USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 13
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Christian Haeberle, Jr., was reared in Ottawa, and received his education in the public schools of the place. In 1893 he became the proprietor and assumed the management of the Washington Hotel, at No. 219 Main street, and has met with gratifying success in his efforts. The hotel, which is one of the most popular in the county, was established by the father of our sub- ject, who was experienced in this line of business, and safely launched the new undertaking, always a doubtful experiment in any town or city. Long since it had won its way into the favor of the public, and its high standard has been maintained until the present time. The building is spacious, light and well ventilated, every arrangement being made for the comfort and conven- ience of guests. An air of neatness and homelikeness pervades the place, and the personal attention of the proprietor is constantly given to the super- vision of every detail.
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In his political attitude Mr. Haeberle is quite independent, not being affiliated with any party, and reserving the right of unrestrained judgment as to the nominee or principle which shall receive the support of his ballot. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He finds an able and willing assistant in the management of his hotel in the person of his wife, a lady of good education and general attainments. She was formerly Miss Katherine Flagaus, and was married to Mr. Haeberle in 1893. A native of Ottawa, she has spent her entire life here, and numbers many friends in the community. The only child of our subject and wife is a little daughter, Ola, who is a great favorite with the guests of the hotel.
ANDREW HAMILTON.
One of the progressive, prosperous and substantial business men of Ottawa, LaSalle county, Illinois, is Andrew Hamilton, who was born No- vember 15. 1837, in Fairfield, Connecticut. His parents, James and Isabella (Gilchrist) Hamilton, were natives of Scotland, where they were married, moving thence to the United States in 1835 and settling at Fairfield, remain- ing there a few years and then locating near Rockland Lake, Rockland county, New York, where they resided until their death. The father died in 1890, and the mother in October, 1897. There were two boys and two girls in the family,-Robert, Andrew, Margaret and Sarah. Robert lives in Spring Valley, New York; Margaret in Monsey, New York; and Sarah in Brook- lyn, New York.
Andrew Hamilton received his primary education in the district schools of Rockland county, supplementing this with two years in the schools of New York city. He continued to assist his father on the farm until he was nineteen years of age. In 1856 he came to LaSalle county and secured em- ployment with M. F. Fairfield. After this he clerked in different stores in Ottawa until 1868, when he embarked in the mercantile business for himself, opening a flour, feed, salt and cement store. He buys his flour and feed by car-load lots and sells at wholesale and retail, and also handles foreign and domestic cement. He is nicely situated at 222 West Main street, and has worked up a lucrative trade, his courteous and accommodating treatment meeting with a quick response from his customers.
Mr. Hamilton was married April 12, 1861, to Miss Eliza A. Richards, a native of Rockland Lake, New York. To them one daughter was born, Eliza, wife of J. D. Vincent, of Ottawa. Mrs. Hamilton died February 22, 1867, and in 1876 Mr. Hamilton chose as the head of his household Miss Serena Bailey, daughter of William Bailey, a resident of this city. They have
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a beautiful home, at the corner of Paul and Washington streets, in which they entertain their friends in the most hospitable manner. They are attendants of the Congregational church, and are among the most influential citizens of Ottawa.
REV. THOMAS S. KEATING.
