Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 81

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 910

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899 > Part 81

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lowed that vocation in the employ of other firms in the city.

It was in 1888 that Mr. Sohm embarked in business for himself, being then located on La Salle Street. About a year later, however, he removed to the Staats Zeitung Building, where he has now been for the past four years. He en- gages in mechanical engraving, and the artistic work which he turns out has secured for him a liberal patronage. He is recognized as one of the best engravers in the city, and his high reputa- tion is well deserved.

In the year 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sohm and Miss Gertrude Bruh. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and in the social circles in which they move they have many friends who esteem them highly. In his political views, our subject is a supporter of the Democracy, but has never been an aspirant for · public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to other interests. It proved a for- tunate day for him when he determined to leave his native land and make a home in the New World, and he lias never yet had occasion to re- gret the change, for he has here won a prosperity that would probably not liave come to him had he remained upon his native soil.

557

MATHIAS HOFFMAN.

M ATHIAS HOFFMAN, a prosperous and highly respected farmer of Niles Township, Cook County, residing on section 18, was born on the 25th of July, 1825, on the River Rhine, in Prussia, and is a son of Peter and Su- sannah (Saul) Hoffman, both of whom were born . in Prussia in the year 1799. The grandfather, Mathias Hoffman, was also a native of the same country and was a farmer by occupation. In 1842, the parents with their children turned their faces toward the setting sun and started for the New World. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel and made their way to Chicago, taking up their residence on the northwest quar- ter of section 18, Niles Township, Cook County, where the father purchased a farm of ninety-five acres, paying $3 per acre. At his death in 1846, he was the possessor of two hundred and sixty acres, a valuable and desirable place.

The children born to Peter and Susannah Hoffman were: Mathias; John, who was a farmer of Northfield Township; Michael, who lives in Des Plaines; Marguerite; Nicholas, a farmer of Niles Township; and Mrs. Catherine Schmelzer. John and Marguerite are deceased.

Mathias Hoffman was in his seventeenth year when, with the family, he bade adieu to the Fa- therland and came to the United States. In Niles Township he has since made his home, and during the long years which have since passed his hon- orable, upright life has made him many friends. He was married on the 7th of September, 1850, to Miss Barbara Harsom, daughter of John Har- som, a farmer and a native of Bavaria. The lady was born September 19, 1828, and by their union have been born five children, who in order of birth are as follows: William, who was born Sep- tember 11, 1851, and is now a carpenter of South

Evanston; John, born February 24, 1853, who is now living retired at Gross Point; Nicholas, a farmer of Northfield Township, born October 19, 1854; Catherine, who was born March 23, 1857, and is now the wife of James Dalton, of South Chi- cago; and Marguerite, who was born March 11, 1859, and is the wife of Anton Mayer, a farmer of Hamlet, Indiana.

Mr. Hoffman received as his portion of his father's estate forty acres of the old home place and twelve acres of timber-land. All his other property has been acquired through his own ef- forts. By perseverance and untiring industry, he has made life a success and has acquired a hand- some competency. Some years since he gave to each of his children seventy acres of valuable prairie land, and ten acres of timber, save to one daughter, to whom he gave $7,000 in cash. He has ever been of a liberal and generous nature, free and open-handed with those in whom he takes an interest, and cannot do too much to en- hance the happiness and promote the welfare of his family. Although he has transacted a large volume of business, he has never had a lawsuit, but has ever been at peace with all mankind.

. The parents and their children are all members of the Catholic Church, and are highly respected, having many friends in this community. In his political views, Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1848. Although he has never been at office-seeker, he has served as Assessor of Niles Township for twenty-four years, has been Road Commissioner six years, and School Director for a quarter of a century. Be- ing a man of excellent judgment, le has made an efficient officer, and his fidelity to duty is well attested by his long service.

558

T. S. ROGERS.

CAPT. THEODORE S. ROGERS.

