USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed. > Part 39
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The full account of the life of the first Ameri- can progenitor and his descendants to this date will surely be welcomed by members of the fam- ily, both born and unborn; and his face is herein preserved for the pride of friends and relatives for all time to come.
BENJAMIN F. HEAD.
ENJAMIN FRANKLIN HEAD, an early resident of Illinois, was born in Hillsbor- ough, Ohio, September 30, 1842. His par- ents, William W. and Sarah (Bidamon) Head, were natives of the same town. The Head family is of English ancestry. Their first American progenitors settled on the east shore of Maryland previous to the Revolutionary War. William Head, grandfather of the subject of this notice, who was probably born in Maryland, became one of the pioneers of Highiland County, Ohio, where his wife's father was killed by Indians during the border struggles in which the early history of Ohio abounds.
In 1856 William W. Head moved, with his fam- ily, to Macomb, Illinois, where the balance of his life was spent upon a farm. His death occurred in 1891, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died at Macomb, December 14, 1892, at the age of eighty-four years and five months. She was born in Winchester, Virginia, and went to Ohio with her parents during her childhood.
Benjamin F. Head attended the public schools of Hillsborough and Macomb. At the age of eighteen years, he left home and came to Chicago, securing employment as brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad. Being a youth of regular hab- its and punctual character, he gained promotion
322
E. D. REDINGTON.
successively to freight and passenger conductor. He served in the last-mentioned capacity for seven years, being employed in the suburban service. He had charge of the first Hyde Park suburban train, and made occasional trips on through trains. His efficiency and faithfulness won the confidence and esteem of the officials of the corporation, and he was in a fair way to further promotion when he resigned his position in 1880. He then began dealing in real estate in Chicago, and has been successful in that line. His operations include all kinds of city and suburban property, and he is well known among holders and investors.
He was one of the original members of the Old Reliable Railroad Conductors' Association, of Columbus, Ohio, but abandoned that organiza- tion in 1879, when he became identified with the Conductors' Mutual Aid and Benefit Association of the United States and Canada, of which organ- ization he is now one of the Directors. He was one of the early members of Chicago Council No. 58, National Union, and has served as Treasurer
and Vice-President thereof, and is one of the Trustees of the Oakland Methodist Church. In the building of the property of the latter organiza- tion, he was an active worker and contributor of his means.
He was married in 1868 to Mary E. Work, daughter of John C. Work, of Hillsborough, Ohio. Two sons complete the family of Mr. and Mrs. Head, named Harry and Paul F., the former being employed in the office of the Rookery Building.
Since 1873 the family residence has been 011 Drexel and Oakwood Boulevards. Mr. Head has been a life-long advocate of Republican principles, and has frequently served as clerk and judge of elections. In 1889, during President Harrison's administration, he was appointed the first Super- intendent of the Hyde Park Postal Station, but resigned that position at the end of fourteen months, owing to private business cares requiring liis attention. He is an energetic and public- spirited citizen, and enjoys the esteem and friend- ship of a large circle of acquaintances.
EDWARD D. REDINGTON.
DWARD DANA REDINGTON, a well- known resident of Evanston and business man of Chicago, son of Edward C. and Caro- line D. (Stearns) Redington, was born November 12, 1839, at Chelsea, Vermont. He was educated in the public schools of Chelsea and at the St. Johnsbury Academy, whence he went to Dart- mouth College, graduating from that famous in- stitution with the Class of 1861. After graduat- ing, he was a teacher in St. Johnsbury Academy for one year, and in the winter of 1863-64, he served as Assistant Cashier of the Passumpsic Bank.
From 1862 to the close of 1865 Mr. Redington was actively engaged in the defense of the Union.
He enlisted in the Twelfth Vermont Volunteers August 23, 1862, and was Sergeant-Major to Feb- ruary 23, 1863, and afterward Second Lieutenant of Company I until mustered out July 14, 1863. On the 24th of February, 1864, President Lin- coln appointed liim additional Paymaster, United States Volunteers, with the rank of Major, and lie remained on duty with the Army of the Potomac until June 24, 1865, when he was ordered to Springfield, Illinois, to pay mustered-out troops. He served there until November 30, 1865, at which date he was discharged from service.