Father Keating, pastor of the St. Columba's Catholic church, is one of the most popular and prominent figures in Ottawa. Much of his life has been spent in our midst, and his interest in the welfare of our city, together with his grand, lofty character and the excellent judgment displayed in con- nection with the noble institutions over which he has almost complete juris- diction, has won for him the commendation and admiration of all classes, irrespective of their religious views. He was born December 21, 1846, and attended the public schools of Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, until ten years of age. The following three years were spent as a student in the Columbus school of this city, after which he entered St. Mary's College, in Perry county, Missouri, from which he graduated four years later. Having fully decided upon consecrating his life to the service of the church, he entered the Uni- versity of St. Mary's of the Lake, at Chicago, where he graduated in 1865. From Rev. Dr. McMullen's Clerical Seminary, which he attended for two years, he entered Mount St. Mary's College, at Emmettsburg, Maryland, the oldest seminary in the United States. Three years later he graduated from this institution and went to Chicago. It was in compliance with a wish of Dean Terry, a near relative, that he was ordained a priest in the old St. Columba church, at Ottawa, on August 19, 1870, by Rt. Rev. Dr. Foley. bishop of Chicago. Since then his life has been crowded with deeds of love and usefulness, and many amongst whom he has labored bear loving testimony to the good accomplished by him in rescuing them from human weakness. He was first assigned as assistant to the bishop at Chicago, where he re- mained until after the great fire, when he was permitted to be of invaluable aid to many of the unfortunate sufferers of the scourged district. Then he assisted Dean Terry in his work here until August. 1873, when he was given charge of St. Rosa's church, at Wilmington, Illinois, and during his one year at this point organized a branch church at Braidwood, which had previously been without church or pastor. St. Mary's church, at El Paso, Woodford county, was his next charge, and there he remained six years, establishing mission schools in different towns in his parish, paying off the church debt and erecting a fine building for a parochial school. During the following eight years he was pastor of Champaign and Rantoul mission, building a large nunnery for the Sisters of Notre Dame, of Milwaukee, erecting a church
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edifice at Penfield, and collecting twelve thousand dollars for the erection of another church, the contract for which was let in February, 1888, a few months before he left the parish. In April of that year he took charge of the parish here, and the results achieved by him seem almost incredible.
St. Columba's, of which Dean Keating is pastor, is one of the finest church edifices in Ottawa, and was erected at a cost of fifty-two thousand dollars. A fine, mellow-toned pipe organ was built for this church and is pronounced by the best musicians to be an instrument wonderful in its depth of volume and perfection of tone. Father Keating has endeared himself to the people of the parish, and gained the esteem of the entire community by his wisdom and by the noble qualities which are his characteristics. In 1888 he was appointed dean of the diocese of Peoria, Illinois, and the work accom- plished by him since then is a record in which he may feel a pardonable pride : The greater part of the church debt has been lifted; St. Xavier's Academy, costing some twenty-two thousand dollars, completed; the boys' school estab- lished and new building erected; the new deanery completed, at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars; and the cemetery enlarged and improved. These are some of the visible results of his work, but of the good accomplished by him as the wise adviser and spiritual director of his people who shall speak? His influence has been far-reaching and lasting, causing him to be regarded with affectionate reverence. On August 19, 1895, Dean Keating celebrated his silver jubilee of twenty-five years in the service of the church. He is now an irremovable pastor and one of the best known and respected citizens of LaSalle county.
DAVID NITTER.
David Nitter, postmaster of the village of Norway, LaSalle county, Illi- nois, and the prosperous proprietor of a general store at this place, dates his birth in Chicago, June 8, 1861.
Mr. Nitter is a son of William and Thea (Schlanbusch) Nitter, both na- tives of Norway, who came to this country late in the '50s, where they were shortly afterward married. The first few years of their married life was passed in Chicago, whence, about 1864, they came to Norway, LaSalle county, where he opened a general store. His death occurred here shortly after he was established in business. Mrs. Nitter subsequently became the wife of John Quam, a farmer, who died about eighteen years ago. After his death she moved to Iowa, where she still lives. By her first husband she had two children, David and a daughter, the latter dying in childhood. By her second husband she had seven children.
David Nitter was reared principally on a farm, his stepfather being a
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farmer, and received a fair education in the common schools of the district and normal school at Morris, Illinois, in the year 1881. He remained with his mother until the age of sixteen years, when he left home and began the battle of life for himself, starting out as a clerk. He clerked in Norway, Serena and Sheridan, and after a few years thus spent he went to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming two years. Returning to LaSalle county at the end of that time, he resumed clerking, spent one year at Sheridan and two years in Seneca, and in the spring of 1888 engaged in business for himself at Norway, where he has since continued successfully. His beginning was a restaurant. To it he from time to time added other lines, until he now has a complete general store, well stocked and up-to-date for an establishment of its kind. In 1889 Mr. Nitter was appointed the postmaster of Norway, which office he has filled acceptably for the past ten years. He is a Repub- lican.
Mr. Nitter was married in 1882 to Miss Maria Marcuson, a native of Norway, and they are the parents of four children.
MORTON E. DOWNING.
