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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
977.322 H628 v. 2 cop. 2
HISTORY
OF
McHENRY COUNTY ILLINOIS
BY SPECIAL AUTHORS AND CONTRIBUTORS
SSTALL
SOVEREIGNTY
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO MUNSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY PUBLISHERS 1922
In the first century of the Christian era, Tacitus (perhaps the greatest of Roman historians) wrote that the object of history was "to rescue virtuous acts from the oblivion to which the want of records would consign them."
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHAPTER XL
THE PART OF BIOGRAPHY IN GENERAL HISTORY-CITIZENS OF MCHENRY COUNTY AND OUTLINES OF PERSONAL HISTORY-PERSONAL SKETCHES ARRANGED IN ENCYCLOPEDIC ORDER.
The verdict of mankind has awarded to the Muse of History the highest place among the Classie Nine. The extent of her office, how- ever, appears to be, by many minds, but imperfectly understood. The task of the historian is comprehensive and exacting. True history reaches beyond the doings of court or camp, beyond the issue of battles or the effects of treaties, and records the trials and the triumphs, the failures and the successes of the men who make history. It is but an imperfect conception of the philosophy of events that fails to aceord to portraiture and biography its rightful position as a part-and no unimportant part-of historic narrative. Behind and beneath the ae- tivities of outward life the motive power lies out of sight, just as the furnace fires that work the piston and keep the ponderous serew revolv- ing down in the darkness of the hold. So, the impulsive power which shapes the course of communities may be found in the moulding influ- ences which form its citizens.
It is no mere idle curiosity that prompts men to wish to learn the private, as well as the public, lives of their fellows. Rather is it true that such desire tends to prove universal brotherhood; and the interest in personality and biography is not confined to men of any particular caste or vocation.
The list of those to whose lot it falls to play a conspicuous part in the great drama of life, is comparatively short; yet communities are made up of individuals, and the aggregate of achievement-no less than the sum total of human happiness-is made up of the deeds of those men and women whose primary aim, through life, is faithfully to per- form the duty that comes nearest to hand. Individual influences upon
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human affairs will be considered potent or insignificant, according to the standpoint from which it is viewed. To him who, standing upon the seashore, notes the ebb and flow of the tides and listens to the sullen roar of the waves, as they break upon the beach in seething foam, seem- ingly chafing at their limitations, the ocean appears so vast as to need no tributaries. Yet, without the smallest rill that helps to swell the "Father of Waters," the mighty torrent of the Mississippi would be lessened, and the beneficent influence of the Gulf Stream diminished. Countless streams, currents and counter currents-sometimes mingling, sometimes counteraeting each other-collectively combine to give motion to the accumulated mass of waters. So it is-and so must it ever be- in the ocean of human aetion, which is formed by the blending and repulsion of currents of thought, of influence and of life, yet more numerous and more tortuous than those which form the "fountains of the deep." The aets and characters of men, like the several faces that compose a composite picture, are wrought together into a compaet or heterogeneous whole. History is condensed biography; "Biography is History teaching by example."
It is both interesting and instruetive to rise above the generaliza- tion of history and trace, in the personality and careers of the men from whom it sprang, the principles and influenees, the impulses and ambi- tions, the labors, struggles and triumphs that engross their lives.
Here are recorded the eareers and achievements of pioneers who, "when the fullness of time had come," eame from widely separated sources, some from beyond the sea, impelled by divers motives, little conseious of the import of their aets, and but dimly anticipating the harvest which 'would spring from the sowing. They built their primi- tive homes, toiling for a present subsistence while laying the founda- tions of private fortunes and future advancement.
Most of these have passed away, but not before they beheld a devel- opment of business and population surpassing the wildest dreams of faney or expectation. A few yet remain whose years have passed the allotted three-score and ten, and who love to recount, among the cher- ished memories of their lives, their reminiseences of early days.
[The following items of personal and family history, having been arranged in encyclopedie (or alphabetical) order as to names of the individual subjects, no special index to this part of the work will be found necessary.]
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
CHARLES T. ABBOTT.
