USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 10
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WILLIAM STONE CHERRY.
A representative citizen of Streator is he of whom this sketch is penned, for twenty-five years a resident and leading business man of this thriving town. In all local affairs he has taken an active part and genuine interest, patriotically upholding every effort to make this one of the most desirable places for a home or business location, and invariably using his influence on the side of the right and progress.
Though he is a native of the Emerald Isle, his birth having occurred in the town of Monahan, July 9, 1837, Mr. Cherry has little recollection of the country, as he was brought to the United States by his parents at the age of three years, and was reared under American institutions. For some time the family resided in Philadelphia, whence they went to West Virginia. Young Cherry received as good an education as his parents could afford, for, owing to the poor schools of the young state mentioned, he attended private and select schools, where tuition was required.
In 1856 Mr. Cherry went with his older brother to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in anthracite coal mining, there laying the foundation of his knowledge that has guided him in his subsequent career.
When the civil war broke out the young man went to Philadelphia, where he offered his services in the United States Navy, and became an engi- neer upon one of the government ships. He had many very interesting experiences during the seven years he was in the navy, and for about three years sailed along the South American coast, being stationed off Buenos Ayres for a long time. In 1869, when he retired from the government em- ploy, he returned to the Quaker city, where, in company with Tryon Rickert & Company, he engaged in the manufacture of white lead and paint, at Wil- mington, Delaware.
In 1871 Mr. Cherry came to Streator and entered the employ of the Chicago, Wilmington and Vermillion Coal Company as mine superintendent, and later was made general mine superintendent, having charge of all the mines operated by the company; and during the long years which have since elapsed he has faithfully and efficiently performed the responsible duties which have devolved upon him. The company to whose interests he has
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devoted his mature years does a very extensive business, and owns valuable mines in various states.
In June, 1872, Mr. Cherry married Miss Mary D. Godfrey, a daughter of Charles Godfrey, of Philadelphia. They have three children: Henrietta; Walter G. (who is studying law under the auspices of the firm of Reeves & Boys, of Streator); and Robert Hawthorne. The home of the family is a very pleasant one, situated upon one of the finest residence streets in the town.
Politically Mr. Cherry is a stanch Republican, and was the president of the board of city fathers for one year. On the board of education he has served as a member and as its president, besides being a trustee. The cause of education finds in him a true and tried friend, and much has been accom- plished in the perfecting of our fine school system under his advisement. For a period he was a stockholder in the Streator National Bank, and from time to time he has invested in local industries and institutions, thus mani- festing his patriotism in a practical manner. Fraternally he is a Mason of high standing, his membership being in Streator Lodge, No. 607, F. & A. M .; Streator Chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; and Ottawa Commandery, No. IO, K. T. Moreover he is identified with the Loyal Legion of America.
BERKLEY G. BARRATT.
The popular and thoroughly efficient superintendent of the LaSalle County Asylum, Berkley Gillett Barratt, has been an incumbent of this responsible position since March 8, 1898, when he was elected on the Demo- cratic ticket with the aid of Republicans. He is a veteran of the civil war and fought bravely for the preservation of the Union, enlisting in Company K, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, for three years. Assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, he was always found at his post of duty, and took part in the numerous severe campaigns in which that branch of the army was involved. He was orderly sergeant during the most of the period of his military service, being promoted second lieutenant and serving as such for the remainder of his time in the army. At the battle of Stone river he was seriously wounded in the hand, and was honorably discharged from the service with his regiment at Chicago July 3, 1865, after the close of the war.