APT. THEODORE S. ROGERS is one of the leading citizens of Downer's Grove, and an honored veteran of the late war, who wore the blue in defense of the Union, and vali- antly followed the Old Flag in many of the most hotly contested battles of that struggle, which not only did away with slavery, but made the Union more indissoluble than before. The Cap- tain was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., August 30, 1831. The family is of English lineage. The father, Joseph I. Rogers, was a native of Rhode Island. Removing to the Empire State, he there married Caroline Smith, who was born in New York, and was also of English extraction. Her father was a well- educated man, and kept a hotel in New York for a number of years. In 1844 Mr. Rogers came with his family to Illinois, making the journey by water to Chicago, where he hired a team, with which he came to DuPage County. Here he purchased a farm, upon which he spent his re- maining days. He was a stanch Republican, and took quite an active part in local politics. His death occurred in this county, at the age of sixty-two years. He was the only son of the family who lived to any age, but has a sister, Mrs. Julia Aldrich, who is now living in this county, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. The mother of our subject still survives her hus- band, and although now in her eighty-third year, her mental and physical faculties are well pre- served.

The Rogers family numbered six children, three sons and three daughters, but Ella is now deceased. The others are Mary L., widow of Chauncy Harmon, and a resident of Downer's Grove; Theodore S .; Joseph W., a prosperous

merchant of this place; Francis A., a successful farmer of Downer's Grove Township; and Saralı, wife of John A. Kinley, of Aurora, Il1.

Capt. Rogers spent the first thirteen years of his life in the State of his nativity, and in 1844 came with his parents to Illinois. He remained at home until twenty years of age, when he be- gan teaching school in this county. For twelve winters he followed that profession, while in the summer months his labors were devoted to work upon the home farmn. He had attended the com- inon schools, and was graduated from the Down- er's Grove High School. O11 the 19th of July, 1862, prompted by patriotic impulses, he re- sponded to the country's call for troops, and en- listed as a private of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. On the organization of Com. pany B, he was elected Captain. The regiment went into camp at Dixon, and was mustered into the United States service September 2, 1862, and sent thence to Louisville and Frankfort, Ky., en- gaging at the skirmish at the latter place. Capt. Rogers took part in the battles of Bowling Green, Taylor's Ridge, Smoke Creek Gap, and at the battle of Resaca had charge of the skirmish line in front of the assaulters. He led his men at Calhoun, Cassville, the advance on Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Golgotha, the assault on Kenesaw, the battle of Marietta, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tiee Creek, the battle of Atlanta, and the siege of that city. On the 30th of September, 1864, lie resigned and was honorably discharged from the service. He participated in many skirmishes and battles, and liis war record is one of which he may well be proud.

On the 13th of December, 1855, the Captain

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

CAPT. THEO. S. ROGERS.

559

P. C. GARDNER.

married Miss Helen M., a daughter of Dexter and Nancy (Capron) Stanley, who were among the early settlers of DuPage County. She was born in Pennsylvania, February 6, 1833, but since her second year has made her home in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers had two children, Bertha and Glen, but both died in infancy.

The Captain was elected Sheriff of DuPage County in 1860, but on entering the service of his country he left reliable deputies to perform the duties of that office. He has served as Super- visor, Township Clerk and Collector. He was a member of the Board of Town Trustees for four- teen years, and, with the exception of one year, was President during that entire time. He cast his first Presidential vote for Scott, but it is need- less to say that he is now a stanch Republican, supporting that party which was formed to pre- vent the further extension of slavery. In 1892 he was appointed by Gov. Fifer on the Board of Equalization to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry L. Bush. He is a prominent Grand Army man, and with the exception of one year has been Commander of Naper Post No. 468, G. A. R., of Downer's Grove, since its or- ganization. At that time he refused to have the office, but, his comrades insisting upon his ac- cepting the position again, he is now the incum- bent. He has served as Superintendent of the Agricultural Society of the county for a number

of years, and is a member of the Masonic frater- nity of Downer's Grove, and the Royal Arcanum of Hinsdale. He also belongs to the Loyal Legion of Illinois, the last two being societies of the Army of the Cumberland and the Army of the Tennessee.

After his return from the war, the Captain en- gaged in teaching school for a year, then spent one year in the insurance business, and in July, 1866, embarked in the market and provision busi- ness in Chicago. In 1871, in the great fire, he was burned out, and again in 1874, but with characteristic energy he rebuilt, retrieved his losses, and has since successfully carried on busi- ness. He now has one of the finest markets in Chicago, located at the corner of Wabash Ave- nue and Eighteenth Street. His possessions have all been acquired through his own earnings, and he has gained a handsome competence, but in- stead of using it all for selfish ends, he gives lib- erally to charitable and benevolent work. The needy are never turned from his door empty- handed, and probably no man has contributed so much to the poor of Downer's Grove as has Capt. Rogers. He has a beautiful home here and several lots and business houses. Through- out DuPage and Cook Counties he has a host of friends, and is held in the highest regard by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

CAPT. PETER G. GARDNER.

