USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 11
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George J. Cram, the secretary and treasurer of the Marseilles (Illinois) Manufacturing Company, is the architect of his own fortunes, having worked his way up from an errand boy to his present honorable and responsible position. His parents moved to Canada, remaining there a few years, and while they were in Lindsay, Ontario, the subject of this biography was born, in June, 1860. The parents were George C. Cram and Agnes (Jackson). Cram. The father was born in New Hampshire in 1823, and when he had attained mature years he engaged in the packing business at Brighton, a. suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. He then moved his family to Canada, and for nine years was a farmer of that country. In 1866 he moved to Blooming- dale, Du Page county, this state, and the year following to Marseilles, where he now resides. After locating here he dealt in meat and ice until his retire- ment from business. He married Miss Agnes Jackson, who was born in. Edinboro, Scotland, and came to America in her girlhood. Her father, George Jackson, was a soldier in the British army, held a captain's commis- sion, and fought in the battle of Waterloo. She died in 1878, leaving the- following children: Elizabeth, William F., a druggist, Jennie, George J., Agnes E., Lillian V., Lewis F. and Ralph M.
After graduating at the high school of this city, George entered the employ of the Marseilles Manufacturing Company, in the humble capacity of errand boy. He was retained in this department for one year, his cheer- ful obedience and attention to business winning him the commendation of his employers, with the result that he was promoted to the position of ship- ping clerk, where he continued two years. From there he entered the office and was assistant bookkeeper another year, when he took the road in the interest of the company, and for three years was one of the best traveling men in their employ. They were in need of a head bookkeeper and tendered the place to Mr. Cram. Two years were spent in the office as cashier and bookkeeper, and he was then placed in charge of their collecting department, where, for one more year, he demonstrated his usefulness and interest in the- concern, and was again rewarded by being elected to the office of secretary
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and treasurer of the business, vice Oliver R. Adams, deceased, who had held the office for seventeen years.
Mr. Cram was married, in 1882, to Miss Allie Armstrong, of Marseilles, a daughter of John A. and Amy (Davis) Armstrong. They have three chil- dren : Roy V., Myrtle L. and George A. Mr. Cram is a Republican, but his life has been too busy to admit of dabbling in politics. He is one of our most prominent, public-spirited citizens, and is ever ready to advance the welfare of the city in any way in his power. He served as a member of the board of education for several years, and is secretary of the Manufacturers' Bridge Company, of this city. His industry and integrity have made him many friends, including the members of the company which he has so faith- fully served and the general public; and few men can present a more meri- torious record than George J. Cram.
E. P. NITSCHELM.
The subject of this narrative, elected supervisor in 1897 and still acting in that capacity, is a member of the firm of W. J. Sinon & Company, pro- prietors of the Sanicula Mineral Springs near Ottawa, and manufacturers of seltzer and carbonated waters.
Mr. Nitschelm is a native of France, his birth having occurred March 14, 1844. His father, J. W. Nitschelm, likewise of that country, was born October 19, 1808, and came to Ottawa with his family in 1849. and died November 17, 1899. He was a graduate of the University of Paris and for years was a very successful veterinary surgeon. Now, in his declining days, he is tenderly cared for by his daughter Helen. The good wife and mother, whose maiden name was Helen Wideman, died in August, 1896, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. They were the parents of twelve children, three of whom-Mary, Adeline and Frederic-are deceased, the last men- tioned having come to the United States and died in Peoria, Illinois. The children who survive are E. P., of this sketch, Mrs. A. Bernard and Eliza, widow of A. Bastian.
Having mastered the details of a practical business education, Mr. Nitschelm learned the trade of manufacturing soda water and so-called "soft" drinks, and in 1884 he entered into partnership with W. J. Sinon, with whom he has since been associated, to their mutual profit. They manufacture ginger ale, birch beer, seltzer and carbonated waters, and enjoy a large and lucrative trade. The unrivaled Ottawa ginger ale and birch beer is made with water from the justly celebrated Ottawa Mineral Springs, which, ac- cording to the analysis of the noted chemist, Dr. Benjamin Silliman, of Yale
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College, contains in solution over one hundred and seventy grains of min- erals and gases to the gallon. A marked but agreeable flavor is thereby im- parted to the water, which has been found to be a wonderful remedy for various disorders of the stomach, liver and digestive organs. In connection with the springs W. J. Sinon & Company conduct the finest mineral springs bath-house in this part of the west.
