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HISTORY 


OF 


WILL  COUNTY 

ILLINOIS 


By 

AUGUST  MAUE 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES 
ILLUSTRATED 


VOLUME  TWO 


HISTORICAL  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

Topeka-Indianapolis 

1928 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://archive.org/details/historyofwillcou02maue 


^jLu^uuc/lM^rL s 


History  0/  Will  County 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


William  Henry  Clare,  American  real  estate  operator  and  politician, 
was  born  at  Joliet,  111.,  Sept.  15,  1868,  and  died  there  Dec.  14,  1923.  He 
was  a  son  of  John  Clare,  who  was  born  in  1828  and  died  in  1873,  and  of 
Margaret  (Flannery)  Clare,  a  daughter  of  Bartholomew  Flannery.  This 
branch  of  the  Clare  family  was  established  in  America  by  John  Clare, 
who  emigrated  from  County  Tipperary,  Ireland,  in  1845,  settling  at 
Goshen,  Orange  County,  N.  Y. 

William  Henry  Clare  received  his  early  education  at  the  Eliza  Kelly 
School,  at  Joliet,  111.,  but  the  greater  share  of  his  education  was  obtained 
by  night  study.  He  was  a  newsboy  at  the  age  of  ten,  selling  newspapers 
at  the  corner  of  Clinton  and  Chicago  Streets,  Joliet,  and  the  fact  that 
40  years  later  he  owned  the  building  occupying  that  corner  is  but  one 
of  many  picturesque  features  of  a  life  that  was  brilliantly  successful 
through  sheer  force  of  ability,  appealing  personality,  and  hard  work. 
At  13  years  of  age  he  was  engaged  as  a  wire  worker  at  five  dollars  a 
week,  and  40  years  later  he  occupied  the  important  government  post  of 
collector  of  the  port  of  Chicago  under  appointment  by  President  Wilson. 
His  record  is  filled  with  such  spectacular  contrasts,  but  the  fact  that  it 
was  a  record  built  by  perseverance  and  sheer  pluck  is  evidenced  by  the 
fact  that  he  started  in  a  real  estate  office  at  the  age  of  15  years  and  at 
21  years  had  saved  the  $2,000  with  which  he  started  in  the  real  estate 
and  insurance  business  for  himself. 

Mr.  Clare  was  associated  in  the  real  estate  business  with  his  brother, 
George  J.  Clare,  and  together  they  engineered  some  of  the  most  im- 
portant real  estate  transactions  in  Joliet,  including  the  purchase  of  the 

593 


594  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Lincoln  Theatre  Building,  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  the  property  at  Jeffer- 
son and  Scott  Streets,  and  many  other  valuable  tracts  in  the  loop  district. 
He  was  known  as  a  keen  business  man  and  a  shrewd  judge  of  real  estate 
values,  and  he  was  particularly  distinguished  by  his  loyalty  to  and  love 
for  his  native  city  of  Joliet.  It  is  said  of  him  that  his  belief  in  the  future 
of  the  city  was  so  strong  that  he  confined  his  operations  exclusively  to 
Will  County.  He  conducted  his  real  estate  business  from  the  Will  County 
National  Bank  Building  and  in  the  course  of  the  years  he  spent  as  a  real 
estate  operator  built  up  a  large  clientele.  He  was  likewise  interested  in 
the  Will  County  National  Bank  and  was  for  many  years  one  of  the 
directors. 

However,  while  continuously  active  in  the  real  estate  field  Mr.  Clare's 
connection  with  local  and  state  politics  was  sufficiently  extensive  to  have 
occupied  the  full  time  of  a  less  able  and  resourceful  man.  For  a  period 
of  30  years  he  was  one  of  the  leading  Democratic  politicians  of  this 
state,  although  he  seldom  sought  office  for  himself.  He  was,  however, 
city  treasurer  of  Joliet,  for  one  term,  and  he  was  in  1915  a  candidate  for 
mayor  of  that  city.  In  that  election  he  obtained  the  majority  of  the 
men's  votes,  who  were  outnumbered  by  the  women's  vote.  This  was  the 
first  contest  under  the  commission  form  of  city  government,  which  Mr. 
Clare  and  the  men  voters  vigorously  opposed  when  previously  sub- 
mitted for  adoption  by  the  city  of  Joliet.  The  mayoralty  election  was 
defeated,  and  which  election  in  no  way  reflected  upon  the  personal  popu- 
larity or  general  fitness  of  Mr.  Clare  for  the  office.  Not  long  afterwards 
he  was  appointed  by  President  Wilson  as  collector  of  the  port  of  Chi- 
cago, an  office  he  filled  for  four  years  with  characteristic  ability,  but  of 
which  he  said  he  would  have  exchanged  the  entire  four  years  for  one 
week  as  mayor  of  Joliet. 

Upon  the  death  of  Roger  Sullivan,  the  Democratic  state  leader,  Mr. 
Clare  was  generally  regarded  as  his  logical  successor,  but  when  ap- 
proached by  a  group  of  the  most  influential  men  in  the  party  and  asked 
to  take  over  the  control  of  the  party  organization  he  firmly  refused. 
The  position  carried  with  it  a  degree  of  power  and  prestige  that  would 
have  appealed  strongly  to  most  men,  but  as  it  entailed  his  leaving  the 
city  of  Joliet  Mr.  Clare  found  it  no  temptation.  He  continued  his  work 
with  his  party  in  his  native  city,  one  of  its  most  active  leaders  and 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  695 

wisest  councillors,  and  one  whose  years  of  public  service  honestly  earned 
the  affection  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  Clare's  devotion  to  his  home  city  was  said  by  his  friends  to  have 
been  bound  up  in  his  exceptionally  strong  family  affections.  Left  with- 
out a  father  at  an  early  age  and  forced  to  find  work  wherever  he  could 
in  order  to  assist  his  mother,  he  and  his  brothers  and  sisters  formed 
the  closest  of  fraternal  affections.  The  loss  of  his  brother,  Frank  Clare, 
was  a  grief  that  he  felt  most  keenly  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was 
survived  by  two  brothers,  John  Clare  and  George  J.  Clare,  and  two 
sisters,  Mrs.  Katherine  Clare  Lowery,  and  Margaret  Clare,  all  of  whom 
reside  in  Joliet.    He  had  never  married. 

Speaking  of  Mr.  Clare's  character  after  his  death,  Rev.  Father  Van 
Pelt  said :  "He  was  an  honor  to  the  community  and  to  the  city  of  Joliet. 
He  was  a  selfmade  man,  a  poor  boy  whose  ambition  was  to  succeed  in 
life,  and  he  did  it  by  an  honest,  upright  course.  He  placed  a  goal  before 
him  and  attained  it  honestly.  He  was  an  exponent  of  the  highest  kind 
of  charity.  Only  those  who  knew  him  well  knew  the  many,  many 
charitable  deeds  he  performed.  He  often  said  to  me  that  if  I  knew  of 
any  needy  to  send  them  to  him  and  he  would  help  them,  and  many  of 
the  respected  and  prosperous  men  of  today  are  those  whom  he  helped 
when  they  were  down  and  out." 

A  business  associate  in  speaking  of  him  said:  "His  heart  always 
beat  in  the  interest  of  humanity.  He  was  unostentatious  in  his  charities, 
unstinted  in  his  purse,  his  chief  and  supreme  delight  being  in  aiding, 
encouraging  and  helping  his  friends." 

In  an  informal  article,  designed  as  a  character  sketch  rather  than 
as  the  regulation  obituary  notice  an  old  friend  and  newspaper  man 
wrote  of  him:  "*  *  *  He  had  to  fight  for  everything  he  got  from 
his  kid  days  up  and  died  a  winner.  He  rose  to  the  top  because  he  pos- 
sessed the  qualities  that  make  men  rise  above  their  fellow  men  in  leader- 
ship. *  *  *  I  never  knew  a  man  who  had  more  friends.  He  loved 
friends  and  loved  to  help  them.  Their  number  includes  folks  from  every 
walk  of  life;  in  every  strata  of  social  and  business  life.  I  never  knew 
him  to  refuse  a  favor  *  *  *  He  was  just  that  way — a  kindly,  simple 
soul  who  got  his  kick  in  life  out  of  seeing  everyone  around  him  happy 
and  contented  while  he  went  on  through  a   simple,  frugal  routine. 


596  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

*  *  *  He  was  my  idea  of  what  I  would  like  to  see  in  every  American 
— a  decent,  honest,  God-fearing-  man  who  loves  life,  family,  friends  and 
his  home  city." 


Woodruff  Family. — George  Woodruff  came  to  Joliet  from  Water- 
town,  N.  Y.,  in  1836.  He  was  then  24  years  old  and  arrived  in  Chicago 
by  boat.  At  that  time  Chicago  amounted  to  very  little  and  he  came  on 
to  Joliet,  as  at  that  time  Chicago  came  to  Joliet  for  its  mail.  He  engaged 
in  the  provision  business  until  1841,  when  he  decided  to  operate  a  farm 
he  had  purchased  at  Plainfield.  He  spent  two  years  on  this  farm;  his 
son,  Frederick  Woodruff  being  born  there. 

Returning  to  Joliet,  where  he  had  retained  active  business  interests, 
he  again  engaged  in  business  and  in  1857,  in  partnership  with  Frank 
L.  Cagwin,  S.  W.  Bowen  and  E.  Harwood,  started  the  Joliet  Bank. 

Seven  years  after  the  organization  of  the  Joliet  Bank,  in  1864,  the 
National  Banking  Act  was  passed  and  the  Joliet  Bank  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Joliet.  This  was  one  of 
the  first  national  banks  chartered  under  this  Act  and  the  incorporators 
were  George  Woodruff,  his  son,  Frederick  W.  Woodruff,  J.  E.  Bush, 
William  Tonner  and  J.  F.  Woodruff. 

George  Woodruff  was  elected  president  and  Frederick  Woodruff,  then 
23  years  old,  was  elected  cashier. 

The  old  books  of  the  First  National  Bank,  now  in  its  archives,  show 
some  transactions  that  seem  peculiar  today.  One  entry  shows  a 
charge   of   §3.00   against  Governor  Matteson  for  a   pair  of  shoes. 

While  the  Woodruff  family  has  been  interested  in  various  lines  of 
business,  its  main  business  has  always  been  that  of  banking. 

For  eighteen  years,  from  1864  until  1892,  George  Woodruff  was 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  he  was  succeeded  as  presi- 
dent by  his  son,  Frederick  W.  Woodruff,  who  held  that  position  from 
1882  until  1906,  at  which  time  he  was  succeeded  by  George  Woodruff  II, 
who  had  just  graduated  from  Yale  and  was  well  fitted  to  carry  on  the 
work. 

In  1909,  Frederick  Woodruff  II  finished  his  college  course  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  and  became  assistant  cashier  and  then  vice 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  597 

president  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Joliet.  This  institution  was 
merged  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Joliet  eighteen  months  later 
and  became  the  largest  bank  in  Illinois,  outside  of  Chicago,  and  Fred- 
erick W.  Woodruff  was  elected  first  vice  president  of  that  institution. 

In  1922,  George  Woodruff  II  became  president  of  the  National  Bank 
of  the  Republic  of  Chicago,  and  Frederick  W.  Woodruff  II  became  presi- 
dent of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Joliet. 

The  Woodruff  boys,  as  they  were  called  to  distinguish  them  from 
the  older  Woodruffs,  built  the  Woodruff  Hotel,  the  new  First  National 
Bank  Building,  the  Sippell  Garage,  the  two  Woodruff  Realty  buildings 
and  the  Woodruff  building  at  the  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Chicago  streets, 
and  this  building  activity  gave  a  great  deal  of  impetus  to  the  develop- 
ment of  Joliet. 


John  T.  Clyne,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  at  Cohoes,  N.  Y., 
Dec.  8,  1857. 

A  further  check  traces  the  Clyne  family  to  some  Dutch  Colonists 
who  emigrated  from  Holland  and  settled  in  a  small  village  in  the  County 
of  Longford,  Ireland,  about  the  middle  of  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Thomas  Clyne,  the  grandfather,  drifted  into  the  United  States,  by 
way  of  Canada,  and  settled  for  a  while  near  Utica,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
met  and  married  a  Miss  McCormick.  whose  family  were  farmers  and 
early  settlers  in  that  section. 

Mr.  Clyne's  father,  James  Clyne,  was  born  at  Whitesboro,  Oneida 
County,  New  York,  in  1832.  As  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  he  began 
work  at  the  carpenter  trade  and  landed  in  Chicago  in  the  year  1853. 
He  returned  to  New  York  State  the  following  year  and  settled  at  Cohoes, 
Albany  County,  N.  Y.  He  married  Catherine  Quinn,  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Quinn,  formerly  of  Union  Village,  Washington 
County,  State  of  New  York,  where  his  mother  was  born  in  the  year 
1836. 

The  first  seventeen  years  of  Mr.  Clyne's  life  were  spent  in  Cohoes, 
N.  Y.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  worked  in  a  woolen  factory  and 
in  the  Spring  of  1875,  came  to  Chicago  where  he  worked  for  a  while  in 
the  Palmer  and  Fuller  Sash  and  Door  Factory,  at  Twenty-second  Street 


598  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  the  River.  Being  unable  to  acquire  the  Bohemian  language  he 
quit  and  started  to  learn  the  brick-laying  trade.  His  employer  failed 
in  business  and  Mr.  Clyne  left  Chicago  and  came  to  Will  County  in 
1875.  He  worked  on  a  farm  in  and  about  Plainfield  for  six  years  and 
attended  the  Valparaiso  University  during  the  winter  months  and  mar- 
ried Anna  L.  McClosky  in  1880.  He  taught  school  the  first  winter  and 
the  following  summer  engaged  in  handling  horses  and  took  his  first 
lesson  in  politics.  He  drifted  into  commercial  business  and  then  back 
to  politics  and  was  postmaster  of  the  City  of  Joliet  for  twelve  years. 
In  1914,  with  E.  J.  Murphy,  he  organized  the  Commercial  Trust  & 
Savings  Bank  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Clyne  has  three  sons.  Meade,  a  physician,  born  April  30,  1882, 
and  residing  at  Tucson.  Wade,  a  dentist,  born  August  2,  1884,  and  liv- 
ing in  Joliet,  and  James  V.,  born  June  28,  1886.  The  latter  is  cashier 
of  the  Commercial  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Clyne  is  Republican  and  his  lodge  affiliations  are  Masonic. 


Ervin  T.  Geist. — A  distinguished  figure  in  financial  circles  in  Will 
County  is  Ervin  T.  Geist,  who  is  president  of  the  Joliet  Trust  &  Savings 
Bank.  He  was  born  at  Plainfield,  111.,  the  son  of  Hiram  S.  and  Jane 
(Ross)  Geist. 

Hiram  S.  Geist  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Ohio.  He  was  a  farmer  throughout  his  life  and  spent  more  than 
half  a  century  on  a  farm  which  was  located  between  Joliet  and  Plain- 
field.  He  died  in  1905  and  his  wife  died  in  1909.  Both  are  buried  at 
Plainfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geist  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: William  S.,  lives  at  Rockwell  City,  Iowa;  Mary  E.,  lives  at  Plain- 
field,  111.;  Henry  N.,  lives  at  Adair,  Iowa;  Charles  E.,  lives  at  Clear  Lake, 
Iowa ;  Elza  N.,  lives  at  Oroville,  Calif. ;  Hattie  R.,  lives  at  Plainfield,  111. ; 
and  Ervin  T.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Ervin  T.  Geist  was  educated  in  the  Plainfield  district  school  and 
attended  Joliet  High  School.  He  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm 
in  Plainfield  Township  and  his  first  employment  was  as  a  reporter  for 
the  Republic  and  Sun  newspaper.  He  later  became  advertising  manager 
of  this  newspaper  and  was  also  identified  with  the  Joliet  Republican 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  599 

Printing  Company.  He  served  as  cashier  of  the  Joliet  Trust  &  Savings 
Bank  for  ten  years  and  in  1921  was  elected  president.  He  is  also  presi- 
dent of  the  Joliet  Title  and  Guarantee  Company. 

On  Oct.  9,  1902,  Mr.  Geist  was  married  at  Joliet  to  Miss  Erma  Ham- 
ilton of  Joliet,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Annie  (Chambers)  Ham- 
ilton, natives  of  New  York.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geist  have  no  children. 

A  Republican  by  political  affiliation,  Mr.  Geist  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Will  County  Board  of  Supervisors  from  Joliet  Township  from 
1899  to  1900;  as  Recorder  of  Deeds  of  Will  County  from  1900  to  1908; 
and  as  City  Treasurer  of  Joliet  in  1920.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated 
with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Mattison 
Lodge  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175,  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  MM  No.  27,  Joliet 
Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4,  Medinah  Temple,  Chicago  Shrine,  Eagles 
Lodge,  and  Elks  Lodge,  No.  296.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Joliet  Country 
Club  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  His  religious  affiliation  is  with  the 
Central  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Geist  has  given  to  every  step  of  his  progress  from  his  youth  to 
his  present  outstanding  position  the  tireless  endeavor  and  fearless  atti- 
tude of  the  natural  business  executive,  and  in  his  success  his  ability  is 
definitely  demonstrated. 


Hon.  Ralph  C.  Austin,  county  judge  of  Will  County,  is  a  native  of 
Illinois.  He  was  born  at  Morrison,  July  2,  1886.  He  was  the  only  child 
born  to  A.  E.  and  Gertrude  V.  Austin,  who  still  reside  at  Morrison. 

Ralph  C.  Austin  was  graduated  from  the  Morrison  High  School  in 
1903;  Lombard  College  in  1907;  and  Chicago  Kent  College  of  Law  in 
1912.  He  worked  as  a  reporter  on  the  Joliet  News  from  1907  until 
1912.  He  has  been  assistant  city  attorney,  public  administrator,  assist- 
ant States  Attorney,  and  is  now  serving  as  judge  of  the  county. 

In  1922  Judge  Austin  was  married  to  Miss  Laura  M.  Merritt.  Their 
home  is  at  118  Pine  Street. 

Judge  Austin  served  in  the  army  during  the  World  War  from  Janu- 
ary, 1918,  until  January,  1919.  No  foreign  service.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  and  Elks  clubs,  and  Will  County  Bar  Association. 


600  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Walter  G.  Krohn,  county  treasurer  of  Will  County,  is  a  native  of 
Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Joliet,  March  26,  1894,  a  son  of  John  William 
and  Anna  (Preuter)  Krohn,  natives  of  Mecklenburg  Schwerin,  Germany. 

The  grandfather  of  Walter  G.  Krohn  came  to  the  United  States  when 
his  son,  John  William,  was  eleven  years  of  age,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
near  Marley,  111.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agriculture  until  his  death  in 
1910.    He  is  buried  at  Manhattan,  111. 

John  William  Krohn  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and  later  worked 
on  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad.  He  was  promoted  to  engi- 
neer and  held  that  position  for  33  years.  He  died  July  11,  1917,  and  is 
buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member 
of  St.  John's  English  Lutheran  Church,  and  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Commandery, 
K.  T.  No.  4 ;  and  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers. 

Anna  (Preuter)  Krohn  went  to  Copenhagen  with  her  parents  when 
very  young.  At  the  age  of  ten  the  family  came  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  at  Mokena,  111.  Her  parents,  Carl  J.  and  Sophia  Preuter,  died 
Dec.  1,  1907,  and  are  buried  at  Mokena.    Mrs.  Krohn  resides  in  Joliet. 

To  John  William  and  Anna  (Preuter)  Krohn  ten  children  were  born: 
Edward,  Gary,  Ind. ;  Harry,  Toledo,  Ohio ;  Frank,  Joliet ;  Anna  B.,  Joliet ; 
Arthur,  deceased ;  John,  a  physician  and  surgeon,  a  graduate  of  Hahne- 
mann Medical  College,  was  a  first  lieutenant  with  the  90th  Division  dur- 
ing the  World  War  and  saw  service  in  France;  Walter  G. ;  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  and  Edna  Mae(  deceased),  were  twins;  and  Margaret,  Joliet. 

Walter  G.  Krohn  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  was  gradu- 
ated at  the  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1914.  On  leaving  school  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Rock  Island  Lines  as  an  apprentice  operator, 
later  becoming  operator,  where  he  remained  until  1923.  In  the  mean- 
time he  had  studied  embalming  at  the  Worsham  College  of  Embalming 
at  Chicago  and  was  graduated  in  June,  1920.  In  1924  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  government  and  was  deputy  collector  of  internal  revenue, 
working  out  of  the  Chicago  office.  In  November,  1926,  he  was  elected 
county  treasurer  of  Will  County. 

Mr.  Krohn  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  English  Lutheran  Church,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.,  No.  175,  past  master  1922-23 ;  Joliet  Chapter  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ; 


WALTER  G.   KROH.N 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  601 

Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  M.  No.  82,  past  master  1925-26 ;  Joliet  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Oriental  Consistory,  A.  S.  S.  R.,  32nd  degree, 
officer  in  the  29th  degree;  Medina  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Chicago; 
Marguerite  Chapter,  No.  187,  O.  E.  S.,  past  patron,  1924;  and  vice  presi- 
dent of  County  Treasurer's  Association  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 


David  R.  Anderson. — Possessing  a  keen  interest  as  well  as  a  very 
practical  experience  in  the  various  branches  of  his  profession,  Mr. 
Anderson  has  established  through  his  own  efforts  an  active  association 
with  the  interests  of  the  Joliet  bar,  and  has  won  a  well  merited  promi- 
nence in  his  profession.  Formerly  engaged  in  educational  work  in 
Grundy  County,  Illinois,  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  for  his  abilities  both 
as  an  educator  and  an  attorney.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Hunter)  Anderson,  and  was  born  in  Monongahela,  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  Oct.  15,  1865. 

The  Anderson  family  are  of  Scotch  descent,  William  Anderson  be- 
ing born  in  Airdrie,  and  his  wife  in  Glasgow,  Scotland.  He  was  a  miner 
and  after  his  marriage  came  to  the  United  States  about  the  beginning 
of  1860  and  his  family  came  later  in  that  year.  They  first  settled  near 
Pittsburgh,  Pa.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  William  Anderson 
with  two  relatives,  Thomas  and  John  Hunter,  volunteered  for  service, 
the  latter  two  being  accepted  although  none  of  the  three  had  taken  out 
their  citizenship.  Anderson  was  rejected.  He  engaged  in  mining  in 
the  Pittsburgh  district,  after  removing  to  Ohio.  In  1866  he  moved 
to  Braceville,  Grundy  County,  111.,  where  he  became  a  mine  contractor. 
This  was  in  one  of  the  first  mines  opened  in  the  Wilmington  coal  fields. 
In  1867  he  removed  to  Braidwood,  Will  County,  111.,  becoming  mine  boss 
of  the  first  large  mine  in  that  county.  In  1878  he  purchased  a  mine  at 
Streator,  111.,  which  he  operated  for  many  years,  later  becoming  super- 
intendent of  the  Coal  Run  Coal  Company  at  Streator.  Afterward  he 
was  associated  with  the  Chicago-Virden  Coal  Company  as  superintend- 
ent for  a  number  of  years  until  his  retirement.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Anderson  are  deceased  and  are  buried  at  Streator,  111.  There  were  four- 
teen children  in  the  Anderson  family.  1.  Grace,  married  Charles 
Duncan.    He  is  deceased  and  she  resides  at  Streator.    2.   Margaret,  de- 


602  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ceased,  buried  in  Scotland.  3.  John,  deceased,  buried  in  Streator,  died 
in  1922.  4.  William,  resides  at  Goose  Lake  Township,  Grundy  County, 
111.  5.  Ella,  married  William  Bain.  He  is  deceased  and  she  lives  at 
Kearney,  Neb.  6.  Andrew  H.,  Streator.  7.  David  R.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  8.  Thomas  H.,  Peoria,  111.  Mary,  Robert,  George  and 
Alexander,  all  deceased,  buried  in  Braidwood,  111.  13.  George  W., 
deputy  county  clerk,  Joliet,  and  14,  Mary  J.,  married  Edgar  Buckles, 
lives  at  Ottawa,  111. 

David  R.  Anderson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Braidwood,  111., 
and  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  worked  in  the  "Old  G"  shaft  digging 
coal  for  two  years.  He  went  to  Streator  with  his  parents  and  worked 
in  his  father's  mine.  In  April,  1878,  while  at  work  in  the  mines  about 
five  tons  of  coal  slipped  and  through  this  accident  Mr.  Anderson  lost  his 
right  arm  and  left  foot.  His  brother  John,  who  was  also  at  work  in  the 
mine,  had  his  back  broken.  He  lived  and  engaged  in  business  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  of 
Streator,  111. 

After  David  R.  Anderson  recovered  from  his  injuries  he  returned 
to  school  and  was  graduated  from  Streator  High  School  in  1884.  He 
taught  school  in  Streator  for  one  year  and  was  made  principal.  He 
was  principal  of  the  Coal  City  schools  for  two  terms.  He  attended  the 
University  of  Michigan  and  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Law.  On  March  17,  1890,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Michigan  State 
Bar  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.  In  1890  Mr.  Anderson  was  elected  county 
superintendent  of  Grundy  County  schools,  and  served  two  terms  of  four 
years  each.  In  1898  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Morris, 
Grundy  County,  and  continued  there  until  May,  1905,  when  he  removed 
to  Joliet  and  began  practice  with  offices  in  the  Barber  Building. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  married  in  August,  1887,  to  Miss  Elva  J.  Laymon, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Esther  (Caldwell)  Laymon.  Mr.  Laymon 
was  a  native  of  Indiana  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Illinois;  both  are 
now  deceased.    During  the  Civil  War  he  served  with  a  Chicago  Battery. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  one  son  was  born,  Raymond  A.,  born 
May  5,  1893.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Chicago  where  he 
received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  was  a  teacher  of  English 
at  Iowa  State  College,  Ames,  at  the  beginning  of  the  World  War.    He 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  603 

enlisted  for  service  and  was  in  training  at  Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota. 
He  was  commissioned  a  second  lieutenant,  and  transferred  to  Camp 
Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  was  taken  ill  and  discharged.  He  died  in  1918 
and  is  buried  at  Joliet.  His  widow,  Florence  Coolidge  Anderson,  resides 
at  Indianapolis. 

Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Republican  and  in  1924  was  defeated  for  the 
nomination  to  congress  from  the  Eleventh  Illinois  Congressional  Dis- 
trict. Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Paul  Revere  Lodge,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  being  a  past  chancellor ;  Star  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F,  past  grand,  and 
delegate  for  ten  years  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Will  County  Bar  Association,  and  the 
Illinois  State  Bar  Association. 


Fred  J.  Walsh  is  one  of  the  vital  progressive  representatives  of  the 
real  estate  business  at  Joliet  where  he  is  also  President  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  was  born  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  July  3,  1882, 
a  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Joyce)  Walsh. 

John  Walsh,  deceased,  a  native  of  Ireland,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  when  a  young  man  and  located  at  Joliet,  later  removing  to  Terre 
Haute,  Ind.  For  a  time  he  worked  as  a  contractor  for  various  railroads, 
and  later  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Terre  Haute,  in  which  he 
was  very  successful.  At  the  time  of  his  retirement  from  active  business 
he  was  the  head  of  a  chain  of  grocery  stores.  His  wife,  a  native  of 
Terre  Haute,  is  also  deceased,  and  they  are  both  buried  in  Terre  Haute. 
They  were  members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  politically  Mr.  Walsh 
was  a  Democrat.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsh  eight  children  were  born,  the 
two  oldest  died  in  infancy:  William,  deceased;  Alice,  married  Alfred 
Daudy,  lives  at  Joliet;  Mame,  lives  at  Joliet;  John,  Joliet;  Fred  J.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Bess,  married  Benjamin  Bruning,  lives  at 
Joliet. 

Fred  J.  Walsh  attended  the  public  schools  of  Terre  Haute  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1901,  after  which  he 
attended  commercial  college.  His  first  position  was  that  of  messenger 
and  later  stenographer  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Terre  Haute, 
where  he  remained  two  years.     He  was  with  the  Terre  Haute  Trust 


604  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Company  for  two  years  as  assistant  secretary,  and  then  resigned  to 
enter  the  real  estate  field.  He  opened  his  office  in  Terre  Haute  and 
operated  also  in  Wisconsin,  Illinois  and  Indiana.  After  a  year  in  busi- 
ness in  Terre  Haute  he  removed  his  office  to  Joliet,  and  promoted  the 
following  sub-divisions:  Sherwood  Plains,  Pleasant  View,  Inglass  Park, 
Hyde  Park,  West  Park,  West  Wood.  Mount  Claire,  Brankin  Terrace, 
Reeds  Woods,  Vernon  Place,  and  P.  R.  Bannon's  subdivision  Shawnita, 
and  Halderman  Terrace,  all  of  Joliet.  He  also  maintains  an  office  in 
Aurora,  111.,  and  there  he  has  successfully  managed  and  sold  the  fol- 
lowing subdivisions:  Evans  Lawn,  West  Lawn,  Country  Club,  Ogden 
Gardens,  and  North  Lake  Manor.  Mr.  Walsh  is  one  of  the  largest  real 
estate  operators  in  this  section  of  the  country.  His  office  is  at  415 
Clinton  Street,  Joliet. 

In  1918  Mr.  Walsh  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Catherine  M. 
Gray,  a  daughter  of  John  W.  Gray,  of  Joliet.  Mr.  Gray  was  engaged 
in  the  grocery  trade  for  many  years,  and  later  in  the  bakery  business. 
He  was  interested  in  civic  matters  and  served  many  years  on  the  city 
council.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walsh  five  children  have  been  born:  John, 
born  October,  1919,  student  at  St.  Raymond's  School;  Joyce,  born  in 
1922,  a  student;  Nora  Ann;  Patsy;  and  Robert. 

Mr.  Walsh  holds  many  offices  besides  that  of  president  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Zoning  Commission  of 
Joliet;  president  of  the  Real  Estate  Board;  president  of  Louis  Joliet 
Hotel  Association;  president  Clinton  Hotel  Company.  He  is  affiliated 
with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Elks  Lodge  No.  296 ;  Joliet  Country  Club ; 
Butterfield  Country  Club;  and  is  a  member  of  St.  Raymond's  Catholic 
Church.     Politically  he  is  independent. 


Charles  E.  Wilson,  president  of  the  Will  County  National  Bank,  is  a 
leading  financier  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Joliet.  He  was  born 
in  this  city  and  is  the  son  of  George  and  Martha  Jane  (Eaton)  Wilson. 

George  Wilson,  deceased,  came  to  Joliet  from  New  Hampshine, 
where  he  was  born,  and  settled  in  this  city  in  1850.  He  died  in  1862, 
and  his  wife,  also  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  died  in  1905.  Both  are 
buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.     They  were  the  parents  of  four 


HrSTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  605 

children:  John  F.,  auditor,  Illinois  Steel  Company,  Chicago;  Jennie  L., 
the  widow  of  Henry  McGuire,  lives  in  Joliet;  Charles  E.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Jason  L.,  who  died  in  1926. 

The  boyhood  of  Charles  E.  Wilson  was  spent  in  Joliet  and  he  attended 
the  public  schools  of  this  city,  as  well  as  the  Russell  Business  College. 
He  began  his  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Charles  Good- 
speed,  dry  goods  merchant,  and  after  a  year  was  employed  as  a  clerk  by 
Munroe  &  Son,  grocers.  He  later  purchased  interests  in  the  grocery 
business  with  a  Mr.  Schroeder,  under  the  firm  name  of  Schroeder  & 
Wilson.  In  1897  Mr.  Wilson  became  sole  owner  of  the  business  and 
after  several  years  became  a  partner  in  this  enterprise  with  E.  G. 
Cornish.  In  1910  Mr.  Wilson  disposed  of  his  interests  in  this  business 
to  accept  the  presidency  of  the  Will  County  National  Bank,  in  which 
capacity  he  has  since  served. 

Mr.  Wilson  married  Miss  Alice  E.  Richards  of  Joliet,  the  daughter 
of  George  Richards.  Mr.  Richards,  who  is  deceased,  was  a  native  of 
Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  and  among  the  early  settlers  of  Joliet,  where 
he  was  employed  for  many  years  by  the  Rock  Island  Railroad.  He  is 
buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery.  Two  daughters  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wilson:  Alice  Mabel,  married  Frederick  J.  Prichard,  lives  at  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Frederick  C,  and  Howard  W. ;  and 
Ida  L.,  who  died  in  1924,  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Politically  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican.  He  is  president  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  Richards  Street  Methodist  Church  and  for  the  past 
18  years  Mr.  Wrilson  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Silver  Cross  Hospital. 
He  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet 
Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  S.  M.,  No.  82 ;  Joliet  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  also  be- 
longs to  the  Kiwanis  Club. 


The  Will  County  National  Bank  was  organized  on  Aug.  3,  1871,  by 
the  following  men:  Calvin  Knowlton,  Samuel  B.  Reed,  H.  C.  Knowlton, 
Firman  Mack,  H.  N.  Higenbotham,  George  P.  Jones,  and  H.  N.  Marsh. 
It  was  opened  for  business  on  September  20,  1871.  The  charter  was 
renewed  in  September,  1891,  and  again  in  August,  1911.    Its  first  capi- 


606  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

talization  was  for  $100,000.00,  and  on  Dec.  19,  1890,  this  was  increased 
to  $200,000.00.  The  bank  was  first  housed  in  a  frame  building  at  223 
Jefferson  Street.  Several  years  later  it  was  removed  to  the  corner  of 
Ottawa  and  Jefferson  streets,  occupying  the  east  half  of  its  present 
banking  room.  On  May  22,  1907,  the  bank  was  enlarged  and  remodeled 
at  a  cost  of  $42,800.00.  In  April,  1887,  the  deposit  vault  department 
was  established,  four  additions  having  been  added  since  that  time,  the 
last  addition  in  Dec.  27,  1920.  The  first  automatic  lock  was  purchased 
from  E.  S.  Fowler  in  October,  1887.  On  Aug.  28,  1912,  a  savings  depart- 
ment was  authorized  by  the  board  of  directors.  In  1907  a  double  fire 
and  burglar  proof  vault  was  built,  and  later  two  more  vaults  of  the  same 
kind  added.  The  bank  joined  the  Federal  Reserve  Banking  system,  and 
subscribed  its  full  quota  and  became  a  member  of  the  Federal  Reserve 
System.  On  Jan.  6,  1921,  the  bank  building  was  purchased.  July  28, 
1921,  a  Trust  department  was  added.  The  bank  celebrated  its  50th  anni- 
versary in  1921. 

Following  are  the  deposits  from  1904:  Aug.  22,  1904,  $789,510.77; 
Aug.  22,  1906,  $1,005,780.52;  Aug.  22,  1908,  $1,078,970.31;  Aug.  22, 
1910,  $1,319,784.25;  Aug.  22,  1912,  $1,312,583,72;  Aug.  22,  1914, 
$1,377,572.73 ;  Aug.  22,  1920,  $2,539,141.29;  Sept.  6,  1921,  $2,555,624.17; 
Feb.  28,  1928,  $3,439,688.32.  Its  first  president  was  Henry  Fish,  who 
served  from  October,  1871,  to  January,  1874.  C.  Knowlton,  from  Janu- 
ary, 1874,  to  January,  1887 ;  W.  S.  Brooks,  January,  1887,  to  September, 
1892;  J.  A.  Henry,  September,  1892,  to  August,  1908;  C.  H.  Talcott, 
October,  1908,  to  April,  1910;  and  C.  E.  Wilson,  from  June,  1910,  who  is 
still  president. 

The  vice  presidents:  C.  Knowlton,  October,  1871,  to  January,  1874 
H.  Higinbotham,  January,  1874,  to  January,  1877;  J.  A.  Henry,  Janu- 
ary, 1878,  to  January,  1887;  G.  J.  Monroe,  January,  1887,  to  January, 
1897;  Joseph  Stephen,  January,  1897,  to  April,  1907;  C.  H.  Talcott, 
May,  1907,  to  October,  1908 ;  J.  W.  Folk,  October,  1908,  to  — ,  and  John  L. 
Carlson,  — . 

Second  vice  presidents:  C.  E.  Wilson,  October,  1871,  to  June,  1910 
Robert  Meers,  January,  1921,  to  February,  1921;  John  L.  Carlson, 
March,  1921 ;  and  F.  J.  Weisharr,  . 

Cashiers :  C.  P.  Jones,  September,  1871,  to  August,  1877 ;  H.  Knowl- 
ton, August,  1877,  to  May,  1887 ;  C.  H.  Talcott,  May  1887,  to  May,  1907 ; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  607 

H.  J.  Weber,  May,  1907,  to  September,  1920;  and  C.  F.  Hinrichs,  Sep- 
tember, 1920,  to  date. 

Directors  in  1921:  J.  P.  Stevens,  elected  June  11,  1910;  F.  I.  Weis- 
harr,  elected  January  11,  1910;  Henry  F.  Prepenbrink,  May  11,  1910; 
J.  Albert  Ohlhaver,  Aug.  23,  1917 ;  W.  H.  Clare,  May  28,  1921 ;  Dr.  F.  W. 
Werner,  Jan.  8,  1907. 

Present  officers  in  1928:  Charles  E.  Wilson,  president;  Frank  I. 
Weisharr,  second  vice  president;  Charles  F.  Hinrichs,  cashier;  E.  E. 
O'Heron,  assistant  cashier  and  trust  officer ;  Ozias  W.  McGovney,  assist- 
ant cashier. 

Directors  in  1928:  John  L.  Carlson,  Charles  E.  Wilson,  Frank  I. 
Weisharr,  J.  Albert  Ohlhaver,  George  J.  Clare,  Arthur  Montzheimer, 
J.  Albert  Folk,  George  F.  Hacker,  and  Clayton  S.  Farrell. 


Hjalmar  Rehn,  attorney  for  the  State  of  Illinois,  is  numbered  among 
the  able  practitioners  of  Will  ounty.  He  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  at 
Hvalstad,  June  29,  1886,  and  the  son  of  Axel  and  Maria  (Munson)  Rehn. 

Axel  Rhen,  who  resides  at  Joliet,  came  to  this  country  from  Sweden 
in  1888.  His  family  followed  him  the  next  year  and  located  at  Joliet, 
where  Mr.  Rehn  has  been  well  known  for  many  years  as  a  brick  con- 
tractor. He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Bricklayers  Union  of  Joliet. 
Mr.  Rehn  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 

The  early  education  of  Hjalmar  Rehn  was  secured  in  the  public 
schools  of  Joliet.  He  spent  some  time  at  Galveston,  Tex.,  and  in  1906 
returned  to  this  city,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet 
&  Eastern  Railroad  as  a  timekeeper.  In  September,  1908,  he  entered 
the  Kent  College  of  Law,  Chicago,  and  in  1912  he  was  graduated  from 
the  Law  School  of  Northwestern  University.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
State  Bar  of  Illinois  on  Oct.  2,  1912.  During  the  past  16  years  (1928) 
he  has  been  associated  in  the  real  estate  and  loan  business  with  Henry 
J.  Schluntz,  with  offices  in  the  Young  Building,  in  Joliet.  Mr.  Rehn 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  State's  Attorney  in  1924,  taking  office  Decem- 
ber 1st  of  that  year.  He  was  the  prosecutor  in  the  case  of  the  six  men 
who  were  convicted  and  hanged  in  Joliet  for  killing  Deputy  Warden 
Klein. 


608  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Hjalmar  Rehn  married  June  2,  1914,  Miss  Fern  Laura  Smith,  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Susie  (Pendegrast)  Smith,  natives  of  Rossville,  111., 
where  Mr.  Smith  was  engaged  in  agriculture  and  stock  raising  for 
many  years.  He  died  in  September,  1918,  and  is  buried  in  Rossville, 
where  his  widow  now  resides.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children : 
Thomas,  Rossville ;  Mrs.  Rehn ;  Edwin,  Austin,  Minnie,  live  at  Rossville ; 
Leo,  Rossville ;  Donovan,  Peoria ;  and  George,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Rehn  is  a  Republican  and  attends  the  Swedish  Methodist 
Church.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Order,  being  a 
member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  No.  175,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  which  he  was 
past  master  in  1924-25 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council, 
R.  &  S.  M.  M. ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Valley  of  Chicago  Con- 
sistory, A.  A.  S.  R.,  thirty-second  degree;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N. 
M.  S.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Will 
County  Bar  Association. 


Albert  E.  Markgraf,  the  present  capable  and  popular  sheriff  of  Will 
County,  111.,  was  born  at  Romeo,  111.,  Dec.  4,  1870,  a  son  of  Albert  and 
Minnie  (Brandis)  Markgraf. 

Albert  Markgraf  was  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  and  his  wife  was  born 
in  Scharmicak,  Germany,  and  were  married  there,  emigrating  to  the 
United  States  in  1869,  and  settled  in  Romeo,  111.  He  learned  the  cooper- 
age trade  in  his  native  land  but  after  coming  to  Illinois  worked  for  a 
time  on  the  old  canal,  after  which  he  followed  farming  in  Joliet  Town- 
ship. His  farm  was  located  on  the  Wilmington  Road.  From  this  place 
he  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  purchased  four  acres  of  land  at  Patterson 
Road  and  Branden  Avenue,  where  he  built  a  house  and  carried  on  farm- 
ing in  a  small  way.  He  died  in  1919  and  his  wife  died  in  1922.  Both  are 
buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  Mr.  Markgraf  was  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Markgraf  six  children  were  bom:  Albert  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Minnie,  married  William  Kemner,  lives  in  Joliet ;  William,  deceased ;  Eda, 
married  Fred  Brockmann,  resides  in  Joliet  Township ;  Elizabeth,  married 
Carl  Cristman,  lives  in  Ransom  County,  North  Dakota ;  and  Frank,  who 
lives  at  Granite  City,  111. 


ALBKUT    K.    MARKGHAF 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  609 

Albert  E.  Markgraf  attended  the  public  schools  of  Romeo  and  worked 
on  various  farms  in  his  community.  He  was  stationary  engineer  for  the 
Zarley  Stone  Company,  and  when  this  concern  was  purchased  by  the 
National  Stone  Company  he  was  made  superintendent  for  the  company 
and  remained  in  this  capacity  for  nine  years.  In  1914  in  partnership 
with  a  Mr.  Greenberg  he  established  a  crushed  stone  business  in  Joliet 
Township  which  was  successfully  conducted  until  1917,  when  the  busi- 
ness was  sold  to  Mitchell  &  Peterson,  of  Chicago.  For  the  next  three 
years  Mr.  Markgraf  bought  and  sold  machinery,  and  on  Aug.  1,  1920,  he 
established  the  Markgraf  Stone  Company,  in  partnership  with  Herman 
Nussmyer  and  Frank  Nussmyer,  and  in  which  he  is  still  interested.  On 
Nov.  2,  1926,  Mr.  Markgraf  was  elected  sheriff  of  Will  County. 

Mr.  Markgraf  was  married  in  July,  1897,  to  Miss  Emma  Wilhelm,  a 
daughter  of  W.  C.  and  Martha  Wilhelm,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Markgraf  three  children  were  born :  Helen,  married  Leo  Lamb, 
chief  deputy  sheriff,  Joliet;  Linda  Mary,  at  home;  and  Albert  E.,  Jr.,  a 
student,  at  home. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Markgraf  is  affiliated  with  Lodge  No.  296,  Benevo- 
lent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  Lodge  No.  300,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose; 
and  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  English  Lutheran  Church. 


Andrew  S.  Witwer,  president  and  general  manager  of  the  Joliet 
Manufacturing  Company,  is  a  native  of  Joliet,  where  he  was  born  Feb. 
21,  1894,  a  son  of  Clement  S.  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Shreffler)  Witwer. 

Clement  S.  Witwer  was  born  in  Ashland  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  26,  1862, 
and  died  April  16,  1919.  His  father,  Rev.  George  Witwer  was  born  in 
Earl  Township,  Lancaster  County,  Ohio,  Aug.  28,  1824,  a  son  of  Isaac 
Witwer.  George  Witwer  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business 
and  served  as  postmaster  at  Ashland,  Ohio.  He  was  a  preacher  of  the 
Dunkard  faith.  In  1863  he  settled  in  La  Porte,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming  and  ministerial  work.  In  1867  he  went  to  Missouri  as  agent 
for  the  Studebaker  Brothers,  where  he  established  an  agricultural 
implement  store  at  Hamilton.  In  1881  he  returned  to  South  Bend,  Ind., 
where  he  became  affiliated  with  the  Studebaker  Brothers  factory.     He 


610  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

married  Elizabeth  Studebaker,  who  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa.  To 
them  were  born  nine  children:  John  S.,  T.  W.,  vice  president  of  the 
Joliet  Manufacturing  Company ;  George  M.,  Clement  S.,  Edward  C,  J.  F., 
H.  E.,  Mrs.  Joseph  Kopesay,  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Mohler.  Rev.  George  Witwer 
died  in  October,  1866. 

Clement  S.  Witwer  attended  the  public  schools.  He  worked  as  a 
clerk  in  a  general  store  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  in  his  spare  time  herded 
cattle  for  D wight  &  Booth.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  given  $500 
by  his  employers  and  sent  20  miles  on  horseback  to  buy  cattle.  After 
this  purchase  he  drove  the  cattle  to  the  nearest  railroad,  which  was  at 
Kidder,  Mo.  From  1879  to  1881  he  was  employed  as  an  assistant  to 
Studebaker  Brothers,  at  South  Bend.  While  there  he  joined  the  South 
Bend  Light  Guards,  which  membership  he  continued  when  he  was  a 
student  at  DePauw  University  in  1881-82.  He  then  went  on  the  road  as 
inspector,  buyer  and  traveling  salesman  for  the  Studebaker  Company. 
In  1883  he  went  to  Dallas,  Texas,  where  for  two  years  he  managed  the 
business  of  his  brother,  J.  S.  Witwer.  During  1885  he  traveled  for  the 
Studebaker  Company,  and  in  1887  identified  himself  with  the  Joliet 
Manufacturing  Company,  later  succeeding  to  the  presidency  of  the  com- 
pany, which  position  he  held  until  his  death.  He  married,  on  Oct.  5, 
1887,  Miss  Mary  E.  Shreffler,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  H.  Shreffler,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  that  section  of  the  country.  Mrs.  Witwer  died  in 
1905.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Witwer  were  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Andrew  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Irene,  born  July  17,  1890, 
died  Sept.  30,  1891. 

Andrew  S.  Witmer  graduated  in  1912  from  the  Joliet  High  School 
and  attended  Culver  Military  Academy  for  one  year.  He  received  his 
Bachelor  of  Science  in  Mechanical  Engineering  from  Purdue  University 
in  1916,  after  which  he  became  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Joliet 
Manufacturing  Company.  Only  July  20,  1917,  he  enlisted  in  the  U.  S. 
Army  Ordinance  Department  and  was  sent  to  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  and 
assigned  to  the  training  school  of  the  Ordnance  Department  and  was 
appointed  ordnance  sergeant.  He  later  was  transferred  to  the  131st 
Ordnance  Depot,  Camp  Kearney,  Calif,,  and  served  as  first  sergeant  of 
the  company.  He  was  transferred  to  Camp  Hancock,  Augusta,  Ga., 
later  to  Westervleit  Arsenal,  New  York,  where  he  received  his  appoint- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  611 

ment  to  the  F.  A.  C.  0.  T.  S.  at  Camp  Zachary  Taylor,  Louisville,  Ky„ 
and  was  commissioned  a  second  lieutenant  Field  Artillery,  and  assigned 
to  duty  with  Battery  F,  4th  Regiment,  Field  Artillery  Replacement 
Depot,  Camp  Taylor.  He  was  discharged  Dec.  21,  1918,  and  returned 
to  Joliet.  At  the  death  of  his  father  in  April,  1919,  he  became  presi- 
dent and  general  manager  of  the  Joliet  Manufacturing  Company. 

In  1919  Mr.  Witwer  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Robinson,  a 
daughter  of  Cory  E.  and  Nellie  (Kinsey)  Robinson,  natives  of  Illinois. 
Mr.  Robinson,  deceased,  was  active  and  well  known  in  the  steel  industry 
of  this  section  and  was  general  manager  of  the  American  Can  Company, 
of  Rockdale,  111.  His  widow  resides  in  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Witwer  have 
a  son,  Andrew  S.,  Jr.,  born  Sept.  4,  1920. 

Mr.  Witwer  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors of  the  following  local  clubs :  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Joliet  Country 
Club,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Morning  Star  Mission,  and  Joliet  Manufacturers  Asso- 
ciation. He  belongs  to  Phi  Gamma  Delta,  past  officer,  and  The  Scabbard 
and  Blade,  honorary  military  fraternity,  American  Legion,  and  Isaac 
Walton  League.    He  attends  the  Methodist  Church. 


Harry  Wheeler  Woodruff,  M.  D. — A  member  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion distinguished  by  more  than  36  years  of  service  of  the  highest 
order  in  Joliet  is  Dr.  Harry  Wheeler  Woodruff,  a  native  of  this  city,  and 
one  of  the  community's  leading  physicians  and  surgeons.  He  was  born 
Feb.  18,  1868,  the  son  of  George  H.  and  Achsah  (Wheeler)  Woodruff. 

George  H.  Woodruff  was  born  at  Clinton,  N.  Y.  He  was  graduated 
from  Hamilton  College,  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  in  1832,  and  two  years  later 
came  to  Joliet.  About  1840  he  established  the  Pioneer  Drug  Store  on 
Bluff  Street  and  continued  in  that  business  for  nearly  50  years.  He 
was  a  writer  of  local  history,  being  the  author  of  "Fifteen  Years  Ago, 
or  the  Patriotism  of  Will  County,"  "Forty  Years  Ago,"  and  "Will  County 
on  the  Pacific  Slope."  Mr.  Woodruff  died  at  Joliet,  Nov.  1,  1890.  His 
wife,  who  was  born  at  New  Marlborough,  Mass.,  April  10,  1824,  died 
July  14,  1911.  Two  sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodruff:  Dr. 
George  F.,  physician  and  surgeon,  207  North  Broadway,  Joliet;  and 
Harry  Wheeler,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


612  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Harry  Wheeler  Woodruff  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  gram- 
mar and  high  schools  of  Joliet  and  Chicago  and  for  several  years  was 
interested  in  pharmacy.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Chicago  College 
of  Pharmacy  in  1888  and  from  the  Chicago  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons  (now  the  University  of  Illinois)  in  1892.  He  had  one  year  of 
additional  training  and  practical  experience  as  in  interne  in  the  Illinois 
Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  and  has  since  engaged  in  the  medical  and  sur- 
gical practice  at  Joliet,  with  offices  in  the  Morris  Building.  He  has 
also  been  connected  with  the  Illinois  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary  as  assistant 
and  surgeon  for  the  past  35  years.  He  is  a  member  and  past  president 
of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  and  is  also  identified  with  the  Illinois 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  has 
been  professor  of  opthalmology  in  the  Chicago  Eye,  Ear,  Nose  and 
Throat  College  since  its  organization  25  years  ago.  He  was  president  of 
the  Chicago  Opthalmological  Society,  and  first  vice  president  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Opthalmology  and  Oto-Laryngology.  Dr.  George 
H.  Woodruff  spent  one  year  as  Interne  in  the  Illinois  Eye  and  Ear 
Infirmary  and  is  now  assistant  surgeon  in  that  hospital. 

Dr.  Woodruff  married  June  27,  1895,  Miss  Lydia  Jane  Coventry  of 
La  Salle  County,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Katherine  (Lewis) 
Coventry  of  New  York.  Mr.  Coventry  died  June  5,  1927.  His  widow 
lives  at  Sherman  Station,  Utica,  N.  Y.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Woodruff  have 
the  following  children:  George  Henry,  M.  D.,  mention  of  whom  is  made 
below;  Robert  Coventry,  oil  business,  Joliet;  Lewis  Wheeler,  M.  D., 
resident  physician  in  Presbyterian  Hospital,  Chicago;  Katherine,  mar- 
ried Rupert  Barnes,  lives  in  Chicago;  and  Harry  Walter,  a  student  at 
Dartmouth  College. 

George  Henry  Woodruff  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High 
School  in  1914  and  from  Dartmouth  College  in  1918.  He  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1920, 
and  spent  the  following  two  years  as  interne  in  St.  Luke's  Hospital, 
Chicago.    He  is  now  associated  in  practice  with  his  father  in  Joliet. 

Dr.  Woodruff  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  and  belongs  to  the  Union  League  Club  of  Chicago,  Joliet  Coun- 
try Club,  Rotary  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  a  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  613 

Oscar  Robert  Laraway. — One  of  Joliet's  prominent  men  is  Oscar 
Robert  Laraway,  attorney,  who  has  offices  in  the  Will  County  National 
Bank  Building.  He  was  born  in  Joliet  Township,  Will  County,  June  3, 
1886,  the  son  of  Oscar  Wallace  and  Margaret  (Tait)  Laraway,  both 
deceased. 

John  Shutts  and  Catherine  (Cole)  Shutts,  maternal  great  grand- 
parents of  Oscar  Robert  Laraway,  came  from  Columbia  County,  N.  Y., 
to  Joliet  in  1855  and  lived  on  a  farm  southeast  of  Joliet.  His  paternal 
great  grandparents,  James  and  Elizabeth  (Pocock)  Laraway,  came  from 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  to  Joliet  in  1852,  and  lived  on  a  farm  southeast 
of  Joliet.  His  ancestors  served  in  the  American  Revolution,  in  the  War 
of  1812,  and  in  the  Patriot's  War. 

The  early  life  of  Oscar  Robert  Laraway  was  spent  in  Joliet  and  on 
a  farm  in  Joliet  Township,  five  miles  southeast  of  Joliet.  He  obtained 
his  education  in  Rose  Hill  country  school,  Joliet  Township  High  School, 
and  in  June,  1911,  he  received  his  degree  from  the  College  of  Law,  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois in  October,  1911,  and  engaged  in  private  practice  until  1914.  He 
was  then  associated  in  partnership  with  Judge  Benjamin  Olin  until 
1920,  at  which  time  Judge  Olin  died.  Since  that  date  Mr.  Laraway 
has  practiced  alone.  He  was  appointed  Referee  in  Bankruptcy  of  the 
United  States  District  Court  of  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois  in  May, 
1918. 

On  Aug.  15,  1916,  Mr.  Laraway  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Stella  Imogene  Bigelow,  who  was  born  at  Nilwood,  Macoupin  County, 
111.,  Jan.  18,  1886.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Charles  Edward  and  Caroline 
(Venible)  Bigelow.  On  her  paternal  side  she  traces  her  lineage  back 
through  the  royal  lines  of  England  and  France  to  495  A.  D.,  when  Cedric 
the  Saxon,  First  King  of  the  West  Saxons  landed  in  England;  on  her 
maternal  side,  through  the  nobility  of  France  to  1052.  She  is  descended 
on  both  sides  from  a  long  line  of  Colonial  ancestors  who  settled  in  New 
England  and  Virginia  as  early  as  1630.  Her  ancestors  held  many  im- 
portant offices  in  Colonial  government  and  served  in  the  American 
Revolution,  King  Phillips  War,  Pequot  War,  King  George's  War,  and 
in  the  Civil  War.  Such  names  as  Fogg,  Venible,  Cooledeg,  Whittier, 
Loomis,  Page,  Reeder,  Olmstead,  and  Day  appear  in  her  lineage  book. 


614  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Her  paternal  grandparents,  John  Russell  and  Lucinda  (Fogg)  Bigelow, 
came  from  Vermont  to  Waverly,  111.,  about  1850 ;  her  maternal  grand- 
parents, William  and  Caroline  (Enyart)  Venible,  came  from  Hanover, 
Ohio,  to  Carlinville,  111.,  in  1865.  The  early  life  of  Mrs.  Laraway  was 
spent  at  Nilwood,  111.,  and  in  1889  she  removed  to  Joliet  with  her  par- 
ents. She  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1904, 
and  from  the  College  of  Liberal  Arts,  Northwestern  University,  in  June, 
1908.  Before  her  marriage  she  was  an  instructor  in  the  English  depart- 
ment of  the  Joliet  Township  High  School.  She  is  identified  with  the 
Louis  Joliet  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  and  also 
belongs  to  the  Womens  Club  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laraway  have  a  son,  Robert  Bigelow  Laraway,  who  was 
born  at  Joliet,  Feb.  6,  1922. 

Mr.  Laraway  is  a  member  of  the  following  organizations:  Mt. 
Joliet  Lodge,  No.  42,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Joliet  Chapter,  No.  27,  R.  A.  M., 
Joliet  Commandery,  No.  4,  K.  T. ;  Medinah  Temple ;  Order  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine ;  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No.  296 ;  and  Association  of  Commerce.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Will  County  Bar  Association  and  Illinois  State  Bar 
Association. 


Rugar  Young. — A  veteran  of  the  World  War,  during  which  he 
served  in  the  United  States  Army  as  second  lieutenant,  Rugar  Young 
is  a  representative  young  business  man  of  Joliet,  and  a  member  of  one 
of  the  prominent  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Joliet,  Oct. 
23,  1891,  the  son  of  George  Warner,  and  Corabelle  B.  (Rugar)  Young. 

A  complete  sketch  of  George  Warner  Young  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

Rugar  Young  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and 
attended  Howe  Military  Academy.  He  was  graduated  from  Dartmouth 
College  in  1914  and  subsequently  entered  Kent  Law  School,  Chicago. 
For  a  short  time  he  served  as  a  reporter  on  the  Joliet  Herald-News,  and 
in  1916  became  associated  with  his  father's  real  estate  interests.  On 
May  15,  1917,  he  entered  the  first  officers  Training  Camp  at  Fort  Sheri- 
dan, 111.,  and  was  commissioned  a  second  lieutenant  in  August,  1917. 
He  was  then  sent  to  France  where  he  served  with  the  26th  Infantry. 
First  Division.    He  was  on  the  St.  Mihiel  front  and  participated  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  615 

Second  Battle  of  the  Marne  and  saw  active  service  at  Cantigny  and  the 
Montdidier  and  Toul  sectors.  His  entire  regiment  was  decorated  with 
the  French  Croix  deGuerre  fourrager.  In  September,  1918,  he  returned 
to  the  United  States  and  was  assigned  to  the  Tenth  Division  as  a  first 
lieutenant,  which  was  in  preparation  for  overseas  duty.  He  was  dis- 
charged from  Camp  Funston  in  1919,  and  upon  his  return  to  Joliet  he 
again  became  associated  with  his  father's  business. 

On  Oct.  16,  1918,  Mr.  Young  married  Miss  Janet  B.  Peters,  the 
daughter  of  Henry  B.  and  Calla  (Tay)  Peters,  of  Portland,  Me.  Mr. 
Peters  is  identified  with  Swift  &  Company  as  a  representative  in  New- 
England.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  have  a  son,  Burbank,  born  Oct.  16,  1921. 

Mr.  Young  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  belongs  to  Har- 
wood  Post  No.  5,  American  Legion,  which  he  helped  organize  and  was  its 
first  commander,  the  "40  and  8"  Society,  Mt.  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.,  Joliet  Country  Club,  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon  fraternity,  Kiwanis 
Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.    He  is  a  Republican. 


William  C.  Strohm  who  has  been  for  many  years  a  leading  citizen 
of  Joliet  and  is  now  serving  as  Commissioner  of  Public  Health,  is  a 
native  of  Germany.  He  was  born  in  Herrenalb,  Wurttember,  the  son  of 
Christian  and  Mary  (Keller)  Strohm. 

Both  Christian  Strohm  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Herrenalb, 
where  he  was  burgomaster  for  several  terms,  and  also  was  city  treasurer 
for  fifteen  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  William  C, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Pauline,  married  William  Gall.  He  is  de- 
ceased and  she  resides  at  Rock  Island,  111. ;  Amy,  deceased ;  Adolph,  Rock 
Island;  Carl,  Chicago,  manager  Patterson  Bakery  &  Pie  Company; 
Bertha,  married  Bernhardt  Seeberger,  and  they  reside  at  Rock  Island. 

William  C.  Strohm  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  land 
and  was  graduated  from  Polytechnical  College.  In  1879  he  came  to  the 
United  States  landing  in  New  York  City  and  then  came  direct  to  Joliet. 
He  was  first  employed  by  the  dry  goods  firm  of  N.  D.  Dyer  as  a  clerk, 
later  purchasing  an  interest  in  the  business  and  became  first  vice  presi- 
dent. He  sold  his  interest  in  the  Dyer  Company  and  became  connected 
with  L.  F.  Beach  Dry  Goods  Company,  where  he  remained  for  22  years. 


616  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

In  1910  Mr.  Strohm  was  elected  town  supervisor  of  Joliet  and  served 
three  terms  of  two  years  each  in  this  capacity.  He  retired  in  1916,  but 
in  1923  was  induced  to  return  to  public  life  and  was  elected  commis- 
sioner of  the  city  of  Joliet  for  four  years,  and  in  1927  was  reelected. 

In  1882  Mr.  Strohm  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Kearns,  a  daughter 
of  John  Kearns,  a  native  of  Lewistown,  Pa.  He  is  deceased.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Strohm  was  born  a  daughter,  Edna  Pearl.  She  is  a  graduate 
of  Wellesley  College  and  is  executive  secretary  to  the  City  Charter 
Association  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Mr.  Strohm  is  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  Church  and  Mrs.  Strohm  is  a  Presbyterian. 

Mr.  Strohm  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  fraternally  is  a  member  of 
Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  42;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  27; 
Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  4;  L.  0.  0.  Moose,  300,  honorary  member; 
I.  O.  0.  Fellows ;  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  Stevenson  Camp.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Mr.  Strohm  has  always  been  interested  in  the  civic  affairs  of  Joliet 
and  in  charitable  and  other  commendable  activities  has  given  his  un- 
selfish support. 


Hon.  Frederick  Ray  Adams,  probate  judge  of  Will  County,  is  among 
the  distinguished  jurists  and  public  officials  of  Illinois.  He  was  born 
at  Towanda,  McLean  County,  111.,  Feb.  1,  1884,  the  son  of  William 
Benjamin  and  Jennie  Louise  (Harper)  Adams. 

William  Benjamin  Adams  was  born  at  106  North  Broadway,  Joliet, 
Aug.  18,  1859,  a  son  of  Micajah  L.  and  Mary  (Banker)  Adams,  early 
settlers  of  Joliet.  He  died  May  12,  1927,  and  his  widow  resides  at  201 
Richmond  Street,  Joliet.  She  was  born  March  3,  1864,  the  daughter  of 
William  and  Jane  (Hughes)  Harper.  The  Harper  family  were  early 
settlers  of  Chicago,  William  Harper  having  been  master  carpenter  in  the 
employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  for  over  46  years.  William 
Benjamin  Adams  was  interested  in  grain  inspecting  when  a  young  lad 
and  continued  at  this  occupation  for  a  number  of  years  in  the  employ 
of  Carpenter  &  Marsh.  After  this  department  was  placed  under  state 
control,  he  engaged  in  the  railroad  business  with  his  father-in-law  in 
Chicago,  and  later  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he  became  identified  with 


FRKDERTCK    RAY   ADAMS 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  617 

the  American  Steel  &  Wire  Company.  He  left  this  firm  about  1907  to 
go  with  the  Southern  Steel  Company  at  Ensley,  Ala.,  where  he  remained 
for  several  years.  He  later  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he  was  connected 
with  the  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Mills  until  his  death.  There  were  four  children 
in  the  Adams  family:  Frederick  Ray,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Myrtle 
Louise,  born  Feb.  25,  1886,  was  married  July  17,  1908,  to  J.  W.  Lorraine, 
lives  at  San  Francisco,  Calif.;  Hazel  Irene,  born  May  31,  1891,  married 
William  LaFontaine,  lives  at  201  Richmond  Street,  Joliet;  and  Roland 
Harper,  born  March  1,  1898,  died  Dec.  27,  1905. 

Frederick  Ray  Adams  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chicago  and  Joliet.  He  also  attended  Joliet  Township  High 
School,  Putland's  Business  College,  and  the  Hamilton  College  of  Law, 
Chicago.  He  was  obliged  to  start  to  work  when  16  years  old,  having 
entered  the  employ  of  Ferdinand  Schroeder  as  grocery  clerk  and  delivery 
boy.  He  spent  one  year  as  driver  for  the  Wells-Fargo  Express  Company, 
worked  in  the  freight  department  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad 
from  1902  until  1907,  served  as  traffic  manager  for  the  Southern  Steel 
Company,  Birmingham,  Ala.,  in  1907,  and  the  following  year  collected 
taxes  in  the  spring  for  William  C.  Brockman,  and  the  balance  of  the  year 
had  charge  of  the  tract  indexes  in  the  abstract  offices  of  Charles  F. 
Goodspeed.  In  the  spring  of  1909  he  collected  taxes  for  David  R.  Davis, 
and  was  also  employed  in  the  blast  furnace  office  of  the  Illinois  Steel 
Company  until  June  1,  1909,  when  he  entered  the  Will  County  National 
Bank.  He  resigned  as  auditor  of  that  institution  Dec.  1,  1918,  and 
accepted  the  office  of  assistant  to  the  probate  judge,  Samuel  J.  Drew,  of 
Will  County.  He  held  this  office  until  Jan.  1,  1924,  when  he  resigned  to 
enter  into  active  practice,  having  formed  a  partnership  with  Albert  F. 
Krusemark,  Edward  Gorey,  and  the  late  Eneshia  Meers.  Mr.  Adams 
continued  in  the  practice  of  law  until  May  1,  1926,  when  he  was 
appointed  by  Governor  Small  to  the  office  of  probate  judge  of  Will 
County  to  succeed  the  late  Judge  Samuel  J.  Drew.  He  took  office  Dec.  1, 
1926,  as  probate  judge  elect  and  is  now  serving  in  that  capacity.  He 
was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois  in  1916. 

On  Sept.  26,  1906,  Mr.  Adams  married  Miss  Hattie  Irene  Darragh,  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Alexander  and  Minnie  Louisa  (Mather) 
Darragh.    Mr.  Darragh  was  born  in  Ballymena,  County  Antrim,  Ireland, 


618  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  emigrated  to  America  when  ten  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  bora 
at  Hillsboro,  Ohio.  Mr.  Darragh  lives  with  his  daughter  at  513  Plain- 
field  Road.  His  wife  died  Jan.  31,  1924,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Ceme- 
tery, Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  have  been  born  three  daughters : 
Dorothy  Louise,  born  Jan.  11,  1910,  a  senior  in  Joliet  Township  High 
School;  Lois  Jane,  born  July  24,  1913,  a  freshman  in  Joliet  Township 
High  School;  and  Ruth  Harriet,  born  July  4,  1915,  attends  Farragut 
School. 

Judge  Adams  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  city  treasurer  of 
Joliet.  He  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
His  fraternal  affiliations  are:  Matteson  Lodge,  No.  175,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
Joliet  Chapter,  No.  27,  R.  A.  M. ;  Joliet  Council,  No.  82,  R.  and  S.  M. ; 
Joliet  Commandery  No.  4,  K.  T.;  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S., 
Springfield;  Joliet  Lodge  No.  296,  B.  P.  0.  Elks;  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America;  Kiwanis  Club;  Joliet  Country  Club;  and  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. He  is  identified  with  the  Illinois  State  Bar  Society,  Will  County 
Bar  Society,  and  American  Bar  Association. 


Charles  A.  Noble  is  one  of  the  vital  progressive  representatives  of 
the  real  estate  and  insurance  business  at  Joliet,  where  he  has  been 
actively  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  since  1900.  He  was  born 
at  Wilmington,  Will  County,  Illinois,  Oct.  12,  1859,  and  is  the  youngest 
of  six  children  born  to  Royal  S.  and  Ellen  N.  (Richards)  Noble.  His 
father  died  in  1862  and  his  mother  died  in  1878. 

Mr.  Noble  attended  the  public  schools  of  Wilmington,  111.,  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school.  His  first  position  was  that  of  bookkeeper 
and  conveyancer  in  the  real  estate  office  of  L.  E.  Ingalls,  at  Joliet  in 
1879.  In  1884  he  became  chief  deputy  in  the  circuit  clerk  and  recorder's 
office  for  four  years  and  in  1888  was  reappointed.  In  1892  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  Recorder  of  Deeds  and  served  as  the  first  recorder 
of  Will  County.  He  was  reelected  to  this  position  in  1896.  During 
1900-1912  he  engaged  in  real  estate  having  been  interested  in  it  as  a 
speculator  while  in  the  circuit  clerk's  and  recorder's  offices.  In  1912 
he  was  elected  county  auditor,  a  new  office  created  at  that  time,  and 
served  as  its  first  auditor  for  four  years.    Was  reelected  in  1916  and 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  619 

again  in  1920.  This  was  the  second  office  that  was  created  and  in  which 
he  served  as  its  first  officer,  viz :  Recorder  of  Deeds  and  Auditor.  Since 
December,  1900,  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  real  state  and 
insurance  business,  which  is  one  of  the  leading  concerns  operating  in 
Will  County. 

In  1887  Mr.  Noble  was  married  to  Miss  Lillian  Reed  at  St.  Paul, 
Minn.  She  was  born  in  Waukegan,  111.,  and  died  in  1888.  In  June,  1899, 
Mr.  Noble  married  Florence  A.  Smith,  a  daughter  of  A.  H.  Smith.  To 
this  union  two  children  were  born:  Marion,  married  Arthur  J.  Stevens, 
lives  at  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Barbara;  and  Albert,  a  stu- 
dent at  Junior  College,  Joliet.    Mrs.  Noble  died  in  1919. 

Mr.  Noble's  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.  42,  past  master;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  27,  past  high  priest; 
Joliet  Council,  R.  and  S.  M.  82,  past  thrice  Illustrious  Master;  Joliet 
Commandery,  K.  T.  4. ;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.  and  B.  P.  0. 
Elks,  No.  296.  He  organized  the  Real  Estate  Board  of  Joliet  and  served 
as  its  president  for  ten  years.  He  was  first  secretary  of  the  Union  Club, 
and  past  president.  When  the  Silver  Cross  Hospital  was  built  he  was 
president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  continued  in  that  office  for 
some  years,  and  is  now  a  trustee.  In  1891  he  organized  the  Noble  Ma- 
sonic Relief  Society,  serving  as  its  president,  and  has  also  served  as  a 
director  of  the  Joliet  Relief  Association.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Noble  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  civic  and  social 
affairs  of  Joliet  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  whom  Will 
County  is  justly  proud. 


Alfred  W.  Ehlers  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  with  a  record  of 
overseas  service,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  the  city 
of  Joliet,  where  he  is  associated  with  the  A.  W.  Ehler's  Motor  Sales 
Company.  He  was  born  at  Whiting,  Ind.,  Dec.  8,  1892,  a  son  of  Henry 
and  Charlotte  Ehlers. 

Henry  Ehlers,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  born  at 
Hanover  in  1844,  and  in  early  youth  came  to  the  United  States  and  set- 
tled in  Baltimore.    He  later  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  engaged  in 


620  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

the  general  mercantile  business  for  many  years.  From  there  he  went 
to  Whiting,  Ind.,  where  he  was  well  known  as  a  general  merchant  until 
the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  in  1907.  He  is  buried  at  Hammond, 
Ind.  His  widow  resides  at  Whiting.  Mr.  Ehlers  was  a  Republican  and 
held  various  public  offices  at  Whiting,  including  that  of  chief  of  police, 
fire  marshall  and  alderman.  He  was  a  life  long  member  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Church.  There  were  three  children  in  the  Ehlers  family; 
Selma,  married  John  Visconty,  lives  at  Whiting ;  Walter,  lives  at  Whit- 
ing; and  Alfred  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Alfred  W.  Ehlers  grew  up  at  Whiting,  Ind.,  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools,  having  graduated  from  Whiting  High  School  in  1909.  He 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Lake  County  Savings  &  Trust  Company, 
Hammond,  Ind.,  as  a  bookkeeper,  and  was  later  transferred  to  the  bank's 
real  estate  department,  having  full  charge  of  this  department  in  1915. 
In  that  year  he  became  connected  with  the  Inland  Steel  Company,  In- 
diana Harbor,  Ind.,  and  remained  with  that  concern  until  February, 
1918,  at  which  time  he  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army  for  service  during  the 
World  War.  He  was  sent  to  Camp  Sherman,  Ohio,  and  attached  to  the 
84th  Division.  He  later  sailed  for  France,  where  he  was  transferred 
to  the  16th  Infantry  Regiment,  Company  F,  First  Division.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  the  Argonne  and  Meuse-Argonne.  He  was  also 
in  Germany  after  the  close  of  the  war  with  the  Army  of  Occupation  and 
was  discharged  from  service,  in  May,  1919,  with  the  rank  of  corporal. 
Mr.  Ehlers  became  interested  in  the  automobile  business  upon  his  return 
to  Hammond,  Ind.,  and  was  associated  with  E.  L.  Shover.  In  July, 
1920,  he  came  to  Joliet  and  established  the  A.  W.  Ehlers  Motor  Sales 
Company.  They  are  local  dealers  for  the  Hudson  and  Essex  automo- 
biles and  operate  one  of  the  up-to-date  sales  agencies  of  the  city. 

In  1917  Mr.  Ehlers  married  Miss  Verta  Sheffield,  a  daughter  of 
Perry  and  Helen  (Dixon)  Sheffield,  natives  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Sheffield, 
who  died  in  January,  1928,  was  a  prominent  agriculturist  of  Val- 
paraiso, Ind.  His  widow  lives  at  Hammond.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ehlers  have 
two  sons:   Robert,  born  in  June,  1918,  and  Edwin,  born  in  March,  1923. 

Mr.  Ehlers  is  affiliated  with  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M. 
No.  42,  and  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post,  No.  5.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  621 

George  J.  Arbeiter,  in  the  profession  of  law,  has  attained  note- 
worthy rank  in  Will  County.  He  has  been  in  continuous  practice  at 
Joliet  since  1895.  Mr.  Arbeiter  was  born  in  Plainfield  Township,  Will 
County,  June  10,  1865,  the  son  of  Carl  and  Katherina  (Suhler)  Arbeiter. 

Carl  Arbeiter  was  born  at  Grottkau,  Prussia,  Germany,  and  his  wife 
was  a  native  of  Kulmbach,  Bavaria,  Germany.  He  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1850  and  settled  in  Plainfield  Township,  Will  County, 
where  he  improved  a  tract  of  250  acres.  He  became  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  stockman  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  living  retired 
at  Plainfield.  His  wife  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  their  mar- 
riage taking  place  at  Joliet.  She  is  also  deceased  and  with  her  hus- 
band is  buried  in  Plainfield  Township.  Mr.  Arbeiter  was  a  Democrat, 
and  served  as  highway  commissioner  and  school  director.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Lutheran 
Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arbeiter  were  born  five  children:  Joseph,  a 
farmer,  lives  at  Alexandria,  Minn. ;  Charles  W.,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Na-au- 
say  Township,  Kendall  County,  111. ;  George  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
Mary  W. ;  and  Adeline,  both  deceased. 

Receiving  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Plainfield  Township, 
George  J.  Arbeiter  engaged  in  the  teaching  profession  for  two  years. 
He  then  took  a  business  course  at  the  University  of  Valparaiso  and  from 
there  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  employed  by  the  Smith  Wire 
Company  of  New  Jersey.  Later  he  entered  the  University  of  Illinois, 
from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1893.  Two 
years  later  he  was  graduated  in  Law  from  the  University  of  Michigan. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  State  bar  during  that  year  and  opened 
offices  in  Joliet  in  the  Barber  Building.  Mr.  Arbeiter  is  identified  with 
the  Will  County  Bar  Association,  Illinois  State  Bar  Association,  and 
American  Bar  Association. 

On  Feb.  1,  1899,  Mr.  Arbeiter  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
E.  Kittie  McBride,  of  Elgin,  111.,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Margaret 
(Adams)  McBride,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mrs.  Arbeiter  is  the  youngest  of 
eleven  children,  and  the  only  member  of  her  family  born  in  the  United 
States.  Her  parents  were  early  settlers  of  Elgin,  111.,  where  Mr.  McBride 
engaged  in  the  coal  business  for  a  number  of  years.  This  business  is 
now  conducted  by  his  son,  Henry  E.  McBride  and  a  grandson  William 


624  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

in  the  Seventh  Ward.  In  1898  Mr.  Howk  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  has  also  served  for  two  terms  as  a  member  of 
the  Joliet  city  council. 

Mr.  Howk  was  married  at  San  Jose,  Calif.,  in  1872,  to  Miss  Emma 
Grant,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Sophia  (Smith)  Grant.  Both  are 
deceased.  Mrs.  Howk  was  born  in  the  State  of  Michigan.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Howk  four  children  were  born:  Charles,  lives  in  Chicago,  where  he 
is  connected  with  the  Commonwealth  Edison  Company,  married  Miss 
Marie  Brandan;  Ray,  identified  with  the  Herald-News,  Joliet;  Mrs. 
Alfred  Caulkins,  and  Mrs.  William  Downing,  both  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Howk  is  a  Republican.  He  has  been  affiliated  with 
Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  No.  175,  since  March  18,  1884,  making 
a  period  of  44  years  to  1927. 


William  W.  Smith,  recorder  of  Will  County,  is  among  the  prominent 
men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ga.,  Jan.  16,  1863,  the 
son  of  William  R.  and  Mary  (Whitworth)  Smith. 

William  R.  Smith,  deceased,  was  born  and  reared  in  Madison  County, 
Georgia,  and  in  1866  moved  to  Cobb  County,  Georgia,  where  he  success- 
fully engaged  in  general  farming.  He  was  born  Jan.  14,  1830,  and  died 
in  October,  1904.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Feb.  28, 
1828,  died  in  December,  1876.  Both  are  buried  in  Bullard  Cemetery, 
near  Powder  Springs,  Ga.  They  were  lifelong  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  of  which  he  served  as  deacon. 

William  W.  Smith  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Cobb  County,  Ga., 
and  spent  his  early  youth  on  his  father's  farm.  In  September,  1886,  he 
went  to  Birmingham,  Alabama,  where  he  engaged  in  railroad  construc- 
tion work,  remaining  there  until  1891.  During  this  time  he  also  learned 
the  carpenter  trade  there  and  the  same  year  he  went  to  Pittsburgh,  Pa., 
where  he  learned  the  structural  iron  workers  trade.  In  1893  he  removed 
to  Joliet,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  construction  of  the  Phoenix 
Horseshoe  plant,  continuing  in  their  employ  until  1908.,  when  he  was 
elected  recorder  of  deeds  of  Will  County  and  has  been  reelected  to  that 
office  every  four  years,  having  served  continuously  for  a  period  of  20 
years. 


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HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  625 

On  Sept.  14,  1898,  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ger- 
trude L.  DeLong,  the  daughter  of  Stephen  V.  and  Sarah  J.  (Stanley) 
DeLong,  natives  of  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeLong  were  married  in 
Will  County,  111.,  having  come  here  about  1866  and  were  married  in 
1868.  Mr.  DeLong  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  in  New 
York  and  served  throughout  the  war  in  the  Heavy  Artillery.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  DeLong  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
Mrs.  Smith  died  July  7,  1921.  On  Oct.  3,  1925,  Mr.  Smith  married 
Miss  Charlotte  M.  Teetsell,  the  daughter  of  Jeremiah  H.  and  Charlotte 
A.  (Brink)  Teetsell.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teetsell,  natives  of  New  York, 
are  deceased,  and  are  buried  in  Mountain  View  Cemetery,  Saugerties, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  Teetsell  was  also  a  Civil  War  soldier  and  served  two  years 
and  10  months  in  Company  G,  120th  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  he  is  affiliated 
with  Mt.  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42,  past  master  in  1900 ;  Joliet 
Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Council,  R.  and  S.  M.  No.  87;  Joliet 
Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Oriental  Consistory,  A.  A.  S.  R.  32nd  degree ; 
Ansar  Temple  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Springfield,  111.;  Shrine  Club  of  Joliet; 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  300 ;  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  held  the  office  of  tax  collector  of 
Joliet  Township. 


Arthur  Lee  Shreffler,  M.  D.  is  among  the  leading  surgeons  of  Joliet, 
where  he  was  born  Oct.  9,  1884.  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Bertha 
(Murphy)  Shreffler. 

Samuel  Shreffler  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  in  1839,  and 
his  widow  is  a  native  of  Cook  County,  111,  and  resides  in  Joliet,  where 
Mr.  Shreffler  was  a  well  known  inventor  and  manufacturer.  He  died 
May  8,  1928.  Two  sons  were  born  to  them:  Arthur  Lee,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  and  Roy,  also  resides  in  Joliet. 

Samuel  Shreffler  came  to  Joliet  with  his  parents,  Samuel  and  Paulina 
Shreffler  about  1843.  They  settled  near  Zarley's  Point,  where  Mr. 
Shreffler  operated  a  brick  yard.  He  was  the  builder  of  the  plank  road 
between  Joliet  and  Plainfield,  and  was  a  pioneer  hotel  proprietor  of 
Joliet,   having  conducted   a   hostelry   on   Washington   Street.     Samuel 

7— VOL.  2 


626  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Shreffler,  Jr.,  discovered  the  first  coal  lands  in  Illinois  while  on  a  hunt- 
ing trip  near  Braidwood,  111.  This  section  was  later  developed  by  the 
Peabody  Coal  Company. 

Arthur  Lee  Shreffler  spent  his  boyhood  in  Joliet  and  attended  the 
public  schools.  He  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in 
1904  and  subsequently  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  at  the  University 
of  Wisconsin.  He  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  North- 
western University  in  1911  and  spent  the  following  year  as  an  interne  in 
the  Wesley  Memorial  Hospital,  Chicago.  From  1912  until  1917  he  was 
a  professor  of  clinical  surgery  of  Northwestern  University,  being  first 
assistant  to  Dr.  William  E.  Schroeder  at  that  institution.  Besides  his 
extensive  practice  in  Joliet,  Doctor  Shreffler  serves  on  the  surgical  staff 
of  Wesley  Memorial  Hospital,  Chicago,  and  the  local  hospitals,  Silver 
Cross  and  St.  Joseph's.  During  the  World  War  he  served  on  the  local 
draft  board  as  an  examiner. 

On  July  18,  1914,  Doctor  Shreffler  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Edna  Gertrude  Luke,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  the  daughter  of  Captain 
M.  H.  and  Ella  (Penfield)  Luke,  both  natives  of  Illinois.  Captain  Luke, 
now  deceased,  was  responsible  for  the  introduction  of  the  Bertillion  Sys- 
tem into  the  prisons  of  the  United  States  and  for  many  years  was  super- 
intendent of  the  reformatory  at  Pontiac,  111.  His  widow  resides  at  San 
Diego,  Calif. 

Politically,  Doctor  Shreffler  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership 
in  the  Universalist  Church  and  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175,  and  Phi  Rho  Sigma  fraternity.  He  also  be- 
longs to  the  Joliet  Country  Club  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  past 
president  of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 


Earl  C.  Casey,  who  is  a  successful  promoter  of  oil  development  and 
who  is  serving  in  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  maintains  his  office 
in  the  Morris  Building,  Joliet.  He  is  a  scion  of  the  third  generation 
of  the  family  in  Illinois,  where  his  paternal  grandfather,  Zadok  Casey, 
established  a  residence  in  an  early  day.  Mr.  Casey  was'  born  on  the 
homestead  farm  near  Mount  Vernon,  Jefferson  County,  111.,  in   1884, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  627 

and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Jennie  (Marteeny)  Casey,  the 
former  born  near  Mount  Vernon,  111.,  and  the  latter  at  Danville,  111. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Casey  was  long  engaged  in  business  as  a  success- 
ful breeder  and  grower  of  high  grade  horses  and  mules. 

Earl  C.  Casey  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  16  years  of 
age,  when  he  began  an  apprenticeship  in  the  milling  and  smelting  of 
ores  at  Florence,  Colo.  Five  years  later  he  associated  himself  with  the 
oil  refining  business  at  Boulder,  Colo.,  thereby  allied  with  his  father- 
in-law  in  establishing  one  of  the  first  refineries  in  Colorado,  and  later 
becoming  a  pioneer  in  connection  with  oil  production  in  the  Spring 
Valley  District  of  Wyoming.  He  became  one  of  the  principals  in  estab- 
lishing a  refinery  there  and  after  serving  as  superintendent  of  the  same 
for  three  years,  he  disposed  of  his  interests  in  the  property,  which  at 
that  time  was  sold  to  the  Utah  Oil  and  Refining  Company  of  Salt  Lake 
City.  Under  the  new  ownership  Mr.  Casey  was  retained  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  Spring  Valley  refinery  during  the  ensuing  three  years, 
and  he  then  returned  to  Illinois  and  became  assistant  superintendent 
of  the  Lockport  Works  of  the  Texas  Oil  Company.  He  was  soon 
advanced  to  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  plant  and  after  con- 
tinuing his  residence  at  Lockport  four  years  he  returned  to  Wyoming 
and  associated  himself  with  the  Interior  Oil  &  Development  Company 
in  the  Salt  Creek  fields  and  with  headquarters  at  Casper.  There  he 
remained  two  and  one-half  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he  estab- 
lished his  residence  at  Joliet,  where  he  has  been  engaged  successfully 
in  the  jobbing  business  and  has  also  been  associated  with  development 
work  in  the  oil  fields,  he  being  now  the  president  of  the  Northern  Oil 
Development  Company  of  Joliet,  which  has  large  interests  in  the  vicinity 
of  Minooka,  Grundy  County,  111.,  where  wells  are  being  driven  and  other 
development  work  carried  forward  at  the  same  time.  Within  a  period 
of  his  association  with  the  oil  industry  Mr.  Casey  has  made  a  close 
study  of  geology,  especially  in  connection  with  oil  development. 

The  Republican  party  receives  the  loyal  allegiance  of  Mr.  Casey 
and  while  he  has  not  been  a  seeker  of  public  office  he  has  held  that  of 
justice  of  the  peace  since  May  4,  1925.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  four 
bodies  of  the  York  Rite  of  Masonic  fraternity,  in  which  his  main  alliance 
is  with  the  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar  in  his  home  city,  and  he 


628  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

is  likewise  a  Noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  and  a  member  of  Joliet  Lodge 
of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Speed  Boy  Club  and  the  N.  E.  A.  Club,  and  he  and  his  wife  hold 
membership  in  the  Methodist  church. 

In  1904  Mr.  Casey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mabel  L.  Clark, 
who  was  born  at  Neodesha,  Kan.,  and  whose  death  occurred  in  1913, 
she  being  survived  by  one  child,  Clark  Thomas,  who  was  born  April  19, 
1911.  In  1921  Mr.  Casey  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Kirkham,  who  was 
born  and  reared  in  Joliet,  and  who  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Agnes 
(Cooper)  Kirkham,  the  former  a  native  of  England  and  the  latter  of 
Scotland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Casey  have  a  daughter,  Virginia  Agnes,  who 
was  born  Nov.  8,  1924. 


George  L.  Obsitnik,  Jr.  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  and  one  of 
the  enterprising  young  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  serving  as  justice 
of  the  peace.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  April  9,  1893,  the  son  of  George 
L.  and  Anna  (Evanko)  Obsitnik. 

George  L.  Obsitnik,  who  lives  retired  in  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Austria. 
He  was  born  in  1860  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  20 
years  old.  He  spent  one  year  at  Diamond,  Ind.,  where  he  was  employed 
in  the  mines,  and  in  1881  he  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  was  connected 
with  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  many  years.  He  was  later  sent  to 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  by  the  company  as  foreman  of  the  Seneca  plant.  Mr. 
Obsitnik  has  also  served  as  a  member  of  the  local  police  force  and  for  a 
number  of  years  was  interested  in  the  cafe  and  restaurant  business.  He 
is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  Cyril's  Catholic  Church.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Obsitnik  the  following  children  were  born:  Mary,  married 
Andrew  Salata,  lives  at  Joliet;  George  L.,  Jr.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
Anna,  married  Peter  Cleary,  lives  at  Joliet;  Martin,  a  World  War  vet- 
eran; Susie,  married  Mike  Chizmarik;  Nellie,  married  Peter  Lazar; 
Michael ;  John ;  Bertha ;  all  residents  of  Joliet ;  and  Elizabeth,  deceased. 

After  completing  his  schooling  at  Joliet,  George  L.  Obsitnik,  Jr., 
learned  the  machinist  trade  while  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel 
Company.  In  1909  he  left  the  company's  employ  and  enlisted  in  the 
U.  S.  Army.    He  was  assigned  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri,  and  later 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  629 

sent  to  the  Philippine  Islands,  where  he  was  attaehed  to  the  21st  In- 
fantry at  Parang  Moro  Province,  Island  of  Mindino.  In  May,  1911,  he 
was  transferred  to  Vancouver  barracks,  Washington,  where  he  was 
discharged.  He  then  reenlisted  and  in  October,  1912,  went  to  Mexico, 
where  he  remained  until  1917.  He  was  then  transferred  to  San  Diego, 
Calif.,  and  from  there  to  Camp  Kearney,  Calif.,  as  an  instructor.  He 
was  later  sent  as  an  instructor  to  Camp  Pike,  Arkansas.  He  then 
attended  the  First  Officers  Training  Camp  at  Presidio,  Calif.,  where  he 
was  commissioned  a  captain  and  upon  his  return  to  Camp  Pike  he  was 
assigned  to  the  162nd  Depot  Brigade  as  an  instructor.  He  later  served 
as  an  instructor  at  the  Second  and  Third  Officers  Training  Schools  at 
Camp  Pike,  and  after  the  Central  Officers  Training  School  was  estab- 
lished, he  became  junior  instructor.  He  remained  there  until  the  close 
of  the  war  when  he  was  attached  to  the  Headquarters  of  Demobolization 
at  Camp  Pike.  He  resigned  his  commission  and  was  assigned  to  Com- 
pany B,  Third  Division,  as  first  sergeant,  and  attached  to  the  Recruiting 
Headquarters  at  Camp  Pike.  He  was  later  attached  to  the  Intelligence 
Department,  G2.  He  was  discharged  as  a  first  sergeant,  July  13,  1922. 
He  then  went  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and  spent  a  year  as  a  member  of 
the  police  force  of  that  city.  He  removed  to  Joliet,  July  6,  1923,  and 
served  on  the  local  police  force  until  May,  1925,  when  he  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace. 

In  1911  Mr.  Obsitnik  married  Miss  Lena  Donham,  the  daughter  of 
William  C.  and  Sallie  (Fite)  Donham,  of  Little  Rock,  Ark.  Mrs.  Obsit- 
nik is  a  sister  of  Henry  Donham,  who  is  prosecuting  attorney  of  Pulaski 
County,  Ark.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Obsitnik  have  been  born  five  children: 
Agnes,  George  Lawrence  III,  Lawrence  George,  and  Virginia  Mae,  all 
at  home;  and  George  Arthur,  deceased. 

Mr.  Obsitnik  is  a  Republican,  and  has  the  following  fraternal  affilia- 
tions: American  Legion,  Harwood  Post  No.  5;  The  "40  and  8"  Society; 
Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars;  American  Legion  Drum  and  Bugle  Corps; 
F.  O.  Eagles,  Aerial  No.  377 ;  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  300 ;  Knights 
of  Columbus;  Northeastern  Athletic  Society;  Erwin  Athletic  Club;  St. 
Cyril's  Athletic  Club;  St.  George's  Catholic  Fraternal  Organization; 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Elks.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church  and  his  wife  holds  membership  in  the  Baptist  Church. 


630  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Frank  I.  Weishaar. — One  of  the  representative  business  men  of 
Joliet  is  Frank  I.  Weishaar,  vice  president  and  director  of  the  Will 
County  National  Bank  and  general  superintendent  of  the  Joliet  Repub- 
lican Printing  Company.  Throughout  his  life  his  main  interests  have 
been  centered  in  this  city,  where  he  is  a  property  owner  and  a  useful 
citizen. 

Mr.  Weishaar  was  born  in  Richton,  Cooke  County,  111.,  April  22, 
1861,  the  son  of  Ignatz  and  Johanna  (Ledoux)  Weishaar.  Ignatz  Weis- 
haar was  born  at  Schoenburg,  France,  Feb.  16,  1831,  and  his  wife  was  a 
native  of  Switzerland,  born  Feb.  14,  1834.  In  March,  1824,  Mr.  Weis- 
haar came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  was 
married  April  5,  1853.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Weishaar  engaged 
in  general  farming  near  Chicago  and  later  removed  to  Joliet  where  he 
was  well  known  as  a  dry  goods  merchant.  He  was  highly  esteemed  in 
Joliet  and  during  his  residence  in  this  city  lived  at  303  Center  Street. 
He  was  a  devout  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church  and  was  an 
organist  in  that  church.  On  April  14,  1903,  the  golden  wedding  anni- 
versary of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weishaar  was  celebrated  in  St.  John's  Church, 
Rev.  Polycarp,  O.  F.  M.,  being  celebrant  of  the  Mass  as  well  as  the 
speaker  on  that  happy  occasion.  Mr.  Weishaar  died  Nov.  5,  1909,  and 
his  wife  died  April  19,  1910.  They  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Catholic 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weishaar  were  the  parents  of  15  chil- 
dren as  follows:  Frances,  the  widow  of  Frank  Weiss,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Mary,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Curtis  Brainard;  Rose,  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  Andrew  Bear;  Josephine,  married  John  Frederick,  both  de- 
ceased; Frank  I.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Kath- 
erine,  married  Charles  Young,  lives  at  Joliet;  Johanna,  married  Jerry 
Lovejoy,  lives  at  Glen  Haven,  Fla. ;  August,  deceased ;  Anna,  married 
Jay  Dahl,  lives  at  Columbus,  Ohio;  Clara,  married  Anthony  Reichman, 
both  deceased;  Pius,  deceased;  Rachael,  the  widow  of  Dr.  Frederick 
Schoop,  lives  at  Lockport,  111. ;  Pauline  and  Geneveva,  deceased. 

In  the  parochial  schools  of  his  native  city,  Frank  I.  Weishaar  ob- 
tained his  education.  After  leaving  school  he  learned  the  tailor's  trade 
and  soon  after  entered  the  employ  of  the  Joliet  Republican  as  an  appren- 
tice typesetter.  At  that  time  James  Goodspeed  was  the  proprietor  of 
the  newspaper  as  well  as  postmaster.    The  office  was  located  at  South 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  631 

Ottawa  Street  where  the  People's  Abstract  Company  now  stands.  Mr. 
Weishaar  has  continued  his  connection  with  this  concern  since  July 
1876.  About  1880  he  was  transferred  to  the  press  room,  of  which  he 
was  later  made  foreman.  He  held  this  position  for  five  years,  after 
which  he  was  promoted  to  foreman  of  the  composing  room.  Since  1902 
he  has  served  as  general  superintendent  of  this  plant,  which  was  moved 
to  its  present  location  in  1904. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Weishaar  has  been  identified  with  the 
Will  County  National  Bank.  He  has  been  a  director  since  1910  and  in 
1925  was  elected  vice  president. 

In  1888  Mr.  Weishaar  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lunetta 
Thayer,  the  daughter  of  Caleb  C.  and  Johanna  (Murphy)  Thayer,  both 
deceased.  Mr.  Thayer  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  well  known 
resident  of  Joliet,  where  he  engaged  in  the  contracting  business.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Weishaar  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Weishaar  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Joliet 
Council,  No.  32  and  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Merchant's  Association,  of  which  he  served  as  director 
for  nine  years. 


James  E.  Burke,  one  of  the  highly  successful  of  the  younger  attor- 
neys of  Joliet,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  prominent  pioneer  families  of 
Will  County.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Oct.  26,  1898,  the  son  of  James 
and  Nora  (Ryder)  Burke. 

James  Burke  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  in  1867,  and  was  a  son 
of  Thomas  Burke,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Joliet.  James  Burke 
was  a  moulder  by  trade  and  came  to  Joliet  in  early  youth  with  his  par- 
ents. He  soon  established  a  business  in  this  city  and  was  thus  success- 
fully engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  April,  1902.  His  wife  died 
Nov.  11,  1927,  and  they  are  buried  in  Mt.  Olivet  Cemetery,  Joliet.  She 
was  born  at  Wolverhampton,  England,  Oct.  9,  1870.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Burke  were  members  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church,  Joliet.  They  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Thomas,  a  World  War  veteran, 
now  assistant  city  engineer,  Joliet;  Mary,  married  Raymond  Schuster, 
lives  at  Joliet;  Marjorie,  lives  at  Joliet;  James  E.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  and  Leo,  deceased. 


632  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

James  E.  Burke  has  always  lived  in  Joliet.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  parochial  and  public  schools  and  later  attended  Notre 
Dame  University.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Law  School  of  DePauw 
University  in  1922,  and  in  October  of  that  year  was  admitted  to  the 
Illinois  State  bar.  He  immediately  became  associated  with  the  law  firm 
of  Faulkner  &  Faulkner.  At  present  Mr.  Burke  is  connected  with  the 
firm  of  Donovan,  Bray  &  Gray.  He  was  appointed  assistant  state's 
attorney  of  Will  County,  111.,  August,  1926. 

Mr.  Burke  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to 
the  Elks  Lodge,  Delta  Theta  Phi  fraternity,  American  Legion,  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce.    In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Burke  served  in  the  Student  Army  Train- 
ing Corps  at  Notre  Dame  University,  and  was  discharged  with  the  rank 
of  corporal. 


William  R.  Fletcher,  M.  D.,  has  been  closely  identified  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  city  of  Joliet  for  upwards  of  a  quarter  of  a  century,  during 
which  time  he  has  won  success  and  prominence  both  in  the  profession  of 
medicine  and  business  circles,  and  is  today  serving  the  city  of  Joliet  as 
its  postmaster.  He  was  born  at  Ridgefarm,  111.,  July  20,  1876,  and  is  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Mahala  (Haworth)  Fletcher,  both  of  whom  were  born 
at  Ridgefarm. 

Henry  Fletcher,  deceased,  followed  agriculture  all  his  life,  moving 
into  Ridgefarm  about  twenty  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1909.  He  was  well  known  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived  and  for 
eight  years  was  supervisor  of  Elwood  Township,  and  took  a  very  active 
interest  in  civic  and  political  affairs.  His  wife  died  in  1927,  and  they 
are  both  buried  in  Pilot  Grove  Cemetery  near  Ridgefarm.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fletcher  eight  children  were  born :  Oliver,  died  in  infancy ;  John,  a 
farmer,  Ridgefarm;  Albert  I.,  was  postmaster  at  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1908;  Dr.  Marcus  S.,  Lives  at  Georgetown,  111.;  William,  died  in  in- 
fancy; William  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Lydia  R.  Fletcher  Wasson, 
lives  at  Chrisman,  111. ;  and  Ola  Fletcher  Pierce,  Ridgefarm,  111. 

William  R.  Fletcher  attended  the  public  schools  and  assisted  on  his 
father's  farm.     After  his  graduation  from  Ridgefarm  High  School  he 


riLLIAM  R.  FLETCHER,  M.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  633 

spent  two  years  at  Earlham  College,  Richmond,  Ind.;  two  years  at  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Chicago ;  two  years  at  the  Kentucky 
School  of  Medicine,  Louisville,  graduating  as  valedictorian  of  his  class. 
His  first  practice  was  as  assistant  physician  of  the  Illinois  State  Peni- 
tentiary in  July,  1901.  He  was  physician  in  charge  at  that  institution 
in  1902.  In  1913  he  entered  private  practice  in  Joliet  where  he  was  an 
acknowledged  leader  in  his  profession.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  World 
War,  Dr.  Fletcher  enlisted  for  service,  on  May  20,  1918,  and  on  July 
24th  of  that  year  entered  Camp  Sherman,  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  as  a  first 
lieutenant,  with  309th  Sanitary  Train,  84th  Division,  which  sailed  for 
France  from  Hoboken,  Sept.  9,  1918.  Arriving  in  Liverpool,  Sept.  21st, 
was  immediately  sent  to  South  Hampton,  then  across  the  channel  to  La 
Havre,  France,  then  to  St.  Leon,  France,  only  to  be  transferred  to  Camp 
Hospital  54  near  Periguiex,  Oct.  10th,  remaining  until  Dec.  30th,  then 
sent  to  Camp  Hospital  102  Virilade,  20  miles  south  of  Bordeaux,  an 
embarkation  hospital,  remaining  until  May  21st,  sent  to  Bassens  near 
Bordeaux,  and  sailed  for  the  United  States  May  30th,  receiving  his 
honorable  discharge  July  3,  1919,  at  Camp  Grant,  111.,  as  a  first  lieu- 
tenant. Doctor  Fletcher  resumed  his  practice  of  medicine  on  Aug.  1, 
1919.  He  joined  the  American  Legion  in  August,  1919,  and  was  elected 
commander  of  Harwood  Post,  No.  5,  in  December,  1919,  serving  one 
year.  In  1924  was  elected  district  commander  of  the  11th  District  com- 
prising the  counties  of  Will,  DuPage,  Kane,  and  McHenry  at  the  state 
convention  at  Champaign  in  1924  and  served  two  years.  Doctor  Fletcher 
also  served  as  physician  at  the  penitentiary  from  September,  1919,  until 
April.  1927,  when  he  became  postmaster  at  Joliet.  He  has  also  served 
several  terms  as  county  physician. 

Dr.  Fletcher  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society  and 
served  as  chairman  of  the  Medical  Legal  Committee  for  several  years 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  He  belongs  to  Matteson  Lodge,  No.  175,  Joliet  A. 
F.  &  A.  M. ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery  No.  4, 
K.  T. ;  Medinah  Temple,  Chicago  Shrine ;  the  Moose ;  the  Modern  Wood- 
men; the  Elks,  past  exalted  ruler,  and  was  district  deputy  1914  to  1924, 
and  was  president  of  the  Illinois  Elks  State  Association  in  1923. 


634  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Frank  G.  Brumund,  assistant  State's  attorney,  is  numbered  among 
the  able  and  resourceful  attorneys  practicing  at  the  bar  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  at  Green  Garden,  Will  County,  May  6,  1880,  the  son  of 
Diedrich  and  Dorothea  (Bettenhausen)  Brumund. 

Diedrich  Brumund,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Will  County  and  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  died  Feb.  15,  1927,  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  was  a  lifelong  Republican  and  always  took  an 
active  part  in  local  politics.  His  widow,  also  born  in  Germany,  lives  at 
105  Manor  Court,  Joliet.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brumund:  Lydia  K.  Andrew,  lives  at  Lincoln,  Neb.;  Diedrich  A., 
died  Jan.  1,  1915,  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet ;  Alvin  L.,  lives  at 
Waukeegan,  111.;  Lina  A.,  twin  sister  of  Alvin  L.,  lives  at  Joliet;  and 
Frank  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Frank  G.  Brumund  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  at  Green  Garden 
and  attended  the  public  schools  at  that  place.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet 
Township  High  School,  Baldwin-Wallace  University,  Berea,  Ohio; 
Northern  Illinois  Normal  School  and  Dixon  Business  College,  at  Dixon, 
111.,  and  the  LaSalle  Extension  University  Law  School.  After  complet- 
ing his  early  college  work  he  conducted  a  confectionery  business  in  Joliet 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  later  became  a  rural  mail  carrier  and  re- 
signed to  accept  a  position  with  the  Probate  Judge  of  Will  County  as  his 
clerk.  During  this  time  he  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
while  still  in  the  employ  of  the  Probate  Judge.  Mr.  Brumund  has  been 
in  active  practice  for  ten  years  and  for  the  last  three  years  has  been 
assistant  State's  attorney.    He  has  offices  in  the  Barber  Building. 

On  Sept.  20,  1904,  Mr.  Brumund  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Grace  M.  Mack,  a  native  of  Carpenterville,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Mary  (Boehm)  Mack,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Mack,  deceased,  was 
a  pioneer  meat  dealer  of  Joliet,  having  conducted  a  meat  business  for 
many  years  on  Washington  Street.  He  died  March  19,  1920,  and  his 
wife  died  April  15,  1925.  They  are  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brumund  have  been  born  three  sons:  Robert  E.,  born 
Aug.  24,  1905,  a  senior  at  Armour  Institute,  Chicago ;  George  M.,  born 
April  2,  1909,  a  junior  at  Joliet  Township  High  School;  and  Paul  F., 
born  April  22,  1916,  attends  Farragut  School. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  635 

Mr.  Brumund  is  a  Republican.  He  has  never  been  a  candidate  for 
any  political  office  but  served  as  clerk  to  the  supervisor  of  census  in 
1900,  and  as  census  enumerator  in  1910.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  and  has  the  following  fraternal  affiliations:  Matteson 
Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet 
Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Ansar  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine;  Paul 
Revere  Lodge,  No.  371,  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  which  he  is  past  chan- 
cellor; Aa  Zaz  Temple,  No.  247,  D.  0.  K.  K;  Joliet  Lodge  No.  296,  Elks; 
Joliet  Camp,  No.  6647  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  which  he  has 
been  clerk  since  its  organization,  Nov.  13,  1907. 

Mr.  Brumund  served  in  the  National  Guard  of  Illinois  until  1904. 
He  is  past  president  of  the  Joliet  Den  of  Lions  International  Club. 


Rev.  Henry  George  Van  Pelt,  pastor  of  Sacred  Heart  Catholic  Church, 
is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  and  influential  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born 
at  Racine,  Wis.,  July  26,  1863,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Mertage) 
Van  Pelt. 

Henry  Van  Pelt  was  a  native  of  New  York,  being  a  direct  descend- 
ant of  one  of  the  earliest  Dutch  families  of  that  section.  He  was  an 
architect  and  builder.  His  wife,  who  was  born  at  County  Monoghan, 
Ireland,  was  of  French  descent.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Pelt  are 
deceased. 

Henry  George  Van  Pelt  obtained  his  early  schooling  in  Chicago.  He 
was  graduated  from  St.  Ignatius  College  in  1884  and  from  St.  Mary's 
Seminary,  Baltimore,  Md.,  in  1890.  He  spent  the  following  three  years 
in  Europe,  being  enrolled  for  two  years  in  the  College  of  Propaganda, 
Gregorian  College  of  Rome.  He  later  studied  Medicine  at  the  University 
of  Berlin,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 
Upon  his  return  to  the  United  States  he  decided  to  devote  his  life  to 
church  work  and  was  appointed  assistant  pastor  of  St.  James  Catholic 
Church,  in  Chicago.  Later  he  spent  seven  years  at  St.  Mel's  Church, 
Chicago,  and  was  also  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  Sycamore,  111.,  for 
18  months.  On  Nov.  1,  1905,  he  was  assigned  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  Church  of  Joliet.  This  parish  has  developed  into  one  of 
the  leading  church  organizations  of  the  city  and  is  proof  of  the  good 


636  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

judgment  and  keen  business  ability  which  Rev.  Van  Pelt  possesses  to  a 
marked  degree.    He  is  ably  assisted  in  his  work  by  several  priests. 

Rev.  Van  Pelt  is  widely  known  throughout  the  State  as  an  orator  of 
exceptional  talents.  He  is  a  man  of  the  highest  ideals  and  is  greatly 
beloved  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 


Elmer  H.  Bielfeldt  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  and  one  of  the 
prominent  young  attorneys  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Beecher,  Will 
County,  Sept.  16,  1896,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Tillie  (Boltmann) 
Bielfeldt. 

Henry  Bielfeldt,  deceased,  was  a  representative  business  man  of 
Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  the  son  of  Henning  and  Kath- 
arina  Bielfeldt,  both  deceased.  He  was  two  years  of  age  when  he  came 
to  this  country  with  his  parents  and  settled  at  Beecher  in  Will  County. 
After  completing  his  schooling  he  became  interested  in  his  father's  busi- 
ness, of  which  he  became  part  owner.  He  was  a  dealer  in  lumber,  coal, 
cement,  and  farm  implements.  Mr.  Bielfeldt  died  July  28,  1904,  and  is 
buried  at  Beecher.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Church,  and  Beecher  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  1087,  and  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  Elmer  H.,  was  the  only  child  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bielfeldt. 

Elmer  H.  Bielfeldt  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Beecher  and  attended  Momence  High  School.  He  was  graduated  from 
the  College  of  Law,  Northwestern  University  in  1920,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Illinois  State  Bar,  Dec.  15,  1921.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  Jan.  21,  1925.  After  being 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Will  County,  he  became  associated  with  the  law 
firm  of  Ban*  &  Barr.  He  has  engaged  in  private  practice  since  Jan.  1, 
1928,  and  has  offices  in  the  Morris  Building. 

In  June,  1918,  Mr.  Bielfeldt  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  and  was  sent 
throughout  the  west  in  the  interest  of  the  Liberty  Loan  campaigns. 
Later  he  was  transferred  to  the  transport  U.  S.  S.  "Mt.  Vernon."  He 
was  discharged  from  the  service,  Jan.  15,  1919. 

Mr.  Bielfeldt  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church, 
and  belongs  to  Beecher  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  1087,  Order  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  637 

Eastern  Star,  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post,  No.  5;  Delta  Theta 
Phi  fraternity;  and  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Will  County  and  Illinois 
State  Bar  associations. 

Mr.  Bielfeldt  is  a  director  of  the  Dixie  Dairy  Company  of  Beecher, 
and  liquidating  agent  for  the  First  National  Bank  of  Beecher. 


August  Beltzner. — Active  and  progressive  in  business,  August  Beltz- 
ner  is  prominent  in  Joliet  where  he  is  cashier  and  trust  officer  of  the 
Joliet  Trust  &  Savings  Bank.  He  was  born  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  June  15, 
1882,  a  son  of  August  and  Christiana  W.  (Sibbach)  Beltzner. 

August  Beltzner  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  and  his  wife  was  a 
native  of  Bavaria.  He  came  to  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  from  Germany  at  the 
age  of  six  years.  When  the  Civil  War  opened  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  later  moved  to  Johns- 
town, Pa.,  and  was  there  at  the  time  of  the  Johnstown  flood.  He  after- 
ward had  charge  of  the  men  who  were  engaged  in  rebuilding  the  wire 
mill  for  the  Cambria  Iron  Company.  When  this  concern  changed  their 
plans  about  rebuilding,  he  moved  to  Joliet  in  1892  and  took  charge  of  the 
Ashley  wire  mills.  He  was  advanced  to  the  Meeker  Avenue  plant  and 
later  had  charge  of  the  Rockdale  plant  of  the  American  Steel  &  Wire 
Company.  In  1902  he  retired  and  opened  a  grocery  store,  which  he 
operated  until  the  time  of  his  tragic  death,  July  1,  1908,  which  occurred 
when  his  store  was  burglarized.  His  wife  died  Oct.  16,  1925.  Both  are 
buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beltzner  the  fol- 
lowing children  were  born:  Elizabeth  C,  married  Harry  G.  Clark,  lives 
at  Oakland,  Cal. ;  Mary  H.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  B.  G.  McDowell ; 
William  G.,  deceased;  Robert  J.,  lives  at  Pueblo,  Colo.;  Marguerite  A., 
married  Frank  Walker,  lives  at  Joliet;  Annie  E.,  married  George  E. 
Bolton,  lives  at  Joliet;  Ellen  N.,  married  Judson  Haggerty,  lives  at 
Joliet;  Roy  S.,  lives  at  Lead,  S.  D. ;  Viola  F.,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  August, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

After  finishing  high  school  at  Joliet,  August  Beltzner  entered  the 
employ  of  the  First  National  Bank  as  a  collector.  He  later  attended 
Lake  Forest  College,  Lake  Forest,  111.,  and  upon  his  return  to  Joliet 
again  entered  the  employ  of  the  First   National  Bank.     He  worked 


638  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

through  the  various  positions  until  he  became  trust  officer.  In  1922 
he  resigned  his  position  with  the  bank  to  take  up  the  duties  of  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  American  Ice  Cream  and  Bakery  Company.  When 
this  company  was  dissolved  he  returned  to  banking  interests  and 
accepted  the  position  of  trust  officer  with  the  Joliet  Trust  and  Savings 
Bank.    He  is  now  also  cashier  of  that  institution. 

On  April  20,  1910,  Mr.  Beltzner  married  Miss  Laura  Clement,  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Arthur  C.  and  Georgia  M.  (Smith)  Clement.  Mr. 
Clement  was  born  in  Joliet,  where  he  now  resides.  His  wife,  a  native  of 
New  York,  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beltzner  have  a  son,  August 
Clement  Beltzner. 

Mr.  Beltzner  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  and  is 
affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Commandery,  No.  4,  K.  T.;  Medinah  Shrine; 
Joliet  Shrine ;  Joliet  Country  Club ;  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Rotary 
Club ;  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.    He  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Beltzner  was  inducted  into  service  during  the  World  War  and 
was  ordered  to  report  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  but  owing  to  the  signing  of 
the  Armistice  the  order  was  recalled. 


Charles  F.  Hinricks,  cashier  of  the  Will  County  National  Bank,  is 
among  the  able  and  widely  known  financiers  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in 
Green  Garden  Township,  Will  County,  March  29,  1866,  the  son  of  U.  H. 
and  Caroline  (Karch)  Hinricks.  Mr.  Hinricks  is  deceased.  He  and 
his  wife  were  early  settlers  of  Will  County.  Mrs.  Hinricks  resides  at 
Peotone,  111.,  and  is  88  years  old. 

Charles  F.  Hinricks  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Green  Garden  and  Frankfort,  111.  He  later  entered  Northwestern  Col- 
lege at  Naperville,  where  he  specialized  in  the  study  of  accounting  and 
law,  and  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1885.  He  engaged 
in  teaching  school  during  the  succeeding  four  years  and  then  came  to 
Joliet,  where  he  spent  five  years  in  the  service  of  the  Joliet  City  Bank. 
He  was  then  employed  in  the  accounting  and  cost  department  of  the 
Illinois  Steel  Company  for  eight  years,  after  which  he  was  identified 
with  the  Citizens  National  Bank  for  six  years,  and  then  with  the  real 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  639 

estate  firm  of  Monroe  Brothers  for  seven  years.  In  July,  1920,  Mr. 
Hinricks  became  associated  with  the  Will  County  National  Bank,  Joliet, 
in  the  capacity  of  assistant  cashier,  and  on  Sept.  15th  of  the  same  year 
he  was  made  cashier  of  that  institution.  Since  that  date  Mr.  Hinricks 
has  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  affairs  of  this  bank  with  most 
gratifying  results. 

Mr.  Hinricks  was  married  Nov.  1,  1889,  to  Miss  Hannah  C.  Stassen, 
who  was  born  in  Green  Garden  Township,  Will  County.  They  have 
four  children :  Caroline  D.,  the  widow  of  Albert  Kroesch,  lives  at  Bloom- 
ington ;  Herbert  S.,  Topeka,  Kans. ;  Hazel  L.,  wife  of  M.  G.  Jordon ;  and 
Myrtle  J.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Hinricks  is  a  Republican,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge, 
thirty-second  degree,  Knights  Templar,  Lions  Club,  Shabbona  Club,  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Howard  N.  Flexer,  M.  D.,  is  a  representative  member  of  the  medical 
profession  in  Joliet,  where  he  is  a  specialist  in  diseases  of  the  eye,  ear, 
nose  and  throat.  He  was  born  in  Reddick,  111.,  Oct.  29,  1889,  a  son  of 
Dr.  John  R.  and  Helen  N.  (Peck)  Flexer. 

John  R.  Flexer,  M.  D„  was  born  near  Allentown,  Pa.,  Sept.  22,  1863. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Allentown,  the  State  Normal  School, 
and  Mulhenburg  College.  He  graduated  from  the  Medical  College  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1886  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine. He  was  in  practice  in  Reddick,  111.,  and  at  Eau  Claire,  111.,  coming 
to  Joliet  in  1889,  and  has  attained  a  place  with  the  foremost  of  his  pro- 
fession in  this  part  of  Illinois.  His  wife  was  born  near  Utica,  N.  Y. 
They  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Howard  N.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Fayette  J.,  American  Consul  at  Frontera,  Mexico;  Edna  H., 
married  Stuart  P.  Walsh,  resides  in  Seattle,  Wash.;  and  Dr.  Walter  G., 
Polo,  Mo. 

Howard  N.  Flexer  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Joliet, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  1906,  after  which  he  took  a  post  graduate 
course  of  one  year.  He  then  prepared  for  his  profession  at  the  Illinois 
College  of  Medicine  from  which  he  received  his  degree  in  1912.  He  was 
an  interne  at  St.  Joseph's  Hospital  1912-1913.     In  the  latter  year  he 


640  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Lakeview,  Mich.,  until  1919, 
when  he  removed  his  office  to  Joliet. 

During  the  World  War  Dr.  Flexer  served  in  the  Volunteer  Medical 
Service  Corps,  and  was  assigned  to  territory  in  and  around  Lakeview, 
Mich.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Liberty  and  Victory  loans  Nos.  3,  4  and  5, 
giving  a  great  deal  of  time  to  the  cause,  his  team  going  over  the  top  80 
per  cent. 

In  1919  Dr.  Flexer  took  a  post  graduate  course  at  the  Chicago  Eye, 
Ear,  Nose  and  Throat  College. 

In  1914  Dr.  Flexer  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Irene  E.  Singer, 
a  daughter  of  Guy  E  and  Nellie  (Shattuck)  Singer.  Mr.  Singer,  who  is 
a  building  contractor,  lives  at  Sycamore,  111.  His  wife  is  deceased. 
Doctor  and  Mrs.  Flexer  have  a  daughter,  Kathryn,  a  student.  The 
family  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Dr.  Flexer  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  the  Illi- 
nois State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He 
is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  and  Ameri- 
can Legion,  Harwood  Post,  No.  5.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


Frank  W.  Wheeler,  clerk  of  the  probate  court,  at  Joliet,  111.,  is  a  well 
known  and  highly  respected  citizen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at 
Waterloo,  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  June  13,  1865,  a  son  of  Charles  R.  and 
Evalee  (Van  Riper)  Wheeler,  the  former  a  native  of  Waterloo,  and  the 
latter  of  Warren,  Ohio. 

Charles  R.  Wheeler,  deceased,  when  a  youth  learned  the  hardware 
business  from  his  father.  In  1867  he  established  a  hardware  store  at 
Greenville,  Mich.,  which  he  conducted  until  1873.  He  was  an  expert 
copper  mechanic  and  worked  in  various  places  throughout  the  United 
States  after  leaving  Michigan.  He  worked  for  the  Pierce-Arrow  Auto- 
mobile Company  at  Buffalo  for  some  time  prior  to  his  retirement.  He 
died  in  1909  and  is  buried  at  Waterloo,  N.  Y.  During  the  Civil  War 
he  enlisted  in  the  133rd  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  a  two 
year  enlistment,  and  then  reenlisted  for  the  duration  of  the  war.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  June  15,  1865,  as  a  color  sergeant,  at  Geneva, 
N.  Y.    He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 


FRANK    \V.    WHKFI.FR 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  641 

the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Tyler  J.  Snyder  Post.  His  widow  re- 
sides at  Waterloo.  To  their  union  three  children  were  born :  Frank  W., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Eva  H.,  the  wife  of  McClelland  Stetson,  re- 
sides at  Reading,  Pa. ;  and  LaVancha,  deceased,  buried  at  Waterloo,  N.  Y. 
Charles  R.  Wheeler  has  three  brothers  who  also  served  in  the  Civil  War, 
George,  Clarence,  and  Howard.  Two  were  prisoners  for  a  time  at  An- 
dersonville,  and  one  in  Libby  prison.  They  all  died  from  the  effects  of 
wounds  received  during  the  war. 

Frank  W.  Wheeler  was  graduated  from  the  Waterloo  High  School 
in  1883,  and  immediately  learned  the  shoemaking  trade  at  Auburn,  N.  Y. 
from  the  Reilly  &  McGarr  Shoe  Manufacturers.  Later  he  went  to 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  with  the  P.  Cox  Shoe  Company.  In  1888  he  was  with 
the  Phelps,  Dodge  &  Palmer,  Shoe  manufacturers,  Chicago,  resigning  in 
1890.  For  two  years  he  was  with  Tilt-Smith  &  Co.,  resigning  March  1, 
1892,  when  he  came  to  Joliet  and  worked  for  Selz-Schwab  &  Company, 
manufacturers  of  shoes  for  the  Joliet  prison.  He  remained  with  this 
concern  until  1904  when  their  contract  expired.  In  September,  1904,  the 
state  of  Illinois  began  the  manufacture  of  shoes  for  the  prison  inmates 
and  Mr.  Wheeler  was  made  superintendent  and  remained  there  for  ten 
years.  In  1914  he  went  to  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  for  his  former  employers, 
the  Selz-Schwab  Company,  and  was  foreman  of  the  making  room  of  this 
factory,  resigning  in  August,  1914.  He  then  went  to  Sheboygan,  Mich., 
where  he  worked  a  year  for  the  Sheboygan  Shoe  Company,  and  in  1915 
returned  to  Joliet  as  an  inspector  for  the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  Later 
he  was  with  the  American  Can  Company.  In  1916  he  was  appointed 
clerk  of  the  board  of  improvement  of  the  city  of  Joliet,  and  on  March  1, 
1918  he  became  -deputy  probate  clerk.  In  November,  1922,  he  was 
elected  clerk  of  the  probate  court  of  Will  County,  and  was  reelected  in 
1926. 

In  1886  Mr.  Wheeler  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Hood,  of  Clyde, 
N.  Y.,  and  to  them  was  born  a  daughter,  Mae  H.,  now  a  clerk  in  her 
father's  office.  Mrs.  Wheeler  died  Feb.  26,  1922.  Mr.  Wheeler  married 
(second)  Miss  Harriet  M.  Welch,  on  July  25,  1923. 

Mr.  Wheeler  has  greatly  interested  himself  in  the  labor  movement, 
and  has  held  several  important  appointments  in  the  various  organiza* 
tions.  He  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Labor  in  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  in 
8— VOL.  2 


642  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Chicago  he  served  as  secretary  of  the  Knights  of  Labor.  He  was  busi- 
ness agent  for  the  Shoemaker's  Union  of  Chicago.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  fraternally  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No. 
175,  of  which  he  is  secretary ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  127 ;  Joliet  Com- 
mandery  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Springfield,  111. ; 
Masonic  Veterans  Association  of  Illinois;  B.  P.  O.  Elks,  No.  296;  Paul 
Revere  Lodge,  No.  271,  K.  P. ;  L.  0.  0.  Moose,  No.  300.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Chicago  Motor  Club,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Rival's  Club, 
the  Irving  Club,  the  Isaac  Walton  League,  and  the  Sons  of  Veterans.  He 
holds  membership  in  the  Episcopal  Church. 


Paul  G.  Schoene,  president  of  the  Will  County  Hotel  Company,  and 
manager  of  the  well  known  Woodruff  Hotel,  Joliet,  is  a  representative 
business  man  of  that  city.  He  was  born  in  Crimmitschau,  Saxony, 
Germany,  May  30,  1884,  a  son  of  Herman  and  Augusta  (Buschner) 
Schoene. 

Herman  Schoene  and  his  wife  were  both  natives  of  Saxony.  When  a 
young  man  he  learned  the  woolen  business  and  for  many  years  operated 
a  modern  woolen  factory,  which  business  was  originally  established 
by  his  forefathers.  He  now  lives  retired  in  Crimmitschau.  His  wife 
is  deceased.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Paul  G.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Martha,  married  Walter  Sthueler,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Anna,  the  widow  of  Otto  Langsch,  lives  at  Chicago;  Fannie,  married 
Joseph  Binder,  lives  at  Evanston,  111.;  Louise,  resides  in  Saxony,  Ger- 
many ;  Clara,  married  Karl  Knier,  lives  in  Saxony ;  Fred,  lives  at  Orange, 
N.  J.;  Helen,  deceased;  and  Marie,  lives  in  Saxony.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

Paul  G.  Schoene  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land, 
after  which  he  entered  a  trade  school  and  learned  the  tanner's  trade. 
He  served  his  compulsory  military  training  of  two  years,  and  in  1907 
came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York  City.  He  immediately 
went  west  as  far  as  Chicago  where  he  began  his  business  career  as  a 
hotel  and  restaurant  keeper.  He  had  charge  of  the  grill  room  of  the 
Atlantic  Hotel,  Chicago,  and  later  leased  the  Lincoln  Turner  Hall  in 
Chicago,  which  he  conducted  for  five  years.    He  then  made  a  tour  of 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  643 

Europe  which  lasted  a  year.  He  returned  to  Chicago  and  purchased 
stock  in  the  Will  County  Hotel  Company  and  removed  to  Joliet  in  July, 
1922,  and,  was  made  president  and  also  manager  of  this  company.  On 
Aug.  1st  of  that  year  he  opened  his  catering  department.  In  1926 
Mr.  Schoen  again  toured  Europe  as  a  member  of  the  American  Hotel 
Mens  Association. 

On  June  1,  1914,  Mr.  Schoene  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Guendert, 
a  daughter  of  Conrad  Guendert,  a  native  of  Germany  where  he  now 
resides.  Mrs.  Schoene  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1908,  locating  at  Chicago. 

Mr.  Schoene,  who  is  a  Republican,  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  Country  Club  of  Joliet,  Rotary  Club,  Chicago  Sharpshooters' 
Club,  and  Steuben  Club  of  Chicago.  He  belongs  to  Lessing  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M. ;  Lincoln  Park  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ;  Chicago  Commandery,  K.  T. ; 
Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S. ;  Medinah  Athletic  Club ;  B.  P.  O.  Elks, 
No.  296 ;  and  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State 
Hotel  Association  and  American  Hotel  Association. 

Mr.  Schoene  has  always  been  interested  in  music  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Swiss  Singing  Society,  and  Harmony  Singing  Society  of  Chicago, 
also  of  the  Lincoln  Turner's  Society.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Universalist  Church. 


William  H.  Oliver. — One  of  the  most  representative  business  men  of 
Joliet,  William  H.  Oliver,  has  discharged  ably  the  many  duties  devolving 
upon  him  through  the  responsibilities  he  has  assumed ;  and  today  stands 
deservedly  high  in  public  confidence  and  esteem.  The  popular  and  mod- 
ern Oliver  Hotel  was  founded  by  him  in  1925  and  stands  as  a  testi- 
monial to  his  public  spirit  and  enterprise.  He  is  a  son  of  Capt. 
Stephen  A.  and  Caroline  A.  (Laskey)  Oliver,  and  was  born  in  Chicago, 
111.,  Aug.  5,  1879. 

The  Oliver  family  were  a  prominent  and  distinguished  family  of 
Lynn,  Mass.,  in  the  early  days.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Oliver, 
was  Edwin  H.  Oliver,  who  was  born  in  Lynn,  Mass.  He  was  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  shoes.  He  was  postmaster  of  Lynn  for  many 
years  and  represented  his  district  in  congress.     He  married  Mary  E. 


LlBRMW 

UNIVERSITY  OF  HUN01S 


644  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Sanderson,  a  native  of  Salem,  Mass.  Their  son,  Stephen  A.  Oliver, 
was  born  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  on  Feb.  28,  1838.  In  early  life  he  became  asso- 
ciated with  his  father's  business  in  which  he  continued  until  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  Massachusetts 
State  Militia,  on  April  15,  1861.  He  served  his  three  month's  enlist- 
ment, then  reenlisted  in  1862,  serving  in  the  same  original  company  and 
regiment.  He  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  in  North  Caro- 
lina during  that  period,  and  was  with  the  reserves  at  the  Battle  of 
Gettysburg  in  1863.  At  the  expiration  of  his  second  enlistment  he 
returned  to  his  old  home  and  again  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
shoes.  In  1878  he  removed  to  Chicago  where  he  was  associated  with 
the  firm  of  Phelps,  Dodge  &  Palmer,  shoe  manufacturers.  In  1882 
Mr.  Oliver  came  to  Joliet  as  superintendent  of  the  shoe  factory  at  the 
state  prison  for  Selz,  Schwab  &  Company.  He  resigned  this  position  in 
1885  to  engage  in  the  real  estate  business  with  A.  C.  Clement  which 
partnership  lasted  one  year.  He  then  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness for  himself  and  built  up  one  of  the  largest  real  estate  and  insurance 
concerns  in  the  county.  On  Oct.  2,  1863,  Stephen  A.  Oliver  was  married 
to  Carrie  A.  Laskey,  a  native  of  Salem,  Mass.  Mrs.  Oliver  died  Dec. 
31,  1909,  and  he  died  Jan.  16,  1910.  Both  are  buried  in  Elmhurst  Ceme- 
tery, Joliet.  Mr.  Oliver  was  the  first  commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post 
in  Joliet,  and  was  senior  vice-department  commander  in  New  Hamp- 
shire. Fraternally  he  was  affiliated  with  the  Blue  Lodge  of  Masonry, 
Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  was  a  life  member  of  Apollo  Commandery, 
K.  T.  No.  1.  Mr.  Oliver  was  a  worthy  citizen  and  commanded  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  all.  Capt.  Stephen  A.  and  Carrie  A.  (Laskey)  Oliver 
were  the  parents  of  two  children:  1.  Lizzie  J.,  born  Feb.  7,  1866,  mar- 
ried H.  Fred  Humphrey,  reside  at  St.  Petersburg,  Florida.  He  was  born 
in  1864,  and  for  many  years  was  a  prominent  manufacturer  of  foundry 
supplies  at  Joliet.    2.  William  H.  Oliver,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Oliver's  early  education  was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of 
Joliet,  graduating  from  the  high  school  in  1899.  After  leaving  school  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad  in  the  en- 
gineering corps,  and  was  later  with  the  Chicago  and  Alton  Railroad  as 
assistant  engineer.  He  resigned  in  1906  to  enter  the  employ  of  the 
First  National  Bank  at  Joliet  as  a  bookkeeper  where  he  spent  one  year. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  645 

In  1907  he  entered  his  father's  office.  In  1908  the  Oliver  Realty  Com- 
pany was  incorporated,  and  William  H.  Oliver  became  president.  In 
1915  he  sold  his  interest,  but  the  firm  still  continues  in  business  as  one 
of  the  largest  real  estate  and  insurance  brokerage  houses  in  Joliet. 

During  the  time  Mr.  Oliver  was  in  the  real  estate  business  he  super- 
vised the  building  of  the  Morris  block  which  was  rebuilt  in  1908 ;  super- 
vised the  building  of  the  Woodruff  Inn  in  1914-1915.  In  1915  Mr.  Oliver 
and  Robert  McRobert  operated  the  Woodruff  Inn.  In  1917  he  sold  his 
interest  in  same  to  Mr.  McRobert.  He  then  went  on  a  trip  to  South 
America  but  when  the  United  States  entered  the  World  War  he  returned 
and  served  one  year  in  the  Department  of  Justice  at  Chicago.  In 
December,  1919,  Mr.  Oliver  assumed  the  vice  presidency  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Braidwood,  111.,  and  the  Commercial  National  Bank  of 
Wilmington,  111.,  serving  in  this  capacity  until  1922  when  he  returned  to 
the  Oliver  Realty  Company. 

In  1925  Mr.  Oliver  built  the  Oliver  Hotel  on  the  site  of  the  old  home- 
stead of  George  Woodruff.  This  hotel  was  incorporated  Dec.  31,  1925, 
and  Mr.  Oliver  elected  president.  Mrs.  R.  M.  Oliver  is  secretary  and 
treasurer.  The  hotel  contains  102  rooms  and  has  bungalows  built  on 
the  roof. 

In  1920  Mr.  Oliver  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Marie  Kobliska,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Kobliska. 

Mr.  Oliver  is  a  member  of  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  No. 
42;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4; 
Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  Medinah  Athletic  Club;  and  the 
Illinois  Hotel  Men's  Association.  Politically  Mr.  Oliver  is  a  Republican. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church. 


David  E.  Field,  attorney  at  law  and  vice  president  of  the  Stern  State 
Bank,  is  a  well  known  citizen  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  the  City  of 
Grosswardein,  Hungary,  on  April  29,  1889. 

He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  a  technical  school  of  his 
native  land  and  came  to  the  United  States,  to  Joliet,  where  he  engaged 
for  five  years  in  architectural  and  mechanical  engineering,  and  at  the 
same  time,  took  special  studies  and  examinations  and  was  graduated 


646  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

from  the  public  schools  and  the  Joliet  Township  High  School  of  Joliet, 
in  1910,  after  which  he  entered  the  Law  School  of  the  University  of 
Michigan,  receiving  his  degree  of  LL.  B.  in  1913,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  Michigan  and  Illinois  State  Bars. 

After  graduation  he  became  associated  with  the  well  known  law  firm 
of  Alshuler,  Putnam  and  James,  of  Aurora,  111.,  after  two  years  he 
returned  to  Joliet  and  established  his  own  office,  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  the  Federal  Courts. 

For  some  years  he  was  a  director  of  the  Stern  State  Bank,  of  Joliet, 
and  in  1926  became  the  active  vice  president  of  said  institution. 

In  1914,  Mr.  Field  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sadie  Stern, 
a  daughter  of  Ludwig  and  Rose  (Stiglitz)  Stern,  of  their  marriage  one 
daughter,  Rosalind,  was  born. 

Mr.  Field  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County  and  the  American  Bar 
Associations,  and  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No. 
175  and  the  University  of  Michigan  Alumni  Association. 


Fred  S.  Pratt. — Prominent  in  the  business  affairs  of  Joliet,  111.,  and 
descended  from  a  sterling  English  family  whose  first  citizen  here  came 
generations  ago,  and  the  son  of  a  former  fine  citizen,  Norman  S.  Pratt, 
who  was  interested  in  business  enterprises  in  Plainfield,  and  who  is 
further  mentioned  in  another  biography,  Fred  S.  Pratt  was  born  in 
Plainfield,  111.,  Aug.  29,  1883. 

The  present  branch  of  the  Pratt  family  was  founded  in  America  by 
Thomas  and  Susanna  Pratt.  He  was  born  in  England  in  1618  and  sailed 
for  the  United  States  on  a  ship  called  the  America,  commanded  by 
Capt.  William  Barker,  on  June  23,  1635.  They  first  settled  in  Water- 
town,  Mass.,  removing  to  Framingham,  Mass.,  in  1674.  He  died  in 
1692.  His  son,  John  Pratt,  also  had  a  son,  John  Pratt,  Jr.  John  Pratt, 
Jr.,  married  Bethsheba  Fay,  a  daughter  of  Captain  John  Fay.  They 
were  married  in  1716  and  their  son,  Ensign  Ezekial  Pratt,  married  in 
1740  Molly  Grant.  Their  son,  Stephen  Pratt,  married  Hannah  Billings. 
They  had  a  son,  Elisha  B.,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  married  Clara  Safford.  They  are  buried  in  Bennington,  Vt.,  the  town 
being  founded  by  the  Pratts  and  four  other  families. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  647 

Samuel  S.  Pratt,  who  was  born  in  Bennington,  Vt.,  was  a  son  of 
Elisha  B.  and  Clara  (Safford)  Pratt.  He  married  Esther  A.  Beckwith. 
They  came  to  Illinois  in  1834  and  settled  in  Plainfield.  He  was  a  cabinet 
maker  by  trade  and  established  the  first  furniture  store  in  Plainfield, 
which  he  conducted  for  many  years.  He  died  Aug.  16,  1882,  and  is 
buried  in  Plainfield,  111. 

Norman  S.  Pratt  was  the  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Esther  A.  (Beck- 
with) Pratt.  He  was  bom  in  Plainfield,  111.,  June  1,  1849.  At  the  age 
of  21  he  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  with  his  father,  at  a  time 
when  it  was  necessary  to  bring  furniture  from  Chicago  by  wagon.  He 
continued  in  that  business  for  22  years,  retiring  in  1893.  On  Oct.  31, 
1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Bessie  South  wick.  They  had  one  son, 
Fred  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Pratt  died  Aug.  2,  1923,  and 
his  wife  died  March  8,  1907.  They  are  both  buried  in  Plainfield,  111.  He 
was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  served  for  18  years  on  the  village  board 
of  aldermen  of  Plainfield,  and  was  chairman  of  the  committee  which 
installed  the  present  water  system  there.  He  joined  the  Congregational 
Church  when  a  young  boy  and  maintained  this  affiliation  until  his  death. 
He  was  an  excellent  citizen  and  highly  esteemed  member  of  the 
community. 

Fred  S.  Pratt  attended  the  public  schools  of  Plainfield  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  in  1901.  He  started  his  business  career  as  a 
clerk  in  the  general  store  of  his  uncle,  A.  T.  Corbin.  In  1905  he  came 
to  Joliet  and  was  employed  as  a  salesman  by  McHugh  and  Schoenstedt, 
clothiers,  and  lived  at  Plainfield.  From  1907  until  1916  he  specialized 
in  advertising  and  mercantile  display,  in  conjunction  with  progressive 
merchandising  in  men's  wear.  In  1916  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
0.  H.  Tesdall.  They  purchased  the  L.  A.  Raub  Clothing  Company  busi- 
ness which  was  located  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Ottawa  Streets.  They 
remodeled  the  store  in  1916,  and  again  in  1924,  doubling  the  clothing 
department.  This  store  has  been  in  operation  for  over  50  years  as  a 
clothing  center.  In  1909  Mr.  Pratt  took  a  course  at  the  Koester  School 
of  Mercantile  Display  and  Advertising,  at  Chicago,  from  which  he 
graduated.  Mr.  Pratt  in  addition  to  buying  and  selling  activities  pre- 
pares all  the  newspaper  and  personal  mail  advertising  copy.  In  1925 
a  shoe  department  was  added  to  the  business,  and  this  firm  was  the 


648  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

first  store  to  adopt  the  "Ten-Pay-Plan"  of  selling  fine  clothing.  Tesdall 
Pratt  &  Co.  have  offices  at  230  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

On  Oct.  18,  1904,  Mr.  Pratt  was  married  to  Miss  Orva  L.  Hartong,  a 
daughter  of  Franklin  and  Eliza  (Sencenbaugh)  Hartong,  natives  of 
Will  County,  111.  Both  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Plainfield,  111., 
a  sketch  of  whom  appears  in  this  history.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pratt  two 
daughters  have  been  born:  Orva  Bessie,  born  Aug.  18,  1922;  and 
Freda  E.,  born  Dec.  1,  1924. 

Mr.  Pratt,  who  was  born  in  the  same  house  his  father  was  born  in, 
still  makes  his  home  in  Plainfield.  In  1926-27  he  and  his  wife  designed 
and  built  a  very  modern  home  which  is  named  "Pratt  Place." 

Mr.  Pratt  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church.  His  fraternal  associations  are  those  of  Plainfield  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.  No.  536,  of  which  he  was  worshipful  master  in  1915-1916; 
Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce and  a  director  of  the  Illinois  Retail  Clothiers  and  Furnishers  As- 
sociation. 


George  R.  Hill  is  a  well  known  and  highly  respected  business  man 
of  Joliet,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  1,  1868,  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Helena 
F.  (Ryan)  Hill. 

The  Hills  were  of  Irish  descent,  many  serving  in  the  British  Navy, 
in  which  one  Alfred  Hill  was  a  paymaster.  Samuel  Hill  was  born  in 
County  Meath,  Ireland,  in  1830.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855 
and  located  at  St.  Peters,  Minn.,  where  he  took  up  a  government  claim 
consisting  of  160  acres  of  land.  He  built  a  log  cabin,  remained  one  year, 
and  sold  his  claim  and  removed  to  Minooka,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  until  1861,  when  he  located  at  Joliet.  Here  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  with  his  brother,  John  Wesley  Hill.  During  this 
time  the  Civil  War  was  in  progress  and  Samuel  Hill  drilled  troops  in 
Minooka,  having  had  experience  in  this  line  in  Ireland  where  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Irish  constabulary.  His  wife,  Helena  F.  (Ryan)  Hill,  was 
born  in  Mallow,  Ireland,  in  1829  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855, 
locating  at  Joliet.    They  were  married  in  this  city  in  1859,  and  to  them 


GEORGE    R.    HILL 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  649 

three  children  were  born:  John  William,  who  died  in  1900,  and  is  buried 
in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet;  George  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
Maude  F.,  who  married  John  B.  Mecham,  an  attorney,  Joliet.  Samuel 
Hill  died  in  1883  and  his  wife  in  1893.  Both  are  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Samuel  Hill  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Hill,  a  farmer,  who  spent  his 
entire  life  in  Ireland.  His  children  were:  John  W.,  Samuel,  Robert, 
Rebecca,  Susan,  and  Deborah,  who  all  came  to  the  United  States. 
Another  son,  Joseph,  remained  in  Ireland. 

Helena  F.  Ryan  was  a  daughter  of  John  Ryan,  a  representative  of 
the  Stewart  Company  of  New  York,  who  lived  his  entire  life  in  Ireland. 
His  children  were:  John,  Matilda,  Mary,  Margaret,  Dora,  and  Helena, 
who  all  came  to  America.  A  son,  Thomas,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  Col- 
lege, Dublin,  Ireland,  became  a  tutor  to  rich  young  men  in  Ireland. 
Later  he  joined  the  British  Army  and  died  at  Aden,  Arabia. 

George  R.  Hill  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Joliet.  His 
first  employment  was  as  bookkeeper  for  the  Wilcox  Bros.  Lumber  and 
Carriage  dealers,  where  he  remained  for  16  years.  In  1902  he  purchased 
the  branch  lumber  yard  of  the  Wilcox  Brothers,  located  at  Plainfield,  111., 
and  it  was  known  as  the  George  R.  Hill  Lumber  Company  for  seven 
years,  when  he  disposed  of  the  business.  In  1909  he  purchased  the 
Whipple  &  Barr,  grain  and  lumber  business,  located  in  Plainfield,  111., 
and  at  Frontenac,  111.,  which  he  sold  in  1910  and  removed  to  Joliet, 
where  he  established  the  George  R.  Hill  real  estate  business  with  offices 
in  the  Joliet  National  Bank  Building.  He  also  added  insurance  to  his 
other  activities.  In  1928  he  removed  to  his  present  office,  in  the  Monroe 
Building  on  Scott  Street.  Mr.  Hill  is  also  extensively  interested  in 
building  and  has  a  large  display  of  the  most  modern  and  attractive 
building  plans.  He  has  built  some  of  the  most  unique  homes  in  the 
Farragut  district,  and  he  has  recently  acquired  the  services  of  Mr.  E. 
Palmer  Potter,  of  Milwaukee,  a  designer  and  builder,  and  a  crew  of 
twenty  men  are  now  engaged  in  building  three  stone  residences  and  a 
golf  Club  House  for  the  new  Crystal  Lawns  Golf  Club. 

Mr.  Hill  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church 
in  which  he  is  a  steward.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles  being 
a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter, 


650  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  and  S.  M.  M. ;  Joliet  Commandery, 
K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. ;  and  Eastern  Star.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Kiwanis  Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Joliet 
Real  Estate  Board,  Isaac  Walton  League,  Joliet  Riding  Club,  Joliet 
Musical  Association,  Will  County  Historical  Society,  Chicago  Motor  Club, 
secretary  of  the  Morning  Star  Mission,  and  a  director  in  the  George  C. 
Peterson  Company. 


Arthur  C.  Leach,  president  of  Leach  Brothers,  Inc.,  is  among  the 
prominent  business  executives  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Gardner,  111.,  Feb.  4,  1879,  the  son  of  Henry  and  lone  (Howland)  Leach. 
A  complete  sketch  of  Henry  Leach  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

Just  before  his  graduation  from  the  Joliet  High  School  in  1898, 
Arthur  C.  Leach  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army  and  served  in  Company  B, 
Third  Illinois  Infantry,  as  a  corporal.  He  saw  service  in  Porto  Rico 
and  participated  in  the  capture  of  Arroyo  and  Gayamo.  He  was  dis- 
charged from  the  service  in  February,  1899,  and  upon  his  return  to 
Joliet  became  interested  in  his  father's  business.  Mr.  Leach  became 
a  member  of  the  firm  in  1901  and  in  1911  together  with  Howard  E. 
Leach,  purchased  their  father's  interests  when  the  elder  Mr.  Leach 
retired.  In  1928  this  well  established  business  was  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  with  the  following  officers:  Arthur  C. 
Leach,  president;  Howard  Leach,  vice  president  and  treasurer;  and 
Paul  H.  Leach,  secretary. 

Mr.  Leach  is  a  Republican  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  city  coun- 
cil for  three  terms  until  May,  1928.  He  was  president  of  the  school 
board  of  Joliet,  having  been  elected  to  that  office  in  1924.  He  holds 
membership  in  St.  John's  Universalist  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic Lodge,  Rotary  Club,  Joliet  Country  Club,  and  United  Spanish 
War  Veterans.  He  served  as  first  president  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce and  is  president  of  the  Oakwood  Cemetery  Association.  During 
the  World  War  Mr.  Leach  was  chairman  of  the  Liberty  Loan  Drive  in 
Joliet. 

In  1902  Mr.  Leach  married  Miss  Elsie  Elwood,  the  daughter  of 
Captain  James  G.  and  Margaret  (Pearce)  Elwood.  They  have  two 
daughters:   lone,  married  to  Edward  R.  Davis,  Jr.,  banker,  lives  in  Chi- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  651 

cago  Heights,  111.,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Nancy;  and  Margaret  L., 
attends  the  University  of  Illinois. 

James  G.  Elwood  was  born  at  Lockort,  111.,  in  1839.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  and  private  schools  of  Joliet  and  attended  the  Col- 
legiate and  Commercial  Military  School  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1857.  While  there  he  served  as  first  sergeant  and 
later  captain.  He  then  studied  in  Geneva,  Switzerland,  for  one  year, 
and  also  attended  the  Frederick  William  University  of  Berlin,  Ger- 
many. Upon  his  return  to  Joliet  he  attended  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Com- 
mercial College,  and  then  entered  the  law  and  real  estate  firm  of  Parks 
&  Elwood.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  army.  He  organized  Company  B, 
100th  Illinois  Infantry  and  was  commissioned  as  its  captain.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Perrsyville  and  Murfreesboro.  Promotion  made 
him  acting  assistant  adjutant  general  of  the  First  Brigade,  First  Divi- 
sion, Twenty-first  Corps.  He  resigned  in  November,  1863,  and  returned 
to  Joliet.  Mr.  Elwood  became  a  broker  on  the  Chicago-Cincinnati  Board 
of  Trade  in  1866  and  soon  afterward  established  a  milling  business  at 
Matteson,  111.  In  1870  he  returned  to  Joliet  and  conducted  a  real  estate 
business.  In  1880  he  built  the  first  telephone  exchange  in  Joliet  with 
ex-Mayor  Paige  and  he  was  also  instrumental  in  establishing  the  city 
water  works,  serving  as  treasurer,  general  manager,  and  director.  In 
1881  he  became  secretary  of  the  Joliet  Gas  Company,  and  from  1888  un- 
til 1896  was  its  manager.  In  1877  in  partnership  with  Judge  Parks  he 
erected  the  First  National  Bank  Building.  He  was  a  director  of  the 
Will  County  National  Bank  and  the  Oakwood  Cemetery  Association.  Mr. 
Elwood  was  a  Republican  and  was  the  first  mayor  of  Joliet  under  the 
present  city  charter  in  1877.  He  was  chairman  of  the  board  of  county 
supervisors  for  two  years,  superintendent  of  the  poor,  and  served  as 
postmaster  of  Joliet  from  1898  until  1902.  He  was  a  member  of  Matte- 
son  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ;  Joliet  Council ;  and 
Joliet  Commandery.  He  served  as  grand  commander  of  the  Grand 
Commandery  of  Illinois  and  for  12  years  was  representative  of 
the  Grand  Commandery  of  New  York  and  Illinois.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Loyal  Legion  and  Bartleson  Post  No.  6,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, and  senior  vice  commander  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal 
Legion. 


652  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

James  G.  Elwood  was  the  son  of  Nelson  D.  and  Juliet  L.  (Parks) 
Elwood.  Nelson  D.  Elwood,  pioneer  railroad  builder  of  Northern  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1818,  the  son  of  Daniel 
Elwood.  When  eight  years  of  age  he  was  left  an  orphan  and  spent  his 
early  business  life  in  a  clerical  capacity  at  Lockport,  N.  Y.  In  1837 
he  came  to  Illinois  where  he  became  an  engineer  on  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  Canal.  During  the  winter  months  he  taught  school  and  in 
1843  he  was  elected  county  clerk.  He  was  later  admitted  to  the  Will 
County  bar  and  was  associated  with  Judge  Parks.  He  was  one  of  the 
founder  of  the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Railroad  Company  of  which  he 
served  as  secretary  for  many  years.  With  Governor  Joel  A.  Matteson 
he  was  the  originator  of  the  division  of  the  Chicago  &  Mississippi  Rail- 
road between  Joliet  and  Alton.  In  1856  he  built  the  Northern  Indiana 
Railroad.  Mr.  Elwood  served  as  mayor  of  Joliet  for  two  terms  and  also 
as  secretary  of  the  Illinois  State  Penitentiary  Commission.  He  was  a 
member  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church  and  was  Grand  High  Priest  of  the 
Grand  Chapter  of  Illinois  and  Deputy  Grand  Commander,  33rd  degree 
Masons. 


Henry  Leach. — One  of  the  most  influential  figures  in  business  and 
civic  circles  in  Will  County  was  Henry  Leach,  deceased,  who  for  27 
years  was  president  of  the  board  of  directors  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital, 
Joliet,  as  well  as  the  founder  of  the  Leach  lumber  interests  in  this  city. 
He  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  Aug.  13,  1845,  the  son  of  the 
late  Henry  Leach. 

Henry  Leach  was  six  years  of  age  when  his  father  died.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  in  1866  was  graduated  from  Fowler 
Institute.  After  his  marriage  in  1869  he  removed  to  a  farm  near  Chats- 
worth,  111.,  where  he  lived  until  1875.  From  that  date  until  1887  he  was 
located  on  a  farm  at  Gardner,  spent  the  following  three  years  in  the 
lumber  business  at  Gardner,  and  in  1890  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  organ- 
ized the  lumber  business  now  incorporated  as  Leach  Brothers.  Mr. 
Leach  retired  from  active  business  in  1910  and  devoted  his  time  to  his 
Will  and  Grundy  county  farm  interests.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
original  Joliet  Township  High  School  Board  and  instrumental  in  build- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  653 

ing  the  present  high  school.  He  served  on  the  school  board  for  nine 
years,  being  its  president  for  one  term.  After  his  27  years  of  service  as 
president  of  the  Silver  Cross  hospital  board,  he  resigned  his  active  duties 
in  1924,  and  at  that  time  was  elected  president  emeritus.  He  died  in 
October,  1924. 

In  1869  Mr.  Leach  married  Miss  lone  C.  Howland.  To  them  were 
bom  five  sons:  Henry,  optician,  lives  at  Joliet;  Howard,  vice  president 
and  treasurer  of  Leach  Brothers,  Inc.,  lives  at  Joliet;  Dr.  Roy  B.,  physi- 
cian, lives  at  Joliet;  Arthur  C,  president  of  Leach  Brothers,  Inc.,  lives 
at  Joliet;  and  Elmer,  lives  at  Beaumont,  Texas. 

Mr.  Leach  was  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No. 
175;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4; 
Commercial  Club;  Oakwood  Cemetery  Association;  and  Association  of 
Commerce.    He  was  a  trustee  of  St.  John's  Universalist  Church. 


William  H.  Heun,  general  manager  of  the  Chicago  &  Joliet  Electric 
Railway  Company,  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Joliet,  where  he  has 
lived  for  many  years.  He  was  born  at  Somonauk,  DeKalb  County,  111., 
Dec.  22,  1863,  the  son  of  William  and  M.  (Sartoris)  Heun. 

William  Heun,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  an  early 
settler  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Germany  and  in  1853  emigrated  to 
the  United  States.  For  a  short  time  he  lived  in  New  York,  but  later 
removed  to  DeKalb  County,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  cabinet 
maker.  He  became  well  known  as  a  furniture  dealer  and  funeral 
director.  Throughout  the  Civil  War  he  saw  active  service  and  after  the 
close  of  the  war  returned  to  Somonouk,  where  he  resumed  his  business. 
In  1885  the  family  removed  to  Aurora,  111.,  where  Hr.  Heun  died  in  1912. 
His  wife,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  died  in  1866,  and  is  buried  at  Somo- 
nauk. Mr.  Heun  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Church  and  belonged  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  There  were 
seven  children  in  the  Heun  family  as  follows:  Matilda,  the  widow  of 
L.  W.  Smith,  lives  at  Aurora,  111. ;  Celia,  lives  at  Rockf ord,  111. ;  Maud, 
married  J.  H.  Miller,  lives  at  Rockf  ord,  111. ;  Richard,  lives  at  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa;  Albert,  lives  at  Aurora;  William  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
and  Emil,  deceased. 


654  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

After  completing  his  schooling-  at  Somonauk,  William  H.  Heun 
learned  the  printers'  trade  and  for  eight  years  was  thus  employed  in 
Chicago  and  Aurora.  In  1892  he  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Chicago  and  Joliet  system  as  a  conductor.  He  was  soon 
called  into  the  office  and  made  time  keeper  and  assistant  cashier. 
Later  he  was  appointed  cashier.  In  1904  Mr.  Heun  was  promoted  to 
superintendent  of  transportation,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  23 
years,  being  appointed  to  his  present  position  as  general  manager  of  the 
company  on  Oct.  10,  1927. 

In  1890  Mr.  Heun  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Marion  S.  Snook, 
the  daughter  of  Albert  and  Cornelius  Snook,  of  Aurora,  111.  Mr.  Snook, 
deceased,  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  attorney  of  Aurora,  111.  His  wife 
is  also  deceased.  Their  son,  Albert  M.  Snook,  is  the  president  of  the 
Aurora-Beacon  Publishing  Company,  at  Aurora,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Heun  have  two  daughters:  Lucile,  married  Frank  Paull,  assistant  cash- 
ier of  the  Aurora  National  Bank,  and  they  have  two  children,  Frances, 
and  William  Heun  Paull;  and  Cornelia,  married  Rex  L.  Carey,  chief 
draftsman  of  the  Heggie  Manufacturing  Company,  Joliet.  They  have 
two  children,  Robert  Heun  and  Meryln. 

Mr.  Heun  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Universalist  Church,  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet 
Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Kiwanis 
Club;  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  belongs  to  the  American  Electric 
Railway  Association  and  the  Illinois  Electric  Railway  Association. 


Alfred  Joseph  Keig. — One  of  the  younger  attorneys  practicing  at  the 
bar  of  Joliet,  and  an  able  exponent  of  the  dignity  of  his  profession,  is 
Alfred  Joseph  Keig.  He  was  born  June  9,  1893,  at  Romeoville,  111.,  a 
son  of  John  and  Margaret  (McHugh)  Keig. 

John  Keig  was  born  in  the  Isle  of  Man,  England.  He  began  his 
business  career  as  a  salesman  for  an  English  firm.  He  married  Mar- 
garet McHugh,  who  was  born  in  Tume,  County  Galway,  Ireland,  after 
coming  to  the  United  States,  and  they  are  now  living  retired  at  Lock- 
port,  111.  Mr.  Keig  is  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Keig  five  children  were  born:  Robert,  manager  of  the  Kirby  Lum- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  655 

ber  Company,  Silsbee,  Texas ;  Marshall,  served  in  the  U.  S.  Signal  Corps 
during  the  World  War,  lives  at  Chicago;  Mabel,  married  Charles  Dyer, 
lives  at  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Ruth  K.,  married  Newton  Rich,  lives  at  Dallas, 
Tex.;  and  Alfred  Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Alfred  Joseph  Keig  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lockport  and 
graduated  from  high  school  in  1911.  He  attended  Knox  College,  at 
Galesburg,  111.,  for  two  years,  after  which  he  taught  one  year  at  St. 
John's  Military  Academy,  Salina,  Kan.  Subsequently  he  entered  the 
Law  School  of  Northwestern  University,  taking  his  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws  from  that  institution  in  the  class  of  1919.  He  was  then 
admitted  to  the  Illinois  State  Bar  in  October,  1919,  and  later  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  Federal  Courts.  He  practiced  his  profes- 
sion in  Chicago  and  in  February,  1926,  removed  to  Joliet,  111.,  where  he 
carries  on  a  general  law  practice,  with  offices  at  506  Morris  Building. 

While  attending  high  school,  Mr.  Keig  learned  telegraphy,  and  held 
a  part  time  position  as  operator  while  attending  Knox  College.  During 
his  course  at  Northwestern  University  he  was  an  editor  for  the  Inter- 
national News  Service. 

On  Sept.  5,  1917,  Mr.  Keig  enlisted  for  service  during  the  World  War 
and  was  sent  to  Urbana,  111.,  where  he  attended  the  ground  school  of  the 
Aviation  section  of  the  Signal  Corps.  He  was  transferred  to  Rich  Field, 
Waco,  Texas,  and  assigned  to  the  training  school  and  commissioned  a 
second  lieutenant.  He  was  at  Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  where  he  took  a  course 
in  Reconnoissance,  after  which  he  became  an  instructor  in  aerial  gunnery 
at  Taliafrerro  Field,  Hicks,  Tex.,  and  was  also  adjutant  of  the  training 
school.  He  received  his  pilot's  license  for  flying  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged from  the  service,  Feb.  21,  1919.    Mr.  Keig  still  pilots  a  machine. 

In  1921  Mr.  Keig  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Alice  Dow,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Gund)  Dow.  Mr.  Dow  is  deceased.  His  widow 
married  John  Walter  and  they  reside  in  Lockport,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Keig  have  four  children:  Alfred  Joseph,  Jr.,  born  June  18,  1922;  Ruth 
Alice,  born  Oct.  29,  1923 ;  John  Dow  McHugh,  born  Jan.  29,  1925 ;  and 
Walter  Peter,  born  Feb.  18,  1927. 

Mr.  Keig  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  affiliated  with  Lockport 
Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  537;  Loyal  Order  of  Moose;  and  B.  P.  O.  E. 
Elks,  No.  296.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County  Bar  Association; 


656  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

John  Olsen  Post,  No.  12,  of  Lockport,  111.;  "40  and  8"  Society;  Beta 
Theta  Phi ;  Delta  Theta  Phi ;  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Lockport,  111. ;  and 
the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Jane  A.  (Richards)  Shreeve,  president  of  the  Shreeve  Realty  Com- 
pany, real  estate,  insurance  and  loans,  with  offices  at  202  and  203  Mor- 
ris Building,  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  this  city,  where  she  was  born  Dec. 
13,  1873.    She  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Charlotte  (Jones)  Richards. 

James  Richards  and  his  wife  were  both  natives  of  Merthyr-Tydfil, 
South  Wales,  Great  Britain,  where  they  were  married  in  1872,  and 
emigrated  to  America  in  that  year.  In  Wales  he  worked  as  a  rail 
straightener  and  upon  locating  in  Joliet  worked  in  the  "Old  Rolling 
Mill,"  now  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  and  was  one  of  the  first  employes 
engaged  in  that  work.  He  remained  with  this  company  until  he  retired. 
He  died  in  November,  1914.  Mrs.  Richards  died  in  April,  1902,  and  they 
are  both  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  was  a  Republican  and 
a  member  of  Christ's  Church,  Episcopal.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richards  four 
children  were  born:  Jane  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Charlotte, 
resides  with  Mrs.  Shreeve;  Mary  E.,  married  John  Peel,  lives  at  Joliet; 
and  James,  Jr.,  deceased. 

Jane  A.  Richards  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and 
graduated  from  Squires  Business  College.  She  commenced  her  business 
career  on  June  20,  1891,  as  a  stenographer  in  the  office  of  Bischmann, 
Loughran  &  Company,  later  Loughran  &  Schoenstedt  where  she 
remained  until  1898.  In  1900  she  returned  to  their  employ,  Mr.  August 
Schoenstedt  purchasing  the  business  interest  of  Mr.  Loughran,  the  firm 
then  being  known  as  August  Schoenstedt  Insurance,  Real  Estate  and 
Loans. 

Mrs.  Shreeve  became  office  manager,  later  purchasing  a  one-half 
interest  in  the  business,  the  firm  then  being  known  as  the  A.  Schoen- 
stedt Agency.  She  conducted  the  business  almost  entirely  as  Mr. 
Schoenstedt  was  ill,  and  after  his  death  in  1911,  she  purchased  Mrs. 
Schoenstedt's  interest,  since  which  time  she  has  been  sole  owner.  On 
April  1,  1922,  the  company  was  incorporated  as  the  Jane  A.  Shreeve 
Agency,  Inc.,  with  Mrs.  Shreeve,  president,  and  Julius  Braun,  secretary 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  657 

and  treasurer.  In  April  1928,  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  the  Shreeve 
Realty  Co. 

Jane  A.  Richards  was  married  on  Oct.  19,  1898,  to  John  C.  Shreeve, 
who  was  bom  Oct.  6,  1871,  a  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Davis)  Shreeve. 
James  Shreeve  was  born  in  England.  He  came  to  the  United  States 
and  worked  in  Joliet  a  number  of  years  as  an  engineer  in  the  "Old 
Rolling  Mill."  He  is  deceased  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery, 
Joliet.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Merthyr-Tydfil,  South  Wales,  died 
Dec.  24,  1925,  and  is  buried  there  where  she  resided  her  entire  life. 

John  C.  Shreeve  is  Master  Mechanic  for  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern 
Railway.  He  is  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175; 
Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  and 
Medina  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 

Mrs.  Shreeve  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church, 
the  Women's  Republican  Club,  Business  and  Professional  Women's  Club. 
She  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  first  treasurer  of  the  Woman's  Club 
of  Joliet.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Real  Estate  Board.  She 
has  served  as  Past  Matron,  Marguerite  Chapter,  No.  187,  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star;  and  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  White  Shrine  of 
Jerusalem,  and  the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Alois  A.  Offerman. — Both  as  a  member  of  the  legal  profession  and  as 
a  solid  citizen,  Alois  A.  Offerman  stands  high  in  public  esteem  at  Joliet. 
He  was  born  in  Troy  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  Aug.  17,  1885,  the  son 
of  Henry  and  Theresa  (Pfleger)  Offerman. 

Henry  Offerman,  deceased,  was  born  in  1852,  in  Prussia,  Germany, 
near  the  Luxemburg  line.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1873  and 
settled  in  Joliet,  111.  He  married  Theresa  Pfleger,  who  was  born  at 
Joliet,  and  she  survives  him  and  still  resides  at  Joliet.  Mr.  Offerman 
was  a  farmer  in  Plainfield  Township,  later  removing  to  Troy  Township 
where  he  was  a  successful  farmer  for  many  years.  In  1893  he  removed 
to  Joliet  Township  where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
April  15,  1919.  He  served  as  school  director  of  Joliet  Township.  He 
was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church,  and  the  Western  Catholic 

9— VOL.  2 


658  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Union.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Off  erman  eleven  children  were  bom.  1.  Alois  A., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  2.  Henry  J.,  deceased,  buried  in  St.  Joseph's 
cemetery,  Watervliet,  Mich.  3.  Joseph  H.,  Cicero,  111.  4.  Lawrence  A., 
World  War  veteran,  served  in  France,  Joliet.  5.  Albert  P.,  served  with 
the  2nd  Engineers  in  France ;  was  gassed  and  shell  shocked  during  war. 
Served  in  five  battles,  lives  at  Joliet.  6.  Theresa  J.,  at  home.  7.  Leo  M., 
Joliet,  World  War  veteran,  served  in  France  with  2nd  Engineers.  He 
was  in  five  battles  and  was  wounded.  Also  was  with  the  Army  of  Occu- 
pation. 8.  Delphina  A.,  at  home.  9.  George  E.  Joliet.  10.  Marie,  married 
Charles  J.  Myler,  Joliet.    11.   Celia  J.,  at  home. 

Alois  A.  Off  erman  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Joliet  Township  and  St.  John's  Parochial  School.  Dur- 
ing his  summer  vacations  he  learned  telegraphy  in  the  Santa  Fe  Rail- 
road offices,  at  which  he  worked  later  as  an  operator  before  entering 
college.  He  graduated  from  DePaul  Preparatory  College  in  1915,  and 
from  the  Law  School  of  DePaul  University  in  1918  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws.  That  year  he  established  his  office  in  Joliet,  and  is 
located  at  414  Joliet  National  Bank  Building. 

In  1918  Mr.  Offerman  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army  and  served  in  the 
Officers  Training  School  at  DePaul  University  until  December  16,  1918, 
when  he  was  discharged. 

Alois  A.  Offerman  married,  July  29,  1924,  Miss  Mary  A.  McGowan, 
who  was  born  in  Wilton  Township,  Will  County,  a  daughter  of  Patrick 
F.  and  Theresa  (Dwyer)  McGowan.  Mr.  McGowan  was  born  in  Wilton 
Township  and  followed  agriculture  until  he  retired.  Mrs.  McGowan  was 
born  in  Braidwood,  111.  They  now  reside  in  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Offer- 
man  have  a  son,  Donald  A.,  born  March  26,  1926,  and  a  daughter,  Mary 
Frances,  born  April  13,  1928. 

Mr.  Offerman  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County  Bar  Association,  the 
Illinois  State  Bar  Association,  and  the  American  Bar  Association.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Joliet  Council, 
382 ;  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  296 ;  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post,  No.  5 ;  and  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  civic  affairs. 
He  was  elected  to  the  Board  of  School  Inspectors  in  1922,  and  reelected 
in  1925;  again  in  1928,  and  is  now  president  of  the  Joliet  City  School 
Board.    The  family  are  members  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  659 

Clarence  F.  Lauer  is  one  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet, 
where  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Zero  Ice  Company.  He  was 
born  near  Symerton,  Will  County,  111.,  Jan.  6,  1883,  a  son  of  Lewis  H.  and 
Eliza  (Kreimeier)  Lauer. 

Lewis  H.  Lauer  was  born  in  Canton,  Ohio.  His  parents  were  John 
and  Minnie  (Schwartz)  Lauer,  natives  of  Germany.  They  are  deceased 
and  buried  in  Des  Plaines  Cemetery,  Joliet.  They  came  to  Will  County, 
111.,  when  Lewis  H.  Lauer  was  two  years  of  age.  He  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  and  attended  the  country  schools.  He  continued  farming 
in  Will  County  until  1906  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Joliet,  where 
he  now  resides.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Church.  His  wife,  who  was  born  near  Manhattan,  Will  County,  died  in 
1896,  and  is  buried  in  Providence  Ridge  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lewis  H.  Lauer  seven  children  were  born:  Clarence  F.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Alvin,  superintendent  of  the  Pullman  shops,  New  Orleans, 
La. ;  Walter,  World  War  veteran  who  served  in  France,  garage  owner, 
Joliet ;  Nellie,  married  Parke  Bailey,  lives  at  Stockton,  111. ;  Lester,  man- 
ager The  Underwriters  Laboratories,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  a  World  War  vet- 
eran, who  served  in  France ;  Fred,  Joliet ;  and  Edwin,  Plainfield,  111. 

Clarence  F.  Lauer  attended  the  public  schools  and  in  1903  graduated 
from  the  Metropolitan  Business  College,  Joliet.  He  worked  in  the  Joliet 
post  office  until  1916  when  he  resigned  as  chief  clerk  to  become  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Zero  Ice  Company. 

In  1916  Mr.  Lauer  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Templeton,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Delilah  (Blaine)  Templeton.  Mr.  Templeton  was  a  car- 
penter by  trade.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in 
Willard  Grove  Cemetery,  Minooka,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lauer  have  two 
sons:   Arthur,  born  in  1920,  a  student;  and  Donald,  born  in  1924. 

Mr.  Lauer  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  Mount 
Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  42,  of  which  he  is  an  honored  past 
master  1924;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27,  Past  High  Priest  in  1911; 
Joliet  Council,  R.  and  S.  M.  No.  82,  Past  Master  in  1924;  Joliet  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  No.  4,  Past  Commander  1912;  Oriental  Consistory,  Val- 
ley of  Chicago.  32nd  degree,  A.  A.  S.  R. ;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N. 
M.  S.,  and  K.  P.,  Joliet  Lodge  No.  532.  On  Sept.  15,  1925,  Mr.  Lauer 
was  made  a  thirty-third  degree  Mason,  Supreme  Council  of  the  North- 


660  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ern  Masonic  Jurisdiction.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Shrine  Club  of  Joliet ; 
Hamilton  Club  of  Chicago;  Rotary  Club  of  Joliet;  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce ;  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Mr.  Lauer  is  County  Central  Committeeman  of  the  Ninth  Precinct 
of  Joliet,  and  is  treasurer  of  that  body.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Church  in  which  he  is  serving  as  trustee  and  chairman  of  the  finance 
committee. 


F.  E.  Roberg,  M.  D. — One  of  the  foremost  physicians  and  surgeons  of 
Joliet  is  Dr.  Roberg,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  who  is  serving  as 
president  of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society.  He  was  born  in  Chicago, 
111.,  May  15,  1882,  the  son  of  O.  B.  and  Christina  (Anderson)  Roberg. 

Both  0.  B.  Roberg  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Sweden.  After  their 
marriage  they  came  to  the  United  States  in  1869  and  settled  in  Chi- 
cago, where  Mr.  Roberg  established  a  carriage  painting  and  fine  lettering 
business  for  many  years.  He  later  became  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Mission  Friends  Publishing  Company  of  Chicago.  After  his  re- 
tirement from  business  he  removed  to  Hood  River,  Ore.,  and  later  to 
Portland,  where  he  died.  His  wife  is  also  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roberg  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Philip  B.,  ranch 
owner  of  Hood  River,  Ore.,  lives  at  Portland;  0.  Theodore,  M.  D.,  chief 
surgeon  of  the  Swedish  Covenant  Hospital,  Chicago,  is  a  World  War  vet- 
eran, having  served  as  a  major  in  the  Medical  Corps;  Emma,  lives  at 
Portland,  Ore.;  F.  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  David  N.,  M.  D., 
eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  specialist,  San  Diego,  Calif,  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War  having  served  in  the  Medical  Corps  with  the  rank  of  major. 

F.  E.  Roberg  attended  the  public  schools  of  Chicago  and  in  1899 
was  graduated  from  North  Division  High  School.  He  then  served  an 
enlistment  in  the  U.  S.  Marine  Corps.  After  his  honorable  discharge 
from  the  service  he  entered  the  University  of  Chicago  from  which  he 
received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  1909.  He  graduated  from 
Rush  Medical  College  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1911.  He 
spent  the  following  year  as  an  interne  in  the  Presbyterian  Hospital, 
Chicago,  under  Dr.  Frank  Billings,  and  in  March,  1912,  came  to  Joliet. 
Two  years  later  Dr.  Roberg  took  post  graduate  work  in  Vienna,  Austria. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  661 

On  June  8,  1917,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  War  and  was 
commissioned  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  U.  S.  Medical  Corps  and  sent  to 
Fort  Benjamin  Harrison.  In  December,  1917,  he  sailed  for  France 
where  he  was  attached  to  the  First  Division  as  Division  Medical  Gas 
officer.  He  was  later  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain,  and  was  dis- 
charged from  the  service  May  30,  1919.  In  November  he  resumed  his 
practice  in  Joliet.  He  now  holds  a  commission  as  major  in  the  U.  S. 
Medical  Reserve  Corps. 

Dr.  Roberg  is  a  Republican,  and  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge, 
F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council, 
R.  and  S.  M.  M. ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Medinah  Temple; 
B.  P.  O.  Elks,  No.  296;  Knights  of  Pythias;  American  Legion,  Harwood 
Post,  No.  5;  and  the  "40  and  8  Society."  He  also  belongs  to  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  Association  of  Vienna,  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and 
American  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  St. 
Joseph's  and  Silver  Cross  hospitals,  and  is  chairman  of  the  Advisory 
Board  of  the  Silver  Cross  Hospital. 


Daniel  Lynch  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  identi- 
fied with  the  American  Wire  &  Steel  Company  as  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  Rockdale  works.  He  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
at  Friendsville,  March  3.  1873,  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Connell) 
Lynch. 

John  Lynch  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  as  was  his  wife.  At  an  early  age 
he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Friendsville,  Pa.  He 
drove  a  stage  coach  between  Philadelphia  and  Scranton,  Pa.,  before  the 
Civil  War  and  later  was  associated  with  the  Thomas  Iron  Company  as 
foreman  of  their  mine,  and  was  a  construction  foreman  for  the  rail- 
road built  between  Philadelphia  and  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  which  is  a  branch 
of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad.  He  and  his  wife  are  deceased 
and  are  buried  at  Bethlehem.  Mr.  Lynch  was  a  Republican  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Church.  There  were  nine  children  in  the  Lynch 
family  as  follows:  Catherine  and  John,  both  deceased;  Hannah,  the 
widow  of  Michael  Lane,  lives  at  Bethlehem,  Pa. ;  Michael,  lives  at  Pitts- 
burgh, Calif.;  Helen,  married  T.  Kiranor,  general  agent  for  the  Boston 


662  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  Maine  Railroad,  lives  at  Walpole,  N.  H. ;  William,  retired,  lives  at 
Bethlehem,  Pa. ;  Daniel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Mary,  married  Fred 
Grube,  lives  at  Bethlehem ;  and  Timothy,  lives  at  Bethlehem. 

Daniel  Lynch  attended  the  public  schools  at  Friendsville  and  in 
1889  entered  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  Zinc  Company  as  an  office  boy. 
From  1893  until  1902  he  was  identified  with  the  Iowa  Barburie  Com- 
pany, Allentown,  Pa.;  from  April,  1902,  until  the  present  time  he  has 
been  connected  with  the  American  Wire  and  Steel  Company  in  Joliet. 
He  served  in  the  capacity  of  foreman  from  1902  until  1917,  as  general 
foreman  from  1917  until  1918,  and  in  January,  1918,  he  was  promoted  to 
his  present  responsible  position  as  assistant  superintendent. 

In  1905  Mr.  Lynch  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Bertha  Brislen, 
the  daughter  of  John  Brislen,  a  well  known  resident  of  Allentown,  Pa., 
now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lynch  have  seven  children:  Margaret,  a 
graduate  of  St.  Charles  School,  lives  at  home;  John,  attends  Urbana 
College;  Mary  Rose,  Genevieve,  Raymond,  Helen,  and  Joseph,  all 
students. 

Mr.  Lynch  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America. 


John  F.  Carey,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  younger  members  of  the  medical 
profession  at  Joliet,  is  a  well  known  citizen  of  the  community.  He  was 
born  at  Braceville,  Grundy  County,  111.,  May  10,  1897,  the  son  of  Dr. 
John  F.  and  Mary  (Campbell)  Carey. 

Dr.  John  F.  Carey,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  leading  physician 
and  surgeon  of  Grundy  County.  He  was  born  in  LaSalle  County,  111., 
where  he  spent  his  early  life.  He  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Louis 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  and  served  as  interne  at  Barnes 
Hospital,  St.  Louis.  From  1896  until  the  time  of  his  death,  March  19, 
1921,  Dr.  Carey  engaged  in  practice  at  Braceville.  He  was  a  Democrat 
and  served  for  many  years  as  health  officer  of  Grundy  County.  He  was 
identified  with  the  Grundy  County,  Illinois  State,  and  American  Medical 
Associations.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  His  widow 
resides  at  Joliet.  To  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Carey  were  born  five  children: 
John  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Campbell,  physician,  a  graduate 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  663 

of  Northwestern  University,  now  serving  as  interne  at  St.  Luke's  Hos- 
pital ;  Madee,  attends  the  University  of  Iowa ;  Cecelia,  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Illinois,  now  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Milwaukee, 
Wis. ;  and  Gregory  attends  the  University  of  Iowa. 

John  F.  Carey  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Braceville  and  in 
1914  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School.  During  1915-16 
he  taught  school  at  Wilton  Center,  111.,  and  in  1917,  was  graduated  from 
Junior  College.  He  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from 
Northwestern  Medical  College  in  1921  and  spent  the  following  two  years 
as  an  interne  in  Children's  Memorial  Hospital,  Chicago.  He  began  his 
practice  in  Joliet  in  1923  with  offices  in  the  Morris  Building.  Dr.  Carey 
is  a  member  of  the  staffs  of  the  Children's  Memorial  Hospital,  Chicago ; 
Wesley  Hospital,  Chicago;  Passavant  Hospital,  Chicago;  Silver  Cross 
Hospital  and  St.  Joseph's  Hospital,  Joliet.  He  is  an  associate  in  pedi- 
atrics at  Northwestern  Medical  School,  and  is  identified  with  the  Will 
County  Medical  Society,  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American 
Medical  Association. 

In  1923  Dr.  Carey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Frances  Powers, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Powers  of  Chicago.  They  have  two 
sons,  John  III,  and  Edwin. 

Dr.  Carey  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Raymond's  Catholic 
Church,  and  belongs  to  Nu  Sigma  Nu  Fraternity,  Joliet  Country  Club, 
and  American  Legion. 

During  the  World  War  Dr.  Carey  was  attached  to  the  Student  Army 
Training  Corps. 


John  L.  Carlson. — A  prominent  figure  in  banking  circles  in  Joliet  is 
John  L.  Carlson,  who  is  first  vice  president  of  the  Will  County  National 
Bank.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  March  24,  1868,  the  son  of  C.  J.  Carl- 
son.   C.  J.  Carlson  spent  his  entire  life  in  Sweden  and  is  now  deceased. 

John  L.  Carlson  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
land  and  in  early  youth  was  an  apprenticed  drug  clerk.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  about  1884  and  settled  at  Rockford,  111.  Later  he  entered 
Northwestern  College  of  Pharmacy  and  began  his  professional  drug 
work  in  Chicago.    He  located  in    Joliet  in  1889  and  for  two  years  was 


664  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

employed  in  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  Dougall,  at  Cass  and  Collins  streets. 
Mr.  Carlson  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  business  in  1891  and  devoted 
his  entire  time  to  this  business  until  February,  1920,  at  which  time  he 
retired  from  active  business.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  Will 
County  National  Bank  as  a  director  since  1901.  He  was  elected  second 
vice  president  of  the  institution  in  1922  and  later  succeeded  Dr.  Folker 
as  first  vice  president  after  the  tatter's  death. 

In  1898  Mr.  Carlson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Carrie  Marsh, 
the  daughter  of  Henry  Marsh,  of  Joliet.  Mr.  Marsh,  deceased,  was  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  War. 

In  politics  Mr.  Carlson  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  has  served 
as  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  of  Will  County  almost 
continuously  since  1896,  and  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  board  of 
police  and  fire  commissioners.  He  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Medinah  Temple,  Chicago;  and  he  also  belongs  to 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Joseph  A.  Zerbes,  justice  of  the  peace,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
substantial  citizens  of  Joliet,  where  he  was  born,  Sept.  24,  1880.  He 
is  a  son  of  Casper  and  Anna  (Rademacher)  Zerbes. 

Casper  Zerbes  was  born  in  Trier,  Germany.  He  served  in  the  Ger- 
man army  during  the  Franco-Prussian  War  and  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  about  1873.  He  located  first  at  Joliet  and  later  purchased  a 
farm  in  Plainfield  Township,  which  he  sold  in  1904.  He  spent  the  fol- 
lowing eight  years  in  Kansas  as  a  farmer  and  upon  his  return  to 
Joliet  in  1912,  lived  retired.  He  died  in  March,  1917,  and  is  buried  at 
Joliet.  His  wife,  who  died  in  1882,  was  a  native  of  Joliet  Township. 
Mr.  Zerbes  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
There  were  four  children  in  the  Zerbes  family:  Frank,  a  farmer,  lives 
at  Troy,  111.;  Eliabeth,  married  Henry  Dwenger,  lives  at  Joliet;  Anna, 
married  Frank  Metzinger,  lives  at  Caldwell,  Kans. ;  and  Joseph  A.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Joseph  A.  Zerbes  attended  the  public  schools  of  Plainfield,  111.,  and 
spent  his  youth  on  his  father's  farm.    He  went  to  Kansas  in  1904  but 


JOSEPH   A.   ZERBES 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  665 

the  following  year  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he  successfully  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  business  until  1918,  specializing  in  the  sale  of  Western 
lands.  Since  1918  he  has  been  interested  in  the  general  insurance  busi- 
ness, and  also  deals  extensively  in  the  sale  of  farm  lands.  He  has  offices 
in  the  Barber  Building.  In  April,  1925,  Mr.  Zerbes  was  elected  justice 
of  the  peace. 

In  June,  1906,  Mr.  Zerbes  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Angela 
Kraker,  the  daughter  of  Marcus  and  Jacobina  (Gorgas)  Kraker,  the 
former  a  native  of  Australia,  and  the  latter  of  Germany.  Mr.  Kraker 
was  president  of  the  Joliet  Limestone  Company.  He  died  in  October, 
1924,  and  his  wife  died  in  1922.    They  are  buried  at  Joliet. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zerbes  have  two  daughters,  Celia  Rose  and  Anna. 

