position for the 
 Sixth Congressional District where he superin- 
 
 tended the draft. In looking back over a long 
 life. Judge Simmons would no doul)t see wiiere he 
 has made mistakes, ; s who can not, but he would 
 have the pleasure of realizing that his aim has ever 
 been towar<l that which is noble and that the ex- 
 ample of his life is one woithy to be followed. 
 
 On Jaiuiar}- C, 1833, the rites of wedlock were 
 celebrated lietvveen Judge Simmons anil Miss Mary, 
 (laughter of 'J'ifnay and Mary (Griswold) Nettle- 
 ton. Mrs. Simmons was born in I'enfield Township, 
 Monroe County, N. Y., possessed many virtues and 
 made a happy home for her husband and children 
 until called from thcra to the land beyond. She 
 breathed her last April 28, 1886, deeply regretted 
 by a host of friends. She had borne her husband 
 ten children, whose record is as follows: Oliver is 
 now living in Petrolia, Canada; Andrew, in Plain- 
 field Township, this county; Henry E. was born 
 January 20, 1850, and died in Kansas Ci!y in 1883, 
 Solomon W. is living in Joliet; Olive, the second 
 child, died in 1810 when but two years old; 
 Mahala died in 1858; Mary married George Pickel 
 (see sketch); Rosetta is the wife of C. II. Carson, 
 M. D., of Kansas City; Louisa, wife of C. W. 
 Cropsey, Kansas City; Laura was the wife of Willis 
 Braiuard, of Fairbury, Neb. She is deceased. 
 
 (if^ AMIIEL FEWTRELL. Many of the mas- 
 ter mechanics who give tone and solidity 
 to the manufacturing industries of our 
 country were born, reared, and educated 
 in their special pursuits, in busy England. Among 
 the number of such, Samuel Fewtrell, Superintend- 
 ent of tlie rail dci)artment of the Illinois Steel 
 Works is a notable example. Beginning at the 
 early .age of nine years in a rolling mill in his na- 
 tive land, and continuing for forty years, step by 
 step advancing in his chosen vocation, he has 
 passed through varied experiences. His busy 
 life is well worth recording and should inspire 
 others to more [jcrsistent effort. To have a pur- 
 pose in life and to work for its attainment is half 
 the battle. 
 
 Samuel Fewtrell was born April 20, 1837, and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 339 
 
 is a son of Joseph Fewtrell, a miner who was en- 
 gaged at different times in iron, stone and coal 
 mines. On the 15th of Noveinl)er, in the year of 
 1858, in a large chapel in Wolverhampton, Eng- 
 land, he (vas united in marriage with Ann Biddle, 
 wlio has siiared his joys and reverses, his iiome and 
 its cheer. To them have been born eight, children, 
 six of whom are living. The eldest, who was 
 clu'istened Tom, is engaged in the steel works with 
 his father. Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Hewlett, Mrs. El- 
 len .1. McCormIck, Jessie Edith, Ada Florence and 
 William Henry, are the other surviving members of 
 the family circle. 
 
 In the year 1871, attracted as thousands of others 
 have been, by the wonderfid stories of America's 
 resources, [lossibilities and rich promises to the in- 
 dustrious, INIr. Fewtrell came hither, locating first 
 at Ellmira, N. Y. Vividly does he remember his 
 landing in New York among strangers, with but 
 twentj'-five cents in his pocket and seeking a new 
 liom(> with strange associations. He expended the 
 small sum which he possessed for stamps ami papeij^ 
 to acquaint those left behind with the fact of liis 
 safe arrival, and making his way to Elmira, he at 
 once began the course of perseverance that has 
 ever marked his life. A few months thereafter we 
 find him in Lockport, N. Y., and March, 1873, in 
 Joliet, HI. 
 
 When he arrived in this city Mr. Fewtrell had 
 $7 in his pocket and a freight bill of #17 confront- 
 ing him. lie resolutely went to work as helping 
 heater in the old iron mill. AVhen the mill shut 
 down in 1S74, he went to California, where he re- 
 mained about a year, and thence to St. Louis, Mo., 
 where he worked a few months in the Tudor mills. 
 He next returned to Joliet, but in 1877 went to 
 Colorado, where he assisted in starting a mill at 
 Pueblo, known as Fox's mill. He spent a few 
 months in the raining district, where he was in- 
 troduced to many new phases of life and learned 
 a different vocabulary from that to which he had 
 been accustomed. Paradoxical as is the thought, he 
 can now refer with pleasure to many unpleasant 
 experiences through which ho passed. 
 
 While in England Mr. Fewtrell was never far- 
 ther than forty miles from his home, but once 
 breathing the free air of America, he imbibed its 
 
 spirit of restlessness to the full and in his travels 
 we can trace him soutii as far New Orleans, north to 
 North Dakota, and west to the Pacific, and once on a 
 visit back to sunny England. His wife partaking 
 the same spirit has three times crossed the briny 
 deep, each time taking with her four children. Al- 
 though in his native land Mr. Fewtrell had received 
 wages of |i4 per day and in New York he received 
 but |i'2.25. yet he preferred the new home and has 
 never regretted becoming an American citizen. 
 
 Mr. Fewtrell is a Repulilican in politics and so- 
 cially a member of tiie l{o3'al Arcanum. He is an 
 earnest, energetic citizen, whose life affords a 
 briglit example of what may be won by persistent, 
 patient effort. 
 
 -^-*~^-- 
 
 Vi^ ICHOLAS YONKER. One of the finest 
 I jj farms in Florence Township is that owned 
 lk\,Z^ and occujjied by the gentleman above 
 named who has high standing as a man of per- 
 sonal worth and abundant means. The estate is 
 thoroughl3' improved, the buihlings being unex- 
 celled in the townshii),and the two hundred and forty 
 acres of land made productive by the best means 
 known to modern husbandmen. It affords pleas- 
 ure to note these facts .as the result of persistent 
 zeal and unflagging industry on the part of Mr.Yon- 
 ker, vvho was a poor boy. getting his start in life 
 by working on a farm by the month. When he 
 landed in this State in 1851, he had but -^9; now 
 he is numbered among the wealthy agriculturists 
 of the county. 
 
 The stock from which Mr. Yonker traces his de- 
 scent was German and the family had resided in 
 Switzerland for generations. In that famed coun- 
 Iry he was born P'ebruary 2, 1833, his parents be- 
 ing Nicholas and Mary (Marte) Yonker, who spent 
 their entire lives in that, their native land. They 
 were the parents of six children named respect- 
 ively: Nicholas, Benedict, Elizabeth, Mary, Anna 
 Mary and Anna. 
 
 The subject of this notice was reared in his na- 
 tive land, which he left on becoming of age, to trj- 
 his fortune in the United States. Coming to lUi- 
 
fl40 
 
 I'OKTK.Mr AM) lUor.RAnilCAI. ALIU-M. 
 
 aula III' s|)onl two aii<) ii Imlf y(*:ti'8 in Mukoiin, Ihis 
 comity. !ifl«'r whicli hi' ri'lunu'il to tlii' Innil of liia 
 liirtli. I't'ii iiioiitliN later lie ciiiiiu ajiniu to Anicricn 
 anil .s|u>!it llut following ycnr in Wilniinuton, tbis 
 county. His next place of resilience was Milton 
 'rownHliip, will-re lie lalioreil live years. >;oing 
 llience to IVotone 'l'owiislii|) for a sujoiirn of two 
 \enrti. In I Hf'it'i lu' niaile settlement on section I I, 
 I'lorencc 'rownsliip, where he still lives siirroiiinleil 
 liy the comforts to which his iinliistry entitles him. 
 
 The riiarriiii;e of Mr. Yonkeraml Miss .Vnna K. 
 Weylaiiil was celcliraleil .laniiary 7, I H;")!). at the 
 liriile's home near Wilinin'.;tiin. ."^hc w;is born in 
 Switzerlanil anil is the cluinjliler of Iteiieilict W'c}'- 
 Inml. Iler eliaiaeler anil all;iininent.s 1,'aiii the re- 
 spect of those to whom she is known and many 
 friciiils testify to her worth. The happy iinidii 
 h.is resulted in the hirlh of eight sons and daugh- 
 ters, of whom we note the following. Alliert mar- 
 ried Miss Isaliella dales and is the father of two 
 children — Alpha and l'',lmer; he resides with his 
 father and is engaged in farming. (jJcorge and 
 Krcilerii-k arc deceased. Mary hecame the wife of 
 William Craiiimeycr, a farmer of .lackson Town- 
 ship, and they have one daughter — Louisa. Frank 
 is dead. Sarah. Anna and (Hiie arc still lingering 
 hy the parental fireside. 
 
 Mr. Yonker is a licpiihlicnn of the strongest 
 type, lie and his family belong to the Kvangclical 
 Church and endeavor to consistently cany their 
 Christian belief into their daily practice, winning 
 thereby, the respect even of those who disbelieve 
 the grand Irntlis of the (Josiicl. 
 
 IL=: oKATK) X. MAUSIl. i'his hale and vig- 
 orous old man has spent a long business life 
 in .loliel, b}' whose citizens he is highly 
 honorcil and respected, lie came to this 
 ciiv in December, 1S;?.'J, Mr. Woodruflf having been 
 here a little longer time, but no other resident of so 
 early a date now living here. Allhongli nearly 
 four-score years old he carries on a business in real 
 estate- and loans, his ollice being in .leflerson 
 .Street, opposite the Court House. He is a descend- 
 
 ant from the Marsh family Hint settled on theCon- 
 neeticnt Uiver in 16.3.'>, gradually working up the 
 stream until in 1710 his ininii'diatt! ancestors lo- 
 cated in Montague Township, opposite Deerlk-ld. 
 
 On a farm lli<-ri- tjuarliis .Marsh, the father of 
 our subject, was born ami there the son al.so opened 
 his eyes to the light on the same farm. After 
 reaching man's estati-. i juartus Marsh married Miss 
 Sarah Moll and reared a family nf six iliildren. lie 
 was employed as a fanner, first in his native St«te, 
 and from IH2K to Ih:<.'> in Monroe County, N. V. 
 The family then came to Illinois, making the jour- 
 nej' in the customary way, by canal and lake to De- 
 troit. Mich., and driving the n-st of the w.ay. This 
 foiinty was not then organized, but the father set- 
 tled in what is now Crete Township, where he livtil 
 until called from time to eternity in I x.OO. The 
 mother survived her companion about thrt-e years. 
 Of the .-Hins and daughters of this worthy couple, 
 Mary .\iiii ami .lonaihan died in this county; Ed- 
 win. Ilcmy and Francis now live in Kans.is. 
 
 When the Marsh family c:tme to this county 
 .loliet was a village of one hundred inhahitanti. 
 Here the subject of this notice engaged in the cab- 
 inet business, having learned that trade in the Em- 
 pire .state, lie had been born in Franklin County. 
 Mass., Novi-mber li). IK, 2, and was therefore hut 
 little past his majority when he began his career in 
 the city that has known him so long and well. 
 
 When the Rock Island Kailro.ad was built in IN.'vi, 
 Mr. Marsh took the |)ositio!i of Ticket and Freight 
 Agent, which he held for thirty-two years, or until 
 ISHI. when he consiilercd himself too old for far- 
 ther service in that capacity. For a time he had 
 also transacted the express business. From April, 
 Iftfi.T until 18(10, he had been rostma-iter. going out 
 under .lohnson's administratinn. When he resigned 
 the position that he had held for more than a quar- 
 ter of a century, he embarked in the business he 
 now carries on. being too active in mind and body 
 to wish to abandon the ranks of wiirkers in some 
 capacity. 
 
 In Monroe County, N. Y.. .Mr. .Marsh was united 
 ill marri.ige with Miss Mary Kile of that county, 
 who died in 181(1. leaving one son, William 11. The 
 young man gave his life to lii!< country's cause, 
 dying a sohlier's ileal h, with his f.-icc Ut the foe, in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 341 
 
 front of Vicksbiirg, anrl leaving to bis sorrowing 
 father the consolation that comes from a knovvlcdge 
 of (Inty done even at the cost of life. 
 
 The second wife of our subject was in iicr girl- 
 hood Miss Mary L. Pond, she also being of Monroe 
 County, N. Y. The union has been blessed l)v the 
 birth of a son, Frank E., who is representing the 
 Fourth Ward in the City Council. He married 
 Miss Jennie K. Foster, a native of New York, but 
 whose home was in Delavan,Wis.,at the time of their 
 marriage. Young Marsh is a well-known grain 
 dealer of this citj'. 
 
 A man so highly respected as Horatio N. Marsh, 
 could not be without opportunities to fill a public 
 ofHce and he has served as tiie representative of the 
 Fourth Ward for five 3'ears. His legitimate affairs 
 have been sulHcicnt to occupy his time fully and 
 politics have bad but little place in his career. He 
 belongs to the Presbyterian Church, his probity 
 and life-long honesty are recognized by all, and his 
 genial nature makes him popular wherever lie is 
 known. 
 
 E^^ 
 
 ANIEL BAILEY and his good wife are 
 ))] among the oldest pioneers now living in 
 '^ Will County. Coming here more than 
 forty j'ears ago, the}' have witnessed the 
 great change wrought by the hand of man in 
 bringing it from a state of nature to its present 
 condition as one of the richest and most highly 
 developed counties in Northern Illinois, and they 
 may well take pride in what they Lave done to 
 aid in producing this wonderful result. Mr. Bailey 
 is a farmer and stock-raiser, one of the most pros- 
 perous of that class of people who have had the 
 upliuiiding of Channaiion, where he has had a 
 home since he came to this county, and where he 
 has a large farm from whose broad, fertile acres 
 lie derives a handsome income. 
 
 ]\Ir. Bailey is a native of Pennsylvania, from 
 which State his parents took him to a new home 
 ill the v.-ilds of Ohio, near Cincinnati. He was 
 the fifth child in a family of nine, and when still 
 a bo}' he came to Illinois with his father and 
 
 mother, who located twenty-one miles west of Dan- 
 ville, in 1848. In 1850, our subject came to his 
 present pl.ace, which then comprised one hundred 
 and twenty acres of wild prairie, which he had 
 purchased of Jasper Wilson. He put that into a fine 
 state of cultivation by hard and persistent labor, 
 and in time bought more land, purchasing some canal 
 land and now has five hundred acres, the most of 
 which was bought in the raw state, and is now under 
 e.Kcellent improvement. Mr. Baile}- is one of the sub- 
 stantial, moneyed men of Channahon, he having at- 
 tained this position by his extraordinary industry, 
 quick judgment, and in the judicious management 
 of his interests. He and his family are well known 
 and greatly respected in this community, which 
 has been their abiding place for so many j-ears, 
 and their kindness, thoughtfulness and genial hos- 
 pitality, have won them a high place in the regard of 
 the many who know them. Mr. Bailey is a Dem- 
 ocrat in politics, but votes for the man. in the lo- 
 cal elections. 
 
 Mr. Bailey has been twice married. He was 
 first wedded to Rebecca Boardman. Her parents 
 were from the Flast, and Dr. A. Comstock was her 
 stepfather. Mrs. Bailey died, leaving one son. 
 Alexander. He is now living in Missouri and is 
 married, and has tliree children, two sons and 
 one daughter. 
 
 Mr. Bailey was married to Mrs. Jolin Brown, his 
 pi'tsent estimable wife, forty-two j'ears ago. She 
 was the daughter of Ransom and Sarah Zarley, 
 natives, respectively, of Ohio and Kentucky. They 
 were among the earliest pioneers of the county, 
 coming from Pike County, Ohio, where Mrs. 
 Bailey was born. She was married when verj' 
 young to Mr. John Brown, of Onondaga Count}', 
 Y. Y. Her husband came to this State with 
 M.aj. IJourland, who had married a Miss Brown. 
 This was in the jear of the land sale and he 
 bought land for other members of the family, pur- 
 ch.asing nine and one-fourth sections in Jackson 
 Township. Her husband died in that place, leav- 
 ing her a widow with three children, Sarah, 
 Mary and William, who are all living in Jackson. 
 Sarah is the widow of Frank Dooley. She lives 
 near her mother and has eight children, five girls 
 and three boys. Mary is the wife of Seth Gibbon 
 
342 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and tbey have three children, two sons and one 
 daughter. William is married and has Ave chil- 
 dren, four sons and one daughter; he owns .and 
 manages the old John 15rown homestead, which 
 his father bought at the Government land sale so 
 manj' years ago. IMrs. Iiaile3''s marriage has been 
 blessed to her and our subject by the birth of two 
 children; the eldest of whom is Galney, and Ella, 
 wife of Henry Kipp, of whom see sketch. Calney 
 Bailey resides on the homestead and assists his 
 father in the management of his farm land. He is 
 an enterprising, progressive, young man and is 
 well educated. He first attended the district 
 schools, and then pursued a fine commercial course 
 at Jennings Seminary. He was married in Sep- 
 tember, 1886, to Miss Hattie Barnes, daughter of 
 Mathew and Mary J. (Purdy) Barnes, natives of 
 New York; they were married there and came 
 here in the winter of 1857, and still make tlicir 
 home in Jackson Township. 
 
 Mrs. Bailey's parents located on a farm about 
 two miles southwest of Joliet, and the place is 
 still in the hands of the family. Mrs. Bailej' can 
 well remember the incidents of llie Sank War when 
 the Indians came Ihrougii Ihis region and chased 
 them from liicir homes. Tiiis was in the spring of 
 the year when the .settlers were putting in their 
 crops with their clumsy tools and ox-tearas. While 
 thus working the^' received word that the Indians 
 were on the warpath, and dropping their inipic 
 nients on the field they immediately started with 
 their families and in ox-teams for Danville, all 
 the people in the county leaving excepting three 
 families who were foolhardy enough to sl.ay be- 
 hind and wei'e all killed by the savages, excepting 
 two young girls who were taken captives but were 
 afterwards recovered from the Indians. 
 
 Among the families thus leaving their home were 
 the Scotts, Mooies and Crutcherfields. Mr. Zarley 
 and his family went as far as Iroquois, where the}' 
 met the soldiers going in pursuit of the Indians 
 and they returned with them as far as where Jol- 
 iet now stands, and the soldiers putting up a block 
 house on the west side of the river, they remained 
 with them there for awhile. When the soldiers 
 were ordered to join Scott, the Zarleys returned 
 to Danville, and stayed there until the following 
 
 September, when all the families went bask to their 
 homes, the men folks having gone there previou.sly 
 to see that everything was all right. During their 
 stay in the block house in Joliet, they had consid- 
 erable fun over a false alarm which was sent in to 
 tiy the soldiers, and it found them in a poor con- 
 dition to receive the enemy. At the time Mr. and 
 Mrs. Zarley put their children under the feather 
 bed in the wagons and told them to lie still, and 
 the old gentleman took his gun and awaited the 
 c()ming of the Indians. Mrs. Hailey and her sis- 
 ter.5 are the only survivors of the scare who took 
 refuge in the block house where Joliet now stands, 
 she being about ten years old .at the time and her 
 sister but a baby. 
 
 That winter the pioneers of the county suffered 
 with hunger as they neglected to Lay in sutlicient 
 sup|)lies. Mr. Zarley went to Danville and got his 
 sup()lics for the winter, and his neighbors, the 
 Scotts, Moores, Bilsons, and others borrowed of him 
 with the expectation of paying liack wl;en Ihey went 
 for their load, but an early snow came .and pre- 
 venteil them from going, and more severe siiou 
 storms occurring, no one was able to get to Dan- 
 ville, so that provisions were very scarce. Mrs. 
 I>ailey s.ays she can well reaiemlier the look of sor- 
 row ui)()ii her mother's face as she heard her cliil- 
 dren crying for bread, almost starving. They had 
 a little corn which they jiounded up and each one 
 was given a small allowance. They also had a few 
 potatoes that vvere bilked in the ashes and distrib- 
 uted amongst the .almost starving children, the 
 older ones, Mrs. IJailey and her elder brother, gen- 
 erously allowing the younger ones to have their 
 share. After that winter the pioneers got .along 
 v.cry well, as there were plenty of deer, prairie 
 chickens and other g.ame, besides fish of a super- 
 ior quality in the rivers, the settlers catching them 
 with a spear in the old days. The Pottawatomies 
 living in the country then were friendly and John 
 Zarley and his elder brother used to go hunting 
 and fishing with them. While the war was being 
 waged with the Sauks, thej' kept track of the set- 
 tlers' cattle and helped to get them together on 
 their return, as they were nearly as afraid of the 
 Sauks as the whites were themselves. 
 
 The Zarleys were great Methodists going to 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 345 
 
 meeting' as often as opportunity offered, often 
 going a long distanee. Tliey made a square Ixix 
 and jMit it on tlie two front vvlieels of an ox wagon, 
 in this tliey put two s|)lit l)ottom chairs and drove 
 to meeting behind a pair of oxen. One of the 
 young ladies who often accompanied tlieni tn the 
 leligious services, was a Miss .loliet Brown, for 
 whom tlie city of Joliet vv.as named. 
 
 -«»-w+|.<si^::^ijf-j&>-+>+ f»- 
 
 ^1 UGUST KHUIIARDT. Tlie le.ading me 
 (©tLHI cantile establishment of Ueccher is tin 
 
 ler- 
 caniiie establishment ot uecciier is that 
 of August Ehrhardt, who carries a very 
 full line of goods, well selected for the 
 needs of country trade. The business was begun 
 in 1880, prior to which time Mr. Ehrhardt had 
 lieeii engaged as clerk for August Schiffer, of Monec, 
 in whose employ he had gained a thorough knowl- 
 edge of the business. Mr. Ehrhardt is also Post- 
 master, having received his appointment under 
 I he present administration. He is well and favor- 
 alily known as a man of upright charactei", more 
 than ordinary intelligence, and an abundance of 
 I'lKigy in whatever he umJertakes. He is active 
 in hical politics, voting the Republican ticket at all 
 times, and his fellow-citizens have called for his 
 services in various local offices. He and his good 
 wife belong to the Lutheran Church. 
 
 JNIr. Ehrhardt comes of good old German fam- 
 ilies, the home of both ancestral lines being in 
 Saxony. His father, Christoph Ehrhardt, was 
 reared as a farmer and after his marriage took up 
 for himself that occupation. His wife was Miss 
 Sophia Werner, who was reared in the same neigh- 
 borhood as himself. To thera were born two sons 
 and two daughters, with whom they set sail from 
 Iiiemerhaven in Jul)-, 1851, on the sailing vessel 
 "Susannah." After a tedious voyage of eight weeks 
 landing was made at Baltimore, whence the family 
 came to Chicago. The father chose a location in 
 Monee Township, Cook County, and there the fam- 
 ily lived on a small farm for some years. The 
 parents then settled in Blue Island, where both 
 died, the father passing away in 1872, .at the age of 
 seventy-six years and the niollier surviving until 
 
 I 1889, she being then seventy-eight years old. 
 
 I Both were life-long members of the Lutheran 
 Church in tlu' tenets of which they reared their 
 children. These all survive, are married and have 
 families. 
 
 The subject (jf this sketch is the eldest member 
 
 : of the parental family and was born in Saxony, 
 Germany, April ;50, 1810. He received a good 
 education in his native land during his early boy- 
 hood, and after accompanying his parents to 
 America, .attended schools in this State, acquiring 
 an excellent knowledge of the English language. 
 He w.as living in Will County when he became of 
 age and w.as occupied with agricultural pursuits 
 until after the breaking out of the Civil War. In 
 1 802 he was enrolled in Compan}' D, P^ighty-second 
 Illinois Infantry, his company and regiment being 
 under the command of Capt. Miller and Col. 
 Hecker. He was mustered into service at Camp 
 Butler, and in October went to tlie front, first 
 meeting the enemy at Chancellorsville. The next 
 heavy engagement in which ho participated was at 
 Gettysburg, and he afterwards bore his part in the 
 terrible conflicts of Lookout Mountain and Mis- 
 sionary' Ridge. He w.as one of the gallant sixty 
 thousand who marched with Sherman from Atlanta 
 to the sea and back through the Carolin.as to Wash- 
 ington, and with other members of Hecker's regi- 
 ment was known to officers and comrades as a 
 faithful and plucky soldier. He escaped injury 
 and was able to report for duty every day until 
 the last gun was fired, when he was honorably dis- 
 charged at Chicago .and mustered out of service 
 at Camp Douglas. Coming at once to Monee, this 
 county, he began his clerkship, which he continued 
 until he established the business in which he is now 
 engaged. 
 
 The lady to whose fine char.acter and housewifely 
 skill Mr. Ehrhardt owes the joy and comfort of 
 his home life, w.as known in her maidenhoocl as 
 JNIiss Louisa Klein. She was born .June 2G, 1843, 
 ill Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, her pjirents, August 
 and Madeline (Boehl) Klein, being natives of the 
 same province. In 1846 they left their native land 
 to make a home in the Xew World, sailing from 
 Breinerhaven accompanied by four children. After 
 some weeks they landed at New York City whence 
 
HG 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 they journe3ed by river, canal and lakes to Clii- 
 cago. Later they located at Blue Island, and slill 
 later settled on a farm in Cooper's Grove, where 
 they remained some years. They then purehased a 
 farm in Monee Township, Will County, where 
 they erected a comfortable dwelling in wliich they 
 lived until after the death of Mrs. Klein, which 
 occurred when she was forty-five years old. Mr. 
 Klein subsequently went to Missouri, dying there 
 when about seventy-six years of age. lie and his 
 wife belonged to the Lutheran Cliurch. Their 
 daughter, now Mrs. I^hrhardt, being scarcely more 
 than an infant when they crossed the briny deep, 
 was reared in Cook County, III., and there ob- 
 tained her education. Her happy union with our 
 subject has been blest with the birth of two chil- 
 dren — Arthur and Carl — who have been educated 
 in the public schools and who are .slill living under 
 the parental roof. 
 
 As a rei)resentativc citizen of Will County, we 
 are pleased to present on another page of the 
 ALBUM a lithograi)hic portrait of Mr. Ehrhardl. 
 
 \^^OBLE JONES. The tastes of men give 
 I jjy ''®'' '"^ varied wants and occupations. Some 
 /1\/Xfe find their enjoyment in the bustle of the 
 busy haunts of men, and some amid the less ex- 
 citing scenes of rural life, while others combine 
 the two. The latter is the case with the subject of 
 this l)iographical notice, who sjjends his days 
 among the bidls and bears of the Chicago Board 
 of Trade and in the turmoil of the great city, while 
 ihe bonis not occupied in efforts to increase his 
 store of worldly goods are given to rural pleasures 
 and domestic joys "far from the madding crowd." 
 His home is in Mokena, wliencehe goes to Chicago 
 every morning, returning at night, as regularly as 
 clock work, never having been left in thirteen 
 years. For the past decade he has been a member 
 of the Chicago Board of Trade, and has become 
 the largest receiver among the heavy dealers so 
 prominent there. His shrewdness is unquestioned, 
 and minor dealers who could get a "lip" from Noble 
 Jones would consider themselves verv fortunate. 
 
 The Jones family is of Welsh descent, and the 
 more immediate progenitors of our subject w-ere 
 natives of New England. Mis grandfather, W esley V 
 Jones, was born in A'erraont, whence he removed 
 to Connecticut, in which State his son W(sle}',the 
 father of our subject, was ))orn in 1800. The 
 .same 3-ear the elder Jones removed to Canada, 
 making a settlement in Barnstone Township, County 
 Standstead. He owned and ojierated a large farm, 
 and the son was reared amid rural surroundings. 
 He learncul the trade of a blacksmith, following it 
 in Canada until 1837, when he removed to Arca- 
 dia, Wayne County, N. Y., and in that town con- 
 tinued his occupation several years. In 1844 he 
 came to^Will County, III., locating in Homer Town- 
 ship, where he sojourned but a year ere removing 
 to Orland Township, Cook County. There he 
 puirchased and improved an eight}' acre farm, upon 
 which he resided until his death, in 1880, engaged 
 in the peaceful vocation of a farmer. 
 
 The mother of our subject was Abigail, daughter 
 of William Barnes, and was born in Hillsboro, 
 Mass. Her father, who had previously kept an 
 hotel in Boston, removed to Barnstone, Canada, 
 duiing her early life, and engaged in farming there. 
 The homes of (xrandfalher Jones and Grandfather 
 Barnes were but a mile apart, and when, in 1X82, 
 our subject revisited his birthplace, he was able 
 from the descriptions given him to locate both 
 places. Grandfather Barnes and his wife were 
 brought to Illinois in 1854, and both died at the 
 home of his father. Mrs. AVesley Jones was the 
 mother of six children, he of whom we write being 
 the youngest. Cj'rus died in New York; Wesley 
 is now living in Wetmore, Kan.; William is farm- 
 ing in Frankfort Townshi|), this county; Wi-ight 
 lives in Portland, Ore.; Abigail, Mrs. Cross, lives 
 in Wetmore, Kan. The mother passed awa^' In 
 Mokena in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty 
 years. 
 
 Noble Jones was born in Barnstone, Canada, 
 November I G, I Sot, and was therefore about three 
 years old when he accomjianied his parents to 
 Arcadia,' N. Y. The journey was accomplished 
 with a team and wagon, and during the few years 
 which followed the little lad enjoj'ed the privi- 
 lege of attending the common schools. The re- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 347 
 
 moval to Illinois taking place when lie was ten 
 years old, is well remembered by liim, and the lide 
 on the canal to Bufifalo and on a steamer to Chi- 
 cago were enjoyed as none but a lieart3' boy could 
 enjoy such a trip. The city which is now the 
 scene of Mr. Jones' labors, presented an uninviting 
 appearance when the family reached it, consisting 
 as it did of a few unpretentious dwellings and 
 places of business, around which stretched the low 
 ground which well deserved the name of mud hole. 
 From Chicago the family' came to Will County 
 with teams, and here our subject passed one year. 
 
 Cook County then became the home. of the 
 Jones family, and our subject was obliged to 
 go tiiree miles to school. The old-fashioned log 
 schoolhouse with slab Ijenches and puncheon floor 
 was the scene of his educational efforts, and the 
 schools were kept up by subscription. Like other 
 farmers' sons young Jones was early set to work, 
 soon presenting the appearance of the "barefoot 
 liii\- with cheek of tan" who may be seen on many 
 ii larm. When thirteen years old he began driv- 
 ing a bie.aking team, consisting of seven 3'oke of 
 oxen. Three j-ears later he found work as a team- 
 ster for the Uf>ek Island Railroad Company, which 
 w!is then i>utting its line to Mokena. He received 
 $1.25 |)er da}' for himself and te.am, a day's work 
 being twelve hours. 
 
 In (lie S|iring of 1852, when eighteen years old, 
 Noble .lonos and his brother Wright rigged up a 
 mule team and started to California. Making 
 their way to Council Bluffs, they joined eighteen 
 others in a caravan which traveled along the north 
 bank of the Platte Eiver to Ft. Laramie, thence 
 along the North Platte, taking Sublet's Cut-off, and 
 thence through the South Pass to the Golden 
 Slate. Three times the train was attacked by the 
 Pawnees, who were very hostile at that time, and 
 all considered it wonderful that they escaped being 
 massacred. At Loupe Fork and the two follow- 
 ing camping places, only the bold front the}' pre- 
 sented to the savages ijresented so dire a catastro- 
 phe. As their own animals were wild, and gun- 
 shots would have stampeded them, they did not 
 dare shoot, but depended upon their appearance 
 of preparation and fearlessness, whicli fortunately 
 proved sufHcient to save their lives. The only 
 
 weapon possessed by our subject during these try- 
 ing scenes was a long range ritle. 
 
 The train arrived in Sacramento seventy-three 
 days after leaving Council Bluffs, and Mr. Jones 
 found work upon a farm, beginning his labors at 
 $75 per month, and receiving $125 before he 
 abandoned them. His only experience in mining 
 was during three days, when he was visiting in the 
 mountains. After remaining on the slope two 
 years Mr. Jones returned via the Nicaraugua route, 
 the steamer "Sierra Nevada" carrying him from 
 SanFrancisco to the Isthmus, and the "Star of the 
 West" being his home during the Atlantic voyage. 
 The last named vessel was the first boat fired at 
 Charleston during the late war. Mr. Jones was 
 working on a farm six miles from Sacramento 
 when that city was burned, and also when it was 
 "drowned " by tlie overflow of the Sacramento 
 River. 
 
 Mr. Jones completed his journey from New 
 York to Mokena by rail, the road to the latter 
 place having been finished in his absence. For a 
 short time he carried on his father's place, then 
 bought eighty acres of raw land in Frankfort 
 Township, upon which he broke ground, made var- 
 ious improvements and settled down to farming. 
 He devoted himself to that vocation two years, 
 meeting with an ortlinary degree of success, and 
 he then built a steam mill in Mokena, and for two 
 years eiTgaged in flour and saw milling as a member 
 of the firm of Cross & Jones. This venture did 
 not prove successful, but on the contrary swal- 
 lowed up all the previous earnings of Mr. Jones, 
 and he therefore abnndoned it for another field of 
 labor. 
 
 In 1858 Mr. C. Rowley engaged our subject to 
 go with him to Pike's Peak, Colo., to start and 
 carry on a sawmill, agreeing to pa^ him $50 per 
 month for his services. When the two arrived at 
 Atchison, Kan., Mr. Rowley concluded to start 
 the lousiness on the Missouri River at that point 
 instead of going to the destination which they had 
 had in view. Mr. Jones therefore became Super- 
 intendent of the sawmill at Atchison, having charge 
 of the sawing and rafting of logs and every other 
 detail of the business. He was joined by his wife 
 and child, and continued to reside in the Garden 
 
n4H 
 
 PORTilAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Stale until 1863, when he retiirnerl to Illinois. 
 For ;i twelvemonth lie carried on iiis father's fiirin, 
 juul then, tixkiiig upliis abode in Mokena, he beg.an 
 buying grain and sliipping it to C'iiicago. Du/ ing 
 the next two years he was fairly successful, and he 
 U:en opened an establishment for the sale of agri- 
 cultural implements. 
 
 Tlie new venture of Mr. .lones proved to be one 
 in which his good judgment and business tact 
 founil room, and during the next twelve years he 
 made money. He closed out his large trade at the 
 rigiit time, in 1878, and going to Chicago, engaged 
 in llie commission business and secured a member- 
 ship on tlie l?oard of Trade. So successful have 
 been his operations that his name has become well 
 known to all who are interested in the working of 
 the Board. His son and son-in-law arc with him 
 as assistants, and six other men are employed by 
 him in his ofliee. His dwelling in Mokena is a 
 commodious one, furnished in a style suited to his 
 means and the cultured tasies of the occupants, 
 and supplied with every means for the added cul- 
 ture and enjoyment of the family. 
 
 The lad}' with whom Jlr. .Tones was united in 
 marriage, was born in Solon, N. Y., and bore the 
 maiden name of Clarissa B. Farley. Her father, 
 Benjamin Farley, was an carl^' settler in I>ockport, 
 111., following the trade of a carpenter .and joiner. 
 Mrs. Jones was orphaned when a young girl, and 
 early began to make her own way as a teacher. 
 She was educated in Indiana, and in that vState 
 began her wedded life, her marriage riles being 
 celebrated July 25, 18.55, in the town of West 
 Creek. She is a gifted and .accomplished woman, 
 whose charming hospitality is never forgotten by 
 those who once enjo^' it. She is the mother of six 
 children, of whom four survive — Charles H., the 
 first-born, died in 1877, at the age of twenty years; 
 Edward S. makes his home in Chicago, being with 
 his father in business; Emma married Walter Mel- 
 calf, and their home is in Normal Park, Cook 
 County ; Belle and Bertha .are still at home. The 
 sons and daughters have had fine advantages, and 
 their minds and manners do credit to the care 
 which has been bestowed upon them, and afford 
 good ground for parental |)ride. 
 
 Mr. Jones was President of the Board of Trus- 
 
 tees at Mokena for three years and then resigned 
 the office. In 1856 he cast a Presidential ballot 
 for John Chailes Fremont, and since that date has 
 been an active supi)orter of the Republican i>arty. 
 He possesses agreeable manners, a jovial and 
 friendly nature, and is one of those fortunate men 
 who, when business hours are over, can thoroughly 
 enjoy the comforts and luxuries by which they arc 
 surrounded, and the ma}iy pleasures which their 
 abundant moans can |)rocurc. Mrs. Jones is a con- 
 sistent member of the Methodist Ei)iscopal ('hurch. 
 
 -J^^^ 
 
 GEORGE W. DUN LAP, the son of a pioneer 
 of Will County, who has himself done much 
 ^^4^1 pioneer work in the improvement of his fine 
 farm on section 36, AVheatland Tovvnship, may well 
 be classed among the pioneers of this part of Illi- 
 nois. He is a native of Sullivan Countv', N. Y., 
 and was born April 3, 1845. He is a son of AVilsou 
 and Plueba (Ilolliday) Dunlap, natives of New 
 York State. The father's family is of Scotch origin. 
 
 In 1853, the parents of our subject emigrated to 
 this county and his father farmed here as a renter fvr 
 a number of j'cars. He finally settled on a farm of 
 his own in DuPage Township, and subsequently 
 removed to Plainfield and resided there a number 
 of years. Later he and his wife retired from active 
 life to the home of his daughter, Jlrs. Albert Tyler, 
 of Wheatland Township, and he is still an inmate 
 of her household and is now in his seventy-sixth 
 year. In the month of June, 1888, his faithful 
 wife, who h.ad borne with him the labors of their 
 early ye.ars and had shared with him the joys and 
 sorrows of a long wedded life, was removed from 
 his side by the hand of death. By that marriage 
 he became the f.ather of seven children, of whom 
 the following four survive: Eugene, residing in 
 Lockport Township; Mrs. Tyler, of Wheatland 
 Township; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Walker, of 
 Iroquois County, and our subject. The father is a 
 stanch Democrat in politics. 
 
 George Dunlap, of whom we write, w.as a young 
 lad when he came to this county and here he was 
 reared to a stalwart manhood under the influences 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 349 
 
 of iiioneer life. His education was conducted in 
 the district schools of the early daj's, and he gained 
 a thorough knowledge of farming in all its branches 
 under the guidance of his fatiier. and has always 
 followed tliat calling. 
 
 In the month of August, 1<SG2. Mr. Dunlap was 
 married to Mrs. Affa Eaton, widow of Henry Eaton, 
 of Wheallanil .Township, and a daughter of .1. 15. 
 King, of DuPage Township, of whom a sketoh ap- 
 pears in this Album. Of their union four children 
 have been born, of whom three are now living: 
 James W., Ida, Affa and Emma J. By her first mar- 
 riage with Henry Eaton, Mrs. Dunlap had one 
 daughter, Alice. 
 
 ]\Ir. and Mrs. Dunlap are higlily regarded in this 
 community for their great personal worth and in 
 their home, comfort and hospitalit}' abides. ]Mr. 
 Dunlap carries on his affairs with wisdom and in 
 his dealings with others is honest and fair. He is 
 sincerely religious and the Methodist Episcopal 
 Cliurch finds in him one of its mffst consistent and 
 conscientious inenibers. His strong temperance 
 views shape iiis polities and lie is identified witli the 
 I'rohibition |iarty. He has served as a School Di- 
 rector, and all things that will in any way advance 
 the educational interests of the township or elevate 
 society, find favor with him. 
 
 ILLIAM BREDEMEYEli. It would need 
 l)ut a casual glance over his estate, even 
 fiom one unacquainted with the relative 
 value of soils and unaccustomed to farm life, to 
 recognize the fact that the above-named gentleman 
 is a thorough agriculturist. The one hundi'ed and 
 sixty acres in the southwest quarter of section 1:3, 
 Washington Townshii), are so well improved and 
 kejit in such excellent order as to attract the atten- 
 tion of all passers-li}' and lead all to agree in their 
 verdict regarding tlie owner. Mr. Bredemeyer was 
 one of the early settlers in this vicinity, but having 
 come to stay he put forward his best efforts to make 
 of his home one of the best farms in Noi'thern 
 Illinois. 
 
 Before outlining the life-history of our subject 
 
 it will not be amiss to devote a brief space to that 
 of his ancestors. His grandfather, Christopher 
 Bredemeyer, and his father, William, Sr., were of 
 old German stock and born in Algesdorf, Germany. 
 There father .and son vrere engaged in farming, and 
 both were noted for their great strength and massive 
 frames. William Bredemeyer was over seven feet 
 in height and of proportionate weight. He lived 
 to be more than four-score years old, while his father 
 reached the advanced age of ninety-three years. 
 Both were life-long members of the Lutheran 
 Church. William Bredemeyer, Sr. , married a lad}' 
 who became the mother of two children, our subject 
 and his sister Mary, who lived and died in Germany. 
 The mother was possessed of remarkable physical 
 stiength and a disposition and character worthy of 
 remembrance by her posterity. When in the prime 
 of life she -w.as stricken by a fever and after a short 
 illness breathed her last, leaving our subject mother- 
 less before he was eight years old. 
 
 The subject of this biograpieal notice was born 
 .lune 9, 1824, in Algersdorf, Ciermany, and passed 
 his boyhood and youth in his native land. In 18ir>, 
 while he yet Lacked some months of having i cached 
 his majority, he left Bremerhaven on a sailing ves- 
 sel bound for New York. After a voyage of six 
 weeks a landing was made and the young man con- 
 tinued his journey to Chicago, 111. He s[)ent ten 
 years in Cook Count}', always engaged in farm 
 labor, and at the expir.ation of that period obtained 
 from the Government the land which he now owns 
 and occupies. A decideil change has taken place 
 in its aspect and surroundings since ho took posses- 
 sion of it in 1851, and the change is highl}- credit- 
 able to him who has made the desert blossom as the 
 rose. 
 
 In Cook Counly Mr. Bredemeyer made the ac- 
 quaintance of Miss Sophia Reesen, an industrious 
 and worth}' young woman who was gaining a live- 
 lihood as a domestic. Her good qualities won his 
 regard, which was reciprocated and they became 
 man and wife. Mrs. Bredemeyer was born in 
 Repen, Germany, February 17, 1827, and began to 
 earn her own living when quite }'oung, having lost 
 her parents. In 1846, she crossed the briny deep 
 alone to make a home for herself in a foreign land. 
 She is the mother of fifteen children, three of whom 
 
3.')0 
 
 I'oKTUAir AM) nioci; AriiicAi. aiium. 
 
 (lifd in infiiiii'v mikI llu- mhi. llciuy, al llic a^-r ol 
 twi'iily-six vt'ars. Tho liviiiy mi'iulifis i>f tin- fiiiii- 
 
 ily iiK- Willia Ir.. a farmer al Uunisville. CIny 
 
 C'liuiity, Minn.; .Inliii. wlm niarrictl n lixly of Miii- 
 iU'!tutn an>l i* liviii);; in Clay ('(iiinly; Si)|ilii!i. wife 
 of Wiiliiiin lli'clil. (I faiinur of llie sninu coiinly; 
 ('liri!<to|ili. wliii is fanning; in tlic same connly ami 
 ill llml Slate niarrieil a native of Saxony; Fietl, 
 who is still nt home ami helps to innniige tlie fniin; 
 Mary, wife of .'olin Meyer, of Crown Point, Iml., 
 anil •» traveling' .-Hle.-.nian ; Christ, wl.o i.s iinmar- 
 rii-<l anil worUini; in Chieajjo; Louisa anil Ilernian. 
 Hi home; Amelia, who is living in Chicafjo; :inil 
 Kmma, al huun. All the chililren are self-sii|i|iort- 
 inj; anil inherit the industrious haliils and thrifty 
 ways of their parents. 
 
 Mr. IJredinieyer is a believer in and a supporter 
 of the prinei|)les of the Deinocratie pai ly. Me and 
 his wife belong to the Lutheran Church. 
 
 -^= 
 
 
 i|(_^ t)N. .\M(.)S SAV.\<;i;. Few words are 
 ill needed in introdueinjj Mr. Savage to the 
 yy peoiile of Will County, as his name has 
 been familiar to the great portion of them 
 for many years, lie has long been identified with 
 the best interests of this section and luis fairly 
 earned his title of Honorable by services in the 
 Illinois Legislature, where he acquitted himself 
 with his usual good judgment and erticiency. lie 
 is a man of line t^dints and that solid strength of 
 character which has gained him the esteem and 
 contideiu-eof all with whom he luus had dealings. The 
 frieml t>f progress and education, he h.-is carried 
 out his ideas, especially in his own family, giving 
 to his children the advant.-igcs which will fit them 
 for taking their positions in life as good and use- 
 ful members of the community. The home of Mr. 
 Savage and his surroundings indica'es in a marked 
 manner the <pialilies of character which have 
 shown eons(>ic\iously in all the relations of life. 
 
 The subject of this notice is the offspring of ex- 
 cellent ancestry, suppi:seil to have originated in 
 Kngland. His father, Deacon Levi Savage, was 
 born in Washington County, N. \ ., .lanuary '2k, 
 
 liini. :iiid hi> niulher, wim Imre the maiUiii ii:iiiie 
 of .Mileiida Sireelor. was a native of the same 
 county a.s her husband and le.s.i tlinn n month his 
 junior, her birth taking pla<-e February VO, of the 
 ••.anie year. rhe\ were reared in their native 
 county and married al< Iran ville, January 27, 1822. 
 Soon afterward they sellleil in ClinUin County, 
 that Sl:ile, but only remained lhe|;e Ihrint yeors, 
 returning then to Wiishinglon County where they 
 resided about i-ight years. 
 
 In .Iinie. I H:i:t, the parents of .Mr. Savage came 
 to ihi.' couiitN, locating near .loliet, where Ihcy re- 
 mained until the spring of 1S:<4. The father then 
 took up land o.i section 2X, Homer Township, 
 fniui wliicli he constructed a comfortable home- 
 stead where he sojourned until his death, which oc- 
 curred February II, I ««.'>. The mother is still 
 living and :dtliough having arrived at the advanced 
 .age of ninety-two years, retains her facidties to a 
 remarkable degree. 
 
 Deacon .Savage was a man possessing strong 
 trait.s of character .•md was not ejusily turned from 
 his convictions when he felt a.ssured that he was 
 right, lie was a stanch Abolitionist, totally op- 
 |)osed to the "peculi.-ir institution" of slavery and 
 for many years w;js a Deacon in the Congregational 
 Church. His home w!us the resort of many noted 
 characters, where his hospitality and genuine kind- 
 ness of heart made everyone feel welcome and at 
 home. The household circle included eight chil- 
 dren, five of whom lived to m.atiire years. Han- 
 nah >V. died unmarried when about forty years of 
 age; Helen L. was the wife of Dwighl Haven, a 
 sketch of whom will be found on another piigo in 
 this voluinc. F.mily is the wife of William H. 
 Lar.fear of Homer Township; Kdward is a resideiil 
 of Sioux Falls, S. D.; Amos, our subject, is the 
 youngest born. The elder children died when 
 i|uile yt)ung 
 
 Mr. Savage of whom we write w.is born in what 
 is now Homer Township, .hine IS, i.S;tG, and 
 therein he has spent his entire life. His Imyhood 
 days were iinmrfrked by anything especially no- 
 ticeable, he attending the district schoid an.l as- 
 sisting his father in the lighter labors of the farm. 
 He chose agricidlure for his voi-ation in life, as 
 best suited to his tastes and capacities, being 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 351 
 
 thoroughly imbued with the sentiment th;it tliis 
 calling |)ro))eily canifd on, was second in dignity 
 to none on the face of tlic eaitli. IIo remained a 
 ineiiiher of the parental household until his mar 
 riage, which occurred at Lcniont, Cook Count}', 
 this State, Kebrnacy 25, ISGl, the luide l)eing Jliss 
 Mary L., daughter of Asaliel and Catherine ((ied- 
 des) Sl.ate. 
 
 After his return from the array the young peo- 
 ple eomnienced their weilded life together on their 
 own farm in Homer Township, and Mr. Savage 
 opeiated successfully as a tiller of the soil while at 
 the same time he grew in favor with his fellow citi- 
 zens, interesting himself in the enterprise's calcu- 
 lated to inoniote the general good of ttie commun- 
 ity. His first public service was as Supervisor of 
 Homer Township, to whii'h he was elected in 
 April, 1801, and which ollice he resigned in order 
 to proffer his services in the preservation of the 
 union. He enlisted as a private August 5, 18G1, 
 in ('om|>any (t. Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, anil 
 not long afterward was given the comuiission of 
 Second Lieutenant which was succeeded July 20, 
 I S(;2, b}' his promotion to a First Lieutenancy. 
 Still ailvancing, he was presented July 11, 1«GI, 
 with a Captain's commission and served in this 
 capacity until October 28, following, when he was 
 obliged to accept his honorable discharge on ac- 
 count of disability. His first experience in actual 
 service was in rei)elling the raid of Stonewall Jack- 
 son upon the Baltimore it Ohio Railroad, in Janu- 
 ary, 1862, where one hundred men of the Thirty- 
 ninth successfully resisted the attack of two rebel 
 regiments, the Third Arkansas and Thirty seventh 
 \'irginia. He was also at the battle of AVinchester, 
 (Hearnstown) March 23, 1862, where the favorite 
 chieftain of the rebellion was driven from the field 
 with the loss of guns and many prisoners. He was 
 sent with his command to join the Arm^- of the 
 Potomac at the time of the "seven daj's' fight" ; 
 was in the expedition against Charlestown and 
 engaged in the siege of that city from April to 
 December, of 1863, and led his company over the 
 parapet of Ft. Wagner. 
 
 Mr. Savage, in 1864, was in the campaign .against 
 Richmond, in the Army of the James, leaving the 
 front only when disabled and when his regiment 
 
 had been reduced by the casualties of battle and 
 bj' disease, from a total of s<!ven hundred and fifty, 
 to about one hundred and fifty men in the short 
 •space of two months. I'pon receiving his discharge 
 he retuiued to his farming interests in Homer Town- 
 ship, but has never laid aside any of his patriotism 
 or his activity in assisting the projects set on foot 
 foi- the lienelit of the people. lie has taken an 
 active part in p(jlitical affairs and it is hardly nec- 
 essary to state is a stanch supporter of the Repub- 
 lican party. He has been for many years a prom- 
 inent member of Oooding Post, No. 401, G. A. 
 K. and was once elected to the commandership, 
 but declined. He is independent in his religious 
 views, a man who does his own thinking, who 
 seeks to force his opinions upon none, but who 
 abides by his convictions with the natural tenacity 
 and strength of his character. 
 
 For over a quarter of a century and since No- 
 vember, 1864, Mr. Savage has served continuously 
 as Township Treasurer. His leisure hours have 
 been employed with instructive reading, and few 
 men not following the profession of law arc bet- 
 ter acquainted with its underlying principles. His 
 council is frequently sought in matters of impor- 
 tance and largely in the settlement of estates with 
 which he is often entrusted. In 1860, he took the 
 stump for Abraham Lincoln, in Will and DuPage 
 Counties, rendering signal service in behalf of the 
 Republican candidate for President. In 1867, he 
 was appointed to fill a vacancy as Supervisor of 
 Homer Township, and from that time was contin- 
 uously elected to the office until 1872, when he 
 withdrew to take his seat in the legislature. He 
 was Chairqian of the Board of Supervisors for two 
 years and otherwise rendered eflicient service 
 in the various matters which were constantly 
 coming up for consideration. Mr. Savage has 
 taken an active part in every Presidential cam- 
 l)aigu since 1864. During his eight separate elec- 
 tions as Township Supervisor, he was placed in 
 office five times wilhout a single dissenting voice. 
 He was elected to the State Board of Equaliza- 
 tion in 1876, and served eight years. 
 
 Notwithstanding his public services, Mr. Sav- 
 age has distinguished himself as a progressive far- 
 mer and has invested a large portion of his cap- 
 
352 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 iliil ill vMliKihlo hinds, owning tliroc hundred and 
 sixty-fuur acres in this county, besides land in 
 Dakota. He makes a specialty of live stock, buy- 
 ing and selling extensively and utilizing a large 
 |)orti()ii of his farm in Homer Township for feed- 
 ing purposes. He is a prominent member of the 
 Old Settlers Association of this county. His domes- 
 tic life furnishes a [licture pleasant to conteniphiLe, 
 with his family of intelligent children growing up 
 around him and ociii|iying honored positions in 
 society. The eUlest daughter, Helen E., was born 
 December 8, 18G4, and is the wife of Frank A. 
 Rowle}', of Homer Townshii); Frank M., was born 
 July 19, 1867, and married Miss l^nima Haley of 
 Homer Township; ,Iohn H., was born June 25, 
 1870. and is pursuing his studies in the Englewood 
 High School; Wiliiard A., was born September 11, 
 1872. and Mary A., May 13, 1874. The two 
 j'ounger children aieat home with their parents. 
 The parents of Mrs. Savage died in South Car- 
 olina when she was quite young. Her father was 
 born in New England and her mother in New 
 York State. Mrs. Savage was born near George- 
 town, S. C, June 22, 1837, and came to Illinois in 
 1851. 
 
 <iCX- ' 
 
 I^ANIEL FIDDYMENT. It is a pleasure to 
 ))] gaze upon the varied landscape that com- 
 ^ prises the beautiful farm of this gentleman, 
 and to note the care with which every detail of its 
 management is overseen, the natural features of 
 hill and valley being unmarred by neglected build- 
 ings, tumble-down fences or unsightly fields. The 
 estate comprises one hundred and ninety-two acres 
 of land that is well adapted for stock-raising, and 
 in that branch of agriculture Mr. Fiddyment is 
 quite extensively engaged. 
 
 The parents of our subject, William and Hannah 
 (Knivett) Fiddyment, vrere natives of "Merrie 
 England, "and there their son was also born, his na- 
 tal d.ay being October 6, 1838. The parental family 
 consisted of three sons and one daughter, and they 
 were reared upon a farm, the father being a tiller 
 of the soil. In 1859 the}' determined to cross the 
 briny deep and seek a better opening for their en- 
 
 ergies in the United States. Bidding adieu to the 
 land of their birth, they reached New York after 
 an ocean voyage of seven weeks, and came to Lock- 
 port, HI., by water, traversing the Hudson River, 
 Erie Canal, (^Jreat Lakes, anil Illinois and ISHchigan 
 Canal. 
 
 I""or some time the elder .Mr. Fiddyment was en- 
 gaged in the business of distilling, but he finally 
 .settleil on the homestead now occupied by his 
 widow and her son Daniel. He of whom we write 
 began his personal < areer as a farmer, and has ever 
 continued in the vocation to which his early sur- 
 roundings and tastes led him. That it is one 
 to which he is adapted by nature, no one will 
 doubt who visits his pleasant and remunerative 
 farm. The reputation that he bears among the 
 tillers of the soil of this vicinity is that of an able 
 agriculturist and an honest man, and this is agreed 
 to by all who know him. 
 
 An important sle|) in the life of Mr. Fiddyment 
 was his marriage, in 1861, to Miss Margaret Wads- 
 worth, a native of Vermont. This lady possesses 
 the strict integrity and regard for duty that char- 
 a'jterizi! the New England women, and with it the 
 housewifely skill and kindliness to those in need of 
 attention that are also prominent traits in their 
 character. The union has been blessed by the 
 liirth of five children, but three have been removed 
 b}' the Angel of Death. The survivors — Olive and 
 Daniel — yet linger at the family fireside. 
 
 Perhaps the most remarkable feature in a life 
 marked by uprightness and strict attention to his 
 personal affairs, is the fact that Mr. Fidd3ment has 
 never been engaged in a lawsuit, either as princi- 
 pal or witness. His wife belongs to the Methodist 
 ]''|)iscopal Church, at Lockport, and is numbered 
 among the reliable members. 
 
 A fine view of the home of our subject and its 
 surroundings, will be found on the opposite page. 
 
 -h 
 
 -^ic- 
 
 -^ 
 
 OSEPH KAPS. Among the citizens of for- 
 eign birth, residents of Plainfield Township, 
 who have been factors in promoting its 
 1^^/i farming interests and by sheer force of per- 
 sistent and intelligent labor have placed themselves 
 
t 
 
 m,Ki!,/k>»^m. 
 
 Residence of Joseph Kaps , Sec.28. PlainfieldTp.Will Co.Ill. 
 
 Residence of Mrs. Hannah Fiddyment, Sec.I.LockportTp.Will Co.Ill. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 355 
 
 anioiin; tlie most sulistanlial members of the com- 
 iimiiity. is the .subject of this biogi'apliical review, 
 ;iii(l his faiiii is one of tlie tliiest and liest manasjeil 
 in tliis vicinity, lie was born in Shieisien, ( uTniany, 
 near llie lioiinilai'v line between tliat !\inu(h)ni and 
 Poland, his birth taldng place October 1, hs;!|. 
 His fallier, Chrisloplier Ka|)s, was a native; of llie 
 same place, while his father, whose given name 
 was .b)hn Mieliael, was born in Austria. After at- 
 taining manliood the latter crossed the border and 
 became a cilize)i of (ierniauy, and there married 
 and reared a family, spending the rcot of his days 
 there as a farmer. Tlie fatiier of our subject 
 learneil the trade of a weaver and followed that 
 occu|iation besides tilling the little plot of eight 
 acres of land that he owned. lie resided in his 
 nati\e place until 1S,")4. and in that year with his 
 wife and two sons started for this land of proniiLH', 
 setting sail Noveml)er 19, from Bremen in the sail- 
 ing vessel •'Alfred' and landing December 25, on 
 the shores of America. He located in Cleveland, 
 Oswego County. N. Y., and was a resident of that 
 place till .luly, 1855. In that month he came to 
 Illinois and located in Aurora, Kane County, and 
 lived there ten years. At the expiration of that 
 time he came to Will County and spent his last 
 years in the town of Troy, dying there in 1875. 
 The mother of our subject departed this life in 
 1872. The father was twice married and reared 
 two daughters b}- his first marriage, i\Iary coming 
 to America and dying here subse(iuently unmar- 
 rie<I. There were four children of the second 
 marriage, two of whom were reared to years of 
 maturity, our subject and his brother John. The 
 latter settled in Troy and later in Plainfleld, where 
 he died unmarried. 
 
 .loseph Kaps attended school steadily until four- 
 teen years of age and acquired a sound education. 
 He then took up farming as his life work, carrying 
 it on in the land of his birth till 1854. That year 
 marked a turning point in his life as it was then he 
 emigrated to this country. He started out in a 
 foreign land with no other capital than with which 
 natuie provided him and he Brst made money by 
 working for others. He was thus engaged for four 
 years, and then rented land and in 1867 made his 
 first purchase of eighty acres of wild prairie in 
 
 Troy, this county. He greatly improved the land 
 and tilled the soil there until 1880, when he sold it 
 at a good advance and |)urchased his i)rescnt place 
 of residence on section 28, I'lainfiehl Township, 
 three miles from the village, seven and one-half 
 miles from .loliet, the farm being beautifully lo- 
 cated on the banks of the Dul'age River. It com- 
 prises two hundred and fifty-one acres of land of 
 unsu)-[jassed fertility- and productiveness. He has 
 it under the best of cultivation and has erected 
 commodious buildings and has it amply provided 
 with all the conveniences for carrying on agricul- 
 ture to the best advantage. • 
 
 The prosperity of our subject is due in a measure 
 to the fact that he has been assisted in his labors bj- 
 the active co-operation of a cajjable wife to whom 
 he was united in marriage in 18()5. Her maiden 
 name w.as INLuy Scipolt and she was tiorn in Ger- 
 many, and came to America with her [lareuts, Jo 
 seph and Marj' ]\[. Seipolt. Their pleasant home 
 circle is completed by the seven children born to 
 them: Matilda, Mary, Francis, Henry, Joseph, 
 Clara and John. The faniil}' are members in high 
 standing of St. John's Catholic Church. 
 
 It may I)e seen from the perusal of this sketch 
 that all that our subject has an<l is he owes to hini- 
 self, that he is in fact a self-made man. He is well 
 endowed with decision of character, tenacity of 
 |iurpose, and an active mind, and these with his in- 
 herent ca|)acity and traits of thrift and sagacity 
 have pushed him on to success in his calling and 
 the accjuirement of a desirable property. He is 
 alive to the value of a good education and gives 
 his chihlren advantages in that direction. A man 
 of his standing is a good citizen and is a help to 
 any conimunity. 
 
 The pleasant home and fertile Gelds belonging to 
 our subject are well represented in the accompany- 
 ing lithographic view. 
 
 RANKLIN E. BARBER was born in this 
 i^> county in pioneer times, coming of a good 
 old pioneer family, and, reared to a stal- 
 wart, enterprising manhood, under the peculiar in- 
 fluences that obtained here in the days of bi§ 
 
3:.<'. 
 
 I'OKTKAIT AN1> BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Voulli, III- !<U|>|>»'tl to llif froiil U> lake liis |i!iil in 
 till' fjri'Ml work of ii'iUiiiiiiin Uiif siilioii of llio ; 
 loiiiitrv fn'Mi il.- I'riinilivf wililni.-.*. niul lins fver I 
 simi- Ijoiiic nil hoiioralilc inul in suslaiiiiiiy iiinl 
 inishinf; foiw;iiil iLsi-xU-nsivf iiyiitiilluuil iiiK'H"»»s 
 lis :in lulivf f!inii<T nn<l sKMk-iiiisi'i- in Diil'iigf 
 Towiisliii' 
 
 Tin- !<uli)«it 1.1 llii.> iiulicf was horn in lliis 
 .oiinly. Aii;;ii!*l 'ii'i, l«:i."». lli- wi:s a son of .lolin 
 mikI Kmuia ( IVriy) Biiilu r. nnlivis ii'S|)fctivi'ly of j 
 \ irnioiil and MaJsailiUMais. In IXM llu-y cmi- 
 ■'lalril from Niw Mn^'lanii with llieir family lo 
 this pall of lllinui!., anil Mr. i'.ai lici lMmi,'lil land 
 ill this I iwiiship. on siction 2. when (he (iovcrn- 
 iiient sail' look placi-, piirfliasinj,' holh (Jovi'rnmi'iit 
 anil canal land, payiiij; *1.25 for llie forimr and a 
 lii;;lii'r price for llii- lallor. His land coii.sisU-d of 
 piairie ami linihcr, and lir tiiriu'd the first furrow 
 and i-ivcted a lo^' lionse and lou; harii, making a 
 dwillinji of till' foniivr for a iiiimln-r of years. 
 Ilu losiditl here till his death. Deremher \'.K I.sTC. 
 wliieli removed from mir midst a represeiit:ilive 
 pioneer and a highly hoiioialile useful eili/.en. 
 ■|'lie mother of our .siihjeel had preceded him in 
 ilealh. dying on May '■^^ •'^''- ''"^y "''^''^' "'^' !'"• 
 enl.s of a large family, of children, of whom four 
 are known lo survive, namely: Hoyal K., of .loliel; 
 Caroline, wife of L. H. .Vndeison, of Michigan; 
 .lane, wife of Millon Klsworth, of Wheaton ; and 
 Franklin K. The father was a man of consider- 
 aide prominence in llie county, and served for a 
 time as Deputy Sheriff. He was in early life a 
 Whi". lint he afterward cast in his foriune with Ihe 
 Uepuhlican party. He w sis successful in life, linan- 
 cially. and left a comfortahle esUile. Like all pio- 
 neers. Ills early life here was one of sacrifice and 
 often of privation. 
 
 The subject of this liiographical review was 
 reared in this township, ami received the prelilni- 
 iiaries of his cdiicalion in the local schools, and 
 suliseipicnlly attended the High School at .loliel 
 for a short lime. Since llien he has advanced his 
 tdiicalion liy oliservation and hy rending, as he is 
 a "teat lover of g«.>od hooks. He was trained to 
 ihe life of a farmer, and olilaincd a sound, prac- 
 tical knowledge of his calling, which he sldl pur- 
 sues very profilaldy. He owns over two bundrefl 
 
 acres of excellent farming land, which is well cul- 
 tivated and yields liir;;e harvests, and is amply 
 provided with siihslantial huildings for every pur- 
 pose. 
 
 To the one to whom he owi-s so much of the 
 comfort and coxiness of a good home, lie was uiitUil 
 ill marriage Septeiiiher 2. JHCT. the niaiileii name of 
 his hiide heiiig Adelaide X'alenline. They have 
 live children, namely: Knima. wife of C. H. Tot- 
 son ; Ktla K.. Kdward. .lessie and Kraiikie. 
 
 .Mr. It;irlier hears a tine reputation in his old 
 home :is lieing a practic.-il man. of slnnch principles 
 and stahilily of purpose, whose word is never 
 doiihted; one in whom his neighbors pl.ace im- 
 plicit Irusl. who. ill short, is a crtilil to his native 
 county and is beuring worthily the mantle of his 
 pioneer sire. He h.as been Townshi|> Clerk, and 
 has held the ollice of Constable, Politically, he is 
 cinsseil with the most, earnest sup|)orlers of the Ke- 
 piiblican party. Heligioiisly, he and his wife are 
 Presbylerians. !<lroiig in the f:iitli, and are among 
 the most /ealoiis members of the church of that 
 denomination in this phice. 
 
 ♦ ^ • •• ••-:: ;>#^i-er - 
 
 tillN CAVANAIGH, The estate which 
 , , this geiitleinan has secured is :i moniiineiit 
 I U) his ability as an agriculturist, and a con- 
 clusive proof that persistent eflforl will be 
 rewanleil. It comprises three hiindred and 
 eighty-eight acres on section •"t.^i. .lack.son Town- 
 ship, and it needs but a glance to assure the 
 p:isser-by that here comfort abounds, while thrift 
 is seen in every deUiil of the work which is car- 
 ried on. The esUite is thoroughly improved, the 
 buildings l)eing especially noticeable for their size, 
 number and convenience. 
 
 In County Sligo, Ireland, alxuil lt<2t>, John 
 Cavanaugh opened his eyes to the light, and in 
 the Kmerald Isle he remained until he was almost 
 twenty years oUI. He then went lo Kngland. 
 where he remained until the fall of 18,")1. when he 
 determined to seek a wider field for his energies in 
 the land across Ihe sea. Taking pas.sage for 
 America he landed in New York, whence he went 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIIOAL ALBUM. 
 
 357 
 
 to Albany, scijoiiiniiif;' in Uml city three or four 
 iiuintlis. lie Ihcii tu(il< u\< his rosiiieiicc in tin.' 
 western part uf llieKuiiiie State, making Herki- 
 mer Connly his hoiu'o for some two years. His 
 ne.\t removal was to Will County. 111., where he 
 luis sinee lieen a resirlent. and where he has de- 
 voted his attention to agrieultine. 
 
 One of the most imiiortant. e\'ents in the lifr ot 
 Mr. Cavanan!,^h was his choice of a i-om|)anion, and 
 he lias no leason to regret his selection. His wife 
 bore the maiden name of Kai.e Mahei-, and was 
 born in Countv Kilkenny. Ireland. November 15, 
 l,s;!,S. She was about twenty-three years old 
 when filie left her native isle for yVineriea, and at 
 the time of her jnarriage she was living in Wil- 
 mington, this county. The family of IVfr. and 
 Mrs. L'avanaugh includes ten living children and 
 two deceased. The latter are .lames E. and 
 Matliew; the survivors are William, JHchael, 
 Thomas 1'., (ieorge, Edward, Marj', Liz/.ie, Mag- 
 gie .1., .hilia and Katie A. 
 
 The active intellect and (juick wit which are 
 pidverbial to natives of the Emerald Isle are not 
 lacking in our subject and his estimable wife, and 
 the religious element of their characters is satisfied 
 with the worship of the Catholic Church, in the 
 faith of which they are devout believers. Mr. 
 Cavanaugh has been Commissioner of Highways, 
 t.'iking the interest which all dwellers in the coun- 
 tiy shouhl ill the improvement of the roads. 
 
 -^•■ ^ • t ' l ' l ' l" - 
 
 ^|^«i^ UARLES H()l^/. This gentleman is num- 
 bered among the leading citizens of Bcecher, 
 and indeed of Washington Township, of 
 which he has been Clerk for si.xtcen years. He 
 has held other local oflices and has a high rejiuta- 
 tiou as an efficient public servant, and he is like- 
 wise regarded as one of the most successful far- 
 mers of this part of the county. He owns a line 
 estate of one hundred and twenty' acres near the 
 village and an excellent residence which he occu- 
 |)ies within the limits. 
 
 Meeklenburg-Sehwerin, Germany, claims Mr. 
 Holz as one of her sons and that duchy was the 
 
 ancestral home for generations. Henry Holz, the 
 father of our subject, was a sliocmaker who fol- 
 lowed his trade in the Fatherland until 1858, when 
 with his wife an<l family he emigrated to America. 
 'I'hey s!iilc(l fruiii Ihiiiiburg to New York on the 
 •'North America" which made the passage in thirt}-- 
 (ive d.ays. The family journeyed direct to Chi- 
 cago. 111., and thence to Du Page County, from 
 which the iiarenls subsc<piently returned to Cook 
 Count\-, locating in Proviso Township. There 
 the father died,. July 21, 1878, in the sixty-seventh 
 year of his .age. He was a Republican, a member 
 of the Lutheran Church, and a good man who 
 was respected by all who knew him. His wife, 
 Mary (Miller) Holz, came to Will County after 
 his death and died at the home of our subject in 
 the winter of 188(1. She was then seventy-three 
 years old. She was a life-long member of the 
 Lutheran Church and was a devoted mother, lov- 
 ing companion, and excellent neighbor. 
 
 The parental family consisted of two sons and 
 four daughters, the subject of this sketch being 
 the second in order of l>irth. He was born No- 
 vember 29, 1827, and was nearly of age when his 
 parents came to this country. He reached his 
 majority in l)u Page County where he continued 
 to make his home until 1865, being occupied as a 
 farmer and an improver of lands. Ijion leaving 
 that county he took up bis abode near Beecher and 
 here he has gained a competence and secured an 
 excellent reputation. In his early life he learned 
 the tr.ade of a shoemaker, but he has not followed 
 it since he came to America. 
 
 The estimable wife of Mr. Holz w.as known in 
 her maidenhood as Minnie Oelerking. Their mar- 
 riage rites were celebrated in Cook County and 
 neither has had cause to regret the union. Mrs. 
 Holz W!is born in Hanover. Germany, January 9, 
 1842, received a good education in the land of her 
 birth, and was so instructed by her good parents 
 as to grow to womanhood possessed of a line char- 
 acter and much useful domestic knowledge. She 
 was nineteen years old when her parents came to 
 this country and she lived in Du Page County 
 until her marriage. Her union with our subject 
 has been a childless one liiit they have become the 
 foster parents of three children: Henry died when 
 
I'olMHAll' AND HKKUtAlMlICAL ALHUM. 
 
 sfvi'li vi'iirs ol<l ; l.tmissi ami IJush arc >lill »villi 
 Uu'ir fosU'i- imli'iils, iiii(lti wliosu ciiii- ntnl liiiiiiiii;,' 
 lliov Imvf lii'ou wi'll n-aiiil ami eiliiialffi in liolh 
 Kiifjlisli ami (i.riiiMii mIumiIs. Mr. niiil Mi>. ilnlz 
 ami till- (laii;;liU'is liuimig to Uif LuUiiTaii Cliuicli 
 ami liavo many fiionds among llioir assoi-ial*- mcin- 
 lii-rs, as well as in all tiicks in wliitli liii-v inovo. 
 Tlif paivnis of Mcs. lloi/. woiu lUniy and 
 Sopliia (llarlmann) Ofii-ikinK, who wlml- lioin 
 ivaitil anil maiiii'd in llii' Kinjitlom of llanoviT. 
 Till' falliiT followc'l till' liiisinc'ss of Imyinj,' up 
 liiiltiT. f}.'!,'-. iliiikons. clc.. ami si-liing llii'in in liio 
 lai-^;rr lilies, iloin;; in this way u linu commission 
 liiuli'. Oni' son ami live daugiiti'is were horn to 
 llio good conple 'lefore tliey cmigraleil to Amer- 
 ica. They sailed fiuni IJremerhaven in IK(!(), 
 landing in New York seven weeks later, and com- 
 in<; at once lo the I'rairie Slnle, took np their 
 aliode on a farm, in Dn I'age County. There the 
 parents lived for .some years. Iiul suhseipienlly 
 l.ecame residents of I'.eecher. Here Mr. ( (clerking 
 died in Ocloher, 1872, at the age of si.vly three 
 vcars. lie was an honest, hardworking man, a 
 
 ji I Uepulilican in politics, and a sound mcndn-r 
 
 of the Lutheran Church. His widow survived 
 him several years, hreathing her last .May 21. IKTi!. 
 She was a good mother, and a kindduarU-d neigh- 
 hor. ever ready to assist liiose in need. With one 
 exception the nieridjcrs of llie parental household 
 are still living. 
 
 -S-+S^3><:S=f+-f" 
 
 OHRANCK DIUKI.L. One fundamental 
 idea has been retained us a comoion basis 
 for the priiici|)al forms of Ciovernment. 
 In the theocracy, the patriarchal system. 
 a:id llie democracy, the principle that the jiidici.ary 
 slanils first in iuiport.-ince, has ever been recognized, 
 and, a.s a logical sequence, to bccliosi-n to discharge 
 that function carries with it a signal honor. l)or- 
 rance Dibell was invested with this dignity by be- 
 ing elected, on the 3d of November. 1885, Judge 
 of the Ninth .ludicial Circuit, consisting of Will, 
 (Irundy, LaSalle and Ibireau Counties. IJorn Feb- 
 ruary IG, 1811. he was forty-one years of age at 
 
 the lime of his election, tlins U-ing the youngest 
 cf those who have been calleil to that ollice in the 
 circuit mentioned. 
 
 .Ind^'e Dibell is the .son of Ihc Kcv. .1. li. Dibdl. 
 a n;itive of Kingsvdle, Ashtabula County, Ohio, 
 and l.oui.sa (Ward) Dibell. who.se birthplace was 
 Kllington, Tolland County. Conn. His own birth- 
 place was NN'ooster, Wayne County, Ohio. His 
 parents lived in Homer and New Lenox Town8lii|)s. 
 Will County, III., from 18.j(l. The father was a 
 liaplist miidsler whose sacred calling w:is teruun- 
 aled by death .Scplendier 10. lH8,j. His lbirty-(ive 
 years of ndnistration in this county are rich in 
 tributes to his faithfulness in the service of his di- 
 vine Master, .\fter his death the mother, with her 
 daughter, •lulia Louisa, took up her abode with her 
 son Dorrance. in .loliet, where she resided until her 
 death October 17. 18h.j. 'i'be daughter .lulia was 
 killed by the cars in that city .September 20, 1889. 
 .Imlge Dibell was a lad of but six years when his 
 parents settled in the I'niirie State and he grew lo 
 maidiood on his father's farm, attending the public 
 schools in boyhood anil subsei|m'ntly prosecntini: 
 his studies in the Iniversity of Chicago; beginning 
 his personal career as a teacher In? wjls afterward 
 emploved as a telegraph o|H'r:itor at liacine. Wis.. 
 and Wheatland and DeWitt. Iowa. At the latter 
 place he began the study of law with the Hon. 
 .lolin C. Policy, further |iursuing his professioii.-d 
 researches with Messrs. OofHispeed. .Snap|( it Knox 
 and I'arks .V Hill, all of .Foliet. 
 
 On the ".'.Sd of August. \>*'0. the young student 
 was admitted to the bar and formed .-i partnership 
 Willi the Hon. Charles A. Hill, now member of Con- 
 gress from the l-'.ighth District. The firm name wa^^ 
 llilliV Dibell, and the connection begun Scplember 
 3. 1H70, was not dissolved until November 13, 
 1880, when the election of Mr. Dibell to the bench 
 severed the oldest law partnership in the county. 
 The firm enjoyed a large and iniportunt practice, 
 both mendiers holding high positions among the 
 legal fraternity on account of their acumen and 
 their skill in conducting ciises. 
 
 During the years of his active practice .ludge Dib- 
 ell WIS a member of the City Council, and assisted 
 in establishing a great number of the Iiest im|)rove- 
 ments of the cily. lie was in the council when the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 359 
 
 change was made from the special cliarter to incor- 
 poration under the general law. Tlie first judicial 
 term of the Judge is drawing to a close and it is 
 well within bounds to say that liis record will stand 
 with the jinrcst and ablest. 
 
 One who has known Judge Dilicii long and inli- 
 nialely ."says of him: '-Judge Dibell is a large- 
 brained, broad-minilcd, generous-spirited man, who 
 comni.'uids tiie affectionate esteem and confidence 
 of all wlio know him. Like most students, he i.s 
 iKil ill :iiiy sense a society man, but his equable 
 temper and amiable disposition iiavc made liiui a 
 prime favorite with his neighlxus and friends. 
 The exacting demands and large rciiuircments of 
 Ills profession have not dulled his taste for general 
 literature. Ho has gathered a large and valuable 
 miscellaneous library, not for ornament, but for 
 Ids own use and enjoyment. The great poets and 
 ilramatists are represented there, and the specialists 
 of science, philosophy and politicnl economy, have 
 not been neglected nor overlookeil. l<;ven theol- 
 ogy is not excluded, as is too frequently the case 
 among lawyers. Tn short, to legal learning he adds 
 a cultivated taste and a large store of general in- 
 formatifm.'' 
 
 The mariiiige of Judge Dibell and .Miss .Sarah M. 
 Suapp was celebrated in IH72. The chosen com- 
 panion of our subject is the ehlest daughter of the 
 Hon. Henry Sna|)p, at the lime of her marriage 
 representing this district in Congress. The only 
 living child of Mr. and Mrs. Dibell is ('liarles Dor- 
 ranee, who^vvas born iMarch lit. 187.'). Not only is 
 Mrs. Dibell devoted to the interests of her home 
 but she has the culture and disposition that wins 
 friends, and her place in society is an assured one. 
 
 EBENKZKR C. STKPHKN. The man wli- 
 has a brain to conceive and a hand to per 
 I form various kinds of handicraft, may we 
 
 IBENKZKR C. STKPHKN. The man who 
 
 per 
 I'll 
 
 be gratefully |)rouil of his ability to add to the 
 means iiy which others can increase their conven- 
 iences or opportunities. The gentleman with whose 
 name we introduce this notice comes of a family in 
 which the mechanical talent is consi)icuous, several 
 
 members having shown high degrees of skill in va- 
 rious lines of construction. His Grandfather Gar- 
 d(!n was a mill, cart aiul plow wright, and his 
 Grandfather Stephen was also a first-class mecluniic. 
 So, too. was his father, Joseph Stephen, although 
 the latter studieil for the ministry and devoted 
 himself to the cause of the Master during a great 
 part of his life. A fuller account of the lives of 
 Joseph Ste[)hen and his wife, Jane ((iarden) Ste- 
 phen, will be found in the sketch of David S. Ste- 
 phen on another page in this Alhum. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born in Aberdeen- 
 shire, Scotland, July 25, 1838, and accompanied 
 his parents to America in 1813. The voyage and 
 journey to Northern Illinois are recorded in the 
 sketch of his brother David, aiul it is unnecessary 
 to repeat them here. The lad was reared upon the 
 farm until ISf!;!, having the advantages of the 
 common schools, and when a very young m.an 
 taught for one term in Green Garden Townshi|). 
 He inherited the mechanical skill of his ancestors, 
 and without having t() serve an apprenticeshif) was 
 able to do almost anything in mechanics. 
 
 In 1863 Mr. Stephen opened a machine ami le- 
 pair shop in pavtnershii) with his brother, David S.. 
 and has continued in the business for twenty' seven 
 years. The fraternal connection was finally dis- 
 solved in 1889 and our subject has now the bidk of 
 the old business. He is proprietor of a saw, plan- 
 ing and feed mill in l""rankfort and does all kinds 
 of general woodwork, repairing and manufacturing. 
 He also deals in farm imi)lcnionts and machinery 
 and in hard-wood lumber and coal. lie has a fine 
 set of machinery and tools, and the reputation 
 which he has earned as a first-class mechanic is well 
 deserved. Tiic buildings which he occupies were 
 erected by himself and are situated upon a five- 
 acre tract of land owned by him. He also owns a 
 cozy residence. 
 
 When a young man, Mr. Stei)lien learned the 
 rudiments of farming and was actively engaged in 
 it, acquiring in this way a |)ractical knowledge of 
 all that pertains to agricultural life. Such was his 
 taste and natural ability that while tt-aching lie 
 spent Saturdays working in. the shop and was able 
 to wood two plows per daj'. thus making $7. Such 
 industr}' and zeal merited the smiles of Dame For- 
 
;ir,it 
 
 rORTKAir AND IM()< I IJAl'l IICAI- ALHIIM. 
 
 lime, mill it is a plriisiiri' to Ins friciiils to kii<»w 
 lliiitlif lins <;iiiiu-<l n ('iiiiifurtAlilc rninnciiil .stAiiilin<{. 
 Mr. Slc|ih(ii li:is tin |iiiliticiil tupirntiotis. |irercrriii<; 
 the <|iiicl of his home to llii' tiiinult of piililic life, 
 hill is I'ViT roaily to list- his iiilliii'iic<- iiml il<-|io!iil 
 his voto ill favor of ltr|iiihn(-:uiisiii. 
 
 Thf iiiiuriiiHi' rites of Mr. Slfiilii-ii ami Miss 
 I'liiiiiin .1. ll(>ii|it were celelirati-il in Friuikforl, 
 I )iM-i'iiilicr ;M . 1 Hi;7. The ('huriiiiii;L; hridc wms horn 
 ill Kllliifihaiii Coiinly, Mieli.. ami well eiliionlcd by 
 wnrlliy parents. The latter wi-re e;irly selllers in 
 ■lackson, Mifli.. whi're they locateil in IM.Ttj. The 
 union of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen has hecii hieased 
 hy the hirlh of five children: <ieor};c (J. is a me- 
 fhanie and eiisja^ed with his fjither; Ida M. is a 
 j,'nidii!ite of the Frank fort schools aiid now ie:ieliing 
 .'il Ilailley. IloMicr Township, haviiig lie|;im her 
 pniri'ssiiiiial liiliors wlicii l>ul sixleni years ()ld;.lo- 
 srph A. is deceiised : licilxil Iv and .Inhii (). are 
 still at iiitine .-ind niioi'iiipied. except in useful 
 studies aii<) |>iirsuils. 
 
 Gi:()U(;r. \V. KI.AtiC. Ihe family name 
 (if tills gentleman will ever lie held in rever- 
 riite In \\'lll ('(lunty as that i>( one of its 
 early pioneers, who was for iiuiny years proliii- 
 iiently eoniueted with its iiitcrest.s, and of great 
 assistance in developing its resources and laying 
 the solid foundation of the prosperity that it eii- 
 j lys to day. And It is with pleasure that we place 
 hefore the readers of this volume a review of his 
 life and of that of his honored representative of 
 the present. The latter, a native of the county, is 
 now one of its leailing agriculturists, owning and 
 successfully managing a large and valiialilc farm 
 in l.ockpiut and Dul'age Townships, where he has 
 a fine residence and elijnys :ill the comforts and 
 luxuries of life. lie wa.s an oflicer in the late war 
 and did gallant service with his regiment until ill 
 health compelled him to resign his commission and 
 retire to private life, taking with him the respect 
 «if his fellow oflicers und the men who served un- 
 der him. 
 
 Mr. Klagg was horn in I'lainfield Township, 
 
 Jul}' i.'», \H'M. Iteiiheii I'lagg, his father, was n 
 native of New Hampshire, (iroton, in (Irafton 
 County, iH-ing the place of his hirtli. lie was 
 there bred to the life of n farmer, and thence 
 went to \'crmonl when a young man and there was 
 engaged in tliecoo|H'r's trade. Two years latt-r he 
 inside his way to llaltiinore, Md., where he ae- 
 rjuired the trade of a stone-mason. After two 
 years stay in that city he returned to Vermont and 
 at one time workeil its a stone-mason in Knslon. 
 In IH.'Kl, he came to Illinois, traveling hy Lake 
 Champlain, Chaiii|-.laiii A- Krie Cnnal to KiifTalo, 
 and from thence hy the lakes to Chicago. That 
 city was then composed of two log houses and 
 Indian huts, and there w;is a trading post there. 
 The captain of the boat wanted him to build a 
 warehouse, thinking it might come in use, thimgh 
 no oneel.se seemed to agree with him. Our sub- 
 ject's father did not like that .section of the country, 
 .'IS he thought it too swampy for farming purposes, 
 and he hired a team to take lilm to Walker's (Jrove, 
 n little below the present site of I'lainfield. At that 
 time there were but three f:imilics living in the 
 vicinity, and where I'l.-iinlicld and .lolict now are 
 there was not a house, and Will Cuiinty then 
 formed a part of Cuok County. All the laud was 
 open for .settlcmi'iil .-md he had his cluiice in mil- 
 lions of acres, and as he was told he could not live 
 on the prairie he claimed a tract of timU-r in the 
 northeastern cpiartcr of section 20. of what is now 
 I'lainlield Township. At that time lieer and nil 
 kinds of wild game were plenty, which was for- 
 tunate for the carl}- settlers as bread stuffs were 
 scarce, tlit nearest flour-mill being in Indiana. Mr. 
 Fhigg's settlement was made there bcfiire the 
 I IJlack Hawk War aii<l I here were freiiuenl Indian 
 I scares, therefore, tlii' h.'indfiil of settlers built a 
 stockade of logs and all gathered in it. and at one 
 time lived there three monllis. the men taking their 
 guns to the field to be ready for the enemy at a 
 j minute's warning. Once it was thought the In- 
 dians were going to make n raid and all the set- 
 tiers here went to Ft. Dearborn and stayed there a 
 few days until it was thought safe to return to 
 their homes. Mr. Fl.agg built a log cabin on his 
 fjirm and conimenced its clearance. .Sim in aft<'r 
 coming here he took n contract to build the race 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 361 
 
 for Walker's mills in which was sawed tho lumlx'i- 
 to build the llrst frame house ever croctod in 
 Chicago, and Mr. Flagg drew it there witli an ox 
 IcMin. After residing on tliat claim a short time 
 he sold it .and tooii up a tract of prairie land on sec- 
 lion 10. .Tiid at once began tlie work of improve- 
 ment. He first built a log caliin for the .accom- 
 modation of liis fanuly and afterward erected a 
 more sulistantial residence, and at tlie time nf Ids 
 death had improved a valuable farm. 
 
 November!), ISO'.), this worthy and highly rc- 
 si)ccted pioneer, departed this life. The maiilen 
 name of the wife who shared his labors and en- 
 abled him to attain success in life was Betsey Ken- 
 dall. She was born in Hebron, Grafton County, 
 H. II., April G, 180r). Ilcr father. .Inhn W. Ken- 
 dall, was formerly a resident of Hollis. N. 11. and 
 removed thence to Hebron, where he liought 
 a farm, and besides carrying on agriculture he 
 worked at his trade of a cooper in that place un- 
 til his death. The maiden name of his wife was 
 Betsey Flanders and she was also of New Hampshire 
 origin, and there spent her entire life, dying on 
 the home farm in Heliron. Mrs. Flagg's death oc- 
 curred February 'J."). 1872. She was the mother 
 of eleven chiblien. .'is follows : .lolin W. K., Sarah 
 F., Samanllia.l'i'udcnce, Frank, George W., Lorain, 
 Henry, Willinm II.. Mary and Lucy. Samantha 
 was the first while child born in this county, and 
 she died here February 25, 1872, aged foity-one 
 years and five months. In his early life Mr. 
 Flagg was a folhiwer of the Whig party, Init later 
 identified himself with the Iie|)nblican at the time 
 of its organization and remained true to the party 
 until his death. He was distinguished .as being the 
 first Justice of the Peace ever elected here, Judge 
 Caton being his opponent. 
 
 Following is an item iiublished in the Chicago 
 7V///»'.s after Mr. Flagg's death, which is of interest 
 and importance. "In the winter of 18.31, the 
 Methodist circuit riders of the great west held a 
 conference in the settlement of Chicago, and 
 among the other supi)lies contributed to their com- 
 fort during their session was a dressed hog from 
 the old town of Plainfield, in Will County, thirty- 
 six miles south-west of the place of meeting. This 
 animal was the property of Reuben Flagg, a good 
 
 farmer residing near Plainfield, who has recently 
 passed away. He started with the dressed hog on 
 a sled and succeeded in getting lost, somewhere 
 just outside the present city limits. Not arriving 
 in time a delegation of ministers was sent out from 
 the conference to lind him. This tlu;y were for- 
 tunate enough to do, all being much rejoiced, it is 
 said, at the sight of the wandering farmer ami 
 especially of the fat i)orkcr on the sled. \ow the 
 question is whether this dressed hog shipped from 
 Phiinfield to Chicago in 18.11, is not the first sliip- 
 ment of the article to this market on record, the 
 initiatory arrival (/f a produc^t which in 1871, ag- 
 gregated two million, live hundred and twcnt}'- 
 eight thou.sand, one hundred eight head." 
 
 (ieorge W. Flagg, of whom these lines arc writ- 
 ten was reared on a faini and educated in the dis- 
 trict schools, of this his native county. He early 
 displayed the patriotism that made him a good sol- 
 dier and before the war became a mcml)er of the 
 Plainfield Light Artillery, and at the time of the 
 first call for tr<iops, in April, 1861, he was Second 
 Lieut Miant of his company, vvhich offered its ser- 
 vices to the government and was sent to Cairf), 
 and was there organized as Company K, Tenth 
 Illinois Infantry, and mustered in for three months. 
 Our subject served until the expiration of his 
 term of enlistment, and in September, 18GI, again 
 volunteered for the defence of his country, enlist- 
 ing in Company K, Eighth Illinois Cavahy, and 
 was mustered in as Second Lieutenant. He was 
 with his regiment until 18G2, when he resigned on 
 account of ill iiealth and returned home to resume 
 farming on section 31. of Du Page Township and 
 lived there until 1872. In that year, .as his health 
 w.as not good, he went to Grcelej-, Col., and there 
 engaged in livestock business for five years. At the 
 expiration of that time he returned to Will County 
 and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 here. He owns five hundred acres C)f as fine farming 
 land as is to be found in the county, located in 
 Du Page and Lockport Townships. He has a 
 handsome and substantial residence which he oc- 
 cupies in Plainfield, and is managing his large agri- 
 cultural interests with more than ordinary success. 
 
 In 1861, Mr. Flagg and Marava Colegrove 
 united their lives and fortunes. She is a native of 
 
W4 
 
 PORTnAIT ANH UKK ; i: A I'l 1 1( A 1. A1.IU7M. 
 
 Wlit'iillaiid 'r<>«vii!<lii|). Will ('oiiiily, iiinl n ilitii^litcr 
 of Li'stc'i- <;. mill l.iuTctift ( Iny:or»(>ll) ('oli'f;nivc, 
 iif wliotii »t'i' ^kctc•ll. Two cliilili'i'ii Imvc rrsultfil 
 friiin this initrringf, (ioor^p K. nml .Ici'itinc I-°. 
 Clu'sler lii[,'fi><>lf. Ilio Kntiiilfatlior i>f Mrs. Fin^jr, 
 k<-|it llif llr.tl liiilcl Hint wns (i|iom('iI in llif i-ily of 
 Cliiciigo. 
 
 Mr. Finjig's loyal cunrsi' wlicii oni I'liuiiliy ";is 
 tl)ivnl«MU'il Willi mill, :ui<l lii.s !(trnii,'lilforw!iril. 
 niiiiily roiiiliu-t ill till llio nITnir.s of life. Imtli lir- 
 forc iiml siiici' that tiiiic. mark him as a man who 
 is an honor to thf <'iti/<-nslii|i of his native coiinly. 
 
 „;'w.' 
 
 CIIAUI.Ks I'AI i.l. |Mo|)ri.-tor of the Na- 
 tional Hotel at .lolii't. coiint.s his rrienils liy 
 the score amoiii; the traveling; pnlilie, anil 
 wliuever is so fortunate as to sojourn oiiei' umh'r 
 his liiis|iitaMi> roof, repcat.s the ex[)erinicnt at the 
 earliest o|)|>ortuuity. 'I'he National is coinfortaMy 
 e(|ui|i|>ecl with nil the reiiuisitcs ftir rest and re- 
 freshmont. "Mine host" exerts himself to he 
 eourteoiis mill ohlisiiii,', ami is evidently o|(erating 
 witii a tliori>u<>;li understanding of his Inisiiicss. 
 
 'i'lie snhjeet of this noliec, a. native of the King- 
 dom of Saxony, was liorn May 2H, I8;J7, and is the 
 son of an old soldier of the (lerman army, llenr}' 
 I'aiili, who died in <!ermany, in IS7.'J, at the ad- 
 vanced age of ninety-two years. lie had distiii- 
 Suished himself for hravery and fidelity to duty, 
 and for many years was in the enjoyment of a 
 (tension from the (government. 
 
 In accordance with the laws and customs of his 
 ii.ative country, ^Ir. I'aiili w.-is placc-d in school at 
 an enrl^- age and pursued his studies several years, 
 acipiiring a good education in his native tongue, 
 lie remained a re^^ident of his native place until a 
 nriii of twenty -eight years, and then resolved to 
 seek his fortunes in America. Accordingly, in the 
 Slimmer of IH(i."i he set out for the New World on 
 a steam vessel named New York, which in due time 
 l.'Uideil him safely in New York t'ily. Thence not 
 lung afterward he repaired to St. Louis, Mo,, and 
 from there migrated to lOlwarils ('muilv, Kan.. 
 
 where he sojourned two years, lie afterward fol- 
 loweil cigar making in Detroit, Mich., three <jr four 
 j'ear.f, from IH77 to IKMI. In the spring of the 
 latter year he enme to .loliet, where he pursued his 
 trade of a cigarmaker until purchasing the hotel 
 of which he is now proprietor. 
 
 I I on liecomiiig a voting citi/.en Mr. Paiili iilen- 
 tilied himself with the Denutcratic party, lie is 
 eiiiinently social in his instincts, helonging to the 
 Old Soldiers' Society, a (tcrman order nourishing 
 wherever there is a large niimher of (lerinaii 
 soldiers, lie also helongs to the .■sharpshootiTs and 
 the N'oe.al Minstrel .Society of .loliet. 
 
 Mr. I'aidi took unto himself a wife and helpmate 
 in Octoher, IKMO, heiiig wedded to Miss Lena An- 
 liardt. This lady was horn of parents who were 
 natives of ( Germany, and who are now deeense<l. 
 < K this union 'here are no ehildreii. .Mr. I'auli's 
 mother hole the maiden name of Doretta Bock; 
 she is now clecciieil. The National Hotel is a solid 
 stone liiillding, containing seventy two rooms and 
 thftroughly eipiipped for the purposes to which it 
 is adapted. It was the lirsl hiiildinLT of the kind 
 erected in Joliet, and although an old timer, is in a 
 perfect sUite of preservation and goml for many 
 j'ears to come. 
 
 -k9 
 
 \^A.S(>N L.WILSON. Amrmg the live real- 
 estntc men of the nourishing little city of 
 ! .loliet. is found .Ia.soii L. Wilson, who was 
 '^^ born in this city, Novemher II, 18.'>8. lie 
 is a son of (!eorge and Martha (Katon) Wilson, 
 holli of whom are natives of .Mjinchester. N.II. The 
 fwther started out in life as a farmer, hut lenrned 
 the carpenter's trade, which he suhseqnently fol 
 lowed. In I«.i2 he left the (Granite Slate to liiid a 
 home in the prairie lands of the Mississippi Valley. 
 Iiringiiig with him his family, which then com- 
 prised two children. These were .lolin, now cashier 
 of tlie rolling mills, and Mrs. .lennie Mcliuire, 
 also f>f this city. After Mr. and Mi-s. Oeorge Wil- 
 son hocamc resider.ls of .loliet four children were 
 I'oin to them. Two of these, Georjic and Katon 
 
■■■V 
 
 ^t-^t^-p^nJ^ 
 
 ^i^^^ 
 
 />^\X^^t-<^S> 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 365 
 
 are deceased; "he living are Charles, a grocery 
 dealer in .Toliev and our subject. 
 
 'I'lic geii11<'inaii of whom wo write received a 
 good c'oiniiioii-siiioo! education and began liis act- 
 ive life MS a I'lerk in :i grocery store, in which lie 
 remained ahuut four years. lie then became a 
 clerk in the local oflicc of the Alton U'ailroad, 
 spending eleven years in tiie employ of tliat lail- 
 road corporation, four of wliich were passed in 
 Chicago as chief clerk of the local office there. He 
 returned to .loliet as agent of the Chicago & St. 
 Louis, now tiie Santa Fe Railroad, continuing in 
 tiiat capacity 11 Vi^ years. In 188',) he entered upon 
 the sale of real estate, which lie still pursues, hav- 
 ing in December of that year formed a pnrtncrshiii 
 with Henry H. Mctiuire. 
 
 In Miss Laura A'andenburg, a cultured and lov- 
 able young lady of this city, Mr. Wilson found 
 the qualities of heart anil mind which he desired 
 in his life companion. After a successful wooing, 
 the rites of wedlock were celebrated between them 
 July 22, 1S82. They have three living children, 
 named respectively: (Jeorge, Blartha and Anita. 
 Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of AV. L. \andeiiburg, 
 originally of the Empire State. Mr. AN'ilson af- 
 lili.ates with the Masonic fraternitj'. He possesses 
 decideil business ability, is well informed regard- 
 ing the world's progress, and is reputed honest, re- 
 liable and straightforward in all his dealings. 
 
 l/ILLIAM DAVIDSON. It is frequently 
 said that the pedestri.an learns much more 
 
 of the country than he vpho travels by 
 l)ublic conveyance, as be is brought much closer to 
 the jieople and has a better opportunity to observe 
 their habits and to learn their characteristics, and 
 also sees, as rapid transit will not permit, the nat- 
 ural beauties or blemishes of the landscajjc. Did 
 time and space allow of a detailed account of the 
 experiences of the subject of this sketch, much of 
 interest might be learned regarding the ap|>earance 
 of various sections some years since and the man- 
 ner of life of the citizens. Although his experi- 
 
 ences were not always agreeable, yet his labors in 
 life were beguiled by many scenes both entertain- 
 ing and instructive. The stubborn determination 
 which is so characteristic of the race from which 
 he sprung and the feeling which has been so thor- 
 oughly* embodied in the well-known expression of 
 one of England's most noted men, that "England ex- 
 pects every man to do his duty," has characterized 
 his life labors and led to his success and present 
 assured financial standing. 
 
 The remote ancestors of our subject were Danes, 
 but for many generations they have been num- 
 bered among the English race. He of whom we 
 write was born in Tallantire, Cumberland County, 
 England. October 28, 1827, and is one of six sons 
 and two daughters born to Robert and Esther 
 (Howe) Davidson, who were natives of the same 
 county. The f.ather was a farm laborer. Thiee 
 sons and a daughter came to America, .loscith and 
 William making the voyage in 1850. 
 
 An old Englishman had been sent from Connec- 
 ticut to the Mother Country to secure one hundred 
 and fifty quarrymen, and under an engagement 
 with him the two Davidsons came to the Ignited 
 States, Joseph paying his own fare but William 
 being brought b3^ the company. The latter from 
 early boyhood had longed to cross the ocean and 
 rejoiced in the opportunity presented to him. They 
 landed in New York April 24, 1850. and began 
 their labors in the Connecticut quarry the follow- 
 ing da}'. Previous to leaving his native land young 
 Davidson had been railroading for six years and 
 prior to that time had been a farm hand. 
 
 Mr. Davidson worked ninet3-nine days in the 
 quarry, paying his passage money and quitting the 
 employ' of the com|)any when thej- owed him $40, 
 which they have never i)aid. Borrowing $7 from 
 his brother, he went to Philadelphia and thence to 
 I.altimore, from which point he started on a tramp 
 with his kit on his back. He went to Little York, 
 Pa., and had worked six weeks when tlie quarry 
 stopped and he tramped three hundred miles, re- 
 turning to within a mile of his starting point. 
 There he worked on a canal six weeks, after which 
 he w.alked to Dalton, Ohio, where he engaged to 
 lay tr.ack for the Ft. Wayne Railroad. Nine 
 months were spent in the employ of that company, 
 
5560 
 
 PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 during which Mr. Davidson put in the switches 
 and side tracl<s from Pittsburg, Pa., to Massillon, 
 Ohio. Ilis next change was to Michigan C'il.v, Ind., 
 wiiere lie took a joli of spotting tics on the New 
 Alh.uiy iV Salcni Railro.ad. The little money whicli 
 lie shoiihl have made was hist, a.« his contract w.as 
 but a verbal one, anil his eniiiloycrs thongiit he was 
 maliing too inncli for an old country man. 
 
 After this hard treatment Mr. Davidson left the 
 company and coming to Cliicago in 18.')2 was ill 
 for two weeks, after which he went on llu^ Illinois 
 Central Railroad at ICankakce, before tiicrc was a 
 house at that point. He got out all the stone used 
 on the road from there to Cairo, working at it 
 about four years, after which he took up his abode 
 in Jolict, where he has resided for thirty-four \ ears, 
 lie came here with Robert Cunningham and the 
 tiist work he did in this place was to get out stone 
 for the Universalist Church. He began work in 
 the quarry of which he now owns a share, his cm- 
 l)lo3ers being Wilson Bros, of Chicago, whom he 
 served eleven years as a foreman. He and W. A 
 Strong then bought the Swalm quarry, and after- 
 ward the Wilson, carrying on the two about four 
 years, when our subject bought his partner's inter- 
 est, besides other property. In 1869 he sold a 
 fourth interest to his brother and, in 1885, taking 
 in Heiu-y Kerber, organized as a joint stock com- 
 pany. The output has been from |100 to $150,000 
 per year. 
 
 Mr. Davidson has been four times married. His 
 first wife, Jane Sterling, was a native of Canada 
 and was of Scotch descent; slie died about three 
 years after their marriage. Mr. Davidson con- 
 tracted a second marriage with Ann Finney, a lad^- 
 of English birth; she was a widow with six chil- 
 dren, the youngest of whom was two years old at 
 the time of her second marriage. She bore Mr. 
 Davidson two children, one deceased, while the other 
 a daughter, Etta J., is the wife of John Pierce 
 and resides in Colorado Springs, Colo. After the 
 de.ith of Mrs. Ann (Finney) Davidson our subject 
 took unto himself as a wife and helpmate Rlrs. 
 Melissa Dewe}-, who lived twenty-one years after 
 their union. No children were born of this mar- 
 riage. Mr. Davidson married his present wife, a 
 most estimable lady, in the fall of 1885. Her ! 
 
 maiden name was Amelia Hegboni, and .she is of 
 Norwegian birth. 
 
 In connection with this sketch we present a lith- 
 ographic portrait of Mr. Davidson. Politically, he 
 is a strong Republican. His character as well as 
 bis business energy entitle him to respect, and he 
 is numbered among the most relialjle citizens of 
 the city in wliich he has resided so many j^ears. 
 
 -i*- 
 
 '^jr^==v 
 
 gaged since 1875. 
 
 /OIIN KllCI',senior member of the tirni of Kiep 
 Bros., IS with his partner conducting a well 
 regulated market occupying No. 117 Chi- 
 cago Street, Joliet, where he has been en- 
 Mr. Kiep is one of the native- 
 born citizens of Joliet, and first opened his eyes to 
 the light November 24, 1858. His father, Philip 
 Kiep. a native of Germany, emigrated to the United 
 States, in 1856, when a 3'oung man, coming ininie- 
 diately to the young town of Joliet, and in due 
 time was married to Miss Helen St. Julian. 
 
 The mother of our subject was a native of 
 France and born in 1834. She was thus four 
 years younger than her husband whose birth took 
 l)lace May 1, 1880. They were married in 1857, and 
 Philip Kiep sometime afterward opened a board- 
 ing house which he is still conducting. He and 
 his excellent wife are still living, being hale and 
 hearty and in the enjoyment of a comfortable sup- 
 ply of this world's goods. There was born to them 
 a family of nine children, six sons and three 
 daughters, all of whom with the exception of P. 
 Robert, the fourth child, who works in the Elgin 
 Watch Factory, are residents of Joliet. The others 
 were named respectively: John, Joseph, Frank L., 
 Philip D., Josephine, Mary and Theresa, and one, 
 Philip, dead. 
 
 The sul)ject of this notice attended the public 
 schools of Joliet and when starting out in life for 
 himself entered the employ of W. C. Wood, who 
 was engaged in the insurance business. Later he 
 was variously occupied until 1875, when he estab- 
 lished his meat market in partnership with James 
 McParilin in 1881. In 1884, selling out he went to 
 California where he remained until April the fol- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 367 
 
 lowing j'ear. He was married in Joliet, June 24, 
 18.S,"), to Miss Mary A. Rappal. Soon afterward, 
 in ooiui):iny vvitli liis brother Joseph, he established 
 the (irescnt market which is one of the most ira- 
 poitant institutions of the kind in the city, doing 
 a large business. He has miale as fine displays 
 (luring the holidays as an}' market man in the State 
 of Illinois, priding himself at this season. He is 
 a line judge of good meats and is fully appreciated 
 by his patrons who comprise the best people of the 
 city. He gives very little attcntiim to polities, 
 with the exception of voting the Democratic ticket 
 at the general elections. 
 
 Mrs. Mary A. (Rappal) Kiep was l)orn June 13, 
 18G4, in Joliet and is the daughter of Michael and 
 Antoinette Rappel who were early settlers of the 
 township and who are still living; they are pleas- 
 antly located on a farm two and one-half miles from 
 the court house. The two children born to Mr. 
 anil Mrs. Iviep were named respectively Loretta 
 and Ambrose. l>eing a descendant of a people be- 
 lieving in compulsor}' education, Mr. Kiep designs 
 giving liis children the best advantage in his 
 power. He is a Catholic in religion, belonging to 
 St. .VIoysius Society in Joliet. 
 
 \IL^ ERMAN N. DOESCHER. Crete Town- 
 sliip is not without its share of the fine 
 farms for which the State of Illinois is 
 
 ®) noted, and on one of these lives Herman 
 Doeseher, a successful farmer and stock-raiser. 
 Tills estate of two hundred and eight}- acres of fine 
 land near Endor has been the home of our subject 
 for fourteen j-ears, and to his efforts is due its 
 present state of improvement. He began his res- 
 idence in this township in 1851, buying one hun- 
 dred and twenty acres in the southern part, upon 
 wliich there was but little improvement. He has 
 since improved the farm and increased the acreage, 
 and made a small fortune b}- his persistent efforts 
 in agriculture and stock-raising. 
 
 In the town of Hanover, Germany, April 28, 
 1833, he of whom we write opened his eyes to 
 the light of daj-. He is the second in a family of 
 
 eight children, one of whom was born in America, 
 and was about nine }'ears of age when the family 
 emigrated to America, a settlement being made in 
 Lake County, Ind., where he grew to manhood. 
 There he completed his schooling, becoming pos- 
 sessed of a practical education, while under the 
 careful training of his estimable |)arents,he af:quired 
 right [irinciples and useful habits. At Hanover, 
 in that county, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Amelia Meier, who has been his efficient 
 comi)anion and sympathizing helpmate for many 
 years. 
 
 Mrs. Doeseher was born in Hanover, Germany, 
 November 3, 1834, and there re.a/ed to womanhood. 
 She lost her mother in Germany and subse- 
 quently came to America with two of her brothers 
 to join their father, Henry INIeier, at Hanover, Ind. 
 The latter afterward went to Iowa, and died at 
 Jefferson, Greene Count}', when about four score 
 and five years of age. His life work was that of 
 farming. Mrs. Doeseher was married about a 
 year after her arrival in this country. .She is the 
 mother of twelve children, seven of whom died 
 young. The survivors are Alvina, Lizzie, Bertha; 
 and PJdwin and Julius (twins), all at home. Mr. 
 Doeseher has been Highway Commissioner some 
 years. In politics he is a stanch Republican. 
 The entire family are attendants at the Lutheran 
 Church, and are regarded with respect by their 
 fellow-citizens as worthy representatives of their 
 nationality and the families from which they are 
 descended. 
 
 The paients of our subject were Herman and 
 Johannah (Steffen) Doeseher. The father was born 
 in the Kingdom of Hanover, and bred to the trade 
 of a rope maker, carrying on a rope-walk at Breraer- 
 baven for a number of years and until he came 
 to America. The mother was born and reared 
 near Hamburg, and was of pure German blood. 
 After the birth of all of their children but one, 
 they set out from Bremerhaven on a sailing ves- 
 sel for the United States. After a voyage of 
 seven weeks landing was made in New York City, 
 whence the family at once journeyed to Lake 
 County, Ind. This was in the fall of 1842. The 
 parents purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
 land in Hanover, whete they began their farm life, 
 

 :jG8 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and where they lived for about fort}' years. There 
 the mother died in 1881, nt the age of seventy- 
 eight years. Her liusbaiid afterward went to En- 
 dor, 111., and died at tlie home of his son Ciiarles, 
 December 2, 1887. He had reached the advanced 
 age of eight\'-four years. He had been successful 
 in worldly affairs and in gaining tiic esteem of 
 his fellow-men to whom his honesty and kindli- 
 ness were well known. His wife was an excellent 
 neigiibor, ever read}' to perform deeds of kindness 
 and both liad many friends, imrlicularly among 
 the German residents of liic coiinly in wliii-li (hev 
 lived. 
 
 — «- 
 
 #-|^ 
 
 ^^!=^EORGK Pir'KKL is numbered among the 
 lil j__, industrious, lliriftj' members of the farm- 
 ^^sSl '"g eonununity of i'lainlield 'I'ownsliip, 
 where he lias an exeellent farm, that is under 
 good tillage, is providcil with comfortable build- 
 ings, and yields a good income. Our subject is n 
 veteran of tlie late wai', in wliieli he suffered all 
 the hardsliips and privations of a soldier's life 
 for the sake of his country. He is a native of 
 New York, born near the town cf Albion, Orleans 
 County, Jul}' 3. 18:59, a son of John Picke!. He 
 was but four years old when he was deprived of 
 the care of his father by his premature death. The 
 mother of our subject married a second time, be- 
 coming the wife of William McQuenn, who was a 
 veteran of the War of \>*\2. and took part in the 
 battle of Plattsburg. In 1848, the family came 
 to Will Count}', and here our subject was reared 
 amid the pioneer influences that olitained here 
 thus early in the settlement of this section of the 
 State. Joliet was then but a village and the sur- 
 rounding country was but sparsely settled, giving 
 but little indication of its present prosperous con- 
 dition. Our subject attended the public schools 
 and obtained a fair education, and when very 
 young entered upon his career as a farmer, gain- 
 ing a good practical knowledge of agriculture, and 
 he continued to pursue that calling till he entered 
 the army. He had been watching the couise of 
 the war with patriotic interest, and August 8, 18C2, 
 
 in the very prime and vigor of a stalwart man- 
 hood, he being then but twenty-three years of age, 
 he proffered his services in tlie defence of the 
 Stars and Stripes, and was enrolled as a member 
 of Company E, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, 
 and served faithfully from that time until his hon- 
 orable discharge in June, 18()5, with thi' exception 
 of the time when he was languishing in rebel pris- 
 ons. 
 
 At the battle of Perrysville the regiment was 
 held in reserve, but it took .an active and gallant 
 part in the battles of Stone Piver and Chieka- 
 manga. In the latter engagement l\Ir. Pickeland 
 his comrades were captured, and for more than .'i 
 year suffered the horrors of life in rebel prisons. 
 After two days in Libby Prison, Richmond, they 
 were taken from there, and were then transferred 
 to Peraberton Prison, where they remained until 
 December, and were then taken to Danville. In 
 the month of April, they were dispatched to 
 Andersonville. were confined Ihere seven months 
 and after that taken to Florence. S. C, and from 
 there to Gohlslxnough, N. C. thence to Wilming- 
 ton, and were there paroled after being in the 
 hands of the enemy seventeen long and weary 
 months, when the}- must have often des|)aired of 
 ever seeing home and friends .again. Mr. Picktl. 
 though naturally of a vigorous constitution, suf- 
 fered extremely and became so emaciated that 
 whereas he had weighed two hundred and five 
 pounds just after the battle of Stone River, when 
 be was released from captivity he only weigheil 
 one hundred and sixteen pounds. 
 
 After our subject and his comrades were paroled 
 they were ordered to St. Louis, and thence* 
 went to Camp Butler, Springfield, and were mus- 
 tered oui of the service. After his terrible exper- 
 ience in [)rison, on the march and on the battle- 
 field, Mr. Pickel returned to Will County, and as 
 soon as able resumed his farming operations, that 
 had been interrupted when he laid aside the har- 
 vesting instrument to take up sword aiul rifle. He 
 followed agriculture in Jackson Township until 
 1878, and then bought his present farm, which he 
 is managing with good financial success, and he is* 
 a shrewd, skillful farmer. His land is well tilled, 
 his buildings are suitable and convenient, and he 
 
r 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 369 
 
 has CTOOfl iDachinery to work his farm, and does 
 what he can to promote the higliest interests of 
 Ills adopted township, and as a practical farmer is 
 contributing to Its material prosi)erlt3'. 
 
 ',_ ON. ABIJAII CAGWIN. The growth 
 )J) and prosperity of any city depends very 
 
 ^' largely upon the efforts of a comparatively 
 small number of her residents, to whose faith 
 ill the future of the place and wise judgment as to 
 methods by which to secure a rapid development, 
 other citizens owe the benefit which accrue to them. 
 Ill the city of Joliet an important part in the 
 iilibuildiiig and otticial worlc of both city and 
 couiitv has been taken by the gentlein.'.n whose 
 name stands at the head of this sketch, and wlio 
 merits the good will of the citizens for labors which 
 have resulted beneficially' to all who then made or 
 now make it their home. 
 
 The birth of Mr. Cagwiii look place in Verona, 
 (.)iieida County, N. Y.. May 10, 1807, and lie lived 
 ill his native place until he was nineteen years old. 
 He had learned the trades of tanning, currying and 
 shoemakiug in Rome, and going to Brockport, 
 Monroe County, he built a tannery, continuing in 
 business there until 1835, when the tannery- was 
 destroyed by fire, entailing a severe loss. The 
 people of the community were very anxious that 
 the owner should rebuild and offered him material 
 assistance, but he thought it would not be for the 
 best, although very grateful to them for their good 
 feeling and generosity. Some leather had been 
 left uninjured by the fire, and this he made up 
 into harness, which he shipped to Chicago, having 
 made up his mind to come West. 
 
 Mr. Cagwin left his old home in tiie Kmi)ire 
 State in company with one Hiram Janes, but took 
 on his own account a stock of goods, which he 
 peddled on the way through to Peoria, 111. He 
 visited a brother in Pekin, and then, having de- 
 termined to settle at Joliet, which was then in 
 Cook County, he loaded up the goods which he 
 had left in Peoria and set out for this place. He 
 bought a house and lot on the west side of the Des- 
 
 plaincs River and sold out his goods at auction. 
 Just before his settlement he undertook to cross 
 the river in a boat, but came very near being car- 
 ried over the dam by the current and drowned. 
 He was within twelve feet of the verge when he 
 was rescued by having a bed cord thrown out to 
 him attached to a pole, which he finally succeeded 
 in getting hold of. 
 
 In 1835 the land sale took place in Chicago, and 
 Mr. Cagwin purchased eighty acres southeast of 
 Joliet, after which he returned East and bought the 
 necessary equipments for a sawmill, which he 
 shipped to Chicago, and brought with a team from 
 that place to Joliet. He had some time before 
 [lurchased one hundred and sixty acres of timber 
 land, on which he purposed to begin the lumber 
 business. On his return from the East he pur- 
 chased a horse in Detroit, Mich., completing his 
 journey from that point on horseback. He began 
 getting out timber for his mill, doing what he 
 could until the following winter, when on horse- 
 back he went back to the Empire State, returning 
 in the spring with his family, which consisted of a 
 wife and four- children, the journey being accom- 
 plished by teams. In the party were four other 
 adults. 
 
 Settling on the land east of Joliet, Mr. Cagwin 
 began in earnest to build the sawmill, which was 
 soon completed and in running order. Such mills 
 being few in this section at that date, madesawmill- 
 iuga lucrative business to those who were engaged 
 in it. Mr. Cagwin did well, and in a short time 
 was able to pay for all his land and purchase sev- 
 eral lots in Joliet. He operated the mill until 
 about 1839, when his excellent judgment and 
 discrimination were recognized bj' his election to 
 the position of Judge of Probate, which office he 
 held four years. During that time he lived in the 
 city, where he built several stores and other edi- 
 fices, and in various way displaced his public 
 spirit. The first warehouse in Will County was 
 erected bj' him during his term of office, it being 
 the one now owned by E. Bush. Joliet was the 
 home of Mr. Cagwin until October, 1880, when he 
 removed to his present residence east of the city 
 limits on section 11, Joliet Township. The land 
 which he occupies consists of ninety-three acres. 
 
370 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 valued al :s>5()0 per acre, anil on it is a full line of 
 exoelUMil buildings adapted to various iiur|)Ose8, 
 the family residence being a model of rui;d archi- 
 tecture. Kor a long term of j'ears Mr. Cagwin was 
 engageil in l)uying and shipping grain, and he is 
 to day extensively known as the veteran grain 
 dealer of this section. 
 
 The marriage of the lion. Mr. Cagwin was cele- 
 brated at Brockport, N. Y., many years ago, his 
 bride being Miss Hannah Scribner, a native of 
 Poultney, Vt. .She is a worthy woman, possessing 
 more than ordinary intelligence and an excellent 
 Christian character. She has bonic her husband 
 ten children, eight of whom .ire living — Merritt is 
 a farmer in Lockport Township; Helen is the 
 widow of the late Dr. Elvis Harwood ; Sarah was 
 first married to .a Mr. Hibbard, and is now the 
 widow of the late Dr. Barrett, of .Jackson Town- 
 ^llip; 'rii()in.as is a resident of Milwaukee, Wis.; 
 Hamdeii lives in .Toliet; Rose is the wife of Burt 
 Briggs; Nancy is still with her parents; Abijah 
 resides in Kt. Smilli, Ark. 
 
 Mr. Cagwin's first Presidential liallot was cast 
 for Andrew .Tackson, and lie has ever been a stanch 
 Democrat, lie has held several important public 
 positions, having been the incuinlient of various 
 city offices. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity 
 and is a Knight Templar. Both he and his wife 
 lielong to the I'niversalist Clinrch. 
 
 
 IIELDT. Among the iesi)ected enterpris- 
 ing farmers of Washington Township, the 
 name of our suliject deserves mention as 
 that of one who in a comparatively short time has 
 accumulated a line |)ro[)erty and secured a good 
 position among the substantial men of the county. 
 He owns and occupies two hundred acres of fertile 
 land on section 27, and thereon has erected a full 
 line of excellent farm buildings, including every 
 convenient and necessar}' structure. Industrious 
 and zealous in whatever he undertakes, upright in 
 all the relations of life, and manifesting an intelli- 
 gent interest in the advancement of the section in 
 which he has made his home, Mr. Heldt is highly 
 respected by his fellow-eftizens. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Christopher and 
 Steiiia Heldt, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, 
 ill which Province their ten children were also 
 Iiorns. Two sons and six daughters lived to ac- 
 com|)aiiy their parents to America, to whose shores 
 they set sail from Hamburg in May, 1856. Their 
 passage was secured on the sailing-vessel "Ore- 
 gon," which made a landing in New York City 
 after a voy.age of seven weeks ami four days. 
 The family soon afterward came to Chicago, and 
 then located in I)u Page County. The^- were very 
 poor and at first had a hard time to get along, but 
 they were industrious and determined, and soon 
 their laljors were rewarded by their ability to 
 rent land, on which they made a goo<l living. The 
 l>arents were members of the Lutheran Churcli. 
 and not only led upright lives, but endeavored 
 to instill into the hearts of their children the 
 principles of right living. The mother died in Du 
 Page County, in September, 1864, when upwards 
 of three-score and ten years of age. The lie- 
 reaved husband came to Will ('ouiity some months 
 later, and died at the home of his son, William, in 
 Washington Township, in 1 SOS. He was seventy- 
 five years old. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was .laniiary 20, 
 1S12. In his native land he obtained the educa- 
 tion which (iermany ensures to all her sons, and 
 lalwred with other members of the family as his 
 growing strength would permit. After the re 
 moval to America, he settled with the others in 
 Du Page County, III., remaining there until ISG8- 
 In the meantime he had passzd his majority and 
 had t.aken uiilo himself a companion in life, with 
 whom he established his home in Will County on 
 eighty acres, which forms a |)art of his present 
 homestead. To this he added according to his abil- 
 ity', until the lauded estate reached two hundred 
 acres and all was placed in a line conditi(jn. 
 
 For nine \ears Mr. Heldt served as Road Com- 
 missioner, giving general satisfaction to the travel- 
 ing public, and particularly to the agriculturists. 
 His political adherence is given to the Republican 
 party. He ami the members of his family belong 
 to the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The lady with whom Mr. Heldt was united in 
 marriage in Du Page County, bore the maiden 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 371 
 
 name of Lucetta Stedt. Sbe was boni in Mecklen- 
 burg, Germany, Januaiy 8, 1843, and was fourteen 
 years old when lier parents eanie to this country. 
 She remained with tliem in York Center Town- 
 slilp, Du Pago County, until lier marriage. She 
 is a woman of intelligence and genuine worth, who 
 looks well to the ways of her household and en- 
 deavors to faithfully discharge every dutj'. (A full 
 iiistor}' of the family of which she is a member 
 will be found in the biography of William Stedt.) 
 Mr. and Mrs. Heldt have had eleven children and 
 mourn the loss of Rosetta, Sophia, and an infant 
 unnamed. The survivors are: William, a farmer 
 in Washington Township, wlio married Kmm.'i 
 Blevening; Amelia, wife of Henry C. Hansen, 
 whose home is a farm in Crete Township; Charles, 
 Emma, Fred, Ernst, Louis and Robert, who are yet 
 at home. 
 
 Sjj BLISS SHAW, M. D. The regular school 
 (>f medicine acknowledges one of its most 
 able followers in tlie person of Dr. Shaw, 
 one of the prominent physicians of .Toliet, 
 who has a finely equipped ofticc in the Barber 
 Building, and who enjoys an extensive and lucra- 
 tive business. He located in the city in 1884, and 
 gives his entire attention to the duties of his pro- 
 fession. From 1881 until 1888 he held the office 
 of Coroner. 
 
 A native of this county Dr. Shaw was born in 
 Joliet, December 1, 18(10, and was the son of John 
 K. Shaw, a native of New York City. The latter 
 was reared in the great metropolis, and was mar- 
 ried to Miss Martha, daughter of John J. Flack, 
 one of the early settlers of this county. The wed- 
 ding took place in Joliet, but the young couple 
 returned East afterward, and Mr. Shaw was con- 
 nected with the Michigan Central Railroad for a 
 number of years. He died, however, when com- 
 paratively a young man, anil before the recollection 
 of his son, J. Bliss. 
 
 After the death of her husband Mrs. Shaw re- 
 turned to her father's home in Joliet, where she 
 still lives. She was subsequently married to Har- 
 vey Downey. Our subject was the only child of 
 
 his parents, and was reared by his maternal grand- 
 father, John J. Flack, a native of Oswego County, 
 N. Y. Grandfather Flack came to Illinois in 1840, 
 and for manj' years was a resident of Joliet, where 
 his death took place in 1876. 
 
 Dr. .Shaw was a child of two years when he was 
 brought to this countj^ by his mother, and pursued 
 his first studies in the city "schools. At an early 
 age lie began serionslj' to think of adopting the 
 medical pr()fession, and entered upon his studies 
 under the preceptorship of Dr. M. B. Campbell. 
 He tOK^k his first course of lectures at the Chicago 
 Homeopathic College, subsequently attended and 
 was graduated in the class of 1884, from the Chi- 
 cago Medical College, the latter being connected 
 with the Northwestern University. 
 
 Soon after locating in. Joliet the Doctor was 
 elected County Coroner, obtaining the highest 
 number of votes of any candidate on the Repub- 
 lican ticket at that election. This fact is sufficient 
 indication of his standing and popularit3' in the 
 county. He has thus far made for himself a fine 
 record, and has the wishes of hosts of friends for his 
 continued success. He has a fine library, to which 
 he is steadily adding, and wherein he spends his 
 leisure time, keeping himself thoroughly posted 
 upon the latest methods of practice, while in a 
 literary point of view, he .is more than ordinarily 
 proGcient, being the master of French, and having 
 a good understanding of the German tongue. 
 
 After being graduated Dr. JShaw crossed the At- 
 lantic and spent seven months in the city of Paris, 
 devoting himself to the study of surgery, together 
 with venereal diseases and diseases of the eye and 
 ear, of which he makes a specialty. He there ob- 
 tained instruction from some of the finest practi- 
 tioners at the French Capital, among them being 
 the noted Galezowski. Upon returning to his na- 
 tive land he spent a 3'ear in the Michael Reese Hos- 
 pital, Chicago. In Paris he had charge of one of 
 the wards in the Hotel Dieu, the largest hospital in 
 the city. 
 
 Dr. Shaw was wedded, February 5, 1885, at the 
 bride's home in West Union, Iowa, to Miss Lida B. 
 Hammond. This lady was born in Joliet, and is 
 the daughter of King J. and Julia B. Hammond, 
 who were natives of New York, but are now resi- 
 
372 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 flenls of West Union, Iowa. Two hiis-lit cliildren 
 liavc been liorn of lliis union, a son ;in(l (iaiiuiitcr 
 — Artluii- !*>. and Laura IL Tlic I)(jclor, pulili- 
 eall}', gives his support to tliu RcpuhJican parly. 
 Imt niedclles very little wiiii pul)iic affairs, con- 
 scienliously devoting his attention to tlie duties of 
 iiis profession. Both he and Ids esliinalile wife are 
 members in good standing of the Methodist Kpis- 
 eoi)al Church. 
 
 ll.UiLKS FRA^'CIS PINNKO, 
 
 if III 
 
 energetic grocers of Joliet, is a iialiv<' of 
 ■iJfJ Will County, having lieen Imru ill Reed's 
 Crove. November 18, 18,)L As a farmer's boy he 
 grew up with au an.xiety for other and more con- 
 genial pursuits, which were realized upon his father 
 leaving farm life and removing to IClwood, where 
 he remained until his death in the spring of 187!». 
 Our subject on leaving the farm went to \eroua, 
 HI., and engaged in the hotel business, where he 
 remained until conung to Joliet in 1881, where he 
 first accepted a subordinate position, which in 1883 
 was e.Kclianged for the [)roi)rietorship of the Ijusi- 
 uess he yet maintains. 
 
 First class in all its appointments, the grocery 
 of Mr. Pinneo is a model and his business is a 
 thriving one. It is conducted according to tlie 
 most honorable methods, and with a high degree 
 of energy and tact, and the patrons of the estab- 
 lishment are sure of courteous treatment and square 
 dealing. Politically, Mr. Pinneo is a Republican, 
 as was his father before him. He is a member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, endeavors to 
 make his daily walk and conversation consistent 
 with his Christian jirofession, and so wins the re- 
 spect of those aliout him. 
 
 j\h'. Pinneo has been twice married, his first wife 
 having been Miss Mary A. (i rant. Their marriage 
 was celebrated Christmas Day, 1872, and they lived 
 happily together until January IC, 1887, when 
 death removed the wife and mother. Three chil- 
 dren had blessed the union, only one of whom. 
 Amy G., is now living. The present wife of Mr. 
 Pinneo was formerly Mrs. Loretta Thornburg, an 
 
 estimable woman of intelligence and good breed- 
 ing, who looks well to the ways of her householil, 
 while nut neglecting the socitil duties and the so- 
 ciety of her many friends. 
 
 'I"he fatluM' of our subject was Charles Pinneo, 
 a uativ(( of Nova .Scotia, whose nalal day was 
 ftlarch 2C, 18U8. He was a man of pionounced 
 convictions, an anient worker in the cause of tem- 
 perance, a faithful and consistent member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and a most excellent 
 citizen. He died \\)x\\ '11 ^ 187;t, lamented by a 
 host of friends. His wife, Mary E., also died at 
 Elwo()d. her demise occuiiiig March 3, 1888; she 
 was born in Nova Scotia, August 4, 1812. To her 
 and luT huslianil eleven children were born, whose 
 record is as follows: William .Simmons is deceased ; 
 George Davenitort lives in Oakland, Cal. ; John 
 Baxter, in Will County; Mrs. Julia A. Elderkin, 
 in Montana; Mrs. Prudence Maria Shiffer, in Joliet; 
 Mary Sophia, Soplironia Eliza, Andrew Wilson and 
 Charles Albeit ore dead; Mrs. Sophronia Olivia 
 Childs, now a widow, lives in Joliet; Charles Fran- 
 cis is the youngest member of the family. The 
 paternal grandparents of our subject were John D. 
 and ICliznbeth Pinneo, also natives of Nova Scotia. 
 
 ^^RIFFIN MARSHALL. The subject of this 
 i|[ (— ^ iiutice is a son of the late well-known 
 ^^JjJ George Marshall, who was one of the i)io- 
 neer settlers of this county, coming hither when a 
 young man and before his mairiage. He w.is a na- 
 tive of New York State, as w.as also his wife, Mar- 
 garet A. Paddock. The I'addock family likewise 
 caiiie to Illinois at an early d.ay, and the parents of 
 our subject were married in this couiit\. Ihey 
 settled on section 1, New Lenox Townslii|), but in 
 1850 the father, seized with the California gold 
 fever, repaired to the Pacilic Slofie. He started on 
 his return home by the ocean route, died on board 
 ship, and was consigned to a watery grave. The 
 mother is still living, and makes her home in New 
 Lenox Township. 
 
 To the parents of our subject there was born a 
 family of seven children, of whom Griffin was the 
 
¥ 
 
 
 y^/yi/aytAj^ 
 
POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 375 
 
 liftli. lie first opened liis eyes to the liglit at the 
 lioiiicstcad in New l^eiiox 'rowiisliip, November 30, 
 IMIC. He" was a mere <'liil(l at the time of his 
 father's (hvith, ami remained witli his mother at tiie 
 (fhl liomestead until a|i|)roaeliinL; manliood, in fact 
 has here spent all his life vvitli the exception of six 
 nionliis when III' was in the army. He was bred to 
 farminfj pursuits, and has made thesis his chief ou- 
 ctipatii)M in life. He owns a p;u't of the old home- 
 stoad, his share being about (jiie hundred acres. 
 The land under carefid cultivation is very fertile, 
 and Ihc buildiiitis, wilhou) making any pretention 
 to elegance, form a safe shelter for the little 
 family. 
 
 When a man of twenty-six years Mr. Marshall 
 was married, December 21, 1872, in Joliet, to Miss 
 Lucy .1. Fry. She was born in Jt>liet, and is a 
 daughter of .loliu and Sarah (Kdmunds) Fry, who 
 were natives of Pennsylvania and New York, and 
 ■Ai\- now deceased. This union has resulted in the 
 biith of five children, namely: Kdward, Jesse, 
 Maggie, Louisa and Chester. They form a bright 
 .•md interesting group, all remaining under the 
 home roof. 
 
 Mr. Marshall has alwa\'s taken an active interest 
 in politics, and gives his uniform support to the 
 Uepublican party. His estimable wife is a memlier 
 in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 %AN1EL FERRISS. It is a blessing which 
 comes not to all, to have parents of whom 
 their childien may be proud and of whom 
 they may justl3' speak as models after which to 
 shape their own lives. The subject of this sketch 
 has the most intense filial feeling, and alludes to 
 his parents in terms of reverent affection that 
 proves them to have been worthy of his heart's 
 best love. 
 
 The father of our subject was Thomas F'erriss, 
 born in Washington County, N. V., in 1789, and 
 son of a surveyor who mysteriously disappeared 
 on one of his trips and was never again heard from. 
 Thomas Ferriss enlisted in the War of 1812 and 
 during a part of the conflict tcted as a teaijister. 
 
 On July 4, 1813, at the bride's home in I'enn.sylva- 
 nia he married Miss Desire ]-ake who was born in 
 Wilkesbarre, in I7S)II. She was the daughter of 
 Daniel Lake, a Revolutionary soldier who lived to 
 be more than four-score ami ten years old. The 
 I.,ake family was noted for the longevity of most 
 of the members. 
 
 About 1818, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ferriss took 
 up their abode in ^Vashington County, N. Y., 
 whence the}- removed to Jefiferson County a few 
 years later and from thereto St. Lawrence County. 
 On September 14, 183;), the faithful wife and 
 mother closed her eyes in death, leaving behind her 
 the memory of wise counsels which have left their 
 impress during all the 3'ears that have passed since 
 her voice became silent. 
 
 In 1844, Thomas F'erriss and his family came to 
 Illinois, locating in Lake County. F"ive ^ears later 
 tlie\' removed to Wesley Township, this county, 
 renting a farm which was the home until 18.54. 
 One year after their settlement upon it the father 
 crossed the plains to California attracted b}' the re- 
 ports of the successful search for precious metal, 
 and during the four ye;irs which followed he was 
 able to save $1,800 in gold. He then returned to 
 the Prairie State and located on the farm now oc- 
 cupied bj' our subject, and there he closed his eyes 
 in death May 25, 1875. His son Daniel had prom- 
 ised the mother upon her deathbed that he would 
 always look after his father, and right well did he 
 keep his promise, bearing the burden which would 
 have been too heav^' for the father's shoulders and 
 becoming to him a staff in his declining years. 
 
 The parental family comprised ten children, four 
 of whom are now living. David, who is now sev- 
 enty-six years of age, lives in Michigan; Mrs. 
 Rachel Gates is residing in Minnesota, at the age 
 of seventy-four years; Julia, born June 23, 1822, 
 and unmarried, keeps house for our subject, whose 
 home comfort she looks after with tender solici- 
 tude. 
 
 Daniel Ferriss was born January 20, 1819, in 
 Washington County, N. Y'., and even in childhood 
 learned lessons of hard labor. When not yet ten 
 years old he drove a three-horse team all summer. 
 While the family lived in St. Lawrence County he 
 worked in the brass furnaces and forge. Hi? 
 
376 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 school advantages were very meagre lint tiis native 
 intelligence anil the knowledge which can lie 
 "leaned through reading and observalion, have 
 taken the place of Ihc education which was denied 
 him. 
 
 After the family removcil to tlie Frairlc "^tate 
 our subject worked on the farm, assisUng his fa- 
 father to pay an indebtedness of iJiSO, which hung 
 over their heads when they reached here, and after- 
 ward improving their own estate, in the payment 
 of which he bore a part. The land which they 
 purciiased was nearly devoid of improvements and 
 to the energy and perseverance of our subject its 
 present condition is due. His labors are particu- 
 larly commendable as he has for many a year la- 
 bored single-handed in a literal sense. While 
 running a threshing machine, Octobei 24, 1848, 
 his left arm was drawn into the cylinder and torn 
 off at the elbow. He suffered amputation without 
 the use of anivsthetics or allowing anyone to hold 
 him. exhibiting fortitude extremely rare. 
 
 The one hundred and forty-seven acres on sec- 
 tion 27, which comprise the estate of Mr. Ferriss, 
 are adorned by a good stone residence, a full line 
 of substantial outbuildings and various fruit and 
 shade trees. Neatness and order prevail every- 
 where and it is hard to believe that such a variety 
 of work can be thoroughly accomplished with the 
 use of but one arm, and that even chopping, crad- 
 ling' of grain, and similar work has been done by 
 Mr. Ferriss since he suffereil the loss of his limli. 
 
 Mr. Ferriss and his sister are honest, God-fear- 
 ing people, whose lives are spent in consistent 
 endeavor to carry out the Golden Rule and honor 
 the name which they bear. They have never been 
 members of any church, although they lean toward 
 the Universallstdcnomlnation.liutgive their coun- 
 tenance and support to the good work of various 
 con"^regations. INIr. Ferriss served as Constable of 
 the township for six y«ars. Otherwise he has con- 
 stantly refused to hold oflice. He is a friend to 
 Masonry, his father having been a member of the 
 fraternitj-. He has always taken a livel3- interest 
 in the political issues of the day and since the or- 
 ganization of the Republican part}', has been a firm 
 supporter of it. Prior to that time he had been a 
 Democrat. His father was of the Universalist 
 
 faith and this no doubt is one reason why our sub- 
 ject anil his sister favor that church. They are 
 entitled to the respect of those about th'cm and re- 
 ceive their due measure. 
 
 On another page of the Ai.r.r.M is presented .1 
 lithographic portrait of the late Thomas Ferriss. 
 
 E^^ 
 
 UDGE DAVID WILLAKD. Years after a 
 stone alone remains to tell the story of 
 their lives, the memories of some will be 
 cherished b}' the generations who follow 
 them, and upon whose lives their efforts have left 
 a lasting impress. There is none so humble hut 
 that he exerts some control over those about him, 
 and the influence of a man of great mental and 
 physical activity can only be measured when time 
 shftll be no more. One of the landmarks of Will 
 County, and one who during his prime has taken a 
 very prominent part in local affairs, is the subject 
 of this review, who has now practically retired to 
 his farm on section 4, Wesley Township. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born June 
 13, 1818, in Alleghany County, N. Y., being the 
 second child of Daniel and Elizabeth (.Sanders) 
 Willard, from whom he inherited sturdy qualities. 
 His father was born in the old Ray State, in 1787, 
 becoming a resident of Washington County, N. Y.. 
 when a young man. There, in 1815, he marr\ed a 
 native of Ft. Edwards, the young couple removing 
 during the same year to Alleghany County. Dan- 
 iel Willard was a farmer, and during the War of 
 1812 had taken up arms in his country's defense, 
 lie lived to the advanced age of ninety years, one 
 month and nine days, breathing his last October 
 21. 1877. His faithful companion suivived him a 
 few months, dying July 2(!, 1878. She also w.as of 
 ripe age, having been born .Vpril 22, 17!t4. 
 
 Our subject was the fortunate recipient of good 
 educational ativantages, and made a specially of 
 algebra and field surveying. Being reared on a 
 farm he took some part in agricultural labors, and 
 during his early years taught school in the winter 
 season. Before he had attained his majority he 
 was put on the ticket us .School Inspector, but was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 377 
 
 not elected until the following year, when he was a 
 second time nominated, lie was afterward elected 
 Constable and Town C'ollector for three successive 
 years, and still later was the successful candidate 
 for Justice of the Peace, leaving home, however, 
 before the term of office ))egan. 
 
 When twenty-one years old Mr. Wiilard at odil 
 times engaged in the lumber business on the Alle- 
 gany River. His Hrst experience was as a raftsman, 
 a position which required a keen eye, quick wit and 
 physical activity. He frequently walked from 
 Pittsburg, Pa., to his home, a distance of two luiu- 
 dred miles, there being no means of transit other 
 than this. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Wiilard took 
 a companion, with whom he came at ouce to Illi- 
 nois, settling on a tract of unimproved land. It 
 comprised tlie eighty acres on which he is now 
 passing his days in peace and pleasantness. He 
 built a small house which, in 1857, was replaced by 
 the present cozy home, and which was gradiiall}' 
 surrounded with the various improvements which 
 a good farmer considers necessary for the success- 
 ful prosecution of his work, and the comfort of 
 himself and famil3-. 
 
 The vocation to which he turned his attention 
 as a means of support was not allowed to engross 
 the attention of Mv. W^ilhud, whose fitness for 
 office was soon recognized by his fellow-citizens, 
 who demanded liis services. In 1846 he was given 
 the position of Township School Treasurer, and 
 continued therein for years. Two years later lie 
 was elected .lustice of the Peace, and in this oIKce 
 he served until 1805. As Townshii) Supervisor 
 and Chairman of tlie Boaid he also officiated for 
 years, his service in the latter capacity having ex- 
 tended over the period of the Civil War. He had 
 to assess the citizens for the first money raised to 
 send the townslii|) quota for defraying ex[)en8es of 
 the army, and many friends were lost 1)3- this 
 action. His personal feelings, however, did not 
 deter hiin from the exercise of his judgment, and 
 the integrity with which he managed the atfair was 
 afterward overwhelmingly' endorsed. 
 
 In 1865 Mr. Wiilard was electeil Judge of the 
 County Court for a term of four years, ami being 
 re-elected, in 1869, he continued to serve until 
 1873. He removed his family to Joliet and made 
 
 that city his home during his second terra. His 
 strict honor, acute judgment of character, and de- 
 cisive opinions regarding right and justice, were 
 called into play while seated upon the bench, and 
 the lecord which he made is one upon which he can 
 look back with pride, knowing that his worst enemy 
 can find no just ground for condemnation of his 
 course. Judge Wiilard was first identified with 
 the Whig party, and after its disintegration en- 
 listed in the Republican ranks. His first Presiden- 
 tial ballot was cast for Gen. \V. H. Harrison, and 
 his last for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the descend- 
 ant of the hero of Tippecanoe. 
 
 Judge VV^illard is descended in the seventh gen- 
 eration from Maj. Simon Wiilard, who emigrated 
 from Kent County, England, to JMassachusetts, in 
 1G34. The father of Maj. AVillard was Richard 
 Willanl, who held a large landed estate in the 
 mother country. The Major was a member of the 
 General Court in the Massachusetts Colony, and a 
 participant in King Phillip's war. He had nine 
 sons, from the youngest of whom Judge Wiilard is 
 descended. 
 
 Tiie estimable woman who for many years has 
 lieen the cherished companion of Judge Wiilard, 
 bore the maiden name of Hodali Axtell. She is a 
 native of the Empire State, born October 27, 1822, 
 and is the oldest of three surviving children in a 
 family of twelve. S!ie attended the common 
 schools in her native State, acquiring all the knowl- 
 edge which an apt pui)il could, and .at her home 
 was instructed in housewifely arts and the princi- 
 ples of right living, which have made her honored 
 and useful in her home and among her neighbors. 
 Her union with Judge Wiilard was celebrated May 
 9, 184 4, and has been blessed by the birth of six 
 children. Tiie fond parents have been called ui)on 
 to i)art with four of their loved ones. The sur- 
 vivors are: Lois, vvife of Albert H. Mapps, of 
 Joliet. and the mother of one child; Reuel, who 
 also lives in Joliet, is now filling the office of 
 County Surveyor, and who took for his wife Miss 
 Cora Sibcrt; Alice died at the age of three years, 
 from tyi)hoid fever, which was a sad affliction to 
 the bereaved parents. Three children died in in- 
 fancy unnamed. 
 
 It will not be amiss to devote a few lines to the 
 
,378 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 uiifi'stiy of ]Mrs. Will.inl. Ih-r falliei', Cliauii(i'\ 
 A.xlell, was hdiii at Cruiuiiaii's I'alunt, N. Y., in 
 1786, ami licr iiioUrt, Bt-tscy (Morse) Axlcll, in 
 Otsego County, in 17il(5. Tiiey resiilod in tliu Kui- 
 |)iie State (hiring the life of Mis. Axtoll, who 
 passed away in .laiuiary, 1852. TIk,' same year the 
 bereaved widower removed to Illinois. locating 
 one mile Ti-rst of the present home of Judge Wil- 
 lard. There he remained until death, tiie date of 
 his decease being August, 1864. lie was a farmer 
 and lumberman, and respected by all who knew 
 him. Besides Mrs. Willard the survi\ ing nn'inbers 
 of his family are Axie E. anil Betsey M. 
 
 #^ 
 
 -V- 
 
 m 
 
 <*ANE CHADWICK has displayed a degree 
 of .administrative ability and comprehension 
 of business affairs winch would lie highly 
 creditable to one of the sterner se.\. She 
 is administratrix of the estate of the late .lolin 
 .loncs, of Manhattan Townshii), having full power 
 to manage the hve hundred and si.xty acres as she 
 sees lit, and is kept busy in .-itlending to the labors 
 which it entails upon her. The farm is rented anil 
 Miss Chadwick occupies a pleasant residence in the 
 village, which for comfort and ease is not excelled 
 therein. She is looked up to by everyone aud no 
 person in this vicinity has more friends than she. 
 The father of our subject was John Chadwick, 
 a native of Lancashire, England, who died when 
 his daughter, Jane, was a.bout eight years old. The 
 mother was Jane (Murray) Chadwick, a native of 
 Scotland, who upon being left a widow with nine 
 children, labored so wisely and well that she was 
 able to rear them with fair educations and prepar- 
 ation for future usefulness. She died in JMan- 
 chester, England, in 1852. She was a consistent 
 member of the Presbyterian Church and endeav- 
 ored to instill the princii)les of right living into 
 the hearts of her offspring. 
 
 The members of the parental family were Mary, 
 Alice, James. Jane, Joseph, Elizabeth, Henry, John 
 and Ellen. Mary and Alice moved to Australia 
 some years after our subject came to America and 
 have since been lost tra<'k of. James was in the 
 
 Twenty-third Royal Welsh Eusileers and served 
 through the Crimean War, becoming a Corporal. 
 At the close of the struggle he returnetl to Eng- 
 land, but a few weeks later accompanied the army 
 to China and his sister has never heard from him 
 since that day. She l\as lost trace of the entire 
 family and is not aware that she has a single rela- 
 tive living. 
 
 Miss Jane Chadwick was born in Manchester, 
 England, and reared there with .somewhat limited 
 school advantages. It being necessary that she 
 should early in life have an occu[)ation liy which 
 she could secure a livelihood, she learned dress- 
 making and millinery, serving a regular appren- 
 ticeship from sixteen until twenty. one years of 
 age. From early years she had made her home 
 with an aunt and about the time that she became 
 of age th.' health of her relalive failed and the 
 doctors reconiiiiBndeil travel as a means of restor 
 ing it. 
 
 Miss Chadwick was renuested to accompaii}' her 
 aunt and mule, and having consented, embarked at 
 (ilasgow, Scotland, on the steamer "City of (Glas- 
 gow," which sailed April 1, 1850. This vessel was 
 one of the lirst ocean steamers and this was her 
 first tri[). After a stormy voyage of fourteen 
 days and eight hours, during which Miss Chadwick 
 had been ill continuall}', landing was made at New 
 York. Vov three years the party traveled in aud 
 through man}' of the States of the Union, their 
 journeyings ceasing only with the death of the 
 aunt, which took place at Louisville, Ky., in 1853. 
 The bereaved uncle was obliged to return to Eng- 
 land and was most anxious to have our subject go 
 with him, but she so dre,aded the voyage that she 
 declined. 
 
 For some time Miss Chadwick followed dress- 
 making in Louisville and then, having friends in 
 Atchison, Kan., who had come from her old Eng- 
 lish home, she determined to locate there. She 
 traveled to Atchison by boat and there engaged in 
 dressmaking, making her home with her friends. 
 During those exciting times of border rullianism 
 which preceded the late Civil AYar, she saw and 
 heard much of the events which have become his- 
 torical. The head of the household in which she 
 had found her home, went South and was killed on 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 379 
 
 board n, boat at New OrU'aiis. his murder pioviiig 
 such a slioek to his wife that she too ilied and our 
 subject was again left alone. 
 
 In 1858, having been recommended by Atchison 
 friends to come to Joliet, III., which was then just 
 starting, Miss Chadwick turned her f.acc eastward. 
 Close confinement to sewing had affecte<l lior 
 health and lier pliysician advised her to do house- 
 work for a ciiange. Although she knew nothing 
 about housekeeping, she determined to follow the 
 doctor's advice and when she reached Joliet did 
 not even stop to eat her dinner for fear that her 
 courage would fail her, but started out in search of 
 a place. Walking up on the bluff, where she had 
 several amusing experiences, she finally secured a 
 situation at Mr. Furman Macks. There she remained 
 until she became housekeeper for the late .Tames 
 Jones in Manhattan Township. This gentleman 
 was not the best of managers, although an excel- 
 lent man, and Miss Chadwick manifested so much 
 ability' and good sense that he ere long admitted 
 that she was a better farmer than he, and followed 
 her advice in his business. 
 
 Seeing that Mr. Jones was not successful as a 
 farmer, Miss Chadwick advised him to build tenant 
 houses on each quarter section and rent the estate. 
 Tbis he did, the plan working so admirably that 
 he became one of the most substantial men of the 
 township. Miss Chadwick remained with him un- 
 til his death, when she lost a good friend. Realiz- 
 ing that to her advice he owed his success, Mr. 
 Jones wished to give Miss Chadwick a deed to the 
 farm, but she would not allow this, having no 
 desire to become defendant in a suit which would 
 swallow up the place and cause much hard feeling 
 in the minds of his relatives. She accepted a life 
 annuity, ¥300 j)er annum, which, with the adminis- 
 trator's fees, affords her a comfortable support. 
 Congressman Hill, of Joliet, was appointed by Mr. 
 Jones to assist Miss Chadwick, but she has the su- 
 preme power. She remained on the farm a 3'ear 
 after the death of the owner, straightening up 
 affairs and selling off eighty acres, leaving five 
 hundred and sixty in the farm. 
 
 In 1883 Miss Chadwick bought a half acre in Man- 
 hattan upon which she erected three houses, later 
 building her own residence. She is an active and 
 
 liberal member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in 
 Manhattan Township, and a memlierof the Ladies' 
 (iuild, for which she has acted as delegate and 
 otherwise labored. She is a firm believer in the 
 principles of Republicanism and exerts all the 
 infiuence which a woman of her standing can, in 
 favor of that party. 
 
 ^I/OIIN McDonald. No resident of Frank- 
 fort Station is better known than this gen- 
 tleman, who deals in grain, lumber, coal, 
 ha}' and tile, and who has had an extended 
 experience as a grain merchant. No better judge of 
 grain can be found in the count}' than John Mc- 
 Donald, and he was probably the largest buyer 
 within it in the early days of Frankfort Station. 
 He still handles large quantities, and is recognized 
 as the old and reliable grain merchant. 
 
 The grandfather of our subject was Jolin Mc- 
 Donald, a native of the Highlands, in Scotland, 
 who ran away from his country during a revolu- 
 tion and became a farmer in Ireland. He had pre- 
 viously been an officer in the Scotch Rebellion. 
 In County Tipperary. Ireland, his son "John was 
 born, and he also became a farmer, continuing his 
 agricultural occupation until his death. He was 
 also a road contractor. He married Ellen Gleason, 
 a native of the same county, who bore him five 
 children, namely: James, Patrick, Marj', Eliza- 
 beth and John. The latter is the only one now 
 surviving, and he alone came to America. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was December 11, 
 1823, and his birthplace in Count}' Tipperary 
 some six miles from Nanah. There he attended 
 school three years, going back and forth every 
 day, and securing excellent advantages by paying 
 seven shillings per quarter. He read Latin and 
 Greek and became well versed in the ordinary 
 branches. He was assisted greatly in his aspira- 
 tions and labors by the f.act the teacher boarded 
 with his parents. The master was very strict, 
 compelling his pupils to polish their shoes, brush 
 their clothes and in other ways make themselves 
 presentable every morning. Mathematics was the 
 
380 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lioliby of yomiy .loliii. who, wliilc lie w;is li<'liiing 
 oil the farm niifl kfciiini;- liis falliei's liook^, was 
 abU' to fiiiurt' anylliins. 
 
 After l<oi'|iiiis books for his father two yeais. the 
 youim man, at the age of eiglitcen years, came to 
 Amoiiea to sec the country. Leaving Dnblin for 
 Liverpool in the siinimer of 1811, lie secured p.ass- 
 a<:e on an American sailing-vessel and five weeks 
 later was landed in New York among strangers. 
 He had *2,000, every cent of which he spent in 
 traveling through New York, Pennsylvania and 
 Michigan. He did not engage in any occupation 
 until 1850, when he began work for the Michigan 
 Central Uailroad at New Hiiffalo, Mich, which was 
 at liiat limcthc ter'iiiiius of the road. Subsetpicntly 
 he removed to Chicago, where the i-oad termin- 
 ated, in I'S.O'i, and tliere he checked freight two 
 years. 
 
 In 18.'j4 Mr. McDonald came to Joliet, continu- 
 ing his employment as a (diecknian until 1857, when 
 lie received the appointment of agent at Frankfort, 
 which was just sl:irtiiig into life. He held the 
 position of agent until 1875, when he resigned. In 
 1859 he began buying grain for J. L. Heard & 
 Co., of Michigan, and he continued to transact 
 this comitiission business until 1870. He then cm- 
 liarkcd in the grain business for himself, but al- 
 though he desired to build an elevator, he could 
 not do so on account of the lease of the railroad. 
 He was- compelled to put his grain through their 
 houses until he caught them using Lis grain and 
 was able to break their lease. He then built the 
 second elevator in Frankfort, which was 35x50 
 feet on the ground and had a capacity of twenty- 
 five tliousand bushels. 
 
 In 1885 Mr. McDonald bought out the other 
 elevator which had bei'u erected in Frankfort, and 
 from that time operated both. On May 24, 1889, 
 the first was burned to the ground, but he did not 
 allow this catastrophe to interrupt his business. 
 That summer he built an elevator on the Elgin, 
 .Toliet & Eastern Railroad, at Frankfort, which has 
 a capacity of forty thousand bushels, is run by 
 steam power and supplied with the Cli|)per and Cy- 
 clone Dust Consumer. He sends grain to New 
 York and other large commercial centers and does 
 an extensive business, mostly in corn and oats, al- 
 
 though wiien he began Inlying, wheat and oats 
 were his staples. It has been no unusual sight to 
 see teams standing all around town waiting for the 
 use of the scales, the contents of the wagons pass- 
 ing through the hands of Mr. McDonald. 
 
 In the earlier d.ays of his career as a grain ilealer, 
 Mr. McDonald ran a corn-slieller d.ay and night. 
 In 1881 he began dealing in lumber, and it was not 
 long until he added coal to his stock-in-trade. 
 He has a hay barn and bales that article for ship- 
 ping, and he likewise does quite an extensive busi- 
 ness in selling tile. He is one of those busy men 
 who are always full of affairs and find time for the 
 successful iirosecution of various lines of work. 
 He is now the only grain dealer in P'rankfort, and 
 in this nourishing agricultural country a large 
 amount of trade passes through his hands. lie 
 owns a valuable improved farm of one hundred 
 and sixty acres in (Ireen Garden Township. In 
 addition to the business which we have noted, he 
 was agent for the American Express Company 
 eighteen years. The success, which lirst began to 
 crown his efforts while working as a commission 
 agent, has but increased in later years, and he has 
 secured amiile means. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. McDonald and Miss KUza.- 
 beth Doty, a native of Will County, took place in 
 Frankfort in 185'.). The union resulted in the 
 birth of four children, of whom the youngest, 
 Elizabeth Doty .died at the age of eight months; Her- 
 bert .lohn is a salesman for S. E. Gross, a Chicago 
 real estate dealer; Edward Everett spent two years 
 in attendance at the University at Evanston. and 
 one year in Souder's Business College, at Chicago; 
 (Charles Howard also attended the Northwestern 
 University, at Evanston, and is now engaged in the 
 ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
 Ohio. 
 
 Mr. ISlcDonald was Sujiervisor of Frankfori 
 Townshii) eight years, and held the oflices of 
 School Director and Trustee for years. He helped 
 to iiieoriiorate the vill.age aud w.as its first Presi- , 
 dent, resigning the ofiice at the expiration of- two 
 years. He is identified with the Ma.sonic frater- 
 nity, being enrolled in the Chapter and Command- 
 ery at .loliet and having a life membership in a 
 Consistory in Chicago. In politics he is a straight 
 
A ' 
 
 B. A. FULLER. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 381 
 
 Uepublican, iiiiil has Iweii fioin tho time lii' raist his 
 vote for Kicinoiit in .lolicl, in I80G. lie has served 
 at various limes as a dclcsale to county and State 
 conventions and was a member of the Central 
 Comniilt((e eijihl years. 
 
 j)OBERT W. CHOSSEN, proprietor of the 
 R. W. Crossen Carriage Afanufaetory, oecu- 
 41 \v pies a prominent positi(jn among tlie indus- 
 trial interests of Joliet. This enterprise is 
 loeated at Nos. 620 and 622, Van Burcn Street, 
 wliere it was established .lanuary 1, 188'.), having 
 removed from East Jefferson Street, and comprises, 
 l)csi<les the main building, a repositorj- 40x80 feet 
 in dimensions, with two lloors and an .addition of 
 one story, 20x48 feet. Mr. Crossen embarked in 
 business for himself in April, 1883, on Van P.uren 
 Street, near Chicago Street,commencing in a modest 
 way, but now gives employment to from ten to 
 fifteen men. This is the largest manufactorj' of 
 the kind in the place and receives orders from all 
 l)arts of the country. 
 
 Mr. Crossen is a native of Coburg, Province of 
 Ontario, Canada, and w.as born February 25, 1856. 
 Ilis father, Jackson Crossen, was likewise a na- 
 tive of the Dominion, where he lived until 1865, 
 engaged as a contractor of stone work. During 
 the year mentioned he came to Illinois and located 
 near Joliet, where, with his estimable wife, form- 
 erly Miss Van Norman, he still lives and is still 
 engaged as before. Robert W. acquired his early 
 education in the schools of Joliet and entered upon 
 his business career as a carjienter and joiner. Sub- 
 sequently he served an apprenticeship .at carriage- 
 making, vvhich he finished when a youth of eigiiteen 
 snd continuously worked at this until establishing 
 himself in his own business. He had but a small 
 capital at the outset, l)Ut by good man.agement and 
 strict economy he soon found himself on the high- 
 way to prosperity. The year 1889 witnessed the 
 largest amount of business yet turned out of this 
 manufactorj'. Twice has Mr. Crossen been obliged 
 to enlarge his facilities, and the experiment will 
 have to be repeated in the near future, lie is a 
 
 mail prompt to meet his obligations ancl his 
 straightforward business metliods command the re- 
 spe(^lfiil consideration of all with whom he deals. 
 His extensive business interests prevent him giv- 
 ing much time to (lublic aff.airs further than sup- 
 porting \)y his vote the principles of the Republican 
 party. 
 
 Mr. Crossen, on the 12tli of May, 1881, took 
 unto himself a wife and helpmale. Miss Mary E. 
 Simpson. Mrs. Crossen w.as boni in 1862, in the 
 Province of Ottawa. Canada, and is the daughter 
 of Benjamin and Sarah Simpson, who were na- 
 tives of Canada. Mr. Simpson came lo this county 
 some years ago and is now a resident of Chicago, 
 ofticiating in a printing oflice. To Mr. and Mrs. 
 Crossen there have been born two chililreii, daugh- 
 ters — Nellie .and INIaljcl. The little family occu- 
 pies a snug home at No. ',)08 Cass Street, ami they 
 have gathered about them many warm friends 
 since their sojourn here. 
 
 |n>)UEL A. FULLER. The legal fraternity 
 of AVill County would be but poorly repre- 
 |; sented in this volume were not mention 
 made of the gentleman above named, who 
 is one of the oldest lawj^ers living in Joliet, and 
 whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He 
 has retired from active life after man}' j'ears of 
 unremitting toil, by means of which he secured for 
 himself a fine footing in the profession and a com- 
 petence which enables him to spend his winters in 
 the South, and to enjoy all the comforts and even 
 luxuries of life. His home, which is one of the 
 finest residences in or about Joliet, is located just 
 outside the city limits and surrounded by over two 
 hundred acres of beautiful and well developed 
 land. Not onl^' is the dwelling itself an attr.active 
 one but in its furnishing it evinces the taste and 
 culture of the occup.ants. Mr. Fuller is a self-m.ade 
 man, as his life history will show, and as such he 
 deserves the greater credit for his attainments and 
 acquisitions. His nature is a genial one, his char- 
 acter honorable and his mental abilities of a high 
 order. In all his enterprises he is ably assisted ly 
 
382 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 his wife, who presides over their elegant home with 
 graeious iiospitality. She l>oi(' Ihc maiden name 
 of Edith Carpenter, and was l)orn in the Kmpire 
 Slate to Alfred and Susan (Far,ij:o) Carpenter. She 
 became the wife of Mr. Fnlli-r .laniiary 28, 1885. 
 
 The natal day of Mr. Fuller was August 8, 1832. 
 his liirlh having taken place in Edgar County, 111., 
 about six miles east of Paris. His parents, Hiram 
 and \ancy (Murphy) Fidler, made their first set- 
 tlement after marriage in the county where he w.as 
 liorn, whence they removed to Coles County, and 
 then to Danville. There tiic father died in 1841, 
 the mother surviving until 1 Hfil). They had a fam- 
 ily of five children, of whom our suliject was the 
 second. The father was born amid the Green 
 Mountains in \'erniont and the mother in Miami 
 County, ( ihio. 
 
 The earliest recollections of onr subject are of 
 Danville, where his life was [lasscd till the age of 
 ten years, at which time he went to Perrysville, 
 Ind., and entered a printing oilice. There he was 
 employed about two years and a half, when he re- 
 turned to his former home, spending a short time 
 in an oflice there and going thence to Covington, 
 Ind. In that thriving town he spent some time, 
 leaving it for ;i position in Peoria, III., whence he 
 was driven several months later by the breaking 
 out of the cholera. Iveturning again to Danville, 
 which was his home during all this time, be after a 
 short sojourn took his departure for LaI<"ayette,Ind., 
 walking the entire distance, having but a small 
 amount of money which he had borrowed to help 
 him along. There he was employed on the LaFay- 
 ette Covrier for several months, and being a good 
 type setter, although but a boy, he was able to do 
 a man's work and he received as much pay for his 
 labor as any one in that branch of the business. In 
 that city he was connected with others in publishing 
 the Wabash Scratches, which was in great demand 
 during the months of its publication. 
 
 We next find young Fuller in connection with 
 Daniel Clapp, of Danville, III., pu*ilishing the 
 Ti' in pc ranee Jnurnal <iml Sons Companion, an en- 
 teri)rise which w.as not carried on, however, for 
 any great length of lime. New Albany, Ind., was 
 the next abiding |ilace of the young man, who re- 
 mained in that city nearly a year, next going to 
 
 Madison, where he became foreman on a paper, 
 known as the Madison Banner, and published by 
 Bright Bros. Several months later, on July 2, 
 18.'j2, he came to.Toliet and purchased a half inter- 
 est in the True Democrat, his associate being Alex- I 
 andei Mcintosh. The succeeding summer he sold 1 
 his cfuinection with the paper on account of sick- ^ 
 ness and for a time, while regaining his health, he 
 was in a daguerrcoty|)e gallery learning the busi 
 ness but not with a view to following it perma- 
 nently. 
 
 Soon after this Mr. Fidler went to Chicago, find- 
 ing cmploynient in the job oilice of the Jonrnnl 
 for ;i few months and then being transferred to the 
 foremanship of the news department. There he 
 remained but a short time ere entering the oilice 
 of the Chicago Democrat, then edited by "Long 
 .lohn" Wentworth, from which he went to that of 
 the Di'moi-ralic Press. Some months later he pur- 
 chased a half interest in a grocery store at the cor- 
 ner of Randolpli and Greene Streets and embarked 
 in the career of a tra<lesman, buying out his asso- 
 ciate after a year of partnership and removing the 
 stock- to Joliet. Here he carried on the business 
 about a twelvemonth when he sold out the slock 
 and fixtures and returned to his former line of 
 labor. 
 
 The spring of 185G found Mr. Fuller the puichaser 
 of the Democrat office at Kankakee, and the editor 
 and man.ager of that sheet for a year, during which 
 period he began reading law. In 18.58, he was ad- 
 mitted to the bar and entered into partnership with 
 .ludge S. W. Ramlall and the Hon. Henry Snap|), 
 the firm being known as Randall, Snapp & Fuller. 
 The connection continued about a year when the 
 second member withdrew, the firm thereafter being- 
 known as Randall ife Fuller, until the admission 
 into it of Royal E. Barber, a sketch of whom ap- 
 pears elsewhere in this volume. The new firm of 
 Barbcu', Randall & Fuller continued until the early 
 part of the last decade, when Mr. Fuller withdrew 
 and abandoned the practice of the law. The firm 
 of R'-'.ndall ife F'uller was the oldest law partnership 
 in .loliet, Mr. Barber's connection with them cov- 
 ering a period of about three years. 
 
 Since his withdrawal from legal business in 1882, 
 Mr. Fuller has passed his winters in the South and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBLM. 
 
 385 
 
 liis siinmiers in various sections to which fancy has 
 led iiini. On two different occasions lie was elected 
 City Attorney, but he has had no particular liking 
 for politics and has not cared to fill pnlilic olliccs. 
 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity' and has 
 lieeu an Odd Fellow since 1852. 
 
 -*--:i»^^:^i:;i^^^t5^^^^ 
 
 KV. JAMES LKWIS, Pastor of the Central 
 I'resiiyterian Church at Jolict, was called 
 ■'•*^ \'* to this charge in May, 1882, and has since 
 vi^j been connected with it. He is a minister 
 of talent, and greatly beloved both as pastor and 
 preacher. Thoroughly educated and alive to the 
 duties of Ills calling, his has been the rare privilege 
 to piir.suc a career of more than ordinary useful- 
 n(>ss and success. He is a native of Hamden, 
 Delaware County, N. Y., and was born May 23, 
 18;5(;. 
 
 Mr. Lewis comes of substantial ancestry, being 
 the son of Alexander and Rebecca (Crawford) 
 Lewis, who were natives respectively of Peebleshire 
 and Argyleshire, Scotland, whence they came to 
 Aiiicrica in LS34. The father was a weaver by 
 liadc, aiul a well-educated man, and after coming 
 to this country occupied himself as a teacher, and 
 also engaged in farming pursuits. The children 
 of the parental household are recorded .is follows: 
 William C. occupies himself as a lumberman in 
 Delaware County, N. Y.; James, our subject, was 
 the second born; Alexander. Jr., is assistant engi- 
 neer of railway construction in that county; Mathew 
 C, who earned the title of Captain by defending 
 tli(^ I'nion in the late war, is a contractor and 
 builder, mostly in the railway service, making his 
 headquarters in his native county; Louis K. is a 
 dyer of Delhi, N. Y., and although nearly blind 
 turns out Some remarkably fine work: Celia, Mrs. 
 .Smith, died at Delhi, N. Y.. in the year KSG8; Jen- 
 nie C. also died at Delhi, in 18()5, when an inter- 
 esting maiden of eighteen j-ears; Margaret, Mrs. 
 Boyd, is a resident of Hays City, Kan., where her 
 husband odieiates as .Superintendent of Public In- 
 structiiin; Hc^bei'ca died in lla\s City, Kan., In 
 18X1. Alexander Lewis departed this life at his 
 home in Ilaindei). Delaware Count\-, N. Y., in 
 
 1886. at the age of seventy-three years; the mother 
 died in Hays City, K:in.. March 3, 1890, at the age 
 of seventy-nine. 
 
 The subject of this notice spent his lioyhood 
 days in his native count}-, and from the age of 
 ten to seventeen was employed in a woolen fac- 
 tory. He then served an apprenticeship at house 
 painting and paper hanging. In the meantime, 
 however, he kept steadily in view his desire and 
 determination to acquire a thorough education, and 
 now commenced in earnest to put his resolution into 
 practice. When nineteen years old he began to 
 prepare for college under the instruction of Pro- 
 fessors Sawj-er and E. G. Cobb, with each of 
 whom he remained one year. 
 
 In 1857 young Lewis became a student of Am- 
 herst College, wherein he took the full course and 
 was graduated in 1861. For one year afterward 
 he was employed as a teacher in the academ}' at 
 Ithaca, N. Y. The Civil War now being in 
 progress, he deemed it his dut}- to lay aside his 
 personal plans and interests, and entered the Union 
 service, .September 27, 18G2, as Captain of Com- 
 pany C, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New 
 York Infantry. In July, 1863, he was puomoted 
 to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and after com- 
 commanding his regiment in this capacity ten 
 months, was presented, in November, 1864, with 
 the commission of Colonel. He remained in the 
 army until the close of the war, and was mustered 
 out in July, 1865. He was present at many im- 
 portant battles, including the sieges of Suffolk and 
 Charleston, in 1863, the battles of John's Island, 
 Honey Hill, Deveaux Neck, James Island and in 
 several skirmishes. Although experiencing some 
 hairbreadth escapes, he was neither wounded nor 
 cafitured, being permitted to return home in 
 safety. 
 
 Soon after leaving the army Col. Lewis entered 
 the Union riieolosrical Semi nary in New York City, 
 from which he was graduated in 1868. Then, us 
 one of a band of nine home missionaries, he re- 
 paired to the Westerr frontier, and soon organ- 
 ized a church of six members in Humboldt, Kan., 
 of which hi' continued the p:isti«- seven ye^rs. In 
 the meantime he had charge of all the Home Mis- 
 sionary work in that section, the Presbytery in- 
 
.TSC, 
 
 I'liRrUMl AN 1 1 lUUUUArillCAL A I. HUM. 
 
 rlmliuj; liuliau I'lliilniy. lie whi- c.iiliM Iiciii 
 llinl lii-lcl of liilior lo Uikf (.•Imrj^i' of llie l'ri'9l»3liT- 
 iail Cliiii'i-h ill Unwell, Midi, where lie reinniiied 
 until c'liiiiiii^ to .loliet. 
 
 'I'iie iiiniiiii;,'!' of the Kev. .l.-iiiie.s Lewis ami .Mi<8 
 Mary C«k' Kiirrnml, wus eelelinitetl tii ilie Imnie of 
 llie lifide's |>.'ileiits in Detroit, M ieli.. No\ eiiilier 1 7, 
 ISO'.). Mrs. Lewis wius Itorn in llnilson, Ohio, 
 August IG, 1842, iinil was the eldest cliihl uf Jaeob 
 S. aiul t)li\-e ('. Farrnml. She lieeiiine the mother 
 of four Sons and one danj^liler. and departed this 
 life at her lioiiu' in Juliet. Dceeniber 3, \t<H'.t. 'I'lic 
 sons of Mr. Lewis :ire luiined respeeliveiy : .laeol) 
 Farrand, .lames Lan;,^, Alexander and William 
 .Mather. 'I'liey are all at home with their father. 
 The only daughter. Olive Fariand, died at the a;;e 
 of seventeen nioiilhs. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Coo (Farrand) Lewis w.as a l.ady of 
 rare loveliness of eharaelcr, and proveil to her 
 husliand an invaliialile a.ssistant in his slru<rgles and 
 labors in the Msister's vineyanl. She w:is reared 
 with the best advantages of ediiealion aii<l amid 
 the choicest eiukanncnts of society and home. She 
 went bravely with her husband into a new eoiinUy, 
 cheerfully leaving the luxuries to which she had 
 been accustomed, and by a modest ami humble 
 <leineanor sought with all her inlluence to win 
 souls to Christ. She constanti}- kept in view the 
 work to which her husband was devoted, and in 
 all ways sought to commend herself and his minis- 
 try to the good opinion of all with whom she 
 came in contact. The manner in which she accom- 
 plislied this was fully atlestecl by the great inlluence 
 which she exerted, and the love and reverence in 
 which she was held by all. 
 
 Two of the most revered pastors who ever 
 worked among Joliet people, or preached to .loliet 
 congregations, repaire<l from their respective 
 charges to the scene of their former labors to add 
 their testimonj- to the beauty of character which 
 liad so iinpix-sscd all who ever enjoyed the personal 
 acquaintance of Mrs. Lewis. Probably there had 
 never gathered in Ccnlriil Church an audience im- 
 pres,sed with a deeper or more tender sentiment 
 than that which galliere<l to render its triliute of 
 respect to the memory of a lovely Christian woman. 
 After the usual opening exercises of song and 
 
 prayer, the Uev. A. II. Denn, I). I)., of Monm<iutli, 
 111., former pastor of the Ceiitrnl Chiireh and an 
 early friend of Mrs. Lewis, delivered an eloquent 
 and beautiful tribute t<i her nieniory. The Hev. 
 .1. \V. {'onU'V, a clergyman of the liaptisl Church, 
 and who had known Mrs. Lewis intimately during 
 the years of her residence in .loliet, p.aid a lilting 
 tribute to her virtues, liigli Christian character and 
 edicieiil service in the Master's cause. 
 
 Mrs. Lewis was possessed of r;ire <'onversational 
 powers, and many love io remeinber the words of 
 cncouragenuMit spoken to them by her during 
 seasons of depression, and when they most iiee<led 
 the counsel of a disinterested friend. She was 
 warmly attached to her hiisb.'ind. her children and 
 her home, and in addition Ui the duties connected 
 therewith, she still fouiiil time for a vitst amount 
 of work in all departments of the church. In 
 October, ISHl, she united with other Ladies in or 
 ganizing the Woman's Home Mission Society of 
 Chicago Presbytery, of wliich she wais chosen 
 Uecording Secretary. At its annual meeting in 
 IM85, she was elected Corresponding Secretary, 
 and held that otilcc until her death, in addition to 
 doing her full share of work .as a member of the 
 Ivxecutive Committee. 
 
 .Multitudes attended the obsequies of Mrs. Lewis, 
 but not from curiosity. Her mortal remains were 
 borne to rest in the city of her youth, and old and 
 young mingled their tears over her grave. .She 
 desired there should be no floral or other display 
 at her funeral, but the sincere sorrow inanifesttil 
 upon the occasion was a nobler tribute to her 
 memory than anything of a perishable nature. 
 
 Mr. Lewis w.as a delegate from the church of 
 this country to the established Church of .Scotland, 
 in 1S73, in the General Assembly held in Kdin- 
 biirgli. In 187S he w.as one of the Hoard of Visi- 
 tors at West Point, appointed by I'residenl Hayes, 
 and he delivered the address in behalf of the Board 
 to the graduating cl.ass. Hi- is a member of the 
 Cirand Arinj' of the Hcpuhlie. luid a Trustee of 
 Knox College atGalesburg, 111. Asa speaker, .Mr. 
 Lewis is clear, forcible and logical, holding the 
 attention of his audience, and presenting his sub- 
 ject in a concise an<l lucid manner, oioilied in choice 
 I lauKuaiie. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 :-.«7 
 
 Wo |)rcseiit to the iciiilcrs ul this volume a 
 lillio;irai)liic portrait of the Rev. James Lewis, 
 lie has hecii perinitlecl to accomplisli a large amount 
 of useful work, and it is hoped that he may yet see 
 many years in his chosen field of lahor. 
 
 \r()IIN BRINCKERIIOFF. The well-regu- 
 lated homestead of Mr. Brinckorhoff, and 
 which C()m|)rises one hundred and sixtj' 
 acres of prime land on section 31, stands as 
 a worthy mi^nument to his thrift and industry. 
 The lii'lds are neatly laid off with substantial fenc- 
 ing, the liiiildings arc convenient and in modern 
 style of architecture, while the latest improved 
 macliiiiery is ciniiloyed in the cullivution of the 
 .sod. The jiroprietor is lookeil upon as one of the 
 most ])ulilic-spirited anil ijrugressive men of the 
 township, the frieii^l of morality and education, 
 and who has given especial altcMition to the train- 
 ing and education of his children. (le commenced 
 in life iK'penilent mainly" upon his own resources, 
 and the necessitv whicli couipelled him to adopt 
 h.aliiis (tf prudence and industry has proved to 
 him invalualde all through life. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born at his 
 father's farm near Albany, N. Y., Ma^- 15, 183G, 
 and was but two j'ears old when his parents came 
 to this county. They located in Homer Town- 
 ship, where he grew to man's estate, becoming 
 familiar with the various employments of farm 
 life and .acquiring a practical, education in the 
 common school. With the exception of two years 
 spent in the grocery business in Chicago, he has 
 followed farming all his life. After reaching his 
 majority he was mart ie() in New Lenox Township, 
 August 11), 1858, to Miss Rebecca Breckenridge. 
 This lady was born in Canada, December 7, 1839, 
 and is a daughter of John and Margaret (Eaton) 
 Breckenridge, who were natives respectively of 
 Canada and Scotland. The mother died in Cook 
 County, in 1882. Mr. Breckenridge is still living, 
 making his home in Cook County. 
 
 To IMr. and Mrs. lirinckorhoff there has been 
 born a family of seven children: The two eldest 
 
 sons — Clarence E., of Chicago, 111., and Ccorge 
 E., in Oakland, Cal. — are successful practicing 
 physicians; Martin S. is fartning in Lockport 
 Township, this county; John .1. is pursuing his 
 studies in the Michigan State I'niversity at Ann 
 Arbor; Howard H., Gertrude \{. an<l Klmer E. re- 
 main at home with their parents. Mr. Brincker- 
 hoff, politically, is independent, giving his support 
 to principles rather than men. He keeps himself 
 thoroughly posted upon current events, and will 
 at once be recognized as a man of more than or- 
 dinary intelligence, and with whom an hour may 
 always bo siient in a pleasant and profitable 
 manner. 
 
 The father of our subject was IMartin B. Brinck- 
 erhoff, also a native of Albany, N. Y., and who 
 married Miss Eliza, sister of George \'an Duser. of 
 New Lenox Township, this county. After mar- 
 riage the parents settled on a farm near Alhany. 
 whence they came to this county in 1838, settling 
 in Homer Township on the farm now owned and 
 occupied by our subject. There they spent the 
 remainder of their days, the mother dying in 1873, 
 and the father April 30, 1889. The parental 
 household consisted of seven children, of whom 
 John was the fifth in order of birth. Two of the 
 others are living. The famil}- forms a part of the 
 highly res|)ectable element of this section. 
 
 ^ ARVIS C. THOMPSON. The Thompson 
 [ family, who have been residents of Joliet 
 ', since 18fi5, occupy no unimportant position 
 l^^ among its leading citizens. John Thomp- 
 son, the father of our subject, departed this life 
 June 13, 1860. His mother, Mrs. Ann (Miller) 
 Thompson, now stands at the head of a noted 
 family, foremost of whom is her son, Bishop Hugh 
 Miller Thompson, of the Episcopal Church in 
 Mississippi. She was born in County Derry, Ire- 
 land, in 1812, where she was reared and married. 
 She came to the United St.ates with her famil3' '" 
 1836, they locating first in Essex County, N. J., 
 where Mr. Thompson operated as r contractor and 
 builder, and where they lived until 1844. Thence 
 
.188 
 
 I'OUTKAIT AND IJIOGKAI'IIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tlicy i'omovi'<l tf) Cli'vclninl, Olii<>. wlicre llic fiitli»'r 
 ((illijivi'd Ills (X'oii|i:ilii»ii Hiiil ilii'il, iis lu-fori' sl:ileil, 
 .Imu' 13, 1H60, lenvinf^ n ffiinily of scviMi cliildrcn. 
 Five of tliOMc nro siill liviii;;, vi/.: Hiij^jli M.. Will- 
 inni (!., .loliii K.. Hiifus K. iiml .larvis C. 't'homns 
 J. servfd in tliu Union Aniiv ilurinf; llie t'ivil 
 Wnr, mill nu'l di-alli tin tlu' luillli'lii'M of Stone 
 Kivcr. 
 
 Mrs. Tlioinpson iiflor llie ilcntli of licr liusliand 
 f!»ini', in IHlif). to .loiiel, wlicrp slie iiiis sincere- 
 sided. Jnrvis C, onr siilgeet. was liorn in t'leve- 
 Iniitl, Ohio. I'ebnniry '2(>, 18."i2, nnd was liiiis <i lad 
 of lliirleen yoiirs when llie fiuniiy ennie to Illinois. 
 lie attended the public sriiools of Cleveland, and 
 Inter wn.s a student at Nashola, Wis.. Iiavinj; a 
 private tutor. When eompleting his studies he 
 returned to .loliet. and engaged with Messrs. King 
 it 'I'ruhy. ill the luinlier traile. Subsequently he 
 was with King & Bishop, lie next entered the 
 employ of the William A. Wood Reaper it Mower 
 Company, having eh.-irge of their luniber-ynrd at 
 Youngstown, Ohio, and was in the ciD|iloy of this 
 firm three years. Prior to this lime he had been a 
 car reporter in the employ of the Miehigan C'en- 
 tral Railroad. After returning from Ohio he re- 
 engngeil with .lohn Lyons, with whom he still re- 
 mains. He votes with the Deiiioeialic party. 
 Hugh Miller Thompson, the brother of our miIi- 
 ieel. is a self-eduealed man — one who started out 
 in life dependent upon his own res<inreos. He 
 studied theology at N.-isluita, Wis., and was first 
 placed ill charge of a parish at Madison. Later he 
 was the pastor of ciiurclies .al Mil w.-itikcc and Chi- 
 cago, being in the latter city Rector of SI. .lames, 
 lie remained there until the great lire when all 
 his properly was destroyed. 
 
 Itisliop 'riioinpson later went to New York City 
 and other places, and succeeded in raising a largi- 
 sum for the rebuilding of his church in Chicago, 
 which now stands at the corner of Huron nnd 
 C'n.s,s .Streets. This completed, he received a call 
 to Christ's Church in New York Cil}'. where he 
 rcinnined a number of years. Thence he went to 
 New Orleans .as Rector of Trinity Church, where 
 he remained until eleclerl Assistant Bishop. Sub- 
 sequently he was elected Bishop of .Mississippi, 
 nnd is now fainiliarlv known as the Right Rever- 
 
 end Hugh Miller Tliom|)«on. ami bears n fine 
 reputation as a Christian gentleman and n .scholnr 
 of rare nltainmcntjt. He was morricr] to Miss 
 Anna W. Hinsdale, sister of Robert (J. Hinsdale, 
 foriiu riy rrcsideni of Hobarl College. New York. 
 They have four children, the eldest of whom is 
 a Chaplain in the riiitcd States Navy nl Mnres 
 Island. 
 
 William O. Thompson is an architect by pro- 
 fession, and engaged in business at Ml. N'ernon, 
 HI.; .lohn R. is n planter, making his licadquar- 
 teis, especially in summer time, at Horse Cove, 
 N. C; Rnfiis F. is engaged .'is a contractor, builder 
 and architect at Youngstown. Ohio. The sons, 
 like their parents, were reared in the doctrines of 
 the Kpiscopal Cliiin-h. .larvis C, our subject, is 
 a member of Christ's Church. Surplice Choir of 
 forty male voice*, one among the finest body of 
 singers in the Cniled .States. 
 
 ... •-! .'^vj'fci f-^ . c '. ■ ■ ■ 
 
 ^ A.Mi;s Ki:iR. Our country is indebted lot he 
 lands acros.s the sea for many worthy citi- 
 I Zens, ami a high place should lie .accorded the 
 ' Scotch, who are ever industrious, frugal and 
 strictly honest. The sturdy virtues seem highly de- 
 veloped in all dwellers in mountainous regions antl 
 it is easy to trace a ciimparisoii between the rugged 
 hills and the men who inhabit them. The Scotch 
 character not only possesses these sterner traits, 
 but is adorned with domestic virtues, as the land- 
 scape is by the blossoms of the heather and gorse, 
 and the dcvoijon to home and kindred is frequently 
 so strongly manifested as to cause thoughtless re- 
 marks regarding the "clanuishness" of the Scotch. 
 Clannish tlicy may be in their love for those of 
 their own blood, but this does not prevent their 
 appreciation of nnd love for all that is worthy- in 
 those about tliein, and their ninnifestntion of kind- 
 ness of heart to all in need. 
 
 The subject of this sketch isa finerepreaentative 
 of the r.ace which has produced a Bruce, a Wallace 
 and a Burns, ami a worthy descendant of two goo<l 
 families. His father. Alexander Keir, left his na- 
 tive lan<l in IH.'i'J to make a home in America, lie- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 389 
 
 ing followed in a few months by his wife, who had 
 borne the niaiilcii n!in:e of Catherine McNeil. Two 
 years were si)ent b3' them in New Yorli City where 
 their son w:is already residing, and they tlien came 
 to Illinuis. Settlement being made on a farm in 
 .loliet Townsliii), tliis eountj', tlie^' spent the re- 
 mainder (_if tlieir days here. Their family consisted 
 of twelve cliiidren, the subject of this slvctch being 
 the second. 
 