Charles T. Abbott, proprietor of a general repair shop at Woodstock, is a skilled machinist, and owner of a valuable farm in Greenwood Town- ship. He was born in MeHenry County, September 29, 1859, one of the three children of his parents, George and Emeransa Abbott, natives of Ohio. George Abbott was a farmer and cattle dealer, and held govern- ment contracts for supplying eattle to the army during the Civil War. His death occurred in December, 1889, and his wife died in February, 1890.
Charles T. Abbott attended the local schools of his native county, and until 1902, was engaged in farming, but in that year he entered his pres- ent line of business. He specializes in Pennsylvania lubrieating oils and grease, and conducts a garage and general repair business, doing an annual business of abont $15,000, and giving employment to four persons. In addition to his fine farm of 183 acres in Greenwood Township, Mr. Abbott owns his residence at No. 219 Lumber Street, and is a man of sub- stance in his community.
On September 29, 1885, Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Mary Pierce, a daughter of John Pierce, who came from one of the eastern states to MeHenry County. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have the following children : Lela M., who is the wife of J. D. Manor; George V., now associated with his father, served in the First Mechanical Regiment, Company Seven, was seeond in the Ford automobile raee held in Chicago in 1916, when he drove a machine at an average rate of seventy-five miles an hour; Ivan, who is attending the University of Illinois and taking a course in elec- trical engineering, and Harold A., who is attending school. Mr. Abbott and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republiean, and fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows. A skilled man in his line, Mr. Abbott's services are in great demand by those desir- ing expert assistance, and the volume of his trade has inereased with each year he has been in business.
CHARLES H. ACKMAN, JR.
Charles H. Aekman, Jr., supervisor of Coral Township, and one of the leading men of MeHenry County, resides at Union, where he is engaged in a real estate business, although he owns two farms in Coral
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
Township and is interested in the operation of a threshing outfit. Ile was born in Cook County, Illinois, April 27, 1876, one of the eight chil- dren of his parents. His father, Charles H. Ackman, Sr., was born in Cook County, Illinois, but later eame to McHenry County, in 1907, and was one of the prosperous farmers here until his death, Angust 20, 1917. His widow survives him and lives in Kane County, Illinois.
Charles H. Aekman attended the common and high schools of his native county, and lived on a farm until 1916, when he removed to Union, retaining, however, one farm of 127 aeres, and another of 12834 aeres, both in Coral Township.
On October 10, 1900, Mr. Ackman was married to Miss Emma Wiesehe, a daughter of Christian Wiesche, one of the pioneers of Coral Township. Mr. and Mrs. Aekman have four children, namely : Wayne C., LeRoy W., Thelma H. and Harvey II., all of whom were born in MeHenry County. The family all belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Ackman belongs to the Evangelieal Church. He is a Republiean, and was highway commissioner for nine years, and was eleeted supervisor in 1916. Fraternally he belongs to Oriental Lodge No. 358, A. F. & A. M., and Coral Lodge No. 769, I. O. O. F.
FRANCIS J. AICHER.
Franeis J. Aicher, D. D. S., is one of the eapable and skilled members of the dental profession, engaged in aetive practice at MeHenry. He was born at Washburn, Ill., February 1, 1890, one of three children born to his parents, Benedict and Anna (Fecht) Aicher. Benedict Aicher was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1861, and after stop- ping for a time in New York City, came on to Illinois, and went into a real estate and stoek business at Washburn, Ill. There he lived until death claimed him, in 1900. The mother of Franeis J. Aicher, who was his second wife, survives him. By a former marriage, Benediet Aicher had four children.
Doetor Aieher attended the common and high sehools of Washburn, and then took a three years' course in the Dental School of the North- western University, from which he was graduated in 1913. Finding the opening he songht at MeHenry, he located in this eity immediately fol- lowing his graduation, and since then has built np a very desirable prac- tice, and has earned the confidence of his patients.
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Like other Mellenry County men, Doctor Aicher is very patriotic, and when his country entered into the World War, he offered his serv- ices, and on September 15, 1917, was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Dental Reserve of the United States Army. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is independent in his views. The Catholic Church holds his member- ship.
ALFRED O. ALLBEE.