Mr.  Zerbes  holds  membership  in  the  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to 
the  Eagles  Lodge,  Ariel  No.  377,  Lions  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Roy  B.  Leach,  M.  D. — An  experienced  physician  and  public  spirited 
citizen,  Dr.  Roy  B.  Leach  is  numbered  among  the  representative  men  of 
Joliet,  and  is  one  who  has  honorably  won  the  position  he  holds  in  his 
profession.  He  was  born  at  Gardner,  Grundy  County,  111.,  Oct.  31, 
1876,  the  son  of  Henry  and  lone  (Howland)  Leach.  A  complete  sketch 
of  Henry  Leach  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

Roy  B.  Leach  attended  the  grammar  and  high  school  of  Gardner 
and  Joliet,  being  graduated  from  Joliet  High  School  in  1897.  He  then 
entered  Rush  Medical  College  in  affiliation  with  University  of  Chicago, 
from  which  he  received  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1901.  For 
a  year  thereafter  he  was  interne  at  the  Englewood  Hospital,  Chicago, 
and  engaged  in  practice  at  Victoria,  Mich.,  in  1902.  The  following 
year  he  came  to  Joliet  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  private  practice. 
He  has  taken  post  graduate  work  at  Harvard  University. 

In  1903  Dr.  Leach  was  married  to  Miss  Edna  Stevens,  the  daughter 
of  R.  B.  and  Olive  (Cope)  Stevens.  The  Stevens  family  settled  at 
Pawnee,  Neb.,  where  Mr.  Stevens  was  engaged  in  general  farming  for 
many  years.  Mr.  Stevens  died  April  28,  1928,  aged  92  years.  His  wife 
is  deceased,  having  died  at  age  of  47.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Leach  have 
been  born  two  sons:    Robert,  born  Nov.  3,  1908,  a  graduate  of  Joliet 


666  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Township  High  School,  attends  Lombard  College;  and  Arthur  Clinton, 
born  Aug.  2,  1913,  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School. 

Dr.  Leach  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Universalist  Church  and  is 
president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge, 
Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Rotary  Club.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Will 
County  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  has  served  as  president,  and  he 
also  belongs  to  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and  American  Medical 
Association.  Dr.  Leach  is  connected  with  the  staffs  of  St.  Joseph's  Hos- 
pital and  Silver  Cross  Hospital. 


Leonard  W.  Braham,  farm  adviser  of  Will  County,  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War,  and  one  of  the  most  popular  young  men  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  at  Youngstown,  Ohio,  April  6,  1895,  the  son  of  Robert  R. 
and  Olive  (Wilkin)  Braham. 

Both  Robert  Braham  and  his  wife  are  natives  of  Butler  County,  Pa. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  attended  Grove  City  College. 
He  began  his  business  career  as  field  agent  for  the  Manufacturers  Light 
&  Heat  Company  of  Pittsburgh,  and  is  still  identified  with  this  business. 
In  1911  Mr.  Braham  purchased  a  farm  near  New  Wilmington,  Pa.,  where 
he  resides.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Braham  the  following  children  were  born:  Hall  B.,  a 
World  War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  30th  Engineers,  at  Fort 
Meyer,  Va.,  where  he  died.  He  is  buried  at  New  Wilmington,  Pa.; 
W.  Walter,  attorney,  member  of  the  firm  of  Aiken  &  Braham,  New 
Castle,  Pa.,  is  a  World  War  veteran,  having  served  as  a  sergeant  in  the 
U.  S.  Medical  Corps;  Leonard  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Eleanor  J., 
married  J.  Glenn  Berry,  lives  at  Pittsburgh;  Olive  L.,  married  Donald 
Crowe,  lives  at  New  Brighton,  Pa.;  Anna,  deceased;  Mary  E.,  and 
Lillie  I.,  both  at  home. 

Leonard  W.  Braham  attended  the  rural  schools  of  Lawrence  County, 
Pa.,  and  in  1913  was  graduated  from  New  Wilmington  High  School. 
Four  years  later  he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  from 
Westminster  College ;  and  in  June  of  that  year  he  enlisted  for  service  in 
the  World  War.  He  was  attached  to  the  Eleventh  Field  Artillery,  Head- 
quarters Company,  Sixth  Division  and  sent  to  Douglas,  Ariz.    He  went 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  667 

to  France  in  1918  and  participated  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive. 
Mr.  Braham  was  enrolled  at  the  University  of  Grenoble  while  serving 
in  France.  He  was  discharged  from  the  service  with  the  rank  of  cor- 
poral on  July  24,  1919.  In  September  he  took  up  the  teaching  profes- 
sion as  principal  of  the  school  at  Library,  Pa.  Two  months  later  he 
entered  Michigan  Agricultural  College  where  he  specialized  in  the  study 
of  animal  husbandry.  In  the  fall  of  1920  he  entered  the  University  of 
Illinois,  from  which  he  was  graduated  two  years  later  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  Agriculture.  He  then  went  to  Hindsboro,  HI., 
where  he  was  in  charge  of  the  department  of  agriculture  in  the  Com- 
munity High  School.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  January,  1928,  to  accept  his 
present  position  as  farm  adviser  of  Will  County. 

In  August,  1923,  Mr.  Braham  married  Miss  Agnes  H.  Little,  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Agnes  Little,  of  Pittsburgh.  They  have  two 
daughters,  Betty  Agnes  and  Mary  Jane. 

Mr.  Braham  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  belongs  to  the 
American  Legion  and  Hindsboro  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  837.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Farm  Bureau. 


Michael  Freeman.  Among  the  old  residents  and  highly  respected 
citizens  of  Joliet,  Michael  Freeman  is  one  of  the  best  known.  He  was 
born  at  Vilna,  Russia,  in  1868,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Rebecca  (Ruzeitski) 
Freeman. 

Jacob  Freeman  and  his  wife  came  to  the  United  States  in  1892  and 
settled  in  Chicago,  where  for  many  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business.  In  1899  he  removed  to  Joliet  where  he  lived  retired  until 
his  death.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  Chicago,  111.  To  Jacob 
and  Rebecca  (Ruzeitski)  Freeman  five  children  were  born:  Harry, 
deceased,  buried  at  Joliet;  Michael,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Louis 
died  in  1927,  buried  in  Chicago;  Samuel,  lives  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif.; 
and  William,  deceased,  buried  in  Chicago. 

Michael  Freeman  attended  the  public  schools  of  Russia.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1890  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  worked 
at  his  trade  that  of  a  carpenter.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1899  and  estab- 
lished the  Illinois  Iron  and  Metal  Yards  on  Northeastern  Avenue,  and 


668  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

in  1917  removed  to  Third  Avenue  and  established  a  yard.  He  retired 
on  June  6,  1927.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Jewish  Hebrew  Federation. 

Michael  Freeman  married  Miss  Florence  B.  Schiff,  a  daughter  of 
Isaac  Schiff.  Mr.  Schiff  was  born  in  Germany  and  was  a  merchant. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  and  lived  retired  until  his  death.  He  is 
buried  in  Chicago.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  five  children  were  born: 
Lillian,  married  Louis  Roth,  lives  in  Joliet;  Ernest,  born  Nov.  2,  1901; 
Sarah,  married  H.  Borkson,  Joliet;  and  Jacob  and  Samuel,  twins,  live 
in  Joliet.  The  mother,  Florence  B.  (Schiff)  Freeman  died  in  1915  and 
is  buried  in  Waldheim  Cemetery,  Chicago,  111. 

Ernest  Freeman  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  for  three 
years  was  a  student  at  Joliet  Township  High  School.  When  his  school 
days  were  ended  he  found  a  place  ready  for  him  in  his  father's  business 
which  was  founded  in  1899.  He  has  never  been  in  any  other  business. 
Since  June  6,  1927  he  has  been  owner  and  manager. 

The  Freeman  home  is  at  115  Third  Avenue,  Joliet. 


George  A.  Le  Riche  is  among  the  progressive  young  business  men 
of  Joliet,  where  he  is  superintendent  of  transportation  for  the  Chicago- 
Joliet  Electric  Railway  Company.  He  was  born  at  New  Brunswick, 
Canada,  May  26,  1895,  a  son  of  George  D.  and  Louise  (Blackhall)  Le 
Riche. 

George  D.  Le  Riche  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  Channel  Islands, 
Great  Britain,  in  1866,  and  his  wife  was  born  in  New  Brunswick,  Can- 
ada. He  went  to  Canada  in  1880  as  an  apprentice  clerk  for  a  fish  export- 
ing company,  and  now  holds  the  position  of  general  manager  for  the 
Robins,  Jones,  &  Whitman  Company,  fish  exporters.  He  is  prominent 
in  politics  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  Louise  (Black- 
hall)  Le  Riche  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Blackhall.  The 
former  is  deceased  and  the  latter  lives  in  Montreal,  Canada.  Mr.  Black- 
hall was  a  custom  official  for  many  years.  His  son,  J.  R.  Blackhall,  is 
general  manager  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  North  Shore  Railroad, 
vice  president  of  the  Chicago- Joliet  Electric  Railway  Company,  and  a 
leading  business  man  of  Joliet,  where  he  has  lived  for  many  years.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  D.  Le  Riche,  who  live  in  New  Brunswick,  Canada, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  669 

the  following  children  were  born:  George  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Ada,  lives  in  Montreal,  Canada;  Ethel,  student  nurse,  Caledonian  Hos- 
pital, Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Dalton,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.;  Vernon, 
lives  in  Montreal,  Canada ;  Eva,  lives  at  home ;  and  Mildred,  died  in  1927, 
is  buried  in  New  Brunswick,  Canada. 

George  A.  Le  Riche  spent  his  boyhood  in  Canada  and  in  1911  was 
graduated  from  Mt.  Allison  Academy.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1912  and 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago-Joliet  Electric  Railway  Company. 
He  was  later  put  in  charge  of  the  electric  light  department.     In  April, 

1918,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  War  and  attended  the  Bradley 
Polytechnicai  School  at  Peoria,  111.  He  was  then  transferred  to  a  radio 
school  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  and  later  attended  the  Field  Artillery  School 
at  Anniston,  Ala.     He  was  discharged  from  the  service  in  February, 

1919,  and  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he  resumed  his  work  with  the  Chi- 
cago-Joliet Electric  Railway  Company  as  storekeeper  and  purchasing 
agent.  In  1925  he  was  made  superintendent  of  automotive  equipment, 
and  on  Jan.  1,  1927,  was  promoted  to  assistant  general  manager.  He 
assumed  his  present  responsibilities  as  superintendent  of  transportation 
in  October,  1927. 

In  1919  Mr.  Le  Riche  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Clara  Brach, 
the  daughter  of  August  and  Amelia  Brach,  of  Willow  Springs,  111. 

In  politics  Mr.  Le  Riche  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and 
he  is  a  member  of  Matteson  lodge  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175,  B.  P.  0.  Elks 
No.  296,  American  Legion  Harwood  Post  No.  5,  Rotary  Club,  and  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  is  well 
known  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 


Charles  Joseph  Farley,  superintendent  and  joint  agent  for  the  Chi- 
cago &  Alton  Railroad  and  the  Santa  Fe  and  Rock  Island  Railroads  at 
the  Joliet  Union  Depot  Terminal,  is  widely  and  favorably  known 
throughout  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Braidwood,  111.,  Feb.  1,  1889, 
the  son  of  James  J.  and  Margaret  (Dougherty)  Farley. 

James  J.  Farley  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to  Massachusetts 
in  early  life.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  before  locating  at  Braidwood, 


670  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

111.,  where  he  was  interested  in  the  confectionery  and  grocery  business. 
He  died  in  1899  and  his  wife  died  in  1893.  They  are  buried  in  the 
Catholic  Cemetery  at  Braidwood.  Mr.  Farley  was  a  Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  Church.  There  were  four  chil- 
dren in  the  Farley  family:  Mame  and  Catherine,  live  at  Joliet;  Agnes, 
married  Thomas  Murphy,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  Charles  Joseph,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch. 

The  boyhood  of  Charles  Joseph  Farley  was  spent  at  Braidwood, 
where  he  attended  the  parochial  schools.  He  then  learned  telegraphy 
while  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad.  He  worked  at  vari- 
ous points  on  this  railroad  and  in  1907  was  transferred  to  the  accounting 
department,  where  he  did  special  work  on  station  accounts.  Three 
years  later  he  was  sent  to  Joliet  in  charge  of  the  ticket  department  of 
the  Chicago  &  Alton.  In  1910  he  became  associated  with  the  Santa 
Fe  Railroad  as  ticket  clerk  in  this  city.  On  Nov.  1,  1912,  when  the  new 
Union  Depot  was  erected  he  became  local  ticket  agent  and  in  1918 
succeeded  the  late  J.  C.  Fealey  as  superintendent  and  joint  agent  for 
the  Chicago  &  Alton,  Santa  Fe,  and  Rock  Island  Railroads.  For  many 
years  Mr.  Farley  has  conducted  various  organizations  on  tours  through- 
out the  United  States,  being  in  charge  of  personally  conducted  tours 
for  the  Shriners,  Knights  Templar,  Knights  of  Columbus,  Elks,  and 
American  Legion. 

Mr.  Farley  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's 
Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  4th  degree, 
Elks  lodge,  Rotary  Club,  and  Holy  Name  Society.  He  also  belongs  to 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Wilbur  A.  Barry,  mortician,  is  among  the  substantial  and  highly 
esteemed  business  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  April  13, 
1882,  the  son  of  Patrick  H.  and  Sarah  J.  (Neville)  Barry. 

Patrick  H.  Barry,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He 
was  born  at  Newry,  Ireland,  Jan.  1,  1835,  and  died  April  19,  1915.  His 
widow  was  born  at  Canton,  111.,  Jan.  26,  1849,  and  resides  at  Joliet. 
Mr.  Barry  came  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland  in  1851  and  settled 
in  Virginia.    Later  he  removed  to  Canton,  111.,  making  the  trip  by  horse 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  671 

and  wagon.  Throughout  the  Civil  War  he  served  as  a  member  of 
Company  K,  103rd  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg  and  was  with  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  March  to  the 
Sea.  After  his  discharge  from  the  service  Mr.  Barry  returned  to  Can- 
ton, 111.,  where  he  was  married.  He  then  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he 
was  employed  as  a  guard  at  the  Illinois  State  Penitentiary  for  almost 
30  years.  He  then  went  with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  and  was 
also  later  employed  by  the  Santa  Fe.  Later,  however,  he  returned  to 
his  former  employment  at  the  penitentiary,  at  Joliet.  Mr.  Barry  was 
a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church  and  belonged  to 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Two  sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Barry:  Wilbur  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Arthur  M., 
identified  with  the  Barry  Audit  Company,  Joliet. 

Wilbur  A.  Barry  has  always  lived  at  Joliet.  After  his  graduation 
from  St.  Mary's  High  School,  he  became  associated  with  the  Barrett 
Hardware  Company,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  as  shipping  clerk 
for  nine  years.  He  spent  the  following  12  years  as  manager  of  the 
mill  and  factory  supply  department  of  Poehner  &  Dillman,  hardware 
dealers.  He  then  purchased  the  interests  of  John  F.  Quinn  in  the 
undertaking  firm  of  Quinn  &  O'Neill,  the  firm  then  being  known  for 
six  years  as  O'Neill  &  Barry.  At  this  time  the  business  was  dissolved 
and  Mr.  Barry  became  owner.  It  is  now  known  as  the  Central  Funeral 
Chapel  and  is  located  at  651  Cass  Street. 

On  Feb.  8,  1908,  Mr.  Barry  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Alice 
E.  Bay  ley,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Connor)  Bay  ley,  natives  of 
Lockport,  111.  Mr.  Bayley,  who  died  Sept.  12,  1922,  was  an  engineer  on 
the  Illinois  Michigan  Canal,  and  later  superintendent  of  the  water  works 
at  Lockport.  His  widow  resides  at  Lockport.  Alice  E.  (Bayley)  Barry 
died  Oct.  12,  1922,  and  is  buried  at  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  Joliet.  She 
is  survived  by  a  son,  William  H.,  who  was  born  Feb.  19,  1915. 

Mr.  Barry  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  St.  Bernard's  Catholic 
Church  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Ancient  Order 
of  Hibernians,  Holy  Name  Society,  and  F.  0.  Eagles,  Ariel  No.  377. 
He  is  vitally  interested  in  the  Boy  Scout  movement  and  takes  an  active 
part  in  the  local  organization's  work. 


672  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Pence  Billings  Orr. — One  of  the  well  known  professional  men  of  Joliet 
is  Pence  Billings  Orr,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  who  commands  a 
substantial  general  law  practice  here,  with  offices  in  the  Will  County 
National  Bank  Building.  He  was  born  at  Columbus,  Bartholomew 
County,  Ind.,  March  9,  1883,  the  son  of  Hon.  John  C.  and  Rose  E.  (Bill- 
ings) Orr. 

Hon.  John  C.  Orr  was  born  near  Attica,  Fountain  County,  Ind.,  in 
1854.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Indiana  and  in  1876 
was  graduated  from  the  Law  School  of  the  University  of  Michigan.  He 
engaged  in  practice  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  for  a  short  time  but  later 
removed  to  Columbus,  Ind.,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  died  in  1893,  and  his  widow,  Rose  E.  Billings  Orr,  who  was  born 
at  Oxford,  Ohio,  in  April,  1854,  resides  at  Columbus.  Mr.  Orr  was  a 
Republican,  and  was  serving  as  acting  judge  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
Lawrence  F.  Orr,  at  present  State  Examiner  of  Accounts  for  the  State 
of  Indiana,  is  a  brother  of  Pence  Billings  Orr,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
Ella  M.  Orr,  a  sister,  lives  at  Columbus,  Ind. 

Pence  Billings  Orr  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Columbus, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1901.  He  received  his  degree  in  law 
from  the  University  of  Indianapolis  in  1905  and  on  May  23rd  of  that 
year  was  admitted  to  the  Indiana  State  Bar.  He  came  to  Joliet,  May 
29th  and  read  law  in  the  offices  of  the  late  Judge  George  L.  Cowing 
and  George  Young.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  State  bar  Oct.  16, 
1905,  and  has  practiced  independently  in  this  city  since  that  time.  He 
was  later  admitted  to  the  Federal  Court. 

On  Feb.  1,  1919,  Mr.  Orr  married  Miss  Edith  V.  Johnson,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Frederick  and  Emma  (Johnson)  Johnson  of  Joliet.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Johnson  are  both  living  at  Joliet. 

Mr.  Orr  is  a  Republican  and  served  as  assistant  attorney  general 
of  the  State  of  Illinois  for  seven  years  under  attorney  general  Brundage. 
He  is  assistant  commissioner  on  the  Illinois  Commerce  Commission.  Mr. 
Orr  is  identified  with  the  Will  County,  Illinois  State,  and  Amercan  Bar 
Associations. 

Mr.  Orr  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  he  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Paul  Revere  Lodge  No.  371;  he  was  Grand 
Chancellor  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Illinois  1924-5,  and  is  now  serv- 


•KM!-:    i:     ol:i: 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  673 

ing  as  representative  of  the  supreme  lodge  of  Illinois;  D.  0.  K.  K.  No. 
47  Aa  Zaz  Temple ;  Elks  lodge  No.  296 ;  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  300 ; 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  Modern  Woodmen  of  America ;  Mat- 
teson  Lodge  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27; 
Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S. ;  and 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Orr  enlisted  for  service  and  was  sent 
to  Camp  Gordon,  Georgia,  where  he  was  assigned  to  Company  D,  Second 
Infantry.  He  was  discharged  with  the  rank  of  sergeant,  Jan.  2,  1919. 
He  is  a  charter  member  and  one  of  the  organizers  of  American  Legion, 
Harwood  Post  No.  5,  and  was  a  member  of  the  first  executive  committee 
of  the  American  Legion  of  the  State  of  Illinois  in  1919  and  1920.  He 
also  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  "40  and  8"  society.  Mr.  Orr  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Union  Veterans  of  Civil  War. 


The  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post  No.  5,  Joliet. — The  American 
Legion  had  its  inception  in  Paris,  France,  on  Feb.  15  to  19,  1919,  when 
General  Headquarters  called  together  a  group  of  20  officers  to  confer 
with  certain  officers  of  the  regular  army  regarding  the  improvement 
of  conditions  and  the  development  of  contentment  in  the  American 
forces  in  France.  A  temporary  committee  was  formed  with  Lieut.  Col. 
Theodore  Roosevelt,  Jr.,  as  chairman  and  Lieut.  Col.  Eric  Fisher  Wood 
as  temporary  secretary. 

The  Paris  caucus  convened  at  the  American  Club  on  March  15,  16, 
and  17,  1919.  About  one  thousand  delegates,  of  all  ranks  from  private 
to  brigadier  general  attended  this  caucus.  They  selected  "The  American 
Legion"  as  a  tentative  name  and  also  adopted  a  tentative  constitution 
very  similar  to  what  became  later  the  permanent  constitution  at  Min- 
neapolis, Minn.  The  committee  met  in  Paris  on  April  17,  1919,  and 
appointed  a  committee  of  fifteen  to  work  in  the  United  States. 

A  caucus  was  called  in  St.  Louis,  May  9,  10,  1919.  Illinois  with  112 
delegates  had  the  largest  representation  at  this  gathering.  The  Illinois 
delegation  worked  harmoniously  and  its  efforts  were  felt  throughout 
the  entire  session.    A  State  Organization  Committee  was  elected,  com- 


674  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

posed  of  the  following:  Pence  B.  Orr,  Joliet ;  Robert  H.  Engle,  Freeport ; 
Thomas  F.  Harwood,  Bloomington ;  H.  W.  Weber,  Urbana ;  Leo  G.  Hanna, 
Peoria;  G.  G.  Seaman,  Taylorville;  J.  McGlynn,  East  St.  Louis;  W.  R. 
McCauley,  Olney;  Wm.  D.  Knight,  Rockford;  B.  J.  Arnold,  Chicago; 
J.  P.  Cummings,  Chicago;  C.  L.  Courier,  Chicago;  Marshall  Field  III, 
Chicago;  Cornelius  Lynd,  Chicago. 

On  March  15,  1919,  ten  ex-soldiers  met  at  Knapp's  Hall,  and  formed 
a  temporary  post.  Harwood  Post  No.  5  was  chartered  in  May,  1919, 
consisting  of  48  charter  members.  The  first  commander  of  the  post 
was  Rugar  Young,  1919;  Dr.  W.  R.  Fletcher,  1920;  R.  A.  P.  Holderby, 
1921;  Glenn  Cowing,  1922;  Pence  B.  Orr,  1923;  H.  E.  Newton,  1924; 
Ray  Bassett,  1925;  H.  C.  Todd,  1926;  J.  Paul  O'Hern,  1927;  Dr.  W. 
Preston,  1928.  On  Aug.  29  and  30,  1927,  the  Illinois  State  Convention 
was  held  in  Joliet,  and  from  10  to  12  thousand  ex-soldiers  were  in  the 
line  of  march. 

Harwood  Post  No.  5  has  a  membership  of  about  800  men. 


James  L.  Longley,  one  of  the  solid  citizens  and  business  men  of 
Joliet,  111.,  and  president  of  the  Adam  Groth  Company,  was  born  in 
Hammond,  Wis.,  May  4,  1874.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  L.  and  Helen  K. 
(Dunning)   Longley. 

Thomas  L.  Longley  was  born  in  Hawley,  Mass.  As  a  young  boy  he 
learned  the  telegrapher's  trade  and  worked  for  the  Michigan  Central 
Railroad.  He  was  with  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad  for  a 
time  and  then  returned  to  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad,  and  for  many 
years  was  general  agent  for  the  company  at  Michigan  City.  He  took  a 
keen  interest  in  politics  and  belonged  to  the  Republican  party.  His  wife 
was  born  on  a  farm  near  Rockford,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Longley  five 
children  were  born:  Maude,  deceased;  James  L.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Russell,  deceased;  Alphie,  married  Charles  T.  Mason,  a  sketch 
of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history;  and  Ralph  D.,  lives  in 
Chicago.  He  served  in  France  with  the  Engineers  during  the  World 
War,  and  was  a  second  lieutenant. 

James  L.  Longley  attended  the  public  and  high  school  of  Joliet. 
After  leaving  school  he  entered  the  employ  of  Poehner  &  Dillman  as 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  675 

an  apprentice  plumber,  and  upon  mastering  the  trade  remained  with 
them  eight  years.  In  1904  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Adam  Groth  & 
Company  in  the  capacity  of  clerk,  later  working  up  as  bookkeeper,  and 
later  as  assistant  manager  of  the  plant.  In  1920  he  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  company. 

In  1904  Mr.  Longley  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lucy  M. 
Groth,  a  daughter  of  Adam  and  Wilhelmina  F.  (Fallscheer)  Groth,  fur- 
ther mention  of  whom  is  made  below.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Longley  three 
children  have  been  born :  Russell  G.,  born  in  1907,  attends  the  University 
of  Illinois ;  Gordon  J.,  born  in  1910,  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  basket  ball  team ;  and  Willa,  born  in  February, 
1915,  a  student. 

Adam  Groth  was  born  in  Marbourg,  Germany,  in  1847.  At  the  age 
of  fifteen  years  he  learned  the  stone  cutter's  trade,  and  in  winter  studied 
drafting  and  architecture.  In  1866  he  sailed  for  the  United  States  on 
the  sailing  vessel  "Anna,"  which  took  53  days  to  cross  the  ocean.  He 
landed  in  Baltimore,  and  in  1871  removed  to  Chicago,  111.  He  was  fore- 
man during  the  construction  of  the  Sherman  House,  County  Jail  and 
Court  House  in  Chicago.  In  1876  he  opened  a  stone  quarry  near  Wau- 
sau,  Wis.  In  1882  he  returned  to  Chicago,  and  in  1884  came  to  Joliet  as 
foreman  of  the  E.  R.  Brainard  Company.  In  1895  he  started  in  the  con- 
tracting business  for  himself  in  Joliet. 

Adam  Groth  married  Minnie  Fallscheer,  a  daughter  of  John  Fall- 
scheer, a  business  man  of  Chicago.  Mr.  Groth  died  Dec.  5,  1919,  and 
is  buried  in  Joliet.    His  widow  resides  in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Groth  took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs  and  from  1895 
to  1897  served  as  city  treasurer  of  Joliet.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Germania  Club  and  was  its  president  for  two  years.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Fraternally  he  was  affiliated  with 
Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No. 
27;  Joliet  Council,  R.  S.  M.  No.  82;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4; 
and  Royal  Arcanum. 

Mr.  Longley  is  a  member  of  the  Joliet  School  Board,  the  English 
Lutheran  Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  His  fraternal  affili- 
ations are:  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Council,  R.  M.  S.  No.  82;  Joliet  Commandery, 


676  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

K.  T.  No.  4,  of  which  he  was  Past  Commander  in  1921 ;  Ansar  Temple, 

A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Springfield,  111. ;  Joliet  Shrine  Club ;  Marguerite  Chap- 
ter, Order  Eastern  Star,   White   Shrine  of  Jerusalem,   Past  Patron; 

B.  P.  0.  Elks  No.  296.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
Rotary  Club,  Joliet  Country  Club,  Isaac  Walton  League,  Illinois  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  and  Chicago  Motor  Club.  Mr.  Longley  is  very  active 
in  Boy  Scout  work,  and  is  serving  as  president  of  the  Boy  Scout  Council 
of  Will  County. 

During  the  time  Mr.  Groth  was  in  the  construction  business  he 
built  the  Post  Office,  Library  and  Union  Depot  at  Joliet. 


Adam  Groth  Company,  Joliet,  was  organized  in  1897  by  Adam  Groth, 
who  died  in  December,  1919.  It  was  incorporated  in  1902  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  Adam  Groth,  president  and  treasurer;  Carl  A.  Groth, 
vice  president;  and  Miss  Lucy  Groth,  secretary.  It  has  a  capital  stock 
of  $50,000.00  and  a  surplus  of  $250,000.00.  The  present  officers  are: 
James  L.  Longley,  president;  R.  C.  Allen,  vice  president;  and  Lucy  G. 
Longley,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

Adam  Groth  Company  are  dealers  in  exterior  cut  stone  and  specialize 
in  interior  marble  work.  The  stone  is  brought  from  quarries  in  Indiana 
and  Minnesota  to  this  modern  factory.  The  plant  covers  four  acres  of 
ground  and  employs  approximately  100  men.  Equipment  in  their  shops 
includes:  Seven  planers,  two  diamond  saws,  two  air  compressors,  one 
carborundum  machine,  one  milling  machine,  two  inside  cranes,  one  out- 
side crane,  two  lathes,  four  gang  saws,  one  coper,  two  polishing  ma- 
chines and  two  rubbing  beds. 

Adam  Groth  Company  furnished  the  cut  stone  and  built  the  follow- 
ing: Post  office,  in  1904;  The  Public  Library,  in  1904;  St.  Joseph  Cath- 
olic Church  North,  Chicago  Street,  in  1904;  The  English  Lutheran 
Church,  1908;  The  First  National  Bank  building,  1909;  The  Woodruff 
building,  now  known  as  the  Morris  building,  1910 ;  and  the  Union  Depot 
was  finished  in  1911.  In  1921  the  Lincoln  School  was  built.  They 
supplied  cut  stone  for  Joliet  High  School ;  Culbertson  School ;  Washing- 
ton School;  Marsh  School;  Will  County  National  Bank;  First  Baptist 
Church  at  Eastern  and  Clinton  Streets;  St.  Francis  Academy;  The 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  677 

DeSalle  High  School;  Guardian  Angels  Home;  and  Temple  for  Joliet 
Jewish  Federation.  Their  1928  contracts  for  cut  stone  include  the 
furniture  factory  and  administration  buildings  of  the  Illinois  State 
Penitentiary,  and  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building.  They  have  had  the  contracts 
for  the  interior  marble  work  in  the  construction  of  the  Will  County 
Bank,  Elks  Building,  Clinton  Square  Hotel,  and  modern  additions  and 
alterations  in  the  First  National  Bank. 


George  Lee  Morris.  Among  the  younger  men  prominent  in  the 
business  and  social  life  of  Joliet,  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  is  George 
Lee  Morris,  a  native  of  this  city.  He  was  born  here  May  25,  1890,  a 
son  of  James  and  Jennie  (Owen)  Morris. 

James  Morris  was  born  in  Godrich,  Canada,  Oct.  31,  1868.  He  came 
with  his  father,  William  Morris,  to  Joliet  when  he  was  four  years  of  age, 
and  has  always  resided  in  this  city.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
and  afterward  worked  as  a  fireman  on  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern 
Railroad.  He  was  later  promoted  to  engineer  and  has  served  in  this 
capacity  for  over  30  years.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Loco- 
motive Engineers.  Mrs.  Morris  was  born  in  Williamsburg,  Kan.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris  seven  children  were  born:  George  Lee,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Samuel,  deceased,  buried  in  Joliet;  Harold,  a  deputy 
assessor,  Joliet,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  France 
with  the  motor  mechanic  division;  Raymond,  a  veteran  of  the  World 
War,  served  in  France  with  the  U.  S.  Navy  Aviation,  now  manager 
of  the  Morris  Brothers  Coal  Company,  Joliet;  James,  Jr.,  born  Feb.  1, 
1901,  with  the  Deep  Water  Way;  Owen,  a  fireman  on  the  St.  Paul  Rail- 
road, Joliet ;  and  Jacob,  deceased. 

George  Lee  Morris  was  graduated  from  the  Joliet  Township  High 
School  in  1906,  and  from  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  in  1911,  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  His  first  position  was  with  the  Amer- 
ican Bridge  Company  as  a  structural  engineer. 

In  June,  1917,  Mr.  Morris  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army  and  attended 
the  Officers  Reserve  School  at  Fort  Sheridan  and  was  commissioned 
a  first  lieutenant  in  the  field  artillery.    He  was  then  sent  as  a  casual 


678  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

to  France  where  he  attended  the  Field  Artillery  School  at  Samur,  later 
going  to  Port  du  Vincennes,  France.  He  was  then  assigned  to  the  31st 
Coast  Artillery,  attached  to  the  26th  Division.  On  March  5,  1919.  Mr. 
Morris  was  discharged  as  a  first  lieutenant.  He  now  holds  a  commission 
as  a  captain  in  the  U.  S.  Reserve  Corps.  After  his  discharge  from 
the  service,  Mr.  Morris  returned  to  the  American  Bridge  Company  as 
an  engineer,  which  position  he  resigned  in  1920.  In  the  fall  of  1920  he 
with  his  brothers  organized  the  Morris  Brothers  Coal  Company,  and 
he  assumed  charge  of  the  business,  in  which  he  is  still  interested. 
On  April  6,  1926,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  assessor  for  Joliet 
Township  and  is  still  serving  in  that  position. 

In  1917  Mr.  Morris  was  married  to  Miss  Florence  Lindskog,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Axel  and  Alma  (Sunden)  Lindskog,  both  natives  of  Sweden.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lindskog  were  married  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  interested 
in  the  theatre  business.  He  is  deceased  and  is  buried  in  Los  Angeles, 
where  his  widow  now  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris  have  two  children: 
Victoria  Irene,  a  student,  and  Robert  Lee.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Morris  is  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Harwood 
Post,  No.  5,  American  Legion;  the  "40  and  8"  Society,  Matteson  Lodge, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175;  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Ozias  W.  McGovney,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Will  County  National 
Bank,  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Manhattan, 
May  22,  1887,  a  son  of  Ozias  Erwin  and  Georgia  C.  (Knapp)  McGovney. 

Ozias  Erwin  McGovney  was  born  in  Mokena,  Will  County,  111.,  in 
1855.  He  began  his  career  as  a  merchant  in  Manhattan,  111.,  where 
he  also  served  as  first  mayor  of  the  town.  He  later  removed  to  Mokena, 
111.,  where  he  followed  the  mercantile  and  insurance  business.  He  was 
postmaster  of  Mokena  for  over  13  years,  and  also  served  on  the  school 
board,  and  was  president  of  the  village  board.  Politically  he  was  a 
Republican.  He  died  in  1910  and  is  buried  in  Marshall  Cemetery,  New 
Lenox  Township,  Will  County.  His  widow,  who  was  born  in  Chicago, 
resides  in  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGovney  five  sons  were  born:  1. 
Ona  E.,  Mokena,  111.,  engaged  in  real  estate  and  insurance,  was  a  former 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  679 

postmaster.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  2.  Alvin 
E.,  lives  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  is  with  the  Foundation  Press  Company. 
Member  of  Masonic  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  3.  Edgar  E.,  serving  in  the 
United  States  Army,  stationed  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  is  a  veteran 
of  the  World  War ;  is  also  a  Mason,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  4.  Chester  A.,  special 
teller  with  the  Continental  National  Bank  &  Trust  Company,  Maywood, 
111.,  also  a  Mason,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.    5.  Ozias  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Ozias  Erwin  McGovney  was  the  son  of  Ozias  and  Matilda  J.  (Els- 
worth)  McGovney.  He  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  4,  1824, 
and  came  to  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  in  1831  with  his 
parents.  At  the  age  of  25  years  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  became 
an  attorney  and  solicitor  in  the  courts  of  Illinois.  He  held  the  office 
of  postmaster  for  three  years;  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  and 
held  that  office  for  21  years.  On  Jan.  20,  1846,  he  married  Matilda  J. 
Elsworth,  who  was  bora  Feb.  23,  1829,  in  Onondaga  County,  New  York. 
To  this  union  eight  children  were  born:  Sarah,  Nancy  0.,  Ozias  Erwin, 
Emily  M.,  Hattie,  Arthur  W.,  Jessie,  and  William  W. 

Ozias  McGovney  was  the  son  of  John  McGovney  who  was  a  son  of 
James  McGovney,  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  and  settled  in  Adams  County,  Ohio.  In  1831  John  McGovney 
removed  to  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  and  laid  out  the  first 
addition  to  Mokena,  and  was  one  of  its  earliest  pioneers. 

Ozias  W.  McGovney  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Mokena, 
and  Oak  Park  High  School,  Oak  Park,  111.  He  worked  in  the  post  office 
at  Mokena  as  a  clerk,  and  in  1917  came  to  Joliet  where  he  was  employed 
as  a  clerk  in  the  collection  department  of  the  Will  County  National 
Bank. 

On  April  2,  1918,  Mr.  McGovney  enlisted  in  the  72nd  Battery,  Heavy 
Artillery,  at  Fort  Williams,  Maine,  being  later  transferred  to  Headquar- 
ters Ordinance  Department,  Fort  Williams,  and  appointed  corporal.  He 
did  clerical  work.  He  was  discharged  in  January,  1919,  and  returned 
to  the  Will  County  National  Bank  as  receiving  teller.  In  January,  1926, 
he  was  elected  assistant  cashier. 

Mr.  McGovney  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  his  fraternal  affilia- 
tions are  with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175;  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America ;  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post  No.  5 ;  and  the  Joliet 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


680  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Albion  F.  Delander,  county  clerk  of  Will  County,  111.,  was  born  in 
Madrid,  Iowa,  Dec.  30,  1883,  the  son  of  Eric  J.  and  Anna  S.  (Swanson) 
Delander. 

Eric  J.  Delander  was  born  in  Madrid,  Iowa,  a  son  of  John  and  Anna 
M.  Delander,  natives  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in 
early  life  and  located  at  Madrid,  Iowa.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  serving  in  the  32nd  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  died  in  early 
manhood  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  Nov.  14,  1832,  resides  in  Madrid, 
and  is  now  95  years  of  age. 

Eric  J.  Delander  was  reared  on  his  mother's  farm  and  attended  the 
district  schools.  On  Sept.  13,  1882,  he  was  married  at  Madrid,  to  Anna 
S.  Swanson,  born  in  Jerns-Socken,  Sweden,  June  27,  1862.  She  died 
Nov.  30,  1925,  and  is  buried  in  Joliet,  111.,  where  Mr.  Delander  now 
resides.  Mr.  Delander  removed  to  Joliet  from  Iowa  in  1888  and  was 
connected  with  P.  E.  Holstrom,  retail  grocer  for  a  time.  Later  he  was 
appointed  a  mail  carrier  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  33  years  until 
he  retired.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Delander  six  children  were  born:  Albion  F.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch ;  Earl  D.,  born  June  26,  1885,  died  March  18,  1891, 
buried  in  Joliet;  Harry  L.,  born  Aug.  23,  1887,  lives  at  Wilmette,  111.; 
Grace  L.,  born  Oct.  4,  1889,  died  April  20,  1891,  buried  in  Joliet;  Earl 
D.,  born  Oct.  2,  1892,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  Edas  J.,  born  Oct.  19,  1893, 
lives  at  Joliet.  During  the  World  War  he  served  in  the  383rd  Motor 
Transport  Corps. 

Albion  F.  Delander  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and 
graduated  from  Joliet  High  School  in  1904.  He  then  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Illinois  Bell  Telephone  Company  where  he  remained  until  appointed 
deputy  county  clerk.  In  1922  he  was  elected  county  clerk  of  Will  County 
on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  in  1926  was  re-elected. 

On  Sept.  4,  1907,  Mr.  Delander  was  married  to  Eleanor  L.  Strom- 
beck,  a  daughter  of  Peter  G.  and  Wilhelmina  Strombeck,  natives  of 
Sweden.  Mr.  Strombeck  was  born  in  1857  and  is  now  deceased.  His 
widow  was  born  in  1855,  and  died  Feb.  29,  1928.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Delander  four  children  have  been  born.  1.  Lois  Eleanor,  born  Feb.  14, 
1911,  a  student  in  the  Joliet  Township  High  School.  She  had  the  dis- 
tinction of  winning  the  beauty  contest  at  Atlantic  City  and  became  Miss 
America  in  1927.    2.  Norma  Lorraine,  born  May  5,  1912,  a  student  in 


f.   di:i.a.\I'i;i: 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  681 

the  Joliet  Township  High  School.     3.  Richard  Marshall,  born  Jan.  28, 
1917,  a  student;  and  4.  Donald  Wesley,  born  Sept.  17,  1923. 

Mr.  Delander  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Fraternally  he 
is  a  Mason,  being  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  175 ;  the 
Elks,  No.  296,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Moose  Club,  and  is  past  president 
of  the  John  Ericcson  Republican  Club  of  Will  County.  The  Knights  of 
Pythias;  Paul  Revere  Lodge  No.  371;  Kiwanis  Club;  Izaak  Walton 
League  and  Old  Scouts  Club.  Mr.  Delander  has  an  excellent  standing  in 
the  county  and  is  highly  esteemed. 


Thomas  Flint.  In  the  distribution  of  dairy  products  in  Joliet  and 
surrounding  territory,  Thomas  Flint,  president  of  the  Flint  Sanitary 
Milk  Company,  holds  a  leading  position,  his  usefulness  in  this  vital 
branch  of  business  activity  contributing  largely  to  the  health  and  wel- 
fare of  the  people.  A  man  of  large  initiative  and  the  fearless  spirit 
of  the  pioneer  in  worthy  effort,  Mr.  Flint  was  a  leader  in  installing 
modern  methods  in  the  handling  and  distribution  of  milk,  and  he  is 
interested  in  other  dairy  products  as  well.  He  was  born  at  Skane,  south 
of  Sweden,  in  1869,  a  son  of  Nels  and  Gertrude  (Nelson)  Flint. 

Nels  Flint  came  to  the  United  States  in  1881  and  located  at  Lemont, 
111.,  where  he  worked  in  the  stone  quarries.  In  the  fall  of  1883  he  went 
to  Edmondson  County,  Ky.,  where  he  bought  land  and  farmed.  Later 
he  returned  to  Lemont,  and  in  1889  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  died 
in  1913.  Mrs.  Flint  died  in  1881.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren: Nels,  Sweden;  August,  Joliet;  Axel,  president  Joliet  Calendar 
Company;  Johanna,  married  Peter  Munson,  Joliet;  Thomas,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Oliver,  Joliet;  Anna  P.,  Rock  Island,  111.;  Mrs.  M.  C. 
Linburg,  Rock  Island ;  and  Wilhelmina,  married  Ernest  Anderson,  Joliet. 

Thomas  Flint  acquired  a  common  school  education  in  Sweden  and 
attended  school  in  Lemont  for  several  years.  In  1888  his  brother,  Axel, 
started  in  the  dairy  business,  handling  milk  both  wholesale  and  retail, 
and  in  1893  Thomas  Flint  became  associated  with  the  business,  so  that 
his  continuous  record  of  activity  covers  a  period  of  35  years.  In  1894 
another  brother,  Oliver,  joined  the  firm.  In  1923  Axel  Flint  sold  his 
interest,  and  the  business  is  now  owned  by  Thomas  and  Oliver  Flint. 
Since  1900  the  plant  has  been  located  at  406  Collins  Street.  The  com- 
pany also  do  a  very  considerable  business  in  butter,  ice  cream,  as  well 


682  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

as  in  milk,  and  represent  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  interests  of  this 
nature  in  the  State,  as  well  as  the  largest  concern  of  its  kind. 

In  1895  Mr.  Thomas  Flint  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Marie  Ander- 
son, a  native  of  Sweden,  who  came  alone  to  the  United  States  at  the  age 
of  16,  and  lived  in  Joliet.  To  this  union  four  children  have  been  born: 
Clara;  Mrs.  Edwin  Johnson;  Theodore,  Secretary  Flint  Sanitary  Milk 
Company;  and  Gertrude,  at  home. 

Mr.  Flint's  religious  connection  is  with  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church, 
of  which  he  is  a  trustee.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Joliet 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Axel  Flint,  president  of  the  Joliet  Calendar  Company,  is  a  well  known 
business  man  of  this  city.  He  was  born  at  Lands  Krona,  Sweden,  in 
1864,  a  son  of  Nels  and  Gertrude  (Nelson)  Flint. 

Nels  Flint  came  to  the  United  States  in  1881.  He  located  at  Lemont, 
111.,  and  worked  in  the  stone  quarries.  In  the  fall  of  1883  he  went  to 
Edmondson  County,  Ky.,  where  he  bought  a  farm,  later  returning  to 
Lemont.  In  1889  he  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  died  in  1914.  Mrs. 
Flint  died  in  1881  in  Sweden.  To  this  union  the  following  children 
were  born:  Nels,  Sweden;  August,  resides  in  Joliet;  Axel,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Johanna,  married  Peter  Munson,  Joliet;  Thomas,  and 
Oliver,  Joliet;  Anna  P.,  Rock  Island;  Mrs.  M.  C.  Lindberg,  Rock  Island; 
and  Wilhelmina,  married  Ernest  Anderson,  Joliet. 

Axel  Flint  attended  the  public  schools  in  Sweden  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1883.  The  same  year  he  accompanied  his  father  to 
Kentucky,  but  in  1884  returned  to  Lemont,  111.,  where  he  worked  on  a 
farm  for  a  time.  In  1885  he  moved  to  Lockport,  where  he  worked  in 
a  flour  mill.  In  1888  he  entered  the  employ  of  C.  M.  Sprague,  where  he 
worked  at  the  dairy  business,  and  in  1892  he  established  himself  in  the 
milk  business  in  a  very  small  way.  This  business  gradually  increased 
under  his  personal  supervision  to  be  one  of  the  largest  distributors  of 
milk  and  dairy  products  in  Will  County.  In  1895  he  found  it  advisable 
to  take  a  partner,  and  at  that  time  his  brother  Thomas  became  asso- 
ciated with  him.  In  1896  another  brother,  Oliver,  was  taken  into  the 
firm.  Axel  Flint  was  president  of  the  company,  the  name  of  the  con- 
cern becoming  the  Flint  Sanitary  Milk  Company.  He  remained  as  the 
head  of  this  business  until  1923  when  he  sold  his  interest  and  resigned. 
He  had  in  the  meantime  acquired  considerable  stock  in  the  Joliet  Cal- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  683 

endar  Company,  and  in  1917  was  elected  president,  and  in  1923  became 
the  active  president.  The  other  members  of  the  firm  are:  C.  H.  Peter- 
son, secretary,  and  Peter  A.  Goodmanson,  vice  president. 

The  Joliet  Calendar  Company  are  general  printers  and  manufac- 
turers of  commercial  calendars.  The  company  is  incorporated  for 
$50,000.00.  They  do  a  large  business  and  it  extends  over  the  United 
States  and  Mexico,  as  well  as  Canada.  They  employ  50  salesmen,  and 
35  employes  in  the  plant,  which  is  located  at  905  Benton  Street.  In 
1928  the  Company  erected  a  modern  building  and  plant  on  Gardner 
Street,  at  a  cost  of  over  $100,000. 

Mr.  Flint  attends  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  and  has  served  on 
the  board  of  trustees.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees, 
and  the  Chamber  of  Commere.  As  a  citizen  Mr.  Flint  is  progressive 
and  lends  his  support  and  influence  to  all  movements  that  have  as  their 
aim  the  advancement  of  his  community  and  Will  County. 


Joseph  A.  Ley.  Few  young  men  are  better  or  more  favorably  known 
in  their  home  city  than  Joseph  A.  Ley,  who  is  a  representative  of  the 
American  Bond  and  Mortgage  Company,  with  offices  at  204  Rialto 
Building,  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Dec.  4,  1898,  a  son  of  Frank 
X.  and  Catherine  (Dolan)  Ley. 

Frank  X.  Ley  was  born  in  Jackson  Township,  Will  County,  111.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm. 
When  a  young  man  he  came  to  Joliet  where  he  associated  himself  with 
the  Chicago,  Joliet  Electric  Railway  Company.  He  remained  in  the 
employ  of  this  company  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1900.  He 
was  a  devout  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church.  His  widow,  a 
native  of  Will  County,  resides  in  Joliet.  They  had  one  son,  Joseph  A., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Joseph  A.  Ley  attended  St.  Patrick's  parochial  school,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  St.  John's  High  School  in  1914.  After  leaving  school  he 
was  for  two  years  in  the  accounting  department  of  the  Public  Service 
Company.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Cudahy  Packing  Com- 
pany as  a  bookkeeper,  later  being  transferred  to  their  plant  at  Aurora, 
111.,  as  cashier,  and  later  to  the  Rockford,  111.,  plant.  He  resigned  this 
position  in  1924  and  became  representative  of  the  American  Bond  & 
Mortgage  Company  in  Rockford,  111.     In  the  latter  part  of  1924  Mr. 


684  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Ley  returned  to  Joliet  where  he  has  since  represented  the  company. 
His  territory  embraces  four  counties,  Will,  Kankakee,  Grundy,  and 
Kimball.  The  business  has  had  a  steady  growth  under  the  capable  man- 
agement of  Mr.  Ley  and  he  has  several  agents  under  his  personal  super- 
vision. 

Mr.  Ley  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  general  progress,  and 
politically  is  independent.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Raymond's  Catholic 
Church ;  Knights  of  Columbus,  Joliet  Council  No.  382 ;  Holy  Name  Soci- 
ety ;  B.  P.  0.  Elks  No.  296 ;  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Gustaf  A.  Carlson,  proprietor  of  G.  A.  Carlson  Funeral  Home,  is  one 
of  the  well  known  young  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  was  born,  April  19, 
1900,  a  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Emily  (Johnson)  Carlson. 

Both  Charles  A.  Carlson  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Sweden,  the 
former  being  born  at  Smoland,  Nov.  20,  1859.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  the  early  eighties  and  settled  at  Manhattan,  111.,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm.  He  later  removed  to  Joliet  and  worked  in  the  quar- 
ries. He  was  a  stone  mason  and  then  engaged  in  the  contracting  busi- 
ness, building  bridges,  curbs,  and  side  walks.  In  1900  he  established  a 
coal  and  feed  business  on  Cass  Street.  This  store  was  destroyed  by  fire 
and  he  then  removed  to  the  north  side  of  Joliet  where  he  still  conducts 
his  business.  He  is  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175 ; 
Swedish  North  Star  Association,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  Church.  He  takes  an  active  part  in  politics  and  belongs  to 
the  John  Erisson  Republican  Club.  He  married  Emily  Johnson  at  Joliet, 
and  to  them  six  children  were  born :  Albert,  died  in  1900,  and  is  buried 
in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet ;  Alma,  married  Joseph  M.  McGarry,  Joliet ; 
Mary,  married  Edward  F.  Powers;  Edward,  a  veteran  of  the  World 
War,  Joliet;  Anna,  married  Ray  F.  Pendleton,  a  World  War  veteran, 
lives  at  Joliet;  and  Gustaf  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Gustaf  A.  Carlson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  was  grad- 
uated from  the  township  high  school,  after  which  he  entered  the  employ 
of  his  father  in  the  coal  and  feed  business.  He  attended  the  Metropol- 
itan Business  School.  In  February,  1918,  he  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army 
and  was  sent  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri,  later  being  transferred 
to  Washington  in  the  Quartermaster's  department  where  he  checked 
coal  supplies  for  the  various  camps.    He  was  later  sent  to  Port  Newark, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  685 

N.  J.,  where  he  received  his  discharge  on  June  1,  1919,  and  returned  to 
Joliet,  and  again  became  associated  in  his  father's  business.  In  1925 
Mr.  Carlson  entered  the  funeral  business  with  Frank  Johnson,  and  took 
up  the  profession  of  embalming  and  undertaking  at  the  Worsham  Train- 
ing School  of  Sanitary  Science  and  Embalming,  from  which  he  received 
a  certificate  in  March,  1926,  which  entitled  him  to  practice  his  profes- 
sion in  Illinois.  In  November,  1926,  he  engaged  in  business  under  his 
own  name,  at  713  Cass  Street. 

Mr.  Carlson  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church;  the 
American  Legion,  Harwood  Post  No.  5;  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.  No.  142;  the  John  Erisson  Republican  Club;  the  Swedish  North 
Star  Association ;  and  the  Illinois  State  Undertakers  Association. 


Jay  Albert  Folk  is  a  well  known  business  man  of  Joliet  where  he  is 
proprietor  of  Folk's  Garage,  located  at  101-105  South  Eastern  Avenue. 
He  was  born  in  this  city,  Feb.  17, 1882,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  Julius  William 
and  Helen  J.  (Henry)  Folk,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
history. 

Jay  Albert  Folk  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  Joliet 
Township  High  School,  and  also  attended  Culver  Military  Academy. 
After  leaving  school  he  went  to  Canada  where  for  two  years  he  was  in 
the  transportation  department  of  the  Folk,  Surggart  &  Collins  Fur 
Company.  He  returned  to  Joliet  and  then  went  west  where  he  remained 
for  several  years.  When  he  returned  he  was  associated  with  the  Will 
County  National  Bank  as  a  teller,  which  position  he  resigned  in  1912. 
That  year  he  bought  a  farm  in  the  State  of  Washington.  In  1921  he 
returned  to  his  old  position  with  the  Will  County  National  Bank  where 
he  remained  until  1923,  when  he  established  a  service  station  and  auto- 
mobile laundry.  In  the  spring  of  1927  he  built  his  present  garage,  which 
is  of  brick  construction,  two  stories  in  height,  and  which  affords  space 
for  his  excellent  business.  He  employs  four  men  and  has  a  storage 
capacity  for  100  cars. 

In  1908  Mr.  Folk  married  Miss  Sadie  A.  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Brown.  Mr.  Brown  is  deceased  and  his  widow  resides  in 
Joliet.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Folk  have  a  son,  Robert  J.,  a  student. 

Mr.  Folk  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church. 
He  is  affiliated  with  Oriental  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  74,  Spokane, 


686  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Wash. ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4; 
Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.;  Joliet  Shrine  Club;  and  B.  P.  0. 
Elks,  No.  296.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
Culver  Legion,  Chicago  Motor  Club,  Culver  Summer  School  Alumni 
Association ;  and  a  director  of  the  Will  County  National  Bank.  Mr.  Folk 
is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Will  County. 


Dr.  Julius  W.  Folk.  One  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Joliet,  well  known 
throughout  Will  County  as  an  influential  and  honored  citizen,  was  Dr. 
Julius  W.  Folk,  whose  death  on  Nov.  10,  1925,  was  a  shock  to  the  com- 
munity. He  was  born  in  Abbottstown,  Pa.,  July  5,  1842,  a  son  of  Dr. 
Henry  Folk,  who  came  west  in  1845  and  located  in  Will  County,  111., 
and  who  is  mentioned  in  the  general  history  of  this  county. 

In  1862  Julius  W.  Folk  enlisted  in  Company  B,  100th  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  He  was  immediately  made  a  corporal  and  assigned  to 
hospital  duty  under  the  late  Dr.  A.  M.  Heise,  father  of  Attorney  William 
D.  Heise.  Later  he  was  sent  south  where  he  took  an  active  part  in  the 
battles  of  Laverne,  Stone  River,  and  Chickamauga.  He  was  honorably 
discharged,  with  a  surgeon's  certificate  of  discharge,  in  February,  1864. 
After  his  return  he  studied  medicine  and  in  1868  entered  Chicago  Med- 
ical College  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1869.  He  then  practiced 
medicine  with  Dr.  Heise  for  two  years.  In  1871  he  entered  the  railway 
contracting  business  with  his  father-in-law,  the  late  J.  A.  Henry.  In 
1895  Dr.  Folk  retired  from  the  railroad  business  and  devoted  his  time 
to  the  affairs  of  the  Will  County  National  Bank,  and  the  supervision 
of  a  farm  which  he  owned  southwest  of  the  city.  He  was  one  of  the 
oldest  officials  and  vice  president  and  director  of  the  Will  County 
National  Bank  for  over  20  years. 

On  Sept.  26,  1867,  Dr.  Folk  was  married  to  Miss  Helen  J.  Henry,  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  A.  Henry.  On  Sept.  26,  1924,  they  celebrated  their 
57th  wedding  anniversary.  To  this  marriage  two  children  were  born: 
Mrs.  Frank  Rich,  wife  of  Dr.  Frank  Rich,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  history ;  and  Jay  Albert,  a  sketch  of  whom  also  appears 
in  this  history. 

Dr.  Folk  was  prominent  in  Masonic  circles  and  was  a  member  of 
Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  687 

Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.; 
Joliet  Shrine  Club ;  B.  P.  0.  Elks  No.  296 ;  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
Mrs.  Folk  is  very  active  in  church  work  and  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Universalist  Church.  She  resides  at  114  South  Eastern  Avenue, 
Joliet. 


Robert  S.  Rowell  is  a  well  known  young  business  man  of  Joliet  where 
he  is  president  of  the  Rowell  Coal  Company.  He  was  born  in  this  city, 
Jan.  9,  1895,  a  son  of  Nathaniel  J.  and  Annie  W.  (Strong)  Rowell. 

Nathaniel  J.  Rowell  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  He  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Chicago  with  the  Bachelor  of  Science  degree, 
and  with  a  Mr.  Renwick  established  the  Chicago  Gravel  Company.  He 
was  interested  in  this  company  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  1904. 
He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  the 
Union  League  Club.  Mrs.  Rowell,  who  was  born  in  Joliet,  now  resides 
here.  There  were  three  children  in  the  Rowell  family:  Lilla,  married 
James  V.  Clyne,  cashier  of  the  Commercial  Trust  &  Savings  Bank, 
Joliet;  Nathaniel  J.,  Jr.,  Joliet;  and  Robert  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Robert  S.  Rowell  first  attended  the  local  public  schools,  after  which 
he  entered  Prof.  Griswold's  Private  School  for  Boys  at  Redlands,  Calif. 
He  later  attended  Joliet  High  School  and  the  University  of  Arizona. 
After  leaving  college  he  was  secretary  for  the  Oliver  Realty  Company. 

In  1918  Mr.  Rowell  enlisted  in  the  World  War  in  the  Ambulance 
Corps  of  the  U.  S.  Army  and  was  sent  to  Chicago  for  training  and  was 
attached  to  an  ambulance  driving  corps.  He  was  honorably  discharged 
in  October,  1918.  In  November  of  that  year  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  National  City  Company  of  New  York  as  a  bond  salesman,  and  was 
later  transferred  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  as  representative  for  that  district. 
In  November,  1919,  he  went  to  Denver,  Colo.,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
bond  business  for  himself  remaining  until  1922,  when  he  returned  east. 
On  Oct.  1,  1922,  he  established  his  present  business,  the  Rowell  Coal 
Company.  This  company  is  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Illinois  for 
$20,000.  The  present  officers  are:  Robert  S.  Rowell,  president;  James 
Clyne,  vice  president;  and  Nat  Rowell,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

On  April  21,  1926,  Mr.  Rowell  was  married  to  Miss  Mingon  Bryant, 
a  daughter  of  W.  Roy  and  Georgia  (Sale)  Bryant,  natives  of  Normal,  111., 
later  removing  to  Bloomington,  and  then  to  Joliet.    Mr.  Bryant  was  dis- 


688  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

trict  manager  for  the  Northwestern  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company. 
In  1927  he  was  transferred  to  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  where  he  is  general 
agent  for  the  company.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowell  had  two  children: 
Georgann,  born  Jan.  6,  1927,  died  March  24,  1927,  is  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  Joliet;  and  Mingon,  born  Feb.  16,  1928.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Rowell  is  a  Republican  and  is  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Country 
Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  Sigma  Alpha  Epsilon  fraternity.  He 
is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles  and  is  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  and  Joliet  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  No.  4.  He  is  a  promising  young  man  whose  business 
success  is  fully  established. 


Frank  D.  Rich,  M.  D.,  established  his  residence  in  the  city  of  Joliet 
in  the  year  1904,  and  here  his  ability  has  marked  him  as  one  of  the 
representative  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  county.  Dr.  Rich  was 
born  at  Chicago,  111.,  March  18,  1870,  the  son  of  Arthur  D.  and  Esther 
(Dyckman)  Rich. 

Arthur  D.  Rich,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  attorney  of  Chicago  for 
many  years.  He  was  born  at  Lake  Ticonderoga,  N.  Y.,  and  his  wife 
was  a  native  of  Albany.  He  was  graduated  from  the  law  school  of  the 
University  of  Michigan  and  throughout  his  professional  career  was  lo- 
cated in  Chicago.  Mr.  Rich  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the 
Sweden  Borgian  Church.  He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Ceme- 
tery, Chicago.  They  had  the  following  children :  Arthur  D.,  Jr.,  deceased ; 
Frederick,  physician,  a  graduate  of  the  Chicago  Medical  College,  lives 
at  Clear  Spring,  Maryland;  Evert,  real  estate  operator,  lives  in  Cali- 
fornia; Louis,  manager  of  the  Savings  department  of  the  Illinois  Trust 
&  Savings  Bank,  Chicago;  Charles  D.,  physician,  a  graduate  of  Chicago 
Medical  College,  now  deceased;  Albert  D.,  attorney,  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Michigan,  now  deceased;  Frank  D.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Esther,  married  Lee  Riley,  of  the  firm  of  Riley-Brittan,  pub- 
lishers, Chicago ;  Benjamin  C,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
now  chief  engineer,  of  the  Dresden  Locks  Company,  Chicago;  and  Wil- 
liam B.,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Frank  D.  Rich  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Chicago,  Englewood  High  School,  and  Northwestern  University  Pre- 


FliAXK    D.    RICH,    M.    D. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  689 

paratory  School.  From  there  he  entered  the  Medical  School  of  the 
University  of  Michigan,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1893.  He  spent  one 
year  as  assistant  to  Prof.  D.  A.  McLachlan,  and  then  located  at  Manis- 
tee, Mich.  In  1903  he  went  to  Chicago,  and  the  following  year  located 
in  Joliet,  where  he  has  since  been  one  of  the  outstanding  representatives 
of  the  medical  profession. 

In  1912  Dr.  Rich  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ethel  Folk, 
daughter  of  Dr.  J.  W.  and  Helen  (Henry)  Folk.  Dr.  Folk,  deceased, 
was  a  leading  physician  of  Joliet,  and  throughout  the  Civil  War  served 
as  a  surgeon  in  the  army.  He  is  deceased,  and  his  widow  resides  in 
Joliet,  111.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Rich  have  been  born  two  children:  Frank 
D.,  Jr.,  born  in  1914,  attends  Joliet  High  School;  and  Helen,  born  in 
1916,  attends  Washington  School. 

Dr.  Rich  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge,  Kiwanis  Club,  the  Bet*  ThPta 
Pi  fraternity.  He  is  past  president  of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society 
and  he  is  also  identified  with  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  While  a  resident  of  Manistee,  Mich., 
he  served  as  secretary  of  the  Manistee  County  Medical  Society  and  as 
coroner  of  Manistee. 

In  1914  Dr.  Rich  became  interested  in  the  Boy  Scout  movement 
and  became  scout  master  of  Troop  No.  6,  Central  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  was  elected  commissioner  of  the  Boy  Scouts  of  Joliet  in  1926,  and 
is  now  commodore  of  the  Sea  Scout  Division  of  the  Boy  Scouts. 


Gilbert  Cooper.  Among  the  principal  industries  of  Joliet  is  the 
Ideal  Concrete  Company,  of  which  Gilbert  Cooper  is  the  president.  He 
is  a  native  of  Will  County,  having  been  born  in  Frankfort  Township, 
Sept.  7,  1885,  a  son  of  George  H.  and  Fanny  (Newton)  Cooper. 

Both  George  H.  Cooper  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Orland  Township, 
Will  County,  HI.  For  many  years  Mr.  Cooper  conducted  a  dairy  and 
stock  farm  in  that  township  and  met  with  success.  He  was  active  in 
politics  and  served  as  highway  commissioner  of  the  township  for  many 
years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Agriculture. 
He  is  now  living  at  St.  Petersburg,  Florida,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
in  which  he  has  served  as  trustee,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Wood- 


690  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

men  of  the  World  and  Court  of  Honor.  Mrs.  Cooper  died  in  1913  and 
is  buried  in  Orland  Township.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children: 
Walter,  a  farmer,  Orland  Township ;  Herbert,  farmer,  Orland  Township ; 
Gilbert,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Fanny,  deceased;  Maude,  married 
Bert  Ingle,  St.  Petersburg,  Fla. ;  and  George  H.,  Jr.,  postal  department, 
St.  Petersburg. 

Gilbert  Cooper  attended  the  public  schools  of  Frankfort  Township, 
Will  County,  and  Orland  Township,  Cook  County,  111.,  and  took  a  business 
course  at  Orr's  Business  College,  Chicago.  After  leaving  school  he 
worked  for  Mateer  Brothers,  and  for  the  Joliet  Steel  Construction 
Company.  He  was  superintendent  of  works  for  the  latter  company,  and 
became  an  estimator  and  salesman.  He  resigned  this  position  on 
March  1,  1911. 

On  April  1,  1911,  with  C.  Vander-Boegh  he  founded  the  Ideal  Con- 
crete Construction  Company,  in  which  business  he  has  since  been  the 
head. 

In  June,  1912,  Mr.  Cooper  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Marie 
Vander-Boegh,  a  daughter  of  C.  Vander-Boegh,  a  building  contractor 
and  real  estate  operator  of  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper  have  two  chil- 
dren: Chester  G.,  and  Myrtle  M.,  both  students.  The  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Richards  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

In  political  affairs  Mr.  Cooper  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No.  296 ;  a  charter  member  of  the  Joliet  Lion's 
Club  "Director";  the  Chamber  of  Commerce;  was  president  of  the  Illi- 
nois Concrete  Products  Association  in  1925.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
National  Concrete  Products  Association  and  the  American  Concrete 
Institute. 


The  Ideal  Concrete  Company  was  organized  on  April  1,  1911,  by 
Gilbert  Cooper  and  C.  Vander-Boegh  under  the  name  of  the  Ideal  Con- 
crete Construction  Company.  It  was  incorporated  in  August,  1925, 
under  the  name  of  the  Ideal  Concrete  Company,  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$150,000.00.  The  officers  are:  Gilbert  Cooper,  president;  John  G. 
Sengenberger,  vice  president ;  Marie  Cooper,  treasurer ;  and  Oscar  Lara- 
way,  secretary.  The  plant  covers  five  acres  of  ground  and  is  one  of  the 
largest  plants  of  its  kind  in  Illinois.  They  employ  thirty  men  and  have 
their  own  delivery  service.    The  company  manufactures  concrete  build- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  691 

ing  units,  including  chimney  blocks,  porch  columns,  balusters,  concrete 
blocks,  concrete  trim  stone,  sills,  coping,  and  a  full  line  of  ornamental 
garden  furniture.  They  also  carry  a  complete  stock  of  10  different  sizes 
of  concrete  burial  vaults.  The  plant  is  located  at  451-455  Rowell  Avenue 
and  has  a  frontage  of  526  feet. 


E.  G.  Cornish  is  a  prosperous  merchant  and  leading  citizen  of  Joliet, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  as  proprietor  of  the  E.  G. 
Cornish  Grocery,  700  East  Washington  Street.  He  was  born  in  Monroe 
County,  Mich.,  March  3,  1871,  the  son  of  Demmon  and  Mary  Catherine 
(Haner)  Cornish. 

Demmon  Cornish,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Rutland,  Vt.,  and  his 
wife  was  born  near  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  He  went  to  Iowa  many  years  ago 
and  later  returned  to  Chicago,  111.  In  the  late  fifties  he  removed  to 
Crete,  111.,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  section  of  Illinois.  He 
was  a  general  contractor  and  built  many  bridges,  churches,  and  other 
public  buildings,  as  well  as  private  homes.  He  spent  the  latter  part 
of  his  life  in  Monroe  County,  Mich.,  where  he  was  a  successful  farmer. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  at  Saline,  Mich.  Mr. 
Cornish  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 
His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Mogg)  Haner,  who 
settled  at  Crete,  111.,  about  1840.  They  later  removed  to  Hurdland, 
Missouri,  where  they  died.  To  Demmon  and  Mary  Catherine  (Haner) 
Cornish  were  born  six  children,  as  follows:  Henry,  farmer,  lives  at 
Saline,  Mich.;  Wilbur,  farmer,  lives  at  Saline,  Mich.;  Lucy,  married 
James  Toms,  lives  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. ;  E.  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
Herbert,  who  died  in  1919;  and  Hubert,  twin  brother  of  Herbert,  lives 
at  Patterson,  N.  J. 

E.  G.  Cornish  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  in  Monroe  County,  Mich., 
and  attended  the  public  schools.  He  also  was  enrolled  at  Ypsilanti 
College.  In  1893  Mr.  Cornish  came  to  Joliet  and  was  associated  with 
the  grocery  firm  of  Schroeder  &  Wilson  until  1898,  at  which  time  he 
went  with  George  T.  Relyea  Company,  wholesale  grocers.  In  1906  he 
became  associated  with  the  Quaker  Oats  Company  as  a  salesman  but 
the  following  year  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  grocery  business  of 
C.  E.  Wilson.  Three  years  later  he  became  sole  owner  of  the  business 
and  the  building  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Cornish  in  1922.    In  that  year 


692  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

also  he  built  ten  modern  apartments  in  connection  with  his  store  build- 
ing. Mr.  Cornish  has  an  excellent  trade  and  is  the  exclusive  dealer  in 
the  city  for  Ferndell  products. 

On  Aug.  29,  1911,  Mr.  Cornish  married  Miss  Florence  Hurd,  the 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Frances  Hurd.  Mr.  Hurd  is  deceased  and  his 
widow  lives  in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Cornish  is  a  stanch  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodict 
church,  and  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175; 
Joliet  Chapter  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Knights  Templar  No.  4,  Joliet  Com- 
mandery ;  Medinah  Temple ;  Joliet  Shrine  Club ;  and  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star.  Mr.  Cornish  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  and  has  many 
friends. 

The  great-grandparents  of  E.  G.  Cornish  on  both  sides  were  soldiers 
of  the  Revolutionary  War. 


Charles  B.  Cheadle.  One  of  the  prominent  representatives  of  the 
business  life  of  Joliet  is  Charles  B.  Cheadle,  who  is  president  and  general 
manager  of  the  General  Finance  Corporation,  as  well  as  secretary  of  the 
Dixon  Home  Telephone  Company,  at  Dixon,  111.  He  was  bora  on  a  farm 
near  Dallas  City,  Hancock  County,  111.,  May  9,  1862,  the  son  of  Richard 
and  Phoebe  Ellen   (McKee)   Cheadle. 

Richard  Cheadle  was  born  at  McConnellsville,  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  Dec.  11,  1821.  He  was  descended  from  a  line  of  Cheadles  that 
settled  in  New  England  in  early  Colonial  times.  His  father  was  born  and 
reared  in  Windsor  County,  Vt.  His  grandfather  and  great-grandfather 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  His  youngest  brother,  Joseph  B. 
Cheadle,  served  with  distinction  in  the  Civil  War  and  was  elected  to 
congress  for  two  terms  from  the  Ninth  Indiana  District.  Richard 
Cheadle  in  early  life  was  engaged  in  steam  boating  from  Pittsburgh  to 
New  Orleans,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  the  early  50's.  He  was  interested 
in  a  flour  mill  in  Hancock  County,  111.,  and  the  later  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  on  a  farm.  He  died  at  Dallas  City,  111.,  Feb.  12,  1899,  and 
is  buried  on  the  family  lot  in  Tull  Cemetery,  near  Pontoosuc,  111.  Phoebe 
Ellen  Cheadle  was  born  in  Union  County,  111.,  Feb.  23,  1833.  She  died 
at  Kinmundy,  111.,  Dec.  3,  1924,  and  is  buried  in  the  Tull  Cemetery.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cheadle  were  born  the  following  children:  Joseph  R., 
born  April  15, 1858,  lives  at  Kinmundy,  111. ;  Hattie  L.,  born  Oct.  26,  1864, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  693 

the  widow  of  John  D.  Kaser,  lives  at  Ottumwa,  Iowa;  Charles  B.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Dr.  C.  M.,  born  Aug.  26,  1869,  lives  at  Micaville, 
N.  C. ;  and  Thomas  A.,  born  July  21,  1871,  lives  at  Lockport,  111.  By  a 
former  marriage  Richard  Cheadle  had  three  sons:  Shepherd  R.,  born 
April  3,  1847,  lives  at  5443  Kenmore  Avenue,  Chicago;  George,  born  in 
1849,  deceased ;  and  Edwin  F.,  born  May  5,  1852,  lives  at  St.  Clair,  Mich. 
Charles  B.  Cheadle  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  near  Dallas  City 
and  attended  the  district  schools.  He  later  worked  on  the  farm  during 
the  summer  and  taught  in  a  country  school  during  the  winter  for  several 
years.  In  1887  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Sharp  &  Berry  Brothers,  of 
which  Senator  O.  F.  Berry  was  a  member.  He  read  law  in  their  offices 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  June  16,  1890.  He  then  was  principal  of 
the  public  schools  at  Oquawka,  111.,  for  one  year,  at  the  same  time  prac- 
ticing law  there.  In  March,  1892,  he  came  to  Joliet  and  entered  into  the 
practice  of  law.  In  1898  he  became  interested  in  a  small  way  in  the 
telephone  business,  having  acquired  a  quarter  interest  in  the  first  com- 
mon battery  telephone  exchange  ever  installed  and  placed  in  service,  it 
being  at  Lockport,  111.  He  later  organized  the  Peoples  Telephone  Com- 
pany which  was  merged  with  the  Northwestern  Telephone  Company, 
and  in  turn  merged  with  the  Interstate  Telephone  and  Telegraph  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Cheadle  became  a  director  in  the  latter  named  company  in 
1902.  The  following  year  he  reorganized  the  Tri  City  Telephone  Com- 
pany of  Clinton,  Iowa,  and  developed  its  business.  In  1904  he  organized 
the  Dixon  Home  Telephone  Company,  which  acquired  the  property  of 
the  Lee  County  Telephone  Company.  In  subsequent  years  he  organized 
and  reorganized  various  telephone  companies  throughout  the  State  of 
Illinois,  and  in  1924  and  1926  a  group  of  these  companies  became  merged 
into  the  Illinois  Central  Telephone  Company,  of  which  Mr.  Cheadle 
became  vice  president  and  general  manager.  He  was  also  president 
and  general  manager  of  the  National  Telephone  &  Electric  Company, 
operating  at  Clinton,  111.,  and  in  adjacent  communities.  In  1920  Mr. 
Cheadle  organized  the  General  Finance  Corporation  and  became  its 
secretary  and  treasurer.  A  few  years  later  he  became  its  president  and 
general  manager.  Early  in  1928  he  was  instrumental  in  bringing  about 
a  sale  of  the  controlling  interests  in  the  Illinois  Central  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  the  National  Telephone  and  Electric  Company,  and  also  effected 
a  sale  of  the  property  and  assets  of  the  Tri  City  Telephone  Company 
of  Clinton,  Iowa.    He  remains  as  secretary  of  the  Dixon  Home  Telephone 


694  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Company  which  he  organized  in  1904.  He  is  also  president  and  general 
manager  of  the  General  Finance  Corporation  with  headquarters  in 
Joliet. 

On  April  19,  1893,  Mr.  Cheadle  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Ruple,  of 
Oquawka,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  H.  and  Sarah  Jane  (Parkinson) 
Ruple,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  both  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cheadle  have  three  children:  Genevieve,  born  June  3,  1894,  married 
Rolland  J.  Strasser,  lives  at  Evanston,  111.,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Sargent  &  Lundy,  Chicago,  electrical  and  mechanical  engineers ; 
Charles  Ruple,  born  Feb.  22,  1899,  employed  in  the  department  of  pur- 
chases and  construction,  Springfield,  111.;  and  Richard  Eugene,  born 
July  21,  1903,  secretary  and  assistant  general  manager  of  the  General 
Finance  Corporation,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Cheadle  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Joliet  Country  Club. 


Clarence  A.  Carlson,  one  of  Joliet's  most  successful  young  business 
men  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  in  Will 
County,  June  26,  1898,  the  son  of  John  and  Matilda  Carlson.. 

John  Carlson  was  born  in  Sweden,  as  was  his  wife.  They  were  early 
settlers  of  Illinois,  having  located  at  Lockport,  where  Mr.  Carlson  was 
employed  in  the  stone  quarries.  He  later  became  engaged  in  building 
trades  and  is  now  employed  in  that  work  at  Lockport.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Mission  Church.  His  wife  died  in 
1916  and  is  buried  at  Lockport.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlson  were  born 
six  children  as  follows:  Evelyn,  deceased;  Alfreda,  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  H.  Woodman,  who  lives  at  Chicago  Heights,  111.;  Harry,  a 
mechanical  dentist,  lives  at  Lockport,  111.,  is  a  World  War  veteran, 
having  served  in  France  with  the  326th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  being 
gassed  and  wounded  while  in  service;  Clarence  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Hubert,  with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  lives 
at  Lockport,  111.;  and  Arnold,  lives  at  Lockport. 

The  education  of  Clarence  A.  Carlson  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Lockport.  He  worked  as  a  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  business  of 
A.  L.  Gaines  &  Sons,  Lockport,  and  later  went  to  Argo,  111.,  where  he 
was  employed  as  an  automobile  trimmer  by  the  Elgin  Motor  Car  Cor- 
poration.    Mr.  Carlson  volunteered  for  service  in  the  World  War  in 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  695 

November,  1917,  and  served  in  France  as  a  member  of  Company  A, 
108th  Engineers,  33rd  Division.  He  participated  in  the  following  impor- 
tant engagements:  Somme,  Meuse-Argonne  and  St.  Mihiel.  He  was 
discharged  in  May,  1919.  Mr.  Carlson  then  went  to  South  Bend,  Ind., 
where  he  remained  until  1921.  He  then  came  to  Joliet  as  a  salesman 
for  the  Cable  Piano  Company,  and  on  March  1,  1926,  established  his 
present  business,  the  Carlson  Radio  Company.  It  is  the  only  exclusive 
radio  store  in  the  city,  and  Mr.  Carlson  is  dealer  for  several  important 
concerns. 

In  1920  Mr.  Carlson  married  Miss  Anna  Marie  Wallace,  of  South 
Bend,  Ind.    They  have  three  sons,  Wallace,  Kenneth,  and  Wayne. 

Mr.  Carlson  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Mission 
Church,  and  belongs  to  Harwood  Post,  No.  5,  American  Legion,  and 
Exchange  Club.  He  is  vice  president  of  the  Joliet  Radio  Trades  Asso- 
ciation. 


Elmer  L.  Cooper,  member  of  the  firm  of  Cooper  &  Hostert,  is  among 
the  enterprising  and  progressive  business  men  of  Mokena.  He  was  born 
at  Orland,  Cook  County,  111.,  July  14,  1879,  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Daniel)  Cooper. 

James  Cooper,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  at 
Orland  and  throughout  his  life  was  well  known  in  that  section  as  a 
farmer  and  stockman.  He  was  the  owner  of  three  well  improved  farms, 
containing  a  total  of  354  acres,  and  he  specialized  in  dairy  farming.  Mr. 
Cooper  was  a  Republican  and  served  as  tax  collector  of  Orland  Town- 
ship, as  well  as  school  director.  In  1922  he  retired  and  settled  at 
Mokena,  where  he  died  March  31,  1924.  His  first  wife,  Mary  (Daniel) 
Cooper,  died  April  1,  1890,  and  is  buried  at  Orland,  111.  To  this  union 
were  born  three  children:  Thomas,  retired,  lives  at  New  Lennox,  111.; 
Elmer  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Celia  M.,  lives  at  Mokena. 
Mr.  Cooper  was  married  (second)  to  Miss  Catherine  Weiler,  who  resides 
at  Mokena.  She  has  two  children,  Everett,  lives  at  Mokena;  and  Cora, 
married  Howard  Gorham,  lives  at  St.  Petersburg,  Fla. 

Elmer  L.  Cooper  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  where  he  remained 
until  he  was  22  years  of  age.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Orland 
and  in  early  life  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  having 
removed  to  Goodland,  Ind.,  where  he  spent  five  years.  He  then  returned 
to  Orland  and  in  1916  came  to  Mokena,  where  he  engaged  in  the  automo- 


696  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

bile  business,  being  the  first  dealer  in  this  city.  Cooper  &  Hostert  are 
local  dealers  for  the  Ford  automobile.  They  have  an  attractive  sales- 
room, well  equipped  garage,  and  render  high  grade  service  to  their  many 
patrons. 

In  1901  Mr.  Cooper  married  Miss  Ella  Lauffer,  the  daughter  of  Nick 
and  Florence  (Sayers)  Lauffer,  natives  of  Cook  County,  111.  Mr.  Lauffer, 
a  retired  farmer,  resides  at  Mokena.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper  were  born 
two  children:  Florence,  married  Hugo  Neithammer,  lives  at  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  and  Harold,  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  a  Republican  and  is  serving  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  belongs  to  Mat- 
teson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  4 ; 
Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82 ;  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Gustaf  B.  Erickson,  assistant  attorney  general  of  the  State  of  Illinois, 
is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  ablest 
attorneys  practicing  at  the  bar  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Joliet, 
Oct.  4,  1892,  the  son  of  Per.  A.  and  Ida  C.  (Melin)  Erickson. 

Per.  August  Erickson  was  born  at  Ekebybonasoken,  Ostergotland, 
Sweden,  in  February,  1858,  the  son  of  L.  P.  and  Anna  Katarina  Erick- 
son. His  father,  who  was  a  farmer's  son,  followed  agricultural  pursuits 
and  also  operated  a  distillery.  He  took  his  family  to  Elgmyra,  Christ- 
bergs,  Soken,  when  Per.  A.  Erickson  was  two  and  one-half  years  of 
age,  but  later  settled  at  Stjarnorp,  and  finally  retired  to  Norrkoping. 
He  died  at  Motala,  in  1891,  and  his  wife  died  in  1873. 

Per.  A.  Erickson  had  excellent  educational  advantages  and  at  an 
early  age  studied  English.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  tanner's 
trade  in  Motala,  and  later  secured  work  at  Linkoping.  In  1877  he 
became  a  sailor  and  two  years  later  emigrated  to  the  United  States.  He 
spent  some  time  in  New  York  and  Chicago  and  later  removed  to  Lock- 
port,  111.,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  quarries.  He  also  worked  at 
the  tanner's  trade  for  Houck  &  Brown,  and  in  1897  accepted  a  position 
as  keeper  at  the  Illinois  State  Penitentiary,  where  he  remained  until 
his  death.  Mr.  Erickson  was  a  Republican  and  a  charter  member  of 
the  Swedish  American  Club,  the  Swedish  American  Republican  League 
of  Illinois,  and  he  also  belonged  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  Knights  of  Pythias.    He  was  a  life  long  member  of  the  Swedish 


CrSTAF    H.     KRICKSOX 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  697 

Lutheran  Church.  On  Dec.  13,  1890,  Mr.  Erickson  married  Miss  Ida 
Charlotta  Melin.  who  was  born  at  Swanaholm,  Sweden.  She  came  to 
Joliet  in  1890.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erickson  were  born  four  children: 
Carl  Oscar,  an  artist,  lives  in  Paris,  France;  Gustaf  B.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  Thurston  F.,  proprietor  of  the  Vogue  Stationery  Company, 
Chicago,  111.,  is  a  World  War  veteran,  having  served  in  the  U.  S.  Navy ; 
and  Dr.  Hilding  W.,  physician  and  surgeon,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Gustaf  B.  Erickson  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Joliet  and  in  1910  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School. 
He  began  as  a  messenger  boy  with  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  and  later 
became  a  chemist  in  the  company's  laboratory.  In  1913  he  entered  the 
University  of  Chicago,  and  the  following  year  enrolled  in  the  Law  School 
of  Northwestern  University,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  in  1917. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  State  bar  on  October  3rd  of  that  year. 

In  April,  1917,  Mr.  Erickson  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army  and  the  fol- 
lowing month  was  assigned  to  the  First  Officers  Training  Camp,  at  Fort 
Sheridan,  where  he  received  the  commission  of  second  lieutenant,  Field 
Artillery,  Aug.  14,  1917.  He  was  transferi-ed  to  Camp  Grant  and 
assigned  to  the  333rd  Field  Artillery  Supply  Company.  The  company 
marched  to  Sparta,  Wis.,  to  Camp  Robinson,  making  one  of  the  longest 
hikes  that  any  army  outfit  completed  in  this  country.  On  Sept.  16,  1918, 
he  sailed  for  France  and  was  made  regimental  munition  officer  of  his 
regiment,  after  having  been  commissioned  a  first  lieutenant  in  June. 
He  was  discharged  from  the  service  at  Camp  Grant  in  July,  1919. 

Upon  his  return  to  private  life  Mr.  Erickson  located  in  Chicago,  where 
he  specialized  in  income  tax  reports  for  Kixmiller  &  Barr,  attorneys, 
and  for  Judge  Robert  E.  Gentzel.  In  1921  he  returned  to  Joliet,  where 
he  has  since  engaged  in  private  practice  with  offices  in  the  Morris 
Building. 

Mr.  Erickson  is  a  Republican,  and  is  chairman  of  the  Will  County 
Republican  central  committee,  past  president  of  the  John  Ericsson 
Republican  League  of  Illinois,  and  past  president  of  the  John  Ericsson 
Republican  Club  of  Will  County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Bethlehem 
Lutheran  Church,  and  belongs  to  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No. 
42,  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post,  No.  5,  the  "40  and  8"  Society,  the 
Delta  Theta  Phi  fraternity,  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Mr.  Erickson  holds  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  U.  S.  Reserve  corps, 
assigned  to  the  14th  Field  Artillery. 


698  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

William  E.  Fay  is  well  known  among  the  successful  business  men  of 
Joliet  where  he  is  president  of  the  Champion  Machinery  Company.  He 
was  born  at  El  Paso,  Wis.,  the  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Coyle)  Fay. 

John  Fay,  deceased,  was  a  representative  farmer  of  Waukesha,  Wis. 
He  died  at  Columbus,  N.  Dak.,  in  1889.  His  wife  is  also  deceased.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fay  had  six  children,  as  follows:  Catherine,  married  Barney 
O'Meara,  lives  at  Spring  Valley,  Wis. ;  Lotta,  married  John  Farrell,  lives 
at  River  Falls,  Wis.;  Mark,  lives  at  River  Falls;  Alex,  lives  at  Joliet; 
John  F.,  lives  at  Columbus,  N.  D. ;  and  William  E.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

The  education  of  William  E.  Fay  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools 
of  Wisconsin  and  he  also  attended  Wendell  Phillips  High  School  in 
Chicago.  He  began  his  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  the 
Commonwealth  Edison  Company  of  Chicago,  and  resigned  in  1914  as 
illuminating  expert  for  the  plant  He  then  came  to  Joliet  where  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  Champion  Machinery  Company,  of  which 
he  became  president  in  1920.  Mr.  Fay  has  always  surrounded  himself 
with  an  organization  that  has  made  the  company  successful. 

In  1914  Mr.  Fay  married  Miss  Helen  Maloney,  the  daughter  of  P.  J. 
Maloney,  of  Chicago.  Mr.  Maloney  is  nationally  known  as  an  interior 
decorator  and  has  recently  completed  his  fiftieth  year  of  service  with 
Marshall  Field  &  Company,  Chicago.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fay  have  been 
born  three  children:    Helen  Jane,  Billy,  and  James. 

Mr.  Fay  is  a  prominent  member  of  St.  Raymond's  Catholic  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge,  Joliet  Country  Club,  Union  League  Club 
of  Chicago,  Yacht  Club  of  Chicago,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is 
president  of  the  Joliet  Manufacturers  Club,  and  is  active  in  the  business 
affairs  of  the  city. 


The  Champion  Machinery  Company,  of  Joliet,  was  established  in 
1886  by  Phil  Carroll  and  was  originally  known  as  the  Carroll  Company, 
manufacturers  of  several  types  of  cracker  and  baking  machinery.  The 
business  was  owned  and  operated  by  Mr.  Carroll  until  1907,  at  which 
time  it  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  with 
the  following  officers:  Phil  Carroll,  president;  John  Kiep,  vice  presi- 
dent; and  Roy  Oliver,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

In  1914  the  interests  of  Mr.  Carroll  were  purchased  by  E.  A.  Clark, 
Joseph  Weber,  and  William  E.  Fay,  and  the  company  reorganized.    At 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  699 

that  time  the  officers  were:  John  Kiep,  president;  Joseph  Weber,  vice 
president ;  and  E.  A.  Clark,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Mr.  Fay  took  over 
the  Clark  interests  in  1920  and  at  that  time  was  elected  president.  Frank 
Motta  is  vice  president  and  secretary,  and  P.  Motta  is  tresaurer. 

The  business  of  the  plant  has  increased  between  five  and  six  times 
since  1914  and  has  an  equipment  in  machinery  which  is  valued  at 
$100,000.00.  Approximately  128  people  are  employed  as  compared  with 
35  employes  in  1914. 

The  Champion  Machinery  Company  manufactures  a  complete  line  of 
baking  machinery  and  equipment.  During  the  World  War  the  company 
completely  equipped  several  cantonments  and  battleships,  and  also 
received  contracts  from  the  French  government. 


Thomas  John  Ireland,  D.  D.  S.,  has  to  his  record  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury of  skillful  work  as  a  dental  surgeon  at  Joliet,  where  he  engaged  in 
practice  after  finishing  his  education.  He  was  born  in  Negaunee,  Mar- 
quette County,  Mich.,  July  23,  1875,  a  son  of  Thomas  John  and  Agnes 
Mary  (Blaikie)  Ireland. 

Thomas  John  Ireland,  deceased,  was  born  in  Barrackshire,  Scotland. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  30  years  and  settled  in 
Negaunee,  Mich.  He  was  a  skilled  cabinet  maker,  having  served  an 
apprenticeship  of  seven  years  without  pay  in  Scotland  learning  the 
trade.  He  established  a  business  of  his  own  in  Michigan  and  met  with 
success,  and  his  work  is  still  pointed  to  with  pride  in  many  houses  in 
Michigan.    He  died  Oct.  10,  1876,  and  is  buried  in  Negaunee,  Mich. 

Agnes  Mary  (Blaikie)  Ireland  was  born  in  County  of  Gray,  Ontario, 
Canada.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Glasgow,  Scotland.  Her  father 
came  first  to  Canada  where  they  remained  about  one  year  and  later 
removed  to  Negaunee,  Mich.  He  was  a  mine  contractor  in  the  iron 
ore  mines  of  Michigan.  The  family  were  stanch  Presbyterians.  Both 
are  deceased,  Mr.  Ireland  is  buried  in  Negaunee,  Mich.  Mrs.  Ireland 
died  June  12,  1916,  and  is  buried  at  Lombard,  111.  There  were  two  chil- 
dren in  the  Ireland  family:  Alice,  deceased;  and  Thomas  John,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  John  Ireland  attended  the  grammar  and  high  schools  of 
his  native  city,  gaduating  from  the  high  school  in  1890.  After  leaving 
school  he  worked  at  various  occupations  and  attended  the  Chicago 


700  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Technical  School.  In  1901  he  entered  the  Dental  School  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Dental 
Surgery  on  May  5,  1904.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  on  May  12th 
of  that  year,  and  immediately  came  to  Joliet  where  he  established  his 
office.    He  has  taken  special  courses  at  various  times  at  Chicago. 

On  March  29,  1905,  Dr.  Ireland  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  Louise  Schulze,  a  daughter  of  Heinrich  and  Clara  (Brandt) 
Schulze.  She  was  born  in  Potsdam,  Germany,  and  at  the  age  of  17 
years  came  to  the  United  States  to  study.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Illinois  School  of  Dentistry,  from  which  she  received  her 
degree  on  May  5,  1904.  That  year  she  went  to  Germany  and  in  1905, 
after  her  marriage,  established  offices  with  her  husband  in  Joliet.  For 
eight  years  she  had  a  dental  office  in  Mokena,  111.,  which  she  conducted 
in  connection  with  the  Joliet  office.  Both  Dr.  Ireland  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Will-Grundy  County  Dental  Society,  the  Illinois  State 
Dental  Society,  and  the  American  Dental  Association.  Mrs.  Ireland 
served  as  secretary  of  the  County  Dental  Society. 

In  October,  1910,  Dr.  Ireland  purchased  a  farm  of  40  acres  which 
he  conducted  for  12  years,  farming  and  stockraising  along  scientific 
lines  as  taught  by  Prof.  Hopkins  of  the  University  of  Illinois. 

Politically  Dr.  Ireland  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Mount 
Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42,  and  is  financial  secretary  of  the 
Royal  League.  Dr.  Ireland  enjoys  a  large  professional  business  and  his 
reputation  places  him  in  the  front  rank  of  dentists  in  this  section  of  the 
State. 


Milton  C.  Geuther,  cashier  of  the  Mokena  State  Bank,  is  among  the 
representative  young  business  men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in 
Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  Aug.  21,  1902,  the  son  of  Charles  and 
Sarah  (Bauch)  Geuther. 

Charles  Geuther,  who  lives  retired  at  Mokena,  is  a  native  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  and  throughout  his  active 
career  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stockman.  He  was  the  owner  of 
320  acres  of  well  improved  land  and  operated  a  dairy  in  connection  with 
his  farm.  He  has  lived  retired  since  1905.  Mr.  Geuther  is  a  Democrat 
and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  as  well  as  village 
trustee.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Geuther  have  five  children :   Mabel,  married  Karl  Krapp,  lives 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  701 

at  Mokena;  Lydia,  married  Lawrence  Kohl,  farmer,  lives  in  Frankfort 
Township;  Olive,  married  Earl  Stellwagen,  lives  in  Chicago;  Milton  C, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Harold,  lives  in  Mokena. 

Milton  C.  Geuther  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  and 
attended  the  public  schools.  He  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township 
High  School  in  1926.  He  began  his  banking  career  as  a  bookkeeper 
with  the  Continental  National  Bank,  Chicago,  and  later  served  as  assist- 
ant examiner  for  the  Aetna  Life  Insurance  Company.  Since  June, 
1926,  he  has  been  identified  with  the  Mokena  State  Bank.  He  was 
appointed  assistant  cashier  in  January,  1927,  and  was  promoted  to 
cashier  in  September  of  that  year. 

Mr.  Geuther  is  a  Republican  and  is  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175.    He  is  not  married. 


The  Mokena  State  Bank,  one  of  the  dependable  banking  institutions 
of  Will  County,  was  established  on  Aug.  14,  1909.  Its  officers  are: 
W.  H.  Bechstein,  president;  Emil  P.  Krapp,  vice  president;  Milton  C. 
Geuther,  cashier;  and  Henry  J.  Schluntz,  secretary.  The  directors  are: 
W.  H.  Bechstein,  George  J.  Hacker,  Emil  P.  Krapp,  George  McGovney, 
Henry  J.  Schluntz,  Charles  F.  Schmuhl,  and  William  C.  Wunderlich. 

The  bank  statement  on  Feb.  8,  1928,  is  as  follows :  Resources :  Loans 
and  discounts,  $213,167.80;  U.  S.  Government  investments,  §5,000.00; 
Bonds,  $21,500.00;  Banking  House  Fixtures  and  Furniture,  $10,140.00; 
Overdrafts,  §27.43;  Cash  and  Due  from  Banks,  $34,043.60;  Total  Re- 
sources, amounting  to  $283,878.83.  Liabilities:  Capital  Stock,  $25,- 
000.00;  Surplus,  $25,000.00;  Undivided  Profits,  $566.71;  Reserve  Ac- 
counts, $8,151.00;  Dividends  Unpaid,  $80.00;  Deposits,  $195,081.12; 
Bills  Payable,  $30,000 ;  Total  Liabilities  amounting  to  $283,878.83. 


William  H.  Bechstein,  president  of  the  Mokena  State  Bank  ranks 
high  among  the  leading  business  men  of  the  community.  He  was  born 
in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  Feb.  13,  1872,  the  son  of  Robert 
and  Philipina  (Jacob)  Bechstein. 

Robert  Bechstein,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Will  County,  and  the 
son  of  Henry  and  Sophia  (Hohman)  Bechstein,  natives  of  Germany,  and 


702  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

early  settlers  of  Illinois.  Robert  Bechstein  followed  farming  through- 
out his  life  and  specialized  in  the  raising  of  grain.  He  died  Oct.  8,  1881, 
at  the  age  of  31  years.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Evangelical  Church.  Philipina  (Jacob)  Bechstein,  who  died 
June  20,  1920,  was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  (Koehler) 
Jacob,  natives  of  Germany.  The  Jacob's  were  pioneer  settlers  of 
Mokena,  111.,  where  Mr.  Jacob  was  a  well  known  cafe  owner.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bechstein  were  born  three  children:  William  H.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Catherine,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Warren  Harper, 
of  Kent,  Wash. ;  and  Robert  A.,  lives  in  Chicago. 

William  H.  Bechstein  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mokena,  having 
come  here  with  his  mother  when  he  was  nine  years  old.  He  was  em- 
ployed in  the  grain  business  of  John  A.  Hatch  for  a  short  time,  and 
later  went  to  Chicago  where  he  attended  the  Metropolitan  Business 
College.  He  began  his  business  career  at  Seneca,  111.,  as  a  bookkeeper 
for  M.  J.  Hogan,  grain  dealer,  and  in  1902  returned  to  Mokena,  where 
he  purchased  the  grain,  coal  and  feed  business  of  John  A.  Hatch.  Three 
years  later  he  sold  this  business  to  Liess  Brothers,  and  purchased  a  third 
interest  in  the  business  of  M.  J.  Hogan,  at  Seneca,  111.,  becoming  treas- 
urer of  the  company.  In  1907  Mr.  Bechstein  disposed  of  his  share  in 
the  business  and  returned  to  Mokena,  at  that  time  buying  the  interests 
of  Leiss  Brothers.  He  conducted  this  business  as  the  William  H.  Bech- 
stein Grain  Company  until  1926,  at  which  time  it  was  disposed  of  to 
Cappel  Brothers.  Mr.  Bechstein  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Mokena  State  Bank  in  August,  1909,  and  served  as  the  bank's  first 
secretary.    In  January,  1925,  he  was  elected  president  of  the  bank. 

Mr.  Bechstein  was  married  (first)  in  1895  to  Miss  Emma  Cappel, 
the  daughter  of  John  Cappel.  She  is  deceased.  To  this  union  were 
born  three  children:  Alma,  married  George  H.  Cooper,  Jr.,  lives  at 
St.  Petersburg,  Fla.,  and  they  have  a  son,  George  HI.;  Ruby,  died  in 
1918,  buried  at  Mokena;  and  Edna,  married  Arthur  Kries,  lives  at 
Joliet,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Irene.  In  1922  Mr.  Bechstein  mar- 
ried Miss  Rose  Oswald,  the  daughter  of  Erhardt  and  Sophia  Oswald, 
natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Oswald  is  deceased  and  his  widow  lives  at 
Mokena. 

Mr.  Bechstein  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  703 

Andrew  Lindborg,  president  of  the  Union  Pure  Ice  &  Coal  Company, 
is  a  widely  known  citizen  and  popular  business  man  of  Joliet.  He  was 
born  at  Schmolin,  Sweden,  June  6,  1870,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Christina 
(Swanson)  Lindborg. 

Peter  Lindborg  was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  in  1873  was  living  in  Germany.  His  wife  is  also  deceased.  They 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Carl,  farmer,  lives  at  Yemp- 
lin,  Sweden;  Alfred,  died  in  1918,  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet; 
Andrew,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Otto,  died  in  1922,  buried  in  Chi- 
cago, was  a  Spanish  American  War  veteran,  having  served  in  the  U.  S. 
Navy ;  Mrs.  L.  Holmborg,  lives  in  Sweden ;  and  Augusta,  deceased. 

Andrew  Lindborg  was  three  years  old  when  his  father  died.  As  a 
boy  he  worked  in  a  saw  mill  and  later  was  employed  in  a  dairy  plant. 
He  came  to  this  country  in  1888  and  settled  at  Joliet,  where  he  was 
employed  as  a  laborer  in  the  stone  quarry  of  N.  D.  Connors.  He  later 
entered  the  employ  of  the  American  Wire  &  Steel  Company  at  the 
Lockport  plant,  and  in  1892  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  employed 
as  an  engineer  by  the  Sellinger  &  Mayer  Dry  Goods  Company.  Mr. 
Lindborg  spent  some  time  in  North  Dakota  and  upon  his  return  to  Joliet 
was  connected  with  the  Elgin-Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad.  He  later 
reentered  the  employ  of  the  American  Wire  &  Steel  Company  and  was 
also  associated  in  the  restaurant  business  at  Lockport  with  Anthony 
Olson.  He  later  was  interested  in  the  restaurant  business  in  Joliet, 
being  the  proprietor  of  the  East  Side  Buffet  on  Cass  Street  until  1919. 
In  1913  Mr.  Lindborg  established  the  Union  Coal,  Transfer  &  Ware- 
house Company  at  515  Cass  Avenue.  It  was  incorporated  in  1915  and 
Mr.  Lindborg  was  made  president.  Five  years  later  the  plant  was 
removed  to  its  present  location  at  50-52  Henderson  Avenue.  A  40  ton 
ice  plant  was  erected  in  1921,  and  at  the  present  time  the  plant  has  an 
80  ton  capacity.  The  firm  which  is  now  known  as  the  Union  Pure  Ice 
&  Coal  Company  is  incorporated  at  $50,000.00,  and  has  an  extensive 
trade  in  Joliet  and  the  surrounding  community. 

In  July,  1903,  Mr.  Lindborg  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Selma 
Larsen,  the  daughter  of  Louis  and  Bethilda  (Pearson)  Larsen,  the 
former  a  native  of  Denmark,  and  the  latter  of  Sweden.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Larsen  are  residents  of  Rockdale,  Pa.  For  many  years  he  was  employed 
by  the  American  Wire  &  Steel  Company.  There  are  seven  children  in 
the  Larsen  family:     Selma  Lindborg;  Hulgar,  lives  at  Joliet;  Harold, 


704  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

a  World  War  veteran,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Hattie,  at  home ;  Harry,  a  World 
War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  U.  S.  marine  corps,  lives  at  Joliet ; 
Hilga,  married  Clarence  P.  Tindall,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  Hazel,  at  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindborg  have  three  children:  Sigred,  married  Russell 
Barron,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Lloyd,  associated  with  his  father's  business ;  and 
Laura,  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School. 

Mr.  Lindborg  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  English  Lutheran 
Church  and  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce. 


Hon.  George  F.  Sehring. — A  lifelong  resident  of  the  city  of  Joliet, 
Hon.  George  F.  Selmng  is  well  known  to  its  citizens  as  a  man  of  integ- 
rity and  ability  who  has  been  identified  with  a  number  of  leading  enter- 
prises, and  whose  business  talents  have  been  enlisted  in  the  cause  of 
public  service  much  to  the  betterment  of  the  community.  In  the  capacity 
of  mayor,  an  office  in  which  he  has  served  since  the  spring  of  1923,  he 
has  established  a  splendid  record  for  his  business  like  method  of  handling 
conditions  which  have  come  under  his  jurisdiction. 

Mayor  Sehring  was  born  at  Joliet,  Feb.  21,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of 
Frederick  and  Eloise  (Bez)  Sehring,  natives  of  Germany,  the  father 
being  born  in  the  Province  of  Hesse-Darmstadt.  The  parents  were 
married  in  their  native  land  and  shortly  thereafter  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  and  took  up  their  residence  at  Mokena,  111.  Mr.  Sehring 
became  prominent  in  his  community  and  served  for  a  time  as  county 
recorder  of  Will  County.  After  moving  to  Joliet  he  was  a  candidate 
for  state  senator.  Having  learned  the  art  of  brewing  in  his  native 
land,  he  followed  that  calling  in  this  country  and  finally  purchased  the 
Columbia  Brewery,  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  his  death  in 
1892.  His  widow  survived  him  until  1911.  They  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Susan,  lives  at  San  Francisco,  Calif.;  Louis  J., 
lives  at  Joliet;  Margaret,  married  Henry  F.  Prepiepenbenk,  lives  at 
Joliet;  Henry,  died  in  1926;  Herman,  deceased;  Anna,  married  Dr. 
Poehner,  lives  at  San  Francisco;  and  George  F.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

George  F.  Sehring  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  after 
graduating  from  the  high  school  as  a  member  of  the  class  of  1891  he 
took  a  business  course  at  the  Metropolitan  Business  College  of  Chicago. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  705 

He  secured  his  first  employment  as  collector  for  the  Will  County  National 
Bank,  where  he  rose  to  receiving  teller  and  then  to  paying  teller,  but  in 
1004  resigned  his  position  to  become  cashier  and  collector  of  the  Fred 
Sehring  Brewing  Company.  In  1922,  because  of  national  prohibition,  the 
brewing  company  ceased  business,  and  since  then  Mr.  Sehring  has  cen- 
tered his  energies  in  looking  after  his  large  interests  of  a  business  and 
financial  character  and  in  attending  to  his  official  duties.  In  1905  he 
was  elected  city  treasurer,  a  position  in  which  he  served  during  1905 
and  1906,  and  in  the  spring  of  1923  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Sehring  is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith  and  has  a  number  of 
fraternal  and  civic  connections. 

On  Nov.  4,  1896,  Mr.  Sehring  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Louisa  Kramer  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Frank  and  Mary  (Weber) 
Kramer,  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs.  Sehring  died  July  25,  1925.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sehring  the 
following  children  were  born:  Margaret,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Smith ;  Gertrude,  married  Joseph  F.  Lennon,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Fred, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  candy  business  in  Joliet,  married  Edna  May 
French  of  Joliet ;  George  H.,  who  is  a  medical  student  at  the  University 
of  Michigan;  and  Louise,  married  on  June  14,  1926,  to  John  Cassidy 
of  Joliet.  He  is  associated  in  business  with  his  father,  Charles  Cassidy, 
who  conducts  the  J.  O.  Gorman  Company,  one  of  the  pioneer  wholesale 
and  retail  fruit  businesses  in  Joliet. 

Mayor  Sehring  married,  July  28,  1928,  Miss  Josephine  Barrett,  born 
in  Joliet  March  14,  1893,  a  daughter  of  Patrick  Barrett,  retired,  resides 
in  Joliet,  111.  Mrs.  Sehring  is  a  graduate  of  St.  Mary's  Academy,  Joliet, 
111.,  and  was  employed  by  the  E.  J  &  E.  R.  R.  offices  for  11  years,  previous 
to  her  marriage. 


Charles  R.  French,  D.  D.  S. — The  dental  profession  has  an  able 
exponent  at  Joliet  in  Dr.  French,  a  skilled  practitioner,  with  offices  in 
the  Auditorium  Building.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Aug.  3,  1892,  a  son 
of  Edward  and  Ella  (Haney)  French. 

Edward  French  was  born  at  Odell,  111.,  March  26,  1858,  the  son  of 

Joseph  and  Catherine  (Robinson)  French.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  French 

were  natives  of  Bennington,  Vt.,  and  pioneer  settlers  of  Illinois,  where 

Mr.  French  was  a  prosperous  farmer.    He  was  the  owner  of  the  first 

12— VOL.  2 


706  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

steel  plow  used  in  this  State.  Edward  French  spent  his  boyhood  on  his 
father's  farm  and  in  early  youth  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  & 
Alton  Railroad  at  Odell.  He  has  been  in  the  service  of  this  company 
for  47  years  and  is  now  a  passenger  conductor.  Mr.  French  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  wife,  who  was  born  at 
Joliet,  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Bridget  Haney,  both  natives  of 
Ireland.  Mr.  French's  mother  was  a  second  cousin  of  Admiral  Dewey 
of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  and  also  a  relative  of  the  first  governor  of  Vermont. 
She  taught  school  at  her  residence  in  Odell,  111.  To  Edward  and  Ella 
(Haney)  French  were  born  four  children:  Fred  C,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Harry  E.,  died  Sept.  16,  1914;  Charles  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
Ella,  a  graduate  of  St.  Francis  Academy,  married  George  Bartz,  lives  at 
Joliet. 

Following  his  attendance  at  Joliet  Township  High  School  for  a  term  of 
two  years,  Charles  R.  French  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton 
Railroad  in  their  general  offices  at  Chicago.  Subsequently  he  entered 
the  Chicago  Dental  College  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1912.  He 
then  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  has  established  an  excellent  practice. 

In  1915  Dr.  French  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Margaret 
Evans,  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  (Donley)  Evans,  of  Joliet.  Mr. 
Evans  is  deceased  and  his  widow  lives  in  this  city.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
French  have  one  child,  Laverne,  born  June  2,  1917. 

Politically  Dr.  French  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Sacred  Heart  Catholic  Church,  Psi  Omega  fraternity,  and  Holy  Name 
Society.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Will  and  Grundy  County  Dental  Society, 
Illinois  State  Dental  Society,  and  American  Dental  Association. 


Richard  Hensel. — Active  and  progressive  in  business,  Richard  Hen- 
sel  is  prominent  in  Mokena,  where  he  is  a  druggist.  He  was  born  in 
Chicago,  111.,  Aug.  18,  1868,  the  son  of  Richard  and  Fredericka  (Mast) 
Hensel. 

Richard  Hensel,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  the 
son  of  Peter  von  Henseldorf ,  who  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reichs- 
tag. Mr.  Hensel  was  a  cigar  maker  by  trade  and  after  his  arrival  in 
the  United  States  in  1861  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars  in 
Chicago.     His  factory  and  business  were  completely  destroyed  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  707 

Chicago  fire.  Mr.  Hensel  is  deceased  and  is  buried  in  New  York.  His 
wife  is  buried  at  Mokena.  There  were  three  sons  in  the  Hensel  family ; 
Richard,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Arthur,  died  March  8,  1928,  in 
Chicago,  111.;  and  Otto,  wholesale  candy  manufacturer,  Los  Angeles, 
Calif. 

The  boyhood  of  Richard  Hensel  was  spent  in  Mokena,  where  he 
attended  the  public  schools.  He  clerked  in  the  grocery  store  of  a  Mr. 
Ducker.  He  later  was  employed  in  the  Frank  Baumgartner  dairy,  and 
then  became  interested  in  the  drug  business  in  the  store  of  Dr.  F.  W. 
Searles.  Mr.  Hensel  went  to  Chicago  to  study  pharmacy  in  the  store  of 
Edward  Merz,  now  owner  of  Sergeant's  Drug  Store  in  Chicago.  Mr. 
Hensel  later  went  as  drug  buyer  for  Sol  Klein  and  finally  established  a 
business  of  his  own  at  48th  and  Lake  streets,  Chicago.  In  1923  he 
disposed  of  this  store  and  came  to  Mokena,  where  he  established  his 
present  business. 

In  1892  Mr.  Hensel  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma  Kappel, 
the  daughter  of  Fred  and  Came  (Schweser)  Kappel,  natives  of  Ger- 
many and  early  settlers  of  Will  County.  They  are  deceased.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hensel  were  born  five  children :  Violet,  married  Henry  Heran, 
lives  in  Chicago,  and  they  have  a  son,  Richard;  Ethel,  employed  in  the 
Federal  Reserve  Bank,  Chicago;  Ruth,  married  Leonard  Grosse,  lives 
in  Chicago ;  Richard,  deceased ;  and  Carrie  Louise,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Mr.  Hensel  is  a  Republican  and  is  serving  his  second  term  as  justice 
of  the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Harry  F.  Mall,  manager  of  the  Frank"  Mall  Lumber  Company,  is  a 
representative  business  man  of  Mokena.  He  was  born  in  Aurora,  111., 
July  15,  1883,  a  son  of  Frank  and  Sarah  (Schank)  Mall. 

Frank  Mall,  deceased,  was  born  March  25,  1889,  at  Spelinngen,  Ger- 
many. In  1886  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Oswego,  111.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Aurora,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  building  contract  work  until  1898.  In  that  year  he  embarked  in  the 
lumber  business  and  had  a  large  lumber  yard.  Today  it  is  one  of  the 
largest  in  Aurora.  In  1909  Mr.  Mall  purchased  a  lumber  yard  in 
Mokena  from  George  J.  Hacker,  which  was  a  small  yard  at  that  time. 


708  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mr.  Mall  died  Jan.  12,  1912,  and  is  buried  at  Aurora,  111.  He  was  a  Re- 
publican and  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church.  His  widow,  a  native 
of  Oswego,  111.,  now  lives  at  Aurora.  To  this  union  five  children  were 
born :  Albert,  president,  Frank  Mall  Lumber  Company,  Aurora ;  Robert, 
manager,  Frank  Mall  Lumber  Company,  Aurora;  Margaret,  married 
Joseph  Lord,  lives  at  Aurora;  Harry  T.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
Franklin,  deceased. 

Harry  F.  Mall  graduated  from  Aurora  High  School  in  1900,  after 
which  he  took  a  course  in  Allen's  Metropolitan  Business  College.  After 
leaving  school  he  went  to  Michigan  and  Wisconsin  where  he  followed 
the  lumber  business.  Later  he  was  in  business  for  himself  at  Seattle, 
Wash.,  also  in  real  estate.  In  1909  he  returned  East  and  located  in 
Mokena,  where  he  assumed  the  management  of  the  Frank  Mall  Lum- 
ber Company.  The  plant  is  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  this 
section.  The  company  also  handles  farm  implements,  coal,  and  builders 
supplies. 

In  1919  Mr.  Mall  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mabel  Hirsch, 
a  daughter  of  Frank  Hirsch,  a  retired  cafe  owner  of  Mokena. 

Mr.  Mall  is  a  Republican.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Evangelical  Church,  in  which  Mrs.  Mall  is  an  active  worker. 


Emil  D.  Cappel. — One  of  the  representative  and  substantial  men  of 
Will  County,  is  Emil  D.  Cappel,  who  is  serving  as  Highway  Commis- 
sioner for  Frankfort  Township.  He  was  born  at  Mokena,  Jan.  29,  1884, 
a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Werner)  Cappel. 

John  Cappel,  deceased,  was  born  in  Frankfort,  Will  County,  May  26, 
1846,  and  died  in  1896.  He  was  a  prominent  stockman  of  the  county, 
and  the  owner  of  a  large  farm  known  as  the  Brummond  farm,  at 
Mokena.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  all  township  and  county  affairs, 
and  served  as  deputy  sheriff  for  four  years.  He  was  township  collector 
one  year,  and  township  clerk  for  six  years,  and  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Evangelical  Church.  His  widow,  also  a  native  of  Will  County  now 
resides  at  Mokena.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cappel  11  children  were  born: 
Julia,  deceased;  Emma,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Bechstein; 
John,  a  stock  dealer,  Mattoon,  111.;  Willie,  deceased;  George,  deceased; 
Andrew,  Mokena;  Emil  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Alma,  married 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  709 

August  Hauck,  Mokena;  Fred,  Mokena;  Ida,  married  Peter  Manche, 
Mokena;  and  Albert,  Mokena. 

John  Cappel  was  a  son  of  Frederick  Cappel,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  an  early  settler  of  Will  County.  Frankfort  township,  Will 
County,  was  named  by  him,  in  honor  of  Frankfort  on  the  Main,  where 
he  was  born.    He  was  an  agriculturist,  and  is  buried  at  Mokena. 

Emil  D.  Cappel  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mokena.  He  then 
engaged  in  farming  and  after  the  World  War  purchased  116  acres  of 
land,  all  under  cultivation,  which  was  known  as  the  John  Scheweser 
farm.  Mr.  Cappel  does  winter  stock  feeding.  He  was  elected  highway 
commissioner  on  the  People's  ticket  in  1924  and  in  1928  was  reelected 
by  one  of  the  largest  majorities  ever  given  a  candidate  in  the  town- 
ship. He  served  as  tax  collector  for  two  years  and  filled  this  office 
capably. 

In  1903  Mr.  Cappel  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma  Martie, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Louisa  (Sass)  Martie,  natives  of  Germany, 
and  later  residents  of  Mokena.  Both  are  deceased  and  buried  in  St. 
John's  Cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cappel  have  three  children:  Myrtle, 
Elmer,  and  Mildred,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Cappel's  home  is  located  on  the 
Tinley  Park  Road,  one  and  one-quarter  miles  east  of  Mokena. 

Mr.  Cappel  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the 
family  hold  membership  in  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church. 


Fred  Cappel,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Cappel  Brothers,  dealers 
in  grain,  feed,  coal,  salt,  and  tile,  at  Mokena,  is  one  of  the  live,  progress- 
ive men  of  that  city.  He  was  born  in  Mokena,  Sept.  27,  1887,  a  son  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Werner)  Cappel,  a  complete  sketch  of  whom 
appears  in  Emil  D.  Cappel  sketch. 

Fred  Cappel  attended  the  public  schools  and  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  was  21  years  of  age.  In  1908  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Joliet  and  Eastern  Electric  Railway  as  a  conductor,  running  between 
Aurora,  111.,  and  Chicago  Heights.  In  1916  he  resigned  this  position 
in  order  to  operate  his  mother's  farm.  On  Aug.  7,  1926,  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  Albert  Cappel,  he  purchased  the  business  of  William 
Bechstein,  which  they  have  since  successfully  conducted  under  the  name 
of  Cappel  Brothers. 


710  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

In  1913  Mr.  Cappel  was  married  to  Miss  Luella  May  Karen,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Karch.  Mr.  Karen,  who  was  a  dealer  in  farm  implements 
at  Frankfort,  111.,  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cappel  have  a  daugh- 
ter, Helen  Katherine,  a  student. 

Mr.  Cappel  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church,  and  is  secretary,  treasurer  and  a  trustee  of  St.  John's  Cemetery 
Association.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M. 
No.  175,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Albert  C.  Cappel,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Cappel  Brothers,  is 
one  of  the  prominent  young  business  men  of  Mokena.  He  was  born  here 
on  Jan.  12,  1891,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Werner)  Cappel. 

A  sketch  of  John  Cappel  appears  in  the  biography  of  Emil  D.  Cappel. 

Albert  C.  Cappel  was  reared  on  his  mother's  farm  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Mokena.  He  followed  farming  all  his  life  until  1927, 
when  he  engaged  in  business  with  his  brother.  He  had  a  farm  of  129 
acres,  all  of  which  was  under  cultivation  except  25  acres.  He  was  also 
interested  in  the  dairy  business,  which  he  sold  in  1928.  On  Aug.  7,  1926, 
he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Cappel  Brothers. 

In  1915  Mr.  Cappel  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  A.  Yunker,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Chris  and  Earnestine  (Parchert)  Yunker.  Mr.  Yunker,  who  was 
an  agriculturist,  is  deceased,  and  his  widow  resides  in  Mokena.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cappel  three  children  were  born;  Wesley  E.,  Harold,  and 
Marvin,  all  students.  Mrs.  Cappel  died  April  9,  1925,  and  is  buried  in 
St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena. 

Mr.  Cappel  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  and  Matte- 
son  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175. 


George  J.  Hacker. — Among  the  prominent  men  in  the  banking  and 
business  life  of  Mokena  and  New  Lenox  is  George  J.  Hacker,  who  bears 
the  name  of  an  honored  pioneer  family  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in 
Mokena,  June  22,  1874,  a  son  of  Charles  and  Maria  (Mau)  Hacker. 

When  mere  children  Charles  and  Marie  Hacker  came  to  this  country 
from  Germany  with  their  parents,  who  located  in  Mokena,  and  where 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  711 

they  were  reared  and  were  married.  Charles  Hacker  was  a  trusted 
employe  of  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  where  he  served  45  years.  He  was 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  having  served  in  the  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  wounded  while  in  service  in  North  Carolina,  and 
was  honorably  discharged.  He  died  in  1916  and  his  wife  in  1927.  They 
are  both  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena.  He  was  a  member  of 
St.  John's  Evangelical  Church,  a  member  of  the  Village  Board  of 
trustees,  and  the  G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  There  were 
five  children  in  the  Hacker  family:  Louisa,  married  Herman  Wilde, 
lives  in  Joliet;  Charles  J.,  Mokena;  George  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Minnie,  married  John  Hauck,  Joliet;  and  Philip,  a  contractor  builder, 
lives  at  Mokena. 

George  J.  Hacker  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mokena,  and  then 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  which  he  followed  for  four  years.  He  then 
engaged  in  building  until  1900,  in  which  year  he  started  a  lumber  yard. 
He  conducted  this  with  success  and  in  1909  sold  his  business  to  the 
Frank  Mall  Lumber  Company. 

In  1909  he  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  specializing  in  the 
erection  and  selling  of  houses.  He  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders 
of  the  Mokena  State  Bank,  and  in  1921  was  made  its  cashier.  He  re- 
signed this  position  in  1927.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  bank. 
In  1919  Mr.  Hacker  assisted  in  organizing  the  Orland  State  Bank,  of 
Orland,  111.,  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  auditing  committee  of  the 
bank.  In  1927  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  New  Lenox  State 
Bank,  at  New  Lenox,  and  is  a  director.  Mr.  Hacker  also  opened  and 
developed  Brookwood  Park,  a  subdivision  of  New  Lenox.  On  April  1, 
1928,  with  two  business  associates,  he  organized  the  New  Lenox  Lum- 
ber and  Hardware  Company,  at  New  Lenox,  111. 

In  1900  Mr.  Hacker  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie  Barnes,  a  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Mary  (Rix)  Barnes,  natives  of  England,  where  they  were 
married.  They  located  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  where  Mr. 
Barnes  was  engaged  in  farming.  They  are  now  deceased  and  are  buried 
in  Marshall  Cemetery,  Mokena.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hacker  have  four  chil- 
dren :  Eunice,  married  Frank  Valy,  lives  at  New  Lenox,  and  they  have 
two  sons,  George  and  Glen;  Myrtle,  married  Ceward  W.  Batson,  New 
Lenox ;  Muriel,  and  Evelyn,  at  home.    Myrtle  and  Muriel  are  twins. 

Mr.  Hacker  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  supervisor  of  Frank- 
fort Township,  and  has  been  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 


712  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mokena  for  years.    The  family  are  members  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church. 


Fred  M.  Chamberlin. — A  prominent  investment  banker  in  Joliet  is 
Fred  M.  Chamberlin,  who  is  vice  president  of  the  Woodruff  Securities 
Company,  with  offices  in  the  First  National  Bank  Building.  He  was 
born  in  this  city,  Aug.  30,  1877,  a  son  of  George  N.  and  Ella  E.  (Munger) 
Chamberlin. 

George  N.  Chamberlin  was  born  in  Lockport,  111.,  Dec.  20,  1851.  He 
was  educated  in  and  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  Lockport,  after 
which  he  learned  telegraphy  on  the  old  Caton  lines  of  the  Illinois  and 
Mississippi  Telegraph  Company,  which  operated  and  controlled  the  first 
telegraph  lines  in  this  State.  He  remained  with  this  company  for  three 
years  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Lake  Shore  and  Michigan 
Southern  Railroad  being  located  in  the  telegraphic  department  at  Engle- 
wood,  111.,  as  night  operator.  He  was  later  transferred  to  the  city  offices 
under  the  Sherman  House  in  the  general  freight  department,  his  uncle, 
Charles  M.  Gray  being  assistant  general  freight  agent  at  that  time.  He 
later  returned  to  Lockport  and  was  with  Norton  &  Company  in  the 
milling  and  commission  business  for  four  years.  In  the  meantime  his 
father's  business  had  grown  so  extensive  that  in  1875  he  joined  him  and 
remained  until  his  son,  Fred  M.  Chamberlin  took  over  the  business. 
He  now  resides  at  Daytona  Beach,  Florida.  His  wife  died  Sept.  3,  1908 
and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery.  Mr.  Chamberlin  was  a  member  of 
Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175.  On  Dec.  5,  1876  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Ella  E.  Munger,  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  Munger,  an  old  and 
highly  esteemed  resident  of  Joliet.  To  this  union  two  children  were 
born:    Fred  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Jessie  F.  Chamberlin. 

George  N.  Chamberlin  was  the  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Gray) 
Chamberlin.  Samuel  S.  Chamberlin  was  born  in  Henrietta,  Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  19,  1817.  His  father,  Luther  Chamberlin,  was  pro- 
prietor of  the  old  fashioned  tavern  known  as  the  Henrietta  House,  located 
near  Rochester,  N.  Y.  At  an  early  age  Samuel  S.  Chamberlin  entered 
the  Monroe  Academy  where  he  acquired  his  education.  At  the  age  of 
16  years  he  left  New  York  with  his  father  and  brother  Lewis  L.  Cham- 
berlin, for  Illinois.  They  started  in  January,  1833,  and  Mr.  Chamberlin 
rode  the  entire  distance  on  an  Indian  pony.     They  reached  Chicago, 


GKOKGE    X.    CHAM  I  IK  KLIN 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  713 

the  only  Indian  trading  station  along  the  route,  and  there  remained 
for  a  few  days,  after  which  they  proceeded  southward,  making  a  settle- 
ment near  Hickory  Creek.  It  took  one  month  to  make  the  trip.  Luther 
Chamberlin  made  a  claim  on  government  land,  remaining  there  until 
1837  when  he  removed  to  Peoria  County,  111.  Samuel  S.  Chamberlin 
continued  his  education  as  a  student  in  Jubilee  College,  near  Peoria, 
and  was  graduated.    In  1844  the  family  removed  to  Lockport,  111. 

Samuel  S.  Chamberlin  began  business  as  an  architect  and  builder, 
contracting  for  warehouses  and  buildings.  He  erected  the  large  ware- 
house of  Norton  &  Company,  of  Lockport,  111.  In  1847  he  established 
a  furniture  and  undertaking  business,  erecting  new  buildings  for  his 
business.  In  1854  during  the  cholera  siege  he  worked  day  and  night 
for  a  month.  In  1873  he  removed  his  business  to  Joliet,  taking  in  his 
son  George  N.  Chamberlin  as  a  partner.  In  1885  the  furniture  depart- 
ment was  discontinued. 

Samuel  S.  Chamberlin  was  married  in  1839  to  Elizabeth  Gray,  who 
died  April  11,  1889.  He  died  Dec.  4,  1897.  They  had  two  sons,  George 
N.,  and  Charles  G.  Chamberlin. 

Fred  M.  Chamberlin  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  the 
Joliet  High  School,  and  as  a  young  man  entered  the  office  of  the  late 
George  H.  Munroe,  real  estate.  In  1893  he  came  to  the  First  National 
Bank  as  a  collector.  In  1899  he  left  the  bank  and  took  charge  of  the 
Geo.  N.  Chamberlin  &  Son  undertaking  establishment,  in  which  business 
he  still  retains  an  interest.  In  1919  Mr.  Chamberlin  became  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  Woodruff  Securities  Company.  In  1919  Mr.  Chamberlin 
took  as  a  partner  in  his  undertaking  business,  D.  S.  Sloan,  and  the  con- 
cern is  known  as  Chamberlin  &  Sloan. 

In  1900  Mr.  Chamberlin  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Katherine 
Reed,  a  daughter  of  Loyal  W.  Reed,  of  Springfield,  111.,  the  latter  is  now 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chamberlin  have  a  daughter,  Frances,  a  grad- 
uate of  Elmhurst  School,  Connersville,  Ind.,  now  at  home.  The  family 
are  members  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Chamberlin  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  which  he 
served  as  president  for  two  years;  is  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank;  and  the  Joliet  Country  Club.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with 
Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175,  of  which  he  was  master  in 
1904-05;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  27;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4; 
and  Oriental  Consistory,  A.  A.  S.  R. 


714  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Henry  Stellwagen,  proprietor  of  Stellwagen's  Shop,  Mokena,  is  well 
known  in  the  borough's  political  and  fraternal  circles.  He  was  born  in 
Orland  Township,  Cook  County,  111.,  July  7,  1865,  a  son  of  Mathias  and 
Margaret  (Stellwagen)  Stellwagen. 

Mathias  Stellwagen  was  born  in  Heimersheim,  Germany,  as  was  also 
his  wife.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1842  and  located  at  Wilkes 
Barre,  Pa.  In  1844  he  came  to  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  111., 
and  was  one  of  its  pioneer  settlers.  He  followed  fanning  and  stock- 
raising.  He  was  married  to  Margaret  Stellwagen,  on  June  2,  1859,  at 
Joliet.  He  died  July  17,  1888,  and  she  died  April  14,  1913.  They  are 
buried  in  Pleasant  Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort  Township.  There  were  six 
children  in  the  Stellwagen  family:  1.  William,  born  April  21,  1860,  died 
Aug.  14,  1925.  2.  John,  born  Aug.  23,  1861,  a  retired  fanner  of  Orland 
Township,  Cook  County,  111.  3.  Caroline,  married  Fred  Marti.  She  is 
deceased  and  he  lives  at  Frankfort,  111.  4.  Henry,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  5.  Philip  J.,  born  April  24,  1874,  a  farmer,  in  Frankfort  Town- 
ship. 6.  George  A.,  born  Dec.  27,  1875,  a  farmer,  Frankfort  Town- 
ship. 

Henry  Stellwagen  was  educated  in  the  township  schools  of  Orland 
Township.  He  learned  the  harness  maker's  trade  from  Philip  Knater  at 
Frankfort,  111.,  where  he  remained  five  years.  In  1894  he  came  to 
Mokena  where  he  conducted  a  harness  shop  and  later  a  livery  stable, 
also.  He  still  conducts  the  harness  business  and  auto  livery,  and  stor- 
age garage. 

In  1894  Mr.  Stellwagen  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jennie 
Hatch,  a  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Nancy  M.  (McGovney)  Hatch. 

John  A.  Hatch  was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  in 
1842.  He  died  July  17,  1920.  His  wife,  who  was  born  at  Mokena,  died 
July  1,  1927.  Both  are  buried  in  Marshall  Cemetery,  New  Lenox  Town- 
ship, Will  County.  Mr.  Hatch  conducted  a  general  store  and  was  also 
in  the  grain  elevator  business.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a 
member  of  the  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  during  the  entire 
period  of  the  war.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Mokena,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  U.  S.  Grant  Post,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hatch  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  1.  Jennie,  born  April  28,  1867.  2.  Emma, 
born  Sept.  21,  1872,  died  March  14,  1889.  3.  Nannie,  born  Aug.  11, 
1874,  married  Samuel  J.  Fulton,  Joliet.  4.  John  0.,  born  July  10,  1877, 
Altadena,  Calif.    5.  Grace,  born  Feb.  16,  1880,  married  George  E.  Pitt- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  715 

away,  Auburn  Park,  Chicago,  111.  6.  Etta,  born  Oct.  22,  1882,  married 
Herman  Grassle.  Coal  City,  111.  7.  Elbert  R.,  born  Sept.  11,  1884, 
Keokuk,  Iowa.  8.  Lois  V.,  born  April  5,  1887,  married  Thomas  W.  Har- 
vey, Joliet.  9.  Alfred  Clinton,  born  Nov.  8,  1889,  a  veteran  of  the  World 
War,  having  served  in  France  with  the  2nd  Division,  and  was  in  the 
Army  of  Occupation,  lives  at  Mokena. 

Mr.  Stellwagen  is  a  Republican,  and  fraternally  is  affiliated  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Court  of  Honor,  Royal  Neighbors,  and 
Woodmen's  Accident  Association.  He  has  an  excellent  standing  in  the 
town  and  is  highly  esteemed. 


Nicholas  Lauffer,  a  retired  farmer  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 
Mokena,  was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  March  15,  1853, 
a  son  of  George  and  Eva  (Utzinger)  Lauffer. 

George  Lauffer  was  born  in  Germany  where  he  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. He  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Frankfort  Township 
in  July,  1846.  As  he  had  no  work  that  fall  he  walked  all  the  way  to 
St.  Louis  seeking  employment.  The  next  fall  he  returned  to  Frank- 
fort where  he  followed  farming  and  became  very  successful.  In  1869 
he  removed  to  Homer  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  bought  a  farm 
of  685  acres.  He  also  owned  160  acres  of  land  in  Cook  County,  Orland 
Township.  Besides  farming  he  was  also  engaged  in  stock  raising  on  a 
large  scale.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church.  His  wife  was  also  born  in  Germany.  They  were  married  in 
Illinois,  and  to  their  union  six  children  were  born:  Sarah,  the  widow 
of  John  Falk,  lives  at  Orland,  111. ;  Nicholas,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
George,  deceased ;  Caroline,  the  widow  of  Nick  Marti,  lives  in  Frankfort 
Township ;  Daniel,  lives  at  Homer,  111. ;  and  Elizabeth,  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  Albert  Marti,  who  resides  at  Homer,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lauffer 
are  both  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Mokena. 

George  Lauffer  was  the  son  of  Philipina  Lauffer,  who  came  to  the 
United  States  and  resided  with  her  son  George.  She  died  in  1863  and 
was  the  first  person  to  be  buried  in  the  Mokena  Cemetery. 

Nicholas  Lauffer  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Frankfort 
Township.  He  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  29  years  of 
age,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  of  his  own  consisting  of  160  acres.    He 


716  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

was  a  stock  raiser  and  also  did  general  farming.  He  continued  to  buy 
land  until  he  had  a  farm  of  360  acres.  In  June,  1912,  Mr.  Lauffer  re- 
tired from  the  farm  and  purchased  a  home  in  Mokena. 

In  1880  Mr.  Lauffer  was  married  to  Miss  Florence  Sayers,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Harriet  (Goddard)  Sayers,  natives  of  England,  where 
they  were  married.  They  came  to  the  United  States  in  1842  and  settled 
in  New  Jersey.  In  1844  they  came  to  Illinois  where  Mr.  Sayers  engaged 
in  farming.  They  are  now  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Cook  County,  111. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lauffer  six  children  were  born:  Ella,  married  Elmer 
Cooper,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history;  Arthur, 
and  Charles,  both  engaged  in  farming,  in  Homer  Township ;  Elsie,  mar- 
ried Harrison  Haley,  a  farmer,  Ford  County,  111. ;  Viola,  married  Barney 
Hastert,  lives  at  Mokena ;  and  Lester,  deceased. 

Mr.  Lauffer  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  township  and 
county.  He  is  a  Republican  and  has  filled  the  office  of  school  director 
and  road  commissioner.  He  and  his  family  are  estimable  people  and 
have  the  esteem  of  their  entire  community. 


Charles  E.  Hirsch,  a  well  known  and  excellent  citizen  of  Will  County, 
was  born  in  Mokena,  April  24,  1859,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Philipine 
(Worthmiller)  Hirsch. 

Charles  Hirsch  was  born  in  Germany,  as  was  also  his  wife.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  father,  Karl  Hirsch,  who  settled  in 
Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  on  July  4,  1847.  The  latter  followed 
farming  and  was  well  known  in  the  county.  He  is  buried  in  Mokena. 
His  son,  Charles  Hirsch,  attended  the  public  schools  and  when  a  young 
man  engaged  in  buying  live  stock  and  grain.  He  later  established  a 
general  merchandise  store  in  Mokena  which  he  conducted  for  many 
years.  At  his  father's  death  he  purchased  the  homestead  from  the 
other  heirs  and  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  had  lived  retired  for  some 
time  prior  to  his  death.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Evangelical  Church.  For  many  years  he  served  on  the  school 
board  as  director,  and  was  holding  that  office  when  the  present  school 
was  built.  To  Charles  and  Philipine  (Worthmiller)  Hirsch  five  children 
were  born :  Charles  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Bertha,  married  Ben- 
jamin Marti,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.;  Frank  E.,  lives  at  Mokena; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  717 

Julius,  1st,  died  in  1869 ;  and  Julius  G.,  2nd,  died  Jan.  31,  1928.  Mrs. 
Hirsch  was  also  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a 
young  child  with  her  parents. 

Charles  E.  Hirsch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Mokena, 
and  attended  Cook  County  Normal  School.  He  then  engaged  in  the  buy- 
ing and  selling  of  grain  in  Iowa,  later  going  to  Chicago,  where  with  his 
brother  Julius,  he  became  a  trader  in  live  stock  at  the  Chicago  stock 
yards.  Upon  the  death  of  their  father  they  returned  to  Mokena  and 
settled  on  the  farm  where  they  still  continued  their  live  stock  trade,  as 
well  as  operating  the  farm.  In  1925  Mr.  Hirsch  retired  from  active 
business. 

Mr.  Hirsch  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Mr. 
Hirsch  has  many  friends  in  Mokena  where  he  has  practically  lived  since 
boyhood. 


Harvey  H.  Reab,  a  well  known  young  business  man  of  Mokena,  and 
proprietor  of  Reab's  Market,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  in 
Colona,  Henry  County,  July  10,  1893,  a  son  of  Herschel  Clifford  and 
Mary  Jane  (McHenry)  Reab. 

Herschel  Clifford  Reab,  deceased,  was  born  in  Dayton,  111.  After 
leaving  school  he  worked  on  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  and  was  made 
foreman  of  the  bridge  gang.  In  1917  he  removed  to  Galena  Junction, 
111.,  where  he  was  lock  tender  for  the  State  of  Illinois.  He  resigned  this 
position  in  1919  and  removed  to  Colona,  where  he  died  in  1920.  He  is 
buried  at  Dayton,  111.  His  widow  resides  at  Colona.  He  was  a  Republi- 
can, a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  had  served  as  village  trustee  of  Colona.  There  were 
eight  children  in  the  Reab  family :  James,  a  contractor,  Corvallis,  Ore. ; 
William,  East  Moline,  111.;  Clyde,  deceased;  Emma,  lives  at  Lincoln, 
Neb.;  Lula  and  Lilly,  twins.  Lula  married  Fred  Jordan,  lives  at  Coal 
Valley,  111.;  and  Lilly,  married  William  Darrow,  lives  at  Peoria,  111.; 
Harvey  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Ruth,  deceased,  buried  in 
Colona. 

Harvey  H.  Reab  was  educated  in  the  public  and  high  schools  of 
Colona.  He  then  worked  as  a  member  of  the  bridge  and  paint  gang 
on  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  for  a  time.    He  later  removed  to  Frankfort 


718  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Township,  Will  County,  and  worked  on  a  farm.  In  1917  he  went  to 
Round  Up,  Mont.,  and  engaged  in  ranch  work,  being  foreman  of  the 
M.  and  L.  Ranch  for  one  year,  and  then  returned  to  Mokena,  where 
he  was  employed  by  the  Bowman  Dairy  Company.  On  July  1,  1927,  Mr. 
Reab  established  his  present  business.  He  handles  choice  Western  and 
domestic  meats,  and  also  carries  a  high  grade  of  canned  goods. 

In  1922  Mr.  Reab  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Rosa  Liess,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Marti)  Liess.  Mr.  Liess  was  reared  on  a 
farm.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  land  agent  and  also  engaged  in 
the  insurance  business.  He  has  been  active  in  the  affairs  of  his  town- 
ship and  county.  He  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  the  offices  of  town- 
ship clerk,  township  treasurer,  collector  of  taxes,  and  at  present  is  serv- 
ing as  treasurer  of  Mokena,  where  he  resides.  His  wife  is  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reab  have  a  daughter,  Winona,  born  Jan.  12,  1924. 

Mr.  Reab  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Church,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Ancient  Order  of 
Gleaners. 


John  Cappel,  well  known  retired  farmer,  now  living  one-quarter  mile 
south  of  Mokena,  was  born  in  this  city,  Aug.  26,  1862,  a  son  of  Fred 
and  Katherina  (Schweser)  Cappel. 

Fred  Cappel,  deceased,  was  born  on  the  Rhine,  in  Germany.  He 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  a  small  boy,  the  family 
locating  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  where  the  father  pur- 
chased a  farm.  He  later  removed  to  Greengarden,  111.,  where  he  followed 
farming.  He  sold  this  farm  and  purchased  a  cafe  in  Frankfort  which 
he  conducted  a  year,  then  removed  to  Three  Points,  Joliet  Township, 
where  he  operated  a  cafe  for  five  years.  He  went  to  Perry,  Dallas 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  five  years.  From  there 
he  went  to  Laurelville,  Calhoun  County,  Iowa,  remaining  a  year,  later 
going  to  Ridgway,  Mo.,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  and  remained  for 
six  years.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years  in  Kimball,  S.  D., 
from  there  going  to  Woodbury  County,  la.  He  returned  to  Mokena, 
where  he  died  in  1888.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  held  various  public 
offices.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  There  were  eight 
children  in  the  Cappel  family:  Katherina,  Emma,  Louise,  Mary,  Fred, 
all  deceased;  Christie,  married  George  Lang,  Chicago;  Carrie  married 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  719 

Fred  Yunker,  Mokena ;  and  John,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mrs.  Cap- 
pel,  who  was  born  in  Luxemburg,  Germany,  died  in  1883,  and  is  buried 
at  Ridgway,  Mo. 

John  Cappel  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Mokena.  He 
traveled  all  through  the  West  with  his  father  and  returned  to  Mokena 
in  1884,  where  he  worked  for  John  Cappel,  buying  cattle  and  farming. 
He  later  engaged  in  business  for  himself  buying  and  selling  cattle  and 
hogs.    He  continued  in  this  business  until  1926  when  he  retired. 

In  1895  Mr.  Cappel  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Stork,  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Nettie  Stork,  natives  of  Germany,  and  later  residents  of 
Mokena.  They  are  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cappel  have  two  chil- 
dren :  Carrie,  married  Gilbert  Hurley,  of  Mokena.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren, Arthur  and  Violet ;  and  Walter,  a  fireman  on  the  Rock  Island  Rail- 
road, lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Cappel  is  a  Republican,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  and  Royal  Neighbors.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evan- 
gelical Church,  and  a  member  of  the  Cemetery  Board  of  St.  John's 
Cemetery  Association. 

Mr.  Cappel  has  an  excellent  standing  in  the  town  and  is  highly 
esteemed. 


Ben  W.  Mager  is  well  known  in  Frankfort  where  he  is  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Heusner  &  Mager,  distributors  of  Willys  Knight  and  Pontiac 
automobiles.  He  was  born  in  Orland,  Cook  County,  111.,  June  14,  1884, 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Marie  (Gunderman)  Mager. 

Jacob  Mager  and  his  wife  were  both  born  in  Orland.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  stockman  in  Cook  County.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
deceased  and  are  buried  in  Batchels  Grove,  111.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children:  Edward,  deceased;  Jacob,  lives  at  Blue  Island,  111.; 
Ben  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  George,  an  agriculturist,  Frankfort 
Township;  Marie,  married  Joseph  Kohl,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  in 
this  history;  and  Phibibin,  married  John  Sneurstein,  lives  at  Blue 
Island,  HI. 

Ben  W.  Mager  was  reared  in  Orland  and  attended  the  public  schools, 
after  which  he  worked  on  various  farms  in  Cook  County.  He  later 
bought  160  acres  of  land,  practically  all  under  cultivation.  He  carried 
on  general  farming  and  dairying  and  met  with  success.    His  farm  was 


720  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

located  on  the  Lincoln  Highway,  in  Will  County.  He  sold  his  dairy  busi- 
ness and  farm  in  1917  and  purchased  an  interest  in  a  garage  business 
with  Mr.  Heusner,  and  they  were  distributors  for  the  Ford  and  Over- 
land cars.  They  now  handle  the  Willys-Knight  and  Overland  cars.  They 
have  a  well  equipped  garage  and  show  room  and  employ  three  men. 

On  June  24,  1908,  Mr.  Mager  was  married  to  Miss  Amanda  Kampe, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  (Drowley)  Kampe.  Mr.  Kampe  was  a 
farmer  and  is  now  deceased.  His  widow,  who  was  born  in  Monroe 
Township,  resides  in  Frankfort.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mager  have  one  son, 
LeRoy,  born  Aug.  4,  1909,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  High  School,  is  a  record 
clerk  in  the  offices  of  the  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad. 

Mr.  Mager  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  Village 
Board  for  two  years.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Church. 


Patrick  C.  Haley,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  and  successful  member 
of  the  Bar  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  of  Will  County  in  particular,  and 
was  one  of  the  liberal  and  prominent  citizens  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Haley  was  born  in  Sarinac,  Clinton  County,  New  York,  March 
17,  1849.  When  he  was  two  years  old  his  parents,  the  late  Thomas  and 
Hannah  Haley,  pioneer  residents  of  Will  County,  came  to  Illinois,  set- 
tling in  Joliet.  His  education  was  primarily  obtained  in  this  city  and 
after  being  graduated  from  the  Township  High  School,  he  entered  the 
Law  School  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  from  which  University  he 
received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws  with  the  class  of  1870.  During 
that  same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  and  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Joliet.  He  was  active  in  the  politics  of  the  state, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  was  a  member  of  the  Democratic  State  Central 
Committee.  In  1874  his  party  elected  him  City  Attorney,  which  office 
he  held  for  two  years.  For  fourteen  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Joliet  City  Council,  being  Alderman  in  the  Fifth  Ward.  In  1891  he 
was  elected  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Joliet,  and  this  position  he  filled  for 
two  years,  giving  the  city  an  energetic  and  progressive  administration. 
For  twenty-five  years  Mr.  Haley  served  as  Chief  Counsel  for  the  San- 
itary District  of  Chicago,  and  during  that  time  he  was  engaged  in  more 
condemnation  cases,  and  in  cases  in  which  the  Law  of  Eminent  Domain 
was  involved,  than  any  lawyer  in  the  United  States,  and  at  the  time  of 


PATRICK  C.  HALKT 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  721 

his  death  he  was  considered  the  leading  authority  on  the  Law  of  Emi- 
nent Domain  in  Electric  Law. 

On  December  1st,  1875,  Mr.  Haley  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
D'Arcy,  a  member  of  a  pioneer  family  in  Joliet.  Mrs.  Haley  died  on 
December  25th,  1927,  and  Mr.  Haley's  death  occurred  shortly  thereafter 
on  February  21st,  1928.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haley  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children:  Margaret;  Robert  E.,  an  attorney  of  the  Will  County  Bar, 
who  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  and  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War ;  Raymond  A.,  deceased ;  Columbia,  who  is  married  to  W.  J. 
Dooner ;  Madeline ;  Genevieve ;  Paul  C,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  of 
Akron,  Ohio;  Angela,  now  married  to  Harry  P.  Keeley;  and  John  P. 
Haley,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 


John  P.  Haley,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  is  one  of  the  rising 

younger  members  of  the  Will  County  Bar,  engaged  in  practice  at  Joliet, 
as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Haley,  Haley  &  Haley,  with  offices  in  the 
Cutting  Building.  He  was  born  at  Joliet,  July  19,  1899,  the  son  of  Pat- 
rick C.  and  Mary  A.  (D'Arcy)  Haley. 

A  sketch  of  Patrick  C.  Haley  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

John  P.  Haley  acquired  his  education  in  the  grammar  and  high 
schools  of  Joliet,  completing  his  high  school  course  in  1917.  Subse- 
quently he  entered  the  University  of  Chicago  where  he  received  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy  in  1921.  That  same  year  he  entered  the 
Law  School  of  the  University  of  Chicago  and  in  1924  received  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Jurisprudence.  He  was  then  admitted  to  the  Bar  and  has 
since  been  in  practice  with  his  father  and  brother,  Robert  E.  Haley. 

In  July,  1918,  Mr.  Haley  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Infantry  and  was  sent 
to  Evanston,  Illinois,  where  he  attended  the  Infantry  School  at  North- 
western University.  He  was  later  transferred  to  Camp  Taylor,  Ky., 
where  he  attended  the  Officers  Training  School.  He  was  honorably  dis- 
charged December  20,  1918. 

Mr.  Haley  is  a  member  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs 
to  the  American  Legion,  and  Phi  Kappa  Sigma  fraternity.  He  is  identified 
with  the  Will  County  Bar  Association,  Illinois  State  Bar  Associaton  and 
American  Bar  Association.  He  also  belongs  to  the  University  Club  of 
Joliet. 


722  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

William  Lankenau,  president  of  the  Frankfort  State  Bank,  is  num- 
bered among  the  dependable  business  men  of  Frankfort.  He  was  born 
in  Greengarden  Township,  Will  County,  Nov.  10,  1871,  a  son  of  Carsten 
and  Margaret  (von  Soosten)  Lankenau. 

Both  Carsten  Lankenau  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Hanover,  Ger- 
many. He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1843  when  he  was  but 
sixteen  years  of  age  and  settled  for  a  time  in  New  York  City.  He 
went  to  Illinois  in  1857  and  settled  first  in  Frankfort  Township,  remov- 
ing to  Greengarden  Township  in  1860.  While  living  in  New  York  he 
was  in  the  grocery  and  meat  business,  but  after  he  came  to  Will  County 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was 
born  in  1827  and  died  in  1899.  His  wife  died  in  1905,  and  they  are  both 
buried  in  Union  Cemetery,  Greengarden  Township.  He  was  a  Republi- 
can and  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lan- 
kenau eleven  children  were  born:  John,  Elizabeth,  Adeline,  all  deceased; 
Catherine,  the  widow  of  Adam  Holl,  resides  in  Monee,  111.;  Henry  and 
Charles,  deceased ;  Girard  J.,  lives  in  Frankfort ;  Caroline,  married  Philip 
Stellwagen,  lives  in  Frankfort ;  William,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and 
two  children  died  in  infancy. 

William  Lankenau  attended  the  public  schools  of  Greengarden  Town- 
ship, and  the  Frankfort  public  schools.  He  remained  on  his  father's 
farm  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1920  when  he  removed  to 
Frankfort.  In  1913  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Frankfort  State 
Bank,  and  was  elected  president  and  a  director,  and  has  served  in  that 
capacity  since. 

In  1894  Mr.  Lankenau  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Hilda  Illgen,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Theodore  and  Adeline  Illgen.  Mr.  Illgen,  who  was  a  farmer  and 
stockman,  was  born  in  Matteson,  111.  He  is  deceased.  His  widow,  who 
was  born  in  Monee  Township,  Will  County,  lives  at  Monee.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lankenau  have  three  children.  1.  Otto,  with  the  Will  County 
National  Bank,  Joliet,  married  Sadie  Nieland,  and  they  have  a  daugh- 
ter, Oleta.  2.  Amanda,  married  Edwin  Dralle,  an  agriculturist,  of 
Peotone  Township,  Will  County,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Ralph  and 
David.  3  Ella,  married  Richard  Oetter,  automobile  business,  Peotone 
Township. 

Mr.  Lankenau  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  civic  affairs.  He  served 
as  town  clerk  of  Greengarden  for  six  years ;  supervisor  of  Greengarden 
township  for  eight  years;  supervisor  of  Frankfort  Township  for  six 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  723 

years;  Chairman  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  for  three  years; 
and  on  the  school  board  of  Greengarden  Township.  His  fraternal  affilia- 
tions are  as  follows :  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M. ;  Joliet  Chap- 
ter, R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  ommandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  and  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America.  He  has  served  as  a  trustee  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member.    Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


Frankfort  State  Bank  of  Frankfort,  111.,  is  one  of  the  small  but  lead- 
ing financial  institutions  of  Will  County.  It  was  incorporated  April  3, 
1913,  with  a  capital  stock  of  §25,000.00.  The  officers  are :  William  Lan- 
kenau,  president;  Fred  Warning,  vice  president;  and  J.  A.  Luhring, 
cashier.  The  directors  are :  J.  P.  Bauch,  Max  Haas,  William  Lankenau, 
F.  J.  Kohlhagen,  Fred  Warning,  J.  A.  Luhring. 

The  capital  stock  is  $25,000.00;  surplus,  $25,000.00;  undivided 
profits,  $2,579.58;  time  deposits,  $108,634.97;  demand  deposits,  $121,- 
794.45;  total  liabilities,  $280,509.00.  Resources:  Loans  on  real  estate, 
$32,350.00;  loans  on  collateral  securities,  $5,280.00;  other  loans,  $173,- 
331.26;  overdrafts,  $10.07;  banking  house,  furniture  and  fixtures, 
$9,105.00;  due  from  banks,  cash,  and  other  cash  resources,  $60,432.67. 
Total  resources,  $280,509.00. 


Walter  V.  Hedges,  M.  D.,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Frankfort 
since  1908,  is  one  of  the  most  successful  practitioners  of  his  profession 
in  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Faribault,  Minn.,  Jan.  19,  1884,  the  son 
of  Norman  and  Effie  (Walrath)  Hedges. 

Norman  Hedges  was  born  in  Stillwater,  Minn.  He  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm.  After  his  marriage  he  bought  a  farm  and  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stockraising  until  his  retirement  from  active  busi- 
ness in  1916.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Hedges  died  in  June,  1926,  and  is  buried  at  Faribault, 
Minn.  His  widow,  who  was  born  in  Morristown,  Minn.,  lives  at  Fari- 
bault. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hedges  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Adolphius,  a  physician,  Ridgway,  Wis.;  Gordon,  sales  manager  for 
Quaker  Oats  Company,  Minneapolis ;  Chester,  automobile  business,  Fari- 
bault ;  and  Viola,  deceased. 


724  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Walter  V.  Hedges  graduated  from  Faribault  High  School  in  1901, 
after  which  he  attended  the  University  of  Minnesota  for  two  years.  He 
prepared  for  his  profession  at  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  from  which 
he  received  his  degree  in  1907.  The  following  year  was  spent  as  an 
interne  in  the  Chicago  Memorial  Hospital,  and  in  1908,  Doctor  Hedges 
came  to  Frankfort  and  engaged  in  practice.  Doctor  Hedges  took  post 
graduate  courses  in  1921  at  Leeds,  England,  and  the  University  of 
Edinboro.  During  the  World  War  he  served  as  an  examiner  on  the 
Draft  Board  of  Will  County. 

In  1920  Doctor  Hedges  was  married  to  Miss  Irma  Boyer,  a  daughter 
of  Walter  and  Adella  Boyer,  natives  of  Redick,  111.,  where  Mr.  Boyer 
is  station  agent  for  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad. 

Doctor  Hedges  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society, 
the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  has  served  as  Health  Officer  of  Frankfort  for  19  years,  and  is  on  the 
staff  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital,  Joliet.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with 
Mount  Joliet  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  42,  Past  Master  in  1918 ;  Joliet  Chap- 
ter, R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82;  Joliet  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  of  Chicago; 
Joliet  Shrine  Club ;  Joliet  Country  Club ;  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No.  296,  and  Phi 
Alpha  Gamma. 

Doctor  and  Mrs.  Hedges  are  members  of  St.  John's  Universalist 
Church,  Joliet. 


Christ  H.  Warning,  a  well  known  agriculturist  of  Will  County,  is  a 
native  of  Germany.  He  was  born  in  Varnow,  Mecklenburg,  Schwerin, 
Germany,  April  5,  1868,  a  son  of  Christ  and  Marie  (Lang)  Warning. 

Both  Christ  Warning  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Germany.  They 
came  to  the  United  States  in  the  fall  of  1881  and  settled  in  Mokena,  111. 
Mr.  Warning  worked  for  the  Rock  Island  Railroad,  and  later  began  fann- 
ing in  New  Lenox  Township,  Will  County,  111.  He  did  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  and  also  operated  a  dairy.  Mrs.  Warning  died  in 
1897,  and  he  died  in  1907.  They  are  both  buried  in  St.  John's  Ceme- 
tery, Mokena.  They  were  members  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church, 
and  highly  respected  members  of  the  community.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warn- 
ing were  the  parents  of  five  children :  Sophia,  married  Fred  Klott,  lives 
in  Mokena;  Christ,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Fred,  a  sketch  of  whom 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  725 

appears  elsewhere  in  this  history;  John,  in  the  automobile  business,  New 
Lenox,  111. ;  and  George,  Mokena,  111. 

Christ  H.  Warning  attended  the  public  schools  of  Germany,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1881.  He  worked  on  a 
farm,  and  in  1893  started  farming  for  himself  on  a  rented  farm.  In 
1901  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  consisting  of  160  acres  of  well 
improved  land,  and  in  1902  moved  to  the  farm.  This  place  is  situated  on 
the  Lincoln  Highway,  two  miles  west  of  Frankfort.  Since  buying  this 
farm  Mr.  Warning  has  remodeled  the  house  and  barns,  and  has  one  of 
the  best  farms  in  this  section  of  the  country.  Mr.  Warning  carries  on 
general  farming  and  at  one  time  conducted  a  large  dairy,  which  he  dis- 
continued in  1915. 

In  1892  Mr.  Warning  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Clausen,  a 
daughter  of  Boje  and  Julia  (Grimpsman)  Clausen,  who  were  born  in 
Germany,  and  now  reside  with  Mrs.  Warning.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warn- 
ing six  children  have  been  born:  1.  Ervin,  born  in  1896,  a  veteran  of 
the  World  War,  having  served  in  France,  married  Ethel  Schenick,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Kenneth  and  "Buddy".  Mr.  Warning  is  now 
engaged  in  farming.  2.  Edward,  a  mail  carrier,  was  born  July  13,  1898, 
married  Elsa  Lankenau,  and  they  have  two  children,  Virginia  and  Dale. 
3.  Ella,  born  in  1900,  married  Jacob  De  Porto,  engaged  in  the  trucking 
business,. New  Lenox,  111.  4.  Walter,  bom  in  1900,  married  Clara  Wach- 
lin,  lives  in  Chicago,  where  he  is  with  Swift  &  Company.  5.  Elmer, 
born  in  1905.  6.  Florence,  bora  in  1907.  The  two  latter  are  living 
at  home. 

Mr.  Warning  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evan- 
gelical Church.  He  served  as  highway  commissioner  of  Frankfort  Town- 
ship for  ten  years,  also  on  the  school  board  of  District  No.  158  for  many 
years.    He  is  a  dependable  citizen  and  widely  known  in  Will  County. 


Jacob  P.  Bauch,  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Will  County, 
now  living  retired  in  Frankfort,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  in 
Frankfort  Township,  April  23,  1861,  the  son  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth 
(Schelhassey)  Bauch. 

Philip  Bauch  was  born  near  Frankfort  ,  Germany,  in  1833.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1846  and  they  settled  in  Mokena, 


728  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

111.,  where  his  father  was  a  farmer.  Elizabeth  Schelhassey  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1835,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1855  and  located  in 
Mokena,  111.  Her  parents  remained  in  Germany.  After  his  marriage  to 
Elizabeth  Schelhassey  in  Mokena,  Philip  Bauch  engaged  in  farming. 
Later  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Frankfort  Township  which  he  operated 
for  many  years,  doing  general  farming,  stockraising  and  making  butter. 
He  was  living  retired  at  Mokena  when  he  died.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  buried  there  in  St.  John's  Cemetery.  Mr.  Bauch  was  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bauch  four  children  were  born:  Jacob  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Barbara,  married  John  G.  Scheer,  a  farmer,  of  New  Lenox  Township. 
He  died  in  1927 ;  Louisa,  deceased ;  and  Sarah,  married  Charles  Geuther, 
lives  at  Mokena. 

Jacob  P.  Bauch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  New  Lenox 
Township,  after  which  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 
married.  He  then  bought  a  farm  of  200  acres.  He  remained  on  this 
farm  and  engaged  in  stock  raising  and  dairying  until  1919,  when  he 
removed  to  Frankfort,  and  retired.    He  still  owns  120  acres  of  land. 

Mr.  Bauch  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Frankfort  State  Bank 
in  1913  and  has  served  as  a  director  since  that  time.  He  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Frankfort  Grain  Company  since  1914  and  was  one  of  its 
organizers.  He  is  also  a  director  in  the  Greengarden  Fire  Insurance 
Company. 

On  April  13,  1884,  Mr.  Bauch  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Baum- 
gartner,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Zingg)  Baumgartner.  The 
Baumgartner  family  came  from  Switzerland  and  settled  in  Frankfort 
Township,  Will  County,  where  Mr.  Baumgartner  was  a  pioneer  farmer 
and  dairyman.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in 
Pleasant  Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bauch  nine  children  were  born.  1.  Anna,  married 
Andrew  Schroth,  a  farmer,  Frankfort  Township.  They  have  three 
children:  Clarence,  Dorothy,  and  Harold.  2.  Ida,  married  William 
Brookman,  a  farmer  of  Manhattan  Township,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Wilbur  and  Irene.  3.  Emma,  with  the  Illinois  Bell  Telephone  Com- 
pany, lives  in  Joliet.  4.  Alma,  married  Walter  Martin,  of  Joliet,  and 
they  have  a  daughter,  Mildred.  5.  John,  a  farmer  of  Frankfort  Town- 
ship, married  Clara  Brookman,  and  they  have  two  daughters,  Viola,  and 
Eunice.    6.   Katie,  married  Otto  Heisner,  farmer  and  dairyman,  Frank- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  727 

fort  Township.  They  have  six  children:  Ruby,  Lester,  Lloyd,  Kather- 
ine,  Irene  and  Ralph.  7.  Arthur,  in  the  garage  business,  Frankfort, 
married  Alma  Bettenhausen.  They  have  a  daughter,  Marjorie.  8.  Lil- 
lian, assistant  pastor,  St.  Paul,  Minn.  9.  Elsie,  a  graduate  Joliet  Town- 
ship High  School  in  1924,  graduate  nurse  Silver  Cross  Hospital,  May  12, 
1927 ;  a  graduate  of  Lying-in-Hospital,  Chicago,  Jan.  15,  1928,  lives  in 
Frankfort. 

Mr.  Bauch  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical 
Church.  He  is  serving  as  a  school  trustee  and  is  chairman  of  the 
board. 


John  A.  Luhring,  widely  known  throughout  Will  County  as  the 
cashier  of  the  Frankfort  State  Bank,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born 
near  New  Lenox,  May  30,  1877,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Margaret 
(Haake)  Luhring. 

Christian  Luhring  was  born  in  Hanover  County,  Germany,  May  16, 
1845,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Haake  was  born  in  Beryde,  Bryon,  Ger- 
many, Feb.  27,  1846.  They  were  married  in  Joliet,  111.  Christian  Luh- 
ring came  to  the  United  States  about  1868  and  located  in  Joliet  where 
he  was  employed  by  John  Snoth,  of  New  Lenox  Township,  who  was  a 
dealer  in  hogs.  In  1870  Mr.  Luhring  removed  to  New  Lennox  Township 
where  he  remained  until  1891  when  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Frankfort 
Township,  Will  County,  consisting  of  160  acres  of  land  where  he  lived 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Luth- 
eran Church.  He  died  Dec.  1,  1899,  and  is  buried  in  Frankfort  Ceme- 
tery, Frankfort,  111.  His  widow  resides  in'  Frankfort.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Luhring  five  children  were  born:  Christian,  a  farmer,  Frankfort  Town- 
ship; Frank,  retired,  lives  at  Frankfort;  John,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Henry,  manager  of  the  Frankfort  Grain  Company,  lives  at 
Frankfort;  and  Amelia,  married  Paul  Christiansen,  a  dairyman  and 
farmer  of  Frankfort  Township. 

John  A.  Luhring  attended  the  public  schools  of  New  Lenox  and 
Frankfort  townships.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  on  different 
farms  for  five  years,  and  then  returned  home  and  worked  on  his  father's 
farm.  In  1904  he  conducted  a  farm  in  Greengarden  Township,  consist- 
ing of  160  acres  of  land,  and  did  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and 
was  very  successful.    In  1911  Mr.  Luhring  came  to  Frankfort  and  pur- 


728  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

chased  a  half  interest  in  the  Forchan  meat  market,  which  was  after- 
wards known  as  the  Forchan  &  Luhring  Meat  Market.  In  1913  when  the 
Frankfort  State  Bank  was  organized  he  was  one  of  the  charter  mem- 
bers and  was  made  cashier  and  a  director,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

On  Feb.  24,  1904,  Mr.  Luhring  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Wilkins,  a 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Louisa  (Herbst)  Wilkins,  natives  of  Germany. 
The  Wilkins  family  were  early  settlers  of  Will  County,  where  Mr. 
Wilkins  was  a  farmer  in  New  Lennox  Township,  later  removing  to 
Greengarden  Township.  They  are  both  deceased  and  are  buried  in 
Twining  Cemetery,  Greengarden,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luhring  have  one 
son,  Lloyd  Peter,  born  Jan.  28,  1912,  a  student  in  Joliet  Township  High 
School. 

Mr.  Luhring  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  treasurer  of  the 
Village  Board  for  two  years;  as  chairman  of  the  Arrangement  Com- 
mittee of  Frankfort  Industrial  Club ;  and  is  a  director  and  treasurer  of 
the  Frankfort  Hall  Company.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  Mount 
Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet 
Commandery,  No.  4  K.  T. ;  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luhring  are  members  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical 
Church,  of  which  he  has  served  as  deacon  and  as  treasurer. 


Edith  I.  Goodspeed  is  among  the  leading  insurance  operators  of  Joliet, 
where  she  has  successfully  engaged  in  business  for  30  years.  She  was 
born  at  Ottawa,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Matthew  Standish  and  Theresa 
(Darrow)  Goodspeed. 

Matthew  Standish  Goodspeed  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  as  was  his 
wife.  In  1849  he  went  west  across  the  plains  to  California  and  prospected 
for  gold.  He  remained  there  eight  years  and  upon  his  return  settled 
in  LaSalle  County,  111.,  and  engaged  in  farming  north  of  Ottawa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Goodspeed  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery, 
Joliet.  They  had  three  children:  Clara  M.,  a  teacher  and  insurance 
agent  for  many  years,  now  deceased;  Stephen  A.,  former  justice  of  the 
peace  and  city  collector,  now  lives  retired  at  Joliet;  and  Edith  I.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Edith  I.  Goodspeed  grew  up  in  LaSalle  and  Will  counties  and  received 
her  early  education  in  the  public  schools.    She  later  attended  the  State 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  729 

Normal  School  at  Normal,  III,  and  was  interested  in  the  teaching  pro- 
fession for  several  years.  She  began  her  present  insurance  agency 
in  1898  with  one  company  which  had  no  business  on  its  books.  She  now 
has  one  of  the  leading  agencies  in  the  city  and  besides  her  insurance 
work  is  also  extensively  interested  in  the  real  estate  and  loan  business. 
Miss  Goodspeed  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Joliet  Insurance  Agents 
Association  and  is  also  active  in  the  Illinois  Insurance  &  Real  Estate 
Board  Association. 

Miss  Goodspeed  is  a  Republican.  She  holds  membership  in  the 
Universalist  church  and  belongs  to  the  Business  &  Professional  Women's 
Club,  the  Joliet  Woman's  Club,  and  the  Daughters  of  Rebecca  and 
Daughters  of  St.  George.  Miss  Goodspeed  is  widely  known  in  the  city 
and  has  a  host  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 


Archibald  Corp  is  numbered  among  the  dependable  business  men  of 
New  Lenox,  where  he  is  a  merchant  and  banker.  He  was  born  at  Somer- 
setshire, West  Pennard,  England,  Jan.  26,  1886,  the  son  of  Henry  and 
Ellen  (Swain)  Corp. 

Henry  Corp  was  born  in  West  Pennard,  Eng.,  in  1847.  In  1894  he 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  and  they  located  in  New 
Lenox  Township  where  Mr.  Corp  engaged  in  general  farming  until  ill 
health  forced  him  to  retire.  He  died  in  1915.  His  wife,  who  was  born 
in  Southampton,  Eng.,  died  in  1918.  They  are  both  buried  in  New 
Lenox  Township.  Mr.  Corp  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Corp  were  the  parents  of  13  children, 
as  follows:  Robert,  retired  farmer,  Joliet;  Edwin  died  in  1925,  is 
buried  in  New  Lenox;  Lucy,  deceased,  buried  in  West  Pennard,  Eng.; 
Jane,  deceased,  buried  in  New  Lenox;  George,  a  farmer,  lives  in  New 
Lenox  Township;  Mabel,  married  George  Bridge,  Elwood,  111.;  Frank, 
deceased,  buried  in  New  Lenox;  Charles,  died  in  1925,  buried  in  New 
Lenox;  Arthur,  a  farmer,  New  Lenox  Township;  Lilly  May,  married 
Frank  Borden,  Manhattan,  111.;  Carrie,  deceased,  buried  in  England; 
Archibald,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Hubert  Seth,  a  contractor, 
New  Lenox  Township. 

Archibald  Corp  attended  the  public  schools  of  West  Pennard,  Eng- 
land, and  of  New  Lenox,  111.    After  leaving  school  he  was  employed  as 


730  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

a  clerk  in  the  grocery  store  of  H.  Batson,  and  in  1916  purchased  Mr. 
Batson's  interest,  since  which  time  he  has  been  profitably  engaged  in 
this  business.  On  Sept.  18,  1927,  Mr.  Corp  was  appointed  postmaster 
of  New  Lenox.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  a  charter  member 
of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank,  and  is  a  director  of  that  institution. 

On  March  7,  1916,  Mr.  Corp  was  married  to  Miss  Flossie  Styck,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Jane  (Siebert)  Styck.  Mr.  Styck,  de- 
ceased, was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  an  early  resident  of  Illinois.  He 
was  a  captain  on  the  old  canal.  His  widow,  who  was  born  at  Custer 
Park,  111.,  now  resides  at  New  Lenox.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Corp  have  a  daugh- 
ter, Ardis  Jane. 

Mr.  Corp  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
in  which  he  has  been  a  vestryman  for  20  years.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
member  of  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  42,  and  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  In  the  latter  organization  he  has  served  as  clerk 
for  eight  years.  As  a  merchant  Mr.  Corp  has  been  successful  and  as  a 
citizen  none  of  his  community  stands  in  higher  esteem. 


Ceward  C.  Batson,  cashier  of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank,  New  Lenox, 
was  born  in  West  Pennard,  England,  Nov.  4,  1873.  He  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Eliza   (Swain)   Batson,  natives  of  England. 

William  Batson  was  a  farmer  in  his  native  land.  In  1884  the  family 
came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  New  Lenox  Township,  where 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stockraising  and  was  the  owner  of 
320  acres  of  land.  He  died  in  1908  and  his  wife  died  in  January,  1925, 
and  both  are  buried  in  New  Lenox  cemetery.  Mr.  Batson  was  a  Repub- 
lican and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Seven  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batson:  Sidney,  a  retired  farmer  of  Joliet  Township; 
Herbert,  deceased;  Sylvester,  a  farmer,  at  Manhattan,  111.;  Jessie, 
married  Henry  Pester,  now  deceased,  and  she  resides  at  New  Lenox; 
Sarah,  married  Willis  Morris,  lives  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif. ;  Ceward  C,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Annie,  married  Charles  Parsons,  lives  in 
New  Lenox  Township. 

Ceward  C.  Batson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  West 
Pennard,  England,  and  New  Lenox,  111.,  and  then  went  to  Joliet,  where 
he  took  a  course  in  Putnam's  Business  College.    After  leaving  school 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  731 

he  returned  to  his  father's  farm  where  he  worked  for  several  years. 
For  fifteen  years  he  was  a  rural  mail  carrier,  and  then  worked  in  the 
offices  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company  for  five  years.  In 
April,  1928,  he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  town  clerk  for  nine 
years. 

In  1898  Mr.  Batson  was  married  to  Miss  Vesta  Monk,  a  daughter 
of  Philip  and  May  (Snyder)  Monk.  Mr.  Monk,  deceased,  was  an  agri- 
culturist at  Lake  Odessa,  Mich.  His  widow  resides  at  Blue  Island,  111. 
Mrs.  Batson  died  July  7,  1920,  and  is  buried  at  New  Lenox.  To  Ceward 
C.  and  May  (Monk)  Batson  three  children  were  born:  Ceward  W. 
served  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  during  the  World  War,  married  Myrtle  Hacker, 
lives  at  New  Lenox,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business ;  Clyde, 
with  Chicago  Telephone  Company,  New  Lenox;  and  Lucile,  married 
William  Drake,  with  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company,  New  Lenox. 
Mr.  Batson  married  (second)  in  1923  Nellie  Gould,  a  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Sarah  Gould,  natives  of  England,  now  deceased,  and  buried  in  New 
Lenox.  To  this  marriage  one  child  has  been  born :  Jack  Batson,  born  in 
1926. 

Mr.  Batson  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  which  he  has 
served  as  vestryman.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  The  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  Past  Counsel,  and  Royal  Neighbors. 


New  Lenox  State  Bank. — This  bank  was  established  Feb.  1,  1927, 
by  a  group  of  far  sighted  business  men  for  the  purpose  of  conducting 
a  general  banking  business.  The  statement  of  Bank  of  Feb.  28,  1928, 
is  as  follows:  Resources:  Loans  and  discounts,  $37,586.80;  U.  S.  Gov- 
ernment Investments,  $6,700.00;  Bonds,  $11,900.00;  Banking  house  fur- 
niture and  fixtures,  $15,361.34;  Overdrafts,  $11.63;  Cash  and  due  from 
banks,  $18,976.91;  Miscellaneous,  $1,634.66.  Total  Resources,  $92,- 
171.34.  Liabilities:  Capital  stock,  $25,000.00;  Surplus,  $2,500.00;  Depos- 
its, $64,671.34.  Total  Liabilities,  $92,171.34.  The  officers  are:  Fred  A. 
Francis,  president;  Harry  W.  Storm,  vice-president;  Ceward  C.  Batson, 
cashier;  Henry  J.  Schluntz,  secretary.  The  Directors  are  :  Ceward  W. 
Batson,  son  of  Ceward  C.  Batson,  Archibald  Corp,  Fred  A.  Francis, 
George  J.  Hacker,  John  Handorf,  Jr.,  Ernest  Oram,  Hjalmar  Rehn, 
Henry  J.  Schluntz,  and  Harry  Storm. 


732  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Robert  E.  Stephen,  postmaster  of  Frankfort,  111.,  represents  one  of 
the  prominent  and  highly  respected  pioneer  families  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  at  Frankfort,  May  11,  1875,  the  son  of  E.  C.  and  Emma 
J.  (Houpt)  Stephen. 

E.  C.  Stephen,  deceased,  was  born  in  Peterhead  Aberdeenshire,  Scot- 
land, July  25,  1838.  In  1843  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his 
parents.  The  family  first  settled  in  Canada  where  they  remained  only 
a  year,  and  then  removed  to  Will  County,  111.  He  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Frankfort  Township  until  1863  when  he  taught  school  for  one 
year.  Mr.  Stephen  then  opened  a  machine  and  repair  shop  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother,  David  S.,  which  partnership  continued  for  26 
years.  In  1889  he  bought  his  brother's  interest.  He  was  also  the  owner 
of  a  saw,  planing,  and  feed  mill  in  Frankfort,  and  also  dealt  in  farm 
implements,  and  made  wooden  plows. 

On  Dec.  31,  1867,  E.  C.  Stephen  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  J.  Houpt, 
who  was  born  in  Effingham  County,  Mich.,  and  to  them  five  children 
were  born :  George,  lives  at  Multnomah,  Oregon ;  Joseph,  deceased ;  Rob- 
ert E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John  Otis,  Rockford,  111.;  Ida,  mar- 
ried George  Andrew,  of  Frankfort.  Mrs.  Stephen  lives  in  Frankfort.  He 
died  in  1921  and  is  buried  in  Pleasant  Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort. 

E.  C.  Stephen  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Stephen  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1843.  His  wife  was  Jane  Garden.  Joseph  Stephen  studied  for 
the  ministry  and  was  a  college  classmate  of  Lord  Byron,  the  great 
English  poet.  He  began  his  ministerial  life  in  his  native  shire  as  pastor 
of  a  Baptist  Church.  In  1843  he  went  to  Canada,  and  in  1844  to  Lock- 
port,  Will  County,  where  he  died  shortly  afterwards.  His  father  was 
William  Stephen,  a  native  of  Wales,  who  served  in  the  British  Army. 

Robert  E.  Stephen  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Frank- 
fort, and  learned  telegraphy  in  the  office  of  the  Michigan  Central  Rail- 
road at  Frankfort.  In  1896  he  was  appointed  agent  at  Spencer  for  this 
railroad,  and  in  1900  was  transferred  to  Dyer,  Ind.,  as  agent  for  the 
company.  He  was  later  sent  to  Chicago  Heights,  and  then  back  to 
Dyer,  Ind.,  and  in  August,  1906,  was  transferred  to  Frankfort,  111.,  as 
agent.  In  1912  Mr.  Stephen  resigned  from  the  railroad  and  in  partner- 
ship with  William  Koerner  purchased  a  general  merchandise  business. 
This  was  conducted  successfully  for  six  years,  when  Mr.  Stephen  bought 
Mr.  Koerner's  interest.  In  1925  he  sold  his  merchandise  at  auction  sale 
and  liquidated  the  business. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  733 

In  1914  Mr.  Stephen  was  appointed  postmaster  in  a  competitive 
civil  service  examination.  He  stood  the  highest  in  the  test,  and  since 
then  has  served  in  this  capacity  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties. 

In  1899  Mr.  Stephen  was  married  to  Bertha  S.  Jensen,  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Anna  (Harms)  Jensen,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Jensen  was 
a  farmer  of  New  Lenox.  He  is  now  deceased  and  his  widow  resides  in 
New  Lenox,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephen  have  two  daughters,  Mildred  M., 
at  home;  and  Margaret  L.,  assistant  postmaster. 

Mr.  Stephen  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  He  is  fraternally  affiliated  with  Mount  Joliet  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T. 
No.  4;  a  charter  member  and  past  counsel  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America;  Order  of  Railroad  Telegraphers,  past  Division  Chairman 
Michigan  Central  Railroad  Operators;  and  secretary  of  Frankfort-Hall 
Company. 


Edward  G.  Maue,  deceased,  was  a  leading  and  well  known  agricul- 
turist of  Frankfort  Township  and  member  of  a  pioneer  family  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  June  16,  1864,  a  son  of 
Daniel  and  Sarah  (Mast)  Maue. 

A  complete  sketch  of  the  Maue  family  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

Edward  G.  Maue  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Frankfort  Township,  and  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  22 
years  of  age.  At  that  time  in  partnership  with  his  brother  George 
they  purchased  120  acres  of  land  which  they  farmed  for  ten  years,  when 
he  bought  his  brother's  interest  and  conducted  the  farm  himself.  He 
added  40  acres  of  land,  and  was  the  owner  of  160  acres.  Mr.  Maue  did 
general  farming  and  stock  raising,  as  well  as  dairying,  in  all  of  which 
vocations  he  had  been  very  successful,  until  his  death  which  occurred 
Sept.  18,  1928. 

In  1895  Mr.  Maue  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Schweser,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Barbara  (Muff)  Schweser,  natives  of  Germany,  whq 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1850  and  settled  in  Frankfort  Township. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schweser  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Hickory 
Cemetery,  Frankfort  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maue  have  six  children: 
Amanda,  married  William  Schuldt,  resides  on  the  old  Maue  homestead. 


734  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

They  have  two  children,  Evelyn  and  Elda  Mae;  Edna,  married  Ben- 
jamin Young,  of  Frankfort  Township,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Doro- 
thy; Alfred,  Edward,  Margaret,  and  Robert,  all  at  home.  Mrs.  Mane, 
is  now  living  on  her  farm  in  Frankfort  township  which  she  will  con- 
tinue to  operate  with  her  two  sons. 

Mr.  Maue  was  a  Republican.  He  served  two  terms  as  school  direc- 
tor, and  later  for  15  years  was  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He 
belonged  to  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church,  in  which  he  had  been  a 
trustee. 


Charles  P.  Baumann,  who  is  associated  with  the  firm  of  Baumann 
Brothers,  dealers  in  candies  and  soft  drinks,  is  well  known  in  Frank- 
fort. He  was  born  in  this  city,  Nov.  19,  1865,  the  son  of  Charles  Fred 
and  Elizabeth  (Keppler)  Baumann. 

Charles  Fred  Baumann  was  born  in  Saxe-Weimar,  Germany,  March 
6,  1835.  He  was  a  son  of  Charles  F.  and  Caroline  (Krauca)  Baumann, 
natives  of  Wetsdorf,  Germany.  The  former  was  a  linen  weaver  and 
fuller  by  trade,  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  1853  the  Baumann 
family  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Richton  Township, 
Cook  County,  111.,  later  removing  to  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County. 
The  father  died  in  1874  and  the  mother  died  in  1873. 

Charles  Fred  Baumann,  deceased,  attended  the  public  schools  in 
Germany  and  followed  his  father's  trade.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he 
went  to  Minnesota,  and  later  returned  to  Frankfort  Township,  where 
he  resumed  farming.  In  1862  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Frank- 
fort Township  which  he  operated  until  1866.  In  that  year  he  removed 
to  Frankfort  and  with  his  brother  established  a  cafe,  restaurant  and 
lodging  house.  Later  he  purchased  his  brother's  interest  and  con- 
ducted the  business  alone  until  1913,  when  he  retired.  He  was  married 
July  26,  1863,  at  Frankfort,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Klepper,  who  was  born  in 
Getzenhain,  Hessen-Darmstadt,  Germany,  in  1840.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  John  Klepper,  who  settled  in  Will  County  in  1852.  Mrs.  Bauman  lives 
in  Frankfort.  Her  husband  died  April  17,  1914,  and  is  buried  in  Pleas- 
ant Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children: 
1.  John  W.,  born  in  1864,  died  April  25,  1918.  He  is  buried  in  Walten- 
heim  Cemetery,  Chicago.  2.  Charles  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
3.  Annie,  the  widow  of  John  Kelhier,  lives  in  Frankfort.     4.  August, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  735 

born  April  29,  1869,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Baumann  Brothers,  Frank- 
fort. 5.  Elizabeth,  married  John  Bobzin,  and  they  live  in  Chicago. 
6.  Frederick,  born  Jan.  10,  1873,  lives  in  Chicago.  7.  Caroline,  born 
April  24,  1876,  died  March  18,  1908,  is  buried  in  Frankfort.  8.  Edith, 
the  widow  of  Theodore  Lambreacht,  lives  in  Frankfort.  9.  Oscar,  born 
March  28,  1880,  lives  in  Chicago.  10.  Arthur,  born  Feb.  24,  1883,  lives 
at  Hobart,  Ind. 