The subject of this sketch, Morton E. Downing, is the superintendent of one of the most important industries of LaSalle county-the mining and shipping of sand for glass manufacture.
Mr. Downing was born in Bartholomew county. Indiana, January 12, 1868, and is of Scotch origin. The family, however, have long been identified with America, having settled in Ohio at the time of their emigration to this country. Don E. Downing, the father of Morton E., is a native of Cincin- nati, Ohio, born some sixty-six years ago, and is now a resident of Marshall county, Indiana, working at the carpenter's trade at Bourbon, that state. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Cassell, are the parents of the following named children: Mary, who married Joseph Harris, resides in Bartholomew county, Indiana; Emma, wife of Thomas Parrish, resides in Durand, Missouri; Tamar is the wife of Harry Compton, of Wedron, Illinois; Morton E., the subject of this sketch: Josie, wife of Tyde Deardorf, of Bour- bon, Indiana; and Julia, wife of Philip Baugher, also of Bourbon.
Morton E. Downing, as he grew up, spent some time working at the car- penter's trade, under his father's instructions, and some time working in a machine shop; but on leaving his parental home at the age of twenty-one he took a position as stationary engineer at Millington, Illinois. From that place he went to Aurora, this state, where he filled a similar position in the Aurora Chemical Works, and from there came to his present location at
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Wedron. Here he had charge of the engine at the works of the Wedron White Sand Company until 1896, when he was made foreman, and afterward superintendent, the position he now holds. His continuance in the service. of this company and his promotion by them is ample evidence of his ability and faithfulness.
Mr. Downing was married in McHenry county, Illinois, in the town of Woodstock, June 21, 1897, to Miss Effie Worden. They have an only child ;. Nora, born September, 1898.
PHILIP C. WATTS.
Prominent in the development of LaSalle county, the Watts family, founded here nearly three-score years ago by the subject of this biography, is deserving of special mention. Loyal, patriotic citizens, always to be relied upon to use their influence and ballot for the right and best, for progress and improvement in all lines, their example is worthy of respect and emulation.
Philip C. Watts, of South Ottawa, comes from one of the honored old families of Devonshire, England. His grandfather in the paternal line was one Joseph Watts, a farmer, whose wife was Dolly (Reed) Watts. Our sub- ject, born in Devonshire, June 24, 1822, is one of the eight children of John and Elizabeth (Challacombe) Watts. The Challacombes were direct descend- ants of William The Conqueror. The others were as follows: William; Jo- seph; Elizabeth, wife of James Parker, of Macoupin county, Illinois; John,. who served as a soldier in the war between the United States and Mexico. and later engaged in gold-mining in Australia and California; James, who, was drowned in the river at LaSalle, Illinois; Henry, a resident of Devon- shire, England; and Rebecca, wife of T. Chammins.
When Philip C. Watts was seventeen years of age he came to the United States with the family, staying one year in New York, and since 1840 he has dwelt in LaSalle county. He has been an ardent Republican since the organ- ization of the party, and has acted in the capacity of justice of the peace and. as a member of the school board for many years.
A notable event in the history of P. C. Watts was his marriage, Novem- ber 5, 1847, to Miss Margaret A. Brown, a daughter of Charles Brown, who, came to Illinois in 1830 in a covered wagon from the east. He settled upon: a claim south of Ottawa, built a log cabin and proceeded to develop a farm. During the Black Hawk war he joined a military organization styled the home guards. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Watts are Louisa, widow of Calvin Ells, and William, both deceased; Clarissa, wife of Christopher Mills, of Marysville. California: Russell, a successful business man of Ottawa; and.
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Edward, deceased. The father died May 20, 1876, when four-score years of age, and the mother December 1I, 1876, after having attained the age of seventy-eight years.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Watts nine children were born, and this happy family circle is still untouched by the angel of death. Charles B., the eldest, is supervisor of Earlville, Illinois, and by his marriage to Miss Anne Gillett he has six children : Clarence, Harry, Alice, Daisy, Willie and Archie. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of our subject, is the wife of J. M. Poundstone, of Ottawa, and the mother of four children,-Ralph, Florence, Mabel and Grace. Henrietta, wife of J. Jones, of Livingston county, has three little ones,-Clara, Howard and Philip. Laura, now a resident of Peabody, Kan- sas, is the wife of Alexander Gray and has two children,-Arthur and Celia. Louise married Walter Trumbow, of Peabody, Kansas, and they have two sons,-Wesley and Ray. Florence wedded B. Holler, of Peabody, Kansas; Wallace lives on the home farm; and Lucy and Clara are still living at home.