From 1866 to 1871 he was employed by the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company as cashier and paymaster, residing successively at Wyandotte,
JAMES B. KELLOGG
Photo'd by W. J. Root
323
J. B. KELLOGG.
Leavenworth and Lawrence, Kansas. In 1871 he engaged in the lumber trade at Lawrence, con- tinuing that busines there until 1875, when he removed to Chicago. For the next twelve years he followed the same business in this city. Since 1888 he has been connected with the Provident Life and Trust Company, of Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, in its Chicago agency. These several positions, and his continuance therein, indicate his superior executive faculty, as well as persist- ence and integrity.
Mr. Redington has been twice married, the first union being with Mary Ann, daughter of Ephraim and Mary Ann Chamberlin, of St. Johnsbury, their wedding taking place there No- vember 15, 1864. Mrs. Redington died in April, 1880, leaving three children, who still survive, namely: Lizzie Stearns; John Chase and Paul Goodwin, twins. The second marriage occurred on the 18th of May, 1882, the bride being Mary Julia, daughter of Ezra and Julia R. Towne, of Topsfield, Massachusetts, by whom he has one child, Theodore Towne Redington. The family affiliates with the First Congregational Church of Evanston, where they have resided since 1884.
Mr. Redington has been prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as Aide on Commander Veazey's staff in 1891. He is a member of the Illinois Commandery of the Loyal Legion, of the Western Society of the Army of the Potomac and the Sons of the American Revo- lution. He has been President of the Chicago Alumni Association of Dartmouth College, was President of the Chicago Association Sons of Vermont for 1894, and on the 22d of January, of that year, he was elected President of the Chi- cago Congregational Club for the ensuing year. During the last-named year, he was also one of the Vice-Presidents of the Chicago Association of Life Underwriters. He is a Republican in politics, though while living at Lawrence, Kan- sas, in 1873, he was the Prohibition candidate for Mayor of that city, and was a member of the School Board from 1872 to 1875. The foregoing is sufficient comment upon the superior social as well as business qualifications of Mr. Redington, and illustrates the confidence and esteem which he enjoys among his fellows. He is cordial in manner, and his easy bearing betokens good breeding and a sound heart and brain.
JAMES B. KELLOGG.
AMES BRADFORD KELLOGG, a marine underwriter and adjuster of long experience and acknowledged capability, was born in Whitesboro, New York, September 9, 1825. He is the eldest son of Eli C. Kellogg and Lu- cretia Barnard. The former was born in Shef- field, Massachusetts, his family being of Scotch lineage. While a young man, he went to New York, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness. In 1835 he removed to Monroe, Michigan, and continued in the same occupation for ten
years. At the end of that period he became a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and after con- ducting a mercantile business for a time, he en- gaged in milling. His death occurred in that city in 1855, at the age of fifty-four years. Mrs. Lucretia Kellogg, who was a native of the Em- pire State, died at Whitesboro, while on a visit to that place, in 1838. Of their six children, James is the only resident of Illinois. Edgar, the youngest son, now a resident of Denver, Colo- rado, is the only other survivor.
324
J. B. KELLOGG.
James attended a private school at Monroe, Michigan, with the expectation of adopting a professional career, in accordance with the wish of his parents, and in 1841 he entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, becoming a mem- ber of the first freshman class of that famous in- stitution. Owing to his father's financial embar- rassment, following a crisis which had overspread the country a few years previous, he was obliged to abandon his college course at the end of one year. He then became clerk and bookkeeper in his father's establishment, and for the next few years devoted his energy and talents to the recup- eration of the family fortunes. He accompanied his father to Milwaukee in the same capacity, and in 1852 he entered into partnership with his father in the milling business. This enterprise, however, was not successful, but his operations in that city had been marked by such clerical ability and integrity as to secure the confidence of many of the business men of the city, and in 1853 he was tendered the position of Secretary of the Commercial Insurance Company of Milwau- kee. This corporation was then in its infancy, and he established its affairs upon a substantial basis, and continued to have charge of its office affairs, with the exception of one and one-half years, until 1864, when the company suspended business, though in a sound financial condition. During the interval above alluded to, lie offici- ated as Cashier of the Exchange Bank of William J. Bell & Company, of Milwaukee, organized under the State Law of Wisconsin.