After perusing the history of Mr. Barratt in the role of a patriot it is not a surprise to learn that he comes from loyal American ancestry, and that his maternal grandfather, John Farnham, was a soldier of the war of the Revolution. The papers relating to his discharge from the service, when
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his aid was no longer needed, bear the signature of George Washington, commander of the colonial army, and were dated June, 1782. The father of our subject was Daniel Barratt, born June 3, 1797. He married Permelia, daughter of John Farnham, and to them five sons and seven daughters were born, namely: John F., Caroline, Rebecca Jane, Mary Ann, Phoebe, Caleb, Margaret, Emily, George, Berkley G., Lavinia and Elizabeth. The mother, who was born March 23, 1805, was a most worthy, noble woman, of the best type of the pioneer, courageous, strong and capable, making the best of cir- cumstances, however gloomy and unpromising the outlook. She survived her husband many years, as he died in February, 1849, and her death did not occur until 1891. One of her sons, George, had lived in the south for some time prior to the war, and upon the outbreak of hostilities he was drafted by the rebels. However, he managed to effect an escape and returned to the north.
The birth of B. G. Barratt took place near Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, and when he was ten years of age he came to Illinois. The family at first lived near Paw Paw, Lee county, and there the lad received average educational advantages in the common schools. When he returned from fighting for his country he settled in Earlville, Illinois, and engaged in paint- ing and contracting for a number of years. He was appointed postmaster of Earlville by President Cleveland and officiated in that capacity, and in 1882 he became a deputy sheriff of the county, acting under Sheriffs Milli- gan and Taylor. In 1886 Mr. Barratt made the run for the nomination for county sheriff and was defeated by only one vote, and at another time he was defeated by just one vote for circuit clerk. When a candidate for city treasurer he was elected by a majority of two votes. He has been an inde- fatigable worker in the Democratic party, and is recognized as a valuable factor in its success in this community. In the Masonic fraternity he has reached the Knight Templar degree, and is a member of the Ottawa Lodge and Commandery. In the Grand Army of the Republic he is identified with Seth C. Earl Post.
In 1865 Mr. Barratt wedded Miss Emily L. Jones, daughter of James Jones, formerly a respected citizen of Paw Paw and now deceased. Mrs. Barratt was born in Ohio, but grew to womanhood in the town of Paw Paw. Six children-two sons and four daughters-have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Ella, Nina and Louie, who are living. Two sons and one daughter are deceased.
A brief account of the LaSalle County Asylum, of which Mr. Barratt is now superintendent, may be of interest to the reader. Without doubt the buildings are among the most attractive and substantial structures for the occupancy of the poor and helpless wards of the county of all to be found
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in the state. The buildings are modern; heated by steam and lighted with gas, and every practical device making for the comfort of the inmates of the institution has been provided. The county farm contains two hundred and ten acres of fertile land, and is situated about three and a half miles west of Ottawa. But a short distance to the south flows the Illinois river, and to the north rises a rocky bluff, at the foot of which is the Illinois & Michigan canal. Substantial barns afford shelter to about thirty head of cattle and a dozen horses, and some fifty to sixty hogs are annually raised on the place. There are cared for in the asylum from two hundred and fifty to three hun- dred persons each year, one-third of the number, perhaps, being insane or feeble-minded.
GEORGE M. FLICK.
George Michael Flick, retired, was born near Centerville, St. Clair county, Illinois, May, 5, 1845, and has claimed Streator as his home for more than a quarter of a century. Michael and Mary Ann (Miller) Flick, the parents, were born in Germany and came to the United States and settled in St. Clair county, this state, where the father engaged in market gardening for a year. They then moved upon a farm in this county, where they resided until death eleven years later. Both parents died during the year 1857, leav- ing four sons: Frank P., Charles F., John and George Michael. Three of the brothers were soldiers in the civil war.