APT. PETER G. GARDNER, one of the representative citizens of La Grange, and a man prominent in public affairs in this com- munity, claims Ohio as his native State. He was born near Zanesville, September 12, 1842, and was the second in a family of four children, three sons and a daughter, born unto Adam and Eliza- betlı Gaertner. The mode of spelling the sur- name was changed to Gardner by the Captain.

The father was born in Germany, and there grew to mature years. Having married, he came to this country, locating near Zanesville, Ohio. His wife died in 1846, after which the family was scattered, and the father joined an Ohio regiment for service in the Mexican War. He was killed in the siege of the City of Mexico.

Capt. Gardner was only four years of age at the time of his mother's death. He was bound

560

P. C. GARDNER.

out to a farmer near Zanesville, and there resided until fifteen years of age, when he began work- ing as a farm hand by the month through the summer season, and in the winter he attended the common schools. On the 17th of April, 1861, he joined Company A, of the Fifteenth Ohio In- fantry, for three months' service, being among the first to respond to the call for troops. When that term had expired, he immediately re-enlisted, and was made Corporal March 7, 1862. He was ap- pointed Sergeant January 1, 1864, and was made First Lieutenant February 9, 1865. On the Ist of January, 1864, he again enlisted for another term of three years, if the war continued so long. On the 9th of February, 1865, he was dis- charged as an enlisted man, to accept a commis- sion as First Lieutenant of his old company and regiment. On the 22d of December, 1865, in Columbus, Ohio, he received his final discharge. He participated in the engagement at Philippi, W. Va., and afterwards took part in the battles of Carricks Ford, Cheat Mountain and Shiloh. He also participated in the engagement at Liberty Gap, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, and was in the entire campaign from Chattanooga to At- lanta, which lasted from May 1 until Septem- ber 1, 1864. During all that time hardly an hour passed during which the sound of the guns could not be heard. He took part in the engagements at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, and for five weeks was in the siege of Atlanta. The army then went South, and after the battle of Franklin the regiment in which Mr. Gardner served, which formed a part of the rear-guard, had to destroy the bridge at that place. They then returned to Nashville, Tenn., with Gen. Thomas in com- mand, and participated in the campaign. In June, 1865, Capt. Gardner was sent to western Texas, and during the month of August, with his troops, marched fron Matagorda Bay to San Antonio, where he remained on duty until December, 1865. He then marched back to the Gulf of Mexico, after which lie returned home. He received 110 serious wounds, but had some very narrow es- capes. He still has in his possession the sword which he carried through the greater part of the

war, and upon it is a large scar that was caused by a piece of shell striking it.

When his country no longer needed his serv- ices, Capt. Gardner returned to his home in Zanesville, Ohio, but after a short time went to visit his sister in Mattoon, Ill. The eldest brother of the family, now deceased, was in the Sixth Iowa Infantry. The Captain had not seen him since the home was broken up until the night following the battle of Shiloh, when they chanced to meet. The brother was wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge, and was a cripple throughout the remainder of his life. George A., another brother, was a member of the same com- pany and regiment as our subject, aud is now residing in Chula, Mo., a retired farmer and prominent citizen of that place, where he is en- gaged in the banking business. Their sister, Catherine, is now the wife of Henry Hortinstine, a farmer residing in Chillicothe, Mo.

Removing to Clinton, Iowa, in 1866, Capt. Gardner there engaged in the fire-insurance bus- iness until 1869, when he went to Chicago, where he followed the same pursuit and where he is still engaged in business. In the spring of 1871, he came to where the town of LaGrange now stands, being the first resident of the village. Purchasing a lot on the prairie, he has made this place his home continuously since.

In June, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gardner and Miss Maroa E. Conklin, of Dar- ien, Wis., who died in 1873, leaving one son, Charles A., who is now in the Treasurer's office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, filling a responsible position. Our subject was again married, in December, 1874, his second un- ion being with Miss Luella W. Humphry, of Port- land, Me. They had five children, but three of the number died in infancy, and William R., a young man of much promise, died at the age of seventeen. Eugene, the youngest, is a lad of eleven years.