Alfred O. Allbee, one of the energetic and prosperous farmers of Dorr Township, was born in Seneca Township, April 16, 1872, a son of Oren and Christina (Lindsay) Allbee, natives of Collins Center, and Buffalo, N. Y., respectively, the date of her birth being November 25, 1828. The paternal grandfather was Adolphus Allbee, and he came to what was then the wilderness of New York state from Vermont, with four or five brothers, and became pioneers of that region.
When he was eighteen years old Oren Allbee came to Illinois to join his old employer Alvin King, who had come to McHenry County, and entered land. After a short time, Oren Allbee bought a farm in Seneca Township, three miles west of Woodstock, on the Marengo road, which he kept as his homestead, although he bought and sold several other farms. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Flanders, of Seneca Township, in February, 1914, when he was eighty-six years old. He had been retired for some years after becoming very successful as a farmer. His wife died in December, 1907. They were married November 23, 1863. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Mathew- son) Lindsay, both of Scotch birth, who came to New York City, where Mrs. Allbee was born September 30, 1838. When she was still a child her parents came to MeHenry County, locating on a farm in Dorr Township, two miles south of Woodstock, which property is still in the family. They were among the pioneers of this section, and made the trip overland with ox teams. The father was killed by an accident in the timber, and he left seven children, all small, namely: Thomas, who had the homestead, died at Woodstock in 1902 leaving no issue; Arthie, who is the only survivor, lives at Wayne, Nebr .; Jennie M., who married William Scott, lived on a farm near the homestead, where both died; Christina, who became Mrs. Allbee; Mrs. Robert Richards,
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who died in Dakota; Mary, who married Thomas Wier, went to Kansas and then to Idaho, where she died in 1918; and Archie, who left home when young. The old Lindsay homestead is owned by Mrs. Daggett of Woodstock.
Oren Allbee was well known as an auctioncer for many years. While a strong Republican, he was no politician. He had three children, namely: Nellie, who married George Redpath, died in young woman- hood; Alfred O., whose name heads this review; and Mary, who married Will Flanders of Seneea Township.
Alfred O. Allbee remained on the homestead until he was thirty years old, when he bought a farm in Boone County. On November 29, 1902, he was married to Mrs. Ina (Elliott) Gillette, a daughter of George Elliott. After a few years in Boone County, Mr. Allbee sold his farm and came back to MeHenry County, buying a traet of land in Coral Township, on which he remained for five years. In 1917 he bought his present place of 107 acres in Dorr and Nunda Townships. It is well improved and fitted for modern dairying. He has a herd of eattle and carries on general farming. Like his father he is a Republican, but no office seeker. He and his wife have had the following children born to them: Hal Eldon, and Majorie Esther, both of whom are at home. Mr. Allbee and his wife are connected with some of the oldest and most influential families in MeHenry County, and come of as fine American stock as can be found in the country, and they live up to the best stand- ards of citizenship in every respect. Mr. Allbee is an expert farmer, and his fine farm shows that the owner takes a pride in his premises and knows just what he is about when he directs any work.
CHARLES W. ALBRIGHT.
Charles W. Albright, one of the prosperous men of MeHenry County, who is helping to maintain its prestige as a great dairying center, owns a valuable farm four miles east of Algonquin in Algonquin Township. He was born in Barrington Township, Cook County, Illinois, November 11, 1873, about three miles east of his present farm, a son of Christ and Charlotte Albright, natives of Germany, who with two ehildren came to the United States about 1866, and in 1876 bought land on Crystal Lake, in Algonquin Township, one mile east of the farm now owned by Charles W. Albright. This farm comprised forty aeres and was developed into
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an excellent farm, on which Christ Albright lived into old age, dying at his home in MeHenry County at the age of eighty-six years. His wife had died six years previously. Their three children to reach maturity were as follows: Ernest, who died in Dundee Township, aged forty- three years, was a farmer, and left a widow and six children : Mary, who is Mrs. William Mitehell of North Dakota, and Charles W., whose name heads this review.
