The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 1

Author: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 798

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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

977.323 B52

Ill. Hist. Surv.

THE

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

KANE COUNTY,

ILLINOIS.

ILLUSTRATED.

" A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations."-MACAULEY.

CHICAGO :

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY,

1898.

077323

"Biography is the only true history."

-EMERSON.

Survey

PREFACE.

HE greatest of English historians, MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of the present century, has said : "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." In con- formity with this idea, the BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated but by few, our corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise EK and industry, brought these counties to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips liave the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued the " even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ. said of the woman performing a deed of mercy-" They have done what they could." It tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly " to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after.

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work, and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written ; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given.

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work; some refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business.

July, 1898.

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO.

HON. CHARLES WHEATON.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

H JON. CHARLES WHEATON, a lead- ing member of the bar of Aurora, Illi- nois, was born in Warren, Rhode Island, May 29, 1829, and is the son of Nathan M. and Content B. (Maxwell) Wheaton, the former being the son of Charles Wheaton, who was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and was the son of Nathaniel, who was a native of the same place. Nathaniel was the son of Daniel, who was also born in Re- hoboth, while Daniel was the son of Eph- raim, who was the son of Robert, who was born in England in 1606, and came to Amer- ica in 1636, landing at Salem. He was the founder of the family in this country. From Salem, he removed to Rehoboth, where his death occurred. He was a minister of the Baptist church.

Nathan M. Wheaton was born in War- ren, Rhode Island, in .1785. He was a merchant and trader, in his own ships, to the West Indies, Cuba and other islands. His death occurred July 3, 1861. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics was a Whig. Content Maxwell, his wife, was a daughter of James and Content (Brayton) Maxwell, who were members of the society of Friends, or Quakers. Not- withstanding his religion, James Maxwell served in the war of the Revolution, going into the service from Rhode Island. He was of Scotch ancestry. The Braytons were also Quakers. Content Maxwell was born

in Warren, Rhode Island, December 26, 1795, and died in November, 1837. To Nathan M. Wheaton and wife were born nine children-Elbridge Gerry, Mary, Emma, Laura, Rebecca, Susan, Charles, Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy. Emma married William Baker; Laura mar- ried George L. Cooke; Susan married S. V. R. Hickox; and Elizabeth married Daniel L. Turner. All are now deceased save our subject and Elizabeth.

The early life of Charles Wheaton was spent at Warren, Rhode Island, and until sixteen years of age he attended the Epis- copal school at Warren. He then came west, and entered the college, at Robin's Nest, known as Bishop Chase's Jubilee Col- lege, in Peoria county, Illinois, where he re- mained one year. To assist Bishop Chase, his father had bought two scholarships, one of which he used for his son. Upon leav- ing that college, he entered Trinity College at Hartford, Connecticut, from which he was graduated in June, 1849.

After his graduation, Mr. Wheaton en- tered the law office of Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he spent two years, and was admitted to the bar, in September, 1851. He there be- gan practice, which he continued for three years, and in October, 1854, again came west, locating at Batavia, in January, 1855, then one of the most promising towns in

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the Fox River Valley, where he opened his office. He practiced there until 1859, when he removed to Aurora, opened an office, and has here continued in active practice. His first partner was S. W. Burns and then A. G. McDole, the firm name being Wheaton & McDole. In 1873, he opened an office in Chicago, which was run under the firm name of Wheaton, Canfield & Smith. This partnership continued until 1875, when it was dissolved, since which time he has been alone. Since 1875, his time has almost en- tirely been devoted to the trial of cases, and there has been but few cases of importance, in this or adjoining counties, that he has not been on one side or the other.

. Mr. Wheaton was united in marriage to Miss Sarah H. Brewster, July 17, 1860, at Middlebury, Vermont, of which place she is a native, born October i, 1830. She is the daughter of Elisha and Rebecca (Fish) Brewster. Elisha Brewster was born at Norwich, Connecticut, in 1790, and was the son of Seabury Brewster, who was the son of Wrestling, who was a native of Norwich. His father, also named Wrestling, was like- wise a native of Norwich, and whose father, also named Wrestling, was a native of Dux- bury, Massachusetts. His father was Love Brewster, who was born in England, and who was the son of Elder William Brewster, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. Elisha Brewster married Rebecca Fish, at Hartford, Connecticut, September 28, 1812. She was born September 28, 1789. Her father was Miller Fish, born in Bazrott, Connecticut, in 1764, and married Huldah Corning, who was born in Hartford, No- vember 4, 1765. Their children were: Hen- ry, Rebecca, John, Mary, Frederick, Ed- ward J., George H., Huldah C., John M., Julia C. and Arthur M.

Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton are the parents of five children, as follows: Lizzie T., who married Charles H. Hale, of Aurora, by whom she has two children, Bessie W. and Helen L .; Clara S., at home; Sarah, the wife of Bert A. Allen, living in Aurora, and they have one child, Charles W .; Anna H., at home; and Mary F., who married Harry H. Holden, of Aurora, and they have one child, Sarah M.

Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton are members of the Congregational church, and in politics he is a Republican. In 1864 he was elected mayor of the city, but resigned before the expiration of his term. For four years he served as a member of the board of super- visors, and in 1870 was a member of the constitutional convention, in which body he was an active factor. He resides in a beauti- ful home, at 297 La Salle street, which he had erected for himself, and around him are all his family, to whom he has given a home, and in whose society he finds much enjoyment.

In his long professional career, Mr. Wheaton has much to be proud of. He has been eminently successful in the trial of cases, rarely losing a cause he espoused, and his arduous labors have brought him a lib- eral competency. His professional career has been free from trickery and question- able practices, so often resorted to by mem- bers of the bar. His strength has been in a good education, a sound knowledge of law, a careful study of cases placed in his charge, the completeness of his briefs, his skillful management, and his able, logical and elo- quent pleading, having always the respect of the court and the confidence of the jury. His private life has been as pure as his pro- fessional one, and he holds the esteem and confidence of the community in which he has so long dwelt.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

S AMUEL W. CHAPMAN, ex-postmaster of Elgin and senior member of the firm of S. W. & A. M. Chapman, dealers in car- riages, wagons and agricultural implements, 26 River street, Elgin, is a truly representa- tive citizen of Kane county, where almost his entire life has been spent. He was born in Wyoming, New York, September 9, 1843, and is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Spittal) Chapman, both of whom were na- tives of Glasgow, Scotland. Their family comprised nine children, four sons and five daughters, eight of whom are now living --- Samuel W., of this sketch; Helen M., wife of Frank P. Smith, of Kinsley, Kansas; Mary E., wife of John Collins, of Harter, Kansas; Sarah J., wife of Edson. B. Easton, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Albert A., of Texas; John E., of Texas; Grace A., wife of Royal W. Kimball, of Elgin; Julia A., wife of George M. Peck, of Elgin; and Fred L., publisher of "The Ram's Horn," Chicago.

Samuel Chapman, the father, by occu- pation was a farmer, and came to America in 1841, locating in Wyoming, New York. In 1844, he came to Kane county, Illinois, and settled in Plato township, where he en- gaged in farming until his death. He first purchased forty acres of wild land, and as his means increased added to his posses- sions until he was the owner of four hundred and sixty acres. Thoroughly loyal to his adopted country, when the South rebelled against the general government he assisted in raising a company of cavalry known as the Plato Cavalry, of which he was commis- sioned first lieutenant. He and John S. Durand furnished the horses for the com- pany, which they afterwards sold to the government. After the battle of Pea Ridge he resigned and came home. Politically he was a democrat, and while not caring for

office, served his township as supervisor for some years. His death occurred in Octo- ber, 1886, at the age of seventy years. His good wife survived him more than a year, dying at the age of sixty-nine years. They were members of the Congregational church and died in the full assurance of faith in the life beyond the grave. Both were well known and universally esteemed.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, also named Samuel Chapman, was likewise a native of Scotland, and there died when about seventy-five years of age. His occu- pation was that of a farmer. The maternal grandfather, Andrew Spittal, was born in Scotland and died near Glasgow when about eighty years of age. He followed farming as a means of livelihood.

Samuel W. Chapman, our subject, was about one year old when brought by his par- ents to Kane county, and upon the old farm in Plato township his boyhood and youth were passed. The eldest in the family, he was early *trained to labor upon the farm and knows from experience the meaning of hard work. His primary education was ob- tained in the subscription and district schools, and his collegiate training at Beloit College.

Soon after leaving college Mr. Chapman went to Burlington, Iowa, as cashier in the American and United States Express office, where he remained four years, discharging his duties in a faithful and conscientious manner. He then returned to Elgin and ran a flouring-mill, for ten years, when he secured the position as agent of the McCor- mick Harvesting Machine Company, remain- ing with that company for fifteen years, re- signing in 1893, when he embarked in his present wagon, carriage and implement business. In 1896 he associated with him-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

self A. M. Chapman, who, while of the same name, is no relation, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of S. W. & A. M. Chapman. Not- withstanding the hard times since the busi- ness was begun, a good trade has been established, which is constantly increasing. . that will advance the best interests of Elgin.