Mr. Flick, our subject, attended the common school and remained on the farm until the death of his parents, when he was twelve years old. He also at- tended Oakfield University at Oakfield two years, receiving a good education. His next step was to secure a clerkship in the store of Vosburge & Snow at Earlville, this county. He remained with this firm until the cloud which had so long enveloped our land broke forth in the storm of rebellion, when he took up arms to help avert the calamity which threatened the nation. He enlisted in the Fifty-third Illinois Regiment, Company D, under Captain James E. Hudson and Colonel Seth C. Earl. Among the more important engagements in which he took part were those fought in 1863 at Jackson, Mississippi. They were ordered from Camp Douglas at Chicago to St. Louis, from there to Paducah, Kentucky, and thence to Savannah, Tennes- see. They assisted in the siege of Vicksburg. the fight at Atlanta, and were with Sherman when he made his memorable march to the sea. They then returned through the Carolinas to Washington and took part in the grand review, and were sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where they were mustered out, in 1865. He has suffered all the privations which is the lot of our brave soldier boys, and had many startling experiences and narrow escapes which
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furnish the topic for many an interesting story. After returning home Mr. Flick engaged in the butchering business with his brother John for some sixteen months. After that he was interested in various employments until 1872, when he came to Streator and opened a meat market, which he con- ducted until 1894, building up a good trade which has netted him a compe- tency. He then disposed of his shop and purchased a small farm of twenty acres near the city, devoting it to the culture of small fruits of various kinds. He gives almost all his time and attention to this fruit farm, and is known as one of the most successful grape-producers in the county.
On the thirteenth of November, 1869, Mr. Flick was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Knoedler, who was born October 7, 1851, a daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Masner) Knoedler. Mrs. Flick's parents were born in Wittenberg, Germany, emigrated to America and were residents of Illinois at the time of the father's death. The mother is still living and makes her home with her children. These children are Charles F .; Caroline, wife of A. Hartman, of Chicago; Mrs. A. Weiss; Mrs. Sophia Deist, of Chicago; Lucy, wife of Colonel Breitting, of Chicago; and Mrs. Flick. To Mr. and Mrs. Flick have been born three children, who were reared to lives of use- fulness and are now among our most popular and esteemed residents. Cora B., born June 27, 1870; William C., August 31, 1872; and Meta P., April 16, 1877. Cora B. taught in graded schools previous to her death, in her twenty- second year; William C. is a teller in the Union National Bank; and Meta P. is one of the most efficient teachers in the high school of the city. Mr. Flick is a strong Republican and a prominent member of Streator Post, No. 68, G. A. R.
MARSHALL B. MITCHELL.
Mr. Mitchell is one of the best business men of Ottawa, and one who is very highly respected for his pushing enterprise and strict integrity.
He was born in Ottawa, January 29, 1852, and is the son of Bradford and Ann (Sansberg) Mitchell. His father was a soldier in the Mexican war and served with honor and occupied a respected place in business circles at the time of his death, which occurred while Marshall was yet a child. From his early childhood to the present day Marshall has been a faithful stay to his widowed mother. He early showed his business instincts, and while yet a lad, during the civil war, reaped a harvest selling papers. He passed through a course of study at the public schools of his home city and took a course at Drew's Business College. He commenced work in Hughes' bakery and confectionery store August 1, 1867. Later, April 1, 1868, he was employed by Strawn & Powell, lumber dealers and manufacturers of sash, doors and
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blinds. He proved so bright, reliable and upright that he was offered a posi- tion with Smith & Rising, extensive cigar manufacturers, June 1, 1870, as a shipping clerk, and accepted it. He again proved so efficient that he was promoted traveling salesman, and was very successful on the road. He thor- oughly mastered the business, and in 1877 started in a cigar and tobacco busi- ness for himself, with a small capital, but well equipped in experience, deter- mination and untiring industry. In the first year he commenced the manu- facture of his own goods, and his famous No. 7 Nickel cigar has held the leading place in the home markets for twenty-three years. In that time Mr. Mitchell has acquired a competency and a commercial standing that is very highly recognized in business circles at home and abroad. He now owns on Madison street, the second door east of the National City Bank, the most complete, though perhaps not the largest, tobacco store and cigar factory building in northern Illinois. It is equipped especially for the business from the basement up. The store-room is very handsome and accommodates daily as extensive and choice lot of customers in this line as can be found anywhere. Mr. Mitchell also has the reputation of being a shrewd handler of real estate, and owns considerable property in that line. In politics he is a loyal Repub- lican, but believes in good government and honest officials even at the ex- pense of party ties.
In 1887 Mr. Mitchell married Miss Lodema Clift, a popular and well known young lady belonging to an old and respected family. He owns a handsome home on Ottawa avenue. His mother still survives, and he has two sisters,-Minnie E. and Martha A. All live in the old homestead adjoin- ing his own.