Charles W. Albright remained on the homestead until he was twenty- six years old, when he rented a farm for a few years and then located on his present one, then owned by Robert Haeger, father of Supervisor Haeger. After renting it for two years he went on the farm of William Brandt for fifteen years. Finally in 1912 he bought the Haeger farm, which comprises 130 acres, for which he paid $110 per acre. He has re- built the barn, erected a silo and rebuilt the house, and has a niee place. Dairying is his main feature and he keeps thirty-five cows of the Holstein strain. The farm is well loeated for dairying purposes, and he has it drained properly. Since buying the farm he has placed ten more aeres of it under cultivation. In 1919 he bought sixty aeres adjoining the homestead. For three years Mr. Albright served as road commissioner, and has been a capable official.
When he was twenty-six years old Mr. Albright was married to Min- nie Golderman, of Algonquin Township, a daughter of Fred and Louise Golderman, who came to MeHenry County at an early date. Both are now deceased, but were at one time engaged in farming two and one-half miles east of Algonquin. Mr. and Mrs. Albright have four children, namely : William, Stella, Laura and Hazel, all of whom are at home. Mr. Albright has worked very hard to accomplish what he has and de- serves his present prosperity. He stands very high in his neighborhood, and his associates recognize that he is a man of his word, and one who knows how to get things done right.
CHARLES T. ALLEN.
Charles T. Allen, formerly assistant state's attorney of MeHenry County, is the junior member of the law firm of Lumley & Allen, of Cary. He was born in Algonquin Township, MeHenry County, Feb- ruary 27, 1882, one of the six children of Thomas C. and Margaret (Brannan) Allen. Thomas C. Allen was born in Ireland, but eame to
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
the United States with his parents when a mere infant, and spent the greater part of his life in Algonquin Township. For some years he was general superintendent of the Washington Ice Company at Cary, but retired several years prior to his death, which occurred December 10, 1913.
Charles T. Allen attended the publie schools of MeHenry County and the Elgin Academy, from which he was graduated. He then studied Jaw at the Northwestern Law School, being graduated therefrom in 1910, and was admitted to the bar. In the fall of that year he opened an office at Woodstock, the county seat, and one at Cary, where he retained his residence. In 1915 he formed a partnership with V. S. Lumley, a prom- inent attorney of the MeHenry County bar. Later, upon the election of Mr. Lumley to the office of state's attorney, Mr. Allen was appointed assistant state's attorney and proved himself a very capable official. From this position on March 1, 1921, he resigned on account of the large pri- vate practice he had aequired and his extensive real estate interest along Fox River, and since then has maintained his office almost exelusively at Cary. Mr. Allen has been for the last ten years and is now city attorney of Algonquin and Cary, both of this eounty. In politics he is a Republi- can.
In 1903 Mr. Allen was married to Miss Vera Menteh, and they have two sons, Russell C. and Robert E. Mr. Allen is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Elk, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors. He and his family reside at Cary, Ill., where he is most highly esteemed as a man and attorney, as well as throughout MeHenry County. where his professional dnties and his past connections with the state's attorney's office has given him a large aequaintance.
HENRY PHILIPS ALLEN.
Henry Philips Allen, now deceased, was formerly one of the highly- esteemed and reliable men of Dorr Township. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., February 26, 1839, a son of Thomas and Mary (Williams) Allen. In 1840 the family came to MeHenry County, settling in Dorr Township, adjoining the farm later owned by Henry Philips Allen, five miles south of Woodstock, which property is still in the family. It was a traet of timber land, but from it Thomas Allen developed a good home, and lived on it until his death, December 11, 1883, when he was aged
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eighty-nine years. His widow died July 3, 1886, aged eighty-seven years. They had three children, namely: James, who owned a farm adjoining the homestead, but retired to Woodstock, there dying, being survived by his widow and daughter, Mrs. George G. Miller; Henry P., whose name heads this review; and Frank, who inherited the homestead, but became a machinist, worked at Union and later at St. Charles, III., and now lives in California.