 Tiie natal day of James Keir was Ainil 27, 1H;?(), 
 and his birtiiplace, Perthshire, Scotland. He grew 
 ti) manhood there, improving his time by gaining 
 information which would tit him for usefulness 
 and a knowledge of work which would be avail- 
 able in his future life. In the spring of 1851 he 
 crossed the briny deep and, landing in New York, 
 found employment as a stone-cutter. In tliat city 
 he remained until 1851, when witli his father's 
 family he came West, finding employment for five 
 years in Chicago at the same occupation in wliicli 
 he had previously been engaged. He then settled 
 on the homestead in this count}-, where he has since 
 resided, giving his attention to farming. 
 
 lieginning in life without means Mr. Keir has se- 
 cureil a competency, now owning two hundred and 
 eighty acres in Joliet Township, two hundred acres 
 in Jackson Townsliip, and four liundrcd and fifty 
 acres in Manhattan Townsliip. The home farm is 
 made attractive by an excellent set of farm build- 
 ings, including everj' necessar}' and convenient ai- 
 rangement which will further the work of the estate 
 and add to the comfort of the occupants. The 
 other land owned by Mr. Keir is also well improved 
 and valuable. The possession of a large amount of 
 real estate is one of the best monuments to the zeal 
 and thrift of our subject, whose life affords a strik- 
 ing example of the success wliicU may be won by 
 persistence. 
 
 Mr. Keir chose for his companion in life a lady 
 of his own land and name, and amid the scenery of 
 Scotland in September, 1861, he was united in 
 marriage with Ellen Keir, who shared his fortunes 
 until June 20, 187G, when she was called from time 
 to eternity. Mrs. Keir was a notable housewife, an 
 affectionate and devoted mother, and a wife whose 
 price was far above rubies. She bore her husband 
 seven children, all yet living but George, the 
 
 youngest, who died in infancy. Agnes is now the 
 wife of Charles Richards; Alexander is a farmer in 
 Jack.son Townsliip; Catherine is tiie wife of Robert 
 ISIorrison, of .Idlict; KUcu, James and David, yet 
 remain under the [larental roof. 
 
 The ollice of Seliool Director has been held b}' 
 Mr. Keir, liis work therein having been acceptable 
 to the patrons of (he scliool and creditable to him- 
 self. In politics he generallv acts with the Repub- 
 lican party. He is a member of the Preslnterian 
 Church, as was also his wife, and he carries nut in 
 his daily life the principles of his faith, winning 
 respect and gaining good will. 
 
 yilLLIS A. STUAIGHT, proprietor of the 
 tile mill at Manhattan, is numbered among 
 ^J^^ the most enterprising members of the com- 
 munity. He is doing an excellent business in tlie 
 sale of drain tile, manufacturing all sizes from 
 three to eighteen inches, and shipping to all stations 
 along the Wabasii Railroads, and selling to home 
 trade. He keeps eighteen or twenty men con- 
 stantly employed, and getting out seven or eight 
 thousand tile per day. He has large dry-houses, 
 and four kilns, at least three of which are taxed 
 to their full capacity each week. 
 
 Grandfather Straight was a farmer in New York, 
 whence he removed to Livingston County, 111., 
 at an early day, continuing his former occupation. 
 His career has been a successful one and he at one 
 time owned two farms. He is now living in Pair- 
 bury and he and his trusted companion are the only 
 inmates of their home, being able to do their own 
 work, although the one is eighty-seven and the 
 other eighty-five years old. 
 
 In the family of the couple above mentioned was 
 a son, Rnfus C, who was born in the Empire State 
 and who came to Will County, 111., from the East. 
 For two^-ears he was engaged in the service of his 
 uncle, Daniel Cropsy, of Plainfield, after which he 
 bouglit land in McLean County and devoted a few 
 years to agricultural pursuits there. Selling his 
 estate he bought other farm lands near Fairbury, 
 
3'JO 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Livingston Counly, and was so suiaiv-^.TlLil as to 
 acqiiiie some ciirbt liundrod acres from a beginning 1 
 lli;it was made wilh -tiriO. lie first engageci in 
 farming and stoek-raising, and tiien embarked in 
 i-he tile bnsiness wliicli proved suceessfnl. From 
 1,S77 nntil 1 8«;i he ran a tile mill and also bouglit 
 and shipped stock. In politics he is a Repnblican. , 
 He has been a member of the School Board for 
 years. He is now ocenpying a fine residence in 
 Fairbnry and at the age of fifty-seven years is able 
 to enjoy the comforts of ease and plenty, seenred 
 by liis former industry. 
 
 The mother of our subject was known in her 
 maidenhood as Miss Fransina Abbey. She was 
 born in Cora, Pa., and is the (huighter of a 
 farmer who (iied in the Keystone State. She is a 
 noble woman, a member of the I'resby terian Church, 
 a devoted wife and mother and a kindly neighbor. 
 She has borne her husband eight children, namely : 
 Willis A., Lee S.. Lizzie, Kellie M., Guy H., Stella, 
 who are now living; Lena, who died at the age of 
 ten year.s anil an infant who died unnamed. All 
 the living mendiers of the family are at home 
 except our subject and Lee, who is in tlie tile 
 business at Kl Paso. 
 
 The subject of this brief biograiihical notice was 
 born in McLean County, near the large and noted 
 Sullivan farm, August 5, 18,)'.). He was reared in 
 Livingston County, obtaining his fundamental 
 instruction in the district schools and further 
 having the excellent advantages furnished by the 
 Fairbnry High School. Like most lads whose 
 home is in the countiy, he was early set to work on 
 the farm and acquired an understanding of agricul- 
 ture. He remained at home until of ago and then 
 began life for himself by going to Chicago and 
 finding emplo^'meul in the paint and oil store of 
 B. F. Fitch. After remaining there some eighteen 
 months he returned to Livir.gstou County and with 
 his brother Lee carried on the large tile factory at 
 home for a year, their laliors proving quite suc- 
 cessful. 
 
 On January 1, 1883, the brothers came to Man- 
 hattan, purchased twenty acres of land" and set 
 about the construction of a tile mill, preparatory 
 to embarking in manufacturing here. It required 
 110,000 to start their business, which they carried 
 
 on in partnership until 1886, when our subject 
 bought out his brother's interest and the latter 
 opened a similar establishment in K\ Paso. Our 
 subject has since continued the business alone and 
 such has been his enterprise and business tact that 
 he has increased the capacity of the establishment, 
 which now makes from three to eighteen inch tiles, 
 which was not formerly done. Besides his town 
 [troiierl}-, I\L'. Straight owns eighty acres of 
 improved land in Livingston County, which is 
 rented. 
 
 On October 25, 1885, the interesting ceremony 
 was performed which transformed Miss Nellie M. 
 .lones into Mrs. W. A. Straight. The l)ride was 
 born in liuchanan County, Mo., .Inly G, 18(;4. 
 and was educated at Mokena and Normal Park, 
 this State, becoming a highly intelligent and cul- 
 tured woman. Ikr father W. I), .lones, was for- 
 merly engaged in farming in Frankfort Township, 
 this county, but is now living in Wetmore, Kan. 
 He is an old Californiau miner and was also at one 
 time engaged in the lumber and sawmill business. 
 To Mr. and .Mrs. Straight one child has been born, 
 an interesting little maiden called Natalie. 
 
 Mr. Straight was President of the ^'illage Board 
 of Trustees one year, and with the exception of a 
 twelvemonth has been a member of that bod}' since 
 the incorporation of the village. His [)olitical 
 adherence is given to the Republican party. He is 
 looked upon with respect by his fellow-men, as an 
 honorable citizen and kindly man, while the love- 
 able disposition and pleasing manners of his wife 
 win many friends. 
 
 ' ' • ' °^ 
 
 -i^ 
 
 LFRKl) NASH, M. D. A residence of over 
 ' ten years in the city of Joliet,during which 
 he has conducted a successful practice, hiis 
 full}' established Dr. Nash in the esteem 
 and confidence of the people. He took up his resi- 
 dence here in 1879, and was at once recognized as 
 a valued addition to the community. He is a mem- 
 ber of the American Public Health Association, the 
 American Medical Society and the State and county 
 societies, and at one period was President of the 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 391 
 
 latter. He was also prominent in the Medical So- 
 ciety of IMIchigan prior to his removal hither, 
 roliticall}-, he is a pronounced Re[)iihlican, a mem- 
 ber of the Grand Arm}' of the Republic and a i>il- 
 lar of the Presbyterian Church. In business and 
 social circles he stands second to no man in his 
 community. 
 
 The Province of Ontario, Canada, was the early 
 tramping ground of Dr. Nash and where his birth 
 took place August 12, 1828. Thomas and Hannah 
 (Swetman) Nash, his parents, were natives of Eng- 
 land, and crossed the Atlantic in 1820, locating in 
 Kingston. Canada. The father occupied himself as 
 a merchant and with his estimable wife is now de- 
 ceased, he dying in 1837 and the mother in 1845. 
 The household circle included eight children, seven 
 of whom are living, one dying in infancy. 
 
 Dr. Nashstarted outinlife equipped withatliorough 
 education, obtained in the college andNormalSchool 
 at Toronto, and finally, in 1854, entered the famous 
 Oberlin College in Ohio. Not content with the 
 acquirements hitherto gained, he next repaired to 
 Ann Arbor and entered the Michigan State I'ni- 
 vcrsity, from the medical department of which he 
 was graduated in 1856. He made good use of his 
 time and commenced the regular [iractice of his 
 profession at Wyandotte, Mich., continuing there 
 until after the outbreak of the Civil War. 
 
 In July, 18G1, Dr. Nash entered the army as As- 
 sistant Surgeon under the commission of Gov. Blair. 
 He was with the First Michigan Cavalry until Jan- 
 uary, 1 863, and was then promoted as a Surgeon 
 of the Ninth Cavalry in which he served until re- 
 ceiving his honorable discharge b}' order of the 
 ISoard appointed to examine these invalid officers, 
 in December, 1864, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon 
 leaving the army he located at once in Lapeer, 
 Mich., where he followed his [jrofession until com- 
 ing to this county in 1879. 
 
 Dr. Nash was married to Miss Anna J. Cornelius, 
 in September, 1861. She was the daughter of Rev. 
 Samuel Cornelius, of Ann Arbor, Mich. • By her 
 he bad four children, viz. : Jesse, the wife of Robert 
 Berger, of Peoria, 111.; Miss Maud, a short-hand 
 reporter residing in Chicago; Claud, a resident of 
 .loliet; and Anna at home. Mrs. Nash died at their 
 home in Lapeer, Mich., in August, 1875. Dr. 
 
 Nash was married to his second wife in Jul}', 1879. 
 Her name was Mrs. Charlotte P. Richards. The 
 Doctor and his wife have a comfortable home on 
 Cass Street. 
 
 When first entering the army Dr. Nash was as- 
 signed to the Army of the Potomac and was 
 captured at the second battle of Bull Run. He 
 received an order from Lee's Medical Director to 
 remain on the field and take care of wounded rebels 
 and for this service w.as tendered a pass to Wash- 
 ington from Fitz Hugh Lee. The " Johnnies " 
 traded boots, hat and coat with the Surgeon and 
 thus accoutred ho appeared in the presence of Lee, 
 who said, " that pass shall be honored." The Doc- 
 tor has this document still in his possession. As 
 he left the lines a guard remarked to a comrade, 
 '• this is one of Pope's othcers, let's shoot the d — d 
 cuss." The Doctor expected they would carry out 
 the suggestion, but they did not and he finally 
 reached the Union camjj in safety, at Arlington 
 Heights. 
 
 Dr. Nash, in 1864, was made Brigade Surgeon 
 under Gen. Israel Gerrard. In December, 1863, 
 he had charge of the surgical department in the 
 hospital at Knoxville, where he remained six 
 months. He joined his regiment as it was starting 
 from Camp Nelson, going with Sherman to Chat- 
 tanooga and was under the command of the iiero 
 of Atlanta until after the fall of the city. 
 
 Dr. Nash was appointed Pension Examiner on 
 the board for this district in 1889, and is Secretary 
 of the Board. 
 
 P^RANKE. MARSH. This young man is a 
 well-known grain dealer of Joliet, in which 
 city he was born in 1849. Here he grew to 
 manhood, enjoying the privileges of her excellent 
 public schools, and after finishing the course in 
 them, taking a term in the Chicago University. 
 In 1868 he became ticket agent and telegraph op- 
 erator, continuing in that position until 1874, when 
 he embarked in the business which he is now fol- 
 lowing. He buys at different points on the line of 
 the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, and such sue- 
 
392 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 cess lias attendedhis efforts tlKil lie has continued 
 to carry on llie trade. 
 
 In 187:5 Mr. Marsli led to lln- liyineiieal altar 
 Miss KilLe ivicliiiiDiid. willi wlioni lie lived lia|>l)ilji 
 until 1S7'.), when she was called hence, leaving,' 
 three children — I\ichiuon(). Loicn and Kate, the 
 latter of whom died wlu'ii two years old. In 1882 
 Mr. Marsh contracted a second inalrinionial al- 
 liance, the lady who now shares his joys and sor- 
 rows havinir borne the maiden name of Ida I'iercc. 
 They have one livin_i>; ehihl. Kaliih L.; and lost a 
 daiij;hter. Agnes, in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Marsh was elected Alderman in 188.'), and 
 has since been retained as a member of the City 
 Conned. The subject of this brief biographical 
 notice is a son of the lion. 11. N. Marsh, one of the 
 representalive men of Jolict, whose life history is 
 found on another page in this Alblim. 
 
 JINCAN MaoLAREN THOMSON. This 
 gentlemen is one of the few men who came 
 to Will County independent in financial re- 
 sources, and whose life here has not been the 
 struggle which many have experienced. He owns 
 and operates over four hundred acres on sections 
 16, 17, 20 and 21, Frankfort Township. His land 
 is all enclosed, and is marked with excellent im- 
 provements, which not only include buildings, 
 orchards and others of the usual order, but much 
 which is not usually found on farms. The dwell- 
 ing is situated on section 21, and is not oid}- of 
 beautiful design, but is pleasantly located, well 
 furnished and gives evidence of the presence of a 
 woman of refinement at the head of the establish- 
 ment. Among the farm buildings are three barns 
 and other structures which sullice to shelter all the 
 stock and grain. The agricultural and domestic 
 labors are simplified and made easy by the use of 
 a windmill and tank, a horse-power grinder (it being 
 under cover), corn-cutler and other improved 
 machinery, and Mr. Thomson also has a silo, the 
 first and only one in Frankfort Township. 
 
 The land includes valuable timber, pasture lan(;l 
 watered by Hickory Creek, and fields of great fer- 
 
 tility. Fidl-blooded and graded .Short-liorn cattle 
 are raised, as well as fine hogs, roadsters ami draft 
 horses. About, fifteen head of horses are to be 
 seen on the estate, and the herd of cattle numbers 
 from one hundred and thirty to one hundred 
 and fifty head. .Mr. Thomson shi|)S his own stock, 
 and in addition to that raised upon his [ilace 
 feeds about two car loads of cattle per annum. 
 Ijcsides his fine estate here, he owns two hundred 
 acres of land near Eninietsburg, I'ulo Alto County, 
 Iowa. 
 
 Mr. Thomson is a Scoti'hnian of a lineage honor- 
 able and inllucntial. His paternal grandfather, 
 .lohn Thomson, born in Stirling, Stirlingshire, was 
 a carriage manufacturer in his native cit3'. which 
 was his place of abode until his death. He left 
 three sons and two daughters. The sons were: 
 John Thomson, U.l)., of L'aisley; George, the 
 father t)f our subject; antl William, also engaged 
 in carriage manufacturing. His son George suc- 
 ceeded him in the business, enlarging it and en- 
 gaging extensively in the manufacture of carriages, 
 stagecoaches and railroad carriages. He made the 
 carriages for the first railway in Scotland. He was 
 known far and wide as an influential and wealthy 
 citizen, and a |)leasant and agreeable man. The 
 following incident is a good instance of his promi- 
 nence : As two travelers were p.issing through 
 Stirling one asked the other the name of the city, 
 and being told, inquired what it was noted for. 
 The second traveler responded, "For its castle and 
 (ieorge Thomson's carriage works." Mr. Thom- 
 son was a member of the Town Council and a 
 Hammerman. He was a Liberal in politics, and a 
 Presbyterian in religion, serving as Elder in his 
 church. lie died in 1867, at the age of fifty-six 
 years. 
 
 The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
 Maj. Duncan MacLaren, a native of Perthshire. 
 He belonged to the Twenty-fifth Regiment, '-The 
 King's Own Borderers," until he retired to Stirl- 
 ing, where he died in 18-11). His daughter, JIary 
 A. C, w.as born on the farm Dumlurn. at St. 
 Fillan's, Perthshire, but reared in Stirling, and 
 there married to (Seorge Thomson. She breathed 
 lier last July 15, 1879, at the age of sixty-three 
 years. She was Ihc mother of six children, namely: 
 
Residence of Adam Tuck,Sec.33.NewLenox Tp, Will CQ. I ll. 
 
 Residence of DM. Thomson, 5ec.21.FrankfortTrWillCo III. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 395 
 
 Isubelle B., Mrs. H. M. Douglas, who died in 
 Scotland; .John, who died at Frankfort .Station, 
 this county; our subject; Mary, now Mrs. M. N. 
 Parkliurst, of Green Castle, Ind.; George, who 
 died in Pernambuco, Brazil; and .lames, vvho is 
 pro|)rietor of car works in Scotland. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name we introduce 
 this sketch was born in Stirling, Scotland, March 
 25, 1843, and had excellent school advantages. 
 After being graduated at the High School in Stirl- 
 ing, he spent a year at Mt. Greenvan Academy. 
 When foni'teen years old he was apprenticed at 
 carriage-making under his father, and at the age of 
 tw<?nty years took charge of the shops. When his 
 father died he took entire charge of the carriage 
 works, managing them until the youngest son 
 became of age, when the property was divided. 
 
 In INIa}', 1875, our subject came to America on 
 a visit, sailing from Glasgow on the steamer '■\ic- 
 toria," and twelve days later landed in New York. 
 Thence he came at once to (Uiicago. and after re- 
 maining there some three months, spent about the 
 same length of time in traveling in the State of 
 Illinois. He finally determined to locate in AVill 
 County, and [lurchased one hundred and sixty- 
 eight acres of land where he is now located, mak- 
 ing a cash payn)ent of $02.50 per acre. He en- 
 gaged in farming and stock-raising, increasing his 
 landed estate until it reached its present acreage, 
 and making nearly all the improvements upon it. 
 He has displayed the sterling qualities which be- 
 long to the Scotch cliaracter, and is looked upon 
 as a farmer and citizen who is a credit to the 
 county in which he has made his home. 
 
 On January 3, 1 871, the rites of wedlock were 
 (■(■lebrated between Mr. Thomson and Misslsabelle 
 Ihuiler Paton. This accomplished lady was born 
 in Lcith Edinburgh, .Tuly 24. 1842, and is a des- 
 cendant of families whose members have acquired 
 fame during the historic times of Scotland. She 
 was educated under private instruction, modern 
 classics and music being included in her course of 
 stud^', and the graces of manner being by no 
 means neglected. When she had arrived at woman- 
 hood she possessed a cultured mind, the charming 
 manners of a well-bred gentlewoman, and the vir- 
 tues of character which make and keep friends. 
 
 Her happy union has been blessed b}' tWe birth of 
 nine children, of whom the following survive: 
 Lizzie A. Hunter, Charlotte, George, Duncan M., 
 Jr., and Gladys May. The deceased are: Walter 
 Paton, who died at the age of seven and one-half 
 years; Isabel Beatrice, who died when one year 
 old, and two who died unnamed in infancy. The 
 surviving children still remain under the home 
 roof, and display a marked degree of intelligence 
 and quickness of perception. 
 
 The father of Mrs. Thomson was Capt. Walter 
 Paton, a native of Edinburgh, whose father had 
 died when he w.as a babe. His mother's father, 
 Andrew Bell, was a Jacobite, a follower and active 
 supporter of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the 
 Pretender. He wa§ a toiiographical engineer, and 
 surveyed the battlefield of Prestonpans on the night 
 before the battle. He was subsequently taken 
 into favor again by the reigning house, and became 
 quite intimate with the Prince of Wales. He did 
 engraving for his royal friend, being considered 
 the foremost engraver of Scotland. He was the 
 originator of the Enclclo[)a'dia Britannica. The 
 Bells trace their ancestry- l)ack through some of 
 the noble families of Scotland to the Scougalls of 
 Scougall, who were personal friends of King 
 James VI of Scotland or .lames I of England. 
 Scougall was a fine artist, and did the painting for 
 the royal families. 
 
 The father of Mrs. Thomson was a sea captain, 
 fiist having charge of a merchant vessel and after- 
 ward becoming an otticer in the Ro3'al Navy. He 
 was surveyor for Lloyd's and also for the Board 
 of Trade, and Master of the Trinit}- House, Leith, 
 holding the latter oHicc until about four years be- 
 fore his death. He then retired to Stirling, where 
 he remained until a fewjnonths before his decease, 
 which occurred while on a visit to his daughter at 
 Greenock, in 1873. He was then eighty-four years 
 old, having been born in 1789. He had con- 
 ducted and commanded the vessel which conveyed 
 to Germany King Charles X, of France, who had 
 taken refuge in Scotland. 
 
 The mother of Mrs. Thomson bore the maiden 
 name of Elizalicth Hunter. She was born in Cu- 
 par-Fifeshire, and w.as a daughter of Hugh Hunter, 
 an excise oflicer in Greenock. She was the second 
 
396 
 
 POIITRAIT AND RIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 wife of Capt. Paton, to whom slu' l>uii' luil onu 
 child, now Mrs. '11101118011. She entered into rest 
 ill I.SGC. She and licr luishund helonj^ed to tiie 
 United Pie.sliyteiiaii Chureh. 
 
 Tlic first niairi:ii>e of (.'apt. I'aton was blest by 
 the birth of three ehiklren, viz.: Mrs. Ann Gilki- 
 .son, Mrs. Eupheinia Stephenson and Walter, 'i'iie 
 latter worked his way from eabin boy to captain, 
 reaching the latter [losition when twenty-one, and 
 becoming C'oniinodore when twenty-five. He cora- 
 nianded- the first mail steam packet that went to 
 Canada, and was two years in the Crimean War as 
 Commander of the steamship "Cleopatra," which 
 carried troops to and from the seat of war. lie 
 had retired from the sea when he was importuned 
 to take command of the "Great Eastern," and re- 
 luctantly consented, sailing as her Captain for 
 about three years. He then retired the second 
 time, making his home in Liverpool, where he 
 died. His sisters are also deceased. 
 
 Duncan M. Thomson is Master Mason in the 
 Bruce and Thistle Lodge, Bannockburn, No. 12 ; 
 Stirling Rock, Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2, in 
 Stirling, Scotland. In politics he is a Democrat. 
 He belongs to the Free Church of Scotland, which 
 is one of the branches of Presbyterianism. Person- 
 ally, he is jolly and openhearted, and his friends 
 are many. 
 
 On another page of this volume appears a view 
 of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Thomson. 
 
 'r^'^^VHi^^^^* 
 
 ^f DAM TU(.'K. A book filled with the rec- 
 i0u\ Olds of the lives of good men is sugges- 
 ^Hs tive of the most (irecious and important 
 ^ truths. As was said by one famed in En- 
 
 glish literature, such a book is the "iirecious life- 
 blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured 
 up on purpose t<^ a life beyond life." They serve 
 as potent examples to each succeeding generation, 
 and teach them how to make life a success. As a 
 prominent farmer of Will County, IMr. Tuck de- 
 serves representation in a volume designed lo per- 
 petuate the names of her leailiiig citizens. His 
 pleasant home, a view of which apjiears in connec- 
 
 tion with this brief biographical review, is situated 
 on section 33, New Lenox Township. The farm 
 consists of eighty acres of fertile land, and bears 
 such improvements as are usually found upon the 
 estate of an enterprising man. 
 
 Coming of worthy German ancestry, Mr. Tuck 
 is a son of the late \Villiani Tuck and his wife 
 Mary Schroder. This estimable couple grew to 
 maturity in the Fatherland, where they remained 
 for some time after tiieir marriage. They emi- 
 grated to America in 18,">2, making their first 
 home in Chicago, but after a short sojourn in that 
 city removed to Will County, hi Joliet Town- 
 ship, they resided until the spring of 1867, when 
 they settled in New Lenox Township, where our 
 subject is now living. Here the father deiiaited 
 this life Deeemlier 7, 1881; his widow is jet living 
 and is now making her home in Joliet. 
 
 The subject of this bi<jgrai)liical notice is the 
 youngest of the eight children comprising the pa- 
 rental family, and was born in .Joliet Towiishiii, 
 December 1, 1801, He received a good [iractical 
 education in the common schools, and has been 
 chieUy engaged in farming during his years of ma- 
 turity. He has always resided in this coiiiit3'. 
 
 At the home of the bride in Carrollon, Greene 
 County, October 20, 1885, Mv. Tuck was united in 
 marriage with Miss Kate Kaffer, a worthy young 
 lady who w'as born in that county. She is a 
 daughter of the late Frank A. Kaffer. Mr. and 
 Sirs. Tuck are the parents of two bright thildren, 
 Frank A, and Florence L. Li politics Mr. Tuck 
 is a Democrat, and socially, both he and his esti- 
 mable wife are highly respected. 
 
 
 ~S)^~'" 
 
 t,OSSITP]R RUDD is niinibeied among the 
 progressive farmers of Joliet Townshii), his 
 faun being on section 24, which hag been 
 his home since his infancy. It comprises 
 sixty acres of valuable land, which has been 
 brought to a high state of productiveness by means 
 of a proper rotation of crops and the use of the 
 liest fertilizing agents, while the improvements 
 which it bears are adequate for the purposes for 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 397 
 
 wliicli they were intended. In the fall of 1887, 
 Mr. Riidd embarked in the coal business in Joliel, 
 wliifh he has since carried on in connection with 
 his agricnUnral enterprise. lie has been useful to 
 iiis fellow-men in public capacities, manifests great 
 ivindliness in his relations to humanity, and in his 
 own pleasant home is the soul of hosi)itality and 
 good fellowship. 
 
 In Rutland County, Yt., the Rudd family had a 
 foothold many 3'en.rs ago, and there Erastus Rudj.1, 
 the father of our subject, was born and reared. 
 He married Miss Harriet Hill, of Onondaga 
 County, N. Y., their first home being in ^Syracuse, 
 whence they removed to Patriot, Ind. In 1843 
 they emigrated to the Prairie State, settling in 
 what is now New Lenox Township, but afterward 
 removing to Joliet Township, and the farm now 
 owned b}' our subject. There the mother died 
 September 3, 1872, the father surviving until June 
 •22, following. The latter had in early life been 
 engaged in boating, and after coming to Illinois 
 he operated the first boat that was run on the 
 canal, being connected in that enterprise with Abi- 
 jiih Cagwin. He was the father of three sons and 
 four daughters, our subject being the fifth child. 
 
 Rossiter Rudd was born in Patriot, Ind., No- 
 vember 2. 1813, but was reared to manhood in 
 Will County, 111., after his father's death taking 
 possession of the old homestead. He was married 
 in Bloomington, August 23, 1863, to Miss Jane 
 < iregg, whose intelligence of mind and worth of 
 character had won his deepest regard. Her par- 
 ents, William and Margaret (Lenox) Gregg, are 
 natives of the Emerald Isle, in which they grew to 
 maturity and were united in marriage. They at 
 once emigrated to Canada, where their daughter, 
 Mrs. Rudd, was born November 23, 1835, her 
 birthplace being the town of Brook. Several years 
 after her birth the family came to Will County, 
 III., settling on a farm in Joliet Township, where 
 the [larents still reside. Their family comprises 
 une son antl ten daughters, Mrs. Rudd being the 
 second in order of birth. 
 
 An interesting familj- has been born to J\Ir. and 
 Mrs. Kudd, the living children being Hannah L., 
 Fa>ette, Harriet, Freeman and Mansfield; they 
 have buried one son, Harry, who died when about 
 
 a year old. Mr. Rudd has held the offices of Road 
 Commissioner, School Director and Superinten- 
 dent of Mound Cemetery. In every position to 
 which he has been called he has manifested a de- 
 gree of intelligent interest and good judgment 
 which have redounded to his credit in the eyes of 
 the community. In politics he is a Republican. 
 He and his wife belong to the Universalist Church, 
 and in all the vicinity round about are held in 
 high esteem for their many good qualities. 
 
 ^tm^Bm^ 
 
 TEPHEN GLIDDEN. A history of the 
 men who have had the making of Will 
 County, would be incomplete without a 
 sketch of this pioneer, who has been so 
 long and so closely connected with its highest ma- 
 terial and social interests, and we are glad to be 
 able to represent him on the pages of this volume. 
 He stands foremost among the leading farmers and 
 stock-raisers of Channahon, is one of its most ex- 
 tensive land-owners, having a large and valuable 
 farm in this township, and has taken a leading part 
 in making this portion of Illinois one of the richest 
 farming regions in this section of the country. 
 
 Mr. Glidden comes of fine old New England 
 stock but is himself a native of the Empire State, 
 born in Essex County, September 15, 1820. His 
 parents were Levi and Sarah (Glidden) Glidden. 
 who were of very old American families, who came 
 to this country many years prior to the Revolution. 
 Mr. Glidden, of barb wire fame, is a representative 
 of this family, and second cousin of our subject. 
 
 Our subject was reared in the place of his nativity 
 and followed farming there and also the lumber 
 business, getting out timber from the pine woods 
 till he was twenty-eight years of .age. Then in the 
 flush and vigor of a strong manly manhood he 
 came to the Prairie State in 1848, and with the 
 1600 which he had accunndated" in New York as 
 his cai)ital, he started on a new life here, by in- 
 vesting it judiciously in a piece of laud lyino- 
 along the Desplaines River, on which was a mill. 
 He operated that for five years very profitably, and 
 then the railroad coming through spoiled the busi- 
 
a98 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM/ 
 
 ness. After tliat he purchased one Iminircd ainl 
 eleven acres of land and gave his allention to rais- 
 in"; and fw'diiif; ^tock and has always been engaged 
 at that, lie has added to his farm till it is now 
 one of tlie larjiesl in the count}', connirisinii' eight 
 hundred and eight^'-livc acres of as good farming 
 land as lies in the township. 
 
 In 1819 our subject returned to New York for the 
 young lady who had plighted her troth to hiiu, Miss 
 MaryL.Barnett,d!iughterof Asa and Hannah(Larap- 
 son) Barnett, of Essex County, and their marriage 
 was solemnized July 4, 184!). Accompanied by 
 his young bride, who had left fond parents to cast 
 her fortunes in with him whom she loved best in 
 all the wide world to assist him in building up of a 
 home, our subject returned to Chaunahon. They 
 established their dwelling on the east side of the 
 river, living there until 1878, when he erected his 
 present fine residence on an eminence commanding 
 a beautiful view of the valley of the Desplaines 
 River and also of the DuPage, about two and one- 
 half miles awa}-, and of the village of Channahon 
 on the river. In the management of his extensive 
 agricultural affairs Mr. Glidden has shown large 
 enteriMise and flue business and executive ability, 
 wliicli traits have brought him wealth. He gener- 
 ally votes the Republican ticket, but takes no fur- 
 ther [lart in elections or politics. 
 
 Seiitcmber 12, 1887, the shadow of a great grief 
 fell over the household of our subject; Death 
 crossed the threshold of his home and removed the 
 wife and mother from her loved ones, who hold her 
 dear memory in sacred remenibrance. She was a 
 woman of a beautifid and noble character, who 
 met the grave duties and responsibilities of life 
 with firmness and serene patience, and fulfilled 
 them faithfully. She was greatly beloved far 
 beyond the limits of her home circle, her constant 
 kindliness of disposition endearing her to all who 
 knew her. 
 
 " Blessing she was; God made her so, 
 And deeds of week-da3' holiness fell from her noise- 
 less as the snow." 
 
 Eleven children were born of the marriage of 
 our subject, six of whom grew to maturity, four 
 of whom are still living: Pamelia, with her father; 
 Sarah Jane, the wife of Henry llaviland, of Chan- 
 
 nahon, now a resilient of Kansas, where he owns a 
 farm; Melissa, with her father; llarvy, a young 
 man of twenty-two, who lives with his father, and 
 is ably managing the farm. Since the mother de- 
 parted, the family has been called to mourn the 
 death of a loved one, Ella F.,who had just blossomed 
 into womanhood, died February 24, 1888, at the 
 age of twenty-two' years. Adelbert, a young man 
 of great promise, in his eighteenth year, was the 
 victim of an accident by which he was killed De- 
 cember 2, 1877. While on a duck expedition he 
 threwhis gun into the boat, and the hammer strik-, 
 ing on the seat, was discharged, the shot taking ef- 
 fect in his abdomen and he lived but a few hours. 
 We reverently believe that the lives thus uncom- 
 pleted have but "entered upon broader fields of ac- 
 tion and duty, where nobler sti'uggles shall task the 
 strength and more precious crowns reward the vic- 
 tor, where the hopes and dreams of earth shall be 
 turned to sight and the broken circles of life be 
 rounded to the perfect orb." 
 
 AVID B. GEISS. In this county are to be 
 found several farmers who have reached a 
 high degree of prosperity by the persistent 
 pursuit of a chosen calling, and the exercise of 
 prudence and foresight in the conduct of their af- 
 fairs. Among these none deserves the notice of the 
 biographical writer more than the gentleman whose 
 cognomen forms the heading of this sketch. He 
 began his career in life with but the talents be- 
 stowed upon him bj- nature and the knowledge of 
 milling learned from his father; he now ranks 
 among the wealthy residents of Wilton Township, 
 where he owns a valuable estate and is enjoying 
 merited repose after 3'ears of toil and activity. 
 
 The parents of our subject were George A. and 
 Susnn (Bright) Geiss, natives of Berks County, 
 Pa., who died in Lebanon Count}', at an advanced 
 age. The father was a hard-working man, who 
 made milling and farming the work of his life. 
 The father belonged to the Lutheran Church and 
 the mother to the Reformed Church. Their fam- 
 ily comprised twelve children — Mary, Sarah, Dan- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 399 
 
 iel, Elizabeth, Jolin, George, David B., Kate, 
 Matilda, Peter, Reuben and Susan. Of this large 
 fauiil\' there survives at this date John, George, 
 Matilda, Susan, Kate and David B. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born April 16, 
 1812, in Lebanon County, Pa., and reared in that 
 and Berks County, his time being spent in the mill 
 and on the farm, of both pursuits gaining a knowl- 
 edge in early life. After learning the trade, he 
 carried on the milling business successfully for 
 twenty -five years, both in Berks and Center Coun- 
 ties. In the latter he made his home twenty-two 
 years. After a quarter of a century devoted to 
 th!i,t calling, he discovered that his health required 
 hin» to adopt some occupation that would keep 
 him in tlie open air niucli of the time. He there- 
 fore turned his attention to farming, and in 1868 
 came to Will County, 111., and bought his present 
 farm. It consists of one hundred and ninety-six 
 acres on section 6, Wilton Township, and was con- 
 ducted successfully by the owner for several years. 
 He improved it until it is ranked among the finest 
 estates in the township, and is a home of which 
 any man might well be proud. Owing to his ad- 
 vanced age and feeble health, Mr. Giess now rents 
 the farm, living in retirement in the midst of the 
 adornments he has put ujion the face of Nature. 
 
 Mr. Geiss has been twice married, his first wife 
 having been Sarah Kerlin, of Berks County', Pa., 
 who shared his joys and sorrows until December 
 7, 1851), when death took her. Siie was the mother 
 of eleven children. Of these, William F. lives in 
 Chicago; Alison is deceased; David lives in Cen- 
 ter, Center County, Pa.; Susan is deceased; Daniel 
 lives in .loliet; Sarah is deceased; Jacob, Marj' J. 
 and Anna C. complete the circle of survivors, and 
 the roll of the dead includes two infants unnamed 
 on earth. 
 
 For his second companion Mr. Geiss chose Kath- 
 arine, a sister of his first wife, with whom he was 
 uniteil October 4, 1860. Prior to this union she 
 had been twice married, her first husband having 
 been William Schrctler, by whom she had two chil- 
 dren — Mar}' and William. After his death she mar- 
 ried William Runkle, by whom she also had two 
 children — Sarah and Jacob. Mrs. Geiss is now eighty 
 years of age. Her life Las been a useful and up- 
 
 right one, and she merits the esteem of her ac- 
 quaintances and the "good report" that follows her. 
 Mr. Geiss is one of the most intelligent and well- 
 read men of the community, and in his company 
 an hour can ever be s|)ent in a profitable manner. 
 His energy of character, the manner in which he 
 carved out a fortune from adverse surionndings, 
 and the u|>right life that has been led by him, alike 
 gain the high regard of all who know him, and all 
 rejoice in his prosperity. He is a stanch Democrat. 
 l'>oth he and his good wife hold membership in the 
 Lutheran Church. Mr. Geiss has twenty-six grand- 
 children and two great-grandchildren. 
 
 1^^ HO MAS VARLEY. Among the pioneers 
 I'/^^v whose names are identified with that of 
 ^^^ Wheatland as its builders, none occupy a 
 more honorable position than that of this gentle- 
 man, who for many years has been a tiller of the 
 soil in this loealit_y and 'has thereby secured a com- 
 petence, his farm on section 28, being a most desir- 
 able one in ever respect. 
 
 Our subject is of English origin, born in York- 
 shire, June 27, 1824. a son of William an<l Mary 
 Varley. He was reared to manhood in his native 
 country and has been employed in farming pur- 
 suits from early boyhood. He had but a rudimen- 
 tary education in the schools of England, but after 
 he came to this country he attended school two 
 winters and during the two months of each season 
 applyed himself closely to his books and rapidly 
 improved in scholarship. He has always been fond 
 of reading and aims to keep well_posted on affairs 
 of general interest. In 1850, in the prime of early 
 manhood, he determined to seek his fortunes in 
 America, and taking passage to Hull on a sailing 
 vessel,af'.erja voyage of about seven weeks landed in 
 New York Cit^'. He came directly to Will County 
 from there and when he arrived here found that he 
 had but two shillings left, and as he was suffering 
 with a felon on his hand he was obliged to pay out 
 that money to have it removed. He thus started 
 in life here under discouraging circumstance. Noth- 
 ing daunted, however, with characteristic British 
 
40(1 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 pluck and tenacity (if puiixise he immediately 
 sought work and soon became employed as :\ farm 
 hand. He saved his money and in time had earned 
 enough to send for his wife and cliildren, who 
 joined him in l.'<'i4. After the arrival of his 
 family he fanned as a renter for ahont four years 
 an<l then boujiht land in Wheatland Townsiiip. He 
 subsequently purchased his |)resent farm in IKfl.'). 
 and since has built uj) a substantial home by hard 
 and persistent labor, aided by iiis faithful wife. 
 The two hundred and forty acres comprising his 
 farm aie under excellent cultivation, and neat and 
 conveniently arranged buildings adorn the place, 
 and everything about it shows the care of the 
 owner. 
 
 Our subject was married in England, March .5, 
 1844, to Martha Cravan, a native of that country. 
 Six children were born to their union. Margaret, 
 John, Charles, Mary, wife of Peter Cheese, of Col- 
 orado; Jane, wife of Edward Levee, and the 
 mother of three children — Harvey, Frank and 
 Kelson; and ISLartlia, wife of Robert Pennington, 
 of Kane County, 111. 
 
 May 23. 1878, the wife who had beeu our sub- 
 ject's helpmate for so many years, departed this 
 life, leaving behind her a wealth of love and affec- 
 tion and many warm friends nlio uKiurn her loss. 
 
 ■■Her work is compassed and done; 
 All things arc seeml_y and reach-. 
 And her summer has just begun. 
 
 "But we cannot think of her idle; 
 
 Siie must be a home-maker still; 
 God givcth that work to the angels 
 
 Who 6ttest the task fulQll. 
 
 "And somewhere, yet, in the hill tops 
 Of the country that hath no pain 
 
 She will watch in her beautiful doorway 
 To bid us a welcome again." 
 
 Ill a career, honorable alike to himself and to 
 the community, Mr. Varley has shown those val- 
 uable traits of character without which success is 
 unattainable; and the perusal of this biographical 
 sketch leads one to feel that he is a man of sound 
 intelligence and high worth, whom his fellow -citi- 
 zens may well hold in respect and esteem. He is 
 classed among the oldest pioneers of the neighbor- 
 hood and while witnessing the gradual growth of 
 
 the country from its primitive wildness to its pres- 
 ent high state of cultivation, he has done much 
 pioneer work to forward its improvement. He has 
 served as School Director and has been Road Com- 
 missioner of the township for several years. He 
 long since identified himself with the Republican 
 ))arty and has remained a true supporter of its 
 principles. . 
 
 -^-*-^- 
 
 OHX G. LONGSHORE, one of the enter- 
 prising farmers of Wilton Township, has 
 demonstrated the fact that iierseverance and 
 lJ®J/' zeal will prevail to conquer circumstances 
 and gain a competence for him who exercises those 
 qualities. He now owns two hundred and forty 
 acres of fine land on sections 28 and 33, his resi- 
 dence being on the former. All the improve- 
 ments — and they are many and excellent — have 
 been made b3' the present owner of the farm and 
 reflect credit upon his judgment and tiirift. Mr. 
 Longshore is the onlj' survivor in a fnniily of four 
 children born to Thomas and Jane ((iain) Long- 
 shore, of Bucks County. Pa. He is the second on 
 tiie roll which includes the names of Sarah. Mary 
 and Susan. 
 
 In the eount\- that was the birthplace of his 
 worthy parents, John Longshore was born June 9, 
 1820. He was reared on a farm, his father opera- 
 ting one in connection with work at his trade of a 
 wagon maker. In 1837 the family removed to 
 Reynoldsluirg, Franklin County-, Ohio, where the 
 parents died. There our subject remained until 
 184!) when he came to Will County, 111., and 
 entered two hundred acres of land in Wilton 
 Township. Since coming to this .State he has 
 followed farming, but previously he worked at tlie 
 trade of a cari)enter and cabinet-maker several 
 j'ears. 
 
 Mr. Longshore has been a member of the Odd 
 Fellows fraternity since anout 1817 and holds good 
 standing in Lodge No. C40, at AVilton Center. He 
 has held some minor township offices, and afliliates 
 with the Republican party, in the principles of 
 which he firmly believes. An honorable, man, a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 401 
 
 reliable citizen, and a kind neiglibor and father, he 
 wins respect from his associates and Has many 
 friends througliout the vicinity in whicli lie has so 
 long resided. 
 
 The first wife of Mr. Longshore was spared to 
 him but five months when the Angel of Death 
 called her. She boie the maiden name of Ann 
 Van Camp. Miss Sydney Pngh was the second 
 choice of our subject and with her he lived happily 
 several years. She bore eight children, of whom 
 Jane, Charley, John and Eddie are now living. In 
 June, 1862, Mr. Longshore was again married, 
 taking as his companion Miss Matilda Hurting, of 
 Rockville, Kankakee County. This worthy woman 
 was born in Pennsylvania ab^ut 18.30, and is still 
 living. Her father was Samuel Hurting. To her 
 and her husband six children have been born, 
 named respectively: Henr}-, Mary, Samuel, George. 
 Ida and Julius. Henry and Mary have been re- 
 moved from their sorrowing parents by death. 
 
 ANSON E. ROSS. A pleasantly located 
 and fertile tract of land on section 4, Joliet 
 Township, is owned and occupied by the 
 subject of this sketch, who is now giving his atten- 
 tion to the purchase and sale of real estate. His 
 farm Ijeing just northwest of Joliet, combines the 
 pleasant features of town and farm life in such a 
 proportion as to be pleasurable to any except the 
 most fault-finding. The career of Mr. Ross has 
 been marked b}' a careful attention to the matters 
 he had in hand and the exercise of tact and good 
 judgment, producing a favorable effect upon his 
 finances and in the minds of those with whom he 
 has to do. 
 
 In the first quarter of the present centur}' Elijah 
 Ross, a native of Kentucky, and Mary L. Houston, 
 a native of Delaware, became husband and wife. 
 Their first home after marriage was in the Buck- 
 eye State, near Springfield, whence they removed 
 to the vicinity- of Piqua, where the husband closed 
 his eyes in death. The widow subsequently became 
 inmate of the home of a dauijhter near Elk- 
 
 hart, 111., and there departed this life. Their fam- 
 ily comprised ten children, of whom the subject 
 of this skeicli is the seventh, he having been 
 born in Clark County, Ohio, June 15, 18.32. He 
 was an infant of about twelve months when his 
 parents removed to Piqua, and he grew to manhood 
 in the contiguous village of Rossville, which was 
 named in honor of his father and uncle. He re- 
 mained in that place until 1856, when he came to 
 the Prairie State, making his first location near 
 Morris, Grundy County. 
 
 After a residence there of about one year, Mr. 
 Ross bought land in Livingston County, and set- 
 tled down to the life of a farmer in Nevada Town- 
 ship. Some nine years later he sold the farm and 
 engaged in the grocerj- and hardware business in 
 Dwight, continuing it for about two years, when he 
 sold out the business and made another change of 
 base. Coming to Joliet, he bought the land upon 
 which he now resides, and which has since been his 
 home with the exception of a short time spent in 
 Dakota. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Ross was celebrated at 
 the home of the bride, in Dwight, the lady whom 
 he had chosen for his companion being Miss Esther 
 Thompson, She was a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church, possessed many good qualities, and was 
 devoted to the interests of her husband and chil- 
 dren. The union was blessed by the birth of seven 
 sons and daughters, their record being as follows: 
 Mary L. is the wife of William Eaton; Alma 
 E. married John Belsly ; Marion died when six 
 months old; Frank H. is in the nursery business in 
 Joliet; L. Edgar is a clerk in a store there; Rob- 
 ert W. is a student at Jackson, Mich., where Jessie 
 E. is also studying. The mother of this family de- 
 parted this life in November, 1887. 
 
 Mr. Ross contracted a second matrimonial al- 
 liance, September 5, 1889, the marriage ceremony 
 being performed at Marseilles, La Salle County, 
 and the biide MissVanch Gardner. This educated, 
 cultured, and Christian woman was horn in Am- 
 boj', Lee County, July 11, 1843. She has not been 
 content to sit with folded hands since the studies of 
 her girlhood were completed, but has ever been on 
 the alert to find use for the talents which have been 
 given her, and in her own womanly way to make 
 
402 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ^ 
 
 the woiUI betU'i- fur licr presence in il. Slic finds 
 an outlet for lier religious nature in the wtirk an(l 
 worsliip of tlie iSIethoillst Episcopal C'lnircli, to 
 wiiieli Mr. Koss also belongs. As a n. ember of .so- 
 ciety she is hii^rlily regardeil, while In her own 
 home "her price is far above rubies." Mr. Ross 
 formerly acted with the IJepnblican party, but is 
 now a Prohibitionist. While livinj? in Livingston 
 County, he salisfactoril_y discharged the duties of 
 Township Treasurer and School Commissioner. 
 
 4»»E'-»— 
 
 OIIN M.KADDEN, JR. This oe„ilem.in, 
 who is jiroprictor of the well-known Mc- 
 Faddcn Livery on Ottawa Street, is recog- 
 nized as one of the leading men in this 
 business in Joliet. lie has a fine outfit, compris- 
 ing some of the best horses and vehicles and enjoys 
 the patronage of a lare;e jiortion of those who are 
 dependent upon this mcthoti of getting over the 
 country. He has a life-long interest in the welfare 
 and progress of the city of .bilict. which is his na- 
 tive place. He was born April 17, 1856, and is 
 the son of John and Bridget (Hafferty) McFadden, 
 who came hither about 185t*. The parents of Mr. 
 McF.'ulden were natives of Ireland; the mother is 
 deceased and the father resides in Joliet. 
 
 The subject of this notice received a good edu- 
 cation in the city schools and in early manhood be- 
 came a member of the Fire Department, driving 
 the first steam fire engine which was brought into 
 the city. He remained connected with this for a 
 l)eriod of si.K years and then in 1879, established his 
 present livery business on East Van Hurun Street 
 from which he removed in 188.3, putting up his 
 ]>resent fine barn which occupies one of the most 
 desirable locations in the city, being just west of 
 the court-house and near Hotel Royal and the 
 depot. 
 
 In addition to his livery business Mr. McFad- 
 den deals quite extensively in horses from which 
 he enjoys i)rofilable returns. While having ex- 
 tensive business interests, he has found time to <lc- 
 vote some attention to cil^' politics, in which he 
 
 is indc|>cndent. He was elected to represent the 
 Second Ward in the City Council in 188",), and 
 still holds the office. He was reared in the Catholic 
 faith of his forefathers and is prominently con- 
 nected with St. Mary's Church, in Joliet. A man 
 upright ami honest in his transactions, he is highly 
 spoken of by .all who know him. He commenced 
 at the foot of the ladder in life and has accumidaled 
 a fair share of this world's goods through his own 
 unaided efforts. He enjoys the acquaintance of a 
 large ciicle of friends. 
 
 Mr. McF.adden on the 25th of October, 1881, 
 was united in marriage with Maria Duggan. Mrs. 
 McFadden, .also a native of Joliet, was born in 
 1857 and was the daughter of Edward and Mary 
 Duggan, who were natives of Ireland and are now 
 residing in Joliet. Of this union there were born 
 two sons and one daughter — Charles, Frank ami 
 Mary. Mrs. McFadden departed this life at the 
 family residence in Joliet, November 23, 1889. 
 
 HOMAS CR()WE. Superinlendeut of the 
 Converting Mill of the .loliet works of the 
 Illinois Steel Companv, and having his head 
 quarters in this city, forms no unimportant factor 
 among its industrial interests. The works give 
 emplo^'raent to four hundred men in that depart- 
 ment alone, all of whom are under the supervision 
 of Mr. Crowe. He is apparently vvell fitted b}- na- 
 ture and training for the responsibilities which he 
 has assumed. 
 
 A native of Toronto, Canada, Mr. Crowe was 
 born December 21. 1851, to W^illiam M. and Mary 
 (McHenry) Crowe, who are also natives of the Do- 
 minion and are both of Irish extraction. The 
 father was engaged in the boot and shoe trade and 
 is now in London, Canada. Thomas acquired his 
 education in the schools of his native city and re- 
 mained a n)eml)er of the parental household until 
 a young man of twenty years. Then repairing to 
 the oil regions of Pennsylvania during the times of 
 the greatest excitement there, he occupied himself 
 variou^-ly in tlial region until A|)ril. 1872. Thence 
 he cmiiiraled to Chii-au'O and engaged with the con- 
 
§ic^J^ri3c^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 405 
 
 verting department of the North Chicago Mills, for 
 the purpose of learning the business. He started 
 as hidleman and was thus emi)loyed until May. 1882, 
 after which he filled various positions until he be- 
 came foreman of the mill. By this time the works 
 were located at South Chicago and Mr. Crowe was 
 appointed Superiutendent, which position he occu- 
 pied until the latter part of 1884. 
 
 On the 10th of March, 1885, Mr. Crowe came 
 to Jolietand entered upon the duties of his present 
 position whidh he has since discharged in a manner 
 creditable to himself and satisfactory to all con- 
 cerned. He is a man generally well informed and 
 is justly proud of the fact that he has always voted 
 the straight Re[)ublican ticket. .Socially, he be- 
 longs to the Royal Arcanum .and the Ancient Free 
 and Accepted Masons. 
 
 Mr. Crowe was married July 3, 1886, at the 
 bride's home in Chicago, to Miss Mary Gibbs. This 
 lady was born March 1, 185,5, in McHenry County, 
 111., and is the daughter of Walter and Annie 
 ( Frisbie) Gibbs, the latter of whom died when her 
 daughter Mary was l)ut two years old. Mr. Gibbs 
 remained a resident of McHenry County until his 
 death, which occurred in 1875. Of this union 
 there have been born four children, two sons and 
 two daughters: William Joseph, Thomas Edward, 
 Nellie and Mamie. The little family occupies a 
 snug home in the southeastern part of the city. 
 Mr. Crowe, although but five years a resident in 
 this county, has fully established himself in the 
 esteem and confidence of its [leople and is num- 
 bered among its most reliable and substantial 
 citizens. 
 
 -^^^ 
 
 ..i^EORGE A. BrCK. The city of Joliet is 
 sufficiently large to afford to its residents 
 an opportunity for every reasonable pleas- 
 ure, congenial companionship and comfort which 
 heart can desire. To it have been attracted many 
 men who, after years of industrious labors, have 
 secured a competence and are enabled to spend their 
 declining years in merited repose and the enjoy- 
 ment of all that is licst in life. Among this num- 
 ber is the gentleman above uamed, vvhose portrait is 
 
 presented in connection with this sketch, and who 
 is a retired farmer, having large laoperty interests 
 in tins vicinity. He has been a townsman since 
 1883, and is numbered among the best citizens of 
 the city, as he formerly was among those of the 
 adjacent country. In politics he is a sound Demo- 
 crat. Ilis fitness for public service has been recog- 
 nized by his fellow-men, who have imposed upon 
 him tlie duties of various offices. Among these 
 were the positions of Town Clerk, Supervisor and 
 others, the last-named office having been held by 
 him five terms. 
 
 The old B.ay State claims Mr. Buck as one of her 
 sons, and his parents, Asahel and Sophia (Mason) 
 Buck, were also born within its limits. To them 
 were born six children, as follows: Achsah and 
 Sarah, deceased; George A.; Mrs. Harriet Linn, 
 living in Manhattan Township, this county; Tru- 
 man, whose home is in Omaha, Neb.; and Laura, 
 deceased. The father departed this life August 
 16, 1880, at the .age of seventy-eight years, his 
 death taking place in Poultney, Vt. There the 
 widowed mother is still living, having now reached 
 the advanced age of eighty-seven years. 
 
 The subject of this brief biographical sketch 
 was born September 10, 1829, at Lanesborough, 
 Berkshire County, Mass. His father having been 
 a farmer, his early years were spent upon a farm 
 in acquiring such knowledge of its management as 
 is always secured by a bright lad, and in obtaining 
 as good an education as the schools of the vicinity 
 afforded. At the age of twenty-three years he be- 
 came a merchant at Cheshire, but after three and 
 one-half years spent in mercantile pursuits re- 
 turned to farming as an occupation more congenial. 
 In 1856 became West determined to make a home 
 in the Prairie State, selecting as his first location 
 Waukegan, Lake Countv. There, after a few short 
 months of happy wedded life, his companion w,as 
 removed from him, breathing her last April 16, 
 1857. Tiieir marriage had been celebrated May 
 12, of the previous year, the bride bearing the name 
 of Helen C. Wcjlcott. Not long after the death of 
 his wife Mr. Buck cime to this county, locating 
 near Five Mile Grove, wh^rc lie carrii-d on agri- 
 cultural pursuits until he abandoned them to be- 
 come a resident of Joliet. 
 
-lOG 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUBI. 
 
 Mr. Buck contracted a sccontl inaUiiiuniial alli- 
 aiu'c Mareb 22, 1859, taking as his coiiipaiiion Miss 
 Sarali II.. daiigliter of Jaiiaii E. and lOlinira I'.akcr, 
 natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y. The Baker 
 familj- became residents of tliis county- in 1850. 
 Mrs. Buck pos.-icsscs all the ((iialities of a nintherly 
 woman and is devoted to her husband and fam- 
 ily. She lias not, however, neglected neighborly 
 and social duties, and has many friends throughout 
 the community. 
 
 Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Buck we record 
 the following: Helen C, born December 4, 185'.t, 
 is now living in York County, iS'el)., and is the 
 wife of John Cockle; Josephine S., born Maj^ 18, 
 18G1, died October 19, 186G; Sophia M., born No- 
 vember 28, 18G2, died October 5, 1865; Mrs. 
 Laura K. Tenny, whose home is in St. Louis, Mo., 
 was born August 2, 1865; George A., Jr., born 
 June 22, 1867, died June 30, 1870; "Werden, born 
 Fel)ruary 9, 18G9, is at home and engaged in iUv, 
 grocery trade; Jennie T., born March 18, 1871, is 
 l)Ookkceper in iier brother's store; Kate F. was born 
 November 19, 1872; Paul Revere, born November 
 12. 1875, died March 22, 1877; Fred A., born May 
 7, 1877, pas.sed away December 16, 1889; Lucy 
 Mason was born February 19, 1882. 
 
 ATRICK Y. SCULLY' is accredited one of 
 ')( the solid and enterprising citizens of Joliet^ 
 and owes his prosperous and honorable posi. 
 / [ tion entirely to his own industr3- and integ- 
 rity. His career in life has been a somewhat 
 remarkable one and the example he has set of per- 
 severing pursuit of a natui-al bent, is one worth}' of 
 being followed by others who have a decided pre- 
 dilection for a certain kind of work. 
 
 Mr. Scully was born on the Kmcrald Isle, Febru- 
 ary 15, 1845, to Edward and Elizabeth Scully. The 
 former died about 1870 and the latter afterward 
 came to America and is still living in Joliet. hapiiy 
 in the possession of a prosperous and dutiful son, 
 not the least of whose admirable qualities is a filial 
 heart. Patrick Scully early in life evinced marked 
 inclination toward mechanics and at the remarkable 
 
 age of eight years was employed in light work in 
 
 Shellield, England, to which place his mother had 
 removed. He was successively iiromoted in that 
 great steel center until he was recognizeil as one of 
 the best workmen there. 
 
 At the recjuest of a synilicate. Mr. Scully left 
 England and started into successful operation the 
 first rolling-mill in Steeltown, Pa., near Harris- 
 burgh. He remained there until 1871, and was 
 then eng.aged for a brief period in steel works at 
 Troy. N. Y., thence coming to Chicago, 111., to act 
 in the cap.acity of instructor in the Uniim Mills. 
 In 1873, he was speciall}' requested to start the 
 rolling-mill in that cit^-, from which has grown the 
 Illinois Steel Comi)any, one of the leading plants 
 of its kind in America, and since that date he has 
 been in continuous service with this company. 
 
 In 1882-'83, Mr. Scully sought a respite from 
 his toil in a tiip abroad, raid traveled over the 
 European continent, re-visiting Sheffield, the scene 
 of his early labors, and enjoying a banquet with 
 his old friends und associates there. 
 
 Soon after his return from Europe, in June, 1883, 
 Mr. Scully was united in marriage with Miss Agnes 
 D'Arcy, a daughter of a prominent Will Count}- 
 family. Mr. and Mrs. Scull}- have four children, 
 and are justly proud of the quartet, who are named 
 respectively: Arthur. Florentine, Marguerita, and 
 George T. The dwelling occupied by Mr. Scully 
 on the West Side was destroyed by fire in 1 886, 
 and he built the pleasant residence on Collins 
 Street, in which the family now dwell, and where 
 the tokens of the presence of a refined womanhood 
 arc manifest to all who enter. 
 
 -S?^>*r^»a?> 
 
 <5<^«^«^» 
 
 AY M. BRUNSON. Joliel is the home of 
 many young men of fine natural abilities, 
 ""^^Jj thorough education and business energy, 
 who in various fields of industry are acquiring fine 
 reputations and building up successful business en- 
 terprises. Among these Dr. Brunson deserves 
 mention, as he combines the intelligence, energy 
 and moral character which merit respect and win 
 success. He is engaged in the i)ractice of dentistry 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 407 
 
 and has no reason to complain of his worldly suc- 
 cess, as he has built up a fine practice in the short 
 time since he opened his ollice. 
 
 The suliject of this sketch is the 3oungest son 
 ami chiid of Cyrus M. and Pletliynnai L. (Gay) 
 lirunson, the other members of the familj' circle 
 iit'ing Eugene E. Brunson,lSI. D., who is practicing 
 his profession at Ganges, Allegan County, Mich., 
 and Dora E., wife of Dell D. Smith, of Joliet. The 
 fatiier was a native of Yates County, N. Y., and 
 was brought to the Prairie State in 1833. wlien a 
 bu3' of thirteen years. Grandfather Brunson locating 
 about eight miles north of Joliet, on the Chicago 
 road, wiien the country was yet a wilderness. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was February 23, 
 ISCO, and he was born in this county, receiving his 
 early education in the district schools which he at- 
 tended until about fourteen years of age. He spent 
 the next two winters in attending the Lockport 
 High School, .assisting his father in the intervals of 
 study, and next spending the greater part of two 
 yeiirs at the Northwestern College in Napcrville, Du 
 r.'ige County. Still unsatisfied with his attainments 
 lir entered the institution at Lombard, and three 
 V:irs later he was graduated in the class of '84, 
 Iriving taken the Latin Scientific Course. 
 
 We next find young Brunson studying medicine 
 in Bennett Medical College, Chicago, from which he 
 was graduated in 1886, and where he won a life- 
 scholarship by having the highest standing in the 
 qualiPcations required for that gift. Subsequently 
 he was offered a professorship in this institution 
 but his heart was set on dentistry, and after a short 
 time spent in the practice of the medical profession 
 he began to fit himself for that which he chose to 
 follow. Going to I'hiladelphia, he entered the 
 Dental College, and after his graduation located at 
 once in Joliet, where he has already become well 
 established as a thorough workman and holds a 
 high place as a gentleman of broa<l culture and 
 most worthy character. 
 
 Dr. Brunson belongs to various societies, chiefly 
 college fraternities, among them being the Delta 
 Tau Delia and the Erosophian Literary Society, in 
 lioth of which at various times he occupied each 
 of the Chairs. In church work he is an active 
 participant and during the three years in which he 
 
 has been Superintendent of the Universalist Sunday- 
 school, he has aw.akened the interest and built up 
 the school to one of goodly numbers. On Novem- 
 ber G, 1889, Dr. Brunson was united in marriage 
 with Miss Rose Pilcher Stopp, of Plainfleld, who 
 presides with charming grace over his cozy home 
 at 1204 Western Avenue. 
 
 Ty/AMES B.KING is a prominent citizen of 
 DuPage Township, where for nearly forty 
 years he has been actively engaged in ag- 
 
 yf) ricultural pursuits, and to his sturdy enter- 
 prise is it gre.atl^' indebted for its present substan- 
 tial prosperity. He was born September 17, 1820, 
 amid the pleasant scenes of the pretty New En- 
 gland town of Benson, Rutland County, V't. He 
 came of sterling New England stock, his ancestors 
 having come from old England to that part of the 
 country in early Colonial times. His parents, Eli 
 and Eliza (Johnson) King, were natives of New 
 England, and his paternal grandfather, Eli King, 
 liore an honorable part in the Revolution that set 
 the Colonies free from the mother country, serving 
 through the entire war, and the father of our sub- 
 ject was also a patriotic soldier in that contest. 
 
 Our subject was the oldest son of a family of five 
 children, and was reared to man's estate on a farm 
 anumg his native hills. He received his early ed- 
 ucation in the district schools, and by careful read- 
 ing has added to it, and to-daj' is an exceedingly 
 well-iuformed man. He began his career in the 
 calling to which he had l)een bred on his native 
 soil. In 18.54 he embraced the fine opportunity- 
 offered him to locate on the farm where he is now 
 living to better his fortunes. Here he and his 
 wife have a well-.appointed farm, supplied with a 
 snlistautial set of commodious buildings, with 
 farming machinery of the most approved manu- 
 facture, and the whole place bears an air of neat- 
 ness and thrift that make it attractive, and show- 
 that it is under the man.agement of a m.aster hand 
 and mind. 
 
 Mr. King was married October 28, 1840, in his 
 native State, to Diana Branch, who bore him two 
 
108 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 (laughters: Eliza, wife of E. A. Bartoo, of Indiana; 
 and Affa, wife of George Diinlap, of Plainfield, 
 III. Mr. King married for his second wife Laura 
 Branch. They liad no children. Our subject was 
 married a tiiird time, November 3, 1850, taking 
 for his wife Jli.ss Mary A. Alden. 
 
 Mrs. King is a native of this county, born June 
 24, 1839, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Alden, 
 who were of good old New England stock, and 
 were natives of Massachusetts, and she is a descen- 
 dant of the faraovis John Alden, the scholar of the 
 "Mayflower," who was a successful rival of Miles 
 Standish in his courtshii). Mrs. King's father was 
 a prominent i)ioneer of this county, coming here 
 in the fall of 1832. Mrs. King's mother did not 
 come until the spring of 1835. Mr. Alden squat- 
 ted on tiie lajid before it was in the market and 
 when the land sale occurred he secured a patent 
 from the Government, which pirchment is still 
 owned by Mrs. King and was signed liy President 
 Tyler. Her parents were among the earliest set- 
 tlers of DnPage Township, and at the time he came 
 here the country was in a very wild condition. 
 Lillians were still living here and a portion of the 
 farm, on which Mr. King now resides, was cov- 
 ered with Indian raounils or graves, anil it is sup- 
 posed to have been an old Indian battle ground. 
 They had to endure man}' of the hardships of pio- 
 neer life and to live without the enjoyment of 
 many things tiiey had thought to be necessaries 
 in their old home, but b}- j'ears of toil and strug- 
 gle, they succeeded in accumulating a comfort- 
 able property and at the time of his death, Mr. 
 Alden left an estate of three hundred and eight- 
 een acres. P>oth he and his wife died of con- 
 sumption, his death occinring October 17, 1850, 
 and the mother dying Fcbrnarj' 28, 1857. They 
 were the parents of six children, two of whom 
 are now living, Mrs. King, and Martha, wife of 
 O. 8. Smith, of Cheboygan County, Mich. Their 
 other children were Franklin, Judson, Ilattie and 
 Angelia. Mrs. King's father was a sincere Chris- 
 tian and a memlter of the Baptist Church. In his 
 death the county lost one of its most enterprising 
 pioneers, who was doing his full share to promote 
 its growth. Mr. and ]\L's. King's wedded life has 
 been blessed to them by the birth of one son. 
 
 Charles. Tliey have also an adopted daughter, 
 Ilattie, whom, in the kindness of their hearts, they 
 have taken to their home and are giving her every 
 advantage as if she were of their own flesh and 
 blood. 
 
 Mr. King came here in pioneer days, and it may 
 be his pride that he has had a hand in shaping 
 the prosperity of the county. He is a sagacious 
 far-seeing man, of excellent business capacity, is 
 friendly and obliging in his relations with his 
 neighbors, and is in every way a man of irre- 
 jiroachable character. His fellow citizens, fully 
 cognizant of his worth, have called him to office 
 at various times, and he has served as Supervisor 
 of DuPage Township two terms, and has been 
 district .School Director for a number of vears, 
 and as a public official shows himself to be honest 
 and progressive. In his political affiliations he is 
 a IJcpiiblican. He and his wife are members of 
 the Congregationnl Church at Naiierville, and are 
 identified with its every good work. They are 
 people of liigii social standing, and their home is 
 the center of that true hos|)italily where host and 
 hostess vie with each other in entertaining and 
 making comfortable all who cross its threshhold, 
 lie they friends or strangers. 
 
 ILLIAM GLOVER is a fine type of the na- 
 tive-born citizens of this State, who have 
 since attaining manhood stei)|)ed forward 
 to aid in carrying on the work so well begun by 
 their fathers, in developing and sustaining the 
 great agricultural interests in this part of the 
 country. He is engayeil in fanning and stock-rais- 
 ing on the very farm that his father evolved from 
 the wild prairies in tiie early settlement of this 
 region. 
 
 Our subject was born here May 3, 18l(), and is 
 a son of John and Harriet (Robey) Glover, na- 
 tives of England. His father, now a resident of 
 Napervillc, was formerly a well-known pioneer of 
 this township. He emigrated from his native land 
 in early manhood and coming to Illinois identified 
 himself with the early settlers of l)uP.age County. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 409 
 
 He rented a farm there for two years and then 
 coming to this count}', settled in wliat is now Du- 
 Page Township, on the farm now oocupied by our 
 subject. It was then in a wild uncultivated con- 
 dition, with the exception of four acres that were 
 broken. He toiled busily early and late in cidti- 
 vating and improving the place and made of it a 
 choice farm. He was a man fairlj'-wcll educated 
 and during his residence here was looked upon with 
 respect, and was often solicited to take otlice, but 
 never cared to do so, although he favored all the 
 schemes for public improvements. He is a sturdy 
 Democrat in his political faith. He is in his six- 
 tj'-eighth year, and still retains his mental and phy- 
 sical faculties in a marked degree. His wife did 
 not come from England until after he came. By 
 her death in 1887 he sustained a great loss. She 
 was a truly good woman and a consistent member 
 of the Presbyterian Church. She bore him five 
 children, as follows: William; Sarah, a resident of 
 Naperville; IMary, wife of John Murr of DuPage 
 Township; James, living in Missouri, and Ada, 
 wife of Julius Highland. 
 
 William Glover, of whom this biographical 
 sketch is written, was about two years old when 
 his parents brought him to this county, aud here lie 
 was reared under the influences of pioneer life and 
 has been an eye witness of the greater part of the 
 growth of the county from its primitive condition. 
 He received his education in the district schools of 
 this township, which at that early day did not offer 
 the children of the pioneers the fine educational priv- 
 leges that the children of the present generation 
 enjoy. He was a diligent scholar, however, and 
 gained all the knowledge possible in school, .ind 
 since, by reading and observation has added to it 
 so that he is now a well-informed man. He de- 
 votes himself to the management of his land which 
 comprises one hundred and forty-three and fort}'- 
 four one-hundredths acres of land, mostly under 
 cultivation and supplied with comfortable build- 
 ings, .^nd every needed improvement. 
 
 Mr. Glover is a man of upright habits and 
 sound principles, and is sagacious, careful and 
 thrifty in the management of his affairs. He has 
 thus placed himself amongst the solid men of the 
 township, and his traits of character are such as to 
 
 command the respect and regard of his fellow cit- 
 izens. In his political views he is a firm believer 
 in the jiolicj' promulgated by the Democratic party 
 and is a faithful sui)porter of its principles. All 
 things that will in any way improve township or 
 county meet with his cordial favor. He has 
 served acceptably as School Director in District 
 No. 3 for two j'ears. Mr. Glover was married 
 March 9, 1885, to Mrs. Matilda Butstround, whose 
 maiden name was Burgess, a native of England. 
 By her union with Mr. Glover she is the mother 
 of one son named .lohn. By her first marii.-ige she 
 has one daughter and one son, Elizabeth and Al- 
 bert. 
 
 * ftlLLIAM CAMPBELL STAGE. This gen- 
 \^// tleraan was born in Morris, Grundy 
 Wi County, HI., December 11, 1858, but lie- 
 canie a dweller in Joliet, in boyhood. His father, 
 William Stage, was born in Indiana, December 19, 
 1831, and his mother, Ruth Ann Smart, in Day- 
 ton, Ohio. The latter was descended from old 
 Knickerbocker stock. In 1856, Mr. Stage en- 
 gaged in the business of contracting and building 
 in Morris, aud during the decade following con- 
 structed manj' of the most noted buildings of that 
 citj'. Among them are the Streeter Block, the 
 high-school building and the engine houses. He 
 was also engaged in farming at the same time, his 
 farm being five miles north of the city. 
 
 When Joliet was having a boom, Mr. Stage saw 
 a chance to exercise his power and he therefore 
 in 1868, commenced to operate here but still m.ade 
 his home in Morris until 1882. He was immediately 
 engaged to superintend the building of the Steel 
 Works. After the great fire in Chicago he put up 
 some of the well-known buildings of that city, one 
 of which is the Batchelor A W^hiting Block, cor- 
 ner of Randolph and Clark. The parental family 
 consisted of the following children: Will C, Hat- 
 tie, Alexander, George H., Charles B., Clara, May 
 and Maggie. Hattie, Alexander and Maggie are 
 now deceased. 
 
 After the death of his father, William Campbell 
 
410 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Stage coiUiiuR'd the c-ontraclin,a' business at wliicli 
 lie was very suecessfiil. In 188.'), lie emhaikeil in 
 tlie nianufauluro of wire, lint the liu.suiess not 
 pi-dvinu- profitable, lie returned to couliaetinii- and 
 building- in stone and masonry, wliieh suited the 
 natural bent of liis life. In a brief time lie has 
 shown that he is a true son of his father, lie has 
 reeently purchased an e.\tensive ((uairy two and 
 one-half miles west of Joliet, whirh eoutains stone 
 of unsurpassed quality. 
 
 Mr. Stage was educateil tirst in the schools of 
 Morris, afterwards taking a course in the C'oniiner- 
 eial College, at Dayton. Ohio, and is therefore 
 well vei'sed in practical knowledge, lie i-; a mem- 
 ber of the .Masonic Lodge No. 12, of .loliel. and 
 is a most devoted Republican. In religious faith 
 he is a Metlu)disl. He is universally esteemed 
 and looked upon as a rising man, his energy in bus 
 iness giving promise of a high degree of worldly 
 success and his trails of character making liiin one 
 of the most popular members of society, lie has 
 an extremely cozy home, among its many improve- 
 ments being an artesian well, three hundred and 
 forty-six feet deep. 
 
 The pleasant dwelling is presided over by a 
 capable and loveable woman who became the wife 
 of our subject January 14, 1880. She bore the 
 maiden name of .lulia LucUa McCowan, and be- 
 longs to a family which is classed among the jiio- 
 necrs of Will County. The lia|j|iy marriage has 
 been blest by the birth of four children: Nettie 
 Emma, born in 1880; Alfred Campbell in 1883; 
 Alma Ethel, in 18S5; and Jesse W. in 1889. They 
 form a l)right group in whose growing intelligence 
 the [)arents take great delight and the older son al- 
 ready evi^ices musical talent of a high order. 
 
 „.. DA.M DRIMM, coming to Plainfield 
 j^I Township a quarter of a century ago, and 
 I * placing himself among its sturdy, practical 
 and wide-awake farmers, has managed its 
 agricultural interests with such success that be ac- 
 quired a handsome competence and was enabled to 
 
 retire from active business when scarcely past the 
 meridian of life, [le is of foreign iiirlh. born in 
 rieinian^', iiejir the River Rhine, June 5, 18;5i. 
 His father, Adam Driimm, was from the same 
 place, and his grandfather, also bearing that name, 
 was born in the same I'roN iiice. He was a miller 
 liy lr;i(|e, and sjient his entire life there. The 
 father of our subject learned the trade in his 
 father'.s mill, but after marriage he turned his 
 attention to fanning, and always followed that 
 occupation, S()en(ling his entire life in the land of 
 his nativity. The maiden name of his wife was 
 Sarah JSauiu, a native and life-long resident of the 
 same jihice as himself. Tney had four children, of 
 whom our subject was the only .son. and the only 
 member of the family who ever came to Amerie:i. 
 
 Mr. Druinin received a solid education in the 
 schools of his native land, which he attended 
 steadily uiilil he was fourteen years of age. He 
 then assisted his father on the farm, and remained 
 an inmate of the parental household until he was 
 nineteen 3'ears old. At that .age he started out in 
 the world to make his own living, and ambitious 
 to see what life held for him in America, he turned 
 bis face toward this country, and setting sail from 
 Havre the 15th of June, 18.33, on the good ship 
 "Isabella," landed at New Vork, after a long vo}'- 
 age of fifty-three days. He went directly to Ohio, 
 and when he arrived at his destination found that 
 he had but -^3 in his pocket, and as he was an 
 entire stranger and had no knowledge of the Ens- 
 lisli language, his [)rosi)ects were discouraging. 
 Nothing daunted, he sought employment, and 
 soon engaged to labor on a farm at ^\0 a month, 
 and was thus employed for two 3'ears. In 1855 he 
 took an imi)ortant step in life, as in that year he 
 came to this county, to take up his residence in 
 this region. With wise economy while working 
 on a farm here he saved his earnings, and finally 
 was enabled to become more independent by rent- 
 ing land. He did so well in its management that 
 in 18G5 he had enough to buy land aiul make a 
 purchase of forty acres on section 17. Three years 
 later he sold that antt bought one hundred and 
 sixty acres of land on section .32. This was wild 
 prairie land, though it was fenced and a few acres 
 were broken. Mr. Drumm completed a house that 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 411 
 
 was partially built, and later erected a substantial 
 barn, corn-cribs and other needed buildings, and 
 was assiduously engaged in tilling the soil until 
 1885, wlien he rented the farm, and coming to 
 Plainfield, has since lived retired in one of its at- 
 tractive homes. 
 
 In 1857 Mr. Drumm was united in marriage 
 with Miss Esther Arter, a native of Cumberland 
 County, Pa. Her father, John Arter, was a native 
 of the same State, while his father, Philip Arter, is 
 thought to have been born in Germany, lliough 
 he spent tlie last years of his life in Cumberland 
 County. Mrs. Drumm's fatlier was reared and 
 married in the Ke3stone Slate, and subsequent!}^ 
 moved from tliere to Starlv Count}-, Ohio. In 
 1854 he left tliat State, and coming to this count}', 
 lie bougiit a farm in Plainfu'ld Township, on wliicli 
 he lived some years, and then came to tlie village 
 where he has since lived retired. The maiden 
 name of liis wife vv.as Klien King, and she was born 
 in England, and died on llie farm in Plainfield 
 TowMshi|). Mr. and ^Irs. Drunim have had four 
 children, as follows: William 11.; Sarah, wife of 
 Edward Huffman; Jessie N. and George E. The 
 great grief in an otherwise happy wedded life has 
 been in the death of tlieir daughter Jessie, who 
 died at the age of eighteen years. 
 
 Mr. Drumm has a keen, resolute nature, and by 
 prompt, systematic methods and other excellent 
 business habits, has acquired a valuable property, 
 and is one of the moneyed men of the place. He is a 
 man of earnest religious feeling, and in him and 
 his worthy wife, the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 has two of its most active members. 
 
 -^^ 
 
 AVID G. WHITSON. Manhattan Town- 
 
 I) ship contains man}- rural homes, wliere 
 
 comfort abounds and many of the luxuries 
 of life may be found, among them that of 
 David G. Wliitson on section 18. The owner is 
 an early settler of Will County, which has been 
 his home since he was twelve years old, and much 
 information can be olitained from him regarding 
 the growth of this section, and indeed of the en- 
 
 tire State, as he is well informed and possesses the 
 happy faculty of conversing well. His nature is a 
 genial and energetic one, the latter quality being 
 well proven by his financial success and equally 
 well by the services which he rendered his country 
 during the late war. 
 
 Mr. AVliitson is the fourth in a family of nine 
 children, whose parents are mentioned at length in 
 tlie biography of his brother, John II. Whitson, 
 found elsewliere in this Album. He was born 
 April 7, 1841, in Lawrence County, where the 
 first twelve years of his life were chiefly spent. 
 Ills surroundings were such as were common to 
 most farmers' sons, and even in his boyhood he 
 was given his share in the duties of the home, 
 acquiring skill in various lighter labors of the 
 farm. His school privileges were somewhat lim- 
 ited, as the system then in vogue was that of sub- 
 scription schools which were open but a portion 
 of the year. The temple of learning was an old 
 fashioned log building, with a large, open fire- 
 place, puncheon floor, slab benches and small 
 windows. One of his 'iarly recollections is of a tri[) 
 to Iowa, which was made with teams, 'the Blissis- 
 sippi River being crossed at Burlington; this oc- 
 curred wiien he was ten years old. 
 
 The family sojourned in Iowa about a year 
 and then returned to their former home where, 
 not long after, our subject and his brother Will- 
 iam were left in charge of some forty head of 
 cattle, while the father came with the rest of the 
 family to Will County. Two months after their 
 removal the brothers drove the cattle to the new 
 home, our subject taking a man's place upon the 
 farm. During the winter he attended school, ad- 
 ding to his store of knowledge, and at other 
 times becoming more and more thoroughly ac- 
 quainted with agricultural life. 
 
 When he had reached man's estate Mr. AVhitson 
 began life for himself upon rented land, in Kan- 
 kakee County, near Rockville. He began his la- 
 bors there in the spring of 1862, but in August, 
 not being able longer to continue peaceful pur- 
 suits while his country's needs cried to him for 
 the strength of his right arm, he left valuable ma- 
 chines standing in the field and dropping everything 
 entered the army. He was enrolled in Company I, 
 
112 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Seventy sixth Illinois Infantry. niu>Uiiil in at 
 K:inkakce City and sent South, two nmnllis later 
 becoming a Corporal. From Cairo tlie troops 
 wi'Mt to Coliunluis, Ky., wlieie for a short time 
 tlii'y were in (•••unp .ind whither they toolc liieir 
 way to Bolivar, via llolley Springs, engaged in 
 sliirmishing daily. Tliey were next sent to Mem- 
 phis and on the way thither were engaged in 
 skirmishes, several of whieii amounted really to 
 battles. Our subject w.as at tiiis time acting as 
 Sergeant over thirty-six men, doing provost and 
 (latrol work under ( ien. Hall. Couiuiaudei' of tlie 
 Second Jirigade, Fnurtli Division. Seventeenth 
 Arm}' Corps. 
 
 At Memphis tlie troops took boats for Vicks- 
 burg. landing at Young's Point, around which 
 they nnuehed to bear their part in the famous 
 siege. Mr. Whitsoii had the good fortune to see 
 Gen. Grant receive the sword of Gen. Pemberton 
 when the latter surrendered. The next heavy en- 
 gagement in which he took part was the battle of 
 .lackson. following which was that of Clinton, a 
 return to Vicksburg and the Yazoo expedition 
 The Red River expedition soon followed and then 
 the removal to New Orleans, where they camped 
 at Sedgvvick Hospital. Only those who are famil- 
 iar with arnij' life can fully realize the danger and 
 toil whicli tilled the intervals between the battles 
 and expeditions mentioned, and know all that the 
 lioys in blue endured on tented lield, in weary 
 niaiches and in the heat of battle. 
 
 Breaking cani|), the troops of wliich our subject 
 formed an integral part, embarked on the ■•Pea- 
 body" with Gen. Hall. The boat was disabled on 
 account of the rudder chain being broken by the 
 force of the breakers, and it became necessary to 
 tiirow three hundred and fifty mules, twenty-five 
 horses, all the provisions and many other stores 
 overboard, in order that the boat might be able to 
 reach New Orleans, to which they were obliged to 
 return. They then took the Lake I'ontchartrain 
 train to Pensacola, where they were in camp four 
 weeks, marching thence to Spanish Fort which the3' 
 captured, thence [iroceeding to besiege Ft. Blakely. 
 Here Mr. Whitson received a serious wound which 
 necessitated his being sent to the hospital and re- 
 maining tiiere three months. After he iiad "otten 
 
 inside of the rifle pits a shell struck the back of hi.s 
 right siioidiler. taking off liie llesh and injuring the 
 shoulder blade. At Clinton he hail received a 
 slight scratch from a musket ball, which passed be- 
 tween his lirst and second lingers. At Sedgwick 
 Hospital, Septeml)er (>, IHGy, he was mustered out 
 of the service and honorably discharged after a 
 valiant ai'my life of over three years. 
 
 Returning to his home Mr. Whitson .igain en- 
 gaged in farming, the following year ti-aveling 
 through Iowa, Kansas and Nebra.ska with teams. 
 Returning .Igain to the parental home he farmed 
 his father's place until 18G8, when he purchased 
 eighty acr(;s of raw land, at ^:V^ per acre, and loca- 
 teil upon it. He placed it under tlmrough cidtiva- 
 tion and excellent improvcncnt, and it now forms 
 a part of liis fine estate. In 187G he [);iid ^AG per 
 acre for the eighty l)elonging to his brother John, 
 and putting up a house removed to that part of 
 his land. The entire quarter section is tillable, is 
 divided b}- good fences into fields of convenient 
 size, is beautified and made more valuable by a 
 good orchard and all the buildings neeessarj- for 
 the proper housing of cro|)s and slock and the 
 convenience of the dwellers u|)on it. A modern 
 barn, 4(jxl(> feet, was huili in 1880. Good grades 
 of Cl3"desdale horses and Poland-China swine are 
 kejjt, and in addition to those raised upon the 
 place Mr. Whitson feeds at least a car load of 
 swine per year. 
 
 The lady who for a numljer of years ably [)rc- 
 sided over the home of Mr. Whitson, bore the 
 maiden name of Mary Etter, anil became his wife 
 in Joliet, February 24, 1801). She was a native of 
 the Buckeye State and member of a family of 
 which further mention is made in, the sketch of 
 John H. Whitson, occupying another page in this 
 Auii'M. She was removed from the scenes of time 
 in April, 1883. leaving behind her a sorrowing 
 household and friends whose name is le<fion. To 
 Mr. and Mrs. W'hitson eight children were born, 
 named respectively, E. Charles, Elizabeth, Laura, 
 Louis, Mary, Editii, Arthur and William. 
 
 Mr. Whitson has been an efficient laboier in the 
 cause of education, and has been called upon to serve 
 as School Director during nearl}' all of his mature 
 years. He still occupies that jiosition. He is a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 415 
 
 devoted adherent of the principles of Republiean- 
 isiii, has served his party as a delegate to county 
 conventions and been appointed to represent tlie 
 interests of tills section in a State convention, al- 
 Ihougli he did not attend this meeting. He bas 
 sat upon botli grand and petit juries. He sup- 
 ports and attends the Methodist Kpiscopal Ciiurcli. 
 
 EN.IAMIN SIIAFFNER. A career of plod- 
 ding industrj- followed through many 3-ears 
 has placed Mr. Shaffner in a position of 
 independence financially, and he is now 
 living retired from active business amid the com- 
 forts of a pleasant iiome in the city of Joliet. He 
 was born in Cumberland County, Pa., November 
 11), 1825, and is a son of .John Shaffner, also a na- 
 tive of the Keystone State. The mother bore the 
 maiden name of Susanna Bowers, and after mar- 
 riage the parents settled on a farm in their native 
 Stale. 
 
 Siijourning in Pennsylvania until 182(J, the pa- 
 rt'uts of our subject then took u]) their line of 
 march for Ohio, locating in what was then Stark 
 hut now Summit County, where they sojourned for 
 a pel iod of twenty years. Thence they removed to 
 New Lennox Township, Will Count}', where the 
 fatiier constructed another home and there spent 
 the closing 3ears of his life, dying at the a<lvanced 
 age of eighty-one. The mother survived her hus- 
 band five years. 
 
 The parental family- consisted of seven children. 
 Mr. Shaffner remained a member of his father's 
 liduschold until twenty-one years old and then 
 look unto himself a wife and helpmate, being wed- 
 ded .lanvuiry 20, 18.52, to Miss Caroline Larkin. 
 This lady was born in Cr.-uiln'ook, Kent, England, 
 May 18, 1 8.'32, and came to Auierira with her pa- 
 rents, .lesse and Sophia Larkin, when about seven- 
 teen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffner after their 
 marriage, settled on a farm in .lackson Townshii), 
 where the}- sojourned until 18G2. Removing then 
 to Joliet Mr. Shaffner engaged in carriage and 
 wagon-making and also in carpentering. Later he 
 embarked in the grocery and coal trade and gave 
 
 his attention to the coal business for fourteen years, 
 abandoning the grocery department soon after en- 
 gaging in it. In the meantime he had associated 
 with him his son and they operated together Bve 
 years under the firm name of B. Shaffner & Son. 
 Mr. Shaffner retired from the coal trade in May, 
 1884. 
 
 By a course of uiirightnessand honesty, together 
 with courteous treatment of his customers, Mr. 
 Shaffner built up an extensive patronage and ac- 
 cumulated a competence. He has a fine home at the 
 intersection of Mound and Sherman Streets, and 
 also owns a share in the Shaffner Block, on Wash- 
 ington Street, also a half interest in the coal busi- 
 ness of E. L. Shaffner, his son, who is represented 
 elsewhere in this work. The coal-3'ard is amply 
 equipped with sheds, a large ice-house and a good 
 sized office, and lies between the Chicago & Alton 
 and the Santa Fe Railroad tracks, on Washington 
 Street. 
 
 Mr. Shaft'ner, politically, votes with the Repub- 
 lican party. Besides the two children born to him 
 and his estimable wifc,tliey have an adopted daugh- 
 ter. Miss Carrie, a maiden of twenty years. Eph 
 L. is one of the iiromising business men of the city 
 of Joliet; Eldoii P., a moulder by trade, has held 
 the same position with the Rolling Mill for the 
 long period of fifteen years — which is a sufficient 
 indication of his worth and aliility. 
 
 Jesse Larkin, the father of Mrs. Shaffner, only 
 lived three months after coming to .Toliet, surviv- 
 ing his wife only three da^'s, ami they left a family 
 of seven children among strangers in a strange land. 
 A short time prior to this they had emigrated to 
 America from Cranbrook, Keni County, England. 
 
 The reader will recognize in the portrait of Mr. 
 Shaft'ner, which appears on another jjage, one of 
 the most prominent and influential citizens of 
 Joliet. 
 
 '(_^ ARPER BOVEE, of Wilmington Township, 
 came to this section of countiy about the 
 ^)^ year 1870, and in due time purchased 
 (^P one hundred and sixty acres of land on 
 section 14, Wilmington Township, where he has 
 
416 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 since given his attention to the various piiisuits of 
 f;uni life. Ills laii'l is mostly prairie. iasii_v tilled 
 and hii;lil_v iirodinlive, and liiere is an air of com- 
 fort about llie premises wLicii <?ives indication of 
 tbc oversigiit of a man enterprising and industri- 
 ous — one wiio lias surrounded himself and his fam- 
 ily with all of the comforts of life, and who has 
 accumulated a suflicieney of this world's goods to 
 insure him against want in his old age. 
 
 A native of Wyoming County, N.Y., the subject of 
 this notice vvas born June 25, 1825, and is a son of 
 Harper and Lydia (Nichols) Bovee, who were na- 
 tives of New England and the father a farmer by 
 occuiiation. The latter emigrated to New York 
 State early in life, where he spent many years as 
 a resident of Wyoming County, coming West about 
 1850. He died of cholera in St. Louis, Mo., in 
 1852. Although not a money-getter, he provided 
 comfortalily for his faniilj'and was a man esteemed 
 in his community, being prominent in local affairs, 
 and holding the minor ofliccs. After his death the 
 family lemoved to Rockville, Kankakee County, 
 tiiis State, and the mother came to Wilmington 
 witii her family- and died there. 
 
 The parental family of our subject comprised 
 the following cliildren; Tlie two eldest, Uoby and 
 Norman, both died after marriage and left fami- 
 lies; Mary is the wife of Solon Billings, of Spring- 
 field, Erie County, Pa.; Harmon is farming in 
 Washington; Harper, our subject, was the fifth 
 child; Olivia died in childhood; Alexander is fann- 
 ing in L'nion County, Dak.; .lohn is farming in Wil- 
 mington Township, this county; Charles died after 
 his marriage in Peoria. Ilari)er, our subject, was 
 reared to man's estate in his native county, whence 
 he removed with his parents to Chautauqua 
 County, and later to Erie County, Pa. His early 
 years were spent uneventfully under the home 
 roof, obtaining such education as was afforded in 
 the common school and assisting his father and 
 brothers around the farm. He lived in Pennsyl- 
 vania until 1870, coming that year to this county. 
 
 New Year's Day, 1873, was appropriately cele- 
 brated by Mr. Bovee in his marriage with Miss 
 Lora Tilden. who was then a resident of Custer, 
 this county. Mrs. Bovee was born ISIareh 5, 1839, 
 in Willianistown, Orange County, Vt., and is a 
 
 daughter of Martin F. and Sarah A. (Kimball) 
 Tilden, who weie likewise natives of the Green 
 Mountain State. They emigrated to St. Lawrence 
 County, N. Y.. in 1840, where they lived nine 
 years, then moved on further westward to this 
 county, settling in Custer Township. The father 
 secured a farm and is still living there. The 
 mother died at the homestead about 1883. The 
 si.x children of the parental family were named 
 respectively: Lora, the wife of our subject; Sarah, 
 who is a widow and living at home with her 
 father; Martha; Lewis and Hannah deceased; 
 Martha (2d), also deceased. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bovee have no children. This is 
 the second marriage of our subject, his first wife 
 having been Miss Marietta Linn, a native Qf Craw- 
 ford County, Pa. Of that union there was born 
 one child, a son, Odel. who died in infancy. Mrs. 
 Marietta Bovee died about 18.iG or 18.57, in Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 EMIL HAASS, M. D. The confidence which 
 is bestowed by the people of Frankfort and 
 ^ ' vicinity upon this gentleman is not mis- 
 placed, as he is thoroughly skilled in the medical 
 ])rofession, is well read in general topics, has been 
 a keen observer of life in its various phases, and 
 has borne himself as a man of breeding and fine 
 character in all the scenes through which he has 
 passed. lie ojiened his office at B'rankfort Station 
 in the fall of 1877 and was not long in securing a 
 large practice Mhich includes a wide extent of ter- 
 ritory in Will and Cook Counties. He has lieen 
 very successful in alleviating suffering, and well 
 deserves the honor wl'.ich he receives as a member 
 of a profession which is exceeded in its benefits 
 oidj' by that of the ministry, and which in many 
 respects stands side by side with the priestly calling. 
 The family of which Di-. Haass is so worthy a 
 member has given the world professional and busi- 
 ness men of high standing, and women of great 
 intelligence and worth of character. His paternal 
 grandfather w.is Prof. George Haass, a native of 
 Alsace, France, and a graduate of the Strasbourg 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 417 
 
 Seminary. He engaged in the profession of leach- 
 ing until tiie first FrencK Revolution, wlien he 
 removed to Baden, remaining there until liis death, 
 vvhicli occurred at the ripe age of eighty- four years. 
 
 Tlie fallier of liim whom we write was also called 
 George and was born in Baden, Cierman}'. He was 
 graduated froia the famous university at Ileidol- 
 Ijerg and became a minister of the Evangelical 
 Cluireh, having a pastorale at Bisliopshcim and 
 later at Millieim. At tlie latter place lie became 
 Deacon and had the supervision of the ministers of 
 the district, a position of high authority in the 
 Church. He entered into rest in 1865, at the age 
 of sixty-fiveyears. He was twice married, .the first 
 union resulting in the birth of three children: 
 Charles, who died in New York; Sophia who died 
 of yellow fever at Memphis, Tenn.; and Emil. 
 
 The molhei- of these children was Caroline 
 Masque, who was born in Strasbourg and was a 
 daughter of Dr. Conrad Masque. The latter was 
 liijin in France, studied the profession of medicine 
 and })racticed in Strasbourg until his death. His 
 daughter received a line education and taught in 
 the royal families of the Duchess Amelia of 
 Coburg, the Princess of Baden, and other branches 
 of the nobilit3- prior to her marriage to the Rev. 
 George Haass. Her death took place in 18"29. 
 
 The second marriage of the father of our subject 
 was blest by the birth of four children, of whom 
 wc note the following. The oldest son, George, 
 entered the ministry and labored faithfully in the 
 Masier's vineyard until his death, which occurred 
 in Germany. Maximillian came to America and 
 (hiring the late Civil War was Adjutant-general 
 in Sherman's aimy under Gen. Osterhaus; he is 
 now engaged in the drug business in Mendota, 111. 
 Theodore is a millionaire and owner of a castle at 
 r.aden-Veiler, in the Dnehy of Baden. Matilda 
 lesides in Amsterdam, Holland. 
 
 The subject of this sketch opened his ej'es to the 
 light of day in .Strasltourg, Germany, August 5, 
 1827. Soon after his birth his father removed to 
 the Duchy of Baden and the lad was reared to the 
 age of eleven years in Bishopsheim. He then 
 went to live with an uncle in Paris, France, and 
 there attended the Academy Royal until 1844. He 
 next entered the world-famous university at Heidel- 
 
 berg and after a year in that institution, went to 
 Freiburg, where he continued his studies until 184G. 
 
 The following spring he returned to the French 
 capital, entering the medical department of the 
 Academy Royal and continuing his studies there 
 until the schools were closed on account of the 
 Revolution of 1848, when Louis Philippe was 
 dethroned, a Republic instituted and Louis Na|)0- 
 leon Bonaparte made President. The 3-OMng 
 student remained in the capital during the Reign 
 of Terror but as soon as it was possible to leave 
 the city he returned to Baden. About tlie time of 
 his return to the parental home an attem[)t was 
 made by German Revolutionists to found a Repub- 
 lic in Baden, and the ardent young man joined the 
 forces, taking an active part in speechmaking and 
 other efforts to accomplish their purpose. He was 
 associated with Charles Shutts and other leaders 
 whose names and deeds are historical. He held 
 the position of Assistant Surgeon in the Revolu- 
 tionist army, and being captured with the others 
 when they were overpowered by the Royalists, he 
 was court-martialed and sentenced to six years 
 labor in the fortilications or to banishment. 
 
 Accepting the latter altei-native Mr. Haass 
 returned to Paris and completed his medical course ; 
 being graduated in December, 1849. After prac- 
 ticing a couple of weeks at Lauchemaux, near the 
 capital, he made arrangements to come to America. 
 From his mother he liad inherited some jjroperty 
 whieh was luckily in France and could not be con- 
 fiscated by the German Government, and this he 
 disposed of. His father also sold some propertv in 
 Germany and the young man therefore had a small 
 ca[)ital with which to embaik. About the middle 
 of December, 1849, he left Havre, France, on the 
 sailing vessel -'Gallia," and after a pleasant voj\nge 
 of three weeks landed in New York Cit3- January 6, 
 1850. 
 
 One of the faculty in the academy at Paris had 
 given Dr. Haass a letter of introduction and recom- 
 mendation to a physician in Philadelphia and to 
 that city he at once went. After consultation with 
 the gentleman to whom he had been introduced, he 
 concluded to begin his practice in the country and 
 therefore located at Plainfield, where he sojourned 
 nearly a twelvemonth. While in that town he was 
 
418 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 one of the committee appointed to receive the 
 
 SwciJisli sonjistress, Jenn^' Liml, wlioii she visited 
 llie pliice. The Dooloi' Iiiul picviuusly hfiiidher in 
 Kurcpi", as he liad ulliur famous singers of liiat 
 l)iMii)il. Tlio Doctor lias a decided taste and love 
 for opi'ra, which he acqiiiifd wliile makinj; his 
 home in Paris. 
 
 After a comparatively siiort sojourn in the Key- 
 slone .Stale, Dr. Haass removed to Illinois, his first 
 locntion lieing at Peru, where lie i)racticed for two 
 years. He then removed to Mendota, of which he 
 was one of the first praeticinj; physicians and where 
 he not onl^' worked up a line business, but was also 
 engas'ed in the drug trade. In 1860 he determined 
 to remove farther west and selected Boonevillc, 
 Mo., as the scene of his future labors. He was a 
 strong Abolitionist, but realizing that it was not 
 politic to announce his views, he kept them to him- 
 self during the period immediately preceding and 
 following the breaking out of the Civil War. 
 
 However, as a strong Union man he helped to 
 organize the Home Guard and after Gen. Lyons 
 had defeated the rebels at Jetterson City, they Vforv 
 mustered into the service by Gov. Jackson and the 
 ba'id, two hundred strong, became attached to 
 Lyons' force. Dr. Haass held the double position 
 of First Lieutenant and Surgeon, and with his com- 
 rades participated in many skirmishes and the 
 species of warfare known as 'uishwhacking, during 
 the ensuing six months. The Home Guards were 
 then disbanded, some to join the Fifth Cavalry, 
 and our subject was ordered to take charge of the 
 l)ost hos|)ita( at IJooncville as head surgeon. He 
 performetl the duties of that ollice until the hos- 
 pital was abandoned, and he was mustered out and 
 honorably discharged in Jul}-, 1803. 
 
 We next find Dr. Haass sojourning again for a 
 short time in Mendota, 111., vvhencc he removed to 
 Morris, (Jrundy County, and with that cit}' as his 
 headquarters, successfully labored at his profession 
 until 1877. in the fall of which ^ear became to 
 Frankfort Station. Here he has added to his pro- 
 fessi(jnal reputation and has made hosts of friends, 
 ever3one having a gotjd word for him. He has 
 been useful in the municipal affairs of the village, 
 serving on the Board of Trustees four years and 
 now filling the position of I'resident of that body 
 
 
 for tlie second year. He belongs to the Evangel- 
 ical Lutheran Churrli of this place. He belonged 
 to the Odd Fellows lodge at Mendota but is not 
 now identified with that fraternity. In polities he 
 is independent. 
 
 Dr. Haass has a fine residence and lots, his home 
 being sufficiently commodious, convenient and well 
 furnished, displaying evidences of good taste in all 
 its arrangements, but without ostentation. It is 
 particularly well 5up|)lied with the literature of the 
 day and the best works of classical writers. While 
 living in the French capital. Dr. Haass had every 
 advantage to observe life in its various phases and 
 he there made the acquaintance of members of the 
 different professions and leading lights of the da^'. 
 It is a pleasure to converse with him and to hear 
 him relate incidents of his meetings with men in 
 the different walks of life, and describe the scenes 
 through which he passed during the Reign of 
 Terror and the revolution in his own land. He is 
 indeed a man wlioni an^' coniuninity may lie proud 
 to claim as a citizen. . 
 
 The marriage of Dr. Ilasiss and Miss lOliza Hess 
 was celebrated at the home of the bride's mother in 
 Mendota, Aj^ril 25, 1H.53. Mrs. H.aass was born in 
 Neider-Fckenheim, Baden, Germany, Jl.a^' 2G, 1833, 
 to John and Anna B. (Volmer) Hess. Her parents 
 ■were natives of the same duchy and her father was 
 a farmer in excellent circumstances. He died in 
 his native land anil the widowed mother with her 
 daughter came to America in IS'jS, dying in Men- 
 dota in 1864. The parental family consisted of 
 three children — Marie, John ami Kliza, the latter 
 being the onlj' one novv living, .lohn parlicipaled 
 in the Revolution in Baden and lieing compelled lo 
 leave the counlr\% emigrated to America, settling 
 in Pennsylvania and subsequenth' sending for his 
 mother and surviving sister. They crossed the 
 ocean on the ••William Tell" and after remaining 
 in the Keystone State a year, took up their residence 
 in Illinois. 
 
 Mrs. Haass received excellent home training. 
 was well educated, and grew to womanhood with a 
 character which won for her many friends where- 
 ever she was known. She is a model housekeeper, 
 a sympathizing conijianion, ami a kind and consid- 
 erate mother. Her hapjiy union has been blest by 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 419 
 
 tlie birth of seven children, viz : Emil who died 
 in Morris; Charles who is employed in the grain 
 elevator in Frnnkfort; Emma, Maximillian, George, 
 Alice and Albert, all of whom still abide under the 
 parental roof. George is tiie tonsorial artist at 
 Frankfort. All tiie children arc bright and prom- 
 ising, well advanced for their years and are all 
 that parental love could desire. 
 
 Al'T. IRA W. SMITH, farmer and 
 stock-raiser of Custer Township, pro|)rietor 
 of one of the largest farms in the county, 
 was an oflicer in the late war, in which he won a 
 distinguished record for bravery, superior t.act, and 
 cool daring, and showed other higli soldierly qual- 
 ities as a leader that gained him an enviable repu- 
 tation in militar3' circles. 
 
 The father of our subject, who bore the same 
 name as himself, was of New England origin and 
 birth, a native of the State of Vermont. His pater- 
 nal grandfather, also of the same name, was a sol- 
 dici' both in the war of the Revolution and the 
 War of 1812. The mother of our subject, wiiose 
 maiden name was Louisa ]>eckwitii, was also of 
 \'crmout birth. She was married to the father of 
 our subject in their niitive State, and thence they 
 removed to Ohio in pioneer da3's and subsequently 
 came to Illinois in the month of November, 1844, 
 and cast their lot with the early settlers of this 
 county. His f.ather became much |)rospered there 
 and improved a good farm which remained his 
 home until his de.ath in 1872. His wife died in 
 1847. They were the parents of six children, live 
 of whom are now living. 
 
 Our subject was the eldest of the family, and he 
 was born in Huron, Loraine County, (Jhio, Novem- 
 ber 27, 1832. He attended school but ten months 
 i)efore his twenty-first year. He was, however, a 
 lad of naturally good mental capacit}-, was fond of 
 his studies and he managed to improve his educa- 
 tion, working hard and obtaining money by which 
 he was enabled to attend Oberlin College. He was 
 a student there for nine months and by constant 
 attention to his books he acquired more knowledge 
 
 in that time than many a student who pursues a 
 full course. He had not money enough to take 
 him through college, and he came back to Illinois 
 and found cmplo3 ineut by the day and month until 
 1857. In that year he engaged with his father as 
 superintendent of his farm. The breaking out of 
 the war found him thus employed. He had 
 watched with great interest the progress of affairs 
 that led up to the Ri^bellion, and as soon as he 
 could manage it, he offered his services to his coun- 
 try, enlisting September 26, 1861, in Company D, 
 Fourth Illinois Cavalry, as a private. He served 
 three )'ears. then re-enlisted as a veteran in the 
 company known as the Veteran Battalion of Illi- 
 nois, commanded by Maj. A. T. Search. This 
 company was afterward consolidated with the 
 Twelfth Illinois Cavalry under Col. llasbrook Da- 
 vis, afterward General. Our subject proved him- 
 self to be especially adapted for a soldier, and 
 his valor and able services won him deserved pro- 
 motion, and he rapidly passed through all the 
 grades until he was finally the ranking C'aptain of 
 the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. His nerve .and un- 
 daunted cour.age pointed him out to his superiors 
 as one wdio would make a good scout and he served 
 for seventeen months in that capacity. 
 
 Our subject took an .active part in the following 
 battles: skirmish at Columbus, Ky. ; was present 
 at the siege and capture of Fts. Henry and Don- 
 nelson; engaged at Savannah, and he was at Shiloh 
 both days. His troop was the first to receive the 
 enemy's fire the night before the battle of Island 
 No. 10, and was in the front at Ft. Pillow and at 
 Memphis. Capt. Smith took part in Grant's raid 
 down the Mobile & Ohio Railw.ay, and he did gal- 
 lant service before Vicksburg. While on detached 
 service .as a scout he operated from Columbus, 
 Ky., to New Orleans, on both sides of the Missis- 
 sippi River. He crossed the State of Mississippi 
 six times and the length of it twice. He collected 
 the data for the Engineering Department to con- 
 struct maps of West Tennessee. Kentuckj', Mis- 
 souri and the .Southern part of Arkansas to the foot 
 hills. This was a very laborious service and re- 
 quired especial tact and ability to get allthe facts 
 about the roads, etc. The Captain was relieved 
 from scouting at his own request in 1865, and then 
 
120 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 rejoined liis rogiinoiit ami remained wiili it, until 
 his discharge. In 18G4, dining the months of .inly 
 and August, he was in sixty skirmishes. At the 
 battle of thampion Hills, his com|)auy of forty- 
 eight men lost at one volley twelve of tlieir num- 
 ber. Our subject vvas woumled three times and 
 had three horscskilled undei' liiui .'uid two wounde<l. 
 At one time he made a desperate charge with eight 
 men into a rebel ambush and one of his men fell 
 dead, pierced with seven bullets, and his horse was 
 completely riddled. The other seven men did not 
 escape unscathed, l)ut had twenty-four wounds 
 amongst them and their horses were also equally 
 wo\inded. Their gallant Captain cut hi.s way 
 through the enemy and got back to the Union 
 lines unharmed. He served under tlie following 
 Generals: INIcPhcrson, dohn A. Logan, Davis, 
 Ashboth, Wilson, Grierson and Hragman. Our 
 gallant Captain had the honor of serving as escort 
 to Gen. Grant at Vicksburg, and he was also with 
 him at Yazoo City. His last service was in Texas 
 and he was mustered out December 15, 1865, hav- 
 ing been in the army four years and four months. 
 Returning to his old home he has since been en- 
 gaged on his present farm, tilling the soil and rais- 
 ing stock. He owns one of the largest farms in 
 this section of the country, coini)rising seven hun- 
 dred and fifty acres, all lying in a body, of as fine 
 farming land as is to be found in this locality. 
 
 Mr. .Smith w^as married in June, l.SGG, to AHss 
 J'^Ua Hanson. Her father, David Hanson, was 
 a nu'iiiber of the Thirtj-ninth Illinois Infantry, 
 and was killed near Uichmonil. Mrs. Smith was 
 born in 1842, and received the- advantages of a 
 good common-school education. She is the mother 
 of six children, of whom the following throe are 
 living: Frank, aged nineteen years; Katie, four- 
 teen years old; and Ira N\'., four j-ears old. Mrs. 
 Smith and her children are members in good stand- 
 ing of the Episcopal Church. 
 
 Capt. Smith is very systematic in all th.it he does 
 and manages his extensive farm after improved 
 melhods, and its man}' acres of fertile S(,>il make it 
 a very desirable piece of pro|)erty. During the 
 late war. the worth of Mr. Smith's citizenship was 
 thoroughly proved, and his course since then as a ! 
 private citizen has snstaliu'd Ids well-earned repu- I 
 
 tation for loyalty, tnitlifidncss and honor, and Cus- 
 ter Township holds him as one of her best citizens. 
 He has taken |)art in the public life of the ])lace, 
 has been a Director of this district and is now 
 Highway Commissioner. He is a stanch Republi- 
 can and has always been a hard worker for his 
 party. He was a delegate to the l.-ist State Con- 
 vention, but received injuries from the kick of a 
 horse so that' he was unable to attend. He is a 
 member of the Masonic order, belonging*,© Blue 
 Lodge Chapter and Cominandery. In remembrance 
 of his army life he is identified with Bowen Post, 
 No. 17, G. A. H., of Wilmington. 
 
 HESTER H. MARSHALL. Among the 
 leading families of New Lenox Township 
 maj^ be properly mentioned Mr. Marshall 
 and his amiable and accomplished wife, both of 
 whom take an active interest in all of the progres- 
 sive movements of the day. They are readers and 
 thinkers, more than ordinarily intelligent and well 
 informed, and have one of the pleasanlest homes in 
 the towiislii|) where often gather fur social inter- 
 course the friends whom they have draw'n around 
 them by their geni.il natures and kindly hospitality. 
 They stand high in social circles and are active in 
 church work. They arc numbered among the 
 chief pillars of the Baptist Church at lladlej'. of 
 which Mrs. Maishall, who is possessed of rare mu- 
 sical talents, has been organist for twenty-tive 
 years. 
 
 The immediate progenitor of our subject is the 
 well-known Deacon RoUin Marshall, who was boin 
 in CamilUis, Onondaga County. N. V. The mother 
 bore the maiden name of Ann Burrill, and she was 
 a native of the same county as her husband where 
 they were married. Thence they came to this 
 county in IKol, and settled in New Lenox Town- 
 ship, where the father built ii|) a good homestead, 
 and where the mother died about 1842. 
 
 Deacon Rollin Marshall, after the death of his 
 wife continued to live for a time in New ]>enox 
 Township and then removed to Mokena, which is 
 still his home. He was married a second time to 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 421 
 
 Mrs. Belinda 'Ingersoll) Parker, widow of Silas 
 Parker, who died in Plainfield, tiiis count}', many 
 years ago. Of the first marriage of Deacon Mar- 
 .sliall there were born three sons, the eldest of whom, 
 fieorge N., entered the Union Army during the 
 late war as a member of Companj' M, Fourtii jNIichi- 
 gan Cavalry. He went to the front with his regi- 
 ment, was captured by the enem)', and suffered the 
 horrors of Andersonville prison, withiu which he 
 died about 1864. Chester II., our subject, was the 
 second liorn. Jacob B. went to California after 
 reaching manhood and was killed 1)}' a snow-slide 
 in the mountains. 
 
 Deacon Marshall was a man ambitious and ener- 
 getic during his 3'ounger years an<l ijrominciit in 
 the affairs of his community. He contributed his 
 full quota to the growth and development of his 
 adopted township, was strictl}' honest in his trans- 
 actions with his fellow-men, a kind man in his fam- 
 ily and much respected by his neighbors. His 
 name will be held in high remembrance long after 
 he has been gathered to his fathers. He is now 
 cigiity-four years old. By his second marriage 
 there was one child, Adal'ue, who is single and at 
 hcjme. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the only surviving 
 child of his father's familj' by his first marriage. 
 He was born in New Lenox Township, October 18, 
 1 S3.'), and has spent the greater part of his time 
 within its limits. He acquired a practical educa- 
 tion in the common school, togetlier wit1i those 
 iiabits of industry and frugalit}' which iiave con- 
 tributed to liis success in life. He was married at 
 the residence of John M. Rej'nolds in New Lenox 
 Township, November 10, 1859, to Miss Clara M., 
 daughter of Mr. Reynolds, a sketch of whom ap- 
 pears elsewhere in tliis volume. Mrs. Marsiiall w.as 
 horn at the farm where she now resides, ()ctol)er 
 21), 1840. In connection with her studies, which 
 she prosecuted in the common schools, she began 
 receiving musical instruction at an early age and 
 evinced more'than ordiuarj' talent as a singer and 
 performer. She has proved in all respects the suit- 
 able companion and helpmate _of her husband and 
 witii him enjoys the friendship of a large circle of 
 .acquaintances. Mr. Marshall votes the Rei)ublican 
 ticket and alw.ays keeps himself posted u|)on the 
 
 march of public events. He has ofiBciated as Road 
 Commissioner and School Trustee, also as a Clerk 
 in the Iladley B.aptist Church. In 1884, he was 
 elected a Justice of the Peace, which office he has 
 held to the present time. For a period of sixteen 
 years he w.as Secretary of the New Lenox Fire In- 
 surance Company, and managed the affairs of the 
 company in a manner creditable to himself and 
 satisfactory to all concerned. 
 
 )^M ATHIAS L. COOK, a member of the firm 
 of Bennett & Co., liverymen, m.akes liis 
 lieadquarters at No. 408 Van Buren Street, 
 Joliet, and holds a good position among 
 the business men of the city. He is a veteran of 
 seventy-three years, having been born September 
 2, 18 IG, and is a native of Morris County, N. J. 
 He comes from a good family, being the son of 
 Jabez and Sarah (Burett) Cook, who were natives 
 of New Jersey, and spent their last years in that 
 State. The parental family consisted of six chil- 
 dren, two of wiiom are living. 
 
 The subject of this notice grew to mature years 
 in his native place, and when appro.aching man- 
 hood began an apprenticeship .at the carpenter's 
 trade, which he followed probably until 1837. 
 When a young man of twenty-three years he deter- 
 mined upon seeking his fortunes in tlie Great West, 
 and making this county his objective point, arrived 
 in Joliet in the fall of 1839. Two j-ears later he 
 became interested in the livery business iu com- 
 pany with O. W. Stillman, and they established the 
 first enterprise of the kind in the embr^'o town. 
 Mr. Cook had his first stable on Benton Street. 
 He w.as successful from the start, and has contin- 
 ued so up to the present time, covering the long 
 period of over fift}- }-ears. In the meantime he has 
 dealt quite estensivel}' in horses, and is perhaps as 
 good a judge of the equine race .as can be found in 
 this part of the country. 
 
 After having established, himself fully in busi- 
 ness Mr. Cook took unto himself a wife and help- 
 mate, being married in November, 1843, at the 
 bride's home in Joliet, to Miss Flavilla Seelev. 
 
422 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 This l;i(ly was liorii in 1 H2 k in Siis(|ucliMiiiia 
 County, Pa., ami was the daiigliter of .liistin and 
 Mrs. iSeclej', who were nalives of Pcnns^'lvania. 
 Mr. Secley emigr.ated with his family to Illinois 
 about 1836, and thcreaflcr r)cciipied himself in 
 niillwriirht pursuits. He had learned miiiwriijht- 
 ini; in early manhood, wliicii he follnwed until 
 1860. The parental family consisted of two chil- 
 dren; the parents spent their last years, the mother 
 in Illinois, and the father in Iowa. 
 
 Mrs. Cook attended the common schools dur- 
 ing her girlhood, and was trained by a careful 
 mother to all useful housoiiold duties. She re- 
 mained under the |)arental roof until becoming 
 mistress of her own home. Of her union with our 
 subject there were born three children, only one 
 of whom is living, a son, Oscar, who is now in 
 Topeka, Kan. Mrs. Cook departed tiiis life 
 April 11, 1884. 
 
 Mr. Cook cast his first Presidential vote for Van 
 I'.uren, and maintains his allegiance to the Demo- 
 cratic parly. He has been somewhat prominent in 
 local affairs, serving heretofore as a member of the 
 City Council in the old Fourth Ward, Init is now 
 Alderman from the Second Ward. He owns and 
 occupies a comfortable iiome in tlie central part 
 of the city, and enjoys an extensive aecpiaintancc 
 among its leading resi<lents. 
 
 £k 
 
 c- — *f<^-^>4*. 
 
 p^'*^'*! 
 
 ^^\ BAULKS BESEKE. An excellent example 
 (l( n °^ '^''^ results of frugality, persevering 
 ^^^ industry, and prudent management, is to be 
 found in the life of tiie above-named gentleman, 
 who is numbered among the well-to-do farmers of 
 Washington Townsiiip. He is the owner of the 
 northeast quarter of section 29, and the southeast 
 quarter of section 20, in tiiat township, together 
 with ten acres of good timber land in Ycllon- Head 
 Township, Kankakee County, and one hundred and 
 sixty acres in Jackson County, Minn. All tiiis has 
 been accumulated by him since he came to this 
 county in 1863 and established In'mself on his first 
 farm on section 20. The land of which be then 
 
 took possession was in its primitive condition but 
 is now one of the most productive estates in the 
 county, marked with all needful improvements, as 
 is the farm on section 29. 
 
 Mr. Beseke came to this county from DuPage 
 County, in which he had lived for seven years and 
 in which he began his life in America as a farm 
 laborer at ^1)0 i)eryear. His earlhlj' possessions at 
 that time consisted of his clothes and ■i'lS in money. 
 AVith this capital and the education and training 
 which he had received, he began the career which 
 has resulted in the attainment of the property 
 noted above and an .assured standing in the finan- 
 cial circles of the county. 
 
 In the kingdom of Hanover the eyes of our sub- 
 ject opened lo the light of day October 18. 182o. 
 He began life for him-^jclf when about of age and 
 in 1856 determined to seek a home in the New 
 World, which he thought afforded better opportu- 
 nities for an energetic young man of small means. 
 Taking jiassage at Bremerhaven on a sailing vessel, 
 he spent eleven weeks and three da\s on the broad 
 Atlantic and after this tedious voyage landed in 
 New York City. He at once came west to Cliieago, 
 and securing employment in DuPage County took 
 u|) I'le labors vvliose result is so inspiring to others 
 who are compelled to depenil upon their oun 
 efforts for worldly success. 
 
 'I'he parents of Mr. Beseke spent their enlirelives 
 in Hanover, Germany, living to quite a good old 
 age. Their family comprised four sons, Charles 
 being the only one who came to the I'nited .States. 
 The others are yet living in their native land where 
 they have acquired considerable pro|)erty. One of 
 them is an old soldier and an ofticcr of rank. 
 
 In DuPage County. III., Mr. Beseke led to the 
 hymeneal altar Miss I^aura Wagoner, an estimable 
 young lady who was born in Baden, (Germany, in 
 the fall of 1837, but was quite joung when her 
 piu'ents emigrated to the United States. They 
 settled in DuPage County in early days, but after 
 some years removed to Will County where they 
 died when near the age of four-score. The two 
 daughters born to them are now living in Will 
 County. 
 
 To our subject and his wife eleven chihiren have 
 been born. Five died in infancy' and a daughter 
 
;k ^V.;^:;at^.hsag»»a;^5^-ta^^ 
 
 m 
 
 Residence OF Michael BiNZEN, ONE MILE SOUTH OF Joliet, III 
 
 iOxiss&i^Mmsmm^s^i^^^ 
 
 Residence OF Charles Beseke,5ec. 20. Washington Tp.Will Co. III. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 425 
 
 Ellen after her marriage. Tlie living memheis of 
 the family are Conrad, who mairieii Ellen f^ancl 
 grader anrl lives in Vellow Head. K^inkakef Cuuiity, 
 where he carries on a mereantile establishment; 
 Lena, wife of Louis Kerhoph, a merchant and 
 farmer of the same town ; Charles, George and 
 Henry, who still reside under the parental roof. 
 
 In connection witli this personal sketch of Mr. 
 Beseke, we present a view of his pleasant h(jnie- 
 stead to which we invite the readers' attention. 
 Within h's cozy residence, the many friends to 
 whom years of close intercourse have I»ound him 
 self and wife, are frcqnentl_y entertained and are 
 always sure of a hospitable welcome. 
 
 -^^^^E 
 
 * IC'HAEL BINZP^N, Highway Commissioner 
 at Joliet, was in the spring of 1890, elected 
 s for the second time to the position which 
 he fills to the general satisfaction of the 
 coniniunit}'. In politics he is a decided Democrat 
 and is recognized as a great worker in the ranks, 
 lie belongs to the social and benevolent order of 
 ()(ld Eellows .and has many friends b}' whom he is 
 highly' regarded. He was born in Prussia, January 
 21). 1836, being a son of JoIdi and Annie (Hirs- 
 cliL'n) Binzen. His father was a cooper and distil- 
 ler, and became expert in distilling grapes, i)hin)s, 
 jnniper berries and cherries, a business which he 
 followed many years. Of the cliildren born to 
 him there are now living three sons. Joseph re- 
 sides in Troy, N. Y., and is engaged in the manu- 
 facture and sale of shoes, employing fifteen men; 
 Jacob and Michael reside in Joliet. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write came to Amer 
 ica in 1852, making his first stop at Albany, N. Y., 
 where he found employment in a brewery. We 
 next find hina in Hudson, where with a brother-in- 
 law he opened a brewery, which was destroyed by 
 fire in 1868. Thence he went to Pittsfield, Mass.. 
 where he engaged in the liquor traffic, coming West 
 in the latter part of the same year and after re- 
 maining a year in Chicago, taking up his abode in 
 Joliet. For the first two j-ears of his residence 
 here he worked in a lirowery, after which he again 
 
 engaged in the liquor traffic. A few years thereaf- 
 ter, in 18.S1, he puirliaspd a f:irin which he has 
 since .successfully niMnagi d 
 
 The marriage of 4Ir. Binz n and Miss Calherino 
 Meyer was cehbrateil Jann:iry 23, 1856. Mrs. Bin- 
 zen is a well-informed woman with many useful 
 accomplishments and is a notable housewife. The 
 happy union has been blessed by the birth of eight 
 children, named respectively: Mary, wife of 
 James C'ushing; Joseph, Michael, Jr., John, Cato, 
 Emma and George (twins), and William. 
 
 In connection with this sketch, is given a lith- 
 ographic view of Mr. Binzen's pleasant homestead. 
 
 -5- 
 
 -!- 
 
 ^ OHN H. DOIG, the occupant of a snug farm 
 on section 4, New Lenox Township, was 
 born in Washington, D. C, March 13, 1844. 
 He is of Scotch parentage, his parents being 
 Andrew and Isabella (Fife) Doig, representatives 
 of honorable families in Farfarshire and Fifeshiie. 
 A history of their lives will be found in the sketch 
 of Thomas Doig, a brother of our subject, whose 
 biography is found elsewhere in this volume. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was scarcely 
 more than an infant when his parents took up their 
 abode in this county, where he received his early 
 education. When .a.bout seventeen years old he 
 went to Chicago, remaining in that city until the 
 springof 1890, when he returned hither, purchased 
 eight}' acres of land on Maple Street, and is now 
 numbered among the agriculturists of New Lenox 
 -Township. 
 
 While living in the (^ueen City of the Lakes, 
 he was engaged in a music store, in mercantile 
 pursuits, the sale of real estate, and in building. 
 His whole business career has been marked with a 
 high degree of the "go ahead" spirit, so character- 
 istic of dealers in Chicago and men of affairs in 
 other communities, and he has been identified with 
 men of similar pulilic spirit in various movements 
 which would benefit mankind and add to the pros- 
 perity of the section in which he lived. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Doig took place in Minne- 
 apolis, Minn., March 21, 1872, the bride being 
 Miss Jemima Macdonald. This lady is a daughter 
 
426 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of Alexander and Caroline (Porteous) Macdonald, 
 the former of wlmni iliud in Chicago, .luij- .'). !881. 
 She was born in iMoiilreal, Canada, April 1, 1851, 
 and grew to womanhood, possessing such noble 
 qualities of character, such intelligence and good 
 breeding, and so thorough a knowledge of useful 
 arts as to deserve the love wliicli she has won. 
 The first pari Of liei- life was sinnil in Ihe city of 
 New York and the latter part in Chicago. She is 
 a member of the E))iscopal Church. She has borne 
 her husband one son, a bright lad, who bears the 
 name of Alvin H. 
 
 UGII M. BOLTON, who is a representative 
 of the native-born citizens of this county, 
 
 \-^ sons of its stalwart pioneers who are now 
 ^ important factors in carrying on the work 
 so well begun by their fathers in developing its 
 resources, is successfully engaged in farming in 
 Plainfield Township, the place of his birth. He 
 was born here April 3, 1848, his father, Hugh 
 liolt.on, being an eai-ly settler in this region. The 
 latter is a native of Belfast, Ireland, his father of 
 the same name, also having been born there, a 
 descendant of Scotch ancestry. He was reared on 
 his native isle, came from there to America to 
 spend his last 3^ears with his children in New Jer- 
 sey, and died there at the remarkable age of one 
 hundred and nine years. 
 
 The father of our subject passed the early 3'ears of 
 his life in the land of his birth and in the prime 
 and vigor of active manhood came to tl)is country, 
 seeking to better his condition. He located in 
 New Jersey and was there employed on a farm until 
 his return to Ireland three years later. 'While 
 revisiting that country-, he was married, taking as 
 his wife. Miss Eliza Miller, who was born in the 
 same locality as himself. After he was wedded he 
 came back to America with his bride and again 
 took up his residence in New Jersey, remaining 
 there until 1847. In that year he came to Illinois, 
 and bougiit a small place near Plainfield on which 
 he lived a few years, and then purchased the farm 
 which our subject now occupies. . lie was actively 
 
 engaged thereon many years, constantly improving 
 
 it and from tilling the soil ac(iuired a comfortable 
 competence, and now lives in retirement in Joliet, 
 making his home with his daughter. In December 
 1887, lie had the misfurtunc to lose the good wife 
 who had shared with him the hardships and pri- 
 vations of a pioneer life and lived to enjoy pros- 
 perity with him. Of their happy wedded life five 
 children had been born, three of whom are now 
 living, as ft)llows: Nanc}', wife nf Thomas II. 
 Ilutchings, of Joliet; Avcliie, wljo lives in Cherokee 
 County, Iowa, and our subject. 
 
 The latter was reared on the home farm and 
 obtained a fair education in the district schools 
 and since attaining manhood has devoted himself 
 exclusively to farming. This farm which is located 
 on section 24, of Plainfield Township, contains one 
 hundred and sixty acres of land under excellent 
 cultivation and good improvement, is provided 
 with substantial buildings and all necessary machin. 
 ery for operating it to the best advantage. 
 
 Mr. Bolton enjoys the comforts of a pleasant 
 home and to the lady who presides over it, he was 
 united in marriage in 1874. Mrs. Bolton's maiden 
 name was Jane Snider, and she is a native of Tenn- 
 essee. Her marriage with our subject has brought 
 them three children — William, John and Jarvis. 
 
 Mr. Bolton is a practical farmer, tilling the soil 
 after the most desirable methods so as to gain the 
 best results, and managing his affairs with the thrift 
 and prudence that will ultimately |)lace him among 
 the most solid men of the township. He is well 
 regarded in this community where his entire life 
 has been sjjcnt, as he is fair in his dealings and 
 upright in his character. 
 
 ARMON R. BURLINGAME, contractor 
 I) and builder in Joliet, has a business which 
 is all that he can handle, his contracts 
 i^j) sometimes running as high as $5(1,000 a 
 year. He makes a specialty of dwelling houses and 
 has built a large number of the best homes in the 
 city. He is himself a prictical builder and there- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 427 
 
 fore the more competent to take charge of work, 
 and being a man of honor his busincp^s is conducted 
 in a reliable and straightforward manner, and his 
 word may be relied upon in matters [icrtaining 
 U> it. 
 
 Ira Burlingame, father of our subject, was a 
 professor of music in New p]ngland. He married 
 Miss Mary Whipple, and to them on August 11, 
 1828, the son was born whose life it 16 our purpose 
 to outline. As a boy the lad was handy with tools, 
 and he early made choice of the trade Qf a carpen- 
 ter, which he learned in his native Green Mountain 
 .State. In 1855, he came to Illinois, first locating 
 at Lockport, where he worked at his trade until 
 IHdo, whenhe became foreman of an establish- 
 ment for the manufacture of organs. In the fall of 
 18G8 he removed to Sterling, Whiteside County, 
 and four years later came to Joliet and entered 
 u|)0n his life work of contracting and building, 
 with the result mentioned above. 
 
 In Lockjiort Mr. Burlingame served as Town 
 Clerk two terms. He has been urged to accept 
 various nominations that at different times have 
 In'cn tendered him, Init has never been an aspirant 
 fur office. His judgment concurs'in the principles of 
 the llepublican party, which he therefore supports 
 on all occasions. He is a man of more than ordinary 
 intelligence, combining in his manners the energy 
 of the Yankee and the good breeding of the cos- 
 mopolitan gentleman. In his domestic relations he 
 is kindly and considerate, in society a [tleasing 
 companion, and in all his dealings with mankind 
 both just and generous. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Burlingame was celebrated 
 June 17, 1850, his bride being Miss Olive Corlestia 
 Ames, of the widely-known Ames family of New 
 F^ngland. She is an educated and lovenble womnn, 
 regarded with the most reverent affection in her 
 own home and looked upon with deep res[)ect far 
 beyond tlie famil3' circle. She has borne her hus- 
 band two daughters — Mrs. Amy French, now of 
 Channahan, this county, ami Lettic L. 
 
 Miss Lettie L. Builingame enjoys the distinction 
 of being the onl^' female representative of the legal 
 profession in Will County. She was graduated 
 from the .loliet schools in 1879, after which she en- 
 gaged in teaching lIueL' yea«s, laboring in the inter 
 
 mediate and high school departments in this place. 
 Choosing the law as hei- field of labor in life, she 
 studied with the firm of Fitliian & Avery, and tlicn 
 entered the law department of the Michigan I'ni- 
 versity at Ann Arbor. She was graduated in the 
 class of '86 and permission to practice her pru- 
 fession was granted by the Supreme Court of Mich- 
 igan. She, however, did not at once assume her 
 legal work, but remained at Ann Arbor a }'ear, 
 taking a special course in order that she might be 
 still better prepared for her \ocation. In Ma}', 
 1888, she opened an office where she is still lo- 
 cated, and is securing a fair practice. She has 
 taken quite a prominent part in the cause of wo- 
 man's suffrage of which she is an ardent advocate. 
 She also manifests- considerable interest in tem- 
 peran(^e work but declines to enter upon it as a 
 [tarty measure, believing that the cause can be best 
 suliserved when work is done independent of polit- 
 ical affiliations. Were the right of suffrage hers, 
 her ballot would be cast with the Republican party. 
 
 >ILLIAM W. STEVENS, editor and pro- 
 prietor of the Joliet llecord^ assumed the 
 »; duties of his i:)resent [losition in the spring 
 of 1880, at which time he purchased the business 
 and plant of the Record, which was established in 
 1870. The Record is a bright and newsy paper, 
 devoted to the interests of this county, is intelli- 
 gently conducted and has unquestionablj' become a 
 permanent institution. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Maine, 
 and was born in Oxford County, July II, 1832. 
 His parents were Bernard C. and Esther A. (Luf- 
 kin) Stevens, and the father was born in S.alis- 
 bury, N. II., wliich was the birthplace of D.aniel 
 Webster, and with whom he 'attended school in 
 his boyhood. The father of our subject was born 
 in 1800, and remained under the parental roof 
 until reaching his majority. He was the son of 
 Jonathan Stevens, an early pioneer of that part of 
 the Granite State. Upon le.nving home he went to 
 Kumfurd, Oxford County, where he met and mar- 
 ried Miss Esther A. Lufkiu, in 1825. They set- 
 
428 
 
 PORTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tied upon a farm ;iii(l Mv. Stevens ('(iMruied his at- 
 tention to ngrieulUn;il pursuits uiilll IS.'M. lie 
 then removed to ])()\er, :uid subsequent!}' to 
 Sprinylield. X. II.. where his death took place in 
 Octolier, 1S71. A\illi llie exeeption of a short 
 time s|)ent in Maine, he passed his entire life iu 
 his native State. 
 
 Five children were born to the parents of onr 
 subject, three of whom are still living: .lames I), 
 was a soldier of the Mexican War, and was killed 
 in 1817, at tlic storming of Chapnltepec, Mexico; 
 the ildesl, IMary, is the wife of Dudlej' Folansbec, 
 of Joliet; AViJliam W. is the next in order of biitli; 
 Reuben F. is also a resident of Joliet; A'ina, the 
 first wife of Dudley' Folansbee, died in 1880. The 
 wife and mother was born in 1793, and was the 
 daughter of Benjamin Lufkin, a RevoUitionai'}' sol- 
 dier who received an honorable wound at the bat- 
 tle of Bunker Hill. IMrs. Esther A. Stevens died 
 April 19, 18 19, at her home, in Springfield, N. II. 
 
 The subject of this sketch remained with his pa- 
 rents in Dover and Springfield, N. II., until a man 
 of twenty-three 3'ears. He received a good edu 
 cation, completing his studies in Andover Acad- 
 emy in the class of 1854. Subsequentlj' he en- 
 gaged in teaching Uiree years, in the meantime 
 having, in October, 1855, emigrated to Joliet, 141., 
 where he taught two 3^e,ars. In March, 1857, he 
 entered the law office of Parks & Elwood, of Jol- 
 iet, and confined his attention to the study of law 
 until admitted to the bar in 1860. Soon after- 
 ward he .associated himself in partnership with 
 Benjamin Richardson and they practiced together 
 for three j-ears, after which Mr. Stevens followed 
 his profession singly and alone. In the meantime, 
 in 18G3, he was elected Cit}' Attorne^y, and held 
 the office several terms by re-election. He also 
 operated as an insur.TUcc agent from 1868 to 1873, 
 when he sold out the business which he had built 
 up in this line, and thereafter devoted his time and 
 attenlioi\ exclusively to his law practice until 
 1880. when he turned his attention to newsj^aper 
 work. 
 
 While kee|iing himself thoroughl}- posted upon 
 current events, Mr. Stevens has never been an 
 office-seeking politician, although filling many |)0- 
 sitions of trust and responsibility. For three or 
 
 four years he officiated as School Inspector, at the 
 
 same time being Secretary of the School Board, 
 and exorcised a perceptible inlluence in the en- 
 couragement of educational matters. In 1856 he 
 identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, and 
 for six years was Master of Mt. Joliet Lodge; he 
 is also a Royal jVrch Mason, having been High 
 Priest of the Chai)ler for six years, and is also a 
 member of Joliet Commandery No. 4. In the 
 Commandery he has held most of the offices, being 
 Prelate for .ten years altogether. 
 
 On the 6lh of September, 1859, the subject of 
 this notice was joined in wedlock with Althea II. 
 Ilawley, and they aie the parents of seven chil- 
 dren, all living. Ada II. became the wife of 
 C. ]\I. Becker, who died leaving one child, a 
 son, Claude W; Kate E. is at home; Will II. is 
 Route Agent on the Chicago & Milwaukee Rail- 
 road; Ella V. is the wife of Will S. Hamm, of Chi- 
 cago; Jennie M., Frank M. and Winnie Wallace, 
 remain under the home roof. 
 
 Mrs. Althea (Uawlc}') Stevens was born in this 
 county just outside the city limits of Joliet, A|)ril 
 13, 1839. She was the daughter of Judge O. L. 
 Ilawley, one of the earliest pioneers of this county 
 and who came here about 1834. Judge Hawley 
 was one of the prominent men in the carl}- days, 
 presiding over the county court. He is now de- 
 ceased, having died November 8, 1861. Miss 
 Hawley was given a good education, completing 
 her studies in Lombard University, at Galesburg, 
 and remained with her parents until her marriage. 
 Her mother bore the maiden name of Nanc}' A. 
 Burdge, and she was born in Chautauqua County, 
 N. v., August 18, 1819. The Judge was a native 
 of New York State, and was born in Schoharie 
 County, in 1809. He was the son of Lyman Haw- 
 ley, who ramc to Illinois in 1835, and subse- 
 (inenlly laid off the town of West Lockport, build- 
 ing the stone gristmill, the first of its kind in this 
 region. He engaged in milling and farming until 
 resting from the active labors of life. Judge 
 llawlej- assisted his father in the mill during his 
 earl}' manhood and, in 1849, was electcil County 
 Clerk, when he removed to .lolict. discharging the 
 duties of this office two terms. He was next 
 elected Judge of the Probate Court, which office 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 429 
 
 he lielfl until bis deatii. The mother of Mrs. Ste- 
 vens vvus his first wife. Of tiiis m.arriaoe there 
 were two children, a daughter, Mrs. Stevens, and 
 Martin J., a resident of Bloomington, III. The 
 two children of the second marriage are Alice C. 
 and Antonia E., who are now residents of Lock- 
 port, 111.. Judge Hawley was a member of the 
 Universalist Church, and for many years prior to 
 his clecease, was identified with the Masonic frater- 
 nit3\ In politics, lie was first a AYhig, and after 
 the abandonment of the old part}', wheeled into 
 the Republican ranks, where he remained until his 
 death. Sir. Stevens, politicall}', is a Democrat, 
 and the Record naturally- reflects his political senti- 
 ments. He is ably assisted by h;s wife, Mrs. Ste- 
 vens, vvho is associate editor, and wlio gives per- 
 sonal attention to the genera! make up of the pa- 
 per. 
 
 V|7 AMES S. BOYD is the owner and occupant 
 Ij! of a well-tilled farm on section 28, Juliet 
 Townshii). A visitor to the pleasant estate 
 '' would find upon it a full line of excellent 
 iini)rovtments which include all necessary and con- 
 venient liuildings, fences, fruit, etc., and would at 
 once conclude that the owner possesses an energetic 
 spirit, iiuUistrious and prudent habits, and an in- 
 telligent appreciation of the needs of the home. 
 Such a conclusion would be in no sense amiss, and 
 a personal acquaintance with Mr. Boyd would de- 
 velop tlie further f'Jcts that his intelligence and en- 
 terprise are not expended upon his own home, but 
 lead him to participate in movements for the good 
 of the cominunity and display in behalf of his fel- 
 low-citizens a large amount of public spirit. 
 
 Two fine Irish families arc represented Dy the 
 subject of this sketch, his parents having been of 
 old County Antrim stock. Thomas and Elizabeth 
 Boyd were married and first settled in their native 
 county, whence they emigrated to America in I80O, 
 taking up their abode in the Keystone State. In 
 1864, they came to this county, and some time 
 afterward died at the residence of our subject. 
 Their family comprised four sons and four daugh- 
 ters, of whom James S. was the seventh in order 
 
 of birth. The maternal grandmother of our sub- 
 ject was JMary McKeen, a native of County Antrim, 
 who lived to,be nearlj- one hundred 3'ears of age. 
 She belonged to the sturdy old Presbyterian stock, 
 which' a few centuries ago left Scotland on account 
 of religious persecutions, and settled in the North 
 of Ireland, whence many of their descendants 
 have come to America and are numbered among the 
 best citizens of our free soil. Mary McKeen had 
 a brother Thomas, who in the eighteenth century 
 became a citizen of the Colonies and received a 
 captain's commission from Gen. George Washing- 
 ton. Subsequently Andrew Jackson bestowed upon 
 him a Colonel's commission. His last vote was 
 cast for James Buchanan in the old court house in 
 Eastoii, Pa., that was built by King George in 
 1754. The McKeeus were second cousins to the 
 poet James Montgomery. 
 
 In County Antrim, Ireland, July 22, 1836, James 
 S. Boyd first saw the light of day. His native 
 country was his home until ^V|iril 18, 1852, when 
 he came to America and taking up his residence in 
 Northampton County, Pa., attended school two 
 and a lialf years. He then learned the trade of a 
 tinsmith in Utica, N. Y., and then coming to Joliet, 
 was employed by W. S. Btooks four years. He 
 then became foreman for W. F. Barrett, filling that 
 position eight years, after which he re-entered the 
 employ of Mr. Brooks antl for about eight j-ears 
 acted as a salesman of agricultural implements for 
 that gentleman. 
 
 Mr. Boyd has traveled for four different firms as 
 a salesman and was also engaged with his brother, 
 T. C. Boyd, in the plumbing business in Chicago. 
 He settled on the farm where he now lives, in 
 Marcli, 18G8, and for some lime has devoted himself 
 entirely to agricultural work. In this employment 
 he simply carries out the motto which epitomizes 
 his earlier efforts in other lines of business — " what 
 is worth doing is worth doing well." 
 
 On May 6, ISCl, in Fairfield, Herkimer County, 
 N. Y., the rites of wedlock were celebrated between 
 our subject and Miss Mary E., daughter of James 
 and Nellie (Peacock) Young. The bride was born 
 in the town in whicli her marriage took place, 
 March 28, ISIO, and is the tenth in a family con- 
 sisting of eight sons and three daughters. Lik(; 
 
4;{0 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lirr liusljancl she has in her veins tliu lildod of <il<l 
 faniilios fruni Northern Irelami. lier |)aront.s liaviiiii 
 been natives of County Antrim, whijnci! llu'v enii- 
 ••rated to America in an early day. After iiaviii.s; 
 livud maii3' years in Herlcimer County. N. V., tliey 
 came to liie Prairie State, ioi-ating in Stephensun 
 County, wliere botli breathed tlieir hist. 
 
 Mrs. Boyd possesses the natural abilities of tlie 
 race from wliicii she sprung, and lias had lliem 
 strengthened and dcveloiind by careful home train- 
 ing and good educational advantages. Slie is there- 
 fore a woman of ripe iutelligenee, well skilled in 
 useful domestic arts and littcil for a sphere of use- 
 fulness. She is a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church and has carefully instilled into hor children 
 the principles of right living. Her family includes 
 the following living children: Alexander C, Mar- 
 garet W..l-:stelhi M., Nellie J., J. Harry, Elizabeth, 
 Fred C, Mary M., Lee E. and Belle C. L. One 
 child is deceased. Estella M. is now the wife of 
 Charles Scharf, of Joliet. 
 
 In politics Mr. Boyd is a strong Republican, firmly 
 convinced that tiie principles of that part}' are best 
 litted to the needs of American citizens, and ever 
 ready to support them with his ballot and his en- 
 deavors to convince pthers that his views are cor- 
 rect. He has held the oflice of School Director, in 
 which his intelligence and good judgment have 
 benefited the schools. His reputation is one of 
 which any man might well be proud, providing, as 
 in his case, the character is ccpial to the ((|)inions 
 of men. 
 
 oc5o~ 
 
 MASA RICHARDSON. Tiiis vener.-ible 
 @/LJl i gentleman lias for many years been asso- 
 ciated with the farmers and stock-growers 
 who have been instrumental iu the up- 
 bnilding of the thriving fanning township of Wes- 
 le}'. Associating himself with the pioneers of tiie 
 county in l8oG, while aiding them in the work of 
 developing its resources, he has acipiired a com- 
 fortable property, and now, as thesiiadows of a long 
 ami busy life are falling around him, he can take 
 his ease, free from the cares and hunlcns that he 
 bore in the heat of the da}', in his cozy home iu 
 
 the enjoymeut of the companionship of her who 
 assisted him iu fitliug It up and who is still the 
 liomc-maker and devoted helper. 
 
 The father of our subject, \\illlam 11. Richard- 
 son, was a native and a farmer of \'ermont. His 
 mother, whose maiden name was .Mar}- Starke, and 
 who was a niece of Gen. Starke of Revolutionar}' 
 fame, was also a native of that State, and there 
 she and her husband spent their entire lives. 
 
 Tlie subject of this biographical review was the 
 only child, and he was born June 23, 1805, among 
 the i)leasant hills of Vermont. He received his 
 education in the common schools, and attheyouli)- 
 ful age of twelve years began to care for him self. 
 He worked out by tlie month for others until he 
 was twenty-three years old, and then began his 
 independent existence as a farmer on his own ac- 
 count, buying at that time a farm in St. Lawrence 
 Count}', N. v. He operated it until 185G, and 
 then rightly thinking that he could do better still 
 on the rich virgin soil of Illinois, he came to this 
 county and settled on the farm where he has since 
 made his home. The land, comprising one hun- 
 dred and seventy acres, ten of which was in timber, 
 was already under cultivation when he purchased 
 it, and he has since added many improvements, 
 making it a valuable estate, with its neat, well- 
 kept buildings, productive fields and general ap- 
 pearance of good management. 
 
 Mr. Richardson and Miss Martha Goodwin 
 united their lives and fortunes in August, 1828, 
 and have had a peaceful and happy wedded life of 
 more than three-score years. Mrs. Richardson's 
 p.arents were Joseph and Olive (Hatsell) Goodwin, 
 natives respectively of New llnmpsliire and Ver- 
 mont. 'I'iiey married and settled in New York 
 State, where they resided until death closed tiieir 
 mortal career, she dying in 1828, and lie dying- 
 some years afterward. They had a family of niiA; 
 children, two -of whom are now living. Mrs. 
 Richardson was born November l.'i. 1810, in New 
 York. She is the mother of nine children, six of 
 whom are now living — William, Levi, lllram. Al- 
 fred, !\Iary and Franklin, William, a lawyer, married 
 Addis Westcott, and they make their home in Kan- 
 kakee City, and have one child; Levi, a resident of 
 Iroquois, married Laura Cosett, and they have three 
 
PORTRAIT AISD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 431 
 
 children; Hiram is a lawyer in Kankakee; Mary 
 is the wife of Henr}' Kahler, of Florence Town- 
 ship, antl they have eight children. Their son 
 Lewis and daughter Olive are deceased, the former 
 dying in Dakota. One son, Josci)h W., gave up 
 his life for his country in tiie late war. lie was 
 First-Lieutenant in the Thirty-ninth Illinois In- 
 fantry, was a brave and efficient oflicer, and his 
 death, November 17, 18G1, of typhoid fever, at 
 Willianisport, Md., where he lies buried, was a loss 
 to the service. Two of their sons manage the farm. 
 ]Mr. and 3Irs. Richardson have led useful lives, 
 whose record entitles them to the great res])ect and 
 affection in which they are held by all. In their 
 labors they have not been too busy to be unmind- 
 ful of their duties to others, and in their tliought- 
 ful kindness they have often extended help and 
 sj'mpathj- to the needy and afflicted. Mr. Rich- 
 ardson has been School Director for years, and for 
 twenty three vears has acted ns Justice of the 
 Peace. He has taken but little [lart in politics, but 
 the last few years has given his support to the 
 Republican party. 
 
 .--»-r^ 
 
 'i^^L- 
 
 ♦ ^y - > 
 
 V^ 
 
 ^. HARLES CLEMENT WILCOX, City and 
 1(^1 Town Clerk of Joliet, was born June 2^ 
 "^^y IHOl, being a son of Edmund and Sarah 
 M. (Green) Wilcox. On another page of this 
 volume will be found a biographical notice of his 
 father, from which the ancestry may be learned. 
 Suffice it say in this connection that no more hon- 
 orable famil3- is known in Joliet than that from 
 which our subject sprang. Young Wilcox was 
 educated in the Joliet High School, and began his 
 business career at the age of eighteen years, finding 
 his first employment with G. Monroe & Sons, whole- 
 sale and retail grocers, vvith whom he remained 
 two years. The three succeeding j'ears he spent in 
 connection with Wilcox Brothers, dealers in lum- 
 ber, and while in this connection he established a 
 trade in carriages, from which has grown a deposi- 
 tory whose attractions draw a colossal trade. 
 
 In 1884 Mr. Wilcox became a member of the 
 firm of Smith & Wilcox, jobbers in oil. For a 
 
 brief period the energetic young man was with a 
 Chicago firm. He was then brought before the 
 l)eople as a candidate for Collector of Internal 
 Revenue, and after a vigorous contest, in which his 
 opponents were some of the most popular men in 
 the district, he received the votes which placed 
 him in office. At the end of two years he turned 
 over liis books to his successor with an unsar|>assed 
 record for efficiency and honesty in the duties con- 
 nected with Ijis public trust. In the spring of 
 1889 he was elected City and Town Clerk against 
 a strong opposition, his majority being two hun- 
 dred and eighty-four. In the city his majority 
 was five hundred. The spring election of 1890 
 found him so strongly intrenched in the confidence 
 of the people that no opposition was offered to his 
 re-election as Town Clerk. 
 
 The handsome West Side residence of Mr. AVil- 
 cox is presided over by a charming ladj' of high 
 culture and estimable character. She was formerly 
 known as Miss Ida M. Weeks, is a daughter of 
 George Weeks, P^sq., of this city, and a niece of 
 Judge Weeks. She became the wife of our subject 
 in the fall of 1882, the fruit of the union being a 
 beautiful daughter, now about fifteen months old, 
 who has been christened Evaleen. Mr. Wilcox is 
 a Democrat of the best type, and a total abstainer 
 from intoxicants of all kinds. He abounds with 
 life and energy, and bids fair to reach a still higher 
 place in business and political circles than that 
 to which he has already attained. 
 
 AVID FRY. The fine farming country em. 
 braced in Wheatland Township has ever been 
 an attraction to the eye of the solid, prac- 
 tical farmer and stock-raiser, and fortunate is he 
 considered who owns one of the rich, finely im- 
 proved farms that may be seen on every hand. 
 The subject of this biographical review is the fort- 
 unate owner of one of tliese, his fine farm lying on 
 section 27. 
 
 Mr. Fr}' is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, 
 born December 7, ISoO. He is a son of Jacob and 
 Catherine Fry. His mother departed this life in 
 
432 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 the month of Februnry, 1886, nt a ripe old age. 
 His falliei- is now in his seventy fourUi je;ir. Both 
 lie and iiis wife were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
 were pioneers of tliis county, coming iierc in IK'i;!. 
 Tliey became early settlers of Wlieatlaml Tnun- 
 ship. bix children were born of their marriage, uf 
 whom tlie following four are living: Jacob, Zacli- 
 ariali, Martin and David. Mr. Fry is a sturdy sup- 
 poiter of the Democratic party, and religiously, 
 he is connected with the Lutheran Ciuirch as one 
 of its most faitliful members. He li.is sought in 
 whatever .vay he could to advance the moral, edu- 
 cational and mnleriMl interests of tlie township. 
 He is a man of some education and lias a good 
 cimiinaiid of lioth tlie iMiglish and (Icrni.in lan- 
 guages. 
 
 David Fry. of lliis sketch, was scarcely tliree 
 }"'ars of age when his |)arcnts brought him to this 
 county, and here he was reared and educated, at- 
 tentling the local district school in Wheatland. 
 He has devoted his time jnincipally to agricultural 
 pursuits, and occujiies an lionorable |)lace aniung 
 tlie farmers and stock-raisers of the conimunily. 
 
 Mr, Fry was married the lirst time, in l.sTl, to 
 Miss Amelia Frauiiliuof. 'I'lie maiden name of his 
 (iresent wife to whinn he was united December 19, 
 i.S73, was iMaria liupp. (Jf Ihi'ir pleasant wcdiled 
 life live children have lu'cn born: Katie M.,(Jeorge 
 .1., Martin, William and Samuel 1). 
 
 Our subject possesses many sterling traits of 
 character that make him worthy of the esteem that 
 is accorded him as a man ;ind a citize.i. He is in- 
 dustrious, shrewd and thrifty, and li.as managed 
 his affairs wisely so tliat he now has ;i goodi}' bit of 
 propertj-. In him the Democratic party finds a 
 a zealous follower. Religiously, he is identified 
 with tlie Lutheran Church as one of its leading 
 members. 
 
 ACOB SOLTER.MAN. If a man's true 
 character may be determined by the opinion 
 of those arouml him, that of Mr. Solterman 
 is irreproachable. I5y his habits of indus- 
 try and prudence he li.as built up a gMod home for 
 himself and family and acquired a competence for 
 
 his declining years. He is progressive in his ideas, 
 
 liberal and pulilic-spirilcd, and is blest with an in- 
 telligent family, his wife being a most estimable 
 ■•iiid worthy Iad3' and his cliihlren unusually bright 
 and interesting. In noting his surroundings and 
 the respect in which he is held in this community, 
 it must be admitted that he is in the possession of 
 a large share of all that makes life desirable. 
 
 A native of the Province of Alsace, then be- 
 longing to France, but now to Germany, Mr. Sol- 
 terman w.as born October 15. 1820, and is the 
 elder of two children, the offs|)ring of Joseph and 
 Anna M. (Gertzlor) Solterman, who were likewise 
 natives of that Province. They emigrated to Amer- 
 ica about 1828, and settled in Erie County, N. Y., 
 where the}' spent the remainder of their days. 
 Jacob lived with his parents until 1838 and then 
 sought his fortune in the Prairie State, settling on 
 the canal, anil being employed on the canal for 
 about three j'ears. Later, he engaged in farming 
 near Palos, III., where he made his home until 
 1850. The California gold excitement then drew 
 him to the Pacific Coast, and locating there, he was 
 engaged in mining for about seven years. 
 
 Upon coming back to Illinois, Mr. Solterman 
 commenced farming on the land wiiich he hati pur- 
 chascil in 1 85o, returning in the meantime i)artl\- 
 for this purpose and [lartly with the object of tak- 
 ing unto himself a wife and hel|>matc. This latter 
 was accomplished January .">, that yi'ar. the liride 
 being Mrss Mary E.. daughter of Richard and 
 Jane M. (Wilson) McCalaiighary. Afterward he 
 returned to Calil'orniit, where he reinaiia'd iinlil 
 1857, then came back to Homer TowiKship and 
 gave his undivided attention to the de\ elopinent 
 of his farm. Tliis comprises two liundii'il and lif- 
 teen acres of good land, wliicli through the careful 
 management of the proprietor has become valu- 
 able. 
 
 To our subject and his estimable wife there 
 have been born nine children, viz: .lane, who ilicd 
 at the age of nine and one-half years; Charles II., 
 Delos C. Matthew S., Mary E., Melissa, Catherine 
 A. ; Jacob, who died when aliout two years old, and 
 Clara F. Mr. Solterman atliliates with the Demo- 
 cratic party. He does not seek public office, but 
 prefers to confine his attention to his farming in- 
 

 ■#Ji£fec 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 d35 
 
 terests, avoiding tlie responsibilities of ollice, al- 
 tliougli lie is ever reaily to give his time and 
 attention to tiio^e projects calculated for the gen- 
 eral goo(iof the comraiinit}'. 
 
 Mrs. Solterni;m was horn in OnondaiLja County, 
 N. Y,, August 5, 1833. Her parents were also nri- 
 tives of that State. The father died in Palos, III., 
 about 1855. The mother subsecpiently came to 
 Homer Township, wliere her death took place in 
 1858. 
 
 ^ LIAS L. STEVENS. The rural districts of 
 Illinois are dotted with attractive homes, 
 / i — '^1 which in architectural design, neat and 
 tasteful surroundings, and thriftj' management are 
 models of comfort and homelikeness. One of this 
 class is located just outside the limits of the flour- 
 ishing city of Joliet, and was for some years the 
 home of the recently deceased Klias L. Stevens. 
 That gentleman, as a contractor and builder, was 
 cnpajjle of designing a dwelling which combined 
 an attractive exterior and a convenient interior, 
 while his wife possessed the housewifely skill and 
 prudence without parsinioniousness, that insured to 
 ils inmates all the comforts of life in a true homo. 
 
 The nat.al day of Mr. Stevens was April 28, 
 1828, and his birth|)laee Saratoga County, N. Y. 
 When about twelve years of age be went to Mas- 
 sachusetts, in which State he grew to manhood, 
 and completed his education. In Sturbridge he 
 wooed and won for his wife Miss Paraelia Childs, 
 of tluit place, where their marriage was celebrated, 
 he having lirst made her acquaintance in Hol.voke, 
 Mass, where he learned his trade. In a short time 
 hovvever, they removed to Wisconsin, locating in 
 the vicinity of Kilbourne, where Mr. Stevens en- 
 gaged in farming. The breaking out of the Civil 
 War, roused him from the peaceful pursuits of 
 that occupation to a (iesire to assist in upholding 
 the Union, and he left his home for a life on the 
 tented field. 
 
 The name of Elias L. Stevens was placed upon 
 the n)uster-roll of C'ompan3' E, Twelfth Wisconsin 
 Infantry, and until tlie cruel w;ir was over he 
 served faithfully and gallantly, patiently enduring 
 
 the hardships of campaign life and the separation 
 from those he loved. When his services were no 
 longer needed by his country in contest with her 
 enemies, he returned to his home and to civil life. 
 Ere long he removed to the Prairie State, some 
 time being spent in Morris and Henry, and then a 
 settlement being made in .loliet. 
 
 A residence was erected by Mr. Stevens on Un- 
 ion Street, which was his home for several years, 
 and until his removal to the beautiful place before 
 mentioned, outside the city limits. He engaged as 
 a contractor on the Rock Island Railroad, after- 
 ward taking other contracts and continued in that 
 linn of business until his death. He erected sev- 
 eral, blocks in .loliet, among them being the Ste- 
 vens Block on Chicago Street. Besides attending 
 to many large contracts on the Rock Island Road, 
 Mr. Stevens found time to attend to a few large 
 contracts for masonry on other railroads. In the 
 fall of 1883, in partnership with George Alexander, 
 of Blue Island, he contracted to build seven im- 
 mense piers for a bridge over the Ohio River at 
 Louisville, Ky., for the Chicago, Louisville cfe New 
 Albany Railroad Company. The average height 
 of the piers was one hundred and fifteen feet, and 
 it required seventeen thousand cubic yards of solid 
 masonry. The great floods in the spring of 1884 
 interfered with the work somewhat, but in 1885 it 
 was completed. Lhe cost of the masonry alone 
 was $300,000. Subsequently Mr. Stevens had large 
 contracts for changing the tracks and rebuilding 
 the bridges on the Rock Island Road. These con- 
 tracts extended from the main line to many 
 branches, and cost the company nearl\- half a mil- 
 lion dollars. He secured the resi)cct and esteem 
 of his neighbors and fellow-citizens, his dealings 
 with mankind ever being honorable and straight- 
 forward, and his personal habits such as to entitle 
 him to their good opinion. He was a member of 
 the Masonic fraternity, and the B. M. A., of Joliet. 
 The loss which his own family suffered when he 
 was called hence, Se))tember 11, 1889, can only be 
 estimatc<l by those wjio have had a similar be- 
 reavement. 
 
 Mrs. Pamelia Stevens died at their home in .Toi- 
 let, in March, 1876. leaving a daughter, Jessie F. 
 who is the wife of A. C. Dillman. In 1880, the 
 
■136 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 widower contracted a second alliance, celebrat.insf, 
 ill Jolict, his marriage to Mrs. Frances Leariiard, a 
 sister of liis first wife. Tliis lady was born in Slnr- 
 bridjj-e, Mass., and was uiarric(L in Brookfiebl, to 
 Walter ]>eaniaril. who wsis also a native of the old 
 Bay State. The union resulted in the l)irth of one 
 son, Guy M., who is now a liook-kceiJcr for the 
 Joliet Stone Company. In 1 !S76, Mrs. Learnard 
 left her Eastern home, and a few years later be- 
 came the wife of our subject, to whom she bore 
 one son, Roland K. Mrs. Stevens still occupies 
 the home in which her lately deceased liusband 
 died. She possesses more than ordinary intelli- 
 <;cncc, is amiable and companionable, and in the 
 management of household and business affairs dis- 
 plays the prudence which might be expected of one 
 born and bred in New EnglainL She has many 
 friends, in wliose companionship she finds relief 
 from the sorrows and cares of life, though her 
 chief delight is in the rearing of her young son, 
 and the society of the older members of her fam- 
 ily. 
 
 A portrait of the laic Mr. Stevens appears in 
 connection with this sUctcli. 
 
 ^^^Bf 
 
 <«l IMLLIAM STKLLWAGEN. One of the 
 \/\j// most attractive locations in Green Garden 
 Vxy^ Township is occupied by the farm of the 
 gentleman above named. The mistaken townsman 
 who believes that country life is devoid of attrac- 
 tions will find conclusive proof to the contrary on 
 this estate, which is beautiful to behold, the source 
 of a fine income, :nid the scene of a hai>py home 
 life. 
 
 Philip Stellwagen, a native of Ilessc-iJarrastadt, 
 Germany, and a shoemaker by trade, came to 
 America in 1840. lie found employment in tlie 
 Keystone State and practiced frugality- until he hail 
 saved money enough to bring his family to this 
 country, wlicn he returned to his native land for 
 them. Again crossing the broad Atlantic, he lo- 
 cated in Wilkesbarre, Pa., in 1812, and spent two 
 years at his trade. He then started out to buy 
 land in the West, thinking to make Wisconsin his 
 
 future home, but when he reached Northern lUi-- 
 iiiiis 111' was so well pleased with tlie country that 
 he determined to locate here. His journey had 
 been made with a team and he had, therefore, been 
 able to form w ise conclusions regarding the coun- 
 try through which he passed. 
 
 Buying eighty acres of Government land in 
 Frankfort Township, this county. Mi'. Slellwagen 
 |)ut up a log house and, as fast as possible, made 
 other improvements on the place. He was success- 
 ful in the new career in which he had embarked and 
 accumulated two hundred and forty acres, which 
 he operated until his death, November 2U, 188'J, 
 when he was nearly eighty five years old. He was 
 strong in his belief in tlie princi|)les of Democracy, 
 and was an equally- devoted member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church. He was twice married, his first 
 wife being lMnil3' Jacob, a native of HesseDarm- 
 stadt, who died in Frankfort Township in 1846. 
 She vv'as the mother of four children, viz: Mathias, 
 who died in 1888; Jacob, whose home is in South 
 Englewood, Cook Count}'; William, of whom we 
 write; and Philip, a harness-maker at Mokena. 
 The second marriage of Philip Stellwagen resulted 
 in the birth of two sons — Heniy and Adam, both 
 now deceased. 
 
 The gentleman whose life history forms the 
 subject of these brief paragraphs was born in 
 Hesse-Darmstadt, Germanj', December 13, 1-838. 
 He has no recoliection of the land of his birth, as 
 he left it in the spring of 1842, sailing with his 
 parents from Bremen to the United States. Eleven 
 weeks were spent upon the ocean, but the tedious- 
 ness of the voyage made no impression ujion the 
 little lad. During the two years in which the fam- 
 ily rcinaine<l in Pennsylvania he spent some little 
 time in school. The journey to their Western 
 home being made with teams and the party camp- 
 ing out every night, it was almost a continual |)ic- 
 nic to the bo}', who enjoyed the outdoor life and 
 continual change of scene as only careless chihl- 
 hood can. In crossing the mountains eight days 
 were consumed in making the ascent, and seven 
 weeks of travel covered eleven hundred miles on 
 their journey. 
 
 The new home was in the midst of a wild prai- 
 rie, twelve miles from the nearest house, and deer 
 
PORTRAIT AND BJOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 437 
 
 and wolves were abundant and rattlesnakes [ilenti- 
 fiil. Our subject liunted some and was early set 
 to woiU oil the farm, also attending school as soon 
 as one was opened in the okl fashioned log school- 
 house which was at that time the temple of learn- 
 ing. He learned to drive oxen, five yoke of which 
 were attached to tin; breaking plow, and by means 
 of wliieh also goods were hauled to and from Chi- 
 cago aiul .Joliet, which were the market towns. 
 
 Mr. Slellwagen remained an inmate of the par- 
 ental home, working for his father, until ho was 
 twenty-seven years old, when he set ui) his own 
 houseiiold in Rockville Townshiii on a rented 
 farm. For two years he operated four hundred 
 accres of land, raising both grain and stock, and 
 then purchased eighty acres in the northeastern 
 corner of Frankfort Township. Upon that farm 
 lie remained until 1872, at vvhich time he pur- 
 chased one hundred and sixty acres of partiy-im- 
 prc)ved lanil, which forms a portion of his present 
 estate. Here he continued the improvement wdiitli 
 had been liegnn b}' breaking the virgin soil, and 
 eie long added one hundred and twenty acres ad- 
 joining, making u)) the amount which he now owns 
 and operates. 
 
 The estate includes eighty acres on section 
 21, eighty acres on section 20, and one hundred 
 and twenty acres on section 1(!, all tillable land. 
 It has been tiled wherever under drainage would 
 be beneficial and is fenced with wire and hedge, 
 the latter being kept neatly trimmed, and so add- 
 ing to the beauty of the land. Mr. SLellwagen has 
 set out groves and orchards, has erected a C0Z3' and 
 attractive dwelling, and a barn, 7()x;jG feet, to- 
 gether with other adequate outbuildings, and he 
 has likewise }>iit up a windmill and tank, b^' means 
 of which water is conveyed wherever it is needed. 
 The principal crops which he raises are corn and 
 (lats, and his stock includes high-grade cattle, road- 
 sters and draft horses. Of the latter he geiierallj' 
 has from twenty to thirty- bead, while three teams 
 are needful to carry on the work of the estate. 
 
 The estimable woman who presides over the 
 household economy of our subject was known in 
 her maidenhood as Miss Louisa Neckrauer. She 
 was born in Hayren, (iermany, and came to Amer- 
 ica with her parents in 184G. Iler father, .lacob 
 
 Neckrauer, is a shoemaker, who worked at his trade 
 in his own land, and in Frankfort Township, this 
 county, but in later years engaged in farming. He 
 is now living at Frankfort. The wedding of Mr. 
 and Mrs. .Stellwagen took place at the bride's 
 home, March 25, 1865, and their happily married 
 life has tlierefoi'e extended over a quarter of a 
 century. They are the [jarcnts of two children — 
 Philip, who still remains at home, and Katie, who 
 married G. J. Lankonau, a farmer in Green Garden 
 Township. 
 
 Mr. Stellwagen has been School Trustee for the 
 township and is now Director of his district. He 
 is independent in politics, voting for the best m.an 
 or for the principle which, in his judgment, is the 
 prominent issue during any campaign. He has 
 seived on both grand and petit juries, where his 
 intelligent understanding of the cases prcfented 
 and his keen sense of right and justice make him 
 useful. He belongs to the Evangelical Church, at 
 Frankfort, and by the other members of the con- 
 gregation, as well .as by the citizens in general, he 
 is resi)ected as bis good qualities deserve. 
 
 ij=©_ 
 
 
 I AMES FELL, Postmaster at Green Garden, 
 is a substantial and enterprising farmer, 
 whose estate on section 30, bears every mark 
 
 / of careful and intelligent tillage and con- 
 stant improvement. The farm comprises one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of tillable land which is 
 divided into convenient fields by well-kept hedge 
 and other fencing, and which is supplied with a 
 full set of farm buildings and a comfortable resi- 
 dence. The land is fertilized by living water and 
 both grain and stock are raised to advantage. 
 Probably the most noticeable featuie of the estate 
 is the garden in which the owner takes great de- 
 light and which is by far the finest and best kept 
 in the township. It has proved the source of a 
 considerable revenue since this branch of horticul- 
 ture was undertaken liy Mr. Fell. A fine, laroe 
 orchard also adds to the value of the farm. 
 
 Appleb}-, Lincolnshire, England, was the birth- 
 place of our subject and also of his father, John 
 
438 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Kell, wlio was a farm laborer. The latter was 
 twice married, his second wife being Mnry Iloust, 
 a native of liie same shii-e and d:uii>-Iitei' of .lona- 
 tlian lloust, a shoemaker in J^iidinyton. The 
 mother of our subject died in iMiiilaiid and the 
 father was brimglil to Canada by his son, breathing 
 ids last in the Dominion in hSdO when tiirce-score 
 and ten years old. C)f the children born to this 
 worthy couple be of whom we write is the onlj' 
 survivor. Jonathan, .John and Mary A. arc de- 
 ceased . 
 
 The natal day of James Fell was Septendjer 8, 
 182(!. lie was reared in liis native village with 
 but limited school advantages which consisted of 
 an uncertain attendance during some three years. 
 'I'he English Testament was his reading book. 
 When eight years oUl lie began the labors of life 
 by being employed to keep sparrows and other 
 birds out of grain fields. He received seventy-five 
 cents per week for his labor, ai.d as he grew older 
 took up farm pursuits, boarding at home until 
 thirteen years old, when lie hired out by the year. 
 
 The opportunities afforded a farm laborer in Kng- 
 lanrl were not sutHcient to satisfy' the ambition of 
 you'ig Fell, and he determined to emigrate to 
 America, hoping to better his condition. He was 
 twenty-four years of age when, in April, 1851, 
 he left 1 1 till on the sailer "Meteor." Smallpox 
 broke out on the vessel and upon reaching CJueb'ec 
 it was quarantined a week. Mr. Fell had liad the 
 disease, but in a very light form, and as soon ns a 
 landing could be made he was able to begin work. 
 He labored at different occupations in Canada and in 
 Rochester, N. Y., for some time, among his em- 
 ployments being that of a leaiuster for a store 
 keeper. In 1853 lie removed to Chatham, County 
 Kent, on the shores of Lake Eric, vvhere he op- 
 erated a farm for eleven years. Following this 
 were various means of gaining a livelihood until 
 March !l, 1866, when lie located near Joliel. III. 
 
 There Mr. Fell opcrateil a rented farm a year, 
 after which be bought forty acres in (irecn Town- 
 ship, section I'J, and putting ui) asmall house made 
 it his place of abode. He cultivated his own land 
 and rented adjoining acres several years, (iiially 
 l)urchasing eighty acres of his present estate. This 
 was impr'jved lanil to which be suliscquenll}- added 
 
 eighty acres adjoining, bringing up his landed es- 
 tate to two hundred acres, from which he subse- 
 (luenlly sold fort}'. 
 
 .Six years since Mr. Fell received the appoint- 
 ment of Postmaster, and he is still the incumbent 
 of the ollicc. For three years he proved his effi- 
 ciency as a School Director. He is an active 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
 the ranks of the Democratic party he is ever found 
 ready to cast bis vote for its caiulidales. He has 
 served on the grand and [lelit juries. Asa citizen, 
 interested in the true welfare of the community, as 
 a fanner of energy and progressive ideas, antl as a 
 man of high priiicijile. he is alike respected by 
 those who enjoy his acquaintance. 
 
 The ladj' who presi<les over the pleasant home 
 of Mr. Fell was born in (iresby, Lincolnshire, 
 M.ay 11, 1829, and liore the maiden name of Eliza- 
 beth Ramthorp. The ceremony which made her 
 Mrs. Fell was performed in England. January 21, 
 1851. The happy union has been blest by the 
 birth of nine children, of whom we note the fol- 
 lowing: John and Robert each operate eighty acres 
 of land in Manhattan Township, this count}', the 
 former making his home in the village; Thomas is 
 farming at Blue Hill, Neb.; George is working out 
 in the same State; James, Jr., is assistant Postmas- 
 ter under his father; Edward resides at home and 
 ojierates the farm; Mary A. married Cornelins 
 Fennick, a farmer iu Nebraska; Odessa is the wife 
 of Dr. Goodrich, of Peolone; Ann still remains 
 under the parental roof. 
 
 =*5: 
 
 E^ 
 
 L NGO PATTERSON is a typical repre- 
 // iV sentative of the hardy, industrious, intelli- 
 gent Scotch pioneers of Will County who 
 have been so useful in developing its rich 
 agricultural resources. C'oming here in the early 
 ila\s of the settlement of Wlieall- nd Townsliii), he 
 identilied himself with its farmers and stock-raisers, 
 and is still living on the farm he then bought 
 fi'oni tlie Goveriinieiit when it was a tract of wild 
 land. 
 
 Mr. Patterson was born in Dumfrieshire, Scot- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 439 
 
 land, September 22, 1814. He was a son of John 
 and Jane (Hall) Patterson, natives of Scotland. He 
 is the oldest sou of his father's family and has two 
 brothers, James and Daniel, livinn; in Wheatland 
 Township. Our subject passed his earl^- life on his 
 native heath and gained his education in the local 
 school. In 1841, desiring to make more of life 
 tlian he could in the land of his birth, he emi- 
 grated to America, taking passage at Liverpool, 
 and after an ocean voyage of six weeks landed in 
 the great metropolis of this country. From there 
 he proceeded to Wayne Count3', N. Y., where he 
 spent tlie ensuing years untd the spring of 1844, 
 when lie made his way to Illinois. He came to 
 this county and bought one hundred and twenty 
 acres of land from the Government, paying there- 
 for $1.25 per acre. He settled on it before there 
 was a furrow turned or any improvements had 
 been made. It took many j'ears of hard and per- 
 sistent labor to bring it to its present fine condi- 
 tion, with its well-tilled fields and ample buildings, 
 and all things necessary for its successful manage- 
 ment. He has added to its acreage, and it now 
 contains one hundred and ninety acres of valuable 
 land. 
 
 Mr. Patterson was married in the State of New 
 York, in 1842, taking unto himself for a wife Miss 
 Agnes Clow, who was, like himself, born in Scot- 
 land. Her father, Robert Clow, was an early set- 
 tler of Wheatland Township. By his marriage our 
 subject became the father of six children, of whom 
 the following five aie still living: John, in Indi- 
 ana; Robert, in Du I'age Township; Sarah, wife of 
 Robet Wightman, in Wheatland Township; Will- 
 iam, in Du Page Township, and Adam, in Wheat- 
 land Townshij). 
 
 In January, 1890, Mr. Patterson met with a 
 great loss in the death of his wife, who had been 
 his devoted wife and companion for nearly half a 
 century. She was a woman of high character, whose 
 great kindness of heart and otlier sterling qualities 
 gained her the warm affection and the sincere re- 
 spect of all who came in contact with her. and 
 many mourn the loss of that lovable woman. 
 
 ^Ir. Patterson has not been an idle spectator in 
 watching the growth of the county, but has done 
 his full share of the pioneer labors necessarj- to 
 
 redeem it from the hand of Nature. The wearj' 
 days of toil, privation and hardship that he then 
 endured long ago came to an end, and now, in the 
 decline of life, he is reaping his reward in the com- 
 fortable liome that he has established and in the 
 enjoyment of the ample competence th.at his shrewd 
 management of his interests has brought iiim. ilc 
 inherited in a large degree the excellent traits f)f 
 character for which the Scotch are notcl, and 
 these have made him a good citizen, and a kin 1 
 neighbor, and have made his domestic relations 
 felicitous. A trul3' religious m,an, whose life is iin 
 exemplification of his Christian views, he is a faith- 
 ful memlier of the Presbyterian Church and is es- 
 teemed by all who know him. Mr. Patterson has 
 served as a School Director and has done what he 
 could, in various ways, to promote the educational, 
 moral and material well-being of W^heatland Town- 
 ship. In his political views he is a stanch Repub- 
 lican and has long affiliated with that part\'. 
 
 -^^ 
 
 J)ILLARD WOOD, founder of Crete, bears 
 the distinction of being one of the oldest 
 „ ^ settlers in this part of Will County. He 
 came to this region about 1836, and first secured 
 the southeast eighty acres on section 8, and the 
 southwest eighty acres on section 9, which is now 
 all included in the village limits and he likewise 
 purchased other land. He encouraged people to 
 emigrate hither by free donations to private parties 
 and gave a lot to the IMethodist Episcopal and the 
 CongregationarChurches, besides assisting in erect- 
 ing the church buildings. He has been Interested 
 in the growth and development of the town since 
 its organization and h.as proven no unimportant 
 factor in promoting its material interests. 
 
 Mr. Wood assisted in building the first school- 
 house in Crete Township, and officiated .as the 
 first pedagogue in this township, in the year 1838. 
 He served .as a Justice of the Peace from 1838 un- 
 til sometime in the '50s and has been for the last 
 four years a Police Justice, serving as such since 
 the incorporation of the town in 1884. For fifty 
 years he has been an attorne3'-at-law, being ad- 
 
440 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 mitted to practice in Illinois, at Joliet, about for- 
 tv-seven years ago. lie was for a number of years 
 tiie Postniaster of Crete, reeeiving his first appoint- 
 ment tlirouiili the inlhienee of the laic Long .John 
 Wentworih, of Chicago, who was then serving his 
 firsi term in Congress. 
 
 Al)0ut 1818 Mr. Wood erected the Crete Hotel, 
 wiiich was the first fr'.une ))uilding of its kind in 
 the place and the first public house in this part of 
 the county. Williin it he had a |)ublic hall in 
 which at tiic opening of the house were entertained 
 many of the notalile men of Chicago, including 
 Henry 15. Clark, ;dso Col. Fake, Dr. Allen and 
 Robert Duncan of .lolict, together witii their wives. 
 The original hotel was later supplanted liy the 
 present one, which, with the exception of a few 
 years, has also been conducted by Mr. Wood and is 
 located on land which he purchased from the (iov- 
 ernment in 1838. At that time he was without 
 means, and secured the land through the kindness 
 of Mr. Charles Walker, a merchant of Chicago, to 
 whom he paid 33 1-3 i)cr cent, interest for thr(!e 
 years. He has since owned considerable land ii: 
 Crete Township, and has now one hundred acres 
 besides property in the village. 
 
 The summer of 1836 witnessed the first advent 
 of iSIr. Wood into Will County, to which he emi 
 "rated from Morristown, Vt., where he was |)artly 
 reared and obtained his education. He studied 
 law and taught school about five terms before his 
 marriage. His native place was in Randolph, Vt., 
 and the date of his birth August 28, 1808. He is 
 therefore approaching the eighty -second year of his 
 acre. He comes of stanch Nevv England stock and 
 ancestry, being the son of Thomas Wood, a native 
 of Massachusetts. His paternal grand fatlier, also 
 named Thomas Wood, was born in Vermont and 
 came of English ancestry. He followed farming 
 .nil his life and died at I\,iu(l<ilph at, the ;id\-;\iic('d 
 age of eighty-four years. 
 
 Thomas Wood ,lr., the father of our subjcc*, 
 n-iew to manhood in the Green Mountai)) State and 
 after attaining his majority engaged in farming 
 on Ills own account. Upon the outbreak of the 
 War of 1812, he was one of the first patriots to en- 
 list for a service of five years if necessary, and he 
 participated in many a hard-fought battle. About 
 
 the close of the war, while in the Burlington Bar- 
 racks at Colchester. Vt.. he contracted a fever from 
 which he died in 181i». He w.as then in the (jrime 
 of life, only about forty-three years old and |)re- 
 sented a fine specimen of manhood both physicall}' 
 an<) mentally. By trade he was a blacksmith and 
 worked at this in and around Middlebury, Vt., in 
 partnership with a Mr. Denison. 
 
 The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
 of Ruby Newland. She was a native of Massat liu- 
 setls and after the decease of her husb.'ind was 
 married to .lohn Mo.xley and they settletl in .Mor- 
 ristown, Vt., where Mr. IMoxley died at the age of 
 sixty -seven years. He served as (Quartermaster in 
 a Connecticut Uegiment during the Revolutionarj' 
 War. By tr.ade he was a tailor, which he followed 
 before entering and after leaving the army. After 
 his death Mrs. Moxley came to Illinois with her 
 son Charles, and died at his home in Will County 
 aft<!r attaining her three-score and ten years. Like 
 Mr. Moxley she was a Universalist in religious be- 
 lief. 
 
 The subject of this notice w,as the youngest but 
 one, of five sons and one daughter. He and his 
 younger brotlier, Charles, the latter of Faribault. 
 Minn., are the only survivors of the family. Will- 
 ard was first married iu Morristown, Vt., M.ay 1, 
 183,1, to Miss Diantha S. Boardman, .-i sister of the 
 late Judge Boardman. formerly of Joliet. Mrs. 
 Wood was of New England parentage and ances- 
 try and English descent. .She was born, reared 
 and educated in Morristown, Vt., and for several 
 terms w.as a teacher in the public schools of her 
 native county. For a time during the earlier years 
 of their acquaintance she was a i)npil of her hus- 
 band. She accompanied him to Illinois and .as- 
 sisted him in gaining a foothold remaining his 
 faithful and devoted companion until her death. 
 This occurred at lur home in Crete, in 18fio, when 
 she was fifty-four years old. having been born in 
 1811. Her lnother. Judge B.iardman, also died at 
 the home of Mr. AVood, his decease taking place 
 ;il'ter that of his sister. 
 
 Mrs. Diantha Wood was the mother of seven chil- 
 dren, idl of whom are living, married and have 
 families. Sabina D. is the wife of Robert B. Mil- 
 lar and they live on a "farm in Crete Township; 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 441 
 
 Fidellii L. married Daniel B. Hewes. a Justice of the 
 Peace and Notary Public of Crete; Lydia M. is 
 the wife of Congressman Charhs A. Hill, of .lol- 
 iet, representing the Eighth District; Blarian is the 
 wife of A. H. Smith and they live on a farm in 
 Crete Townshii*; Williard S. married Miss Molly 
 Moore, a fruit grower of Glendora, Cal.; William 
 Irwin married Miss Elvia Howes, the present pro- 
 prietor of the Wood Hotel at Crete; Marcus M. 
 married Miss Jessie Wood and is clerk and corres- 
 pondent for an engine and mining machinery 
 manufacturing company in Chicago. 
 
 In I8G9, Mr. Wood contracted a second mar- 
 riage, in Batavia, N. Y., with Mrs. Eliza (Selleck) 
 Northrui), widow of Normal Northrup, who died 
 in Monee, where he was engaged in trade. Mrs. 
 Eliza Wood was born in Connecticut. She grew 
 to womanhood in her native place acquiring a com- 
 mon-school education and was there married to Mr. 
 Northrup. The two children born of that union 
 are both deceased. This lady died at her home 
 in Crete when nearly seventy-five years old. In 
 religion she was a Universalist, belonging to the 
 Church at Blue Island. Mr. Wood is liberal in 
 his religious views and in politics an uncom- 
 promising Democrat. He preserves his faculties 
 in a remarkable degree, being able to read without 
 the aid of glasses and being remarkably bright 
 and active for one of his years. He takes pride 
 in the fact that he has twenty-three grand-children 
 and two great-grandchildren. 
 
 ^^ETER W. SPANGLER, is prosperously 
 engaged in the livery business in Plain- 
 Held. He is a native of Pennsylvania, 
 born at Centre Hill, Centre County, April 
 
 4, 1836. His father, John Spangler, was a native 
 of the same county, while his grandfather, I'etor 
 
 5. Spangler, is thought to have been born in Lan- 
 caster County, in the same state, and was reared, 
 married and spent his entire life in the Keystone 
 State. 'I'lie father of our subject was reared to farm- 
 ing but afterwards learned the tr.ade of cabinet 
 making, which he did not follow long, however, but 
 
 went back to his first vocation, buying a farm after 
 his marriage, at Centre Hill. He resided there till 
 1846, when he emigrated to Illinois with wife and 
 twelve children, coming overland with a pair of 
 horses and a wagon and a carriage drawn by one 
 horse, the journey consuming three weeks and 
 three days. Mr. Spangler had been here before 
 prospecting, and had bought two farms located in 
 Plainfield Townsiiip, the one on which he settled 
 being well-improved, and. provided with good 
 buildings. There were no railways in Illinois at 
 that time, and Chicago was the nearest market. 
 He lived on his farm some 3'ears and then retired 
 to Joliet, where he resided till his death, he having 
 accumulated an ample competence tliat sufliccd for 
 all his wants. The maiden name of his wife was 
 Catherine Stemm, and she was born in Centre 
 County, Pa., and was a daughter of Adam Stemm, 
 a native of the same state. She died on the home 
 farm some jears before her husband. They reared 
 a family of fourteen children, nine sons and five 
 daughters. 
 
 Peter Spangler was ten years old when he came 
 to this country with his parents, aMd he was here 
 reared to agricultural pursuits. At eighteen years 
 of age he commenced to learn the trade of a plasterer 
 at Plainfield, and worked at that here for a time, 
 and was then engaged at it in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 
 for a while. He returned to Plainfield before the 
 war, and joined a company of light infantry, which 
 was sent to Cairo by the governor at the first call 
 for troops, and was there mustered into sei vice as 
 Co. K, 10th Illinois Batter^'. Our subject proved 
 that he had good soldierlj' qualities, and he did 
 faithful service in defense of the Union during the 
 three months that he was in the army, that being 
 the length of the term of enlistment of his regi- 
 ment. At the close of that time he was obliged 
 to abandon military life on account of ill health, 
 and for nearly two years thereafter he was unable 
 to do any manual labor. He subsequently resumed 
 his trade, which he soon gave up to give his atten- 
 tion to farming, and was thus engaged in farming on 
 his father's farm during the following live years. At 
 the end of that time he returned to Plainfield, and 
 three years later entered upon his present business 
 as the keeper of a livery stable and a trader in 
 
442 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lioi'ses, his dealings extending to nil points between 
 licre and Chicago. Ilo has quite an apliiude for 
 this calling, licing a good judge of horse llesh, and 
 l)ossessing the requisite .sluewdncss and sagacity 
 necessary ft)r the business. His liv('r\' stable is 
 well managed ami well patronized. 
 