Charles  Fred  Baumann  was  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  was  well 
known  in  the  affairs  of  Frankfort  Township,  and  had  served  as  village 
trustee  for  six  years,  and  as  a  delegate  to  county  conventions.  He 
was  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Church,  and  belonged  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Charles  P.  Baumann  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Frankfort.  At  the  age  of  15  years  he  began  his  business  career  as  a 
clerk  in  the  store  of  Balchowsky,  at  Frankfort.  He  later  went  to  Coal 
City  and  was  a  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  the  Wilmington-Coalfield 
Company.  He  was  afterward  employed  by  Marshall,  Field  &  Company, 
Chicago.  He  then  entered  business  for  himself  in  Chicago  operating 
a  cafe,  which  he  later  sold.  He  worked  in  Kansas  City,  Denver,  and 
Des  Moines,  and  other  western  cities  as  a  solicitor  for  photographic 
supplies.  In  1912  Mr.  Baumann  returned  to  Frankfort  and  entered  his 
father's  business.  After  the  death  of  his  father  in  1914,  he,  with  his 
brother  August,  took  over  the  business.  In  1919  when  prohibition  went 
into  effect  they  closed  the  cafe,  and  engaged  in  the  soft  drink  and 
candy  business. 

Mr.  Baumann  is  a  Republican,  and  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose,  Chicago  Heights,  111. 


August  Baumann,  of  the  firm  of  Baumann  Brothers,  dealers  in 
candies  and  soft  drinks,  at  Frankfort,  is  a  well  known  business  man 
of  that  city.  He  was  born  here,  April  29,  1869,  a  son  of  Charles  Fred 
and  Elizabeth  (Klepper)  Baumann,  a  complete  sketch  of  whom  appears 
in  connection  with  Charles  P.  Baumann's  sketch. 

August  Baumann  attended  the  public  schools  and  began  life  as  a 
clerk  in  Balchowsky's  store.  He  also  worked  in  other  stores  in  Frank- 
fort.   In  1892  he  completed  a  course  in  mechanical  trades  in  the  Stan- 


736  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

dard  Elevator  Company,  Chicago.  He  then  worked  in  his  father's  cafe 
in  Frankfort,  later  becoming  its  manager.  After  the  death  of  his 
father  in  1914,  he  with  his  brother,  Charles  P.  took  over  the  business 
which  they  have  successfully  conducted  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Baumann  is  a  Republican.  He  has  been  a  delegate  to  several 
Republican  conventions.  He  has  served  for  11  years  as  village  trustee, 
and  as  tax  collector  for  Frankfort  Township  two  years.  He  was  pre- 
cinct committeeman  1926-1927.  Mr.  Baumann  belongs  to  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose,  Joliet  Lodge,  No.  300.  He  has  many  friends  in  Frank- 
fort where  he  has  spent  his  entire  life. 


Rev.  P.  J.  Hennessy,  resident  priest  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church, 
Joliet,  is  one  of  the  scholarly  men  and  eminent  divines  of  his  calling,  and 
one  who  has  won  the  confidence  of  the  people  of  the  city  irrespective 
of  their  religious  connections  because  of  his  whole  souled  work  in  behalf 
of  public  well  being.  While  he  is  not  native  born  he  is  a  true  American 
in  the  highest  and  best  sense  of  the  word  and  to  his  advice  and  admoni- 
tions are  due  many  of  the  improvements  which  have  been  recently 
secured  in  this  section  of  the  state. 

Rev.  P.  J.  Hennessy  was  born  in  County  Limerick,  Ireland,  in  1876, 
a  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Collins)  Hennessy,  both  of  whom  came 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Chicago  in  1898,  and  there  they  died 
and  are  buried.  These  excellent  and  devout  parents  sent  their  son  to 
the  public  schools  in  his  native  land  and  dedicated  him  to  the  service  of 
the  church.  He  was  a  student  of  St.  Francis  College,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
and  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  in  1902  he  was  ordained 
to  the  priesthood  by  the  late  Cardinal  Gibbons.  After  six  months  in 
parish  work  in  New  York  City,  Rev.  P.  J.  Hennessy  was  sent  to  Chicago 
and  a  year  later  was  transferred  to  St.  Mary's  parish,  Evanston,  111., 
where  he  remained  for  seven  years.  He  was  then  sent  to  Braidwood, 
111.,  where  he  spent  ten  years.  He  was  located  at  Elmhurst  for  three 
years,  and  in  April,  1924,  assumed  his  present  duties  in  connection  with 
St.  Mary's  Church,  Joliet.  His  assistants  are:  Rev.  L.  J.  Kiley  and 
Rev.  J.  T.  Farrell. 

A  man  of  broad  vision,  Rev.  Hennessy  believes  in  acting  with  various 
community  organizations  and  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Joliet  Kiwanis 
Club,  and  the  Public  Health  Council.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Columbus  and  is  Chaplain  of  the  Joliet  Council  of  that  order  and  ex-grand 


{/e^i^^^^^ 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  737 

Knight  of  the  Braidwood  Council,  Knights  of  Columbus,  and  he  also  is 
a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians. 

Rev.  Hennessy  is  interested  in  all  philanthropic  and  reform  work, 
which  adds  value  and  dignity  to  his  name  and  calling.  His  identification 
with  the  higher  life  of  this  city  is  unquestioned  and  his  leadership  in 
many  respects  is  undisputed. 


Charles  Manning  Fish. — Among  the  more  notable  real  estate  men 
in  Joliet,  who  have  established  reputations  for  integrity  and  have 
achieved  notable  and  well  merited  success  in  their  calling,  none  are  more 
worthy  of  mention  than  Charles  Manning  Fish.  A  resident  of  the 
county  seat  for  many  years,  he  fully  exemplifies  the  alert,  energetic 
character  for  which  the  people  of  his  city  have  been  noted,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  having  played  a  prominent  part  in  business  affairs,  has  fully 
discharged  the  duties  of  citizenship. 

Mr.  Fish  was  born  in  Joliet,  Aug.  1,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  V.  (Manning)  Fish,  and  traces  his  ancestry  back  on  the 
paternal  side  to  John  Alden,  and  on  both  sides  to  Colonial  days  in 
America.  His  direct  ancestor,  William  Manning,  came  from  England 
to  America  in  1634,  taking  up  his  residence  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and 
later  being  selected  with  Deacon  Cooper  to  rebuild  old  Harvard  College 
in  1672.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  Charles  Manning  Fish  were 
Calvin  Bacon  and  Clarissa  (Sterling)  Fish,  the  former  born  in  Norwich, 
Conn.,  Dec.  15,  1779,  and  the  latter  at  Sterling  City,  Lime,  Conn.,  Feb. 
18,  1780.  They  became  farming  people  in  Jefferson  County,  New  York, 
and  Calvin  Fish  Bacon  died  at  Rutland,  N.  Y.,  in  1830.  The  maternal 
grandparents  of  Mr.  Fish  were  Joel  and  Diza  (Jenkins)  Manning,  the 
former  born  at  Andover,  Vt.,  Oct.  3,  1793,  and  the  latter  in  Tennessee, 
Oct.  15,  1806.  She  was  a  sister  of  Elizabeth,  who  married  Dr.  John 
Logan,  father  of  Gen.  John  A.  Logan ;  and  of  Hon.  Alexander  M.  Jenkins, 
who  served  as  lieutenant  governor  of  Illinois  in  1834.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Manning  made  their  way  by  boat  and  Indian  trails  to  St.  Louis  and 
finally  located  at  Brownsville,  Jackson  County,  111.,  where  Mr.  Manning 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  for  some  years.  He  was  appointed  by  the 
Governor  as  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  of  Illinois  and 
Michigan  Canal,  and  during  the  early  days  of  Chicago  resided  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Conway  Building,  corner  of  Clark  Street  and  Wash- 
ington in  that  city.    When  the  office  of  commissioner  was  moved  to  Lock- 


738  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

port,  111.,  he  took  up  his  residence  there,  and  continued  to  make  his  home 
in  that  city  until  1861,  when  he  and  Mrs.  Manning  removed  to  Joliet.  At 
the  latter  place  Mrs.  Manning  died,  Nov.  27,  1861.  Mr.  Manning  died 
Jan.  8,  1869. 

Henry  Fish  was  born  at  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  19,  1819,  and  mar- 
ried Feb.  1,  1854,  Mary  V.  Manning,  who  was  born  at  Brownsville,  111. 
He  came  to  Joliet  in  1834  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate,  lumber  and 
grain  business,  with  which  he  was  identified  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  In  1873  he  became  the  organizer  of  the  Will  County  National 
Bank,  of  which  he  was  the  first  president,  and  later  organized  a  private 
bank  which  he  operated  for  many  years.  He  died  June  22,  1899,  his 
widow  surviving  him  until  Oct.  3,  1903.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  George  Manning,  born  Jan.  27,  1855,  who  died 
Aug.  15,  1917;  Jennie  Clara,  born  March  31,  1857,  died  Sept.  3,  1858; 
Charles  Manning,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Henry  Manning,  born 
Feb.  12,  1862,  died  Dec.  11,  1915. 

After  meeting  with  financial  reverses  with  his  brothers  in  1893, 
Henry  Manning  Fish  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  and  was  graduated 
from  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  Chicago.  He  spent  eighteen  months 
at  the  renowned  hospital  in  Vienna  where  he  specialized  in  the  study  of 
diseases  of  the  eye.  He  returned  to  Chicago,  111.,  and  became  a  noted  eye 
specialist,  and  to  him  the  present  successful  treatment  of  eye  diseases  is 
largely  indebted. 

Henry  Fish  took  a  great  interest  in  politics  and  public  affairs,  and 
was  a  delegate  to  the  national  convention  of  the  Republican  party  which 
nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  presidency.  Mrs.  Fish  was  also  a 
woman  of  attainments,  and  many  years  served  as  a  trustee  of  North- 
western University.  As  a  small  child  she  witnessed  the  parade  pass 
their  home  at  Clark  and  Washington  streets,  Chicago,  of  the  Indians 
who  received  payment  in  money  for  the  site  of  Chicago,  and  often 
related  to  her  children  in  later  years  the  ludicrous  appearances  of  the 
Indian  princess  who  rode  a  horse  astride,  wearing  proudly  a  man's 
silk  hat.  Mrs.  Fish's  sister,  Mrs.  Cornelia  A.  Miller,  the  widow  of 
Edmund  Miller,  of  Waterloo,  Iowa,  moved  to  Joliet  in  1883.  She  was 
a  world  traveler  and  collector  of  rare  curios,  and  in  1886  made  a  trip  to 
the  Orient  in  company  with  Bishop  and  Mrs.  Warren  to  inspect  Missions 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  gave  $30,000  to  the  Garret  Bible 
Institute  of  Northwestern  University.  In  1896  she  became  an  invalid 
and  so  continued  until  her  death,  April  14,  1906.  During  that  time  she 
was  cared  for  by  her  nephew,  Charles  Manning  Fish,  in  her  beautiful 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  739 

residence  at  205  Richards  Street,  Joliet,  at  the  comer  of  Lincoln,  which 
was  bequeathed  to  Mr.  Fish  at  the  time  of  his  beloved  aunt's  death.  Mr. 
Fish  has  since  torn  down  this  residence,  considered  the  finest  in  Joliet, 
and  erected  a  large  apartment  building,  metropolitan  in  all  respects, 
where  he  resides  with  his  family. 

Charles  Manning  Fish  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  after 
his  graduation  from  high  school  became  a  student  at  the  Pennsylvania 
Military  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  as  a  member  of  the  class 
of  1882,  with  the  degree  of  Civil  Engineer  and  was  one  of  the  six  honor 
students  whose  names  were  presented  to  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  the  leader  of  his  class.  At  the  time  of  his  graduation  he  and 
his  brothers  embarked  in  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of  wire,  and 
built  the  largest  and  best  equipped  wire  drawing  plant  in  this  part  of 
the  country.  At  the  end  of  the  year  1892  through  the  machinations  of 
several  designing  business  men  their  wire  mill  and  other  business  prop- 
erties were  swept  away. 

Soon  after  Mrs.  Miller,  the  aunt  of  Mr.  Fish,  suffered  a  stroke  of 
apoplexy  and  Mr.  Fish  devoted  his  time  for  the  next  ten  years  to  the 
care  of  his  invalid  aunt  and  her  business.  Afterwards  Mr.  Fish  became 
greatly  interested  in  suburban  real  estate  and  opened  an  office  in  Joliet, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  a  constantly  growing  business.  He 
has  been  identified  with  a  number  of  large  and  important  transactions. 

Mr.  Fish  has  been  for  over  50  years  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  views,  and  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Colonial  Wars,  Sons  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, Mayflower  Society  of  Illinois,  Midlothian  Country  Club,  and  Joliet 
Country  Club  for  many  years. 

On  Feb.  1,  1887,  Mr.  Fish  was  united  in  marriage  with  Louise  Steel, 
who  was  born  in  Joliet,  Sept.  23,  1866,  and  died  Feb.  8,  1892.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  William  A.  and  Frances  Louise  (Sanger)  Steel,  and  to 
this  union  was  born  one  daughter,  Mary  Louise,  born  June  5,  1889,  at 
Joliet.  She  married  Paul  W..  King  of  Evanston,  111.,  June  4,  1910,  and 
has  one  daughter,  Frances  Louise,  born  April  30,  1911. 

Mr.  Fish  was  married  (second)  on  May  18,  1898,  to  Miss  Helen  E. 
Thompson,  who  was  born  April  8,  1872,  at  Joliet,  a  daughter  of  Major 
J.  M.  and  Mary  J.  (Davidson)  Thompson,  the  former  born  at  London, 
Ontario,  Canada,  Oct.  22,  1832,  and  the  latter  in  Will  County,  111.,  Jan. 
15,  1840.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children :  Jennie,  born  Feb.  20, 
1899,  who  died  March  30,  1908;  Manning,  born  Nov.  20,  1903; 
Charles  M.,  Jr.,  born  May  11,  1906,  graduated  from  the  University  of 
Illinois  Class  of  1928:  and  Allen  Miller,  born  July  9,  1907. 


740  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Fred  A.  Francis,  president  of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank  at  New 
Lenox,  111.,  and  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  and  substantial  business 
men  of  Will  County,  was  born  near  New  Lenox,  Oct.  26,  1888,  the  son 
of  Charles  and  Mary  (Haven)  Francis. 

Charles  Francis  was  born  in  New  Lenox  Township  in  1847.  He  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  after  his  marriage  purchased  a  farm 
south  of  New  Lenox,  where  he  lived  for  many  years.  He  later  pur- 
chased the  farm  where  his  son  Fred  A.,  now  resides.  He  was  engaged 
in  general  farming,  stock  raising  and  dairying.  He  died  in  1919  and  is 
buried  in  New  Lenox  Cemetery.  His  widow,  also  a  native  of  New  Lenox 
Township,  now  lives  in  Joliet.  Mr.  Francis  was  a  Republican  in  his 
political  views,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  where  he  was  a  trustee  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
School.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  Francis  family:  Hattie, 
deceased,  buried  in  New  Lenox;  Dr.  Charles  H.,  deceased,  was  a  physi- 
cian and  surgeon,  and  a  graduate  of  Northwestern  University;  was 
located  in  Reno,  Nev.  He  is  buried  at  New  Lenox. ;  Alice  M.,  a  teacher 
in  Parker  High  School,  Chicago;  Jane,  married  Milton  S.  Johnston, 
Joliet;  Margaret  E.,  married  Roland  E.  Stevens,  lives  at  Daytona,  Fla.; 
Walter,  deceased,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  and  superin- 
tendent of  Bradstreets,  buried  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.;  and  Fred  A.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Abraham  Francis,  the  father  of  Charles  Francis,  came  to  New 
Lenox  Township  in  1831.  He  had  three  sons.  A.  Allen  Francis  was 
born  in  Will  County,  111.,  Sept.  7,  1840.  He  married  Lizzie  J.  Haven, 
Sept.  15,  1870.  The  second  son,  John  Francis,  was  born  in  Will  County, 
Jan.  8,  1843,  and  married  Harriet  M.  Bliss,  who  was  born  Sept.  5,  1846. 
The  third  son  was  Charles  Francis,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Fred  A.  Francis  attended  the  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from 
Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1907,  after  which  he  worked  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  in  1915  assumed  the  management  of  the  farm,  con- 
sisting of  280  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Francis  and  his  mother  are  now 
owners  of  this  farm. 

In  1915  Mr.  Francis  was  married  to  Anne  Clow,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Eliza  V.  (Cherry)  Clow.  Mr.  Clow,  who  is  deceased,  was 
a  farmer  in  Wheatland  Township,  Will  County.  His  widow  resides  in 
Plainfield,  111. 

Robert  Clow,  a  native  of  Dumfreeshire,  Scotland,  brought  his  family 
to  America  in  1837.  They  settled  first  at  Sodus  Bay,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1843 
came  via  Erie  Canal  and  the  Great  Lakes  to  Chicago,  and  settled  in 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  741 

Will  Township.  He  was  born  in  1792  and  died  in  1877.  His  son,  Robert 
Clow,  Jr.,  accompanied  his  father  to  America.  He  married  Rosanna 
McMicken.  He  served  in  the  State  legislature  one  term,  and  two  terms 
as  circuit  clerk  of  Will  County,  and  was  also  justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Township  clerk.  He  died  Sept.  15,  1888,  and  his  wife  died  in  1895. 
William  Clow  was  the  son  of  Robert  Clow,  Jr.,  and  was  born  in  Will 
County,  111.,  Dec.  18,  1850.    In  1874  he  married  Eliza  V.  Cherry. 

To  Fred  A.  and  Anne  (Clow)  Francis  two  sons  have  been  born: 
Fred  C,  born  Nov.  26,  1917,  a  student;  and  Charles  J.,  born  Jan.  30, 
1925. 

Mr.  Francis  has  found  time  besides  his  agricultural  pursuits  to  take 
part  in  the  affairs  of  his  township,  and  has  served  as  school  director 
of  New  Lenox  Township,  District  No.  124,  and  as  supervisor  of  the 
township,  being  elected  in  1925  for  a  term  of  two  years,  and  was 
reelected  in  1927.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  was  an  alternate  delegate 
to  the  Republican  convention  at  Springfield  in  1928. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Francis  is  affiliated  with  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  and  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  Past  Counsel.  Mr.  Francis  was  a  charter  member  and 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank,  and  was  elected 
its  first  president  and  director.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


John  Philip  Klose,  a  progressive  and  well  known  farmer  of  Mokena, 
was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  March  19,  1875,  the 
son  of  John  and  Philipina  (Mast)  Klose. 

John  Klose  was  born  in  Byrish,  Germany,  Feb.  22,  1850.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  uncle,  John  Zahn,  in  1854.  Mr.  Zahn 
settled  in  Frankfort  Township  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  stock 
raising  and  dairying.  He  died  in  August,  1927,  and  is  buried  in  St. 
John's  Cemetery. 

John  Klose  died  in  1916  and  his  wife  in  1918,  and  they  are  buried 
in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren: George,  born  Jan.  21,  1872,  a  farmer,  lives  on  the  old  homestead; 
Oscar,  born  July  17,  1873,  lives  in  Mokena;  John  Philip,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Emma  Charlotte,  born  Sept.  4,  1881,  resides  on  the 
old  homestead. 

John  Philip  Klose  attended  the  public  schools  of  Frankfort  Town- 
ship.   He  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  married.    In  Feb- 


742  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ruary,  1908,  he  purchased  100  acres  of  land.  For  many  years  he  also 
conducted  a  dairy,  but  now  devotes  his  entire  time  to  general  fanning, 
in  which  vocation  he  has  been  very  successful. 

In  1908  Mr.  Klose  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sangmeister,  a 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Christina  (Syspel)  Sangmeister,  natives  of 
Germany.  Mr.  Sangmeister  was  born  July  1,  1849.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  is  now  deceased.  His  widow,  who  was  born  April  22,  1847,  resides 
in  Frankfort.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sangmeister  seven  children  were  born: 
William  and  George,  deceased;  Conrad,  lives  in  Joliet;  Christ,  resides 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Greengarden  Township;  Bertha,  lives  in  Frank- 
fort ;  Elizabeth  Klose ;  and  Lena,  married  Henry  Laun,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Mr.  Klose  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 


John  Klose,  deceased,  was  a  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen 
of  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  where  he  spent  practically 
his  entire  life.  He  was  born  in  Byrish,  Germany,  Feb.  22,  1850,  a  son 
of  Louis  and  Margaret  (Zahn)  Klose. 

Louis  Klose  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany.  He  came  to 
the  United  States  and  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  buried  in  St. 
John's  Cemetery,  Mokena,  and  his  wife  is  buried  in  Orland  Township, 
Cook  County,  111. 

At  the  age  of  four  years  John  Klose  came  to  the  United  States  with 
his  uncle,  John  Zahn,  and  they  settled  in  Frankfort  Township.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  and  then  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  also 
interested  in  stock  raising  and  dairying  and  met  with  success. 

John  Klose  was  married  to  Philipena  Mast,  who  was  born  in  Frank- 
fort Township,  Will  County,  June  21,  1848,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Eva  (Bertell)  Mast.  Jacob  Mast  was  born  in  Germany  in  1810,  and 
his  wife  was  born  there  in  1812.  In  1846  they  came  to  the  United 
States  and  settled  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  where  Mr. 
Mast  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  Sept.  11,  1882,  and  his  wife  died 
Dec.  23,  1880,  and  they  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena,  111. 

To  John  and  Philipena  (Mast)  Klose  four  children  were  born: 
1.  George,  born  Jan.  21,  1872,  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Frankfort  Township.  He  resides  on  the 
"Old  Homestead,"  and  like  his  father  he  is  a  great  lover  of  flowers 
and  trees.  In  1928  he  planted  50  Evergreens  on  the  farm.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church.    2.  Oscar, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  743 

born  July  17,  1873,  lives  in  Mokena,  111.  3.  John,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  history.  4.  Emma  Charlotte,  born  Sept.  4, 
1881,  lives  on  the  farm  with  her  brother  George.  She  also  has  inherited 
her  love  of  flowers  and  devotes  many  hours  to  her  large  garden  of 
flowers  and  plants.    She  is  unmarried. 

John  Klose  died  in  1916  and  his  wife  died  in  1918.  Both  are  buried 
in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena.  He  was  a  Republican,  had  served  as 
school  director,  and  was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church. 
Mr.  Klose  had  many  friends  in  this  part  of  the  state  who  have  the 
kindest  recollections  of  him.  He  was  a  lover  of  plants,  flowers,  and 
trees  and  spent  much  time  in  their  cultivation  and  care,  all  of  which 
added  to  the  beauty  of  his  well  kept  lawns  and  gardens. 


John  F.  Handorf,  a  leading  agriculturist  and  business  man,  residing 
near  New  Lenox,  was  born  in  that  township,  Aug.  11,  1888,  a  son  of 
John  M.  and  Mary  (Holm)  Handorf. 

John  M.  Handorf  now  lives  retired  at  Marley,  New  Lenox  Town- 
ship. A  complete  sketch  of  John  M.  Handorf  will  be  found  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

John  F.  Handorf  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  New  Lenox 
Township,  after  which  he  completed  a  business  course  at  the  Grant 
Orvis  Business  College,  Chicago,  111.,  in  1907.  He  returned  to  his 
father's  farm  where  he  was  employed  until  1914.  At  that  time  he 
fanned  230  acres  of  land  and  upon  the  death  of  his  mother  in  1925 
she  willed  him  80  acres  of  fine  farm  land,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr. 
Handorf  carries  on  general  farming,  dairying,  and  stock  raising  and 
takes  more  than  an  ordinary  interest  in  the  live  stock  business.  The 
farm  is  a  valuable  one  and  is  well  improved. 

In  1914  Mr.  Handoif  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Beckwith,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Mary  (Riekof)  Beckwith,  who  were  born  in  Worth 
Township,  111.  Mr.  Beckwith,  who  is  now  living  retired  at  Worth,  Cook 
County,  111.,  was  an  agriculturist.  Mrs.  Beckwith  is  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Handorf  have  seven  children:  Marion,  John,  Alma,  Wilma,  attend- 
ing school,  and  Doris  Ethel  and  Henry  Howard  at  home. 

Mr.  Handorf  is  a  Republican  and  school  director  of  district  No.  125. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  charter  members  of  the  New  Lenox 
State  Bank  and  is  a  director  of  the  institution.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


744  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Patrick  D.  Fahey  is  among  the  prominent  young  business  men  of 
Joliet,  where  he  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  He 
was  born  at  Manhattan,  111.,  Jan.  30,  1904,  the  son  of  F.  Matthew  and 
Martha  (McDonald)  Fahey. 

F.  Matthew  Fahey,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens  and  able 
attorneys  of  Joliet.  He  died  Aug.  27,  1913,  and  is  buried  at  Manhattan. 
His  widow  resides  at  Joliet.  Mr.  Fahey  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church  and  a  member  of  the  Will  County  Bar  Association.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fahey  were  born  five  children :  Marion,  married  Matthew  Nichols, 
lives  at  Chicago,  111.;  Frank,  lives  at  Chicago;  Thomas,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Patrick  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Margaret,  married  Thomas 
Bruce,  lives  at  Chicago. 

Patrick  D.  Fahey  received  his  early  education  in  Joliet,  attending 
the  public  schools.  While  a  student  at  Joliet  Township  High  School 
he  was  employed  in  the  offices  of  the  Joliet  Macaroni  Company.  He  was 
later  graduated  from  St.  Mary's  College,  St.  Mary's,  Kansas.  In  1924 
he  became  associated  with  the  Raynor  Park  Investment  Company  as 
a  real  estate  operator,  and  two  years  later  went  to  Sarasota,  Florida, 
where  he  was  in  charge  of  the  Florida  offices  of  Davis,  Rider  &  Flory, 
of  Chicago.  During  the  latter  part  of  1926  he  established  his  present 
real  estate  business  in  Joliet,  with  offices  in  the  Will  County  National 
Bank  Building.  He  removed  to  his  present  quarters  at  Van  Buren  and 
Ottawa  streets,  Aug.  30,  1927. 

Mr.  Fahey  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Joliet  Council,  No.  382,  Fourth 
Degree,  and  Holy  Name  Society. 


Moore  Brothers  Company,  Joliet. — In  the  year  1857  two  brothers 
William  N.  and  Alexander  K.  Moore,  began  the  making  of  stoves  at 
Neenah,  Wis.  It  was  a  very  new  country  at  that  time,  literally  in  the 
woods,  with  the  great  Wisconsin  forest  still  covering  the  land  every- 
where, excepting  here  and  there  as  at  Neenah,  where  the  giant  of 
progress  had  as  it  were  stopped  to  cut  a  swath  or  two  of  trees,  so  as  to 
get  a  foothold  in  the  wilderness  of  timber.  Here  at  Neenah  navigable 
water  and  water  power  invited  early  settlement;  soon  a  saw  mill  was 
installed,  then  flour  mills,  and  a  considerable  village.  Then  in  1857 
came  the  railroad,  but  the  stumps  still  stood  in  the  streets  where  the 
forest  had  been  and  the  Indian  was  a  familiar  figure  about  town. 


F.   .MATTHEW  FAHEY 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  745 

William  and  Alexander  Moore  came  from  New  York  city,  attracted 
no  doubt  by  the  richness  of  the  surrounding  country,  which  was  being 
rapidly  cleared  and  settled,  and  also  by  the  water  and  new  rail  com- 
munication. They  started  a  small  foundry  and  began  making  stoves, 
hollow  ware,  sugar  kettles,  plows,  sleigh  shoes,  and  everything  that  a 
country  foundry  of  those  days  was  called  upon  to  make.  From  1857 
until  1858  was  a  period  of  hard  times  when  money  almost  disappeared 
from  circulation,  and  such  business  as  was  done  was  carried  on  by  a 
system  of  barter  with  a  bushel  of  wheat  as  the  standard  of  value.  The 
new  foundry  venture  had  its  full  share  in  these  adversities,  but  times 
began  to  improve.  The  country  round  about  increased  in  population  and 
wealth  and  so  the  business  prospered.  From  the  first,  stoves  were  the 
principal  concern  of  the  Moore  Brothers  and  gradually  as  their  stoves 
became  known  the  other  products  were  discontinued.  Some  years 
passed  in  the  development,  and  then  in  1871,  William  Moore,  seeking  a 
wider  market,  moved  to  Joliet,  and  the  same  year  started  a  new  foun- 
dry, which  he  called  the  Solar  Stove  Works.  From  this  time  on  each 
of  the  brothers  conducted  his  separate  business  with  success,  but  for 
a  few  years  only.  In  1873  Alexander  Moore  died  and  the  Neenah 
Stove  Works,  passing  through  several  hands,  came  to  the  ov/nership  of 
Bergstrom  Brothers  &  Company,  later  George  Bergstrom  &  Son,  and 
under  the  Bergstrom  management  has  maintained  an  enviable  position 
in  the  trade. 

In  1875  William  Moore  died  at  Joliet,  leaving  a  flourishing  business, 
which  was  continued  as  a  family  interest  under  the  name  of  the  Solar 
Stove  Works  until  1887,  at  which  time  the  Joliet  Stove  Works  succeeded 
to  the  business  and  was  thenceforth  conducted  under  the  management 
of  William  N.  and  Lewis  Moore,  sons  respectively  of  William  N.  and 
Alexander  K.  Moore,  who  began  making  stoves  together  in  1857.  In 
the  year  1907,  fifty  years  after  the  beginning  of  the  original  copartner- 
ship, it  was  decided  to  honor  the  founders  by  changing  the  name  of 
the  concern  to  the  Moore  Brothers  Company.  The  associated  manage- 
ment of  the  sons  continued  until  August,  1911,  when  William  N.  Moore 
died  at  Auckland,  New  Zealand,  where  he  had  gone  on  a  voyage  for 
health  and  recreation.  Since  then  the  business  of  Moore  Brothers  Com- 
pany has  continued  with  Lewis  Moore  as  President  of  an  active  organi- 
zation which  has  continuously  increased  the  magnitude  and  scope  of  the 
business  until  the  Moore  Products  are  generally  known  throughout  the 
country  for  their  meritorious  qualities.  The  plant  occupies  approx- 
imately a  ten  acre  area  in  the  heart  of  Joliet,  surrounded  by  Benton, 


746  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Franklin,  and  Jackson  Streets  and  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railway 
right  of  way. 

Lewis  Moore  was  born  at  Neenah,  Wis.,  Aug.  14,  1866,  being  the 
only  son  of  Alexander  K.  and  Mary  E.  Williams,  who  were  married  in 
1861.  His  father  was  a  manufacturer  of  stoves  and  furnaces  in  Neenah 
at  that  time.  On  completion  of  his  school  education  in  1884  he  came 
to  Joliet  to  associate  himself  with  the  business  founded  by  his  father 
and  his  uncle,  William  N.  Moore,  which  had  been  reestablished  in  Joliet 
after  the  death  of  his  father  in  1873. 

Since  adopting  Joliet  for  his  field  of  action  he  has  been  continuously 
associated  with  the  business  of  stove  making  and  has  been  since  the 
year  1912  president  of  the  corporation  known  as  Moore  Brothers 
Company. 

On  Oct.  14,  1891,  Lewis  Moore  was  married  to  Mabelle  Dillman, 
daughter  of  Louis  E.  Dillman,  a  pioneer  manufacturer  of  the  early  days 
of  Will  County.  From  this  union  there  came  a  son,  Lewis  Moore,  Jr., 
who  is  associated  with  the  Moore  Brothers  Company  as  secretary,  and 
Kathryn,  wife  of  Harold  F.  Patterson. 

Mr.  Moore  has  always  actively  been  interested  in  the  general  affairs 
pertaining  to  industry  and  a  loyal  supporter  of  all  worthy  civic  move- 
ments, but  has  never  solicited  nor  held  public  office.  As  to  politics  he 
has  generally  supported  Republican  policies. 


Fred  W.  Phelps — Fred  Woodford  Phelps  was  born  at  Battle  Creek, 
Mich.,  Dec.  27,  1869,  the  only  child  of  his  parents,  Andrew  S.  Phelps, 
who  married  Sarah  Ann  Woodford  in  1866,  both  coming  originally  from 
New  York  State. 

In  1871  his  parents  moved  to  Chicago  and  his  elementary  school  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  the  Chicago  public  schools.  He  later  graduated 
from  the  Chicago  Manual  Training  School,  which  was  the  first  technical 
school  established  in  the  middle  West.  In  1887  he  came  to  Joliet  to  asso- 
ciate himself  with  the  Joliet  Stove  Works,  now  known  as  the  Moore 
Brothers  Company,  In  1891  he  entered  the  bicycle  trade  in  associa- 
tion with  Andrew  S.  Phelps,  his  father,  and  James  B.  Speer,  forming  a 
corporation  known  as  the  Joliet  Wheel  Company  to  manufacture 
bicycles.  From  1894  to  1898  he  was  associated  with  the  business  man- 
agement of  the  Joliet  Daily  News.  In  1898  he  entered  the  grain  com- 
mission business  on  the  Chicago  Board  of  Trade,  but  not  finding  that 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  747 

occupation  to  his  liking,  he  returned  to  the  stove  business  in  1899  and 
has  since  been  associated  with  the  Moore  Brothers  Company  as  vice 
president  and  treasurer. 

Mr.  Phelps  was  married  on  June  10,  1896,  to  Bertha  May  Jones, 
daughter  of  Noble  Jones,  formerly  of  Mokena,  111.,  and  has  one  son, 
Norman  Jones  Phelps,  and  one  daughter,  Marian  Woodford  Phelps. 


Andrew  S.  Phelps. — Andrew  S.  Phelps  was  born  at  Dryden,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  17,  1838.  His  family  moved  to  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  where  he  attended 
school.  He  came  to  Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  in  1857,  which  was  his  resi- 
dence until  1870.  He  enlisted  for  the  Civil  war  in  August,  1861,  and 
was  mustered  out  on  Sept.  19,  1865,  as  captain  of  Company  A,  Merrill's 
Horse  of  Missouri. 

In  1866  Mr.  Phelps  was  married  to  Sarah  Ann  Woodford,  then  of 
Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  having  but  one  child,  a  son,  Fred  Woodford  Phelps, 
at  this  time  living  in  Joliet.  Mr.  Phelps  came  to  Joliet  from  Chicago  in 
1889,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  stove  business  and  became 
interested  in  the  Joliet  Stove  Works.  Later  he  associated  himself 
with  the  corporation  then  known  as  the  Joliet  Wheel  Company,  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  bicycles.  He  also  became  interested  in  the 
reestablishment  of  the  Joliet  Daily  News,  then  the  principal  newspaper 
of  the  community,  and  in  1891  erected  a  building  to  house  its  publication. 

Mr.  Phelps  served  for  some  years  on  the  school  board,  being  elected 
on  a  f usian  ticket  and  was  actively  interested  in  all  affairs  pertaining  to 
the  community  welfare  of  Joliet.  He  generally  supported  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket  in  casting  his  vote. 

Andrew  S.  Phelps  died  Feb.  26,  1926,  his  wife,  Sarah  A.,  having 
passed  away  on  Jan.  6,  1905.  Both  are  buried  in  Graceland  Cemetery, 
Chicago. 


Lewis  Tilsy. — The  name  of  Tilsy  is  inseparably  linked  with  the  his- 
tory of  Will  County,  the  first  member  of  the  family  having  located  here 
over  75  years  ago.  Lewis  Tilsy,  a  son  of  William  and  Dorothea  (Holm) 
Tilsy,  was  born  in  Homer  Township,  Will  County,  Sept.  3,  1858. 

William  Tilsy  was  born  in  Mechlenburg,  Germany,  May  15,  1834. 
In  1850  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Will  County  where 
he  worked  on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  and  for  various  farmers 


748  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

in  the  county.  In  1856  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Homer  Township. 
He  was  married  in  Chicago,  Nov.  7,  1857,  to  Dorothea  Holm, 
also  a  native  of  Mechlenburg,  born  Sept.  3,  1838.  To  this  union 
five  children  were  born:  Lewis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William, 
born  May  3,  1862,  a  farmer  of  Homer  Township;  Mary  E.,  born  Nov. 
25,  1864,  married  Charles  Doctor,  resides  in  Orland  Township,  Cook 
County;  Henry,  born  Dec.  29,  1869,  a  farmer  of  Orland  Township;  and 
Carrie,  born  Aug.  5,  1873,  a  teacher,  resides  with  her  brother  Lewis 
Tilsy.  William  Tilsy  died  Sept.  14,  1884,  and  his  wife  died  March  14, 
1916,  and  they  are  buried  in  Brooks  Cemetery,  Homer  Township.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  served  for  many  years  as  school  director. 

Lewis  Tilsy  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Homer 
Township,  and  Lockport  High  School.  He  worked  on  his  father's  farm 
until  the  spring  of  1885  when  he  removed  to  Orland  Township,  Cook 
County,  111.,  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother  William,  worked  160 
acres  of  land.  In  1895  the  partnership  was  dissolved.  He  continued 
farming  alone  until  the  spring  of  1908  when  he  removed  to  Homer 
Township.  In  1909  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead  where  he  remained 
until  Feb.  23,  1924,  when  he  removed  to  Marley,  New  Lenox  Township, 
and  retired. 

In  1889  Mr.  Tilsy  was  married  to  Miss  Dora  Holm,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  (Holm)  Holm,  both  natives  of  Mechlenburg,  Germany. 
Mr.  Holm  was  born  July  13,  1825,  and  his  wife  was  born  July  13,  1834. 
He  died  in  1911  and  she  died  in  1891.  Both  are  buried  in  Oakwood,  Wis. 
Mr.  Holm  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853  and  settled  near  Oakwood, 
Wis.,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  which  he  operated  until  a  few  years  be- 
fore his  death.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holm  nine  children  were  born :  Maria, 
deceased ;  Henry,  lives  at  Bartelsville,  Okla. ;  Helen,  married  Jacob  Klein- 
man,  resides  on  the  old  homestead;  Dora  Tilsy;  Ida,  married  Charles 
Boucher,  lives  at  Boise,  Idaho;  Emma,  married  Otto  Toeplt,  lives  near 
Oakwood,  Wis.;  Lewis,  deceased;  Mary,  married  Herman  Ninneman, 
lives  at  Franklin,  Wis. ;  and  John,  lives  at  Sturdivant,  Wis. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tilsy  three  children  were  born:  Ralph,  born  in 
1890,  died  in  1899,  buried  in  Brooks  Cemetery,  Homer  Township;  John, 
born  Aug.  16,  1893,  and  died  Aug.  16,  1893;  and  Helen,  born  1902,  a 
graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  attended  the  State  Teachers 
College,  DeKalb,  111.,  is  a  teacher. 

Mr.  Tilsy  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  civic  affairs.  For  16 
years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Cook  County,  111., 
and  for  eight  years  was  constable  in  that  county.    He  was  justice  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  749 

peace  for  12  years,  and  15  years  served  on  the  school  board  of  Will 
County,  111.  Mr.  Tilsy  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Will  County 
Farm  Bureau.    The  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 


Christian  Bechstein,  deceased,  was  a  representative  citizen  and  suc- 
cessful business  man  of  Mokena,  where  he  was  well  known  as  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Mokena  State  Bank.  He  was  born  at  Frankfort,  in  Will 
County,  Aug.  1,  1854,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Sophia  (Hohman) 
Bechstein. 

Henry  Bechstein  was  born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Germany,  as  was  his 
wife.  About  1846  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at 
Frankfort,  111.,  where  Mr.  Bechstein  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  St.  John's 
Cemetery. 

Christian  Bechstein  grew  up  at  Frankfort  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  He  became  interested  in  farming  early  in 
life  and  was  thus  engaged  until  1895,  at  which  time  he  removed  to 
Mokena.  In  August,  1909,  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Mokena 
State  Bank  and  served  as  president  of  the  institution  until  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  on  Sept.  10,  1924.  He  is  buried  in  St.  John's 
Cemetery,  Mokena. 

On  Jan.  10,  1878,  Mr.  Bechstein  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Ida  M.  Schmuhl,  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Marie  (Kitzrou)  Schumhl. 
Mr.  Schmuhl  was  born  in  Germany  in  1826  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1852.  He  settled  at  Mokena  and  for  many  years  was  in  the 
employ  of  the  Rock  Island  Railroad.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased. 
They  were  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church.  Mrs.  Bechstein 
died  Dec.  5,  1912,  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery.  There  were 
five  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bechstein :  Emma,  deceased ;  Mamie, 
married  Owen  Miller,  lives  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Alice,  married  Arthur 
Maue,  lives  in  Orland  Township,  Cook  County,  111.;  Rose  D.,  the  widow 
of  Herbert  Moriarty,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  his- 
tory; and  Mabel,  died  June  29,  1919,  was  the  wife  of  Clarence  Mast, 
who  lives  in  New  Lenox  Township,  Will  County. 

Mr.  Bechstein  was  always  a  Democrat  and  held  many  important  local 
offices.  He  was  mayor  of  Mokena  for  several  terms,  and  served  as  alder- 
man and  highway  commissioner  of  Frankfort  Township.  He  served  as  a 
member  of  the  local  school  board  for  26  years.  He  had  a  wide  acquaint- 


750  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ance  throughout  Will  County  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew 
him. 


Herbert  H.  Moriarty,  deceased,  was  well  and  favorably  known 
throughout  Will  County,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life.  At  the  time  of 
his  death,  Nov.  10,  1923,  he  was  serving  as  cashier  of  the  Mokena  State 
Bank.  Mr.  Moriarty  was  born  on  a  farm  in  New  Lenox  Township,  Will 
County,  Feb.  24,  1884,  the  son  of  George  F.  and  Lizzie  (Fulton) 
Moriarty. 

George  F.  Moriarty,  deceased,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  of  New 
Lenox  Township,  where  he  lived  throughout  his  life.  He  was  the  owner 
of  300  acres  of  well  improved  land  and  specialized  in  dairy  farming.  He 
was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  His  widow 
lives  at  Mokena.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moriarty  were  born  two  sons:  Her- 
bert H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Walter  G.,  who  died  in  1914.  He 
is  buried  in  Marshall  Cemetery,  New  Lenox. 

The  education  of  Herbert  H.  Moriarty  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  New  Lenox  Township  and  he  also  attended  Mokena  High 
School  and  Valparaiso  University.  He  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  in  New  Lenox  Township  until  1918,  at  which  time  he 
removed  to  Mokena  and  accepted  the  office  of  cashier  of  the  Mokena 
State  Bank.  He  was  serving  in  this  capacity  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
Nov.  10,  1923.    He  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery. 

In  1910  Mr.  Moriarty  married  Miss  Rose  D.  Bechstein,  the  daughter 
of  Christian  Bechstein,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  in  this  history.  They 
had  two  children:  Francis  C,  born  in  1912,  attends  Joliet  Township 
High  School;  and  Grace  Edith,  born  in  1919. 

Rose  D.  (Bechstein)  Moriarty  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mokena 
and  in  1908  was  graduated  from  DeKalb  Normal  School.  She  was  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago  Heights  before  her  marriage 
and  also  taught  at  Rowley  School,  Hadley,  111.  Mrs.  Moriarty  is  vice 
president  of  the  Parent-Teacher  Association  of  Mokena  and  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  Ladies  Aid  Society.  She  holds  membership  in  St.  John's 
Evangelical  Church  and  is  active  in  church  affairs. 

Mr.  Moriarty  was  a  Republican  and  belonged  to  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America  and  Will  County  Farm  Bureau.  He  was  especially  well 
known  throughout  the  county  as  a  capable  auctioneer  and  did  work  of 
that  nature  throughout  the  state  of  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  751 

Francis  La  Piana,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  prominent  physicians  and  sur- 
geons of  Joliet,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  in  Sicily, 
Italy,  Nov.  28,  1879. 

Francis  LaPiana  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land,  where  he  was 
educated.  In  1901  he  was  graduated  from  Palmero  University,  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  then  came  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  New  York  City.  He  served  in  the  U.  S.  Army  during  the 
Spanish-American  War  and  spent  almost  three  years  in  hospital  work 
in  the  Philippine  Islands.  Upon  his  return  to  this  country  he  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  for  ten  years.  He  took  up 
the  study  of  medicine  at  Marquette  University,  from  which  he  received 
his  degree  in  1914.  He  spent  the  following  two  years  in  practice  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa.  During  the  World  War  he  served  in  the  Medical  Corps 
with  the  rank  of  Captain.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  established 
a  general  practice  in  Chicago,  where  he  remained  until  October,  1926. 
He  has  since  been  located  in  Joliet,  with  offices  in  the  Laughran  Build- 
ing. Besides  his  extensive  practice  Dr.  LaPiana  is  connected  with  the 
staff  of  St.  Joseph  Hospital. 

In  1906  Dr.  LaPiana  was  married  to  Miss  Livia  LaPiana,  of  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.  They  have  five  children:  Vincent,  a  graduate  of  McKinley 
High  School,  Chicago,  attends  the  Armour  School  of  Technology,  Chi- 
cago; George,  Josephine,  Anthoniette,  and  Francis,  Jr.,  all  at  home. 

Dr.  LaPiana  is  identified  with  the  Chicago  Medical  Association  and 
American  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  Republican  and  active  in  local 
politics.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Sons  of  Italy,  American  Legion, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  the  Will  County  Italian  Club,  and  the  North 
Side  Italian  Club.    The  family  residence  is  at  823  Carnelia  Street. 


James  W.  Belay. — Representative  of  the  successful  young  business 
men  of  Will  County  is  James  W.  Belay,  who  is  owner  of  the  Joliet 
Advertising  Service.  He  was  born  in  Joliet,  Feb.  22,  1901,  the  son  of 
Louis  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Meade)  Belay. 

Louis  L.  Belay  was  born  in  France  in  1843.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  when  25  years  of  age  and  settled  at  Joliet,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  tailoring  business  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1912  and  is  buried  in 
St.  Patrick's  Cemetery.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  served  as  local  judge, 
clerk  and  alderman.  His  widow,  who  resides  in  Joliet,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky.   To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Belay  were  born  three  children:    Irene,  mar- 


752  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ried  Harry  Harrigan,  lives  at  Joliet;  Marguerite,  married  Thomas 
Driscoll,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  James  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

James  W.  Belay  attended  the  parochial  schools  of  Joliet  and  was 
graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1920.  He  then  spent 
three  years  in  the  advertising  department  of  the  Herald  News,  Joliet, 
and  was  afterward  associated  with  Libby,  McNeil  &  Libby,  as  head  of 
the  order  department.  His  next  business  connection  was  as  treasurer 
of  the  Farmers'  Weekly  Review  and  since  April,  1927,  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Joliet  Advertising  Service,  which  is  located  in  the  Will 
County  Bank  Building. 

Mr.  Belay  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic 
Church.    He  also  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Charles  T.  Mason. — Few  men  are  better  known  in  Illinois  than  Charles 
T.  Mason,  whose  name  has  been  prominently  associated  with  the  steel 
industry  of  the  State,  and  who  for  30  years  has  been  identified  with 
the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  at  Joliet,  and  is  general  superintendent  of 
the  plant.  He  was  born  in  Oshkosh,  Wis.,  Nov.  23,  1876,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Harriet  (Dennis)  Mason. 

Thomas  Mason  was  born  in  Chicago,  111.,  Dec.  21,  1850.  After 
finishing  high  school  he  worked  on  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Rail- 
road, beginning  as  a  fireman  and  was  soon  promoted  to  engineer.  He 
continued  in  this  capacity  until  he  was  pensioned  in  1915.  He  died  in 
1916  and  is  buried  in  Fond  du  Lac.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of 
the  Episcopal  Church,  and  fraternally  was  affiliated  with  Fountain  City 
Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Oshkosh  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.;  and  Fond  du  Lac 
Commandery,  K.  T. 

Harriet  (Dennis)  Mason  was  born  at  Omro,  Wis.,  Dec.  26,  1858, 
and  resides  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.  Mr.  Mason  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Fond  du  Lac,  and  graduated  from  the  high  school 
there  in  1895.  In  1899  he  received  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science 
Mechanical  Engineer  from  the  University  of  Wisconsin.  He  immediately 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  Joliet  branch,  in  the 
Engineering  department.  In  1908  he  was  appointed  assistant  chief 
engineer ;  in  March,  1918,  he  was  made  assistant  general  superintendent ; 
and  on  Nov.  1,  1926,  was  promoted  to  General  Superintendent. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  were  the  parents  of  ten  children:  Charles  T., 
Elizabeth,  married  Irwin  Smalley,  lives  in  Hartford,  Mich. ;  Harriet,  Ber- 


'•HAKLKS    T.    MA 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  753 

keley,  Calif. ;  George,  Livingston,  Mont. ;  William,  Fond  du  Lac ;  Thomas, 
Green  Bay,  Wis. ;  Robert,  World  War  veteran,  Green  Bay,  Wis. ;  Adah, 
married  Peter  Peterson,  Sturgeon  Bay,  Wis.;  Walter,  World  War  vet- 
eran, Schwano,  Wis.;  and  Herbert,  World  War  veteran,  Berkeley,  Cal. 
The  latter  two  are  twins. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Mason  holds  membership  in  Matteson  Lodge,  No. 
175,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  past  master  in  1906 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No. 
27,  past  high  priest  in  1907 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  M.  No.  82,  past 
master  in  1916;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4,  past  commander  in 
1914 ;  Oriental  Consistory,  A.  A.  S.  R.,  32nd  degree,  Chicago ;  Medinah 
Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Chicago;  Marguerite  Chapter,  0.  E.  S.  187, 
past  patron;  Bethany  Shrine,  W.  S.  J.  No.  7,  past  watchman.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Joliet  Country  Club,  Rotary 
Club,  Shrine  Club  of  Joliet ;  Medina  Athletic  Club  of  Chicago ;  American 
Iron  and  Steel  Institute;  and  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No.  296.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  Church. 

On  Nov.  5,  1906,  Mr.  Mason  was  married  to  Miss  C.  Alphie  Longley, 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  L.  and  Helen  K.  (Dunning)  Longley.  They 
have  a  son,  Charles  T.  Mason,  Jr.,  born  March  26,  1918,  a  student. 


Charles  D.  Eldred,  M.  D.,  is  one  of  the  foremost  physicians  and 
surgeons  of  Joliet.  He  was  bora  at  Braidwood,  Will  County,  111.,  June 
24,  1887,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  C.  C.   and  Emma  R.  (Cooper)  Eldred. 

Dr.  C.  C.  Eldred,  deceased,  was  born  at  Gardner,  111.  He  graduated 
from  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  1874.  He  was  engaged 
in  practice  in  Braidwood  until  1898  when  he  removed  to  Joliet,  where 
he  continued  in  practice  until  his  death.  He  died  Feb.  4,  1923,  and  is 
buried  in  Elmwood  Cemetery.  His  widow  resides  in  Joliet.  There  were 
five  children  in  the  Eldred  family,  as  follows:  Bertha,  a  teacher  in 
Joliet  High  School,  is  a  graduate  of  Northwestern  University ;  Alice  S., 
married  Edwin  Allen,  of  Tacoma,  Wash.,  an  electrical  engineer,  with  the 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad;  Elizabeth  Steward  Johnston, 
of  Cairo,  111. ;  Charles  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  one  child  died 
in  infancy. 

Charles  D.  Eldred  lived  in  Braidwood  until  he  was  eleven  years  of 

age,  when  the  family  moved  to  Joliet.    He  graduated  from  the  Joliet 

High  School  in  1906,  afterwards  graduating  from  Yale  University  with 

the  class  of  1910.    After  a  medical  course  in  Northwestern  University, 

15— VOL.  2 


754  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

he  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1914.  Dr.  Eldred  served 
his  internship  at  St.  Luke's  Hospital  until  1916,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1917  enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  War.  He  served  in  the  Medical 
Corps  and  was  overseas  from  June,  1917,  until  February,  1919,  and  was 
stationed  in  Camp  Hospital  No.  52.  He  was  commissioned  a  first  lieu- 
tenant and  was  with  the  83rd  Division,  and  later  was  raised  to  the  rank 
of  Captain.  Upon  receiving  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Joliet  and 
resumed  his  practice. 

On  March  9,  1918,  Dr.  Eldred  married  Miss  Lela  Jimison,  of  Gales- 
burg.  Mrs.  Eldred  is  a  graduate  of  Lake  Forest  College,  and  prior  to 
her  marriage  was  a  teacher  in  Michigan  City  High  School.  They  have 
two  children :    Elizabeth  Steward ;  and  Bertha  Bernine. 

Dr.  Eldred  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  the 
Will  County  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association, 
and  the  American  College  of  Surgeons.  He  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  American  Legion,  Isaac  Walton  Club,  and  to  the  Masonic 
orders.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Episcopal  Church. 


Jacob  C.  Adler,  president  and  manager  of  The  J.  C.  Adler  Company, 
wholesale  meats  and  groceries,  is  one  of  Joliet's  prominent  citizens.  He 
was  born  on  South  Chicago  Street,  Joliet,  Feb.  13,  1871,  the  son  of 
Jacob  C.  and  Emily  (Erhard)  Adler. 

Jacob  C.  Adler,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents  when  he  was  two  years  of  age.  The  family 
located  in  Joliet.  In  1855  Jacob  C.  Adler  opened  a  meat  market,  and  in 
1879  he  purchased  the  old  National  Hotel  where  President  Lincoln  was 
a  guest  when  a  young  man.  After  a  time  the  hotel  was  leased  to 
Mr.  E.  A.  Bowen,  from  1881  to  1888,  then  leased  to  Mr.  Carl  Pauli, 
who  operated  it  continually  to  1924.  Emily  (Erhard)  Adler  was  born 
on  Bluff  Street,  Joliet,  her  parents  being  among  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  the  town,  having  located  here  in  1843.  She  died  September  25,  1922, 
at  the  age  of  81  years.  Mr.  Adler,  Sr.,  died  June  29,  1919,  aged  83. 
They  are  both  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Jacob  C.  and 
Emily  (Erhard)  Adler  eleven  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Those  now  living  are:  1.  Louise,  wife  of  Dan  P.  Lennon, 
vice-president  of  The  J.  C.  Adler  Company.  2.  Jacob  C,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  3.  Lawrence  J.,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Adler 
Company.    4.    Patricia,  wife  of  James  Macdonald  of  Joliet.    5.    Kath* 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  765 

erine,  who  lives  with  her  brother  Lawrence.  6.  Emily,  deceased  wife  of 
C.  J.  Reinhard,  buried  at  LaSalle,  111.  7.  Michael  L.  Adler,  deceased 
formerly  with  the  J.  C.  Adler  Company. 

Jacob  C.  Adler  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  and  University 
of  Niagara.  At  the  age  of  17  years  began  work  in  his  father's  store. 
January  1,  1901,  0.  W.  Arnold's  business  was  purchased.  This  has  been 
enlarged  until  the  company  now  occupies  the  entire  National  Hotel 
Block,  besides  their  seed,  pet,  and  egg  depot  across  the  street  at  the 
Qorthwest  corner  of  Bluff  and  North  Jefferson  Streets. 

The  J.  C.  Adler  Company  was  incorporated  in  1907  with  J.  C,  Sr., 
as  president,  which  position  he  held  until  a  year  before  his  death.  He 
died  June  29,  1919,  at  the  age  of  83  years.  Mr.  Adler  was  a  leader  in 
whatever  he  undertook,  and  he  died  rich  in  the  possession  of  a  well 
earned  popularity,  and  in  the  esteem  which  comes  from  honorable  living. 
He  was  active  in  all  civic  works  and  took  an  interested  part  in  the 
development  of  the  channel  and  waterway  of  Joliet. 

The  J.  C.  Adler  Company  handle  meats,  eggs,  oleomargarine,  butter, 
a  complete  line  of  groceries,  seeds,  feeds,  and  vegetables  of  all  kinds. 
They  supply  the  surrounding  towns  of  Ottawa,  on  the  southwest,  Aurora 
and  Lemont  on  the  north,  and  Kankakee  on  the  east,  selling  the  Adler 
Jim-Dandy  products,  of  lard,  bacon,  sausage,  hams,  eggs.  They  have 
the  only  packing  house  outside  the  city  of  Chicago  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  and  employ  75  men  regularly.  The  present  officers  are:  Jacob 
C.  Adler,  president;  Dan  P.  Lennon,  vice  president;  and  Lawrence  J. 
Adler,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

In  1897  Mr.  Adler  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Young,  a  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Mary  Young.  Mr.  Young  was  a  very  well  known  citizen 
of  Joliet  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  built  the 
Young  Building.  He  was  also  prominent  in  politics.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Adler  have  four  children:  1.  George  Henry,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Junior 
High  School  and  Armour  Institute,  received  degree  in  electrical  engi- 
neering at  Armour  Institute,  now  operating  Superintendent  of  Crystal 
Lake  for  Public  Service  Company.  2.  Catherine,  a  graduate  of  Joliet 
High  School,  Junior  College,  St.  Mary's  College  Notre  Dame,  and 
received  her  Master  of  Arts  degree  from  Chicago  University,  is  a 
teacher  in  the  Joliet  High  School.  3.  Joseph  L.  a  graduate  of  Joliet 
High  School,  and  Notre  Dame  University,  where  he  received  his  Bach- 
elor of  Commerce  degree,  now  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Prilliman 
Adler  Roofing  Company.  4.  Elizabeth,  a  graduate  of  St.  Francis  Aca- 
demy, Joliet  Junior  College,  and  St.  Mary's  College,  Notre  Dame,  Ind. 


756  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

In  a  local  way  Mr.  Adler  helped  organize  the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, served  as  director  of  same  for  two  terms.  Mr.  Adler  is  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Raymond's  Catholic  Church,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Joliet 
Trust  &  Savings  Bank  and  past  president  of  the  Merchants  Association. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose 
and  W.  C.  U.  and  is  interested  in  the  promotion  of  a  greater  Joliet  and 
the  Chicago  waterways  channel,  which  is  now  under  construction. 

Not  only  as  a  son  of  one  of  the  pioneer  business  men  of  Joliet,  but 
in  his  own  individual  sincerity  and  worthy  endeavor  Mr.  Adler  has  won 
the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  entire  community. 


John  P.  Hayden  is  among  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  and  repre- 
sentative business  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  identified  with  the  Farm- 
ers' Weekly  Review  as  secretary,  general  manager  and  editor.  He  was 
born  at  Lowell,  Ind.,  April  21,  1895,  a  son  of  Fred  and  Ella  (Volkins) 
Hayden. 

Fred  Hayden  was  born  in  1864.  In  early  life  he  followed  farming 
and  general  stock  raising  and  was  later  associated  with  the  Oxweld 
Acetylene  Company,  as  a  salesman  in  Indiana.  He  died  Nov.  17,  1927, 
and  is  buried  in  West  Creek  Cemetery,  Lowell,  Ind.  His  widow,  a  native 
of  Illinois,  resides  at  Lowell.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayden  were  born  the 
following  children:  Leslie,  died  at  the  age  of  five  years;  Leander, 
farmer,  lives  at  Lowell,  Ind. ;  Leonard,  died  in  infancy ;  Delbert,  farmer, 
lives  at  Lowell;  John  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  George,  with  the 
Cloverleaf  Dairy  Company,  Indiana  territory;  Yrvie,  also  associated 
with  the  Cloverleaf  Dairy  Company,  Chicago  offices;  Vivien,  agent 
Northern  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Hammond,  Ind.;  and  Vera,  was 
graduated  from  Lowell  High  School  in  1928. 

John  P.  Hayden  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Lowell  and  was  graduated  from  Valparaiso  University  in  19H\  He  then 
taught  school  at  Grant  Park,  111.,  and  at  Momence,  111.  He  afterward 
became  associated  with  the  Western  Steel  Car  Company  for  a  short 
period.  He  became  interested  in  newspaper  work  while  at  Minneapolis, 
Minn.  He  came  to  Joliet  as  manager  of  the  classified  advertising  depart- 
ment of  the  Joliet  Times,  and  in  August,  1922,  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Farmers  Weekly  Review.  With  Judge  Adams  he  is  now  sole 
owner  of  the  publication,  which  has  a  circulation  of  over  5,000.    They 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  757 

are  also  interested  in  publishing  work  of  all  kinds,  and  specialize  in 
school  magazines  and  papers.    The  plant  also  does  commercial  printing. 

On  Jan.  29,  1917,  Mr.  Hayden  married  Miss  Mary  Bieth,  a  native  of 
Illinois.  She  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  the 
University  of  Illinois,  where  she  specialized  in  the  study  of  music.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hayden  have  a  daughter,  Marjory  Lorraine. 

Mr.  Hayden  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  the  Lions  Club  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Matt  Bloomfield,  M.  D. — A  member  of  the  medical  profession  dis- 
tinguished by  more  than  14  years  of  service  in  Joliet  is  Dr.  Matt  Bloom- 
field,  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  substantial  families 
of  the  State.  He  was  born  at  Toledo,  111.,  Dec.  25,  1887,  the  son  of  Dr. 
Robert  G.  and  Julia  (Hurst)  Bloomfield. 

Dr.  Robert  G.  Bloomfield,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  He 
was  bom  at  Toledo,  May  31,  1860.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical 
College  in  the  class  of  1884  and  became  one  of  the  leading  surgeons  of 
the  section  of  the  State  in  which  he  lived,  carrying  on  an  extensive  prac- 
tice at  Toledo.  He  later  lived  in  Oklahoma  City,  Okla.  Doctor  Bloom- 
field died  in  May,  1924,  and  is  buried  at  Toledo,  111.  His  widow  now 
resides  in  Oklahoma  City.  To  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Bloomfield  were  born 
four  children:  Austin,  deceased;  Matt,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Lottie,  married  Charles  Unger,  lives  at  Oklahoma  City,  Okla. ;  and  Elma, 
married  Joseph  Vahlberg,  lives  at  Oklahoma  City,  Okla. 

The  boyhood  of  Matt  Bloomfield  was  spent  at  Toledo,  111.,  where  he 
attended  the  public  schools.  In  1905-6-7-8  he  attended  the  University  of 
Illinois,  then  the  University  of  Chicago  and  received  his  B.  S.  degree  in 
1910.  He  was  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  School  in  1912  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  and  spent  the  following  two  years  as  an 
interne  in  the  Cook  County  Hospital.  Since  1914  he  has  engaged  in 
practice  in  Joliet,  where  he  specializes  in  surgery.  Doctor  Bloomfield 
has  offices  in  the  Morris  Building  and  was  associated  with  the  late  Dr. 
James  Burry,  chief  surgeon  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  and  the  late 
Dr.  G.  M.  Pears,  Joliet,  111. 

On  June  24,  1916,  Doctor  Bloomfield  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Nella  N.  Marks,  of  Adrian,  Mich.    She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Uni- 


758  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

versity  of  Michigan  and  the  Normal  School  at  Ypsilanti,  Mich.  Previ- 
ous to  her  marriage  she  was  connected  with  the  schools  of  Adrian,  Mich., 
for  three  years.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Bloomfield  have  a  daughter,  Julia 
Elizabeth,  born  July  19,  1926. 

Doctor  Bloomfield  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  lodge  and  its  various  branches.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  Joliet  Country  Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  Elks 
lodge.  He  is  identified  with  the  Will  and  Grundy  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  American  College  of  Surgeons.    He  is  a  Republican. 


Edward  A.  Brewster  is  perhaps  one  of  the  best  known  business  men 
of  Joliet,  where  he  is  president  and  general  manager  of  the  Brewster 
Printing  Company.  He  was  bora  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  Oct.  27,  1855,  and 
spent  his  early  life  in  that  section.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Oberlin  and  in  May,  1869,  began  work  as  an  office  boy  in  a  printing 
plant  in  a  Chicago  printing  house.  He  has  always  been  interested  in  the 
printing  business  and  in  1896  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  served  as  gen- 
eral manager  for  the  Republican  Printing  Company.  Ten  years  later 
he  engaged  in  business  for  himself  and  organized  the  Brewster  print- 
ing Company  at  119  North  Ottawa  Street.  Three  years  later  the  plant 
was  moved  to  314  Van  Buren  Street  and  in  1911  the  company  purchased 
its  present  plant  at  513-15  Second  Avenue.  The  company  specializes  in 
directory  work  and  lithographing,  although  it  handles  all  types  of 
general  job  printing.  Approximately  15  men  are  employed.  The 
officers  of  the  company  are:  Edward  A.  Brewster,  president;  Ed  T. 
Brewster,  vice  president;  Percy  Franklin  Brewster,  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

On  July  3,  1877,  Mr.  Brewster  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Carrie  M.  Tracy,  of  Princeton,  111.  She  died  in  1922  at  the  age  of  65 
years  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  this  union  five 
children  were  born,  as  follows:  George  Ashley,  employed  with  the 
Brewster  Printing  Company.  He  married  Miss  Hester  Shutts,  of  Joliet, 
and  they  have  a  son,  Alden  Brewster;  (2)  Edward  T.,  vice  president 
of  the  Brewster  Printing  Company,  Joliet,  married  Miss  Hattie  Spencer, 
of  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  children,  Carrol  and  William;  (3)  Percy 
Franklin,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Brewster  Printing  Company, 
married  Miss  Effie  L.  White,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Franklin  C. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  759 

Brewster;  (4)  Hattie  Wall,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  (5)  Helen,  married 
James  R.  Morrisey,  lives  at  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Roberta  and  Robert  Brewster  Morrisey. 

On  Feb.  25,  1926,  Mr.  Brewster  married  Mrs.  Louise  Elithorp,  of 
Chicago. 

Politically,  Mr.  Brewster  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  and  takes  an  active  interest  in 
church  affairs.    He  also  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Frank  J.  Limacher,  who  is  identified  with  the  firm  of  Henry  J.  Weber 
&  Company,  investment  brokers,  is  a  leading  business  man  of  Joliet 
and  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Aug.  12, 
1886,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Sauer)  Limacher. 

Joseph  Limacher,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Switzerland.  He  was  a 
small  child  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  America  and  settled  in 
Joliet.  He  became  a  prosperous  business  man  of  the  city  and  conducted 
a  drug  business  here  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  in  1890  at  the 
age  of  44  years  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife, 
born  at  Waterloo,  111.,  died  in  1911,  at  the  age  of  64  years.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Limacher  the  following  children  were  born:  Peter,  died  in  1892; 
Elizabeth,  lives  in  Joliet;  Mrs.  Clara  Stephen,  lives  in  Joliet;  Josephine, 
in  religion  known  as  Sister  Liliosa,  of  the  order  of  Franciscan 
Sisters  of  the  Sacred  Heart;  now  located  at  the  Queen  of  Angels  Hos- 
pital at  Los  Angeles,  Calif. ;  Pauline,  married  Henry  J.  Wagner,  lives  in 
Honolulu ;  Catherine,  married  Timothy  J.  Callahan,  lives  in  Chicago,  111. ; 
Dr.  John  A.,  dentist,  practicing  at  Joliet;  and  Frank  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

Frank  J.  Limacher  has  always  lived  in  Joliet.  He  attended  the 
parochial  and  public  schools  of  the  city  and  was  graduated  from  Joliet 
Township  High  School  in  1905.  He  then  entered  the  general  offices  of 
the  Elgin  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad  Company  and  five  years  later  became 
connected  with  the  offices  of  the  E.  Porter  Products  Company  as  office 
manager  and  cashier.  He  continued  in  that  capacity  for  seven  years  and 
was  later  associated  with  the  Pittsburgh  offices  of  the  American  Refrac- 
tories Company  as  an  accountant  and  was  thus  engaged  until  he  entered 
the  transport  service  of  the  navy  during  the  World  War.  In  1919  he 
returned  to  Joliet  and  again  became  affiliated  with  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and 
Eastern  Railroad  as  valuation  accountant.     May  1,  1926,  he  became 


760  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

associated  with  Henry  J.  Weber  &  Company  as  junior  member  of  the 
firm. 

On  Sept.  24,  1919,  Mr.  Limacher  was  married  to  Miss  Celia  E.  Wil- 
helmi,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  J.  Adam  and  Mary  (Suess)  Wilhelmi. 
They  have  three  children:  Joseph  J.,  born  Dec.  18,  1920;  Alma  Marie, 
born  July  20,  1922 ;  and  Ruth  Catherine,  born  Sept.  25,  1923. 

Politically,  Mr.  Limacher  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  city  and  is  highly  esteemed. 


Ferdinand  J.  Bittermann — Numbered  among  the  enterprising  and 
successful  young  business  men  of  Joliet  is  Mr.  Bittermann,  who  is  also 
a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Sept.  30,  1894, 
the  son  of  Conrad  and  Susan  (Baumgartel)  Bittermann. 

Conrad  Bitterman,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  About  1850 
he  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  and  settled  at  Joliet,  where 
he  learned  the  moulder's  trade.  He  was  employed  by  the  Moore  Bro- 
thers Stove  Company  for  more  than  30  years  and  was  well  known  in  this 
city.  He  died  in  1916.  Mr.  Bittermann  was  a  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  His  widow,  also  born  in  Germany, 
resides  in  Joliet.  Theer  were  eleven  children  in  the  Bittermann  family 
as  follows:  Anna,  married  M.  Mueller;  George  P.;  Conrad,  Jr.;  Bar- 
tholomew; Ernest  W. ;  Lawrence  A.;  Elsie,  married  William  G.  Scholl; 
Ferdinand  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Emily,  married  Lee  Folkers; 
William  and  Irma,  both  deceased.  All  are  residents  of  Joliet  except 
Lawrence  A.,  who  lives  at  Wilmington,  111. 

After  his  graduation  from  Joliet  Township  High  School,  Ferdinand 
J.  Bittermann  was  employed  by  the  Garlach-Barklow  Company  as  a 
press  operator.  Later  he  learned  the  sheet  metal  trade  with  Farrall, 
Kemp  &  Gushe  Company,  of  Joliet.  From  1912  until  1916  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  Poehner  &  Dillman,  hardware  dealers,  and  in  April,  1918, 
he  established  his  present  business,  which  is  known  as  the  F.  J.  Bitter- 
mann Company. 

In  1925  Mr.  Bittermann  married  Miss  Marjorie  G.  Clark,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Lillian  (Schugart)  Clark,  now  Mrs.  Julius  Westphal. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Bittermann  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
U.  S.  Army  and  was  sent  to  Evanston,  111.    He  was  later  transferred 


KKKMXAXh  J.    BITTERMAXX 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  761 

to  Camp  Taylor,  Ky.,  and  assigned  to  the  Field  Artillery  Officer's  Train- 
ing School.    He  was  discharged  in  November,  1918. 

Mr.  Bittermann  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  Mt.  Joliet  Lodge,  F. 
&  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  S.  M. 
No.  82 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  4 ;  Oriental  Consistory,  A.  A.  S.  R.  32nd 
degree;  Medinah  Temple;  Joliet  Shrine  Club;  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star;  and  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post,  No.  5. 


F.  J.  Bittermann  Company  was  organized  as  a  private  company  in 
1918,  and  the  following  year  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of 
the  State  of  Illinois,  with  the  following  officers:  F.  J.  Bittermann, 
president;  J.  R.  Lennon,  vice  president;  and  H.  M.  Clark,  secretary 
and  treasurer.  The  present  plant,  which  employs  40  men,  was  erected 
in  1920.  The  company  manufactures  sheet  metal  products  and  special- 
izes in  steel  plate  construction. 

The  company  was  incorporated  for  $10,000.00  in  1919,  increased  to 
$25,000.00  in  1921,  and  increased  to  $50,000.00  in  1927.  It  has  an  exten- 
sive business  extending  throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada. 


Charles  H.  Blim. — Among  the  prominent  law  practitioners  of  Will 
County,  Illinois,  Charles  H.  Blim  holds  an  important  place.  His  law 
offices  are  located  in  the  Barber  Building,  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Crete, 
111.,  Aug.  7,  1891,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Frances  (Hewes)  Blim. 

Charles  Blim,  who  was  born  at  Palos,  111.,  was  a  prominent  physician 
of  Crete,  where  he  has  practiced  his  profession  for  45  years.  His  wife, 
Frances  (Hewes)  Blim,  was  a  descendant  of  William  Hewes,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Mrs.  Blim  died  in  1897, 
and  is  buried  at  Crete,  111.  There  were  three  children  in  the  Blim  fam- 
ily: Warren  C,  a  physician  and  surgeon,  Chicago  Heights,  111.; 
Charles  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Spencer  P.,  also  a  physician 
and  surgeon,  Chicago  Heights. 

Charles  H.  Blim  attended  the  public  schools  and  attended  Chicago 
Heights  High  School,  and  received  his  degree  of  L.  L.  B.,  from  North- 
western University  in  1917.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  December,  1917, 
and  was  sent  to  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  from  there  to  Dorr  Field,  Florida, 
and  was  discharged  at  Camp  Grant,  Rockford,  in  February  1919.     He 


762  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

then  returned  to  Joliet  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  is 
meeting  with  well  deserved  success. 

On  Sept.  15,  1921,  Mr.  Blim  was  married  to  Miss  Florence  White. 
They  have  two  children,  Charles  White,  born  May  4,  1923 ;  and  Beatrice 
Genevieve,  born  Nov.  3,  1924. 

Mr.  Blim  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  city.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  in  1922  was  a  candidate  for  the  state  legislature,  but 
was  defeated.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post, 
No.  5 ;  the  Chamber  of  Commerce ;  and  the  Elks  Club.  He  is  a  director 
of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Crete,  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Commer- 
cial Trust  &  Savings  Bank  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Blim  is  interested  in  agriculture  also,  and  is  the  owner  of  an 
80  acre  farm  in  Plainfield  Township,  which  he  rents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blim  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their 
home  is  at  110  Whitney  Avenue,  Joliet. 


Howard  E.  Wilson  is  a  representative  business  man  of  Joliet  where 
he  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate,  insurance  and  loan  business.  He  was 
born  at  Joliet,  the  son  of  Jason  L.  and  Lana  (Vandenburg)  Wilson. 

Jason  L.  Wilson  was  born  in  Joliet  where  he  spent  his  entire  life, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  for  many  years  prior  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  Sept.  12,  1926.  He  was  68  years  of  age.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  real  estate  circles  in  Joliet,  and  was 
an  influential  and  public  spirited  citizen.  Mrs.  Wilson,  who  was  also 
born  in  Joliet,  died  when  about  thirty  years  of  age,  leaving  five  children : 
Nettie,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  George  L.,  real  estate  business, 
Houston,  Texas,  for  the  past  18  years ;  Mrs.  Martha  E.  Springer,  Nutley, 
N.  J.;  Mrs.  Anita  L.  McAvoy,  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  and  Howard  E.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  are  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Howard  E.  Wilson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  and  con- 
tinued his  studies  at  Worcester  Academy,  Worcester,  Mass.,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated.  He  entered  the  real  estate  offices  of  his 
father  and  was  associated  with  him  until  the  latter's  death,  since  which 
time  he  has  conducted  the  business  alone. 

On  Jan.  20, 1914,  Mr.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mabel 
Richards,  of  Joliet,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Fred  and  Agnes  (Robertson) 
Richards,  residents  of  Joliet.    Mr.  Richards  is  a  machinist,  and  Mrs. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  763 

Richards  is  owner  of  the  Needle  Work  Shop,  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wil- 
son have  two  children:  Dorothy,  born  June  25,  1915,  attends  Washing- 
ton, Jr.,  High  School;  and  Marjorie,  born  Nov.  19,  1919,  attends  Wood- 
land School.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
and  fraternally  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Orders.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a 
man  of  worth,  and  deserves  and  enjoys  a  high  standing  among  his 
fellow  citizens. 


F.  A.  Nussmeyer. — Among  the  progressive  and  enterprising  young 
business  men  of  Joliet  is  F.  A.  Nussmeyer,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War. 
He  was  born  at  Romeo,  111.,  Feb.  4,  1894,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Hannah 
(Teaboil)  Nussmeyer. 

Charles  Nussmeyer,  who  lives  retired  in  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. Shortly  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nussmeyer  came  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  in  Joliet,  where  Mr.  Nussmeyer  was  em- 
ployed for  many  years  in  the  stone  quarries.  He  and  his  wife  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Herman  lives  in  Joliet ;  Anna,  mar- 
ried Lawrence  Stuffier,  lives  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif.;  Minnie,  the  widow 
of  H.  Rosenthal,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Charles,  Jr.,  lives  in  Joliet ;  Frederick, 
lives  in  Joliet;  Mary,  married  Henry  Specht,  lives  in  Joliet;  F.  A.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  William,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Henry,  lives  in 
Joliet. 

F.  A.  Nussmeyer  was  three  years  old  when  his  family  located  in 
Joliet.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  this  city  and  is  also  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  Metropolitan  Business  College.  He  spent  seven  years  as  a 
clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Joliet,  was  later  asso- 
ciated with  the  American  Refractories  Company  as  chief  clerk,  and  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  World  War  enlisted  for  service.  He  spent  a  year  in 
France  with  the  88th  Military  Police  Company,  and  was  discharged 
in  June,  1919.  Upon  his  return  to  Joliet  he  became  associated  with  the 
Union  Machinery  Company  as  office  manager,  for  three  years,  and  he 
has  since  been  connected  with  the  Markgraf  Stone  &  Quarry  Company. 
His  brother,  Herman  Nussmeyer,  is  also  identified  with  the  business. 

On  Dec.  4,  1920,  Mr.  Nussmeyer  married  Miss  Kathleen  Britt,  of 
Toledo,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Nussmeyer  is  a  member  of  the  First  Lutheran  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.    He  is  a  Republican. 


764  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

William  S.  Welch,  a  successful  real  estate  operator  and  insurance 
man  of  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  at  Streator,  March 
20,  1884,  the  son  of  George  and  Marjorie  (Conlon)  Welch. 

George  Welch  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1850,  and  died  Oct.  29,  1884. 
His  wife,  who  died  Oct.  9,  1923,  was  a  native  of  New  York,  born  Feb. 
29,  1852.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  were  married  in  St.  Patrick's  Catholic 
Church,  Joliet.  Their  two  sons  were  George  R.,  and  William  S.  George 
R.  Welch,  an  electrical  engineer  of  Chicago,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois.  He  spent  several  years  in  government  work  as  a 
construction  engineer  in  the  Panama  Canal  zone,  and  during  the  World 
War  was  stationed  there  in  charge  of  government  ammunition.  He 
married  Miss  Margaret  Connor,  of  Wilmington,  111. 

William  S.  Welch  was  a  small  child  when  his  parents  came  to  Joliet. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  when  18  years  of  age  entered 
the  offices  of  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad,  where  he  continued  for  four  years. 
He  was  then  identified  with  the  city  offices  and  served  as  secretary  to 
Mayor  J.  R.  Cromin,  and  Mayor  Edward  Allen.  Since  1915  Mr.  Welch 
has  been  interested  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance  business  with  offices 
in  the  Will  County  Bank  Building. 

Politically  Mr.  Welch  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Ray- 
mond's Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and 
Western  Catholic  Union. 


Simon  F.  Wilhelmi,  D.  D.  S.,  who  has  successfully  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Joliet  since  1894,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the 
city's  oldest  and  best  known  families.  He  was  born  in  Joliet,  Feb.  15, 
1872,  the  son  of  John  J.  and  Mary  (Rademacher  )  Wilhelmi. 

John  J.  Wilhelmi  came  to  the  United  States  from  Coblenz,  Germany, 
with  his  parents  in  1840,  and  settled  at  Joliet.  He  became  a  prosperous 
farmer  and  stockman  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  this  section  of  Illinois. 
He  died  in  1914  at  the  age  of  80  years.    His  wife  died  in  1876. 

The  early  education  of  Simon  F.  Wilhelmi  was  obtained  in  the  schools 
of  Joliet.  He  later  attended  the  Chicago  College  of  Dental  Surgery, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1894.  And  the  same  year  he  engaged 
in  general  practice  in  Joliet,  where  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time. 

On  June  6,  1898,  Dr.  Wilhelmi  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Helen  Haywood,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Hay- 
wood, both  deceased.  To  them  were  born  five  children :  Harley,  born  in 
1900,  a  graduate  of  St.  Mary's  College,  Kansas,  lives  at  Toledo,  Ohio; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  765 

Dion  James,  born  in  1905,  a  graduate  of  St.  Mary's  College,  Kansas, 
lives  at  home ;  Mary  Catherine,  a  graduate  of  Loretta  Academy,  Chicago, 
married  Robert  Regan,  lives  at  Joliet;  Helen  Simona,  born  in  1912;  and 
Claire  Cecile,  born  in  1914,  attends  St.  Francis  Academy. 

Dr.  Wilhelmi  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Dental  Society,  the 
Illinois  State  Dental  Society,  and  the  American  Dental  Association.  He 
is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to 
the  Elks  Lodge  and  Knights  of  Columbus,  Fourth  Degree.  He  also  is  a 
member  of  the  Joliet  Rival  Club. 


George  F.  Hacker  is  a  representative  business  man  and  leading  citi- 
zen of  Joliet,  where  he  is  president  and  treasurer  of  the  Hacker-Sime 
Company,  manufacturers  of  sash  doors  and  interior  trimmings.  This 
well  established  business  was  founded  in  1882  by  Christ  Hacker  and 
incorporated  in  1893  as  the  C.  Hacker  Company.  Mr.  Hacker  served 
as  president  and  treasurer  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  Feb.  19,  1920.  Mr.  Hacker  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Mokena,  Will  County.  He  served  during  the  Civil 
War.  He  married  Miss  Sophia  Swartz,  also  a  native  of  Germany.  To 
them  were  born  three  children:  George  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Frederick,  died  at  the  age  of  22  years ;  and  Emma,  married  Martin  Sax- 
ton,  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hacker  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Ceme- 
tery, Joliet. 

George  F.  Hacker  has  always  lived  in  Joliet.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  and  in  early  life  became  associated  with  his  father's  business, 
being  vice  president  and  secretary  of  the  C.  Hacker  Company.  Upon 
his  father's  death  he  became  president  and  treasurer  of  the  business. 
Mr.  Hacker  is  also  president  of  the  Joliet  Plate  Window  Glass  Com- 
pany and  a  director  of  the  Will  County  National  Bank. 

In  1892  Mr.  Hacker  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Anna  Warner, 
of  Joliet.  They  have  the  following  children:  Viola,  married  Albert 
Fitzer,  of  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Louis  and  Robert;  Estella,  lives  at  home;  Letha,  married  Walter 
Schoop,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  daughters,  Charlotte  and  Marjorie ; 
Winifred  R.,  married  R.  Williams,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  daughter, 
Marion ;  Christ  F. ;  George  W. ;  and  Frederick  H. 

Mr.  Hacker  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  English  Lutheran 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


766  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Albert  H.  Krusemark  is  a  leading  attorney  and  prominent  citizen  of 
Joliet,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  offices 
in  the  Barber  Building.  He  was  born  in  Manhattan  Township,  Will 
County,  June  16,  1882,  the  son  of  Louis  and  Mary  (Schoop)  Krusemark. 

Louis  Krusemark  was  born  in  Germany.  At  the  age  of  21  years  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Will  County  where  he 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  and  his  wife  now 
reside  at  Frankfort,  111.  They  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
Fred  Krusemark,  attorney,  identified  with  the  Lambert  Rubber  Com- 
pany, Akron,  Ohio;  Lena,  married  Loch  Biehler,  lives  at  Oak  Park,  111.; 
Mae,  married  Dr.  McMahon,  lives  at  Mokena,  111. ;  Clara,  married  Alvin 
Marti,  lives  in  Rich  Township,  Cook  County;  Estelle,  married  James 
Bathell,  lives  at  Oak  Park,  111. ;  and  Violet,  married  Frederick  Whitlark, 
lives  at  Mokena,  111. 

Albert  H.  Krusemark  was  two  years  old  when  his  family  removed  to 
Lenox  Township.  He  entered  the  public  schools  of  Lenox  and  Frank- 
fort Townships,  and  was  graduated  from  Valparaiso  University.  He 
studied  law  at  Northwestern  University  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  Will  County  in  1908.  He  immediately  established  his  present  practice 
in  Joliet. 

On  Feb.  12,  1914,  Mr.  Krusemark  manned  Miss  Estellwagen,  of 
Frankfort.    They  have  two  children,  Albert  and  Corinne. 

Mr.  Krusemark  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical 
Church  of  Frankfort,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  is 
identified  with  the  Will  County  Bar  Association. 


Bernard  F.  Bailey,  who  is  superintendent  of  the  Phoenix  Horse  Shoe 
Company,  Joliet,  is  a  leading  citizen  of  the  community.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  City,  June  30,  1880,  the  son  of  Bernard  and  Charlotte 
(Scriber)  Bailey. 

Bernard  Bailey,  retired,  was  for  many  years  identified  with  the 
Phoenix  Horse  Shoe  Company,  having  spent  40  years  in  its  service.  He 
died  Aug.  10,  1928.  His  wife  died  in  June,  1906,  both  are  buried  in 
Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey  were  born  ten  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  living. 

Bernard  F.  Bailey  was  13  years  old  when  his  parents  settled  in  Joliet. 
He  completed  his  schooling  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city  and  in 
early  youth  entered  the  employ  of  the  Phoenix  Horse  Shoe  Company 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  767 

as  a  machinist.  He  later  became  a  foreman  and  in  1916  was  promoted 
to  superintendent  of  the  rolling  department.  In  January,  1928,  Mr. 
Bailey  completed  30  years  of  service  with  the  company. 

On  June  15,  1905,  Mr.  Bailey  married  Miss  Alvira  Godfrey,  of  Joliet. 
They  have  two  children:  Ralph  Newton,  born  in  1906,  a  graduate  of 
Joliet  Township  High  School,  lives  at  home ;  and  Evelyn  Arville,  a  gradu- 
ate of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  attends  Weston  Normal  School. 

Mr.  Bailey  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Grace  Avenue 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


Henry  J.  Schluntz. — Prominently  identified  with  the  business  life  of 
Joliet  is  Mr.  Schluntz,  who  successfully  deals  in  loans,  insurance  and  real 
estate,  with  offices  in  the  Young  Building.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Will,  Will  County,  April  27,  1873,  the  son  of  Joachim  and  Sophia 
(Lange)  Schluntz. 

Joachim  Schluntz  was  born  in  Germany,  as  was  his  wife.  He 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1865  and  settled  in  Will  County, 
where  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer.  He  died  Dec.  24,  1916,  and  his 
wife  died  April  25,  1909.  Both  are  buried  in  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  Ceme- 
tery, at  Washington,  in  Will  County. 

Henry  J.  Schluntz  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  and  parochial  schools  of  eastern  Will  County. 
He  attended  high  school  at  Pullman,  111.,  and  took  a  business  course  in 
Chicago.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  as  an  accountant  in  Chicago 
until  the  year  of  the  panic,  1893.  He  then  held  clerical  positions  at 
Peotone,  111.,  and  Grant  Park,  111.,  and  in  August,  1895,  was  appointed 
deputy  county  clerk  and  deputy  clerk  of  the  County  Court  of  Will 
County.  In  1900  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Will 
County  and  was  reelected  in  1904.  On  March  1,  1909,  Mr.  Schluntz 
opened  offices  in  Joliet  in  the  Young  Building  and  established  his  present 
business.  Since  1912  he  has  been  associated  with  Hjalmar  Rehn, 
now  State's  Attorney  of  Will  County.  His  son,  H.  Howard  Schluntz, 
attorney,  has  been  connected  with  the  business  since  1925. 

On  June  12,  1898,  Mr.  Schluntz  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Ottilia  Kolstedt,  of  Monee,  Will  County.  She  is  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Magdalena  (Ress)  Kolstedt,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Kolstedt 
was  for  many  years  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Monee,  and  also  was  a 
member  of  the  Illinois  State  Legislature  for  two  terms.    He  died  July  30, 


768  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

1910,  and  his  wife  died  in  1925.  To  Henry  J.  and  Ottilia  (Kolstedt) 
Schluntz  were  born  three  children:  H.  Howard,  lawyer,  Joliet;  J. 
Morton,  civil  engineering  student  at  Purdue  University;  and  Mar- 
jorie  E.,  attends  Millikin  University. 

Mr.  Schluntz  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  he  and  his  family  hold  mem- 
bership in  St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Joliet. 


Charles  Norman  Sprague,  who  lives  retired  in  Joliet,  is  a  well  known 

resident  of  Will  County  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best 
known  families  of  DuPage  Township.  He  was  born  in  DuPage  Town- 
ship, June  19,  1846,  the  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Lydia  (Swift)  Sprague. 

Thomas  J.  Sprague  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  23,  1810. 
He  came  to  Will  County  in  1837  and  settled  in  DuPage  Township,  where 
he  became  a  prosperous  and  well  known  dairy  farmer.  At  one  time  he 
was  the  owner  of  800  acres  of  land.  He  shipped  milk  to  the  Chicago 
markets  and  for  many  years  ranked  among  the  county's  successful 
dairymen.  He  died  Oct.  22,  1898,  and  is  buried  in  Barbers  Cemetery, 
DuPage  Township.  Mr.  Sprague  was  township  assessor  and  active  in 
local  politics.  He  was  a  stanch  Democrat  and  was  affiliated  with  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  No.  538,  Lockport.  He  was  married  on  Jan.  9,  1845,  to  Lydia 
(Swift)  Godfrey,  a  widow.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprague  the  following 
children  were  born:  Charles  Norman,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Mather,  lives  in  Joliet;  Mrs.  Albert  Phelps,  lives  in  DuPage 
Township;  and  Mrs.  Celia  Sargent,  resides  in  Naperville,  111.  A  half- 
sister,  a  Mrs.  Lord,  lives  at  Elgin,  111. 

Charles  Norman  Sprague  attended  the  district  schools  and  those  of 
Naperville,  111.,  for  one  winter.  He  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until 
his  marriage  in  1869,  after  which  he  rented  one  of  his  father's  farms. 
Three  years  later  he  returned  to  the  homestead  to  help  his  father  in  the 
dairy  business,  which  had  developed  on  an  extensive  scale.  The  busi- 
ness was  moved  to  Joliet  in  October,  1886.  Mr.  Sprague  retailed  milk 
and  produced  high  grade  butter  and  cheese  for  many  years.  After  he 
left  that  business  he  and  his  brother  Frank  purchased  513  acres  of 
land  in  Lockport  Township,  Will  County,  and  on  this  tract  conducted  a 
dairy,  selling  rights  to  the  railroad  and  other  concerns.  They  also  dealt 
in  stone  for  about  ten  years.  They  continued  the  dairy  for  many  years, 
and  finally  disposed  of  it  to  the  Flint  Sanitary  Milk  Company.    Charles 


I.MAX    SI'KA'IUI-: 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  769 

N.  Sprague  has  since  lived  retired  in  his  comfortable  home  at  805  Van 
Buren  Street,  Joliet. 

On  Nov.  25,  1869,  Mr.  Sprague  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Alice  C.  Killmer,  a  native  of  DuPage  Township.  She  was  born  Dec.  10, 
1850,  died  Feb.  13,  1900,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To 
this  union  were  born  three  children :  Harriet  M.,  married  Robert  Mat- 
teson,  lives  in  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Charles  C;  Mabel,  married 
Oscar  Kase,  lives  in  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Harry ;  and  Thomas  K., 
lives  at  Joliet  and  is  county  auditor  of  Will  County,  married  Miss  Streitz, 
and  they  have  a  son,  Thomas  K.,  Jr. 

Mr.  Sprague  was  married  the  second  time  on  June  3,  1920,  to  Mrs. 
Evelyn  Lolman,  born  South  Bend,  Ind.,  and  was  reared  in  Erie  County, 
N.  Y.,  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mariam  Craig,  both  deceased.  Mrs. 
Tolman  was  the  widow  of  Howard  Tolman,  of  Otto,  N.  Y.  He  was  serv- 
ing as  superintendent  of  schools  at  Gowanda,  N.  Y.,  at  the  time  of  his 
death  in  1911.  Mrs.  Sprague  had  a  daughter  by  her  first  marriage,  Edna 
May,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Sprague  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  the  offices  of  town  clerk 
and  township  assessor  of  DuPage  Township.  He  belongs  to  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  and  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  community  in  which  he  has  spent  his  entire 
life. 


Thomas  Kilmer  Sprague,  auditor  of  Will  County,  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial citizens  and  honored  men  of  Joliet,  of  which  city  he  is  a  native 
son.  He  was  born  May  15,  1893,  the  son  of  Charles  Norman  and  Alice 
(Killmer)  Sprague. 

The  paternal  grandfather,  Thomas  Jefferson  Sprague,  and  the  ma- 
ternal grandparents,  Reuben  and  Hannah  Killmer,  were  New  Yorkers 
who  became  early  settlers  of  Will  County,  where  they  became  pros- 
perous farmers.  Charles  Norman  Sprague  in  addition  to  his  farming 
interests  was  successfully  engaged  in  the  quarry  industry  in  Will  County. 
Later  in  life  he  became  a  dairyman.    He  is  now  living  retired. 

Growing  up  in  his  native  city,  Thomas  Killmer  Sprague  attended  the 
public  schools  and  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in 
1914.  He  succeeded  his  father  in  the  dairy  business  and  continued  to 
conduct  it  until  January,  1918,  when  he  sold  it  to  enter  the  World  War. 
On  April  29,  1918,  he  enlisted  and  was  assigned  to  the  124th  Machine 
Gun  Regiment,  33rd  Division,  of  the  U.  S.  Army.  He  served  in  France 
16— VOL.  2 


770  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  participated  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive,  the  St.  Mihiel  offen- 
sive, and  other  major  engagements.  He  went  "over  the  top"  seven 
times  and  for  his  capture  of  14  German  soldiers  he  received  a  citation 
for  bravery  on  Sept.  26,  1918.  After  the  armistice  he  was  stationed  at 
Luxemburg  and  while  there  attended  the  University.  He  returned  to 
the  United  States  from  Brest,  France,  with  his  regiment  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  on  May  30,  1919.  Upon  his  return  to  Joliet  he  was 
interested  in  the  general  insurance  business  until  April,  1920,  when  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  Will  County.  He 
served  for  two  terms.  In  1922  he  was  appointed  examiner  in  the  depart- 
ment of  trade  and  commerce  for  insurance,  and  he  continued  to  serve 
as  such  until  December,  1924,  when  he  was  elected  auditor  of  Will 
County. 

On  May  16,  1922,  Mr.  Sprague  married  Miss  Martha  J.  Streitz,  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Rudolph  and  Hermine  Streitz,  natives  of  Ger- 
many. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprague  have  a  son,  Thomas  Killmer,  who  was 
born  March  24,  1923. 

Mr.  Sprague  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  His  fraternal  connections  are  Matteson  Lodge  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery, 
K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Medinah  Temple ;  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No.  296 ;  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America;  Isaak  Walton  League;  Harwood  Post  No.  5,  American 
Legion ;  the  "40  and  8"  society;  and  the  Musicians  Union. 


J.  Arthur  Baskerville,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
business  in  Joliet,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  fami- 
lies of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Florence  Township,  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  (Martin)  Baskerville. 

Thomas  Baskerville  was  born  in  Ireland.  In  1841  he  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Florence  Township,  Will 
County.  He  became  a  successful  grain  and  live  stock  farmer  and  spent 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  Florence  Township,  removing  to  Wilming- 
ton, 111.,  in  1901.  He  died  in  1906  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery, 
Wilmington.  His  wife  was  born  in  Florence  Township  and  was  the 
daughter  of  James  Martin  and  Catherine  (Garhan)  Martin.  She  died 
in  August,  1927,  at  the  age  of  83  years.  The  Martins  were  also  natives 
of  Ireland  and  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Will  County.  To  Thomas 
and   Mary    (Martin)    Baskerville   the  following  children   were   born: 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  771 

Catherine,  married  E.  C.  Shabot,  lives  at  Kankakee,  111.;  Benjamin  J., 
lives  retired  in  Joliet;  Thomas  J.,  lives  retired  in  Joliet;  Ada,  married 
D.  L.  Hogan,  lives  at  Kankakee,  111.;  Harry  R.,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Flor- 
ence Township,  Will  County;  Mary,  married  John  McDonald,  lives  in 
Joliet  Township,  Will  County ;  J.  Arthur,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and 
Florence,  married  J.  B.  Warner,  lives  at  Wilmington,  111. 

The  boyhood  of  Arthur  Baskerville  was  spent  in  Florence  Township, 
where  he  attended  the  district  schools.  He  also  attended  Wilmington 
High  School  and  in  early  life  was  associated  with  his  father  in  farming 
and  stock  raising.  When  21  years  of  age  he  engaged  in  farming  alone 
in  Florence  Township  and  continued  to  be  one  of  the  representative 
farmers  of  that  section  for  more  than  40  years,  being  the  owner  of  a 
fine  farm  of  470  acres.  In  1924  Mr.  Baskerville  disposed  of  his  land 
and  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  has  since  been  interested  in  the  real 
estate  business  with  offices  in  the  Young  building. 

On  Oct.  14,  1902,  Mr.  Baskerville  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Grace  Smith,  of  Manhattan,  111.  They  have  had  five  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  Mary,  died  at  the  age  of  three  months ;  Margaret,  a  graduate  of 
St.  Francis  Academy,  lives  at  home ;  Florence,  a  graduate  of  St.  Francis 
Academy,  lives  at  home ;  Grace  a  graduate  of  St.  Francis ;  and  Thomas, 
attends  LaSalle  College. 

Mr.  Baskerville  is  an  independent  voter.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Pat- 
rick's Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  3rd 
degree,  and  Modem  Woodmen  of  America. 


William  N.  Elwood. — One  of  the  outstanding  citizens  of  Joliet  is 
W.  N.  Elwood,  who  is  president  of  the  Union  Machinery  Company,  and 
a  member  of  one  of  the  prominent  pioneer  families  of  Will  County.  He 
was  born  in  Joliet,  March  17,  1871,  the  son  of  James  G.  and  Margaret 
(Pearce)  Elwood. 

James  G.  Elwood,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was 
born  at  Lockport,  111.,  in  1840.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served  as 
captain  of  Company  D,  100th  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  Mr.  Elwood 
became  a  prominent  business  man  of  Joliet,  being  the  founder  of  the 
Joliet  Water  Company  and  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Joliet  Telephone 
Company.  He  was  also  secretary  of  the  Joliet  Gas  Company  for  a 
number  of  years.  He  died  in  1918  at  the  age  of  78  years,  and  his  wife 
died  in  1916.  Mr.  Elwood  was  also  active  in  local  politics,  having  served 
as  mayor  and  postmaster  of  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elwood  the  fol- 
lowing children  were  born:    Ward  P.,  lives  in  Joliet;  W.  N.,  the  sub- 


772  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ject  of  this  sketch;  Louise  M.,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Mrs.  Arthur  Leach, 
who  lives  in  Joliet. 

Nelson  D.  Elwood,  father  of  James  G.  Elwood,  was  a  prominent 
pioneer  citizen  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  23, 
1818,  and  died  in  Joliet,  Feb.  24,  1861.  He  came  to  Lockport,  111.,  in 
1837,  where  for  a  short  time  he  was  employed  in  the  engineering  depart- 
ment of  the  Canal  office.  In  1843  he  was  elected  county  clerk  and  three 
years  later  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  soon  after  formed  the  firm  of 
Parks  &  Elwood,  with  whom  he  continued  until  his  death.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Railroad  which  was 
opened  from  Joliet  to  Chicago  in  October,  1852,  with  Mr.  Elwood  as 
secretary,  a  position  which  he  continued  to  hold  until  about  1857. 

William  N.  Elwood  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Joliet.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  associated  with  his  father's 
various  business  interests,  and  in  1912  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Union  Machinery  Company.  The  business  was  incorporated  in  1914  with 
a  capital  stock  of  $125,000.  Mr.  Elwood  has  served  as  president  of  the 
company  since  1923.  B.  A.  Evans  is  vice  president.  The  Union  Machin- 
ery Company,  one  of  the  city's  leading  business  enterprises,  employs 
approximately  75  men.  They  are  manufacturers  of  baking  machinery 
and  have  equipped  some  of  the  largest  bakeries  in  the  country.  Their 
trade  also  extends  throughout  Europe,  South  America,  China,  and  Japan. 

In  1898  Mr.  Elwood  was  married  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  to  Miss  Jessie 
Connell,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Frank  Connell.  They  have  two 
children:  Mrs.  John  J.  Heath,  a  graduate  of  Wellesley  College,  and  the 
University  of  Chicago,  lives  in  Chicago;  and  Gavion  Nelson,  a  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Chicago,  associated  in  business  with  his  father. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elwood  have  a  grandchild,  John  J.  Heath,  Jr.,  who  was 
born  in  1926. 

Mr.  Elwood  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party  in  politics.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  4  Knights  Templar,  Joliet.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Rotary 
Club  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


George  P.  Petersen,  who  is  treasurer  and  general  manager  of  the 
Hansen-Petersen  Company,  Inc.,  general  contractors,  has  been  a  leading 
business  man  of  Joliet  for  many  years.  He  was  born  in  Denmark, 
Sept.  1,  1878,  the  son  of  Rasmus  and  Karen  (Paulsen)  Petersen. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  773 

Rasmus  Petersen,  deceased,  was  an  early  settler  of  Illinois.  He 
and  his  wife  were  born  in  Denmark.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  was 
spent  on  a  farm  in  Cook  County  and  he  was  well  known  as  a  successful 
stockman.  He  died  at  the  age  of  77  years  and  is  buried  at  Lemont, 
111.  His  widow  resides  at  Joliet  and  is  84  years  of  age.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Petersen  were  born  four  children:  Rasmus,  lives  in  New  York; 
Martin,  died  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  20  years;  George  P.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Minnie,  married  James  Hansen,  lives  in  Joliet. 

George  P.  Petersen  was  a  small  child  when  his  parents  came  to  the 
United  States.  They  settled  at  Lemont,  111.,  where  he  attended  the 
public  schools.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade  and  in  1897  came  to 
Joliet.  In  1907  he  became  associated  in  the  general  contracting  business 
with  James  Hansen,  and  they  organized  the  Hansen-Petersen  Company, 
which  was  incorporated  in  1913  with  the  following  officers:  James 
Hansen,  president;  E.  E.  Pentz,  vice  president;  George  P.  Petersen, 
treasurer  and  general  manager,  and  James  Merrill,  secretary.  Among 
the  company's  largest  contracts  may  be  mentioned  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  They  have  also  erected  many  public 
and  industrial  buildings. 

In  1908  Mr.  Petersen  married  Miss  Daisy  Jones,  of  Joliet,  and  they 
have  three  children:  Richard,  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School; 
Dorothy,  attends  Farragut  school;  and  Willis,  at  home.  A  son,  George, 
died  at  the  age  of  14  years  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery. 

Mr.  Petersen  is  independent  in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Will 
Avenue  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  and  Elk 
Lodges,  Rotary  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Joseph  Kochevar,  enterprising  and  well  known  druggist  of  Joliet  and 
candidate  for  State  representative,  is  a  native  of  this  city,  where  he 
was  born  Jan.  20,  1900.  He  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Anna  (Jenco) 
Kochevar. 

Michael  Kochevar,  deceased,  was  a  representative  pioneer  citizen  of 
Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Austria  and  came  to  the  United  States 
about  40  years  ago  and  settled  in  Joliet.  He  became  well  known  in  the 
city's  business  life,  being  president  of  the  Slovain  Liquor  Company, 
and  a  director  of  the  Joliet  Citizens  Brewing  Company.  He  was  also 
active  in  local  politics,  having  served  as  city  supervisor.  Mr.  Kochevar 
died  Feb.  12,  1926,  and  is  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery,  Joliet.    His 


774  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

widow  resides  at  807  North  Raynor  Avenue.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kochevar 
were  born  the  following  children:  Anna,  married  Frank  T.  Tezak,  lives 
in  Joliet;  Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Margaret  Troppe,  lives  in 
Joliet ;  Frank,  retired ;  Lillian  and  Leonard,  both  at  home.  Mary,  Julia, 
and  Michael,  Jr.,  all  deceased,  are  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery. 

Joseph  Kochevar  obtained  his  education  in  St.  Joseph's  school  and 
after  his  graduation  from  high  school  became  interested  in  the  drug 
business.  In  1925  he  purchased  the  store  of  Frank  Gospodaric,  pioneer 
druggist  of  Joliet.  The  business  is  located  at  702  East  Washington 
Avenue.  It  is  among  the  finest  drug  stores  in  the  city  and  one  of  the 
largest. 

On  April  21,  1926,  Mr.  Kochevar  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
May  me  Joyman,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Spreitzer) 
Joyman.  Mr.  Joyman  is  the  owner  of  a  well  established  cigar  business 
at  200  Jackson  Street,  Joliet.  Mrs.  Kochevar  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Omaha,  Neb.,  and  in  1917  was  graduated  from  Boyle's 
College.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kochevar  have  a  son,  Joseph,  Jr.,  born  Oct. 
20,  1927. 

Mr.  Kochevar  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Third  degree,  and 
Elks  Lodge.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Joliet  Citizens  Brewing  Company, 
and  is  also  interested  in  the  Citizens  Petroleum  Company,  and  the  Joliet 
Morris  Development  Company.  The  family  residence  is  located  at  811 
Raynor  Avenue. 


Robert  E.  Haley. — Holding  rank  as  one  of  the  ablest  attorneys  of 
Joliet,  Robert  E.  Haley  is  prominent  throughout  Will  County.  He  was 
born  in  this  city,  March  5,  1879,  the  son  of  Patrick  C.  and  Mary 
Anastasia  (D'Arcy)  Haley. 

Patrick  C.  Haley,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  pioneer  citizen  of  Joliet, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  for  many  years.  He  also  served 
as  mayor.  Mr.  Haley  was  born  at  Saranac,  N.  Y.,  in  1849,  and  came  to 
Joliet  with  his  parents  in  1852.  He  was  graduated  from  the  University 
of  Michigan  in  1869,  and  immediately  thereafter  established  his  law 
practice  in  this  city.  He  died  Feb.  21,  1928,  being  active  in  practice 
within  three  months  of  his  death.  Mr.  Haley  was  a  member  of  St. 
Patrick's  Catholic  Church  and  belonged  to  the  Elks  Lodge,  and  Hamilton 
Club  of  Chicago.  His  wife  was  born  April  10,  1852,  in  Joliet,  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Margaret  Darcy,  natives  of  Ireland.    She  died  Dec.  25, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  775 

1927.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haley  were  born  nine  children  as  follows:  Mar- 
garet, unmarried,  lives  in  Joliet ;  Robert  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
Raymond,  born  Sept.  27,  1881,  died  in  1924;  Columbia  D.,  lives  in  Joliet; 
Madeline  and  Genevieve,  both  unmarried,  live  in  Joliet;  Paul  C,  lives  at 
Akron,  Ohio;  Angela,  married  Harry  P.  Keeley,  lives  in  Joliet;  and 
John  P.,  attorney,  Joliet. 

Robert  E.  Haley  grew  up  in  Joliet  and  attended  the  public  schools. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Michigan  in  1905  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Will  County  that  year.  He  has  practiced  in 
Joliet  since  1905  and  has  offices  in  the  Cutting  Building.  He  has  served 
as  city  attorney. 

On  Feb.  11,  1907,  Mr.  Haley  married  Miss  Wilhelmina  Mather,  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Asa  F.  and  Lucetta  (Raver)  Mather.  Mr. 
Mather,  deceased,  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Will  County  bar  for 
more  than  half  a  century.  He  died  March  25,  1925,  at  the  age  of  82 
years.  His  wife  died  in  1923.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haley  have  two  children: 
Margaret  Mather,  born  in  1918;  and  Robert  M.,  bom  in  1922. 

Mr.  Haley  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic 
Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  Elks  and  Eagles  Lodges. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Haley  volunteered  for  service.  He  was 
injured  while  in  training  at  the  Officers  Training  School  and  soon  after 
his  recovery  was  discharged  from  the  service  in  November,  1917.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  American  Legion. 


Alfred  J.  Hebert,  one  of  Joliet's  progressive  business  men  and  well 
known  citizens,  is  a  native  of  this  city.  He  was  born  April  17,  1884, 
the  son  of  Moses  and  Eliza  (Callahan)  Hebert. 

Moses  Hebert  was  born  at  Three  Rivers,  Canada.  He  was  among 
the  earliest  settlers  of  Joliet,  having  located  here  in  1850.  For  some 
years  he  was  identified  with  the  old  Scott  Lumber  Company  and  also 
engaged  in  teaming.  He  died  in  1916  at  the  age  of  69  years  and  is 
buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife,  born  in  Ireland  in 
1847,  died  in  1915.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hebert  were  born  the  following 
children :  Alice,  Lydia,  Henry,  William,  Ruth,  and  George,  all  deceased ; 
Sarah,  unmarried,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Alfred  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Alfred  J.  Hebert  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Joliet   and  following  his  graduation  from  the  Joliet  Township   High 


776  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

School,  he  entered  the  employ  of  Charles  Barber,  general  merchant. 
Eight  years  later  the  store  was  purchased  by  Simon  Lederer,  and  Mr. 
Hebert  continued  with  the  business.  In  1908  the  store  was  purchased 
by  M.  A.  Feldman,  and  thereafter  was  known  as  the  New  York  Store. 
Mr.  Hebert  remained  as  buyer  and  store  manager  until  1922,  at  which 
time  he  became  associated  with  the  George  Peeling  Company,  whole- 
sale and  retail  dealers  in  wall  papers  and  paints.  This  business  was 
founded  in  1876  by  George  Peeling,  who  died  in  1919.  It  was  then  con- 
ducted by  his  son,  Elbert,  who  died  three  years  later.  The  widow  of 
Elbert  Peeling,  Louise  Peeling,  is  half  owner  of  the  business,  Mr.  Hebert 
also  has  a  half  interest  in  the  business. 

Mr.  Hebert  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs 
to  the  Elks  and  Eagle  Lodge.    He  is  unmarried. 


Charles  Adams  Russell,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  James  G.  Heggie 
&  Sons,  Inc.,  is  among  the  substantial  citizens  of  Joliet.  He  was  born 
in  Lockport  Township,  Will  County,  April  11,  1867,  the  son  of  Charles 
C.  and  Elizabeth  (Adams)  Russell. 

Charles  C.  Russell  was  born  at  Johnstown,  in  Montgomery  County, 
N.  Y.  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.  About 
1858  Mr.  Russell  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Lockport  Township,  Will 
County,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming.  He  later  lived  in  Joliet, 
where  he  worked  as  a  carpenter.  Mr.  Russell  died  Oct.  8,  1883,  and  his 
wife  died  Oct.  9,  1915.  Both  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
Mr.  Russell  was  a  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  were  charter  members 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell  were  born 
six  children  as  follows :  Amos  C,  retired,  lives  at  Corona,  Calif. ;  Anna  E., 
died  in  1925,  was  deputy  recorder  of  deeds  of  Will  County  for  40  years ; 
George,  deceased,  buried  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  Jennie,  married  E.  H. 
Stanley,  lives  at  Cortland,  N.  Y. ;  Belle,  died  in  1912,  buried  in  Joliet; 
and  Charles  Adams,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Charles  Adams  Russell  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Joliet.  He  spent  six  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Barrett  Hardware 
Company  as  a  salesman  and  in  1890  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was 
department  manager  for  the  Horton,  Gilmore  &  McWilliams  Wholesale 
Hardware  Company.  Seven  years  later  he  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he 
was  associated  for  two  years  with  the  quarry  business  of  James  Bruce. 
In  1899  he  became  bookkeeper  and  cashier  for  James  G.  Heggie,  and  in 


CHARLES  ADAMS  RUSSELL 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  777 

1913  when  the  business  of  James  G.  Heggie  &  Sons  was  incorporated, 
Mr.  Russell  was  made  secretary  and  treasurer.  He  is  also  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Heggie  Simplex  Boiler  Company,  which  was  incorpo- 
rated in  1923. 

In  1895  Mr.  Russell  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  Bradford,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Chauncey  and  Catherine  (Lewis)  Bradford.  Mr.  Bradford,  de- 
ceased, was  a  native  of  Will  County,  and  was  one  of  the  first  Knight 
Templars  of  Joliet.  He  was  a  well  known  merchant  of  this  city.  His 
wife  was  born  at  Dresden  Heights,  111.,  and  is  also  deceased.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Russell  two  sons  have  been  born:  Charles  Chauncey,  a  graduate 
of  the  University  of  Illinois,  chemical  engineer  with  the  Koppers  Com- 
pany of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  married  Miss  Mary  Barrett,  the  daughter  of 
Edwin  C.  Barrett,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Anne  Elizabeth;  and  Wil- 
liam Bradford,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  manager 
for  the  Heggie  Simplex  Boiler  Company,  married  Miss  Mary  McCauley, 
the  daughter  of  James  A.  and  Florence  McCauley,  of  Plainfield,  111.,  and 
they  have  a  daughter,  Mary. 

Mr.  Russell  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  belongs  to  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  B.  P. 
0.  Elks,  No.  296;  Joliet  Country  Club,  Rotary  Club,  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, Hamilton  Club  of  Chicago,  and  Traffic  Club  of  Chicago. 

Mrs.  Russell  is  prominent  in  club  life  of  Joliet,  being  president  of  the 
Women's  Club,  and  former  president  of  the  Women's  Joliet  Rotary 
Club,  and  Women's  Study  Club.  She  is  a  member  of  the  board  of 
managers  of  the  Presbyterian  Home  for  the  Aged  at  Evanston,  111.,  and 
former  president  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Society  and  the  Ladies 
Aid  Society. 


Charles  F.  Bush  is  one  of  the  reliable  business  men  of  Joliet  where 
he  is  agent  for  the  American  Railway  Express  Company.  He  was  born 
in  this  city,  April  10,  1865,  the  son  of  Frank  and  Harriet  (Stevens) 
Bush. 

Frank  Bush  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1828  and  died  in  1897.  He  was 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Will  County,  where  he  became  successful 
as  a  cattle  dealer.  His  wife  was  born  in  England.  She  died  in  1911  at 
the  age  of  82  years  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To 
Frank  and  Harriet  (Stevens)  Bush  were  born  four  children:  Hattie, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Peter  Shutts;  Lulu,  lives  in  Joliet;  Charles  F., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Arthur  W.  Bush,  a  shoe  merchant  who 


778  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

resides  at  Mendota,  111;  he  married  Miss  Mary  Hubbard,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Arthur  W.,  Jr.,  and  Katherine  H. 

Charles  F.  Bush  spent  his  boyhood  in  Joliet  and  attended  the  public 
school.  He  was  employed  in  the  Will  County  National  Bank  as  clerk  and 
teller  for  several  years  and  in  1893  entered  the  employ  of  the  Wells 
Fargo  Express  Company.  After  a  quarter  of  a  century  of  service  with 
this  company  it  was  merged  with  the  American  Railway  Express  Com- 
pany and  Mr.  Bush  became  local  agent. 

On  June  20,  1898,  Mr.  Bush  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma 
Frances  Hubbard  of  Joliet.  They  have  three  children:  Franklin;  Har- 
riet Stockwell,  lives  at  home;  and  Dorothy,  who  attends  the  University 
of  Illinois. 

Mr.  Bush  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church. 


Charles  O.  Hasey,  who  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Rock 
Island  and  Pacific  Railroad  for  the  past  54  years,  is  among  the  substan- 
tial and  well  known  men  of  Joliet.  For  the  past  16  years  he  has  served 
as  cashier  of  the  local  station  for  the  company.  Mr.  Hasey  was  born  at 
Lincoln,  Maine,  Dec.  12,  1852,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in 
1865. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Hasey  became  an  employe  of  the  C.  R.  I.  &  P.  Rail- 
road and  worked  under  H.  N.  Marsh,  station  agent  of  Joliet.  He  began 
as  a  night  telegraph  operator  and  later  was  promoted  to  day  operator. 
He  then  was  promoted  to  station  agent  and  in  1912,  when  the  new  sta- 
tion was  erected  he  was  appointed  cashier  for  the  company. 

Mr.  Hasey  was  married  on  Feb.  26,  1875,  to  Miss  Ella  A.  Strickland, 
of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Henry  W.  and  Mariah  Strickland,  natives  of 
England.  They  have  the  following  children:  Florence  Ella,  lives  at 
home;  Ethlyn  M.,  married  Louis  Prepenbrink,  lives  at  Joliet;  and 
Earl  C,  lives  at  Joliet.  He  is  supreme  dictator  of  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose  in  this  district  of  Illinois,  and  has  offices  in  the  Morris  Building, 
Joliet.    He  married  Miss  Myrtle  Plumore. 

Mr.  Hasey  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Knights  Templar,  and  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America. 

Mr.  Hasey  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Will  County  Historical 
Society,  being  its  first  president,  and  was  also  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Public  Library  in  this  city. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  779 

Charles  S.  Nowell  is  among  the  most  progressive  business  men  of 
Joliet  where  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Superior  Wall  Paper 
Company,  which  is  located  at  1708  East  Washington  Street.  He  was 
born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  June  11,  1872. 

When  Charles  S.  Nowell  was  12  years  of  age  his  family  went  to 
Youngstown,  Ohio,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools.  He  has 
always  been  interested  in  the  wall  paper  business  and  for  nine  years 
conducted  a  store  at  Niles,  Ohio.  He  then  spent  two  years  in  the  same 
work  in  St.  Louis,  and  one  year  in  Chicago.  After  coming  to  Joliet 
Mr.  Nowell  was  connected  with  the  Star  Peerless  Wallpaper  Company 
as  a  salesman  for  six  years.  He  then  organized  the  Joliet  Wall  Paper 
Mills,  of  which  he  served  as  president  for  three  years.  He  was  later 
associated  with  the  Montgomery  Ward  Company  and  in  1919  became 
identified  with  the  Superior  Wallpaper  Company  as  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

On  Jan.  7,  1903,  Mr.  Nowell  married  Miss  Margaret  Snedden,  of 
Oil  City,  Pa. 

Mr.  Nowell  is  a  Republican,  and  belongs  to  the  Rotary  Club  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Walter  B.  Huey,  M.  D. — An  experienced  physician  and  surgeon,  Doc- 
tor Huey  is  numbered  among  the  representative  men  of  Joliet,  and  is 
one  who  has  honorably  won  the  position  he  holds  in  his  profession.  He 
was  born  at  Abingdon,  111.,  Nov.  9,  1878,  the  son  of  John  S.  and 
Myra  C.  Huey. 

John  S.  Huey,  deceased,  was  prominent  as  a  lawyer  in  Chicago  for 
more  than  half  a  century.  He  was  born  in  Hancock  County,  111.,  March 
8,  1853,  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  Illinois.  He  died  Feb.  24,  1928,  and 
his  wife  died  in  1921  at  the  age  of  68  years.  They  had  four  children: 
Ray  S.,  lives  at  Duluth,  Minn.;  Walter  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Mary  B.,  unmarried,  lives  at  Shelby,  Mich. ;  and  Harold  E.,  apple  grower, 
lives  at  Shelby,  Mich. 

The  early  education  of  Walter  B.  Huey  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chicago,  where  his  family  had  moved  when  he  was  two  years 
old.  After  his  graduation  from  Hyde  Park  High  School  he  entered  Rush 
Medical  College,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine in  1903.  He  then  served  as  an  interne  in  the  Alexian  Brothers 
Hospital  in  Chicago  and  was  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the  Medical 


780  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

School  of  Northwestern  University  for  one  year,  and  also  practiced  in 
Chicago  at  the  same  time.  Doctor  Huey  in  1906  practiced  at  El  Campo, 
Texas,  and  in  1912  he  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  has  continued  in  practice 
to  the  present  time.  He  is  connected  with  the  staffs  of  the  local  hos- 
pitals and  is  surgeon  for  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  the  Elgin,  Joliet  & 
Eastern  Railroad,  and  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad.  He  maintains 
offices  in  the  Joliet  National  Bank  Building. 

On  Sept.  27,  1911,  Doctor  Huey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Jerusa  Burry,  of  Chicago.  They  have  three  children:  Caroline,  Jane, 
and  Walter,  all  students. 

Doctor  Huey  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  the  American  Medical  Association,  and 
he  is  also  a  fellow  of  the  American  College  of  Surgeons. 

Doctor  Huey  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Joliet 
Country  Club. 


Frank  E.  Hyatt,  Doctor  of  Osteopathy,  is  well  and  favorably  known 
in  Joliet,  where  he  has  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession since  Jan.,  1904.  He  was  born  Sept.  11,  1867,  at  Gardner,  111., 
where  he  spent  his  early  youth. 

Doctor  Hyatt  attended  the  schools  at  Avalon,  Mo.  He  then  studied 
osteopathy  at  the  American  College  of  Osteopathic  Medicine  and  Sur- 
gery in  Chicago,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  in  1904.  He  then 
practiced  his  profession  for  a  short  time  before  coming  to  Joliet,  where 
he  established  offices  in  the  Cutting  and  Young  building.  In  1908  he 
moved  to  Tallapoosa,  Ga.,  and  in  1911  came  to  Joliet,  111.  He  is  now 
assisted  in  practice  by  his  son,  Dr.  Clarence  E.  Hyatt,  mention  of  whom 
is  made  below. 

Doctor  Frank  E.  Hyatt  married  Miss  Nettie  E.  Lanfear,  of  Homer 
Township,  Will  County.  They  have  a  son,  Clarence  E.,  who  was  born  in 
Lockport,  Dec.  16,  1900.  He  graduated  in  1923  from  the  Chicago  Col- 
lege of  Osteopathy  and  spent  some  time  in  practice  at  Grand  Haven, 
Mich,  before  locating  in  Joliet  with  his  father.  He  is  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Boy  Scouts  and  at  present  is  serving  as  local  scoutmaster. 
While  in  Grand  Haven,  Mich.,  Dr.  Clarence  E.  Hyatt  served  as  scout 
commissioner  of  the  Grand  Haven  Council,  Boy  Scouts  of  America.  He 
received  his  commission  as  second  lieutenant  Inft.  Reserve,  Aug.  10, 
1928.     He  was  married  Oct.  14,  1922,  to  Miss  Belle  A.  Edmonds,  of 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  781 

Hastings,  Mich.  They  have  three  children:  Preston,  Anita,  and  Nor- 
man. Doctor  Hyatt  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 

Dr.  Frank  E.  Hyatt  is  a  Republican  and  holds  membership  in  the 
Baptist  church ;  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Lloyd  B.  Houston,  manager  of  the  Bradstreet  Company's  office  in 
Joliet,  is  a  representative  young  business  man  of  this  city.  He  was 
born  at  Webster  City,  Iowa,  Dec.  27,  1898. 

In  1900  the  family  of  Lloyd  B.  Houston  removed  to  Waterloo,  Iowa. 
The  family  later  moved  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  in  1915  removed  to 
Dubuque,  Iowa,  where  Lloyd  B.  Houston,  graduated  from  High  School 
in  1918.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  World  War,  and  was  discharged  shortly 
after  the  signing  of  the  Armistice.  After  leaving  the  army  he  attended 
the  University  of  Iowa.  He  began  his  business  career  with  a  wholesale 
tobacco  company  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  later  served  in  the  accounting 
department  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  April  10,  1922,  Mr.  Houston 
became  connected  with  the  Dubuque  office  of  Bradstreets,  and  a  year 
later  was  transferred  to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa.  He  has  held  his  present 
position  in  Joliet  since  1925. 

On  Nov.  2,  1922,  Mr.  Houston  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Helen  M.  Curran,  of  Dubuque. 

Mr.  Houston  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Kiwanis  Club,  and  American  Legion.  He  is 
independent  in  politics. 


J.  R.  Kearns  is  among  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet,  where 
he  is  district  manager  for  the  Illinois  Inspection  Bureau,  with  offices 
in  the  Will  County  National  Bank  Building.  He  was  born  at  Rockford, 
111.,  Aug.  17,  1886,  the  son  of  Hugh  and  Julia  (O'Brien)  Kearns. 

J.  R.  Kearns  received  his  early  education  in  St.  Vincent's  School  in 
Chicago.  He  was  later  graduated  from  the  Armour  Institute  and  began 
his  business  career  with  the  International  Harvesting  Company  as  time- 
keeper. After  four  years  he  went  with  the  Liverpool,  London  &  Globe 
Insurance  Company  of  Chicago  and  six  years  later  became  identified 


782  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

with  the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters  and  the  Northern  Illi- 
nois Inspection  Bureau  at  Rockford.  He  spent  three  years  with  the 
Indiana  Inspection  Bureau  and  then  assumed  his  present  connection  with 
the  Illinois  Inspection  Bureau  in  1910.  For  the  past  ten  years  he  has 
been  located  in  Joliet. 

On  Oct.  17,  1917,  Mr.  Reams  married  Miss  Loretta  Erhardt,  of 
Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Jack,  who  was  born  in  1918. 

Mr.  Reams  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  belongs  to  the 
Rnights  of  Columbus,  3rd  degree,  and  Riwanis  Club.  He  is  independent 
in  politics. 


Harless  W.  King,  president  of  the  Ring  Coal  Company,  is  a  highly 
esteemed  and  prominent  citizen  of  Joliet,  where  he  was  born  Nov. 
1,  1873.    He  is  the  son  of  John  P.  and  Hannah  (Leonard)  Ring. 

John  P.  Ring  was  born  near  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  Dec.  18,  1832.  When 
he  was  three  years  old  his  father,  Andrew  Ring,  came  to  Will  County 
and  purchased  a  farm  near  the  city  of  Joliet,  where  he  resided  until  the 
time  of  his  death  in  1849.  He  left  a  family  of  11  children,  of  whom 
John  P.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  oldest.  When 
John  P.  Ring  was  19  years  of  age  he  made  the  journey  to  California  and 
remained  there  for  12  years,  working  as  a  farmer  and  miner.  He  also 
operated  a  stage  line  between  Eureka  and  Red  Bluff,  Calif.  Mr.  Ring 
returned  to  Joliet  in  1864  and  two  years  later  became  interested  in  the 
lumber  business  which  he  continued  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
W.  W.  Bishop  became  his  business  partner  in  1869,  the  firm  being  known 
as  Ring  &  Bishop.  In  1878  Mr.  Ring  served  as  alderman  from  the 
Seventh  Ward.  He  was  a  trustee  and  prominent  member  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  Church  and  also  served  as  school  director.  He  was  married 
Sept.  12,  1867,  to  Miss  Hannah  Leonard  of  Joliet,  and  they  had  three 
children:  Lulu  B.,  is  the  widow  of  A.  C.  Puffer,  she  resides  in  Joliet; 
Gertrude  M.,  the  wife  of  G.  M.  Lernard,  resides  in  Joliet;  Harless  W., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  John  W.,  resides  in  Birmingham.  Ala. 

Harless  W.  Ring  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Joliet  and  attended  St.  John's  Military  Academy  in  Wisconsin.  He  was 
also  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois.  He  was  associated  with 
his  father's  lumber  business  until  1911  when  he  went  with  the 
Alexander-Dailey  Lumber  Company.  In  1916  Mr.  Ring  made  connec- 
tions with  the  Mitchell  Company,  and  seven  years  later  purchased  the 
business,  which  is  now  known  as  the  Ring  Coal  Company.    It  was  incor- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  783 

porated  in  1927  with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.  The  officers  are: 
Harless  W.  King,  president ;  Mary  F.  King,  vice  president ;  and 
J.  M.  King,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

On  May  15,  1895,  Mr.  King  married  Miss  Maiy  F.  Mack,  a  member 
of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County.  They  have  three  children : 
Margaret,  married  Orrin  S.  Douse,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Orrin  King  and  Molly;  John  Mack,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Chicago,  married  Virginia  Reber,  of  Wheaton,  111.,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Molly  Mae,  and  James  Reber;  and  Jean  Isabel,  lives  at  home, 
is  a  graduate  of  St.  Francis  Academy  and  Knoxville  Academy. 

Mr.  King  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  is  senior  warden,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge  and 
Joliet  Country  Club. 


Thomas  Joseph  Testin. — A  substantial  citizen  and  dependable  young 
business  man  of  Joliet  is  found  in  Thomas  Joseph  Testin,  who  has 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  here  for  several  years.  He  was  born  at 
Aurora,  111.,  Nov.  26,  1894,  the  son  of  Edward  and  Catherine  (Durnan) 
Testin. 

Edward  Testin,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  spent  most  of 
his  life  in  Joliet  and  was  a  boilermaker  by  trade.  He  died  in  1927.  His 
widow  resides  here.  Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Testin: 
Dr.  Henry,  physician,  lives  at  Beverly  Hills,  Calif. ;  Thomas  Joseph,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  John  E.,  a  graduate  of  the  Illinois  School  of 
Pharmacy,  now  associated  with  his  brother  in  the  drug  business;  Mrs. 
Nellie  Reiter,  lives  at  Plainfield,  111. ;  Mrs.  Russell  Laird,  lives  at  Joliet ; 
and  Linna,  lives  at  home. 

Thomas  Joseph  Testin  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  was 
graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1912.  He  then  entered 
the  University  of  Chicago,  where  he  specialized  in  the  study  of  chem- 
istry and  bacteriology.  He  began  his  business  career  in  the  drug  store 
of  S.  F.  Schick,  and  in  1921  he  became  owner  of  the  business,  which  is 
located  at  317  Morris  Building.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  laboratory 
work  and  is  widely  known  throughout  the  county  as  a  bacteriologist. 

On  June  22,  1921,  Mr.  Testin  was  married  to  Miss  Naomi  Archam- 
beault,  of  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Testin  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Raymond's  Catholic 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  third  degree,  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


784  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Eugene  Nelson  Harris  was  born  on  a  farm  a  few  miles  south  of 
Morris,  Grundy  County,  111.,  Dec.  17,  1884,  a  son  of  Frank  May  and 
Kate  (Brown)  Harris. 

His  father,  Frank  May  Harris,  was  a  native  of  Circleville,  Ohio,  a 
son  of  Hiram  and  Martha  (Wilkerson)  Harris.  As  a  young  man  he 
engaged  in  newspaper  work  which  brought  him  to  Morris,  111.,  where 
he  was  associated  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Eugene  B.  Fletcher,  who 
was  editor  of  the  Morris  (111.)  Herald.  He  later  became  interested  in 
fraternal  insurance  work  and  was  for  many  years  a  field  representative 
for  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters  of  Toronto,  Canada,  in  charge 
of  the  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  state  districts,  with  headquarters  at 
Louisville,  Ky.  He  was  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  and  a  Grand  Lodge  Lec- 
turer for  the  State  of  Kentucky.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican  and 
belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  on  Nov.  9,  1924,  at  Shel- 
byville,  Ky.,  and  is  buried  in  Millington  Cemetery  at  Millington,  111. 

The  mother,  Mrs.  Frank  M.  Harris,  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Neuton 
and  Phoebe  Ann  (Clarke)  Brown  who  lived  on  a  farm  north  of  Morris. 

There  are  four  sisters  and  three  brothers  living:  Mary,  wife  of 
James  White,  of  Morris,  111. ;  Lucy,  wife  of  Virgil  C.  Waller,  of  Yonkers, 
N.  Y. ;  Hazel,  wife  of  Philip  G.  Magner  of  Wabash,  Ind. ;  Ota,  wife  of 
Charles  C.  Porter  of  Shelbyville,  Ky. ;  Frank  M.  of  Oswego,  111. ;  Arthur 
N.  of  Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y. ;  and  William  McKinley  of  Culver  City,  Cal. 

Eugene  Harris  attended  the  "Sadler"  School,  south  of  Wauponsee, 
Grundy  County,  and  the  public  schools  of  Moms.  In  January,  1896, 
the  family  moved  to  Joliet  and  he  entered  the  Old  Richards  Street  school 
where  he  finished  the  grade  school  work.  He  entered  the  Old  High 
School  at  the  comer  of  Webster  and  Chicago  streets,  graduating  with  one 
of  the  early  classes  from  the  present  High  School.  He  took  a  course 
in  embalming  at  the  Chicago  College  of  Embalming  and  was  licensed 
in  this  work  by  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

For  some  time  he  was  associated  with  the  firm  of  Hughes  &  Shutts, 
later  Scott  &  Company,  in  the  Masonic  Temple.  From  1907  until  1909 
he  was  order  and  bill  clerk  at  the  Scott  Street  plant  of  the  American 
Steel  and  Wire  Company.  He  spent  one  year  in  charge  of  the  Harry 
Walz  Funeral  Home  at  Danville,  111.  On  returning  to  Joliet  he  estab- 
lished the  French  Dry  Cleaning  and  Dye  Works  at  the  corner  of  Ottawa 
and  Van  Buren  streets,  which  business  he  carried  on  until  the  building 
was  razed  to  build  the  Adam  Arcade.  On  Feb.  1,  1910,  in  company  with 
Wm.  A.  Watson  of  Odell,  111.,  a  branch  of  the  Western  Casket  and  Under- 
taking Company  was  opened  at  the  corner  of  Ottawa  and  Cass  streets. 


EUGENE   XEESOX   HARRIS 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  786 

On  May  1,  1912,  Mr.  Hams  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  the 
undertaking  establishment  operated  by  Wm.  C.  Wunderlich,  continuing 
the  business  under  the  name  of  Wunderlich  and  Harris  until  Nov.  1, 
1917,  when  Mr.  Charles  Sonntag  of  Plainfield  was  taken  into  the  firm 
which  has  been  known  as  Wunderlich,  Harris  &  Sonntag  since  that 
time.  This  firm  maintains  one  of  the  best  appointed  and  equipped 
undertaking  establishments  in  the  United  States. 

On  June  30,  1910,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Bess  Mae  Hutchinson,  a  daughter  of  Lansing  and  Lillian  Hutchinson. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  have  two  children:  Robert  Taylor,  president 
of  the  Junior  class  in  the  Joliet  Township  High  School,  and  a  member 
of  the  Joliet  Township  High  School  Band  which  has  for  three  years  won 
first  place  in  the  National  High  School  Band  Contests.  In  the  1928 
contest  he  won  first  place  in  the  French  Horn  Solo  contest. 

Rachel,  a  daughter  of  ten  years  is  a  student  at  Farragut  School. 

Mr.  Harris  is  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  Richard  Street 
M.  E.  Church. 

Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  Mt.  Joliet  Lodge  No.  42,  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.  (was  worshipful  master  during  the  year  1912),  Joliet  Chapter  No.  27 
R.  A.  M.,  Joliet  Council  No.  82  R.  &  S.  M.,  Joliet  Commandery  No.  4, 
Knights  Templar,  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  Shrine,  Joliet  Shrine 
Club,  is  past  Patron  of  Marguerite  Chapter  No.  187  Order  of  the  Eastern 
Star,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Joliet  Kiwanis  Club,  and 
Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Mr.  Harris  is  interested  in  the  Boy  Scout  movement  and  has  held 
several  appointments  in  that  organization  being  now  chairman  of  the 
Richards  Street  Church  Troup  Committee.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican.   His  hobbies  are  golf  and  motor  touring. 


Alfred  M.  Bourgo  is  a  substantial  citizen  of  Joliet,  where  he  has 
served  as  assistant  postmaster  for  a  period  of  20  years.  He  was  born 
at  Houtzdale,  Clearfield  County,  Pa.,  March  23,  1880,  the  son  of  Peter 
and  Margaret  (Meagher)  Bourgo. 

Peter  Bourgo  was  born  in  France.  In  early  life  he  came  to  America 
and  settled  in  Canada.  Later  he  removed  to  Pennsylvania.  He  died 
about  1900  and  is  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  widow, 
who  lives  at  Joliet,  was  born  at  Houtzdale,  Pa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bourgo 
were  born  four  children:     Alfred   M.,   the   subject   of   this   sketch; 

17— VOL.  2 


786  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Thomas  F.,  lives  in  Joliet ;  May,  married  Richard  Walsh,  lives  in  Minne- 
sota ;  and  Cecil,  married  Howard  Harrington,  lives  in  Chicago. 

In  early  life  the  family  of  Alfred  M.  Bourgo  settled  in  Joliet,  where 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High 
School  and  the  Metropolitan  Business  College.  He  was  employed  as  a 
clerk  in  the  Stillman  Drug  store  for  some  time  and  was  later  an  employe 
in  the  county  clerk's  office,  having  served  under  Alfred  E.  Mottinger. 
In  November,  1908,  he  entered  the  Joliet  post  office  as  assistant  post- 
master. 

In  May,  1926,  Mr.  Bourgo  married  Mrs.  Jennie  C.  Hendrickson  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Wendle  (Mortinson)  Carlson,  natives 
of  Sweden,  and  residents  of  Joliet.  By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Bourgo 
has  a  son,  Alfred  Bartlett,  who  was  born  in  Joliet,  Dec.  30,  1916. 

Politically  Mr.  Bourgo  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the 
Masonic  Lodge. 


Albert  E.  Hutchinson,  who  has  successfully  engaged  in  the  shoe  busi- 
ness in  Joliet  for  the  past  25  years,  ranks  high  among  the  substantial 
men  of  the  community.  He  was  born  at  Livingston,  111.,  July  14,  1883, 
the  son  of  Lansing  and  Lillian  (Taylor)  Hutchinson. 

Lansing  Hutchinson  was  born  at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  and  was  four 
years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  Illinois.  They  located  in  Livingston 
County,  where  Lansing  Hutchinson  became  a  successful  farmer.  He 
specialized  in  the  raising  of  grain  and  livestock.  He  died  in  Joliet  in 
1911,  where  he  had  resided  for  five  years.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Mis- 
souri, died  in  1921.  Both  are  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hutchinson  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Lottie, 
married  Byron  Carney,  lives  at  Portland,  Ore. ;  Arthur,  lives  at  Portland, 
Ore.;  Albert  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Bessie,  married  E.  N.  Harris, 
mortician,  Joliet;  Viola,  married  L.  J.  Hills,  lives  at  Carbondale,  111.;  and 
Lorene,  married  Ralph  E.  Hensinger,  lives  in  Canada. 

Albert  E.  Hutchinson  grew  up  in  Livingston  County  and  attended 
the  public  schools.  In  1897  he  went  to  Sibly,  111.,  where  he  completed  his 
schooling,  and  he  then  was  employed  in  his  father's  grain  elevator.  At 
the  age  of  19  years  he  came  to  Joliet,  and  established  his  present  shoe 
business.  He  has  met  with  marked  success  in  his  undertaking  and  is 
accounted  one  of  the  reliable  business  men  of  the  city.  His  store  is 
located  at  105  North  Chicago  Street. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  787 

On  Feb.  8,  1909,  Mr.  Hutchinson  was  married  to  Miss  Irene  Richards, 
of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  W.  D.  and  Magdalene  (Morgan)  Richards,  both 
deceased.    They  have  two  children,  June  and  Richard,  both  students. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hutchinson  is  a  Republican.  He  is  affiliated  with  the 
Masonic  lodge  and  also  belongs  to  the  Kiwanis  Club.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Richard  Street  Church,  of  which  he  served  as  choir  director 
for  12  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  the 
official  board. 


Frank  J.  Zidek  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Joliet,  where  he  deals  in 
foreign  exchange.  He  also  is  interested  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance 
business.  Mr.  Zidek  was  born  in  Bohemia,  April  26,  1885,  and  spent 
his  early  life  in  his  native  land.  He  was  graduated  from  the  College  of 
Vysoky-Myto,  and  after  completing  his  schooling  he  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1904  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  worked  as  a 
laborer,  and  in  1912  he  started  in  the  insurance  business  in  Chicago. 
He  has  been  a  resident  of  Joliet  since  1919,  and  in  that  year  established 
his  present  business  at  406  Elwood  Street. 

On  Jan.  7,  1907,  Mr.  Zidek  married  Miss  Rose  Hauner,  of  Chicago. 
They  have  two  daughters,  Mildred  and  Helen,  both  graduates  of  Joliet 
Township  High  School. 

Mr.  Zidek  is  independent  in  politics,  and  has  no  club  affiliations. 


Barrett  Black,  manager  of  the  Sweet-Orr  Company,  Inc.,  is  well 
known  among  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at 
Liberty,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  18,  1876,  the  son  of  Charles  Black  and  Nancy 
(Gillette)  Black. 

Charles  Black  was  born  in  New  York  State  and  died  there  in  1881. 
His  wife,  also  a  native  of  New  York  State,  died  in  1905.  They  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Barrett  Black  was  five  years  old  when  he  went  to  live  in  New  York 
City  with  his  mother.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  earned  his 
own  living  when  but  thirteen  years  of  age,  being  employed  in  a  floral 
shop.  He  continued  in  that  work  until  he  was  25  years  old  and  then 
became  associated  with  the  Sweet-Orr  Company,  Inc.  In  Jan.  1901,  he 
began  as  stock  boy  and  shipping  clerk  at  Wappingers  Falls,  N.  Y.,  and 
in  May  1901  he  was  transferred  to  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  as  stock  foreman. 


788  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

In  November,  1904,  Mr.  Black  came  to  Joliet  as  stock  foreman  in  charge 
of  shipping  in  the  company's  local  plant,  and  in  July,  1925,  he  took  over 
the  managership  of  the  Joliet  branch,  which  position  he  now  retains. 
They  are  manufacturers  of  working  clothes  for  men  and  maintain  their 
offices  in  New  York  City. 

Mr.  Black  is  a  Republican  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Elks 
Lodge,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.    He  is  unmarried. 


Edward  C.  Hintz,  secretary  of  the  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Company,  is 
among  the  well  known  business  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Chicago, 
Dec.  11,  1885,  the  son  of  Carl  and  Wilhelmina  (Gley)  Hintz. 

Carl  Hintz,  retired,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  as  is  also  his  wife. 
They  were  early  settlers  of  Chicago  where  they  now  reside.  Edward  C, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  their  only  child. 

Edward  C.  Hintz  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Chicago  and  after  completing  a  business  course  he  came  to  Joliet  in 

1909,  where  he  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  for  the  Star  Peerless 
Wallpaper  Mills.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  The  Joliet  Wall  Paper 
Mills  in  1914,  and  at  that  time  was  made  secretary  of  the  same. 

On  Aug.  8,  1908,  Mr.  Hintz  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jessie 
K.  Klipfel,  of  Chicago.  They  have  a  daughter,  Virignia  M.,  born  Jan.  22, 

1910.  She  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School. 
Politically  Mr.  Hintz  is  a  Republican.    He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 

Lutheran  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  and  Elks  Lodges,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Kiwanis  Club. 


Sarah  Jane  Baldwin,  retired  school  teacher  of  Joliet,  is  among  the 
well  known  and  highly  esteemed  women  of  the  community.  She  was 
born  in  St.  Joe  County,  Mich.,  where  her  early  life  was  spent.  She  began 
her  teaching  career  at  Blue  Island,  111.,  and  also  taught  in  Chicago.  She 
was  connected  with  the  schools  of  Joliet  for  many  years,  having  taught 
in  the  following  schools:  The  Broadway;  the  Eastern  Avenue  School, 
now  known  as  the  Frank  Marsh;  and  the  Seventh  Ward.  In  1909  she 
retired. 

Sarah  Jane  Alexander  married  Henry  G.  Baldwin,  a  native  of  Lon- 
don, England,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  early  life  and  settled 
at  Blue  Island,  111.    He  was  a  teacher  and  farmer.    Mr.  Baldwin  died 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  789 

at  the  age  of  24  years  and  is  buried  in  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin 
was  born  a  son,  Herbert  H.  He  was  graduated  from  Northwestern  Med- 
ical College  in  1876  and  became  one  of  the  leading  physicians  and  sur- 
geons of  Joliet,  where  he  continued  in  practice  until  the  time  of  his 
death  in  April,  1927.  He  was  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
Dr.  Baldwin  married  Miss  Minnie  Axey  Folsom,  of  Hankinson,  N.  D. 
They  had  a  daughter,  Sarah  Margaret,  who  married  Harold  Kemp,  and 
they  live  in  New  York  City.  The  widow  of  Dr.  Herbert  H.  Baldwin, 
resides  in  Joliet  with  her  mother-in-law,  Sarah  Jane  Baldwin. 


Anthony  J.  Korst  is  among  the  successful  merchants  of  Joliet,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  at  Clinton  and  Ottowa  streets.  He 
was  bom  in  this  city,  Dec.  6,  1890,  the  son  of  Nicholas  and  Eva  (Fred- 
erick) Korst. 

Both  Nicholas  Korst  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Germany.  They  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1870  and  during  that  year  came  to  Joliet, 
where  Mr.  Korst  followed  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith.  He  died  May  14, 
1921,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  Sept.  6,  1851,  died  Nov.  24,  1910. 
They  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Korst 
were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  Anthony  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  is  the  youngest. 

Anthony  J.  Korst  obtained  his  education  in  the  parochial  schools. 
After  completing  his  schooling  he  became  interested  in  the  jewelry 
business,  having  entered  the  employ  of  George  E.  Flagans,  in  March, 
1905.  Two  years  later  he  became  associated  with  Carl  Oesterle,  with 
whom  he  remained  eleven  years.  Since  1919  Mr.  Korst  has  conducted 
his  own  business,  and  until  March,  1928,  was  located  in  the  Morris  Build- 
ing. He  has  met  with  success  in  his  business  and  owns  one  of  the  fine 
shops  of  Joliet. 

On  Sept.  9,  1913,  Mr.  Korst  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Augusta  Tietz  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Emil  and  Mary  (Stengele) 
Tietz,  both  deceased.  Mrs.  Korst  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  has 
been  a  resident  of  Joliet  since  1900.  There  are  four  children  in  the 
Korst  family,  Marie,  Loretta,  Dorothy  and  Charles. 

Mr.  Korst  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  St.  John's  Catholic 
Church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Moose  and  Eagles  Lodges  and  Chamber 
of  Commerce.    In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


790  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Eugene  J.  Bensen,  proprietor  of  the  Bensen  Cash  Grocery,  is  one  of 
the  most  popular  merchants  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  Dec. 
22,  1859. 

Mr.  Bensen  spent  his  early  life  in  his  native  land  where  he  received 
his  schooling.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1880,  and  resided  with 
the  family  of  J.  D.  Paige  in  Joliet.  He  was  employed  by  Mr.  Paige  for 
several  years  and  later  engaged  in  general  farming  in  New  York.  He 
established  his  present  business  in  Joliet  in  1921.  His  business  is 
located  at  653  Cass  Street. 

In  1884  Mr.  Bensen  married  Miss  Dorothy  Hoffer,  who  died  in  1907. 
They  had  four  children:  Rena  Viola,  married  Frank  R.  Downey,  and 
they  have  a  daughter,  Dorothy;  Omi,  married  Clarence  Sibley,  lives  at 
Jacksonville,  Fla.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Louise  and  Robert; 
Elmer  H.,  lives  at  Danville,  111.,  married  Miss  Henrietta  Petersen,  of 
Joliet,  and  they  have  four  sons,  Elmer  Eugene,  Otto  Allen,  Raymond 
Francis,  and  Harry  Earl;  and  Ruby,  married  R.  H.  Salisbury,  lives  in 
Joliet. 

In  1909  Mr.  Benson  married  Miss  Inga  Fosen,  a  native  of  Sweden. 
They  have  a  daughter,  Ethel,  who  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township 
High  School  in  1928. 

Mr.  Bensen  attends  the  Bethlehem  Lutheran  Church.  He  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Independent  Order  of  Vikings,  and  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 


Walter  W.  Welsch,  one  of  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of 
Joliet,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Jan. 
28,  1896,  the  son  of  R.  T.  and  Hulda  (Gierich)  Welsch. 

Walter  W.  Welsch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1911.  He  was  employed  in  his  father's 
contracting  business  and  also  spent  several  years  with  the  Elgin,  Joliet 
and  Eastern  Railroad.  During  the  World  War  Mr.  Welsch  volunteered 
for  service  and  throughout  the  duration  of  the  war  was  stationed  at  a 
camp  in  New  Jersey.  Following  his  discharge  he  became  interested  in 
business  in  Joliet  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Roland  W.  In  1919 
they  established  the  Welsch  Waterproof  Block  Company,  which  is 
located  at  111  North  Stevens  Avenue.  Approximately  25  men  are  em- 
ployed in  the  plant  which  has  a  daily  output  of  4,000  blocks.  They 
manufacture  concrete  materials  of  various  types,  including  foundation 
block,  Litewate  Nail  Block  walls,  chimney  blocks,  fire  places,  garbage 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  791 

receptacles,  garden  furniture,  and  clothes  line  posts.  The  new  plant  is 
located  at  Gardner  Street,  south  of  Hickory  Creek. 

On  March  22,  1922,  Mr.  Welsch  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mabel  Meyers.    They  have  a  son,  William  Walter,  born  Dec.  12,  1926. 

Mr.  Welsch  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Lutheran  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Kiwanis  Club  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Hamilton  L.  Ruggles  is  one  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet, 
where  he  is  identified  with  the  Star  Peerless  Wallpaper  Company.  He 
was  born  at  Frankfort,  111.,  March  29,  1863,  the  son  of  Lorenzo  and 
Emily  (Shaffer)  Ruggles. 

Lorenzo  Ruggles  was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  9,  1822.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  1845  and  located  at  Frankfort,  in  Will  County.  He 
died  Oct.  5,  1911,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  June  22,  1827,  died  April 
22,  1918.  They  are  buried  at  Frankfort.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruggles  the 
following  children  were  born:  Mary  J.,  born  April  20,  1848,  lives  at 
Daytona  Beach,  Fla. ;  Emma  A.,  born  Sept.  17,  1850,  died  July  26,  1917 ; 
Sarah  C,  born  May  29,  1855,  married  Dr.  Conrad  Scheer,  lives  at  Tinley 
Park,  111. ;  Eva  Gilbert,  born  Dec.  6,  1857,  lives  at  Sourlake,  Texas ;  Cora 
Merwin,  born  March  22,  1860,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Hamilton  L.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Hamilton  L.  Ruggles  lived  at  Frankfort  until  he  was  16  years  of  age 
and  was  educated  there.  He  then  went  to  Colorado  to  live  with  a  sister 
and  while  there  was  employed  by  the  Denver  and  Rio  Grand  Railroad. 
He  had  learned  telegraphy  and  was  later  in  the  employ  of  the  Michigan 
Central  Railroad  for  about  20  years.  In  1900  he  went  to  Omaha,  Neb., 
and  the  following  year  was  located  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.  In  November, 
1901,  he  returned  from  the  west  and  located  at  Hammond,  Ind.  Later  he 
went  to  Porter,  111.,  where  he  was  employed  as  office  manager  and  super- 
intendent by  the  Hydraulic  Pressed  Brick  Company.  In  1916  Mr. 
Ruggles  came  to  Joliet  and  accepted  a  position  with  the  Michigan  Cen- 
tral Railroad  as  chief  clerk.  In  1918  he  became  associated  with  the  Star 
Peerless  Wallpaper  Company  as  head  of  the  billing  department  and  has 
since  served  in  that  capacity. 

On  June  27,  1888,  Mr.  Ruggles  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Jennie  LaFontaine,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Damas  and  Lucy  LaFon- 
taine,  both  deceased.  To  them  were  born  three  children:  E.  Bernice, 
born  April  15,  1890,  a  graduate  of  the  Cosmopolitan  School  of  Music, 


792  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

now  a  teacher  of  voice  and  piano,  in  Joliet,  married  Bernard  A.  Evans; 
Leonard  L.,  born  November  14,  1894,  a  graduate  of  Purdue  University, 
lives  at  Wheaton,  111.,  he  is  employed  by  the  Automatic  Electrical  Com- 
pany of  Chicago  as  an  electrical  engineer,  married  Miss  Irene  Fuller  of 
Lafayette,  Ind.,  and  they  have  three  children,  Phyllis,  Dorothy,  and 
Wayne;  and  Helen  B.,  born  Jan.  29,  1897,  married  Edward  L.  Cook  of 
Chicago,  architect,  and  they  have  two  daughters,  Virginia  Fay  and 
Doris  Jane. 

Mr.  Ruggles  and  his  family  have  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout 
Will  County  and  are  highly  esteemed. 


Martin  J.  Ivec,  M.  D.,  is  among  the  leading  physicians  and  surgeons 
of  Joliet,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  for 
the  past  24  years.  He  was  born  at  Semich,  Jugo-Slavia,  formerly  Aus- 
tria-Hungary, Oct.  12,  1878,  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Agnes  Ivec. 

Jacob  Ivec,  who  died  in  1880,  spent  his  entire  life  in  Jugo-Slavia.  He 
was  a  prominent  business  man  of  Semich  and  active  in  the  civic  affairs 
of  his  community.  His  widow  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1888 
with  her  two  sons,  Martin  J.  and  John,  and  they  settled  at  Cold  Springs, 
Minn.,  where  Mrs.  Ivec  still  resides.  Martin  J.  and  John  Ivec  are  twins. 
The  latter  is  a  druggist  at  Oaks,  N.  D. 

Martin  J.  Ivec  was  ten  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  country 
with  his  mother.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Richmond, 
Minn.,  and  in  1897  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  from  St. 
John's  University,  Collegeville,  Minn.  He  then  taught  school  for  two 
years  and  later  attended  Little  Falls  (Minn.)  Business  College.  During 
the  summer  sessions  of  1898  and  1899  he  attended  the  St.  Cloud  State 
Normal  School  at  St.  Cloud,  Minn.  He  subsequently  took  up  the  study 
of  medicine  at  the  University  of  Minnesota  and  later  at  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine in  1904.  He  immediately  established  his  practice  in  Joliet  and 
during  1905-06  served  as  interne  under  Chief  Surgeon  Nicholas  Fenn, 
at  St.  Joseph's  Hospital,  Chicago.  He  returned  to  Joliet  in  1906,  where 
he  has  continued  in  practice,  with  the  exception  of  time  spent  in  post- 
graduate work.  During  1922  he  studied  surgery  at  the  University  of 
London,  and  in  1923-4  took  post-graduate  work  at  the  University  of 
Vienna,  where  he  specialized  in  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat  surgery.    Be- 


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HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  793 

sides  his  extensive  private  practice,  Dr.  Ivec  is  also  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  St.  Joseph's  Hospital  and  Silver  Cross  Hospital. 

On  June  12,  1907,  Dr.  Ivec  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Schall,  the  daughter  of  Nicholas  Schall.  Mr.  Schall  was  a  promi- 
nent farmer  of  Beaver,  Boone  County,  Iowa.    He  died  in  1915. 

For  twelve  years  Dr.  Ivec  was  supreme  medical  examiner  of  the 
Slavonian  Catholic  Union  of  America,  the  South  Slavonic  Catholic  Union 
and  St.  Barbara  Fraternal  Union,  all  fraternal  life  insurance  organiza- 
tions. At  present  he  is  surgeon  for  the  Moore  Brothers  Stove  Works, 
Joliet,  111. 

Dr.  Ivec  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  Illinois 
State  Medical  Society,  and  American  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church  and  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Slavonic  Catholic  Union. 


Leslie  A.  Touzalin,  who  is  assistant  general  superintendent  of  the 
Joliet  Works  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed 
and  widely  known  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Chicago,  Sept.  8,  1881, 
the  son  of  George  A.  and  Theresa  M.  (Arnold)  Touzalin. 

George  A.  Touzalin  was  born  at  Columbus,  111.,  in  1845.  He  was  a 
tailor  by  trade  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  Chicago,  where 
he  died  Feb.  23,  1911.  He  is  buried  in  Forest  Home  Cemetery,  Chicago. 
His  widow,  now  75  years  of  age,  lives  at  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Touzalin  were  born  two  sons :  Leslie  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and 
Chester  A.,  born  May  24,  1884,  died  Jan.  31,  1926. 

Leslie  A.  Touzalin  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Chicago.  He  attended  the  Lewis  Institute  and  later  was  graduated  from 
the  Rose  Polytechnical  School  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  in  1904,  as  a 
chemical  engineer.  He  began  his  professional  career  as  a  consulting 
chemist  with  H.  M.  Deavitt,  Chicago,  and  a  year  later  went  with  the 
Chicago  Works  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  as  a  research  chemist. 
He  was  later  made  assistant  chief  chemist  and  spent  11  years  in  the 
Chicago  plant.  In  1922  Mr.  Touzalin  was  transferred  to  the  Joliet 
Works  as  superintendent  of  the  blast  furnaces,  and  in  November,  1926, 
he  was  pi-omoted  to  assistant  general  superintendent  of  the  works. 

On  Nov.  27,  1905,  Mr.  Touzalin  married  Miss  Florida  J.  Hutchins,  of 
Chicago.  They  have  three  children :  Helen  L.,  born  Aug.  28,  1906,  was 
graduated  from  Knox  College  in  1928 ;  G.  Allen,  born  Jan.  1,  1909,  was 


794  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1928;  and  Robert  E., 
born  April  13,  1917,  attends  public  school  Joliet. 

Mr.  Touzalin  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  he  is  an  Elder,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Rotary  Club, 
Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Joliet  School  Board. 


J.  V.  Kelly  is  among  the  most  popular  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is 
secretary  of  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  April 
5,  1889,  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (McFadden)  Kelly. 

John  Kelly  was  born  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  was  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Joliet,  having  located  here  about  1860.  Throughout 
his  active  career  he  was  engaged  in  railroading.  He  died  in  1910  at 
the  age  of  62  years  and  is  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery.  His  wife, 
a  native  of  Joliet,  died  in  1890.  She  was  the  daughter  of  James  and 
Ellen  McFadden,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  pioneer  settlers  of  Will  County. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  were  born  three  children:  Josephine,  died  in 
1912,  was  the  wife  of  Thomas  Coughlin;  Mary,  married  Joseph  Erne, 
lives  in  Chicago;  and  J.  V.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Following  his  graduation  from  Joliet  Township  High  School, 
J.  V.  Kelly  was  connected  with  various  business  enterprises  in  the  city. 
In  1913  he  accepted  the  office  of  secretary  of  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 

On  Sept.  2,  1914,  Mr.  Kelly  married  Miss  Mary  Goebel,  of  Joliet,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Julia  (Fiday)  Goebel.  Mr.  Goebel  is  a  resident 
of  Joliet,  where  he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company 
as  general  foreman  for  almost  half  a  century.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  have 
no  children. 


Theodore  Bolstad  ranks  high  among  the  representative  business 
men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  proprietor  of  the  Joliet  Office  Supply  Company, 
which  is  located  at  118  North  Chicago  Street.  He  was  born  in  Chicago, 
May  10,  1881,  the  son  of  K.  0.  and  Elizabeth  Bolstad. 

K.  O.  Bolstad  was  born  in  Norway.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1861  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  spent  many  years  in  the  whole- 
sale clothing  business.  He  died  in  1924  at  the  age  of  75  years  and  is 
buried  in  Rosehill  Cemetery,  Chicago.  His  wife  died  in  1903.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bolstad  were  born  the  following  children:     Arthur,  died  in 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  795 

1894  at  the  age  of  18  years ;  Mrs.  Stella  Pederson,  lives  at  May  wood,  111. ; 
Mrs.  Alma  Nicoli,  lives  at  Maywood,  111.;  Theodore,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Dr.  Herbert,  physician,  lives  at  St.  Paul,  Minn. ;  and  Mrs.  Luella 
Davis,  lives  at  Maywood,  111. 

Theodore  Bolstad  was  educated  in  the  public  and  high  schools  of 
Chicago.  He  began  his  business  career  with  the  Chicago  National  Bank 
and  served  as  a  teller  until  1904,  at  which  time  he  went  with  the  Den- 
nison  Manufacturing  Company  of  Chicago  as  a  traveling  salesman.  He 
was  connected  with  this  concern  until  February,  1919,  when  he  estab- 
lished his  present  business  in  Joliet.  The  Joliet  Office  Supply  Company 
carries  a  complete  line  of  office  equipment  and  supplies,  and  also  handles 
sporting  goods. 

On  June  29,  1912,  Mr.  Bolstad  married  Miss  Charlotte  Rife,  of  War- 
saw, 111.    They  have  two  daughters,  Dorothy  Laura,  and  June  Elizabeth. 

Mr.  Bolstad  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Kiwanis  Club.  He  has  always  been  a 
Republican. 


Frank  E.  Bretz,  chief  probation  officer  of  Will  County,  is  among  the 
prominent  and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Lock- 
port,  Will  County,  March  14,  1875,  the  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth 
(Lachmann)  Bretz. 

Peter  Bretz,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  born 
in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States  about  1855.  When  only  14 
years  of  age  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  War  and  served  as  a 
member  of  Battery  D,  Light  Artillery,  Second  Illinois  Regiment.  He 
served  throughout  the  duration  of  the  war,  and  after  his  discharge 
returned  to  Lockport  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  stone  mason. 
He  died  in  1922  at  the  age  of  88  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  Lockport 
Cemetery.  His  widow,  a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  is  now  91  years  of 
age.  She  lives  in  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bretz  the  following  children 
were  born:  Mrs.  Josephine  Spaulding,  lives  in  California;  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Hardin,  lives  at  Ottawa,  Kans. ;  Mrs.  Emma  Westermann,  deceased ; 
Albert  P.,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Mrs.  May  Freund,  deceased ;  and  Frank  E., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Frank  E.  Bretz  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Lock- 
port.  He  was  employed  as  a  salesman  there  for  several  years  and  later 
came  to  Joliet,  where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  meat  business  for 
eight  years.    He  then  spent  eight  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Schultz 


796  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Baking  Company  of  Chicago,  and  in  October,  1927,  was  appointed  chief 
probation  officer  of  Will  County. 

Mr.  Bretz  was  married  Dec.  31,  1902,  to  Miss  Bemice  Margaret 
Leddy,  of  Lockport,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Smith)  Leddy. 
Mr.  Leddy  is  deceased  and  his  widow  lives  in  Chicago.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bretz  have  been  born  four  children:  Marian  Bemice,  Madeline  Frances, 
and  Elizabeth  Mary,  all  graduates  of  Joliet  Township  High  School ;  and 
Frank  Edward,  Jr.,  who  attends  Farragut  School. 

Mr.  Bretz  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  and  his  family  hold  membership  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 


Horace  H.  Brown  is  well  known  among  the  reliable  and  successful 
business  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  sole  owner  of  the  J.  D.  Brown  & 
Company  business,  pioneer  druggists  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in 
this  city,  and  is  the  son  of  J.  D.  and  Emily  G.  (Bartle)  Brown. 

J.  D.  Brown,  who  held  the  distinction  of  being  the  second  druggist 
and  chemist  of  Joliet,  George  Woodruff  being  the  first,  was  a  native  of 
New  York.  He  was  born  in  Rensselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  March  12,  1826. 
He  received  his  education  in  Lyman  Cross  Academy  at  Troy,  N.  Y., 
completing  the  course  in  1842  at  the  age  of  16  years.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  with  his  uncle  at  Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  two  years.  He  then  came  West  and  located  at  Joliet,  where 
he  established  the  business  which  now  bears  his  name.  The  store  has 
continued  in  operation  continuously  since  1844  and  is  not  only  the  oldest 
business  house  in  Joliet,  but  the  oldest  established  retail  drug  store  in 
Illinois,  and  one  of  the  most  dependable  firms.  Their  honest  and  upright 
dealings  combined  with  unusual  energy  have  been  responsible  for  the 
outstanding  success  of  this  well  known  enterprise.  J.  D.  Brown  died  in 
February,  1895,  and  the  business  was  continued  by  his  sons,  Horace  H. 
and  Eugene  C,  until  1900,  when  Eugene  C.  died  and  since  then  the 
business  has  been  carried  on  by  H.  H.  Brown. 

On  Sept.  10,  1846,  Mr.  Brown  married  Miss  Adelia  Brown,  in  New 
York.  They  had  two  children,  George  and  Mary  M.  Brown.  The  first 
wife  of  Mr.  Brown  died  in  September,  1855,  and  in  September,  1858,  he 
married  Miss  Emily  G.  Bartle.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children : 
Eugene,  Helen  and  Horace  H. 

Horace  H.  Brown  grew  up  in  Joliet  and  attended  the  public  schools. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Chicago  College  of  Pharmacy.    He  is  assisted  in 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  797 

his  business  by  three  other  graduate  pharmacists  and  since  the  death 
of  his  honored  father  has  succeeded  in  carrying  out  his  policy  of 
honesty  in  all  business  dealings.  The  "Prescription  Store,"  as  it  is 
known,  guarantees  to  its  patrons  honesty  and  courtesy  in  its  trans- 
actions and  it  is  among  the  few  business  houses  that  are  satisfied  with 
a  small  margin  of  profit. 

On  June  8,  1900,  Horace  H.  Brown  married  Miss  Bonnie  Smith,  of 
Pontiac,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Frank  Smith.  Mr.  Smith,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  is  a  prominent  pioneer  citizen  of  Pontiac,  111.,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  for  many  years.  He  is  now  83  years 
of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  a  daughter  was  born,  Marion.  She  is  a 
graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  Lasell  Seminary,  at 
Aubumdale,  Mass. 

Mr.  Brown  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  belongs  to  the 
Elks  Lodge  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Joseph  A.  H.  Beach  is  one  of  the  representative  and  highly  success- 
ful business  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  conducts  the  dry  goods  business 
which  was  established  by  his  father  more  than  40  years  ago.  He  was 
born  at  Morris,  111.,  Sept.  6,  1877,  the  son  of  LaFayette  and  Amelia  A. 
(Hennessey)  Beach. 

LaFayette  Beach  was  bora  at  Dansville,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  Illinois 
in  1868  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  at  Morris  until  1888,  at 
which  time  he  removed  to  Joliet  and  opened  a  store  at  209-211  North 
Chicago  Street.  He  successfully  conducted  this  business  until  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  on  May  14,  1914.  He  is  buried  at  Morris, 
111.  His  widow,  also  born  at  Dansville,  N.  Y.,  resides  at  1209  Cass  Street, 
Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beach  were  born  four  children :  Mrs.  Maud  A. 
Wallace,  lives  in  Joliet;  Leighton  F.,  deceased;  Joseph  A.  H.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Blaney  A.,  deceased. 

Joseph  A.  H.  Beach  grew  up  at  Morris  and  was  11  years  old  when 
his  family  came  to  Joliet.  He  completed  his  early  schooling  in  this  city 
and  later  spent  three  years  at  Phillips  Exeter  Academy.  He  took  up  the 
study  of  medicine  but  due  to  ill  health  he  gave  up  his  plans  and  went  to 
Arizona,  where  he  spent  ten  years.  While  there  he  was  interested  in  the 
sheep  business,  which  he  sold  out  in  1911.  He  then  returned  to  Joliet 
and  reentered  his  father's  business.  Upon  the  latter's  death  Mr.  Beach, 
in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Blaney  A.  Beach,  purchased  the  stock 


798  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  Louis  Stocker,  a  stockholder,  and  they  conducted  the  business  at 
209-11  North  Chicago  Street  until  1920,  at  which  time  the  new  store  was 
occupied  at  Cass  and  Chicago  streets. 

Mr.  Beach  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Joliet  Commandery  No.  4,  Rotary 
Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Mr.  Beach  is  president  of  the  Merchants  Association  of  Joliet  and 
also  is  president  of  the  L.  F.  Beach  Company  of  Joliet. 


Ray  Beach  Wallace,  who  is  identified  with  the  L.  F.  Beach  Company, 
is  numbered  among  the  progressive  and  enterprising  young  business 
men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Chicago,  March  27,  1897,  the  son  of 
Frank  P.  and  Maud  (Beach)  Wallace. 

Frank  P.  Wallace  is  a  native  of  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.  He  has  been 
interested  in  the  jewelry  business  in  Chicago  for  35  years.  His  wife 
was  born  at  Morris,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wallace  were  born  two  sons: 
Ray  Beach,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Norman  B.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  four  years. 

Ray  Beach  Wallace  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Chicago  and  in  1920  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  The  following  year  he 
received  the  degree  of  Master  of  Science  from  the  same  university. 
He  served  as  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
for  three  years,  and  began  his  business  career  with  the  Supplee  Ice 
Cream  Company  of  Philadelphia.  In  1924  he  came  to  Joliet  to  accept 
his  present  position  with  the  L.  F.  Beach  Company,  dry  goods.  He  is 
now  vice  president. 

On  Feb.  2,  1923,  Mr.  Wallace  married  Miss  Henriette  Keil,  of  Phila- 
delphia. She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Carnegie  Institute  of  Technology, 
Pittsburgh.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wallace  have  two  daughters:  Joan,  born 
July  11,  1926;  and  Jane,  born  Jan.  16,  1928. 

Mr.  Wallace  is  independent  in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Rotary  Club. 
He  is  a  director  and  vice  president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Wallace  enlisted  in  the  Naval  Aviation 
Department,  and  was  an  instructor  and  Pilot  carrying  government  mail. 
He  was  commissioned  ensign.  He  served  about  18  months  and  was  dis- 
charged in  1919.    He  was  stationed  at  Hampton  Roads,  Va. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  799 

Bernard  A.  Evans. — Numbered  among  the  successful  business  men 
of  Joliet  is  Mr.  Evans,  who  is  vice  president  of  the  Union  Machinery 
Company.  He  was  born  in  London,  England,  in  1897,  the  son  of  Samuel 
H.  and  Mary  (Holton)  Evans. 

Samuel  H.  Evans,  who  lives  in  Canada,  is  a  native  of  London.  For 
a  number  of  years  he  has  engaged  in  the  shoe  business.  His  wife  was 
also  born  in  England. 

Bernard  A.  Evans  obtained  his  education  in  England  and  at  an  early 
age  went  to  Canada,  where  he  became  interested  in  the  banking  busi- 
ness. He  began  as  a  clerk  in  the  Union  Bank  of  Canada  and  was  pro- 
moted to  assistant  auditor.  He  left  Canada,  in  January,  1923,  and  soon 
after  his  arrival  in  Joliet  became  associated  with  the  Union  Machinery 
Company,  as  office  manager.  In  1926  he  was  elected  vice  president  of 
the  company. 

On  Feb.  19,  1921,  Mr.  Evans  married  Miss  E.  Bernice  Ruggles,  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton  L.  Ruggles.  Mr.  Ruggles 
is  connected  with  the  Star  Peerless  Wallpaper  Company. 

Mr.  Evans  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Richards  Street  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  is  deacon,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  His  wife  is  an  active  member  of  the  Business 
and  Professional  Women's  Club  of  Joliet  and  is  a  prominent  musician, 
being  organist  of  the  First  Baptist  Church.  She  also  holds  membership 
in  the  Women's  Home  Missionary  Society  and  W.  C.  T.  U. 


Harry  S.  Weitzel,  M.  D.,  is  among  the  leading  and  widely  known  phy- 
sicians of  Joliet,  where  he  specializes  in  the  treatment  of  nervous  dis- 
eases. He  was  born  in  this  city,  Oct.  24,  1890,  the  son  of  Joseph  Mar- 
tin and  Amelia  (Dennison)  Weitzel. 

Joseph  Martin  Weitzel,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War. 
He  was  born  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and  early  in  life  went  to  Topeka,  Kan., 
where  he  owned  a  ranch  and  was  well  known  as  a  cattle  dealer.  In  the 
80's  he  came  to  Joliet  where  he  was  associated  with  one  of  the  large 
steel  plants  in  this  city  as  a  chemist.  He  continued  in  this  work  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life  but  was  living  retired  for  several  years  before 
his  death,  which  occurred  May  15,  1899.  He  is  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  Amelia  (Dennison)  Weitzel  was  born  in  Scotland  and 
was  15  years  old  when  her  family  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled 
in  Joliet.    She  is  still  a  resident  of  this  city.    Two  children  were  born  to 


800  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weitzel:  Harry  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Emma, 
married  George  Rigby,  Jr.,  grocer,  lives  in  Joliet. 

Harry  S.  Weitzel  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Joliet  and  in  1915  was  graduated  from  the  Chicago  College  of  Napra- 
pathy.  He  immediately  established  his  present  practice  in  Joliet,  with 
offices  in  the  Morris  Building.  Doctor  Weitzel  has  been  unusually  suc- 
cessful in  his  particular  work  and  has  an  excellent  practice. 

On  April  26,  1916,  Doctor  Weitzel  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Minnie  Shepley,  of  Minooka,  111.  They  have  two  children :  Mary  Louise, 
born  Feb.  15,  1918,  and  John  Shepley  was  born  Sept.  21,  1919. 

Doctor  Weitzel  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party  in  politics  and 
he  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  lodge  and  its  various  organizations. 


Ona  E.  McGovney,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 
insurance  business  at  Mokena,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families 
of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Mokena,  Sept.  11,  1879,  a  son  of  Ozias 
Erwin  and  Georgia  C.  (Knapp)  McGovney. 

A  complete  sketch  of  Ozias  Erwin  McGovney  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

Ona  E.  McGovney  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town  and  in  1897  began  teaching  school  in  District  No.  121  and 
taught  school  for  six  years.  In  1903  he  became  interested  in  the  insur- 
ance business  in  his  father's  office,  later  succeeding  to  the  business.  In 
1910  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Mokena,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  until  1919.  He  has  also  served  as  mayor  and  for  20  years  has 
been  a  member  of  the  village  board,  as  well  as  secretary  of  the  school 
board. 

On  Sept.  24,  1914,  Mr.  McGovney  married  Miss  Amanda  L.  Staffel, 
the  daughter  of  William  and  Fredericka  (Krueger)  Staffel.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Staffel  were  natives  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Staffel  is  deceased  and  his 
widow  lives  at  Blue  Island.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGovney  were  born  three 
children:  ElmiraT.,  Erwin  W.,  and  O.  Ellsworth. 

Mr.  McGovney  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  No.  175,  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  and 
S.  M.  No.  82;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  and  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America.    During  the  World  War  Mr.  McGovney  was  active  in  the 


vA     !•:.    McCIOVXEY 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  801 

work  of  the  American  Protective  League,  a  member  of  the  Four  Minute 
Men,  and  was  prominent  in  Liberty  Loan  and  allied  drives.  In  1927  he 
became  a  charter  member  of  the  Civil  Legion,  being  one  of  the  first 
three  men  in  Will  County  to  become  a  member  of  this  organization. 


Carl  G.  Wollett,  who  is  general  superintendent  of  the  General  Refrac- 
tories Company,  is  among  the  substantial  and  widely  known  citizens  of 
Joliet.  He  was  bom  at  Huntingdon,  Pa.,  Feb.  14,  1891,  the  son  of 
Scott  S.  and  Anna  (Wagner)  Wollett. 

Scott  S.  Wollett,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  in 
the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  for  many  years  and  was  serv- 
ing as  a  freight  conductor  when  he  was  killed  in  a  wreck.  His  widow 
lives  at  Mount  Union,  Pa.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wollett;  Aubrey,  engineer  on  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad, 
lives  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  William  B.,  a  conductor  on  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  lives  at  Homestead,  Pa.;  John  S.,  lives  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.; 
Mary,  died  at  the  age  of  22  years,  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Jones,  of 
Mount  Union,  Pa.;  Carl  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Ard,  lives  at 
Mount  Union,  Pa. ;  and  Scott  S.,  lives  at  Homestead,  Pa. 

The  boyhood  of  Carl  G.  Wollett  was  spent  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  where 
he  attended  the  public  and  high  schools.  The  family  lived  in  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.,  for  about  12  years  and  after  leaving  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  the  family 
moved  to  Mount  Union,  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Wollett  was  employed  in  a  brick 
works.  He  has  been  associated  with  the  General  Refractories  Company 
since  1916,  having  come  to  Joliet  in  May,  1912,  to  enter  the  employ  of  the 
American  Refractories  Company,  which  is  now  part  of  the  General 
Refractories  Company.  The  companies  were  merged  in  1916.  From 
1912  until  1916  Mr.  Wollett  was  connected  with  the  Rockdale  plant.  He 
has  held  his  present  position  as  general  superintendent  since  January, 
1924. 

On  June  2,  1917,  Mr.  Wollett  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mamie  E.  Cullman,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Cull- 
man. The  former  is  deceased  and  Mrs.  Cullman  lives  in  Joliet.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wollett  have  a  daughter,  Dorothy  Jean,  who  was  born  Aug. 
30,  1925. 

Mr.  Wollett  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  English  Lutheran 
Church  of  Joliet,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge. 

18— VOL.  2 


802  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Julius  G.  Weese,  who  is  connected  with  the  Weese  Printing  Com- 
pany, is  widely  known  among  the  energetic  business  men  of  Joliet.  He 
was  born  Feb.  22,  1895,  in  Joliet,  and  is  the  son  of  Julius  and  Mary  A. 
(Scheidt)  Weese. 

Julius  Weese,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Joliet,  where  he  spent  his 
entire  life.  He  became  interested  in  the  printing  business  and  devoted 
his  life  to  that  work,  being  the  founder  of  the  Weese  Printing  Company. 
He  died  in  1917  at  the  age  of  42  years.  His  widow,  a  native  of  Alsace- 
Lorraine,  now  resides  in  Joliet.  There  were  the  following  children  in  the 
Weese  family:  Julius  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John  M.,  in  business 
with  his  brother,  Julius;  Marie,  the  wife  of  Frederick  F.  Van  Horn, 
Joliet,  111. ;  Frederick,  deceased ;  Leo  Arthur,  resides  in  Lockport  Town- 
ship ;  Alma  A.,  wife  of  Stanley  Lawson,  Joliet,  111. ;  Josephine  M.,  mar- 
ried Irving  Koppelman,  Joliet,  111.;  and  Raymond  L.,  Joliet,  111. 

Julius  G.  Weese  grew  up  in  Joliet  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  and  parochial  schools.  Since  1917  he  has  been  conducting  the 
business  which  was  established  by  his  father  in  1912.  Both  he  and  his 
brother  are  capable  business  men  and  are  successfully  carrying  on  this 
well  established  business. 

Mr.  Weese  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles, 
Western  Catholic  Union,  and  president  of  the  Speed  Boys  Athletic  Club, 
the  Joliet  Rivals  Club,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Typographical 
Union  No.  194  and  Central  Trades  and  Labor  Council  of  Will  County. 
He  is  not  married. 


Oscar  Gross  is  prominent  in  Joliet,  where  he  has  been  associated  with 
the  Winckler  Decorating  Company  for  many  years.  He  was  born  in 
Chicago,  June  1,  1876,  the  son  of  Arnold  and  Leona  (Bercher)  Gross. 

Arnold  Gross  was  born  in  Cadelburg,  on  the  Rhine,  Germany,  in 
1829,  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Switzerland.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1850,  making  the  voyage  in  one  of  the  first  steamships.  He 
settled  in  Joliet,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  stone  cutter.  A  brother, 
Alexander  Gross,  was  superintendent  of  the  mason  work  during  the 
building  of  the  state  capitol  building.  Mr.  Gross  later  lived  in  Chicago 
for  about  15  years.  He  died  May  22,  1892,  and  his  wife  died  in  1886. 
Both  are  buried  in  Oak  wood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gross 
were  born  three  children:  Oscar,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Lena,  un- 
married, lives  at  Atwood,  111. ;  and  Ernest  W.,  lives  in  Chicago. 


HISTORY  OF  VViLL  COUNTY  803 

Oscar  Gross  was  ten  years  old  when  his  family  left  Chicago  and 
moved  to  Joliet.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  early  in 
life  served  an  apprenticeship  with  Fred  Faust,  decorator  and  painter. 
After  seven  years  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Faust,  Mr.  Gross  spent  two  years 
in  the  employ  of  his  brother,  Henry  Faust.  He  later  became  associated 
with  Mr.  Winckler  and  William  Doerfler  for  one  year,  and  after  the 
death  of  Mr.  Winckler,  Mr.  Gross  and  Mr.  Doerfler  purchased  Mr. 
Winckler's  interests  in  the  decorating  business.  Mr.  Winckler  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Joliet,  in  the  decorating  business.  In  1908  he  entered 
into  partnership  with  Mr.  Gross  and  Mr.  Doerfler,  and  the  firm  name  has 
been  known  as  the  Winckler  Decorating  Company  since  that  time.  They 
are  among  the  leading  painting  and  decorating  contractors  of  Joliet. 
They  have  been  in  their  present  location  at  125  South  Bluff  Street  since 
1911.  The  Winckler  Decorating  Company  is  widely  known  throughout 
Will  County.    They  also  do  high  grade  decorating  and  interior  work. 

Mr.  'Gross  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Goetschel,  a  native  of  Germany, 
the  daughter  of  George  and  Anna  A.  Goetschal.  The  former  is  deceased 
and  the  latter  lives  in  Joliet.  The  Goetschel  family  came  to  America 
from  Germany  in  1848  and  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Joliet.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gross  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Gross  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  the  Knight  Templar 
and  Chapters  and  Councils,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Francis  D.  Willard,  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Wilmington,  has  had  a  veteran's  service  in  banking,  being  connected 
with  this  institution  for  the  past  25  years.  He  was  born  at  Wilmington, 
Dec.  18,  1876,  the  son  of  E.  W.  and  Jessie  (Duck)  Willard. 