For several years prior to 1865 Mr. Kellogg was Secretary of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, and was presented by his associates on his retirement with a very handsome silver to- bacco box, filled with a new brand of the weed known as "Lincoln Greenbacks," as stated by Judge Levi Hubbell, who made the presentation speech, as a token of the regard and esteem in which he was held by them. At the date last mentioned he went to New York City, and en- tered into a contract with the Underwriters' Agency of that city to manage its lake inarine department for three years. His previous expe- rience in underwriting had been largely in the
line of marine risks, and his readiness and busi- ness tact proved of great advantage to his em- ployers. At the expiration of this contract he canie to Chicago and took charge of the marine department of the Home Insurance Company of this city. A few months later this company dis- continued its marine business, a departure which greatly disappointed Mr. Kellogg, who antici- pated a large and lucrative line of risks at this port.
Returning to Milwaukee, he re-engaged in ma- rine insurance, and in the summer of 1869 or- ganized the Northwestern National Insurance Company of Milwaukee, intended especially for marine and fire underwriting. Among the prin- cipal stockholders and directors of this company were many of the chief capitalists of that city, some of whom have since gained a national repu- tation as financiers. It is still doing a flourishing business, and numbers Mr. P. D. Armour among its directors. Mr. Kellogg was the Secretary and Manager, and under his skillful conduct it rapidly grew to prominence among underwriters.
In February, 1872, he severed his connection with this company, and the following year be- canie once more a resident of Chicago, where he has ever since been engaged in marine underwrit- ing and in adjusting marine losses. Since 1892 the firm of Kellogg & Robinson, of which lie is the head, has been the only one in Chicago giving exclusive attention to marine adjusting. He is thoroughly familiar with marine law, and is con- sidered an authority upon all questions pertain- ing to marine insurance. His advice is often sought by underwriters, and he is frequently called upon to arbitrate between the companies and their policy-holders. His sound judgment and spirit of fairness, combined with his thorough knowledge of values, conspire to make his de- cisions just and acceptable. For twenty-two years past he has been a member of the Board of Trade, which connection has proved advantage- ous to his other interests.
While avoiding club life, Mr. Kellogg has never shirked any proper social duties, and is a patron of those refining institutions which tend to de- velop the best elements of the people in a large
325
FRANKLIN CHAVETT.
city. He is a member of the Art Institute and the Field Columbian Museum, and adheres to the faith of the Episcopal Church, in which he was reared. For some years he was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1852 was Grand Representative from Wisconsin to the Grand Lodge of the United States, after serving several years as Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State. He is a prominent . member of the Masonic fraternity; and for many years was act- ive in its councils and labors. While a resident of Wisconsin, he was for some years Grand Sec- retary of the Grand Lodge of that State. In early life he was identified with the Whig party, and cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor; but since the disintegration of that party he has been an advocate of Democratic princi- ples, though never an aspirant for public posi- tion. One of the earliest political events in his
recollection is a gathering at Fort Meigs during the famous "Tippecanoe" campaign of 1840, at which William Henry Harrison was the chief orator. Following the custom of those days, people front several neighboring counties assem- bled, and the proceedings, which lasted for sev- eral days, created a deep impression on the youth- ful mind of Mr. Kellogg.
Mr. Kellogg has been twice married, first at Fort Plain, New York, October 14, 1852, to H. Jane Diefendorf, daughter of Dr. James and Nancy Diefendorf, of that place. The only sur- viving child of this union is Helen, wife of Charles P. Woodruff, of Rochester, New York. Mr. Kellogg was again married, March 10, 1884, at Manchester, Iowa, to Miss Sarah A. Durey. This lady is the youngest daughter of William and Rebecca Durey and a native of Bethesden, Kent, England.
DR. FRANKLIN CHAVETT.
12 R. FRANKLIN CHAVETT, for forty years a practitioner of inedicine in the City of Chi- cago, was born in New York City June 14, 1811. In the following year, owing to threatened financial troubles occasioned by the declaration of war against England by this country, he was taken by his parents home to France, where two years later his father died.