 Mr. Spangle r has had the good fortune to secure 
 
 II good wife, whose msiiden name was ^Lary Lee, and 
 
 to whom he was united in marriage in 187(1. Two 
 
 hililren Cduipiele their houseluild circie, l{oy and 
 
 ilcrloii. 
 
 Mr. Spangler is a sturdy Demociat in politics; 
 socially, he is identified with the A. K. A A. M. 
 as a member of I'lainliild Jvodgc. No. 536. He 
 possesses good business qualifications, is enterpris- 
 ing, and knows how to conduct his transactions to 
 tlie best advantage. He is kind hearted and gen- 
 erous, ever ready to do a favor, and is well-liked 
 by his neighbors. 
 
 Tj^^ATIIANH-:!. I'.ARNS. In all the broad 
 expanse of the Mississippi Valley, no finer 
 ^ farms can be found than the Prairie State 
 can boast. The agriculturists of this .State are 
 generally men of unboundeil energy and good 
 judgment, under whose careful management, the 
 fertile soil yields abundantly of golden grain and 
 various fruits in their season. In this county, 
 Joliet Township is not behind other sections in 
 attractive and remunerative farms. One of these is 
 owned and occupied by the subject of this sketcji 
 and comprises one hundred and sixty acres on 
 section 31. 
 
 In the Empire State many years ago a babe was 
 born, who grew to womanhood bearing the name 
 of Rachael AIcGinnis. In the neighboring State 
 of Connecticut was born and reared Isaac Barns, 
 who met and marrieil the worthy young woman, 
 making a home in Rockland County, N. V., whcie 
 they reared a family of twelve children, of whom 
 the subject of this sketch is the sixth. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
 Ilaverstravv, in the county above mentioned, June 
 lb, 1818. He grew to manhood on his father's 
 
 farm, early becoming tjioroughly acquainted with 
 the details of agricultural life and the enterprises 
 connected therewith, and assisting as his strength 
 would permit in the work of the home. Me also 
 obtained a good practical knowledge of the more 
 important branches of education. Two years 
 were spent by him in the St.ate of \'irginia, but 
 with this excei)tion he continued Icjmake his home 
 upon the parental estate imtil he was thirty years 
 of age. During this time he was engageil in farm- 
 ing and stock dealing, and foi' nine years in the 
 butchering l)usiness. 
 
 In the spring of 1858, Mi'. 15ariis luincd his 
 footsteps weslw:ird and reaching this country, pur- 
 cha.ied a farm and identified himself with the cit- 
 i/.ensof Illinois. Here he has since lived, success- 
 fully carrying on his chosen work and while 
 securing to his family the comforts <jf life laying 
 the fotindalion for ease in his declining years. 
 Ills farm contains all the improvements whieli 
 mark the homes of the belter class of farmers, the 
 buildings comprising a fidl set of adequate and 
 substantial structures, and a gc>od supply of ini- 
 l)roved machinery an<l iiiipleineiils being found in 
 use thereon. 
 
 An iiiiporlaiit step in the life of our siibj.'et was 
 taken in Westchester County, N. V.. Oetijber I, 
 1841), when he led to the hi'mencnl altar Miss Mary 
 K. Thiell. 'I'hislady was born in Rockland County 
 in 18:^9, and is a daughter of .lacob and Susan 
 (^'onBuskirk) Thiell, who were natives of the same 
 county, where the father died. Tiie mother 
 breathed her last in Newburg, Orange County. 
 i\Irs. Barns is a woman of exceplionalh' fine char- 
 acter, strong, tender, and true, "whom to know is 
 a liberal education." She has l)ecn an able assistant 
 to her husband, b3' her wise economy and prudent 
 management aiding in the accumulation of their 
 present means, while to her children she has been a 
 devoted mother, rearing them to useful and honor- 
 able lives. The affairs of her own household have 
 not taken her entire thought, but she has been read}' 
 for neighborly deeds of kindness and symi)atlii7,ing 
 interest in all worthy iiK)vements. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Barns ten children have been 
 born, of whom (Jcorge .Julian, Rosalia, Gr.ace, 
 Nathaniel .Ir.. Lizzie. .John and Blanche .are j-cl 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBDM. 
 
 443 
 
 living; Emily A., Isaac and Edward are deceased. 
 In politics Mr. Barns is a Democrat and to the 
 party of his choice he never fails to give his vote 
 and personal influence. He has held the offices of 
 School Director and Assistant Supervisor, faith- 
 fully discharging the duties imposed upon him, and 
 manifesting a deep interest in the public welfare. 
 As a good farmer, a reliable citizen, and an honor- 
 able man, he is regarded with respect by his fellow- 
 men, particularly in this section where so manj- 
 years of his life have been spent and where he is so 
 well known. 
 
 HARLES HUGE. Although the life of a 
 farmer may be devoid of the excitement and 
 >/' many of the hazards of city life, it is a field 
 for the exercise of as high a degree of tact, keen- 
 ness of judgment, and foresight as any inirsuit In 
 wliich man can engage. The sight of "green things 
 growing," which he has sown and cultivated, af- 
 foids a pleas^irable sensation, to which is added the 
 knowledge that sustenance is at hand whatever 
 limits may be furnL-'hed. by '•corners" of speculators, 
 to the [irice the agriculturist receives fur that which 
 has cost him so much labor. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name this sketch is 
 introdticed is a Prussian by birth and ancestry. 
 His father, Christ Huge, died at the age of sixty 
 years from overwork while cradling grain, the sad 
 event occurring when our subject was nine years 
 of age. The widowed mother, formerly Miss 
 Christina Trouf, followed her son to America four 
 years after his arrival on the shores of the New , 
 World, and died in Chicago, 111., at the age of 
 eighty-three years. She belonged to the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 The natal da}' of Charles Ruge was September 
 2, 1829, and he is the 3'oungest of the four chil- 
 dren, comprising the parental family. He was 
 reared and educaterl in his native land of Prussia, 
 and when twent3'-four years old left it to seek a 
 broader lield for his energies in the United States. 
 He took passage at Hamburg on the "New Doner," 
 a sailing-vessel, which anchored in New York liar 
 
 bor, after an ocean voyage of five weeks and three 
 days. He at opce came to Chicago, III., where he 
 landed §5 in debt, but filled with the determined 
 spirit which h.as secured for him a comfortable 
 fortune. 
 
 Mr. Ruge secured work in Dn Page County as 
 a farm laborer, and four years after his arrival 
 there took a companion and set up housekeeping 
 on rented propert}'. He farmed as a renter five 
 years in Bloomingdale Township, after which he 
 removed to Will County, and purchasing one hun- 
 dred and twenty acres of land in Washington 
 Township, began his well-directed efforts to scure 
 a home and fortune. By subsequent purchase he 
 added eighty acres to his landed estate, which is 
 located on sections 35 and 36, and now has two 
 good sets of buildings upon it. His efforts were 
 ably seconded by his wife, and with her assistance 
 and that of the family in later years, Mr. Ruge has 
 succeeded in making a fine farm. His pleasant 
 dwelling is situated on section 35, and is supplied 
 with an abundance of good cheer. 
 
 The lad}' who presides over the domestic econ- 
 omy bore the na,me of Minnie Zerzov. She was 
 born in Prussia. April 9, 1840, and is a daughter 
 of Fred and Fredricka (Wagner) Zerzov, who 
 wore natives of the same Kingdom as the daugh- 
 ter. The father served his country as a soldier for 
 some time, and died when but thirty-five years of 
 age from disease contracted while in the army. 
 Mrs. Ruge. who "as the youngest child, was a 3'ear 
 old at the lime of her father's decease. She ob- 
 laini'd a good educatiun pi ior to her eighteenth 
 year, uiien she li:ide ndieu to ht-r unlive land aiid 
 set forth alone to gain a maintinancc in America. 
 Leaving Hamburg in November, l^.jT, she lauded 
 in New York Citj' after a Long sea voyage on the 
 "Louis Napoleon," and at once came to Chicago 
 and secured emplo3nnent as a domestic. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ruge are the parents of thirteen 
 children, whose record is as follows: Henry. Rob- 
 ert and John died in childhood; Charles, who mar- 
 ried Carrie (irabe, is a clerk in a grocery store in 
 Chicago; Eva is the wife of Herman Hack, who 
 lives on a farm in Iroquois County; Herman, who 
 operates a part of his father's farm, married Anna 
 Meyer; Bertha married Henry Meyer and they 
 
441 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 live on a • farm in Lake County. Intl.; Williiim 
 elei-lcs in a drygoods store in Chicago, liis wife 
 liaving borne the m.niden name of Dora Meyer; 
 Alvina is tlie "'ife of Otto ICnulli. a niactiinist in 
 Chicago; Emma and Minnie, twins, also live in 
 Chic-igo; Henry and Amel are at home. 
 
 In his political views and in the castint;- of his 
 vole Mr. I\ugc is strictly independent. He and 
 his wife belong to the Evangelical Cluircli of North 
 .\merica. They have the respect of their acquaint- 
 ances for the industry and good principles which 
 have cliaraeteri/.ed their lives juid (lie kindliness 
 tlioy manifest toward mankind. 
 
 #-# 
 
 -*— ■ 
 
 /^ ONRAI) C. BKAUN, now deceased, was 
 /|f^-\, l)orn in Frankfort-on-lhe-Main, Germany, 
 ^^^' January 17, 1H35, and in ins native land 
 was reared to manhood. From his father he learned 
 the trade of a carpenter, which he followed until 
 he came to America in ISSG. IJis first sojourn was 
 made in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained but a 
 short time ere removing to Milwatdcee, Wis., in 
 which city he was emi)!oyed at the marble works 
 about a year. He then came to Joliet, 111., where 
 he continued the same occupation for a time as an 
 employe and then engaged in the marble business 
 on his own account, following it about ten j-ears- 
 He next became foreman In the stone shops at the 
 penitientiar}', holding the positif)n four years. 
 
 We next find Mr. Braun in the employ of the 
 Solar .Stove Works for two years as an ornamental 
 pattern maker. His next enterprise was the pur- 
 chase of the Chicago House and the employment of 
 his faculties as the landlord of that hostelry which 
 he conducted four years. He then bought a tract 
 of land just east of Joliet upon which he started a 
 grapery. From that time until his death, which 
 occurred May 2, 188S,iic was engaged in vinicidt- 
 nre. He met with a marked degree of success in 
 the business to which he devoted his later years 
 and owned one of the most beautiful graperies to 
 be seen in a large extent of territory'. It affords 
 a charming feature in the landscape during the 
 summer season and when the vines are loaded 
 
 with their rieli fruit. It is near Oakwood Cemetery, 
 on land well adapted for the [lurpose, and pleasantly 
 located. 
 
 The first wife of Mr, Uraun was Helen, daughter 
 of Andrew Smith. She was the. mother of three 
 children but one of whom is living. This is a son, 
 (leorge C, who is engaged in the marble business 
 in St, Louis, Mo, Mrs, Helen Braun died in Joliet, 
 M.ay 18, 18G4. Mr. Braun contracted a second 
 matrimoni.'d alliance, marrying Miss Catheiine 
 Bactelniuller wlio died in Joliet, October 1, 1864, 
 
 Mr. Braun was .again married, in Joliet, the 
 cercnion}- taking place December 8, 1864, and the 
 bride being Mrs. Antonia (Sartori) .Alutz. This 
 lady was born in Baden, Germany, on New Year's 
 Day, 1829, and at the time of her marriage to our 
 subject, was the widow of Hugo Mutz. Her first 
 marriage i-esulted in the birth of five children, the 
 only one now living being Josephine, who is the 
 wife of William Kuhn, To her second husband 
 Mrs, Braun bore threechildren — Kmlolph L,, Net- 
 tie M., and Conr.ad M.; N'ettie is now the wife of 
 Christian Pasold. Since the death of Mr, Braun 
 the widow and her eldest son have taken charge of 
 the place, and are successfully carrying on the en- 
 terprise begun l)y our subject. 
 
 ■'O*o-^y^<^^-o4o- 
 
 ■<.''- 
 
 •' ARMAN DEUTSCHMAN, There are many 
 rural homes in Will County so attractive 
 
 that they clearly disprove the idea held bj- 
 some residents of cities, that farm life is 
 surrounded only by what is rude, uncultivated and 
 unpleasing. The estate of the gentleman who is 
 the subject of this brief sketch, is one of these well 
 regulated farms, upon which a complete line of im- 
 provements is to be seen, the buildings being first 
 class in style and construction, and snlliciently 
 numerous to fill all the wants of the owner. The 
 home farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres 
 on section 34, J.ackson Township, and another 
 quarter section in the same township is owned by- 
 Mr, Deutschman. 
 
 The n,atal day of the subject of this sketch was 
 February 25, 1851, his birthplace was the Empire 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 445 
 
 of GermallJ^ In the spring of 1865, he crossed the 
 Atlantic and joined his father, William Deutschman, 
 in Illinois. The father had come to this country 
 in 1855, and lived in Jolict and Jackson Townships, 
 in the latter of which he departed this life in 1875. 
 His son Ilarman remained with him until his death, 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits, and gaining in 
 intelligence and ability year by }"ear. 
 
 In the fall of 1870, our subject led to the hyme- 
 neal altar Miss Sarah, daughter of Abraham Gock- 
 ley, of Jackson Township, whose biograiihy 
 occupies another page in this Aliujm. The bride 
 was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 25, 
 1853, and was well educated and reared to useful 
 habits and with the best of piinciples. She belongs 
 to the German Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Deutschman have eight childreu living, namely: 
 Clara, Franklin A., Ella, Anna, Wallace J., Minnie, 
 Josephine and "N'iola. Thej' lost a son, Aaron, in 
 his infanc}'. Mr. Deutschman has not sought otti- 
 ci:il honors but is ever ready to cast his vote in the 
 interests of the Democratic party, lie has served 
 as School Director. He has so conducted himself 
 as to vvin respect as a citizen, neighbor and private 
 individual. 
 
 sag^ir 
 
 ^f 
 
 ^, OSEPH HUNTER, Sr, is one of the oldest 
 settlers of Frankfort Township; the owner 
 of a large landed estate and an extensive 
 agriculturist. Ills home farm is the south- 
 cast quarter of section 13, on which is a fine large 
 residence and other substantial and commodious 
 buildings, among them being a windmill and tank, 
 and a barn 72x100 feet, which is capable of hold- 
 ing three hundred tons of hay. Mr. Hunter owns 
 six hundred and forty acres in this township, all 
 well fenced and supplied with tenant houses, feed 
 yards, orchards, and all improvements which char- 
 acterize the estates of enterprising farmers. In 
 Cook County he owns three hundred and twenty 
 acres, and his entire landed estate is tillable except 
 forty acres of timber land. 
 
 Mr. Hunter was born in County Donegal, Ire- 
 land, near Ramelton, December 23, 1817, and 
 
 reared on the parental farm with but limited com- 
 mon-school advantages. He remained at home un- 
 til nineteen years of age and then going into Scot- 
 land on a visit was offered a situation in the 
 custom house at Glasgow. His father, however, 
 advised him to emigrate to America and he made 
 preparations to do so. In May, 1837, he left 
 Londonderry' on the sailer "llegatia" a slow vessel 
 which occupied eight weeks in crossing the Atlan- 
 tic. Young Hunter was sick during the entire vo}'- 
 age. He landed in (Quebec and remained in Can- 
 ada a few months, working on a farm. He was not 
 pleased with the country as it was too heavily tim- 
 hered to suit his taste and the same fall he made a 
 tri|) to Illinois. 
 
 Accompanied by his brother John, he crossed to 
 Detroit, Mich., on a boat, then went on foot to St. 
 Joseph, whence he crossed the lake to Chicago. 
 Thence they traveled on foot to the Yankee set- 
 tlement near Lockport, this county, which is now 
 in the Township of Homer. The young men had 
 about -1 100 in gold, and had to change a $5 piece 
 every morning to pay the bill at the inn. The 
 change tliey received was "wildcat" money which 
 others refused to take and when our subject 
 reached Will County he was virtually empty 
 handed. 
 
 Young Hunter had learned something of the 
 mason's trade in his native land and he found 
 employment at it for a time and then eng.aged on 
 a farm by the month. Tlit best hands received 
 but ^\'20 a year for farm work. In 1840, he pur- 
 chased one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land 
 at $1.25 per acre and located upon it six years 
 later. He put up a log house shaping the logs 
 himself and completing the structure, being only 
 able to get one man to help him raise it. He was 
 the first settler upon the prairie within a radius of 
 many miles. He had taken cattle in paj'ment for 
 farm work so that he had a good herd and he let 
 men take care of them on various terms. He killed 
 some and sold beef among the few settlers and 
 also disposed of some of the animals alive. 
 
 Mr. Hunter broke prairie with oxen attached to 
 a clumsy plow, and the soil l)eing tongh and the 
 imi)lenient unwieldly, six 3oke were necessary. 
 The cattle fattened readil}- on the prairie grass 
 
446 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 m\<\ grain grew well on the newly-ltroken soil. The 
 latter was liauled to C'liica^^o, a distaiu'e of lliirly 
 inileo, the trip consuniing two ilays. During tiiose 
 carl}' years, largo herds of deer were 'm l)e seen in 
 this vicinity and wolves wore numerous, often fol- 
 lowing ^fr. Hunter in his journeys. I'nlike tlie 
 most of the early settlers, he did not engage in 
 hunting but devoted himself exclusively lo liis ag- 
 ricultural pursuits in which he was very success- 
 ful. He added to his real estate from time to 
 time, paying $r)0 per acre for some eight hundred 
 acres of that whicii he now owns. 
 
 The estate of Mr. Hunter is managed syslemati- 
 eally, two hundred and fift}' acres being devoted 
 to oats, three hundred to corn, and three hundred 
 to hay and i>asturc. He raises full blooded Short- 
 horn cattle of all grades, keeping about two hundred 
 head. 'He feeds three or four car loads of cattle be- 
 sides, and raises about as many car loads of hogs 
 per j-ear. He has the largest horse ranche in the 
 township and has been quite successful with draft 
 horses and roadsters. He has about fifty head of 
 the latter and raises about twelve colts per an- 
 num. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Hunter and Miss Jane 
 Gamble took place at the bride's home in Jo Dav- 
 iess County, near Hanover, in Juno, 1846. The 
 bride was born in County- Donegal, Ireland, No- 
 vember 10, 1810, being a daughter of Daniel and 
 Elizabeth (Malseed) Gamble. Mr. Gamble was 
 a farmer who died in the Emerald Isle whence 
 his widow emigrated to America with her family 
 in 1832. They left Londonderry on the sailer 
 "Crainge" and after a voyage of five weeks, landed 
 at New Castle and took up their residence in Phil- 
 adelphia. In 1837, thoj' came down the Ohio 
 River to its junction with the Mississippi and 
 thence up the latter river to (lalena, 111., going 
 from there to Hanover, Jo Daviess County, by 
 wagon; there Mrs. Gamble remained until her 
 death. Slie belonged to the Presbyterian Church 
 and reared her family with fine principles and 
 useful habits. Her sons, Samuel, Joseph and 
 James are now deceased, and Daniel is living in 
 Jo Daviess County. Mrs. Hunter is the only 
 daughter. 
 
 The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter has been 
 
 blest by the birth of three sons, of whom the first- 
 Ixnn, Jainos, diel when twenty-one years old. 
 Joseph Jr. is at home assisting in the farm labors; 
 Daniel G. is mariied and living on the adjoining 
 section. 
 
 Joseph Hunter, Sr. has been School Director 
 nearly every since he came to this section. He was 
 Supervisor of Frankfort Township, for two 
 years, and at the last election received every 
 vote in the township except one. He was Com- 
 missioner of Highways seven years, has served on 
 grand and petit juries, as a delegate to political 
 tM)unty conventions and a member of the County 
 Central Committee. He is a true-blue Republican 
 and at an early date identified himself with the 
 anti-slavery movement, his being one of the three 
 votes cast in the town of Homer for James G. 
 IJirney. He inantained his belief amid the scoffs 
 and taunts of many, but finally had the satisfac- 
 tion of seeing his cause triumphant. His religious 
 faith is expressed by the Presbyterian creed and 
 he is identified with the church at Bloom, Cook 
 Count}'. He was formerly Elder of the society at 
 Frankfort. He has helped to build the school- 
 house and has borne his part in ever}' movement 
 which would increase the material, intellectual and 
 moral welfare of the community, and has made 
 many friends by his agreeable manners, thrifty 
 and energetic habits, and upright life. 
 
 eHAKLES H. SUTPHEN. This veteran of 
 eighty-four years bears the distinction of 
 being one of the oldest citizens of this State, 
 to which he came as early as 1831. He was born 
 in Cherry \'alley, Otsego Countj-, N. Y., February 
 15, 1806, and is the son of Gilbert and Mary (Hig- 
 inbotham) Sutphen, the former of whom vvas a 
 Captain in the W.ar of 1812 and died two days 
 after a battle, from exposure and over-exertion. 
 
 The father of our subject was likewise born in 
 Clierr}' Valley, N. Y., where he was married to a 
 maiden of his own village. The earlier progenitors 
 had been residents of New Jersey. Charles H., 
 our sid)jcct, grew to manhood in his native town. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 447 
 
 and completed his education in tiie Academy. Hav- 
 ing influential friends in tlie Ignited States ainiy, 
 he was given a position in tiie General Paymaster's 
 office, under Gen. Townscnd, of Boston, and in that 
 city he was married to IMiss Dowe. Finally, de- 
 ciding upon seeking his fortune in the Far West, 
 lie came to La Salle County, this State, in 1831, 
 and entering a large tract of Government land, 
 engaged for some 3ears in the live-stock business. 
 
 Selling out finally his interests in La Salle County, 
 Mr. Sutphen came to Joliet, and since 1871 has 
 lived letired from active labor. Mrs. Sutphen de- 
 parted this life at her home in La Salle County, in 
 1870. The living cliildren of Mr. Sutphen are: Al- 
 bert, who took kindly to his books and is now princi- 
 pal of an acadeui}' in California: Charles is a resi- 
 dent of Santa Cruz, Cal. ; (ieorge E. is a practicing 
 attorney, of Aurora, 111.; Frederick is engaged as 
 a merchant at that place; William is living in the 
 State of Washington ; .lane is deceased. Mr. Sut- 
 phen's children received excellent educational ad- 
 v.antages. and hold good positions in societj'. 
 
 Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for 
 Jackson and gives his jinqualitied sujiport to the 
 Democratic party. He has held most of the town- 
 ship offices, serving as Supervisor and Clerk, also 
 as County Treasurer and Recorder. In religion he 
 is a Universalist, belonging to that church in 
 Joliet. He has accumulated a comfortable prop- 
 erty and employs his time iu looking after it. 
 
 #^ 
 
 \f)EREMIAH A. KINSELLA, a native of Ill- 
 inois, is one of the leading farmers of this 
 section of the State, and is extensively en- 
 gaged in stock-raising, owning two large 
 and valuable farms, one in this and one in Grundy 
 County, he making his home on his estate in Troy 
 Township. He was born in the township of Dres- 
 den, Grundy County, June 7, 1858, his birthplace 
 being but a few miles from where he now lives in 
 Will County. His parents were James and Eliza 
 (Kinsella) Kinsella. The}' came to Illinois in 1843, 
 when the canal was being built, and Mr. Kinsella, 
 with his father, Andrew Kinsella, made contracts 
 
 to assist in its construction, and the State still owes 
 them for i>art of their work. At the time the scrip 
 uhich was issued to them in i)aymcnt was good 
 for nothing only to secure them public laud, and 
 as they already owned thirteen hundred acres the}' 
 did not care for more and allowed the scrip to go 
 to waste, or be destroyed, as it had no special 
 value. After their death our subject made fruit- 
 less efforts to collect the sum owing them, which 
 amounted to ^20.000. 
 
 The mother of our subject died when he was 
 but four years of age, and his father died a year 
 later. Thus, unfortunately deprived of his par- 
 ents, he fell to the kindly care of his uncle, Garrett 
 Kinsella, his mother's brother, who reared andedii- 
 cated him as his own, and at the time of his death 
 left him his beautiful and valuable farm of six 
 hundred and twenty-two acres, in addition to the 
 homestead in (irundy County, of three hundred 
 and flft3--six acres which he inherited from his 
 father. His uncle died in 1880, leaving behind 
 him a name and memory that will ever be revered 
 in this count}', where he was so well known. He 
 was a man of more than ordinary ability and busi- 
 ness tact and accumulated a goodly amount of 
 property. He was greatly respected by his neigh- 
 bors, and although he cared but little for public 
 life, still be took an active part in the manage- 
 ment of local affairs, and was Supervisor for sev- 
 eral terms. He was a leading man among the 
 Democrats of this vicinity. 
 
 Our subject was reared in Minooka and there 
 laid the basis of a solid education, being a bright 
 and active scholar. At the early age of twelve 
 years he was admitted to Manhattan College, from 
 which he was graduated with honor in 1876, after 
 after having pursued a fine course of study. After 
 the completion of his education he returned to 
 Troy to live with his uncle. He received from him 
 a careful training in the management of the prop- 
 erty which he was to inherit, and has since become 
 one of the foremost stock-raisers in the county, 
 making a siiecialty of buying and feeding cattle, 
 devoting the large amount of grain he raises 
 wholly to that purpose. He ships his stock to the 
 Chicago market, and often ships as many as nine 
 car-loads a season. He rents his father's homestead 
 
448 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArHlCAL ALBUM. 
 
 to good advaiitjiirc and derives a fine iiieonic from 
 lliat and the i)roceeds of tlie oilier estate. 
 
 Mr. Kiiisella was inairied IVIareli H. l^tSC, to Miss 
 Kale C, daujihter of .lolm and Mary (Carroll) 
 Smith. Her father was a native of Loekl)orl, N.Y., 
 and a son of Thomas Smith. Our subjeet and his 
 wife have two ehildren — Norine and Evelyn. Mr. 
 Kinsella is a IX-nioerat in polities, and a Catholic 
 in religion. l)eing a vahied member of St. Mary's 
 Church, in Minooka. He is a frank, open-hearted 
 man, eontriliuting genorousi^' to the supjjort of the 
 ehureli ami anylliing that will lienelit the [lublie, 
 besides being liberal in the use of his money for 
 charitable and oilier purposes. Inheriting a large 
 property, he has shown himself to be fully equal to 
 ils management, bringing to its work a well-trained 
 and cultured mind, and by sagacious and system- 
 atic methods has greatly improved its value. 
 
 'vfr^jOBERT S. WASHIUUN owns and occupies 
 ]L^ a fine farm on section ;3(), Teotoue Town- 
 cii \V ship, and an adjoining tract on section 31. 
 The land is under thorough cultivation and 
 it needs but a glance to assure a visitor that the years 
 which Mr. Washburn has spent iu tilling the soil 
 have given him a thorough kuowdedge of the de- 
 tails of that occupation. His hard service in the 
 Union Array has left its effects upon his system and 
 he is afflicted somewhat with rheumatism and other 
 ailments, but still attends to his farm and bears his 
 part in local affairs. 
 
 Mr. Washburn is the only survivor of three 
 children born to Seth and Louisa (Hewitt) Wash- 
 burn, who died during his childhood. He was 
 born in Cook County forty-six years ago, came to 
 Will County when aliout ten years old and became 
 a resident of Wilton Township. He was thrown 
 upon his own resources at a tender age, had very 
 limited schooling and has always worked on a farm. 
 When nineteen years old his spirit was roused by the 
 attempts against the life of the Union and he enlisted 
 in Company H, Twelfth Cavalry. The regiment was 
 equipped at .St. Louis and sent to New Orleans, 
 thence took [lart in the Red River expedition under 
 
 Gen. Banks. Tlie marches, skirmishes and bailies 
 of thai expedition are recorded in history, but only 
 those who took part can fully realize the gallantry 
 and endurance of the boys in Ijlue. After that 
 cxpcMlition the company- was stationed at Donelson- 
 ville, doing picki't (U1I3'. 
 
 In August, 18()1, a squad of four men was sent 
 to carry a dispatch to another f<;rt on the Misssis- 
 sippi River, a day's riile from their station. They 
 were suriirised by the enemy, one man wi^unded, 
 two ca|ilure(l and the fourth made his escaiie. Mr. 
 Wasliliurn was one of those talccii |)risoiier. and 
 after spending two weeks at Bayou La Kourche, 
 La., was inarched through to Tyler, Tex., and there 
 placed ill prison. At one lime there was aliout 
 eleven hundred Union soldiers imprisoned there, 
 and a jjound of beef, nearly all bone, and a quart 
 of corn ineal constituted a day's rations. There 
 was a dead line and Mr. Washburn has seen men 
 shot down there. When guarded b^' regular Con- 
 federate soldiers, prisoners received fair treatment, 
 but when militia and boys were their watchmen 
 the}' were often mistreated. Mr. Washburn was 
 afflicted with scurvy nearly all the time he was in 
 prison and still suffers from its effects. 
 
 Mr. Washburn was released from (iri-son in .lunc, 
 18G5, went to New Orleans, and thence to Baton 
 Rouge where his regiment was encamped. He then 
 came North on a thirty days" furlough, after which 
 he returned to his regiment, joined Gen. Custer's 
 command, went back into Texas and remained un- 
 til June, 1866. He then returned to Springfield, 
 111., where he was mustered out and honoralily dis- 
 charged. During his term of service he had been 
 promoted to the rank of Cori)oral and won a good 
 record for faithful and gallant conduct. 
 
 Resuming tiie agricultural labor in which he linil 
 spent his youth, Mr. Washburn also secure(l an in- 
 terest in a thresher and corn-shcller, and through 
 industrious efforts g:adually accuiiuilatcd means 
 with which to purchase a home. Eight years ago 
 he secured the deed to one hundred and twenty 
 acres of his estate, and last winter i)urcli,ised the 
 adjoining seventy-four, making up a good farm of 
 one hundred and ninety-four acres. The land is im- 
 proved and produces 'ine crops of various kinds. 
 
 The wife of Mr. Washburn was known in her 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 449 
 
 maifleiihood as Miss Sarali AUars and became his 
 wife March 23, 1881. She is a daiighler of Will- 
 iam and Maiia (Godson) AUars. both deceased, her 
 father having been killed by a load of lumber fall- 
 ing upon him. He waa an old settler of Kankakee 
 County. Mrs. Washburn is thirty -eight years old, 
 is industrious, amiable and kind-hearted, making a 
 happy home. 
 
 Mr. Washburn votes the Republican ticket, tak- 
 itig a deep interest in politics. He is Director of 
 School District No. 'J, and anxious to advance the 
 cause of education. He belongs to William A. 
 Webb Post, No. G57, G. A. R., of Peotone. He 
 receives from his fellow-men the respect to whicb 
 he is entitled for his virtues and habits. 
 
 L«^$)HOMAS W. JONES. In giving honor to 
 whom honor is due, we should not neglect 
 '^■/J T. W. Jones, who began life empty-handed, 
 and has accumulated a good propert}' by dint of 
 energetic and vvell directed efforts. His home is 
 located on section 22, 'Wesley Township, and con- 
 sists of one hundred and fourteen acres of well im- 
 proved land, the neat home being well supplied 
 with all of the comforts and many of ihe luxuries 
 of life, and the entire estate indicating prosperity 
 and a wise use of the conveniences which add to 
 the value of farm labor. 
 
 Mr. Jones is of Welsh ancestry and the son of 
 natives of Peuns3lvania. His parents, John T. 
 and Sarah S. (Rudisill) Jones were married in Ross 
 County, Ohio, and resided there until 1850. They 
 then removed to Will County, 111., and settling in 
 Wesley Township, remained here during the rest of 
 their lives. The mother crossed the river of death 
 in 1877, and the father March 11,1889. They 
 were the parents of sixteen children, eight of whom 
 are now living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Ross 
 County, Ohio, April 14, 1831, and received a fair 
 education in the district schools of his native county 
 and Will County, 111. His father lieing a farmer, 
 in his early life he acquired a knowledge of all that 
 
 is necessary to make tilling the soil profitable, and 
 laid the foundation for the inilustrious habits which 
 have made his life a success. On the afternoon of 
 the d.ay on which he became of age he split two hun- 
 dred rails. 
 
 Young Jones became a renter for about three 
 years, of the John Richoy farm, and he then bought 
 forty acres of laud, fenced it, broke the soil on a 
 part of it, ard began to make for himself a home. 
 On August 4, 1 858, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Emily A., daughter of Chesley L. and Harriet 
 L. (Cadwell) Mills, natives of Tennessee and Illi- 
 nois respectively. Mr. Mills died in February, 
 1844, but Mrs. Mills is still living. They were 
 the parents of five children, four of whom survive. 
 Mrs. .Jones was born February 26, 1833, is an in- 
 telligent and Christian woman, and has been a 
 faithful companion and helpmate and a devoted 
 mother. 
 
 The first jear of their wedded life was spent Iry 
 Mr. and Mrs. Jones in IMorgan County, whence 
 thej' returned here, taking u|) their abode in Wes- 
 ley Township for three years. They next occupied 
 the farm now owned by Frank Williams, in the 
 same township, t 'id in 1870 took possession of the 
 old homestead, where they have since resided. Mr. 
 Jones has added much to the appearance of the 
 liouse and other buildings, and has made general 
 farming the means of securing a competency. At 
 one time he was interested in raising full-blooded 
 Berkshire hogs. 
 
 M''. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of three chil- 
 dren, whose record is as follows: John W., was 
 born April 2, 1860, married Miss Lydia Dingee, and 
 lives in Gosper County, Neb.; Carrie, born Feb- 
 ruary 16, 1863, is the wife of William M. Henion 
 and the mother of three children, her home being 
 in Ritchie: Arthur, born September 16, 1872, will 
 attend college this fall. AH the children have 
 been carefully reared, given good advantages, and 
 are doing honor to the family name. Arthur is 
 now Secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday- 
 school, in which his brother and sister were active 
 workers in past years. 
 
 Mr. Jones is one of the three Trustees under 
 whose charge the schools of Wesley Township are, 
 and in advancing the cause of education he ex- 
 
4oO 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 liibits souiul sense :iiicl sjood judjimont. At present 
 lie holds the office of Towuship Assessor, iinil he 
 lias been Hoad Coiniuissioner. In polnies lie hns 
 taken a deep interest, allilialinsr witli the Hepuli- 
 lican parly. Me has l)ceii a nienilicr of tiie Sons 
 of Temperance. He and liis wife beloiij; to the 
 .Methodist Kpiscupal Chnrcli. in which he is Class 
 Leader. Steward and Trustee; he is also actively 
 interested in the Sunday-school, and has been for 
 many years, serving as Superinleiulenl or teacher 
 almost continuously. 
 
 Mr. Jones Is the fortunate possessor of one of 
 those sunny dis|)ositions which cause ;i man to be 
 liked by all whom he meets, while his character is 
 upright and moral, and his citizenship such as to 
 afford a worthy example to his own [irogeny and 
 the entire coninuinity. He is thoroughly respected, 
 r,nd in the esteem of the community his estimable 
 wife has also a large share. 
 
 Alonzo Jones, the brother of our subject, became 
 a member of Company A, 100th Illinois Infantry, 
 and gave his life for his country during the late 
 Civil War. ile was killed at the battle of Cliicka- 
 manga, September 19, 18G3. 
 
 Li^^HOMA.S OSCAR MILLS. In this gentle- 
 man Will County has a line representative 
 of its native-born citizens, one, who, by 
 his enterprise, progressivcness and marked abilit}' 
 is matcriallj' forwarding its financial welfare in 
 several w.ays. He is variously identified vvith its 
 interests, as a skillful agriculturist, making a spec- 
 iality of feeding cattle; as a tile nlanufacturer, 
 owning the largest factory in the county; and as 
 proprietor of a well-aiipointed store at Millsdale 
 Station. He was born on the old home.stead 
 where he now lives, August 27, 1850, and is the 
 son of James Mills, a pioneer of this region. 
 The maiden name of his mother was Eunice Glid- 
 den, she being a sister of Stepiien Glidden, of 
 this township. Hcitli her famil}' and her husband's 
 were originally from New Hampshire, and re- 
 moved to New York, where the parents of our 
 subject were married in 1844. They lived a 
 
 while in Ohio, and moved to Joliet about 1817. 
 After a year's sta}' in that ciU' they moved on to 
 the place where our subject now lives, and where 
 the father <lied in 18,">2. Until 1878, the mother 
 li\cd with her lirother Mr. (iliddcn. who was [lart 
 owner of the farm. At the time of her son's mar- 
 riage she became a member of his household, and 
 remained a welcome inmate of his home until iier 
 death, November 27, 1887. 
 
 Oui subject was reared in tlie place of his birth 
 and received excellent educational advantages, 
 obtaining the preliminaries of his education in the 
 local district schools, afterward pnrsuing a fine 
 course of study in .loliet, and linishing his school- 
 ing in Channahon, his own township. He early 
 gained a practical knowledge of fanning, and at 
 the time of his marriage took charge of the home- 
 stead, which he still owns and occupies, and 
 which is represented by a view elsewhere in this 
 work. With characteristic enterprise he lias car- 
 ried on his business so as to make a financial suc- 
 cess of it, and has greatly increased the value of 
 his farm and added to its acreage. It now com- 
 prises three hundred and eighty-four acres, all ly- 
 ing on section 11, with the exception of eighty 
 acres. Our subject has by no means confined his 
 operations to stock-raising, but has been engaged 
 in other industries. In 1884, he built near his 
 place a tile factory, one of the largest in the 
 count}-, costing about 110,000, and adapted to the 
 making of a fine grade of tile, but at the present 
 time the works are not in operation. The Santa 
 Fe Railroad and the Chicago & Alton run side be- 
 side through his farm. Our subject has a life 
 pass over the former road, which in 1887 opened 
 a station on his land. Here he has built a store, 
 which is well arranged and suitably stocked. 
 
 October 0, 1878, Mr. Mills took unto himself a 
 wife, in the person of Miss Anna K. Miller, tlaugh- 
 ter of James and Eliza (Fowler) Miller, natives 
 respectively- of Scotland and I'oughkeepsie, N. Y. 
 Her father was reared in the city of London 
 coming to this country in early manhood and 
 was married in New York. From there lie came 
 to this count}', and purchased the place in Troy 
 Townshii) which was known as the old Rock Run 
 I house previous to 1853, when he purchased it. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 453 
 
 Tliore lie lived until his death in ISGt!. His widow 
 is still living there, and has now attained the ven- 
 erable age of seventy-eight j'ears. They were the 
 parents of seven children. Mr. and Mis. Mills 
 have a very pleasant attractive home, and their 
 happy household is completed by their four chil- 
 dren; Arthur ,T., a lad of ten years; Erina A., 
 Oscar Leroy: and Warren, the baby. Mr. Mills 
 is a typical American, tlioroughly wide awake and 
 full of enterprise, possessing more than ordinary 
 capacity, energy and decision of character, and in 
 him his native county has a citizen who is doing 
 much to promote its general prosperity. In poli- 
 tics he is identified with the Republican party, but 
 being a man of independent views he takes the 
 liberty to vote as he chooses in regard to local 
 affairs. 
 
 
 IZRA E. JAYNES. The results of good 
 management find no better illustration than 
 ■ ' -'-^ in the life of this gentleman whose fine 
 farm is situated on section 29, Manhattan Township. 
 The estate comprises one hundred and sixt^' broad 
 acres which are devoted to the purpose of general 
 farming, about an equal share of attention being 
 paid to grain and stock-raising. Two teams are 
 required to operate the estate and they are found 
 to be fine English draft horses. Holstein and Gal- 
 way cattle and Poland-China swine of high grade 
 are kept, and another paying part of the establish- 
 ment is the poultry yard where about sBSOO worth 
 of poultry are raised every year. A fine residence 
 with all necessary outbuildings, such as barns, 
 granaries, corn cribs, etc., together with a beautiful 
 orchard, add to the value of the land and make of 
 it one of the most attractive places for many a 
 mile. It is surrounded by hedge and divided into 
 fields of convenient size. A view of this comfor- 
 table home will be found on another page. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write is a direct 
 descendant of one of three brothers vvho came from 
 luigland to America in 1G17. His grandfather, 
 
 Elijah Jaynes, was born in Franklin County, Vt., 
 devoted his attention to agriculture and became 
 the owner of several farms; he vvas a soldier in the 
 War of 1812. Chester .Jaynes, the immediate 
 progenitor of our subject, was born in the same 
 county and also became a farmer. During the 
 Aroostook War he fought against the savages six 
 months, obtaining a land warrant for his services 
 and is now a pensioner of the Government, lie 
 secured land four miles east of Lake Cliami)lain, 
 but subsequently bought and now resides upon 
 the homestead on which he was born. He has 
 been engaged in sheep raising and in the dairy 
 business, but now, in the ninety-flrst^-ear of his age, 
 is resting from his labors and enjoying merited 
 repose, lie belongs to the Baptist Church and 
 votes with the l\e|)nl)lican part}'. 
 
 Chester Jaynes married Eliza Dee, daughter of 
 Gen. Washington Dee, who won fame in the War 
 of 1812. The old Bay State was the birthplace of 
 Gen. Dee, but when he was a boy his parents re- 
 moved to ^"ermont where the latter became Colonel 
 in the Home Militia. When the Colonists a second 
 time determined to fight for release from British 
 tyranny, he raised a regiment and joining the army, 
 soon became Brigadier-Cieneral. He served until 
 the close of the struggle, fighting on the lake 
 and at Plattsburg and retiring with the title of 
 Major-General, while his brother, who had gone 
 out in his regiment as Major, came home as a 
 Brigadier-General. This was the War of 1812. 
 
 Mrs. Eliza (Dee) Jaynes was born in Franklin 
 County, ^^t., and became versed in all the useful 
 arts which were considered a part of a young lady's 
 education. She has now reached the ripe age of 
 eighty-eight years. She is a worthy member of 
 the Ba))tist Church. The suliject of this sketch is 
 the third of the nine sons and daughters whom she 
 has borne. In addition the familj^ roll includes the 
 names of Homer, now a resident of Kansas; Will- 
 iam who died in the Green Mountain State at the 
 age of twenty years; Halbert, of Neosha County, 
 Kan,; Mrs. Charlotte Ilurlbert, of Franklin County, 
 Vt. ; Sarah, who married H. G. Williams and is 
 living in Iowa; Addison, whose home is in Kansas; 
 Mrs. Helen Caswell, of Vermont; and Mrs. Addie 
 House, of Joliet. 
 
451 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Our subject was born in Georgia Township, 
 Franklin Couiily. Vt., ,lune 25, 1835, and being 
 
 ruiirctl on a l';iriii early touU up his share of llie 
 labors Ihorion. lie received a good eoramou- 
 school education under the free school system of 
 his native Slate and also attended Georgia Academy 
 from wiiich he was graduated at the age of eighteen. 
 Hellion wint lo Delaware County, Ohio, and en- 
 gaged in leaching for a year, after which he came 
 to Chicago and secured a clerkship in a store on 
 Kln/.ie Street. Six months later he went to Galena, 
 thence up the river to Hudson City and there em- 
 barked on a boat for St. Croix, Wis., where he 
 taught two terms of school. 
 
 The next location of young Jaynes was at New 
 Richmond where he embarked in the sale of gen- 
 eral merchandise, having his goods shipijed to 
 Hudson and then hauling them seventeen miles. 
 He was a member of the Home Guard, being Ser- 
 geant of the compan)', and at the lirst meeting 
 after Ft. Sumter had been lired upon, the whole 
 conii)any determined to enter the Union Arni}-. 
 On April IS, the name of Ezra K. .laynes was 
 l)laced upi>n tlie inusti'r roll of Company F, l'"irst 
 Wisconsin Infantry, and afier being mustered in 
 iC Madison he was sent to join tlie Army of llie 
 Potomac. Three uiontlis were passed in skirmish- 
 ing and other duties, when, the term of enlistment 
 having expired, Mv. Jaynes was mustered out about 
 the 1st of August and returned to Wisconsin. 
 He settled up his business during the early fall aiul 
 in November returned to his native State where on 
 December '2d he again enlisted, becoming a mem- 
 ber of Company F, Eighth Vermont Inf.antry. 
 
 The regiment was mustered in at Brattleboro, 
 assigned to Gen. Butler's Brigade and sent to New 
 Orleans on a sailing vessel which landed them at 
 Ship Island. An expedition w^as fitted out in the 
 spring of 1862, the transports reaching the South- 
 ern metropolis and investing it the 22d of M.ay. 
 iNl.-. ,l.aynes served on police duty in the city some 
 thirty days, until affairs became somewhat settled 
 and he was then sent acoss the rivei- to Algiers 
 where he operated on the Opelonsas railroad a year. 
 During these months he took part in battles and 
 skirmishes against "Old Dick Taylor" and the 
 Texas rangers, participating at Franklin on the 
 
 Atchafalaya River, etc. He had been mustered in 
 as Corporal, but for two years acted as Sergeant. 
 
 The next departure of Mr. .Jaynes was toward 
 Natchez, the march taking in Natchitoches and the 
 Salt Works. He was one in the first expedition up 
 Uie Red River and upon the return crossed to Ft. 
 Hudson, May 22, 18G3, and participated in the 
 attack on the breastworks on the 27 111. Still later, 
 on .lune 14, he and his comiades crawled over trees, 
 logs and deail bodies until the}' h.ad reached a 
 ])oint within four rods of the breastworks when he 
 was severely wounded in the right shoulder antl 
 side. He w.as leaning forward when one or more 
 balls entered the shoulder at the lop coming out 
 below the arm and causing paral3'sis. He was also 
 struck in the side by a shell, which seriously muti- 
 lated the flesh. Not able to stand, he fell back on 
 two dead men, lying there iiiialilc to move. 
 Toward evening the band came that wa^- and one 
 of them recognizing him, he was cairied back to a 
 sugar cump(jn a stretcher. There they were taken 
 prisoners by the rebels, but their i-aplors had time 
 to parole but a few ere Col. Grierson effected the 
 rescue of the others. All the surgeon did was to 
 wash out the wound and remove from it a few 
 maggots, after which IMr. Jaynes was hauled lo the 
 river, over fourteen miles of rough cor(Juroy road 
 in an army wag(>n. A steamer conveyed him to 
 New Orleans and he was placed in the hospital, but 
 the fare which lie received was so limited or un- 
 palatable that he nearly starved. To aibi to the 
 horunsof the situation his wound was not properl}' 
 cared for and for three weeks it was a nest of 
 insects. 
 
 Mr. .la^'iies was laid u|) in the hospital from the 
 20th of June until late in the fall, when he obtained 
 a furlough and made his way as best he could lo 
 his home. He wasscarcely alile to walk even with 
 the aid of a stick, was without monej' and nearly 
 naked, Imt made his way up the .^lississippi River 
 and linally reached home and friends nearly dead. 
 With better care he began to recover and having 
 his furlough extended two months he gained so 
 rapidly that he was enabled to report at New 
 Orleans before its expiration. He w.as, however, 
 not (it for campaign duty and w.as therefore placed 
 in the Veteran Reserve Corps, One Hundred and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 455 
 
 Sixty-fourth Battalion, wliiciidid guard dut^- at the 
 Mechanics Institute Hospital. He acted as >Ser- 
 geant in the A'eteran Corps until the spring of 
 1SG5, wiien he was ordered to Brattleboro, Vt., was 
 uuistered out and honorably discharged. He had 
 been ill before the l)attle of I'ort Hudson and the 
 doctor had told him not to go out as lie was unfit 
 for duty. He, however, felt that be might as well 
 be shot as to die of disease ami he had therefore 
 joined bis comrades with the result above related. 
 
 After spending a, few days in the enjoyment of 
 the comforts of home and the society of his friends, 
 Mr. Jayues came West, feeling that bis desire to 
 obtain a small piece of land whereon to make a 
 home would be more likely to reach fruition in a 
 newer countr}' than Vermont, lie rented land in 
 Wilmington Township, this county, for four years 
 and in the fall of 1868, purchased one hundred and 
 sixty acres of raw prairie upon which not a tree 
 was to be seen, paying $40 per acre. The fallow- 
 ing spring he located upon it, doing the best he 
 could to cultivate and improve it, but being 
 obliged to hire most of the labor done, as he was 
 seriously crippled from his wound and arm}- ex- 
 [lusiue. He was able to do some plowing with a 
 riding plow, and to do some of the grain cutting 
 and hay raking. 
 
 Prudent management, wise plans and frugal econ- 
 omy conquered the circumstances which seemed 
 untoward, and Mr. Jaynes succeeded in placing his 
 land under excellent improvement and making it 
 pay so well that he is now independent in finances. 
 During the past seven years his sons have done tiie 
 work of the place, carrying out his wishes fuUj- and 
 reaping a due reward. 
 
 Mr. Jaynes is the best read man in the township, 
 having ever found a recompense for his inability to 
 enjoy ph}'sical recreations, in the society of the 
 1 right minds, which books afford. He belongs to 
 Seneca Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M. at Milton Falls, 
 Vt. He is a Republican of the stanchest sort and 
 it has been the desire of the members of bis party 
 that he would rejiresent them in county conven- 
 tions, but he has refused the appointment on 
 account of bis crippled condition. To all who 
 lovp their country he is an object of great respect 
 for tlie servi':e which he renderetl in her time of 
 
 need, while his excellent management, high degree 
 of intelligence, and personal character win him 
 many friends and give him high repute over an 
 extended territory. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Jaynes occurred in 
 Wilmington Township, January 17, 1866. Upon 
 this occasion he led to the hymeneal altar Jliss 
 Jennie Kockwell, a native of Franklin County, Vt., 
 with whom bo lived happily until she was called 
 hence in 1870. .She was a daughter of Stephen 
 Rockwell, an early settler in this county and the 
 owner of a large property. The union was blest 
 by the birth of two children — Stella, who died in 
 187i», and Arthur, who lives in Wilmington Town- 
 shi[) with his uncle. 
 
 A second alliance was contracted by Mr. Jaynes, 
 March 12, 1871, at the home of the Rev. W. 
 G. Renfrew in Jackson Township. The lady who 
 there became his wife was Miss Mary, daughter of 
 p]lias Klingler, who came from Pennsylvania to 
 Will County in 1867. Mr. Klingler was a farmer 
 but has now retired and makes his home in Man- 
 hattan. Mrs. Jaynes is a native of the Keystone 
 State, is well informed, skilled in housewifely arts, 
 and possesses the happy faculty of making a home 
 in more than name. She had borne her husband 
 five children, namely: Lester, Oscar, Chester, 
 Edith and Alfred. All are at home but Oscar, who 
 is attending the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., 
 and in the intervals of study joining the home 
 circle in tlicir pleasures and duties. 
 
 ^1 
 
 Ijrrmic 
 
 ,41 /ALTER GRAY. This- gentleman's early 
 
 M identity with the farming and stock grow- 
 .^ ^ interests in this part of Illinois entitles him 
 to representation in this BiO(jRAi'incAL Alhum as a 
 pioneer of the county. His home is in Wheat- 
 land Township, where he located many years ago. 
 He has retired from the more active life of his 
 early years, and though still having an interest in 
 the farm that he developed from the wild prairies, 
 he has turned over its management to his sons, 
 retaining but ten acres of it for his own use. 
 
 Mr. Gray is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, 
 
i-)t; 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and was Ikhii in llie nioiith of September, 1819. 
 He was a son of Charles aii<l Kllcii (Watson) Gray, 
 likewise natives of Scotland, lli' was ro.ired on a 
 farm princiitaily and reuinved hnt limited odnca- 
 tinnal advanliiiios. lie is, however quite a reader, 
 and keeps posted on matters of general interest. 
 
 l)ur subject married in liis native land January 
 1, 1831), taking as his wife .Tane Wilson. She was 
 also of Scottish birth, born Se|)tember 22, 1810, 
 and a daughter of .lob and .lanette (Anderson) 
 Wilson, natives of Scotland. l''iiur of the nine 
 children born to Mr. and Mrs. (ir.ay are now living 
 as follows: Charles, in Leadville, Col.; John and 
 \\' alter, in \\'heatl.ind Ti)wnship; Jeanetle, wife of 
 Alexander .Martin, of Ottawa, Kan. 
 
 In 1 8 It), desirous t)f improving his prospects in 
 life and of being able to build up a home for him- 
 self and family, our subject emigrated to this 
 country, taking passage at (ilasgow, on a sail 
 vessel and after a voyage of about tweuty-six 
 d.ays, landing in (Quebec, Canada. For a short 
 time he lived in the Province of Ontario and then 
 coming to the " Slates,"' he took up his abode in 
 Will County, and has been an honored resident 
 here ever since. He began life here under adverse 
 circumstances, having but fifty cents when he 
 landed in the country. However, he was well en- 
 dowed with brawn and muscle, and with sturdy, 
 persevering, industrious qualities, inherited from 
 a Scotch ancestr3', and setting to work with cheer- 
 ful courage, in the years that followed by per- 
 sistent toil evolved a fine farm from the tract of 
 wild [jrairie that he purchased. He first located 
 in Plainfield Township, was there some three years 
 and then took up his abode in Wheatland Town- 
 ship, having secured a tract of wild land. He did 
 not become prosperous without having to pass 
 through the trials ami hardships of early pioneer 
 life here and the endurance of many privations 
 and self sacrifices. His farm comprises two hun- 
 dred acres of land, finely improved and provided 
 with excellent buildings, and is under the manage- 
 ment of his two sons, John and Walter, he retain- 
 ing a life interest in it. He has here a comfortable 
 home and has the use of ten acres of land. He 
 has been greatly assisted in his labors by his de- 
 voted companion, who may well be described iu 
 
 the following words, as: " The housewife, clean 
 of lieart and conscience, the buckler and helpmate 1 
 of her husband." 
 
 By his life of industry and upiightncss Mr. 
 Gray has won not only worldly gain, but the 
 affection and confidence of all about him. For 
 many years a Presbyterian, he has never wavered 
 in his adherence to his faith, and is one of the 
 most consistent members of the United Presbyte- 
 rian Chureh in Wheatland, his wife also belonging 
 to th.it chureh. In (lolitics he is a sturdy sup- 
 porter of the Uepublican party. He has been a 
 ScIk)o1 Director for a number of years and has 
 always favcjred all schemes for the educational and 
 moral elevation of the communitv. 
 
 
 ^TfJAMES DOUGLAS BIU>WN, as his given 
 name wouhl i)artially indicate, traces his 
 ancestry back to a f;imily that has been 
 historic for centuries. The Douglas name 
 figures largely in Scotch as well as in American 
 history. The origin of the family, their original 
 coat of arms, and carl}' achievements, are wrapped 
 in mystery although many traditions are extant, 
 some of which doubtless have solid foundation in 
 fact. Efforts have been made by members of the 
 family in recent j-ears to snatch from oblivion and 
 gather from traditionary and legendar}- lore, all 
 that is worth}' of preservation. Such efforts have 
 resulted in a work, liberally subscribed for by 
 many who boast the Douglas lilood, which shows 
 the connection of our subject and his family with 
 the name by direct lineage. 
 
 James D. Brown was born iu Raymertown, 
 Rensselaer Count}-, N. Y., March 12, 182G, and 
 received his academical education in the Lj'man 
 Cross Academy in Troy. He completed the 
 course of study at the early age of sixteen years 
 when he engaged in the drug business with an 
 uncle at Lansingburg. The business has now en- 
 gaged his attention for over forty years. In 184G 
 he came to Joliet, 111., and established himself in 
 that line of trade, in -vhich he is still interested. 
 In 18GU he associated with himself a brother, J. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 457 
 
 II., since deceased, and more recently his sons, 
 Horace II. and Eugene C. Both of tiie young men 
 are graduates in pharmacy, Eugene C. having 
 completed a course of study in tlie Chicago Col- 
 lege of Pharmacy in 1881, and Horace In 1885. 
 
 The trade of the firm aliove mentioned is an old 
 and firmly established one and patrons of tlie estab- 
 lishment are sure to receive reliable drugs, to have 
 prescriptions carefully compounded, and to be 
 treated with due courtesy and iionor. The family 
 is numbered among the best class of citizens, being- 
 earnest, enterprising, and reliable in their duty as 
 members of the community, honorable in all their 
 relations in life, and possessing the intelligence, 
 culture and excellent character thai win the respect 
 of their fellow citizens. 
 
 ANIEL C. MASON. Among the estates 
 of AVill County which present an appear- 
 '^ ance of comfort and home-likeness, none 
 are more attractive than one vvhicii occu- 
 pies a portion of section 5, Joliet Township, and is 
 tlie home of Daniel Mason and his good wife. 
 Without having any pretensions to elegance, every- 
 thing about the place bespeaks good taste, pros- 
 perity, and a care wliich is as far removed from 
 parsimoniousness as from a reckless disregard of 
 ap|)earances anil results. The dwelling is a pleas- 
 ant one, set in the midst of surroundings which 
 are quite in keeping with the neatness and order 
 wiiich prevail under its roof. It is conveniently 
 near to the c'ily of Joliet, affording to its in- 
 mates the best of tlie enjoyments which are 
 to be found in city life, while avoiding the 
 confusion, restricted quarters, and dust of the 
 town. Mr. Mason is now living a retired life and 
 renting his estate, which originally comprise<l two 
 hundred and fifty acres and bears all needful struc- 
 tures for the carrying on of farm work. 
 
 The old Ba}- State has the honor of being the 
 birthplace of the parents of our subject, who in 
 their early life dwelt in Cheshire, Berkshire 
 County. In the pleasant New Engl.and village Ar- 
 nold Mason ,and Mercy Conian hail opened their 
 
 ej'es to the light and spent their school days, be- 
 coming thoroughly acquainted with each other's 
 disposition and character, and having their early 
 friendship ripened into a regard wliicli led them to 
 unite tlieir lives and fortunes. After their mar- 
 riage they settled in New Hartford, near Utica, 
 N. Y., where they spent their happy wedded life 
 and reared a large family. Thirteen children were 
 born to them, eleven living to mature years.. 
 
 Tlie subject of this biographical notice is the 
 seventh child born to his p.arents, his natal day 
 having been January 12, 1811. He grew to man- 
 hood in New Hartford, remaining under the pa- 
 rental roof until he was about twenty-one years old, 
 in the meantime having acquired such a knowledge 
 of the ordinary branches of study as afforded him 
 a good equi|)ment in business. Upon leaving the 
 home of his boyhood he went to New Jersey to 
 work on the Delaware & liariton Canal under his 
 father, who had a contract for building a portion 
 of that highway. After working there a year, he 
 joined his fattier in a contract for excavating 
 tlirough Bergen Hill for the old New Jersey Cen- 
 tral Railroad, and also the contract for digging the 
 Morris Canal from tliere to Jersey City. 
 
 After tlie completion of these contracts, father 
 and son took one for building two sections of the 
 Crotoii Water Works, at New York City. The 
 senior Mr. Mason was one of the three contractors 
 that built the well-known High Bridge over the 
 Ilalem River. After conijileting his work on the 
 water works, our subject returned to his native 
 place, near which he engaged in farming, remain- 
 ing there until the fall of 1869, when he removed 
 to his present home where he continued his agri- 
 cultural labors for some time. Honest industry, 
 persevering efforts, and i)rudetit management, have 
 been crowned with success in the career of INIr. Ma- 
 son, whose efforts have been alily seconded bj' his 
 companion, whose housewifely ability and wise 
 economy have prevented the expenditures from 
 reaching a figure beyond what could be well af- 
 forded, and has thus been instrumental in the ac- 
 cumulation of their comfortable means. 
 
 On April 16, 1844, the rites of wedlock were 
 celebrated between our subject and ]Miss Cornelia 
 H. Kellogg, who was born and reared in the town 
 
458 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 wliirli \v;is llic oarly lioiiio of licr luisb;uiil, and to 
 wliosc union the same words will am<\y which are 
 suited to Mie nianiaire of liis imrents. Mrs. Mason 
 is the sci'ond in a family consisting of two sons and 
 two daugiiters. born to Truman" and Melinda 
 (Marsh) Kellogg, both of whom were natives of 
 Oneida County, N. Y,, in which they died. Mr. 
 Kellogg was a farmer and the family were of ti>e 
 (Juaker faith. Mrs. Mason opened her eyes to the 
 ligiil .lune 8. 1824. Blessed by nature witii man}- 
 fine qualities, her character was strengthened and de- 
 veloped by careful training, and she is to-day a fine 
 ty|H' of the gentlewoman with motherly (pialities. 
 Iler happy union has been blessed by the birth of 
 two children — Truman A. and Coinclia M. The 
 latter is now a widow, having married Stephen 
 Alanson Sherwood, wlio died in April, 187G, leav- 
 ing two cliildren — Arthur M. and Louis A., who 
 with their mother are making their home on the 
 estate with Mr. and Mrs. iSIason. 
 
 Although reared in the t^Hiaker faith. Mrs. Ma 
 son is now a member vi the Central Presbyterian 
 Church. Mr. INIason is independent in his political 
 viesvs, giving his ballot to the candidate whom he 
 thinks best ([ualilied to carry out the measures in 
 which his judgment concurs. It wouM be hard to 
 find a man more highly respected or more <lcscrv- 
 ing of the good opinion of his fellow-men than he, 
 and it affords the biograi)hical writer pleasure to 
 insert this account of his life and that of his wife. 
 
 ^^C 
 
 ^^ 
 
 r/OSEPH BARTIIELME. The thrifty Ger- 
 man American element of .Toliet Tf)vvnship 
 finds a wortli3' representative in the subject 
 })) of this notice, who owns and occupies a 
 well-tilled farm on section 5. Here he has pursued 
 the even tenor of his w.aj' since 188.'), making a 
 specialt}' of minding his own concerns and living 
 at peace among his neighbors. Mr. Barthelmc is a 
 native of this county and was born in the citj' of 
 •loliet. May 6, 1857, to Joseph and Mary (Wiles) 
 Barthelme, who were natives of the Province of 
 Alsace, formerly of France but now of Germanj'. 
 The parents came to America with their respective 
 
 families at an early .age and were married in Joliet, 
 after which the father, for a time, ran a boat on 
 the canal and later was variously employed until 
 securing land and engaging in agricultural pursuits. 
 lie farmed for a period of twent}' years and tlicn 
 retiring from active labor, made his home in Joliet 
 where his death took place April 4, 1883. The 
 mother is still living making her home in Joliet. 
 There was born to her and her husband a family- of 
 eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, ten 
 of whom are living and of whom Joseph was the 
 fourth in order of birth. 
 
 Mr. Barthelme lived with his parents until reach- 
 ing manhood and w'lon they removed to Jtiliet he 
 settled on the farm owned l)y his mother, in Joliet 
 Township. He is now successfully cultivating 
 seventy acres where he h;is good buildings and 
 other improvements. He was m.arricd Noveinl)er 
 22, 1 882.- to Miss :Mary, daughter of John and 
 Margaret Flynn, who were natives of County Cork, 
 Ireland, where the fatherspent his entire life, dying 
 in 1 870. The mother subse(]ucntly came to .\merica 
 and is now a resident of Iowa City. Iowa. The 
 [inrental faniilj' consisted of five sons and three 
 il.aughters of whom Mrs. liartlielmc was the third 
 in ordfiof birth. Siie is a native of County Cork. 
 Ireland, and w.as born Ma^- 22, 18.')i). She was 
 eighteen years old when coming to America and 
 has been a true helpmate to her husbaml, keeping 
 her iiouse in order and piacticing the induslry an<I 
 economy which have so much to do in the happi- 
 ness and prosperity of a home. The househohl 
 circle comprises three bright children, viz.: Joseph 
 E., Margaret H. and John W. Mr. Barthelmc 
 votes with the Democratic party and both he and 
 his estimable wife are prominently connected with 
 the Catholic Church, attending services at Joliet. 
 
 -^-*-B-- 
 
 ^'/AMES E. HOLMES. In speaking of the 
 public-spirited citizens of New Lenox Town- 
 ship, the life and labors of this gentleman 
 should by no means be omitted. He is the 
 owner and occupant of an estate on section 22, 
 which forms a home of comfort and good taste, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 459 
 
 such as might well satisfy any but the most ambi- 
 tious of men. The farm comprises one liunrlred 
 and forty fertile acres on which excellent buildings 
 liave been erected aiid other appropriate improve- 
 ments made, and the agricultural labor to which 
 Mr. Holmes has given his attention for over forty 
 years, is conducted according to tlic most improved 
 efforts. Nearly the entire life of this gentleman 
 has been spent in this county, to whicii lie came 
 with his parents in his eighth year. The history of 
 liis [irogenitors may be found in the sketch of 
 .1. S. Holmes, which occupies anotlier page in tliis 
 Album. 
 
 The gentleman of whom wc write was the first 
 born in a family of six children. His natal day 
 was June 25, 1827, and his birthplace in Chautauqua 
 County, N. Y. His parents becoming early settlers 
 of Will County, 111., he grew to manhood in New 
 Lenox Township, which he has made his home 
 from boyhood. After p.assing his school days he 
 followed carpentering and blacksmithing for seven- 
 teen years, having a general repair shop. The 
 most of the time he carrieil on this work on his 
 farm although for a time his shop was in Spencer. 
 Aiioiit 18G.5, ho abandoned the trades and gave his 
 attention exclusively to farm labors for his personal 
 avocation. 
 
 On December, 18, 1850, in New Lenox Town- 
 ship, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage with Miss 
 Susan S. Elsworth, who survived only until April 
 15, 1853. She bore two children — Levi A., who 
 died when about twelve years old, and Kosetta J., 
 who died in infancy. Mr. Holmes contracted a 
 seconcl matrimonial alliance January 8, 1854, the 
 ceremony being performed at Mokena, and the bride 
 being Miss Mary E. StifHer. This lady was born 
 in Miami County, Ohio, January 29, 1838, being 
 the only cliild of Jacob and Cynthia (Anway) 
 Stifller. Her father died in the Buckeye State 
 about 1840, and the mother still lives. ]\Irs. 
 Holmes possesses a large amount of intelligence, 
 pleasing manners, and a noble Christian character, 
 and the duties whicli devolve upon her as wife, 
 mother and neighbor are cheerfully and carefully' 
 performed. She has borne her husbanil four chil- 
 dren: Rosella, who died in infancj-; Delia J., wife 
 of Isaac M. Gillett, Jr. ; William 1\.; and (ieorge E. 
 
 The abilit3' of Mr. Holmes and his excellent 
 character are recognized by his fellow men who 
 have desired his services in various positions of 
 local trust. He has served as Township Clerk, 
 Highway Commissioner, and School Director, serv- 
 ing ten 3-ears as an incumbent of the last position. 
 He was Postmaster at Spencer from 1856 until the 
 spring of 1889, continuously. His political adher- 
 ence is given to the Democratic party. Mrs. 
 Holmes is a member of the iSIethodist Episcopal 
 Church, which her husband also attends. 
 
 
 >|l^'RANK W. SCUTT, Secretary of the Joliet 
 l|-=^ Wheel Company, and also of the Joliet 
 /ll, Barb Wire Company, is numbered among 
 the active business men of the cit3- and has for 
 many years been identified with its leading inter- 
 ests. He is the offspring of an old and highly re- 
 spected family and the only child of the well-known 
 H. B. Scutt, who came to this county about 1802. 
 He was born May 29, 1868, and acquired an excel- 
 lent education, completing his studies at Phillips' 
 Academy in Andover, Mass. 
 
 After leaving the Academy- JMr. Scutt returned 
 to his native city and in company with his father 
 became identified with the Barb Wire Company, of 
 which he was soon made the Secretary in order to 
 assist his father who was suffering from ill health. 
 It was not long before he virtually assumed the 
 whole management of the busines.s, which is now 
 being gradually closed out. In 1889, in compau}- 
 with R. G. Surb'idge of Chicago, he organized the 
 Joliet Wheel Company, which was incorporated in 
 December, 1889, with a capital of *25,000. F. W. 
 Schroeder was elected President, F. W. Scutt, Se- 
 cretary, and R. G. Surbridge, Superintendent. They 
 are already giving employment to fifty men and 
 expect before the close of the season (1890) to re- 
 quire the services of one hundred men. 
 
 Mr. Scutt was recently elected a Director of the 
 Pioneer & Commonwealth Insurance Company, of 
 Chicago. He is also a Director of the Young 
 Men's Christian Association, of Joliet, and a Trustee 
 
460 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of tlie First Presbyterian Church. He was mar- 
 ried M.ay «, 1889, to Miss Man A. I'ayiic. of SUuiy 
 Point, N. V. Tiiey have f)iie son, born iM.ny 11, 
 1890, named llarrold Benjamin. Tliis lady was 
 born November 15, 1869, at Astoria, Long Island, 
 and is the daiigiiter of tlie Hon. A. T. I'ayne. The 
 father is a prominent and suecessful atloniow of 
 Hrookl\n. He was at one lime C'or[)or;iliuii Coun- 
 sel of Long Isl.'ind City and a Representative to 
 the(!eneral Assembly of New York State, at Al 
 baiiy. Mrs. Srutt was given a good education -it 
 Rockland College, Nynck, N. Y., then completing 
 her studies at the Delaware Literary Institute, I'rank- 
 lin, Delaware County, N. Y. 
 
 Hiram B. Sttult, tiic father of our subject, was 
 born November 14, 1842, in Delaware County, N.Y., 
 and came to this county about 18(52, becoming tlie 
 employe of Ciiarles Ward, who oi)erated a planiug- 
 mill. After the outbreak of the Civil War he en- 
 tei-ed the I'ldon Army as a member of the .Second 
 Illinois Light Artillery. For valiant services he 
 was, near the close of the war, promoted to a Cap- 
 taincy, but did not receive his commission until 
 after his return home. 
 
 Mr. Scutl, about 1868, engaged as a traveling 
 salesman for the Geneva (N. Y.) Nursery, and was 
 thus occupied until 1871. Then returning to the 
 West he was instrumental in establishing tiie first 
 barl) wire business in Jollet, associating himself in 
 partnership with William Watkins, under the firm 
 name of Scutt & Watkins. l>ater the Joliet Wire 
 Fence Companj' was organized, of which Mr. Scutt 
 was made President. The most successful enter- 
 prise in which he engaged, however, was as a mem- 
 ber of the firm of II. B. Scutt ik Co., which included 
 James R. Ashley, and engaged in the manufacture 
 of wire in tlie Joliet Penitentiary, and gave em- 
 ployment to one hundred and fifty men. The com- 
 pany sold out in IH84 to Messrs. Oliver Bros. & 
 Phillips, of Pittsburg, Pa., who now continue the 
 business under the firm name of H. B. Scutt it Co., 
 (limited). 
 
 The father of our suliject was not engaged in 
 any business for a j'ear afterward but not being 
 content in idleness, organized the .loliet Barb Wire 
 Company, of which he was made President. In 
 1884 he put up a handsome residence, the finest in 
 
 the city, and pleasantly located on North Broad - 
 wa\*. He was the first man to introduce the electric 
 light in the city, as President of tin; Citizens' Klec- 
 tric Ligiit Company-. He never aspired to political 
 honors. 
 
 Hiram B. Scutt received a good education and 
 during his early manliood employed himself in 
 teaching school. He left home about 1861, coming 
 to Illinois and locating on a farm in Delvalb 
 County. He w.as married in 1866, to Miss Adaiaidc 
 Ward. This lady vvas born in 1842', in Rutland, 
 N't., and whose parents si)ent their last years in 
 Vermont. She is still living, making her home in 
 Joliet. Of her union witii Mr. Scutt there were 
 born two children, F. W., the subject of this sketch, 
 and Grace, who died in infancy. Mr. Scutt de- 
 parted this life at Lake Geneva, Wis., July 29, 
 1889, his death being caused Ijy jiaresis — an over- 
 straining of the mental faculties. He was tiior- 
 oughly respected by his neighbors and business 
 associates, and during the last Presidential election 
 was quite prominent as having cham])ioned the 
 cause of free trade .as adopted by the Democracy*. 
 Prior to lliis he iiad been a .stanch Kcpulilican. 
 
 F/I'ER BERSCHEID. This young gentleman 
 is of Prussian ancestry, representing a fam- 
 ily of good standing in the old country'. His 
 parents, Bernard and Susan(Zahrn)Berscheid 
 em ignited from Prussia to America in 1853, locat- 
 ing at Lockport, III., where Mr. Berscheid carried 
 on milling operations. The family included eleven 
 children, of wl\.oin the subject of this sketch is the 
 third in order of birth. He opened his eyes to the 
 light in Mendota, .May 9, 1859. After obtaining a 
 good education in the coinniou schools he started 
 out in life as a barber in Joliet. continuing in lh„t 
 business about four years. 
 
 Mr. Berscheid then engaged as an engineer in 
 the Fire Department, remaining in the seiviee 
 three years, but in 1881, entering the .Sehring 
 lirewing Co. in the capacity of engineer of their 
 extensive brewer}-. Tiicrc he has since continued 
 U> labor satisfactorily, ilischai'<j;ing the duties de- 
 


 
 ^T-rT^T-^-^TT-CU 
 
 /k. ^Q^^u^^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 465 
 
 volving upon him and winning commendation 
 from his employers. He lias already represented 
 the Third Ward in the City Council two terms, and 
 for the tiiird time was elected in the spring of 1 8'JO, 
 rniining o>i this occasion without opposition. Po- 
 litically he is a pronounced Democrat. In religion 
 he is a Catliolic. Iiolding membership in .St. Aloy- 
 sius Society. 
 
 At tlie home of the bride December 28, 1882, 
 llie rites of wedlock were celebrated between 
 our subject and Miss Louisa Erb, an estimable 
 lady of (lerman descent, domestic virtues, and a 
 similar faith with himself. Tlieir liapp^- union has 
 been blessed by tiie birth of two children, named 
 respectively: Allia and Bernard Roland. 
 
 ^= 
 
 ^^EORGE VAN DUSER. This fine old gen- 
 ||( I- — tleman and his equally- estimable wife, whose 
 '%i^\ portraits appear on tiie opposite pages, are 
 numbered among the early settlers of this county, 
 who came hither when the country presented a 
 widely different appearance from that of to-day. 
 They bore with their neighbors the usual toils and 
 liardsliips of pioneer life, and have made for them- 
 selves a good record morally, socially and flnan- 
 ciall}'. They commenced their wedded life together 
 with moderate means and by the exercise of un- 
 flagging industry have made for themselves a home 
 and a competence, and are now passiug down the 
 sunset hill of life in the midst of peace and plenty, 
 enjoying the comforts which they have so justly 
 earned, together with the unqualified esteem and 
 confidence of those around them. They have a 
 pleasant home and much that makes life desirable. 
 In noting the early history of the Van Duser 
 family, we find that the father of our subject was 
 one John Van Duser, who was born in Johnstown, 
 Montgomery County, N. Y., February 3, 17T2. 
 lie spent his earlj' life amid the quiet scenes of the 
 country, obtaining a common-school education and 
 becoming familiar with farm pursuits. When re.ady 
 to establish a home of bis own, he was wedded to 
 Miss Catherine liingliam, a maiden of his own 
 township, and who w.as born October 2(5, 178;j. 
 
 The parents of our subject for a time after their 
 marriage lived in Madison County, N. Y., but in 
 18.37 decided to seek their fortunes in what w.as 
 then the Far West, and came to this county in .June, 
 that year. The father secured a tr.act of land in 
 New Lenox Township, where he cng.aged success- 
 fully in farming, building up a comfortable home- 
 stead, where he and his estimable partner spent the 
 remainder of their d.ays. The mother passed away 
 August 25, 1852. John Van Duser departed this 
 life April 21, 18G0. Both were members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, .'uid there was born 
 to them a family of eleven children, George Van 
 Duser being the only one surviving. 
 
 The subject of this sketch w.as the sixth child of 
 his parents, and was born July 19, 1817, in Lenox, 
 Madison County, N. Y. He there spent the daj^s 
 of his boyhood and youtli until 1836, then starting 
 out for himself, made his way westward, arriving 
 in Chicago in the fall of the year, and sojourned 
 there until the following June. He then came to 
 this county, and selecting his future location, com- 
 menced the development of a farm, which has since 
 been his home. He was married at .JoUet, Novem- 
 ber 25, 1840, to Miss Elmina, daughter of the Hon. 
 Nathaniel and Acsah (Wheeler) Mellen. The 
 j'oung people commenced their wedded life together 
 at the homestead which they now own and occupy, 
 and have labored faithfully together in the build- 
 ing up of a home for themselves and their chil- 
 dren. 
 
 The father of Mrs. Van Duser was born in Farm- 
 inghani, Mass., January 1, 1794, while his good 
 wife was born in Connecticut, November 27, 1791. 
 After marriage they settled in Bennington County, 
 Vt., but .finally decided to seek their fortunes in 
 the AVest, and emigrated to what is now Kankakee 
 County, this State, arriving here in October, 1838. 
 Mr. Mellen selected a tract of land along the Kan- 
 kakee River, wiiere he opened up a good farm, and 
 there with his estimable partner spent the remain- 
 der of his days. Mr. Mellen died March 27, 1866, 
 The mother survived her husband for a period of 
 nine j'ears, her death taking place October 27, 1875. 
 They were Universalists in religious belief and 
 honest and u|iright people, who gained the esteem 
 of all around them. Nathaniel Mellen was a prom- 
 
466 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 inent man in llie town of Winliall. Bennington 
 County, ^'t., where lie served :is Justice of the 
 Peace. Townsiiip Clerk .inil Selectman. He fairly 
 earned his title of Honorable hy sei-ving several 
 terms in the State Legislature m \'erinont. 
 
 Mr. and Airs. Mellen were the i)arcnts of seven 
 children, si.\ of whom are living. Mrs.\'an Uuscr 
 was the second born, and first opened her eyes to 
 the light in Bennington County, Vt., IMay ;?0, 1818. 
 She obtained her education in the common schools, 
 ."ind remained a member of the parental household 
 until her marriage. Her family, as did t'.iat of her 
 parents, numbered also seven children. The eldest, 
 a daughter, Kmily A., is the widow of John Wid- 
 i.ey; Elmina A. married Joshua Barrett; (Jeorge 
 Jerome is married, and is a resident of Franklin 
 County, Iowa; Gilbert M. lives in Wilson County, 
 Kan.; Eddie H. remains at home with his parents; 
 Flora 0. is the wife of Frank Gorham, of Monona 
 County, Iowa; Ida E. died when twelve jears old. 
 
 Mr. Van Duser is the only survivor of his father's 
 large family. He has alwaj-s been content to fol- 
 low agricultural pursuits, and has a wcU-tillcd farm 
 of ninety-three acres, which yields him a comfort- 
 able income, and upon which he has made good im- 
 provements. His honored father was the first 
 Supervisor of New Lenox Township, to which he 
 gave its name in honor of Lenox, Madison County, 
 N. Y., where he had formerly lived. While a resi- 
 dent of the Empire State, he held the oflice of Jus- 
 tice of the Peace for the long period of sixteen 
 years in succession. 
 
 Robert FERGUSON, deceased, was a pio- 
 ,-p., neer of Will County, and as one who ma- 
 iii \V terially contributed to develop its rich ag- 
 ricultural resources, and as an early settler 
 of Plainfield Township, where he built up for 
 himself and family a desirable home, he is well 
 worthy of representation in this Biooraphk'ai. Al- 
 m-M. County Derry, Ireland, was the birthplace of 
 our subject, and also of his father, who bore the 
 same name, lie being of Seolcli antecedents. The 
 latter was a trader, dealer in linen fabrics, and 
 
 in 1840 he emigrated to this country and located 
 in Faston, Pa. He resided there for two years 
 and then came to Will County, and spent the re- 
 mainder of his life at the home of our subject, dy- 
 ing in March, 188-1, at the advanced age of eighty- 
 eight j'ears. His wife, whose maiden name was 
 Nancj- McDougall, preceded him in death many 
 years, dying in Easton, Pa., in 1852. They had 
 but one son, our subject, and one daughter, Mary 
 A., who married John W. .Tnlmson and lives in 
 Will County. 
 
 lioljert Ferguson was reared in his native land 
 until he was eighteen j'ears of age, when he came 
 to America and located at Easton, was employed 
 in ft wire manufactory and resided there until 1852. 
 Then in the vigor and prime of manhood, he came 
 to this county intending to devote himself to farm- 
 ing. He first purchased eighty acres of wild prai- 
 rie land on section 35, Plainfield Township, paj'ing 
 therefor ^5 an acre. He immediately set about 
 its improvement, preparing the land for cultiva- 
 tion and erecting a temporary building for the 
 shelter of his family, which he replaced some j'ears 
 later by a frame house. He was much prospered in 
 his undertakings and was subsequentlj' enabled to 
 buy one hundred and sixtj- acres more land in (he 
 same section, upon which he erected a fine set of 
 frame buildings, replete with .all conveniences, and 
 here his useful life was brought to a close bj- his 
 untimely death, May 31, 1888. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson was greatly indebted for the posi- 
 tion he attained, to the help he received bj- bis 
 worthy wife to whom he was united in marriage 
 in 1841. She still occupies the old homestead, the 
 farm being ably managed by her son James. Mrs. 
 Ferguson's maiden name was Nancy McDougall, 
 and she is also with her husband, a native of 
 County Derrj', Ireland. Her father, Edward Mc- 
 Dougall, is supposed to have been a native of the 
 same county, where he carried on the occupation 
 of farming. Later in life he came to America to 
 join his children, and resided for a time in New 
 York, his last years were spent in this county. The 
 maiden name of his wife was Mollie Smith, and 
 she too was born in Countj' Derry, her father, 
 Jacob Smith, being also a native of Ireland, where 
 he carried on farming and spent his entire life. She 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 467 
 
 (lied in New York. ]Mrs. FerRuson's only brother, 
 James died in New York. She had tluee sisters, IMol- 
 lie, wlio married a Mr. McClnnahan and is now de- 
 ceased ; Sallie, who marrieil Thomas Leggett and 
 is novv deceased; Eleanor, wiio married Joseph 
 RlcClintock and lives in Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Fer- 
 guson had seven children all of whom are living: 
 Rol)erl M., John J., Joseph M., Eleanor, James, 
 Mary and Jennie. 
 
 INIr. Ferguson possessed in a large degree the 
 qualilics necessar3' for success in a farmer's call- 
 ing, and as we have seen attained it, placing him- 
 self among the solid well-to-do citizens of the 
 townsliip. His inherent traits of character won him 
 a good name and a good standing in the commun- 
 ity, and as a pioneer his memory will ever be re- 
 s|)eeled in Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson 
 were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church 
 but after coming liere, identified themselves with 
 tlio Congregational Church and Mrs. Ferguson is 
 still a faithful attendant. 
 
 .ILLIAM ERB, Treasurer of the People's 
 r^lll Loan & Homestead Association at Joliet, 
 is also engaged as a money loaner and 
 dealer in real estate. He is a man of unquestioned 
 business ability, and in years is still on the sunny 
 side of forty, having been born May 26, 1813. 
 His native place was on the uther side of the At- 
 lantic in the Grand Duchj' of Baden, Germany, 
 and he comes of unadulterated German stock. He 
 inherits from a substantial ancestry the qualities 
 which have made this nationality one of the best 
 on the face of tlie globe. 
 
 Pantale Erb, the father of our subject, emigrated 
 to America in the fall of 1845, locating in Louisi- 
 ana, and four years later sent for his family, which 
 consisted of the mother and two children, William, 
 our subject, and Hannah, now Mrs. Kaffer, of Joliet. 
 The family remained residents of Louisiana until the 
 si)ringof 1856, then came to this county and located 
 in Joliet, where they lived until the death of the 
 father, which took place February !), 1887. Two 
 more children in the meantime had been adch'd to 
 
 the family circle, viz: Louisa, l\Irs. Peter Beirschiet, 
 whose husband is an Alderman from the Third 
 Ward, and Anthony, who died in Joliet March 27, 
 1889. The m*()ther is still living, making her home 
 with her daughter, Mrs. Beirschiet, in Joliet, and 
 is now seventy-seven years old. 
 
 Mr. Erb acquired a good, practical education in 
 the common school and at an early age imbibed the 
 habits of industry which have been the secret of 
 his success in life. When leaving school he em- 
 ployed himself at whatever he could find to do to 
 earn an honest dollar, and with the thrift and pru- 
 dence which is, almost without exception, charac- 
 teristic of his countrymen, he was soon enabled to 
 store away a snug little sum of money. He re- 
 mained unmarried until a man of twenty-eight 
 years and was then wedded, June 7, 1871, to Miss 
 Sophia Trabing, of .loliet. Soon afterward he em- 
 barked in the coal business at which he continued 
 successfully until the spring of 1876, when he sold 
 out and established himself in the retail grocery 
 trade of Washington Street. This enterprise also 
 proved successful, he building up a fine trade, and 
 he was thus occupied until September, 1885. Then 
 selling out he embarked in his present enterprise. 
 He is now in the enjoyment of a competency with 
 the prospect of sufficient means to defend him 
 against want in his old age. 
 
 Mr. Erb, in the spring of 1883, was elected to 
 his present position as Treasurer of the Loan & 
 Homestead Association, in which he has been a 
 Director since 1878. He was one of its first stock- 
 holders and has always been warmly interested in 
 its success. He owns and occupies one of the finest 
 houses in the city and has large real estate-interests 
 aside from this. To him and his estimable wife 
 there have been l>orn three children — George, 
 Louise and Edwin. They are all under the home 
 roof, and it is the intention of their father to give 
 them the best advantages within his power. 
 
 Mrs. Erb was born in the German Province of 
 Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1853, and came with her par- 
 ents to the United States when a child of twelve 
 3^ears. Her parents, Jacob and Louisa Trabino-, 
 were also of (Tcrman birth and ancestry and are now 
 residents of Will County. 
 
 The People's Loan & Homestead As.sociation 
 
468 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 wns organized in April, 1875, largely through the 
 instnimeiitalily of Kdnin H. Mason, jind h.ivhigfor 
 its first President, James (1. Elwood. Its second 
 President was Charles Pettigrew. Upon his retire- 
 ment F. \V. Plant was elected J'resident and is still 
 serving. The other olHcials are: I. C. Norton,Vice 
 President; "William Krh, Treasurer; Horace Weeks, 
 Secretary. The Directors are : Henrj- Pohl, .lohn 
 Lyons, William Ireland, and G. N. Reistad. The 
 capital stock at the present time aggregates $'-i,- 
 000,000, while the twelve imndred dei)ositors make 
 a inonlhl3' deposit of $25,000. The institution is 
 thus in a most nourishing condition, wliich speaks 
 admirably- for those in charge, among whom ]Mr. 
 Erb is no unimportant factor. Its loans at this 
 writing amount to over three-fourths of a million 
 dollars. 
 
 EPPERSON BUMP. The substantial ele- 
 ment in the community of Homer Township 
 linils a worthy representative in the subject 
 of this notice, who is a man careful and 
 conscientious iii his habits of life and his business 
 affairs, and who has made for himself a good rec- 
 ord, gaining the confiilence and esteem of those" 
 around him. He makes his headquarters at a well- 
 regulated farm on section lo, which is supplied 
 with good buildings, and has about it all the other 
 evidences of enterprise and prosperity. 
 
 The native place of Air. Bump was in Chautau- 
 qua County, N. Y., and the date of his birth Jan- 
 uary 31, 1826. His parents were Jacob and Lydia 
 (Bowen) Bump, who were natives of New Hamp- 
 shire, and emigrated to the Empire State at an 
 early day, settling in CUiautauqua Countj-. They 
 lived there until 1831, then caine to Illinois and 
 settled on section 15, of what is now known as 
 Homer Township. The father followed agricultu- 
 ral pursuits, and assisted by his estimable partner, 
 made a comfortable home for his family', and there 
 both parents spent the remainder of their lives. 
 There was born to them a family of twelve chil- 
 dren, Jefferson being among the younger ones and 
 two of whom are living. 
 
 Mr. Bump, of whom we write, was a lad of eight 
 
 years when he came with his parents to this county. 
 He grew to manhood in Homer Township, where 
 with the exception of seven years ."pent in Califor- 
 nia he has since resided. He went to the Pacific 
 Slope in 1852, and during the 3'ears mentioned 
 was engaged in mining, meeting with fair success. 
 Since returning he has devoted his entire attention 
 to farm |)ursuits, and is the owner of one hundred 
 and eightj' acres of choice land, which with its im- 
 provements makes one of the most desirable coun- 
 try estates in Will County. 
 
 When ready to establish matrimonial and do- 
 mestic ties, Mr. Bumji was married at Plainfield, 
 111., December 20, 1860, to Miss Fannie M., daugh- 
 ter of James and Nancy (Bump) Rockafellow. Mrs. 
 Bump was born April 30, 1844, in Plainfield, to 
 which her parents removed from Lake County, 
 Ohio, in 183',). The father, who was a native of 
 New York State, died at the homestead in Plain- 
 field Township in 1856, and the mother is still liv- 
 ing and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. 
 Bump. They were the parents of two children 
 only, of whom Mrs. Bump w.as the younger. 
 
 Seven children have been born to our sulyject 
 and his estimable wife, viz.: Sarah A., the wife f)f 
 Alonzo Bump, of Nebraska; Nelson .1., Clarence 
 J.;"Nanc3' 11., the wife of Mathias Homerding; 
 Frank G., Loretta L. and Kate L. Mr. Bump cast 
 his first Presidential vote for Van Buren, and con- 
 tinues his allegiance to the Democratic party. He 
 is a man of decided views and opinions, and keeps 
 himself thoroughly informed upon the leading 
 topics of the day. He has never .aspired to office, 
 being content to occupy himself with his farming 
 interests and the comforts of his familj'. 
 
 \f| OHN J. HUNT. The Nation in which we 
 take such just pride is indebted to the lands 
 across the sea for man}' of her most reliable 
 citizens and enterprising workers in various 
 lines of life. Among this chass is numbered the 
 gentleman above named, who owns and occupies a 
 fine estate in .loliet Township, not far from the 
 city limits. It comprises two hundred and fiftj'- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 469 
 
 fjiii- and a half acres, four and a half acres on sec- 
 tion 22, fifty acres on section 23, and two hundred 
 acres on section 1, Manhattan Townshi|3, which 
 is marked witli the improvements usually made by 
 a man of enterprise, but which are above the aver- 
 aije in llioir durability and design. Mr. Hunt has 
 spent the greater part of his life in tlie pursuit of 
 agriculture, connecting stocij-raising witli the tilling 
 of the soil to a considerable extent. 
 
 In Somersetshire, England, November 7, 18;32, 
 the eyes of our subject opened to tiie light, and in 
 tiie mother country he remained until the age of 
 eighteen years. He then crossed the briny deep 
 for the land whicli had attr.acted him by its promise 
 of a Ijroader field for the energy which he felt, and 
 after landing on the Eastern coast he came to the 
 Prairie State, making his entrance into Joliet July 
 17, 1851. He found employment on a farm on 
 Hickory Creek, where he worked by the month 
 about seven years, after which,~with his brother 
 Mark, he rented the same estate for about four 
 years. His next enterprise was the rental of a 
 farm lielonging to AVilliani Ferguson, for a twelve- 
 month, the following three years being spent as a 
 renter on an estate belonging to William Hughes. 
 
 While living upon the Hughes estate Mr. Hunt 
 took a companion in life in the person of Miss 
 Olive J. Wheeler, the marriage ceremony taking 
 place May 7, 1861. Mrs. Hunt was born in "N'er- 
 mont, June 23, 1839, and exemplifies in her person 
 the housewifely ability and unbounded energy of 
 the Yankee character. Her parents, David N. and 
 Lydia (Stanley) Wheeler, are also natives of the 
 Green Mountain State, whence they came to Illi- 
 nois early in the '50s. They made a permanent 
 settlement in Frankfort Township, where they are 
 still living. Their family consists of live sons and 
 five daughters, Mrs. Hunt being the eldest. 
 
 For nearl}' two years after their marriage Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hunt resided upon the Hughes farm, after 
 which they bought an estate in Manhattan Town- 
 ship, and removing there made it their home thir- 
 teen years. Having bought the present estate and 
 erected upon it a most excellent dwelling, thej' re- 
 moved here on March 26, 1876, with the intention 
 of making this their permanent home. They are 
 the parents of four children, their daughter, Edna 
 
 K., who is the j'oungest child, being the only one 
 who remains with them. Joseph C. married Cora 
 Jane Mapjjs, and lives iu Joliet; Cora E. is the 
 wife of John C. Love; John W. is now in the em- 
 ploy of the Michigan Central liailroad. 
 
 Air. Hunt exercises the right of suffrage in sup- 
 port of the princi[)les and candidates of the Repub- 
 lican party. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the First 
 Bai)li.st Church of Joliet. Among their associates 
 the}' have many friends, and b}' all to whom they 
 are known they are classed among the most res- 
 pectable and intelligent members of the commu- 
 nity. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Hunt were Joseph and Char- 
 lotte (Green) Hunt, both natives of the mother 
 country, who died in Somersetshire. They had 
 three sons and three daughters, he of whom we 
 write being the second member of the family 
 circle. 
 
 I Ann's CUSHING, D. V. S. The subject 
 of this notice is a prominent man in his 
 profession and occupies a conveniently 
 arranged establishment at No. 108 Ex- 
 change Street, Joliet, in which he has conducted a 
 successful practice for the last six years. His wide 
 experience and his strict attention to the duties of 
 his chosen calling have rendered him more than 
 ordinarily expert and he avails himself of all the 
 means at his command to inform himself in regard 
 to the various matters connected therewith. He has 
 gathered around him the various appliances re- 
 quired for a successful business and personally, as 
 well as in business circles, is highly spoken of in 
 business community. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, a native of Utica, N. 
 Y., was born September 7, 1852, and is the son of 
 James and Margaret (McQuade) Cushing, the for- 
 mer of whom was born in County Queens, Ireland, 
 and the latter in the city of Paisley, Scotland. 
 James Cushing when a young man, emigrated to 
 America and settled in Utica, N. Y., where he was 
 married. In the spring of 1854, resolving upon 
 seeking the farther west he came with his little 
 famil}' to this State and settled in Joliet. James 
 
470 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Cusliiiif,' (lied Novi'inhi'i- 0, 1S84. The widow still 
 resides in .loliet. 
 
 Dr. Gushing afqiiired a pi;ielir;il cdncution in 
 the city sciiools of .loliet and when apiiroaclunu 
 manhood was variously ent-af^ed until coninieneinK 
 the studios of veterinary surgery. Indue time he 
 entered upon a course of lectures at the Columhia 
 Veterinary College, in New York City, and subse- 
 quently spent two years in the American College, 
 in New York City, graduating from the latter in 
 188."), with a thorough knowledge of the methods 
 of proceedure in ordinary i)ractice. lie at (juce 
 located at .loliet and has now all tiic business wiiich 
 he can attend to botii in the city and country. In 
 connection with this he established a livery busi- 
 ness in partnership with his brother James, in the 
 city of .loliet, in 188'.), putting up a fine stone 
 buililing which is conveniently arranged for hos- 
 pital and operating purposes located at No. 108, 
 Exchange Street. 
 
 Dr. Cushing has distinguished himself as a lib- 
 eral and public spirited citizen, and after filling 
 other positions of trust and responsibility, was in 
 1889 elected a member of the Cit}' Council on the 
 Democratic ticket. 
 
 ^p5^ HARLES S. COCKETT, late Secretary of 
 (li the Ashley Wire Company, departed this 
 
 ^^{' life at his home in Joliet, September 20, 
 1888, at the age of fifty-three years, having been 
 born March 3, 1835. His native place was Kirk- 
 land, Oneida Count}', N. Y. and his father was 
 Thomas Cockett, who was of Elnglish descent and 
 spent his last years in New York. The paternal 
 grandfather settled on the Susquehanna River at 
 an early day and built a number of mills in that 
 vicinity, where it is probable he spent the remain- 
 der of his life. He was a skilled workman and 
 successful man and became prominently known 
 throughout that region. 
 
 The subject of this notice grew to mature years 
 in his native county and obtained a good educa- 
 tion, completing his studies in one of the schools of 
 Cooperstown, Otsego County. For several years 
 
 thereafter he occupied himself in the mercantile 
 l)u.sincss in the store of his uncle at Cooperstown. 
 Then leaving his native State he emigrated to De- 
 catur, Mich, and engaged in the insurance and ex- 
 press business until after the outbreak of the Civil 
 ^Var. Determining then to have a hand in the 
 preservation of the I'nion, he enlisted in Comjiany 
 15, this being :issigned to a regiment of Michigan 
 Infantry, and which later became a part of the 
 Excelsior Brigade of New York State. He served 
 nearly four years, engaging in many important 
 battles and receiving an honorable wound at the 
 battle of Williamsburg. He was mustered out 
 after the close of the war and received an hon- 
 orable discharge. On account of having con- 
 tracted a severe cold from the effects of which 
 he was unable to entirely recover, he was given 
 the post of Commiss.ary Sergeant, which he held 
 most of the time during his army life. Upon leav- 
 ing the service Mr.Cockett returned to Decatur, 
 Mich., and resumed operations in the insurance 
 and express business which he conducted success- 
 fully for .some j-ears. On the 10th of April, 1867, 
 he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss 
 Mary J. Smith, and made his home in Decatur 
 until 187.5. 
 
 In the \ear above nH'nlione<l, Mr. Cockett 
 disposed of his business interests in Michigan, 
 and coining to Joliet, began dealing in grain and 
 w.as thus occupied for two years. At the expira- 
 tion of this lime he became connected with 
 Messrs. H. B. Scott & Co., manufacturers of barb 
 wire, and when the Ashley Wire Works was or- 
 ganized he was made the .Secretary and held this 
 j)osilion until his llc^lh. He was a ca[)able ami 
 reliable business man and enjoyed the esteem and 
 confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 Mrs. Mary J. (Smith) Cockett was born June 8, 
 1839, in New Lyme, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and 
 is the daughter of H. B. and Mary (Clapp) Smith. 
 Mr. Smith rcTuuved from Trumbull County, 
 Ohio, to Benton Harbor, where his death took 
 place. Mrs. Smith died June 20, 1839, a few 
 days after the birth of her daughter. Mr. Smith 
 lived until his daughter had reached womanhood. 
 Mary remained a member of the household until 
 her marriage, which resulted in the birth of one 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 471 
 
 child only, a son, BretHarte, who was born March 
 16, 1871, at Decatur, Mich., and remains at home 
 with his mother. Both mother and son are mem- 
 bers in good standing of the Central Presbyterian 
 Church. 
 
 \f AMESF. MOERLSEY. It would be hard 
 to find a gentleman of the same age who 
 lias reached so high a position in business 
 circles, and held so prominent a place in 
 iu ()ublic affairs, as the subject of this biograph- 
 ical notice, who is now serving as a member of 
 the Common Council of Joliet. He represents the 
 sixth ward in the aldermanic body, and is serving 
 his second term. In addition to ids public labors, 
 ho carries on the sale of agricultural implements 
 and seeds, at No. 205 Washington Street, also deal- 
 ing in road carts, etc. 
 
 Mr. Morrisey is a native of the city which he 
 liouors l)y his ability and service, his natal day 
 having Ijeen April 25, 1859. His parents were 
 .lames and Catharine Morrisey, both natives of 
 Irchunl, who came to America prior to their mar- 
 riage, that event taking place in this city, where 
 the father died. He of v\diom we write grew to 
 maturity here, at the early age of thirteen j-ears 
 being graduated from the .loliet Business College, 
 lie then engaged with G. C. Erliard, dealer in ag- 
 ricultural implements, remaining in that gentle- 
 man's em[)loy eleven 3-cars. 
 
 The ne.xt move of j'oung Jlorrisey was to un- 
 dertake the sale of the same line of goods on the 
 road, as an agent for the Kleinfelter & Dillman Com- 
 [lanj', with which he was engaged eight years. At 
 the close of his term with them, he began business 
 for himself, oiiening his place of business in Janu- 
 ary, 188'J. Thus far he has had a very sticcessful 
 trade, the prospects for the future being bright 
 and encouraging. The long experience of Mr. 
 Morrisey in the Hue of trade that he has adopted, 
 gives him a perfect knowledge of that in which he 
 deals, and his methods are strictly honorable, while 
 marked by a spirit of enterprise and '-push" highly 
 commendable and such as wins success. 
 
 The public life of Mr. ]\lorrisey began iu 1886, 
 
 when he was elected Assistant Supervisor of Joliet 
 Township, the office being so acceptably filled that 
 he was re-elected the following year. The next 
 year he was sent to the Council Chamber, and here 
 also his efforts to advance the interests of the com- 
 munity are recognized by his constituents, and re- 
 flect credit upon himself. He is a member of St. 
 Mary's Catholic Church, which was organized with 
 his father as one of its early members. 
 
 On October 20, 1882, the rites of wedlock were 
 celebrated between our subject and Miss Etta M. 
 Ardagh, of Channahon Township. The bride was 
 born in that township, her parents, Patrick and 
 Mary Ardagh, being old residents there. She also 
 belongs to .St. Mary "s Church. The union has been 
 blessed by the birth of five children. The3' are 
 named respectively, James R., Mary, Etta, Dora 
 and John D. 
 
 :^ lM^^^ .'i 
 
 ERBERT H. BALDWIN, M. D., one of the 
 
 younger members of the medical fraternity 
 ii.\^ of Will County, has evidently entered upon 
 a successful career in his chosen profession, 
 making a specialty of electro- vapor and medica- 
 ted baths. He maintains that this treatment is 
 superior, usually and in most diseases, to the in- 
 ternal administration of medicine. He was born 
 in Blue Island, Cook County, this State, Septem- 
 ber 22, 1857, and is the son of Henry and Sarah 
 J. (Alexander) lialdwiu, the former a native of 
 London, England, and the latter of Pensylvania. 
 
 Henry Baldwin came to America about 1855-56, 
 and died in the 3ear 1858. He was a well-edu- 
 cated man and followed the profession of a teacher. 
 The mother, after the death of her husband, made 
 her home in Blue Island, and is now assistant 
 Principal of one of the public schools of Chicago. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the only child of 
 his parents, and attended the schools of bis native 
 place, graduating from the High School there. 
 Later he supplemented his education by attend- 
 ance at the Cook County Normal, at Englewood, 
 from which he was graduated in 1876. For five 
 years thereafter he occupied bimself as a teacher 
 
472 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 in tlie Sfliools of Couk and Will Counties. In the 
 niuiuitinie lie wiis l'rineii);il of tlie seliooKs of New 
 Lenox. Prospect Avtnue and Wasliington lleiylits. 
 lie conimeneed tlie study of medicine under the 
 instiuetion of Dr. II. W. Alexander, with whom 
 he remained as student and associate for seseral 
 years. 
 
 The Doctor finally entered the Chicago Medical 
 College, from which he was graduated in ISS.i. 
 He commenced the practice of his profession in 
 Joliet, where he remained something over a year 
 then, crossing the Mississippi, went to llanUinson, 
 N. Dak., where he remained until the death of Dr. 
 Alexander, IMay 27, 188'.). lieturning then to Jol- 
 iet, he took up the Doctor's practice and is huild- 
 ing up a fine business. He belongs to the Will 
 County Medical Society, and keeps himself posted 
 upon modern methods of treatment, both in con- 
 nection with his specialty and the regular practice. 
 
 Dr. Baldwin was married June 25, 1888, at the 
 bride's home in ^Minneapolis, Minn., to Miss Min- 
 neaxie A. Folsom. This lady was born in that 
 city, and is a daughter of Prof. J. Folsom, also of 
 Jlinneapolis. The Doctor and his amiable lady 
 occupy a neat home on North Broadway, and en- 
 joy the acquaintance and friendship of its best 
 citizens. Politically he is a Republican, and both 
 he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 •^^ 
 
 OSEPH FREDRICK. The enterprising sons 
 of the Fatherland have permeated through 
 all parts of the United States, and left their 
 ineffaceable mark as the sign-manual of in- 
 dustry, energj' and a perseverance which has never 
 admitted the existence of any such word as '• fail." 
 Thej' have brought to their adopted country- the 
 steady habits which were transmitted to them from 
 a substantial ancestry, and liy which the}- have 
 arisen to prominent positions ni the industrial as 
 well as the political world. The}' came to the Ter- 
 ritor}' of Illinois when it was first opened for settle- 
 ment, and have built up some of its most fertile 
 farms and valuable homesteads. 
 
 The subject of this notice — one of the niostsidi 
 stantial farmers of Joliet Township — is a native of 
 the province of Alsace, then a province of I' ranee, 
 but now of Germany, and was born April 20, 
 1820. He was the eldest in a family of seven chil- 
 dren, the offspring of Mothen and Kathrina (.Steck) 
 Fredrick, who were natives of the same province 
 as their son, and where they spent their entire 
 lives. 
 
 In 1S4I(, when a young man of twenty years, the 
 sul)ject of this notice emigrated to America, land- 
 ing in New York City. Thence he made his way 
 to Buffalo, and from there emigrated to Chicago, 
 111., and a short time afterward we tind him in 
 Joliet, this county, occupied at whatever honest 
 labor he could find to do. For a time he was em- 
 ployed on a canal, but later worked for a farmer in 
 DnPage County, remaining with him three years. 
 In the meantime he made the acrpiaintance of Miss 
 tSarah Wise, to whom he was married at .Naiierville, 
 in 1844. After the birth of one child, Mr. Fredrick, 
 in 1848, removed to Joliet where he lived one 
 year. His next removal was to the farm which he 
 now owns and occupies, and which lies a short dis- 
 tance west of the city limits. 
 
 Since his removal to this place Mv. Fredrick has 
 given his entire attention to agricultural [)ursuits. 
 His fine farm with eighty acres is embellished with 
 good buildings, while he has made fences, planted 
 fruit and shade trees, and gathered together all the 
 comforts and conveniences of modern farm life. 
 To him and his estimable wife there has been born 
 a family of twelve children, eight of whom are liv- 
 ing. Joseph married Sarah Smith and lives in 
 Joliet; Frank E. married Miss Margaret Parks and 
 is a resident of Joliet; Sarah is the wife of Thom.as 
 Bossom, and they live in' Joliet; Josephine, Charles 
 A., Oswahl J., William W. and Anna A. are at 
 home with their parents. The deceased children 
 were taken from the household circle at a tender 
 .'ige. Mr. Fredrick politically, afliliates with the 
 Democratic party. He was reared in the faith 
 of the Catholic Church, to which he still loyally ad- 
 heres. 
 
 Jlrs. Fredrick is the daughter of Jacob and 
 Sarah (Martin) Wise, who were natives of the 
 kingdom of Bavaria and of German parentage and 
 

PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 475 
 
 anccstiy. The}' emigrated to America in 1831, 
 settling first in Pennsylvania, wliere they lived 
 seven rears. In 1837 they came to Illinois, settling 
 in DuT'age Connty, wliere they spent the closing 
 years of their lives. There vfas born to tliem a 
 family of seven children, fonr of whom are living. 
 ^Irs. Fiedriek is the lliird child and likewise is a 
 native of Bavaria, her l3irtb taking place August 4, 
 1827. She was a child of three or tour years when 
 coming to America, and remained under the paren- 
 tal roof until lier marriage. 
 
 .- — ■ ^o» < o 
 
 ►» f * S « |" »^ 
 
 ,^^EORC,E ALKXAXDER, who ably repre- 
 (/[ (— ^ sents the townsliip of Channahon, on the 
 ^^Jj County Board of Supervisors, and whose 
 l>ortrait will be noticed on the opposite page, in 
 the oldest native-born citizen now living here. He 
 is well known tiiroughout this part of Illinois as 
 one of its keenest and most sagacious business men, 
 and one who has been various!}' identified with Its 
 interests for many years; by his energetic and res- 
 olute force of character and talent for affairs he 
 has given a great impetus to the growth of this 
 section of country, and is still actively forwarding 
 various schemes for its advancement in important 
 directions. lie is one of the foremost farmers 
 and raisers of stock, and owns one of the largest 
 and finest farms in this part of the State. 
 
 Sir. Alexander was born on the Reed place, 
 in the cast part of this county, October 27, 1837. 
 lie comes of an old pioneer family, his parents, 
 .lohn and Elizabeth (Turner) Alexander, coming 
 here in the early d.ays of the settlement of the 
 country, and moving on the farm where our sub- 
 ject now resides, when he was a year old. The}- 
 lived there until death, the mother <lying in 1853, 
 and the father in 1856, he being killed by a kick 
 from a horse. He was a native of Scotland but 
 was reared in England, and was there married and 
 in 1836 came to this country with hi.s wife, and 
 located here permanently. He crossed the Atlan- 
 tic five times, and in 1835 first set foot in Chicago, 
 which was then but an in.«ignificant hamlet. 
 
 Our subject is the third in a family of six chil- 
 
 dren, and was reared amid pioneer scenes to a 
 stalwart manhood, bred to agricultural pursuits. 
 His father was a well-educated man, and taught 
 school in the early da}"'s of the settlement of this 
 cour.ty, and our subject besides attending the local 
 school received the benefit of instruction from his 
 father, and thus obtained a liberal education. He 
 started in business for himself with thirty-five acres 
 of land, and luas met with more than ordinary suc- 
 cess, lieing now the possessor of seven hundred 
 and fifty-five acres, all of which lies within five 
 miles of his home. His homestead is on section 
 15, Channahon Township, lying on the banks of 
 the Desplaines River. The Chicago & Alton and 
 Santa Fe Railroads run through the farm near his 
 house, and a station has been located about a mile 
 from there. He early gave his attention to the* 
 grain and cattle interests, .and also to raising 
 horses, having made a specialty of the stock bus- 
 iness, shipping to Chicago, Buffalo, and even, to 
 Albany, and has been thirteen days on the road 
 with his cattle. This he followed a long time, be- 
 ing in partnership with C. C. Smith for nineteen 
 years; they also opened a butter factory in the 
 village of Channahon, which they managed to- 
 gether for several years, handling as many as six- 
 teen thousand pounds of milk per day, making 
 butter and cheese. Our subject has by no means 
 confined himself to agricultural pursuits, but has 
 been engaged in other directions. He was con- 
 nected with James Bruce in quarrying and ship- 
 l)ing stone, furnishing the fluxing stone to the 
 rolling mills, he having a specially fine stone on his 
 place adapted to that purpose. At different times 
 he contr.acted with the State to furnish the prison 
 with meat, in company with C. C. Smith. 
 
 February 14, 1860, Mr. Alexander was united in 
 marriage with Miss Emeline, daughter of Nelson 
 Bedford, of New Jersey. They have had seven 
 children, five c>f whom survive, namely: Xcttie, 
 Hattie, INIary. John .and Ruth, the latter a child 
 living with her parents. Nettie, the eldest keeps 
 house for her brot er John, who is now managing 
 one of his father's farms in Wilmington Township; 
 Hattie is the wife of William Jennings, formerly 
 of Will County, now residing in Crawford County, 
 Kan., and they have three children — Emma, George 
 
476 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and Blanche; Mary is the wife of Allison Tryon, 
 of Channaliun, and they have two children — George 
 and Louis. 
 
 Mr. Alexander is iinian of line physical and men- 
 tal endowments and his honorable, conscientious 
 course as a business man, liis far-seoint; qualities, 
 tact and enterprise make him an invaluable citi- 
 zen of his native county, and it is to the inlluence of 
 such men of fertile brain and liberal spirit that Will 
 County is indebted for its high standing and pros- 
 perity. He is generous, frank and kind, genial 
 and courteous in his intercourse with others and 
 occu pies a warm place in the hearts of his many 
 friends. He is a leader among the Democrats of 
 this section, takes a prominent part in public 
 affairs and was elected Supervisor on that ticket, a 
 position for which he is peculiarly well fitted. He 
 is identified willi ClKUinalion Loilge, No. 202, A. F. 
 it A. M. 
 
 »r— 
 
 EVI HARTWELL. "Deacon" Hartwell 
 as he has been known from lioyhood, is 
 -^ numbered amo'.ig the oldest and most hon- 
 ored settlers of Homer Township. There are living 
 l)ut two or three of the men whom he found in 
 this township when first coming to "Will County. 
 Not only has he maintained his residence here for 
 the long period of fifty-seven years, but he has 
 been one of the township's most prominent and 
 useful men, identifying himself with its most worthy 
 enterprises and giving his moral and sidjstantial 
 aid to whatever was calculated for the promotion 
 of its best interests. He is a man whose opinions 
 arc thoroughly respected and who is looked up to 
 by his neighbors as one possessing more than or- 
 dinary ability and whose integrity has been main- 
 tained unquestioned during the changes of a long 
 and useful life. His occupation has been that of a 
 farmer, in which he has been successful, securing a 
 Lome to defend him against want in his declining 
 years. 
 
 Mr. Hartwell is descended from excellent stock 
 which flourished in New England during the Colo- 
 nial days. His father, the late Samuel HartweU, 
 
 was a native of Hadley, Mass., and born in 1789. 
 His mother who bore the name of Abigail Davis, 
 was born in 1791), and it is believed was of French 
 parentage, being also herself probably born in 
 France. The parents after marriage settled in 
 Rochester, N. Y., where the father occupied hiiu- 
 ■ self as a carpenter and farmer. Later thc3- became 
 residents of Pittsford, Monroe County, where the 
 mother died in 1828.- 
 
 After tiie <lece.ase of his wife Samuel Hartwell 
 returned to his native State, and in 1834 met an 
 accidental death by falling from what was known 
 as Dry Bridge, near Hadley, where he was found 
 with life extinct. The parental family consisted 
 of tliree sons and two daughters, of whom our 
 subject was the eldest. He was born in Il.adley, 
 Mass., December 10, 1817, and at the earl^- .age of 
 eleven years was thrown upon his own resources 
 and compelled thereafter to look out for himself. 
 He entered upon an apprenticeship at blacksmitli- 
 ing, serving seven years with the late John Lane. 
 In June, 1833, he came in comi)any with Mr. Lane, 
 to this count}' which was then a p.art of Cook 
 County. After completing his apprenticeship he 
 followed his tr.ade mostly in Homer Township, un- 
 til 1870, but at the same time ojierated his farm in 
 connection therewith. In due time he engaged 
 in business for himself and nianufiictured steel 
 plows which were sent all over the country-, there 
 being shipped to California alone seven hundred 
 of these, which was suflicient indication of their 
 poi)ulaiity and utility. Mr. Hartwell also manu- 
 factured other agricultural implements and from 
 this source realized handsome returns. 
 
 In 1839, Deacon Hartwell purchased thirty- acres 
 of land on section 20, Homer Townshij), and which 
 was considered practically worthless, being mostl}' 
 a marsh. Its condition to-d.a}' illustrates in a 
 marked manner the results of good management, 
 industry and perseverance, as combined with wliat 
 he subsequently purchased, it now comprises some 
 of the most valuable soil in Will County. 
 
 Wisely making provision for a family- before he 
 assumed the responsibilities of one, Mr. Hartwell 
 remained unmarried until approaching the twent}'- 
 fifth 3ear of his age and was then wedded Novem- 
 ber 3, 1812, at the bride's home in Homer Town- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 477 
 
 sliif) to Miss Luuisa. daiigbtei- of Edward and Sarah 
 (Morris) Poor. Tlie \()ung i)eoi)ie commenced the 
 joLinioy of hfe together at their own homo, and la- 
 lioi'ed witli a mutual jnii'|)ose in gatliering around 
 thouisolves the comforts of life and acquiring a 
 ctiui[)etencc for the future. Mrs. Hartwell was lil<e- 
 wise from an excellent family. Iler parents were 
 natives of South Carolina .ind came to Illinois in 
 1 830, locating among the earliest pioneers of Homer 
 Townsiii)). The father secured land and followed 
 farming and built up a good home where he and 
 liis estimable partner spent the remainder of their 
 days. 
 
 Mis. Hartwell was born near Attica, Inil., Septem- 
 ber 11, 1823. Her parents Iiad emigrated to that 
 State when it was practically a frontier, and thus 
 endured twict! the ex|)eriment of life in a new 
 country peopled i)rincii)ally by vvild animals and 
 Indians. The}' were most excellent and worthy 
 people and without making any great stir in the 
 world, performed their duty faithfully to those de- 
 pending upon them and are held in kindly remem- 
 brance by all who knew them. Edward Poor, is 
 supposed to have i>urchased the first land secured 
 from the Government in Homer Township, the 
 deeds of which were the Drst entered upon the 
 county records for this township. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell there were born five 
 sons, the eldest of whom, William E., died when 
 tvvo years old. William K., second, during the late 
 Civil War served in the Union Army as a member 
 of Company A, Third Illinois Cavalry, and died in 
 the hospital at EastjKirt, Miss., during tiie early 
 part of May, 1865, at the age of nineteen \-ears. 
 Charles R. died at the homestead of consumption, 
 lie being also nineteen years old; Levi, Jr., also 
 died at the age of nineteen years. Thus Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hartwell were called to part with three prom- 
 ising sons upon whom the\- had fastened ninny 
 hopes. In their great affliction tlie}^ were tendered 
 the sympathy of many friends. Samuel follows 
 agricultural pursuits and lives at the homestead. 
 He married iVIiss Emma West. Mrs. Louisa Hait- 
 well departed this life at the homestead in Homer 
 Township, October 26. 1867. 
 
 On the 22d of April, 1868, Mr. Hartwell con- 
 tracted a second marriage in Chicago, 111., with 
 
 Miss Emma A. Trask. This lady was born in St. 
 Lawrence County, N. Y., November 10, 1846, and 
 died of diphtheria in Homer Township, March 3, 
 1886. The Hartwell farm is embellished with first- 
 class buildings and now embraces one hundred and 
 ten acres all of which has been brought to a high 
 state of cultivation. In politics our subject is in- 
 dependent and although not a member of any re- 
 ligious denomination, believes in the establish'nent 
 and maintainance of churches and contributes to 
 the support of the Gospel. He held tlie ofHce of 
 Constable in 1838. being the first official of this 
 kind in the town of Homer. He has been a School 
 Trustee in his district and Overseer and Commis- 
 sioner of Highways for many years. He repre- 
 sented Homer Township in the County Board of 
 Supervisors two years, and was the Poor Master for 
 one year. No man has taken a warmer interest in 
 the advancement of the best interests of the com- 
 munity- and none have given a more cordial support 
 to the enterin-ises calculated to aid its progress, so- 
 cially, morally and financially. 
 
 RS. ELIZABETH M. FARGO, widow of 
 Orange T. Fargo, is a native of Rock Is- 
 land County, 111., where she was born 
 May 24, 1841. Her parents, Lueias and 
 Harriet (McLean) Mears, moved to Kendall 
 County when she was six years of age. Her father 
 was a carpenter and upon the breaking out of the 
 gold fever he went to California. While on his 
 way home he was stricken b}- cholera and died on 
 board a Mississippi steamer. May 24, 1851. The 
 widowed mother is still living, now in Chicago. 
 She has one son, J. M. i ng.-iged in the commission 
 business in that city, and two daughters, Mrs. C. 
 N. Check and Mrs. W. A. Taylor, residing there. 
 The lady whose name stands at the hand of this 
 sketch has been twice married. She has a son, II. 
 II. Delos, by her first husband, a noble 3'ounginan 
 of whom she is justly proud. He is now Treasurer 
 of the Chicago and Aurora Refining and Smelting 
 Company. He has recently taken a companion in 
 life, his bride being Miss Edith, daui>hter of 
 
478 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Charles Pcttigrew, of tlii' Illinuis Steel Company, 
 with wludii hi' was iiniliil in iiiariia^c Jaiiuai}' "22, 
 1890. 
 
 On l'"el)iiiaiy IS, liS72, our subject was united 
 in inaniage with Orange T. Fargo, with whom she 
 lived iiappily until November 3, 1871, when he (mi- 
 lered into rest, lie was a native of the Empire 
 .Slate in whiih he oi)eued hisej'es to tlie light Feb- 
 ruary 10, 1820. He was a most excellent man 
 highly spoken of by all who knew him, his lialiits 
 being unexceptional)le and his whole life most ex- 
 em plar}'. 
 
 Mr. Fargo, politically, during his life wis a 
 stanch Republican. When first widowed in 18G8, 
 Mrs. Fargo, then Mrs. Delos, began dressmaking 
 in Chicago, and has pursued that vocation ever 
 since. She has enjoyed a very large patronage 
 among the best citizens of Joliet, and has made 
 many friends in the years of her residence here. 
 She owns the elegant buiding known as the Fargo 
 Block, on the corner of Ottawa and Van Buren 
 Streets. She is a devoted member of the Presb3'- 
 terian Church in whose work she takes deep in- 
 terest. 
 
 
 '#NUD PEDERSON derives a comfortable in- 
 come from his farming operations, which 
 
 i*^ he is carrying on verj' successfully in Will 
 V^ County. He is a representative of the 
 Scandinavian element that lias played so important 
 a part in the settlement and development of the 
 great West, and his thrift and intlustry make him a 
 most desirable citizen. 
 
 Mr. Pederson was born October 7, 1827, in the 
 province of Thronhyem, Norway, a sou of Peter 
 and Anna (Knud) Lawson, also natives of that 
 country. His father w.as a tailor by occupation, 
 but in the Swedish Norwegian War he .served as a 
 soldier four years. lie departed this life in 18.'59. 
 He and his wife were the parenLs of eight children, 
 three of whom died young, live of whom are still 
 living, as follows: Mrs. Emily Erickson, of Evans- 
 ton, III.: Knud and Lewis; Mrs. Anna Hanson, of 
 Chicago; Mrs. ReganaSchellstad. of Seattle, Wash. 
 
 The paternal grandfather of our subject was Lewis 
 Pe(lerson, a native and a farmer of Xorwaw He 
 was the father of three sons and two daughters, of 
 whom two sons and one daughter reared families. 
 The mother of our subject came to the United 
 .States with him, and dii'd in his lionie iu 1871, at 
 the venerable age of eighty-three years. She was 
 a daughter of Knud (jarmo, who took his name 
 from the farm on which he lived. -•He and his wife 
 reared a large faniil\- of sixteen children. 
 
 The subject of this brief biogra[)hy passed his 
 early life on a farm, and after his father's death, 
 worked out as a farm lidjorcr by the mouth until he 
 was twenty-seven years old. He then took to a 
 seafaring life, which he abandoned after lieing 
 wrecked in 18()2, ami subsequently came to Amer- 
 ica to try his fortunes here, accompanied by liis 
 mother and sister Anna. They located in Chicago, 
 to which place his other sisters had preceded him 
 some three years before. After settling here, he 
 again became a sailor, and was engaged on' the 
 lakes three j-ears. In the spring of 1866, he came 
 to Will Township, having decided to resume the 
 calling to which he had been bred. He bought one 
 hundred and fourteen acres on section 6, and since 
 then has been busily engaged in its improvement, 
 and h.as wrought a great change, putting the land 
 under excellent tillage and providing it with suit- 
 able buildings and everything needful to carr^^ on 
 his operations successfully. 
 
 Mr. Pederson hsis had the assistance of a good 
 and faithful wife since his marriage, February 11. 
 1864, to Inga Margretta Olson, a native of Norway, 
 and a daughter of Ole Schinner. She crossed the 
 waters alone from the land of her nativity in 1863, 
 her ))arents following her in 1872, with three of 
 their children. Our subject and his wife have been 
 blessed by the birth of six children, four of whom 
 are living — Peter, Oliver, Louie N.and Arthur W. 
 The great sorrow of their wedded life has been the 
 death of their daughter Clara, at the age of fifteen 
 years, and their son Arthur (second), at the age of 
 two and one half years. 
 
 Mr. I'eclerson has managed his affairs shrewdly- 
 and well since turning his attention to agriculture 
 nearly a quarter of a century ago. and may well be 
 pleased with what he has acci>uiplished by his own 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 479 
 
 hands (vitli steady and persevering toil. He and 
 liis wife are greatly esteemed in the neighborhood, 
 and are among the respected members of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church. 
 
 'jl^, ETI<:R KNEPPER. The results of iiulnstry, 
 
 Jjj thrift and wise judgment have been mani- 
 
 ''M <■' fested in the career of this gentleman, 
 
 I \ wiio in all matters pertaining to iiis finan- 
 cial standiug has fairl)' earned the title of a self- 
 made man. He owns and occupies eighty acres of 
 valuable land on section 14, Green Garden Town- 
 ship, and every part of the estate gives evidence of 
 the prudence and good judgment of its owner, and 
 likewise betokens that he is a man of good taste 
 and domestic instincts. 
 
 It will not be amiss to devote a brief sp.ace to 
 the progenitors of our subject ere entering upon 
 our outlining of his own life. His father, .Tolin 
 Knepper, a native of Luxembourg, was a farmer 
 and stock-raiser who gained independent circum- 
 stances and a landed estate of one hundred and 
 forty acres, which is a large farm for tliat countr}-. 
 lie w.as a participant in the Franco-lJelgian War, 
 was Mayor of IMerlzig six years and Treasurer of 
 his home district twenty-eight years. He lived to 
 the ripe age of eighty-two years, dying in 1885. 
 His wife, formerly- Alary Welter, was born in Pla- 
 ten, being a daughter of Philip Welter, a well-to- 
 do farmer of that province. She had a bi'other in 
 tlie Franco-Spanish War four ^-ears, and who after- 
 ward took part in the Franco-Russian War. She 
 died in 18S7 at the age of eighty one years. 
 
 The parental family comprised seven children 
 of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth. 
 The first-born, Mary, is deceased; Lena, Mrs. Ma- 
 jarus, living in her native duchy; Anna is de- 
 ceased; John is living in Luxembourg; Philip 
 resides in LeMars. Iowa; Frank resides in Chicago. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born at 
 Mertzig, Luxembourg, February 2, 1842, and was 
 reared in his native |)lace, having the advantages of 
 good schools from his sixth to his fourteenth year. 
 
 He acquired a more than ordinarily good education, 
 receiving instruction in both German and French, 
 which languages he speaks readily. 
 
 The young man remained upon the home farm 
 until twenty-seven years of age when, being desir- 
 ous of securing a home of his own and land being 
 high in his native country, he determined to come 
 to America, where he thought he could better his 
 financial condition. He therefore bade adieu to 
 home and friends in 1869, and set sail from Havre, 
 January 14, on the steamer "Manhattan"' which 
 reached Liverpool three days later. There he era- 
 barked on the steamer "Palmyra" which anchored 
 in New York llarboi', January 28. Mr. Knepjjer 
 started for Dubuque, Iowa, but when he reached 
 Chicago w.as somewhat ill and so remained there 
 some days. Mr. Eisenbrandt persuaded him to lo- 
 cate in this State and in Will County. He there- 
 fore came into Green Garden Township on the 2d 
 of February, and spent the j'ear in working for Mr. 
 Eisenbrandt. His services was engaged by the 
 year the second time and after that experience as 
 an employe, he began farming for himself. 
 
 Mr. tnepper rented one hundred and twenty 
 acres from his former employer and operated it 
 quite successfully. In 1874, he purchased the 
 eighty .acres which he now occupies and which at 
 that time bore some old buildings. On this he en- 
 gaged in the labors which h.ave brought him a 
 competent support and a reputation which is cred- 
 itable to his intelligence and enterprise. He at one 
 time ow^ied forty acres adjoining, but sold it, re- 
 taining but his first purchase. The land is ail till- 
 able, is well fenced, tiled and furnished with a full 
 set of adequate and substantial buildings. Mr. 
 Knepper has set rjut groves and orchards which 
 add to the beauty of his home as well as to its 
 monetary value. The residence is five miles from 
 Frankfort. ISIr. Knepper divides bis attention be- 
 tween the raising of grain and graded stock, in- 
 cluding Norman horses. 
 
 In Joliet October 12, 1870, the interesting cere- 
 mony took place which gave Mr. Knepper a wife. 
 The lad}' with whom he was united was Miss Mar}' 
 Henzpeter, who was born in Mecklenburg, Ger- 
 many, and .accompanied her parents herein 1869. 
 She is well informed and h.as the knowledge of 
 
480 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 housewifely arts which is almost inseparable from 
 the training of a German maiden, while her charac- 
 ter is an amiahic and loving one. Her parents, 
 Kred and Dora (Koester) Henzpeter, have five 
 children of wliora she is the first-born and the only 
 daughter. Her brotlicr Fred lives in Frankfort 
 Township; Charles, in Marcus, Iowa; John, in 
 Joliet; and Henry in Iowa. The parents are living 
 in Green Garden Township and the father is en- 
 gaged in farming. 
 
 The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Knoppor has 
 been blest by the l)irth of four children, three of 
 whom — IJertha, Clara and Charles — are at home. 
 The liisl-bor!!, Caroline, is residing in Joliet. Mr. 
 Knei)per is an active Democrat and has l)eon a 
 delegate to county conventions. He has served in 
 public capacities, among them being that of Col- 
 lector, which he held one year. Township .School 
 Treasurer, in which he has served during the p.ast 
 six years and of which ofUce he is yet the incum- 
 bent, and Scliool Director which position he held 
 six years. lie lielongs to tlie G reen Garden Evangel- 
 ical Clairch. His knowledge of tlie English language 
 w.is acquired by personal effort, his evenings being 
 devoted to study until lie had sulliciently mas- 
 tered it. 
 
 ■i^^m- 
 
 W^ILLIAM DAY, deceased, was for many 
 years a well-known and greatly respected 
 member of the farming community of 
 Whatland, and his name is linked with its growth. 
 He was of English birth and antecedents, born in 
 Lincolnshire, November 1, 1833, a son of John and 
 Rebecca Day, who were also natives of England. 
 lie was reared to man's estate in the country of 
 his birth and was engaged mostly in farm work. 
 His educational advantages were limited, but he 
 made up for that by the knowledge that he gleaned 
 as an observant, intelligent man. He was ambitious 
 to secure a competence, and having an idea that he 
 could do so more advantageously in the United 
 Stales of America, he crossed the waters to this 
 country, accompanied by his young wife, in 1861, 
 taking p.assage at Liver|)Oolon a sailing-vessel, and 
 after a voyage of thirty-one days, landing in the 
 
 great metropolis of the country. He and his wife 
 came directlj' to this count}', and he finally selected 
 the farm now owned and occupied b}- his widow as 
 the most desirable in every way for his purposes. 
 It is in an excellent condition, is provided with 
 neat buildings, its fields arc uiuler admirable cul- 
 tivation, and it is every way a most desirable 
 place. 
 
 February 15, 18G0, Mr. Day and Miss Sarah 
 Fisher were united in the holy bonds of matri- 
 mony. Her birthplace was in the same English 
 shire as his, and there slie was born in the mouth 
 of August, 1840. She is a daughter of John and 
 Maria Fisher, both natives of England. The mar- 
 riage of our subject and his wife was blessed by 
 the birth of seven children, four of whom are now 
 living: .lohu W., Frank F., Lucy R. and Grace M., 
 all residing in Wheatland Township, and the latter 
 living with her mother. 
 
 Mr. Daj' was prosi>ered in his calling, and from 
 a i)Oor man w!io vvas obliged to work out b}' the 
 month, he became independent and the proprietor 
 of a \nlualil<^ farm, .'is we have seen. His death, 
 December 11, 18.S1, w.as a loss, not only to hi.s 
 bereaved household, but to the cf)mmuMity at large, 
 where he had conic to niiike his home so iiiaiiy 
 years ago. His neigliliors ;ilways found him hon- 
 orable and fair in his dealings with them, and in 
 his domestic relations he was a kind :ind loving 
 father, and a devoted husband, ami always did the 
 best that he could for his family. He was a loyal 
 citizen to his .adopted country, took an intelligent 
 interest in its politics, and supported the Repub- 
 lican party. 
 
 ^f/OHN GF:01<GE GEITHER. The home 
 farm of this gentleman is one of the finest 
 pieces of land in the Prairie State, and has 
 been so improved that it forms a dwelling 
 place of great attractiveness and comfort. It com- 
 prises two hundred acres of tillable land on section 
 1.5, Frankfort Township, which is watered by 
 Hickory Creek, and bears improvements which are 
 unexcelled in the township. The residence is of 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 481 
 
 pleasing architectural design, and it and the various 
 outbuildings are sufficiently commodious for their 
 |)urpose. There are several barns on the place, 
 which are needed to house the stock and crops, in 
 the raising of which Mr. Geuther is engaged. A 
 windmill and tank, and the latest improvements in 
 farm machinery make the labors performed more 
 easy than was the case in the olden time, and or- 
 chards and gardens furnish an abundance of the 
 fruits of the earth, beside adding attractive features 
 to the landscape. 
 
 Mr. Geuther is engaged in general farming, keep- 
 ing three teams constantly employed on the farm, 
 and also raising good grades of cattle, hogs and 
 draft-horses, Jiaving now some twenty head of the 
 latter. lie is the largest land-owner in the town- 
 ship, and one of the largest in the county, owning 
 in all about sixteen hundred acres, the different 
 farms being well improved and occupied b^' tenants. 
 His landed estate is divided into the following 
 tracts: One hundred and seventy-seven acres on sec- 
 tion 22; one hundred and fifty-seven on section 23, 
 Frankfort Township; one hundred and sixty-three 
 acres in Green Garden Tovvnsliip; one hundred and 
 sixty acres on section 25, Manhattan Township; one 
 hundred and twent\' acres on the townsliip line of 
 New Lenox and Frankfort Townships; and five 
 liundretl and sixty acres in Cherokee County, Iowa. 
 On the different places in Frankfort Townsliip he 
 has over fifty acres of timber land. 
 
 The father of our subject was John George Geu- 
 ther, Sr., who was born in Weidhausen, Saxe- 
 Coburg-Gotha, (Germany, and the son of John 
 Nicholas Geuther, a baker. When a young man, 
 he was quite poor, but being hard-working and 
 having a capable helpmate, he ere long was able to 
 purchase a small piece of land and add to it from 
 time to time. He and his wife had begun by mak- 
 ing baskets, and added to their real estate until 
 they possessed forty acres, which was a good farm 
 for that country, and in the securing and operating 
 of which they were ranked as the most successful 
 farmers in their neighborhood. 
 
 In 1848 Mr. Geuther emigrated to America with 
 his familj', except his oldest son, who had crossed 
 (^Iji3 Atlantic two years before, and after living in 
 \ew York Cit}- for a time, had gone South and 
 
 been lost track of. The father came to Illinois, 
 and i-enting a farm in Frankfort, this county, 
 operated the same for a year. He then purchased 
 one hundred and sixt}' acres on section 3, the price 
 being $500, and there he lived for three years, put- 
 ting the place under excellent improvement. He 
 next purchased what is now the home farm of our 
 subject, and locating here, continued his agricul- 
 tural work for a time. He then let our subject 
 take charge of it, and lived with him during the 
 remainder of his life. He breathed bis last April 
 26, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. 
 In addition to the property mentioned, he had also 
 bought one hundred and sixty acres in Green Gar- 
 den Township, and having tliree sons, he gave each 
 of them a farm. 
 
 The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
 of Kunigunda Fitzemeir. Siie was born in Weid- 
 hausen, Germany, and died at her home in this 
 county, in 1881. Her oldest child, John Nicholas, 
 is now farming in Green Garden Township. He 
 came to America in 1841, and having drifted to 
 Charleston, .S. C, remained there during the war, 
 and was lost to tlie paternal hotiseliold for twenty 
 years, as he did not know they had come to Amer- 
 ica ; he came to Northern Illinois in 1866. John 
 George, Jr., was a farmer in Frankfort Township, 
 and was run over by the Rock Island Railroad train 
 In the spring of 1890. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write is the youngest 
 member of the parental household. He was born 
 in Weidhausen, (Jermany, May 16, 1838, and was 
 reared until his tenth jear in his native land. He 
 then accompanied his parents to America, leaving 
 Bremen in April, and spending forty-two days on 
 the briny dcei). After landing in New York City 
 the family traveled by river, canal and lakes to 
 Chicago, where they secured teams to carry them 
 to Frankfort Township. The lad attended the 
 common schools, and in the interims of study 
 hunted and assisted his father on the farm. When 
 the family rcuK^ved to their present home, he and 
 his father did all the work, and he broke soil, drove 
 oxen, and bore a hand in other arduous labors. 
 They operated a sawmill several years in connec- 
 tion with their agricultural work. 
 
 Ere long the young man took charge of tlie 
 
4.S2 
 
 PORTIIAIT AND BIOGUAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 phico, renting of his fallier until he came into pos- 
 session of it. and making the various improve- 
 ments whieli now mariv it as one of the linest farms 
 in the township. He gradually drifted into stock- 
 raising, and hi.s liaid work and perseverance se- 
 cured for him a high rank among agriculturists 
 and stockmen, and gave him possession of his 
 large amount of realty. He has ever been uprigiit 
 and straightforward in his dealings and active in 
 his support of all worthy movements which prom- 
 ise to increase the [irosperity of those about them. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Geuther was celebrated 
 in this township in IHGl, his bride l)eing Miss Mina 
 Eisenbrandt. This worthy woman was born in 
 Germany, and came to the United St.ates with her 
 parents when two years old. She breathed her 
 last in 1872, leaving four children, named resi)ect- 
 ively — John, George, Henry and Mary. All are 
 still residing under the home roof. 
 
 The second matrimonial alliam e of Mr. Geuther 
 was also celebrated in this township, the date of 
 tiie happj' event being March 1, lb7.5. The bride 
 was >Hss Dorethea Kaedlein, who was born in Ger- 
 inanj' February 28, 1852, and was well educated in 
 her native clime. In 1874 she sailed from Bremen 
 on the steamer '• Mosell," which dropped her an- 
 chor in New York harbor fourteen days later. The 
 young lady came at once to Mokena, 111., to the 
 home of her aunt, Mrs. Miller, with whom she re- 
 mained until her marriage. She is the mother of 
 si.x children — Annie, Bertha, NichoLis, iMidie, 
 t'liira and Otto. 
 
 The |)arents of Mrs. Dorothea (icuthcr arc Kob- 
 ert Raedlein, who is still living in his native prov- 
 ince of Saxe-Coburg, and Kunigunda (CoUis) 
 Uaedlein, deceased. The latter was born in Bava- 
 ria, and bore her husband ten children, nine of 
 whom are living, six in (Germany and three in 
 America. Mr. Raedlein is the son of a prominent 
 and successful nieichant, and became "squire" 
 when twenty- .years old. He held the position 
 until he became one of the leading oflicials of 
 the province in an ollice similar to that of an 
 American senator, which he has now held for 
 twenty- five years. He is also a merchant with a 
 large trade. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, 
 as did his worthy wife, and their daughter was 
 
 carefully reared in accordance with its principles. 
 Mr. Geuther is much interested in the advance- 
 ment of the cause of education, and has served as 
 .School I )irector, although he t)therwise declines pub- 
 lic honors. In former years he was Trustee of Frank- 
 fort Township, having been elected on the Demo- 
 cratic ticket. He holds membershi]) in the (ierman 
 Lutheran Church, in Frankfort Township, their 
 place of worship being located on his farm. His 
 father gave an acre of land as the site, and was one 
 of the organizers of the congregation, and his son 
 has followed his example in being an active sup- 
 porter of religion. 
 
 ACOB BUEHLER. A farm of moderate 
 extent, but well improved and managed, 
 and located near the city of .L.liet, is the 
 / home of the subject of this notice He is 
 engaged in the dairy business, finding sale for all 
 the products of his farm in this city. The estf>t" 
 is sup[)lied with a full line of w(ll-l>udi, edifictt 
 which .afford adequate shelter for stock anil storage 
 for the products which are yielded b^- the lanit or 
 manufactured upon it. 
 
 'Jhe owner of this comfortable home is of .Swiss 
 lineage and birth. His parents, I'lrich and Mar- 
 garetta (Soch) Buehler, came to America a score of 
 years ago, settling in the Empire State, where the 
 fat er died. The mother is ^et living and still 
 pursuing a career of usefulness. She is the mother 
 of twelve children, of whom the subject of this 
 sketch is the first-born. His natal day was Febru- 
 arj' 16, 1850, and in his native land he accpiired a 
 fair stock of information, and derived from his 
 worthy parents principles of conduct which give 
 him a good standing among his fellow-men. lie w.as 
 about nineteen years of age when the removal to 
 America took place, and he took his [ilace at once 
 among the workers of the country. 
 
 After having become a resident of Illinois, Mr. 
 huefileP took a companion in life, the rites of wed- 
 lock being celebrated between him and Miss Eliza 
 Engcmaiin, OctdbiT 21. 1H75. The bride is the 
 oldest of the twelve children Ixu'n to .K)hn and 
 
^ /^ ^^^^</e.^z^^.Jy 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 485 
 
 Elizabeth (Lebmann) Eiigemann, and opened her 
 eyes to the light in Switzerland, August 11, 1S52. 
 Her [lareiits also were natives of the land so famed 
 for the beauty' of its scenery and the libert\'-loving 
 spirit of its people, and became citizens of America 
 in 1872. 'I'hey landed in New York, and went at 
 f)nce to Ohio, where they resided a year, after 
 which they took up their .abode in Joliet. Here the 
 father died in August, 1884. 
 
 Mrs. Buehler possesses all the energy, persever- 
 ance and zeal which characterize the race, together 
 with the neatness and love of order which are also 
 prominent traits in Swiss character, and having ob- 
 tained much useful knowledge and skill in earlier 
 years, she conducts the affairs which are entrusted 
 to her oversight in a manner which proves her 
 ability ns housewife and helpmate. She has borne 
 her husband three children — Albert, Mary and 
 Freda. Mr. Buehler supports the Democratic 
 p.irty by his vote and personal influence. 
 
 EWTON P. HOLDEN, M.D. This well- 
 /, bred and well-informed gentleman was a 
 ^.:M^. successful practitioner of the profession of 
 medicine for many 3'ears, but is now living a re- 
 lircd life at Frankfort Station. He has accumu- 
 lated a fortune, and is enjoj'lng merited repose 
 after a life spent in activity and usefulness. His 
 portrait, presented on the opposite page, represents 
 one of the oldest settlers in the township, the 
 wealthiest man therein, and also one of the oldest 
 practicing physicians of the countj'. Having always 
 led an active life, he is not content to idle away 
 his time, but occupies himself in looking after his 
 financial interests, and in traveling. He loans 
 money, and now has over twenty farm mortgages 
 in different States, and he likewise has real estate 
 which he rents. 
 
 Dr. Ilolden is of New England birth and an- 
 cestry, and of English extraction. His father, 
 Phineas H. Holden, w.as born in Middlesex County, 
 Mass., and was Captain of a canal boat on the 
 Middlesex Canal. He shipped the brick which was 
 used in the construction of the first factory built in 
 
 Lowell. Being the son of a New England farmer, 
 he had a goo'l knowledge of agricultural pursuits, 
 to which he finail3' turned his attention. He 
 owned eighty acres of land in New Hampshire, but 
 in 18.36 removed to Northern Illinois, settling in 
 Will County, in what w.as then called New Lenox 
 Precinct, but is now Frankfort Township. He 
 entered a tract of Government land, and although 
 poor when he came here, ere long became the 
 owner of a fine farm. In his political views, he 
 was first a Whig and then a Republican, and his 
 religious belief coincided with that of the Univer- 
 salist Church. He breathed his last at his home in 
 1872. 
 
 The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
 of Betsey Parker. She was born in Westfleld, 
 Mass., and was the daughter of Levi Parker, a 
 blacksmith and a Revolutionary soldier. He was 
 First Lieutenant in a Massachusetts regiment, par- 
 ticipated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was 
 present at the hanging of Maj. Andre. His daugh- 
 ter, Mrs. Holden, was reared in the Bay State 
 under the care of p.arents who were devoted mem- 
 bers of the Baptist Church. She, like her husband, 
 died in the Prairie State at the home of their son, 
 our subject. 
 
 The parental household comprised nine children, 
 of whom our subject is the second in order of birth. 
 The others are: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wilson, of 
 Ft. Madison, Iowa; Emeline, wife of Dr. Freer, 
 who died in Chicago; Sarah, deceased; Mrs. Jane 
 Brown, of Chicago ; David L., of Matteson ; Charles 
 C. P., in Chicago; George M., of Ft. Madison, 
 Iowa; and Levi P., of Hampton, Iowa. The latter 
 enlisted in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry, in 
 April, 18Cl,_and after serving three months was 
 discharged only to re-enter the anny as INIajor of 
 the Eighty-eighth Infantry, known as the Second 
 Board of Trade Regiment. Although he had 
 horses shot under him on more than one occasion, 
 he escaped any personal injury. David L. also 
 served his country, being a member of the Fifty- 
 third Illinois Infantry, from 1863 until the close of 
 the war, and having the rank of Commissary 
 Sergeant. 
 
 Dr. Holden, the subject of (his notice, w.as born 
 in (irafton County, N. H., June 20, 1820, and was 
 
48G 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 leiirtd upon a farm, in the work of which he par- 
 ticipated from Ills tenth jear. lie received a 
 good ediieatioii under the [irivileges afforded l)y 
 tiie subscription sciiools. In liS.'il the family re 
 moved to llailford, \'t., where they remained some 
 (ive years, and then, in the spring of 183(i, aecorn 
 plislied tlieir journey to what was then the Far 
 West. Our subject was in iiis sixteenth year when 
 the removal looic [ilace, and tiie scenes and inci- 
 dents of the journey are well remembered liy him. 
 A canal boat was tln'ir lirst conveyance, and upon 
 it they journeyed from Whitehall to lUilTalo. There 
 they embarked on a steamer for Vl. Dearborn, now 
 Chicago, while ox-teams conveyed them from that 
 trading post to their new home in Will County. 
 
 Young Ilolden assisted his father in the improve 
 ment of the farm, and when seventeen years old 
 became a mail carrier, his route being from Joliet 
 to LaPorte, Ind., through Crete, Crown Point an<I 
 A'alparaiso. Me made the trijionce a week, travel- 
 ing on horseback and being obliged to swim the 
 rivers, often losing his way on account of the bad 
 roads, which delayed him until nightfall, when he 
 found it impossible to keep his route in the dark 
 ncss. Jn 1840 he was sent to Chicago to pay a 
 ilebt which his father owed to a man in that place, 
 and there he remained a year, working as clerk in 
 an hotel. Chicago was then but a small town, 
 which gave little promise of its present large popu 
 lation, grandeur of improvements and great com- 
 mercial importance. Dr. Holden says that he feels 
 old when he recalls the Chicago which he first 
 knew, and thinks of the great changes which have 
 taken place. 
 
 Returning to his father's home in the fall, Dr. 
 Holden began teaching before he had reached his 
 raajoritj-, his first school being in New Lenox. He 
 continued his pedagogical labors in Frankfort 
 Township during the summer and winter terms, the 
 scene of his labors being a log schoolhouse with 
 slab benches and the other primitive appointments 
 of which we have heard so much. Deer roamed 
 over the prairies adjacent, and Indians were camped 
 at Wilton not far distant. 
 
 In 1841 Dr. Ilolden spent one term In studying 
 in the Chicago Academy and two terms at Joliet. 
 During the summer he read ]..atin with Father 
 
 DuPondaris, and in the fall he again turned his 
 attention to leaching. He taught in Plainficld in 
 1842-43, after which he gave up that profession 
 to study one on which his heart had long been set. 
 II(^ went to Bristol, now Yorkville, Kendall County, 
 and began the study of medicine under Dr. Whee- 
 ler, with whom he read three years. When Rush 
 Medical College in Chicago was opened he entered 
 that institution, being one of the students who 
 were present during the first course of study. 
 After three years of application he was graduated, 
 in February, 184G, immediately after which he 
 entered into [)artnershi[) with his former instructor. 
 Dr. Wheeler, at Bristol. 
 
 The connection proved agreeable, and Dr. Ilol- 
 den was succeeding well in his labors, when his 
 comfort was so interfered with l)y the ague — 
 Bristol being situated on the Fox River and sub- 
 ject to malarial intiuences — that in 1850 the part- 
 nership was dissolved. The discovery of gold on 
 the coast having aroused his desire to see some- 
 thing of life in that far country, the young doctor 
 started across the plains with five horses and two 
 wagons. He crossed the Missouri River at Ne- 
 braska City, April 2, and followed the Platte River 
 westward, reacliing PlacerviUe, Cal., July 2, his 
 outfit being a part of the first train over the 
 [jlains. He engaged in mining and prospecting 
 during the winter, and selling his outfit in Decem- 
 ber, 1851, went to SanFraneisco, and returned to 
 the Prairie State via the Isthmus of Panama, New 
 Orleans and St. Louis, taking the stage from the 
 latter point to Springfield, 111., and locating again 
 in Bristol. 
 
 The ague fastened its clutches upon the Doctor 
 once more, and he made a second journey to Cali- 
 fornia with a similar outfit as that of his first jour- 
 ney, having a splendid time en route. The spring 
 of 1852 was the date of his second overland jour- 
 ney, and he remained in the AVest some time, prac- 
 ticing his profession on the Yuba River, and the 
 succeeding summer in the Napa Valley. He re- 
 turned again to the States in the fall of 1853 by 
 steamer, and then settled in Mokena. He was the 
 first physician there, and prior to the opening of 
 his office there had been none nearer than Joliet. 
 He soon had a fine practice, and although the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 487 
 
 nexl year he went to his father's farm to take care 
 of his iwreiits, he continued his professional labors, 
 liding all over the country. The chief means of 
 travel was on horseback, and with phj'sicians this 
 was especiall3' common, as the roa;ls were not the 
 best, and tiiey could get along much better in this 
 way than with vehicles. 
 
 Not only did Dr. Holden have an extensive 
 practice in several townships, but he also carried 
 on the farm, and made it successful in a financial 
 way. He kept about five hundred head of slieep, 
 and from time to time purchased additional land 
 until his possessions amounted to over five hun- 
 dred acres. He applied liiraself thoroug!il3r to 
 whatever he undertook, and being always busy, 
 accomplished a v.ist amount of professional and 
 agricultural labor. In 1873 he removed to Chi- 
 cago, where he spent tlie greater part of his time 
 until .January, 1878. In December, 1875, he was 
 appointed County Physician of Cook County, and 
 held the ollice two years, during which time lie had 
 [ilenty to do and had no assistant. 
 
 When he left Chicago he returned to the farm 
 wilh the intention of retiring from his profession, 
 but for .some time ho was not able to do so, as he 
 wns continually called upon for his services. He 
 mnnaged the farm until 1881, when he sold it, and 
 removing to town, finally gave up his active pur- 
 suits. He owns some three hundred acres of land 
 between the Michigan Central Cut-off and the 
 Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroads, which forms a 
 large pasture, well watered by Hickory Creek, and 
 rented to advantage. He is also the possessor of a 
 farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Hardin 
 County, Iowa, near Iowa Falls. 
 
 The wife of Dr. Holden is a finely educated and 
 cultured lady, who in her maidenhood was engaged 
 in teaching, doing honor to the profession to which 
 she devoted herself. She bore the maiden name of 
 Caroline Parrish, and was born in Iloneoye Falls, 
 N. Y., .Tanuary 17, 1826. When ten years of age 
 she accompanied her mother and stejjfather to the 
 Prairie State, coming all the way in a buggy. She 
 distinctly remembers the incidents of the journey, 
 and vividly recollects seeing parties with heavy 
 loads get stuck in the mud. Upon reaching Chi- 
 cago they slopped at the Tromont House, which 
 
 was at that time the best hotel in the city. Miss 
 Pnrrish attended a young ladies' select school at 
 Aurora, and after completing her studies taught 
 until her marriage, which was celebrated in Bristol, 
 Kendall County, June 30, 1847. 
 
 Doctor and Mrs. Holden are the parents of four 
 children, only one of whom is yet spared to them. 
 The only daughter, Sarah, possessed musical talent 
 of a high order, and was sent to the Conservatory 
 of Music at Boston, to perfect herself in the art to 
 which she was inclined. She studied there two 
 years, but died soon after her return homo. The 
 second child, Wright, was graduated at the High 
 School in Englewood, and studied law with Judge 
 Dickey. He was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, 
 and became a practicing attorney in Chicago. 
 While on his way to New Mexico he was taken 
 alarmingl}- ill in Newton, Kan., and there passed 
 away. Milton, the second son, is a broker in 
 Michigan, and deals in railroad stocks and grain. 
 Franklin was graduated at Rush Medical College 
 in Chicago, with the class of '86, he receiving the 
 highest standing of any of the class. He was ap- 
 pointed House Surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital in 
 Chicago, but the confinement which his many du- 
 ties occasioned affected his health, and six months 
 after he assumed the position he was stricken with 
 fever which developed into consumption and 
 caused his decease. He went to Pueblo, Colo., 
 hoping to be restored to health, but it was too late, 
 and his parents and friends were compelled to bow 
 to the severe aftliction occasioned by his loss. 
 
 Dr. Holden has served as Highway Commis- 
 sioner one year, as Township Clerk an equal length 
 of time, and as School Director ten years. His 
 political adherence is given to the principles and 
 candidates of the Democratic party. As would be 
 expected of a man of his mental attainments and 
 earnestness of character, he has ever manifested a 
 deep interest in all that tends to develop the 
 material prosperity and add to the mental and 
 moral growth of the community of which- he is a 
 member. Mrs. Holden has been a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church since she was sixteen 
 years old. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Holden were Loomis K. and 
 Sarah (Dodge) Parrish. Her paternal grandfather, 
 
488 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Abraliam Panish, a native of Massachusetts, was a 
 Captain in tiie War of 1812, and became an early 
 settler of Monroe County, N'. Y., where he l)oui,fht 
 n tract of the Holland Purchase near Lima. He 
 reared thirteen ciiildren, most of whom settled in 
 Michigan. Two of his brothers were taken pris- 
 oners by the Indians, and kept in captivity som-j 
 years, during which time they became familiar 
 witii the Indian language. They acted as inter- 
 preters at the time of the Purchase, receiving for 
 their services a large tract of land. Loomis Par- 
 rish was reared in the Empire State, learned the 
 trade of a tanner and currier, and became partner 
 in a large tannery at Honeoye Falls, where he died 
 about 183G. 
 
 Asahel Dodge and iiis daughter Sarah, afterward 
 Mrs. Parrish, were natives of Connecticut, vvhence 
 they removed to Monroe County, N. Y., during 
 the maidenhood of the daughter. After the death 
 of her first husband she married S. B. Craw, who 
 removed to Illinois in 1835, occupying a large 
 farm on the Fox River, where he erected the first 
 barn in the vicinity. In 1850 he went to Califor- 
 nia, dying of cholera on his iioraeward way. The 
 widow subsequently removed to Quincy, and mar- 
 ried a Mr. Bradford. In that city she died in 
 1885, at tiie age of seventy -seven years. Mrs. 
 Holden is the only child of the first union, and the 
 second resulted in the birth of two children — 
 Clare E., now Mrs. Wheeler of (.iiiincy,and Wilbur 
 F. Oraw, who belonged to the AVeslern Army 
 Corps ill the late war, and died from dropsy. 
 
 ♦^J^^»«^^^J^ 
 
 <?*tf^-*«ffi«~- 
 
 fff^ RS. LUCY HAWES, widow of William 
 Hawes, and a iiighly esteemed resident of 
 Ll^ Dn Page Township, is a daughter of well- 
 known pioneers of this county, her parents, 
 Nathaniel and Jane (Cousin) Welch, having been 
 early settlers of this township. Her father was a 
 native of New York State and of Irish descent, 
 while her mother was of German descent. The 
 earl3' years of their married life were passed in 
 Ohio among its pioneers. In 1836 the father came 
 to this county and for a time worked on the Illi- 
 
 nois and Michigan Canal, and then farmed as a 
 renter for two years, and at the expiration of that 
 time purchased eigiity acres of land, upon which 
 Mrs. Hawes now makes her home. In 1837 his 
 wife and family joined him here and located on 
 this property, he having erected a large log house, 
 in which they lived for a number of years. He 
 subsequently built the residence in which Mrs. 
 Hawes lives, with the exception of the kitciien, 
 which was erected at a later date. His land, which 
 he had bought directly- from the Government, 
 pajing therefor $1.25 per acre, was in a wild con- 
 dition, and his was the pioneer task to prepare it 
 for cultivation. Weil did he do his work, and in 
 time h.id here a good, well-tilled farm, with all the 
 desirable improvements. Here his mortal career 
 was brought to a close by death. May 28,, 1867, at 
 which time one of our most worthy pioneers passed 
 aw.ay. He had served as Township Road Commis- 
 sioner, and had aided in wiiatsoever way he could 
 the advancement of his adopted township, whose 
 development from its primitive condition he h.ad 
 watched with pride .and pleasure. In his political 
 views he was a strong Democrat. He began life 
 with practically no means, but at his death he was 
 (comfortably well off. He was the father of eleven 
 children, who grew to maturity, and seven of 
 them are still living: Ophelia, wife of Koliert 
 Goudy, of Du Page Township; Eliza, wife of Asa 
 Park, of Nebraska; .Julia, residing in Will Count}'; 
 Mrs. Hawes; Benjamin, a resident of Lemont 
 Cook County; Anna M., wife of Edward Horsley, 
 of Lockport Township. 
 
 Mrs. Hawes was reared to womanhood in this 
 county, and was carefully trained in all the duties 
 that go to make a good housekeeper. She received 
 her education in the district schools of the county. 
 On .July 3, 1858, her marriage with William Hawes . 
 was duly solemnized, and proved of mutual benefit. 
 
 William Hawes was a native of England, born 
 December 8, 1830, and was a son of William and' 
 Ann (Porter) Hawes, his parents being likewise 
 natives of England. In 1851 he acconipanied them 
 to this country, and coming to Chicago, resided I 
 there a number of 3-ears. He was engaged mostly 
 in teaming, and by constant attention to his busi- 
 ness accumulated a comfortable sum, and in 1873 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 489 
 
 retired with his wife to this farm on section 29, 
 Du l^tige Township, to make his permanent home. 
 He tlien devoted himself exclusively to agricultural 
 pursuits, and under his careful management the 
 farm of one hundred and three acres was greatly 
 improved. Here his busy and useful life was 
 rounded to completion May 29, 1887, thus dying 
 before old age had overtaken him. In his death 
 Du Page Township sustained a loss, as he had iden- 
 tified himself with its progress and had aided in 
 advancing its growth. He had served acce|)tab;y 
 as a School Director. In his political views he was 
 a sound Democrat. Coming to this country with 
 little or no capital, by years of industry and 
 close application to his work he succeeded in 
 acquiring a comfortable competence. His wedded 
 life with our subject was blessed by the birth of 
 two sons, Charles R. and William H. 
 
 Mrs. H.awes was of great assistance to her hus- 
 band in his work, and is now enjoying the compe- 
 tence slie helped him to secure. She is a woman of 
 much capacity, is kind in heart and manner, cheer- 
 fully giving assistance where needed and charitably 
 inclined towards all, a worthy type of the pioneer 
 daughters of Du Page Township, who were import- 
 ant instruments in its upbuilding. 
 
 "SIOHN HACK. In the southeastern part of the 
 II town of Beecher is a thriving mercantile 
 
 ! 
 
 ^.,^1; establishment owned and operated by the 
 (^^- above-named gentleman, who began this 
 enterprise in 1878. The building is a good one and 
 a well-selected stock of general merchandise is kept 
 within it. Mr. Hack has been quite successful in his 
 business career and has become well known to the 
 residents of this vicinity as one from whom they 
 are sure of honorable dealing and courteous treat- 
 ment. From an honored ancestry he inherits many 
 sterling qualities, while from worthy parents he 
 received excellent home training. 
 
 Mr. Hack was born in Schwerin, Mecklenburg, 
 Germany. September 1, 1825, being the first-born 
 in a family of four sons and one daughter. One 
 son is now living in Germany, one gave bis life in 
 
 defense of the Union during the late war, and the 
 other members of the household Ijand .are living in 
 Illinois. The parents were Gotlieb and Sophia (Re- 
 kopf) Hack, the former being a small farmer in their 
 native duchy. There they lived until 18G4, when 
 they accompanied their son, our subject, to Amer- 
 ica, living with him during the remainder of their 
 lives. The father died in Washington Township, 
 this county, in 1875, h.aving passed his four-score 
 years of age. The mother survived some years, 
 brcatliing her last in Beecher when quite old. Both 
 belonged to the Lutheran Church. 
 
 After "receiving a good education under the laws 
 of his native land, young Hack learned the trade 
 of a shoemaker, which he followed so long as he 
 lived in that country. Having been led to believe 
 that a better field for his energies would be opened 
 to him in the New World, he crossed the Atlantic, 
 .as before stated, and coming direct to the Prairie 
 State began agricultural work on a farm in Wash- 
 ington Township, this county. In 18G5 he took 
 possession of another farm, which was in almost a 
 raw state and which he placed under excellent im- 
 l)rovement. It consisted of one hundred and sixty 
 acres on sections 2G and 35, and under his efficient 
 control became valuable and attractive. He con- 
 tinued his agricultural labors for there nearly a 
 decade and then embarked in the business which he 
 is still conducting so successfully. 
 
 At ihe bride's home in Mecklenburg, Mr. Hack 
 was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Luth, an 
 estimable lad}" who was l)orn in the same town as 
 her husband. Her natal day was October 12, 1828, 
 and her ])arents, Joachin an<l Sophia (Sclioder) 
 Luth, who lived and died in Mecklenburg. Both 
 were members of the Lutheran Church and lived 
 to a good old age. Tiie father was occupied in 
 farming. Mrs. Hack is the unly daughter and h.as 
 four brothers, all still living in tlie Fatherland. 
 ]\Ir. and Mrs. Hack remained in the land of their 
 birth for some j'ears after .their marriage, finally 
 settingsail from Hamburg on the steamer "Saxony," 
 from which they lauded in New York. They have 
 had eight children, five of whom were born in 
 Germany.* William, William C. and Theodore died 
 in early life; Herman married Eva Ruge and lives 
 on a farm in Ash Grove Township, Iroquois County; 
 
490 
 
 I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ni!i)iy inai-iicd Mnry Hiolfolilt and Is now running 
 llie Hic'lfi'ldl House at Uoeclier; Carl A. resides in 
 the same place, being a meinljer of the firm of C. 
 Hielfeldt it Co., whose business is sinking tubular 
 wells; Frank is a clerk in his father's store, resid- 
 ing under the parental roof; Ktnma L. is still at 
 home, and she also assists her parents in the store. 
 The entire family belong to the Lutheran Church 
 and are lo(jke(i uiioii with regard by all who know 
 thera. Mr. Hack has served as Postmaster for a 
 time. His political iulhience and vote is given to 
 the Reiiublicau parly. 
 
 -^^- 
 
 ,.| ,j or.KUT PATTKRSON, a prominent farmer 
 !Lsi;v and stock-raiser of Du Page Townshii), 
 owning and managing a choice farm on 
 (©Isi^ctlon 7, is one of the native-born citi- 
 zens of this State, who, since attaining manhood, 
 has lieen closely connected with its growth and 
 progress, materially, sociall}- and morally. 
 
 Our subject was born in Du Page County, No- 
 vember 18, 1844, and is a son of Mvingo and 
 Agnes (Clow) Patterson. The father is, and has 
 long been, a prominent resident of Wheatland 
 Township. Both he and his wife came from 
 Scotland in the year 1837, and lived for several 
 years in New York. Ju 1844 they came to Du 
 Page County, this State, and in 1845 removed to 
 Will Count}' and were amoiiy the early settlers of 
 Wheatland Township. The father purchased a 
 tract of raw prairie land on which a squatter had 
 previous!}' settled and had attempted some improve- 
 ment, plowing a small patch of the land. Mr. Pat- 
 terson located thereon and immediately entei'ed 
 upon the bard task of redeeming the land from a 
 state of nature, and in the years that followed he 
 evolved a fai-m that is considered one of the finest 
 in that vicinity, and here he now, in his seventy- 
 flftli year, makes his home, surrounded by all the 
 comforts of life. When he came to this country 
 he was a poor man, and it is only b}' years of 
 toil well directed and by the shrewd management 
 of his affairs that he has placed himself in good 
 circumstances. In the early days of the settlement 
 
 of the country he suffered tbe privations and hard- 
 ships common to the pioneer settlers of the State. 
 The country, in a wild condition, had no good 
 roads at first, and he used to draw his grain to 
 the market in Chicago over the wild prairies where 
 there were no highways of travel. He has never 
 cared for public office although he has served on 
 the School Board and has always interested him- 
 s( If in politics, being a sturdy supporter of tlie 
 Republican party. He is in his religious belief a 
 firm believer in the doctrine of Presbyterianism, 
 and has for many years been identified with the 
 church of that faith in Du Page Townshi[), as one of 
 its most zealous members. In the death of his 
 amiable wife, in 1890, he sustained a severe loss, 
 as she had ever been a helpmate in the truest 
 sense of the word. l!y their marriage they became 
 the i)arents of seven children, of whom the follow- 
 ing five survive: John, a resident of Benton 
 County, Ind.; Robert; William, living in Du Page 
 Townshii); Sarah, wife of Robert Wightman, of 
 Wheatland 'i'ownsliip; and Adam, also a resident 
 of Wheatland Township. The names of those de- 
 ceased are Agnes and Helen. 
 
 Robert Patterson, of this biograph}-, was reared 
 to man's estate in Will County, and was a witness 
 of much of its pioneer growth. His early educa- 
 tion was conducted in the district school of Wheat- 
 land Township. He did not enjoy the advantages 
 that the youtli of to-day have, but by reading and 
 observation has become a well-informed man. He 
 has for many years actively engaged in farming 
 and stock-raising on his present beautiful farm. 
 This comprises one hundred and forty acres of 
 land, finely tilled and under excellent improvement 
 \n every respect, its buildings being of a neat and 
 substantial order, and the machinery for carrying 
 on agricultural operations of the most ap|n'oved 
 kind. 
 
 In his marriage with Elizabeth Sinton, March 
 31, 1866, he secured the choice blessing of a good 
 wife, who contributes to his comfort and has 
 been a factor in the attainment of his prosperity. 
 She is a native of Scotland and a daughter of 
 Robert and Mary (Dickson) Linton. By their 
 union they have six children: Isabelle, the widow 
 of Joseph G. Emery; Robert. Ruth, Mungo, Will- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 491 
 
 iam and Ida. Since taking up his abode in Du Page 
 Township our subject has placed himself among 
 its most prominent citizens and has thoroughly 
 identified himself with its highest interests, cordi- 
 ally supporting all feasible schemes for its advance- 
 ment. He served as Justice of the Peace for five 
 years, making a good record in tliat otilee. He is 
 identified with the Presbyterian Church as one of 
 its leading members, and officiates as Elder, and 
 also serves as Treasurer of the church. A strong 
 temperance man, he favors the Prohibition party 
 in politics. As a farmer, he has shown good abil- 
 ity in the management of his affairs; as a citizen, 
 he is animated with true public spirit; as a neigh- 
 bor, he is friendly and helpful; as a husband, he is 
 thoughtful and attentive; and as a father he is 
 wise and loving, and is, in all respects, a manly, 
 straightforward, upright man. 
 
 AMUEL B. ERASER. In this gentleman 
 Wheatland Township has one of its leading 
 farmers and stock-raisers, and one of its 
 most efficient civic officials. He is a native 
 of Sullivan County, N. Y., born September 24, 
 1832, to Robert and Elizabeth (Brown) Eraser. 
 His parents were natives of the North of Ireland, 
 and emigrated to this country early in the present 
 century. His father took part in the War of 1812 
 as a soldier in the American Army. 
 
 Our subject was reared in his native State till 
 1847, when he accompanied his parents and other 
 members of the family to this county. While in 
 Chicago on their way, the father and children were 
 sadly bereaved by the death of the mother. The 
 father settled in Plainfleld Township, among its 
 early pioneers, and there died In 1857. Of his 
 married life eleven children were born, of whom 
 the following survive: Thomas B., living in Man 
 itoba; Elizaljeth. wife of James H. Smiley, of this 
 county; Samuel B. ; Harvey R., residing in Den- 
 ver, Col.; Louisa C, living in this county. The re- 
 maining years of the boyhood of our subject were 
 passed on his father's farm in Plainfield, he having, 
 as it were, grown up with the county. He re- 
 
 c(iived his education partly in New York and 
 I)artly in the district schools of Illinois, for a 
 time attending a private subscription school at 
 Plainfield. After his marriage JMr. Eraser farmed 
 in Lockport Township for several years, but in 
 1865 he came to Wheatland to make his perma- 
 nent home here. Possessing much energy and en- 
 terprise he has [»laced himself amongst our most 
 able and [irosperous farmers and stock-raisers of 
 the count}', his farm being as well improved, as 
 well cultivated and as well stocked as any in the 
 neighborhood. It comprises two hundred and 
 forty acres of lanil, whose fertility and produc- 
 tiveness are scarcely surpassed, and from its rich 
 harvest he derives an ample income. 
 
 Our subject has here a cozy home replete with 
 all the comforts, and to her who has so substan 
 tially aided him in its establishment, he was united 
 in marriage Eebruary 17, 1858. The maiden name 
 of the wife of our subject was Ami A. Brown, 
 and she was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., 
 March 3, 1832, being a daughter of the late James 
 and Mary P>rown. Her mother now makes her 
 home in Plainfield, 111. The husband was a na- 
 tive of the north of Ireland. By their union Mr. 
 and Mrs. Eraser have had six children, of whom 
 two are now living: Herbert A., a student in the 
 college at Evanston, 111.; and Ernest J. An other- 
 wise happy wedded life has been shadowed by the 
 death of four of their children: Thornton R., 
 Erank, Gillian and Harry. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Eraser are people of high repute in 
 this community, and are greatly esteemed for the 
 true worth of their character. Mr. Eraser is a 
 man of excellent habits, is careful and conscien- 
 tious in his dealings with others, and so has won 
 the confidence of all with whom he comes in con- 
 tact. He is a hard and constant worker, exercising 
 much practical ability and sound sagacity in the 
 pursuit of his calling, and is higlih' deserving of 
 the prosperity that has followed his labors. He is 
 a strong Prohibitionist in his political sentiments, 
 and never fails to give his hearty support to the 
 candidates of that party. He is one of the leading 
 members of the United Presbyterian Church at 
 Wheatland, and for a number of years has officiated 
 as an Elder. For many years he has been School 
 
492 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Director of his district, and has actively aided in 
 forwarding its cduciilional inleresls. lie has been 
 serving in tlie important office of Township Road 
 Commissioner, for many years, and lias boon a 
 prominent factor in the great improvement in the 
 highways of travel in this township. 
 
 
 ^ IfelLLIAM DINGLEY. In the employ of 
 fl|^ ■Jli the Joliel Branch of the Illinois Steel Com- 
 \5^ pany's works are many skilled iji the var- 
 ious departments of labor. To this class belongs 
 William Dingley, day foreman in the converting 
 works, and whose honest, earnest labors have been 
 rewarded by a responsible and remunerative posi- 
 tion, the confidence of his employers, and the 
 esteem of his fellow-men. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name we introduce 
 this sketch is the only son of William and Harriet 
 A. (Kimball) Dingley, the paternal family being of 
 Scotch origin. William, Sr., was a foreman in the 
 shoe making business in his eastern home, but upon 
 coming West, which he did in 1858, he exchanged 
 his former occupation for the more congenial busi- 
 ness of raising and racing horses. For thirty j'ears 
 he was a well-known and respected citizen of Illi- 
 nois. He was a cousin of Representative Dingley. 
 He died in Joliet, Januar}' 21, 1888. His wife had 
 long preceded him to the other world, having died 
 at Mount Blue, Me., November 5, 185G. 
 
 William Dingle}^ .Jr., opened his eyes to the light 
 in Cochituate, Mass., October 29, 1849, and after 
 the death of his mother lived with his grandparents 
 until he had attained his twelfth year. He then 
 went to work for a firm in Chicago in the boot and 
 shoe business, but coming to .Joliet the same year 
 he found employment with ^Firman Mack, in the 
 same line of industry. In that business he con- 
 tinued to labor here and in Chicago until 187G, 
 when he entered the employ of the Joliet Iron and 
 Steel Company. 
 
 Beginning as a laborer on the lowest roiuid of the 
 ladder, Mr. Dingley by virtue of close application 
 to business, combined with a natural aptitude, rose 
 step by step to the position of foreman in the con- 
 
 verting works, whicli place he attained in 1885, and 
 has since held. I'olitically, he is a most ardent 
 Kepul)lican. He has a decided taste for music and 
 in its gratification finds a large measure of enjoy- 
 ment. He is a member of the well-known Orpheus 
 Glee Club. 
 
 Realizing that it is not good for man to live 
 alone ISIr. Dingley wooed and won for his wife 
 Miss Sarah Alexander, of Lockport, with whom he 
 was united in marri.age June 25, 1881. James L. 
 Alexander, the father of the bride, was one of the 
 early settlers of this county, whence he came from 
 Wayne County, N. Y., in 1857. He took contracts 
 on the Illinois anfl Michigan Canal, first'on the sec- 
 tion at Kankakee and subsequently in other locali- 
 ties. He was a well-read, thorough going business 
 man, ami enjoyed the respect of his neighbors in a 
 marked degree. He died December 29, 1876. His 
 daughter, Mrs. Dingley, received good advantages 
 in the way of education and home training, and 
 has made such use of them as fairly entitles her to 
 a place among the more intelligent, useful, and 
 honored members of the community'. 
 
 ^= 
 
 ■ifr^ENNIS L. IIOGAN. In the vilhage of Spen- 
 cer may be found a general mercantile es- 
 tablishment, which is under the control of 
 the young gentleman above mentioned. Although 
 the business is still in its infancy, having been es- 
 tablished in December, 1889, the young pro[)rietor 
 is already having excellent patronage, as his stock 
 is well selected and his dealing honorable and 
 courteous. The life of our subject has been passed 
 in New Lenox Township, where his eyes opened 
 to the light of day December 15, 1861. He re- 
 ceived a good education and excellent home train- 
 ing, and bids fair to become a man of note in the 
 community. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name we introduce 
 this sketch comes of honorable Irish lineage, botli 
 of his parents having been born on the Emerald 
 Isle. His mother, formerly Miss Mary McCabe, is 
 a native of Dublin. Dennis Hogan and his wife 
 came to America a number of years ago, settling 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 495 
 
 in New Lenox Township, this county, at quite an 
 early (la3-. Tiiey were the parents of five children, 
 of whom the subject of this biographical notice is 
 the third in order of birth. Tlie husband and 
 father breathed his last in March, 1887, but the 
 widowed mother still survives. 
 
 APT. JAMES MILLER, Superintendent of 
 the machine deiiartnieiit of the General Ma- 
 tgSr chine Manufactory of E. R.Brainard & Co., 
 was formerly chief engineer of the Illinois State 
 Penitentiary, and has seen a service of twenty-two 
 years in this line of business. He is a man highly 
 spoken of by those who have known him long and 
 well, and needs no further introduction to the 
 people of Will County. 
 
 Capt. Miller comes from one of the best nation- 
 alities on the face of the globe, having been born 
 in Lanarkshire, Scotland, the date thereof being- 
 March 11, 1828. He received a practical educa- 
 tion iu the schools of his native ahirC, and when of 
 suitable years, commenced an apprenticeship at 
 marine engine building ou the Clyde. After be- 
 coming master of the business, he, in 1853, when a 
 young man of twenty- five years, determined to 
 seek his fortunes in America. Upon crossing the 
 Atlantic, he lirst located in Sharon, Pa., and estab- 
 lished a foundry and machine shop, which he con- 
 ducted successfully until about 1857. Believing 
 then that he could belter his condition in the far- 
 ther West, he came t(.) this State and established a 
 similar business at Morris, Grundy County. 
 
 After the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Miller, 
 who had become strongly attached to the institu- 
 tions of his adopted country, determined to assist 
 in the preservation of llie Union, anil raised a com- 
 panj' called the Mechanics Fusileers. He repaired 
 with them to Camp Douglas, Chicago, but met with 
 a great disappointment on account of their services 
 not being required. They were accordingly mus- 
 tered out, but Mr. Miller, going to Cairo, enlisted 
 in the navy and was assigned to the Mississippi 
 Squadron. Soon afterward, on account of his evi- 
 dent understanding of the business and his fidelity 
 
 to his duty, he was i)romoted from fireman to, chief 
 engineer, anfl held this position for three 3ears, 
 participating in many of the engagements whicli 
 followed, and making for himself a fine record in 
 connection therewith. 
 
 Mr. Miller continued in the service until the close 
 of the war, and then being given an honorable dis- 
 missal, returned to Morris, 111., and resumed his 
 old business. He now enjoyed the reputation of 
 being la first-class machinist, and a year later re- 
 ceived the appointment of chief engineer of the 
 Illinois State Penitentiary, a [iosition which he 
 iield for the long period of twenty-two 3ears and 
 until 1889. He then became Superintendent of 
 the E. R. Braiuard il' Co. machine shops, a position 
 which he has since held. He assisted iu organizing 
 the People's Loan & Homestead Association, in 
 which he is a Director, and he is also a Director of 
 the Joliet Press Company, and is connected with 
 various other important enterprises. 
 
 Capt. Miller was married, in 1857, in Scotland to 
 Miss Elizabeth A. Miller, a distant relative. The 
 wife of Capt. Miller is also a native of Scotland, 
 and was born in 1828. They are the parents of 
 five children, viz.: James. Eilwin, Frank, Maggie, 
 the wife of A. W. Smith, of Channahon Township, 
 and Lillie. The children of Capt. Miller have re- 
 ceived excellent school advantages, and have be- 
 come fitted for their proper position in life. The 
 family residence is properly located in the east 
 part of the citj', among whose people they count 
 their friends by the score. 
 
 On another page of this work the reader will 
 notice a portrait of Capt. Miller, who is conceded 
 to be one of W^ill County's representative citizens. 
 
 ■^»!^^^ji^4^^.^-4- 
 
 O-^ 
 
 ^p5)E0RGE LAMBERT. Among the citizens 
 f(| (_-, of DuPage Township who have retired 
 ^^J) from arduous labors and are enjoying the 
 fruits of former industry iu a beautiful home, is 
 George Lambert, whose life presents a picture of 
 perseverance and uprightness. His home farm 
 consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 
 30, and his entire landed estate comprises two 
 
496 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 hundred and sixty acres. He had no financial 
 start in life otiier than the means to reach Amer- 
 ica, therefore liis comfortable circumstances result 
 from his own endeavors. 
 
 Tiie e3'es of our subject opened to tiie light of 
 of daj- in Lincolnshire, England, July 1, 1827. 
 He is the ihird child of William and Elizabeth 
 (Scoffin) Lambert, was reared to farming and from 
 about ten 3- ears of age was hired out on a farm, 
 working by tlieyear in that way until he emigrated 
 to America. In England he had practically no 
 educational advantages and his intelligence is the 
 result of natural talent and self endeavor. When 
 he determined to seek a home in the United States 
 he embarked on the sailer 'Slacob E. Westerfield." 
 which left Liverpool early in May, 1851. Cross- 
 _ ing the Atlantic to New Vorlc, the voyage was 
 continued via the Hudson Hiver, Erie Canal and 
 fireat Lakes to Cliicago, whence the Illinois and 
 Michigan Caual was the water-way to Lockport. 
 
 The first work done by Mr. Lambert was dig- 
 ging a cellar for Ceorge R. Dyer, of DuFage 
 Townshii>, and the winter was spent at his home. 
 The following spring work w.as secured on the 
 farm of Leander Hamlin, in riainfield Township, 
 and there our subject remained three or four years. 
 He then purchased eighty acres of land in the same 
 township, upon which he lived a number of years, 
 removing from it to his present home farm. Here 
 he has erected all the line buildings that mark the 
 estate, and otherwise made of it what it is to-day, 
 a well-regulated and valuable farm. 
 
 The first vote cast by Mr. Lambert was for 
 Abraham Lincoln, and from that daj' he has acted 
 with the Republican i)arty. He has manifested an 
 interest in all that will advance the real prosperity 
 of the section and elevate the standard of morality, 
 and in his own life has borne himself in an upright 
 and strictly honorable manner. He and his esti- 
 mable wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church at Plainfield. He has served as School 
 Director with discretion, and none are more deeply 
 interested in the cause of education than he. 
 
 Mr. Lambert was fortunate in his choice of a 
 companion, gaining a true helpmate and wise coun- 
 selor. Miss Carrie Bird became his wife on Feb- 
 ruary 20, 1855, and has borne him ten sons and 
 
 daughters. Of this family seven are now living, 
 three having crossed the River of Death to await 
 their parents on the farther shore. The survivors 
 are Elizabeth, wife of William Walker of DuPage 
 Township; William, now Township Clerk; Mary, 
 wife of Harley Walker, of the same township; 
 Frank E., an enterprising j'oung man who carries 
 on the farm; Enoch, Ilattie and Sarah. All are 
 intelligent and are winning reputations such as re- 
 joice the fond hearts of their progenitors. 
 
 ^4l IVLLLIAM JONES.. Am 
 \r\j// farmers of Florence Tc 
 ^^ occupies a leading pc 
 
 /ILLIAM JONES.. Among the younger 
 .'ownship, Mr. Jones 
 position and is in 
 possession of a fine body of land on section 1 . 
 Enterprising, industrious and progressive in his 
 ideas, he has obtained a good start in life, not 
 only as a thorough and skillful farmer but as a 
 useful member of the comunuiitj. His native 
 place was Yorkshire, England, and the date of 
 bis birth June 10, 1861. His immediate progen- 
 itors, John and Anna (Hall) Jones, were also na- 
 tives of Yorkshire and of [)ure English stock 
 as far back as is knovvu. 
 
 John Jones occupied himself as a farmer in his 
 native shire until 1870, and then not satisfied 
 with his condition or bis prospects resolved upon 
 seeking his fortunes in America. He accordingly 
 crossed the Atlantic with his family when William, 
 our subject, was a lad of nine years, and coming to 
 Illinois settled in Wilton Township, this county. 
 He purchased a farm upon which he made man}' 
 improvements, and upon which, with his estimable 
 wife, he still resides. He has become well-to-do, 
 being the owner of two hundred acres of thor- 
 oughly improved land, which with its various ap- 
 purtenances, buildings and mactiiner}', forms one 
 of the most valued estates in the township. The 
 elder Jones is now seventy-four years old, while 
 his estimable partner is seventy-six. 
 
 Four sons were born to the parents of our sub- 
 ject, these being named respectively, John. Will- 
 iam, Joseph and George. The}' are all industrious 
 and thrifty young men, and all occupied at farm- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 497 
 
 ing in this county. William, our subject, lil^e his 
 brothers, S|)ent his boyhood .and 3'outli under the 
 home roof, and acquired a practical education in 
 the common school. He assisted his father on the 
 farm until reaching his raajority, and then com- 
 menced operations on his own account on the land 
 which he now owns. He lived prudently and 
 economically and saved his earnings, and, in 1884, 
 his wife received from her father's estate his pres- 
 ent farm, which embraces eighty acres of valuable 
 land, under a good state of cultivation and with 
 substantial improvements. 
 
 About the time of removing to his present 
 homestead Mr. .Jones was married, March 30, 1880, 
 at the bride's home in Wilton Township, to Miss 
 Emma Holmes. The 30ung wife survived her 
 marriage less than a j'ear, her death taking place 
 December 28, 1880. On the loth of November, 
 1884, Mr. .Tones contracted a second marriage 
 witii Miss pjUiraa Geiss, of Florence Township. 
 The present wife of our subject was born in .Tack- 
 son Townshi|i, this county, .Tune 30, 1865, and is 
 a daugliter of Miram K. and ]\Ialinda E. (Wliit- 
 sen) Geiss, who were natives of Pennsylvania and 
 Illinois, and who are now deceased. The house- 
 hold circle now embraces three briglit children, 
 viz; John, Florence and Lloyd, Mr. Jones li.as 
 started in life under favorable auspices and with 
 the best wishes of liosts of friends. 
 
 p^RED PLAGGE. Tiiis gentlemen is the 
 •^^^{si) owner and occupant of a fine farm on sec- 
 [, ^ tion G, Washington Township, where he is 
 engaged in general farn^ing and stock-raising. The 
 estate comprises two luiudred aci'es, all improved, 
 and supplied with a complete line of well-built 
 structures suitable for the various purposes and 
 needs of his occupation. The present appearance 
 of the farm is the best monument which could be 
 erected to the energy and untiring perseverance of 
 the owner who has brought it from the primitive 
 condition of an unbroken prairie to that of culti- 
 vated fields. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
 
 the Ivingdom of Hanover, Germany, June 20, 1840, 
 and was but a few months old when brought to 
 America by his parents,who settled in Cook County, 
 HI. There he grew to manhood, obtaining his ed-. 
 ucation in the common schools and acquiring on the 
 home farm a knowledge of agricultural pursuits. 
 In 18G3, lie took possession of his present estate 
 and began his successful career in this county. By 
 his own efforts he has accumulated a sufficiency of 
 this world's goods to surround himself and family 
 with comforts and to give the promise of an ample 
 support in declining years. 
 