Mr. Gardner takes considerable interest in civic societies, especially in Masonry, in which he has taken the Thirty-second Degree. He is a mem- ber of the La Grange Lodge, and an honorary member of Garden City Lodge of Chicago. He

561

N. S. CARRINGTON.

belongs to the Commandery of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and to the Grand Army of the Republic. He was one of the organizers of Hiram Mcclintock Post No. 667, G. A. R., of La Grange, and was its first Commander. He also organized the Masonic lodge at this place, was its Master for six years, and is now High Priest of the Chapter. With the Royal Arcanum he is also connected. In his political views, he is a stanch Republican, who always gives his support to the men and meas- ures of his party. He is now serving as Secre- tary of the High School Board, is Secretary and

Treasurer of the Music Hall Association of La. Grange, is a warm friend to education, and is a patron of all those enterprises which are calcu- lated to uplift humanity. He is now doing a large insurance business in Chicago, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him. He is an honored member of various societies, and has won prominence through merit and ability. He was ever true to his country in her hour of peril, and for four years and a-half was actively en- gaged in her service, faithfully defending the Old Flag which now floats so proudly over the united nation.

N. STARR CARRINGTON.

STARR CARRINGTON, who resides upon a farm on section 18, Lyons Township, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Cook County of 1836. His residence therefore in this community covers a period of fifty-seven years. He was born in Middletown, Conn., on the 12th of December, 1816, and is a son of Henry and Susan (Starr) Carrington, both of whom were of English descent. The Starr family was founded in America in 1634. The grandfather, Nathan Starr, served in the Revolutionary War. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carrington were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Susan, Elizabeth, Mary, Henry, Starr, Lorrania and William, but our subject is now the only one living. While in the East, the father served as cashier of the Middletown Bank. At length he determined to seek a home on the broad prairies of the West, and emigrated to Chi- cago, then a small town, giving little or no evi- dence of its future growth and importance. He there engaged in the brokerage business in con- nection with E. K. Hubbard until 1837, when he removed to the farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he had purchased of B. Jacobs for $12.50 per acre the year previous. Upon this farm he made his home until 1840, when he re-

turned to Middletown, Conn., and became Treas- urer and Secretary of the Savings Bank of that place. He was entirely a self-made man, and for the success of his life deserves great credit. With the Congregational Church he held membership, and his career was an honorable, upright one. He died at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

In the schools of his native town, Mr. Carring- ton of this sketch acquired a good business edu- cation and under the parental roof he spent his childhood days. With his father he came to Illi- nois, but he remained in Chicago only a short time. On leaving that place he took up his resi- dence upon the farm which is now his home. There were no improvements upon the place, save a log cabin, which is still standing, one of the few landmarks that yet remain. Chicago was the nearest trading-point and they hauled all their grain and farm produce to that place. When he first reached that city, Mr. Carrington boarded at the old Lake Street Hotel. There was not a bridge in the place, and many portions that are now solidly built up with fine residences or busi- ness houses were then only wet prairie. Mr. Carrington now owns two hundred and twenty

562

WESLEY POLK.

acres of good land, and carries on general farming and stock-raising. Idleness is utterly foreign to his nature, and a busy and well-spent life has brought him a comfortable competence.

On the 16th of August, 1841, Mr. Carrington was joined in marriage with Miss Laura Butler, and unto them have been born eight children, namely: William H., now deceased; Susan; Mary; Elizabeth; William H .; Lorriana, de- ceased; Laura and Edward.

In his political affiliations, in early life, Mr. Carrington was a Whig, and since the organiza- tion of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. He has been honored with

some public offices, has served as Commissioner, for the past twelve years has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, and is the present incum- bent. The best interests of the community have ever found in him a friend. His co-operation and support are given to worthy enterprises, and all that is calculated to benefit the community re- ceives his assistance. The history of Cook County is well known to him, for since its early days he has watched its growth and advance- ment. He may truly be classed among the hon- ored pioneers, and it is with pleasure that we pre- sent to our readers the sketch of this worthy gen- tleman.

WESLEY POLK.

ESLEY POLK was a native of Kentucky. He was born in Jefferson County, on the 4th of November, 1818, and was one of six children whose parents were Edmund and Mar- garet Polk. Their children were H. H., James, William, Wesley and Wilson, but Henry H. is the only one now living.