The estate left was amply sufficient to allow of a most excellent education being given the son, his medical schooling being obtained at the Royal College of Besancon. Years later, he was also granted a diploma by the Bennett Medical Col- lege of Chicago
At the age of twenty-one, he returned to Amer-
ica, settling in New York City, the scene of his nativity, where he was a successful practitioner of medicine for over a score of years. But in 1853, filled with dreams of renewed health and accumulated fortunes in the new Eldorado, he re- moved to Chicago, locating on State Street, be- tween Madison and Monroe, where for another score of years he kept a home and office, and built up one of the finest practices in medicine enjoyed by any physician of those days.
In 1873, for private reasons, he sold liis down- town property to remove to Englewood in the suburbs, at that time but a small village, but now grown to one of the finest residence neighbor- hoods en ville. He here built a fine residence
326
FRANKLIN CHAVETT.
on Yale Avenue, and quickly came to be recog- nized, as what he was esteemed to the very lastby his friends and associates, a most charming con- panion, trustworthy friend and superior doctor.
During the latter part of his life, being in af- fluent circumstances, and having built up a de- mand for his remedies on the part of patients liv- ing long distances from his home, he wished, and was fortunately able, to cease active practice for the most; save in complying with very numerous demands from abroad for his diagnosis and treat- ment, which were mainly carried on by mail. In this inexacting manner, he was enabled to in- crease his fortunes in a comfortably easy way; for his final years were weighed down by a complica- tion of maladies attendant upon old age and the wear and tear of a very busily occupied life.
He died at his home on the roth day of No- vember, 1894, at the hale old age of eighty-three, universally loved and respected. His remains were taken to Mount Olivet.
Doctor Chavett was twice married-first in New York City, at the age of twenty-one, to Miss Catherine Purcell, who, after bearing him six children, died in 1848. Of these children, all but one, Miss Gabrielle Chavett, died before their father. Miss Chavett, whose health is far from strong, passed the final months of her father's life in administering to his wants, as only a dear devoted daughter can. Some years after lıis ar- rival in Chicago, the doctor again married, this time Miss Elizabeth Bannon, who died in July, 1894, leaving no children. Aside from the daugh- ter afore-mentioned, there are but two grandchil- dren, living in the East, who remain of the doctor's line.
Doctor Chavett was in good standing in his profession and thoroughly ethical in all his transactions. He was an honored member of the National, State and local Medical Societies, and an honorary member of the Union Medical So- ciety of Englewood, of which he was for many years Treasurer. Some of the foregoing societies have passed touching resolutions on their loss, since his death.
Doctor Chavett comes of a distinguished French family. His maternal grandfather was a soldier
in the French army; and on the occasion of the visit of Benjamin Franklin to solicit aid from that country for the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War, was acting as sentry at the door of the Chamber of Deputies. This fact gave him an opportunity of hearing Franklin's stirring appeal to his countrymen; being thoroughly stirred thereby, and his term of service under the tricolor having soon expired, he enlisted his fortunes with the great and magnanimous LaFay- ette, with whom he came to America, and under whose banner he fought in many notable battles, being present at the final surrender at Yorktown. After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, he re- turned to his native country, where he continued to reside until his death. But so deep was his regard for this New World, that he persuaded his daughter (wlio liad married the father of the sub- ject of this sketch) to come to New York City, where Doctor Chavett was born, as hiereinbefore narrated. There is a strain of noble blood in the family, readily discernable in the observation by the doctor of the Noblesse oblige.
There is melancholy thought inspired by the dying out of a once proud and honorable line. For here ends the male line of which the doctor was descended, and of which he was so worthy a flower. It is therefore with unusual, though sad, pleasure (inasmuch as the last of the lifework of this family is done) that this opportunity is ac- cepted to present with fairly impartial words the name and fame of the deceased. The likeness seen upon an adjoining page is a lifelike picture of the most kindly, intellectual face of him who has spoken words of encouragement to thousands of sufferers, and whose deeds have verily raised from the grasp of death many a poor fellow- creature seemingly doomed to an untimely grave.