 The lady who has been Mr. Plagge's efficient 
 helpmate for a number of years was known in her 
 maidenhood as Miss Christina Kerning. She was 
 born in the Kingdom of Hanover, July 16, 1839, 
 and was sixteen years old when she came alone to 
 America and began making her livelihood as a do- 
 mestic in Cook County. After a few years she 
 was followed by her parents, who settled in that 
 county, dying there when past sixty years of a<>-e. 
 They were members of the Lutheran Church. The 
 happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Plagge has been 
 blest by the birth of eight children, all at home 
 excei)t two. These are Augusta, wife of Henry 
 Withkening, a farmer in Washington Townshrj), 
 Will County, and Emma, the wife of William Nar- 
 gers, who lives in the village of Beecher. The 
 other members of the family are William, who as- 
 sists his father on the farm; Louis, Gnstaf, L'red, 
 Bertha and Herman. Mr. Plagge is a Republican 
 in politics. The family attend the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The ancestral line from which our subject derives 
 his descent was a respectable one and the blood 
 pure Hanoverian German. His father, William 
 Plagge, was reared to farm work and pursued it iu 
 his native kingdom until late in the year 1840. He 
 then with his wife and two sous — Charles and Fred, 
 — sailed for America, taking passage at Bremer- 
 haven. After some weeks they landed in New 
 York City, coming thence to Chicago by the Hud- 
 son River, Erie Canal and great lakes. They set- 
 tled at Elmhurst, Cook County, fifteen miles west 
 of Chicago, securing a small piece of land there. 
 About two years later the mother died in the prime 
 of life when less than fiftj^ years old. The father 
 survived until 1875, breathing his last when sixtv- 
 
498 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 five years of age. He had married a second time; 
 his wife is still living in Cook County and is now 
 sevonty-tlnec years old. He had no children by 
 this marriage. The parents of our subject, as well 
 as the stepmother to whom he owe's his early train- 
 ing, belonged to the Lutheran Churcli. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 E"^ 
 
 <¥/ OIIN H. WHITSON. It is u pleasure to in- 
 corporate in this volume the biography of a 
 gallant soldier, worthy citizen and enter- 
 prising farmer, to whom the town of Man- 
 hattan owes its existence and its name. The home 
 of Mr. Whitson is on one hundred and ten acres of 
 line land on section 20, the buildings being within 
 the corporation limits of Manhattan. The place 
 has been thoroughly improved with a complete line 
 of buildings, orchards, groves and fences, and is 
 under complete and careful tillage. Grain and 
 stock-raising are carried on by the owner, who op- 
 erates some one hunilred and sixty acres in all, and 
 he also deals in real estate. 
 
 Jlr. Whitson is of English ancestry, his grand- 
 father having removcu from the mother country to 
 Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in distilling. 
 In that State, Benjamin Whitson, the father of our 
 subject, was born and reared. From Lancaster 
 County he removed to the vicinity of Reading, 
 Ohio, Init after sojourning there a few years onlj-, 
 continued his journey westward, locating in Law- 
 rence County, 111., about 1840. Paying $500 for 
 eighty acres of land, he operated it until 1852 when 
 he sold for ^1,100. His purchase money had been 
 secured principally by making apple butter and 
 selling at from thirt}'-five to fifty cents per gallon. 
 After selling his estate Benjamin Whitson re- 
 moved to Iowa, but a year later returned to his 
 former location, and after a short sojourn came to 
 Will County. His new home was near Plainfield, 
 where he continued his agricultural labors on one 
 hundred and sixty acres of land for a number of 
 years. He finally removed to .Toliet, aljandoned 
 active pursuits and, enjoying the comforts of life, 
 is still living there, .aged seventy-seven j'ears. He 
 is a member of the Evangelical Methodist Cluirch, 
 
 His wife, who died in 1875, was a native of the 
 Keystone State, and bore the maiden name of Leah 
 Dudmorc. Her father, Philip Dudmore, was an 
 early settler in Lawrence County, 111., whence he 
 removed to Plainfield, and in which place he 
 breathed his last. 
 
 The parental family comprised nine children, of 
 whom our subject is the third in order of birth; 
 William is now living in Chicago; Mrs. Rebecca 
 Cook in Joliet; David and Jacob in ftlanhattan 
 Township; Mrs. Mary Fouser at Ringgold, Iowa; 
 Jackson, in Frankfort Township; Liljb^' is deceased; 
 Benjamin lives in Frankfort Township; William 
 was a Sergeant in the company to which our subject 
 belonged and served the same length of time during 
 the Civil War; David was a Corporal in the same 
 regiment, enlisted for the same length of time and 
 was wounded at the siege of Ft. Blakely. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born March 24, 
 1839, iu Re.ading, Ohio. He was twelve months 
 old when his parents journeyed westward by means 
 of horses and a wagpn, and his boyhood was spent 
 iu Lawrence County, 111. He enjoyed the advant- 
 ages of the free schools and acquired a good prac- 
 tical education in Lawrence and Will Counties. 
 He was about fourteen years old when the removal 
 to the latter took place and the family settled upon 
 the wild prairie. In the intervals of study he was 
 emi)loyed upon his father's farm, becoming thor- 
 oughly skilled in the details of agricultural labor 
 and competent to judge of the relative value of 
 lands and tlie best means of insuring good crops. 
 
 AVhen he had reached his majority, Mr. Whitson 
 rented land .at Rockville, Kankakee County, and 
 there labored for his own .advancement until the 
 Civil War broke out. His heart was thrilled with 
 [jatriotic fervor and, finding that the struggle was 
 likely to be a more protracted one than was at first 
 supposed, he and iiis brother David, who was his 
 associate in business, enlisted in Comjianj- I, Sev- 
 enty-sixth Illinois Infantry. They were mustered 
 into the service at Kankakee, in August, 1862, and 
 and sent to the Department of the Southwest, their 
 duties for some time consistin»^ chietl}- of skirmishes 
 throughout Tennessee and Mississippi and later in 
 IMissouri. They then took part in the siege of Vicks- 
 burg, the battles of Jackson, Holly Springs, an(l 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBDM. 
 
 499 
 
 the others of that campaign, from which tiiej' re- 
 turned to ^'icksburg. 
 
 The tedious and dangerous duties which de- 
 volved upon the soldiers during the Yazoo expedi- 
 tion and Banli's expedition up the Red River, were 
 assisted in by our subject, who under ail the trying 
 circumstances by which he was surrounded, dis- 
 played tlie utmost devotion to the cause for which 
 he was willing to risk his life. Having joined Far- 
 ragut's expedition to Mobile, he and iiis comrades 
 had a weary march to that cit}' and to Ft. Blakely, 
 wlierc they lost more men than at any other place 
 where thej' had been engaged. Subsequently they 
 were sent to Galveston, Tex., where they spent 
 three weeks doing guard duty. After this they 
 returned to the North and were mustered out of 
 service and honoralily discliarged at Ciiicago. At 
 Holly Springs Mr. WhiLson had been taken pris- 
 oner by the rebels, but was in the bands of his 
 captors only one day when the prisoners were left 
 by the retreating Confederate force. 
 
 When his services were no longer needed to up- 
 hold the Government, Mr. Whitson returned to 
 Will County and, with his brother David, bought 
 one hundred and sixty acies of land in Manhattan 
 Township, lie operated his own share of the farm, 
 improving it and making it his Jiome until 1880. 
 He then sold it and bought one hundred and 
 twenty acres where he is now living, and lo- 
 cating here began its systematic improvement, 
 which he had continued but one year when the 
 Wabash Railroad came through. He at once laid 
 out about ten acres on the east side of the- railroad, 
 which is called J. AVlutson's sub-addition. When 
 the subject of a name for the village which sprung 
 up was being agitated, be suggested Manhattan, 
 and thus it was christened. 
 
 An important step in the life of any man is bis 
 choice of a companion, and Mr. Whitson displayed 
 good judgment in his selection. He won for his 
 wife Miss Lucinda Ettcr, who was born in Cumber 
 land County, Pa., November 5, 1842. She was 
 educated in Ohio and Illinois, Richland Seminary 
 having been her Alma Mater, and when eighteen 
 years old began scliool teaching. Her professional 
 labors were principally at Plainfield, III., where she 
 enjoys an enviable reputation as an instructor, 
 
 and was considered a valuable addition to society 
 by reason of her fine education and pleasing traits 
 of character. Her marriage to our subject took 
 place in that town February I, 1866, and has been 
 blessed by the birth of Ave children. The first- 
 born, George, attended Aurora College and spent 
 one year as a teacher, but is now engaged in 
 Beecli's general store in Joliet; the second child, 
 Nettie, is the wife of George Steele, of Chicago; 
 Jessie, Walter and Edna are at home with their 
 parents. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Whitson are Lewis and 
 Mary (North) Etter, natives of Pennsylvania, the 
 one of German and the other of Scotch descent. 
 The father was a shoemaker in his native State, 
 whence he removed to Stark County, Ohio, where 
 lie was engaged in farming a number of years. He 
 then came to Plainfield, 111., where he is now liv- 
 ing, his age being four-score. He l:)elongs to the 
 Evangelical Methodist Church. The surviving 
 brothers and sisters of Mrs. Whitson are Louis, 
 Ezra, Jacob, Mrs. Elizabeth Wirtzbower, and Mrs. 
 Mariah Smith. The deceased are Samuel, and 
 Mary, wife of David Whitson. 
 
 Mr. Whitson has served as School Director. In 
 politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of which he is a most 
 active member, being Trustee, Steward, Class- 
 Leader, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, 
 and bearing a part in every movement in which 
 the congregation is interested. He gave an acre of 
 ground upon which to erect the house of worship 
 and served on the building committee while it was 
 being constructed. 
 
 ENRY J. SCHMUHL. Although quite 
 young, this gentleman is becoming well 
 known in New Lenox Township as a 
 farmer of ability and a citizen of the most 
 honorable character. He owns one hundred and 
 twenty acres of good land on sections 22 and 23, 
 where he is industriously and successf ullj- prosecut- 
 ing the career to which his taste led him, and where 
 good buildings and other improvements arc to be 
 
500 
 
 "- PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 seen. He is the second of five children born to 
 Henry and Mary (Kit/.crow) Schmuhl, who came to 
 this neigliborhood in the s|)ring of 1851. lioth 
 were natives of Germany, the one having been born 
 July fi,and the other August 13, in the year 182G. 
 Uesiilc our subject their family includes Ida M., 
 Charles, William and Emma. 
 
 Tli<> gentleman of whom we write has been a life 
 resident of New Lenox Township, in which he 
 was born October 10, 1859. He enjoyed the 
 school privileges by which a good practical educa- 
 tion is insured to all who desire to learn, and in 
 the iiiiMie schools became well informed in the 
 ordinary l>ranches. He remained with his father 
 until Ills marriage, when he established his own 
 liousehold on llie farm wliicii he still occupies. 
 Among the natives of his own township, Mr. 
 Schmuhl knew many estimable ladies, but none 
 who were so attractive to him as Miss Henrietta 
 Sehoop. His regard for this j'oung lady being re- 
 ciprocated they were united in marriage February- 
 H, 1883. Mrs. Schmuhl was born December 15, 
 18G3. and is the elder of two children comprising 
 the family of Christoph and Caroline (Striclier) 
 Sehoop. Her parents were born in (Germany and 
 her father died in this township May 9, 1882. 
 The happy union of our subject and his estimable 
 wife has been blessed by the birth of three children 
 — Alma C, Elsa I. and Erwin C. Both Mr. and 
 Mrs. Schmuhl belong to the German Lutheran 
 Church. He is a stanch Republican. 
 
 IDNEY B. PEASE. To the architectural 
 skill and reliable workmanship of S. B. 
 Pease, Joliet owes many of her most 
 beautiful and substantial edifices, among 
 being the Union Block, the residences of 
 Charles Thayer, E. M. I?ray,nnd others too numerous 
 to mention. No citizen of this flourishing city stands 
 higher in the respect of the community than he, 
 and b^- his own efforts he has risen to this position 
 and a good financial standing. 
 
 Mr. Pease was born in Lawrence, N. Y., June 9, 
 1839, to Samuel and Irene (Hamlin) Pease who 
 
 were natives of the Green Mountain State. The 
 father was born July 4, 1811, and died in 1887; the 
 mother was born in 1810, and breathed her last in 
 1883. Their son of whom we write was educated 
 in the common schools and remained in the place 
 of his birth until he was seventeen years old. He 
 IIku in 185G, came west and locating at Dwight, 
 III., endiarked in the vocation of a farmer. In that 
 occvipation he continued until the spring of 1861, 
 when the call for troops to put down the rebellion 
 fired his spirit and he determined to give his strength 
 to the service of his country. 
 
 Going to Springfield young Pease was soon en- 
 rolled as a member of Company B, Twelfth Illinois 
 Infantry, and under the command of Capt. T. D. 
 Moffat, of Chicago, and Col. McArthur, he went to 
 the front. He first smelled the smoke of battle at 
 Belmont, after which he took part in the contest at 
 Ft. Donelson, where he was wounded on the bloody 
 field of Shiloli anfl at Corinth. Beside the minor 
 skirmishes that fell to the lot of all soldieis in a 
 greater or le.ss degree, he was in all the engage- 
 ments in and around Chattanooga until Gen. Sher- 
 man started on the famous march to the sea. He 
 accompanied the forces to Savannah and back 
 through the Carolinas. taking part in the Inst battle in 
 the campaign, that at Bentonville. At Kesaca he 
 had been wounded and also before A.tlanta. After 
 the surrender of I-ee he took his place at the Grand 
 Review, did some service at Louisville, Ky., and 
 was finally mustered out at Springfield. He had 
 been promoted to the raidv of First Lieutenant for 
 meritorious conduct. 
 
 Upon resuming the peaceful arts of civil life 
 iSIr. Pease took up the pursuit of a contractor and 
 builder in which he has been actively engaged from 
 that time. Success has crowned his efforts and he 
 has become known as one who fulfills his contracts 
 in an honorable manner and performs his duties to 
 society and his family, as an upright and kind- 
 hearted man should. He is a member of the 
 Congregational Church, and belongs to Bartleson 
 Post, No. 6, G. A. R. 
 
 The lady whom Mr. Pease chose as his compan- 
 ion in life and with whom he was united in mar- 
 riage in New York State in 1867, bore the maiden 
 name of Jennie Eggleston. She was boin in Ver- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 501 
 
 mont whence she had removed to the Kmitire 
 State prior to her marriage. She has borne him 
 five children — William II., Mary, Bertie, Carrie 
 and Marion. Mary an:! Bertie died in infancy ; the 
 survivors are a handsome and partienlarly interest- 
 inij trio. 
 
 <if(OSEPH F. NACHBOUR. The sons of the 
 Fatherland, upon the first settlement of this 
 country, hastened hither in large numbers 
 @/' and are to be found in all the ranks of life. 
 Their perseverance, energy and industry are pro- 
 verbial and they have been no unimportant factors 
 in developing the resources of the New World and 
 especially the great W^ost. They are looked ujion 
 as forming a portion of the bone and sinew of 
 America. While the fathers have passed awa^' 
 the^y have transmitted to their sons the qualities 
 of which they were so admirably possessed, and 
 thus we find the latter occup3'ing positions of 
 honor in all the channels of business and of so- 
 cial life. 
 
 The subject of this notice, who is the senior 
 member of the firm of Naclibonr & Nicolaus, the 
 leading dealers in dry goods in Joliet, is a son of 
 Lewis Nachbour, who was born in Germany and 
 came to America in 1847. The latter ik[jon reach- 
 this country proceeded from New Orleans, where 
 he landed, up the Mississippi to Davenport, Iowa, 
 and thereafter followed his trade of a stonemason. 
 He was married in Germany to Miss Amelia Wohl- 
 ganaut, a native of his own country and there 
 were born to them seven sons, three of whom are 
 living, viz: Frank, the Sheriff of Cedar County, 
 Iowa; William, a farmer residing near Atalissa, 
 that State, and Joseph F. our subject. The parents 
 are still living and residents of Atalissa. 
 
 Mr. Nachbour was born in the city of Daven- 
 port, Iowa, January 15, 1856,and acquired his carlj' 
 education in the common schools. He commenced 
 his business career in the dry goods store of A. D. 
 Dyer at Atalissa and remained with him for a 
 l)eriod of six years in that place. He then came 
 with Mr. Dyer to Joliet and continued with him 
 another six years. In the meantime he had been 
 
 prudent and saved what he could of his salary and 
 on the i;3tli of February, 1882, associated himself 
 in partnership with a dry-goods firm of .Toliet and 
 they commenced business under the firm name of 
 Dinet, Nachbour & Co. 
 
 Ten months later there was a change in the bus- 
 iness and the firm assumed its present style. It 
 has been steadily gaining ground and at the jires- 
 enttime transacts a business of ^175,000 annually. 
 The firm started with a capital of $2,000. The 
 business now occupies the lower floor of the Bar- 
 ber Building, the most elegant business block in 
 the city. The firm carries a full line of all the 
 articles pertaining to this branch of trade. The 
 store is fitted up with all the modern conveniences 
 and the courteous treatment of its customers is 
 made a specialty. V>y fair dealing and a thor- 
 ough understanding of the business in all its de- 
 tails, this firm is rapidly gaining prominence in 
 the county and securing the patronage of its lead- 
 ing people. Mr. Nachbour and his i)artner are 
 also interested in fine horses and own some first- 
 class equines, principally roadsters. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Nachbour is a sound Republi- 
 can and is justifiably proud of the fact that he 
 cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. 
 Socially he belongs to the Union Club and the 
 Irish-American Club, at Joliet, also the Sunset 
 Cluli, of Chicago. 
 
 
 ^^^'<' 
 
 r/AMES H. FEB RIS, President of the Joliet 
 News Printing Company, is worthily filling 
 the responsible position, to which he brings 
 a large amount of experience and practical 
 knowledge. The Mews was established in April, 
 1877, by a rambling jirinter, named Charles F. 
 Dutcher, and published in the Phamix office, then 
 under the editorial control of Mr. Ferris. Octo- 
 ber 1, of that year, a firm composed of R. W. Nel- 
 son, James H. F'erris and H. E. Baldwin, bought 
 the little Neivs plant for a "song," and continued 
 the publication. The last two above-named part- 
 ners have continued the business to this date, ex- 
 
502 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 cepting the yoars 1881-82, when IMr. Feiris pub- 
 lished a pai)er in Maine. 
 
 Tlie politics of tlie Daily News, with its four 
 thousand circulation, has been ( Jicenback-ijabor 
 ever since the fall of 1877, and the weekly edition 
 ten years after that turned its forces in with the 
 Prohibition party. Its circul;ition is two thou- 
 sand. 
 
 Mr. Ferris was born in the town of Oswego, 
 Kendall County, 111., in IK 10. His father, AVilliani 
 II. Ferris, removed from C'lintou County, N. Y., in 
 the '40's, and now resides at Bristol, Kendall 
 County, tjiis State. His wife's maiden name was 
 Eliza M. Brown, and her native home, Erie County', 
 Pa. 
 
 The suliject of this sketch began his newspaper 
 career at Yorkville, 111., where he and Frank H. 
 Hall [Hiblished a Peter Cooper Greenback p:q:)er a 
 year or two, both finally coming to Joliet in 187(1. 
 Mr. Ferris married Miss Olive E. Hunt, of Hunts- 
 ville, Canaan Count}^, Conn., in July, 1880. 
 
 '\Y/ERRY KENI8TON, whose title of "Honor- 
 able" was gained as a member of the State 
 Legislature, but applies equally well to his 
 (^sjj^ private life, owns a fine estate in Wilton 
 Township, where he has lived since 1854. A fine 
 tract of land is the farm upon which he devotes 
 his attention to farming and the stock business, 
 and its accumulation has resulted mainly from his 
 own good management and industry, as he had but a 
 small capital upon which to begin life. The fer- 
 tile and improved estate comprises two hundred 
 and thirty- five acres on section 16, and is excelled 
 by few, if any, in the vicinity. For several years 
 Mr. Keniston has given the raising of Short-horn 
 cattle considerable attention. Well read in abroad 
 sense, more than ordinarily intelligent, and full of 
 enter|)rise and public spirit, it is not to be won- 
 dered at that this gentleman commands the re 
 spect of all who enjoy his acquaintance and that he 
 is pointed out as a worthy exponent of the Chris- 
 tian faith and practice. 
 
 The name donates the .Scotch origin of the Ken 
 
 iston family that has been known and honored in 
 New England for many years. In the Green 
 Mountain State, .Foseiih and Sallie (Glidden) Ken- 
 iston were born, and lived until 18o4, when they 
 caine west and took ui) their residence in the Prai- 
 rie State. A settlement was made in Wilton Town- 
 shii), this County, and the [larents tarried here un- 
 til 1865, when they removed to Aurora, Kane 
 County, in whicli city they si)ent the remainder of 
 their lives, both living to an advanced age. The 
 elder Mr. Keniston devoted himself to farming 
 as a life work, and w.as in easy financial circum- 
 stances. For many 3'ears prior to their deaths, he 
 and his wife were active members of the Baptist 
 Church. The parental family consisted of eleven 
 sons and daughters. John B., Elizabeth, and 
 Sarah, are deceased; our subject is the fourth 
 in order of birth; Emeline is the wife of William 
 Urie, a carpenter at Minneapolis, Minn.; Noah G. 
 is engaged in farming in Montgomrey County, 
 Iowa; Simeon G., is deceased; Hi ram B. lives in 
 Oregon; .Joseph J. in Iowa; Henry and Julia are 
 deceased. 
 
 In Sheffield, Caledonia Countj', Vt., the eyes of 
 the Hon. Jerry Keniston opened to the light, of day 
 March 2, 1829. He received a good common- 
 school education and on the farm acquired the 
 knowledge of agriculture that is the common herit- 
 age of farmer's sons. When about twenty-five 
 years old he came to Illinois with his parents, and 
 in this count}' he resided until after the Civil War 
 began. He then determined to assist his country 
 in her hour of need and abandoning the peaceful 
 pursuits of his former yenrs, took his place in the 
 ranks as a member of Company H, One Hundredth 
 Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Soon after his enlistment, Mr. Keniston was 
 niade Second Lieutenant of his company and at 
 the close of the war held a Captain's Commission. 
 He took part in every battle in which his regiment 
 was engaged until the contest at Chickamauga, 
 where he was captured by the enemy and taken 
 to Libby Prison. There he was held a prisoner 
 seven months, and then removed to points farther 
 south, and on March 2, 1865, released at Wilming- 
 ton, N. C. Returning to the State whence he had 
 entered the Union Army, Mr. Keniston resumed 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 505 
 
 the peaceful occupation of farming, settling on the 
 land which he still owns and operates. 
 
 Mr. Keniston has served as Township Supervisor 
 three terms. In 1879 he was elected to the State 
 Legislature on the Republican ticket and repre- 
 sented this county abl}'. He has always taken an 
 active interest in polities, believing that all loyal 
 citizens should understand fully the needs of the 
 Nation and aid in the Government bj' their vote 
 and influence on the side of right when no more 
 prominent work is given tiiem. He is a member of 
 llio Baptist, while his wife belongs to the Congre- 
 gational Church. 
 
 Inl85H,]Mr. Keniston married Miss Martha A. 
 Tiffany-, of Pike, Wyoming County, N. V.,witli whom 
 lie lived happily until she was called hence in 1SG2. 
 Ill 18GG, he married Miss Martha Lynde of Wil- 
 lininstown, Vt., who has ably managed the house- 
 hold affairs and wisely governed the children com- 
 mitted to her care, winning friends l)y her gr.aces 
 of heart and niiml. The union li.as been Messed 
 by the birth of nine children — Henry C, John L., 
 Lchi, Laura, Charles II., Mattie, Carroll, Raymond 
 and Daiscy. Lela and Mattie have been removed 
 by the hand of deatli; Henry is now living in Chi- 
 cigo; the others remain at home. All are single. 
 
 \fl OHN WILLIAMS, Sr. The oldest settler in 
 Wesley Township, and one of the oldest in 
 the county, this non.agenarian has the love 
 and respect of the entire neighborhood, and 
 more especially of the younger members of the 
 community. Nothing affords him greater pleasure 
 than to sit and talk of the old times, whose inci- 
 dents are as vividly impressed upon his memory as 
 though they liad transpired but yesterday. His 
 general health is good and his mind j^et active, al- 
 though he so long since passed the allotted age of 
 man. He has a home with his son Frank and fam- 
 ily, but is otherwise alone, seven members of his 
 family being buried in the cemetery near by. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was the first- 
 born in the parental family and ojiened his eyes to 
 
 the light of day in Greenbriar County, Va., April 
 5, 1801. His education, a common-school one, 
 was obtained in Greenbriar and Monroe Counties, 
 in the latter of which the family resided for a time. 
 At the age of twent3'-one years, he began his per- 
 sonal career in life as a farmer, that being an occu- 
 pation to which he had been reared, and his whole 
 life has been spent in open air employment. He 
 had a deed for tliree hundred and forty acres of 
 Maj. Hamilton, of West Virginia, and worked that 
 farm until September, 1831, when he took the 
 Western fever. 
 
 On October 7 of that year, Mr. Williams started 
 with a four horse team toward the setting sun, and 
 u|)on arriving in the vicinity of Danville, 111., 
 made a settlement, remaining there until April, 
 1834. lie then came to Will County, and located 
 one-half mile from his present home. At that time 
 Will County had been subjected to no improve- 
 ment worthy of mention, and the laud was being 
 surveyed by the United States Government. Mr. 
 Williams' nearest neighbor was George N. Beck- 
 with, three miles distant, and he remained at that 
 time but a few days. Indians were here two sea- 
 sons after Mr. Williams' arrival, but they were 
 peaceable. 
 
 The house built bj' Mr. Williams was the first in 
 this township. It was of logs, and being lGxl8 
 feet in dimensions, was looked upon as quite a man- 
 sion. The first year our subject plowed forty 
 acres, two-thirds of which he planted in corn, rais- 
 ing from the sod four hundred bushels of good corn 
 and enough soft grain to keep his cattle and horses 
 all winter. He had twenty-two head of cattle and 
 two horses. Having had some money with which 
 to start here, Mr. Williams had not the struggle 
 which some pioneers had. His first purchase was 
 three hundred and twenty acres, but he sold off 
 twenty to a new neighbor. Very few settlers ar- 
 rived prior to 1836, at which time there was quite 
 an influx of immigrants. 
 
 In October, 1819, Mr. Williams united with the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has 
 been identified since that lime, and in the work of 
 which he took an active part for many a long year. 
 He helped to organize the first congregation in this 
 township, in 1835, and was Class-Leader from 1836 
 
506 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 to 1839. In 1837 the congregation numbered fifty- 
 two members. The first regular minister was the 
 Rev. Mr. Springer, father of Congressman S|)ringer. 
 
 The first scliool in tliis vicinity was also organized 
 in 1 835, and John Frazer selected as its teacher. Mr. 
 Williams was one of tiie first School Directors, and 
 has frequently served in the same capacity in later 
 years. He was here when the county was organized, 
 and has therefore been as closely connected with 
 its history as anyone now living. The first house 
 uhich he built is now used by T. W. Jones as a 
 stable. In July, 1871, he came to his |)resent home. 
 Mr. Williams lias always taken an interest in poli- 
 tics, and from the time of casting his first Presi- 
 ilontial ballot, which was given to John Quincy 
 Ad.ams, he has never failed to deposit his ballot 
 in the interest of good government. His father 
 was a Federalist and he has been a Whig and Re- 
 publican. 
 
 The first marriage of our subject took place Sep- 
 tember 5, 1832, the bride being Miss Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Aaron Burr, cousin of Col. Aaron 
 Burr. That estimable lady survived until 1845, 
 when she joined the sheeted nations of the dead. 
 She had borne seven children of whom the sur- 
 vivors are LcRoy, now living in California; John, 
 in Colorado: Clarke, in Kansas; and Mrs. Rebecca 
 Withroe in Kentland, Ind. 
 
 On June 22, 1847, Mr. Williams contracted a 
 second alliance, his companion being Miss Susan 
 Groff, wliose home was near LaFayette, Ind. This 
 union was blessed by the birth of four children, 
 with tiie youngest of whom, Frank L., our subject 
 makes his home. The others are James W., Mrs. 
 .Icnnle Shefler and Mrs. Lizzie Grey, who live in 
 Kansas. Mrs. Sus.an (Groff) Williams departed 
 this life in August, 18G0. The third marriage of 
 Mr. Williams was celebrated March 27, 1862, on 
 which occasion he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Mary Moiehead, who survived until Novem- 
 ber 13, 1884, when she too was laid to rest in the 
 silent tomb. 
 
 The father of our subject was Richard Williams, 
 who was boin in (ireenbriar County, W.Va., Octo- 
 ber 17, 1776. In the same county in 1780 a child 
 was born who was christened Thankful Morrison, 
 and who in due time became the wife of Richard 
 
 Williams. In 1808 they removed to Monroe 
 Count}', of the same State, settling upon a farm, 
 which they made their home for twenty-three years. 
 They then returned to their native county, where 
 Mr. Williams breathed his last in 1843, and his 
 good wife in 1852. This wortlij- couple were the 
 parents of eight sons and threes daughters, three of 
 the family yet sur\iving. 
 
 A lithographic [lortrait of this venerable citizen 
 of Will County appropriately accomi)anies his per- 
 sonal sketch. To attain to a happy and healthy 
 old age is the lot of only a few, and Mr. Williams 
 is fortunate in that principles of honor and upright- 
 ness were early inculcated in his inind. and thus he 
 is enabled to consider the past without regret and 
 the future without fear. 
 
 ^^EORGE W. YOUNG, LL. B., is one of the 
 ill ^-—, prominent and rising young members of 
 ^\^^ the bar of this county, his office being in 
 the Barber Block, Joliet. He was born in Man- 
 hattan, this county, March 25, 1864, and came to 
 Joliet with his parents when twelve years old, re- 
 ceiving his education at the grammar and high 
 schools of this city. In 1883 he took a position on 
 the staff of the .loliet Republic and Sun, where he 
 i>'mained until the fall of 1885. He then entered 
 the School of Law in Columbia College, New 
 lork City, taking also the course in political science. 
 He was graduated in 1887, receiving the degree of 
 Bachelor of Laws, cum laude. 
 
 The same year Mr. Young was admitted to the 
 bar in Illinois, and at once began to practice in 
 Joliet. During the last Prcsiilential campaign 
 he w.as elected Secretary and Treasurer of the 
 Lincoln Club, an organization of young Repub- 
 licans, and still holds the office. He was also a 
 member of the Township Campaign Committee. 
 He is now a Director of the Young Men's Chris- 
 tian Association, and was recentlj' elected Vestry- 
 man in Christ E|iisco|)al Church. These facts 
 thoroughly establish his reputation as one of the 
 upright, energetic and trustworthy' young men of 
 the city, and indicate that his life is to be a useful 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 507 
 
 one, not onlj- in advancing his personal interests, 
 but in carrying forward tiie liiglier vvelfare and 
 civilization of the coninuinit3' to which he belongs. 
 It furtlier demonstrates the fact that the family 
 name, which is ah'cady an honored one, promises 
 to become still more honorable through the merits of 
 the 3'oungcr generation of the name. 
 
 On September 5, 1889, he was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Corabelle Beers Rugar, a cultured 
 and refined j'oung lady. She was born at Gales- 
 burg. III., April 2, 18G4, and is a daughter of Capt. 
 Francis Rug.ar, U. S. A. .She was educated at 
 Kiiox College and afterward pursued the studj' of 
 art in the Art Institute, of Chicago, and the Acad- 
 emy of Design, of New York. 
 
 The Hrst memlier of the Young family in Amer- 
 ica was the Rev. .John Young, who was sent to this 
 countiy about 1635 as a missionar^^ of the Church 
 of England, as previously there had been none in 
 New England. He made a permanent home near 
 .S.ag Harbor, L. I. He had two sons, Edward and 
 Alexander, who left home about 1700. the former 
 giiing to New Jersey and the latter to Westchester 
 County, N. Y., where the descendants of Alex- 
 ander Young lived for many j'e.ars. His son, also 
 named Alexander, was the father of Edward, and 
 the grandfather of a third Alexander, who married 
 Miss Elizabeth Lawrence about 1787. Miss Law- 
 rence was the daughter of John Lawrence, of New 
 York City, and cousin of the noted Capt. John 
 Lawrence, of the United States frigate -'Chesa- 
 peake," whose memorable command "Don't give 
 up the ship" is still a poi)ular motto in the navy. 
 
 The last-named Alexander Young was a promi- 
 nent Orthodox Friends preacher, well known 
 throughout the country. He owned and operated 
 an extensive mill at Esopus, Ulster County, on 
 the Hudson. He and his wife reared a family of 
 six children, the third of whom was John Young, 
 the grandfather of our subject.' He was born in 
 Esopus July 18, 1798, was considered one of the 
 most highly-educated men of his day. and was for 
 some time in charge of a private school in New 
 York City. He had previouslj' established the 
 Brooklyn Collegiate Institute, which he continued 
 until 1844. In 182G he was appointed United 
 States Surveyor for tlie District of Cincinnati, but 
 
 never undertook the active duties of the office. In 
 the fall of 1848 he came to Illinois, and locating 
 in Manhattan, this county, was joined Ijy his 
 family in the spring of 1849. He became well- 
 known throughout the count}', being a prominent 
 and extensive farmer, and serving as Supervisor of 
 his township for ten years. In 1876 he re- 
 tired from active life, removing to Joliet to spend 
 the remainder of his da3's with his son Edward. He 
 was one of the organizers of St. Paul's Epia- 
 coi)al Church, at Manhattan, and was largely in- 
 strumental in building the church edifice. He was 
 for several years liefore his retirement President of 
 the Will County Agricultural Society. He was 
 also p.atentee of several agricultural implements. 
 
 In 1825 John Young became the husband of 
 Miss Caroline Thompson, daughter of the Rev. 
 James Thompson, a well-known Episcopal clergy- 
 man, of Ulster Cou.iity, N. Y. Four children sur- 
 vive him. They are James Thompson, President 
 of the Staten Island Dj'eing Establishment in New 
 York City; Mansfield, a resident of Hartland, 
 Kan.; Caroline E., wife of Francis L. Cagwiu, of 
 Joliet; and Edward. 
 
 The youngest son, Edward, who is the father of 
 our subject, was born in Durham, N. Y., February 
 6, 1837, and came to this county with the familj'- 
 in 1849. He received his education at private 
 schools in New York City, and after reaching his 
 maturity succeeded his father in the management 
 of the farm, upon which he remained until 1876. 
 He then removed to Joliet and engaged In the hay 
 and grain business, buying in different parts of 
 the country and shipping to the South and East, 
 carrying on an extensive trade. In order to still 
 further extend the business he -has recently re- 
 moved to Kansas, with his headquarters at Anthony, 
 where he gives his attention exclusively to grain 
 dealing. He married Miss Ann Eliza, daughter of 
 the Rev. Warner Hoyt, an Episcopal clergyman 
 at Ridgefield, Coijn- She was born June 15, 1839, 
 and educated at Pelham Priory. 
 
 The family of ilr. and Mrs. Edwa^l Young is 
 made up of five sons and a daughter, George 
 Warner, the subject of this sketch, being the eld- 
 est. The second one is Charles Herbert, who is 
 now attending Trinity College. Hartford, Conn., 
 
508 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 being a nandldale for the Episcopal ministry; the 
 tliinl is .Idliii Mansfii'ld, city editor of the .loliet 
 Press; Hcnsted T., the foiirlh chihl, is private sec- 
 retary to the General Freigiit Agent of tlie Erie 
 Raih-oad, at Cliicago. Tlie younger inemljers of 
 tlie family circle are Francis Edward, who is now 
 in school, and Margaret Iloyt. The family have 
 long been members of the Episcopal Church, the 
 father having been Vestryman and Warden of 
 Christ Church, of Joliet, since 1876. 
 
 
 
 y»ILLIAM L.\MBE. Among the many at- 
 / tractive, rural homesteads of this county 
 none are more deserving of a special men- 
 lion than that belonging to Mr. Lambe, and which 
 in its appointments is indicative of the true char- 
 acter of both himself and his excellent wife. The 
 farm com pri.ses three hundred and twenty acres of 
 land on section 30. embellished with good buildings 
 and all the other appurtenances naturally suggested 
 to the mind of the enterprising and progressive 
 agriculturist. Mr. Lambe is well-to-do financially, 
 owning, besides this farm, three hundred and sixty 
 acres in Clinton County. He is largely interested 
 in stock raising and has that thorough understand- 
 in" of his calling which seldom fails of success. 
 Jlrs. Lamije is in all respects the suitable partner 
 of her husband and their hospitable doors are con- 
 tinuously kei)t oi)en to the hosts of friends whom 
 they have made since their sojourn in this county. 
 
 The subject of this notice was l)orn in County 
 Tyrone, Ireland,Septcmber,'20, 1820, and lived there 
 until 1852, occupying himself mostly as a farmer. 
 He obtained such education ,as was afforded by 
 the common schools and at an early age contracted 
 those habits of industry and economy which have 
 been the secret of his later success. Before leav- 
 ing his native land he was for five or six years a 
 resident of the city of Belfast, employed in the 
 Government Custom House. 
 
 Upon reaching America in the fall of 1852, Mr. 
 Lambe sojourned brielly in New York Cit3' upon 
 landing, and thence made his way to St. Louis, Mo., 
 where for three years he was employed as a pork- 
 
 packer, conducting his own business. His estab- 
 lishment and its contents were destroyed by Are 
 and for four years afterward he engaged as a rail- 
 road contractor. Sul)Sequently he was in the trans- 
 fer business for the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis 
 Railroad Company, and later engaged as a dealer 
 in coal and ice for fifteen or sixteen j'ears while at 
 the same time retaining his connection with the 
 transfer business, in company with his brother, the 
 late Charles 1>. Lambe, of St. Louis. 
 
 About 1.H6C, Mr. Lambe came to Clinton County, 
 this State, where he engaged in farming and lived 
 until probal)!}' 1882. In the meantime he has 
 been .accompanied in his migrations by the lady 
 to whom he was first married, in County Down, Ire- 
 land — Miss Letitia Martin^ — who bore him three 
 children. The eldest of these is a daughter, Sarah. 
 and now the wife of James Allen, of Clinton 
 County. The two younger — Emma and John — 
 died when small. Mrs. Letitia Lambe departed this 
 life in St. Louis, Mo., in 1853. 
 
 Our subject was married to his present wife in 
 Homer Township, this county, March 6, 18()7. Her 
 maiden name was Louise Barnet, and she is a 
 daughter of the late George Barnet who died in 
 Homer Township aliout 1861. Mrs. Louise (Bar- 
 net) Lambe was born in Canada, November 6, 
 1838, and by her union with our subject has be- 
 come the mother of seven children, viz: George 
 who died when three months old; (jleorgiana, Wil- 
 liam B., Anna B., Emma H., Minnie L. and Charles 
 B. Mr. Lambe, politically, is a sound Re[)ublican. 
 He has had a lengthy experience as a School Direc- 
 tor, holding this office for many years both in Will 
 and Clinton Counties. In politics he is a stanch 
 Republican, and both he and his estimable wife 
 .are members in good standing of the Baptist 
 Church. 
 
 m 
 
 ^.^,^4<^ 
 
 YRUS A. LEWIS. Among the leading men 
 in the community of New Lenox Town- 
 -^■' ship, none are held in more genuine respect 
 than Mr. Lewis. He possesses all the qualities 
 of "a gentleman to the m'anor born," being liberal, 
 enterprising and public spirited as a citizen, skill- 
 
 iJ 
 
PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 50!> 
 
 fill and tliorougli as a farinei-, ami has suiTOUiided 
 his family with all of the comforts of life. He is 
 now approaching tiie sixty-sixtli year of his age, 
 the date of his birth being July 19, 1824, and his 
 native place was the town of Decatur, Otsego 
 County, N. Y. He was the youngest of two sons 
 and two daughter?, the offspring of Justus and 
 Candacc (Spencer) Lewis, who were both natives 
 of New Hartford, Conn. The father served three 
 years .as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and 
 by occupation was a skilled mechanic. After mar- 
 ri.age the parents settled in Decatur, Otsego County, 
 N. Y., where the father engaged in farming, and 
 where both parents spent the remainder of their 
 lives, the mother dying in the fall of 1833 and the 
 father in the fall of 1847. 
 
 Mr. Lewis spent his boyhood and j'outh in his 
 native county remaining there until 1850. He be- 
 came familiar with the various emploj'ments of 
 farm life, and when approaching the twenty third 
 year of his age, was married, February 23, 1847, 
 at Decatur, to Miss Eraeline, daughter of Jesse and 
 Zurviah (Peek) Seward. 'J'he father of Mrs. Lewis 
 was a cousin of William H. Seward, Secretary of 
 Slate (luring President Lincoln's administration, 
 while Mrs. Seward was a relative of e.x-Governor 
 Marcy, of New York State. Mrs. Seward died 
 there, while Mr. Seward died in the city of Joliet, 
 111. Mrs. I^ewis was born in Decatur, N. Y., Sep- 
 tember 20, 1825, and remained there with her par- 
 ents until her marriage and until the spring of 
 1850. 
 
 In the above-mentioned year Mr. and Mrs. Lewis 
 came to Illinois and settled on section 30, New 
 Lenox Townslii[), this county. Mr. Lewis is the 
 owner of nearly four hundred acres of land, which 
 he has brought to a high state of cultiv.ation. A 
 part of this was purchased by hira at $4 per acre, 
 but under his caieful management it has now be- 
 come more valuable property. Nine children have 
 been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, the eldest of 
 whom, a daughter, M.ary, is the wife of William 
 Greenwood, of New Lenox Township. The eldest 
 son, Spencer, was piously inclined from his 3'outli, 
 and is now a missionary under the auspices of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church and stationed at Chunk 
 King, in which is located the West China Mission. 
 
 He is an earnest laborer in the Master's vineyard 
 and possesses in a marked degree the talents and 
 ability suitable to his responsible position. Can- 
 d.ace is the wife of Calvin Armagast, of Joliet; 
 Nellie is the wife of Julian Barnes, of that city; 
 C. Almon is an architect, of Spokane Falls, Wash.; 
 Sherman and Jennie remain at home with their par- 
 ents. Florence Ida died aged two years, and an 
 infant died unnamed. 
 
 Mr. Levvis has for some time entertained a warm 
 interest in the temperance movement and in poli- 
 tics is now a Prohibitionist. He and his family 
 are all members in good standing of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, Mr. Lewis being a Trustee of 
 the Ottawa Street Church, at Joliet, and one of the 
 chief [lillars. Aside from holding the offices of 
 Road Commissioner and School Trustee, he has 
 kept aloof from the cares and responsibilities of 
 public life. 
 
 lOBERT HUSTON, Sheriff of Will County, 
 was elected to this office in 188(5 and the 
 indications are that he is thoroughly adapted 
 to the discharge uf its duties. He is a man 
 of large experience and keen observation, having 
 a good understanding of human nature and has 
 proven himself competent to deal with the motley 
 characters which frequently come under his juris- 
 diction. 
 
 A native of New York City, Mr. Huston was 
 born Aug'u.st 7, 1845, to Robert and Elizabeth 
 (Shaw) Huston, who were natives of the North of 
 Ireland. The Huston family is of Irish descent 
 while the Shaws originated in Scotland. 
 
 The father of our subject emigrated to America 
 in 1831, when a young man, and two years later 
 was married to Miss Shaw. The union resulted in 
 the birth of five daughters and four sons, of whom 
 Robert was the sixth in order of birth. The fam- 
 ily, in 1850, removed to Grundy County, this 
 State. Robert Huston, Sr., had in his own country 
 learned the trade of a carpet weaver, but now en- 
 gaged in farming upon the rich soil of the Prairie 
 State. Mrs. Elizabeth (Shaw) Huston departed 
 
510 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 this lifcatlicr lioine in Gaiiiiior, 111., May 11, 1885. 
 One son, John W.,cliecl in the hosi)ital at St. Louis, 
 Mo., from sickness contracteil in the army during 
 the late Civil War. Thomas .L, fur the past nine- 
 teen years lias been the railroad agent at Leniont, 
 III. William prosecutes farming at the old home- 
 stead in Bracewell Township. The sisters are all 
 living and all married. One is residing in Braid- 
 wood, one in Hastings, Neb., and three in Gardner, 
 ill. The aged father who has now numbered 
 eighty-two years, is passing his days quietly on the 
 old homestead in Grundy County. 
 
 Robert received the advantages afforded by the 
 common schools and after the outbreak of the 
 Civil AVar, although onl^y a little over sixteen 
 years t)ld, enlisted December 20, 1861, as a Union 
 soldier in Companj' I, Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, 
 and participated with his comrades in the vicissi- 
 tudes of army life and in many important battles. 
 At the b.attle of Yellow Bayou, La., May 14, 1864, 
 he lielonged to the color guard, of whom four were 
 wounded and two killed, Mr. Huston upon that 
 occasion suffering the loss of his right leg. He 
 was conflued in the liospital at Jefferson Cit}', Mo., 
 until sufficiently recovered to return home and 
 received his honorable discharge in February, 18G5, 
 being mustered out as corporal. 
 
 After leaving the army ftlr. Huston supplemen- 
 ted his education by an attendance at school two 
 jears, part of the time at Fulton, III., where 
 arrangements had been made by the State for free 
 tuition and board for soldiers. He subsequentl3' 
 taught school two years in Grundy' County ,and tlien 
 for eighteen months was employed as a weighman 
 at coal shafts at liraidwood. Later he engaged in 
 merchandising at that [loint for twelve or thirteen 
 years. At the expiration of this time he sold out 
 and subsequently served as Postmaster of Braid- 
 wood one term. He assumed the duties of Sheriff 
 in the fall of 1886. 
 
 Mr. Huston contracted matrimonial ties February 
 6, 1872, beingweddedtoMissEmma A., daughter of 
 William and Augustine Blanchard. Mrs. Huston 
 was })orn December 22, 1845, in Geneva, III. She 
 received careful parental training and remained 
 under the home roof until her marriage. Of this 
 union there have been born four children, viz: 
 
 Maud J., Charles K., William H., and Jessie O. Mr. 
 Huston is piominently connected with the (! rand 
 Army of the Republic, the Ancient Order of I'nited 
 AVorkmen and the American Legion of Honor, in 
 the latter of which he has been the State Treasurer 
 for the ijast six years. It is hardly necessary to 
 state that politically, he is a sound Repulilican. 
 
 He has been partially reimbursed for the loss of 
 his limb by the granting of a monthly pension 
 from the Government. 
 
 •v-0--^' 
 
 The firm of A. B. 
 Sharp & Co., occupies a prominent posi- 
 tion among the business and industrial in- 
 ^ terests of Joliet, and is engaged in the 
 
 manufacture of |)aints, oils, varnishes, axle grease, 
 etc. Ihe senior member of the firm, of whom we 
 here present a sketch, has been engaged in this 
 business since 1871. He commenced in a modest 
 manner and gradually added to his facilities and 
 the variet3' of articles manufactured, making all 
 house, railroad and fence wire brands of paint. 
 Excelsior Axle Grease, Harness Alabastine, and 
 enjoys a trade of ^100,000 annually. He thinks, 
 however, of retiring from business in the near fu- 
 ture, and s[)ending his declining years in the ease 
 and comfort which he has so justly earned. He 
 has a fine plant, the lot comprising one linndred 
 and sixty-six feet front on Ottaw.a Street, running 
 back to Canal and connecting with Jackson at the 
 upper bridge. He is the owner of other valuable 
 propert}' in the city, including a fine home at the 
 intersection of Eastern Avenue and Clinton Street, 
 one of the finest residence localities of the cit}, and 
 which is valued at $10,000. 
 
 A native of Windom, Conn., Mr. Sharp was born 
 four miles from the noted frog pond of that re- 
 gion, July 28, 1823. His parents were Elder Elias 
 and Fanny Sliarp, the former of whom was a na- 
 tive of Vermont. Elias Sharp when a 3'oung man 
 went to Connecticut, as a minister of the Christian 
 Church, and became an eloquent pulpit orator. 
 He married Miss Fanny, daughter of Benjamin 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 511 
 
 Gardner, a seafaring man, and they lived in Con- 
 necticut until tlieir son, Alonzo B., liad reached 
 his majoritj-, and they spent their hist years in 
 Locitport, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Sharp attended llie common schools of liis 
 native place. He lived in New London, Conn., 
 five years, then came West as far as Logansport, 
 Tnd., where he was engaged five years in tlie gro- 
 cery business. Next he removed to a farm in 
 Kendall County, across the line from Plainfiehl, 
 and from tliere went to Montana at the time of 
 the gold excitement. After a year's absence he 
 returned via the Platte and Yellowstone Rivers, 
 Virginia City and Salt La!<e, paying $300 stage 
 fare from the Mormon metropolis to Atchison, 
 Kan., and being seventeen daj's and nights on tiie 
 road, much of the time delayed by snow. He suc- 
 ceeded fairly well in the mines, but decided that 
 that experience would sutlice as far as tlie wild 
 West was concerned. He then came to Joliet, 111. 
 Mr. Shar|) engaged in butchering, and filled five 
 contracts with the Illinois State Penitentiarj* in a 
 satisfactory manner, and was tlius occupied about 
 ten years. In 1871 he established his present en- 
 terpi'ise, vvhich has liiiewise netted him ample re- 
 turns. He is looked ujion in business circles as a 
 fair-minded man, square in liis dealings and one 
 whose word may be considered as good as liis 
 bond. 
 
 Mr. Sbar() was first married, in 184G, to Miss 
 Sarah L. Brown, daughter of Maj. Brown, a sol- 
 dier in the War of 1812. Of this union there was 
 born one child, Eugene 1)., wlio is in business 
 with his father; the mother died when this boy 
 was a lad of twelve years. Jlr. Sharp then mar- 
 ried her younger sister. Miss Emily M., and there 
 were born to them tliree children, only one of 
 whom is living, viz.: Lina, who is the wife of 
 Charles P. Barstow, of Boston, Mass., and the}' 
 have two children. Eugene married Miss Sarah 
 Noble and is the father of five children. 
 
 Elias Sharp came to the AYest about 1860, and 
 loecame interested in lands and fine wool sheep. 
 He also engaged extensively in tlie nurserj' busi- 
 ness at Lockport, N. Y., prior to this, and during 
 the panic of 1837 lost probably 140,000. He had 
 been obliged to abandon the ministry on account 
 
 of ill-health. He lived to the advanced age of 
 eigiity-two years, and died about 1876 in Lock- 
 port, N. Y. The wife and mother survived him 
 four years and was about cighty-fwur years old at 
 the time of her decease. 
 
 Dr. Sharp obtained his title during the reign 
 of the epizootic, in 1871, having been especially 
 successful in treating this disease, which made 
 such havoc among the horses. He has three 
 brothers living, namely, M. G., Lovando and C. 
 A. The three carrj^ on the nursery business at 
 Lockport, N. Y., and have one of the largest 
 fruit-evaporating establishments in the Empire 
 State, with a capacity of six hundred bushels per 
 daj-. 
 
 ^i 
 
 E^^ 
 
 e 
 
 HAHLES CURTIS. It has been well said 
 that '-our schools are the hope of our 
 country" and all who desire the perpetua- 
 tion of the national life and the fulfillment of its 
 glorious promise as the center of the highest civil- 
 ization, recognize the fact that the educators of 
 our land are clothed with a high responsibility and 
 that those in whose care the young are placed 
 should be selected with judgment. Prof. Curtis is 
 one to whom his fellow men look up as an instructor 
 capable not only of guiding 30uth in the ascent of 
 the hill of knowledge, but of leading them by ex- 
 ample and precept toward moral and upright lives. 
 His own mind has been well disciplined and is a 
 storehouse of knowledge, while the moral and 
 spiritual qualities have been strengthened and 
 developed as years iiave passed by. 
 
 Prof. Curtis was born in Orange County, Vt., 
 and in the Green Mountain State his parents, 
 Francis and .Julia (Richardson) Curtis, also first 
 saw the light of day. His mother died when he 
 was quite young, but his father is still living. The 
 educational privileges bestowed upon the lad were 
 excellent, and after an attendance at the public 
 schools he entered Barrie Academy from which he 
 was graduated with high honors in 1875. The 
 same year he came to Illinois, and locating in 
 Chenoa, began his career as a pedagogue. After a 
 successful experience of six years he was elected 
 
512 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Pi-iiifipnl and Siipeiintendeiit of the High School in 
 O'lell, in which phice he remained four years. lie 
 was elected for another year but resi,<ifned, heiiig- 
 chosen Siii)eriiitendent of Schools at Lockport and 
 entered upon tlie duties of that position in Septem- 
 ber, 188C. 
 
 Prof. Curtis has graded the schools of this place, 
 introduced a curriculum that is well suited to the 
 practical demands of the age, and has established 
 the custom of holding graduating e'xercises and 
 awarding diplomas to those whose thoroughness 
 entitles them to that honor. The schools have 
 steadily grown in attendance until they are models 
 in their way, and have become a power for good 
 which proves the high executive talent and strong 
 personal influence of their Superintendent. lie 
 gives a fair share of ciedil for these good results to 
 his subordinates, recognizing that in their co-oper- 
 ati<.)n there is a strong factor to accomplish good. 
 
 The wife of Prof. Curtis is a native of the Green 
 Mountain State, a member of an excellent family, 
 and bore the maiden name of Ilattie I\I. Lord. 
 She was educated In Barrie Academy and is a lad}' 
 of fine culture and a consistent Christian character. 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Curtis belong to the Congrega- 
 tional Church and the former takes an active part 
 in the labors of both church and Sunday-school. 
 He belongs to the social order of Modern Wood- 
 men, and and to the Masonic fraternity. His in- 
 fluence is not confined to those who are under his 
 instruction and guidance, but is felt throughout the 
 community as that of an educated man always is 
 when exerted in behalf of true civilization. 
 
 -*- 
 
 s 
 
 I OHN KILLEY. In a county that contains 
 so many finely improved farms and beauti- 
 ful rural dwellings, it is hard to claim pre- 
 eminence for any, but certainly any trav- 
 eler through Weslej' Township would at first glance 
 decide that that of the subject of this sketch held 
 a conspicuous place. The landed estate comprises 
 two hundred and fifty-seven acres on section 6, all 
 under careful tillage and 'supplied with excellent 
 improvements. The fine residence was erected, in 
 
 1884, at a cost of 13,000, and with its attractive 
 rural surroundings, is represented on another page. 
 It is furnished with all the modern conveniences, 
 and gives evidence in its adornment and air of 
 neatness and comfort that its interior is presided 
 over by a capable and tasteful housewife. Mr. Kil- 
 ley began his residence in this township at a very 
 early age and at a period which was antedated by 
 f(^w now living. For many years he has held an 
 honored place among the citizens and proved him- 
 self worthy of their esteem. 
 
 Going back a few generations in the patern-d 
 line we find James Killey, a farmer, and following 
 him his son William Killey, a seaman. The next 
 in the direct line was another William Killev, the 
 father of our subject, who, like those before men- 
 tioned, was born on the Isle of Man, the date of 
 his birth i)eing 1793. He married Mary Cowley, 
 who was born, in 17115, on the same island, their 
 marriage rites being celebrated in 1818. The 
 worthy couple continued to reside in the land of 
 their nativity until 1827, when they emigrated to 
 America, making their first settlement on a farm 
 near Cleveland, Ohio. There they remained until 
 1839, at which time they removed to Will County, 
 111., settling on the farm now occupied by our sub- 
 ject. There they both laid down the burdens of 
 life, the mother breathing her last in 1861, and the 
 father in 1873. Their family com})rised nine chil- 
 dren, three of whom are now living. Some of the 
 paternal relatives resided in Boston, Mass., pre- 
 vious to the Revolutionary War, and one cousin 
 belonged to the English Army twenty-one 3'ears. 
 The family is of Celtic origin. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice was the 
 third in the parental family and was born April 2, 
 1825, on the Isle of Man. He was therefore still in 
 his carl}' childhood when America became the family 
 home, and in this country he received a good com- 
 mon-school education. He remained with his par- 
 ents, earing for them until their death, and having 
 charge of the farm from eighteen years of age. 
 Since the farm which he now occupies was pur- 
 chased, he has never resided elsewhere. The first 
 residence was a log house, built in 1834: by the 
 man of whom the Killeys bought. The farm was a 
 timbered one and had but ten acres cleared when 
 
CAf^AL BQA7S 
 
 ,,,.-.*=*rt».. 
 
 *i 
 
 y A 
 
 
 Residence or Lorenzo A. Strong, 5ec.11. LockpqrtTp.WillCo.1ll. 
 
 , -.i-!.yJ.^J^^-.»»^--;.,.- 
 
 .. y ,,;,.,,jet»f=^^#^'^^->gg->;'^JPi^. 
 
 -•"Hiai 
 
 Residence OF John Ki lley. Sec. 6. Wesley Tp. Will Co. 111. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 515 
 
 they took possession. Mr. Killey has added nearly 
 all the improvements which the place uow bears. 
 He still carries on the farm hinjself, devoting his 
 attention to general farming. l)oth crops and stock 
 being of good grades and suHi(nent in qnantitj^ 
 and number to afford all the comforts and manj' 
 of the luxuries of life. 
 
 At the home of the bride, November 15, 1865, 
 Blr. Killey was united in marri.age with Miss Jane 
 Schoonmaker, daughter of I'eter and Harriet 
 (Kortright) Schoonmaker. The parents of Mrs. 
 Killey were natives of New York, and had six 
 children, but one of whom is uow living. The 
 parents are now deceased. Mrs. Kille}' was born 
 December 7, 1837, and died October 15^ 18G8, 
 leaving one child, a son, George W. This son has 
 attended select school at Wilmington, is well edu- 
 cated, and exhibits many of the sterling qualities 
 which afford good ground for parental pride, and 
 give the promise of extended usefulness. 
 
 A second marriage was contracted by Mr. Kil- 
 ley, December 25, 1870, his bride being INIrs. Ma- 
 ria Singleton, nee Butler, a native of the Empire 
 State and a woman of many vii-tues. This union 
 has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daugh- 
 ter, Mary. 
 
 The first newspaper ever read by Mr. Killey was 
 the Cleveland Jlrrakl, now numbered among the 
 things of the past. He has always taken an active 
 interest in i)elitics and, having first been a Whig, 
 almost as a matter of course became a member of 
 the Republican i)aity when the old organization 
 was abandoned. His fellow-citizens have enjoyed 
 the benefit of his intelligence and energy' as Road 
 Commissioner, and Director on the local School 
 Board. He was baptized in the Jlpiscopal Church, 
 but his membership therein does not prevent him 
 from taking a cordial interest in the good work 
 which is being done by other religious bodies. 
 
 V 
 
 #-^ 
 
 '^tl ORENZO A. STRONG owns and occupies 
 
 I (^ a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres 
 
 I I L-^ in Lockporl Township, to which he came in 
 
 March, 1876. His possessions are the result of his 
 
 own industry and good judgment, and his commo- 
 dious residence with its surroundings is represented 
 by a lithograi)luc view elsewhere in this volume. 
 He is engaged in the business of general farming 
 and dairying, conducting his worldl}- affairs with 
 the same [)rudencc which has heretofore charac- 
 terized his successful career, and in his personal 
 life [jerpetuating the strict integrity and devotion 
 to principles which he has inherited from honorable 
 ancestry. 
 
 Mr. Strong is a descendant in the seventh gene- 
 ration of Elder .John Strong, of Taunton, England, 
 who came from the mother country in the ship 
 "Mary and John," which landed at Nantasket, 
 Mass., May 30, 1630. His immediate progenitors 
 were Amasa Strong, born in Hawley, Mass., Feb- 
 ruary 27, 1814, and Lucy (Fuller) Durkee, daugh- 
 ter of Martin Durkee, of Brimfleld, whose natal 
 day was July 1, 1821. 
 
 The birth of our subject took place in Clari- 
 don, 'Geauga County, Ohio, December 8, 1841, 
 and he remained with his parents until twenty-two 
 years of age. He then began life for himself as a 
 farmer, continuing his peaceful pursuits until Au- 
 gust 23, 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hun- 
 dred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Infantry. He was 
 enrolled at Sandusky in Company I, under Capt. 
 McDonald, and with his comrades did duty on 
 Johnston's Island under Col. Hill, Commander of 
 that post. Mr. Strong faithfully discharged the 
 duties which were set before him until after the 
 close of the war, receiving his discharge July 17, 
 1865. He then returned to his native State and to 
 the pursuits in which he had formerly been en- 
 gaged, changing his location after some years, 
 and since March 2, of the Centennial year, being 
 numbered among the residents of Will County, 
 111. 
 
 The estimable lady who became the wife of our 
 subject, and under whose care his dwelling place 
 is a home of comfort and enjoyment, bore the 
 maiden name of Mar^' E. Ryder. She was born in 
 Rochester, N. Y., and during her maidenhood lived 
 in Branch County, Mich., and later in the Prairie 
 State. The happy union has been blessed by the 
 birth of one son. Royal Walter, who was born 
 July 28, 1889, and bids fair to perpetuate the 
 
51G 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 sturdy qualities of his long line of ancestry. Tlie 
 Slrout;: family lias been cluiiacterized by deep re- 
 ligious convictions, and lie of whom we write is as 
 steadfast in his determination to do what he thinks 
 right, as any who have preceded him. 
 
 -4-+1^&^-i-i-4- 
 
 ^] OHN B. PINNEO takes a prominent place 
 among the farmers and stock-raisers of Tro}' 
 Townshii) and is no unimportant factor in 
 i advancing those interests in this count3\ 
 lie is a Nova Scotian by birth,born October 26, 
 1836, to Charles and Mary E. (Baxter) Pinneo. 
 The Baxters were a prominent family in Nova 
 Scotia, of English origin, and Baxter's Harbor was 
 named for them. John Baxter, the maternal grand- 
 father of our subject, w.as a son of Di. Baxter, a 
 prominent physician of England and later of Nova 
 Scotia. The father of our subject was born in the 
 United States, his mother going from Nova Scotia 
 after the death of her husband. The parents of our 
 subject came to this State in 1844 with him and 
 located in the town of Jackson, which at that time 
 was called Reed's Grove, they coming to this county, 
 with six children, in a wagon from Chicago, and 
 here they made their home until called to a higher 
 liy death, the father dying in 1871) and the mother 
 surviving until 1888, when she, too, passed away. 
 
 The son of whom we write was reared to manhood 
 in Jackson and, displaying a taste for mechanics, 
 he was set to learn the trades of a carpenter and 
 wagon-maker, which he followed for a number of 
 years in Elwood, this county, and then turned his 
 attention to farming. His farm in Troy Township 
 comprises three hundred acres of valuable land, 
 one hundred and sixty of which he uses for pastur- 
 age, as he pays much attention to the raising of 
 stock of good grades. 
 
 Mr. Pinneo has been twice married, the maiden 
 name of his first wife being Kate Conklin, and to 
 them were born four children: John B., who is 
 married and lives on a farm in this county; Flor- 
 ence, wife of Duane Dibble, a farmer in Troy 
 Township; George L., who died at the age of 
 twenty-two in March, 1888; Rush, Avho died March 
 
 4, 1890, of typtioid fever, a young man of eighteen 
 years. 
 
 The present wife of our subject was formerly' 
 Mrs. O. T. Fargo, and they were married in 1876 
 and in 1884 moved onto the farm. Jlrs. Pinneo's 
 parents, Horace and Diana (Brown) Haff, were of 
 German and English descent and came from near 
 Alban}', N. Y., making the entire journey to Will 
 County in a covered wagon. Mr. Haff was the 
 youngest son of Joshua Haff. There is a romantic 
 incident related concerning the matrimonial ven- 
 ture of his grandfather. He was Captain on board 
 a vessel sailing along the coast of France, and dur 
 ing an earthquake a young schoolmistress and her 
 scholars took refuge on his boat. The result was 
 she and the Cajitain were mutuall3' attracted, mar- 
 ried and came to America to found a family in 
 this counlr3'. They settled near Albany, N. Y., 
 while there were many Indians there and two 
 of their children were stolen from them, taken to 
 the West and were never heard from afterward. 
 Mrs. Haff, jNIrs. Pinneo' s mother, was a daughter 
 of Peter and Thedocia (Green) Brown, the father 
 of English descent. They lived near Albany where 
 he was engaged as a merchant for many years, 
 coming from there to Aurora, this State, in 1855. 
 After marriage Mr. Haff settled on a farm near 
 Albany and lived there until Mrs. Pinneo was three 
 years of age, and then sold it and in 1836 came to 
 this county, as before mentioned. He took con- 
 sideraljle land here, including the farm on which 
 his ilaughter and our subject now make their home. 
 About four years before bis death he took uj) his 
 residence in Joliet and there departed this life No- 
 vember 11, 1865. His wife had died many years 
 previously, when Mrs. Pinneo was eight years of 
 age, she being their onlj- child. He mariied again 
 and had two children, daughter and son; Edwin G. 
 Haff, the son is still living. 
 
 Mrs. Pinneo has four children: Hiram DeAVitt 
 is now in New Mexico; Ella, wife of Erastus Whit- 
 tlesey, who has a farm in Pocahontas County; Ed- 
 win Guy was married and has one son, Chester 
 DeWitt. 
 
 Mr. IMnneo is a man of strong common sense, of 
 excellent business tact and of honorable character, 
 and exerts a good influence in the community of 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 517 
 
 which he is one of the best and most trusted citizens. 
 Possessing a good degree of [niljlic spirit our subject 
 interests himself in all schemes to promote the ad 
 vaneement of tovvnsliip or cimnty and is active in 
 local politics, idenMfying himself with the Repub- 
 lican party. A man of enlightened views, well 
 understanding the value of a good ediu^ation in any 
 walk in life, he has always taken a marked interest 
 local educational matters, and as School Director 
 is exerting his influence for the good of the town. 
 
 ••o»o..fQ^><^5^-o*o.. 
 
 -*.-- 
 
 yj LMON WILDER. In making note of the 
 (5*01 pioneer settlers of Crete Township, the 
 name of Mr. Wilder should occupj' a prom- 
 inent position. Acting upon the maxim 
 that a rolling stone gathers no moss, he has for the 
 long period of forty-eight years maintained his 
 residence upon the same farm, this embracing land 
 which he entered from the Government in 1844, 
 for the consideration of $1.25 per acre. He owns 
 eighty acres of the original eiitrj', and forty acres 
 which he purchased from another party, lie has 
 effected all the improvements upon it, this being 
 accomplished solely b}' persevering industry and 
 good management. The roof which shelters him 
 and the comforts which surround him are a stand- 
 ing monument to his unremitting toil and his fru- 
 gality, which made him careful to live within his 
 income and make a wise provision for the future. 
 Mr. Wilder came to Will County from Ashata- 
 bula County, Ohio, of which he had been a resident 
 for many years. He was born in Onondaga Count}', 
 N. Y., May 21, 180G, and is consequently eighty- 
 four years old, but notwithstanding his years he is 
 bright and active, well informed and intelligent 
 and possesses such a clear recollection of past events 
 that an hour may always be spent pleasantly and 
 profitably in his companj'. During his younger 
 3ears Mr. Wilder was one of the leading politicians 
 of this part of the count}-. He originally voted 
 with the Democratic party, but after the outbreak 
 of the Rebellion transferred his support to Repub- 
 lican principles. He served as Tjwnship Supervisor 
 nearly five terms, and for many years was Assessor 
 
 and Collector. He maintains that his exceptional 
 good health has been the result of correct habits 
 and inhaling the pure country air. lie has always 
 followed agricuUurul pursuits, and he was uni- 
 formly successful as a tiller of the soil. 
 
 The iirmediate progenitor of our subject was 
 Ruhen Wilder, Jr.-, a native of Vermont and of 
 New England parentage. The paternal grandfather 
 was Ruben Wilder, Sr., who was likewise born in 
 A'ermont, and who emigrated first to New York 
 State and then to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where 
 he spent his last days engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits and dying when quite aged. The removal to 
 Ohio was made as early as 1810, oi perhaps 1808. 
 lie was married in his native State to a lady who 
 was also born in Vermont, and who, like him, lived 
 to be quite aged. Grandfather Wilder was a prom- 
 inent member of the Old School Baptist Church, a 
 man of decided views and oi)inions, and who exer- 
 erted no small influence among the people of his 
 community. 
 
 Ruben Wilder, Jr., the father of our subject, 
 was the eldest child of his parents and was but a 
 lad when they left his native State of Vermont 
 and settled in Onondaga County, N. Y. He was 
 there reared to manhood and married Miss Polly 
 Herring. She was born in Vermont and was taken 
 by her parents to New York State when a child. 
 After her marriage to Ruben Wilder, Jr., they 
 settled on a farm in Onondaga County, N. Y., where 
 their three eldest children were born, one of whom 
 died in infancy. When Ahnon was a few years 
 old they removed to Ohio, settling in the woods of 
 Ashtabula County, where the father obtained a 
 tract of Government land and opened up a farm. 
 AVlien quite well advanced in years they left the 
 Bucke^'e State and removed to Dyer, Lake County, 
 Ind., where the}' both died at an advanced age. 
 They were consistent members of the Christian 
 Church and adorned their profession by their daily 
 walk and conversation, being kind and tender par- 
 ents, hospitable neighbors, and doing good as they 
 had opportunity to those around them. 
 
 The subject of this notice was one of the elder 
 members of a family of six sons and four tiaugh- 
 ters, and after the removal of the family to Oh'o he 
 went to live with his Grandfather Wilder, with 
 
518 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 whom he made his home until reaching his major- 
 ity. Soon afterward lie was married, in Ashtabula 
 Count}', to Miss Anna Corey. This lady was born 
 in New York and was taken to Ohio by her parents 
 when a child, tliey settling in Ashtabula County, 
 where Mr. Core}' followed farming and where both 
 he and ids good wife spent the closing j'cars of their 
 lives. 
 
 Mrs. Anna Wilder was carefully trained b}' her 
 excellent parents and received her education in the 
 common schools. She remained under the parental 
 roof until her marriage and accompanied her hus- 
 band to Lake County, Ind., where her death took 
 place in 1H40. She was then comparatively a young 
 woman, but tlie mother of nine children, three of 
 whom died in infancy. She proved the faithful 
 partner of her husband and was a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Six of 
 their children are still living, and with two excep- 
 tions they are all married. Eliza is the wife of 
 Alfred Robinson, who ofliciates as receiver in a 
 Street-car Railroad Company in CUicago; Maria is 
 the wife of Myion Mordorff, and the}' live on a farm 
 in DeKalb County, this State; Mary is the wife of 
 William C.Adams, arolired farmer of Crete Town- 
 ship; Martha, Mrs. .John Dodge, lives on a farm in 
 Crete Township; .Melissa M. is a well-educated lady 
 and for many years has been a teacher in the city 
 schools of Chicago; Edward A. served in the Union 
 Army during the Civil War and since its close has 
 been a resident of Eldorado County, Cal. ; he is 
 single. 
 
 Mr. Wilder, in 1842, contracted a second mar- 
 riage in Cook County, this State, with Jlrs. Louisa 
 (Wilson) Raymond. This lady was born near 
 London, England, and is of pure English stock as 
 far back as is known. She emigrated to America 
 when quite young, settling with her parents in 
 Canada, where she was married to her first husband, 
 Oeorge Raymond. They afterward removed to 
 Michigan, where Mr. Rajmond died when a young 
 man. leaving three children. John died when thirty 
 years old. The survivors are Christiana, the wife 
 of H. P. Gray, a machinist of Chicngo, and Ann 
 who married Clark Ilolbrook, a farmer of Cook 
 County, this State. Of this marriage of our sub- 
 ject there have been born two chililren: George II. 
 
 married Miss Augusta Brown, and is farming in 
 Cook County; Louisa is tlie wife of C. S. Howard, 
 a leading business man of Denver, Colo., very 
 wealthy and extensively engaged in the lumber 
 business. Mr. and Mrs. Wilder are prominently 
 connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
 which Mr. Wilder for many 3-ears has been a lead- 
 ing officer and to which he has always contributed 
 a liberal support. 
 
 ^ €^-B- 
 
 '^|/OHN O. MEIER, Supervisor of Crete Town- 
 ship, has represented this township in the 
 Count}' Board of Supervisors for a period 
 of nineteen years — a fact which sufficiently 
 indicates his standing among the people. In 
 former \'ears he prosecuted farming successfully, 
 but in 1885, retired from active labor and took up 
 his abode in the village on the 2n(l of November, 
 that 3ear. He is the owner of considerable town 
 property an<l has three hundred and tlfty acres of 
 some of the finest farming laud of Will C(iunty, 
 besides thirty acres of timber. His land is now 
 oi)crated by his sons. Eighty acres of it was se- 
 cured by him from the (Jovernment and through 
 his industry and |)erseveranee was brought to its 
 present fertile condition and added to, until the 
 acreage now amounts to three hundred and eighty. 
 A settler of February, 1848, Mr. Meier pur- 
 chased in Crete Townshii)his first tract of Govern- 
 ment land, this comprising eighty acres which. he 
 bought in 1847. He commenced without means and 
 owes all his possessions to his iudustrj', econom}' 
 and perseverance. He is of German birth and an- 
 cestry, his early home being in Hesse-Cassel, where 
 he first opened his eyes to the light January 17, 
 1824. He emigrated to America in the summer of 
 1844, and for a j'ear thereafter was a resident of 
 Chicago. Thence he removed to DuPage Town- 
 ship, Will County, and worked by the month until 
 earning sufficient money to become a landowner. 
 The father of our subject was Conrad Meier, also 
 a native of Hesse-Cassel, and a miller by trade. 
 He spent his entire life in his native province, dy- 
 ing at the age of fifty-five years. He was a Lu- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 61!) 
 
 tbcran in religion and married a lady of his own 
 province — Miss Sophia Schweer. She survived her 
 husband nian}^ years and died at her native place 
 at the advanced age of eighty-two and one-halt 
 years. She, like her husband, was a member of the 
 Lutheran Church from her youth. 
 
 To the jiarents of our subject there was born a 
 family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom 
 lived to mature j'ears, were married and had fam- 
 ilies. Of these John O., is the only survivor, and 
 the only one who came to the Tnited States. lie 
 attended school until fourteen years old, in the 
 meantime also worked at his father's mill. At that 
 age lie set out for himself and wiien a young man 
 of twenty years embarked on his voyage to Amer 
 ica, from ISremerhaven on the sailing vessel "West- 
 phalia," a three-master, which after forty -three 
 days landed him safely in New York City. Tiience 
 he proceeiled to Albany by steamer and from there 
 by rail to Buffalo, where^he look a lake vessel to 
 Chicago, at which he arrived after seven days' pas- 
 sage. 
 
 Mr. Meier now began work on farm land which 
 is now included in the city limits of the World's 
 Fair City, remaining in that vicinity for twelve 
 months. While crossing the Atlantic he made the 
 acquaintance of a maiden of his own country — 
 Miss Anna Rinne — who was accompanied by her 
 parents. This acquaintance resulted in theii' mar- 
 riage October 18, 1848, at Chicago, where the pa- 
 rents of Mrs. Meier settled. This union resulted 
 in the birth of eleven ciiildren and after remaining 
 the devoted helpmate and companion of her 
 husband fur a period of more than twenty 
 years, Mrs. Meier departed this life at her 
 home in Crete Township, April 27, 18G'.). Five 
 of their children are yet living. John W. married 
 Miss Sophia Scheiwe, who is now deceased, and he 
 lives in Asii Grove, this State; Sophia is the wife 
 of Henry Wassman, and they live on a farm in 
 Crete Township; William II. married Miss Rena 
 Tadger, and they live on Mr. Meier's farm in Crete 
 Township; Mary is the wife of William Piepen- 
 brink, a farmer of Crete Township; Louisa lives 
 witli her brother John, in Ash Grove. 
 
 Ml'. Meier, on December 23, 18G9, was married 
 to Miss Engel vScheiwe. This ladj- was born in 
 
 Hesse-C'issel, Germany, November 28, 1832, and 
 lived there until December, 18C0,at which time she 
 emigrated to America, coming alone. Of this 
 union there have been born two children — one of 
 whom Leo, died when ten months old; Henry E. 
 operates one of his father's farms. Mr. Meier and 
 his present wife, as was also the first wife, are mem- 
 bers in good standing of the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
 Meier has given to his church a liberal support and 
 officiated as a Trustee for a period of thirty years. 
 Politicidly, he Is a pronounced Republican. He has 
 been quite prominent in local politics and has held 
 all the tovvnship offices, discharging the duties 
 thereof with credit to himself and satisfaction to 
 all concerned. He is Treasurer and Director of 
 the Crete Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company, 
 which was established in I8G1, and which has been a 
 great success. 
 
 f RTHUR C CLEMENT, senior member of 
 the firm of Clement & Oliver, is with his 
 partner transacting quite an extensive 
 business in real estate, loans and insurance, 
 making a specialt}- of his own property. He was 
 born in the city of Joliet, January 16, 1852, and 
 is a son of one of its earliest settlers, Charles Cle- 
 ment, who at the time of his death was the oldest 
 living resident of the place. 
 
 AVith the exception of a few j'ears spent in New 
 Hampshire, Mr. Clement has passed his entire 
 life in the city of his birth. When a small child 
 his parents removed to the Granite State, and 
 made their home in Chester until the spring of 
 1862, the father in the meantime coming to Illinois 
 when necessary to attend to his business. After 
 returning to this State, in 1862, for permaneut set- 
 tlement, Arthur C. remained with his parents and 
 pursued his studies in the city schools until 1868. 
 Then going to Ithaca, N. Y. he entered Cornell 
 University where he took a four years' course and 
 from which he was graduated in 1872, with the de- 
 gree of B. S. 
 
 After leaving the I^niversity Mr. Clement re- 
 turned to Joliet and during the winter following 
 occupied himself as a school teacher in Will Town- 
 
520 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 sln'i). Ill llie spring tif 1S7.'5, he entered the oftiee 
 of Oliii A I'lieliis, attorneys, and took up the 
 study of l;i\v to which ho gave his close attention 
 for a year an 1 tiieii entered the law department 
 of Chicago I'niversity, and was soon afterward 
 admitted to the bar. He then associated himself 
 with a partner and the firm of Phelps & Clement 
 transacted a successful business until the year pre- 
 vious to the death of Mr. Clement's father, in 
 1878. 
 
 Mr. Clement being chosen to administer upon 
 his father's estate, he found his time so taken up 
 that he was obliged to abandon his law practice 
 and give his attention to that in which he is now 
 engaged. In 1885 he entered into partnership 
 with Stephen A. Oliver, and tliey added insurance 
 to the business which is being extended steadilj' as 
 they are becoming known. Mr. Clement has Dem- 
 ocratic tendencies, liut lias never had anj' political 
 aspirations. 
 
 On the 15th of Seiitember, 1875, Mr. Clement 
 was united in wedlock with Miss Georgia M. 
 Smith, at the luide's home in Auburn, N. Y. This 
 lady is the daughter of Alfred and Laura Smith, 
 who are now residents of Auburn, N. Y. There 
 have been born of this union a son and daughter, 
 namely, Ch.arles Alfred and Laura. 
 
 Charles Clement, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Windsor. Vt., in January, 1810, and there 
 s[)ent the early years of his life. After removing to 
 Joliet he was married to Miss Cordelia, sistej' of 
 Edmund Wilcox, who w.as a partner of Mv. Cle- 
 ment upon first coming to .loliet. Mr. Clement 
 settled here ill the spring of 1833, after which he 
 went to Peoria and sojourned until the fall of that 
 year. Miss Wilcox had come to the West on a 
 visit to her brother and was married to Mr. Cle- 
 ment in 1844. 
 
 The father of our subject aliout 1835, purchased 
 one acre of ground situated at what is now the cor- 
 ner of Exchange and Bluff Streets, paying there- 
 for ^slOO and upon it put u|) the first frame build- 
 ing in the town, this being the Old American House 
 and which during the lioom that followed two 
 years later, he sold for the sum of $15,000, taking 
 in i)art payment a stock of goods. Then in part- 
 nership with Mr. Wilcox he engaged in the mer- 
 
 cantile business two j'ears. He in the meantime 
 become a prominent man and was one of the Vil- 
 lage Trustees prior to leaving for New Hampshire. 
 After the return from New Hampshire he again 
 embarked in the dry-goods business at the corner 
 of Jefferson and Ottawa Streets, and was thus oc- 
 cupied until 1865, while in the meantime he dealt 
 largely in real estate. He finally retired from ac- 
 tive business and died December 11, 1878, at his 
 home in Joliet, 111. 
 
 After Joliet had assumed the proportions of a 
 cit3', Charles Clement reptesented his ward in the 
 Council for a number of jears. When first com- 
 ing to the place he, in company with Messrs. Wil- 
 cox & Allen established the JoHet Courier, the 
 first issue of which bore tiie date April 20, 1839. 
 This was the first paper published in the county, 
 and Mr. Clement still preserves with care a copy 
 of the first Issue which contains a report of the 
 proceedings at the incorporation of Joliet Town- 
 sliip. Upon that occasion the following officers 
 were elected; William Scofield, President, Charles 
 Clement, Treasurer, Charles Gardner, Clerk, and 
 William Adam, Street Commissioner. In 1837, 
 the fatlier of our subject, in companj' with Mr. 
 Wilcox, made a tri[ir overland with a horse and 
 wagon through Northwestern Iowa, during which 
 they spent only two nights at a hotel. 'I'here are 
 still living of the parental family only two chil- 
 dren — Arthur C, our subject, and Alice C. who re- 
 mains with her mother at the old place. Mr. 
 Clement cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew 
 Jackson and was a stanch adherent of the Demo. 
 crat part^'. 
 
 j^ILLIAM S. NICCOLLS is the occupant of 
 the old Haven homestead, on section 24^ 
 V^^ New Lenox Township, and the owner of 
 two hundred acres of fine land in McLean Count}'. 
 His occujjation is that of a farmer and stock-raiser, 
 in both of which lines of work he has become a 
 master. 
 
 The Keystone State claims Mr. Niccolls as one 
 of her sons and in that State his parents also first 
 opened their eyes to the light of day. His father, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 521 
 
 John NiccoUs, was born in Westmoreland County, 
 in April, 1810, and his mother, whose maiden name 
 was Maria Steele, in Fayette County in 1807. 
 After their marriage this worthy couple settled in 
 Westmoreland Count}', remaining there until 1847, 
 when they removed to the vicinity of Cadiz, Har- 
 rison County, Ohio. Thence they journeyed to 
 Bloomington, 11!., in 1851, and are now living in 
 that city at an advanced age. They are the par- 
 ents of eight children named respectively, William 
 S., Sarali J., .lohn, Violet, C^assius, Hattie, Albert, 
 and Elliott. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice was born 
 in West Newton, Westmoreland County, Pa., Oc- 
 tober 13, 1831. He accomp.anied his parents in 
 their removals, remaining in Bloomington, this 
 State, from their arrival in 1851, until 1856. He 
 then came to this county, spending three years as 
 a resident of New Lenox Township, after which he 
 returned to Bloomington for a 3'ear. Coming again 
 to this county he spent three years in farming at 
 Reed's Grove, after which he went again to Bloom- 
 ington, remaining at that place until December, 
 188G. During the greater part of his life he has 
 been engaged in trading in stock. 
 
 Mr. Niccolls has been twice married. The first 
 engagement was consumateil in Bloomington, Oc- 
 tober 3, 1854, the bride being Miss I-Clizabeth, 
 daughter of Calvin and Lucinda (Keyser) Barnes. 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Niccolls siiared her husband's joys 
 and sorrows until October 10, 1871), when she was 
 removed from her sorrowing household b_y the 
 hand of de'ith. She iiad borne her husliand teu 
 children, six of whom died in infancy. Those who 
 lived to years of maturity are .John V., Josephine, 
 VV^illiain and Calvin 1!. 
 
 The second marriage of Mr. Niccolls tooiv place 
 in New Lenox Townsliip, September 7, 1886, the 
 bride on this occasion being Mrs. Lydia E. Haven 
 ni'p Francis. She is a daughter of tiie late Abra- 
 ham and JLary A. J. (Davison) Francis, whose 
 history will bo found in the sketch of her brother, 
 A. Allen Francis. She was born in this township, 
 April 9, 1845, and is the sixth child in the parental 
 family. She was reared to womanhood on her 
 ather's farm wiiere she resided until her marriage 
 to Alvin S. FLaven, which was celebrated Decem- 
 
 ber 19, 1865. Mr. Haven was the youngest son of 
 the late Samuel and Ilepsibah (Denny', Haven, 
 whose history is included in the sketch of the Hon. 
 Dwight Haven. He was born on his father's home- 
 stead in New Lenox Township, February 6, 1842, 
 was educate ^1 in the common schools and grew to 
 manhood on the farm. He engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits, becoming the owner of the old homestead, 
 which consisted of about one hundred and ten acres, 
 and at the time of his death owned two hundred 
 and seventy one acres, which is now the property 
 of Mrs. Niccolls. He passed from earth November 
 29, 1878, mourned by many friends and acquaint- 
 ances, having gained the esteem of all who knew 
 him. He was a live Republican and had sCrved as 
 Collector two terms. He was the father of three 
 children — Fred 8., Charles F. and an infant who 
 died unnamed. Charles F. died December 22, 
 1886, aged sixteen years, eight months and five 
 days. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Niccolls belong to the Meth- 
 odist F]piscopal Church, have high standing among 
 its members, and throughout the community are 
 looked upon with respect for the consistent lives 
 which they lead as professors of Christianit}". Botli 
 are well versed in general information and |)0ssess 
 the cordial, friendl\- manners which favorably im- 
 press strangers, and are known by tiieir friends to 
 be the outward token of kind hearts. 
 
 -jlj OHN WILKENING. After a series of years 
 spent in persevering toil, the subject of this 
 notice is now living retired from active la- 
 y bor and enjoying the comforts of a quiet 
 country homestead, comprising one hundred and 
 seventy .acres of land on section 22, Crete Town- 
 sliii). He h.as passed in and out among the i)eople 
 of his community for the long period of forty-one 
 years, having come to this section in the spring 
 of 1849. He then took up a tract of wild land 
 comprising a part of his present farm, besides 
 eight}' acres in another part of the township, and 
 one hundred and twenty acres in Washington 
 Township, all of which he brought to a good state 
 
622 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of cultivation, witli llie t'xci'i)tic)ii of ten acres upon 
 which is a fine growtii of timber. 
 
 The possessions of Mr. Wiilfoning liave been ac- 
 cuimiluted by his own in(lustr3' and good manage- 
 ment, as he commenced in life at the foot of the 
 ladder, without means and entirely dependent upon 
 his own resources. He was born in HessoCassel, 
 German}-, July 2, 1811), and was the second in a 
 family- of six sons, four of whom came to America 
 and one of whom died in his native Germany. 
 The eldest of the family is still living at the old 
 homestead in Hesse-Cassel, unless having died re- 
 cently. All those who came to the United States 
 are residents of Will County, 111., and occui)ied in 
 farming pursuits. They, like their brother .John, 
 are well-to-do, industrious and reliable citizens, 
 and holding a good position in their communit}'. 
 
 The subject of this notice was reared at the lit- 
 tle farm in Hesse-Cassel, and received a very good 
 education in his native tongue. He remained a 
 resident of his native province until a man of 
 twent3-six years and then, still unmarried, deter- 
 mined to seek his fortunes in America. He em- 
 barked at the port of Bremerhaven on a small 
 sailing vessel, the "llarburg," which after a voy- 
 age of six weeks landed him in New York City, 
 July 3, 18io. Thence he proceeded to Albany, 
 N. Y., via the Hudson River, and from there to 
 Buffalo, where he boarded a lake vessel, and in due 
 time reached Chicago, III., which was then an un- 
 important town. He at once sought emploj'ment 
 and worked It}' the day, being occupied in a simi- 
 lar manner until he could obtain sufficient capital 
 to secure his land. 
 
 In Chicago, Mr.Wilkening was married, in 1847, 
 to Miss Mary Kollir. This lady was born in Hesse- 
 Cassel, Germany, August 12, 1827, to John and 
 Sophia (Miller) Kollir, who were natives of the 
 same province, where they owned a small farm. 
 He was a weaver by trade. They were the par- 
 ents of two children only, who were born before 
 they emigrated to America, in the spring of 1845. 
 They likewise made the voyage in a sailing vessel, 
 landing in New York City, whence they proceeded 
 in the same manner as our subject to Chicago, and 
 from there to Will County, 111. Mr. Kollir se- 
 cured a tract of land in Crete Township, and with 
 
 the assistance of his estimable wife improved a 
 good farm, where they both spent the remainder 
 of their days. Mrs. Kollir died, in 1868, when 
 sixty-five years old. Mr. Kollir survived his wife 
 a number of years, dying in 1879, aged eighty-five 
 years and six months. They were people greatly 
 respected in their community and prominently 
 identified with the German-Lutheran Church. 
 
 Mrs. Wilkcning was the elder of the two chil- 
 dren born to her parents. Her brother Henry 
 died soon after coming to this country, when a 
 promising youth of nineteen years, in the bottom 
 of a well from the effects of foul gas. INIrs. Wil- 
 kcning was about eighteen years old when her par- 
 ents came to America. She was trained in all 
 liouscwifel}' duties by her excellent mother, and 
 has proven a devoted wife to her husband and a 
 kind mother to her children. The latter were nine 
 in numlier, but two died when quite young: John 
 at the age of six years; and Anna, aged twelve. 
 The survivors arc recorded as follows: IMary is 
 tlie wife of John Brockman, a teacher in the Chi- 
 cago city schools; Ilenr}' married Miss Mary Stei- 
 ver. and operates the homestead in Crete Town- 
 ship; Conrad is represented on another page in 
 this volume; Sophia is at home with her |)arents; 
 Lena is the wife of Dr. Otto Miessler, of Crete; 
 Frederick is occupied with his brother in a store 
 at that jilacc; Augustus remains under the home 
 roof. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wilkcning and all their children 
 are members of the Lutheran Church, of Crete, to 
 which they give a liberal support. Politically, 
 Mr. Wilkcning is a sound Republican. He has 
 held the local offices of his township, and has al- 
 ways borne the reputation of a man honest aiul 
 upright in his dealings and one whose word is as 
 good as his bond. He furnishes a fine illustration 
 of the results of persevering industry and. while 
 surrounded by all the comforts of life, and many 
 of its luxuries, he may justl}' feel that he has 
 fairly earned them, and at the same lime he has 
 ever been willing to lend a helping hand to those 
 less fortunate. 
 
 The father of our 'subject was H. Wilkcning, 
 likewise a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and 
 who spent his entire life in the place of his birth. 
 
m 
 
 '(Zi 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 526 
 
 While [jerli.aps not the hero of an\- thrilling event, 
 he was an honest, hai'd-working man, who raarle a 
 comfoitahle living for his family and earned the 
 good will of his neighbors. He lived to number 
 three-score and ten years, and from early manhood 
 was an active member of the Lutheran Church. 
 His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine S. 
 Buck. She likewise was of German birth and 
 parentage, and |)roved the faithful helpmate of 
 her husbanil, being industrious and economical 
 .lud remaining with him until he no more needed 
 her wifely offices. After his death she joined her 
 children in this cotintry, and died of cholera, in 
 18,53, at the home of her son Christof, in Chicago. 
 .She was about seventy years old and, like ber 
 husband, a consistent member of tlie Lutheran 
 ( 'hurch. 
 
 -'^--^^'^^^^^i^^^r^Zf^ 
 
 .;ILLIAM J. PADDOCK. Prominent among 
 those who spent their }'ounger years 
 wiselj' and profitably and are now living 
 retired from life's active labors, may be properly 
 mentioned Mr.Paddock, whose well-regulated home- 
 stead is on section 21, Homer Township. His 
 surroundings indicate a man of more than or- 
 dinai'y enterprise, the farm Ijeing embellished 
 with suitable buildings and liaving about it the air 
 of thrift and prosperity, which is the inevitable 
 result of industry, prudence and good management. 
 Personally', Mr. Paddock is genial, liberal and pub- 
 lic spirited, a man who is held in high esteem in 
 his community, ?,nd who has acquitted himself in a 
 vvorthy manner among his fellow-men. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the third in a 
 family of fourteen children, and was born May 5, 
 1816, in Camillus, Onondaga County, N. Y. He 
 was reared to manhood in his native county, where 
 he lived until coming to Illinois, with the excep- 
 tion of one 3'ear spent in Cayuga County. We 
 first find him a resident of this county in the win- 
 ter of 183(5, when he located on the Land which his 
 father had previously secured on section 21, Homer 
 Townsliip. He has thus been a resident of this town- 
 ship for the long period of fifty four years, and 
 
 until retiring from labor was continuously engaged 
 in farming pursuits. He is now the owner of one 
 hundred and thirty acres of good land, which 
 through his careful management has not only 
 yielded him a handsome income, but enabled him 
 to lay by something for a rainy day. 
 
 Mr. Paddock was married in Homer Township, 
 October 30, 1838, to Miss Emily K. Oliver. This 
 lady was 'born in Monroe Count}', N. Y., August 
 13, 181.5, and by her union with our subject be- 
 came the mother of three children. The eldest 
 born, Edgar L., died when about two years old; 
 Eliza E. is the wife of Samuel W. Jones, and they 
 live with uur subject; Erank E. married Miss Anna 
 Murphy, and resides in this township. Mr. Pad- 
 dock cast his first Presidential vote for Harrison, 
 and has alvvays taken an active interest in )3oliticaI 
 affairs, giving his uniform supi)ort to the Repub- 
 lican party. He has held the ofHce of Township 
 Collector, and has been a Highway Commissioner 
 for several years. His long experience and close 
 observation of men and things have conspired to 
 make him a man of more than ordinary intelli- 
 gence, and he has watched the various events dur- 
 ing a long and useful life with a thoughtfulness 
 which has maintained him in a position in the front 
 rank among the readers and thinkers of the pres- 
 ent day. 
 
 A fine portrait of Mr. Paddock appears on 
 another page. 
 
 ^ EORGE E. ROCKEY. For over a quarter of 
 a century this gentleman has made his home 
 in Joliet, and perhaps no resident of the 
 place takes greater interest in its growth anS up- 
 building than he. He is a quiet, unassuming citi- 
 zen, who has taken little part in politics, except to 
 generally vote the Democratic ticket and who has 
 borne his part in public life, content to perform his 
 duties as an individual and sufficiently occupied 
 with his personal affairs. 
 
 The parents of the gentleman of whom we write 
 were William and Elizabeth (Maize) Rockey, whose 
 family conjprised three children, of whom George 
 
526 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 E. is tlie only survivor. Tlie fattier was a harness- 
 maker, and tiieir home was in tlie Keystone State. 
 
 George E. Hockey was born in Mifflinhurg, Pa., 
 October 4, 1819, and learncil the trade of a carpen- 
 ter, althongh he never followed it except to do the 
 woodwork on threshing macliines for a brother-in- 
 law, l^av id Ilerr. He went to Center County, where 
 lie opened a foundry in 184 -t. and where he resided 
 ten years. H<^ then came to Illinois and, locating 
 in Plainfield, this county, worked for Dillinan A Co. 
 until 1802. when he removed lo .Toliet. In 18(;(! 
 he bought a planing-mill. which he operated until 
 1886, when he transferred it to his son Franklin. 
 
 In Miss .Susan Wolf, Mr. Hockey di.'Cerned 
 the qualities of mind and cliaiacter which won his 
 regard, and after a successful wooing she liecamc 
 his wife December 15. 1842. Throughout their 
 long and li:ippy married life they have found no 
 cause to regret the union. They have had five 
 children, of whom four are now living in Joliel;, 
 the other having died in infancy. The survivors 
 are: Mrs. Margaret Dice, Franklin, Mrs. Jennie 
 Poraerov and Edward. 
 
 
 _SE 
 
 
 |( IfelLLIAM DANBY has for thirty years been 
 \\a/i7 '' resident of this county, and since com- 
 
 Vy \P iiig here has attained an honorable jilace 
 among its farmers and stock-growers, who are sus- 
 taining and advancing its magnificent agricultural 
 I'esourcos. He is a well known resident of Will 
 Township, in which his farming operations are 
 centered. Our subject is of English birth and 
 breeding, born iMay 1), 1822, in West-Riding, of 
 Yorksiiire, a son of Robert and Rebecca (Latham) 
 Dan by, who w^ere born in the same shire as himself. 
 His father was a farmer. He and his wife reared a 
 family of six children, namely: Caroline, George, 
 .larvers, Charles, Willi.un and Richard, of whom 
 George, Richard and William became citizens of 
 this country. George came to the United States 
 in 1 8.53, settled in Will Township, and was con- 
 nected with the mini lis Centr.al Railroad. Richard 
 came in 1853 and settled in Croton, N. Y. 
 
 The suliject of this biographical review came to 
 
 this country with his wife in the year 1858. He 
 spent the following two years in Matteson. HI., being 
 employed on the Central Railroad. Desiring to 
 give his attention to farming pursuits and having 
 heard of the wonderful fertility of the soil of Will 
 County, and of the success that followed the labors 
 of its enterprising farmers and stock -raisers, he se- 
 lected this region as the most desirable location, 
 anil in 1 8(50 took up his residence here. For six 
 years he rented land until he accumulated sufficient 
 money to jilace him on an independent basis, and 
 in 18G5 he purchased eighty acres of lanil in Will 
 Township. In November, 1870, he located on the 
 one hnndrfd and sixty acres of land in the same 
 township, which he still occu[)ies. He has added 
 one hundred and sixty acres to it and now has a 
 choice farm of two hundred and forty acres, which 
 he has under admirable cultivation anrl is constantly 
 improving. He is much interested in the cattle bus- 
 iness, and for eight years has been a breeder of Here- 
 ford cattle. W^hen Mr. Danb3^ first set foot on these 
 shores he had a capital of $200 with which to make 
 his new start in life. B}'" superior management and 
 excellent business tact he has greatly increased this 
 and may now be considered one of the moneyed 
 men of the township. 
 
 March 24, 1850, Mr. Danby and Miss Ann Kil- 
 lingbeck united their lives and fortunes, and in her 
 he has found a prudent helpmate and a true wife. 
 She was born November 4, 1826, in the town of 
 Snaith, Yorkshire, England, a daughter of William 
 and Hannah (Ellison) Killingbeck. likewise natives 
 of Yorkshire. They were the parents of four chil- 
 dren — John, Thomas, Ann and Harriet. John came 
 to this county and first settled here and then took 
 up his residence in Kansas. He married and had 
 one son — Wilson. Thomas remained in England : 
 two of his sons are living. Harriet, now Mrs. Hor- 
 ner, lives in England ; she has three sons — Fred, 
 William and Herbert. The marri.age of our subject 
 and his wife has been blessed to them l\y the birth 
 of six children: Caroline; Annie E., wife of 
 Thomas Stewart; Blanche, wife of Joseph Jackson, 
 of White County, Ind.; Arthur W., Charles A. and 
 W^illiam A. 
 
 A man (>f sound intellect and of unswerving 
 integrity-, our subject has made his life record an 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 527 
 
 example of worth to otliers, and he is greatly re- 
 specterl for what he is and for what he has accom- 
 jilished. He is a good worker, ids labors being 
 directed by admirable judgment and far-reaghing 
 forethought. He is a man of sincere religious 
 principles, as is shown by his every-day conduct, 
 and in his wife the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 linds one of its most v.aluable and conscientious 
 members. He takes a deep interest in the affairs 
 of his adopted country, of whic-h he is a loyal citi- 
 zen, and identifies himself with the Republican 
 part. 
 
 \|/OHN CORLETT, a well-known, wealthy 
 farmer and stock-grower of Wesley Town- 
 shi|), has by his liberality, public spirit and 
 large enterprise, been a potent instrument 
 in bringing this section of the country to the front 
 ns .T leading agricultural count)-. He is the fortu- 
 nate owner of an extensive farm, that in point of 
 cHllivatiou, improvement and productiveness is 
 considered one of the most desirable in Northern 
 Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Corlett was born August 4, 1832, on the 
 homestead on the Isle of Man, to John and Ann 
 (McGregor) Corlett, and his father was a native of 
 tlie same place as our subject, and was there reared 
 to the life of a farmer. He subsequently became a 
 soldier in the English Army, and fought with valor 
 under the Duke of Wellington all through the lat- 
 ter's campaigns in tlie Spanish Peninsula, and was 
 also with the Iron Duke in the battle of W&terloo. 
 He lost his left arm in Holland, and was discharged 
 from the army, and pensioned at a sixpence a day 
 during the remainder of his life. After leaving 
 the service he married on the Isle of Man, his wife 
 being a native of Scotland. She was about eight 
 years of age when her parents removed to the Isle 
 of Man, where she still makes her home at the ven- 
 erable age of ninety-three. The father of our sub- 
 ject died in 1870, at the ripe old age of eighty- 
 three years. They were the parents of ten children, 
 SIX of whom are now living, five of whom are resi- 
 dents of this counti-y. 
 
 The subject of tiiis review was the fifth child of 
 
 his parents, with whom he made his home until he 
 was twenty-one, receiving the benefits of a common- 
 school education. At eleven 3'ears of age, a manly, 
 spirited, self-reliant lad, he began life for himself as 
 a farm hand. In the spring of 1855, ambitious to 
 make more of life than he could in the land of his 
 birth, he came to this country, and from New York 
 proceeded directly to Chicago, and from there to 
 Kankakee City, thence to Rockville in the same 
 county. He remained there four years, and after 
 his marriage in 1859, came to this count}^ settled 
 on his present farm and has ever since been a 
 valued citizen of Wesley Township. He has pur- 
 sued his calling with more than ordinary success and 
 now has a large farm of four hundred and forty 
 acres, besides owning six hundred and forty acres 
 in Kansas. He has provided his farm with roomy, 
 conveniently-arranged buildings, with the best ma- 
 chinery for carrying on agriculture after the most 
 approved methods, and has made it one of the most 
 desirable estates in this part of the county, and be- 
 sides raising rich harvests of grain, devotes much 
 attention to rearing stock of fine grades. 
 
 January 4, 1859, Mr. Corlett was united in inar- 
 raige to Mrs. Betsey McGilvery, nee Franklin, a 
 daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Appleby) Frank- 
 lin, natives of Vermont and New York, respec- 
 tively'. Her parents were married in the latter 
 State and came to Illinois in the early dajs of its 
 settlement and were among the early pioneers of 
 this township. In 1850, her father started over- 
 land for California, died on the way, and was buried 
 at Ft. Kearney. Her mother did not long survive 
 the death of her husband but departed this life in 
 1854. They were parents of twelve children, three 
 of whom are now living. Mrs. Corlett was born 
 October 9, 1829, in W.ayne County, N. Y. Of 
 the children born to her and our subject, four are 
 now living: William who was born October 15 
 1859; Mary, September 26, 1863, is the wife of 
 Ed. McKimmy, of Kansas Citj-; Minnie, born 
 March 22, 1865, is the wife of Eugene Babcock, of 
 Wesley Township, and they have one child; Ella, 
 born September 14, 1867. is the wife of Georo-e 
 Lancaster, of Wesley Township, and they have two 
 children. William Corlett is a member of the Ma- 
 sonic order. 
 
528 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Mr. Corlett is a man of stiong; character, with a 
 moral and mental mak'c-up, that [ilaces liim among 
 our most intelligent ami honorable citizens. He is 
 well flowered witli practical energy, activity and 
 tenacity of purjiose, and tliese traits besides lead- 
 ing him to wealtli have eniineiUiy fitted liim for 
 public service, and make him an influence as a pol- 
 itician and supporter of the Republican party, of 
 which he has been a stanch member since its or- 
 ganization. He has been a member of the local 
 School Board for twelve years and h.as earnestly 
 forvv.arded the educational interests of the township. 
 In 1885 and 1886 he represented Weslejr on the 
 County Board of Supervisors. He has been the 
 Highway Commissioner for six years, and in that 
 ofTice has done much to better the highways and 
 byways of the township. He built the dry run 
 near John Riciiey's place. He interests himself in 
 the questions of tlie day, particularly that of tem- 
 perance, and in word and act is a firm temperance 
 man. He and his wife are active members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Stew- 
 ard. He has always taken a prominent part in the 
 Sunday-school and under his able administration as 
 .Sn|)erintendent for the past fourteen years, it has 
 greatly increased in uLimbers and influence. 
 
 eAPT. ROBERT STEVENS is numbered 
 among the pioneers in Will County, in which 
 he settled in the spring of 1831. Those 
 who have never visited a frontier settlement, but 
 who have been accustomed from childhood to the 
 surroundings of our present civilization, can have 
 hut a faint conception of the life of the pioneers or 
 of the credit due those who led the way in the de- 
 veloi)ment of the country. Nowhere has greater 
 enterprise and sturdy manhood been exhibited than 
 throughout the Mississippi Valley, during the early 
 days of the various grand States into wliicli its fer- 
 tile expanse is now divided, and in no life are the 
 more rugged virtues of character and the milk of 
 human kindness more rapidly developed than in 
 I he [)rinutive scenes of a new country. Among 
 those to whom this section owes much, we might 
 
 say all, of its present prosperous condition and ad- 
 vanced development, Capt. Robert Stevens oceu- 
 Ijies an important pla<'e. 
 
 Not less worlln' of honor than her husViand, is 
 the widow of Capt. Stevens, who began her resi- 
 dence in tliis county in IS.'SII. and wlio as a young 
 lady, as a wUe, mother and neiglilior, lias earned 
 the deep respect of those among wlioni her life lias 
 been spent and a pla('e sid(^ b}' side with her hus- 
 band on the roll of the pioneers. They endured 
 privations and toils, such as try men's souls, 
 cheered by their belief in a bright future and by 
 mutual symiiathy, their labors being rewarded by 
 worldly prosperity, a happy home and friendly 
 feeling from without. 
 
 Ill Mason County. Ivj'., July 20, 1802, the eyes 
 of Robert Stevens opened to the light. He was a 
 child tvvo years of age when his parents removed 
 to Ohio, where he grew to man's estate, being ap- 
 prenticed at the age of sixteen years to learn the 
 trade of a tanner and currier. On the expiration 
 of his apprenticeship he went to Indiana, where he 
 labored until he took up his residence in Will 
 County. Here he settled on a tract of land just 
 east of .Joliet, developing a fine estate and in the 
 course of years becoming the owner of four hun- 
 dred acres in one body, all of which was put in a 
 fine condition and thoroughly improved. Although 
 his services were desired in a public capacity' he 
 found that his time was fully occupied by the con- 
 duct of his personal affairs, and to his farm he de- 
 voted himself almost exclusively. 
 
 The first wife of Capt. Stevens vvas Miss L^'dia 
 Ann Pence, who died in 1833. She had borne three 
 children, all of whom are deceased. In what was 
 then Cook County, but is now Joliet Township, 
 Will County, October 29, 1835, our subject con- 
 tracted a second matrimonial alliance. His bride, 
 Miss Nancy Kercheval, w.as born in Preble County, 
 Ohio, October 28, 1814, but had resided in this 
 county since she was sixteen years old. The happy 
 union was blessed by the birth of six children, 
 named respectively: Lewis, Thomas J., James, 
 Sarah A., Mary A., and Albert. The husband and 
 father was removed by death January 6, 18G4, all 
 the efforts put forth by his devoted wife and lov- 
 ing children having been fruitless to prolong his 
 
ipiP^ 
 
 fb 
 
 If' ^^"Vl' 
 
 7!>.is 
 
 J' 
 
 RoB'T Stevens. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 529 
 
 life. His mortal remains were deposited in Oak- 
 wood Cemetery, being followed to their last resting 
 place b_v a large concourse of citizens, to whom tiie 
 pioneer had endeared himself and who sympathized 
 deei)lv in the bereavement which had come upon 
 his family. 
 
 Capt. Stevens took an active pari in political 
 affairs, being deeply interested in the welfare of the 
 country ard anxious that i)roper men should be 
 elected to office. For a short time only he served 
 as Sheriff, having been the first one elected in Will 
 County, but giving up the position because his 
 farm required his attention. He also held the 
 office of Highway Commissioner. Since his death 
 his widow has remained on the homestead. She 
 possesses an abundance of vitality, keenness of 
 judgment and energy, and both looks and acts 
 much younger than her years. She has been a 
 member of the Methodist Church since 1834, her 
 confession of faith being but the initiatory step in 
 a life of consistent Christianity. 
 
 ELMER E. HENRY. The trade circles of 
 Joliet and vicinity'' recognize in Mr. Henry 
 ' one of its most promising young business 
 
 men. He is |irincipaliy interested in the glass and 
 queensware trade, in wliieli he h.as had a ripe ex- 
 perience, and is meeting witli unqualitied success. 
 Eor the [i-is three years he has lieen proprietor of the 
 most elegant eslablishnient of this kind to be found 
 in Northern Illinois. His straig,htforn-ard methods 
 of doing business, bis genial disi)Osition and his 
 courteous treatment of all with whom he comes in 
 contact, is a matter that is often made the subject 
 of remark. His estalilishnienl is prominently lo- 
 cated on Cliicago Street, and lie carries a 4^10,000 
 stock of goods, from which during the year 1889 
 he effected sales to the amount of $30,000. 
 
 A native of Hunterdon County, N. J., our sub- 
 ject was born Jul}' 9, 1862, in the village of White 
 House, to William E. and Susan C. Henry, now 
 living in Joliet. When but a small child, Mr. 
 Henry was brought by his parents to Joliet, and in 
 
 this city received his education. He commenced 
 his business career at an earl}' age, and is an apt 
 illustration of the maxim that ''a good business 
 well stuck to is sure to win." He served an ap- 
 prenticeship of ten years as a clerk before embark- 
 ing in business on his own account, and was thus 
 equipped with a thorough experience, avoiding the 
 mistake which so many make of attempting to do 
 that of which they know nothing. Mr. Heniy is 
 unmarried. 
 
 ENRY KIPP owns a farm one and one-half 
 j[f )Jj miles from the village of DuPage, or Chaii- 
 ' nahon, as it is called, which is supplied with 
 J^ good buildings and all the needed improve- 
 ments to make it one of the most desirable in this 
 part of the county. A skillful and business-like 
 farmer and stock-raiser, our subject is also pos- 
 sessed of those characteristics that make him a 
 trusty and capable civic official, and lie bears an 
 honorable part in the management of local public 
 affairs. 
 
 Mr. Kipp is a native of the county, born in the 
 township of Troy, February 17, 1847, to A. P. and 
 Jane (Davis) Kipp, well-known pioneers of this 
 county. The maternal grandmother of our subject 
 died in 1872, at the venerable .nge of ninety-three 
 years. She came from. AVales when she was eighteen 
 years old, and settled in Kendall County in an 
 early day. The father of our subject was reared in 
 Oneida County, N. Y., and came from there to 
 Will County in 1837, in the prime of active man- 
 hood. He was accustomed to handling horses, and 
 he became a stage-driver on the Frink & Walker 
 line from Chicago to Peoria. He was well known, 
 was a fine man for his business, and was noted as 
 being a good judge of horses, and the company 
 emplo3'ed him to match horses and train them for 
 them. In 1849 he determined to follow the gold 
 seekers to California, traveling b}' the way of New 
 Orleans and jMexico. He remained there until 
 1 852, engaged as before, and at cine time, while 
 driving, his horses or mules became frightened at 
 some Indians who came suddenly upon them, and 
 
530 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lie was Ihrort'ii off ami wont undei' the wheel or the 
 wagon, which, with its load, vveigheil over seven 
 thousand pounds. He w.as so badly injured that 
 he had to give up his enijjloynient there and return 
 to the States, as the expenses of staying there were 
 so great, the doelors charging $30 for a visit, and 
 he had to p.ay $10 a day for board. He relumed 
 by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and coming 
 to Joliet, established a livery stable there. He re- 
 turned to the farm in 1856, where he remained till 
 1858, when he came to Channahon. In 1881 he 
 purchased the place in which our subject now lives, 
 and m.ade his home with him until his death, De- 
 cember 31, 1888, at the age of seventy-four years, 
 four months and sixteen days. He was twice mar- 
 ried, the maiden name of his first wife, the mother 
 of our subject, being Jane Davis, and she was of 
 Welsh parentage. She died in her twenty- fifth 
 year, nine months after the birth of our subject, 
 leaving two children, the eldest being Frances J., 
 now the wife of B. Schermerhorn, of Joliet. Mr. 
 Kipp was married a second time, in 1855, to Mrs. 
 E. W. Adams. 
 
 He of whom we write was reared in Channahon, 
 and received a subst.nntial education in the High 
 School of that place. He then adopted the profes- 
 sion of teaching, and was thus successfuUj' engaged 
 in this county for fourteen years, commencing in 
 1869, and teaching steadily each winter, while giv- 
 ing his attention to farming in the summer, and 
 during that time he missed but one day from his 
 school. The place which he now owns was willed 
 to him by his father, and although he has suffered 
 greatly from rheumatism, he has been prospered in 
 Lis agricultural undertakings. 
 
 October 21, 1871, was the date of Mr. Kipp's 
 marriage with Miss Ella F. Bailej% daughter of 
 Daniel and Susan (Zarley) Bailey. They were 
 among the pioneers of the count}', and the Zarleys ■ 
 were also early settlers, being a noted family here 
 in early daj's. Mrs. Bailey was born June 2, 1820, 
 and is still living with her husband in Channahon. 
 Our subject and wife have become the parents of 
 four daughters, namely: Alma M., Helen Z.,C4race 
 B. and Jane K., a little miss of nine years. 
 
 Mr. Kipp is a frank, warm-hearted man, gifted 
 with foresight in a large degree, ar.d in him this 
 
 township finds a good citizen, his fellow-townsmen 
 a kind and obliging neighbor, and his family a true 
 husliand and devoted father. He is a sturdy K<- 
 piililican in his political views, ahvaj's supporting 
 his party ticket. His fellow-citizens, valuing his 
 intelligence and capacity, have called him to office, 
 and for two terms lu^ has been Township Clerk, 
 and for one term was Collector of the Township. 
 
 ■^^- 
 
 #-# 
 
 / 
 
 U RA OWEN KNAPP. M. 1). Among the early 
 settlers of the county who i)layed an important 
 part in its development, the pioneer physician 
 held a |)roniinent and intluential position, and as a 
 noble type of the profession, we place before the j 
 patrons of this work, to many of whom he is well 
 known and bound by no common ties, a brief life 
 record of Dr. Ira Knapp. Coming to Northern 
 Illinois at an early da}', fresh from his studies and 
 in the ardor and vigor of the opening years of a 
 splendid manhood, our subject cast in his lot with 
 the sturdy pioneers whom he found already here, 
 and immediately entered upon an honorable career 
 in his calling. In those da3'S the life of a phj'sician 
 was fraught with hardships inconceivable at the 
 present time, but our subject with cheerful and 
 courageous self-sacrifice, bore them uncomplain- 
 ingly, and soon won a warm place in the hearts of 
 those whom he so faithfully served in their sick- 
 ness and became the friend and counselor of his 
 patients, and was known and welcomed in many a 
 household far and wide. Ill health obliging him to 
 give up the practice of his beloved profession as 
 itsiluties were too exacting, he has given his at- 
 tention to improving the land that he bought from 
 the Government fifty -seven years ago, which he has 
 developed into a choice farm, one of the pleasant- 
 est places on the DuPage River and Canal, located 
 about a mile and a half from Channahon Village. 
 Mr. Knapp was born in ]5arre, adjoining the city 
 of Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, February' 
 12, 1810. He received his early education in the 
 excellent schools of his native city, and then went 
 into the office of Dr. James Spaulding, of Montpe- 
 lier, and while there attended medical lectures in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 531 
 
 Dartmouth College. He subsequently became a 
 student at the Woodstock Medical School, in Ver- 
 mont, whence he was graduated in 1833, hav- 
 ing attained a high standing for scholarship in 
 his class. He was then twenty-three years of age 
 and lie determined to enter upon his profession in 
 the West, and selecting this count3- as a suitable 
 field for the exercise of his calling, he left his home 
 among the green hills of his native State on Sep- 
 tember 17, and on October 12, arrived as his desti- 
 nation. He was accompanied bj' his bride, and 
 with them came George and Russell Tryon, and 
 Miss Emily S. Knapp, (afterward the widow of 
 Mr. Lyman Foster,) now a resident of Aurora, 111., 
 residing with her daughter. The Doctor and his 
 uncle, George Tryon, the only other surviving 
 membei-s of the party are now eighty and eighty- 
 live years of age. 
 
 Our subject came to Chaiinahoii, opened an of- 
 fice occujiying it but one day, when he was called 
 seven miles to visit his first patient. He continued 
 the practice of his profession for fifteen years, his 
 patients being scattered over a wide area of coun- 
 try, and he has ridden as far as Rockford, on Rock 
 River, some ninety miles distant, in pursuit of his 
 callinir. The country l)eiiig so sparsely si'ttled, this 
 was a very lonely route and there was a stretch of 
 twenty-five miles on which there was not a house 
 to be seen. The Doctor is a man in advance of 
 his profession. When he was graduated blood- 
 letting was taught and advised by his instructors 
 as under the old medical regime, but the Docior 
 when he left school, left that and many other cus- 
 toms that were in use at that time, behind. Our 
 subject had a good opportunity to study the vari- 
 ous forms of malarial fever that was so prevalent 
 ill the early days of the settlement of the country, 
 and he had great success in treating the disease, 
 which he observed abated to a great extent after 
 the people had subdued the soil and had it well 
 cultivated. When he first came here, there were 
 five times as many Indians as whites and he 
 has seen as many as five hundred together. They 
 usually camped along the river and often visited 
 the home of our subject and would sit with Mrs. 
 Knapp, who enjoj'ed the company of the squaws 
 and their little papooses. Having been among the 
 
 Indians for at least ten years and carefully ob- 
 served their customs and character, he thinks them 
 very much maligned and ill-treated. In his inter- 
 course with them he followed the Golden Rule, and 
 seems to have found his red brethren truthful 
 anil honorable. Many years he lived among them 
 and under no circumstances did he ever put anj-- 
 thing under lock and key; his house was always 
 open day and night and they never offered to molest 
 a thing, which be accounts for by the fact that he 
 always treated them as he would wished to be used. 
 They have come to his house at any hour of the 
 day or night, often under the influence of liquor, 
 and never did they offer to injure a thing. He 
 never met one of them, but what he would advance 
 and shake him politely by the hand and saj': "Bu- 
 shu Nic-Kan," which means "How do you do ray 
 friend." The Doctor tells the following incident 
 of those days as showing the grateful character of 
 the untutored savage: A Mr. Treat, who was a 
 great friend of the Indians, made a claim on a piece 
 of land on the Des Plaines River, the place on sec- 
 tion 11, of this township, now owned by Oscar 
 Mills. He had no nu)ney to pay for the land, and 
 the Iniiians refused to treat with the Government 
 otticials niilil they agreed to give him ill, 000 to 
 buy land with. He had always treated the In- 
 dians with consideration, and they held him in 
 great affection. He took care of the grave of one 
 of their chiefs who was buried on the place that he 
 owned, now known as IMillsdale. 
 
 The Doctor k)cated on his present farm which he 
 bought from the Government in the month of 
 June, 183p. He built a log house in which he 
 lived for ten j-ears, and in that his children were 
 born. He then replaced it bj- his present substantial 
 and comfortable dwelling. He retired from his 
 profession about 1800, and since tlien has de- 
 voted himself to the ini|)rovement of las place, 
 which at one time comprised two hundred and 
 forty acres, but he has disposed of several acres, 
 and now has a farm of one hundred acres that is 
 one of the most desirable in the locality. 
 
 Dr. Knapp has been twice married. In Jul}-, 1833, 
 he was wedded to Miss Almyra Joslyn, daughter of 
 Luke Joslyn. She bore him three sons and one 
 daughter, as follows: George, a carpenter and 
 
532 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 joiner, of Wiseonsui, married and has one child ; 
 Orrin S., a farmer living near iiis father, married 
 and lias four 1k)3's and one girl; Melinda S., the 
 wife of Silas I. Parker, a mechanic and farmer, of 
 Miller County, Mo. The beloved wife of our sub- 
 ject who siiared with him the privations and hard- 
 shii)S()f i)ioneer life, and aided him in the building 
 up uf tiieir liome, passed to eternal rest in 1861. 
 
 The marriage of our subject to his present 
 worthy wife was consummated in 1864, and lias 
 proved of mutual benefit to both, as tiiereby he se- 
 cured a true Iieliimnte and companion, and she a 
 devoted husband. Mrs. Knapp at the time of her 
 marriage wiili our subject was Mrs. Ann S. Peebles, 
 the widow o'' 'vobert Peebles, who came from Eng- 
 Innd. She is the motlier of two children by that 
 marri.'ige: Charles, a young mairied man; R. W., 
 a resident of Egypt, 111., who is married and has 
 two eliildren, one of wliom lives witii its grand- 
 mother, Mrs. Knapp. 
 
 A man of superior intelligence and sound princi- 
 ple, and of blameless character, and an earnest 
 supporter of what he considers right in ever}' walk 
 in life. Dr. Knapp has a. ways exerted a wholesome 
 influence in this community with whose interests 
 his own have been ))ound for a period of more than 
 half a century. He has earnestly labored in l)ehalf 
 of the social and religious development of Clianna- 
 lion, and has taken an active [lart in the work of 
 the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church, of which he and 
 liis wife are consistent members. Politically, he 
 lias always voted according to his honest convic- 
 tions, and has sided with whichever party he thinks 
 to be the nearest right at the lime, and he is now 
 identified with the Prohibitionists. 
 
 ►^1*^ 
 
 SAAC T. MILLSPAUGH, Justice of the 
 Peace in Joliet, was first elected to that office 
 in 1877, serving four years; in 1886 he was 
 again elected, Shis time to fill a vacant-}', and at 
 the expiration of the term was continued in the 
 position. His character is an honorable one, his 
 nature enterprising and genial, and his life has 
 been spent in usefulness and good citizenship. As 
 
 a public servant, he proves worthy of the suffrage 
 of the people, laboring for the peace and good 
 order of the community faithfully and ably. 
 
 In Orange County, N. Y., February 26, 1820, 
 the eyes of Isaac Millspaugh first saw the light of 
 d.ay. Ilis father, Charles Millspaugh, was a native 
 of the same county and a farmer there. He mar- 
 ried Meliitable VanTassell, of the same county, 
 who bore him seven sons and one daughter. When 
 the son of whom we write was fifteen years old the 
 parents removed to the village of Bloomingburg, 
 where the father died in 1837, and the mother a 
 year later. Both were members of the Presbyter- 
 ian Church and respected in the community. 
 
 The subject of this sketch lived with his parents 
 until the death of his father, when he went into 
 Tompkins County and learned the trade of a black- 
 smith, passing his apprenticeship at Dryder. Cro- 
 ncrs. He worked at the trade nearly twenty years, 
 all told. Ill 1S14 he came to Illinois, arriving at 
 Joliet in lMa_y. and at once beginning the labor in 
 whicli he had [jieviously been engaged. He made 
 the first steel (ilow manufactured in Joliet, and was 
 the first blacksmith in the Chicago il' Alton round 
 house, that being the last of his blacksmithing. He 
 fired the engine that iiulled the first train out of 
 Chicago, and ran the first engine that came into 
 Joliet over the Rock Island Railroad, that being 
 in 1852. He also ran as an engineer on a construc- 
 tion train of the same road. 
 
 At the time that he abandoned his trade, Mr. 
 Millspaugh was elected Assessor for Joliet City 
 and township, and being re-elected at each success- 
 ive election, served about ten years. The duties 
 of the office occupied the most of his time, and 
 soon after this long term of office he was made 
 Justice of the Peace. He was the organizer of 
 Millspaugh's Orchestra, that furnished music for 
 social gatherings here for fort^'-two 3'ears. During 
 his entire mature life Mr. Millspaugh has been a 
 stanch Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic fra- 
 ternity, holding membership in the Blue Lodge, 
 the Chapter and the Commandery. 
 
 In March, 1842, Mr. Millspaugh was united in 
 marriage with Miss Ciiarlotte E. Noyes, tlie cere- 
 mony taking place at McLain, Tompkins County, 
 N. Y. One living son is the fruit of the union — 
 
< 
 
t^t'tyyl''l£^-<'^^^ 
 
 .{ 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 535 
 
 Charles H., of this city. The second wife of Mr. 
 Millspaiigh was in lier girlliood Miss Mary L. 
 Roberts, of Lockport, N. Y. She died in .loliet, 
 in .Janiiar}', J 882. 
 
 ^p^EORGE F. GURNET. Among the large 
 ill (^w? '■'^"'^ owners and wealthy agriculturists of 
 *^^5! Will Countj', George F. (xurnej' holds a 
 prominent [ilaee. He is the owner of nine hundred 
 and sixty-six acres of land, wjiicli without any 
 special improvements would in this section of the 
 Mississippi ^'alley be a valuable possession. Its 
 worth has been enhanced b}' various improvements, 
 among them being a complete line of buildings 
 adequate to shelter the stock, store the crops whic'h 
 are raised upon tlu^ broad acres, and protect from 
 wind and wcatlicr tlie farm machinery and imple- 
 ments v.'hich the [irogressive ideas of Mr. Gurney 
 demand. Seven hundred and forty acres of this 
 fine landed estate are included in .Jackson Town- 
 ship, and on section 3G,stands the family residence. 
 It attracts the attention of every passer-by, its out- 
 ward ap[iearance leading one to believe that it is a 
 home in more than name, a belief which is borne 
 out by the lios|)itable spirit and intelligence which 
 rule its inmates. 
 
 The parents of our subject were William and 
 Ruth (Cooper) (Jurney, both natives of England, 
 whence they came to Will County in the spring of 
 1845. The}' made their residence in .Joliet two or 
 three years, and then removed to the country, both 
 dying in the township of Channahon. They were 
 accompanied to this country by their son of whom 
 we write, who was then about thirteen years of age. 
 His natal day was .July 2, 18.32, and his birthplace 
 Gloucestershire, England. His taste led him to 
 adopt farming as ins avocation, and bis possessions 
 afford abundant proof that he chose well. AV'ith 
 the exception of a short time during which he lived 
 in Gruudy Count}', 111., the county to which he 
 first came from England has been his home since 
 boyhood. He settled in .Jackson Township in the 
 spring of 1865. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Gurney was celebrated in 
 
 AVilmington, 111., his chosen companion being Miss 
 ICliza Brydon, who possesses man3' virtues and 
 graces of mind and heart. Under her ellicient 
 management the home is ever neat and orderly, 
 good cheer is abundant for both the inner and 
 outer man, and the members of her household have 
 reason to bestow upon her the deepest affection. 
 She is the mother of seven children, three of whom 
 have left the parental roof for homes elsewhere. 
 Frances is the wife of Frank Losh ; F^lsie is the 
 wife of Charles Pohlmau; and Elmer is now livino' 
 in North Dakota. Arno, Lizzie, Nellie and Otto 
 still linger inider the parental rooftree. 
 
 The political views of Mr. Gurney coincide with 
 the princiiiles laid down in the Republican plat- 
 foi-m, and he exercises the right of suffrage in be- 
 half of that party, taking quite an active part in 
 political affairs. While living in the town of Wil- 
 ton, he was Township Assessor, and he has accept- 
 ably tilled the oliiee of School Director. It would be 
 but natural to suppose th.at he is interested in the 
 progress of the cause of education as well as in 
 other civilizing and im|)roving movements, and 
 such is the case. He has for many years been one 
 of the largest cattle feedeis in the county, and is 
 also extensively engaged in breeding English Shire 
 horses. It will thus be seen that he is one of the 
 mcst active business men in this section of Illi- 
 nois. 
 
 In conni;ction with the personal sketch of Mr. 
 Gurney we present his portrait, to which we invite 
 the reader's attention. It represents a man who, 
 together with his family, stands high in the regard 
 of others. 
 
 ^^EORGE EIB. The name of this gentleman 
 if ^i7 '^ conspicuous among the old settlers of 
 '^^4 this county, in which he began his residence 
 while it was still a part of Cook County and he but 
 a lad. From the time when he accompanied his 
 father here he has been a continuous resident, and 
 has borne a share in the agricultural development 
 which has made the wilderness blossom like the 
 rose, and which makes of this broad State one of 
 the most prosperous commonwealths of the nation. 
 
536 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 His beautiful farm is located on section 7, Jackson 
 Township, and comprises tvvo Imndiedand seventy- 
 two and a half acres, on which good improvements 
 have been made by the present owner. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Peter and Mad- 
 alina (Gilbert) Eib, the former of whom was born 
 in Lancaster County, Pa. The early years of their 
 wedded life were spent in Harrison County, W. Va., 
 whence they removed to Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Eib 
 dying in the Buckeye State. The family afterward 
 removed to Fountain County, Ind., and in 1833, 
 made settlement where George Eib now lives. The 
 fatlier died in this township in 1858. His first 
 marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, of 
 whom our subject is llie tliird in order of birth. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
 Clarksburg, Harrison County, W. Va., March 17, 
 1816. He was ten years old when his parents re- 
 moved to Ohio, and seven years later he accom- 
 l^tnicd Ills fatlier to Hlinois. Farming has been 
 his life work, and success has attended his labors. 
 He has not sought for office, but lias preferred tiie 
 ciuict of his liome and tlie association of his many 
 friends to tiie rivalries and excitements of public 
 life. He is a Democrat, always ready to east his 
 vote whtn occasion demands. Mr. Eili possesses a 
 genial, social nature, and tiie hospitable spirit whicli 
 makes his society souglit, and by his quiet pur- 
 suance of duly and honorable character he retains 
 the friendship of those who are predisposed toward 
 him by his social qualities. 
 
 At the home of the bride, in Joliet Township, 
 May 18, 18-14, the rites of wedlock were celebrated 
 between George Eib and Mary Ann Zumwalt. This 
 lady was born in Adams County, Ohio. January 
 31, 1824, being the second in a famil3' of fourteen 
 brothers and sisters. Her parents were Joseph 
 Zumwalt, a native of Kentucky, and Mary (Ogle) 
 Zumwalt, who was born in Adams Counl}^, Ohio. 
 Their wedded life began in the Buckeye State, 
 wh(:nce they removed to Hancock County, Ind., 
 and in 1834 to this section, which was then in- 
 cluded in Cook County. They settled in what is 
 now Joliet Township, continuing to reside there 
 until 1849, when they removed to California. They 
 made their liorae on the Pacific Slope from that 
 time, the mother dying there in 1885. Mr. Zum- 
 
 walt still survives at a very advanced age, having 
 been born in 1800. 
 
 It will be hard to find a woman who possesses a 
 greater number of the qualities of ideal womanliood 
 than Mrs. Eib, of whom her husband can truly say 
 "her price is far above rubies." She is the mother 
 of nine children, two of wiiom died when joung, 
 liie survivors being Peter B., Louisa, Alineda, 
 Mary 0., Catherine A., George J. "W. and Jacob 
 L. Peter and Louisa live in California, the lat- 
 ter being the wife of William Ash; Almeda is 
 the wife of George Hibner, of Grundj' County; 
 Mary is the wife of Andrew Shelly, of Nebraska; 
 Catherine and George are yet at home, and Jacob 
 is farming in tliis county. 
 
 \i: OHN li. CASEY, M. D. The subject of this 
 notice bears the distinction of having been 
 a resident c>f Joliet for the long pi-riod of 
 thirty years. He came to Will County, 
 when the city where he now resides was little more 
 than a hamlet and while watching its growtli and 
 progress, lie lias been no unimportant factor in 
 bringing it to its present condition. As a [ihysi- 
 cian and surgeon, he has.m:ide for liimself a good 
 record, while at the same time he has been promi- 
 nent in local affairs and now represents the Second 
 Ward as a member of the City Council. 
 
 A native-born citizen of the Prairie State. Dr. 
 Casey was born January 28, 1835, in the town of 
 Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Countv. The name of his 
 father, Zadok Casey, was familiar to the people of 
 Illinois over fifty 3'ears ago. he having been Lieu- 
 tenant-Governor of the State. The mother bore 
 the maiden name of Rachael King. The parents 
 were natives of Kentucky and are now deceased. 
 Their family consisted of seven children, four now 
 living. 
 
 The subject of this notice pursued his studies in 
 the common schools until a youth of sixteen years, 
 and was then admitted as a student of McKendree 
 College at Lebanon, 111. After completing his 
 studies in this institution he began reading medi- 
 cine under the instruction of Dr. Charles A. Pope, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.- 
 
 537 
 
 of St. Louis, Mo. When sufficiently advanced he 
 entered in 1857, Pope's Medic.il College, from 
 which in due lime he was graduated, equipped with 
 the knowledge necessar}' to enter upon the duties 
 of his chosen calling. 
 
 The young physician commenced the practice of 
 his profession at OIney, Richland County, tiiis State, 
 but remained there only a comparatively short time, 
 removing in 1859 to Joliet, of which he has since 
 been a resident. In the meantime he has built up 
 an extensive and lucrative i)ractice and has become 
 widely and favorably known to the people of Will 
 County. He was Physician and Surgeon at the 
 Penitentiarj' for a [)eriod of ten years. He is 
 prominently connected with the Will County Med- 
 ical Society, of which he was at one time the 
 President. 
 
 Dr. Case}' was married June 10, 1863, at the 
 bride's home in Joliet, 111., to Miss Ada Vander- 
 pool, a native of New York City. Of this union 
 there were born four children, all of whom are liv- 
 ing and at home, namely: Florida, who remains 
 with her father; Willis; Dvvight, who is attending 
 school in Delafleld, Wis., and Laura, who is pursu- 
 ing her studies in Hannibal, Mo. Mrs. Ada Case}' 
 departed this life at her home in Joliet, July 4, 
 1881. The l^oetor, politicall}', is a stanch Demo- 
 crat and he finds his religious home in Christ 
 Episcopal Church, of Joliel. 
 
 \TT — .fj KRAUSE occupies a jirominent and worthy 
 Ni place among the thrifty, well-to-do agricul- 
 turists of AVill County, and his well-man- 
 aged farm in Channahon Townshi]) attests to his 
 skill and success as a farmer. Our subject was born 
 in the Province of Bradenburg, about eighty miles 
 cast of Berlin, Germany, November 2, 1829. He 
 was there reared and received excellent educational 
 advantages, his father desiring him to attend col- 
 lege. Our subject did not care for that, however, 
 MS his ambition la}' in another direction, and shortly 
 after his marriage, in 1856, to Miss Ilattie Sabath, 
 he came to America to try his fortunes in this land 
 of promise. He first went to Jlilwaukce and from 
 
 there to Watertown, Wis., where he was actively 
 engaged in farming for eight years. In 1864 he 
 took a trip to Jefferson City, Mo., to survey the 
 country with a view to locating iu that vicinity. 
 He lived there a year but as it was during the war 
 he found it not a very agreeable abiding place and 
 wished to move where he could secure greater 
 freedom. He was a member of the militia, and 
 while serving he was taken seriously ill, and as soon 
 as able came to Joliet and was sick there for sev- 
 eral months, but under the skillful care of Dr. Hays 
 he recovered in the spring and then went on a faim 
 on the same section where he now lives, renting 
 it for awhile. In 1868 his wife bought twenty acres 
 of land which they still own. But he did not think 
 it sufficient for a farm, and in 1870 he bought the 
 eighty acres adjoining, on which he has built up a 
 roomy and substantial home. His house and barn 
 are the result of his own handiwork, as he was al- 
 ways very proQcient in the use of tools, and while 
 living in Missouri followed the trade of a carpenter. 
 After coming here Mr. Krause had the misfortune 
 to lose his wife, as she died after giving birth to 
 their only daughter, IMinnie, who is now the wife 
 of John llobner, of Jackson Township. Our sub- 
 ject was again married, taking for his wife Miss 
 .Sophia Fritz, of Watertown, Wis., and she has been 
 a faithful helpmate to him. She came from the 
 same part of Germany as himself, originally. They 
 have no children of their own, but two of Mrs. 
 Krause's neices have a home with them, Alvina and 
 Lena Druham, children of Mrs. Krause's sister. 
 
 Mr. Krause is a very intelligent gentleman and 
 is well posted in all the current events of the day. 
 He and his wife are whole-souled, kind-hearted peo- 
 ple, and their pleasant home, about eight miles from 
 Joliet, is the seat of true hospitality. Although of 
 foreign birth, Mr. Krause takes a patriotic interest 
 in his adopted country and is a Rei)ubliean in pol- 
 itics, his experience with the Democratic party hav- 
 ing been such as to make him lose confidence iu 
 its methods from the start. He says, while in 
 Milwaukee, when Buchanan was running for the 
 Presidency, the Democratic politicians tried to 
 make him vote in the Sixth Ward, although he 
 was not a resident of that part of the city and 
 was not, in fact, a legal voter, not having ob- 
 
538 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tiiincd Ills ii;itur:ili/.:ili(in papei's. Another (ionnan 
 asked liiin wliy lie would not vote, and remarked 
 that he had voted six times tliat day and got a 
 glass of l)eer eacii time. When Lincoln was the 
 Presidential candidate, our subject was a legal voter 
 and was at that time working for a Democrat, 
 liotli being busy in the cornfield they paired off, 
 each agreeing not to vote. Towards evening his 
 employer made an excuse to go to the house, and 
 there got on a swift horse, rode to town and voted 
 just before the polls closed, thus cheating Sir. 
 Krause out of his vote. His personal contact with 
 the same partj' duiiiig his staj' in jNIissouri, in the 
 excitement during the war.only served to strengthen 
 his prejudice against it. 
 
 
 TW ^^i^'RY II. LICHTP:N WALTER. In noting 
 the leading incidents in the life record of 
 this gentleman, who is numbered among 
 'j^J the leading men in Florence Township^ we 
 find that he was born in Stark County, Ohio, Au- 
 gust '28, 1833, and is a son of Solomon and Cather- 
 ine (I Lane) Lichtenwalt?)-, who were botli descen- 
 dants of highl_y respectable families. Solomon 
 Lichten waiter was liorn in Adams County, Pa., in 
 1797. He emigrated to Ohio when a j'oung man, 
 locating in Stark County, and secured a farm upon 
 which he spent the remainder of his life, probably 
 aliout fifty years. He was a plain, unassuming 
 citizen, conscientious in his dealings with his fel- 
 low-men, and one who enjoyed the esteem and 
 comfidence of all who knew him. 
 
 The father of our subject started in life a poor 
 boy and obtained a foothold, financiall3', working 
 out by the month and day. He became well-to-do 
 in later years, and was a member in good standing 
 of the Lutheran Church, in whose welfare and 
 prosperity he took a warm interest, engaging ac- 
 tively in religious work and giving to the church 
 a liberal support. He was one of the few who 
 were instrumental in the erection of the church 
 edifice in Jackson Township, Stark County, and 
 assisted in upholding the society when at times it 
 was liable to be dismembered. Politically, he was 
 
 a stanch Democrat from the first to the last of his 
 voting days, Irut aside from this did not meddle 
 with public affairs. He departed this life at the 
 old homestead in 1885. His father was Abraham 
 Lichtenwalter, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, 
 and of (ierman extraction. The latter died in 
 Ohio, and his remains were laid to rest in the cem- 
 etery in Canton. 
 
 Mrs. Catherine Lichtenwalter, the mother of 
 our subject, was born in Lebanon Count}', Pa., 
 about 180G. She died in 18(i0, aged about fifty- 
 four years, in Stark County, Ohio. She was a daugh- 
 ter of Christian Hane, a native of Pennsylvania and 
 who spent his last 3-ears in Ohio. To the parents 
 of our subject there was born a family of fourteen 
 children, eight of whom lived to mature years; 
 Samuel is a farmer and carpentei- and lives at Mc- 
 Donaldsville, Ohio; Mary became the wife of Sam- 
 uel Braucher, a farmer of Stark County, Ohio, 
 and is deceased; Sarah is the wife of Martin 
 Metz, a farmer and •carpenter of Elwood, this 
 county; John, a farmer and carpenter, also lives 
 at Elwood; William pursues the same calling in 
 Manhattan, this State; Henry IL, our subject, is 
 the next in order of birth; Christian carries on 
 farming and carpentering in Thayer County, Neb. ; 
 Amanda is the wife of Wdliam Young, a farmer 
 of Stark County, Ohio. The other six children 
 died in infancy. 
 
 The subject of this notice was one of the 
 younger members of the parental family, and 
 was reared at the olil homestead in his native 
 county, where like several of his brothers, he 
 learned both car[)entering and farming. He re- 
 mained with his father until 18.')(), then decided 
 upon seeking his fortunes in the farther West, and 
 coming to this county followed carpentering for 
 a year or so, and then, about 18(j0, purchased 
 eighty acres of land on section 1 1, Jackson Town- 
 ship. He gave his attention to the improvement 
 and cultivation of this until 1869, then removed 
 to his present farm, which comprises two hun- 
 dred and forty acres, and is located on section 1. 
 He also owns one hundred and sixty acres ad- 
 joining, the latter lying on section 6, Wilton 
 Township, and he has eighty acres on section 31, 
 Manhattan Township, besides another quarter sec- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 539 
 
 tion elsewhere in that townshi)). In addition he 
 has eighty acres on section 23, Jackson Town- 
 ship and one hundred and forty acres on section 
 36. 
 
 Mr. Lichtemvalter began life at the foot of 
 the ladder and has accumulated his property by 
 his own unaided efforts. He was made inti- 
 mately acquainted with hard work at an early 
 period in his life and formed the lKil)it of econ- 
 omy and prudence which have been the secret of 
 his later success. Since becoming a voter he has 
 given his allegiance to tlie Republican party. 
 He servefl one term as Supervisor of Florence 
 Township, and with his family is prominently 
 connected with the Evangelical Church. 
 
 The subject of this notice was married Sep- 
 tember 2, 1858, to Miss Leah Geiss, of Jackson 
 Township. This lady was born in 1838, in Leb- 
 anon County, Pa., to John and Erb Geiss, the for- 
 mer of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and 
 who came to Illinois in 1854. He is still living, 
 making his home with our subject. 
 
 Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lich- 
 tenwalter, the eldest, a daughter, Martha, died 
 when six weeks old; Orlando is unmarried and re- 
 mains w-ith his parents; Franklin married Miss 
 Ella Kirkham, has two children, Floyd and Bue- 
 lah. and is occupied at farming in Wilton Town- 
 ship; Harvey died when twenty-five years old; 
 Albert and Frances are unmarried and living at 
 home ; Mary and Owen died at tiie ages of three 
 and two years respectively. The next child died 
 at birth; John and Addie are at home. 
 
 ^|Z_^ ENRY C. WASSMANN is the owner and 
 occupant of a fine property on section 25, 
 Crete Township, consisting of two hundred 
 •0) and tweut3'-five acres of land marked with 
 the improvements that are generally to be found 
 on the estates of men of enterprise. A full line of 
 substantial buildings stands upon it, and it is well 
 stocked with farm animals and useful machinery, 
 together with the household conveniences which 
 properly accompany a well-arranged establishment. 
 
 This farm has been the home of Mr. Wassmann 
 about twentj' 3'ears and has been owned by him 
 since the death of his father in 1875. He has made 
 most of the improvements and is successfully pros- 
 ecuting the labors of a general farmer. 
 
 In the Kingdom of Hanover, which forms a 
 part of the Germanic Confederation, Christoph 
 Wassmann, the father of our subject, was born. He 
 married Miss Sophia Rohe, who was born and 
 reared in the same Kingdom, and soon afterward 
 set out with his bi-ide for America. They landed 
 at New York and made a settlement in tlie coun- 
 try near the metropolis, but a few years later re- 
 moved to Lake County, Ind. Locating on a farm 
 at Brunswick, Mr. Wassmann continued the farm 
 labors to whicli he had been reared in his native 
 land, remaining in that locality until about 1870, 
 when he came to Illinois. He purchased the farm 
 now owned by his son, our subject, and here 
 breathed his last when fifty-two years of age. His 
 wife survived him two years,dying at her home when 
 she also was about fifty-two years old. Both were 
 members of the Lutheran Church and well known 
 to the best people of the township. Mr. Wassmann 
 was a practical and hard-working farmer, and was 
 a fine specimen of German citizenship. 
 
 Of the three children born to his parents, our 
 sul)ject is the only one now living. He opened his 
 eyes to the light in the Empire State, March 17, 
 1850, and was quite young when his parents re- 
 moved to Indiana, and not yet of age when they 
 became residents of this State. His education was 
 completed in the German schools of this county 
 and he assisted his father in the labors of the home 
 continuing the work begun by his parent, when, 
 by that parent's death, he inherited the estate. He 
 follows the example and teaching of his parents 
 in being a consistent member of the Lutheran 
 Church, to which his estimable wife also belongs. 
 In politics he is a sound Republican. 
 
 At the home of the bride, in this township, De- 
 cember 10, 1874, Mr. Wassmann, of whom we write, 
 became the husband of Miss Sophia Meier. This 
 lady was born in this township February 20, 1854, 
 and is the oldest daughter of John O. Meier (of 
 whom see sketch). She was educated in Crete and 
 was the rec"ii)ient of careful home training b}' her 
 
540 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 parents, acquiring useful and upright habits. Her 
 union with our suljject has been blessed by the birtli 
 of seven children, and none of tlie interesting 
 group are missing from the liomc. They are 
 named respectively: Millie, John, Herman, Ada, 
 Henry, Frederick and I^ouis. 
 
 y 
 
 IMOX MILLER, a prominent citizen of 
 Mouee Townsliip, has lield an important 
 l)lace among the business men of Will 
 County for several years, and has aided in 
 jHitting it upon a sound financial basis, and is one 
 of ils best civic oflicials. He was born in Kaiser^- 
 Lautein, in the Province of Bavaria, October 9, 
 18.'U, [lis birthplace being near the River Rliine. 
 Ills parents, George and ^'eronika ( Iinlioff) Miller), 
 were both natives of Bavaria, the father born Sep- 
 tember 10, 1800, and tiie mother May 4, 1804. 
 They came to the United States in the spring of 
 1849, and located in Cook County, living in Chi- 
 cago for three or four years. Mr. Miller was su- 
 perintendent of a large lumber trade in the old 
 country, and subsequently was in the grocery busi- 
 ness on the southeast corner of Clinton and Madi- 
 son Streets. He bought a building on Clark Street 
 for 150, and moved it across the river, about 1850, 
 the removal being made on a Hat-boat; the build- 
 ing is still standing in Chicago. Mr. Miller then 
 took up his residence in the town of Richtou, whero 
 his death occurred. He; and his wife were con- 
 sistent members of the Evangelical Protestant 
 Church, and took an active part in its work. They 
 liad ten cliildren, and the following seven came to 
 the United States: Catherine, Frederick, Adam, 
 Simon, Lena, Louisa and Henrietta. 
 
 Tiie son, of whom we write, at fifteen years of 
 ao-e <ias apprenticed to learn the trade of a tin and 
 coppersmith, and worked at tliat ten years. Then 
 going to Richton he built the Richton House, and 
 for three or four years was engaged as a hotel 
 keeper. He then bought a fine store in Madison, 
 which he managed till 18G7, when he came to Mo- 
 nee, and with Conr.ad Tatge and August Herbert 
 
 established himself in the general merchandising 
 business, and was extensively engaged in buying 
 grain, under the firm name of Tatge. Miller k. Her- 
 bert. Tiiey were together some years, but after 
 1877 he was alone. In September, 1888, he turned 
 over his business, which had greatly increased un- 
 der ids able managementr, to his son and son-in-law. 
 He has .acquired a good deal of valuable property'. 
 He owns two farms, containing two hundred acres, 
 in Will County, and has an interest in his former 
 business, owning two elevators. He is also the pro- 
 prietor of the store building, and has a fine resi- 
 dence and a store where he lives, besides has 
 property in Chicago, on the corner of Webster and 
 Burling Streets, also a building on Orchard Street, 
 and has residence property in that city worth about 
 $25,000. 
 
 Mr. Miller has built up a l:)eaulifiil liome, and the 
 lady who presides over it liecame his wife Januar}' 
 19, 185(), the ceremony that made them one being 
 performed in Chicag(j. Mrs. Miller's maiden name 
 was Elizabeth Beppeiling, and she was born in 
 New York City, February 19, 1840. the oidy 
 daughter of John George and Johanna (Paul) Bep- 
 perling. In 1842 she came to Chicago with her 
 parents, where the father died, and the mother 
 married John Davis, who became a i)ioneer of 
 the city, he building the first brick liouse on the 
 North Side, located near the old Lake House. He 
 was one of the charter members of the first Ma- 
 sonic r^odge in Chicago. He w.asof English birth, 
 and came to the United States in 1812, rather un- 
 willingly, he having been captured by an American 
 [irivateer. He took an active part in the famous 
 Black Hawk War. He came to this country- with- 
 out any means, but at his death left a large prop- . 
 crty. The happ}' wedded life of our subject and 
 his estimable wife has resulted to them in the birth 
 of five children, two now living — Mary and George 
 S. Their daughter is the wife of F. J. Sanchez, 
 who was born in the same room of the same house 
 in which our subject was born. His father, Franz 
 Sanchez, was a native of the same place, the son of 
 a Spaniard, who was an officer in the Spanish 
 army. He was captured by Napoleon and taken 
 to Germany a prisoner, and after the war settled 
 there. He subsequently came to the United States, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBLiM. 
 
 541 
 
 and passed the remainder of his life in Iowa. Some 
 of liis children bore an honorable part in the late 
 war. 
 
 Mr. Miller has had the making of his own for- 
 tune, as he began life without a dollar he could 
 call his own. By the quiet force of persistent 
 effort, directed by wise discretion and constant de- 
 votion to duty, he has left poverty far behind, and 
 to-day is a wealthy man, with an assured income 
 from his handsome property. He has aiwaj-s been 
 closely identified with the pulilic life of Will 
 County since he took up his residence here. While 
 living in Richton lie was Townshii) Clerk through 
 the war, at Madison he w,as Postmaster, and since 
 coming here he has borne a itroraincnt part in the 
 management of the public affairs of township and 
 count}'. He served as a member and also as the 
 President of the Board of Trustees a number of 
 years, and is now serving his third term as Super- 
 visor of Monee, and is one of the most able men 
 holding that office on the County Board. In poli- 
 tics he has ever been a firm Democrat of the Doug- 
 las order, and his high standing in tlie county is 
 apparent when it is considered that he is the rep- 
 resentative of a Republican stronghold. 
 
 ,,.,. W. SLAUGHT, M. D. During the com- 
 (@7lJ|! paratively brief time in which Dr. Slauglit 
 has been located in Joliet, having settled 
 gJC here in September, 1888, he has built up a 
 
 fine practice, and is rapidly acquiring an envialile 
 reputation as a physician and surgeon. He is com- 
 paratively a young man, having been born July 6, 
 1 8.35, and his native place is in the vicinity of 
 Watkin's Glen, N. Y. His father, Abram Siaught, 
 was also a native of the Empire State, where he 
 was reared to manhood and married to Miss Helen 
 Hanle3% of Schuyler County. 
 
 The mother of our subject was born and reared 
 near the childhood home of her husband. The 
 father is a farmer by occupation and was also the 
 proprietor of a foundry and machine shop at Wat- 
 kin's Glen. A. W., our subject, sojourned there 
 with his parents until a youth of sixteen j'ears, at- 
 
 tending the public schools. He then entered Col- 
 gate Academy and later was a student of Madison 
 Universit}^ from which he was duly graduated. 
 For two years afterward he was employed in the 
 Hamilton post-ofTice, Init in the meantime lie util- 
 ized his leisure hours in the study of medicine. 
 Later he emigrated to Marquette, Jlich., where he 
 engaged in teaching and in otiier occupations, but 
 all this time he had in view the medical profession 
 and for this he labored. 
 
 In due time young Siaught, to his great satisfac- 
 tion, entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical 
 College, becoming a member of the class of '83, 
 and while pursuing his studies .also engaged in 
 practice and as a nurse, finally filling the position 
 of professional nurse for some time in Chicago. 
 He was graduated from the above-named institution 
 in February, 1887, and for a time thereafter at- 
 tended to the business of one of the old physicians 
 who was away on his vacation. Subsequently he 
 repeated the same at Braidwood, this county, and 
 in the meantime he visited his mother in Florida, 
 where her death took place in April, 1889; she was 
 then seventy-one years old. 
 
 Upon coming to Joliet Dr. Siaught engaged in 
 practice with Dr. Campbell, one of its oldest and 
 most prominent pli3'sicians and they made a spe- 
 cialty of the diseases of women, doing at the same 
 time a large amount of surgical work. This part- 
 nership still continues, although Dr. Campbell is at 
 present (1890) in California. Dr. Siaught, sociall}-, 
 belongs to the Inilependent Order of Odd Fellows, 
 of .Toliet, and it is predicted that not onlj' as a phy- 
 sician and surgeon, but as a member of the com- 
 munity, he is destined in the near future to make 
 his mark. 
 
 i\,^, ICIIAFL RAPPLE. The farming com- 
 munity of Joliet Township recognizes a 
 worthy representative in the subject of 
 this notice, who pursues the even tenor of 
 his way at a well-developed farm on section 7, and 
 who exercises a considerable influence in his com- 
 munity. He is looked upon as one of its most re- 
 liable men, and has held the various local offices, 
 
r)42 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAi'HlCAL ALBUM. 
 
 serving us Coininissioner of Highways six years, 
 also as School Director, and in politics is a J)erao- 
 crat. He was reared in the faith of the Catiiolic 
 Church, to which he and his estimable wife belong, 
 attending services at Joliet. 
 
 In noting the antecedents of our subject we find 
 tl'.at lie is the son of Samuel Rapple, a native of 
 what was tiien the French I'rovincc of Alsace, but 
 which now belongs to (Jerniany. The mother bore 
 the maiden name of Barbara Anser. She was a 
 native of 'the same village as her husband, where 
 they were marrieil and lived for several years after- 
 ward. In 184G they decided upon emigrating to 
 America, and crossed the Atlantic in the spring of 
 the year, coming directly to Will County, 111., and 
 settling in Joliet. The father occupied himself as 
 a farmer, and died there in the spring of 1867. 
 The mother survived her husband a number of 
 years, dying at the home of her son, our subject, 
 about 1885. 
 
 To Samuel Rapple and his good wife there was 
 born a family of five children, the eldest of whom 
 was he whose name heads this sketch. He was a 
 native of the same province as his parents, and was 
 born August 25, 18;i3. He was a lad of thirteen 
 years when the family emigrated to America, and 
 he sojourned with them about four years thereafter. 
 In the spring of 1850, when a youth of seventeen 
 years, he started for California, joining the caravan 
 which was hastening thither in starch of gold. 
 After an absence of about eighteen months he was 
 content to return home, and thereafter followed 
 the i)eaceful pursuits of farm life. In addition to 
 this he has also been considerably interested in 
 buying and shipinng horses, especially during the 
 war and for some lime afterward. 
 
 Mr. Rapple was married, in Chicago, III., Sep- 
 tember 4, 1853, to Miss Antoinette Trentel. This 
 lady was also a native of the Province of Alsace, 
 and was born May 7, 18.'!2. Her })arents were of 
 German ancestry, and are now deceased. She came 
 to America with her parents aV)out 1846, and of 
 her union with our subject there have been born 
 six children, viz.: Teresa, Louisa, Mary (the wife 
 of John Kiep), William, Anna and Joseph. The 
 five unmarried children remain at liome with their 
 parents. Mr. Rapple, about 1867, purchased his 
 
 present farm, which comprises two hundred and 
 sixty acres of choice land, upon which he has 
 effected good improvements. He has been indus- 
 trious, frugal and temperate, and has acquired a' 
 competency. 
 
 ^ WILLIAM LYiXK. The village of New 
 \\/&y// J-''-'"'^^ ''^* been the home of this gentle- 
 V^^ man since 1873, at which time he removed 
 from the farm on which he had been residing. He 
 was born in Columbia County, N. Y. September 
 20, 1824, and came to this count}' with his father. 
 The [larental history is included in the sketch of 
 Stanton Lynk, which will be found elsewhere in 
 this book. Realizing that it is not good for man 
 to liv(; alone, he of whom we write took to him- 
 self a wife September 16, 1851, the marriage cer- 
 emony bein^' performed at the bride's home iu 
 New Lenox Township. 
 
 The lady who became the vvife of our subject 
 was known in her maidenhood as Miss Chastina 
 Rugg. She belongs to a most honorable family and 
 in her own person exhibits many estimable qualities 
 and wcjmanly virtues. She was born iu Winhall, 
 Bcmnington County, Vt., September 4, 1834, and 
 is the eldest of three children born to her parents- 
 Her wedded life was begun near the village of New 
 Lenox and for over twenty years she and her hus- 
 band remained upon their rural estate. 
 
 The father of Mrs. Lynk was Jason Rugg, a 
 native of New Hampshire, born August 15, 1806, 
 and her mother was Lydia Mellen, who was born in 
 the town of Winhall, Bennington Count}', Vt., 
 November 19, 1809. The couple were mar- 
 ried in 1832, and at once settled in Bennington 
 County, of the Green Mountain State, where they 
 remained four years. They then changed their 
 residence to Will County, III, making their home 
 in New Lenox Township, where Mr. Rugg departed 
 this life February 10, 1873. He was a Justice of 
 the Peace for fifteen years, known and honored of 
 men for his nprigiit character, reliable citizenship, 
 and active intelligence. He belonged to the Meth- 
 odist Kpiscoiial Church, and took an active part 
 
®> 
 
 UJ- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 545 
 
 in the good work of that organization. His widow 
 is identified with tlie same religions bodj'. Beside 
 Mrs. Lynk of this notice, tlie family of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Rugg included John J., who lives in South 
 Evanston, Cook Count^^ l>orn September 10, 
 1838, and Olivia O.. wife of Tunis Lynk. who died 
 in New Lenox, June 19, 1881. John J. Rugg, 
 married Jane Simmons, October 1 1, 1860, and lived 
 on the old home place until 1889, when he moved 
 to Ev.anston and is now engaged in the real-estate 
 business in the city of Chicago. 
 
 ^i: 
 
 El^^ 
 
 EV. CHRISTOPHER PATRICK FOSTER, 
 
 iff' Pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 
 of Joliet, was born in Manchester, p]ngland, 
 ^^; August 24, 1855. He is a son of Edward 
 and Marj- J. (Haley) Foster, natives of Ireland who 
 came to America in 1865. Their first home in the 
 United States was at Kushville, Ind., whence they 
 removed to Indianapolis, where the father has 
 gained prominence as a merchant tailor. He has 
 a large establishment of his own, emplo3ing quite 
 a number of men, turning out excellent work, and 
 conducting his affairs according to the most honor- 
 able business methods. He is the father of seven 
 children, of whom Father C. P. Foster is the first- 
 born. 
 
 Father Foster began his studies in 1870, at Bard- 
 stown, K3'., in the old ecclesiastical establishment 
 of that place so justly celebrated among Catholics 
 for its thoroughness. From there he went to the 
 Jesuit College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1871, after- 
 ward entering Mt. St. Mary's Seminar}^ of the West, 
 in Cincinnati, where he completed his studies, hav- 
 ing attended there nine years. He then spent a year 
 as an instructor in the advanced course of rhetoric 
 and belles lettres at Bourbonnais Grove, Kankakee 
 County, 111., in St. Viateur's College, an institution 
 ranking among the best in the State. 
 
 On June 24, 1881, Father Foster was appointed 
 Assistant Priest at St. John's Church, at the corner 
 of Eighteenth and Clark Streets, Chicago, under the 
 venerated and respected Rev. John Waldron, one 
 of the oldest and most honored piiests <>f the arch- 
 
 diocese. He received his appointment as pastor of 
 the Sacred Heart Church, in Joliet, and assumed 
 charge of the parish, September 28, 1888. His ser- 
 vices are recognized as earnest and faithful, and he 
 is doing a fine work among his people. Respect is 
 entertained for iiim by all classes, his scholarly 
 attainments making him a fit companion of the 
 cultured people of Joliet, and his devotion to the 
 work which he has taken up" commanding admir- 
 ation. 
 
 A lithographic portrait of Father Foster will be 
 noticed elsewhere in this volume, and will be valued 
 not only among his own parishoners, but by all 
 who know him. 
 
 EOPOLD NEUER. This gentleman has 
 been a resident of Joliet since 1873, and 
 auks among her successful citizens. He 
 owns prodiietive property and is largely interested 
 in building and loan stock. He is a son of George 
 and Walpurga Neuer, and was born in Bavaria, 
 Germanj', June 8, 1829. In his nati\ce land he 
 followed the trade of a wagon-maker, but during 
 the last six years of his life in Germany the hard- 
 ships and privations of a soldier were his portion, 
 his time being spent in the army. On the 24th of 
 Februarj-, 1857, he landed in New York, drawn 
 thither by glowing accounts of the possibilities of- 
 fered in the New World and thoroughly tired of- 
 the rigors and contracted opportunities of the old. 
 Going directly to Chicago, Mr. Neuer took up 
 his trade of wagon-making, but after three months 
 went to Manistee, Mich., and worked in a sawmill. 
 Returning to Chicago he succeeded in spending 
 what money he had accumulated, after which his 
 next move was to go upon a farm, where he re- 
 mained until after the breaking out of the Civil 
 War. Moved by patriotic impulses which strongly 
 contrasted with the feelings which were his when 
 he entered the military service of the Fatherland, 
 he enlisted November 1, 1862, in the Thirteenth 
 Illinois Cavalry. After eleven months spent with 
 that command he re-enlisted as a member of Bat- 
 
546 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tery D, First Illinois ArUilery. With this com- 
 raaud be remained nineteen muntlis, making a good 
 record as a soldier, his previous discipline in the 
 German army being of avail in giving him a vivid 
 understanding of orders and a readiness in fulfill- 
 ing them which a raw recruit would scarcely have. 
 Wherever his battery was engaged there he was 
 found always ready for duty. 
 
 After the war was over Mr. JNcuer returned to 
 Chicago, where in 1865, he was united in marriage 
 with Mrs. Kichorn. He opened a saloon in Madi- 
 .•ion, Cook Count}', but in a few years took up his 
 nliode ill Juliet. He belongs to Bartelson Post, 
 No. 6, G. A. R., to the Sharp-shooter's organiza- 
 tion, and to the Kreiger-Vcrein or German Soldier 
 Society. 
 
 ^HOMAS H. HUTCHINS. The business of 
 a patent solicitor is one requiring a thorough 
 understanding of the methods of procedure, 
 and the duties of which are not generally under- 
 tnken by the ordinary attorney. Of this Mr. 
 Ilutchins makes a specialty and has established 
 tlierein a wide and enviable reputation. He is 
 thoroughly equipped for this line of practice, hav- 
 ing a large library of works bearing on this special 
 branch. Mr. Hutchins is however engaged in a 
 large general law practice, and gives special atten- 
 tion to probate business. 
 
 The subject of this notice, a native of Saratoga 
 County, N. Y., was born April 2, 1839, and is the 
 son of William H., and Hannah (Clements) Hutch- 
 ins, who were natives of New York. His father, 
 William II. Hutchins followed merchandising in 
 New York City until 1848, then came to this county 
 and engaged in various speculations, dealing 
 largely in real estate. He was a good financier, 
 attended strictly to business, and accumulating a 
 competence. He departed this life in July, 1877. 
 The wife and mother survived her husband a num- 
 ber of years, her death occurring February 22, 
 1 89(», at the home of her daughter in Girard, 
 Kmm., wliile on a visit, her liome being in Wichita, 
 Kail. The parental family included seven cliild- 
 ren, viz: Thomas II., our subject: George E., who 
 
 was slain at Winchester during the Civil War; 
 Sarali E., who died at Joliet in 1863; Anna M., 
 Mrs. Harder, a resident of Lockport, this county; 
 Mary E., Mrs. Byrnes, of Colorado; Jennie, Mrs. 
 Gay lord of (iirard, Kan., and William J., a Patent 
 Attorney, of Wichita, Kan. 
 
 Mr. Hutchins acquired liis education in the 
 cities of Joliet and Chicago, attending in the latter 
 the famous Douglas University, from which he was 
 graduated in April, 18G1. Soon afterward return- 
 ing to Joliet, he entered upon the practice of his 
 jjrofession, winch he has since continuously prose- 
 cuted. He pursued his first law studies in the office 
 of Parks & El wood, Joliet, 111., in 1857, and subse- 
 quently he studied under R. E. Barber, where he 
 was engaged in keeping abstracts of titles and 
 where he largely obtained his knowledge and ex- 
 perience in this business. 
 
 The wedded life of Mr. Hutcliins began Decem- 
 ber 6, 1866,when he was joined in marriage with Miss 
 Nancy J., daughter of Hugh Bolton, of Plainfleld, 
 tliis county. Tliis union h.as resulted in the birtii 
 of four cliildren, two sons and two daugiiters, 
 namely; Kate C, Laura E. Raj-mond, and Leonard 
 B. INIr. Hutchins cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Abraliam Lincoln and lias since continued his 
 allegiance to tlie Republican party. And for many 
 years he has been a recognized leader of tlie party in 
 Illinois. 
 
 R. JOHN E. HOG AN. Tiie life of this 
 gentleman has been too short to give the 
 biographical writer much to do in outlining 
 it, but it affords the promise of filling an extended 
 sphere of usefulness should life be spared. Pos- 
 sessing a classical education, the quickness of per- 
 ception and keen wit which are so characteristic of 
 the better class of the Celtic race, and having had 
 his faculties of mind thoroughly cultivated. Dr. 
 Hogan is one who could make his mark in society; 
 and when added to this we find a thorough knowl- 
 edge of medicine and surgery, we are safe in pre- 
 dicting an honorable and successful career for this 
 3'oung member of the Joliet medical fraternity. 
 The parents of our subject are John and Cather- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 547 
 
 iue (Glackin) Hogau, of County Meatli, Ireland, 
 wlieiice lliey came to America, the father in 1840, 
 and the mother a few years later. Three of their 
 (•liildren are yet living and six died in infancy. The 
 survivors are: The Rev. J. E. Hogan, of Harvard, 
 111.; Marj', who lives with her brother in Harvard; 
 .ind John E., of this sketch. The birtli of the lat- 
 ter look place June ?2, 1863, in Joliet, and he 
 received his primary education in the parochial 
 sciiools. He then spent two years in the public 
 schools, after which he entered St. Francis' Semi- 
 nary at Milwaukee. After a year si)ent at that in- 
 stitution he was sent to Bourbonnais Grove, Kan- 
 kakee, under the Franciscan Order, where he 
 pursued his studies four years, comi)leting a classi- 
 cal course and leaving the institution with a well- 
 drilled mind and a memorj- stored with knowledge. 
 Having determined to devote himself to the 
 medical profession, Mr. Hogan entered the Chicago 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons, from whit^h 
 ho was graduated in 1887. He at once opened an 
 ( llicc in Joliet, but a twelvemonth later removed 
 til Olivia, Minn., and after a year spent in that 
 pliice returned to the city of his nativity in which 
 lie desires to make his future home. Ur. Hogan is 
 a Callxilic and belongs to the Democratic part}'. 
 
 ^ OHN SHUTTS. After long years spent in 
 agricultural pursuits, the subject of this 
 sketch has retired from the labors of life and 
 is passing his declining years in a peaceful 
 enjoyment of the comforts of life, surrounded by 
 friends whom he has gained by his upright character, 
 and blessed by the love of children whom he has 
 reared to honorable and useful manhood and woman- 
 h(}od. He is the possessor of one of the finest estates 
 which Joliet Township boasts, comprising about 
 two hundred and ten acres on section 22. Upon it 
 he has erected substantial and adequate accomoda- 
 tions for man and beast, together with such other 
 buildings as are needful to shelter the crops which 
 are raised ; he has also done such work in the way 
 of fencing anil tree culture as the liest farmers 
 
 undertake, all the trees to be seen near his fine home 
 having been planted by himself. 
 
 The subject of ihis sketch is the fourth in a fam- 
 ily of eleven children born to Henry and Catherine 
 (Seism) Sliutts. Both the parents were natives of 
 Columbia Count}', N. Y., and there passed away. 
 At Livingston the eyes of our subject opened to 
 the light, September 9, 1814. He grew to manhood 
 on his father's farm, making it his home until he 
 was twenty-four years old. In the meantime he had 
 secured as good an education as could be obtained 
 in tlie schools of the vicinity, together with a thor- 
 ough knowledge of .igriculture, and had become 
 possessed of excellent habits and fine principles. 
 
 Upon leaving the parental roof Mr, Shutts lo- 
 cated upon a farm near his early home, remaining 
 upon it three years when he traded for one in Uls- 
 ter Count}' and removed there. For fourteen years 
 lie was identified with the interests of that section, 
 leaving it in the fall of 1855, to take up his resi- 
 dence in Will County. 111. Choosing the location 
 which has since been his home he renewed the la- 
 bors in which he had formerly been engaged, soon 
 becoming known among the old settlers as a farmer 
 of progressive ideas, a citizen of public spirit and 
 steadfastness, and a man of genial, hospitable na- 
 ture and upright character. 
 
 Among the very early settlers of Columbia 
 County, N. Y., were Mr. and Mrs. Cole. To them 
 was born a daughter Catherine, who grew to ma- 
 turity in possession of a noble character, an intelli- 
 gent mind, and tiie disposition and manners which 
 made her companionship desired and fitted her to 
 become a true helpmate for the man of her choice. 
 The good qualities of this young lady won the re- 
 gard of John Shuti? and after a successful wooing 
 they were united in marriage at her home. Their 
 happy wedded life was terminated December 21, 
 1878, when the loving wife and devoted motiier 
 was removed from her sorrowing household by the 
 hand of death. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Shutts nine children were born, 
 seven of them being yet alive. Catherine A. is 
 the wife of Thomas Tait of Jackson Towaship; 
 Henry is a lawyer in Oregon, Mo.; Samuel is a 
 farmer in Joliet Townsliip; John Jr., lives on his 
 fatlier'o farm ; Cassius is a resident of Rooks County, 
 
548 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Kan.; Peter is practicing law in Joliet; Franklin 
 lives in Rooks County, Kan. The rjeceaserl ciiil- 
 (hen are Sarah, who died in infancy, and Mary wlio 
 breathed her hist in February, 1890. 
 
 Mr. Shutts has taken quite an active part in poli- 
 tics, exercisins; tlie ri,a;ht of suffrage in Iiehalf of 
 the Democrat party, lie has held the office of As- 
 sistant Supervisor of Joliet Township several terms, 
 and has been School Director thirteen years. He 
 manifests'a deep interest in the cause of education, 
 as in other elevating movements, and as an official 
 is judicious and able. He is a member of the Pres- 
 byterian Cluiroli, to which his deceased wife also 
 belonged. 
 
 /LYSSES S. G. BLAKELY, editor and pro- 
 prietor of the Plainfleld Enterprise, though 
 one of the youngest members of the editor- 
 ial profession, has already won his way to a high 
 position among the journalists of Will County, and 
 his bright and newsy paper is classed among the 
 ablest of its kind in this pari of the State. Our 
 subject comes of good New England stock, and is 
 himself a native of that part of the country, the 
 town of Elmore, Lamoille Count}'. Vt., lieing the 
 place of his birth, and May 9, 1868, the date tliereof. 
 llis father, Caleb Hlakcl}', was also born in the 
 Green Mountain State. He was a natural me- 
 chanic, and early learned the trade of a coachmakcr, 
 and followed it in \'ermoat till 1875, when he took 
 advantage of a fine o|)ening in Neenah, Wis., and 
 was engaged at his tr.ade there the ensuing three 
 years. He then turneil his attention to farming, 
 purchasing a line farm in Ilarrisville, Marquitte 
 County. He lived there and man.aged his farming 
 interests until 1882, when on account of ill health, 
 he was obliged to retire from active life, and rent- 
 ing his farm, he moved to Chilton, and continued 
 his residence in Wisconsin until his death in 1884. 
 The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Deyo. 
 She departed this life in Vermont. Eleven of the 
 fourteen children born to them were reared to ma- 
 turity, and ten of them are still living, as foUovvs: 
 William A., Haitland, Eliza, Jlrs. Cram; Carrie, 
 ISIrs. Barrows ; Mary, Mrs. Bedell ; Ida, IVIrs. 
 
 Sharpe; Nellie, Mrs. Scott: Myrtle, Mrs. Hamlin; 
 Eva E., Mrs. Marvin; Ulysses S. G. 
 
 The latter, of whom we write, was but four years 
 of age when he had the sad misfortune to lose his 
 mother, and he subsequently accompanied his father 
 to Wisconsin. He remained with him until he was 
 nine years old, and at that early age the manly, 
 active, self-reliant little lad began to make his own 
 way in the world, finding em[>loyment on a farm 
 in Marquette County near I'ackwaukee, where he 
 remained two years. We next hear of him in 
 Michigan, where he was engaged in a chair factory 
 in Reading, Hillsdale County. Two years later he 
 threw up his situation there, and returned to Chil- 
 ton, AVis. At the expiration of a year he again 
 went to Michigan, and worked in a machine shop 
 in Reading for some time. In 1887, he entered 
 u|)on his career as a journalist, as he then came to 
 Plainfleld and in comjiany with his brother-in-law, 
 Rial A. Marvin, estai)lished the Plainfleld Enter- 
 prise, and opened a job printing office at the same 
 time. After Mr. Marvin's death in August, 188M, 
 our subject bought out his interest in the busiiH>> 
 and has ever since carried it on alone. Mr. Blakely 
 is a bright, wide-awake young man, and while he 
 has had no special training for his profession, he 
 being mainly self-educated, his clear, well-balanced 
 mind seems to be especially adai^ted to newspaper 
 work, and he has achieved remarkable success in 
 his calling. By his energetic raan.agement he has 
 worked u|) the circulation of his paper to one thou- 
 sand and fifty copies weekl\', a remarkable list of 
 subscribers for a country paper. His editorials are 
 clear-cut, vigorous and right to the point, and al- 
 ways dis|)la3' an intelligent knowledge of the subject 
 under discussion. His -paper is .lot the organ of 
 any political party, but is independent in all things. 
 Mr. Blakel}' was married in September, 1887, to 
 Jliss Linnwood Bartholomew, a native of Reading, 
 Hillsdale Count}'. Her father. Amos Bartholomew, 
 was born in Pompey, Onondaga Count}-, N. Y., 
 .lune 11, 1815, a son of Daniel Bartholomew, who 
 was born November 18, 1777. He, in turn, was a 
 son of Joseph Bartholomew, who was born in Wal- 
 lingford, Conn., August 25, 1752. He was a pio- 
 neer of the town of Pompey, and there died in 
 1808. The maiden name of his wife w.as Esther 
 
PORTE AIT AND BIOGRArHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 549 
 
 (Jsborn. Daniel Bartholomew was married to Lucy 
 HoUiday, November 15, 1803. and died in Genesee 
 County, N. Y., December 2, 1851. Mrs. Blakely's 
 father was reared and married in his native State, 
 and going to Michigan in 1836, became one of its 
 sturdy, enterprising pioneers. He bouglit a tract 
 of timber land near Reading, and cleared a good 
 farm from the wilderness. He now lives in honor- 
 able retirement in the village of Reading. He was 
 twice married. The maiden name of his second 
 wife, INIrs. Blai<ely's mother, was Abbio \a.n Buren, 
 and slie was born in Charleton, Saratoga County, 
 N. Y. Her father, Martin C. Van Buren, was a 
 native of Broadalbion, Fulton County, N. Y., and 
 married Nancy Vedrler, who was born at the same 
 place, and was of Holland descent. The father of 
 Martin C. Van Buren was a brotlier of President 
 Van Buien. John A. Van Buren. an uncle of Mrs. 
 Blakeiy, was taken prisoner on June 1, 1864, and 
 lived until January', 1865, when he died at Ander- 
 souvillc Prison. Mrs. Blakeiy was one of tUrei: 
 children. Her sister Lizzie married Lester Rogers, 
 and risides in Coldwater, Mich.; Mira E, the 
 youngest of the three, died in 1882, aged eleven 
 years. 
 
 ON. THOMAS J. KELLY. This gentleman, 
 jlj whose name will be at once recognized by 
 
 many as that of a prominent merchant of 
 Joliet, is serving that city as her Mayor 
 for his third term, of two years each. His incum- 
 bency of the office is marked by steps that reflect 
 credit alike upon himself and the constituency that 
 elected him and prove acceptable to tiie entire 
 community. The dry-goods establishment on Jef- 
 ferson Street that is conducted by Mr. Kelly is a 
 flourishing enterprise, its patrons being sure of 
 courteous treatment at the hands of the emplo3'es 
 and of a strictly honorable dealing from all, no 
 other method being permitted by the proprietor 
 but that due to his self respect and integrity. 
 
 The greater part of the life of our subject has 
 been spent in this vicinity, aLhough the Emerald 
 Isle claims him as her son. He w.as born June 24, 
 1841, and with his parents, Edward and Rose Kelly, 
 
 crossed the briny deep when about six years old. 
 Tiie father bought a farm five miles south of the 
 city of Joliet, later becoming the owner of one 
 three-fourths of a mile north of the citj- limits, upon 
 which he resided until his deatii in 1871. The 
 mother is still living, her home being in the city. 
 The family were earl}- members of St. Patrick's 
 Cliurch. The household band comprised four sons 
 and three daughters, three of whom liave joined 
 their father beyond the tomb. Patrick H. and 
 Edward died in W'atsonville, C.al. ; Mary also is de- 
 ceased. Tlie survivors are T. J., the third in order 
 of birth; Joseph A., the fifth; Kate and Bridget. 
 Being a prosperous farmer and the owner of a fine 
 property of three hundred and twenty acres of land, 
 the elder Kelly was able to give his children good 
 educational advantages and secure for them that 
 best heritage. 
 
 With tiie exception of the time devoted to stud3- 
 in institutions of learning distant from his home, 
 Tliomas Kellj' grew to maturity upon his father's 
 farm. He attended the I'niversity of Notre Dame, 
 at South Bend, Lid., and St. Mary's College at Wil- 
 mington, Del., completing iiis tliorough course of 
 study at the College of the Holy Cross in Montreal, 
 Canada. For a time after being graduated he car- 
 ried on agricultural work on the old farm, but since 
 1887 has been continuously in business in the city 
 of Joliet. He had become one of the prominent 
 farmers of the county as he is now one of the prom- 
 inent merchants of the cit3'. 
 
 The career of the Hon. Mr. Kelly as a public ser- 
 vant began in 1880 when he was elected Supervisor 
 of Joliet City and township. The following year 
 he was re-elected and in 1883 was tlie successful 
 candidate for the Mayoralty, continning in the 
 office four years. In 1884 and 1886 he was also 
 Assistant Supervisor of the township and city, and 
 for a year or two was Chairman of the County 
 Board. Again has he been elected to act as Mayor, 
 a place for which his high mental attainments and 
 good judgment amply qualify him. 
 
 The estimable wife of Mr. Kelly bore the maiden 
 name of Mar}' F'itzpatrick, the rites of wedloclt 
 having been celebrated between them September 
 10, 1868. Mrs. Kelly is a daughter of Patrick 
 Fitzpatrick, an early settler of the county in which 
 
550 
 
 FORTH AIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 he located in 183'>. She was born on the farm tli- 
 rootly west of Leek port, wns ciluentcd atvSt. Mnry's 
 Aca(lcni_v,at South Heiiil, Iml.. ami possesses many 
 fine traits of character. 
 
 St. Mary's Ciuircli was oi'«:anize<l as a paiish in 
 1807, witli Fatlier Fiannigan as the first pastor in 
 ciiarge. He was succeeded in 18G9 by the Rev. P. 
 W. Uiordan, now An^hbishop of San Francisco.and 
 lie in Inrn liy lU'v. .T. Mackin now of Elgin, Kane 
 County. The Rev. Thomas Murphy w.as the next 
 incumbent in charge, he being the man who began 
 the erection of the new church, dying suddenly of 
 apoplexy before its completion in 1877. The next 
 pastor of the church was the Rev. M. F. Burk, who 
 completed the building to its present condition and 
 erected the line stone building on Eastern Avenue 
 that accommodates the parochial school. The latter 
 edifice com[iares favorably with any school build- 
 ing in the city. It is known as the Sacred Heart, 
 and is conducted by the Ladies of Loretto. After 
 a most successful pastorate of ten years, Father 
 Burk was appointed Bishop of Cheyenne, and was 
 succeeded here by the present pastor, the Rev. 
 Father Thomas P. Mangan. 
 
 RED EBERHART. It does not take a vis- 
 
 ,;\'! itor long to determine the status of tlie 
 /l|, business houses which line the streets of 
 
 any tovvn, and to decide who among the trades- 
 men are popular, as well as of good repute in 
 financial circles. A cursorj- vievv of the business 
 houses of Manhattan would lead to the opinion that 
 the gentleman above named occupies the front 
 rank among the dealers in that flourishing corpo- 
 ration. He is engaged in the sale of lumber, coal, 
 paints and oils, and general building material; and 
 also does a good business as a contractor and 
 builder. In fact, during the last few years he has 
 put up the most of the houses which have been 
 built. 
 
 The iranieiliate progenitors of this gentleman are 
 Benedict and Anna (Palmer) Eberhart, both na- 
 tives of Switzerland. The father was born in Can- 
 ton Berne, and reared upon a farm there. He 
 
 emigrated lb America when twenty-one years old, 
 immediately after his marri.tge. and settled near 
 Frankfort, this county. For a time he rented land 
 but finally purchased a good farm in the same 
 township upon wliich he resided until 1877. He 
 then sold it and buying one hundred and sixty 
 acres of improved land on section 11, Manhattan 
 Township, changed his place of abode to that 
 which he is now occupying. Although sixty years 
 of age he is still active and able to continue the 
 control of his estate. Politicall}-, he is a Democrat, 
 and religiously, a Presbyterian. His father in-law, 
 Jacob A. Palmer, also came to America in IS.'il , and 
 after living in I-i'rankfort Township for a time, re- 
 moved to LaPorte, Ind., where his comfortable cir- 
 cumstances enabled him to live in retirement until 
 his death. 
 
 The parental family, of which our subject is the 
 oldest member, also includes John, whose home is 
 at Ft. Sidney, Neb.; Charles, who resides in Joliet; 
 Louis, who is at home; Henr\', with our subject; 
 Albert and Mary, at home; Anna, a milliner and 
 dressmaker in Manhattan; and Mrs. Rosa Morse, 
 who lives in Manhattan Township. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was February 29, 
 1856, and his birthplace a farm in Frankfort Town- 
 ship. He enjoyed the privileges afforded hy the 
 common schools and the Frankfort graded school, 
 and like most lads reared upon a farm, began to 
 lend a hand while still quite j'oung. He divided his 
 time betvveen his school and farm labors until the 
 age of twenty- five, when be became a cleik in a 
 grocer}' store in Spencer. After a time he went to 
 Chicago, where he ofliciated as scaleman at the 
 Kinzie Street Station. 
 