The year which witnessed the fiftieth anniversary of the happy wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Watts was celebrated by them in a very pleasant manner. It happened that the great jubilee in honor of Queen Victoria was held that year, and they decided to visit England. They went together to the child- hood home of Mr. Watts, where he renewed his friendship with old associates, and the trip has left many pleasant memories in the minds of both. They have reared their children to be noble, useful citizens, have always striven to do their duty toward God and man, and without regret may look backward along the pathway they have pursued hand in hand. They are earnest mem- bers of the Methodist church, as are their children, and they feel that the promise of old has been fulfilled to them, that "goodness and mercy have followed them all the days of their lives."
CHRISTIAN F. BRANDENBURG.
Christian F. Brandenburg, the son of the venerable and wealthy pioneer, Peter Brandenburg, was born just west of Serena, December 23, 1856. He obtained but little education at school, and his history can be summed up briefly by saying that hard work has been his lot for thirty years. in which he has been able to make a hand on the farm. His life history, could it be writ- ten in full, would be filled with trying experiences, and finally crowned with that abundant success his labors and perseverance so richly merit. When it comes to "ups and downs" in life he steps aside and permits us to make a brief reference to his paternal ancestors.
Peter Brandenburg was born in Heistelburg, Nassau, Germany. Sep-
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tember 26, 1824. His father bore the same Christian name and his mother was a Miss Tomas. Peter is the third of four children of his farmer father, and he went to the German schools, as was required, until he was fourteen years of age. He then learned the old country method of farming and re- mained with his father until he was twenty-four years old. He was then given his liberty and barely enough money to pay his passage to America. He sailed for the New World. being induced hither by some neighbor boys who had preceded him; and he says that he was so displeased with the out- look when he first landed that he wished many times he were back in the old fatherland. He did not have a five-cent piece when he arrived at Serena; so he was obliged to get work at once. He entered the employ of a farmer for eleven dollars a month, and remained a farm hand for five long years. In this period of time he saved six hundred dollars, and he bargained for his first American real estate,-the old homestead west of the village of Serena. He agreed to make payments on the same annually for three years, and really saw no reason why he could not fulfil his agreement. He set out with a light heart, for he was now his own governor and the sole manager of the earthly affairs of the industrious Peter. His first crop was eaten up by the chinch bugs; this was discouraging; but he planted again, and the second season he came out as badly as the first. The third year he also failed to get a good crop, and this so disheartened him that he proposed to his cred- itor that he take the farm back; that he had worked three years, day and night, and had nothing to show in return, and of course could pay nothing on the land. The man who sold to him tried to discourage this move and insisted that he try it yet one more year; and this he did, and with wonderful success. From that date on he made money rapidly and added to his realty holdings with great swiftness. He was as good as two hands himself and he had plenty of boys, who inherited their father's industry, so that he followed agriculture on a large scale, with little outlay for his help. But no matter how well he prospered, Peter Brandenburg never ceased work for himself until he found himself worn out and heavy with age. He is one of the largest land-owners in LaSalle county, and is not unfrequently referred to as "the old German who got rich by hard work."
This venerable old German, for his wife, married, in LaSalle county in 1855, Catherine Weber, who died in 1877. Her children are: Christian F. (our subject); Caroline, wife of Joseph Moore: Frank Brandenburg, who is a prominent young farmer of the town of Serena, and who married Ella De Bolt; Mary, wife of George Jones, of Serena, Illinois; and George, who mar- ried Ida Whitman and now resides on the old home place. In 1887 Peter Brandenburg married Mrs. Matthias Stine, whose maiden name was Kathrina Kern, and first husband Jacob Meyer.