As a public official Mr. Nitschelm has always been found thoroughly trustworthy and reliable. In the Democratic party he has been aggressive and devoted, and usually makes it a point to be present at the local and county conventions. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, to the United Workmen of America and to the Select Knights.
In 1878 Mr. Nitschelm was married, in this town, to Miss Carrie Myers, a daughter of Peter Myers, a well-known citizen. Mrs. Nitschelm was born and reared in Ottawa and received her education in its excellent public schools. Three children have blessed the union of this worthy couple. The eldest born, Charles Louis, graduated at the Northwestern University, near Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 1899, and died May 3 following; Arthur is the next in order of birth: and Carrie, the only daughter, is attending the Ottawa public schools.
DONALD A. NICHOLSON.
An honored veteran of the war of the Rebellion and for a number of years a representative business man of Marseilles, Donald A. Nicholson en- joys the confidence and high regard of the community. His strong person- ality, his broad and progressive views and his busy and useful career have made him a power for good wherever he has dwelt.
Donald A. Nicholson is a grandson of Donald and son of the Rev. Don- ald Nicholson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Boyce, her father being Benja- min Boyce, of Canada. For several years subsequent to their marriage Don- ald and Elizabeth Nicholson resided in Canada, but in 1843 they removed to Will county, Illinois, where the father followed his accustomed occupation of farming. He was, moreover, a minister in the Christian church, and ac- complished much in his noble mission of aiding and uplifting mankind. In 1850 he located upon a farm near Marseilles, in the township of Manlius (now known as Miller), and there he continued to reside until his death, in 1862. His widow survived him until 1886, dying at Joliet, Illinois.
Born near the town of Kingston, Canada, July 6, 1834, Donald A. Nich- olson is one of three children, two of whom were daughters; and his early school days were spent in the Queen's dominions. Later he was a student in
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the schools of Will county, and completed his education in the Henry (Illi- nois) high school. He had started out in business as a stone-mason when the civil war broke out, and upon the 20th of July, 1861, hie enlisted in Com- pany K, Thirty-ninth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was made second lieutenant. On the 14th of June, 1862, he resigned, but re-entered the service in December, 1864, as first lieutenant of Company E, One Hun- dred and Fifty-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry. During the two years and nine months of his army life he participated in numerous battles and lesser engagements, and it was not until September, 1865, that he was mus- tered out at Springfield, his rank then being that of captain. Resuming his former line of employment, Mr. Nicholson for years gave his whole attention to stone-masonry, building private dwellings and public works of various kinds, including the foundations and approaches to bridges. For the past forty-six years he has made his home in Marseilles. In 1868 he was elected to the office of police magistrate and capably discharged his duties during the four years of his incumbency. Later he was elected justice of the peace for the town of Manlius, and in 1897 he was made city attorney of Marseilles, and is still serving the public in this position. He is a stalwart Republican, and fraternally is a member of the Joseph Woodruff Post, No. 281, Grand Army of the Republic.
The marriage of Mr. Nicholson and Miss Sally A. Clark, which was solemnized in this county January 22, 1857, was blessed with six children, namely: Hiland F .; Will C .; Mary E., wife of Frank E. Smith; Miles S .; John M .; and Elizabeth, wife of T. D. Brewster. Mrs. Nicholson, who was born June 9, 1834, in Ohio, and reared in LaSalle county here, is a daughter of Adolphus and Sally (Loring) Clark, worthy and esteemed citizens of this section of the state.
EDWARD W. BACH.
Edward W. Bach, the secretary of the Standard Fire Brick Company, is a young man whose business ability is far beyond his years, and was prominently connected with the leading manufacturing interests of the city of Ottawa, Illinois, before he had attained his twenty-first year. He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the surrounding country, and is one of our most popular citizens.