EZRA H. BAILEY.
A quarter of a century has passed since Ezra H. Bailey came to Streator, and in the intervening years he has been actively interested in everything affecting the progress and upbuilding of the city. He has been especially prominent in financial circles, and is to-day the cashier of one of the leading banking institutions of LaSalle county,-the Union National,-which owes its present prosperity in no small degree to the executive ability, keen dis- cernment and sound judgment of Mr. Bailey. He has always been a man of action rather than theory, and determined purpose has characterized his entire career, enabling him to overcome difficulties and work his way steadily upward.
A native of Massachusetts, he was born in the town of Milford, Decem- ber 25, 1853. His father, James D. Bailey, was a descendant of the John Bailey who in 1635 left his home in Chippenham, England, and, crossing the
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Atlantic to America, took up his residence in Salisbury, Massachusetts. The family was loyal to the cause of the colonists through the struggle which brought independence to the nation, Eliphalet Bailey, the great-grandfather of our subject, having faithfully served in the American army during the war of the Revolution. On the maternal side Mr. Bailey is descended from one of the oldest and most prominent families of the Bay state, his mother, Abigail (Tyler) Bailey, tracing her ancestry back to Job Tyler, who was one of the first settlers in Andover, Massachusetts, the date of his arrival there being 1640. She also was descended from Thomas Dudley, the second gov- ernor of the Massachusetts Bay colony, through his daughter Anne, who was the first American poetess and who married Simon Bradstreet, who was governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony for ten years. Fortunate is the man who has back of him an honored ancestry, and happy is he if his lines of life be cast in harmony therewith. Prominent in the affairs of the colonies the ancestors of our subject engraved their names on the pages of our early American history, and to-day, with equal loyalty and faithfulness, Ezra H. Bailey is performing the duties that fall to him in the walk of life in which he is found.
In the town of his nativity he was reared to manhood, acquiring his edu- cation in the excellent schools of the Bay state, for which Massachusetts is justly famed. When fifteen years of age he began working for his father in a boot and shoe factory, remaining in the east until January, 1874, when he came to Streator and secured employment in the office of Ralph Plumb, then largely interested in railroads and railroad construction. In November of the same year he accepted the position of bookkeeper for the Streator Coal Company, remaining with them as bookkeeper and cashier, and with their successors, the Luther & Tyler Coal & Coke Company, until 1887, when he was offered the position of cashier in the Streator National Bank. He re- mained with that concern until 1890, during which time he gained a compre- hensive and accurate knowledge of the banking business and the methods pursued therein. In the year mentioned he associated himself with the newly organized City National Bank, as cashier, and in 1892, upon the death of George L. Richards, he was unanimously elected by the directors of the Union National Bank to the vacant cashiership, which position he accepted and still occupies. To his able and conservative management of the finances of the bank its prosperity is directly traceable in a large measure.
On the 18th of January, 1879, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Laurett Benson, of Streator, a daughter of Sylvanus H. and Laurett (Howard) Benson, whose ancestors were among the early settlers in and near Blackstone, Massachusetts. One daughter, Edith Laurett, was born to them, January 19, 1881, and she is now a student in Lasell Seminary, in
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Auburndale, Massachusetts. Among her ancestors were thirteen Revolu- tionary soldiers. The wife and mother died July 3, 1883; and on the 23d of October, 1884, Mr. Bailey married Gertrude Canfield, of Streator, who, on the paternal side, is a direct descendant of the Canfield family, of New Milford, Connecticut, and the Ten Broecks, who were among the early Knickerbockers who settled New York, while on the maternal side she is descended from the Luthers, of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and the Stouts, of New Jersey. Mrs. Bailey is a lady of fine mental and social attainments, being well qualified to grace any station in life to which she might be called. She is a valued member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the local chapter of the Eastern Star, the Callere Club and other societies in the city in which she resides.