E.  W.  Willard,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  pioneer 
settler  of  Wilmington,  having  located  here  in  1856.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  State,  Oct.  22,  1838.  During  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  in 
Company  B,  23rd  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  later  com- 
missioned first  lieutenant,  attached  to  the  138th  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Mr.  Willard  was  a  pioneer  druggist  of  Joliet  and  Wilmington, 
where  he  engaged  in  business  for  many  years.  He  was  prominent  in 
Masonic  circles  in  Will  County  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  com- 
mander of  the  Knights  Templar.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics.  Mr. 
Willard  died  Dec.  16,  1922.    His  wife,  who  was  born  in  DuPage  County, 


804  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

111.,  March  9,  1848,  died  Sept.  16,  1917.  Both  are  buried  in  Elmhurst 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willard  were  born  three  children: 
Francis  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Edward  Hartley,  who  lives  at 
Portland,  Ore.;  and  Jessie  Roberts,  who  lives  in  Connecticut.  Edward 
Hartley  Willard,  was  for  many  years  a  lumber  dealer  of  Portland,  where 
he  operated  three  large  lumber  yards. 

Francis  D.  Willard  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  He  was 
also  educated  at  Oberlin  College.  In  1886  his  parents  removed  to  Joliet 
from  Wilmington,  where  he  resided  for  a  number  of  years.  He  began 
his  business  career  in  the  newspaper  field  and  was  later  connected  with 
wholesale  grocery  firms  in  Joliet  and  Lincoln,  Neb.,  and  from  there  went 
to  Portland,  Ore.,  where  he  was  identified  with  the  lumber  business.  He 
was  connected  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Portland  for  a  time, 
and  upon  his  return  to  Joliet  in  1904,  entered  the  employ  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  Wilmington.  He  has  held  practically  every  position  in 
the  bank  during  his  connection  with  this  institution,  and  has  been  vice 
president  since  1920.    He  lives  at  407  Union  Street,  Joliet. 

In  1906  Mr.  Willard  married  Miss  Mary  Rathbone,  of  Fort  Morgan, 
Colo.  They  have  two  children,  Juliet  and  Edward,  who  attend  Wash- 
ington School. 

Mr.  Willard  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Joliet. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Wilmington,  which  was  organized  in 
1863,  is  the  oldest  National  Bank  in  Will  County,  its  charter  being  No. 
177.    It  has  a  surplus  of  $50,000,  and  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000. 


James  G.  Heggie. — One  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet  is 
found  in  James  G.  Heggie,  who  is  president  of  the  James  G.  Heggie  & 
Sons  Steel  Plate  Construction  Company.  He  is  also  president  of  the 
Heggie  Simplex  Boiler  Company.  He  was  bora  in  Scotland,  Oct.  18, 
1853,  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Smith)  Heggie. 

John  Heggie,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  he  spent 
practically  his  entire  life  as  overseer  of  a  large  estate.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  80  years  and  his  wife  died  at  the  age  of  84  years.  Both  are 
buried  in  Scone,  Scotland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heggie  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  as  follows:  Jessie,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  James  Simpson; 
John,  retired,  resides  in  Joliet ;  Mary,  deceased ;  Isabella,  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  David  Dixon  and  James  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  805 

James  G.  Heggie  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land  and  was  edu- 
cated there.  He  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  20  years  and  settled 
in  Chicago.  In  1875  he  came  to  Joliet  where  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  employ  of  the  Joliet  Steel  Company.  He  was  employed  in  their 
shops  for  17  years  and  resigned  as  foreman  boilermaker.  In  1892,  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  John  Heggie,  he  organized  the  Heggie 
Brothers  Company.  The  partnership  continued  for  ten  years,  at  which 
time  James  G.  Heggie  purchased  his  brother's  interest.  The  plant  con- 
tinued in  operation  until  1913  when  the  business  was  incorporated  as 
the  James  G.  Heggie  &  Sons  Steel  Plate  Construction  Company.  It  is 
located  at  1708  Collins  Street.  The  Heggie  Simplex  Boiler  Company, 
which  employs  about  80  men,  is  among  the  leading  industrial  plants  of 
the  city.  They  are  builders  of  a  special  type  of  house  heating  boilers, 
which  has  an  extensive  domestic  and  foreign  market.  The  officers  of 
this  company  are  as  follows:  James  G.  Heggie,  president;  John  F. 
Heggie,  vice  president ;  and  Charles  A.  Russell,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
Thomas  M.  Meldrum  is  paymaster  for  both  plants. 

In  December,  1878,  Mr.  Heggie  was  united  in  marriage  in  Chicago 
with  Miss  Kate  Fraser,  a  native  of  Canada.  She  died  in  October,  1925, 
at  the  age  of  67  years,  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heggie  the  following  children  were  born :  John  F.,  lives  at 
Joliet;  Thomas  M.,  lives  at  Joliet,  where  he  is  manager  of  the  Collins 
Street  plant:  James  M.,  died  in  1918,  at  the  age  of  35  years;  William  R., 
who  is  shop  superintendent  of  the  Collins  Street  plant;  Robert  B.,  who 
is  general  utility  man  of  the  Collins  Street  plant ;  Fred,  who  is  identified 
with  the  Heggie  and  Sons  Steel  Plant  as  assistant  to  his  father,  Joliet, 
111. ;  Jeanette  Margaret,  died  at  the  age  of  25  years ;  and  Gordon  A.,  who 
is  superintendent  of  the  Heggie  Simplex  Boiler  Company. 

James  M.  Heggie  and  Jeanette  Margaret  Heggie  both  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1918,  from  influenza,  their  deaths  having  occurred  within  24  hours 
of  each  other. 

Mr.  Heggie  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  has  served  as  alderman  of  Joliet 
and  has  always  been  active  in  civic  affairs.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
Joliet  Trust  &  Savings  Bank.  The  family  residence  is  at  204  Richards 
Street. 

Mr.  Heggie  is  a  lover  of  poetry,  the  poet  Byron,  being  his  favorite 
author.  He  is  also  a  reader  of  Scott  and  Thomas  Hood.  The  poem, 
Hoods  "Miss  Kilmansegg  and  Her  Precious  Leg,"  consisting  of  363 
verses,  is  among  the  numerous  recitations  of  Mr.  Heggie. 


806  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Franklin  A.  Deutschman  is  prominent  in  Elwood,  where  he  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Elwood  Fanners  Grain  Company  as  manager.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  Township,  Will  County,  March  30,  1875, 
the  son  of  Herman  and  Sarah  (Gockley)  Deutschman. 

Herman  Deutschman,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  When  he 
was  15  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  father  and 
settled  in  Jackson  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life  as  a  general  farmer  and  stockman.  He  was  the  owner  of  320 
acres  of  well  improved  land.  Mr.  Deutschman  met  with  an  accidental 
death,  July  31,  1911,  when  60  years  of  age.  He  is  buried  in  North  Ridge 
Cemetery,  Jackson  Township.  He  was  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the 
German  Lutheran  Church,  and  was  well  known  in  his  community.  His 
widow,  who  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  has  been  a  resident  of 
Jackson  Township  since  she  was  12  years  old.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Deutschman  the  following  children  were  born:  Clara,  born  Dec.  10, 
1872,  married  Henry  Buckman,  lives  at  Lamed,  Kan. ;  Franklin  A.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Ella,  born  June  5,  1877,  married  M.  Gardner, 
lives  in  Kansas  City,  Mo. ;  Anna,  born  Nov.  4,  1878,  married  Chris  Buck- 
man,  lives  at  Momence,  111.;  Wallace  H.,  born  Aug.  28,  1880,  a  farmer, 
lives  in  Jackson  Township;  Aaron  D.,  born  March  30,  1884,  died  Aug. 
28,  1884;  Minnie,  born  June  27,  1885,  married  Otto  Goranson,  lives  at 
Freeport,  111.;  Josephine,  born  July  4,  1887,  married  Henry  Reed,  a 
farmer,  lives  in  Jackson  Township;  Viola,  born  Oct.  27,  1889,  married 
John  Hess,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Jackson  Township;  William  A.,  born 
Sept.  14,  1891,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Canada;  Dora,  born  Nov.  16,  1893, 
married  Paul  Schiffler,  lives  at  Napersville,  111.;  and  Ira,  bom  Oct.  19, 
1896,  died  Aug.  24,  1897. 

Franklin  A.  Deutschman  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Elwood  and  attended  Mount  Morris  College.  He  also  took  a  business 
course  in  Joliet  and  began  his  business  career  in  the  offices  of  the 
Phoenix  Horseshoe  Works  in  this  city.  Later  he  spent  two  years  in  the 
employ  of  the  Schweizer  Commission  Company,  Chicago,  and  in  1914 
became  identified  with  the  Elwood  Farmers  Grain  Company.  For  the 
past  13  years  he  has  been  manager  of  the  business. 

On  June  30,  1910,  Mr.  Deutschman  was  married  at  Manhattan,  111., 
to  Miss  Milly  Kahnt,  a  native  of  Germany,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ernest  Kahnt,  early  settlers  of  Kankakee  County,  111.,  where  Mr.  Kahnt 
is  a  well  known  farmer.  His  wife  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deutsch- 
man have  a  daughter,  Ruth,  who  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  807 

Politically  Mr.  Deutschman  is  a  Republican.  He  has  held  several 
township  offices  and  at  the  present  time  is  treasurer  of  the  Elwood  School 
Board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church  of  South  Ridge, 
Jackson  Township. 

The  Elwood  Farmers  Grain  Company  was  organized  in  May,  1914, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.  It  does  an  annual  volume  of  business 
amounting  to  more  than  $350,000.  Officers  of  the  company  are  as 
follows :  Frank  Lichtenwalter,  president ;  H.  W.  Palmer,  vice  president ; 
Raymond  Tehle,  secretary;  and  Edward  Herbert,  treasurer.  All  are 
residents  of  Jackson  Township. 


John  Coldwater,  mayor  of  Elwood,  is  a  representative  citizen  of  Will 
County,  where  he  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life.  He  was  born  at 
Fishkill,  N.  Y.,  June  13,  1856,  the  son  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Burnhardt) 
Coldwater. 

Both  Adam  Coldwater  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany  and 
early  settlers  of  New  York.  They  came  to  Jackson  Township,  Will 
County,  during  the  early  days  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  400  acres.  Mr. 
Coldwater  died  in  1874  and  his  wife  died  in  1872.  They  are  buried  in 
Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coldwater  were  born  eight 
children,  of  whom  John,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  oldest. 

John  Coldwater  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  school  and 
throughout  his  active  career  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  has  lived  in  Will  County  since  1858  and  until  his  retire- 
ment in  1915  ranked  among  the  leading  stockmen  of  this  section  of  the 
state.  He  is  the  owner  of  360  acres  in  Jackson  Township,  and  also 
owns  500  acres  of  land  in  Rice  County,  Kansas.  He  spent  15  summers 
on  his  farm  in  Kansas,  where  he  was  interested  in  sheep  raising. 

On  Jan.  9,  1879,  Mr.  Coldwater  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Amanda  Lingle  of  Jackson  Township,  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Bar- 
bara Lingle,  pioneers  of  Will  County.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coldwater  were 
born  nine  children,  as  follows:  Frances,  died  at  the  age  of  30  years, 
was  the  wife  of  John  Eaton,  of  Jackson  Township,  and  they  had  two 
daughters,  Hazel  and  Gladys;  Aaron,  married  Alice  Jorgensen,  lives 
near  Elwood;  Charles,  died  at  the  age  of  20  years;  Edward,  married 
Pearl  Myers,  lives  near  Elwood,  and  they  have  three  children,  Donald, 
Franklin,  and  Beatrice;  Venus,  died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  Walter, 


808  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

lives  on  the  Coldwater  farm  in  Rice  County,  Kansas,  married  Gladys 
Caldwell,  and  they  have  a  son,  Walter,  Jr. ;  Lester,  lives  at  Joliet,  mar- 
ried Miss  Minnie  Jorgensen;  Bert,  lives  on  the  Coldwater  homestead 
in  Jackson  Township,  married  Esther  Bird ;  and  Chester,  lives  at  Elwood, 
married  Miss  Ada  Caldwell,  and  they  have  a  son,  Harold. 

Mr.  Coldwater  is  independent  in  politics.  He  has  served  as  mayor 
of  Elwood  for  the  past  12  years  and  has  also  filled  other  important  offices 
in  the  community,  having  served  as  justice  of  the  peace,  highway  com- 
missioner, town  clerk,  and  school  trustee.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
served  as  manager  of  the  Elwood  Elevator  Company. 


Ernest  G.  McMahan,  M.  D. — One  of  the  foremost  of  the  younger  phy- 
sicians and  surgeons  of  Will  County,  Dr.  McMahan,  who  is  successfully 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Mokena,  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War.  He  was  born  at  Newport,  Tenn.,  Nov.  30,  1892,  the  son 
of  Albert  and  Hester  (McNabb)  McMahan. 

Albert  McMahan,  who  died  in  1927,  was  a  native  of  Cocke  County, 
Tenn.,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life.  He  was  a  farmer.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Republican  and  served  as  county  judge.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the 
Baptist  Church  and  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Mr.  McMahan  was  a  son  of  Andrew  P.  and  Caroline  (Haywood)  Mc- 
Mahan, natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  early  settlers  of  Tennessee. 
Andrew  P.  McMahan  was  killed  in  action  during  the  Civil  War  while 
serving  as  a  member  of  a  Tennessee  outfit.  Hester  McNabb  McMahan, 
who  died  in  1902,  was  the  daughter  of  Tipton  McNabb,  who  was  killed 
in  action  during  the  Civil  War.    He  is  buried  at  Newport,  Tenn. 

To  Albert  and  Hester  (McNabb)  McMahan  were  born  eight  children, 
as  follows:  Elizabeth,  married  W.  A.  Collins,  lives  at  Cleveland,  Ohio; 
Alice,  married  William  Killion,  lives  at  Jefferson  City,  Tenn. ;  James  H., 
lives  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.;  Oscar  L.,  attorney,  lives  at  Morristown,  Tenn.; 
Noah  L.,  World  War  veteran,  lives  at  Newport,  Tenn.;  Ernest  G.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Jessie,  married  Thomas  Clevenger,  lives  at  New- 
port, Tenn. ;  and  Roy  L.,  who  died  in  1902. 

Ernest  G.  McMahan  spent  his  early  life  at  Newport,  Tenn.,  and  after 
his  graduation  from  high  school  in  1910  he  entered  Carson  and  Newman 
College,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1914. 
He  spent  the  following  two  years  as  a  teacher  at  Blackwell,  Okla.,  and 
Newport,  Tenn.,  after  which  he  entered  Loyola  University,  Chicago.   He 


KtlXKST   Vr.    M.  MA  MAX,    .M.    I>. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  809 

was  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medi- 
cine in  1920,  spent  the  following  year  as  an  interne  in  St.  Mary's  Hos- 
pital, Chicago,  and  during  1921-22  was  house  physician  at  St.  Francis 
Hospital,  Blue  Island,  111.  He  established  his  offices  at  Mokena,  in  1923, 
and  has  continued  there  to  the  present  time. 

In  June,  1918,  Dr.  McMahan  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Corps,  U.  S. 
Army  and  was  sent  to  Allentown,  Pa.,  where  he  was  attached  to  Hospital 
Unit,  No.  102.    He  was  discharged  from  the  service,  Jan.  10,  1919. 

In  1919  Dr.  McMahan  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  May  C. 
Krusmark,  the  daughter  of  Lewis  Krusmark,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  history. 

Dr.  McMahan  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  Joliet  Country  Club.  He  is  identified 
with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and 
the  American  Medical  Association,  and  is  a  member  of  the  staffs  of 
Silver  Cross  Hospital  and  St.  Joseph's  Hospital. 


Edward  A.  Schwartz  is  a  well  known  business  man  of  Joliet,  where 
he  is  identified  with  the  S.  A.  Brewster  Printing  Company.  He  was 
born  in  Joliet,  May  10,  1887,  the  son  of  Julius  and  Carrie  (Rudolph) 
Schwartz. 

Julius  Schwartz,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  his  wife 
was  born  at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.  In  1869  he  came  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  at  Joliet,  where  he  was  employed  by  the  Western  Stone 
Company  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1907  and  is  buried  in  Zarley 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  widow  lives  in  this  city.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Schwartz  the  following  children  were  born:  Julius  and  Charles,  who 
are  identified  with  the  Schwartz  Brothers,  printers,  Joliet ;  Pauline,  died 
in  infancy;  Edward  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Oscar,  with  the 
Gerlach-Barklow  Company,  Joliet. 

Edward  A.  Schwartz  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and 
learned  the  printer's  trade  when  he  was  13  years  old,  in  the  employ  of 
C.  B.  Hayward.  After  three  years  in  his  employ  he  engaged  in  the 
printing  business  with  his  brothers,  Julius  and  Charles,  the  business 
being  known  as  Schwartz  Brothers.  Mr.  Schwartz  sold  his  interests 
after  six  years  and  became  associated  with  the  S.  A.  Brewster  Printing 
Company,  which  was  organized  in  January,  1912.  Mr.  Schwartz  has 
been  owner  of  the  business  since  April,  1925.     He  specializes  in  com- 


810  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

mercial  printing  and  has  an  extensive  trade  in  Joliet  and  the  surround- 
ing towns. 

Mr.  Schwartz  married  Miss  Eva  DuBien  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Edward  and  Evelyn. 

Mr.  Schwartz  is  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
He  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party  in  politics. 


Daniel  N.  Blatt,  retired,  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  Elwood, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  more  than  30 
years.  He  was  born  in  Denmark,  March  13,  1864,  the  son  of  Neil  J. 
and  Christine  (Fredericksen)  Blatt. 

Neil  J.  Blatt  spent  his  entire  life  in  Denmark.  He  was  a  cabinet 
maker  by  trade.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blatt  were  born  three  sons :  Nelson, 
who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1866  and  settled  at  Elwood,  where 
he  now  lives  retired ;  Neil,  was  a  resident  of  Elwood  from  1870  until  his 
death  which  occurred  Dec.  16,  1923 ;  and  Daniel  N.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

About  1879  Daniel  N.  Blatt  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled 
at  Elwood,  where  he  completed  his  schooling.  He  learned  the  carpenter 
trade  with  his  brother  Neil  and  they  later  formed  the  partnership  which 
was  known  as  Blatt  Brothers.  They  were  the  pioneer  hardware  mer- 
chants of  this  section  of  Will  County  and  successfully  conducted  their 
business  at  Elwood  from  1894  until  1924,  when  they  retired.  Mr. 
Blatt  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  in  Wilton  Township,  as  well  as  his  business 
property  at  Elwood. 

Daniel  N.  Blatt  was  married  in  1889  to  Miss  Julia  Gilkersen,  a  native 
of  Will  County.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children,  as  follows:  Neil, 
lives  in  Chicago,  married  Miss  Louise  Hammond,  and  they  have  a  son, 
William ;  Mary  K.,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  Mon- 
mouth College,  now  a  teacher  at  Springfield  (111.)  High  School;  Ruth 
Agnes,  married  F.  Eugene  Butterfield,  lives  in  Chicago;  Fred,  lives  at 
Elwood,  married  Miss  Mary  Schaaf,  and  they  have  a  son,  Fred,  Jr.; 
Daniel  N.,  Jr.,  twin  brother  of  Fred,  lives  in  Elwood,  married  Miss 
Eleanor  Wright,  of  Manteno,  111.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Julia  and 
Daniel  N.,  III.;  and  Luther,  lives  at  home.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet 
Township  High  School  and  Joliet  Junior  College,  and  is  now  a  teacher 
in  the  schools  at  Ritchie,  111. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  811 

Mr.  Blatt  has  always  been  a  Democrat  and  for  the  past  15  years  has 
served  as  treasurer  of  the  village.  He  was  also  town  clerk  for  15  years 
and  for  many  years  was  president  of  the  local  school  board.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge 
and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Carl  Alvin  Pilcher. — One  of  the  best  known  farmers  of  Wheatland 
Township  is  Carl  Alvin  Pilcher.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he 
resides,  July  25,  1869,  the  son  of  Frederick  Richard  and  Belle  (Jacobs) 
Pilcher. 

Frederick  Richard  Pilcher,  retired,  was  among  the  early  settlers 
of  Will  County.  He  was  bom  in  Kent  County,  England  in  1842,  and 
was  ten  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his 
parents  and  settled  in  Will  County,  and  later  in  life  he  became  a  cabinet 
maker  in  Plainfield,  111.  In  1864  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Wheatland 
Township  where  he  farmed  until  1895,  when  he  retired.  He  now  owns 
the  farm  which  is  conducted  by  his  son,  Carl  Alvin  Pilcher.  He  was 
married  Dec.  14,  1864,  to  Belle  Jacobs,  of  Plainfield,  111.  He  has  lived 
at  LaGrange,  111.,  since  1913.  His  wife  died  Aug.  23,  1912.  There  were 
four  children  in  the  Pilcher  family:  Bailey  Austin,  born  Jan.  9,  1866, 
lives  at  Tucson,  Ariz.;  Carl  Alvin,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Daisy 
Belle,  born  July  20,  1878,  married  J.  C.  Wylie,  lives  at  LaGrange,  111.; 
and  Lettie  J.,  born  June  26,  1886,  and  died  May  7,  1887. 

Carl  Alvin  Pilcher  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Wheatland  Township  and  also  attended  Plainfield  High  School.  He  was 
associated  with  his  father  in  farming  the  home  place  until  1895,  at 
which  time  he  took  charge  of  the  farm.  He  operates  160  acres  of  land, 
located  in  Section  33.  He  specializes  in  dairy  farming  and  is  also  a 
stock  feeder.  Mr.  Pilcher  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Plainfield  Grain  Com- 
pany, and  is  the  owner  of  farms  at  Walnut,  111.,  and  Brule,  Wis. 

On  June  12,  1895,  Mr.  Pilcher  married  Miss  Miriam  Kate  Munroe,  of 
Plainfield  Township,  the  daughter  of  Paul  Hugh  and  Mary  Jane  (Elwell) 
Munroe,  natives  of  South  Shaftsbury,  Vt.  The  Munroe  family  settled 
in  Plainfield  Township  in  1865,  where  Mr.  Munroe  was  well  known  as  a 
successful  farmer.  He  also  served  as  assistant  county  treasurer  and 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  died  in  1908,  and  his  wife  died  the 
following  year.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Agnes  Irene, 
born  Jan.  31,  1867,  married  E.  A.  Billing,  lives  at  Glenellyn,  111. ;  Miriam 


812  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Kate  Pilcher;  and  J.  Wales,  born  Oct.  23,  1873,  lives  on  the  old  homestead 
in  Plainfield  Township.  Before  her  marriage  Mrs.  Pilchei  was  a  teacher 
in  the  schools  of  Plainfield  and  Wheatland  townships.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pilcher  have  three  children:  Genevieve  Irene,  born  Aug.  16,  1896,  mar- 
ried Fred  Kenning,  lives  at  Oak  Park,  111. ;  Frances  Adelaide,  born  Oct. 
6,  1900,  married  Ralph  Culver,  lives  in  Plainfield  Township,  and  they 
have  a  son,  Ralph  Edgar;  and  Frederick  Hugh,  born  April  9,  1907,  lives 
at  home.  He  is  connected  with  the  Warren  Seed  Cleaning  Company,  of 
Chicago. 

Mr.  Pilcher  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  school  director  of 
Wheatland  Township  for  the  past  18  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church  of  Plainfield,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  and  Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


Elry  Spangler,  deceased,  was  a  representative  farmer  of  Jackson 
Township  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Will  County,  where  he  spent 
his  entire  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  Township  in  1860, 
and  died  April  11,  1918. 

Mr.  Spangler  became  one  of  the  most  prominent  stockmen  of  this 
section  of  the  state.  He  was  the  owner  of  225  acres  of  land.  He  served 
as  road  commissioner  of  Jackson  Township,  as  well  as  supervisor.  He 
was  one  of  the  Charter  members  of  the  Elwood  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Lodge. 
During  the  World  War  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Exemption, 
Joliet. 

Mr.  Spangler  married  Miss  Eva  Winter,  a  native  of  Jackson  Town- 
ship. She  died  Dec.  29,  1927,  at  the  age  of  67  years,  and  with  her  hus- 
band is  buried  in  Maple  Hill  Cemetery,  Elwood.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Spangler  were  born  four  children:  Fred  W.,  born  Nov.  8,  1884,  lives  on 
the  homestead  in  Jackson  Township,  married  Miss  Florence  Bush,  and 
they  have  three  children,  Russell  Elry,  Lydia  May,  and  Phyllis;  Nellie 
Blatt,  mention  of  whom  is  made  below;  May,  born  April  27,  1888,  un- 
married, died  May  27,  1919;  and  Olive,  born  Sept.  19,  1897.  She  is  a 
graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  and  DeKalb  State  Normal 
School.  For  the  past  ten  years  she  has  been  connected  with  the  public 
schools  of  Will  County. 

Nellie  Spangler  was  born  in  Jackson  Township.  She  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  of  Elwood  and  before  her  marriage  was  a  teacher 
in  District  School  No.  72,  at  Peotone.  She  was  married  Oct.  9,  1906, 
to  Garland  Blatt.    He  was  born  at  Elwood,  May  5,  1884,  the  son  of  Nel- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  813 

son  Blatt,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Will  County.  Garland  Blatt 
succeeded  to  his  father's  business  at  Elwood  and  was  thus  engaged  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  June  26,  1918.  He  is  buried  in  Maple  Hill  Ceme- 
tery, Elwood.  Mr.  Blatt  was  prominent  in  Masonic  circles.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Blatt  was  born  a  daughter,  Marjorie.  She  was  graduated  from 
Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1928  and  attends  the  University  of 
Illinois. 

Mrs.  Blatt  resides  at  Elwood,  where  she  conducts  a  general  mer- 
chandise store. 


John  B.  Clow,  successful  farmer  and  well  known  resident  of  Wheat- 
land Township,  is  a  member  of  a  prominent  pioneer  family  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  Wheatland  Township,  Dec.  25,  1859,  the  son 
of  Robert  and  Rosanna  (McMicken)  Clow. 

Robert  Clow  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1819  and  came  to  America  at 
the  age  of  18  years.  He  settled  in  New  York  State  where  he  remained 
for  seven  years.  He  was  the  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah  (Henry)  Clow, 
both  natives  of  Scotland.  Robert  Clow,  Sr.,  had  the  following  children : 
Helen,  born  in  1813,  died  in  1847;  Agnes,  born  Dec.  30,  1814,  died  Jan. 
13,  1890,  was  the  wife  of  Mungo  Patterson;  James,  born  March  26, 
1816,  died  Feb.  14,  1890;  John  Henry,  born  Feb.  19,  1818,  died  May  2, 
1910;  Robert,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Adam,  born  July 
18,  1821,  died  April  2,  1852;  Sarah,  born  April  3,  1824,  died  Oct.  2, 
1903;  William,  born  March  23,  1826,  died  March  5,  1877;  and  Thomas, 
born  July  11,  1829,  died  Sept.  7,  1893.  Robert  Clow,  Sr.,  came  to  Will 
County  during  the  early  days  and  settled  on  1,100  acres  of  land  in 
Wheatland  Township,  which  he  purchased  from  the  government  at 
$1.25  per  acre.  His  son,  Robert,  Jr.,  became  the  owner  of  240  acres  of 
this  land  and  was  a  leading  farmer  and  stockman  of  Will  County.  He 
served  eight  years  as  circuit  clerk  and  recorder  of  Will  County,  and  two 
terms  in  the  State  legislature.  He  was  also  township  supervisor  for  18 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Rosanna 
(McMicken)  Clow  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1827,  and  died  Jan.  31,  1896. 
With  her  husband  she  is  buried  in  Wheatland  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Robert  Clow  the  following  children  were  born:  William  M.,  de- 
ceased; Sarah  H.;  Grace  M. ;  Nellie  J.;  Adam  S. ;  John  B.;  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Rosanna;  and  Rachel. 

John  B.  Clow  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wheatland  Township,  and 
for  many  years  ranked  among  the  many  progressive  stockmen  of  Will 


814  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

County.  He  specialized  in  dairy  farming.  Mr.  Clow  lives  practically 
retired  on  his  farm  of  240  acres,  in  Section  15,  of  Wheatland 
Township. 

In  1885  Mr.  Clow  married  Miss  Janet  Stewart,  of  Wheatland  Town- 
ship, the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Stewart,  natives  of  Scot- 
land, and  early  settlers  of  Will  County.  Both  are  deceased  and  are 
buried  in  the  United  Presbyterian  Cemetery,  Wheatland  Township. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clow  were  born  two  daughters :  Bessie,  married  James 
McMicken,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township,  and  they  have  a  daughter, 
Janet,  born  in  1916  and  Helen,  married  Owen  C.  Crego,  lives  at  Aurora, 
111.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Thomas  and  Mary. 

Mr.  Clow  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Bank  of  Plainfield  and  the  Plainfield 
Grain  Company. 


Frank  C.  Boardman  is  a  successful  farmer  and  stockman  of  Wheat- 
land Township  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  earliest  families  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  this  township,  May  15,  1890,  the  son  of 
George  B.  and  Mary  (Clow)  Boardman. 

Franklin  C.  Boardman,  a  pioneer  of  Wheatland  Township,  was  born 
in  Colchester,  Vt.,  Mar.  15,  1818,  the  son  of  Amos  and  Harriet  (Ames) 
Boardman.  Amos  Boardman  was  born  in  Burlington,  Vt.,  in  October, 
1789.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812  and  died  March  17,  1877. 
His  wife  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1791  and  died  July  29,  1846.  Franklin 
Boardman,  their  son,  came  west  in  1844,  via  the  Canal  and  Lakes  to 
Chicago,  and  then  by  a  wagon  route  to  Will  County.  He  lived  with  an 
uncle  for  two  years  and  then  settled  in  Wheatland  Township,  where  he 
served  as  supervisor  in  1854-55  and  56.  He  was  also  treasurer  of  the 
school  board  and  served  as  postmaster  of  East  Wheatland  in  1870.  He 
was  married  on  Sept.  2,  1842,  to  Miss  Mina  Bates  of  Colchester,  Vt., 
the  daughter  of  George  Bates,  who  was  born  at  Thompson,  Conn.,  in 
1786,  and  died  in  1875.  Mary  (Hine)  Bates  was  born  in  Colchester, 
Vt.,  Mar.  1,  1788,  and  died  in  1874. 

George  B.  Boardman  is  well  known  in  Wheatland  Township,  where  he 
has  spent  his  entire  life.  He  has  served  as  state  representative  from 
this  district  and  is  now  supervisor  of  Wheatland  Township.  His  wife, 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  Clow,  was  born  in  this  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Boardman  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  1.  Harry  Clow, 
born  April  29,  1887,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois  and  a  World 
War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  rank  of  major,  married  Miss  Bessie 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  815 

McCumber,  and  lives  in  Chicago.  2.  Mary,  born  Dec.  26,  1888,  married 
Charles  Clow,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Elizabeth  and  Philip.  3.  Frank  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  4.  Mar- 
garet, born  Oct.  15,  1892,  married  Richard  Ira  Jones,  lives  at  Plainfield. 
5.  Helen,  born  June  11,  1894,  married  Abner  Thomas,  lives  at  Big 
Rock,  111.,  and  they  have  four  children,  Charlotte,  Mary,  George  Bruce, 
and  Virginia  Bell.  6.  Thomas,  who  died  in  1898.  7.  Robert,  born  Dec. 
15,  1903,  a  graduate  of  Naperville  High  School,  lives  at  home. 

Frank  C.  Boardman  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Wheatland  Township,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Plainfield  High  School. 
He  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  1913,  at  which  time  he  pur- 
chased his  present  farm  of  170  acres  in  Section  13.  He  also  operates 
his  father's  farm  of  160  acres  and  specializes  in  dairy  farming,  being 
the  owner  of  a  herd  of  18  pure  bred  cows. 

On  March  20,  1913,  Mr.  Boardman  married  Miss  Elsie  Royce,  who 
was  born  in  DuPage  Township,  Will  County,  the  daughter  of  Jonathan 
F.  and  Mary  (Stafford)  Royce.  Mr.  Royce  died  in  1924  and  is  buried 
in  Naperville  Cemetery.  His  widow  survives  him.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Boardman  have  been  born  five  children:  James,  born  Dec.  10,  1914; 
George  Royce,  born  Nov.  4,  1916;  Alexander,  born  Oct.  30,  1920;  John, 
born  Oct.  3,  1923 ;  and  Mary,  bom  Oct.  17,  1925. 

Mr.  Boardman  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Will  County 
Farm  Bureau. 


William  Leppert,  retired,  is  prominent  in  Wheatland  Township, 
where  he  has  spent  his  entire  life.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he 
resides,  Dec.  5,  1865,  the  son  of  George  and  Minnie  (Schaffer)  Leppert. 

George  Leppert  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  in  1839,  the  son  of 
John  and  Magdalene  Leppert.  The  family  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  April,  1854,  and  settled  in  Wheatland  Township,  after  having 
spent  several  months  in  Ohio.  They  purchased  the  farm  of  a  Mr. 
Houghton  and  it  has  remained  the  Leppert  homestead  to  the  present 
time.  George  Leppert  became  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Will 
County,  and  was  one  of  the  first  school  directors  of  the  Township.  He 
died  in  1918  and  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  Cemetery,  Wheatland  Town- 
ship. His  first  wife  died  in  1867  at  the  age  of  23  years.  To  this  union 
were  born  four  children,  of  whom  William,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  the  oldest.    Three  children  died  in  infancy!    Mr.  Leppert  later  mar- 


816  mSTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ried  Miss  Elizabeth  Westphal,  who  died  in  1924.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased. 

William  Leppert  attended  the  district  schools  of  the  township  and 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  the  latter's  death,  when  he  became 
owner  of  the  property.  He  operated  140  acres  of  well  improved  land 
until  his  retirement  in  1924. 

On  March  7,  1906,  Mr.  Leppert  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Caroline  Elizabeth  Charlotte  Schneider,  of  Chicago,  the  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Caroline  Marsh  Schneider.  Mr.  Schneider  is  deceased  and 
his  widow  lives  in  Chicago.  A  daughter  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lep- 
pert, Lillian  S.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Fred  Voss.  They  were  married  Oct. 
24,  1925,  and  reside  on  the  Leppert  homestead.  They  have  a  daughter, 
Marilyn  Adele,  born  Jan.  27,  1927. 

Mr.  Leppert  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Church  of  Aurora.  He  has  served  as  school  director  of  Wheatland 
Township  for  the  past  21  years. 


John  F.  Uhde — Along  the  progressive  lines  of  advance,  and  in  one  of 
the  most  important  realms  of  business  activity,  John  F.  Uhde,  of  Joliet, 
is  bearing  a  worthy  and  forward-looking  part  as  the  proprietor  of  the 
John  F.  Uhde  Dairy  Company.  For  nearly  twenty  years  he  has  been 
identified  with  this  business.  He  is  a  son  of  John  A.  and  Pauline  (Un- 
naack)  Uhde,  and  was  born  at  Joliet,  June  23,  1884. 

John  A.  Uhde  was  born  in  Kingston,  Ontario,  Canada,  where  he  was 
reared.  He  was  the  son  of  John  G.  Uhde,  who  was  born  in  Germany  and 
immigrated  to  Canada.  He  was  a  toll-gate  keeper  and  a  farmer.  He 
later  removed  to  Joliet  and  from  there  to  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  where  he 
died.  John  A.  Uhde  went  west  with  his  parents  and  took  up  a  govern- 
ment claim  at  Russell,  Kans.  He  was  later  an  engineer  for  the  Santa 
Fe  Railroad  and  in  1892  returned  to  Joliet.  He  made  several  other  trips 
west  but  finally  located  in  Joliet,  where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1924.  His  wife  resides  in  Joliet,  where  she  was  born. 
Mr.  Uhde  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Orangemen  of  Canada, 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  There  were  seven  children  in 
the  Uhde  family:  Louise,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  James  A.  Rowe; 
John  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Frank,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War, 
served  in  France  with  the  U.  S.  Infantry,  lives  in  Joliet;  Fred,  Joliet; 


MR.   AND    MRS.    JOHN    F.    THI 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  817 

Pauline,  at  home;  Wilhelmina,  married  George  Johnson,  lives  in  Joliet; 
and  Augusta,  at  home. 

John  F.  Uhde  attended  the  public  schools  of  Kansas  City  and  Joliet, 
after  which  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  for  three  years.  He  then 
was  with  the  United  Zinc  and  Chemical  Company,  of  Kansas  City,  Kans., 
until  his  health  became  impaired,  when  he  resigned  his  position  and  was. 
with  the  water  service  department  of  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad.  In  1906 
he  returned  to  Joliet  and  was  an  engine  watchman  for  the  Elgin,  Joliet 
and  Eastern  Railroad.  He  was  in  the  shipping  department  and  later 
foreman  of  the  assorting  department  of  the  Wm.  E.  Pratt  Manufacturing 
Company.  In  1909  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  C.  N.  Sprague  Dairy 
Company  in  order  to  learn  the  business.  On  Sept.  29,  1911,  he  with  Oscar 
Kase  purchased  the  C.  N.  Sprague  Dairy  Company.  The  partnership  was 
dissolved  in  1913  and  Mr.  Uhde  engaged  in  the  dairy  business  for  him- 
self at  728  Washington  Street,  remaining  in  that  location  for  six  years. 
In  1919  Mr.  Uhde  purchased  two  business  buildings,  Nos.  718  and  720 
East  Washington  Street,  removing  his  business  to  No.  720.  He  rents 
No.  718  and  also  apartments  over  both  stores.  Mr.  Uhde  purchases  his 
milk  from  the  farmers  of  Will  County  and  delivers  exclusively  in  Joliet. 
His  business,  which  was  necessarily  a  small  one  in  the  beginning  has, 
through  the  personal  efforts  of  Mr.  Uhde,  become  one  of  the  largest 
dairies  in  the  city.    He  also  handles  all  kinds  of  dairy  products. 

On  May  3,  1914,  Mr.  Uhde  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Achenbach, 
a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Achenbach.  He  is  a  retired  cigar  manu- 
facturer and  lives  in  Joliet.  Mrs.  Achenbach  is  deceased  and  is  buried 
in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Uhde  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  general  progress,  and 
politically  supports  the  Republican  party.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated 
with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. 
No.  27;  Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T. 
No.  4 ;  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Springfield,  111. ;  Joliet  Shrine 
Club;  Modern  Woodmen  of  the  World;  Chamber  of  Commerce;  Joliet 
Merchants  Association;  Powham  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  29;  Eagle 
Encampment,  No.  139;  Joliet  Cantons,  No.  52;  Advance  Rebekah's 
Lodge,  No.  45 ;  and  treasurer  of  the  Joliet  Milk  Dealers  Bottle  Exchange. 
Mrs.  Uhde  is  a  member  of  Marguerite  Chapter,  O.  E.  S. ;  White  Shrine ; 
Chamber  of  Commerce ;  Professional  Business  Women's  Club ;  and  Lady 
Washington  Auxiliary,  Joliet  Canton,  No.  52.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Uhde  are 
members  of  the  English  Lutheran  Church. 

19— VOL.  2 


818  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

George  H.  Tower,  manager  of  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company's  branch 
at  Normantown,  is  a  substantial  and  well  known  business  man  of  Wheat- 
land Township.  He  was  born  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Dec.  2,  1860,  the  son 
of  Allen  J.  and  Mary  (Corwin)  Tower. 

Allen  J.  Tower  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Illinois.  He  was  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade  and  later  in  life  was  em- 
ployed as  a  railroad  engineer.  He  was  killed  in  a  railroad  wreck  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  September,  1869.  His  widow  died  at  the  age  of  85 
years  and  is  buried  in  Colorado. 

George  H.  Tower  was  nine  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  Will 
County  and  settled  in  Homer  Township.  In  1886  he  came  to  Plainfield. 
He  has  been  identified  with  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company  for  the  past 
30  years  as  manager  of  the  branch  at  Normantown.  One  of  the  largest 
of  the  company's  elevators  is  located  here.  It  handles  approximately 
300,000  bushels  of  grain  annually.  Mr.  Tower  is  also  a  stockholder 
in  the  business. 

On  Sept.  22,  1887,  Mr.  Tower  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Minnie  Moss.  They  had  four  children:  Frank,  who  is  connected  with 
the  government  air  mail  service,  lives  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  Verlie,  died  in 
1915,  at  the  age  of  18  years,  was  the  wife  of  Walter  Ewing,  of  Seattle, 
Wash.;  Louis,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township,  married  Marie  Lloyd;  and 
Almond  J.,  lives  in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Tower  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 


Harris  A.  Patterson,  M.  D.,  of  Joliet,  who  has  practiced  his  profession 
over  thirty  years  with  honor  and  exceptional  ability,  was  born  at  Haver- 
straw,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  17,  1864,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Harris) 
Patterson. 

Thomas  Patterson  was  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  as  was  also  his 
wife.  He  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  young  man  and  first  located 
at  Haverstraw,  N.  Y.,  later  going  to  Newburg.  He  located  in  Will 
County,  111.,  in  1865,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  later 
was  in  the  lime  and  coal  business  in  Joliet.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Lodge,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  he  had  been  an  elder  and  trustee  for 
many  years.  He  died  Nov.  8,  1902,  at  the  age  of  75  years.  His  wife 
died  June  3,  1913,  aged  83  years.    Both  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  819 

Joliet.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  Patterson  family:  Matilda  A., 
lives  in  Joliet;  James  W.,  with  Powers  Thompson  Company,  Joliet; 
Andrew  Sherman,  coal  business,  Joliet;  Howard  T.,  coal  business,  Joliet; 
Jennie  M.,  lives  in  Joliet;  Harris  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Nellie, 
married  Dr.  Frank  Hanson,  who  died  in  1918,  and  she  resides  at  208 
West  Marion  Street,  Joliet ;  and  Elizabeth,  principal  of  Broadway  School. 

Harris  A.  Patterson  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Joliet. 
He  entered  Rush  Medical  College,  where  he  completed  his  course  and 
received  his  degree  in  medicine  in  1897.  He  engaged  in  practice  first  at 
Clark  City,  111.,  and  in  1900  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  has  since  been 
engaged  in  surgical  and  medical  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the  medical 
staff  of  the  city  hospitals.  During  the  World  War  he  was  on  the  exam- 
ing  board  No.  1. 

Dr.  Patterson  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County,  Illinois  State,  and 
American  Medical  Associations.  He  has  served  as  president  of  the  Will 
County  Medical  Society  on  two  different  occasions,  and  has  been  county 
physician  for  several  years.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are:  Modern 
Woodmen,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Elks  Lodges.    He  is  a  Republican. 


John  H.  Barnes  is  among  the  representative  business  men  of  Joliet, 
where  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Joliet  Motor  Company,  601- 
607  Jefferson  Avenue.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Joliet  Township,  Sept. 
19,  1867,  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Thiel)  Barnes. 

Nathaniel  Barnes  was  born  in  Rockland  County,  N.  Y.,  June  18,  1818. 
He  remained  in  that  section  of  the  country  until  1858,  at  which  time  he 
removed  to  Joliet  Township,  where  he  became  well  known  as  a  farmer 
and  stockman.  He  was  the  owner  of  160  acres  of  land  in  Joliet  Town- 
ship, and  120  acres  in  Jackson  Township.  Mr.  Barnes  died  in  1899  and 
is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife  was  born  in  Newburg, 
New  York,  June  21,  1829,  and  died  in  1901.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnes 
the  following  children  were  born:  Emily,  Edward,  and  Isaac,  all  died  in 
infancy;  George  Julian,  deceased;  Rosalia,  married  Julius  B.  Schneider, 
lives  at  Joliet ;  Grace,  died  in  1899,  was  the  wife  of  Judson  Gilkerson ; 
Nathaniel  A.,  retired,  lives  in  Joliet;  Eliza,  married  Charles  O.  Bond, 
lives  in  Joliet;  John  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Blanche  Laura, 
died  May  12,  1928,  was  the  wife  of  John  P.  Thornton,  of  Adrian,  Mich. 

John  H.  Barnes  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools 
and  Joliet  High  School.     He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of 


820  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Illinois  in  1888,  and  spent  the  following  four  years  at  Denver,  Colo., 
where  he  was  interested  in  architectural  work.  He  then  returned  to 
Joliet,  where  he  followed  the  same  line  of  work  until  1914.  Mr.  Barnes 
has  been  connected  with  the  Joliet  Motor  Company  since  that  date,  and 
is  widely  known  among  the  automobile  dealers  of  Will  County.  The 
Joliet  Motor  Company  are  local  agents  for  the  Ford  and  Lincoln  auto- 
mobiles, and  have  one  of  the  finest  salesrooms  in  the  city. 

On  Dec.  25,  1890,  Mr.  Barnes  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ida 
Mabel  Zarley,  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County. 
She  was  born  in  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Helen  (Patrick) 
Zarley.  William  H.  Zarley  was  bom  in  Joliet,  Feb.  20,  1837,  and  died 
March  29,  1902.  He  was  the  son  of  Hadzel  Zarley.  William  H.  Zarley 
was  prominent  in  the  political  life  of  Joliet  for  many  years  and  held 
the  offices  of  county  clerk,  city  clerk,  and  postmaster.  His  wife  was 
born  in  this  city,  Feb.  26,  1840,  and  died  Jan.  13,  1915.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Zarley  were  born  three  children:  Charles  Henry,  born  June  4, 
1862,  died  in  1913 ;  George  Patrick,  born  March  31,  1866,  died  March  20, 
1920;  and  Ida  Mabel  Barnes,  born  May  24,  1870.  The  maternal  grand- 
parents of  Mrs.  Barnes  were  Jacob  and  Eliza  Patrick.  The  former  was 
born  in  March,  1793,  and  the  latter  was  born  July  16,  1802.  To  John  H. 
and  Ida  Mabel  (Zarley)  Barnes  were  born  two  children:  Helen,  born 
June  22,  1892,  married  John  B.  VanDyke,  lives  in  California,  and  they 
have  a  daughter,  Virginia  Barnes  Van  Dyke ;  and  Harold  John,  born  in 
1894,  died  in  1918.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School 
and  the  University  of  Illinois.  He  died  at  Aberdeen,  Md.,  while  in 
service  during  the  World  War,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwocd  Cemetery, 
Joliet.  Helen  (Barnes)  VanDyke  was  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township 
High  School  and  the  Art  Institute  of  Chicago. 

Politically  Mr.  Barnes  is  independent.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  32nd  degree,  Rotary 
Club,  Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


John  M.  Wolf,  one  of  the  most  prominent  stockmen  of  Wheatland 
Township  and  well  known  citizens  of  Will  County,  was  born  on  the 
farm  where  he  resides,  Feb.  22,  1870,  the  son  of  Casper  and  Rosina 
(Kuhn)  Wolf. 

Casper  Wolf  was  born  in  Germany.  He  came  to  Will  County  in 
1868  and  spent  11  years  on  a  farm  in  Oswego  Township,  Kendall  County, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  821 

after  a  short  period  of  residence  here.  He  later  returned  to  Will  County 
and  became  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  80  acres  in  Wheatland  Township, 
which  is  still  owned  by  his  son,  John  M.  Mr.  Wolf  was  a  dairy  farmer. 
He  was  living  retired  at  Oswego  at  the  time  of  his  death,  March  17, 
1911.  He  is  buried  in  Oswego  Prairie  Cemetery.  His  wife  died  Dec. 
21,  1912,  at  the  age  of  77  years.  The  only  child  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wolf  was  John  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  By  a  former  marriage 
Mrs.  Wolf  had  a  daughter,  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  Fred  Bower,  and 
they  live  at  Oswego. 

John  M.  Wolf  obtained  his  education  in  the  Lombard  district  school 
section.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  all  his  life  and  since  1897  has 
owned  the  place,  which  is  one  of  the  attractive  stock  farms  of  the  town- 
ship.   A  fine  new  residence  was  built  by  Mr.  Wolf  in  1915. 

Mr.  Wolf  was  married  on  Sept.  1,  1897,  to  Miss  Carrie  Nehf,  who 
was  born  in  Chicago,  the  daughter  of  Henry  John  and  Caroline  Kathryn 
(Fogel)  Nehf,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Nehf  spent  the  early  part  of  his 
life  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  a  harness  maker.  Later  he  owned  a  farm 
in  Wayne  County,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolf  were  born  three  children : 
(1)  one  died  in  infancy;  (2)  Leta  Belle,  born  Feb.  15,  1899,  died  July  30, 
1926,  was  the  wife  of  Roy  Patterson,  who  is  the  son  of  R.  J.  Patterson, 
and  they  had  three  children,  Raymond  LeRoy,  Irene  Elizabeth,  and 
Evelyn  Anna;  and  (3)  Elizabeth  Amelia,  born  Feb.  27,  1903,  married 
Robert  Schillinger,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township,  and  they  have  a  son, 
Darvin  Robert,  born  Sept.  22,  1927. 

Mr.  Wolf  is  a  member  of  the  Oswego  Prairie  Evangelical  Church.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


Frank  W.  Stanton,  M.  D. — A  highly  qualified  physician  and  surgeon, 
who  for  over  twenty  years  has  practiced  medicine  at  Joliet,  Frank  W. 
Stanton  was  born  in  that  city,  Sept.  8,  1880.  His  parents  were  Joseph  S. 
and  Anna  (Fant)  Stanton. 

Joseph  S.  Stanton,  deceased,  was  born  in  Kingston,  Canada.  He  set- 
tled in  Will  County  when  a  young  man  and  worked  at  the  blacksmith 
trade.  He  was  later  a  merchant  of  this  city.  He  married  Anna  Fant, 
who  was  born  in  Joliet,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Frank  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Mary,  married  Raymond  McGuire, 
lives  in  Chicago;  Cecelia,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  O'Connell. 
He  lives  in  New  York  City;  Florence,  married  Frederick  W.  Warner, 


822  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

lives  in  Joliet;  George  W.,  a  steel  mill  worker,  lives  at  Indiana  Harbor; 
and  Joseph  and  Anna,  twins.  Anna  married  Joseph  Neislander,  lives  in 
Joliet.  Mr.  Stanton  died  Jan.  31,  1924,  and  Mrs.  Stanton  died  March  15, 
1920.  They  are  both  buried  in  Joliet.  They  were  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church. 

Frank  W.  Stanton  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  and  then 
entered  the  Illinois  Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  taking  his  M.  D.  degree 
in  1906.  For  one  year  thereafter  he  was  with  the  Lackawanna  Steel 
Company,  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  In  1908  he  opened  his  office  in  Joliet,  where 
he  has  since  engaged  in  general  practice.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  Joliet's  leading  hospitals. 

On  Feb.  23,  1911,  Dr.  Stanton  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Barnhardt, 
who  was  born  in  Dwight,  111.  Her  father  came  from  Germany  in  the 
early  days  and  located  at  Dwight  where  he  was  a  farmer  and  stockman. 
Doctor  and  Mrs.  Stanton  have  a  daughter,  Dorothy  Jane,  born  Jan.  4, 
1916. 

Dr.  Stanton  is  a  member  of  Illinois  State  and  Will  County  Medical 
Associations.    He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 


Romus  Arnold,  M.  D.,  is  a  representative  member  of  the  medical 
profession  at  Joliet,  where  he  has  offices  in  the  Young  Building.  He  is 
the  son  of  Louis  and  Mary  Arnold. 

Louis  Arnold  was  a  pioneer  settler  of  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  harnessmaking.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased. 
There  were  six  children  in  the  Louis  Arnold  family :  Ida ;  Mandel  died 
in  1883;  Romus,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William;  Clara,  died  at  the 
age  of  three  years ;  and  Clara,  2nd,  died  in  infancy. 

Romus  Arnold  attended  University  of  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago  in  the  class 
of  February,  1888.  He  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Braid- 
wood,  111.,  being  associated  in  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  B.  Backus,  where  he 
remained  several  years.  He  was  elected  coroner  of  Will  County  and 
served  three  years.  He  then  went  to  Michigan  where  he  was  in  practice 
for  four  years.  Returning  to  Braidwood  he  remained  until  1915.  He 
took  a  year  of  post  graduate  work  and  went  to  Carthage,  Mo.,  remain- 
ing there  until  September,  1917.  He  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Reserve 
Corps  and  was  assigned  to  duty  at  base  hospital,  Camp  Logan,  in  which 
he  received  a  commission  as  first  lieutenant.  He  received  his  honorable 
discharge  and  returned  to  Carthage,  Mo.  In  December,  1924,  Dr.  Arnold 
established  his  office  in  Joliet. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  823 

On  July  8,  1891,  Dr.  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Gretta  Josephine 
Russell  Roblitti,  who  was  born  in  Edinburg,  Scotland.  They  have  three 
children:  Helen  Ruth,  born  April  27,  1892,  married  Dr.  A.  B.  McBride, 
Carthage,  Mo. ;  Romus  Harold,  born  June  15,  1906,  a  traveling  salesman, 
Chicago;  and  Agnes,  born  April  14,  1908,  a  student  nurse  at  St.  Luke's 
Hospital,  Chicago.    The  family  home  is  at  Braidwood,  111. 

Dr.  Arnold  is  a  Republican.  He  cast  his  vote  twice  for  William 
McKinley.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  being  a  member  of 
Blue  Lodge  Chapter  and  Commandery.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Will  County  Medical  Association,  and  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society. 
He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Joliet. 


Herbert  R.  Phelps,  of  DuPage  Township,  ranks  high  among  the  rep- 
resentative farmers  and  stockmen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in 
Wheatland  Township,  Will  County,  Aug.  30,  1870,  the  son  of  Albert 
and  Harriet  (Sprague)  Phelps. 

Albert  Phelps  was  born  at  Willsboro,  Essex  County,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  12, 
1846.  He  came  to  Wheatland  Township  about  1868  and  rented  a  farm 
there.  He  died  March  8,  1873,  and  is  buried  in  Broadman  Cemetery, 
Wheatland  Township.  His  widow,  who  was  born  in  DuPage  Township, 
Will  County,  Dec.  8,  1850,  lives  in  the  old  homestead  near  Lockport  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  son,  Herbert  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phelps  were  born  two  sons:  Herbert  R.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  and  Albert  C,  who  is  a  professor  at  Cornell  University, 
teaching  architecture.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois  and 
for  several  years  was  an  architect  in  Joliet.  He  later  attended  Munich 
University  in  Germany  and  also  studied  art  in  Germany.  He  married 
Miss  Carrie  Lynd,  the  daughter  of  Capt.  George  Lynd,  of  Lockport. 
Mr.  Phelps  has  been  connected  with  the  faculty  of  Cornell  University 
for  the  past  35  years. 

The  boyhood  of  Herbert  R.  Phelps  was  spent  on  the  homestead  in 
DuPage  Township.  He  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Lock- 
port  and  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1890,  where 
he  specialized  in  the  study  of  agriculture.  He  has  always  been  inter- 
ested in  farming  and  is  the  owner  of  240  acres  of  well  improved  land. 
He  also  operated  the  home  place  of  160  acres. 

On  Feb.  3,  1902,  Mr.  Phelps  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Grace  Alderman,  of  DuPage  Township.     They  have  two   daughters; 


824  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Alice  Laura,  bom  Nov.  17,  1902,  attended  Joliet  Township  High  School 
and  Joliet  Junior  College,  married  Kenneth  Spangler,  of  Plainfield  Town- 
ship, lives  at  Lockport;  and  Alberta,  born  Dec.  12,  1908,  attended  Joliet 
Township  High  School,  married  Walter  Cave,  resides  in  DuPage  Town- 
ship, and  they  have  a  son,  Walter  Herbert,  born  Oct.  2,  1928. 

Mr.  Phelps  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 
He  has  held  the  offices  of  highway  commissioner,  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  school  director,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  local 
affairs.  In  1924,  before  the  paving  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Louis  Route  No.  4 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phelps  opened  a  filling  station  at  the  corner  of  the  Naper- 
ville-Joliet  Road.  In  May,  1927,  she  erected  a  new  building  and  station, 
and  now  handles  gasoline,  oils  and  soft  drinks. 


Joseph  Kohl,  a  well  known  agriculturist  and  dairyman,  living  at 
Mokena,  111.,  was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  Feb.  9,  1874. 
He  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Marie  (Wieland)  Kohl. 

Andrew  Kohl  was  born  in  Austria.  He  came  to  Mokena  in  1858  and 
followed  farming.  Throughout  his  life  he  was  one  of  the  prominent 
men  of  the  county.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Switzerland.  They  both 
died  in  1875  and  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena.  Joseph 
Kohl  was  their  only  child. 

Joseph  Kohl  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  one  year.  At  the  death 
of  his  parents  he  was  adopted  by  his  father's  brother  and  sister,  Joseph 
and  Mary  Kohl.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  the  township  and 
remained  on  his  uncle's  farm  until  he  was  married,  when  he  purchased 
a  farm  of  240  acres.  Mr.  Kohl,  who  specializes  in  dairying,  has  a  herd 
of  30  cattle.  He  also  does  general  farming  and  now  has  a  man  in  charge 
of  his  farm  and  dairy. 

Mr.  Kohl  was  married  in  1902  to  Miss  Marie  Keuch,  a  daughter  of 
Conrad  and  Marie  (Gunderman)  Keuch,  natives  of  Hessen,  Germany. 
They  were  married  in  Orland,  111.,  where  Mr.  Keuch  was  engaged  in 
farming.  They  are  both  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kohl  have  a  son, 
Richard,  born  Dec.  2,  1910,  who  is  connected  with  the  Philadelphia  In- 
surance Company,  of  Chicago,  111.,  resides  at  home. 

Mr.  Kohl  is  a  Republican.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  school  director 
for  ten  years ;  was  elected  township  assessor  in  1914,  and  reelected  in 


JOSEPH  KOHL 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  825 

1916,  1918,  1920,  1922,  1924,  1926  and  1928.  His  fraternal  affiliations 
are  with  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A. 
M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T. 
No.  4;  Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  and  Farm  Bureau  Association. 
The  family  are  members  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church. 


James  Healy  Alexander,  deceased,  was  a  representative  citizen  of 
DuPage  Township,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  prominent  pioneer  fami- 
lies of  Will  County.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  DuPage  Township,  Feb. 
27,  1846,  the  son  of  James  Lewis  and  Betty  (Healy)  Alexander. 

James  Lewis  Alexander  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  his  wife 
was  born  in  New  York.  After  their  marriage  they  came  to  Will  County 
in  1836  and  settled  at  Lockport,  where  Mr.  Alexander  was  employed  on 
the  old  Illinois-Michigan  Canal.  He  later  became  a  farmer  and  was  the 
owner  of  a  tract  of  500  acres  in  DuPage  and  Lockport  townships.  He 
specialized  in  dairy  farming  and  became  one  of  the  successful  dairymen 
of  this  section.  He  donated  land  for  the  Alexander  Cemetery  in  DuPage 
Township,  which  is  now  known  as  the  Williams  Cemetery.  The  entire 
homestead  has  remained  as  property  of  the  Alexander  family  and  is  one 
of  the  interesting  landmarks  of  the  county. 

James  Healy  Alexander  grew  up  in  Will  County  and  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.  Early  in  life  he  became  interested  in 
the  breeding  of  pure  bred  dairy  stock  and  ranked  among  the  leading 
dairymen.  He  was  highly  esteemed  in  the  community.  He  was  elected 
to  the  State  legislature  in  1910,  and  had  just  been  reelected  to  that 
office  for  a  second  term  when  he  died,  Dec.  13,  1913.  He  is  buried  in  the 
Alexander  Cemetery. 

Mr.  Alexander  was  married  on  Sept.  11,  1873,  to  Miss  Laura  Hay- 
wood, of  Lockport  Township,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Akin)  Haywood,  the  former  a  native  of  Maine  and  the  latter  of  New 
York.  The  Haywood  family  also  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Will  County 
and  lived  in  Lockport  Township,  where  Mr.  Haywood  purchased  240 
acres  of  land  from  the  government  at  six  dollars  per  acre.  Mrs.  Alexan- 
der was  educated  in  the  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  attended  Cook 
County  Normal  School.  She  was  connected  with  the  schools  of  Lockport 
Township  and  Wilton  Center  for  five  years  before  her  marriage.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Alexander  were  born  three  children:  Healy  H.,  mention  of 
whom  is  made  below;  Hayes,  born  Oct.  2,  1876,  died  at  the  age  of  16 


826  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

years;  and  Laura  Elizabeth,  born  July  3,  1880.  She  married  Herbert 
M.  Johnson,  who  is  general  manager  of  the  Civic  Opera  Company.  They 
live  in  Chicago. 

Healy  H.  Alexander  was  born  in  Lockport  Township,  June  15,  1874. 
He  is  a  leading  farmer  and  stockman  of  that  township  and  is  the  owner 
of  375  acres  of  good  farm  land.  He  was  married  on  June  2,  1903,  to 
Miss  Helen  M.  Baker,  of  Manhattan  Township,  the  daughter  of  John  C. 
and  Elizabeth  (Hopson)  Baker.  Mr.  Baker,  one  of  the  largest  land 
owners  of  Lockport  and  Manhattan  Townships,  died  in  1919.  He  was 
the  son  of  Clark  Baker,  who  settled  at  Manhattan  in  1852  and  died  in 
1893.  Elizabeth  (Hopson)  Baker  was  born  in  Vermont.  She  died  in 
1888  at  the  age  of  42  years.  There  were  four  children  in  the  Baker 
family :  Helen  M.  Alexander ;  George,  died  in  infancy ;  Guy,  died  at  the 
age  of  ten  years ;  and  John  C,  lives  at  Lake  Bluff,  111.  To  Healy  H.  and 
Helen  M.  (Baker)  Alexander  have  been  born  eight  children,  as  follows: 
Mary,  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1927,  now  a 
student  at  the  Barnes  Hospital  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  she  is  interested 
in  becoming  a  dietitian;  Elizabeth,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois; 
James,  was  graduated  from  Lockport  High  School  in  1928;  John,  Mar- 
garet, Caroline,  Hayes,  and  Ruth,  all  at  home. 

James  Healy  Alexander  was  always  a  Republican.  He  served  as 
school  director  and  was  well  known  in  the  community.  He  was  a 
director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lockport. 


Raymond  Samuel  Brown,  M.  D. — A  highly  qualified  specialist  in  dis- 
eases of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat,  is  Dr.  Raymond  Samuel  Brown, 
who  is  practicing  his  profession  at  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Morris,  111., 
Feb.  12,  1879,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Myra  (Tabler)  Brown. 

Samuel  Brown  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.  In  1863  he  located  in 
Morris,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stockraising.  He  now 
resides  at  Atlantic,  Iowa,  where  he  is  an  extensive  grain  fanner  and 
stockman.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Mrs.  Brown,  who  was  born  in  Minooka,  111.,  died  in  October,  1892,  and  is 
buried  at  Morris,  111.  There  were  three  children  in  the  Brown  family: 
Raymond  Samuel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Paul  T.,  farmer  and  stock- 
man, Morris,  111. ;  and  Beulah,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years. 

Raymond  Samuel  Brown  attended  the  public  schools  and  graduated 
from  Lake  View  High  School,  Chicago,  and  in  1905  received  his  M.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  827 

degree  from  the  University  of  Chicago.  From  1907  to  1917  he  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Winnepeg,  Manitoba,  coming  to  Joliet  in  1917, 
where  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  In  1916  at  a  meeting  of 
the  American  College  of  Surgeons  in  Philadelphia  he  was  made  a  Fel- 
low of  the  American  College  of  Surgeons.  Dr.  Brown  is  a  member  of 
the  staff  of  Silver  Cross  and  St.  Joseph's  hospitals,  Joliet. 

In  June,  1907,  Dr.  Brown  was  married  to  Miss  Mabel  Collins,  who 
was  born  in  Morris,  111.,  in  August,  1886,  and  they  had  three  children: 
Raymond  Brown,  Jr.,  died  at  the  age  of  seven;  Helen  Mary,  born  in 
June,  1913,  at  Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  a  student;  and  Richard  Douglass, 
born  in  Joliet,  in  September,  1922.  The  family  residence  is  at  719 
Oneida  Street. 

Dr.  Brown  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Minooka  Blue  Lodge, 
and  Morris  (111.)  Chapters.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


Nunzio  Di  Lorenzo. — Among  the  successful  business  men  of  Joliet, 
Mr.  Di  Lorenzo  has  made  his  own  way  amidst  competition,  and  has  made 
a  success  through  persistent  industry,  courteous  and  just  dealing  and  a 
capacity  for  commercial  development.  He  was  born  in  Villettabarrea 
City,  Italy,  Feb.  16,  1875,  a  son  of  Louis  and  Maria  (Di  Ianni)  Di 
Lorenzo. 

Louis  Di  Lorenzo  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Italy  where  they 
resided  all  their  lives.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  family,  only  two 
of  whom  are  now  living:  Nunzio,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Luclo, 
who  lives  in  Chicago. 

Nunzio  Di  Lorenzo  came  to  the  United  States  in  1890  and  located  in 
Joliet.  He  was  a  guard  at  the  Joliet  penitentiary  for  three  and  one-half 
years.  In  1904  he  opened  a  private  bank  in  Joliet.  On  Sept.  14,  1918, 
he  was  appointed  agent  for  the  Bank  of  Naples,  one  of  the  oldest  bank- 
ing institutions  in  the  world,  being  established  in  1539.  Mr.  Di  Lorenzo 
also  represents  all  steamship  lines  in  connection  with  his  private  bank. 
Mr.  Di  Lorenzo  also  has  the  agency  for  fire  insurance.  In  connection 
with  the  banking  and  insurance  he  handles  periodicals  of  all  kinds, 
tobacco  and  candies.  Previous  to  his  entrance  into  the  banking  field, 
Mr.  Di  Lorenzo  was  foreman  in  the  Illinois  Steel  Mills. 

On  Feb.  6,  1899,  Mr.  Di  Lorenzo  was  married  to  Miss  Benedetta  Di 
Desiderio,  who  was  born  in  Italy,  April  17,  1875.  To  this  union  five 
children  were  born:     1.   Mary,  born  May  31,  1900,  married  Sylvester 


828  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Cirricione,  and  they  have  a  son  and  daughter,  John,  born  April  24, 
1926;  and  Anna  Marie,  born  April  24,  1928.  Mr.  Cirricione  is  a  mer- 
chant in  Joliet.  2.  Charles,  born  June  20,  1903,  owner  of  a  gas  station, 
married  Mary  Di  Julio,  and  they  have  a  daughter  Violet,  born  Dec.  7, 
1927.  3.  Emil,  born  Dec.  23,  1910,  a  student  in  Joliet  Junior  College, 
lives  at  home.  4.  Elizabeth,  born  Jan.  3,  1912,  private  secretary  for 
her  father.    5.  Anna,  born  Nov.  20,  1913,  a  student  in  high  school. 

Mr.  Di  Lorenzo  has  made  one  trip  back  to  his  native  land  since 
coming  to  the  United  States.  He  became  an  American  citizen  in  1898. 
He  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  civic  affairs  and  served  for  six 
years  on  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Joliet,  and  since  1921  has  been  a 
state  deputy  fire  marshall.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Western  Catholic  Union,  Woodmen  of  America,  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  and 
the  Sons  of  Italy.  The  family  are  members  of  St.  Anthony's  Catholic 
Church.     Politically  Mr.  Di  Lorenzo  is  a  Republican. 


John  W.  Patterson,  leading  farmer  and  stockman  of  Wheatland 
Township,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County.  He 
was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  Nov.  16,  1869,  the  son  of 
Daniel  and  Jane  (Wiliamson)  Patterson. 

Mungo  Patterson,  an  uncle  of  John  W.  Patterson  was  the  first  mem- 
ber of  the  Patterson  family  to  settle  in  Wheatland  Township,  having 
come  here  from  New  York.  He  was  born  in  Dumfrieshire,  Scotland,  Sept. 
22,  1814,  the  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Hall)  Patterson,  natives  of  Scotland. 
Mungo  was  the  oldest  son.  His  brothers,  James  and  Daniel,  also  settled  in 
Wheatland  Township,  in  1841,  where  they  purchased  land  at  $1.25  per 
acre.  Mungo  Patterson  was  married  in  1842  to  Miss  Agnes  Clow  of 
Scotland,  the  daughter  of  Robert  Clow,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Wheatland  Township.  Mungo  Patterson  had  six  children,  as  follows: 
John,  a  Civil  War  veteran,  deceased;  Robert,  who  died  in  1900;  Sarah 
died  in  May,  1907,  was  the  wife  of  Robert  Wrightman;  Adam,  born 
Oct.  30,  1854,  lives  retired  in  Naperville,  111.;  William,  born  Nov.  20, 
1847,  died  June,  1928 ;  and  Agnes,  died  in  1899,  was  the  wife  of  Homer 
B.  Grommon.  Mungo  Patterson  died  July  16,  1906,  and  is  buried  in 
Wheatland  Cemetery.    His  wife  died  in  1890. 

Daniel  Patterson,  brother  of  Mungo  Patterson,  and  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Scotland,  Oct.  8,  1829,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  at  the  age  of  20  years  and  settled  in  Wheatland  Town- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  829 

ship.  He  was  married  Oct.  13,  1859,  to  Jane  Williamson,  who  was  born 
in  Scotland,  Jan.  31,  1839.  Mr.  Patterson  purchased  a  tract  of  80  acres 
in  Section  9,  Wheatland  Township,  an  acre  of  which  was  dedicated  as 
property  of  the  Salem  Evangelical  Church,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire 
Nov.  23,  1927,  and  rebuilt  in  1928.  Mr.  Patterson  was  a  Republican  and 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  one  of  the  most  pros- 
perous and  best  liked  men  in  Wheatland  Township  and  was  familiarly 
known  as  "Uncle  Dan."  He  died  Jan.  30,  1909,  and  his  wife  died  May 
10,  1920.  Both  are  buried  in  Wheatland  Township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Patterson  were  born  ten  children,  as  follows:  Margaret  Johnson,  born 
Sept.  30,  1860,  died  June  8,  1864;  Jane  Hall,  born  Nov.  2,  1861,  died 
June  20,  1864;  William  Dodge,  born  Oct.  6,  1863,  mention  of  whom  is 
made  below;  Robert  James,  born  July  17,  1869,  married  Miss  Sarah 
Elizabeth  Slick,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township;  Margaret  Jane,  born 
April  23,  1867,  married  George  Schmidt,  lives  at  Stanley,  Wis.;  John 
Williamson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  Dec.  2, 
1871,  married  William  Henry  Perry,  lives  at  Joliet;  Frank  Madison,  born 
March  28,  1876,  married  Emma  Lapp,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township; 
Laura  Lavina,  born  Dec.  5,  1880,  died  Feb.  4,  1923 ;  and  Grace  Amelia, 
born  Jan.  13,  1879,  the  widow  of  John  Richard  Jones,  who  died  June  26, 
1924.    His  widow  lives  at  Plainfield. 

John  W.  Patterson  has  always  lived  on  the  same  farm  in  Wheatland 
Township.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  and  attended 
Noi'th  western  University  at  Evanston,  111.,  for  three  years.  He  owns 
and  operates  160  acres  of  land  in  Wheatland  Township,  and  also  oper- 
ates 108  acres  in  DuPage  Township,  owned  by  his  wife.  Mr.  Patter- 
son has  been  one  of  the  most  extensive  cattle  feeders  of  Will  County 
and  is  also  well  known  as  a  dairy  farmer.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Plainfield  State  Bank,  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company,  Young's  Nursery, 
and  the  Farm  Bureau  Supply  Company.  In  1928  he  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 

On  Aug.  5,  1903,  Mr.  Patterson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Nellie  Clow,  who  was  born  in  Wheatland  Township,  April  25,  1872,  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Stephens)  Clow,  natives  of  Scotland. 
Mrs.  Patterson  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Jennings 
Seminary,  Aurora,  111.  Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patter- 
son as  follows:  Thomas  Clow,  born  Aug.  4,  1904,  a  graduate  of  Naper- 
ville  High  School,  and  Michigan  Agricultural  College,  lives  at  home; 
Stewart  Williamson,  born  Nov.  16,  1906,  a  graduate  of  Naperville  High 
School;  Harry  Daniel,  born  Nov.  25,  1908,  a  graduate  of  Naperville 


830  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

High  School;  Isabel,  born  Jan.  3,  1911,  died  at  the  age  of  14  years; 
Helen,  twin  sister  of  Isabel ;  and  James  Bruce,  born  May  14,  1913.  Helen 
and  James  Bruce  are  students  in  the  Naperville  High  School. 

Mr.  Patterson  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  has  held  the  office 
of  town  clerk  continuously  since  April,  1903,  and  is  also  clerk  of  the 
school  board.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  DuPage  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder. 


William  Dodge  Patterson  was  born  in  Wheatland  Township,  Oct.  6, 
1863.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  for  two  years  taught 
school  in  DuPage  Township.  He  was  associated  with  his  father's  farm- 
ing interests  until  1890,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  his  present  farm 
of  120  acres.  He  is  prominently  identified  with  the  dairy  interests  of 
Will  County,  and  is  well  known  as  a  stockman. 

Mr.  Patterson  married  Miss  Cora  Slick,  who  was  born  in  Wheatland 
Township,  Jan.  16,  1871,  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Susan  (Minnich) 
Slick.  Mr.  Slick  was  born  in  Wheatland  Township,  Oct.  18,  1846,  and 
died  May  24,  1919.  His  wife  was  bom  at  Erie,  Pa.,  Feb.  18,  1846,  and 
lives  in  Wheatland  Township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson  six  children 
were  born:  1.  Ruth,  born  Nov.  27,  1891,  was  married  in  1908  to  Paul 
Hartman,  who  died  Dec.  6,  1916.  They  had  the  following  children: 
Richard,  Robert,  and  Ruth,  triplets,  born  Sept.  6,  1912.  Ruth  died  May 
11,  1917;  Lois  Marjorie,  born  March  20,  1909,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Town- 
ship High  School,  now  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Wheatland  Township  ; 
Grant,  born  April  17,  1914;  Frank  Dale,  born  Oct.  19,  1915;  and  Paul 
Thurman,  born  Jan.  2,  1917.  2.  Lloyd  Henry,  born  Aug.  11,  1895,  lives 
in  Wheatland  Township,  was  married  March  12,  1925,  to  Miss  Henrietta 
Jones,  of  Wilmington,  111.  3.  Ivan  Daniel,  born  July  1,  1901,  a  graduate 
of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  and  North  Central  College,  married  Miss 
Esther  Brunemeier,  of  Hubbard,  Iowa,  lives  at  Reading,  Pa.,  where  he 
is  a  professor  at  Schuykill  College.  4.  James  Russell,  born  June  9,  1903, 
a  graduate  of  Naperville  High  School,  and  North  Central  College,  a 
trained  nurse.  5.  Harold  Oliver,  born  Oct.  23,  1905,  a  graduate  of  Naper- 
ville High  School,  and  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  lives  at  home. 
6.  Margaret  Jane,  born  Nov.  18,  1906,  a  graduate  of  Naperville  High 
School.    She  is  a  graduate  nurse  at  the  Aurora  (111.)  City  Hospital. 

Mr.  Patterson  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Salem  Evan- 
gelical Church,  of  which  he  is  trustee.  He  has  served  as  school  trustee 
of  Wheatland  Township  for  many  years. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  831 

Peter  Shutts  is  a  substantial  and  honorable  practitioner  at  the  Will 
County  bar,  and  for  some  years  has  been  a  prominent  figure  in  public 
life.  In  the  field  of  his  profession  he  has  established  a  wide  reputation 
for  unflagging  earnestness  and  effective  work,  and  his  official  record 
has  always  been  one  absolutely  beyond  reproach.  Mr.  Shutts  was  born 
in  Ulster  County,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  7,  1849,  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
(Cole)  Shutts. 

John  Shutts  was  born  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  He  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Will  County,  coming  here  in  1855,  and  locating  on 
a  farm  in  Joliet  Township,  now  the  site  of  the  Joliet  Country  Club.  He 
was  the  owner  of  256  acres  of  land,  80  acres  of  which  were  raw  prairie. 
He  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  a  Democrat, 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  served  as  supervisor  of 
Will  County  for  several  years.  He  died  in  1898,  and  his  wife  died  in 
the  seventies.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  Shutts  family:  Cath- 
erine, married,  Thomas  Tait,  of  Will  County,  both  deceased;  Helen, 
Samuel,  John,  Cassius,  all  deceased;  Frank,  lives  in  Kansas;  and  Mary, 


Peter  Shutts  attended  the  rural  school,  which  is  now  the  wood 
shed  for  the  Babylon  school,  near  the  Country  Club.  He  read  law  with 
Judge  Randall  and  Royal  A.  Barber,  later  forming  a  partnership  with 
James  R.  Flanders.  In  1882  he  withdrew  from  the  partnership  and 
began  his  own  private  practice.  He  is  the  oldest  practicing  attorney  in 
this  section  and  still  active  in  the  law.  He  is  a  stanch  Democrat  and 
for  many  years  has  been  school  inspector. 

Peter  Shutts  married  Miss  Harriet  Bush,  born  in  Joliet,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Frank  and  Harriet  (Diverson)  Bush.  Mr.  Bush  was  born  in 
Joliet,  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  England.  Mr.  Bush  was  a  pioneer 
merchant  of  this  city.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shutts  the  following  children 
were  born:  Gladys,  at  home;  Marjorie,  married  Alfred  J.  Gunderson, 
with  the  Sherwin-Williams  Paint  Company,  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Irving, 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  practice  of  law ;  Glenn,  in  the  electrical 
business,  Chicago.  He  enlisted  in  the  World  War  from  Will  County, 
and  was  stationed  at  the  Great  Lakes  Naval  Station.  He  was  18  years 
of  age  at  the  time  he  enlisted  in  1918  and  served  throughout  the 
remainder  of  the  war ;  and  Janet,  a  teacher,  lives  at  home. 

Irving  Shutts  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Joliet  and  was 
graduated  from  the  latter  in  1909.  He  then  entered  the  University  of 
Michigan  and  received  his  degree  of  L.  L.  B.  from  the  Law  Department 
in  1913,  and  was  admitted  to  the  County  Bar.    Since  that  time  he  has 


832  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

been  engaged  in  practice  at  Joliet,  with  offices  at  207  Will  County- 
National  Bank  Building. 

On  Aug.  26,  1926,  Mr.  Irving  Shutts  married  Miss  Mildred  C.  Barker, 
a  native  of  Newport,  R.  I.  They  have  a  son,  Eugene,  born  May  29, 
1917.    Mr.  Shutts  is  a  Republican. 


John  Stephen. — For  many  years  one  of  the  most  representative  and 
respected  citizens  of  Will  County,  111.,  was  the  late  John  Stephen.  He 
was  bora  in  the  Province  of  Alsace,  then  of  France,  but  later  belonging 
to  Germany,  on  July  18,  1839,  the  son  of  John  Stephen,  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Odelia  Haude,  were  likewise  natives  of  the 
province,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  They  lived  there  until 
1846,  then  emigrated  to  America,  leaving  on  a  sailing  vessel  from  Havre. 
They  proceeded  directly  to  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio,  but  lived  in  that 
state  only  six  months,  coming  thence  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Joliet 
Township,  Will  County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  a  number  of 
years.  They  later  removed  to  Joliet  where  the  last  seven  years  of  their 
life  were  spent.  There  were  five  children  born  to  them,  four  sons  and 
one  daughter,  of  which  John,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  third 
child.  John  Stephen,  Jr.,  was  a  child  of  seven  years  when  his  parents 
came  to  America,  and  he  had  a  dim  recollection  of  his  old  home  in 
France  and  of  the  scenes  and  incidents  attending  the  voyage  to  America. 
He  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  was  23  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
married  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Troy,  living  there  two  years,  thence 
returned  to  the  old  homestead  which  later  became  his  property. 

John  Stephen  was  married  on  Oct.  13,  1863,  to  Miss  Rachel,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Ignatz  and  Mary  (Walter)  Schall.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Stephen 
were  also  natives  of  Alsace  and  came  to  America  in  about  1847,  settling 
near  Rome,  N.  Y.,  later  coming  to  Will  County,  111.  They  lived  in  the 
town  of  Troy  for  several  years,  and  then  removed  to  Joliet,  where  they 
resided  until  their  death.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Stephen  was  the  youngest.  She  was  bora  June  28,  1845, 
and  was  therefore  less  than  two  years  of  age  when  her  parents  emi- 
grated to  America.  Mr.  Stephen  died  Sept.  23,  1916,  and  Mrs.  Stephen 
died  Oct.  10,  1913.    Both  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Stephen  was  a  very  successful  farmer  and  stockman  of  Joliet 
Township,  owning  330  acres  of  land  at  one  time,  and  later  250  acres,  all 
located  on  Troy  Road,  two  miles  west  of  the  city  of  Joliet.    He  served 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  833 

as  township  highway  commissioner  of  Joliet,  and  was  a  director  of  the 
Reed  School  Board  for  12  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member 
of  the  Catholic  Church. 

To  John  and  Rachel  (Schall)  Stephen  nine  children  were  born. 
1.  Clara,  married  Joseph  Nussbaum,  retired  farmer,  101  Comstock 
Street,  Joliet.  2.  Maiy  R.,  married  Joseph  Heintz,  lives  at  707  Western 
Avenue.  3.  John  E.,  farmer  and  stockman,  Kane  County.  4.  Frances 
M.,  married  A.  A.  Nussbaum,  connected  with  Joliet  Herald-News,  lives  at 
211  North  Hickory  Street.  5.  Josephine  A.,  married  John  J.  Wellnitz, 
attorney,  lives  at  915  Western  Avenue.  6.  Adeline  M.,  the  widow  of  P. 
A.  Murphy,  lives  at  905  Wilcox  Street.  Before  her  marriage  she  was  a 
teacher  in  the  Joliet  city  schools.  7.  Amelia  E.,  a  nun,  with  the  Sisters 
of  St.  Francis,  stationed  at  Mansfield,  Ohio.  8.  Lenora  S.,  a  nun,  also 
with  the  Sisters  of  St.  Francis,  Mansfield,  Ohio.  9.  Raymond  A.,  a  com- 
plete sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

The  habits  of  thrift  and  industry  to  which  John  Stephen  was  trained 
from  boyhood  followed  him  through  life,  and  in  his  latter  years  he  was 
supplied  with  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  He  had 
a  large  circle  of  friends  who  have  the  kindest  recollections  of  him. 


Raymond  A.  Stephen,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  J.  L.  Ferguson 
Company,  is  a  native  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Joliet  Township, 
July  18,  1886,  the  son  of  John  and  Rachel  (Schall)  Stephen. 

A  complete  sketch  of  John  Stephen  and  his  family  will  be  found  else- 
where in  this  history. 

Raymond  A.  Stephen  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Joliet 
and  also  graduated  from  Putland's  Business  College.  He  began  his 
business  life  doing  office  work  in  Joliet  and  Chicago,  and  from  1912  until 
1920  was  located  at  Hammond,  Ind.,  where  he  was  chief  clerk  with  the 
Northern  Indiana  Gas  and  Electric  Company.  In  1920  he  returned  to 
Joliet  and  became  identified  with  the  Commonwealth  Motor  Company  as 
cost  accountant,  and  in  1922  connected  with  the  J.  L.  Ferguson  Com- 
pany, as  secretary  and  treasurer. 

On  July  18,  1917,  Mr.  Stephen  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Jessie  M.  Birkey,  who  was  born  in  Joliet,  July  6,  1891.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Anna  (Pittman)  Birkey.  Mr.  Birkey  was  born 
in  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  and  is  a  veteran  well  driller  of  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Birkey  the  following  children  were  born :  William,  a  fireman,  Joliet, 


834  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

a  veteran  of  the  World  War;  Avis,  married  Leo  St.  Julien,  storekeeper, 
Illinois  Steel  Company,  Joliet;  Jessie  Stephen;  Gordon,  with  Barrett 
Hardware  Company,  Joliet,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War;  Ralph,  clerk 
of  the  E.  J.  &  E.  Railroad,  Joliet,  a  World  War  veteran,  served  overseas 
one  year;  Elmer,  salesman  for  A.  Leath  Furniture  Company;  Richard, 
clerk  at  E.  J.  &  E.  Railroad,  Joliet ;  Robert,  confectionery  business,  Joliet; 
Brownell,  a  student ;  Alice,  married  Thomas  Reilly,  teacher  Joliet  Town- 
ship High  School.  Mrs.  Stephen  before  her  marriage  was  for  four 
years  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Joliet  Township. 

Mr.  Stephen  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
The  Stephen  family  has  been  prominent  in  Will  County  for  years, 
where  the  name  stands  for  integrity,  for  uprightness  and  for  patriotic 
service. 


Henry  R.  Pohl,  who  for  more  than  half  a  century  has  been  associated 
with  the  Peoples  Loan  &  Homestead  Association,  has  been  an  important 
factor  in  the  growth  and  development  of  that  institution.  He  was  born 
in  Germany,  April  14,  1851,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Rosalia  (Haupt) 
Pohl. 

Henry  Pohl  emigrated  to  this  country  from  Germany  with  his  fam- 
ily in  1853  and  settled  in  Chicago.  The  following  year  he  removed  to 
Joliet,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He 
was  a  tanner  by  trade.  Mr.  Pohl  was  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. He  is  deceased.  His  wife  died  in  Chicago  in  1854.  Their  only 
child  was  Henry  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  boyhood  of  Henry  R.  Pohl  was  spent  in  Joliet,  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  served  as  assistant  county 
clerk  of  Will  County  for  one  and  one-half  years  and  then  became  deputy 
circuit  clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  14  years.  He  also  was 
circuit  clerk  for  eight  years.  In  1877  Mr.  Pohl  became  identified 
with  the  Peoples  Loan  &  Homestead  Association  and  since  that  date 
has  served  as  secretary  of  the  organization.  He  has  also  been  presi- 
dent of  the  Joliet  Title  &  Guarantee  Company. 

Mr.  Pohl  was  married  July  29,  1874,  to  Miss  Harriet  E.  Decker,  who 
was  born  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  May  5,  1850,  the  daughter  of  Melvin  Decker. 
Mr.  Decker  was  born  in  New  York  and  was  an  early  settler  of  Iowa, 
having  located  at  Maquoketa,  where  he  was  well  known  as  a  merchant 
and  an  interior  decorator.     He  and  his  wife  are  deceased.     They  had 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  835 

three  children:  Robert  M.,  deceased;  Harriet  E.  Pohl;  and  Ella  J.,  the 
widow  of  Louis  Anderson,  lives  at  Waterloo,  la.  Three  sons  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pohl:  Robert  H.,  born  May  9,  1875,  a  veteran  of  the 
Spanish  American  War,  died  Jan.  31,  1928,  buried  at  Hot  Springs, 
S.  D. ;  Frederick  W.,  born  in  May,  1880,  secretary  of  the  Peoples  Loan 
&  Homestead  Association,  Joliet;  and  John  M.,  born  Nov.  30,  1881, 
lives  at  Joliet. 

Mr.  Pohl  has  always  been  a  Republican.     He  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Joliet. 


E.  J.  Perry,  of  Joliet,  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  city's  successful 
industrial  executives.  He  is  superintendent  of  the  American  Can  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Perry  was  born  in  Canada,  Jan.  28,  1892,  the  son  of  Henry  L. 
and  Susan  (Droulliard)  Perry. 

Henry  L.  Perry  spent  his  early  life  in  Canada,  and  in  1898  removed 
to  Michigan  with  his  family.  He  is  a  stationary  engineer  and  still 
resides  in  Detroit.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perry  the  following  children  were 
born:  Fanny,  married  W.  C.  Churchill,  superintendent  of  the  Edsel 
Ford  estate  at  Milford,  Mich.;  Alice,  married  Frank  Schultz,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Eagle  Plant  of  the  Ford  Motor  Company,  Detroit ;  Albert, 
lives  in  Canada,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War ;  Arson,  property  superin- 
tendent for  the  Buick  Motor  Company,  Flint,  Mich. ;  E.  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  Edna,  married  J.  C.  Bradford,  photographer,  Detroit, 
Mich. ;  Eva,  married  A.  J.  Stuart,  foreman,  Detroit  Twist  Drill  Company, 
Detroit;  Ernest,  employed  in  the  public  works  department,  Detroit; 
Rose,  supervisor  of  the  Detroit  Bell  Telephone  Company,  lives  at  home ; 
and  Leo,  connected  with  the  Detroit  Checker  Cab  Company,  Detroit. 

The  education  of  E.  J.  Perry  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of 
Detroit  and  the  Catholic  High  School  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1908.  Three  years  later  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  American  Can 
Company  in  Detroit  as  a  storage  clerk.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1914  and 
served  as  department  foreman  for  four  years,  as  assistant  superintend- 
ent for  four  years,  and  in  1923  was  promoted  to  superintendent  of  the 
local  plant. 

On  Oct.  23,  1917,  Mr.  Perry  married  Miss  Helen  C.  Prange,  who  was 
born  at  Joliet,  July  29,  1895,  the  daughter  of  Albert  and  Rose  (Schmidt) 
Prange,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prange,  now  residents  of 
Joliet,   have  four  children:   Frank,   lives  at  Joliet;  Martha,   married 


836  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Charles  Fletcher,  lives  at  Phoenix,  Ariz.;  August,  lives  at  Joliet;  and 
Helen  C.  Perry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perry  have  two  children:  E.  J.,  Jr.,  born 
July  6,  1919 ;  and  Doris,  born  Feb.  15,  1922. 

Mr.  Perry  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 


John  Devine,  a  doctor  of  dental  surgery,  who  is  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  at 
Streator,  Aug.  20,  1904,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  (James)  Devine. 

Charles  Devine,  who  now  lives  retired  at  Streator,  was  for  many 
years  a  leading  merchant  of  that  city.  His  wife,  was  born  in  Coal  City, 
111.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  John,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Charles,  a  banker,  Oconto,  Neb.;  Thaddeus  and  Edward,  stu- 
dents; Martha,  deceased.  Mr.  Devine  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church  and  belongs  to  the  Eagles. 

John  Devine  attended  the  public  schools  and  prepared  for  his  pro- 
fession in  Creighton  University,  graduating  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Dental  Surgery  in  1926.  In  the  same  year  he  returned  to  Joliet  and 
has  built  up  a  good  practice.  His  offices  are  located  at  406  the  Rialto 
Building. 

During  the  World  War  Dr.  Divine  attended  the  military  training 
school  at  Creighton  University  and  received  a  commission  as  first  lieu- 
tenant. He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  one  of  the  popular 
young  men  of  Joliet.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Dental 
Association. 


L.  M.  Struzynski,  M.  D.,  is  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  Joliet,  with 
offices  at  704  North  Chicago  Street.  He  was  born  in  Warsaw,  Poland, 
a  son  of  Dr.  Leonard  Joseph  and  Josephine  (Czajkowski)  Struzynski. 

The  Struzynski  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  early 
days,  locating  first  in  Pennsylvania,  and  then  going  to  Illinois,  and 
locating  at  Joliet,  where  Dr.  Leonard  J.  Struzynski  was  a  pioneer  phy- 
sician. He  also  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  died  in  1909 
and  his  wife  died  in  1903.  They  are  buried  in  Holy  Cross  Cemetery, 
Joliet.  There  were  six  children  in  the  Struzynski  family,  L.  M.,  being 
the  fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

Dr.  Struzynski  was  educated  in  his  native  land.  After  a  medical 
course  in  Northwestern  University,  he  graduated  with  the  class  of  1904, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  837 

and  received  his  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  He  established  his  office 
at  Joliet,  that  year,  and  has  continued  there  to  the  present  time.  He 
served  as  Health  Commissioner  of  Rockdale  for  two  terms,  and  was  pen- 
sion examiner  for  13  years.  He  is  on  the  medical  staff  of  the  Joliet 
hospitals,  and  has  a  large  practice. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  American,  State  and  County  Medical  asso- 
ciations. 

In  1911  Dr.  Struzynski  was  married  to  Lillian  Lohman,  a  native 
of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. 


W.  W.  Ducett,  of  the  firm  of  Kaiser  &  Ducett,  general  building  con- 
tractors, ranks  high  among  the  most  successful  business  men  of  Joliet. 
He  was  born  at  Chippewa  Falls,  Wis.,  May  22,  1884,  the  son  of  George 
and  Lucy  (Doyle)  Ducett. 

George  Ducett  came  to  the  United  States  from  Canada  in  early  life 
and  settled  at  Chippewa  Falls,  Wis.  He  removed  to  Chicago  in  1893, 
where  he  became  successful  as  a  building  contractor.  He  is  still  inter- 
ested in  the  business  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Ducett  is  a  Democrat  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ducett  the  following 
children  were  born:  W.  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  May,  the  widow 
of  William  Bassett,  lives  at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.;  Alice,  the  widow  of 
James  Weatherall,  lives  in  Chicago;  Ernest,  lives  at  Harvey,  111.; 
Edward  J.,  real  estate  broker,  lives  in  Chicago;  Gustave  A.,  a  World 
War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  U.  S.  Marines,  was  disabled  while 
in  service,  he  now  resides  in  Swan  Lake,  Mont.;  Jeanette,  married 
Edward  McClain,  lives  in  Chicago;  Lee,  electrical  engineer,  lives  in 
Chicago,  World  War  veteran,  having  served  in  France  and  Russia  with 
the  127th  Division,  Regular  Army;  and  Clarence,  mortician,  lives  in 
Chicago,  World  War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  U.  S.  Navy.  He 
enlisted  in  the  service  the  day  on  which  the  war  was  declared  and  made 
18  complete  trips  to  France. 

W.  W.  Ducett  attended  the  public  schools  of  Harvey,  111.,  and  when 
a  boy  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  was  serving  as  superintendent 
of  construction  for  a  large  building  firm  when  25  years  of  age,  and  in 
1923,  engaged  in  the  general  contracting  business  for  himself  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Kaiser  &  Ducett.  They  specialize  in  the  construction 
of  theatres  and  bank  buildings,  and  have  contracts  throughout  the 
United  States.    During  the  World  War  Mr.  Ducett  was  connected  with 


838  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

United  States  Government  ship  building,  and  served  as  a  division  super- 
intendent at  the  Hog  Island  shipyards  in  Philadelphia. 

On  Sept.  5,  1905,  Mr.  Ducett  married  Miss  Julia  E.  Goddard,  of 
Creston,  Iowa.  She  was  born  in  1884,  the  daughter  of  George  and 
Minerva  (Thorn)  Goddard,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Goddard  was  bom  at 
Galesburg,  111.,  and  was  an  early  settler  of  Creston,  Iowa.  He  was  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goddard  have  the  following 
children:  William,  building  contractor,  lives  at  Cozad,  Neb.;  Martha, 
married  William  Cunningham,  building  contractor,  Creston,  Iowa; 
George,  farmer,  veteran  of  the  Spanish  American  war,  lives  at  Creston, 
Iowa : ;  Julia  E.  Ducett ;  Vant,  farmer,  veteran  Spanish  American  War, 
lives  in  Wyoming;  and  Eva,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Lacey, 
who  lives  at  Creston,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  W.  Ducett  a  daughter 
was  born,  Jeanette  Eleanor.  She  was  born  at  Clay  Center,  Kan.,  Aug. 
18,  1913,  and  died  April  18,  1914. 

Mr.  Ducett  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Elks  Lodge,  Joliet  Country  Club, 
and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Norman  Macdonald,  who  is  secretary  of  Kaiser  &  Ducett,  general 
building  contractors,  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  city  of  Joliet,  where 
he  was  born  May  1,  1881.  He  is  the  son  of  Norman  and  Annie  (Bow- 
man) Macdonald. 

Norman  Macdonald  was  a  native  of  Scotland  and  an  early  settler  of 
Canada.  He  later  lived  in  Chicago  and  came  to  Joliet  in  1880,  where  he 
followed  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith.  He  died  in  December,  1895,  and  his 
wife,  a  native  of  Scotland,  died  Sept.  5,  1911.  Both  are  buried  at  Joliet. 
Mr.  Macdonald  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Central  Presby- 
terian Church.  There  were  three  children  in  the  Macdonald  family: 
Fannie,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years;  Norman,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  and  Anna,  married  W.  G.  Mateer,  lives  at  Joliet. 

Norman  Macdonald  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Joliet  and  attended  Denison  University.  He  began  his  business 
career  with  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  in  a  clerical  capacity,  and  later 
went  with  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad,  with  whom  he 
remained  as  chief  clerk  for  23  years.  Mr.  Macdonald  has  been  identified 
with  the  contracting  firm  of  Kaiser  &  Ducett  as  secretary  since  Decem- 
ber 15,  1924. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  839 

On  Oct.  5,  1913,  Mr.  Macdonald  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Josephine  LeRette,  who  was  born  at  Morris,  111.,  May  3,  1885,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (Zimmerman)  LeRette,  the  former  a  native 
of  Canada,  and  the  latter  of  New  York  City.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  LeRette 
are  residents  of  Joliet.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  LeRette  were  born  six 
children :  Stella,  married  H.  E.  Carpenter,  lives  at  Decatur,  111. ;  Fred- 
erick, died  in  infancy;  Catherine,  married  W.  H.  Hutchins,  lives  in 
Chicago ;  Henry,  jeweler,  lives  at  Morris,  111. ;  Margaret,  married  Fred 
McCartan,  lives  at  Elizabeth,  N.  J. ;  and  Josephine  Macdonald.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Macdonald  have  three  sons:  Norman,  Jr.,  born  June  15,  1916; 
John  Joseph,  born  April  26,  1919 ;  and  Robert  L.,  born  March  18,  1921. 

Politically  Mr.  Macdonald  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Central  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M. 
No.  42,  and  the  Elks  Lodge,  of  which  he  is  past  worshipful  master  and 
exalted  ruler  at  present. 


William  F.  Meyer. — One  of  the  representative  young  business  men  of 
Joliet  is  Mr.  Meyer,  who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank. 
He  was  born  in  this  city,  Oct.  20,  1898,  the  son  of  Herman  and  Colina 
(Kingston)  Meyer. 

Herman  Meyer  was  born  at  Bloomington,  111.,  and  in  1898  located  at 
Joliet,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  He 
has  continued  in  the  company's  service  to  the  present  time  and  is  a 
highly  respected  and  well  known  resident  of  the  city.  Mr.  Meyer  is  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  is  also  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meyer  have  three  sons: 
Lawrence  L.,  lives  at  Joliet;  William  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
George  F.,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois. 

The  boyhood  of  William  F.  Meyer  was  spent  in  Joliet  and  he  attended 
the  public  schools.  After  his  graduation  from  Joliet  Township  High 
School  in  1916  he  entered  Northwestern  University.  He  spent  two 
years  as  swimming  instructor  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  began 
his  banking  career  with  the  Woodruff  Trust  Company  late  in  1917.  Two 
years  later  he  went  with  the  First  National  Bank  as  secretary.  He  has 
been  assistant  cashier  of  the  institution  since  1926. 

Mr.  Meyer  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Lodge.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  the  civic  and  business  affairs  of  the  city. 


840  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Londus  Brannon,  M.  D. — Standing  high  among  the  professional  men 
of  Will  County,  Dr.  Londus  Brannon,  of  Joliet,  has  honorably  earned  the 
position  he  occupies  in  his  profession  and  community.  He  was  born  at 
Forest  Hill,  Ind.,  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Marker)  Brannon. 

John  Brannon  was  of  Irish  extraction,  his  parents  coming  to  the 
United  States  from  Ireland  in  the  early  days  and  locating  in  New  Jersey, 
where  John  was  born.  In  early  life  he  settled  near  Oxford,  Ohio,  where 
he  married  Sarah  Marker,  a  native  of  Ohio,  of  German  ancestry.  Soon 
after  their  marriage  they  came  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  Mr. 
Brannon  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  died  in  May,  1893, 
and  his  wife  died  in  1908.  They  are  both  buried  at  Greensburg,  Ind. 
There  were  six  children  in  the  Brannon  family:  Marion,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Laura,  the  widow  of  William  Garten,  lives  on  the  old  homestead 
in  Indiana;  Isophene,  married  John  Wright,  lives  in  Decatur  County, 
Ind.;  Weller,  a  farmer  and  stockman,  lives  on  the  old  homestead;  Dr. 
Londus,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  G.  H.,  a  physician  and  surgeon, 
of  Manhattan,  111. 

Preliminary  to  his  professional  training,  Londus  Brannon  received 
his  education  in  the  local  schools.  He  spent  one  year  at  the  University 
at  Hartsville,  Ind.,  and  at  the  age  of  18  he  commenced  teaching  school 
that  he  might  obtain  money  to  pursue  a  medical  course,  which  he  had 
already  enthusiastically  adopted.  He  studied  medicine  in  the  office  of 
Dr.  Wooden  at  Greensburg,  Ind.  Four  years  thereafter  he  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Manhattan,  111.,  where  he 
remained  until  he  decided  to  go  to  Chicago  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
a  thorough  clinical  training  which  is  of  incalculable  value  to  the  physi- 
cian and  surgeon,  the  experience  thus  acquired  being  equal  in  scope  and 
variety  to  that  which  the  average  practitioner  obtains  in  a  life  time. 
Dr.  Brannon  spent  18  months  attending  clinics  in  the  Chicago  Hospital, 
during  the  last  12  months  of  this  period  he  held  the  position  of  house 
surgeon  and  physician  in  the  post  graduate  hospital.  Thus  equipped 
professionally,  Dr.  Brannon  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  has  since  resided 
and  successfully  practiced.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Silver 
Cross  Hospital,  placing  that  institution  on  an  aseptic  and  antiseptic 
basis  and  holding  the  position  of  surgeon  in  chief  of  the  staff  of  regu- 
lars. He  was  also  a  lecturer  on  the  subject  of  surgery  before  the  tran- 
ing  school  for  nurses,  and  both  as  an  educator  and  an  operator  has 
earned  a  high  reputation.     Dr.  Brannon  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois 


C<^-Z>^_^^^^r    (^A^^^t^c^c^t^^-^f 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  841 

State,  the  Will  County,  and  the  Chicago  Medical  Societies,  as  well  as  the 
American  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Brannon  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Jones.  They  have  a 
daughter,  Edna  Louise  Brannon,  a  teacher  in  the  vocational  high  school 
physical  training  department.  The  family  home  is  at  313  Richards 
Street. 

In  1914  Dr.  Brannon  spent  three  months  in  Europe  studying  and 
was  out  of  Germany  just  four  days  when  war  was  declared. 


A.  D.  McDougall,  cashier  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  is  a  veteran 
of  the  World  War,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  earliest  families  of  Joliet. 
He  was  born  in  this  city,  Aug.  2,  1887,  a  son  of  Duncan  and  Isabel 
(Beattie)  McDougall. 

Duncan  McDougall  came  to  the  United  States  from  Canada  in  1868, 
and  settled  in  Joliet.  He  was  employed  by  the  Illinois  Steel  Company 
for  many  years  and  died  in  1912.  His  widow,  also  a  native  of  London, 
Canada,  resides  at  113  Grover  Street,  Joliet.  She  is  82  years  of  age. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDougall  were  born  five  children:  Martha,  married 
Elmer  Pierce,  lives  at  Joliet;  Isabel,  married  F.  S.  Allen,  lives  at  Los 
Angeles,  Calif.;  James,  teller,  Commercial  Trust  Company,  Joliet; 
Albert,  deceased;  and  A.  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  McDougall  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  Elks  Lodge.  He  has  a 
wide  acquaintance  in  this  city  where  he  has  spent  his  entire  life. 


Thomas  C.  Davis. — Among  the  prominent  business  men  who  have 
come  to  Joliet  within  recent  years  may  be  mentioned  Thomas  C.  Davis, 
who  is  secretary  of  the  Gerlach-Barklow  Company.  He  was  born  in 
England,  April  20,  1866,  the  son  of  James  and  Hannah  (Carus)  Davis. 

James  Davis,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  England.  He  lived  there 
throughout  his  life  and  was  employed  in  the  government  postal  service. 
He  died  in  1879,  and  his  wife  died  in  1895.  They  had  five  sons,  three 
of  whom  are  still  living,  as  follows:  Rev.  Canon  Davis,  Bradford 
Cathedral,  England;  Rev.  W.  H.  Davis,  vicar  Lower  Brixham,  Devon- 
shire, England;  and  Thomas  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  C.  Davis  grew  up  in  England  and  was  educated  there.  In 
1890  he  went  to  Winnipeg,  Canada,  where  he  spent  six  years  as  pro- 


842  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

fessional  accountant.  He  then  went  to  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  in  1908 
came  to  Joliet,  where  he  became  identified  with  the  Gerlach-Barklow 
Company,  and  has  been  secretary  since  1922. 

On  Nov.  3,  1885,  Mr.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Annie 
Russell,  who  was  born  in  Birmingham,  England.,  July  22,  1862.  They 
have  a  daughter,  Hetty  Gladys,  who  was  born  Oct.  1,  1888.  She  was 
married  April  27,  1918,  to  Lewis  M.  Body,  of  Chicago,  and  they  have  a 
daughter,  Peggy  Virginia,  born  in  1919. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  affiliated  with 
the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  is  past  president  of  the  Rotary  Club  of  Joliet. 


Frank  E.  Pennuto,  a  progressive  and  well  known  merchant  of  Joliet, 
who  is  in  the  hardware,  plumbing  and  sheet  metal  business,  at  811  Col- 
lins Street,  is  a  native  of  Italy.  He  was  born  there  Jan.  27,  1889,  a  son 
of  Charles  and  Rosa  (Gallo)  Pennuto. 

Charles  Pennuto  came  to  the  United  States  from  Italy  in  1892  and 
located  in  Joliet,  where  he  was  engaged  on  the  construction  of  the 
Jackson  Street  dam.  He  is  now  superintendent  of  his  son's  hardware 
business.  Mr.  Pennuto  was  among  the  first  four  Italian  men  who 
organized  the  North  Side  Italian  Political  Club  in  1901,  of  which  his 
son,  Frank  E.,  is  now  president.  The  family  home  is  at  300  Chase 
Street,  Joliet.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  Pennuto  family: 
1.  Sarah,  died  in  1927;  2.  James,  a  hardware  merchant,  Cass  Street, 
Joliet;  3.  Ralph,  owner  of  grocery  and  meat  market,  Chicago,  is  a 
veteran  of  the  World  War.  Previous  to  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  Army  at  Chicago,  and  was  stationed  at  Fort  Townsend, 
Seattle,  Wash.,  with  the  coast  artillery,  and  served  three  years. 
4.  Josephine,  resides  in  Italy.  5.  Frank  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
6.   Louise,  lives  in  Chicago,  111.   7.   Marie,  lives  at  home. 

Frank  E.  Pennuto  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  At  the  age 
of  16  he  left  school  and  was  employed  by  the  Illinois  Steel  Company 
for  four  years.  He  then  learned  the  barber  business  at  which  he 
worked  from  1905  until  1912.  Later,  on  account  of  his  health,  he  went 
to  Indianapolis  where  he  worked  in  the  machine  shops  of  the  Nordike 
Marmon  Company  until  April,  1913,  when  he  returned  to  Joliet  and 
engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  in  which  he  has  been  unusually 
successful,  and  has  one  of  the  best  equipped  stores  in  this  section  of  the 
State.     He  started  without  capital  but  owing  to  hard  work  and  fair 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  843 

dealings  with  the  public  he  has  a  splendid  trade  in  all  branches  of  his 
business. 

On  Aug.  16,  1911,  Mr.  Pennuto  was  married  to  Miss  Hilda  Dennison, 
who  was  born  June  25,  1892,  at  Mt.  Vernon,  Ind.  There  are  five  children 
in  the  Pennuto  family:  Eugene  W.,  born  Aug.  16,  1912,  a  student  in 
high  school;  Frank  R.,  Jr.,  born  Oct.  17,  1913,  a  high  school  student; 
Lawrence  B.,  bora  Nov.  16,  1916;  Marie  M.,  born  Jan.  12,  1918;  and 
Bernice  V.,  born  Dec.  8,  1921.    The  family  home  is  at  809  Collins  Street. 

Mr.  Pennuto  has  filled  the  office  on  the  county  board  as  supervisor 
of  Will  County  for  six  years.  His  fraternal  associations  are:  Mount 
Joliet  Lodge,  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  No.  2 ;  Joliet 
Commandery,  No.  4;  and  Knights  Templar.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  Ottawa  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


Robert  D.  McCoy  is  a  leading  citizen  of  Joliet,  and  prominent  busi- 
ness man,  where  he  is  president,  treasurer  and  general  manager  of  the 
Mid-West  Wall  Paper  Mills  Company.  He  was  born  in  New  Brunswick, 
N.  J.,  Nov.  25,  1884,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Smith)  McCoy. 

John  McCoy,  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  was  a  pioneer  wall 
paper  manufacturer.  He  went  to  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  when  a  young 
man  and  worked  for  Janway,  one  of  the  largest  wallpaper  mills.  He 
remained  in  New  Jersey  for  two  years,  returned  to  Philadelphia,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  wall  paper  industry  for  three  years.  In  1889  Mr. 
McCoy  located  at  York,  Pa.,  where  he  organized  one  of  the  largest  wall- 
paper mills  in  the  world,  having  conducted  this  business  for  33  years. 
He  died  in  1902,  and  is  buried  at  York,  Pa.  His  wife  was  born  in  Glas- 
gow, Scotland.  There  were  three  children  in  the  McCoy  family :  John  S., 
vice  president  and  sales  manager  of  the  United  Wall  Paper  Mills,  head- 
quarters, New  York  City;  Elizabeth,  married  Charles  Ewing,  stock 
broker,  lives  at  Scarsdale,  N.  Y. ;  and  Robert  D.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  John  McCoy  was  a  stanch  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Robert  D.  McCoy  attended  the  public  schools  and  was  graduated 
from  York  High  School,  and  from  York  (Pa.)  College  in  1902.  The 
same  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  York  Card  &  Paper  Company, 
at  York.  He  commenced  at  the  bottom  and  worked  his  way  through 
the  various  stages  of  paper  making  until  at  the  time  he  resigned  from 
the  company  he  was  holding  the  position  of  general  superintendent  and 


844  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

purchasing  agent,  in  1925.  He  then  came  to  Joliet,  111.,  and  organized 
the  Mid  West  Wall  Paper  Mills,  and  built  the  company's  plant,  which 
it  owns.  This  is  one  of  the  most  modern,  and  well  equipped  wall  paper 
plants  in  the  country,  and  since  its  organization  has  operated  50  weeks 
a  year,  besides  overtime  work  which  is  often  found  necessary  owing 
to  the  large  demands  for  its  product. 

Mr.  McCoy  was  married  in  June,  1910,  to  Miss  Kate  Williams,  who 
was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  in  1887.  They  had  three  children:  Mildred, 
born  at  York,  Pa.,  Nov.  2,  1911,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  High  School,  class 
of  1928;  Virginia,  born  at  York,  Nov.  20,  1913,  a  junior;  and  Janet, 
born  at  York,  Pa.,  died  at  the  age  of  six  months. 

Politically  Mr.  McCoy  is  a  Republican.  He  is  an  active  member  of 
the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge, 
32nd  degree,  Shrine,  Elks  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  has 
served  as  commissioner  of  the  Boy  Scouts,  and  is  chairman  of  the 
Troop  Committee  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church. 


James  Pennuto,  a  successful  hardware  merchant  of  Joliet,  was  born 
in  Italy,  in  1883,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Rosa  (Gallo)  Pennuto. 

Charles  Pennuto,  who  was  born  in  Italy,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1892,  and  located  at  Joliet,  and  is  one  of  the  few  remaining 
pioneer  Italian  families  of  this  city.  He  worked  on  the  construction  of 
the  Jackson  Street  dam,  and  is  now  superintendent  of  his  son  Frank  E. 
Pennuto's  hardware  business.  The  family  home  is  at  300  Chase  Ave- 
nue. There  were  seven  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pennuto,  as  fol- 
lows: 1.  Sarah,  died  in  1927,  is  buried  in  Italy.  2.  James,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  3.  Ralph,  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  meat  business  in 
Chicago.  He  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Regular  Army,  before  the 
World  War,  at  Chicago,  and  was  stationed  at  Fort  Townsend,  Seattle, 
Wash.,  where  he  was  with  the  Coast  Artillery.  4.  Josephine,  resides 
in  Italy.  5.  Frank  E.,  a  complete  sketch  of  whom  appears  in  this  his- 
tory.   6.    Louise,  lives  at  Chicago,  111.    7.    Marie,  at  home. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  James  Pennuto  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  where  he  remained  ten  years. 
For  the  past  15  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  general  hardware 
business,  and  has  been  located  at  his  present  address,  809  Cass  Street, 
since  July,  1922.  He  has  experienced  a  steady  growth  in  his  business 
and  has  a  well  established  trade. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  845 

In  1911  Mr.  Pennuto  was  married  to  Miss  Isabella  Puglino,  a  native 
of  Italy,  and  they  have  the  following  children:  Rosie,  attending  high 
school ;  Victoria,  Weitho,  Charles,  and  John. 

Mr.  Pennuto  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  his  family  are 
members  of  St.  Anthony's  Catholic  Church. 


E.  J.  Gustafson,  optometrist,  is  among  the  prominent  business  men 
of  Joliet  where  he  works  for  his  father  in  the  city's  pioneer  jewelry 
store.  E.  J.  Gustafson  was  born  in  Joliet,  Dec.  7,  1892,  the  son  of 
W.  A.  and  Beda  Charlotte  (Lindeneau)  Gustafson. 

W.  A.  Gustafson  came  to  the  United  States  from  Sweden,  where  he 
was  born,  in  1881,  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  associated  with 
the  jewelry  business  of  Matteson  &  Company.  He  was  later  with  Ben- 
jamin Allen,  wholesale  jeweler,  and  in  1885  came  to  Joliet,  where  he 
established  his  present  jewelry  business.  He  has  been  located  at  667 
Cass  Street  since  1901,  and  since  1907  his  son  has  been  asociated  with 
him.  Mr.  Gustafson  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gustafson  were 
born  11  children,  as  follows:  Linnea,  married  G.  R.  Kendall,  jeweler, 
lives  at  Memphis,  Tenn.;  Alfred,  jeweler,  lives  at  Memphis;  Vivian, 
married  A.  G.  Humphries,  florist,  lives  at  Mt.  Sterling,  Ky. ;  Victor, 
associated  with  his  father's  business  in  Joliet;  Carl,  jeweler,  lives  at 
Forest  City,  Ark.;  Lilly,  died  Oct.  6,  1908,  at  the  age  of  18  years; 
George  R.,  jeweler,  whose  business  is  located  at  323  Clinton  Street, 
Joliet;  Elmer  J.,  associated  in  business  with  his  father,  is  a  veteran  of 
the  World  War,  having  served  in  France  with  the  72nd  Artillery  Corps ; 
Ruby  E.,  lives  at  home;  Edna  M.,  high  school  teacher,  Homer,  111.;  and 
Violet,  at  home. 

E.  J.  Gustafson  was  educated  in  the  grammar  and  high  schools  of 
Joliet.  He  began  his  business  career  in  his  father's  store  as  a  watch- 
maker in  1907,  and  since  that  time  has  been  connected  with  the  business. 

On  Oct.  19,  1922,  Mr.  Gustafson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Myrtle  M.  Gustafson,  who  was  born  at  Joliet,  Sept.  14,  1901.  They  have 
a  son,  Edward  M.,  born  Dec.  4,  1923. 

Mr.  Gustafson  is  a  member  of  the  Bethlehem  Lutheran  Church.  He 
is  a  Republican. 

V.  G.  Gustafson,  G.  R.  Gustafson,  and  E.  J.  Gustafson  were  keenly 
interested  in  aviation  and  were  designers  and  builders  of  three  of  the 


846  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

first  airplanes  in  this  section  of  the  country.  They  are  also  designers 
of  the  tractor  biplane,  which  is  similar  in  construction  to  the  planes 
built  by  Louis  Brequet  in  France. 


Carl  H.  Peterson,  secretary  and  manager  of  the  Joliet  Calendar  Com- 
pany, is  a  representative  young  business  man  of  this  city.  He  was  born 
here,  March  24,  1896,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  0.  and  Anna  Dorothy 
(Blomdahl)  Peterson. 

Charles  0.  Peterson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  came  to  the  United  States 
when  21  years  of  age  and  located  in  Joliet,  where  he  conducted  a  dairy 
business  for  many  years.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the 
Bethlehem  Lutheran  Church,  in  which  he  taught  Sunday  School.  Mrs. 
Peterson  was  also  born  in  Sweden.  There  were  five  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson:  Carl  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Lillian, 
married  Anseln  V.  Lilyers,  with  Powers  Thompson  Construction  Com- 
pany, Joliet;  Ellen,  married  Elmer  Kramer,  connected  with  the  Will 
County  Welding  Company,  Joliet ;  Chester,  deceased ;  Siegf rid,  with  the 
Joliet  Calendar  Company,  married  to  Linnea  Nelson,  of  Joliet. 

Carl  H.  Peterson  was  a  member  of  the  1913  class  at  the  Joliet 
Township  High  School.  He  began  his  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  E.  J.  and  E.  Railroad,  remaining  there  four  years.  Later 
he  was  with  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railroad  doing  valuation  work 
in  the  auditor's  office  for  the  U.  S.  Government  one  year,  and  for  two 
years  thereafter  was  with  the  Standard  Oil  Company  in  Joliet  as  a 
bookkeeper.  In  1919  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Joliet  Calendar 
Company  as  a  bookkeeper;  in  1921  was  made  secretary  of  the  company, 
and  general  manager  in  1924.  The  company's  offices  are  located  at  905 
Benton  Street.  This  company  erected  in  1928  a  new  plant  on  Gardner 
Street,  this  city.    The  plant  and  equipment  cost  over  $100,000. 

On  July  16,  1927,  Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Rusha  Eileen  Farmer,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  later  a  resident  of 
Fayetteville,  Ark.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Arkansas,  and 
also  a  graduate  nurse,  having  trained  at  Mercy  Hospital,  Chicago,  111. 

Mr.  Peterson  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  committeeman  since 
1924.  He  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175; 
Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S.,  Ansar  Temple,  of  Springfield,  111.  He  also  belongs  to  the 
Shabbona  Club,  Shrine  Club  of  Joliet,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Bethlehem 
Lutheran  Church. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  847 

Henry  Anderson. — Through  his  lifelong  interest  in  photography,  and 
his  careful  and  painstaking  methods  of  business,  Mr.  Anderson's  studio 
is  known  for  artistic  arrangement  and  equipment,  and  his  system  for 
expertness  and  thoroughness.  His  studio  is  located  in  the  Young  Build- 
ing, Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Denmark,  June  30,  1869,  a  son  of  Christian 
and  Anna  (Pederson)  Anderson. 

Christian  Anderson  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Denmark  where 
Mr.  Anderson  was  a  farmer,  and  held  several  public  offices.  There 
were  three  children  in  the  Anderson  family:  Andrew,  a  civil  engineer, 
lives  in  Denmark;  Anna  Marie,  married  Christian  Thompson,  stockman, 
lives  in  Denmark;  and  Henry,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Henry  Anderson  attended  the  public  schools  in  his  native  land.  In 
1890  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Chicago.  He  learned 
the  photographer's  trade  and  in  1897  opened  a  studio  in  Piano.  The 
following  year  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  where  he  followed  the  same 
profession  at  Gillett.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Joliet  since  1904  where 
he  has  continued  in  business  until  the  present  time. 

On  Oct.  3,  1895,  Mr.  Anderson  married  Miss  Sena  Anderson,  who  was 
bora  in  Denmark,  June  14,  1876.  They  have  two  sons:  Elmer  H.,  born 
June  12,  1897,  photographer,  lives  in  Indiana;  and  Magnus  C,  born 
Aug.  10,  1898,  lives  in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Republican  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
lodge  in  its  various  branches. 


Walter  Voitik  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Joliet,  where  he  holds 
a  responsible  position  with  the  Public  Service  Company  of  Northern 
Illinois.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Feb.  26,  1897,  the  son  of  Leo  and 
Louise  (Kramer)  Voitik. 

Leo  Voitik  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Joliet,  where  he  has  been 
in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  37  years.  He  is  employed 
in  the  machine  shops.  Mr.  Voitik  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
The  following  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Voitik:  Louise, 
married  Edward  DeGrace,  lives  in  Chicago;  Walter,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Leo,  Jr.,  Ray,  Harold,  Clarence,  Helen,  Joseph,  George, 
Margaret,  Mildred,  and  Gertrude,  all  at  home. 

Walter  Voitik  attended  the  parochial  schools  of  Joliet  and  in  early 
life  entered  the  employ  of  the  American  Can  Company,  resigning  his 
position  with  that  company  as  assistant  chief  clerk  after  seven  years. 


848  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

He  then  went  with  the  American  Refractory  Company  for  two  years, 
and  in  May,  1921,  entered  the  service  of  the  Public  Service  Company 
of  Northern  Illinois  as  a  wireman's  helper.  He  was  in  the  accounting 
department  for  about  four  years  and  for  one  and  one-half  years  as 
traveling  auditor  for  the  company,  and  in  January,  1927,  was  promoted 
to  chief  clerk. 

Mr.  Voitik  was  married  Feb.  20,  1919,  to  Miss  Kathryn  Keers,  who 
was  born  at  Braidwood,  III,  Feb.  29,  1896.  They  have  two  children: 
Walter,  Jr.,  born  March  13,  1925 ;  and  Kathryn,  born  Nov.  9,  1926. 

Mr.  Voitik  is  a  Republican  and  a  devout  member  of  St.  Raymond's 
Catholic  Church. 


J.  Lee  Ferguson,  president  of  the  J.  L.  Ferguson  Company,  of  Joliet, 
is  well  known  and  esteemed  as  a  public  spirited  and  useful  member  of 
the  community,  as  well  as  a  genial  and  likeable  citizen.  He  was  born 
in  this  city,  June  30,  1884,  a  son  of  John  J.  and  Mary  (Eaton)  Ferguson. 

John  J.  Ferguson  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  (McClintock)  Fergu- 
son, natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  removed  to  Will  County,  Illinois,  in 
the  early  days  where  Robert  Ferguson  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising  and  was  well  known  throughout  this  section.  He  and  his  wife 
are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Plainfield,  111. 

John  J.  Ferguson  was  born  in  Plainfield  Township,  Will  County.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  learned  the  trade  of  millwright. 
He  worked  in  Joliet,  Kansas,  and  later  in  Chicago.  He  is  now  living 
retired  in  Chicago,  111.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  His  wife  was  born  near  Hamilton,  Ontario.  To  their 
marriage  seven  children  were  born:  Joseph  R.,  Chicago;  May  I.,  de- 
ceased, married  E.  J.  Abell;  Maud  L.,  married  G.  D.  McKensie,  lives  at 
Joliet;  Elmer  J.,  Chicago;  J.  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  W.  B.,  a 
veteran  of  the  World  War,  lives  at  St.  Petersburg,  Fla. ;  and  Helen, 
married  E.  A.  Buford,  Chicago. 

J.  Lee  Ferguson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  He  worked  as 
driver  and  clerk  for  the  Werden  Buck  Grocery  Company,  and  afterward 
learned  the  carpenter  trade  from  his  father.  In  1901  he  worked  at  the 
millwright  trade,  in  which  he  was  occupied  for  a  year.  In  1902  Mr. 
Ferguson  entered  the  employ  of  the  American  Cereal  Company,  now 
known  as  the  Quaker  Oats  Company,  as  a  draftsman.  He  remained 
with  this  concern  until  1921  and  resigned  as  chief  engineer,  to  engage 
in  business  for  himself.     On  March  1,  1923,  the  J.  L.  Ferguson  Com- 


J.    LEE    FEROUSOX 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  849 

pany  was  incorporated,  occupying  leased  quarters,  which  they  purchased 
in  February,  1924.  The  firm  manufactures  automatic  machines,  ma- 
chines for  weighing  and  measuring  free  flowing  products  into  packages, 
and  closing  devices  for  packages.  J.  Lee  Ferguson  is  president,  and 
R.  A.  Stephen,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

In  1908  Mr.  Ferguson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lily  Wein- 
brod,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Louise  Weinbrod,  natives  of  Germany, 
and  later  residents  of  Grand  Crossing,  111.  Mr.  Weinbrod,  who  was  a 
machinist  by  trade,  now  lives  retired  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Weinbrod  is 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferguson  have  five  children:  John  D.,  Robert 
Charles,  Willow  Jean,  all  students;  Donald  Oscar;  and  Jack  Leeland, 
deceased. 

Mr.  Ferguson  is  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
Joliet  Country  Club,  Caledonian  Club,  Rivals  Club,  the  Medina  Athletic 
Club,  Joliet  Shrine  Club.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  Akron  Lodge, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  83 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  27 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  and 
S.  M.  M. ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Oriental  Commandery,  thirty- 
second  degree;  Medina  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.;  and  B.  P.  0.  Elks 
No.  296.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Joliet  Finance  and  Thrift  Company,  and 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


L.  C.  Stephens,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Will  County,  and  of 
Joliet,  is  district  manager  of  the  Public  Service  Company  of  Northern 
Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Galesburg,  111.,  Sept.  8,  1881,  and  is  a  son  of 
L.  D.  and  Mary  (Cast)  Stephens. 

L.  D.  Stephens,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Galesburg,  was  for 
many  years  a  general  contractor  of  that  city.  He  is  now  deceased  and 
is  buried  at  Abington,  111.  Mrs.  Stephens,  who  is  73  years  of  age,  lives 
at  Galesburg,  111.  There  were  two  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ste- 
phens: Samuel  C,  general  traffic  manager  of  the  Clover  Leaf  Railroad, 
lives  in  Cleveland,  Ohio ;  and  L.  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  L.  D.  Ste- 
phens was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
He  also  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge. 

L.  C.  Stephens  attended  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  and  when 
17  years  of  age  was  a  timekeeper  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
construction  gang  for  one  year.  In  1907  he  went  with  the  old  North 
Shore  Electric  Company,  now  known  as  the  Public  Service  Company. 
Since  1920  he  has  been  district  manager  of  the  Public  Service  Company 
21— VOL.  2 


850  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  Northern  Illinois,  with  headquarters  at  Joliet.  This  district  con- 
sists of  three  cities  and  15  towns. 

On  June  16,  1910,  Mr.  Stephens  was  married  to  Miss  Josephine 
Fricke,  of  Chicago.  They  have  two  children:  Cathryne  Mary,  born 
Feb.  1,  1912,  a  student;  and  John  Wesley,  born  Sept.  12,  1916. 

Mr.  Stephens  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge.  He  and  his  family 
attend  the  Presbyterian  Church.  His  politics  have  always  been 
Republican. 


Ralph  A.  Moore,  president  of  the  J.  P.  &  A.  Transportation  Com- 
pany, ranks  high  among  the  successful  business  men  of  Joliet.  He 
was  born  at  Northfield,  Iowa,  Feb.  3,  1874,  the  son  of  Frederick  S.  and 
Josephine  (Gilbert)  Moore. 

Frederick  S.  Moore  was  born  in  Newfoundland.  He  was  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Page  County,  Iowa,  where  his  father  owned  and 
operated  a  woolen  mill.  In  1877  the  family  located  in  Colorado,  where 
they  took  up  a  homestead  on  government  land.  They  became  large 
land  owners  and  extensive  cattle  raisers.  Later  the  Moore  family  went 
to  Spokane,  Wash.,  where  Mr.  Moore  had  large  mining  interests.  Fred- 
erick S.  Moore  still  resides  at  Spokane,  Wash.,  and  is  now  85  years  of 
age.  His  parents  lived  to  be  more  than  100  years  old.  To  Frederick  S. 
and  Josephine  (Gilbert)  Moore  were  born  five  children:  Gilbert, 
deceased;  Robert,  deceased;  Elmer  E.,  deceased;  Ralph  A.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Benjamin,  deceased.  The  original  homestead  of  the 
Moore  family  in  Iowa  is  still  in  existence  and  is  one  of  the  interesting 
spots  to  be  found  in  Page  County.  Frederick  S.  Moore  is  a  Republican, 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.    His  wife  died  in  1893  and  is  buried  at  Spokane. 

Ralph  A.  Moore  grew  up  in  Iowa  and  later  lived  in  Colorado.  He  was 
educated  in  the  country  schools  and  also  took  a  business  course  at 
Spokane,  Wash.  He  was  employed  by  the  Ledgerwood  Electric  Railway 
Company  in  Spokane  from  1891  until  1896,  as  superintendent,  and  then 
entered  the  service  of  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  Company  as  brake- 
man  and  conductor,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1904.  He  was  with 
the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  Company  until  1916,  located  at  San  Jose, 
Calif.,  as  conductor  and  electric  locomotive  engineer.  He  later  became 
superintendent  of  equipment  and  later  superintendent  of  transportation 
for  the  same  railroad.  In  1916  he  came  to  Joliet  as  general  manager  of 
the  J.  P.  &  A.  Railroad.    In  1924  he  was  promoted  to  president  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  851 

company.  Mr.  Moore  is  also  president  of  the  Illinois  Electric  Railway 
Association.  In  1924  he  organized  the  Joliet,  Aurora  &  Plainfied  Trans- 
portation Company,  of  which  he  is  president. 

On  Jan.  8,  1891,  Mr.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Clara  H.  Dewey,  of  Jonesville,  Mich.,  born  July  12,  1875.  She  is  a  grand- 
niece  of  Admiral  Dewey  and  the  daughter  of  David  C.  and  Lydia 
(Lynch)  Dewey,  the  former  a  native  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  the  latter 
of  Michigan.  They  have  the  following  children :  Frank,  lives  at  Tacoma, 
Wash.;  Ella,  deceased;  Clara  H.  Moore;  Charles,  lives  at  Los  Angeles, 
Calif. ;  and  Sadie,  married  Arthur  Robinson,  lives  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Mr.  Dewey  died  in  1908  and  his  widow  lives  in  Los  Angeles.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore ;  Chester  G.,  born  May  15,  1899, 
vice  president  of  the  United  Motor  Coach  Company,  Chicago;  Ralph 
Stewart,  born  May  3,  1903,  master  mechanic  for  the  J.  P.  &  A.  Trans- 
portation Company,  lives  at  Plainfield,  111.;  and  Arlene,  born  Feb.  9, 
1905,  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Elks  Lodge.  He  and  his  family 
have  an  extensive  acquaintance  throughout  Will  County  and  are  popular 
both  in  the  civic  and  social  life  of  Joliet. 


Irma  Read  Downey,  manager  of  the  Will  County  Motor  Club,  which 
is  a  branch  of  the  Chicago  Automobile  Club,  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin, 
and  the  daughter  of  S.  A.  and  Hattie  Mae  (Hyde)  Read. 

S.  A.  Read  was  born  at  Geneva,  Wis.,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Joliet, 
where  he  was  interested  in  the  oil  business  and  is  now  associated  with 
the  Ruberoid  Manufacturing  Company  as  superintendent.  He  is  a 
Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with 
the  Elks  Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  Eagles.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Read  were  born  three  children:  Merle,  engaged  in  the  automobile  busi- 
ness, Joliet;  Allan,  mention  of  whom  is  made  below;  and  Irma,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Allan  Read,  popularly  known  in  Joliet  at  "Pat",  was  first  manager 
of  the  Will  County  branch  of  the  Chicago  Motor  Club.  In  connection 
with  the  club  he  also  engaged  in  the  automobile  insurance  business. 
Mr.  Read  died  in  1925,  and  the  club  has  since  been  ably  managed  by 
his  sister,  Mrs.  Downey. 

Irma  Read  was  married  June  9,  1926,  to  Arthur  J.  Downey.  He 
was  bom  at  Joliet,  Feb.  3,  1896.    Mr.  Downey  served  throughout  the 


852  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

World  War  and  after  his  discharge  from  the  service  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  until  1923.  He  has  since 
been  a  resident  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Downey  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the 
Elks  Lodge.  Both  he  and  his  wife  have  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Joliet, 
where  they  are  prominent  in  social  and  civic  affairs. 


Milton  S.  Johnston  is  an  enterprising  and  progressive  business  man 
of  Joliet,  where  he  is  identified  with  the  Johnston  Coal,  Building  Ma- 
terial and  Transfer,  located  on  West  Fourth  Avenue.  He  was  born  in 
this  city,  June  17,  1875,  the  son  of  A.  C.  and  Mary  (Star)  Johnston. 

A.  C.  Johnston,  deceased,  was  born  in  Adrian,  Mich.,  and  settled  in 
Joliet,  111.,  in  1898,  and  engaged  in  the  coal  business,  as  well  as  building 
materials  of  all  kinds.  Mr.  Johnston  was  a  member  of  the  Richards 
Street  Methodist  Church,  and  served  as  trustee  and  as  treasurer  of 
same.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican.  He  died  in  December,  1922, 
and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  Mrs.  Johnston,  who  was 
born  in  WTheaton,  111.,  now  lives  with  her  daughter,  Myrtle,  at  Troy, 
N.  Y.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  three  children  were  born:  Milton  S., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Myrtle,  a  teacher  in  Russell  Sage  College, 
Troy,  N.  Y. ;  and  Arthur,  a  tool  and  die  manufacturer,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Milton  S.  Johnston  attended  the  public  schools  of  Detroit,  Mich., 
after  which  he  entered  his  father's  coal  business  in  1892.  Since  the 
death  of  his  father  Mr.  Johnston  and  his  mother  are  sole  owners.  Mr. 
Johnston  is  also  interested  in  various  other  business  enterprises,  and 
conducts  a  trucking  and  transfer  business,  and  owns  and  operates  a 
large  garage  and  service  station  at  Fourth  and  Eastern  Avenue,  Joliet. 

On  April  30,  1904,  Mr.  Johnston  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Francis, 
a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Haven)  Francis.  Mr.  Francis,  who 
was  born  in  New  Lenox,  111.,  was  a  farmer  and  stockman,  and  owned 
400  acres  of  land  in  Lenox  Township.  He  was  also  a  breeder  of  thor- 
oughbred stock  and  the  owner  of  a  large  dairy.  He  was  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  is  deceased  and  is  buried 
in  New  Lenox  Township.  Mrs.  Francis  was  a  daughter  of  Judge  Haven, 
and  a  sister  of  D wight  Haven,  who  was  judge  of  Will  County.  Mrs. 
Francis  now  resides  at  109|  Grover  Street,  Joliet.  There  were  six 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis:  Charles,  a  physician,  deceased; 
Alice,   a   teacher   in   the   public   schools,    Chicago;    Walter,    deceased; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  853 

Francis  Johnston ;  Marguerite,  married  R.  E.  Stephens,  a  capitalist,  lives 
at  Daytona,  Florida;  and  Fred,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  and  is 
a  stockman,  is  also  supervisor  of  Lenox  Township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnston  four  children  have  been  born:  Charles,  born  March  4,  1906, 
a  graduate  of  Joliet  High  School,  in  business  with  his  father,  lives  at 
home;  Walter,  born  1907,  a  graduate  of  high  school,  is  also  connected 
with  his  father's  business;  Ruth,  born  in  1910,  a  graduate  of  high  school, 
now  attends  Russell  Sage  College,  Troy,  N.  Y. ;  and  Louise,  born  in 
1912,  attends  St.  Francis  Academy. 

Mr.  Johnston  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  has  served 
as  trustee  for  a  number  of  years.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  inter- 
est in  all  civic  affairs.  He  has  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Republican 
Central  Committee  of  Will  County,  is  secretary  of  the  Rotary  Club  of 
Joliet,  and  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


James  H.  Merrill  is  a  prominent  young  business  man  of  Joliet,  and  is 
secretary  of  Hansen  &  Petersen  Company,  general  contractors.  He  was 
born  in  this  city,  Dec.  6,  1893,  and  is  a  son  of  Fred  H.  and  Miriam 
(Puddicombe)  Merrill. 

Fred  H.  Merrill,  who  now  lives  retired,  is  a  pioneer  resident  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  Jackson  Township  and  when  a  young  man 
removed  to  Joliet.  He  was  then  employed  in  various  jobs  and  worked 
on  the  street  cars.  Later  he  opened  a  grocery  store  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  Charles  Merrill,  which  they  conducted  successfully  for 
a  number  of  years.  He  then  entered  the  postal  service  and  for  35  years 
was  a  valued  employe  of  the  Joliet  post  office.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
attends  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Merrill  was  born  at  St.  John's 
New  Foundland.  The  family  home  is  at  303  Mississippi  Avenue,  Joliet. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merrill  three  children  were  born,  as  follows:  Erie  R., 
superintendent  of  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Company's  coke  plant,  Johns- 
town, Pa. ;  James  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Dr.  E.  Forrest,  physi- 
cian and  surgeon,  is  chief  of  the  X-Ray  department  of  Rochester  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Previous  to  this  he  was  identified  with 
the  Mayo  Brothers  at  Rochester,  Minn.  During  the  World  War  he 
served  in  the  Reserve  Medical  Corps. 

James  H.  Merrill  graduated  from  Joliet  High  School  in  1911,  and 
then  attended  law  school  for  a  time.    In  1914  he  entered  the  employ  of 


854  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Hansen  &  Petersen  Company,  general  contractors,  as  a  bookkeeper. 
Mr.  Merrill  has  been  secretary  of  the  firm  since  1924. 

On  Sept.  5,  1925,  Mr.  Merrill  was  married  to  Miss  Thekla  C.  Bale, 
and  they  have  two  children :  James  B.,  born  Dec.  18,  1926 ;  and  Miriam, 
born  March  23,  1928.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  which  Mr.  Merrill  is  an  elder  and  a  deacon. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Merrill  enlisted  for  service  in  the  navy, 
at  Chicago,  on  Dec.  11,  1917.  He  was  stationed  at  New  York  City, 
and  received  his  training  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Gopher  on  the  Great  Lakes. 
He  was  released  from  active  service  Feb.  15,  1919,  and  returned  to 
Joliet. 

Mr.  Merrill  is  a  Republican  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  being 
a  member  of  Knights  Templar  No.  4,  Oriental  Consistory,  Chicago  and 
Ansar  Shrine,  Springfield,  111.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Joliet  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 


Charles  E.  Gray. — Prominent  among  the  successful  business  men  of 
Joliet  is  Charles  E.  Gray,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Webb  &  Gray  Coal 
Company.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Feb.  5,  1886,  a  son  of  John  W.  and 
Nora  (Rogers)  Gray. 

John  W.  Gray  was  born  in  Joliet  and  for  a  number  of  years  was 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  and  later  was  in  the  bakery  business. 
He  is  now  living  retired  at  314  Campbell  Street,  this  city.  Mr.  Gray 
served  as  alderman  of  the  Sixth  Ward,  Joliet,  for  twenty  years,  and 
was  chief  State  Grain  Inspector  under  Gov.  John  P.  Altgelt,  and  held 
many  other  civic  offices.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America;  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  and  politically  is 
a  stanch  Democrat.  He  is  a  Catholic.  Mrs.  Gray  is  deceased  and  is 
buried  in  Olivet  Cemetery,  Joliet.  There  were  eight  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray:  John  and  Lawrence,  both  deceased;  Charles  E., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  George,  owner  of  Joliet  Bakery  Company; 
Raymond,  deceased;  Melville,  attorney,  with  firm  of  Donovan,  Bray  & 
Gray,  Joliet.  He  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  Army  while  attending  Harvard 
College,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Grant,  and  later  to  Fort  Sheridan.  He 
served  during  the  war  and  was  commissioned  a  first  lieutenant;  Mary 
J.,  lives  at  home;  and  Catherine,  married  Fred  J.  Walsh,  real  estate, 
lives  at  Joliet. 

Charles  E.  Gray  attended  the  parochial  and  public  schools  of  Joliet, 
and  worked  in  his  father's  grocery  store.     He  later  went  to  Colorado 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  855 

where  he  worked  for  eight  years  as  a  nail  maker.  He  returned  to  Joliet 
and  was  employed  by  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad  in  a  clerical 
capacity  for  ten  years.  In  partnership  with  Michael  Webb  they  opened 
and  operated  the  Alamo  Billiard  and  Lunch  Parlors,  at  Chicago  and 
Clinton  Streets,  this  city,  which  they  sold  out  after  three  years.  In 
1927  they  organized  the  Webb  &  Gray  Coal  Company,  and  have  a  well 
established  business. 

Mr.  Gray  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.   He 
also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  Elks  Lodge. 


John  F.  Skeel,  who  is  serving  as  clerk  of  the  Joliet  Township  High 
School  and  clerk  of  the  Joliet  Township  School  Board,  is  one  of  the  best 
known  citizens  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  111., 
Dec.  24,  1860,  the  son  of  Linus  B.  and  Flora  (Morrison)  Skeel. 

Linus  B.  Skeel,  deceased,  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Putnam 
County,  having  located  there  in  1830.  He  was  born  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  Mr.  Skeel  improved  220  acres  of 
land  in  Putnam  County  and  became  a  successful  farmer.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  85  years  and  his  wife  died  when  91  years  of  age.  Both  are 
buried  in  Union  Grove  Cemetery,  near  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  Skeel 
served  throughout  the  Black  Hawk  War.  He  was  a  lifelong  member  of 
the  Congregational  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Skeel  the  following  chil- 
dren were  born :  Nathan  L.,  deceased ;  Donald  W.,  died  at  the  age  of  21 
years;  Olive,  married  James  B.  Foley,  lives  in  Colorado;  William  L., 
deceased;  John  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Flora  M.,  lives  in 
Sioux  City,  Iowa. 

The  boyhood  of  John  F.  Skeel  was  spent  in  Putnam  County  on  his 
father's  farm.  He  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Granville, 
and  later  attended  Wheaton  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1883.  For  one  year  he  taught  in  the  schools  of  Tama,  Iowa,  and  was 
principal  of  the  Granville  (111.)  High  School,  for  two  years.  He  also 
served  as  superintendent  of  schools  in  Putnam  County.  Many  years 
ago  he  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  accepted  the  position  of  cashier  and 
bookkeeper  for  the  Barrett  Hardware  Company.  He  later  was  employed 
as  an  accountant  for  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  and  as  cashier  of  the 
Lambert  &  Bishop  Company.  In  1894  he  was  appointed  principal  of  the 
Broadway  school.  Aug.  1,  1896,  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  Board  of 
School  Inspectors  of  Joliet.    Upon  the  creation  of  the  Joliet  Township 


856  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

School  Board  in  1897,  Mr.  Skeel  was  appointed  clerk.  He  has  served 
both  boards  in  that  capacity  continuously  since  that  date. 

On  June  11,  1885,  Mr.  Skeel  married  Miss  Flora  C.  Birdsell,  of  Tama, 
Iowa.  They  have  two  adopted  sons:  Gordon,  born  Aug.  27,  1899,  is  a 
World  War  veteran,  lives  at  Joliet ;  and  William  H.,  born  April  24,  1902, 
lives  at  Detroit,  Mich. 

Mr.  Skeel  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  which  he  has  served  as  elder  for  37  years. 


John  M.  Jenco,  who  represents  the  41st  district  of  Illinois  in  the 
state  legislature,  is  well  known  in  Joliet,  where  he  has  lived  since  early 
boyhood.  He  was  born  in  Menomenee,  Mich.,  Jan.  4,  1898,  a  son  of 
Matthew  and  Susan  (Rheha)  Jenco. 

Matthew  Jenco  and  his  wife  were  both  born  in  Austria-Hungary, 
and  were  married  in  Harwood,  Pa.  Upon  coming  to  this  country  Mr. 
Jenco  settled  in  the  East,  later  removing  to  Joliet,  111.,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  saloon  business.  He  sold  this  and  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad.  There  were  nine  children  in  the 
Jenco  family:  John  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Michael,  Indiana 
Harbor,  Mich. ;  Susan,  at  home ;  Marie,  lives  at  Hazeltine,  Pa. ;  Edward, 
Anna,  Elsie,  and  Frances,  all  students ;  and  Frank,  deceased.  The  fam- 
ily are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  in  politics  Mr.  Jenco  is  a 
Republican. 

John  M.  Jenco  attended  the  public  and  parochial  schools  of  Joliet, 
after  which  he  was  an  apprentice  machinist  with  the  Illinois  Steel  Com- 
pany for  four  years.  He  then  traveled  as  a  journeyman  machinist  for 
several  years  throughout  the  United  States.  Returning  to  Joliet  he 
worked  for  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad.  In  1922  he  was 
appointed  first  deputy  sheriff  under  Sheriff  John  D.  Walker,  and  served 
four  years.  In  1926  he  was  elected  representative  to  the  state  legisla- 
ture from  the  41st  district  and  took  office  Jan.  4,  1927.  Mr.  Jenco  is  the 
youngest  member  of  the  House  this  session. 

In  1925  Mr.  Jenco  was  married  to  Miss  Henrietta  Cirhan,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Mary  Cirhan,  natives  of  Jackson,  Minn.,  where  Mr.  Cirhan 
is  a  merchant.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenco  have  two  daughters,  Betty  Jane,  and 
Verna  May.    The  family  are  members  of  St.  Cyril's  Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Jenco  is  affiliated  with  the  following  organizations :  B.  P.  0.  Elks, 
No.  296;  F.  0.  Eagles;  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  300;  Speed  Boys  Club; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  857 

International  Association  of  Machinists,  St.  Cyril's  Athletic  Club;  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Jenco  is  a 
young  man  of  high  ideals  and  has  many  friends  in  Joliet. 

In  May,  1928,  Mr.  Jenco  opened  a  gents'  furnishing  store  at  416 
Meeker  Avenue,  and  is  meeting  with  success. 


Welcome  L.  Dow  is  well  known  in  Joliet,  where  he  is  identified  with 
the  0.  D.  Larson  Motor  Company,  agents  for  the  Packard  Automobile,  as 
manager.  He  was  born  at  Stockton,  111.,  Feb.  9,  1890,  the  son  of 
Worthy  F.  and  Florence  R.  (Fitzsimmons)  Dow. 

Worthy  F.  Dow,  who  settled  in  Joliet,  in  1904,  was  a  native  of 
Stockton,  111.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness in  this  city  until  the  time  of  his  retirement.  He  died  at  Twin 
Falls,  Idaho,  in  1918.  His  widow  resides  there.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dow 
were  born  two  sons:  George  M.,  who  died  at  Twin  Falls,  in  1920;  and 
Welcome  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

George  M.  Dow  married  Miss  Etta  L.  Gray,  of  Joliet,  who  survives 
him.  She  has  two  daughters,  Mary  and  Ruth,  and  they  live  at  American 
Falls,  Idaho. 

Welcome  L.  Dow  attended  the  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from 
Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1908.  He  went  as  cashier  for  the 
National  Packing  Company  for  two  years,  and  was  then  located  at  Twin 
Falls,  Idaho,  as  district  cashier  and  manager  for  the  Bell  Telephone 
Company.  He  later  spent  five  years  with  the  Rocky  Mountain  Bell 
Telephone  Company,  and  returned  to  Joliet  in  1915.  He  served  as  pur- 
chasing agent  for  the  city  for  five  years,  and  then  began  his  automobile 
connections,  with  the  A.  W.  Ehlers  Motor  Company.  Mr.  Dow  has  been 
associated  with  the  O.  D.  Larson  Motor  Company  since  1923. 

On  Sept.  6,  1911,  Mr.  Dow  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Helen  M. 
Moore,  who  was  born  in  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Edwin  M.  and  Harriet 
(Rayworth)  Moore.  A  complete  sketch  of  Edwin  M.  Moore  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  history.  He  is  vice  president  of  the  Barret  Hardware 
Company.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dow  have  been  born  three  children: 
Edwin  F.,  born  March  31,  1913;  Robert  G.,  born  Aug.  2,  1917;  and 
Genevieve  M.,  born  Sept.  14,  1919. 

Mr.  Dow  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  also  belongs  to 
the  Joliet  Country  Club  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


858  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mrs.  Lois  Davidson,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Davidson  Cafe- 
teria, is  a  leading  business  woman  of  Joliet.  She  was  born  at  Sennett, 
N.  Y. 

Mrs.  Davidson  has  been  a  resident  of  Joliet  since  1880.  She  was 
married  in  August,  1889,  to  Thomas  Chalmers  Davidson,  who  died  in 
1908.  He  was  born  at  Warsaw,  N.  Y.,  and  throughout  his  life  was 
interested  in  the  newspaper  business.  Beginning  work  on  a  newspaper 
at  Cairo,  111.,  he  later  was  connected  with  the  Inter-Ocean,  in  Chicago. 
He  also  was  connected  with  a  local  newspaper  before  his  death.  Mr. 
Davidson  was  a  life  long  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Universalist 
Church.    He  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Davidson  Cafeteria  was  started  by  Mrs.  Lois  B.  Davidson,  June  6, 
1914.  She  began  in  a  small  way  and  later  Mrs.  Minnie  L.  Davidson, 
her  sister,  became  associated  with  her.  The  Davidson  Cafeteria,  which 
is  located  at  312  Clinton  Street,  is  among  the  attractive  restaurants  of 
the  city  and  has  facilities  for  serving  300  people.  They  also  specialize 
in  catering  to  banquets,  and  private  parties. 

Mrs.  Davidson  is  identified  with  the  Business  and  Professional 
Womens  Club,  the  Bethany  Circle  of  Kings  Daughters,  and  the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  American  Revolution.  She  is  a  Republican  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Universalist  Church.  Her  residence  is  at  100  Brooks 
Avenue. 


Michael  Webb,  a  well  known  and  enterprising  business  man  of  Joliet, 
is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  the  Webb  &  Gray  Coal  Company.  He  was 
born  in  Joliet,  Nov.  1,  1885,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Julia  (Cunning- 
ham) Webb. 

John  Webb,  deceased,  was  born  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  Will 
County  in  the  early  days  and  settled  at  Joliet.  He  was  a  railroad 
builder  for  a  time,  and  for  many  years  was  employed  by  the  Illinois 
Steel  Company.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Cath- 
olic Church.  He  died  Oct.  20,  1910,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  in 
England,  died  in  February,  1911.  They  are  buried  in  St.  Patrick's 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  William, 
deceased;  Mary,  married  Alfred  Richardson,  lives  in  Fairmount  Park, 
Joliet;  John,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Webb  &  Riley,  carbonated  drink 
bottlers,  Joliet;  Thomas,  deceased;  Michael,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Nellie,  married  John  Scott,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Joseph,  with  the  Webb 
&  Riley  Bottling  Works. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  859 

Michael  Webb  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  and  then  worked 
for  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  16  years.  He  later  was  associated 
with  Charles  E.  Gray  in  the  Alamo  Billiard  and  Lunch  parlors,  located 
at  Clinton  and  Chicago  Streets.  In  1927  he  and  Mr.  Webb  organized 
the  Webb  &  Gray  Coal  Company,  which  is  located  at  411  East  Marian 
Street.  They  are  wholesale  and  retail  dealers  and  are  meeting  with 
success. 

On  Feb.  7,  1906,  Mr.  Webb  married  Miss  Edith  Mercer,  who  was 
born  in  England,  July  7,  1889.  They  have  three  children:  Irene,  born 
Oct.  28,  1909,  is  private  secretary  for  her  father  and  is  a  graduate  of 
St.  Francis  Academy,  in  1927;  Evelyn,  born  April  20,  1919,  a  student; 
and  William,  born  Sept.  5,  1922. 

Mr.  Webb  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 


The  Reverend  William  Charles  Godden,  pastor  of  the  Ottawa  Street 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Joliet,  was  appointed  to  that  church  in 
October,  1924. 

Mr.  Godden  was  born  in  England  and  came  to  this  country  in  his 
youth.  He  spent  many  years  in  study  for  the  ministry  and  finally 
graduated  from  the  Garrett  Biblical  Institute  of  Evanston,  the  theo- 
logical school  connected  with  Northwestern  University  of  Illinois,  in  the 
class  of  1903. 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Godden  became  a  member  of  the  Rock  River 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1901  and  has  served 
as  pastor  of  the  churches  of  his  denomination  in  Manhattan,  Newark, 
and  Lisbon,  and  Glen  Ellyn,  all  in  Illinois  and  the  following  named 
churches  in  Chicago:  Vincent,  Gresham,  Diversy,  Boulevard,  Calvary 
and  Joyce  Memorial. 

For  six  years  consecutively,  Mr.  Godden  was  elected  to  serve  as  sec- 
retary of  the  Chicago  Methodist  Preachers'  Meeting  and  in  1919  was 
elected  to  the  presidency  of  that  organization.  In  1927  he  was  elected 
to  the  presidency  of  the  Will  County  Ministerial  Association. 

Mr.  Godden  was  greatly  honored  by  the  Rock  River  Conference  by 
being  elected  as  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  General  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  held  its  sessions  in  1928  in  Kansas 
City,  Missouri. 

Mr.  Godden  is  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  the 
Kiwanis  Club  of  Joliet,  and  of  several  orders  in  Masonry.     In  June, 


860  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

1903,  Mr.  Godden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mamie  Davidson  Met- 
calf  of  "Oswego,  N.  Y.,  and  they  spent  the  first  months  of  their  married 
life  in  the  parsonage  at  Manhattan,  in  Will  County.  One  child  was  born 
to  this  union,  Adelle  Margaret,  who  graduated  from  the  public  schools 
of  Chicago  and  later  from  the  School  of  Music  of  the  Northwestern 
University,  receiving  her  Bachelor's  degree  in  1925.  Miss  Godden  is 
now  a  teacher  of  music  in  piano  and  voice  at  the  Columbia  School  of 
Music  in  Aurora,  Illinois. 


N.  N.  Julian. — One  of  the  prominent  young  men  of  Will  County, 
interested  in  educational  work,  is  N.  N.  Julian,  who  is  superintendent  of 
grade  schools  at  Lockport.  He  was  born  at  Golconda,  111.,  March  15, 
1896,  the  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Ewitts)  Julian. 

John  Julian,  who  lives  retired  at  Creal  Springs,  111.,  is  a  native  of 
Tennessee.  Early  in  life  he  located  in  Pope  County,  111.,  where  he 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  became  the  owner 
of  220  acres  of  land  and  was  an  extensive  stockman.  He  was  married 
first  to  Marry  Barger,  deceased.  She  was  born  near  Golconda,  111.,  and 
to  this  union  one  son  was  born:  Harry,  a  poultryman  of  Mt.  Vernon, 
111.  Martha  (Ewitts)  Julian,  born  at  Golconda,  111.,  died  Dec.  15,  1921, 
and  is  buried  at  that  place.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Julian  were  born  four 
children :  Mattie,  married  Scott  Randolph,  lives  at  Golconda,  111. ;  Evan, 
married  Charles  Wasson,  lives  at  Golconda,  111.;  Rachel,  married  Ely 
Buchanan,  lives  at  Metropolis,  111. ;  and  N.  N.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

N.  N.  Julian  obtained  his  early  schooling  at  Golconda  and  in  1923 
was  graduated  from  the  Teachers  College  at  Carbondale,  111.  He  also 
has  been  a  student  at  Illinois  State  Normal  School  and  has  taken  post 
graduate  work  at  the  University  of  Chicago  and  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin. Early  in  1913  Mr.  Julian  began  his  teaching  career  in  the  schools 
of  Pope  County.  During  the  World  War  he  enlisted  for  service  on  June 
10,  1918,  and  was  sent  to  the  Polytechnical  School  at  Peoria,  111.,  and 
later  to  Camp  Hancock,  Ga.,  where  he  was  assigned  to  Company  H, 
Ordinance  Department.  He  served  in  France  until  the  close  of  the  war 
and  was  discharged  July  29,  1919,  from  Camp  Grant,  111.  Upon  his 
return  to  Illinois  Mr.  Julian  became  connected  with  the  schools  of  Pope 
County  again,  but  soon  after  entered  the  employ  of  the  Indian  Refining 
Company  as  a  bookkeeper  at  Lawrenceville,  111.  In  1921  he  entered  the 
teachers  college  at  Carbondale,  111.,  where  he  graduated  in  1923.    The 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  861 

following  year  he  became  superintendent  of  schools  at  Arthur,  111.,  and 
four  years  later,  1927,  accepted  his  present  position  with  the  grade 
schools  at  Lockport. 

Mr.  Julian  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.     He  is  unmarried. 


Philip  Yost  was  born  at  Lockport,  Nov.  14,  1862.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  began  life  as  a  farmer.  He  was  later  employed 
on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal.  He  spent  several  years  at  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  with  his  brother,  Henry  J.  Yost,  and  in  1885  they  established  their 
present  business  at  Lockport,  which  is  operated  under  the  firm  name  of 
Yost  Brothers.  Mr.  Yost  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Lockport,  of  which  he  has  served  as  vice  president  since  the 
date  of  its  organization  in  November,  1907.    He  is  also  a  director. 

Mr.  Yost  was  married  May  1,  1887,  to  Miss  Frances  Waldeogel,  who 
was  born  at  Lockport,  June  14,  1865.  They  have  two  daughters:  Can- 
silda,  born  March  22,  1890,  married  W.  S.  Peck,  and  they  have  a  son, 
Philip  Worden  Peck,  born  Jan.  20,  1925 ;  and  Marilla,  born  April  7,  1891, 
married  Emory  Carlson,  lives  at  Lockport,  and  they  have  a  son,  Emory, 
Jr.,  born  June  15,  1923. 

Mr.  Yost  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Shrine  of  Spring- 
field, 111.    In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Republican. 


Henry  J.  Yost. — One  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Lockport,  will  known 
throughout  Will  County,  is  Henry  J.  Yost,  who  is  identified  with  Yost 
Brothers,  pioneer  grocers.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  May  28,  1858,  the 
son  of  John  and  Mary  (Miller)  Yost. 

John  Yost,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  came  to  this 
country  in  1852  and  settled  at  Lockport,  where  he  served  for  many 
years  as  a  foreman  for  the  Norton  Milling  Company.  He  was  later 
identified  with  the  American  Strawboard  Paper  Company  of  Lockport. 
Mr.  Yost  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He 
died  June  15,  1900,  and  his  wife  died  in  1915.  Both  are  buried  in  the 
Lockport  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yost  were  born  the  following 
children:  Peter,  deceased;  Henry  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John, 
Jr.,  deceased ;  Philip,  mention  of  whom  is  made  below ;  Charles,  lives  at 


862  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  William,  lives  at  Lockport ;  Louis,  deceased,  and  Albert, 
lives  at  Lockport. 

Henry  J.  Yost  grew  up  at  Lockport  and  attended  the  public  schools. 
He  was  employed  by  the  Norton  Company,  paper  manufacturers,  of 
Lockport  for  a  short  time,  and  later  went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  spent 
eight  years  in  the  meat  business.  In  1885  he  returned  to  Lockport  and 
became  interested  in  the  meat  and  grocery  business  here  in  partnership 
with  his  brother  Philip.  For  more  than  40  years  Mr.  Yost  has  ranked 
among  the  dependable  merchants  of  the  city. 

On  March  15,  1883,  Mr.  Yost  married  Miss  Isabel  Ruppert,  who  was 
born  at  St.  Louis,  Feb.  4,  1864.  They  have  two  daughters,  Lillian,  born 
Oct.  13,  1884,  married  Ross  D.  Heaps,  of  Irving  Park,  111.,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Phyllis  and  Willard;  and  Mae,  born  May  1,  1887,  lives  at 
home. 

Mr.  Yost  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  First  Spiritualist 
Society.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  Elks  Lodge  for  30  years,  and  is  prominent  in  the  club  life  of  the 
city. 


H.  L.  Way,  who  is  serving  as  chief  clerk  for  the  Texas  Company,  is 
one  of  the  progressive  young  business  men  of  Lockport  and  a  veteran  of 
the  World  War.  He  was  born  at  Slater,  Mo.,  Oct.  14,  1896,  the  son  of 
R.  L.  and  Georgia  (Sullens)  Way. 

R.  L.  Way  was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  and  in  early  life  went 
to  Missouri  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
near  Kansas  City.  He  now  lives  retired  in  California.  His  wife,  a  native 
of  Missouri,  died  in  1903,  and  is  buried  at  Slater,  Mo.  R.  L.  Way  is  a 
Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  There  are  five  chil- 
dren in  the  Way  family:  Walter  C,  mining  engineer,  lives  at  Denver, 
Colo.;  H.  B.,  civil  engineer,  lives  at  Ogden,  Utah;  H.  L.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  Edith,  married  J.  S.  Jolliffe,  lives  at  San  Antonio,  Texas; 
and  Beulah,  married  E.  D.  Roberts,  lives  at  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

H.  L.  Way  attended  the  public  schools  of  Slater,  Mo.,  and  took  a 
business  course  at  Houston,  Texas.  He  was  employed  in  a  clerical 
capacity  by  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  at  Slater  for  a  short  time, 
and  later  worked  in  Texas  City,  Texas,  with  the  Pierce  Oil  Corpora- 
tion. He  has  been  identified  with  the  Texas  Company  since  1917,  and 
until  January,  1924,  was  in  the  company's  general  office  at  Houston, 
Texas.    He  was  then  transferred  to  Lockport  as  chief  clerk. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  863 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Way  enlisted  for  service  at  Houston, 
Tex.,  in  October,  1917,  and  served  in  France  with  the  United  States 
Marines.  He  was  discharged  at  Newport  News,  Va.,  in  August,  1919, 
with  the  rank  of  sergeant. 

On  July  31,  1920,  Mr.  Way  married  Miss  Camille  Preston,  who  was 
born  at  Houston,  Texas,  Oct.  21,  1899,  the  daughter  of  F.  W.  and  Camie 
(Parrish)  Preston,  of  Houston.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Preston  have  three  chil- 
dren :  Camille  Way ;  Lawrence,  lives  at  Houston ;  and  Frances,  married 
Carl  Woodard,  lives  at  Houston.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Way  have  a  daughter, 
Dorothy,  born  Jan.  24,  1926. 

Mr.  Way  is  independent  in  politics  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.    He  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Louis  Meader,  successful  dairy  farmer,  is  a  highly  esteemed  resident 
of  Lockport  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  families 
of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  Feb.  5,  1863,  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives,  and  is  the  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Louis  Meader. 

Louis  Meader  was  born  in  Germany  and  early  in  life  emigrated  to 
the  United  States.  He  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Lockport  and 
located  on  the  present  Meader  farm  in  Section  No.  26  in  Lockport  Town- 
ship. He  improved  80  acres  and  spent  his  life  here  as  a  cooper  and 
farmer.  He  died  Jan.  2,  1888.  His  wife  is  also  deceased.  They  are 
buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery.  Mr.  Meader  was  a  Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meader  the 
following  children  were  born:  Margaret,  the  widow  of  Charles  Murr, 
lives  at  Joliet ;  Sarah,  married  Charles  Falconer,  lives  at  Lockport ;  and 
Louis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Louis  Meader  has  always  lived  at  Lockport.  After  completing  his 
schooling  he  engaged  in  general  farming  on  the  old  homestead  near 
Lockport.  He  now  owns  60  acres  of  well  improved  land  and  is  known 
as  a  dairy  farmer. 

In  1890  Mr.  Meader  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Kate  Williams, 
of  Will  County,  born  Feb.  9,  1861,  the  daughter  of  Michael  and  Anna 
(Kramer)  Williams,  natives  of  Germany  and  early  settlers  of  Lockport. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams,  deceased,  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Veronica,  married  James  Barclay,  lives  at  Joliet;  Kate  Meader; 
John,  lives  in  Dupage  Township,  Will  County ;  Jacob,  lives  at  Joliet ; 
Lillian,  married  John  Waldvogel,   lives  at  Joliet;   Nicholas,   lives  at 


864  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Aurora,  111.;  Anna,  married  John  Blum,  lives  at  Naperville,  111.;  and 
Emma,  married  Frank  Effting,  and  she  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  Williams 
was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church,  Lock- 
port.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meader  were  born  six  children,  as  follows :  Anna, 
born  Dec.  5,  1891,  lives  at  home;  Louis,  Jr.,  born  Feb.,  1894,  married 
Gertrude  Steif ,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Lois,  born  Oct.  16,  1919 ;  Rose, 
born  March  7,  1896,  married  Joseph  Meurer,  lives  at  Lockport,  and  they 
have  a  son,  Joseph,  Jr.,  born  May  5,  1926 ;  Catherine,  born  Jan.  18,  1898, 
lives  at  home;  Lucy,  born  Oct.  31,  1900,  lives  at  home;  and  Henry,  born 
Aug.  8,  1903,  lives  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Meader  is  a  Democrat  and  he  has  served  as  county 
highway  commissioner.  He  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the 
Catholic  church  and  are  well  known  in  the  community,  in  which  they 
have  spent  their  entire  lives. 


Edwin  M.  Moore  is  among  the  prominent  pioneer  business  men  of 
Joliet,  where  he  is  vice  president  of  the  Barrett  Hardware  Company. 
He  was  born  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  Feb.  16,  1862,  a  son  of  Rev.  Edwin 
Gaylord  and  Sarah  Almira  (Downs)  Moore. 

Rev.  Edwin  Gaylord  Moore  was  born  in  Avon,  N.  Y.,  and  for  many 
years  was  pastor  of  churches  in  Western  New  York  and  Ohio.  In  1864 
the  family  moved  to  Wilmington,  Will  County,  111.,  where  he  preached 
for  four  years.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  ministers  of  the  Third  Pres- 
byterian Church,  at  Ashland  and  Ogden  Avenues,  Chicago.  He  moved 
from  Wilmington  to  Gardner,  111.,  in  1868,  and  to  Joliet  in  the  fall  of 
1869.  Owing  to  the  loss  of  his  voice  he  engaged  for  a  time  in  the  shoe 
business,  his  shop  being  located  at  24  Jefferson  Street.  In  1888  he 
moved  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  where  he  built  a  Presbyterian  Church  when 
he  was  75  years  of  age.  He  died  at  Granada,  Minn.,  Feb.  20,  1907,  aged 
89  years.  He  is  buried  at  Hersman,  111.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  Re- 
publican. 

Sarah  Almira  Downs,  who  was  born  in  New  York  City,  was  a  direct 
descendant  of  Governor  William  Bradford,  who  came  over  in  the  May- 
flower. She  died  March  11,  1894,  and  is  buried  at  Hersman,  111.  To 
Rev.  Edwin  Gaylord  and  Sarah  Almira  (Downs)  Moore  five  children  were 
born.  1.  Ida  Gould,  for  several  years  a  teacher  in  the  Broadway  school, 
Joliet,  married  Dr.  W.  H.  Gaugh.  She  died  in  1923  and  is  buried  in 
Granada,  Minn.,  where  Dr.  Gaugh  still  resides.    2.  William  Sturgis,  died 


EDWIN   M.   MOORE 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  865 

at  the  age  of  seven,  is  buried  in  Wilmington,  111.  3.  Marian  Sinclair,  a 
teacher  in  the  Joliet  schools  for  many  years,  married  Arthur  A.  Har- 
grave,  and  they  were  missionaries  at  Oroomiah,  Persia,  now  reside  at 
Rockville,  Ind.  4.  Edwin  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  5.  Anna  Upham, 
married  Harry  Van  Deventer,  of  Hersman,  111.  She  died  Jan.  9,  1896, 
and  is  buried  at  Hersman. 

Edwin  M.  Moore  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  his  education 
being  supplemented  by  private  training  at  home,  his  parents  being  well 
educated.  At  the  age  of  14  he  began  his  business  career  with  the  Adams 
Wire  Mills,  doing  shop  work,  and  remained  with  this  concern  for  three 
years.  His  next  work  was  for  Mr.  Ladd,  whose  location  at  that  time 
was  where  the  present  Boston  Store  now  stands.  He  received  $2.00  per 
week,  but  at  the  end  of  a  month  left  to  accept  $3.00  a  week  with  the 
Barrett  Hardware  Company.  His  work  consisted  of  sweeping  floors, 
cleaning  lamps,  blacking  stoves,  and  driving  delivery  wagon.  He  re- 
mained with  this  firm  from  1879  until  1884,  when  he  resigned  his  posi- 
tion to  go  with  the  Holmes  &  Cady  Hardware  Company.  In  1890  he 
returned  to  the  Barrett  Hardware  Company  and  became  the  manager 
for  the  company,  and  has  been  vice  president  for  over  30  years.  He 
deserves  much  commendation  for  having  forged  his  own  way  to  success 
in  the  business  world. 

On  Oct.  26,  1887,  Mr.  Moore  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Hinman, 
who  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia,  June  14,  1868.  She  was  the  adopted 
daughter  of  D.  W.  and  Martha  Hinman.  Mr.  Hinman  was  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  War.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  were  the  parents  of  four  children: 
1.  Hinman  Raymorth,  born  Oct.  13,  1889.  He  is  now  associate  state 
manager  of  the  Inter  Ocean  Casualty  Company,  Joliet,  married  Esther 
Wray,  and  they  have  two  children:  Robert  Wray,  and  Harriet  Ann. 
Hinman  Raymorth  Moore  enlisted  for  service  during  the  World  War,  at 
Joliet,  Dec.  7,  1917,  and  was  sent  to  Columbus  Barracks.  He  was  later 
transferred  to  Camp  Grant,  and  assigned  to  the  Ordnance  Department, 
and  from  there  went  overseas  July  8,  1918.  He  was  discharged  from 
the  service  July  22,  1919,  at  Camp  Mills,  L.  I.,  with  the  rank  of  ordnance 
sergeant.  2.  Helen  Moore,  born  July  15,  1891,  married  Welcome  L. 
Dowd,  manager  of  the  O.  D.  Larson  Company,  distributors  of  Packard 
automobiles,  Joliet.  They  have  three  children:  Edwin  Fayette,  high 
school  student,  and  member  of  high  school  band;  Robert  Gaylord,  and 
Genevieve  Maurine.  3.  Genevieve  Downs  Moore  was  born  March  5,  1896. 
She  married  Kyle  M.  Waite,  electrical  contractor,  Twin  Falls,  Idaho. 
They  have  an  adopted  son,  Richard.  4.  Edwin  Eldred  Moore,  born 
22— VOL.  2 


866  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

June  23,  1900,  operates  a  stock  farm  of  155  acres  at  Wilton  Center.  He 
married  Iva  A.  Ruhlander,  and  they  have  two  children :  William  Downs, 
and  Anita.  Mrs.  Moore  died  Feb.  14,  1896,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  having  joined 
that  denomination  in  1877.  He  has  served  as  ruling  elder  for  many 
years,  and  is  now  a  deacon  of  the  church.  Politically  Mr.  Moore  is  a 
Republican,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and 
the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  resides  at  the  home  in  which  he  was 
married  at  309  Sherman  Street,  Joliet,  111. 


M.  F.  Stone,  who  has  served  as  superintendent  of  Taft  School,  Lock- 
port,  since  1920,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  and  one  of  the  prominent 
educators  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Millstadt,  111.,  Jan.  24,  1893, 
the  son  of  Z.  T.  and  Mary  I  (Boyle)  Stone. 

Z.  T.  Stone  came  to  Illinois  from  Pennsylvania  early  in  life  and  set- 
tled at  Millstadt,  where  he  was  well  known  as  a  school  teacher.  He 
died  in  1910  and  is  buried  at  O'Fallon,  111.  His  widow,  a  native  of  Iowa, 
lives  at  Lockport  with  her  son,  M.  F.  Stone.  There  were  nine  children 
in  the  Stone  family,  as  follows:  Albert  E.,  deceased,  was  a  Spanish 
War  veteran;  Alice  L.,  married  Fred  W.  Boettcher,  lives  at  Belleville, 
111. ;  Sarah  I.,  married  Herman  Boettcher,  lives  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. ; 
John  W.,  died  in  infancy;  Ada,  married  William  Duncan,  lives  in  Idaho; 
Ida,  married  Benjamin  Duncan,  lives  in  Idaho;  Martha  M.,  married 
Virgil  Harrell,  lives  at  Granite  City,  111.;  William  C,  a  World  War  vet- 
eran, lives  at  Lockport ;  and  M.  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

M.  F.  Stone  spent  his  boyhood  at  O'Fallon,  111.,  and  following  his 
graduation  from  high  school  in  1910  attended  McKendree  College,  at 
Lebanon  and  the  University  of  Southern  Illinois  at  Carbondale.  He 
attended  the  Harris  Teachers  College  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  the  Chicago 
Normal  College.  He  began  teaching  school  in  1910  near  Mascoutah,  111., 
and  later  was  located  at  Shiloh,  111.  He  taught  for  three  years  at  Leba- 
non, 111.,  and  was  then  principal  of  the  school  at  Worden,  111.,  and  later 
superintendent  for  two  years.  He  has  held  his  present  responsible  posi- 
tion at  Lockport  since  1920. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Stone  enlisted  at  Edwardsville,  111.,  Sept. 
4,  1917,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Taylor,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  assigned 
to  Company  A,  333rd  Infantry.     He  was  later  transferred  to  the  air 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  867 

service,  Dec.  5,  1917,  and  stationed  in  Texas.  He  sailed  for  France, 
July,  1918,  and  after  service  was  discharged  at  Camp  Grant,  111.,  July 
12,  1919. 

Mr.  Stone  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
He  is  exceedingly  popular  and  well  liked  in  the  community.  Mr.  Stone 
is  the  oldest  school  superintendent  of  Will  County  in  point  of  service. 


Frank  Miller. — One  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Lockport  is 
Frank  Miller,  who  is  identified  with  the  Miller  Hardware  Company.  He 
was  born  in  this  city,  Oct.  27,  1873,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Schott) 
Miller. 

Henry  Miller  was  born  in  Germany  and  was  four  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Will  County.  Later  he 
went  to  California  during  the  gold  rush  but  returned  after  several  years 
to  Lockport.  Mr.  Miller  conducted  a  draying  business  here  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  being  the  first  man  in  this  section  of  the  county  to  engage 
in  that  particular  line.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  33rd  degree.  His 
widow,  now  86  years  of  age,  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Lockport. 
There  were  two  sons  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller:  Charles,  who  died  in 
1919;  and  Frank,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Frank  Miller  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Lockport  and  began  his 
business  career  with  O'Connell  &  Sloan,  in  whose  employ  he  remained 
for  five  years.  He  then  went  with  C.  H.  Adams,  hardware  merchant,  for 
five  years  and  in  1903,  in  partnership  with  Henry  Landon,  purchased  the 
hardware  business  of  Frank  Sloan.  The  firm  was  known  as  Miller  & 
Landon  until  1915,  at  which  time  Mr.  Miller  purchased  the  interests  of 
Mr.  Landon,  who  died  during  that  year.  The  Miller  Hardware  Company, 
located  at  State  and  10th  Streets,  is  one  of  the  pioneer  business  houses 
of  Will  County  and  has  built  up  an  extensive  trade  through  its  many 
years  of  contact  with  the  business  life  of  Lockport.  Besides  a  general 
hardware  line  they  are  dealers  in  stoves  and  plumbing  and  heating  sup- 
plies. Associated  in  business  with  Mr.  Miller  are  his  three  sons,  Wil- 
liam, Joseph  and  Francis. 

In  1920  the  Miller  Hardware  Company  became  the  local  agency  for 
the  products  of  the  Winchester  Company,  manufacturers  of  guns  and 
ammunition,  and  they  are  also  dealers  for  the  Moore  Stove  Manufactur- 


868  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ing  Company,  Chi-Namel  Paint  Company,  and  the  New  Principle 
Washer,  and  Maytag  Washer. 

On  Sept.  27,  1899,  Mr.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Clara 
Gardner,  of  Lockport,  born  in  September,  1876,  the  daughter  of 
William  H.  and  Mary  Ann  (Cowan)  Gardner,  natives  of  Ireland  and 
early  settlers  of  Lockport.  Mr.  Gardner  died  Feb.  1,  1914,  and  his  wife 
died  in  1916.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller,  as  follows:  Joseph  Charles,  born 
Dec.  8,  1900;  William  H.,  born  May  31,  1902;  Mary  Gardner,  born  in 
1904;  Margaret,  born  in  1906;  and  Francis,  bom  in  1908.  All  live  at 
home. 

Mr.  Miller  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  has  held  several  public 
offices  including  that  of  town  clerk  of  Lockport  and  alderman.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  and  his  family  have  a  wide 
acquaintance  in  the  community  and  are  widely  known  throughout  Will 
County. 


George  C.  Sprague  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  and  one  of  the  most 
prominent  young  business  men  of  Lockport,  where  he  is  president  of  the 
Sprague  Dairy  Company.  He  was  born  on  the  old  Sprague  homestead  in 
Lockport  Township,  July  22,  1896,  the  son  of  Frank  and  Florence 
Estelle  (Tripp)  Sprague. 

The  Sprague  family  settled  in  Lockport  Township  during  the  early 
days,  Thomas  Jefferson  Sprague,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  having  purchased  400  acres  of  government  land.  He  came  to 
Will  County  from  Orchard  Park,  N.  Y.  His  son,  Frank,  became  one  of 
the  successful  dairy  farmers  of  this  section  and  was  also  interested  in 
the  stone  business  for  many  years.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  Dec.  24, 
1922,  he  was  the  owner  of  700  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Sprague  was  a  Repub- 
lican, a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Lockport  Township,  died 
June  10,  1923.  They  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet  Township. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprague  the  following  children  were  born:  Olive,  a 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  married  B.  W.  Winship,  who  is 
superintendent  of  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Plant,  at  Steelton,  Pa. ;  Villa  May, 
a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  married  J.  P.  Stout,  farmer, 
lives  near  Chatham,  111. ;  Elizabeth  Elsie,  married  W.  G.  Clark,  lives  at 
Carthage,  111.;  Charles,  real  estate,  lives  at  Michigan  City,  Ind. ;  Philip, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  869 

a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  graduate  of  Beloit  College,  president  of  the 
Joseph  Hays  Corporation,  Michigan  City,  Ind. ;  George  C,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  and  Alice,  a  graduate  of  Illinois  University,  married  Irvin 
Funk,  grain  dealer,  Streator,  111. 

George  C.  Sprague  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lockport 
and  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1914.  He 
was  graduated  in  agriculture  from  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1920. 
On  Oct.  29,  1918,  he  enlisted  for  service  during  the  World  War  and  was 
sent  to  Camp  Raleigh,  N.  C,  and  later  to  Camp  Green,  where  he  was 
assigned  to  Company  B,  307th  Battalion,  U.  S.  Tank  Corps. 

Mr.  Sprague  has  always  been  interested  in  the  dairy  business  and  in 
January,  1921,  established  his  business  at  410  West  Jefferson  Street. 
He  purchased  the  route  of  Iver  Olsen,  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
Frank  Milne,  also  purchasing  the  milk  business  and  bottling  plant  of 
Putnam  Milne.  In  April,  1926,  the  modern  dairy  plant  at  704  Madison 
Street  was  occupied,  and  on  Nov.  1,  1927,  Mr.  Sprague  purchased  the 
interest  of  his  partner.  He  serves  over  1,000  families  in  Joliet  and 
Lockport  with  milk  and  cream,  and  also  handles  other  high  grade 
dairy  products. 

On  Oct.  11,  1922,  Mr.  Sprague  was  united  in  marriage  at  Tipton, 
Iowa,  with  Miss  Irma  Marie  Craven,  who  was  born  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
April  13,  1898.  They  have  a  daughter,  Norma  Craven,  born  in  Joliet, 
Sept.  23,  1924. 

Mr.  Sprague  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  is  active  in  local  affairs 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Lockport  Township,  hav- 
ing been  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  his  father.  He  was 
later  reelected  to  this  office  for  a  three  year  term. 


William  P.  Volz,  postmaster  of  Lockport,  represents  one  of  the  prom- 
inent and  respected  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Lock- 
port,  Nov.  23,  1885,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Dillman)  Volz. 

Henry  Volz,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  At  an  early  age 
he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  New  York  City,  but 
later  removed  to  Lockport,  where  he  spent  many  years  in  the  employ 
of  Sangar  &  Moody,  contractors.  He  was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade.  After 
his  retirement  Mr.  Volz  lived  at  Winner,  S.  D.,  where  he  died  Aug.  15, 
1925.     He  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran 


870  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Church.  His  wife  was  also  a  native  of  Germany.  She  died  June  14, 
1928.  To.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Volz  were  born  six  children,  as  follows: 
William  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Harry,  lives  in  South  Dakota; 
Alvina,  married  Harry  Robertson,  lives  at  Winner,  S.  D.;  Clara,  mar- 
ried Jacob  Mechaley,  lives  at  Casper,  Wyo. ;  Charles,  lives  at  Des  Moines, 
Iowa;  and  Walter  J.,  lives  at  Lockport.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  World 
War,  having  served  in  France  with  the  131st  Depot  Brigade,  Rainbow 
Division. 

William  P.  Volz  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lockport.  He 
was  interested  in  the  news  and  confectionary  business  in  this  city  from 
1905  until  1927,  at  which  time  he  was  appointed  postmaster. 