 The next change of Mr. Eberhart was to Man • 
 hattan, this count}-, in 1879. Here he became a 
 clerk for J. Cockle, the first merchant here, and 
 sold the first groceries over a counter in'the village. 
 After clerking a year the young man returned to 
 Chicago and began speculating in the bucket-shop 
 adjoining the Boaid of Trade on LaSalle Street, 
 getting his real start in life there as a successful 
 broker in every article of trade. In the fall of 1882, 
 he came again to Manhattan, bought out A. H. 
 King, a lumber dealer, and has since conducted a 
 very successful business in that line. Manhattan 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 551 
 
 is a good business point, with a rapidly increasing 
 trade, and tlie various articles in whicii Mr. Eber- 
 hart now deals are in constant demand. He owns 
 block 3, where the sheds for lumber, coal, etc., are 
 located. He also owns several town lots here and 
 in the West, together with three hundred and 
 twenty acres of farming land in Cheyenne County, 
 Neb., near Ft. Sidney. 
 
 After having lived in single blessedness until 
 the age of thirty-two j-ears, Mr. Eberharl eontrneted 
 a matrimonial alliance on February 2d, 1889. His 
 chosen companion was Miss Minnie Jacobs, who 
 was born in Gi'een Garden Township, comes of re- 
 spected parents and is herself a tine specimen of 
 noble womanhood. She is the daughter of Corne- 
 lius Jacobs, a farmer. Mr. Eberhart helped to in- 
 corporate the village of Manliattan and was 
 elected a member of its first Board of Trustees, hold- 
 ing the oflice until 1890. He w.is Townsliip Clerk 
 for eight years, resigning all public ollice in 1890, 
 and retiring to jirivate life. 
 
 Mr. Eberhart, as will be seen from the abovo 
 notes, is i.iersonall^' responsible for his substantial 
 finances and the high |>osition which he occupies as 
 a business man and citizen. He ^s one of those 
 zealous men who devote much time and ability to 
 the improvement of the town with whose citi- 
 zens they have cast in their lot, and to whom is 
 due in a large measure the prosperity of the entire 
 community. He is a Democrat and has served as 
 a delegate to count}' conventions. He is a social 
 man of jovial and kindly nature and a popular 
 member of society. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 OB. BENSEN, dealer in coal and ice at Jo- 
 liet, established himself in his present busi- 
 ness in 1884. He is still a young man, 
 having been born February' 3, 1856, and bis native 
 pl.ace was on the other side of the Atlantic, in 
 Sweden. His parents were Benjamin and Jennie 
 (Hawkinson) Bensen, who died when their son, 
 our subject, was a small child. He thereafter made 
 his home with his grandparents, but at an early 
 age struck out for himself and has fought his own 
 
 way in the world. He came to America when a lad 
 of fifteen years, landing in the city of Quebec, 
 Canada, in the year 1871. 
 
 Mr. Bensen did not sojourn very long in the Do- 
 minion, but coming to Bureau County, this State, 
 located in I'rineeton and employed himself ,as a 
 clerk in a grocery store, remaining in Bureau 
 C'ounty about eighteen months. Thence he came 
 to Joliet, and for a period of ten years was in the 
 employ of J. D. Paige, the well-known soda water 
 manufacturer. At the expiration of this time he 
 emb.Trked in the grocery business, in which he was 
 engaged two years successfully, but believing there 
 were better returns in coal and ice, transferred his 
 interests accordingly to the latter. He is looked 
 upon as one of Joliet's live business men, being 
 possessed of temperate habits and the straightfor- 
 ward methods which can hardly result otherwise 
 than in success. Mr. Bensen is an admirer of fine 
 horses, having a number in which he justly takes 
 pride. 
 
 I ICHAEL E. BANNON. For the past 
 twenty years, Mr. Bannon has been success- 
 fully engaged in the grocery trade at Jol- 
 iet. He has thus become widely and fav- 
 orably known to a large number of its people and 
 by upright dealing and proin()t attention to the 
 wants of his customers, has built up an extended 
 patronage. His native haunts were on the other 
 side of the Atlantic, in County Roscommon, Ire- 
 land, where he was presented to his parents on 
 Christmas day, 1846. The latter were Edward and 
 Catherine (Lennon) Bannon who emigrated to 
 America in 1851, and in the spring following 
 located in Joliet. The father, an honest and indus- 
 trious man, employed himself as a laborer and de- 
 parted this life in Joliet, in 1884. The mother is 
 living in Joliet. 
 
 To the parents of Mr. Bannon there was born a 
 family of eight children, five sons and three daugh- 
 ters of whom M. E., was the eldest. One son and 
 two daughters are deceased. P. R.. is numbered 
 among the contractors and builders of Joliet; John 
 M., occupies himself as a butcher; Edward follows 
 
552 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 (".•irpentering in tliiscity; Knto is at lioim> with lier 
 \vi(lo«e;l uioliior; M. E., our suliji'Ct. altlioiiuli but 
 five years olil wlun leaving liis native Ireland, 
 earnes in his niiiul a picture of his old home, and 
 many of the incidents oeeuring on the trip across 
 tlie ocean. 
 
 Mr. Bannon was not permitted to spend very 
 much time in schoi>l duriiiij liis boyhood and when 
 but a lad assumed the sterner duties of life, going 
 into the country to work for a farmer by the name 
 of Jlich.ael Bannon at ^ti per month. He was 
 occupied in farm pursuits until a youth tif about 
 eigliteen years, and then for two years went into 
 the stone quarries of Sanger it Steele. He, how- 
 ever, could only wtuk in the quarry during the 
 .Slimmer lime and in the winter he dealt in coal. 
 
 In liSG'.l, Mr. Bannon embarked in the grocery 
 liusiness which he has since successfully followed. 
 In 1884, he invested some of his capital in the tile 
 business which proved a bad venture, and he states 
 that whenever he has experimenteil with any busi- 
 ness outside of groceries and provisions, he got the 
 worst of the bargain. When reaching his major- 
 ity he allied hiniselt with the Democratic party, 
 and in religion he adheres to the Catholic faith of 
 his forefathers. 
 
 Mr. Bannon took u'lto himself as wife and. help- 
 mate, August 28, 188G, Miss Anna, daughter of 
 James O'Reilly, of Joliet, and they are the paren's 
 of three bright children, Maurice, Eviline and 
 Margaret. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 -S^ ■ \ 
 
 •^i S E L K E N D R I C K H Y L A N D is the 
 ui owner of a good farm iu the fine farmins 
 
 ii* country embraced in Will County. It is 
 beautifully- located on section 36, of I'lain- 
 Beld Township, four and one-half miles northwest 
 of Joliet, and under his skillful management has 
 been brought to a high state of improvement and 
 productiveness. His residence is especially com- 
 fortable, and a view of it with the farm surround- 
 ings, appears on another p.age. 
 
 Mr. Hj'land is of New England origin, born 
 among the pleasant hills of Roxbury, \'t., July 2, 
 
 1840. His father. Consider Ily'.aiid, is thought t 
 have been a native ol the same State, where he was 
 reared to agricultural (lursuils. He bought a farm 
 and iipeiated it nnlil 1844. when he left the Cireeii 
 I\lt)untain State to take u|) his residence iu the wilds 
 of Will County, III. Accompauied^by his wife 
 and seven children, he started on the journey with 
 a te.'ini and proceeded to Lake Champlain and cross- 
 ing that came by Champlain and Erie Canals to 
 BntTalo,and thence by the lakes to Chicago, where he 
 look a team for Plain held. At that time Will 
 County was sparse]}' settled and had few of the ad- 
 vantages of civilized life. 
 
 Mr. Hyland bought a trad of land partly im- 
 proved and situated one and one-half miles north- 
 east of the village. The people lived in the most 
 primitive manner, there being but few traveling 
 facilities, no railways or canals. Chicago was 
 the nearest market, and it was the custom for five 
 or six of the neighboring farmers to go into the 
 citj' at the same lime, the most of them using 
 ox-teams and traveling over the i)rairies,there being 
 no roads .as yet made. Mr. Hyland resided on his 
 farm and engaged in its improvement until death 
 closed his useful career August 9, 1854. The 
 maiden name of the mother of our subject was 
 Minerva Farwell. She was a native of \'ermont, 
 and p.assed her last years quietly on the old home- 
 stead iu Plainfield. There were eleven children 
 born to herself and husband, eight of whom were 
 rearetl to jears of maturity. 
 
 The son of whom we write was a lad of four 
 years when he came to Illinois with his parents. 
 He attended the pioneer schools which were con- 
 ducted in the primitive schoolhouse, with ilshome- 
 m;idc furniture and rude fireplace. He was initi- 
 ated into the work of the farm and remained with 
 his mother until he was twenty-three; after his mar- 
 riage, he bought the interest of the other heirs in 
 the old homestead and resided there one year. He 
 then sold it advantageously and bought a farm in 
 the same township, which he occupied one 3'ear, 
 after which he disposed of it and inirchased another 
 not far aw.i}'. Ho lived on the latter seven years, 
 and, then selling, turned his attention to the 
 butcher's business in which he was engaged for 
 nine months. In 1873 he bought the place where 
 
 / 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 555 
 
 he now resides. It comprises eightj' acres of valua- 
 ble tanning hind in an excellent condition and sup 
 plied with all desirable improvements, including a 
 substantial dwelling and other needed buildings. 
 
 'J'he marriage of Mr. Hyhuid with .Josephine 
 Green was solemnized in 18G4, and has proved 
 of mutual benefit. They have four children : Kniraa, 
 Bert, Gertrude and Howard. ]\Irs. Ilylandis a na- 
 tive of Will County, and a daughter of Deacon 
 Dennison and Otilla Green. Her father was a na- 
 tive of Westfield, Otsego County, N. Y., and was 
 bom February 13, 1807, to Archibald and Hannah 
 (Brown) Green. At the youthful age of twelve 
 years he commenced to learn the trade of a black- 
 smith, and served an apprenticeship of nine years in 
 his native town. After that he did journeyman 
 work, and then moving to Oneida County, estab- 
 lished himself at his trade, opening a shop and 
 carrjdng on the business there until 18.'36. Then 
 with his wife and one child he started for Illinois, 
 coming via the Erie Canal and the lakes to Chi- 
 cago, and thence by stage to .loliet, which was at 
 that time but a small hamlet, the only tavern there 
 being kept in a little unpainted frame house. Two of 
 liis brothers-in-law lived but a short distance away 
 and he engaged there in a saw-mill for nearly two 
 years; then, buying property at Joliet, he built a 
 house and shop and carried on blacksmithing until 
 1845. In that year he came to Plaiafleld, and buy- 
 ing property built a home and a smithy which he 
 man.aged many years. He acquired a comfortable 
 competence and now lives in honorable retirement. 
 Deacon Green was married January 26, 1831, to 
 RHss Otilla Wheeler, a native of Lebanon, N. Y., 
 and a daughter of Samuel and Mercy (Bently) 
 Wheeler. All of the five children born to them 
 are still living and are named as follows: Judson 
 D., Lovi, Emma S., M. Josephine and B. Wheeler. 
 Deacon Green and wife have a proud record as 
 church members, they having been faithful work- 
 ers in the Baptist Church for nearly sixty years, 
 joining the First Baptist when it was organized at 
 Joliet, and Mr. Green was soon made Deacon. 
 
 A son of a pioneer and one who has done pioneer 
 work himself in the improvement and cultivation 
 of a farm, our subject is a regular and welcome at- 
 tendant at all pioneer meetings. He is a well-read 
 
 man and is well informed on topics of general con- 
 versation. He is a man of excellent habits and 
 good )5rinci|)les and in ever}' relation is true to 
 himself and those aroundihim. He and his family 
 are people of good standing in religious and social 
 circles in the community and are regular atten- 
 dants of the Bai)tist Church, roliticall}^ he is a 
 supporter of the Republican party. 
 
 i^^^jHOMAS CLARK, a practical and successful 
 l)reeder of Hereford cattle, is located on a 
 fine farm, one mile northeast of Beecher. 
 It comprises one hundred and twenty acres on sec- 
 tion 9, Washington Tuwnshi[), that were selected 
 with a view to their present use, and are adapted 
 by nature and improvement for the purpose. The 
 "Evergreen Stock Farm ' is known far and near, 
 and well repays a visit, tl;eovvner being thoroughly 
 [josted regartling the stock in which he takes such 
 delight. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of 
 the improvements is the commodious stock-barn, 
 07x97 feet, with a capacity for one hundred 
 head of cattle and a large amount of hay and grain. 
 All the buildings are well-constructed and suffici- 
 ently large for the various purposes for which they 
 were designed. 
 
 The herd at present consists of about sixty head, 
 chief of the herd being Peerless Wilton No. 12,774. 
 At the head of the herd are the fine l)ulls. Anxiety 
 Third, No. 44GG, and Anxiety Wilton, No. 30,272, 
 all registered numbers familiar to stockmen. At 
 the State Fairs held in Peoria, Mr. Clark carried off 
 most of the sjyeepstakes, and at Buffalo, N. Y., he 
 received $750 in prizes; he justly claims to have 
 carried off more premiums than any other breeder 
 of Herefords in the country. 
 
 Thomas Clark, Sr., the father of our subject, was 
 born in Herefordshire, England, and came of pure 
 English blood. He grew up in his native shire, 
 and became a breeder of the famous cattle whijh 
 bear the name of the shire. As a farmer and stock- 
 breeder he was eminently successful, and followed 
 the business during his life, becoming prominent in 
 that line and well known as a good citizen. He 
 
556 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 passed away in 1862, at the age of seventy-eight 
 years. He liad married a lady of his own shire, 
 whose maiden name was Mary A. Flnck. She lived 
 to be more than three-score and ten years old, 
 dying in 1887, in the shire wherein her whole life 
 had been spent. She had borne two sons and four 
 daugliters,rive of whom lived to mature years, and 
 fr)ur are yet alive. The three daughters remain in 
 their native land, and all are married. The parents 
 were members of the Church of England, and the 
 father was Cluirch Warden for many years. 
 
 'I'he (Tcnlleman whose name introduces this bio- 
 graphical notice was born near Hereford, England, 
 August 28, 1842. He was reared amid the sur- 
 roundings of farm life, and received a common- 
 school education. He was about twenty-one years 
 old when, in 1S66, he set sail for America, the land 
 of promise across the Atlantic. From Southamp- 
 ton he crossed to New York, whence he went at 
 once to Cleveland, Ohio. There he learned the trade 
 of a butcher, carrying it on in that city until 18()9, 
 and then going to Elyria, Lorain Country, where he 
 continued the same occupation for a time. He 
 soon, however, embarked in the enterprise toward 
 which his taste and early training led him — that of 
 breeding Hereford cattle. Having had better ad- 
 vantages than most men .vlio are engaged in the 
 business, to learn the characteristics of the breed 
 and the best means of caring for thera, he began 
 under favorable auspices a work that has been 
 crowned with success. In 1877 he purchased and 
 took possession of the now well-known " Evergreen 
 Stock Farm," a part of which with the fine resi- 
 dence is represented by a view on another page. 
 
 The man}' good qualities of Miss Margaret Heal 
 won the earnest regard of Mr. Clark, and winning 
 her consent to become his wife, the marriage rites 
 were performed in Elj'ria, Ohio. Mrs. Clark was 
 born in Devonshire, England, June 22, 184i,and 
 educated in the land of her birth. Shs was one of 
 ten childreii born to a Devonshire farmer and his 
 worthy wife, and one of four who came to Amer- 
 ica. She was about twenty years old when they 
 settled in the Buckeye State. Her parents remained 
 in the mother country, dying there when upwards 
 of four-score years of age. They belonged to the 
 Episcopal Church, in the tenets of which they 
 
 reared their offspring. Mrs. Clark has borne her 
 husbnnd three children, and the loss of the onl}' 
 son — John H. — has brought sorrow to the parents' 
 heart. The daughters who gladden the home are 
 Anna A. and Flora H. 
 
 The parents give their adherence to the church 
 in the doctrines of which their progenitors in- 
 structed them in youth. ^Ir. Clark is an independ- 
 ent Republican. Not only for the enterprise he 
 has manifested in his worldly affairs, but for his 
 kindly nature and upright character, he is respected 
 by those who know him, and his estimable cotn- 
 panion also holds a high place in the esteem of 
 their associates. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 bEMAN R. RUSSELL. In driving about Man- 
 ] hattan Township tiie eyes of the stranger 
 ^_^. would be drawn to the fine residence, of a 
 C^) stj'le of architecturemostl3'confined tocities, 
 which stands on l)eautiful gi'ounds about seven 
 miles from Joliet. The valuable farm which this 
 dwelling adorns comi)rises one hundred and sixty 
 acres on section 7, and is being furnished as fast 
 as possible with the modern improvements in the 
 way of farm buildings, windmill and tank, and 
 ever}' convenience which will assist in the labor of 
 the proprietor or add to his enjo3ment. 
 
 Mr. Russell makes a specialty of raising standard- 
 bred horses and is the owner of "Venango," a two- 
 year old of fine proportions and movement, whicli 
 already has a record of 2:11. He is the finest-bred 
 horse in the county, being a cross between "Blue 
 Bull, No. 75," and "Ilambletonian, No. 10," and 
 having been sired by "Bogardus," whose well- 
 known record is 2:28; his dam was sired bj' "Sterl- 
 ing," the son of " Volunteer." " Venango" is 
 registered as No. 9521. Mr. Russell also owns three 
 standaid-bred Hambletonian fillies, two Greens 
 Bashaw stallions, a yearling and colt. He also 
 breeds draft horses, at the head of the herd of these 
 animals being a full-blooded bay Norman, two 
 years old, called "Premier III.," and weighs fifteen 
 hundred pounds. Full-blooded Durham cattle and 
 Poland-China hogs are also raised. 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 557 
 
 Going hack two generations in the paternal line 
 we tind Samuel Russell,a native of Wilmington.X.C, 
 and the son of a man wlio had eniigrate<l from 
 Bedfordshire, England. Samuel Russell w.as a man 
 of leisure, owning property from which he derived 
 a fine income. To him was born a son, Joseph, 
 who became a cotton merchant in his native city, 
 and was very successful until the Civil War. Early 
 in the beginning of the sanguinary struggle he en- 
 listed as a Capt.ain of the One Hundredth North 
 Carolina Infantry, and after two years became 
 Genera! Quartermaster of the AtLintic Division of 
 the Confederate forces, holding that position until 
 the close of the war. He then went to Raleigh, 
 took the oath of allegiance to the United States 
 Government, and returning to Wilmington, re- 
 sumed business. Although trade was not so brisk 
 as it had been before the war, Mr. Russell was suc- 
 cessful and became possessed of abundant means. 
 He laid down the burdens of life in 1880, at the 
 age of fifty years. He was a Royal Arch Mason, 
 a Democrat, and a Deacon in the Presbyterian 
 Church, known and lionored of men throughout 
 
 his life. 
 
 The wife of Joseph Russell and mother of our 
 subject was born near Albany, N. Y., and bore the 
 maiden name of Mary Baker. She is a daughter 
 of Clark and Lucina (Welsh) Baker, who are still 
 living, at a ripe old age, at Eive Mile Grove, Will 
 County. She was reared in her native county, 
 educated in Albany, and gradu.ated from the Al- 
 bany Female Academy, leaving her Alma Mater 
 with a rarely cultured mind. She followed the 
 profession of teaching until her marriage, devot- 
 ing herself principally to the French language and 
 traveling considerably both in the North and 
 South. Since her husband's death she has gener- 
 ally spent her summers in Northern Illinois, but 
 she is at present traveling in France, doing the 
 p;uropeau Continent for the first time. She is the 
 mother of three children — M. Elizabeth, who lives 
 with our subject; Heman R., of this notice; and 
 Lucina, who died in childhood. Mrs. Russell is of 
 the Presbyterian faith. 
 
 Grandfather Baker was born in Hoosic, Rens- 
 selaer County, N.Y., March 3, 179G, and during his 
 early years taught school in the winter and worked 
 
 on the farm in summer. After having spent sev- 
 eral years in this way, he became a surveyor, fol- 
 lowing that calling for a great many years. He 
 finally purchased a farm and gave his attention to 
 agriculture. When eighteen years old he enlisted 
 in the State Militia and in 1814 was called out 
 and served three weeks in the second struggle for 
 freedom from British tyranny. In 1843 he mnde 
 his first trip to Cook County, 111., to look after 
 some mortg.ages, and several subsequent trips were 
 made necessary by his business. Some land at Five 
 Mile Grove finally came into his possession through 
 an unredeemed mortgage, and in 1850 he brought 
 his family thither. He has been extremely suc- 
 cessful as a farmer and stockman, and now owns 
 some twelve hundred acres of land, well improved 
 and managed. He is well known as the oldest man 
 in the county and one of its largest farmers, as 
 well as a very earlj' settler in his township. He 
 has served as Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, 
 and gives his sui)i)ort to the Democratic party. 
 
 Grandmother ISaker was born in May field, N.Y., 
 August 28, 1806, and is a daughter of George W. 
 Welsh, who was born in Ireland and was a promi- 
 nent and wealth}' merchant in Albany, his residence 
 being in Cambridge, Washington County. 
 
 Mr. Russell, of whom we write, has the blood of 
 a Revolutionary soldier in his veins — one of his 
 ancestors having fought against the British, al- 
 though himself of English birth, and having also 
 sent three of his sons into the army. One of these 
 was J. Baker, the great-grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, who was born in Rhode Island, became an 
 early settler of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and at- 
 tained to prominence there. 
 
 Heman Russell was born in Wilmington, N. C, 
 July 17, 1862, and amid the most favorable aus- 
 pices grew to manhood. He was educated in his 
 native city, being graduated when eighteen years 
 old from the Tileston Normal Institute. Among 
 his mental accomplishments is a good knowledge 
 of the French tongue. Durhig one of his vacations 
 in his early manhood he became a clerk in order 
 10 le.°.rn the mercantile business, but not finding it 
 to his taste, gave it up, choosing to devote him- 
 self to farming, for which he had always had a liking. 
 Prior to his eighteenth year he had spent several 
 
558 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 summers witli his graudfiitlier Baker at Five Mile 
 Grove, in this State, and aftei- liis fatlier's death 
 he made his iionic lliere, gaining from his grand- 
 parent a tiiorougii linowledge of agriculture. 
 
 In 1886 Mr. Russell rented a small piece of land 
 from his grandfather and the next year became the 
 owner of the estate on which he now lives and has 
 made such fine improvements. His residence was 
 erected at a cost of $4,0{)0,and already in less than 
 three years, other buildings mark the estate. The 
 owner operates two hundred and forty acres alto- 
 gether, keeping four teams constantly emplo3'ed. 
 He is unmarried, but his home is presided over by 
 bv Ills sister, whose intelligence and culture help 
 to draw around them a pleasant circle of acquaint- 
 ances. Mr. Russell is serving his second year as Just- 
 ice of the Peace and has the honor of being the 
 youngest Squire in the county. As Township 
 School Trustee, he is .acting for the second time, 
 ami the interests of education arc safe in his 
 hands. He belongs to Lodge No. 64C, I. O. O. F., 
 at Wilton Center. Following the example and 
 teaching of his father and other ancestors, he is a 
 stanch Democrat. 
 
 "S^ILISHA BROWN, a retired farmer, is a good 
 
 E 
 
 IW] type of the noble volunteers of the late 
 /iL^^ war, who fought in defense of our country's 
 honor with intrepid valor, i-egardless of the hard- 
 ships and privations that the3' had to endure, until 
 the glorious Stars and Stripes once more waved 
 over a free and undivided Union. For many years 
 he has been closely associated with the great agri- 
 cultural interests of Will Count}^ and though he 
 has retired from the active and incessant cares 
 inseparably connected with the management of a 
 large farm, he still retains possession of his home- 
 stead which is one of the finest in Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Brown was born in Morristown, St. Law- 
 rence County, N. Y., December 2, 1836, his father, 
 Charles Brown, having been a pioneer of that place. 
 The latter was a native of Thetford, Vt., where he 
 w^as born in March, 1800, and he was there reared 
 and married. He remained among the gieen hills 
 
 of his birthplace until his removal to Morristown, 
 N. Y., where he associated himself with its pioneers 
 and became one of its most useful citizens. He 
 bought a tract of heavily timbered land about two 
 miles from the village and after building thereon 
 the log house in which our subject was born, he 
 actively commenced the hard labor of clearing liis 
 land and preparing it for cultivation, and in the 
 years that followed improved the fine farm which re- 
 mained his home till death called him hence in 1865. 
 The maiden name of the mother of our subject was 
 Ni ncy Ames, and she was born in Hartford, Conn., 
 in September, 1800. IJer parents moved from that 
 State to New York, and spent their last years in St. 
 Lawrence County. She died on the home farm in 
 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. 
 .She was the mother of ten children, nine sons and 
 one datighter, as follows: George, Charles, Sarah 
 A., William, Willard, Willis, Joseph, David, Elislia 
 and Daniel. Willard died when jonng, but four 
 of the family arc now living. Tvvo of the sons, 
 Willis and David, bore an honorable part in the 
 late war, the former serving as First Lieutenant in 
 the Seventeenth Iowa, and the latter as a scout in 
 a New York Regimeul of Sharpshooters. 
 
 The early da^'s of our subject were passed in 
 attendance at school and in doing chores at home, 
 and as soon as old enough he aided in the harder 
 labors of the farm and gained a practical know- 
 ledge of agricidlure. He remained an inmate of 
 the parental home until he was eighteen years old 
 and then, ambitious to take advantage of the many 
 superior advantages for securing a competence and 
 building up a comfortable home, offered to young 
 men of enterprise and capabilitj' in the Mississippi 
 Valley, he started westward. He first stopped for 
 a while in this State, working two months on 
 a farm, and then proceeded to Janesville, Iowa, 
 where he remained one year. He then took up his 
 abode in Algona, Kossuth County. At that time 
 there were seven houses in that place and the sur- 
 rounding country was in a wild condition witli no 
 railways, scarcely any good roads of communica- 
 tion with the outside world, .and deer and elk 
 roamed where are now fine farms and busy towns. 
 Mr. Brown took up a tract of Government land 
 there, built a small house, broke and fenced a part 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 559 
 
 of his homestead. Two years later he returned to 
 Illinois and farmed in this State till 1859, lie went 
 to Pike's Peak, he being one of party of six. They 
 bought teams whieii they shipped by rail to St. 
 Louis and there embarked on steamers, teams 
 and all, and were taken to Leavenworth, Kan., 
 whence they proceeded with tiieir teams across tlie 
 plains. They encountered buffaloes and antelope 
 on the wa}', and saw many Indians. Our subject 
 prospected and mined for a time, remaining there 
 two months and then, disliking the wild life that 
 he was obliged to lead in that part of the country, 
 he returned eastward as far as Iowa and stayed a 
 few months on his farm. After that he came back 
 to Illinois and the first call for troops found him 
 prepared to spring to the defense of his countr}', 
 and in April, 1861, he joined the Plainfield Light 
 Artillery, went to Cairo, and was there mustered 
 into service. His company was attached to the 
 Tenth Illinois and served three months, and was 
 then mustered out at tiie expiration of its terra of 
 enlistment. Mr. Brown re-enlisted August 1st, 
 1862, in Company D,One Hundredth Illinois Infan- 
 trj-, and served until after the close of the war. 
 He was iu the battles of Stone River and Chick- 
 amauga, was wirh Sherman in the Atlanta Cam- 
 paign and bore an honorable part in the battle of 
 that route and in the siege and capture of that city. 
 He was with Thomas in the battles of Franklin and 
 Nashville, and his regiment took an active part in 
 all the battles and skirmishes under that general, 
 and was discharged in July, 1865. Our subject 
 went into the army as a private, and was promoted 
 to the position of First Sergeant and on every 
 occasion conducted himself as a true soldier should. 
 He was twice wounded, first at Chiekamauga, where 
 he received a fragment of a shell, and in tlie battle 
 of Franklin he iiad a gunshot wound and in con- 
 sequence carried iiis arm in a sling iu tlie liattle of 
 Nashville. 
 
 After he left tlie armj', Jlr. Brown returned to 
 Illinois and the following year bought the first land 
 he ever owned in this State, that purchase of sixty 
 acres now being included in his present farm. He 
 has prospered greatly in his agricultural undertak-- 
 ings, and has procured other tracts of land from 
 time to time, till he is now the owner of three hun- 
 
 dred and eighty-six acres of land, constituting a 
 farm that is in all respects one of the best in this 
 part of the county. He erected a fine set of frame 
 buildings on his first purchase and resided there 
 until 1888, when he bought his present commodious 
 home in JMainfield, and has since lived here while 
 his sou carries on the farm. 
 
 Mr. Brown was married March 8, 1862, to Elva 
 Keziah Smitli, a native of Peoria, 111. Their 
 pleasant wedded life has been blessed by the birth 
 of two sons — Ernest Elisha, and Clarence E.; the 
 latter is deceased. Ernest was born February 12, 
 1863, and is now married, taking Miss Minnie 
 McKanna for a wife, and is well settled in life. 
 
 Mr. Brown is universally respected for those fine 
 qualities of head and heart tliat make him a loyal 
 citizen and a man of unswerving integrity, genial 
 and helpful in his relations with others. He has had 
 a varied experience as a pioneer, as a soldier, and as 
 a practical farmer, and has profited by it, his 
 native abilit}' enabling him to gather together 
 sufficient wealth to allow him to retire while scarcely 
 past tlie meridian of life and iu full possession of 
 his powers. Mr. Brown is a useful raembtr of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, contributing liberally 
 to its support and to all schemes for the moral and 
 material advancement of the township that uieot 
 } with his approval. In his politics he is in favor of 
 the Republican [jlatform. 
 
 ^^^^"■" 
 
 ETER E. HOLMSTROM is numbered 
 among the business men of Joliet where he 
 "^ is engaged in the grocery trade. His busi- 
 ness is conducted according to honorable 
 methods and with energy, and is affording the 
 proprietor a comfortable income. The [lersonal 
 character of Mr. Ilolmstrom is such as to command 
 the respect of all who know him, his intercourse 
 with mankind being cordial and just, his duties as 
 a citizen faithfully performed, and the utmost 
 kindliness manifested by him in his domestic rela- 
 tions. 
 
 In the Kingdom of Sweden, October 3, 1861, 
 the e3'es of our subject first opened to the light of 
 
560 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 day. His parents, Peter Johnson and .]Qbannah 
 llolmsU'om, lived u|ioii :i fanii in that land, whence 
 tiicy followed their son to America in 1883. He 
 had crossed tlie brinj^ deep two years before, cont- 
 iiig directly to .Toliet near wliich place he engaged 
 in fanning. He soon abandoned that occupation 
 for Ills present business, vvlth which he h.ad become 
 acquainted in his native land and which he has fol- 
 lowed continuousl}' since iie resumed it here. 
 
 Mr. Ilolmstrom exercises the elective franchise 
 in beh.alf of the candidates on the Republican ticket, 
 ills judgment concurring in the principles which 
 they are pledged to support. He belongs to the 
 Royal Adelphia Insurance C-ompanj-. His religious 
 instincts are satisfied with tlie doctrines and prac- 
 tices of the Swedish Lutheran Church, with which 
 he is identified. He chose as his comp.anion in life 
 Miss Alma Swanson, of a family which came from 
 Swetlen to America .about eighteen years ago, and 
 winning the consent of the estimable 5'oung lady, 
 they were united mi marriage July 5, 1885. Their 
 hap|)y nnion has been blessed by the birth of one 
 child — a charming daughter, Rub}- A. 
 
 ^/ FRANK PATRICK. A simple account of 
 the life and works of a man of honor and 
 in teg lit}' is the best monument that can be 
 reared for him by the biographical writer, 
 Lind therefore no attempt will be made in these 
 ])ages to give undue praise to the subject of this 
 sketch, whose life speaks for liim better than mere 
 words would do. He is the only survivor in a 
 family of five children that comprised the house- 
 hold of Squire Amos and Jane E. (Wells) Patrick, 
 who for many years made their home in Will 
 Count}'. 
 
 Squire Patrick was a native of the Empire State, 
 as was also his good wife, and their first home after 
 marriage was in Madison County. About the year 
 1835 they came west and located in Rushville, III., 
 whence they removed to Joliet some two years 
 later, living in the latter place until 1844. They 
 then changed their abode to AVashington, D. C., 
 where Mr. Patrick was employed as a clerk in the 
 
 Navy Department for six years. At the expiration 
 of that time Joliet again became the home of the 
 family, the father resuming the practice of the law 
 in which he had formerly been engaged. During 
 his first period of residence in this city he had 
 served as Police Magistrate. In 1856 he moved 
 onto a farm in Joliet Township, which has since 
 been his home, with the exception of seven years 
 that were spent by hiin in Nevada, in the practice 
 of his profession. He is still living and has reached 
 an advanced age. His wife passed away February 
 6. 1887. 
 
 The national capital was the birthplace of our 
 subject, and his natal day May 16, 1847. He grew 
 to manhood in Will County, 111., most of the time' 
 being spent on the farm in Joliet Township. His 
 education was mainl}' secured in the schools of this 
 (iounty and farming lias been his chief occupation 
 in life. He has been a continuous resident of Joliet 
 Township since 1850, with the exception of two 
 years during which he resided in the city. He 
 owns the old homestead of one hundred and thirty- 
 five acres, which he carefully and industriously 
 cultivates, securing thereby the comforts of life 
 and making preparations for the rainy day should 
 it come upon him. 
 
 The wife of Mr. Patrick is a native of New York 
 and in her girlhood was known as Miss Catheiine 
 Ilaber. The ceremony which united her to our 
 subject took place in Joliet, June 24, 1869. They 
 have had four children: Damon S., Mary E., Flor- 
 ence J., and Helen J. Damon S. died when two 
 years of age. Mr. Patrick takes quite a deep in- 
 terest in politics and is a member of the Democratic 
 party. He stands well in the community and their 
 pleasant home on section 32, is hospitably opened 
 to friends and neighbors. The wife passed from 
 earth March 18, 1878. 
 
 ^j^EORGE H. ZINSER. In the life of this 
 iff (=, young gentleman is exemplified the results 
 ^^^i) of enterprise and determination, and his 
 fellow-citizens of Blanhaltan may well be pleased 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 561 
 
 with the example which he sets to the youth of 
 that city and the adjoining territory. He is well 
 known as a dealer in shelf and heavy hardware, 
 machinery, agricultural implements and oils, and 
 as the only furniture dealer in the place; and he has 
 otherwise become known to man}' as the present in- 
 cumbent of the Fostmastership. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Solomon and 
 Catherine (Tobias) Zinser, both natives of the 
 Keystone State, the one having been born in Ger- 
 mantown and the other at Reading. The father 
 accompanied his parents to Ohio when he was seven 
 years old and when of age began farming in that 
 State. In 1848 he removed to Tazewell County, 
 111., buying a farm of eighty acres near Washing- 
 ton and residing there until his death, in 1887, at 
 the age of sixty-eight years. He was a Republican 
 and a member of the J^vangelical Church. His wife 
 was the daughter of Peter Tobias, a Pennsylvania 
 farmer who finally came to Illinois and died near 
 Washington in 1876, at the advanced age of eighty 
 years. Mrs. Zinser is still living there and is now 
 sixty-seven years old. 
 
 The parental family included fourteen children, 
 eleven of whom are now living: Frank resides in 
 Storm Lake, Iowa; Mary, Mrs. Koker, is on the old 
 homestead in Tazewell County ; Elizabeth, Mrs. 
 Otl, in Hoop Pole, 111.; Mrs. Rebecca Goembel in 
 Hoop Pole; Mrs. Carrie Smith near Plainfield, this 
 county ; the next is our subject; Solomon is a fanner 
 near Washington, Tazewell County; Mrs. Sarah 
 Niemeyer died in that county ; Mrs. Amelia Fer- 
 ner lives in the village of Washington; Daniel is 
 clerking for our subject; Sophia is with her mother. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born February 2, 
 1856, near Washington, and reared amid the sur- 
 roundings of rural life. His education was ob- 
 tained in the district schools, which were fortu- 
 nately conducted according to an excellent system 
 and by persons interested in the youth under their 
 charge. He continued an inmate of the parental 
 household until he had attained his majority when 
 he came to Plainfield, this county, and began work- 
 ing out as a farm laborer. He was not satisfied 
 with the knowledge he had obtained and hoarded 
 his resources in order to attend a higher school. 
 When twenty-two years old he entered the North 
 
 western College at Naperville, prosecuting his 
 studies a year, after which he returned to the plow. 
 
 For two seasons more 3'oung Zinser continued 
 to work on farms by the month, and then, having 
 taken a helpmate and companion, he began farming 
 on his father's place in Tazewell County. For two 
 years he operated the farm, during this time saving 
 all that he could that he might embark in some 
 business enterprise amid the busy haunts of men. 
 With his small earnings he started in the hardware 
 business in Manhattan, February 22, 1883, occupy- 
 ing a rented building. The business rapidly in- 
 creased and he is now one of the leading merchants 
 in the place. In 1884 he added farm im|)lements 
 to his stock in trade and he now does a large busi- 
 ness in that line. In the spring of that year he 
 took in as a partner his brother-in-law, Amos M. 
 Smith, the business being conducted under the title 
 of Zinser & Smith until December, 1885, when our 
 subject bought his partner's interest and continued 
 alone. 
 
 A commodious brick edifice, two stories in 
 height and with ground dimensions 24x60 feet, 
 was erected by Mr. Zinser in the fall of 1889, and 
 in one of the largest and finest store-rooms in Man- 
 hattan he now carries on a large portion of his busi- 
 ness. He carries a full stock of the articles men- 
 tioned at the beginning of our sketch, makes a 
 specialt}' of threshers, binders and mowers, and 
 operates a tin shop in connection with the hard- 
 ware establishment. The building which he form- 
 erly occupied with this department of his business, 
 is now used by him as a furniture repository, his 
 trade in that line having been instituted in the 
 spring of 1890. 
 
 At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
 M. E. Moyer, on February 3, 1881, George H. 
 Zinser and Priscilla S. Moyer were joined in holy 
 wedlock. The bride was born in Naperville, where 
 her father was engaged in farming and whence he 
 removed to Manhattan upon retiring from active 
 life. She is well educated, possesses many domes- 
 tic accomplishments and womanly virtues, and is 
 devoted to the interests of her husband and chil- 
 dren. The group around the fireside is made up of 
 Royce F., Irvin W. and Lloyd H. 
 
 Mr. Zinser received the appointment of Post- 
 
562 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 master in June, 1889. He is a mcnihcr of tlie Vil- 
 lage Board of Trustees and was Treasurer two 
 years. He is an ardent Ri-publican wlio never fails 
 to cast his vote in behalf of the principles of liis 
 [)art3-. He belongs to the Evangelical Church and 
 was formerly Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
 There is probabl_y no more popular man in Man- 
 hattan than he, and certainly none who present a 
 hotter example of a self-made man. 
 
 ■S^sr- 
 
 44^—- 
 
 »^- 
 
 A 
 
 'f/OHN FRANCIS, Supervisor of New Lenox 
 Township, and one of its most substantial 
 citizens, is a native of this township, and 
 wa3 born Jannary 8, 1843. His father is 
 the well-known Abraham Francis, a sketch of 
 whom appears in the history of A. Allen Francis, 
 on another page in this volume. The parental 
 iiousehold consisted of eleven children, of whom 
 the record is as follows: Margaret L. is the wife of 
 N. P. Cooper, of New Lenox Townsliip; William 
 1). died in this townsliip when a promising young 
 man of twenty )ears; Mary A. J. is tiie wife of 
 John S. lilackstone, of Kankakee, 111.; A. Allen is 
 a farmer of New Lenox Township; John, our sub- 
 ject, was the next in order of birth; Lydia is the 
 wife of W. S. Nichols, of the same townsliip; 
 Clara M. died when about sixteen months old ; 
 Charles is farming in the vicinity of the old home- 
 stead; Adeline A. is the wife of .Jesse Meharry, of 
 Tolono, III., a biograjjliy of whom appears in the 
 biographical work of Champaign County: George 
 L. is farming in New Lenox Township; Carrie J^. 
 died at the age of about thirteen years. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the fifth child of 
 his parents, under whose careful training he devel- 
 oped into manhood, becoming familiar with tiie 
 various employments of farm life, and pursuing his 
 early studies in the common schools. When ap- 
 proaching maniiood he took a course of stud}^ in 
 Bryant &, Stiatton's Commercial College, then, re- 
 turning to the farm, remained there until twenty- 
 three years old. In the meantime he was married, 
 in New Lenox Township, ])ecember 21,1865, to 
 
 Miss H. filaria Bliss. The young couple spent the 
 first few months of their wedded life at the old 
 homestead, and the following year moved upon 
 the farm where thej' now live. 
 
 Mrs. Francis was born at her father's old home- 
 stead in New Lenox Township, September 5, 184(5, 
 and is a daughter of the late Abel and Lucinda 
 (Blake) Bliss. The former was Ikm'u in Wilbra- 
 liam, INhiss , FebruaiT 9, 1810. His wife was born 
 at S|)ringfield, that State, October 14, 1816. The^' 
 were married Ma3' 6, 1840, at Springfield, and 
 soon afterward set out for the West, coming to 
 this county, where the father secured a tract of 
 land on section 18, New Lenox Township. He 
 had visited Illinois about 1837, but could not make 
 his arrangements to locate permanently until three 
 years after. He was successful in his farming oper- 
 ations, built up a goodly estate and died December 
 25, 1883. The mother is still living at the home 
 farm. 
 
 To Mr. and iNIrs. Bliss there was born a family 
 of seven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, 
 Mary, married John McGeo, and died in INIichigaM; 
 William S. died at the homestead when only 
 twenty-five years old; H. Marin, Mrs. Francis, was 
 the next in order of birth; Ellen J. died at the in- 
 teresting age of nineteen years; Josephine died 
 when about tweiit3'-six years old; Abel is farming 
 in New Lenox Townshi|); Alice P. is the wife of 
 F. A. Wetlierbee, of Buchanan County, Iowa. 
 
 Mrs. Francis received careful parental training, 
 and remained a member of her fatlier's household 
 until her marri.ige. She is now the mother of four 
 children, the eldest of whom, John E., was gradu- 
 ated from the Joliet High School, and is a success- 
 ful teacher in New Lenox Township; Howard 15. 
 was also graduated from the High School at Joliet 
 and remains under the [larental roof. The two 
 younger are Hattie J. and Wilbur A. In 1871, 
 Mr. Francis was elected Supervisor of New Lenox 
 Township and, in 1874, was a second time elected 
 to that office, which he has since held continu- 
 ously. He was formerly a School Trustee, and 
 since 1881 has held the ollicCof School Treasurer 
 and was also Townsliip Collector two j-ears. He 
 is a Republican, and takes an active part in poli- 
 tics, serving as a member of the County Central 
 
■ ■'^:, 
 
 ^. Om^ B:. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 565 
 
 Committe and occupies other positions of trust and 
 responsibility. 
 
 Aside from lljese duties, Mr. Francis has fol- 
 lowed farming all his life, and for many years has 
 made a specialty of stock-raising, and also oper- 
 ated as a dairyman, shipping milk to Chicago. 
 Both he and his estimable wife are members, in 
 good standing, of the Methodist Church, in which 
 Mr. Francis formerl3' held the office of Secretary 
 and Treasurer. His farm property embraces five 
 hundred and thirty-six acres of choice land in 
 New Lenox Township, where he has made fine im- 
 provements, being supplied with the re'iuisite 
 buildings, and availing himself of the most a()- 
 proved machinery in tlie cultivation of his land. 
 
 Personally, Mr. Francis is looked upon as one 
 of the leading men of his township. He is a man 
 of progressive ideas, liberal and public spirited, 
 and his career is indicative of the esteem and con- 
 fidence with which he is regarded by his fellow- 
 citizens. His amiable wife has been an efllcient 
 helpmate and has contributed her full quota to- 
 ward sustaining the reputation of the family. 
 The3' have one of the finest countr}' homes in the 
 township, one which invariably attracts the atten- 
 tion of the passing traveler, who turns a second 
 time to regale his ej'es upon its beauty and the air 
 of comfort and plenty which surrounds it. 
 
 ALLEN FRANCIS. The Francis family 
 is recognized as holding a leading position 
 among the best people of Will County. 
 They made their advent here in the pio- 
 neer days, and have contributed in no small degree 
 to the development of its best resources. Their 
 honesty, industry and enterprise proved a stimulus 
 to those around them, while likewise gaining for 
 themselves a competence. They represent a laige 
 amount of propert}', and pay annually- into tiie 
 county treasury a snug sum in the way of taxes. 
 Their homes represent taste and culture, for which 
 they have ever been distingui.-ihsd, and their names 
 
 will go down to posterity among those who have 
 been most honored in Northern Illinois. 
 
 In tracing the lineage of the Francis family we 
 find their ancestors were originally from Scotland 
 and England. During the religious persecution of 
 16'JG, they were driven from those countries and 
 took refuge in Ireland, where two generations 
 were born. The immediate progenitor of the 
 subject of this sketch was the late Abraham Fran- 
 cis, who was born in County Cavan. Ireland, Sep- 
 tember 29, 1808. As a lad he was more Ihanordi- 
 narilj' bright and intelligent, and at an early age 
 evinced an ambition to do something and be some- 
 body in the world. He had come honestly by this 
 trait of character, as in 181G his father had decided 
 that he could better his fortunes in America, and 
 accordingly sailed for the New World with his 
 little family. They located in Brown County', 
 Ohio, where the father died when Abraham was a 
 3'outh of fifteen years. 
 
 The p.aternal grandfather of our subject was 
 William Francis, also a native of County Cavan, 
 and a farmer by occupation. His chief character- 
 istics have been his honesty and industry, as his ad- 
 vantages were limited and he had at an early age 
 come in contact with the sterner side of life, and 
 was obliged to make his own way in the world 
 from the time he was able to do so. After his 
 death Abraham and his sisters lived together in 
 Brown County, until the former had reached his 
 majorit}'. The mother had died in Ireland. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1831 Abraham Francis 
 left the Buckej'e State in company with a young 
 German who had been in his employ, and set out 
 on horseback for Shawnee Mound, Tippecanoe 
 County, Ind. Thence they started on foot with 
 their knapsacks and axes to explore the region 
 round the headwaters of the Kankakee River. 
 After arriving there they made canoes and floated 
 down the river to Wilmington, where they again 
 took terra firnia and followed the Indian trail to 
 this townshii). This trail led directly by the door- 
 yard of the residence now owned by the subject of 
 this sketch. 
 
 Having finally chosen his location, Abraham 
 Francis entered one hundred and sixty acres of 
 laud from the Government, and settled very 
 
566 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 nearly upon the spot \Yhore tlie rosidenoe of A. 
 Alien now stands, lie also "tloated " another one 
 liundrLMl and sixty acres, which enibraeed the north 
 hair (.if the east half of section ',), New Lenox 
 Township. Here he built a log cabin and remained 
 until the latter part of .lune, 1831. Then, having 
 business in liroun Count}-, Ohio, lie started for 
 that region, arriving there early in July, for tlie 
 pur|)0se of linishing up his harvesting and also to 
 lake unto himself a wife and helpmate to share his 
 pioneer life in Illinois. The wedding occurred 
 October 4 following, the bride being Miss Mary 
 A. J. Davison, who was l)orn in Adams Ci)unty, 
 Ohio, March 17, 1815. She was thus less than 
 seventeen years old at the time of her marriage. 
 Her father, William Davison, w.as a native of 
 Aflams County, and the maiden name of his wife 
 was Mary Ingrahani. Subsequently the\' removed 
 to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where they died and 
 were buried in the old Meharry graveyard. 
 
 Soon after tiieir m.'irriage Abraham Francis and 
 ids bride set out for their new home in Illinois, 
 reaching their destination November 16. Upon 
 their airival they found things entirely different 
 from what they expected, and in consequence were 
 obliged to send back a part of their stock t/i 
 Trppeeanoe County, In.l.. to l)c wintered. Mr. 
 Fiancis h.ad engaged a man to putu)) a large quan- 
 tity of wild iiay, which he failed to do, and thus 
 there was nothing upon which to feed the cattle. 
 The young people began life in true jjioneer style; 
 on the day of their arrival at their new home snow 
 began to fall, and they did not see the bare ground 
 again that winter. The winter of 1831-32 will 
 be recalled as that of the great snow, amid which 
 so many i)crished and which entailed so much 
 hardship upon the settlers. 
 
 In .lune. 1S32, the lUack Hawk War broke out, 
 and Abraham Francis was one of six men ap- 
 pointed to investigate the report of the Indian 
 outrages over on Fox River. When they found 
 that the reports wer(i true, Mr. Francis with his 
 comrades returned home and removed his family 
 to Shawnee Mound, Ind. This done, he returned 
 and lent a helping hand in the conflict which fol 
 lowed, serving as Second Lieutenant under the 
 command of the well-known Capt. Scissions. After 
 
 the war was over Mrs. Francis returned, and their 
 domestic life thereafter flowed on uninterru|)tedl3'. 
 
 At one time, for three weeks during the war, 
 Mr. Francis never saw the face of a white man, 
 and at the expiration of this time an intimate friend 
 of his who was stationed at Ft. Dearborn, having 
 learned that Mr. Francis was here alone, ioined 
 him to keep him company. He arrived early one 
 morning, just at the break of day. Mr. Francis, 
 on account of danger, slept in the field tied to his 
 horse, and hearing footsteps, and supposing an 
 Indian must be neai', brought his gun to a level, 
 and was about to fire when he discovered that it 
 was a friend instead of a foe. Rushing up to him, 
 he cl.asped him in his arms, and the meeting can 
 better be imagined than described. Mr. Francis in 
 later years often related the incident with the 
 tears streaming down his cheeks. 
 
 Subsequently, Mr. Francis repaired to Chicago 
 and engaged in teaming for the Government, 
 being there during the cholera epidemic. It is 
 hardly nccessiiry to slate that he began in life 
 without means, but by his great industry and per- 
 severance he steadily advanced on the road to 
 prosperity, while at the same time the sterling 
 qualities of his character were the means of bring- 
 ing around him hosts of friends. He was a great 
 lover of fine stock, and was uniformly prosperous 
 at this industry and also as a tiller of the soil. 
 Upon the coming on of the California gold excite- 
 ment he was exceedingly desirous of seeking his 
 fortunes on the Pacific Slope, but refrained from 
 making the experiment on account of the entrea- 
 ties of his wife. 
 
 Mr. F'rancis, however, sent out a companj- to 
 work a mine on shares. This enterprise was not 
 successful, as the ca|)tain of the company died, 
 and none of the men were ca|)able of taking his 
 l)lace. Prior to the org.aiiization of Will County, 
 its piesent territory being then included in Cook 
 County, Mr. Francis held the otlice of Deputy 
 Sheriff, and occupied other positions of trust and 
 responsibility. He was originally a Democrat in 
 politics, but during the war felt that he had reason 
 to change his views, and wheeled over into the 
 Republican ranks, being a strong supporter of the 
 Union. Both he and his estimable wife were lead- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 567 
 
 ing members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 Mr. Francis departed this life at the old homestead 
 in New Lenox Township, November 28, 1862. 
 The wife and mother survived her husband for 
 nearly twenty-two years, dying January 15, 1884. 
 
 To Abraham Francis and his good wife there 
 was born a famil}' of eleven children, five sons 
 and six daughters, eight of whom are living. The 
 eldest, Margaret L., is the wife of Needham P. 
 Cooper, of New Lenox Township, and is believed 
 to have been tlie first white child born within its 
 limits; William D. died of tj'phoid pneumonia 
 when a promising 3'oung man of twenty-two years ; 
 Mary A. J. is the wife of J. S. Blackstone, of Kan- 
 kakee; A. Allen, our subject, was the next in order 
 of birth; John is represented on another page in 
 this volume; Lydia E. is the wife of William S. 
 Niccolls, of New licnox Township; Charles is 
 farming in this township; Clara M. died when 
 sixteen months old; Addie A. is the wife of Jesse 
 IMi'harrj-, of Tolono, Champaign County; George 
 L. is farming in New Lenox Township; Carrie D. 
 di'd when an interesting maiden of thirteen years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the fourth child 
 of the parental household, and was born at the 
 iiomcstead in New Lenox Township, where he now 
 lives, September 7, 1840. He there spent his early 
 years, attending the common schools and assisting 
 in the lighter labors of the farm. He completed 
 his studies in the High School at Joliet, and started 
 out on the journey of life well equipped by nature 
 and training for its sterner duties. 
 
 Eight days after attaining his thirtieth year, our 
 subject was joined in wedlock, September 15, 
 1870, at the bride's home in New Lenox Township, 
 ti) Miss Lizzie J. Haven. Mr. Francis commenced 
 his wedded life under fur different circumstances 
 from that of his honored father, being able to take 
 his bride to a comfortable home— the old farm 
 where they have since lived. There have been 
 born to them five children, namely: Mary L., Oc- 
 tober 20, 1877; Allen M., May 17, 1881 ; Daisy H., 
 January 11, 1886; Dwight'C, September 21, 1887, 
 and one who was born September 25, 1883, and 
 died unnamed. They have also an adopted daugli- 
 ler, Anna II., boin November 19, 1868, and who 
 has been a member of the household since a child 
 
 of four years, considered as one of their own fam- 
 ily. Their eldest son, Allen M., died of scarlet 
 fever, June 5, 1888, when a little over seven years 
 old. 
 
 Mr. Francis, like his honored father, during the 
 latter's later years, is an ardent supporter of the 
 principles of the Republican party, He has sig- 
 nalized himself as one of the most liberal and 
 public-spirited men of his township, and has con- 
 tributed both time and means for the promotion 
 of its best interests. He was at one time President 
 and Director of the Agricultural and Mechanical 
 Association of Will County, and is at present 
 President and Director of the New Lenox Fire 
 Insurance Company, and Trustee, General Manager 
 and Treasurer of the Centenary Camp Meeting As- 
 sociation, which was organized under the State law, 
 and at present Is President of the Farmers' Institute. 
 He has been a School Director in his district, and 
 Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday- 
 school for a period of twenty years. Both he and 
 his estimable wife are prominently connected wit'i 
 this church, and are numbered among its chief 
 pillars. 
 
 Mrs. Lizzie J. (Haven) Francis was born in New 
 Lenox Township, March 31, 1849, and during her 
 childhood attended the common schools of her 
 neighborhood. Later she became a student at 
 Dearborn Seminary in Chicago, where she com- 
 pleted her education. She grew to an attractive 
 womanhood under the home roof, remainino with 
 her parents until becoming the mistress of her own 
 home. Her father, the Hon. Dwight Haven, who 
 is represented elsewhere in this work, came to this 
 county at an early day, and earned for himself a 
 place among its leading citizens. His wife bore 
 the maiden name of Helen L. Savage. Nhe was a 
 sister of the Hon. Amos Savage, of Homer Town-' 
 ship, and departed thisi life at the homestead in 
 New Lenox Township, July 28, 1859. The par- 
 ental family consisted of six children, five daugh- 
 ters a'nd one son, of whom Mrs. Francis was the 
 eldest born. 
 
 It is an interesting fact that four of the Francis 
 brothers and one sister live on the same highwa\' 
 their farms adjoining, the sister occupying the 
 center one. All the wives of the brothers were 
 
568 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 like themselves, born in New Lenox Township. 
 A. Allen, out' subject, is the owner of one thousand 
 acres of land, where he has fine improvements, 
 and iu addition to general agricnltnre makes a 
 specialty of live slojk, operating both as a. breeder 
 and dealer. In former years he also dealt largely 
 in real estate. The dwelling which he occupies 
 was erected by his honored father, and thus pos- 
 sesses for hira a far more .than moneyed value. 
 
 We direct the reader's attention to a lithographic 
 portrait of Mr.- Francis presented in connection 
 with his personal sketch. 
 
 mOMAS B. STANNER. In a volume of a 
 biographical nature mention should cer- 
 tainly be made of Thomas Stanner, who is 
 a leading and wealthy citizen of DuPage Town- 
 ship. His home farm com|)rises one hundred and 
 sixty acres of fertile land on section 18, upon which 
 are to be seen the buildings, trees, and stock that 
 mark it as the abode of |)leiit3' and good judgment. 
 Another tract of eight3' acres is under equally good 
 cultivation, and the whole constitutes an estate of 
 which an}' man might well be proud. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Martin D. and 
 Mary (Cain) Stanner, who represented the English 
 and Iiish races resi)ectively. They resided in Chi- 
 cago several years, coming to Will Count}- at quite 
 an early date and making their home in DuPage 
 Township for some thne. The father ditd in Co- 
 lumbus, Ohio, in 18Sl,and the raothnrat the Imme 
 of our subject in DuPage Township, in 1885. They 
 were the parents of nine children of whom those 
 known to survive are: Thomas 15. ; James, a resi 
 dent of Huron S. Dak.; and John, whose home is 
 in Joliet. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write, was born in 
 Chicago, November 1 1, 1837. but reared to man- 
 hood in the county that is his present home. He 
 was educated in the public schools of this county 
 with a short attendance in Cliicago, and has added 
 to the knowledge obtained in boyhood by much 
 general reading, keeping well posted on topics of 
 interest. With the exception of a few years spent 
 
 iu the (inrden City, he has lived in DuPage Town- 
 ship and is therefore thoroughly identified witli its 
 interests and numl)ered among its most public- 
 spirited citizens. 
 
 On February 25, 18G3, Mr. Stanner was united 
 in marriage with Miss Anna Dixon, daughter of 
 Martin and Mary Dixon, formerly of Lockport, 
 but now deceased. Mrs. Stanner is a worthy wo- 
 man who has devoted her life to the care and com- 
 fort of her family, and been found ready for 
 neighborly deeds of kindness as occasion demanded. 
 She has borne a large family, of whom the follow- 
 ing survive: Fannie, wife of John Matthews, of 
 Joliet; Nellie, Thomas, John, James and Lulu. 
 
 The fine estate owned by Mr. Stanner is the best 
 record regarding his enterprise and good manage- 
 ment, and the fact that he has been Justice of the 
 Peace for many years shows that he is well re- 
 spected by his fellow-men. He is independent in 
 politics, aiming to cast his vote for the man of 
 highest character and ability, in whatever parly he 
 may be found. He is a communicant of the Roman 
 Catholic Cliurch, and belongs to the Catiiolic Order 
 of Foresters, being enrolled in Lodge No. G5, at 
 Lockport. He also belongs to the DuP.age Grange 
 Lodge and to the ^'igilance Society of the town- 
 siiip. His administration of the affairs that have 
 come before him as a Justice has given him popu- 
 larity and does credit to himself and constituents. 
 His fatiierand lirother Patrick were soldiers in the 
 late war, and his father was also a member of the 
 regular army l)efore the war. 
 
 ^7 AMES BIGGINS. Among those who within 
 the past decade have joined the "sheeted na- 
 tions of the dead" leaving behind tliem a 
 memory that will endure, is the gentleman 
 whose cognomen heads this sketch. He was born 
 in County Monaghan, Ireland, May 11, 1822, and 
 died in DuPage Township, Will County, 111., June 
 15, 1884. His life had been marked by no great 
 events or striking ex|)eriences,but his days had been 
 spent in such industrious labors and quiet pursuance 
 of duty as to secure the esteem of all who knew 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 5G9 
 
 him aiifl cause his demise to be regretted by a 
 large circle. 
 
 Mr. Biggins was re.ared to the age of eighteen 
 years in the land of his birth, receiving a fair edu- 
 cation and acquiring some knowledge of the art of 
 tilling the soil to whit'h lie devoted his life. So 
 successful were his labors that he left a valuable 
 estate upon which his widow now lives. His only 
 capital was his strong hands and natural abilities, 
 by a zealous use of wliieh he won success. He was 
 a Democrat, although lie did- not confine his vote 
 to the party candidates but gave it to the man 
 whom he though best qualified to fill official sta- 
 tion. He was a member of the Roman Catholic 
 Church at Lockport. 
 
 For nearly half a century prior to his death 
 Mr. Biggins had resided in Will County, to which 
 he came direct from the East on emigrating from 
 the Land of the Shamrock. When called hence he 
 was not only missed bj' his immediate family, but 
 by his neighbors and many acquaintances through- 
 out the county where he was known as a public- 
 spirited ard reliable citizen. To his family he was 
 a good provider, to his companion a kind and lov- 
 ing husband and to his children an affectionate and 
 indulgent father. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Biggins and Miss Catherine 
 Prior was celebrated February 9, 1861. Mrs. Big- 
 gins was born in Ireland and is a communicant of 
 the Roman Catholic Church; she is active, capable 
 and kindly, holding a due measure of regard from 
 neighbors and acquaintances. She owns two hun- 
 dred and forty acres of land nnder good cultiva- 
 tion and the most of it well improved. Of the six 
 children whom she bore her husband, four are now 
 living. These are Eugene, James, Edward and 
 William; the deceased are George and Mary. The 
 sons belong to the churc ' to which their parents 
 consecrated them in infancy. 
 
 James Biggins was accompanied to America by 
 his brother Owen, who also settled in DuPage 
 Township, his farm adjoining that of James. He 
 was an industrious, honest and law-abiding citi- 
 zen. He departed this life April 19, 1885. It 
 is safe to s.iy that at no period in the history 
 of the Emerald Isle have more diligent, law- 
 abiding and God-fearing men emigrated from 
 
 her shores than the brothers James and Owen Big- 
 gins. For years to come their memory will be 
 green in the hearts of those who knew and re- 
 vered them, as is the isle that gave them birth, 
 and their worthy lives may well be emulated by 
 fuuire generations. 
 
 f LBERT M. STRONG. In this gentleman 
 
 LM we have a representative-born citizen of 
 
 Will County, a descendant of one of its 
 
 // earliest pioneers. Among the first who 
 
 located in Du Page Township, the father of our 
 subject soon became prominent here, and for a 
 long period of years was closely identified with 
 the public life of township and county. His son, 
 of wliom we write, is still living on the old home- 
 stead, the place of his birth, and is pursuing agri- 
 culture with marked success. 
 
 Albert Strong was born on the 18th of Jul^-, 
 1848, a son of the late Robert and Caroline 
 (Willey) Strong, natives respectively of Vermont 
 and New York. His paternal ancestors are said 
 to have come from England. The father of our 
 subject made the long journey from his early home 
 to this county in the year 1831, and bought land, 
 for which he received a patent from the Govern- 
 ment. This was in the northern part of DuPage 
 Township, and when he settled on it it was a wild, 
 uncultivated tract of prairie. There were but few 
 white people there then, the Indians predominating. 
 A short time after his arrival here, he had to go to 
 Chicago for safe quarters on account of the Black 
 Ha"'k War. Robert Strong first built a log cabin 
 on his land and made it his home a number of 
 j'ears, and subsequently built the present commo- 
 dious residence that now adorns the old home- 
 stead. When he came here he had but veiy little 
 money, but from that small beginning he acquired 
 quite a valuable estate, his farm consisting of 
 two hundred and forty acres at the time of his 
 death. December 28, 1885, this venerable pioneer 
 passed awa\' from the scene of his usefulness, 
 leaving behind him a memoiy that will ever be 
 cherished in the hearts of those who knew and 
 
570 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 loved liim, of a strong-, pure, upright life. He 
 not only iiiilcd in tiio uiiliuililing of tlit; township, 
 but was conspicuous in the management of its |)ub- 
 lic affairs. lie served as Supervisor, was .Tustice of 
 liie I'eacc a number of jears, and held oilier of- 
 fices of importance. He was a sturdj' Hepnblicin 
 in liis jiolilical views. A man of a true religions 
 n;ilni-e, he was one of the leading members of the 
 Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder for a 
 number of years, and was a liberal contributor 
 towards building ui> the present church of that de- 
 nomination in DuPagc. 
 
 The mother of our subject is still living, aged 
 eighty years, and is a beloved inmate of his house- 
 hold. She is a true Ciiristian, and has for many 
 years been a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 .Slie is said to be the oldest pioneer in DuPage 
 Townshi)) and she has been an eye-witness of the 
 gradual growth of the county from its primitive 
 condition to its present position as a wealthy, 
 highly-improved county. She is the mother of 
 eleven children, three of whom are now living — 
 Mary, Mrs. Ware, of California; Robert, living in 
 Arkansas ; and .\lbert M. 
 
 The latter, of whom we write, was reared to the 
 life of a farmer on his birthplace, and has always 
 made his home here. Besides gaining a sound, 
 practical knowledge of farming in all its branches, 
 he was given the advantages of a superior educa- 
 cation. He laid the foundations of his education 
 in the public schools of this county and then at- 
 cended Naperville Academy for two years. After 
 that he became a student at the Western Reserve 
 College, at Hudson, Ohio, and pursued a fine 
 course of study there the ensuing two years. After 
 leaving college, he returned home and entered 
 upon his career as an agriculturist. This fai'm, 
 lying on section 5, he has kept up to the same high 
 standard of cultivation and improvement that it 
 had attained under his father's care, and by his 
 judicious man.igement he secures a fine income 
 from its fertile acres. It is well provided with 
 neat and substantial buildings, and good farming 
 machinery, and is well stocked with cattle, horses 
 and hogs, of high grades. 
 
 On October 21, 1869, Mr. Strong .ind Miss Ida 
 Wheeler were united in a marriage that has proved 
 
 to be a happy one in every way. By their union 
 they have two children — Grace C. and Haltie L. 
 Mrs. Strong is a native of Pennsylvania and a 
 daughter of the late Oeorge and Lucy Wheeler. 
 
 As a man of well balanced, well trained mind, 
 of excejitional tact and excellent business traits, 
 one whose honor and integrity have never been 
 questioned, our subject stands in the front ranks 
 of our best citizens. He possesses strong public 
 spiiit and seeks in every way to push forward the 
 highest interests of this, his native township. He 
 has especially interested himself in educational 
 matters, and as School Director for many years has 
 been a prominent factcjr in securing the excellent 
 privileges enjoyed by the children of the township 
 to-day. In politics he upholds the policy of the 
 Re[)ublican party. He is a member of the Inde- 
 pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of JS'aperville, 111., 
 and also belongs to the DuPage Grange. 
 
 ^^®^»" 
 
 DWARD S. HURLIJUT. This gentleman is 
 ^ numbered among the business men of Joliet, 
 i^^ having, in 1889, taken charge of the busi- 
 ness formerly owned by Mrs. S. F. Savage. He is 
 not a stranger to the citizens of this place, as he 
 has for some time made this his home and been 
 identified in some capacity with its business inter- 
 ests. He is a young gentleman of intelligence, 
 upright character, and the manners of a vvell-bred 
 gentleman, while his business abilities are such as 
 to give promise of success in the line which he has 
 adopted. 
 
 In Rutland County, Vt., David and Mehitable 
 (Fuller) Hurlbut were married, the former a native 
 of Vermont and the latter of Connecticut. They 
 afterward made a home in the Empire .State, where 
 Mr. Hurlbut died July 7, 1859. He was a cooper 
 by occupation and a man who was respected as an 
 honest and upright citizen. His family consisted 
 of four children, but two of whom are yet living. 
 These are Mary E. and Edward S., both of whom 
 reside in Joliet. A son, B. F., belonged to Com- 
 pany B, One Hundred and Twelfth New York In- 
 fantry, and gave his life in defense of the Union, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBDM. 
 
 571 
 
 receiving his death wound at the battle of Cold 
 Harbor, June 1, 1864; a daughter Kate, the wife of 
 Henry C. Morse, of Corry, Pa., died in October, 
 1876. Tlie mother breathed her last in Joliet, Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1878, while on a visit to her sister, Mrs. 
 S. F. Savage. 
 
 The suliject of this brief biographical notice was 
 born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., March 25, 1851. 
 He received a good education, and at the age of 
 seventeen years started out in his career as a clerk 
 in a dry-goods store in Jamestown. There he re- 
 mained about two years, after which he went on 
 the farm for a while. In 1871 he came to Joliet, 
 where for about a year he acted as a clerk for his 
 aunt. He then returned to his native State only to 
 again come to Joliet, where in about a year he was 
 again to be found in the emplo.y of Mrs. Savage. 
 He continue<l to work for her until 1889, when he 
 assumed the control of the business. Mr. Hurlbut 
 is a member of the Republican party ami a pro- 
 nounced prohibitionist in sentiment. 
 
 :^^- 
 
 S^NOCH STAFFORD is a fair specimen of 
 fe ttie English- American citizen, and a success- 
 /'' — ^ ful farmer who lias gained a comfortable 
 estate by zealous and well-directed efforts. He 
 owns and operates a tract of land on section 27, 
 DuPage Township, upon which he has lived since 
 the fall of 1863. At that time he purchased one 
 hundred and ten acres, to which he added by sub- 
 sequent purchase until his lai.ded estate comprised 
 one hundred and ninety acres. There is some 
 timber land on the farm but the greater part is 
 under good tillage, and all is carefully looked after 
 by the enterprising owner. 
 
 Our subject is the youngest son of William and 
 Ann Stafford, natives of -Merrie England," and in 
 Nottinghamshire his own eyes opened to the light 
 on tiw. 23d of Februarj', 1830. He was reared upon 
 a farm, acquiring a knowledge of agriculture but 
 having limited educational privileges. In 1851 he 
 bade adieu to home and friends, determined to seek 
 liis fortune in the New World, and going to Liv- 
 erpool embarked on the sailer "Sea King." The 
 
 vessel left the English docks April 27, and, after a 
 lapse of over four w^eeks, entered New York harbor 
 May 29. 
 
 Mr. Stafford came at once to AVill County, III., 
 where for a time he worked as a farm hand, after 
 which he began as a renter of land. For aboui ten 
 years be was thus engaged and he then made his 
 first purchase of real estate. He was first married 
 in October, 1854, to Miss Sarah Wheat, who bore 
 him two children. William and Sarah; the latter is 
 now deceased. The wife passed away in 1858 after 
 a brief wedded life of four years. 
 
 On the 29th of October, 1 859, Mr. Stafford con- 
 tracted a second matrimonial alliance, taking as his 
 companion Miss Jane Wheat, who is still shar- 
 ing his fortunes. This union has resulted in the 
 birth f)f eiglit sons aid daugliters, namely: Mary, 
 nife of Jonathan Royce, Benjamin W., George M., 
 John and Arthur, living; and Sarah, Stephen and 
 Charles, deceased. Mrs. Jane Stafford was born 
 in Nottinghamshire, England, April 18, 1843, to 
 Benjamin and Hannah (Hinslifl) Wheat, who came 
 to America when she was about twelve years old. 
 Her parents settled in DuPage Township, Will 
 County, 111., on the fi»rm now owned bj' our subject. 
 There they remained until death, the father pass- 
 ing away June 2, 1876, and the mother some time 
 after. Mr. and Mrs. Wheat had four children, the 
 only survivors being Ann, wife of William Chfl[)- 
 man, of Ellsworth, Kan., and Mrs. Stafford. 
 
 Mr. Stafford is largely independent in his politi- 
 cal views, although for a number of years he has 
 voted with the Democratic party. He receives his 
 due measure of respect from those to whom his life 
 and character are known, and his estimable wife 
 has also man}' friends. 
 
 -^^ 
 
 ARTIN F. TILDEN. This name is indis- 
 solubly associated with the growth of 
 Custer Township, as that of one of its ac- 
 tive pioneer settlers, who has been an 
 imporlant factor in advancing its material, social 
 and religious interests, and it is well that his life 
 record should be placed on these pages. He is 
 
672 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 still actively engaged in the management of his 
 fanning interests, and his farm on section 30, 
 shows, in its neat comfortable buildings and its 
 well-tilled acres, the care that he has bestowed 
 ui)on it, and is a fine specimen of a farm evolved 
 from the. wild prairies, that is still in the hands of 
 the one who turned the first sod on its fertile acres. 
 Diali Tilden, the father of our subject was a na- 
 tive of Connecticut, where he carried on the occu- 
 pation of a farmer. He was a volunteer in the 
 War of 1812. lie was married to Lena Flint, 
 also a native of Connecticut, their marriage taking 
 place in Williamstown, Vt., and there they resided 
 till old age overtook them, and then made their 
 home with their children, who lived in Michigan 
 and Illinois. United in life, in death they were 
 not long divided, as she died in ISfiu at the age 
 of eiglUy-lh roe years, and sixteen days afterward 
 he breathed his last, at the age of eighty-four. 
 Three of the eight children born to them are now 
 living. 
 
 Their son Martin, who is the subject of this bi- 
 ographical review, was born among the beautiful 
 hills of Vermont, in Williamstown, February (J, 
 1811. He was the recipient of a good efiucation 
 in the common schools, and when a young man he 
 gave his attention to teaching, and for a while was 
 numbered among the members of the educational 
 profession in his native State. He had begun life on 
 his own account at the age of nineteen, and for a few 
 years worked as a stonemason. After that he gave 
 his attention to farming, and moving into North- 
 ern New York fifty years ago, carried on that oc- 
 cupation there nine years. Thinking, however, he 
 could sooner acquire a competence on the rich' 
 virgin soil of Illinois, he came to this State in 
 1811), and located in this township. He was in 
 fair circumstances at the time, and investing some 
 money in a tract of wild prairie, on section 30, he 
 immediately began the pioneer task of redeeming 
 it from a state of nature, and it may well be his 
 pride that he has developed that tract of wild 
 prairie into one of the finest farms in this vicinity, 
 .■vnd that all its improvements, substantial build- 
 ings, well-tilled fields, etc., are the work of his 
 own hand. His farm comprises one hundred and 
 sixty acres of land, well adapted to mixed hus- 
 
 
 bandry, and he also owns twelve acres of limlier 
 land. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Tilden with .Miss Sarah A. 
 Kimball was soletnuized in 1836, and for fifty 
 years they traveled life together, sharing its joys 
 and dividing its sorrows, the greatest grief of our 
 subject's wedded life being in her death, which 
 01 cured in the month of September, 1884. Mrs. 
 Tilden was a native of Vermont, and a daughter 
 of Samuel and Sarah Kiml)all, who were natives of 
 Massachusetts and early settlers in Vermont. They 
 were the parents of seven children, all of whom 
 are now deceased. ]\Irs. Tilden was born Novem- 
 ber 30, 1809. She was the mother of eight chil- 
 dren, two of whom are living: Lora, wife of Har- 
 per Bovee, of whom see sketch; Mrs. Sarah Rose, 
 who, with her daughter Mabel, aged fourteen 
 years, lives witli her father. In the death of his 
 beloved wife and children our subject h. s sus- 
 tained a severe blow, but he does not mourn as 
 one without hope. He firmly believes with the 
 poet that 
 
 'Tf the Power 
 
 Maketh thus his pastures green, 
 Maketh thus his quiet waters. 
 
 Out of waste his heavens serene. 
 We can trust the mighty Shepherd 
 
 Loseth none He ever led ; 
 Some where yet a greeting waits us 
 
 On the faces of our dead." 
 
 Mr. Tilden has been closely identified with the 
 growth of Custer Township and Will County since 
 his advent here so inan3' years ago, and his name 
 is classed with the best of our pioneers. Ilia (ca- 
 reer in life has been distinguished by sound wis- 
 dom, stability of character and correct business 
 habits, combined with honorable and conscien- 
 tious views, and his course furnishes a worthy ex- 
 ample to the 3'oung men who are just starting out 
 in the world to find fortune's favors. He has al- 
 ways taken an intelligent interest in the political 
 issues of the day, and while in his youth he vvas a 
 Democrat, in more mature years he identified him- 
 self with the Republican part}-. He has always 
 been a temperance man and his sympathies are 
 with the prohibitionists. He has borne an impor- 
 tant part in the administration of public affairs; 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 575 
 
 was Township Clerk in an earlj' day and also Trus- 
 tee of the Township. He has been Director of 
 this school district for many years. A sincere 
 and earnest Ciuistian, he has alwa3-s manifested 
 a deep interest in tlic religions and moral \velf;;re 
 of the comnmnily, and as a leading member of the 
 Baptist Cluiicli, of wljicli he is a Deacon, he has 
 done mucli to forward it. lie lias taken an active 
 part in the Sunday-scliool as one of its most faith- 
 fnl teachers. 
 
 ICllAEL W. KELLY, A. B., M. D. This 
 name represents one of the older and prom- 
 inent physicians of .loliet, who came to 
 the city in 1880, and located his office at 
 No. 631 Cass Street. Until 1885, he cundncted a 
 ding store on Jefferson Street, bnt upon its de- 
 struction by fire in that year, he abandoned the 
 drug business. He was born in Count\' Roscom- 
 mon, Ireland, and when a lad of ten years came to 
 America willi his father, Thomas Kelly, who loca- 
 ted with his family at Petersburg, 111., and there 
 sojourned until his death, about 1873. 
 
 Dr. Kelly spent a portion of his boyhood days 
 in the schools of Petersburg, 111., and subsequently 
 attended the celebrated college at Tcutopolis, 
 Eflingham Countj^, HI., under the guidance of the 
 Kranciscan Fathers. After leaving that institution 
 he repaired to Atchison, Kan., entering the Ben- 
 edictine College, from which in due time he was 
 graduated with the degree of A. B. Later lie 
 taught school for a number of years, but in the 
 meantime entertained the steady resolve to enter 
 the medical profession as soon as circumstances 
 would permit. He met with success as an instruc- 
 tor and was principal of the village school at 
 Lostant, LaSalle County, 111., for three years. 
 
 Entering upon the study of medicine under the 
 instruction of Prof. Frothingiiani, of the medical 
 department of Michigan University, Dr. Kelly was 
 graduated from that institution in 1879; then 
 returning to his native country he entered Dublin 
 University, and, after spending a year, returned 
 to America, and entered upon the regular practice 
 
 of his profession at Minooka, Grundy County, 111., 
 where he remained two years. From that place he 
 came to .loliet, where he is now in the enjoyment 
 of a lucrative prictice. He is tlic)roughl3- devoted 
 to his profession and gives to it his exclusive time 
 and attention, and in the interests of his work, 
 belongs to the Will County INIedical Society. 
 
 The marriage of Dr. Kelly with Miss Lucy E. 
 Hennesy, w.as celebrated at the bride's home in 
 Minooka, October 10, 1879. They are now the 
 parents of one child, a son, William F., born 
 August 26, 1881. Dr. Kelly belongs to St. Mary's 
 Catholic Church. Upon becoming a voting cit- 
 izen, he identified himself with the Democrat party. 
 He carefully avoids the responsiljilities of office and 
 with the exception of casting his vote at the regu- 
 lar election, has little to do with outside matters. 
 Not only in the profession, but in social and busi- 
 ness circles. Dr. Kelly occupies a high position, 
 possessing the genial qualities and strict integrity 
 which have fully established him in the esteem and 
 confldence of those around him. 
 
 Mrs. Lucy E. (Hennesy) Kelly was born Dec^em- 
 ber 14, 1843, in Channahon, and was the daughter 
 of John and Lucj' (Collins) Hennesy, who were 
 natives of Ireland. Upon coming to this State, 
 they located in Channahon Township, where the 
 father occupied himself as a farmer. During the 
 gold excitement of 1849, he went to California 
 overland, and was there but a short time when he 
 died. The widow moved to Minooka, where she 
 passed the remainder of her life. 
 
 A lithographic portrait of Dr. Kelly is presented 
 on another page of the Aluu.m, and represents one 
 of the prominent phj'sicians and foremost citizens 
 of Joliet. 
 
 ^1 OHN HAYDEN, one of the most wealthy 
 and prominent men in Florence Township, 
 is likewise one of its most enterprising and 
 J progressive. He has a valuable farm with 
 first-class improvements, and his surroundings all 
 indicate the exercise of cultured- tastes and ample 
 means. The family stands second to none in 
 Will County, in point of respectability and star- 
 
576 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ling worth, and forms a portion of the element 
 which h:is l)i(.iight it to its present position, nior- 
 all_y, socially JUid fiiianc'i:illy. 
 
 Mr. Harden, in his search for a permanent loca- 
 tion, wandered a lons>- way from liis hirUiplaee, 
 whicli was in Lincoln County. Me., where ho first 
 opened his eyes to the light. His father, .lolin 
 Ilayden, was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, 
 where lie was reared to man's estate and married 
 Miss Hannah Kiusella, who was born and reared 
 not far from the childhood home of her husband. 
 They lived there until early in 183G, when the 
 father, desirous of bettering his condition, re- 
 solved upon seeking the New World. He set out 
 on Easter morning in February, from the Key of 
 Ross, and after a safe voyage landed in Quebec, 
 Canada. A short time later he proceeded to New 
 York State, and from there to Gardner, Me. Sub- 
 sequently he located in Lincoln County, that State, 
 where he resided nntil 1850. 
 
 Deciding now upon seeking the far west, John 
 Haj-den, leaving the Pine Tree State, came to Illi- 
 inois, and settled in Joliet, of which he was a resi- 
 dent several j'ears. Thence he removed to Spen- 
 cer, and from there, in 18G0, came to this county, 
 locating on the farm, in Florence Township, wlueh 
 is now occupied by his son John. As the result 
 of industry and perseverance, he became well-to-do 
 and the owner of a whole section of land, besides 
 wiial he gave to his sons. He also owned prop- 
 erty in Chicago. He came to Illinois poor in 
 purse, and accumulated liis possessions solely by 
 his own industry. He was a well-educated man, 
 and looked carefull}- after tiie training of his chil- 
 dren, both in scliool and at home. He was modest 
 and unassuming in disposition, never seeking pub- 
 licity in any shape. He was reared in the faith of 
 the Catholic Church, to which he loyally adhered, 
 and after becoming a voting citizen in America, 
 identified himself with the Democratic party. He 
 departed this life at the homestead April 5, 1889, 
 aged seventy-seven years. The mother survived 
 her husband less than a year, her death taking 
 place February 28, 1890, when she was sevent^'-five 
 years old. 
 
 To John Hayden, Sr., and his good wife there 
 was born a family of nine ehildren, who were 
 
 named respectively: Mary, Daniel, Catherine, 
 Bridget, Thomas, .John, Hannah, Burnett and Anna 
 S. Bridget, Burnett and Anna S. are deceased; 
 Mary is married and a resident of Maine. The 
 oilier children are living in this State. John, ova- 
 subject was a child of four 3 ears when his parents 
 came to this county, and he spent his boyhood and 
 3()nlh after the manner of most farmers' sons, be- 
 coming familiar with the arts of plowing, sowing 
 and reaping, and choosing this for his vocation in 
 life. He is consideral)ly interested in live stock, 
 and has four hundred and eight3' acres of land in 
 Florence Township, comprising a part of sections 
 12,2, 11 and 10. The residence is on the first 
 mentioned. Besides this he has eighty acres on 
 section 23, Reed Township. 
 
 IMr. Hayden is raising some fine blooded horses 
 of Norman and trotting stock, and is able to ex- 
 hibit some of the choicest animals in this part of 
 Illinois. The male members of the Hayden family 
 have been distinguished for generations for their 
 love of the equine race, and are particularly fond 
 of fast horses. They obtained a fine reputation as 
 breeders, and have furnished many of the racers 
 who have won distinction on the popular tracks of 
 the country. Mr. Haj'den bids fair to be in no- 
 wise behind his ))rogenitors in this respect. He is 
 a keen judge of the fine points of horseflesh, and 
 evidentlj' possesses a natural adaptation for this 
 business. 
 
 Although not meddling very much in politics, 
 Mr. Hayden keeps himself thorqughly posted in 
 regard to current events, and gives his unqualified 
 support to the Democratic party. He has held the 
 oflice of Road Commissioner and served as Treas- 
 urer of Florence Township for the last eleven 
 years. In religious matters he adheres to the 
 Catholic faith of his forefathers, and his wife and 
 family are in full sympathy with him in this re- 
 sjiect. 
 
 Miss Bridget Bergan, of Manhattan, this county, 
 was wedded to our subject February 24, 1876. 
 Mrs. Hayden was born in IManhattan, March 17, 
 1852, and is a daughter of Martin and Hester 
 (Welch) Bergan, who were natives of County Kil- 
 kenny, Ireland. The parents were reared and 
 married in their native count}', and emigrated to 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOaKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 577 
 
 America about 1846. They first settled in Peoria, 
 liut the following year took up their residence in 
 Manhattan, where they still live. Of this union 
 there iiave been born five children, viz.: Jolin F., 
 J^aniel, William, ilartin G. and Anna, all of whom 
 are living and form an exceedingly bright and in- 
 teresting group, receiving careful parental training 
 and the older ones pursuing their studies in the 
 common schools. 
 
 ^ ANIEL K. GISE, senior member of the firm 
 of D. K. Gise & Co., stands at the head of 
 one of the important manufacturing interests 
 of Joliet, operating a factor^' which turns outdoor 
 hinges and other articles in this line. The office 
 occupies No. Ill, St. Louis Street, while the resi- 
 dence of JMr. (lise is located at No. 201, Sherman 
 Street. Mr. (iise has been a resident of this county 
 since 1868, and for the space of a dozen years has 
 been associated with its leading interests. 
 
 A native of Lebanon County, Pa., Mr. Gise was 
 born March 3, 1843, and is the son of David B. 
 Gise, a native of Newmanstown, that State. The 
 hitter was reared to manhood in his native State, 
 and was there married to Miss Sarah Kerlin. The 
 wife was of English descent, her progenitors set- 
 tling in Pennsylvania at an early day. Both fam- 
 ilies were of eminent respeclabilit}' and the male 
 meinbers largelj' millers by trade. 
 
 The parents of our subject, when he was an in- 
 fant of three months, removed to Center County, 
 Pa., where the father followed milling and fanning 
 and wliere the motiier died. In 1867, after the 
 death of his wife, David Gise emigrated to Illinois 
 with his family, settling south of Manhattan, in 
 ^\'ilson Township, this county, where he now lives. 
 Daniel K. was reared to mature years in Center 
 County, Pa., and after reaching manhood engaged 
 in mercantile [jursuits until coming to this county. 
 He then purchased land in Manhattan Township, 
 which he brought to a good state of cultivation, 
 erecting thereon suitable farm buildings and where 
 he resided until about 1872; then removing to 
 Joliet he purchased a stock of goods and established 
 
 himself on Washington Street, where he continued 
 to do business until 1882. That year he sold out 
 and, after an interval of rest, became interested in 
 live stock in the West, which engaged his atten- 
 tion for a time, and he then established his present 
 Ijusiness which he has conducted about five years. 
 He still retains possession of his farm rnojiert}' in 
 Manhattan Township. Gise & Co. sell the product 
 of their manufactory principally to the jobbing and 
 retail trade, having men on the road at all times. 
 Mr. Gise was married, February 10, 1870, in 
 Mifflir. County, Pa., to Miss Addie A. Kearns who 
 was born in that county August 27, 1847. The 
 parents of Mrs. Gise were Thomas and Mary (Set- 
 tle) Kearns, natives of Pennsylvania and now de- 
 ceased. Four children have been born to our subject 
 and his good wife, these bearing the names re- 
 si)ectively, of Ward K., Lloyd P., Buelah A. and 
 Edith S. Mrs. Gise is a member in good standing 
 of the Central Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gise 
 gives his political support to the Democratic party 
 but 'meddles very little with public affairs, prefer- 
 ring to devote his time and attention to his business 
 interests and his famil\-. 
 
 -^a- 
 
 
 vv 
 
 § 
 
 ORNELIUS J. McCLURE. In traveling 
 about Will County one is struck b}' the ap- 
 pearance of neatness and order which many 
 of its homes bear and the evidences of thrift and 
 enterprise which are to be seen on cverj' hand. 
 These features are noticeable in contemplating the 
 estate occupied b}' the above-named gentleman, 
 which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, on 
 section 19, Manhattan Township. It is evident 
 that the manager of this place is successfully pur- 
 suing his avocation, which is plainly seen to be 
 that of grain and stock-raising. Holstcin cattle 
 and Poland-China swine of good grades graze over 
 the broad acres, and some twenty head of high- 
 grade draft horses are also visible. Investigation 
 reveals the fact that Mr. McClure has recently suf- 
 fered the loss by fire of a large barn, 40x70 feet, 
 and other buildings, but that substantial structures 
 will soon replace the temporary shelter which he 
 
578 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 V^ 
 
 bas been compelled to use for a time. The in- 
 quirer would also learn that lie operates two bun- 
 .ired and forty acres of laml, and rents an equal 
 amount, and that his entire landed estate is tillable, 
 well tiled, fenced and oliiern-ise improved. It is 
 divided into liiree improved places, one comprising 
 a quarter of section 25, .lackson Townsliii), and an- 
 other, eighty acres on section 30, Manlialtan 
 Township, watered by Mud Creek. 
 
 The McClurc famil}- is of .Scotch lineage, and 
 the branch to which our subject belongs was repre- 
 sented in the third generation previous to his lime 
 b}' a McClure who was born near New York City, 
 and was an early settler in St. Albans, Vi. A 
 brother of this gentleman belonged to the Revolu- 
 tionary army, was taken prisoner and confined in a 
 prison ship, his place of confinement being so loath- 
 some that he became crazy. The grandfather of 
 our subject was James McClure, born in Franklin 
 Connty,\'t., in 1777, and the owner of a farm wliich 
 he operated until his death. The next in the paternal 
 line of descent was D avid , who was born near St. 
 Albans, Franklin County, Vt., and followed in his 
 father's footsteps, becoming a farmer. 
 
 David McClure cleared a farm one-half mile 
 from Lake Champlain, and there i-aised large flocks 
 of sheep and herds of other stock. In the fall 
 of 1854 he sold bis Eastern propertj', and coming 
 to Will County, 111., purchased one hundred and 
 sixtj' acres if raw land in Wilmington Township, 
 and immediately set about its improvement. After 
 having seen his labors crowned with success, in 
 1864 he removed to Green Garden Township, pur- 
 chasing an equal amount there, upon which be re- 
 mained but eighteen months. He then sold, and 
 in the fall of 1865 became a resident of Manhattan 
 Township. He purchased eighty acres of land ou 
 section 30, together with one hundred and sixty 
 acres on section 25, Jackson Township, and build- 
 ing upon the former, operated the entire acreage 
 until 1880, when he retired to Manhattan. He 
 spent the remainder of his life in the repose which 
 his former industry merited, breathing his last in 
 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a 
 stanch member of the Republican partj'. In earlier 
 years be belonged to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, but later transferred his membership to 
 
 the United Brethren Church, in both societies as- 
 sisting to upbuild the cause of Christianity by 
 joining the etforts to erect a house of worship, and 
 in all else which the organizations undertook. 
 
 The wife of David .McClure was Charlotte Ayers, 
 likewise a native of Franklin County, \'t., and a 
 daughter of Benjamin Ayers, who was born and 
 spent his earlier years in Massachusetts. On re- 
 moving from his native State, Mr. Ayers continued 
 his agricultural work in Enosburg Townslnp, in 
 the county wherein his daughter opened her eyes 
 to the light of day. That wortiiy lady died in 
 1886, .at the age of fifty-eight years. She had 
 borne her husband three children, of whom our 
 subject is the first-born. The others are Judson 
 L., now living in Manhattan Village, and Orrin, 
 who died when but three years old. 
 
 The natal day of Cornelius J. McClure was May 
 13, 1850, and ins birthplace the old McClure home, 
 on the baidvs of Lake Cham|)lain, not far from St. 
 Albans, Vt. He has but sligiit recollections of his 
 native place, as he accompanied his parents to this 
 county early in his fifth 3'ear. They traveled by 
 rail to Joliet, and the childhood of our subject was 
 spent amid the primitive surroundings incident to 
 the cultivation and development of new land. His 
 remembrance of the wildness of the prairie in- 
 cludes the charming sight of a flock of eighteen 
 deer. He early learned to bear a share in the work 
 of the farm, and during the war, w^hen older and 
 stronger hands were scarce, was counted as one on 
 the harvest field and elsewhere. 
 
 Young McClure was but fourteen years old 
 when the family removed from Wilmington to 
 Green Cjarden Township, and fifteen when they 
 came to Manhattan Township. lie had enjoyed 
 the advantages of the district schools whenever it 
 was possible for him to attend them, and when 
 nineteen, was given the privilege of attending Jen- 
 nings Seminary, at Aurora, one term. He remained 
 with his father until he became of age, and in 
 
 1872 rented a tract of his father, and began his 
 personal efforts as a farmer. In the spring of 
 
 1873 he went West by rail to learn something of 
 the country beyond the Mississippi. He became a 
 brakeman on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, between 
 Brookville, Ft. Wallace and Denver, and later went 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 579 
 
 to Nevada, where he filled a similar position on 
 the Central Pacific Railroad, Vjctween Toana and 
 Winnemucka. lie returned to his home in tlie 
 spring of 1874, by way of San Francisco an'd 
 Panama, sailing from the Isthmus to New York 
 • on the " Acapulco," and consuming seven weeks 
 in the homeward journey. 
 
 Resuming work on his father's farm, Mr. McClure 
 in a few months became the purchaser of eighty 
 acres on section 30, the operation of which he 
 added to that of some of the iioniestead, continu- 
 ing it until 1879. In tiie meantime, on December 
 23, 1875, he had been joined in wedlock to Miss 
 Emily Morgan, and at the date before named they 
 located on property belonging to her, which has 
 since been their home. This is the valuable estate 
 on section 19, in addition to which Mr. McClure 
 operates a part of section 30. After the death of 
 his father he bought his brother's interest in the 
 parental homestead, bringing up his lauded estate 
 to four hundred and eight}' .acres. 
 
 Mrs. McClure was born in Neansay Township, 
 Kendall County, III., where her father, Moses Mor- 
 gan, had settled in 1S.50. Two j'ears later he 
 removed to the vicinity of Joliet, and having 
 prosecuted successfully his occupation of tilling the 
 soil, eventually became the owner of eleven hun- 
 dred acres of land. After his death, m 1877, his 
 his daughter's share of the estate w.as overseen by 
 her husband. Mrs. McClure was educated at Joliet, 
 and it would be hard to find a lady of more pleas- 
 ing characteristics and genuine worth. Her gra- 
 cious hospitality and mental culture make her home 
 a favorite gathering place for friends, while to her 
 husband and children it is the dearest spot on 
 earth. The interesting group about the fireside in- 
 cludes six sons and daughters, namely: Alice, 
 Mark, Ara, Irvin, Addie and Wayne; while two 
 children have gone before. 
 
 Not only has the enterprise of Mr. McClure se- 
 cured him a good estate and all the comforts of 
 life, but he has gained a still better reward for iiis 
 meritorious life in the good-will of numerous 
 friends and an honorable reputation. He is now 
 serving his third term as Township School Trustee, 
 and he was Village Trustee for one year, his home 
 having been included in the corporation when the 
 
 charter was first given, but later set off. He be- 
 longs to the Grange at Manhattan, having the sta- 
 tion of Overseer. He gives his ballot to the 
 candidates of the Republican party, and is an 
 earnest advocate of temperance. 
 
 DWARD D. CONLEY, editor and proprie- 
 
 -j tor of the Joliet Signal, is conducting a 
 L^^ journal which under his management has at- 
 tained no small degree of influence in this part of 
 the State. He is a native of the city of Toronto, 
 Canada, and was born August 11, 1844. He was 
 but an infant when his parents removed to Buffalo, 
 N. Y., and in 1849, to Wilmington, this State, 
 where Edward was reared to mature years, and 
 which remained his home until 1889. 
 
 In the meantime, during the progress of the Civil 
 AVar and when a 3'outh of nineteen years, Mr. 
 Conley entered the Union service, enlisting in Com- 
 pany A, Thirt3'-ninth Illinois Infantry, which was 
 assigned to the Army of the James. He partici- 
 pated in man}- of the important battles which fol- 
 lowed, including several engagements in front of 
 Richmond and Petersburg, remaining in the service 
 until December, 1865, when he received an honor- 
 able discharge on the mustering ont of his regiment. 
 In the meantime he had the satisfaction of witness- 
 ing the surrender of Lee at Appomattox and he 
 saw man}' of the prominent men who were con- 
 spicuous at that time, viz.: Jefferson Davis, Presi- 
 dent Lincoln, Gen. Grant, Secretary Stanton, Gen. 
 Sheridan and others. He discharged his duties 
 faithfully as a soldier and at the close of the war 
 returned home. 
 
 After a brief term spent in school, Mr. Conley 
 engaged in the furniture business one year at Wil- 
 mington, and subsequently filled various munici- 
 pal and township offices. In 1871, he became in- 
 terested in journalism and purchased the AVilming- 
 ton Advocate which he still owns and controls. In 
 December, 1886, he purchased a half interest in the 
 Joliet Signal, and thiee years later became sole 
 proprietor. In 1889, he removed to the city and 
 put up a residence at the intersection of Western 
 
580 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and liuoll Avenues, where he now resides. For 
 w.my years he has been the correspondent of the 
 Chic.ifjo Timcx and Herald, sending in tlie local 
 news from Wilmington, Hraidwood and vicinity. 
 Ahonl Ajjril, 1879, he establisiied the Rraidwood 
 Reporter, which he published six years. Me be- 
 longs to Howen Post, No. 17, G. A. H., at Wil- 
 mington. 
 
 AVhile a resident of Wilmington, Mr. Conley was 
 married December 28, 1874, to Miss Mary A. 
 O'Connell. This lady was born in 1846, in Ireland, 
 and is the daughter of Mrs. Hannah l>urke. now 
 residing near l.raidwood. There have been born of 
 this union a son and ilaughter: Edward J., and 
 May. Mr. Conle}^ was reared in the Catholic faith 
 and is a member in good standing of St. Patrick's 
 Church. 
 
 -i-+|-^^€-<^ 
 
 ^TNTHONY G. TAYLOR is profitably con- 
 ( .@/u[ i ducting farming and stock-raising opera- 
 
 m II tions in Custer Township, where he has a 
 1^^ well a|)pointed farm on section 23, and 
 
 here he and bis family have an attractive home. 
 Mr. Taylor's claims to representation in this bio- 
 graphical work are not wholly as a farmer, how- 
 ever, but in part as a noble type of the veterans of 
 the late Civil W^ar, whom we delight to honor, 
 and who, since the Rebellion closed have done so 
 much to develop the fine resources of this county. 
 Our subject has an enviable military record, as an 
 able and trustworthy soldier, who did his share of 
 hard fighting that kept the Stars and Stripes float- 
 ing over a free and undivided countr3', and by his 
 valor he received deserved promotion to the ofiieial 
 rank of Second Lieutenant. 
 
 Hiram Taylor, the father of our subject was a 
 native of Rutland Coynt^', Vt., born 1806, and was 
 there reared to the life of a farmer. His mother, . 
 whose maiden name was Eliza M. Weller, was 
 horn in the State of New York in the month of 
 June, 1810. In 1826 she was married in the place 
 <jf her nativity to Hiram Taylor, and the3' spent the 
 early years of their wedded life in that State. In 
 1849, they came to Will Comity and settled on the 
 
 farm in this township now owned by Martin Tan- 
 ner. I'here they resided for four years, and then 
 removed to the farm now occupied by our subject. 
 Here thej- made their permanent home and here the 
 father of our subject died in 1877. His mother is 
 still living at the venerable age of eighty years and 
 is a beloved member of his household. Eleven 
 children were 'jorn of her married life, two of whom 
 died in the first four years of their existence and 
 five of the family are now living and reside in this 
 township. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born 
 September 16, 1840, in St. Lawrence County, N. 
 Y. His education was obtained partly in his na- 
 tive State and partly in Illinois in the common 
 schools. He h.as alwaj's been at home, never hav- 
 ing worked away, excepting for half a month. At 
 the breaking out of the war he was engaged on his 
 father's farm, and watched with ardent interest the 
 progress of the Rebellion. August 5, 1861, he en- 
 tered the army as a member of Company AjTIiirt^-- 
 niutli Illinois Infantr}-. He took part in the follow- 
 ing campaigns: Slienandoah Valley under Gen. 
 Shields; was with I'.urnside in his Fredericksburg 
 campaign; w.as then under Gen. Banks at Suffolk, 
 Va.; after that was with McClellan on the James 
 River and subsequently was at Newburn, N. C; 
 and later at South Carolina he fought under Gen. 
 Gilmore. There he and his comrades took part in 
 the siege of I'^ts. AVagner and Gregg and were of 
 great assistance in the capture of those strong- 
 holds. His term of enlistment having expi'-ed he 
 re-enlisted after a furlough of thirty days, returned 
 to Washington, went with Gen. Butler to Bermuda 
 Hundred, A'a., and was active in the James River 
 campaign. He remained with Butler during the 
 siege of Richmond and in the spring of 1865, was 
 transferred to Gen. Terry's command near Peters- 
 burg, and the brigade of which he was a member 
 was the first to intercept Lee. He fought in the 
 following battles; Alpine Station, Md. ; first bat- 
 tle of AVinchester, Va., and was in a number of se- 
 vere skirmishes taking an active part in the one at 
 Black Water, Va. The summer of 1863 was spent 
 in the siege of Fts. Wagner and Gregg on Morris 
 * Island. S. C. Then occurred Butler's march upon 
 Richmond and the retreat, and Mr. Ta\lor was in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 581 
 
 all the battles in which his corps was engaged until 
 the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He served 
 as a private until 1864, but his valor, trustworthi- 
 ness ,and efficiency had commended hira to the no- 
 tice of his commanders and in that year he was 
 promoted to the position of Corporal and then to 
 be Orderly Sergeant and in the same year received 
 his commission of Second Lieutenant. He was 
 honorably discharged December 16, 1865, at Spring- 
 field. III. 
 
 After his long and exciting experience of life on 
 the southern battletields, our subject resumed the 
 quiet occupation whieli he had dropped to take up 
 arms in defense of his country's honor. Coming 
 back to the old homestead, where so many years of 
 his life had. been passed, he actively entered upon 
 the duties of cultivating the soil, and rearing stock. 
 He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, that 
 under his able management is in a superior con- 
 dition. Its neat buildings, well tilled fields and 
 general air of thrift marking it as one of the most 
 desiralile estates in this vicinity. Here he and his 
 wife have established a home that is the center of 
 comfort and true hospitality, as they take pride and 
 [)leasure in making it a happy abode for their chil- 
 dren. 
 
 December 6. IH6H, Mr. Taylor was united in 
 marriage to Mrs. Eliza Stewart nee Hicks, a soldier's 
 widow and a daughter of Joseph and Hannah Hicks. 
 Her father is a retired farmer living in Plaintield. 
 By this marriage our subject and wife have five 
 children: Venie is tiie wife of Edward Yates of this 
 township, aiul they have one child; Belle is the 
 wife of Homy Linton of Custer Park; Charles, 
 Eugene and Hiram. 
 
 Our subject has been closely identified with the 
 gniwth and material welfare of Custer Township, 
 and so of \Vi\\ County, since his boyhood, and is 
 well-known as a man of correct habits and high 
 principles, who possesses the business tact and pr.ic- 
 tical ability requisite to give him an assured place 
 among those members of the farming community' 
 who have pursued their calling to a successful issue. 
 'lis position as a citizirn of Custer Township, is of 
 the best, and he has given it good service as a pub- 
 lic official, always discharging his duty with con- 
 scientious fidelity. He has been Director of this 
 
 district (No. 1). He occupies an important posi- 
 tion as Treasurer of the Board of Road Commis- 
 sioners, and has just been appointed Enumerator of 
 Census by the United States Government, for Custer 
 Township. His public and private duties are so 
 numerous that he has just been obliged tc resign 
 the office of Justice of the Peace. In commemo- 
 ration of the part which he took in the war he is now 
 a member of Bowen Post, G. A. R. of Wilmington. 
 He always votes the Republican ticket in National 
 politics. 
 
 ^'i ARL ARBEITER, a highly respected resi- 
 dent of Plainfield Township, where he is 
 profitably engaged in farming and stock- 
 raising, may be denominated one of the pioneers 
 of this portion of Will County, although not one 
 of its earliest settlers, as in improving his present 
 valuable farm, he has greatly aided in its develop- 
 ment and has materially added to its wealth. 
 
 Mr. Arbeiter was born in German3-,.Iuly 25, 1827, 
 in the town of Kappits Ki, (irottkau, Ober-Sehlesien. 
 Henry Arbeiter, his father, was born in the same 
 village, where his father, of the same name .as him- 
 self, carried on farming and spent the whole of his 
 life. The father of our subject was bred to agri- 
 cultural pursuits and according to the laws of his 
 native land, as soon as old enough, served in the 
 army in the years 181.3-14-15, and fought against 
 Naiioleon. After returning to private life he re- 
 sumed'farmiDgand was thus engaged until his death 
 in his native village in 1857. He was twice mar- 
 ried and reared nine children, only two of whom 
 ever came to America, our suliject .and his brother 
 AVilliam, the latter now a resident of California. 
 
 He of whom we write received excellent educa- 
 tional advantages in the land of his birth, attending 
 school until he was fourteen years of age. He then 
 commenced to work on a farm and afterwards 
 learned the trade of a brick and plaster mason, serv- 
 ing an apprenticeship, and then doing journey work 
 in different parts of Germany. He was not satis- 
 fied with his prospects in Germany and thinking 
 that he could do better in America, he sailed for 
 this country in 1851, embarking at Bremen on the 
 
582 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ship ''AiUer" and landing at(Jiiel)ec on the 17th of 
 .June, after a V03'a_a'e of seventj-two days. He 
 spent four weeks in tiiat city and then came to tiie 
 States and makin<j bis ifay to Chicago resided there 
 one year. In 1855 he came to Wdl County, and 
 engaged himself to work on a farm at $15 a month, 
 and was thus employed three years. He subse- 
 quently rented the farm that he now owns and soon 
 bought the place which comprised eighty acres of 
 land. He has done so well at his calling, that he 
 h;is bought other land and now has two hundred 
 and forty acres, divided into two farms that are 
 classed among the best in the place, Iioth being 
 under good improvement and excellent tillage and 
 provided with suilalile buildings. 
 
 In 1860. Sir. Arbeiter, by his marriage with Miss 
 Catiicrina Sdler, a native of Germany, secured a 
 wife who has been to him a faitliful helpmate, act- 
 ively co-operating witli him in his work, and by 
 her skillful management wit!) her household affairs 
 contributing to their prospei'ily. Jlr. and Rlrs. 
 Arbeiter have five cliildrcn, four of whom are liv- 
 ing, as follows; Josej)!!, Charles, (Jeorge and Mar}'. 
 Tlie latter is novv the wife of Ciiristian Larsen and 
 resides in Chicago. 
 
 For thirt\--(ive yc.rs Mr. Arbeiter has been a 
 resident of this county, and in tliat time has built 
 up for himself a solid and enduring reputation as 
 a man of good character, whose dealings with others 
 are alvv.aNS in strict accord with tlie laws of justice 
 and honor. He is an active, wide awake man, 
 possessing keen foresight, and is quick to take 
 advantage of any opportunity to improve his 
 finances. 
 
 ^EORGP: WENDLING is a good representa- 
 I (^-, live of German-American citizenship and 
 ^^J4l t^'iG thrifty ways which make the Germans 
 so successful in the i)ursuit of agriculture. He 
 owns and occupies.au excellent farm in Wasliington 
 Township, the property comprising one hundred 
 and twenty acres on section 19, and being wcU- 
 iniproved and intelligently managed. 
 
 Mr. Wendling was born in Keteim. Als.ice, which 
 at the date of his birth, May 14, 1831, belonged 
 
 to France, but is now included in the territory of 
 the Germanic Confederation. His parents. George 
 and Catherine (Wagner) Wendling, were born and 
 reared in the same Province, were of German de- 
 scent and usually spoke that language. The father 
 was a linen-weaver. He died in his native country 
 March 14, 1851, at the age of sixt3'-three 3'ears. 
 His companion survived and in Februarj', 1852, 
 leaving two children in (iermany, came with the 
 other six to America. The i)arty set sail from 
 Havre, France, and landed in New York Citj' after 
 a voyage of three montiis. They went at once to 
 Bnflfalo, where the mother died about a 3'ear later. 
 She was then about sixty years old. She and her 
 husband were lifelong members of the Evangelical 
 Church. j^ 
 
 The subject of this sketch was educated in his 
 native Province in both German .and P'rench, and 
 grew to maturity- in the land of his birth. He ac- 
 companied his motiier to the United States and 
 spent a few months in Buffalo, N. Y., whence he 
 came to Illinois in 1853. At Montgomer}- he 
 learned the trade of a cooper and followed the 
 same in Chicago for five years. In 18GG, he re- 
 moved from the (iardcn City to Will Coniit\-, and 
 selecting the location uiion whicii he 3'et resides, 
 turned his attention to the [)ursuit of agi'icnlture 
 and to improving tlie farm which he had purchased. 
 He has succeeded in his endeavors to make a com- 
 fortable home, and the present condition of the 
 land which he occupies and its various improve- 
 ments are due to his personal efforts. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Wendling and Miss Cath- 
 erine Wagner took pl.ace in Aurora and has been 
 blest b3' the birth of nine children. The3' are all 
 living, and Charles, Laura, Louisa, Ella, Mary and 
 Lena 3'et reside under the parental roof. John, the 
 first Iiorn, married Lena Black, and they reside 
 upon a farm in Kearney County, Neb. The second 
 child, Ernst, who is also farming in Nebraska, mar- 
 ried Louisa Reberg. Sophia is the wife of Henry 
 Razer, who operates a farm in Monee Township, 
 this count}'. Mr. and Mrs. Wendling belong to 
 the Evangelical Church and endeavor to walk con- 
 sistently with their profession. jSIr. Wendling is 
 a sound Republican. 
 
 Mrs. Wendling was born in Baden, German3', 
 
(ji.-L^lA-^ 
 
 [/>\^/^^^-C^ /^^it^i^^''^^ 
 

 
 ^^^-T^^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 587 
 
 August 18, 1836, and with her sister Laura aecom- 
 |);ini(Hl luT jiarents U> America some years later, 
 .lacoli and Eva (Brown) Wagner had been liorn in 
 Baden and resided tiiere until 1852. They left 
 Antwerp in September on the sailing vessel " Pat- 
 rick" witli the intention of mailing' a home in 
 America. They did not reach New York City until 
 May, 1853, having been delayed in crossing tlie 
 ocean by storms and three times grounded on sand 
 bars. On each occasion scver.al weeks passed before 
 the vessel could be moved and they had to lay on 
 tlie English coast five weeks undergoing re[)airs. 
 They were not far from the castle of Queen Vic- 
 toria, wlio furnished the emigrants with food while 
 on shore and also gave tliem supplies for the con- 
 tinuation of their voyage. AVhen they finally 
 reached America Mr. Wagner and iiis family at 
 once came West to Illinois, settling in Lombard, 
 DuPage County. After their children were mar- 
 ried the parents came to Will Count}' and lived 
 with their daugliter, Mrs. Wendling, until their 
 death. The mother died in 1871 at tlie age of 
 seventy-two years, and tlie father in 1881, aged 
 eighty-one. Both were members of the Evangelical 
 Church. 
 
 ^IW ON. DVf IGHT HAVEN. A great poet has 
 said, "The evil that men do lives after them. 
 The good is oft interred with their bones." 
 (((Cli Be it our task to record the honoralile careers 
 of those who so order their lives as to exert a bene- 
 ficial influence on the society in which they move. 
 assist in the grand work of uplifting humanity' to 
 heights before unknown 
 
 "And, departing, leave behind them 
 Footsteps on the sands of time — 
 
 Footsteps that perhaps another 
 Sailing o'er Life's solemn main. 
 
 A forlorn and shipwrecked brother. 
 Seeing, may take heart again." 
 
 The immediate progenitor of the Hon. Dwiglit 
 Haven, of New Lenox Township, was Samuel 
 Haven, who was boi1i in Chesterfield, N. H.. July 
 1 4, 1799. In Sheridan, ChaiUauqna County, N. Y., 
 January 11, 1821, he married lleplizibah M. Denny. 
 
 This noble woman was born in Greenville, Greene 
 County, N. Y., May 29, 1802, and died in Will 
 Count}', III-., August 11, 1860. For several years 
 after their marriage, Samuel Haven and wife lived 
 in Chautauqua County, and during that period 
 four children were born to them. In September, 
 1834, they removed to Illinois and settled in New 
 Lenox Township, Will County, being numbered 
 among the pioneers of that locality. Here Mr. 
 Haven gave his chief attention to farming, resting 
 from his labors on March 12, 1866, when he 
 crossed the .River of Death. He was an upright 
 and conscientious man, living as be believed right 
 in the sight of God, regardless of the opin- 
 ions of men. A strong Abolitionist, he was 
 indicted for assisting negroes in their flight to 
 Canada. He is entitled to the honor of organizing 
 the first temperance society in Sheridan, N. Y., 
 which was also one of the first in the Empire State, 
 dating from 1826. He and his wife belonged to 
 the Congregational Church, of which he was a 
 Deacoii man}' years. 
 
 The family of the honored couple comprised 
 eight sons and daughters, the gentleman with 
 whose name we introduce this sketch being the 
 first-born. Carlos was serving his second term as 
 State's Attorney for Cook County when death took 
 took him from among his fellow-men; Samuel 
 Rush died in New Lenox Township, this county, 
 May 4, 1890; Emily M. became the wife of Will- 
 iam B. Cleaveland, and died in Frankfort Township, 
 October 20, 1855; Amanda Cordelia is the widow 
 of James Goodspeed, of Joliet; Helen M. died 
 July 28, 1839; Alvan S. died in New Lenox 
 Township, November 29, 1878; Helen E. is the 
 wife of William P. Kimball, of Chicago^ 
 
 The Hon. Dwight. Haven was born in Sheridan, 
 Chautauqua Couniy, N. Y., December 14, 1821. 
 He came to the Prairie State in an emigrant wagon 
 with his father, and lived with him until his mar- 
 riage. During this period he toiled, studied and 
 enjoyed the recreations in which farmer lads 
 generally participate, and shared in some of his 
 father's labors of love toward humanity, helping 
 liira in work on the "Underground Railway," and 
 In other ways becoming more of a companion tha.n 
 many sons. He adopted the pursuit o£ agriculture 
 
588 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 as his life work, from which he has now retired, 
 although lie still ownipies his iiieasant rural iiorae. 
 It consists of one hundred and sixt3--iive acres, 
 hearing the various improveuients which it would 
 be expected that a man of his ability and progres- 
 sive spirit would niaiie, tlic house being particu- 
 larly attractive and coniforlalile. 
 
 In Homer Township, this county, on November 
 3, 1817, the interesting ceremony was performed 
 which gave to Mr. Haven a companion and help- 
 mate. The lady of his choice was Helen L., daugh- 
 ter of tiie late Deacon Levi Sav.age. She was born 
 in New York, November 12, 1825, and died in 
 New Lenox, July 28, 1859. The union was blessed 
 by the birtli of six children, of whom we note the 
 following: Lizzie J. is the wife of A. Allen Francis, 
 of New Lenox; Mary E. is the wife of Charles 
 Francis; Helen L. is the wife of Thomas Ferguson ; 
 Emma J. is the wife of Gilbert Van Dnser, of 
 Kansas; a pair of twins died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Haven, in Chicago, December 26, 1861, w.as 
 a second time married. His bride on this occasion 
 was Miss Elizabeth Craig, who was born in Dublin, 
 Ireland, and came to America when eight years old. 
 .She presides over the home of which she is one of 
 the chief attractions, and in whatever circle she is 
 placed her intelligence, tact and amiable character 
 give her prominence. She bore her husband five 
 children — Dwight C, Samuel R., Edward, Edith A. 
 and Bertha A. Edward die<l November 8, 1880, 
 when eleven years old. 
 
 For many years the Hon. Mr. Haven has been 
 identified with public affairs in this county, and 
 since 1851 lie has held a commission under every 
 Governor of the Stale. He h.as been Township 
 Supervisor several terras, and for upwards of 
 thirty-six 3'ears has held the office of Justice of the 
 Peace. He has taken an active interest in educa- 
 tional affairs, exerting a wide influence in behalf of 
 the advancement of the schools, and for four years 
 giving especial attention to elevating the standard 
 of the office of County Superintendent, to which 
 he was elected in 1865. It would naturally be 
 supposed that a man reared under the influences 
 which surrounded his boyhood, would be deeply 
 interested in political affairs, and such is the case. 
 He has borne a i)rominenl part in the work of the 
 
 Republican party, to which he has belonged since 
 its organization. In the tall of 1886, he was elec- 
 ted to the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, and 
 served one term with honor to himself and his con- 
 stituents. Since the death of his brother, Samuel 
 Rush Haven, he has had charge of the business of 
 the latter, and the settlement of his affairs. He has 
 been blessed with a sufficient amount of this world's 
 goods to enable him to gratif}' all reasonable tastes 
 and desires, and to assist with his means as well as 
 his personal inllueuce in various good works. 
 Lithographic portraits of Mr. Haven and his wife 
 appear elsewhere in this work, and it is needless to 
 say that they are well nnd favoi'ably known, and 
 have many warm personal friends, the circle ex- 
 tending over a wide extent of territory. 
 
 iTLi; ENRY F. PIEPEN BRINK, Secretary and 
 Treasurer of the Frederick Sehring Brewing 
 Company, is widel}^ and favorably known 
 among the business men of Joliet, where he 
 has spent the last twenty years. He is a native of 
 this county and was born December 8, 1819, to 
 John O. and Sophia (Willie) Piepenbrink, who 
 were natives of Germany. 
 
 The parents of our subject emigrated to America 
 in 1818 and settled at Beebe Grove in the south- 
 eastern part of this county where the father in due 
 time became the owner of five hundred acres of 
 choice land. He is still living and engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits; the mother also remains the com- 
 panion of her husband and both are now quite 
 well advanced in j-ears. There was born to them 
 a family of eight children, all of whom are living 
 and residents of this count}". Thej' were named 
 respectively: Otto, Henry F., Conrad, William, 
 John, Philip, lillen and Sophia. Ellen is thr wife 
 of Henry Sjiorleder, and Sophia married John Di- 
 erson. All with the exception of Henry F. are 
 residents of Crete Township. 
 
 The subject of this notice remained under the 
 parental roof until a youth of seventeen 3'ears. 
 Tlien starting out for himself went to Concordia 
 College, Ft. Wayne. Ind., where he established 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 589 
 
 himself and remained three years. Later for a 
 j)eriod of six j^ears, lie was in tlie office of the 
 Circuit Clerk at Joliet, and subsequently served as 
 Deputy Sheriflf of Will County', a year and three 
 months. At the expiration of this time he had 
 evinced such an understanding of the duties con- 
 nected therewith that he was appointed Sheriff. 
 This was followed by his regular election on the 
 Republican ticket in 1878, and he was re-elected in 
 1880. At the expiration of his second term he re- 
 solved to quit politics and on the 8th of January, 
 1883, at tlie organization of the company with 
 which he is now connected, he was elected Secretary 
 and Treasurer, in which capacities he has since 
 served. 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Piepenbrink looked after 
 his own personal interests in another direction, se- 
 curing to himself for a wife and helpmate, Miss 
 Margaretha, daughter of Frederick Seliring, to 
 whom he was wedded February 25, 1879. Mr. 
 Seining is one of the prominent citizens of Joliet 
 and is duly represented on another page in this 
 volume. Mr. and Mrs. Piepenbrink are the proud 
 parents of two bright children, a son and daughter, 
 Louis and Linda. They belong to the German 
 Lutheran Church and have contributed liberally 
 toward its support. Mr. Piepenbrink is looked 
 upon as one of the leading business men of Joliet 
 and has been no unimportant factor in advancing 
 its material interests. 
 
 \tiAMES L. O'DONNELL, Attorney-at-Law 
 and junior member of tlie firm of Haley & 
 O'DonncU has, in company with his partner, 
 
 ^JJ a well-equipped office in the Barber Building 
 and enjoys a liberal patronage among the people 
 who have learned to rel}^ upon him as an able at- 
 torney, possessing honesty and sound judgment. 
 He located in the city in 1874, and has followed 
 his i)ractice continually since. 
 
 A native of LaSalle County, III., the sui3ject of 
 this notice was born August 10, 1819, and is the 
 son of William O'Donnell, a native of County 
 Tipperary, Ireland. The latter emigrntcd to Amer- 
 
 ica when a young man and located in LaSalle 
 County, 111., where in 1847 he was married to Miss 
 Johanna Caton. He followed agricultural pursuits 
 until his death, which occurred in April, 1889, 
 when he was seventy three years old. Upon be- 
 coming a voting citizen he identified himself with 
 the Democratic party and he was a member in 
 good standing of the Catholic Church. He was a 
 man of quiet habits, taking no part in political af- 
 fairs, being a successful and wealtliy farmer, and 
 enjoying the esteem of his neighbors. The wife 
 and mother is still living, making her home in La 
 Salle County, 111., and of the twelve children born 
 to her and her husband, nine are still living. 
 
 Mr. O'Donnell attended the district schools of 
 his native county during his younger years and 
 later repairing to Niagara County, N. Y., became 
 a student of St. Mary's Universit}'. At the end 
 of the course he began reading law with Glover, 
 Cook & Campbell of Ottawa, and later he was with 
 Mayo & Widner. He was admitted to practice in 
 the Supreme Court at Springfield, 111., in January, 
 1874, and in April came to this county, locating 
 at Braidwood, where he remained until July. The 
 present partnership was formed July 29, that same 
 year and has continued uninterruptedly until the 
 present time. It comprises one of the prominent 
 law firms of Joliet, and stands second to none in 
 point of professional ability as well as citizenship. 
 
 Mr. O'Donnell was married in September, 1877, 
 to Miss Costelle E. Edgerly, and of this union 
 there have been born three children : Edith, Louise 
 and Francis. Mrs. O'Donnell was born in Penob- 
 scot Count}', Me., and was the daughter of Lorrin 
 and Sarah Edgerly, who were natives of Maine. 
 Mr. Edgerly came to Joliet in 187G and is still a 
 resident of the city; the wife and mother is living. 
 Mr. O'Donnell votes the straight Democratic ticket, 
 and in 1880 was the nominee of his party for State's 
 Attorney, making a good race. He takes an active 
 interest in the breeding of trotting and saddle 
 horses, the use of which constitutes his favorite 
 recreation. 
 
 Mr. O'Donnell is the Attorney of the Mutual 
 Loan & Building Association, in which he is also a 
 stockholder and Director. The firm also are At- 
 torneys for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail- 
 
590 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 road Company and Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad 
 Company. At present they are also acting at- 
 torneys for the Wabasli Road and for the First 
 National Bank, of Grundy County-. 
 
 
 ^lEV. CHRISTIAN SAN.S, for many years 
 pastor of tiie First German Evangelical Luth- 
 eran Church, of Joliet, is a man of note in 
 the religious circles of this section, and is 
 fuliilling tiie duties of his high position in an able 
 and conscientious manner. He took up his residence 
 in the city in 1860, and lias become widely and 
 favorably known to a large portion of its people. 
 He is possessed of a thorough education, and nature 
 has endowed him with talents of a more than ordi- 
 nary degree. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born in the King- 
 dom of Westphalia, Prussia, June 9, 1813, and 
 lived there until a man of twentj'-eiglit years. He 
 received his literary and theologi(!al education 
 at various institutions in his native \)rovince, 
 completing them at the ag-e mentioi.eil, and soon 
 thereafter set sail for America. LTpon his arrival 
 here he set about learning the English language, 
 and in a comparatively short time learned to speak 
 fluently and write correctly. 
 
 The first charge of Mr. Sans was in New Orleans, 
 La., where, in addition to fulfilling the duties of pas- 
 tor, he w.as inspector during the building of a new 
 church, wiiich is still in existence. He also had 
 the oversight of tliree schools, which continue to 
 be permiinent institutions, and are now under the 
 charge of liis two brothers-in-law, John and Jacob 
 Ueber, who have followed the profession of teach- 
 ing successfully for the long period of fifty years. 
 Under their tuition have been graduated some of 
 the most eminent men in the country. These 
 schools were organized bjr Mr. Sans, who educated 
 many of the teachers who afterward presided over 
 them. 
 
 Finally, Mr. Sans was attacked with yellow 
 fever, wliicii he found difficulty in getting rid of, 
 and decided upon coming North, feeling that that 
 was the only means of saving his life. He first 
 
 located in Garbondale, Luzerne County, Pa., where 
 he assumed charge of a congregation and built a 
 church and schoolhouse, and established the same 
 institutions at Archibald. Next we find iiim in 
 Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis., where lie or- 
 ganized a societj', built a church, and placed within 
 the latter a good organ, and instituted other inno- 
 cent attractions in order to call the people together 
 for religious worship. After a sojourn at Water- 
 town for eight years he received a call to Joliet, 
 and upon coming here organized a society and 
 built and dedicated a church, also instituting a 
 school in connection therewith, lie labored faith- 
 fully in the Master's vineyard until being affected 
 with asthma to such an extent that he was obliged 
 abandon the niinistrj'. He may well be pardoned 
 for this decision, as he had served as pastor and 
 teacher for fifty-two years. He is a regular mem- 
 ber of the General Si'nod, and honorary member 
 of the General Evangelical Synod of North Amer- 
 ica. While having left the pulpit, however, lie 
 still performs many pious duties, as his health per- 
 mits, assisting in burying the dead and frequently 
 filling a vacant pulpit. Personally, he is of a 
 kindly, genial nature, and greatly beloved by the 
 people among whom he has gone in and out for so 
 many years. 
 
 The Rev. Christian Sans was joined in wedlock 
 with Miss Ann Mary Ueber, in 1845, at the bride's 
 home in New York City. Mrs. Sans is a native 
 of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, and came to Amer- 
 ica with her widowed mother and brother when a 
 young lady. Of her union with our subject there 
 have been born six children, five of whom grew 
 to mature years — Elias Peter, of Joliet, is Superin- 
 tendent of the Hickory Street Methodist Episco- 
 copal Church; he married Miss Eliza Henry, of 
 Morris, this State, and died in 1888, leaving two 
 children — Mabel Cora and Charles, Augusta E. is 
 the wife of John Dahlem, of Joliet, and they have 
 five interesting children — Lillie, Anna, Ida, Robert 
 and Walter Earl; Mary is the wife of Henry C. 
 Buck, of Joliet; they are the parents of five chil- 
 dren, only three of whom are living, viz. : Mabel, 
 Frances and Palmer; Ida Sophia married C. M. 
 Henssgen, an al)le attorney of Joliet, and they have 
 two children — Oscar and Eda; Frank, a resident 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 591 
 
 of Blooinington, married Miss Mary liarker, of 
 Joliet, auci they have two chihlren — Arthur and 
 Mary Margaret. He is proprietor of a notion and 
 toy store, called the "2so Name Store," and is do- 
 ing well. 
 
 Mr. Sans has, as is tlie custom of his country- 
 men, always lived frugall}- and within his means, 
 saving what he could of liis income, and is now 
 the owner of valuable property, including a fine 
 store building with residence and oHices. and he 
 also has four flats, which accommodate three fine 
 stores, and two ofHces and a dining-room occupied 
 l)y the Woman's C'hristian Temperance Union. Me has 
 also put up a fine residence for himself in the cen- 
 tral part of the city, and is now in a condition to 
 live retired from active labor and enjoy the fruits 
 of his early toils. His sou, Elias P., occupies one 
 of the flats convenient to the family and the 
 church. 
 
 |l(„ ENRY BEHRENS. The name of this 
 ifj) worlliy German citizen is familiar to many 
 ^;^' of the residents of Crete Township where 
 (l^ he died at his homestead, February 6, 1889. 
 He left a fine estate including three hundred acres 
 of well-developed land, situated on section 30, and 
 which with its improvements stands as a fitting 
 monument to his iiersevcring industry'. He first 
 came to AVill County in 1850, and secured one 
 hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Crete 
 Township which became the nucleus of the fi>ie 
 property which he accumulated. He labored with 
 great patience and economy and as the natural 
 result was in due time rewarded with a home and 
 a (•ompetence, likewise the respect of all who knew 
 him. 
 
 Mr. Behreiis was born in what was then the 
 Kingdom of Hanover, .lanuar}' 9, 1836, and in 
 accordance with the laws and customs of his 
 native Germany, was placed in school at an early 
 age and received a good education in the German 
 tongue. About 1850, he set out with his parents 
 for America, the latter being Frederick and Mary 
 Behrens who were of substantial German stock for 
 
 generations back. They embarked at Bremer- 
 haven and after a somewhat lengthy voyage landed 
 in New York City. Thence they proceeded to 
 Chicago, 111., and shortly afterward to this county, 
 settling on land in Crete Township, where the father 
 prosecuted fanning and where the mother died in 
 1871. Frederick Behrens was subsequently married 
 a second time and removed to Itasca, this State, 
 where he died in 1884 when quite aged. He and 
 both his wives were members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 Mr. Behrens of whom wo write remained on the 
 farm with his parents in Crete Township until 
 reaching manhood and then purchased land on 
 another section of the same. After the death of 
 his parents he became owner of the homestead. 
 He was married July 22, 1 859, to Miss Sophia 
 Ohlendorf. Mrs. Behrens was born in Hesse-Cassel, 
 October 13, 1 839, anil is the daughter of Heniy and 
 Sophia (Sene) Ohlendorf, who were natives of Prus- 
 sia and of pure German ancestry. Two of the nine 
 children born to them died in Germany. The 
 remaining five sons and two daughters accompanied 
 their parents to America about 1850. They were 
 on the ocean seven weeks and landed in New Y'ork 
 Citjr, whence tlicy came directly to Illinois and 
 settled on a new farm in Crete Township, Will 
 County. Mr. Ohlendorf occupied himself in agri- 
 cultural pursuits, but finally removed to another 
 farm in the same township, where he died in 1882. 
 He was then about seventy nine years old. He 
 and his good wife joined the Luthtran Church 
 early in life. Mrs. Ohlendorf is still living at the 
 age of eighty -three years and makes her home with 
 her son August in Crete Township. 
 
 ]Mrs. Behrens was a young girl of thirteen j-ears 
 when her parents came to America and she remem- 
 bers many of the incidents of preparation and the 
 voyage across the Atlantic. She has a good edu- 
 cation in her native tongue and remained with her 
 parents until her marriage. Since the death of her 
 husband she has managed the farm in an admirable 
 manner. There were born to them twelve children, 
 three of whom — Henry, Louisa and Mary died 
 young. The survivors are Christina, the wife of 
 John Hartman, who lives on a farm in Iroquois 
 County, this State; Sophia M., Henry, Christof, 
 
59-2 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 (':illuTiiu', Conrad, Emma, Willie and Bfary. Mr. 
 Hchrens was an active member of the Lutbcian 
 Cliureli to wlileli liis wife and t'iiihlren also Ijelonged. 
 Jn [lolitic'S lie was a Republican and his sons in 
 this respect also follow in the footsteps of their 
 honoretl father. Besides the propertj' in Will 
 Connty, the estate embraces two farms in Woodford 
 Township, Iroquois County, one comprising one 
 hundred and twenty acres and the other one liun- 
 dreil and sixty acres. 
 
 ^i^^RANK LAMBERT. ' This gentleman is a 
 
 Ji=i^ representive Englisli-Ameriean citizen and 
 \ ^^ a [)ioneer of DuPage Township, now enjo}'- 
 ing the many comforts and the e.ase of life to which 
 his former labors fairly entitle him. In the toils 
 and successes of long years he has been aided by a 
 noble wife, who shares with him in the results of 
 their labors and in the deep esteem of the man}- 
 friends the}' can boast. 
 
 Mr. Lambert was born in Lincolnshire, England, 
 September 19, 1829, and is a son of William and 
 Elizabeth Lambert, and a brother of George Lam- 
 bert, whose biography occurs elsewhere in this 
 volume. He was reared on a farm in his native 
 country with but limited school privileges, and in 
 1851, in company with his brother George, emi- 
 grated to America. He came direct to Will Connty, 
 in which he has been a continuous resident since 
 his arrival. In 1859 he settled upon a tr.act of land 
 on secLicm 20, DuPage Township, where he has 
 made for himself a home of .attractive appearance 
 and value. 
 
 The farm secured by our subject was an un- 
 broken prairie, upon which he turned the first fur- 
 row and has made all the improvements that now 
 stamp it as a well-developed farm. It consists of 
 one hundred and sixty acres which bear no resem- 
 blance to their pristine rawness, but whereon wav- 
 ing fields of grain replace the rank grasses of a 
 former period, and good buildings shelter a pleas- 
 ant family. Hocks and herds and plentiful crops. 
 Industry and perseverance have conquered un- 
 toward surroundings and Mr. Lambert can [loint 
 
 with pride to the record he has made and the share 
 he has borne in the development of the country. 
 
 The faithful companion of Mr. Lambert was 
 known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Arter, 
 their maniage rites having been celebrated May 
 27, 185G. She is a daughter of John and Ellen 
 After. both born in Pennsylvania. The former died 
 June 23, 1890, in IMainfield, 111., and the latter, 
 March 31, 1868. Her maternal grandfather, John 
 King, was an Englishman and a Revolutionary sol- 
 dier in the American Army. To Mr. and Mrs. 
 Lambert eight children have been born, three be- 
 ing deceased, namely: Jesse, Anna B. and Sarah. 
 The survivors are : George; Ellen, wife of A. Wrin- 
 hold, of Kansas; Frank S.; Alice, wife of Rollin 
 (ieorge, of Minnesota, and Gr.ace. 
 
 Mr. Lambert is a Republican, and both he and 
 his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. They 
 have instilled into the mind and hearts of their 
 progeny the principles of right living, carried them 
 out in their own lives and now enjoy an extendecl 
 circle of acquaintances among the best people. Mr. 
 Lambert b.as become well known as a man of the 
 strictest integrity. 
 
 PuggE 
 
 ■jffOHN C. DOESCHER. Probably no resident 
 of Crete Township is better known through- 
 out this part of the county than the subject 
 of this sketch, who has been Postmaster at 
 Endor for the i)ast fifteen 3ears, and engaged in 
 business enterprises there which have proved a 
 great accommodation to the people in this part of 
 the township. lie has i\.a onlj' store in the place, 
 cariying a good stock of general merchandise, and 
 well patronized; he also operates a sawmill for the 
 manufacture of paling fences and barrel hoops, and 
 a feedmill, both of which are among the )jractical 
 institutions of the count}'. A natural mechanic, 
 Mr. Doescher has been engaged in some practical 
 mechanical enterprise since early life, and his ex- 
 perience has developed his natural skill. 
 
 Mr. Doescher is of (ierman parentage, being a 
 son of Herman Doescher, who was born and reared 
 in the Kingdom of Hanover, where he learned the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 593 
 
 trade of a rope-maker. When the harbor was be- 
 gun at Bremen, be went tliere and started a rope- 
 walk. which he carried on until he came to America. 
 His settlement in this country was made in Lake 
 County, Ind., whence he afterward came to the 
 home (if our subject, d3'ing at Endor when an old 
 man. For a fuller Iiistory see the biography of H. 
 Doescher. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write is the young- 
 est member of his father's family and the only ciiild 
 born in the United States. His birthplace was 
 Brunswick, Lake County, Ind., and his natal day 
 April 5, 1848. He was well reared and received a 
 practical education in the schools of his native 
 county, which he left, when he became of age, to 
 take up arms in defense of the Union. He enlisted 
 in Company G, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry in 1864, 
 the regiment being under the command of Col. 
 Reed, and the company being led by Capt. James 
 M. Foster. Accompanying the regiment to the 
 front Mr. Doescher partici|iated in a number of 
 active engagements, among them being the battle 
 at Murfreesboro, where he was wounded in the leg. 
 His wound, however, kept him out of t!ie ranks 
 but about a week. He was present at Mobile when 
 Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakcly succumbed to the 
 attack of the Union forces and the city was sur- 
 rendered. He remained in the army until Decem- 
 ber, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and 
 returned to his home, proud to know that he had 
 assisted his country in her hour of need. 
 
 Mr. Doescher took up civil life as a farmer in his 
 native county, also carrying on a tubular-pump 
 business until August, 1874, when he came to Will 
 County and became a resident of Endor. In the 
 meantime, in 1870, he had taken a companion in 
 jMiss Henrietta Weber, their marriage being cele- 
 brated near his birthplace. Mrs. Doescher is of 
 Hanoverian parentage, but is herself a native of the 
 United States, having been born in Wisconsin, on 
 the 26th of March, 1849. Her parents resided in 
 the Empire State for some time after their emigra- 
 tion from Germany, afterward going to Wisconsin 
 and still later to Illinois. Both are now deceased, 
 their bodies resting in the cemetery at Dalton, 111. 
 Mrs. Doescher is an energetic, intelligent woman 
 who was educated in Wisconsin, and is looking 
 
 well to the ways of her household and the training 
 of the children that have been given her. The 
 family circle includes two sons and two daughters 
 named respectivelj-: Otto H. II., Tilda, Ida and 
 Henry H. Mr. Doescher has been School Treasurer 
 for years, his financial ability and strict integrity 
 being recognized b^' his fellow-men. He is a sound 
 Republican in politics, never failing to deposit his 
 vote on election d.ay. 
 
 iILLIAM WEHMHOFER. The German- 
 American citizens of Will County form a 
 portion of its most substantial and reliable 
 element and have contributed largely to the de- 
 velopment of its agricultural resources. The sub- 
 ject of this notice owns and occupies his father's 
 old homestead to the original acreage of which he 
 has added, until he now has two hundred and twenty 
 acres of cultivated land and twenty-eight acres of 
 limber. This is finely located on section 15, and 
 has been his home since his boyhood. 
 
 Mr. Wehmhofer was born in the Province of 
 Hesse-Cassel, Germany, December 29, 1844, and 
 came when a boy witli his p.arents to the United 
 States. The3' settled at once in this county where 
 the father first secured eighty acres of land and 
 later doubled the amount from which he opened up 
 a fertile farm and where he spent the closing years 
 of his life. The homestead became the property of 
 our subject in 1875, and he has effected additional 
 improvements so that it has become the source of 
 a handsome income, making the pi-oprietor inde- 
 pendent, financially. 
 
 William Wehmhofer, Sr., was also a native of 
 Hesse-Cassel and was of pure <Terman stock as far 
 back as the records go. The paternal grandparents 
 spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. William 
 Sr., learned the trade of a blacksmith which his fa- 
 ther followed before him and also most of his 
 brothers. William after reaching his majority, 
 was married in his native province to Miss Mary 
 Wilkening, who was born and reared not far from 
 the early home of her husband. They remained 
 
59^ 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tliere until after tlie birth of tlieir eldest child, the 
 siilijeet of this sketch, and then ;ibout 1810 set out 
 for America, embarking at Bremerhaven, an<l after 
 a safe vo^yage, landing in New I'oi'k City. Thence 
 they proceeded to Chicago and shortly afterward 
 to Will County. The father established a shop in 
 Crete and operated this a number of years before 
 settling upon his farm. He died in 1875, aged 
 sixty-tliree years. He was an honest and industri- 
 ous man, making a good living for his family, and 
 by his straightforward dealing? with his fellow- 
 citizens earned their confidence and esteem. lie had 
 been reared in thedoctiincs of the Lutheran Church 
 to which he faitiifull3' adhered and to which he gave 
 liberally. Upon becoming a voting citizen, he 
 identiiied himself with the Republican part}- of 
 whose principles he was a warm sup|)orter. 
 
 The mother of our subject is still living and 
 makes her home with her daughter in Crete. Al- 
 though seventy years old she is l)right and active 
 and from her youth has been a consistent member 
 of the Lutheran Church. William wiis the only 
 son of the famil}^ and has four sisters living, all 
 being married and settled in comfortable homes. 
 
 Mr. Wehmhofer after reaching man's estate vvas 
 married in Crete Township to Miss Mary Brandts. 
 Mrs. Wehmhofer, like her husband, is a native of 
 Ilesse-Cassel, Germany, and was born in 1850. 
 Her parents Christoph and Minnie (Schwake) 
 Brandts, were also of German birth and parentage 
 and when their daughter was a young lad}' eighteen 
 years old emigrated to America and coming to Will 
 County, settled in Washington Township. They 
 are still living and both have attained their three- 
 score years. They are most excellent and worthy 
 people and consistent members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 Mrs. Wehmhofer was the second born in a fam- 
 ily of six chihben, idl of whom arelivingand with 
 one exception all are married. She was reare^l and 
 educated in her native province, being more than 
 ordinarily bright and intelligent and was a ypung 
 lady of eighteen years when coming to the United 
 States, being about the lirst member of the family 
 to leave the Fatherland for America. She was 
 joined by her parents and the other children one 
 year later. She has proven an efficient helpmate 
 
 to her husband and they are the proud parents of 
 six bright children, all of whom are at home anil 
 named respectively, Sophia, Mary, Emma, Anna, 
 William Jr., and Henry. Our subject and his esti- 
 mable wife are members in good standing of the 
 Lutheran Church and jIv. Wehmhofer like his hon- 
 ored father, is a sound Republican. 
 
 * 
 
 -^ 
 
 ^^OBKRT GOUDV is one of those to whom 
 
 ., DuPage Township owes its present highly 
 Yv cultivated antl developed condition. He 
 came hither in 184.3 and well remembers tlu- 
 time when settlements were "few and far between" 
 and Chicago, then but a small town, was the depot 
 for supplies and the market for grain. To that now 
 wonderful city he went for several years as the 
 trading center. 
 
 The parents of our suhjei't were Alexander and 
 .lane (Wallace) Goudy, natives of Scotland and 
 Ireland, respectively, who came to America about 
 1818. They located in the Province of Ontario, 
 then Lower Canada, but after a short time removed 
 to Vermont and still later to Essex Count}', N. Y., 
 where they lived about a quarter of a century. 
 They finally came to Illinois in 1845 and died in 
 Will County, full of years. They were the parents 
 of thirteen children, of whom the only survivors 
 are our subject and a sister Jennie, wife of George 
 W. Potter, of this county. 
 
 Mr. Goudy, of whom we write, was bom in the 
 Dominion of Canada, January 2, 1822, but reached 
 his majority while living on a farm in Essex 
 County, N. Y. He received bnt a limited educa- 
 tion in the district schools there ami advanced his 
 knowledge by attending school one winter after he 
 came to Illinois. He has endeavored by much 
 reading to overcome the deliciencies and keep up 
 with the times in information regarding current 
 events and topics of general interest. 
 
 The greater i)art of Mr. Goudy's life has been 
 devoted to farm work, although he learned a trade 
 in his youth. When eighteen he became a black- 
 smith but followed the trade only four years. For 
 seven years he was lock-te]ider on the Illinois & 
 
^^x^ ^^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBDM. 
 
 597 
 
 IMichigan Canal, two and a half miles north of 
 Liitkp( it, III., and for two years ran a boat for 
 Norton & C'o., of Lockport. The rest of his life has 
 been given to agricultural labors. He came to Illi- 
 nois in 18J3, and for several 3'ears worked as a 
 farm hand by the month. The estate of one hun- 
 dred and twenty aores he now owns has been se- 
 cured bj' industry and persevering efforts and 
 ))laeed under good cultivation by the owner, whose 
 merited success is a luntter of rejoicing to his man)' 
 friends. 
 
 On the loth of October, 1848, Mr. Goudy led to 
 the hymeneal altar Miss Ophelia Welch, a native 
 of Ohio, whose estimable qualities had won his re- 
 gard. The happy union has been blessed by the 
 birth of four children, and the parents have been 
 called upon to part with three — William II., Mary, 
 and Charles R. The living child, Julia, is the wife 
 of J. E. Davis, and they make their home with our 
 subject. Mr. Goud}- has served as School Director 
 and .as Township Highway Coinmissioner a number 
 of years, with credit to himself and those who 
 |)laccd him in (>ttice. He is a Detnocrat in politics, 
 lie and his wife are now in the prime of life, en- 
 joying the fruits of useful and well spent years, 
 surrounded by friends and well-wishers, whose re- 
 >|)cct they have gained by their honest endeavors 
 and kindly spirit. 
 
 ik 
 
 -*^-f4 
 
 (C@j\INCENT L. D. BARNEY. Among the 
 ,f/ honored pioneers of New Lenox Tovvuship, 
 y/ none are more worthy of mention than Mr. 
 15;Lrney, a portrait of whom is presented on the 
 opposite page. Without perhaps making any- 
 great stir in the woild, he has acquitted himself as 
 an honest man and a good citizen, and possesses 
 those kindly traits of character which have drawn 
 around him hosts of friends. In no less manner 
 lias the lady, who for a period of twenty-two 
 years has been the sharer of his earthly for- 
 tunes, earned the esteem and confidence of the 
 community. Their home is one of the most hos- 
 l)itablein the county, and is the frequent resort of 
 
 the friends whom they have attracted to them 
 during their long residence in this county. 
 
 In noting the parental history of our subject we 
 find that his father, Perns Barney, was a native of 
 New York State, and married Miss Electa Morton, 
 who was born ar.d reared near the early home of 
 hei' husband. After uniting their lives and for- 
 tunes they settled near AVatertown, N. Y., and 
 thence, in 1836, emigrated to Illinois, and for 
 several years lived in the vicinity of Babcock's 
 Grove, DuPage County. Their next removal was 
 to Waukegan, where they spent the remainder of 
 their lives. The father was called hence October 
 28, 1877, and the mother Septembtr 29, 1885. 
 There was born to them a family of seventeen 
 children, two of whom died unnamed in infancy, 
 and ten of whom are yel living (Ma)', 1890.) 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the second child 
 in the family, and first opened his eyes to the light 
 May 19, 1823, in Rutland, near Watertown, N. Y. 
 Ho was thirteen years of age when his parents 
 came to Illinois. The family left their Eastern 
 home in 183G, taking passage on a schooner for 
 Milwaukee. The latter city was reached June 24, 
 and after remaining there about two mouths, on 
 the 15th of August they left for DuPage County, 
 HI. They traveled in a primitive manner, with 
 three yoke of oxen and two wagons, camping for 
 the night wherever darkness overtook them. On 
 arriving at their destination thej' settled in a 
 shanty about fourteen feet square, and there lived 
 until the following summer, when the)' erected and 
 moved into a new house. DuPage County con- 
 tiimed to be their home for eighteen years, during 
 which period six of the children married. The 
 remainder of the family then removed to Lake 
 County, 111., and since then the remaining children, 
 with the exception of the youngest, have settled 
 down in homes of their own iu different States. 
 
 Under the parental roof our subject grew to a 
 stalwart manhood, and at the age of twenty-six 
 l)repared to establish a home of his own. He was 
 then married, June 17, 1849, in New Lenox Town- 
 ship, t(/ Miss Clarissa, daughter of Silas Parker. 
 Clarrissa L. Parker was born February 28, 1829, in 
 Weslford Township, Chittenden County, Vt. In 
 her eighth year she removed with her parents to 
 
5^8 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Illinois (then the "Far West"), arriving in Chicago 
 July 1, !«;!(;. Tliey settkd in Plainfleltl, Will 
 County, 111., where she lived about eight years, 
 and then removed to New Lenox 'I'ownsiiip, Will 
 County. The young people located upon the farm 
 now owned and occupied by our subject, and here 
 he has since uninterruptedl3' followed agricultural 
 pursuits. Of this union there was born a family 
 of seven cliildren, tlie eldest of whom, a son, James, 
 died when eighteen months old; Caroline is the 
 wife of George ISIcIntyre, and they live in Clii- 
 cago; Sarah married Hiram Summers, and they 
 are also located in Chicago; Silas is farming in 
 New Lenox Township; Charles is a resident of 
 Wilmington, this State; Emma lives in Chicago; 
 Clara is at home with her father. Mrs. Clarissa 
 Barney departed this life at the homestead April 
 17, 1865. 
 
 Our subject contracted a second marriage Octo- 
 ber 1, 18G7, at Chicago, with Miss Sarah Ann, 
 daughter of the late Archibald Clybourne, of that 
 city. Mrs. Sarah Barney was born March 24, 
 1830, in Chicago, where she received her education 
 and was reared to womanhood. Mr. Clybourne 
 wa.s a butcher by trade, and one of the prominent 
 business men of the city. There is living of this 
 union onlj' one child, a son, Archibald. INIaggie 
 and Mary died in infancy. Mr. Barney's farm 
 embraces eighty-five acres of choice land, upon 
 which have been effected good improvements. The 
 house is especially neat and comfortable, and with 
 its surroundings forms a very attractive home. Mr. 
 Barney gives his uniform allegiance to the Repub- 
 lican part}-, and has served as a School Director in 
 his district. Aside from this he has never assumed 
 the cares and resposibilities of office. 
 
 ijOBERT B. GRAVES has been closely iden- 
 tified with the farming and stock-iaising in- 
 terests of Will County for a quarter of a 
 century, and has been no unimportant factor 
 in extending its agriculture, and thus in promoting 
 the material prosperity of this part of the country. 
 He owns and is successfully managing a fine farm 
 
 in Plainfield Township, that is well stocked, and 
 
 is well improved in point of cultivation, and sup- 
 plied with neat and substantial buildings. Mr. 
 Graves is a veteran of the late war, in which he did 
 honorable service as a brave and patriotic soldier, 
 and in commemoration of that eventful peiiod of 
 his life and of his country's history he is now a 
 respected member of the Grand Army of the Re- 
 public, belonging to Bartlesou's Post, No. G. 
 
 Our subject's native place is among the beauti- 
 ful hills of Orange Countj', Vt., in Williamstown, 
 December 18, 18.'?2, being the date of his birth. He 
 comes of sterling New Englaiul stock, and liis father, 
 Dav^Ldi^raves, was a native of Massachusetts, as was 
 also his father. The latter removed from the old Bay 
 State to Vermont in the early years of its settle- 
 ment and became a pioneer of the State. The 
 father of our subject was but a boy when his par- 
 ents went to the G reen Mountain State to iicw a new 
 home from the wilderness, and he was there reared 
 and married, Amelia Persons, a native of that 
 State, becoming his wife. He resided in Williams- 
 town until 1845, and then came to Illinois, the re- 
 moval being made with a team to Burlington, and 
 thence by steamer to Whitehall, and from there by 
 way of the Champlain and Erie Canal to Buffalo, 
 and thence by lakes to Chicago, arriving there in 
 September of that year. He located in Cook 
 County, buying two hundred and fifty acres of choice 
 land in Shaumburg, which, including improve- 
 ments, stock and crops, cost him $2,000. He soon 
 became prominent in the public life of the town 
 and assisted in its organization, and was otherwise 
 useful as a citizen. He lived there ten years and 
 then sold his farm advantageously and removed to 
 McHenry County, where he bought another farm, 
 where he dwelt until 18G7, when he sold that place 
 and coming to Plainfield, died in the home of our 
 subject at the good old age of eighty. four years. 
 His wife preceded him in death one year, she also 
 having attained the venerable age of eighty- four. 
 They reared three children: Daniel, who lives at 
 Ashton, Dak.; Robert l'>.; William E., a resident 
 of Pevely, Mo. 
 
 Robert Graves was a boy of thirteen years when 
 he came to Illinois with his parents. He was reared 
 to the life of a farmer and was actively engaged in 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 599 
 
 this ocenpalion when the great rebellion broke out 
 In 1802 lie laid aside his work to take up arms in 
 defense of his country's honor, leaving his pleasant 
 home and many warm friends to go forth to the 
 liardshi[(s and struggles of a soldier's life. Hebe- 
 came a member of the Fifth Independent Battery 
 of Illinois Light Artillerj-, and going South with his 
 conipan}', took part in several battles and skir- 
 mishes with the enemy, lie was an actor in the 
 battle of Kingston, in the siege and capture of 
 Knoxville, Tenn., and was at the battle at Straw- 
 berry Plains. In the winter of 1803-61 he and his 
 comrades were in camp in Tennessee and suffered 
 greatly from the rigors of the cold January so well 
 remembered b}^ the soldiers. The men were ]50orly 
 clad, not having drawn any clothing since the pre- 
 ceding April. Our subject was protected only by a 
 blouse that was unliiied and a thin pair of pantaloons 
 that were nearly through at the knees. Fortunately 
 they were in a well-wooded country, and they were 
 enabled to kee[) up good fires. After the fall of 
 Atlanta, Mr. Graves joined Thomas' command at 
 Nashville, and during the winter went to W.ashing- 
 toD, D. C, from there to Alexandria, where he 
 embarked for Newbern, N. C, and from there 
 niarclied to Wiser's Forks, and thence to Golds- 
 lioro, where be once more came under Sherman's 
 command, and was there when Johnston ca[)itnlated. 
 From there his company was sent to Greensboro, 
 and thence to Charlotte, and from there to Chi- 
 cago, where it was discharged, July 18, 1865, after 
 three years' faithful and honorable service. 
 
 After his militar}' experience Mr. Graves came 
 to Will County and rented a farm in Wheatland, 
 and in 1868 bought his present farm, which is lo- 
 cated one mile southeast of Plainfield Village. 
 There are one hundred and four acres of excep- 
 tionally fine farming land, that is under high culti- 
 vation,is provided with all the necessary machinery-, 
 with ample buildings, and is well stocked with 
 horses and cattle of a high grade, Morgans being 
 his favorite in the former, and Holsteins in the 
 latter. 
 
 Mr. Graves has been twice married. The maiden 
 name of his first wife was Marilla Ketchum, and 
 they were united in marriage February 22.1857. 
 She was born in North Adams, Mass., and waf a 
 
 daughter of Levi Ketchum. After a married life 
 of seventeen years this devoted wife and mother 
 was removed from the household over which she 
 had presided so faithfully, her death occurring 
 June 11, 1874. One son was born of her union 
 ■with our subject — Walter R. Mr. Graves was mar- 
 ried to his present estimable wife, formerly Mari- 
 etta King, September 15, 1875. Mrs. Graves was 
 born in Erie County, N. Y., a daughter of Al- 
 vin J. and Ann King. She is a good and true 
 woman, and looks carefully after the interests of 
 her family. The home circle is completed by the 
 two children born to her and her husband — Alice 
 A. and Robbie K. 
 
 Mr. Graves is a man of honor, truthfulness and 
 strict integrit}' in all his business and social rela- 
 tions, and is classed among our most useful and 
 highly esteemed citizens. He is public-spirited and 
 is activelj' interested in whatever will advance bis 
 adopted town, and takes part in the administra- 
 tion of its civic affairs, doing his share to advance 
 it materially, socially' and morally. He is now 
 serving his fourth term as Assessor of the town- 
 ship, discharging the duties of his office so ably 
 and imijartially as to deserve and receive the com- 
 mendation and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
 He is a man of sincere and liberal religious views, 
 which find ex[)ression in the LTniversalist faith, and 
 he and his family are members of the society of 
 that denomination in Plainfield. In politics he is 
 a stanch Republican. 
 
 -^-^'^^i:^?^^^^^^ 
 
 ■*-« " V- 
 
 <lp5DMUND DIBBLE, a veteran in the late 
 1^ war in which he did good service, for which 
 /*■ — '-^ he was promoted from the ranks to the po- 
 sition of Sergeant, has since leaving the army iden- 
 tified himself with the sturdy, wide-awake, pro- 
 gressive farmers of this county, his farm, lying 
 in Troy Township, comparing favorably with 
 any in the vicinity in regard to its appointments. 
 Mr. Dibble was born in Lenawee County, 
 Mich., December 25, 1838, to Isaiah and Zoey (La 
 Dnke) Dilible. His father was a native of New 
 York and was of German descent, while his mother 
 
GOD 
 
 FOUTKAIT AND BlOGKAl'llIUAL ALBUM. 
 
 was from Detroit, Midi., nnd was of Fronc-li ex- 
 Irjiclioii. Our siilijecl I't'iiiHiiied in liis native place 
 until he was Iwinly years of aye, receiving his 
 edue.-iliou in llie local <iistrict school. Leaving 
 the home (^if his liirth ho came to Kankakee, III., 
 where he was working on u farm when the war 
 liroku out. In .luly, 1862, he offereil his services 
 to the liovernmcnt anil enlisteil in the t)nc Uun- 
 (Ireil and Thirieenlh Illinois Infantry. lie took 
 part ill the seige of Vicksburg, battle of Champion 
 Hills, and was at the battle of Arkansas Post on 
 the White River. While liefore ^■icksburg, he w.os 
 detailed with others lo run a mine under Ft. Hill, 
 in wliicii was placed a great (piantity of powder 
 which was discharged on the 22nd of May and a 
 ciiarge made on the works simultaneously, the ex- 
 [ilosion blowing up liie whole side of the large iiill 
 on which the fort was located. His regiment then 
 did guard duty at Memphis, where Mr. Dibble, for 
 his conduct in battle and general elliciency, was 
 promoted to Commissary Sergeant, he being on 
 delatched duty at the Provost Marshal's ollice. 
 While there he sulfered with rheumatism which af- 
 terward turned to erysipelas and though he is en- 
 titled to a i)ensiou under the law, he has never 
 made application for one. June 27, 1 805, Ser- 
 geant Dibble W!is mustered out of the ai'ni3', hav- 
 ing done faithful and honorable service for the 
 c.iiise of his country fur three long and weary 
 years. 
 
 After his military experience our subject came 
 to.Ioliet with his family of wife and one child and 
 soon seLlled in Tro^'. In 1868, he bought one hun- 
 dred acres of land, lo which he has since .added 
 one hundred more, all of which is under a Bnc 
 state of cultivation, is amply supplied with needed 
 l)uil(lings. and is in a llunrishing condition gener- 
 ally. 
 
 To liie wile, the hnnu'iuaker, wlio lenders his 
 home comfortable anil attractive, Mr. Dibble was 
 married at Kankakee. Mrs. Dibble's maiden name 
 was Celia Sauinions. .'^Iic is the daughtar of Wil- 
 liam T. Sammons, who had moved to Troy Town- 
 shi|) while our subject was in the army. Two cliil- 
 dri'ii have been born of this union, both f>f whom 
 are now married and well settled in life. Duane 
 was married to Miss I'inneo, a ilaughter of .1. 15. 
 
 i'innco, and their children are — Lotta Kloise, and 
 a babe, Kiigcne; Helen, married Kdwin G. Fargo, 
 who now lives in Iowa on a farm near (iilmore 
 City, Humboldt Coiinlw and they have one child- 
 Chester DeWitt. 
 
 Mr. Dibble is a whole-souled, genial- hearted 
 man, and the unsullied repulutioD that he has al- 
 ways bo.-ne entitles him to the conlidence and es- 
 teem that is accorded him by his fellow citizens. 
 Such is their respect for him, that although he is a 
 strong Republican, having an active interest in 
 politics, twice they have called him to the respon- 
 sible ollice of Assessor, the town being a Demo- 
 cratic strong-hold, throwing two Democratic voles 
 to one Republican. He is patriotic and public- 
 spirited in every way and is earnestly alive lo the 
 ccUicatiiinal needs of his township, and has served 
 zeakiiisly as School Director of his district for 
 many years. He keeps alive tiie memory of his 
 days and nights on the balllc-lield by his connec- 
 tion with the Grand Arm}' of the Republic, of Jol- 
 iel. 
 
 KV. SAMUEL T. CARPKNTER, late a 
 minister of the Episcopal Church and who 
 i \^ was well known to many of the residents of 
 this county .as a man thoroughly devoted to 
 the Master's work,w.as a native of Glassboro, N. 
 J., and born September 25, 1810. He received a 
 thorough education, being gr.adualed at Kenyon 
 College, at Ganibier, Ohio, and soon afterward en- 
 tered ujioii tln^ duties of his ehosen calling. His 
 lirst charge was in .Sharon, Conn., and he subse- 
 quently located in Monroe, Mich. He w;is for a time 
 Chaplain in the Main Street Hospital in Covington, 
 Ky. and also at Camp Deiiison, Ohio. His death oc- 
 curred December 20,187 I, in Cinciniiali,( Hiio.when a 
 little more than three-score and four yeais of ngi\ 
 By his first marriage Mr. Carpenter became the 
 father of two children, one of whom, Sainiiel t". B. 
 served in the I'nion Army .as a member of Ciini- 
 pany B, l)ne Hundredth Illinois Infantr}'. He eu- 
 dtired great hardship and ex|i(isiii'e and excessive 
 marching, which so undermined his health that he 
 died from llie effects thereof October 1, 1871. af'.er 
 
'\ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 003 
 
 a long illness in Cincinnati and Joliet. The other 
 child, Frances M., a daughter, makes her home 
 with her stepmother in Joliet. 
 
 Later Mr. Carpenter was wedded to Miss P^mily 
 D. Thompson, wiio was born in Philadelpln'a, Pa., 
 August 31, 1830. Her parents were Rieiiard and 
 Elizabeth (Denn}') Thompson, and the father while 
 a resident of the Quaker City, occupied himself as 
 a commission merchant. In that city he passed 
 awa3'. Mrs. Thompson died at the residence of Mrs. 
 Carpenter in Joliet,in May, 1 872. Until her marriage 
 Mrs. Carpenter lived in Fliilridelphia and Wilming- 
 ton, Del. The ceremony was performed June 29, 
 1852, at the bride's home in Wilmington, by Bishop 
 Lee of the Episcopal Church of that city. Of this un- 
 ion tiiere were born five children, all of whom are 
 living. Herbert D. was born in Smyrna, Del., 
 June 2, 18.53, and after completing his literary 
 education began reading law under the instruction 
 of Phelps & Clement; he was admitted to the bar 
 in December, 1878, and is now practicing his pro- 
 fession in Joliet, being located at No. 102 Jeffer- 
 son Street. He is an ardent supporter of the Re- 
 publican party. Florence married Albert W. 
 Fiero of Joliet; Horace T. is in business at Mil- 
 waukee, Wis.; 11. Howell is engaged in railroading 
 in .Joliet; Louis T. C. is a salesman in a wholesale 
 house in Chicago. Mrs. Carpenter and her chil- 
 dren located in Joliet in 1865, and there she has. 
 since lived. Siie is, religiously, a member of the 
 Episcopal Church and stands at the head of a fam- 
 ily which is highly spoken of throughout the city. 
 
 ^>^^^^^^^f^y<^- 
 
 'ATHER THOMAS F'. O'GARA, Pastor of 
 
 St. Ro.se's Church at AVilmingtou, was born 
 in Ireland in 1846; his parents Thomas and 
 Bridget (McGinnis) O'Gara, having also been na- 
 tives of the Emerald Isle. They came to America 
 when our subject was an infant of one year and lo- 
 cated in Lawrence, Mass., where they resided for 
 several years. In 1879, they removed to Ottawa, 
 III., where the\' were both called to the land of 
 eternal happiness, the father in 1887, at the ad- 
 vanced .ige of eighty -two 3'ears, and the mother one 
 
 year later at the age of eighty years. Thej' left 
 eleven ciiildren, of whom the subject of this sketch 
 was the seventh in order of birth. 
 
 Hoof whom we write, grew to manhood in Law- 
 rence, Maus., and received an academic education. 
 He was in the dry-goods business for several years 
 and when about twenty-three years of age began 
 studj'ing for the priestiiood and completed his 
 studies at iMontreal, Canada, in 1878, being the 
 same year ordained a priest. He immediately came 
 to Wilmington and took charge of the present 
 parish where he has continually' resided since that 
 time. He has besides his work here, charge of St. 
 Patrick's Church at Wilton, this count}', and is a 
 man lield in high esteem by all the citizens of Wil- 
 mington and elsewhere with whom lie comes in 
 contact. 
 
 A fine portrait of Father O'Gara issliown on an- 
 other page of this volume. 
 
 ERNY SPANGLER. A str.anger would not 
 not be in this country long without hearing 
 the name whicb stands at the head of this 
 biographical notice, and learning that it is 
 the cognomen of a prominent citizen of Jackson 
 Township and one who is widely known through- 
 out tiie count}'. At present this gentleman holds 
 the office of Supervisor, a position in which he has 
 served his fellow-men for several years, his contin- 
 uance in it proving conclusively that the duties 
 have been discharged in a satisfactory manner. 
 This is not the only public capacity in which Mr. 
 Spangler has acted. In 1882 he was elected County 
 Treasurer, and for four years his financial ability 
 and integrity were made useful in that oa|iacity. 
 
 Pennsylvania was the native State of David 
 Spangler and Amelia Batey, who became man and 
 wife and reared a family of nine children. They 
 removed to Summit County, Ohio,in which the latter 
 years of their life were spent. There their young- 
 est child was born February 26, 1837, he being the 
 gentleman of whom we write. He remained in his 
 native State until he was twenty years old, in the 
 meantime becoming well versed in the management 
 
604 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of a faim, as his father was an agriculturist, and 
 acquiring a good education. 
 
 Upon leaving his native State, Mr. Spangler re- 
 paired to this county and at once made a settle- 
 ment on section 1 2, Jackson Township, engaging 
 in agricultural ))ursuits. So successful have been 
 his labors that he now owns live hundred and sixty 
 acres in Jackson and Manhattan Townships and 
 has an assured financial standing. Every detail of 
 the work carried on uijon his place is under care- 
 ful oversight, and every part of the large estate 
 evinces the taste and ability of the owner. A full 
 line of buildings may be seen thereon, all substan- 
 tial and well designed, while stock and machinery 
 are excellent and suflScient in number and quantity. 
 The pleasant home of Mr. Spangler is presided 
 over bj' a laily whose intelligence and grace add to 
 the attractions of the hospitable dwelling. She was 
 known in her maidenhood as Miss Rachael Grove, 
 and was a native of Summit County, Ohio, in 
 which her marriage to our subject took place. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Spangler have four living children, 
 named respectively, Samuel M., Ellery G., Alvin O. 
 and Dora A. They mourn the loss of a daughter, 
 Alraeda M., who died at the age of nine years. 
 Mr. Spangler is a Democrat and hns taken quite an 
 active part in political affairs. The family is re- 
 garded as a credit to the section in which they re- 
 side, and were a wish expressed regarding them, it 
 would be that they might long continue their resi- 
 dence here, as their present health promises will be 
 the case. 
 
 <Sx J>AV1ER MUNCH. Nowhere in the Missis- 
 y^^ sippi Valley can more beautiful farms be 
 » ^ found than in the Prairie State, and in no 
 section of it arc any more attractive than in Will 
 County. On section 19, Joliet Township, lies a 
 body of land sloping to the south and comprising 
 one hundred and twenty-two productive acres, 
 which, under the hand of a progressive and intel- 
 ligent farmer produce abundantly. The estate is 
 a home of which any man might well be proud, all 
 the improvements upon it being excellent and in- 
 cluding every convenience and proper means of 
 
 adornment. The owner of this fine estate, although 
 of foreign birth,, has spent the greater part of 
 his life in America. 
 
 The ancestral home of the Munch family was in 
 that section of Europe the possession of which has 
 been a subject of controversy between two of the 
 most powerful nations of the earth.and which is now 
 included in the German Empire. This country — 
 Alsace — was a part of France when Xavier Munch, 
 Sr., was born near Strasburg. He married Cecelia 
 Potter, and after the birth of four sons and three 
 daughters emigrated to America, crossing the 
 ocean in the spring of 1839. During that summer 
 the family lived in Leraont, III., and in the fall 
 removed to Joliet, where they made their home 
 about two years. They then returned to Lemont 
 for a short sojourn, but in April, 1812, rented 
 land in Troy Township, AVill County, of the late 
 Andrew King. Upon it Mr. Munch resided about 
 two ye.ars, when lie settled on the farm now occu- 
 l)ied by our subject, remaining here until Apiil 18, 
 1852. He then went to California to engage in 
 mining, but never returned, and it is supposed 
 that he died there. Mrs. Munch breathed her last 
 in Joliet, November 8, USoO. 
 
 The gentleman with whose name this sketch is 
 introduced, is the second child in the parental fam- 
 ily, and W.1S born in Alsace, July 31, 1823. He had 
 but fairly entered his teens when the family came 
 to America, and he followed his father in his vari- 
 ous removals until 18^7. He then enlisted in the 
 regular army and participated in the Mexican War, 
 returning in 1848 to Joliet, and again taking up 
 his residence under the parental roof. There he 
 remained until his marriage, February 9, 1849,- to 
 Miss Mary M. I'fleger. He then settled on section 
 18, Joliet Township, whence five years later he re- 
 moved to his present home. Not only has be 
 manifested ability in his agricultural career, but 
 has lived an upright life, dealt honorably with his 
 fellow- men, and in every domestic relation has 
 been kindly and considerate. In jiolitics he is in- 
 dependent, but generally votes with the Democrats. 
 Both he and his wife belong to the Catholic 
 Church. 
 
 The lady, who in the summer of 1849 became 
 the wife of our subject, shared his joys and sor- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 605 
 
 rows until June 22, 1860, when she was called 
 from time to eternity. Like her.husband, she was 
 a native of Alsace. Their union resulted in the 
 birth of seven children, named respectively; Ma- 
 tilda, Ferdinand, Daniel, Marion, Lawrence, Eliza- 
 beth and Frances. 
 
 Mr. Munch contracted a second matrimonial al- 
 liance in Joliet, choosing as his companion Mrs. 
 Catherine Shaw Freedel, also an Alsatian. She has 
 borne him eight children — Kate, Frank, Rose, Louis, 
 Anthony, Sophia, Celia and Charles. Her former 
 marriage had resulted in the birth of five children, 
 of whom the survivors are : Joseph, Mary, and Al- 
 fred Freedel. She is an efficient helpmate, a good 
 neiglibor and a devoted mother. 
 
 #-# 
 
 -i^— 
 
 ^1^=^, ENJAMIN D. RITCHEY. This gentleman 
 has done much for the growth and develop- 
 ment of the section in wiiich he resides and 
 for inany a year has been known and hon- 
 ored as a wortlij' citizen of Wesley Township. 
 After years of activity he has retired from business 
 pursuits, disposed of the farms which he owned, 
 retaining only an interest in buildings in the vil- 
 lage of Ritcliey, and is now taking his ease, as far 
 as labor for sustenance is concerned. 
 
 The father of our subject was Matthew Ritchey, 
 a native of Scotland, whose parents came to Penn- 
 sylvania at a very early day, whence he subse- 
 quently removed to Ohio. In the latter State he 
 married Rachel Davis, a native of Virginia and a 
 (laughter of a Welshman. This was the third mar- 
 riage of Matthew Ritchey and resulted in the birth 
 of four children, two of whom are now living. The 
 fatlier departed this life in 1824, the mother sur- 
 viving until 1862. 
 
 The suliject of this brief biogra|)hieal sketch is 
 the first-born of his mother's children, his natal day 
 lieing October 24, 1815. His birth took place in 
 Ross County, Ohio, where he spent his early years, 
 beginning a personal career at an early age. When 
 twelve years old he hired out by the month on a 
 farm and continued to 8up|)ort himself in this way 
 till he had reached the age of twenty years. He had 
 
 conceived the idea of buying a farm and working 
 out its payment, and he and his brother John carried 
 out the idea successfully, thus becoming the owners 
 of one hundred and fifty acres in the Buckeye 
 State. In the fall of 1855 they sold, and removing 
 to Illinois settled in this county and the township 
 wherein our subject still resides. He purchased a 
 partly improved farm and engaged in mixed farm- 
 ing, having cattle and horses which he had brought 
 from Ohio. 
 
 In 1862 Mr. Ritchey and his brother embarked 
 in the mercantile business, but after a time sold out, 
 our subject subsequently buying the business him- 
 self and carrying it on for several years in addition 
 to operating his farms. Never having married he 
 has had families keep house for him, and during 
 the past twenty-eight years has made but one 
 change. He has proved his ability as a man.ager 
 and mone3'-m.aker and insured himself against want 
 unless an overwhelming catastropiie befalls him. 
 Not only so but he has been useful in local oflices 
 and in various movements which would tend to 
 improve the country. Ritchey Station takes its 
 name from himself and brother. 
 
 ]\Ir. Ritchey for several years belonged to the 
 Grange, of which he was Master. He was Town- 
 ship Assessor and Collector, and has been offered 
 the position of Township Supervisor but decliiietl 
 it. In 1 880 lie-was appointed United States Census 
 Enumerator for Wesley Township, and he has been 
 Postmaster at Ritcliey for seven years. He has fre- 
 quently been administrator of estates both in Illinois 
 and Ohio, and has also been guardian in the latter 
 State. This fact alone will sufHce to show that he is 
 looked upon as a man of the strictest integrity- and 
 great prudence. 
 
 Mr. Ritche3' lias always taken an active interest 
 in political issues, has frequently been a delegate to 
 county conventions and otlierwise borne a fair share 
 in the local cam|iaign work. He became of age a 
 few days before the Presidential election of 1836, 
 and cast his first vote for Gen. William Ilenrv 
 Harrison. Four years later, during the ever memor- 
 able "hard cider" campaign in the Buckeye State, he 
 cast his second vote for "Tippecanoe" who proved 
 the successful candidate. Some years later, when 
 the Republican party came into existence he voted 
 
606 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 for John C. Fremont, and 1888 lie liad the pleasure 
 of voting for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, a lineal de- 
 sc'cndant of the old hero who liad been his first love 
 when becun)ing a voter. 
 
 In 1844 Mr. Kitchey rode ten milesi^n horseback 
 on two consecutive niglits to hear the eloquent and 
 renowned temperance orator, .lolin 15. Gougii, and 
 enlisting under iiis lianner has been a consistent 
 temperance man from that day. 
 
 *53gB^' 
 
 -^r»- 
 
 ^p^EORGE W. BARTLETT, Insurance, Real 
 III ^—. Estate, Loan and Collection Agent, although 
 ^^4' comi)aratively a new member of the busi- 
 ness circles of Joliet, is advancing rapidly toward 
 the front with bright prospects of soon reaching a 
 place second to none in the community. He is a 
 stirring and energetic man, with such qualifications 
 as especially lit him for his present business, in 
 which he is building up a good trade. He has fol- 
 lowed this occupation for the past fourteen years, 
 during which time he has represented such com- 
 panies as the North America, of Philadelphia; the 
 Phoenix, of Brooklyn; the Hartford, -ZEtna, Con 
 necticut and Hartford, of Hartford; the Royal, of 
 Liverpool; and the Traders', of Chicago. Those 
 which he now represents are the Continental, of 
 New York, and the Agricultural, of Watertowu, 
 N. Y. 
 
 In Genesee County, N. Y., Nathaniel Bartlett 
 and Emily Gilbert were born, reared and marrried. 
 The}' came West in 1855, locating in Grundy 
 Count}', 111., where they are yet living. Their 
 family comprises three children — Fred A., a jew- 
 eler at Lockport; Elmer E., a molder in Joliet; 
 and George W., our subject. The father is an en- 
 gineer by trade and h.'is always pursued that avo- 
 cation. 
 
 The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch 
 was born December 20,1856, in Grundy Count}', and 
 spent the first thirty-two years of his life there. Quite 
 early in life he began to manifest the energy 
 which is so prominent a characteristic of his nature, 
 taking up the occupation of a newsboy in Morris, 
 and learning telegraphy while still a boy, although 
 
 he never [j^rsued this. work. For some time he 
 clerked in a dry -goods store and then took up the 
 insurance business, carrying on at the same time 
 other lines of work. For seven years he clerked 
 for C. H. Gould, President of the Grundy County 
 National Bank, and also looked after the gas fitting 
 in the iilace. He was the builder and manager of 
 the Telephone Exchange, at Morris, and also of 
 the toll line south of that city, which united the 
 towns of Mazon, Hill Park or Wauponsce, Verona, 
 Kinsman, Gardner and Minooka with the county 
 seat. 
 
 An important step in the life of Mr. Bartlett 
 took place in September, 1881, it being no less than 
 his marriage with ]Miss Fannie Zimmerman, whose 
 [)Mrcnls, Mr. and Mrs. Casper Zimmerman, have lived 
 in Grundy County a number of years. The happy 
 union has been blessed by the birth of one bright 
 daughter, Carrie M., in whose growing intelligence 
 the parents take great delight. Mr. Bartlett is a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity and the Repub- 
 lican party. 
 
 /^ HARLES N. SPRAGUE, senior member of 
 [if the firm of Sprague & Hess, forms, with 
 
 ^^ his partner, one of the important factors 
 among the business interests of Joliet, operating 
 a creamery and dairy. He has been engaged in 
 the creamery business since 1880, following this 
 for a period of six years very successfully. The 
 firm now turns out two hundred pounds of- butter 
 per day, and besides this, deals extensively in but- 
 ter and cheese in a wholesale w.ay. He associated 
 himself in partnershi|) with Mr. Hess March 1, 
 1890, enlarging the milk route and increasing his 
 facilities for handling all kinds of dairy produce. 
 The firm unquestionably Stan's 'at the head of the 
 dairy interests in Joliet. 
 
 Our subject was born in DuPage Township, this 
 county, January 19, 1846, and is the son of one of 
 its earliest settlers, Thomas J. Sprague, a native 
 of New York. The mother bore the maiden namg 
 of Lydia Swift. The parental family consisted of 
 nine children, six of whom are living, making Iheir 
 
^^ 
 
 '<^T~^1<^L<::^<^^^^^^ 
 
k-k 
 
 
 V 
 
 
 y4^ 6^ i5^i-t«--^i^-g>c' 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 611 
 
 homes mostly in Illinois. Tlie father prosecuted 
 funning in DiiPagc Township until the spring of 
 1 890. then retired from active labor and took up 
 his residence iu Joliet, where, with his estimable 
 wif(\ he still lives. 
 
 Mr. Sprague has all his life been familiar with 
 agricultural pursuits. He obtained his education 
 in the district school, and when a young man of 
 twtnty-two years established domestic ties, being 
 married November 25, 1869, to Miss Allie C. Kill- 
 mer. Mrs. .Sprague was born November 10, 1850, 
 ill DuPage Township, and is the daughter of R. 
 W. and Hannah Kilimer, who are natives of New 
 Yoik. The father is now living in Joliet, and the 
 mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are the 
 parents of three children, two of whom are living, 
 these being daughters — Hattie and Mat)el. Mr. 
 Spr.ague and his famil}- live modestly in a com- 
 fortable home andenjo}- the esteem and confidence 
 of their neighbors. In politics Mr. Si)rague votes 
 Ihe straight Democratic ticket. He is one of tlic 
 pniminent men of the city, and while a resident of 
 DiiTage Township officiated as Assessor and Town- 
 ship Clerk. He has been for some years connected 
 with the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 PEWITT CLINTON SEARLES. Tiie por- 
 ) traits on the opposite pages will be imme 
 diately recognized as those of a highly 
 respected citizen of Will County and his estimable' 
 wife. l\Ir. Seailes is well and favor.abl\' knowi; 
 iliioughout this count}', both in business circles and 
 public life. As an agriculturalist of superior in- 
 lelligence and progressiveness, he has wielded a 
 potent influence in placing this county in the front 
 ranks of its sister counties, and Troy Township 
 liiids in him one of its most enterprising citizens 
 and a leader among its farmers and stock-growers. 
 Mr. iSearles was born January 30, 1830, in Sum- 
 mit County, Ohio, and was reared near Columlnis. 
 His parents were Amos and Hannah (Hulbiirt) 
 Searles. They had come from Connecticut and 
 were early pioneers of that part of Ohio. His 
 mother was a daughter of Isaiah Ilulburt, a Revo- 
 
 lutionary soldier, who enlisted when fourteen years 
 of age, and faithfully served throughout the entire 
 war, being under Washington the whole seven 
 }'ears. Amos Searlcs was a descendant of people 
 who came to this country early in the seventeenth 
 century and settled on Long Island, where some of 
 the family still reside. 
 
 Our subject passed the early j'ears of his life 
 within eighteen miles of Columbus, and when 
 twent3'-one years of age left his old home to try 
 his fortunes in the Prairie State. He bought a 
 farm about three miles from where he now lives, 
 which he disposed of three years later and in 1856 
 purchased the one on which he now resides. It 
 was at that time a tract of wild prairie and much 
 hard labor was required to bring it to its present 
 high state of improvement. He put up a building 
 in which he lived, using a part of it for a barn, until 
 the latter part of the summer when he erected a 
 small house. This latter was afterward burned, 
 and clearing away large quantities of the hazel 
 brush which stood on his land, Mr. Searles erected 
 a more substantial residence. He has since put np 
 an excellent set of buildings, erecting his present 
 house in 1866, and now has one of the best places 
 in the county, consisting of six hundred acres of 
 land in a fine state of cultivation. His farm is 
 well stocked with cattle and hogs of the best breed, 
 as lie makes a specialty of fee<ling that class of 
 stock. 
 
 Mr. Searles was married in 1866, to Miss Harriet 
 Walker, of Plainfield, III., a daughter of Capt. J. 
 Walker, who is credited with being the first settler 
 in Will County and who was a soldier in the War 
 of 1812, taking part in the battle of New Orleans 
 and in many Indian fights. During the Black 
 Hawk War he was Captain of a company and was 
 very active in subduing the Indians. In 1828 he 
 came to this county with his family from St. Clair 
 County, III., and pre-empted for his first claim a 
 part of the land on which the village now stands. 
 
 The mother of Mrs. Searles bore the maiden 
 name of Walker, and was the daughter of Jesse 
 Walker, who came here as a missionary in 1826. 
 He was from East Tennessee, while the family origi- 
 nated in Rockingham, Ya. Upon arriving in Illi- 
 nois in 1804, Jesse Walker, who was a minister in 
 
612 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 the Methodist Cluucli, settled in St. CLiir County. 
 During this long journey he had been accompanied 
 liy his family, who made the trip on horseback. 
 He became ver}- well known in the county and 
 State, and was a contemporary and associate of 
 Peter Cartwright. Mrs. Capt. Walker, prior to 
 her marriage, was a missionary among the Indians. 
 The Hrst frame Imilding erected in Chicago was 
 built of lumber sawed at Capt. Walker's mill in 
 Plaiufleld, Ihis county. 
 
 Possessed of a noble character and fine mental \ 
 eiidowments, Mr. Searles would have been an honor 
 to any community. A man of broad views, keen 
 observation and extensive information, be has a 
 fine library well su|)i)lied with choice books. In 
 the managenicut of |)ublic affairs he has taken an 
 in\portant part, and for eight years was Supervisor 
 of the townshi|), which is strongly Democratic. He 
 is a stanch Republican, but his well-known ability 
 and popularity carried the da3'. 
 
 Mr. Searles and his wife have had four children, 
 of whom three are living, one having died in in- 
 fancy. Maud is a young lady at home; Linn \\'. 
 operates the farm, and Edna is a maiden of fifteen 
 years. The f.imily are members of the Metliodist 
 Episcopal Church, in which they arc active woikers. 
 Socially, tlieir fjienils arc many, for their refinement 
 has made them respected wherever known. 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 JN ICHARD O. GREENLEAF. Cashier and 
 r bookkeeper for the Bates Manufacturing 
 
 A\ Compan}-, assumed the duties of his present 
 ^) position soon after the organization of that 
 company in .loliet. He has been a resident of this 
 county since June, 1881, and first engaged in mer- 
 cantile business. In 1881 he was proffered his 
 present position and arranged his private affairs so 
 that he could conveniently accept. 
 
 A native of South Hurwick, Me., the subject of 
 this notice was born January 31, 1828, and wa.s the 
 son of Richard and Eliza (Akerraan) Greenleaf , the 
 former of whom removed from Newburyport, 
 Mass., the old home of the family, to Charlestown, 
 that State, where he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
 
 ness. A few years later he died, leaving his widow 
 with one child, the latter. Richard O., our subject, 
 with whom the mother novv makes her honie. She 
 was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1805, and 
 has consequently now arrived at the advanced age 
 of eighty five jears. 
 
 Mr. Greenleaf grew to mature years in Newbury- 
 port, Mass., where he comi)leted his education and 
 soon afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits, re- 
 maining in the Bay State until 1857. He then re- 
 moved to Nashua, X. H., where he sojourned until 
 18G1. The Civil War now having broken out, he 
 on the I'Jth of April, that year, immediately after 
 the firing upon Ft. Sumter, raised a company under 
 the call for one hundred days' men and this being 
 assigned to the Army of the Potomac, they repaired 
 thither and remained in the service until the 9th of 
 August. Being then mustered out Mr. Greenleaf 
 returned to New Hampshire and immediately raised 
 Company B, which was assigned to the Fourth New 
 Hampshire Infantry, and of which he was made Cap- 
 tain. Soon after repairing to the South, they en- 
 countered the enemy at various points and saw- 
 considerable active service including the siege of 
 Morris Island, near Charlestown. 
 
 Returning North soon afterward with his regi- 
 ment, Capt. Greenleaf with his company was as- 
 signed to the Tenth Corps, Army of the James, and 
 he thereafter followed tlie fortunes of his regiment 
 unlil the expiration of his term of enlistment in 
 September, 18G1. He had in the meantime been 
 promoted to the rank of Major, with which title he 
 was mustered out. 
 