He was born in this city in October, 1872, his parents being Andrew E. and Mary L. Bach. His father was a native of the state of New York, having been born at Manlius, Madison county, November 5, 1848, and at the age of eight years moved with his parents to this city, where he has since lived. After passing through the public-school curriculum he learned
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the trade of a wagon and carriage maker. following it for years. He has long been considered one of the best accountants in the city and most reliable. He served as assessor and collector of Ottawa township, and was then chosen deputy circuit clerk, performing the duties in such an able manner that he was appointed to the office of deputy county clerk in 1894, and is now one of the most popular men in the county.
Edward Bach was educated in the schools of his native city, graduating at the high school and finishing a good business education with a course in the Ottawa Commercial College. In 1892 he accepted a position as book- keeper for Thomas D. Catlin, at the same time holding other responsible positions. The year previous he had charge of the books of Hess, Crotty & Williams' brick factory, also the Brickton and Dayton factories' books. In November. 1895. the Standard Fire Brick Company, of Ottawa, Illinois, was organized and put in operation with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. John W. Channel was made president and general man- ager, Thomas D. Catlin vice-president and treasurer, and E. W. Bach secretary. They purchased the Dayton property, consisting of a large four- story stone, and a three-story frame building, with clay lands, water power and machinery. Soon after they purchased of Hess, Crotty & Williams the latter's brick factory at Brickton, and took control in May, 1896, increas- ing their capital stock to fifty thousand dollars. Both plants are fully equipped with the most approved modern machinery and the output of their factories are considered among the best goods on the market. They have excellent shipping facilities. as they are happily located on the line of two railroads, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy at Dayton, and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific at the Ottawa factory, with private side- tracks at each. This is among the most important enterprises of Ottawa, and Mr. Bach has labored earnestly to make it the success it has proved to be.
Mr. Bach is a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., also of Shabbona Chapter, No. 37, R. A. M., and Ottawa Commandery, No. IO, Knights Templar.
SAMUEL T. STILSON.
Samuel Talbert Stilson (deceased) was born in Connecticut, July 16, 1814, and died in Earlville, Illinois, April 26, 1888. He was a son of Curtis and Abigail Stilson. When he was one year old his parents removed from Connecticut to Chautauqua county, New York, where as pioneer settlers they became farmers. Our subject received a common-school education, and when a youth virtually began life for himself. When about twenty-
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one he began rafting logs down streamis into the Ohio, finding a market in Cincinnati.
At the age of twenty-four he came west, direct to LaSalle county, and secured farm lands at the present town site of Earlville. He began farming, prospered and at the time of the completion of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad he had four hundred acres of land, and hereon was located Earlville. The log cabin, his first residence, was located on what is now Ottawa street in that town, near Church street. Almost on this site is now the Stilson homestead, occupied by his widow and which he erected in 1855. He kept the first hotel in Earlville and was the first mer- chant, his store-room, hotel and residence being all in the same business. He was also the first banker, being associated for a short time with a Mr. Halleck in operating a private bank. He sold his interest to Mr. Hal- leck and soon afterward the bank failed under the management of Mr. Halleck. He was one of the first grain merchants of Earlville, and for a time was associated with William R. Haight, in both the grain business and general merchandising. They erected the first elevator in Earlville, in 1857. He never followed agriculture after 1854, but raised considerable stock on his several farms he had secured, and dealt considerably in stock for several years. He was an organizer of and stockholder in the present First National Bank of Earlville, organized in 1885, and was also an organizer of the Curtis Gang Plow Company, of Peru, which was at first a large institution, but not finally a successful one, and Mr. Stilson sustained heavy losses. He was a founder of Earlville and did much for the upbuilding of the place.