On  April  30,  1917,  Mr.  Volz  was  married  to  Mrs.  Anna  Cook,  of  Lock- 
port.    She  has  a  son,  Farrell  Cook,  who  was  born  March  16,  1912. 

Mr.  Volz  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 


George  W.  Adelmann,  of  Lockport,  is  one  of  the  representative  busi- 
ness men  and  leading  citizens  of  Will  County,  where  he  has  spent  his 
entire  life.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  July  25,  1862,  the  son  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Christopher  Adeimann. 

Christopher  Adelmann,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany. 
Early  in  life  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Lock- 
port,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  stone  cutter  and  mason.  He 
buiit  the  first  residence  in  this  city,  which  is  still  standing.  Mr.  Adel- 
mann became  a  successful  business  man  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1882  was  one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in  the  county.  His  wife  is 
also  deceased  and  they  are  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Cemetery, 
Lockport.  Mr.  Adelmann  was  a  stanch  Republican.  There  were  six 
children  in  the  Adelmann  family,  as  follows:  Jane,  the  widow  of  Wil- 
liam Stalter,  lives  at  Joliet;  Mary,  married  Anthony  Schall,  both  de- 
ceased ;  Peter,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Charles,  deceased ;  Frances,  married  Frank 
Scheidt,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  George  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

George  W.  Adelmann  received  his  education  in  the  South  Lockport 
School,  and  began  life  as  a  farmer.  He  has  always  maintained  his  inter- 
est in  agriculture  and  is  an  extensive  breeder  of  Chester  White  hogs. 
He  owns  large  tracts  of  land  in  Homer  and  Lockport  Townships,  and 
ranks  among  the  leading  stockmen  of  Will  County.  For  the  past  33 
years  Mr.  Adelmann  has  conducted  a  livery  business  at  Lockport  and  he 
has  also  owned  a  funeral  establishment  in  this  city  since  1908. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  871 

On  June  21,  1881,  Mr.  Adelmann  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Catherine  Schall,  who  was  born  at  Lockport,  Dec.  31,  1863,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  and  Mary  (Wagner)  Schall,  the  former  a  native  of 
France  and  the  latter  of  Canton,  Ohio.  Mr.  Schall  came  to  America 
during  the  early  days  and  was  a  leading  pioneer  of  Will  County,  being 
interested  in  the  canals  of  this  section.  He  died  Dec.  10,  1877,  and  is 
buried  in  the  South  Lockport  Cemetery.  His  widow,  now  88  years  of 
age,  resides  in  Joliet.  There  were  two  children:  Edward  J.,  who  is 
deceased;  and  Catherine  Adelmann.  To  George  W.  and  Catherine 
(Schall)  Adelmann  were  born  five  children:  Stella,  born  Jan.  10,  1883, 
lives  at  home,  she  is  an  assistant  to  her  brother,  Howard  J.,  in  the  auto- 
mobile business  at  Lockport;  Walter,  born  Oct.  4,  1885,  died  Jan.  15, 
1926;  William,  born  Jan.  28,  1888,  died  Dec.  11,  1897;  Marie,  born  Oct. 
29,  1889,  married  in  1912  to  Wilbur  Harpham,  lives  at  Lockport  and 
they  have  a  daughter,  Doris  Marie,  born  Aug.  16,  1918 ;  and  Howard  J., 
born  Nov.  19,  1893.  He  has  the  agency  in  Lockport  for  the  Hudson 
and  Essex  automobiles  and  is  a  prominent  young  business  man  of  the 
city.  He  served  throughout  the  World  War,  having  enlisted  in  June, 
1917.  He  was  connected  with  the  Medical  Corps  and  attached  to  an 
army  hospital  in  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Adelmann  was  married  Nov.  5, 
1917,  to  Miss  Margaret  O'Brien,  of  Lockport,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren: Howard  J.,  Jr.,  born  June  20,  1919;  and  Marigene,  born  Nov.  8, 
1920. 

George  W.  Adelmann  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Holy  Name 
Society.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  community  and  a  host  of 
friends. 


Rev.  Charles  Murphy. — Prominent  among  the  leading  men  of  Lock- 
port  is  Father  Murphy,  who  is  pastor  of  St.  Dennis  Catholic  Church.  He 
was  born  in  Chicago,  Aug.  10,  1889. 

Father  Murphy  received  his  early  education  in  Chicago  and  was 
graduated  from  St.  Ignatius  College  in  1908.  He  then  entered  Niagara 
University,  where  he  prepared  for  the  priesthood.  He  was  ordained  in 
June,  1914,  at  Holy  Name  Cathedral  in  Chicago.  His  first  assignment 
was  as  assistant  pastor  of  the  Catholic  Church  at  Oak  Park,  111.,  and  he 
was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Dennis  Church  in  April,  1927. 

The  Golden  Jubilee  of  St.  Dennis  Church  was  celebrated  Sunday, 
Oct.  9,  1927.    A  banquet  was  one  of  the  important  events  in  the  jubilee 


872  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

year  program  of  the  church,  which  was  erected  just  50  years  ago.  Rev. 
Charles  Murphy  presided  as  toastmaster  and  special  addresses  were 
given  by  Rev.  James  P.  O'Donoghue,  of  Chicago,  former  pastor,  and  the 
Rev.  Terrence  Rice,  of  St.  Viator's  College,  Kankakee,  a  former  Lock- 
port  resident.  A  group  of  20  visiting  priests  from  various  churches  in 
Chicago,  Joliet,  Lemont,  and  other  surrounding  cities  were  present  dur- 
ing the  week  of  ceremonies  and  participated  in  the  services.  Monsignor 
Joseph  Casey  of  Chicago,  a  former  Lockport  boy  and  member  of  the 
parish,  preached  the  sermon  at  the  feast  of  the  patron  saint  of  the 
church,  St.  Dennis.  Bishop  E.  F.  Hoban,  of  Chicago  confirmed  a  class 
of  250  young  people  and  adults. 

Sacred  Heart  School  is  conducted  in  connection  with  St.  Dennis 
Church,  under  the  direction  of  the  Sisters  of  Providence,  the  first  mis- 
sion at  which  the  Sisters  taught  in  Illinois.  It  is  located  at  Washington 
and  Twelfth  streets,  Lockport. 


Fred  L.  Hasenjaeger,  cashier  of  the  Citizens  Bank  at  Frankfort,  111., 
and  one  of  the  most  prominent  pioneer  citizens  and  substantial  business 
men  in  Will  County,  was  born  in  Greengarden  Township,  this  county, 
March  19,  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Leisseta  (Banger)  Hasen- 
jaeger, the  former  born  Nov.  2,  1820,  and  the  latter  born  March  28,  1834. 
Both  were  natives  of  Germany  and  were  married  in  Richton,  now  Mat- 
teson,  111. 

Frederick  Hasenjaeger  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring 
of  1846,  crossing  the  ocean  taking  70  days.  He  went  west  as  far  as 
Chicago,  and  then  to  Bloomingdale,  Cook  County,  111.,  where  he  worked 
on  a  farm  for  two  years.  In  1848  he  removed  to  Greengarden  Township, 
Will  County,  111.  He  carried  a  plow  on  his  back  from  Lockport,  111.,  to 
Greengarden  Township.  In  1850  he  purchased  a  soldier's  claim  of  160 
acres  of  land,  which  he  cleared  for  cultivation.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
Germans  to  settle  in  Greengarden  Township.  He  engaged  in  the  dairy 
business,  stock  raising,  and  general  farming.  In  1878  he  retired  and 
removed  to  Frankfort,  later  removing  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  he  lived 
until  his  death.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in 
Rose  Hill  Cemetery,  Chicago.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the 
German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  was  a  trustee.  He 
also  served  as  township  collector.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hasenjaeger  four 


MR.    AND    MKS     riM',1)    I..    IIASKN'JAEOIOR 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  873 

children  were  born:  Fred  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Emma,  married 
William  Johnson,  lives  at  Chicago;  Elvina,  married  Edward  Hardwick, 
Chicago;  and  Edward,  deceased. 

Fred  L.  Hasenjaeger  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Green- 
garden  Township.  In  the  winters  of  1868-69  he  attended  the  Russell 
Bookkeeping  College,  Joliet,  111.  In  1872-73  he  attended  Baldwin-Wallace 
College,  at  Berea,  Ohio.  In  1878  he  took  over  the  management  of  his 
father's  farm  which  he  conducted  until  1908,  when  he  removed  to  his 
present  home  in  Greengarden  Township.  Mr.  Hasenjaeger  was  inter- 
ested in  the  breeding  of  Percheron  horses  and  in  1903  imported  five 
thoroughbred  Percheron  horses  from  Rantoul,  France.  In  1924  his  son, 
Fred  C.  Hasenjaeger,  took  over  the  old  homestead.  At  that  time  Mr. 
Hasenjaeger  gave  all  of  his  children  a  farm.  In  October,  1908,  Mr. 
Hasenjaeger  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Frankfort 
and  has  served  in  that  capacity  ever  since.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the 
bank. 

On  Feb.  20,  1874,  Mr.  Hasenjaeger  was  married  to  Miss  Katherine 
Brandau,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Boyley)  Brandau,  natives 
of  Germany.  Mr.  Brandau  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  a  pioneer 
farmer  of  Orland  Township,  Cook  County,  111.  They  are  both  deceased 
and  are  buried  in  Greengarden  Township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hasenjaeger 
nine  children  were  born :  1.  Rose,  Henry,  Charles,  and  Ida,  all  deceased. 
5.  George,  married  Ida  Krapt,  and  they  have  two  children,  Clinton  and 
Marjorie.  6.  Fred  C,  who  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  married  Minnie 
Ross.  7.  Milinda,  married  John  Hiteman,  dairyman  and  farmer,  of 
Manhattan,  and  they  have  three  children:  Warren,  Victor,  and  Blanche. 
8.  Matilda,  married  Edward  Fuss,  of  Joliet.  They  have  a  daughter, 
Loleta.  9.  Laura,  married  Harold  C.  Folkers,  assistant  cashier,  Frank- 
fort, and  they  have  a  son,  William. 

On  Feb.  20,  1924,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  L.  Hasenjaeger  celebrated  their 
golden  wedding  anniversary  at  their  home. 

Mr.  Hasenjaeger  has  been  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Republican 
party  and  has  served  as  a  delegate  to  various  conventions  during  the 
past  fifty  years.  He  was  supervisor  of  Greengarden  Township  for  26 
years,  and  treasurer  of  the  Greengarden  Fire  Insurance  Company  for  32 
years.  Mr.  Hasenjaeger  brought  about  the  extension  of  the  Green- 
garden Fire  Insurance  Company,  as  a  state  farmer's  insurance  company, 
for  99  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Bankers  Association 
and  the  National  Bankers  Association,  and  attends  all  the  conventions 


874  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  these  associations.    He  is  also  a  member  of  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mr.  Hasen jaeger  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  male  citizen 
of  Greengarden  Township.  As  a  financier  and  as  a  citizen  he  is  progres- 
sive and  lends  his  support  and  influence  to  all  movements  that  have  as 
their  aim  the  advancement  of  the  community  and  of  the  great  state 
of  Illinois. 


Citizens  Bank  of  Frankfort. — The  present  bank  officers  are:  Frank 
Folkers,  president ;  Otto  B.  Herschbach,  vice  president ;  and  F.  L.  Hasen- 
jaeger,  cashier.  The  directors  are:  Frank  Folkers,  Otto  B.  Herschbach, 
F.  L.  Hasenjaeger,  Jacob  Feil,  and  George  Eisner. 

Statement  of  the  bank  as  of  Dec.  31,  1927.  Resources:  Cash,  other 
cash  resources,  and  due  from  banks,  $38,152.32;  loans  on  collateral 
security,  $6,550.00;  other  loans,  $155,135.08;  loans  on  real  estate,  $87,- 
170.00;  overdrafts,  $380.12;  banking  house,  furniture  and  fixtures, 
$2,000.00.    Total  resources,  $289,387.52. 

Liabilities:  Capital  stock,  $30,000.00;  surplus,  $30,000.00;  undivided 
profits,  $3,156.27;  reserve  accounts,  $15,000.00;  demand  deposits,  $76,- 
251.33;  time  deposits,  $126,979.92;  bills  payable,  $5,000.00;  dividends 
unpaid,  $3,000.00.    Total  liabilities,  $289,387.52. 


F.  S.  Hutton  is  among  the  prominent  merchants  of  Lockport,  where 
he  has  engaged  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  bakery  business  for  the 
past  30  years.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  Dec.  9,  1864,  the  son  of 
John  D.  and  Agnes  (Prowse)  Hutton. 

John  D.  Hutton,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  at  Oxford,  England,  and  early  in  life  came  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  at  Lockport,  where  he  followed  his  trade 
for  many  years  as  a  wagon  maker.  He  died  Feb.  10,  1898,  and  his 
wife  died  Oct.  23,  1915.  Both  are  buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery.  Mr. 
Hutton  was  a  Republican  and  active  in  local  public  affairs.  He  held 
membership  in  the  Methodist  church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutton  were 
born  three  children:  Harriet  and  Mary  Adelaide,  both  deceased;  and 
F.  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

F.  S.  Hutton  has  always  lived  in  Lockport.  He  attended  the  local 
public  schools  and  for  a  time  was  employed  in  his  father's  wagon  shop. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  875 

Later  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  His  store  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1895  with  a  loss  of  $10,000,  and  Mr.  Hutton  then  became 
interested  in  the  baking  business.  He  has  established  an  excellent 
trade  throughout  the  community  and  ranks  among  the  dependable 
business  men  of  the  community. 

On  June  27,  1888,  Mr.  Hutton  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Emma  E.  Miller,  of  Lockport,  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sophia  M. 
(Brockman)  Miller.  Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Germany,  May  3,  1836, 
and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  Feb.  22,  1843.  They 
were  early  settlers  of  Lockport  and  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Catherine  M.,  married  Fred  Worst,  lives  at  Lockport;  Henry, 
deceased;  Phillip,  lives  in  Chicago;  Carrie,  deceased;  Emma  E.  Hutton; 
and  Louise  L.,  lives  at  Lockport.  Mr.  Miller  died  Dec.  4,  1918,  and 
his  wife  died  March  6,  1920.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery. 
Two  daughters  were  bora  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hutton:  Florence  H.,  born 
May  8,  1892,  is  a  graduate  of  Lockport  High  School  and  the  American 
Conservatory  of  Music,  lives  in  Chicago,  where  she  is  a  teacher  of  music ; 
and  Vera  Louise,  born  Aug.  15,  1895,  a  graduate  of  Lockport  High 
School  and  the  Gregg  Business  College.  She  was  married  on  June  30, 
1914,  to  A.  O.  Belander,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Francis  Andrew, 
born  in  Joliet,  April  6,  1925. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hutton  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  city 
treasurer  and  town  clerk  and  is  active  in  all  local  affairs.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hutton  are  members  of  the  Christian  Science  Church  of  Joliet,  and  he 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  other 
fraternal  organizations. 


John  O'Connell,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness at  Lockport,  was  born  in  this  city,  April  16,  1888,  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Catherine  (Dougherty)  O'Connell. 

William  O'Connell,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  a  well  known 
resident  of  Lockport,  being  the  founder  of  the  hardware  business  which 
bears  his  name  and  which  is  now  conducted  by  his  son.  He  was  born 
in  Ireland  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  about  1873,  locating  in 
Ohio.  Later,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  in  1888  engaged  in  business  at 
Lockport.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church 
Mr.  O'Connell  died  in  1925  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  at  Lockport, 
died  in  1906.    Both  are  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery.    To  Mr.  and 


876  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mrs.  O'Connell  the  following  children  were  born:  James,  deceased; 
Margaret,  married  John  Lawler,  lives  in  Chicago;  William,  deceased; 
Mary,  married  Thomas  Ryan,  lives  in  Chicago;  Daniel,  deceased;  John, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Frank,  lives  at  Lockport;  Bryan,  deceased; 
and  Joseph,  lives  at  Lockport. 

The  education  of  John  O'Connell  was  received  in  the  parochial  schools 
of  Lockport  and  at  an  early  age  he  became  interested  in  his  father's 
hardware  business,  which  is  located  at  908  State  Street.  He  is  now  in 
partnership  with  his  brothers,  Frank  and  Joseph  O'Connell. 

Mr.  O'Connell  is  a  Democrat  and  holds  membership  in  the  Catholic 
Church.    He  is  unmarried. 


James  Donahue,  who  lives  retired  at  Lockport,  is  a  highly  esteemed 
citizen  of  Will  County  and  a  member  of  a  well  known  pioneer  family  of 
this  section.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  Jan.  8,  1862,  the  son  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Breen)  Donahue. 

James  Donahue  emigrated  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland  in 
December,  1848,  and  settled  at  Wheaton,  111.,  where  he  was  employed 
by  Jesse  Wheaton.  Later  he  removed  to  Lockport,  where  he  was 
employed  in  the  flour  mills.  He  was  married  Jan.  31,  1853,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Breen,  who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1825.  To  this  union  the 
following  children  were  born:  Lawrence,  died  February  10,  1927; 
Kyron,  deceased;  Mary,  the  widow  of  James  Flavin,  lives  at  Lockport; 
Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  James  Cochran,  lives  at  Lockport;  James,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Sarah,  married  William  King,  both  deceased; 
John,  lives  at  Joliet ;  and  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  18  years.  Mr. 
Donahue  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  He 
died  Oct.  7,  1899,  and  his  wife  died  April  29,  1900.  Both  are  buried  in 
Lockport  Cemetery. 

James  Donahue  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lockport  and  went  to 
work  in  the  stone  quarries  there  when  about  17  years  of  age.  Later  he 
was  employed  by  J.  L.  Norton,  who  operated  canal  boats  between  Chicago 
and  Lockport.  He  was  also  the  owner  of  one  of  the  largest  paper  and 
flour  mills  of  the  country.  In  1884  Mr.  Donahue  became  interested  in  pro- 
fessional baseball  as  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  league,  and  1885 
with  the  New  York  Metropolitans;  the  Kansas  City  Blues  of  the  Amer- 
ican Association  in  1888,  1889  and  1890.  In  1891  he  became  associated 
with  Columbus,  Ohio,  team.    In  1894  he  wound  up  with  Milwaukee.    He 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  877 

played  in  the  position  of  catcher  for  the  ten  years  of  his  professional 
baseball  career.  In  1894  he  entered  the  retail  liquor  business  in  Lock- 
port  and  continued  in  that  line  until  1919,  when  he  retired  from  business. 

On  May  15,  1994,  Mr.  Donahue  married  Miss  Caroline  Waldvogel, 
who  was  born  at  Lockport,  March  2,  1869.    They  have  no  children. 

Politically,  Dr.  Donahue  is  a  Democrat.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Forresters  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias. 


John  Mackin,  proprietor  of  the  Mackin  Motor  Sales  Company,  is  a 
representative  citizen  of  Lockport,  where  he  was  born  Oct.  14,  1869.  He 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Dunning)  Mackin. 

John  Mackin,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  was  among 
the  earliest  settlers  of  Lockport,  where  he  was  prominent  in  the  work 
of  the  old  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal,  being  a  captain  for  Norton  & 
Company.  He  died  at  the  age  of  92  years  and  his  wife,  also  born  in 
Ireland,  died  at  the  age  of  74  years.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Lockport 
Cemetery.  Mr.  Mackin  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  Mackin  family,  as  follows: 
Mary,  married  John  Doyle,  both  deceased;  Margaret,  the  widow  of 
Daniel  Whalen ;  James,  lives  at  Omaha,  Neb. ;  Harriet,  deceased ;  John, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Thomas,  deceased;  and  Helen,  died  in 
infancy. 

John  Mackin  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lockport  and  when  14' 
years  old  entered  the  employ  of  Norton  &  Company  as  a  paper  maker. 
He  spent  about  29  years  with  this  firm  and  then  became  interested  in 
the  grocery  business,  which  he  followed  for  four  years.  He  served  as 
an  officer  at  the  Illinois  State  Penitentiary  in  Joliet  under  Warden 
Robert  Allen  and  was  later  foreman  for  the  Frankford  Chair  Com- 
pany for  six  years  and  foreman  for  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  four 
years.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Lockport  on  Feb.  3,  1916,  during 
the  administration  of  President  Woodrow  Wilson  and  filled  that  office 
in  a  most  efficient  manner  until  Sept.  1,  1928.  During  the  summer 
of  1928  Mr.  Mackin  established  his  present  business  at  1925  State 
Street.  He  has  an  up-to-date  garage  and  has  already  established  a  repu- 
tation as  a  dependable  business  man. 

In  1887  Mr.  Mackin  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jennie  F. 
Reid,  of  Lamont  Township,  Cook  County,  111.,  born  Aug.  18,  1864.  They 
have  five  children,  as  follows:     Florence,  married  Albert  Feeley,  lives 


878  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

at  Lockport;  Reid,  general  manager  for  the  International  Heating  Com- 
pany of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  is  a  World  War  veteran,  married  Miss  May 
McCarthy  of  Chicago,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Muriel  June ;  Frank  E., 
deceased,  was  a  World  War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant,  was  the  husband  of  Elizabeth  Clyne;  Maurice  M.,  lives 
at  Lockport,  111. ;  and  Lorain,  who  is  associated  with  his  father's  business 
at  Lockport. 

Mr.  Mackin  has  always  been  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Dennis  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and 
Catholic  Order  of  Foresters.  The  family  residence  is  at  Hamilton  and 
Fourteenth  Streets. 


George  F.  Scheibner,  well  known  as  one  of  the  most  successful  busi- 
ness men  of  Wilmington,  is  a  native  of  this  city  and  a  member  of  one 
of  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  Oct.  11,  1870,  the 
son  of  Edward  and  Matilda  (Market)  Scheibner. 

Edward  Scheibner  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany  in  1863 
and  settled  in  Mokena,  111.  Later  he  removed  to  Wilmington,  where  he 
was  prominent  as  a  merchant  for  many  years.  He  was  a  Republican, 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  died  in 
1908  and  his  wife  died  in  1880.  Both  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Wilmington.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  George 
F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth,  died  at  the  age  of  12  years; 
and  Edward,  lives  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

The  education  of  George  F.  Scheibner  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Wilmington  and  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  this  com- 
munity. He  has  always  been  interested  in  the  dry  goods  business  and 
in  1894  opened  his  store  on  Water  Street.  He  has  established  an  excel- 
lent trade  and  ranks  among  the  city's  dependable  merchants. 

On  Sept.  5,  1893,  Mr.  Scheibner  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Anna  Hadsall,  who  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Oct.  9,  1870,  the  daughter 
of  Ambros  S.  and  Kitty  (Townsend)  Hadsall,  the  former  a  native  of  New 
York  and  the  latter  of  Wisconsin.  In  1869  the  Hadsall  family  located  at 
Wilmington,  where  Mr.  Hadsall  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  for 
many  years  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Tollington  &  Hadsall.  In  1902 
he  became  interested  in  the  real  estate  business  and  was  thus  engaged 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  May  21,  1926.  His  wife  was  bom  June  6,  1846, 
and  died  Dec.  3,  1917.     They  are  buried  at  Wilmington.     To  Mr.  and 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  879 

Mrs.  Hadsall  were  born  four  children:  Anna  Scheibner;  Harry  H., 
civil  engineer,  lives  in  Chicago;  Thomas  and  Bessie  Louise,  both  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Hadsall  was  a  Republican  and  served  as  township  treasurer 
for  many  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church  and 
belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Masonic  Lodge. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scheibner  had  one  son  who  died  in  infancy.  Before  her 
marriage  Mrs.  Scheibner  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Wil- 
mington. 

Politically,  Mr.  Scheibner  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  highly  esteemed  mem- 
bers of  the  community  in  which  they  have  lived  for  so  many  years. 

Mr.  Scheibner  has  been  a  member  of  the  volunteer  fire  department 
over  30  years — and  at  its  reorganization  in  1916  was  made  assistant  fire 
chief,  and  in  1924  became  chief  of  the  department.  He  is  also  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Wilmington  Golf  Club. 


Elial  S.  Branson,  deceased,  was  widely  known  throughout  Will 
County.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  April  22,  1835,  the  son  of  Cyrus  and 
Harriet  (Scudder)  Branson. 

Cyrus  Branson  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Lockport,  having 
located  here  in  1833.  He  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  after  several 
years  spent  in  New  York  removed  to  Will  County.  He  made  the  trip 
by  horse  and  wagon  and  after  his  arrival  at  Lockport  purchased  a  tract 
of  300  acres,  where  he  erected  a  log  cabin.  Later  he  built  a  stone  house 
on  the  land  which  is  still  standing.  Elial  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  the  only  child  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brunson. 

Elial  S.  Brunson  was  the  first  male  child  born  at  Lockport.  He 
attended  the  district  school  and  throughout  his  life  was  interested  in 
general  fanning  and  stock  raising.  He  specialized  in  the  breeding  of 
sheep.  Mr.  Brunson  was  the  owner  of  210  acres  of  land  in  DuPage 
County.    He  died  in  1907  and  is  buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery. 

On  Dec.  29,  1859,  Mr.  Brunson  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Alden,  who 
was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  March  15,  1835,  the  daughter  of 
Simeon  and  Mary  (Campbell)  Alden.  Mr.  Alden  was  born  at  Stamford, 
Conn.,  July  22,  1800,  and  was  an  early  settler  of  New  York.  He  came 
to  Illinois  in  1846  and  settled  in  Chicago,  but  later  removed  to  DuPage 
County,  111.,  in  1853.    He  died  in  August,  1890,  and  his  wife,  who  was 


880  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

born  at  Rome,  N.  Y.  in  1807,  died  in  1883.  They  are  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Barbers  Corners,  Dupage  County.  They  had  the  following 
children:  Marietta,  Amanda,  Ann  Eliza,  Ellen  and  Welcome  S.,  all 
deceased ;  and  Elizabeth  Brunson. 

Elizabeth  Alden  Brunson  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  New  York 
and  Chicago,  and  in  1850  was  graduated  from  the  Hathaway  private 
school  in  Chicago.  For  many  years  she  was  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chicago  and  later  was  connected  with  the  schools  of  Dupage 
County. 

Mr.  Brunson  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church  and  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge.  His  widow,  one  of  the  most 
highly  esteemed  pioneer  women  of  the  county,  lives  at  1104  Madison 
Avenue,  Lockport.  She  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Congregational  Church. 


Fred  H.  Fritz — Among  the  successful  business  men  of  Joliet,  111.,  is 
Fred  H.  Fritz,  who  is  a  leading  sausage  manufacturer.  He  was  born  in 
Reutte  Baden,  Germany,  April  21,  1862,  a  son  of  Frank  and  Mary 
(Blume)  Fritz. 

Both  Frank  Fritz  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  conducted  a  small  farm,  and  later 
engaged  in  the  cafe  and  restaurant  business.  He  was  a  prominent  man 
in  the  community.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  Reutte  Baden. 
They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  1.  John,  deceased, 
buried  in  Germany.  2.  Josephine,  the  widow  of  Benjamin  Miller,  lives  at 
Norwalk,  Ohio.  3.  Matt,  born  April  22,  1850,  at  Reutte  Baden,  deceased, 
buried  in  Monroeville,  Ohio.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1870,  first 
locating  at  Erie,  Pa.  Jan.  6,  1871,  he  removed  to  Monroeville,  Ohio, 
where  he  married  Miss  Frances  Frey,  and  became  a  well  known  citizen 
of  that  place.  4.  Ida,  deceased,  buried  in  Zurich,  Switzerland.  5.  Donald, 
resides  at  Reutte  Baden.  6.  Helen,  died  in  1927,  and  is  buried  at  Reutte 
Baden.  7.  Joseph,  deceased,  buried  at  Lake  Constance,  Germany.  8. 
Anthony,  lives  at  Monroeville,  Ohio.  9.  Elizabeth,  lives  at  Reutte  Baden. 
10.  Fred  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Fred  H.  Fritz  attended  the  public  schools  in  Germany  and  on  Nov.  1, 
1876  went  to  Zurich,  Switzerland,  to  learn  the  meat  business,  where  he 
worked  for  two  and  one-half  years  for  his  board.  He  then  worked  in 
different  cities  in  Switzerland.    In  1882  he  came  to  the  United  States, 


fri:d  h.  fritz 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  881 

working  for  a  short  time  in  New  York,  Pittsburgh,  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
Toledo,  Cincinnati,  and  Chicago,  where  he  worked  at  the  meat  trade. 
On  Sept.  26,  1887  he  came  to  Joliet  and  worked  for  Kiep  Brothers  five 
years.  In  1892  he  returned  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  manager  of  the 
Louis  Lutz  meat  establishment,  one  of  the  largest  markets  in  Chicago. 
He  was  foreman  at  the  Hammond  Packing  Company  sausage  depart- 
ment, Hammond,  Ind.,  afterward  returning  to  Kiep  Brothers.  He  also 
worked  for  the  J.  C.  Adler  Company  in  Joliet.  With  John  B.  Stein  as 
a  partner  they  engaged  in  the  sausage  manufacturing  business,  which 
was  the  first  of  its  kind  in  Joliet.  He  later  sold  his  interest  to  Mr. 
Stein  and  engaged  in  business  under  his  own  name  in  the  old  Robinson 
Hall,  on  Joliet  Street.  This  hall  was  burned  in  January,  1908,  and  Mr. 
Fritz  located  his  business  at  209  South  Joliet  Street,  where  he  has  con- 
ducted the  sausage  manufacture  ever  since.  Mr.  Fritz  has  the  reputa- 
tion of  being  the  best  sausage  maker  in  the  city  of  Joliet  and  also 
throughout  the  surrounding  country.  He  is  known  throughout  the 
United  States  as  a  leader  in  this  industry. 

In  1895  Mr.  Fritz  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Freda  Schmid, 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  Schmid,  a  native  of  Tyrol,  Austria.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fritz  three  children  have  been  born:  Elsie,  married  Arthur  Joseph- 
son,  with  the  Nash  Motor  Company,  Joliet;  Stella,  a  graduate  of  St. 
John's  Commercial  School,  stenographer  and  bookkeeper  for  her  father ; 
and  Alma,  married  Milton  Wunderlich,  lives  in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Fritz  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  John's  German  Catholic 
Church.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No.  296; 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  300 ;  Modern  Woodmen  of  America ;  Catholic 
Order  of  Forresters;  and  the  Joliet  Rivals  Club.  The  family  residence 
is  at  607  Buell  Avenue. 


William  H.  MacDonald,  Jr.,  is  a  well  known  resident  and  successful 
business  man  of  Lockport,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  1,  1883.  He  is  the 
son  of  William  H.  and  Caroline  (Ernst)  MacDonald. 

William  H.  MacDonald,  one  of  the  most  successful  building  con- 
tractors of  Will  County,  is  a  native  of  DuPage  Township.  Early  in  life 
he  located  at  Lockport,  where  he  has  been  interested  in  the  contracting 
and  painting  business  for  many  years.  He  is  a  Democrat,  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.     His  wife,  who  was  born  at  Cairo,  111.,  died  Aug.  12,  1922, 

23— VOL.  2 


882  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  is  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  MacDonald 
were  born  seven  children,  as  follows:  Gale,  deceased;  William  H.,  Jr., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Caroline,  married  Earl  Spangler,  lives  in 
Lockport  Township,  Will  County ;  Earl  C,  lives  at  Lockport ;  Ivan,  lives 
at  Joliet;  Violet,  married  John  Debri,  lives  at  Lockport;  and  Clifton, 
lives  at  Joliet,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  with  the 
United  States  Navy. 

William  H.  MacDonald,  Jr.,  attended  the  public  schools  of  Lockport 
and  early  in  life  became  associated  with  his  father's  business.  Since 
1922  he  has  also  conducted  a  confectionery  business  at  1026  State  Street. 
He  has  an  attractive  store  and  a  well  established  trade. 

On  Oct.  2,  1923,  Mr.  MacDonald  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  Martin, 
of  Will  County. 

Mr.  MacDonald  is  a  Democrat. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  MacDonald  volunteered  for  service  and 
was  stationed  at  the  Great  Lakes  Naval  Training  Station  throughout 
the  duration  of  the  war. 


David  A.  Pesavento,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  shoe  business 
at  Lockport,  where  he  conducts  the  David  Shoe  Store,  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War  and  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  young  men  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  at  Lockport,  March  12,  1895,  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
Pesavento. 

John  Pesavento  came  to  this  country  from  Italy  in  1888  and  was 
among  the  earliest  settlers  to  locate  at  Lockport.  He  has  been  in  the 
employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  30  years  and  is  favorably 
known  in  the  community  where  he  has  spent  so  many  years.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  There  were  nine 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pesavento,  as  follows:  Mary,  married 
Julius  Rossetto,  lives  at  Lockport ;  David  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
John  and  Joseph,  twins,  live  at  home;  Antoinette,  married  Patrick 
McCarthy,  lives  in  Lockport;  Edith,  married  James  Higgins,  lives  at 
Lockport ;  Victor,  a  teacher  of  music,  lives  at  home ;  Frank,  died  at  the 
age  of  nine  years ;  and  Edith,  died  in  infancy. 

David  A.  Pesavento  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Lockport  and  attended  Metropolitan  Business  College.  He  was  among 
the  first  young  men  from  Lockport  to  enlist  in  service  during  the 
World  War  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  was  assigned 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  883 

to  the  138th  Infantry,  35th  Division.  He  served  in  France  and  was 
severely  wounded  during  the  battle  of  the  Argonne,  on  Sept.  26,  1918. 
He  was  discharged  from  the  service,  Feb.  7,  1919,  and  returned  to  Lock- 
port.  His  first  business  venture  was  in  January,  1927,  when  he  estab- 
lished his  present  business  at  Lockport.  Mr.  Pesavento  handles  high 
grade  merchandise  and  already  has  met  with  success  in  his  new  enter- 
prise. 

In  August,  1921,  Mr.  Pesavento  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Vota, 
of  South  Wilmington,  111.,  born  Aug.  27,  1901.  They  have  a  daughter, 
Margaret  Lorraine,  born  Dec.  9,  1922. 

Mr.  Pesavento  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  in  1924  was  a  candidate 
for  county  highway  commissioner  of  Will  County.  Mr.  Pesavento  holds 
membership  in  St.  Dennis  Catholic  Church. 


Edward  T.  Winkler  is  a  successful  merchant  and  progressive  citizen 
of  Lockport,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  the  past 
27  years.  He  was  born  here  Feb.  2,  1866,  the  son  of  Frederick  and 
Elizabeth  (Burkhardt)  Winkler. 

Frederick  Winkler  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany,  where 
he  was  born,  in  1858,  and  settled  at  Lockport,  Will  County.  He  was 
a  stone  mason  by  trade  and  his  first  work  in  this  city  was  in  the  build- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1858.  He  was  also  employed 
during  the  building  of  the  Illinois  State  Prison  at  Joliet.  He  died  March 
17,  1915,  and  his  wife,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  died  Oct.  14,  1924. 
Both  are  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery.  Mr.  Winkler  was  a  charter 
member  of  the  Evangelical  Church.  There  were  ten  children  in  the 
Winkler  family,  three  of  whom  survive:  Fred  0.,  a  farmer,  lives  in 
Kansas;  Charles,  farmer,  lives  in  Will  County;  and  Edward  T.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Edward  T.  Winkler  has  always  lived  at  Lockport.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  and  for  several  years  was  employed  in  this  city  as  a 
grocery  clerk.  In  1901,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  he  organized 
his  present  business,  which  has  since  been  known  as  Winkler  Brothers. 
It  is  located  on  East  Ninth  Street,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  business 
establishments  in  the  city.  Mr.  Winkler  has  been  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  since  its  organization  in  1907. 

On  April  9,  1890,  Mr.  Winkler  married  Miss  Bertha  M.  Loehlin,  who 
was  born  in  Chicago,  Nov.  17,  1866,  the  daughter  of  Gotleib  and  Mary 


884  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

(Yirfitz)  Loehlin,  natives  of  Germany,  and  early  settlers  of  Chicago. 
Mr.  Loehlin  was  a  teacher  and  died  in  Chicago  at  the  age  of  thirty  years. 
His  widow,  now  aged  86  years,  lives  at  Portland,  Ore.  They  had  three 
children:  Herman,  lives  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.;  Henry,  deceased;  and 
Bertha  M.  Winkler.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winkler  were  born  two  children: 
Estella,  married  Edward  Speaker,  lives  at  Lockport;  and  Clinton,  a 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  now  employed  by  the  Armour 
Packing  Company  in  Chicago  as  an  accountant.    He  lives  at  home. 

Mr.   Winkler  is  an  active  member  of  the  Evangelical   Church   of 
Joliet.    He  has  been  an  alderman  of  Lockport  for  several  years. 


C.  J.  Luther  is  among  the  highly  successful  and  widely  known  busi- 
ness men  of  Wilmington,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  for  30  years 
and  the  coal  and  grain  business  for  the  past  two  years.  He  was  born 
on  the  Luther  homestead,  near  Wilmington,  April  4,  1879,  the  son  of 
Frederick  Augustus  and  Mary  E.  (Thomas)  Luther. 

Frederick  Augustus  Luther  was  born  in  Rockdale  Township,  Kan- 
kakee County,  111.,  in  1855,  and  was  ten  years  old  when  his  family 
removed  to  Will  County.  He  was  the  owner  of  "Bonnie  View  Farm"  and 
ranked  among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Wilmington  Township.  He  was 
a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Swedenborgen  Church.  He  died 
Jan.  28,  1921,  and  is  buried  at  Wilmington.  His  widow  removed  from 
the  homestead  to  Wilmington  in  1923.  She  was  born  in  England  in 
1856.  Two  sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luther;  C.  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  John  Hemy,  deceased. 

C.  J.  Luther  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilmington  and 
following  his  graduation  from  high  school  he  attended  college  at  Urbana, 
Ohio,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  in  1900.  He  began  farming 
then  on  the  old  homestead,  which  he  now  owns.  Mr.  Luther  became 
interested  in  the  coal  and  grain  business  at  Wilmington  in  1927  and 
throughout  the  years  has  established  an  excellent  business.  He  is  also 
vice  president  of  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau  and  for  four  years  was 
president  of  the  Will  County  Farmers  Institute. 

On  Jan.'  8,  1901,  Mr.  Luther  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Blanche  Magrew,  of  Westville,  Ohio,  born  Oct.  8,  1878,  the  daughter  of 
L.  W.  and  Mary  (Harwood)  Magrew,  residents  of  Westville.  They  have 
four  children :  Blanche  Luther ;  Nellie,  married  George  McCracken,  lives 
at  Akron,  Ohio;  Bertha,  married  T.  E.  Russell,  lives  at  Columbus,  Ohio; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  885 

and  Pearl,  married  Harry  Pemberton,  lives  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  Mr. 
Magrew  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Knights  of 
Pythias.  Before  his  retirement  he  was  engaged  in  general  farming 
near  Westville,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luther  have  two  children;  Julius 
Magrew,  born  May  19,  1906,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois;  and 
Mary  Zelinda,  bora  Feb.  11,  1912,  attends  Wilmington  High  School. 

Mr.  Luther  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Knights 
of  Pythias.    He  is  also  chairman  of  the  local  Red  Cross. 

The  Luther  family  may  be  traced  as  far  back  as  1645,  at  which 
time  John  S.  Luther  was  killed  in  Delaware  Bay  by  the  Indians. 


James  W.  Mclntyre,  deceased,  was  esteemed  throughout  Will  County 
as  an  honored  pioneer  resident  of  Wilmington  Township,  where  he  has 
spent  practically  his  entire  life.  He  was  bora  in  Fulton  County,  New 
York,  Oct.  11,  1853,  the  son  of  Duncan  and  Lucinda  (Hadsall)  Mclntyre. 

Duncan  Mclntyre  came  to  Illinois  from  Fulton  County  about  1856 
and  settled  in  Florence  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  purchased  the 
Potts  farm.  Two  years  later  he  met  with  an  accidental  death  while 
engaged  in  building  his  house.  His  wife  is  also  deceased,  and  they  are 
buried  in  Star's  Grove  Cemetery,  Will  County.  Mr.  Mclntyre  was  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  There  were  seven  children 
in  the  Mclntyre  family,  as  follows:  Daniel,  John,  Thomas  R.,  Anna, 
and  Margaret,  all  deceased;  Archibald  D.,  retired,  lives  at  Wilmington; 
and  James  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.    He  died  July  12,  1928. 

James  W.  Mclntyre  attended  Fairfield  Seminary  in  New  York  State. 
At  an  early  age  he  became  interested  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  and 
for  more  than  half  a  century  ranked  among  the  leading  agriculturists 
of  Will  County,  being  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  land  in  Wilmington 
Township.  Since  the  time  of  his  retirement  17  years  ago  Mr.  Mclntyre 
had  been  a  resident  of  Wilmington. 

On  Feb.  3,  1886,  Mr.  Mclntyre  married  Miss  Ida  Wayne,  who  was 
born  in  Fulton  County,  New  York,  April  20,  1861,  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Angeline  (Brower)  Wayne,  both  deceased.  They  are  buried  at 
Broadalbin,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Wayne  was  a  brother  of  Capt.  Thomas  Wayne, 
who  served  throughout  the  Civil  War.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mclntyre  were 
born  five  children :  Wayne,  who  died  April  2,  1919 ;  Lucille,  a  graduate  of 


886  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Joliet  Township  High  School  and  the  New  York  Conservatory  of  Music, 
married  Olie  Osborne,  lives  at  Wilmington,  and  they  have  two  daughters, 
Isabel  and  Beatrice;  Dr.  George,  specialist  in  diseases  of  the  eye,  ear, 
and  throat,  Chicago,  married  Miss  Zella  Osborne,  and  they  have  a  son, 
George,  Jr. ;  James  D.,  a  graduate  of  Chicago  University,  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  and  bond  business  at  Joliet;  married  Miss  Mildred  Bigelow, 
and  they  have  two  sons:  James,  III,  and  Charles;  and  Margaret  Ellen, 
a  graduate  of  Decatur  College,  and  James  Milliken  University,  married 
E.  M.  Spence,  manager  of  the  office  of  the  Decatur,  Illinois,  district  of 
the  New  York  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Mclntyre  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  had  served  as  Elder  for  many  years.  He  also 
belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Knights  Templar.  He  served  as 
director  of  the  local  school  board. 


James  Aspel,  who  is  serving  as  policeman  of  Lockport,  is  a  substan- 
tial and  well  known  citizen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Dublin, 
Ireland,  Aug.  10,  1865,  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (McCarthy)  Aspel. 

John  Aspel  emigrated  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland  with  his 
family  in  1867.  He  located  at  Joliet  but  shortly  afterward  removed 
to  Dupage  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  farm 
of  Frank  Lambert  for  four  years.  He  then  rented  land  and  later  became 
owner  of  a  farm  in  Lockport  Township.  After  his  retirement  he  lived 
at  Lockport,  where  he  died  in  1920.  His  widow,  now  86  years  of  age, 
lives  at  Lockport.  There  were  ten  children  in  the  Aspel  family,  as 
follows:  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Julia,  the  widow  of  John 
Bannon,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Mary,  died  at  the  age  of  19  years ;  Margaret, 
married  Thomas  Homerding,  lives  at  Mokena,  111.;  Laura,  who  died  in 
1928;  Loran,  twin  brother  of  Laura,  and  mention  of  whom  is  made 
below ;  Peter,  died  May  4,  1928 ;  Ella,  married  Paul  Kentz,  farmer,  lives 
in  Homer  Township,  Will  County;  Frank,  lives  in  Chicago;  and  John, 
a  farmer,  lives  at  Congersville,  111.  Mr.  Aspel  was  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  St.  Dennis  Catholic  Church. 

Loran  Aspel  was  born  in  Will  County,  Jan.  4,  1875.  Throughout 
his  business  career  he  engaged  in  the  express  business  at  Lockport. 
He  died  Jan.  8,  1919.  He  was  married  Jan.  22,  1901,  to  Miss  Grace 
Cleveland,  of  Lemont,  111.,  born  Nov.  11,  1877.  They  had  three  chil- 
dren:   1.  Loran,  Jr.,  born  Sept.  25,  1902,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  887 

of  Chicago.  He  was  married  Sept.  18,  1926,  to  Miss  Marian  Spangler, 
who  was  born  at  Plainfield,  111.,  March  22,  1901.  2.  Florence,  born  Jan. 
29,  1906,  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Lockport.  3.  Gladys,  born  Oct.  12, 
1911,  a  student. 

James  Aspel  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Plain- 
field  Township,  and  engaged  in  general  farming  until  1920.  He  special- 
ized in  the  breeding  of  horses  and  was  a  feeder  of  stock.  He  owned 
240  acres  of  land  in  North  Dakota,  which  he  sold  in  1913,  having  gone 
to  North  Dakota  in  the  spring  of  1910,  and  returned  to  Lockport  Town- 
ship, Will  County  in  1912,  where  he  farmed  one  year.  He  farmed  eight 
years  in  New  Lenox  Township  and  in  1920,  Mr.  Aspel  removed  to  Lock- 
port  where  he  served  as  city  engineer  for  two  years.  In  October,  1927, 
he  was  appointed  city  policeman.  He  served  as  tax  collector  of  New 
Lenox  Township  for  one  term,  and  was  appointed  assessor  to  fill  the  un- 
expired term  of  Willis  Moms,  and  was  elected  assessor  for  the  town- 
ship and  served  during  the  years  of  1920,  1921  and  1922.  He  served  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board  of  Homer  Township  for  12  years  and  nine 
years  in  New  Lenox  Township.   He  is  prominent  in  all  local  affairs. 

On  Nov.  26,  1890,  Mr.  Aspel  married  Miss  Mary  Rhames,  who  was 
born  in  Homer  Township,  Will  County,  Aug.  7,  1872,  the  daughter  of 
Herman  and  Mary  Rhames,  natives  of  Germany,  and  the  parents  of 
the  following  children :  Henry,  lives  in  North  Dakota ;  Lillie,  the  widow 
of  Nathaniel  Boyce,  lives  in  Homer  Township,  Will  County ;  George,  died 
at  the  age  of  21  years;  Kate,  the  widow  of  George  Bastian,  lives  at 
Peoria,  111. ;  Herman,  lives  at  Mott,  N.  D. ;  and  Mary  Aspel.  Mr.  Rhames 
died  in  1872,  and  his  wife  died  in  1904.  They  are  buried  in  Brook  Cem- 
etery, Homer  Township.  There  are  seven  children  in  the  Aspel  family, 
as  follows:  1.  Frank,  born  Oct.  18,  1891,  married  Bertha  Marti,  and 
they  have  two  children:  Lois,  born  April  25,  1915,  and  Eugene,  born 
Jan.  11,  1925.  They  live  at  Joliet.  2.  Howard  Joseph,  born  Sept.  8,  1893, 
married  Agnes  Jungles,  and  they  have  two  children:  Dorothy  Marie, 
born  Sept.  13,  1921,  and  Frances  K.,  born  in  1922.  They  live  at  Lock- 
port.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  as  a  member 
of  Company  D,  37th  Infantry.  3.  Alice  M.,  born  Oct.  27,  1895,  married 
John  Jungles,  farmer,  and  they  have  three  children:  Donald,  born 
July  3,  1920 ;  Edward,  born  in  1923 ;  and  Ralph,  born  Dec.  28,  1925.  They 
live  at  Blue  Island,  111.  4.  Edward  J.,  born  July  29,  1897,  lives  at  home. 
5.  Agnes,  born  March  22,  1899,  lives  at  home.  6.  Helen,  born  Oct.  29, 
1905,  died  Feb.  26,  1907.  7.  Mabel  C,  born  Aug.  16,  1908,  married 
Edmond  Briscoe,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Audrey  Marie,  born  Nov. 


888  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

24,  1927.    They  live  at  Joliet.    8.  Edna  Catherine,  born  Nov.  28,  1912, 
attends  Lockport  High  School. 

Mr.  Aspel  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Dennis  Catholic  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  Catholic  Order 
of  Forresters. 


Charles  W.  Berger  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  and  widely  known 
business  man  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  identified  with  the  Berger  Electrical 
Company.  He  was  born  in  Iowa,  Nov.  28,  1874,  and  spent  his  early  life 
in  that  section.  After  completing  his  early  schooling  he  attended  the 
Heddington  Business  College  at  Mason  City,  Iowa,  and  later  studied 
electrical  work,  at  Ames,  Iowa.  He  spent  almost  12  years  in  the  hard- 
ware business  at  Mason  City,  and  was  also  connected  with  the  White 
Glass  Company,  in  charge  of  the  advertising  department.  Shortly 
after  his  marriage  in  1895  Mr.  Berger  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  was  con- 
nected with  the  business  of  A.  Dinet  &  Company.  He  spent  11  years 
with  that  concern  and  was  later  with  the  Boston  Store  as  window  trim- 
mer, stock  man  and  advertising  manager.  He  became  interested  in 
the  electrical  business  in  partnership  with  John  Farrell,  who  is  now 
proprietor  of  the  Farrell  Electrical  Company,  Van  Buren  Street.  Since 
1910  Mr.  Berger  has  conducted  his  business  in  Joliet  in  the  Arcade 
Building  and  No.  Ill  South  Owatta  Street  and  is  now  located  at  212 
Jefferson  Avenue,  where  he  specializes  in  electrical  engineering  and 
appliances.  He  also  does  contract  work  in  the  installation  of  power 
and  light  systems,  some  of  his  largest  contracts  being  the  Will  County 
National  Bank,  Will  County  Farm,  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad 
locomotive  shops  in  Joliet,  Will  County  Court  House,  Beach  Building, 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  Joliet  Township  Auditorium,  St.  Raymond's 
Catholic  Church  and  Parish,  Boston  Store,  Bennett  Store,  Superior  Wall 
Paper  Company,  and  the  Farrell  Manufacturing  Company. 

In  1895  Mr.  Berger  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Forberg,  of  Mason 
City,  Iowa.  They  have  three  children:  Gladys,  a  teacher  in  the  Broad- 
way School,  Joliet;  Dorothy  and  Hazel,  both  students. 

Politically  Mr.  Berger  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Richards  Street  Methodist  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  32nd  degree,  having  been  eminent  commander 
of  Joliet  Lodge,  No.  4,  during  1911  and  1912,  and  president  of  the 
Shriner's  Club  in  1923.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  for  several  years  has  been  a  leader  in  all  branches  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  889 

I.  0.  0.  F.  and  auxiliaries.  Since  1927  he  has  been  president  of  Electric 
Contractors  and  Dealers  of  Northern  Illinois.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Elks  Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  Rotary  Club  and  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. 

Mr.  Berger  is  also  active  in  the  Old  Scouts  Club,  Will  County  Council 
Boy  Scouts  of  America. 


Henry  Merkel,  M.  D. — Ranking  high  among  the  successful  young 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  Will  County  is  Doctor  Merkel,  of  Wilmington, 
who  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  at  Baltimore,  Md., 
May  1,  1891,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Emma  (Heise)  Merkel. 

Henry  Merkel  is  among  the  prominent  business  men  of  Baltimore, 
Md.,  where  he  has  engaged  in  business  for  many  years,  being  the  owner 
of  a  marble  and  monumental  works  in  that  city.  He  was  born  in  Ger- 
many and  came  to  the  United  States  when  three  years  of  age.  He  was 
the  son  of  Anton  Merkel,  at  one  time  mayor  of  the  city  of  Allendorf 
in  Germany.  He  lost  his  entire  fortune  during  the  Franco-Prussian 
War  and  shortly  afterward  came  to  America  with  his  family  and  settled 
in  Baltimore,  Md.  Henry  Merkel  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  being  president  of  the  church  board.  There  were 
nine  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merkel,  as  follows:  Henry,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch ;  Elsa,  married  Norman  Schnepfe,  lives  at  Edgewood, 
Md. ;  Gerhardt,  lives  in  Baltimore,  Md. ;  Ernst,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World 
War,  lives  in  Baltimore,  Md.;  Fred,  lives  in  Baltimore,  Md. ;  Alvin,  re- 
sides in  Catonsville,  Md.;  Arthur,  attends  Johns  Hopkin  University; 
and  Carl,  also  a  student  at  Johns  Hopkin  University. 

The  early  education  of  Henry  Merkel  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Baltimore.  He  was  graduated  from  Concordia  College  at 
Bronxville,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1916  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
from  the  University  of  Maryland.  He  served  his  interneship  at  St. 
Joseph's  Hospital  in  Baltimore  and  in  August,  1917,  volunteered  for 
service  in  the  World  War.  He  was  sent  to  Camp  Stewart,  Va.,  and  in 
June,  1918,  was  commissioned  as  a  first  lieutenant  and  sent  to  France. 
Throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war  period  he  was  attached  to  the 
Base  Hospital  at  Brest,  France.  Upon  his  return  to  the  United  States 
Doctor  Merkel  was  attached  to  the  U.  S.  Base  Hospital  at  Hampton, 
Va.,  where  he  served  as  assistant  chief  of  medical  service.  He  was  dis- 
charged Sept.  16,  1919,  and  in  November  of  that  year  came  to  Wilming- 


890  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ton,  where  he  has  established  an  excellent  practice.  Besides  his  exten- 
sive private  practice  he  is  a  member  of  the  staffs  of  Silver  Cross  and 
St.  Joseph's  hospitals.  He  is  also  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical 
Association. 

On  July  31,  1919,  Doctor  Merkel  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Arline  Spencer,  who  was  born  at  Joliet,  Nov.  19,  1896.  They  have  no 
children. 

Doctor  Merkel  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  is  identified  with  the  American  Legion,  being  past  commander  of 
Lester  Smith  Post  No.  191,  Wilmington. 


William  J.  Barrett  is  among  the  enterprising  young  business  men 
of  Lockport,  where  he  is  proprietor  of  a  men's  furnishing  store  at  920 
State  Street.  He  was  born  at  Joliet,  Sept.  9,  1893,  the  son  of  James 
and  Julia  (Lacey)  Barrett. 

James  Barrett,  retired,  is  a  native  of  Joliet,  born  in  that  city  in 
April,  1863.  Throughout  his  active  career  he  was  employed  by  the 
Illinois  Steel  Company.  He  was  married  May  23,  1888,  to  Miss  Julia 
Lacey,  who  was  born  in  Joliet,  June  8,  1865.  They  have  the  following 
children:  Thomas,  born  June  4,  1889,  a  World  War  veteran,  lives  at 
Joliet;  May,  lives  at  home;  Nell,  lives  at  home;  William  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Edna,  deceased;  and  James,  Jr.,  lives  at  home.  Mr. 
Barrett  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church.  He 
has  lived  retired  since  1928. 

William  J.  Barrett  obtained  his  early  schooling  in  the  parochial 
schools  of  Joliet  and  in  1911  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High 
School.  He  began  work  as  a  foreman  for  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern 
Railroad  and  remained  in  that  company's  employ  until  May  6,  1916,  at 
which  time  he  suffered  the  loss  of  his  left  arm  and  leg  in  an  accident. 
Three  years  later  he  became  interested  in  the  clothing  business  in  Joliet 
and  conducted  a  business  there  until  1923,  at  which  time  he  located  in 
Lockport  and  established  his  present  business. 

On  Jan.  15,  1923,  Mr.  Barrett  married  Miss  Maud  Miller,  of  Lock- 
port,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Patsy  Ruth,  born  Nov.  3,  1923. 

Mr.  Barrett  holds  membership  in  the  Catholic  Church  and  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  Elks  lodge. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  891 

A.  G.  Leonard,  Jr.,  a  World  War  veteran,  is  one  of  the  best  known 
young  business  men  of  Will  County,  being  secretary  of  the  Orenda 
Corporation,  manufacturers  of  roofing  felts  and  box  board.  The  factory 
is  located  on  Water  Street  in  Wilmington.  Mr.  Leonard  was  born  in 
New  York  City,  Oct.  5,  1898,  the  son  of  Arthur  G.  and  Mary  Jane 
(Ashley)  Leonard. 

The  early  schooling  of  A.  G.  Leonard,  Jr.,  was  obtained  in  the 
Armour  Institute  in  Chicago.  He  then  worked  for  the  Mercury  Manu- 
facturing Company  of  Chicago,  111.,  in  which  he  is  still  interested.  In 
1924  he  came  to  Wilmington,  111.,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Orenda  Corporation,,  of  which  he  has  since  been  secretary.  The  Orenda 
Corporation  was  organized  in  1924  with  the  following  officers:  Arthur 
G.  Leonard,  president ;  E.  A.  Leonard,  vice  president  and  treasurer ;  and 
A.  G.  Leonard,  Jr.,  secretary.  They  employ  approximately  150  men  and 
carry  on  a  large  volume  of  business  annually. 

Mr.  Leonard  was  married  in  1923  to  Miss  Doris  Martin,  of  Chicago, 
111.,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Isabelle,  born  in  Chicago,  Dec.  26,  1925. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Leonard  enlisted  for  service  in  the  United 
States  Navy  and  was  stationed  at  the  Great  Lakes  Training  Station  in 
Chicago. 

Mr.  Leonard  is  prominent  in  all  civic  affairs. 


Fred  Schmednecht  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  young  business  men 
of  Wilmington,  where  he  is  manager  of  the  I.  N.  R.  Beatty  Lumber  Com- 
pany plant.  He  was  born  at  Tinley  Park,  111.,  Oct.  4,  1896,  the  son  of 
Fred  and  Anna  (Schuman)  Schmednecht. 

Fred  Schmednecht,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Michigan  and  early  in  life  re- 
moved to  Cook  County,  111.  In  1897  he  became  a  member  of  the  police 
force  of  Tinley  Park  and  continued  in  that  service  until  1928,  when  he 
retired.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Schmednecht,  who  live  at  Tinley  Park,  are  the  parents  of  four 
children:  Josephine,  lives  at  home;  Edward,  lives  at  Blue  Island,  111.,  is 
a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  France  with  the  131st 
Machine  Gun  Battalion;  Fred,  Jr.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Elsie, 
married  Elmer  Brandau,  farmer,  lives  at  Tinley  Park,  111. 

The  education  of  Fred  Schmednecht  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Tinley  Park.  Throughout  his  business  career  he  has  been 
identified  with  the  I.  N.  R.  Beatty  Lumber  Company.    He  began  in  1916 


892  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

as  manager  of  the  company's  plant  at  Tinley  Park  and  later  was  trans- 
ferred to  Morris,  111.,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  general  offices. 
In  April,  1918,  he  volunteered  for  service  in  the  World  War  and  enlisted 
in  the  U.  S.  Marine  Corps  at  Quantico,  Va.  He  was  discharged  in  April, 
1919,  and  returned  to  Wilmington  as  manager  for  the  local  plant  of  the 
I.  N.  R.  Beatty  Lumber  Company. 

Mr.  Schmednecht  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
of  Tinley  Park,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  American  Legion,  being  sergeant  at  arms  of  Lester  Smith  Post 
No.  191,  Wilmington. 

Mr.  Schmednecht  is  unmarried. 


Arthur  J.  Ward. — A  substantial  citizen  and  dependable  business  man 
of  Wilmington  is  found  in  Arthur  J.  Ward,  who  has  spent  his  entire  life 
in  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Dec.  3,  1862,  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Diana  (Pratt)  Ward. 

Henry  Ward  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  England,  Nov.  29,  1832. 
He  came  to  this  country  in  1850  and  settled  in  St.  Lawrence  County, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  six  years.  Later  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled 
in  Peoria  County.  He  removed  to  Will  County  in  1859  and  purchased  a 
farm  in  Florence  Township,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  was  a  Republican,  and  held  the  offices  of  township  supervisor,  asses- 
sor, and  alderman  of  Wilmington.  He  held  membership  in  the  Episcopal 
Church  of  England,  and  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  died  Jan. 
15,  1916,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  at  Peoria,  111.,  April  14,  1841,  died 
Nov.  8,  1898.  Both  are  buried  in  Star's  Grove  Cemetery,  Florence  Town- 
ship. There  were  six  children  in  the  Ward  family  as  follows :  Myron  H., 
retired,  lives  at  Wilmington ;  Arthur  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Julia, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  J.  M.  Kleffman,  Joliet ;  Mary,  lives  at  Wilming- 
ton; Sarah,  twin  sister  of  Mary,  died  in  infancy;  and  Carrie  Florence, 
married  G.  W.  Bush,  lives  at  Joliet. 

Arthur  J.  Ward  attended  the  district  schools  of  Florence  Township 
and  began  life  as  a  farmer.  He  operated  a  grain  elevator  at  Wilmington 
for  five  years  and  was  the  owner  of  land  in  Custer  and  Wilmington  Town- 
ships. Besides  his  agricultural  interests  Mr.  Ward  is  the  owner  of  the 
City  Flour  Mills  at  Wilmington,  which  he  purchased  from  R.  D.  Corbin, 
in  June,  1928. 

On  Dec.  18,  1888,  Mr.  Ward  married  Miss  Mary  Dalzill,  who  was  born 
in  Scotland,  July  11,  1862,  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Jane  (Mur- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  893 

dock)  Dalzill.  Mr.  Dalzill  brought  his  family  to  the  United  States  from 
Scotland  many  years  ago  and  settled  at  Braidwood,  111.,  where  he  was 
employed  in  the  coal  mines.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  Dalzill 
family,  as  follows:  Andrew,  died  in  1928;  Euphemia,  married  Albert 
Blogg,  lives  in  South  Dakota ;  Jane,  the  widow  of  Adolphus  Greider,  lives 
at  Pontiac,  111.;  Mary  Ward;  Benjamin,  deceased;  James  and  Albert,  who 
live  at  Wilmington;  and  Helen,  the  widow  of  Benjamin  Leach,  lives  at 
Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ward  were  bom  ten  children  as  follows:  1. 
Harry,  bom  Nov.  20,  1889,  lives  at  Wilmington,  was  married  on  June  15, 
1916,  to  Miss  Ethel  Morse,  and  they  have  had  three  sons:  Henry;  Harry, 
Jr. ;  and  Charles,  died  in  infancy.  2.  Alice  May,  born  Feb.  27,  1891,  was 
married  in  1918  to  John  Carter,  lives  at  Indiana  Harbor,  Ind.  3.  James 
Martin,  born  April  20,  1893,  was  married  in  1920,  to  Miss  G.  Blogg,  and 
they  have  a  daughter,  Lillian.  4.  Martha  Jane,  born  March  2,  1898,  was 
married  in  1919  to  Clarence  Blogg,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  lives  at 
Wilmington,  and  they  have  two  children,  Ronald  Arthur,  and  Lorraine. 
5.  Eva,  born  July  29,  1900,  died  in  January,  1901.  6.  Julia,  born  Jan.  16, 
1902,  died  in  infancy.  7.  Maud,  born  Nov.  20,  1903,  was  married  in  1921, 
to  Fern  Beard,  lives  at  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  they  have  two  children,  Dor- 
othy Alice  and  Robert.  8.  Mary  Emily,  born  April  17,  1905,  was  married 
in  1923,  to  Arthur  Singelton,  lives  at  Wilmington,  and  they  have  a  son, 
Arthur.  9.  Arthur  J.,  Jr.,  born  Feb.  13,  1909.  10.  William,  born  May  13, 
1911. 

Mr.  Ward  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  served  as  assessor  of 
Wilmington  Township  for  13  years,  and  has  been  a  director  of  the  town- 
ship.   He  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


O.  L.  Addleman. — The  undertaking  establishment  of  O.  L.  Addleman, 
Wilmington,  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  funeral  homes  in  Will  County, 
and  he  is  recognized  as  an  expert  funeral  director.  He  was  born  at 
Barclay,  111.,  June  27,  1893,  the  son  of  Oliver  Grant  and  Hattie  L. 
(Broughton)  Addleman. 

Oliver  Grant  Addleman,  who  is  serving  as  internal  revenue  collector 
for  the  southern  district  of  Illinois  at  Springfield,  is  a  prominent  Repub- 
lican of  that  section.  He  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  was  one 
of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Barclay,  111.  In  1905  he  removed  to  Springfield, 
111.,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  served  as  postmaster  of  Barclay  and 
as  United  States  marshal,  and  was  also  probate  clerk  for  a  period  of 
12  years.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  is  affiliated  with 


894  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

the  Masonic  Lodge.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Logan  County,  111.,  died  April 
20,  1926,  and  is  buried  at  Springfield,  111.  There  were  four  children  in 
the  Addleman  family:  0.  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Yvetta,  married 
Luther  Taylor,  lives  at  Springfield,  111. ;  Gladys,  married  Lester  Forster, 
lives  at  Springfield,  111. ;  and  Howard  Wilson,  a  student. 

0.  L.  Addleman  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Spring- 
field and  in  1915  was  graduated  from  the  Eckels  School  of  Embalming, 
Chicago.  He  then  came  to  Wilmington  but  before  engaging  in  business 
for  himself  he  was  employed  in  Joliet  by  Wonderlich  &  Harris.  At  the 
time  of  the  World  War  he  enlisted  for  service  on  May  27,  1917,  and  was 
sent  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  and  assigned  to  the  Medical  Corps.  Fol- 
lowing the  close  of  the  war  he  reenlisted  and  was  in  service  for  a  total 
period  of  three  years.  He  spent  two  years  in  France  and  Germany  in 
active  service  as  a  sergeant  with  the  Medical  Corps  and  was  discharged 
on  June  6,  1920,  at  Fort  Slocum,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Addleman  established  his 
present  business  at  Wilmington  on  June  20,  1924.  It  is  located  at  321 
Main  Street. 

On  May  10,  1921,  Mr.  Addleman  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Hyacinth  Jupin,  who  was  born  at  Dexterville,  Ky.,  Dec.  9,  1899,  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Charles  and  Margaret  (Gibbons)  Jupin,  natives  of 
Kentucky  and  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Beatrice,  the  widow 
of  Donald  Pearce.  She  resides  at  Mason  City,  111. ;  Bishop  M.  was  killed 
in  action  while  serving  in  France  during  the  World  War,  Sept.  14,  1918, 
is  buried  at  Mason  City,  111. ;  Hyacinth  Addleman ;  Earl,  lives  at  Austin, 
Texas;  Charles,  minister  of  the  Christian  Church,  Beloit,  Wis.;  and 
Fern,  died  in  infancy.  Rev.  Charles  Jupin,  Sr.,  is  a  retired  minister  of 
the  Christian  Church  at  Mason  City,  111.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  is  affili- 
ated with  the  Masonic  lodge.  There  are  two  children  in  the  Addleman 
family :  Omer  Earl,  born  Feb.  27,  1922 ;  and  Eileen,  born  May  2,  1925. 

Politically  Mr.  Addleman  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Methodist  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge. 


C.  H.  Kahler,  retired,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  merchant  of 
Wilmington,  and  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  fami- 
lies of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Jan.  16,  1861,  the  son 
of  T.  W.  and  Emily  (Price)  Kahler. 

T.  W.  Kahler  came  to  Illinois  from  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born, 
in  1859,  and  settled  at  Wilmington,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  895 

business.  He  served  as  mayor  of  this  city  for  six  years  and  always  took 
an  active  interest  in  local  affairs.  He  was  a  stanch  Republican,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  He  died  Oct.  4,  1905,  and  his  wife  died  June  1,  1922. 
They  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  The  only  child 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kahler  was  C.  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

C.  H.  Kahler  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wilming- 
ton and  from  1883  until  1901  was  interested  in  the  general  mercantile 
business  at  Wilmington.  He  then  served  as  cashier  of  the  Commercial 
National  Bank  for  a  period  of  14  years  and  since  severing  his  connec- 
tions with  the  bank  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  dis- 
posal of  gasoline  and  oils  at  Wilmington  on  State  Route  No.  4.  He  is  the 
owner  of  several  valuable  pieces  of  real  estate  in  the  city  and  also  owns 
60  acres  of  river  frontage.  He  has  in  his  possession  several  tracts  of 
ranch  land  in  California  and  also  owns  real  estate  in  Los  Angeles. 

On  June  26,  1885,  Mr.  Kahler  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Alice 
Shurcliff,  who  was  born  in  Sheffield,  England,  Sept.  12,  1865,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Anna  (Caldwell)  Shurcliff.  The  former  was  bora  in 
England  in  January,  1846,  and  the  latter  also  was  born  there  in  that 
year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shurcliff  came  to  America  in  1873  and  settled  in 
Connecticut,  but  later  removed  to  Will  County.  They  were  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Alice  Kahler;  Emily,  married  F.  Hamilton 
Sautor,  lives  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.;  Charles  H.,  lives  in  Chicago;  Major 
Arnold,  lives  at  Chicago,  he  enlisted  in  the  World  War  from  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  served  across  the  sea  as  a  major;  and  Anna,  married  R.  B. 
Lee,  lives  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Shurcliff  died  Dec.  21,  1921,  and  his  wife  died 
March  27,  1927.  They  are  buried  in  Chicago.  Four  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kahler:  1.  Eugene  C,  born  April  19,  1886,  lives  at 
Wilmington,  was  married  on  July  24,  1920,  to  Miss  Harriet  Dubet,  of 
Peoria,  111.,  and  they  have  two  children:  Herve  Dubet,  born  June  8, 
1922,  and  John  Eugene,  born  Dec.  29,  1924.  2.  Julian  C,  bora  May  19, 
1888,  lives  in  Chicago.  3.  Marcel  C,  bora  May  9,  1891,  connected  with 
the  Bell  Telephone  Company,  Chicago.  He  was  married  on  Aug.  25, 
1919,  to  Miss  Matilda  Hart,  of  Chicago,  and  they  have  a  son,  Robert  C, 
born  Feb.  19,  1921.  Marcel  C.  Kahler  is  a  World  War  veteran,  having 
enlisted  from  Chicago,  May  9,  1917.  He  served  in  France  and  was 
discharged  from  Camp  Grant,  111.,  in  1919.  4.  Helen  Zalene,  born  Dec. 
24,  1897,  a  graduate  of  Wilmington  High  School,  attended  Lake  Forest 
Seminary  and  is  a  graduate  nurse,  having  trained  at  Englewood  Hos- 


396  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

pital  in  1922.    She  is  connected  with  the  Osteopathic  Hospital  in  Los 
Angeles,  Calif. 

Mr.  Kahler  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  served  as  mayor  of 
Wilmington  for  eight  years  and  as  supervisor  for  two  terms.  He  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Mrs.  Kahler  is  identified  with  the  Eastern  Star  Lodge  and  for  four  years 
was  Worthy  Matron  of  the  local  chapter  and  for  three  years  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Relief  Corps  of  Wilmington.  She  is  an  active  church  worker 
and  is  prominent  in  all  civic  and  club  affairs. 


Leonard  G.  Wilson,  who  is  president  of  the  Peoples  Loan  &  Home- 
stead Association,  ranks  high  among  the  representative  men  of  Joliet. 
He  was  born  in  London,  England,  Aug.  7,  1847,  the  son  of  Leonard  and 
Nancy  Ellen  (Weed)  Wilson. 

Leonard  Wilson,  deceased,  spent  his  entire  life  in  London  and  was 
a  jeweler.  He  died  in  1903  and  his  wife  died  in  1863.  Both  are  buried 
in  London.  They  had  the  following  children:  Ellen  Selina,  deceased; 
Leonard  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Matilda  Caroline,  unmarried, 
lives  in  London,  England;  Sophia,  deceased;  Annie  Elizabeth,  married 
William  Handley,  lives  in  New  Zealand;  and  William  Joseph,  lives  in 
London,  England. 

Leonard  G.  Wilson  received  his  education  in  private  schools  in  Eng- 
land. He  began  his  business  career  as  an  entry  clerk  in  a  wholesale 
house  in  London  and  later  was  associated  with  his  father's  jewelry  busi- 
ness for  some  time.  In  1867  he  came  to  America  and  in  1868  he  came 
to  Joliet,  where  he  worked  in  the  offices  of  the  Michigan  Central  Rail- 
road. In  1875  he  became  connected  with  the  Peoples  Loan  &  Home- 
stead Association,  being  one  of  the  early  members  of  the  organization. 
This  business  was  founded  by  E.  B.  Mason,  who  served  as  secretary 
until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1884.  Mr.  Wilson  was  vice  president  for 
many  years  and  later  elected  president  of  the  concern.  Mr.  Wilson  has 
made  the  trip  to  Chicago  daily  for  the  past  23  years,  being  employed  in 
the  office  of  Selz  Schwab  and  Company,  shoe  manufacturers. 

On  Oct.  19,  1876,  Mr.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ella 
Mason,  born  in  Lockport,  111.,  the  daughter  of  E.  B.  and  Elizabeth 
(Olney)  Mason.  Mr.  Mason  was  born  in  New  York,  as  was  his  wife. 
Both  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Wilson  was  their  only  child.  Four  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson,  one  of  whom  survives,  Edwin  Leon- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  897 

ard.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  and  is  now  sales  manager  of  a  wholesale  envelope 
manufacturing  company  in  Chicago.  He  resides  in  Joliet,  111.  Ralph, 
Clara  and  Percy  are  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  who  are 
deceased. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Democrat  and  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge  of  Joliet. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  and 
the  Daughters  of  1812,  the  Daughters  of  the  Pioneers,  and  also  belongs 
to  the  Women's  Club  and  the  Women's  Study  Club.  Her  family,  the 
Masons,  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Illinois,  having  located  here 
in  1834,  and  the  descendants  have  taken  an  active  part  in  the  history  of 
Will  County. 


Henry  Taylor  is  one  of  the  most  dependable  business  men  of  Wil- 
mington, where  he  has  engaged  in  the  meat  business  for  almost  30  years. 
He  was  born  in  England,  Nov.  22,  1870,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Helen 
(Harper)  Taylor. 

Thomas  Taylor,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  England.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  early  in  life  with  his  family  and  settled  at  Braidwood,  111., 
where  he  was  a  coal  miner.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the 
Braidwood  Cemetery.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children : 
John,  deceased ;  Joseph,  lives  at  Springfield,  111. ;  Thomas,  lives  at  Spring- 
field, 111. ;  George,  lives  at  Springfield,  111. ;  William,  deceased ;  Mary  Ellen, 
the  widow  of  Leo  Metz,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Drucilla,  married  George  Schned- 
ler,  lives  at  Downers  Grove,  111.;  Margaret,  married  George  Donnelly, 
lives  at  Joliet;  Henry,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Esther,  married  An- 
drew Muir,  lives  at  Springfield,  111. ;  and  Daniel,  lives  at  Rochelle,  111. 

Henry  Taylor  grew  up  at  Braidwood,  111.,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  there.  As  a  boy  he  learned  the  butcher's  trade  and 
in  1899  he  established  his  present  business  at  Wilmington.  He  handles 
exceptionally  high  grade  meats  and  has  a  well  established  trade.  Mr. 
Taylor  owns  several  pieces  of  business  property  in  Wilmington  and  is 
also  the  owner  of  real  estate  in  California. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  married  on  Jan.  23,  1895,  to  Miss  Florence  Rich- 
ards, who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1873,  the  daughter  of  James  S. 
and  Violet  (Watson)  Richards,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  parents 
of  three  children:  William,  deceased;  Florence  Taylor;  and  Irene  May, 
the  widow  of  Charles  Newton,  lives  at  Wilmington.  Mr.  Richards  was 
an  early  settler  of  Braidwood,  111.,  where  he  was  employed  for  many 


898  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

years  as  a  coal  miner.  He  also  was  employed  on  the  police  force  of 
that  city.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richards,  deceased,  are  buried  at  Springfield, 
111.  There  were  three  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor:  Hazel 
born  Dec.  29,  1898,  married  Felichian  Ghilian,  lives  at  Wilmington,  and 
they  have  two  sons,  Henry  and  James;  Violet,  died  at  the  age  of  four 
years;  and  Elsie,  born  July  6,  1906,  lives  at  home.  Mrs.  Taylor  died 
Dec.  14,  1921,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  and  his 
family  are  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  and  have  many  friends. 


James  Dorsey. — One  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Wilmington  is 
James  Dorsey,  who  is  owner  and  manager  of  the  Dorsey  Hotel.  He  was 
born  in  this  city,  Sept.  7,  1869,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Bridget  (Gavican) 
Dorsey. 

Thomas  Dorsey  came  to  Illinois  from  New  York,,  where  he  was  born, 
during  the  early  days  and  settled  at  Wilmington,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  having 
served  in  the  127th  New  York  Cavalry.  He  died  in  1872  and  is  buried 
at  Wilmington.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  belonged 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Will  County, 
died  July  5,  1924,  and  is  buried  at  Osage,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dorsey 
were  born  six  children,  as  follows:  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Frank,  lives  in  Chicago ;  John,  lives  at  Plymouth,  Iowa ;  Catherine,  twin 
sister  of  John,  deceased ;  William,  lives  at  Osage,  Iowa ;  and  Mary,  de- 
ceased. 

James  Dorsey  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wil- 
mington and  is  a  graduate  of  St.  Viator  College,  Kankakee,  111.  In  1902 
he  became  interested  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Wilmington  and 
since  1924  has  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  on  Baltimore  Street.  He 
also  conducts  an  up-to-date  restaurant  in  connection  with  the  hotel.  He 
owns  several  pieces  of  city  property  as  well  as  a  farm  of  80  acres  in 
Wilmington  Township. 

On  Nov.  7,  1902,  Mr.  Dorsey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma 
Bergera,  who  was  born  in  Italy  in  1879.  They  have  five  children :  Made- 
line, a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  attended  the  University 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  899 

of  Wisconsin;  Irene,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and 
Immaculata  College,  Chicago,  married  George  Seibert,  lives  in  Chicago; 
James  R.,  a  graduate  of  Wilmington  High  School,  attends  the  University 
of  Illinois ;  Bernadine  and  Winifred,  both  students. 

Mr.  Dorsey  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles. 


Aloysius  P.  Dailey,  well  known  throughout  Will  County  as  the  effi- 
cient cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lockport  is  a  veteran  of 
the  World  War  and  a  leading  figure  in  the  business  life  of  his  com- 
munity. He  was  born  at  Penfield,  111.,  June  21,  1892,  the  son  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Smith)  Dailey. 

William  Dailey,  who  lives  retired  at  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Illinois. 
He  was  born  in  Grundy  County,  and  early  in  life  removed  to  Champaign 
County,  where  he  lived  until  1900,  being  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  well 
improved  land.  He  then  purchased  200  acres  in  Dupage  County,  and 
for  many  years  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stockman  of  Lisle  Town- 
ship. He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  held  the  office  of  assessor  of  Champaign 
County  for  several  years.  Margaret  (Smith)  Dailey  died  Dec.  6,  1892, 
and  is  buried  at  Lemont,  111.  Aloysius  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is 
their  only  child. 

Aloysius  P.  Dailey  received  his  early  education  in  the  parochial 
schools  of  Lemont,  111.,  and  in  1910  was  graduated  from  Lemont  Town- 
ship High  School.  He  began  his  business  career  with  the  Western  Elec- 
tric Company  and  was  later  identified  with  the  Northern  Illinois  Cereal 
Company.  He  came  to  Lockport  in  1912  and  accepted  the  position  of 
bookkeeper  with  the  First  National  Bank.  He  served  in  that  capacity 
until  1924,  at  which  time  he  was  elected  cashier.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lemont,  which  was  organized 
in  1920. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Dailey  enlisted  for  service  on  May  13, 
1918,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Fremont,  Calif.,  where  he  was  assigned  to 
Company  I,  12th  Infantry.  Four  months  later  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Officers  Training  School  in  Arkansas.  He  was  discharged  from 
Camp  Pike,  Ark.,  Nov.  29,  1918,  with  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant. 

On  Nov.  14,  1923,  Mr.  Dailey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Genevieve  Casey,  who  was  born  at  Lockport,  July  28,  1893,  the  daughter 


900  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  James  E.  and  Margaret  (Hyland)  Casey,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mr. 
Casey  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Lockport  and  was  a  pioneer  school 
teacher  of  this  section.  He  served  throughout  the  Civil  War  and  was 
wounded  during  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  Mr.  Casey,  who  now  lives 
retired  at  Joliet,  is  87  years  of  age.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church  and  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  wife  died 
Feb.  25,  1921,  and  is  buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery.  There  were  nine 
children  in  the  Casey  family,  of  whom  Mrs.  Dailey  is  the  youngest.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dailey  have  been  born  two  children:  William  James,  bom 
Oct.  23,  1924 ;  and  Margaret  Irene,  born  May  15,  1927. 

Mr.  Dailey  is  an  independent  voter,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 


W.  H.  Carter. — Active  and  progressive  in  business,  W.  H.  Carter  is 
prominent  at  Wilmington,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
since  1895.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Feb.  16,  1868,  the  son  of  William  J. 
and  Fanny  (Miles)  Carter. 

William  J.  Carter  was  born  in  England.  In  early  life  he  came  to  this 
country  and  settled  at  Erie,  Pa.,  but  soon  after  removed  to  Wilmington, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
deceased  and  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  Mr.  Carter 
was  a  Republican  and  served  as  city  assessor  of  Wilmington  for  a  period 
of  20  years.  He  held  membership  in  the  Methodist  Church  and  belonged 
to  the  Masonic  lodge.  There  were  four  children  in  the  Carter  family: 
Mary  J.,  the  widow  of  Frank  Martin,  lives  at  Wilmington ;  Ida,  married 
Edgar  Moore,  both  deceased;  Fanny,  married  James  Hynd,  both 
deceased;  and  W.  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

W.  H.  Carter  has  always  lived  at  Wilmington.  Following  his  gradua- 
tion from  high  school  he  became  interested  in  the  grocery  business  in 
this  city.  He  has  ranked  among  the  dependable  business  men  of  Will 
County  and  has  an  excellent  trade.  His  store  is  located  on  Water 
Street. 

On  Jan.  4,  1893,  Mr.  Carter  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Monteith,  who  was  born  at  Wilmington,  June  10,  1872,  the  daughter  of 
David  R.  and  Jennie  (Bell)  Monteith.  Mr.  Monteith,  an  early  settler  of 
Wilmington,  was  a  successful  merchant  of  this  place,  being  the  city's 
first  meat  dealer.  He  was  a  Republican  and  served  as  alderman.  He 
held  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.    His  widow  lives  at  Wil- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  901 

mington  and  is  79  years  of  age.  There  were  four  children  in  the 
Monteith  family:  Walter,  died  in  infancy;  Fred,  deceased;  Ernest,  lives 
in  Los  Angeles,  Calif. ;  and  Mary  Carter.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  were 
born  three  children:  Robert  M.,  born  Oct.  12,  1893,  associated  in  busi- 
ness with  his  father  at  Wilmington,  and  is  also  justice  of  the  peace, 
married  on  Nov.  11,  1914,  to  Miss  Ina  Joyner,  and  they  have  had  five 
children :  Robert,  deceased ;  Betty,  Jean,  William  R.,  and  Vivian,  all  at 
home;  William  M.,  born  in  September,  1895,  is  a  World  War  veteran, 
having  served  in  the  United  States  Navy  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  married 
Lottie  Charlton,  and  they  live  in  Chicago;  and  Mary,  who  lives  in 
Chicago. 

Mr.  Carter  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  alderman  for  four 
years  and  as  city  clerk  for  13  years.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America. 


George  H.  Allott,  a  successful  business  man  of  Wilmington  and  well 
known  resident  of  Will  County,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  at 
Braidwood,  Oct.  16,  1871,  the  son  of  Moses  and  Amanetta  (Carkhuff) 
Allott. 

Moses  Allott  was  born  in  England  in  1847  and  was  four  years  old 
when  his  parents  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.  He  removed  to  Illinois  in  1860  and  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines 
at  Braidwood  for  several  years.  In  later  life  he  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  on  the  old  Peter  Stewart  farm.  He  died 
March  9,  1926,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  June  1,  1853, 
died  June  5,  1906.  Both  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington. 
Mr.  Allott  was  a  Republican,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  having  held  membership  in  that  organization  for  more  than 
half  a  century.  There  were  four  children  in  the  Allott  family :  George  H., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Laura,  married  H.  B.  Chidester,  lives  at 
Berkeley,  Calif.;  Albert  W.,  farmer,  lives  at  Wilmington;  and  Ida  J., 
married  Henry  Buss,  lives  at  Elwood,  111. 

George  H.  Allott  was  reared  and  educated  at  Wilmington.  He  spent 
several  years  as  a  teacher  in  the  district  schools  of  Wilmington  Town- 
ship, and  later  was  employed  for  eight  years  in  the  railway  mail  service. 
In  1912  he  established  his  present  business  at  Wilmington,  which  is 
located  on  Water  Street.    He  deals  in  general  merchandise  and  novelties 


902  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  handles  high  grade  merchandise.  Mr.  Allott  is  also  the  owner  of  a 
public  garage  in  this  city. 

On  June  22,  1897,  Mr.  Allott  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Matilda  Wilfong,  who  was  born  in  Iowa,  Nov.  17,  1876,  the  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Ellen  ( Weimer)  Wilfong,  natives  of  Virginia.  Mr.  Wilfong, 
deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  an  early  settler  of 
Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming.  He  was  a  Republican  and 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  His  wife  died  in  1909,  and  is  buried 
in  Maple  Hill  Cemetery,  Elwood,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilfong  the 
following  children  were  born :  Adelia,  married  William  J.  Dillon,  lives  at 
Joliet;  Enoch,  lives  at  Joliet;  Saphronia,  married  Mack  Jones,  lives  in 
Michigan ;  John  W.,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Eliza,  the  widow  of  Joseph  G.  Allott, 
a  prominent  merchant  of  Joliet,  who  died  Nov.  17,  1927,  and  his  widow 
lives  at  Paw  Paw,  Mich.;  Matilda  Allott;  and  Luther  F.,  lives  at  Joliet. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allott  were  born  four  children :  Mildred,  married  Ray  G. 
Elyea,  farmer,  lives  near  Wilmington,  and  they  have  a  daughter, 
Evelyn;  Clyde  W.,  dealer  at  Wilmington  for  the  Oakland  and  Pontiac 
automobiles,  married  Miss  Ambia  Parkhill,  of  Champaign,  111.,  and  they 
have  two  daughters,  Helen  and  Ruth ;  Ray  W.,  engaged  in  the  automobile 
business  with  his  brother  at  Wilmington,  married  Miss  Genevieve  Neese, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Lois ;  and  Frank,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Allott  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
of  which  he  has  been  Sunday  School  superintendent  for  12  years,  and  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has 
served  as  secretary  of  the  local  chapter  of  the  Red  Cross  since  the  World 
War. 


Lauren  Frank  Higby,  retired,  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  one 
of  the  most  highly  esteemed  men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in 
Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  March  31,  1842,  the  son  of  John  Milton  and  Anna 
Maria  (Nash)  Higbie. 

The  original  spelling  of  the  family  name  was  Higby  and  the  grand- 
afther  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  changed  the  spelling  to  Higbie,  and 
Lauren  Frank  changed  it  back  to  Higby. 

John  Milton  Higbie  was  born  in  New  York.  Early  in  life  he  removed 
to  central  New  York,  where  he  conducted  a  private  school  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  also  taught  school  for  a  time  in  Virginia.  He  was 
also  a  lawyer.     Mr.  Higbie  was  the  owner  of  400  acres  of  land  near 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  903 

Exeter,  N.  Y.  He  died  Nov.  4,  1887,  and  his  first  wife,  Anna  Maria  Nash, 
died  Nov.  20,  1847.  He  was  married  later  to  Sara  Lavinia  Monroe,  of 
New  York.  She  died  Jan.  31,  1857.  All  are  buried  in  New  York.  To 
John  Milton  and  Anna  Maria  (Nash)  Higbie  were  born  the  following 
children :  Daniel,  died  in  1861 ;  John  W.,  deceased,  Civil  War  veteran, 
having  served  with  the  Seventh  Kansas  Volunteer  Cavalry;  Damon, 
Civil  War  veteran,  deceased,  and  is  buried  in  Baldwin,  Kans.;  Milton, 
Civil  War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  the 
13th  United  States  Infantry,  is  now  deceased;  Julia  Maria,  died  in 
1847;  Malcolm,  Civil  War  veteran,  deceased,  buried  in  Kansas;  Delia 
Ann,  married  John  Hatcher,  both  deceased;  Madeline,  died  in  infancy; 
Lauren  Frank,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Delavan,  died  in  1917 ;  Clar- 
ence J.  Higbie,  son  of  John  Milton  and  Sara  (Monroe)  Higbie,  died  in 
Idaho  in  1926. 

The  education  of  Lauren  Frank  Higby  was  obtained  in  the  private 
schools  of  his  father.  After  completing  his  schooling  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  War  and  served  as  a  member  of  Company  A,  First 
New  York  Light  Artillery.  He  was  discharged  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  June 
28,  1865,  and  immediately  came  to  Illinois  and  later  purchased  80  acres 
of  land  in  Kansas.  However,  he  soon  became  interested  in  the  painting 
and  decorating  business  and  in  1870  came  to  Will  County  and  estab- 
lished himself  in  business  at  Joliet,  where  he  became  widely  known  as 
an  artist  and  landscape  painter.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Wilmington 
since  1882  and  continued  his  work  in  this  city  also.    He  is  now  retired. 

In  1877  Mr.  Higby  was  married  to  Miss  Luella  Theresa  Williamson, 
who  was  born  in  Chicago,  Oct.  23,  1855,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  (Bruce)  Williamson,  natives  of  England  and  early  settlers  of 
Chicago,  where  Mr.  Williamson  was  a  prosperous  merchant  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Williamson  died  Nov.  1,  1900,  and  his  wife  died  Feb.  6,  1909. 
They  are  buried  at  Oakland,  Calif.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson  the 
following  children  were  born:  Laura  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Ithimar 
Palmer,  lives  at  Berkeley,  Calif.;  George  Bruce,  lives  at  Braidwood; 
Luella  Higby;  Gustave  A.,  farmer,  lives  in  Florence  Township,  Will 
County ;  Luther  Milton,  lives  at  Berkeley,  Calif. ;  Alice,  the  widow  of  Rev. 
William  Cape,  lives  at  Madison,  Wis.;  Charles  Edwin,  deceased;  and 
Frederick  T.,  lives  at  Berkeley,  Calif.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Higby  were  born 
five  children :  Mabel  Luthera,  mention  of  whom  is  made  below ;  Bruce  A., 
born  Jan.  22,  1882,  painting  and  decorating  contractor,  lives  at  Wil- 
mington; Harry  Luther,  bom  July  9,  1884,  lives  in  Chicago;  Ethel 
Lorena,  born  Sept.  5,  1889,  died  Feb.  26,  1917;  and  Lauren  George, 


904  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

born  Nov.  12,  1893.  He  enlisted  for  service  during  the  World  War  and 
was  assigned  to  the  Medical  Corps,  Fifth  Division,  and  served  in  France 
and  later  in  Germany  with  the  Army  of  Occupation.  He  is  a  Doctor 
of  Chiropractic  and  lives  in  Chicago. 

Mabel  Luthera  Higby  was  born  Dec.  10,  1879.  She  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Wilmington  and  early  in  life  became  interested  in 
the  study  of  music.  She  studied  with  Prof.  E.  S.  Bonnelli  at  the  San 
Francisco  Conservatory  of  Music  in  1896  and  1897  and  in  1901  was 
graduated  from  the  Chicago  Musical  College.  She  is  a  widely  known 
musician  and  taught  for  a  number  of  years.  She  was  pipe  organist  for 
more  than  20  years  at  the  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  Churches.  On 
April  22,  1913,  Miss  Higby  married  Judge  Albert  O'Marshall,  who  was 
born  in  Will  County,  Sept.  18,  1840.  He  was  a  Civil  War  veteran  and  a 
leading  judge  of  this  district  for  many  years.  He  died  Oct.  20,  1914, 
and  is  buried  in  Marshall  Cemetery,  New  Lenox  Township,  Will  County. 

Mr.  Higby  has  always  been  independent  in  politics.  He  is  a  member 
of  Christ  Episcopal  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  His  wife  died  Sept.  21,  1926,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Ceme- 
tery, Wilmington.  In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Higby  possessed  a  fine 
tenor  voice  and  still  sings  well.  In  November,  1927,  his  voice  was  elec- 
trically recorded  for  which  he  sang  two  Civil  War  songs  entitled,  "On, 
On,  On,  the  Boys  Came  Marching,"  and  "The  Veteran's  Last  Song." 


John  W.  Berscheid,  well  known  in  Joliet  as  the  superintendent  of 
the  local  plants  of  the  American  Steel  &  Wire  Company,  is  a  native  of 
this  city.    He  is  the  son  of  Bernard  and  Margaret  Berscheid. 

Both  Bernard  Berscheid  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany. 
They  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1848  and  settled  in  Joliet  in 
1850,  where  Mr.  Berscheid  became  successful  as  a  merchant.  He  died 
in  1893  at  the  age  of  67  years,  and  his  wife  died  in  1922  at  the  age  of 
87  years.  Both  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  They  were 
the  parents  of  12  children,  of  whom  three  are  now  living:  Mrs.  Anna 
Fey,  lives  in  Joliet ;  Jacob,  lives  at  Bloomington,  111. ;  and  John  W.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

John  W.  Berscheid  grew  up  in  Joliet  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  and  parochial  schools.  At  an  early  age  he  went  to  work  for 
the  Lambert  &  Bishop  Company,  which  was  later  merged  with  the 
American  Steel  &  Wire  Company.     He  has  been  connected  with  the 


JOHX  W.  BERSCHEID 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  905 

company's  various  plants  since  1891,  being  located  in  the  Rockdale 
plant  until  1917,  at  which  time  he  was  transferred  to  the  plant  at 
DeKalb,  111.,  as  superintendent  of  the  north  and  south  plants.  In  July, 
1920,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Waukegan  plant  as  assistant  superin- 
tendent, with  1,600  men  under  his  employ.  Mr.  Berscheid  continued  at 
that  plant  until  1924,  when  he  returned  to  the  Scott  Street  plant  as 
superintendent.  In  1927  he  was  put  in  charge  of  both  plants  at  Rock- 
dale and  Scott  Street  and  now  holds  one  of  the  most  responsible  posi- 
tions with  the  company. 

On  Jan.  10,  1901,  Mr.  Berscheid  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  Schwerth,  of  Joliet.  They  have  a  son,  John,  Jr.,  who  attends 
the  Law  School  of  Notre  Dame  University. 

Mr.  Berscheid  is  independent  in  politics.  He  is  also  affiliated  with 
the  Elks  Lodge,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Rotary  Club 
and  Iron  and  Steel  Institute.  The  family  residence  is  at  904  Mason 
Avenue,  Joliet. 


Andrew  Robson,  retired,  is  prominent  among  the  highly  esteemed 
men  of  Wilmington.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  July  28,  1859,  the  son  of 
William  and  Margaret  (Wiley)  Robson. 

William  Robson  brought  his  family  to  the  United  States  from  Scot- 
land in  1866  and  settled  at  Wilmington,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  as  a  stone  mason  contractor.  He  died  Dec.  25,  1872.  His 
wife  is  also  deceased,  and  they  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wil- 
mington. Mr.  Robson  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  There  were  five  children  in  the  Robson  family,  as  fol- 
lows: William,  deceased;  Mary,  the  widow  of  Robert  Beattie,  lives  at 
Pasadena,  Calif. ;  James,  retired,  lives  at  Wilmington ;  Andrew,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  and  Richard,  deceased. 

Andrew  Robson  was  reared  and  educated  at  Wilmington.  Early  in 
life  he  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade  and  later  formed  a  partnership 
with  his  brother,  James,  the  business  being  known  as  Robson  Brothers, 
brick  and  stone  contractors.  They  continued  as  above  mentioned  until 
1925,  when  Mr.  Robson  retired.  During  that  year  he  built  a  gasoline 
service  station  on  State  Route  No.  4,  near  Wilmington.  He  is  associated 
with  his  son-in-law,  Moses  Harter,  and  they  operate  a  restaurant  also 
in  connection  with  the  station. 

On  March  5,  1882,  Mr.  Robson  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Mauger, 
who  was  born  at  Westerville,  Ohio,  Jan.  20,  1865,  the  daughter  of  Henry 


906  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  Sarah  (Jones)  Mauger,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Mauger  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  and  was  an  early  settler  of  Ohio.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
brick  mason.  He  died  Oct.  26,  1880,  and  his  wife  died  April  12,  1909. 
They  are  buried  in  Wesley  Township  Cemetery,  Will  County.  Mr. 
Mauger  was  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Reform  Church,  and  belonged 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  There  were  six  children  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mauger,  as  follows:  Alvin,  retired,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Anna,  married  Emanuel  Poff ,  lives  in  Ohio ;  Jane,  deceased,  was  the  wife 
of  John  Seaman;  Dell,  married  George  Allen,  lives  in  Ohio;  Alvira, 
married  Henry  Allott,  retired,  lives  at  Wilmington;  and  Mary  E.  Rob- 
son.  Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robson,  Marcia,  bora 
Oct.  28,  1885,  married  on  June  13,  1904,  to  Moses  Harter,  and  they  have 
a  daughter,  lone,  born  April  "22,  1917;  (2)  Margaret,  born  Jan.  10, 
1892,  married  on  June  1,  1910,  to  Harry  Rodgers,  lives  at  Wilmington, 
and  they  have  two  children,  Lucile,  born  June  7,  1912,  and  Margaret 
Ann,  born  May  22,  1927;  (3)  Jessie  Marie,  bora  in  1896,  died  in  infancy. 
The  oldest  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robson,  Marcia  (Robson)  Harter,  died 
March  19,  1918,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery. 

Mr.  Robson  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  town- 
ship tax  collector  and  alderman.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  142,  Wilmington,  and 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Don  A.  Spurr,  well  known  throughout  Will  County  as  the  capable 
postmaster  of  Wilmington,  was  bora  at  this  place,  Sept.  10,  1865,  the 
son  of  Alonzo  R.  and  Margaret  (White)  Spurr. 

Alonzo  R.  Spurr  was  born  in  Ashtabula  County,  Ohio,  and  his  wife 
was  a  native  of  Scotland.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  & 
Alton  Railroad  for  many  years  and  was  also  a  shoemaker  by  trade. 
He  died  in  1907  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  widow 
resides  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  is  85  years  of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Spun-  were  born  five  children,  as  follows:  Don  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Christina  Jessie,  deceased ;  Margaret,  married  William  Diamond, 
lives  in  Indiana;  George,  lives  at  Jackson,  Mich.;  and  Minnie  C,  the 
widow  of  William  Bryant,  lives  in  New  York  City. 

The  education  of  Don  A.  Spurr  was  received  in  the  public  and  high 
schools  of  Wilmington  and  he  began  his  business  career  at  the  age  of 
14,  learning  the  printing  business.    In  1881  he  was  editor  of  the  Wil- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  907 

mington  Advocate  and  remained  in  newspaper  work  until  1921,  when  he 
sold  out.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Wilmington  in  1912,  during 
the  administration  of  President  Taft  and  in  1916  returned  to  his  news- 
paper business  until  1921,  when  he  was  again  appointed  postmaster 
under  President  Coolidge's  administration,  and  since  then  has  continued 
in  this  capacity.  He  has  also  served  as  town  clerk,  constable  and  as  sec- 
retary of  the  school  board. 

Mr.  Spurr  was  married  on  March  19,  1903,  to  Miss  Harriet  English, 
who  was  born  at  Braidwood,  111.,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Eng- 
lish. Mr.  English  was  born  in  England  and  early  in  life  came  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  in  Will  County.  He  was  a  miner  and  later  a 
merchant  at  Braidwood.  He  died  in  1898  and  his  wife  died  in  1904. 
Both  are  buried  in  the  Braidwood  Cemetery.  Mr.  English  was  a  Repub- 
lican, a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  belonged  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  There  were  five  children  in  the 
English  family :  John,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Sarah  L.,  married  William  Rogers, 
lives  at  Joliet ;  Mary,  the  widow  of  Alexander  McFarland,  lives  at  Joliet ; 
Alice,  married  John  Quick,  lives  at  LaSalle,  111.;  and  Harriet  Spurr. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spurr  were  born  two  daughters:  Leila,  born  April  7, 
1904,  married  James  Mackley,  lives  at  Wilmington,  and  they  have  a 
son,  Donie  James,  born  in  April,  1926;  and  Margaret,  born  May  19, 
1906,  was  graduated  from  Wilmington  High  School  in  1926,  and  is  now 
assistant  postmaster  of  Wilmington. 

Mr.  Spurr  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  are  highly  esteemed  members 
of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 


Arthur  H.  Nelson. — One  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Braid- 
wood is  Arthur  H.  Nelson,  who  is  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank. 
He  was  born  at  Campus,  in  Livingston  County,  111.,  Oct.  9,  1885,  the  son 
of  Ole  and  Matilda  (Poison)  Nelson. 

Ole  Nelson  came  to  the  United  States  from  Sweden,  where  he  was 
born,  and  settled  in  Livingston  County,  111.  In  1899  he  removed  to 
Braidwood,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
While  a  resident  of  Campus.  111.,  he  was  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel.  He 
now  lives  retired  at  Wilmington.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a  Republican  and  has 
held  several  township  offices.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.    They  have  four  children:  John,  insurance,  lives  at 


908  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Braidwood;  Arthur  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Blenda,  married 
A.  P.  Oswald,  lives  at  Wilmington ;  and  Esther,  married  J.  R.  Patterson, 
lives  at  Braidwood. 

Arthur  H.  Nelson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Campus  and  Braid- 
wood. Early  in  his  business  career  he  became  interested  in  the  insur- 
ance business,  which  he  successfully  followed  until  1921,  at  which  time 
he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Braidwood. 

On  Jan.  10,  1917,  Mr.  Nelson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Bardie  Easton,  who  was  born  in  South  Dakota,  Aug.  28,  1887.  They 
have  three  children:  Harold  E.,  born  Nov.  26,  1917;  Eileen  L.,  born 
Nov.  11,  1919;  and  Arthur  Grant,  born  Sept.  27,  1922. 

Mr.  Nelson  is  a  Republican  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


First  National  Bank  of  Braidwood,  one  of  the  pioneer  financial  in- 
stitutions of  Will  County,  was  organized  originally  as  a  private  banking 
business,  known  as  W.  H.  O'Dell  &  Company.  It  was  reorganized  in 
1921  as  a  national  bank,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  James 
A.  Smith,  president ;  N.  P.  Keyes,  vice  president ;  and  Arthur  H.  Nelson, 
cashier. 

The  statement  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  June,  1928,  is  as  fol- 
lows: Resources:  Loans  and  discounts,  $58,199.20;  overdrafts,  $85.27; 
U.  S.  Government  securities,  $100.00;  other  bonds,  stocks,  etc.,  $277,- 
630.56;  banking  house  and  equipment,  $5,528.67;  federal  reserve  fund, 
$14,036.00;  cash  on  hand,  $21,594.35;  total  resources,  $370,905.54.  Lia- 
bilities: Capital  stock,  $25,000.00 ;  surplus,  $15,000.00;  undivided  profits, 
$13,640.88;  Certified  checks,  $123.50;  dividend  checks,  $2,500.00;  indi- 
vidual deposits,  $88,227.26;  state,  county,  and  municipal  deposits, 
$5,000.00;  savings  deposits,  $221,413.90;  total  liabilities,  $370,905.54. 


James  A.  Robson. — One  of  the  outstanding  citizens  of  Wilmington  is 
James  Alexander  Robson,  retired,  who  for  many  years  was  identified 
with  the  city's  business  life.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  Aug.  20,  1855, 
the  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Wiley)  Robson. 

William  Robson  brought  his  family  to  the  United  States  from  Scot- 
land in  1866  and  settled  at  Wilmington,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  909 

of  his  life  as  a  stone  mason  contractor.  He  died  Dec.  25,  1872.  His 
wife  is  also  deceased,  and  they  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wil- 
mington. Mr.  Robson  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  There  were  five  children  in  the  Robson  family,  as  fol- 
lows: William,  deceased;  Mary,  the  widow  of  Robert  Beattie,  lives  at 
Pasadena,  Calif. ;  James  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Andrew,  retired, 
lives  at  Wilmington;  and  Richard,  deceased. 

James  A.  Robson  grew  up  in  Scotland  and  attended  the  country 
schools  there.  After  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  continued  his  edu- 
cation and  attended  Bryant's  &  Stratton's  Business  College  in  Chicago. 
He  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade  in  Scotland  and  in  1875  engaged 
in  business  at  Wilmington  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Andrew 
Robson,  the  firm  being  known  as  Robson  Brothers.  Other  well  known 
men  associated  with  the  business  were  Martin  Healy  and  Archibald 
Robson.  They  had  many  important  contracts  in  the  city  during  their 
long  years  of  service  and  were  builders  of  St.  Rose's  Catholic  Church, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Wilmington,  and  the  Wilmington  City  Hall 
and  County  Jail.  In  fact,  the  greater  part  of  the  city's  downtown  sec- 
tion is  the  product  of  the  work  of  Robson  Brothers.  Since  1910  Mr. 
Robson  has  been  interested  in  the  shoe  business  at  Wilmington  and  for 
a  time  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Camp  &  Robson.  Mr.  Camp  is 
now  deceased.  Although  Mr.  Robson  lives  in  Wilmington,  he  is  the 
owner  of  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  this  section  of  Will  County.  It 
contains  160  acres  and  is  located  in  Florence  Township,  three  miles 
from  Wilmington. 

On  March  21,  1883,  Mr.  Robson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Eva  M.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  June  20,  1854,  the 
daughter  of  William  Austin  and  M.  (Brizee)  Smith,  natives  of  Ver- 
mont. The  Smith  family  located  at  Wilmington  many  years  ago  and 
Mr.  Smith,  now  deceased,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Will  County. 
He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  There 
were  four  children  in  the  Smith  family:  Austin  J.,  died  in  1924 ;  Nettie, 
married  Frank  Vining,  both  deceased;  Eva  M.  Robson;  and  Belle,  the 
widow  of  A.  J.  Watts,  lives  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Robson  died  Jan.  10, 
1924,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Robson  were  born  two  children:  Richard  W.,  born  Oct.  30,  1884, 
died  Nov.  30,  1926;  and  Jeanette,  born  in  1900,  a  graduate  nurse,  lives 
at  home. 

Mr.  Robson  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  has  a  wide  acquaint- 
ance throughout  the  community  in  which  he  has  spent  so  many  years. 


910  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

John  Edward  McGowan,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War 
and  a  well  known  resident  of  Chicago.  He  was  born  at  Boston,  Mass., 
Jan.  21,  1844,  and  died  in  Chicago,  Dec.  29,  1911.  His  widow,  Marie, 
known  to  her  friends  as  Nettie  (McFarland)  McGowan,  lives  at  Wil- 
mington, where  she  is  identified  with  the  Soldier's  Widows  Home,  as 
managing  officer. 

John  Edward  McGowan  was  the  son  of  Dr.  John  J.  and  Elizabeth 
(Valentine)  McGowan.  Dr.  McGowan  was  born  at  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  University.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  having  served  as  brigade  surgeon  in  Sickles'  (Excession)  Brigade. 
He  died  in  1871  and  is  buried  in  Boston.  His  wife  was  born  in  Con- 
necticut in  1818  and  died  in  Chicago  in  1913.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  McGowan 
had  four  children:  John  Edward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Joseph, 
Elizabeth,  and  Clara,  all  deceased. 

John  Edward  McGowan  served  throughout  the  Civil  War  and  was 
identified  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  as  commander  of 
McKinley  Post  No.  376,  Chicago.  He  was  also  affiliated  with  Hesperia 
Lodge  No.  411,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  Chicago,  and  was  prominent  in  Masonic 
circles. 

On  July  14,  1877,  Mr.  McGowan  married  Miss  Marie  Antionette 
McFarland,  a  native  of  Middlesex  County,  Mass.,  the  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Olive  L.  (Weston)  McFarland.  Mr.  McFarland,  who  died 
in  1884,  was  a  pioneer  settler  of  Chicago  and  a  successful  merchant  of 
that  city.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  held 
membership  in  the  Congregational  Church.  He  was  a  Republican.  His 
wife,  who  died  in  1880,  was  born  in  Middlesex  County,  Mass..  Their 
surviving  children  are:  Grace  E.,  married  Noble  C.  Shumway,  Chicago; 
Fred  W.,  Chicago;  and  Marie  (Nettie)  McGowan.  Five  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGowan:  Valentine,  employed  in  the  postal  ser- 
vice, is  a  World  War  veteran,  having  served  with  Company  L,  132nd 
Illinois  Infantry ;  Olive,  married  John  P.  Quinn ;  Archibald,  married 
Josephine  Bates ;  Blanche  A.,  married  Philip  Fishburn,  all  of  the  above 
living  in  Chicago  except,  Grace  A.,  who  married  William  N.  McDowall, 
and  lives  at  Joliet. 

Mrs.  John  E.  McGowan  is  identified  with  the  Massachusetts  branch 
of  the  Mayflower  Society,  and  also  holds  membership  in  the  Alden  Kin- 
dred; National  Society  of  the  Daughters  of  Founders  and  Patriots, 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  United  States  Daughters  of  1812 ;  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution,  Louis  Joliet  Chapter;  and  Old  Glory  Woman's 
Relief  Corps.    She  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  National  Society  for 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  911 

the  Advancement  of  Patriotism,  and  she  is  a  life  member  of  the  same ; 
is  a  member  of  the  Women's  Club  of  Joliet  and  King's  Daughters  of 
Wilmington. 

Before  coming  to  Wilmington  in  1914  to  accept  the  position  of  man- 
aging officer  of  the  Soldiers  Widows  Home,  Mrs.  McGowan  lived  in 
Chicago.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Chicago  Normal  College,  Chicago,  and 
for  many  years  was  connected  with  the  public  schools  of  that  city. 

Mrs.  McGowan  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  one  of  the 
most  highly  esteemed  women  of  the  community. 


James  A.  Smith. — A  substantial  citizen  and  dependable  business  man 
of  Braidwood  is  found  in  James  A.  Smith,  who  has  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  here  for  40  years.  He  is  also  president  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Braidwood.  Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  16, 
1858,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Mahoney)  Smith. 

John  Smith  spent  his  entire  life  in  New  York  City  and  is  now  de- 
ceased. He  was  a  teamster.  There  were  three  children  in  the  Smith 
family :  Frank,  resides  in  New  York  City ;  John,  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  and 
James  A.,  lives  at  Braidwood. 

James  A.  Smith  was  ten  years  old  when  he  came  to  Will  County 
as  an  orphan  and  was  adopted  by  Adam  J.  White.  He  spent  his  boy- 
hood on  the  farm  of  Mr.  White,  near  Wilmington,  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Wilmington.  He  later  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the 
drug  store  of  Dr.  LeCaron,  Braidwood,  and  after  attending  the  Chicago 
College  of  Pharmacy,  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1882.  He  returned 
to  his  former  employment  at  Braidwood  and  in  1888  purchased  the 
business  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He  has  one  of  the 
best  equipped  drug  stores  in  this  part  of  Will  County,  and  has  estab- 
lished an  excellent  trade.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Braidwood  since  its  organization  in  1921. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  first  to  Miss  Nellie  Goodrich  of  Braidwood. 
They  had  a  daughter,  Helen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Carl  Markert,  lives  at 
Kankakee,  and  they  have  two  daughters,  June  and  Betty.  Before  her 
marriage  Mrs.  Markert  was  a  teacher  in  Joliet  Township  High  School. 
After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Smith  married  Nettie  (Goodrich) 
Wade,  of  Braidwood.  To  this  union  a  daughter  was  born,  Pauline 
Estelle,  who  is  the  wife  of  Allen  T.  McVicker,  and  they  live  in  Chicago. 
She  is  a  trained  nurse.    Mrs.  Smith  is  deceased  and  is  buried  at  Wil- 


912  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

mington.  Mr.  Smith  later  married  Miss  Olive  Barker,  of  Braidwood. 
They  have  a  daughter,  Janet  Frances,  who  was  graduated  from  Braid- 
wood  High  School  in  1928. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
He  is  prominent  in  local  affairs  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board. 


John  Daniel  Walker. — One  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Will  County  is 
John  Daniel  Walker,  who  is  serving  as  superintendent  of  all  the  Illinois 
penal  institutions.  He  was  born  at  Braidwood,  111.,  March  26,  1874,  the 
son  of  John  P.  and  Eliza  (Steel)  Walker. 

John  P.  Walker  emigrated  to  the  United  States  from  Scotland  in 
1866  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Braidwood,  111.,  where  he  was  joined 
by  his  wife  and  elder  children  in  1867.  A  coal  miner  by  trade  he  found 
employment  at  that  work  but  in  1886  removed  to  Joliet,  where  he  entered 
the  rolling  mills  of  a  local  steel  company.  He  was  thrifty  and  enter- 
prising, saved  his  wages,  and  in  later  life  became  a  merchant.  He  died 
in  1920  at  the  age  of  82  years,  and  is  survived  by  his  widow,  who  is  87 
years  old,  having  been  born  Nov.  29,  1841.  She  resides  in  Joliet.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Walker  were  the  parents  of  12  children,  of  whom  four  are 
living:  Anna,  married  James  McCulloch,  lives  at  Joliet;  John  Daniel,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Jessie,  married  Joseph  Waterworth,  lives  at  Chi- 
cago Heights,  111. ;  and  Peter,  lives  at  Joliet. 

The  boyhood  of  John  Daniel  Walker,  up  to  the  time  he  was  12  or  13 
years  of  age,  was  passed  in  attending  the  public  schools.  His  first 
steady  employment  was  with  the  Joliet  Steel  Company,  now  a  part  of 
the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  This  position  was  known  as  that  of  pull-up 
boy  and  called  for  12  hours  of  hard  manual  work,  for  which  he  received 
wages  of  75  cents  per  day.  Gradually  he  worked  his  way  to  the  position 
of  charger,  for  which  he  received  §2.25  per  day.  After  eight  years  he 
was  advanced  to  the  post  of  heater.  After  18  years  in  this  capacity 
Mr.  Walker  decided  that  there  was  no  future  for  him  and  accordingly 
resigned  to  accept  the  post  of  keeper  in  the  new  penitentiary  at  Joliet. 
He  held  this  position  for  six  and  one-half  months,  and  then  secured 
employment  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state  as  an  automobile  in- 
vestigator, and  for  two  and  one-half  years  covered  the  counties  of  Kan- 
kakee, Grundy,  Kendall,  and  Will.  In  April,  1922,  he  was  nominated  as 
sheriff  of  Will  County  and  elected  to  office  on  November  7th  of  that  year. 


&s£m/*&>(IUcc£&*as 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  913 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Sheriff's  Association  and  at  Peoria, 
111.,  in  1923,  was  elected  president  of  that  organization.  He  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  office  of  superintendent  of  the  Illinois  State  Prison,  Dec. 
13,  1926,  just  seven  days  after  leaving  the  office  as  sheriff  of  Will  County. 
Mr.  Walker  is  superintendent  of  the  Illinois  State  Prison  at  Joliet,  the 
Illinois  Southern  Penitentiary  at  Manard,  111.;  the  Reformatory  at 
Pontiac;  State  Farm  at  Vandalia,  Hospital  for  the  Criminal  Insane  at 
Chester  and  the  Women's  Penitentiary  at  Joliet. 

On  Aug.  17,  1895,  Mr.  Walker  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Puhek,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Catherine  Puhek, 
natives  of  Austria.  To  this  union  have  been  born  the  following  children : 
Anna,  married  Frank  Smith,  lives  at  Joliet;  Elizabeth,  married  Alfred 
Jancovas,  lives  at  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Alfred  Hughes  and 
John  Daniel;  Lillian  K.,  married  John  Turney,  lives  in  Chicago,  and 
they  have  four  children,  Marie,  Jack,  Bernard,  and  Bernice;  John  J., 
and  Frank  C,  who  live  at  home;  Matthew,  died  in  infancy;  Alexander  G., 
mention  of  whom  is  made  below;  Eliza  Steel,  Grace  Scott,  and  James  D., 
all  at  home. 

Alexander  G.  Walker  was  born  in  Joliet,  Jan.  20,  1907.  He  met 
with  an  accidental  death,  Aug.  19,  1927,  when  a  tire  on  his  automobile 
exploded. 

Mr.  Walker  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  tax  col- 
lector of  Joliet  Township  and  as  county  oil  inspector  of  Will  County.  He 
was  chairman  of  the  County  Central  Committee  from  1924  until  1928 
and  was  manager  of  the  campaign  of  Governor  Small  and  Attorney- 
General  Oscar  Carlstrom  in  Will  County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  and  has  been  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  since 
1901.  He  was  elevated  to  the  Scottish  Rite  in  1925,  and  he  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Elks 
Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He 
also  holds  membership  in  the  Rivals  Club,  Speed  Boys  Club,  and  the 
Irvin  Athletic  Club. 


Nye  P.  Keyes  is  one  of  the  reliable  and  well  known  merchants  of 
Braidwood,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  the  past 
30  years.  He  was  born  at  Algona,  Iowa,  Feb.  24,  1869,  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Sophia  (Blodgett)  Keyes. 

William  Keyes  was  born  at  Sterling,  Mass.,  and  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Vermont.  Early  in  life  they  went  to  Iowa  where  Mr.  Keyes  engaged 
26— VOL.  2 


914  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  They  came  to  Braidwood  in  1876, 
where  they  lived  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Keyes  was  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Two  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keyes :  Sylvia,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years ; 
and  Nye  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Nye  P.  Keyes  was  a  boy  when  his  family  settled  at  Braidwood.  He 
attended  the  public  school  and  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  a  local  grocery 
store  until  1897,  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself.  In 
connection  with  his  grocery  store  Mr.  Keyes  is  also  interested  in  the 
grain  business.  He  is  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Braidwood. 

Mr.  Keyes  was  married  (first)  in  1890,  to  Miss  Emma  Butler,  who 
was  born  near  Braidwood  in  1871.  To  them  were  born  three  daugh- 
ters :  Bernice,  Gladys,  and  Inez,  all  deceased.  Mrs.  Keyes  died  March  25, 
1916,  and  is  buried  at  Wilmington.  On  Oct.  4,  1916,  Mr.  Keyes  married 
Miss  Lily  Reed  of  Braidwood.  They  have  a  daughter,  Dorothy,  born  in 
1920.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keyes  also  have  two  step-daughters,  Nina  Reed, 
and  Mildred,  who  is  a  teacher  in  the  Reed  Custer  High  School  at 
Braidwood. 

Mr.  Keyes  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Philip  Clark,  deceased,  was  highly  esteemed  and  widely  known 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Will  County.  He  was  a  native  of  New 
York,  born  in  1851.  Early  in  life  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  at  Braid- 
wood, where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith.  He  died  in  1887  and 
is  buried  at  Wilmington. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married  on  Oct.  26,  1867,  to  Miss  Harriet  Hilliard,  who 
was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1845,  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Susan  (Little)  Hilliard,  natives  of  Ireland  and  early  settlers  of  Oneida 
County,  N.  Y.  About  1855  the  Hilliard  family  came  to  Will  County  and 
settled  about  two  miles  west  of  Braidwood,  where  Mr.  Hilliard  became 
well  known  as  a  farmer  and  stockman.  He  died  in  1886  and  his  wife 
died  in  1885.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Wilmington  Cemetry.  Mr.  Hil- 
liard was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  There 
were  eight  children  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hilliard,  all  of  whom  are 
deceased  except  their  daughter,  Harriet,  wife  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  915 

To  Philip  and  Harriet  (Hilliard)  Clark  were  born  four  children: 
1.  Mary,  married  Joseph  Hurst,  deceased,  and  they  had  four  children: 
Cecil,  Hattie,  Elizabeth,  and  Ruth.  Both  Hattie  and  Ruth  Hurst  are 
graduate  nurses  and  are  located  at  Joliet.  2.  Susan,  married  Thomas 
Feeney,  lives  at  Joliet,  and  they  have  three  children:  Clark,  Myron, 
and  Lois.  3.  John,  who  was  killed  in  action  in  France  during  the  World 
War,  while  serving  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  4th  Engineers,  A.  E.  F. 
He  died  April  11,  1919,  and  is  buried  in  France.  4.  Elizabeth,  married 
Arthur  Pohlman,  lives  at  Joliet,  and  they  have  three  children:  Joseph, 
Arthur,  and  Elizabeth. 

Mr.  Clark  was  a  stanch  Republican. 

Harriet  (Hilliard)  Clark  Hurst  attended  the  schools  of  Braidwood 
and  Wilmington,  and  before  her  marriage  was  a  teacher  in  the  district 
schools.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  belongs  to  the 
Ladies  Aid  Society. 


Dr.  Walter  C.  Frick,  of  Braidwood,  is  numbered  among  the  represent- 
ative men  of  Will  County,  and  is  one  who  has  honorably  won  the  position 
he  holds  in  his  profession.  He  was  born  at  Kent,  Ohio,  Oct.  21,  1881, 
the  son  of  Nathan  and  Sarah  Ann  (Brumbaugh)  Frick. 

Nathan  Frick,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  at 
Lancaster.  Early  in  life  he  settled  at  Kent,  Ohio,  where  he  became  well 
known  as  a  building  contractor.  He  died  Jan.  9,  1927,  and  his  wife,  who 
was  born  at  New  Baltimore,  Ohio,  died  Jan.  2,  1928.  They  are  buried 
at  Mogadore,  Ohio.  Mr.  Frick  was  a  deacon  of  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  Frick  family,  as  follows: 
Walter  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Ernest  Ellsworth,  deceased;  Effie 
May,  married  James  Merrimer,  lives  at  Akron,  Ohio;  Blanche  Elsie, 
married  John  Norris,  lives  at  Cuyahoga  Falls,  Ohio;  Rev.  Elmer  Earl, 
minister  of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  Louisville,  Ohio,  is  a  World 
War  veteran;  Edna  Irene,  deceased;  Fannie  Abagail,  married  Frank 
Marker,  lives  at  Kent,  Ohio;  and  Charles  Chester,  a  World  War  vet- 
eran, lives  at  Kent,  Ohio. 

Walter  C.  Frick  attended  the  grammar  and  high  schools  of  Kent, 
Ohio,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1899.  Later  he  attended  Jenner 
Medical  College,  Chicago,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  as  Doctor 
of  Medicine  in  1908.  He  then  located  in  Chicago  and  maintained  offices 
at  2754  West  22nd  Street  until  1921,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Braid- 


916  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

wood.  He  has  since  engaged  in  practice  here  with  offices  on  Main  Street. 
He  is  connected  with  the  staffs  of  St.  Joseph  and  Silver  Cross  hospitals, 
Joliet. 

On  July  25,  1906,  Dr.  Frick  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Alfreda  Anding,  who  was  born  in  Chicago,  July  26,  1891.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  them :  Boyd  Glenwood  and  Floyd  Anding,  twins, 
born  in  1908,  both  deceased;  Homer  Kenneth,  born  in  1910,  deceased; 
Ruth  Gladys,  born  in  1912,  deceased;  Hope  Winifred,  born  July  26,  1913, 
attends  Braidwood  High  School;  Ernest  LeRoy,  born  April  6,  1919;  Eva 
Esther,  born  Feb.  14,  1921;  and  Paul  David,  born  at  Braidwood,  111., 
Feb.  12,  1922. 

Dr.  Frick  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren.  He  is  president  of  the  Reed  Custer  High  School  Board  of 
Education. 


William  H.  Steen,  well  known  throughout  Will  County  and  one  of  its 
pioneer  insurance  men,  is  a  resident  of  Braidwood.  He  was  born  in 
Scotland,  July  29,  1849,  the  son  of  James  and  Agnes  (Hare)  Steen. 

James  Steen  brought  his  family  to  the  United  States  from  Scotland 
in  1865  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  near  Pottsville.  Three  years  later 
he  removed  to  Braidwood  where  he  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines.  He 
died  about  1886,  and  his  wife  died  in  1881.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steen  had  four 
children:  William  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary  Ann,  the  widow 
of  Alexander  Crossan,  lives  at  Vancouver,  B.  C. ;  James,  deceased ;  and 
John,  retired,  lives  at  Joliet. 

William  H.  Steen  was  reared  and  educated  in  Scotland.  When  nine 
years  old  he  went  to  work  in  the  coal  mines.  He  came  to  this  country 
in  1865  with  his  family  and  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines  of  Braid- 
wood until  1882,  at  which  time  he  became  interested  in  the  insurance 
business.  He  purchased  the  business  of  John  James  and  became  one  of 
the  leading  insurance  men  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  still  main- 
tains his  offices,  although  living  practically  retired. 

On  Jan.  21,  1869,  Mr.  Steen  married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Robertson,  who 
was  born  in  Scotland,  June  30,  1849,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
Ann  (Steen)  Robertson.  The  Robertson  family  came  to  this  country 
from  Scotland  in  1853  and  settled  at  Pottsville,  Pa.,  but  like  the  Steen 
family  later  removed  to  Braidwood,  where  Mr.  Robertson  was  employed 
in  the  coal  mines.    He  and  his  wife  are  deceased.    They  were  the  par- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  017 

ents  of  the  following  children:  James,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  Ann  Steen; 
Elizabeth,  married  George  Frew,  lives  at  Canton,  Ohio ;  Jean,  the  widow 
of  James  Weir,  lives  at  Braidwood ;  Margaret,  married  James  Mortimer, 
lives  at  Braidwood;  William,  lives  in  Ohio;  Sarah,  deceased;  Ellen, 
married  George  Thompson,  both  deceased;  Isabel,  married  David  Stew- 
art, both  deceased;  and  Alexander  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steen 
were  born  five  children:  1.  Agnes,  born  March  9,  1870,  married  in 
June,  1808,  to  John  Kilpatrick,  deceased,  and  they  had  seven  children: 
William,  a  World  War  veteran,  lives  at  Braidwood ;  James,  lives  in  Ala- 
bama; Isabel,  Craig,  Margaret,  and  John,  all  at  home;  and  Agnes, 
deceased.  2.  William,  died  in  infancy.  3.  Elizabeth,  married  Matthew 
English,  lives  at  Braidwood,  and  they  have  two  children:  Mary  Ann, 
and  Anabel,  both  at  home.  4.  Isabella,  lives  at  home.  5.  Mary  Ann, 
deceased. 

Mr.  Steen  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  local  politics.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  alderman,  city 
clerk,  mayor,  city  attorney,  and  has  also  served  two  terms  as  a  member 
of  the  state  legislature.  He  is  prominent  in  Masonic  circles  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  Scottish  Clans.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  has  served  as  elder  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years. 
Mr.  Steen  may  be  rightly  called  one  of  the  founders  of  Braidwood,  hav- 
ing taken  an  active  interest  in  the  organization  of  its  government. 

Mrs.  William  H.  Steen  died  March  25,  1016,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery,  Braidwood. 


Battista  Perona,  retired,  is  a  highly  esteemed  resident  of  Braidwood, 
where  he  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank.  He  was  born  in  Italy, 
June  27,  1852. 

Mr.  Perona  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land  and  was  educated 
there.  He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  August,  1873,  and  settled 
at  Braidwood,  where  he  was  a  coal  miner  until  the  time  of  his  recent 
retirement. 

Mr.  Perona  was  married  March  28,  1882,  to  Miss  Margaret  Ellena, 
who  was  born  in  Italy,  Jan.  15,  1867,  the  daughter  of  Bartholomew 
and  Felicita  (Chiaventone)  Ellena.  The  Ellena  family  settled  at  Braid- 
wood at  an  early  date,  where  Mr.  Ellena  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines. 
He  died  May  16,  1906,  and  his  wife  died  Jan.  22,  1913.    They  were  mem- 


918  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

bers  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Their  children  were:  Margaret  Perona; 
and  Joseph ;  who  lives  at  Wilsonville,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perona  were 
born  five  children:  Margaret,  married  Fred  Barta,  lives  in  Chicago; 
Felicita,  twin  sister  of  Margaret,  married  Victor  Biasetti,  lives  at  Joliet ; 
John,  deceased;  John  George,  lives  at  home;  and  Bartholomew,  lives  in 
Chicago. 

Politically  Mr.  Perona  is  a  Democrat.    He  and  his  family  hold  mem- 
bership in  the  Catholic  Church. 


Thomas  Charles  Jackson,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware business  at  Braidwood,  is  well  known  throughout  Will  County. 
He  was  born  in  Michigan  City,  Ind.,  July  26,  1876,  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Jane  (Brown)  Jackson. 

Thomas  Jackson,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  Early  in  life 
he  went  to  Canada  and  settled  in  Montreal.  Later,  he  came  to  Chicago 
and  for  several  years  was  a  peddler  between  Bloomington,  111.,  and 
Chicago.  He  then  settled  at  Michigan  City,  Ind.,  for  a  time  and  later 
returned  to  Montreal.  He  died  in  1893  and  his  wife  died  in  1904.  Both 
are  buried  at  Wilmington.  Mr.  Jackson  was  a  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson  had  the  following 
children:  Margaret,  married  Rev.  Frank  Drumm,  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  lives  in  Kansas;  May,  trained  nurse,  lives  in  Chi- 
cago; Thomas  Charles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William,  lives  in  Chi- 
cago; Lulu,  lives  in  Will  County;  and  George,  farmer,  lives  in  Custer 
Township,  Will  County. 

Thomas  Charles  Jackson  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Custer  Township.  He  was  employed  for  a  short  time  as  a  fireman  in 
the  Joliet  Rod  Mills  and  later  went  to  Chicago  where  he  engaged  in  the 
confectionery  business  at  4911  Ashland  Avenue.  After  his  return  to 
Will  County  he  farmed  for  a  short  time  and  then  engaged  in  road  build- 
ing. He  was  also  well  known  as  a  building  contractor.  In  August, 
1927,  Mr.  Jackson  purchased  the  pioneer  hardware  business  of  Wood- 
ward Norris.    He  is  also  a  plumbing  contractor. 

On  Feb.  21,  1921,  Mr.  Jackson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Ethel  Norris,  who  was  born  at  Braceville,  111.,  April  23,  1898,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Woodward  and  Mary  Jane  (Jackson)  Norris,  natives  of  England, 
who  settled  in  Will  County  in  1883.  Mr.  Norris  was  a  pioneer  merchant 
of  Braceville,  where  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  for  a  period 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  919 

of  20  years.  He  died  July  26,  1927,  and  his  wife  died  in  1926.  Mr. 
Norris  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norris  were  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren :  Fred,  lives  at  Joliet ;  and  Ethel  Jackson.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jack- 
son were  born  two  daughters;  Mae,  born  May  28,  1922;  and  Lois,  born 
July  23,  1926. 

Mr.  Jackson  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Archibald  Duncan  Mclntyre,  retired,  is  a  highly  esteemed  resident 
of  Will  County,  where  he  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life.  He  was 
born  near  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  28,  1858,  the  son  of  Duncan  and 
Lucinda  (Hadsall)  Mclntyre. 

Duncan  Mclntyre  came  to  Will  County  during  the  early  days  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Florence  Township.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
natives  of  New  York.  His  brother,  Archibald  Mclntyre,  was  for  many 
years  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Wilmington.  The  father 
of  Duncan  Mclntyre  was  one  of  the  first  grain  farmers  of  the  county 
and  carried  his  grain  to  the  Chicago  markets  by  ox  teams.  Both 
Duncan  Mclntyre  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Star's 
Grove  Cemetery.  They  had  the  following  children :  Daniel,  John,  Anna, 
all  deceased;  Thomas  R. ;  Archibald  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
James  W.,  and  Margaret,  both  deceased. 

Archibald  D.  Mclntyre  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended 
the  schools  at  Star's  Grove  and  Florence  Township.  He  was  always 
interested  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  was  the  owner  of  a 
fine  farm  of  160  acres  in  Florence  Township.  Like  his  father,  he  was  an 
extensive  grain  farmer.  He  now  lives  retired  at  Wilmington,  his  resi- 
dence being  located  at  423  Wabash  Street. 

On  July  19,  1904,  Mr.  Mclntyre  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Cornelia  Fisher,  who  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Dec.  16,  1857,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Bryan  and  Lucy  (Hitchcock)  Fisher.  Mr.  Fisher  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  and  was  an  early  settler  of  Wilmington,  where  he  was  a 
miller  by  trade.  He  died  Oct.  20,  1907,  and  his  wife  died  March  12, 
1920.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  Mr. 
Fisher  was  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher  were  born  five  children:    Jane,  married  Joseph 


920  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Brierley,  lives  in  Wisconsin;  Thomas,  deceased;  Cornelia  Mclntyre; 
Louise,  married  Dr.  S.  F.  Duncan,  dentist,  lives  at  Joliet;  Walter,  de- 
ceased.   Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mclntyre  had  no  children. 

Mr.  Mclntyre  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 


Carl  H.  Muehlenpfordt. — As  president  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Lockport,  C.  H.  Muehlenpfordt  ranks  among  the  representative  busi- 
ness men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Ashkum,  111.,  May  21,  1885, 
the  son  of  Dr.  August  and  Henrietta  (Gerdes)  Muehlenpfordt. 

Dr.  August  A.  Muehlenpfordt,  deceased,  was  for  more  than  half  a 
century  a  leading  physician  and  surgeon  of  Iroquois  County,  111.  He 
was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1866.  For  a 
short  time  he  lived  at  Joliet,  but  later  removed  to  Ashkum,  in  Iroquois 
County.  Dr.  Muehlenpfordt  also  owned  a  drug  business  at  that  place. 
He  was  a  Democrat  and  served  as  postmaster  for  many  years.  Dr. 
Muehlenpfordt  died  June  13,  1925,  at  the  age  of  86  years,  and  his  wife 
died  in  1923.  Both  are  buried  at  Ashkum.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Muehlen- 
pfordt were  born  five  children,  of  whom  C.  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  the  youngest. 

Carl  H.  Muehlenpfordt  received  his  early  schooling  at  Ashkum,  and 
in  1901  was  graduated  from  high  school.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
graduating  class  of  Grand  Prairie  Seminaiy  at  Onarga,  111.,  in  1905.  He 
began  his  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store,  and  for  three 
months  was  employed  at  a  salary  of  $33  per  month.  He  became  inter- 
ested in  banking  in  the  capacity  of  bookkeeper  for  the  Ashkum  Bank, 
and  later  went  to  Mitchell,  South  Dakota,  where  he  served  as  teller  and 
bookkeeper  for  the  Commercial  Savings  Bank  until  the  organization  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Lockport  in  1907,  at  which  time  he  came  to 
this  city.  He  has  filled  every  office  in  the  bank  except  that  of  vice 
president  and  is  well  known  in  banking  circles  throughout  the  state  of 
Illinois. 

On  Sept.  27,  1912,  Mr.  Muehlenpfordt  was  married  to  Miss  Florence 
Backus,  of  Lockport,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Adele,  bora  Aug.  18, 
1917. 

Mr.  Muehlenpfordt  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  is  affiliated  with  the 
Masonic  Lodge  and  its  various  branches. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Lockport  was  organized  in  1907  with 
the  following  officers:  Leon  MacDonald,  president;  Philip  Yost,  vice 


CARL   H.    MUEHLEXPFORDT 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  921 

president;  and  C.  H.  Muehlenpfordt,  cashier.  The  directors  were:  Leon 
MacDonald,  Philip  Yost,  C.  H.  Muehlenpfordt,  E.  J.  Murphy,  W.  A. 
Murphy,  W.  D.  Heise,  Acker  Ruland,  and  Frank  A.  Rowley. 

The  officers  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lockport  in  1928  are: 
C.  H.  Muehlenpfordt,  president ;  Philip  Yost,  vice  president ;  A.  P.  Dailey, 
cashier;  and  Leo  P.  Ward,  assistant  cashier.  The  directors  are:  Healy 
H.  Alexander,  A.  P.  Dailey,  C.  H.  Muehlenpfordt,  W.  R.  Paddock,  Ed- 
ward T.  Winkler  and  Philip  Yost. 

On  Dec.  31,  1927,  the  statement  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lock- 
port  was  as  follows :  Resources :  Loans  and  discounts,  $584,583.60 ;  over- 
drafts, $614.10;  U.  S.  bonds,  $128,181.00;  other  bonds,  $332,166.42;  real 
estate,  $2,074.83;  furniture  and  fixtures,  $8,394.49;  cash  and  exchange, 
$109,178.70;  total,  $1,165,193.14.  Liabilities:  Capital  stock,  $50,000.00; 
surplus  and  profits,  $52,542.01;  circulation,  $24,300.00;  deposits,  $938,- 
351.13;  bills  payable  with  Federal  Reserve  Bank,  $100,000.00;  total, 
$1,165,193.14. 


S.  V.  Donna,  well  known  throughout  Will  County  as  the  capable 
young  postmaster  of  Braidwood,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  and  a 
member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  this  section  of  Illinois.  He 
was  born  at  Braidwood,  May  14,  1889,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Lucile 
(Costello)  Donna. 

Joseph  Donna,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Italy.  In  1843  he  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Braidwood,  where  he  was  employed 
in  the  coal  mines.  He  died  Dec.  14,  1914,  and  is  buried  in  the  Catholic 
Cemetery  at  Braidwood.  His  widow  lives  in  this  city.  Mr.  Donna  was  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  The  following  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Donna:  Peter,  deceased;  M.  J.,  lives  at 
Braidwood;  Catherine,  married  William  Costello,  lives  at  LaSalle,  111.; 
Nellie,  married  John  Cairns,  lives  at  Gillespie,  111. ;  G.  J.,  lives  at  Braid- 
wood ;  S.  V.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Josephine,  married  Charles 
Stolp,  Jr.,  lives  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  and  Rose,  married  James  Riva, 
lives  at  Spring  Valley,  111. 

The  education  of  S.  V.  Donna  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of 
Braidwood.  He  entered  the  coal  mines  as  a  miner  and  spent  eight  years 
in  that  work,  at  the  same  time  pursuing  his  education.  Later,  Mr. 
Donna  entered  Valparaiso  University  in  Indiana.  He  spent  eight  years 
in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  at  Joliet  and  in  April,  1917, 
volunteered  for  service  in  the  World  war.     He  was  sent  to  Camp  Wil- 


922  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

liamson,  Portland,  Me.,  and  was  assigned  to  the  72nd  C.  A.  C.  He  served 
in  France  for  eight  months  and  was  discharged  from  Camp  Grant,  111., 
on  March  26,  1918.  He  returned  to  his  former  employment  with  the 
Illinois  Steel  Company  in  Joliet,  where  he  remained  until  Jan.  13, 
1923.  Since  that  date  he  has  been  postmaster  of  Braidwood,  being  ap- 
pointed during  the  administration  of  President  Harding  and  reappointed 
during  the  Coolidge  administraton. 

Mr.  Donna  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  local  post  of  the  American  Legion  and  takes  an  active  part  in  its 
affairs.    Mr.  Donna  is  unmarried. 


Thomas  L.  Francis  is  one  of  the  best  known  insurance  men  of  Will 
County,  having  engaged  in  this  work  at  Braidwood  for  almost  30  years, 
and  having  succeeded  to  the  business  of  his  father,  David  Francis, 
which  was  established  in  1880.  Mr.  Francis  was  born  at  Braidwood, 
Aug.  22,  1872,  the  son  of  David  and  Rachel  (Bowen)  Francis. 

David  Francis  was  born  in  Wales,  Feb.  22,  1846.  Early  in  life  he 
came  to  this  country  and  settled  at  Braidwood,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  In  1880  he  organized  the  insurance  business  in 
partnership  with  John  H.  Ward,  and  four  years  later  purchased  the 
latter's  interest.  He  continued  in  this  business  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  June  21,  1901.  He  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Braid- 
wood. On  Oct.  8,  1871,  Mr.  Francis  married  Miss  Rachel  Bowen,  who 
was  born  in  Wales,  July  4,  1855.  She  died  April  13,  1919,  and  is  buried 
at  Braidwood.  Mr.  Francis  was  a  Republican,  and  served  as  tax  col- 
lector and  alderman,  as  well  as  city  attorney  of  Braidwood.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis,  as 
follows:  Thomas  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth,  the  widow 
of  John  McKenzie,  lives  in  Chicago;  John,  Alfred,  and  David,  all 
deceased;  William,  lives  in  Chicago;  Alice,  married  Earnest  Barrett, 
lives  at  Braidwood;  Jennie,  married  Allen  Cherrie,  lives  at  Coal  City, 
111. ;  and  Arthur  J.,  lives  at  Joliet. 

Thomas  L.  Francis  has  always  lived  in  Braidwood.  When  ten  years 
of  age  he  went  to  work  in  the  coal  mines.  He  became  interested  in 
his  father's  insurance  business  in  July  1899,  and  at  the  time  of  the 
latter's  death,  he  succeeded  to  the  business.    Mr.  Francis  is  also  inter- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  923 

ested  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  is  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Braidwood. 

On  Feb.  25,  1896,  Mr.  Francis  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  Milner,  who  was  born  in  England,  Aug.  23,  1869.  They  have 
a  son,  Edwin  G.,  who  was  born  Dec.  6,  1896.  He  is  connected  with  the 
Illinois  Bell  Telephone  Company  in  charge  of  the  Lemont  district.  He 
is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  and  was  married  on  May  19,  1924,  to 
Miss  Loretta  Roderick,  of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Francis  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  township  assessor 
and  tax  collector.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  Knights  of  Pythias. 


Truby  Hynd  is  among  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of 
Braidwood,  where  he  is  identified  with  the  Hynd  Bottling  Works.  He 
was  born  here,  July  7,  1902,  the  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Ross) 
Hynd. 

James  Hynd  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Scotland.  Shortly  after 
their  marriage  they  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Braid- 
wood, where  Mr.  Hynd  organized  the  Hynd  Bottling  Works  more  than 
40  years  ago.  He  died  in  June,  1921,  and  his  wife  died  July  27,  1928. 
They  are  buried  in  the  Wilmington  Cemetery.  Mr.  Hynd  was  a  Repub- 
lican and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  also  belonged  to 
the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hynd  were  born  two  sons:  Truby,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
Marshall,  who  is  also  identified  with  the  Hynd  Bottling  Works. 

Truby  Hynd  grew  up  at  Braidwood  and  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools.  Throughout  his  life  he  has  been  associated  with  the 
business  which  was  established  by  his  father  so  many  years  ago.  He 
and  his  brother  are  now  sole  owners  of  the  enterprise. 

In  1923  Mr.  Hynd  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Bernice  Under- 
wood, who  was  born  in  Grundy  County,  111.,  Oct.  16,  1905,  the  daughter 
of  Martin  and  Elizabeth  (Dunn)  Underwood.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Underwood, 
born  in  Grundy  County,  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
Mabel,  married  William  Taylor,  lives  in  Nebraska;  George,  lives  at  Wil- 
mington ;  Molly,  married  Charles  Trimple,  lives  at  Pekin,  111. ;  Bessie, 
married  James  Allen,  lives  at  Galesburg,  111.;  Bernice  Hynd;  Lawrence, 
student;  and  Stella,  deceased.    Mr.  Underwood  is  a  well  known  farmer 


924  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  Custer  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  160  acres  of 
land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hynd  have  a  son,  Dean  Truby,  who  was  born 
June  10,  1924. 

Mr.  Hynd  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


Dominick  Cinotto  is  well  and  favorably  known  at  Braidwood,  where 
he  has  spent  his  entire  life.  He  was  born  Nov.  19,  1881,  the  son  of 
Anton  and  Madeline  (Fassino)  Cinotto. 

Anton  Cinotto  was  born  in  Italy  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1879.  He  located  at  Braidwood,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  coal 
mines.  Later  he  established  a  grocery  business  at  Center  and  Main 
streets,  which  he  owned  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  was  also  the 
owner  of  160  acres  of  well  improved  land  in  North  Dakota.  Mr.  Cinotto 
died  in  August,  1917,  and  is  buried  at  Wilmington.  His  widow  lives  at 
Braidwood.  Mr.  Cinotto  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  American  Order 
of  Foresters.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cinotto,  as 
follows:  Dominick,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Simon,  lives  at  Wilming- 
ton; Mary,  married  John  Jeffry,  lives  at  Joliet;  Catherine,  unmarried, 
lives  at  Joliet ;  Rose,  married  Bernard  Callahan,  lives  near  Custer,  111. ; 
John,  lives  at  Braidwood ;  Anna,  lives  at  home ;  and  Lucy,  married  Tim- 
othy Murphy,  lives  at  Joliet. 

Dominick  Cinotto  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Braidwood  and  was  employed  in  his  father's  grocery  store  as  a  clerk 
for  a  period  of  25  years.  He  then  was  connected  with  the  signal  depart- 
ment of  the  M.  C.  &  A.  Railroad  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Peter  Rossi  &  Sons,  of  Braidwood.  While  employed  in 
their  factory  he  met  with  a  serious  accident  and  suffered  the  loss  of 
his  right  arm  in  November,  1923.  After  his  recovery,  Mr.  Cinotto  went 
with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  in  1925  as  crossing  watchman.  He 
served  as  city  commissioner  from  1922  until  1926,  and  as  deputy  sheriff 
for  four  years.  In  1922  Mr.  Cinotto  was  elected  supervisor  of  Reed 
Township  and  he  still  serves  in  that  capacity.  The  family  residence  is 
on  South  Center  Street. 

On  Nov.  16,  1909,  Mr.  Cinotto  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Margaret  Pommatto,  who  was  born  at  Braidwood,  July  9,  1887,  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Marie  (Falletti)  Pommatto,  natives  of  Italy 
and  early  settlers  of  Braidwood.    Mr.  Pommatto  lives  retired  at  LaSalle, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  925 

111.  His  wife  died  May  20,  1916,  and  is  buried  at  Braidwood.  There  are 
seven  children  in  the  Pommatto  family,  as  follows:  Steven,  lives  at 
LaSalle ;  Kate,  married  Dominick  Berta,  lives  in  Will  County ;  Emma, 
married  Dominick  Perardi,  lives  at  LaSalle;  Annie,  married  James 
Osborn,  lives  at  Gillespie,  111. ;  Mary,  married  Charles  Dillon, 
lives  at  Braidwood;  Margaret  Cinotto;  and  Jennie,  married  John 
Wilson,  lives  at  Wilmington.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cinotto  have  been  born 
two  daughters:  Beulah  Rose,  born  Aug.  13,  1911,  attends  high  school; 
and  Madeline  Marie,  born  Dec.  1,  1913,  also  attends  high  school. 

Mr.  Cinotto  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  holds  membership  in  the 
Catholic  Church. 


S.  L.  Wylie  is  a  leading  figure  among  the  successful  business  men  of 
Plainfield,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  meat  business.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Joliet  Township,  Will  County,  Nov.  19,  1867,  the  son 
of  William  and  Martha  (Glascow)  Wylie. 

William  Wylie,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  About  1860  he 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Will  County,  where  he 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  met  with  success 
and  became  one  of  the  prosperous  men  of  Kendall  County.  He  retired 
about  1907  and  lived  with  his  son,  S.  L.,  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1924,  at  the  age  of  84  years.  To  William  and  Martha 
(Glascow)  Wylie  were  born  seven  children,  as  follows:  Catherine,  mar- 
ried George  Williams,  lives  at  Gardner,  111. ;  William,  lives  in  Chicago ; 
S.  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Samuel  James,  lives  in  Chicago; 
Margaret,  died  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  was  the  wife  of  Charles  Letson; 
John  H.,  lives  in  Chicago;  and  Jesse  C,  lives  at  LaGrange,  111.  The 
mother  of  these  children,  a  native  of  Ireland,  died  in  1880  at  the  age 
of  39  years.  Mr.  Wylie  was  married  the  second  time  to  Miss  Catherine 
Fanning,  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  She  died  in  1903.  There  were 
no  children  born  to  this  union. 

The  boyhood  of  S.  L.  Wylie  was  spent  on  the  farm  in  Kendall 
County  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  When  22 
years  of  age  Mr.  Wylie  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  remained  until  1893. 
He  then  located  in  Plainfield,  where  he  became  interested  in  the  ice 
cream  and  candy  business  with  his  brother-in-law,  William  Upton.  They 
continued  this  partnership  for  six  years,  and  after  disposing  of  his  inter- 
est to  Mr.  Upton  Mr.  Wylie  formed  a  partnership  with  Edwin  Whitley. 
They  conducted  a  grocery  business  together  for  twenty  years  and  were 


926  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

also  dealers  in  men's  furnishings.  In  1919  Mr.  Wylie  purchased  the 
building  in  which  his  present  business  is  located  and  since  that  date  has 
conducted  a  grocery  and  meat  business  at  that  address.  He  is  most 
successful  in  his  business  relations  and  has  a  well  established  trade. 

On  Sept.  5,  1893,  Mr.  Wylie  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Cath- 
erine Upton,  of  Chicago,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Upton, 
early  settlers  of  Lockport  and  Plainfield.  To  them  were  born  seven 
children,  as  follows:  William  Upton,  merchant,  lives  at  Wheaton,  111.; 
Martha,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Lawrence  S.,  connected  with  the  Chicago  Tele- 
phone Company,  lives  in  Joliet;  Harold  C,  lives  at  Harvey,  111.; 
Allen  James,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois ;  Catherine  I.,  a  teacher 
in  the  Plainfield  schools ;  and  June  B.,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois. 

Mr.  Wylie  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  several  public  offices.  He  was 
village  clerk  for  12  years  and  in  1913  was  elected  mayor  of  Plainfield, 
which  office  he  filled  continuously  for  ten  years.  He  has  also  served  as 
township  treasurer  since  1912.  Mr.  Wylie  and  his  family  hold  member- 
ship in  the  Congregational  Church  and  he  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.  Lodge  No.  536,  of  which  he  has  served  as  Past  Master.  He  is  also 
a  charter  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr.  Wylie  has  always 
been  a  public  spirited  citizen  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  civic 
affairs.  He  has  served  as  President  of  the  Plainfield  Library  Board 
since  its  organization  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  it. 


John  N.  Nelson  is  among  the  highly  successful  and  widely  known 
business  men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  interested  in  the  insurance  business 
as  a  representative  for  the  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Company.  He 
was  born  at  Campus,  111.,  July  12,  1883,  the  son  of  Ole  and  Matilda 
(Poison)  Nelson. 

Ole  Nelson  came  to  the  United  States  from  Sweden,  where  he  was 
born,  and  settled  in  Livingston  County,  111.  In  1899  he  removed  to 
Braidwood,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
While  a  resident  of  Campus,  111.,  he  was  the  proprietor  of  a  hotel.  He 
now  lives  retired  at  Wilmington.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a  Republican  and  has 
held  several  township  offices.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  They  have  four  children:  John  N.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  Arthur  H.,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank,  Braidwood ; 
Blenda,  married  A.  P.  Oswald,  lives  at  Wilmington ;  and  Esther,  married 
J.  R.  Patterson,  lives  at  Braidwood. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  927 

John  N.  Nelson  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Campus  and  for  several  years  worked  on  his  father's  farm  in  Reed 
Township.  He  spent  a  year  at  Aberdeen,  S.  D.,  and  upon  his  return 
to  Will  County  located  at  Joliet,  where  he  was  employed  by  the  Western 
United  Gas  &  Electric  Company  for  two  years.  Then  he  went  with  the 
Illinois  Steel  Company  of  South  Chicago  and  served  as  a  steel  inspector 
for  one  year.  He  was  identified  with  the  Peoples  Gas  &  Light  Company, 
Chicago,  for  four  years  as  an  inspector,  and  in  July,  1918,  became 
associated  with  the  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Company  as  a  sales- 
man.   He  lives  at  Braidwood. 

On  Jan.  22,  1913,  Mr.  Nelson  married  Miss  Pauline  V.  Wiborg,  who 
was  born  in  Chicago.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  have  no  children. 

Politically,  Mr.  Nelson  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the 
Masonic  Lodge  and  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Reed 
Custer  High  School  Board  and  is  active  in  the  civic  and  social  life  of 
Braidwood. 


Patrick  Muldowney,  deceased,  was  a  well  known  pioneer  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  and  early  in  life  came  to  the  United 
States  and  settled  at  Pottsville,  Pa.  He  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  at 
Tremont,  Pa,  in  1862  and  served  in  Company  H,  176th  Volunteer 
Infantry.  In  1866  he  moved  to  Braidwood,  111.,  where  he  was  employed 
in  the  coal  mines.  Later  he  served  as  Marshall  of  Braidwood  for  two 
years.    He  died  in  1878  and  is  buried  at  Wilmington. 

Mr.  Muldowney  married  Miss  Annie  Delaney,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  died  Sept.  27,  1927.  She  is  buried  at  Wilmington.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Muldowney  were  born  nine  children,  as  follows:  John,  lives  at 
Braidwood;  Patrick;  Mary;  Thomas,  who  died  in  1918;  Alice,  mention 
of  whom  is  made  below;  and  Joseph.  All  are  residents  of  Braidwood. 
Edward,  Luke  and  William,  deceased. 

Mr.  Muldowney  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  was 
active  in  the  life  of  the  community  in  which  he  spent  so  many  years. 

Alice  Muldowney  was  reared  and  educated  at  Braidwood,  and  for 
many  years  has  been  connected  with  the  local  schools  as  a  teacher. 
She  is  now  principal  of  the  lower  Braidwood  schools.  Her  brother, 
John,  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  a  period  of  40 
years. 


928  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Dr.  E.  A.  Kingston,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Lockport  for  the  past  25  years,  is  among  the  leading  physi- 
cians and  surgeons  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Ontario,  Canada, 
Oct.  30,  1876. 

The  early  education  of  E.  A.  Kingston  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools.  He  then  attended  Picton  Collegiate  Institute  and  in  1901  he 
was  graduated  from  Queen's  University  at  Kingston,  Canada,  and  in 
1903  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  the  University  of 
Illinois.  During  that  year  he  established  his  present  practice  in  Lock- 
port. 

On  Oct.  7,  1903,  Dr.  Kingston  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lenna 
G.  Burr,  of  Ontario,  Canada.  They  have  a  daughter,  Marjorie  Burr 
Kingston,  who  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Wisconsin  in  1927. 

Dr.  Kingston  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  Illi- 
nois State  Medical  Society,  American  Medical  Association,  and  is  a  Fellow 
of  the  American  College  of  Surgeons.  He  is  a  Republican  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  In  1920  Dr.  Kingston  was  elected  coroner  of 
Will  County,  and  reelected  in  1924  to  the  same  office,  and  was  nominated 
for  the  office  again  in  1928. 


Lee  B.  Overman,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 
loan  business  at  Plainfield,  ranks  high  among  the  representative  men 
of  Will  County.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Muscatine  County,  Iowa, 
Oct.  23,  1854,  the  son  of  L.  B.  and  Mary  L.  (Brock)  Overman. 

L.  B.  Overman,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  and  Mexican 
Wars.  He  was  born  in  southern  Ohio  in  1820  and  died  in  Iowa  in  1893. 
Mr.  Overman  went  to  Iowa  in  1844  and  followed  general  farming.  He 
was  also  a  cabinet  maker.  He  served  throughout  the  Civil  War  with 
a  regiment  from  Iowa.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Canton,  111.,  died  in  1913 
at  the  age  of  87  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Overman  were  born  seven  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  survive:  Lee  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
John  W.,  who  lives  at  Plainfield. 

After  completing  his  schooling  in  the  district  schools  of  Iowa,  Lee 
B.  Overman  clerked  in  a  store.  He  spent  25  years  in  the  mercantile 
business.  In  1879  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of 
N.  D.  Dyer  &  Company,  dry  goods  merchants.  The  following  year  he 
came  to  Plainfield,  and  spent  ten  years  as  a  clerk  for  G.  N.  Chittenden 
&  Company.    He  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  operated 


^/£g/a^£~~^Z^~>*£>. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  929 

a  store  successfully  here  until  the  disastrous  fire,  which  wiped  out  the 
entire  northside  of  the  street  on  which  his  store  was  located.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  again  established  a  dry  goods  business  in  this  city,  which 
he  conducted  for  five  years.  He  then  removed  to  Plainfield  Township 
in  1897  and  operated  his  wife's  farm.  Mr.  Overman  became  one  of  the 
leading  stockmen  of  the  county  and  for  14  years  was  widely  known  as  a 
breeder  of  Durham  cattle  and  Duroc  Jersey  hogs.  In  1911  he  returned 
to  Plainfield  and  since  that  date  has  been  interested  in  the  real  estate 
and  loan  business.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  farm  properties  and  handles 
the  majority  of  land  sales  of  this  type  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

On  Nov.  6,  1884,  Mr.  Overman  married  Miss  Harriet  Hyland,  who 
was  born  on  a  farm  near  Plainfield,  March  23,  1864,  the  daughter  of 
Granville  and  Mahalie  (Cropsey)  Hyland.  The  Hyland  and  Cropsey 
families  are  among  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County  and  are  prominent 
citizens.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Overman  have  two  sons :  Guy  H.  and  Warren  W. 
The  latter  resides  in  Indiana. 

Mr.  Overman  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  for  the  past  12 
years  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge. 

Guy  H.  Overman,  a  leading  farmer  of  Plainfield  Township,  was  born 
at  Plainfield.  He  spent  his  boyhood  here  and  is  a  graduate  of  Plain- 
field  High  School  and  Joliet  Business  College.  He  has  managed  the 
Hyland  farm  in  Plainfield  Township  since  1911.  He  is  extensively 
engaged  in  the  dairy  business  and  owns  one  of  the  finest  herds  of  Jersey 
cattle  in  this  part  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Overman  was  married  to  Miss  Maude  Van  Dyke,  a  native  of 
Kendall  County,  111.,  and  the  daughter  of  the  late  Sidney  Van  Dyke. 
They  have  five  children :  Robert,  Van,  Marcia,  Harriet,  and  Wayne. 


Avery  F.  Lambert,  president  of  the  Plainfield  State  Bank,  is  one 
of  the  prominent  figures  in  the  business  life  of  Will  County,  and  a  man 
who  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  was 
born  in  Plainfield  Township,  Will  County,  April  25,  1864,  the  son  of 
George  and  Kerenhappuch  (Bird)  Lambert. 

George  Lambert,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  pioneer  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  July  1,  1829,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1849  made  the  voyage  to  this  country  from  Liverpool,  England.  The 
entire  trip  to  Lockport,  111.,  was  made  by  water  as  it  was  before  the 

26— VOL.  2 


930  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

time  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad.  Mr.  Lambert  worked  as  a  farm- 
hand for  Squire  Hamlin,  and  received  $12.00  per  month  for  his  services. 
He  saved  his  money  and  soon  was  able  to  purchase  a  small  tract  of  land 
in  Will  County.  Later  he  owned  80  acres  in  Plainfield  Township  and 
finally  became  the  owner  of  160  acres  of  fine  farm  land,  which  is  now 
part  of  the  Lambert  estate.  Mr.  Lambert  was  living  retired  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  England,  in  September,  1833, 
is  also  deceased.  She  was  three  years  old  when  her  family  went  to 
Canada  and  about  15  years  later  they  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  at 
Plainfield.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lambert  were  life  long  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom 
survive.  Avery  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  fifth  in  order  of 
birth. 

Avery  F.  Lambert  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the 
district  schools.  He  also  was  a  student  at  Northwestern  College  at 
Naperville,  111.  Mr.  Lambert  followed  farming  until  1906  and  then 
engaged  in  business  at  Plainfield.  He  has  been  connected  with  the 
Plainfield  State  Bank  since  May,  1913,  and  served  as  vice  president  of 
the  institution  from  1914  until  1924,  at  which  time  he  was  elected 
president. 

On  Sept.  14,  1892,  Mr.  Lambert  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Carrie  E.  Tyler,  of  Plainfield,  the  daughter  of  A.  H.  and  Ann  L.  (Dunlap) 
Tyler,  early  settlers  of  Will  County.  Mr.  Lambert  died  July  12,  1925, 
leaving  a  son,  Burton  A.,  who  lives  at  Plainfield.  He  is  employed  by  the 
Public  Service  Company.  On  Nov.  5,  1927,  Mr.  Lambert  married  Miss 
Vera  B.  Collett,  of  Lovington,  111. 

Mr.  Lambert  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  held  the  office  of 
supervisor  of  Plainfield  Township  from  1913  until  1924  and  has  been 
active  in  local  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


The  Plainfield  State  Bank. — Much  of  the  essential  banking  history 
of  the  city  of  Plainfield  is  involved  in  the  record  of  the  Plainfield  State 
Bank.  It  was  organized  in  May,  1913,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000, 
and  began  business  on  June  7,  1913.  It  was  founded  by  Ralph  N.  Bal- 
lou  and  C.  M.  Wolf,  and  the  first  officers  were:  John  Patterson,  presi- 
dent; and  Fred  Haag,  vice  president.  John  Patterson  was  the  prede- 
cessor of  Charles  Frazer,  who  served  as  president  of  the  institution  from 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  931 

March  13,  1916,  until  his  death  in  1923.  A.  F.  Lambert  has  occupied 
the  presidency  of  the  institution  since  March  17,  1924.  J.  A.  Henebry 
was  made  honorary  vice  president. 

The  members  of  the  original  board  of  directors  were  Fred  Haag, 
John  Patterson,  0.  G.  Brown,  Fred  Tuttle,  and  M.  G.  Van  Horn. 

On  Feb.  25,  1914,  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  $50,000.  The 
bank  was  located  in  a  rented  structure  on  Lockport  Street  in  Plainfield 
until  1916  when  it  erected  a  modern  bank  building  at  a  cost  of  $30,000. 
The  present  officers  are:  A.  F.  Lambert,  president;  R.  M.  Ballon,  and 
J.  A.  Henebry,  vice  presidents;  C.  M.  Wolf,  cashier;  Earl  H.  Van  Dyke 
and  Mrs.  Lucy  O'Toole,  assistant  cashiers. 

The  statement  of  the  bank  for  Feb.  28,  1928,  is  as  follows:  Re- 
sources: loans  and  discounts,  $402,080.76;  bonds,  $125,478.30;  cash  and 
due  from  banks,  $107,162.33;  banking  house  and  furniture,  $15,347.15; 
total,  $650,068.54.  Liabilities:  Capital  stock,  $50,000.00;  Surplus, 
$20,000.00;  undivided  profits  net,  $6,938.04;  deposits,  $556,347.53;  re- 
serve, $6,661.97;  dividends  unpaid,  $121.00;  total  $650,068.54. 


W.  H.  Cryder. — One  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Plainfield  Town- 
ship, is  W.  H.  Cryder,  who  is  president  of  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company 
and  a  director  of  the  Plainfield  State  Bank.  He  was  born  in  Grundy 
County,  111.,  Oct.  28,  1860,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  E.  (VanCleve) 
Cryder. 

Henry  Cryder  was  bom  in  Blair  County,  Pa.,  and  his  wife  was  a 
native  of  Trenton,  N.  J.  He  was  12  years  old  when  his  family  came  west 
and  settled  in  Illinois,  where  he  later  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cryder  were  born  four  children:  F.  A., 
farmer,  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Grundy  County,  111.;  W.  H.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  I.  V.,  farmer,  lives  in  Kendall  County,  111.;  and 
Mrs.  Ella  E.  VanDyke,  widow  of  Charles  Albert  Van  Dyke,  lives  at 
Plainfield. 

W.  H.  Cryder  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Grundy  County 
and  in  1881  was  graduated  from  the  normal  school  at  Morris,  111.  He 
spent  two  years  in  the  teaching  profession  and  then  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  in  Kendall  County,  where  he  purchased  160 
acres  of  land.  In  1890  he  came  to  Will  County  and  bought  240  acres 
of  land  in  Sections  33  and  34.  He  made  many  improvements  on  the 
place,   erected  numerous  buildings,  at  the  same  time  adding  to  his 


932  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  412  acres  in 
Plainfield  Township.  Mr.  Cryder  is  widely  known  as  a  breeder  of  fine 
stock.  He  is  assisted  on  his  farms  by  his  son,  John  H.,  and  son-in-law, 
Howard  Phelps. 

On  Oct.  9,  1889,  Mr.  Cryder  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lucena 
Bronk,  who  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  May  24,  1871,  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Kate  I  (VanDyke)  Bronk.  Mrs.  Bronk  died  Oct.  28, 
1927,  in  Grundy  County,  111.  Throughout  her  life  she  was  active  in 
church  work  and  was  a  life  long  member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cryder  were  born  two  children:  M.  Edna,  married 
Howard  Phelps,  lives  at  home,  and  they  have  four  children,  John, 
Norma,  Mary  and  William;  and  John  H.,  farmer,  lives  at  home.  He 
married  Miss  Helen  Barnes,  and  they  have  three  children,  John  H.,  Jr., 
Robert,  and  Lucena. 

Mr.  Cryder  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
has  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  as  township  assessor. 

Mr.  Cryder  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Plainfield  State  Bank 
in  1913.  He  was  also  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Plainfield  Grain  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  has  served  as  president  since  its  organization. 


Earl  H.  Van  Dyke. — Prominent  among  the  successful  young  business 
men  of  Plainfield  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  Van  Dyke,  who  is  assistant 
cashier  of  the  Plainfield  State  Bank.  He  is  also  interested  in  the  real 
estate  and  loan  business.  Mr.  Van  Dyke  was  born  in  Kendall  County, 
111.,  March  20,  1893,  the  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Ella  E.  (Cryder)  Van 
Dyke. 

Charles  A.  Van  Dyke  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  Aug.  2,  1865. 
He  was  a  farmer  throughout  his  active  career  and  in  1907  came  to 
Plainfield,  where  he  lived  retired  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1911. 
His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  April  18,  1866,  was  the 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Van  Cleve)  Cryder.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Van  Dyke  one  child  was  born,  Earl  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Earl  H.  Van  Dyke  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Plainfield  and  in  1912  was  graduated  from  high  school.  He  then 
attended  the  University  of  Illinois,  from  which  he  received  his  B.  S. 
degree  in  1917.  Since  that  date  Mr.  Van  Dyke  has  been  identified  with 
the  Plainfield  State  Bank  as  assistant  cashier  and  director.     In  1928 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  933 

he  opened  offices  in  Plainfield,  where  he  carries  on  a  large  volume  of 
business  in  mortgages,  insurance,  and  loans.  He  is  also  interested  in 
the  real  estate  business. 

On  Aug.  2,  1917,  Mr.  Van  Dyke  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Bessie  M.  Pike,  who  was  born  at  Plainfield,  Feb.  6,  1893,  the  daughter  of 
Edgar  J.  and  Carrie  (Evans)  Pike,  natives  of  Plainfield.  Mrs.  Van 
Dyke  is  a  graduate  of  Plainfield  High  School  and  attended  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  and  Northwestern  University.  She  is  also  a  graduate 
of  the  Columbian  Conservatory  of  Music. 

Politically,  Mr.  Van  Dyke  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Congregational  Church,  of  which  he  is  treasurer,  and  he  also  belongs 
to  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  538,  Joliet  Chapter  No.  27,  and  Delta  Sigma 
Phi  fraternity. 


C.  F.  Hartong,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Plainfield  Grain  Com- 
pany, is  a  leading  business  man  of  this  city,  and  a  member  of  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best  known  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Odell, 
111.,  Dec.  5,  1872,  a  son  of  Franklin  and  Eliza  (Sensenbaugh)  Hartong. 

Franklin  Hartong,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born 
near  Akron,  the  son  of  Jacob  Hartong,  who  came  to  Ohio  from  Center 
County,  Pa.,  during  the  early  days.  Franklin  Hartong  removed  to  Illi- 
nois in  1859  and  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  in  Taze- 
well County.  He  later  owned  a  farm  of  120  acres  in  Odell,  Livingston 
County.  In  1875  he  moved  to  Lockport  Township  where  he  farmed 
and  owned  120  acres  of  land.  In  1900  he  retired  and  moved  to  Plainfield 
where  he  died  July  12,  1914,  at  the  age  of  73  years.  His  wife  was  born 
near  Akron,  Ohio,  and  was  12  years  old  when  her  family  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  settled  in  Tazewell  County.  She  died  Feb.  10,  1920,  at  the  age 
of  72  years.  Her  parents,  Mathias  and  Elizabeth  Sensebaugh,  settled 
in  Will  County  in  1862.  To  Franklin  and  Eliza  (Sensebaugh)  Hartong 
six  children  were  born,  as  follows:  Luella,  the  widow  of  John  W. 
Prescott,  lives  at  Plainfield ;  Jennie,  the  widow  of  Ira  E.  Evans,  lives  at 
Aurora,  111. ;  C.  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Jacob,  deceased ;  John  W., 
lives  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. ;  and  Orva  L.,  married  Fred  S.  Pratt,  lives  at 
Plainfield. 

C.  F.  Hartong  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  and  obtained 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Lockport  Township,  and  also 
the  Plainfield  High  School.  Mr.  Hartong  learned  the  carpenter  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  12  years,  and  in  1904  he  engaged  in  farming  in 


934  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Plainfield  Township,  having  rented  the  farm  of  Elisha  Brown,  which  he 
occupied  for  20  years.  Mr.  Hartong  became  widely  known  throughout 
Will  County  as  a  breeder  of  hogs.  From  1924  until  1926  he  was  asso- 
ciated in  the  contracting  business  with  H.  A.  Goodson,  and  in  1926 
became  identified  with  the  lumber  and  building  department  of  the  Plain- 
field  Grain  Company.  He  was  made  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
business,  at  the  time  of  the  organization  in  1911,  which  office  he  now 
holds. 

Mr.  Hartong  was  married  Feb.  27,  1904,  to  Miss  Ida  L.  Patterson, 
of  DuPage  Township,  Will  County,  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Eliza- 
beth (Sinton)  Patterson,  both  deceased.  They  have  a  son,  Franklin 
Robert,  born  Jan.  31,  1918. 

Mr.  Hartong  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  536,  Plainfield,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Council,  Joliet,  Chapter,  Commandery,  and  Shrine  at 
Springfield,  111.    He  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Merton  G.  Van  Horn  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  and  stock- 
men of  Plainfield  Township  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best 
known  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides,  April  15,  1873,  the  son  of  John  and  Frances  (Elwell)  Van  Horn. 

John  Van  Horn  was  born  in  New  Jersey.  May  17,  1834,  and  died 
March  28,  1920.  He  came  to  Will  County  in  1843  with  his  parents, 
Cornelius  G.  and  Ann  (Van  Houton)  Van  Horn.  Cornelius  G.  Van  Horn 
became  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Plainfield  Township,  improving  the  land 
which  is  still  part  of  the  Van  Horn  homestead.  He  died  May  8,  1877, 
and  his  wife  died  April  15,  1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  12  children, 
of  whom  John,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  seventh 
in  order  of  birth.  He  was  married,  June  4,  1872,  to  Miss  Frances  Elwell, 
who  was  born  at  South  Shaftsbury,  Vt.,  Oct.  16,  1839.  She  died  Feb. 
29,  1916.    Merton  G.  was  their  only  child. 

Merton  G.  Van  Horn  has  always  lived  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Plainfield  Township,  which  is  known  as  "Oak  Lawn  Farm."  He  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Plainfield  and  in  1893  was 
graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School.  He  then  attended  the 
University  of  Illinois  for  two  years.  Mr.  Van  Horn  has  devoted  his 
entire  life  to  farming,  stock  raising  and  feeding  of  live  stock  for  the 
markets.     He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company,  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  935 

Plainfield  State  Bank,  the  Joliet  National  Bank,  and  the  Will  County 
Farm  Bureau. 

On  Dec.  28,  1905,  Mr.  Van  Horn  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Kathryn  Bardwell,  who  was  born  in  Wilmington,  111.,  May  5,  1875,  the 
daughter  of  Fred  and  Mary  (Connor)  Bardwell,  the  former  a  native  of 
England  and  the  latter  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Bardwell  studied  pharmacy  in 
England  but  after  coming  to  the  United  States  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing in  Will  County.  He  also  taught  school  during  the  winter  months. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Horn  have  been  born  four  children :  Mary  Frances, 
a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  Joliet  Junior  College, 
now  a  teacher  in  the  Marseilles  grade  school ;  John  B.,  Carl,  and  Andrew 
A.,  all  at  home. 

Mrs.  Van  Horn  is  president  of  the  Will  County  Home  Improvement 
Club  and  president  of  the  Household  Science  Department  of  Will  County, 
of  which  she  has  been  a  member  since  1912.  She  is  also  chancellor  of 
the  Royal  Neighbors  of  America  and  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
Gleaners.  She  is  active  on  the  board  of  the  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs. 

Mr.  Van  Horn  is  independent  in  politics  and  his  wife  is  a  stanch 
Republican.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  member. 
The  Van  Horn  farm  has  been  in  the  family  for  five  generations. 


E.  R.  McClellan,  retired,  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Plainfield  and  a 
member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in 
Plainfield  Township,  Oct.  26,  1860,  the  son  of  John  and  Arathusa 
(Brown)  McClellan. 

John  McClellan  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  Nov.  16,  1826.  He  came 
to  Will  County  in  1854  and  became  one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers 
of  Plainfield  Township,  where  he  died  Dec.  12,  1906.  He  served  as 
road  commissioner  for  24  years.  His  wife  was  bom  Dec.  25,  1826,  and 
died  April  4,  1904.  E.  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  their  only 
child. 

E.  R.  McClellan  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended 
the  district  schools  of  Plainfield  Township.  He  was  also  a  student  at 
the  private  school  of  Sarah  Mcintosh,  which  was  located  in  the  old 
National  Hotel  Building,  Joliet.  He  attended  college  at  Niles,  Mich., 
and  upon  his  return  to  Plainfield  Township  became  interested  in  general 


936  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

farming  and  stock  raising  on  the  home  place.  At  the  time  of  his  retire- 
ment in  1915  he  was  the  owner  of  260  acres  of  well  improved  land. 

In  November,  1883,  Mr.  McClellan  married  Miss  Carrie  Allen 
McAllister,  of  Plainfield  Township,  the  daughter  of  Edward  and  Fannie 
(Beebe)  McAllister,  early  settlers  of  Will  County.  Mrs.  McClellan  died 
Nov.  17,  1913,  leaving  three  children :  Inez,  married  Sterling  Patterson, 
lives  in  Wheatland  Township,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Jane;  Vera 
married  T.  J.  Morse,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Catherine  and  Thomas  E.;  and  John  R.,  lives  at  Hammond, 
Ind.  Mr.  McClellan  was  married  the  second  time,  June  1,  1916,  to  Miss 
Ada  Latham,  of  Florence,  Ky.,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Kenyon) 
Latham,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively.  Mr.  Latham  is 
deceased  and  his  widow  lives  at  Covington,  Ky. 

Mr.  McClellan  is  a  Republican.  His  attractive  home,  built  in  1926, 
is  located  on  the  Lincoln  Highway,  seven  miles  from  Joliet. 


James  M.  Crabb,  Sr.,  is  among  the  highly  esteemed  and  well  known 
citizens  of  Lockport,  where  he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois 
Steel  Company  for  the  past  35  years.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  April 
26,  1866,  the  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Moir)  Crabb. 

William  Crabb  was  a  farmer  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  Scotland. 
He  died  in  1884  and  his  wife  died  in  March,  1912.  They  were  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the  parents  of  11  children,  of  whom 
James  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth. 

James  M.  Crabb  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  land  and  in  1888 
came  to  the  United  States.  He  settled  in  Chicago  and  two  years  later 
moved  to  Aurora,  111.,  where  he  spent  seven  years  in  the  employ  of  the 
MacDonald  Company,  manufacturers.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1894  and 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  In  1910  he  became 
master  mechanic  at  the  company's  coke  ovens  in  Lockport  Township. 

In  1892  Mr.  Crabb  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ida  Mae  Allord, 
of  Aurora,  111.,  born  July  10,  1874.  They  have  six  children,  as  follows: 
William  Gilroy,  born  Sept.  8,  1893,  lives  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  Boland  and  they  have  two  children:  William,  born 
May  5,  1917,  and  Jeanne,  born  April  7,  1920 ;  (2)  James,  born  in  July, 
1895,  lives  at  Lockport,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  married  Miss 
Margaret  Connell,  and  they  have  two  children:  Mavis,  born  May  3, 
1921 ;  and  Moir,  born  Aug.  21,  1922.    (3)  Thomas  R.,  born  April  17,  1897, 


TAMES    M.   CRABB,   SR 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  937 

lives  at  Lockport,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  the 
Canal  Zone  with  the  Third  Coast  Artillery;  (4)  Marie  Elizabeth,  born 
in  June,  1898,  married  Reuben  N.  Haglund,  lives  at  Joliet.  (5)  Mar- 
garet L.,  bom  in  August,  1908,  married  L.  K.  Etheridge,  lives  at  Lock- 
port.     (6)  Georgene,  born  June  30,  1917,  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Crabb  is  justice  of  the  peace  at  Lockport  and  is  also  serving  as 
a  member  of  the  local  school  board.  He  is  identified  with  the  Republican 
party  in  politics,  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge,  having  been  made  Master  Mason  in  Scot- 
land.   He  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Lewis  Pearson,  retired,  is  among  the  well  known  and  highly  esteemed 
men  of  Plainfield.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  April  8,  1851,  the  son  of 
Peter  and  Maiy  (Peterson)  Pearson. 

Both  Peter  Pearson  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Sweden.  They 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1860  and  settled  in  Kendall  County,  111., 
where  they  died.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  Lewis, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

Lewis  Pearson  was  a  small  child  when  his  family  settled  in  Kendall 
County.  He  attended  the  district  schools  and  remained  on  the  home 
place  until  1888,  at  which  time  he  purchased  a  tract  of  160  acres  near 
the  family  homestead.  He  improved  the  land  and  became  one  of  the 
prosperous  farmers  of  that  section.  Mr.  Pearson  remained  there  until 
the  time  of  his  retirement  in  1911.  He  then  removed  to  Plainfield, 
where  he  has  since  lived  retired. 

On  Jan.  14,  1875,  Mr.  Pearson  married  Miss  Carrie  Essington,  the 
daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  (Scott)  Essington.  Mrs.  Pearson,  a 
native  of  England,  was  two  years  old  when  her  mother  died.  Her  father 
later  married  Mrs.  Mary  Buffham.  They  were  early  settlers  of  Plain- 
field,  where  Mr.  Essington  followed  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  the  Plainfield  Cemetery. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pearson  were  born  four  children :  Maud,  married  Frank 
Fiddyment,  lives  in  Kendall  County ;  Mary,  married  Henry  Wheeler,  lives 
in  Kendall  County;  Edward,  lives  on  the  old  homestead;  and  Alice, 
married  James  Bundy,  lives  in  Plainfield  Township.  There  are  15 
grandchildren. 

Mr.  Pearson  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  township  school 
director.    He  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Church. 


938  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

George  Warner  Young. — Able,  resourceful  and  experienced,  George 
Warner  Young  is  one  of  the  best  representatives  of  his  profession  prac- 
ticing at  the  bar  of  Joliet,  and  his  prestige  is  not  confined  to  local  bounds, 
but  extends  over  a  wide  territory  and  he  is  connected  with  some  of  the 
most  important  jurisprudence  of  the  State.  He  was  born  at  Manhattan, 
Will  County,  March  25,  1866,  the  son  of  Edward  and  Anna  Eliza  (Hoyt) 
Young. 

Edward  Young  was  born  at  Durham,  N.  Y.  In  1847  he  came  to 
Will  County  with  his  parents.  In  early  life  he  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  in  1876  became  interested  in  the  grain  business  in  Joliet 
and  became  one  of  the  city's  most  progressive  business  men.  For  many 
years  he  was  vestryman  and  junior  warden  of  Christ  Episcopal  Church 
at  Joliet.  In  1865  he  married  Ann  Eliza  Hoyt,  who  was  born  at  Ridge- 
field,  Conn.,  June  15,  1839,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Warner  and  Elizabeth  P. 
(Reynolds)  Hoyt.  To  this  union  six  children  were  born:  George 
Warner,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Rev.  Charles  Herbert;  John  Mans- 
field; Heusted  Thompson;  Francis  Edward;  and  Margaret  Hoyt  Young. 

Edward  Young  was  the  son  of  John  and  Caroline  Elizabeth  (Thomp- 
son) Young.  John  Young  was  born  July  18,  1798,  at  New  Paltz,  on  the 
Hudson.  He  was  well  educated  and  for  many  years  was  president  of  the 
Brooklyn  Collegiate  Institute.  In  1848  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  at 
Manhattan  Center,  Will  County.  He  gave  the  name  to  that  town  and 
served  as  supervisor  for  eight  years.  He  was  also  the  first  president 
of  the  Will  County  Agricultural  Society.  He  died  Dec.  24,  1884.  He 
married  in  1825  Caroline  Elizabeth  Thompson,  the  daughter  of  Rev. 
James  and  Anna  (Humphreys)  Thompson.  Caroline  Young  was  instru- 
mental in  building  the  Episcopal  Church  at  Manhattan.  Anna  Humph- 
reys was  the  daughter  of  Major  Elijah  Humphreys,  who  served  in  a 
Connecticut  regiment  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  married  Anna 
Mansfield,  a  daughter  of  the  celebrated  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Mansfield, 
field,  of  Derby,  Conn.  Gen.  David  Humphreys  was  a  brother  of 
Major  Humphreys,  who  served  on  Washington's  staff,  and  he  was  the 
first  American  minister  to  Spain.  He  was  the  man  who  introduced 
merino  sheep  in  America. 