 VV^e next find Mr. Greenleaf in Hillsborough 
 County, N. 11., where he remained until 1872, and 
 then came to Illinois engaging in mercantile busi- 
 ness until 1878. In October of that year he re- 
 turned to Nashua, N. H., where he remained until 
 1881, aiul that year became a resident of Joliet. 
 
 Mr, Greenleaf was married September 16, 1861, 
 in Nashua, N. H., to Miss Martha A., daughter of 
 Samuel Flinn. Of this union there are no children. 
 Mr. Flinn was a native of Ireland and one of the 
 organizers of a large cotton manufactorv in New 
 England; he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. 
 Greenleaf, politically votes the Democratic ticket. 
 About 1858 he indentified himself with the Masonic 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 C13 
 
 fraternity in Nasbua, N. H., and is now a member 
 of Rising Sun Lodge. He also belongs to John (1. 
 Foster Post, at bis old liorae in New Ilaniijsliire, in 
 vvbic'ii lie is Post Commander. Socially, and in busi- 
 ness circles Mr. Greenleaf bears an excellent repu- 
 tation, and is well worthy of representation in a 
 work of this kind. 
 
 lj/__, ERMANN STUDTMANN. Northern Illi- 
 J] nois, like all of the otiier States ef the Un- 
 ion, owes no small share in its rapid growth 
 ,K0) aTid development to llie energy and indus- 
 try of its sidjstantial German citizens. They came 
 here mostly poor in purse but well litted b}' liab- 
 its of industry ami economy to battle with the dif- 
 ficulties attending the ojiening ui) of new farms, 
 :ind instituting homes in the land of tlieir adoption. 
 Among tliese may be properly mentioned Peter 
 Siudttnann, the father of our subject, who came 
 liilhcr from the Fatherland in October, 1873. as- 
 sisted ids sons as best he could in his labors, and 
 died at his home in 1885. 
 
 Peter Studtmann was a native of the Kingdom 
 of Hanover as also was his son Hermann, of this 
 fkelcli, the latter being born May 13, 18-18. The 
 n.otiier bore the maiden name of Mary Vonderohe. 
 She s|ient her entire life in her native Hanover, 
 dying about 1865. The parental family con- 
 sisted of two children, both of whom came to 
 America. Hermann was a youth of nineteen years 
 when crossing the Atlantic, and after landing at 
 New York City, he made his w.ay to Chicago, 
 111., but on!}' sojourned there a few weeks. AVe 
 next find him in Peru, this State, of which he was 
 a resident for about five years. In September, 
 1.S73, he came to New Lenox Township and se. 
 lected a tract of land on section 20, where he took 
 up his abode and has since lived. lie commenced 
 in life dependent upon his own resources and 
 while in La Salle County was employed by the 
 month as a farm hand. He is now the owner of 
 one hundred and sixty acres of good land, all of 
 which is in a productive conditicm, embellished 
 with neat modern buildings and having all the 
 
 other appurtenances of the well-regulated country 
 homestead. His first house was destroyed by fire 
 October 22, 1889, but he reliuiltaiid is rapidly re- 
 trieving his loss. 
 
 Mr. Studtmann was married in New Lenox 
 Township Marcli 20, 1873, to Miss Lena, daughter 
 of Christian and Caroline (Stein) Keitel. Mrs. 
 Keitel died in German}- in 1871. Mrs. Studtmann's 
 father is still living in this tovvnship. She was 
 born in Germany November 22, 1848, and came 
 to America in January, 1872. Of her union with 
 our subject there have been born six children, one 
 of whom died in infancy. The survivors are Ma- 
 tilda, Hermann .Jr., Bcrnhard, Lizzie and Frieda- 
 lien. In ]H)litics Mr. Studtmann is a stanch Dem- 
 ocrat. He has served as School Director in his 
 district and lioth he and his wife are members of 
 tlie German Lutheran Church. He is a go-ahead, 
 enterprising citizen and is rapidly taking a posi- 
 tion among the leading men of his community. 
 
 ^-^ 
 
 ON. FRED WILKE, of Beecher, is one of 
 j^) the most prominent men in this part of the 
 ^ county. Not only is he well known as a gen- 
 ^ era! dealer in all kinds of grain, as a farmer 
 and breeder of Holstein cattle, but he has also come 
 before the public as an official who has served with 
 credit to himself and his constituents in the legisla- 
 tive halls of the State. He moved to Beecher in 
 the fall of 1889, succeeding to the grain trade of 
 Mr. II. Matthews, deceased. Prior to that time he 
 had resided on his farm, which is located on sections 
 17 and 18, of the fractional part of "Washington 
 Township. The estate comprises three hundred 
 and thirty-five acres, favorably located and well 
 improved, and has practically been made what it is 
 by the present owner. 
 
 The Hon. Fred Wilke was born in Westphalia, 
 German}', March 17, 1829. His father, Herman 
 Wilke, was a native pf the same Province and be- 
 longed to a respectable family who were engaged 
 in husbandry. He married FLlizabeth Waltman, 
 who had been well and carefully reared, after his 
 marriage settling near their birthplace. When our 
 
614 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 subject was eleven ypnrs old the wife and mother 
 died, at the age of thirty-nine years. The husband 
 and father survivt^d but three years, being fifty- 
 eight years old at the time of his decease. Both 
 parents were active members of the Lutheran 
 Church and endeavored to train their children in 
 paths of usefulness. Their farail}' comprised five 
 children, one of whom died in Germany, the others 
 came to America and three are yet living, two 
 making their home in Will County, III., and the 
 other in Lake County, Ind. 
 
 After he was old enough to enter the army our 
 subject served his country, according to the custom 
 of that laud, his connection with the soldiery being 
 from 1850 to 1852. In the spring of 1854, he em- 
 barked at lirenmrhaven on a sailing vessel which 
 anchored at New York City after a voyage of si.x 
 weeks. Mr. Wilke went <lireetly to Cincinnati, 
 Ohio, where he found employment as a teamster, 
 making that city his home uniil 1860. He had 
 visited Will County, 111., in 1857, purchasing land 
 which was slightly improved and upon which he 
 settled iu 1 SGO. It was situated on section 17, 
 Washington Township, and is a part of the estate 
 now owned by .him. The energy of Mr. Wilke 
 soon gave him a pronsinent position amt>ng the 
 farmers and stock-raisers of the vicinity, and ere 
 long he was enabled to add to his landed estate and 
 put the whole place under excellent improvement 
 and cultivation. 
 
 The lirst marriage of Mr. AVilke took place in his 
 native land, his bride being Miss Ann Nunker, who 
 was born in the same neighborliood as liimself and 
 whose good qualities he thoroughly understood. 
 A year after be had come to America she followed 
 him across the briny deep, joining him in Cincin-- 
 nati, where she died at the birth of her second 
 child who did not long survive. Mrs. Wilke was 
 but tvventy-four years old when calleil from time 
 to eternity. She was a birthright member of the 
 Lutheran Church and had consistently carried out 
 its teaching in her daily life. Her first-born, Mrs. 
 Lizzie Scheiwe, died ut the age of thirty-four years, 
 leaving three children. 
 
 The second matrimonial alliance of Mr. Wilke 
 was contracted in Cincinnati, his bride on that oc- 
 casion being Miss Stena Brutlag, who was born in 
 
 Westphalia. She was reared to the age of twenty 
 years in her native land and then crossed the ocean 
 alone, coming to Cincinnati, where soon afterward 
 she became the wife of our subject. She is the 
 mother of two children, one of whom died in in- 
 fanc3'. The living is a son, H. F., who married 
 Miss Lena Meier, who died leaving one child — 
 Fred. He subsequently married Miss Sophia Meier, 
 who, although bearing the sams surname, is not 
 related to his first wife. This union has been blest 
 b^y the birth of four children: Emma, Lena, Amelia 
 and Herman. II. F. Wilke now occupies and oper- 
 ates his father's farm in Washington Township. He 
 is a Republican in [lolitics and he and his wife l)e- 
 long to the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The subject of this biographical sketch is now 
 serving as Supervisor and Treasurer of the town- 
 ship, the former of which offices he has held almost 
 continuously since 1870, the only exception being 
 the time when he was representing the county in 
 the Legislature. He has been Assessor some 3'ears 
 and Collector one term. In 1888 he was elected 
 to the State Legislature, where he prc)ved to be a 
 valuable worker for the good of the constituency 
 which he represented and the interest of the county 
 at large. His record as a member of comndttccs 
 and a worker on the floor is creditable to himself 
 and those who elected him. He is a sound Hepid)- 
 lican. He and his wife are active members of the 
 Lutheran Church and i^rominent iu every good 
 work which is going on in the community. The 
 personal traits of Mr. AVilke are such as to give 
 him the reputation of a " flrst-class fellow" and he 
 exerts an extended influence for all that is moral 
 and elevating. 
 
 , ocx> , 
 oCx>^ ' 
 
 "\T/RIAS EICHELBARGER, a Pennsylvanian 
 by birth, has been associated with the farmers 
 and stock-raisers of Illinois for several years, 
 and has been much prospered in his agricultural 
 undertakings and is now the owner of a large and 
 well conducted farm on section 4, DuPage Town- 
 ship. 
 
 Our subject is a native of Lancaster County, 
 Pa., born April 23, 1839, to John and Susan Eich- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 01.1 
 
 clbarger, who were likewise natives of that State 
 and were of German descent. His father is now 
 deceased. His mother, who is between seventy 
 and eiglitj- years of age, makes her home in Nap- 
 erville, this State. Our subject is the oldest son 
 in the family of whom tlie following survive: 
 L'rias; John, living in Kansas, (Dickenson County) ; 
 Mary, wife of Joseph Taylor, of Du Page Town- 
 sliip. 
 
 Urias Eichelbarger was reared in the phice of liis 
 liirtli and at the youthful age of twelve ycais, loft 
 tiie parental home to make his own way in the 
 world. He lived out with a farmer until he was 
 fifteen years old and then began to learn the 
 bhicksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of 
 lliree years. At the expiration of that time he 
 opened up asmithj' in his native county and car- 
 ried on his calling for several j-ears. After aban- 
 doning that trade for a short time, he engaged in 
 marketing, buying butter, eggs and otiier farm 
 produce. He then began farming for liimself in 
 J>ancaster County and carried on agriculture there 
 for three j'ears. In 1869, he came to Illinois and 
 fur a year and a half resided in NapervlUe. Du 
 Page County, where he worked as a journeyman 
 blacksmith. After that he again took ui) farming 
 and pursued the calling as a renter in Wheatland 
 Township for eleven years. At the expiration of 
 that time he purchased his present farm in UuPage 
 Township. This comprises three hundred and 
 forty seven acres of land which is under fine til- 
 lage and exceptional improvement, its fields 
 yielding rich harvests and it is provided with con- 
 veniently arranged buildings. Mr. Eichelbarger 
 acquired this property solel}- by the exercise of 
 those faculties that make him an intelligent per- 
 severing, industrious member of society. 
 
 During these years of labor Mr. Eichelbarger 
 has not been without the assistance of a capable 
 wife who has labored b}' his side since their mar- 
 riage in 1851). Mrs. Eichelliargcr's maiden name 
 was Martha Eshleman and she, like her husband, is 
 of Pennsylvania origin. They have five children 
 living, namely: John, Abraham, George,Susan, wife 
 of James Brossman,and Amanda. 
 
 Mr. Eichelbarger is in every sense a live, wide- 
 awake man, of strong common sense, and a keen 
 
 insight into the best methods of conducting agri- 
 culture to the best advantage, as is attested by the 
 fine condition of his farm. In jrolitics he is a 
 firm believer in the policy of the Republican party 
 an(f supports it b^- voice and vote. He served 
 three years as Road Commissioner of DuPage 
 Township, and has been School Director of his 
 district a number of j'ears and in both capacities 
 has aided in advancing the best interests of the 
 community with commendable public spirit. 
 
 ARMON V. FRAZER. This venerated cit- 
 izen of Homer Township is approaching 
 y^r, the seventy-fourth 3'ear of his age, having 
 .^) been born October G, 1816, and his native 
 State was New York. His parents were James G. 
 and Polly (Hawkins) Frazer, natives of Connecti- 
 cut, whence they emigrated to Monroe fe'ountj', 
 N. Y., settling near the town of Pittsford. Later 
 in life they joined their children in this county, 
 and spent their last days in Homer Township. 
 There was born to them a family of five sons and 
 four daughters, nine in all, and Harmon V. was the 
 third in order of birth. He lived in his native 
 State until about thirty-four years old. 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Frazer was married in 
 Pittsford, N. Y., September 16, 1847, to Miss Sa- 
 raantha Warren. In October, 1849, the^' came to 
 this county and settled in Homer Township, of 
 which they have since been residents. Mrs. Fra- 
 zer was born April 3, 1825, in Pitcher, Chenango 
 County, N. X., and was the second in a family of 
 ten children, five of whom are living. Her par- 
 ents, Ely and Sarah (Ferguson) Warren, were na- 
 tives of New York and spent their last years in 
 that State. 
 
 Mr. Frazer's farm comprises one hundred and 
 tw-enty acres of good land, which through his 
 management has become very fertile, yielding the 
 richest crops in Northern Illinois. He has neat 
 and substantial buildings, and by the assistance of 
 his good wife has been enabled to accumulate a 
 competence for their declining years. They have 
 
616 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 no children. In politics Mr. Frazor gives his un- 
 divided support to the ProiiiliiLiuii party, being 
 totally opposed to the nianut'aeture and sale of in- 
 toxicating liquors. He and his wife are promi- 
 nently connected with the Methodist Ei)iscopal 
 Ciiurch, and enjoy the friendship and aequainlnnce 
 of the best residents of tlie county, wiio liave 
 known them long and well and learned to appre- 
 ciate them for their sterling worth. Mr. Fra/.er is 
 genial and hospitable, while his estimable wife is 
 in no wise htcUing in those cpialitics which liave 
 gained them a good position in their coniuuinity, 
 where they are universally spoken of as being 
 among the most wortliy. 
 
 ETER C'HlvlSTENSEN owns and oecu[)ies 
 an excellent farm on section 5, Jackson 
 Township. Being under the control of a 
 man whose life has been spent in agricult- 
 ural eniplojment and who is ambitious to excel, it 
 is thoroughly tilled and well managed in ever3' 
 particular. The buildings upon it are above the 
 average and tlie whole makes up a home which 
 might well please a more ambitious man than our 
 su bject. 
 
 The life of Mr. Chiistensen has been marked by 
 no remarkable events and his liistory is only that 
 of one who quietly pursues the labor which he has 
 chosen and fintis Ids cliief pleasure beneath his own 
 roof-tree. He was born in Denmark June 4, 1846, 
 remaining in his own country until the summer of 
 18()9, when he embarked on an outward-bound 
 vessel. He landed in New York City and thence 
 came to Illinois, selecting Will Count}- as his future 
 home. For two years he worked by the month in 
 Chanuahon Township, after which he rented the 
 farm which he still occupies and which is owned 
 Ijy his wife and her sister .Sarah. 
 
 In this township, December 28, 1880, Mr. Chris- 
 tensen was united in marriage with Miss Nancy M. 
 Hemphill, daughter of the late .Tames and Uachael 
 (Porter) Hemphill. The bride's parents were old 
 settlers of this county, having come hitlier in 183.5 
 from Fountain County, lud., where they had been 
 
 living a few years. To that region they had gone 
 from Adams County, Ohio. Their home in this , 
 county was made in .Jackson Township, where they 
 lived until their death. Mr. Hemphill died during 
 the latter part of the Civil War, his widow surviv- 
 ing until October II, 1872.^^/rhey were members 
 of the .Alethodist Church and are remembered with 
 great respect by tiiose wlio had the pleasure of 
 their acquaintance. The cheerful manner in which 
 they endured the trials whicli surrountl the path- 
 way of early settlers in an agricultural region, the 
 kindliness which the}' exhibited toward their fel- 
 lon-men, and their |)ious lives gave them excellent 
 rei)Ute. Their family consisted of eight children, 
 whose recoid is as follows: JMary A., who is now 
 dead, was the wife of Thomas A. Mapps; .lohnand 
 .James are residents of .Jackson Towushii); David, 
 a twin brother of .lames, lives in Chanuahon Town- 
 ship; Sarah and Cyrus live in Jackson Township: 
 Rachael A. died when seven years old; Nancy M. 
 is the wife of our subject. Mrs. Christensen was 
 born in Jackson Township, and under the careful 
 training of her parents her character developed 
 and she became a woman capable of wortiiily filling 
 her sphere in life. 
 
 ^ ■^>*-^- 
 
 ^\ AMUEL HOOD, is a retired physician 
 whose home Is on a line farm near the 
 village of Crete. When failing health 
 compelled him to abandon the practice of 
 liis [)rofession he turned his attention to agricul- 
 ture in wliich he lias proved successful, reaching a 
 prominent station among the farmers of the country. 
 His Jiome comprises one hundred and fifteen acres 
 on section IG, Crete Township, and is well improved 
 and is kept well stocked with good grades of cattle, 
 horses, etc. Dr. Hood formerly owned one hun- 
 dred and fifty acres here, where he has lived for 
 almost half a centuiy. Not 011I3' on account of 
 his enterprise in the vocation which he has adopted, 
 but still more on account of his Christian character 
 and cultured mind is Dr. Hood highly esteemed, 
 his reputation extending far and wide. 
 
 Although born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Dr. 
 
PORTRAIT BIOGRAPHICAL AND ALBUM. 
 
 617 
 
 Hood is of English ancestry in both lines, his father, 
 however, having been born in the Emerald Isle. 
 .Samuel Hood, Sr., was a raercliant, he was four 
 times married, and ii> 1840, came to America, set- 
 tling on new land in Cook County, 111., where he 
 devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He died 
 when eight3'-seven years old, having survived his 
 fourth wife twelve 3'ears. He was successful in 
 worldl}' affairs and well known in and about Bloom. 
 He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Tlie motlier of our subject was Maria E. Van- 
 haften, who was born in Bombay and became the 
 wife of a Surgeon General in an East Indian Com- 
 pany, named NcNeilens. Dr. McNielens and wife 
 tinaily settled in County T^'rone, Ireland, and tiiere 
 liie Surgeon General died and his widow subse- 
 quent!}' married Samuel Hood. She died a few 
 years later, when her son, our subject, was but a 
 chilli. He is the only survivor of the two children 
 born to her and his f.ather. Mrs. Hood belonged 
 to a line English family, was a life long membei 
 of the Methodist Cliurcli, and the possessor of a 
 luight mind and much culture. 
 
 The natal day of Dr. Hood was -lune 25, 1815. 
 He received his fundamental education in the puli- 
 lic schools of County Tyrone, and when eighteen 
 years old became a student of medicine, first serv- 
 ing three years in an apothecary shop and then en- 
 tering a medical college in London, England. 
 Three years later he was graduated, and going to 
 Liverpoolhe took passage for America. After five 
 weeks and three days spent upon a sailing vessel, 
 he landed in I'hiladeliihia, Pa., whence he went to 
 Pittsburg. He afterward practiced at different 
 places in the Key Stone .State for a number of 
 years, removing thence to Gentry County, Mo., 
 whore he continued his professional labors for four 
 years. He then came to Illinois and after twentv 
 j'ears of professional life became a farmer. His 
 reputation as a ph3sician is a creditable one and 
 the energy which has brought him success in his 
 later field of labor, was equally manifest in carry- 
 ing into practice the knowledge of Therapeutics 
 which he had obtained in a famous school and in 
 adapting it to the need? of his patients. 
 
 One of the most important steps in the life of 
 
 Dr. Hood, was his choice of a life companion, with 
 whom his marriage was celebrated in Butler 
 County, Pa. She bore the maiden name of Ellen 
 Stewart, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, 
 and came to America with lier parents about the 
 year 1830. For more than fifty years she has 
 shared in the toils and successes, the joys and the 
 sorrows, which have gathered about her husband's 
 pathwaj-, proving her worth as wife, mother, and 
 meml)er of society. Although now seventy-two 
 years of age, she is still smart and active; she 
 possesses a mind of more than ordinary biightness 
 and her intellect has been exercised in various lines 
 of thought, her domestic duties not preventing her 
 from taking an interest in the world's affairs. 
 
 To Dr. and Mrs. Hood, nine children have been 
 born, but four of whom are now living. The 
 deceased are, an infant; Thomas, a smart young man 
 who died unmarried at tlie .age of twenty' one years; 
 Samuel, another bright and promising youth, 
 who died when eigliteen years old; David, who 
 died at the .age of seven; and an inf.ant. The old- 
 est of the living children is John J., who is now 
 farming in the Upper Peninsula of Jllcliigan; he 
 has been twice married. The maiden name of his 
 first wife was Jennie Hunter, his present wife having 
 borne the maiden name of Calherine Caldwell. 
 Mary is the wife of Nelson .Seymour, a farmer at 
 Ilomewood, Cook County. Maria married Henry 
 .Se5'mour, engineer of the Crete Manufacturing 
 Company. Harriet is the wife of Roland Ilewes, 
 tlieir home l)eing on a farm in Crete Township. 
 Dr. and i\hs. Hood belong to the Jlethodist Epis- 
 copal Church, and the Doctor is a sound Republi- 
 can in politics. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 LEXANDER BALLANCE. The railroad 
 i @/LJI i business is a prominent industry of Joliet 
 and the men who have charge of its vari- 
 ous dejiartments are conspicuous figures in 
 mechanical and financial circles. The gentleman 
 above named has been foreman of the round 
 house of the Micliigan Central Railro.ad for nearlj' 
 Iwentj' years and enjoys the frieridship and con- 
 
618 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 fidence of the officers of the roarl. who consider 
 him a valuable member of their corps. He bears 
 the reputation of a tiiorough mechanic and iiis 
 faithfulness lias stood the test of j'cars. Such has 
 been his industry that not a month's pay has been 
 missed in all the years of his service as foreman, and 
 in a capacity previously occupied. 
 
 Mr. Ballance was born in the Dominion of Can- 
 ada, in the year 1854, and accompanied his parents 
 to this country when five years of age. The loca- 
 CHtion selected was Michigan City, Ind.. and there 
 the lad grew to maturity. He attended tlie public 
 schools and under the system in which llic lloosier 
 State takes just pride, became versed in inactical 
 knowledge of the chief branches of study. When 
 eighteen years old he entered the machine shops of 
 the Michigan Central Railroad, and after a faithful 
 apprenticeship was employed as a master mcchimic 
 and later as foreman of the round house in that 
 city. 
 
 A satisfactory service of five years led to his ap- 
 pointment to the position he occupies to-day. As a 
 citizen he bears a good re|nitation and among his 
 subordinates he is spoken of as one in whose kind- 
 liness they have trust, while acknowledging his 
 strict oversight of tlic details of their work. Mr. 
 Ballance is unmarried, but his mother who is still 
 hale and active keeps house for him. He has re- 
 cently purchased an elegant location where they 
 will ere long reside. His father breathed his last in 
 Michigan City in 1881. 
 
 ji^^REDERICK Fn^DYMP:NT is associated 
 |p^(g' with the agricultural interests of Will 
 lL\ County as an active and capable farmer, 
 
 and his farm in Plainfield Township is one of the 
 most desirable in this vicinit3', as it is highly cul- 
 tivated and is replete in all its appointments. Mr. 
 Fiddyment was born in Norfolk County, England, 
 July 3, 1839, a son of William Fidd3'ment, of that 
 place. Daniel Fiddyment, grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, is also supposed to have been born there, and 
 he w.as there reared to the life of a farmer, dying 
 also in his native England. His widow and three 
 
 sons, W'illitun. .John and Walter, came to jVnierica, 
 and she died at the home of her son .lohn, in 
 Lockport, Ills. 
 
 The father of our subject was bred on a farm, 
 living in England until 1849, when, having re- 
 solved to make a new start in life, he eiiibarked 
 for America in the month of July, taking passage 
 at London, in the sailing vessel '-Lucinia.'' After 
 a long and stormy voyage, he landeii at New 
 York, in the month of August, and one week later 
 set out for Illinois, coming by the Hudson River 
 and Erie Canal tu IJuffalo, thence by the lakes to 
 Chicago, and from there by canal to Lockport, 
 this county. For ;i few years after coming here, 
 he worked in his brother's distillery, and then 
 turned his attention to farming, buying a tract of 
 wild timber land three miles north of Lockport. 
 He erected suitable buildings, greatly improved 
 the land, and there built up a comfortable home, 
 in which he died in the month of April, 1878. 
 The maiden name of his vvife was Hannah Nivet, 
 and she was a native of the same shire as himself. 
 She still resides on the old homestead, having 
 reared four children, as follows: Daniel, who re- 
 mains with her; Frederick, our subject: Hannah, 
 who married William Fisher and lives in Lockport; 
 and Walter, who resides in Lemont. 
 
 The sou. of whom we write, was a lad of ten 
 years when he accompanied his parents to this 
 country, and he still remembers well the incidents 
 of the long and perilous voyage. He was cjuite 
 young when he commenced work with his father, 
 and was with him in the distillery about lifteen 
 years. Then he began his career as a farmer and, 
 in 1868, first became the owner of land, buying a 
 tract of wild prairie on section 32. Plainfield Town- 
 ship. He did not, however, locate on the place at 
 that time, but rented land for two or three _vears, 
 and then settled on his own land. In 1875, after 
 greatl}' improving the place, he disposed of it at a 
 good price, and bought the farm on which he now 
 lives. This farm, one of the finest in the neigh- 
 borhood, lies on both sides of the DuPage River, 
 and comprises one hundred and seventy-two acres 
 of as fertile farming land as is to be found in Will 
 Count}'. It was here that the lumber was cut and 
 sawed for the first frame house ever erected in 
 
Res.ofDedrich Brumund.5ec 29., Green GardenTp.WillCo.IllCThisFarm for sale.) 
 
 Residence OF F. Fiddyment,5ec.ii&2o.PlainfieldTp., Will Co. 111. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 621 
 
 Chicago. Not only has Mr. Fidrlyment erected 
 fubslaiilial and commodious buildings, but lie lias 
 |)lac(Ml ilic land under admirable tillage, and has 
 all the conveniences for carr3ing on his operations 
 to the best advantage. A view of his pleasant 
 home appears elsewhere in this volume. 
 
 l!y his marriage, in 18CC, to Catherine Raush, a 
 native of Germany, Mr. Fi<ldyment secured a no- 
 ble wife, who has cbeerfull}' aided him in his work 
 of upbuilding their home. They have ten chil- 
 dren living, namely : John, Elizabeth, Emma, Fred, 
 Willie, Jlary, Franklin, Julia, Grace and Florence. 
 
 It is the united testimony of his fellow towns- 
 men that Mr. P'iddynient is in all respects a man 
 of conscientious principles and exemplary habits, 
 and one who is free hearted, kind and considerate, 
 always vvilling to lend a hand to those less fortu- 
 nate than himself. In liis religious views he s^'ra- 
 [lathizes with the tenets of the Methodist Church, 
 and is a faithful attendant at divine services in 
 the bouse of worship dedicated to that denomina- 
 tion in Plaiufield. 
 
 IKinUCH liRUMUNU. A high rank 
 among the farmers of Green Garden 
 Township is accorded to the gentleman 
 above named, and he well deserves the 
 good report of his fellow-ni^n by reason of his 
 energy and activity in his own worldl}' affairs and 
 in public enterprises, as well as for his pleasing 
 iraits of chaiaeter. He owns one hundred and 
 tvventj' acres on section 29, eighty acres on section 
 28, and fort}- acres on section 32, this fine body of 
 land lying about eight miles from Frankfort. His 
 residence is a very pleasant one, as may well be 
 imagined by the reader, who will notice a view 
 of it in this volume. 
 
 Diedrieh Brumund, Sr., the father of our sub- 
 ject, was an early settler in tliis township to which 
 be came in 1819. He was born in Oldenburg, 
 Germany, and there received an excellent educa- 
 tion to which was subsequently added the knowl- 
 edge of the Dutch language, which he acquired 
 while cletking in Holland. He became a merchant 
 
 and was succeeding in bis career when be deter- 
 mined to try his fortunes in the New World. Cross- 
 ing the Atlantic he selected Will County, III., as 
 tiie scene of his future labors and the second year 
 after his arrival bought land near Mokena and set- 
 tled upon it. He began store-keeping on his 
 farm, but when the railroad was built through the 
 neighboring village lie abandoned his former oc- 
 cupation and gave his entire attention to farming. 
 His early experiences were not always pleasing, 
 including as they did the hauling of goods from 
 Chicago with oxen, which on one occasion ran 
 avvay into the canal. 
 
 Mr. Brumund became the possessor of three 
 hundred and seventeen acres in the home farm, 
 and some seven hundred acres in Green Garden 
 Township, together with Iowa land and two sec- 
 tions in Stoddard County, Mo. As he was able 
 to get land cheap from the Government when he 
 first came and soon became successful in his farm 
 work, it is easy to see one reason for bis great 
 prosperity. He bought soldiers' land warrants, in 
 this way also adding to bis real estate and like- 
 wise adding to the funds at the command of the 
 lads who were not able to cultivate the ground. 
 He was a fine mathematician and scholar,possessed a 
 large amount of the spirit which desires the devel- 
 opment of the country, and became well known, 
 not simply as a man whose labors are crowned 
 with v>orldly success, but as a worthy citizen and 
 and upright man. He belonged to the Evangeli- 
 cal Lutheran Church and helped in building the 
 edifice in which the congregation worshipped. He 
 breathed his last Februaiy 17, 1885, in his sixty- 
 seventh year. 
 
 The wife of Diedrieh Brumund, Sr., bore the 
 maiden name of Nicholine Folkers. Like her hus- 
 band, she was a native of Oldenburg, in which 
 city their marriage was celebrated. She is now 
 living in Euglewood, Cook County. When she 
 and her husband came to America they were ac- 
 companied by four children. Others were added 
 to their family, seven being the number who grew 
 to maturity. Of these the oldest, G. H., enlisted 
 in 1861 in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry and af- 
 ter serving tliree months came home seemingi}- at 
 the point of death. He recovered his health how- 
 
622 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ever, and again enlisted, becoming a niuraber of 
 the Sixty-fiflli i-eginient, witli which he served un- 
 til again taken very ill. He was removed to the 
 (Juincy lIosi)ital and finally taken to his home. 
 lie lived until 1883 when he breathed his last in 
 Florida. Next on the family roll were Peter 
 and Helen, twins, the former of whom became a 
 l)hysician and died iu Colorado in the fall of 188'J; 
 his twin sister married L. Jorndt, and is living in 
 Stoddard County, Mo. The next of the family 
 circle is the subject of this notice, and following him 
 are Julia, wife of Prof. J. Leuder, of Elmhurst Col- 
 lege, and Lina and Lizzie who live in Englcwood. 
 
 This gentleman whose cognomen forms the head- 
 ing of this sketch, was born November 16, 1848, 
 iu Oldenburg, Germany. He was still an infant 
 when his parents left Bremerhaven on the sailing 
 vessel "Ornholt Boming" and seven weeks later 
 lauded in New York. His boyhood was spent 
 upon the farm in this .State and he attended the 
 district schools. He was early taught to work and 
 uo man in the county has labored harder than he. 
 He plowed when he was so small that the handles 
 were scarcely within his reach. When twenty 
 years old be and hia brother, G. H., went to the 
 Indian Territory to cut hay, the latter having a 
 cattle ranche. They traveled b3' riiil to Leaven- 
 worth. Kan., and there bought a team with which 
 they continued their journc}' to Baxter Springs on 
 the Spring River, which they made their head- 
 quarters. The}' remained there six months, put- 
 ting up some six hundred tons of liaj', paying the 
 Indians twenty-five cents per acre for the privi- 
 lege of cutting. 
 
 Young Brumund liked the country and had no 
 objection to his eniplo3raeut, but he could not 
 stand the chills and in November returned by stage 
 to Ft. Scott, and thence by (!ars to his home. Af- 
 ter spending two weeks with his friends he went 
 to Bloomfield, Stoddard Count}', Mo., and taking 
 possession of one hundred and sixty acres of his 
 fatlier's land near there, he improved and oi)crated 
 it until the following July. He then returned to the 
 Prairie State and led the lady of his choice to the 
 hymeneal altar, the interesting ceremony which 
 united their lives and fortunes taking place in 
 Joliet, August 29, 1870. The young couple began 
 
 house-keeping on the Missouri farm, remaining 
 thereuntil November, 1872, when they again be- 
 came residents of Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Brunuind operate<l his father's jjlace near 
 Mokeua six years and in March 1K71), traded his 
 own Missouri property for (mio hundred and 
 twenty acres of the farm uiion wliidi he now lives. 
 With the exception of a small house no improve- 
 ments had been made, and the nevv owner at once |! 
 began the course which has resulted in making of 
 the property one of the most pleasant homes in 
 this section. He broke the l.'uid, put in tiling, 
 built an excellent house, barn and other edifices, 
 set out an orchard and grove, and enclosed and 
 divided the land by good fences. The barn is 
 eighteen feet high and has a ground dimension of 
 30x68 feet; the corn crib is 40x26 feet, and the 
 other structures are of corresponding size. Addi- 
 tional land has been purchased by Mr. Brumund 
 and he is carrying on a successful business in the 
 cultivation of grain, principally corn and oats, and 
 in the raising of hogs, cattle and other stock. He 
 now has about twenty head of Ilolsteins of good 
 grade. 
 
 The lady to whose housewifely skill and amiable 
 disposition Mr. Brumund owes the comfort of his 
 home life, bore the m.aiden name of Dorothea Bat- 
 tenhausen. She was born in Kur-Hessian, Cier- 
 inany, March 19, 1850, being the oldest child of 
 Adam and Catiierine (Walper) Battenhausen, who 
 were born in the same village as herself. The 
 other members of the household in which she 
 spent her maidenhood are Henry, now living in 
 Martin County, Jlinn.; Mrs. Jenny Baumgartner 
 of Peotone; and Mrs. Katie Saunter of Frankfort 
 Township. 
 
 In 1853, Mr. Battenhausen emigrated to Amer- 
 ica, settling ill Cook County, 111., where he con- 
 tinued his former occupation of a farmer. In 
 that ct)unty he died in 18(i4, at the age of forty- 
 seven years. ,He had been a soldier in the Ger- 
 man army and for some years had official rank. 
 He belonged to the Evanglical Church. Mrs. Bat- 
 tenhausen survived until Febiuary, 1888, being an 
 inmate of our subject's home during the latter 
 years of her life. She was sixty -seven years old 
 when called from time to eternity. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 623 
 
 Mr. and M IS. Briiiiuiiid are the parents of five 
 children, named respeotivelj', Ljdia K., IJiedrich 
 A., Frank (;., Alvin J^. and Lina A. Tlie older 
 daugliter was graduated at Val|)araiso, Ind., taking 
 tiie business course in the college there and nearly 
 completing the two years' teacher's course. She 
 is now engaged in teaching in the neighboi'iiocxl of 
 her home and is successfully pursuing her chosen 
 vocation. The oldest son is now pursuing his 
 studies in tlie Wentworth Scliool, Chicago. For 
 seven years Mr. Brumund has been a member of 
 the School Board of which at this writing he is 
 Clerk. Me held the office of Assessor for one year. 
 In politics he is a sturd3' Republican and his ser- 
 vices have been called into requisition as a mem- 
 ber of the Central Committe, and delegate to 
 county conventions. Fe is enrolled among the 
 mend)ers of the Evangelical Church at Peotone, 
 and was formerlv Trustee. 
 
 '\f;ACOI'> ADLFR, senior mendjer of the 
 firm of A<lier Bros., is with his brother 
 Peter, conducting successfully a large meat 
 market, prominently located on Exchange 
 Street, Joliet, and forms no unimportant factor in 
 the business community of this thriving city. An 
 experience of thirty years in the cattle and meat 
 trade, has given him an insiglit into all the details 
 of the business, and succeeded in making him com- 
 [laratively independent, financially. He is of Ger- 
 man birth and ancestry, and possesses in a marked 
 degree the substantial and reliable qualities of one 
 of the best nations on the face of the globe. 
 
 The subject of this .sketch was born in the Prus- 
 sian Province of Greis Metsig Brodorf, March 17, 
 1837, to Michael and Margaret (Sebastian) Adler. 
 The family in 1838. euiigratcd to America, landing 
 ill the then unimi)ortant city of Chicago, Maj' 20. 
 Later they located in Will Couiitj', where the 
 fatlier engaged in farming. The family comprised 
 then but two children, one of them being .Taeob 
 who is now the only member of the family living 
 
 who was born in the Fatherland. The farm lay 
 in the vicinity of New Lenox. I'he father was a 
 resident of Joliet Township from 1813, to 1870. 
 He had therein a fine farm of one hundred and 
 sixty acres, besides considerable city property and 
 town lots. He finally removed to Joliet, which re- 
 mained his residence twenty-one years prior to his 
 death which occurred July 10, 1889. lie had then 
 arrived at the advanced age of eighty-five years. 
 The mother died December 15, 1888, aged eighty- 
 four. Michael Adler was born November 2, 1803, 
 and his wife, Margaret, December 6, 1804. Both 
 were members of St. John's Catholic Church. 
 
 The elder Adler, upon becoming a voting citi 
 zen, identified himself with the Republican party 
 with whom he remained until after the extinction 
 of slavery, when he wheeled over into the ranks of 
 the Democracy. He became quite prominent in 
 local affairs, served on the School Board and in 
 some of the minor offices. He accumulated a 
 comfortable property, putting up buildings on Jef- 
 ferson and Chicago Streets. His honesty and inte"-- 
 rity caused him to be highly respected in his com- 
 munity. He was a self-made man in every partic- 
 ular, commencing at the foot of the ladder and 
 climbing up to a good position, socially and finan- 
 cially among his fellow-men. To him and his 
 good wife there was born a family of eleven chil- 
 dren, four of whom died in earl}' life. The sur- 
 vivors are Jacob, our subject; Margaret, the wife 
 of Frederick Rappal of Cook County; Angeline 
 is with the sisters of St. Francis; Peter, who Jives 
 with our subject; Veronica and Mary live together 
 in the old homestead; Jasper died at the a"e of 
 twenty -six years. 
 
 The subject of this notice developed into man- 
 hood on tlic old farm in Will Countj', remainino' 
 a member of the parental household until reachino- 
 his majorit}'. He then joined the caravan going 
 to Pike's Peak, journeying across the plains from 
 Leavenworth and following the old trail, makin"- 
 the first i)art of the journey with lK)rses, then tak- 
 ing oxen and being on the road three months. 
 Arriving at his destination he engaged in mininf 
 and remained in that vicinity until the api)roaeli 
 of winter. Then satisfied with his experiment 
 in the wild West, he returned to his native haunts 
 
624 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Mild llie following year engaged in shipping cattle 
 to C'liiciigo, IJoston and New Voik City. He also 
 commenced butchering and established himself in 
 the meat business. He purchased many of his cat- 
 tle in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado. Kansas and Mis- 
 souri, shipping mostij' to the East. Later he be- 
 gan buying cattle which he shipped to Chicago 
 and to this he has given his attention largely for 
 the last ten years. 
 
 Mr. Adier established his meat market about 1801 
 and has been engaged off and on in the meat mar- 
 ket and agricultural business for a term of years, be- 
 ing fortunate in his business enterprises. For 
 the last five years, his brother Peter, has been his 
 chief assistant, although he operated with him con- 
 siderablj' previous to this time. He is the owner of 
 the National Hotel Hloek, in which his market is 
 situated and he has other improved property on 
 Joliet and Chicago .Streets, and also farm propert}'. 
 
 Mr. Adlcr cast his liisl I'resideiitial vote for 
 Abraham Lincoln and voted for three Repulilican 
 Presidents thereafter; then feeling that he had 
 reason to change his views, he allied himself with 
 the Democratic party, of which lie is a stanch su|)- 
 [lorter. He is a man prompt to meet his obliga- 
 tions, and occupies no sccondar}' position among 
 the business men of his adopted city. He has 
 represented the Sixth Ward in the City Council 
 four years, but otherwise has refrained from as- 
 suming the responsibilities of oflice. 
 
 Mr. Adler was married January 13, 18G6, to 
 Miss Emily Erhard. Mrs. Adler was born in July, 
 1842, in Joliet, and is the daughter of George and 
 Louisa (Perilot) Erhard, who were natives of Ger- 
 many and early settlers of this county, to which 
 they came in 1835. They are now deceased. To 
 Mr. and Mrs. Adler there have been born eleven 
 children, of whom only seven are living, namely: 
 Louisa, Jacob, Emily, Lawrence, Michael, Patricia 
 i^I. and Catherine. They form a l)right and inter- 
 esting group and will be given the best advantages 
 the city affords from an educational ))oint of view. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Adler are connected with St. John's 
 Catholic Church, whose church edifice Mr. Adler 
 assisted materially in building, and he has always 
 contributed liberall}' to the support of the society. 
 The family occupies a neat, modern residence on 
 
 South Chicago Street.and they number their friends 
 by the score among the people where they have 
 lived for so many years. 
 
 '^^: 
 
 E^^ 
 
 HELDON YOUNG. A list of the old set- 
 tlers of this county would be incomplete 
 without the above name, which is borne 
 by one of Jackson Township's most intel- 
 ligent and public-spirited citizens. He is one of 
 the older members of a large family born to Phillip 
 and Sarah (Teeple) Young. His father was born 
 in Montgomery County, N. Y., and died in Oneida 
 County. His mother was born in Schoharie County, 
 and there breathed her last. In the count^' which 
 was his father's birthplace lie of whom we write 
 was born, December 3, 1820, and continued to live 
 until the fall of 1838, when lie became a citizen of 
 Illinois. 
 
 After reaching this State, Mr. Young determined 
 to ni.ake Will County his future home and at once 
 began his residence in .lackson Township. His 
 taste led him to adoiit the vocation of farming 
 which he has been successfully pursuing from early 
 life, llis home is a pleasantl}- located farm, upon 
 which good buildings have been erected and other 
 improvements made, and many fond memories 
 cluster about it. To it he brought his bride not 
 long after their marriage, and here an interesting 
 family has grown up about him; here also some 
 griefs have befallen him, some of his offspring 
 having been removed from him by death, and his 
 true hearted wife having here breathed her last, 
 June 28, 1887. 
 
 The lady whose sterling qualities won the regard 
 of Mr. Young in his earh' manhood, bore the name 
 of Eliza Hougham. She was born in Ohio, August 
 18, 1822, and came to this county about 1839, rid- 
 ing about one hundred and fifty miles on horseback 
 with her father. The latter, Jonathan Hougham, 
 died in Indiana, her mother having also breathed 
 her last in that State, in Parke County. Miss 
 Hougham became the wife 'of our subject Decem- 
 ber 1, 1842, the marriage rites being celebrated in 
 Jackson Township. They became the parents of 
 
sJ'f'v' 
 
 J^ 
 
 /ijj*^' •7'"\ffi5?:^i 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 C27 
 
 twelve children, eight of whom reached mature 
 years and seven of whom are yet living. The 
 cliildren were named Ara B., Nancy A., Lana A., 
 .Jonathan, John S., Albert L., Laura, Mary E., 
 Emma, Julia E., Mattic E., and Walter H. 
 
 Of the surviving members of this family circle 
 we note the following: Ara is now living in ISIin- 
 den. Neb.; Lana is the wife of E. D. Williams; 
 Mary E., is the wife of Levi H. Eib; Emma is the 
 wife of Marion Palmer; Julia married Robert 
 Eaton; Mattie is the wife of Frank Pierce; Walter, 
 wlio is still at home, possesses a Sno education 
 being a graduate of Brown'sUniversity, at Prov- 
 idence, U. I. Mr. Young's abilities have been made 
 useful to his fellovv men, whom he has served as 
 !Su[)etvisor. Road Commissioner and School Trus- 
 tee, for many j'ears liaving been incumbent of the 
 last named position. In polities he is a Democrat. 
 He belongs to the Baptist Church of which his wife 
 was also a member. 
 
 \i,^-) -m ^, , 
 
 y^^^EORGE WIHTTIER. Of the enterprising 
 'if <5¥' "^'^'^s"* of Joliet who have been called 
 ^^A| from the active scenes of life, none have 
 been better known perhaps or more sincerely 
 mourned than Mr. Whittier. His portrait, which 
 we are pleased to present on the opposite page, 
 represents a gentleman whose long and successful 
 business career in the city of Joliet gained for him 
 the re|)utation of being honest, public spirited and 
 generous. His business qualifications were fine, 
 while as a neighbor and friend it was universally 
 conceded that he held the good will of the commu- 
 nity in which he lived, always assisting those in 
 need and ever having a kind word for those around 
 liini. A marked trait of his character was, that 
 wliencver he pledged himself to any obligation or 
 the i)erformance of any task, he never failed to 
 redeem his pledge. 
 
 This gentleman was born in Sommersworth, 
 N. H., November 27, 1830, his parents being Jo- 
 seph and Nancy (Locke) Whittier. When he was 
 six years of age his parents moved from that State 
 to the land of Penn, locating in Philadelphia, Pa., 
 
 but with that restlessness which characterizes 
 Americans as a rule, before many years had passed, 
 they made another change of residence. For a 
 time they resided in Penobscot, Me., whence the 
 father came to Illinois in 1859, and established him- 
 self in the lime business. Hither the son, our 
 subject, came two years later and joined his father 
 in the enterprise, in which success crowned their 
 efforts. After a worthy and honorable life the 
 father was called hence, August 12, 1889, at the 
 advanced age of ninety-five years, eight months 
 and eleven days. He had thus almost rounded 
 out a full century, and his life was filled with good 
 deeds and worthy actions. Starting in life poor, 
 he seemed to have taken for his motto, " Either I 
 will find a way or make one." In his honorable 
 endeavors he was successful and prosperous. 
 
 Joseph Whittier was a cousin of the far-famed 
 poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, whom Americans 
 delight to honor and whose fame has penetrated 
 distant lands. Unto Joseph and Nancy Whittier 
 were born the following children, besides George, 
 our subject: Samuel, now a resident of New 
 Brunswick; Joseph, who is engaged in the lumber 
 trade in East Saginaw, IMich.; Mrs. Adeline Buflfom, 
 deceased; Mrs. Lydia Jones, whose husband is an 
 attorney in Bangor, Me.; Charles, of San Jose, 
 Cal.; Mrs. Eliza Walworth, wife of a Univer- 
 salist minister in Baltimore, Md.; and Mrs. Ellen 
 Smith, of San Diego, Cal. 
 
 A few months after the death of the father, our 
 subject also passed to rest November 10, 1889, and 
 now lies buried in Oakwood Cemeter}', Joliet. 
 He left a widow and three children, daughters, to 
 mourn their loss. Many friends also had been 
 made during tiio years of his residence in Joliet. 
 He had, politically, been a stanch Democrat, and 
 socially, was welcomed in the best circles of the 
 city. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah M. 
 Lindsay, and their wedding ceremony was cele- 
 brated at the home of tiie bride's parents, .James 
 and Eliza (Purrington) Lindsay, February 10, 
 1854. James Lindsay followed the occupation of 
 a cooper and farmer, and unto him and his wife 
 were born the following children: Henry H., now 
 a resident of Lincoln, ]\Ie. ; Mrs. Eliza E. Hasey, in 
 Joliet; Mrs. Lucy Severance, also of Lincoln, Me.; 
 
628 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and Mrs. Wliittier. The latter was born in the 
 Pine Tree State, in the town of Chester, .lamiary 
 10, 1832. llor marriage with our subject was 
 blessed by the birth of three children — Mrs. Ange- 
 line Stedman, of Oak Park, now a part of Chicago; 
 Mrs. Lucy M. Way man, of Chicago, and Miss 
 Claire, who is yet with her mother. The widow 
 and daughter occupy tiie homestead, .where tliey 
 enjoy the fruits of a life tliat was spent in provid- 
 ing for their welfare. Their home is one of cul- 
 ture and refinement, and they are held in high es- 
 teem by those to whom their characters and attain- 
 ments are known. 
 
 IIRI8T0F BATTERMANN. Those who 
 believe tiiat comfort is not to be found in 
 country life, have but to visit the home of 
 the above-named gentleman, to see conclusive evi- 
 dence to the contrary, and to learn that a farmer's 
 family nia3' be surrounded witli evidences of taste 
 equal to those found in the majority of city homes. 
 The estate to whicii we allude is located on section 
 19, Crete Township, and comprises two luindred 
 and thirt_y-eight acres of well developed land. Jt 
 is well stocked witli domestic animals and farm 
 im))lements and machiuer3' of the best models, tiie 
 evidences of progressive agriculturism being every- 
 where manifest. The buildings which adorn the 
 place are commodious and well designed, and in- 
 clude every convenience for household and farm 
 work. 
 
 The subject of this notice is a native of the 
 kingdom of Hanover, having been born near the 
 city of the same name, April 22, 1822. He is the 
 son of Henry Battcrmann, a native of the same 
 kingdom, who was reared when cloth-weaving was 
 the predominant industry tliere, and who was thor- 
 oughly skilled in that trade. While following it 
 in the capital city, he mariied Miss Dorothea Batt- 
 uiann, who was born j\ist l)e3-ond the limits of the 
 kingdom, but grew to womanhood within it, her 
 parents having settled there when she was quite 
 young. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bat- 
 tcrmann remained in the city, working hard, and 
 
 rearing a f&mily of three sons and one daughter, 
 onr subject being the youngest son. 
 
 When he had reached a proper age tu learn a 
 trade, our subject served an apprenticeship of three 
 years as a weaver, after which he worked as a jour- 
 neyman for a short time. The accounts which had 
 reached his ears of the country bej^ond the sea, 
 convinced him that a broader field for life's labors 
 was to be found in the United States, and he de- 
 termined to come hither and make- himself a home. 
 Accordingly, on March 11, 1847, he took passage 
 at Bremerhaven on a sailer, and after a tedious 
 V03'age of several weeks landed in New York City, 
 anchorage being made June C. After making ar- 
 rangements for coming West, he went to Albany, 
 and ttiere took passage on a canal boat, but tiring 
 of the trip, he disembarked, and began work as a 
 laborer, earning money with which to reach Chi- 
 cago. When he arrived in this country, he was in 
 debt -§19, but ho has since made a comfortable 
 little fortune, doing it all by his own ])ersistent ef- 
 forts. The comfortable home which he possesses > 
 is not only a pleasant al>idiiig place for his own 
 later 3'cars, but he looks forward to its being the 
 home of his children after he is gf)ne. It became 
 his home in 1852, for three years prior to wliiih 
 date he had lived in Cook Coiiut_y. although he did 
 not purchase land until after he had come here, 
 previously w'orking as a farm laborer. After he 
 had been in this countiy some years, his parents 
 came to America with an older son, finally- reach- 
 ing this county, where both died when about sev- 
 enty j'cars of age. They were life-long and active 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and worthy 
 Ijeople, who left to their ilescendants an honored 
 name. 
 
 The wife of C. Battermann was born in Bremer- 
 haven, (Tcrmany, on Christmas da^', 1833. She is 
 the third child and second daughter of Herman and 
 Johanna (Steffen) Doescher, and one of a family 
 of six children. A fuller account of her family 
 is to be found in the biography of Herman N. 
 Doescher, on another page in this volume. She 
 was tenj'ears of age when her parents came to the 
 United States, their settlement being made in Lake 
 C'ount3', Ind., where she grew to womanhood, acquir- 
 ing useful habits and ,an estimable character. Her 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 62?) 
 
 marriage to our subject was celebrated in this county, 
 October 10, 1852, and has been blessed by the 
 birth of nine children. The daughter — Johanna — 
 died in infancy. The record of the surviving 
 children is as follows: Herman married Anna 
 Barger, and is farming near Brunswicii, Lake 
 County, Ind.; Henry, who is a harness-maker in 
 Dyer, Ind., married Lena Richard; Edward, a 
 blacksmith at Hobart, Ind., married Carrie Ricliard ; 
 Charles is at liome, operating the farm ; Albert mar- 
 ried Lena Olstermier, and their liome is on a farm 
 in Lake County. Ind.; Henrietta is tlie wife of 
 Charles Bcrger, a harness-maker in Ilobart, Ind.; 
 Matilda is still living under tlie parental roof; 
 August is an engineer and blacksmith, living in 
 Hobart, Ind. 
 
 In politics Mr. Battermann is a sound Re|)ubli- 
 can, and his six sons are equally standi in their 
 support of that party. He and his wife are active 
 members of tlie Lutheran Church. Tlie financial 
 prosperity of Mr. Battermann is due to those quali- 
 ties which win respect from one's associates, and 
 his moral character and intelligence add to tlie repu- 
 tation in wliicli he is lield. 
 
 <| IfelLLIAM M. CLOV\^ is the son of one of the 
 \&Ji' "'OSt prominent pioneer families of Will 
 W^ County, who located in Wheatland Town- 
 ship in an early day of its settlement, and ever since 
 tjje name has been closely connected with its de- 
 velopment and material prosperity, its present 
 representative wearing worthily the mantle of his 
 sire. As a wide-awake, intelligent and progressive 
 farmer and stoci^-raiser, our subject bears an im- 
 portant part in sustaining and extending the great 
 agricultural interests of his native county. He 
 owns a farm on section 14, that compares favorably 
 in all respects with the best in this locality. 
 
 Our subject was born December 18, 1850, intliis 
 county, a son of the late Robert and Rosanna 
 (ISIcMicken) Clow, natives of Scotland. The father 
 of our subject came to this country in 1837 with 
 his father's family, his raotlier liaving died in the 
 
 old country. They first located in New York State 
 and remained tliere till 184.3, when tlie}- came to 
 Will County. The family were among the first 
 settlers of the county, and purchased a large tract 
 of wild prairie, coni[)rising nearly one thoiisanil 
 acres of land for whicli was paid -^51.25 per acre. 
 
 Robert Clow, the father of our subject, became a 
 prominent man in this part of the county, both in 
 its public life and in promoling the growth of its 
 agricultural interests, and in iiis death September 
 15, 1888, the county lost one of its most revered 
 pioneers. He iiad always displayed great public 
 spirit and substantiall3- aided all schemes for the 
 improvement of the county or township. He 
 served as .justice of tlie Peace and as Supervisor of 
 Wheatland Townsliip, fulfilling the duties thus im- 
 posed upon liim with marked ability. In his poli- 
 tics he was a Republican aiid used liis influence to 
 promote the interests of tiie party. The mother 
 of our subject was born in 1825, and is now pleas- 
 antly passing her declining years in the home of 
 her son, John B. Clow, in tliis township. 
 
 The parents of our subject had eight children of 
 whom the following five still survive: William 
 M.; Ellen J., wife of Charles H. Farqubar of Chi- 
 cago; Adam S. a resident of Wheatland Township; 
 John B.,also of this township; Rose, wife of H. H. 
 Highland of this township. The names of those 
 deceased are: Sarah II., Grace M., and Rachael. 
 
 William, the subject of this sketcii, grew to a 
 manly vigorous manhood amid the pioneer influ- 
 ences that still obtained in this county during his 
 youth. A bright, apt scholar, he was given excel- 
 lent educational advantages, receiving the rudi- 
 ments of his education in the district schools of 
 Wheatland Township, and subsequently entered 
 Clark Seminary, now known as Jenning's Seminar3' 
 in Auiora, III., where he pursued a fine course of 
 study that will be a help to him in any calling in 
 which he is engaged. He first entered the teacher's 
 profession and for two terms taught school success- 
 fully. But having a natural taste for the vocation 
 to which he had been reared, he then turned to it, 
 and has since devoted his time to agricultural pur- 
 suits, and is actively engaged in farming and stock- 
 raising. He owns a farm of two hundred and thirty 
 acres, all of which is under cultivation, is highl}' 
 
630 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ini|)rt)ve(l, and with its commodious, well-appointed 
 buildings and rich harvest fields, is one of the most 
 desirable pieces of property in this part of the 
 county. 
 
 In his marriage in KS71, with Miss Eliza V. 
 Cherry, Mr. Clow secured tiie blessing of a true 
 wife who is devoted to the interests of her family. 
 Four children have come to them : Ida G., Robert 
 C, Anne L., and Charles H. Mrs. Clow is a native 
 of the city of Buffalo, N. Y., and a daughter of 
 Moses and Sarah A. (Mills) Cherry, of that city, 
 both of whom are now deceased. 
 
 William Clow brings to his work a fine equip- 
 ment of brain, energy, readiness of resource, and 
 adaptability to circumstances that make him an in- 
 fluence in promoting the financial prosperity" of his 
 native county. His genial nature and general up- 
 rightness of character have won him many friends, 
 and with his wife he stands among the first people 
 of the community. In his politics, Mr. Clow is a 
 member of the Dcmocratic'party. He has taken 
 part in public affairs as Township Clerk one year, 
 and as Road Commissioner of Wheatland Township, 
 and in both capacities proved himself to be a sa- 
 gacious and faitliful civic oflicial. 
 
 ENRY 8PANGLER is the fortunate owner 
 of a good farm, pleasantly located one mile 
 ^ from the village of Plainfield, that is sup- 
 plied with substantial buildings, good ma- 
 chinery, is under excellent cultivation, and is 
 otljerwise well improved. Our subject is a Penn- 
 .sylvanian by birth, born in Potter Townshi|), Cen- 
 tre County, January 2.5, 1834. His father. John 
 Spangler, was a native of the same State, born, it 
 is thought, in Lancaster County, and his father, 
 Peter Spangler, is supposed to have been a native 
 of the same county, born of German parentage. 
 lie removed to Centre County in an early d.ay of 
 its sfcttlement and became a pioneer of Potter 
 Township, where he bought and improved a tract 
 of land, and was engaged in farming thereon the 
 remainder of his life. 
 
 The father of our >ubject was a boy when his 
 
 parents removed to th.at place, and there he learned 
 the trade of a carpenter, which lie followed for a 
 time and then turned his attention to the calling 
 to which he had been reared, and farmed in Centre 
 County until 1818. In that year he came to Illi- 
 nois, making the journey by teams, and crossing 
 but one railroad on the way, which was a primitive 
 affair, having wooden rails and an iron strap on 
 the top of them. He cast in his lot with the pio- 
 neers of Plainfield who had preceded him to this 
 pleasant pl.acc. He bought thi'ee hundred and sixty- 
 acres of parti}' improved land and was engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits some years until his letire- 
 ment from active life to Joliet, where the rest of 
 his days were passed. The maiden name of his wife 
 was Catherine Stem, and she was a native of Ccuitre 
 County, Pa., her father, Adam Stem, having been 
 a farmer in that part of Pennsylvania. She died 
 on the home farm in Plainfield Township. 
 
 He of whom we write was a lad of thirteen years 
 when he accomjianicd his parents to their new home 
 in the Prairie State, and he well remembers inci- 
 dents of the journey and of the pioneer life that 
 they led there. He assisted his father on the farm, 
 gaining a good practical knowledge of the calling 
 that he was to adopt for his life-work. He was en- 
 gaged with his fatiier until he was twenty-one, and 
 he then rented the farm from liim and carried it on 
 successfully, continuing to rent land until 1873. 
 He had accumulated considerable money and in- 
 vested it in his |)resent homestead, which comprises 
 one hundred and seventeen .acres of as fertile land 
 as is to be found in this exce[)tionally (ine farming 
 region. He h.as erected suitable buildings, has all 
 needful aiipliances for carrying on agriculture to a 
 good advant.agc, and has his land under admirable 
 tillage. 
 
 Mr. Spangler was married, in 18.')7, to Miss Mary 
 Heinselman, a native of Pennsylvania and a (laugh- 
 ter Geoi'gc Heinselman; she was a prudent, thrifty 
 woman and an excellent housewife, and has con- 
 tributed her share in the upbuilding of their home. 
 Five children have been born to them, four of 
 whom are living — Kate, Frank, Clinton and Mclviu. 
 
 Mr. Spangler is industrious, shrewd, and meth- 
 odical, and alw.ays has his affairs in a good condi- 
 tion. He stands well in this communitv in the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALP.UM. 
 
 633 
 
 varied relations of husband, father, neighbor and 
 citizen, and is esteemed for his good qualities of 
 liead and heart. lie and his family are members 
 ill good standing of the German Evangelical 
 Cluirch. Mr. Spangler is independent in [loiilics, 
 voting for the man ratlier than for party. 
 
 -4-+ 
 
 +-^ 
 
 ?t,OBERT R. CRELLIN. In making note of 
 the early settlers of the Prairie State, the 
 \^\ the name of Mr. Crellin is justly entitled 
 to a prominent position. Though several 
 yoars have elapsed since he was removed by death, 
 iii memory is still cherished by a large circle of 
 fri.nds. He came of a worthy ancestry,' and was 
 remotely related to a family of tlie same name in 
 the Isle of Man, representatives of wiiich are now 
 b>cated in San Diego and San Francisco, C'al. AVith 
 the exception of relatives living near Joliet, these 
 are the onlj- known families of the name in the 
 United States. 
 
 Ohio was the native State of our subject and in 
 Avon he was born October 25, 1843. His father, 
 Tliomas Crellin, was a life-long farmer by occupa- 
 tion and a reliable citizen. The mother bore the 
 maiden name of Catherine Hampton. The family 
 settled in Jackson Township in 1852, the father 
 purchasing Government land from which he im- 
 proved 1 farm and there with his estimable wife 
 spent the remainder of his days. 
 
 The subject of this notice remained a member of 
 the parental household until his marriage, which 
 occurred April 23, 1867. His wife. Miss Leonora 
 Kelley, was born on the Isle of Man, August 31 
 1849, and is still living, being now a resident of 
 Joliet. Her parents, Robert and Catherine (Cowle) 
 Kelley, emigrated to America when their daughter 
 was a child of three years, locating first in Lake 
 County, Ohio. There Miss Kelley spent her girl- 
 hood days, remaining under the parental roof until 
 leaving it to become mistress of her own homo. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Kelley remained residents of Ohio 
 until 1880, and then came to Florence Township, 
 this county, where they lived until the fall of 1888. 
 Tlien retiring from the active labors of life they 
 
 removed to tbe city of Joliet where the father died 
 July 1, 1889; the mother is still living. The pa- 
 rental household included eight children, three of 
 whom arc living and located in Illinois ar\d Indi- 
 ana. Mr. and Mrs. Crellin after their marriage 
 settled on a farm in Florence Township where 
 they laljored together in the building up of a home 
 and effected good improvements. Then on account 
 of the failing health of Mr. Crellen they removed 
 to Joliet, where his death occurred, November 30, 
 1887. The famil}' residence in the city is pleasantly 
 located at No. 310, Richards Street, and Mrs. Crel- 
 lin still owns the farm which is the source of a 
 comfortable income. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Crellin there was born a family 
 of four children, two daughters and two sons, viz: 
 Ella, Laura, George and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Crellin united with the Richards Street Methodist 
 Episcopal Church manj' years ago. The cultured 
 tastes of the family are indicated in their home sur- 
 roundings, and a fine librarj-, filled with select 
 works furnishes many an hour's recreation. Miss 
 Laura Crellin completed her studies at the High 
 School in Joliet and for the past three years has 
 been engaged as a teacher. Miss Ella has fitted her- 
 self for the same profession, being a graduate of 
 the Normal School, Normal Park, III., and Joliet 
 High School. She has already had three years ex- 
 perience as a teacher. George, a youth of sixteen 
 years, has already started out for himself. The 
 yougest son remains at home with his mother. 
 
 The many friends of Mr. Crellin will be pleased 
 to notice his portrait, presented on another page. 
 
 ENRY .J. SAWYER is a well-known manu- 
 facturer of Joliet, although at the present 
 time retired from active business pursuits. 
 P^or a number of years he was a member of 
 the firm of Adler & Sawyer, whose boot and shoe 
 establishment on Jefferson Street was one of the 
 [)rominent retail stores of the city. Mr. Sawyer 
 was Superintendent for the firm of M. Selz & Co., 
 of Chicago, who had a prison contract, their business 
 consuming 1500,000 per year in the purchase of 
 
634 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 materials and manufacture of goods. He possesses 
 a practical knowledge of tlie business from the 
 foundation up, liaving himself worked through 
 every department, and liaving also a decided judg- 
 ment and tact lias proved himself an excellent 
 huyer, organizer and manager of a large establish- 
 ment. His personal ro|iutation is that of an hon- 
 orable man and worthy citizen, and he therefore 
 commands the respect of his fellow-men. 
 
 The natal day of Mr. Sawyer was Januarj' 22, 
 1825, and liis birthplace the city of New York. He 
 is a son of John B. Sawyer, an Kastern man, whose 
 circumstances were such that the lad was put out at 
 the age of nine years, having his own way to make 
 from that early age. His younger days were spent 
 in the southeastern part of Worcester County, Mass., 
 where he gained a knowledge of manufacturing, 
 the firm of Bowker & Fhipps starting a boot and 
 shoe manufactory in 1846, of which he took charge. 
 When they oi)eued a wareroom he continued as man- 
 ager for them until 1850, at which time he accepted 
 a position with 15. I). Godfrey, one of the leading 
 men in the State as a manufacturer in the same line 
 of business, in Milford, Mass. With this gentle- 
 man Mr. Sawyer remained until the spring of 1857, 
 when he lost his wife and changed his abode to 
 Hopkinton, Mass., where he remained for six years, 
 still in his old line of business. 
 
 Tiie next move of our subject was to Chicago, 
 where he took charge of the manufacturing part 
 of the boot and shoe business of Davis, Sawyer & 
 Co., retaining the position for a period of six 
 years, until the time of the great fire. An oppor- 
 tunity then offering, he came to Joliet in the em- 
 ploy of M. Selz & Co., who had a prison contract, 
 Mr. Sawyer being the only person in the concern 
 who understood shoe manufacturing. He therefore 
 acted as General Superintendent of the manufac- 
 tory, organizing the l)usiness, and buying all their 
 goods and material for nearly fifteen years. Their 
 house was the largest in Chicago in tlieir line of 
 business. 
 
 In 1887, his health failing, Mr. Sawyer withdrew. 
 He was the manufacturer of the Sawyer boot, which 
 was first made by tlie firm of Davis. Saw3er & Co., 
 during his management, the first prison enterprise 
 in tliat line that was successful, the material which 
 
 he used being the best and the goods well made 
 and reliable. The concern emplojed five hundre<l 
 convicts and a large amount of skilled citizen labor 
 and was altogether a magnificent business. Prior 
 to his withdrawal from active management Mr. 
 Sawyer became a member of the new firm of Adier 
 ife Sawder, retaining his interest until 1889. 
 
 Mr. Sawyer has not engaged in active business 
 affaiis for some time, and the past two winters 
 have been spent b}' him in Florida. He has been 
 too busy to indulge in any [lolitical aspirations, but 
 votes with the Republican party at all times. He 
 is a member of the Masonic fraternit}', having 
 membership in Corinthian Chapter, No. G9, of Chi- 
 cago, although not at present very active in the 
 order. His worldly possessions are the result of 
 his activity and abilit}' in business, and of his wise 
 management of the remuneration which he has 
 received, and reflects credit upon him and his 
 efforts. 
 
 The first wife of Mr. Sawyer was in her girlhood 
 Miss Chloe S. C'omey, of P'oxboro, Mass. She was 
 removed from him by death April 4, 1857, leaving 
 two daughters, who are still living. They are Alma, 
 wife of Clarence A. Claflin. of Omaha, Neb., and 
 Mary B., wife of Clarence A. Thompson, now of 
 Hopkinton, Mass. After having remained a widower 
 for a number of years, Mr. Sawyer contracted a 
 second matrimonial alliance, being united on Jan- 
 uary 27, 1869, with Sarah A. Cook, of Blackstone, 
 Mass. The union has resulted in the birth of six 
 children, all living and still at home. Thej' are 
 named respectively: Henrj' J. Jr., Gordon II., Mabel 
 A., Gertrude L., KIsie L. and Ernest M. 
 
 'jf;;OHN O. BARRETT, a prominent figure 
 among the hardware interests of Joliet, has 
 for many years been connected with this 
 l^v^!!^ department of trade and acquired a good 
 understanding of it in all its details. He is a man 
 who attends strictl}- to business and one who bears 
 the reputation of being strictlj' reliable and worthy 
 of being trusted in any business which his judg- 
 ment may justify liim in undertaking, lie carries 
 
PORTRAIT AND KIOGUAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 635 
 
 a well-selected stock of goods, valued at $35,000 
 aii'l (luring the year 1889 transacted a business of 
 lilOT.OOO. There is a prospect that during the 
 year 1890, his sales will even exceed this figure. 
 
 Mv. Barrett was born in Joliet, 111., March 10,1851, 
 and is the son of W. F. and Clamana (Onderdonk) 
 Barrett, the former of whom was a native of Len- 
 nox, Mass., and a tinner by trade. When leaving 
 his native State he went over into Canada and 
 worked for a time in the city of London. From 
 there he emigrated to Jackson, Mich., and thence 
 to .loliet in 1850. The parental household con- 
 sisted of three sons and three daughters, two of 
 whom are deceased. Sarah E., (Mrs. Baird) is a 
 resident of Walsenburg, Col; Charity Maria (Mrs. 
 Carson) is a resident of Joliet; John O., our sub- 
 ject, was the next in order of birth. W. F., Jr., 
 is in the wholesale millinery house of D. B. Fisk & 
 Co., Chicago; Elizabeth Acker remains at home; 
 Edward C. is with his brother, John O., in the 
 hnrdware store. The father died in Joliet June 4, 
 1.S79. He was prominent in local affairs and had 
 licen a member of the City Council a number of 
 years. The mother is still living on the West Side, 
 ill Joliet. 
 
 Mr. Barrett acquired his education in the com- 
 mon school and subsequently for a time was en- 
 gnged as a clerk in the hardware store of T. P. 
 Ford. lie was married September 16, 1873, to 
 Miss Mary C, daughter of Benjamin Warren of 
 Worcester, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have no 
 children. Mr. Barrett votes the straight Republi 
 can ticket, but has declined to assume the respon- 
 sibilities of office. 
 
 > ^-*-^- 
 
 E^TCHOLAS KORST, whose home is on sec- 
 11 tion 5, Jackson Township, is the fortunate 
 g owner of two hundred and seventy-three 
 acres of valuable land, a part of which lies in Jol- 
 iet Township. The most of the buildings upon 
 the estate were erected by himself, and they in- 
 clude every needful and convenient structure, all 
 well built, well designed, and kept in perfect re- 
 pair. The other imiu'ovements which have been 
 
 made upon the estate are equally as good, and it 
 needs but a glance to assure even the most unob- 
 scrving of the fact that industry, frugality, and en- 
 terprise are prominent traits in the character of 
 the owner. A meniion of his name secures the 
 additional information that he is numbered among 
 the public-spirited and reliable citizens of the sec- 
 tion in which he has made his home for many 
 years. 
 
 The birth of this gentleman took place in the 
 Kingdom of Prussia, September 24, 1827, and he 
 acquired a good understanding of the more im- 
 portant branches of education, under the system 
 which C4ermany so generously provides. He 
 learned the trade of a stone-cutter, following it both 
 in his native land and after coming to America, 
 for many years. Believing that in the United 
 St.atos he would have a better opportunit\' to use 
 to his worldly advantage the energies which na- 
 ture had bestowed upon him, he emigrated in 1857. 
 He bade adieu to his native land June 27, and 
 landed in New York at noon, August 12. He 
 came direct to Chicago and thence to Joliet, near 
 which city he lived until 1873. He then settled 
 on the farm where he now lives, still following 
 his trade in connection with his farm work. 
 
 When Mr. Korst made his first appearance in 
 Joliet he was accompanied by his wife and three 
 children, and his capital in trade amounted to 
 twenty shillings. The property wiiich he has ac- 
 cumulated and the manner in which his family 
 has been reared, is one of the best proofs that he 
 possesses the qualities above mentioned. He is a 
 man of more than ordinary intelligence, in whose 
 society an hour can always be spent to advantage 
 and his personal character is such as to cause him 
 to be regarded with great respect. He has been 
 useful in the community as School Director and 
 Overseer of Highways. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat. He and his family are communicants of the 
 Catholic Church. 
 
 The faithful companion of Mr. Korst is a lady 
 of his own country, born September 3, 1830, and 
 bearing the maiden name of Catherine Surges. 
 The rites of wedlock were celebrated between them 
 November 27, 1852, and since that day Mrs. Korst 
 has shared as a devoted helpmate in the toils and 
 
636 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 successes of lier husband. They are the parents of 
 eleven chikheu — Susannah, Simon, John, William, 
 Barbara, Michael, Mary, Frank, Nicholas and 
 Peter, now living, and Mathias, who died in in- 
 fancy. Susannaii is now the wife of Edward Baum; 
 Simon lives in Chicago; John in Jacivson Town- 
 shiji; William, in Minnesota; Barbara is tlie wife 
 of Joseph Hody maker; Mary is the wife of Jacob 
 Eis. 
 
 —^ M — ^— 
 
 v«p?JDWARD HOWARD AKIN. This name 
 iM ^'" '^° remembered by the older residents 
 /*' — ^ of Will County as belonging to one of its 
 most prominent citizens and successful men. He 
 was born in Jolinstown, N.Y., July 3, 1815, and de- 
 parted this life at his home, in Joliet, December 
 26, 1880. He was the offspring of a good old 
 family, being the son of Al)raham and the grand- 
 son of Edward Akin, the former of whom spent 
 his last years in Locki)ort, Will County, 111. 
 
 The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
 name of Asenath Matthews. When his son was 
 but a boy, Abraham Akin removed with his famil}- 
 to Onondagi County', N. Y., and purchased a farm 
 of five hundred acres near Syracuse, upon which 
 he settled, and where Edward H. grew to man- 
 hood. The latter when twenty-one years old left 
 the farm and entered a store at Liverpool, N. Y. 
 This movement was the result of a long mental 
 conflict under the conviction that he was fitted for 
 something better in life than labor in the field. 
 He laid down his hoe one day and told his mother 
 that if hfi could make liis living in some other way 
 he would never hoe another row of corn. 
 
 Tiie parents of our subject remained on the 
 farm in New York State as long as the father was 
 able to engage in active labor. They then 
 came to this county, and the father died three 
 j'ears later, in Lockport, in 1846. The mother 
 died July 28, 1872, at the same place. Mr. Akin, 
 of whom we write, putting his resolve into execu- 
 tion, entered a store in Liverpool, N. Y., where he 
 began his mercantile career. Later, in company 
 with his father, under the (irm name of Akin & 
 Son, he carried on general merchandising at Liver- 
 
 pool, N. Y. He also engaged in the manufacture 
 of salt at Liverpool, and continued a resident of 
 Onondaga County, N. Y., until removing to Ber- 
 rien County, Mich,, in the fall of 1847. Later, he 
 went to Chicago with his family, and there his 
 eldest son, John, was born. On account of the 
 breaking out of cholera, he left Ciiicago and re- 
 turned to the residence of his parents in Lock- 
 port, 111. 
 
 In April, 18.")0, INIr. Akin, in company with a 
 parly from Lockport, crossed the plains to Cali- 
 fornia, driving mules and oxen, and arrived at his 
 destination after a three months' journey. He oc- 
 cupied himself at mining successfully along the 
 Ynba River, also at Placerville and Sacramento. 
 Bcturning to Lockport in October, 1851, he pur- 
 chased his mother's farm. In 1854 he removed to 
 Joliet and established a stave manufactory and 
 cooper shop. This enterprise proved successful 
 and gave employment to twenty men continually 
 until 1861. For six years afterward Mr. Akin en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of flour at Hennepin. He 
 returned to Joliet in 1867 and, in company with 
 others, carried on a woolen mill, of which he was 
 Superintendent. He subsequently embarked in the 
 real-estate business and followed this until his 
 death, which occurred December 26, 1880. 
 
 Mr. Akin laid out the subdivision, of which he 
 was owner, which is now called Brooklj-n, and 
 erected the Akin Block in 1877. He was regarded 
 as an enterprising business man and contributed 
 his full share toward the growth of his adopted 
 city. He was a Mason in good standing, having 
 attained to the Knight Templar degree, and in 
 politics he was an ardent Republican. He regu- 
 larly attended the Central Presbyterian Church, 
 of which he was a supporter, and also a Trustee 
 during the later years of his life. He was one of 
 the founders of the People's Loan & Homestead 
 Association, of which he was also a Director, and 
 one of the Directors of Oakwood Cemetery. He 
 was likewise Treasurer of two Masonic bodies. 
 
 Mr. Akin was married Juno 10, 1840, in Cort- 
 land, N. Y., to Miss Sophronia C. Merrill. This 
 lady was born September 18, 1818, and is the 
 daughter of Abel and Charlotte (Curtis) Merrill, 
 who sjient their last 3'ears in New York State. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 639 
 
 Her father died when Mrs. Akin was only three 
 years old. The four children born of this union 
 are all living. Charlotte was born September 3, 
 1842, at Liverpool, N. Y., and resides with her 
 mother in Joliet; Lucy H., who was born in Liver- 
 pool, June 18, 1846, also resides with her mother; 
 John J., l)orn August 26, 1848, married Maargar- 
 eta S. Miller, of Philadelphia, Pa., is Secretary and 
 Treasurer of the Cable Company owned by the 
 Chicago Syndicate, and makes his headquarters at 
 Los Angeles, Cal.; Kdward C. married Louise, 
 daughter of the late Judge Josiah McRoberts, 
 is State's Attorney for Will County and is a resi- 
 dent of the city of Joliet. He lead law under tiie 
 instruction of George S. House, was admitted to the 
 bar and is one of the most successful practitioners 
 in the county. Mrs. Akin has been a member of 
 the Presbyterian Church since 1835, and since 
 1854 of the Central Presbyterian branch. She is a 
 lady greatly respected in her community and en 
 joys the friendship and acquaintance of its best 
 |iiM>ple. 
 
 We clip the following, in regard to Mr. Akin, 
 from the Joliet Republican: "Both in public and 
 [jrivale life Mr. Akin was held in high respect and 
 admiration. As a husband, none were more lov- 
 ing and kind. As a father, he trained his chil- 
 dren to be men and women of the world, and able 
 to All their parts in the play of life. As a citizen, 
 Mr. Akin has left a bright and honorable record, 
 and 3'et, though he has passed from among us, he 
 left behind his better part — tlie legacy of his hon- 
 orable example." 
 
 y;ILLIAM E. HENRY. Examples of per- 
 sistence in a chosen vocation and of hon- 
 est labor followed by success, are numer- 
 ous, and it is ever a pleasure to record the lives of 
 those who furnish them. A portrait of the sub- 
 ject of this biographical record appears on the 
 opposite page. He is one of those men who have 
 spent many years in one calliDg and whose lives are 
 marked by honorable dealing and moral principle. 
 
 He is now engaged in the real-estate business at 
 Joliet, where he has long resided. 
 
 Joseph and Nancy (Apgar) Henry, the parents 
 of our subject, were of German descent and natives 
 of New Jersey, in which State the father was en- 
 gaged in farming. He died at the age of about 
 sixty 3^ears, and his wife passed away in 1864. 
 Their family comprised three sons and four daugh- 
 ters, of whom the subject of this sketch is the first 
 born. George died at the age of nineteen years ; 
 Jacob A., is living in Joliet; Mrs. Lydia A. Lowe 
 resides in Fredericksburg, Ohio; Mrs. Rebecca 
 Swackhammer lives in New Jersey; Mrs. Catherine 
 Washburn, now deceased, resided in Massachusetts; 
 Mrs. Ellen White, a widow, lives in Joliet. 
 
 The subject of this sketch opened his eyes to the 
 light in New Germantown, Hunterdon County, 
 N. J., November 24, 1820, and passed his boyhood 
 days in his native State. At the age of twenty 
 years he begfin his career as a railroad man by ob- 
 taining a position in the track department of the 
 Hartford & New Haven Railroad. For thirty-three 
 years he continued to do railroad work, during that 
 time laying about two thousand miles of track in 
 seventeen dirferent States. His last venture in that 
 line was a contract for laying one hundred and 
 sixty-five miles of the track of the Grand Trunk 
 Railroad, from Valparaiso, Lid., to Lansing, Mich., 
 and terminated unfortunatel3', as he has never j'et 
 received his pay. 
 
 In 1849, Mr. Henry removed to Wellington, 
 Ohio, and made it his home until 1854, when he 
 returned to his native State, ten years later coming 
 to Joliet, 111. Here he connected liimself with the 
 Chicago & Alton Railroad, as Roadmaster, con- 
 tinuing with that company until 1870, when he 
 took the contract before mentioned, which proved 
 an unremunerative one. During the years of 
 1863, 1864, he had charge of the railroad tracks, 
 bridges, etc., in the army of the Potomac. At the 
 time of the battle of Anteitam, Md., he was laj'itig 
 the horse-car road from Pennsylvania Avenue to the 
 Post-office and Navy Yard in Washington City, as 
 its contractor. The Chickahominy bridge was 
 built by him, as contractor, before the war. 
 In 1873, he was elected Mayor of Joliet, and under 
 bis faithful oversight, the interests of the city were 
 
640 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 rapidly cleveloped. In 1876, having permanonlly 
 retired from llie railroad business, be opened a real- 
 estate office in wiiicii ho yet continues. 
 
 In politics Mr. Henry is a life long Democrat, 
 .lames K. Polk having received his first ballot in 
 the State of Connecticut, when a property qualifi- 
 caiion was required in order to secure the right of 
 suffrage. lie belongs to the Masonic fraternity 
 which he first joined in Cleveland, Ohio, January 
 24, 1850. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Henry took place Jan- 
 uary 20, 1845, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Stan- 
 nard, of Westbrook, Conn., vvho shared his for- 
 tunes until 185 1, when death removed her from 
 husband and family. She was the mother of five 
 cliildren, two of whom are yet living, their names 
 being George W., and Jacob J., and both being 
 residents of Joliet. On January 20. 1856, Mr. 
 Henrj' contracted a second matrimonial alliance, 
 his companion being Miss Susan C. Shurts. This 
 union has been blessed by the birth of seven child- 
 ren, of whom those named below are yet living. 
 John is the general manager of the Hubbard Pub- 
 lishing Company in St. Louis, Mo. ; Elmer is en- 
 gaged in the crockery l)usiness in Joliet; Joseph E., 
 is a furniture dealer of this city; Flora and Lillie 
 remain with their parents. 
 
 ' ■ ' °^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 />?^EORGE J. MUNROE, Attorney-at-Law, in 
 Joliet, and'Presidcnt of the Citizens' Loan 
 and Trust Company, of Kansas City, Mo., 
 holds an honored i)lace in the commercial circles of 
 this county. During the twelve years in which he 
 has made a specialty of loans, he has successfully 
 bandied $1,818,000 mainly for Eastern parties. He 
 also handles municipal bonds and other negotiable 
 securities. At present Mr. Munroe advances his 
 own money largely in making loans and in pur- 
 cbasing securities, afterwards selling them to in- 
 vestors at home and in the Flast and realizing 
 handsome returns. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born February 11, 
 1853, in Baraboo, AVis., and is the son of John and 
 Adelia (Paddock) Munroe who are still living and 
 
 ike County, i 
 od and re- 1 
 
 residents of Baraboo, Wis. John INIunroe was born 
 in 1833 in Munroe County, N. Y., where be lived 
 until reaching man's estate. He then emigrated to 
 Southern Wisconsin, but five jcars later changed 
 the scene of bis operations to Sauk Count}', of which 
 be was a resident forty-two years, and engaged in 
 farming pursuits. Then wisely retiring from active 
 labor he removed to the city of Baraboo, where be 
 and his wife are highly respected and are promi- 
 nently connected with the Unitarian Church. 
 
 The parents of our subject were married at Bar- 
 aboo, Wis., in 1851. Mrs. Adelia (Paddock) Mun- 
 roe was born in 1833 in Antioch, Lak 
 III.., where she was reared to womanhood 
 ceived a good education. She taught school some 1 
 time prior to her marriage. Of this union there 
 were born three children, all of whom are living, 
 viz: George J., our subject; Ward, who conducts 
 a cold storage warehouse in Baraboo; and Bessie, 
 the wife of Frank Teal of that city. The elder 
 Munroe was prominent in local affairs during the 
 years of bis active life, holding the ofHce of Town- 
 ship Treasurer and Scliool Director, and during tiie 
 Civil War was entrusted with a large amount of 
 funds to payoff the discharged soldiers at Madison, 
 Wis. He was a strong Union man and uniformly 
 voted with the Rc^publican party. For many years 
 be was one of the Commissioners of Sauk Count}'. 
 
 The Munroe family is of Scotch origin and was 
 first represented in lliis country b}- the great-grand- 
 father of our subject, George Munroe, who crossed 
 the Atlantic at an early da}' and settled in Munroe 
 County, N. Y., and which in all probability was 
 named after bira. Tlie groat-great-grandfather was 
 also named George, and was one of the pioneer 
 farmers of Munroe Count}', N. Y. Their descend- 
 ants have inherited in a marked degree the worthy 
 and substantial traits of their ancestors, being men 
 who have held important positions and who have 
 almost uniformly been found worthy of the trusts 
 relegated to them. 
 
 The subject of this notice pursued his early 
 studies in the schools of his native city and when 
 a youth of sixteen years repaired to Oberlin, Ohio, 
 and entered the famous Oberlin College, of which 
 he was a student two years. Later he attended the 
 Normal School at Lebanon, tUiio, and from which 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 641 
 
 he was duly gnuliiated and subsequently followed 
 the profession of a teacher in tlie Buckeye State. 
 For some time he was Prinei|«l of the scliool at 
 Marlboro, Ohio, which numbered six hundred 
 pupils. Thence, in the year 1874, he removed to 
 Chicngo, 111., for the purpose of reading law. He 
 was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court at 
 Springfield in 1877, and soon thereafter came to 
 Joliet, where he followed his profession success- 
 fully to the present time. In the carl^' days of 
 Kansas City his attention was called to its growing 
 prosperity and he accordingly made some iiivest- 
 inents which have proved very valuable. The 
 Citizens' Loan & Trust Association commenced 
 business February 1, 1889, and at the close of the 
 first year was enabled to make a most satisfactory 
 report of the condition of the company wliich has 
 already established itself (irmly in the confidence 
 of the business men of that place. No small credit 
 is due to President Munroe for the successful man- 
 ner in which it has been conducted. 
 
 The subject of this notice was joined in wedlock 
 with Miss Addie Simond, of Joliet, November 21, 
 1877. The following year Mr. Munroe entered 
 uiion the regular practice of his profession in the 
 same office which he now occupies and where he 
 has trans.acted a very successful business. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Munroe occupy a snug home in the Seventh 
 Ward of the citj', and are now the parents of two 
 bright children, a daughter and son, Jennie and 
 Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Munroe are both members 
 in good standing of St. John's Universallst Church. 
 Mrs. Munroe was born May 22, 1856, in Joliet, 
 and is the daughter of Salmon 0. and C. J. (Treat) 
 Simond, who were natives of New York. Mr. 
 Simond was one of tlie pioneer farmers of Munroe 
 County, N. Y., but after coming to Joliet became 
 identified with its educational interests and was 
 elected Superintendent of Schools. He won his 
 waj' into the confidence and esteem of the com- 
 munity by his straightforward and upright life 
 and held various offices, the duties of which he 
 discharged in a manner creditable to himself and 
 satisfactory to all concerned. He died at his horne 
 in Joliet, May 30, 1888. His widow is now living 
 with her son-in-law, Mr. Munroe. She bore the 
 maiden name of Jane Treat, and was born in Cat- 
 
 taraugus County, N. Y. To her and her husband 
 there was born a family of two children, Mrs. Mun- 
 roe being the only one now living. The Simond 
 family were among the earliest settlers of this 
 county, and made for themselves a good record in 
 connection with its growth and development. 
 
 .^^ IIARLES H. BLOGG. In a city like .folict 
 (ll n ''''^ subject of fuel is an important one and 
 
 ^^/' a trade in that necessary article furnishes 
 occupation to many dealers. The subject of this 
 sketch, although he has not been engaged in busi- 
 ness here for any great length of time, has already 
 built up a fine trade. He handles all grades of hard 
 coal together with the Wilmington and Indiana 
 block coal. His boyhood was passed upon a farm, 
 and in the pursuit of agriculture he was ennaged 
 until 1888, when he established his present business. 
 His nature is an energetic one, and his early train- 
 ing developed liiose traits which are needful to a 
 successful business career and secured for him the 
 practical education without which a man can 
 scarcely succeed. 
 
 Mr. Blogg is still quite young, having been born 
 June 22, 1851. His birthplace was Norwich, Eng- 
 land, his parents removing to Lockport, 111,, when 
 he was about six years of age, and he is the oldest 
 of six sons and two daughters born' to them. 
 He is a member of the Modern Woodmen organi- 
 zation and of the First Presbyterian Church. His 
 private character is above reproach, while in knowl- 
 edge of general topics and current events he keeps 
 pace with the times. The estimable lady who pre- 
 sides over his cozy home is the daughter of one 
 of Will County's wealthy farmers, whose home is 
 at Plainfield. Her maiden name was Mary Ann 
 Goodson, and her parents were William and Sarah 
 Goodson, whose voyage across the Atlantic was 
 their wedding journey. Mr. and Mrs. Blogg were 
 married February' 14, 1877, and are the parents of 
 one child, Mabel. 
 
 The parents of our subject are John and Maria 
 (Hilling) Blogg, natives of England, whence they 
 
 came to America in 1857. 
 
 lu England John Blogg 
 
642 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 wa-: a farm laborer and had spent twentj' one years 
 in the employ of one man. Reaching the United 
 States he located at Lockport, 111., spending sonic 
 years in the employ of John Fiddymcnt. lie then 
 engageil in farming for himself, first as a renter 
 and later as the owner of real estate. The brothers 
 and sisters of our subject are: William, whose 
 home is in Florence, Will County; Mrs. Sarah 
 Faulkner of Wilmington, this county ; Edward, an 
 engineer in the wire works at Lockport; Samuel, 
 an engineer in Joliet; Mrs. Mary Dickson of Lock- 
 port; Albert lives in Wilmington; George and 
 Hcnrv reside in Florence. 
 
 ;""r".M 't?tft: M 'i M t t'. t 
 
 5^ HARLF:S F. blood. This gentleman needs 
 little introduction to the people of Will 
 
 i^J Count}', as he has long been recognized as 
 one of the leading men of Joliet. He is universally 
 l)opular in both social and business circles and is 
 possessed of more than ordinar}' abilit}', together 
 with the energy and enterprise which seldom fails 
 to win. After filling many positions of trust and 
 responsibility in connection with the city fire de- 
 partment, he was promoted to the rank of Chief of 
 Police, which office he held until June, 1890. 
 
 A native of the Empire State, Mr. Blood \v:is 
 born in Aurora, Erie County, F^ebruary 14, 1844, 
 and is a son of Horace and Nancy (Fairbanks) 
 Blood, who were natives of Putnam, Vt., and were 
 of Scotch extraction, the father born in 1804 and 
 the mother in 1808. They spent their childhood 
 and youth in the place of their birth and there, 
 also, in 1828, they were married. Horace Blood 
 was a harness-maker by trade but, in 1834, upon 
 leaving the Creen Mountain State, emigrated to 
 New York and engaged in farming. He served 
 with distinction in the Patriot War and was prom- 
 inent in local affairs, serving as School Treasurer 
 and Commissioner and occui)ying other positions 
 of trust. Soji)nrning in New York State until 1869 
 the father of our subject then deciding to push on 
 further westward, emigrated to Jasper County, Ind., 
 where he followed farming until his death, in Sep- 
 tember, 1889. He was a good man in the broadest 
 
 sense of the term and made for himself an honora- 
 ble record for integrity and usefulness. The mother 
 departed this life at the old homestead in Indiana, 
 in 1887. Eleven children comprised the parental 
 family, embracing four sons and seven daughters. 
 
 Mr. Blood was the second son of his parents, and 
 at the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted when 
 only a youth of seventeen years in the Tenth New 
 York Cavalry. He gave a faithful service of three 
 years to his country, serving under Gens. Stone- 
 man, Pleasantou and Sheridan, in Kilpatrick's Bri- 
 gade. He was with the latter at the capture of 
 Pickett's Division and fought at Gettysburg and 
 Antietam, following the arm^' of the Potomac in 
 all of its great movements and when it covered 
 itself with glory. At Trevilian Station, Va., ho 
 was wounded in the foot, but not so seriously asio 
 prevent his continuance with his regiment. He 
 endured with fortitude the various hardships and 
 privations of army life, and at the expiration of 
 his term of service received an honorable discharge. 
 
 Returning now to his old home in New York 
 State, Mr. Blood resumed his studies in the acad- 
 emy, where he remained one year. He then came 
 to this count}', locating in Plainfleld in 1808 and 
 engaged in butchering. Later he went to his father's 
 home in Indiana where he sojourned two years. In 
 the meantime he was married, June 29, 1871, to 
 Miss Caroline Foncannon. This lady was born in 
 Montezuma, Ind., in 1848, and was the daughter of 
 an old soldier of the late war who gave up his life for 
 his countr}'. Immediately after marriage the 30ung 
 couple came to Joliet and Mr. Blood bscame the 
 emplo3'e of J. D. Paige in the bottling works, where 
 he continued until 1879. 
 
 Being called upon now to discharge the duties of 
 Assistant Township Assessor of Joliet Township, 
 Mr. Blood entered u|)on the duties of this position 
 which he held three years. Next he was made en- 
 gineer of the City Fire Department and was thus 
 occupied until the spring of 1888. Still advanc- 
 ing, he was next appointed Chief of Police, and in- 
 troduced many reforms in connection with the 
 force, which under his supervision increased in 
 numbers and efficiency. At the close of his police 
 duties, in June, 1890, he formed a partnership with 
 T. P. Houghton, and commenced dealing in coal. 
 
■SS^^ 
 
 
 ■■fev-, 
 
 I 5' 
 
 Jacob Spaulding. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 645 
 
 coke, etc. His business lieadquarteis are at No. 
 731, Washington Street, and his patrons are num- 
 bered among the leading residents of the cit}'. 
 
 To INIr. and Mrs. Blood there has been born a 
 family of six interesting children, the eldest of 
 whom, a son, Harry, died when four years old. The 
 survivors are Otto, Ernest, Christine, Horace and 
 Mj'ra. Tiiey occupy a snug home on Bluff Street 
 and enjoy tlie association of many friends. Mr. 
 Blood belongs to Lodge No. 23, I. O. O. F. at 
 Lockport, and Bartleson Post, No. G, G. A. R. at 
 Joliet, also Lodge No. 2, U. V. U. at Joliet. 
 
 \l]ACOB SPAULDING is distinguished as 
 being the oldest living pioneer of Wheat- 
 land Township, where he has made his home 
 for nearly half a century, and it gives us 
 pleasure not only to record his life in this volume, 
 but also to present his portrait on the opposite 
 page. He is a farmer and stock-raiser, carrying on 
 his business at his well-appointed farm on section 
 21, so as to derive a good income therefrom, and, 
 free from the necessity of constant labor th.at 
 beset his early years, he can enjoy the fruits of a 
 well-spent life as it declines toward its close. 
 
 Mr. Sijaulding was born in Norfolk County, 
 England, August 23, 1810, to Jacob and Mary 
 Spaulding, who were also natives of that country. 
 The earlj' j'cars of his life were spent in the laud of 
 his nativity, and he was reared as a farmer and 
 laborer, receiving but few advantages in the line 
 of education while he remained on his native soil. 
 After coming to tliis countr}- he attended the 
 evening schools in this State, and acquired the 
 rudiments of an education. In 1836 he took his 
 life and fortunes in his own hands and emigrated 
 to America, taking passage at Yarmouth on a sail- 
 ing-vessel, and after a voyage of eight weeks and 
 four days landing in tjuebec, Canada. He did not, 
 however, make a lengthy stay in the Queen's domin- 
 ion, but crossed the border to Jefferson County, 
 N. Y. 
 
 After working there as a farm hand for a few 
 mouths, Mr. Spaulding then took up his residence 
 
 in Onondaga County. He was there for some 
 three years, working as a farm hand, and in 1840 
 sought the pioneer State of Illinois. He hired out 
 here for the first summer, but the next summer, 
 being more independent, he began farming on 
 shares. He was thus engaged for two seasons, and 
 finally settled on his present farm in 1844. This 
 he had purchased the year before from the Govern- 
 ment, paying -^1.25 an acre for the eighty acres 
 that then comprised his homestead. When he 
 settled on it the surrounding country was very 
 sparsely inhabited, and his farm was in a lonely 
 place, there being no other house between it and 
 Plainfield. A furrow had not been turned on the 
 land, and our subject had to begin at the very 
 beginning and evolve his farm from the wild 
 prairie, the land being just as the Indians had 
 left it. 
 
 A great deal of pioneer work has been accom- 
 plished by the systematic labor of Mr. Spaulding, 
 and under his skillful hand the farm has become 
 finely improved; he has added to its acreage until 
 he now has one hundred and sixty acres of as fer- 
 tile and finely tilled farming land as m.ay be found 
 in the township. Here he and his wife have built 
 up a substantial home, supplied with all the nec- 
 essities and comforts of life. To this good woman 
 who presides over his household, Mr. Spaulding 
 was united in marriage January 1, 1818. Mrs. 
 Spaulding's maiden name was Jane Vinson, and 
 she was born in Cornwall County, England, Febru- 
 ary 13, 1827. Her parents were William and Mary 
 (Corry) Vinsen, natives of England. In 1833, 
 when Mrs. Spaulding was in her sixth year, she 
 accompanied her parents to America, sailing from 
 Bedford, and after a voyage of eleven weeks land- 
 ing on Prince Edward Island. On the very next 
 trip of the vessel in which their journey had been 
 made, she sank about a half mile from Charlotte- 
 town, Prince Edward Island, but another ship 
 rescued her passengers. The family lived on the 
 Island until 1844, and in that year came to Illinois 
 and resided in Kendall County for a short time. 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding have been born ten 
 children, six of whom are still living — Martha, 
 wife of Lansing Lockwood; Edmund; Flora, wife 
 of Hugh Lemmer; Cora, wife of Lewis Harford ; 
 
646 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Frank; and Nina E., wife of James Peck. The 
 names of llic dccensed eiiildien are: Jacob W., 
 Mary P., Kiclianl W. and Charles H. 
 
 Coming here when in the prime of a vigorous 
 manhood, and having passed so man}- of the yvars 
 of his life here, Mr. Spaulding is well known and 
 is greatly esteemed, his reputation for veracity, 
 integrity, and unostentatious piety being of the 
 highest. As School Director and as Librarian of 
 the Library, which positions lie has hehl for several 
 years, educational matters have received careful 
 attention from iiim. He was at one time Pound 
 Master. He and his wife are among tlie most res- 
 pected members of the Baptist Cliurch, and lead 
 consistent Christian lives. 
 
 
 \t/OHN FRIDLEY. This gentleman is one of 
 those residents of Florence Township whose 
 position demonstrates the ability which as 
 farmers and financiers have marked their 
 lives. Beginning his worldly career as a poor man 
 on rented land, he has accumulated a large share 
 of this world's goods, including a 6ne tract of 
 two hundred and thirty-seven acres of productive 
 land. It is situated on section 9, and attracts 
 more than a passing glance from the passer-by on 
 account of the large barns and other good out- 
 buildings that adorn it, the neatness and order 
 manifested in all its parts, and the homelike and 
 well built residence, under whose roof one is sure 
 that geniality and good cheer abound. 
 
 Mr. Fridley was born in Switzerland, in Febru- 
 ary, 1822, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Frid- 
 ley, who spent their entire lives in that romantic 
 land. The family is of German stock, as are most 
 of the residents of the section of Switzerland in 
 which they lived. He of whom we write is the 
 sixth child of a family of nine sons and daughters. 
 In his native land he was reared and remained un- 
 til he was thirty-three years old. He then em- 
 barked for America accompanied by his bride, and 
 made his home in Jofiet for a few months. In 
 1856 he removed to Reed's Grove, Jackson Town- 
 ship, where he prosecuted his labors until 1870, at 
 
 which time he removed to the farm he now occu- 
 l)ies. On this tract of land he has made the ex- j 
 ccUcnt improvements that m.ark it as the home of ' 
 a man of energy and good judgment. 
 
 The lady who on November 28, 1855, became 
 the wife of our subject, was known in her maiden- 
 hood as Miss Mary Yonker. She was born in 
 Switzerland in 1829, and still lives to enjoy with 
 husband and children the comforts earned by years 
 of industry and prudence. The only son of our 
 subject and his wife is ,Iohn F., who on January 
 4, 1884, married Miss Mattie A. Yonker, of Mor- 
 ris; he remains at the old home assisting his fatlier I 
 in the care of the estate. The only daughter of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Fridley is Mary A. This lady on 
 October 14, 1885, became the wife of Benjamin 
 Yonker, of Morris, a half brother of her sister in- 
 law. They are now living on a farm in the same 
 townsliij) as her parents. The vote and influence 
 of Mr. P'ridley was given to the Republican party 
 in whose principles he is a firm believer. He be- . 
 longs to the Evanglical Church. Not only by liis | 
 associate members, but by all to whom he is known, 
 he is respected for his uprightness and ability, 
 while the members of his family are likewise re- 
 garded with favor by their acquaintance. 
 
 7 ITZ J. ROBINS, one of the oldest settlers 
 of Wheatland, did good service as a pio- 
 i\ neer of the county in the early years of its 
 
 settlement, actively assisting in the development of 
 its rich agricultural resources, and is now enjoying 
 the fruits of his early labors in his pleasant home, 
 finely located on section 27, on one of the best 
 cultivated farms in the township. 
 
 Mr. Robins is an Englishman b3' liirth, his native 
 place being on the Isle of Wight in the English 
 Channel, where he was born October 2, 1826, to 
 James and Sarah (Holly) Robins. His paternal 
 grandfather was Joseph Robins. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the fourth child in 
 his father's family, and passed the early j'ears of 
 his childhood on his native isle, remaining an in- 
 mate of the parental householii till his sixteenth 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 647 
 
 year. He was then apprenticed to a general ear- 
 pei.ter and wagon-maker in Devonshire, England, 
 and had served for two years to learn the trade. 
 Ambitious to see something more of life and to 
 visit this country, of which he had heard so much, 
 flunking that his prospects of earning something 
 more than a mere livelihood would be better here 
 than in the land of his birth, he emigrated to the 
 United States in 1843, taking passage at South- 
 anii)ton on a sailing vessel, and after a voyage of 
 about five weeks, landing in New York City. He 
 came directly to Illinois and for a short time 
 worked at his trade in Chicago. Observing the 
 many advantages that the remarkably fertile soil 
 of Illinois gave to the farmer, he abandoned his 
 calling to give attention to agricultural pursuits, 
 and in tiie fall of 1845, located on his present farm. 
 This was at the time in a wild condition, he being 
 tiie first white man to locate on it. His first work 
 was to erect a small frame house, one and one half 
 story in height and 16x26 feet In dimensions, which 
 he made his Lome for a number of years. In 1871 
 he remodeled and added lo it and made his i)res- 
 ent commodious, conveniently arranged dwelling. 
 His farm comprises one hundred and twent^'-live 
 acres of land, which he has placed under good cul- 
 tivation and has supplied with excellent improve- 
 ments. 
 
 October 2, 1851, Mr. Robins and Miss Elizabeth 
 Kinlcy were united in marriage. She is a native 
 of Prince Edward Island, born July 3, 1832, and 
 a daughter of William and Ann (Allen) Kinley. 
 Her father was a native of the Isle of Man and her 
 mother was born in Nova Scotia, both being 
 descendants of a sterling English ancestry. 
 
 ToMr. and Mrs. Robins has been born a large 
 family of children, of whom the following eight 
 survive : William K.,a resident of Cherokee County, 
 Iowa; Alfred M.; Idell C, wife of R. S. Sager, of 
 Story County, Iowa; Lucy A., wife of M. J. Ken- 
 son, of Story County, Iowa; Ethel M., wife of 
 J. C. Eyer; Eva I., wife of Albert Lemer, Buena 
 Vista, Iowa; Russell C, and Bertha: The names 
 of the deceased children are Georgina, Lizzie, Joiin 
 J. and James. 
 
 Through his long residence here Mr. Robins is 
 well-known, and he is regarded as a thoroughly 
 
 good man, whose life is guided by principles of 
 rectitude and unswerving integrity, whose loyal 
 citizenship is an honor to the place, and whose will- 
 ing helpfulness and roundabout common sense 
 makes him a good neighbor and a safe counselor. 
 He favors ail schemes for improving his adopted 
 township, and did good service as Road Commis- 
 sioner in the term that he held the office. He is a 
 Prohibitionist in politics. He and his wife are 
 members of the Baptist Church at Plainfield, and 
 cheerfully give their support to every good work 
 that is carried on by its pastor and members. 
 
 a APT. EDWARD McALLISTER is classed 
 among the leading farmers of Plainfield, 
 ' where he has a farm that in point of culti- 
 vation and general improvement is considered one 
 of the most desirable in the township. Our sub- 
 ject is a fine representative of the citizen-soldiers 
 of the United States who fought in the late war 
 and saved the Union from dissolution, and he won 
 an honorable record as an intelligent, brave soldier 
 and cflicient leader. 
 
 The Captain was born in the town of Salem, 
 Washington County, N. Y., December 24, 1828. 
 His father, William McAllister, was a native of the 
 same town, and a son of the Hon. Hamilton Mc- 
 Allister, a native of Scotland. He was born and 
 reared in that country, and came from there to 
 America accompanied by two brothers, one of whom 
 settled in Philadelphia and the other in New 
 York. The grandfather of our subject was agent 
 for a company of large land-owners, and held 
 power of attorney to do business for them. He 
 was one of the three first white men who ever set- 
 tled at Salem, where he took up a tract of timber 
 land and cleared a fine farm. He soon began to 
 take a leading part in public life, and was one of 
 the foremost citizens of Washington County. He 
 was its first Sheriff, and represented the county in 
 the State Legislature. That was the time when 
 each member had to pay his own expenses, and as 
 money was scarce, many of the legislators had to 
 1 resort to various expedients to foot their bills, 
 
C48 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and it is told of him Ibat liis faithful wife made 
 butter and sent it to Albany- to pay his board. In 
 the early da3's of settlement of the county there 
 were no mills, and on one occasion his wife took a 
 sack of wiieat on horseback by an Indian trail to 
 Albany, forty miles distant. The maiden name of 
 the grandmother of our subject, was Sarah Dick, 
 and siie was born in Ireland, and was of Scotch 
 ancestry. 
 
 The father of our subject grew to stalwart man- 
 hood in his native count}-, and followed agricul- 
 ture all his days, placing himself among the most 
 substantial and well-to-do farmers of the county. 
 lie inherited a part ol the old h imestead and 
 bought out the interest of the other heirs in it, and 
 there his entire life was passed in tranquillit}- and 
 prosperity. The maiden name of his wife was 
 Anna Shoudler, and sue was also born in Wash- 
 ington County. Her father, Andrew Shoudler, 
 is thought to have been a native of the same 
 count}', his anccstrj' originating in Holland. He 
 was a farmer and also kept a tavern on the Troy 
 and Whitehall Road. He spent his last years on a 
 farm. The mother of our subject died on the old 
 homestead eight years after his father departed this 
 life. To that worthy couple were born six chil- 
 dren, live of whom were reared to m.aturitj'. Archi- 
 bald w.as a pioneer farmer of Plainfleld, coming 
 here in 1848, and he died in Chicago. William K. 
 was for many years one of the most eminent 
 members of the legal profession in Illinois. He 
 was at one time Judge of the old Recorder's 
 Court, of Chicago; from 1870 to 187.3 ho sat on 
 the Supreme Bench of the State. After his resig- 
 nation from that ponition he was again elected a 
 member of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and 
 served in that capacity until he was called to be 
 Judge of the Appellate Court, and he held that 
 office at the time of his death at his home in 
 Ravenswood, Chicago, in 1888 or 1889. Our sub- 
 ject's sister, Catherine, married John C. Walker, 
 and lives in New York State. His brother, Jesse, 
 who was a farmer and stock man, is now deceased. 
 
 He of whom we write passed the earl}' years of his 
 life in his native State, but in the prime and vigor 
 of the 0]X'niiig years of his manhood he left the scenes 
 of his youth and his many frfends, having re- 
 
 solved to see what life held for him on the bound- 
 less prairies of the "Great West," and coming to 
 Illinois, he cast in his lot with the settlers of Will 
 Count}-, locating on the farm that he still occu- 
 pies, and which under his careful and skillful man- 
 agement is made to yield large harvests and a 
 comfortable income. He was Ijusily engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits when the first alarm of the 
 war was sounded, and he was prompt to offer 
 his services to his country. He previously been 
 Cai)tain of a company of State militia, and April 
 21, 18G1, it was called out by the Governor and 
 sent to Cairo, and was there organized as Company 
 K, Tenth Illinois Infantry, but September 1 was 
 mustered in as Company K, Finst Illinois Artillery, 
 generally known and spoken of in histories as Mc- 
 Allister's Battery, in honor of its brave Captain. 
 Our subject was soon solicited by Gen. Prentiss, 
 the commander, to remain and take charge of the 
 fort. The Captain hired men, whom he paid out 
 of his own pocket, to recruit a company, of which 
 he was commissioned Captain, and was in command 
 at the battle of Shiloh, where his men, inspired by 
 his presence and spirited example, did noble serv- 
 ice. The hardships and privations of military life 
 proved too great for even the hardy constitution 
 of our subject, and soon after that battle he wiis 
 obliged to succumb to sickness and to resign his 
 position. He returned home, and as soon as suf- 
 ficiently recuperated from ill-health, he resumed 
 farming, and has ever since been pros|)erously en- 
 gaged at that, havnig his farm of one hundi-ed and 
 sixty acres of choice farming land under high cul- 
 tivation, and has it amply supplied with substantial, 
 roomy buildings, and all the needed appliances for 
 carrying on agriculture after the best methods. 
 
 Capt. McAllister had the good fortune to secure 
 in the wife, to whom he was wedded in 1860, a 
 true helpmate and companion, one who knows well 
 how to make home pleasant and attractive. Mrs. 
 McAllister's maiden name was Fanny M. Bebee, 
 and she is, like himself, a native of Salem, N. Y., 
 a daug'hter of Norman and Sophie Bebee. Five 
 children have been born to our subject and his 
 wife, namely: Carrie, Ada, Jessie, Clyde and Will- 
 iam King, the latter being deceased. 
 
 Honorable and upright, a loyal citizen, true hus- 
 
^n 
 
 /^^r^C S: 
 
 ^^x-Zi^ 
 
 t_ «^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 651 
 
 band, tender father and faithful friend, in our sub- 
 ject townsliip and county find an example of their 
 best citizenship. The Captain votes with the Re- 
 publican party, and is one of its strongest sup- 
 porters in this vicinity. He is public-spirited and 
 takes a deep interest in civic affairs, and has repre- 
 sented riainfleld on \he County Board of Super- 
 visors. Socially, he is a member of Plainfield 
 Lodge, No. 536, A. F. & A. M. A man of clear 
 and progressive views on all questions of general 
 interest religiously, he is a Univcrsalist, he and 
 his family being members of the Univcrsalist So- 
 ciety, of Plainfield. 
 
 
 r'REDERICK SEHRING. The brewery in- 
 
 « terests of Will County acknowledge as 
 _[[ among their leading men the subject of this 
 notice, a portrait of whom appears on the opposite 
 page. He is prominent in the affairs of Joliet and 
 has been a member of the City Council since 1874. 
 Of German birth and parentage, he was born in 
 Langen Duch}', Hesse-Darmstadt, December 19, 
 1834. His father, Weigaud Sehring, was a soldier 
 in the War of 1813, in Germany, and married Mar- 
 garetlia Keim. They came to America in 1847, 
 settling in Frankfort Township, Will Countj', 
 where the father occupied himself as a farmer until 
 1854. That year he removed with his familj' to 
 .loliet and conducted an hotel until 1860, while in 
 the meantime, Frederick, who was fond of his 
 books, devoted himself to study. At their home 
 in Joliet, the parents both passed to their Last rest. 
 Mr. Sehring began his business career .as a 
 Deputy Clerk in the Recorder's office of the count3^ 
 where he remained until 1863. He was then 
 elected County Treasurer and served two terms; in 
 March, 1874, he was elected to represent his ward 
 in the City Council, where he has since served with 
 credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- 
 ents. Ho at an early age evinced unusu.al business 
 capacities and in 1868, had accumulated sufficient 
 means to go into business, which he tlid in com- 
 pany with a partner under tlie fiini name of .Toseph 
 Braun & Co. With •ii6,000 capit.al they established 
 
 what has now become one of the finest breweries in 
 the Northwest. This was conducted successfully 
 until .January, 1883, when it was enlarged and in- 
 corporated under the title of the Fred Sehring 
 Brewery Company, with our subject as President; 
 Henry .Sehring, Vice-President ; II. F. Piepcnbrink, 
 Secretary and Treasurer, and L. J. Sehring, Super- 
 intendent. The new corporation started in with a 
 capital slock of $50,000, and the following month 
 bought out the brewery of Henry Eder opposite. 
 The brewery now has a capacity of thirty thousand 
 barrels per year and give employment to twenty- 
 five men. The plant occupies about five acres of 
 ground and with its buildings and machinery is of 
 great value, being one of the leading institutions 
 of Illinois and furnishing the beverage not only to 
 city of Joliet, but the towns surrounding. 
 
 The subject of this notice was married January 
 16, 1855, in Joliet, to Mrs. Louise Bez, and to 
 them have been born six children, all living and 
 named respectively: Susan E., Louis J., Maggie, 
 the wife of H. F. Piepenbrink, Henry, Anna and 
 George. The eldest son, Louis, was born in Joliet 
 April 12, 1858, acquiring his education in the city 
 schools and at an early age learned the brewing 
 business at which he engaged with bis father. He 
 served through an apprenticeship with this at New 
 York and Chicago, and then returning to Joliet, 
 took charge in 1878, of the business of which he 
 has since been Superintendent. Like his honored 
 father he has been prominent in local aflfairs, repre- 
 senting the Third Ward in the City Council for two 
 years, (1885-86). Aside from this, however, he has 
 devoted himself mainly to business and displa}'S 
 ability and juilgment beyond that usually evinced 
 by men of his years. He belongs to the various 
 civic societies of the city and is highly spoken of 
 by all who know him. The father certainly has 
 reason to be proud of bis son. 
 
 Our subject, polilieall}^ is a stanch Democrat. 
 He has for many )'ears been prominently connected 
 with the Indei)endent Order of Odd Fellows, rep- 
 resenting it in the Grand Lodge and is likewise 
 identified with the Masonic fraternity. He has 
 gained considerable distinction in politics, being 
 nominated in the fall of 1874 by the liberal Demo- 
 crats to the State Senate, against O. M. Marshall, 
 
1 
 
 652 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 llie Republican, and C. Fiazier, llie Granger can- 
 didate. Mr. Marshall was elected by twelve ma- 
 jority over Mr. Schriug, who contested the election 
 and proved the existence of one hundred and forty 
 illegal votes — llie committee reporting these in his 
 favor. When put to the regular vote the Repub- 
 licans and Grangers stood twenty-six for Marshall 
 and twenty-three for Scliring. 
 
 I^j^ ICHAEL RAPPAL. The farming com- 
 munity of Joliet Township recognizes a 
 Ll\ worthy representative in the subject of 
 this notice, who pursues the even tenor of 
 iiis way at a well-developed farm on section 7, and 
 who exercises a considerable inlluence in his com- 
 munity. He is looked upon as one of its most re- 
 liable men, and has held the various local oftices, 
 serving as Commissioner of Highways six j'ears, 
 also as School Director, and in [jolitics is a Demo- 
 crat. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic 
 Church, to which he and his estimable wife belong, 
 attending services at Joliet. 
 
 In noting the antecedents of our subject, we find 
 that he is the son of Samuel Rappal, a native of 
 what was then the French Province of Alsace, but 
 which now belongs to Germany. The mother bore 
 the maiden name of Barbara Anser. She was a 
 native of the same village as her husband, where 
 thej- were married and lived for several years after- 
 ward. In 1846 they decided upon emigrating to 
 America, and crossed the Atlantic in the spring of 
 the year, coming directly to Will County, 111., and 
 settling in Joliet. The father occupied himself as 
 a faraier, and died there in the spring of 18C7. 
 The mother survived her husband a number of 
 years, dying at the home of her son, our subject, 
 about 1885. 
 
 To Samuel Uappal and his good wife there was 
 born a family of five children, the eldest of whom 
 was he whose name heads this sketch. He was a 
 native of the same province as his parents, and was 
 born August 25, 1833. He was a lad of thirteen 
 years when the family emigrated to America, and 
 he sojourned with them about four years thereafter. 
 In the spring of 1850, when a youth of seventeen 
 
 years, he started for California, joining the caravan 
 which was hastening thither in search of gold. 
 After an absence of about eighteen months he was 
 content to return home, and thereafter followed 
 the peaceful pursuits of farm life. In addition to 
 this he has also been considerably interested in 
 buying and sliipi)ing horses, ''iespecially during the 
 war, and for some time afterward. il 
 
 Mr. Rappal was married, in Chicago, 111., Sep- 
 tember 4, 1853, to Miss Antoinette Drendel. This 
 lady was also a native of the Province of Alsace, 
 and was born May 7, 1833. Her parents were of 
 German ancestry', and are now deceased. She came 
 to America with her parents about 1846, and of 
 her union with our subject there have been born 
 six children, viz: Teresa, Louisa, Mary (the wife 
 of .John Kiep), William, Anna and Joseijh. The 
 five unmarried children remain at home with their 
 parents. Mr. Rappal, about 1867, purchased his 
 present farm, which comprises two hundred and 
 sixty acres of choice land, upon which he has 
 effected good improvements. He has been indus- 
 trious, frugal and temperate, and has acquired a 
 competency. 
 
 ' i^^- 
 
 ]OHN J. RINCKER is the owner and occu- 
 pant of one of the fine farms in Crete 
 Township. He is the representative of a 
 famil.y of considerable prominence in Nas- 
 sau, Germany. His father, Phillip H. Rincker, was 
 born in Prussia and became a mechanic, owning a 
 bell and brass foundry and manufacturing machines, 
 that being the business in which his father and 
 grandfather before him had been cmploj'ed. He 
 married Elizabeth Tribnel, who was also born and 
 reared in Nassau, and who, like her husband, came 
 of a good German famil}-. Mr. Rincker was suc- 
 cessful in business, leaving his foundrj' to one of 
 his sons who is continuing it with credit to his 
 worthy sire. The bells that peal in all the prom- 
 inent churches of Germany were cast at the Rinck- 
 er foundry. Mrs. Rincker died when seventy 
 years old, her husband surviving a few years and 
 breathing his last at the age of seventy-five. The}' 
 were piominent members of the German Reformed 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 653 
 
 (Presbyterian) Church and were not only liighly 
 regarded on acc^oiint of their connection with fam- 
 ilies of note and their abundant means, but on 
 account of their personal character and genuine 
 worth. Their family comprised ten children, seven 
 sons and three daughters. Four of the children 
 came to America and two of them have since died. 
 Of the entire family but two sons and one daugh- 
 ter are now living. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice was born 
 in Nassau, November 21, 1819, ami received a fine 
 education in his native tongue, as well as in Latin 
 and French in his native city. He was the oldest 
 but one, in the parental family. He learned the 
 trade of a bfll caster, together with a knowledge 
 of the various departments of the business carried 
 on by his father. While yet a single man he de- 
 termined to make a home in America, and taking 
 passage at Havre de Grace on the sailing vessel Ba- 
 tavia, he reached the western continent after a te- 
 dious voyage of four weeks. Landing was made in 
 New York, September 12, 1847, this being before 
 the establishment of Castle Garden in that city. 
 
 Mr. Iviiicker had many of the experiences known 
 to the early emigrant when starting out in this 
 country among entire strangers, and was often im- 
 posed ui)on l)efore he arrived at Buffalo. He had 
 a ticket to Chicago, but was obliged to stop and 
 earn money to buy his bread, having become pen- 
 niless. He finally' met a man who proved a friend 
 in need and gave him a supply of eatables and sent 
 him on his way rejoicing. Probably no prouder 
 man ever lived than was Mr. Kincker at that time. 
 He soon reached the new city of Chicago, which he 
 thought the muddiest place on earth. 
 
 H. W. Rincker, a brother of our subject, h.id 
 come to this country some time before, and upon 
 reaching this State and his brother's home, he of 
 whom we write joined him in the establishment of 
 a bell casting foundry, the two continuing in part- 
 nership four years. During this time they cast the 
 bell weighing eight thousand pounds, which, from 
 its position in the courthouse, tolled forth the cal- 
 amity which in 1871, befell the city that has now 
 risen, Plueni.x like, from her ashes into a more 
 glorious life. The failing health of IMr. Rincker 
 decided him to leave the noise of the shop and the 
 
 city streets, and severing his connection with his 
 brother he came to Will County, in the fall of 1851, 
 and became a farmer here. lie purchased one 
 hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Crete 
 Township, the most of which was unbroken, and 
 the greater part of it covered with timber. This 
 he cleared and im|irove(l, sulisequently adding to 
 its extent until his estate now comprises two hun- 
 dred and ninety-five acies, the most of which is 
 in an excellent state of improvement. His efforts 
 have made of the farm what it is to-day, a most 
 comfortable home, and the source of a sufficient 
 income to supply^ the wants of the family and make 
 l)rovisiou for declining j'ears. 
 
 One of the most important steps in the life of 
 Mr. Rincker, was his marriage, which took place 
 at the home of the bride in Cook County. His 
 chosen companion was Miss Helena Pusheck, who 
 w.as born in Sleceal, Prussia, November 2, 1824, 
 and had lived in Illinois from her fifteenth year. 
 Her parents, Cliristian and Hannah R. (Hupsch) 
 Pusheck, had emigrated to the United States and 
 settled on a farm twelve miles west of Chicago. 
 There the father died when sixty years of age, his 
 wife surviving him fourteen j-ears and being 
 seventy-five years old at the time of her death. 
 Both were well-known to a large number of the cit- 
 izens of Cook County, and ranked among the best 
 of the Germans who had sought homes in Amer- 
 ica. They were members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and carefully reared their daughters in the prin- 
 ciples of right living as well as in habits of use- 
 fulness in domestic life. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Rincker eleven children have 
 been born, all being yet alive except Ottelia, one 
 of a pair of twins, who died when two years old. 
 Charles married Miss Lena Rinnc on whose father's 
 farm, they are now living; Frank, who is unmarried, 
 lives on a farm in Minnesota; August, who married 
 Matilda Letz, operates a farm in Watonwan Coun^^', 
 Minn.; William, is his father's assistant at home: 
 Emma is the wife of Andrew Rademachcr, a farmer 
 in Crate Township; Anna married Leno Kuessner, 
 a wood engraver whose home is in Chicago; Mary- 
 is the wife of William Reithel, who occupies a 
 farm in Calhoun County, Iowa; Matilda is the wife 
 of Heurj' Meier, of Watonwan County, Minn.; 
 
654 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Helena, is now in Chicagro; Johanna, is witli her 
 parents al home. The ciilire family are members 
 of the LutluM'aii Cluircli. Mr. Hincker is a sturdy 
 Repuhlican. After having been in this country twelve 
 years he made a trip to the home of his boyhood, 
 spending about two months with his old friends, 
 but very glad to get back to America again at the 
 expiration of that time. The various members of 
 the family are manifesiing the traits of chara(!ter, 
 kindliness of mariner, and business tact and energ}' 
 that make them worthy to bear the name which has 
 descended to tliem. 
 
 ilOBERT J. BOYLAN, the owner of a good 
 home on section 15, Jackson Township, is a 
 ^\V\ pioneer of the county and as such deserves 
 notice in this volume. He was born in Sussex 
 County, N. J., January 23, 180G, and lived there 
 until he attained his majority, learning surveying 
 and civil engineering after finishing the ordinary- 
 branches. He went to Onondaga County, N. Y., 
 where he lived about seven years, during that 
 period taking for his wife Miss Angeline Brown. 
 That lady was born in Onondaga Connty, March 
 11, 1811, and died in Jackson's Grove, this county, 
 February 6, 1841. To her had been born three 
 children — James, who died in California; Mary,who 
 was bitten by a rattlesnake and died June 15, 183G, 
 and Mary Jane, now widow of C. M. Kellogg. 
 
 In November, 1834, Mr. Boylan came to what is 
 now Will County, locating in Jackson's Grove 
 where he has followed farming in connection with 
 surveying. He at one time owned over two hun- 
 dred and fifty acres of land but now owns but one 
 hundred and four. Upon this he has made all the 
 improvements it bears. He has held the office of 
 County Surveyor eight j'ears, has been School 
 Treasurer twenty -six consecutive years, was Road 
 Commissioner and Treasurer of the Board sixteen 
 consecutive years, and Township Assessor eight 
 years. He has taken quite an active part in politi- 
 cal affairs and is the only surviving member of tlie 
 convention that was called in 183G to organize the 
 Democratic part}- of Will County. He is also the 
 
 only survivor of the petitioners for the setting off 
 of this county, whicii was done at Vandalia,January 
 C, 1836. In former years he acteil with the Dem- 
 ocratic part}', but is now a Prohibitionist. He and 
 his estimable wife belong to the Baptist Church, in 
 which he has been a member for fifty years and she 
 for nearly as long. 
 
 The present Mrs. Boylan became the wife of our 
 subject in Wesley, this county, June 10, 1841. She 
 bore the maiden name of M.Trgaret M. Freer and 
 was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., June 18, 
 1819. By this marriage there are six living chil- 
 dren naniel}': Lavinia, wife of A. D. C. Bugbee; 
 Clara, widow of William Aldrich ; Albert W. ; Alice, 
 wife of W. A. Palmer; Nellie, wife of Albert E. 
 Nofl, and Robert J., Jr. The deceased are Villetta, 
 wife of George Stuphler, who died June 12, 1888, 
 and Eugene who died at the age of six years. 
 
 
 
 ^[jDDISON COLLINS, although born in 
 ^LJl Rochester, N. Y.. grew to nianiiood in this 
 /// l* count}', living in Homer Township- until 
 ■**'' the summer of 1881. He then removed to 
 
 New Lenox Village and, abandoning the occupa- 
 tion of farming in which he had previously been 
 engaged, has been living a retired life. He owns 
 an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres 
 in the township in which he formerly resided. His 
 natal day was October 25, 1832, and he is the sec- 
 ond child of the Hon. Addison and Sabrina (Ball) 
 Collins. His father was born in Lenox, Mass., 
 March 29, 1790, and his mother, December 18, 
 1806. They first settled in Rochester, N. Y., thence 
 going to Berkshire, Tioga Count}', where they re- 
 mained until the fall of 1833. Thoy then emigrated 
 to Illinois, locating in the "Yankee settlement" of 
 this county, where thoy spent the remainder of 
 their lives. 
 
 Addison (Collins, Sr., studied and practiced law 
 in Rochester, N. Y., but after coming West devoted 
 his attention to farming. He was elected on the 
 Democratic ticket to the State Legislature and 
 served one term. He also acted as Supervisor and 
 Justice of the Peace, .and was the first County Sur- 
 
^r^. 
 
 .^ 
 
 <^ 
 
 ^<ZJ^7.-'--y2yt^L^ 
 
> 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 65D 
 
 veyor of Will County. He passed away March 27. 
 1864, his widow surviving until August 29, 1875. 
 The subject of our sketch was married in Clii- 
 eago, January 9, 1857, to Miss Catherine P., daugh- 
 ter of the late Zachariah W. and Sarah (Harding) 
 Lynx. She was born in Madison County, N. Y., 
 June 17, 18:39. To lierself and husband seven 
 children have been born. Orline, the firstborn, 
 died when twelve years old; Albert is a druggist 
 ill Pueblo, Colo.; F^liza died at the age of six 
 months; Tunis L. is in the express business in Chi- 
 cago; Mary is the wife of John C. Broadie, of New 
 Lenox Township; Ella is a stutlent in the Joliet 
 High School; Cora completes the family circle. 
 Mr. Collins is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Collins 
 is a member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 S^A HARLKS C. SMITH. It is a pleasure to 
 |, incorporate in this volume a sketch of the 
 
 \^ life and labors of C. C. Smith, of Channahon, 
 and to present on the opposite page his portrait, 
 together with that of his estimable wife. He is 
 well and widely known as the possessor of a large 
 lamled estate, is considered one of the best business 
 men in the count}', and looked up to for his finan- 
 cial ab'Iity and the many pleasing traits of charac- 
 ter which ho possesses. So wide is his hospitality 
 that he may be said to keep an open house, wherein 
 cordial greeting and good entertainment for mind 
 and bod}' are met with. In his domestic relations 
 Mr. Smith is exceptionally affectionate and liberal, 
 and he is well repaid by the culture and noble 
 char.actcrs of his off'si)ring for the advantages 
 which he has bestowed ui)on them. 
 
 Tlie birthplace of Mr. Smitli was Jefferson 
 County, East Tcnn.,and his natal day M.ay 2, 1818. 
 His parents. Barton and Faithy (Moore) Smith, 
 were the children of Revolutionary soldiers. The 
 Smiths were of the old Tennessee and the Moores 
 of tlieold Virginia stock, and both lines of English 
 ancestry. Barton Sniitii was the youngest in a 
 family of six boys and three girls. All his brothers 
 were present at the battle of Horse Shoe Bend 
 with Gen. Jackson, and he, liimself, had started to 
 
 join the forces, and was several hundred miles 
 from home when taken back \ty his friends. 
 
 Mr. and Jlrs. Barton Smith removed from Ten- 
 nessee to Fountain County, Ind., and early in 
 June, 1835, settled in Joliet, 111. Mr. Smith 
 bought a lot, upon which a little log house stood, 
 and here in due course of time he made a good 
 home. He carried on a farm, but continued to 
 reside in Joliet until his death, in 1862. He was 
 Police Magistrate and Deputy County Collector, 
 and in various ways served the county. His wife 
 survived him about thirteen years. Their family 
 consisted of four children, our subject being the 
 eldest and the only one now surviving. Melinda 
 became the wife of William Walters, and both she 
 and her husband are now deceased, leaving a fam- 
 ily; Lucinda married Thomas Hunter, and they 
 died leaving two children; William J. made his 
 home at Geneseo, and when called hence left a 
 family of six children. 
 
 Charles C. Smith was eight years of age when 
 his parents removed to Indiana, and in Fountain 
 County much of his boyhood and youth were 
 spent. When the family removed to Joliet the 
 young man started out as a peddler, making a 
 regular trip through Cook, Iroquois, Vermilion and 
 Will Counties with a wagon, and visiting the differ- 
 ent localities every six weeks. In those days there 
 was but little money in circulation, and barter and 
 exchange was the rule. Young Smith traded his 
 goods tor everj^thing on which he could place a 
 value— cattle, horses, hides, tallow, butter, eggs, 
 coon skins and ginseng root. These he would take 
 to Chicago and trade for more goods. This occu- 
 pation he followed for nine jears, becoming well 
 known and having his coming looked forward to 
 by householders as an event of importance. 
 
 The next business enterprise of Mr. Smith was 
 to rent the tract of land upon which he now lives, 
 and to collect all the stock which he owned along 
 the route from Danville hither. He paid $5 per 
 year for a tract of land upon which thirty- five 
 acres had been broken and where a comfortable 
 house had been built. Two years later, in 1850, 
 he bought the one hundred and forty acres which 
 he was cultivating, and to which he h.as since added 
 largelj'. For many years he herded his cattle on 
 
660 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 the open piaivie. He hns now twenty-nine hun- 
 dred and fifty acres of land, all joining, but some 
 lying within tiic lioundary of Wilmington Town- 
 ship. I^or many years lie was connected witli the 
 creamery, and he also had a Slate contract to fur- 
 nish the State Prison with beef for eight years. 
 During one year of tiiis lime the value of the meat 
 furnished was $35,000. 
 
 On July '2-i. 18.")0, that being the \ear in which 
 he purchased his homo, I\Ir. Smith was united in 
 wedlock with IMiss Corenza liurr. This estimable 
 lady is a daughter of Warham and Nancy (Cum- 
 mings) Burr, natives of New York and North 
 Carolina icspectively. Mr. Burr was a school 
 teacher during iiis earlier life, but eventually be- 
 came the occu[)ant of a farm in .Jackson's Grove, 
 this county, where he died September 6, 18G1, his 
 wife following him to tiie tomb seven months later. 
 Mrs. Burr was a daughter of AYilliam and Sarah 
 (Hunt) Cummings, with whom she lived until her 
 marriage, whii h took place in the Hoosier State. 
 The Burrs afterward removed to Cook County, in 
 1833, first settling eight miles above Wilmington, 
 now Will County, afterward removing to the vil- 
 lage, and thence onto the farm. They were the 
 parents of ten children, four of whom lived to 
 maturity. These are: Mrs. Smith, of this sketch; 
 Sarah, wife of Lemuel Short, of Grundy Count}-; 
 Ira, now a resident of Kansas; and Selina C, wife 
 of Charles J. Longemire, of Kansas City, Mo. 
 One member of the family was killed in the battle 
 of Chickamauga, Tenn., during the first d.sy's 
 fight, his body being left on the field. He and Mr. 
 Longemire belongiMl to the same regiment — tlie 
 One Ilundredlh Illinois Infantry-. 
 
 The family of Mr. and Mrs. Smith is made up of 
 ten sons and daughters, all living but one who died 
 in infancy — liarton, tlie eldest, is a member of the 
 law firm of liaktr, Smith & Baker, of Toledo, 
 Ohio; he married Miss May Searles, and they have 
 two chihlren — Clifford Charles and Mildred; Emma 
 .1. is tlic wife of Herman Unland, of Hutchinson, 
 Kan., and the mother of three children — Corintha 
 (,'., Lloyd liarton and Bloss Chester; William T. 
 is in the real-estate business in Minneapolis, Minn.; 
 he is married and li.as four children — Winfrcd 
 William, Eihel Maj', Ruth and an infant; the 
 
 maiden name of his wife was Marj- H. Fowler; 
 Ella May is the wife of Wallace B. Douglas, a 
 lawyer of Moorehead, Minn., and the}' have two 
 children — Harold M. and Leila Louise; Charles W. 
 now occupies one of his father's farms; he married 
 Margaret A. Miller, and has one son — Charles 
 Clail>ourne; Lucy M., wife of Frank A. Miller, of 
 Joliet; Cora Ada is the wife of Dr. H. F. Hicks, a 
 dentist of .loliet; Eva Sarah is j'et at home; Floyd 
 Herman is now attending school. All have colle- 
 giate educations except the j'ounger members of 
 the family, who will receive the same advantages 
 in due time. 
 
 I\Ir. Sunth is a Democrat, and was elected on tlie 
 party ticket for Supervisor of the town. He has 
 also hehi as man}' minor ofUces as he would take, 
 but his large business has precluded his holding 
 them at all times. He is prominent in tlie lodges 
 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
 Masonic fraternity, having been connected with 
 the former order for forty-seven years, and the 
 latter for thirty years. He was the first member 
 initiated in each of the lodges to which he belongs. 
 They are Powhan Lodge, No. 29, I. O. O. F., and 
 Channahon Lodge, No. 262, F. & A. M. He has 
 helped to institute a number of other lodges. 
 
 •^^•E 
 
 ^ 
 
 OATHAN BENNETT. The record of Nath- 
 an Bennett is one to which he can point 
 with just pride as that of an excellent cit- 
 izen, a faithful workman, a kind friend and an af3fec- 
 tionate member of the family circle. He is of 
 English birth and iiarentage, his early days having 
 been spent in Midland where his eyes opened to 
 the light in 1845. His parents were Samuel and 
 ULirgaret (Ashley) Bennett, and the former was an 
 engiufer in the employ of theC'rown, continuing an 
 lionorable service until his death. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was reared in 
 the manner usu.al to the son of an artisan and after 
 acquiring his education, learned the trade of pud- 
 dling, in the government service. In 1868 he 
 came to America selecting St. Louis as his first 
 abiding place. There he was engaged in the Brem- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 GGl 
 
 en Mills for some months, aftpr which he came to 
 JolieL, III., and entered the employ of the Joliet 
 Steel Works. In 1873, he began assisting in the 
 manufacture of steel, at which he has continued 
 until the i)resent time, a period of twenty-one 
 years— a record that could only be made by sobri- 
 ety and faithfulness. In addition to this Mr. Ben- 
 nett is engaged in connection with the firm of 
 Dcraart Bennett in an extensive trade in fine car- 
 riages, their place of business beirg No. 210 North 
 Ottawa Street. 
 
 The dwelling that Mr. Bennett owns and occupies 
 on Mississijipi Avenue is presided over by a lady 
 who became his wife in 1867. vShe was known in 
 her maidenhood as Miss Mary Ann Guy, and is a 
 woman of wortli of mind and lieart. The happy 
 union has been blessed by the birth of six children, 
 named respectively, Sarah Ann, Albert Edward, 
 p;dith, Mabel, INIarion, and Robert Arson. Mr. 
 Bennett is devotedly attached to his home as well 
 lie may be. 
 
 The Amalgamated Society has repeatedly made 
 !\Ir. I'.ennett its President and he has been the 
 Treasurer of the Society of St. George since its or- 
 ganization, having been a cliarter member. He 
 also belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 
 ,30. He is numbered among the members of the 
 Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 ^*5.a IMON HAUSSER. As a contractor in 
 ^^^ stone work, Mr. Ilausser is well known 
 "(jjL^a) throughout Will County, in which he has 
 — oi^erated extensively in his line, and has 
 proved himself a man prompt to meet his obliga- 
 tions, and one who can always be trusted. He ful- 
 lilled a contract of stone work on the Alton Round- 
 house, the County Jail, St. John's Catholic Church, 
 the St. Joseph's Hospital and Convent, and for 
 many of the prominent residences of Joliet and 
 vicinity. His long experience and close attention 
 to business, together with his industry and a sens- 
 ible economy, have placed him financially in a po- 
 sition of independence. 
 
 The early home of our subjecl was in the king- 
 
 dom of Bavaria, where he was born April 13, 
 1819. He is the son of George and Eva (Nied- 
 hanimer) Hausser, the former of whom was a stone 
 mason, as was also his father before him. George 
 Hausser spent his entire life in his native land, 
 dying in 1846. The mother came to America in 
 May, 1851, and died at the home of her son 
 Simon, in Joliet, September 15, 1854. The paren- 
 tal family consisted of ten children, seven of whom 
 emigrated to America, and only four of the seven 
 arc now living — one in New York, one in New Jer- 
 sey, and two in Joliet. 
 
 Mr. Hausser learneil the trade of a mason in his 
 native country, Bavaria, remaining there until 1847. 
 Then, a man of twent3'-eight years, he resolved 
 upon emigrating to America, ayd embarked upon 
 the long voj'age in company with a younger 
 brother. They landed in New York Cit}-, where 
 Simon sojourned about two years, working at Port 
 Jarvis, N. Y., going from there to Lyons, N. Y"., 
 and thence to Batavia, 111. We next find him in 
 Aurora, this State, whence he emigrated to Joliet 
 in 1849, arriving August 15. 
 
 In Joliet Mr. Ilausser worked at his trade for a 
 time, and then, desirous of seeing more of the 
 country, went down to New Orleans. He only so- 
 journed, however, for a brief time in the Crescent 
 City, deciding that there were few more desirable 
 locations than the city of Joliet, to which he ac- 
 cordingly returned, and has since made it his 
 home. 
 
 In Joliet also Mr. Hausser found a wife and help- 
 mate, being married, November 22, 1853, to Miss 
 Francisca Horn. Mrs. Hausser was born October 
 23, 1832, in Neukirchen, Bavaria, and came to 
 Joliet with friends in 1853. Of this union there 
 have been born twelve children, ten of whom are 
 living. Mary, Mrs. Hagen, is a widow and resides 
 in Joliet; Teresa, Mrs. Steiner, and George are 
 living in Joliet; Anna remains with her parents; 
 Charles is an ordained priest of the Catholic 
 Church, and officiates as assistant priest of Colum- 
 bia Church, in Ottawa, III. ; Joseph, who has also 
 received priestly orders, is an assistant priest, sta- 
 tioned over the parish of the Holy Trinity Church, 
 Chicago; Caroline and Alphonso remain under the 
 parental roof; Simon and Heury are pursuing their 
 
662 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 studies in St. Francis College, at St. Francis, Wis. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Haiisscr liave also an adoiited son, 
 Alexander, an orphan, who has made his home with 
 them for aljout four years. It is a matter of great 
 satisfaction to IVIr. Ilausser that two of his sons 
 are priests in the Catholic Church, in the doctrines 
 of whicii he. himself was trained from boyhood, 
 and also that two other sons are lilvGl3- to choose the 
 same pious calling for tlieir vocation in life. Mr. 
 Hausser lias been connected with tiie church since 
 liis 1>03 hood, and belongs to the 'I'hiid order of St. 
 Francis. In politics he is mainly independent, aiming 
 to support the men whom he considers best quali- 
 fied for ofticc. As a business man and a citizen, 
 he lias made for himself a good record, and enjoys 
 in a marked degree the esteem of those around 
 him. lie is mostly retired from active business, 
 and occupies a comfortable home, situated on a rise 
 of ground on Broadway Street, overlooking a 
 large portion of the city. 
 
 'VI/ AMES B. AUSTIN. This gentleman bears 
 the reputation of being one of the most 
 public-spirited citizens of Homer Township, 
 and he is closely identified with its agricult- 
 ural interests, successfully tilling one hundred and 
 fifty acres of land on section 1 1. and in addition to 
 tills makes a specialty of fine Norman horses. For 
 the past nine years he has offlciated as Highway 
 Commissioner and Si hool Director, and may always 
 be found on the side of the enterprises calculated 
 for the .'idvancement of the community, socially, 
 morally and financially. In politics he is a sound 
 Republican, thoroughly in accord with the princi- 
 ples of his [larty, which he has always labored 
 earnestly to advance. He is more than ordinarily 
 intelligent and weli-informcd, keeping up with the 
 tojjics of the da}', and in hi.s social life has always 
 distinguished himself as one of the most hospitable 
 men of his neighborhood. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the eldest in a 
 family of six children, and was born in Ontario 
 County, N. Y., July 4,182.'?. He lived with his 
 parents until a boy of eight or nine years, then 
 
 went to live with his uncle, Ira Austin, with whom 
 he remained until reaching his majority. When he 
 was sixteen years old he came with his fincle to 
 this county, and after becoming of age took up 
 one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, 
 where he built up the comfortable home which he 
 now owns and occupies. He was married in Du 
 Page Township November 19, 1851, to Bliss Laura 
 Saunders. The young people settled in their own 
 home, where were born to them four children and 
 where the mother died July 2, 18G5. Their first- 
 born child, a son, William, died when about one 
 year old; Albert remains at home with his father; 
 Estella became the wife of William Orahood and 
 died in Homer Townshii>, December 1, 1879; Ly- 
 man is a resident of Dakota. 
 
 Mr. Austin contracted a second marriage, in 
 Homer Township, October 22, 1867, with Miss 
 Betsey McGregor. This lady was born in Scotland, 
 November 17, 1845, and when five years old came 
 with her parents to America. The latter were 
 Henry and Jeanette (Malcom) McGregor, both of 
 whom were also born in the Lan.i of the Thistle, 
 but are now residents of Cook County, this State. 
 To Mr. Austin and his present wife there have been 
 born nine children, viz: Jenny, who died wh%n ten 
 years old; Buell P.; Ira W.,who died at the age of 
 three years; Charles H., who died when four years 
 old; James H., John McG., Homer C, Hattie J. 
 and George W. The latter died when about four 
 3'cars old. Mrs. Austin is a member in good stand- 
 ing of the Blethodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 In .\ugust, 1862, Mr. Austin entered the Union 
 army, enlisted in company F, One Ilundreth Illinois 
 Infantry, and served two and one-half years, until 
 February 1, 1865. His duties were mostly in the 
 (Quartermaster's department, and he consequently 
 took part in no battles. He belongs to Lock port 
 Post, No. 401, G. A. R., at Loekport. 
 
 Lyman Austin, the father of our subject, was, 
 like himself, a native of Ontario County, N. Y.,and 
 married Miss Sarah Ilecock, who w.as also a native 
 of that county. The}' lived there for a time after 
 their marriage, then removed to Medina County, 
 Ohio, and from there to Cass County, Mich. After 
 a sojourn of some years in the Wolverine State 
 they joined their sou in Homer Township, this 
 
"fe^ ^. <?^.4U.^^LAiy<k^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIUGRAPHlCxVL ALBUM. 
 
 665 
 
 county, and here spent their last clays. 'J'hey were 
 honest and upright |)eople and without making any 
 great stir in the world [)erformed life's duties in a 
 creditable inatnicr and are kindly remembered by 
 all who knew them. 
 
 -i^^' 
 
 — ^3-fc-J 
 
 ^^EORGE S. IIINCKEL. Among the rising 
 (II ,- — young members of the legal profession in 
 ^^^(j Joliet, may be proiierly mentioned the sub- 
 ject of this notice, whose portrait a|)pears on the 
 opposite page, and who is yet in the early prime of 
 life. He has before him bright prospects for wealth 
 and honor, and in future years will undoubtedly 
 stand high among the attorneys of Illinois, as he 
 now holds a conspicuous rank among those of 
 Joliet. 
 
 The native place of Mr. Ilinckel was the city of Al- 
 bany, N. Y., and he was born July 6, 1860. His im- 
 mediate ancestors are Charles and Julia (Schwartz) 
 Hinckel, the former a native of Germany and the 
 latter of New York State. The father traced his 
 lineage to a German famil3' of distinction, and in 
 his youth received a militarj' education and train- 
 ing, afterward serving in high official cajjacities in 
 the German and American armies. Early in life he 
 crossed the Atlantic, having determined upon mak- 
 ing a home in the United St.ates, and located in Al- 
 bany, N. Y.. where he remained until 1874. That 
 year became to Illinois, and settling in AVill County, 
 soon became a prominent man in politics, affiliating 
 with the Republican party. Soon after locating in 
 Joliet, he was appointed, about 1876, Deputy 
 Sheriff of Will County, and was subsequently 
 elected Police Magistrate. 
 
 The subject of this notice was the onl^' child of 
 his parents and pursued his early studies in the 
 private schools and academies of his native State. 
 In 1874 he came to Chicago, where his studies were 
 ended and his business career begun. In 1883 he 
 located in Joliet, and, while serving as Deputy 
 Clerk of the Circuit Court, entered upon the study 
 of the law, under the instruction of the eminent 
 lawyer, George S. House, Esq. In the meantime 
 he held the above mentioned office nearly five 
 
 years. He was admitted to practice by the Supreme 
 Court in December, 1887, but did not commence 
 the regular duties of his [irofession until the 1st of 
 November, 1889. He is a sound Republican, po- 
 litically, and is also a prominent member of the 
 military order of Sons of V'eterans, and of the chief 
 social organization, the I'nion Club. 
 
 Mr. Hinckel conlracieit his present matrimonial 
 ties July 1.5, 1889, at the bride's home in Brooklyn, 
 N. Y., with Miss Nellie J. Dobiecki. Mrs. Hinckel 
 was born October 2. 1865, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and 
 both she and her husband are connected by tics of 
 relationship with some of the l)est known and most 
 highly respected families of the East. They live 
 in comfort in a neat home in the eastern part of the 
 city, and number their friends among its cultured 
 people. 
 
 ■^OHNRANFT. There is scarcely a line of 
 business that is not represented in Joliet, 
 where commercial and manufacturing en- 
 terprises seem equallj' prominent. The busi- 
 ness in which the subject of this sketch is engaged 
 is that of the manufacture of all kinds of soda 
 water, ginger ale, and similar beverages, charging 
 fountains, etc. His experience has been somewhat 
 varied, but his career has proved that he is one of 
 those men who can gain support where others 
 would fail, because they could work at but one oc- 
 cupation. Mr. Ranft came from far across the sea, 
 his birthplace having been Waldeck, Germany, 
 where his eyes first opened to the light January 
 16, 1843. His parents were John and Elizabeth 
 (.Schneider) Ranft, and his father's occupation was 
 that of a farmer. 
 
 In his native Land, he of whom we write, was 
 emplojed as a domestic servant until 1866. when 
 he determined to seek a different field in the land 
 across the sea. Leaving behind him the other 
 members of the family, none of whom have come 
 to America, he took passage and ere long landed 
 in New York. He found eraploj'mont as a farm 
 hand in New Jersey, receiving $15 per mouth for 
 his services, and remaining in the East somewhat 
 over a year. He then came to Chicago and thence 
 
666 
 
 PORTRAIT AND KIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 to, Joliet, near which place he engaged in farming 
 two years. He liien entered tiic eninloy of the 
 Schring Brewing Cuniimny. ser\iiig thoni five and 
 oiie-liiilf yciirs. Tlie next enter[)risc in which, lie 
 engaged was to open a saloon on Bluff and Jeffer- 
 son Streets, which he carried on five years. In 
 I.SH.5 lie opened a i)op factory and since that time 
 has husied liinisclf with the manufacture of bever- 
 ages as before staled. 
 
 On September 11, 1873, Mr. Ranft was united in 
 marriage with Miss Katheiine Metzger, who judi- 
 ciously managed his household affairs for several 
 years. She was removed by the hand of death 
 November 10, 18M2, leaving one daughter, Anna. 
 The present wife of Mr. Ranft bore the maiden 
 name of Augusta Reiniers, and is a daughter of 
 Henry and] Anna (Jiggers) Reimers. She was 
 nniled to our subject October 2;), 1883. and has 
 hurne him three daughters — Bertha, Mary and 
 Linda. 
 
 Mr. Ranft generally votes the Democratic ticket. 
 He is of a social nature, particularly so among his 
 fellow countr^'-meu and finds many friends. He be- 
 longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
 to the Sharp-shooters, and to the Joliet Saenger- 
 bund. 
 
 m 
 
 5^A HRISTOril IIINZ. Washington Townshi|) 
 -..s become the home and the field of the 
 ^^^ successful labors of manj' German-born citi- 
 zens, whose thrift and nprigiitness are recognized by 
 those around them and afford an excellent example 
 to the rising generation. One of these worthy 
 German- American citizens is Christoph Ilinz, whose 
 home is on section 19. The farm comprises one 
 hundred and sixty acres of well-tilled land which 
 bears the improvements usually made by a man of 
 enterprise and has been reclaimed by him from its 
 wild and primitive condition. His first purchase 
 was ot eighty acres to which he subsequently 
 added an adjoining tract of the same extent. 
 
 Mr. Hinz is of excellent German ancestry, his 
 immediate progenitors being John and Mary (Biel- 
 feldt) Hinz, both of whom were born in Mecklen- 
 burg. There the mother died in the forty-fourth 
 
 year of her age, leaving five sons and two daugli- 
 ters. In 1855 father and children crossed the briny 
 deep, leaving Hamburg September 15, and landing 
 in New York City seven weeks later, their passage 
 having been made on tiie sailing ship "Rudolph." 
 The family came directly West and settled in Cook 
 Count}', 111., but sume years later the father and 
 his son Charles removed to Kansas City, Mo., where 
 the father breathed his last in 1882, at the age of 
 seventy-nine years. He was a worthy citizen and 
 a consistent member of the Lutheran Ciiurch. 
 
 The subject of this biographical notice was born 
 May 18, 1820, and was well reared in habits of in- 
 dustry and firmness of moral i)rinciple, but without 
 educational advantages. After the famil}- came to 
 America he continued to reside in Cook Count}' for 
 eiglit years, and in 18()5 removed from Dunkard's 
 Station to AVashinglon Township, this county. Hen; 
 he has been engaged in general farming, and has 
 become known as a good farmer, a reliable citizen 
 and a man of kindliness in domestic and social 
 relations. 
 
 The first mairiage of Mr. Hinz took place in the 
 land of his nativity, to IMiss Elizabeth Shell. To 
 them were born two sons, Henry and John, before 
 they accompanied the other members of the Hinz 
 family to the United States. They had been in 
 Chicago but eleven days when the wife died, at the 
 early age of thirty-eight years. Her son Henry 
 married Dora Ostermeyer and is engaged in trade 
 at Beecher, this county; John married Mary Starter 
 and is farming in Washington Townshijj. 
 
 The second marri.age of Mr. Hinz took place in 
 Cook County, his bride being Miss Magdalena 
 Bade, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, 
 April 12, 1832. Her parents were Jacob and So- 
 phia (Hein) Bade. Her father was a laborer who 
 died at the age of fifty- two j-ears. The widowed 
 mother with her six children crossed the Atlantic 
 in 1857 and made her home in Northern Illinois. 
 In her last days she came to live with her daughter, 
 Mrs. Bade, dying at her home in 1887, at the ad- 
 vanced age of eighty-four 3'cars and three months. 
 She and her husband had belonged to the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 Tlie present union of Mr. Hinz has resulted in 
 the birth of three children: Sophia, Bertha and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 667 
 
 Herman. Sophia married William Meyer, and died 
 leaving five children; Bertha became the wife of 
 Charks Henget, a mechanic, whose home is in Ai- 
 lington Heights, Cook County; Herman remains 
 witli his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hinz belong to the 
 LuilRTan Church, an<l their children are also iden- 
 tilic<l with that religious body. The elective fran- 
 chise is exercised by Mr, Hinz in behalf of the 
 candidates of the Republican i)arty. Mr. Hinz is 
 a fine specimen of i)hysical manhood of the Ger- 
 man type, and he possesses sterling qualities of 
 character, being particularly noted for his honesty, 
 and straightforward manner and dealing, 
 
 ^=5JE0RGE H. P.RANNON. M, I),, now located 
 ((( (-J at Manhattan, enjoys a large practice in the 
 ^^^ town and surrounding country. Both he 
 an<l his brother Londus are (luilc young, possessed 
 of abundant energy and thorougiily skilled in their 
 profession, having.been graduated from well-known 
 and reputable institutions. They are pleasantly 
 located on Main Street. 
 
 Dr. G. H. Brannon is the youngest in a family of 
 live children born to John and Sarah (IMarker) 
 Brannon, of Decatur County, Ind. The father was 
 born in New Jersey but later lived in Ohio, where 
 he followed farming for some time, AVhen about 
 thirty years old he removed to the Hoosier State, 
 choosing a location near (irecnsburg, where he is 
 now living retired on a fine farm, lie served 
 throughout the Mexican War as a private. Mrs. 
 Brannon was born in Butler County, < )hio. The 
 worthy couple are now seventy -seven and seventy - 
 four years of age, respectively, Mrs, Brannon 
 belongs to the Presbyterian Clairch. Thi; children 
 are Laura, Isophene (now :\Irs, Fescus) and Weller, 
 all on the home farm, and the two brothers who 
 live in Manhattan, 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born near (^^reoiis- 
 burg, Ind„ November 25, 1.^03, and was reared on 
 a farm, enjoying such educational advantages dur- 
 ing his boyhood as could be obtained in the district 
 schools. When sixteen years old he entered the 
 college at Richmond, pursuing his studies in that 
 
 excellent institution about four years and leaving 
 one term prior to the completion of the course of 
 study. When seventeen years old he had begun 
 teaching, spending his vacations in |)cdagogical la- 
 bors until he left the joHege, when he devoted him- 
 self entirely to the work for two years. Duimg 
 one year of this time he held the Priucipalship of 
 the Harris City Schools, which occupied a commo- 
 dious building 86x«7 feet. 
 
 Mr. Brannon had been studying medicine to some 
 extent for several years, and in 1885 he took up the 
 work more thoroughly under Dr. Clark, of Waynes- 
 burg. After reading under that excellent pre- 
 ceptor two years, he entered the Hospital College 
 of Medicine at Louisville, Ky„ from which he was 
 graduated in June, 1889. He came at once to 
 Manhattan, where his brother was already located, 
 and entered into partnership with him. In the few 
 'months whicii have elapsed since he began his la- 
 bors, he has .acquired an excellent reputation for 
 general intelligence, professional skill and well- 
 bred manners. He is not content to rest upon his 
 oars, but is constantly adding to his store of pro- 
 fessional knowledge by using the medium of medi- 
 cal journals and .all the professional literature of 
 the day. He belongs to the Alumni Association of 
 his Alma Mater, and to Alert Lodge, No. 395, F. <fe 
 A. M., in Indiana. His political adherence is given 
 to the Democratic party. 
 
 Londus Brannon, brother 'of our subject, was 
 born in Decatur County, Ind., November 25, 1857. 
 His early life was spent similarly to that of his 
 brotlier, and in youth he also began the study of 
 medicine. He was graduated from the Ohio Med- 
 ical College at Cincinnati in 1882, and devoted the 
 first year of his practice to the citizens of Greens- 
 burg, Ind,, and vicinity. In 1883 he located in 
 Manhattan, where, before his brother's .arrival, he 
 had secured a large practice. He had not only ac- 
 complished this, but he had earned the reputation 
 of being a skillful practitioner, and had become 
 very well liked by the community. He is consid- 
 ered one of the most enterprising citizens of the 
 village, and one to whom added years will bring 
 more extended knowledge and even greater success, 
 Dr, Londus Brannon was married in October, 
 1887, to Miss Eliza Jones, the marriage ceremony 
 
668 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 taking place at tlie'horne of lier liarents in Peotone. 
 Tlie bride was Ixnii in Wilton Township, this 
 county, and is the daughter of Robert and Elinor 
 (Atkinson) Jo'ies, natives of Yorkshire, England. 
 Mr. Jones was for some years a prominent farmer 
 in Wilton Township, but is now living rctiretl at 
 Peotone. Mrs. Brannon possesses the intelligence 
 ami culture which makes her a worthy companion 
 of one of her husband's ability, and adds to the 
 popularity of their home. 
 
 ESTER G. COLEGROVK lias been identi- 
 fied with the agricultural development of 
 ^ Will County since the earl}' da^'S of its set- 
 tleinen1,and is a fine representative of the sturdy, 
 intelligent, enterprising pioneers who came to this 
 State half a centurj' or more ago, and have since 
 improved valuable and highly productive farms 
 from the wild prairies. For many years he has 
 made his home in Plainfield Tov.'nship, and is cUisely 
 associated with its material pros[)erity .nnd its social 
 and religious welfare^ 
 
 He was born in the town of Fairfax, Franklin 
 County, Vt., April 23, 1»1!S. Ilis father, Clark T. 
 Colegrove, w.is, it is thought, born in Connecticut, 
 and his grandfather was Nathan Colegrove, who was 
 one of the early pioneers of Franklin Count}', mak- 
 ing the removal to that part of Vermont with a 
 team. He bought a tract of timber land, and from 
 the primev.al forest hewed out a farm on which he 
 lived till death closed his mortal career. The father 
 of our suliject was bred to agricultural pursuits, 
 l)ut he never owned a farm of his own, being em- 
 ployed by others. He resided in Vermont until 
 1846, when he came to Illinois, and for some years 
 lived in the town of Wheatland. He subsequently 
 removed to Blue Island in Cook County, where 
 both he and his wife died of cholera in the same 
 week. The maiden name of the mother of our 
 subject -was Nellie Ingersoll, and she was of New- 
 England birth. 
 
 Lester Colegrove was reared on a farm in his na- 
 tive town, receiving the advantages of .in educa- 
 tion in the local schools, and at the age of sixteen 
 
 commenced to work out by the month. He was 
 thus employed until 1838. He was ambitious to 
 improve his condition and make something more 
 of himself than he could in the sleepy little New 
 iMigland town where he resided, so lie determined i- 
 to stai't westward, and in the 3'ear mentioned we '^ 
 find him on his way to Illinois with but $5 in his kt 
 l)Ocket, but in his strong muscles, his determined « 
 will and high couinge, he had better ca[55tal. He 
 procured a ride to .Berlinton and there took passage 
 on a steamer for Whitehall, wlience he went on 
 the Chamiilain and Erie Canals to Buffalo, working 
 to pay the expenses of the trip. At Buffalo he 
 embarked on a steamer, having agreed to work for 
 his passage to Chicago. From the latter city he 
 started for Lockport on foot, and as the canal was 
 then in process of construction, he labored on that 
 for one month and was then taken sick. He was 
 ill for two weeks and then came to Plainfield, and 
 in 1839 worked a farm on shares. The country 
 round about was still in a wild and unsettled con- 
 dition, there being no railroads or canals here, 
 and Chicago, thirty-six miles away, was the nearest 
 market. At that time deer, wolves and other kinds 
 of game abounded. In 1841, Mr. Colegrove 
 bought a tract of wild prairie land in Pekin Town- 
 ship, and at once witli characteristic energy, entered 
 upon its improvement. He built a small frame 
 house, riving the shingles by hand, and in tlie years 
 that followed erected more substantial buildings and 
 placetl the land under good tillage. He resided on 
 that farm until 1875 and then rented it, having 
 purchased the farm on which he now resides. He 
 has added to the dwelling-house and made it into 
 a commodious and tastefullj' fitted-up abode, and 
 he has otherwise beautified the place, planted shade 
 and ornamental trees, besides making other valua- 
 ble improvements. He still owns the farm which 
 he bought in 1841, and has added to his first pur- 
 chase, until it now comprises two hundred and 
 twenty-one acres of highly cultivated land. 
 
 In the month of January, 1842, Mr. Colegrove 
 was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Inger- 
 soll, a native of Vermont. Her father, Chester 
 Ingersoll, was a native of Massachusetts and was 
 one of the first settlers of Will County. He bought 
 the land from the Government in the village of 
 
.-if 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 671 
 
 Plainfielfl which is iilatted on his farm. He built 
 for Esqiiiie Walker, tiie first sawmill that was ever 
 erected here, hewing all the timber himself. Mr. 
 Iiigcrsoll resided iiere until 184 7 and then went to 
 California where his death occurred in 181',). The 
 maiden name of his wife was I'olly llurdick, and 
 she spent her last j'ears in Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Colegrove have four children living, namely: Ma- 
 rada, wife of G. W. Flagg, of whom see sketch; 
 FlavUla, wife of Joseph lUifFum, of Calhoun 
 County, Iowa; Ida, wife of Wheeler Green, of 
 Plainfield; Dell, wife of Calvin Hice, of Chicago. 
 Coming to this county more than half a century 
 ago to identify himself with its pioneers, our sub- 
 ject has been of invaluable aid in developing its 
 resources, and, as we have seen, has placed himself 
 among its well-to-do citizens, as his natural en- 
 dowments have enabled him to manage his affairs 
 at a good advantage. He and his wife are well 
 known for their kindness of heart and thoughlful- 
 ness towards others and they occup}' a warm place 
 in the hearts of the people about them. Both are 
 sincerely religious and are constant attendants of 
 the Baptist Church of which they are consistent 
 members. 
 
 S^\ AJ. ROBERT MANN WOODS, editor and 
 publisher of the RepuhJic and Sun, has for 
 man}' years been a prominent figure among 
 ^' the various interests of Will County, and 
 
 especially of the city of Joliet. He is a gentleman 
 (if fine abilities, possessing great energy and enter- 
 prise, and is in the habit of making a success of 
 whatever he undertakes. He was born April 17, 
 1810, in Greenville, Mercer County, Pa., and is the 
 s<in of 'William J. and Sai-ali (Mann) Woods. The 
 parents were natives respectively of Western New 
 York and Maryland. 
 
 This branch of the Woods family is of Irish ex- 
 traction, and as far back as the records go, were in 
 religion Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. The father of 
 our subject was a cabinet-maker by tr.ade, and po- 
 litically a life-long Abolitionist, being the only 
 man in Pike County, this State, who voted for 
 
 James G. Birney for President. For a number of 
 years he published a F"ree Soil paper in Galesburg, 
 III., having come to the State in 1842. In ISSi), 
 in company with others, he formed the AVestern 
 Industrial and Scientific Institution, which estab- 
 lished a still flourishing college at College Springs, 
 Iowa. He is still living, a hale and hearty old man, 
 making his home in Sheridan County, Kan., where 
 three of his sons also reside. He was married the 
 third time. at the age of eighty-two years and is now 
 eighty-five years old. He preserves much of his old 
 time energy and activity, and at the present writing, 
 April, 1890, is engaged in setting out an orchard 
 and maintains that he expects to gather fruit from 
 it for several seasons to come. 
 
 To William J. Woods by his first wife, the 
 mother of our subject, was born a family of ten 
 children, of whom Robert M. was the fifth in or- 
 der of birth. Marilla S., the first child, Mrs. Young, 
 is living in Cameron, Mo.; the second child, 
 Newton, is farming in Sheridan County, Kan.; Ad- 
 dison is a resident of Sheridan County, Kan.; Nar- 
 cissa, Mrs. Cox, resides in Quincy, III. ; John is 
 engaged in the real-estate business at Joliet; Sarah 
 J., Mrs. Maj. A. R. Ander.^on, died in Sidney, Iowa. 
 Her husband was for several terms a member of 
 Congress; Isaac, a gallant soldier of the Fourth 
 Missouri Cavalry, died in Washington, Ind., in 
 1889; William P. is a grocer at Villisca, Iowa; 
 and Willistou 15. is a farmer in Sheridan County, 
 Kan. 
 
 The subject of this notice was taken to Pike 
 County, this State, in 1842, when a child, and 
 lived there until 4848. Then going to Galesburg, 
 he attended Knox College, and lived there for a 
 period of ten years. In 1858 he crossed the Mis- 
 sissippi, and until 18G1 taught school in Iowa 
 and IMissouri. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
 he was appointed by Gov. Yates to a position in 
 the (Juartermaster's and Governor's offices, which, 
 occupied his time until June, 18G4. He was then 
 appointed Adjutant of Yates' Sharp-shooters, which 
 formed the Sixt^'-fourth Illinois Regiment. He 
 served in this through the Atlanta campaign and 
 was then detailed as a mustering officer. Subse- 
 quently he served on the staff of Maj. Gen. Giles 
 A. Smith, [larticipating in the march to the sea and 
 
G72 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALRUM. 
 
 Uie campaign through the Carolinas; when he was 
 comiiiibsioned Cnplaiu of Company A, Sixtj'-fourtti 
 Illinois Iiiftuitiy, and was twice brevetted for gal- 
 lant and nieritoriuiis service as Captain and Major. 
 At the close of the war he went with his regiment 
 to Washington, and wa^ present at the Grand Re- 
 view. He then proceeded with his regiment to 
 Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out, and as 
 a mustering officer signed the discliarge papers of 
 over ten thousand soldiers. 
 
 After leaving the army Maj. Woods was sum- 
 moned to Springfield by Adj. Gen. I. N. Haynie, 
 and there he wrote the histories of all the Illinois reg- 
 iments for the Adjutant-General's report, these 
 making niue volumes. In the spring of 186G, he 
 wrote the constitution and by-laws, charter, etc.. 
 for the Grand Army of the Republic, which was 
 originated by Dr. B. F. Stephenson, and of which 
 Maj. AVoods was the first Adjutant-General. Soon 
 afterward he organized the various departments 
 throughout the Northwest. The original charter 
 of Decatur Tost, No. 1, has his name upon it. 
 
 In 1868 Maj. Woods rep.aired to Chicago, 111., 
 where he was variously engaged, and for four and 
 one-half years officiated as chief clerk during the 
 construction of the United States Custom House 
 and posl-olllce, in that city. In 1877 he was ap- 
 pointed Insurance Examiner of Illinois, and dur- 
 ino' his incumbency of this office it became his 
 duty to proceed against and close up, in the courts 
 of the State, the Republic Life, the Protection Life, 
 and Chicago Life Insurance Companies. This era- 
 ployed his time until 187'J, and then turning his 
 attention to the newspaper world, he purchased 
 the Joliet llepublican of James Goodspeed. He 
 conducted this successfully until 1883, then pui- 
 chased the Joliet Sun, which he merged with the 
 Republican. In 1888, reaching out still farther, 
 he purchased the Daily and Weekly Press, and 
 consolidated the three papers under the name of 
 iiepublic and Sun. lie is an able journalist, mak- 
 ing an interesting local pai)er, which has become 
 one of the indispensable institutions of Will 
 County. Its political complexion reflects his own 
 convictions and sympathies, which have been in 
 harmony with the principles of the Re[)ulican 
 party since he became a voter. He has an ad- 
 
 mirably equipped office, including a job depart- 
 ment and book bindery, fitted out with all the 
 machinery and other appliances necessary to do 
 first- class work. The paper has a healthy subscrip- 
 tion list, and the job department is ffcnerously 
 jw-tronized by the people of Joliet and Will 
 County. 
 
 Maj. Woods was married, October 5, 1807, in 
 Chicago, 111., to Miss Ma;^ Florence Miner. Mrs. 
 Woods was born April 8, 1851, at Harding, III., 
 and is the daughter of Samuel E. and Asenath 
 (Darrow) Miner, who were natives of Massachu- 
 setts, and are now residents of PhaMiix, Arizona. 
 Two children, a daughter and a son, have been 
 born of this union, Alice M. and Miner R., who 
 still remain with their parents. The family resi- 
 dence and its surroundings, forms one of the at- 
 tractive homes of Joliet, and is located in the 
 soutlieastern part of the cit}'. 
 
 Elsewhere in this volume the reader will notice 
 a lithographic [)ortrait of Maj. Woods. I 
 
 --4- 
 
 #-# 
 
 •iwiOllN N. GEUTHER. The old saying that 
 ! truth is stranger than fiction, is one with 
 which we are all faniiliar,and yet which often 
 is unheeded while we goon blindly supposing 
 that strange incidents only belong to the works 
 of fiction. The life of the enterprising citizen 
 whose history it is our purpose to sketch, has been 
 marked with experiences somewhat out of the 
 usual order. He is the oldest of three children, 
 whose ancestry is noted in the sketch of John 
 George Geuther, found elsewhere in this Aluum. 
 He was born in Saxe Coburg (Jotha, Germany, 
 January 4, is-i."). .and reared in the village of Weid- 
 hausen. 
 
 The educational privileges of young Geuther 
 were somewhat limited, as the schools were princi- 
 pally held during the winter months, but he im- 
 proved such opportunities as were afforded him. 
 He early took u}) farm labors on his father's land 
 and he also [jartially learned the trade of a baker 
 from his Grandfather Geuther. When he was 
 eighteen years old his father wished him to come 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOCiRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 G73 
 
 to America to see wliat opportunities this coiintr3' 
 afforded, and he therefore left Bremerhaveii in 
 184^, landing in New York Citj', after an ocean 
 voyage of thirty-five days. Jn addition to his 
 otlier attainments lie had learned basket-making 
 from his father, and at that trade he worked five 
 months in the metroi)olis. 
 
 The summer having passed, young (ieuther 
 turned his footsteps southward, and reaching 
 Cliarleston, S. C, completed the trade of a baker 
 and worked some five jears as a journeyman. He 
 then opened a bakerj" in the same city, having his 
 residence on Sullivan's Island, near Ft. Moultrie. 
 His sentiments were all in favor of the Union, and 
 after the breaking out of the Civil War he was 
 ordered I13' Southern officers to quit tlie island. In 
 1SC2 he went into the city, and a few monihs later 
 to Mt. Pleasant, where he remained virtually in hid- 
 ing, as he could not get North. As he was notable 
 to continue his occupation lie was obliged to live 
 on what he had saved, and his capital gradually 
 (liniinishcil. 
 
 After the war Mr.Geuther opened abakery in Mt. 
 I'leasant, and through a providential circumstance 
 became acquainted with the whereabouts of his 
 parents, between whom and himself there had been 
 \u) communication for years. During this time the 
 [•arental family had emigrated to America and were 
 living in Will County-, 111. A man who had lived at 
 Frankfort, went onto a plantation near ISIt. Pleas- 
 ant and bought bread from our subject. A receii)t 
 being given him, he noted the name upon it and 
 said that he knew tlie father and brothers of the 
 signer, and that they would be glad to hear from 
 or see him. A correspondence was at once ojiened, 
 :ind, as soon as possible, our subject closed up his 
 business and came North to visit his family, whom 
 he had not seen for twenty-six years. 
 
 After spending a few yionths with his friends 
 Mr. Geuther returned to South Carolina, sohl his 
 possessions there and moved to Mokena, III., A|)ril 
 1, 1870. Ho located on one bundled and sixty 
 acres on section 31, Green Garden Township, which 
 liad been purchased by his father before the war. 
 The improvements upon it were poor but they 
 have been replaced or added to until the estate is 
 now in an excellent condition. Agricnilnie, of 
 
 which he obtained a slight knowledge in his boy- 
 hood, has been well learned by him since he took 
 up his residence in the North, and he is succeeding 
 well in his enter|)rise. 
 
 Mr.Geuther has built a commodious and sub- 
 stantial residence, barn, corn crib and other farm 
 building.'"., has further improved his place with 
 drain tile and good fences, many rods of well-kept 
 hedge serving to outline his fields. The land is 
 watered by Forked Creek and every acre is tillable. 
 Oats and corn are the princiiial grain crops, in the 
 cultivation of which three teams are emplojed. He 
 keeps thirteen cows and raises draft horses of the 
 Clydesdale breed. Mr. Geuther has also invested 
 in South Dakota land, having three hundred and 
 twenty acres in Douglas County, which compiises 
 two improved farms which are operated by his 
 children. Credit is due him for his success, partic- 
 ularly- as he was obliged to begin at the bottom of 
 the ladder after the war, as the money which he 
 had was Confederate script and consequently 
 valueless. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Geuther took place in 
 
 Charleston, S. C, in 1857. His bride was Miss 
 
 Bertha Kaffe, who was born near Bremen, Germany, 
 
 and who died in Charleston in 18G6. She left three 
 
 children — Bertha, who is married to Christ Beeler, 
 
 and lives in Douglas County, S. Dak.; William, 
 
 who is in the employ of a railroad in Sioux City, 
 
 Iowa; and Christ, who operates a farm in South 
 
 Dakota. _ 
 
 "fr 
 The second marriage of Mr. (ieuther took place 
 
 at Mt. Pleasant, S. C, in 1869, and has been blest 
 by the birth of eight children — George, Lizzie, 
 Lawrence, Caroline, Amelia, Augusta, Helena and 
 Edith, all of whom are at home. The mother of 
 this interesting family bore the maiden name of 
 Augusta Bose, and was born in Stibnitch, Prussia, 
 October 31, 1839. Her father, Johaii Bose, was born 
 in Voline, and was an overseer of fishermen; her 
 mother, formerl}' Miss Anna Bairns, was also a 
 native of Prussia. Mrs. (Jeuther was reared to the 
 age of thirteen years in her native place and con- 
 tinued to live in the (Tprman Emiiire five years 
 longer. She then sailed for America in the 
 "Ghost," which made the voyage from Bremen to 
 Charleston, S. C., in six weeks. This was in 1858, 
 
674 
 
 PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPAlCAL ALBUM. 
 
 ancl the yoimii I'uly worked in Cliarloston until tlie 
 war, vvIk'11 siie went to Walllialldw, tlirct' iuindroil 
 mill's norlli. Tlicrc slie reniaiiit'd until tlie close 
 of llio war, when she returned to Charleston. She 
 is an exeellenl housekeeper, a devoted mother and 
 a good neighbor. 
 
 ]\Ir. Geuther is a very intelligent man and his 
 long residence in this country has given him an 
 excellent knowledge of the English language. His 
 personal characteristics are such that he is well 
 liked by members of the communit}', and his busi- 
 ness energy has given him prominence. He be- 
 longs to the Lutheran Church in which he holds the 
 oftice of Trustee, and he is serving eHiciently as 
 School Director of his district. Li politics, he is a 
 Democrat. He has served on both grand and petit 
 juries. 
 
 'if OHN SCHROEDER Jc SON. Among the 
 lluurishing business houses of JSIanhattan 
 that which is conducted under the above 
 style is by no means least. On the contrary, 
 the Messrs. Schroeder are among the largest dealers 
 in the town, carrying alarjje stock of groceries and 
 general merchandise, which includes dry-goods, 
 clothing, boots and shoes. The !irm also deals in 
 flour and salt, and handles a large amount of pro- 
 duce. Their stock is well selected, thoroughly 
 adapted to the needs and wishes of those who pat- 
 ronize the establishment, and the sales being con- 
 ducted according to the strictest honor and by men 
 whose courtesy is unfailing and whose willingness 
 to oblige is apparent to all, the reputation of the 
 firm is constantly growing. 
 
 The senior member of this firm is a son of Prof. 
 John Schroeder, who was born in Kerr-Hessian and 
 was graduated from a (Jerman seminary after a 
 six-years' course of study. He taught in different 
 towns in Hesse and died at the age of fortj-six 
 years. His wife was Philipine Schucht, a Hessian 
 lady of worth, daughter of Martin Schucht, a 
 wealthy farmer and miller, and an influential citi- 
 zen wlio held various public ollices in Kcrr-Hcsse. 
 Prof. Schroeder and his wife reared three children 
 to manhood and womanhood. They are Charles, a 
 
 farmer of Wiltcn Townshii), this county; John and 
 Maria C.,now Mrs. C. Justes, of Rosewood, Chicago, 
 (ioing back another generation in the ancestral line 
 we find Prof. Auton Schroeder, also an able teacher, 
 who was born in Handa Kerr-Hesse. 
 
 John Schroeder was born in Geriiuuiy and reared 
 under favorable home influences. His father died 
 when he was nine years (^Id. but he remained with 
 his mother until he had entered his teens, when he 
 began the labors of life as a clerk in a general store 
 in llesse-Cassel. After sojourning there three 
 j'ears he went to Gottingen, where he clerked until 
 he was twcnt}' years old. During this period he 
 took private lessons in French, book-keeping and 
 music. When twenty years old he entered the 
 German army, serving two 3'ears and two months 
 in the First German Rifle Battalion, Third Com- 
 panj\ The life of a soldier was most distasteful to 
 him and as soon as his term was completed he made 
 preparations to join his brother and sister in Amer- 
 ica, they being at that time at Blue Island, Cook 
 County, 111. 
 
 October 15, 1856, the good ship, "Union," Capt. 
 Claussen, spread her sails and left the harbor of 
 Bremen for a voj'age across the Atlantic. Among 
 the passengers was Mr. Schroeder, who landed in 
 New York, January 3, 1857, whence he came at 
 once to Chicago b}' rail. His brother was engaged 
 in wagon-making at Blue Island and he took up 
 the same trade, w'orking with him, and also in Chi- 
 cago and Michigan City, Ind. Li the fall of 18G0 
 he came to Will County and located at Wilton 
 Center, where he engaged in the manufacture of 
 carriages and wagons. He built a residence and 
 shop, and worked up an excellent business, at which 
 he continued to labor until 1882. lie then aban- 
 doned wagon-making to operate a farm of eighty 
 acres adjoining the village, of which he had been 
 the purchaser. 
 
 Id the spring of 1887, Mr. Schroeder leraoved to 
 Manhattan, forming the present partnership with 
 his son and buying the general raercliandise stock 
 of Knapp & McGovney. He continued to handle 
 agricultural implements, in which he had begun to 
 deal at Wilton Center, until January', 1890, when 
 that branch of the trade was abandoned. The 
 means which Mr. Schroeder has invested iu his 
 
JPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 G7o 
 
 business is not his only possesssiou, but lie owns 
 town lots and a residence, which js vahiable and 
 attractive. Mis business energy and tact are not 
 excelled in the city and all who know him agree in 
 the verdict which pronounces his success but a 
 merited reward. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Schroeder was celebrated 
 in Thornton, 111., February 7, 1859, the lad^- of his 
 choice being Miss Annie .Tustes. She was born in 
 Jlunden, Prussia, and her father, Joseph Justes, was 
 also a native of that place. He emigrated witli 
 his family about 1858, making bis home in Blue 
 Island, Cook County, where he continued to work 
 at his trade of a shoemaker until his death. Mrs. 
 Schroeder possesses a fine character, is a notable 
 housewife, and has been devoted to tiie interests of 
 her husband and the children, whom she has reared 
 to habits of usefulness. 
 
 The faniil}' of John Schroeder includes eight 
 sons and (laughters, of whom Marj-, Dora and Katie 
 still linger by the liome fireside. Clernence, the 
 first-born, is senior member of the firm, and his life 
 will be more fully detailed below; the second child 
 is Emma, now Mrs. Rose, of AVilton Townshi]); the 
 third is Louis, who is married and farming his 
 father's acres; the fourth is Annie, now Mrs. Mackey 
 who lives in Manhattan; the fifth is Mrs. Sophia 
 Gerdes. of AVallingford. 
 
 His fellow-citizens have not allowed Mr. Schroe- 
 der to exert his abilities entirelj- in personal affairs 
 but have called upon him to act as Collector and 
 School Director. In both of these offices he served 
 while residing at Wilton, and he also helped to or- 
 ganize the society- and build the house of worship 
 for the Lutherans in that place. He is a charter 
 member of the church there and is justlj' consid- 
 ered one of the [lillars therein, having ever been an 
 active worker. In politics he is a stanch Repub- 
 lican. 
 
 Clemence Schroeder, junior partner in the firm 
 of J. Schroeder i^' Son, was born at Wilton Center, 
 August 1, 1800. He is a young man of rare busi- 
 ness qualifications and a degree of enterprise which 
 indicates that if his life is spared he will become 
 one of the most influential business men of North- 
 ern Illinois. His traits of character and disposition 
 are such as to win and keep friends, and everyone 
 
 has a good word for him. He was reared in his 
 native place and there afforded excellent school 
 advantages, also having the privilege of six months' 
 attendance at a German school in Glassville, Ind. 
 
 Returning to his home after this course of study, 
 young Schroeder, who had not long before entered 
 his teens, began to assist his father by painting 
 carriages and wagons. The air of the paint room, 
 which had to be tightly closed during much of the 
 work which he performed, proved injurious to his 
 health, and he left the shop and went upon the 
 farm. There he engaged in agricultural labors, 
 finding his health much benefited by his out of- 
 door life, which he continued until 1884. He then 
 came to Manhattan, where for a year he was em- 
 ployed as a clerk by Elliott ct Bryant. He next 
 accepted a similar position with Knapp & McGov- 
 ney, in whose cmplo}' he remained until the first of 
 March, 1887. His employers were then bought 
 out by himself and father and the new firm insti- 
 tuted, which is prosperous and popular. 
 
 The virtues and acquirements of Miss Sophia 
 Krapp, a native of Mokena, won the affection of 
 Mr. Schroeder and, his wooing having proved suc- 
 cessful, she became his wife April 20, 1887. The 
 young couple have one child, a bright little boy 
 named Alvin. Mrs. Schroeder is a daughter of 
 Martin Krapp. a German stock dealer, who has 
 been for a number of ^^ears engaged in stock-deal- 
 ing and the meat business in Jlokena. 
 
 Clemence Schroeder is one of those through 
 whose efforts the town of Manhattan was incorpo- 
 ated. He is now serving his second term as a mem- 
 ber of' the Board of Trustees and he held the 
 position of assistant Postmaster a little over j'ear. 
 He follows his father's example and teaching in 
 being a stanch Republican, and he also belongs to 
 the German Lutheran Cliureh at Wilton. 
 
 * 
 
 yj^^AT. J. ROWELL, senior member of the firm 
 I jjj of Rowell Bros., is, with his partner, tran- 
 ll^Mi sacting a thriving business as a dealer in 
 gravel, cobble stones and sand, operating two pits 
 of thirti' feet depth, convenient to the railroad 
 
C7() 
 
 POHTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tracks, and liaviiig all the necessary facilities in 
 connection therewilli. He also deals consiilerably 
 in real estate. lie is niinilu'ied among the lisinjf 
 j'oung business men of .I()lict, i>oi)iil:ir in society 
 and having before him a fair outlook fur the 
 future. 
 
 A native of liic town of Clark.son, N. Y., Mr. 
 Uowell was born June 2G, 1858, and was brought 
 by his [lareiils to liiis county when a child of two 
 years. They lived on a farm until he was fourteen 
 years old and then removed to the present residence 
 of the family on Richards Street. Young Rowell, 
 during his boyhood attended the academy in Joliet 
 and subsequently was a student in the I'uiversity 
 of ^Minnesota one year. Later lie was in Ciiicago 
 I'niversily four years, from which he was grad- 
 uated with liigli honors in 187H. 
 