Our subject was born and reared upon the home farm in Kentucky, and acquired the greater part of his education outside the school-room. He began life for himself when a young man, and was afterward dependent upon his own resources. In1 1831 he left the State of his nativity and re- moved to Indiana, where he made his home un- til 1833, when he came to Illinois, making the journey by wagon. He located in Lyons Town- ship, where he purchased a tract of wild, uncul- tivated land on section 21, upon which a log cabin was built. He was accompanied by his parents and family, and they experienced all the hard- ships and trials of life on the frontier. The Int- dians were still numerous in the settlement, and Chicago was the trading-point of the pioneers.

Mr. Polk grew to manhood upon the new farm, and there made his home until 1849, when, in

connection with his brother H. H., and three other young men, they started with pack mules for California. They walked much of the dis- tance, but at length after traveling for several months reached their destination. There Mr. Polk engaged in prospecting and mining from 1849 until 1851. His trip proved quite a success- ful one, and he returned home by way of New York City and the water ronte. He then came back to the farm, and to agricultural pursnits de- voted his energies until the breaking out of the war, when, in 1861, prompted by patriotic im- pulses, he responded to the country's call for troops. He enlisted as a private, was assigned to Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into service in Chicago. He faithfully followed the Old Flag for three years, and during that time was never either wounded or taken prisoner, but was always found at his post of duty, participating in all the engage- ments in which the regiment took part, a faithful and valiant defender of the Union. When mus- tered out he held the rank of Corporal.

When the war was over, Mr. Polk returned to the old farm, where he lived until 1881. He then

563

C. H. HARRISON, JR.

purchased the far111 110w owned by the family. It comprised one hundred and ninety acres of rich and valuable land, under a high state of cultiva- tion and well improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. Mr. Polk be- gan life a poor boy, but his career was a success- ful one, for he was diligent and enterprising and possessed good business ability.

In 1860 Mr. Polk was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Bielby. Her birthplace was near Utica, N. Y. They had only one child, Edmund R., who was born March 7, 1866. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago. On the 14th of January, 1891, he married Miss Agnes Little, and they have become the parents of one so11, Wesley W. Edmund now carries on the

home farm and is a wide-awake and enterprising agriculturist.

The father was called to his final rest May 23, 1893, and his remains are interred in Lyonsville Cemetery. He had the respect of all who knew him and his death was deeply mourned. In poli- tics, he was a stalwart advocate of the Republican party and its principles, and did all in his power to insure its success. For fourteen successive years he creditably and ably filled the office of Justice of the Peace, was Township Collector, and also served as Supervisor. Socially, he was a member of the Grand Armny post, and in religious belief he was a Congregationalist. Alike true in public and private life, and faithful to every trust, he had the confidence and regard of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact.

CARTER H. HARRISON, JR.

ARTER H. HARRISON, JR., the editor of The fourth Benjamin had two sons, Benjamin the Chic go Times, the leading Democratic and Carter. In direct line the descendants of the former are William Henry, Scott H. and Benja- min. Of the latter they are Robert Carter, Carter H., Carter H. (the late Mayor of the city), Carter H., Jr., of this sketch, and his little son, who also bears the name of Carter H. newspaper of the city, has spent his entire life here, with the exception of three years spent in Germany and the time passed in college. The Harrison family has been prominently connected with the city's interests since an early day, and the ancestors of our subject were among those The gentleman whose name heads this record was born in Chicago, on the 23d of April, 1860. His father had located here several years previ- ous, and from that time until his death was ac- tively connected with the welfare of the city. The son was educated in private schools until 1873, when he went to Germany. In 1876, he attended college in New York, and later was graduated from St. Ignatius' College, of Chicago. He afterwards entered Yale College, and com- pleted the law course in that renowned institution in the Class of '83. who aided in achieving the independence of this country. The family originated in England, and some of its members came from that country to the United States in the seventeenth century, lo- cating in Virginia. It had several representatives in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War, and Gen. William Russell, one of the ma- ternal ancestors of our subject, won his title during that eight-years struggle. Benjamin Harrison, who first came to America, was a man of promi- nence in Virginia, and served as Colonial Gov- ernor. For three generations after him the blood Returning to his home, Mr. Harrison then em- barked in the real-estate business, and carried on was transmitted through a Benjamin Harrison.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 81

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co. Number of Pages: 910

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 910