John  Young  was  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  (Lawrence) 
Young.  He  was  a  celebrated  Hicksite  Quaker  preacher.  Their  ancestral 
line  goes  back  to  Rev.  John  Young,  a  missionary  of  the  church  of 
England.    He  settled  in  Sag  Harbor,  on  Long  Island,  about  1640. 

George  Warner  Young's  education  was  given  him  partly  by  his 
grandfather,  as  well  as  private  tutors.    He  also  attended  the  Joliet  pub- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  939 

lie  schools.  At  the  age  of  16  years  he  began  his  career  driving  a  delivery 
wagon,  and  later  clerked  in  a  local  store.  He  was  then  employed  in  the 
offices  of  the  old  Chicago,  Pekin  &  Southwestern  Railroad,  and  in  1883, 
entered  the  offices  of  the  Joliet  Republican  and  Sun  under  Major  Robert 
Mann  Woods.  Two  years  later  he  entered  the  Law  School  of  Columbia 
University  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1887.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1887  and  spent  the  following  three  years  in  the  law  offices  of 
Judge  Olin  and  Captain  Phelps.  He  formed  a  partnership  in  1892 
with  G.  J.  Cowing,  which  continued  until  1906,  at  which  time  Mr. 
Cowing  was  elected  county  Judge.  Mr.  Young  has  since  engaged  in 
private  practice  and  has  offices  in  the  Morris  Building. 

On  Sept.  5,  1889,  Mr.  Young  married  Miss  Corabelle  Beers  Rugar,  the 
daughter  of  Capt.  Francis  and  Elizabeth  (Beers)  Rugar.  Captain  Rugar 
was  a  cousin  of  General  Thomas  Rugar,  of  the  U.  S.  Army  and  of 
William  Rugar,  Chief  Justice  of  the  State  of  New  York.  This  family 
is  of  German  ancestry.  Capt.  Rugar  settled  at  Galesburg,  111,  in  1852, 
and  was  a  merchant.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  in  the 
64th  Illinois  Regiment. 

To  George  Warner  and  Corabelle  B.  (Rugar)  Young  were  born  three 
children:  Rugar,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history; 
Elizabeth,  born  April  30,  1897,  died  July  5,  1923,  and  Warner  Rugar, 
born  July  2,  1895,  died  July  15,  1896. 

Mr.  Young  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  president  of  the  Joliet 
Improvement  Association,  president  of  the  University  Extension  Circle, 
chairman  of  the  Industrial  Committee  of  the  Commercial  Club,  secretary 
of  the  Deepwaterway  Committee,  and  president  of  the  Elmhurst  Ceme- 
tery Association. 


John  R.  Birkett  is  a  substantial  and  well  known  citizen  of  Plainfield, 
where  he  is  mayor.  He  was  born  in  Wheatland  Township,  Will  County, 
Dec.  1,  1868,  the  son  of  Daniel  R.  and  Janet  (Small)  Birkett. 

The  Birkett  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Will  County, 
Daniel  Birkett,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  having  settled 
here  during  the  early  days.  He  was  a  native  of  England.  Daniel  and  Anne 
Birkett  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  Daniel  R.,  being  their  only 
son.  He  was  born  at  Plainfield  in  1844  and  died  Aug.  17,  1918.  He  was 
well  known  throughout  this  section  as  a  veterinarian  and  also  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Janet  (Small)  Birkett  was  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Small.    She 


940  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

died  in  1871  at  the  age  of  28  years.  Two  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Birkett:  John  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Anna,  mar- 
ried James  Chaplin,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township. 

John  R.  Birkett  attended  the  district  schools  of  Wheatland  Township 
and  early  in  life  became  interested  in  farming-.  In  1906  he  purchased 
160  acres  of  land  which  he  improved.  He  now  owns  197  acres,  which  is 
being  operated  by  his  son,  Reese  Birkett.  Mr.  Birkett  has  lived  in 
Plainfield  since  1924.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Plainfield  Grain  Com- 
pany and  is  serving  as  village  trustee,  being  elected  to  that  office  in 
1926,  and  was  elected  mayor  of  Plainfield,  September,  1928. 

On  April  5,  1894,  Mr.  Birkett  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lavina  Sharp,  of  Plainfield,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
(Jones)  Sharp,  natives  of  England.  Mrs.  Birkett  died  Jan.  8,  1922, 
at  the  age  of  49  years.  There  are  four  children  in  the  Birkett  family: 
James  R.,  deceased;  Janet  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Reece  L.,  lives  in  Plain- 
field  Township;  and  Merrill  B.,  lives  at  Joliet  where  he  is  employed  by 
the  Joliet  Steel  Company. 

On  Oct.  1,  1924,  Mr.  Birkett  married  Mrs.  Belle  Heggie,  of  Joliet, 
the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Melcher,  and  the  widow  of  James  M. 
Heggie.  By  her  former  marriage  Mrs.  Birkett  has  two  daughters: 
Janet  Ruth,  who  attends  the  University  of  Illinois;  and  Virginia,  at 
home. 

Mr.  Birkett  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Clyde  G.  Essington,  undertaker,  is  among  the  capable  and  well  known 
business  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  bom  in  Plainfield  Township,  Will 
County,  Oct.  14,  1885,  the  son  of  Albert  and  Mina  (Becker)  Essington. 

Albert  Essington,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Will  County  and  a  mem- 
ber of  one  of  the  earliest  families  in  this  section.  He  was  born  June 
30,  1859,  the  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Buff ham)  Essington,  natives  of 
England.  The  Essingtons  settled  in  Will  County  in  1856.  Albert 
Essington,  farmer,  died  Nov.  28,  1925.  His  wife  was  born  in  Kendall 
County,  111.,  Sept.  23,  1867.  She  resides  at  Plainfield.  Two  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Essington:  Clyde  G.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  and  Elmer  R.,  who  lives  in  Joliet. 

Clyde  G.  Essington  was  reared  and  educated  at  Plainfield.  Follow- 
ing his  graduation  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1903  he  entered 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  941 

the  employ  of  Wertzbaugher  &  Schuennaman,  grocers,  and  two  years 
later  went  with  Bayles  &  Essington.  In  1915  he  became  connected  with 
the  Barrett  Hardware  Company  in  Joliet,  in  charge  of  the  shipping 
department,  and  remained  with  that  concern  until  1927,  at  which  time 
he  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business  in  Joliet  in  partnership  with  his 
brother.  They  have  a  fine  funeral  home  which  is  modern  and  attractive 
in  its  appointments. 

On  Oct.  25,  1911,  Mr.  Essington  married  Miss  Olive  Pearl  Gaylord, 
of  Lockport,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Eddie  H.  and  Agnes  (Spangler)  Gay- 
lord,  natives  of  Kendall  County  and  Will  County  respectively.  Mr. 
Gaylord  is  deceased  and  his  widow  lives  with  the  Essington  family. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Essington  has  been  born  a  daughter,  Ruth  Ada,  who 
was  born  March  10,  1921. 

Mr.  Essington  is  a  Republican  and  is  now  holding  the  office  of  alder- 
man of  Plainfield.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is 
affiliated  with  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  536,  Plainfield,  and  Eastern  Star  No. 
239. 


Alphons  J.  Weber  is  among  the  popular  merchants  of  Joliet,  where 
he  conducts  a  dairy  business  which  was  established  by  his  father  35 
years  ago.  He  was  born  in  Switzerland  and  is  a  son  of  John  Jacob  and 
Ida  (Brendle)  Weber. 

John  Jacob  Weber  came  to  the  United  States  from  Switzerland  with 
his  family  in  1884  and  settled  in  Will  County,  where  he  engaged  in 
general  farming.  After  several  years  he  removed  to  Joliet  and  pur- 
chased a  small  farm  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  In  1887  he  started  in 
the  dairy  business  on  a  small  scale  and  five  years  later  had  succeeded  in 
developing  a  good  business.  He  died  in  1918  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's 
Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Alsace-Lorraine,  died  in 
1923.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weber  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom 
Alphons  was  the  oldest. 

Alphons  J.  Weber  spent  his  boyhood  in  Switzerland  and  received 
his  early  education  there.  He  completed  his  schooling  in  Joliet  at  an 
early  age  became  associated  with  his  father's  business.  The  Weber 
Dairy  which  is  located  at  505  West  Jefferson  Street,  carries  on  an  ex- 
tensive wholesale  and  retail  trade  and  are  manufacturers  of  butter 
and  cheese. 

On  Oct.  3,  1896,  Mr.  Weber  married  Miss  Veronica  Seiler,  of  Joliet. 
They  have  five  children:    George,  who  is  connected  with  his  father's 


942  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

business;  Elmer,  manager  of  the  dairy  business,  lives  in  Joliet;  Otto, 
lives  in  Joliet,  married  Miss  Marie  Wagner,  and  they  have  a  son,  Wil- 
liam; John,  and  Edna,  both  students.  Elmer  and  Otto  Weber  are  also 
associated  with  the  Weber  Dairy  Company. 

Politically  Mr.  Weber  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Walter  H.  Baumgartner,  of  Frankfort,  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  an 
energetic  and  enterprising  business  man,  being  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  Baumgartner  &  Company.  He  was  born  at  Frankfort,  March  13, 
1884,  the  son  of  Albert  R.  and  Catherine  (Schieferstein)  Baumgartner. 

Albert  R.  Baumgartner  was  born  in  Frankfort,  June  16,  1860.  He 
was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Baumgartner,  natives  of  Switzerland,  and 
early  settlers  of  Frankfort  Township,  where  John  Baumgartner  was 
engaged  in  farming.  Albert  R.  Baumgartner  grew  up  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  public  schools  of  Frankfort  Township,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  and  met  with  success.  In  1914  he  retired 
from  the  farm  and  removed  to  Frankfort  and  with  his  sons,  Walter  H. 
and  William  A.,  organized  the  Baumgartner  &  Company,  and  he  was 
elected  president.  Mr.  Baumgartner  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  St. 
Peter's  Evangelical  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America. 

To  Albert  R.  and  Catherine  (Schieferstein)  Baumgartner  eight  chil- 
dren were  born:  Alfred  A.,  a  plaster  contractor,  Virginia,  Minn.; 
Walter  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Rose,  married  Floyd  Lucas,  Oak 
Park,  111. ;  Mabel,  married  Edward  Wunderlich,  Joliet ;  Augusta,  lives  at 
Chicago;  Alma,  married  Martin  Sippel,  Venice,  Florida;  William  A., 
vice  president  of  Baumgartner  &  Company,  Frankfort;  and  Lillian, 
married  Alfred  Zechlin,  Frankfort. 

Walter  H.  Baumgartner  has  always  lived  in  Frankfort.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he 
was  16  years  old.  He  then  learned  the  stone  cutter's  trade  under  the 
supervision  of  Julius  Pfaff,  of  Frankfort,  and  remained  in  his  employ 
until  1909,  when  he  went  to  Virginia,  Minn.,  and  followed  the  brick- 
layer's and  plasterer's  trade.  In  1910  he  returned  to  Frankfort  and 
engaged  in  the  general  contracting  business,  and  in  1914  organized  the 
Baumgartner  &  Company,  which  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  943 

Illinois.  They  are  manufacturers  of  cement  products  and  are  also 
general  contractors.  The  officers  of  the  company  are:  Albert  R. 
Baumgartner,  president;  William  A.  Baumgartner,  vice  president;  and 
Walter  H.  Baumgartner,  secretary  and  treasurer.  In  1914  the  com- 
pany built  a  large  plant  to  manufacture  their  cement  products.  They 
employ  15  men  and  have  a  complete  delivery  service. 

On  Nov.  29,  1911,  Mr.  Baumgartner  was  married  to  Hedwig  Zech- 
lin,  a  daughter  of  Bernhard  A.  Zechlin,  a  complete  sketch  of  whom 
appears  in  this  history.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baumgartner  have  a  daughter, 
Phyllis,  a  student. 

Mr.  Baumgartner  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Evan- 
gelical Church,  and  fraternally  is  affiliated  with  Mount  Joliet  Lodge, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council, 
R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82;  and  Bricklayers  Union,  Joliet  Local.  He  has  also 
served  as  township  clerk  for  one  term. 


James  M.  Heintz  is  among  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of 
Joliet,  where  he  is  manager  of  the  Peter  G.  Lennon  Company,  wholesale 
grocers.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  June  22,  1895,  the  son  of  Michael 
and  Julia  (Keller)  Heintz. 

Michael  Heintz  was  born  in  Alsace  Lorraine,  and  was  five  years  old 
when  his  parents  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Joliet.  He 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  this  city  and  for  many  years  engaged 
in  the  retail  grocery  business.  He  died  in  1910  at  the  age  of  42  years 
and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery.  His  widow,  who  lives  in  Chi- 
cago, is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Keller,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Joliet.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heintz  the  following  children  were  born:  James  M.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Helen;  Mrs.  Joseph  Berschinski;  Linus;  Finbar; 
Cletus ;  and  Mary.    All  are  residents  of  Chicago. 

James  M.  Heintz  obtained  his  education  in  the  parochial  schools  of 
Joliet  and  attended  St.  Joseph's  College  at  Teutopolis,  111.  He  has  been 
identified  with  the  Peter  G.  Lennon  Company  since  1911  and  has  held 
the  position  as  sales  manager  of  the  business,  since  1923.  Since  the  time 
of  Mr.  Lennon's  death,  February  11,  1928,  the  business  has  been  carried 
on  by  Mr.  Heintz  as  general  manager. 

Mr.  Heintz  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs 
to  the  Rotary,  Elks  Lodge,  Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 


944  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Henry  Francis  Hicks,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  and 
highly  esteemed  men  of  Joliet,  having  practiced  dentistry  in  the  city  of 
Joliet  for  more  than  half  a  century.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  in  Will 
County,  July  10,  1859,  the  son  of  Obadiah  and  Ann  D.  (Richards)  Hicks. 

Obadiah  Hicks  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  St.  Agnes,  off  the  coast  of 
England,  June  23,  1829,  and  died  Jan.  6,  1911.  His  wife  was  born  in 
England,  June  1,  1825,  and  died  Nov.  3,  1896.  Mr.  Hicks  was  a  ship 
carpenter  by  trade  and  after  his  arrival  in  New  York  City,  July  1,  1854, 
he  followed  that  trade  there  for  seven  years.  He  then  came  to  Joliet, 
where  he  worked  as  a  carpenter  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hicks  the  following  children  were  born:  Anne,  born 
July  26,  1852,  married  George  Hingston,  of  Mead,  Wash.;  Margaret 
Jane,  born  Oct.  23,  1855,  unmarried,  lives  at  Mead,  Wash.;  Elizabeth 
Susan,  born  Sept.  19,  1857,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Wallace 
King,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa;  Henry  Francis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Minnie,  born  Sept.  23,  1868,  married  Arthur  C.  Wilson,  lives  at  Spokane, 
Wash. ;  Carrie  M.,  born  Oct.  21,  1866,  married  Alfred  E.  Green,  lives  at 
Morgan  Park,  111.;  Mary  Caroline,  born  Sept.  19,  1860,  died  March  17, 
1864;  Lillian  M.,  born  Aug.  16,  1862,  died  Feb.  28,  1864;  and  James 
George,  born  April  7,  1864,  died  May  14,  1865. 

Henry  Francis  Hicks  was  a  small  boy  when  his  family  settled  in 
Joliet.  He  attended  the  old  Broadway  School  and  began  his  dental  career 
in  the  office  of  Dr.  G.  B.  Salter  in  1879,  with  whom  he  was  associated 
for  more  than  25  years.  When  Doctor  Salter  left  Joliet  the  entire  prac- 
tice was  taken  over  by  Doctor  Hicks  and  he  was  also  associated  in  prac- 
tice with  Dr.  Brunson  of  Joliet.  Doctor  Hicks  retired  in  February, 
1926,  and  resided  at  113  Dewey  Street  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Aug.  16,  1928. 

On  Dec.  24,  1887,  Doctor  Hicks  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Cora  Ada  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Will  County,  Sept.  5,  1868,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  C.  and  Corinza  (Burr)  Smith.  Mr.  Smith  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  May  2,  1818,  and  settled  in  Will  County  about  1835.  He  was 
a  farmer  and  was  one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in  the  state,  at  one 
time  holding  more  than  3,000  acres.  He  died  Jan.  27,  1892,  and  his 
wife,  who  was  born  in  Indiana,  June  19,  1831,  died  Sept.  30,  1910.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  the  following  children  were  born:  Barton,  born 
June  2,  1852,  married  Dec.  25,  1877,  to  Miss  May  Searles,  and  they  live 
at  Toledo,  Ohio ;  Emma  J.,  born  July  5,  1855,  married  Herman  H.  Unland, 
June  15,  1876,  and  she  died  May  23,  1899;  William  Thomas,  born  April 
29,  1858,  died  Oct.  3,  1925,  married  Miss  May  Fowler  on  Dec.  25,  1879 ; 


HKXRY    I'liAXCIS   HICKS 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  945 

Ella  May,  born  June  21,  1860,  married  on  May  19,  1881,  to  Wallace  B. 
Douglas,  attorney,  lives  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.;  Charles  W.,  born  Nov.  19, 
1863,  married  Dec.  25,  1885,  to  Miss  Margaret  Ann  Miller,  and  they  live 
at  Mexico,  N.  Y. ;  Lucy  Mary,  born  June  5,  1866,  the  widow  of  Frank 
Albert  Miller,  lives  at  Galveston,  Texas;  Cora  Ada  Hicks,  wife  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Eva  Sarah,  born  Nov.  5,  1870,  married  Sept.  28, 
1892,  to  Proman  William  Smith,  farmer,  lives  in  Will  County;  Edgar 
Francis,  born  Sept.  29,  1872,  died  Sept.  5,  1873 ;  and  Floyd  Herman,  born 
June  6,  1874,  died  March  5,  1908. 

To  Henry  Francis  and  Cora  Ada  (Smith)  Hicks  a  daughter  was 
born,  Verna  Aline,  July  19,  1891.  She  was  married  on  June  7,  1922,  to 
Herbert  A.  Brooker,  of  Joliet,  who  is  employed  by  the  Chicago  Gravel 
Company  as  a  mechanical  engineer. 

Doctor  Hicks  was  a  Republican  in  politics. 

While  Dr.  Hicks  was  studying  dentistry  with  Dr.  G.  B.  Salter,  he 
also  learned  taxidermistry  under  him.  Dr.  Hicks  had  done  a  good  deal 
of  this  kind  of  work  for  pastime.  Among  his  work  of  this  kind  was  a 
hand  made  glass  case  containing  a  collection  of  the  native  birds  of  Will 
County,  which  are  nicely  mounted  on  an  artificial  tree  in  the  glass  case. 
This  is  now  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Hicks. 


Archie  L.  West  is  a  citizen  of  Manhattan,  where  he  has  been  identi- 
fied with  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  as  agent  since 
1907.  He  was  born  at  Momence,  111.,  Oct.  27,  1880,  the  son  of  Harvey  G. 
and  Elizabeth  (Timmins)  West. 

Harvey  G.  West,  who  lives  retired  at  Momence,  was  born  there  in 
1850.  Throughout  his  life  he  was  interested  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  His  wife,  a  native  of  England,  died  in  1889.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  West  the  following  children  were  born:  Archie  L.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  Rua  M.,  married  Frank  Hagerman,  lives  at  Pratt,  Kan.; 
Hilda,  married  Guy  Harris,  lives  in  Canada;  and  Arthur,  lives  at  Grant 
Park,  111.  Minnie  lives  in  England.  She  is  the  wife  of  Capt.  William 
Kinsey,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War. 

Archie  L.  West  attended  the  public  schools  of  Momence  and  also 
was  enrolled  at  Valparaiso  University,  in  Indiana.  He  studied  teleg- 
raphy at  the  Dodge  Institute  of  Telegraphy,  and  accepted  his  first  posi- 
tion as  an  operator  with  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad  at  Valparaiso.  For 
his  services  he  received  a  salary  of  $40  per  month.    He  was  later  con- 

27— VOL.  2 


946  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

nected  with  the  New  York  Central  Railroad  for  a  short  time,  and  was 
also  employed  by  the  Chicago  &  Eastern  Illinois  Railroad  at  Momence. 
In  September,  1906,  he  went  with  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Railroad  as  assistant  agent  and  operator  at  Momence,  but  the  following 
year  was  transferred  to  Manhattan  as  agent. 

On  Dec.  5,  1906,  Mr.  West  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Effie 
May  Dubridge,  of  Momence,  the  daughter  of  Alfred  H.  and  Delilah 
(Patterson)  Dubridge.  Mr.  Dubridge  died  in  1896  and  his  widow  resides 
at  Momence.  She  was  born  at  Peotone,  111.  There  were  five  children  in 
the  Dubridge  family:  Effie  May  West;  Hazel,  married  Frank  Sharkey, 
lives  at  Niles,  Mich. ;  Claude  R.,  lives  at  Chicago  Heights,  111. ;  Walter  S., 
a  World  War  veteran,  lives  in  Chicago ;  and  Elva  Hughey,  lives  at  Elm- 
hurst,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  West  were  born  three  children:  Elton 
Walter,  born  June  14,  1907 ;  Ellis,  born  Aug.  20,  1908 ;  died  Oct.  3,  1918 ; 
and  Beatrice  May,  born  May  12,  1924. 

Mr.  West  served  as  alderman  of  Manhattan  and  is  now  a  member  of 
the  school  board,  having  been  a  director  and  clerk  for  the  past  nine 
years.    He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  civic  affairs. 

Mr.  West  was  among  the  first  radio  operators  of  Will  County  to 
receive  a  federal  license,  having  taken  up  the  study  of  radio  in  1912. 
He  attended  the  first  radio  convention  in  Chicago  and  served  as  district 
superintendent  of  Illinois  for  the  American  Radio  Relay  League,  Inc., 
of  Connecticut. 


Frank  J.  Kohlhagen,  a  popular  citizen  of  Frankfort,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Will  County  his  entire  life.  He  was  born  in  Frankfort  Town- 
ship, Dec.  17,  1871,  the  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Westfahl)  Kohlhagen. 

Both  John  Kohlhagen  and  his  wife  were  bom  in  Butso,  Macklenberg, 
Germany.  He  was  born  June  29,  1849,  and  his  wife  on  Feb.  25,  1852. 
John  Kohlhagen  was  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Sophia  Kohlhagen,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1865  and  settled  first  in  New  Lenox  Town- 
ship, later  removing  to  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  111.  He  was 
a  farmer.    He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  Hadley  Cemetery,  Hadley,  111. 

John  Kohlhagen  was  16  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  in 
1870  was  married  to  Maria  Westphal.  He  purchased  a  farm  of  160 
acres  and  followed  grain  farming  and  dairying.  He  conducted  this  farm 
until  1892,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Frankfort.  On  Nov.  1,  1895, 
with  his  son  Frank  J.,  he  organized  Kohlhagen's  general  store,  but  he 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  947 

was  never  actively  engaged  in  the  business.  He  sold  his  interest  to  his 
son  in  1911.  He  lives  in  Frankfort.  His  wife  died  Oct.  18,  1918,  and  is 
buried  in  Pleasant  Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort,  111.  Mr.  Kohlhagen  is  a 
Democrat  and  for  many  years  served  as  highway  commissioner.  He  is  a 
member  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Church,  and  has  served  on  the  build- 
ing committee  and  as  trustee  of  same.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kohlhagen  three 
children  were  born:  Frank  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Lily,  married 
Otto  B.  Herschbach,  a  hardware  merchant,  of  Frankfort;  and  Emma, 
married  Frank  W.  Logan,  an  ice  cream  manufacturer  of  Chicago 
Heights.  Mrs.  Logan  died  Feb.  3,  1924,  and  is  buried  in  Pleasant  Hill 
Cemetery,  Frankfort. 

Frank  J.  Kohlhagen  attended  the  public  schools  of  Frankfort  and 
graduated  from  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College,  Chicago,  in  1890. 
In  1892  he  went  to  Joliet  as  deputy  County  Clerk,  under  Henry  H. 
Stassen.  In  the  spring  of  1895  he  returned  to  Frankfort,  and  on  Nov. 
1st  of  that  year  in  partnership  with  his  father  he  established  the  Kohl- 
hagen General  Store,  and  served  as  manager.  In  1911  he  purchased 
his  father's  interest,  since  which  time  he  has  been  sole  owner.  He  has 
met  with  success  in  this  undertaking  and  has  one  of  the  largest  stores 
of  its  kind  in  the  city.  In  October,  1928,  he  held  a  sale,  closing  out 
his  entire  business  and  retired.  Mr.  Kohlhagen  was  one  of  the  organiz- 
ers of  the  Frankfort  State  Bank  in  1913,  and  was  elected  a  director  and 
secretary,  in  which  capacity  he  is  still  serving.  He  is  also  agent  of  the 
Public  Service  Company  of  Northern  Illinois,  and  a  director  in  the 
Frankfort-Hall  Company. 

Mr.  Kohlhagen  was  married  in  1896  to  Miss  Emma  Bettenhausen,  a 
daughter  of  Conrad  and  Elizabeth  (Horn)  Bettenhausen,  natives  of 
Germany.  Mr.  Bettenhausen  was  a  farmer  in  Green  Garden  Township. 
In  1891  he  retired  and  moved  to  Frankfort,  111.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Pleasant  Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kohlhagen  three  children  have  been  bom:  Grace,  registrar 
of  Joliet  Township  High  School;  Olive,  married  Dr.  Charles  V.  Wag- 
goner, of  Chicago ;  and  Eloise,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois. 

Mr.  Kohlhagen  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  on  the  village  board 
as  village  clerk  and  trustee,  and  is  now  a  justice  of  the  peace.  He  has 
been  Township  School  Treasurer  for  the  past  22  years,  and  is  clerk  of 
the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  of  Frankfort.  The  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Kohlhagen  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  official  board  of  same.  He  has  an  excellent  standing  in  the 
town  and  is  highly  esteemed. 


948  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Frank  R.  Jones,  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  Manhattan,  111.,  since 
1895,  figures  prominently  not  alone  in  financial  circles  but  also  as  a  pro- 
gressive and  representative  citizen.  He  was  born  in  Wilton  Township, 
Will  County,  December  30,  1862,  the  son  of  Robert  and  Eleanor  (Cooper) 
Jones. 

Robert  Jones  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Yorkshire,  England.  They 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1851  and  settled  in  Kane  County,  111.  In 
1856  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Section  26,  Wilton  Township,  Will  County, 
on  which  he  lived  until  1886  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Peotone, 
where  he  died  in  1901,  aged  78  years.  His  wife  died  in  1912,  aged  88 
years.  They  are  buried  in  Wilton  Center  Cemetery.  Mr.  Jones  was  a 
Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  served  as 
school  director  for  a  number  of  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  eight 
children  were  born,  as  follows:  1.  John  C,  a  Methodist  minister,  died 
in  May,  1927,  and  is  buried  at  Yorkville.  2.  Hannah,  the  wife  of  Louis 
M.  Arnold,  lives  at  Long  Beach,  Cal.  3.  Elizabeth,  married  Dr.  Londus 
Blandon,  of  Joliet.  4.  Mary  L.,  the  wife  of  John  C.  Baker,  died  in  1919, 
and  is  buried  in  Manhattan  Cemetery.  5.  Charles  W.,  died  in  1869, 
buried  in  Wilton  Center  Cemetery.  6.  Frank  R.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  7.  Benjamin  D.,  lives  in  Manhattan  Township.  A  twin  sister  of 
Hannah  died  at  the  age  of  one  year. 

Frank  R.  Jones  attended  the  district  school  of  Wilton  Township,  and 
attended  Northwestern  University.  He  taught  school  in  Wilton  and 
Green  Garden  Townships  for  three  winters,  and  then  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business.  When  the  Bank  of  Manhattan  was  organized  in  1895 
he  was  made  its  first  cashier,  in  which  position  he  has  since  served 
continuously.    In  1919  the  bank  was  organized  as  a  State  bank. 

On  August  27,  1885,  Mr.  Jones  was  married  at  Wilton  Center  to  Miss 
Luanna  Renfrew,  who  was  born  in  Vermont,  May  27,  1864.  Her  parents 
were  Harvey  and  Adelaide  (Smalley)  Renfrew.  Mr.  Renfrew  was  a 
lumber  dealer  in  Kansas  until  his  retirement.  He  is  now  living  in  Man- 
hattan and  is  86  years  of  age.  His  wife  died  in  March,  1923,  and  is 
buried  at  Manhattan  Center.  Mrs.  Jones,  previous  to  her  marriage, 
was  a  teacher  in  the  Wilton  and  Manhattan  schools.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jones  three  children  have  been  born:  Herbert  R„  a  graduate  of  North- 
western University,  and  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  married  Miss 
Mena  Ryon,  of  Streator,  111.,  has  been  employed  in  the  office  of  the 
County  Treasurer  for  the  past  six  years.  2.  Irvin  H.,  a  graduate  of 
Chicago  University,  was  an  ensign  during  the  World  War  and  served 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  949 

from  February,  1918,  until  June,  1919,  a  chemist,  now  associated  with 
the  Koppers  Company,  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  3.  Eleanor,  a  graduate  of 
Joliet  Township  High  School,  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  For  the 
past  30  years  he  has  been  treasurer  of  the  school  board  of  Manhattan, 
and  for  20  years  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  and  his 
brother,  Benjamin  D.  Jones,  conduct  the  Baker,  Jones  &  Company,  grain 
and  coal  dealers.  Fraternally  Mr.  Jones  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
Lodge.  Joliet  Commandery  No.  4,  and  the  Medina  Shrine,  Chicago,  111. 


Frank  S.  Hoerrmann. — One  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Manhattan 
is  Frank  S.  Hoerrmann,  who  is  interested  in  the  hotel,  bakery,  and  con- 
fectionery business.  He  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  January 
29,  1879,  the  son  of  Gustave  and  Anna  (Gutheinz)  Hoerrmann. 

Gustave  Hoerrmann,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was 
born  Jan.  8,  1844,  and  died  Aug.  5,  1920.  His  widow,  who  was  born  in 
Germany,  Oct.  10,  1854,  resides  at  Manhattan.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoerr- 
mann the  following  children  were  bom:  Anna,  born  in  1875,  married 
Joseph  Schweitzer,  lives  in  Chicago,  and  they  have  three  daughters, 
Myrtle,  Bertha,  and  Anna;  George,  born  in  1877,  lives  at  Manhattan; 
Frank  S.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mathilda,  unmarried,  lives  at  home; 
and  Eugene,  born  Oct.  29,  1881.  He  is  mayor  of  Manhattan  and  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Will  County. 

In  1885  Gustave  Hoerrmann  located  at  Manhattan.  In  1895  he  estab- 
lished the  bakery  business  which  is  now  owned  by  his  sons.  In  1906  a 
modern  baking  plant  was  built.  Besides  its  local  business  interests  the 
Hoerrmann  estate  comprises  140  acres  of  land,  some  of  which  is  located 
within  the  city  limits  of  Manhattan. 

Frank  S.  Hoerrmann  was  four  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  in  Chicago.  In  1885  they  removed  to  Man- 
hattan, where  Mr.  Hoerrmann  was  educated.  Throughout  his  business 
career  he  has  been  connected  with  the  hotel  and  bakery  business,  which 
was  established  by  his  father.  He  also  conducts  a  confectionery  and  ice 
cream  business. 

On  April  22,  1924,  Mr.  Hoerrmann  married  Miss  Johanna  Lawler,  the 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Margaret  (Donnelly)  Lawler.  Mr.  Lawler  died 
in  1926.  His  widow  resides  in  Manhattan,  111.  Before  her  marriage 
Mrs.  Hoerrmann  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Will  and  Cook  counties. 


950  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoerrmann  have  two  children,  Francis  Joseph,  born  May 
5,  1926,  and  Marjorie  Ann,  born  Sept.  28,  1928. 

Mr.  Hoerrmann  is  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Third  Degree. 


Harry  G.  Gerdes,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  highly  esteemed 
men  of  Manhattan,  was  born  at  Wilton  Center,  in  Will  County,  Oct.  28, 
1859.    He  is  the  son  of  H.  M.  and  Margaret  Gerdes. 

H.  M.  Gerdes  was  born  in  Germany  and  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  with  his  family  about  1858.  He  purchased  a  farm  at  Wilton 
Center,  which  he  successfully  operated  until  the  time  of  his  death  in 
1891.  His  wife  died  in  1893.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerdes  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Dora,  married  Stephen  Eyrch,  lives  at  Man- 
hattan; Harry  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Henrietta,  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Muehlenpford,  of  Ashkum,  111. ;  Frederick,  died  in  1876, 
at  the  age  of  18  years;  Henry,  died  in  1911  at  the  age  of  54  years; 
Hermina,  died  in  1923,  at  the  age  of  62  years. 

With  the  exception  of  a  few  months  spent  in  Nebraska  and  Chicago, 
Harry  G.  Gerdes  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Will  County.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  schools  of  Wilton  Center  and  began  his  business 
career  as  a  clerk  in  a  country  store.  After  the  death  of  his  parents  he 
returned  to  the  home  place,  which  he  operated  until  1920,  at  which  time 
he  removed  to  Manhattan. 

In  1890  Mr.  Gerdes  married  Miss  Sophia  Schroeder,  who  died  in 
1908.  To  them  a  daughter  was  born,  Edna,  who  died  in  1904  at  the  age 
of  12  years.  In  1910  Mr.  Gerdes  married  Miss  Laura  Kineston,  of  Wilton 
Center.  They  have  a  son,  Carl  K.,  who  was  born  in  1912.  He  attends 
Manhattan  High  School. 

Mr.  Gerdes  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  been  supervisor  of 
Manhattan  Township  since  April,  1928.  He  was  also  president  of  the 
local  school  board  for  seven  years.  While  a  resident  of  Wilton  Center  he 
held  many  township  offices.  From  1896  until  1907  he  served  Wilton 
Township  as  supervisor.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and 
his  wife  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Gerdes  is  affiliated  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mr.  Gerdes  is  president  of  the  Andres  &  Wilton  Grain  Company, 
which  was  organized  in  1914.  The  company  handles  over  a  million 
bushels  of  grain  annually  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  con- 
cerns of  Will  County. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  951 

John  H.  Wehrley  is  among  the  widely  known  business  men  of 
Beecher,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  drug  business  for  the  past  20 
years.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  June  27,  1876,  the  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Christman)  Wehrley. 

John  Wehrley  was  born  in  Germany  in  1845.  He  was  a  farmer 
throughout  his  life  and  after  coming  to  the  United  States  settled  at 
Millersburg,  Ind.,  where  he  died  in  1898.  His  wife,  also  a  native  of 
Germany,  died  in  1918.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wehrley  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  of  whom  John  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
third  youngest. 

John  H.  Wehrley  was  nine  years  old  when  he  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Millersburg,  Ind.,  and  studied  pharmacy  at  the  University  of 
Illinois,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1905.  He  spent  two  years  in 
the  chemical  laboratory  of  Armour  &  Company,  Chicago,  and  in  1907 
located  at  Beecher,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  the  drug  business. 
For  the  past  four  years  he  has  served  as  postmaster  of  Beecher. 

On  April  19,  1906,  Mr.  Wehrley  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Helen  C.  Beutler,  who  was  born  at  Lafayette,  Ind.  They  have  a  daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth,  who  attends  Purdue  University.  Two  other  children  died 
in  infancy. 

Mr.  Wehrley  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  school  director  for 
15  years.    He  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  No.  1083  Beecher. 


Claude  O.  Henry,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Manhattan,  is 
a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Kankakee  County,  Oct.  28,  1885, 
the  son  of  George  O.  and  Emma  (Bailey)  Henry. 

George  O.  Henry,  who  lives  retired  at  Manhattan,  was  for  many 
years  a  farmer  and  stockman  of  Sibley,  111.  Since  1921  he  has  resided 
in  this  city.  There  are  eight  children  in  the  Henry  family,  as  follows: 
Claude  O.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Frank,  insurance,  lives  at  Kan- 
kakee, 111. ;  Mrs.  A.  E.  Schroeder,  lives  at  Manhattan ;  Clayton,  salesman, 
lives  at  Toledo,  Ohio;  Bradley,  farmer,  lives  at  Sibley,  111.;  Jeanette, 
teacher,  lives  at  Salina,  Kan. ;  George,  lives  at  Manhattan ;  and  Gordon, 
lives  at  Manhattan. 

Claude  0.  Henry  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Bonfield 
in  Kankakee  County  and  when  a  young  man  learned  telegraphy.  He 
was  employed  by  the  Wabash  Railroad  at  Manhattan  as  night  operator 


952  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  three  years  later  became  associated  with  Bergan  Brothers  in  this 
city.  After  five  years  he  became  a  teller  in  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Manhattan.  He  was  elected  cashier  in  1916  and  has  since  served  in 
that  capacity. 

On  June  6,  1916,  Mr.  Henry  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Elda 
Schroeder,  of  Manhattan,  the  daughter  of  Clemence  and  Sophia  (Krapp) 
Schroeder,  of  Manhattan.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schroeder  were  born  at  Mokena, 
111.,  and  were  early  settlers  of  Manhattan,  where  Mr.  Schroeder  has  en- 
gaged in  the  hardware  business  for  the  past  42  years.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Henry  has  been  born  a  daughter,  Jeanne,  born  Sept.  17,  1918. 

Mr.  Henry  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Shrine.  He  has 
served  as  alderman  and  village  clerk  of  Manhattan  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  community. 


Wilson  F.  Smith. — Among  the  prominent  citizens  of  Will  County  is 
Wilson  F.  Smith,  who  is  living  retired  at  Plainfield.  He  was  born  in 
Lockport  Township,  in  Will  County,  Sept.  10,  1855,  the  son  of  John  H. 
and  Lydia  (Fouser)  Smith. 

John  H.  Smith  was  born  in  Summit  County,  Ohio.  He  came  to  Will 
County  in  1854  and  after  several  years  returned  to  Ohio  with  his  family, 
where  he  died  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  40  years.  His  widow  later  returned 
to  Will  County  with  her  children.  After  many  years  she  removed  to 
Iowa,  where  she  died  at  the  age  of  84  years.  Wilson  F.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  the  second  child  in  a  family  of  seven. 

Wilson  F.  Smith  received  a  meager  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Lockport  Township,  being  required  to  go  to  work  as  a  farm  hand 
when  fifteen  years  of  age.  After  his  marriage  in  1878  he  rented  land 
in  Plainfield  Township,  which  he  occupied  for  30  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased his  present  farm  of  45  acres  which  is  located  on  the  north 
side  of  Plainfield.  For  many  years  Mr.  Smith  was  a  well  known  breeder 
of  Englishshire  horses,  and  made  many  exhibits  at  the  Plainfield  Town- 
ship Fair.    He  was  president  of  the  Fair  Association. 

On  Jan.  1,  1878,  Mr.  Smith  married  Miss  Jemima  Hartong,  who  was 
born  in  Plainfield  Township,  Aug.  19,  1855,  the  daughter  of  Elias  and 
Christina  (Schrer)  Hartong.  Mr.  Hartong  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  an  early  settler  of  Will  County.  His  wife  was  born  in  Germany 
and  was  12  years  of  age  when  her  parents  emigrated  to  the  United 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  953 

States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  who  celebrated  their  50th  wedding  anni- 
versary Jan.  1,  1928,  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Arthur, 
lives  at  Plainfield;  Lloyd  C,  lives  at  Winona,  111.,  where  he  is  high 
school  superintendent;  Lucretia,  lives  at  home;  Lyda,  married  Dennison 
Green,  lives  at  Bloomington,  111.;  Beatrice,  married  Mark  Green,  lives 
in  Kendall  County,  111. ;  Dale,  lives  at  Plainfield ;  Ada  and  Columbus,  both 
deceased.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  14  grandchildren. 

Rev.  Henry  Messner,  who  performed  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Smith,  lives  at  Naperville.    He  is  90  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  Republican.  He  served  as  president  of  the  local 
school  board  for  eight  years,  and  was  instrumental  in  obtaining  the 
consolidated  schools  for  Plainfield.  The  fine  new  high  school  was  built 
during  his  term  as  president  of  the  board.  He  has  always  been  keenly 
interested  in  education.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Will  County 
Grange  in  which  he  has  always  been  an  active  worker.  Mr.  Smith  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


William  H.  Stelling,  proprietor  of  "Maple  Lane  Dairy,"  is  one  of  the 
progressive  young  business  men  of  Crete  and  Will  County.  He  was 
born  in  Sumner  Township,  Kankakee  County,  111.,  June  17,  1890,  the  son 
of  Frederic  and  Wilhelmina  (Knoop)  Stelling. 

Frederic  Stelling,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  a 
small  child  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  America  and  settled  in 
DuPage  County,  111.,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood.  Later,  he  removed 
to  Kankakee  County,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  200  acres.  About 
12  years  before  his  death  he  removed  to  Peotone,  111.,  where  he  died 
March  1,  1926.  He  is  buried  in  the  Peotone  Cemetery.  His  widow,  also 
a  native  of  Germany,  resides  at  Peotone.  The  following  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stelling:  August,  lives  at  Denver,  Colo.;  Bertha, 
married  Herbert  Peister,  lives  in  Ohio;  William  H.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Minnie,  married  Henry  Daum,  lives  at  Peotone ;  Clara,  married 
Leslie  Howlet,  lives  at  Denver,  Colo.;  Emma,  died  at  the  age  of  seven 
years;  Hulda,  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  Fred,  died  May  18,  1927, 
at  the  age  of  40  years;  and  two  children  died  in  infancy. 

William  H.  Stelling  was  reared  and  educated  in  Kankakee  County 
and  was  connected  with  his  father's  farming  interests  for  a  time.  At 
the  age  of  24  years  Mr.  Stelling  went  to  Texas  and  from  there  to  Canada, 
where  he  spent  several  years.    He  then  returned  to  Illinois  and  settled 


954  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

on  a  farm  in  Crete  Township,  where  he  specialized  in  dairy  farming. 
In  1925  he  became  interested  in  the  dairy  business  and  established  his 
retail  trade  in  Crete.  He  operates  an  up-to-date  dairy,  which  is  equipped 
with  modern  cold  storage  plant,  separating  system,  etc. 

On  Dec.  31,  1919,  Mr.  Stelling  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Ottelie  Gross,  of  Peotone,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth 
(Lauman)  Gross.  Mr.  Gross  is  a  pioneer  merchant  of  Peotone.  His 
wife  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stelling  have  a  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
born  Aug.  7,  1922. 

Mr.  Stelling  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  of 
which  he  is  deacon,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  Masonic  Lodge  and  Lincolnshire  Country  Club.  He  also  is 
active  in  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


Charles  J.  Rohe. — One  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  Crete  is  Charles 
J.  Rohe,  who  has  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  that  place  continuously 
for  the  past  40  years.  He  was  born  at  Crete,  Dec.  9,  1864,  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Dorothea  (Heine)  Rohe. 

Henry  Rohe,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  Early  in  life  he 
came  to  this  country  and  settled  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  but  later  went  to 
Chicago.  He  came  to  Crete  in  1850  and  for  a  time  was  a  farmer.  He 
then  engaged  in  business  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1907  at  the  age  of 
71  years  and  is  buried  in  the  Crete  Cemetery.  His  wife,  who  was  born 
in  Germany  in  1832,  died  at  the  age  of  85  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rohe  the  following  children  were  born :  Herman,  lives  at  Crete ;  W.  H., 
lives  at  Crete;  Mary,  the  widow  of  Clarence  Hanaca,  lives  in  Chicago; 
Fred  B.,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  in  this  volume,  lives  at  Crete;  and 
Charles  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Charles  J.  Rohe  was  reared  and  educated  at  Crete.  He  attended 
Northwestern  University  at  Watertown,  Wis.,  and  began  his  career  as  a 
druggist  at  Milford,  111.  After  four  years  he  went  to  Canton,  111.,  and 
from  there  to  LaSalle.  About  1888  he  established  a  drug  business  in 
Crete  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  W.  H.  Rohe.  They  purchased 
two  drug  stores  and  moved  the  stock  into  the  present  store  and  the 
brothers  continued  in  the  business  together  for  15  years,  when  Mr. 
Rohe  purchased  his  brother's  interest.  It  is  the  oldest  business  house 
in  Crete  and  Mr.  Rohe  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  community's  dependable 
merchants  and  reliable  business  men. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  955 

On  June  18,  1907,  Mr.  Rohe  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sophia 
Sailer,  of  Crete.    They  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Rohe  is  a  member  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he 
has  served  as  deacon  and  treasurer,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Lincolnshire 
Country  Club,  and  the  Steuben  Club  of  Chicago.  He  has  always  been  a 
Republican  and  has  filled  the  office  of  township  clerk.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  at  Crete. 


M.  L.  Pfoff  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War  and  an  enterprising  young 
business  man  of  Goodenow,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  general  mer- 
cantile business.  He  was  born  at  Foosland,  111.,  Dec.  7,  1897,  the  son  of 
L.  M.  and  Nora  (Ball)  Pfoff. 

L.  M.  Pfoff  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Foosland,  where  he  has 
engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  for  35  years.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  born  at  Foosland.  She  died  in  1926  at  the  age  of  48  years. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pfoff  were  born  four  children:  M.  L.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Richard  H.,  died  in  infancy ;  Lloyd  D.,  attends  the  University 
of  Illinois ;  and  Florence  Mae,  lives  at  home. 

M.  L.  Pfoff  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  was  con- 
nected with  his  father's  business  for  several  years.  He  later  went  to 
Chicago  where  he  was  identified  with  the  American  Manganese  Steel 
Company  for  four  years.  In  1922  he  came  to  Goodenow  and  four  years 
later  purchased  the  general  mercantile  business  of  J.  H.  Bahlman,  his 
father-in  law.  This  store,  one  of  the  pioneer  business  houses  of  the 
township,  was  owned  and  operated  by  Mr.  Bahlman  for  35  years. 

On  June  2,  1918,  Mr.  Pfoff  was  married  to  Miss  Ruby  Bahlman  of 
Goodenow,  the  daughter  of  J.  H.  and  Anna  Bahlman.  Mr.  Bahlman  was 
born  in  Washington  Township,  Will  County,  Dec.  12,  1866.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  early  in  life  engaged  in  business  at  Goodenow.  He 
also  owned  a  store  at  Eagle  Lake.  He  was  married  in  1890  to  Miss  Anna 
Wehrmann,  and  they  had  four  children :  Harry,  lives  at  Portland,  Ore. ; 
Ruby  Pfoff;  WiFiam,  a  graduate  of  Illinois  State  University,  married 
Miss  Jane  Britton,  lives  at  Chicago  Heights;  and  Helen,  a  graduate  of 
Bloom  Township  High  School  and  Purdue  University,  now  a  teacher  in 
the  Marseilles  (111.)  High  School.  Mr.  Bahlman  was  a  Republican  and 
a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  a  prominent  citizen  of  Goode- 
now. He  served  as  postmaster,  justice  of  the  peace  and  school  director. 
He  died  April  23,  1926,  and  is  buried  in  the  Beecher  Cemetery.     Mrs. 


956  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Pfoff  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Goodenow  and  is  a  graduate 
of  Illinois  State  Normal  School.  Before  her  marriage  she  was  a  teacher 
in  the  schools  of  McLean  County. 

Mr.  Pfoff  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  is  affiliated  with 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  911,  Bellflower,  111.    He  is  a  Republican. 

During  the  World  war  Mr.  Pfoff  volunteered  for  service  and  was 
stationed  at  Camp  Grant,  111.    He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Legion. 


John  C.  Diersen,  who  lives  retired  at  Crete,  is  among  the  substantial 
and  representative  citizens  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Crete,  Dec. 
25,  1862,  the  son  of  J.  W.  and  Ingle  (Dennis)  Diersen. 

J.  W.  Diersen,  deceased,  was  the  son  of  John  H.  Diersen,  a  pioneer 
settler  of  Chicago,  and  Crete  Township.  John  H.  Diersen  died  in  1886 
and  his  son  died  in  1898.  Both  were  farmers  and  spent  the  greater  part 
of  their  lives  on  the  Diersen  homestead,  which  consisted  of  240  acres 
in  Crete  Township.  Engle  (Dennis)  Diersen  was  a  native  of  Germany 
and  died  in  1900.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  W.  Diersen:  John  C.  P.  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William  H., 
lives  in  Crete  Township;  Louise,  married  Philip  Piepenbrink,  lives  at 
Crete;  Henry,  Herman,  August,  and  Gotlieb,  all  live  at  Crete;  Amelia, 
died  in  1926,  was  the  wife  of  Robert  Schlemmer,  of  Crete;  Emma, 
married  Chris  Koelling,  lives  in  Crete  Township;  Anna,  married  Her- 
man Piepenbrink,  lives  in  Crete  Township;  Otto,  lives  at  Kansas  City, 
Mo. ;  and  Walter  lives  in  Chicago. 

John  Conrad  Philip  Gustav  Diersen  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's 
farm  and  for  three  years  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  tinsmith  trade, 
for  which  he  received  wages  of  $50  per  year.  He  then  went  to  Nebraska, 
where  he  disposed  of  a  lumber  claim  in  exchange  for  the  corner  hard- 
ware store  at  Crete.  Mr.  Diersen  conducted  this  business  continuously 
from  1886  until  1923,  at  which  time  he  retired.  The  store  is  now  oper- 
ated by  his  son,  John  A.  Diersen.  This  pioneer  business  was  founded 
in  1838,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  business  houses  of  Will  County. 

On  Nov.  21,  1888,  Mr.  Diersen  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Sophie  Piepenbrink,  of  Crete,  the  daughter  of  Otto  Piepenbrink.  To 
them  were  born  six  children:  Linda,  married  Henry  Lorenzen,  lives  at 
Crete,  and  they  have  three  children,  Ruth,  Vernon,  and  Walter;  John 
A.,  lives  at  Crete,  married  Miss  Alvina  Koelling,  and  they  have  a  son* 
John  Roberts;  Martin,  lives  in  Chicago,  married  Miss  Ingeron  Samuel- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  957 

son ;  Anna,  married  Elmer  Duensing,  lives  at  Crete ;  Amelia  and  Esther, 
both  at  home. 

Mr.  Diersen  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party  in  national  poli- 
tics. He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  German  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Church. 


W.  F.  Mussman,  deceased,  was  a  funeral  director  and  well  known 
business  man  of  Crete.  He  was  born  at  St.  John's,  Indiana,  July  11, 
1861,  the  son  of  W.  L.  and  Sophia  (Bume)  Mussman. 

\V.  L.  Mussman  was  born  in  Germany  and  was  among  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Crete  Township,  Will  County.  For  a  short  time  he  lived  in 
Indiana,  where  he  followed  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  died 
at  Grant  Park,  111.,  in  1904,  and  his  wife,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  died 
Nov.  13,  1922.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mussman  the  following  children  were 
born:  W.  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  George,  farmer,  lives  at  Wel- 
come, Minn.;  Minnie,  married  Charles  Stadt,  lives  in  Chicago;  Herman 
lives  on  the  old  homestead  at  Grant  Park,  Kankakee  County,  111. ;  Sophia, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  August  Planske;  Henry,  died  in  September, 
1926;  Amelia,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Homeyer;  Lizzie,  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Herman  Kurth;  and  two  children  died  in 
infancy. 

W.  F.  Mussman  was  five  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Crete  Township.  He  attended  the  district  schools  and  in  1889  became 
interested  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business  here.  For  several 
years  he  specialized  in  undertaking  with  his  son,  the  business  being 
known  as  W.  F.  Mussman  &  Son. 

On  April  22,  1890,  Mr.  Mussman  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Koester, 
a  native  of  Germany.  One  child  was  born  to  this  union,  George  W., 
born  Nov.  15,  1891.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Crete 
and  in  1914  was  graduated  from  the  Barnes  School  of  Embalming.  He 
now  conducts  the  undertaking  business  established  by  his  father.  He 
married  June  10,  1914,  Miss  Helen  Luecke,  of  Crete,  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Sophia  Leucke.  They  have  two  children,  Gerald,  bora  Jan. 
27,  1920 ;  and  Robert,  born  Aug.  10,  1926. 

Mr.  Mussman  was  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church  of  Chicago 
Heights,  and  belonged  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  served 
as  chief  of  the  local  fire  department  from  1909  until  1924.  He  died 
Aug.  15,  1928. 


958  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Arthur  C.  Kieper,  who  is  manager  of  the  Farmers  Grain  Company, 
of  Goodenow,  is  among  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  at  Chicago  Heights,  111.,  Nov.  8,  1895,  the  son  of 
Albert  and  Bertha  (Mach)  Kieper. 

Albert  Kieper  was  born  in  Germany  in  1852.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  about  1877  and  settled  at  Goodenow,  in  Will  County.  He  later 
lived  in  Chicago  Heights,  but  returned  to  Goodenow,  where  he  died  in 
1912.  He  is  buried  in  Beecher  Cemetery.  Mr.  Kieper  was  well  known 
for  many  years  as  a  successful  farmer  of  Crete  Township.  His  widow 
resides  at  Goodenow.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kieper  the  following  children 
were  born:  Paul,  lives  at  Crete;  Clara,  married  Henry  Ohlerking,  lives 
at  Madison,  111.;  Ella,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Wilbur  Hough,  of 
Chicago  Heights;  Mary,  married  Emil  Aberstich,  lives  at  Roselle,  111.; 
Arthur  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Henry  and  Harry,  who  lives  at 
home. 

Arthur  C.  Kieper  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Goodenow.  He  began  his  business  career  as  a  bookkeeper  for  the 
Gage  Hat  Company,  of  Chicago,  and  six  months  later  went  with  the 
Austin  Savings  Bank,  Chicago,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  for  eight 
years.  Since  1919  he  has  held  his  present  position  as  manager  of  the 
Farmers  Grain  Company  of  Goodenow. 

Mr.  Kieper  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Beecher  Evangelical 
Church,  and  belongs  to  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  763,  Crete.    He  is  unmarried. 

The  officers  of  the  Farmers  Grain  Company  are  as  follows:  Fred 
Kuhlman,  president;  Edward  Wassman,  vice  president;  and  George  W. 
Baker,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Directors  are:  Gus  Schrewe,  Harry  S. 
Graham,  Fred  Kuhlman,  Edward  Wassman,  and  George  W.  Baker.  All 
are  residents  of  Crete  Township. 


D.  J.  Steevens,  owner  and  editor  of  the  Beecher  Herald,  is  among 
prominent  newspaper  men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  LaCrosse, 
Wis.,  May  17,  1871. 

Mr.  Steevens  was  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  family  removed  to 
Winona.  They  later  lived  in  the  then  Dakota  territory  and  Huron,  South 
Dakota.  After  completing  his  schooling  Mr.  Steevens  learned  the  print- 
er's trade  at  LaCrosse,  Wis.,  having  returned  to  his  birthplace  when  a 
young  man.  He  later  went  to  Livingston,  Mont.,  and  from  there  to 
Helena,  Mont.,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  newspaper  of  Russel  B. 
Harrison,  son  of  President  Harrison.     He  later  returned  to  LaCrosse, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  959 

where  he  was  employed  on  a  daily  newspaper.  In  1897  he  purchased  a 
newspaper  at  Arcadia,  Wis.,  which  he  owned  for  nine  years.  In  1907 
he  came  to  Beecher  and  on  September  6th  of  that  year  published  th1- 
first  issue  of  the  Beecher  Herald.  It  is  a  weekly  publication  and  has  a 
widespread  circulation  of  900  subscribers.  Mr.  Stevens  has  been  highly 
successful  in  this  undertaking  and  attributes  his  success  to  his  ideal  of 
service  at  all  times.  The  newspaper  plant  represents  an  investment  of 
approximately  $18,000.00. 

Mr.  Steevens  was  married  in  1895  to  Miss  Margaret  Gleason,  of 
Arcadia,  Wis.  They  have  two  children:  1.  Charles  A.,  a  veteran  of 
the  World  War,  is  identified  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago 
Heights,  and  lives  at  Steger.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Newquist,  of 
Steger,  and  they  have  a  son,  Jack.  2.  Mae,  who  married  Walter  New- 
quist, of  Steger,  and  they  have  one  son,  David  Steevens. 

Mr.  Stevens  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  held  the  office  of 
village  clerk  for  three  terms.  He  won  the  first  election  by  one  vote, 
the  second  by  37  votes,  and  was  elected  the  third  term  without  opposi- 
tion. He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  of  Steger  and  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Third  Degree,  and  Catholic  Order  of 
Foresters. 


George  A.  Batterman,  of  Beecher,  is  one  of  the  successful  and  well 
known  business  men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Lake  County, 
Ind.,  Dec.  12,  1887,  the  son  of  Albert  and  Leona  (Ostermeyer) 
Batterman. 

Albert  Batterman  was  born  in  Crete  Township  in  1859,  the  son  of 
Fred  Batterman,  a  native  of  Germany.  The  Batterman  family  settled 
in  Will  County  during  the  early  days  and  were  well  known  farmers  of 
this  section.  Albert  Batterman  died  in  1897,  and  his  widow,  a  native  of 
Washington  Township,  resides  at  Beecher.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Conrad  Ostermeyer,  a  pioneer  of  Washington  Township.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Batterman  were  born  two  children :  George  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  and  Ella,  married  William  C.  Selk,  lives  at  Beecher. 

At  the  age  of  ten  years  George  A.  Batterman  was  brought  to 
Beecher  with  his  family.  After  completing  his  schooling  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  general  store  of  Stade  Brothers,  for  two  years,  and  in 
1907  formed  a  partnership  with  William  F.  Ruge.  Mr.  Batterman 
became  owner  of  the  entire  business  in  1920.  He  is  the  only  dry  goods 
merchant  at  Beecher  and  has  a  well  established  trade.    He  is  a  director 


960  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  and  is  active  in  the  promotion  of  the  new 
Community  Building  of  Beecher  which  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $50,000. 

On  Feb.  18,  1912,  Mr.  Batterman  married  Miss  Josephine  Apking 
of  Beecher.  Their  only  child,  Clifford,  was  born  Jan.  18,  1914,  and  died 
May  20,  1916. 

Politically  Mr.  Batterman  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  a  member  of  St.  Luke's  Church,  Beecher,  and  is  affiliated  with 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  1087,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  village  clerk  of  Beecher  since  1919. 


James  M.  Thompson,  who  has  served  as  supervisor  of  music  in  the 
Joliet  Public  Schools  for  the  past  35  years,  is  prominent  in  musical 
circles  throughout  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  Ontario, 
Canada,  April  23,  1866,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Ursula  (Sinclair) 
Thompson. 

The  early  education  of  James  M.  Thompson  was  secured  in  the 
schools  of  Canada.  He  spent  two  years  in  Woodstock  College  in  Canada 
and  five  years  at  Hillsdale  College  in  Michigan,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  June,  1891.  He  spent  the  following  two  years  in  extension 
work  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1892  began  teaching  music  at 
Joliet.  After  a  period  of  16  years  of  service  with  the  local  schools  Mr. 
Thompson  studied  abroad,  taking  graduate  work  in  London,  England, 
and  also  in  Scotland.  He  conceived  the  idea  of  organizing  a  boys'  band 
in  Joliet,  and  this  organization  has  done  much  to  make  the  city  widely 
known  throughout  the  country. 

Emphasizing  a  high  standard  of  leadership  among  boys  he  started 
a  grade  school  band  with  24  boys  from  12  schools,  asking  the  regular 
teachers  cooperation  to  select  on  a  merit  basis.  In  this  the  require- 
ment called  for  the  highest  standard  in  all  subjects  and  musically 
inclined.  This  has  been  known  for  nearly  a  score  of  years  as  a  perpetual 
plan  which  has  passed  boys  of  the  highest  rank  in  prize  winning  to  the 
national  champion  high  school  band.  Mr.  Thompson  has  gone  on  record 
as  having  laid  the  foundation  for  state  and  national  champion  bands  in 
Joliet. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  married  on  Jan.  27,  1892,  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Clouse, 
of  the  Province  of  Ontario,  Canada.  She  is  a  talented  pianist  and 
organist  and  is  well  known  in  the  city.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  were 
born  six  children,  as  follows :  1.  Cyril  C,  a  graduate  of  Beloit  College, 
Wisconsin,  and  the  University   of  Nebraska,   served   throughout   the 


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JAMES  M.  THOMPSON 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  961 

World  War,  married  Miss  Vivian  Ditto,  and  they  have  three  children: 
Dawn,  Betty,  and  Rachael.  They  live  in  Boise,  Idaho,  where  Mr.  Thomp- 
son is  chief  deputy  auditor  for  the  State  of  Idaho.  2.  Milo  M.,  a  graduate 
of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  and  Harvard  University,  served 
throughout  the  World  War  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  air  service,  married 
Miss  Florence  Weston,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  children :  Elsworth 
and  Lois.  He  is  editor  of  the  Idaho  Statesman  and  is  a  prominent  jour- 
nalist of  the  West.  3.  Harold  H.,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High 
School  and  Hillsdale  College,  served  during  the  World  War,  and  died  at 
Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.,  February  11,  1920.  4.  Marie  Houser,  lives  at 
Altoona,  Pa.  She  is  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  the 
Columbia  College  of  Expression  in  Chicago,  married  Harry  Houser  and 
they  have  two  children,  Robert  and  Gretchen.  5.  Vera  D.,  a  graduate 
of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  the  Pestalozzi  Frobel  Kindergarten 
College,  Chicago,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Evanston,  111.,  also 
of  Northwestern  University.  6.  William  L.,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Town- 
ship High  School,  Northwestern  University,  now  a  student  of  jour- 
nalism in  Columbia  University,  New  York  City. 

An  estate  known  as  Hillsdale  Place,  consisting  of  ten  acres,  has  been 
the  home  of  Mr.  Thompson  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  It 
is  located  at  2000  to  2010  on  East  Washington  Street,  bounded  on  the 
east  by  Oakview  Ave.,  which  street  was  laid  out  and  named  by  Mr. 
Thompson.  The  west  boundry  is  a  beautiful  ravine  drive  with  attractive 
homes  known  as  Hillsdale  Road  which  is  constantly  being  improved 
and  with  the  rapid  growth  to  the  east  the  Thompson  homestead  will 
continue  to  grow  attractive. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity, 
and  a  member  of  the  Official  Board  of  the  Richards  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  For  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  been  Choir  master 
of  the  Illinois  State  Prison  in  Joliet.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Joliet  Kiwanis  Club  and  is  widely  known  as  a  song  leader. 


Henry  C.  Piepenbrink,  progressive  farmer  and  stockman  of  Crete 
Township,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  highly  esteemed 
families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  where  he  now  lives,  March  8, 
1885,  the  son  of  Conrad  and  Sophia  Engelking  Piepenbrink. 

Conrad  Piepenbrink  was  born  on  the  old  Piepenbrink  homestead  in 
Crete  Township  in  1852,  the  son  of  John  Otto  Piepenbrink,  a  well  known 


962  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

pioneer  of  Crete  Township.  Conrad  Piepenbrink  became  one  of  the  lead- 
ing farmers  of  Crete  Township  and  was  the  owner  of  243  acres  of  well 
improved  land.  He  specialized  in  dairy  farming  and  was  also  an  extens- 
ive raiser  of  grain.  At  the  time  of  his  death  in  1914  he  was  living 
retired  at  Chicago  Heights.  Besides  his  farming  interests  he  was  iden- 
tified with  the  Crete  Mutual  Insurance  Association.  He  was  a  Republi- 
can, a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  active  in  the  work  of  the 
Will  County  Farm  Bureau.  His  widow,  who  lives  at  Chicago  Heights, 
was  born  in  Washington  Township,  Will  County.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Piepenbrink  were  born  eight  children,  as  follows:  Anna,  unmarried, 
lives  at  home;  Otto,  lives  at  Harvey,  111.;  Sophia,  married  Herman 
Redeker,  lives  at  Milford,  111.;  Henry  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Helen,  married  Louis  Koelling,  lives  at  Chicago  Heights;  Edward,  lives 
at  Beaver  Dam,  Wis. ;  Bertha,  married  Alfred  Koevert,  lives  at  Mil- 
waukee, Wis. ;  and  Martin,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Henry  C.  Piepenbrink  has  always  lived  in  Crete  Township.  He  was 
educated  in  the  Lutheran  School  at  Crete,  and  since  the  death  of  his 
father  in  1914  has  operated  the  farm.  He  is  interested  in  dairy 
farming. 

On  Sept.  3,  1911,  Mr.  Piepenbrink  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Amelia  Redeker,  a  native  of  Iroquois  County,  111.  They  have  five  chil- 
dren: Leona,  born  July  28,  1916;  Edwill,  born  Feb.  5,  1918;  Norman, 
born  Sept.  26,  1922 ;  Helen  and  Irene,  twins,  born  April  1,  1926. 

Mr.  Piepenbrink  is  an  elder  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Church.  In 
politics  he  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He  belongs  to  the 
Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


H.  E.  Ehlers. — One  of  the  well  known  men  of  Beecher  is  H.  E. 
Ehlers,  who  is  cashier  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Beecher.  He  was 
born  in  Washington  Township,  Will  County,  the  son  of  Herman  and 
Louise  (Meyer)  Ehlers. 

Herman  Ehlers  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany  where  he 
was  born,  in  1854,  and  settled  west  of  Chicago.  About  1870  he  removed 
to  Washington  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  owned  and  operated 
a  mill  until  1888.  He  then  located  on  a  farm  east  of  Grant 
Park.  For  a  time  he  resided  at  Beecher,  but  later  lived  retired  in 
Chicago,  where  he  died  in  1913.  His  wife  was  born  at  Madison,  111.  She 
is  also  deceased.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ehlers  are  buried  in  Forest  Home  Ceme- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  963 

tery,  Chicago.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  H.  E., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

H.  E.  Ehlers  is  a  graduate  of  the  public  schools  of  Washington 
Township  and  later  attended  Valparaiso  College.  For  20  years  he  was 
associated  in  business  at  Grant  Park  in  partnership  with  his  brother, 
Fred  Ehlers.  In  1905  he  became  sole  owner  of  the  business  which  he 
continued  until  1915.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  Farmers 
State  Bank  of  Beecher  since  1916  and  has  held  the  office  of  cashier  for 
the  past  five  years. 

In  1903  Mr.  Ehlers  married  Miss  Emma  Korthauer,  of  Beecher,  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Louisa  Korthauer,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Korthauer 
was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  an  early  settler  of  Beecher.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ehler  were  born  four  children :  Viola,  a  graduate  of  Bloom 
Township  High  School,  employed  in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  as  book- 
keeper; Herman,  Vernon  and  Garnita. 

Mr.  Ehlers  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Zion  Lutheran 
Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grant  Park  Country  Club.  Mr. 
Ehlers  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  civic  affairs  of  Washington  Town- 
ship, and  is  now  serving  as  supervisor. 


The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Beecher,  which  was  organized  in  Novem- 
ber, 1916,  by  E.  C.  Curtis,  H.  E.  Ehlers,  and  H.  B.  Ruge,  was  the  suc- 
cessor of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Beecher,  which  was  established 
in  1906,  and  which  was  liquidated  upon  the  organization  of  the  former 
institution.  The  First  National  Bank  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  Bank 
of  Beecher,  which  was  established  in  the  nineties  and  operated  by 
Arthur  Struve  until  1906.  The  Farmers  State  Bank  occupies  the  bank- 
ing house  which  was  erected  by  the  institution  in  1906. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Beecher  was  organized  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $25,000,  and  opened  for  business  on  the  18th  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1916,  under  the  direction  of  the  following  officers:  Frederick 
Wehmhoefer,  H.  W.  Bockelman,  Fred  Erieson,  Fred  Hauseman, 
president;  and  H.  B.  Ruge,  cashier.  Mr.  Ruge  died  June  11,  1923,  and 
was  succeeded  as  cashier  by  Mr.  Ehlers.  At  the  same  time  W.  F.  Ruge 
was  elected  assistant  cashier  and  director.  The  original  board  of 
directors  was  composed  of  Frederick  Wehrmann,  H.  B.  Ruge, 
V.  S.  Curtis,  Frank  Hunte,  R.  G.  Salzmann,  Carl  Ehrhardt,  Henry 
Wehmroefer,    H.    W.    Bockelman,    Fred    Erieson,     Fred    Hauseman, 


964  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

D.  D.  VanVoorhis,  H.  E.  Ehlers,  and  Thomas  Clark.  The  members  of 
the  present  board  of  directors  are  as  follows:  H.  E.  Ehlers,  Henry 
Wehmhoefer,  president;  D.  D.  Van  Voorhis,  vice  president;  W.  F.  Ruge, 
Geo.  A.  Batterman  and  Emil  Klein. 

This  institution  has  accumulated  a  surplus  of  $16,000.00,  and  has 
reserve  funds  amounting  to  $17,500.00,  and  undivided  profits  of 
$10,000.00.  Since  its  organization  it  has  paid  regular  dividends  of  10 
per  cent  with  an  occasional  2  per  cent  additional.  Total  dividends  have 
amounted  to  $27,500.00.  Deposits,  which  amounted  to  $19,276.36 
on  the  bank's  first  day  of  business,  have  increased  to  $450,000.00. 


Michael  R.  Miley,  M.  D.,  of  Beecher,  is  a  representative  member  of 
the  medical  profession  of  Will  County  and  a  leading  citizen  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lives.  He  was  born  in  Wisconsin,  Nov.  28,  1858,  the 
son  of  Theodore  and  Anna  Maria  (Ritter)  Miley. 

Both  Theodore  Miley  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Switzerland. 
Their  marriage  took  place  at  Madison,  Wis.,  where  they  had  both  located 
early  in  life.  Mr.  Miley  was  a  successful  farmer  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  about  1886.  His  wife  died  in  1880.  Both  are 
buried  at  Alma,  Wis.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miley  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  two  of  whom  survive:  Michael  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
and  Julia  Blum,  who  lives  at  West  Palm  Beach,  Florida. 

Michael  R.  Miley  spent  his  boyhood  in  Wisconsin  and  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  there.  He  later  attended  Valparaiso  University  and 
in  1896  was  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  College.  He  spent  a  year  in 
private  practice  in  Chicago,  and  then  located  at  Beecher,  in  August, 
1897. 

On  Oct.  14,  1899,  Dr.  Miley  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emily 
Manz,  a  native  of  Wisconsin.  They  have  had  the  following  children: 
Alice,  Bernice,  and  Olive,  all  at  home;  and  Milton,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Dr.  Miley  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  mayor  of  Beecher  for 
two  terms.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  27  years.  He 
is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  and  Illinois  State 
Medical  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  is  affili- 
ated with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  1087,  Beecher,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  Dr.  Miley  is  widely  known  in  Beecher  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  the  social  and  civic  life. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  965 

Henry  Hack. — Numbered  among  the  solid  and  responsible  business 
men  of  Will  County,  Henry  Hack  has  long  been  connected  with  the 
business  life  of  Beecher.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  July  29,  1855,  the 
son  of  John  and  Sophia  (Luth)  Hack. 

John  Hack,  deceased,  was  a  pioneer  settler  of  Will  County.  He 
came  to  this  country  early  in  life  and  purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres 
in  Will  County.  Later,  he  became  interested  in  the  meat  business  at 
Beecher  and  also  conducted  a  general  mercantile  business.  He  was  well 
known  as  a  dependable  merchant  in  this  community.  He  died  in  1908  at 
the  age  of  71  years.  His  wife  died  in  1918.  Both  are  buried  at  Beecher. 
The  business,  established  by  Mr.  Hack,  is  now  carried  on  successfully 
by  his  grandson,  Arthur  Hack,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  business  houses 
in  the  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hack  were  born  the  following  children: 
Herman,  died  in  1926;  Henry,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Carl,  retired, 
lives  at  Hammond,  Ind.;  Frank,  deceased;  and  Emma,  married  Sher- 
man Lyte,  lives  at  Peotone,  111. 

The  boyhood  of  Henry  Hack  was  spent  in  Washington  Township 
and  he  attended  the  district  schools.  He  was  associated  with  his 
father's  business  at  Beecher  until  about  1885,  at  which  time  he  estab- 
lished his  present  undertaking  business  at  Beecher.  He  also  opened 
his  hotel  at  that  time  and  to  the  present  time  has  ranked  among  the 
reliable  hotel  owners  of  Will  County.  A  livery  business,  organized  by 
Mr.  Hack,  was  discontinued  about  1910.  In  its  place  the  garage  of  Hack 
&  Son  was  organized  and  they  are  local  dealers  for  the  Chevrolet  auto- 
mobile. A  first  class  repair  shop  is  conducted  in  connection  with  the 
sales  service  and  a  complete  line  of  automobile  accessories  is  handled 
by  the  firm. 

On  May  1,  1883,  Mr.  Hack  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Bielfeldt,  of  Beecher,  the  daughter  of  Henning  and  Catherine  (Dateleaf ) 
Bielf eldt,  both  deceased.  To  them  were  born  two  children :  Edmund  C, 
born  Jan.  13,  1888,  a  graduate  of  Chicago  Heights  High  School  and 
Loyola  Medical  College,  Chicago,  now  a  physician  and  surgeon  at  Ham- 
mond, Ind.,  married  on  Nov.  21,  1912,  to  Miss  Margaret  Schwartz,  of 
Chicago,  and  they  have  three  sons.  Theodore,  Robert,  and  LeRoy;  and 
Albert  B.,  born  April  24,  1892,  a  graduate  of  Beecher  High  School, 
now  associated  with  his  father's  business  interests  at  Beecher,  mar- 
ried on  Dec.  29,  1912,  to  Miss  Marie  Deneke,  of  Beecher,  and  they  have 
a  daughter,  Betty  Jene,  born  Oct.  2,  1928. 

Mr.  Hack  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  Church  of  Beecher,  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M. 


966  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

No.  1087,  Beecher,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has  served 
as  village  trustee  and  has  been  constable  of  Beecher  for  a  period  of 
30  years,  as  well  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Will  County. 

Mary  (Bielfeldt)  Hack  died  Nov.  10,  1924,  at  the  age  of  69  years, 
and  is  buried  in  the  Beecher  Mausoleum. 


William  Ostermeyer,  highway  commissioner  of  Washington  Town- 
ship, is  a  representative  citizen  of  Will  County,  where  he  has  spent  his 
entire  life.  He  was  born  on  the  Ostermeyer  homestead  in  Washington 
Township,  Nov.  17,  1866,  and  remained  there  until  1908,  at  which  time 
he  located  at  Beecher.  He  obtained  his  schooling  in  the  district  schools 
of  Washington  Township  and  until  his  retirement  ranked  among  the 
highly  successful  farmers  of  the  township.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
highway  commissioner  since  1922. 

Mr.  Ostermeyer  was  married  in  1896  to  Miss  Mina  Ruge,  who  was 
born  in  Washington  Township.  She  died  in  December,  1907,  at  the  age 
of  36  years,  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Evangelical  Cemetery,  Beecher. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ostermeyer  were  born  five  children,  as  follows :  Edwin, 
lives  at  Beecher;  Edna,  married  Lester  Williamson,  lives  in  Beecher, 
and  to  them  were  born  three  children:  Lester,  Jr.,  deceased;  Phyllis 
Jean;  and  James  Lee;  William,  Jr.,  lives  at  Beecher;  Emma,  married 
Doctor  Theodore  Schwarz,  Chicago,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Edmund  William,  and  William  Rheinhold;  and  Mina,  married  George 
Buttell,  Jr.,  lives  at  Steger,  and  they  have  a  son,  George  Joseph. 

Politically  Mr.  Ostermeyer  is  a  Republican.  He  has  always  been 
connected  with  the  educational  system  of  Washington  Township  and  is 
now  serving  as  trustee.  He  resides  at  Beecher  although  he  is  still  the 
owner  of  the  homestead  of  120  acres  in  Washington  Township. 


John  Luecke  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Crete,  where  he  has  lived 
for  the  past  35  years.  He  was  born  at  Monee,  Will  County,  July  11, 
1857,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Gustena  (Huckemeyer)  Luecke. 

Henry  Luecke,  son  of  Earnest  Luecke,  was  a  native  of  Germany 
and  among  the  early  settlers  of  Will  County,  having  located  on  a  tract 
of  80  acres  near  Monee  during  the  early  days.  He  became  a  successful 
farmer  and  stockman  and  was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his  death  in 
1895.     His  wife  died  in  September,  1916.     Both  are  buried  in  Trinity 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  967 

Cemetery,  Crete.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luecke  were  born  the  following 
children:  Henry,  retired,  lives  at  Crete;  John,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Fred,  deceased;  William,  lives  in  Chicago;  Emma,  married 
Henry  Bruning,  lives  at  Whiting,  Ind. ;  Edward,  lives  in  Chicago;  and 
Martin,  who  died  in  1925. 

John  Luecke  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  early  in  life 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  successfully  followed  for  25 
years.  Since  1906  he  has  been  at  Chicago  Heights  in  the  employ  of  the 
Hamilton  Piano  Company. 

In  1884  Mr.  Luecke  married  Miss  Louise  Wiebrock  of  Crete.  She 
died  in  1886  and  is  buried  in  Trinity  Cemetery.  Mr.  Luecke  was  later 
married  to  Miss  Sophia  Ruhe,  of  Crete,  and  to  them  were  born  six 
children,  as  follows:  Adelia,  married  August  Pippenbrink,  lives  at 
Crete;  Arthur  F.,  city  clerk  of  Crete,  married  Miss  Rose  Lober,  of 
Chicago;  Helen,  married  George  Mussman,  lives  at  Crete;  Selma,  mar- 
ried Elmer  Schlemmer,  lives  at  Crete ;  Walter,  lives  in  Chicago  Heights, 
married  Miss  Antonette  Tieri;  and  Norbert,  married  Miss  Viola  Pralle, 
of  Crete,  where  they  now  reside. 

Mr.  Luecke  is  a  Republican  and  some  years  ago  held  the  offices  of 
road  treasurer  and  school  trustee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church. 


F.  Herman  Wilke. — One  of  the  successful  young  business  man  of 
Beecher  is  F.  Herman  Wilke,  who  is  identified  with  the  firm  of  Wilke 
&  Rehn,  lumber  and  coal  dealers.  He  was  born  in  Washington  Town- 
ship, Sept.  7,  1899,  the  son  of  H.  F.  and  Sophia  (Meyer)  Wilke. 

F.  Herman  Wilke  was  four  years  old  when  his  parents  moved  to 
Beecher.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools,  attended 
Orr's  Business  School,  Chicago,  and  later  was  enrolled  at  the  University 
of  Illinois.  He  was  associated  with  a  lumber  firm  in  Chicago  until  1912, 
at  which  time  he  returned  to  Beecher  and  made  his  present  connection. 
This  business  was  founded  in  1880  by  Arthur  Strive  and  later  owned  by 
H.  F.  Wilke,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  In  1908  Mr. 
Wilke  formed  a  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Wiechen,  who  later  sold  his 
interest  to  H.  B.  Ruge.  After  a  year  the  elder  Mr.  Wilke  died  and  Mr. 
Ruge  continued  the  business  alone  until  1910.  At  that  time  the  Wilke 
interest  in  the  business  was  sold  to  H.  W.  Bockelman,  and  the  business 
was  known  as  Ruge  &  Bockelman  until  1912,  when  F.  Herman  Wilke 
bought  the  interest  of  Mr.  Bockelman.     Late  in  1925  Mr.  Wilke,  in 


968  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

partnership  with  Mr.  Rehn,  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Ruge,  and 
the  firm  has  since  been  known  as  Wilke  &  Rehn.  They  are  widely 
known  dealers  in  lumber,  coal,  building  supplies,  and  farm  machinery. 

On  Dec.  25,  1912,  Mr.  Wilke  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Hilda 
Marie  Selk  of  Beecher,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Emma  Selk.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Selk  live  retired  at  Beecher.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilke  have  been 
born  two  daughters :  Carolyn  Harriet,  born  in  1914 ;  and  Jane  Elizabeth 
born  in  1917. 

Mr.  Wilke  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Zion  Lutheran  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Chicago  Heights  Country  Club.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Lumberman's  Club  of  Chicago. 


Leo  M.  Herkert  is  numbered  among  the  dependable  young  business 
men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  insurance 
business.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Sept.  5,  1895,  the  son  of  Otto  and 
Louise  (Wagner)  Herkert. 

Otto  Herkert,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  In  1880  he  emi- 
grated to  this  country  and  settled  in  Joliet,  where  he  was  interested  in 
the  meat  business  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  in  1915  at  the  age 
of  52  years  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife  died 
in  1924.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Michael  and  Louise  (Wayne)  Wagner, 
pioneer  settlers  of  Joliet.  Both  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herkert 
have  four  sons :  Raymond,  Leo  M.,  Walter,  and  Robert. 

The  boyhood  of  Leo  M.  Herkert  was  spent  in  Joliet  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  public  and  high  schools  of  the  city.  He  also  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Balfour-Johnson  School  of  Chicago  and  DePauw  Uni- 
versity. He  was  associated  in  business  until  1925  with  W.  K.  Young,  of 
Chicago,  and  in  that  year  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he  opened  offices  in 
the  W.  H.  Clare  Realty  Building  at  Van  Buren  and  Ottawa  Street.  Mr. 
Herkert  has  specialized  in  allotment  work  and  opened  subdivisions  at 
Briar  Gate  and  Westminster.  Besides  his  local  business  interests  he 
is  president  of  the  Citizens  Petroleum  Company,  at  Muskegon,  Mich., 
and  vice  president  of  the  Muskegon  Oil  Corporation.  He  is  also  secre- 
tary-treasurer of  the  Muskegon  Development  Company. 

Mr.  Herkert  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Third  Degree,  and  Chamber 
of  Commerce  and  Country  Club.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Century 
Club  of  Muskegon,  Mich. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  969 

Hairy  L.  Stade,  general  merchant,  is  among  the  progressive  and 
enterprising  young  business  men  of  Beecher,  where  he  was  born,  Feb. 
28,  1890.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Emma  (Busse)  Stade,  both 
deceased. 

Henry  Stade  was  bom  in  Cook  County,  111.,  and  located  in  Washing- 
ton Township,  Will  County,  about  1870.  He  owned  and  operated  the 
home  place  of  160  acres  for  a  number  of  years  and  later  came  to  Beecher, 
where  he  established  the  general  mercantile  business,  which  is  now 
owned  by  his  son.  He  retired  from  business  in  1918  and  lived  at 
Beecher  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1925.  He  is 
buried  in  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  Cemetery,  Beecher.  His  wife,  a  native  of 
Washington  Township,  died  in  1898.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stade  were  born 
four  children:  Harry  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Alfred,  lives  in 
Chicago;  Edna,  died  at  the  age  of  15  years;  and  Elsie,  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Stade  was  vice  president  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Beecher 
and  also  vice  president  of  the  Illinois  Brick  Company,  Beecher. 

Harry  L.  Stade  obtained  his  schooling  in  the  public  schools  of 
Beecher  and  after  completing  the  high  school  course  attended  Orr's 
Business  College,  Chicago.  Since  1912  he  has  been  associated  with  his 
present  business  and  became  the  owner  of  the  store  in  1918.  Mr.  Stade 
carries  a  complete  line  of  general  merchandise  and  also  deals  in  meats, 
groceries,  and  confectionery. 

On  June  4,  1917,  Mr.  Stade  married  Miss  Caroline  Hinz,  of  DuPage 
County,  111.  They  have  two  sons:  Rowland,  born  July  12,  1918;  and 
Harry  L.,  Jr.,  born  April  24,  1926. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stade  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Zion  Lutheran  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Chicago  Heights  Country 
Club.  He  is  vice  president  of  St.  Paul's  Cemetery  Association  of 
Beecher.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the  community  and  is  well 
liked. 


William  J.  Hinze,  whose  name  is  well  and  favorably  known  in  busi- 
ness and  civic  circles  at  Beecher,  was  born  in  the  Hinze  homestead  in 
Washington  Township,  Will  County,  Aug.  19,  1873,  the  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Stade)  Hinze. 

John  Hinze,  retired,  was  born  at  Rostock,  Mecklenburg,  Schwerin, 
Germany,  in  1849.  He  was  nine  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  in  Illinois.  About  1860  the  family  removed 
to   Washington   Township,   and    located   on    the   present    Hinze   farm. 


970  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Throughout  his  active  career  Mr.  Hinze  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  His  wife  is  also  a  native  of  Germany,  born  June  16, 
1848.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinze  were  married  in  Washington  Township  in 
1872.  They  had  the  following  children:  William  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  George,  lives  at  home;  Meta,  married  George  Meyer,  lives  at 
Beecher;  Ernest,  lives  at  Beecher;  Carl,  lives  at  Beecher;  Anna,  married 
Henry  Bohnsack,  lives  in  Monee  Township;  Herman,  lives  at  Waterloo, 
Iowa ;  Henry  and  Bertha,  both  deceased. 

William  J.  Hinze  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Beecher  and  also  attended  a  business  college  in  Chicago.  He  has  been 
identified  with  his  present  business  interests  since  1894,  which  was 
founded  by  his  father  in  1882.  The  store  handles  a  complete  line  of 
books,  stationery,  and  notions,  and  is  among  the  reliable  business 
houses  in  Will  County. 

On  June  14,  1903,  Mr.  Hinze  married  Mary  Wassmann,  of  Bruns- 
wick, Ind.  They  have  seven  children,  as  follows:  Herbert,  born  in 
1904,  attended  Bloom  Township  High  School,  and  the  University  of 
Illinois,  lives  at  Gary,  Ind.,  was  married  in  June,  1928,  to  Miss  Esther 
Knuth,  of  Dolton,  111. ;  Wilmer  attends  the  University  of  Illinois ;  Mil- 
dred, attends  Englewood  Business  College;  Leone,  graduated  from 
Bloom  Township  High  School  in  1928;  Victor,  Raymond,  and  Marion, 
all  students. 

Mr.  Hinze  has  always  been  a  Democrat  and  held  the  postmaster- 
ship  at  Beecher  for  11  years,  during  the  Wilson  and  Harding  administra- 
tions. He  has  also  been  village  treasurer  and  collector.  Mr.  Hinze  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Zion  Lutheran  Church  of  Beecher,  and  for  the 
past  22  years  has  been  treasurer  of  the  Northern  Illinois  District  of 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  Missouri,  Ohio,  and  other  states. 


Charles  Bahlman,  deceased,  was  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 
Beecher.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Washington  Township,  Will  County, 
March  5,  1872,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Dorothy  (Horste)  Bahlman. 

Henry  Bahlman  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Eagle  Lake  in  Wash- 
ington Township,  where  he  improved  a  farm  of  300  acres,  now  owned 
by  a  Mr.  Hibbing.  There  were  six  children  in  the  Bahlman  family,  of 
whom  Charles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  youngest. 

Charles  Bahlman  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the 
district  schools  of  Washington  Township.     For  a  time  he  conducted 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  971 

a  creamery  business  at  Goodenow  and  later  was  a  well  contractor  in 
Will  County.  He  owned  and  operated  a  cafe  business  at  Beecher  for 
some  time  and  in  1921  became  interested  in  the  oil  and  gas  business  at 
Beecher.  He  was  thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1925.  The 
business  is  still  carried  on  by  the  widow  of  Mr.  Bahlman.  It  is  the  local 
agent  for  the  Sinclair  Oil  Company  and  distributes  to  Monee,  Peotone, 
and  Chicago  Heights.  Three  automobile  trucks  distribute  the  products 
of  this  well  established  business. 

On  July  31,  1896,  Mr.  Bahlman  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Minnie  Schweer,  of  Washington  Township,  the  daughter  of  Conrad  and 
Mary  (Wille)  Schweer,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Schweer  came  to  the 
United  States  early  in  life  and  purchased  a  farm  of  120  acres  in  Wash- 
ington Township,  Will  County.  He  died  in  1907  and  his  wife  died  n 
1909.  Both  are  buried  in  Eagle  Lake  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bahlman  were  born  two  children :  a  boy  died  in  infancy ;  and  Dorothy, 
the  wife  of  Herbert  Sailer,  lives  at  Crete,  where  Mr.  Sailer  is  engaged 
in  the  coal  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sailer  were  married  on  Dec.  17, 
1925,  in  Chicago.  They  have  had  two  children:  Charlene,  born  Nov. 
6,  1926;  and  a  son  who  died  in  infancy  in  January,  1928. 

Mr.  Bahlman  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  was  widely 
known  in  the  community  where  he  spent  his  entire  life. 


John  P.  Conrad  is  a  leading  merchant  of  Monee  and  a  substantial 
citizen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Monee,  March  20,  1866,  the  son 
of  Henry  and  Charlotte  (Schmitt)  Conrad. 

Henry  Conrad  was  born  in  Germany  in  1827.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1857  and  settled  in  DuPage  County,  111.,  but  the  following  year 
removed  to  Monee.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  but  in  1878  established 
the  hardware  and  implement  business  at  Monee  which  is  now  conducted 
by  his  son.  He  died  in  1910,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  in  Germany 
in  1830,  died  in  1890.  They  are  buried  in  St.  Paul's  cemetery,  Monee. 
Mr.  Conrad  was  a  life  long  Republican  and  held  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace  for  a  period  of  30  years.  He  was  also  town  clerk.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Conrad  were  born  three  children,  one  of  whom  survives,  John  P., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

John  P.  Conrad  attended  the  public  schools  of  Monee  and  was  also  a 
student  at  the  Metropolitan  Business  College.  Early  in  life  he  became 
identified  with  his  father's  business.     In  1907  he  became  interested  in 


972  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

the  newspaper  business  as  editor  of  the  Review.  It  is  a  weekly  news- 
paper with  a  subscription  list  of  500.  Mr.  Conrad  has  always  been 
interested  in  the  civic  life  of  Monee  and  served  as  postmaster  from 
1897  until  1914.    He  has  been  supervisor  of  Monee  Township  since  1917. 

On  March  20,  1899,  Mr.  Conrad  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  Brockman,  of  Green  Garden,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Sophia  Brockman,  both  deceased.  They  have  three  children:  Harry, 
who  is  associated  with  his  father's  business;  Blanche,  married  Fred 
Homan,  lives  at  Monee ;  and  Esther,  married  Christ  Holl,  lives  at  Monee, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Leona. 

Mr.  Conrad  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Church.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  as  committeeman  from  this  district 
since  1894.  He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  for 
the  past  12  years. 


Henry  Wehmhoefer,  president  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Beecher, 
is  a  leading  citizen  and  highly  successful  business  man  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  in  Chicago,  June  30,  1871,  the  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Seegers)  Wehmhoefer. 

William  Wehmhoefer,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany  and 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Chicago.  He  removed  to  Beecher  in  1884  and 
died  there  in  1886.  He  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Beecher.  His 
widow  later  married  Frank  Hoffman.  She  died  in  January,  1920,  at 
the  age  of  71  years.  To  William  and  Mary  (Seegers)  Wehmhoefer  were 
born  the  following  children:  Minnie,  married  H.  F.  Claus,  lives  at 
Beecher;  Henry,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth,  deceased; 
William,  lives  at  Beecher;  Edward,  deceased;  Carrie,  deceased;  Lydia, 
married  Leonard  Cole,  lives  at  Steger,  111.;  Matilda,  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  Wm.  Westphal;  and  Mrs.  Clara  Peters,  lives  at  Monee.  By  her 
second  marriage  Mrs.  Hoffman  had  a  daughter,  Carrie.  She  is  unmar- 
ried and  lives  at  Beecher. 

Henry  Wehmhoefer  spent  his  boyhood  in  Chicago  and  Beecher,  hav- 
ing removed  here  with  his  parents.  He  was  educated  in  the  parochial 
schools  and  early  in  life  was  a  painter  and  decorator  by  trade.  He  was 
employed  in  Chicago  for  a  time  and  later  returned  to  Beecher,  where 
he  has  been  well  known  as  a  hardware  merchant  for  the  past  33  years. 
He  is  also  owner  of  the  Dixie  Highway  Garage,  authorized  dealers  for 
the  Reo  and  Chandler  automobiles  at  Beecher.  He  has  had  the  agency 
for  the  Reo  car  since  1911  and  the  Chandler  car  since  1920.    It  is  among 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  973 

the  up-to-date  garages  of  the  county  and  has  in  its  employ  several  first 
class  mechanics. 

Mr.  Wehmhoefer  was  married  Sept.  25,  1895,  to  Miss  Augusta 
Wehling,  who  was  born  in  Washington  Township,  Will  County.  To 
them  were  born  four  children:  1.  Ethel,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township 
High  School,  married  Arthur  Hacke,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Ger- 
aldine.  2.  Lawrence,  associated  with  his  father's  business,  lives  at 
home.      Howard,  a  student.    4.   Harold,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Wehmhoefer  is  independent.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Luke's  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  1087,  Beecher, 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


George  Sonneborn,  president  of  the  Eastern  Will  County  State  Bank 
at  Monee  since  1909,  figures  prominently  not  only  in  financial  circles, 
but  also  as  a  representative  and  progressive  citizen  who  has  been  hon- 
ored by  his  fellow  townsmen  by  various  offices  of  public  trust  and  respon- 
sibility. He  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  15,  1853.  His  father, 
George  Sonneborn,  was  a  native  of  Ballenberg,  Germany,  and  was  76 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1892.  It  was  in  1850  that 
he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States  and  took  up  his  residence 
in  Baltimore,  Md.  He  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  remained  in  Baltimore 
until  1861,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Monee  Township,  Will 
County,  making  his  home  for  a  brief  period  with  his  wife's  people.  He 
afterwards  spent  six  years  in  Bloom,  Cook  County,  111.,  where  he  worked 
at  his  trade  and  also  clerked  in  a  store.  In  1867  the  family  returned  to 
Monee,  where  the  father  invested  in  village  property.  In  1875  he  estab- 
lished a  clothing  and  men's  furnishing  store,  being  the  pioneer  in  that 
line  in  Monee,  and  he  developed  and  successfully  conducted  a  general 
mercantile  enterprise  until  his  death.  He  was  a  good  business  man  of 
sound  judgment  who  prospered  in  his  undertaking  and  followed  methods 
which  commended  him  to  the  confidence  and  trust  of  all.  He  held 
membership  in  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Church,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  trustees,  and  while  a  resident  of  Baltimore,  he  joined  the  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men.  His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  Democracy 
and  he  filled  the  office  of  trustee  in  his  village.  He  was  a  man  held 
in  the  highest  esteem,  possessed  a  charitable,  benevolent  spirit,  and 
gave  generously  according  to  his  means.  His  wife,  Catherine  (Bischel) 
Sonneborn,  was  born  in  Schwarznau,  in  the  Province  of  Westphalia, 


974  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Germany,  in  1823,  and  died  in  1904.  She  came  to  Baltimore  in  1851 
from  Germany  and  was  married  the  same  year,  having  known  her  hus- 
band while  they  were  still  residents  of  Germany.  She  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Evangelical  Church.  Their  family  numbered  two 
sons:  George,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  John  B.  The  latter  was 
born  in  Baltimore,  Sept.  15,  1855,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
G.  Sonneborn's  Sons.  He  is  also  vice  president  of  the  Eastern  Will 
County  State  Bank,  and  was  one  of  the  charter  members  at  the  organi- 
zation of  this  bank.  He  married  Emma,  daughter  of  John  and  Magda- 
lena  Kolstedt,  and  they  have  one  child,  Leola.  She  was  born  Feb.  9, 
1889,  and  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Monee  before  her  marriage  to 
Fred  H.  Emde,  who  is  assistant  cashier  of  the  Eastern  Will  County  State 
Bank. 

George  Sonneborn  attended  the  public  schools  of  Monee  and  in  1868 
entered  the  post  office  as  a  clerk,  where  he  remained  until  1871.  At  that 
time  he  was  employed  in  a  general  store  in  Chicago,  where  he  continued 
until  the  fall  of  1877.  He  then  returned  to  Monee  and  took  charge  of 
his  father's  business,  admitting  E.  R.  Freese  as  a  partner  in  the  grocery 
store.  Mr.  Freese  remained  in  the  firm  for  12  years.  John  B.  Sonne- 
born returned  from  Chicago,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in  clerking 
for  eight  years,  and  entered  the  store,  being  still  a  member  of  the 
firm.  Both  George  and  John  B.  Sonneborn  are  stockholders  in  the 
Eastern  Will  County  State  Bank,  and  have  been  members  of  its  board 
of  directors  since  assisting  in  the  organization  of  the  institution  in 
1903.  George  Sonneborn  was  elected  vice  president  in  1905,  and  has 
occupied  the  presidency  since  1909.  His  name  is  well  known  in  com- 
mercial and  financial  circles  and  the  firm  of  Sonneborn  is  doing  an 
extensive  and  profitable  business  as  dealers  in  groceries  and  clothing 
in  Monee. 

On  Dec.  9,  1877,  Mr.  Sonneborn  was  married  to  Miss  Charlotte 
Bischel,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1860,  her  parents  being  Henry 
and  Charlotte  (Shilling)  Bischell,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Monee 
Township.  Mrs.  Sonneborn  died  Aug.  7,  1921.  By  her  marriage  she 
became  the  mother  of  seven  children,  three  of  whom  survive:  Lydia, 
born  Dec.  10,  1881,  married  Ewalt  Loehr,  lives  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Ruth  and  Helen,  twins ;  Rev.  Henry  J.,  born  May 
15,  1889,  died  May  15,  1926,  was  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  at  Cincinnati, 
Ohio ;  Roscoe  L.,  who  is  in  the  service  of  the  Illinois  Bell  Telephone  Com- 
pany, Chicago,  married  Miss  Adele  Stassen,  of  Peotone,  and  they  have 
two  sons,  Roscoe  L.,  Jr.,  and  Ralph ;  and  Rev.  George,  Jr.,  who  is  pastor 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  975 

of  the  Evangelical  Church  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  He  married  Miss  Viola 
Freese,  of  Monee,  and  they  have  two  children,  George  IV.,  and  Lois 
Jeanette. 

George  Sonneborn  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Church. 
Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
in  which  he  has  filled  all  of  the  chairs,  and  has  been  secretary  for  many 
years.  His  political  support  is  given  to  the  Republican  party  and  he  has 
made  a  splendid  record  in  public  office  as  a  member  of  the  county  board 
of  education,  as  city  treasurer,  and  as  village  president  for  various 
periods.  During  the  past  20  years  he  has  served  as  president  of  the 
board  of  school  trustees.  His  efforts  in  behalf  of  public  progress  have 
been  far  reaching  and  beneficial. 


Dr.  C.  O.  Sullivan,  of  Monee,  is  one  of  the  leading  physicians  and 
surgeons  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Ripley,  Ohio,  Nov.  12,  1885, 
the  son  of  George  and  Lucinda  (Brown)  Sullivan. 

George  Sullivan,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  near  Ripley  in  1851,  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  that  section  of 
the  state,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming.  He  died  in  1918  and 
is  buried  in  Hickory  Ridge  Cemetery,  Huntington  Township,  Brown 
County,  Ohio.  His  widow  lives  at  Monee.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sullivan  were 
born  two  sons:  C.  0.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Archie,  lives  at 
Indianapolis,  Ind. 

After  completing  his  early  schooling  in  the  district  schools  of  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  C.  0.  Sullivan  attended  Valparaiso  University.  In  1912 
he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  from  the  Chicago  College 
of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  and  in  January,  1913,  established  his  private 
practice  at  Monee,  where  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He 
has  also  been  physician  and  surgeon  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
since  1914  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health  for  the  past 
ten  years. 

Dr.  Sullivan  married  Miss  Julia  Hughes  of  Decatur,  Ohio.  They  have 
four  children:  Francis,  born  in  October,  1913;  Russell,  born  Nov.  15, 
1918;  Genevieve,  bora  in  February,  1921;  and  Winifred,  born  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1928. 

In  politics  Dr.  Sullivan  is  an  independent.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


976  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Stephen  Kodiak,  who  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Cleaners  & 
Dyers,  located  at  304  Walnut  Street,  is  among  the  energetic  business 
men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Czecho-Slovakia,  March  10,  1889,  the  son 
of  John  and  Eva  Kodiak. 

John  Kodiak,  who  died  in  1899,  is  buried  in  Czecho-Slovakia,  where 
he  spent  his  entire  life.  He  was  a  building  contractor.  His  widow,  now 
74  years  of  age,  resides  on  the  family  homestead.  There  were  nine  chil- 
dren in  the  Kodiak  family,  five  of  whom  survive :  Mary,  married  Joseph 
Gruce,  lives  in  Chicago;  Fiances,  married  John  Bitzer,  lives  in  Chicago; 
John,  building  contractor,  Chicago;  Susie,  lives  with  her  mother;  and 
Stephen,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Stephen  Kodiak  acquired  a  public  school  education  and  was  18  years 
of  age  when  he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Joliet.  Unable  to 
find  employment  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  spent  eight  years  in  the 
dry  cleaning  and  dyeing  business.  He  then  returned  to  Joliet  and  pur- 
chased his  present  business  in  1920.  Mr.  Kodiak  employs  approximately 
25  people  and  operates  four  trucks,  his  territory  covering  a  large  area 
adjacent  to  Joliet. 

In  October,  1909,  Mr.  Kodiak  was  married  to  Miss  Kathryn  Lipva,  of 
Chicago.  They  have  three  children,  Margaret,  attends  St.  Francis  High 
School ;  Helen  and  Frank,  both  students. 

Mr.  Kodiak  and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  Bernard's  Catholic 
Church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  Third  Degree,  Loyal 
Order  of  Moose,  Commercial  Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Elks 
Lodge.  He  is  also  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  National  Dyers  and  Clean- 
ers Association. 


Fred  H.  Emde,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Eastern  Will  County  State 
Bank,  is  among  the  representative  and  widely  known  business  men  of 
Monee.  He  was  born  at  Crystal  Lake,  111.,  Oct.  15,  1888,  the  son  of 
William  and  Sophia  (Sonnemann)  Emde. 

William  Emde  was  born  in  Germany,  as  was  his  wife.  Shortly  after 
their  marriage  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Elgin, 
111.,  where  Mr.  Emde  engaged  in  the  creamery  business.  Since  1893  he 
has  been  proprietor  of  the  Monee  Spring  Creamery.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Emde  have  one  son,  Fred  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Fred  H.  Emde  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Monee 
and  began  his  business  career  with  the  Illinois  Bell  Telephone  Company 
in  this  city.    He  later  was  employed  by  the  same  company  in  Chicago 


STEPHEN  KODIAK 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  977 

for  eight  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  electrical  contracting 
business  at  Geneva,  111.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Monee  for  the  past 
20  years  and  has  been  connected  with  the  Eastern  Will  County  State 
Bank  as  assistant  cashier  since  1922. 

On  June  30,  1912,  Mr.  Emde  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Leola 
Sonneborn,  of  Monee,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Emma  (Kolstedt) 
Sonneborn.    They  have  a  daughter,  Audrey,  born  in  1917. 

Politically,  Mr.  Emde  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's 
Evangelical  Church,  Monee,  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 

The  Eastern  Will  County  State  Bank  of  Monee  was  organized  in 
July,  1903,  by  George  S.  Miller,  John  Kolstedt,  John  B.  Sonneborn,  and 
Henry  J.  Schluntz,  with  a  capital  of  $25,000.  Its  doors  were  opened  for 
business  on  Aug.  10,  1903,  under  the  direction  of  the  following  officers: 
John  Kolstedt,  president;  Albert  P.  Lilley,  vice  president;  Henry  J. 
Schluntz,  secretary;  and  George  S.  Miller,  cashier.  The  members  of 
the  first  board  of  directors  were:  John  Kolstedt,  John  Scheidt,  Louis 
Siefer,  George  S.  Miller,  Fred  Nagel,  Nicholas  Fortmiller,  George  Son- 
neborn, Albert  P.  Lilly,  and  Henry  Schluntz.  Albert  P.  Lilly  was  suc- 
ceeded in  the  vice  presidency  by  George  Sonneborn  about  1905.  Fol- 
lowing the  resignation  of  John  Kolstedt  in  January,  1909,  George  Sonne- 
born was  elected  president  while  Nicholas  Fortmiller  was  chosen  vice 
president.  After  the  death  of  the  latter  on  March  18,  1917,  John  Scheidt 
occupied  the  position  of  vice  president  until  his  death,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Philip  Glaser,  who  has  served  as  vice  president  since  Jan. 
23,  1918.  George  S.  Miller  has  been  cashier  and  active  head  of  the  insti- 
tution from  the  beginning.  Harold  Miller  was  elected  secretary  in 
January,  1922,  Fred  Emde  was  made  teller,  Dec.  1,  1923,  and  Martin  W. 
Peters  has  been  connected  with  the  bank  as  bookkeeper  and  auditor 
since  1920.  The  present  directors  are:  George  Sonneborn,  John  B. 
Sonneborn,  G.  S.  Miller,  Harold  Miller.  Besides  having  paid  annual  divi- 
dends of  8  per  cent  the  Eastern  Will  County  State  Bank  has  accumu- 
lated a  surplus  of  $50,000,  and  undivided  profits  of  $12,839.99.  This  is 
what  is  known  as  an  honor  roll  bank,  its  surplus  and  undivided  profits 
being  in  excess  of  its  capital,  now  $62,839.99.  It  was  due  to  the  efforts 
of  the  Eastern  Will  County  State  Bank  that  Monee  was  the  first  town 
in  Illinois  to  "go  over  the  top"  at  the  time  of  the  issue  of  the  first 
Liberty  Loan. 

A  modern  bank  building  was  erected  by  The  Eastern  Will  County 
State  Bank  at  the  time  of  its  organization.  It  is  of  Roman  architecture, 
29— VOL.  2 


978  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

with  Bedford  Stone  front,  and  was  built  at  an  approximate  cost  of 
$11,000.00.  It  has  correspondence  relations  with  the  Continental  and 
Commercial  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  and  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Joliet. 


Herman  P.  Yung,  cashier  of  the  Citizens  State  Bank  of  Peotone,  is 
among  the  most  progressive  and  successful  business  men  of  Will  County. 
He  was  born  at  Peotone,  Oct.  14,  1879,  the  son  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Conrad)  Yung. 

William  Yung  was  born  in  Wassungen,  Germany,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  when  he  was  16  years  of  age.  About  1872  he  located  at 
Peotone,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  brick  mason  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  served  as  local  postmaster  and  later  in  life  was  interested  in  the 
grain  business.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Bank  of  Peotone  in 
1902,  and  served  as  vice  president.  He  died  Oct.  13,  1920,  and  is  buried 
in  the  Peotone  Cemetery.  He  was  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and 
was  prominent  in  local  affairs,  having  served  as  supervisor  of  Peotone 
for  12  years,  as  a  member  of  the  village  board,  and  as  president  of  the 
school  board.  His  widow,  who  was  born  at  Proviso,  111.,  lives  at  Peotone. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yung  were  born  the  following  children:  Herman  P., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Louida,  married  John  C.  Hoenk,  lives  at  Peo- 
tone ;  Gertrude  J.,  unmarried,  lives  at  home ;  August,  died  at  the  age  of 
11  years;  Henrietta,  deceased;  and  Helen  K.,  married  W.  C.  Harvey, 
lives  at  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Herman  P.  Yung  attended  the  public  schools  of  Peotone  and  follow- 
ing his  graduation  from  high  school  in  1895  he  entered  the  North 
Side  Business  College,  Chicago.  He  later  enrolled  in  the  Northern  Indi- 
ana Law  School  at  Valparaiso,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1900. 
He  was  then  associated  with  the  general  merchandise  business  of 
Schroeder  Brothers,  at  Peotone,  until  1902,  when  he  organized  the 
Bank  of  Peotone.  In  January,  1921,  it  was  merged  with  the  Citizens 
Bank  of  Peotone,  and  since  that  date  Mr.  Yung  has  served  as  cashier. 

On  Oct.  18,  1906,  Mr.  Yung  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Beulah 
Esson,  of  Peotone,  the  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Hattie  (Wells)  Esson, 
both  deceased.  Mr.  Esson,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Bank  of  Peotone, 
served  as  president  of  that  institution  until  his  death,  Jan.  1,  1919.  His 
wife  died  Sept.  80,  1920.  They  are  buried  in  the  Peotone  Cemetery. 
Mrs.  Yung  is  a  graduate  of  the  State  Normal  School  at  Bloomington, 
111.,  and  before  her  marriage  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Peotone.  To 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  979 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yung  were  born  two  daughters:  Helen  Maxine,  born 
March  17,  1908,  died  March  22,  1911;  and  Barbara,  born  July  19,  1915. 
Mr.  Yung  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  which  he  has  served  as  master  of  exchequer 
since  its  organization  in  Peotone  in  1905. 


The  Citizens  State  Bank  of  Peotone. — The  Citizens  Bank  of  Peotone 
was  established  in  1887  as  a  private  banking  house  by  L.  H.  Linebarger, 
and  was  purchased  by  Michael  Collins  in  1892.  Following  the  death  of 
Mr.  Collins  in  1912  the  business  was  continued  by  his  son,  Paul  M. 
Collins,  who  had  been  associated  with  his  father  from  the  beginning. 

The  Bank  of  Peotone  was  established  in  1902  by  William  Yung, 
Elijah  Esson,  and  E.  H.  Fedde.  It  was  also  conducted  as  a  private  finan- 
cial institution.  In  January,  1921,  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Peotone  and  the 
Bank  of  Peotone  were  consolidated  as  the  Citizens  State  Bank,  with  a 
capital  of  $30,000.00.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  Paul  M.  Col- 
lins, president;  E.  H.  Fedde,  vice  president;  H.  P.  Yung,  cashier;  and 
F.  J.  Hinrichs,  assistant  cashier.  The  Citizens  Bank  brought  to  the 
consolidation  deposits  amounting  to  $400,000.00,  while  the  Bank  of 
Peotone  contributed  about  $200,000.00.  Since  that  time  the  deposits 
of  the  merged  institution  have  gradually  increased  until  they  now  total 
$475,000.00.  It  has  correspondence  relations  with  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Joliet,  and  the  Illinois  Merchants  Trust  Company  of  Chicago. 


F.  C.  Deutsche. — One  of  the  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  men  of 
Will  County  is  F.  C.  Deutsche,  who  lives  retired  at  Monee.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  in  Monee  Township,  Will  County,  April  17,  1863,  the  son  of 
William  and  Doris  (Hinze)  Deutsche. 

William  Deutsche,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was 
born  in  1825  and  died  in  March,  1917,  at  the  age  of  90  years.  His  wife, 
also  bom  in  Germany,  died  about  1897.  In  1847  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deutsche 
came  to  this  country  and  about  1850  settled  in  Will  County,  Monee 
Township  where  Mr.  Deutsche  purchased  some  of  his  land  for  one  dollar 
per  acre.  He  became  the  owner  of  500  acres  and  was  a  prosperous 
farmer.     He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  St.  Paul's  Cemetery,  Monee. 


980  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

They  had  the  following  children:  Doris,  died  in  1927,  was  the  wife  of 
John  Holle;  Minnie,  the  widow  of  Louis  Weinman,  lives  at  Homewood, 
111.;  Louise  Offner,  died  in  1927;  F.  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Anna, 
the  wife  of  Albert  Schultz,  lives  at  Seattle,  Wash.;  William,  lives  in 
Monee  Township ;  Ida  Kurtz  lives  at  Beecher,  111. ;  and  August,  lives 
at  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

The  boyhood  of  F.  C.  Deutsche  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Monee  Township.  He  attended  the  district  schools  and  remained  on 
the  home  place  until  after  the  time  of  his  marriage  in  1887.  He  then 
became  heir  to  his  farm  near  Monee,  where  he  specialized  in  dairy  farm- 
ing. His  residence  is  located  on  his  farm  on  the  west  side  of  the  village 
of  Monee.    In  1900  Mr.  Deutsche  retired. 

In  1887  Mr.  Deutsche  married  Miss  Mary  Weinman,  who  was  born 
in  Richton,  Cook  County,  111.,  in  1861.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Margaret  (Eshenbacher)  Weinman,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came 
to  the  United  States  in  April,  1853,  settling  at  Richton,  Cook  County, 
111.    They  had  a  son  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Deutsche  is  independent  in  politics  and  from  1902  until  1907  he 
served  as  township  assessor.  He  is  an  elder  of  St.  Paul's  Evangelical 
Church  and  is  active  in  church  affairs. 


John  C.  Adams,  owner  and  editor  of  the  Peotone  Vedette,  a  weekly 
newspaper,  is  perhaps  one  of  the  best  known  newspapermen  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  at  Peotone,  June  23,  1866,  the  son  of  John  and 
Anne  (Crawford)  Adams. 

John  Adams  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Will  County.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  born  in  northern  Ireland  and  shortly  after  their  mar- 
riage came  to  America  and  settled  in  Illinois.  Mr.  Adams  was  a  farmer 
in  Peotone  Township  for  many  years  and  owned  400  acres  of  land.  He 
died  in  1917  at  the  age  of  81  years  and  his  wife  died  in  1893.  Both  are 
buried  in  Peotone  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  were  born  the 
following  children:  John  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Dr.  Arthur  R., 
physician,  lives  at  Macomb,  111.;  Elizabeth,  a  teacher  of  mathematics 
at  Englewood  High  School ;  and  Ralph,  died  at  the  age  of  14  years. 

John  C.  Adams  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Peotone  and 
attended  Valparaiso  University.  He  was  connected  with  the  teaching 
profession  for  eight  years,  being  principal  of  a  large  Wisconsin  school 
for  three  years.     He  founded  the  Peotone  Vedette  in  1894  and  is  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  981 

second  oldest  newspaperman  in  Will  County.  He  is  also  publisher  and 
owner  of  the  Review  at  Monee  and  is  widely  known  as  an  authority  on 
local  history. 

On  Aug.  26,  1891,  Mr.  Adams  married  Miss  Stella  Chubb,  who  was 
born  at  Hardwick,  Vt.  She  spent  several  years  as  a  teacher  in  the 
schools  of  Chippewa  County,  Wis.,  before  her  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Adams  have  two  daughters:  Mrs.  Myra  A.  WThitworth,  of  Chicago,  a 
teacher  of  languages  in  the  high  schools  of  that  city.  She  is  a  graduate 
of  Indiana  University;  and  Edith,  married  Dale  A.  Leifheit,  lives  at 
DeKalb,  111.,  and  they  have  two  sons,  John  A.  and  Dale  A.,  Jr.  She  is  a 
graduate  of  the  DeKalb  Teachers  College  and  was  connected  with  the 
schools  of  Cook  County  before  her  marriage. 

Mr.  Adams  is  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Peotone.  He  has  served 
as  postmaster  and  as  president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is 
affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.    He  has  also  served  on  the  local  school  board. 


Edward  H.  Fedde  is  among  the  capable  and  well  known  men  of 
Peotone,  where  he  has  been  known  as  a  funeral  director  for  many 
years.  He  was  bom  at  Momence,  111.,  Feb.  13,  1867,  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Anna  (Hecht)  Fedde. 

Henry  Fedde,  deceased,  was  among  the  prominent  pioneer  business 
men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Holstein,  Germany,  Sept.  9,  1827. 
He  was  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade  and  in  May,  1854,  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  in  Joliet.  After  five  years  he  removed  to 
Momence,  in  Kankakee  County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  furniture  busi- 
ness until  1867.  He  then  came  to  Peotone  where  he  founded  the 
furniture  and  undertaking  business  which  is  now  conducted  by  his 
son,  Edward  H.  Fedde.  On  June  30,  1857,  Henry  Fedde  married  Miss 
Anna  Hecht,  who  was  born  in  Germany.  They  had  three  sons:  John  F., 
born  Aug.  13,  1858,  died  in  1900 ;  Henry,  born  May  5,  1860,  died  Aug.  15, 
1861 ;  and  Edward  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Fedde  died  in  1889 
and  his  wife  died  in  1904.    They  are  buried  in  the  Peotone  Cemetery. 

Edward  H.  Fedde,  during  his  youth,  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Peotone,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Metropolitan  Business  College,  Chicago. 
He  also  studied  embalming  in  Chicago  and  early  in  life  became  associ- 
ated with  his  father's  business  at  Peotone.  His  funeral  home,  which  is 
the  only  one  at  Peotone,  is  one  of  the  up-to-date  and  well  equipped  mor- 


982  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

tuaries  to  be  found  in  this  section  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Fedde  is  also  a  well 
known  furniture  dealer  and  is  vice  president  of  the  Citizen's  State 
Bank  of  Peotone. 

On  Oct.  30,  1889,  Mr.  Fedde  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Conrad, 
of  Peotone,  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Katharina  (Gross)  Conrad.  Mr. 
Conrad  was  born  in  Oldenbach,  Rheinphalz,  Bavaria,  Germany,  May  29, 
1825.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  was  among  the  early  settlers 
of  Will  County,  having  located  at  Peotone  in  1857.  He  became  well 
known  as  a  manufacturer  of  cheese  and  butter.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Conrad  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  the  Peotone  Cemetery.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fedde  were  born  three  children:  Harry,  who  is  associated 
with  his  father's  business,  married  Miss  Edith  Craig,  who  died  in  1926, 
leaving  two  children,  Joan  and  Marian,  and  he  was  married  May  26, 
1928,  to  Miss  Frances  Conrad  of  Peotone ;  Ruth,  married  Stanley  Arnold, 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Arnold,  Harken  &  Co.,  Peotone,  and  they  have 
a  daughter,  Jane ;  and  Katherine,  married  E.  K.  Ladd,  of  Morgan  Park, 
111.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Edward  Fedde,  and  Elizabeth  Ann. 

Mr.  Fedde  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  32nd  degree,  and 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Knights  of 
Pythias.  He  has  served  as  president  of  the  school  board  of  Peotone  for 
many  years  and  is  active  in  local  affairs.  Mr.  Fedde  is  the  owner  of  a 
well  improved  farm  of  275  acres  near  Momence,  111.,  and  also  owns  city 
property  at  Gary,  Ind. 


J.  W.  Turner. — One  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  younger  physicians 
of  Will  County  is  Dr.  J.  W.  Turner,  who  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Peotone.  He  was  born  at  Elizabethtown,  111.,  March  24, 
1885,  the  son  of  William  and  Matheny  (Lecia)  Turner. 

William  Turner,  deceased,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stockman 
of  Elizabethtown,  Harden  County,  111.,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life. 
He  died  in  1914  and  is  buried  at  Carbondale,  111.  His  widow  lives  at 
Carbondale.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turner  the  following  children  were  born : 
James,  lives  in  Carbondale;  Daisy,  deceased;  Roland,  lives  at  Joliet; 
J.  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Lulu,  married  Joseph  Carrington,  lives 
at  Carbondale;  Lloyd,  lives  at  Carbondale;  Nellie,  married  Clayton 
Schwartz,  lives  at  Gibson  City,  111. ;  and  Arza,  lives  at  Carbondale. 

J.  W.  Turner  attended  the  public  schools  of  Elizabethtown,  and  in 
1910  was  graduated  from  the  Medical  University  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  with 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  983 

the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  The  following  year  was  spent  in 
private  practice  at  Steger,  and  in  1911,  Dr.  Turner  located  at  Peotone, 
where  he  established  his  present  practice. 

On  July  27,  1909,  Dr.  Turner  married  Miss  Julia  Cahill,  of  Kankakee, 
111.  They  have  a  son,  Russell  Vernon,  born  April  20,  1910.  He  was 
graduated  from  Peotone  High  School  in  1928.  He  is  now  a  student  at 
the  University  of  Illinois. 

Dr.  Turner  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  Illi- 
nois State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He 
served  as  health  officer  of  Peotone  for  eight  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  636, 
Peotone,  and  the  Consistory  at  Bloomington,  111.  During  the  world  War 
Dr.  Turner  was  medical  examiner  at  Joliet,  111.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
medical  staff  at  St.  Mary's  Hospital  at  Kankakee,  111.  Politically  he  is 
a  Republican. 


William  Jurres,  retired,  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Peotone, 
where  he  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Wilton  Township,  Will  County,  Nov.  23,  1862,  the  son  of  Frederick 
and  Lesette  (Barton)  Jurres. 

In  1864  Frederick  Jurres  brought  his  family  to  Peotone  Township 
where  he  became  the  owner  of  160  acres  of  well  improved  land.  This 
farm  is  now  owned  by  his  widow,  Mrs.  Jurres. 

At  the  age  of  16  years  William  Jurres  left  his  father's  farm  and 
was  employed  in  various  capacities  for  a  time.  Later  he  entered  the 
employ  of  Martin  Collins,  hardware  merchant  of  Peotone.  In  1896 
he  purchased  the  business  from  Mr.  Collins,  in  partnership  with  his 
brother,  Fred  Jurres.  About  1920  William  Jurres  became  sole  owner 
of  the  business.  He  retired  two  years  later  and  turned  over  his  interests 
to  his  son,  Gilbert  Jurres,  who  is  now  associated  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Stacey  Barton.  The  firm  is  known  as  Jurres-Barton  and  Co.,  and  is 
among  the  largest  hardware  houses  in  this  county.  Since  his  retirement 
Mr.  Jurres  has  been  extensively  interested  in  real  estate. 

On  Feb.  22,  1893,  Mr.  Jurres  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Deidrich,  who  was  born  in  Wilton  Township,  Will  County,  Sept.  28, 
1870,  the  daughter  of  Henry  Deidrich.  Mr.  Deidrich  died  in  1904  and 
his  wife  died  in  1885.  They  are  buried  in  West  Peotone  Cemetery. 
Mrs.  Jurres  died  July  22,  1918,  and  is  buried  in  Peotone  Cemetery. 
Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jurres :    Gilbert,  born  in  Wilton 


984  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Township,  March  15,  1898,  married  Miss  Helen  Ruppert,  of  Crete,  and 
they  have  two  daughters,  Delores,  and  Marian;  and  Elsie,  who  married 
Stacey  Barton,  and  they  have  a  son,  Billy  B.  Barton. 

Mr.  Jurres  has  been  a  Republican  since  he  cast  his  first  vote  for 
President  Blaine.  He  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
Church  and  are  widely  known  members  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live. 


J.  C.  Owens,  M.  D.,  of  Plainfield,  is  among  the  best  known  physicians 
and  surgeons  of  Will  County,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession  continuously  since  1883.  He  was  born  in  Oneida  County, 
N.  Y.,  Jan.  3,  1857,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Nancy  (Kees)  Owens. 

Henry  Owens  was  born  in  Wales  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  New 
York.  They  lived  in  New  York  practically  their  entire  lives  and  Mr. 
Owens  was  well  known  in  Oneida  County  as  a  fanner.  J.  C,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  youngest  of  three  children. 

J.  C.  Owens  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools 
and  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  at  the  Syracuse  Medical  College, 
from  which  he  received  his  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1881.  He 
served  as  interne  the  following  year  in  the  Rochester  (N.  Y.)  City 
Hospital  and  in  1882  located  at  Joliet.  The  following  year  he  removed 
to  Plainfield  where  he  has  continued  in  practice  to  the  present  time. 
In  1888  Doctor  Owens  opened  a  drug  store  in  connection  with  his  med- 
ical work  and  a  few  years  later  established  a  jewelry  business.  His 
drug  store,  which  has  been  conducted  by  him  for  37  years,  is  the  oldest 
in  the  city  and  one  of  the  finest  drug  stores  in  Will  County.  Doctor 
Owens  owns  960  acres  of  fine  farm  land  in  Kendall  County,  which  is 
divided  into  several  farms. 

On  Dec.  5,  1883,  Doctor  Owens  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  H.  Hitchcock,  who  was  born  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  23,  1861,  the 
daughter  of  Hiram  D.  and  Mary  Jane  (Cutting)  Hitchcock.  Mr.  Hitch- 
cock, an  early  settler  of  Grundy  County,  served  as  county  clerk  for 
many  years.  Mrs.  Owens  died  May  24,  1928,  and  is  buried  in  the  Plain- 
field  Cemetery.  Three  children  were  born  to  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Owens: 
Robert  H.,  deceased;  Kenneth  H.,  born  Dec.  23,  1890,  a  graduate  of 
Plainfield  High  School  and  the  University  of  Vermont,  now  an  invest- 
ment banker  in  stocks  and  bonds  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  married  Miss  Dorothy 
Chittenden,  of  Denver,  Colo.,  and  they  have  three  children,  John  C, 
Dorothy  and  Kenneth  H. ;  and  Jay  C,  born  Sept.  15,  1892,  a  graduate 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  985 

of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  now 
engaged  in  the  automobile  business  at  Canton,  111.,  where  he  is  dealer 
for  the  Packard  and  Dodge  cars,  married  Miss  Verne  Perry,  of  Joliet, 
111.,  and  they  have  two  children,  Mary  H.  and  Robert  P. 

Doctor  Owens  is  a  stanch  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical 
Society,  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical 
Association. 


Henry  W.  Deininger. — One  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Peo- 
tone is  found  in  Henry  W.  Deininger,  who  is  identified  with  Deininger 
&  Son,  grain  dealers.  He  was  born  in  Benton  County,  Mo.,  Jan.  12, 
1863,  the  son  of  John  George  and  Anna   (Buhler)   Deininger. 

John  George  Deininger  was  born  in  Wurtenberg,  Germany,  and  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1849.  He  settled  in  Peotone  Township,  Will 
County,  and  later  lived  in  Wilton  Township.  He  spent  several  years  in 
Missouri.  He  became  one  of  the  leading  stockmen  of  Wilton  Township 
and  was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1919.  His  wife  died 
in  1884.  They  are  buried  in  Wilton  Center  Cemetery.  The  following 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deininger:  Christ,  lives  at  Donovan, 
111.;  Mrs.  Eva  Hehr,  lives  in  Chicago;  Henry  W.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  John,  Emma,  Mary,  and  Martin,  all  deceased. 

The  education  of  Henry  W.  Deininger  was  obtained  in  the  district 
schools  of  Wilton  Township.  Early  in  life  he  became  interested  in  the 
buying  of  stock  and  he  now  ranks  among  the  leading  stock  dealers  of 
Will  County.  He  has  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Peotone  since 
1900,  being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Deininger  &  Wilson  until  1915, 
at  which  time  the  business  was  owned  by  the  North  Elevator.  It  was 
later  sold  to  the  Farmer's  Elevator  Company  of  Peotone,  and  in  1926  Mr. 
Deininger  and  his  son  took  over  the  business.  Mr.  Deininger  is  also 
the  owner  of  360  acres  of  land  in  Wilton  and  Peotone  Townships. 

On  March  8,  1884,  Mr.  Deininger  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Julia  Rogers  of  Wilton  Township,  the  daughter  of  August  and  Caroline 
(Wentzel)  Rogers,  natives  of  Germany,  and  early  settlers  of  Wilton 
Township.  Both  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Wilton  Center  Ceme- 
tery. The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deininger: 
Lizzie  Anderson,  lives  in  Peotone  Township;  Fred  A.,  associated  with 
his  father's  business,  married  Miss  Etta  Schmidt,  of  Peotone  Township; 


986  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

H.  0.,  lives  at  Peotone,  married  Miss  Lily  Rnoope,  lives  at  Peotone; 
Julia  Ritz,  lives  in  Wilton  Township;  Arline,  married  Gerald  Croxon, 
lives  at  Peotone;  and  Clara,  who  died  at  the  age  of  30  years. 

Mr.  Deininger  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  First  Evangelical  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has  served  as 
a  member  of  the  board  of  education  for  ten  years  and  on  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  Peotone  for  a  period  of  16  years. 


Henry  R.  Meyer,  who  lives  retired  at  Peotone,  is  among  the  highly 
esteemed  and  widely  known  citizens  of  Will  County.  He  was  born 
in  Kankakee  County,  111.,  Oct.  16,  1861,  the  son  of  John  and  Louisa 
(Dopp)  Meyer. 

John  Meyer  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany.  They  came  to 
the  United  States  about  1857  and  were  married  in  Kankakee  County. 
Mr.  Meyer  became  a  successful  farmer  and  was  the  owner  of  120  acres 
of  land.  He  died  Feb.  9,  1898,  and  his  wife  died  in  1888.  Both  are 
buried  in  Peotone  Cemetery.  They  were  the  parents  of  13  children, 
five  of  whom  survive.  Henry  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth. 

Henry  R.  Meyer  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  16  years  of  age.  He  then 
rented  land  for  a  number  of  years  and  became  successful  as  a  farmer. 
At  the  time  of  his  retirement  in  1922  he  was  the  owner  of  120  acres 
of  land  in  Kankakee  County.  His  modern  residence  of  brick  construc- 
tion was  erected  in  1923. 

On  Feb.  14,  1884,  Mr.  Meyer  married  Miss  Mary  Sophia  Drecksler, 
of  Peotone  Township,  the  daughter  of  Philip  and  Sophia  (Lipkie)  Dreck- 
sler, natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Drecksler  died  in  1918.  His  widow  lives 
at  Peotone.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meyer  were  born  11  children,  as  follows: 
1.  Walter,  born  Nov.  23,  1884,  lives  on  a  farm  in  Will  County,  married 
Miss  Anna  Jacobs,  of  Peotone.  2.  Elmer,  born  April  17,  1886,  lives  at 
Peotone,  married  Miss  Shirley  Siemsen,  of  Peotone;  3.  Hattie,  born 
March  11,  1888,  died  in  1918.  4.  Irvin,  born  Feb.  18,  1890,  lives  at 
Peotone,  married  Miss  Laura  Keohn.  5.  Lester  lives  at  Peotone,  married 
Miss  Clara  Siemsen.    6.  Farris,  lives  at  home,  is  a  World  War  veteran. 

7.  Amanda,    married    Arno    Schroeder,    lives    in    Kankakee    County. 

8.  Eleanor,  born  Nov.  4,  1902,  lives  at  home.    9.  Corrien,  born  Feb.  6, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  987 

1906.    10.  Clarence,  married  Miss  Hattie  Schroeder.    He  resides  on  the 
old  homestead  in  Kankakee  County.     11.  Marshall,  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Meyer  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First 
Evangelical  Church  of  Peotone  and  has  served  as  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees  for  34  years.  He  was  also  school  director  for  33 
years. 


Rev.  Howard  M.  Heilman,  D.  D. — Prominent  among  the  influential 
men  of  Joliet  is  Rev.  Heilman,  who  has  served  as  pastor  of  St.  John's 
Evangelical  Church  for  the  past  25  years.  He  was  born  in  York  County, 
Pa.,  Nov.  18,  1855,  the  son  of  Peter  W.,  and  Deliah  (Moul)  Heilman. 

The  Heilman  family  is  of  German  descent,  having  come  to  the 
United  States  from  the  Rhine  valley  before  the  time  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  They  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where  Peter  W.  Heilman 
was  born.  He  was  a  farmer.  He  died  at  Abbottstown,  Pa.,  at  the  age 
of  53  years.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  75  years.  They  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  as  follows:  Howard  M.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  John,  lives  in  York  County,  Pa.;  Mrs.  Emma  Little,  lives  at 
Gettysburg,  Pa. ;  Mrs.  Sarah  Mummert,  lives  at  York,  Pa. ;  Charles,  lives 
at  York ;  Albert  M.,  deceased,  was  pastor  of  the  Grace  Lutheran  Church, 
Chicago,  before  his  death  in  1926;  Peter,  lives  at  Hanover,  Pa.;  and 
Anna,  died  at  the  age  of  17  years. 

Howard  M.  Heilman  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  Gettysburg  College,  and  the  Lutheran  Seminary  at 
Gettysburg,  Pa.  He  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
the  Sifsquehanna  University,  Selins  Grove,  Pa.  His  first  charge  was 
as  pastor  of  the  Mount  Joy  Lutheran  Church  near  Gettysburg,  where 
he  spent  seven  years.  He  was  then  transferred  to  Altoona,  where  he 
served  as  pastor  of  the  Bethany  Lutheran  Church  for  ten  years.  Rev. 
Heilman  came  to  Joliet  in  May,  1903  and  organized  St.  John's  English 
Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  has  since  been  pastor. 

The  church  is  located  at  the  corner  of  Herkimer  and  Van  Buren 
streets.  St.  John's  First  English  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in 
Lower  Castle  Hall  Feb.  8,  1903  with  21  members.  The  present  pastor 
preached  at  the  morning  and  evening  services. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  in  Castle  Hall  June  26,  1904 
the  church  council  was  instructed  to  purchase  the  lot  on  which  the 
church  and  parsonage  were  erected.  Work  on  the  church  edifice  was 
begun  in  May,  1907.    The  corner  stone  was  laid  Aug.  4,  and  the  church 


988  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

was  dedicated  May  31,  1908,  and  the  first  services  were  held  Sunday, 
Feb.  9,  1908. 

The  church  and  parsonage  are  constructed  of  Bedford  stone;  and 
both  in  exterior  and  interior  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  church  edifices 
of  Joliet. 

Feb.  8,  1928,  the  church  celebrated  its  Silver  Jubilee,  which  was 
largely  attended,  not  only  by  the  members  of  this  church  but  a  goodly 
number  of  citizens  from  Joliet.  It  was  a  demonstration  of  the  appre- 
ciation of  Doctor  Heilman's  untiring  efforts  in  Joliet,  for  a  period  of  25 
years. 

On  June  10,  1875,  Doctor  Heilman  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Clara  Anna  Link,  of  York  County,  Pa.  She  died  in  November, 
1925,  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  They  had  two  daugh- 
ters: Euphemia,  married  Dr.  H.  0.  Jones  of  Altoona,  Pa.,  and  they 
have  a  son,  Henry  Howard;  and  Lenetta,  married  Theron  Cooper,  lives 
in  Chicago.  Both  daughters  are  graduates  of  Irving  College,  in  Penn- 
sylvania. Before  her  marriage  Mrs.  Jones  was  supervisor  of  music 
in  Altoona  High  School.  Mrs.  Cooper  is  at  present  manager  of  the 
Walden  Book  Shop,  in  Chicago. 

Doctor  Heilman  is  a  Republican  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  32nd  degree.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Lions  Club  and  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 


John  P.  F.  Conrad  is  a  successful  merchant  and  progressive  citizen 
of  Peotone,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  for  many 
years.  He  was  born  in  DuPage  County,  111.,  Dec.  16,  1859,  the  son  of 
John  and  Caroline  (Schaubel)  Conrad. 

John  Conrad,  deceased,  was  among  the  prominent  pioneer  business 
men  of  Will  County,  having  established  a  hardware  business  at  Peotone, 
which  is  now  conducted  by  his  son,  in  1874.  He  was  born  in  Reinphalz, 
Bavaria,  Germany,  April  15,  1830.  He  came  to  America  in  July,  1850, 
and  spent  four  years  in  New  York  City  where  he  worked  for  a  shoe 
manufacturing  concern,  and  then  came  to  Oak  Park,  111.,  and  later  set- 
tled at  Elmhurst  in  DuPage  County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  and  also  made  shoes.  In  1869,  he  removed  to  Peotone  and 
opened  what  was  then  known  as  the  New  York  House.  After  several 
years  he  was  appointed  police  magistrate,  which  office  he  held  for  six 
years.  He  then  established  a  hardware  business  at  Peotone  in  partner- 
ship with  his  son-in-law,  August  Schugman.     He  died  in  1892  and  is 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  989 

buried  in  the  Peotone  Cemetery.  Mr.  Conrad  was  married  July  19, 
1855,  to  Caroline  Schaubel,  who  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  Jan.  23, 
1837.  The  hardware  business,  established  by  Mr.  Conrad,  was  carried 
on  by  his  three  sons,  Frank  H.,  John  P.  F.,  and  Fred  P.  Conrad.  Frank 
Conrad  retired  from  the  firm  in  April,  1923,  and  is  now  serving  as  super- 
visor of  Peotone  Township.  John  P.  F.  Conrad  was  eleven  years  old 
when  his  parents  settled  in  Peotone.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  and  began  his  business  career  in  the  employ  of  Schroeder, 
Smith  &  Collins,  with  whom  he  was  connected  from  1875  until  1881. 
He  then  went  with  Rathje  &  Company.  Since  1883  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  hardware  business  established  by  his  father.  He  became 
one-half  owner  of  the  business  at  that  time.  It  is  one  of  the  largest 
stores  of  its  type  in  Will  County  and  has  a  well  established  trade. 

In  1883  Mr.  Conrad  married  Miss  Ottilie  W.  Willman,  of  Washburn, 
111.  She  is  deceased.  On  July  24,  1925,  Mr.  Conrad  married  Miss 
Josephine  Antoinette  Hauret,  of  Geneva. 

Mr.  Conrad  has  been  a  life  long  Republican  and  throughout  his  life 
has  been  connected  with  local  politics.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  village 
clerk,  and  tax  collector,  and  for  36  years  has  served  as  Republican  com- 
mitteeman from  Will  County.  He  has  also  been  notary  public  for  a 
period  of  36  years,  having  succeeded  his  father,  who  had  served  as 
notary  public  for  34  consecutive  years.  Mr.  Conrad  is  a  member  of 
the  First  Evangelical  Church  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No. 
636  Peotone,  Ivanhoe  Commandery,  Kankakee,  No.  33,  Chicago  Con- 
sistory and  Shrine,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Mod- 
ern Woodmen  of  America,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Edward  A.  Stauffenberg. — A  substantial  citizen  and  dependable 
business  man  of  Will  County  is  found  in  Edward  A.  Stauffenberg,  who 
is  manager  of  the  Farmer's  Elevator  Company  at  Andres.  He  was 
born  in  Greengarden  Township,  Will  County,  Nov.  16,  1883,  the  son 
of  Henry  C.  and  Phoebe  (Rahm)  Stauffenberg. 

Henry  C.  Stauffenberg,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  pioneer  of  Will 
County.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of 
Germany.  Early  in  life  Mr.  Stauffenberg  came  to  Will  County  and  set- 
tled on  240  acres  of  land  in  Greengarden  Township,  which  he  success- 
fully operated  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1919.  He  is  buried  in  Pleas- 
ant Hill  Cemetery,  Frankfort.    His  widow  resides  in  New  Lenox  Town- 


990  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ship.  Mr.  Stauffenberg  was  a  Republican  and  for  a  number  of  years 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church  at  Greengarden.  There  were  nine  children  in  the 
Stauffenberg  family,  of  whom  Edward  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth. 

Edward  A.  Stauffenberg  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Greengarden  Township  and  remained  on  the  home  place  until  1906. 
He  then  came  to  Andres  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Truby  Grain 
Company  as  a  bookkeeper.  In  July,  1913,  the  business  was  taken  over 
by  the  Andres  and  Wilton-Farmers  Grain  Company,  and  at  that  time 
Mr.  Stauffenberg  was  appointed  manager  of  the  business. 

On  Nov.  2,  1911,  Mr.  Stauffenberg  married  Miss  Mabel  Storch,  of 
Peotone,  the  daughter  of  Edward  and  Caroline  Storch.  They  have  a 
daughter,  June,  born  Sept.  12,  1919. 

Politically  Mr.  Stauffenberg  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  West  Peotone  Methodist  Church  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
No.  636  Peotone,  and  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Manhattan. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Joliet  Lumber  &  Fuel  Company. 


Wallace  G.  Harsh,  who  has  lived  most  of  his  life  in  Peotone,  is 
well  and  favorably  known  in  this  city,  where  he  is  serving  as  postmaster. 
He  was  born  here,  Sept.  3,  1882,  the  son  of  Henry  F.  and  Trivilion 
(Robinson)  Harsh. 

Henry  F.  Marsh,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  His  parents  were 
born  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Harsh  came  to  Illinois  in  early  life  and 
settled  at  Rockville,  but  later  removed  to  Peotone,  where  he  followed 
his  trade  as  a  tinsmith  for  many  years.  He  met  with  an  accidental 
death  in  1910.  His  wife  was  born  in  England,  and  is  also  deceased. 
They  are  buried  in  the  Peotone  Cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harsh  had 
one  child,  Wallace  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Wallace  G.  Harsh  obtained  his  schooling  at  Peotone.  He  spent 
about  six  years  in  the  employ  of  a  wholesale  house  in  Chicago,  and  upon 
his  return  to  Peotone  entered  the  local  mail  service  as  a  carrier.  He 
served  in  this  capacity  for  16  years  and  in  1923  was  appointed  post- 
master. 

On  June  17,  1908,  Mr.  Harsh  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Isabel  Esson,  of  Peotone,  the  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Hattie  (Wells) 
Esson,  both  deceased.    Mrs.  Harsh  is  a  graduate  of  the  public  schools 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  991 

of  Peotone  and  taught  school  in  Will  and  Peotone  townships  for  two 
years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harsh  have  two  children,  Henry  Lawrence  and 
Phyllis. 

Mr.  Harsh  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  deacon  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  belongs  to  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  636,  Peotone. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Richard  J.  Barr  was  born  in  the  Township  of  Manhattan,  Will  County, 
111.,  Nov.  28,  1865;  the  son  of  George  and  Jane  (McGrath)  Barr,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased. 

He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Will  County  and 
the  Joliet  High  School ;  taught  for  three  years  in  Manhattan  and  Wilton 
Center.  He  later  took  a  literary  course  at  the  University  of  Illinois 
and  graduated  from  the  law  school  of  the  University  of  Michigan  in 
the  class  of  1895;  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  Illinois  the  same 
year.  He  is  now  in  the  practice  of  law  with  his  brother,  George  A. 
Barr,  in  the  firm  of  Barr  &  Barr. 

In  1906  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Dougall.  They  have  three 
children:     Mary,  Richard  J.,  Jr.,  and  William  George. 

In  1899  he  was  elected  City  Attorney  of  Joliet  and  served  as  Mayor 
of  that  city  from  1901  to  1903  and  from  1905  to  1907.  He  was  elected 
to  the  State  Senate  of  Illinois  in  1902  and  was  reelected  in  1906,  1910, 
1914,  1918,  1922  and  1926. 


John  Mitchell,  A.  B.,  M.  D. — Making  his  specialty  in  the  practice 
of  orthopedic  surgery,  Dr.  Mitchell,  with  his  offices  established  in  the 
Medical  Arts  Building,  Joliet,  has  made  a  thorough  study  of  this  depart- 
ment of  medical  knowledge.  He  was  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland, 
Sept.  17,  1887,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Isabella  (Martin)  Mitchell. 

Both  James  Mitchell  and  his  wife  were  bom  in  Scotland.  He  came 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  1890,  later  removing 
to  Lorain,  Ohio,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  a  master  mechanic  and 
was  employed  in  the  blast  furnaces.  There  were  four  children  in  the 
Mitchell  family:  Marion,  deceased;  Isabel,  deceased;  John,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Anne,  married  L.  E.  Lindsay,  a  commander  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  stationed  at  Washington,  D.  C.    Mrs.  Mitchell  died 


992  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

September,  1910,  and  is  buried  at  Lorain,  Ohio.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  Repub- 
lican, a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  Mason.  He  was  com- 
missioner of  public  safety  at  Lorain. 

John  Mitchell  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Troy  and  Lorain. 
His  college  course  was  taken  at  Denison  University,  Granville,  Ohio, 
where  he  graduated  with  the  class  of  1910.  He  obtained  his  degree 
of  Medical  Doctor  from  the  Medical  Department  of  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity in  1916,  afterwards  serving  as  an  interne  in  St.  Luke's  Hospital, 
Chicago.  Dr.  Mitchell  began  his  practice  at  Chicago  in  1916.  At  the 
time  of  the  World  War  he  enlisted  in  1918  at  Chicago,  and  was  sent  to 
Camp  Oglethorpe,  Georgia,  as  a  member  of  the  Medical  Corps.  He  was 
later  transferred  to  the  general  hospital  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  was 
commissioned  a  first  lieutenant,  receiving  his  discharge  with  that  rank 
in  September,  1920,  at  Fort  Sheridan,  111. 

On  Feb.  7,  1918,  Dr.  Mitchell  was  married  to  Josephine  Stewart,  born 
in  Braidwood,  Will  County,  111.,  July  12,  1887.  They  have  a  daughter, 
Jo  Ann,  born  March  29,  1920,  at  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

Dr.  Mitchell  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


Henry  F.  Piepenbrink. — Among  the  old  and  highly  respected  resi- 
dents of  Joliet,  Henry  F.  Piepenbrink  is  one  of  the  best  known.  He 
is  now  living  retired  at  507  Bridge  Street,  Joliet.  He  was  born  in 
Crete,  Will  County,  Dec.  8,  1849,  a  son  of  John  Otto  and  Sophia  (Wille) 
Piepenbrink. 

John  Otto  Piepenbrink  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany  where 
they  were  also  married.  He  died  in  January,  1896,  and  his  wife  died  in 
1898.  They  are  both  buried  at  Crete,  111.  They  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1846  on  a  sailing  vessel,  taking  many  weeks  to  make  the 
trip.  They  settled  at  Crete,  111.,  where  Mr.  Piepenbrink  was  a  pioneer 
farmer.  He  lived  retired  before  his  death.  He  was  a  staunch  Repub- 
lican and  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  To  them  eight 
children  were  born:  Otto,  Henry  F.,  Conrad,  William,  and  Philip,  all 
deceased,  and  buried  at  Crete;  John,  retired,  lives  at  Crete;  Ellen, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Sporleder,  Crete ;  and  Sophia,  married 
John  C.  Deason,  resides  at  Crete,  111. 

Henry  F.  Piepenbrink  attended  the  public  schools  of  Crete  and  until 
he  was  20  years  of  age  worked  on  his  father's  farm.    In  1869  he  came 


HENRY    F.    PIEPENBRINK 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  993 

to  Joliet.  He  worked  in  the  County  Recorder's  office  under  Conrad 
Tatge  until  1877,  and  in  April  of  that  year  was  appointed  sheriff  of  Will 
County  by  the  board  of  supervisors.  In  the  fall  of  1877  he  was  nom- 
inated for  sheriff  and  elected  for  a  two  year  term,  and  was  reelected  in 
1879  for  a  second  term. 

In  the  fall  of  1881  Mr.  Piepenbrink  entered  the  brewing  business, 
being  associated  with  his  father-in-law,  Fred  Sehring.  The  business 
was  incorporated  in  1882  with  the  following  officers:  Fred  Sehring, 
president;  Louis  J.  Sehring,  superintendent;  Henry  Sehring,  vice  presi- 
dent; and  Henry  F.  Piepenbrink,  secretary-treasurer.  The  company 
being  known  as  the  Fred  Sehring  Brewing  Company.  The  business  was 
continued  until  prohibition  went  into  effect,  at  which  time  Mr.  Piepen- 
brink sold  his  interests  and  retired  from  business. 

In  1879  Mr.  Piepenbrink  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Sehring,  a 
daughter  of  Fred  and  Louise  (Bez)  Sehring.  He  was  born  in  Langen 
in  the  dukedom  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  Dec.  19,  1834,  and  when 
13  years  of  age  accompanied  his  parents,  Weigand  and  Largaretha 
(Keim)  Sehring  to  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  where  he 
farmed  with  his  parents  until  1854,  when  the  family  removed  to  Joliet. 
Weigand  Sehring  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1813  in  Germany.  In 
1860  Fred  Sehring  was  appointed  a  deputy  clerk  in  the  recorder's  office, 
and  in  1863  was  elected  county  treasurer,  retiring  in  1867.  In  1867  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  Joseph  Braun  &  Company  brewery,  and 
in  1870  gained  control  of  the  plant,  changing  the  name  to  the  Columbia 
Brewery.  In  1883  the  company  was  incorporated  as  the  Fred  Sehring 
Brewing  Company,  with  Mr.  Sehring  as  president,  in  which  capacity 
he  remained  until  his  death.  On  Jan.  16,  1855,  he  married  Louise  Bez, 
who  came  from  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Bar- 
bara Bez.  She  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853.  He  died  July  2, 
1892,  and  she  died  Sept.  20,  1909.  Both  are  buried  in  Joliet.  Mr.  Sehr- 
ing was  a  Democrat  and  served  in  the  council. 

To  Henry  F.  Piepenbrink  and  his  wife  four  children  were  bora: 
1.  Louis  H.,  real  estate  and  insurance  business,  married  Ethel  Hassey, 
Joliet.  2.  Linda  P.,  married  Robert  F.  McRoberts.  He  is  deceased  and 
she  resides  in  Joliet.  She  has  a  son,  Henry  Frank  McRoberts.  3.  Alma, 
deceased.    4.  Arthur  F.,  deceased.     Both  are  buried  in  Joliet. 

Mr.  Piepenbrink  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  on  the  board  of 
supervisors  for  26  years.  He  attends  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  Church,  of 
which  he  has  been  president  for  50  years.  He  served  for  20  years  as 
30— VOL.  2 


994  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

a  director  of  the  Will  County  Bank,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 

Mr.  Piepenbrink  is  a  supporter  of  all  good  works  and  aims,  and  no 
one  is  more  willing  to  aid  in  raising  the  standards  of  human  life  and  in 
advancing  the  world's  prosperity  and  well  being. 


Edward  Corlett,  general  manager  and  publisher  of  the  Joliet  "Herald- 
News"  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Wesley  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  Jan. 
3,  1871,  the  son  of  Phillip  and  Jane  (Kewin)  Corlett. 

Edward  Corlett  attended  the  country  schools  and  Valparaiso  Uni- 
versity at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  the  Law  School  of  The  Illinois  Wesleyan 
University  at  Bloomington,  111.,  graduating  in  1894  with  the  degree 
of  LL.  B.;  practiced  law  at  Wilmington,  111.,  1894-1901  and  at  Joliet, 
111.,  1901-1922;  member  of  the  Law  firm  of  Corlett  and  Clare  (George  J.) 
1902-1922;  General  Manager  and  Publisher  of  the  Joliet  Herald-News 
since  1920 ;  served  as  City  Attorney  of  Wilmington,  111.,  1895-1899  and 
as  Mayor  1899-1901 ;  Attorney  for  the  Penitentiary  Commission,  which 
had  in  charge  the  building  of  a  new  state  penitentiary  at  Joliet,  1909- 
1925;  delegate  to  the  fifth  Constitutional  Convention  of  the  state  of 
Illinois,  convened  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  1920;  Chairman  Red  Cross 
War  Fund  Campaign  in  Will  County  1918,  and  active  in  war  time  work 
1917-1918. 

Mr.  Corlett  was  married  Sept.  1,  1915,  to  Miss  Alice  M.  VanDuser 
a  daughter  of  Gilbert  and  Emma  (Haven)  VanDuser,  of  Fredonia, 
Kansas. 


Chester  R.  Kruger,  one  of  the  most  successful  young  business  men 
of  Peotone,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  in  this  city, 
Feb.  1,  1895,  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Nixon)  Kruger. 

John  Kruger  was  born  in  Germany  and  his  wife  is  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. Both  came  to  America  early  in  life  and  after  their  marriage 
located  on  a  farm  near  Peotone  in  Peotone  Township.  They  have  been 
residents  of  that  section  for  almost  70  years  and  are  highly  esteemed 
members  of  the  community.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kruger  were  born  11 
children,  of  whom  Chester  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  youngest. 

The  education  of  Chester  R.  Kruger  was  obtained  in  the  public 
schools  of  Peotone.    During  the  World  War  he  volunteered  for  service 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  995 

and  was  sent  to  Fort  William,  Maine,  and  later  to  France  where  he 
served  as  a  member  of  Battery  A,  72nd  Regiment.  He  was  discharged 
from  Camp  Grant,  111.,  April  15,  1919.  Upon  his  return  to  Peotone  he 
engaged  in  the  meat  business,  and  since  that  date  has  been  proprietor 
of  the  Peotone  market.  Until  1927  his  brother  John  P.  Kruger  was 
associated  in  business  with  him. 

Mr.  Kruger  married  Miss  Dorothy  Croxen,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  B.  R.  Croxen,  of  Peotone.  Mr.  Croxen  served  as  postmaster  of 
Peotone  for  many  years  and  was  also  well  known  as  a  merchant.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kruger  have  been  born  two  sons:  C.  Robert,  born  Aug. 
18,  1918;  and  Benjamin  John,  born  Dec.  23,  1920.  C.  Robert  Kruger 
was  the  first  war  baby  born  in  Will  County  during  the  W7orld  War. 

Mr.  Kruger  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  636,  Peotone,  Bloomington  Consistory,  American 
Legion,  No.  392,  Peotone,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 


Paul  K.  Larson. — Active  in  business,  social  circles,  and  church 
affairs,  Paul  K.  Larson  of  Joliet,  111.,  was  born  in  that  city  Oct.  24, 
1893.    He  is  the  son  of  Charles  E.  and  Clara  (Cassel)  Larson. 

Both  Charles  E.  Larson  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Sweden.  They 
were  married  in  Joliet,  111.,  and  to  them  five  children  were  bora:  Vida, 
deceased;  Paul  K.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Clarence,  lives  in  Joliet; 
Edward,  Joliet;  and  Clara,  married  George  Lindberg,  resides  in  Joliet. 

After  coming  to  America  Charles  E.  Larson  learned  the  florist's 
trade  which  he  still  follows.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of 
the  Swedish  Mission  Church. 

Paul  K.  Larson  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet. 
On  Jan.  25,  1911,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern 
Railroad  as  a  messenger  boy  and  was  later  appointed  a  clerk.  He  held 
this  position  until  April,  1926,  when  he  was  elected  town  clerk,  in  which 
capacity  he  is  now  serving. 

On  Jan.  29,  1918,  Mr.  Larson  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Gertrude 
Koerber,  a  daughter  of  Albert  and  Mary  Koerber,  residents  of  Joliet. 
Mrs.  Larson  died  March  11,  1922,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery, 
Joliet. 

Mr.  Larson  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Mission 
Church.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  Powhan  Lodge,  No.  29;  and  Knights  of  Pythias,  Paul  Revere 


996  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Lodge.  He  is  secretary  of  the  John  Ericsson  Republican  Club,  and  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  well  known  in  Joliet 
and  has  many  friends. 


Fred  W.  Walter,  a  prominent  and  successful  member  of  the  bar  of 
Will  County  for  the  past  35  years,  is  established  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Joliet,  and  is  one  of  the  liberal  and  progressive  citizens 
of  this  city.  He  was  born  at  Lockport,  111.,  in  1870,  a  son  of  Michael 
and  Margaret  (Pitts)  Walter,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  history. 

Fred  W.  Walter  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lockport 
and  graduated  from  the  high  school.  He  took  a  special  course  of  two 
years  at  Oberlin  College,  then  attended  the  University  of  Michigan, 
graduating  in  1893  with  the  degree  of  L.  L.  B.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  Michigan  and  also  of  Illinois  in  that  year  and  opened  offices 
in  Joliet.  In  1896  he  became  associated  with  the  firm  of  Higgins  & 
Akin.  Upon  the  election  of  Mr.  Akin  to  the  position  of  Attorney 
General  of  Illinois,  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Higgins 
and  Mr.  Walter  were  associated  under  the  firm  name  of  Higgins  & 
Walter.  Later  Mr.  Walter  severed  his  connection  with  the  firm  and  is 
now  associated  with  Mr.  Dibble,  with  offices  in  the  Morris  Building. 
In  1905  Mr.  Walter  was  elected  city  attorney  for  Lockport  and  was 
the  first  attorney  to  represent  that  city  after  its  incorporation.  He 
served  12  years  in  that  capacity,  and  also  was  for  12  years  a  member 
of  the  school  board. 

In  1896  Mr.  Walter  was  married  in  Bismark,  Mich.,  to  Mildred  W. 
Walsh. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walter  have  two  children :  Mildred  W.,  married  Clar- 
ence L.  Beck,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  She  is  a  graduate  of  Mt.  Ida 
School,  Newton,  Mass.;  and  Winifred,  at  home,  is  a  graduate  of  Ohio 
State  University. 

Mr.  Walter  is  a  member  of  Lockport  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  538 ; 
Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27;  Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  M.;  Joliet 
Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Ansar  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.,  Spring- 
field, 111. ;  Shrine  Club  of  Joliet ;  Sarah  D.  Moon  Chapter  Eastern  Star ; 
and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Will  County 
Bar  Association,  the  Illinois  Bar  Association,  and  the  American  Bar 
Association.    Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  997 

Michael  Walter,  deceased,  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  repre- 
sentative and  respected  citizens  of  Lockport,  111.,  was  born  in  Germany, 
Dec.  6,  1838,  and  died  in  November,  1923,  after  a  long  life  of  uprightness 
and  kindness  that  may  well  be  an  example  to  all  who  knew  him.  He 
was  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Ursula  Walter,  natives  of  Germany,  who  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1851  and  settled  at  Geneva,  111.,  where  the  father 
followed  farming. 

Michael  Walter  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  land.  Upon 
leaving  home  he  served  a  three  year's  apprenticeship  to  the  shoemaker's 
trade  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  and  in  1855  came  to  Lockport,  111.,  where  he 
was  employed  as  a  salesman  in  a  general  store.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  War  he  enlisted  April  19,  1861,  at  Lockport,  111.,  joining  the  Lock- 
port  Artillery  Company,  and  was  made  sergeant.  He  served  the  three 
month's  enlistment  in  training  at  Cairo,  111.,  and  then  reenlisted  for 
three  years  service  with  Company  D,  Second  Illinois  Light  Artillery. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  at  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  Battle  of 
Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  later  was  at  Bolivar,  Tenn.  At  the 
Battle  of  Shiloh  he  was  promoted  to  first  sergeant.  He  was  with  Gen. 
Sherman  on  his  Meridian  campaign,  after  which  he  went  to  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  and  then  to  Decatur,  Ala.,  where  he  remained  until  September, 
1864.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war  as  a  first 
sergeant.  During  his  three  and  one-half  years  of  service  he  was  not 
absent  from  his  company  for  one  day  on  account  of  illness  or  because 
of  a  furlough.  When  his  military  service  was  ended  Mr.  Walter 
returned  to  Will  County  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  grocery 
business  at  Lockport,  which  he  conducted  for  46  years. 

In  1859  Mr.  Walter  with  a  young  man  companion  started  for  the 
gold  fields  of  Colorado.  They  bought  an  outfit  and  started  for  Pike's 
Peak  in  a  two-wheeled  car  which  they  pushed  across  the  prairies.  After 
nine  months  absence  they  returned  with  the  hand  car  but  with  no 
gold. 

In  1865  Mr.  Walter  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Margaret 
Pitts,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Anns  Pitts,  natives  of  Luzemburg,  Ger- 
many, who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  and  located  in  Lockport, 
111.,  where  Mr.  Pitts  was  a  jeweler.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Michael  Walter  ten 
children  were  born:  John  A.,  Frank  M.,  Fred  W.,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  history ;  Robert  B. ;  Emma  M.,  married  Clinton 
W.  Ladd ;  Addie,  married  Charles  W.  Kiplinger ;  Nellie,  married  Howard 
Norton ;  and  three  children  died  in  infancy.    The  mother  of  these  chil- 


998  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

dren  died  in  1880.    In  1887  Mr.  Walter  married  (second)  Adaline  Heron, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Winifred  Heron,  natives  of  New  York. 

Mr.  Walter  was  a  Republican.  He  served  six  years  as  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  six  years  as  Supervisor.  In  Masonry  he  was  a  member 
of  Lockport  Lodge,  No.  538,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Des  Plaines  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F. 
No.  23,  being  past  Noble  Grand  and  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master;  B.  P.  0. 
Elks,  No.  296;  and  an  Honorary  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
the  World.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
Post  No.  401,  and  served  as  its  first  commander. 


George  Roschek. — One  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet  is 
found  in  George  Roschek,  superintendent  of  the  Eagle  Paper  Company, 
one  of  the  leading  industries  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Lincoln, 
Wis.,  June  10,  1878,  the  son  of  Michael  and  Anna  (Hammet)  Roschek. 

Both  Michael  Roschek  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Vienna,  Austria. 
He  was  a  miller  by  trade  and  in  April,  1870,  came  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  near  Two  Creeks,  Wis.,  where  he  owned  and  operated  a 
grist  mill.  Later  he  removed  to  Lincoln,  Wis.,  where  he  was  in  charge 
of  the  grist  mill  of  George  Bottkol.  After  several  years  Mr.  Roschek 
removed  to  Appleton,  Wis.,  where  he  was  in  charge  of  one  of  the 
largest  mills  of  the  state.  He  died  in  1906  and  his  wife  died  in  May, 
1921.  They  are  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery,  Appleton,  Wis.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roschek  the  following  children  were  born:  Mary,  mar- 
ried John  Sprangers,  both  deceased;  Simon,  lives  at  Kalamazoo,  Mich.; 
Agnes,  the  widow  of  John  McGinnis ;  Michael,  Appleton,  Wis. ;  George, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Anton,  deceased;  Anna,  married  George 
Maurer,  lives  at  Appleton. 

George  Roschek  was  13  years  old  when  he  went  to  work  in  the 
paper  mills  of  the  Kimberly-Clark  Paper  Company,  at  75c  per  day. 
After  numerous  promotions  he  was  made  night  supei'intendent  and 
later  assistant  superintendent  of  the  mills.  Mr.  Roschek  at  various 
times  was  connected  with  the  company's  five  different  mills.  He  resigned 
his  position  in  1920  and  became  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Great 
Western  Paper  Company,  at  Ladysmith,  Wis.  In  April  of  the  following 
year  he  came  to  Joliet  to  accept  a  position  as  superintendent  of  the  Eagle 
Paper  Company. 

In  1901  Mr.  Roschek  married  Miss  Catherine  Wagner,  the  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Caroline  Wagner,  natives  of  Pasueau,  Germany.     Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  999 

Wagner,  retired,  lives  at  Appleton,  Wis.  His  wife  died  April  19,  1927. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roschek  have  three  children :  Kathryn,  a  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Chicago,  member  of  the  faculty  of  Junior  High  School, 
Joliet;  Eleanor,  a  graduate  of  Loyola  University,  and  graduate  nurse, 
Mercy  Hospital,  Chicago;  and  George,  Jr.,  who  attends  the  Syracuse 
University,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Politically  Mr.  Roschek  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Holy  Name  Society,  St.  Joseph's  Society,  and  Catholic  Order  of  For- 
resters. 


Hinman  R.  Moore  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  Joliet,  where  he 
is  Associate  State  Manager  of  the  Inter-Ocean  Casualty  Insurance  Com- 
pany. He  is  also  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  France 
with  the  Ordinance  department. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Joliet,  the  son  of  Edwin  M.  and  Harriet 
(Hinman)  Moore.  Edwin  M.  Moore  came  to  Joliet  in  1878.  He  is  vice- 
president  of  the  Barrett  Hardware  Company  and  one  of  the  city's  pro- 
gressive citizens.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Loyal  Order 
of  Moose.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Canada,  died  Feb.  14,  1906,  and  is 
buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  were  bom  four 
children:  Hinman  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Helen,  married  Wel- 
come Dow,  lives  in  Joliet ;  Genevieve,  married  Kyle  Waite,  lives  at  Twin 
Falls,  Idaho;  and  Edwin  E.,  a  farmer,  lives  at  Wilton  Center,  111. 

Hinman  R.  Moore  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  was  grad- 
uated from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1907.  After  his  graduation 
from  the  University  of  Wisconsin  in  1913,  he  entered  the  employ  of  a 
wholesale  hardware  firm  in  Chicago,  where  he  spent  two  years.  Upon 
his  return  to  Joliet  he  became  associated  with  the  Barrett  Hardware 
Company  as  a  salesman.  He  continued  with  this  firm  until  1926,  at 
which  time  he  accepted  his  present  position  with  the  Inter-Ocean  Cas- 
ualty Insurance  Company. 

On  Aug.  16,  1919,  Mr.  Moore  married  Miss  Esther  Wray,  who  was 
born  at  Apollo,  Pa.,  July  7,  1898,  the  daughter  of  William  I.  and  Agnes 
(Gumbert)  Wray,  of  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wray,  who  came  to  this 
city  in  1915,  have  four  children:  Glaphy,  married  Dr.  Leon  Stewart, 
lives  at  Fort  Collins,  Colo.;  Louise,  lives  at  home;  Esther  Moore;  and 
Jeanette,  married  Alexander  Findlay,  lives  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.    To  Mr. 


1000  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  Mrs.  Moore  have  been  born  two  children:     Robert  Wray,  born 
Feb.  28,  1921 ;  and  Harriet  Ann,  born  March  14,  1925. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  and 
is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  American  Legion.  He  lives 
at  823  Williams  Street,  Joliet. 


Fred  W.  Steiner,  retired,  ranks  high  among  the  representative  men 
of  Plainfield  Township,  where  he  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life. 
He  was  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.,  Aug.  11,  1858,  the  son  of  Fred  and 
Anna  (Herren)  Steiner. 

Fred  Steiner,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Switzerland.  He  was  born 
Jan.  6,  1825,  and  died  Nov.  27,  1918.  Mr.  Steiner  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1854  and  located  in  Kendall  County.  About  1867  he  removed 
to  Will  County  and  settled  on  160  acres  of  land  in  Plainfield  Township, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  This  farm  was  later  owned 
by  his  son,  Robert  Steiner.  Anna  (Herren)  Steiner  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land, Jan.  26,  1838,  and  died  April  10,  1913.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steiner 
were  the  parents  of  four  sons:  Fred  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Charles,  deceased;  Robert,  lives  on  the  homestead  in  Plainfield  Town- 
ship ;  and  Albert  C,  merchant,  lives  at  Plainfield. 

The  boyhood  of  Fred  W.  Steiner  was  spent  in  Plainfield  Township 
on  the  farm.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
also  attended  Naperville  College.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Steiner 
was  connected  with  an  Iowa  concern  and  sold  Champion  harvesters 
and  binders.  In  1887  he  purchased  his  present  farm  in  Plainfield  Town- 
ship which  consists  of  247  acres.  Mr.  Steiner  has  lived  retired  since 
1916.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company  and  is  well 
known  in  the  civic  and  business  affairs  of  Plainfield. 

On  Nov.  11,  1914,  Mr.  Steiner  married  Miss  Alice  B.  Grundy,  of 
Plainfield  Township,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Janet  (Galloway) 
Grundy,  the  former  a  native  of  England  and  the  latter  of  Scotland. 
Mr.  Grundy  was  an  early  settler  of  Will  County,  having  come  here 
in  1852.  He  died  March  11,  1914,  at  the  age  of  86  years.  His  wife 
was  18  years  old  when  her  parents  came  to  the  United  States.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Steiner  have  a  son,  Grundy,  who  was  born  March  20,  1916. 

Politically,  Mr.  Steiner  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  charter  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias.  For  the  past  eight  years  Mr.  Steiner  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board. 


MR.    AND    1IKS.    Ki:i:i>    \V.    STKIXKK    AND    S<  »X,    filll'XIiY 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1001 

Edward  Merriman. — A  druggist  of  repute  and  a  young  man  of  the 
highest  standing,  E.  J.  Merriman  occupies  an  enviable  position  among 
the  younger  business  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Leeds,  111.,  March 
15,  1900,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  A.  and  Krezenz  (Steinhart)  Merriman. 

Edward  A.  Merriman  was  born  in  LaSalle  County,  111.  When  a 
young  man  he  lived  in  Leeds,  and  in  1902  located  in  Joliet.  He  is  an 
accountant  by  profession.  Mrs.  Merriman  was  born  in  Germany.  They 
have  two  children:  Edward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Theolinda, 
a  teacher  of  Physical  Culture.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
Church. 

Edward  Merriman  attended  St.  John's  parochial  schools,  and  Joliet 
Township  High  School.  He  then  entered  the  Chicago  College  of  Phar- 
macy,"from  which  he  was  graduated  in  June,  1921,  as  a  pharmacist.  He 
took  the  examination  for  registered  pharmacist  in  1921  and  license  was 
issued  the  same  year.  He  worked  at  his  profession  in  Chicago  and 
Joliet,  and  on  Nov.  11,  1922,  opened  a  drug  store  at  the  corner  of  Pine 
and  Western  Avenue,  this  city.  Mr.  Merriman  carries  a  full  line  of 
drugs,  druggist  sundries,  toilet  articles,  etc.,  and  has  a  very  attractive 
and  well  equipped  store,  known  as  Merriman's  Pharmacy. 

In  1922  Mr.  Merriman  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Marie  Kinn, 
a  native  of  Danville,  Pa.,  who  came  to  Joliet  28  years  ago,  and  to  them 
three  children  have  been  born :  Edward,  born  Sept.  12,  1923 ;  Paul,  born 
in  August,  1925;  and  Colette,  born  March  18,  1927.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 


Grant  Houston,  M.  D. — The  Houston  family  traces  its  ancestry  back 
to  Ayreshire,  Scotland,  in  1668.  James  Houston  lived  in  Paisley,  Scot- 
land, and  went  from  there  to  Tyrone,  Ulster  County,  Ireland.  He  later 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  New  York,  where  he  was 
married  to  Margaret  Gibson. 

Grant  Houston  was  born  at  Ausable  Forks,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  9,  1864,  the 
seventh  of  eight  children.  He  received  the  degree  of  Ph.  G.  in  1890 
and  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  1891  from  the  State  College 
of  South  Dakota.  He  was  later  graduated  from  Hahnemann  Medical 
College  in  1894;  and  took  post  graduate  work  at  Johns  Hopkin  in 
1911  and  1913.  Doctor  Houston  has  also  taken  graduate  work  in  the 
University  of  Vienna,  1909,  and  London  and  Leeds  in  1921. 

Doctor  Houston  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Grace  Dunlop,  of  Dwight, 
111.     He  has  a  daughter,  Gertrude,  who  married  James  D.  Rogers  of 


1002  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Chicago,  and  they  have  four  children:  Grant  Houston  Rogers;  James 
Del  Rogers,  Jr.;  Elizabeth  Jane  and  Ann  Jean  Rogers,  twins. 

Doctor  Houston  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association, 
American  Institute  of  Homeopathy,  past  president  of  the  Will  County 
Medical  Society,  and  a  Fellow  of  the  American  College  of  Surgeons.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  surgical  staffs  of  St.  Joseph  and  Silver  Cross  hos- 
pitals, Joliet. 

Politically,  Doctor  Houston  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Church,  and  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  lodge,  32nd  degree,  Medinah  Temple,  Medinah  Athletic  Club, 
Joliet  Shrine  Club,  Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Rotary  Club. 

The  Houston  residence  is  located  at  102  Buell  Avenue,  and  Doctor 
Houston  maintains  offices  in  the  Barber  Building,  Joliet. 

Doctor  Houston  has  the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  few  prom- 
inent men  of  Joliet  who  may  be  found  in  "Who's  Who  in  America." 


John  E.  Morrison,  president  of  the  Peoples  Abstract  Company,  is  a 
veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  at  Heyworth,  111.,  Sept.  19, 
1886,  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Jennie  (Bethel)  Morrison. 

He  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  public  and  high  schools 
of  Danvers,  111.  He  entered  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1904,  taking 
his  degree  as  Bachelor  of  Laws  in  1908.  He  spent  two  years  in  private 
practice  at  Bloomington,  111.,  and  in  1910  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  has 
since  served  as  president  of  the  Peoples  Abstract  Company. 

Mr.  Morrison  held  the  commission  of  captain  in  the  Officers  Reserve 
Corps  before  the  World  War.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he  was 
ordered  to  duty  at  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  and  served  as  instructor  in  the 
First  Officers  Training  Camp  there.  He  later  went  to  Fort  Sill,  Okla., 
graduating  from  the  Infantry  School  of  Small  Arms  there,  after  which 
he  was  assigned  to  the  89th  Division  under  Maj.  Gen.  Leonard  Wood, 
serving  as  division  instructor  of  small  arms.  He  was  promoted  to 
major  of  infantry  and  assigned  to  1st  Battalion,  354th  Infantry,  and 
went  to  France  with  the  89th  Division  in  the  spring  of  1918.  He  was 
wounded  Aug.  8,  1918.  After  his  discharge  from  the  hospital  he  was 
assigned  to  the  38th  Infantry,  Third  Division,  and  remained  with  this 
division  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  served  in  Germany  with  the 
Army  of  Occupation  and  was  discharged  at  Camp  Devens,  Mass.,  in 
1919.    He  participated  in  the  battles  of  St.  Mihiel,  the  Argonne  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1003 

battles  in  the  Verdun  sector.  He  was  decorated  by  the  French  Govern- 
ment with  the  Croix  de  Guerre  with  Palm.  Mr.  Morrison  is  now  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  of  the  342nd  Infantry,  86th  Division. 

In  1913  Mr.  Morrison  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Villa  Gray, 
of  Effingham,  111.  She  was  born  June  27,  1889,  the  daughter  of  J.  W. 
and  Alice  (Jennings)  Gray. 

Mr.  Morrison  is  a  Republican,  a  Knight  Templar,  a  member  of  the 
American  Legion,  Joliet  Country  Club,  Army  and  Navy  Club,  and  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce. 


Fred  W.  Worst  is  prominent  in  the  civic  affairs  of  Lockport,  where 
he  is  serving  as  city  supervisor.  He  was  born  here  April  12,  1859,  the 
son  of  Jacob  and  Henrietta  (Lang)  Worst. 

Jacob  Worst  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany  early  in  life 
and  settled  in  Chicago.  He  later  removed  to  Lockport,  where  he  fol- 
lowed his  trade  as  a  shoemaker.  He  died  in  1898  and  his  wife,  also  a 
native  of  Germany,  died  in  1900.  They  are  buried  in  Lockport  Ceme- 
tery. Mr.  Worst  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
There  were  eight  children  in  the  Worst  family,  as  follows:  Herman, 
deceased;  Emma,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Andrew  Dorsch;  Albert, 
lives  at  Plainfield,  111. ;  Alexander,  deceased ;  Mary,  deceased ;  Edward  F., 
lives  at  Lockport;  Clara,  married  Washington  Woodruff,  lives  in  Chi- 
cago ;  and  Fred  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Fred  W.  Worst  received  his  education  in  district  school  No.  91.  At 
the  age  of  13  years  he  left  school  and  was  employed  in  the  old  straw- 
board  paper  mill  at  Lockport.  In  1875  he  learned  the  barber  trade  in 
Chicago,  where  he  remained  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  Lockport 
and  until  1895  conducted  a  barber  shop  in  this  city.  He  served  two 
years  as  city  police,  two  years  as  police  magistrate,  and  in  1900  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace.  He  filled  the  latter  office  continually  until 
1927,  at  which  time  he  was  appointed  city  supervisor  to  fill  the  unex- 
pired term  of  Andrew  Anderson.  Since  1919  he  has  also  been  connected 
with  the  Sanitary  District. 

On  Dec.  8,  1880,  Mr.  Worst  married  Miss  Catherine  Miller,  who  was 
born  at  Lockport,  Jan.  7,  1861,  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sophia  M. 
(Brockman)  Miller.  Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Germany,  May  3,  1836, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  14  years  of  age.  His  family 
settled  at  Lockport,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died 
Dec.  4,  1918.    His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Feb.  22,  1843, 


1004  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

died  March  6,  1920.  They  are  buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Miller  had  six  children,  as  follows:  Catherine  Worst;  Henry, 
deceased;  Phillip,  lives  in  Chicago;  Carrie,  deceased;  Emma  E.,  mar- 
ried F.  F.  Hutton,  lives  at  Lockport;  and  Louise  L.,  lives  at  Lockport. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Worst  had  a  son,  Louis  Alexander.  He  was  born  March  5, 
1884,  and  died  in  1903. 

Mr.  Worst  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Woodmen  of  America,  and  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  lives  at  121  East 
Tenth  Street,  Lockport,  111. 


John  J.  Keig,  retired,  is  a  representative  and  widely  known  citizen 
of  Lockport.  He  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man,  June  10,  1858,  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Anne  (Lace)  Keig. 

Robert  Keig,  deceased,  was  a  leading  farmer  and  local  preacher  of 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  on  the  Isle  of  Man  for  more  than  half 
a  century.  There  were  14  children  in  the  Keig  family,  of  whom  seven 
now  survive:  Anne  Jane,  married  James  Creer,  lives  on  the  Isle  of 
Man;  Isabella,  married  H.  D.  Quarrie,  retired,  lives  in  California;  John 
J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth,  married  Thomas  Thrutchley, 
lives  in  England;  T.  E.,  retired,  Isle  of  Man;  Richard  T.,  farmer,  lives 
on  the  old  homestead;  and  Joseph  B.,  bank  manager,  lives  on  the  Isle 
of  Man. 

The  early  life  of  John  J.  Keig  was  spent  on  the  Isle  of  Man.  He 
came  to  America  in  1883  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  spent  one 
year.  He  then  established  a  general  mercantile  business  at  Lace  (his 
grandmother's  name),  111.,  and  was  the  founder  of  the  post  office  at  that 
place,  also  serving  as  postmaster.  In  1887  he  removed  to  Romeoville, 
being  the  founder  of  that  place,  which  previously  had  been  known  as 
Martin's  Landing  and  Romeo.  Nortonville  was  a  post  office  name  he 
established,  but  was  discontinued  while  H.  F.  Brockman  was  postmaster. 
During  the  drainage  canal  period  he  had  the  post  office  re-established 
as  Romeoville,  which  also  is  the  village  name,  which  he  incorporated 
in  1893.  He  lived  there  for  25  years  and  served  as  mayor  almost  half 
of  that  period.  He  was  also  postmaster  and  justice  of  the  peace.  In 
1908  Mr.  Keig  retired  and  removed  to  Lockport,  where  he  now  resides. 

Mr.  Keig  was  married  Sept.  27,  1883,  in  Manchester,  Eng.,  to  Miss 
Mary  Frances  Lee,  who  was  born  there  Jan.  17,  1860.  She  died  April 
6,  1885,  and  is  buried  in  Cass  Cemetery,  DuPage  County,  111.    To  this 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1005 

union  a  son  was  born,  John  Robert  Lee  Keig.  He  was  born  March  10, 
1885,  at  Lace,  111.  He  is  now  production  manager  for  the  Kirby  Lumber 
Company,  at  Beaumont,  Texas.  He  married  Miss  Helen  Adams,  of 
Galesburg,  111.,  and  they  have  two  sons:  John  Robert  Lee,  Jr.,  and 
Edward  Quincy  Adams  Keig. 

Mr.  Keig  was  mai-ried  the  second  time  April  17,  1886,  to  Margaret 
Agnes  McHugh,  who  was  born  in  Ireland,  Aug.  1,  1869.  To  them  were 
born  four  children:  Marshall  Edward,  bora  Feb.  7,  1887,  lives  in  Chi- 
cago, married  Gertrude  Woodruff,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Mar- 
shall Woodruff  Keig;  Mabel  Agnes,  married  Charles  D.  Dyer,  Jr.,  lives 
at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  they  have  three  children,  Charles  D.  Ill,  Mar- 
shall, and  Margaret  Belle;  Ruth  Mercedes,  married  Newton  D.  Rich, 
construction  engineer,  with  the  L.  E.  Meyers  Company,  Dallas,  Texas, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Marcia ;  and  Alfred  Joseph,  attorney,  married 
Ruth  Dow,  and  they  have  four  children:  Joseph,  Ruth,  John,  and 
Peter. 

Mr.  Keig  is  a  Republican  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America. 


Henry  M.  Spangler,  who  is  serving  as  highway  commissioner  for 
Lockport  Township,  is  a  leading  citizen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born 
on  the  old  Spangler  homestead  in  Lockport  Township,  in  1880,  the  son 
of  G.  Frank  and  Kate  (Poor)  Spangler. 

G.  Frank  Spangler,  deceased,  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest 
families  of  Lockport  Township,  his  parents  having  located  here  during 
the  early  days.  The  Spangler  farm,  which  has  continued  in  the  family 
down  to  the  present  time,  is  located  in  Section  36.  Mr.  Spangler  was 
well  known  as  a  breeder  of  fine  horses  and  was  also  an  extensive  stock- 
man. He  died  in  1916  as  the  result  of  a  railroad  accident.  Mr.  Spangler 
was  a  Republican  and  served  as  highway  commissioner  in  the  township 
for  many  years.  He  held  membership  in  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  widow,  now  77 
years  of  age,  lives  at  Lockport.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spangler  were  born 
the  following  children:  Sacia  F.,  lives  in  Lockport  Township;  George, 
retired,  lives  in  Plainfield  Township,  Will  County ;  Edward,  lives  in  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo. ;  Raymond,  deceased ;  Henry  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
and  Ethel,  married  William  Raddatz,  lives  at  Summit,  111. 

Henry  M.  Spangler  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  and 
attended  the  district  schools  of  Lockport  Township.    He  was  employed 


1006  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

by  the  Illinois  Michigan  Canal  Works  for  two  years  and  then  became 
identified  with  the  Continental  Bridge  Company  for  three  years.  He 
spent  two  years  with  the  local  water  works  and  since  1922  has  served 
as  highway  commissioner.  Mr.  Spangler  was  recently  re-elected  to  the 
office  for  a  term  of  four  years. 