 Returning now to Joliet, Mr. Rowell became in- 
 terested in newspaper work, and for one year was 
 cily editor of the Hr'pvbUcmid Sun. Upon sever- 
 ing his connection with this paper be repaired to 
 Washington, D. ('., to assume the duties of a gov- 
 ernment office. He resigned this in 1885, and 
 returning again to eToliet, became interested in real 
 estate and insurance to which lie confined his atten- 
 tion until 1889. That year he extended his busi- 
 ness as already' stated. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Hopkins and 
 Mary E. (Blood) Rowell, likewise natives of Mon- 
 roe County, N. Y. and the father born in Clarkson 
 in 1800. Tlicre was born to them a family of live 
 children, all of whom are living; the father is now 
 deceased and the mother still living in .lolicl. 
 
 /AMES McNAMEE, managing editor of the 
 Press and Secretary of the Joliet Press 
 Publishing Company, although only a resi- 
 dent of the city for three years past, has 
 become favorably known to the greater portion of 
 its [iiuple and is looked ujiou as a thorough busi- 
 ness man, fully com[)ctenl for the position wliich 
 he has assumed. He was born in County Tyrone, 
 Lcland. October 13. 1848, and there and in Eng- 
 land spent the first thirty-two years of his life. At 
 
 an early age he became interested in jiewspaper 
 work, and going over to England, was for fifteen 
 years engaged as a journalist, meeting with more 
 than ordinary success. 
 
 Finally, in August, 1881, Mr. McNamee deter- 
 mined upon emigrating to America, and after 
 crossing the Atlantic, located in Xew Y'ork City, 
 wiicrc he was in liie emplo3- of different news- 
 papers until going to l*hiladci|)liia, Pa. He so- 
 journed liicre until coming to the West. Upon 
 reaching this county, lie located at once in Joliet, 
 and was cni|iloyed as editor of the Pri-sn |)rior to 
 the reorganization of the company, and when this 
 was effected, having by his good habits and steady 
 attention to business secured the confidence of 
 those with whom he was associated, he was chosen 
 for his present position. He has proven a proper 
 man for the place and has exerted no small inllu- 
 cnce in bringing the J'ress to its present efficiency' 
 and i)romincnce. He was reared in the Catholic 
 faith of his forefathers and belongs to St. Mary's 
 Church. His parents were John and Mary Mc- 
 Namee, natives likewise of County Tyrone, L'e- 
 land, and who are now deceased. 
 
 While a resident of the city of MiddlcslMjrougli, 
 England, Mr. McNamee was wedded, July 27, 
 1876, to Miss Flora O'Neill. Of this union there 
 have been born six children, all of wl.om are liv- 
 ing, and named respectively: John, Peter. James. 
 Philip, Mary and Joseph. The little family- occu- 
 pies a neat home in the Seventh Ward and enjoys 
 the frieudshii) and acquaintance of its cultivated 
 people. 
 
 Tlie Joliet Press Publishing Company was incor- 
 porated October 6. 1889, with a capital stock of 
 %«2n,000. of which *5.000 was paid up. There has 
 since been added 110,000 to the |)ai(l-u|i stock. 
 The officers are: Dr. William Dougall, President 
 and Treasurer; James McNamee, Secretary and 
 Managing Editor. The Board of Directors con- 
 sists of live members, viz: Dr. William Dougall, 
 James McNamee. D. M. Stiles, Capt. James Miller 
 and M. J. Kane. The office is thoroughly equipped 
 for both newspaper and job printing, having, since 
 the consolidation, increased its facilities by the put- 
 ting in of new machinerv and presses of the most 
 ap|)roveil make. The outlook is Mattering, and as 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 677 
 
 the establishment is in the lianrls of some of the 
 most capable business men of the city, there is 
 little question that the enterprise will >ie an entire 
 success. 
 
 r/OIIN FRIDLEY. In passing through Flor- 
 ence Township, a visitor is struck by the 
 prosperous appearance of many of the rural 
 hoines, and the eyes are especially attracted 
 to some of the residences that dot the landscape. 
 Among those thus conspicuous is that of Mr. Frid- 
 ley, a commodious building of pleasing design, 
 which is accompanied b^' fine barns and other 
 structures needful to a flourishing agriculturist. 
 The fertile acres that surround the dwelling show 
 that the owner is a master hand, for, although the 
 land is now rented, nothing is allowed to gain a 
 look of neglect or in any wise indicate a loss of its 
 former progressive attitude. 
 
 Mr. Fridlcy is a native of the far-famed Iniid of 
 Switzerland, where his eyes opened to the light 
 March 26, 1838. He is the only child of John and 
 Elizabeth Fridlcy, the former of whom spent his 
 life in that clime and the latter still lives there. 
 When nineteen years old, young Fridley came to 
 America, settling in Florence Township, this county, 
 on a tract, where he remained from 1857 until 
 187C, when he became the occupant of the estate 
 he now owns. This comprises two hundred and 
 forty acres on sections 10 and 11. All the build- 
 ings on the place have been made by him, and to 
 his energj' is due every improvement that makes of 
 I he estate so valuable a piece of properly. 
 
 Inheriting a devotion to country that is char- 
 acteristic of the German stock, whence he derives 
 his origin, Mr. P^ridley devoted some of the liest 
 years of his life to the protection of the flag of the 
 Union. In 1862 he joined the army as a private 
 in Company G, One Hundreth Illinois Infantry, 
 and he served until the close f)f the rebellion. His 
 canipaigning was done in Kentucky, Tennessee 
 and Georgia, and during it he fought in several of 
 the most noted contests of the war, among them 
 being Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Kidge, 
 
 Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, and the various battles 
 of the Atlanta campaign. At Kenesaw he was 
 wounded and disabled for a time. He was mus- 
 tered out of the service at Nashville, and going to 
 Chicago, there received his discharge July 1, 1865. 
 He is numbered in the ranks of the Republican 
 party, but takes no part in politics other than to 
 east his vote when occasion requires. 
 
 An important step in the life of our subject 
 took place on Christmas Day, 1866, on which date 
 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary A. Dal- 
 lenbach, of his own township. This estimable ladv 
 was the widow of Christian Dallenbach, by whom 
 she had two children — John W. and Frank. She 
 was born in Wurtemburg, German}-, and still lives, 
 enjoying with her companion the fruits of indus- 
 try and the esteem of many friends. She is a mem- 
 ber of the Evangelical Church. To her and her 
 present husband a son was born, E. Franklin, from 
 whom they were compelled to part when he was 
 eleven years old. 
 
 ILLIAM IIELDT. This gentleman owns 
 and occupies a valuable estate of two hun- 
 dred and forty aci'cs on section 35, Wash- 
 ington Township, and is numbered among the en- 
 terprising and progressive agriculturists of the 
 county. He has improved most of tiie land which 
 comprises his estate, and put up all the buildings 
 upon it, which include every necessary and conven- 
 ient arrangemert for the carrying on of the work 
 of the farm. He was born in Mecklenburg, Ger- 
 man}', Marcli 4, 1825, and grew to manhood in his 
 native country, acquiring a good education and the 
 practical knowledge which has been of use in his 
 mature years. He is the son of natives of Meck- 
 lenburg who came with other members of their 
 family to America and died here. A fuller his- 
 tory of the family will be found in the biography 
 of E. Heldt. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was married 
 in his native land to Miss Hannah Stedt, who was 
 born and reared in the same province as himself 
 and whose parental history is included in the 
 
 ¥ 
 
C78 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 sketch of Williiim Stedt, elsewbere in this Albl.m. 
 Soon after his marriage Mr. Heidt and his wife 
 started for America, taiiing jiassage at Hamburg 
 and hmding in the metropolis, whence the^' went 
 at once to Ciiicago, later making a settlement in 
 York Township, DuPage County. There Mr. 
 Ileldt began to work as a laborer on the railroad, 
 subsequently becomir.g the operator of rented land. 
 In the latter manner he was engaged until 1864, 
 when lie came to Will County and purchased his 
 first land. In his efforts to obtain a good home 
 he was ably seconded by his good wife and they 
 toiled hard together until her death, which occurred 
 June 30, 1888. She had reached the age of /Jfty- 
 two and one-half years. 
 
 Tlie family of Mr. Heldt consists of eleven sons 
 and (laughters. Minnie died at the age of twenty 
 years, Emma at the age of three, and Fred at the 
 age of two. Henry married Steinie Granges, and 
 occupies a farm in Washington Township; Will- 
 iam who lives on a farm near .loliet, married Vinie 
 Keicbemeister; Marj' is the wife of Louis Fieaii, a 
 farmer in Washington Townsbi|i; Charles remains 
 with his father and helps to work the farm; Her- 
 man, .lohn, F.rama and Anical are also at home. 
 
 Mr. HeldL is an earnest advocate of the princi- 
 ples of the Ivepul)lican i)arty. He is connected 
 with the Lutheran Church, with which his wife 
 was also identified. He is held in good repute as 
 an honorablo and industrious man, a rrlial)le cit- 
 izen, and a kindly i]arent. 
 
 m 
 
 ■j/OSEPH HARPER. The farming and agri- 
 cultural interests of New Lenox Township 
 recognize a worthy representative in Mr. 
 Harper, who owns and occupies a well-de- 
 veloped farm on section I 2, where he has first-class 
 buildings anil all the other appurtenances of the 
 well-regulated country estate. The hand of thrift 
 and industry is ajiparent at all points, and presents 
 a pleasant picture of the results of energy and per- 
 severance. 
 
 The Harper family is of English origin, and 
 Thomas Harper, the father of our subject, was 
 
 born in Westmoreland County, England, where 
 be was reared to man's estate and was marrie(J'. 
 His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Wil- 
 son, was born in Lancashire, and the parents came 
 to America in 1852. They settled in Lockport, 
 Will Countj% 111., but only sojourned there two 
 months, removing then to Frankfort Township, 
 where they lived five or six years. Their nexi. re- 
 moval was to New Lenox Township, this county, 
 where the father selected land on section 12, and 
 built up a permanent home. There he and his es- 
 timable wife spent the remainder of their lives, 
 both dying in 1870. 
 
 To the parents of our subject there was born a 
 family of nine children, of whom Joseph ivas the 
 sixth. His native place was Westmoreland County, 
 England, and the date of his birth August .3, 1836. 
 He emigrated to America with his parents and re- 
 mained a member of the household until about the 
 time of reaching his majority'. His home since 
 coming to this countr}' has been mostly in Frank- 
 fort and New Lenox Townships, and he has uni- i 
 formly followed farming pursuits. His property 
 embraces one hundred and ninety-four and one- 
 half acres of choice land, and the ini|noveineiits 
 which wo now see upon it have arisen through 
 the labors and good management of the proiirielor. 
 
 Mr. Harper was married April lo, 18G2, at the 
 bride's home in Frankfort Townshi)), to Miss Isa- 
 bella, daughter of Tilford and Lucy Ann (Owen) 
 l)uncan. The parents of Mrs. Harper were natives 
 of Kentuck3', whence they emigrated to Illinois 
 about 1833, and located among the |)ioneers of 
 Frankfort Township. There the father spent the 
 remainder of his days engaged in farming pursuits, 
 and died in November, 1860. The mother is still 
 living. Their family consisted of eleven children, 
 six of whom are living. Mrs. Harper, who w:is 
 next to the eldest, was born in the town of Frank- 
 fort May 21, 1844, acquired her education in the 
 common schools and remained under the parent'il 
 roof until her marriage. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Harper are the parents of three 
 children. The eldest, a daughter, Delia J., is the 
 wife of George W. Robinson, of Joliet. George 
 W. and Warren T. still remain at home with 
 their parents. Mr. Har|)er, politically, is a sound 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 681 
 
 Republican, while he and his good wife are promi- 
 nently connected with the Baptist Church, attend- 
 ing services at Mokena. Tliey are people highly 
 respected In their community, and have one of the 
 pleasantest homes in the township. Their residence, 
 both in exterior finish and Inner decorations, Is a 
 beautiful one, and is represented by a view on 
 another page. 
 
 '©.J 
 
 OIlN SWEEDLER. Whatever may be truth- 
 fully said of the evils of emigration, and 
 whatever effort the citizens of America ma}' 
 make to prevent the landing upon our shores 
 of the masses who liavc been Hooding our ports of 
 entry, it is nevertheless beyond disinUc that to for- 
 eign countries we arc indclited for many of our 
 best citizens. These are the men who have come, 
 not from the haunts of vice or pauper lionies, but 
 who have been reared in lionorablc and frugal 
 haliits, and wlui. while seeking a broader field for 
 their energies, do so with the intention of assisting 
 in the Ijest development of the country to which 
 they come. 
 
 In the Emigre of German}', John Sweedler was 
 born November 20, 1S19. He received the excel- 
 lent education which the Fatherland bestows upon 
 all. After remaining in his native land until the 
 spring of 1857, with his wife and young son he 
 crossed the Atlantic, to make a home in America. 
 The}' landed in New York, whence they went direct 
 tf> Blue Islaud, Cook County, and there they so- 
 journed several years. Then selecting a location 
 in this county, Mr. Sweedler bought eighty acres 
 of land on section 23,. Jackson Township, where he 
 has since resided. He has added to his original 
 purchase, his estate now amounting to one hundred 
 and thirty acres, on which he has erected excellent 
 buildings and made other Improvements. His la- 
 bors are characterized by zeal, pruilence and thrift, 
 and it need.s liut a glance at his home to assure the 
 visitor that the family enjoy their worldly posses- 
 sions. 
 
 The wife who .accompanied Mr. Sweedler from 
 
 the Fatherland was born there October 13, 1821, 
 and bore the maiden name of Mary Hammond. 
 She shared her husband's cares and successes until 
 the fall of 1870, when after about twenty years of 
 wedded life, she closed her eyes to earthly things, 
 the date of her decease being September 21. She 
 had borne her husbaiid two children: Edward, 
 whose natal day was March 23, 1855, and Augus- 
 tus, who was born November 25, 1858. The oldest 
 son is now living in Manhattan Township, having 
 on February 15, 1883, married Miss Amelia Kling- 
 ler; they have two children, John Edward, born 
 May D, 1883; and Lloyd Elias, November 21, 1884. 
 
 A second matrimoni.al alliance was contracted by 
 Mr. Sweedler. March 31, 1872. His companion 
 was Fredericka Deutschmann, a native of Germany, 
 who was born M.ay 18. 1839. She was about eight- 
 een years old when she came to America, and in 
 this townshi|) her marriage to our subject took 
 place. This union has been blessed by tlie birth of 
 four children. Alvin was born August 7, 1873, 
 and died April 15, 1877; Clarence E. was born 
 April 29, 1876; George, March 1, 1878; Willis 
 R., M.ay 11, 1881. Mrs. Sweedler is a consistent 
 member of the German Baptist Church and en- 
 deavors to r\de her household in such a manner as 
 to fit her offspring for useful and honorable careers. 
 The brotherly kindness, which is so prominently 
 kept before the minds of the members of the reli- 
 gious body to which she belongs, wins for her the 
 good will of all her neighbors. Mr. Sweedler is a 
 stanch Republican. Although not identified with 
 any religious body, his life has been an upright one 
 and he receives from his fellow-citizens a due meas- 
 ure of respect and approbation. 
 
 On another page the reader will observe a view 
 of Mr. Sweedler's pleasant and commodious resi- 
 dence, with the rural surroundings. 
 
 EORGE S. HOUSE. This gentleman is one 
 of the leading members of the bar of 
 Northern Illinois, and undoubtedly stands 
 the head of the profession in Joliet. He Is 
 jiersistent, studious, and devoted to his calling, 
 
682 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 displaying in tlip conihict of cases given to his 
 cliarge, a knowicilgc of legal pieeeflents, |)i'ineii)les 
 of law and equit\', and a knowledge of Initnan 
 nature such as few men possess. Not only is lie 
 reeognized as a legal light of the first magnitude, 
 but his soeial (pialities and general intelligenee 
 make for hiui a |)lace in the best circles of society. 
 
 The llousi' family formerly belonged in the Em- 
 pire State, Oneida (Jounty being the birth pl.ace of 
 Rodney House, the father of our subject. In the 
 same county Judith Stillman was born and became 
 his wife. Mr. House was a wagon-maker. In 
 1833 he came to Illinois, settling in Cook County 
 in that portion afterward called Grundy County ; 
 two years later he became a resident of that section 
 now known as Will County. To him and his 
 estimable wife two children were born — Rodnej', 
 Jr., and George S. 
 
 On March 1, 1835, in what was then Grundy 
 County, George S. House opened his eyes to the 
 light of day. He attended the district schools, and 
 after securing a fundamental education, entered 
 the acadein3- at Rome, N. Y., where he prosecuted 
 his studies three years. He then became a student 
 in Hamilton College, N. Y., from which he was 
 graduated in the class of 1856. Having chosen the 
 law as his life work, he began its study and after a 
 complete course at Columbia Law .School, N. Y., 
 was graduated therefrom in 1859. Returning to 
 Illinois he located in Joliet and began a practice 
 which has redounded to his credit, and has been 
 the means of securing just decisions in many cases. 
 With the exception of two jears spent in Chicago 
 and four years in army life, Joliet has been the 
 home of Mr. House since he first opened his office 
 here. 
 
 Under Gen. Donaldson, of llie Quartermaster's 
 Department, Mr. House acted during the ^var, 
 being Auditor and Cashier in the general disburs 
 ing office at N.ashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky. 
 He has been corporation lawyer for the Chicago, 
 Wilmington (k Vermillion Coal Company, and for 
 the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. His po- 
 litical affiliation is with the Republican party. 
 
 The home of ]\Ir. House is presided over bj' a 
 lady of culture and refinement, who is held in the 
 highest esteem in the circle of society- in which she 
 
 moves, and l)y many in humbler walks of life who 
 knovv her kindness of heai't and generous regard for n 
 those in need. She bore the maiden name of I 
 Virginia A. Osgood, and became the wife of our 
 subject .luue 27, 1860. She is a daughter of Uri i 
 Osgood of this city. To Mr. and Mrs. House six s 
 childien have lieen born, named respectively; : 
 George Clinton, Harry O., Virginia Chamber- - 
 lai:i, Gould, Robert and Hazel. The eldest son is f 
 now at work for the Chicago & Wilmington Coal I 
 Company. The youngest son, Robert, is highly 
 commended for the courage and coolness which he j 
 displayed in saving the life of a school companion i 
 who was on the point of drowning. Virginia C. 
 was married, April 10, 1890, in Joliet, to Frank E. 
 Chamberlain. The younger members of the fam- 
 ily do honor to the parental care which has been 
 bestowed upon them, being well informed, courteous 
 and of good habits. 
 
 ^g-Jt^Li^,^,-^ 
 
 ILLIAM IRELAND is foreman of the 
 WA/// pattern department of the Fox plant which 
 
 ^^ is under the control of the Illinois Steel 
 Works Company, by whom he has been employed 
 for the past nine years. For a score of years he 
 has been engaged in the same business, in which he" 
 is a master workman, a fact that is thoroughly ap- 
 preciated by his employers. He was liorn in Kirk- 
 wall on the Orkney Islands, north of Scotland, July 
 26, 1842, and was engaged in Glasgovv and London 
 in pattern-making. Having determined to seek a 
 home in the United States, he crossed the Atlantic 
 in April, 1872, and obtaining a position in the 
 Cleveland Rolling j\lills at Cleveland, Ohio, resided 
 in that city for nearly' a decade. He then removed 
 to Joliet, III,, which has since been his home. 
 
 Mr. Ireland married Miss Emily Roylance, of 
 Chelford, Cheshire, England, who has proved her- 
 self a devoted companion to her husband, and 
 mother to the children who have been itorn to them. 
 The pleasant dwelling at No. 820 Irving Street, 
 which was built by Mr. Ireland, bears an appear- 
 ance of order and refinement which none but a 
 thorough housekeeper cuuld imiiart, and thorough 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 683 
 
 rliospiUility is dispensed under its roof. The family 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Ireland comprises five living chil- 
 dren, nnraod respectively, Edna, Emily, John, Mar- 
 I giuet and James. 
 
 ij In the Peoples' Loan & Homestead Association, 
 I of which he has been a memher since he came to 
 ' Joliet, Mr. Ireland holds the office of Director. He 
 belongs to the social orders of Masonry, the Knights 
 of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the St. An- 
 drew's Society, and has lield nearly all the chairs in 
 I the different orders. He also belongs to the Athc- 
 . naevira and is a singing teacher there. He votes 
 I with the Republican party and during the last 
 ', Presidential election belonged to the Protective 
 (Tariff Glee Club. His religious belief coincides 
 \ with tliat expressed by the creed of the Presbyter- 
 l ian Church with which he is identified. He is thor- 
 [ oughly respected by his fellow-men as an unpre- 
 tending and useful member of society, a relial)le 
 I workman and a Christian gentleman. 
 
 I 
 
 t -^ ^5-^ ^ 
 
 THOMAS BENNETT is engaged in the livery 
 business in Joliet, having an establishment 
 well furnished with good steeds and equi- 
 pages of various de5criptious,and so conducted as to 
 deserve and receive a fair share of public palron- 
 i<r(. He has quite an extended experience in this 
 occupation in which he embarked in 1872. In 
 earlier years he ^pent much time on the Pacific 
 coast, having at the early age of nineteen years 
 taken his place in the great army of gold seekers 
 who. upon the discovery of the precious metal in 
 California, rushed thither. As a forty-niner he saw 
 many phases of life which he would not have wit- 
 nessed had he remained in the East, and passed 
 through many scenes the relation of wliich would 
 afford abundant food for thought. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Henry B. and 
 Sarah (Frank) Bennett, of the Empire Stale, who 
 came to Illinois in 18-l.j. Their first home was in 
 the vicinity of Aurora, but in 1881, they took up 
 their abode in Joliet. The occupation of the fa- 
 Iher was that of a tiller of the soil. He passed 
 away in 1886, ripe in years; his wife ii:ul iireceded 
 
 him to the silent land, breathing her last in 1884. 
 They were the parents of two children, he of whom 
 we write and Sarah, now^Mrs. Morse, of California. 
 
 Tliomas Bennett was horn June 26, 1830, in 
 Montgomery County, N. Y., and his early years 
 being passed upon the farm, he received such train- 
 ing as w;is customary to farmer's sons and the edu- 
 cation for which the common schools afforded 
 facilities. He was in his teens when he first became 
 acquainted with the Prairie State to which he ac- 
 companied his parents, but which he left in a few 
 years to seek the Eldorado to which the thoughts of 
 so many were turning. He spent fourteen years on 
 the Pacific coast, engaged in mining and the stock 
 business, after which he returned to this State and 
 became a farmer. Not many years had^^elapsed, 
 however, before he abandoned agricultural life to 
 embark in the business which he is still successfully 
 carrying on. 
 
 An important event in the life of Mr. Bennett 
 transpired in December, 1868, it being no less than 
 his marriage to Miss Carrie P., daughter of Laban 
 Clark. One son has come to bless the union. He 
 received the name of'^Allcn .and upon him have 
 been bestowed all the advantages which parental 
 love and theOmeans possessed by the father could 
 compass. He is still living under the parental roof, 
 ilr. Bennett is a believer in and a suiiporterof the 
 principles of the Republican party. He stands well 
 among his fellow-men and his estimable wife is also 
 highly regarded throughout the community. 
 
 IIARLES LARAWAY. The parents of the 
 above-named gentleman were James and 
 Elizabeth (Pocock) Larawa}-. The former 
 was born in Albany County, N. Y'., and the latter 
 in London, England. Their first home after mar- 
 riage was in Oneida Count}', N. Y., whence, in 1852, 
 the mother came to Illinois, the father following 
 in 1853, and their home from that time being with 
 their son, our subject. The father died January 22, 
 18.56, and tlie mother in March, 1859. They bad 
 ten cliihlrcn. of whom Charles was the fifth. He 
 was born .)une 29, 1825, in Oneida County, N. Y., 
 
684 
 
 rOU'l'RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 remaiiiiinj tlicre until 1852, when he ciime to Will 
 County. Ileie he bouyiil eighty acres on section .35, 
 Joliet Townshi|),wherc he has since made his home. 
 He has erected excellent buildings and added to his 
 original estate until it comprises two hundred and 
 nine acres. lie has always followed farming, and is 
 successful in its pursuit. 
 
 In Herkimer County, N. Y., Mr. Larawaj- was 
 united in marriage with Miss Nanc3' E. Cheetlos. 
 She w.as born in the county in which she was mar- 
 ried, and died at her home in this State, October 
 8, 1874. She belonged to the Methodist l<4)isco[ial 
 Cliurcii. To herself and husband nine children 
 were born, seven of whom are yet living: Albert 
 is a farmer in Iowa; Charles is in business in Joliet; 
 George W. lives at home; Russell is a clerk in Joliet; 
 Marion, John and Artiiur W. are still with their 
 fallier. In Monroe County, N. Y., June IT, 1875, 
 Mr. Larawaj- w.as again married, liis bride being 
 Miss Julia A. Sweetinan.wbo was born in Deerfield, 
 Oneida County, November 17, IS.TO. Both are 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Chnrch. Mr. 
 Laraway has been School Director and is a mendicr 
 of the Democratic party. 
 
 ^^JEORGE Y. SMITH h.as pursued the oceupa 
 III (— ^ tion of farmer and stock-raiser very success- 
 ^^^^ fnlly, and is now living in retirement in his 
 pleasant home on section 1, Plainfield Townslii|). 
 He w.as born in Miles, Centre County, I*a., August 
 8, 1813. His father, .lohn Smitii, was a native of 
 the same State, born in Berks County, a son of 
 Peter Smith, who was a native of Germany. From 
 the best of information at hand it is gathered 
 that the latter came to America with his parents in 
 Colonial times. He married in Penns3-lvania, tak- 
 ing as his wife Anna Mary Ilarier, a native of that 
 State. He was a mechanic, .and followed the trade 
 of a shoemaker and cooper, and spent the remain 
 ing years of his life after coming to this country in 
 Centre County. 
 
 The father of our subject was reared and married 
 in his native State. He was bred to the life of a 
 farmer, and carried on that occupation in Centre 
 
 County until 1824, when he removed to that part 
 of Stark County now included in Summit County, 
 Ohio, his wife and four children accompanying 
 him, thfe removal being made with a team, and 
 taking their household goods along with them. Mr. 
 Smith located on a tract of timber land belonging 
 to his father-indaw, and became identified with the 
 pioneers of the State. The log house into which 
 he and his family moved had but one door and one 
 window-, and there was no chimney. At that time 
 deer and bears were plenty and were occasionally 
 seen quite near the settlements. There were no 
 railroads for years, and the nearest market was at 
 a lake port. Mr. Smitli cleared quite a tract of land 
 and resided there until 1848, ami then removed to 
 Greensburg, where his death occurred the following 
 year. The maiden name of his wife w.as Mary 
 Yerrick, .and she is supposed to have been born in 
 Pennsylvania. Her fatlier, Anton Yerrick, is 
 tliought to have been born in that State, and was 
 of German antecedents. He was a farmer in Cen- 
 tre County and there died at a ripe old age. The 
 mother of our subject died in 1850. She had nine 
 other children besides himself, namely: Peter, 
 Polly, Susan, Elizabeth, Sallie, John, William, Si- 
 mon and L3dia. 
 
 The son of whom we write was in his eleventh 
 3ear when his parents removed to Ohio, and he 
 remembers well the incidents of i)ioneer life there. 
 He received his education in the pioneer school 
 taught in a log cabin on the subscription plan, tic 
 lived with his parents until his twentieth j'ear, and 
 then commenced to learr. the trade of a wagon- 
 maker at Tniontown, serving nearly two years, 
 and then went to Greensburg and estaljlished him- 
 self in the business, continuing there until 1851. 
 In that year he came to Will County accompanied 
 by his wife and six children, making the entire 
 journey with a team. They settled on land on sec- 
 tion 1, Plainfield Township, which he h.ad pur- 
 chased here in the spring of that year. There was 
 a house on the place at that time, and he lived in 
 that two 3'ears and then removed to his present 
 commodious residence. 
 
 Mr. Smith was m.arried, in October, 183(i, to 
 M.agdaliua Ream, a native of Summit County, Ohio, 
 and a daughter of George and Catherine Ream. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAI- AL15UM. 
 
 685 
 
 They have had eight children: Sarah, wife of 
 Isaac Henry ; .lohn, William, Conrad, George, Adam 
 and Amos. JNIary married George P^erner end is 
 now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith joined the 
 Evangelical Association many years ago, being 
 among its most active members and are classed 
 among our most desirable citizens. 
 
 'V4 ALCOLM N. M. Sl'EWAUT was born 
 "^ July 24, 183 1, in Amsterdam, Montgomery 
 County, N. Y., to Peter and Elizabeth 
 (Bu(tkmaster) Stewart, natives of Scotland 
 and New York respectively. He emigrated to 
 America wlien young, and was married in the 
 county in which his son was born. Peter Stewart 
 followed the trade of a stonemason, and built 
 the first locks on the Erie Canal and several of the 
 first buildings of the Brooklyn Navy Yards. He 
 came to Wilmington in 18:35, and in the fall of 
 that year returned to New York to bring his family 
 here. They went by lake to Detroit, Mich., and 
 by team to Chicago, this State, and landed in Wil- 
 mington about September 1. 183G. Here he 
 bought land, p.iying $2,000 for one hundred and 
 sixty acres, which is still owned by the subject of 
 this sketch and two brothers. Hero he also lived 
 until his death, in 18G8, having passed his four- 
 score years, the mother dying some years previously. 
 While working at his trade he superintended all 
 the stone work in the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
 and -was a man of iirominence and good circum- 
 stances. Politically, he was first a AYhig and later 
 an Abolitionist, and was President of the Under- 
 ground Railroad, and quite an inlluential and ac- 
 tive politician, afterward becoming a Republican. 
 He wiis quite instrumental in getting the right of 
 way for the Chicago &. Alton Railroad, and jour- 
 neyed to W.ashington on its .account. ReUgiously, 
 the father of our subject was a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and built the church .at Wil- 
 mington of his own means, principally. Before 
 his death he had taken all the degrees of Masonry. 
 The p.arents of our subject had ten children born 
 to them, namely: John W., Edward W., Mary, 
 
 George T., Malcolm N. M., Catherine, James N., 
 Minerva, and a |)air of twins who died in infancy. 
 Our subject was reared in Wilmington, and re- 
 ceived his education in the public schools. In 
 18G1 he joined the army t\s a private with the Chi- 
 cago Dragoons, but in September, 18G1, owing to 
 the fact that this companj- neither belonged to the 
 State of Illinois nor the United Stsites, they were 
 ordered back to Chicago, where Mr. Stewart then 
 joined the One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, Com- 
 pany A. Soon afterward he was promoted to First 
 Lieutenant of his company, and, while in liie 
 Atl.'Uita campaign, was commissioned Captain of 
 the company and served in that capjicitj' for some 
 time. He was then promoted to be Major of the 
 United St.ates Volunteers, in which he served until 
 tlic close of the war, first in the Twenty-first and 
 last in the Fourth Army Corps. 
 
 The subject of this notice participated in the 
 following hard-fought battles of the Civil War: 
 Perryville (Ky.), Stone River, TuUahoma, Chicka- 
 mauga, siege of Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, siege 
 of Knoxville, Buzzard's Roost, Rcs.aca, Calhoun, 
 Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta. Franklin and N.ashville. 
 At the close of the war he was honorably dis- 
 charged and returned home, where he has remained 
 ever since, commencing the occup.ation of farming. 
 He has been connected with the First National 
 Bank of Wilmii.gton, having been a stockholder 
 since its organization, and now holds the position 
 of Teller of the B.ank. He still has considerable 
 farming interests in Will Cou)ity, and gives much 
 attention to the breeding of blooded horses. He 
 started in life with a small capital, and has made all 
 he has by his own efforts. 
 
 An interesting event took place in the life of 
 our subject May ;50, 1871, when he became the 
 husband of Miss Anna Mclntyre, of Wilmington, 
 a daughter of the Hon. Archibald J. and Jane 
 (Whitten) Mclntyre, natives of New Y'ork and 
 Canada, and of Scotch extraction. They became the 
 iiarcnts of two children — Jean and Margaret, both 
 living, their ages being sixteen and twelve years 
 respectively. 
 
 Malcolm Stewart has always taken an active inter- 
 est in political afTairs, hut is not an aspirant for office. 
 His views coincide with those of the Republican 
 
686 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 platform, lie is not a iiicinbcr of any religious 
 (U'riomination, but supports Hie rrcsbyterian 
 C'lnirch. Socially, he is a memlier of the Grand 
 Army of ilie Republic, being enrolled, in Uowen 
 I'osl, No. 17, at Wilmington, wliicli is one of the 
 oldest posts in the State. lie has served as Com- 
 mander of the same, and has filled all Hie chairs. 
 
 ♦^^ 
 
 ■^AMESG. ELWOOD. This gentleman has 
 been pidmiiicnlly identilicd with building, 
 real estate, and many other public enter- 
 prises of Joliet. He is an able (inancicr, 
 has a meritorious record as a soldier, and has served 
 with honor in public capacities. He is the eldest 
 son and only siir.viving child of the late Nelson D. 
 Elwood, and was born in Lockport, May 6, 1839. 
 Joliet became his home in 1843, and here he ob- 
 tained his fundamental education. He spent three 
 years at the military school in New Haven, Conn., 
 and the years 1857-58-59 in Geneva, Switzerland, 
 and Berlin, Prussia, closing his schooling at the 
 Frederick William University, in the last named 
 city. 
 
 In .luly, 1862, Mr. Elwood formed a company 
 and entered the Union service as Captain of Com- 
 pany B, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. During 
 the battle of Stone River, .January 2, I8G3, he vvas 
 aiipointed Assistant Adjutant-General of the brig- 
 ade, and in that capacity he continued to serve 
 until the close of army life. His gallantry was un- 
 mistakable and the zeal with which he opiiosed the 
 efforts of treacherous hands to tear some of the 
 stars from our nation's banner was such as to add 
 to the enthusiasm of his comrades and those vvhoni 
 be led to battle. 
 
 At the conclusion of the war Mr. Elwood spent 
 two years in Cincinnati, Ohio, and three in Chicago, 
 and in 1870 returned to Joliet with his famil}'. He 
 served two j'ears as a member of the City Council, 
 his term beginning in 1872, 'uid in 1877, he was 
 elected Maj'or, holding the chief place in the mu- 
 nicipal government two years. He was the first 
 .Mayor under the present city charter. He h.is 
 been active in Masonic affairs, and in 1881 served 
 
 as Grand Commander of Knights Tcm|)lar of Illi- 
 nois, having filled various positions from Junior 
 Warden of .loliet Commandeiy, No. 4. to that of 
 Grand Coiniiuinder. He is now I'resident of the 
 Joliet Masonic Association, which is erecting a ^GO,- 
 000 edifice for the use of the order. 
 
 Mr. lOlwood has been connected with the Joliet 
 Gas Company since 1861, was Secretary for twenty 
 years and is at present Managing Director. In con- 
 nection with ex-Mayor Paige he built the Telephone 
 Exchange here, and for four j'ears he managed the 
 water works now owned by the cit}'. He is Secre- 
 tary and. Superintendent of O.akwood Cemetery. 
 He and his family move in the first circles of Joliet, 
 their. inlelligcuce and culture being duly appreci- 
 ated by their acquaintances. 
 
 ■^-'^-P- 
 
 JS MOS HARRLSON. Amid all the fine es- 
 LjI tales of Green Garden Township, that 
 which comprises one hundred and eighty 
 acres on sections 21*, 30 and 31, is notice- 
 able for its careful cultivation, orderly ajipearance 
 and excellent improvements. The land is watered 
 bj' Forked Creek and is all tillable, well adapted 
 ■for the raising of grain and also as a grazing 
 ground for stock. It is seven miles from Manhat- 
 tan, and its inmates can therefore enjoy much of 
 what is most attractive in town life. The dwelling 
 is an attractive and comfortable structure, and all 
 the outbuildings are in keeping with the appearance 
 of the residence. Pleasure and jirofit are fouiiil in 
 the care of a fine orchard, and it and one anil a half 
 miles of well-kept hedge add to the beauty of the 
 estate. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write is a son of 
 John Harrison, a Lincolnshire farmer, and Eliza- 
 beth (Smith) Harrison, who was born in the same 
 shire. The former liveil to the extreme age of 
 ninety-two years, but the mother died when fifty 
 yeiirs old. They were members of the Episcopal 
 Church, upright in character and industrious in 
 
 j habits. Of the ten children who were born to them 
 but two arc now living. Henr^', the elder of these, 
 
 I is in the wood liusiiiess in England. The maternal 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHK'AL ALBUM. 
 
 G87 
 
 grandfather of our subject was John Smith, a 
 shepherd who, while tending liis sheep one morn- 
 inn- dropped dead. 
 
 Amos Harrison was born in A|)pleliy. Lincohi- 
 shiie, Enghand, April 25, 1833, and was reared in 
 Uic village, enjoying the advantages of good com- 
 mon schools during his early years. When button 
 years old he began to earn his own living by boo- 
 ing and other employments suited to his boyish 
 .skill, drifting into heavier labors and finally hiring 
 out upon a farm. He intended to learn the mason's 
 trade, but upon going to the place where ho ex- 
 pected to begin his work, he found the building 
 already quite high and determined not to try his 
 hand there. Among other work which lie did was 
 that of cutting timber in the woods. 
 
 Having concluded that the United States afforded 
 a broader field for his energies and that here the 
 prospect of advancing his material prosperity 
 would be much better tiian in his native land, 
 George Harrison turned his face westward in 1858. 
 On the ■28th of May he left Liverpool on the sailer 
 "Knii)irc State," which encounteied severe storms 
 ill her passage. For six days and nights the bil- 
 lows heaved wildly and the ship seemed doomed to 
 destruction, but it finally outrode the waves and 
 anchored in New York Harbor eight weeks after 
 leaving the English port. This was at the time of 
 the first attempt to lay the Atlantic cable, ami the 
 same gale which threatened the "Empire State" was 
 disastrous to the ''Merrimac." 
 
 Making his way up the Hudson River, and by 
 rail to Buffivlo, he crossed to Chatham, Canada, 
 where he worked on a farm for some of his friends 
 from .luly until f.all, without wages. Crops were 
 very poor and prospeL'ts somewhat discouraging. 
 In the fall, however, he began working for wages, 
 Feraaining in the Dominion until November, 1860, 
 when he took up his abode in Will County, HI. 
 He spent the winter in Lockport, and in the spring, 
 in partnership with George Andrews, bought forty 
 acres of raih\)ad land in Green Garden Towiishi|). 
 Mr. Andrews operated the farm and our subject be- 
 gan working out for others,boarding with his partner 
 seven years. The two bought an additional forty 
 acres three years after, and another eighty in 1866. 
 After their second purchase Mr. Harrison worked 
 
 a part of the land and in 1868 he built a substan- 
 tial dwelling upon it. 
 
 The wirter after Mr. Harrison came into the 
 township he and Mr. Murdie bought a corn-sheller, 
 which they run for four years. During 1869 the 
 partnership between Messrs. Harrison & Andrews 
 was dissolved and the one hundred and sixty acres 
 of land which they owned were divided between 
 them. The same year our subject sold forty acres 
 of his shhre for *40 per acre and purchased one 
 hundred acres of his present estate. Upon it there 
 were no iniproveraents, and all that it now bears 
 are 'the result of his industry and earnest efforts. 
 He moved his residence onto his original purchase 
 here, which he has since made his home. He has 
 been very successful in the cultivation of grain, to 
 which he devotes one hundred acres of his land, 
 and from which he reaped a large crop last season. 
 Eighty acres are used as pasture and haying ground, 
 whereon Holstein cattle, Poland-China swine, and 
 a good grade of draft horses find food and intelli- 
 gent care. 
 
 Mr. Harrison is now serving his second term as 
 Justice of the Peace, having been elected to the 
 office in 1885, and re-elected in 188'J. For four- 
 teen years he has been School Director and he is 
 still serving acceptably in that position. He is a 
 stanch Republican and has advanced the interest 
 of his party as a delegate to county conventions. 
 He possesses more than ordinary intelligence and 
 displays as deep an interest in the welfare of those 
 about him and the further develoiiraent of the 
 country as he does in his personal affairs. Since 
 1868 he has been identifieil with the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and no more active member of 
 the congregation can be found than he. He is 
 Class-Leader and Steward of the church and Su- 
 perintendent of the Sunday-school, as he has been 
 
 for years. 
 
 The wife of Mr. Harrison was a lady of intelli- 
 gence, and the nature which made her sympathize 
 in all his aspirations and assist in her own sphere 
 in all his labors. She was known in her maiden- 
 hood as Miss Ciitherine Marshall, and was born in 
 Lincolnshire, England, in 1832. She came to 
 America in 1868, and in Green Garden Township 
 was united in marriage with our subject, June 30. 
 
(JH8 
 
 ruUTKAir AND BlOCiKAI'lIlCAJ. ALIUIM. 
 
 She was torn from lier happy home by an untimely 
 (li;ilh, .l;inuary It, 188G, leavinji two children — 
 Henry M. and Annie Lina, holh of whom arc stil' 
 wilh llieir father on the home farm. Mrs. Harri- 
 son was a (laughter of Thomas Maishall, a gardener 
 in the mother country. 
 
 V 
 
 -g)^r.~ 
 
 AVID UYBURN, though not among the 
 earliest settlers of Will County, oectnpies 
 an honoral)le position anu)ng its pioneers, 
 and as an active, intelligent, thi ifty, pracli- 
 eal farmer has promoted its agricidtural interests, 
 and is classed with its most successful and well-to 
 do farmers and stock-raisers. He is the proprietor 
 of a valual)le farm of two hundred and fort\' acres 
 (finely located in I'lainlield Township) whose rich 
 harvests have brought him wealth so that he is en- 
 abled to spend the declining years of a bus}', use- 
 ful life at his ease in a home that is replete with 
 comfort. 
 
 Our subject is a Scotchman by birth, boin in 
 Stewarton, Ayreshire, September 2G, 1821. His 
 father, John Kyburn, was born iu the same shire, 
 and spent his entire life in his native land. His 
 fatlief of the eamc name as himself, was a life-long 
 resident of Ayreshire, and for many years engaged 
 in business as a manufacturer of .Scotch caps. The 
 father of our subject was reared in his native .Scot- 
 land, and for some years was successfully engaged 
 as a carrier, having several teams and doing ex- 
 pressage between Stewarton and Glasgow and Kil- 
 marnock. He was still engaged in the business 
 when his active life was suddenly closed by death 
 in 1827. He died on the road under circumstances 
 that led to the belief that be had been robbed and 
 murdered. The maiden name of his wife was Agnes 
 Stewart, and she was a native of Stewarton. Her 
 father, John Stewart, was a farmer, and spent his 
 entire life in Scotland. She came to America and 
 passed her last years with her children, dying at the 
 home of our subject in 1887, at the advanced age 
 of ninety-one years. The following is recorded of 
 the four children born to her: Thomas came to 
 Illinois in 1841, and passed the remainder of his life 
 
 in La Salle County; (jur subject was the next in or- 
 der of birth; Klizabelh married James Collins, and 
 resides in Joliet; Charles went to California, andi 
 from there to Australia, where he was when last( 
 heard from. 
 
 David Rybuni of thia brief biography passed his- 
 bojiiood and the opening years of his manhood 1 
 among his native hills, and as soon as large enough i 
 commenced W(jrk on a farm. He was ambitious, 
 however, to do more for himself than he could in 
 the pl.ace of his birth, and lured by the bright 
 prospects held forth in this country foi an active, 
 enterprising, cai)able ^oung man to make his way 
 to a competence at least, he determined to see what 
 life had for hira in America, and in 1816 he set 
 sail from Glasgow on the ship Agnes, and landed 
 at New York forl3-tvvo dajs later. He then pro- 
 ceeded up the Hudson River to Albany, from there 
 by rail to Buffalo, thence 1)3' steamer to Chicago, 
 where he hired a team to take him to Aurora, then 
 a small village. After a few weeks sojourn there 
 he came to Will County and bought a tract of wild 
 prairie l.aud in I'lainfield Township, on section 6, 
 |)aying #5 an acre for it. After completing the 
 purchase he went to Lisbon, in Grundy County, 
 and while there assisted in the harvest. At that 
 time the most of the grain was gathered with a 
 cradle, a cradler getting four dollars a daj'. The 
 following 3'ear Mr. Ryburn entered actively' upon 
 the improvement of his land. Then ifarming was 
 carried on under difticulties, as fine farming ma- 
 chinery was not in general use, and there being no 
 railway's it was difficult to get the produce marketed, 
 as Chicago was the nearest market till the canal 
 was constructed, Our subject resided on that place 
 until 1856, and then sold it at a good advance, and 
 bought his present farm. This he has under ad- 
 mirable tillage, has it ampl^' supplied with the best 
 modern machinery, and has a substantial set of 
 buildings, everything about the place indicating 
 superior management on the part of the ovi-ner, and 
 showing that he has met with more than ordinary 
 success in his attem|)ts to found a home on a foreign 
 soil. 
 
 In the accumulation of this handsome property 
 Mr. Ryburn has been ably assisted by a devoted 
 and helpful wife, to whom he was united in mar- 
 
I 
 
 » 
 
<^ 
 
 
PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 691 
 
 liacte in 1851. Her maiden name was Marn:aret 
 Cucliraii, anilshe is also a native of Scotland. Five 
 c'liilihvn liave blessed their marriage to Uieui, as 
 follows: John S., a successful physician; Alexander 
 C. and rhoinas, practical and intelligent younu' 
 farmers at home; Agnes, the wife of Willis Brain- 
 aid, of Fairbmg, Neb.; Margaret died at the age of 
 fifteen. 
 
 Mr. Kyburn is well and favorably known in Will 
 County with whose interest his own have been as- 
 sociated for upwards of forty years, and his char- 
 acter for probity, straightforwardness in all his 
 transactions, and for unswerving rectitude is gen- 
 erally recognized, and has gained him a name that 
 is honored by all who come in contact witli iiim 
 either in a business or in a social way. His inher- 
 ent Scottish traits of foresight, sagacity and excel- 
 lent business habits have been potent factors, not 
 only in gathering together a competence, but have 
 made him useful as a citizen in his adoi)ted country. 
 lie and his wife were reared in the Scotch Presby- 
 terian Church, and have ever since consistently 
 clung to the faitTi of their fathers. Mr. Ryburn is 
 identified with the A. F. & A. M. as a member of 
 Plainfield Lodge, No. 536. 
 
 ,1LLIAM GOUGAR. The Cougar family 
 W// '^ widely and favorably known through- 
 ly^ out New Lenox Township as having borne 
 n(T unimportant part in the develoi)ment of its ag- 
 ricultural resources. The subject of this notice is 
 one of the worthiest representatives of the family 
 and was born in Pickaway County, Ohiot August 
 24, 1818. His father, William Gougar, was a na- 
 tive of Berks County, Pa., and was married in early 
 manhood to Miss Catherine Abel, who is likewise a 
 native of the Keystone State. 
 
 The parents of our subject left Pennsylvania 
 in 1818, and settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, 
 where they resided eight years. They then emi- 
 grated to Vermillion County, Tiid.. and sojourned 
 there until June, 1831. That year witnessed 
 their arrival in this county, which was then in- 
 
 cluded in Cook County, and they settled on section 
 18, in what is now New Lenox Township. The fa- 
 ther followed farming all his life, and departed 
 hence March 31, 18G1. The mother had passed 
 away January G, 1854, also dying at the old home- 
 stead. 
 
 To William Gougar and his wife Catherine 
 there was born a family of eleven children, nine 
 sons and two daughters. William, Jr., was the 
 lifth child and was twelve years old when his pa- 
 rents came to Illinois. He learned the art of 
 farming in all its details, obtained a practical edu- 
 cfition in the common school and remained a mem- 
 ber of the parental household until a man of 
 thirty-two years. About this time the California 
 gold excitement was attracting large numbers to 
 the Pacific Coast and Mr. Gougar decided to join 
 the caravan, left home April ), 1850, and set out 
 overland to the Golden State. lie arrived at his 
 destination early in July and engaged in mining, 
 also the raising of vegetables for three years and 
 three months. 
 
 At the expiration of this time, becoming satis- 
 lied with his Western experience, Mr. Gougar re- 
 turned home via the Isthmus and remained with 
 his father until his marriage. This important event 
 occurred December 28, 1859, the bride being Miss 
 Clarissa, daughter of Baldwin and Hester M. 
 (Bickle) Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins was born in New 
 York State, forty miles from Rochester, while his 
 wife was a native of Pennsylvania. After marriage 
 they settled in Danville, 111., where they lived two 
 years, then removed to a farm five miles west of 
 Kankakee, where the mother died in 1852. Mr. 
 Hawkins survived his wife for a period of twelve 
 years, his death occurring at the same place in 
 April, 1864. 
 
 To the parents of Mrs. Gougar there was born 
 a family of six children, four of whom lived to 
 mature years. Mrs. Gougar was the fourth child 
 and was born in Kankakee County, February 19, 
 1839. She lived there until her marriage, acquir- 
 ing a common-school education and becoming fa- 
 miliar with all useful household duties. After 
 her marriage with our suliject they settled on a 
 farm on section 20, New Lenox Township, where 
 they have since lived. Mr. Gougar is a land- 
 
61)2 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPITJCAL ALBUM. 
 
 owner to the extent uf live hundred and sixty acres, 
 comprising one of the finest bodies of land in New 
 Lenox Townsliip. He lias effected fine improve- 
 ments, including aset of convenient modern build- 
 ings, while he keei)S himself posted in regard to all 
 matters connected with agriculture and avails him- 
 self of the most improved machinery in the culti- 
 vation of the soil. 
 
 Our subject and his estimable wife are the pa- 
 rents of four children — loel W., who is farming in 
 New Lenox Township; Hester M., who died in in- 
 fancy; Helen and Frank at home. The Democratic 
 party finds a warm supporter in Mr. Gougar. He 
 has held the various minor offices of his township 
 and with his wife is a member in good standi'.ig of 
 the Episcopal Church, together with their daugh- 
 ter Helen and son Frank. Mr. Gougar in Decem- 
 ber, 1888, revisited California and the scenes of 
 his early operations in the mining district, return- 
 ing the 1st of April, 188U. 
 
 We invite the attention of the reader to a litlio- 
 grai)hic portrait of Mr. Gougar, which appears on 
 another page of the Alulm. 
 
 'S^^ ATRICK BRISCOE has for many years been 
 
 J) closely connected with the farming and 
 
 ^ stock raising interests of Will and Grundy 
 
 I \ Counties. He came to Illinois nearly forty 
 years ago, and has not only been a witness of the 
 marvelous development of this part of the country 
 since that time,but he has had a hand in promoting it. 
 He has by hard labor, directed by wise judgment 
 and practical skill, improved a farm that is in all 
 particuhirs, the choicest in the neighborhood. 
 
 Nicholas Briscoe, the father of our subject came 
 to America from the land of his birth in 1850, 
 .and settled in Grundy County, ill, and in ISoo 
 he moved with his family to Minnesota, and took 
 up a claim sixty miles above Minneaixilis, which 
 was at that time a small village, and in 1857 re- 
 turned with his family to (Jrundy County. His 
 death occurred in that county, August 3, 1 882, 
 at the advanced age of eighty -seven years. His 
 wife died at the age of seventy-four, the year fol- 
 
 lowing, and both are now sleeping their hist sleep 
 in Grund}' County. There were twelve chihlrcn 
 born to them, of whom three daughters and two 
 sons are now living. One brother died in Atchi- 
 son, Kan., where his family of five children live. 
 The30ungest sister of our subject was married soon 
 after the family moved to Minnesota, to William 
 Harrison, and now lives in Little Falls. Ellen 
 married Thomas Daly,and lives in Missouri; Mariah 
 married James Meade, of Cirund3- County; Peter 
 is a farmer of Au Sable Townsliip, where he has 
 two hundred acres of land, and is at present Super- 
 visor. 
 
 Patrick lirisc^e was born in 1835, -md after at- 
 taining manhood he bought a farm of one hundred 
 and sixty acres in Grundy County, which he sold 
 afterwards and bought another in the same locality. 
 In 1871* he came to Channahon Township, and 
 here he purchased a fine farm, just outside the vil- 
 lage, beautifully located on the DuPage River near 
 its mouth. It is well fitted up with good buildings, 
 the land is under excellent tillage and it has a fine 
 orchard of apple and other fruit trees, and the 
 place is also adorned with beautiful shade trees, 
 and there are some fine springs on the place. One 
 hundred and fift^'-five acres of it lie in a bodj' and 
 he has one hundred and sixty acres in Grundy 
 County, and he operates it all with the assistance 
 of his boys. He has always paid especial attention 
 to stock raising and does a profitable business in 
 that line. 
 
 Mr. Briscoe and Miss Julia Dempsey were united 
 in marriage in 18G8,aiid in the pleasant home that 
 they have built u[), nine children have been born 
 to them, of whom, six boys and two girls are now 
 living, namely. Nicholas P., aged, twent^'-one, John 
 iiineleenfMary A.., seventeen, Michael J., fifteen, 
 Ellen eleven, William J., seven, Richard A., four, 
 and Edward T., the baby. Julia died at the age 
 of three years. Mr. Briscoe is a sincere believer 
 in the advantages of a solid education and is giving 
 his children good opportuiiites for schooling. Mrs. 
 Briscoe w.as born in Itoston, Mass., in 1850, a 
 daughter of Michael Dempsey, and came with iier 
 parents to Kendall Count3', this State when she was 
 eight years of age. 
 
 Mr. Briscoe is possessed of far-seeing sagacity and 
 
PORTRAIT AND niOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 093 
 
 energy so combined to those useful qualities of 
 pi'iulencc, tliiifl and steadiness, tliat lie could not 
 fail to do what he has done to make life a success. 
 lie takes an active interest in the affairs of iiis 
 ado[)ted county and in 1888 was elected Justice of 
 the Peace of the town of Chaiinahou, and is slill 
 serving, discharging the duties of his otiice with 
 ability and credit. In politics he si<les with tLie 
 Democratic part^-, though he often exercises the 
 privilege of voting as he chooses without regard 
 to party afHliations. Religiously, he and his fam- 
 ily arc devoted members of the Catholic Church 
 of Miuooka. 
 
 . <o ■! > 
 
 .^♦f^ 
 
 LFRED AVARNER. Of honorable ances- 
 try, Squire Warner has throughout his long 
 life conducted himself so as to bring no 
 discredit upon the name he bears, but, on the con- 
 trary, add to its lustre. He occupies a high position 
 in Wesley Township, with whose agriculturists he 
 has long been numbered. His farm comprises one 
 hundred and twenty acres of improved land on 
 section 21, a frame residence and all necessary 
 farm buildings, and a due supply of orchard and 
 shade trees, making it attractive, and adding to its 
 value. 
 
 William Warner, the grandfather of our subject, 
 was a Revolutionary soldier, and after the war be- 
 came possessed of much property. He had a large 
 amount of Continental money, which became ut- 
 terly worthless. He, therefore, being unable to [>ay 
 his debts, was informed upon by Tories and im- 
 pi'isoned for debt. His eldest son, Asaliel, was born 
 in Columbia Count}', N. Y., and being bi\t a lad 
 at the time of the Revolution, was not able to do 
 soldier's duties, but accompanied the army, em- 
 ploying himself in running bullets for those who 
 could take part in the scenes of strife. During the 
 War of 1812 he was able to excrl his strength 
 against the enemies of his country, and rose to the 
 rank of Major. 
 
 After his father was imprisoned, it fell to Asa- 
 liel Warner to sujiport the family, and he earned 
 money by hiring out by the month. He married 
 
 Sarah Ketchum, a native of the same county as 
 himself, and going into Livingston County, the 
 young couple Ijiiilt up a home there. They became 
 the parents of nine children, of whom the subject 
 of this sketch is the only survivor. The father 
 was a member of the State Legislature of New 
 York, representing Livingston County. His record 
 in war and peace is one to which his son can refer 
 with just pride. He died in the Empire State in 
 1846, and the mother in 1833. 
 
 In Livingston County, N. Y., May 19, 1814, the 
 eyes of our subject opened to the light of day. He 
 was reared upon a farm but given most excellent 
 educational advantages, first obtaining an academic 
 education at Chittenango Polytechnic Academy, 
 under Prof. Yates, and later attending college at 
 Lima. He remained at home until twenty years of 
 age, when his father divided the property among 
 his children and our subject took possession of his 
 patrimony, and therewith began his personal ca- 
 reer. 
 
 Young Warner remained in the Empire State 
 live or six years, then made a trip to Ohio, where 
 he married, returning with his bride to his native 
 State. After a sojourn of about three years they 
 became residents of Medina County, Ohio, where 
 they remained five 3'ears, Mr. Warner being em- 
 ployed in mercantile pursuits during that period. 
 In 1848 he came to Illinois, and having purchased 
 land warrants in Chicago, he located four hun- 
 dred and eighty acres in Kankakee County. The 
 next year he brought his family hither and settled 
 on a farm now owned by the sons of Asahel 
 Warner. 
 
 After remaining there two years, our subject re- 
 moved to his present farm, which was at that time 
 raw land. The residence first occupied by the 
 family was destroyed by fire in 1856. Mr. Warner 
 had gone on a trip and his wife was alone at the 
 time. She bought a store building at Rockville, 
 five miles east, had runners put under it and it 
 was hauled to the Warner farm the same day. 
 In 1853 Mr. Warner went to Australia, via New 
 York and Cape of Good Hope, remaining there 
 twenty three years. He returned via the Sand- 
 wich Islands and San Francisco, again took posses- 
 sion of the farm, and has since remained with his 
 

 694 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAriUCAL ALBUM. 
 
 family. During his al)sence Mis. Wariior bad 
 c'liarge of the fann aiul rosidod there iiiilil 18G4. 
 Siie then moved to Wilmington, sojourned lliere 
 two years, and then went to Roeliford, whieli siie 
 mfide her home until the return of her husband. 
 Their affairs were in competent iiands, Mrs. War- 
 ner having business capacity and judgment. 
 
 Mrs. Warner bore the maiden name of Rachel 
 L. Curtis. She was born May 24, 1819, in Marccl- 
 lus, N. v., was finely educated and prior to her 
 marriage was a sciiool teacher. I'rof. John Mc- 
 Gregor, of Scotland, President of the Sliaron Acad- 
 eraj'. at Medina, Ghio, was the instructor under 
 wliom she completed her studies. President Gar- 
 field was at one time under the instruction of the 
 same noted educator. Mrs. Warner possesses liter- 
 ary talent of a high order, and the articles from 
 her pen frequent!}' find place in the newspapers and 
 magazines. She became the wife of our subject 
 February 14, 18:i9. They are the parents of four 
 children— Norman C. Clara Elizabeth, Richard 
 Allen and Harvey Alfred. The two latter were 
 twins, and are deceased. 
 
 The son, Norman C, was born November 26, 
 1839. He finisheii his studies at Aurora, 111. In 
 Sei)tember, 18G1, be was enrolled in Company E, 
 Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry — Yates Phalanx — 
 and served until I8G5. At the battle of Deep 
 Bottom, Va., August 16, 1864, be was seve'-ely 
 wounded in Ibe right lower limb by a minie ball. 
 Ainputation at the knee took place on the field and 
 he fell into the enemy's hands and was carried to 
 the hospital and returned to the Union lines again. 
 He was then sent to Hampton Hospital, F'ortress 
 Monroe, where bis mother joined bim, remaining 
 two montlis and giving him her loving care. In 
 ISGO he secured a clerkship in the War Depart- 
 ment at Washington, spent the evenings in study, 
 and entered Columbia Law School, from which he 
 was graduated in due time. After being admitted 
 to the bar, he settled in Rockford, 111., where lie 
 still resides, occupying a prominent place among 
 the legal fraternity and well known for his services 
 as City Attorney. The daughter. Clara Elizabeth, is 
 the wife of Everett E. Hudson, banker and insur- 
 ance agent in Yankton, Dak. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Warner were Col. Norman 
 
 and Elizabeth (Lainpson) Curtis, natives of Con- 
 necticut and X'ermont respectively. The father 
 was a farmer, a soldier in the War of 1812 and a 
 Colonel in the Ohio State Militia. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Curtis sijent the first few years of their wedded life 
 in the Emi)ire State, and then removed to Medina 
 County, Ohio, where the wife died in 18i)4. CoL 
 Curtis came to Illlinois in 1855, and died here in 
 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-two ^eais. His 
 family consisted of seven children, Mrs. Warner 
 being the second; three of them are now living. 
 
 The labors of Squire Warner, aided b}- the good 
 management of his wife, liave resulted in securing 
 to them a goodly share of substance, which they 
 employ in procuring reasonable enjoyments and 
 aiding in good works. In Medina County, Ohio, 
 Mr Warner was Assessor, and in his Illinois home 
 he has long served as Justice of the Peace. He 
 has always been interested in politics, votes the 
 Democratic ticket and lias been a delegate to 
 county conventions. A reliable citizen, an intel- 
 ligent and well-bred man, he is duly esteemed, 
 while the womanly nature, fine talents and thor- 
 ough breeding of his wife give her a position 
 fully equal to bis own in the opinion and regard 
 of those about them. 
 
 Harvey Warner, a brother of our subject, came 
 to Will County in 1849, settling on the farm now 
 owned by the Linton family. Another brother, 
 Asahel H., came here in 1G51. Both are now 
 deceased. 
 
 - OCX? . 
 
 m 
 
 "oSo" 
 
 OHN T. DIXON, who now holds the official 
 position of Supervisor of Florence Town- 
 ship, has been identified with the agricultu- 
 tuial interests of this county since 1869. He 
 was born in Wilmington Township, June 2.3, 1858, 
 and spent the first six years of his life there. He 
 tlicn accomimnied his parents to Grundy Count}', 
 in that part of the Prairie State sojourning a few 
 years. Farming was chosen b}- him for a life 
 work, and well has he demonstrated his fitness for 
 this line of employment. In Emmet County, Iowa, 
 he owns one hundred .■uid fifty-six acres of fine land 
 that he rents to a tenant, while liimself occ'upying 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 095 
 
 and operating rented land in this county. The 
 one himilred and twenty acres on which he carries 
 on his enterprise is carefully managed and well 
 repays the efforts of the operator. It is located 
 on section 15. 
 
 The immediate progenitors of Mr. Dixon were 
 Joim and Elizal)eth (Singleton) Dixon, natives of 
 England, who came to America and to this State 
 early in the '5its. Their family comprised nine 
 sons and daugliters, of whom onr subject was the 
 second in order of birth. lie has served as Clerk 
 of Florence Township three 3ears, and the estima- 
 tion in which he is held by his fellow-citizens is 
 shown by the fact that in the spring of 1890 they 
 elected him to the ottiee of Supervisor. He is a 
 Republican of the deepest dye. His character is 
 an honorable one, and his reputation admirable. 
 
 On February 15, 1K«8, Mr. Dixon led to the 
 hymeneal altar Miss Grace Morey, an estimable and 
 educated young ladj' who makes of their abiding 
 place a home indeed. She was born in Florence 
 Township, and is a daughter of Smith R. and 
 Louise (Smith) Morey, natives of Penns3'lvania and 
 Illinois respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have 
 one son, a charming infant, named Ralph M. 
 
 (| ftlLLIAM BEUTIEN. If genius is a capac- 
 
 \/iJ/l '*'-^ ^*" '*''^"^' vvork, as it has been defined 
 W^ by a noted literateur, then this gentleman 
 deserves to be called a genius. lie has been a hard 
 worker all his life, and this combined with close 
 economy, lias given him possession of a fine farm, 
 in which he may well lake pride. It comprises 
 two hundred and sixty acres on sections 11 and 13, 
 all in a body, and all under improvement and 
 wisely managed. There are two residences upon 
 the estate, that now occupied by Mr. Beutien and 
 his family having been built in 1868 at a cost of 
 $1,600. It is C0Z3' and attractive, stands in fitting 
 surroundings and is the center of a happ3- home 
 life. The modern barn was put up in 1879, at a 
 cost of $817. 
 
 Our subject is the youngest of eight children 
 born to Fred and Caroline (Race) Beutien. The 
 
 father was a soldier in the Prussian Army, and 
 both were natives of that kingdom. Mr. Beutien 
 died in 1853, and in I860 the mother came to Amer- 
 ica, dying at a goodly age, in 1884. F'our of her 
 children are now living. 
 
 William Beutien was born in Prussia, February 
 22, 1830. During his boyhood and j'outh he ob- 
 tained a common school education, and at the age 
 of seventeen years took his father's place at the 
 head of the household. In 1837 he emigrated to 
 America, landing at the metropolis, whence he 
 came direct to Chicago, III., there securing a situa- 
 tion as a farm hand in the county'. For two years 
 he remained at one place, then spent two months 
 on another farm, next becoming a laborer on a 
 railroad in Southern Illinois. Nine months later 
 he resumed farm work on an estate in DuPage 
 Count}', where he remained three j-ears and eight 
 months. 
 
 We next find Mr. Beutien in Will County i)ur- 
 chasing a farm with the savings which close econ- 
 omy had secured, and while working his estate, 
 putting in more or less time on the Illinois Central 
 Ilailro.ad. At the two employments he occupied 
 himself three years, then selling the farm, which he 
 had changed materially from the condition in 
 which he took possession of it, he bought that on 
 which he still lives. He carries on mixed farming, 
 and raises standard bred stock, hiring help .as he 
 needs on the estate. 
 
 The wife of iMr. Beutien was known in her mai- 
 denhood as Miss Augusta Richter, and became 
 Mrs. Beutien August 19, 1803. She is a daughter 
 of Charles and F'redricka (Deugge) Richter, of 
 Prussia, her father having been a carpenter. He 
 died in his native land in 1862. Mrs. Beutien was 
 born in that kingdom March 25, 1842, and received 
 a common-school education. To her and her 
 husband twelve children have been born, eight 
 being now alive. These are: Amelia, wife of 
 Henry Monk, of Peotone Township; they have 
 four childien; Augusta, wife of John Knapp, and 
 mother of one child, their home also being in 
 this township; Mina, Bertha, Victor, Alvina,f;dda, 
 and Julius, all at home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Beulien belong to the F>,'angeli- 
 cal Lutheran Church, in which he has been a 
 
696 
 
 PORTRAIT AN* BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Trustee. For eighteen years he has been School 
 Director in District No. 1, and no member of the 
 commuoitj- taiies gre.iter interest in the cause of 
 ediiCMtlon than he. He saw to it that his oflfspring 
 secured all that the public schools could give thcra. 
 He is now Pathmaster, and w.as Road Commis- 
 sioner three years. For eighteen years he has been 
 a Director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 
 of Green Garden. He votes the Republican ticket, 
 and is quite interested in the political questions of 
 the da^'. We may mention that when Mr. Beutien 
 arrived in America he was ^7 in debt, and that, 
 the sum which seems so small to liim now, was 
 at that lime quite a weight upon his mind. 
 
 -^ 
 
 SAMUEL RUSH HAVEN, :\I. D. The de 
 mise of this distinguished member of the 
 medical profession, scientist and traveler, 
 took place at the home of his brother, the 
 IIon.Dwight Haven, in New Lenox, and was learned 
 with regret bj- the many personal friends he had 
 made, as well as b}- hosts to whom his reputation 
 had made him familiar. He was born in Sheridan, 
 Chautauqua County, N. Y.. January 29, 1827, and 
 came to what is now the renowned city of Chicago, 
 in the fall of 1834, with his parents in an emigrant 
 wagon, little dreaming that in years to come he 
 would become a prominent resident of the citj' 
 wliich was to be built up there. 
 
 The parents of our subject settled on a farm in 
 New Lenox, "Will Countj', and there young Haven 
 acquired his elementar}' education. His taste lead- 
 ing him to desire to become a physician, he entered 
 Rush Medical College, in Chicago, working for his 
 board while pursuing his studies there and matricu- 
 lating in 1817. In 18.10, still owing debts con- 
 tracted while attending school, he caught the gold 
 fever and went to California, where he dug the 
 precious metal, and also practiced his profession. 
 Both occupations proved profitable to him, and he 
 was enabled to pay the indebtecUiess, before alluded 
 to, and establish himself well upon his return to the 
 States. 
 
 After sojourning on the Pacific Slope until 1853, 
 
 Dr. Haven returned to Chicago, and formed a 
 partnership with Dr. J. W. Freer. AVheu the war 
 broke out he volunteered on the first expedition, 
 under Brig. Gen. Swift, to Cairo, April 21, 18G1. 
 sulisequenth' becoming a Brigade Surgeon, with tlie 
 Army of the Potomac. He gained distinction in 
 the field, first under Gen. Grant and later under 
 Gen. Ileintzleman, being promoted to the position 
 of Division Surgeon with the rank of Major, and 
 finallj- becoming Corps Surgeon, with the rank of 
 Colonel, under Gen. Hancock. He was through 
 all the battles of the Peninsular campaign under 
 Gen. McClellau and the other commanders of the 
 Eastern Armj-. At the close of the war he was 
 offered a Colonelcj' in the regular armj' by Presi- 
 dent Lincoln, but refused. 
 
 After the war Dr. Haven retired from active 
 practice and became a ver}' successful real-estate 
 dealer, displaying business acumen of a high order, 
 and retrieving his fortunes, when the great fire in 
 Chicago had left him almost penniless. b\- a quick 
 appreciation of the needs of the lime and a daunt- 
 less pushing forward. The abundant means that 
 he possessed enabled him to gratify his taste for 
 travel and research, and he acquired a reinitation 
 as a scientist and student, fullj' equal to that he had 
 obtained in the pursuit of his professional labors. 
 His journeyii;gs had included almost every part of 
 the known world, and bis investigations were par- 
 ticularly earnest in the line of medical science. 
 
 Dr. Haven was a great lover of books, his read- 
 ing giving him such a profound knowledge of 
 general literature that he was regarded ])y his ac- 
 quaintances as a veritable encyclopedia of interest- 
 ing information. His conversational powers were 
 far above the aver.age, making him an entertaining 
 companion. He was one of the band of earlj' Ab- 
 olitionists and Free-Soilers who helped to shape 
 the politics of Northern Illinois. Although brought 
 up in the strict faith of the Congregational Church, 
 his religious views became largely modified and 
 broadened in later years. 
 
 For some time past Dr. Haven had been spend- 
 ing his winters in Florida, and .at the time of his 
 death had a handsome ninter home in process of 
 construction at Clearwater Harbor, on the coast of 
 that State. His wife, who survives him, was Miss 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 697 
 
 Jane Stowell, daugiiter of E. C. Stowell, deceased, 
 formerly a well-known real-estate dealer of Chicago. 
 The marriage rites of Dr. Haven and Miss Stowell 
 were celebrated in 1854. 
 
 THOMAS TRAINER is a. rich farmer of Cus- 
 ter Township, where he has been reared 
 from youth up, and his standing in the 
 community where he is so well known is^the high- 
 est. His father, William Trainer, was a'native of 
 Wightonsliire, Scotland, and born in 1798. His 
 mother, whose maiden name was Margaret; Moore, 
 was horn on the Isle of Man, in 1808, and was 
 there married at the age of twenty-five, the father 
 of our subject then being thirty-five years old. 
 They'remained on the Isle until 1853, and then 
 started for America, but while on the passage the 
 family weresadly bereaved bj' the death" of the 
 devoted motiier who was buried at sea. The 
 father and'remaining members of the family, land- 
 ing at New York, came direct to Illinois, and he 
 bought a farm on section 14, Wilmington Town- 
 ship, of Lyman Francis. His daughter Margaret, 
 who was only fourteen 3'ears of age, kept house 
 for him; siie is now deceased. The family lived 
 on that place for eight jears, when the father sold 
 the property and the ensuing two years lived in 
 Grand Prairie, near Dwight. At the expiration 
 of that time he came to this' township, and pur- 
 chased tiie liomestead on section 13. which is now 
 occupied by our subject. This remained his home 
 till deatli closed his mortal pilgrimage, in 1882. 
 He was the father of seven children, three of whom 
 arc now living. 
 
 Thomas Trainer was the fifth child of the fam- 
 ily, and was born on the Isle of Man, in the month 
 of .July, 1811. He was twelve years of age when 
 lie left the [tlaco of iiis nativity and came with his 
 father to America. He gleaned a good education 
 in the common schools, and on his father's farm a 
 substantial knowledge of agriculture In all its 
 liranches, and has alw,a3-s been occupied in farming 
 [lursuits and since coming here with his father has 
 been a resident of the homestead that the latter 
 
 then purchased. He and his wife have a comfort- 
 able home on the Kankakee River, and he is oper- 
 ating one hundred and eighty-one and three-fourth 
 acres of land, .-ill l3ing in a body and all wetl im- 
 proved. He carries on mixed farming, raising a 
 diversity of cro|)s, and having his pastures well 
 stocked with standard grades of cattle. 
 
 March 5, 1874, Mr. Trainer and Miss Elizabeth 
 McDonald were united in marriage. Her parents 
 were John and Mary McDonald. Her father lived 
 to be seventy-seven years of age and her mother is 
 now fifty-nine years old. 
 
 Mr. Trainer is a whole souled, genial man and 
 has many warm friends in the place where so much 
 of his life has been passed. He is generous in 
 supporting all schemes that will in any way im- 
 prove the township, and has always been a liberal 
 supporter of churches though not a member of 
 any. He has been a Director of schools in this 
 district. No. 4, and has also served as a Pathmas- 
 ter, and, altogether, is one of our most useful and 
 trusted citizens. In his political views he is a 
 stanch Republican and has worked hard in the in- 
 terests of his partj'. 
 
 <if?OHN STEPHEN. The habits of thrift and 
 industry, to which the subject of this notice 
 was trained from boyhood, have followed 
 (^JJ him through his latter years, as is indicated 
 by his surroundings. We find him supplied with 
 all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, 
 and the owner of one of the finest farms in Joliet 
 Township, comprising two hundred and fifty acres 
 of land on section 18, upon which have been ef- 
 fected good improvements. 
 
 The early home of Mr. Stephen was on the other 
 side of the Atlantic, in the Province of Alsace, 
 then of France, but now belonging to Germany, 
 and where he first opened his ej-es to the ligiit, 
 July 18, 1839. His father, John Stephen, and his 
 mother, whose maiden name was Adelia Haude, 
 were likewise natives of that province, where they 
 were reared and married. They lived there until 
 1846, then deciding upon emigrating to America, 
 
008 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 iinil repairing to Havre, boarded a sailing vessel 
 wiiich in due time landed them safely on Ameri- 
 can shores. They proceeded directly to Cuyahoga 
 County, Ohio, but lived in tiiat .State onl\' six 
 months, coming thence to Illinois and settling in 
 .loliet Township, this county. The fatlier engaged 
 in farming, and they sojourned there a number of 
 years, then removed to the city of Joliet, whei'e 
 the last seven years of their life were spent. 
 The five children born to them consisted of four 
 sons and one daughter. Of tliese .lolm was (lie 
 third ciiild. 
 
 Mr, .Stephen was a boy of seven years when his 
 parents emigrated to America, and he still has a 
 dim recollection of his old iiume in France, and of 
 the scenes and incidents attending the voyage to 
 America, lie lived witii his parents thereafter 
 until twenty-three years old, when he w.is married 
 and settled in the town of Troy, living tiiere two 
 years. Thence he returned to the old homestead, 
 which is now his proi)erty. lie was married in 
 Joliet, October 13, 186.3, to Miss Rachel, daughter 
 of Ignalz and Mary (Walter) Schall. The parents 
 of Mrs. .Stephen were also natives of Alsace, and 
 emigrated to America about 1847, settling near 
 Rome, N. Y. Later thej' came to tliis county and 
 lived in the town of Troy for several years. Later 
 they too, like the parents of Mr. Stephen, removed 
 to Joliet where the mother died, and Mr. Schall is 
 still living there. The^- were the parents of ten 
 children, of whom Mrs. Stephen was the youngest. 
 She is a native of the same province as her hus- 
 band, and was born June 28, 1815. She was thus 
 less than two years old upon coming to America 
 with her parents, and recollects nothing of the 
 land of her birth. She, as well as her husband, is 
 thoroughly Americanized and in full .sympathy- 
 with American institutions. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Stephen are the proud parents of 
 nine living children. Tiiey are all at home with 
 their parents and bear the names respectively of, 
 Clara O., Mary R., John E., Frances M., Joseph- 
 ine A., Adeline A., Amelia E., Lenora S. and Ra}-- 
 mond A. Mr. Stephen upon becoming a voting 
 citizen identified himself with the Democratic 
 party. lie has served a? a School Director in his 
 district four years, and as Highway Commissioner 
 
 six years. Both he and his' wife are prominently 
 connected with the Catholic Church. In addi- 
 tion to general farming he makes a specialt)' of 
 stock-raising, and realizes therefrom handsome 
 returns. 
 
 ■3^'- 
 
 l ICIIAEL DOYLE. It affords great pleas- 
 ure to the biographical writer to record 
 
 H^ the success of a man who, beginning life 
 with no means, has accumulated a compe- 
 tency, and while doing so has reared his family in 
 useful habits and good princii)les and acted the 
 part of a worthy citizen. One of this class is 
 ISIichacl Do3le, whose pleasant home is located on 
 section 3.5, Jackson Township, and who is num- 
 bered among the general farmers of this well de- 
 veloped countj'. He is a native of the Emerald 
 Isle, born in Mohill, County Leitrim, November 
 1, 1832, and was .about eighteen years old when he 
 came to America. Landing in New York lie went 
 to New Haven, Conn., in or near wliich city he 
 lived five years. During this time he was em- 
 l)lo3-ed at different occupations in whicli he could 
 gain a support, or which promised to better his 
 condition. 
 
 At the expiration of the period mentioned, Mr. 
 Doyle came to Illinois and entered the employ of 
 the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, his loca- 
 tion being at Wilmington, this count}', for a time, 
 after wiiich he was eng.aged seven j'ears in sawing 
 wood for the same -ompany. During this time he 
 had hoarded his resources, and was then able to 
 purchase eightj' acres of land, upon which he has 
 since resided. He has made various improve- 
 ments, and has added to his landed estate, from 
 time to time until his possessions now amount to 
 seven hundred acres, the most of which is in 
 .lackson Township. A complete line of farm 
 Ijuildings may be seen upon the estate, their ex- 
 cellence attracting the attention of every passer- 
 by, as they are much better than the average 
 among farmers. 
 
 Ill New Haven, Conn., Mr. Doyle was united 
 
•n 
 
 A 
 
 ^ 
 
 CHy 
 
 C^ 
 
 ^-Yt^(A/^^ 
 
<^. 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 ro3 
 
 ill marriage with INIIss Catlierine Marin, a native 
 of County Monaghan, Ireland. She bore a part 
 in Ills cares, economies and successes until 1874,* 
 when slie was removed from eartii, breathing lier 
 last at her home in tiiis township. She was the 
 mother of six children, of whom the fourth, John, 
 died in April, 1888, at the age of twenty-seven 
 years. .lames and Frank are now living in Flor- 
 ence Townshi|i; Michael, in Jackson Township; 
 Peter lives in this townshij); and Thomas still re- 
 mains at home. 
 
 The second marri.age of Mr. Doyle took place in 
 Wilmington, July G, 1875, his bride being Miss Ellen 
 Kavanaugli. This estimable woman was born in 
 this county. Februar}' 19, 18.53. She has borne her 
 linsband four children — Josci)h, Mary, Nellie and 
 Onnie, who are being carefully trained in habits 
 of courtesy and usefulness by their good mother, 
 and having their minds develofjed as their years 
 will permit. 
 
 Mr. Doyle has been Highway Commissioner and 
 School Director for several years. His political 
 afliliation is witii the Democr.acy. He and his 
 wife and family are enrolled in the Catholic 
 Church. Mr. Doyle is not lacking in the natural 
 inU'lligence and accurate perceptions which are 
 proverbial with the Irish race, and his abilities 
 have been developed and his mind stored with 
 information, so th.al he is now more tiian ordinarily 
 intelligent. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 l^^- 
 
 -JIEORGE SPERRY. The traveler in going 
 past the Sperry homestead invariably turns 
 %^J^ for a second glance, as there is an air of 
 comfort and plenty about it that is exceedingly 
 pleasant to the eye. He at once singles it out as 
 the result of more than ordinary enterprise and in- 
 dustry — a home whose proprietor possesses all the 
 attributes of a good citizen, one who has first 
 looked after the comfort of his family, and who 
 next, as a member of the community, presents an 
 example to those around him which is well worthy 
 of imitation. Mr. Sperry is well-to-do, financially, 
 owning besides his farm, valuable city |)roperty in 
 
 Joliet. He is widelj' and favorably' known through- 
 out the township, and is numbered among its 
 leading men. 
 
 I The fifth in a family of seven children, our sub- 
 jei-t is the son of James and Fanny (Pixley) 
 Sperry, and was born in the town of Henrietta, 
 
 ! Monroe County, N. Y., April 27, 1837. His early 
 life w.as spent at his father's farm, and his first 
 studies were prosecuted in the common schools. 
 Later he attended Monroe Academy in East Hen- 
 
 i rietta. He remained a member of his father's 
 household until reaching his majority, and soon 
 afterward was married and settled in Lewiston, 
 N. Y., where for many years he w.as employed as a 
 collector. Tiic young wife lived only about one 
 year after her marri.age, and after her death Mr. 
 Sperrj' went to Rochester, and in company with 
 
 E. D. Hallock was engaged for .about two years in 
 the sale of agricultural implements. 
 
 In 1856 IMr. Sperry came to this county, and 
 during the first winter was engaged as a school 
 teacher in Homer Township. After his second 
 marriage he settled on the farm which he now 
 owns and occupies, and in connection with its cul- 
 tivation has also followed the profession of a 
 teacher. After the outbreak of the Civil War, in 
 July, 18G2, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Com- 
 pany C, One Hundredth Illinois Infantrj-, aiid for 
 nearlj' two years served as a privs^te. He was 
 then commissioned First Lieutenant of Compan}^ 
 
 F, Twenty-second New York Cavalry, and served 
 in that capacity for four months, being then'pro- 
 moted to a Captaincj'. He remained with the 
 same regiment, and on the 21st of July was bre- 
 vetted as Major. In charging a battery near 
 Fisher's Hill he was run over by his own squadron, 
 and received injuries which incapacitated him for 
 duty for one month. On account of this he now 
 enjoys a pension from the Government. He was 
 l)resent in some of the great battles of the war, 
 namely: Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, 
 Rocky Face, Resaca, Winchester, Cedar Run and 
 Waynesboro. The close of tiie war found him 
 Acting Hi'igadc (iuartermaster, resi)onsible for a 
 million dollars and witii certificates of non-indebt- 
 edness from every department of the service. 
 
 Mr. Sperry w.as first married in Lewiston, N.Y., 
 
704 
 
 PORTRAIT AND^BIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 to Miss Mary D., daughter of the Hon. Bates 
 
 Cook, who was formerly State Comptroller of New 
 York under Gov. DeWilt Clinton. Jlrs. ALiry I). 
 Sperry died without children in 1854. The second 
 wife of our subject, to whom he was married in 
 the spring of 1857, was formerly Mrs. Emily C. 
 (Hopping) Peck. This lady was born in 1831, in 
 New York, and is a daughter of Henry and Lucy 
 (Paddock) Hopping, who are now deceased. Henry 
 Hopping died in 1854 in California, whither he 
 had gone wilii a brother, the Hon. Curtis Hopi)ing, 
 who subsequently became one of the leading citi- 
 zens of Sacramento, and there died recent!}', a 
 wealthy man. Another brother, Enos, was edu- 
 cated at West Point and became a Brigadier-Gen- 
 eral. He was with Gen. Scott in his Mexican 
 campaign, where he died. His remains were 
 brought to iiis former home in Syracuse, N. V., 
 and buried with honor by his gratefid country- 
 men. 
 
 The wife of our subjocl was first married to 
 Oliver V. Peck, who died in Homer Township, 
 leaving one child, a daughter, Henrietta. The 
 latter married K. E. Rowlc}-, and died in Manhattan 
 Township in 1882. Mrs. .Sperr}' is pioud of wear- 
 ing the white ribbon as a member of the Woman's 
 Christian Temperance Union. She would feel hon- 
 ored to be well known as a defender of prohibi- 
 tion ami equal suffrage. Mr. Sperr}' is a strong 
 supporter of tlie Republican party, having taken 
 an active i)art in political aftairs, and in his tem- 
 perance views he is a radical Proliibitionist. 
 
 James Spt^rry and his estimable wife, tlie parents 
 of our subject, were natives of (Jreat Barriuglon, 
 Mass., and settled in Henrietta, Monroe County, 
 N. Y., after their marriage, living in that place 
 man>' years. Tiience the}' removed to the city of 
 Rochester, where they spent their last days. Mr. 
 Sperry was a man of decided views, and during 
 slavery tinn's was a i)rominent Abolitionist. The 
 parental famil}' consisted of four sons and three 
 daughters, live of whom .are living, as follows: 
 Henry H. Sperry, former Supcrintendeut of the 
 Document Room, House of Representatives, Wash- 
 ington, I). C;., and Custom House officer in New 
 Y'ork City from 18G8 to 1871, is now living retired 
 from business in Rochester, N. Y.; Dr. M. M. 
 
 Sperry also lives in Rochester and is a prominent 
 man in his profession; Edward lives at BatlK- 
 Creek, Mich.; our subject, and Sarah A., who 
 lives in Baltimore, Md., complete the family list. 
 A portrait of the gentleman whose life is thus 
 brieilj' recorded, and also that of his wife are pre- 
 sented on another page of this volume. 
 
 £^ EMPRONIUS S. CHAMBERLAIN, under-. 
 ^^^ taker and senior member of the firm of S. ' 
 |l\£_I)) S. Chamberlain & Sons, of Joliet and 
 Lockport, was born in Henrietta, Monroe 
 County, N. Y'., August 19, 1817. He is (he son of 
 Luther C. ChambcrlMin who kept the old f.ash- 
 ioneil tavern in Hint rural village known as the 
 Henrietta House. It was located in the midst of 
 some of the finest farming lands of the famous 
 Genesee Valle}', as was also the old time INIonroe 
 Academy, which the boy entered at an early age 
 and in which he received his rudimentary instruc- 
 tion. At tlie age of fifteen years he was taken by 
 his father from that thriving neighljorhood (o the 
 State of Illinois, the start being m.a<le in .lauuary, 
 183.'!, and this being before the days of railroading 
 the bo}' rode the entire distance on an Indian pony. 
 
 Reaching Chicago, then only an Indian station 
 and trading post, they tarried a few days and then 
 continued their journey southward thirty miles, to 
 one mile and a half east of Lockport, where they lo- 
 cated in Lockport .'ind Homer Townships. The father 
 made a claim on Government land and improved a 
 farm on which he lived four years, thence removiug 
 to Peoria County in 1837. The young man en- 
 tered .lubilee College, Peoria, from which in due 
 course of lime he was graduated with academic ac- 
 quirements. He returned to Lockport in 1844 and 
 began as an architect and builder, taking contracts 
 for the erection of warehouses and other edifices. 
 To him was committed the erection of the large 
 warehouse of Messrs. Norton & Co., of Lockport, 
 whose business has grown to enormous proportions, 
 their flouring mills being well known as among 
 the most extensive in tlie countr}'. 
 
 Pour years after his arrival, Mr. Chamberlain 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOCRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 70o 
 
 put up a store for himself anrl embarked in bis 
 present business. During the fatal cholera season 
 of 1854, which lasted for about thirty days, he 
 worked men night and daj- making eotlins, which 
 was done wholly by hand at that time. The call 
 was absolute, and only by putting in every hour of 
 the twenty-four could the di^and lie suiiplied. 
 In that |)erilous period, Mr. CMinmberlain wt-nt 
 personally to nearly every house where death oc- 
 curred, sometimes as many as eight a day in a vil- 
 lage of twenty- five hundred inhabitants. The 
 Collins were made of walnut or whitewood, with 
 walnut flat tops, and lined and trimmed inside with 
 book-niuslin headings. 
 
 In 1873, Mr. Chamberlain started an cstablish- 
 nt in .loliet, first occupying a frame building 
 Bf his own erection on Chicago Sti'oet, but subse- 
 quently moving into the fine store. No. II 9, (War- 
 ner IJluck) opposite his forraei site. These prem- 
 ises are expressly fitted for the business and have 
 a (tejilli <if ninet}' feet, with a front of plate gl.ass. 
 it-he eoinniodious office is entered directly from 
 "the street, beiiTg- separated from the store room by 
 a pirlition of walnut and ash panels with a glass 
 till). The olfice, without any attempt at displa}', 
 :4»as !Mi air o^efinement and good taste. In the 
 inner room is an elegant cabinet often samples 
 of vsiork, t^tUer 'if which can be brought to view in 
 n_ moment by lowering a hinged panel. Beyond 
 Ills rpora -isjone opening on the allej', which is de- 
 vciied to receiving, trimming etc. Tlie establish- 
 ment is connected li)' telephone with the other 
 establishment at Lockport, a distance of five miles, 
 with the dwelling at No. 617 Clinton Street, and 
 with the Joliet Telephone Exchange. 
 
 Mr.Chamberlaiu is a man of advanced ideas and 
 has exhibited throughout his long business career 
 a remarkable degree of energy and tact. Although 
 his location is near Chicago, he always carries a 
 large stock of goods; he is a judicious buyer and 
 as his trade is mostly among the more prosperous 
 people of Joliet and vicinity, his stock is largely 
 composed of the finer grades of cloth and metallic 
 trimmings. It is doubtful if there is a funeral di- 
 rector in the country who takes more pride in his 
 stable (ir mure pains to keep his valuable horses in 
 good liiui. lie owns two siians which rank .iiiiong 
 
 the best in Northern Illinois. One is a pair of 
 dark bays with heavy manes and tails; the other, 
 a pair of Morgan Blaekhawks, recently brought by 
 him from Lexington, Ky. 
 
 Being a lover of the ecjuine race, Mr. Chamber- 
 lain becomes peculiarly attached' to the steeds that 
 have done him service. As an illustration of this, 
 ho has in pasture a team that luul worked for a 
 little over ten j-ears and are yet in good condition. 
 lie refuses to sell them, saying, -'They will be 
 cared for by me through the rest of their lives." 
 Four of the hearses used by our subject were 
 built for him by Messrs. Crane, Breed & Co. of 
 Cincinnati, two purchased by Merts & Ridle of 
 Ravenna, Ohio; one white hearse built by Cun- 
 ningham, of Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Chamberlain 
 never takes part in politics but has frequently had 
 public office tendered him. He invariably declines, 
 having always felt that his most important duty 
 was to attend strictly to his legitimate business. 
 
 To do justice to our subject we ought to de- 
 vote some time to his high (lersonal character, but 
 must content ourselves with a remark from the 
 Joliet SiDi: — ''No man is better known or regarded 
 with higher esteem in this vicinity than S. S. 
 Chamberlain, a gentleman of sterling integrity. 
 We have known him for forty years and know 
 whereof we speak." 
 
 With Miss Elizabeth S. CJray, of Homer, this 
 county, Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage 
 January 19, 1842. The bride was a daughter of 
 Alfred and a sister of Capt. George M. Gray, of 
 the Pullman Palace Car Line. She was born in 
 the Empire State but came to Illinois at an early 
 day. For nearly half a centuiy she shared in 
 her husband's joys and sorrows, ever devoted to 
 his comfort and the welfare of the children whom 
 she had borne. She entered into rest April 9, 
 1889, mourned by many friends whose sympathy 
 is with the family in their sore bereavement. She 
 was a member of the Congregational Church. The 
 union was blessed by the birth of two sons only. 
 George N. is one of the firm and resides in Joliet; 
 Charles G. is in charge of the Lockport branch 
 of the business. 
 
 The father of our subject was born in Columbia 
 County, N. Y., in 1789, and look [lart in the War 
 
706 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of 1812. After its conclusion lie married Miss 
 Tliankful Talinage of Litchfield. Conn., and settled 
 in Monroe Count}', N. Y. For a time he engaged in 
 farming, subsequently emliarking as a hotel keeper, 
 a business that he followed fifteen years. He was 
 a prominent man in his location, especially in edu- 
 ciitional affairs, being a Trustee and Director in 
 the Monroe Academ}- and helping to build up the 
 early schools of AVestern New York. He was 
 Postmaster of Henrietta for many years. Upon 
 coming to Illinois as mentioned above, he bought 
 estensivel}-, and built the first frame house in his 
 section of country, neither in .Joliet, nor Lock- 
 port, an}- other than log houses being then 
 standing. After leaving Lockport he .*pent seven 
 years in Peoria, thence going to Milton, AV.-iync 
 County, Ind., where he engaged in the grain 
 and warehouse business. There he remained un- 
 til his death in 1878; the mother had breathed 
 her last in 1852. Luther C. C'haml)erlain was a 
 member of the Episcopal Church. He w.is the 
 father of three children — Lewis L., of this 
 county; S. S. ; and Kllen M., wife of Norton Davis 
 of Monroe County, N. Y., who died Fel)ruary 9, 
 1890. 
 
 — :<^^2 — - 
 
 ^^^EORGE DIXON, a representative f.irmer 
 |[ g=i and stock-raiser of DuPage Township, is 
 '^^ll pleasantly located on section .32. His fine 
 estate comprises two hundred and forty acres, a 
 part of which is well-developed land upon which a 
 full line of suostantial buildings have been erected 
 and such other improvements made as are usually^ 
 the work of a man of enterprise and good judgment. 
 Mr. Dixon is a self-made man who labored long 
 and arduously to gain a good home and is now en- 
 joying a merited reward for his efforts. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was Christmas Day, 
 18.32, and his birthplace Lincolnshire, England. 
 His parents were Robert -and Susan Dixon who 
 lived upon a farm and reared their son amid its 
 toils and limited advantages. His education was 
 but meagre, as the opportunities he had were not 
 equal to those of .\m< rican youth of the same class 
 even at that dale, but observation and native in- 
 
 telligence have largely overcome the deficiency and ' 
 he is to-day a well-informed man. 
 
 In 18.51 young Dixon emigrated to America, 
 leaving Liverpool on the sailer '-ruder writer." 
 which reached New York after an ocean voyage oti 
 seven weeks and three daj-s. The j-oung man came 
 direct to the Prairif State, found emplo}'ment as ai 
 farm laborer in Cook County and worked by the 
 month fourteen years. He then boiight a tract of 
 land in Newaygo Count}-, ^Mich., and was identified 
 with the farming interests of that section several 1 
 years. He finally jjurchased the land he now occu- 
 ])ies. renting it out tliree years and then removing 
 hither. 
 
 On September 14, 1869, the marriage rites were 
 celebrated between Mr. Dixon and Miss Mary .1. 
 Burgess, who was born in England, October 12. 
 1840. She is a daughter of Heaton and .lane 
 (Clark) Burgess, who emigrated to America in 
 1867, and made their home in Will County, HI 
 for a number of years. They removed to Cook 
 County, where the father died in 1884 and the 
 mother still lives. They had nine children, of 
 whom the living are, Mrs. Dixon ; .John and Samuel 
 who resi<le in this county; William, George H.. 
 Charles R. and Thomas E., who live in Cook 
 County; and Betsey, wife of Harry Pollard, of 
 Pike County. 
 
 Mr. Dixon is a Democrat, but usually votes for 
 the man rather than the strict party principle. He 
 is a reliable citizen, an enterprising farmer, a kind 
 neighbor, and receives his just share in the respect 
 of those who know him, while the wife of his bosom 
 has her friends among them to whom her virtues 
 have endeared her. 
 
 -^ 
 
 i^, HARLES B. HAYWARD. No more genial, 
 companionable or intelligent gentleman is to 
 be found in the city of Joliet than the above- 
 named, who is at the head of the C. B. Hayward 
 Printing Company. He thoroughly understands 
 the printers trade, in which he has had practical 
 experience, and for quite a number of years was an 
 editor, gaining high rank in journalistic circles for 
 
PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAJ. ALBUM. 
 
 707 
 
 his energy, versatility and unchanging devotion to 
 juineiple. During the late war lie passed through 
 trying scenes but no amount of persecution or 
 danger could turn him from his devotion to what 
 he thought right. Those who wielded the pen in 
 defense of the liiion exerted an inlluence which 
 cannot lie measured, and to them honor belongs as 
 well as to those wlio served their countrj' on the 
 tented field. 
 
 In the Iloosier State in the first half of the nine- 
 tccnlli I'entury. lived Thomas Hayward and two 
 brutiiers, who managed a tannery at Fairfield. 
 Tiiomas married Miss May A. Hill, among the 
 members of their family being a son, C. B., who 
 oiiened his eyes to the light July 1. 1843. He had 
 one brother and two .sigters, all living. About 1855 
 the parents removed to Columbus, Ind., whence 
 four years later they moved to Indianapolis and 
 lived there until 1859, and then removed to Carth- 
 age. Mo. During the war Mr. Ha3-ward removed 
 to Ft. Scott. Kan., at its close becoming a resident 
 of Springfleld, Mo., where he died in 1869. 
 
 At the age of ten years, he of whom we write 
 went to Indianapolis to learu the trade of a printer, 
 remaining tliere about five years, and then accom- 
 panying his parents to Carthage, Mo., where he 
 opened a news and job oflice. His Union senti- 
 ments aroused the Southerners, who compelled him 
 to take refuge, along with others, in Kansas. He 
 then went to Ft. Scott and established the Ft. Scott 
 Monitor, securing a military escort to bring his 
 family hither from his former home. While at Ft. 
 Scott he was appointed United States Deputy Rev- 
 enue Collector. At the close of the war he re- 
 moved to Springfield, Mo., where he engaged in 
 the printing business. 
 
 The next place of abode of Mr. Hajward was 
 Marseilles. HI., to which place he cjime in 1870, tak- 
 ing up the occupation of traveling agent for the 
 paper mill at that point. The following year he 
 came to Joliet and took charge of the job printing 
 department of the Bopu/ilican. In 1872 he started 
 the Joliet Sun, which he i)ublisho<l ten years, selling 
 it at the expiiation of that (jeriod to the lifjitt/jlican. 
 In 1883, he went to Santa Fe, N. M., where he was 
 connected with the New Me.\ican Printing Com- 
 pany. Being appointed Postmaster by President 
 
 Arthur in 1884, at Santa Fe. he held that position 
 until 1886, when he returned to Joliet. On New 
 Years Day following he organized the company 
 which he still manages, although on April 1, 1890, 
 the firm name was changed to the C. B. Hayward 
 Company. 
 
 April 7, 1872, Mr. H!i3'ward married Miss May 
 E.Munroe, at the home of the bride's father, George 
 ilunroe. Joliet, April 7, 1872. Jlr. and Mrs. H.ay- 
 ward are the happy |)arents of four living children: 
 Josie, Thomas, Charles M., and Ruth, and mourn 
 the death of a sou, George, who was taken from 
 them September 14, 1881. Mr. Hayward is recog- 
 nized as among the leading Republicans of this 
 county and this part of Illinois. 
 
 1?^^HINEAS K. ROWLEY, late a resident of 
 jl' Homer Township, departed this life at his 
 I f^ homestead on section 19, February 22, 
 ) i 1889. He was a native of New Y'ork, and 
 the son of Jirah Rowley, whose wife bore the 
 maiden name of Elizabeth Brace, and both were 
 natives of New York State. When about eighteen 
 years old young Rowley came to this county, 
 within whose limits he made his home the re- 
 mainder of his life, whi(;li terminated when he was 
 in the seventy-second year of his age, his birth 
 taking place November 5, 1816. His native place 
 was Victor, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Rowley was married at .Sugar Grove, Kane 
 Couutj-, 111., November 1, 1843. to Miss Jane A., 
 daughter of Isaac and Abigail (Tew) Sauford. 
 The parents of Mrs. Rowlej' were n.atives of Massa- 
 chusetts, whence they emigr.ated to Marshalltown, 
 Iowa, and died, the mother in 1S76. and Mr. San- 
 ford in 1875. Mrs. Rowley w.h3 born in Savoy, 
 Berkshire County, M.ass., August 23, 1824. After 
 their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rowlej- settled at the 
 present homeste.ad, which Mrs. Rowley has m.an- 
 .aged with rare good judgment since her husband's 
 death. The farm comprises oue hundred .and 
 eight}' acres of fertile land embellished with good 
 improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley identified 
 themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 
70S 
 
 POR-rUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALUUM. 
 
 \ 
 
 many years ngo. in the fai'.h of wliieh Mr. Rowley 
 
 (lit'd, and with which the widow still leniuins con- 
 nected. 
 
 Tlieie was born of tlieir union a family of seven 
 childien, the eldest of whom, Adelbert C, mairiod 
 Miss Sarah B. Phillii)s, and is a resident of Kane 
 County; Mary E. is the wife of John Mitchell, and 
 tliej' live in Chicago; George died when fourteen 
 months old; Fre<l K. was first married to Henrietta 
 Peck, who died, and he then wedded her cousin 
 Josephine. He lives in Livingston County; Alice 
 S. is the wife of Jerome Paddock, of Homer Town- 
 ship; Jane S. died Januaiy 8, 1874, when an inter- 
 esting young] lady of nineteen years; Frank A. 
 married Miss Helen E. Savage, and occupies him- 
 self at farming in Homer Township. Mrs. Row- 
 ley_ has a pleasant home and an intelligent family, 
 and is a lady held in high esteem in the commu- 
 nity. 
 
 \f/OHN F. DAGGETT, M. ]). The reputation 
 of this gentleman as a well-read and success 
 ful physician and surgeon, is not confined to 
 Joliet, where he now makes his home, but 
 reaches far beyond this city. For nearly half a 
 ct^ntur}- he held the first place in the ranks of the 
 profession in and about Lockport. lie is justly 
 regarded as one of the ablest general practitioners 
 in this section of the State, wiiile as a surgeon lie 
 has high repute, his skill and good judgment justly 
 placing him among the leaders in o[)erative and 
 highly successful surger}-. Beginning his medical 
 career with a iint^ theoretical knowledge, he has been 
 studious, discriminating, and desirous of atiding to 
 his store of learning all that modern investigation 
 has to enrich the fields of therapeutical science. 
 
 Dr. Daggett was born in Charlotte, Vt., Februar}' 
 19, 181;"', and began his life's labors as a teacher at 
 the early age of sixteen years. After continuing 
 pedagogical work three years he entered the Med- 
 ical School at Woodstock, Vt., and suliseijuentlv one 
 at I'ittsfield, Ma.ss., being graduated from the former 
 in 1837. One year later lie came West, and Sep- 
 tember 10, 18:^8. opened an olliec in Lockport, 111., 
 where he continued to reside until 188(i, when he 
 
 took up his abode in Joliet. During this period of 
 
 practically li;df a century (18;S8 to 188G), he was 
 continuousl}- and laboriously engaged in the active 
 [uactice of his profession. In the early d.ays when 
 Hie n(jw thickly settled region had only a scattered 
 [xipulation, and the now po[)ulous city of Joliet 
 had but a few hundred people, his professional ride 
 extended in a circle to Naperville, Summit. Blue 
 Island and Monce, and he was often called in con- 
 sultation with physicians of these towns and of 
 Joliet, Wilmington, Plainlield and Lemont. 
 
 Dr. Daggett has for many years been a memlier 
 of township, count}- and State medical societies. 
 He has always been prominent in the developmeni 
 and uianngcnient of the local affairs of Lockport. 
 has been Supervisor of the town, in the Count}- 
 Board, Treasurer of the School Board, and member 
 and President of the X'illage Board of Trustees. 
 He was always cor.servative but liberal in the vari- 
 ous otlicial positions which he occupied, performing 
 his manifold duties to the satisfaction of the i)eo- 
 ple he re|iresented. The citizens of the Senatorial 
 District in which Dr. Daggett lives (which at that 
 date, 1871, consisted of the counties of Will, Kanka- 
 kee. Kendall and Grundy, bj' far the most populous 
 senatorial district in the State) recognized his cul- 
 ture of mind, excellent judgment and deei) interest 
 in all that is elevating and |)r<)gressive, and felt 
 that their interests would be advanced by him in 
 the legislative halls of the State. Thej' therefore 
 sent him to the Senate, and the result proved that 
 they were not wrong in their estimate of his worth. 
 He was a zealous, eflicient member, whose recoi-d 
 in the caiiital added to the laurels he had already 
 won as a member of a learned profession. Wy [nu- 
 dence he has amassed a goodi}' sum and now ow-ns 
 valuable real estate in both Lockport r>nd Joliet. 
 
 In 1842 the rites of wedlock were celelirated be- 
 tween Dr. Daggett and Miss Angeline Talcott, a na- 
 tive of New York and a member of a prominent pio- 
 neer family that came to Illinois in 1834. She was a 
 sister of Edward B. Talcott. the well-known civil 
 engineer who supervised the construction of the 
 Illinois & Michigan Canal, and who later was Su- 
 perintendent of the Chicago & Galena Railroad; 
 also sister of Mancel Talcott, of reputable memory 
 in Chicago as a prominent business man and lib'. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPMICAL ALBUM. 
 
 709 
 
 cral pliilantliropist — all now rletid. After a short 
 lull happy married life Mrs. Daggett closed her 
 eyes in death in 184-L A second matrimonial al- 
 liance was made by the doctor in 184G, the lady 
 whom lie chose for his companion being Miss Cle- 
 ora Parsons, of the Empire .State. This cstinialile 
 woman had borne him five children, of whom but 
 two are now living, Mrs. Hugo Boehme, of .loliet, 
 and Mrs. Col. R. G. Mayo, of Woodbridgc, Orange 
 County, Fla., and in her care and management of 
 llie household economy had shown her devotion to 
 home duties, while not neglecting those she owed 
 to neighbors and the world, when from a pulmon- 
 ary disease she gradually declined for two years, 
 then, lamented by all who |)ers(:)nally knew her, she 
 departed this life June 1, DSHi). 
 
 In the evening of life Dr. Daggett enjoys the 
 respect that accrues to honesty of purpose and 
 uprightness of life. Well supplied with worldly 
 goods, serene in the consciousness of duties done, 
 he is going peacefully down the hill <if lime. He 
 has always been a lirm sujjporter of religion and a 
 liberal contributor to the building, support and 
 nuiinlenance of churches of all denominations in 
 Lockport, and is likewise a liberal and cheerful 
 su|)porter of the common and high schools of the 
 town. For tlic years of 1888-89 he was President 
 of the "Pioneer Association" of the old settlers of 
 Will County, and by his efforts did uuich in add- 
 ing to the efl'ects and the interesting histor3' of the 
 early residents of the county. Bui few of his 
 early associates in business and professional circles 
 are now living. 
 
 ■■^•v:-^"~* 
 
 l^i^ AMUKL LOVK. .loliet Township is the 
 " home of the above-named "entleman who 
 
 lives on section 2.5, his farm including one 
 hundred and sixty acres in this Township 
 and twenty acres adjoining. Since settling here he 
 has given his attention entirely to agriculture, in 
 which he is winning the success which ever waits 
 upon industrious efforts. He was liorn in County 
 Cavan, In^land, in 1822, and grew to mauhood in 
 
 his native country. Upon coming to America he 
 made his home in New York for several years, be- 
 coming a resident of this county in the fall of 1856. 
 He was a contractor and builder and followed his 
 trade in Joliet some twelve or thirteen years. He 
 then married and settled uiion the farm which has 
 since been his home. 
 
 The wife of Mr. Love is a daughter of the late 
 John Cooper, of New Lenox, and bears the name 
 of Elizabeth B. She has borne her husband five 
 children — John W. C, Samuel E., FLatlie J., Mary 
 E. and Annie M. J. Mr. Love has been Highway 
 Commissioner and School Director. In politics he 
 is a Republican. He and his worthy wife are mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 ,y^i7BEL BLISS, Ju. One of the finest farms 
 (i II '" New Lenox Township is that owned and 
 \^^ occupied by the gentleman with whose 
 name we introduce this sketch. As an agriculturist, 
 he is thorough and skillful, and as a business man 
 shrewd and enterprising, wise in his investments 
 and jjossessing the energy which admits no such 
 word as " fail." His dwelling is one of the finest 
 in that section, and is Hanked by a good barn and 
 all the necessary outbuildings erected in modern 
 style of architecture and providing all the comforts 
 and conveniences of modern life. The whole forms 
 one of the most attractive homes in Will Count3-. 
 The proprietor is a man widely .and favorably 
 known, and comes of one of the best families of 
 Northern Illinois. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born at the home- 
 stead where he now lives August 8, 18.');$. His 
 father, Abel Bliss, Sr., was a native of Wilbraham, 
 Mass., and was born February 9, 1810. The mother 
 bore the maiden name of Lucinda Blake. She also 
 was a native of the B.ay State and born in Spring- 
 Held, October 14, 18H). The parents were married 
 in Si)ringlield JNIay 6, 1840, and at once started for 
 Illinois, coming to this county and settling on sec- 
 tion 18, New Lenox Township. There the father 
 •gave his undivided attention to agricultural pur- 
 
710 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 suits aixl lived to a ripe old age. being called hence 
 Decemler 25, 18.S.5. He had visited Will County 
 first in 1837. 
 
 The fallier of our subject possesseil tlie unflag- 
 ging industry and patience which is necessav3' to 
 success, and became the owner of five hundred 
 acres of land in New Lenox Townsliip. He erected 
 a neat and substantial set of farm buildings and 
 surrounded himself and his family with all the 
 couifi)rts of life. He was an active member of the 
 Methodist Clnnch in wliicli he hold the \arious 
 ofHccs, and in |)oiitics was a Republican and was one 
 of the first Abolitionists in tliis section. The 
 mother is still living, remaining at the old home- 
 stend witli her son, Abel. To herself and husband 
 there was born a famil3' of seven children, of whom 
 Abel was next to the youngest. 
 
 The subject of this notice remained with his 
 parents during his boyhood and 3'outli, pursuing 
 his first studies in the common school and later 
 attending for two j'ears the High Scliool at Eugle- 
 wood. Afterward he became a student of the Illi- 
 nois I'niversity at Champaign. His tastes and 
 inclinalions led him to desire to become a Civil 
 Kngineer, but on account of his father's accumu- 
 lated years and by his wist), he abandoned the pro- 
 ject, and after his scliool life was over, returned to 
 I lie farm where he has since followed agricultural 
 pursuits. 
 
 After the death of his father Mr. Bliss began 
 operating a [lart of the large farm. He is now the 
 owner of three hundred and forty acres of land in 
 New Lenox Township; besides this he owns a large 
 ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres in Gage 
 County, Neb. He was married in this township 
 February 21, 1877, to Miss Nettie, daughter of 
 Stanton and Isabella (Doig) Lynk. Mr. L3-nk is 
 represented on another page of this Auju.m. Mrs. 
 Bliss was the eldest of a family of six children, 
 three sons and three daughters, and was born in 
 New Lenox Township, September 25, 1857. Of 
 her union witli our subject there has been born 
 one child only, a daughter, Florence L, August 22, 
 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are members in good 
 standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
 which Mr. Bliss lias ofticiated as Steward and Trus- 
 tee. He votes the straight Republican ticket and 
 
 has held the otlice of Township Collector .ind School 
 Trustee. He is Trustee of the Methodist Camp 
 (i round Association, and Secretary of the New 
 Lenox Jluluul Insurance Company. 
 
 -«*J»^>^0,'§4-^«i«^*<^ 
 
 EORGE L. FRANCIS. This gentleman is 
 the owner and occujiant of a fine farm of 
 three hundred and five acres on sections 10 
 and 15, in New Lenox Township. He is tlie tenth 
 in a family- of eleven children and was born on his 
 father's homestead October 0, 185G. He grew to 
 manhood araiil the usual surroundings of a farmer's 
 son, receiving his education in the common schools 
 and the high school at Englewood. His tastes led 
 him to adopt farming as his life work and the town- 
 ship in which he ^'as lioru has been his continuous 
 home. 
 
 On June 21, 1877, Mr. Francis was united in 
 marriage with Miss Anna, daughter of Thonms 
 Doig, of the same township. The family history 
 of Mrs. Francis will be found in liie sketcli of her 
 father, on anotlier iiage in this Album. She was 
 born October 20, 1856, and like her husliand has 
 been a life-long resident of New Lenox Township. 
 The union has been blessed by the birth of three 
 children — Frank D., Laura D. and George II. 
 Laura died when sixteen months old. Both Mr. 
 and Mrs. Francis belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. Mr. Francis is serving in the capacit3' of 
 School Trustee. 
 
 -^-*-»- 
 
 !^, HARLES FRANCIS. This gentleman h.is 
 ,., _ been a life-long resident of New Lenox 
 ^^7 Township and engaged in .agricultural piir- 
 suits from his youth. He owns about three hundred 
 acres of land on which are adequate improvements. 
 His natal d.ay was August 17, 1847, and on his fa- 
 ther's f:uin he grew to manhood. His early edu- 
 cation was obtained in the common schools of the 
 township and supplemented by an attendance in 
 
"^ ^. >, /&^\xAet/tn,^. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOrrRAPIIlCAL ALBUM. 
 
 713 
 
 .Idliet. He remained under the ))arental roof until 
 liis marriage, which toolc place at the bride's home, 
 February 5, 1872. 
 
 The chosen companion of !\Ir. Francis was known 
 ill iier maidenhood as Mary E. Haven, and is also a 
 native of New Lenox Townsliip, in wliich slie was 
 born March -li, 1851. She is a dangliter of tlie 
 Hon. Uwight Haven, whose biography occupies an- 
 other page in tliis Ai.uum. Her education was ob- 
 tained in the scliools of the townsliip, and those of 
 the city of Chicago. She has borne her husband 
 .seven children, all living excepting the first born, 
 Hattie, who died at the age of eight years. The 
 survivors are named respectively, Charles H., Alice 
 M., Helen J., Walter E., Maggie L. and Fred. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Francis belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church and he has been Sui)erintendeiit of the New 
 Lenox Sunday-school for several years. His po- 
 litical adherence is given to the Republican party. 
 
 •<i K. CARL M. BAKRCHECK. The lives of 
 many men are humdrum and uneventful, 
 only marked by a steady purpose and a 
 (piiet performance of the daily duties, while around 
 some romance loves to linger, and in their lives 
 interesting or unusual events are common. The 
 subject of this biographical notice, who has been 
 engaged in the practice of medicine in .loliet for 
 aliouta quarter of a century, is one whose life has 
 been marked with a more than the usual amount of 
 romance. Even his descent is unusual, his father, 
 for whom he is named, having been a native 
 of France, his grandfather of Poland, and his 
 mother, Anna Matinas, a native of San Taudair, 
 Spain. He is the eldest of sixteen children born 
 lo his mother, while his father's second wife bore 
 six children; he is the only one of the family in 
 America, whither he came in ISoO. 
 
 Dr. Baercheck was born in Loiaine, P" ranee, Feb- 
 ruary 6, 1818, and at the age of seventeen years 
 be ran away from home in company with a brother 
 and four companions. He studied medicine in 
 Paris and in the I'niversity atBolin,on the Rhine, 
 and also in Switzerland. In 1842 he began the 
 
 practice of his profession in Metz, Alsace. France, 
 now a Province of Germany. He went to China in 
 1845, on the French warship "(Jrand Napoleon," on 
 which he afterward embarked for the Crimea, be- 
 coming a surgeon in the Second Division, Second 
 Corps, and serving throughout the Crimean War. 
 He was with Cail Robert, Gen. Baellirsgeh and 
 Gen. McMabon ii'. Africa, following the destinies of 
 the army during the entire struggle, meeting with 
 experiences such as few men participate in or wit- 
 ness. When he determined to seek a home in the 
 new world, he did not leave behind him theexcite- 
 ing and interesting scenes, but after reaching 
 America he still carried on his former manner of 
 life. Landing in New York in ISj'J, he went to 
 Boston, where he worked in a drug store for a 
 time, but we soon find him again in the metropolis 
 whence he went to Pliiiadeliiliia and enlisted in the 
 Union Army. Joining the Eighteenth Pennsylva-. 
 ilia Regiment, his name was attached to the muster 
 roll (if Company D., which was composed of French- 
 men. Thej' were with Ellsworth at Alexandria and 
 fought in the first battle of Bull Run. 
 
 His medical knowledge becoming known, Dr. 
 Baercheck became Hospital Steward and after 
 holding the position six months, went to Pittsburg, 
 where he intended practicing his profession. He 
 soon entered the Provost Marshal's office in that 
 city, and again became an army surgeon, laboring 
 as such three years. Among his patients now are 
 many whom ho treated in the array, together with 
 their friends. While performing the hazardous 
 duties which devolved upon him, he received two 
 wounds, the one at City Point, and the other at 
 Gettysburg, at the latter place a ball passed through 
 his arm. 
 
 After the war Dr. Baercheck came to Joliet, 
 where he has since practiced. He is a specialist, 
 devoting his attention to chronic cases, and in the 
 discharge of his extensive practice ships prescrip- 
 tions and medicine to various parts of the country, 
 where his reputation as a physician is well known. 
 He has met with some misfortunes since coming here 
 having been burned out in 1878. He is truly 
 cosmopolitan in his feelings, having gleaned an ex- 
 tended knowledge from his travels, which have 
 embraced South America, Europe. Asia, Africa and 
 
714 
 
 PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Austiiilia. Ho gives his political allegiK.iicc to liie 
 Republicnii parly. For tlxtsc wiio oiijoy the ac- 
 fount of .idventiMTS and a liavelcr's obseivutions, 
 Dr. H;iir<.'lK'L'k i)i-ovos an estreniely cntuilaining 
 L'oni|)aiiioii, when once ho l>ogins to speak concern- 
 ing his i)ast life, lie is well known in Joliot, whore 
 he is regarded vvith respect for liis inteliigonce and 
 professional attainments, his gentleman!}' nature 
 and honorable character. 
 
 In Switzerland, in l.siH, Dr. Baorcheck was 
 united in marriage with Miss Helena Haines, who 
 sliared his fortunes until .luly, 1874, when she was 
 called hence. Six ciiihlren were Ijorn to her, three 
 of whom are yet living. In 1876 the Doctor con- 
 tracted a second matrimonial alliance, his com- 
 panion being i\Iiss Jennie Atkins, a lady of 
 English descent, who lias borne him nine children, 
 only three of whom are living. 
 
 A portrait of Dr. Baerclicck .accompanies tliis 
 brief biographical review. 
 
 
 i=7 irT=i 
 
 -^m- 
 ^.'=»'" 
 
 ILLI AM II. LANFEAR. Among the prom 
 incnt farmers of Homer Township, may 
 
 '^'\yj be properly mentioned the subject of this 
 notice who has unquestionably been a success, not 
 onlj- as a tiller of the soil, but as a member of a 
 community more than ordinarily intelligent. We 
 find him comfortably situated on section 29, the 
 possessor of a well-regulated farm which he has 
 improved with good buildings and where he has 
 not only surrounded himself and his family with 
 the comforts of life, but laid up something for 
 future needs. Ho is numbered among the most 
 highly respected men of the township iu whose 
 material welfare lie has always evinced a warm in- 
 terest. He has served as a Highway Commissioner 
 and School Director, and given his unqualiliod suji- 
 port to the Re[)ublican |)arty. The Baptist Church 
 has recognized in iiim for many years one of its 
 most active and useful mombcrs. 
 
 The si.xth in a family of ten children, Mi. Lan- 
 f car was liorn December 2.5, 18.'50, at Scmproiiins, 
 Cayuga County, N. Y., and when a boy of five 
 years oame with his parents to this county, thev 
 
 settling in Homer Township where he was reared 
 to man's estate. Ho acquired such education as 
 was afforded b}' the common schools, and at im 
 early age learned the various arts of farming 
 choosing these for his life vocation. Shortly after 
 reaching his majority he was iii.-irried February 2"), 
 1852, at the bride's home in Homer Township), to 
 Miss Emily M., daughter of the well-known late 
 Deacon Levi Savage, mention of whom is made in 
 the sketch of Amos Savage, elsewhere in this vol- 
 ume. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lanfear 
 settled on his present, farm .and as 3ears have passed 
 they have taken their place among its best [)oople. 
 Early in life they identified themselves with the 
 Baiitist Church and have sought to do good as 
 they have opportunity, rearing their children in 
 the way they should go and proffering uniform 
 kindness to their neighbors. 
 
 The father of our subject was .\sa Lanfear, wiio 
 was liorn in Mayfield, Montgomery County, N. Y.. 
 in 17il3. The mother bore the maiden name of 
 Olive Burgess, and was a native of the same place 
 as her husband and born in 171)7. After marriage 
 they continued to reside in Mayfield for a time, 
 then removed to Sempronius where they lived 
 until 1835. That year they emigrated to Illinois 
 and the father secured a farm on section 29, Homer 
 Township, where he and his good wife spent the 
 remainder of their d.ays. Mr. Lanfear was called 
 hence June 23, 1871. The mother survived her 
 husband a number of 3'ears, her death taking place 
 June 15. 1883. Nine of the ten children lioru to 
 them lived to mature years and eight are now liv- 
 ing, being located mostly in this county. 
 
 Mrs. Lanfear was born July 24, 1830, in Gran- 
 ville, Washington County, N. Y.. and w.as a mere 
 child when her parents came to Illinois. She was 
 trained by a careful mother to all useful household 
 duties and w;is well fitted to become llie [lartuer of 
 a good man's home. Of her union with oar sub 
 joct there have been born seven children, of whom 
 but three arc living. The eldest, Mary A., is the 
 wife of Joseph Brown, and they live in New Le- 
 nox Township; Albert II., married IMiss Minnie L. 
 Fisher, and oc'oiipics himself at farming with his 
 father; Nettie E.. remains at home with her parents. 
 Tlic deceasi'd children are Asa W., who died wiien 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 sixteen yv.ws old ; l(l:i ]\L,w1k) died at the age of tliree 
 and one iialf-years; Charles E., who died when an 
 infant of eight months, and Willie H., who died 
 when about two years old. The farm of Mr. Lanfear 
 comprises two hnndred and thirty-four acres, tlie 
 larger part of which is devoted to general farming 
 and the remainder furnishes ample facilities for the 
 aeco.'iimod.ition of live slock. 
 
 ^^= 
 
 E^^ 
 
 1,AY GORDON. A good representative of 
 the younger element of citizenship in Du- 
 I'age Township, is found in the person of 
 Jay Gordon, who resides with his mother 
 oii^sectiou 16, and owns a half interest in one 
 hundred and ninety acres of land in the township. 
 He is meeting with success in the agricultural work 
 to which he is giving his attention, as he formerly 
 did in the field of pedagogy, in which he labored 
 several winters. ^ 
 
 The ancestors of our subject are supposed to 
 have been English, and his parents were born in 
 the Empire State. David and Tryphena (Beebe) 
 Gordon, removed to Will County, 111., in 1853, 
 when he of whom wc write was but a few weeks 
 <iid. They located in the western part of Dul^ge 
 Township, on section 19, on land that was some- 
 what improved a few acres having been plowed, 
 and in an old frame house the}' took up their 
 abode, residing there about two years. Then they 
 removed to the farm that is now occupied bj' the 
 widow and son, and where the father died July 23, 
 
 iseo. 
 
 The means possessed by David Gordon when he 
 came to this section were limited, and he and his 
 family endured some of the i)rivations incidental 
 to pioneer life, but all was borne uncomplain- 
 ingly by the sturdy man and wife, who fell that 
 the future held comfort for them and their off- 
 spring. Mr. Gordon was a citizen who could be 
 I died on to bear a hand in whatever prijmised to 
 advance the interests of the region, or aid those 
 iibout him to greater ease and prosperity. lie 
 voted ttie Republican ticket, lie was fairly suc- 
 cessful in a worldly sense, leaving an estate of one 
 
 hundred acres of unincumbered land as the result 
 of his life's work. 
 
 The widow of David Gordon and mother of 
 our subject is now in her si.xty-ninth year, and 
 enjoys good health for one of that age. She has 
 four sons, namely: Emory, who lives in Hamilton 
 C(>unty, Iowa; Jay, our subject; Frank, residing in 
 Hamilton County, Iowa; and Eugene, \yho was mar- 
 ried February 22, 1882, to Miss Alviua .Sears, of 
 this township, and has three children, named, 
 Nettie, David and George; he lives with his 
 mother and brother Jay on the homestead. Mrs. 
 Gordon is one of the oldest living pioneers of the 
 township and is cherished b}' the older inhabitants, 
 also having many friends among the younger peo- 
 ple. 
 
 Jay Gordon was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., 
 May 8, 1853, but was reared in this county amid 
 the scenes of pioneer life. He was educated in the 
 public schools of the countj^ after which he at- 
 tended the Northwestern College, at Naperville, 
 DuPage County, for six months. Subsequently 
 the young man engaged in teaching, acting as an 
 instructor during thirteen fall and winter terms of 
 school and during the summers devoting his atten- 
 tion mostly to farming. He is a Republican, and 
 on the party ticket was elected Clerk of DuPage 
 Township, in 1884, ofBciating a 3'ear. His charac- 
 ter is a manly and upright one, his manners are 
 pleasing, and he has many friends who look for- 
 ward to seeing him occupy a j-et more prominent 
 place in the county as 3'ears roll by. 
 
 ANIEL lURKETT is eminently a self-made 
 man, and is a line type of the class who, in 
 building up their own fortunes have been 
 im|)ortant factors in securing the prosperitj' and 
 |)romoting the growth of their State, county and 
 township. This gentleman came to this county 
 more than half a century ago, a poor man with 
 scarcely a dollar that he could call his own, yet to- 
 day he is numbered among the men of wealth in 
 this i)art of the Slate. For many years he ha? 
 
'IG 
 
 PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 been extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 and owns one of tlie largest and most valuable 
 far'iis in this tounly. which is cxcci)tionally well 
 improved and under perfect management. Besides 
 this he owns several other farms. His beautiful 
 home in riainfield, one of the finest residences in 
 the village, is fitted up with all modern conve- 
 niences, and is comfortably furnished. 
 
 Our subject is a native of England, born in the 
 County of Cumberland, December 21, 1811. His 
 father iiiiil !iis grandfather both named like himself, 
 were also natives of I hat county. His grandfather 
 was a farmer and landowner and lived to be up- 
 wards of ninety years old. The father of our sub- 
 ject was reared and married in the place of his 
 nativity, and there cairied on the occupation of a 
 furmer and spent his entire life, his remains now 
 lying in Ireby Churchyard. Tlie m.'iiden name of 
 his wife was .Jane Raillo;i, and slie was also a native 
 of Cunil)i'rhuid County. Her father, Joseiiii Rail- 
 ton, was a tiller of the soil, and spent his entire 
 life in tliat county. The mother of our subject 
 (lied in tlie place of her birth. She and her hus- 
 band reared seven children, as follows: .lohn,.Jose|)li, 
 Mary, .lane, William, Daniel, and Ann, our subject 
 being the only one of the sons who ever came to 
 this country. 
 
 He was reared and married and remained in his 
 iMiglish home until IS.'io. He was of an amljitious, 
 venturous turn of mind and resolved to try his 
 fortunes in the United .States of America, and in 
 that year set sail from Liverpool in the month of 
 January, on the good shi|) "St. Lawrence," and on 
 the Gth of March disembarked at New York, after 
 a voyage of six weeks and four days. He was ac- 
 companied to this country by his wife, and they 
 stayed in New York City nearly two yeai's before 
 coming to Illinois, making the journey hither by 
 the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and 
 thence by lake to Chicago, which they then found 
 to be a small place. At that time our subject w.as 
 very poor and was glad to find employment on the 
 canal which was then in process of consti'uction. 
 Mrs. Birkett proved herself to be a true helpmate, 
 and shouldering a part of the burden of support 
 of the family, she boarded forty of the workmen. 
 Jlr, Birkett built an oven of stpne and clay for hev 
 
 to cook by, as when they commenced housekeeping 
 they had no furniture. He bored holes in a log of 
 their cabin and inserted poles to make a bedstead, 
 using their chest for a table and boxes for seats. Mr. 
 Birkett vvorked on the canal for one season and then 
 located on land in Cook County, living there until 
 183ii, when he came to Will County. This was 
 then very sparsely settled, the land was in tlie 
 hands of the Government and for sale at $1.2.') per 
 acre. Deer, wolves, and other wild animals were 
 roaming at will over the wild prairies and were 
 often troublesome to the new settlers. At that 
 time there were no railways in the Slate and Chi- 
 cago was the nearest market, to which the pioneers 
 look their grain with ox teams. Mr. Birkett rented 
 land two or three }'ears, and then purchased one 
 hundred and twenty acres of the Government in 
 what is now Wheatland Township. He built aflame 
 house and broke a few acres and then sold the land 
 and all his stuck. He then invested in another 
 tract of wild prairie laud in the same tuwnshi|), and 
 fur a year rented improved land, and during the 
 time broke and fenced and built on his own prop- 
 erly, and then settled there. He cunlinued to live 
 on that place until 18iJ6, when he disi»osed of it at 
 an advance and located on another tract of one 
 hundred and sixty acres of wild land adjoining 
 the farm that he had previously purchased. He 
 erected suitable buildings, improved the land and 
 resided on it until 1872, when he sold the farm 
 and bought a place near by on which he built a 
 dwelling, which he made his home until 1880. His 
 next move was to Aurora, where he bought land 
 and built and there dwelt for a few months, when 
 he sold at a good price, and returning to Wheat- 
 land was there until 1885, and in that year came to 
 his present beautiful home in Plaiufield. 
 
 Mr. Birkett and Miss Ann Ray were united in 
 marriage June 2, 1831. She was a native of Cum- 
 berland County, England, born May 22, 1815. Her 
 grandfather, John Ray, who was of Scotch paren- 
 tage, was a landowner in that county and there 
 spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits. Mrs. Birkett's father was also a farmer, and 
 passed his whole life on his native soil. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Birkett have reared seven children, of wliuni 
 the following are recorded: Ann. married Thomas 
 
•PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 717 
 
 King; Daniel R.; Louisa M. mafriecl Joiin Yavley ; 
 Elizabeth Esther married Charles Varlo}- ; Olive A. 
 married Nicholas Kanaff; Lavina J., wlio is the 
 widow of William Irwin, lives with her parents; 
 and Alary J., who married .la>' Ilyland. The wedded 
 life of our subjeet and his wife has not i)assed 
 willKint its attendant sorrows in the death of four 
 of their children, as follows: Jane died at the age 
 of two years; Henry R., when eight months old; 
 Mar\- J. at the age of eight years and eight months; 
 and John, aged six weeks. 
 
 Mr. Birkett is a man of strong character, self 
 reliant and self helpful, and has always managed 
 his affairs in a thoroughly business-like manner, 
 evincing remarkable discernment and discretion. 
 With the wealth thus acquired he makes judicious 
 use, being liberally and charitably disposed and 
 doing his share to promote all schemes for public 
 benefit. This venerable gentleman and his estima- 
 ble wife are honored and respected not onl}' for 
 what they are, but for what they have done to pro- 
 mote the growth of the county and establish its 
 material prosperity, and they are well worthy of a 
 place in this Biogkavhical Album. 
 
 \f/OHN O. PIEPENBRINK. A high place 
 among the farmers, stock-raisers, and dairj^- 
 men of the county must be accorded the 
 gentleman above named, who has made a 
 fortune by hard labor, prudent economy and busi- 
 ness shrewdness. He has experienced all that is 
 known to a poor man who makes a settlement in a 
 new county, among the disadvantages under which 
 he labored being that of having to pay thirty-six 
 per cent, per annum for the money which he bor- 
 rowed. He always managed to meet his i)aynients 
 when due, and his ability to make money has been 
 clearly demonstrated. He came to Crete Township 
 in 1849, taking up his abode in a small log house, 
 which had not sufficient cover on it to keep the 
 snow and cliillj' blasts of winter from entering. 
 From this small beginning has grown a landed es- 
 tate of more than seven hundred acres, a part of 
 which is now owned by the sons. A good part of 
 
 ^i^ 
 
 the wealth of Mr. Piepenlirink was made by cheese 
 .and butter making, from which hi' has now some- 
 what withdrawn. He has in former times kept 
 more than one hundred cows, and made all the 
 milk into cheese and butter, which went to the 
 city of Chicago. The liomestead, situated on sec- 
 tion 11, has been occupied by our subject for the 
 last twenty years, and is a weII-im|)roved farm, 
 occupying a prominent place in the list of Will 
 County's rural homes. 
 
 That part of the Kingdom of Prussia which is 
 known .as Hesse-Casscl, bas furnished to this count}- 
 a number of her best citizens and most enterprising 
 farmers. To it we are indebted for the subject of 
 this sketch, whc was born in that far-awa^' land 
 April 24, 182C. His father, H. II. Piepenbrink, 
 was also born in Prussia, and was of pure Ger- 
 man ancestry'. His occupation was that of a 
 farmer. He married Miss Lottie Meier, who 
 was born and reared in the same German State as 
 himself. The}' s)3ent their entire lives in their 
 native country, the husband dj'ing when fifty-five 
 aud the wife when fort3"-five years of .age. They 
 were numbered among the most worthy citizens of 
 the section, both being .active members of the 
 Lutheran Church and earnest in their discharge 
 of every duty. Their family consisted of three 
 sons and a daughter, he of whom we write being 
 the second son and child. He is the only member 
 of the family who came to America, and with the 
 exception of his sister, the only survivor. 
 
 J. O. Piepenbrink grew to manhood under the 
 [larental roof, receiving an excellent education, 
 his advantages being more favorable than those of 
 many of his countrymen. His father was wealthy, 
 and able to bestow upon his children all the learn- 
 ing they desired, although the property at his 
 death fell to his eldest son. After he became of 
 age our subject received an appointment in the 
 arm}', but w.as induced by his father to let the 
 latter |)ay the tax for his release and return to his 
 home. He married a lady of his own village. Miss 
 Sophia Wille, with whom he set sail from Bremer- 
 haven April 3, 1849, landing in New York City 
 on the 1st of May following. They came by rail 
 and water to Chicago, and thence to their new 
 i litiine in this county, where they have since made 
 
718 
 
 PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAl'IIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 sucb a splendid iccoiil and wlie'ie Ihey have many 
 friends, partii'ularl}- aiuonij the natives of their 
 own country. 
 
 .Mrs. Piepcnbrink is a daugliter of Conrad and 
 .Sophia (Oldrag) Wilie, who were reared and mar- 
 ried near llesse-Cassel, German^-, and began life 
 after the style of the well-to-do Germans. They 
 spent their lives in comfort on a large farm^for 
 that country — dying shortly- before leaching the 
 age of fifty years. They were prominent members 
 of their community, and active in the work of the 
 Lutheran Church. Their family- consisted of seven 
 children, most of whom came to the United States 
 and arc yet living. The wife of our subject is the 
 fourth of the family, and was born January 2, 
 1826. She was well reared and received a good 
 (ierman education, and the knowledge of domestic 
 affairs which lias been useful to her as a helpmate 
 and mother. 
 
 Light children make up the family circle of our 
 subject and his wife, all being residents of Crete 
 Township. J. Otto and Henry F. are the subjects 
 of biographical sketches which appear in this vol- 
 ume. J. Otto married INIiss Dora Orkenberg; 
 Henry F. was married to Miss Maggie Sehring; 
 Conrad married Sophia Engelking; William mar- 
 ried Sophia Meier; John married Louisa Do- 
 iiiier; riiillip married Louisa Dicrsen. All these 
 are farmers. Ellen married Henry Sporleder, also 
 a farmer; Sophia is the wife of John Diersen, a 
 hardware merchant in Crete Village. Mr. Piejien- 
 brink is not au oflice-seeker, but is a sound and re- 
 liable Republican. He and his wife take an active 
 part in the work of the Lutheran Church, to the 
 .'(up|)ort of which they contribute liberally; they 
 are charter inrmbers of the organization in this 
 count}'. 
 
 JEORGE MUNROE. The wholesale grocery 
 interests of Joliet are worthily represented 
 by the subject of this notice with the firm 
 of George T. Relyea it Co., of which he is the 
 senior member. 
 
 Mr. Miinroe belongs to one of the best nationali- 
 ties on the face of the globe, having been born in 
 
 Lanarkshire, Scothuid, and first opened his eyes to 
 the light April 4, 1821. His parents were Daniel 
 and Jane (Richmond) Munroe, who were likewise of 
 Scotch birth and ancestry, and who emigrated to 
 the rnited States in 1827, settling in Brownville, 
 Jefferson County, N. V. They brought with them 
 three children— George, Angus and Barbara. The 
 family remained residents of Jefferson County until 
 18-19, then emigrated to Illinois, locating in Will 
 County where the fatherdied in 1800. The mother 
 had passed away at Brownville, N. Y., about 1829. 
 For thirteen years after coming to this county 
 Mr, Munroe engaged in farming in Florence Town- 
 ship. In the meantime he was recognized as a 
 valued addition to the community and filled with 
 credit many of the local oflices. In 1862 he was 
 elected Sheriff on the i:)emocratic ticket and that 
 same year removed to Joliet. assuming the duties of 
 his office in November following. Subsequentlv 
 he served three years as County Treasurer, but in 
 the meantime in company with his son, George IL, 
 ciig.aged in the retail grocery trade, being first lo- 
 cated at the corner of JetTerson and Chicago Streets. 
 They remained there ten years and then removed 
 to the Opera Ilouee Building where they did busi- 
 ness six years. The well-known firm of (ieorire 
 Muiiroo it Son has existed since 1865. 
 
 iMr. Munroe with his .son, George IL, estalilishcd _ 
 the first wholesale grocery store in Joliet, and wjtli^ 
 his old book-keeper. Mr. Relyea, is the oldest repre- ^ 
 sentativeof the wholesale grocery business iu this' 
 city. G. Munroe & Son put up the Hotel Munroe" 
 Building which they still own and they occupied 
 the ground lloor for their wholes.ale trade until 
 1889, when they erected an eleg.int stone building, 
 65x120 feet in dimensio.is and three stories in 
 height into which the new firm, G. T. Relyea it 
 Co., removed .and which they now occupy. For 
 the l:ist five 3ears Geoige and (Jeorge II. .Munroe 
 h.ave dealt extensively in real estate, under the firm 
 name of George Munroe & Son, the latter, Geort^e 
 IL, being the active manager, and who has con- 
 tributed largely to the building up of the business 
 part of the citj-. 
 
 ilr. Munroe occupies a fine residence, No. 1204 
 Cass Street. He Ii.ts been prominent in local affairs, 
 representing his Ward in the City CouncM. servino- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 '10 
 
 as School Trustee and in varions other capacities. 
 Socially, he belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and 
 Cominandery, A. F. & A. M. in each of which he 
 has held the different offices and he is prominently 
 connected with the Metiiodist E^piscopal Church, 
 serving as Trustee at the present time. He has been 
 in some official caitacity in the church since com- 
 ing to Jollet and gives to it a liberal support. 
 
 Miss Sarah M. Hentze of Brownville became the 
 wife of our subject December 22, 1842. Mrs. Mun- 
 roe was jjorn in Brownville, N. Y., April .'iO, 1822, 
 and is the daughter of Henry and Charity (Gould) 
 Ilentze, who were natives of New York and spent 
 their last years in California and Illinois. This 
 union I'esulted in the birth of five children, four of 
 wiiDm are living, viz: George H., .lane Amelia, 
 tlie wife of Rev. G. li. Van Horn, now Presiding 
 IClder of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church at Rock- 
 ford ; Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. C. B. Hay ward; Edwin, 
 traveling salesman for tlie firm of Reed & Mur- 
 dock, Chicago Street. 
 
 \/ 
 
 ^|k^* 
 
 ^^HARLES F.-BAUMANN, is an intelligent 
 [■( _ and enterprising man, very popular in the 
 ^^^ community in the best circles of which his 
 faniil3' move. He was born in Saxe-A\'ciniar, Ger- 
 many, March 6, 1835, and reared in his native vil- 
 lage. He is the third of five children born to 
 Charles F. and Caroline W. R. (Krauca) Baumann. 
 Tlie latter was a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Krauca, a 
 minister of the Lutheran Cimrch and both parents 
 were born in Wetsdorf. The father was a linen- 
 weaver and fuller, and he also ojierated a small 
 farm. 
 
 In lb,').'5, he emigrated to America, making his 
 first location in Richton Township, Cook County, 
 111., where he engaged in farming. He subsequently 
 rented a farm in Will County and still later bought 
 eighty acres in Frankfort Township, where he re- 
 sided until his death in 1874. His wife had died 
 the previous j-ear. He belonged to the Evangeli- 
 cal Lutheran Church. 
 
 The parental household included Paulina, Mrs. 
 Sleckish, who died in Frankfort; Mrs. Caroline 
 
 Metz, who lives in Minnesota; our subject; August 
 who was killed at Ft. Donelson, having been Cor- 
 poral in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry, in which he 
 had enlisted in 18G1; and William, whose home is 
 in Wilmington. 
 
 The subject of this notice was reared in Germany 
 and attended the common schools until fourteen 
 years. old. He then worked at his father's trade 
 until the spring of 185.3, when the family cainc to 
 America. They embarked at Bremen on the sailer 
 '■Yorkshire" which made Quebec in fifty-three 
 days. Coming at once to Illinois, the young man 
 worked on his father's farm a fevy years and in the 
 spring of 1857, went to Minnesota. He drove an 
 ox-team at St. Peter, but not being jjleased with 
 tlie country he returned in the same manner after a 
 sojourn of but three months. He was still unmar- 
 ried and had gone to Minnesota to accommodate a 
 brother-in-law. 
 
 When Mr. Baumann returned to Illinois he re- 
 sumed farming and the following spring rented 
 land in partnership with his father and brother. In 
 18G2 he purchased a tract of one hundred and 
 sixty acres in Frankfort Township, broke the soil 
 upon it and iin|irovcd and operated it until ISGO. 
 He then sold the farni,;stock and implements, and 
 locating in Frankfort started a saloon in i)artner- 
 sliip with his brotlier. They subsequently dissolved 
 the connection and buying out the business, our 
 subject has continued it alone from tliat time. He 
 put up the building which he now occupies in 1 8G8, 
 it being 53x38 feet and occupying two and a half 
 lots. Besides this property Mr. Baumann owns 
 seven acres adjoining town, and one hundred and 
 sixty acres in Martin County, Minn. 
 
 The lady who presides over the home of our sub- 
 ject became his wife July 26, 18G3, the ceremony 
 taking place at her home in Franklin Township. 
 She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Klebber, 
 and is a native of (Jietzenlieim, Hesse. Darmstadt, 
 Germany. She is a daughter of John Klebber, a 
 farmer who settled in this county about 1852, and 
 who is now living with our subject. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Baumann ten children have 
 been born. John W. is clerk for Burrell & Co.. in 
 Chicago, and Charles B. is now in Coal Cil}'. III.; 
 the latter formerly clerked for Barne}' Belsliawski, 
 
72(1 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 of Frankfort for six years. The children still at 
 liome are, Annie, August, Lizzie, Frcdilic, Caro- 
 line. Ida, Oscar and Artliur. 
 
 Mr. liauniann is a Republican of the stancliest 
 sort and has served his part}' as delegate to county 
 conventions and in other capacities. He was Vil- 
 lage Trustee for si.v _years. He l)elongs to the In- 
 dependent Order of Odd Fellows, holding memlier- 
 shii) in a Joliet lodge and is a member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church. He is one of the most inlluentinl 
 men in Frankfort and is an ellicic^nl worker for the 
 upbuilding of the town. 
 
 V EEDHAM P. COOPER. A pleasant farm of 
 " about three hundred and forty acres in New 
 Lenox Township is owned and operated by 
 the gentleman above named, who has erected an 
 excellent set of l)uildings and made other good im- 
 provements upon his estate. His home 'S located 
 on section 10, where the greater part of his life 
 has been |)assed. He was born in Brown County, 
 Ohio, M:\y 2'.t, 1<S3;}, and wasab(jut eighteen months 
 old when his i)arents removed to the Prairie State, 
 where he grew to manhood upon his father's farm. 
 He is the fourth of seven children making up the 
 parental famil3',tlie others being William, who lives 
 in Kankakee County; John W., deceased; Ann, 
 deceased, who was the wife of Robert J. Broadie; 
 Thomas F., a farmer in New Lenox Township; 
 Elizal)eth E., wife of Samuel Love, and L^'dia J., 
 <leceased, who was the wife of Norman Carl. 
 
 The father of our subject was the late .lohn 
 Cooper who was born in Pennsylvania in October,' 
 1«0U, and who died in tills county in 1875. The 
 mother was Lydia (Perry) Cooper, born in 1807, 
 in Brown County, Ohio, where her marriage took 
 place and she and her husband lived until the fall 
 of 1834. They then came to what is now Will 
 C'ounty, and settled on section 10, New Lenox 
 Township, taking up the burdens which the early 
 settlers endured. Mrs. Cooper breathed her last in 
 the fall of 1853. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we vvrite was married 
 June 26, 185C, to Miss Margaret Louisa Francis. 
 
 She was born on the old B>ancis homestead in New 
 Lenox Township, Januarys, 1834, and is probably 
 the first white child born in Will County. She is a 
 daughter of the late Abraham Francis, whose his- 
 tory is incorporated in a sketch of A. Allen Francis, 
 elsewhere in this Ar,i!ii>r. She was the mother of 
 seven children, as follows: Ella, who died in in- 
 fancy; John, who died when about two and one- 
 half years old; Fraidcic, who died when twenty 
 months old; Margaret L., who is the wife of Jeffer- 
 son Doig of New Lenox Township; N. Perry, who 
 lives at home: Allen F., who is clerking in New 
 Lenox, and Jessie M. 
 
 RFr. Cooper acts with the Republican party. He 
 has served as Assessor one year and as Constable 
 four years. . He and his good wife l)elong to the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church in which he has held 
 the offices of Steward and Trustee. 
 
 ILLIAM H. FLAOG, a .son of one of the 
 very tii-st settlers of the count}', whose 
 biogra|)lilcal sketch api)ears in this volume, 
 was born on the farm that he now owns and oc- 
 cupies in Plainfield Townshi)), one mile from the 
 village on the Chicago road. May 8, 1841, being 
 the date of his birth, he being the nintli child of 
 Reuben anil Betsey (Kendall) Flagg. He was 
 reared under pioneer influences, and since attaining 
 manhood has taken his place among the most in- 
 telligent and progressive of the farmers and stock- 
 raisers of his native county, whose interests he 
 seeks to promote materially and morally. 
 
 Our subject received his education in the prim- 
 itive pioneer schools of his early days, and as soon 
 as large enough went to work on the home farm, 
 always remaining with his parents until death sep- 
 arated them. He gained a good practical know- 
 ledge of agriculture and inherited a part of the old 
 homestead, whose acreage he has since increased 
 by purchasing other tracts of land, till it now con- 
 tains one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, 
 wliose fertility and productiveness is unsurpassed 
 in this county. It is under a high slate of culti- 
 vation and Is amply provided with mo<lern machin- 
 
i^A/ia^^ ^ J!umy 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 723 
 
 cry for various purposes, and he has erected a fine 
 set of frame buildings, and everything about the 
 j)lace evinces thrift and careful management on the 
 l)arl of its owner. 
 
 Mr. Flagg and Miss Margaret Van Horn were 
 united in marriage in 1867, and tliey have estab- 
 lished one of the coziest and most attractive homes 
 in the neighborhood, the scene of generous and 
 friendly hospitality. Their pleasant home circle is 
 completed by their five children — Kate O., Bessie 
 L., Warren L,, Henry C, and Burr W. 
 
 Mr. Flagg is a man of many fine characteristics, 
 is tlioughtful, discriminating, self reliant, and clear 
 sighted, is a good worker, and is a credit to the 
 place of his nativity, where he is held in univer- 
 sal respeot'whether yi social or in a business life, by 
 the people who have watched his career from youth 
 up, and bj' all with whom he associates. lie holds 
 advanced views in regard to religion, and is a 
 thorough advocate of the Univer.salist faith as 
 preached by the Rev. Jacoli Mcrrifield, in the 
 (Oiurch of that denomination in Plainfield. 
 
 <Sl IMLLIAM PENN CATON. A few years 
 \/-J// since there passed Jt'om life's active scenes 
 \y^ a gentleman who had been conspicuously 
 interested in the most important affairs of Will 
 County, and whose portrait is presented on the 
 op|>osite page. lie was prominent in political and 
 religious circles, and was first a member of the 
 Whig party. Upon the organization of the Re- 
 publican party he became a strong supporter of its 
 piinciples, and during the late war was a stanch 
 I iiion man. 
 
 The native place of the subject of this notice, 
 late a resident of the city of Joliet, was Orange 
 County, N. Y., on the Hudson River, and he was 
 born March 28, 1815. His immediate progenitors 
 were Robert and Hannah (Dean) Caton, who were 
 Quakers in religion and worthy representatives of 
 that peaceable sect. Robert Caton was born May 
 22, 1761, and was three times married, Hannah 
 l^ean, the inotlier of our sulijcct, being the third 
 wife. The father died Ai)ril (!, IHIT), when our 
 
 subject was only nine da3s old. The mother died 
 April 16, 1836, aged fifty -eight years. 
 
 In Oneida County j'oung Caton spent the first 
 eighteen j'ears of his life. Then, setting out for 
 himself, he repaired to Ann Arbor, Mich., and so- 
 journed there three years, being employed as a 
 clerk in a general store. In 1836 he went to Chi- 
 cago, 111., and clerked there and in Milwaukee, 
 Wis., until the following year. Then, returning to 
 Chicago, he sojourned in that place briefly, and 
 finally took up two thousand acres of Govern- 
 ment land in Cook County, 111., situated about six- 
 teen miles northwest of the present site of Chicago, 
 where he lived until the year 1848. In the mean- 
 time he was married, on Thanksgiving Day, No- 
 vember 28, 1844, at the bride's home, on the north 
 branch of the Chicago River, Cook County, to 
 Miss Elizabeth Steele. 
 
 Returning now to Chicago, Mr. Caton secured an 
 office as inspector of canal boats, an important po- 
 sition, which he held until 1856. Then, removing 
 to the vicinity of Plainfield, this county, he en- 
 gaged in farming until 1871. He now decided to 
 retire from active labor, and removing to Joliet, 
 remained a resident of this city until his death, 
 March 22, 1886. During the late years of his life 
 he suffered very much from ill-health. While a 
 resident of Chicago he was connected with the 
 Plymouth Church, in which he officiated as Dea- 
 con. After coming to Joliet he joined the First 
 Presbyterian Church and held the same office in 
 this church for many years. lie became promi- 
 nent in mercantile circles in the Garden City, and 
 for a time was engaged in banking. 
 
 The estimable wife of our subject, Mrs. Elizabeth 
 (Steele) Caton was born May 30, 1819, in Eliza- 
 bcthtown. Essex County, N. Y., to Jonathan and 
 Theodosia (Nichols) Steele. Jonathan Steele was 
 a native of Hartford, Conn., and was born in 1777. 
 From his native place he removed to Elizabeth- 
 town, N. Y., and in 1812 had charge of the arsenal 
 at Elizabethtown, fitting out the troops for the 
 campaign on Lake Champlain. His wife, Theo- 
 dosia, was born in A'ermont, October 16, 1780, and 
 died in Elizabethtown, N. Y., when her daughter, 
 Elizabeth, was only three months old. Subsc- 
 (luently the father removed to New York City, 
 
724 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 and lived there until removinc; to Chicago, 111., in 
 1837. Mrs. Caton llius looi<e<l ui)on the now great 
 city wlien it was a village of a few houses, and she 
 h.as wateiied its gradual growth to a great metropo- 
 lis with more than ordinary interest. She sailed 
 from Buffalo on one of the first lake steamers wliich 
 ever plied the waters of old Lake Miehigan. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Caton there was horn a family 
 of nine ehildrcn, five of whom are living: William 
 Kdward, a resident of (J rand Uapids, Mieh.,is mar- 
 ried anil the father of three ehildrcn; Hannah E. 
 is the wife of T. A. Mason, of .loliet, and they 
 liavc two eliildren; Cliarles A., a resident of Ot- 
 tawa, 111., is married and the father of three ehil- 
 drcn; Albert H. and wife arc living in Plainfield; 
 Minnie E. remains with her mother. iVIrs. Caton, 
 since the death of her husliand, has managed the 
 estate in an admirable manner, and is a lady greatly 
 respected in her community. 
 
 EffiSffl 
 
 ^^xHRISTOPH SALZMANN. The develop- 
 (({ mentof the agricultural resources of Wash- 
 
 ^^f/ ington Township, has been largely due 
 to tlie efforts of foreign-born citizens, particularly 
 to natives of the German Empire. Many of them 
 have made their home here, and taking tracts of 
 unbroken prairie land, devoid of buildings, have 
 soon converted the virgin soil into smiling fields of 
 golden grain, in the midst of which substantial 
 dwellings and outbuildings have been erected. 
 This has been the case on the homestead of Chris- 
 toph Salzmann, who owns eigiity acres of excel- 
 lent land on section 30. 
 
 The father of our subject was Paul Salzmann, a 
 native of Northern Germany, and a linen-weaver 
 by trade. He died when but forty -six years old, 
 leaving four sons and two daughters, most of 
 whom are now deceased. His wife was Mary Er- 
 baeh, also a native of Northern Germany, in which 
 she spent her entire life, breathing her last when 
 sixty years of age. Both husband and wife were 
 life-long members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write was born 
 September 12, 1H21, in Saxe-Coburg, Germany, 
 
 and having lost -his father when but five years of 
 age, was reared by his worthy mother. When he 
 had reached the proper age he began to learn the 
 trade of a linen-weaver, in wtiich his father had 
 been so skilled a workman and in which he also at- 
 tained proficiency. He was thirty-two years old 
 and yet a single man when he was drawn to Amer- 
 ica by what he had heard of the openings which 
 this country presented for a man of energy. He 
 left Bremerhaven May 20, 1853, on a sailer that 
 required lifly-four days to make the voj'age to 
 New York City. He came at once to Cook 
 County, 111., in wliich ho made his home until 
 1802, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa. 
 During this time he was engaged as a farm laborer 
 and had been hoarding his"~resources in order to 
 buy himself a home. Coming to Will County he 
 secured the tract of prairie which his well-directed 
 efforts have converted into his pri^sent well-im- 
 proved and well-cultivated estate. 
 
 The lady whom Mr. Salzmann won for his wife 
 and, with whom he was united in marriage in Cook 
 Countj', was Miss Sophia Shoof. She was born in 
 Mecklenberg, Germany, June 23, 1830, and reared 
 and educated in her native land. In 1856 she 
 accomitanied her parents and other members of the 
 family to America, whence two brothers had pre- 
 ceded them. They crossed the Atlantic on a slow 
 sailer from Hamburg to New York, the entire fam- 
 ily coming direct to the Prairie State, and settling 
 at Oak I'ark, Cook Count}'. There Henry Shoof 
 died in 1870, at the ripe age of seventy-one 3'ears. 
 His widow afterward came to live with her daugh- 
 ter, Mrs. Salzmann, and died at her home in 1872, 
 when seventy -nine years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
 Shoof were members of the Lutheran Church, 
 kindly of heart and industrious in habits. After 
 reaching Chicago their daughter earned her liveli- 
 hood as a domestic until her marriage to our sub- 
 ject. 
 
 The hap|)y union of Mr. and Mrs. Salzmann has 
 been blest by the birth of seven children, and they 
 mourn the loss of a daughter, Sarah, who died 
 when a year old. Of the surviving members of 
 the family circle, Rosa is living with a sister in 
 Thornton, III. ; Frank married Anna Kratchmar and 
 lives in Chicago, where he has a saloon; Emma A. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 725 
 
 is thu wife of William Maxwell, a quarryman, in 
 Thornton; Robert, a promising young man, is at 
 home and working the homestead and an eighty- 
 acre tract of land whicb belongs to himself; 
 C'iiristy M. is attending school at Thornton; Jessie 
 G. is at iiome. Mr. Salzmann is a member of the 
 Republican part}', and he and iiis good wife be- 
 long to tiic Lutheran Cliurch, by whose principles 
 Ihey endeavor to guide their daily lives. 
 
 n LINK, though of foreign birth, came to this 
 country in his boyhootl and was reared under 
 
 _ our institutions and educated in our schools, 
 and to-day, in the vigor of a stalwart manhood, 
 scarcely past its prime, is a prosperous and suc- 
 cessful citizen of one of its richest farming commu- 
 nities, the possessor of a farm in Troy that is as 
 valuable and well improved as any to be found in 
 this section of Will County. 
 
 Mr. I>ink is a native of Alsace, Germany, vvhere 
 lie nas liorn August 1, 1845, to Joseph and Mary 
 Ann (Striker) Link. When he was eleven years 
 of age his parents emigrated to America and came 
 di recti}' to Joliet, where they lived for five years. 
 In 18C3 they purchased apart of the farm in Troy 
 Township now owned and occupied Ijy our subject, 
 llcie thej' remained making their home with him 
 until death called them lience, the father dying 
 in February, 1888, at the age of seventj'-five years 
 and one month and the mother April 3, 1889, aged 
 seventy-five years, seven months and twenty-five 
 d;iys. They left a family of three children — Ellen, 
 wife of Xavier IJeath, a farmer of Troy; our sub- 
 ject; Mary, widow of Joseph Metzgar. 
 
 He of whom we write, received an excellent 
 common-school education. He was reared to farm- 
 in"- pursuits and remained on the homestead of his 
 parents, finally buying the farm of them. He has 
 been very much prospered in his vocation and has 
 .added to his first purch.ase a large tract of fine 
 farming land comprising two hundred and sixteen 
 acres, so that his farm is now composed of two 
 hundred and ninety-six acres of land well tilled 
 and tineh improved. lie has bulll a large and 
 
 conveniently arranged barn and is preparing to 
 build a commodious and substantial residence, and 
 has other suitable buildings. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Link with Miss Christina, 
 daughter of Michael and Caroline Eigsted, took 
 place in 1872. Mrs. Link's parents came from 
 Prussia in 1855, and spent the remainder of their 
 lives in Joliet, leaving two children at their death. 
 Seven children complete the present household 
 circle of our subject and his wife. Frank, John, 
 JIar}', Albert, Lizzie, Josephine, and bab\' Louisa. 
 Mr. Link aims to give his children each two years 
 schooling in the church as he desires to have them 
 well educated. They all spe.ak good German and 
 the elder ones have good English educations. 
 
 Mr. Link h.as well improved his opportunities, 
 laboring unceasingly, carrying on his work with 
 skill, and sound, clear judgment, so that he has 
 achieved a proud place among the most wide 
 awake and successful of our farmers in this part of 
 the county. His fellow-citizens, marking his abil- 
 it}' in carrying on his own affairs, have called on 
 him to aid in the management of public business. 
 He has been Highway Commissioner for three years 
 and also Collector for the Township, and has faith- 
 fully filled the position as School Director for six- 
 teen years, the school of District No. 5, being 
 located on his farm. He and his wife are true 
 Christians and members in good standing of the St. 
 John's German Catholic Church of Joliet, their chil- 
 dren also being communicants of that church. In 
 politcs he is a sturdy Democrat, though he is not 
 confined to party ties, but in local elections votes 
 for the man whom he thinks is best fitted for the 
 otiice. 
 
 AVID ROSENHEIM, one of the pioneer 
 j) clothing men of Joliet, has, by a thorough 
 understanding of his business, built up an 
 extensive and lucrative trade, having 
 among his friends and patrons the leading men of 
 the city. He is still comparatively a young man, 
 approaching the forty-third year of his age, hav- 
 ing been born December 11,1847. His native place 
 was in the kingdom of Wuitemburg. and his par- 
 
726 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 cuts were Benedict and Bahette (Melzgar) Rosen- 
 heim, who were likewise of German birtii and an- 
 cestry, and who spent liieir entire life on their 
 native soil. 
 
 Our subject, arrived in .loliel in liic spring 
 of 1863, having made the passage on the steam- 
 ship "China." lie engaged first .as a clerk with 
 his brother, and then became proprietor of the busi- 
 ness. B}' steady application thereto and court 
 eous treatment of his customers, he has attained to 
 a good position .socially as well .as in a business 
 way, and like most of those of his nationality who 
 have sought their fortunes on the soil of America, 
 he is now comparatively independent. 
 
 Mr. Roseniieim was joined in wedlock witli Miss 
 Augusta Lindauer at the bride's home in Joliet, 
 June 18, 1878. This lady was born in the same 
 town in Germany as her husband, and was his play- 
 mate during their school days. Her father, Julius 
 Lindauer and his wife, were of German birth and 
 parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenheim are the par- 
 ents of four bright children — Bert, Julian, Myra 
 and Sidney. The little family occupies a snug 
 home in the city where they enjoy all of the com- 
 forts and many of the luxuries of life. 
 
 -^^^^ 
 
 EN 
 
 \ti EN.SP:N BROS., proprietors of tlie cele- 
 ! l)rated "Paradise Farm," are among the 
 most intelligent, active and enterprising 
 farmers and stock-raisers in Will County. 
 Their farm, on section 30, Channahon Township, 
 lies on the upland, near the mouth of the Des- 
 plaines and Kankakee Rivers, where they unite to 
 form the Illinois. From the bluff on which they 
 live they have a magnificent view for many miles 
 up the Kankakee, and on a clear day can see Wil- 
 mington, 1)1 aid wood and other surrounding towns. 
 Our subjects came here in 1875 and bought a small 
 part of their present estate, lying in the forest, 
 and since then they have done so well financially 
 that they have added to their original purchase 
 and now own four hundred acres of valuable 
 land. By e.xtraordin.ary exertions and persever- 
 ance they have cleared about one huntlred and 
 
 forty acres of this and have it under the plow, de- 
 voting the remainder to pasturage for their large 
 herds of stock, the land being especially adapted 
 to that purpose. The^- have provided it with am- 
 ple buildings, each having a comfortable dwelling, 
 and there are good barns and other outhouses on 
 the place. 
 
 The Messrs. Jensen early took the advantage of 
 the adaptability of their land to stock raising, and 
 have made a speciality of that line, raising horses, 
 cattle, hogs and sheep, all of the best grades. 
 TlVey have a fine thorough-bred Holstein bull, and 
 a herd of thorough-bred cows, making a specialty 
 of this breed; while in liorses they have the heavy 
 draft Clydesdale and Norman stock; in sheep they 
 have nothing but the Shropshire; and in hogs they 
 have the celebrated Poland-Chinas. These gentle- 
 men have by no means confined their operations 
 to agricultural pursuits, but have branched out in 
 otiier directions since coming to Will County, in 
 1869. They own and operate a steam threshing 
 machine and corn sheller, and furnish power for 
 drilling artesian wells. They were the first to buy 
 and operate the now ver^' common road grader, 
 taking road grading by contract, and have made 
 all the roads in the township of Seward, Grundy 
 County, and have done considerable work in the 
 city of Chicago, grading all the streets of Ever- 
 green Park and Washington Heights. 
 
 JjOuis and Augustus Jensen, of whom we write, 
 are natives of Norway, their birthplace being on 
 the shores of the beautiful lake Mjarson. They 
 came to America when Louis was eighteen years 
 of age and Augustus was but sixteen. A twin 
 brother of the latter, John, accompanied them. 
 He is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers 
 of Grundy County, having a good farm but a few 
 miles from his brothers. They came directly to 
 Chicago, and from there to Minooka, where they 
 had an uncle living, and where each acceiited work 
 at anything at which they could turn an honest 
 penny. 
 
 Louis Jensen was married to Miss Clara Moe, of 
 Chicago, in 1880, she also being a Norwegian by 
 birth. They have two daughters and one son — 
 Annie Pauline, Ida Fredericka and Warner. 
 
 Augustus .lensen w.as married, in 1.H81, to a Dan- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 727 
 
 ish-Geiiii;iii l.ady. Miss Catliarine Ilonsuii. The}- 
 have two children: Louisa Dora Missa, seven years 
 of age; and Walter Nelson, a baby. 
 
 The Jensen brothers, by their courage, foresight 
 and business enterprise, have been very influential 
 in advancing the financial status oi the township, 
 and are numbered among its most invaluable citi- 
 zens. In politics they are a little mixed, being 
 rather inclined to the Green})ack order. They 
 were educated in the tenets of the Lutheran 
 Church and still abide by that faith. 
 
 ^-^^^^;^tk^5<^ 
 
 ASHINGTON D. STEWART is one of the 
 oldest residents in point of settlement in 
 Custer Township, and has been a very 
 elHcient aid in developing Its fine agricultural re- 
 sources. He was born Juh' 30, 1826, in Wayne 
 County, Ohio, a son of John and Elizabeth (Motz) 
 Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania. They were mar- 
 ried in that State about 1820, and moving to Ohio, 
 became early settlers of Wayne County, where the 
 father carried on farming and where they made 
 their permanent home till death called them to a 
 higher life, she d3ingin 1 870, and he in 1880. Thev 
 had eleven children, eight of whom are now living. 
 The son of whom we write was their sixth child. 
 His early educational advantages were limited and 
 after he was eight years old, he never attended 
 school again. Ambitious, however, to better his 
 education, later in life he pursued his studies and 
 became quite a proficient, especially in mathematics. 
 During his youth he was kept in attendance at the 
 Postoffice and bar of the tavern belonging to his 
 f?.ther, but at the age of nineteen he began life for 
 himself. For some years he engaged in handling 
 stock and in general trading until he had ipiite a 
 sura of monej'. In 1847, he came to Illinois and 
 bought his present farm, locating land warrants for 
 four hundred acres. He did not however, settle 
 here then, but went back to his home in Ohio, and 
 in 1850 returned with his family to make his per- 
 manent residence here. The two hundred and 
 eighty acres of land comprising his farm have been 
 )iut nnder excellent tillage and he has erected a sub- 
 
 stantial set of buildings. He first erected a frame 
 house and in 1868, built his present more commodi- 
 ous residence at a cost of $2,800. He has given his 
 attention to stock-raising and farming, and formerly 
 raised some very fine blooded cattle. 
 
 Mr. Stewart was married April 23, 1845, to Miss 
 Rosella Tanner, a daughter of Stephen Tanner, of 
 Wayne County, Ohio, a pioneer farmer of that lo- 
 cality. Mrs. Stewart was born November 24, 1826, 
 on her father's homestead in Wayne County, and 
 received the advantages of a good common-school 
 education. Mrs. Stewart departed this life March 
 27, 1888. Of the six children born of her mar- 
 riage with our subject, two are now living: Ella, 
 wife of Joseph Myers, who lives with our subject; 
 and Emma. 
 
 Our subject occupies a worth}- place among the 
 (lioneers of the county, and during his long resi- 
 dence iu Custer Township has shown himself to be 
 a good citizen who has always taken an interest in 
 its welfare anil who has served it faithfully while 
 in public office. For many years he has been a Di- 
 rector of the school district and for eight years has 
 served with credit as Justice of the Peace. He has 
 been Township Clerk and Road Commissioner. He 
 has always taken an active part in politics and kee|)3 
 himself well |)osted on the political issues of the 
 day. He has been a .sound Democrat fi-om his 
 youth upwards, though in local affairs, he votes for 
 the man regardless of party. 
 
 ,^p^ MEYER, M. D. For about eighteen years 
 ^^5 Dr. Me3er has been the leading physician 
 lv^l2) ^"'' surgeon of Beecher,where he established 
 himself iu 1872, and where he has built up a 
 large and successful practice. He was thoroughly 
 educated in the science of therapeutics, and had an 
 extended experience as an arm\- physician and sur- 
 geon, as well as a private ex|)erience of man}- 3'ears, 
 before he became a resident of this [iltice. His the- 
 oretical knowledge and skill in the use of remedial 
 agents is unciuestioneil, while in the use of the scal- 
 pel he was equally well versed. 
 
 The father of our subject was Michael Meyer, a 
 
728 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 native of Prussiii. who served his country as a sol- 
 dier for nine years, chiefly under Nnpoleon. lie 
 lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and 
 two years, dying in the land of his birth. His first 
 wife bore the maiden name of Mary Francen. She 
 W.1S the mother of two children, our subject and a 
 brother, Michael, .Ir.. who also came to this coun- 
 try. The latter died in (Chicago after having served 
 twenty years as detective and policeman tliere. 
 The mother was noted in her country for her med- 
 ical skill and education, she having practiced mid- 
 wifery for man3' years; she died at the ripe old age 
 of eighty-^ven years. She and her husband be- 
 longed to the Catholic Ciuirch. 
 
 Dr. Meyer was born in one of the Rliine Provin- 
 (!e.s of Prussia, September 11, 1821, and was care- 
 fully re;ired by his parents, who bestowed upon him 
 all the. advantages possible in the way of obtaining 
 kiu)wledge. When lie had reached the proper years 
 he entered the medical college of Bon, Germany, 
 where he studied si-x years. He was then gradu- 
 ated, and entering the Prussian Army spent nine 
 years in discharging the duties devolving upon an 
 army physiciair and surgeon. He had charge of 
 many serious cases, and performed many critical 
 surgical operations, as he has since done in America. 
 
 The knowledge which Dr. iNIeyer had obtained 
 of the United States led him to believe that a 
 broader field would be opened before him in this 
 country, and he therefore determined to leave his 
 native land and seek a home in the New AVorld. In 
 the fall of 1854 he engaged passage for himself and 
 family on a vessel which sailed from Antwerp to 
 New York. They reached the latter city after a 
 perilous voyage of sixty-five days. Storms swept 
 the vessel clear of its masts and rigging, and the 
 five hundred passengers nearly died from starva- 
 tion before the desired haven was reached. The 
 Doctor came at once to Chicago and opened an 
 ollioein that city, where he pursued liis chosen call- 
 ing with marked success until 1872. He then le- 
 moved to Beecher, which has since been his home, 
 and the center of his well-directed efforts to allevi- 
 ate the sufferings of mankind. 
 
 The first wife of our subject was Miss Theresa 
 A. Haerman, a native of one of the Rhine Prov- 
 inces, in which she spent her entire life, dying 
 
 when but twenty-three years old. She left one 
 child, Lena, now the wife of Adam Rauen, whose 
 home is Chicago, and who is connected with the 
 water-works there. .Dr. Meyer chose for his second 
 companion Miss (icrtrude Ilann, who was also born 
 and reared in a Rhine Province in (iermany. This 
 marriage has resulted in the birth of a large famil}-, 
 four of wliom are now living. Of the eight who 
 have been removed by death, all died young and 
 most of them in infanc}'. The survivors are Mi- 
 chael, Peter, John and Anna. The first is foreman 
 of the painting deiiartment of the car shops; he is 
 a clever artist, wielding the brush in other lines 
 than those required in the business. He married 
 Miss Augusta Heinz. Peter is a prominent fresco, 
 sign and landscape painter, and he also evinces 
 considerable artistic talent; John is employed in 
 the Cook County Court House; Anna is the wife 
 of John I'auly, a dealer in wines and liquors, at No. 
 100 Randolph Street, Chicago. 
 
 Dr. Meyer is a believer in the principles embod- 
 ied in the Democratic itlalform, and in all national 
 elections supports it with his vote. He is a member 
 of the Masonic fraternity, being enrolled in Blue 
 Lodge No. 740, Grantl Park. The entire family' 
 belong to the Catholic Church. Tiie Doctor owns 
 some fine property in Chicago. 
 
 <* IfclLLlAM COOK. For many 3 ears this 
 \r\j// gentleman resided on a fine farm on sec- 
 ^^y^ tion 10, Crete Township, Will County, and 
 this land, through his energetic management, was 
 converted into one of the most pleasfint estates in 
 the township. He also owned land on section 17, 
 comprising altogether one hundred and twent^'-five 
 acres. He dated his arrival in this county from 
 May 10, 1850, after which he gradually' built up a 
 finely improved farm and accnmidated a fair share 
 of this world's goods. Toward the close of his life 
 he retired from his more' arduous labors and spent 
 his declining years in ease and comfort. His death 
 occurred at his home, July 14, 1890, when he had 
 attained the ripe old age of eighty years, four 
 months and nineteen days. For six years preced- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 729 
 
 iiig his death, his activity was soniewiiat lessened by 
 the lameness which resulted from a fall he then 
 received. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in 
 his religious belief was a consistent member of the 
 Methodist Church. His intelligence, uprightness 
 and useful life and industry were recognized by his 
 ac(iuaiutauces who accorded him their highest es- 
 teem. 
 
 In Lincolnshire, Kngland. many years ago, lived 
 and died Thomas Cook, a small landowner. He 
 married Sarah Holmes, a native of the same shire, 
 who died when sixty j-ears old. This worthy cou- 
 ple were active members of the Methodist Iii)isco- 
 pal Church for thirty years, and for years tlieir 
 home was a meeting place for the congregation on 
 every AVeduesday night. They also had prayer- 
 meeting every Frid.ay night and class-meeting every 
 Sunday for some years, these facts illustrating the 
 faithful interest which they felt and manifested in 
 the cause of Christianity. To them were born nine 
 children, the subject of this sketch being one of 
 younger members of the family, and the only one 
 who came to the United States. 
 • The natal day of William Cook was February 
 25, 1810, and his birthplace in the northern part of 
 Lincolnshire, England. The early years of his life 
 were spent in acquiring knowledge, but at the age 
 of thirteen years he left school an<l began to learn 
 the trade of a shoemaker. He served under Rich- 
 ard Michaehvait in Winterton, in his native shire 
 until he was twenty years old, after which he worked 
 .as a journey man for a time. He then set u|) a shop 
 in the place where he had learned his trade, and 
 there married Miss Elizabeth Adkinson, the daugh- 
 ter of well-to-do parents, by whom she was well 
 reared. She was born in Blygton, England, in 1803 
 and in her native shire grew to womanhood. There 
 her mother died, and a few years later her father 
 came to the United States, where he lived to be 
 quite old. Joseph Adkinson was a tailor. Upon 
 coming to America he settled near Monroeville, 
 ( )hio, where he owned a large property. 
 
 After the birth of their first child and the death 
 of the same, our subject and his wife set out for 
 the United States, leaving their native land Feb- 
 ruary 2.'), 1831. They took passage at Hull on a 
 brig frigate, and after a voyage of some seven 
 
 weeks landed in New York City, whence they jour- 
 neyed to IMonroeville, Ohio. There Mr. Cook fol- 
 lowed his trade of a shoemaker one year, and then 
 purchased a small farm on which he lived for some 
 time. After fifteen years of residence at that place 
 he went to Lake County, Ind., and for two years 
 made his home near Clinton, whence he removed 
 to this State and county. 
 
 Here Elizabeth (Adkinson) Cook died in 1865 
 when about sixty-two years of age. She attended 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was the 
 mother of eightcliildren,of whom but two are living. 
 Thomas resides in Onarga, this State; his wife bore 
 the maiden name of Margaret E. Fellows, and was a 
 resident of Plainfleld. Cieorgc, who lives at Coun- 
 cil Bluffs, Iowa, married a ]\Iiss Shipley for his first 
 wife, and for his second a Mrs. Davis. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write contracted a 
 second matrimonial alliance, the ceremony taking 
 place in Chicago, 111., and his chosen companion 
 being Mrs. Mary A. (Mitchell) Iloskins. She was 
 born in England, whence she came to America in 
 early womanhood. She died December 12, 1878, 
 when past middle life, leaving one "daughter, .Julia 
 A., a refined and well-educated young lady. Mrs. 
 Mary Cook was identified with the Methodist 
 Church, and by her former marriage had one child, 
 Frank, a successful merchant at Geneseo. 
 
 ^¥r 
 
 DWARD D. HOWLAND, M. D. Although 
 still quite young in his profession and in- 
 deed in years, this gentleman is rapidly 
 building up for himself a reputation as a skilled 
 physician which gives promise of leading him to !i 
 front rank ere many years shall have passed over 
 his head. He is a close student who is not content 
 with the knowledge ho h.as already ol)tained, but by 
 every means in his |)ower is constantly adding to it 
 information regarding the latest discoveries and the 
 theories of older and more skilled physicians. His 
 quickness of apprehension, his mental culture and 
 his honorable character give him popularity in so- 
 ciety and a reputable name among his fellow-men. 
 The i)arents of Dr. Ilowland are Elihu and Jane 
 
730 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 (l!;il(hvin) Ilowland, natives of Litchlicld County, 
 Conn., wliu canio to the Prairie Slate in 184U, and 
 who at piosent ifsidc in Ottawa, 111. The father 
 was a farmer an'.l llie earlj- life of our subject was 
 surrounded with llic usual scenes ;ind inlluences of 
 eountry living, lie was born in LaSalle County, 
 this Slate, Octolier 13, 1858, and obtained his fun- 
 damental education in the public schools. In the 
 State Normal 1 iiiversity at Normal, Ollawa High 
 School and Ml. Carroll Seminary, he extended his 
 fund of knowledge, and completed his general 
 course of study. 
 
 Having chosen medicine as the science to which 
 to devote his energy, young Howland began read- 
 ing in the office of R. M. McArlliur, M. D., at Ot- 
 tawa, and after a time entered Rush Medical Col- 
 lege, Chicago. He pursued his studies there during 
 the years of 1883-84, and tlicn practiced one year 
 with Dr. Wilcox in Michigan. After this practi- 
 cal application of the theories and principles of 
 therapeutics he returned to Rush College in 1885, 
 and was gradu.ated therefrom the following year. 
 On looking about for a field of labor he was led to 
 Lockport, in which he located the, year of his gradu- 
 ation. Dr. Howland is an Odd-Fellow, a Mason 
 and a consistent member of the Baptist C'hurch. 
 
 eWILKENING. The name which stands at 
 the head of this biographical outline will be 
 at once recognized as belonging to one of 
 the most energetic business men of Crete and one of 
 its leading merchants. He ranks as one of the finest 
 salesmen in Northern Illinois in which region he 
 commenced building his fortunes and where he has 
 gained a competence. I'nder the tirin title of C. 
 Wilkening & Co., our subject and his brother 
 Frederick are oiierating one of the most complete 
 dry-goods establishments in Will Count}' and com- 
 manding a large portion of the patronage of its 
 best citizens. The brothers were assisted in the 
 establishment of their present enterprise b^- their 
 honored father, a man of more than ordinary- abil- 
 ity and from whom the sons have inherited the 
 talents which have brought them success. The 
 
 present firm was organized in 1880, and located iu 
 a tine building at the corner of Main and Exchange 
 Slrcicts, the most eligible liusiness site in the town. 
 
 In due lime, owing to the lapid increase in trade, 
 more room was needed and so they removed their 
 old brick store. 20x60 feet, to another lot further 
 south and began the construction of one of the best 
 buildings in the city, which they now occupy. The 
 second floor of this building w.as designed for a 
 l)ul)lic hall, but the firm are obliged to utilize it 
 for the storage of a part of the 140,000 stock of 
 goods which they carry. The Wilkening Block, 
 two stories in height, is 51x60 feet in dimensions, 
 facing on Main Street and comprises two stores 
 with a basement joining the old store-room. The 
 latter is used for a grocery department and there 
 are three large warehouses in the rear from which 
 many hundred pounds of butter and many thou- 
 sand dozens of eggs are shipped monthly. The 
 main building was completed in 1886, and contains 
 a full line of a finely-selected stock of dry goods, 
 tastefully arranged and which never fails to attract 
 attention. Besides these there is a special cloak 
 and shawl department, also clothing and gentle-- 
 men's furnishing goods, together with different de- 
 partments for carpets and oil cloth, toys, etc. It is 
 thus most properly called the Department Store 
 and neither time nor money has been spared to make 
 each attractive and convenient. 
 
 The business career of Mr. Wilkening began at 
 an early period in his life and from the start he has 
 kept iu view one end and aim — that of excelling in 
 his chosen calling. We find him officiating as a 
 clerk at the .age of fifteen years and he completed 
 his l)usiuess education in Bryant At Stratton's Com- 
 mercial College. His father in former years was a 
 farmer, owning land in Crete Township, and at 
 that homestead our subject was born March 24, 
 1855. He grew up vigorous in n)iud and liody and 
 at an early age learned the self reliance which has 
 been largely the secret of his success. Both in social 
 and business circles he is a general favorite, being 
 prompt to meet his obligations and more than ordi- 
 narily well informed. In i)olilies, he is a Democrat 
 and in religion he conforms to the doctrines of the 
 Lutheran Church. In all that goes to m.ake a man 
 reliable and trustworthy, he is a fine exponent of 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 731 
 
 his substantial German ancestry. With the single 
 exccnliun tiial he still remains a bachelor, Mr. Wil- 
 kening has creditably performefl all the obligations 
 of an honest man and a good citizen. In addition 
 to his mercantile interests Mr. Wilkening deals 
 quite extensively in real estate and from this 
 source also realizes handsome returns. 
 
 ^1/-^ KNRY GRABE so ordered his daily walk and 
 jil conversation that his life was an example 
 worthy the consideration of all who desire 
 to honor their manhood. He took an active 
 part in all that meant the real advancement of the 
 township, was interested in the cause of religion, 
 industrious and hard working in the affairs of this 
 world, and kindly and affectionate in his domestic 
 and social relations; an honest and reliable citizen 
 was removed bj' death when he breathed his last at 
 his home in Washington Township, April 14, 1882. 
 The lyes of Mr. Grabe opened to the light of 
 day in Germany, in 1821. lie grew to maturity 
 under the charge of good parents, developing the 
 natural virtues and talents he possessed and being 
 grounded in the firm principles that led to the repu- 
 tation he won. When about twenty-two j'ears old he 
 set out from Brenierhaven, and reaching the shores 
 of America made his way to the Prairie State and 
 settled in Crete Township, Will County. His first 
 home was on eighty acres of new Government 
 land, but m the fall of 1807 he changed his lesi- 
 dence to Washington Township. Here he pur- 
 chased two hundred acres of land on section 21. 
 It was almost unljroken l)ut he at once began to 
 make improvements, and after some years he found 
 himself pleasantly surrouiuled with good buildings 
 and other tasteful improvements. Here he caiiied 
 on a successful agricultural career until called hence, 
 when he left to his mourning household that best 
 of all inheritances — an honored nanie. In politics 
 he was a sound Re|)nlilican, and religiously' was a 
 member of the Kvangelical Church, to which faith 
 Mrs. Grabe also adheres. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Grabe and Miss Catharina 
 Schwirena was celebrated in Chicago. The bride 
 
 was boin in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, July 26, 1831, 
 to Fred and Ingel (Miller) Schwirena. Her par- 
 ents were natives of the same kingdom.and there the 
 father died when sixty-two years old. He was a Lu- 
 thera:i in religious faith. The widowed mother 
 came with her six children to America and located 
 in Cook County, III., dying thereat the same age that 
 her husband had reached. Mrs. Grabe lived near 
 Chicago until her marriage, manifesting the quali- 
 ties that won the regard of our subject and that 
 have kept the esteem of all who know her. 
 
 The union of Mr. and Mrs. Grabe resulted in the 
 birth of nine sons and daughters. Henry, Jr., mar- 
 ried Miss Augusta .Schencka and is now living at 
 Manhattan, Kan.; William is with his mother, as- 
 sisting her to operate the large farm; John, who is 
 a shoemaker in Crete, married Miss Sophia Rennie; 
 ISIary is the wife of Fred Meyer, their home being 
 in Riley Count}', Kan.; Conrad married Miss 
 Emma Sitzel and lives in Kankakee County, work- 
 ing at his trade of a blacksmith; Cara is the wife 
 of Charles Ruge, of Chicago; Louisa married Fred 
 Bowermaster, who lives in Oak City, Iowa; August 
 is a blacksmith and is now living in Brunswick, 
 Lake County, lud.; Soi)hia is at home with her 
 mother. 
 
 (41 IV>ILLIAM J. AOAiM, Secretary and Treas- 
 \/\j// urer of the Joliet Paper Company, is a na- 
 ^^ tive of Joliet, and is classed among the 
 most intelligent and enterprising of its j'oung busi- 
 ness men. He was born in this city, September 18, 
 1852. Here in the city schools he laid a solid 
 foundation for his future career. After attaining 
 manhood, he first entered the business world through 
 the doors of his father's flouring mill, which stood 
 where the paper mill now stands. In 1887 he be- 
 gan the manufacture of barb wire and such line of 
 goods, in compan}' with his father, and they have 
 already built up a thriving business, from which 
 they derive a desirable income. 
 