He was a Republican and in early days held minor offices, but was never an office-seeker nor politician. He began life poor and amassed a handsome fortune. He was a Royal Arch Mason and during the last years of his life he was a member of the Methodist church. He married, in 1839, Miss Eleanor Wood, a native of New York, who came to Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1839, with her parents, bore him five children, and died in Novem- ber, 1852. One of the above children died in infancy, and four of them grew to maturity. Davis B. Stilson was a soldier in the civil war, and from the effects of the war service died, in California, in 1864. The three living children are Orthencia, Samuel Edwin and Talbert U. The daughter, Mrs. McKinney, resides in New Mexico. Edwin is in Grant county, Nebraska. Talbert is a citizen of Earlville. January 1, 1854. Mr. Stilson was married a second time, wedding Miss Sarah T. Lukens, of Ohio, who came west with her parents in 1847 and settled at Freedom, LaSalle county. Her parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Worrall) Lukens, natives of Ohio. They lived and died in LaSalle county. Their father was a farmer. To the
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second marriage of Mr. Stilson three daughters were born, namely: Ella, the wife of George McDonald, of Sandwich, Illinois; Marie Bella, the wife of Charles Hass, of Earlville; and one, Lizzie C., who died in infancy. Mr. Stilson was ever ready to help his fellowmen and aid good enterprises, and was highly patriotic-a leader, a friend of culture, education and the church. He gave to all, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian and Universalist, churches of Earlville the lots on which stand their buildings.
WILLIAM R. HAIGHT.
This gentleman, one of the foremost citizens of Earlville. and the presi- dent of the First National Bank of this place, is a pioneer of Illinois, and during the almost half century of his residence in the state has been more instrumental in advancing the interests of his community and county than most of his contemporaries. He possesses unusual public spirit and patriot- ism, and to his efforts Earlville is deeply indebted for many of the benefits which she enjoys.
The Haight family was founded in America several generations ago and originated in Scotland. The great-grandfather of our subject was born in the land of heather and came to this country with his parents when he was very young. His parents settled in Vermont. Benjamin, the grand- father of our subject, was a native of Vermont; his life was spent in New England, and he lived to be about three-score years old. His widow sur- vived him, living to be almost one hundred years old. They were the parents of the following children: John Haight, when twenty-two years of age, set out from his native state, walked to Pickering, Canada (West), and there located and became a prominent figure as a Quaker minister. He established an orthodox Quaker church at Pickering and other places; and his sister Lydia was also prominent as a Quaker minister, and was for a period stationed at Pern, New York. Leonard Haight, another of this same family, also became a resident of Pickering. The other children were Benjamin, the father of our subject; and Hannah Haight, who married a Mr. Bears, and resided in Addison county, Vermont. Lydia married B. Hal- leck and became a Quaker minister, and later in life resided at Keeseville, New York.
Benjamin Haight married Susan Rutherford. Both he and his wife were natives of Addison county, Vermont, and removed to St. Lawrence county, same state, where they settled on a farm and reared their three sons and three daughters. Of their children, William R., the subject of this review, John L., a farmer of Parishville, New York, and Mary, widow of
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Amasa Grandy, of Malone, New York, are the only members of the family now living. George Haight came west in 1848, first resided in Wisconsin, and later in Missouri, where he died. He was a farmer by occupation. Of these children, Emily died in infancy, and Lydia died at the age of thirty- two years.
Benjamin Haight, the father, was associated with the Society of Friends, and died in New York when he was in his seventy-eighth year; and his wife, who adhered to the Methodist faith, lived to attain her ninetieth year. Her father, Daniel Rutherford, of Vermont, and of English descent, was a farmer, and served in the Revolutionary war. He died when but little past the prime of life, and left four children.
The birth of William R. Haight took place in Monkton, Addison county, Vermont, September 12, 1822. After completing his district-school edu- cation he was a student at the St. Lawrence Academy for a period, after which he successfully taught for ten terms in St. Lawrence county, New York. He next clerked in a store at Parishville, same state, for four years. In 1850 he came to Illinois, taking up his residence in Eigin. He soon obtained employment in the engineers' corps of what was then known as the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad Company. The road then ran to Freeport, where it connected with the Illinois Central line, then in course of construction. After remaining with that corporation for two years, Mr. Haight removed to Aurora and took charge of the building of a section of road on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, between Mendota and Leland. When this work had been successfully completed he served as a civil engineer for the Bureau Valley Railroad for a period.