On  Dec.  20,  1924,  Mr.  Spangler  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Hulda  Gustafson,  who  was  born  at  Lockport,  Dec.  10,  1894,  the  daughter 
of  Frank  and  Josephine  (Carlson)  Gustafson,  natives  of  Sweden,  and 
now  residents  of  Lockport.  They  have  the  following  children:  Elmer, 
lives  at  Lockport,  is  a  World  War  veteran;  Ella,  married  Carl  Johnson, 
lives  at  Lockport;  Iver,  lives  at  Norristown,  Pa.;  Hulda  Spangler; 
Hj aimer,  lives  at  Lockport;  Agnes,  married  Henry  Seaborg,  lives  at 
Lockport;  and  Walter,  lives  at  Lockport.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spangler  have 
a  daughter,  Vivijean  Charlotte,  born  in  Joliet,  Nov.  28,  1926. 

Mrs.  Spangler  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  He 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose.    He  is  a  Republican. 


A.  J.  Patterson  is  among  the  capable  and  well  known  business  men 
of  Braidwood,  where  he  has  been  known  as  a  funeral  director  for  the 
past  20  years.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  June  12,  1878,  the  son  of  J.  W. 
and  Mary  (Stewart)  Patterson. 

J.  W.  Patterson,  deceased,  was  a  pioneer  undertaker  of  Will  County. 
He  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Scotland  and  early  settlers  of  Braid- 
wood,  where  he  conducted  a  furniture,  undertaking,  and  livery  business 
for  many  years.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  served  as  postmaster 
of  Braidwood  for  several  years  and  was  also  city  supervisor.  His  wife 
died  Aug.  24,  1903.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson  were  born  seven  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Janet,  died  at  the  age  of  14  years;  A.  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  Tena,  married  Dr.  A.  D.  Howat,  dentist,  lives  at  Braid- 
wood; John  S.,  deceased;  Mary  A.,  deceased;  James  R.,  lives  at  Braid- 
wood ;  and  Mildred  M.,  married  Frank  Schmidt,  lives  at  Joliet. 

A.  J.  Patterson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Braidwood  and  began 
his  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  the  grocery  store  of  N.  P.  Keyes,  Braid- 
wood, with  whom  he  was  associated  for  15  years.  In  1908  he  established 
his  present  business,  and  he  is  now  assisted  by  his  son,  Malcolm  Stewart, 
the  firm  being  known  as  Patterson  &  Son.  This  funeral  home  is  one 
of  the  up-to-date  and  well  equipped  mortuaries  of  Will  County. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1007 

On  June  12,  1903,  Mr.  Patterson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Margaret  Malcolm,  who  was  born  at  Braceville,  111.,  Oct.  1,  1882,  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Janet  (Nesbit)  Malcolm,  natives  of  Scotland, 
and  early  settlers  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Malcolm  was  a  well  known  coal 
operator  of  Braceville,  111.  He  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  died 
Nov.  7,  1915,  and  his  wife  died  Aug.  28,  1928,  and  they  are  buried  in 
Oakwood  Cemetery,  Braidwood,  111.  There  were  three  children  in  the 
Malcolm  family :  Margaret  Patterson ;  William,  physician  and  surgeon, 
lives  at  Peoria,  111. ;  and  Jessie,  married  Dr.  B.  W.  Lazarski,  physician 
and  surgeon,  lives  at  Pullman,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson  was  born 
one  son,  Malcolm  Stewart,  who  was  born  Aug.  18,  1906.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Braidwood  and  in  July,  1928,  received 
his  license  as  mortician  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  He  is  the  fourth  gen- 
eration in  the  Patterson  family  to  follow  this  profession.  Before  her 
marriage,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Patterson  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Brace- 
ville and  Carbon  Hill,  111.  She  died  Sept.  2,  1928,  and  is  buried  in  Oak- 
wood  Cemetery  at  Braidwood. 

Politically  Mr.  Patterson  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
has  served  as  trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  affiliated  with 
the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Elmer  R.  Essington  is  one  of  the  younger  men  who  have  achieved 
success  in  Joliet  business  circles  as  proprietor  of  Essington's  Funeral 
Home.  He  was  born  at  Plainfield,  Will  County,  April  22,  1892,  the  son 
of  Albert  and  Mina  (Becker)  Essington. 

Albert  Essington,  deceased,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Plainfield 
Township,  Will  County,  and  specialized  in  the  raising  of  grain.  He 
was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  November,  1924.  He  was 
a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  belonged  to 
Plainfield  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  436,  and  Spangler  Grange.  His 
widow,  a  native  of  Will  County,  resides  at  Plainfield.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Essington  were  born  two  sons:  Clyde,  born  in  1886,  lives  at  Plainfield, 
111. ;  and  Elmer  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Elmer  R.  Essington  received  his  education  in  the  county  schools 
and  attended  Plainfield  High  School.  He  remained  on  his  father's  farm 
until  1915,  when  he  came  to  Joliet.  Throughout  his  business  career 
he  has  been  interested  in  funeral  work,  and  in  1920  attended  the  Wor- 


1008  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

sham  School  of  Embalming  in  Chicago.  The  following  year  he  received 
his  license  to  practice  in  the  State  of  Illinois  and  in  April,  1921,  became 
associated  in  business  with  Clarence  L.  Miller,  at  Lockport,  111.  The 
following  year  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Miller  and  returned  to  Joliet, 
where  he  has  since  engaged  in  business.  Since  1927  Mr.  Essington  has 
been  located  at  215  Cass  Street,  where  he  has  a  modern  funeral  home 
and  chapel. 

Mr.  Essington  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  Plainfield  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M.  No.  536,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  and  B.  P.  0.  Elks,  No. 
296.    He  is  a  Republican. 


Wilbur  W.  Boughton. — One  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stockmen 
Wheatland  Township,  Feb.  28,  1846,  and  it  is  recorded  that  he  was  the 
one  of  the  earliest  families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship, Feb.  3,  1879,  the  son  of  William  D.  and  Emma  J.  (Boardman) 
Boughton. 

William  D.  Boughton  was  born  on  the  Boughton  homestead  in 
Wheatland  Township,  Feb.  28,  1846,  and  it  is  recorded  that  he  was  the 
first  white  child  born  in  the  township.  He  is  the  son  of  Warren  W. 
and  Mary  (Scott)  Boughton.  Warren  W.  Boughton  was  born  in  Gen- 
essee  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  10,  1817,  the  son  of  Orris  and  Sibyl  Ann 
(Newell)  Boughton,  who  emigrated  West  with  six  children  and  settled 
in  Will  County,  Wheatland  Township,  111.,  in  1842.  Orris  Boughton  died 
in  August,  1843,  and  his  wife  died  in  February,  1860.  Their  son,  War- 
ren W.,  married  Mary  Scott,  who  was  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio, 
Jan.  9,  1822.  During  the  year  of  1850  he  left  his  family  and  started 
to  the  gold  fields  of  California,  but  died  enroute  and  was  buried  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa.  He  left  a  wife  and  two  children :  Newell  W.,  who  served 
in  the  Civil  War,  as  a  member  of  Col.  L.  Boulton's  Battery,  and  he  died 
in  1876;  and  William  D.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  William 
D.  Boughton  married  Miss  Emma  J.  Boardman,  the  daughter  of  Frank- 
lin and  Mindwell  (Bates)  Boardman,  who  settled  in  Wheatland  Town- 
ship in  1844.  To  William  D.  and  Emma  J.  (Boardman)  Boughton  were 
born  seven  children,  as  follows:  Mina  L.,  married  Frank  Eaton,  lives 
at  Plainfield;  Delia,  married  George  Patterson,  lives  in  DuPage  Town- 
ship; Newell  J.,  lives  at  Parsons,  Kan.;  Wilbur  W.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Franklin  Boardman,  David  W.,  and  Reuben  Scott,  who  live  in 
Wheatland  Township.     Mr.  Boughton  served  as  supervisor  of  Wheat- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1009 

land  Township  for  a  number  of  years,  and  also  held  the  offices  of  county 
road  commissioner,  highway  commissioner,  and  school  director.  He 
died  Sept.  21,  1928,  and  his  wife  resides  on  the  home  farm  in  Wheatland 
Township. 

Wilbur  Boughton  attended  the  public  schools  of  Wheaton  and  Plain- 
field  townships.  He  was  associated  with  his  father's  fanning  interests 
until  1910,  at  which  time  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  240  acres 
in  Wheatland  Township.  He  specializes  in  dairy  fanning  and  is  also 
an  extensive  feeder  of  stock. 

On  July  19,  1905,  Mr.  Boughton  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Florence  Thompson,  a  native  of  Lincolnshire,  England.  She  came  to 
the  United  States  at  the  age  of  four  years  and  settled  in  Joliet.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Deborah  (Peters)  Thompson,  natives  of 
England.  Mr.  Thompson  was  a  farmer  of  Wheatland  Township,  having 
come  to  the  township  in  1886,  and  farmed  until  his  death,  Sept.  4,  1916, 
and  his  widow  lives  at  Plainfield.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children :  Florence  Boughton ;  Fred  E.,  lives  in  Chicago,  is  a  World 
War  veteran,  having  served  in  France  with  the  rank  of  major;  George 
W.,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township ;  Lynette  May,  married  Edwin  Dawson, 
lives  at  Detroit,  Mich.;  Herbert  P.,  who  is  mayor  of  Naperville,  111., 
and  a  World  War  veteran,  having  served  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant; 
Walter  E.,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township;  and  Jessie  L.,  mar- 
ried William  Weller,  lives  in  Plainfield  Township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Boughton  were  born  four  sons:  Donald  Wilbur,  born  Nov.  18,  1907, 
a  graduate  of  Plainfield  High  School,  and  Marshall  (Mo.)  Flying  School, 
now  resides  at  home ;  Newell  William,  born  Jan.  10,  1910,  is  a  graduate 
of  Plainfield  High  School;  Robert  Thompson,  born  Oct.  9,  1911;  and 
Walter  Peters,  born  Aug.  24,  1915. 

Mr.  Boughton  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  is  active  in  the  work  of 
the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


John  Rodeghiero,  who  conducts  a  service  station  and  automobile 
accessory  shop  at  State  and  16th  streets,  is  a  well  known  resident  of 
Lockport.  He  was  born  in  Italy,  Nov.  25,  1880,  the  son  of  Dominic 
and  Maria  (Grolla)  Rodeghiero. 

Dominic  Rodeghiero,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Italy,  where  he  spent 
his  entire  life.     He  was  a  farmer.     He  died  in  1893  and  his  widow 


1010  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

still  resides  on  the  family  homestead  in  Italy.  They  were  the  parents 
of  two  girls  and  two  boys. 

John  Rodeghiero  was  educated  in  his  native  land  and  attended  the 
public  schools.  In  1901  he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  New 
Mexico.  Later  he  went  to  Pittsburg,  Kan.,  and  four  years  later  removed 
to  Ironwood,  Mich.,  where  he  spent  14  years  in  the  iron-ore  mines.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  Lockport  since  1921  and  in  that  year  established 
his  present  place  of  business.  His  residence  is  located  at  1600  State 
Street. 

On  Aug.  4,  1906,  Mr.  Rodeghiero  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Madelina  Forte,  who  was  born  in  Italy,  Aug.  27,  1885.  They  have  five 
children:  Dominic,  born  at  Pittsburg,  Kan.,  June  25,  1907;  Edward, 
born  Aug.  12,  1908;  Alfred,  born  June  20,  1910;  Chris,  born  May  22, 
1913 ;  and  Donald,  born  Nov.  2,  1922. 

Mr.  Rodeghiero  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church. 


Thomas  Shaunessy  ranks  high  among  the  substantial  merchants  of 
Braidwood,  where  he  has  successfully  engaged  in  the  meat  business  for 
almost  25  years.  He  was  born  in  Chicago,  Oct.  9,  1874,  the  son  of 
Daniel  and  Louise  (McClaine)  Shaunessy. 

Daniel  Shaunessy,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  was  an 
early  settler  of  Chicago,  where  he  engaged  in  the  meat  business  for 
many  years.  He  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Chicago. 
Mr.  Shaunessy  was  a  Democrat  and  held  membership  in  the  Catholic 
Church.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaunessy: 
Lily,  married  Lewis  Ford,  retired,  lives  in  Chicago;  Rose,  married  Wil- 
liam Deto,  retired,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Louise,  in  religion  known  as  Sister 
Jerome,  lives  at  Paoli,  Kan.;  Thomas,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Alice, 
married  William  Robinson,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Lucy,  married  John  Wyman, 
live  in  Chicago;  Daniel,  lives  at  San  Antonio,  Texas;  and  William  in 
Kansas. 

Thomas  Shaunessy  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Chicago  and  also  attended  school  at  Braidwood  and  Kankakee,  111.  He 
spent  seven  years  farming  in  Grundy  and  Will  counties,  and  later  was  a 
stationary  engineer  in  the  coal  mines  at  Braidwood,  111.  He  came  to 
Braidwood  in  1904  and  established  a  meat  business  on  Main  Street. 
The  firm,  now  known  as  Thomas  Shaunessy  &  Sons,  are  dealers  in  fine 
meats  of  all  kinds  and  have  an  excellent  trade. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1011 

In  June,  1896,  Mr.  Shaunessy  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nellie 
Moffatt,  who  was  born  at  Braidwood,  April  7,  1874,  the  daughter  of 
Anthony  and  Ellen  (Murray)  Moffatt,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Moffatt, 
who  lives  retired  at  Braidwood,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Will 
County,  having  come  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  he 
was  seven  years  of  age.  During  his  active  career  he  was  a  well  known 
farmer  of  this  section.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  His  wife  died  Dec.  28,  1902,  and  is  buried  at  Braidwood.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moffatt  were  born  ten  children,  as  follows:  Annie,  married 
Dennis  Nealis,  both  deceased;  Michael  and  John,  both  deceased;  Nellie 
Shaunessy;  James,  lives  at  Braidwood;  Thomas  and  Joseph,  who  live 
at  Dwight,  111.;  William,  deceased;  Francis,  lives  at  Dwight;  and  Cath- 
erine, married  Archie  Smith,  lives  at  Dwight,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shau- 
nessy were  born  three  children:  1.  Francis,  born  May  25,  1897,  engaged 
in  business  with  his  father,  married  Miss  Esther  Moran,  of  Coal  City, 
111.,  and  they  have  three  children:  Thomas  Francis,  Rose  Mary,  and 
William  Jerome.  2.  William,  born  Nov.  10,  1899,  engaged  in  business 
with  his  father,  married  Miss  Jennie  Foletti,  of  Braidwood.  3.  Daniel 
Joseph,  born  Sept.  9,  1916. 

Mr.  Shaunessy  has  always  been  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  local  school  board. 


Henry  Bachmann  is  among  the  dependable  and  well  known  business 
men  of  Lockport,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  coal  and  ice  business  for 
almost  35  years.  He  was  born  in  DuPage  County,  111.,  Aug.  9,  1872, 
the  son  of  Charles  and  Matilda  (Steinard)  Bachmann. 

Charles  Bachmann,  who  lives  retired  at  Willow  Springs,  111.,  is  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  that  section  of  DuPage  County,  having  located 
there  in  1846.  He  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  and  until  his 
retirement  was  prominent  as  a  farmer  and  stockman  in  DuPage  County. 
He  is  now  95  years  of  age  and  his  wife,  also  born  in  Germany,  is  85 
years  old.  Mr.  Bachmann  is  a  Republican  and  for  20  years  has  been 
trustee  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  His  mother,  one  of  the  pioneer  women 
of  Illinois,  lived  to  the  age  of  93  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bachmann 
the  following  children  were  born:  Conrad,  deceased;  Mary,  married 
Fred  Boehme,  lives  in  Romeo,  HI. ;  Charles,  contractor,  lives  at  St.  Louis, 
Mo. ;  Peter,  married  Lydia  Miem,  lives  in  Hinsdale,  111. ;  Henry,  the  sub- 


1012  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ject  of  this  sketch;  Jacob,  deceased;  Margaret,  married  Rev.  Schoen- 
beck,  minister  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church  at  Willow  Springs,  111. ; 
Emma,  lives  at  home;  and  Louise,  married  Edward  Tiedt,  merchant, 
lives  at  Willow  Springs,  111. 

Henry  Bachmann  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
DuPage  County,  and  in  1893  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  spent  a  year  in 
the  employ  of  the  Washington  Ice  Company.  The  following  year  he 
located  at  Lockport,  where  he  established  his  present  coal  and  ice  busi- 
ness at  14th  and  Washington  streets. 

On  Nov.  5,  1904,  Mr.  Bachmann  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Bertha  Hamann,  who  was  born  in  Chicago,  Aug.  7,  1885,  the  daughter 
of  Louis  and  Martha  (Hoelzer)  Hamann,  natives  of  Germany  and  early 
settlers  of  Cook  County,  111.  Mr.  Hamann,  who  now  lives  retired  in 
California,  was  a  well  known  resident  of  Romeo,  111.,  for  many  years, 
where  he  served  as  mayor  and  postmaster.  He  was  a  Republican.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hamann  have  the  following  children:  Bertha  Bachmann; 
Christian,  married  Esther  Woods  of  Lemont,  111.,  lives  in  LaGrange; 
Martha,  married  James  Goran,  lives  in  California;  Louis,  Jr.,  married 
Lorraine  Freehauf  of  Lockport,  lives  in  New  Jersey ;  Margaret,  married 
Gomer  Thomas  of  Los  Angeles,  lives  in  California;  and  Edward,  mar- 
ried Julia  Daley  of  Romeo,  lives  at  Romeo,  111.  To  Henry  and  Bertha 
(Hamann)  Bachmann  were  born  three  children:  Virginia,  born  at 
Lockport,  Oct.  21,  1907,  a  graduate  of  Lockport  High  School  and  Dekalb 
College,  now  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Cook  County;  Charles, 
born  at  Lockport,  Nov.  6,  1909,  a  graduate  of  Lockport  High  School  in 
1927,  employed  by  the  Western  Electric  Company  in  Chicago ;  and  Wini- 
fred, born  at  Lockport  Dec.  8,  1916,  attends  school  at  Lockport. 

Mr.  Bachmann  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  St.  Paul's  Lutheran 
Church  of  Lockport. 


William  T.  Bayley,  who  is  superintendent  of  the  Water  Works,  was 
born  in  this  city,  April  6,  1885,  the  son  of  William  Henry  and  Mary 
(O'Connor)  Bayley. 

William  Henry  Bayley,  deceased,  was  a  well  known  resident  of  Lock- 
port,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  Water  Works  department  as 
engineer  for  20  years.  He  was  born  at  Ottawa,  111.,  and  early  in  life 
located  at  Lockport.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  St.  Dennis 
Catholic  Church.  He  died  in  1922  and  is  buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery. 
His  widow  resides  in  Lockport,  where  she  was  born  in  1858.    To  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1013 

and  Mrs.  Bayley  were  born  three  children:  Alice,  deceased,  was  the 
wife  of  Wilbur  Barry,  Joliet;  William  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and 
Nora,  married  Edward  Mannell,  both  deceased. 

William  T.  Bayley  has  always  lived  in  Lockport.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  spent  two  years  in  the  employ  of 
the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad  in  a  clerical  capacity.  He  then 
learned  the  machinist's  trade,  at  which  he  was  employed  until  1927, 
when  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  water  works. 

On  Nov.  28,  1914,  Mr.  Bayley  married  Miss  Loretta  Coyne,  who 
was  born  in  Lockport  Township,  Nov.  27,  1891,  the  daughter  of  P.  F. 
and  Jane  (Donahue)  Coyne,  of  Lockport.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coyne,  who 
live  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  have  the  following  children:  Frank,  a 
farmer,  lives  in  Iowa;  May,  married  R.  J.  Russell,  lives  at  Waukegan, 
111.;  Loretta  Bayley;  William,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Lockport  Township; 
Marcella,  deceased;  Josephine,  lives  in  Los  Angeles;  Anna,  married 
Joseph  Pardieck,  lives  in  Los  Angeles;  and  Henry,  lives  in  Los  Angeles. 
Mr.  Coyne  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bayley  have  been  born  two  children:  Henry,  born  June 
19,  1917;  and  Jane,  born  Dec.  20,  1922. 

He  is  a  member  of  St.  Dennis  Catholic  Church,  Lockport. 


Carl  A.  Miller,  a  substantial  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Joliet, 
was  born  in  Germany,  Oct.  14,  1868,  the  son  of  Leopold  and  Marie 
(Noack)  Miller. 

Leopold  Miller,  deceased,  spent  his  entire  life  in  Germany.  He  was 
a  building  contractor.  He  died  in  1883  and  his  wife  died  in  1918.  Mr. 
Miller  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  belonged  to  the 
Masonic  lodge.  There  were  14  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller,  of 
whom  Carl  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  third  in  order  of 
birth.  A  son,  Franz,  was  wounded  during  the  World  War  while  in  the 
service  of  the  German  army,  and  died  in  1919. 

Carl  A.  Miller  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1903  and  lived  in 
New  York  City  until  1906.  He  then  moved  to  York,  Pa.,  and  in  1910 
went  to  Steubenville,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  print  cutter 
and  designer.  Before  coming  to  this  country  Mr.  Miller  traveled 
throughout  England,  Belgium,  Spain,  Austria,  Sweden,  Denmark,  and 
Russia.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1921  and  at  that  time  opened  his  present 
place  of  business  at  1023  Second  Avenue.    His  up-to-date  plant  special- 


1014  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

izes  in  designing  and  print  cutting  and  Mr.  Miller  has  a  well  established 
trade  in  the  city  and  surrounding  country. 

In  1901  Mr.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Anna  Palmer, 
who  was  born  in  Sweden,  Jan.  9,  1873,  the  daughter  of  Andrew  P.  and 
Anna  (Erickson)  Palmer,  of  Sweden.  Mr.  Palmer  died  in  March,  1897, 
and  his  wife  died  Dec.  23,  1893.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren, of  whom  Mrs.  Miller  is  the  youngest.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have 
a  daughter,  Mary,  who  was  born  in  Stockholm,  Sweden,  Oct.  4,  1902. 
She  was  married  on  March  28,  1925,  to  Walter  J.  Meyerhoff,  of  Joliet, 
and  they  have  two  sons :  Walter  David,  born  Aug.  2,  1926 ;  and  Norman 
Carl,  born  July  19,  1927. 

Mr.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


Bernhard  A.  Zechlin  is  among  the  most  prominent  and  successful 
business  men  of  Frankfort,  where  he  is  owner  of  Zechlin's  Furniture 
Store.  He  was  born  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  June  17,  1866,  a  son  of  Fred- 
erick and  Adeline  (Pocrefkaa)  Zechlin. 

Frederick  Zechlin  and  his  wife  were  both  born  in  Lauenberg,  Ger- 
many, where  they  were  married.  He  was  in  the  flour  mill  busi- 
ness there.  They  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1859  and  settled 
at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where  Mr.  Zechlin  was  employed  in  a  hardware 
store.  In  1872  he  removed  to  Chicago  where  he  was  an  employe  of  the 
Chicago  Street  Car  Company  for  many  years.  He  is  deceased  and  is 
buried  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Zechlin  is  buried  in  Milwaukee.  They  were 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  To  this  union  two  children 
were  born :  Bernhard,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Rudolph,  deceased, 
is  buried  in  Graceland  Cemetery,  Chicago.  Mr.  Zechlin  was  married 
for  the  second  time  to  Minnie  Hein,  who  is  also  deceased,  and  is  buried 
in  Graceland  Cemetery,  Chicago.  To  their  union  seven  children  were 
born:  Albert,  deceased;  Henry  J.,  General  Manager  Niagara  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  New  York  City ;  Fred,  deceased ;  Bertha,  deceased ; 
William,  lithographer,  Chicago;  Deanie,  married  Otto  Schmidt,  lives  in 
Chicago;  and  Mamie,  married  Louis  La  Grosse,  lives  in  Chicago. 

Bernhard  A.  Zechlin  attended  the  public  and  the  German  Lutheran 
schools  of  Chicago.  Leaving  school  he  worked  for  a  time  in  a  furniture 
factory.  For  17  years  he  was  with  Mandel  Brothers,  Chicago,  in  charge 
of  the  furniture  work  room.    In  1907  he  removed  to  Frankfort  and  pur- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1015 

chased  the  Hellerman  Furniture  Company's  store.  Mr.  Zechlin  then 
took  a  course  in  the  Morris  School  of  Embalming  at  Chicago,  and  from 
which  he  graduated  and  received  his  State  license  to  practice  embalming 
in  1908.  From  a  small  beginning  the  business  has  had  a  steady  growth, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  leading  furniture  houses  in  this  section.  He  is 
agent  for  the  One  Minute  Washer,  the  Automatic  Washer,  Hoover 
products,  Murdock  Radio,  and  pianos  of  all  makes. 

In  1889  Mr.  Zechlin  married  Miss  Ella  Redlin,  a  daughter  of  Christ 
and  Louisa  Redlin,  natives  of  Germany,  and  now  deceased.  Mr.  Redlin 
was  a  custom  tailor  in  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zechlin  have  four  chil- 
dren: 1.  Hattie,  married  Walter  Baumgartner,  a  contractor,  Frank- 
fort, and  they  have  a  daughter,  Phyllis.  2.  Louise,  married  William 
Baumgartner,  a  contractor,  Frankfort,  and  they  have  three  children, 
Janet,  Carol,  and  Norman.  3.  Alfred,  a  contractor,  married  Lillian 
Baumgartner,  Frankfort,  and  they  have  a  son,  Stewart.  4.  Bernine, 
married  Henry  Geuther,  Frankfort,  and  they  have  a  son,  Grant. 

Mr.  Zechlin  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  trustee  on  the  Vil- 
lage Board  for  18  years,  and  on  the  school  board  for  three  years.  His 
fraternal  affiliations  are:  Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  Mt.  Joliet 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ;  Joliet  Council, 
R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Ansar  Temple, 
A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S.  of  Springfield,  111 ;  and  the  Yoeman,  formerly  the  Chi- 
cago Forresters.    He  is  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Church. 


Nicholas  J.  Britz,  popular  restaurant  owner  of  Channahan,  is  a  native 
of  Will  County  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  this 
section.  He  was  born  at  Joliet,  June  11,  1885,  the  son  of  Nicholas  and 
Agnes  (Martin)  Britz. 

Nicholas  Britz  was  born  in  Germany  in  1853  and  his  wife  was  born 
there  in  1863.  About  1880  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  at  Joliet,  where  Mr.  Britz  followed  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith. 
Later  he  engaged  in  general  farming  in  Channahan  Township,  where 
he  was  the  owner  of  38  acres  of  land.  He  was  living  retired  at  Joliet 
at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1918.  His  wife  died  in  1915.  They  are 
buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Britz  were  born 
seven  children,  of  whom  Nicholas  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth. 

Nicholas  J.  Britz  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and 
early  in  life  learned  the  machinist's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  12 


1016  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

years.  He  was  employed  by  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  and  the  Pull- 
man Company  of  Chicago.  He  came  to  Channahan  in  1920  and  estab- 
lished his  present  restaurant  at  that  time.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  a 
gasoline  service  station  and  has  other  real  estate  holdings  in  Joliet. 
He  still  operates  the  family  homestead  of  38  acres  in  Channahan  Town- 
ship, and  is  the  owner  of  80  acres  near  Joliet.  He  is  a  building  con- 
tractor. 

Mr.  Britz  was  married  in  1907  to  Miss  Anna  Zeitler,  of  Charlevoix, 
Mich.    They  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Britz  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church, 
Minooka,  and  belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  Eagles  Lodge. 


John  M.  Handorf,  Si\,  a  well  known  retired  farmer  of  Marley,  New 
Lenox  Township,  111.,  was  born  near  Rostock,  Germany,  Feb.  8,  1857, 
a  son  of  John  F.  and  Caroline  Elizabeth  (Dohse)  Handorf. 

John  F.  Handorf,  deceased,  was  born  April  23,  1821,  in  Mechlenburg, 
Germany.  He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  in  1870 
and  settled  in  Blue  Island,  111.  He  died  in  1908.  He  was  a  Republican 
and  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  His  wife,  also  a  native 
of  Mechlenburg,  was  born  July  18,  1831.  She  died  in  1866  and  is  buried 
in  Mechlenburg.  To  this  union  two  children  were  born:  John  M., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Carl  W.  F.,  born  May  1,  1860,  died  in 
1871,  and  is  buried  in  Blue  Island,  111. 

John  M.  Handorf  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  land  and 
of  Blue  Island,  111.  He  followed  farming  for  a  time  and  then  went  to 
Chicago  where  he  remained  a  few  months.  After  his  marriage  in  1880 
he  went  to  Osborn  County,  Kansas,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  which 
he  operated  for  a  season,  when  he  returned  to  Worth,  111.  He  made 
the  trip  back  from  Kansas  with  a  covered  wagon,  the  journey  taking 
28  days.  For  two  years  he  rented  a  farm,  and  on  March  17,  1884,  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  120  acres  in  New  Lenox  Township,  later  purchasing 
200  acres  of  additional  land.  He  did  general  fanning  and  dairying 
until  his  retirement  on  June  14,  1913. 

He  has  always  been  identified  with  the  Republican  party  and  takes 
an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  township.  For  15  years  he  has 
served  as  school  director. 

In  1880  Mr.  Handorf  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Holm,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Caroline  (Hock)  Holm,  natives  of  Germany.    John  Holm  came 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1017 

to  the  United  States  in  1850  and  settled  at  Calumet,  where  he  was 
married.  He  died  in  1907  and  his  wife  died  May  13,  1905,  and  they  are 
buried  at  Worth,  111.  Mrs.  Mary  J.  (Holm)  Handorf  died  April  5,  1925, 
and  is  buried  in  Hadley  Cemetery,  Homer  Township,  Will  County.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Handorf  five  children  were  born:  Carl  C,  born  Nov.  1, 
1880,  agriculturist,  Lemont  Township;  Minnie  J.,  born  March  19,  1882, 
at  home;  Ida  C,  born  Jan.  5,  1884,  married  Charles  W.  Lahmann,  New 
Lenox  Township;  Alma,  born  Sept.  21,  1885,  died  Jan.  9,  1919,  buried 
in  Hadley  Cemetery,  married  Charles  W.  Lauffer,  who  resides  in  Homer 
Township ;  and  John  F.,  Jr.,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
history. 

The  Handorf  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 


Waldemar  Anderson,  who  is  connected  with  the  Chicago  public 
school  system,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  best  known  families  of  Lock- 
port,  where  he  was  born  Oct.  4,  1901.  He  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and 
Matilda  C.   (Swanson)  Anderson. 

Andrew  Anderson  was  born  in  Sweden,  Aug.  20,  1862,  and  came  to 
America  in  1875.  He  settled  in  Chicago  but  later  removed  to  Will 
County,  locating  at  Lockport,  where  he  spent  many  years  as  a  tailor, 
being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Anderson  &  Frederickson.  This  partner- 
ship continued  until  the  time  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Anderson,  which 
occurred  Oct.  3,  1927.  His  wife  died  June  10,  1927.  Both  are  buried 
in  Lockport  Cemetery.  Mr.  Anderson  was  a  Republican  and  served  as 
township  supervisor  and  also  as  clerk  of  Lockport.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Swedish  Mission  Church  and  served  as  Sunday  School  superin- 
tendent for  25  years.  There  were  seven  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Anderson,  as  follows:  Theodore,  died  at  the  age  of  six  years;  Arthur, 
born  Jan.  27,  1893,  married  Miss  Minnie  Thomas,  of  Warren,  Minn.,  and 
they  live  at  Lockport;  Arvid,  born  Sept.  12,  1895,  attorney,  lives  in 
Chicago,  married  Miss  Florence  Borman  of  Chicago ;  Albin,  twin  brother 
of  Arvid,  lives  at  Lockport;  Agnes,  born  Aug.  30,  1898,  a  nurse,  was 
married  in  1922  to  A.  C.  Stauffenberg,  lives  at  Joliet;  Waldemar,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Eva,  born  Aug.  16,  1909,  lives  at  Joliet  a 
cadet  in  the  Salvation  Army. 

Arvid  Anderson  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  enlisted  for 
service  on  April  15,  1917.  He  was  sent  to  Paris  Island,  S.  C,  and  later 
to  Quantico,  Va.     He  spent  two  years  in  France  and  participated  in 


1018  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

five  major  engagements  of  the  war,  being  wounded  three  times.  He 
received  three  citations  for  bravery  under  fire  and  was  awarded  the 
Croix  de  Guerre  and  Distinguished  Service  Cross;  also  the  Medaille 
Militaire.  Mr.  Anderson  was  a  member  of  the  5th  Regiment,  U.  S. 
Marine  Corps.  He  was  discharged  in  August,  1919,  with  the  rank  of 
sergeant. 

Albin  Anderson  is  also  a  World  War  veteran,  having  served  in  France 
with  the  U.  S.  Marine  Corps  as  a  member  of  the  76th  Company,  6th 
Regiment.  He  participated  in  the  second  battle  of  the  Marne  and  was 
severely  wounded  in  action.  He  spent  a  year  in  a  hospital  in  France 
and  later  was  discharged.  Like  his  brother,  he  was  also  awarded  the 
Croix  de  Guerre. 

Waldemar  Anderson  grew  up  at  Lockport  and  received  his  early 
schooling  in  this  city.  He  was  graduated  from  Lockport  High  School 
in  1920  and  later  attended  the  Lewis  Institute  and  Armour  Institute 
in  Chicago.  He  has  been  in  the  teaching  profession  since  1921  in 
Chicago,  but  continues  to  live  at  Lockport. 

Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Swed- 
ish Mission  Church.    He  is  unmarried. 


Herbert  W.  Spencer,  secretary,  treasurer  and  general  superintendent 
of  the  Elmhurst  Cemetery  Association,  is  a  highly  esteemed  and  prom- 
inent citizen  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Mendota,  in  LaSalle  County,  111., 
Nov.  15,  1860,  the  son  of  Simeon  and  Sarah  (Stone)  Spencer. 

Simeon  Spencer,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  a 
native  of  Will  County  and  in  early  life  removed  to  LaSalle  County, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  also  well 
known  throughout  Troy  Township  as  a  builder  and  contractor.  He  was 
a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  belonged  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Masonic  Lodge,  and  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spencer  were  born  four  children: 
Alma  Jane,  married  Moliatus  Blodgett,  both  deceased;  Orsanus, 
deceased;  Carrie,  married  I.  R.  Lish,  lives  at  Pontiac,  111.;  and  H.  W., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spencer  are  buried  in  Oak- 
wood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Herbert  W.  Spencer  attended  the  public  schools  of  Mendota  and  was 
later  enrolled  at  Illinois  State  Normal  School.  In  1881  he  removed  to 
Huron,  S.  D.,  but  in  November,  1887,  returned  to  Illinois  and  settled 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1019 

at  Joliet  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Joliet  Steel  Company,  now 
the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  He  continued  in  the  company's  employ 
until  1927,  at  which  time  he  retired  as  superintendent  of  the  Bessemer 
plant,  of  which  he  was  in  charge  for  28  years.  Mr.  Spencer  now  devotes 
his  entire  time  to  the  interests  of  the  Elmhurst  Cemetery  Association, 
of  which  he  has  been  a  director  since  the  time  of  its  organization  in 
1908. 

On  Nov.  19,  1879,  Mr.  Spencer  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Sarah  Talmadge  Hall,  a  native  of  New  York.  They  have  the  following 
children:  Harriet  T.,  married  Edward  T.  Brewster,  of  the  Brewster 
Printing  Company,  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  children,  Carol  and  Billy ; 
Frances,  a  trained  nurse,  during  the  World  War  served  as  superintendent 
of  the  Marine  Hospital  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  married  Dr.  Lyman  Chapman, 
ex-Ray  specialist,  lives  at  Memphis,  Tenn. ;  G.  C,  lives  at  Joliet,  married 
Miss  Alice  Burt,  and  they  have  two  children,  Herbert,  born  in  1915,  and 
Sarah  Lou,  born  in  1923 ;  and  Arline,  a  trained  nurse,  married  Dr.  Henry 
Merkle,  physician  and  surgeon,  lives  at  Wilmington,  111.  Dr.  Merkle  is  a 
World  War  veteran  and  his  wife  also  served  throughout  the  war  period 
at  Hampton  Roads,  Va. 

Mr.  Spencer  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  many  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  is  serving  as  Deacon, 
and  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Rotary  Club. 


Bernard  Klein,  M.  D. — Among  the  successful  physicians  and  sur- 
geons of  Will  County  is  Dr.  Klein,  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Bonyhad, 
Hungary,  Oct.  2,  1894,  the  son  of  Ignace  and  Barbara  (Glatter)  Klein. 
Ignace  Klein,  who  lives  retired  in  Chicago,  is  a  native  of  Hungary. 
He  was  educated  in  the  University  of  Budapest,  and  during  the  early 
part  of  his  life  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land.  In  1909 
he  came  to  Chicago  where  he  and  his  wife  now  reside.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ignace  Klein  the  following  children  were  bom:  Mrs.  Helen  Furst; 
Lawrence;  David;  Dr.  Samuel,  a  practicing  physician  at  Aurora,  111.; 
Mrs.  Jeanette  Fisher;  Eugene;  Mrs.  Julia  Moskowitz;  and  Bernard, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mrs.  Glatter,  mother  of  Barbara  (Glatter)  Klein,  who  was  a  widow, 
came  to  Chicago  when  about  55  years  of  age  from  her  native  land — 
Hungary — and  died  in  Chicago  in  1920,  at  the  age  of  104  years. 

Bernard  Klein  spent  his  boyhood  and  received  his  early  education 
in  an  academy  at  Budapest,  Hungary,  and  with  his  parents  emigrated 


1020  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Chicago.  He  was  graduated  from 
Loyola  University  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1914,  and 
spent  the  following  year  as  an  interne  in  Jefferson  Park  Hospital,  Chi- 
cago. Since  1915  he  has  been  located  in  Joliet  with  offices  in  the  Elks 
Building. 

On  June  14,  1923,  Doctor  Klein  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Kathryn  Heller,  of  Chicago,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  and  Rose  (Green- 
hoot)  Heller,  natives  of  Chicago,  111. 

Mrs.  Klein  attended  University  High  School  and  the  Chicago  Uni- 
versity. She  is  an  accomplished  pianist  having  commenced  her  musical 
education  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  She  attended  the  American  Con- 
servatory of  Music,  Kimball  Hall,  Chicago,  and  studied  under  Heniot 
Levy.    She  gave  several  recitals  in  the  Fine  Arts  Building. 

Doctor  Klein  is  identified  with  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  is  also  medical  director  of  the  Will  County  Sanitarium. 

Doctor  Klein  is  a  member  of  Mount  Joliet  Lodge  No.  42,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  family 
residence  is  at  922  Raynor  Avenue. 


Arthur  H.  Fahrner,  M.  D. — To  his  work  as  a  physician  and  surgeon, 
Dr.  Fahrner  brought  thorough  preparation  and  sound  personal  qualities, 
and  has  enjoyed  an  unusual  routine  of  professional  and  social  activities 
in  Joliet,  where  he  has  been  located  since  1917.  He  was  born  in  this 
city,  Dec.  30,  1892. 

The  early  education  of  Arthur  H.  Fahrner  was  obtained  in  St.  Pat- 
rick's parochial  school  and  in  1911  he  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Town- 
ship High  School.  He  studied  medicine  at  St.  Louis  University  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1916.  He  served  two  years  as  an  interne — 
one  during  his  senior  year  as  a  medical  student  and  the  other  in  1916 
to  1917.  In  August,  1918,  he  volunteered  for  service  in  the  World  War 
and  served  in  France  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  Medical 
Corps.  He  was  discharged  July  29,  1919,  and  resumed  his  practice  in 
Joliet.    Dr.  Fahrner  has  offices  at  200  Center  Street. 

On  Oct.  16,  1920,  Dr.  Fahrner  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Agnes 
Coulehan,  of  Chicago,  111. 

Dr.  Fahrner  is  a  member  of  the  Will  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  is  a  fellow  of  the  American  Medical 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1021 

Association.  He  holds  membership  in  St.  Raymond's  Catholic  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  American  Legion,  Joliet  Country  Club  and  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 


Henry  J.  Weber. — Prominent  among  the  leading  and  successful  busi- 
ness men  of  Joliet  is  Henry  J.  Weber,  who  is  identified  with  the  firm 
of  Henry  J.  Weber  &  Company,  investment  brokers.  He  was  born  in 
this  city,  June  5,  1860. 

When  13  years  of  age  Henry  J.  Weber  left  school.  He  learned  the 
marble  cutter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  seven  years,  and  he  later 
was  interested  in  the  tobacco  business.  From  1891  until  1893  he  served 
as  city  treasurer  of  Joliet,  and  he  also  held  the  office  of  police  magis- 
trate for  four  years.  He  was  next  associated  with  the  Chicago  Tele- 
phone Company  as  manager  of  the  local  telephone  system.  He  spent 
14  years  as  cashier  of  the  Will  County  Bank  and  in  1922  established 
his  present  business  in  the  Rialto  Square  Building.  Mr.  Weber  special- 
izes in  mortgages,  municipal  bonds,  and  high  grade  securities. 


Fred  W.  Henley  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  and  widely  known  busi- 
ness man  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  identified  with  the  Henley-Relyea  Com- 
pany as  president  and  treasurer.  He  was  born  at  Buena  Vista,  Pa., 
March  3,  1860,  the  son  of  John  and  Barbara  Glassbrenner  Henley. 

John  Henley  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany  early  in  life 
and  settled  at  Buena  Vista,  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  hardware 
business  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1901  and  is  buried  at  Joliet.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Germany  in  1834  and  died  at  Pueblo,  Col.,  in  1914. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henley  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
survive. 

Fred  W.  Henley  was  a  small  child  when  his  parents  moved  to  Illinois. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  at  Mattoon,  111.,  and  soon  after 
completing  his  schooling  he  entered  the  railroad  service  at  Sullivan, 
111.,  which  he  followed  for  eight  years.  He  then  became  interested  in 
the  stationery  and  book  business  at  Sullivan,  111.,  and  in  1891  removed 
to  Joliet,  where  he  followed  the  same  work,  being  the  owner  of  the 
F.  W.  Henley  Book  Store.  In  1908  Mr.  Henley  went  to  Colorado  and 
operated  a  trunk  store  at  Colorado  Springs  until  1917,  at  which  time 
he  returned  to  Illinois  and  settled  at  Joliet.    He  was  associated  in  busi- 


1022  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ness  here  with  Mr.  Relyea  continuously  until  1924,  at  which  time  the 
latter  retired.  The  business  was  then  incorporated  with  the  following 
officers :  Fred  W.  Henley,  president  and  treasurer ;  Elizabeth  A.  Henley, 
vice  president;  and  Pearl  Parthenia  Henley,  secretary.  The  Henley- 
Relyea  Company  are  dealers  in  books,  stationery,  gift  goods  and  luggage. 
They  carry  an  unusually  complete  stock  and  have  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  attractive  stores  in  Will  County.  The  business  is  located  at  406-8 
Clinton  Avenue. 

On  Nov.  21,  1883,  Mr.  Henley  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  A.  Kendall,  of  Greensburg,  Ind.,  the  daughter  of  Irving  F. 
and  Parthenia  (Kendall)  Kendall,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Kendall  was 
a  prominent  building  contractor  of  Greensburg,  Ind.,  where  he  spent 
practically  his  entire  life.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henley  were  born  two 
daughters:  Elizabeth  A.,  lives  at  home;  and  Pearl  Parthenia,  a  grad- 
uate of  Dennison  University  and  the  Colorado  Teachers  College.  Both 
daughters  are  associated  with  their  father's  business,  as  above  men- 
tioned. 

Mr.  Henley  is  a  Democrat  and  he  and  his  family  hold  membership 
in  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Henley  has  served  as  treasurer 
and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards  for  30  years. 


Rev.  J.  J.  Hitchens. — Prominent  among  the  leading  men  of  Joliet 
is  Rev.  Mr.  Hitchens,  who  is  pastor  of  the  Richards  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  June  2,  1887, 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Jane  (Prisk)  Hitchens. 

Samuel  Hitchens  was  a  native  of  England.  In  early  manhood  he 
came  to  Arizona  and  in  due  time  became  a  citizen  of  the  United  States. 
For  many  years,  Samuel  Hitchens  was  connected  with  the  gold  mines  in 
South  Africa,  and  at  one  time  was  manager  of  one  of  the  largest  gold 
mines  there,  namely,  The  Rosedeep.  He  died  in  Africa  about  thirty 
years  ago.    His  widow  resides  in  San  Francisco,  Calif. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hitchens  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  Samuel 
James,  who  also  died  in  Africa;  J.  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Ernest, 
who  lives  in  Painesdale,  Mich.;  John,  who  lives  in  Detroit,  Mich.;  and 
Violet,  married  James  Thomas,  lives  in  San  Francisco,  Calif. 

The  early  education  of  J.  J.  Hitchens  as  well  as  college  work  was 
received  in  England  and  Africa,  the  family  having  resided  in  these  coun- 
tries for  some  years.    The  theological  training  was  received  at  Evanston, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1023 

111.,  graduating  from  Garrett  Biblical  Institute  in  1915.  Mr.  Hitchens 
spent  two  years  in  charge  of  a  church  at  Antonogan,  Mich.,  one  year  at 
Dollar  Bay,  Mich.,  two  years  at  Kings,  111.,  and  four  years  at  each  of 
the  following  places:  Lee,  Sandwich,  Rock  Falls,  all  in  Illinois. 

On  Sept.  17,  1913,  Rev.  J.  J.  Hitchens  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Luetta  Hayes,  Kings,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Frank  and  Eva  (Mac- 
Dowell)  Hayes.  They  have  three  children:  Harold  Lee,  Jean  Evelyn, 
and  Lorraine,  all  students. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hitchens  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  lodge,  belongs  to  the 
Kiwanis  Club,  and  for  the  year  1928-9,  is  president  of  the  Will  County 
Ministerial  Association.  The  family  residence  is  at  306  Richards 
Street. 


August  Piepenbrink,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  real  estate 
and  insui-ance  business  at  Crete,  is  well  known  among  the  enterprising 
young  busines  men  of  Will  County.  He  was  bom  at  Crete,  Oct.  11,  1891, 
the  son  of  Philip  and  Louise  (Diersen)  Piepenbrink. 

J.  0.  Piepenbrink,  pioneer  settler  of  Will  County,  was  a  native  of 
Rodenburg,  Germany,  born  April  24,  1826.  He  was  the  son  of  Henry  H. 
and  Lotto  (Myer)  Piepenbrink,  also  natives  of  Germany.  J.  0.  Piepen- 
brink was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  married  Miss  Sophia  Wille. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849  with  his  wife  and  one  child  and 
located  almost  immediately  in  Illinois.  He  became  the  owner  of  135 
acres  of  land  in  Crete  Township,  which  he  improved,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  he  was  widely  known  among  the  prosperous  stockmen  of 
Will  County,  being  the  owner  of  700  acres  of  land.  He  was  also  an 
extensive  manufacturer  of  cheese.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  J.  O.  Piepenbrink,  as  follows:  Otto,  Henry,  Conrad,  William, 
John,  Philip,  Ellen,  and  Sophia. 

Philip  Piepenbrink  was  born  in  Crete  Township  in  1859  and  spent 
his  entire  life  in  this  section.  He  died  in  1916  and  is  buried  in  Trinity 
Lutheran  Cemetery.  His  widow  resides  at  Crete.  She  was  also  born 
in  this  township,  the  daughter  of  William  Diersen,  who  came  here  from 
Germany  during  the  early  days.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Philip  Piepenbrink 
were  born  three  children:  Walter,  lives  in  Crete  Township;  Amanda, 
married  Otto  J.  Meier,  lives  at  Crete;  and  August,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

August  Piepenbrink  received  his  education  in  the  parochial  schools 
of  Crete  and  as  a  boy  learned  the  cigar  maker's  trade,  which  he  followed 


1024  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

for  ten  years.  He  then  became  interested  in  the  insurance  business  for 
a  short  time  and  later  served  as  a  rural  mail  carrier  out  of  Crete  for  a 
period  of  eight  years.  In  1925  he  entered  the  real  estate  and  insur- 
ance business  with  Otto  J.  Meier,  their  office  being  located  at  the  corner 
of  Dixie  Highway  and  Exchange  Street. 

On  Jan.  22,  1913,  Mr.  Piepenbrink  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Adelia  Luecke,  of  Crete,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  Luecke,  resi- 
dents of  this  place.  They  have  two  children:  Adeline,  born  Dec.  8, 
1915 ;  and  Donald,  born  July  18,  1918. 

Politically,  Mr.  Piepenbrink  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  holds  membership  in  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  and  belongs  to 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Village  Board. 


The  Plainfield  Grain  Company,  Plainfield,  111.,  was  organized  and 
incorporated  March,  1911,  for  the  purpose  of  handling  grain,  coal,  lum- 
ber, building  material,  feed  and  farm  supplies,  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$25,000.00  at  $50.00  per  share.  The  following  board  of  directors  were 
elected :  W.  H.  Cryder,  president ;  George  Drumm,  vice  president ;  C.  F. 
Hartong,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Bert  McCauley,  Fred  Fiddyment, 
George  Spangler,  Wm.  Webb,  Paul  Murphy,  and  S.  S.  Van  Dyke. 

They  purchased  the  Barr  Grain  Company,  elevator  (grain),  coal 
pocket  and  feed  sheds  at  Plainfield,  the  elevator  and  lumber  yard  at 
Caton  Farm  and  the  grain  elevator  at  Frontenac. 

J.  D.  Dwyer  was  appointed  manager  and  they  started  in  business 
April  1,  1911.  In  June,  1912,  Mr.  Dwyer  resigned  and  in  August,  1912, 
J.  A.  Henebry,  manager  of  the  Farmers  Square  Deal  Grain  Company, 
of  Morris,  111.,  was  hired  to  succeed  Mr.  Dwyer. 

In  June,  1913,  they  purchased  the  Truby  Grain  Company's  grain 
elevator  at  Caton  Farm,  November,  1913,  the  Kersten  &  Smiley  grain 
elevators  at  Plainfield,  Normantown  and  Wolf's  Crossing  were  purchased. 
In  1913  an  80%  stock  dividend  was  paid  to  the  stockholders  and  the 
capital  stock  increased  to  $75,000.00. 

In  1914  they  took  over  the  Ed.  Alder  Lumber  yard  and  the  same 
year  built  a  three-deck  lumber  shed  60x150  ft.,  holding  several  car- 
loads of  lumber. 

By  noting  the  photograph  on  this  page  you  will  readily  approve 
of  their  choice  when  deciding  to  erect  a  new  office  in  1916.  The  struc- 
ture is  a  constant  advertising  medium  for  the  Plainfield  firm,  due  to 


I 


PLAIXFIELD    GRAIN    COMPANY,    PLAINFIELD,    ILL. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1025 

its  resemblance  to  a  bungalow.  An  overhanging  roof  forms  a  shelter 
for  the  truck  scales. 

The  office  is  equipped  with  a  concrete  vault,  steel  filing  cases,  electric 
posting  and  adding  machines. 

The  large  re-inforced  concrete  elevator  you  see  in  the  background 
built  in  1920,  is  the  last  word  in  up-to-dateness.  It  has  24  bins  and 
a  capacity  of  100,000  bushels  of  grain  and  equipped  with  modern 
machinery. 

In  1924  a  new  concrete  mill  house  was  added  to  the  elevator,  equipped 
with  the  latest  grinding  facilities  for  custom  grinding. 

In  1927  a  new  high  line  was  built  for  the  handling  of  coal,  which  has 
a  capacity  of  1,000  tons.  This  is  the  most  modern  coal  handling  devise 
to  be  found  at  any  country  station.  They  also  have  the  Barber-Greene 
conveyors  at  their  various  stations  for  unloading  coal. 

In  1927  a  12y2%  cash  dividend  and  a  100%  stock  dividend  was  paid 
and  the  capital  stock  was  increased  from  $75,000.00  to  $150,000.00. 
An  average  of  10%  cash  dividend  has  been  paid  annually  to  the  stock- 
holders since  its  organization,  and  there  still  remains  $60,000.00  in 
undivided  profits. 

They  have  just  completed  an  addition  to  the  elevator  at  Frontenac, 
which  includes  a  mill  house  equipped  with  an  electric  attrition  mill 
and  crusher  for  custom  grinding.  A  new  fire-proof  steam  heated  gar- 
age is  under  construction  to  take  care  of  their  trucks.  Today  you 
may  see  the  value  of  modern  eye-arresting  structures,  time  saving, 
efficient  handling  methods  and  the  like,  is  truly  appreciated  by  this 
aggressive  firm.  And  to  J.  A.  Henebry,  manager  since  1912,  goes  a 
great  deal  of  the  credit,  with  the  cooperation  of  the  board  of  directors 
and  employees  and  patrons,  for  the  progress  of  this  organization.  By 
his  ability  and  interest  in  the  business  entrusted  to  him,  the  company 
has  prospered  to  a  point  where  it  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  most 
successful,  best  managed  and  most  prosperous  country  grain  companies 
of  the  Middle  West.  It  has  prospered  because  it  is  fortunate  in  select- 
ing a  board  of  directors  who  were  endowed  with  the  requisite  business 
sense  and  judgment  to  employ  a  manager  versed  in  this  line  of  endeavor, 
and  allowing  him  to  manage  the  company  without  interference  after 
he  assumed  management.  The  business  has  grown  through  the  exer- 
cise of  fair  business  methods,  and  the  interest  and  cooperation  of  the 
twenty-two  employees,  some  of  which  have  been  employed  since  the 
organization  of  this  company  and  others  who  have  been  employed  for 
several  years. 

32— VOL.  2 


1026  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

The  present  directors  are:  W.  H.  Cryder,  George  Drumm,  C.  F. 
Hartong,  Bert  McCauley,  Fred  Fiddyment,  William  Webb,  John  Book, 
John  Wheeler,  Henry  Lauterbach,  Walter  Manning,  and  Edward 
Drauden. 

The  following  officers  have  held  the  respective  offices  since  the 
organization:  W.  H.  Cryder,  president;  George  Drumm,  vice  president; 
C.  F.  Hartong,  secretary  and  treasurer ;  Bert  McCauley,  Fred  Fiddyment 
and  William  Webb. 

Others  who  have  held  the  office  of  directors  are:  George  Gates, 
Herbert  Everton,  Homer  Grommon,  George  B.  Boardman  and  Louis 
Meyer. 


Joseph  A.  Henebry. — One  of  the  recognized  leading  men  of  Plainfield 
is  Joseph  A.  Henebry,  who  is  vice  president  and  general  manager  of 
the  Plainfield  Grain  Company.  He  is  also  vice  president  of  the  Plain- 
field  State  Bank.  Mr.  Henebry  was  born  at  Decatur,  111.,  Aug.  11,  1879, 
the  son  of  Philip  and  Bridget  (Thorp)  Henebry. 

Both  Philip  Henebry  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Ireland.  They 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  about  1863  and  settled  at  Decatur,  111. 
Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Henebry  was  interested  in  general  farming 
and  stock  raising.  He  died  at  Bement,  111.,  in  1925,  at  the  age  of  92 
years.  His  wife  died  in  1921.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henebry  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  of  whom  Joseph  A.,  was  the  ninth  in  order  of  birth. 

Joseph  A.  Henebry  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Bement,  111.,  and  later  attended  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  at  Perryville,  Mo. 
He  is  also  a  graduate  of  Brown's  Business  College  at  Decatur.  He  began 
his  career  as  a  grain  dealer  at  Bairsdale,  111.,  where  he  was  manager 
of  the  Farmers  Elevator.  He  later  spent  four  years  at  Assumption, 
111,  in  the  same  business,  and  four  years  at  Morris.  He  came  to  Plain- 
field  in  1912  to  take  charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  Plainfield  Grain  Com- 
pany, with  which  he  has  since  been  identified.  Mr.  Henebry  was  elected 
vice  president  of  the  Plainfield  State  Bank  in  1924. 

On  Nov.  9,  1910,  Mr.  Henebry  married  Miss  Hannah  Blair,  of  Illi- 
opolis,  111.  They  have  three  children:  Marcella  Rose,  Joseph  A.,  Jr., 
and  John. 

Mr.  Henebry  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  of  Joliet.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Chicago  Board  of  Trade  and  is  also  a  director  of  the  Farmers  Grain 
Dealers  of  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1027 

Thomas  Jefferson  Neal  is  among  the  substantial  business  men  of 
Joliet,  where  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Joliet  Boiler  &  Machine 
Works.     He  was  born  at  Auburn,  Ind.,  May  10,  1887. 

Mr.  Neal  spent  his  early  life  at  Sagbridge,  111.,  where  his  family 
had  removed  when  he  was  six  years  old.  He  later  lived  at  Lockport 
and  Lyons,  and  was  graduated  from  Lyons  High  School.  From  there 
he  went  to  Cicero,  111.,  and  later  to  Joliet,  having  made  his  present 
connection  with  the  Joliet  Boiler  &  Machine  Works  in  1925.  He  has 
followed  the  machinist  trade  for  many  years  and  is  an  expert  in  his 
particular  field.  The  Joliet  Boiler  &  Machine  Works  are  builders  of  all 
types  of  machinery,  and  their  sales  cover  an  extensive  territory.  The 
business  was  founded  20  years  ago  by  James  G.  Heggie  &  Sons. 

In  August,  1910,  Mr.  Neal  was  married  at  Lyons,  111.,  to  Miss  Elsie 
Heim,  of  Chicago.    They  have  two  daughters,  Evelyn  and  Lorine. 

Mr.  Neal  is  a  member  of  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and 
is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  In  politics  he  is  an  independent 
voter. 


James  Stewart  Boyd  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  resident 
of  Joliet,  and  is  among  the  most  honored  pioneer  citizens  of  Will  County, 
where  he  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life.  He  was  born  in  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  July  22,  1836,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Boyd) 
Boyd. 

Thomas  Boyd  brought  his  family  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland 
during  the  early  days  and  settled  at  Easton,  Pa.,  where  he  was  employed 
in  the  cotton  mills  for  many  years.  He  died  June  22,  1875  and  his  wife 
died  in  1873.  They  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Boyd  were  born  the  following  children :  John,  died  at  Easton, 
Pa. ;  Jane,  died  at  Easton,  Pa. ;  Mary,  died  at  Independence,  Iowa ;  Henry, 
died  while  serving  during  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  the  100th 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry;  Isabelle,  died  in  Joliet  Township,  and  is 
buried  at  Plainfield,  111.;  Sarah,  deceased;  James  Stewart,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  Thomas,  a  Civil  War  veteran,  died  in  Chicago,  May 
26,  1926. 

The  boyhood  of  James  Stewart  Boyd  was  spent  at  Easton,  Pa.,  where 
he  was  educated.  His  uncle  was  the  founder  of  Lafayette  College  at 
Easton,  and  a  well  known  educator  of  his  time.  Mr.  Boyd  learned  the 
tinner's  trade  and  in  1857  settled  at  Joliet,  where  he  has  resided 
throughout  the  years.     For  several  years  he  was  employed  by  W.  F. 


1028  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Barrett  Hardware  Company  as  foreman  and  later  spent  22  years  as  a 
salesman  for  W.  S.  Brooks,  Joliet.  He  was  employed  as  a  salesman 
in  the  carriage  department  for  eleven  years  with  Wilcox  Brothers,  and 
then  retired  to  his  farm  in  Joliet  Township.  He  has  lived  there  for  the 
past  60  years  and  the  homestead  is  among  the  interesting  spots  of  the 
township.    It  is  located  on  the  Zarley  Road  near  Joliet. 

On  May  6,  1861,  Mr.  Boyd  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Ellen  Young,  of  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  born  in  1839.  She  died  Nov.  1, 
1926  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  this  union  were 
born  ten  children,  as  follows:  1.  Alexander  C,  retired,  lives  at  Joliet. 
2.  Margaret  W.,  born  Nov.  4,  1865,  the  widow  of  Dick  Skinner,  and  she 
is  school  treasurer  of  Will  County.  3.  Estella,  born  Oct.  27,  1867,  the 
widow  of  Charles  Scharf,  lives  in  Joliet.  4.  Nellie  Jane  Zarley,  born 
Dec.  26,  1869,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif.  5.  Elizabeth  Avery,  born 
July  21,  1874,  lives  at  Three  Forks,  Mont.  6.  James  H,  born  Jan.  28, 
1872,  lives  in  Chicago.  7.  Mary  M.,  born  Dec.  4,  1878,  married  A.  M. 
Zarley,  lives  in  Joliet.  8.  Frederick  C,  born  in  October,  1876,  lives  at 
Clear  Lake,  Iowa.  9.  Lee  E.,  born  Dec.  24,  1880,  lives  at  Clear  Lake, 
Iowa.  10.  Belle  C,  born  May  13,  1883,  unmarried,  lives  in  Chicago. 
Mr.  Boyd  has  15  grandchildren. 

Mr.  Boyd  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  time  he  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  Masonic  Lodge 
since  1862,  and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42,  Joliet,  Joliet  Com- 
mandery  No.  4,  Medinah  Shrine,  Chicago,  and  the  Masonic  Veterans  of 
Illinois.  He  is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Buccaneer  Club  of  New  York 
City.  Both  he  and  his  daughter  Margaret  W.  are  charter  members  of 
the  Will  County  Historical  Society. 


Alfred  A.  Meradith,  retired,  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a 
highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Channahan  Township.  He  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette County,  Pa.,  June  16,  1845,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
(Wanee)  Meradith. 

Both  Thomas  Meradith  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Fayette  County, 
Pa.  They  were  early  settlers  of  Illinois  and  lived  on  a  farm  near  Bloom- 
ington.  Mr.  Meradith  was  also  a  stone  mason  by  trade.  He  died  at 
the  age  of  90  years  and  his  wife  died  at  the  age  of  71  years.  They  are 
buried  at  Farmer  City,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meradith  were  born  12 
children,  of  whom  Alfred  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  oldest. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1029 

Alfred  A.  Meradith  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Fayette 
County  and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  When  17 
years  of  age  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of 
Company  A,  22nd  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Cavalry.  He  was  captured 
July  3,  1864,  at  the  Battle  of  Shenandoah,  and  held  prisoner  at  Ander- 
sonville  prison  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  his  discharge  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  he  returned  home  and  two  years  later  settled  at  Ottawa, 
LaSalle  County,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  later  lived  in  Chicago,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a 
carpenter.  Mr.  Meradith  was  one  of  the  early  farmers  of  Channahan 
Township.    He  has  lived  retired  at  Channahan  since  1918. 

In  1869  Mr.  Meradith  married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Dix,  of  Ottawa,  111., 
who  died  in  1919.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Carrie, 
married  Joseph  Sterling,  lives  at  Michigan  City,  Ind.,  and  they  have 
a  daughter,  Mary  Jane ;  Cora,  married  Willis  Van  Allen,  lives  in  Chicago, 
and  they  have  a  son,  Meradith ;  John  Thomas,  lives  at  Farmer  City,  111., 
married  Miss  Eva  Dawson,  and  they  have  two  children,  Alfred  and 
Grace ;  and  Charles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 

Mr.  Meradith  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  has  been 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  for  30  years.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  at  Channahan  for  12  years. 


Reuben  Royal  Hafenrichter  is  well  known  in  Wheatland  Township, 
where  he  is  the  owner  of  a  well  improved  farm  of  230  acres.  He  was 
born  on  this  farm  Jan.  5,  1881,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Hemm) 
Hafenrichter. 

John  Hafenrichter  was  born  in  Germany  and  was  12  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  near  Oswego,  111.  He 
later  removed  to  the  present  Hafenrichter  farm  in  Wheatland  Township. 
He  was  well  known  throughout  this  section  as  a  general  farmer  and 
stockman.  He  died  in  September,  1927,  at  the  age  of  93  years,  and  is 
buried  in  Oswego  Prairie  Cemetery.  He  served  as  school  director,  road 
commissioner,  and  justice  of  the  peace.  Mary  (Hemm)  Hafenrichter 
was  born  in  New  York  and  lived  in  Will  County  from  1848  until  the 
time  of  her  death  in  August,  1922.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hafenrichter  were 
the  parents  of  two  sons :  Ezra  Edward,  mention  of  whom  is  made  below ; 
and  Reuben  Royal,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Reuben  Royal  Hafenrichter  attended  Lombard  district  school  in 
Wheatland  township.     He  remained  on  his  father's  farm  ever  since. 


1030  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mr.  Haf enrichter  is  well  known  as  a  feeder  of  stock.  He  is  a  stockholder 
in  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company  and  is  prominent  in  the  Will  County 
Farm  Bureau. 

On  Jan.  5,  1912,  Mr.  Hafenrichter  married  Miss  Amanda  Hummel,  a 
native  of  Kendall  County,  111.  She  is  a  graduate  of  Oswego  High  School 
and  for  seven  years  before  her  marriage  was  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  of  Kendall  County.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hafenrichter,  as  follows:  Uarda,  born  April  17,  1913;  Everett,  born 
March  30,  1916;  Glenda,  born  Oct.  14,  1919;  and  John  Lee,  born  April 
26,  1928. 

Mr.  Hafenrichter  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  serving  as 
justice  of  the  peace. 


Ezra  Edward  Hafenrichter. — One  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stock- 
men of  Wheatland  Township  is  found  in  Ezra  Edward  Hafenrichter. 
He  was  born  in  this  township,  March  5,  1875,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Hemm)  Hafenrichter. 

Mr.  Hafenrichter  attended  the  public  schools  of  Wheatland  Town- 
ship and  took  a  business  course  at  Aurora,  111.  He  has  always  been 
interested  in  farming  and  with  his  brother,  Reuben  Royal  Hafenrichter, 
is  one  of  the  largest  sheep  feeders  of  the  county.  He  also  specializes 
in  grain  raising. 

On  Dec.  12,  1900,  Mr.  Hafenrichter  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Tina  Hummel,  of  Oswego  Township,  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Apolonia  (Schleucher)  Hummel,  natives  of  Germany  and  early  settlers 
of  Illinois.  Mr.  Hummel  is  deceased.  His  widow  lives  at  Aurora,  111. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hafenrichter  were  born  the  following  children :  Owen, 
bom  Jan.  29,  1902,  died  at  the  age  of  15  years;  Ada,  born  April  21, 
1906,  a  graduate  of  North  Central  College,  now  teaches  in  the  schools 
of  Aurora,  111. ;  Mellicent,  born  Sept.  4,  1907,  died  Dec.  17,  1907 ;  Eunice, 
died  in  infancy  in  1909;  Mercedes,  born  Sept.  18,  1911,  attends  Central 
College;  Belinda,  born  Feb.  2,  1914,  a  junior  in  high  school  at  Aurora; 
and  Fern,  born  Dec.  28,  1920,  attends  public  school. 

Mr.  Hafenrichter  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Plainfield  Grain  Company 
and  belongs  to  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau.  He  has  served  as 
school  director  of  Wheatland  Township  for  15  years. 

The  modern  residence,  built  by  Mr.  Hafenrichter  in  1918,  is  among 
the  attractive  homes  in  the  township.  It  is  of  brick  construction  and 
thoroughly  modern.    The  farm  buildings  are  also  of  recent  construction. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1031 

A  barn  on  the  land  houses  500  head  of  sheep.  Mr.  Hafenrichter  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  place  for  16  years.  He  formerly  lived  on  the 
home  place  with  his  brother,  Reuben  with  whom  he  was  in  partnership 
until  1912. 


Fred  J.  Shaw  is  a  well  known  resident  of  Joliet,  where  he  has  been 
in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  almost  40  years.  He 
was  born  in  this  city,  Oct.  30,  1870,  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  V.  (Mes- 
ser)  Shaw. 

Isaac  Shaw  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  son  of  James  Shaw, 
pioneer  settler  of  Joliet,  and  owner  of  the  first  brick  yard  in  this  city. 
Isaac  Shaw  was  associated  with  his  father's  business  for  a  number  of 
years  and  later  was  connected  with  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  as  a 
locomotive  engineer.  He  died  at  the  age  of  68  years.  His  widow  lives  in 
Joliet.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaw  had  seven  children. 

Fred  J.  Shaw  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Logans- 
port,  Ind.,  and  when  18  years  of  age  entered  the  employ  of  the  Illinois 
Steel  Company  as  a  roller  in  the  Joliet  plant.  He  lives  in  Joliet  Township 
on  State  Route  No.  7,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  23  acres  of  land.  He 
conducts  a  gasoline  service  station  and  restaurant  at  this  place,  and 
owns  eight  summer  cottages. 

In  1898  Mr.  Shaw  married  Miss  Myrtle  E.  Spafford  of  Joliet.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  E.  R.  and  Harriett  (Pritchard)  Spafford.  Mr.  Spaf- 
ford was  born  in  Reed's  Grove,  Will  County,  111.,  May  25,  1855.  He  was 
born  in  a  log  cabin  and  early  in  life  was  a  railroad  man.  He  served  in 
the  Spanish  American  War  as  also  his  two  sons,  Miles  E.  and  Wallace 
B.  Mr.  Spafford  resides  in  Joliet,  111.  They  have  the  following  chil- 
dren: Hazel,  Helen,  Myrtle,  Fred  J.,  Jr.,  Theodore,  and  James,  all  at 
home. 

Mr.  Shaw  is  a  Republican  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Robert  Hayne  is  a  well  known  merchant  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  meat  business.  He  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia, 
Nov.  4,  1860,  and  spent  his  early  life  there. 

In  1880  Mr.  Hayne  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  where  he  was  employed  in  a  meat  market.  He  later 
went  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he  spent  six  years  as  a  manufacturer 
of  dried  beef.     He  then  went  to  Chicago  where  he  followed  the  same 


1032  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

work  for  two  years.  Mr.  Hayne  came  to  Joliet  in  1912  and  was  em- 
ployed in  this  city  by  the  Morris  Packing  Company  until  February,  1921, 
at  which  time  he  established  his  present  business  at  602  Van  Buren 
Street. 

In  1883  Mr.  Hayne  married  Miss  Julia  Hitchcock  of  New  Haven, 
Conn.    They  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Hayne  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Walter  F.  Luehrs,  president  of  the  Commercial  National  Bank  of 
Wilmington,  is  one  of  the  prominent  figures  in  the  business  life  of  Will 
County,  and  a  man  who  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in  which 
he  lives.  He  was  born  at  Matteson,  111.,  May  30,  1892,  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Mary  (Vatter)  Luehrs. 

Henry  Luehrs,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was  born  at 
Monee,  in  Cook  County,  and  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Matteson. 
In  1901  he  retired  from  business  and  located  in  Joliet,  where  he  died 
Sept.  9,  1901.  His  wife  died  March  13,  1927.  They  are  buried  in  St. 
John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luehrs  six  children  were 
born,  as  follows:  Henry,  a  World  War  veteran,  lives  at  Joliet;  May, 
married  A.  S.  Nahin,  real  estate,  lives  in  Chicago;  Arthur,  a  World 
War  veteran,  lives  in  Joliet;  Walter  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Elmer,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Emma,  married  Alexander  R.  Keir,  Jr.,  a 
farmer,  lives  in  Will  County. 

Walter  F.  Luehrs  was  reared  and  educated  in  Joliet.  He  also  attended 
Putland's  Business  College,  and  began  his  banking  career  in  1900,  with 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Joliet,  with  whom  he  was  identified  for  11 
years.  In  December,  1919,  Mr.  Luehrs  came  to  Wilmington  as  cashier 
of  the  Commercial  National  Bank.  He  was  elected  president  Nov.  30, 
1926.  For  many  years  Mr.  Luehrs  was  also  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Braidwood,  111.,  and  is  still  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors. 

On  May  25,  1920,  Mr.  Luehrs  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Josephine  Bissel,  who  was  born  at  Joliet,  Oct.  7,  1889.  They  have  four 
children:  Ruth  Louise,  born  Jan.  26,  1922;  Walter  F.,  Jr.,  born  Oct. 
13,  1923 ;  Frederick,  born  Feb.  23,  1925 ;  and  Margaret  Mary,  born  Jan. 
17,  1927. 

On  Sept.  5,  1918,  Mr.  Luehrs  volunteered  for  service  in  the  World 
War  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Grant,  111.    He  was  later  transferred  to  Camp 


U   \l.Ti;i:    p.    LXJEHRS 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1033 

McArthur,  Texas,  and  was  discharged  from  the  service,  Dec.  29,  1918, 
at  Camp  Grant,  I1L 

Mr.  Luehrs  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  has  served  as  city  treasurer 
of  Wilmington  for  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church 
and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  the  American  Legion,  being 
adjutant  of  Lester  Smith  Post,  Wilmington. 


The  Commercial  National  Bank  of  Wilmington. — Much  of  the  essen- 
tial banking  history  of  the  City  of  Wilmington  is  involved  in  the  record 
of  the  Commercial  National  Bank.  This  bank  was  organized  March  15, 
1872,  and  was  originally  known  as  the  Miners  National  Bank  of  Braid- 
wood.  The  first  officers  were:  John  H.  Daniels,  president;  H.  E.  C. 
Daniels,  vice  president;  and  William  H.  O'Dell,  cashier.  The  directors 
were:  John  H.  Daniels,  H.  E.  C.  Daniels,  E.  W.  Felton,  Henry  Jones, 
and  William  H.  O'Dell. 

The  presidents  of  this  institution  in  order  of  their  succession  are: 
John  H.  Daniels,  D.  W.  Cobb,  E.  W.  Felton,  H.  N.  Roberts,  Edward 
Donahoe,  and  Walter  F.  Luehrs. 

The  officers  for  1928  are:  Walter  F.  Luehrs,  president;  M.  F.  Riley, 
vice  president;  and  W.  H.  Whitmore,  Jr.,  cashier.  The  directors  are: 
E.  P.  Donahoe,  M.  F.  Riley,  Walter  F.  Luehrs,  George  McQueen,  and 
H.  J.  Ohlhnes. 


George  W.  Alderman  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Joliet,  and  a 
member  of  a  prominent  pioneer  family  of  Will  County.  He  was  born 
in  Dupage  County,  111.,  near  Downer's  Grove,  Feb.  16,  1872,  the  son  of 
Augustus  S.  and  Eleanor  (Welch)  Alderman. 

Augustus  S.  Alderman,  deceased,  was  a  prosperous  and  representa- 
tive farmer  of  Dupage  Township.  He  was  born  in  Canada,  March  4, 
1835,  the  son  of  George  W.  and  Adeline  (Sharp)  Alderman.  When  two 
years  of  age  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Michigan 
City,  Ind.,  where  the  family  resided  for  a  short  time,  and  then  went 
to  Chicago.  In  1841  the  family  settled  on  a  small  farm  in  DuPage 
Township,  Will  County,  where  Augustus  S.  Alderman  grew  to  manhood. 
He  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  On  March 
14,  1871  Mr.  Alderman  married  Miss  Eleanor  Welch,  and  to  this  union 
three  children  were  born,  George  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Eleanor 


1034  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Dystrup ;  and  Grace  Phelps.  A  year  previous  to  his  marriage  Mr.  Alder- 
man purchased  a  small  farm  and  by  industry  and  economy  he  prospered, 
and  as  his  financial  resources  increased  he  kept  adding  to  his  property 
until  he  was  the  owner  of  540  acres  of  excellent  farm  land,  located  in 
Sections  22,  26,  and  27,  DuPage  Township.  Mr.  Alderman  was  a  stanch 
Democrat  and  never  withheld  his  aid  from  any  measure  which  he  be- 
lieved would  prove  a  public  benefit.  He  was  a  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow. 
He  was  one  of  the  self  made  men  of  Will  County,  having  started  out  in 
life  in  limited  circumstances  and  the  success  he  achieved  was  due  en- 
tirely to  his  excellent  business  ability,  sound  judgment,  good  manage- 
ment, as  well  as  his  industry.  He  died  Oct.  9,  1910,  and  is  buried  in 
Barber's  Corners  Cemetery,  DuPage  Township.  His  widow,  who  was 
bom  in  DuPage  Township,  July  10,  1850,  now  resides  at  Lemont,  111. 
Augustus  S.  Alderman  had  one  sister,  Mary,  who  married  Romanzo 
Lyman.    She  is  deceased  and  is  buried  at  Naperville,  111. 

George  W.  Alderman  attended  the  district  school  and  was  associated 
with  his  father  in  farming  until  1909,  when  he  began  farming  on  his 
own  account.  His  first  farm  consisted  of  260  acres.  He  later  purchased 
100  acres  and  to  this  he  added  160  acres,  and  later  110  more.  This  was 
later  divided  among  the  estate,  Mr.  Alderman  retaining  500  acres. 

On  June  30,  1909,  Mr.  Alderman  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  L.  Gil- 
lespie, of  Evansville,  Indiana.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alderman  one  son  was 
born,  Augustus  S.,  born  Oct.  20,  1910.  He  attended  Farragut  school, 
and  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1928.  He  was 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Joliet  Township  High  School  Band,  which 
for  the  years  1926,  1927  and  1928  won  the  National  Championship 
among  high  school  bands  in  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Alderman  is  a  Democrat  in  national  politics,  and  fraternally  is 
affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Rebekah 
Lodge.  He  has  served  as  a  school  trustee  of  the  township  board  of  edu- 
cation and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  civic  affairs.  His 
home,  which  is  modern  and  beautiful,  is  at  600  Buell  Avenue,  Joliet. 


Henry  Biesterfeld  is  a  substantial  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 
Crete  Township,  where  he  is  serving  as  highway  commissioner  and 
school  director.  He  was  born  in  Lake  County,  Ind.,  Aug.  25,  1868,  the 
son  of  Fred  and  Engel  (Batterman)  Biesterfeld. 

Fred  Biesterfeld,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Will  County,  having  located  in  Crete 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1035 

Township.  He  later  lived  in  Lake  County,  Ind.,  but  after  a  number  of 
years  returned  to  Crete  Township,  where  he  was  well  known  as  a  suc- 
cessful dairy  farmer,  being  the  owner  of  92  acres  of  well  improved 
land.  He  died  May  21,  1917,  at  the  age  of  76  years.  His  wife  is  also 
deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Biesterfeld  were  born  three  children:  Fred, 
lives  in  Stephen  County,  Minn. ;  Henry,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and 
Sophia,  married  William  Senholtz,  Stephen  County,  Minn. 

Henry  Biesterfeld  spent  his  boyhood  in  Lake  County,  Ind.,  and  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  district  schools.  Throughout  his  life  he  has 
been  interested  in  general  farming.  Although  living  practically  retired 
he  is  still  the  owner  of  his  fine  farm  of  83  acres  in  Crete  Township.  A 
modern  home  was  built  by  Mr.  Biesterfeld  in  1925.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  highway  commissioner  for  the  past  five  years  and  has  been 
school  director  since  1919.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  this  township  for 
more  than  half  a  century. 

In  1897  Mr.  Biesterfeld  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Marie 
Rinne,  of  Crete  Township,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Marie  Rinne, 
pioneer  settlers  of  Will  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Biesterfeld  have  three 
children:  Edna,  was  educated  in  Bloom  Township  High  School,  and 
the  Chicago  Business  College,  now  employed  in  Chicago ;  Martin,  married 
Miss  Zelma  Meier,  of  Washington  Township,  Will  County,  lives  on  the  old 
homestead ;  and  Hilda,  was  educated  in  Bloom  High  School  and  Chicago 
Heights  Business  College,  married  Henry  Blievernicht.    All  live  at  home. 

Mr.  Biesterfield  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder,  and  he 
belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Dennison  D.  Green  was  born  in  Westford,  New  York,  February  13, 
1807.  His  wife,  Otilla  Wheeler  Green,  was  born  in  Columbia  County, 
New  York,  Nov.  24,  1812.  They  were  married  in  1831  and  came  to  Will 
County  in  1836,  settling  first  in  Joliet  and  a  few  years  later  moving  to 
Plainfield,  where  the  rest  of  their  lives  was  spent.  Mrs.  Green  died 
April  28,  1896,  and  Mr.  Green  followed  her  on  July  4  of  the  same  year. 

Five  children  were  born  to  them:  Judson  D.,  born  in  1834,  married 
Josephine  Kirby,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Plainfield; 
Emma,  born  in  1837,  married  Oscar  Hoag,  and  after  his  death  married 
Frank  Wride,  of  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  where  she  passed  most  of  her  life; 
Lovi,  born  in  1839,  married  Miss  Riley,  of  Holton,  Mich.,  where  she 


1036  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

died;  Josephine,  born  in  1844,  married  A.  Kendrick  Hyland,  and  after 
his  death  to  Fred  Harris,  life  spent  in  Will  County;  Bentley  Wheeler, 
born  in  1854,  married  Ida  Colgrove,  life  spent  on  farm  near  Plainfield. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  were  lifelong  members  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  generous  contributors  to  all  of  its  activities.  Mr.  Green  was  also 
an  ardent  abolitionist  and  his  blacksmith  shop  was  used  as  a  station  in 
the  underground  railway  and  harbored  many  runaway  slaves. 


Homer  George,  one  of  the  successful  farmers  and  stockmen  of 
Wheatland  Township,,  is  a  member  of  a  family  that  has  long  been 
identified  with  the  history  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
where  he  resides,  Nov.  20,  1875,  the  son  of  William  and  Hannah  Dun- 
dore  George. 

William  George  was  born  in  Germany  in  1836  and  his  wife  was  born 
in  Ohio  in  1838.  They  settled  in  Will  County  in  1866,  and  Mr.  George 
purchased  80  acres  of  land  in  Wheatland  Township.  He  later  purchased 
a  larger  adjoining  farm  where  he  resided  throughout  his  life  and  died 
in  1897.  His  wife  died  in  1901.  They  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Plainfield.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  the  following  children  were  born: 
Mary,  born  in  1865,  died  in  infancy;  Franklin,  born  in  1867,  died  in 
infancy ;  William,  born  May  28,  1868,  lives  in  Napervile,  111. ;  Walter, 
born  June  12,  1870,  farmer,  lives  in  Wheatland  Township;  Abbie  Mae, 
born  Sept.  5,  1873,  married  Clem  W.  Prough,  lives  in  Joliet;  Milton 
Homer,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Robert  D. ;  born  July  30,  1884, 
lives  in  Joliet. 

Homer  George  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Wheatland 
Township,  and  throughout  his  life  had  been  interested  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Will  County  Farm 
Bureau  and  has  extensive  business  interests,  being  vice  president  of  the 
Federal  Loan  Association  of  Will  County  and  a  stockholder  in  the 
Plainfield  Grain  Company.  He  is  also  school  trustee  for  Wheatland 
Township. 

On  August  30,  1904,  Mr.  George  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Belle  Green,  of  Plainfield,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Judson  and  Josephine 
(Kirby)  Green,  both  deceased.  Both  were  natives  of  New  York  and 
early  settlers  in  Illinois.  Mr.  Green  died  in  1908  and  his  wife  died  in 
1924.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1836  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  later  moved 
to  Plainfield.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  had  three  daughters:  Mary  Jane, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1037 

married  Cassius  Greene  in  New  York,  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Calif. ;  Alice 
Louise,  married  Howard  M.  Snapp,  lives  in  Joliet ;  and  Belle  George. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  were  born  four  children:  Forrest  Dundore, 
born  June  18,  1905,  lives  at  home ;  Josephine  Louise,  born  Oct.  20,  1906, 
married  Murley  J.  Wheeler,  lives  in  Kendall  County,  Ills.,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Murley  J.,  Jr.,  and  George  Laurence;  Laurence  Homer, 
born  Feb.  20,  1909,  attends  North  Central  College,  Naperville,  Ills.,  and 
Winifred  Belle,  born  Oct.  10,  1911,  attends  Plainfield  High  School. 

Mr.  George  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  536,  Plainfield ;  Pansy 
Chapter,  Eastern  Star,  Plainfield;  Joliet  Commandery  No.  4,  Knights 
Templar;  Joliet  Council,  No.  82,  R.  &  S.  M.;  Joliet  Chapter  No.  27,  R. 
A.  M. ;  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  Valley  of  Chicago,  and  Ansar 
Temple  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Springfield,  Ills. 

He  is  prominent  throughout  Will  County  and  highly  esteemed. 


Christian  B.  Eskilson  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  and  widely  known 
business  man  of  Beecher,  where  he  is  president  of  the  Dixie  Dairy  Com- 
pany and  director  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Beecher.  He  was  born  in 
Denmark,  April  5,  1878,  the  son  of  Jens  and  Kjestine  Eskilson. 

At  the  age  of  18  years  Mr.  Eskilson  came  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  became  interested  in  the  manufacture  of 
butter.  Later,  he  went  to  Chicago  and  was  employed  by  the  Clover 
Leaf  Milk  Company  there  until  1903,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Beecher 
to  buy  milk  for  the  city  distribution  of  a  Chicago  firm.  In  1913  Mr. 
Eskilson  purchased  his  interest  and  organized  Dixie  Dairy  Company  at 
Beecher  and  was  elected  president  and  treasurer.  The  other  officers  are : 
John  C.  Werner,  vice  president;  and  Elmer  Bielfeld,  secretary. 

The  Dixie  Dairy  Company  is  the  only  retail  dairy  plant  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Will  County,  and  ranks  among  the  leading  concerns  of  its  kind 
in  the  state  of  Illinois.  It  owns  and  operates  45  delivery  trucks  and 
employs  approximately  75  men.  Territory  covered  by  the  company 
extends  from  Kankakee  to  Harvey,  Chicago  Heights,  and  Gary,  Ind. 
The  business  was  incorporated  for  $100,000  in  1922. 

On  May  28,  1904,  Mr.  Eskilson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Esther  Johnson,  of  Chicago.  She  was  born  in  Sweden  and  came  to 
America  when  20  years  of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eskilson  were  born 
four  children:  Eskil  was  a  student  at  Beecher  High  School,  a  prepara- 
tory school  in  Maryland  and  was  a  graduate  from  the  U.  S.  Naval 


1038  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Academy  at  Annapolis  in  1926  and  now  serving  as  a  junior  officer  in 
the  U.  S.  Navy;  Ethel,  a  graduate  of  Bloom  Township  High  School  and 
the  University  of  Illinois  in  1928,  now  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
Beecher;  Violet,  a  graduate  of  Bloom  Township  High  School  and  a 
student  at  the  university  at  Madison,  Wis.;  and  Arnold,  a  senior  at 
Bloom  Township  High  School. 

Politically  Mr.  Eskilson  is  a  Republican.  He  is  serving  his  fourth 
term  as  mayor  of  Beecher  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for 
several  years.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge. 

Mr.  Eskilson  is  part  owner  of  "Shadow  Lawn"  farm  in  Kankakee 
County,  111.  It  is  one  of  the  fine  farms  of  that  section  and  contains  176 
acres.  Besides  his  local  business  interests,  Mr.  Eskilson  is  a  director 
of  the  Clover  Leaf  Milk  Company  of  Chicago. 


Ferdinand  Oberheide,  Jr.,  is  one  of  the  substantial  men  and  suc- 
cessful merchants  of  Beecher,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  restaurant 
and  meat  business  for  the  past  17  years.  He  was  born  in  Washington 
Township,  Will  County,  in  March,  1873,  the  son  of  Ferdinand  and  Dor- 
othea (Thuernau)  Oberheide. 

Ferdinand  Oberheide,  Sr.,  who  lives  retired  at  Beecher,  may  claim 
the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  resident  of  Will  County.  He  was 
born  in  Hessen,  Germany,  Oct.  25,  1834,  and  spent  his  early  life  in  his 
native  land.  At  the  age  of  30  years  he  came  to  the  United  States  and 
located  at  Beecher,  where  he  married  the  widow  of  Christopher  Stegge. 
She  was  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1835.  She  died  in  1903  and  is 
buried  in  the  Eagle  Lake  Cemetery.  Mr.  Oberheide  farmed  near  Eagle 
Lake  until  1909.  He  owned  and  operated  120  acres  and  was  a  success- 
ful stockman.  Since  1900  he  has  lived  retired  at  Beecher.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Oberheide  were  born  the  following  children:  Louisa,  born 
Jan.  6,  1872,  died  in  infancy;  Louisa,  bora  Nov.  24,  1875,  married  Wil- 
liam Horste,  farmer,  lives  in  Minnesota;  Ferdinand,  Jr.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  Emma,  born  March  18,  1878,  married  Charles  Powell,  lives 
in  Chicago  Heights;  and  August,  died  Jan.  10,  1882,  at  the  age  of  13 
years. 

Ferdinand  Oberheide,  Jr.,  grew  up  at  Eagle  Lake  and  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools.  He  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until 
about  1910,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Beecher  and  established  his 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1039 

present  meat  business.  Two  years  later  he  became  interested  in  the 
restaurant  business,  which  he  conducted  in  connection  with  his  other 
business.  Mr.  Oberheide  is  practically  retired  and  his  shop  and  res- 
taurant are  now  capably  managed  by  his  son,  Henry  Oberheide. 

On  May  28,  1899,  Mr.  Oberheide  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Hahn,  of  Eagle  Lake,  born  Sept.  5,  1875,  the  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Mary  (Wille)  Hahn,  natives  of  Germany  and  both  now  deceased. 
The  only  child  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oberheide  is  Henry,  born  July 
18,  1900.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Beecher  Public  High  School.  He  was 
married  on  May  6,  1926,  to  Miss  Ramona  lone  Jurgerson,  of  Kankakee 
County,  111. 

Mr.  Oberheide  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  and  his  family 
are  active  members  of  the  Zion  Lutheran  Church  of  Beecher. 


Dr.  F.  B.  Daugherty  is  prominent  among  the  successful  young 
dentists  of  Will  County,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Peotone  for  the  past  11  years.  He  was  born  at  Red  Oak,  Iowa,  Aug. 
25,  1886,  the  son  of  William  and  Sadie   (Wyckoff)   Daugherty. 

William  Daugherty,  who  resides  at  Gladstone,  111.,  has  been  operating 
grain  elevators  in  Illinois  and  Iowa  for  more  than  half  a  century.  He 
spent  his  early  life  in  Iowa.  His  wife  was  born  at  Oquawka,  111.  They 
have  the  following  children:  Howard,  lives  at  Corvallis,  Ore.;  Wilbur, 
lives  at  Fonda,  Iowa ;  F.  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Martha, 
married  Frank  Lauber,  lives  at  Lafayette,  111. 

The  early  education  of  F.  B.  Daugherty  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  Iowa.  He  studied  dentistry  at  Northwestern  University, 
Chicago,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1914.  He  imme- 
diately established  a  practice  at  Crete,  in  Will  County,  and  three  years 
later  located  at  Peotone,  where  he  has  established  an  excellent  practice. 

On  June  26,  1918,  Doctor  Daugherty  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Hilda  C.  Tillotson,  of  Crete,  the  daughter  of  Myron  J.  and  Minnie 
(Bielfeldt)  Tillotson.  Mrs.  Daugherty  is  a  graduate  of  the  schools 
of  Crete  and  DeKalb  Normal  School.  Before  her  marriage  she  was 
identified  with  the  schools  of  Will  County  as  a  teacher.  Doctor  and 
Mrs.  Daugherty  have  two  daughters:  Marion,  born  May  1,  1919;  and 
Katherine,  born  July  5,  1921. 

Doctor  Daugherty  is  identified  with  the  Kankakee  District  Dental 
Society,   the  Illinois  State  Dental  Society,   and   the  American   Dental 


1040  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Association.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  636,  Peotone.  He  is  prominent 
in  local  affairs,  being  president  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  president 
of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Health  at 
Peotone. 


Clinton  Ray  Hulbert. — One  of  the  recognized  leading  men  of  Chan- 
nahan  Township  is  Clinton  Ray  Hulbert,  who  has  served  as  township 
supervisor  for  the  past  22  years.  He  has  also  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Channahan  for  35  years.  Mr.  Hulbert  was  born  near 
Hicksville,  in  Defiance  County,  Ohio,  July  23,  1858,  the  son  of  Oren  S. 
and  Julia  (Ames)  Hulbert. 

Oren  S.  Hulbert,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was 
born  in  Defiance  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  20,  1837,  and  came  to  Joliet  in  1883. 
After  several  years  he  removed  to  Channahan,  where  he  established  a 
general  mercantile  business  which  is  now  conducted  by  his  son.  Mr. 
Hulbert  was  also  interested  in  real  estate.  He  died  Feb.  8,  1923,  and 
is  buried  in  Willard  Grove  Cemetery,  Channahan  Township.  His  wife 
died  in  1863,  at  the  age  of  23  years,  and  is  buried  in  Lost  Creek  Ceme- 
tery, Defiance  County,  Ohio.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hulbert  were  born  two 
children:  Clinton  Ray,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Clara,  married 
E.  A.  Himes,  lives  at  Channahan. 

Clinton  Ray  Hulbert  was  reared  and  educated  in  Defiance  County, 
Ohio,  and  came  to  Channahan  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  with  his 
family  in  1885.  Throughout  his  business  career  he  has  been  interested 
in  the  mercantile  business  and  for  many  years  has  ranked  among  the 
dependable  merchants  of  Will  County. 

On  June  26,  1876,  Mr.  Hulbert  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Emma  Myers,  who  was  born  in  Miami  County,  Kansas,  April  5,  1859. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hulbert  were  the  parents  of  15  children,  as  follows: 
Jennie,  married  John  Conroy,  of  Parsons,  Kan.,  and  she  died  in  1928; 
Julia,  married  William  Long,  lives  at  Channahan;  Charles,  married 
Margaret  Liberty,  lives  at  Joliet;  Clinton,  died  at  the  age  of  12  years; 
William,  lives  at  Channahan,  married  Irene  Williams ;  Marietta,  married 
Frank  Valenta,  lives  at  Joliet;  Walter,  married  Ruth  Wyrick,  lives  at 
Channahan;  Loretta,  married  Sumner  Bell,  lives  at  Joliet,  and  they 
have  a  son,  Elmer;  Emma,  married  Kenneth  Andrews,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Raymond,  married  Minnie  Calusio,  lives  at  Channahan ;  Ruth  and  Ruby, 
twins,  both  died  in  infancy  in  1900 ;  John  Wesley,  married  Mary  Usyl, 


MR.    A\H    MRS.   CLINTON    LAV    HLLBKRT 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1041 

lives  at  Joliet ;  Harriet  Louise,  married  David  Gibbons,  lives  at  Joliet ; 
and  Eleanor,  married  Robert  Blum,  lives  at  Joliet.  There  are  23  grand- 
children, and  16  great-grandchildren. 

Mr.  Hulbert  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  was  postmaster  at 
Channahan  for  18  years,  and  served  as  highway  commissioner  of  Chan- 
nahan  Township  and  school  director.  He  has  been  local  committeeman 
for  38  years.  Mr.  Hulbert  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church  and 
is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Eastern  Star,  and  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America. 


Lewis  Wilbur  Smith,  superintendent  of  Joliet  Township  High  School, 
is  among  the  widely  known  educators  of  Will  County.  He  was  born 
at  West  Newton,  Ohio,  Feb.  13,  1876,  the  son  of  William  Alexander 
and  Sarah  (Moore)  Smith. 

William  Alexander  Smith,  who  died  in  1895,  spent  his  entire  life 
at  West  Newton.  His  wife  was  also  born  there.  She  died  in  1914.  There 
were  four  children  in  the  Smith  family:  George  E.,  lives  at  Newark, 
Ohio;  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Gooddall,  lives  at  5310  Cornelia  Avenue,  Chi- 
cago; Mrs.  Noble  Eberhardt,  lives  at  5310  Cornelia  Avenue,  Chicago; 
and  Lewis  Wilbur,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Lewis  Wilbur  Smith  was  reared  and  received  his  elementary  and 
secondary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Northwestern  Ohio.  He 
did  his  undergraduate  work  in  Denison  University  and  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1902  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  did 
his  graduate  work  in  the  School  of  Education,  University  of  Chicago. 
In  recognition  of  this  work  he  was  granted  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts  in  1913,  and  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  in  1919.  He 
has  had  experience  as  a  teacher  in  every  grade  of  school  from  the  first 
grade  of  the  elementary  school  to  graduate  schools  of  the  University. 
For  the  past  20  years  he  has  been  an  administrator  of  schools.  For 
eight  years  of  that  period  he  has  occupied  his  present  position  as 
superintendent  of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  Junior  College. 

For  two  years  each  Dr.  Smith  has  given  summer  courses  in  edu- 
cation in  Northwestern  University,  the  University  of  Chicago,  and  the 
University  of  California.  From  time  to  time  he  is  called  upon  to  lecture 
before  various  professional  and  civic  bodies  upon  educational  practices. 
He  was  the  first  president  of  the  Illinois  High  School  Principals  Asso- 
ciation and  wrote  its  constitution.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  National  Honor  Society  and  since  its  foundation  had  been  a  mem- 


1042  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

ber  of  the  National  Council,  which  guides  its  policies.  In  1925  he  was 
president  of  the  American  Association  of  Junior  Colleges,  and  he  is 
at  present  chairman  of  the  research  committee,  charged  with  the  setting 
up  of  a  national  research  to  be  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the 
American  Council  on  Education.  For  several  years  he  has  been  chair- 
man of  the  Commission  of  Unit  Courses  and  Curricula  of  the  North 
Central  Association  of  Colleges  and  Secondary  Schools. 

The  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  Junior  College  is  indeed  for- 
tunate to  have  as  its  superintendent  a  man  of  unusually  varied  and 
considerable  experiences  in  educational  leadership.  Dr.  Smith's  field 
of  activity  ranges  from  the  direction  of  a  secondary  school  and  junior 
college  to  adult  education  in  night  school  and  graduate  courses  in 
education  in  state  universities.  Two  year  trade  courses  for  those  who 
must  begin  a  man's  work  at  16  and  honor  societies  for  those  who  will 
continue  their  education  in  colleges  and  universities,  modern  school 
buildings  and  modern  developments  in  athletics  alike  receive  Dr.  Smith's 
attention. 

In  1906  Dr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Rowena  Randall, 
of  Aurora,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Frank  and  Ida  F.  (Blakesley)  Randall. 
The  former  is  deceased  and  the  latter  resides  with  the  Smith  family  in 
Joliet.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  two  sons,  Wilbur  and  Harold,  both 
at  home. 

Dr.  Smith  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Joliet  Country  Club  and  Rotary  Club. 


Martin  B.  Muehler,  one  of  the  most  successful  and  dependable  mer- 
chants of  Mokena,  is  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  born  in  Saxon, 
April  15,  1887,  the  son  of  William  and  Augusta  (Moore)  Muehler. 

Both  William  Muehler  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany.  They 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1911  and  settled  at  Joliet,  where  Mr. 
Muehler  entered  the  employ  of  the  American  Steel  &  Wire  Company. 
He  and  his  wife  still  live  at  Joliet.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member 
of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  There  were  six  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Muehler,  as  follows:  Anne,  married  Alvin  Kittler,  lives 
at  Joliet;  Martin  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Arno,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Paul,  a  World  War  veteran,  lives  at  Joliet;  Freida,  married  William 
May,  lives  at  Clearwater,  Fla. ;  and  Richard,  lives  at  home. 

Martin  B.  Muehler  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land  and  was 
educated  there.    He  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines  and  also  worked 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1043 

on  a  farm.  He  served  his  enlistment  in  the  German  army  and  in  1910 
came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Joliet.  For  several  years  he 
was  employed  by  the  American  Bakery  Company  and  in  May,  1923, 
came  to  Mokena,  where  he  established  his  present  meat  business.  He 
handles  high  grade  merchandise  exclusively  and  has  an  excellent  trade. 
In  1926  Mr.  Muehler  purchased  the  business  property  where  his  store 
is  located. 

In  1907  Mr.  Muehler  married  Miss  Amelia  Hergert.  Mrs.  Muehler 
died  in  1925  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Muehler  were  bom  six  children:  Max  and  Richard,  both  in  the 
employ  of  the  J.  L.  Ferguson  Machine  Company,  Joliet ;  Hertha,  Walter, 
Willy  and  Bernice,  all  students. 

Politically,  Mr.  Muehler  is  a  Republican.  He  holds  membership 
in  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  German  Soldiers 
Club  and  the  American  Business  Men's  Association. 


Rev.  Philip  L.  Kennedy. — Prominent  among  the  leading  men  of 
Joliet  is  Father  Kennedy,  who  is  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic  Church. 
He  was  born  in  County  Tipperary,  Ireland.  His  parents  came  to  Chi- 
cago in  1880.  Father  Kennedy  studied  in  St.  Ignatius  College,  Chicago, 
and  St.  Mary's  Seminary,  Baltimore.  He  was  ordained  Oct.  13,  1900. 
Previous  to  his  appointment  to  St.  Patrick's  Church,  Father  Kennedy 
was  assistant  for  13  years  to  Father  Cashman  in  St.  Jarlath's  parish, 
Chicago. 

Scarcely  had  Joliet  been  organized  as  a  village  than  the  Right  Rev- 
erend Simon  Gabriel  Brute,  first  Bishop  of  Vincennes,  sent  as  the  first 
pastor  of  the  parish  which  was  to  be  St.  Patrick's,  John  Francis  Plun- 
kett.  He  took  up  his  duties  in  November,  1838,  having  been  trans- 
ferred here  from  Madison,  Ind.  He  was  stricken  suddenly  and  died  in 
January,  1840.  The  settlers  were  then  attended  by  Father  Maurice  de 
Saint  Palais,  then  a  missionary  priest  of  the  Diocese  of  Vincennes. 
Owing  to  his  solid  piety  he  rose  rapidly  in  the  ranks  of  the  clergy  and 
became  successively  the  Vicar  General  and  the  Bishop  of  Vincennes. 
He  died  at  St.  Mary's  of  the  Woods  in  1877.  In  February,  1840,  Father 
Hippolyte  DuPontavice  arrived  in  Joliet  and  became  pastor  of  the  new 
church.  Again  we  find  a  young  man  sent  by  the  Bishop  to  assume  the 
responsibilities  of  a  large  parish.     Father  DuPontavice  attended  per- 


1044  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

sonally  to  the  building  of  the  church  and  after  a  short  time  petitioned 
the  Bishop  to  send  him  an  associate  pastor.  The  Bishop  acceded  to  his 
wish,  and  on  Aug.  30,  1840,  we  find  another  priest  at  St.  Patrick's, 
Father  John  Gueguen.  In  1843  the  diocese  of  Chicago  was  formed  and 
Joliet,  coming  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  new  diocese,  Father  DuPon- 
tavice  went  back  to  his  own  diocese,  and  was  stationed  at  Madison, 
Ind.    He  died  May  27,  1847. 

The  fourth  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Church  was  Rev.  John  Ingoldsby 
He  came  to  Joliet  in  August,  1844.  During  his  administration  the  parish 
flourished  and  in  1848  a  steeple  was  added  to  the  church  building.  Rev. 
George  Hamilton  was  appointed  fifth  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Church 
on  April  3,  1850,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Patrick  Farrelly  in 
August,  1858.  His  first  official  act  was  to  reverse  the  old  popular  name 
of  St.  Patrick's,  which  Father  Hamilton  in  his  devotion  to  his  patron 
saint  had  changed  to  St.  George.  Rev.  Walter  Power  was  appointed 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  to  succeed  Father  Farrelly. 

In  January,  1886,  Rev.  Patrick  W.  Dunne  was  given  charge  of  St. 
Patrick's  Church,  and  he  had  the  pleasure  of  celebrating  the  golden 
jubilee  of  the  parish  in  1889.  There  was  a  crying  need  of  a  modern 
parochial  school  and  Father  Dunne  at  once  undertook  to  construct  what 
has  been  called  the  Marquette  School.  At  present  the  Christian  Brothers 
occupy  this  building  under  the  name  of  the  DeLasalle  Institute.  Father 
Dunne  put  the  Ladies  of  Loretto  in  charge  of  his  new  school  and  for 
many  years  these  noble  women  gave  forth  their  best  efforts  in  the 
training  of  the  hearts  and  minds  of  their  numerous  pupils.  The  excel- 
lent work  of  his  administration  in  this  parish  from  1886  until  1911  is 
well  known  and  appreciated  by  the  people  of  Joliet.  In  1911  Archbishop 
Quigley  appointed  Father  Dunne  permanent  rector  of  St.  James  Church 
in  Chicago,  and  also  conferred  on  him  the  dignity  of  Diocesan  Consultor. 

Rev.  Peter  O'Dwyer  was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  in  1911. 
It  was  during  his  period  of  office  that  the  new  house  on  Broadway  was 
built,  which  is  now  the  residence  of  the  Christian  Brothers.  Father 
O'Dwyer  is  at  present  pastor  of  St.  Rose  of  Lima's  Church  in  Chicago. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Philip  L.  Kennedy,  present  pastor.  Rev. 
William  D.  O'Brien,  now  Rt.  Rev.  Monsignor,  and  President  of  the 
Catholic  Church  Extension  Society,  and  Rev.  Joseph  P.  Morrison,  now 
acting  pastor  of  Holy  Name  Cathedral,  Chicago,  were  the  first  assistants 
to  Father  Kennedy. 

The  work  of  building  the  new  St.  Patricks  Church  was  begun  in 
May,  1918.    Services  were  held  in  the  new  church  for  the  first  time  on 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1045 

Sunday,  March  2,  1919.  The  Dominican  Sisters  had  moved  into  their 
convent  in  the  summer  of  1918  and  classes  began  in  the  new  St.  Pat- 
rick's School  in  September,  1918. 


Frank  J.  Carnaghi,  who  is  serving  as  assistant  cashier  of  the  Joliet 
National  Bank,  is  one  of  the  best  known  young  business  men  of  the 
city.  He  was  born  at  Seymour,  Iowa,  May  1,  1893,  the  son  of  Vincent 
and  Louisa  (Spesia)  Carnaghi. 

Vincent  Carnaghi,  who  lives  retired  in  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Italy. 
His  wife  is  deceased  and  is  buried  in  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
There  were  two  chldren  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carnaghi:  Josephine, 
married  Capt.  Nicholas  Fornango,  who  is  a  Captain  on  the  Joliet  police 
force;  and  Frank  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

About  1895  the  Carnaghi  family  settled  in  Joliet,  and  it  was  in 
this  city  that  Frank  J.  Carnaghi  received  his  schooling.  He  also  attended 
the  Metropolitan  Business  College  and  began  his  banking  career  as 
a  bookkeeper  for  the  Joliet  National  Bank  in  1912.  He  was  later  pro- 
moted to  teller  and  in  1925  was  made  assistant  cashier  of  this  insti- 
tution. 

On  June  3,  1914,  Mr.  Carnaghi  married  Miss  Ruth  Bigelow,  of  Joliet, 
the  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  Bigelow.  Mr.  Bigelow,  deceased, 
was  a  prominent  musician  of  Joliet.  His  widow  makes  her  home  with 
Mr.  Carnaghi. 

Politically  Mr.  Carnaghi  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  trustee  of  St. 
Anthony's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
Third  Degree.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Joliet  Country  Club, 
Joliet  Advertising  Club,  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


John  A.  Tezak  is  among  the  capable  and  well  known  men  of  Joliet, 
where  he  has  been  known  as  a  funeral  director  for  the  past  20  years. 
He  was  born  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  Feb.  7,  1886,  the  son  of  George  and 
Margaret  Tezak. 

George  Tezak  was  born  in  Austria.  He  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  early  life  and  settled  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  where  he  followed 
general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  died  in  1920  at  the  age  of  83 
years,  and  is  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  spent  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  in  this  city,  where  his  widow  now  resides.     To 


1046  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tezak  the  following  children  were  born :  Catherine,  mar- 
ried John  Simonich,  lives  in  Joliet;  Margaret,  married  M.  Kozjan,  lives 
in  Joliet;  Antone  C,  lives  in  California;  Mrs.  Mary  Stukel,  lives  in 
Joliet;  Joseph;  and  John  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

John  A.  Tezak  attended  the  public  schools  of  Clinton,  Iowa,  and 
later  studied  in  Chicago.  After  completing  a  course  at  the  William  E. 
Duffy  Embalming  School  he  became  an  instructor  in  that  school  and 
remained  there  until  1908,  when  he  established  his  present  business 
in  Joliet.  His  funeral  home,  which  is  located  at  207  Indiana  Avenue, 
is  one  of  the  up-to-date  and  well  equipped  mortuaries  to  be  found  in 
this  section  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Tezak  is  chairman  of  the  Funeral  Directors 
Association  of  Will  County,  and  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Funeral 
Directors  Association.  Since  1925  Mr.  Tezak  has  also  been  interested 
in  the  floral  business. 

On  April  29,  1914,  Mr.  Tezak  married  Miss  Jean  Dickman,  of  Forest 
City,  Pa.,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Dickman.  Mr.  Dickman  is 
deceased  and  his  widow  resides  at  Forest  City,  Pa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tezak  have  been  born  five  children:  George,  deceased;  Eugene,  born 
Sept.  12,  1916;  Clinton  Robert,  born  Sept.  23,  1918;  Richard,  born 
Sept.  6,  1919;  and  Donald  Charles,  born  Feb.  18,  1924. 

Mr.  Tezak  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge,  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America,  Western  Catholic  Union,  and  National  Slovak  Union. 


Charles  Schleeter,  vice  president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Manhattan, 
is  a  leading  farmer  and  stockman  of  Jackson  Township.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  in  this  township,  Sept.  13,  1872,  the  son  of  Henry  H.  and 
Mary  (Luking)  Schleeter. 

Henry  H.  Schleeter,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  17  years  of  age  when  he  and  his  parents 
came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.  He 
served  throughout  the  Civil  War  with  a  Pennsylvania  company  and  in 
March,  1866,  came  to  Will  County,  and  settled  in  Jackson  Township.  He 
purchased  60  acres  of  land  in  Sections  23  and  26,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  was  the  owner  of  260  acres.  He  died  July  2,  1910,  at  the 
age  of  78  years,  and  his  wife  died  Jan.  23,  1913.  They  are  buried  in 
Providence  Ridge  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schleeter  were  born 
seven  children,  two  of  whom  survive:  Frederick,  born  in  1867,  lives 
in  Jackson  Township;  and  Charles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1047 

Charles  Schleeter  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  Jackson 
Township  and  remained  on  the  family  homestead  until  1910.  He  then 
purchased  part  of  his  father's  farm,  and  at  various  times  since  then 
has  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  210  acres  of 
well  improved  land.  He  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  feeding  of  cattle, 
and  is  also  interested  in  general  farming.  Mr.  Schleeter  has  been  iden- 
tified with  the  State  Bank  of  Manhattan  as  vice  president  since  1919. 
He  is  also  a  director. 

On  Feb.  15,  1911,  Mr.  Schleeter  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Myrtle  Long,  a  native  of  Michigan.  They  have  four  children:  Doris, 
Gladys,  Lorin,  and  Charles. 

Mr.  Schleeter  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Manhattan  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  served  as  Sunday  School  Superin- 
tendent for  a  number  of  years. 


Oliver  H.  Tesdall. — One  of  the  leading  merchants  of  Joliet  is  Mr. 
Tesdall,  who  is  identified  with  the  clothing  firm  of  Tesdall-Pratt.  He 
was  born  in  Norway,  May  8,  1876,  and  at  the  age  of  three  years  came 
to  this  country.  The  early  years  of  his  life  were  spent  on  a  farm  in 
Grundy  County.  He  received  his  schooling  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  and 
at  Ottawa,  111. 

After  completing  his  schooling  Mr.  Tesdall  went  to  Morris,  111., 
where  he  spent  several  years  as  a  salesman.  He  later  located  at  Shef- 
field, and  in  1902  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  accepted  a  position  with 
Dinet  &  Nachbour  Company,  clothiers.  In  1916  he  left  this  firm  to 
engage  in  business  for  himself,  at  that  time  becoming  a  partner  of 
Mr.  Pratt.  They  purchased  the  business  of  L.  A.  Raub,  who  had  estab- 
lished the  business  20  years  earlier.  They  are  local  dealers  for  Society 
Brand  clothing  and  carry  a  complete  line  of  men's  clothing  and  fur- 
nishings. It  is  among  the  finest  stores  in  the  city  and  is  located  at 
225-227  East  Jefferson  Street. 

In  1906  Mr.  Tesdall  married  Miss  Jeanette  Miller,  of  Frankfort, 
N.  Y.  They  have  a  daughter,  Frances  Louella,  who  was  graduated  from 
Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1927. 

Mr.  Tesdall  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  is  deacon,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Kiwanis  Club,  and  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 


1048  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Col.  Fred  Bennitt,  retired,  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of 
Joliet,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  since  Sept.  15,  1876.  He 
was  bora  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  5,  1855,  the  son  of  Col.  Benjamin 
and  Malinda  (Wheeler)  Bennitt. 

Col.  Benjamin  Bennitt  was  bora  at  Hammondsport,  and  was  the  18th 
of  23  children  bora  to  his  parents.  During  his  early  career  he  followed 
farming  and  taught  school.  He  later  studied  law  and  became  a  leading 
lawyer  of  New  York.  On  April  17,  1861,  he  enlisted  for  service  in 
the  Civil  War,  being  the  eighth  man  on  the  roll,  after  making  a  trip 
of  eight  miles  to  enlist.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  23rd 
New  York  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  later  received  the  commission  of  a 
first  lieutenant.  He  served  in  the  First  Corps  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
and  after  completing  his  first  term  of  service,  returned  to  his  home 
town,  where  he  organized  Company  G,  of  the  22nd  New  York  Cavalry. 
This  regiment  also  served  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  Col.  Ben- 
nitt, with  his  entire  company,  was  captured  at  Ream  Station,  Va.,  on 
June  29,  1864.  He  remained  in  prison  for  eight  months  and  made  four 
unsuccessful  attempts  at  escape.  His  wife,  Malinda  (Wheeler)  Ben- 
nitt was  bora  in  New  York,  Feb.  25,  1831,  and  died  at  Joliet,  March 
24,  1918.  She  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery.  Colonel  Bennitt  died 
Aug.  25,  1889.  Two  sons  were  bora  to  Col.  Benjamin  and  Mrs.  Bennitt: 
Fred,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Mark,  born  May  31,  1859.  He 
lives  in  Oakland,  Calif.,  and  is  prominent  in  newspaper  work.  He  was 
a  resident  of  Joliet  until  1920. 

Fred  Bennitt  was  reared  and  educated  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y., 
and  also  attended  Cornell  University,  and  in  1875  came  to  Joliet.  Soon 
after  coming  to  Joliet  he  entered  the  service  of  the  State  of  Illinois 
and  from  1876  until  1898  he  was  in  the  Illinois  National  Guard  and 
rose  rapidly  to  colonel  in  1883  and  continued  as  such  until  after  the 
Spanish-American  War.  He  served  throughout  the  Spanish-American 
War  as  a  Colonel  of  the  Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  dis- 
charged Jan.  24,  1899.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Illinois,  Sept.  15, 
1876,  and  until  his  recent  retirement  was  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  attorneys  of  Will  County.  Colonel  Bennitt,  who  was  responsible 
for  the  elimination  of  the  grade  crossings  in  Joliet,  believes  this  to  be 
his  greatest  and  most  worthwhile  achievement. 

On  April  19,  1883,  Colonel  Bennitt  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Anne  E.  Reed,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  B.  and  Jane  E.  (Earle) 
Reed.  Samuel  B.  Reed,  who  was  the  greatest  railroad  builder  of  history, 
died  Dec.  25,  1891,  at  the  age  of  73  years,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood 


-i:i-:t>  imcxxttt 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1049 

Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  was  a  native  of  Arlington,  Vt.,  and  his  wife  was 
born  in  Potter  County,  Pa.  They  were  married  April  11,  1855,  and  had 
three  daughters :  Anne  E.  Bennitt ;  Mary  B.,  the  widow  of  Louis  Hyde, 
lives  at  Joliet;  and  Jane  R.,  married  Col.  Arthur  S.  Dwight,  lives  at 
Great  Neck,  L.  I.  To  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Bennitt  were  born  six  children, 
only  one  of  whom  survives,  Fred  Dwight  Bennitt,  who  was  born  in 
Joliet,  Oct.  24,  1900,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
city.  He  also  attended  Culver  Military  Academy,  and  was  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1922.  He  lives  at  Joliet,  where  he 
is  employed  in  the  legal  department  of  the  Western  United  Gas  and 
Electric  Company.  He  married  Miss  Helen  Smith,  of  Joliet.  Alice 
Bennitt,  who  died  in  1921,  was  the  wife  of  Elbert  E.  Bates,  of  Joliet. 
They  had  two  children,  Bennitt  and  Anne  Reed  Bates,  students  at  Joliet 
Township  High  School.  The  other  children  of  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Bennitt 
died  in  infancy. 

Colonel  Bennitt  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party  in  politics 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  belongs  to  the  Spanish- 
American  War  Veterans  and  the  Loyal  Legion  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 


Wald  Olsen,  well  known  garage  owner  of  Crete,  was  born  in  Den- 
mark, June  4,  1888.  After  completing  his  schooling  he  learned  the 
machinist's  trade  in  1902.  He  served  in  the  navy  for  one  year  and  then 
traveled  extensively  throughout  Europe,  visiting  practically  eveiy 
country  in  the  world.  He  served  in  the  capacity  of  engineer  in  the 
employ  of  the  Norwegian  Steamship  Company  for  three  years  and 
afterward  came  to  the  United  States.  He  located  in  northern  Mich- 
igan, where  he  was  employed  by  the  Verona  Mining  Company  for  a 
year.  He  traveled  through  Illinois  and  Michigan  and  during  the  World 
War  enlisted  for  service.  He  spent  15  months  with  the  Motor  Trans- 
portation Corps  as  a  chauffeur  and  was  sent  to  France,  where  he  saw 
active  duty  for  nine  months.  He  was  discharged  with  the  rank  of 
corporal.  Mr.  Olsen  has  been  interested  in  the  automobile  business 
since  1915  and  has  been  located  at  Crete  since  1917.  He  operates  a 
first  class  repair  shop  and  also  is  a  dealer  in  gasoline,  oils,  and  automo- 
bile accessories.     His  business  is  located  on  the  Dixie  Highway. 

Mr.  Olsen  was  married  in  1922  to  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Griebe  Janota,  a 
native  of  Germany,  born  July  26,  1896.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage 
she  was  living  in  Chicago.    Mrs.  Olsen  has  two  daughters:  Helen,  born 


1050  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Sept.  18,  1913;  and  Clara,  born  Sept.  5,  1916.  Both  are  accomplished 
musicians  and  have  been  identified  with  the  public  school  orchestra  at 
Crete. 

Mr.  Olsen  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  the  American  Legion, 
and  also  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Lincolnshire  Country- 
Club.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout  Will  County  and  is  well 
liked  by  his  many  friends  and  business  associates. 


Edward  Andrew  Rollert,  agent  for  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Rail- 
road at  Faithorn  for  the  past  21  years,  is  a  highly  esteemed  and  well 
known  resident  of  Crete.    He  was  born  in  Chicago,  Feb.  27,  1884. 

Mr.  Rollert  has  always  been  connected  with  railroad  work.  He 
began  as  a  clerk  for  the  Chicago,  Junction  Railroad  in  Chicago,  and 
in  1899  went  with  the  Chicago  &  Eastern  Illinois  Railroad.  Three  years 
later  he  was  made  yard  master  for  the  Chicago  Belt  Railway,  and  later 
was  promoted  to  agent.  He  came  to  Faithorn  in  August,  1907,  to  accept 
the  position  of  chief  clerk  of  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad,  which 
was  then  known  as  the  Chicago,  Terre  Haute  &  Southeastern  Railroad. 
He  was  soon  promoted  to  agent.  Throughout  these  years  Mr.  Rollert 
has  been  a  resident  of  Crete,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  a  popular  gasoline 
service  station. 

On  May  11,  1910,  Mr.  Rollert  married  Miss  Rose  Dumas,  of  Chicago. 
They  have  two  sons:  Edward,  born  in  1912;  and  Howard,  born  in 
1914.    Both  are  students  in  the  Bloom  Township  High  School. 

Mr.  Rollert  is  a  member  of  the  Crete  Methodist  Church  and  belongs 
to  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  763,  Crete,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  Lin- 
colnshire Country  Club. 


J.  H.  Pralle,  deceased,  was  among  the  dependable  and  well  known 
business  men  of  Crete,  where  he  founded  the  milk  transportation  com- 
pany which  bears  his  name.  He  was  born  at  Beecher,  Will  County, 
in  1882,  and  died  April  25,  1925. 

Mr.  Pralle  came  to  Crete  with  his  family  in  August,  1915,  and  for 
several  months  was  employed  as  an  automobile  salesman  for  the  Crete 
Garage.  Late  that  fall  he  purchased  a  milk  route  for  the  small  sum 
of  $50.00.  The  terms  were  $10  down  and  the  balance  in  a  note.  Even 
this  ten  dollars  he  had  to  borrow.     Shortly  after  this,  being  able  to 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1051 

get  terms  and  with  the  determination  that  no  work  was  too  much 
for  him  he  was  able  to  buy  a  small  truck.  The  route  that  he  purchased 
was  15  cans  of  milk  to  be  delivered  at  Chicago  Heights  in  the  morning. 
In  the  afternoon  he  would  go  to  the  country  for  eggs,  veal  and  chickens. 
The  milk  business  grew  so  that  the  farm  products  were  later  dropped 
and  Mr.  Pralle  went  into  the  wholesale  milk  business  exclusively.  He 
was  a  promoter  of  better  milk  conditions  for  farmers,  his  motto  being 
"A  Square  Deal  and  Good  Service."  At  the  time  of  his  tragic  death  in 
1925  the  business  had  grown  to  such  an  extent  that  Mr.  Pralle  had 
14  trucks  carrying  milk  to  Chicago  and  vicinity.  Two  years  before 
his  death  he  had  appointed  his  son  Harold  as  foreman,  and  was  assisted 
by  his  daughter,  Mildred.  The  business  has  remained  in  the  hands  of 
his  widow,  Mrs.  Mathilda  Pralle.  Harold  was  appointed  manager  and 
Mildred  secretary  and  bookkeeper.  During  the  last  five  years  the  need 
for  a  receiving  plant  to  take  care  of  the  milk  was  felt  necessary  and  in 
1927  the  owners  of  the  business  built  a  modern  receiving  plant. 

Harold  Pralle  was  born  at  Riverdale,  Cook  County,  111.,  March  29, 
1903.  He  obtained  his  education  in  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  School  at  Dalton, 
and  completed  his  education  in  the  German  Lutheran  School  at  Crete. 
He  ranks  among  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of  Will  County. 

The  family  residence  at  Crete,  planned  by  Mr.  Pralle  before  his 
death,  was  built  in  1926,  and  is  among  the  attractive  residences  of 
the  city. 


Lewis  L.  McLaren,  mechanical  engineer,  and  secretary  of  the  Illinois 
Rail  Joint  Company,  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  this  city.  He  was  born  April 
29,  1889,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Barber)  McLaren. 

John  McLaren,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Glasgow,  Scotland.  He 
came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  first  located  in  Na-Aw-Say 
Township,  Kendall  County,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  contracting 
and  building  business.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1880  and  was  associated 
with  F.  P.  Frey  in  the  coal  business.  He  died  in  April,  1909,  and  is 
buried  in  Wheatland  United  Presbyterian  Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church.  His 
wife,  a  native  of  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  lives  at  600  Herkimer  Street, 
Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McLaren  eight  children  were  born,  seven  of 
whom  died  in  infancy. 

Lewis  L.  McLaren  received  his  early  eduucation  in  the  public  schools 
of  Joliet,  graduating  from  the  Joliet  High  School  in  1906.     He  was 


1052  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

graduated  from  the  University  of  Wisconsin  in  1914  with  the  degree 
of  Mechanical  Engineer.  Since  graduation  he  has  been  employed  in 
the  steel  mills  of  Joliet,  Indiana  Harbor,  Ind.,  and  Gary,  Ind.,  until 
1925,  when  he  resigned  to  devote  his  time  to  private  work  in  his  pro- 
fession. In  May,  1928,  he  assisted  in  organizing  the  Illinois  Rail  Joint 
Company  of  which  he  is  secretary  and  chief  engineer. 

In  May,  1918,  Mr.  McLaren  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier  and  was 
sent  to  Camp  Bradley,  Peoria,  111.  He  was  later  transferred  to  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kan.,  and  assigned  to  the  Signal  Corps.  He  received  his 
discharge  from  the  service  at  Camp  Grant,  Rockford,  111.,  in  January, 
1919. 

Mr.  McLaren  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  American  Mechanical 
Engineers.  He  belongs  to  American  Legion,  Harwood  Post  No.  5;  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce;  and  the  Masonic  bodies.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  and  politically  is  a  Republican.  Mr. 
McLaren  has  a  wide  acquaintance  and  has  always  been  regarded  both 
socially  and  in  his  business  relations  as  a  valuable  citizen  of  Joliet. 


Henry  F.  Bode  is  among  the  most  prominent  and  successful  farmers 
of  Monee  Township,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  land.  He 
was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  lives,  Oct.  25,  1869,  the  son  of  Frederic 
and  Mariah  (Helberg)  Bode. 

Frederic  Bode  was  born  in  Germany  in  1839.  He  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  when  16  years  of  age  and  settled  in  Monee  Township, 
Will  County,  where  he  later  became  the  owner  of  the  present  Bode 
farm.  He  was  a  progressive  stockman  and  one  of  the  best  known 
farmers  of  the  county.  Mr.  Bode  died  in  1907  and  his  wife  died  in 
1920.  She  was  also  born  in  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bode  are  buried 
in  the  Lutheran  Cemetery  at  Richton.  They  were  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Louise,  married  Philip  Werner,  lives  in  Monee 
Township;  George,  lives  at  Matteson,  111.;  Henry  F.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Louis,  lives  in  Oklahoma;  August,  died  in  1902  at  the  age  of 
22  years;  and  Alvania,  married  Edward  Bartels,  lives  in  Monee  Town- 
ship. 

Henry  F.  Bode  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Monee  Township  and  has  always  lived  on  the  same  farm.  He  has  made 
extensive  improvements  on  the  place  and  it  is  now  numbered  among 
the  attractive  farms  of  the  township.  Mr.  Bode  carries  on  general 
farming  and  is  widely  known  as  a  grain  and  dairy  farmer. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1053 

On  June  5,  1898,  Mr.  Bode  married  Miss  Bertha  Illgen,  of  Monee 
Township.  She  died  May  4,  1928,  and  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  Ceme- 
tery at  Richton.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bode  were  born  three  children:  Elsie, 
married  William  Stuenkel,  lives  in  Rich  Township,  and  they  have  a  son, 
Amos;  Fred,  born  April  5,  1901,  lives  at  home;  and  Theodore,  born 
May  4,  1902,  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Bode  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  He 
is  serving  as  school  trustee  and  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Will 
County  Farm  Bureau.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 


William  0.  Bates  stands  among  the  leading  business  men  of  Joliet, 
where  he  is  vice  president  of  the  Bates  Manufacturing  Company.  He 
was  born  in  Hamilton,  Ontario,  Canada,  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary 
(Oswald)  Bates. 

Both  Joshua  Bates  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Canada,  where  they 
spent  their  early  lives.  They  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Joliet,  where  Mr. 
Bates  was  well  known  as  a  building  contractor.  He  died  in  this  city, 
and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery.    His  wife  died  at  Carthage,  Mo. 

William  0.  Bates  learned  the  machinist's  trade  early  in  life  and  was 
the  founder  of  the  Bates  Manufacturing  Company,  at  Joliet  in  1884. 
The  business  was  incorporated  in  1888.  The  present  officers  are  as 
follows:  C.  C.  Mitchell,  president;  William  0.  Bates,  vice  president; 
William  0.  Bates,  Jr.,  treasurer,  and  H.  H.  Bates,  secretary.  E.  E. 
Bates  is  purchasing  agent. 

The  Bates  Manufacturing  Company,  one  of  the  leading  manufac- 
turing enterprises  of  Joliet,  are  builders  of  Corliss  Engines,  Feed  Water 
Heaters,  Barb  Wire  Machines,  Staple  machinery,  Wire  Mill  machinery, 
Farm  Tractors,  large  road  building  tractors,  and  general  machinery. 
They  employ  approximately  250  men  in  their  plant,  which  is  located 
at  Jackson  and  Henderson  streets.  The  products  of  this  well  known 
company  are  distributed  throughout  the  United  States,  Canada,  and 
foreign  countries. 

On  Sept.  6,  1882,  Mr.  Bates  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Cleary,  a  native 
of  Canada.  They  have  three  sons:  Harry,  lives  at  Joliet,  is  a  grad- 
uate of  Cornell  University,  married  Miss  Georgia  Reed  of  Joliet,  and 
they  have  three  children:  Robert,  Fredrick  and  Betty.  2.  Elbert  E., 
lives  at  Joliet,  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  married 
Miss  Alice  Bennitt,  of  Joliet,  and  they  had  two  children,  Bennie  and 


1054  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Ann.  Mrs.  Bates  is  deceased.  3.  William  0.,  Jr.,  lives  at  Joliet,  is  a 
graduate  of  Cornell  University,  married  Miss  Dorothy  Mathias,  of  Joliet, 
and  they  have  two  children,  David  and  Suzanne. 

Mr.  Bates  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  family  residence  is  located  at  211 
Sherman  Street,  Joliet. 


George  F.  Powers,  who  is  identified  with  the  Powers-Thompson  Con- 
struction Company,  is  an  enterprising  and  progressive  business  man 
of  Joliet  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  families 
of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Earl  Park,  Ind.,  Dec.  31,  1869,  the  son 
of  C.  E.  and  Lydia  Ray  (Austin)  Powers. 

C.  E.  Powers  was  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  7,  1846,  and 
was  seven  years  old  when  his  family  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Will  County.  He  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stockman  of  Wesley 
Township.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  at  Wil- 
mington, 111.  They  had  four  children:  W.  A.,  retired,  lives  at  Wilming- 
ton ;  George  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Susan,  lives  at  Akron,  Ohio ; 
and  Edward  G.,  lives  at  Wilmington. 

George  F.  Powers  spent  his  boyhood  in  Wilmington.  After  finish- 
ing Wilmington  High  School  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Amer- 
ican Strawboard  Association  as  a  shipping  clerk.  In  1890  he  went 
with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  and  four  years  later  was  employed 
by  the  Calumet  &  Blue  Island  Railroad.  When  that  railroad  was 
absorbed  by  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad  Mr.  Powers  was  made 
superintendent  of  bridge  construction  work.  He  resigned  in  1908  to 
organize  what  is  now  the  Powers-Thompson  Construction  Company  of 
Joliet,  with  which  he  has  since  been  connected.  The  company's  offices 
are  located  at  221  South  Chicago  Street.  Mr.  Powers  has  extensive 
real  estate  holdings  in  Joliet  and  also  owns  well  improved  land  in  New 
Lenox  and  Joliet  townships. 

On  March  31,  1892,  Mr.  Powers  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Alice  M.  McCall,  who  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1870,  the  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (English)  McCall,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland  and 
the  latter  of  Scotland.  The  McCall  family  settled  in  Illinois  in  1880. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCall,  deceased,  were  the  parents  of  eight  children.  To 
George  F.  and  Alice  M.  (McCall)  Powers  were  born  three  children: 
Vera  G.,  married  Roy  W.  Eaton,  lives  at  Joliet;  Ray  Austin,  lives  at 
Joliet,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  with  the  rank  of 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1055 

second  lieutenant;  and  Agnes  M.,  married  Thomas  MacGrath,  who  is 
identified  with  the  Powers-Thompson  Construction  Company,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Powers  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  all  the  Masonic  bodies,  Knights  of  Pythias,  M.  W.  A.,  a  life  mem- 
ber in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Joliet,  and  the  Medinah  Athletic 
Club,  Chicago. 


James  A.  Bell,  who  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Com- 
pany for  a  period  of  40  years,  is  among  the  highly  respected  and  well 
known  citizens  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Truro,  Cornwall,  England, 
Nov.  28,  1861,  the  son  of  Robert  and  Lucy  (Jenkins)  Bell. 

Robert  Bell  was  born  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  in  1824,  and  died  in 
England  in  1886.  He  was  interested  in  the  brokerage  business  and  also 
engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Cornwall, 
England,  and  died  there  in  1895.  There  were  nine  children  in  the  Bell 
family,  of  whom  James  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  second 
in  order  of  birth. 

James  A.  Bell  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land  and  was  educated 
at  East  Devon  School  and  King's  College.  He  entered  the  English  Navy 
as  a  naval  engineer  cadet,  and  after  several  years  was  attached  to  the 
merchant  marine  service.  He  served  a  term  of  apprenticeship  in  marine 
construction  and  naval  architecture,  and  afterward  was  an  engineer  with 
the  fleet  at  the  bombardment  of  Alexandria  in  the  first  Egyptian  cam- 
paign and  later  in  the  Soudan  at  Suakim.  He  then  went  to  China  as 
a  guarantee  engineer  for  Sir  William  Armstrong  and  remained  in  the 
Chinese  service  during  the  war  with  France.  From  there  he  went  to 
England  and  later  cruised  with  the  fleet  of  the  Duke  of  Edinboro  in 
the  Baltic  Sea  and  also  to  the  White  Sea.  He  then  was  connected  with 
the  merchant  marine  service  as  engineer  between  America  and  England 
during  the  extensive  cattle  trade,  and  finally  went  to  Japan  from  New 
York.  On  this  voyage  his  ship  was  wrecked  off  the  Japan  coast.  He 
remained  a  year  and  a  half  in  Chinese  waters  and  went  as  far  up  the 
big  rivers  as  navigation  permitted  in  the  Chinese  revenue  service,  and 
in  April,  1888,  made  a  world  cruise,  after  which  he  returned  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  at  Bloomington,  111.  In  November,  1888,  he 
located  at  Joliet,  where  he  has  since  been  connected  with  the  Illinois 
Steel  Company.    Since  December,  1910,  he  has  been  master  mechanic. 

On  Oct.  25,  1891,  Mr.  Bell  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma 
Cox,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Harriet  (Freear)  Cox,  natives 


1056  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

of  England.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bell  were  born  ten  children,  five  of  whom 
survive:  Lillian,  married  Dr.  B.  G.  Wilcox,  four  children,  three  boys  and 
one  girl,  lives  at  Joliet ;  Robert  D.,  lives  at  Joliet,  married  Miss  Almira 
Dirst,  and  they  have  a  son,  Robert;  James  C,  lives  at  Joliet,  married 
Miss  Gwendoline  Farrell,  daughter  of  C.  S.  Farrell,  and  they  have  a  son, 
James  C.,  Jr. ;  Sheldon  F.,  attends  the  University  of  Illinois ;  and  Dorothy 
R.,  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School. 

Mr.  Bell  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  Boy  Scout  move- 
ment and  was  the  organizer  of  a  sea  scout  battery  at  Joliet.  He  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  in  its  various  branches,  and  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Sons  of  St.  George,  Isaac  Walton  League, 
Caladonian  and  Adventurers  Club,  of  Chicago.  He  and  his  family  hold 
membership  in  the  Episcopal  Church.  The  family  residence  is  at  323 
Hunter  Avenue,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Bell  travels  extensively  and  has  made  several  trips  to  Europe, 
and  has  visited  almost  every  country  in  Asia  and  northern  Africa. 


Herbert  N.  Gilkerson,  of  Joliet  Township,  is  among  the  leading  dairy 
farmers  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Wilton  Township,  Dec.  7,  1861, 
the  son  of  Luther  and  Mary  (Batchelder)  Gilkerson. 

Luther  Gilkerson  was  born  in  Vermont  and  his  wife  was  a  native  of 
New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Gilkerson  went  to  California  in  1849  and  pros- 
pected for  gold.  He  remained  there  about  a  year  and  in  1852  he  came 
to  Heights  Grove,  Will  County  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Wilton  Town- 
ship. He  died  in  1869,  and  is  buried  in  the  West  Peotone  Cemetery. 
His  widow  later  married  J.  W.  Loose,  a  Civil  War  veteran,  and  a  pioneer 
settler  of  Will  County.  She  died  in  1917  and  her  husband  died  soon 
after.  By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Loose  had  five  children,  two  of  whom 
survive:  Herbert  N.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Mrs.  Dan  Blatt, 
who  lives  at  Elwood,  111.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loose  a  daughter,  Ethel, 
was  born.    She  died  in  infancy. 

Herbert  N.  Gilkerson  attended  the  public  schools  of  Monmouth,  111., 
and  at  an  early  age  became  interested  in  farming.  He  owns  280  acres 
of  land  in  Peotone  Township  and  is  also  proprietor  of  the  Gilkerson 
Dairy  Farm  in  Joliet  Township.  This  dairy  farm  contains  320  acres 
of  land  and  has  one  of  the  fine  herds  of  cattle  in  Will  County,  which 
numbers  150.  Mr.  Gilkerson  purchased  his  dairy  farm  from  Frank 
Baumgartner.    It  has  been  improved  extensively  and  is  modern  through- 


•  3 

■1 

^^^ 

HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1057 

out.  More  than  2500  bottles  of  milk  are  handled  daily,  and  Mr.  Gilkerson 
employs  six  men  in  its  distribution  throughout  Joliet.  From  10  to  12 
men  are  employed  on  this  farm.  The  dairy  business  is  known  as  Gil- 
kerson and  Sons.  Eugene,  Merle,  Wilbur  and  Harold  are  the  four  sons 
who  are  engaged  in  the  business  with  their  father. 

Mr.  Gilkerson  was  married  Oct.  16,  1889,  to  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth 
Riddle,  born  in  Aurora,  111.,  Aug.  2,  1863,  the  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Mary  Ellen  (Frazier)  Riddle,  both  deceased.  Six  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilkerson  as  follows:  1.  Marjorie,  born  July  6,  1890, 
married  Otto  Rathje,  lives  at  Peotone.  2.  Eugene,  born  Feb.  14,  1893, 
married  Miss  Olive  Thurston,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Norma  Jean. 
3.  Merle,  born  June  13,  1898,  lives  at  home.  4.  Wilbur,  born  March  22, 
1895,  lives  at  Joliet,  married  Miss  Edith  Etheredge,  and  they  have  a 
daughter,  Phyllis  Ann.  5.  Harold,  born  Dec.  4,  1901,  lives  at  Joliet, 
married  Miss  Myrtle  Muncey,  and  they  have  two  children,  Irene  Eliza- 
beth and  Robert  Edward.  6.  Stanley  L.,  born  May  22,  1906,  died  July 
7,  1921. 

Mr.  Gilkerson  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
Joliet.     He  has  always  been  a  Republican. 


Fred  Warning,  a  prominent  citizen  and  vice  president  of  the  Frank- 
fort State  Bank,  was  born  in  Warnow,  Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  Germany, 
March  17,  1871,  the  son  of  Christ  and  Marie  (Lang)  Warning. 

In  the  fall  of  1881  the  Warning  family  came  to  the  United  States 
from  Germany  and  settled  in  Mokena,  111.,  where  Mr.  Warning  secured 
employment  with  the  Rock  Island  Railroad.  He  later  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, stock  raising  and  dairying  in  New  Lenox  Township,  Will  County, 
and  met  with  success.  Mr.  Warning  died  in  1911  and  his  wife  died  in 
1895,  and  both  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena.  They  were 
members  of  the  Evangelical  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Christ  Warning  were 
the  parents  of  five  children:  Sophia,  married  Fred  Klott,  of  Mokena; 
Christ,  a  farmer  of  Frankfort  Township,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  history;  Fred,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John,  a 
garage  owner,  of  New  Lenox ;  and  George,  a  farmer,  of  Mokena. 

Fred  Warning  was  employed  on  various  farms  in  his  locality.  After 
his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  and  dairying  on  his  own  account 
for  16  years.     In  1911  he  removed  to  Frankfort  where  he  built  and 


1058  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

operated  a  garage.  During  1917-1920  he  owned  and  operated  a  feed 
store  at  Mokena,  which  he  conducted  in  connection  with  the  garage 
business.  In  1926  Mr.  Warning  turned  his  garage  interests  over  to 
his  son,  Raymond.  In  1913  Mr.  Warning  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Frankfort  State  Bank,  and  was  elected  vice  president,  in  which 
capacity  he  is  still  serving.    He  is  also  a  director  of  the  bank. 

In  1895  Mr.  Warning  was  married  to  Miss  Katherine  Kinary.  Mrs. 
Katherine  Kinary  Warning,  wife  of  Fred  Warning,  was  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Mary  Eliza  Miller  Kinary,  was  born  May  17,  1874,  at 
Pueblo,  Colo.  The  fall  of  1874  her  parents  returned  to  Mokena,  111., 
where  she  resided  until  her  marriage  in  1895.  Her  father,  Thomas 
Kinary,  was  born  in  New  York  City  where  Central  Park  now  stands  in 
1838,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1858  with  the  Arch  Allertons  and  located  on 
Allerton  farm  until  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  and  served 
three  years  for  his  country.  After  the  war  he  came  back  to  Mokena 
and  became  manager  of  the  2,200  acre  farm  of  Arch  Allerton  until  1880, 
when  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Mokena  and  lived  until  the  death  of 
his  wife,  March  5,  1909,  going  to  live  with  his  daughters,  Mrs.  Fred 
Warning  and  Ida  Kinary  Hansen.    He  died  May  31,  1921. 

Mrs.  Mary  Eliza  Miller  Kinary  was  born  at  Ulster  County,  New 
York,  Jan.  8,  1853,  being  the  daughter  of  Henry  Jackson  and  Ann  Hare 
Miller.  Mrs.  Warning's  parents  and  grandparents  are  full  fledged 
Americans  where  she  has  the  historical  records  of  her  parents  for  five 
generations.    Her  grandchildren  can  recall  the  seventh  generation. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Warning  have  two  children,  a  son,  Raymond 
Frederick,  who  conducts  a  garage  at  Frankfort,  111.,  and  a  daughter, 
Fern  Marie,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Hunter  of  Warsaw,  Ind.  Four  grandsons, 
Bobby  Hunter  of  Warsaw,  Ind.,  and  Stanley  Virgil ;  Glenn  and  Raymond 
Wendell  Oliver  Warning,  of  Frankfort,  111.,  and  one  granddaughter, 
Joyce  Eileen  Hunter,  of  Warsaw,  Ind. 

Raymond  Frederick  Warning's  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  Mount 
Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ; 
Joliet  Council,  R.  &  S.  M.  No.  82 ;  and  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4. 

Mr.  Warning  is  a  Republican  and  has  extensive  and  prominent  fra- 
ternal affiliations.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  42 ;  Joliet  Council,  R.  & 
S.  M.  No.  82 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  N.  M.  S.  of  Chicago,  111.;  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  Mrs.  Warning  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  also  a  member  of  several  fraternal  orders. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1059 

Ben.  D.  Jones,  president  of  the  Manhattan  State  Bank,  Manhattan, 
111.,  who  was  born  on  Oct.  7,  1865,  is  the  youngest  of  the  eight  children 
of  Robert  Jones  and  Eleanor  (Cooper)  Jones,  former  old  residents  of 
Wilton  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  whose  biographical  sketch  is  found 
elsewhere  in  this  publication. 

Robert  Jones  in  1855  purchased  80  acres  of  raw  prairie  land  in  the 
northwest  quarter  of  section  26,  Wilton  Township,  which  he  improved 
for  a  homestead,  where  several  of  his  children,  including  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  were  born.  Several  years  later  he  purchased  160  acres  in 
sections  22  and  23  in  the  same  township,  to  which  he  moved  his  family 
in  the  spring  of  1866,  and  where  they  resided  until  1886,  when  he 
rented  his  farm  and  moved  to  the  Village  of  Poetone. 

Ben.  D.  Jones  attended  the  country  school  at  what  was  called  the 
Lamphers  School  house  and  later  he  attended  Jennings  Seminary  at 
Aurora,  111.,  and  also  Northwestern  University  at  Evanston,  111.  He 
taught  school  during  the  years  of  1887,  1888  and  1889.  In  the  summer 
of  1889  he  was  employed  by  William  C.  Barber,  since  mayor  of  Joliet, 
in  his  office  abstracting  titles  to  real  estate;  later  he  assisted  in  the 
compiling  a  set  of  indexes  to  all  the  lawsuits  held  in  the  county  of  Will 
affecting  the  titles  to  real  estate,  for  the  Will  County  Abstract  Company, 
a  new  company  being  formed.  Later  he  became  its  manager,  and  re- 
signed his  position  with  this  company  in  1895  and  formed  a  co-partner- 
ship with  his  brother,  Frank  R.  Jones,  and  a  brother-in-law,  John  C. 
Baker,  under  the  name  and  style  of  Baker  Jones  &  Company,  doing  busi- 
ness in  grain  and  coal  at  Manhattan,  111.,  and  also  organized  the  Man- 
hattan Bank,  of  which  the  subject  became  the  vice-president,  and  later 
president  upon  the  death  of  John  C.  Baker  and  the  reorganization  of  the 
bank  under  state  supervision. 

He  has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  for  many 
years  was  a  member  of  the  County  Central  Committee,  acting  as  vice- 
chairman  for  four  years.  In  1918  he  was  elected  county  treasurer  of 
Will  County  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  acted  as  such  until  Decem- 
ber, 1922.  While  serving  as  such  treasurer  he  formulated  a  system  for 
collecting  taxes  by  the  county  treasurer,  which  was  later  enacted  into 
law  by  the  Illinois  Legislature  for  the  collection  of  all  taxes. 

Ben.  D.  Jones  was  united  in  marriage  at  Joliet,  111.,  on  June  22,  1892, 
to  Elletta  L.  Gannett,  a  daughter  of  Captain  Isaac  Gannett,  aid  to  Gen. 
Mitchell,  a  Civil  War  general,  and  Mary  A.  (Hall)  Gannett,  residents  of 
Chicago,  111.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born :  Robert  G.,  a  loco- 
mative  fireman  of  Decatur,  111.,  born  in  Joliet,  111.,  Feb.  27,  1895,  and 


1060  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

married  Ella  Tyrrell,  Nov.  17,  1915,  and  whose  three  children  are  named 
Elletta,  Helen  and  Rachel ;  Marion  Elletta  Jones,  born  in  Manhattan,  111., 
Feb.  6,  1897,  and  married  Henry  Wesley  Sippel,  Sept.  15,  1923,  and  whose 
only  child  is  named  Richard ;  Ben.  D.  Jones,  Jr.,  born  at  Manhattan,  111., 
Dec.  25,  1902,  is  an  electrical  engineer.    He  is  unmarried. 

Mrs.  Elletta  Gannett  Jones  was  born  on  Ann  Street,  Chicago,  111., 
March  30,  1869,  and  died  at  Manhattan,  111.,  Sept.  15,  1905,  and  is  buried 
in  Manhattan  Cemetery.  Ben.  D.  Jones  was  married  again,  at  Man- 
hattan, 111.,  on  Oct.  23,  1907,  to  Eleanor  M.  Mackender,  daughter  of 
George  Mackender  and  Carrie  (Peterson)  Mackender,  old  residents  of 
Wilton  Township,  Will  County,  111.,  who  was  born  at  Clay  Center,  Kans., 
Sept.  13,  1885.  To  this  union  were  born,  at  Manhattan,  111.,  three  sons: 
E.  Stanley  Jones,  Sept.  11,  1908;  Paul  Edward  Jones,  Sept.  25,  1911,  and 
Lloyd  Wesley  Jones,  Oct.  22,  1913. 

Ben.  D.  Jones  and  family  are  affiliated  with  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Joliet  Commandery  No.  4, 
K.  T.,  and  the  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  Shrine,  Medinah  Temple,  Chicago,  111. 

He  and  family  now  reside  on  a  160  acre  farm  in  section  16,  Manhattan 
Township,  which  he  purchased  and  upon  which  he  moved  the  spring  of 
1918,  which  he  operates  together  with  240  acres  in  Wilton  Township, 
owned  jointly  with  his  brother  Frank  R.  Jones. 


William  J.  Themer  is  well  known  among  the  reliable  and  substantial 
citizens  of  Crete  Township,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  290  acres  of  land. 
He  was  born  at  Dalton,  Cook  County,  111.,  April  10,  1861,  the  son  of 
Joachem  and  Dorothy  (Harret)  Themer. 

Joachem  Themer,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  was  born 
in  1828  and  died  in  1919.  He  and  his  wife  were  early  settlers  of  Chicago 
and  later  lived  at  Dalton,  111.  They  came  to  Will  County  about  1868  and 
settled  on  a  farm  of  120  acres  in  Crete  Township.  Both  are  buried  in 
Beaver  Grove  Lutheran  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Themer  were  born 
six  children,  of  whom  William  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
youngest. 

William  J.  Themer  was  seven  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to 
Crete  Township.  He  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
was  associated  with  his  father  in  general  farming  until  about  30  years 
ago,  at  which  time  he  purchased  his  fathers'  farm.  He  has  since 
added  to  his  holdings  and  is  now  the  owner  of  one  of  the  finest  farms  in 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1061 

the  township.  Mr.  Themer  rents  practically  his  entire  farm,  but  retains 
a  portion  upon  which  is  located  his  home. 

In  February,  1882,  Mr.  Themer  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Magdalena  Hilgert,  of  Chicago.  She  died  in  1917  and  is  buried  in  the 
Lutheran  cemetery  at  Crete.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Themer  were  born  six 
children,  as  follows:  Hugo,  lives  at  Kankakee,  111.;  Olinda,  died  in  in- 
fancy; Alice,  died  at  the  age  of  13  years;  William  C,  lives  in  Crete 
Township,  married  Miss  Melinda  Boicken ;  Arthur,  died  at  the  age  of  18 
years ;  and  Magdalene,  married  Robert  Higdon,  lives  at  Detroit,  Mich. 

Mr.  Themer  is  a  Republican  and  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
Church.  Until  his  recent  retirement  he  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


Royal  L.  Watson,  M.  D. — A  career  replete  with  achievement  has  been 
that  of  Dr.  Royal  L.  Watson,  one  of  the  most  prominent  physicians  in 
Will  County.  Dr.  Watson  has  served  the  United  States  as  a  first  lieu- 
tenant in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  army  during  the  World  War,  and  he 
is  a  leading  member  of  the  medical  fraternities  of  the  state,  county,  and 
city.  Dr.  Watson  was  born  in  Joliet,  April  9,  1880,  a  son  of  Joseph  L. 
and  Caroline  M.  (Wratson)  Watson. 

Joseph  L.  Watson  was  born  in  Center  Hall,  Center  County,  Pa.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was  taking  a  pre-medicine  course 
at  the  Center  Hall  Pre-Medic  College  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He 
enlisted  at  once  in  Company  E,  5th  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  and  was 
made  sergeant.  During  the  battle  of  Antietam  he  was  wounded.  He 
lay  on  the  field  all  night  and  the  next  day  was  captured  by  the  southern 
troops  and  sent  to  Libby  Prison,  where  he  was  later  exchanged  and 
returned  to  the  Union  army.  He  was  promoted  to  captain  and  had 
charge  of  the  supply  trains  at  Gettysburg.  He  served  throughout  the 
entire  war  and  was  honorably  discharged.  After  the  war  he  came  to 
Joliet  to  recuperate  and  became  a  guard  at  the  Illinois  State  Penitenti- 
ary, where  he  remained  about  two  years.  He  then  returned  east  and 
worked  on  his  father's  farm.  He  was  married  in  the  meantime.  After 
two  years  he  returned  to  Joliet  and  again  became  a  guard  at  the  peni- 
tentiary, where  he  remained  in  that  capacity  for  35  years.  He  died 
April  9,  1905.  His  wife,  who  was  born  at  Blair  Station,  Blair  County, 
Pa.,  died  in  1912.  They  are  both  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
Mr.  Watson  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.    They  were  members  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church.    To 


1062  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Joseph  L.  and  Caroline  (Watson)  Watson  six  children  were  born:  Belle, 
lives  at  Joliet ;  William,  Joliet ;  Robert  Lewis,  deceased.  He  was  super- 
intendent of  construction  at  the  Clairton  furnaces  at  Clairton,  Pa.,  for 
the  U.  S.  Steel  Corporation.  He  was  killed  by  an  explosion  at  the  fur- 
naces in  1905,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet;  Ralph,  Gary, 
111. ;  Bessie  Elizabeth,  married  Claude  Emory,  resides  at  Des  Moines,  la. ; 
and  Royal  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Dr.  Watson's  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of 
Joliet  and  Joliet  Township  High  School  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1899.  He  attended  the  University  of  Michigan  Medical  School  for  two 
years.  He  then  entered  the  Rush  Medical  School  of  the  University  of 
Chicago,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  in  1904.  He  first  established  offices  at  Florid,  Putnam  County, 
111.,  where  he  remained  for  seven  years.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  June, 
1911,  and  has  since  practiced  his  profession  continuously  and  has 
achieved  a  notable  success  as  a  physician  and  surgeon.  Dr.  Watson  has 
also  taken  post  graduate  work  at  many  leading  medical  schools. 

During  the  World  War  he  served  on  the  draft  board  as  medical  ex- 
aminer, and  in  August,  1918,  volunteered  for  service  in  the  U.  S.  army 
and  was  called  to  service  the  latter  part  of  September,  1918.  He  was 
commissioned  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  U.  S.  Medical  Reserve  Corps  and 
was  sent  to  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  for  instructions,  and  was  ordered  over- 
seas. The  armistice  being  signed  shortly  afterwards  he  was  discharged 
and  returned  to  Joliet  on  Dec.  8,  1918. 

On  Oct.  18,  1905,  Dr.  Watson  was  married  to  Miss  Clara  Case,  a 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Belle  (Randall)  Case.  Mr.  Case  is  deceased  and 
Mrs.  Case  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Watson,  in  Joliet.  Doctor  and 
Mrs.  Watson  have  two  daughters:  Marjorie  Bell,  a  student  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois ;  and  Betty  May,  attends  Joliet  Township  High  School. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church. 

Dr.  Watson  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association ;  mem- 
ber of  the  Medical  Society  of  the  State  of  Illinois ;  and  the  Will  County 
Medical  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the  staff  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital 
and  is  on  the  advisory  committee  and  also  of  St.  Joseph's  Hospital.  He 
oelongs  to  Harwood  Post,  No.  5,  American  Legion,  being  post  physiciar 
to  Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. 
No.  27 ;  Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4 ;  Oriental  Consistory,  A.  A.  S.  R. 
thirty-second  degree ;  Medinah  Temple,  A.  A.  0.  N.  M.  S. ;  Joliet  Shrine 
Club;  Joliet  Country  Club;  and  is  a  life  member  of  the  Joliet  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1063 

I.  J.  Clark,  retired,  is  a  prominent  pioneer  citizen  of  Will  County  and 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  born  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio, 
Jan.  8,  1846,  the  son  of  John  and  Jemima  (Sapp)  Clark. 

John  Clark,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He  served  in 
Company  E,  Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry,  with  the  rank  of  sergeant.  He  was 
born  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  and  settled  in  Iowa  in  1851,  where  he 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  During  the  Civil  War 
he  served  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry.  He  was  a 
Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  belonged 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  died  in  1876  and  his  wife,  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  died  in  1862.  They  are  buried  in  Lee  County,  Iowa. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  were  born  five  children:  I.  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Andrew  Merritt,  who  lives 
in  California;  John,  deceased;  Mary,  the  widow  of  Henry  Barnse,  lives 
in  Kansas ;  and  Rev.  Edmond,  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  lives  in 
Colorado. 

I.  J.  Clark  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Iowa  and 
attended  school  in  a  log  cabin,  walking  two  and  one-quarter  miles.  The 
furniture  of  the  school  consisted  of  plain  benches  with  no  backs,  made 
of  rough  slabs.  He  improved  the  land  owned  by  his  father  and  remem- 
bers driving  five  yoke  of  oxen  breaking  prairie  when  he  was  only  nine 
years  old.  In  places  clumps  of  hazel  brush  were  from  one-half  to  an 
acre  in  size  and  frequently  he  would  find  a  couple  of  rattlesnakes  in 
these  places.  Mr.  Clark  remained  in  Iowa  until  March,  1896,  at  which 
time  he  came  to  Will  County  and  purchased  a  farm  of  177  acres  in 
Custer  Township.  He  became  an  extensive  grain  farmer  and  was  a 
successful  stockman.  Mr.  Clark  has  lived  retired  at  Custer  Park  for 
14  years. 

During  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Clark  volunteered  for  service  and  served 
as  a  member  of  Company  E.  Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry,  his  company  being 
Sherman's  bodyguard.  Mr.  Clark  was  taken  prisoner  and  held  in  the 
Andersonville  prison.  He  was  discharged  from  Macon,  Ga.,  in  Au- 
gust, 1865. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married  on  April  28,  1868,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Clark, 
of  LaSalle  County,  111.,  the  daughter  of  David  L.  and  Deborah  (Garbet) 
Clark,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Char- 
lotte Clark;  Amelia,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Edward  Clark;  Charles, 
deceased,  was  postmaster  of  Utica,  111.,  for  16  years;  and  Marietta, 
married  Benjamin  Hadley,  both  deceased.  Mr.  David  Clark  died  in 
1888  and  his  wife  died  in  1895.    They  are  buried  at  Utica,  111.    To  Mr. 


1064  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  Mrs.  I.  J.  Clark  were  bom  eight  children,  as  follows:  Nellie,  born 
in  LaSalle  County,  married  William  McCormick,  deceased,  and  they  had 
two  children,  Charlotte  and  Mildred ;  LaVancha,  died  at  the  age  of  five 
years ;  Mary,  married  Frank  Baird,  both  deceased ;  John,  died  in  infancy ; 
Luella,  married  George  Griffin,  lives  at  Joliet;  M.  J.,  married  Florence 
Connor,  lives  at  Lemont,  HI. ;  Charles,  married  Nellie  Traynor,  lives  near 
Wilmington ;  and  H.  R.,  fanner,  married  Mabel  Traynor,  lives  in  Custer 
Township,  Will  County. 

Politically,  Mr.  Clark  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Com- 
munity Church  and  is  recording  steward  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and 
United  Brethren  Churches.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic. 


John  E.  Chalstrom  is  a  representative  business  man  of  Joliet,  being 
president  and  treasurer  of  The  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Mills,  Inc.  He  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Kalmar,  Sweden,  March  21,  1864,  the  son  of  Carl 
and  Hannah  (Nelson)  Chalstrom. 

Carl  Chalstrom,  who  spent  his  entire  life  in  Sweden,  is  now  deceased. 
He  was  a  farmer.  He  was  active  in  politics  in  his  community  and  a  life 
long  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  The  following  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chalstrom:  John  E.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Charles,  deceased,  buried  in  Joliet;  Anna,  deceased;  Frank  A., 
a  farmer,  in  Sweden;  Victor,  deceased;  Oscar,  lives  in  Sweden;  Gus- 
tave,  deceased;  Adele,  married  Carl  Carlson,  retired  banker  and  manu- 
facturer, lives  in  Sweden ;  Hannah,  married  Carl  Nelson,  resides  in  Chi- 
cago, 111.;  Robert,  a  World  War  veteran;  and  Martin,  deceased. 

"*  John  E.  Chalstrom  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  land  and  spent 
his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1884  and  stopped  in  Chicago,  where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
for  a  few  weeks.  During  that  year  he  removed  to  Homer  Township, 
Will  County,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  Harmon  Frazier 
until  1889,  when  he  removed  to  Joliet.  He  was  then  employed  in  the 
machine  shops  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company  for  seven  months  at  which 
time  he  was  promoted  to  assistant  engineer  in  the  blast  furnaces  which 
position  he  held  for  one  year.  In  1901  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's 
trade  and  the  following  year  engaged  in  the  general  contracting  and 
building  business.  He  erected  a  great  number  of  apartment  buildings 
and  residences  and  was  also  the  builder  of  the  Swedish  Methodist 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1065 

church  and  parsonage.  He  drew  his  own  plans  and  carried  on  his  own 
business  without  the  assistance  of  an  architect.  The  results  of  his 
work  proved  his  success  as  a  designer,  builder  and  real  estate  dealer.  As 
a  side  line  he  also  owned  and  operated  a  dairy  business,  which  was  also 
profitable.  It  may  also  be  said  that  during  the  time  he  engaged  in  the 
building  and  real  estate  business  he  assisted  many  families  to  become 
home-owners. 

In  1914  in  partnership  with  a  few  men  of  Joliet  Mr.  Chalstrom 
organized  The  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Mills  which  was  incorporated  during 
that  year.  He  took  no  active  part  in  the  running  of  the  business  until 
the  end  of  the  second  year  at  which  time  he  was  elected  president  and 
given  full  charge  of  the  business.  During  the  years  of  1917  and  1918 
Mr.  Chalstrom  acquired  very  nearly  all  outstanding  stock  and  ever  since 
has  served  as  president  and  treasurer  of  the  institution. 

He  is  also  vice  president  and  director  of  the  Chicago  National  Life 
Insurance  Co.  He  is  president  and  one  of  the  largest  stockholders  of 
The  United  States  General  Agency  Company  of  Chicago,  which  is  the 
holding  company  of  the  Chicago  National  Life  Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Chalstrom  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Eagle  Paper  Com- 
pany of  Joliet,  of  which  he  served  as  president  for  one  year,  during 
which  time  he  constructed  the  building  of  the  Eagle  Paper  Company, 
but  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  sold  his  interest  in  the  concern. 

Mr.  Chalstrom  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  M.  Nelson,  who  passed  away 
in  1902  and  was  buried  in  Joliet.  To  this  union  were  born  four  chil- 
dren: Florence  E.,  vice  president  of  The  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Mills;  Alice 
D.,  married  Victor  F.  Wilson  and  resides  in  Chicago;  Myrtle  C,  city 
school  nurse ;  Clare  E.,  travelling  representative  of  The  Joliet  Wall  Paper 
Mills,  also  local  agent  of  the  Chicago  National  Life  Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Chalstrom  later  married  Miss  Amanda  C.  Peterson,  of  Chicago 
and  they  are  the  parents  of:  Gilbert  E.,  who  attends  and  now  a  senior 
student  of  the  University  of  Illinois ;  Raymond,  deceased ;  Phyllis  Louise, 
a  student. 

Mr.  Chalstrom  was  one  of  the  founders  of  The  First  Swedish  Metho- 
dist Church  and  served  as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees,  class 
leader,  also  recording  steward  until  1910  when  he  and  his  family  joined 
the  Ottawa  Street  Methodist  Church  of  Joliet,  111.,  where  he  for  many 
years  has  been  and  is  now  serving  as  vice  president  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, also  member  of  finance  committee.  He  is  a  firm  believer  in  Christ- 
ianity to  which  he  attributes  his  success  in  life.    He  is  widely  known 


1066  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

for  his  charitable  works.  His  motto  is  "Be  sure  you  are  right,  then  go 
ahead."    This  advice  he  has  given  to  hundreds  of  young  men. 

Mr.  Chalstrom  is  not  a  lodge  man,  but  is  affiliated  with  the  following 
institutions :  The  Country  Club,  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Joliet,  Illinois 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  United  States  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the 
Manufacturers  Association  of  Illinois,  also  serving  as  a  member  of  the 
City  Zoning  Commission  of  Joliet.  He  is  one  of  the  original  board  of 
directors  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  of  Joliet  and  was  a  member  of  the  committee 
which  solicited  funds  for  the  erection  of  the  organization's  new  $550,- 
000.00  home.     His  personal  contribution  amounted  to  $4,000.00. 

Mr.  Chalstrom  is  a  Republican  and  true  American  citizen. 


The  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Mills,  Inc.,  one  of  the  leading  manufacturing 
concerns  of  Will  County,  has  had  a  remarkable  growth  during  its  com- 
paratively short  existence.  It  was  incorporated  in  1914  for  $30,000.00. 
Capital  increased  in  1915  to  $60,000.00.  In  1916,  was  reorganized  with 
a  capital  stock  of  $125,000.00.  The  original  officers  of  the  company 
were  as  follows:  Charles  S.  Nowell,  president;  Edward  C.  Hintz,  sec- 
retary ;  Albert  Metzelburg,  treasurer ;  Thomas  F.  Flynn,  superintendent. 

Since  May  15,  1916,  the  officers  have  been:  John  E.  Chalstrom, 
president  and  treasurer;  F.  E.  Chalstrom,  vice  president;  Edward  C. 
Hintz,  secretary. 

Business  during  the  first  year  amounted  to  $58,800.00.  In  1927 
the  total  volume  of  business  amounted  to  more  than  $750,000.00. 

The  company  manufactures  approximately  14  million  rolls  of  wall 
paper  annually  with  the  nine  machines  in  operation  at  the  present  time. 
Five  additional  machines  will  complete  the  plant's  equipment  during 
1928.  The  entire  mill  is  equipped  with  automatic  rolling  machines  and 
has  two  heating  plants,  each  with  a  capacity  of  60,000  cubic  feet  of 
hot  air  per  minute,  which  are  used  for  drying  purposes.  Water  is 
supplied  from  a  750  foot  well,  with  a  supply  tank,  having  a  capacity 
of  15  thousand  (15,000)  gallons,  elevated  on  a  brick  tower  80  feet  high. 

About  150  men  are  employed  in  the  mills  and  18  travelling  repre- 
sentatives throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada.  Recreation  rooms 
are  maintained  for  the  employees  as  well  as  a  swimming  pool  and 
showers.  The  pool  is  22x72  feet  in  size,  6  feet  deep,  and  contains  60,000 
gallons  of  water,  heated  by  steam. 

The  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Mills,  Inc.,  occupies  a  tract  of  four  acres. 
The  building  is  240x550,  a  large  part  being  two  stories,  and  has  250,000 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1067 

square  feet  floor  space.  The  plant,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  unit, 
was  designed  by  Mr.  Chalstrom,  who  owns  the  controlling  interest  in 
the  business.  Reconstruction  work  in  1928  will  place  the  value  of  the 
company's  investment  at  one  million  dollars,  and  will  make  it  one  of 
the  most  up  to  date  factories  of  its  kind  in  the  United  States. 

Among  the  oldest  men  in  point  of  service  in  the  company's  employ 
may  be  mentioned  Edward  C.  Hintz,  secretary  and  office  manager,  and 
Ben  Evans,  chief  color  mixer,  both  of  whom  have  been  with  the  firm 
since  its  inception.  J.  R.  McDade,  master  mechanic,  and  Charles  Peter- 
son, millwright,  have  been  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Chalstrom  for  35 
years.  Frederick  C.  Hanfeld,  factory  superintendent  and  colorist,  has 
been  with  the  firm  since  1920.  It  may  be  stated  that  harmony  prevails 
at  all  times  and  labor  troubles  are  practically  unknown. 


Martin  Bergan,  retired,  is  a  representative  citizen  of  Will  County  and 
a  member  of  the  first  family  that  settled  at  Manhattan.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  in  Manhattan  Township,  the  son  of  Martin  and  Esther  (Walsh) 
Bergan. 

Martin  Bergan  was  born  in  Ireland  as  was  his  wife.  After  their 
marriage  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Manhattan 
in  1846.  Mr.  Bergan  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  was  widely  known 
throughout  Will  County.  He  died  in  1890  and  his  wife  died  in  1894. 
They  are  buried  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery,  Manhattan.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bergan  had  nine  children,  of  whom  Martin,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
is  the  only  surviving  member. 

Martin  Bergan  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  26  years  he  came  to  Man- 
hattan and  entered  the  employ  of  George  Zinger,  hardware  merchant. 
Ten  years  later,  in  1900,  Mr.  Bergan  went  into  business  for  himself  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  Daniel.  They  conducted  the  business  suc- 
cessfully for  about  20  years  and  then  disposed  of  it  to  Mr.  Schroeder. 
The  store  was  completely  destroyed  by  fire  in  1905  and  again  in  1917 
was  damaged  by  wind.    Mr.  Bergan  has  lived  retired  since  1919. 

In  1892  Mr.  Bergan  married  Miss  Catherine  Cunningham,  a  sister  of 
M.  J.  Cunningham,  who  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  To 
them  were  born  three  children :  Edith,  married  J.  W.  O'Connor,  lives  in 
Chicago,  and  they  have  three  children,  Mary  Margaret,  Bemice  and 
Edith  Marie;  Daniel,  who  died  in  1918  at  the  age  of  19  years;  and  Irene, 


1068  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

a  teacher  in  the  Joliet  schools.  She  is  a  graduate  of  St.  Francis  School, 
Joliet,  and  the  Illinois  State  Normal  School. 

Mr.  Bergan  has  always  been  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  as  assessor 
of  Manhattan  Township  since  1922  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  village 
board  of  Manhattan  22  years.  He  also  was  postmaster  of  Manhattan 
under  President  Cleveland.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic 
Church  and  belongs  to  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters. 

Mr.  Bergan  has  been  a  stockholder  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Manhattan  since  the  date  of  its  organization. 


Fred  C.  Wietting,  who  is  superintendent  of  the  Will  County  Farm  in 
Troy  Township,  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  community.  He 
was  born  in  Frankfort  Township,  Will  County,  Jan.  20,  1877,  the  son 
of  Carl  and  Sophia  (Ahearns)  Wietting. 

Carl  Wietting  was  bom  in  Germany  in  1855  and  his  wife  was  born 
there  in  1854.  They  came  to  this  country  many  years  ago  and  settled 
at  Mokena,  111.,  where  Mr.  Wietting  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  He  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life  in  Joliet  and  died  there 
in  August,  1912.  His  wife  died  in  1910.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wietting  were 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Minnie,  married  Joseph  Krohn, 
lives  in  Joliet  Township;  Charles,  lives  in  Joliet  Township;  Bertha, 
married  Fred  Strohmann,  lives  in  Joliet  Township ;  Fred  C,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  Sophia  and  John,  both  deceased. 

Fred  C.  Wietting  obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Frankfort  Township  and  completed  his  schooling  at  Joliet.  He  followed 
farming  in  Joliet  Township  for  many  years,  and  spent  27  years  as  a 
tenant  on  the  farm  of  William  Heise.  His  son  now  operates  that  farm. 
Mr.  Wietting  was  appointed  superintendent  of  Will  County  Farm  in 
1923  and  has  been  most  capable  in  the  administration  of  his  office.  The 
farm  has  been  entirely  self  supporting  during  the  past  five  years.  It 
comprises  180  acres  of  well  improved  land  and  has  83  inmates.  The 
farm  is  conducted  on  a  most  profitable  basis.  As  an  example  of  this 
may  be  cited  the  $3,000  sale  of  hogs  in  1927. 

On  Feb.  25,  1897,  Mr.  Wietting  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Gertrude  Koehler,  who  was  born  in  Germany,  the  daughter  of  Carl  and 
Clara  Koehler,  residents  of  Kansas  City,  Mo.  Mrs.  Wietting  was  eight 
years  of  age  when  her  parents  came  to  the  United  States.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wietting  the  following  children  were  born:  Mabel,  lives  at  home; 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1069 

Sarah,  the  widow  of  Carl  Schewe,  lives  at  home ;  George  J.,  lives  in  Joliet, 
married  Miss  Elda  Bruggeman,  of  Manhattan,  111. ;  Rosina  and  Nelsina, 
twins.  They  married  brothers,  Rosina  being  the  wife  of  Henry  Mietz, 
of  Joliet,  and  Nelsina  being  the  wife  of  Albert  Mietz,  of  Joliet. 

Politically  Mr.  Wietting  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  Church,  Joliet,  of  which  he  is 
deacon,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Finance.  He  has  been  school 
trustee  of  Joliet  Township  for  the  past  14  years. 


Fred  B.  Rohe. — Numbered  among  the  responsible  men  of  Will  County 
is  Fred  B.  Rohe,  mayor  of  Crete.    He  was  born  here,  Aug.  20,  1874. 

Fred  B.  Rohe  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Crete  and 
spent  much  of  his  boyhood  on  a  farm.  At  the  age  of  18  years  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Steger  Piano  Company,  and  after  about  a  year  went 
to  Chicago  Heights,  where  he  was  employed  for  two  years.  He  then 
became  interested  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  which  he  suc- 
cessfully followed  until  1907.  He  then  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 
insurance  business.  He  has  recently  opened  an  attractive  subdivision 
on  the  Dixie  Highway,  where  he  has  built  many  fine  residences.  Mr. 
Rohe  has  been  mayor  of  Crete  since  1923  and  has  always  been  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  civic  life  of  the  community.  When  24  years 
of  age  he  was  elected  village  clerk,  and  he  has  since  served  as  village 
trustee,  justice  of  the  peace,  county  supervisor,  and  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees.  He  was  among  the  first  men  to  become  interested 
in  the  Dixie  Highway  through  this  section  of  the  county  and  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Dixie  Highway  Association  for  Will  County.  He  was  also 
influential  in  obtaining  the  Lincoln  Highway  through  Joliet. 

On  July  2,  1898,  Mr.  Rohe  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sophia 
Steege,  of  Crete,  the  daughter  of  Fred  and  Caroline  (Sailer)  Steege. 
Mr.  Steege,  who  lives  retired  at  Crete,  was  well  known  in  this  community 
for  more  than  half  a  century  as  a  tailor  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rohe  were 
born  two  children:  Otto  F.,  born  Aug.  9,  1900,  attended  Chicago  Heights 
High  School  and  the  University  of  Michigan,  is  cashier  of  the  Bank  of 
Crete  married  Miss  Lorine  Behrens,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Marilyn ; 
and  Estelle  Sophie,  born  Sept.  30,  1902,  was  a  teacher  before  her  mar- 
riage to  Paul  J.  Monahan,  of  Crete.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Bank 
of  Crete. 

Mr.  Rohe  is  vice  president  of  the  Bank  of  Crete  and  is  also  identified 
with  the  Calumet  Bond  &  Mortgage  Company,  of  Hammond,  Ind.    He  is 


1070  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  belongs  to  the  National 
Real  Estate  Association  and  Chicago  Heights  Real  Estate  Board,  and 
National  Association  of  Insurance  Agents.  He  has  always  been  a  Re- 
publican and  is  a  member  of  the  Trinity  Lutheran  Church  of  Crete. 
During  the  World  War  he  was  one  of  the  "Four  Minute"  speakers  of 
Will  County  and  chairman  of  the  board. 


Andrew  Gregg  Watson,  who  is  identified  with  the  Butler  Products 
Company,  is  among  the  highly  successful  building  contractors  of  Joliet, 
where  he  has  engaged  in  business  since  1886.  He  was  bora  at  Center 
Hall,  Pa.,  Oct.  4,  1854,  the  son  of  James  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Hess)  Watson. 

Andrew  Gregg  Watson  was  reared  by  an  aunt,  his  parents  having 
died  when  he  was  a  small  boy.  He  spent  his  early  life  in  Blair  County, 
Pa.,  and  attended  the  district  schools.  About  1870  he  removed  to 
Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  for  many  years.  In  1886  he 
located  in  Joliet  and  soon  became  interested  in  building  contracting.  In 
1907  he  established  the  Butler  Products  Company,  builders  of  concrete 
blocks,  etc.  Mr.  Watson  has  specialized  in  residential  work  and  has  also 
had  contracts  for  the  erection  of  most  of  the  schools  and  churches  in 
this  section. 

Mr.  Watson  was  married  on  Jan.  12,  1881,  to  Miss  Kittie  W.  Thorn- 
ton, of  Joliet.  They  have  a  daughter,  Esther  W.  Hoefer,  of  Aurora,  111. 
Her  husband  is  identified  with  the  Aurora  Beacon  and  they  have  two 
sons,  Charles  and  Warren  Watson  Hoefer. 

Mr.  Watson  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Sons  of  Veterans. 


Edward  C.  Hinz,  proprietor  of  the  Hinz  Baking  Company,  is  among 
the  enterprising  and  successful  young  busines  men  of  Joliet.  He  was 
born  in  this  city,  Dec.  12,  1892,  the  son  of  Charles  F.  and  Ida  (Schultz) 
Hinz. 

Charles  F.  Hinz,  who  lives  retired  in  Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Germany. 
Throughout  his  active  business  career  he  was  interested  in  the  brewing 
business  in  this  city.  His  wife,  also  born  in  Germany,  died  in  1920.  She 
is  buried  in  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinz  were 
born  five  children:  William,  lives  in  Joliet;  Edward  C,  the  subject  of 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1071 

this  sketch;  Anna,  lives  in  Joliet;  Charles  F.,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Alma, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years. 

Edward  C.  Hinz  attended  the  parochial  schools  of  Joliet  and  completed 
a  course  at  the  Metropolitan  Business  College.  He  also  attended  Con- 
cordia Teachers  College  at  Addison,  111.,  and  completed  a  normal  school 
course.  He  taught  in  the  parochial  school  of  Lemont,  111.,  and  served  as 
principal  of  St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  School,  Lemont,  111.,  for  13  years. 
Due  to  ill  health  Mr.  Hinz  resigned  his  position  in  1923.  He  has  since 
been  interested  in  the  bakery  business  in  Joliet. 

On  Aug.  15,  1925,  Mr.  Hinz  married  Miss  Mabel  I.  Hogrefe,  of  Le- 
mont, the  daughter  of  Charles  and  Emma  (Schmidt)  Hogrefe.  The 
former  is  deceased  and  the  latter  lives  at  Lemont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinz 
have  a  son,  Edward  C,  Jr.,  born  May  26,  1926. 

Mr.  Hinz  is  a  Republican  and  active  in  local  politics.  He  is  a  member 
of  St.  Peters'  Lutheran  Church  and  is  prominent  in  church  activities, 
being  well  known  throughout  the  city  as  an  accomplished  musician, 
lecturer  and  speaker. 


William  Kellsner  is  a  well  known  business  man  of  Joliet,  where  he 
is  a  florist  and  manager  and  one  of  the  owners  of  the  Chicago  Carnation 
Company.  He  was  born  in  the  southern  part  of  Sweden,  Nov.  24,  1879. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  there  and  at  the  age  of  15  years  went  to 
work  in  a  greenhouse.  When  he  was  21  years  of  age  he  went  to  London, 
England,  and  worked  in  a  greenhouse  for  about  two  years.  From  Lon- 
don he  came  direct  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  he  worked  in  greenhouses,  and 
in  1903  came  to  Joliet  and  secured  employment  with  the  Thompson 
Carnation  Company,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  worked  in  Dan- 
ville, 111.,  one  year,  and  Tilton,  111.,  for  three  years,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  Joliet  to  take  charge  of  the  present  plant. 

The  Chicago  Carnation  Company  has  one  of  the  largest  greenhouses 
in  Will  County  and  state,  with  150,000  square  feet  of  glass  covering 
five  acres,  and  have  16  acres  in  all.  It  was  incorporated  in  1917  as  the 
Chicago  Carnation  Company,  William  Kellsner  manager.  Their  retail 
store  is  located  at  407  Jefferson  Street,  Joliet.  The  plant  employs  15 
men,  and  there  are  six  employes  at  the  down  town  store.  The  green- 
house has  over  30,000  rose  plants,  which  is  the  principal  product ;  20,000 
carnation  plants;  15,000  chrysanthemum  plants;  calla  lilies,  2,100;  Eas- 
ter lilies,  bulbs,  imported  from  Japan;  about  1,500  ferns  of  various  kinds, 


1072  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

10,000  bedding  plants  for  spring,  and  all  other  plants  in  a  first  class 
greenhouse  plant.  The  greenhouses  are  located  on  the  Michigan  Central 
tracks,  Route  No.  5  State  Highway,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  east 
of  Joliet.  The  company  has  a  large  wholesale  and  retail  trade  in  Joliet 
and  the  Chicago  markets. 

In  1911  Mr.  Kellsner  was  married  to  Miss  Hilda  Ryden  of  Sweden, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Agnes,  a  sophomore  in  Joliet  Township  High 
School. 

Mr.  Kellsner  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Joliet 
Lutheran  Bethlehem  Church,  the  Svitioth  Club,  and  the  John  Erickson 
Club,  Joliet  Flower  and  Garden  Club.  Mr.  Kellsner  has  spent  nearly 
all  his  time  as  a  florist  and  horticulturist. 


Archibald  C.  Jeffrey,  resident  manager  of  the  Lincoln  Jockey  Club, 
is  a  representative  citizen  of  Joliet.  He  has  also  been  prominently  iden- 
tified with  politics  in  Will  County,  having  served  as  county  treasurer, 
and  mayor  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Braidwood,  111.,  Feb.  2,  1874,  the 
son  of  Joseph  and  Jane  (Craig)  Jeffrey. 

Both  Joseph  Jeffrey  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Scotland.  The 
former  was  born  in  1848  and  the  latter  in  1846.  About  1873  they  came 
to  the  United  States  and  located  at  Braidwood  in  Will  County,  where  Mr. 
Jeffrey  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines.  He  died  in  1885  and  his  widow 
died  in  1926.  They  are  buried  in  Braidwood  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jeffrey  were  born  six  children:  Joseph,  died  at  the  age  of  19  years; 
William,  died  at  the  age  of  31  years;  Archibald  C,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Jane,  unmarried,  lives  at  Joliet ;  James,  lives  at  Joliet ;  and  John, 
who  is  employed  in  the  county  treasurer's  office. 