Though great responsibility rests upon Mr. Bailey in a business way, he finds time, amid the multiplicity of his cares and duties, to properly dis- charge the obligations and duties of a patriotic citizen. He uses his franchise in favor of the nominees of the Republican party, but has never sought po- litical preferment, and the only public office he has ever held is that of school treasurer, to which position he was elected twelve years ago, and still retains. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Streator Lodge, No. 607, F. & A. M .; Streator Chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, K. T. His life history exhibits a long and virtuous career of private industry, performed with moderation and crowned with success. It is the record of a well-balanced mental and moral constitution, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of especial value in such a state of society as exists in this country. A community depends upon business activity, its welfare is due to this; and the promoters of legitimate and leading business enterprises may well be termed in its benefactors, in which relation Mr. Bailey stands to the commercial interests of Streator.
FRANK T. NEFF.
Frank Thomas Neff, cashier of the First National Bank of Marseilles, LaSalle county, is one of the representative citizens and business men of this section. Imbued with the spirit of progress and patriotism, he seeks to uphold every worthy or creditable movement for the advancement of his city and community, and has been unsparing of his time, means and influence toward this end.
Daniel Neff, the great-grandfather of the above, was a resident of Platts- burg, New York, where he died late in the eighteenth century His wife,
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Silence Neff, afterward married a Mr. Cook, and removed to Franklin county, Indiana, where she died August 20, 1828.
Ebenezer Neff, the grandfather, was born at Plattsburg. New York, August 4, 1790, and December 28, 1808, he was married to Susana Buck, in New York, and ten children were born to them. Susana (Buck) Neff died July 25, 1823. He then married Margaret Douglass, February 15, 1824, in Franklin county, Indiana. To this union eight children were born. Ebenezer Neff came to Mission township, LaSalle county, Illinois, in May, 1835, at which place they resided until their death. He departed this life May 31, 1867, and his wife, Margaret, died December 9, 1871.
Daniel Buck Neff was the second child of Ebenezer and Susana (Buck) Neff, and his birth occurred in Franklin county, Indiana, May 29, 18II. In 1836 he removed to LaSalle county, Illinois, and a short time thereafter took up his residence near Newark, Kendall county, this state, where he continued to reside, carrying on a farm, until his death, January 26, 1865. The wife and mother, whose maiden name was Maria Thomas, was born in Kentucky November 22, 1814. She was married to Mr. Neff in Indiana, in the year 1832, and at the time of her death, July 21, 1880, resided in Newark, Kendall county, Illinois.
Frank T. Neff was born on the farm at the old home of the family, in Kendall county, Illinois, November 24, 1854, and was the youngest of the five children born to Daniel and Maria Neff. He obtained his elementary education in the district schools, later was a student in the public schools of Newark, Illinois, and pursued the higher branches of learning for three years at Fowler Institute. Having completed this course of mental training, he was engaged in the mercantile business for a time at Newark, Illinois, and during the years 1874 and 1875 was a student of the Chicago College of Pharmacy, afterward embarking in the drug business in Rantoul, Cham- paign county, Illinois, in which he was engaged until February, 1877. when he removed to Marseilles, continuing in the drug business until in October, 1883. On January 8, 1884, he was elected a director and cashier of the First National Bank of this place,-a position which he has most creditably filled for fifteen years. He is one of the largest stockholders in this flourish- ing institution, which ranks high among the leading banks of the county and state, and no small credit is due him for the wise and efficient management of its finances.
The exceptional ability of Mr. Neff as a careful financier has been recog- nized by those competent of judging his merits in this particular. He was city treasurer of Marseilles for several years, and is now serving as township treasurer of schools, and holds many other offices of trust. Politically he is a staunch Republican. In the Masonic fraternity he has attained the
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Knight Templar degree, and is identified with Marseilles Lodge, No. 417, A. F. & A. M., Shabbona Chapter, No. 37, R. A. M., of Ottawa, and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, K. T., of Ottawa, Illinois.
He was married to Corintha Brundage, at Marseilles, February 19, 1879, she being the daughter of the late Milton Brundage, of Marseilles. Her mother, Ann E., is now the wife of G. E. Wheeler, residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
GEORGE J. CRAM.
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