In the spring of 1855 he came to Earlville and here engaged in the grain business, in partnership with Samuel T. Stilson. They erected the first grain elevator of Earlville, completing its erection in 1857. They also conducted a general merchandise store. Mr. Haight purchased Mr. Stilson's interest in the store and managed that for one year, selling it out in 1857. He retained his interest in the grain business till 1861, and then followed merchandising again for two years. From 1863 to 1866 he was engaged in looking after farm interests, still residing in Earlville, but in 1866, as an organizer of the Exchange Bank, of Earlville, he first engaged in banking. He remained in charge of this bank for five years and then disposed of his interest in it. In 1874 he removed to Chicago, where he resided one year. Having traded for farm lands in Monroe county, Missouri, he removed to that state and followed agricultural pursuits and dealt in cattle up to 1879, when he returned to Earlville. For several years thereafter his time was taken up in looking after various investments, but upon the organization of the First National Bank of Earlville, in March of 1885,
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Mr. Haight became its president, a position he has since held, his career as a banker marking him as a successful financier.
In early manhood Mr. Haight joined the I. O. O. F. in St. Lawrence county, New York. He also belongs to Meridian Lodge, No. 183, A. F. & A. M., and Aurora Chapter, R. A. M. Until the political campaign of 1896 he affiliated with the Democratic party, but at that time, being in hearty sympathy with the Republican attitude on the money question, he voted for McKinley. He has never sought nor desired public office, but has been town supervisor twice, and served as justice of the peace one term, in order to satisfy the wishes of his friends.
On the 7th of July, 1853, Mr. Haight married Ruth P. Norton, a daughter of William G. and Elmira (Parker) Norton. She departed this life December 1, 1870, aged thirty-six years. Of the four children born to them the youngest, Sybil N., died at the age of ten months. George H. is an Ottawa lawyer, and William D. is a physician located at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The former married Mary Vosburgh and has four children- David M., Ruth, Earl and Harold. William D. married Ida Lacy, and all of their children, three in number, have passed away. Etta C. Haight became the wife of Dr. John C. Sheridan, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and their eldest child, Eula, is Mrs. Henry Geer, of Pueblo, Colorado. The younger ones are Jessie M., John C., Jr., and William R.
The second marriage of our subject took place August 27. 1876, when Mrs. Ruth P. Whaley, widow of J. M. Whaley, became his wife. Mrs. Haight had five children by her former marriage, but three of the number are deceased: Mrs. Nellie Lowe, of Two Harbors, Minnesota, and Charles E. Whaley, of Chelan, Washington, are the only survivors. The former has two daughters-DeEtte and Ruth, and the two children of Charles E. are Myrtle and Mildred. Mrs. Haight's parents were Vinton and Susan (Parker) Streator, both natives of Maine and of English descent. In tracing the history of her ancestors we ascertain that Jonathan Streator was stationed at Fort Edwards, New York, during the French and Indian war and par- ticipated in the Revolution, being at the battle of Bunker Hill. Among his children was Daniel Streator, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1772. He married Rhoda Stearns, and to them were born Vinton, Johnson and Stebbins Streator. He removed from Massachusetts to Leeds, Maine, where the above named sons were born, Vinton being born in 1794. Vinton Streator married Susan Parker, and their children were John Vinton, Josiah Parker, Susan Johnson, Rhoda Johnson, Ruth Parker, Philena Mary, Cornelia Ann, Elias Hutchins and Lorenzo Newell. The family removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, from Maine; from Lowell they started west, Octo- ber 19, 1850, and arrived at Ottawa, Illinois, November I, same year. Those
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who came at that time were the father and mother and Josiah, Ruth, Philena, Elias and Newell. John had preceded them to Ottawa. The father was a hero of the war of 1812, and received from the government in consequence thereof a warrant for land in LaSalle county, Illinois. In 1852 Mrs. Haight's parents removed to Hudson, Wisconsin, where they both died, her father in 1866 and her mother in 1883. The maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Haight was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Haight is a member of the Presbyterian church, and, with her husband, is actively interested in the causes of church, education and whatever tends to the good of humanity.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
To be satisfactory, success in life must have been won worthily and with due regard for the rights of the public. Such an honest and well merited success is that which has crowned the worthy efforts of William Thomas, one of the leading business men of Ottawa, who for more than forty years has been closely and prominently connected with the development and pros- perity of Illinois.
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