Archibald  C.  Jeffrey  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Braidwood  and  also  attended  night  school.  He  began  his  business  career 
as  a  grocer's  clerk  and  later  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at  Braid- 
wood, which  he  successfully  conducted  until  1914.  He  filled  the  office 
of  County  Treasurer  of  Will  County  from  1914  until  1918  and  was  then 
made  deputy  treasurer.  He  was  appointed  mayor  of  Joliet  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term  of  Mayor  Thomas  V.  Gorey.  He  later  went  to  Chicago 
as  chief  office  deputy  of  the  internal  revenue  office.  In  1925  he  was 
appointed  residence  manager  of  the  Lincoln  Fields  Jockey  Club,  which 
is  located  in  Crete  Township.    It  is  among  the  finest  clubs  of  its  type 


f1  **    - 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1073 

in  the  United  States  and  was  built  at  a  cost  of  two  and  one-half  million 
dollars. 

On  Jan.  30,  1900,  Mr.  Jeffrey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Caroline  Melcher,  of  Braidwood,  the  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Mary 
Melcher.  Mr.  Melcher  is  deceased.  His  widow  lives  at  Joliet.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jeffrey  were  born  three  children:  Archibald  C,  Jr.,  born 
Dec.  2,  1901,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  now  in  the 
employ  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad ;  Gertrude,  a  graduate  of 
the  National  Kindgarten  School,  Chicago,  now  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  of  Joliet;  and  Joseph,  bom  Oct.  22,  1905,  a  graduate  of  Joliet 
Township  High  School.    He  attends  the  University  of  Illinois. 

Mr.  Jeffrey  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  32nd  degree,  Knights  of  Pythias,  Elks  Lodge, 
Eagle's  Lodge,  and  Loyal  Order  of  Moose.  He  has  served  as  supervisor 
of  Braidwood  for  four  years  and  for  many  years  had  been  president 
of  the  school  board. 


William  Plagge. — Prominently  identified  with  the  financial  interests 
of  Will  County  is  William  Plagge,  who  is  president  of  the  Monee  State 
Bank,  vice  president  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Beecher,  and  cashier  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Harvey.  He  was  born  at  Manhattan,  Will 
County,  Jan.  1,  1862,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Claussen)  Plagge. 

Both  Charles  Plagge  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Germany  and 
early  settlers  of  Will  County,  having  located  here  in  1860.  Mr.  Plagge 
purchased  a  grain  elevator  at  Monee  and  also  conducted  a  general  mer- 
cantile business  at  this  place  until  1902,  at  which  time  he  retired.  He 
died  Aug.  23,  1921,  at  the  age  of  85  years.  His  widow  lives  at  Harvey, 
111.  Mr.  Plagge  was  among  the  influential  business  men  of  Will  County 
and  was  the  first  mayor  of  Monee.  There  were  ten  children  in  the 
Plagge  family,  six  of  whom  survive. 

The  education  of  William  Plagge  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools 
of  Monee.  Early  in  life  he  was  associated  with  his  father's  mercantile 
business  in  this  city,  but  many  years  ago  became  interested  in  banking. 
In  1907  he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Harvey. 
He  has  been  connected  with  the  Monee  State  Bank  as  president  since 
its  organization  and  has  also  been  vice  president  of  the  First  State  Bank 
of  Beecher  since  its  inception. 

On  Nov.  30,  1890,  Mr.  Plagge  married  Miss  Lena  Koepke,  of  Monee. 
They  have  three  children:  Elmer,  lives  in  Chicago;  Luella,  married 
35— VOL.  2 


1074  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Emery  C.  Woeltje,  lives  at  Monee,  and  they  have  a  son,  Wayne;  and 
Norma,  married  Walter  Hoffman,  lives  in  Chicago,  and  they  have  a 
daughter,  Vivian. 

Mr.  Plagge  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  Church. 
He  has  held  the  office  of  school  treasurer  of  Monee  Township  continu- 
ously since  1885. 


Theodore  Robert  Gerlach,  merchant,  manufacturer  and  banker,  was 
born  at  Mount  Vernon,  Indiana,  February  17,  1867,  son  of  August  and 
Mary  (Goth)  Gerlach,  and  grandson  of  Henry  Gerlach,  a  mason  con- 
tractor, who  came  from  Muhlhausen,  Germany,  about  1866,  and  retired 
soon  after  reaching  America. 

Both  August  and  Mary  (Goth)  Gerlach,  father  and  mother  of  Theo- 
dore Robert  Gerlach,  were  natives  of  Germany  and  early  settlers  of 
Indiana.  At  the  age  of  20  years  August  Gerlach  emigrated  to  the 
United  States.  He  studied  for  the  ministry  and  was  a  pastor  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  from  1856  and  until  his  death  in  1896.  His 
wife  died  in  1917.  Both  are  buried  in  Rose  Hill  Cemetery,  Chicago. 
There  were  ten  children  in  the  Gerlach  family  as  follows :  Elizabeth,  died 
at  the  age  of  three  years ;  Charley  and  William,  twins,  deceased  in  in- 
fancy; August  E.,  lives  at  Commonwealth  Hotel,  Chicago;  Theodore 
Robert,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Louis,  deceased;  Kingsley  Henry, 
lives  at  Babson  Park,  Florida;  Lydia  E.,  lives  at  Louis  Joliet  Hotel, 
Joliet ;  Emma,  deceased ;  and  Clara,  married  Victor  S.  Rice,  lives  at  9054 
South  Robey  Street,  Chicago. 

Theodore  Robert  Gerlach,  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Cincinnati,  Columbus  and  Bucyrus,  Ohio, 
and  Marine  City,  Mich.  He  began  his  business  career  in  1883  as  a  clerk 
in  a  tea  store  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  was  subsequently  employed  as  a 
clerk  in  a  grocery  store  in  Chicago.  In  1887  he  established  himself  as  an 
independent  tea  and  grocery  merchant  at  Joliet,  111.  He  was  a  book  and 
calendar  salesman  during  the  years  1892-1907  and  in  the  latter  year 
organized  at  Joliet,  111.,  The  Gerlach-Barklow  Co.,  makers  of  art  calen- 
dars and  directors  of  sales  campaigns. 

The  Gerlach-Barklow  Company  has  grown  from  a  small  beginning 
into  the  largest  organization  of  its  kind  in  existence,  employing  800  per- 
sons, and  devoted  to  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  art  calendars,  direct- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1075 

by-mail  advertising,  business  greetings,  leather  utilities,  etc.  The  com- 
pany is  capitalized  at  $2,500,000.00,  and  its  plant  occupies  330,000  square 
feet  of  floor  space.  Mr.  Gerlach  was  vice  president  of  the  company  from 
its  organization  and  until  1919,  when  he  purchased  the  interests  of  its 
president  and  two  others  of  the  original  and  larger  stockholders,  and  be- 
came president,  which  office  he  still  holds. 

Control  of  The  P.  F.  Volland  Co.,  Chicago,  now  of  Joliet,  was  acquired 
by  The  Gerlach-Barklow  Co.  in  1924.  The  P.  F.  Volland  Co.  is  one  of 
the  most  successful  manufacturers  of  children's  books,  gift  books,  greet- 
ing cards  and  framed  mottoes,  and  employs  500  workers.  Mr.  Gerlach 
was  made  president  of  this  company  when  it  was  acquired  in  1924  and 
still  holds  that  office. 

Mr.  Gerlach  is  also  a  director  of  The  Ferndon  Manufacturing  Co., 
Aurora,  111.,  manufacturers  of  advertising  signs;  vice  president  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  The  Joliet  Wrought  Washer  Co.,  Joliet,  111.;  president 
of  The  Commercial  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  Joliet,  111. — and  has  long  been 
prominent  in  the  work  of  the  International  Advertising  Association, 
having  served  for  thirteen  years  as  a  member  of  its  advertising  com- 
mission for  the  United  States,  a  member  of  the  executive  committee  in 
1916  and  since  1922  a  member  of  its  joint  assembly.  He  was  president 
of  the  Advertising  Specialty  Association  of  Chicago  in  1918-1919,  and  is 
still  on  their  board  of  directors,  and  for  the  past  ten  years  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Illinois  Manufacturers  Association.  He  is  a  past  presi- 
dent of  the  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce,  is  a  director  in  the  Association 
of  Arts  and  Industries  of  Chicago,  a  lay  member  of  the  Painters  and 
Sculptors  Gallery  Association,  Grand  Central  Art  Galleries,  New  York 
City,  a  trustee  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital  of  Joliet,  and  a  director  of  the 
Joliet  Country  Club,  of  which  he  was  president  in  1919  and  1920. 

Mr.  Gerlach  was  married  December  25,  1889,  to  Miss  Charlotte  D. 
Hill  (deceased  September  18,  1925),  daughter  of  Charles  A.  and  Lydia 
M.  (Wood)  Hill,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of  Will 
County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Hill  was  a  lawyer,  an  assistant  attorney  general 
of  Illinois  and  a  member  of  Congress.  He  died  May  29,  1902,  and  his 
wife  died  January  7,  1912. 

Mr.  Gerlach  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church  and  belongs  to 
the  Union  League  Club,  Chicago,  The  Joliet  Chamber  of  Commerce,  The 
Joliet  Country  Club  and  The  Isaac  Walton  League.  He  has  always  been 
a  Republican,  and  finds  his  chief  recreation  in  fishing  and  hunting. 


1076  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Eugene  C.  Huston,  who  lives  retired  at  Braidwood,  is  a  representa- 
tive citizen  of  that  community,  and  a  member  of  a  family  that  has  long 
been  identified  with  the  history  of  Will  County.  He  was  bora  at  Braid- 
wood,  Feb.  1,  1876,  the  son  of  Robert  and  Emma  (Blanchard)  Huston. 

Robert  Huston,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  pioneer  of  Braidwood, 
where  he  located  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  He  engaged 
in  the  dry  goods  business  at  this  place  for  many  years  and  ranked  among 
the  dependable  and  successful  merchants  of  Will  County.  He  served 
as  postmaster,  alderman,  and  sheriff  of  Will  County,  and  throughout 
his  life  maintained  an  active  interest  in  local  politics.  He  was  a  Re- 
publican. Mr.  Huston  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  be- 
longed to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  died  Dec.  5,  1894, 
and  his  wife  died  Aug.  18,  1921.  Both  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery, 
Joliet.  They  had  four  children:  Maude,  married  Oscar  Brazelton,  lives 
in  Texas ;  Eugene  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  William,  deceased ;  and 
Jessie,  actress,  married  Fred  Palmer,  lives  in  New  York  City. 

Eugene  C.  Huston  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  began 
life  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  a  Joliet  railroad  office.  He  has  traveled 
extensively  and  is  well  known  as  a  contributor  to  newspapers  and  maga- 
zines. Mr.  Huston  lives  at  Braidwood  in  the  old  Huston  family  home- 
stead, which  is  one  of  the  interesting  landmarks  of  Will  County. 

Mr.  Huston  is  a  veteran  of  the  Spanish-American  War,  having  en- 
licted  in  Company  B,  Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  later 
identified  with  the  Illinois  Reserves. 


Arthur  F.  Schweer. — Among  the  most  successful  of  the  younger 
business  men  of  Will  County  is  Arthur  F.  Schweer,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  shoe  business  at  Crete.  He  was  born  here,  July  28,  1894,  the  son 
of  William  and  Louise  (Wehmhofer)  Schweer. 

William  Schweer,  deceased,  spent  his  entire  life  at  Crete.  He  was 
a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  died  in  1913  at  the  age  of  56  years  and  is 
buried  in  Trinity  Cemetery,  Crete.  His  widow  resides  here.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Schweer  were  bora  six  children,  as  follows :  William  and  Henry, 
who  live  at  Crete ;  Helen,  the  widow  of  Walter  Turkington,  lives  at  Crete; 
Martha,  married  Fred  L.  Pierce,  lives  at  Chicago  Heights;  Arthur  F., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Fred,  lives  at  Crete. 

Arthur  F.  Schweer  was  reared  and  educated  at  Crete.  He  learned 
the  machinists'  trade  early  in  life  and  was  also  interested  in  electrical 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1077 

work.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  France  with 
the  77th  Coast  Artillery.  He  was  discharged  at  Camp  Grant,  111.,  in 
April,  1919.  In  January,  1925,  Mr.  Schweer  purchased  the  Schweer  Shoe 
Company,  which  was  founded  many  years  ago  by  his  uncle,  Henry 
Schweer.  He  is  local  dealer  for  the  Florsheim  shoe  and  handles  high 
grade  merchandise  exclusively.  Mr.  Schweer  is  also  interested  in  the 
radio  business,  which  he  conducts  in  connection  with  his  shoe  store. 

In  1923  Mr.  Schweer  married  Miss  Emma  C.  Meier  of  Crete,  the 
daughter  of  Fred  J.  and  Louise  Meier.  Mr.  Meier  is  a  retired  farmer. 
Mrs.  Schweer  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Crete  and  Chicago 
Heights,  and  before  her  marriage  was  a  stenographer. 

Politically  Mr.  Schweer  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 


Marion  (Kelly)  Bowles,  M.  D. — Both  her  wide  and  varied  field  of 
practice  in  Joliet  and  her  official  and  professional  association  with  lead- 
ing medical  and  health  institutions,  are  inclusive  in  the  round  of  Dr. 
Bowles'  activities.  She  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  bom  near  Table  Grove, 
McDonald  County,  and  the  daughter  of  Lewis  E.  and  Susanna  (  Hoopes) 
Kelly. 

Lewis  E.  Kelly  was  born  at  Maysville,  Ky.,  and  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Freemont,  Ohio.  He  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  for  many 
years  and  later  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  at  Table  Grove,  111.  He  was  a 
Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelly  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
William  L.,  lives  in  Montana ;  Dr.  Franklin  E.,  physician,  deceased ;  and 
Dr.  Marion  Bowles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  of  Table  Grove,  Marion  Kelly 
entered  the  Illinois  State  Normal  School,  from  which  she  was  gradu- 
ated in  1886.  She  also  attended  the  University  of  Indiana,  and  for  a 
short  time  was  interested  in  teaching  school.  She  subsequently  entered 
the  Woman's  Medical  School  of  Northwestern  University,  from  which  she 
was  graduated  in  1894.  She  served  as  assistant  at  the  Clinic  in  general 
medicine  at  her  alma  mater,  Chicago,  for  two  years,  and  thereafter 
established  her  present  offices  in  Joliet.  Dr.  Bowles  is  a  member  of  the 
staff  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital,  and  for  20  years  she  served  as  an  instruc- 
tor in  obstetrics  on  the  staff  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital  and  two  years  as 
instructor  of  pediatrics  in  the  same  hospital.    She  was  one  of  the  organ- 


1078  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

izers  of  the  Will  County  Public  Health  Council  and  has  been  active  in 
the  affairs  of  this  organization,  having  been  chairman  of  the  Tubercu- 
losis Division,  and  also  has  been  medical  director  of  two  of  its  child 
welfare  clinics  for  several  years.  She  is  also  medical  director  of  the 
Infant  Welfare  Station  at  Lemont,  111.,  under  the  Cook  County  Public 
Health  Council. 

On  Jan.  29,  1893,  Marion  Kelly  married  William  A.  Bowles,  a  sketch 
of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

Dr.  Bowles  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Universalist  Church, 
Kings  Daughters,  W.  C.  T.  U.,  Cosmos  Club,  Joliet  Women's  Study  Club, 
Alpha  Epsilon  Iota  Fraternity  and  Marguerite  Chapter,  O.  E.  S.,  and 
White  Shrine  of  Joliet.  She  also  belongs  to  the  Business  and  Profes- 
sional Women's  Club,  of  which  she  is  past  state  president  and  past 
national  vice  president,  also  the  Woman's  Club. 

Dr.  Bowles  served  for  two  terms  as  president  of  the  Will  County 
Medical  Society,  was  its  secretary  and  treasurer  for  fifteen  years,  and 
she  also  is  identified  with  the  American  Medical  Association,  Medical 
Women's  National  Association,  and  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Bowles  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  a  member  of 
the  high  school  board,  which  body  she  has  served  as  president  for  two 
terms,  and  active  on  both  local  and  state  boards  of  the  National  Feder- 
ation of  Business  and  Professional  Women.  She  has  been  a  member  of 
the  State  Board  of  the  Illinois  League  of  Women  Voters. 

She  is  prominent  in  the  social  life  of  the  city,  having  served  as  the 
first  president  of  the  Joliet  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs  in  Joliet,  now 
merged  into  the  Woman's  Club. 


William  A.  Bowles,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  representative  citizens 
and  prominent  attorneys  of  Will  and  Cook  Counties.  He  was  born  at 
Table  Grove,  111.,  the  son  of  James  and  Amanda  (Elgin)  Bowles. 

James  Bowles  was  born  at  Hancock,  Md.,  and  was  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Illinois,  where  he  was  successful  as  a  farmer.  His  wife  was 
born  at  Astoria,  111.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowles  are  deceased  and  are 
buried  at  Astoria,  in  Fulton  County.  They  had  four  sons:  Samuel, 
teacher  and  farmer,  lives  at  MacComb,  111. ;  James  E.,  attorney,  lives  in 
Chicago;  Judge  Charles  H.,  deceased;  and  William  A.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1079 

The  boyhood  of  William  A.  Bowles  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Astoria,  and  later  matriculated  at  Knox 
College.  After  his  graduation  from  the  Kent  College  of  Law,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Cook  County,  and  for  20  years  successfully  en- 
gaged in  practice  with  offices  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Bowles  maintained  his 
home  in  Joliet,  commuting  each  day  to  Chicago.    He  died  in  1922. 

On  Jan.  29,  1893,  Mr.  Bowles  was  united  in  marriage  with  Dr.  Marion 
Kelly.    They  had  no  children. 

Mr.  Bowles  was  a  Democrat  and  served  as  representative  to  the  Illi- 
nois State  Legislature  from  the  41st  District  for  three  terms.  He  was 
a  delegate  to  the  national  Democratic  convention  which  was  held  in  San 
Francisco,  Calif.  He  was  identified  with  the  Cook  County,  Will  County, 
Illinois  State,  and  American  Bar  Associations.  He  was  affiliated  with 
Matteson  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  175 ;  Joliet  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  No.  27 ; 
Joliet  Commandery,  K.  T.  No.  4;  Medinah  Temple;  and  Joliet  Country 
Club. 

Mr.  Bowles  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Autoist  Mutual  Insurance 
Company,  of  which  he  served  as  chief  counsel  for  a  number  of  years. 


Link  C.  Bostwick,  local  auditor  for  the  Illinois  Steel  Company,  is 
among  the  most  substantial  men  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Circleville, 
Ohio,  April  23,  1876,  the  son  of  Burr  H.,  and  Hattie  A.  (Hall)  Bostwick. 

Burr  H.  Bostwick,  deceased,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  He 
was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  for  more  than  25  years  successfully  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  at  Circleville.  He  died  in  1894  and  his  wife 
died  in  1900.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Burr  J., 
lives  at  Coeur  d'Alene,  Idaho;  Minnie  B.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of 
Joseph  C.  Zinser;  Mabel,  deceased;  and  Link  C,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Link  C.  Bostwick  was  reared  and  educated  at  Circleville,  Ohio,  and 
after  completing  a  business  course  at  the  Klock  Commercial  College, 
entered  the  employ  of  T.  M.  Long  &  Company,  cigar  manufacturers,  of 
Circleville.  At  the  age  of  23  years  Mr.  Bostwick  came  to  Joliet  where 
he  was  employed  in  the  office  of  the  O'Connor  Abstract  Company  for 
a  short  time.  In  August,  1899,  he  became  connected  with  the  Illinois 
Steel  Company  in  a  clerical  capacity.     He  advanced  steadily  and  was 


1080  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

chief  clerk  of  the  local  plant  in  September,  1927,  at  which  time  he  was 
promoted  to  auditor. 

On  April  23,  1903,  Mr.  Bostwick  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lucy  M.  Buck,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  George  A.  and  Sarah  Buck, 
pioneer  settlers  of  Will  County.  Both  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bostwick  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Bostwick  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce. 


Peter  Rossi,  Sr.,  deceased,  early  in  life  became  interested  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  macaroni.  He  was  born  in  Busano,  Province  of  Torino,  Italy, 
May  13,  1851.  Before  immigrating  to  America  he  passed  the  civil 
service  examination  and  served  with  the  government  for  many  years. 
Upon  his  arrival  in  the  United  States  in  1878  Peter  Rossi,  Sr.,  came  to 
Braidwood  and  in  1886  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  macaroni,  which 
business  he  conducted  until  he  retired  from  business  and  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  fruit  raising.  He  was  one  of  the  first  men  in  this 
section  to  raise  alfalfa.  He  also  specialized  in  raising  green  peppers, 
which  he  shipped  to  market  in  car  load  lots.  He  owned  the  largest  grape 
vineyard  in  Will  County. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Faletti  in  1875.  To  this  union  were 
born  nine  children,  of  whom  four  died  in  infancy.  Five  survive,  of 
whom  mention  is  made  later. 

Mary  Faletti  Rossi  died  Jan.  29,  1893.  She  was  a  Catholic  and  is 
buried  at  Braidwood.  Mr.  Rossi  returned  to  Italy  and  married  Mrs. 
Margherita  Fetta  Truffa.  She  resides  at  Braidwood.  She  had  one  child 
by  her  former  marriage,  Jennie  Truffa,  who  is  the  wife  of  George  Morti- 
mer and  lives  at  Braidwood.    They  have  one  daughter,  Margaretta. 

Upon  Mr.  Rossi  Sr.'s  retirement  from  active  business  in  1904,  a 
company  was  formed  with  all  the  sons,  under  the  name  of  Peter  Rossi 
&  Sons. 

Peter  Rossi  Sr.  served  as  alderman  from  1891-1893  and  also  school 
trustee.  He  was  a  Republican  and  in  religious  belief  he  was  Catholic. 
He  died  June  27,  1918,  and  is  buried  at  Braidwood. 

Of  those  born  to  Peter  and  Mary  (Faletti)  Rossi,  Stephen,  a  mer- 
chant, resides  at  Braidwood.    Felix  J.  and  Henry  D.,  who  conduct  the 


TETER   ROSSI,   St:. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1081 

business  founded  by  the  father,  live  in  Braidwood.    Josephine  married 
J.  Gerardo,  lives  in  Primeville,  Ore.    Peter  J.  lives  in  Chicago. 

In  1920  the  firm  name  of  Peter  Rossi  &  Sons  was  incorporated  by 
Felix  J.,  Henry  D.  and  Marghraita  Rossi,  who  are  carrying  on  the  busi- 
ness at  present. 


Felix  J.  Rossi,  treasurer  of  the  firm  Peter  Rossi  &  Sons,  was  born 
at  Braidwood  Jan.  13,  1881.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Braidwood  and  has  always  been  identified  with  his  father's  business 
since  leaving  school. 

He  was  married  Aug.  12,  1914,  to  Miss  Theresa  Felicia  Peyla,  who 
was  born  at  Braidwood  July  10,  1883,  she  having  served  as  principal 
in  the  lower  Braidwood  schools.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Felicia 
Peyla,  who  reside  in  Braidwood.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rossi  have  two  daughters, 
Felicia,  born  June  25,  1917,  and  Mary  Margaret,  born  April  12,  1920. 
Mr.  Rossi  is  a  Catholic  and  belongs  to  the  Fourth  Degree  Knights  of 
Columbus.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Henry  D.  Rossi,  who  is  president  of  Peter  Rossi  &  Sons  Macaroni 
Company,  of  Braidwood,  is  widely  known  throughout  the  state  as  a 
successful  business  man.  He  was  born  at  Braidwood,  May  19,  1882,  the 
son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Faletti)  Rossi. 

Henry  D.  Rossi  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Braidwood 
and  has  always  been  identified  with  his  fathers'  business,  of  which  he 
has  served  as  president  since  1926. 

Mr.  Rossi  was  married  Oct.  5,  1910,  to  Miss  Ada  M.  Reed,  who  was 
born  at  Braidwood,  Jan.  17,  1887,  the  daughter  of  Fred  and  Harriet 
(Parsons)  Reed,  natives  of  England,  who  settled  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1880.  They  later  removed  to  Braidwood.  Mr.  Reed  died  in  1918  and 
his  wife  died  in  1897.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  belonged  to  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rossi  have  been  born  three  children: 
Harriet,  born  Aug.  12,  1912 ;  Henry,  Jr.,  born  June  27,  1917 ;  and  Albert, 
born  Jan.  11,  1919. 

Mr.  Rossi  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  served  as  commissioner 
of  Braidwood  from  1917  until  1920.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 


1082  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Church  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  Foresters  of  America.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Joliet  Chamber  of 
Commerce  and  the  Illinois  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


John  O.  Barrett,  who  was  actively  identified  with  the  Barrett  Hard- 
ware Company  of  Joliet  for  the  past  sixty  years,  and  among  the  leading 
business  men  of  Will  County,  died  July  18,  1928.  He  was  born  in  Joliet, 
March  16,  1851,  the  son  of  William  Franklin  and  Clamana  (Onderdonk) 
Barrett. 

William  Franklin  Barrett  was  bom  in  Chelsea,  Mass.,  and  was  a 
pioneer  settler  of  Will  County,  when  travel  to  Chicago  was  by  canal 
boats.  Shortly  after  coming  to  Joliet  he  became  associated  with  W.  A. 
Strong  and  together  they  organized  a  hardware  business  in  1850.  A  few 
years  later  Mr.  Barrett  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  business,  which 
was  known  as  the  W.  F.  Barrett  Hardware  Store.  He  operated  this 
business  alone  until  1872,  when  his  son,  John  0.  Barrett,  entered  the 
business,  which  was  then  changed  to  W.  F.  Barrett  &  Son.  Mr.  Barrett 
was  a  member  of  the  volunteer  fire  department,  and  served  as  alderman 
from  his  ward  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  being  one  of  the  founders  and  builders  of  same, 
and  his  name  is  found  on  the  stained  glass  window  in  this  church.  Po- 
litically he  was  a  stanch  Republican.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  New 
York  state.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrett  eight  children  were  born :  Amelia, 
died  in  infancy ;  Emily,  the  widow  of  Dr.  T.  B.  Baird,  resides  in  Denver, 
Colo.;  Charity  Mariah,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Hugh  H.  Carson; 
John  0.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Lizzie,  deecased ;  W.  F.,  Jr.,  deceased ; 
and  Edward  C,  secretary  of  the  Barrett  Hardware  Company.  William 
Franklin  Barrett  died  in  1879,  and  his  wife  died  in  1913.  Both  are 
buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

John  O.  Barrett  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  the  Fourth  Ward, 
Joliet,  and  began  his  business  career  as  a  clerk  in  his  father's  hardware 
business,  and  at  the  age  of  21  years  was  made  a  member  of  the  firm. 
The  company  was  incorporated  in  1872,  and  John  0.  Barrett  was  elected 
president,  which  position  he  held  continuously  until  January,  1927,  when 
he  retired  and  became  chairman  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  com- 
pany. The  present  officers  of  the  Barrett  Hardware  Company  are:  W. 
Franklin  Barrett,  III,  president ;  E.  M.  Moore,  vice  president ;  Edward  C. 
Barrett,  secretary  and  treasurer. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1083 

The  Barrett  Hardware  Company  is  the  leading  hardware  house  in 
the  state.  One  of  its  most  popular  salesmen  is  William  Keltie,  who  won 
first  prize  in  a  contest  held  by  Chilton  Glass  Journal,  trade  paper,  to  the 
best  salesman  in  the  United  States.    The  prize  was  $600.00. 

John  O.  Barrett  was  married  (first)  in  1872  to  Miss  Mary  Warren, 
of  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  born  in  1853.  She  died  in  1904  and  is  buried  in 
Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  Mr.  Barrett  married  (second)  Mrs.  Cora 
Mason  Clark,  in  July,  1906.  She  was  born  in  Cold  Water,  Mich.,  in  1854. 
By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Barrett  had  one  son,  Fred  Mason  Clark,  who 
married  Sarah  Martin.  They  have  two  children:  Frederick  Clark,  who 
is  engaged  in  the  brokerage  business  in  Chicago,  and  Mason,  a  student 
in  the  University  of  Illinois. 

Mr.  Barrett  was  a  prominent  and  influential  member  of  the  busi- 
ness fraternity  of  Joliet  and  contributed  much  to  the  city's  growth  and 
advancement.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the 
Joliet  Country  Club  and  was  the  last  surviving  member  of  the  original 
board  of  directors  of  the  Joliet  National  Bank.  He  was  president  of 
the  Crowe  Name  Plate  Company  of  Chicago.  He  was  one  of  Joliet's 
far-sighted  business  men,  honored  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him 
either  in  a  business  or  social  way. 

Politically  he  was  a  stanch  Republican.  Mrs.  Barrett  is  a  member 
of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  which  Mr.  Barrett  also  attends. 


Edward  C.  Barrett  is  numbered  among  the  prominent  business  men 
of  Joliet,  where  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Barrett  Hardware 
Company.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Feb.  16,  1864,  the  son  of  William 
Franklin  and  Clamana  (Onderdonk)  Barrett. 

William  Franklin  Barrett,  deceased,  was  a  highly  esteemed  and  well 
known  citizen  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  Chelsea,  Mass.,  in  1818,  and 
died  in  1879.  His  wife  was  born  at  Holly,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  1913. 
(Further  mention  of  William  Franklin  Barrett  appears  in  this  volume 
in  connection  with  the  biographical  sketch  of  John  O.  Barrett.) 

Edward  C.  Barrett  has  always  lived  in  Joliet.  After  his  graduation 
from  Joliet  Township  High  School  he  entered  the  shops  of  his  father's 
business,  where  he  learned  the  plumbing,  heating,  and  sheet  metal 
trades.    At  the  age  of  20  years  he  was  put  in  complete  charge  of  the 


1084  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

tinning  shop.  He  has  served  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  firm 
since  December,  1891. 

The  Barrett  Hardware  Company  has  one  of  the  best  equipped  hard- 
ware stores  in  Will  County,  and  in  fact  there  is  none  like  it  in  Illinois. 
They  have  extensive  salesrooms,  and  commodious  offices,  and  depart- 
ments exclusively  devoted  to  plumbing  and  gas  fitting,  builders'  hard- 
ware, and  sample  rooms.  The  present  officers  are :  W.  Franklin  Barrett, 
president ;  E.  M.  Moore,  vice  president ;  and  E.  C.  Barrett,  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

In  1896  Mr.  Barrett  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nettie  Hobbs, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Brown)  Hobbs.  The  Hobbs  family 
settled  in  Joliet  about  1834,  having  come  here  from  New  York.  Mr. 
Hobbs,  who  is  deceased,  was  a  well  known  soap  manufacturer.  His 
widow,  now  96  years  of  age,  lives  in  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrett  have 
two  children:  (1)  Mary,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  married 
Charles  C.  Russell,  and  they  have  a  daughter  Anne  Elizabeth.  They 
reside  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  where  Mr.  Russell  is  a  coke  manufacturer.  (2) 
W.  Franklin,  born  in  1900.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, class  of  1919,  and  is  president  of  the  Barrett  Hardware  Com- 
pany. He  married  Miss  Adrianne  Stainfield,  and  they  have  two  daugh- 
ters, Betty  and  Jean. 

Mr.  Barrett  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  and  belongs  to  the  Rotary  Club  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


James  Lyons. — One  of  the  oldest  and  largest  lumber  and  fuel  com- 
panies in  Will  County  is  the  Lyons  Brothers  Lumber  &  Fuel  Company, 
a  business  that  has  been  in  existence  for  over  half  a  century.  Its 
founder  was  the  late  John  Lyons,  and  the  president  today  is  his  son, 
James  Lyons,  of  this  sketch. 

James  Lyons  was  born  in  Channahon,  Will  County,  111.,  July  31,  1864, 
a  son  of  John  and  Susan  (Feeney)  Lyons.  His  father,  John  Lyons,  was 
born  in  Longford  County,  Ireland,  and  when  a  young  man  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1857.  He  remained  in  New  York  City  for  three  years, 
and  in  1860  came  to  Joliet. 

He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in  New  York  and  was  in  the  building 
contract  business  until  1875,  when  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  Lyons  &  Patterson.     He  continued  with  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1085 

Patterson  as  a  partner  until  1882,  when  he  purchased  the  latter's  inter- 
ests. Mr.  Lyons  continued  alone  in  business  until  1892,  when  he  retired 
and  his  four  sons  took  over  the  business.  He  was  a  staunch  Democrat 
and  took  an  active  interest  in  all  public  and  civic  affairs,  and  was  an 
assistant  supervisor  for  two  terms.  He  was  a  member  of  St.  Patrick's 
Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Lyons  died  in  1904,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born 
in  Channahan,  111.,  died  in  1884.  They  are  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Ceme- 
tery, Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Lyons  seven  children  were  bora: 
James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  W.  J.,  born  Jan.  1,  1866,  now  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business,  Joliet;  Mary,  deceased;  John,  Joliet;  Thomas, 
secretary-treasurer  Lyons  Brothers  Lumber  and  Fuel  Company;  Anna, 
the  widow  of  John  Cassidy,  resides  in  Joliet ;  and  Susan,  married  Hairy 
Ward,  resides  in  Greenville,  Ohio. 

James  Lyons  was  born  in  Channahan,  Will  County,  111.,  July  31,  1864, 
public  schools  of  Joliet,  after  which  he  entered  his  father's  lumber 
business,  and  in  1892  when  Mr.  Patterson  retired  from  the  business, 
James  Lyons  became  a  partner.  The  yard  at  that  time  was  located  at 
300  North  Desplaines  Street.  In  1897  he  withdrew  from  the  company 
and  with  his  brothers,  Thomas  and  John,  formed  a  partnership  which 
was  incorporated  as  the  Lyons  Brothers  Lumber  &  Fuel  Company.  The 
officers  were:  James  Lyons,  president;  Thomas  Lyons,  vice  president 
and  treasurer;  John  Lyons,  secretary.  The  business  was  located  on 
South  Eastern  Avenue,  and  in  1908  it  was  moved  to  the  present  location, 
602  Washington  Street.  While  the  business  office  of  this  company  has 
always  been  conducted  in  Joliet,  the  trade  embraces  a  large  territory 
in  surrounding  cities  and  towns. 

On  Aug.  11,  1886,  Mr.  Lyons  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Rogan,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rosa  (Mclntyre)  Rogan,  natives  of 
Scotland.  Thomas  Rogan  was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade.  He  and  his 
wife  are  both  deceased.  He  is  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery  and  his 
wife's  remains  rest  in  Mt.  Olivet  Cemetery  at  Joliet,  111.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  James  Lyons  six  children  were  born,  as  follows:  Albert,  Ambrose, 
Clarence,  John,  Harold  and  James  J.  Albert  Lyons,  the  eldest  son,  grew 
to  manhood,  married  Alma  Braun  of  Joliet,  and  died  in  November,  1914. 
They  had  one  son,  Joseph  Lyons.  Ambrose  Lyons  was  born  in  1889  and 
died  in  1890.  Clarence  Lyons  was  bora  in  1891  and  died  in  1892.  John 
Lyons  was  bora  in  January,  1897,  and  died  in  August,  1897.  Harold 
Lyons,  who  is  engaged  in  the  tire  and  radio  business,  married  Clara 
Burnside  and  they  have  two  children,  Harold,  Jr.,  and  Mary  Louise. 


1086  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

James  J.  Lyons,  youngest  son  of  James  Lyons  and  wife,  was  born  in  1898 
and  died  in  1921.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served 
overseas  with  the  833rd  Aero  Squadron.  Mary  (Rogan)  Lyons  died 
July  31,  1925,  and  is  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Lyons  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  civic  affairs  and 
served  on  the  city  school  board  for  12  years,  three  years  of  which  he 
was  president  of  the  board.  He  served  on  the  Fire  and  Police  Board 
for  eight  years,  and  at  present  is  a  member  of  the  Park  Board  Commis- 
sion. He  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  is  a  member  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Holy  Name  Society,  Modern  Woodmen  of 
the  World,  and  the  Illinois  Lumber  Dealers  Association.  In  politics  he 
is  an  independent  voter.  The  family  are  members  of  St.  Patrick's 
Catholic  Church. 


Frank  A.  Johnson. — Connected  with  the  undertaking  business  dur- 
ing practically  all  of  his  life,  Frank  A.  Johnson,  of  Joliet,  is  an  experi- 
enced man  in  his  profession,  and  one  whose  services  are  in  great  demand. 
His  funeral  home  is  located  at  404  Collins  Street.  Joliet.  He  was  born 
in  Sweden,  March  19,  1857,  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Anderson) 
Johnson. 

John  Johnson  was  a  merchant  in  Sweden  where  he  lived  all  his  life. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Sweden.  They  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  There  were  three  sons  in  the  John- 
son family:  Edwin,  died  in  1927,  in  Sweden;  Adolph,  died  in  April,  1925, 
buried  in  Joliet;  and  Frank  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Frank  A.  Johnson  was  reared  in  Sweden  and  attended  the  public 
schools.  On  May  13,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Emma  Abramhauson,  of 
Sweden,  who  was  born  June  9,  1860.  Their  only  child,  Arthur,  died  at 
the  age  of  three  and  one-half  years  and  is  buried  in  Sweden.  Frank  A. 
Johnson  came  to  the  United  States  in  1886  and  settled  in  Joliet.  In 
1900  he  took  a  course  in  embalming  at  Chicago,  and  then  returned  to 
Joliet  where  he  organized  his  present  business,  which  has  a  modern 
equipment  in  every  particular,  including  full  motor  service. 

In  1895  Mr.  Johnson  went  to  Sweden  to  bring  his  wife's  brother's 
child  Albert  to  this  country,  who  was  an  orphan.  He  was  born  in  1893 
and  the  Johnson  family  raised  him  to  manhood.  During  the  World  War 
Albert  Anderson  enlisted  from  Joliet  in  the  aviation  corps  and  was  in 
the  service  two  years,  being  stationed  at  Kelly's  Field.     Mr.  Anderson 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1087 

married  Eleanor  Peterson,  a  native  of  Rockford,  111.,  and  they  have  three 
children:  Donald,  John,  and  Jennie.  Mr.  Anderson  is  connected  with 
the  National  Furnace  Company  of  Rockford,  111.,  where  the  family  reside. 
Mr.  Johnson  has  always  taken  a  leading  part  in  the  affairs  of  the 
city  and  county.  He  was  assistant  supervisor  of  Will  County  for  ten 
years,  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Charities,  and  Orphan's  Home,  and 
the  Salem  Home,  which  office  he  has  held  for  18  years.  He  has  been 
treasurer  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  for  the  past  14  years,  and  belongs 
to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  North  Star  Society. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of  which  he  was  a 
trustee  for  many  years.    In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


John  F.  Daly  is  among  the  representative  citizens  of  Lockport,  where 
he  has  held  the  office  of  mayor  since  1925.  He  was  bom  at  Dwight,  111., 
Oct.  29,  1878,  the  son  of  Daniel  C.  and  Catherine  (McDonald)  Daly. 

Daniel  Daly  was  born  in  Ireland  in  December,  1800.  He  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  in  1841  and  settled  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  three  years.  He  then  came  west,  making  the  trip  by  ox  team, 
and  settled  in  Lockport  Township,  at  the  junction  of  Archer  and  Romeo 
Roads.  He  purchased  200  acres  of  land  from  the  Illinois,  Michigan  Canal 
Commissioners  and  became  a  prosperous  farmer  of  this  section.  He 
married  Miss  Bridget  Prior,  who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1813.  To  this 
union  11  children  were  born,  of  whom  Daniel  C,  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  Mr.  Daly  died  March  15, 
1896,  and  his  wife  died  May  1,  1897.  They  are  buried  in  the  Catholic 
Cemetery  at  Lockport. 

Daniel  C.  Daly  was  born  at  Lockport  in  1848.  Throughout  his  life 
he  was  interested  in  construction  work.  He  was  superintendent  of  con- 
struction in  the  building  of  the  Kankakee  Electric  Railroad,  and  the 
Calumet  Electric  Railroad  at  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago.  He  was  also 
in  charge  of  the  building  of  the  railroad  bridge  over  the  Mississippi 
River  at  Memphis,  Tenn.  He  married  Miss  Catherine  McDonald,  who 
was  born  at  Lockport  in  1854.  She  died  Oct.  29,  1878,  leaving  a  son, 
John  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.    Her  husband  died  in  1898. 

John  F.  Daly  was  educated  in  the  parochial  schools  and  the  High 
School  of  Lockport  and  early  in  life  was  employed  in  the  railway  postal 
service.     In  1907  he  became  interested  in  the  advertising  business  in 


1088  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Chicago  and  has  continued  in  this  line  of  work  since  that  date.  His 
residence  is  at  127  Washington  Street. 

On  June  28,  1905,  Mr.  Daly  married  Miss  Mary  R.  Woods,  who  was 
born  at  Joliet,  Oct.  14,  1876,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (McCabe) 
Woods,  both  deceased.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daly  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Daly  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  is  serving  his  second 
term  as  mayor  of  Lockport.  During  his  administration  a  new  well  was 
completed,  and  extension  of  water  and  sewer  mains,  on  the  west  side. 
He  is  a  member  of  St.  Dennis  Catholic  Church,  and  was  the  founder  of 
the  Lockport  Council  Knights  of  Columbus,  of  which  he  has  served  as 
Grand  Knight.  He  has  also  been  recording  secretary  of  the  Catholic 
Order  of  Forresters  for  the  past  20  years. 


Nicholas  J.  Jackson,  M.  D.,  established  his  residence  in  the  city  of 
Joliet,  Will  County,  in  the  year  1920,  and  here  his  ability  marks  him  as 
one  of  the  representative  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  county.  Dr. 
Jackson  was  born  in  Austria,  Feb.  15,  1870. 

Dr.  Jackson  received  his  medical  education  in  the  Midville  Medical 
College,  Chicago,  where  he  was  graduated  as  a  member  of  the  class  of 
1910.  He  served  his  internship  in  St.  Joseph's  Hospital,  at  Joliet.  He 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Braidwood,  111.,  and  in  1920 
transferred  the  stage  of  his  professional  activities  to  Joliet,  where  he 
has  met  with  success.    His  offices  are  located  in  the  Young  Building. 

On  June  15,  1922,  Dr.  Jackson  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Berta, 
who  was  born  in  Braidwood,  111. 

Dr.  Jackson  holds  membership  in  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society 
and  the  Will  County  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 


James  Donahue,  one  of  Joliet's  progressive  young  business  men,  was 
born  in  this  city,  Dec.  2.  1900,  the  son  of  John  and  Ida  (Riley)  Donahue. 

John  Donahue  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  born  at  Lockport.  He  is  among 
the  oldest  employes  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad,  and  is 
foreman  of  one  of  the  shops.  Mr.  Donahue  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of 
the  Catholic  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus.    His  wife 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1089 

died  in  1905  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Donahue  were  born  three  children:  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Mary,  and  Elizabeth,  both  teachers,  live  at  home. 

James  Donahue  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  He  has 
always  been  interested  in  the  electrical  business  and  for  the  past  several 
years  lias  conducted  his  present  business  at  209  D'arcy  Avenue. 

Mr.  Donahue  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Columbus  and  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican. 


Richard  Force,  who  is  chief  of  the  Fire  department  of  Lockport, 
is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Sweden, 
April  24,  1881. 

Mr.  Force  spent  his  early  life  in  his  native  land,  where  he  was 
educated.  In  1900  he  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Chicago.  He 
later  came  to  Lockport,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  James 
Alexander.  In  1910  Mr.  Force  opened  his  present  blacksmith  shop  at 
Lockport,  of  which  he  is  still  proprietor.  He  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  civic  affairs  and  for  many  years  was  identified  with 
the  local  fire  department,  of  which  he  is  now  serving  his  second  term 
as  chief.    He  served  as  constable  of  Will  County  for  several  terms. 

In  1913  Mr.  Force  married  Miss  Hilda  Stenholm,  of  Lockport.  They 
had  two  children :    Glen  Richard,  deceased ;  and  Gladys,  bora  in  1921. 

Mr.  Force  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  local  lodge  of  Loyal  Order  of  Moose. 

The  Force  family  home  which  is  located  on  Sission  Street,  is  among 
the  interesting  land  marks  of  Lockport  and  one  of  the  oldest  residences 
of  Will  County. 


Thomas  F.  Egan,  superintendent  of  mails,  has  been  connected  with 
the  post  office  of  Joliet  for  the  past  25  years.  He  was  born  in  this 
city,  Nov.  16,  1881,  the  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Ryan)  Egan. 

James  Egan,  who  died  in  1928,  was  a  well  known  resident  of  Joliet, 
where  he  spent  his  entire  life.  He  died  at  the  age  of  71  years  and  is 
buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery.  His  widow  resides  in  this  city.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Egan  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  survive: 
Thomas  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  John  V.,  a  World  War  veteran, 
36— VOL.  2 


1090  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

connected  with  the  local  post  office;  Ambrose,  also  an  employe  of  the 
post  office;  Mary  Elizabeth,  a  teacher,  Joliet;  Theresa,  lives  at  home; 
and  Josephine,  married  Herman  Wirth,  a  World  War  veteran,  lives  in 
Joliet,  and  they  have  two  sons,  Donald  and  Robert. 

Thomas  F.  Egan  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Joliet,  and  after  completing  his  schooling  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad.  He  was  later  connected  with  the  clerical 
department  of  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  before  taking  the  civil  service 
examination  for  post  office  work.  In  1903  he  began  as  clerk  and  con- 
tinued in  that  work  until  December,  1917,  when  he  was  appointed 
superintendent  of  mails.  During  his  25  years  of  service  Mr.  Egan  has 
only  been  absent  from  duty  for  one  day,  and  has  taken  no  vacation 
although  he  is  allowed  one  every  year. 

Mr.  Egan  married  Miss  Julia  C.  Kearney  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of 
Michael  and  Bridget  (Cronin)  Kearney.  Mr.  Kearney,  now  85  years 
of  age,  resides  in  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Egan  have  two  sons,  James 
Kearney,  born  May  12,  1919;  and  John  Joseph,  born  March  16,  1925. 

Mr.  Egan  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Raymond's  Catholic  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Western  Catholic  Union. 


Daniel  P.  Lennon,  vice  president  of  the  J.  C.  Adler  Company,  at  Joliet, 
111.,  and  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  and  substantial  business  men  in 
Will  County,  was  born  in  Joliet,  Sept.  26,  1868.  He  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Teresa  (Fitzgerald)  Lennon. 

John  Lennon,  deceased,  was  born  at  Athlone,  County  Roscommon, 
Ireland,  April  5,  1837.  He  attended  the  national  schools  in  Ireland, 
where  he  received  a  good  education,  and  in  1852  he  came  to  the  United 
States.  He  located  in  Joliet,  where  he  learned  the  marble  cutter's  trade 
while  in  the  employ  of  the  late  C.  E.  Munger.  He  later  engaged  in  the 
monument  business  and  met  with  success.  In  1859  Mr.  Lennon  was 
married  to  Teresa  Fitzgerald,  who  was  born  near  Kildare,  Ireland.  Fa- 
ther Farelly,  of  Joliet,  was  the  officiating  clergyman.  To  this  union  18 
children  were  born,  eleven  boys  and  seven  girls.  John  Lennon  died  at 
Joliet,  July  7,  1907,  after  a  long  life  of  uprightness  and  kindness  that 
may  well  be  an  example  to  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a  leader  in  the 
temperance  movement  and  an  active  member  of  Father  Mathews  Total 
Abstinence  Society.     He  served  as  school  treasurer  for  one  term,  and 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1091 

was  interested  in  every  movement  for  the  betterment  of  the  community 
in  which  he  lived.  He  and  his  family  were  well  known  throughout  the 
state  and  especially  in  the  city  of  Joliet,  where  they  have  been  among 
the  foremost  citizens  for  many  years.  Mrs.  Lennon  died  March  14,  1923. 
Both  she  and  her  husband  are  buried  in  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
They  were  devout  communicants  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church. 

Daniel  P.  Lennon  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  Illinois  College  of  Pharmacy  in  1888,  with  the 
degree  of  Ph.  B.  He  entered  the  drug  store  of  E.  M.  Bray  and  was  later 
associated  with  H.  A.  Stillman,  druggist.  In  1893  Mr.  Lennon  purchased 
an  interest  in  the  J.  C.  Adler  &  Company  of  Joliet.  Upon  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  company  he  was  chosen  vice  president. 

On  Aug.  25,  1892,  Mr.  Lennon  was  married  to  Miss  Louise  M.  Adler, 
a  daughter  of  Jacob  C,  Sr.,  and  Emily  Teresa  (Erhard)  Adler.  A  com- 
plete biography  of  Mr.  Adler  follows  this  sketch.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lennon  the  following  children  were  born:  1.  Jacob  John  Lennon,  a  grad- 
uate of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  St.  Mary's  College,  and  Annapolis 
Naval  Academy.  He  married  Helen  Budlong,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren, Jacob  John,  Jr.,  Patricia  Mary,  Jeanette  Louise,  and  Marietta. 
Jacob  John  Lennon  is  president  of  the  Lennon  Brothers  Candy  Company, 
of  Detroit,  Mich.  2.  Daniel  L.  I,  deceased.  3.  Mary  Louise,  a  graduate 
of  Loretta  Academy,  Junior  College,  Joliet,  and  St.  Mary's  College,  Notre 
Dame,  with  Ph.  degree.  She  married  Hays  Kennedy,  an  attorney  asso- 
ciated with  the  law  firm  of  Ryan,  Condon  &  Livingstone,  Chicago.  They 
have  a  daughter,  Mary  Frances,  born  Feb.  29,  1927.  4.  Emily,  at  home, 
graduated  from  Loretta  Academy,  Junior  College,  Joliet,  and  St.  Mary's 
of  the  Woods,  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
5.  Daniel  J.,  Jr.,  II,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  and  the 
University  of  Illinois,  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Lennon  Brothers 
Candy  Company,  Detroit.  6.  John,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Minnesota,  now  taking  a  special  course  at  Loyola  University,  Chicago. 
All  the  Lennon  boys  were  star  athletes  at  their  respective  colleges  and 
were  well  known. 

Mrs.  Lennon  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet,  St.  Francis 
Academy,  and  the  Sacred  Heart  Convent,  Chicago.  She  is  very  active  in 
church  and  all  charitable  work  and  is  a  member  of  the  Ladies  Catholic 
League,  Altar  and  Rosary  Society  of  St.  Mary's  and  St.  John's  Church, 
and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Visitation  and  Aid  Society. 

Mr.  Lennon  is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Joliet 


1092  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Country  Club,  Business  Men's  Association,  and  Advertising  Club,  of 
which  he  has  served  as  president.  When  a  young  man  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Lennon  Brothers  Baseball  team,  which  was  composed  of  the 
Lennon  Brothers  exclusively. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 


Jacob  C.  Adler  was  born  in  Bachen,  Canton  Trier,  Kries  Mertzig, 
Prussia,  Germany,  March  17,  1837.  He  died  June  29,  1918,  and  is  buried 
in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife,  Emily  Teresa  (Erhard)  Adler, 
was  born  in  Bluff  Street,  Joliet,  Nov.  11,  1842.  She  died  Sept.  25,  1922, 
and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet. 

Jacob  C.  Adler  was  the  son  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Sebastian) 
Adler.  In  the  fall  of  1837  the  family  left  Havre,  France,  on  a  sailing 
vessel  and  after  a  voyage  of  almost  four  months  landed  in  New  York, 
thence  up  the  river  to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  via  Erie  Canal  to  Buffalo, 
thence  through  the  Great  Lakes  to  Chicago,  where  they  secured  an  ox 
team,  driving  on  to  Indiana,  where  they  bought  a  farm.  In  July,  1838, 
they  removed  to  Will  County,  111.,  and  settled  at  Sagg's  Bridge.  In  the 
spring  of  1849  the  father  purchased  a  farm  on  what  is  now  the  site  of 
New  Lenox.  Four  years  later  he  settled  two  miles  south  of  Joliet, 
where  he  improved  a  valuable  farm.  He  retired  in  1868  and  settled  in 
Joliet,  where  he  died.    His  wife  died  there  on  Dec.  15,  1888. 

Jacob  C.  Adler  was  educated  in  the  first  log  school  house  in  New 
Lenox  Township,  later  attending  school  in  Joliet  Township.  In  1858  he 
began  to  cultivate  part  of  his  father's  property.  At  the  age  of  seven 
he  drove  an  ox  team  and  plowed  in  the  fields.  When  the  Pike's  Peak 
gold  excitement  started  in  1859  Mr.  Adler  went  west,  arriving  at  Leaven- 
worth, Kans.,  where  he  outfitted  with  three  yoke  of  oxen  and  three 
wagons.  He  and  Clemence  Erhard  went  in  a  wagon  via  the  Smoky  Hill 
route  to  Denver,  the  trip  to  Denver  taking  from  April  15th  to  June  3rd. 
Proceeding  to  Gregory's  Diggings,  in  the  Clear  Creek  District,  Mr.  Adler 
had  many  hazardous  experiences  en  route.  He  afterwards  engaged  in 
mining  there  and  at  Russell's  Gulch.  In  the  fall  he  returned  to  Denver, 
thence  by  mule  team  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  where  he  traded  his  team  and 
wagon  for  a  farm  in  Missouri.  He  later  went  to  Centerville,  Ind.,  where 
he  purchased  cattle  and  horses  and  returned  to  Joliet.  In  the  spring  of 
1861  he  opened  a  meat  market  in  Joliet,  having  Joseph  Richmond  as  a 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1093 

partner  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  his  interest,  and  taking  as 
a  partner,  Fred  Rappal,  the  latter  in  turn  being  bought  out  by  Jasper 
Adler.  They  purchased  cattle  in  Iowa,  Kansas  and  Missouri,  shipping 
to  the  East.  Two  years  later  he  established  a  meat  market  on  Chicago 
street,  his  brother  Peter,  who  later  owned  the  business,  becoming  his 
partner.  In  1877  he  bought  the  National  Hotel  Block  and  started  a 
market  at  that  location.  He  continued  in  the  meat  business  until  1897, 
when  he  transferred  the  business  to  members  of  his  family. 

Jacob  C.  Adler  was  married  on  Jan.  11,  1866,  to  Miss  Emily  T. 
Erhard,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Louisa  (Perislat)  Erhard.  George 
Erhard  was  born  in  Wertsburg,  Bavaria,  May  7,  1807,  and  his  wife  was 
born  in  Alsace  Lorraine,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1834.  Mr. 
Erhard  came  to  this  country  in  1832  and  settled  in  Detroit,  later  remov- 
ing to  Chicago.  In  1836  he  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  operated  a  brewery 
on  North  Bluff  Street  for  many  years.  He  owned  a  farm  near  Joliet 
which  he  operated,  and  later  removed  to  Somonauk,  111.,  where  he  died 
June  28,  1890.  His  wife  died  July  27,  1887.  To  Jacob  C.  Adler  and 
wife  seven  children  were  born:  1.  Margaret  Louise  Lennon.  2.  Jacob  C. 
Jr.,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history.  3.  Lawrence, 
attended  Niagara  University  at  Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y.,  resides  in  Joliet, 
111.,  and  is  a  director  of  the  J.  C.  Adler  and  Company.  4.  Emily  V.,  was 
educated  in  Niagara  Convent.  5.  Michael,  educated  in  Notre  Dame  Uni- 
versity, was  a  prominent  merchant  of  Joliet.  He  was  married  (first)  to 
Miss  Angelin  Murphy,  who  is  now  deceased.  They  had  four  children. 
Mr.  Adler  was  married  (second)  to  Miss  Louise  Duseau,  and  to  them 
four  children  were  born.  Mr.  Adler  is  deceased  and  his  widow  resides 
in  Joliet.  6.  Patrica,  educated  in  St.  Francis  Academy  and  Loretta  and 
St.  Xaviers  Convent,  Chicago,  111.  She  married  James  MacDonald  and 
now  resides  in  Joliet,  111.  7.  Katherine  was  educated  at  St.  Francis 
Academy,  Loretta  Convent,  and  Mount  St.  Joseph,  Mo.  The  child  (7) 
George  J.  died  in  infancy. 

Jacob  C.  Adler  took  a  lifelong  interest  in  civic  and  national  affairs  and 
the  local  and  general  well  being  of  his  home  city.  He  was  charitable  and 
contributed  to  all  churches  regardless  of  creed,  although  he  was  a  de- 
voted communicant  of  St.  John's  Catholic  Church.  He  assisted  in  organ- 
izing and  promoting  St.  Patrick's  and  St.  Joseph's  parish  churches.  For 
four  years  he  served  as  alderman  of  the  Sixth  Ward.  Those  who  remem- 
ber Mr.  Adler  ever  speak  of  his  many  lovable  attributes,  but  the  greatest 
of  them  was  kindness. 


1.094  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Julius  J.  Krause. — One  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Joliet 
is  Julius  J.  Krause,  who  is  connected  with  the  jewelry  business,  which 
was  founded  by  his  father,  Julius  Krause,  more  than  half  a  century  ago. 
Mr.  Krause  was  born  in  this  city  and  is  the  son  of  Julius  and  Margaret 
(Young)  Krause. 

Julius  Krause  was  born  in  Silesia,  Prussia,  Dec.  2,  1843,  the  son  of 
Julius  Krause,  who  was  an  inspector  and  general  overseer  of  one  of 
the  estates  of  the  nobility  in  that  country.  When  Julius  Krause  was 
about  14  years  old  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  watchmaker's  trade 
and  followed  it  in  his  native  land  until  1868,  at  which  time  he  emigrated 
lo  the  United  States.  He  established  the  jewelry  business  in  Joliet 
which  still  bears  his  name.  Mr.  Krause  died  Feb.  12,  1912,  and  is 
buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet.  He  was  married  Feb.  14,  1871, 
to  Margaret  Young,  the  daughter  of  Henry  Young.  She  was  a  native 
of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  April,  1912.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krause 
were  born  four  children:  Henry,  who  died  June  3,  1922,  at  the  age 
of  51  years;  Julius  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Juanita  Warnock, 
lives  in  Joliet ;  and  Charles,  lives  in  Joliet,  where  he  is  interested  in  the 
Krause  Jewelry  Company. 

Julius  J.  Krause  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  early  in 
life  became  associated  with  his  father's  business.  With  the  exception 
of  two  years  spent  in  California  he  has  devoted  his  entire  time  to  it. 
It  is  the  oldest  jewelry  house  in  the  city  and  handles  high  grade  mer- 
chandise exclusively. 

On  June  9,  1908,  Mr.  Krause  married  Miss  Delia  Clow  of  Joliet,  and 
they  have  a  son,  Robert  Randolph,  who  was  born  April  17,  1919. 

Mr.  Krause  is  a  Republican,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Joseph  L.  Kane  is  a  representative  and  widely  known  business  man 
of  Joliet,  where  he  is  manager  for  the  local  district  of  Swift  &  Com- 
pany, with  offices  at  210  South  Chicago  Street.  He  was  born  in  Joliet, 
Aug.  23,  1891,  the  son  of  Patrick  H.  and  Bridget  (Malone)  Kane. 

Patrick  H.  Kane  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1853.  In  early  youth  he 
{migrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Joliet,  where  he  served 
for  many  years  as  a  member  of  the  police  force.  He  later  was  employed 
by  the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  He  died  at  the  age  of  62  years  in  1915 
and  his  wife  died  in  1908.  Both  ai*e  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  Cemetery, 
Joliet.    The  following  childi'en  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kane:     Olie, 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1095 

Chicago,  111.;  Joseph,  deceased;  John,  deceased;  Edward,  Gadsden,  Ala.; 
Henry,  Joliet,  111.;  Frederick,  deceased;  Joseph  L.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Elizabeth,  Chicago,  111. ;  and  Mrs.  Dr.  Warren  R.  Merrick,  Joliet. 

Joseph  L.  Kane  grew  up  in  Joliet  and  received  his  education  in  the 
parochial  schools  of  this  city.  He  also  attended  Sacred  Heart  College. 
He  was  employed  by  the  American  Steel  &  Wire  Company  as  a  machin- 
ist's helper  for  a  short  time  and  later  went  with  the  Hacker  Sash  & 
Door  Company.  He  began  with  Swift  &  Company  in  1910  as  a  driver 
and  through  steady  advancement  has  risen  to  the  responsible  position 
of  manager  of  the  company's  business  in  Joliet.  He  has  held  this 
office  since  1920. 

On  July  12, 1912,  Mr.  Kane  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Theresa 
Huber,  of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Morris  and  Dora  (Benzie)  Huber.  The 
former  is  deceased  and  the  latter  lives  in  Joliet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kane 
have  no  children. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kane  are  members  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic  Church, 
and  he  belongs  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  They  live  at  304  Sherman 
Street. 


J.  Franklin  Hedgcock. — One  of  the  well  known  men  of  Joliet  is  J. 
Franklin  Hedgcock,  who  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Will  County 
National  Farm  Loan  Association.  He  was  born  at  Plymouth,  111.,  April 
4,  1889,  the  son  of  John  F.  and  Anna  Elizabeth  (Wade)  Hedgcock. 

John  F.  Hedgcock  was  born  at  Plymouth,  111.,  in  November,  1862, 
and  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  that  section,  where  he  is  well  known  as 
a  successful  farmer.  He  is  the  owner  of  425  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Hedg- 
cock has  always  been  active  in  township  politics  and  has  held  the  offices 
of  supervisor  and  school  director.  He  is  president  of  the  Farmers  Grain 
Company,  Plymouth,  and  the  Farmers  Telephone  Company.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
of  which  he  served  as  Sunday  School  superintendent  for  almost  30 
years.  His  wife  was  born  at  Plymouth  in  1864.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hedg- 
cock were  born  seven  children,  as  follows:  1.  William  Everett,  born 
Jan.  31,  1885,  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  lives  at  Bloom- 
ington,  111.,  where  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  McLean  County 
Farm  Loan  Association.  2.  Dr.  Andrew  Jackson,  born  Dec.  22,  1887, 
died  in  September,  1927,  was  a  graduate  of  Knox  College,  in  1911,  and 
Northwestern  Medical  School  in  1915,  where  he  was  awarded  the  highest 


1096  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

honors  of  his  class,  with  an  average  of  94.  He  was  a  well  known  surgeon 
and  lived  at  Decatur,  111.     3.  J.  Franklin,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

4.  Nellie  May,  born  July  25,  1891,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois, 
married  Melvin  P.  Roske,  lives  at  Mt.  Carroll,  111.,  where  he  is  identified 
with  the  Carroll  County  Farm  Bureau.  He  was  graduated  from  the 
University  of  Wisconsin  in  1915.  5.  Martha  Elizabeth,  born  Feb.  2, 
1893,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1918,  married  Lorenzo 

5.  Foote,  lives  at  Tunnel  Hill,  111.,  where  he  is  identified  with  the  John- 
son County  Farm  Bureau.  He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of 
Illinois  in  1917  and  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  6.  Marcus  Whitman, 
born  Dec.  29,  1896,  a  graduate  of  Loyola  Medical  College,  and  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago  in  1924,  lives  at  Champaign,  111.,  where  he  is  a 
specialist  in  diseases  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  7.  Robert  Moody, 
born  Sept.  1,  1900,  a  graduate  of  Bradley  Polytechnic  School,  Peoria, 
attends  the  University  of  Illinois. 

J.  Franklin  Hedgcock  is  a  graduate  of  the  public  schools  of  Plymouth 
and  also  attended  Knox  College,  and  was  graduated  from  the  University 
of  Illinois  in  1915.  He  took  post  graduate  work  in  agriculture  in 
University  of  Illinois,  and  for  two  years  was  director  of  agriculture 
for  the  Albert  Lea  State  High  School  in  Minnesota.  He  then  organized 
the  Freeborn  County  Farm  Bureau  at  Freeborn,  Minn.,  where  he  spent 
two  years.  On  Jan.  14,  1920,  Mr.  Hedgcock  accepted  the  position  of  farm 
advisor  of  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau  of  Joliet  and  served  in  that 
capacity  until  Jan.  1,  1928.  He  has  since  been  identified  with  the  Will 
County  National  Farm  Loan  Association  as  secretary  and  treasurer.  He 
is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  Troy  and  Channahan  townships, 
where  he  specializes  in  the  raising  of  white  Leghorn  chickens,  at  the 
present  time  having  10,000  chickens. 

On  Nov.  21,  1921,  Mr.  Hedgcock  married  Miss  Mildred  Louise  Davis, 
of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  O.  C.  and  Caroline  (Sandiford)  Davis. 
Dr.  Davis  has  been  a  leading  physician  and  surgeon  of  Joliet  since  1882. 
His  wife  died  Nov.  6,  1921,  and  is  buried  in  Elmhurst  Cemetery,  Joliet. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hedgcock  have  two  daughters,  Jane  Louise,  born  May  21, 
1923,  and  Ann  Elizabeth,  born  June  9,  1928.  Mrs.  Hedgcock  is  a  grad- 
uate of  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  attended  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity. 

Mr.  Hedgcock  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Sigma  Pi,  and  Phi  Delta  Kappa  fraternities,  and 
Rotary  Club. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1097 

Entil  P.  Krapp  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  earliest  families  of  Mokena, 
where  he  is  vice  president  of  the  Mokena  State  Bank.  He  was  born 
here,  Oct.  16,  1870,  the  son  of  Martin  and  Catherine  (Steffan)  Krapp. 

Martin  Krapp  was  born  in  Germany,  Oct.  2,  1831.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1854  and  settled  at  Blue  Island,  111.,  where  he  was 
married  April  25,  1857,  to  Miss  Catherine  Steffan,  who  was  also  born 
in  Germany.  During  that  year  they  removed  to  Mokena,  where  Mr. 
Krapp  engaged  in  the  meat  business  for  many  years  as  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Krapp  &  Cappel.  He  died  in  1891  and  his  wife  died  in  1920. 
They  are  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Mokena.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krapp 
were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Sophia,  married  Clem  Schroeder, 
lives  at  Manhattan,  111. ;  Louisa,  married  William  Folkers,  lives  at  Frank- 
fort, 111.;  and  Emil  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Emil  P.  Krapp  has  always  lived  in  Mokena.  After  completing  his 
schooling  he  engaged  in  business  here  as  a  cattle  dealer.  He  has  con- 
tinued in  this  line  of  work  and  deals  almost  exclusively  through  the 
Chicago  markets.  He  purchases  his  stock  in  Wisconsin  and  Iowa.  Mr. 
Krapp  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Mokena  State  Bank  in  August, 
1909.    He  has  been  a  director  of  this  institution  since  1923. 

In  September,  1892,  Mr.  Krapp  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Selma  A.  Schaub,  the  daughter  of  Carl  and  Ernestine  (Yahn)  Schaub, 
natives  of  Germany,  both  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krapp  have 
three  sons:  (1)  Karl  E.,  lives  at  Mokena,  married  Miss  Mabel  Geuther, 
and  they  have  two  children,  La  Verne  and  Melvin.  2.  Milton  L,  a  World 
War  veteran,  having  served  in  the  U.  S.  navy,  lives  at  Mokena,  married 
Miss  Pauline  Kries,  and  they  have  two  children,  Robert  and  Marlys. 
3.  Roy  E.,  lives  at  Mokena,  married  Miss  Alfreda  Kries. 

Mr.  Krapp  has  always  been  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  alderman 
for  25  years.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Church,  and 
is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Will  County. 


Jas.  H.  Frey,  president  of  the  Momouth  Coal  Company,  Joliet,  is  a 
veteran  of  the  World  War  and  ranks  high  among  the  progressive  young 
business  men  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  at  Lima,  Ohio,  Jan.  5,  1895, 
the  son  of  Jacob  and  Nannie  (Neidermeyer)  Frey. 

Jacob  Frey  was  born  in  Hesse,  Dermstadt,  Germany,  in  1868,  and 
his  wife  was  born  in  Luxembourg  in  1871.  About  1885  Mr.  Frey  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Lima,  Ohio,  where  he  was 


1098  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

employed  at  his  trade  as  a  machinist.  He  later  became  master  mechanic 
for  the  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad.  He  now  lives  retired.  His  wife, 
who  was  born  in  1871,  died  in  November,  1910,  and  is  buried  at  Lima. 
There  were  six  children  in  the  Frey  family,  as  follows:  Edward  and 
Wilma,  both  deceased;  Karl,  lives  at  Lima,  Ohio;  Jas.  H.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  Walter,  lives  at  San  Francisco,  Calif. ;  and  Bernice,  mar- 
ried Edward  Ward,  lives  at  Lima,  Ohio. 

The  schooling  of  Jas.  H.  Frey  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of 
Lima,  and  after  his  graduation  from  high  school  he  went  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  learned  the  machinist's  trade.  Later  he  went  to  Chicago, 
111.,  and  in  May,  1916,  returned  to  Joliet.  On  April  3,  1918,  he  volun- 
teered for  service  in  the  World  War  and  was  sent  to  Fort  Terry,  New 
York,  where  he  was  attached  to  the  68th  Heavy  Artillery,  Battery  A. 
He  was  discharged  from  service  as  a  first  class  mechanic  on  Dec.  17, 
1918.  Upon  his  return  to  Joliet,  Mr.  Frey  resumed  his  work  with  the 
Illinois  Steel  Company,  and  in  September,  1919,  went  with  the  Superior 
Chemical  Company.  He  later  was  connected  with  Harris  Brothers, 
builders  of  locomotives,  and  with  Humphrey  &  Son,  Joliet.  On  April 
3,  1924,  he  was  elected  town  clerk  of  Joliet  on  the  citizen's  ticket  and 
served  in  that  capacity  for  two  years.  In  August,  1926,  he  established 
the  Momouth  Coal  Company,  dealers  in  coal.  He  carries  on  a  wholesale 
and  retail  trade  and  has  already  met  with  marked  success  in  his  business 
venture. 

On  April  23,  1927,  Mr.  Frey  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
C.  Whalen,  the  daughter  of  Martin  J.  and  Mary  (Laller)  Whalen.  Mr. 
Whalen  lives  at  Joliet.    His  wife  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Frey  is  a  member  of  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  No.  300 ;  F.  0.  Eagles, 
Ariel,  No.  377 ;  Knights  of  Pythias,  No.  371 ;  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows ;  International  Association  of  Machinists  No.  124 ;  Isaac  Walton 
League ;  and  American  Legion  Post,  No.  5.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance 
in  the  city  and  is  well  liked. 


Kinsey  Robinson. — One  of  the  foremost  business  men  of  Joliet  is 
Mr.  Robinson,  who  is  vice  president  and  works  manager  of  the  Joliet 
Manufacturing  Company.  He  was  born  at  Peoria,  111.,  Feb.  4,  1889,  the 
son  of  C.  Edgar  and  Nellie  (Kinsey)  Robinson. 

C.  Edgar  Robinson,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Indiana.  In  early 
life  he  removed  to  Peoria,  111.,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1099 

Clark-Queen  &  Morse  Hardware  Company.  He  came  to  Joliet  in  1892 
and  became  superintendent  of  the  Scott  Street  Works  of  the  American 
Wire  &  Steel  Company,  formerly  the  Consolidated  Steel  &  Iron  Company. 
He  was  later  transferred  to  the  Chicago  office  as  sales  manager  for 
the  company.  After  several  years  Mr.  Robinson  built  a  mill  at  Birming- 
ham, Ala.,  and  a  plant  at  Rockdale,  111.,  where  he  specialized  in  the 
manufacture  of  barbed  wire,  nails,  and  woven  wire  fence.  He  later 
sold  his  interests  and  retired  from  active  business.  He  died  in  1926 
and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery.  His  widow,  a  native  of  Peoria, 
resides  at  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  were  born  two  children: 
Kinsey,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Margaret,  married  A.  S.  Witwar, 
a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  history. 

After  his  graduation  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1908, 
Kinsey  Robinson  entered  the  Beloit  University.  He  later  attended 
Cornell  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1914  with  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Engineering.  He  began  his  professional  career  with 
the  Dodge  Automobile  Company  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  as  an  engineer,  and 
he  was  later  transferred  to  the  company's  plant  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
He  then  went  with  the  American  Can  Company  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and 
after  two  years  in  the  factory  was  transferred  to  the  Chicago  offices  of 
the  company.  He  spent  ten  years  in  the  firm's  employ,  the  last  three 
years  of  which  he  served  as  assistant  division  superintendent.  On  May 
1,  1926,  Mr.  Robinson  came  to  Joliet  and  assumed  his  present  position 
with  the  Joliet  Manufacturing  Company. 

Mr.  Robinon  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  American  Society  of 
Mechanical  Engineers,  and  belongs  to  the  Beta  Theta  Phi  fraternity, 
Joliet  Country  Club,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Fred  Geuther,  a  well  known  retired  farmer  of  Frankfort,  111.,  is  a 
native  of  this  city.  He  was  born  here  April  29,  1860,  the  son  of  John 
George  and  Elizabeth  (Baumgartner)  Geuther. 

John  George  Geuther  was  born  in  Saxon,  Germany,  a  son  of  John 
George  and  Cora  (Gunda)  Geuther.  They  came  to  the  United  States 
and  settled  in  Frankfort,  where  the  father  was  a  farmer  and  also 
engaged  in  stock  raising  and  dairying.  Both  are  deceased  and  are 
buried  in  Frankfort.  John  George  Geuther  and  his  wife  Elizabeth, 
who  was  born  in  Switzerland,  were  married  in  Frankfort,  111.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  and  stock  raising.     He  was  a  Democrat,  and  served  as 


1100  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

road  commissioner  and  school  director.  They  were  members  of  St. 
Peter's  Evangelical  Church.  To  John  George  and  Elizabeth  (Baum- 
gartner)  Geuther  seven  children  were  born:  Helen,  the  widow  of  Gus 
Guilckse,  lives  in  Frankfort;  Carrie;  Julia,  and  Nicholas,  all  deceased; 
Fred,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John  George,  deceased;  and  Charles, 
lives  at  Mokena,  111. 

Fred  Geuther  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Frankfort  Township.  After  his  marriage  he  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  stock  raising  and  dairy  business. 
He  later  purchased  160  acres  more.  Mr.  Geuther  removed  to  Frank- 
fort in  1897  from  Frankfort  Township,  and  retired  from  active  farming 
in  1900.    He  recently  disposed  of  160  acres  of  his  land. 

In  1885  Mr.  Geuther  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Schmuhl,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Schmuhl,  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmuhl  were 
born  in  Germany  in  1826,  where  they  were  married  in  1851.  In  1852 
they  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Mokena,  111.,  where  Mr. 
Schmuhl  worked  for  the  railroad  for  three  years.  In  1856  he  removed 
to  New  Lenox  Township  and  began  farming.  They  were  members  of 
the  German  Lutheran  Church.    Both  are  now  deceased. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geuther  three  children  have  been  born:  Arthur, 
a  farmer  in  Frankfort  Township,  married  Lottie  Marti;  Clemence, 
Miami,  Texas,  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  the  U.  S. 
Infantry,  married,  and  has  two  children,  Betty  and  Virginia;  and  Edith, 
deceased. 

Mr.  Geuther  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  as  road  commissioner 
and  school  director.  The  family  are  members  of  St.  Peter's  Episcopal 
Church.  The  Geuther  family  are  estimable  people  and  have  the  esteem 
of  the  entire  community. 


Nicholas  Sholtes  is  among  the  substantial  and  highly  esteemed  cit- 
izens of  Joliet,  where  he  has  been  since  1906.  He  was  born  in  Luxem- 
burg, Germany,  June  20,  1880,  the  son  of  Donald  and  Catherine  (Mer- 
bach)  Sholtes. 

Donald  Sholtes  was  a  stone  cutter  by  trade  and  spent  his  entire 
life  in  Luxemburg.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  deceased.  They  had 
the  following  children:  Anna,  Harry,  Susanna,  and  Margaret,  live  in 
Luxemburg;  Nicholas,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Susie,  and  Joseph, 
who  live  in  Joliet. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1101 

Nicholas  Sholtes  attended  the  schools  of  Merrtzich,  in  his  native 
land,  and  early  in  life  learned  the  stone  cutter's  trade,  being  associated 
with  his  father's  business  until  1906.  At  that  time  he  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  in  Joliet.  He  has  engaged  in  the  stone 
contracting  business  in  this  city  since  1924.  His  place  of  business  is 
located  at  2604  North  Broadway. 

On  Nov.  17,  1903,  Mr.  Sholtes  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Barbara  Fonck,  who  was  born  in  Germany  Oct.  18,  1884.  She  died  Aug. 
6,  1924,  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  Cemetery,  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sholtes  were  born  11  children:  Catherine,  born  Jan.  21,  1904,  died  in 
infancy;  Ferdinand,  born  Jan.  31,  1905,  married  Miss  Mary  Denver, 
Joliet,  and  they  have  a  son,  Donald;  Nicholas,  Jr.,  born  May  4,  1906, 
at  home;  Catherine,  born  Oct.  10,  1907,  married  George  Korell,  Joliet, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Joyce  Marie;  Marie,  born  Nov.  11, 1908;  Peter, 
born  Sept.  22, 1910 ;  August,  born  July  6, 1912 ;  Henry,  born  June  9, 1915 ; 
Agnes,  born  Aug.  26,  1918 ;  Joseph,  born  Dec.  2,  1920,  died  Dec.  21,  1922 ; 
William,  born  June  20,  1923. 

Politically  Mr.  Sholtes  is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  family  hold 
membership  in  St.  John's  Catholic  Church. 


Wesley  R.  Hollstein. — One  of  the  prominent  young  men  of  Will 
County,  interested  in  educational  work,  is  Mr.  Wesley  R.  Hollstein,  who 
is  principal  of  Sedan  Prairie  School,  Frankfort,  111.  He  was  born  in 
Frankfort,  Dec.  1,  1890,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  C.  and  Catherine 
(Andres)  Hollstein. 

Charles  C.  Hollstein  and  his  wife  were  both  born  in  Orlando  Township, 
Cook  County,  111.,  and  now  reside  in  Frankfort.  Charles  C.  Hollstein 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  22  years  of  age,  and  then 
purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres  of  land  located  two  miles  south  of  Frank- 
fort, where  he  did  general  farming.  He  later  acquired  more  land  and 
now  is  the  owner  of  275  acres,  practically  all  of  which  is  under  cultiva- 
tion. He  retired  from  active  farming  in  1916.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
a  member  of  the  German  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hollstein  seven  children  were  born:  Wesley  R.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch ;  Viola,  married  Gilbert  Sayers,  a  farmer  of  Orland  Township ; 
Florence,  a  graduate  nurse  on  the  staff  of  the  Silver  Cross  Hospital, 
Joliet;  Celia,  a  nurse  on  the  staff  of  Silver  Cross  Hospital;   Esther, 


1102  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

married  Henry  Heusner,  of  Frankfort;  Milton,  married  Alice  Voss,  is 
a  farmer  of  Frankfort  Township ;  and  Adella,  married  William  Schoeling, 
a  farmer  of  Frankfort  Township. 

Wesley  R.  Hollstein  received  his  elementary  school  training  in  the 
public  schools  of  Frankfort.  He  attended  Valparaiso  University,  and 
began  his  teaching  career  in  the  Will  County  schools.  For  seven  years 
he  operated  his  own  farm.  In  1924  he  was  appointed  principal  of  the 
Sedan  Prairie  School,  in  which  capacity  he  is  now  serving. 

In  1918  Mr.  Hollstein  was  married  to  Miss  Lydia  Esslinger,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  William  and  Rose  (Schleicher)  Esslinger,  natives  of  Ger- 
many. He  was  a  German  Methodist  minister  and  is  now  deceased.  His 
widow  resides  at  Royal  Oak,  Mich.  Mrs.  Hollstein  is  a  graduate  of  a 
German  college,  and  she  also  studied  in  Paris,  Italy,  and  Russia,  and  is 
a  very  accomplished  young  woman. 

Mr.  Hollstein  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  English  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Henry  Frederick  Koerner,  highway  commissioner  of  Will  County, 
has  not  found  it  necessary  or  expedient  to  go  outside  the  borders  of 
his  native  county  to  find  a  field  for  successful  achievement,  his  entire 
business  career  having  been  spent  in  Joliet.  He  was  born  in  this  city, 
where  the  Masonic  Temple  now  stands,  on  Sept.  12,  1864,  a  son  of  Val- 
entine and  Mary  (Reitz)  Koerner. 

Valentine  Koerner  and  his  wife  were  both  natives  of  Germany,  where 
they  were  married.  They  came  to  the  United  States  in  early  life  and 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Joliet.  Mr.  Koerner  was  a  stone 
mason  and  followed  this  until  he  met  with  an  accident  in  1863  while 
building  the  Will  County  jail.  He  died  from  the  effects  of  this  injury 
in  July,  1864.  His  wife  is  also  deceased  and  they  are  buried  in  Joliet. 
They  were  devout  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church.  There  were 
eight  children  in  the  Koerner  family :  Charles,  deceased,  buried  at  Joliet ; 
Jacob,  deceased,  buried  in  Lockport,  111. ;  Barbara,  Minnie  and  Catherine, 
all  deceased,  buried  in  Joliet ;  Adam,  deceased,  buried  in  Manhattan,  111. ; 
John,  lives  at  Ottawa,  111.;  and  Henry  Frederick,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Henry  Frederick  Koerner  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  teaming  and  landscaping  business,  and  practically 
did  all  the  landscaping  on  the  Joliet  school  grounds.    He  was  interested 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1103 

in  this  business  for  34  years,  and  at  all  times  employed  from  10  to  12 
teams  and  35  to  40  men. 

In  April,  1924,  Mr.  Koerner  was  elected  highway  commissioner  of 
Joliet  Township  for  a  four  year  term. 

On  June  15,  1888,  Mr.  Koerner  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Lingle,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Barbara  Lingle,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They 
are  both  deceased  and  are  buried  in  Jackson  Township,  Will  County. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Koerner:  Harlow,  deceased, 
buried  at  Joliet;  Hazel,  married  A.  Krouse,  lives  at  Joliet;  Edith,  mar- 
ried J.  A.  Manning,  Joliet,  and  they  have  two  children,  Clarine  and 
Beverly;  and  Gertrude,  at  home. 

Mr.  Koerner  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  No.  296 ;  and  Stevenson  Camp, 
Modei-n  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has  an  excellent  standing  in  Joliet 
and  is  highly  esteemed. 


Henry  G.  Luhring,  general  manager  of  the  Frankfort  Grain  Com- 
pany, Frankfort,  111.,  was  born  in  New  Lenox  Township,  Will  County, 
Sept.  24,  1880.    He  is  a  son  of  Christian  and  Margaret  (Haake)  Luhring. 

Christian  Luhring  was  born  in  Hanover  County,  Germany,  May  16, 
1845.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1868  and  located  in  Joliet  where 
he  was  employed  by  John  Snoth,  of  New  Lenox  Township,  who  was  a 
dealer  in  hogs.  In  1870  Mr.  Luhring  removed  to  New  Lenox  Township 
and  remained  there  until  1891  when  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Frankfort 
Township,  consisting  of  160  acres.  He  lived  on  this  farm  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Dec.  1,  1899.  He  is  buried  in  Frankfort  Cemetery. 
He  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  Church.  His 
widow,  who  was  born  in  Beryde  Bryon,  Germany,  Feb.  27,  1846,  lives 
in  Frankfort.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luhring  five  children  were  bom: 
Christian,  engaged  in  farming  in  Frankfort  Township;  Frank,  retired, 
lives  at  Frankfort;  John,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
history;  Henry  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Amelia,  married  Paul 
Christiansen,  a  dairyman  and  farmer  of  Frankfort  Township. 

Henry  G.  Luhring  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  and 
attended  the  public  schools  of  New  Lenox  and  Frankfort  Townships. 
He  engaged  in  farming  until  his  marriage.  In  1905  he  operated  a  farm 
of  160  acres  as  a  dairy  farm  which  he  continued  until  1914.    On  May  1, 


1104  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

1914,  he,  with  Emil  0.  Weber  organized  the  Frankfort-Spencer  Grain 
Company.  It  was  incorporated  in  that  year  and  Mr.  Luhring  became 
general  manager  and  a  director.  A  few  years  later  the  name  of  the 
company  was  changed  to  the  Frankfort  Grain  Company.  Mr.  Luhring 
resigned  as  a  director,  but  is  still  acting  in  the  capacity  of  general 
manager.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  grain  houses  of  the  kind  in  Will 
County,  and  has  a  well  established  business. 

On  Feb.  24,  1905,  Mr.  Luhring  was  married  to  Elvina  Hinspeter,  a 
daughter  of  Fred  and  Bertha  (Stockfish)  Hinspeter,  natives  of  Germany. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinspeter  were  married  in  Will  County.  Mr.  Hinspeter 
was  a  farmer  of  that  county  during  his  life  time.  He  died  July  6,  1925, 
and  is  buried  in  Frankfort,  where  his  widow  now  resides. 

Mr.  Luhring  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  has  served  as  village 
trustee  for  four  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Industrial  Association. 
Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Consul 
Post  four  years;  Mount  Joliet  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  42,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Luhring  are  members  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Church.  Mr. 
Luhring  is  a  substantial  and  reliable  citizen  and  has  many  friends  in 
Will  County  where  he  has  spent  his  entire  life. 


Harry  W.  Storm,  well  known  as  the  leading  dairy  farmer  of  New 
Lenox  Township,  is  also  vice  president  of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  New  Lenox  Township,  Will  County,  Aug.  9, 
1874,  the  son  of  James  and  Carrie  (Haley)  Storm. 

James  Storm,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  with  his  parents  during  the  early  days  and  settled  in 
Homer  Township,  Will  County,  where  he  became  a  farmer.  He  died  in 
1877  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet.  His  wife,  a  native 
of  Canada,  later  married  Charles  Frank,  who  served  as  a  member  of 
the  Chicago  police  force  for  many  years.  He  is  also  deceased  and  is 
buried  at  Washington  Heights,  111.  Mrs.  Frank  is  buried  at  New  Lenox, 
111.  Harry  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  only  child  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Storm. 

Harry  W.  Storm  attended  the  public  schools  of  Morley,  111.,  and  is 
a  graduate  of  Lockport  High  School.  After  completing  his  schooling 
he  was  employed  in  his  uncle's  store  at  Morley  for  four  years  and  soon 
after  his  marriage  Mr.  Storm  went  into  partnership  with  his  father- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1105 

in-law,  Abner  Gillette,  in  the  dairy  business  on  the  Gillette  homestead 
in  New  Lenox  Township.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Gillette  the  farm  has 
been  owned  by  Mr.  Storm.  It  is  the  finest  dairy  farm  in  this  section 
of  the  county  and  contains  297  acres  of  well  improved  land.  Mr.  Storm 
has  60  head  of  stock  in  his  dairy  herd  and  raises  pure  bred  Holstein 
stock  exclusively.  The  market  for  his  daily  products  is  in  Joliet.  Mr. 
Storm  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  New  Lenox  State  Bank  and  has 
served  as  vice  president  of  the  institution  since  the  date  of  its  organ- 
ization. 

Mr.  Storm  was  married  in  1895  to  Miss  Jennie  Gillette,  the  daughter 
of  Abner  and  Ellen  (Gorham)  Gillette,  early  settlers  of  Will  County, 
having  come  here  from  the  East.  Mr.  Gillette  was  an  extensive  sheep 
raiser  and  dairy  farmer.  He  served  during  the  Civil  War  as  a  member 
of  the  39th  Volunteer  Illinois  Infantry.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
deceased  and  are  buried  at  New  Lenox.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Storm  have  a 
daughter,  Grace,  who  is  the  wife  of  Irvin  Jensen,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Harlow  Robert  and  Marjorie.  They  live  on  the  Storm  home- 
stead. 

Mr.  Storm  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  local  school  director 
for  the  past  32  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and 
belongs  to  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau. 


Ernest  G.  Oram,  one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  of  New  Lenox 
Township  and  highly  esteemed  residents  of  Will  County,  is  a  native  of 
England.  He  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  West  Pennard,  Nov.  15,  1869, 
the  son  of  George  and  Eliza  (Walker)  Oram. 

George  Oram,  who  lives  retired  in  New  Lenox  Township,  was  bom 
in  England  in  1837.  His  wife  was  born  in  1847.  He  engaged  in  the 
cattle  business  before  coming  to  the  United  States  in  1894  and  after 
his  arrival  here  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr. 
Oram,  retired  in  1910.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church.  There  are  five  children  in  the  Oram  family,  as  follows : 
Ernest  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William  and  Alfred,  who  live  at 
Joliet;  Sarah,  the  widow  of  John  Peterson,  lives  at  home;  and  Nellie, 
married  Albert  Wasan,  farmer,  lives  at  Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Ernest  G.  Oram  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  West  Pen- 
nard. England,  and  in  1888  came  to  this  country.  He  settled  in  New 
37— VOL.  2 


1106  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Lenox  Township,  where  he  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  Abel  Bliss.  In 
1901  he  purchased  117  acres  of  well  improved  land  in  this  township 
and  since  that  date  has  ranked  among  the  leading  dairy  farmers  of 
Will  County.  Mr.  Oram  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  New  Lenox 
State  Bank  and  is  a  director. 

In  1891  Mr.  Oram  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lucy  Creed,  the 
daughter  of  Edmund  and  Mary  Creed,  natives  of  England,  both  now 
deceased.  There  are  five  children  in  the  Oram  family :  Albert,  a  World 
War  veteran,  lives  at  home ;  Hubert,  at  home ;  Mabel,  married  Worthing- 
ton  Mooney,  lives  at  New  Lenox,  and  they  have  two  children,  Edward 
and  Mabel;  Alice,  at  home;  and  Ernest  G.,  Jr.,  attends  the  University 
of  Iowa. 

Mr.  Oram  is  a  Republican  and  has  been  road  commissioner  of  New 
Lenox  Township  for  the  past  14  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  prominent  in 
church  affairs. 

Mr.  Oram  is  also  treasurer  of  the  New  Lenox  Mutual  Insurance 
Company. 


H.  A.  Goodson  is  well  known  among  the  successful  business  men  of 
Plainfield,  where  he  has  been  a  building  contractor  for  many  years.  He 
is  also  president  of  the  local  school  board.  Mr.  Goodson  was  born  in 
Plainfield  Township,  Will  County,  Jan.  13,  1877,  the  son  of  William  and 
Sarah  (Broom)  Goodson. 

William  Goodson  was  born  in  England  in  1834.  His  wife  was  bom 
in  the  same  country  in  1837.  Shortly  after  their  marriage  they  came 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Will  County,  where  Mr.  Goodson 
became  a  prosperous  farmer,  being  the  owner  of  186  acres  of  land  in 
Plainfield  Township.  He  died  in  1908  and  his  wife  died  in  1911.  They 
are  buried  in  the  Plainfield  Cemetery.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goodson  were 
born  11  children,  of  whom  H.  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  tenth 
in  order  of  birth. 

H.  A.  Goodson  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Plainfield 
and  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm.  Early  in  life  he  learned  the 
carpenter  trade  and  remained  in  the  employ  of  J.  W.  Prescott  for  15 
years.  In  1904  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself  and  became  one  of 
the  leading  building  contractors  of  the  county.  During  1924  and  1925 
he  was  in  partnership  with  C.  F.  Harton.    Mr.  Goodson  has  erected  some 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1107 

of  the  finest  homes  in  the  city,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  the 
residence  of  F.  S.  Pratt. 

Mr.  Goodson  was  married  on  March  14,  1901,  to  Miss  Sarah  Sebby, 
of  Sheridan,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Ole  and  Linnie  (Anderson)  Sebby, 
natives  of  Norway  and  early  settlers  of  Illinois.  To  them  were  born 
two  sons:  Milton  LeRoy,  a  graduate  of  Plainfield  High  School,  now 
in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  Bell  Telephone  Company ;  and  William  O., 
a  graduate  of  Plainfield  High  School,  contractor,  lives  at  Plainfield. 

Mr.  Goodson  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  served  as  township 
supervisor  during  1924  and  1925  and  also  has  been  village  clerk.  In 
1920  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Plainfield  school  board  and  has 
served  as  president  of  that  body  since  1927.  He  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge,  Eastern 
Star,  and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  and  his  family  have  a 
wide  acquaintance  throughout  Will  County  and  and  are  highly  esteemed. 


Walter  C.  Reed  is  among  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of 
Lockport,  where  he  is  authorized  dealer  for  the  Chevrolet  automobile. 
He  was  born  in  Joliet,  July  9,  1893,  the  son  of  Carson  and  Catherine 
(Hoffman)  Reed. 

Carson  Reed  was  born  in  Homer  Township,  Will  County,  and  has 
spent  practically  his  entire  life  in  Joliet  and  Lockport.  He  is  a  machin- 
ist by  trade  and  is  employed  at  the  Champion  Machine  Company,  Lock- 
port.  He  is  a  Republican.  Margaret  Reed,  the  paternal  grand-mother 
of  Wralter  C.  Reed,  lives  on  the  old  Reed  homestead  in  Homer  Township. 
She  is  90  years  of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carson  Reed  three  sons  were 
born:  Nelson,  lives  at  Lockport;  Walter  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
and  Stephen,  lives  at  Lockport,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He 
served  in  France  with  the  Engineering  Corps  and  was  twice  wounded. 
He  was  discharged  from  Camp  Dix,  N.  J. 

Walter  C.  Reed  spent  his  boyhood  at  Lockport  and  has  always  been 
interested  in  the  automobile  business.  In  1917  he  opened  the  first 
garage  in  Lockport.  He  has  an  up-to-date  repair  shop  and  deals  in 
automobile  accessories.    His  business  is  located  at  721  State  Street. 

On  Sept.  17,  1917,  Mr.  Reed  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Clara 
M.  Beck,  of  Lockport  Township,  bom  July  28,  1894.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Lena  (Dieter)  Beck,  natives  of  Will  County,  and  the 


1108  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

parents  of  the  following  children :  Edward,  lives  in  Lockport  Township ; 
Louise,  married  George  Reeder,  lives  at  Dwight,  111.;  Clarence,  lives  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio ;  John,  Jr.,  lives  at  Essex,  111. ;  and  Clara  M.  Reed.  Mr. 
Reck  is  deceased.  His  widow  resides  at  Lockport.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Reed  were  born  three  children :  Walter  C,  Jr.,  born  Sept.  21,  1918,  died 
Nov.  27,  1918;  Lois,  born  Dec.  17,  1919;  and  Marjorie,  born  May  2, 
1921. 

Mr.  Reed  is  serving  as  city  treasurer  of  Lockport  and  is  also  captain 
of  the  local  fire  department.  He  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
and  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 


Joseph  Tryner  is  among  the  representative  citizens  of  Braidwood, 
where  he  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank.  He  was  born  in 
Czecho-Slovakia,  May  18,  1866,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Liska) 
Tryner. 

Joseph  Tryner,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Czecho-Slovakia.  In  1866 
he  brought  his  family  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Chicago,  but 
the  following  year  removed  to  Braidwood.  Mr.  Tryner  was  a  carpenter 
by  trade  and  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines  here  also  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  died  in  1881  and  his  wife  died  in  1890.  Both  are  buried 
at  Braidwood.  They  had  the  following  children:  Joseph,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  Betty,  married  Joseph  Machovoc,  lives  at  Braidwood ; 
Rose,  married  Frank  Kristfeck,  lives  in  Chicago ;  James  and  Bessie,  both 
deceased;  Anna,  married  Joseph  Kurar,  lives  in  Iowa;  and  Mary,  de- 
ceased. 

Joseph  Tryner  grew  up  in  Braidwood  and  early  in  life  entered  the 
coal  mines  with  his  father.  He  followed  in  this  work  continuously  until 
1914  and  for  many  years  was  employed  with  George  E.  Brennan,  the 
nationally  known  Democrat  of  Illinois,  who  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  Tryner 
left  the  mines  in  1914  and  engaged  in  truck  gardening  near  Braidwood, 
having  purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  in  Reed  Township.  He  now  lives 
there  retired. 

Mr.  Tryner  was  married  on  Dec.  31,  1890,  to  Miss  Mary  Kuda,  who 
was  born  in  Czecho-Slovakia,  Feb.  2,  1870,  the  daughter  of  James  and 
Mary  (Smithka)  Kuda,  both  deceased.  They  had  the  following  chil- 
dren: Mary  Tryner;  Anna,  married  Joseph  Klaptch,  lives  at  Traverse 
City,  Mich. ;  Louie,  farmer,  lives  in  Reed  Township ;  Benjamin,  lives  at 
Wilmington ;  Frank,  lives  in  Grundy  County,  111. ;  Pawley,  married  John 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1109 

Vilt,  lives  at  Coal  City,  111.;  Vlasta,  married  Frank  Brochek,  lives  at 
Wilmington;  and  Vlina,  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tryner  were  born 
ten  children,  as  follows:  Rose,  born  March  9,  1892,  married  Frank 
Smerz,  lives  in  Chicago,  and  they  have  two  children,  Mary  and  Frank; 
Bessie,  born  Oct.  4,  1893,  married  Thomas  Berger,  lives  in  Reed  Town- 
ship, and  they  have  three  children,  Anthony,  Thomas,  and  Shirley  May ; 
James,  born  Oct.  16,  1895,  lives  in  Chicago,  is  a  World  War  veteran; 
Frank,  Chicago,  is  married  and  has  two  children,  Norma  and  Frank,  Jr. ; 
Joseph,  born  Aug.  15,  1899,  Chicago;  Charlie,  born  March  27,  1901, 
married  Miss  Edith  DePratt,  and  they  have  two  children,  Bobbie  and 
Irene;  Anthony,  born  Feb.  27,  1903,  Chicago;  Anna,  born  April  1,  1905, 
married  Mathew  Youngman,  Chicago;  John,  born  May  1,  1907,  Chicago; 
and  Joseph,  born  March  28,  1891,  died  in  infancy. 

Politically,  Mr.  Tryner  is  a  Republican.  He  is  the  oldest  foreign  born 
citizen  living  at  Braidwood  and  is  active  in  all  work  pertaining  to  the 
Americanization  of  the  foreigners  who  settle  in  Will  County.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  for  eight  years.  It  was  Mr. 
Tryner  who  was  instrumental  in  having  the  Diamond  mine  disaster 
memorial  erected  about  1890. 


DeWitt  L.  Bolton,  one  of  Wilmington's  enterprising  young  business 
men,  is  a  native  of  Will  County,  and  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He 
was  born  at  Joliet,  Nov.  15,  1901,  the  son  of  Hugh  H.  and  Marie 
(Beatty)  Bolton. 

Hugh  H.  Bolton,  who  is  serving  as  commissioner  of  Joliet,  is  a  well 
known  resident  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Joliet  and  has  spent 
his  entire  life  there.  He  served  as  postmaster  for  four  years  during 
the  administration  of  President  Harding,  and  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  as  commissioner.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge.  He  is 
also  connected  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Joliet,  being  identified 
with  its  publicity  department.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bolton  have  three  children : 
DeWitt,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mildred  and  Virginia,  who  attend 
Joliet  Township  High  School. 

DeWitt  L.  Bolton  received  his  education  in  the  public  school  and 
following  his  graduation  from  Joliet  Township  High  School  in  1921 
he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railway  Company. 
After  two  years  he  went  with  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad, 


1110  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

and  later  was  connected  with  the  Standard  Oil  Company.  He  spent  one 
year  as  a  salesman  for  Liggett  &  Myers,  and  in  1923  located  at  Wilm- 
ington. He  owns  and  operates  a  gasoline  service  station  on  the  State 
highway  near  Wilmington,  Route  No.  4. 

On  July  27,  1925,  Mr.  Bolton  married  Miss  Mary  Lewis,  who  was 
born  at  Divernon,  111.,  April  12,  1905,  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Eliza  (Bath)  Lewis,  of  Braceville,  111.  Mr.  Lewis  died  Feb.  20,  1924, 
and  his  widow  lives  at  Joliet.  They  had  two  children:  Mary  Bolton; 
and  Walter,  who  died  while  in  service  during  the  World  War.  He  was 
21  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Bolton  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  belongs  to  the  Eagles  Lodge.  During  the  World  War  he 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  United  States  Navy,  and  was  stationed  at 
Chicago. 


Adam  G.  White,  deceased,  was  among  the  earliest  settlers  and  most 
prominent  pioneers  of  Will  County,  where  he  located  in  1845.  He  was 
born  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  May  3,  1838,  the  son  of  Adam  and 
Margaret  (Watson)  White. 

Adam  White  came  to  the  United  States  from  Scotland  early  in  life 
and  settled  in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.  He  later  lived  in  Pennsylvania  and 
in  1845  brought  his  family  to  Will  County  and  settled  in  Florence  Town- 
ship, where  he  became  the  owner  of  280  acres  of  land.  He  was  identified 
with  the  Whig  party  and  later  was  a  Republican.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  White 
died  Jan.  24,  1866,  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  May  19,  1802,  died  Feb. 
28,  1873.  They  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  White  were  the  parents  of  12  children,  all  of  whom  are 
deceased. 

Alfred  G.  White  attended  the  district  schools  of  Wilmington  and 
Florence  Townships.  Throughout  his  life  he  was  interested  in  general 
farming  and  stock  raising  and  was  the  owner  of  253  acres  of  land.  He 
specialized  in  the  raising  of  grain  and  was  also  an  extensive  shipper 
of  stock.  Mr.  White  died  April  14,  1922,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood 
Cemetery. 

On  Feb.  16,  1864,  Mr.  White  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Amy 
E*.  Crisler,  who  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  Feb.  1,  1841,  the 
daughter  of  Benjamin  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Ann)  (French)  Crisler.  Mr. 
Crisler  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Feb.  21,  1815,  and  his  wife  was  born 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1111 

at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  April  18,  1820.  In  1849  they  settled  in  Grundy 
County,  111.,  on  a  farm  in  Braceville  Township.  Mr.  Crisler  was  a 
Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
was  an  Elder.  He  also  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. Mr.  Crisler  died  Oct.  18,  1896,  and  his  wife  died  Nov.  6,  1899. 
They  are  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Wilmington.  There  were  five 
children  in  the  Crisler  family :  Elizabeth  Ann  White ;  Nellie,  the  widow 
of  Levi  Haynes,  lives  at  Arlington  Heights,  111.;  Gertrude  A.,  and 
Eugenia  Julia,  who  live  at  Wilmington ;  and  Allen  V.,  lives  at  Glenellyn, 
111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  had  no  children.  Before  her  marriage  Mrs. 
White  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Braceville  Township,  Grundy 
County. 

Mr.  White  was  a  life  long  Republican  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  served  as  mayor  of  Wilmington  for  two  terms, 
and  was  one  of  the  strongest  advocates  of  temperance  in  Will  County. 
He  was  a  Ruling  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  almost  fifty 
years. 


Edmund  J.  Hazel,  owner  and  editor  of  the  Wilmington  Advocate 
News,  took  up  the  newspaper  business  and  profession  when  a  boy  and 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  capable  newspaper  men  of  Will  County.  He 
was  born  at  Petrolia,  Canada,  Sept.  6,  1866. 

Mr.  Hazel  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  was  a  small  boy 
when  his  family  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Port  Huron, 
Mich.  His  first  newspaper  experience  was  with  the  Port  Huron  Times, 
and  he  was  later  Western  representative  for  the  Walter  Scott  Company, 
manufacturers  of  printing  machinery,  Chicago.  In  1901  he  purchased 
the  Coal  City  (111.)  Courant  News,  of  which  he  is  still  the  owner.  In 
January,  1922,  Mr.  Hazel  purchased  the  Wilmington  Advocate  News, 
a  weekly  newspaper  which  was  founded  in  June,  1870.  His  wife,  Lennie 
Hazel,  has  been  associated  with  him  since  1901. 

On  Nov.  5,  1890,  Mr.  Hazel  married  Miss  Lennie  A.  Lindsay,  of 
Mackinaw,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Felix  E.  and  Mary  J.  (Sparks)  Lindsay. 
Mr.  Lindsay,  a  native  of  Illinois,  died  March  15,  1901.  His  wife  died 
Feb.  15,  1901.  They  are  buried  at  Mackinaw,  111.  Mr.  Lindsay  was  a 
Republican  and  a  deacon  of  the  Disciples  Church.  Throughout  his  life 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  was  the  owner  of  240  acres  of  land. 
There  were  four  children  in  the  Lindsay  family:  Florence  A.,  married 
Wilson  S.  Mauker,  lives  at  Scott  City,  Kan.;  Evelyn  L.,  the  widow  of 


1112  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Z.  T.  Davis,  lives  at  Winona,  Kan. ;  Charles  E.,  lives  at  Decatur,  III, 
where  he  is  claim  adjuster  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad;  and  Lennie 
Hazel.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hazel  have  a  son,  Lyle  Lindsay,  who  was  born  in 
Chicago,  March  14,  1892.  He  married  Miss  Nellie  E.  Vickers,  of  Iowa, 
and  they  had  two  children:  Edmund  Lindsay,  born  March  1,  1917,  died 
Nov.  5,  1924;  and  Richard  William,  born  May  2,  1925.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hazel  live  in  Chicago. 

Mr.  Hazel  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party  in  politics  and 
is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a 
Sunday  School  teacher  in  the  Methodist  Church.  His  wife  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  being  secretary  of 
the  Wilmington  Unit  of  Will  County.  She  also  belongs  to  the  Republican 
Woman's  Club,  Eastern  Star,  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Daughters 
of  Scotia.  Her  father's  family  came  here  from  Nova  Scotia  in  1735. 
Two  of  her  great-grandfathers  fought  in  the  American  Revolution.  She 
spent  her  early  life  at  Normal,  111.,  and  before  her  marriage  was  a 
teacher  in  the  schools  of  Abingdon. 


Otto  Hartmann,  one  of  the  well  known  residents  of  Lockport  and 
highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Will  County,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  was 
born  in  Chicago,  Dec.  2,  1866,  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Caroline  (Bol- 
denweck)  Hartmann. 

Frederick  Hartmann  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1855.  He  settled  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
in  the  sheet  metal  business,  his  business  being  located  at  Jackson  and 
Clark  streets.  Mr.  Hartmann  died  March  25,  1898,  and  his  wife  died 
in  1920.  They  are  buried  in  Graceland  Cemetery,  Chicago.  Mr.  Hart- 
mann was  a  Republican,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Church  in  Chicago.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hartmann:  Louise,  the  widow  of  Otto  Seibenmenn,  lives  in 
Chicago;  Clara,  the  widow  of  Herman  Knocke,  lives  in  Chicago;  Otto, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Martha,  married  John  Ludwig,  lives  in  Chi- 
cago; and  Fred,  lives  in  Texas. 

Otto  Hartmann  attended  the  public  schools  of  Chicago,  and  when 
13  years  of  age  entered  his  father's  employ.  He  was  interested  in 
the  sheet  metal  business  until  1900,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Lock- 
port,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  Sanitary  District  until  1922, 
in  charge  of  the  controlling  department.    For  several  years  he  owned 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1113 

and  operated  a  service  station  at  Clay  and  Collins  street,  Joliet,  and  in 
September,  1926,  he  established  his  present  business  at  Lockport.  He 
is  the  proprietor  of  a  recreation  hall  at  1000  State  Street,  which  is  well 
patronized. 

On  Dec.  11,  1890,  Mr.  Hartmann  married  Miss  Minnie  Thilk,  of 
Niles  Center,  111.  To  them  were  born  three  children:  Walter,  born  in 
Chicago,  Oct.  19,  1891,  lives  in  Chicago,  married  Cora  Drew,  and  they 
have  a  child,  Alita  Gale,  born  in  June,  1920;  Lillian,  born  in  Chicago 
in  1894,  lives  at  home;  and  Fred,  born  in  Chicago,  May  10,  1895,  lives 
at  Lockport,  where  he  is  connected  with  the  engineering  department  of 
the  Illinois  Steel  Company.  He  was  married  Oct.  26,  1921,  to  Miss 
Viola  Krieger,  who  was  born  at  Lockport,  Jan.  17,  1901.  They  have  a 
son,  Frederick,  Jr.,  born  at  Lockport,  Sept.  7,  1923.  Mr.  Hartmann  is 
a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  France  with  Company 
A,  139th  Machine  Gun  Batallion,  39th  Regiment.  He  was  discharged 
at  Camp  Grant,  111.,  in  March,  1919. 

Mr.  Hartmann  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  Lodge.    He  is  a  Republican. 


Frank  B.  Dooley  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Lockport,  where 
he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad  for 
more  than  25  years.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  Township,  Will 
County,  June  1,  1879,  the  son  of  Patrick  F.  and  Sarah  M.  (Brown) 
Dooley. 

Patrick  F.  Dooley  settled  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  Township  in  1849. 
He  became  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  the  county  and  the  owner 
of  120  acres  of  land.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  Mr.  Dooley  died  in  1906  and  his  wife  died  during  the  same  year. 
They  are  buried  in  Brown  Cemetery,  near  Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dooley  were  born  eight  children,  as  follows:  Susan,  married  Ira  B. 
Kazar,  lives  at  Normal,  111. ;  Eleanor,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John 
T.  Randall;  Gertrude,  married  Dr.  Kent  Cross,  lives  at  Denver,  Colo.; 
Sarah  F.,  lives  in  Chicago;  Cline,  deceased;  Frank  B.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch;  May,  married  Jesse  Smith,  lives  at  Norman,  Okla.;  and 
William,  deceased. 

Frank  B.  Dooley  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  early  in 
life  entered  the  employ  of  the  Elgin,  Joliet  and  Eastern  Railroad,  after 
having  spent  two  years  as  a  brakeman  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Rail- 


1114  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

road.  He  began  as  a  switchman  in  May,  1902,  and  for  the  past  15 
years  has  served  as  assistant  yard  master.  He  is  the  owner  of  280 
acres  of  land  in  Oklahoma. 

On  Oct.  16,  1907,  Mr.  Dooley  married  Miss  Emma  Diehl,  who  was 
born  at  Lockport,  May  20,  1884,  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret 
(Adelman)  Diehl,  natives  of  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Diehl,  who  live 
retired  at  Lockport,  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Emma 
Dooley;  Josephine,  the  widow  of  Edward  O'Neil,  lives  at  Chicago; 
Augusta,  lives  at  Chicago;  Minnie,  deceased;  Peter,  died  in  service  in 
France  during  the  World  War,  buried  in  Lockport  Cemetery;  Bertha, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Dr.  Ralph  B.  Harphman,  of  Lockport;  Flor- 
ence, married  Dr.  Ralph  B.  Harphman ;  Henry,  lives  near  Plainfield,  111. ; 
and  Helen,  at  home.  To.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dooley  have  been  born  three 
children :  Sarah  Marie,  born  Feb.  13,  1909,  a  graduate  of  Lockport  High 
School ;  William,  born  March  8,  1911 ;  and  Grace,  born  July  13,  1916. 

Mr.  Dooley  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  other  local 
organizations. 


Frank  Sloan,  who  is  serving  as  township  assessor  of  Lockport  Town- 
ship, is  a  substantial  and  well  known  citizen  of  Lockport,  where  he  was 
born  Feb.  19,  1863.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Cavanaugh) 
Sloan. 

James  Sloan,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  was  among  the 
first  settlers  of  Will  County  and  during  the  early  days  was  employed 
on  the  canal  near  Lockport  as  a  lock  tender.  He  spent  nine  years  at 
Bridgeport  and  was  then  located  at  Jack's  Lock  for  14  years.  When 
the  lock  was  taken  out  in  1871  Mr.  Sloan  retired  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  at  Lockport,  where  he  died  in  1888.  His  wife,  also 
a  native  of  Ireland,  died  in  1903.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Lockport 
Cemetery.  Mr.  Sloan  was  a  life  long  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  church.  There  were  six  children  in  the  Sloan  family,  as  fol- 
lows :  John  Francis,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years ;  William  T.,  lives  in 
Chicago;  James  H.,  lives  in  Chicago;  Mary  W.,  twin  sister  of  James 
H.,  died  in  1925 ;  Frank,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Edward  I.,  lives 
retired  at  Lockport. 

The  education  of  Frank  Sloan  was  received  in  the  public  schools  of 
Lockport.  He  learned  the  plumber's  trade,  which  he  followed  until 
1896.    Mr.  Sloan  was  then  appointed  postmaster  of  Lockport  and  served 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1115 

in  that  capacity  until  1901.  Since  that  date  he  has  operated  a  plumb- 
ing and  tinning  shop  in  Lockport.  Besides  serving  as  township  assessor 
he  has  been  mayor  of  Lockport  for  two  terms. 

On  April  24,  1901,  Mr.  Sloan  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Nellie  A.  King,  who  was  born  at  Lockport,  Oct.  25,  1871,  the  daughter 
of  Lawrence  and  Winifred  (Ryan)  King,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  King,  pioneer  settlers  of  Lockport,  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Mary  Ellen,  Christopher,  Margaret,  William,  Julia, 
and  John,  all  deceased;  and  Nellie  A.  Sloan.  Mr.  King  died  in  1892 
and  his  wife  died  in  1900.  They  are  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sloan  were  born  three  children:  Dorothy,  born  Jan. 
27,  1902,  was  married  on  Sept.  26,  1924,  to  Clarence  Miller,  of  Lock- 
port,  and  they  have  two  children,  Marion,  born  in  January,  1925,  and 
Winifred,  born  April  10,  1926;  John,  born  Nov.  2,  1904,  lives  at  home; 
and  Winifred,  born  Jan.  26,  1907,  died  in  1915. 

Mr.  Sloan  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  Catholic  church 
and  are  highly  esteemed  members  of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 


Victor  Ahlvin,  building  contractor,  is  prominent  in  the  city  of  Joliet, 
where  he  has  engaged  in  business  for  a  period  of  30  years.  He  is  a 
native  of  Sweden,  born  March  27,  1864. 

Mr.  Ahlvin  came  to  the  United  States  in  1884  and  located  almost 
immediately  at  Joliet,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  carpenter.  Three 
years  later  he  engaged  in  the  building  and  contracting  business.  Mr. 
Ahlvin  has  specialized  in  the  building  of  fine  homes  and  also  has  erected 
numerous  public  buildings,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  Wash- 
ington Street  School  in  Joliet  and  the  apartment  building  at  211  North 
Nicholson  Street. 

On  Nov.  26,  1890,  Mr.  Ahlvin  was  married  to  Miss  Hilda  Johnson, 
who  was  born  in  Sweden,  Dec.  11,  1864.  They  have  five  children,  as 
follows:  Martin,  civil  engineer,  lives  in  Joliet;  Ebba,  married  Earl 
Frazier,  construction  engineer,  lives  at  Rock  Island,  111.;  Robert,  attor- 
ney, a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Reno,  M.  D.,  a  vete- 
ran of  the  World  War,  lives  in  Joliet ;  and  Irwin,  who  is  associated  with 
his  father's  business  in  Joliet. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ahlvin  has  always  been  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  in  Joliet.  Mrs.  Ahlvin  died 
Nov.  2,  1926,  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery,  Joliet. 


1116  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Peter  A.  Goodmanson,  one  of  the  most  popular  men  of  Joliet,  a  pro- 
gressive and  energetic  business  man,  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  Feb. 
21,  1857. 

Peter  A.  Goodmanson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  land  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1888.  As  a  young  man 
he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  was  thus  engaged  for  nine  years 
before  coming  to  America.  After  his  arrival  in  Illinois  he  settled  at 
Joliet,  where  he  has  been  interested  in  the  building  and  contracting 
business  for  more  than  40  years.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Joliet  Calendar  Company,  of  which  he  served  as  vice  president  for  a 
number  of  years.     He  is  now  a  director  of  the  company. 

Among  the  hundreds  of  fine  residences  built  by  Mr.  Goodmanson 
in  Joliet  may  be  mentioned  the  following:  John  D'Arcy,  Louis  Moore, 
W.  J.  Fitzgibbons,  N.  J.  Comerford,  H.  A.  Stillman,  F.  C.  H.  Arentz, 
and  George  Langford. 

Mr.  Goodmanson  was  married  in  Sweden  to  Miss  Eva  Larson,  who 
died  in  that  country  many  years  ago.  They  had  two  children :  Charlotte, 
married  Charles  W.  Bradley,  lives  at  Joliet,  and  they  have  four  chil- 
dren, Leonard  C,  Wilbur  A.,  Marian  E.,  and  Richard,  all  students;  and 
Elsie,  married  Joseph  W.  Johnson,  lives  at  Joliet,  and  they  have  two 
children,  Stanley  Peter,  and  Gordon  Alfred,  both  students. 

Mr.  Goodmanson  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge.    He  lives  at  904  Prairie  Avenue,  Joliet. 


Robert  G.  Manning,  popular  garage  owner  of  Lockport,  is  a  native 
of  Will  County.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Wheatland  Township,  June 
22,  1882,  the  son  of  Robert  and  Anna  (Thompson)  Manning. 

Robert  Manning,  who  lives  retired  in  England,  is  a  native  of  that 
country,  born  Dec.  24,  1857.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1870 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wheatland  Township.  Later  he  engaged  in 
the  meat  business  at  Aurora,  111.,  but  returned  to  Will  County  in  1896 
and  purchased  a  farm  in  Lockport  Township.  After  his  retirement  he 
returned  to  England  to  reside.  His  wife,  a  native  of  Wheatland  Town- 
ship, Will  County,  lives  at  Joliet.  There  were  four  children  in  the 
Manning  family:  Robert  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Nina,  married 
Peter  Aspel,  lives  at  Joliet;  John,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  Janet,  married 
Arthur  Strubell,  lives  at  Toledo,  Ohio. 

Robert  G.  Manning  was  educated  in  the  Lockport  Township  schools 
and  engaged  in  farming  with  his  father  until  1914.    He  then  came  to 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1117 

Lockport  and  opened  a  garage  at  1110  State  Street.  In  1923  the  busi- 
ness was  moved  to  431  East  11th  Street,  Mr.  Manning  having  sold  his 
interests  in  the  former  location.  During  his  long  career  as  an  auto- 
mobile man  he  has  had  the  local  agency  for  the  Ford,  Velie,  Jackson, 
Overland,  and  Reo  cai-s.  Mr.  Manning  is  an  expert  mechanic  and  has 
always  been  known  for  his  dependability  and  trustworthiness. 

On  June  22,  1911,  Mr.  Manning  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Florence  Purdy,  who  was  born  at  Joliet,  Nov.  4,  1888,  the  daughter  of 
William  H.  and  Louise  (Beck)  Purdy.  Mr.  Purdy  died  in  1918  and  his 
widow  lives  at  Lockport.  They  had  four  children:  William,  deceased; 
Florence  Manning;  Olive,  married  Frank  Miller,  lives  at  Lockport;  and 
Bert,  farmer,  lives  in  Homer  Township,  Will  County.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Manning  have  been  bora  four  children:  Donald,  Lois,  Phyllis,  and  Ruth. 

Mr.  Manning  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  for  six  years  as  alder- 
man of  Lockport.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


Eugene  Molaschi. — Active  and  progressive  in  business,  Eugene  Mo- 
laschi  is  well  known  in  Joliet,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  contracting 
and  stone  mason  business  since  1912.  He  was  born  in  Italy,  Sept.  28, 
1880,  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Barabaschi)  Molaschi. 

Alexander  Molaschi,  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Italy.  He  is  a  mer- 
chant at  Piacenza,  Rivergaro,  where  he  deals  in  tobacco.  He  served  in 
the  Italian  army  for  a  number  of  years.  His  wife  died  in  1883.  Eugene, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  their  only  child. 

In  early  youth  Eugene  Molaschi  emigrated  to  the  United  States. 
After  a  year  in  New  York  City  he  came  to  Illinois  where  he  spent  three 
years  with  the  Tuloko  Coal  Company,  at  Tuloko.  He  came  to  Joliet  in 
1909  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Newkirk  &  Powers  Construc- 
tion Company.  Three  years  later  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself. 
He  manufactures  cement  blocks  and  specializes  in  concrete  mason  work. 

On  Oct.  14,  1904,  Mr.  Molaschi  married  Miss  Jessie  Stungis,  who  was 
born  in  Lithuania,  July  15,  1886,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Amelia 
(Matthews)  Stungis.  Mr.  Stungis  came  to  the  United  States  many 
years  ago  and  settled  at  Spring  Valley,  111.  Several  years  ago  he 
returned  to  Lithuania  where  he  now  resides.  His  wife  died  in  1910 
and  is  buried  at  Spring  Valley.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stungis  were  born 
five  children:  Lewis,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  married  John  Galnites,  lives 


1118  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

at  Spring  Valley;  Jessie  Molaschi;  Vincent,  lives  at  Spring  Valley; 
and  Joseph,  lives  at  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Molaschi  are  the  parents  of 
four  children:  Frank,  born  Feb.  21,  1906;  Christopher,  born  Dec.  25, 
1909;  Alexander,  born  Dec.  26,  1912;  and  Emily,  born  Oct.  20,  1920. 

Mr.  Molaschi  is  a  member  of  St.  Anthony's  Catholic  Church  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  various  Italian  Societies  of  this  city. 


Charles  A.  Johnson  is  well  and  favorably  known  in  Lockport,  where 
he  is  connected  with  Palmer  &  Dillman  as  bookkeeper.  He  was  born 
at  Calumet,  Mich.,  Jan.  7,  1880,  the  son  of  Nils  Daniel  and  Anna  Ottila 
(Johnson)  Johnson. 

Nils  Daniel  Johnson  was  born  in  Sweden.  He  came  to  this  country 
about  1870  and  settled  in  Illinois,  later  removing  to  Calumet,  Mich., 
where  he  spent  three  years.  He  then  went  to  Chicago,,  where  he  was 
employed  at  his  trade  as  a  stone  cutter.  He  died  March  7,  1902,  and 
is  buried  in  the  Lockport  Cemetery.  His  wife  is  also  deceased.  Mr. 
Johnson  was  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
Church.  There  were  five  children  in  the  Johnson  family:  Christina, 
deceased;  Mary,  lives  at  Lockport;  Charles  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Helen  A.,  deceased;  and  Sophia  Olivia,  twin  sister  of  Helen  A., 
married  John  Swenson,  lives  in  Canada. 

The  boyhood  of  Charles  A.  Johnson  was  spent  in  Chicago  and  Lock- 
port  and  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  attended  Metropoli- 
tan Business  College  after  having  been  employed  for  nine  years  as  a 
locksmith.  He  then  spent  seven  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago 
&  Joliet  Electric  Company  and  resigned  as  assistant  cashier  to  accept 
a  position  with  the  Standard  Oil  Company  as  bookkeeper.  In  1916  he 
became  associated  with  Palmer  &  Dillman  in  Lockport  as  a  bookkeeper 
and  has  continued  in  that  capacity  to  the  present  time. 

On  Dec.  3,  1910,  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Anna  Nelson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  Aug.  12,  1887,  the  daughter  of 
Carl  and  Emma  (Frederickson)  Nelson,  natives  of  Sweden  and  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Nels,  lives  at  Lamont,  111. ;  Albertina, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Abel  Swenson;  Amanda,  married  John  Nol- 
berg,  lives  at  Lamont,  111. ;  Charlotte,  died  at  the  age  of  24  years ;  John, 
lives  in  Chicago;  Charles,  lives  in  Chicago;  Andrew,  lives  in  Chicago; 
Anna  Johnson;  and  Arthur,  lives  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Nelson  died  April 
19,  1909,  and  his  wife  died  Aug.  18,  1907.    They  are  buried  in  the  La- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1119 

mont  (111.)  Cemtery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  three  sons:  Carl  E., 
born  June  4,  1912;  Lawrence  A.,  born  Nov.  6,  1913;  and  Vernon  A., 
born  July  31,  1915. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican  and  is  serving  as  school  director.  He 
is  a  deacon  of  the  Congregational  church  and  is  prominent  in  all  civic 
affairs  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 


Reed  Voight. — Born  and  reared  in  Joliet,  Reed  Voight  now  ranks 
among  the  city's  successful  young  business  men.  He  is  identified  with 
the  Voight  Brothers  Motor  Company  407-09  North  Joliet  Street.  Mr. 
Voight  is  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Angelina  (Singelterry)  Voight. 

Frederick  Voight  was  born  in  Chicago  Feb.  28,  1857,  and  his  wife 
was  born  in  England,  Nov.  16,  1858.  They  have  been  residents  of 
Lockport  and  Joliet  since  1863,  and  Mr.  Voight  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  local  politics  for  many  years.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  and  police  magistrate.  He  is  affiliated  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Mr.  Voight  lives  at  229  East  Seventh 
Street.  There  were  six  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Voight:  Elsie, 
deceased;  Logan,  mechanical  engineer,  lives  at  Lockport,  is  a  World 
War  veteran;  Alger,  mention  of  whom  is  made  below;  Reed,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  and  two  children  died  in  infancy. 

Reed  Voight  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lockport  and  in 
early  youth  became  interested  in  the  automobile  business.  In  1916  he 
organized  the  Voight  Brothers  Motor  Company,  in  partnership  with  his 
brother  Alger.  They  removed  to  their  present  location  in  1923.  They 
operate  one  of  the  city's  well  equipped  garages. 

On  May  11,  1918,  Mr.  Voight  married  Miss  Theresa  Hanson,  who 
was  born  at  Lockport,  June  16,  1899.  They  have  two  sons:  Earl,  born 
Sept.  27,  1919;  and  Donald,  born  Sept.  4,  1920. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Voight  enlisted  for  service  May  29, 
1918,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Shelby,  Mississippi,  where  he  was  assigned 
to  the  139th  Field  Artillery.  He  was  discharged  Dec.  8,  1919,  from 
Camp  Dix,  N.  J. 

Mr.  Voight  is  a  member  of  the  American  Legion. 

Alger  Voight,  who  is  connected  with  Voight  Brothers  Motor  Com- 
pany, is  also  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  was  born  at  Lockport, 
May  2,  1892.  After  completing  his  schooling  he  learned  the  machinist's 
trade,  which  he  followed  until  the  organization  of  the  Voight  Brothers 


1120  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Motor  Company  in  1916.    Both  he  and  his  brother  are  able  young  busi- 
ness men  and  an  asset  to  the  community  in  which  they  live. 

Mr.  Voight  was  married  on  June  16,  1918,  to  Miss  Luella  Speicher, 
who  was  born  at  Plainfield,  111.,  in  September,  1892.  They  have  two 
adopted  children:  James,  born  in  April,  1919;  and  June,  born  in  May, 
1919. 


William  R.  McCabe,  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Will  County 
bar,  was  born  in  Grundy  County,  111.,  Aug.  3,  1884. 

Following  his  graduation  from  Morris  (111.)  High  School,  William 
R.  McCabe  attended  St.  Viator's  College,  Bourbonnais,  111.,  and  Kent 
College  of  Law.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  State  of  Illinois 
in  1916,  and  subsequently  located  in  Joliet,  where  he  has  a  well  estab- 
lished practice.  Mr.  McCabe  served  as  mayor  of  Lockport  from  1922 
until  1924.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Illinois 
from  1912  until  1922. 

On  Oct.  9,  1907,  Mr.  McCabe  married  Miss  Ada  M.  Myers,  of  Lock- 
port.    They  have  five  daughters. 


Cassius  A.  Mills. — Prominent  among  the  successful  business  men  of 
Joliet  is  Cassius  A.  Mills,  who  is  general  superintendent  of  the  Garlach- 
Barklow  Company.  He  was  born  at  Elliott,  Iowa,  Sept.  1,  1886,  the 
son  of  Edward  Mills. 

Edward  Mills,  deceased,  was  a  prominent  attorney  of  Montgomery 
County,  Iowa.  He  was  born  at  Dubuque,  and  was  an  early  settler  of 
Elliott,  later  removing  to  Red  Oak,  Iowa.  For  several  years  he  served 
as  prosecuting  attorney  of  Montgomery  County.  He  was  a  Republican, 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  belonged  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  Elks  Lodge.  Mr.  Mills  is  buried  at  Red  Oak.  There  were 
two  sons  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  Mills:  Cassius  A.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch;  and  Charles  Bennett,  who  lives  at  Dallas,  Texas.  He 
is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War,  having  served  in  France  as  a  first 
lieutenant.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  served  with  the  U.  S.  Army 
in  Siberia  for  18  months. 

Cassius  A.  Mills  spent  his  boyhood  at  Red  Oak,  Iowa,  and  attended 
the  schools  of  Montgomery  County.  He  was  employed  by  the  Red 
Oak  Express  Company  in  his  early  youth,  and  later  entered  the  print- 
ing establishment  of  Thomas  D.  Murphy,  where  he  learned  the  printer's 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1121 

trade.  Mr.  Mills  has  been  a  resident  of  Joliet  since  1907,  and  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Garlach-Barklow  Company,  of  which  he  is  now 
serving  as  general  superintendent. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Mills  enlisted  for  service  from  Joliet,  on 
Aug.  1,  1918,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Hancock,  Ga.,  where  he  was 
assigned  to  the  Twenty-first  Company,  Central  Machine  Gun  Training 
School. 

On  May  17,  1922,  Mr.  Mills  married  Miss  Thilda  Erickson,  of  Joliet. 


William  A.  McRoberts,  M.  D.,  a  representative  member  of  the  medi- 
cal profession  at  Joliet,  and  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  place, 
was  bom  at  Troy,  Grinters  Mill,  Will  County,  the  son  of  John  and 
Margaret  (Hughes)  McRoberts. 

John  McRoberts  was  bora  in  Kacobrickshire,  Scotland.  He  came  to 
America  when  a  young  man  and  settled  first  in  Chicago,  111.  In  about 
1860  he  settled  at  Troy  Grithers  Mill.  He  was  a  veterinary  surgeon 
and  also  a  blacksmith.  In  1865  he  removed  to  Joliet  where  he  followed 
his  profession.  His  wife,  Margaret  (Hughes)  McRoberts  was  born  in 
Newton  Stewart,  Scotland.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 
James,  a  retired  veterinarian,  lives  at  Knox,  Ind. ;  John,  yard  master  at 
rolling  mill,  Joliet;  Agnes,  secretary  of  Joliet  Dry  Goods  Company,  lives 
at  202  Joliet  Street;  Susan,  deceased;  and  William  A.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

John  McRoberts  died  March  28,  1878,  and  his  wife  is  also  deceased. 
They  are  both  buried  in  Oakland  Cemetery.  Mr.  McRoberts  was  active 
in  the  affairs  of  the  Republican  party  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

William  A.  McRoberts  was  graduated  from  the  Joliet  High  School, 
after  which  he  entered  the  Homeopathic  Medical  College,  at  Chicago, 
where  he  obtained  his  degree  of  Medical  Doctor  in  1902.  He  began  his 
general  medical  practice  at  Joliet  in  that  year.  His  offices  are  located 
in  the  Young  Building. 

At  the  time  of  the  World  War  he  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Corps,  at 
Chicago,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Sheldon,  Hattiesburg,  Miss.,  and  was 
commissioned  a  first  lieutenant.  The  Doctor  was  among  the  oldest  men 
from  Joliet  to  be  accepted  for  service.  He  received  his  discharge  in 
December,  1918,  and  returned  to  Joliet  where  he  resumed  his  practice. 

On  June  22,  1911,  Dr.  McRoberts  was  married  to  Miss  Delia  Watkins, 
who  was  born  in  Joliet,  July  2,  1883,  a  daughter  of  Robert  F.  and  Emma 

38— VOL.  2 


1122  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

(Bogartis)  Watkins.  Robert  F.  Watkins,  a  native  of  Will  County,  born 
in  1856,  has  been  an  extensive  farmer  and  stockman  all  his  life.  He 
is  a  Republican  and  has  held  many  township  offices.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife,  also  a  native  of  Will  County, 
was  born  in  1859.  They  now  live  retired  in  Joliet.  They  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Elizabeth,  married  David  0.  Barnard, 
lives  at  Hot  Springs,  Ark.;  Mrs.  McRoberts;  Harvey,  city  supervisor, 
Joliet ;  William,  farmer  and  stockman,  Rockport  Township ;  and  Robert, 
Joliet.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  McRoberts  have  two  adopted  children:  Helen 
Louise,  and  William  James,  both  students. 

Doctor  McRoberts  was  Health  Commissioner  of  the  city  of  Joliet  for 
several  years,  and  was  Township  Health  Commissioner  for  a  period  of 
eight  years.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and 
attends  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church. 


Raymond  Morris,  of  the  firm  Morris  Brothers,  coal  dealers,  Joliet, 
is  a  native  of  this  city.  He  was  bom  Aug.  17,  1899,  a  son  of  James  and 
Jennie  (Owen)  Morris. 

James  Morris  was  born  in  Goderich,  Canada,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
early  life,  locating  at  Joliet.  He  has  been  an  engineer  in  the  employ  of 
the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad  Company  since  the  road  was  first 
opened.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mrs.  Morris  was  born  in  Ottawa,  Kans.  Seven  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris:  1.  Lee,  city  assessor  of  Joliet.  He  en- 
listed in  World  War  from  Will  County,  and  was  sent  to  Fort  Camp 
Sheridan,  for  instruction  in  French  75  millometer  guns.  He  was  over- 
seas and  served  18  months  with  the  French  army.  He  served  during 
the  entire  war  and  was  discharged  at  Fort  Sheridan  in  1920.  2.  Samuel, 
deceased;  3.  Harold,  deputy  assessor,  Joliet,  was  also  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War.  After  his  enlistment  he  was  sent  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  St. 
Louis,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Second  Regiment  Motor  Mechanics,  and 
served  18  months  in  France.  Was  discharged  from  Camp  Grant.  4. 
Raymond,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  5.  James,  a  State  employe,  de- 
sides  with  his  parents  in  Joliet.  6.  Owen,  a  fireman  on  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad.     7.     Jacob,  died  in  infancy. 

Raymond  Morris  attended  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  in  the  class  of  1921.  This  was  followed  by 
a  four  year  college  course  at  the  University  of  Illinois,  receiving  his 
degree  in  1925. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1123 

On  May  23,  1918,  Mr.  Morris  enlisted  in  the  Navy  and  was  assigned 
to  duty  on  the  troop  transport  Leviathian,  and  later  was  transferred 
to  the  88th  Marines.  He  was  overseas  a  year  and  was  discharged  from 
the  service  at  Pelham  Bay,  N.  Y.,  as  a  first  class  Gunner's  Mate. 

Upon  his  return  to  private  life,  Mr.  Morris  was  connected  with  the 
Joliet  Motor  Company  for  one  and  one-half  years  as  a  salesman.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  coal  business  at  1810  Washington  Street,  Joliet,  in 
company  with  his  brother,  under  the  firm  name  of  Morris  Brothers  Coal 
Company.  They  have  a  well  established  business,  employing  15  men 
and  have  five  trucks  in  daily  operation. 

Mr.  Morris  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  American  Legion,  and 
Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Delta  Sigma  Lambda, 
the  Square  and  Compass,  and  Delta  Kappa  Delta. 


Rev.  Walter  Henry  Macpherson,  L.  H.  D. — One  of  the  recognized 
leading  men  of  Joliet  is  Reverend  Walter  Henry  Macpherson,  who  is 
pastor  of  St.  John's  Universalist  Church.  He  was  bom  at  Delaware, 
Ontario,  Canada,  Sept.  27,  1877,  the  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Heard)  Macpherson. 

William  Macpherson,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  St.  John's,  New 
Foundland.  He  was  a  carriage  manufacturer  and  spent  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  in  Ontario,  Canada.  His  wife,  who  is  also  deceased, 
was  born  at  Lambeth,  Ont. 

Walter  Henry  Macpherson  lived  in  Delaware,  Ont.,  until  he  was 
11  years  of  age.  The  rest  of  his  youth  was  spent  in  Chicago,  where 
he  attended  high  school.  He  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Chicago,  and  after  completing  his  study  in  the  Divinity  School  of  the 
University  of  Chicago,  in  1906,  he  was  ordained  to  the  Congregational 
ministry  and  served  the  People's  Church,  South  Chicago,  for  one  year. 
He  then  became  assistant  minister  of  St.  Paul's  Universalist  Church 
until  1912,  when  he  came  to  Joliet  as  minister  of  St.  John's  Universalist 
Church. 

On  June  26,  1906,  Dr.  Macpherson  married  Miss  Cecelia  Clifford,  a 
native  of  Copenhagen,  Denmark.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage  she 
was  a  resident  of  Chicago.  Their  only  child,  Marion,  born  May  1,  1910, 
died  Dec.  28,  1913. 

Dr.  Macpherson  received  the  honorary  degree,  L.  H.  D.,  from  Lom- 
bard College,  in  1925,  in  recognition  of  his  many  years  of  active  ser- 


1124  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

vice  in  all  fields  of  human  betterment.  When  he  came  to  Joliet  in  1912 
he  persuaded  the  people  of  the  Universalist  Church  to  foster  a  series 
of  popular  Sunday  afternoon  concerts,  conducted  by  12  members  of 
the  Chicago  Symphony  Orchestra.  These  concerts  were  continued  every 
winter  until  the  outbreak  of  the  World  War,  and  while  they  were  given 
up  then,  it  is  generally  conceded  that  the  interest  developed  by  these 
concerts  made  possible  the  present  Joliet  Symphony  Orchestra.  During 
the  war  Dr.  Macpherson  served  under  the  War  Department  Commission 
on  training  camp  activities,  and  was  responsible  for  the  welfare  of  whole 
divisions  of  men  along  the  Mexican  border.  He  has  always  been  active- 
ly identified  with  all  that  pertains  to  the  spirit  of  the  community,  lend- 
ing his  aid  to  all  good  causes  and  enlisting  the  active  participation  of 
the  parish  to  which  he  ministers  in  all  movements  that  serve  the  Church 
Universal. 

Dr.  Macpherson  is  affiliated  with  Matteson  Lodge,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons. 


James  Hansen,  president  of  the  Hansen-Petersen  Company,  Inc., 
general  contractors,  is  a  prominent  business  man  of  Joliet.  He  was 
born  in  Denmark,  June  21,  1868,  the  son  of  P.  C.  and  Nicholine  (Ras- 
mussen)  Hansen. 

P.  C.  Hansen,  deceased,  spent  his  entire  life  in  Denmark  and  died 
at  the  age  of  60  years.  His  widow,  now  85  years  of  age,  resides  in 
Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hansen  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Thorvald,  deceased;  Mrs.  Petrille  Agnaw,  lives  in  Chicago;  Mrs. 
Matilde  Skow,  lives  in  Chicago;  Mrs.  Laura  Toomey,  lives  in  Chicago; 
Otto,  lives  in  Joliet;  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Rasmus,  lives 
in  Denmark ;  Age,  lives  in  Denmark ;  and  Katrine,  lives  in  Denmark. 

James  Hansen  learned  his  trade  as  cabinet  maker  in  his  native 
land.  During  the  World  Fair  in  Chicago  he  came  to  this  country  and 
was  engaged  in  construction  work  there  as  a  carpenter.  Later,  he 
went  to  Lamont,  111.,  where  he  remained  a  short  time  before  locating 
in  Joliet.  Mr.  Hansen  has  been  successful  in  the  general  contracting 
business  and  in  1907  was  active  in  the  organization  of  the  Hansen- 
Petersen  Company.  The  business  was  incorporated  in  1913.  They 
are  manufacturers  of  mill  work  and  widely  known  as  general  building 
contractors. 

In  1900  Mr.  Hansen  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Minnie  Peter- 
sen, a  sister  of  George  P.  Petersen,  and  a  resident  of  Lamont.     They 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1125 

have  the  following  children:  Gladys,  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Lock- 
port,  111.;  James  Roger,  attends  the  Girvin  Institute  of  Musical  Arts 
in  Chicago,  111.;  and  Ina,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hansen  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Danish  Brotherhood  of 
America,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Niles  Burke  is  among  the  most  progressive  and  successful  business 
men  of  Joliet,  where  he  is  connected  with  the  B.  and  M.  Adv.  Service, 
which  is  located  at  631  Cass  Avenue.  He  was  born  in  Joliet,  April  17, 
1900,  the  son  of  B.  E.  and  Mary  (Kavanaugh)  Burke. 

B.  E.  Burke,  well  known  merchant  of  this  city  is  the  son  of  Thomas 
Burke,  who  wa3  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Joliet.  He  was  promin- 
ent in  politics  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  city's  business  and 
civic  life.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas 
Burke :  Agnes,  married  Henry  Jacobs,  lives  at  San  Diego,  Calif. ;  Nellie, 
married  Joseph  Sullivan,  lives  in  Joliet;  John,  lives  in  Joliet;  Anna, 
married  William  Clyne,  lives  in  Joliet;  William,  deceased;  Sarah,  who 
served  as  principal  of  Sheridan  School,  Joliet,  for  20  years;  Hattie, 
deceased;  and  B.  E.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

B.  E.  Burke  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Joliet.  Since  1900  he  has 
been  interested  in  the  grocery  and  meat  business  and  has  a  well 
established  trade.  His  wife  is  also  a  native  of  Joliet.  They  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children:  Bernice,  married  Dr.  F.  A.  Wertz, 
lives  in  Chicago;  Helen,  married  Leo  Clennon,  lives  in  Joliet;  Niles,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Edwin,  a  member  of  the  Joliet  Fire  Department, 
lives  at  home;  Lorraine,  who  is  connected  with  the  athletic  department 
of  the  Joliet  public  schools ;  Robert,  who  is  a  pitcher  on  the  Washington 
baseball  team,  American  League.  He  was  born  Feb.  18,  1907,  and  is  a 
graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School. 

Mrs.  Burke  has  the  following  brothers  and  sisters:  Burt,  with  the 
E.  J.  E.  Railroad,  Joliet;  Thomas,  deceased;  Laura,  married  Henry 
Squibbs,  of  Chicago;  Agnes,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Richard  Mc- 
Partlin,  of  Chicago;  Helen,  with  the  Joliet  National  Bank;  Margaret, 
also  with  the  Joliet  National  Bank;  and  Lydia,  at  home. 

Niles  Burke  attended  the  public  and  high  schools  of  Joliet,  after 
which  he  entered  his  father's  store.     In  1918  he  took  a  course  in  an 


1126  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

art  school  in  Chicago.  In  March,  1924,  in  partnership  with  John  Marco 
he  established  the  B.  and  M.  Adv.  Service.  They  specialize  in  sign  work 
of  all  kinds  and  have  a  force  of  six  men.  They  cover  a  territory  of  60 
miles  around  Joliet,  and  their  highway  and  electrical  display  signs  are 
numerous  throughout  the  city  and  county. 

Mr.  Burke  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge, 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  Painters  and  Decorators  Union,  Local  33, 
of  Joliet. 

Mr.  Burke,  who  is  unmarried,  resides  with  his  parents  at  425  West 
Marion  Street.  The  family  are  members  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic 
Church,  and  are  well  known  and  highly  respected  in  their  community. 


Frank  Schmidt. — An  experienced  man  in  his  particular  line  of  busi- 
ness, Frank  Schmidt,  of  the  Joliet  Floral  Company,  is  well  known  in  this 
city,  where  he  was  born  April  11,  1885.  He  is  the  son  of  Frank  and 
Augusta  (Dillner)  Schmidt. 

Frank  Schmidt,  deceased,  was  born  in  Germany.  He  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Joliet,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  stonemason 
for  many  years.  He  died  in  1919  and  is  buried  in  Oakwood  Cemetery. 
His  widow,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  resides  at  11  South  Prairie  Street, 
Joliet.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmidt  the  following  children  were  born: 
Emma,  married  Charles  Darrah,  deceased,  and  she  resides  in  Joliet; 
Paul,  a  farmer,  lives  at  Thorpe,  Wis. ;  Freda,  married  John  Bock,  lives 
in  Joliet;  Lena,  married  John  Salle,  deceased,  and  she  resides  in  Joliet; 
Frank,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Fred,  mention  of  whom  is  made 
below;  Louise,  married  Clifford  McMillen,  druggist,  lives  at  Bird  City, 
Kan. ;  Margaret,  married  William  Peterson,  lives  at  Lockport,  111. ;  and 
Hertha,  lives  at  home. 

Frank  Schmidt  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Joliet.  He  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  an  early  age  became  interested  in  the  floral 
business,  in  1915  having  esablished  the  Joliet  Floral  Company  in  part- 
nership with  his  brother,  Fred  Schmidt.  The  company's  greenhouses 
are  located  on  Reed  Street,  and  their  retail  store  is  at  507  East  Jefferson 
Street.  They  have  a  large  wholesale  and  retail  trade  in  cut  flowers 
and  have  three  and  one-half  acres  under  glass. 

Mr.  Schmidt  was  married  to  Miss  Mildred  Patterson,  who  was  born 
at  Braidwood,  111.,  June  13,  1898.  They  have  a  son,  Frank,  Jr.,  born 
June  18,  1924. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1127 

Fred  Schmidt,  who  is  associated  with  his  brother  Frank  Schmidt, 
in  the  Joliet  Floral  Company,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  War.  He  en- 
listed for  service  from  Joliet  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Grant  111.,  in  June, 
1917.  He  served  overseas  until  April,  1919,  at  which  time  he  was  dis- 
charged. He  married  Miss  Florence  Kuhn,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren: Fred,  Jr.,  William,  and  Minnie. 

Mr.  Schmidt  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  is  affiliated  with 
the  Masonic  Lodge. 


Paul  A.  Briese  is  among  the  enterprising  young  men  of  Joliet,  where 
he  is  connected  with  the  firm  of  Larson  &  Goranson,  greenhouse  owners 
and  florists.  He  was  bora  in  this  city,  Sept.  8,  1896,  the  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Frederick  Briese. 

Paul  Briese  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet  and  since 
1914  has  been  active  in  the  business  interests  of  Larson  &  Goranson, 
of  which  he  became  sole  owner  in  1923.  The  company  has  a  large 
wholesale  and  retail  trade  in  cut  flowers  and  plants  and  is  located  at 
1600  Wilcox  Street. 

On  Sept.  8,  1917,  Mr.  Briese  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Frieda  Nelson,  of  Joliet.  They  have  five  children:  Harold,  Clayton, 
Donald,  Paul,  Jr.,  and  Eileen. 

Mr.  Briese  and  his  family  are  members  of  St.  Peter's  Lutheran 
Church.    In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


Anton  Golobrig,  well  known  mayor  of  Rockdale,  is  a  veteran  of  the 
World  War  and  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  young  men  of  Will  County. 
He  was  bora  in  Austria,  in  July,  1893,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Agnes 
(Golobic)   Golobrig. 

Joseph  Golobrig,  who  died  in  1895,  spent  his  life  in  Austria.  His 
widow  came  to  the  United  States  shortly  after  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band and  settled  at  Joliet,  where  she  now  resides.  She  brought  her 
only  child  with  her  to  America.  He  is  Anton,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

The  boyhood  of  Anton  Golobrig  was  spent  in  Joliet  and  he  attended 
the  public  schools.  He  entered  the  employ  of  the  Rockdale  Wire  Manu- 
facturing Company  and  after  five  years  went  to  Montana,  where  he 
spent  ten  years  as  a  ranch  worker.    Upon  his  return  to  Joliet  and  Rock- 


1128  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

dale  he  became  interested  in  the  garage  business  at  634  Cass  Street, 
Joliet.    He  is  an  expert  mechanic  and  has  an  up-to-date  garage. 

Mr.  Golobrig  was  elected  mayor  of  Rockdale  in  1925  and  is  now 
serving  his  second  term  in  office.     He  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

During  the  World  War  Mr.  Golobrig  was  inducted  into  service  and 
sent  to  Camp  Dodge.  He  was  later  transferred  to  Camp  Logan,  at 
Houston,  Texas,  where  he  was  assigned  to  the  132nd  Infantry,  33rd 
Division.     He  was  discharged  in  November,  1918. 

During  his  administration  as  mayor  of  Rockdale  many  important 
improvements  have  been  made  in  the  town;  such  as  paving,  sewers, 
and  water  extensions.  Total  expenditures  have  amounted  to  $170,- 
000.00. 

Mr.  Golobrig  holds  membership  in  the  Catholic  Church. 


Lloyd  W.  Cameron. — Highly  successful  among  the  younger  business 
men  of  Joliet  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  Cameron,  who  is  manager  in  this 
district  for  the  Standard  Oil  Company.  He  was  born  at  Park  River, 
N.  D.,  Nov.  11,  1893,  the  son  of  S.  A.  and  Emma  (Widdes)  Cameron. 

S.  A.  Cameron,  who  lives  retired  at  Park  River,  N.  D.,  is  a  native 
of  Canada.  In  early  life  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in 
North  Dakota,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith.  His  wife, 
also  born  in  Canada,  died  in  1921  at  the  age  of  65  years.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cameron  the  following  children  were  born:  Mabel,  married  W.  A. 
Young,  lives  at  Park  River,  N.  D. ;  Ethel,  married  Frank  A.  Cameron, 
lives  at  Grand  Forks,  N.  D.;  Edna,  married  Howard  Newman,  lives  at 
Dickinson,  N.  D. ;  Lloyd  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Loreen, 
lives  in  California. 

Lloyd  W.  Cameron  spent  his  boyhood  at  Park  River,  N.  D.,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  He  became  affiliated  with 
the  Standard  Oil  Company  early  in  his  business  career  as  a  salesman 
at  Park  River  and  was  later  transferred  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  as  assistant 
manager.  From  there  he  went  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  for  the  company  as 
manager  and  in  1924  he  came  to  Joliet  as  manager  of  this  district, 
which  includes  the  northern  part  of  Illinois. 

On  June  30,  1914,  Mr.  Cameron  married  Miss  Lois  Van  Slyke,  of 
Minneapolis,  Minn.    They  have  a  son,  Stephen,  born  June  12,  1915. 

Politically,  Mr.  Cameron  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church  and  belongs  to  the  Joliet  Country  Club  and  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1129 

Paul  V.  Hoover,  D.  D.  S.,  a  representative  member  of  the  dental 
profession  in  Will  County  and  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Joliet,  was 
born  at  Tampieo,  111.,  July  16,  1879,  a  son  of  H.  A.  and  Anna  (Whistler) 
Hoover. 

H.  A.  Hoover,  a  retired  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  is  a  res- 
ident of  Ashley,  111.,  where  he  has  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for 
15  years.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  early  life  settled  in 
Illinois.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hoover  have  four  children:  Paul  V.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Harold 
Mark,  M.  D.,  lives  in  Chicago;  Helen  Rebecca,  married  Mr.  von  Schra- 
del,  lives  at  Brownsville,  111. ;  and  Dorothy  Ann,  at  home. 

Paul  V.  Hoover  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Ashley,  111.,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Shurtleff  College,  at  Alton,  111.  He 
began  the  study  of  medicine  at  Washington  University,  St.  Louis,  but 
two  years  later  took  up  the  study  of  dentistry,  receiving  his  degree 
from  Washington  University  in  1924.  The  following  year  he  estab- 
lished his  present  practice  in  Joliet.  Besides  his  extensive  private 
practice,  Dr.  Hoover  is  serving  as  dentist  for  the  Illinois  State  Peni- 
tentiary. 

Dr.  Hoover  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Oscar  C.  Kaiser. — One  of  the  recognized  leading  men  of  Joliet  is  Oscar 
C.  Kaiser,  who  is  president  of  Kaiser-Ducett,  Inc.,  building  contractors. 
He  was  born  at  Ivanhoe,  111.,  Jan.  21,  1887.  When  he  was  six  years  old 
his  parents  removed  to  Libertyville,  111.,  where  he  attended  the  public 
schools.  He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois  as  a  civil 
engineer  in  1908,  and  immediately  engaged  in  the  contracting  business 
with  the  Noel  Construction  Company  of  Baltimore.  He  later  went  to 
Chicago,  where  he  followed  the  same  profession  for  five  years,  specializ- 
ing in  government  work.  He  was  later  appointed  heating  engineer  for 
the  State  of  Illinois,  and  in  1921  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  became  inter- 
ested in  the  contracting  business  with  Mr.  Ducett.  The  company  was 
engaged  on  the  work  of  erecting  the  new  penitentiary  in  this  city.  In 
1923  the  business  was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.  The 
officers  are:  Oscar  C.  Kaiser,  president;  Mr.  Ducett,  vice  president, 
and  N.  A.  McDonald,  secretary  and  treasurer.    The  business  has  devel- 


1130  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

oped  into  one  of  the  leading  contracting  firms  of  Will  County,  the  annual 
business  amounting  to  several  million  dollars.  Among  their  contracts 
may  be  mentioned  the  following:  Louis  Joliet  Hotel,  $600,000;  Elks 
Club,  $400,000;  Will  County  National  Bank,  $500,000;  Rialto  Theatre, 
$1,500,000;  the  First  Baptist  Church,  $300,000;  and  the  H.  and  S. 
Garage.  The  firm  also  erected  the  LaSalle  High  School,  in  Joliet,  at 
a  cost  of  $350,000.  A  theatre  costing  approximately  a  million  dollars 
is  now  being  built  by  this  firm  at  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Mr.  Kaiser  married  Miss  Minnie  Meyers,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  They 
have  two  children:    Charles  Oscar,  and  Dorothy  Jean. 

Mr.  Kaiser  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  and  is 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Union  League  Club  of  Chicago,  and 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 


Josiah  Treharne. — Numbered  among  the  prominent  and  highly  suc- 
cessful business  men  of  Joliet  is  Josiah  Treharne,  who  is  identified  with 
the  Treharne  Dry  Cleaning  &  Dyeing  Company.  He  was  born  at  Braid- 
wood,  in  Will  County,  Oct.  18,  1885,  the  son  of  David  and  Avis  (Rogers) 
Treharne. 

David  Treharne,  one  of  the  well  known  pioneer  business  men  of 
Joliet,  is  a  native  of  Wales.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1880  and  set- 
tled at  Braidwood,  where  he  engaged  in  the  merchant  tailoring  business. 
He  is  still  active  in  this  work  and  is  connected  with  his  son's  business 
in  Joliet.  His  wife  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  Oct.  1,  1865.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Treharne  the  following  children  were  born:  William  J.,  lives  at 
Hardy,  111.;  Josiah,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  David,  lives  at  Joliet; 
Ellen,  married  Ernest  Lockport,  lives  in  Canada;  Harvey,  lives  in  Joliet; 
Margaret,  married  Lester  Lauer,  lives  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  Reece,  lives 
in  Joliet;  and  Avis,  at  home. 

Josiah  Treharne  was  seven  years  old  when  his  family  moved  to 
Coal  City,  111.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  there,  and  in  1904 
came  to  Joliet,  where  he  spent  six  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois 
Steel  Company.  He  was  then  associated  with  the  tailoring  business 
of  W.  T.  Richard,  and  in  February,  1912,  became  interested  in  the  dry 
cleaning  and  dyeing  business.  He  has  been  in  his  present  location,  621 
East  Jefferson  Avenue,  since  1922.  The  company  operates  three  trucks 
and  carries  on  a  large  volume  of  business  in  Joliet  and  the  surrounding 
territory.    Mr.  Treharne  is  a  member  of  the  National  Cleaners  &  Dyers 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1131 

Association,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Illinois  Cleaners  &  Dyers  Associa- 
tion. He  is  treasurer  of  the  West  Suburban  Cleaners  &  Dyers  Asso- 
ciation. 

Mr.  Treharne  was  married  Sept.  3,  1913,  to  Miss  Ivy  Lillian  Smith,  of 
Joliet,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Catherine  Smith.  Mr.  Smith,  a  prom- 
inent building  contractor  of  Joliet,  died  Nov.  16,  1927.  His  wife  died 
Dec.  25,  1920.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Treharne  have  no  children. 

Mr.  Treharne  is  a  member  of  the  Ottawa  Street  Methodist  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Elks  Lodge,  Isaac  Walton 
League  of  America,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.    He  is  a  Republican. 


Stephen  J.  Williams,  Jr.,  of  DuPage  Township,  is  prominent  among 
the  successful  farmers  and  stockmen  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  on 
the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  Feb.  28,  1891,  the  son  of  Stephen  J. 
and  Catherine  (Burns)  Williams. 

Thomas  Williams  was  born  in  County  Cornwall,  England,  Jan.  18, 
1807  and  emigrated  to  America  in  March,  1825.  He  settled  in  Schuyl- 
kill County,  Pa.,  where  he  engaged  in  mining  and  shipping  coal  to 
Philadelphia.  He  became  a  railroad  contractor  and  built  a  portion  of 
the  old  Portage  Railroad  across  the  Allegheny  mountains  from  Holli- 
daysburg  to  Johnstown.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1834  and  settled  in 
Chicago.  In  June,  1876,  he  contracted  to  build  four  sections  of  the 
Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  in  partnership  with  Charles  E.  Boyer.  In 
1848  he  built  12  miles  of  the  Chicago  &  Galen  Railroad  between  Chicago 
and  Elgin,  and  two  years  later  went  to  California,  where  he  was  in 
charge  of  building  the  levee  at  Sacramento.  In  1854  he  returned  to 
Chicago  to  accept  a  contract  to  deepen  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal, 
which  required  three  years  of  work.  Mr.  Williams  located  on  the 
present  homestead  in  DuPage  County  in  1846.  He  was  married  in 
1832  to  Susan  Horner,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  son,  Stephen 
J.,  is  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Stephen  J.  Williams,  Sr.,  was  born  on  the  Williams  farm  in  a  log 
cabin,  Sept.  22,  1844.  Until  his  retirement  in  1917  he  ranked  among 
the  leading  stockmen  of  Will  County,  and  was  successful  as  a  breeder 
of  fine  horses  and  pure  bred  cattle.  This  well  improved  farm  of  645 
acres  is  located  in  Sections  33-34,  DuPage  Township.  Mr.  Williams 
was  married  first  to  Miss  Mary  Burns,  who  is  deceased.  To  this  union 
were  born  three  children,  Maud,  the  widow  of  Isaac  Sims,   lives  at 


1132  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Joliet ;  Thomas,  died  at  the  age  of  35  years ;  and  James,  a  farmer,  lives 
in  Lockport  Township.  Mr.  Williams  later  married  Miss  Catherine 
Burns,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  was  born  at  Gardner,  111.,  in  1854. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Mary, 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John  D.  Lynch,  of  Chicago ;  Jeanette,  married 
Arthur  A.  Douglas,  lives  at  Joliet;  and  Stephen  J.,  Jr.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Mr.  Williams  has  always  been  a  Democrat  and  for  21 
years  served  as  supervisor  of  DuPage  Township. 

Stephen  J.  Williams,  Jr.,  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
DuPage  Township  and  has  always  lived  on  this  farm.  He  is  among  the 
up-to-date  agriculturists  of  the  county  and  has  over  $10,000  worth  of 
the  latest  type  farm  machinery. 

On  Sept.  7,  1917,  Mr.  Williams  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Menette  Hettman,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  the  daughter  of  Elmer  E.  and 
Selma  (Frederick)  Hettman,  residents  of  Chillicothe,  111. 

Mr.  Williams  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  is  affiliated  with  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  No.  538,  Lockport.  He  has  been 
an  active  member  of  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau  since  the  time  of  its 
organization. 


Robert  H.  Wraith. — One  of  the  most  popular  young  men  of  Joliet 
is  Mr.  Wraith,  who  is  connected  with  the  Hub  Recreation  Company.  He 
is  associated  in  this  business  with  Arthur  M.  Sherwood.  Mr.  Wraith 
was  born  at  Plainfield,  in  Will  County,  Feb.  19,  1897,  the  son  of  George  H. 
and  Lulu  (Hartley)  Wraith. 

George  H.  Wraith,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Will  County  and  a 
member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  families  in  this  section. 
He  was  a  merchant  at  Plainfield  early  in  life  and  later  lived  in  Joliet, 
where  he  was  a  salesman  for  the  American  Ice  Cream  &  Baking  Com- 
pany. He  died  in  1926  and  is  buried  at  Plainfield.  His  widow  resides 
in  Joliet,  where  she  was  born.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wraith  were  born  two 
children:  Mrs.  Helen  Swansbro,  lives  in  Joliet;  and  Robert  H.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Robert  H.  Wraith  grew  up  in  Chicago  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  there  and  in  Joliet,  his  family  having  moved  here 
when  he  was  quite  young.  He  was  graduated  from  Joliet  Township 
High  School  in  1916  and  was  in  the  employ  of  the  American  Steel  &  Wire 
Company  when  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  World  War.  He  served 
with  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  the  quartermaster  corps  and  was  dis- 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1133 

charged  in  March,  1919.  Upon  his  return  to  Joliet  Mr.  Wraith  was 
employed  by  the  American  Refractories  Company  at  Rockdale.  In  1920 
he  went  with  the  Buchanan  and  Dailey  Lumber  Company  but  the  fol- 
lowing year  Mr.  Wraith  became  associated  in  business  with  his  father- 
in-law,  Arthur  M.  Sherwood.  They  operate  ten  bowling  alleys,  twelve 
billiard  tables,  and  nine  pool  tables,  and  also  are  dealers  in  cigars,  ciga- 
rettes, candy,  etc.  A  lunch  room  is  operated  in  connection  with  the 
business,  which  is  located  at  212  North  Chicago  Street. 

On  June  19,  1920,  Mr.  Wraith  was  manned  to  Miss  Vernette  Sher- 
wood, of  Joliet,  the  daughter  of  Arthur  M.  Sherwood.  They  have  a 
daughter,  Betty  Jane. 

Mr.  Wraith  is  a  member  of  the  Ottawa  Street  Methodist  Church, 
and  belongs  to  the  Elks  Lodge,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Rivals 
Club,  and  American  Legion.  He  is  a  Republican  and  is  well  known  in 
Joliet. 


Elmer  F.  Duensing,  one  of  the  enterprising  young  business  men  of 
Crete,  is  a  veteran  of  the  World  war.  He  was  born  in  Chicago,  June 
13,  1894,  the  son  of  George  and  Bertha  (Reckow)  Duensing. 

George  Duensing  was  born  near  Madison,  111.,  in  1868.  He  engaged 
in  business  in  Chicago  for  many  years  and  later  was  located  at  Crete, 
where  he  died  in  1924.  His  widow,  a  native  of  Germany,  lives  at  Crete. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duensing  were  born  the  following  children:  Elmer 
F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Albert,  lives  at  Crete;  Hilda,  married 
Thomas  Shaw,  lives  in  Chicago  Heights,  111.;  Ida,  married  Craig  Braw- 
ner,  lives  at  Troy,  N.  Y. ;  Florence,  married  Fred  Divert,  lives  at 
Harvey,  111.;  Fred,  lives  at  Crete;  George,  Ruth,  Edna,  and  Arnold,  all 
students. 

Elmer  F.  Duensing  attended  the  public  schools  of  Crete  and  Chicago 
Heights.  He  clerked  in  a  grocery  store  in  Chicago  for  some  time  and 
then  spent  seven  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St. 
Paul  Railroad  as  a  car  inspector.  He  came  to  Crete  to  engage  in  busi- 
ness in  1922,  and  at  that  time  purchased  the  confectionery  business 
of  George  Krieg.  It  is  located  on  the  Dixie  Highway  and  has  a  large 
patronage. 

On  Nov.  29,  1919,  Mr.  Duensing  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Diersen, 
of  Crete,  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  Diersen.  Before  his  retire- 
ment Mr.  Diersen  was  well  known  as  a  hardware  dealer  at  Crete,  where 
he  settled  many  years  ago.    Both  he  and  his  wife  are  natives  of  Crete 


1134  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Township  and  are  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  this  community.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duensing  have  been  born  two  daughters:  Dorothy,  born 
Nov.  20,  1920;  and  Shirley,  born  Aug.  5,  1925.  She  died  Nov.  20, 
1925,  and  is  buried  in  Trinity  Cemetery,  Crete. 

Mr.  Duensing  served  during  the  World  war  and  was  located  at 
Camp  Grant,  111. 

Politically,  Mr.  Duensing  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Trinity  German  Lutheran  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  American  Legion, 
Post  No.  131,  Chicago  Heights,  and  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Mr.  Duen- 
sing is  greatly  interested  in  music  and  for  a  number  of  years  has  been 
identified  with  the  Crete  Band. 


John  C.  Werner,  capable  cashier  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Beecher, 
is  a  member  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  highly  esteemed  fam- 
ilies of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Crete  Township,  Oct.  9,  1885, 
the  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Plagge)  Werner. 

William  Werner,  organizer  and  president  of  the  First  State  Bank 
of  Beecher,  of  which  he  has  been  at  the  head  from  the  time  of  its  in- 
ception in  November,  1916,  was  born  at  Green  Ridge,  Md.,  Oct.  16, 
1855,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Schade)  Werner.  He  was  reared  in 
Virginia  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  May,  1865.  After 
completing  his  education  he  engaged  in  farm  work,  but  at  the  age  of 
18  years  turned  his  attention  to  the  grain  business  in  Beecher.  In 
this  he  has  remained  active  to  the  present  time  and  for  the  past  34 
years  he  has  owned  and  operated  an  elevator  at  Beecher.  In  1926  Mr. 
Werner  became  interested  in  the  lumber  business  at  Joliet.  He  is  the 
owner  of  large  tracts  of  land  in  Will  County  as  well  as  in  Minnesota 
and  South  Dakota.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Werner  were  born  four 
children:  John  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Walter  A.,  Iive3  at 
Beecher;  Antoinette,  unmarried,  lives  at  Beecher;  and  Dr.  E.  A.,  who 
is  attached  to  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  United  States  Army. 

John  C.  Werner  attended  Joliet  Township  High  School  and  was 
connected  with  the  Board  of  Trade,  Chicago,  until  the  organization 
of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Beecher  in  1916.  He  has  since  served  as 
cashier. 

Mr.  Werner  was  married  on  Dec.  31,  1921,  to  Miss  Marie  Deeke,  of 
Beecher.  She  was  identified  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Beecher 
for  ten  years  as  a  bookkeeper  and  for  the  past  12  years  has  served  as 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1135 

assistant  cashier  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Beecher.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Amelia  (Boecker)  Deeke,  of  Beecher. 

Mr.  Werner  is  affiliated  with  F.  &  A.  M.  No.  1087,  Beecher,  and 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  Lincolnshire  Country 
Club  of  Crete.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  community  and  is  an  excellent  citizen. 

The  First  State  Bank  of  Beecher  was  organized  in  1916  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $25,000.  It  has  a  surplus  of  $15,000  and  a  reserve 
fund  amounting  to  $12,500.  The  officers  are:  WTilliam  Werner,  presi- 
dent; William  Plagge,  vice  president;  John  C.  Werner,  cashier;  Mrs. 
John  C.  Werner,  assistant  cashier.  It  is  numbered  among  the  sub- 
stantial and  dependable  banking  institutions  of  Will  County. 


William  Holl,  one  of  the  enterprising  and  successful  farmers  of 
Monee  Township,  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known 
families  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  Monee  Township,  Jan.  28, 
1884,  the  son  of  Fred  and  Diana  (Kuester)  Holl. 

Fred  Holl,  retired,  is  a  highly  esteemed  resident  of  Will  County, 
where  he  has  spent  his  entire  life.  He  is  the  son  of  Andrew  Holl,  who 
settled  in  Monee  Township  about  1842.  He  also  became  the  owner 
of  large  tracts  of  land  in  Green  Garden  Township.  Fred  Holl  has 
ranked  among  the  progressive  stockmen  of  Monee  Township  for  many 
years.  He  retired  in  1911.  His  wife  is  also  a  member  of  an  early 
family  of  this  section  of  Will  County.  She  is  a  native  of  Green  Garden 
Township.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Holl  were  born  four  sons:  Fred,  lives 
at  Monee;  William,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  George  C,  lives  at 
Monee ;  and  Christ,  lives  at  Monee. 

William  Holl  was  educated  in  District  School  No.  18  and  remained 
on  his  father's  farm  until  the  latter's  retirement,  when  he  purchased 
it.  He  operates  160  acres  and  is  successful  as  a  dairy  farmer  and 
feeder  of  stock. 

On  Feb.  19,  1911,  Mr.  Holl  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma 
Bartels,  of  Richton,  Cook  County,  111.  They  have  four  children:  Rich- 
ard, Mildred,  Allen,  and  Virgil. 

Mr.  Holl  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  holds  membership  in  St. 
Paul's  Evangelical  Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Will  County  Farm  Bu- 
reau. He  is  also  serving  as  school  director  of  Monee  Township  and  is 
a  well  known  resident  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  is  con- 
nected with  the  Monee  State  Bank  as  a  stockholder. 


1136  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Harry  D.  Weinberger. — Popular  among  the  successful  young  business 
men  of  Joliet  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  Weinberger,  who  is  manager  of  the 
Consumers  Sanitary  Coffee  &  Butter  Stores,  Inc.  He  was  born  in  Chi- 
cago, Jan.  26,  1898,  and  was  two  years  old  when  his  family  removed 
to  St.  Louis,  Mo.  In  1910  they  returned  to  Chicago  but  soon  after  went 
to  Barstow,  Texas,  where  Harry  D.  Weinberger  completed  his  schooling. 
The  family  again  located  in  Chicago  after  several  years,  but  Mr.  Wein- 
berger went  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  followed  farming  for  seven  years. 
He  also  was  a  rural  mail  carrier  at  Exeland,  Wis. 

Mr.  Weinberger  has  been  connected  with  the  Consumers  Sanitary 
Coffee  &  Butter  Stores,  Inc.,  of  Chicago  for  the  past  five  years  and  came 
to  Joliet  from  Chicago  for  the  company  in  1925  as  manager  of  the 
local  store. 

On  May  4,  1921,  Mr.  Weinberger  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lucy  Shinn,  of  Exeland,  Wis.  They  have  four  children :  Helen,  Lillian, 
Harry  D.,  Jr.,  and  Betty. 

Politically,  Mr.  Weinberger  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  lodge  and  also  belongs  to  the  Knights 
of  Pythias. 


W.  G.  Ward,  one  of  Joliet's  most  progressive  business  men,  is  a 
native  of  Will  County.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  Oct.  6,  1888,  the  son  of 
William  D.  and  Mary  (McCarthy)  Ward. 

William  D.  Ward,  deceased,  was  a  well  known  farmer  of  Lockport , 
Township,  Will  County.  He  was  born  there  and  spent  his  life  in  that 
section.  He  was  killed  in  a  runaway  accident  when  only  38  years  of 
age.  His  widow  later  married  George  L.  Burd,  and  they  live  at  Elm- 
hurst,  South  Chicago.  To  William  D.  and  Mary  (McCarthy)  Ward  were 
born  eight  children,  of  whom  W.  G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth. 

W.  G.  Ward  grew  up  in  Joliet  and  received  his  education  in  the 
district  schools.  He  also  attended  Joliet  Township  High  School  and 
at  an  early  age  learned  the  machinist's  trade.  He  was  employed  by  the 
Bates  Machine  Company  for  four  years  and  later  went  with  the  Elgin, 
Joliet  &  Eastern  Railroad  for  two  years.  His  next  position  was  with 
the  Star-Peerless  Wall  Paper  Company  and  after  seven  years  in  their 
employ  he  went  with  the  Joliet  Wall  Paper  Company  as  master  mechanic. 
He  also  was  employed  by  the  Superior  Wall  Paper  Company  and  in  1918 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1137 

came  with  the  Lennon  Wall  Paper  Company.  He  is  now  superintendent 
of  the  business  and  a  stockholder. 

On  Nov.  4,  1907,  Mr.  Ward  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Cecile 
Thompson,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Regina  Thompson.  They  have 
had  two  sons:  Wilfred,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  William  S.,  born  in 
1910. 

Mr.  Ward  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  3rd  degree,  and  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce. 


Otto  Hansen,  building  contractor,  is  a  progressive  business  man  of 
Joliet.  He  was  born  in  Denmark,  April  9,  1881,  the  son  of  Peter  Chris- 
tian and  Nicolina  (Rasmussen)  Hansen. 

Peter  Christian  Hansen  spent  his  entire  life  in  Denmark  and  is  now 
deceased.  He  was  a  farmer  and  also  engaged  in  the  dairy  business. 
His  widow,  now  84  years  of  age,  lives  in  Chicago.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hansen  the  following  children  were  born:  James,  connected  with  the 
Hansen-Petersen  Company,  Joliet;  Mrs.  Petrilla  Agneuw,  lives  in  Chi- 
cago ;  Mrs.  Matilda  Scov,  lives  in  Chicago ;  Mrs.  Laura  Toomey,  lives  in 
Chicago;  Otto,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Rasmus,  Aage,  and  Catherine, 
all  live  in  Denmark ;  and  Thorwald,  died  at  Joliet  in  1920. 

Otto  Hansen  spent  his  boyhood  in  Denmark,  where  he  was  educated. 
He  later  spent  three  years  in  Germany  but  returned  to  his  native  land. 
However,  in  1906  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Joliet 
where  he  became  interested  in  the  building  business.  Since  January, 
1928,  he  has  been  associated  with  his  brother,  James,  and  the  business 
is  known  as  the  Hansen-Petersen  Company.  They  specialize  in  the 
building  of  homes. 

On  June  10,  1905,  Mr.  Hansen  married  Miss  Meta  Markusen,  who 
was  born  at  Esbjerg,  Denmark.  They  have  two  children :  Mabel  Sylvia 
was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois  in  1928;  and  Christian 
Otto,  a  graduate  of  Joliet  Township  High  School,  employed  by  Swift 
&  Company,  Joliet. 

Mr.  Hansen  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and 
belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  and  Eagles  Lodge. 

Mrs.  Hansen  is  the  owner  of  "Meta's  Pantry,"  one  of  the  popular 
bakeries  and  delicatessens  of  Joliet. 


1138  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

Edmund  P.  Darby,  of  Crete,  is  well  known  among  the  successful 
automobile  men  of  Will  County.    He  was  born  in  Ireland,  June  16,  1889. 

Mr.  Darby  spent  his  boyhood  in  his  native  land  and  at  an  early 
age  became  interested  in  the  study  of  electrical  engineering.  He  came 
to  America  in  1906  and  settled  at  Quebec,  Canada.  He  later  spent 
two  years  in  Toronto  and  in  1914  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  re- 
mained until  March,  1926.  He  has  since  been  proprietor  of  the  Star 
Garage  at  Crete.  He  specializes  in  starting,  lighting,  and  ignition 
work,  and  is  an  expert  in  his  particular  line.  He  also  carries  a  com- 
plete line  of  automobile  accessories  and  conducts  a  service  station  in 
connection  with  his  business. 

In  1913  Mr.  Darby  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Ryan,  of  Chi- 
cago. They  have  two  children:  Alice,  born  Dec.  25,  1914;  and  James, 
born  Jan.  15,  1919. 

Mr.  Darby  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
belongs  to  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  Lin- 
colnshire Country  Club. 


Edwin  W.  Bertrand,  general  contractor,  is  among  the  well  known 
business  men  and  substantial  citizens  of  Joliet.  He  was  born  at  St. 
Anne,  111.,  Nov.  6.  1875,  the  son  of  Michael  and  Florence  (Arpin) 
Bertrand. 

Both  Michael  Bertrand  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Montreal,  Can- 
ada. About  1850  they  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Kan- 
kakee County,  111.  Mr.  Bertrand  was  a  blacksmith  and  spent  practically 
his  entire  life  at  St.  Anne.  He  died  in  1900  at  the  age  of  87  years. 
His  wife  died  in  1908,  at  the  age  of  77  years.  They  had  four  children: 
Delphos  A.,  lives  at  Glendale,  Calif.;  Arthemise,  died  at  the  age  of  23 
years ;  Edwin  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Mrs.  Agnes  Middleton, 
lives  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

At  an  early  age  Edwin  W.  Bertrand  engaged  in  farming.  He  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools  and  in  1900  learned  the  carpenter  trade. 
He  has  been  a  resident  of  Joliet  since  1916  and  has  engaged  in  the 
general  contracting  business  in  this  city  for  the  past  ten  years.  His 
business  is  located  at  103  Third  Avenue. 

On  Nov.  10,  1904,  Mr.  Bertrand  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Danford,  of 
Shelbyville,  111.,  the  daughter  of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Brant)  Danford. 
Mr.  Danford  lives  at  Reddick,  111.  His  wife  died  March  28,  1924.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bertrand  have  two  children :    Elzie  W.,  married  Miss  Adeline 


HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY  1139 

Webber,  of  Joliet,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Jane  Louise;  and  Edwin 
W.,  Jr.     Both  sons  are  associated  in  business  with  their  father. 

Mr.  Bertrand  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.    He  has  always  been  a  Republican. 


George  Ball  is  an  energetic  and  widely  known  business  man  of  Joliet, 
where  he  is  connected  with  the  Unit  Service  Station  System  as  president. 
He  was  born  in  England,  April  27,  1881,  and  the  year  following  his  birth 
his  family  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Marshalltown,  Iowa. 
Mr.  Ball  was  educated  there  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  employed 
in  his  father's  general  store.  Later  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  spent 
12  years.  He  was  interested  in  the  theatrical  business  for  a  time  and 
later  went  with  the  Standard  Oil  Company.  He  served  as  district  super- 
intendent for  the  company. 

In  December,  1924,  Mr.  Ball  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  assumed  his 
present  connections  with  the  Unit  Service  Station  System.  The  busi- 
ness was  incorporated  during  that  year  with  Mr.  Ball  as  president  and 
Daniel  M.  Otis  as  secretary  and  treasurer.  They  operate  six  service 
stations  in  Joliet  and  Plainfield. 

In  January,  1910,  Mr.  Ball  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Myra 
Gertrude  Noble,  and  they  have  four  children ;  Myra  and  Catherine,  twins ; 
Robert  J. ;  and  Harriet  Jean. 

Mr.  Ball  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  is  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  community  in  which  he 
lives.    He  has  no  club  affiliations. 


Arthur  J.  Haldemann,  enterprising  and  well  known  dairy  farmer  of 
Manhattan  Township,  was  born  in  Joliet,  Aug.  31,  1899,  the  son  of 
John  and  Louise  (Garber)  Haldemann. 

John  Haldemann  was  born  in  Switzerland  and  was  19  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Will  County.  He 
became  one  of  the  prosperous  dairy  farmers  of  Joliet  Township.  Since 
1925  he  has  lived  retired  on  his  farm.  His  wife,  also  born  in  Switzerland, 
came  to  this  country  with  her  parents  early  in  life  and  settled  in 
Nebraska.  Later  her  family  removed  to  Indiana.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Haldemann  were  born  five  children:     Lina,  married  Alvin  Knapp,  lives 


1140  HISTORY  OF  WILL  COUNTY 

at  Joliet;  Hulda,  married  Roland  Welsch,  lives  in  Joliet  Township; 
Arthur  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Laura,  married  Thomas  Redman, 
lives  at  Morris,  111.;  and  Selma,  lives  at  home.  She  is  a  graduate  of 
Joliet  Township  High  School  and  completed  a  course  in  music  in  1928. 

Alfred  J.  Haldemann  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Joliet 
and  remained  on  his  father's  farm  in  Joliet  Township  until  1924,  at 
which  time  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  187  acres  in  Manhattan 
Township.  He  is  interested  in  the  wholesale  dairy  business  and  owns 
a  herd  of  42  pure  bred  Holstein  and  Swiss  cattle.  His  well  equipped 
dairy  barn,  36x150  feet,  is  a  model  one  in  modern  dairy  methods. 

Mr.  Haldemann  is  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  First  German 
Lutheran  Church  of  Joliet.  He  belongs  to  the  Will  County  Farm  Bureau, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Milk  Dealers  Association  of  Will  County,  of 
which  his  father  was  founder  and  first  president. 


John  Leppert,  enterprising  farmer  and  stockman  of  Wheatland 
Township,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  lives,  Aug.  4,  1866,  the  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Luther)  Leppert. 

John  Leppert,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  came  to 
this  country  when  he  was  19  years  old  and  settled  on  the  present 
Leppert  homestead  in  Wheatland  Township.  He  was  the  owner  of 
240  acres  and  was  a  successful  stockman.  He  died  in  1913  at  the  age 
of  67  years  and  is  buried  in  the  Lutheran  Church  Cemetery  in  Wheat- 
land Township. 

John  Leppert,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  has  always  lived  on  the 
same  farm  in  Wheatland  Township.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  and  besides  his  farming  interests  he  also  is  a  plumber  by  trade. 
He  now  has  the  greater  part  of  his  farm  of  80  acres  rented  to  tenants. 

On  Oct.  5,  1895,  Mr.  Leppert  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mar- 
garet Steifbolt,  who  was  born  in  DuPage  Township,  Will  County.  They 
have  the  following  children :  William,  lives  at  Galesburg,  111.,  is  a  fire- 
man on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  married  Miss  Frances 
Pine;  Henry,  road  commissioner  of  Wheatland  Township,  lives  at  home; 
James,  lives  at  home;  Vera,  a  nurse,  Aurora  (111.)  Hospital;  and  Mar- 
garet, lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Leppert  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  and  his  family  are  widely 
known  in  the  community  where  they  have  spent  so  many  years.