 Mr. Adam and Miss Lizzie Folger, were wedded 
 November 28, 1874, and to them has come one 
 child, whom the\ have named Folger, Mr. Adam 
 
73-2 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBFM. 
 
 is a lliouglilfiil. cU':ir-lieiKl((l, eiieigetif man, of 
 good iK'isonal liahits, and is highly considered by 
 all about him, both socially and as a business man. 
 He isLa leading member of the Central Presby- 
 terian Church, of vvhi(;h he is Trustee, and in poli- 
 tics gives his allegiance to the lieijublican party. 
 
 ORACK I. MKSSKNGER, of Homer Town- 
 ship, is comfortably situated at his fatiicr's 
 old homestead on section 33. It comprises 
 a fine body of land, two hundred and eiglity- 
 sevcn acres in extent, and is embellished with a set 
 of good buildings, together with all the other ap- 
 purtenances of the well-regulated country estate. 
 Mr. Messenger is a modest, unassuming citizen, 
 whose course in life has been .such as to commend 
 him to the esteem and confidence of all with whom 
 he lias had dealings. His life-long habits of indus- 
 try have resulted in the acquirement of a compe- 
 tence, and he is in the enjoyment of all of the 
 comforts, and many of the luxuries of life. 
 
 In noting the parental history of the subject of 
 this sketch, we find that his father, Horace Messen- 
 ger, was a native of Chenango County, N. Y., and 
 born April "26, 1807. The mother bore the maiden 
 name of Fannie Shedd, and she was born in Os- 
 wego County, N. Y., June 13, 1810. They were 
 married in their native State, and came directly to 
 this county in 1835, settling in Homer Township, 
 in June of that year. They were among its early 
 pioneers, and in Homer Township thereafter so- 
 journed until called hence. They were not long 
 separated, llie father dying August 31, 1882, and 
 tlie mother July 3, 1884. Tiieir family consisted 
 of five children, the eldest of whom, a son, Will- 
 iam, died wlien three ^ears old; IMary J. is the wife 
 of IJenjamin White, of Geneseo, this State; Frances 
 is a resident of Joliet; Horace I., our subject, is 
 the next in order of birtii; Helen also lives in 
 Joliet. 
 
 Mr. Messenger was the fourth cliild of his par- 
 ents, and is the only living son. He was born in 
 Homer Townshii), February 5, 1841, and therein 
 spent hi/carly years, attending the common schools 
 
 and becoming familiar with the various details off 
 farm life. He completed his studies in Knox Col- 
 lege, (jlalesburg. 111. During the third year of the ■ 
 Civil War he entered tlie ranks of the Union army,, 
 enlisting February 29, 1864, in Company F, Eighth i 
 Illinois Cavahy, and served seventeen months. 
 During that period he became full}- acquainted 
 with the hardships of a soldier's life, althougli es- 
 caping some of its sterner features. Aside from 
 this, he has always followed agricultural pursuits. 
 Mr. Messenger was married May 31, 1883, in 
 Locki)ort, 111., to Miss Bell F'ox. This lady was 
 born in Ashtabula, Ohio, October 13, 1849, and is 
 a daughter of (Jibsou Fox, who still resides there. 
 In politics Mr. Messenger is a stanch supporter of 
 the Republican party, and as a Union soldier, be- 
 longs to the Grand Army of the Republic. 
 
 ■^ IMON HOHENSTEIN occupies a pleasant 
 farm three miles from Fraukfoit .Station, 
 the estate comprising one hundred and 
 sixty acres on section 25, Frankfort Town- 
 ship, watered by the south branch of Ilickorj' 
 Creek, and joined by the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 
 Railroad. All the land is tillable except the timber, 
 and is adapted for the raising of both grain and 
 stock, in which Mr. Hohenstein occupies himself. 
 He keeps a good grade of cattle and hogs, uses two 
 teams on the place, and carries on a thriving agri- 
 cultural business. 
 
 Mr. Hohenstein is descended from honorable 
 German ancestors,. both lines having been resident 
 in Hesse-Darmstadt. His paternal grandfather, 
 Johannes Hohenstein, was a farmer, and his father, 
 Balthasar, engaged in the same occupation, and that 
 of fruit-raising. The latter came to America in 
 185 1, and tilled the soil in Green Garden Town- 
 ship, this county, until he retired to live with our 
 sulijcct; he is now seventy-eight 3'ears old. He 
 l)olongs to the Evangelical Church. His wife bore 
 the maiden name of Catherine Ditzel, and was a 
 daughter of Jacob Ditzel, also a farmer. She 
 breathed her last in this county, in 1860. The pa- 
 rental faniily included three sons — Simon, Conrad, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 733 
 
 and (ieorge. 'I'lie st'coiul son enlisted in l<S01,in 
 tiic Twentietli Illinois Infaiili-y, and served until lie 
 (lost liis life at the battle of Jackson, 'lY'nn. The 
 youngest son li*es with our subject. 
 
 Simon Ilolienstein was born in the village of 
 Messel, Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, September 17, 
 1837, and being reared on a farm, early acquired 
 the rudiments of his father's occupation. He at- 
 tended the common schools from the age of six to 
 fourteen years, acquiring a good education. Three 
 years after the completion of his studies, the fam- 
 ily determined to emigrate to America. They 
 sailed on the "Bremerhaven" in May, 1854, and 
 after an ocean voyage of forty nine flays, stood on 
 sliorc in New York City. Thence they took a boat 
 to Albany, the cars to Buffalo, a steamer to De- 
 troit, and cars to Chicago, completing the journey 
 to Green Garden Township, this county, by teams. 
 A farm of eighty acres was purchased, and the new 
 life was begun in a log house. This was the home 
 until 1865, when the place was sold, and an im- 
 proved tract on section 2, Frankfort Township, was 
 purchased by our subject. There he continued his 
 agricultural labors until 1883. when he rented it, 
 and removed to the [jlace which he now occui)ies, 
 and which he inirclmsed foi' $55 per acre. 
 
 In April, 1863, Mr. Hohenstein led to the hyme- 
 neal altar Miss Charlotte Knapp, of Green Garden 
 Township. This estimable lady was born in Bava- 
 ria, tiermany, and came to America with her par- 
 ents in 18.50. She is a daughter of Carl Knapp, 
 formerly a farmer in Green Garden Township, but 
 who is now living in Frankfort. She has borne her 
 husl)and ten children, named respectively: Simon, 
 Cluirles, Daniel Conrad, Charlotte, Peter, Chris- 
 tian, Henry, Katie, and Carrie. The oldest son is 
 married, and living on the farm on section 2; 
 Charles is clerking in liatavia. The others are at 
 home. 
 
 Mr. Ilohenslein is one of the most inlluentialciti- 
 zcns in Frankfort Township. He is now Assessor, 
 and has held this office for fourteen years, being the 
 oldest Assessor in the county. He was Collector 
 of (ireen Garden Township one year, and of Frank- 
 fort Township one year, and has been a member of 
 the School rH>ard sixteen years. While living on 
 sniion 2, he was School Director nine years, and 
 
 he has held a similar position in his present district 
 seven years. lie belongs to the Evangelical 
 Church in F'rankfort, and is now filling the office 
 of Trustee. His political adherence has always 
 been given to the Democratic party. He has served 
 on the Petit jurj', and was on the Grand Jury in 
 1890, and is prominently connected with all enter- 
 prises which promise to benelit the community. 
 
 (g^ AMUEL GLASGOW, a fine type of the 
 ^^^ foreign element who, by sheer force of en- 
 l|\/_Jl) ergetic persistence and well directed labor 
 have made for themselves comfortable 
 homes in this county and have secured a good 
 competence, is a thoroughly practical, highly suc- 
 cessful farmer, owning and managing a choice farm 
 in Plainfield Township, and is well worthy of 
 a place in this Biooraphical Album, dedicated to 
 the citizens of Will County. 
 
 Mr. Glasgow was born in the North of Ireland, 
 five miles from Ballymena in the Count}' of Ulster, 
 November 8, 1842. His father and his grand-, 
 father both bearing the same name, Robert Glas- 
 gow, were n.atives of Scotland. The grandfather 
 was a farmer and so far as known spent his entire 
 life in the land of his birth. The father of our 
 subject was reared and married in Scotland, and 
 moving to Ulstershire, leased Land and was actively 
 engaged in farming and stock-raising there for 
 many years. In 1868, he emigrated to this coun- 
 try, and bought a farm in Plainfield Township and 
 was engaged in its management. After the death 
 of his wife he made his home with our subject un- 
 til his death, January 10, 1888, at the ripe old age 
 of seventy-five j-ears. The maiden name of the 
 mother of our subject was Margaret Dunseath, 
 and she was of Scottish birth. She died at her 
 home in Plainfield, June 10, 1886. Of their chil- 
 dren, one died in Ireland, and seven came to 
 America, their names being as follows: Catherine, 
 Maria, Samuel, Jane, Margaret, Martha and Robert. 
 The subject of this biographical review was 
 reared and educated in the place of his nativity. 
 He was carlv set to work on a farm and obtained 
 
734 
 
 rORTUAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 an excellent knowledge of agriculture in all its 
 branches. lie IIvihI with his [jarents until he was 
 twenty-two jcars old, and then engaged witii a 
 commission merchant as a buyer of produce, con- 
 tinuing with tlic same firm tiutij 1868. In tliat 
 3 cur lie came to America, hoping to insure liis 
 prosperity by settling in this great Hci)ublic. lie 
 landed at New York on the ISth of July, and com- 
 ing directly to Illinois, souglit and found employ- 
 ment on the farm of .!. C. Carpenter, of Kendall 
 County. He w;is wilii him two years and the ensu- 
 ing year was employed on Judge Caton's farm, and 
 then worked l";s(iuire Corbin's place on shares for 
 six years. At the expiration of that time he be- 
 came a landowner in liis own right, buying a farm 
 on section 29, of I'lainfield Township. ?"ive years 
 later he sold that and purchased tlie place where he 
 now resides. This farm contains one hundred and 
 eighty acres, well improved, and provided witii a 
 fine set of Viuildings and all tlie aiUJUrtenances for 
 operating a farm to the best advantage. 
 
 l\Iay 14, liSGl, Mr. (ilasgow was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Martha Asdel, a native of the same 
 place as himself, and of Scotch ancestry. Tiiey are 
 now the parents of ten children : William J., Robert, 
 Margaret J., Samuel, Catherine, James,Anna, George, 
 Albert and Edward. 
 
 The citizenship of I'lainfield received a worthy 
 addition when our sul)ject came here to reside, as 
 he is a man of excellent reputation, is honest and 
 truthful in all the relations that he sustains toward 
 others, and is endowed with good practical sense 
 and an excellent capacity for skillful labor, and the 
 patience, without which he could not have accom- 
 plished what he has. 
 
 j^^TEPHEN J. WILLIAMS. This well- 
 ^^^ known and wealthy citizen occupies a fine 
 lll^jj) farm on section 31, DuPage Township, 
 upon which he was born September 22, 
 1849. He was fortunate in belonging to a family 
 possessed of means sudicicnt to enable him to culti- 
 vate his talents and develoji the powers of his mind 
 at first class institutions, and has therefore obtaineil 
 
 a fine education. The rudiments were gained in 
 the district schools of the home neighborhood, and 
 when sixteen years old he entered the academy at 
 Naperville, DuPage County', following a period of 
 study there by one at Wheaton College. 
 
 The next institution attended b}' young Williains 
 was the Plalnfield College of AVill County, after- 
 ward destroyed by fire, where he studied for a short 
 time only, finally entering the University of Notre 
 Dame, at South Bend, lud., from whicii he was 
 graduated in 1865. The same year he was selectedi 
 by Gov. John Madison, of this State, to accom- 
 pany the surveying party as assistant leveler, oni 
 tlie Union Pacific Railroad, between Omaha and 
 San Francisco. Seven months were S[)ent in that 
 labor, then Mr. Williams returned to his home. 
 His father at that time owned a coal mine at Brace- 
 ville, Grundy County, and Stephen was sent to 
 superintend it, whicli he did for two years. 
 
 After that experience in controlling affairs, Mr. 
 Williams returned again to Will County, and set- 
 tled upon the homestead, making it his home from 
 that date. He owns a large body of laud in the 
 county, and in the agricidtural work to which he 
 gives his attention, and the rental of property, is; 
 meeting with a degree of success that stamps himi 
 as a worth}' successor of a father who was a fine 
 financier. 
 
 Mv. Williams has been twice married, and is the 
 father of five children, named respectively: James, 
 Thomas C, Maud C, Mary E. and Jennie. He 
 has served as School Director, and as Township > 
 Sui)ervisor has acted six years, satisfying the (uil)- 
 lic, whose interests he serves. He is a Democrat, , 
 and on the party ticket was nominated in 1887 for • 
 the State Legislature, but defeated by his opponent, 
 the Hon. Dwight Haven, the present representa- 
 tive. Probably few, if any, men in the county 
 have a better education than Mr. Williams, or 
 keep better informed regarding the course of events 
 in this busy world, and certainly' few can claim a 
 deeper interest in the advancement of civilization 
 .and the growth of the country. The qualities ex- 
 hibited by Mr. Williams are such as to gain respect, 
 and he is looked upon .as one of the leading mem- 
 bers of the community. 
 
 The parents of our subject were Thomas .an<l 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 735 
 
 Susan (Horner) 'Williams, tlie latter a native of 
 Johnstown, Vii., and tlie former l)orn in Cornwall, 
 
 [England, about 1809. Tlie father came to America 
 early in the '30's, tlie first liusiness in whicii lie 
 engaged in Pennsj'lvania being tlie iiurchasc of 
 flax seed which he shipped to England. In this 
 venture he lost all his money, and he therefore re- 
 turned to his native land for furtiicr funds that 
 were supplied him by his father. For about two 
 years Mr. Williams was foreman in an iron mine in 
 Ireland, after which he returned to the United 
 States, and came, direct to Illinois, this being in 
 
 '18:5G. 
 
 The work then undertaken by Mr. Thomas Will- 
 iams was the construction of a portion of the Illi- 
 nois and Michigan Canal, in Will County, one and 
 a fourth miles being built by him. He then became 
 a contractor for railroad construction in this State 
 and Wisconsin, continuing thus engaged until 1850, 
 when he followed the great tide that was setting 
 westward to the Pacific sloi^e. He secured the con- 
 tract for the levee around San Francisco, m.aking 
 considerable money on the job, and returning to 
 Illinois in 1852, resumed railroad contracting 
 herein. 
 
 In 184G the family of Mr. Williams had settled 
 on the farm now occupied by the son, our subject, 
 and some time in the '60's the father abandoned 
 his former line of labor, and devoted himself to 
 home life thereon, remaining constantly with his 
 family until called hence, October 14,1881. His 
 reputation was not confined to the county of which 
 he was considered one of the most public-spirited 
 citizens, but extended throughout the State and 
 even beyond its borders, his contracts having been 
 honorably carried out, and the workmanshiji upon 
 them having stood the test for strength and dura- 
 bility. He was a bidder for the tunnel that supplies 
 Chicago with water — the first to the crib — but 
 Messrs. Fox & Howard had a few dollars the ad- 
 vantage of him and secured it. 
 ■ ' Mr. Williams had served as Supervisor of I)u 
 Page Township six years, with credit to himself 
 and his constituents. But a few days before his 
 decease he was nominated on the Democratic ticket 
 for the State Legislature, and it is quite probable 
 that he would have been elected li.ad not his career 
 
 been cut short by death. He was interred with 
 the solemn rites of the Masonic fraternity, with 
 wliich he had long been identified. He was a 
 member of the E|)iscopal Church. In every move- 
 ment that promised to benefit the community he 
 bore an active part. The excellent education he 
 had received, combined witli pre-eminent business 
 ability, made him a successful financier, .and his 
 liberal spirit inclined him to assist churches and 
 other bodies in their work to improve society. 
 
 Mrs. Thomas Williams departed this life in 
 1879. Of the nine children comprising the family 
 of the worthy couple, the only survivors are our 
 subject and his sister Susan, widow of Frederick 
 Haney, who lives in Brighton Park, Cook County. 
 
 ' ' ' °^ 
 
 ENRY S. BKOCKWAY. Among the work- 
 IJj ers in handicraft in the thriving city of 
 Joliet, none better deserve mention in a 
 volume of this description than H. S. Brock- 
 way. He was born in Chemung, N. Y., being a 
 son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) P.rock- 
 way, both of whom were likewise natives of the 
 Empire State. The father was born January 29, 
 1811, and the mother in February, 1817. They 
 removed to Kendall County, III., in 1855, and after 
 a time chai;f;ed their location to Grant Township, 
 Buena Vista County, Iowa, where the husband and 
 father engaged in farming until his death. May 30, 
 1885. The mother died in November, 1854. 
 
 The natal day of him of whom we write was Oc- 
 tober 1, 1841, and he is the eldest son in a family 
 comprising seven children. Having accompanied 
 his father to the Prairie State in 1855, he attended 
 the public schools and afterward entered Clark 
 Seminaiy in Aurora, where he completed his stud- 
 ies. He began his career in life as a farmer, but 
 after a brief period devoted to agriculture learned 
 the trade of a carpenter and, coming to Joliet, be- 
 gan active business as a contractor and builder. 
 
 Many beautiful buildings that are ornaments to 
 the city have been put up by him. among them be- 
 ing the Campbell and Stevens Blocks, the elevator 
 and the residences of James Ashley and W. S. 
 
73G 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Brooks. He is a man of the strictest integrity, 
 punclual in the smnllest details of liis engasjements 
 and i-uiiable in word and deed. He tiiorefore en- 
 joys tiio iiiarlicd esteem of his fellow-men and the 
 sincere friendship of those intimatel3' acquainted 
 with Ills worth of character. 
 
 At the head of the cozy home on Sherman Street 
 is a lady of housewifely skill and fine character, 
 between whom and our subject the rites of wedlocK 
 were celebrated November 13, 1878. She bore the 
 maiden name of Nettie E. McCowan, is a native of 
 this county and a daughter of parents who helped 
 to subdue the prairie and are yet living as examples 
 of tiic sturdy yeomanry of pioneer days. To Mr. 
 and Mrs. Brock way two sturdy sons have been 
 born: Henry S., wiiose natal day was April 28, 
 1884, and Jay McCowan, who opened his ej-es to 
 the light January 5, 1886. Mr. Brockway is an 
 active meml)er of the Kiehards Street Methodist 
 Ki)ise()pul Church. 
 
 ^^ABRIEL NOEL. On a fertile and well-dc- 
 ■II J—-, velopcd farm consisting of two hundred 
 *^^|j and twenty acres on section 9, Jackson 
 Township, Mr. Noel pursues the oven tenor of his 
 way, gaining the good will of his fellows and win- 
 ning maintenance from the soil. He was born in 
 Portsmouth, Ohio, July 2, 1820, and grew to man- 
 hood on his father's farm, the parent adding the 
 control of a saw-mill to his farm labor. 
 
 When twenty-seven \'enrs old our subject came 
 tt> Will County, 111., and on October 15, 1847, was 
 married to Miss Elizabeth D. Zarley, daughter of 
 the late Reason Zarley and his good wife. (See 
 sketch of J. C. Zarley). This l.ady was born in 
 this county November 22, 1830, is well educated, 
 cni)able and of fine character. The union has re- 
 sulted in tha birth of twelve children, of whom five 
 died in infancy. The living are Albert E. and Er- 
 vin R., farmers in Jackson Townshij); Calvin Z., 
 clerk in the Hotel Royal; Elvis C, in the stone 
 business in Chase County, Kan.; Susie E., wife of 
 L. H. Lineberger, of Peotone; Rose M., wife of 
 
 C. W. Table, of Jackson Township, and Frank G., 
 still at home. 
 
 Mr. Noel has been Road Commissioner and held 
 the various school oflices. In politics he is a Re- * 
 publican, and both he and his wife are Universal- 
 ists in religious belief. Farming has been the chief 
 occupation of Mr. Noel since boyhood and he shows ■ 
 a thorough understanding of the business. Ilis es- 
 tate bears excellent improvements, and good cheer 
 abounds within the dwelling, whose occupants are 
 held in good repute by all who know them. 
 
 ■^1 
 
 -^w_=E 
 
 
 LVIN J. KINO, an honored resident of 
 Plainfield, was born in Collins, Erie 
 County, N. Y., May 13, 1824. He came 
 !§/' of sterling New England stock, his father, 
 Allen King, having been a native of Rhode Island, 
 and his grandfather, Nathan King, who w.as a 
 soldier of the Revolutionar}' War, is also supposed 
 to have been born in the same State. He removed 
 from Rhode Island to Vermont, and was an earl3' 
 pioneer of the town of Danby, in Rutland Countj-. 
 He resided thereuntil 1811, and again became a 
 pioneer, moving with an ox team to Erie County. 
 N. Y. He bought land of the Holland Purchase 
 Company in the town of Holland, and spent the re- 
 mainder of his da^'s there. 
 
 The father of the subject of this sketch was 
 reared and married in Vermont and made the re- 
 moval to Erie Count}', a few months before his fa- 
 ther. He bought a tract of wild land in the piimev.al 
 forests in the town of Collins, obtaining his patent 
 from the Holland Purchase Company. His first 
 work was to build a log house for the shelter of his 
 family, and he then entered upon the hard task of 
 clearing a farm from the wilderness. He felled the 
 limber from quite a tract, and then sold it at an ad- 
 vance, and bought again, and he thus made three or 
 four changes in the ensuing years, selling so as to 
 make money each time, and was a resident of Erie 
 Count)- until his death. The maiden name of his 
 wife was Virginia Thompson, and she was born in 
 Westmoreland County, N. H. Her father. Joseph 
 Thompson was asoldier in the Revolutionary AVar, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 737 
 
 lind two of his sons served with him'in the battle 
 of Saratoga. He was a farmer and spent Ills last 
 years in Otsego County, N. Y. His wife spent her 
 last years with a daughter in the town of Collins. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared and edu- 
 cated in his native town, and resided tliere until 
 IHST). He bought a farm and was actively engaged 
 in its cullivation until the 3'ear mentioned, when he 
 sold it, and coming to Illinois, located in McHenry 
 County, buying a farm in Seneca Township. He 
 carried t)n farming and stock-raising with good suc- 
 cess until 1882, when he sold his place there, and 
 coming to Plainfield, bought where he now resides 
 and is living in the enjoj'mcnt of Ihe cunifortalile 
 competence that his industry has lirought him. 
 
 Mr. King was married in 1849, to Susan A. South- 
 worth. She was l)orn in Chautauqua County, in 
 the town of Slieridan, N. Y., a daughter of Epiphias 
 and Hannah South worth. Three children have 
 blessed their marriage to them : George M., a res- 
 ident of AVoodstock; Mrs. Robert Graves, of Plain- 
 field ; and .Tohn M., who lives in Woodstock, Mr. 
 and Mrs. King are members of the I'niversalist so- 
 ciety and for their great personal worth are held in 
 higli esteem by the people among whom they 
 have come to make their home in their declining 
 years. 
 
 — "^osso^" — 
 
 DWARD ETHERIDGE is a citizen of whom 
 Joliet raa3- well be proud, his life having 
 been marked by uprightness, faithfulness 
 and industry. He hns won the attention of em- 
 ployers Ijy the manner in which he has performed 
 tiie work before him and shown th.at liis was not 
 eye service alone but was prompted by a sense of 
 duty anil self-respect. He was born in Worcester- 
 shire, England, in wliich ids parents also opened 
 their eyes to the light of day and wherein lliey died 
 at advanced ages. The fatlier was one of twenty- 
 two children, and worked at the trade of a brick- 
 layer. 
 
 He of whom we write, learned the trade of hi? fa- 
 tlier at an early age and became a master workman, 
 lie came to America, landing at Portland, Me., and 
 from there to Chicago, III., reaching the latter city 
 
 April 1, 1872. On the 4tli of June following he 
 came to Joliet and at once entered the employ of 
 the Joliet Steel Company with which he continued 
 until 1874. He then went to Pittsburg, Pa., be- 
 coming an employe in Braddock's Steel Works. 
 On severing that connection he went to St. Louis, 
 Mo., where he assisted in the construction of the 
 blast furnaces of the Jas. Green Iron Works. 
 
 Mr. Etheridge next returned to Joliet, but after 
 a brief period went to Crystal City, Mo., coming 
 again to Joliet by request and making the connec- 
 tion that has not since been severed, except for a 
 short time in 1877, when tire mills were closed on 
 account of the financial panic. During tiie 3'ears 
 in which he has sojourned here, Mr. Etheridge has 
 assisted in the erection of all the structures that go 
 to make up the splendid plant of the Illinois Steel 
 Company. 
 
 The pleasant home of Mr. Etheridge is presided 
 over bj- an estimable woman whose many virtues 
 and graces of mind and heart endear her to a large 
 circle of friends. She was known in her maiden- 
 hood as Miss Eliza Sawyer, and is a native of the 
 Mother Country, in which her wedding took place 
 in 1806. She is the mother of four children, as fol- 
 lows: Sarah is married and lives in Joliet; George, 
 an estimable and industrious young man, is now in 
 Chicago; Martha and James are still at home. Mr. 
 I<;theridge is devoted to his home and its attractions 
 are foremost in his eyes. He belongs to the Knights 
 of Pythias, and worships at the Ottawa Street 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an excellent 
 citizen, interested in all^that tends to advance the 
 prosperity of his chosen home. 
 
 ^jHEODORE M. H. STARMANN is the fifth 
 '''(^<\ son and child of Jurgen F. and Amelia 
 <^-' Starmann, his father being a well-knowu 
 farmer and stockman of Manhattan Township. 
 The young gentleman is one of the promising 
 business men of the town of the same name, in 
 which he opened an establishment for the sale of 
 agricultural implements in the si)ring of 1889. He 
 has already mauifcsted good business qualities and 
 
73S 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 a. degree'of enterprise which gives bright prospects 
 for his future success. lie is popular in society, 
 iiavinu; a pleasing manner and great intelligence. 
 
 The parentsof our subject were born in Ilolsleiii, 
 CJermany, and resided in the Fatherland until 1869, 
 when with their family they emigrated to America. 
 locatingjMn Joliet, 111. After reaching manhood 
 Mr. Starmann dealt in grain for some years.but for 
 two years prior to his rcmov.al to America he had 
 been occupied as a teamster. After settling in .loU 
 iet he pursued various employments, working in 
 a stone quarry, the roller mills, etc., until 1873, 
 when he rented land iii Manhattan Township and 
 began tilling the soil. After having operated 
 rented projjcrty four years he bought eighty acres 
 near the northern line of the township and a few 
 years later purchased eighty acres in New Lenox 
 Township, which bordered on the Manhattan line. 
 He established his home upon his new purchase, 
 where he is still engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
 ing. A third purchase of eiglitj' acres was made, 
 this tract being in Manhattan Township, and he 
 therefore now possesses three well-improved farms, 
 comprising two hundred and forty acres. He is 
 a Re|)ublican and a member of the Lutheran 
 Church. His re[)utation is most excellent and his 
 son is fortunate in having him as a backer in his 
 own enterprise. 
 
 The parental family comprises eight children, as 
 follows: Jurgen is a teamster in Manhattan; John 
 is deceased ; Gustav us is farming on the homestead ; 
 Edward is also on the home farm; the next is our 
 subject; the younger brothers and sisters are; 
 Peter, Catherine and Amelia, who are still under 
 the parental roof. 
 
 Theodore Starmann opened his eyes to the light 
 of day in Ilolstcin, liermanjr, .Tanuary IG, 18CS. 
 The next ^ear he was brought to America and .lol- 
 iet was the scene of his earliest recollections. He 
 was reared in that city to the age of five years 
 when his parents removed to the farm in Manhat- 
 tan To\vnshi[i. Upon it and the one in New Lenox 
 Townshii). the lad was reared to manhood, having 
 the advantages of the public schools and learning 
 the rudiments of farming. He remained with his ! 
 fathir until he became of age, when his l.astes 
 having led him to desire a mercantile career, he '' 
 
 opened the establishment over which he now pre- 
 sides. The building which he occupies is owned 
 l)y his father and under its roof will be found a 
 good assortment of farm implements and machines, 
 including Deering binders and Garr Scott threshers 
 and likewise carriages and wagons. Mr. Starmann 
 has also bought his brt)ther Edward's stock of liq- 
 uors and cigars and after July 1, will also be en- 
 gaged in the sale of them. He is a true-l)lue Re- 
 publican and a member of the Lutheran Church 
 in Joliet. 
 
 €--^-^- 
 
 ORRIS UMSTED. This county is famous 
 for the richness of its soil, and for its 
 n many farms that are scarcely exceeded in 
 production and the value of their improvements 
 liy that of any other section of our fair land, and 
 this gentleman is represented in this volume as the 
 fortunate owner of a large farm in Wesley Town- 
 ship, that compares favorably with any in this lo- 
 cality. 
 
 Our subject was born April 30, 1849, to Bazil 
 and Julia Ann (Haynes) Urasted, natives of Ohio. 
 The father was born in Ross County. His family 
 originated in Pennsylvania and were earl^' set- 
 tlers of Ohio, where he was reared and married and 
 himself and wife were life-long residents there, he 
 dying in 185L and she in 1890. They were par- 
 ents of six children, five of whom are now living. 
 
 Their son Norris was bred to the life of a farmer, 
 and received a good common-school education. 
 At seventeen years of age he began life for himself 
 and was emi)loyed on a farm until twenty-one, 
 when he became the owner of the old homestead 
 that had been his birthplace. He farmed at good 
 advantage for several j'ears and then decided to 
 try .agriculture in this State, and in 1871, bought 
 his present farm in Weslej- Township. He now 
 has two hundred and forty-two acres of as fertile 
 farming land as is to be found in this section of 
 the country, all lying together and under excel- 
 lent improvement. He has wrought many changes 
 since taking possession of tlie farm, that have greatly 
 increased its value, and h.as on it substantial build- 
 
O-^I^C^^^ 
 
^CY^'IA^ 
 
 {/-T^V^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 743 
 
 ings whicli he has alturod and made more conve- 
 nient for his use. He carries on mixed farming, 
 raising good crops and having iiis farm well slocived 
 witli standard grades of cattle. 
 
 He was married May II, 1870, to MissMargnret 
 Foley, a daughter of Charles Foley. Her "father 
 was a native of Ireland, came to this country with 
 his wife when quite young, and they are now res- 
 idents of Ohio. The home circle of our subject 
 and his wife comprises six children, .as follows: 
 Annie, Nellie, IMinnie, Edward, Margaret and 
 Retha, four of whom are now attending school in 
 tliis district, and their father intends to give them 
 good educational advantages. Mr. and Mrs. Um- 
 sted have lost two from their little flock. Mrs. 
 Urasted is a worthy woman and a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Catholic Church at Wilmington. 
 
 In the prosecution of his labors Mr. Umstcd has 
 shown a practical knowledge of his calling and has 
 exhibited sufficient foresight and discretion to ac- 
 quire a com))etency. He has a pleasant, obliging 
 disposition and his willingness to lend a helping 
 iiand to anyone in trouble has won him the esteem 
 of tliis community where he came to establish a 
 iiome nearly twenty years ago. For the last ton 
 years he has taken an active part in local educa- 
 tional matters and as .School Director for his dis- 
 trict has done what he could to procure the best 
 of schooling for the children of the iieighborhood. 
 lie t.akes an interest in the political issues of the 
 day and votes the Republican ticket. 
 
 ENRY CLAY CAS.SEDAY. The subject 
 of this notice is one of a prominent family 
 in Will County, and the son of George AY. 
 @) Casseday, who emigrated lo Paris, 111., in 
 1824, and came to Joliet May 10, 1850. He be- 
 came well-to-do, financially, and was the owner of 
 about four hundred acres of land, running from the 
 Michigan Central cut-off to the Illinois Steel 
 Works, and thence to the canal north of the old 
 city limits. The family residence is a fine large 
 structure, occupying No. 10(i,"i .lackson Street, and 
 
 with its surroundings forms one of the most at- 
 tractive homes in the city. 
 
 George W. Casseday was born December I, 
 180.3, about nine miles from the Natural Bridge, 
 Bedford County, Va. He there grew to raan"s 
 estate, and subsequently removed with bis parents 
 to Troy, Ohio. On the 13th of January, 1824, he 
 was married to Miss Delilah Murphy. This lady 
 was a native of his own county, and born July 6, 
 1806. She went with her parents to Troy, Ohio, 
 when quite 3'oung, where she was reared to woman- 
 hood. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Casseday re- 
 moved to Paris, 111., from there to Danville, and 
 finally to Joliet, May 10, 1850. 
 
 The father of our subject upon coming to this 
 county began dealing in re.al estate, and became' 
 owner of a large .amount of land in Illinois. He 
 held the most of this up to the time of his death, 
 which occurred July 23, 18G3. He laid out all 
 that part of Joliet lying north of Jackson Street 
 and extending to the city limits, this being known 
 as Casseda3''s Addition. He was not a politician, 
 with the exception of voting first the Whig and 
 later the Repulilican ticket. His religious views 
 coincided with the doctrine of the Mc;thodist Epis- 
 copal Church, in which he neld the various offices 
 and assisted substantially in the erection of the 
 church building at Joliet. 
 
 The widowed mother is still living a*; the old 
 homestead in this city. The five children born to 
 her and her husband were named respectively: 
 David. Maria L., Henry Clay, Harriet N. and 
 Mary E. David was born July G, 1826, in Paris, 
 III., and attained to manhood in Danville; he was 
 a youth piously inclined, and at an early age be- 
 gan to study for the ministry. He joined the Illi- 
 nois Conference, and after the removal of the fam- 
 ily from Danville became connected with the Rock 
 River Conference, with which he remained until 
 the time of his death. May 5, 18G2. He spent his 
 last days at the home of his mother in Joliet. Dur- 
 ing the latter years of his life he was the Presiding 
 Elder of Galena District. He first married Miss 
 Rowena Welch, of Perrysville, Ind., and she bore 
 him two sons — George E. and David W. For his 
 second wife David married Miss Ellen M. H<);<g, 
 of Plainfield, November 23, 1853, and of this 
 
744 
 
 PORTRAIT AND RIOORAPIIICAL ALBUM. 
 
 union there was boiii one son, now Dr. F. F. Casse- 
 day,wlio received liis literary eiiucation in llie Nortii- 
 western University at Kvanston, from wliieli lie 
 was graduated with the degree of A. 15. Later lie 
 proseented lii.s medical studies at the Homeopathic 
 Medical College, riiiladelphia. and is now a prac- 
 ticing physician of Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 ALaria L. Casseday married Milton Partlow, of 
 Danville, and became the mother of five children; 
 she is now deceased. Harriet N. married Elias 
 Tyler and removed to Califcnnia, where she died 
 January 17. 1H77; Mary K. became the wife of 
 John Durham, and they are now living in Dan- 
 ville, III.; Henry Clay, our subject, was born 
 June 22, l»3Lfit Paris, 111., and is still unmarrieiL 
 He completed his education in Joliet, and has since 
 been bis mother's mainstay, looking after the old 
 homestead and the business connected with the es- 
 tate. During the (!ivil War he enlisted, in 1861, 
 in Company B, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, and 
 went with his regiment to Cairo. He was Assis- 
 tant tiuartermaster, and participated in the battle 
 of Fredericktown, Mo., also in the engagement at 
 Springfield, the same State. At the end of six 
 months he received his honorable discharge, and is 
 now one of the most honored members of the 
 Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, lie is a 
 Republican. His portrait, together with that of his 
 esteemed father, will be noticed in connection with 
 this sketch. Mr. Casseday is a man of unassuming 
 demeanor, quiet and retired in his habits, and 
 enjo3's the confidence of a large circle of friends. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ^i^^ TANTON LYNK. It is a worthy ambition 
 ^^^ which makes a man jealous for the reputa- 
 \J_1)) tion of his town or township and incites 
 liini to contribute his moral and substantial 
 aid to the enterprises calculated for its progress, 
 socially, morally and financially. Mr. Lynk has 
 distinguished himself in this direction in a marked 
 degree and is looked upon as one of the most use- 
 ful members of his communit3'. At the same time 
 his personal interests and the comfort of his family 
 have kept pace with his public bi'iiefactions and we 
 
 find him in possession of all that makes life desir- 
 able — a pleasant home and a coiniietence for his de- 
 clining years. He has been accompanied for many 
 years on his life journey by one of the most esti- 
 mable of ladies who shares with her husband the 
 respect of the community. 
 
 A native of Columbia C'ounty, N. V., Mr. Lynk 
 was born October 7, 18."il, and came to Illinois with 
 his father in 1 «.")2, and has since maintained his resi- 
 dence in New Lenox Townshi|i. He w.as reared to 
 habits of industry and economy which have served 
 him well all through life, and his education was such 
 as was to l)e obtained in th(> common school. He 
 worked with his father on the farm until a man of 
 twenty-six years and then took unto himself a wife 
 .and helpmate. Miss Isabella Doig,the wedding being 
 celebrated at the bride's home in Hoiner Township, 
 July f), 18o(j. After his marriage he continued to 
 reside at the old homestead of which he is now the 
 owner and which comprises two hundred acres of 
 choice land with first-class improvements. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. L3'nk there have been born a 
 family of six children, the eldest of whom a daugh- 
 ter, .Inaet, is the wife of AlielBliss, of New Lenox 
 Township; Zachariah W. married Miss Cornelia 
 Finch and lives in Nebraska; Adelia is the wife of 
 Walter Rowley, of Homer Township; Everette S. ; 
 Evalena and Erwin remain at home with their par- 
 ents. Mr. Lynk has been exceedingly' careful in 
 the education of his children who, after leaving the 
 district school, completed their studies in the high 
 schools of Joliet and Englewood. In politics, Mr. 
 Lynk votes independently and has never sought 
 oflice, simply serving at one period as Highway 
 Commissioner. 
 
 Zachariah AV. Lynk. the father of our subject, was 
 born March 24, 1790, in Columbia County, N. Y. 
 He was reared to manhood in that county and was 
 married to Miss Sarah Hardy,who was born Septem- 
 ber 16, 1800, and reared not far from the early 
 home of her husband. They were married in Co- 
 lumbia County and thence removed to Madison 
 County, N. Y., where they settled upon a farm. In 
 the spring of 1852, the}' decided upon seeking their 
 fortunes in the Prairie State and accordingly com- 
 ing to this coiinty, settled on a farm on section 4, 
 New Lenox Township, vvhere they spent the re- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 745 
 
 mainder of their days. The mother passed away 
 Jaiuiary 8, 1860. Mr. Lynk survived his wife over 
 eiglitecii yours, liis deatii taking |)l:iee April 8, 1878. 
 
 Nine cliildren were born to the parents of our 
 siil)ject and he was tiie eightli in order of birth. 
 His sister Sarali became the wife of Frank Mesick, 
 and died at her home June 16, 1877; Peter died 
 in Iowa in 1879; Ann M. is tlie wife of Thomas 
 Doig of New Lenox Township; William is retired 
 from active labor and living quietly in the village 
 of New Lenox; Sylvanus lives in Marshalltown, 
 Iowa; Louis lives in Florida; Norman is a resident 
 of this county; Catherine P. is the wife of Addison 
 Collins of New Lenox Township. 
 
 Mrs. 1^3'nk was born November 9, 1836, in Phila- 
 delphia, Pa., and is a daughter of Andrew, Sr., and 
 Isabella (Fife) Doig, both of whom are natives of 
 Scotland and who are represented on another page 
 in this Aliu'm. They came to Will County in 1847, 
 and settled in Homer Township where the mother 
 (lied May 4, 1861. Mr. Doig de|)arted this life in 
 New Lenox Township, February 17, 1887. Their 
 family consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. 
 l.ynk was next to the youngest. 
 
 ON. CHARLES B. GARNSEY, Judge of 
 the County Court of Will County, was 
 elected to the office he now holds in 1882, 
 and at the conclusion of his first term, of 
 office, in 1886, was re-elected. He was born in Liv- 
 ingston County, N. Y., October 25, 1842, and is a 
 son of N. B. and Emily Gainsej'. The father was a 
 native of Saratoga County, but was educated in 
 Massachusetts and adopted the occupation of farm- 
 ing. Judge Garnsey came to Will County in May, 
 1859, and has practically made Joliet his home ever 
 since. His literary education was obtained in the 
 E.ast, and his legal studies pursued at the Chicago 
 Law School, from which he was graduated in 1862. 
 He entered the One Hundredth Illinois Infantrj-, 
 July 30, 1862, and served through the war, with 
 his command. 
 
 hi 1865 Mr. Garnsey was admitted to the bar of 
 this State, and at once entered upon the practice 
 
 of his profession in the city where he has since 
 practiced continually. In 1877 he became asso- 
 ciated with A. F. Knox, under the style of Garn- 
 sey tfe Knox, the partnership still existing. He 
 was Corporation Counsel of the city of Joliet for 
 two years. 
 
 Our subject was married in Wilmington, No- 
 vember 4, 1867, to Miss Mary A. Henderson. 
 Mrs. Garnse}', who is an educated and refined wo- 
 man, is a daughter of John D. Henderson, an old 
 merchant of Wilmington, who is still living in that 
 town. They have two sons — John II. and C. B., 
 Jr., both of whom are now in school and will re- 
 ceive excellent educational advantages as they ad- 
 vance in years and knowledge. Judge Garnsey 
 belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member 
 of Joliet Commander3-, No. 4. 
 
 ON. HENRY H. STASSEN, Clerk of the 
 Court of Will County, has faithfully dis- 
 charged the duties of this position for the 
 _ past three years with credit to himself and 
 satisfaction to all concerned. He has just passed 
 his fifty-second birthdajs having been born March 
 2, 1838, and is a native of the Grand Duchy of 
 Oldenburg, Germany, the parental home at that 
 time being in the town of Westrum, Jeverland. 
 His father, Harm H. Stassen, was also born in Jev- 
 erland, September 15, 1805. He learned shoeraaking 
 in early manhood and was married to Miss Metta 
 Ulrichs. To them were born nine children in 
 Germany, of whom Henry H., our subject, was the 
 third. The family emigrated to America in 1854, 
 landing in Monee, this counl^-, on the 27th of June. 
 The household then included four children, five of 
 them having died in infancy. Maria E. died when 
 forty-six years old; Metta became the wife of 
 Christian Shrader and removed to Kansas, where 
 she died; Mina is the wife of Frederick Peters, of 
 New Baden, Tex. 
 
 The elder Stassen followed his trade two years 
 after coming to this country, and then settled on a 
 farm near Monee. Henry II. also learned shoemak- 
 ing, at which he worked until he arrived in this 
 
74G 
 
 I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 country. The father died November 16, 1886, at 
 tlie age of eighty -one years. Tlie mother passed 
 away over twenty years prior to the dcce.asc of her 
 husband, her deatii taiiing plac-e September 3, 1805, 
 when she was fifty-tliree years old, siie having been 
 born March 11. 1808. Botii were members of the 
 Kvangelioal Liitiieran Church, a congregation of 
 which the father assisted in organizing in 1856 in 
 Monee, 111., and to the support of which he re- 
 mained a liberal contributor. He rendered sub- 
 stantial aid in the erection of the church edifice and 
 from first to last maintained a warm interest in the 
 welfare and advancement of the society. He cast 
 his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 
 1860, together with his son, our subject, and both 
 from tliat time forward gave their allegiance to 
 the lieiiublican parly. 
 
 The subject of this notice learned shoemaking in 
 his native land, and upon coming to America at 
 once changed th.-^it occupation for farming. Dur- 
 ing the month of .Inly which followed he worked 
 for $4 and h.'s board. In 1865 he returned to his 
 native country' (Germany) and on the 4lh of Feb 
 ruary, 1860, was wedded to a maiden of his own 
 province. Miss G. Maria Dudden. This Lady was 
 born August 27. 1840, in a neighboring village to 
 that of her husband, which remained her home un- 
 til her marriage. She is the daughter of Ilillerich 
 J. and Anne Dudden, who died in middle life and 
 before their daughter was married. 
 
 In May, 1860, following his marriage, Mr. Stas- 
 sen returned to tiiis country arriving in Will 
 County on the 4th day of the month, and for 
 twenty-one years thereafter followed farming in 
 Green (iarden Township, where he had a farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres. He was prosperous 
 in his laliors and invested his accumulated capital 
 in additional land, so that in addition to the farm 
 mentioned he has one hundred and fiftj'-fivc acres 
 in Monee Township. His possessions are the result 
 of his own unaided oflTorts, as he began at the foot 
 of the ladder, without other resources than his na- 
 tive industry and energy. 
 
 Mr. Stassen is a man of more than ordinar}' in- 
 telligence, and in 1872 served as Assessor of Green 
 Garden Township. In the spring of 1873 he was 
 elected to rejjresent the township in the County 
 
 Board of Supervisors, and with the exception of 
 one year held the otlice by continuous re-elections 
 until his resignation in 1886, when he entered upon 
 the duties of his present position. He has .always 
 been a liberal and public-spirited man, interested 
 in educational matters, and all other matters calcu- 
 lated to advance the people. He organized the first 
 school in District No. 8, Green Garden Township, 
 assisted in buiUling the schoolhouse and officiated 
 as Director from 1869 until leaving the district. 
 In 1867 he assisted in organizing the Green Garden 
 I^arracr's Mutual Insurance Company, the first cor- 
 poration of the kind in the State, and in the spring 
 of 1868 was elected Treasurer of the company, 
 which position he held until his resignation in Jan- 
 uary, 1887. This company began business without 
 capital, charging one-half per cent, premium per 
 $100 on all property insured, and in 1886 had ac- 
 cumulated, after paying all losses and expenses of 
 Government and organization, 18,000. It had at 
 that time over twelve hundred members. Its suc- 
 cess w.as largely owing to the good management of 
 its treasurer, who engineered it through many dif- 
 ficult places, and frequently went security' for large 
 risks. 
 
 Mr. Stassen also became interested in the Grange 
 movement in 1873, which he has represented at 
 various times and u)ion various occasions at their 
 meetings and conventions. His title of Honorable 
 has been fairly won liy his service in the Twenty- 
 ninth (ieneral Assend)l3', to which he was elected 
 in 1874. He served on various important commit- 
 tees, including Insurance, he being well qualified 
 by experience as a member of such committee. 
 He served his term accci)tably, and in 1884 vvas 
 once more nominated, serving this time in the 
 Thirty-fourth General Assembly. In the meantime 
 he formed one of the famous "one hundred and 
 three" who were engaged in the six months' mem- 
 orable struggle for the election of John A. Logan 
 for United States Senator and in which, it will be 
 remembered, they succeeded on the 19th of May, 
 1885. 
 
 In 1876 Mr. Stassen was made the nominee of 
 the Grangers for Clerk of the Circuit Court and 
 made an admirable race, although defeated as was 
 expected. In 1886 he was elected to his present 
 
or^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUiM. 
 
 749 
 
 position, taking cliargc of tiie ofBce December 6. 
 lie superintended the operations of his farm for a 
 year thereafter, but in February, 1888, he removed 
 his family to Joliet. During the summer of 1889 
 he put up a couimodious, modern residence at the 
 corner of Oueida and Nicholson Streets, wiiere he 
 now lives. In 1884 Mr. .Stassen was elected Presi- 
 dent of the Farmers' State Insurance Alliance and 
 served two years. Religiously, he belongs to the 
 United Evangelical Lutheran Churcii. 
 
 To our subject and his estimable wife there have 
 lieen born Ave sons, of whom but two are living. 
 Charles J. married Miss Anna Albers and the3' re- 
 side on the farm; Menno H. lives with his))rother 
 and assists in the labors at tiie liomestead. Com- 
 ment is unnecessary relative to the position which 
 Mr. Stassen holds among his fellow citizens. He 
 has become fully identified with the interests of 
 this county and h.as contributed in no small degree 
 to its growth aud prosperity. 
 
 -♦^^= 
 
 ^UGUST ERIKSSON. The results of 
 ^f-i unflagging perseverance, i)ruilent economy 
 I \ and investment, and good habits, probabl3' 
 find no better exponent in the city of 
 Joliet than in tiie above-named gentleman, whose 
 portrait is presented on the opposite p.age, and 
 who is the i)roprietor of a fine stone quarry, being 
 also engaged in contracting aud l)uilding. The 
 Eriksson stone tjuarr}- is located at the foot of 
 Ilowen Avenue on South Richard Street, and has 
 a four hundred foot face; flagging stone from two 
 to ten inches in thickness is gotten out, seventeen 
 hundred carloads having been cut in the [)ast year, 
 and the best steam appliances being used in the 
 quarry. 
 
 Mr. P^riksson was born in Sweden, January 7, 
 1854, was reared upon a farm, and came to Amer- 
 ica in 1876, without a trade upon which to depend, 
 but full of pluck and energy. His first place of 
 abode was Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained 
 about three years, after which he returned to his 
 native land. Having already with his own empty 
 liands made a start in life, he embarked in business, 
 
 but in April, 1881, decided to return to America. 
 Crossing the Atlantic, he traveled westward to 
 Joliet, 111., where he began working for Sanger & 
 Moody, soon getting into mason's work, but being 
 a non-Union man, he was obliged to stop working, 
 and he was thus forced into contracting. His 
 principal contract was a three-story business block 
 which he put up in 1882. 
 
 The first large contract of Mr. Eriksson was 
 with (xeorge 11. Munroe for the Mnnroe Block, and 
 the second for a Catholic school at Lemont; the 
 next large contract was for the Lombart and Bishop 
 Wire Mill, and in 188.3 he put up a block for Ed 
 S. Munroe. In December, 1883, he bought the 
 stone quarry described above, which in connection 
 with his building, gives occupation to from fifty to 
 one hundred men at different seasons of the year. 
 In the summers of 1888 and 1889 he contracted for 
 the oltice building and for the Fox plant for the 
 Illinois Steel C(jmpany, the latter a $22,000 job, 
 and also the Atheneum Building. He now has the 
 contract for the stone work for the new Masonic 
 Temple and the new Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Besides the business enterprises mentioned, Mr. 
 Eriksson is also building up a fine farm, having in 
 the fall of 1887 bought twenty-five hundred acres 
 in Greeley County, Kan. Its improvement was 
 begun in the spri]ig of 1888, and during the two 
 years that have passed seven hundred acres have 
 been placed under cultivation. He aho builds and 
 sells houses. All his worldly possessions, with 
 the exception of ^2,000 received by him three 3'ears 
 since, have been earned by his own exertions and 
 saved liy his prudence. Few, if any, men of his 
 years can show so good a record Hnanciall}' speaking, 
 or have a higher standing among their fellow-men 
 for manly character and upright habits. 
 
 In the winter of 1882, Mr. Eriksson paid a sec- 
 ond visit to Europe, and in 1885 spent the Christ- 
 mas holidaj'S in his native land, accompanied on 
 this occasion by his family. He is a stockholder 
 in the Borrowers' and Investors' Association, of 
 which he was one of the organizers and is now a 
 Director. His vote is always given to the Repub- 
 lican candidates, as he is a firm believer in the 
 principles of that party. He and his wife belong 
 to the First Lutheran Church. 
 
750 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Mr. Eriksson found a wortliy companion and 
 helpmate in Miss Anna Christine Anderson, a na- 
 tive of Sweden, with whom he was united in mar- 
 riage in Chicago, December 6, 1881, the ceremony 
 being performed by the Rev. C. B. L. Boinan. 
 Iler wise oversight of houseliold affairs, her intelli- 
 gent mind and pleasing disposition make the home 
 a pleasant one. The happy union has been blessed 
 by the birth of four children, tiie three now living 
 forming a bright and interesting group. They are 
 named respectively: Frank A., David Alfred and 
 Carl Antonias. 'I'lie deceased child, who was the 
 second born, bore the name of David Abiel. 
 
 \IV1LL1AM ADAM, an old and honored resi- 
 -^Ij dent of .loliet, has lung been connected 
 ^ with its business interests as the oldest 
 Inmlier dealer in the city, having a large and well- 
 stocked lumber-yard on the corner of Des Plaines 
 and \'an Buren Streets. lie is also President of 
 the .loliet Paper Company, which was incorporated 
 here in 1888, with a capital stock of $1;'),000 by 
 himself and his son, and they also have a barbed 
 fence and wire factory in the same biiilding as Iheir 
 paper mill. 
 
 Mr. Adam was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, 
 Fcbruarj' 4, 1821. He was a lad of eleven years 
 when he came to this country in 1832 with his par- 
 ents, James and Margaret Adam. They located in 
 Montreal, Canada, and there the remaining days of 
 his youth were passed. In 1850 he became a resi- 
 dent of the United States, coming to Joliet with his 
 family, and for a period of forty years his life has 
 been spent in this city. In 1853 he established a 
 lumber yard here, and that being before the advent 
 of railways in this part of the country, all of his 
 lumber was brought to him by the canal. He also 
 took charge of a grain business, and was much 
 prospered in both ventures, and gained capital 
 whereby he was enabled to branch out in other 
 directions. He built the city roller flouring mill, 
 in which he engaged in the manufacture of flour 
 until it burned in 1887. He rebuilt on the same 
 spot, and uses the present building as a paper mill, 
 
 a wire mill, and a bnrl)ed fence factory, and is 
 largely interested in the manuf.-icture of those arti- 
 cles. This business, which is an extensive and con- 
 stantly growing one, is conducted by himself and 
 son, William .1.. under the firm name of William 
 Adam it Son, a corporate company, which was in- 
 corporated in 1888, with our subject as President, 
 and his son as Secretary and Treasurer. 
 
 Mr. Adam is also prominently connected with 
 the Peoples' Town and Homestead Association, 
 of which he was one of the first stockholders, he 
 giving great encouragement to the organization of 
 the concern. He has avoided all oflicial and [)oliti- 
 cal life, although he is well-adapted for both, and 
 he has given his whole attention to his business 
 affairs. He is a man of keen intelligence, and in 
 his travels he has gleaned an interesting fund of 
 ; knowledge, and from his well-informed mind draws 
 original toi)ics of conversation, and is apparently 
 well-versed in all questions of general importance. 
 Last winter he passed the season in California, and 
 has visited other parts of the country, and is (juite 
 a tourist. 
 
 Mr. Adam has been twice married. IJy his mar- 
 ri.age with .lane Roach, in Canada, he had born to 
 him A. R. and William J. His second marriage 
 was with Miss .lane E. Martin, of this city, and to 
 them have come two children, U. M. and .Jeanette, 
 now the wife of J. S. C. Royer, of Chicago. 
 
 As their interests are so closely connected, we 
 are [)leased lo incorporate a sketch of the life of 
 the son in this biograjjhical revie\y of the life and 
 work of the father. 
 
 -^^:-^- 
 
 ^''^ ELVILLE A. GRANT. Lockport is not 
 without its share of able business men and 
 influential citizens, and chief among them 
 S^ is the gentleman above named, whose career 
 has been marked by a degree of tact, energy, and 
 success rarely equaled. The business in which Mr. 
 Grant is engaged, is that of manufacturing wire, 
 and his goods find customers in all parts of the 
 United States. He has patented an appliance by 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 751 
 
 which fusel oil is used as a fuel, and this important 
 [liece of machinery is in successful operation. 
 
 The natal day of Mr. Grant, was Oclol)er 23, 
 IHM.ajid Ills birthplace Fleming Count}', Ky., in 
 \i'luch ho lived until about lour years old. His 
 parents, William S. and Mary A. (Tolle) Grant, 
 then removed to Henry County, Iowa, where the 
 son p.nsseil his youth in acipuring an education and 
 a knowledge of the pursuits of a farmer and miller. 
 After comiileting the course of study in the com- 
 mon schools he attended the high school at Mt. 
 Pleasant, Iowa. In 18G-1, while he yet lacked some 
 months of having reached his majorit}', he entered 
 the Union army as a member of the Forty-fifth 
 Iowa Infantry, and displayed his gallantry in Mis- 
 souri, Mississippi, and the West. 
 
 At the close of his honorable career .as a soldier, 
 young Grant returned to his former peaceful pur- 
 suits, ere long becoming a resident of the Prairie 
 State, arriving in Lockport, .Tune 4, 1867. Here he 
 was engaged in various lines of business until 1878, 
 when he entered the employ of II. 15. Scutt & Co., 
 wire manufacturers, as Superintendent. He rc- 
 mainccl with the company until 1881. when they 
 sold out, and he, liaving thoroughly ni.astered tlie 
 business, established a wire factory in Lockport, 
 under the firm n;inieof Grant, Harmon cfe Richards. 
 Mr. Grant soon absorbed the whole business, and 
 formed a stock compan>-, by whom the business 
 was continued for a year, after uhich it became the 
 I laker Wire Mill. 
 
 Mr. (irant drew the [iliins and superintended the 
 erection of the buildings for the new organization, 
 and his great executiveability in the management 
 of the business is shown by the fact that the mills 
 which started on a capacity of fifteen tons i)er week, 
 now use four hundred tons weekly. From the 
 original plant has grown an establishment which 
 employs three hundred and fifty men, and disburses 
 large sums of money each nujutli b}' which various 
 departments of industry in the town aw benefited. 
 
 The personal popularity of Mr. Grant is extreme, 
 as was indicated by his election to the M.a^-oralty 
 in op|)osition to two of the strongest men in the 
 city, his caudidacj- being supjiorted by the best 
 element of society. He is a member of Gooding 
 Post, G. A. R. The beautiful home of which be 
 
 took possession in the year 1888, is presided over 
 by a lady of refinement and culture, with whom be 
 was united in marriage on the 1st of December, 
 188(). She is a native of Will County, and w.as 
 known in her maidenhood as Miss Ella Cagwin. 
 To her has been born one daughter. Bertha Eloise, 
 whose natal day was November 30, 1887, and who 
 is a child of striking beauty, giving promise of be- 
 coming a charming woman. 
 
 _S=5" 
 
 m- 
 
 ^fr/BIJAH R.STARR, the pioneer florist of 
 Joliet, for many years conducted a flower 
 (*\ garden attached to his residence grounds 
 i(i< at the corner of McCombcr Street and 
 
 Bowen Place. He came to .Joliet in the sjiring of 
 1871 and soon afterward established the business 
 which he conducted unt'l 1888. He then sold out 
 and rented his ground, and since that time has not 
 been engaged in any .active business. He had one of 
 the finest gardens in the country and met with phe- 
 noniinal success. His life-long habits of industry, 
 however, vvill probably not permit him to remain 
 long in idleness and it will not be surprising if in 
 the near future he resumes his okl occu|)ation. 
 
 The subject of this notice was born Marcli 2.5, 
 1832, in Ithaca, N. Y. His father, William R.Starr, 
 emigrated from New York to Illinois iu the pioneer 
 days, settling in what was then Thorn Grove, but is 
 now Crete Township, in 1831. He took up a tract 
 of Governmeut land from which he opened up a 
 farm and lived there until his death, which occurred 
 iu 1856. Although not a politician he was a stanch 
 supporter of the Abolitionist party, and for a time 
 otliciated as the Postmaster of Crete. He was born 
 in Dutchess County, N. Y. He was there married 
 to Miss Harriet L. Ro^ce, who died at the family 
 residence in Joliet, August 23, 1884. Al)ijali R. 
 was the only child. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was only two j-ears 
 old when his parents came to this county, but when 
 of suitalile years and attainments he was sent back 
 to his native place, where he completed his educa- 
 tion. He was also a student in the boarding school 
 at Berkshire, Tioga County. Then returning home 
 
7.52 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 lie remained witli his father until a youth of eight- 
 een years. In 1850, being seized with the Califor- 
 nia gold fever lie crossed the phiins via St. Joseph 
 and Vi. Kearney, being on the road from May 4 un- 
 til .luiy 31, and locating in Ilangtown. He worked 
 in the mines about two years with fair success, then, 
 anxious to reach home, sacriliced valuable interests 
 and returned to the' old farm. His father in the 
 meantime had removed to Chicago and engaged in 
 the hotel business. 
 
 Mr. Starr now had charge of his fallicr"s farm 
 until the latter's death. In the meantime he was 
 married, October 21, 1853, to Miss Sarah Ann 
 Mogg. In I8G4 he went to Wliealon, DuPage 
 Count}', this State, where heeng.aged in the nursery 
 business and became somewhat prominent in local 
 affairs, serving as Street Commissioner. He also be- 
 came interested in the mercantile business. Finally, 
 returning to this county, he occupied himself as a 
 general merchant until 1874. To him and his es- 
 timable wife there have been born three children, 
 viz: Mary, born July 18, 1854, and now the wife 
 A. C. Johnston, manufacturer of optical goods at 
 Detroit, Mich.; Ellen A., born January 30, 1858, 
 and the wife of Dr. C. H. L. Souder, of Rockwell; 
 this daughter was graduated from the Homeopathic 
 College of Chicago, and is engaged in the practice 
 of medicine. Attie C. was born March 20, 1860, 
 and married George T. Uelyea, a wholesale grocer 
 of Joliet. 
 
 The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
 Abijah .Starr, who was probably a native of New 
 York, whence he removed to Patterson, and lived 
 there until 1816. Thence he removed to Ithaca, 
 where he died in 1824. He w.as a survej'or b}- pro- 
 fession, and married Miss Hannah Watts. Among 
 the children born to them was William Russell .Starr, 
 the father of our subject, a native of Patterson, 
 N. J., and born August 4, 1807. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah A. (Mogg) Starr was born in the 
 town of Clay, Onondaga County, N. Y., June 1, 
 1830, to Jared and Lan^- (Young) Mogg and was 
 there reared to woniaiihood. She came to the West 
 in 1852. .lared Mogg was a native of Connecticut 
 and born August 4, 1791. He was bound out at an 
 early age but, being an ambitious lad and impatient 
 of restraint, ran away to Schoharie County, wher(^ 
 
 in due time he met and married his future wife. 
 
 They si^ltled liowu upon a farm and Grandfather 
 Mogg engaged in agricultural pursuits until his 
 death. 
 
 Mrs. Lany (Young) Mogg was born in Seward, 
 Schoharie County, N. Y., and was the daughter of 
 Jeremiah Young, whose family consisted of twelve 
 children. Jared Mogg's famil}' consisted of four- 
 teen children. Thirteen of these grew to mature 
 years and there are still living six brothers and five 
 sisters. Mr. .Starr, politicall}', is a sound Repub- 
 lican, while he and his good wife are prominently 
 connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
 Joliet. 
 
 U 
 
 4«# 
 
 LAUS PAULSEN. The German-American 
 
 ^ citizens of this county have an excellent 
 IJ] ■' 
 
 »^' representative in the person of Mr. Paulsen, 
 
 a successful farmer of Washington Township. His 
 pleasant homestead is locate<I on sections 25 and 
 36, and consists of one hundred and sixty broad 
 and fertile acres, supplied with all the needful 
 buildings erected substantiall}' and designed attract- 
 ively. When the present owner took possession of 
 the place in 1863, there was but a small piece bro- 
 ken, the rest being wild land. He put forth his 
 best efforts to make of it a home suited to his t.aste 
 and the needs of his family, and well has he suc- 
 ceeded. 
 
 The natal day of Mr. I'aulsen was February 25, 
 1841, and his birth|)lace .Schleswig-Holstein, (Jer- 
 Djany. He is the youngest child in a family' circle 
 that included nine brothers and sisters, but four of 
 whom are now living. He and two sisters came to 
 America. The parents, John and Catharine ( P>ran<lt) 
 Paulsjn, passed their entire lives in their native 
 kingdom, Schleswig-Holstein. He of whom we 
 write grew to ni.in's estate in the land of his birth, 
 gaining a good education under its excellent school 
 laws. When twenty -one years old he determined 
 to seek a home in the land across the sea, of whose 
 advantages he luid heard. 
 
 Setting sail from Hamburg in April, 1862, on the 
 "Otseal" Mr. Paulsen spent eight long weeks on the 
 broad iVthintic ere landing was made at New York. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BI0f4RAPriICAL ALBUM. 
 
 Tbence lie went to Chicago and into Kankakee 
 County, where lie labored about a twelvemonth. 
 He then came to Will County and in Monee 
 Township spent some time as a farm liand. Ere 
 lung he determined to have a home of his own and 
 therefore began to improve the land, which now 
 rewards his efforts with an abundance of the fruits 
 of the earth. 
 
 The eflicient helpmate and companion of Mr. 
 Paulsen in his labors to secure a competence was 
 known in her maidenhood as Miss Sophia Hack. 
 She is a daughter of Ernest and Sophia (Recopf) 
 Hack, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, who 
 came to America in 1804, following some of their 
 ciiildren across the sea. They settled in Will 
 County, III., and here both died well advanced in 
 years. They had six children, Mrs. Paulsen being 
 the youngest; she was born in Mecklenburg, May 
 19, 1842, and was consequentl}' twenty -two years 
 old when she came to the United States. She has 
 lionie her husband nine children, two of whom died 
 in infancy. 
 
 The surviving members of the famil}' circle are: 
 Bertha,wifeof Henry Wherraan, a farmer in Wash- 
 ington Township; .lolm, Herman, Carrie, Henry, 
 r.ouis and Emma, who are jet living under the pa- 
 rental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen belong to the 
 German Evangelical Church, and politically, he 
 is a stanch Republican. 
 
 \|(_^ ON. JOHN M. THOMPSON. Few residents 
 in New Lenox Township have so strong a 
 claim upon the consideration of the readers 
 ^^^j of this volume as the gentleman above 
 nnmed. He has borne an honorable part in the 
 |)ublic affairs of a gieat commonwealth, won a gal- 
 lant record for service during the Civil War, suc- 
 cessfully and intelligently prosecuted a farmer's 
 career, possesses a cultured mind and much learn- 
 ing in the law, and represents a family which has 
 given many honored members to public life. His 
 home is on a finely-improved farm where every 
 necessary and convenient structure, first class ma- 
 chinery and farm implements, and high grades of 
 
 stock may be seen. The estate consists of about 
 six hundred acres which, when covered with grow- 
 ing crops, present an appearance of prosperity not 
 to be surpassed in Northern Illinois. 
 
 The Thompson family is of English origin while 
 the maternal ancestors of our subject sprang from 
 Germany. His father, the late James Thompson, 
 was born in Salem, Jlass., and his mother, Sarah 
 (Snure) Thompson, in Canada. Their first home 
 after marriage was in the Dominion, from which 
 they removed to Winnebago County, 111., about 
 1840. Mr. Thompson Brst built a blasting furnace 
 and afterward a factory in which he manufactured 
 woolens and did custom carding and fuUintj. He 
 resided in Roscoe until his death, which occurred 
 in 1863. His widow survived until September, 
 
 1884, breathing her last in Rockfortl. Their fam- 
 ily consisted of eleven children, of whom the fol- 
 lowing facts may be noted: 
 
 Clark W., a resident of IMinnesota, died in April, 
 
 1885, at the age of sixty-one j^ears; he was a State 
 Representative, a member of the Constitutional 
 Convention and State Senator several terms, bear- 
 ing a prominent part in the political affairs of the 
 State. He was also one of the Lincoln Electors, 
 and the first President of the Southern Minnesota 
 Railroad. He owned a tract of twenty-five thous- 
 and acres and established the town of Wells, which 
 was named for his wife. Edward, a miller, resid- 
 ing in Blunt, S. Dak., has been a Representative 
 and State Senator; Mary C. is the wife of James 
 Abbott, of Beloit, Wis.; Eliza J. died in 1870; the 
 next in order is the subject of this sketch; Agnes 
 died in 1854 at the age of sixteen years; Anna 
 is the wife of JMaj. D. C. Wagner, of Chicago; 
 James a resident of Fillmore County, Minn., was 
 nominated to the Legislature but declined to run; 
 Marie L. is the wife of Seely Periy, of Rockford ; 
 Fanny A. is the wife of Dr. Manuel Quintero, of 
 Lyons, France; Albert died when two years of age. 
 
 The natal day of our subject was October 22, 
 1832, and his birthplace Yarmouth, Canada. He 
 was nine years old when his father removed to 
 Illinois, and he prosecuted his studies at Mt. Morris 
 • and Beloit, Wis. After completing his classical 
 education he was emplo.yed as clerk in a store and 
 post-office at Roscoe for a year. then, in the fall of 
 
7:>G 
 
 POHTUAIT AND IIIOCUAPIIICAL ALBIM. 
 
 1855, went to Hokali, Houston County', Minn., 
 where for ulioiit tliree years 1k> had charge of the 
 Imsiiicss of his hrolher Clark. He next engaged in 
 Ihe real-estate Imsiness in the same |)hice, and two 
 years later turnc-d his atlcintion U> the study of law. 
 In 1859 he returned to Roscoe, 111., continuing his 
 legal studies there a twelvemonth. Assisted by 
 V. 0. Ensign and James B. Kerr, he raised a com- 
 pany of men under the (irst call for troops in I8C1, 
 to become a |)art of the Fifteenth Illinois Infantry-. 
 He tendered his services but was rejected, and re- 
 turning to Minnesota entered the ollice of his 
 brother Clark, who had been appointed Superin- 
 tendent of I.'idian Affairs and was located at St. 
 Paul. 
 
 There Mr. Thompson resumed the study of his 
 chosen profession. In .September he accompanied 
 liis brother up the St. Louis River and Lake Super- 
 ior, assisting him in |)aying off the Nation's wards. 
 lie was nearly i)repared for admission to the bar 
 but was still determined to enter the army, and in 
 Uctober, 1861, enrolled himself as a [jrivate in 
 Company K, Fourth iNIinnesota Infantry. In due 
 lime he was in the held, bearing his [lart in tlie 
 many privations and dangerous scenes incidental 
 to a soldier's life, lie participated in ten of the 
 hardest-fought battles of the war, among them be- 
 ing Iidva, Corinth, Jackson and Champion Hills. 
 From the ranks he was i)romoted to the position of 
 First Lieutenant of his com|)any and afterward 
 solicited by the Colonel to act as his Adjutant. He 
 was afterward iinanimousl}' elected Captain of 
 Company E, and still later (January 14, 18G3) 
 [Momoted to be PMrst Major of Cavalry and as- 
 signed to duty with the Second Jlinnesota. That 
 regiment took part in the Indian campaign, and 
 Maj. Thompson was assigned to the command 
 of Ft. Rii)ley. He was finally detailed to serve on 
 a court martial convened in St. Paul, Minn., and 
 remained there until the surrender of Cien. Lee, 
 when he resigned, his resignation to take effect May 
 1, 1865. At Forty Hills he received a slight wound 
 and at Chamiiion Hills, while leading his company 
 to charge a batter^', he was sliot through the body. 
 He was supposed to be mortally wounded, was so* 
 reported, and being left to die on the field was 
 tiken [prisoner and held from May 16 until son^e 
 
 time during the following September when he was 
 exchanged. 
 
 On account of the wound he had received, Maj. 
 Thompson was led to adopt farm life, and in May, 
 18G5, located a sliort distance east of Joliet. He 
 has given his attention chiefly to his farm, placing 
 it in a condition second to none iu the county and 
 making it the source of an abundant income. Hav- 
 ing some years since returned to Minnesota for 
 business purposes, he was elected to the State Leg- 
 islature and resided in that State about two years, 
 creditably discharging the duties of his official 
 station. In 1807, accompanied hy his wife, he 
 visited the World's FairatParis, and traveled quite 
 extensively on the continent. 
 
 In Joliet, January 14, 18G3, Mr. Thompson was 
 united in marriage with Miss Jennie M., daughter 
 of Judge John J. and Priscilla (Moore) Davidson. 
 Her father had been a I'robate Juc'ge in Indiana, 
 but in Will County, of which he was one of the early 
 settlers, he followed the occupation of a civil engin- 
 eer. He died in New Lenox Township in 1844, his 
 wife surviving him nearl3- forty years and breath- 
 ing her last in the county seat in 1881. She was a 
 native of New Hampshire and an estimable woman, 
 under whose careful training her daughter grew to 
 womanhood in possession of tine traits of charac- 
 ter, useful habits and courteous manners. The 
 family of which !\Irs. Thompson is a member, con- 
 sisted of her.self and a sister, Rachel D., now the 
 wife of H. N. Iligginbotham, of the firm of Mar- 
 shall Field iV Co., Chicago. 
 
 Mrs. Thompson was born in New Lenox Toun- 
 shii) in December, 1840, and after acquiring a 
 fundamental education entered Rockford Female 
 Seminary, from which she was graduated in due 
 time. She has borne her husband five children — 
 Jennie M., John D., Helen, Agnes and ^'era. The 
 son is now a clerk in the drj'-goods house of INIar- 
 shall Field & Co. Agnes died when in her eighth 
 year. The other daughters are at home, gladden- 
 ing their parents with their increasing culture and 
 true womanliness. 
 
 Maj. Thompson has taken quite an active part in 
 political affairs, always endeavoring to act upon 
 principle and fearing not to change his party afflli- 
 tions as his views regarding party policy were 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tin 
 
 iiiodificd or liis opinions as to the National needs 
 (livergerl fioin ;i foiiner standpoint. He was ori"-- 
 inally a radical Republican, luit afterward became 
 active with llie Grcele}' factitm. l'\>i' some years 
 lie was independent, then alliliated willi the Green- 
 liaciv [larl}-. by wliicli he w.as nominated .Secretarj' 
 (if State by acclamation. 
 
 Li November, 1887, Maj. Thompson was elected 
 Trustee of the State Grange of Illinois, Patrons of 
 Husbandry, anr] in the fall of 1889 wa.s almost 
 unanimously re-elected to the same otHce on ac- 
 count of the prosperity which the order was enjoy- 
 ing under the business management of himself and 
 colleagues. At Springfield. May 2. 1890, he was 
 elected Chairman of a conference of the four organ- 
 izations — the Patrons of Husbandry, Farmers' Mu- 
 tual Benefit Association, Farmers' Alliance and 
 Knights of Labor. Tliey formed a federation known 
 as the Farmers and Laborers' Conference, of which 
 Maj. Thompson was elected first President. 
 
 ^|]OHN WOODS, an old and well-known resi- 
 dent of Joliet, came West in a prairie schoo- 
 ner with his parents in 1842. He was then 
 a mere child, born December 11, 183C, in 
 Mercer County, Pa. The family located in Pike 
 County, this State, but seven years later they re- 
 moved to Galesburg, Knox County, where John 
 obtained his education, completing his studies in 
 Knox Academy. He learned the printing business 
 with C. R. Fisk, and subsequently' worked on the 
 (hjuawka Si)ectator. His f.ither in the meantime 
 purchased the Free Democrat office at Galesburg, 
 whereupon -John went to work for him. When the 
 bitter disposed of his paper in 1858, John opened 
 a job office. 
 
 Mr. Woods, in 1860, removed to Winchester, 
 Scott County-, where, in company with C. J. 8el- 
 lon, he published a Republican paper during the 
 Lincoln campaign. After the election it was 
 aliandoned and Mr. AVoods then went to Spring- 
 field. On the 1st of April, 1861, he decided to 
 take Mr. Greeley's advice "Go West voting man," 
 and crossing the Mississippi located in Page County, 
 
 Iowa, and commenced farming. Upon the break- 
 ing out of the Civil War he, in company with 
 others, organized a company of Home Guards, and 
 on July 4, they organized a regiment, the First 
 Iowa Militia, of which Mr. Woods was appointed 
 Adjutant. 
 
 In September following this regiment volunteered 
 under Col. Cramer and went into Missouri as far 
 as St. Joseph. Adj. Woods, however, on the dis- 
 bandment of the regiment the following month, 
 returned to Springfield, 111., and entered the (Quar- 
 termaster's department as a clerk under Capt. Bail- 
 hache. In 1 802, in connection with Tom Lewis 
 and his brother, he established a daily paper, the 
 Union Herald. Subsequtntly they attempted to 
 transfer this to Memphis, Tenn., but did not suc- 
 ceed. The office, however, was removed to Cairo, 
 in August, 1803, but its politics being changi'd 
 from Republican to Democratic Mr. Woods with- 
 drew. 
 
 In 1805 our subject purchased a printing office 
 at Cairo, HI., which he conducted two years, and 
 in 1807 repaired to Belleville, this State, and be- 
 came manager of the Weekly Advocate, with which 
 he remained for a period of ten years. In 1879 he 
 came to Joliet with his brother and purchased the 
 Republican, which they con<lucted until 188;j. Mr. 
 Woods was appointed Postmaster of Joliet, by 
 President Arthur, through the rccoiumendation of 
 Congressman CuUen and others, his commission 
 bearing date March 3, 1883, and during his term 
 secured the establishment of the free delivery sys- 
 tem for the city. In recommending letter carriers 
 for appointment, however, he did not see fit to con- 
 sult the wishes of the local leaders of the party then 
 in power, which act gave color for the charge of 
 '•offensive iiartisanship" underPresidentCleveland's 
 dictum, and resulted in the suspension of the offend- 
 ing Postmaster four months before the expiration 
 of his term. He then formed a partnership with 
 H. N. Blarsh in the real-estate and insurance busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Mr. Woods was married in Springfield, III., Au- 
 gust 6, 1803. to Miss Jennie M. Dunn. There have 
 been born to tluin four children, one of whom is 
 deceased. The survivors are Charles Holcomh, 
 William W. and .\sa. Mr, AVoods stands high in 
 
758 
 
 POUTRAIT AND 151()(;RAPII1CAL ALBUM. 
 
 Masonic circles, liaviiig attained to lii« Jlaster and 
 IJoyal Arch degrees at liellevillc, where he served 
 as Worshipfid Master and liigli I'riest. He re- 
 ceived tlie Knight Templar Orders at Joliet and 
 belongs to Cominandery No. -1. He is serving his 
 tliird term as High Priest of .Toliet Chapter, No. 27, 
 and has been an active promoter of the Masonic 
 Temple enterprise, which magnificent building is 
 now nearing completion. 
 
 ->- 
 
 \i 
 
 r/ACOBA. HKNRY. It is the common re- 
 mark that there is not .-i more public-spirited 
 man in the cit}- of .Joliet than he with whose 
 name we introduce tliis biographical out- 
 line. He has been in all respects the architect of 
 his own fortune, rising from an humble position 
 in life to one of affluence, and is now one of the 
 capitalists of Will County, and extensively en- 
 gaged as a railroad contractor. Of New England 
 antecedents, he was born in Hunterdon County, N. 
 .!., the date thereof being April 2.5, 1825. 
 
 Mr. Henry was reared a farmer's boy, and at an 
 early age was made acquainted with hard work. 
 The last active manual labor which he performed 
 was driving a team at $7 per month, and of this 
 small wages he was cheated b}- his employer, who 
 failed in business. Then in 1842, when a youth of 
 seventeen years, he entered the employ of the Hart- 
 ford it New Haven Railroad Compauj-, and assisted 
 in laying the first tract on the canal road through 
 the city of New Haven. In 184G he emigrated to 
 Ohio, and locating in Elyria, took his first contract 
 in connection with a railroad in Ohio and Indiana. 
 He superintended the construction of the northern 
 division of the Sandusk}' road, then, in 185(), came 
 to Illinois, and three years later became a resident 
 of Joliet. 
 
 Thereafter Mr. Ilenrj' spent several years as' a 
 Roadmaster of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. In 
 1870, going to Tex.as, he filled the contract for the 
 building of the Houston & (ireat Northern Railroad, 
 which he completed in I87;J. In the meantime, he 
 also built a jjortion of the .Southern Pacific, which 
 involved a huge amount qf heavy work. In 1888 
 
 we find him operating in Arkansas, and since that 
 year he has built one hundred and seventy-three 
 miles of railroad. Few men in this part of the 
 countT}- have entered into larger contracts than Mr. 
 Henry, or carried them out more satisfactorily. He 
 enjoys the enviable record of having fulfilled every 
 cf>utract he has ever made to the letter. 
 
 Mr. Henry, in 1873, put uj) one of the most ele- 
 gant residences in Joliet, this being located on East- 
 ern Avenue, and still remaining the home of the 
 family. Within and without it is indicative of 
 cultured tastes and ample means, and forms one of 
 the most attractive features of the city. Mr. Henry 
 has always taken a lively interest in the growth and 
 l)ros|ierity of his adopted city, and contributed lib- 
 erally of his time and means to this end. For a 
 city of its size, Joliet enjoys an unequalled "system 
 of street railways, the cars pro|)elled by electricity, 
 and this enterprise was inaugurated and carried out 
 by Jacob A. Henry. Every enterprise which is 
 calculated to advance the interests of the people, 
 socially, morall3', and financially, receives his un- 
 qualified supi)ort. Since the organization of the 
 Re(iublican party, Mr. Henry has been its stanch 
 adherent. Although he has filled many positions 
 of trust and responsibility', he has never been am- 
 bitious of official preferment, being content to 
 work out his plans in a quiet way, and in this man- 
 ner has accomplished a vast amount of good. 
 
 The subject of this notice was first married, 
 April 20, 1846, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Ellis 
 Briggs, of Winsted, Conn. Of this union there 
 was born one daughter, now the wife of J. W. Folk, 
 of Joliet. Mrs. Nancy (Briggs) Henry departed 
 this life at her home in Joliet, January 23, 1878. 
 In October, 1885, Mr. Ilenrj' contracted a second 
 marriage with Mrs. Rachel (Hulsizer) Apgar. 
 
 / AMF:S a. CLYNE, M. D. Among the suc- 
 cessful practitioners of Joliet may be men- 
 tioned Dr. Clyne, who located in the city in 
 the fall of 18!S(3. He is the surgeon of the 
 Chicago & Alton Railroad, and aside from this en- 
 joys a lucrative practice in the city and vicinity. 
 
 m. 
 
(S^dtAArry^dL^ j^. WZ^y^x^M^, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 7G1 
 
 He is also a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Staff. 
 Ho was born at Colioes, N. Y., March 2, 1860, and 
 is the son of James Clyne. The latter was also a 
 native of New York State, where be was reared to 
 manhood and married Miss Catherine Quinn. The 
 mother of our subject was born in the northern 
 part of New York, near the earlj' homo of her hus- 
 band, and both are still living at Cohoes. 
 
 Dr. Clyne pvirsued his early studies in the com- 
 mon schools of his native cit^', and supplemented 
 them by a course in the Business College at Cohoes, 
 being a student in the class of 1878. He began the 
 study of medicine in his native town, under the 
 instruction of Dr. D. W. Houston and in due time 
 entered ui)on a course of lectures at the Albany 
 Medical College, which he commenced attending 
 in tiic fall of 1883, and from which he was gradu- 
 ated in the class of 1886. While there, after a 
 successful examination, he received a hospital ap- 
 pointment and remained in AH)any until May, 
 1H86, in the meantime having charge of a physi- 
 cians, practice in the northern part of the State. 
 
 Soon after coming to Joliet, Dr. Clyne associated 
 iiimself in partnership with Dr. G. C. Raynor, one 
 of the prominent physicians of the city. Two 
 years later he was appointed city physician, which 
 position lie still holds. He still belongs to Albany 
 Medical Soeiet3-, also the Will County IMedical So- 
 ciety, and is the Medical Examiner for various life 
 insurance companies. He is prominently connected 
 with the Independent Order of Foresters, .and is 
 the court [ihysician of the same. He has entered 
 upon a successful career in connection with his 
 chosen calling, to which he devotes his close atten- 
 tion and in which he is ambitious to excel. Politic- 
 ally, Dr. Clyne is a Democrat. 
 
 EDWARD H. WERNER, D. D. S. Although 
 but little past his majority this young gen- 
 tleman is manifesting that close attention 
 to business which combined with his thorough un- 
 derstanding of his profession, will undoubtedly 
 secure for him a higii standing in the dental ranks 
 and a fine reputation among tliose who need such 
 
 services as he can render. He has opened in Joliet 
 one of the best dental offices in the county, furn- 
 ished with all tlie modern ap[)lianccs, and in the few 
 montlis in which he has been established h.as started 
 a rapidly increasing trade. 
 
 Dr. Werner was born in Joliet, December 9, 1867, 
 and received his education in the public schools of 
 this city. After making his choice of a vocation 
 he became a student in the New York College of 
 Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 
 the class of '89, with the degree of Doctor of Den- 
 tal Surgery. He at once opened an office in his 
 native city and in a short time set up his own 
 home, taking for iiis companion in life Miss Leonora 
 M., daughter of S. J. Barber. The rites of wedlock 
 were celebrated between tlieni January 22,1890. 
 Mrs. Werner is a cliarming young woman, educated 
 and cultured, and endowed with many virtues of 
 character. 
 
 The gentleman of whom we write is of German 
 descent, his parents being natives of the German 
 Empire. William Werner, the father, was born in 
 Frankfort on-the-Main, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Feb- 
 ruary 5, 1831. At the age of sixteen years he was 
 apprenticed at tlie trade of a mason and four years 
 later emigrated to the United States. He spent 
 three months in Stroudsburg, Pa., and in October, 
 1851, came West, locating in Frankfort, III. His 
 first work here was as a stonemason on the Rock 
 Island Railroad, which was then being built, but 
 the next year he located in Joliet and began busi- 
 ness as a contractor and quarryman. He erected 
 many of the prominent buildings of this city, 
 among them the Will County Jail, the L^nion 
 Schoolhouse, the West Side Presbyterian Churcli, 
 St. Mary's Catholic Church and others. 
 
 In 1856, William Werner was elected Commis- 
 sioner of Highways and Treasurer, serving three 
 years. In 1861, he became a member of the Board 
 of Aldermen, serving in that august body four 
 years. He also served on the Board of Supervisors 
 seven years. During the late war he was Draft 
 Commissioner, having been appointed in 1863. His 
 wife was Miss Barbara Goeblc, a native of Prussia, 
 with whom he was united in holy wedlock Septem- 
 ber 7, 1853. The union was blessed by the birth 
 of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch 
 
762 
 
 I'OR'rRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 is the j'Oiingest. The other members of the family 
 cirtie are Frederick W. Werner, M. D., Fre(leric;i< 
 Clmrles, :i liarness-maker; and Coorge AV., a veteri- 
 nary surgeon. 
 
 Dr. Werner's portrait will l)e found aeeompany- 
 in<i his personal sketch. 
 
 JAMKS E. AUSTIN was lioiii in Trehle County. 
 Ohio, May 7, IH'25. 
 
 ^ ■^--^^^ ^ 
 
 ?3 L. SIIAFFNER. The subject of this no- 
 ^ tice established himself in Joliet as a coal 
 JL,,-^ -; dealer about thirteen years since and is now 
 located at No. 501, Washington Street. Formerly 
 he was in partnership with his father, the^' opera- 
 ling under the firm name of B. Sliaffner ife Son, bill 
 for the last seven years Mr. Shaffner liaf done busi- 
 ness alone. Ilis yard is conveniently located near 
 the tracks of the Alton and the Illinois C'ential 
 Railroads, alst) the Santa Fe tracks. lie has proved 
 himself a good business manager and has built up 
 an extensive patronage. 
 
 A native of Joliet, our subject was born October 
 1, 1852, and is the son of Benjamin Shaffner, who 
 was born in Summit County, (Jliio, in 1825. The 
 latter came with his parents to this county about 
 the year 1850, they locating in Manhattan Town- 
 ship. Grandfather Shati'ner took up a track of 
 Government land and there Benjamin lived with 
 his parents until the time of his marriage. The 
 maiden of his choice was Miss Caroline Larkin, of 
 this county, and they commenced the journey of 
 life together on a farm in .lackson Township, where 
 they resided until their son E. L. was about live 
 years old. Benjamin Shaffner then sold out and 
 removed to Joliet where he commenced working at 
 bis tr.ade of carpenter and finally- diifted into 
 wa^on and carriage making. He also embarked in 
 the grocery and provision business and fin.ally be- 
 came interested in the coal trade. He was pros- 
 l)ered financially, and retired from the active labors 
 
 of life aljout 1883. He and his excellent |)artner 
 are still residents of Joliet, occup^'ing a comforta- 
 ble home. Mr. Shaffner has been for many years 
 a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics 
 he is a Republican. 
 
 The subject of this sketch acquired his education 
 in the schools of his native city and conimenced 
 his business career as an employe of the Joliet Iron 
 & Steel Com[)any. He rapidly advanced in the 
 good opinion of his employers, being placed in the 
 position of foreman, and having charge of the pay 
 roll for about five years. About 1877 he engaged 
 with his father in the coal trade with which he has 
 since been connected. He added ice in 1886 and 
 has several houses for the accommodation of this 
 article, two on the east and two on the west side,and 
 one in his yard. He usually obtains this from 
 quarries, but this season (1890) is shipping from 
 Winnebago, Wis. 
 
 Mr. Shaffner was married, January 22, 1877, to 
 Miss Amanda Stanley, and they become the parents 
 of four children, vi/: Edwin Stanlc}*, Frances M., 
 Benjamin Francis and Lottie A., who died at the 
 age of five years. The wife and mother dei)arted 
 this life May 13, 1885, at the age of thirty years. 
 She was the daughter of Francis G. Stanley. 
 
 The jjrescnt wife of our subject, to whom he was 
 married May 18, 1886, was formerly Miss Martha 
 J. George, of Doylestown. Ohio. She is the daugh- 
 ter of John George, who was formerly a resident 
 of Joliet. There has been born of this union one 
 child, a daughter, Cl:aa Belle. 
 
 ONRAD WILKENING. The subject of this 
 sketch was born in 1856, in the township of 
 V Crete, attended the common schools until 
 the age of fourteen, at which time he entered a 
 general store in the village of Crete, and there by 
 his aptness soon learned the rudiments of the busi- 
 ness that in after years made him successful. Not 
 being satisfied to enter the business world without 
 a better knowledge of its methods, lie took a course 
 of study in the best business college of Chicag'o, 
 graduating with honor. He at once secured a re- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 763 
 
 s|)onsihle [josition in one of tlie oldest commission 
 houses of Chicago, wjiich lie filled with credit until 
 .1880, when he located on the present s'te of his 
 place of business at the corner of INIain and Ex- 
 change Streets, under the firm name of C. Wil- 
 kening & Co. The building they then occupied 
 was an ordinary sized general store, and was soon 
 found to be altogether too small to accommodate 
 the stock of merchandise they desired to place be- 
 fore the people of Eastern Will County. It was 
 then moved south to give place for a l)uilding of 
 brick, stone and iron, 51xfi0, two stories and base- 
 ment, with fire and burglar proof vault and gallery 
 on first floor. 
 
 The establishment is one of which the citizens of 
 Crete are and well may be proud, and is gen- 
 erally conceded by travelers to be the most nicely 
 arranged store to be found in the country, contain- 
 ing the largest and best a.ssortment of merchandise, 
 and arranged in departments. In addition they trans- 
 act quite an extensive banking and exchange busi- 
 ness. In all of lliis work he has been ably assisted 
 1)3' his father, John Wilkening, an early settler of 
 the township, and his younger brother Fred. He 
 w.as united in marriage to Miss Ida Riebling, of 
 Pittsburg. I'a., in May, 1890, and is at present 
 erecting an elegant residence, and will soon be al)le 
 to say "at iiome" to his man}- friends. 
 
 * 
 
 LEXANDEK DOIG, who is identified with 
 the agricultural interests of New Lenox 
 Township, is the ninth child of Andrew 
 and Isabella Doig, wliose history will be 
 found in the sketcli of Thomas Doig. He was born 
 in Washington, D. C, October 17, 1841, and came 
 to this county with the jjarental family, who settled 
 in Homer Township. When about twenty-one 
 years old he married, the happy event taking place 
 December 31, 1802, and the bride being Miss Sarah 
 C, daughter of the late Gilbert Van Duser. The 
 maiden name of the bride's mother was Ann M. 
 Lynx. She is now the wife of Thomas Doig, Mr. 
 Van Duser having died Ai)ril 12, 18r)2. 
 
 Mrs. Doig of this sketch is tiie elder in a family 
 
 of two children and was born in New Lenox Town- 
 ship, November 26, 1842. She has borne her hus- 
 band four children named respectively, Melissa I., 
 Grace IJ., Sadie and Gilbert A. The third born 
 died in child iiood. After their marriage Mr. and 
 Mrs. Doig settled on Maple Street, in New Lenox 
 Township, where they have spent the greater part 
 of their married life. Their pleasant homestead 
 comprises sixty-three acres, on which good build- 
 ings have been erected and other improvements 
 made. For nine years Mr. Doig was engaged in 
 the livery business and during that time was a 
 dweller in town. In politics he is a sturdy Demo- 
 crat. He has served as School Director, but with 
 this exception has devoted his time entirely to iiis 
 personal aff.airs. 
 
 ^y\ MOS EIB is the owner and occupant of a 
 0/J|i pleasant and fertile estate on section 7, 
 
 /// v^ Ja<;kson Township, the same comprising 
 ((2/' one hundred and eighty-five acres. Lpon 
 
 it are to be seen tlie usual farm buildings, but of 
 better construction than many, while the appear- 
 ance of fields, fences and stock give the imiiiession 
 that Mr. Eib understands tilling the soil and carinif 
 for the produce of his fields and the increase of his 
 herds. 
 
 The birthplace of Mr. Eib was Harrison County, 
 Va., and his natal day July 29, 1823. He was a 
 child of four years when his parents removed to 
 Columbus, Ohio, two years later, the location of 
 the famil}' being changed to Fountain County, Ind. 
 There they remained until 1833, when they came to 
 this county and the youth of our subject was spent 
 amid pioneer surroundings in the township of which 
 he is an honored resident. The mother had died in 
 Columbus, Ohio, and the father breathed his last in 
 this county at the home of his son. 
 
 The marriage of our subject and Miss Catherine 
 Gonter took place in Jackson Township, March 28, 
 1851. The bride was born in the province of Alsace, 
 at that time a part of France, but now belonging to 
 the German Empire, in April, 18.il. Her parents, 
 Michael and Catherine (Arnholt) (iontor, made a 
 
r(!4 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 settlement in Will Comity in 1810, and tlii" fathei- 
 died in Jnckson Township. The mother siiivivos, 
 now residing with her daughter, Mrs. William 
 Brown. 
 
 The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eiharc, Levi 
 II. a resident of Minden,Neb.; George W. a farmer 
 in California; Albert N. a farmer of Jackson Town- 
 ship; Clara K. wife of Albert Cotton, and Sus.in H. 
 wife of Alvin Spangler of Jackson Township. Mr. 
 Kit) has been School Director. In politics he is a 
 good Democrat. He is held in good repute by his 
 fellow-nnn as a reliable citizen,an industrious farmer 
 and a man of kindly nature and upright life. 
 
 y 
 
 LLEN P. CARPENTER. This gentleman 
 has done much to forward the business in- 
 terests of Will County, and as one who is 
 disposed to support all measures tending toward 
 the continuation of its prosperity, he is well wor- 
 thy of representation in this volume. He bought 
 a number of acres of land in Channahon, lying 
 along the Wide Water Canal,as early as 18G5, which, 
 aside from its value a.'^ a farm, is one of the most 
 lieautiful places along the route from this town- 
 ship to Joliet. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter was born January 27, 1.S34. He 
 was reared in the place of his birth until he was 
 nineteen years old, and then came to Wdl County, 
 where his brother Henry and a sister, Lucinda, 
 were then living. His brother is a carpenter and 
 still a resident of Joliet. His sister was the wife of 
 Dr. G. Randall. Of his other brothers and sisters 
 the following is the record: Mary A. was the 
 wife of Thomas Logan and died in Springfield, 
 III.; Wilber lives in Joliet; Charles in Dakota; Lu- 
 cinda in Kansas, and a sister resides in Iowa. Al- 
 fred "Carpenter, the father of our subject was a 
 resident of this county in 1840, and died just be- 
 fore our subject came here in 1853. 
 
 Our subject taught school in Joliet in 1853, for 
 one winter, and in the summer of 1854 went back to 
 New York. Returning to this part of the country in 
 the fall, in the following January he was united in 
 marriage with Miss Helen Spencer and established 
 a home. He lived on his farm in Channahon Town- 
 
 ship for three years, then was a resident of Troy 
 for two years, and in 18G0 commenced buying 
 grain in Minooka, at the landing of the Wide 
 Water Canal, and was thus engaged the ensuing 
 live years, shipping both by canal and rail. In y 
 1865 he turned his attention to farming, and bought f 
 one hundred and seventeen acres of land lying 
 along the Wide Water Canal, his warehouse l)eing 
 lust across the canal. He immediately moved into 
 his residence there and has since made it one of the 11 
 finest in the vicinity. In the adornment of the 
 grounds he has been greatly assisted by Mrs. Car- 
 penter's taste and skill. She is a great lover of 
 (lowers and has a garden in which are many choice 
 varieties of roses and other beautiful jjlants, all of 
 which are tended by her careful hand. 
 
 In 18C8 Mr. Carpenter formed a partnership with 
 Mr. Truby to buy and sell grain and lumber, with 
 their headquarters at Joliet and Birds Bridge, the 
 business being conducted under the firm name of 
 Carpenter ik Truby. They were together for some 
 ye.irs and built up a large business, keeping their 
 own line of boats in the summer on the canal, and 
 in winter shipping by rail on the Rock Island Kad- 
 road, which runs close by their warehouse. These 
 gentlemen were together until 1875, and then our 
 subject sold out his interest to Mr. Truby, and has 
 since lived on his farm. He has added to his orig- 
 inal purchase seventy-one acres, on which is a good 
 residence, which he uses as a tenement house, as 
 he rents all of his land. Mr. Carpenter devotes 
 his time to looking after his interest, investing his 
 money as he sees fit and, as he is of a spccul.alive 
 turn of mind, he has taken many a bout with the 
 bulls and bears on the Board of Trade in Chicago. 
 Mrs. Carpenter was born in the city of Chicago, 
 her patents being Thomas and Sarah A. (Van 
 Dusen) Spencer. Her mother was a daughter of 
 John Bingham, and they were all of New York. 
 She came to Will County in 1834 with her husband. 
 Mr. Spencer subsequently died in Kendall County 
 when Mrs. Carpenter was but four years of age. 
 Her mother died in 1888 in Chicago, at the age of 
 seventy-eight years. Mrs. Carpenter is a lady of 
 no ordinary intelligence and attainments, and she 
 has endeared herself to her many acquaintances by 
 her [ilea.sanl ways and kindly acti,. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 765 
 
 Mr. Carpenter is one of tlie most influential and 
 trusted citizens, and is a man of brain, decided 
 c'liaraeter, and admirable tact. He is one of tiie 
 most efficient civic oflicials, and through his lib- 
 erality' and public si)irit this community lias been 
 benefited in more ways than one. He is now serv- 
 ing his tiiird term of three years as Highway 
 Commissioner of tiie township, iiaving been re 
 (>lectei] last spring. lie is also Treasurer of the 
 townsiiip, having served in that office with distiti- 
 guisiied ability for the last six years, and received 
 his re-appointment last spring. He takes an act- 
 ive part in polities, and is a stanch supporter of 
 the Republican partv. Although not a member of 
 any religious organization, he has served as Trus- 
 tee of the church, whicli his wife attends, for the 
 [last fifteen years. 
 
 The chief sorrow of tlie otherwise happy wedded 
 life of our subject and his wife lias been in the 
 ileatii of tlieir two children, a boy and a girl in in- 
 fancj'. But life's lesson may have taught thera that 
 it is better, 
 
 '•Far better to smile with a deep content 
 O'er tlieir darlings quietly sleeping. 
 O'er their little ones safe from all that can harm, 
 Safe and quietly sleeping. 
 
 "The sun comes up and the sun goes down 
 On sorrow and sin and aching, 
 And to all the evil that's in the world 
 Their darlings will know no waking." 
 
 ♦^^ 
 
 E^^ 
 
 f^LDER STEPHEN R. BEGGS, the oldest 
 preacher of the Methodist denomination in 
 Northern Illinois, and an old-time and hon- 
 
 ored resident of Plaiiifield, was born on a farm in 
 Rockingham County, Va.. March 30, 1801, a son of 
 James Beggs, who was born in the same county in 
 1768. Thomas Beggs, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject was bom in New Jersey, and James Beggs, his 
 father, who was of Irish birth, came to this country 
 in Colonial times and settled in that State. The 
 grandfather of our subject was reared and married 
 in his native State, Sarah Barnes becoming his wife, 
 and before the breaking out of the Revolution, 
 
 migrated to Rockingham, Va. He joined the pa- 
 triot army and became an officer of the Commissary 
 Department and died in the service in 1779, or '80. 
 
 The fatiicr of our subject was reared and married 
 in Rockingham County, and resided there until 
 1802, when ho removed to Kentuckj' making the 
 journey on horseback, his wife also riding on a 
 horse and carrying Stephen in her lap. They re- 
 sided in Kentucky three years and then settled in 
 Clarke Count}', Ind., where Mr. Beggs cleared a 
 farm from the timber and m.ade it his home until 
 his death Ma}' 13, 1835. His remains are buried in 
 the Gazaway church yard. The maiden name of 
 the mother of our subject was Mary Custer, and she 
 was born in Virginia and of English ancestry. The 
 father of our subject was a Whig and was a mem- 
 ber of tlie Indiana Territorial Senate for ten years. 
 He and his wife both belonged to the Methodist 
 Episcopal Churcii. The latter died July 7, 1833. 
 They were the parents of five sons and four daugh- 
 ters. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was set to work on a 
 farm as soon as he was large enough to be of any 
 assistance. In his younger daj'S Indians still lin- 
 gered in Indiana and were often hostile, and when 
 the news of tiie Pigeon Roost massacre reached the 
 settlement, all gathered at his father's and built a 
 fortification around the house. They remained in 
 that several days and then built block houses in 
 different places. Our subject was early instructed 
 in religion, and at the age of nineteen was con- 
 verted, and at twenty-two commenced preaching at 
 his father's home. In the same fall he joined the 
 Missouri Conference tliat then embraced all of Illi- 
 nois, Indiana, Missouri and Arkansas. He remained 
 in Indiana until the fall of 1830, and then was ap- 
 pointed to the Tazewell Circuit, which included 
 Peoria, Bloomington and Pekin. At that time 
 there were three families residing on the present 
 site of Bloomington, then called Blooming Grove, 
 at Peoria not more'than half a dozen families, and 
 all the surrounding country was wild and unsettled. 
 In July, 1831, he went to the village of Chicago 
 and organized the first Methodist Church ever 
 started there and he was the first minister ever 
 stationed at that point. In 1832 he came to Plain- 
 field and lias called this his home since that time, 
 
76G 
 
 PORTRAIT AN'D BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tliougli he has lived away from here one or two 
 years at a time wliile pretiehing al different (jlaces. 
 In IS."?! he hold a camp iiieetinj,^ at ^V'alkor's (!rove, 
 as Phiinfield was then ealied, tlu; first held in tiiis 
 section. 
 
 Elder Beggs has liocn twice married, fir-st in Sep- 
 toinher, 1831, to Kli/.abolh L. Heath, a native of 
 Muskingum Count3', Ohio, and she died Aiiril 7, 
 IMufi. His second marriage, December 30, I8G8, was 
 to Sarali U. (Diblile) Frost, a native of New York 
 State. Our subject was the father of four children 
 b\- his first marriage, Marv E., James W., (!eorgc 
 W. and Charles W. 
 
 AMES JONES. The late James Jones de- 
 serves more than a passing notice, not be- 
 cause he acquired a solid financial standing, 
 but because his home in Manhattan Town- 
 ship w.as a resort for many of the best people of the 
 county, and because his personal traits of heart and 
 mind gave him the respect and affection of all who 
 became acquainted with his good qualities. He 
 was one of those whole-hearted men wlio are ever 
 ready to give liberally of their means, as well as of 
 their time and energ}', to all movements for the 
 public good, and who, while having special likes in 
 church or party, give honor to whom honor is due 
 and display no bigotry. Modest and unpretending, 
 he was yet one of the finest scholars in the county, 
 excelling particularly in penmanship. 
 
 The father of our subject was Robert Jones, 
 whose family consisted of three sons and three 
 daughters; he was a native of Delaware, in which 
 State his boyhood was spent. When he became a 
 man he went to New York City and engaged in the 
 mercantile business, becoming prosperous and finally 
 carrying on a wholesale clothing house; importing 
 the finest goods from abroad. In 1830 he came 
 West to look after some investments, driving in a 
 carriage from New York City and bringing his 
 boys with him. In Chicago they found no board- 
 ing house but a shanty, were obliged to pay twelve 
 and a half cents for a pail of water, and to buy 
 bread to feed the horses and cattle which tiiey had 
 
 brought with them. IMr. Jones had invested in 
 Illinois lands, owning large tiacts in various coun- 
 ties. He also continued his business in New York 
 City, where he breathed his last. 
 
 The members of the parental family are: Sarah, 
 now living in New York City; Anna, who died in 
 1872; IMaria. living in New York; Frederick, for- 
 merly a merchant in that city, who ilicd in 187;"); 
 James, our subject, and Robert, who came to AVill 
 Count}' when our subject did, owned and operated 
 three hundred and twenty acres of lanil here, but 
 finalh' returned to the metropolis, where he died in 
 1889. 
 
 James Jones was born in New York City in the 
 year 1820. During his boyhood and youth he 
 sometimes accompanied his father to the West, en 
 joying the journey and the scenes which they en- 
 countered, as a bright boy can. lie became a cadet 
 ntAVest Point and was graduated from the Military 
 Academy at the age of twentj^-one years. His fa- 
 ther then started him in life with ^l.')0,000 which 
 he invested in ships, establishing a line which plied 
 across the ocean. For several years he gave his 
 time and attention to the shipping business. 
 
 One of his best vessels went down with all on 
 board, and refitting another he sent it out under 
 charge of a captain who had been highly recom- 
 mended to him, for the purpose of trading his 
 cargo for other goods in Africa. The captain sold 
 the goods, reloarled the vessel with a return cargo, 
 for which he did not pay, and al)sconded with his 
 employer's mome}-. News was sent to Mr. Jones, 
 who at once crossed the ocean, visited the Gover- 
 nor of the place, but found that he could do noth- 
 ing in the premises, as the absconder had fled into 
 the interior. Returning with his cargo Mr. Jones 
 determined to abandon the sea, and so embarked in 
 the wholesale crockery, glass and pottery business 
 with a iiartner. 
 
 The junior member of the firm of Jones St 
 Decker ere long succeeded in getting funds into 
 his hands, with which he ran away, and our subject 
 became so disgusted with his experiences that he 
 determined to come West. His good nature and 
 leniency had proved his financial enemies, as thej' 
 do that of many a man in a world which contains 
 so many sharpers. Telling his father of his desire 
 
PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPlIICAI. ALl'.UM. 
 
 767 
 
 to ti-}' a new home, our subjecl was given section 
 'J, of Manhattan Township, tliis connty,an(l in 1848 
 caine to tliis vicinity. For some time lie made his 
 home with his unole, Klion Jones, in New Lenox 
 Townsliip, near the old Red Mill, looking after the 
 improvements of his plaee, hut doing little else, 
 although at one time he and his brother owned a 
 mill on Bhiff Street, Joliet. 'i'his was destroyed by 
 lire. 
 
 In 1855 Mr. .lones took possession of the large 
 brick house which he had built ujjon his land and 
 engaged in fanning. The brick which were u.sed 
 in his residence were made on the site by a Mr. 
 Shaw. Mr. Jones proved to be but a poor farmer 
 and manager, so he finally acted on advice and 
 rented his farm on shares. He had four tenants on 
 the land, which was divided into five improved 
 places. Under this order of things he did wetland 
 ere his death had the section of land free of debt, to- 
 gether with funds in the Joliet Bank. His beautiful 
 himie was under the ('are of a competent house- 
 keeper, who furnished good cheer for the owner 
 and his man\' friends. 
 
 Mr. .tones was a great hunter, delighting exceed- 
 ingly in the sport. At different times he served as 
 Justice of the Peace, l)ut bej'ond that never aspired 
 to ollice. He was tendered the nomination of 
 member of the Legislature, but refused to run al- 
 though, being a stanch Republican, he would un- 
 doubtedly have been elected. In New York he had 
 belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, but 
 being of a liberal mind he helped the different or- 
 ganizations in this section, having been a main in- 
 strument in suggi'sling and building the Si. Paul's 
 Ei)iscopal Church, in JIanliattan Township. 
 
 '*/ AFAYETTE M. HENTZE. This gentle- 
 man is "mine host" of the Hotel Monroe, 
 in Joliet, which lie conducts in an admi''- 
 able manner, every department of the excellent 
 hostelry lieing carefully overseen. The hotel con- 
 tains seventy -two rooms, is well furnished through- 
 out, and its table supplied with a bill of fare 
 
 which includes all the sulistantials of the cuisine 
 and the appetizing luxuries which add a relish to 
 the raoie neetlful foods and appeal to the palate of 
 the more dainty. The acute |)ereeption which at 
 once detects the needs of guests, and the cordial 
 manner which makes them at home, are manifested 
 by our subject in a commendable degree and add 
 to the popularity of the house over which he has 
 control. 
 
 The forefathers c>f our subject lived in Holland, 
 whence at the time of the Revolution, his direct 
 progenitor came to America as a Hessian soldier. 
 Settlement was then made in the States of which 
 the family have been citizens since that time. 
 Henry Hentze, who was born in Vermont, mai"- 
 ried Miss Charity Gould, of New York, and reared 
 several children, of whom the subject of this 
 sketch is the youngest. The father was for many 
 years a hop raiser and teamster in New York, 
 whence he came to Illinois in 1850, accompanied 
 by his son L. M. The same year other members 
 came, the group in this State then comprising the 
 parents, two sons and three daughters, and two 
 married daughters remaining in the East. Of the 
 entire family those now living are Sarah, wife of 
 George Monroe, of Joliet; Mrs. Polly Ford, of 
 Aurora; Mrs. Louisa Northam, of the same place; 
 Mrs. Cornelia l'arker,of Watertown, N. Y.; George 
 W., a dealer in cigars and tobacco in Joliet; and 
 the subject of this sketch. 
 
 The birth of L. M. Hentze occurred in Jefferson 
 County. N. Y. December (5, 1833, and in his native 
 State he p.asscd his boyhood and early youth, ac- 
 quiring his early education in the common schools. 
 He was not yet seventeen years of age when he 
 became a resident of Illinois, where he continued 
 to make his home under the parental roof until af- 
 ter the breaking out of the Civil War. On July 
 !), 1S()2, he was enrolled as a member of Company 
 I, One Hundredth Illinois Infantrj', and from that 
 time until the close of the vvar accompanied 
 his regiment in their various campaigns, with the 
 (^xce|)tion of four months si)ent in the hospital at 
 Nashville, Tenn." After having taken part in va- 
 rious battles, skirmishes and weary marches, endur- 
 ing the hardships of a soldier's life and manifest- 
 ing his loyaltj" and gallantry throughout his career 
 
768 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 as a soldier, lie ictiiriutl to the piusiiits of agri- 
 eultui-e in the souliu'in jxirt of this lounty. 
 
 Ill 1870, Mr. Ilcnlze went to Dakota, where he 
 continued his agricultural labors seven years. Hav- 
 ing been seriously tormented hj' grasshoppers, he 
 determined to leave the field to the insect hordes 
 and returned to the I'rairie State. He secured 
 employment with Monroe & Sons in Joliet, re- 
 taining his position ten years, after which he spent 
 two years in the eniplo\' of Monroe <fe Seaver. 
 His next enterprise was to assume the manage- 
 ment of the hotel over which he still has charge. 
 He is a Republiciin and a member of the (Irand 
 Army of the Republic. 
 
 An important event in the life of our subject 
 was his marriage, April 9, 1856, to Miss Ann E. 
 I'elton, who has proved her worth as a wife and 
 mother and is respected by her acquaintances. 
 They are the parents of three children — Henrj' A., 
 a painter in Joliet; William J., manager of the 
 hotel; and Anna S., who assists in the oversight of 
 the affairs of the hotel. 
 
 -;^ 
 ••==% 
 
 <=ri 
 
 -^^•'' 
 
 WjlLLIAiM A. NICOLAUS. Among the en- 
 terprising tirms of the city of .loliet, none 
 are more so llian that of Nachbour & Ni- 
 colaus. Young' in years, its members have thor- 
 oughly iinbilied the sjiirit of progress characteristic 
 of the age, and furnish models of what may be ac- 
 complished by persistent effort and close applica- 
 tion to business. Their diy-goods establishment, 
 occupying the lower floor of the Barber building, 
 (the best in the city), is a model in systematic ar- 
 rangement, completeness in everything which goes 
 to make such an establishment first class, and would 
 reflect credit upon the efforts of dealers in much 
 larger cities. The success of the young men is in 
 many respects phenomenal. From an humble be- 
 ginning they have steadily advanced to the man- 
 agement of a huge and constantly increasing busi- 
 ness. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Muscatine 
 Count}', Iowa, December 23, 1861. His father, 
 Henry J. Nicolaus, a grain dealer, possessed sys- 
 
 tematic business habits which were imparted to his 
 children. He died November t, 187"2. His widow 
 now lives in Wilton, surrounded by her children 
 with the exception of the subject of this sketch, 
 having three sons anil one daughter near her. She 
 bore the maiden name of Margaret Frenzel, indica- 
 tive of the German origin of her ancestors. The 
 boyhood of our sul)ject was passed in the (luiel of 
 home life until he reached the age of fourteen 
 years, when he began laying the foundation for his 
 future SL'ccsss, by becoming a clerk in a diy-goods 
 establishment where he remained six years. 
 
 At the expiration of this time, young Nicolaus 
 visited Chicago looking for a suitable location, and 
 from that city came to Joliet in September, 1883. 
 Engaging as clerk with a firm here, he acted in that 
 capacity until the following January, when he be- 
 came a partner in the business, the firm name being 
 changed to Nachbour & Nicolaus, under whi(;h the 
 business is still conducted, Mr. Nicolaus takes 
 great interest in everything calculated to promote 
 the welfare and prosperity of the city and the coun- 
 try contiguous thereto. He and his partner take 
 just pride in owning some of the best horses to lie 
 found in Northern Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Nicolaus set up his own household on Janu- 
 ary 10. 1883, when he vvas united in marriage with 
 Miss Louella L., daughter of L. L. Lane, of Musca- 
 tine, Iowa. This pleasing and intelligent lady in- 
 vests their dwelling with the attributes of true 
 home life, making of it the center of their social 
 existence. Mr. and Mrs. Nicolaus arc the hap|)y 
 parents of one child. 
 
 r/EROME DOXTADER, whose life work has 
 been farming, owns and occupies a valuable 
 tract of land on section 21, New Lenox 
 Township, in addition to which he owns 
 property in the village of New Lenox. In a quiet 
 and unassuming manner Blr. Dg^tader has pursued 
 his way in life, conscientiously discharging the du- 
 ties which lay in his pathwa}', accumulating a com- 
 fortable share of this vvorld's goods, and gaining 
 esteem from all who know him. 
 
rOKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 7C'J 
 
 From honorable German ancestry Me. Doxtader 
 derives llie stcrlino; traits of his character. His 
 parents, .lulin J. and Phrebe B. (Diienhach) Dox- 
 tader, were natives of Montgomery County, N. Y., 
 in wliich the\' niyo departed tliis life. They liad 
 nine children, of whom their son Jerome was the 
 youngest. He was born in the same county as his 
 parents, his natal day being November 1, 1829. 
 His life niitil liis twenty-third year was spent in 
 his native county, pursuing the opportunities af- 
 forded liiti) for acquiring an education, and the ag- 
 ricultural worli which he chose as his vocation. In 
 the fall of 18,")! he came to the Prairie State, and 
 choosing a location in New Lenox Townsliip, tiiis 
 C(.unty, has since resided here. 
 
 One of the most important slei)s in the life of 
 Mr. Doxtader was consummated October 2.'i, 1858, 
 when in this township he became the husband of 
 Delia Hartshorn. This lady is a daughter of David 
 ami Fannie ( Mellen ) Hartshorn, and was born in 
 this township about 1810. .She was a good woman, 
 faithful to her duties as wife and motlier, and ex- 
 hibiting toward neighbors and acquaintances 
 the kindliness of a gentle nature and Christian 
 spirit. She entered into rest Julj' 24, 1878, 
 iniiurued by a large circle of friends. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Doxtader three children were 
 liorn, namely', Willard K.; John D., who died when 
 nineteen j'ears old; and L\dia L., who is now teach- 
 ing in New Lenox. They received good advan- 
 tages in the way of education and home training, 
 and the surviving son and daughter are doing 
 credit to the name they bear. i\Ir. Doxtader is a 
 member of the Congregational Church, in the 
 faith of whicli his wife died. He believes that the 
 principles embodied in the Democratic platform 
 are those best adapted to the needs of the people, 
 and he therefore supports them with his voice and 
 vo'e. 
 
 ^^ M. CULVER, Superintendent and Man- 
 
 v^^/ I; ager of the Ashley Wire Works, in Joliet, 
 " '*^ is well known here and highly respected 
 (^' for his sobriety, honestj- and indnstry. His 
 
 career has not been devoid of exciting incidents, 
 
 and he has been "in perils oft" on fiehls of carnage 
 and in dangerous campaigns, while even the peace- 
 ful arts he has pursued have not been without some 
 liability to accidents. 
 
 Mr. Culver was born in Cazenovia, N. Y., May 
 18, 1842, and is of honorable ancestry. His grand- 
 father. Col. Richard Culver, was a brave officer of 
 the War of 1812. His mother belonged to the 
 illustrious family that gave to our country "Old 
 Tipi)ec!inoe"' and onr present honored President. 
 The father, Richard R. Culver, was a merchant in 
 Buffalo until 1849, when he disposed of his stock 
 and removed to Wisconsin, engaging in farming 
 until his death, in 1852. The farm was then sold 
 and the family made their home in Waukesha, 
 where Mrs. Paulina (Harrison) Culver died. 
 
 The eilucation of him of whom we write was 
 olitained in the public schools, and he began life 
 as a harness-maker. He remained in Waukesha 
 until 185(!, when became to Joliet. Li 1861, at 
 the first sountl of the war-cry, he returned to his 
 former home and enlisted in Company F, Fifth 
 Wisconsin Infantry, under Capt. Irving Beam and 
 Col. Cobb. The regiment was at once called into 
 active service in the Arni_^- of the Potomac, and with 
 that part of the Union forces went on the Penin- 
 sular campaign. At Williamsburg Mr. Culver was 
 wounded in both legs and head, and received a 
 furlough, subsequently being discharged on account 
 of the injuries. 
 
 Too patriotic to remain at home while the coun- 
 try was still in danger, Mr. Culver re-enlisted 
 after a partial recovery, joining the Third Wiscon- 
 sin Cavalry, in Comjjany D. With that body he 
 was sent into the dangerous regions infested with 
 bushwhackers, where many a deed of daring was 
 done and many a hazardous journey performed bj' 
 the brave men, to whom capture meant certain 
 death. He w.as present at Pilot Knob and Inde- 
 pendence, and made one of the band that captured 
 Gen. Marmaduke, "the lion of. the jungle." The 
 tireless band to which Mr. Culver belonged fol- 
 lowed Price to the Arkansas River and then turned 
 to scatter Quantrell's guerrillas. After the war was 
 ended and the rebels had laid down their arms, 
 they were detailed to guard Gen. Butterfield dur- 
 ing the construction of the route through the moun' 
 
770 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 
 
 tains past Denver. Mr. Culver then rude back to 
 Muilison, Wis., and leeeived an iionorable dis- 
 ciiargc. 
 
 Coming baci< to .luliel, Mr. Culver engaged in 
 roofing for a brief period, following which he was 
 Willi llie Auioricaii Sewing Machine Company as 
 general manager five years. After a season in the 
 rolling mills lie was requested by Oliver Bros., 
 of I'ltlsburg, who had bought the plant of Scutt 
 A Co., to take charge of a division in the Smoky 
 City, anil did so, moving to that place. He re- 
 mained there three years and six months and then 
 acceded to r, [jersonal request to return to Joliet 
 and take charge of the Ashley Wire Works. The 
 responsible position he then assumed he is still 
 holding, satisfying his employers and pleasing his 
 patrons. 
 
 In Joliet, in 1HG6, Mr. Culver was united in 
 marriage with JMiss Sarah Dice, a worthy woman, 
 who lived until 1872. To them were born: Ia'wIs 
 E., who died in 187G; Charles; and Willie, who 
 died in 1875. After the death of his first wife Mr. 
 Culver remained a widower until June 11, 1882, 
 when he led to the iiymencal altar Miss Catharine 
 (iieen,a lady of great worth of character and many 
 womanly accomplishtnents. She has borne him a win- 
 some daughter, Ida Nettie, whose natal day was 
 April 25, 1889. Mr. Culver is a member of Post 
 No. 2, U. Y. U., and holds the office of Lieutenant 
 Colonel. lie was reared to a belief in tiie tenets 
 of the ^Japlist Church, and to it gives his support 
 and personal influence. His wife also attends that 
 church. 
 
 \YJ AMES CURRY GRADY, of Joliet, was born 
 in Dublin, Ireland, November 26, 1836, and 
 spent his early years near his birthplace. 
 Young Grady learned the trade of a mechan- 
 ical engineer. He came to America in 1858, his 
 first sojourn being at Portland, Me., whence be went 
 to Toronto, Canada, and thence to Chicago, 111., in 
 1861. He tooK a position on the Illinois Central 
 Railroad, remaining in the Garden City until 1863, 
 when he entered tiie emi)loy of the Chicago & Al- 
 
 ton road, in whose service he lias been continuously- 
 since that date. In 1864 he removed to Joliet, in 
 which city he has since made his home. During 
 these twenty -seven years of employment by the 
 Chicago <k Alton Railroad Company, Mr. Grady 
 has been on all the branches of the s^^steiu, and has 
 drawn all kinds of trains. A still more remarkalile 
 fact connected with his career, is that he has never 
 had an accident. 
 
 Mr. Grady is a son of Henry (!rady, a native of 
 Galwa3-, Ireland. His parents came to Chicago by 
 the way of New ( )rleans. The Southern branch of 
 the family produced Henry Grad}' of Atlanta, Ga., 
 the noted orator and journalist whose recent death 
 was mourned far and wide. 
 
 Miss Ann Blake, a native of his own birthplace, 
 won the esteem of Mr. Grady, :nid his wooing hav- 
 ing proven successful, tliey were joined in holy 
 wedlock according to the ritual of the Churcli of 
 England, January 10, 1856, in Clonmel Parish, 
 County Tipperary, Ireland. Their liapi)\- union has 
 been blessed by the birth of nine children — Eliza- 
 beth, Henry, Will, John. Annie. Mary, Rosabel, 
 Mabel, and James. The three elilest are married; 
 Henr}' is a passenger conductor for the Union Pa- 
 cific and Oregon Navigation Company, having 
 risen through successive [jromotions; he is one of 
 the most trusted railroad men on the Pacific Slope: 
 his home is at Umatilla, Ore. Will is with the 
 Elgin, Joliet <k P^astern Railroad: John is Superin- 
 tendent of the machinery- in an extensive manu- 
 factory in Anderson, Ind. All the children were 
 given excellent educations in the Joliet High 
 School, and Annie is now a teacher in that institu- 
 tion, while Rosa was accorded the honor of being 
 chosen a teacher immediately on graduation. Mary 
 evinces a decided musical talent, and makes that 
 her specialty. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Grady are members of the Episco- 
 pal Church. Mr. Grady has passed through the 
 Masonic ranks of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and 
 Commandery. He enjoys the legitimate result of 
 a life of honor and industry in the respect of his 
 fellow-men, and the comforts of a cozy home on 
 Eastern Avenue, presided over by a capable house- 
 keeper, and blessed by the presence of cultured • 
 children and friends. 
 
I'HlirKAlT AND BlOGllAl'HICAL ALBUM, 
 
 771 
 
 ;f,^^ ENHY SPANGLER. A stninger would not 
 jl be in this county- long without hearing the 
 name which stands at the head of this bio- 
 ^^' graphical notice, and learning that it is the 
 cognomen of a prominent citizen of Jackson Town- 
 ship, and one wiio is widely known throughout the 
 county. At present this gentleman holds theoflice 
 I of Supervisor, a position iu which he has served 
 I his fellow-men for several years, his continuance in 
 it proving conclusively that the duties have been 
 discharged in a satisfactory manner. This is not 
 the only public capacity in which Mr. Spangler has 
 acted. In 1882 he was elected County Treasurer, 
 and for fourj'cars his financial ability and integrity 
 were made useful in that capacity. 
 
 Pennsylvania was the native State of David 
 Spangler and Amelia Batey, who became man and 
 wife, and reared a family of nine children. They 
 removed to Summit County, Ohio, in which the 
 latter years of their life were spent. There their 
 youngest child was born February 26, 1837, he 
 being the gentleman of whom we write. He re- 
 mained in his native State until he was twentj- 
 years old, in the meantime becoming well versed 
 in the management of a farm, as his father was an 
 agriculturist, and acquiring a good education. 
 
 Upon leaving his native State, Mr. Spangler re- 
 paired to this couuty, and at once made a settle- 
 
 ment on section 12, Jackson Township, engaging 
 in agricultural pursuits. So successful have been 
 his labors, that he now owns five hundred and sixtj- 
 I acres in Jackson and Manhattan Townships, and has 
 I an assured Qnancial standing. Every detail of the 
 work carried on u|)on his place is under careful 
 I oversight, and every part of the large estate evinces 
 the taste and ability of the owner. A full line of 
 buildings may be seen thereon, all substantial and 
 well designed, while stock and machineiy are ex- 
 cellent and sufficient in number and quantitj'. 
 
 The pleasant home of Mr. Spangler is presided 
 over by a lady whose intelligence and grace add to 
 the attractions of the hospitable dwelling. She was 
 known in her maidenhood as Miss Rachael Grove, 
 and was a native of Summit County, Ohio, in 
 which her marriage to our subject took place. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Spangler have four living children, named 
 respectively : Samuel M., EUery G., Alvin O.. and 
 Dora A. They mourn the loss of a daughter. 
 Almeda M.. who died at the age of nine years. Mr. 
 Spangler is a Democrat, and has taken quite an 
 active part in political aflfairs. The family is re- 
 garded as a credit to tlie section in which they re- 
 side, and were a wish expressed regarding them, it 
 would be that they might long continue their resi- 
 dence here, as their present health promises will be 
 the case. 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 ' 7 ■ ! 1 *^^4-1-5- 
 
 
 '^NE of tlie most important fac- 
 tors in the Inisincss develop- 
 ment and prosperity of a 
 -^ city, county ur State, is its 
 ||t^ railroad communications. A 
 
 G~) " ^" retrospection of tlie history 
 of the Soutli Platte Country since 
 k) the advent of railroad facilities, will 
 convince the careful observer of the 
 immense benefit resulting from the 
 introduction of this essential adjunct 
 of commercial enterprise. The fol- 
 lowing brief sketches of the leading 
 lailroads of this section of the great 
 common weal lIi will form an interesting feature of 
 this Album. It may be remarked in this connec- 
 tion that the roads referred to are not only the im- 
 portant corporations of Kansas, but stand among 
 the first in the Nation. 
 
 -J^^- 
 
 (!liic:ijjo. Rock ImIuihI & Pacific 
 
 'iJ S among the oldest and most important trunk 
 lines, ha » ing Chicago for its eastern terminus — 
 the completion of this road in Illinois marked 
 :in important era in the development of the north- 
 ern and western portion of the State, as well as 
 contributing to the upbuilding of many thriving 
 
 manufacturing cities on its line — notably Joliet, 
 Moline, Rock Island and Davenport; also with its 
 two branches extending to Peoria, has opened up 
 good markets for the extensive coal and agricul- 
 tural resources of that locality, likewise giving a 
 rajjid impetus to the commercial and manufactur- 
 ing resources of Peoria. Moline (except Chicago), 
 is probably the most important and extensive man- 
 ufacturing city on the line, and through the enter- 
 prise of the great Rock Island Route it has been 
 enabled to lay down its manufactured wares to the 
 farmers of Southern Iowa, Northern Missouri and 
 Kansas, cheaper than by any other road, and the 
 vast lumber interests of the cities of Rock Island 
 and Davenport have by means of this line been 
 enabled to react} the most important, as well as the 
 most remote, places In Kansas. The Rock Island 
 has always been in the very van of railroad prog- 
 ress; while always solid and substantial, yet it has 
 ever been steadily and constantly building new 
 lines and extending its system until it now ramifies 
 into the best regions of the Mississippi and Jlis- 
 souri Valleys. It lines extending to Denver, Colo- 
 rado Springs, and other points in Colorado, offer 
 unsuri)assed facilities, to the tourist or man of busi- 
 ness for elegant and comfortable traveling; its 
 superb dining cars have among travelers made it 
 renowned as among the best roads of the "West. In 
 brief the Rock Island Company has by a judicious 
 system of permanent improvements, and by the in- 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Iroduction of all modern appliances which tend to 
 Ihe preservation of life and jn-operty, placed itself 
 in such a condition, niatcriallj- and jjliysically, that 
 its financial fnture cannot lie alTuctcd by the con- 
 tingencies which seriously aflfect other roads. Its 
 success as one of tiie f^rcat highways of tiic A\^est 
 is an assured reality. It might bo appropriately 
 noted here tliat while much of this road's past suc- 
 cess may be attributed to its admirable geograjjh- 
 ical loi'ation, einl)racing a vciy rich section of the 
 country for local trallic, and with a termini on Lake 
 Michigan, tiie Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and 
 Denver, tlie heart of tlie- Rocky IMonnlain le- 
 gions, equally as much is due to the stability of tiie 
 management, and to the fact tiiat tiie property has 
 never yet become the foot-ball of speculators. It 
 is not surprising that the Chicago, Rock Island & 
 Pacific has maintained a firm position as an invest- 
 ment in tlic moncj'etl centers of tlie world, and it 
 lias acquired a well-merited popularity with tlie 
 traveling and slii|)i)iiig public. Its steel rails and 
 well ballasted road-bed have long since made it the 
 favorite with shippers, and its freight traffic is im- 
 mense and growing. At Council Bluffs and Omaha, 
 connections arc made with all roads centering 
 there. It is the most direct and shortest route be- 
 tween Omaha and Chicago — and hence the favorite 
 of shippers. At Davenport a branch diverges to 
 the Southwest, and extends to Kansas City, Leav- 
 enworth, Atchison and St. Joseph. 
 
 At St. Joseph the road crosses the Missouri and 
 enters Kansas; at llorton the line diverges and ex- 
 tends up into Nebraska as far as Nelson; from 
 Fairbury, Neb., the line extends through Northern 
 Kansas to Denver, and Colorado Springs. From 
 llorton the line leads in a southwesterly direction 
 thiough Topeka, the capital of the State; thence to 
 Ilerington, Hutchinson and to Liberal, the latter 
 j)lace on the line of the Indian Territory. At Mc- 
 Failand a spur extends in a northwestern direction 
 through Manhattan and Clay Center to Belleville, 
 ■where a junction is made with the main line to 
 Denver, Col.; at Herington a short branch goes to 
 Abilene and Salina. From Herington the line 
 passes south through Wichita and Wellington to 
 Caldwell, on the line of the Indian Territoi-j". 
 
 With its accustomed energy this road was the 
 
 first to complete its line into the Oklahoma country, 
 passing through Kingfisher, and having Kl Reno 
 for its Southern terminus. 
 
 ClIAKACTKlJlsriCS OK TIIIC KOAI>. 
 
 The whole number of miles operated by the Chi- 
 cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway at the presi'iii. 
 time, including second tracks and sidings, is aboui 
 four tliousand and ninety-three miles. The main 
 track mileage in the following States is: Illinois, 
 236 miles; Iowa, 1,060.10; Missouri, 286.70; Kaii- 
 s:is, 1,117.37; Nebraska, 140.97; Colorado, 376. 0(; ; 
 and Indian Territory, 106.75 — 186.70 second track, 
 and about 565.45 side track. 
 
 This company has a contract for joint use of 
 track with the Hannibal it St. Joseph between Kan- 
 sas City and Cameron Junction; with the Union 
 Pacific Railway from Kansas City to North Topeka, 
 also from Linion to Denver; and with the Denver 
 <fe Rio Grande between Denver and Pueblo. 
 
 The principal shops of this company are located 
 at Chicago, 111.; Rock Island, III.; Stewart, Iowa, 
 Trenton, Mo.; Horton and Goodland, Kan.; and 
 Roswell, Colo. .Solid trains, carrying all classes 
 of passengers, are run through between Chicago, 
 Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, via St. Joseph, 
 Kansas City and Topeka; through trains to Wich- 
 ita, El Reno (Ft. Reno), Hutchinson, Dodge Cit\-, 
 Salina and Al)ilene. The line is equipped with 
 first-class baggage, mail, smoking cars and coaches; 
 chair cars of the latest improved pattern of chairs, 
 and Pullman Palace Sleeping Cars. Dining cars 
 are now running on all through passenger trains 
 between Colorado points and Chicago, and also 
 between Council Bluffs and Chicago, and eating- 
 houses are located at convenient points on all divis- 
 ions for the accommodation of local trains. It is 
 contemplated to establish dining-car service on the 
 whole line, in the near future. In regard to freight 
 traffic, the management has a comprehensive sys 
 tcm of through cars and way-billing to all promi- 
 nent points in the West, Northwest and Southwest. 
 Having their own rails between Chicago, Peoria 
 and Kansas City, St. Joseph, Omaha and Denver, 
 no delays or transfers between Chicago and any of 
 these points. Also run through cars to the Pacific 
 Coast via all lines having terminals on the coast. 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Less than car-load shipments to all prominent 
 points in through cars, thus avoiding transfers and 
 delay. Special attention is paid to live stock from 
 nil i)oinls on the line. At present there is one 
 liundrcd and eighty-seven miles of double track 
 licing operated, one luindrcd and eighty-one miles 
 of which is located in Illinois, between Chicago 
 and Rock Island; the balance in Iowa, from Da- 
 venport to what is known as I)oiil)le Track Junc- 
 tion, about six miles west of Davenport on the 
 Council Bluff line. 
 
 The cx|ierience of the jiast has clearly demon- 
 strated that whatever is undertaken by the mana- 
 gers of the Rock Island is not merely done, but 
 done well, that tlic}' possess to an almost unlimited 
 extent the confidence of Eastern and European 
 capitalists, and that they are remarkably shrewd 
 and far-seeing in anything which affects the present 
 or the futvire interests of their property. 
 
 It will be observed that all the great leading 
 marts of trade in Kansas are tapped by this road, 
 tlicreby giving to that portion of the AVestastrong 
 and substantial competitive market with the great 
 Ivistern commercial centers. 
 
 •aaz/®*®^ 
 
 5^4— ».^.a/OT'w<» 
 
 Aicliisoii, Topoka A: Santa Vv Railway, 
 
 JOPULARLY known as the Santa Fe Uoutt;. 
 The initial lines of this great s\'stem were 
 first built from Atchison to Topeka, in 
 ) \ 1869, and for many years the former c^ty 
 was the Eastern terminus of the roail. The man- 
 agement of the Santa Fe, with wonderful energy, 
 pushed out its lines in every direction into the 
 yuung and growing State of Kansas, and in the 
 majority of instances preceding settlement and 
 civilization. This road was the first to penetrate 
 across tlie southern part of Colorado, via I'ueblo 
 and Trinidad into New Mexico, until its lines pene- 
 trated the old adobe town of Santa Fe, whose citi- 
 zens were half Spanish and half Mexican. As its 
 course penetrated the wilderness it sometimes fol- 
 loweil tlie old Santa Fe Trail, and generally not far 
 ilistant at any time from the "trail" which had 
 
 been made famous j'cars before by trapi»rs and 
 also by the Government freighters. The mar- 
 velous growth and development of the State of 
 of Kansas is in a great measure due to the enter- 
 prise and public spirit of the managers of tlie Santa 
 Fe System. Not 011I3' did they devote the'.r en- 
 ergy to the upbuilding of the road, but at great 
 expense they maintained emigration and Colonial 
 agents in the various countries of Euiope, as well 
 as in the Eastern, Middle and Southern States, 
 thereby advertising the State of Kansas as no other 
 State has heretofore been done. Its climate, its 
 soil and great advantages to the home seeker were 
 at times fully portrayed by the enterprise of this 
 road — every fostering care was given to the stock 
 anil ranch men, to the merchant, the mechanic and 
 the manufacturer to settle in Kansas — as a result 
 we have here a State in the center of the Union, of 
 boundless agricultural resources, settled hy a wide- 
 awake, enterprising and prosperous people. The 
 Santa Fe owns and o[ierates more miles of road in 
 Kansas than any other line, with its vast system of 
 East and West, North and South lines reaching 
 every important town in the State, and penetrating 
 sixty-three counties in Kansas. The magnitude of 
 its business is immense. Its lines beginning at the 
 Missouri River towns in Kansas are St. Joseph, Atch- 
 ison, Leavenworth and Kansas Cit}'; extends south 
 to Coffey ville, Arkansas City, Ilunnewell, Caldwell, 
 New Kiowa (thence to the Pan Handle of Texas), 
 and north to Superior, in Nebraska; Concordia, 
 Clay Center. Minneapolis, and other Northern 
 Kansas cities. Its main lines and branches reach 
 nearly every important city in the State. St. Jo- 
 seph, on the Missouri side of the river, has a popu- 
 lation of nearly one hundred thousand, and its 
 wholesale trade is heavy througliout the West 
 Atchison is a growing city of about twenty thous- 
 and people; the .Soldiers' Orphans Home of the 
 State is located here. Leavenworth, with her thirty 
 thousand people, is an important manufacturing 
 center. Leavenworth w.as the earliest famous city 
 of Kansas, as it was the original outfitting point for 
 travel and traffic across tlie plains. The Kansas 
 system may bedescribed as a main e.istand west line, 
 over four hundred miles in length, with branch 
 lines extending in every direction where an area of 
 
TKANSPORTATION. 
 
 particularly rich country, or some other special 
 advantages invited a linn of rails. 
 
 The read from Topoka, after 1 SC'J, was extended 
 west and south, and then east to Kansas City l)y 
 purchase of a line built by another company. From 
 Kansas City, in 1887-88 the line was extended to 
 Chit'ago, under the name of liie Chicago, Santa Fe 
 & California Road; iu 1887, also the i)urchase of 
 the Gulf, Colorado ct Santa Fe Road, and the ex- 
 tension of tiie Kansas lines through the Indian 
 Territory to Texas, gave the company a line to the 
 Gulf of Mexico. So that at the present time liie 
 Santa Fe System proper begins at Chicago, passes 
 through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, 
 Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona 
 and California, and has for its Southern terminals 
 Galveston, on the Gulf of Mexico, and El Paso, on 
 tlie IMexican frontier; and for its Western terminals 
 San Diego and Los, Angeles, on the Pacific Coast, 
 (San Francisco being practically a Pacific-Coast 
 terminal, as it is reached via Mojave, over the 
 tracks of the Southern Pacific Railway); and for 
 its Northern terminals Chicago, St. Joseph, Mo., 
 Su|)erior, Neb., anil Denver, the capital of Colo- 
 rado. 
 
 Chicago to Kansas City is practically an air line, 
 being the most straight and direct of any road 
 between the two cities. It passes through a large 
 number of important towns in Illinois, including 
 Joliet, with its great steel worics, and other manu- 
 facturing interests. The next important place is 
 Streator, a few miles south of the latter place; a 
 branch extends to tlie thriving city of Pekin, on 
 the Illinois River. From Streator the main line 
 crosses the Illinois at Cliillicothe, and extends 
 through Peoria and Knox Counties to the beauti- 
 ful .'ind enterprising city of Galesburg, here it 
 comes in competition with several lines of the 
 Burlington Sj'stem ; thence running in a southwest- 
 erly direction through a rich and populous section, 
 crossing the Mississippi at Ft. Madison, on a mag- 
 nificent steel bridge. Here the company have 
 established shops, that being the terminus of tlie 
 two operating divisions of the road. From Ft. 
 Madison by a spur Keokuk is reached. The line 
 through Missouri shows very heavy construction 
 work, made to secure what was desired iu the way 
 
 of distance and grades. Along the Santa Fe new 
 towns are springing uji, and new industries arc be- 
 ing dcvilopcd. Twenty miles east of Kansas City 
 tlic Missouri River is crossed by a steel bridge, so 
 that the line enters Kans:»s City on tlie south sids 
 of the river. From Kansas City to Topeka thi^ 
 line runs on the Sou til bank of the Kansas River; 
 at Wilder anil llolliday are [)oiiits for the depart- 
 ure of branch lines — one northwest to Atchison, 
 and the otiier soiilliwest through Ottawa and Suuth- 
 ern Kansas, being known as the Southern Kansas 
 division of tlie Santa Fe System. From Lawrence 
 to Topeka tiie road is still iu the Kansas Valley, 
 through a veritable garden. Native trees of greiit 
 height overhang the railway here and there, and in 
 the spring and summer the crops look green and 
 luxuriant. The approach to Topeka is through the 
 long yards, and by the vast machine shops of the 
 Santa Fe Company, across various broad streets to 
 a commodious brick station. 
 
 The general offices of the road are in Topeka, 
 and occu|)y a handsome and commodious buililing 
 near tlie State capitol. From Topeka to Denver 
 the Santa Fe Route runs for about seventy-five 
 miles iu a southwesterly direction to the upper wa- 
 ters of Neosho River, at Emporia, passing through 
 Osage County, where are found some of the richest 
 coal fields of the West. At Newton the line di- 
 verges south through Southern Kansas, the Indian 
 Territory and Texas to Galveston; continuing 
 west from Newton the first city of importance 
 reached is Hutchinson; here are some of the heaviest 
 salt works in the United States, besides other ex- 
 tensive manufacturing interests. West of Ilutch- 
 inson the line extends through a fertile, pros|)erous 
 and rapidly growing district. The line is beautified 
 here and there by many thriving cities and villages. 
 At La Junta, in Colorado, the line for New Mex- 
 ioo, Arizona and beyond, turns south. Pueblo, 
 sixty-five miles due west of La Junta, for years the 
 terminus of the Santa Fe S^'stem. is a growing 
 manufacturing cit3'. It is admirably located with 
 reference to the great ore-producing canons of Col- 
 orado. All roads leading to it, coal, iron, silver, 
 gold, lead, copper, building stone, everything in 
 fact which is produced in the greatest mining State 
 in the Union, roll naturally down hill to Pueblo. 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Beyond Pueblo to tlio west are many thriving cities 
 founded on mining and agrieiilture, notaljly : Lead- 
 ville, the greatest mining camp in Colorado; while 
 forty miles north, on tliu line of the Santa Fc, arc 
 the lovely villages of Colorado Springs, and Mani- 
 tou, nestling at tiie foot of Pike's Peak. Manitou 
 is at tiie mouth of a deep canon, and is one of the 
 most lovely summer resorts in America. Near iiere 
 is the famous "Garden of the Gods," whose won- 
 drous beauty and grandeur is unsurpassed. From 
 Color.ado Springs westward, through Manitou and 
 lip the canon beyond Pike's Pc.ik, the Colorado 
 Midland Railvvay is pushing its waj' far toward tlie 
 the western borders of tiie State. Eighty miles 
 D'jrth of Colorado Springs the Santa Fe line tor- 
 min.'ites at Denver, a magnificently built citj^ of 
 nearly two hundred thousand people. It is prob- 
 able that no American city has so many features of 
 unique beauty as Denver. Its splendid public iiuild- 
 ings, and its broad avenues lined with beautiful 
 residences, cozily located at the foot of the snow- 
 ca|)ped mountains of the Rocky range, render it 
 unlike any other city of its size in the world. The 
 ride from Pueblo to Denver along the foot of the 
 mountains is one never to be missed. The snow- 
 coveicd peaks, the many combinations of sun and 
 cloud, and rain and snow; the marvelous ntmos- 
 ])liere, all combine to suriirise and charm the be- 
 holder. 
 
 From Newton to Galveston, the line leaving the 
 main east and west line in Kansas at Newton, runs 
 directly south to Galveston. The first place of 
 importance reached is the phenomenal city of Wich- 
 ita, located on the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, 
 a citj' of thirty-five thousand people, where only a 
 few years ago was an Indian trading-post. "Wichita 
 is (ine of the most remarkable cities in the West. It 
 li:is a heavy and growing wholesale trade, and a 
 large amount of manufacturing liusiness, includin<jr 
 the Burton Stock Car Works, the Dold & Whit- 
 aker Meat-Packing establishments. The city is 
 handsomely laid out, and lias many handsome pub- 
 lic buildings, commodious business houses and 
 s|)acious residences, situated on broad avenues, 
 lined with beautiful shade trees. South of Wichita 
 is a cluster of growing (;ities, comprising Winlield, 
 Wellington, Arkansas City and Caldwell. Wieliita 
 
 and Arkansas City have profited mucli by the 
 
 opening up of Oklahoma to settlement. Kntering 
 the Indian Territory the line passes through a 
 magnificent agricultural country, as yet almost 
 wholly undeveloped. In Texas the principal cities 
 on the line between the Indian Territory and Gal- 
 veston, arc GainesvilU', Paris, Ft. Worth, Cleburne. 
 Dallas, Morgan, Temple, Brenham, Houston and 
 Richmond. Galveston, the terminus, is a rapidly 
 
 I growing city of fifty tliousand inhabitants. It is 
 charmingly situ.ated on the (iiilf Coast, ami has an 
 unsurpassed climate in both summer and winter. 
 
 ( From La Junta to El Paso, the line leaving La 
 Junta climbs to the summit of the Raton Range, 
 seventy-sis hundred and twenty-two feet above the 
 sea. On the way up it |ia.sses through the impor- 
 tant Colorado towns of El Moro and Trinidad. The 
 village of Raton is an important division point for 
 the railway, and then comes Las Vegas and its 
 famous hot springs, six miles distant from the main 
 line, but connected with it by a short line with 
 good equipments. At the Hot Springs is the PIud- 
 nix Hotel. The springs are unsurpassed anywhere 
 in the world, and the hotel is conducted by the 
 company in the most generous manner imaginalde. 
 The springs are forty-two in number, and are hot 
 and cold, and have a variety of mineral properties 
 which render them remarkably strong in their cura- 
 tive power. South of Las Vegas the line passes 
 through fertile valleys, heavy forests, and l)l.ack 
 and rugged canons, until the valley of the Rio 
 Grande is reached. A branch line from Laniy ex- 
 tends up the mountain to Santa Fe, the capital of 
 New Mexico, next to St. Augustine, the oldest city 
 in America. Santa Fe li.as a new Stale House, and 
 its quaint old churches and dwellings arc inter- 
 spersed with modern structures. It should be seen 
 before the peculiar charm of its antiquity has been 
 entirely destroyed. Albuquerque, Socorro and San 
 Marcial are the chief points between Santa Fe and 
 El Paso. All are important points for the business 
 of mining, cattle raising and general commerce. 
 From Rincon a branch line leads to Deining, where 
 junction is made with the Southern Pacific Rail- 
 way, and to Silver Citj', and to the other mining 
 townsof Southern New Mexico. It is the fortunate 
 destiny of New Mexico generally', and the Rio 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Grande Valley particularly, to soon take front rank 
 in the line of fruit protluction. The grapes produceil 
 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are not surpassed 
 hi either quality or quantity by the product of any 
 part of tlie Continent. 
 
 From Albuquerque to tiie Pacific Coast, in tlie 
 heart of New Mexico, due west, the Atlantic iVr 
 Pacific Railroad forms the main Santa Ke Route to 
 California. The line passes through a great mining 
 and stock-raising country, where the climate is per- 
 fect. Prescott, the capital of Arizona, is reached 
 by a brancli from Prescott Junction. Constant 
 changes of scenery characterize the line, and the 
 crossing of the Colorado Canon is one of tlie most 
 remarkable accomplishments known in the railroad 
 world. In Soiithein California the lines of the 
 California Central & Southern reach every impor- 
 tnnt city. Barstow, San Bernardino, Colton, San 
 Diego, National City, Los Angeles, and a hundred 
 Other beautiful towns offer nnequaled inducements 
 to the seeker after health, wealth and pleasure. 
 San Francisco and other cities of Cential and 
 Northern California are reached by the lines of the 
 Southern Pacific by virtue of a special arrangement 
 for trallic. Between Cliicago and Kansas City 
 meals are served on the finest dining cars; on the 
 other lines .and branches arc superb eating-houses 
 and liotels. No expense is spared in securing ele- 
 gant accommodations; the supplies are secured 
 from the best markets Fast and West. 
 
 From the resume thus given of the facilities pos- 
 sessed by the Santa Fe Railway, for interchanging 
 tratJic at its tonnini and various junctions, it must 
 be apparent to the reader that the line is admirably 
 
 situated, and tliat in many respects it occupies a ij 
 strategic position, superi(*r to tliat of other trans- 
 Missouri and Mississippi railroads. These ad van- ■ 
 tages have been utilized in the p.ast, as they will be 
 in the future, in developing tiie localities through i 
 which the various brandies extend, and to build Ij 
 up the permanent prosperity of the property whose ' 
 histoiy is so closely interwoven witli tlie settlement, , 
 development and prosperity of the West beyond I 
 the Missouri River. Its local traffic compares fa- 
 voi'ably with that of other competing lines. To 
 this purely local traffic must be added the contri- 
 butions of its several termini, all large cities and ll 
 prominent trade centers in tlie Missouri and Mi 
 sissippi Valleys. With the growth and steady 
 development of the manufacturing and other indus- 
 tries of Chicago, Kansas City, St. Joseph, Atclii- 
 son, Leavenworth, Topeka, Wichita, Galveston, 
 El Paso, Pueblo and Denver, the Santa Fe Rail- 
 way must materially make corresponding strides <i 
 toward attaining that proud financial position which i 
 has been the life dream of its originators and i 
 present owners. Under the present progressive and I 
 conservative management, all advantages of geo-- 
 grapical position, and all the resources of the v 
 through line will be constantly utilized in building! 
 up the future prosperity of the road itself, and in 
 <levelopiiig the extended area of Chicago's com- 
 mercial supremacy. The Land Grant from the 
 (Government amounted substantially to three mill-- 
 ion acres. In brief its commanding geographical I 
 position, coupled with its direct Eastern alliance 
 for tlirough business, must renilor the Santa Fe 
 eventually one of the most remunerative of our 
 Western railroads. 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Tlie Wabash. 
 
 O THE public aii'l our thousands of readers 
 in general: — It will no doubt be interesting 
 ^ to ill! if we give a brief description of 
 this road. The WiUiash, as now known, has been 
 ii| iiated under several names from time to time. 
 Jl is the offspring, as it were, of the first line of 
 road projected in Illinois, then known as the 
 Northern Cross Railroad, extending from Dan- 
 ville to Quincy. This was chartered in 1837, and 
 upon it the first locomotive was placed in the 
 winter of 1838-39, running from Meredosia, on 
 the Illinois River, to Jacksonville. In 1842 the 
 road was completed from Jacksonville to Spring- 
 field, and three trips were made per week. The 
 track was of the old flat rail style, which was made 
 by nailing thin strips of iron on two parallel lines 
 of timbers placed at the proper distance apart, and 
 running lengthways of the road. The engine as 
 well as the road soon became so impaired that the 
 former had to be abandoned, and mules substituted 
 as the motor power. However, such locomotion 
 was destined to be of short duration, for tlie State 
 soon after sold the entire road for a nominal sum, 
 and thus for a short time was suspended one of the 
 (iist railroad enterprises in Illinois. But in the 
 West a new era — one of prodigious industrial 
 activity and far-reaching results in the practical 
 arts — was dawning, and within thirty years of the 
 lemporarj' failure of the road mentioned, Illinois 
 had outstripped all others in gigantic internal im- 
 provements, and at present has more miles of rail- 
 [road than any other State in the Union. 
 
 The Great Western, whose name has been suc- 
 cissivel}' changcil to Toledo, Wabash & Western, 
 Wabash, and Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, and 
 W.ibash Railroad, and The Wabash, the last of 
 w liich it still bears, was an extension of the Northern 
 t'l OSS Railroad, above mentioned, and traverses some 
 of the finest portions of Illinois, Indiana and Oliio. 
 It soon became the popular highway of travel and 
 trailic lietween the East and the West. Through a 
 system of consolidation, unparalleled in American 
 railways, it has become a giant among them, and 
 Ikis added many millions of dollars to the value of 
 111, lids and shares of the various companies now 
 incorporated in the Wabash system. The road 
 
 takes its title from the river of that name, a tribu- 
 tary of the Ohio, which ic part separates the States 
 of Illinois and Indiana. In looking over the map 
 of the Wabash Railroad it will be seen that the 
 line extends through the most fertile and wealthy 
 portions of the center of the United States, having 
 termini at more large cities than any other West- 
 ern road. It was indeed a far-reaching sagacity 
 which consolidated these various lines into the 
 Wabash system, forming one immense chain of 
 great commercial activity and power. Its ter- 
 minal facilities are unsurpassed by any competing 
 line. Its home offices are established in commo- 
 dious quarters in St. Louis. The lines of the road 
 are co-extensive with the importance of the great 
 transportation facilities required for the products 
 of the Mississippi Valley. This line passes through 
 the States of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio 
 and Michigan. 
 
 The various lines of road may be divided into 
 the following: 
 
 Miles. 
 
 St. Louis to Chicago 286 
 
 Toledo to Kansas City 662 
 
 St. Louis to Des Moines 360 
 
 Logansport to Detroit 207 
 
 Chicago to Lsketon Junction 123 
 
 Clayton to Keokuk 42 
 
 lUuffs to Quincy 105 
 
 Streator to Forest 37 
 
 Attica to Covington 15 
 
 Champaign to Sidney 12 
 
 Edwardsville to Edwardsville 
 
 Crossing 9 
 
 Rement to Altamont and Effingham 63 
 
 lirunswick to Omaha 225 
 
 Roseberry to Clarinda 21 
 
 Salisbury to Glasgow 15 
 
 Centralia to Columbia 22 
 
 Miles of main lines and branches. . 2204 
 
 From the above main line and branches as in- 
 dicated, it will readily be seen that the Wabash 
 connects with more large cities and great marts of 
 trade than any other line, bringing Omaha, Kansas 
 City, Des Moines, Keokuk, (Juincy, St. Louis, 
 Chicago, Toledo and Detroit together with one 
 continuous line of steel rails. This road has an 
 immense freight traffic of the cereals, live-stock, 
 various productions and manufactured articles of 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 the West and the States through which it passes. 
 Its facilities for rapid transit for the vast produc- 
 tions of the packing houses of Kansas City and 
 St. Louis, to Detroit, Toledo and the Eastern marts 
 of trade, is unequalled. A large portion of the 
 grain productions of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Mis- 
 souri, Illinois and Indiana, finds its way to tlie 
 Eascern markets over the lines of this road. The 
 Wahash has always taken an advanced position in 
 tariffs, and its course toward its patrons has been 
 just and lihcral, so that it has alwaj'S enjoyed the 
 coiiiniondation of the business and traveling i)ublic. 
 Tiie road lied is one of the best in tlie country, and 
 is ball.asted wfth gravel and stone, well tied and 
 laid with steel rails. The bridges along the var- 
 Unif lines and branches are substantial structuies. 
 The depots, grounds and general property of the 
 road are in good condition. The management of 
 the .Wabash is fully abreast of the times. The 
 road is progressive in every respect. The finest 
 passenger cars on the continent are run on its lines, 
 and every effort made to advance the interests of 
 its patrons. The passenger department is unex- 
 celled for the elegant and substantial comfort 
 afforded travelers. On several of the more im- 
 portant branches of the system, dining cars are 
 run. 
 
 Chicago & Alton. 
 
 e^^HE Chicago & Alton has more miles of road 
 lll/^ix in this conntv than any other line, and has 
 v>^>?' been a great factor iu the development of 
 the western part of the county, and especially of 
 the city of Joliet. In conjunction with the Illi- 
 nois cfe Michigan Canal it furnished the first oppor- 
 tunity for the shipment of the immense output of 
 the stone quarries of Joliet, and after the establish- 
 ment' of the iron mills and other manufacturing 
 concerns, other roads came in to compete for the 
 traffc. In one continuous line it connects the 
 three great cities — Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas 
 City. The road h.as a large and increasing freight 
 and passenger traflic, and its road bed is of a substan- 
 tial and permanent character, wiiile its rolling stock 
 is alwa^'S in first class shape. 
 
 Michigan CentraL 
 
 ■^^ *)HIS road will prove an important adjunct 
 in the develo|iment of .Toliet, inasmuch .as 
 it furnishes with its extraordinary connec- 
 tions the best of transportation facilities to the 
 ICastern markets for the manufactured, farm and 
 stone products of the county. 
 
 Illinois Central. 
 
 N September. IS.OO, Congress passed an Act, 
 and it was approved by Tresident Fillmore, 
 'ii granting an aggregate of 2,595,053 acres of 
 land to aid in building this road. 
 
 The Act granted the right of way, and gave 
 alternate sections of land for sis miles on either 
 side of the road. The grant of land was made 
 directly to the State. On the 10th of February, 
 1851, the Legislature of Illinois granted a charter 
 to an Eastern conipanj', represented b\' Rantoul 
 and others, to build it, with a capital sto( k of 
 $1,000,000. The Legisl.ature, in granting the 
 charter and transferring to the corporation tlii' 
 lands, stipidated that scvan pfir cent, of the gross 
 earnings of the road should lie paid semi-annually 
 into the treasury of the State forever. This wise 
 provision, in lieu of the liberal land grant, j'ields -a 
 handsome annual revenue to the State. This road 
 h.as a total length of seven hundred and six miles 
 in Illinois alone, connecting Cairo with Chicago 
 and Dunleith, or from Cairo to Centralia one 
 hundred and twelve miles, and from Centralia to 
 Dunleith three hundred and forty-one miles. At 
 Dunleith a fine steel bridge spans t\^ Mississippi, 
 connecting the former citj' with Dubuque, from 
 which point a line traverses the State of Iowa, 
 having for its western terminus the thriving city 
 of Sioux Cit}'. 
 
 At Cairo the Ohio is spanned by a high and 
 splendid steel bridge, over which through trains 
 are run to New Orleans. This road is one of the 
 great trunk lines of Illinois and the Mississippi 
 N'alley. Its principal leased line in this State is 
 the Oilman & Springfield road, and with its 
 Iowa and New Orleans divisions serves to mark il 
 as one of the principal roads of the West. 
 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Chicago & Eiisterii Illiu<»is. 
 
 (if^T^HIS important road passes through the town- 
 shi|)s of Crete and Wasliington, in this 
 eouiity. from nortli to soutii, having ahont 
 thirteen miles, ineluding side tracks, in the county. 
 The principal stations are Crete and Bcecher. This 
 road furnishes fine facilities for the shipment to 
 Chicago of the products of tlie a])ove-namcd 
 township. 
 
 Klgiu, Joliet & Eastern. 
 
 )ETTER known as the .loliet Belt Line, with 
 its numerous connections, has furnisiied 
 superior facilities to the large manufacturing 
 and quarry interests of the city, and has 
 been a prominent factor in their development. 
 

 A 
 
 A.Kuu. William .750 
 
 A lam, W. J 73' 
 
 Adams, John 23 
 
 Ailains, John Q 39 
 
 Adlcr, Jacob 623 
 
 Adk-r, P. P 330 
 
 Akiii,!^. H 636 
 
 Al-^xander, George 475 
 
 Ari)ciier, Carl 581 
 
 Arthur, Chester A gg 
 
 Ashley, James K. 255 
 
 Austin, J. B ■ ■ - 662 
 
 Austin, J. E 762 
 
 llaerchcck, Dr.C. M 713 
 
 Mailey, Daniel 341 
 
 r!aldwin,H. H., M. D 471 
 
 llallance, Alexander 617 
 
 Uannon, M. E 551 
 
 liarher, F. E 355 
 
 liarbcr, R. E 31S 
 
 P.arney, V. L. D 597 
 
 liarns, N 442 
 
 Karrclt, J. 634 
 
 Harthelme, Joseph 458 
 
 i^artlett, George VV CoS 
 
 Hatterniann, C 628 
 
 Kallmann, C. F 719 
 
 lied ford, John *. . . ..198 
 
 Ueggs, S. R 765 
 
 Hehrens, Henry 591 
 
 licnnett, Nathan 660 
 
 I'cnnctt. Thomas 6B3 
 
 licnscn.O. H 551 
 
 llcrgan, Bros 268 
 
 I'erggren, Hon. A. W 282 
 
 Hcrschied, Peter 460 
 
 Bcseke, Charles 422 
 
 Heutien. Wm 695 
 
 Hcveridgc, John 1 171 
 
 Kiggins, James 56S 
 
 Binzen, Michael 425 
 
 Birkett, Daniel 715 
 
 Bissell, William H 151 
 
 lilakely, U. S. G 548 
 
 Bliss, Abel... 709 
 
 Blogg, G. H . . .641 
 
 Blood, Charles I ....642 
 
 Boehl, August 299 
 
 Bohi, Henry 286 
 
 Boltni.Tnn, Fred ego 
 
 Bolton, H. M 426 
 
 Bond, Shadracli m 
 
 Bovee, Harper 415 
 
 Eowe, Moses 258 
 
 Boyd, James S 429 
 
 Boylan, R. J 654 
 
 Brannon, G. H., M. D 667 
 
 Brannon, Londus M ■ 1) 667 
 
 Brauer, Rev. E. A 251 
 
 Braun, C. C 444 
 
 Bredemeyer. William 349 
 
 Brinckerhoflf, John 387 
 
 Briscoe, Patrick 69? 
 
 Bristol, George S 288 
 
 K^roadie, JohnC-.. 312 
 
 Brockway , Henry S 735 
 
 Brooks, A. B .... 196 
 
 Brown, Elisha 558 
 
 Brown, J. D 45^ 
 
 Brown, Thomas W ^26 
 
 Brumund, D 621 
 
 Branson, G. M 406 
 
 Buchanan, James 75 
 
 Buck, George A. 405 
 
 Buehler, Jacob 482 
 
 Bump, Jefferson 468 
 
 Eurkhart, John H 'J71 
 
 Burlingame, H. R 426 
 
 Cagwin.Hon. Abijah . 
 
 369 
 
 Cullioiin, William 
 
 . ...296 
 
 Campljell, Alexander 
 
 30" 
 
 Campbell G. M 
 
 ^65 
 
 Campbell, James. ... 
 
 ....JOl 
 
 Cann, John 212 
 
 Carlin, Thomas 135 
 
 Carpenter, A. P 764 
 
 Carpenter, Rev. S. T Ceo 
 
 Casey, John R.,M. D. 536 
 
 Casseday, H.C 743 
 
 Caton, W. P 723 
 
 Cavanaugh, John 356 
 
 Chadwick, Miss Jane 378 
 
 Chamberlain, S. S 704 
 
 Chrislensen, Peter 616 
 
 Cliristian, D. 1 248 
 
 Clark, Thomas 555 
 
 CLiyes,L. M 241 
 
 Clement, 'A. C s'9 
 
 Cleveland, S. G rover 103 
 
 Clow, William M 629 
 
 Clyne,JamesA 75S 
 
 Clyne, John T 210 
 
 Cockett, Chas. S 470 
 
 Cole, Henry 276 
 
 Colegrove, L. G 668 
 
 Coles, Edward 115 
 
 Collins, Addison 654 
 
 Collins, Hon. M 238 
 
 Conley, E. D 579 
 
 Cook, M. L 421 
 
 Cook, William 728 
 
 Cooper, N . P 720 
 
 Corlett.John 527 
 
 Crellin,R. R 633 
 
 Crossen, R. W 381 
 
 Crowe, Thomas 402 
 
 Culbertson, Thomas 240 
 
 CuUom, H. C ,..247 
 
 Cullom, Shelby M 17S 
 
 Culver, A. M 769 
 
 Cunningham, M. J 297 
 
 Curtis, Prof. Charles 511 
 
 Cashing, Martin 469 
 
 D 
 
 Daggett, John F.,M.D 708 
 
 Danby, William 596 
 
 David;;on, William- . 365 
 
 Davis, A. I. . 207 
 
 l^ay, John .206 
 
 Day. William 480 
 
 Demmond, Martin H 305 
 
 Deutschman, Harman 444 
 
 Dibble, Edmund .599 
 
 Dibell, Dorrance 358 
 
 Diersen, J. W 250 
 
 Dingley, William 492 
 
 Dixon, George 706 
 
 Dixon, John T 694 
 
 Doescher, H.N ^d-j 
 
 Doescher, J. C 592 
 
 Doig, .'\Iexander 763 
 
 Doig, John H 425 
 
 Doig, Thomas 2eo 
 
 Dougall. William, M. D 215 
 
 Downey, J. W 246 
 
 I>oxtader, Jerome 768 
 
 Doyle, Michael 698 
 
 I>rumm, Adam 410 
 
 Duncan, Joseph 131 
 
 Dunlap, George W 348 
 
 Dunne, Patrick W 335 
 
 Dyer, N. D 331 
 
 E 
 
 Eberhart, F 550 
 
 Edwards, Ninian 119 
 
 Ehrhardt, August . .345 
 
 Eib, Amos 763 
 
 Eib, George 535 
 
 Eichelbarger, Urias 614 
 
 El wood, James G 686 
 
 Erb, William 467 
 
 Eriksson, August 749 
 
 Etheridge, Edward 737 
 
 Ewing, William L. D 127 
 
 Fahrner, John 336 
 
 Fahs, Tobias 231 
 
 Fargo, Mrs. E. M 477 
 
 Fell, James 437 
 
INDEX. 
 
 FcrEuson, Robert 466 
 
 Ferguson, T. D 242 
 
 Kcrris, James H 501 
 
 Fcrriss, Daniel 375 
 
 Fcwtrell. Saniiiel 338 
 
 Kiddy incut, Daniel .353 
 
 Kiddyment, F 618 
 
 Fi<ldyirient, W. J a66 
 
 FifLT, Joseph W 183 
 
 Fillmore, Millard 67 
 
 F lagg, G. \V 360 
 
 Flags, W. H 720 
 
 Ford, Thomas .139 
 
 Foster, C. P 545 
 
 Francis, A. A 05 
 
 Francis, Charles .' 710 
 
 Francis, G. L 710 
 
 Francis, John 564 
 
 Fraser, Samuel B 49* 
 
 Frazer, H. V.... 615 
 
 Fredrick, Joseph 473 
 
 French, Augustus C 143 
 
 Frcy, F. P 326 
 
 Fridley, John. 677 
 
 Fridley, John F. ...646 
 
 Fry, David 431 
 
 Kuller, }i. A .. 381 
 
 G 
 
 (JardcM, James A qs 
 
 (-"■arnsey, Hon- C. IJ 745 
 
 Ciciss, David B 398 
 
 Ociithcr, John G 480 
 
 ;: truth er, J.N 672 
 
 1 1 ise , V). K 577 
 
 (ilasqow. Samuel 733 
 
 tlJiddcn, Stephen 397 
 
 Clover, Wil!i;iin ^oS 
 
 Gockley, Abraham 252 
 
 Gocdson, William. 2.15 
 
 Goodspeed, Judge Francis. -. igi 
 
 Gordon, Jay 715 
 
 Goudy, Robert 594 
 
 Gongar, John .211 
 
 Gougar, J. E 193 
 
 Gougar, William 6gi 
 
 Grabc, Henry 731 
 
 Grady, James C 770 
 
 Granger. A. L 307 
 
 Grant, B. A 705 
 
 Grant, Ulysses S 87 
 
 Graves, R. B 598 
 
 Gray, Walter 455 
 
 Green leaf, R. O. 611 
 
 Gurney, G. F 535 
 
 II 
 
 H.iass, Emil, M. D 416 
 
 Hack, John 489 
 
 Haley, P. C 300 
 
 H.imilton, John M lyg 
 
 Harper, Joseph 678 
 
 Harrison, Amos 686 
 
 Harrison, Benjamin 107 
 
 Harrison, WiUiain Henry 51 
 
 Harsliharger, G. H ...i8o 
 
 Hartong, Jacob J 319 
 
 Hartwcll, Levi 476 
 
 Haseman, Fred 335 
 
 Hausscr, Simon.. . . 66r 
 
 Haven, Dwight C 30J 
 
 Haven, Hon. Dwight 587 
 
 Haven. S, R., M. D 696 
 
 Hawes, Mrs. Lucy 488 
 
 Hawlcy, A. G 269 
 
 Hayden, John 575 
 
 Hayes, Rutherford B..*. .. gi 
 
 Hayward, C- B 706 
 
 Heldt, E 370 
 
 Heidi, William 677 
 
 Henneberry, D. S 259 
 
 Henry, E. E ; 535 
 
 Henry, Isaac -. 279 
 
 Heniy,J. A 758 
 
 Henry, William E 639 
 
 Hentze. L. M 767 
 
 Hertzog, Charles 796 
 
 Hiles, Thomas 281 
 
 HinckeL George S 66.<; 
 
 Hinz, Christoph 666 
 
 Hogan. D. L 492 
 
 Hogan, J. E. M. D, 546 
 
 Hohcnstein, Simon 732 
 
 Holden, N. P.,M.D 485 
 
 Holmes, J. E ^58 
 
 Holmes, Julius S 245 
 
 Holmstrom P. E '. 550 
 
 Holz, Charles 357 
 
 Hood, .Samuel, M. D 616 
 
 House, George S 68r 
 
 Howland, E. D., M. D 729 
 
 Hunt,JohnJ 468 
 
 Hunter, Joseph, Sr 445 
 
 Hunter, William H 227 
 
 Hurlbut, E. S 570 
 
 Huston. Robert 509 
 
 Hutcbins, Thomas H. 546 
 
 Hyland, A. K 552 
 
 Ingersoll, A. A . . 
 Ireland, William. 
 
 .309 
 .683 
 
 Jackson, Andrew ^^ 
 
 Jackson, William (J 262 
 
 Jar man, Edward 232 
 
 Jaynes, E. E 453 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas 27 
 
 Jensen Augustus.. . . 724 
 
 Jensen , Louis 726 
 
 Johnson, Andrew 83 
 
 Jones, James 766 
 
 Jones, Noble 346 
 
 Jones, Thomas W 449 
 
 Jones. William 496 
 
 K 
 
 K a ps, Joseph 352 
 
 Karch. Jacob 237 
 
 Kaiika, Hon. Fred 272 
 
 Reir, James , 388 
 
 Kelly. M. W., M. D 575 
 
 Kelly, Hon. Thomas J. 549 
 
 Keniston, Jerry 502 
 
 Kercheval, F. L 2T7 
 
 Kiep, John .*; 366 
 
 Killcy, John 512 
 
 King, A. J 73b 
 
 King. James B 407 
 
 Kinsella, J. A 447 
 
 Kipp, Henry 529 
 
 Kirk. 'I'liomas J 302 
 
 Knapp, 1. O., M. D 530 
 
 Kncpper, P 479 
 
 Korst, Nicholas 635 
 
 Krause. Fred 537 
 
 Lam be, William 50S 
 
 Laml)ert. Krank 5^2 
 
 Lambert, George 495 
 
 Lanfear, W. H 714 
 
 Langreder, H 311 
 
 Laraway, Charles 683 
 
 Larkin, Thomas 228 
 
 Leising, J. F 199 
 
 Lewis, C. A ...508 
 
 Lewis, Rev. James 385 
 
 Licbtenwalter, H. H 538 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 79 
 
 Lincbarger, A. J 228 
 
 Link, I 725 
 
 Loebstein, Samuel.. 257 
 
 Longshore, J. G 400 
 
 Love, Samuel -709 
 
 Luther, F. A 247 
 
 Lynd, George M. 267 
 
 Lynk, .Stanton 744 
 
 Lynk, William 542 
 
 Lyon, Edward P 308 
 
 Lyon, Henry S 308 
 
 M 
 
 Madison, James 31 
 
 Marsh, F. E 391 
 
 Mmrsh,H. N 3^0 
 
 Marshall, C. H 420 
 
 Marshall, Griffin 372 
 
 Mason, D. C. 457 
 
 Mason, T. A iy4 
 
 Matteson, Joel A 147 
 
 Meers, E 378 
 
 Meier, John O 518 
 
 Messenger, H. I 735 
 
 Mctterhausen, L 230 
 
 Meyer, S„M.D 727 
 
 McAllister. Capt. E (,„ 
 
 McClaughry.C. C 330 
 
 McClure.C.J 5,^ 
 
 McDonald, John ,79 
 
 McFaddcn, John, Jr ^oi 
 
 McGovern, James J., D. 0-325 
 
 McNamce, James 676 
 
 Miller, Capt. James 4,5 
 
 Miller, Simon j^o 
 
 Miller, T. L ,^5 
 
 Mills, Andrew J.,M. D 295 
 
 Mills, T.O „„ 
 
 Millspaugh, I. T 532 
 
 Monroe, James 35 
 
 Morrisey, J, F „, 
 
 Munch, Xavier O04 
 
 Miinroe, George 718 
 
 Munroe, George J 640 
 
 N 
 
 Nachbour, J. F 501 
 
 Nash, Alfred, M. D 3^0 
 
 Nelson, Samuel G ; 200 
 
 Ncuer, Leopold 545 
 
 Niccolls, William S. 520 
 
 Nicola us, W. A 768 
 
 Noel, Gabriel 736 
 
 O 
 
 O'Dounell, James 1 589 
 
 O'Gara, Rev. T. F 603 
 
 Ogden. E. C, M.D 195 
 
 Oglcsby, Richard J 163 
 
 Ohlendorf, H. W 371 
 
 Ohlendorf, John H. Jr 327 
 
 Olin, Hon. Benjamin 289 
 
 Osgood, Hon. Uri 219 
 
 Paddock, Walter 236 
 
 Paddock, William J 525 
 
 Palmer, John M . .* 107 
 
 Patrick. J. F 5^0 
 
 Pattersoo, A. V ^tg 
 
 Patterson, Robert 490 
 
 Patterson, Daniel 260 
 
 Patterson, Mungo 438 
 
 Pauli, C. 362 
 
 Paulsen , Claus 753 
 
 Pease, S. B 500 
 
 Pederson. Knud 478 
 
 Pettigrew, Charles 275 
 
 Pickel, George 368 
 
 Picpenbrink, J.O 717 
 
 Piepenbrink, John O.Jr 2ifl 
 
 Picpenbrink, H. F 5S8 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Pierce, Franklin 71 
 
 Pinneo, J- H .516 
 
 I'inneo, Charles F 372 
 
 I'lagge, Fred 497 
 
 I'olk, Jiinies K 59 
 
 roincroy, George N 322 
 
 R 
 
 K:ipp.-il, M ich;icl 652 
 
 I<anft,Jo!in 665 
 
 Keynoltis, John 123 
 
 Richards, Charles, M. D 205 
 
 Richardson, Amasa 430 
 
 Rincker, J.J --Gs^ 
 
 Ritchcy, B. 1) .605 
 
 Robertson, F. H 277 
 
 Robins, Fitz J 646 
 
 Robinson, John H 258 
 
 Rockey, George E 525 
 
 Rosenheim, David .725 
 
 Ross, L. E 401 
 
 Rowell,NatJ 675 
 
 Rowley, P. K 707 
 
 Riidd, K. 396 
 
 Riige. C 443 
 
 Russell. H. R 556 
 
 Ryhurn, David C88 
 
 Salzmann, Chrismph 724 
 
 Sans, Rev, Christian 590 
 
 Savage, Hon. Amos 350 
 
 Sawyer. H. J.. 633 
 
 Schirra, Charles 209 
 
 Schmuhl, H. J 409 
 
 Schoenstedt, C 193 
 
 Schroeder, John. 674 
 
 Scittly, Patrick V 406 
 
 Scutt, F. W 459 
 
 Searles, D. C fin 
 
 Seaver, Charles S 315 
 
 Seggebr:; :h, (iotlieb 310 
 
 Sehring, Frederick f>5i 
 
 Senholtz, F'red. - . - 217 
 
 Shaffner, B ... 415 
 
 ShaflTner, K. L 762 
 
 Sharp, A. li 510 
 
 Shaw, George E 328 
 
 Shaw, J. B.,M. D 371 
 
 Shenk. M 287 
 
 Shutts. John 547 
 
 Simmons, Hon. S 337 
 
 Slaughi, A. W., M. D 541 
 
 Smith, Capt- I. W 419 
 
 Smitii,C. C 650 
 
 Smith. (;. Y 684 
 
 Sollitt, Charles W 197 
 
 Solterman, J 432 
 
 Spangler, Henry 630 
 
 Spangler, Henry 771 
 
 Spangler, P. W 441 
 
 Spautding, Jacob 645 
 
 Sperry, George 703 
 
 Spragiie, C. N 6ofi 
 
 Stafford, Enoch 571 
 
 Stage, William C 405 
 
 Stanner, Thomas B 568 
 
 Starmann, T. M . H 737 
 
 Starr, A. R 751 
 
 Stassen, Hon.H. H 745 
 
 Stedt, William 317 
 
 Stellwagen, William 436 
 
 Stephen, David S 201 
 
 Stephen, E. C 359 
 
 Stephen, John. 697 
 
 Stevens, Capt Robert 528 
 
 Stevens, E. L 435 
 
 Stevens, \V. W. 427 
 
 Stcjvart, M. N. M 685 
 
 Stewart, W. B.,M. D 298 
 
 Stewart, W, D 727 
 
 Storrs, P. G 312 
 
 Straight, W. A 389 
 
 Strong, Albert M 569 
 
 Strong, L. A 515 
 
 Strong, W. A 320 
 
 Studtmann, Hermann 613 
 
 Sutphen, C. H 446 
 
 Sweedler. John 68r 
 
 Swiggart, J. M 32; 
 
 Taylor, A. 5R0 
 
 laylor, Zachary 63 
 
 Theiler. John 317 
 
 Thompson. Hon. ). M 755 
 
 Thompson, J. C 387 
 
 Thomson, D. M 392 
 
 Tildcn, M. F 571 
 
 Trainer, Thomas 697 
 
 Trowbridge, W, C 205 
 
 Tuck, Adam 396 
 
 Tticker, Thomas 208 
 
 Twining, Watson F 220 
 
 Tyler, John 55 
 
 u 
 
 I'^msted, N orris 738 
 
 Van Buren, Martin 47 
 
 Vance, George L 30^ 
 
 Van Duser, Gecrge 461^ 
 
 Van Home, A. C 316 
 
 Varley, Thomas 399 
 
 w 
 
 Walter, M 270 
 
 Walz, John J 222 
 
 Warner, Alfred ■■6g^ 
 
 Warthen, O. H. P 316 
 
 Washburn, R. S .448 
 
 Washington, George iq 
 
 Wassmann, H. C 539 
 
 Weese, J.C 305 
 
 Wehmhofer, William- 393 
 
 Wenberg, Louis .262 
 
 Wendling. George 582 
 
 Werner, E.H 761 
 
 Werner, F. W., M. D 285 
 
 Westphal, Martin 26? 
 
 Whit«. Julian E 286 
 
 White, S.S 256 
 
 Whitson. D. G 4,1 
 
 Whitson,John H ^qS 
 
 Whitlier, George 627 
 
 Wilco.v, Charles C 43 , 
 
 Wilcox, Edmund 235 
 
 Wilcox, F. C 218 
 
 Wilder, Almon 517 
 
 Wilke, Hon Fred 61^ 
 
 Wilkening, C 7^2 
 
 Wilkening, John 521 
 
 Willard, Judge D 376 
 
 Williams, John Sr 505 
 
 Williams, S. J 734 
 
 Wilson, J. T. 362 
 
 Wood, John 155 
 
 Wood, Willard 439 
 
 Woods, John 757 
 
 Woods, Maj. R.M 671 
 
 Yates, Richard. . . n^g 
 
 Vonker. Nicholas 33Q 
 
 Young, George W. eo^ 
 
 Young, Sheldon 624 
 
 Zarley, J. C. 
 Zinser, G. H. 
 
 .2QI 
 
 .s6o 
 
 Beseke, Charles 423 
 
 Rinzcn, M 423 
 
 Broad ie, John C 313 
 
 Brumund, D 619 
 
 Clark, Thomas 553 
 
 Fiddyment. F 619 
 
 Fiddyment. Mrs. Hannah.. .353 
 Harper, Joseph 679 
 
 Hyland, A. K 553 
 
 Jaynes, Ezra E. . , 451 
 
 Kaps, Joseph 353 
 
 Killey, John .513 
 
 Mills. ThomasO 451 
 
 Strong, Lorenzo A 515 
 
 Sweedler. John 679 
 
 Thomson. i>. M 3^, 
 
 Tuck, Adam 3^3 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ^ )C^^^ :a«K ^^ ^>C' 0^- 
 
 
 Adams, John aa 
 
 Adams, John Q 38 
 
 Alexander, George 47* 
 
 Arthur, Chester A 98 
 
 Ashley, J. R... «54 
 
 T^acrchcck, Dr. C. M 7" 
 
 Barney, V. 1.. D 596 
 
 lieveridse, John I ..170 
 
 Kissell, William H ^o 
 
 'Bond, Shadrach no 
 
 Buchanan, James 74 
 
 Buck, George A 404 
 
 Campbell, George M 264 
 
 Carlin, Thomas 134 
 
 Casseday, G W 740 
 
 Casseday, Henry C 741 
 
 Caton, William P 722 
 
 Cleveland, S. Grovcr- 102 
 
 Coles, Edward 114 
 
 "Crcllin, R. R 632 
 
 ^Cnrom, Shelby M 17^ 
 
 Davidson, VVilHum 3'>4 
 
 iJenimond, M. I! 304 
 
 'l>oiiga!l, Dr William ?i4 
 
 Duncan, Joseph 130 
 
 Dunne, Rev. P. W 334 
 
 Edwards, Ninian 118 
 
 Ehrhardt, August 344 
 
 Eriksson, August 648 
 
 Ewing. William L. D T2b 
 
 Ferriss, Thomas. 374 
 
 Fifer, Joseph W 18a 
 
 Fillmore, Millard 66 
 
 Ford, Thomas 138 
 
 Foster, Rev. Charles P 544 
 
 Francis, A Allen 564 
 
 French, Augustus C T42 
 
 Fuller, B. A 380 
 
 Garfield, lames A g.\ 
 
 Goodspeed, Hon. Francis 190 
 
 Gougar, William 690 
 
 Grant. Ulysses S 86 
 
 Gurney, G. F. . 534 
 
 Hamilton, John M 178 
 
 Harrison, Benjamin 106 
 
 Harrison, William H 50 
 
 Haven, Hon. D wight .584 
 
 Haven, Mrs. Lizzie C 585 
 
 Hayes, Rutherford H go 
 
 Henry. William E 638 
 
 Hinckel, George S 6^4 
 
 HoUIen, N. P 484 
 
 Holmes, J . S ._. 244 
 
 Jackson. Andrew 4^ 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas. zft 
 
 Johnson, Andrew Rs 
 
 Kclley, r)r. M. W 574 
 
 Lewis, James 384 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 78 
 
 Madison, James 30 
 
 Matteson. Joel A 146 
 
 McGovern,»Rev. James J 324 
 
 Miller, T. L 224 
 
 MilU, Dr. A. J 294 
 
 Monroe. lames 34 
 
 O'Gara, Rev. T. F 602 
 
 Oglesby, Richard J 162 
 
 Paddock, Willi.im J 524^ 
 
 Palmer, John M 166 
 
 Petti grew, Charles 374 
 
 Pierce, Franklin 70 
 
 Polk, James K 58 
 
 Reynolds, John laa 
 
 Richards, Dr. Charles 204 
 
 Searles, D. C fo8 
 
 Searles, M rs. H. N 609 
 
 Sehring, Fred ....650 
 
 Shaffner, B.. 414 
 
 Smith, C. C 657 
 
 Smith, Mrs. C. C 656 
 
 Spaulding, Jacob 644 
 
 .S perry. Gc«rge 700 
 
 Sperry, Mrs. George 701 
 
 Stevens, Capt. Robert ■ 598 
 
 Stevens, E. L 434 
 
 Taylor, Zachary 62 
 
 Thompson, J. M 754 
 
 Tyler, John 54 
 
 Van Buren, Martin 46 
 
 Van Diiser, George .462 
 
 Van Duser, Mrs. KIminaM-.463 
 
 Washington, George 18 
 
 Werner, Dr. E. H 760 
 
 Werner, Dr. F. W 284 
 
 Whittier, George 626 
 
 Wilcox, Edmund 234 
 
 Williams. John 504 
 
 Wood, John 15 » 
 
 Woods, Maj. R. M 670 
 
 Yates. Richard 158 
 
 -^ 
 
 X 10^ 4«