On the 15th of December, 1867, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage with Miss Alvena F. Stone, a native of Elgin town- ship, and a daughter of Isaac and Abigail Stone, natives of New Hampshire, and who came to Kane county in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman now reside in a pleasant home, No. 753 Highland avenue, where they delight to entertain their many friends. Mrs. Chapman has for many years been a member of the Congregational church, and is well known in religious circles. Frater- nally, Mr. Chapman is a Master Mason.

Like his father before him, Mr. Chap- man is a thorough Democrat, and in the success of the party takes especial delight. His face is a familiar one in the conventions of the party, and his influence is felt in its councils. He has never cared for official position, as his tastes and inclinations ran in an entirely different channel. For seven years, however, he served as a member of the board of education, because of the fact that he is a firm believer in the public schools and desired to render all the aid in his power to make them efficient. In Feb- ruary, 1894, he was appointed by President Cleveland, and confirmed by the United States senate, as postmaster of Elgin, and served until February, 1898. His admin- istration of the office was such as to win the confidence and good will of all the patrons of the office of whatever political belief.

As a business man Mr. Chapman is prob-

ably best known. For about eight years he has been a director in the Century club, a business men's association, and as such has exerted an influence for good in behalf of his adopted city. Thoroughly progress- ive, he is ever ready to champion anything This fact is well known, and this it is which commends him to all business and profes- sional men, those on whose efforts the city relies for its growth and well-being. A cit- izen of the county for more than half a cen- tury, there is nothing that affords him more satisfaction than to see it take front rank among the counties of this great common- wealth, and to this end he is willing to bend all his energies.

M ILTON THORNTON, who is living retired in the city of Geneva, has been a resident of Kane county for more than sixty-one years, having located here in May, 1837, at a time when the whole country was comparatively new, the cabins of the settlers being few and far between. He is a native of New Hampshire, born in the town of Thornton, Grafton county, October 20, 1809. His father, William Thornton, was also a native of New Hampshire, and a direct descendant of Matthew Thornton, of national reputation, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a farmer in New Hampshire, and there spent his entire life. His wife was Polly Bagley, a daughter of Winthrop Bagley, a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Milton Thornton grew to manhood in his native state, and had but limited educa- tional advantages. He is mostly self-edu- cated, his knowledge, which is of a practical nature, being acquired since reaching ma- ture years. He remained on the home

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farm with his father, assisting in its cultiva- tion until he was twenty-eight years old. He then came west by way of the New York & Erie canal and the great lakes, to Chicago, and crossed the Fox river at Gen- eva May 24, 1837. He at once took up a claim in the town of Virgil, Kane county, comprising a tract of two hundred and sev- enty-five acres, on which he built a dwell -* ing house, and, fencing the land, began its improvement. In due time he had a splen- did farm, on which he resided for about forty years. He first built a small house, to which additions were later made.

For seven years after his arrival in Kane county, Mr. Thornton lived a bachelor's life, and during that time suffered from fever and ague, the prevailing disease of that early time, and also endured all the hard- ships and privations incident to pioneer life. His first marriage was in June, 1844, when he married Miss Ruth Jenkins, a native of Columbia county, New York, who came to Illinois, with her father, Joseph Jenkins, who was also a pioneer of Kane county. There were two children by this union, both of whom died in childhood. This wife died Jan- uary 27, 1847, and Mr. Thornton next mar- ried Paulina Bunker, the wedding ceremony taking place December 23, 1847. She was a native of Columbia county, New York, and died May 16, 1876, at the age of sixty- five years. There were also two children by this marriage, and they also died in child- hood. In Campton township, May 31, 1877, Mr. Thornton married Mary C. Thompson, a native of Greenbrier county, West Virginia, who came to Illinois in child- hood, and was reared in Kane county. Her father, Robert Thompson, was also a native of West Virginia, and one of the pioneers of Kane county.

In early life Mr. Thompson was an old- line Whig, and cast his first . presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1832. In 1840 he voted, in Kane county, for Harrison and Tyler, "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Be- ing a strong anti-slavery man, and a be- liever in equal rights of all, he voted for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and has since been a stanch Republican, casting his last presidential vote at the age of eighty-seven for William McKinley and protection. He has never missed a presidential election since casting his first vote for that office. He has held several local positions of honor and trust, including township supervisor, justice of the peace, road commissioner, and in whatever position elected, made a faith- ful and efficient officer. He and his wife are members of the Unitarian church, be- ing a firm believer in its doctrines and ten- ets. By his exemplary habits and upright character he has won the respect and es- teem of all who know him.