Henry P. Allen was reared on his father's farm and remained on it until his marriage. He studied to be a teacher, but never followed that calling. On January 16, 1866, he was married to Louisa Hope, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Hope. Mrs. Allen is the only sur- vivor of her father's family of four sons and two daughters, and the only one who continued to reside in MeHenry County. She was only seventeen years old at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Allen began their married life in the house still occupied by Mrs. Allen, on fifty aeres of land which were taken from his father's homestead, to which he added until he had 100 acres. He followed general mixed farming, and for a few years conducted a store at Union. Mr. Allen died January 1, 1911, after a major operation in a hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Allen became the parents of the following children: George, who died in boyhood; Rose, who married John Wallace of Seneca Town- · ship; Jessie, who married Charlie Gule, of Dorr Township; Dora, who is at home; Kittie, who is Mrs. George Pugh, owns a part of the old Allen farm; Harry A., who is operating his father's homestead. Both Rose and Jessie Allen were school-teachers prior to their marriage and very successful in their chosen calling. The present house on the homestead has been thoroughly modernized and has electric lights, is heated by a furnace, and has other first-class improvements. Harry A. Allen is conducting this farm so as to make it one of the model ones of the county. Henry Philips Allen was one of the upright, honorable men of his community, and when he died Dorr Township suffered a loss it could ill afford. However he left behind him some fine children who are a credit to their name and to the township which gave themn birth and fostered them.
Y. B. ANDERSON.
Page 150.
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LEWIS J. ASHBURN.
Lewis J. Ashburn, successful business man and vice-president of the Herrick Feed Company of Harvard, is rightly numbered among the representative citizens of MeHenry County. He was born in Wisconsin, October 19, 1889, and is one of the five children of Ole and Julia (Larsen) Ashburn, prosperous farming people of Rock County, Wis.
Growing up on his father's farm, Lewis J. Ashburn attended the dis- trict schools of his native county, and the Sharon High School, and after being graduated from the latter, he took a business course in the Southern Wisconsin Business College at Janesville, Wis. In 1910 Mr. Ashburn came to Harvard and entered the employ of Hunt, Helm, Ferris & Com- pany. After remaining with that concern for two years, and being employed in the First State Bank for four years, he went into business for himself and for a time conducted a popular grocery and meat market. Disposing of his business he formed his present connections which are congenial and profitable, and has risen to be the vice-president of his company.
On June 5, 1893, Mr. Ashburn was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Mae Crosby, who was born February 18, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Ashburn have one daughter, Dellora Mac, who was born May S, 1919. An alert and astute business man Mr. Ashburn has risen through his own efforts, and deserves the prosperity which has attended him.
WILLIAM A, AUSTIN.
William A. Austin, now living retired at Richmond, is a justice of the peace and a very representative man in every particular. He was born August 10, 1885, a son of William II. and Angeline (Austin) Austin, both of whom are deceased, the latter passing away in Ohio, William H. Austin was colonel of the regiment raised in MeHenry County for serv- ice during the Civil War, and after its elose he went to Nebraska, where he died as the result of injuries received in that conflict. He and his wife had the following children : David, who died at the age of sixteen years, about the time of the birth of William A. ; Hattie B., who married Lewis Vogel, deputy assistant secretary of state, resides at Springfield, Ill. ; Edward, who is the owner of the old farm in Richmond Township, two miles south of Richmond, and William A., whose name heads this review.
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William A. Austin remained at home until he was sixteen years old, and attended the Richmond High School. At his father's death he as- sumed charge of one of the farms owned by the elder man, and for the subsequent five years was engaged in dairying and stock growing. At the expiration of that period, he moved to Richmond and the farm is now operated on shares by a tenant. This farm is a very valuable one and a herd is kept of about thirty-five cows of the Holstein strain. The buildings on the farm were erected by his father for dairying purposes. Mr. Austin is convinced of the wisdom of handling only good stock, and his produet is excellent in this respect. While he is not now on the farm, he supervises the work, having learned to be a practical farmer from his father, who at one time was one of the most extensive agriculturalists of the county, owning 560 acres of land.
William A. Austin was married September 20, 1911, to Marietta Johnsen, a daughter of Ole and Anna Johnsen, of Richmond Township, who was only eighteen years old at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have four children, namely : Edwin, Harold, Arlen, and Donald F. A strong Republican, like his estimable father, Mr. Austin is now serving as a jus- tice of the peace. He belongs to Richmond Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Brought up in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his parents were con- sistent members, Mr. Austin is himself a member of it, and contributes very liberally toward its support.
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