His friends, who knew the goodness of his heart, will never forget him in their lives; but since all are destined soon to pass away, it will be with growing satisfaction that future genera- tions will look upon the lineaments of our friend, and pause from active life to contemplate the long and useful career of one of God's noblemen, who first came to the new West to bestow hap- piness and health upon the wretched.
327
L. D. CASTLE.
LESTER D. CASTLE.
ESTER D. CASTLE, who is now living a retired life in Barrington, is numbered among the honored early settlers of Cook County of 1843. His residence, therefore, within its borders covers a period of half a century. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in the town of Florence, Oneida County, N. Y., March 4, 1827, and is a son of Edward Castle, who was born in Waterbury, Conn., December 19, 1800. He was reared, however, in the Empire State, whither he was taken when two years old by his father, Phineas Castle, who was one of the first settlers of Florence. His great-grandfather, Phin- eas Castle, Sr., was a Captain in the French and Indian War. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Jerusha W. Bellows. She was born in New York, and was a daughter of Abner Bellows, an early settler of Florence, Oneida County.
In 1843 Edward Castle emigrated to the West with his family and located in Palatine Township, Cook County, where he made a claim of one hun- dred and sixty acres, purchasing the land from the Government. It was a wild tract, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but he transformed it into a good farm and continued its cultivation for a number of years. His last years were spent in Barrington, and he was buried in the Barrington Cemetery in 1871. His wife still survives him and lives with her son Lester, a well-preserved old lady of eighty-six years. Our subject is the eldest of four children, the others being Emily, deceased, wife of William Lytle; Rhoda J., wife of ex-Gov. Ira J. Chase, of Irvington, Ind .; and Charlotte, deceased, wife of Alfred S. Henderson.
Mr. Castle whose name heads this sketch spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native State, and in its common schools began his educa- tion, which was completed by study in Waukegan
Academy. He then successfully followed teach- ing during ten winter ternis. Having purchased a half of the old homestead, he carried on farm- ing during the summer months. On his father's death he became sole owner of the old home farmı, to which he added a forty-acre tract adjoining, making in all a fine farm of two hundred acres of valuable land. Upon it are good buildings, and the place is well improved. Its owner is always regarded as an enterprising and progressive agri- culturist, and by his well-directed efforts he has acquired a handsome competency. In 1877 he rented his farm to his son, and removed to Bar- rington, but after two years returned to the old home, and again carried on agricultural pursuits until 1887, when he purchased a residence, and has since lived retired in this place. He owns one of the nicest homes in Barrington.
Mr. Castle was married in Lake County, June 9, 1852, to Miss Lucy A. Taylor, daughter of Samuel Taylor, of Warren Township, that county. She was born in Massachusetts, but was reared and educated in Ohio and Illinois. They have seven children: Arthur L., who is married and resides in Elgin, where he is employed in the postoffice; P. V., a prominent attorney of Chi- cago, a member of the firm of Cutting & Castle; Charles, who is Postmaster of Austin; Pearley D., who is cashier of the Austin State Bank; Ben B., a salesman in the employ of Farwell & Co., of Chicago; Eva, a successful teacher, now employed in Irving Park; and Lottie, wife of C. W. Coltrin, a dentist of Austin.
Mr. Castle was first a Democrat. In 1848 he cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, and in 1852 supported John P. Hale. In 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont, and has since been a stal- wart advocate of the men and measures of the Republican party. He has himself been elected to a number of local offices, having served as
328
O. T. MAXSON.
Township Clerk, Town Supervisor, and as County Supervisor for two terms. He was also Town- slip Treasurer for about fifteen years, and is now serving his second term as Police Magistrate. He has been a delegate to numerous county con- ventions. The cause of education lias ever found in him a warm friend, and he has done effective service in its interest during the many years he
has been a member of the School Board. His mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Castle is a valued and progressive citizen, who is ever found on the side of right and order, and who has always taken a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he has so long made his home.
DR. O. T. MAXSON.
12 R. O. T. MAXSON, who is engaged in the practice of the medical profession in South Evanston, has built up a good business, for he is well versed in everything connected with the science and has spared neither labor nor ex- pense in perfecting himself for his chosen calling. His skill and ability are now recognized, and he has not only won a liberal patronage, but has also gained a high reputation among his professional brethren.
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