W ILLIAM W. BALDWIN is one of the younger members of the legal profession in Elgin, but his ability is by no means limited by his years, and he has now gained a clientage and reputation that many an older attorney might well envy. A na- ·tive of Cooperstown, New York, born April 9, 1870, he is a son of Philander and Esther (Laberdie) Baldwin; the former of German ancestry and the latter of French ancestry. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a man of considerable prominence in Coop- erstown, where he spent his entire life, and by speculation he became quite wealthy, but lost inost of his money before his death. His son, Philander Baldwin, was a mason, contractor and builder for many years, but

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

now follows farming near Ottawa Lake, Michigan, where he and his wife now make their home. They are the parents of six children, all living: William W .; Mrs. Min- nie Davidson, who resides in Wisconsin; Albert, in the Tri-State College, Toledo, Ohio; Philander, a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Wesley and John, still with their parents. The father of this family is a Jeffersonian Democrat in his political belief, and his wife is a Catholic in religious faith.

William W. Baldwin obtained his edu- cation in the common schools and received few advantages in his youth to fit him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He was ambitious, however, and made the most of his opportunities. In 1887 he came to Elgin, where he continued his edu- cation by pursuing a commercial course, after which he took up the study of law. By correspondence he pursued a two-years' law course under the direction of the Sprague University, and then entered the law office of Frank E. Shopen, who in- structed him in the principles of jurispru- dence for two years, after which he was ad- mitted to the bar in Ottawa, Illinois, in De- cember, 1896.

Mr. Baldwin at once returned to Elgin, opened an office and has since engaged in practice, meeting with gratifying success in his chosen calling. On the 15th of Sep- tember, 1897, he formed a partnership with J. R. Powers, Jr., and the firm has attained considerable prominence in legal circles in Kane county. Mr. Baldwin was appointed notary public in 1895. In his business he has made a specialty of pension-law prac- tice, also patent-law, and in the latter divi- sion of jurisprudence he has handled a num- ber of very important cases with success. These have frequently called him to Wash-

ington; and he has won some notable vic- tories in forensic encounters with men of high worth in the legal profession, a fact which plainly indicates his own ability. He is a member of the Chicago Law Stu- dents Association.

In his political relations Mr. Baldwin is a Republican and served as delegate to the Illinois Lincoln Republican League at Springfield in 1894. Socially he is con- nected with the Knights of the Globe and the Sons of Veterans. He is also a valued inember of the First Baptist church and a man of benevolent, kindly nature.

Mr. Baldwin was married September 15, 1897, in Elgin, to Miss May L. Smith, a daughter of Curtis A. and Mary (Crowfoot) Smith. Her father is a representative of one of the old families of Elgin and is now connected with the Elgin Watch Factory in the responsible position of foreman of one of the departments. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have a wide acquaintance and high standing in the social circles of Elgin and share in the warm regard of many friends.

ISAAC H. WARREN, a prominent at- torney of Elgin, with office in the Home Bank Building, is a man who thoroughly loves his profession, and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are in- dispensable at the bar. In preparing a case for trial every fact, however insignificant, is carefully studied and its possible relevancy to the merits of the case weighed and con- sidered. He is thoroughly familiar with authority and never at a loss for a prec- edent.

Mr. Warren was born March 8, 1851, in Boone county, Illinois, and is a son of John and Anna (Church) Warren. His maternal

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

grandfather, William Church, was an Eng- lishman by birth and was a lieutenant in the English army, being in the service when Napoleon threatened to invade England. On coming to the United States William Church located in New York, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming until his death. He married Miss Esther Deacon, and to them were born eight children-five sons and three daughters-of whom Mrs. Warren is the eldest. Two sons and all the daughters are still living, their average age being seventy-five years, and both in mind and body they are well preserved.

John Warren, our subject's father, was born in England, in 1811, and when nine- , teen years of age accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. He was one of a family of nine children-five sons and four daughters. During his younger years he engaged in farming in the Empire state, but at an early day came to Illinois, and upon a farm in Boone county lived un- til called from this life in 1884, at the age of seventy-three years. He was officially connected with the Congregational church, of which he and his wife were both earnest and faithful members. She is still living. Their children were as follows: J. W., a salesman living in Omaha, Nebraska; A. G., who died at the age of eighteen years; Isaac H., of this sketch; Etta, wife of W. W. Ware, a farmer of Batavia, New York; Josephine, deceased wife of Rev. M. N. Clark, a Congregational minister; and Del- la, wife of W. A. Whiting, a merchant of Poplar Grove, Illinois.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 1

Author: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 798

Author: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 798