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Our subject was married February 12, 1895, to Freda, daughter of Jacob Meyer, whose widow afterward married Peter Brandenburg. Freda was born in Germany in 1877, and she is the mother of two children,-Ruby and Raymond.
The Brandenburgs have done as much as any other family toward the development and improvement of the town of Serena. They have given their energies freely, as others have done, expecting reward, and have not been disappointed. They have grubbed roots, dug ditches and erected buildings and done the innumerable other necessary things to be done in improving a new country until their farms "blossom as the rose," as it were, giving evi- dence of progress and prosperity at every point of view. They have not dabbled in politics, for there is no promise of reward in that. They have not undertaken other and strange ventures, with the hope of avoiding hard labor and at the same time making big money, for they are the firm believers in the adage, "Let well enough alone."
WV. B. CUMMINS.
This gentleman has had an experience of twenty-two years in the grain business, and since 1888 has been located at Ransom, LaSalle county, Illi- nois, where he is the representative of the Bartlett-Frazier Company, of Chi- cago. He owns the grain elevator here and a half interest in the business, and each year handles a large amount of grain, averaging no less than four hundred thousand bushels. In 1897 he shipped three hundred and sixty- seven car-loads and in 1898 three hundred and fifty-eight car-loads.
Mr. Cummins is a native of Lincoln, Marshall county, Illinois, and was born March 29, 1851. His father, Theodore Cummins, was a native of Steu- ben county, New York: his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy White, was born in North Carolina, and their family comprised three children, now married and scattered: W. B., whose name introduces this sketch; Ervin, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Mary Duchene, of Carlisle, Arkansas. The father of this family died at the age of seventy-two. The mother is still living, in Carlisle, Arkansas.
W. B. Cummins was reared and educated in his native state, completing his studies with a high-school course, and, with the exception of a few months spent in Carlisle, Arkansas, he has always made his home in Illinois. He was stationed for some time at Ancona, this state, where he bought grain, and since 1888 he has been located at Ransom.
At the age of twenty Mr. Cummins was united in marriage to Miss Ida Pratt, a native of Long Point, Livingston county, Illinois, and a daughter of
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Philander Pratt, of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins have an only child, Belle, who is now the wife of Frank Mears, of Kankakee, Illinois.
Ever since he became a voter Mr. Cummins has given active support to the Democratic party, and at this writing is serving as township clerk. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America.
JOSEPH L. ARMSTRONG.
Success in any walk of life is not the result of chance, but is the outcome of keen sagacity in business affairs combined with well directed effort, and it is these qualities which have made Mr. Armstrong, of Brookville township, one of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of LaSalle county.
His birth occurred on the old family homestead March 1, 1847, his par- ents being Hon. George W. and Nancy Armstrong. His father was born in Ohio, December 11, 1812, and was a son of Joseph Armstrong, whose birth occurred in Ireland and who was of Scotch-Irish descent. The great-grand- father, John Armstrong, was a linen merchant, and came to the United States in 1780, locating in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in merchandising for a number of years. His son Joseph was a lad of only ten years at the time of the emigration to America. He was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and there married Miss Elsie Strawn, a representative of an old and honored Pennsylvania family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Arm- strong were born nine sons, namely: John S., who died in Ottawa, Illinois; George W., the father of our subject; William, who died in South Ottawa, in 1850: Joel, who died near Ottawa, in 1871; Jeremiah, who went west in 1849 and died in California in 1850; James, who died near Ottawa; P. A., a very prominent citizen of Morris; Clifford, who died in Licking county, Ohio; and I. Z., who went to the west in 1849, and is now living in Sacra- mento, California. Joseph Armstrong, the father, died in 1856, and the mother passed away in 1871.
George W. Armstrong spent his youth in Ohio and is indebted to its common schools for the educational privileges afforded him. In 1831 he came to the west, making the journey with wagon and team. Two years previously his brother John had come to Illinois and taken up his abode in Putnam county. During the Black Hawk war George W. Armstrong was with his mother and brothers in the fort at Ottawa. They settled in this county in 1831 on a half section of land, built a log cabin and began life in the west in true pioneer style. On the Ioth of March, 1835, George Arm- strong was married, in Jacksonville, Illinois, to Miss Nancy Green, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Susanah (Winter) Green,
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