USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 16
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Mr. Pedersen, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Leland, and when nineteen years of age came to Sheridan. He acquired his preliminary education in the schools of the former place and also pursued his studies in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in Keokuk, Iowa. Afterward he engaged in clerking in a general store two years, and then one year in a drug-store in Leland; and on coming to Sheridan he accepted a clerical position in a general store, which he filled for six years. He then embarked in general merchandising on his own account, continuing in that line of business for twelve years, during which time he had several partners and conducted stores at the towns of Sheridan, Dayton and Yorkville, Illinois. In the fall of 1898 he embarked in the hardware business in Sheridan and was success- fully engaged in this line of business until the fall of 1899, when he sold his stock.
In 1885 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pedersen and Miss Rose McClary, of Sheridan, the daughter of Thomas and Susan McClary, early settlers of Mission township. They have two sons: Pierre M., born in 1886; and McClary W., born in 1890. Socially Mr. Pedersen is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a staunch Republican, having supported that party since attain- ing his majority. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He has served as school treasurer of Mission township for ten years, as alderman of Sheridan for one term, and in April, 1898, he was appointed by John C. Ames to the office of deputy United States marshal, in which capacity he is now serving most acceptably.
In the beginning of his business career Mr. Pedersen did not have
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wealth to aid him. His reliance has been placed upon the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute purpose and com- mendable zeal; and withal his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned.
ISRAEL C. COPE.
A prominent figure in the annals of Streator is Israel C. Cope, who has achieved distinction in numerous important public positions, acquitting him- self of the duties devolving upon him with zeal, fidelity and promptness, and meriting the high enconiums which have been accorded him. The following facts relative to himself and his honorable career will possess much interest to his hosts of admirers, here and elsewhere.
The Cope family was established in America by one Oliver Cope, a member of the Society of Friends, who accompanied William Penn on one of his voyages from England to the vicinity of Philadelphia. Israel C. is a son of Eli and Susan (Shotwell) Cope, and a grandson of James Dickinson and Rebecca (Cooke) Cope, and of John Shotwell, the latter of New Jersey, while the Copes were natives of the Keystone state.
The birth of Israel C. Cope took place in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1849, he being one of ten children, five of whom were sons. He spent his youthful days in his native county, where he gained an excellent education. Later he pursued his studies in Bethany College, West Virginia. In 1871 he decided to try his fortunes in the west and went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he spent two years. In 1873 he came to Streator and secured employment as a clerk, and subsequently he embarked in the drug business upon his own account. He met with success in his financial undertakings, and thoroughly merits the high esteem in which he is held by those who have had business dealings with him.
Though he has loyally adhered to the Republican party since becoming a voter, Mr. Cope has been nothing of a politician in the sense of seeking public honors. His influence, however, in local circles has been materially felt and acknowledged, and his appointment as the postmaster of Streator, under President Harrison's administration, gave general satisfaction. Later he was appointed deputy United States marshal of the northern district of Illinois, in which capacity he is still acting. For the past nine years he has been the Illinois state secretary of the American Protective Tariff League.
On the last day of May, in the centennial year, Mr. Cope married Miss Fannie O. Ames, a daughter of Isaac and Aurelia (Mooar) Ames, of Streator.
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They have a son and daughter-Jessie O. and Elmer A. Mr. and Mrs. Cope have an attractive home in this town, and are surrounded by the numerous comforts and luxuries which bespeak true refinement in the possessors, as indicating love for the beautiful.
Socially, Mr. Cope is a member in high standing in the Masonic order. He belongs to Streator Lodge, No. 602, F. & A. M .; Streator Chapter, No. 168, R. A. M., of Streator; and Ottawa Commandery No. 10, K. T.
ANDREW J. REDMEN.
The subject of this sketch furnishes an illustration of the self-made man. Coming to Illinois and locating in LaSalle county more than four decades ago, without means, his only resource being his pluck and energy, Andrew Jackson Redmen worked his way to the front, and to-day he occu- pies a representative position among the leading farmers of Farm Ridge township.
Mr. Redmen is a native of Preble county, Ohio, and was born Decem- ber 14, 1835. The Redmens were among the early settlers of this country and occupied prominent positions in New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia at an early day. John Redmen, the grandfather of Andrew J., was a soldier in some of the early wars. His son Benjamin Redmen married Miss Eliza- beth House, a native of West Virginia and a descendant of German ancestry. After their marriage they moved west to Preble county, Ohio, where they reared their family and passed the rest of their lives. Their children, seven in number, were named as follows: Mary Catherine, deceased; Ellen Caroline; Andrew Jackson; Sarah Jane, deceased; Susan; one child who died in infancy; and William. The father died at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a farmer all his life, and politically was a Democrat.
ยท Andrew J. was reared on his father's farm in Preble county, attending the subscription schools of the neighborhood, assisting in the farm work at home, and early having impressed upon his mind lessons of honesty and industry. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one, in 1856, he came to Illinois and found employment in LaSalle county. A few years later he returned to Ohio and was married, and in 1860 came back to Illinois and settled in Farm Ridge township, LaSalle county, where he has since lived and prospered. When he landed here the second time his capital consisted of thirty-three dollars in money and an abundance of energy, and his suc- cess is due wholly to his own perseverance and good management. He is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres of fine land, comprised in
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four well improved farms, and is ranked with the leading farmers of the township.
Mr. Redmen was married in Preble county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Bunger, a native of that state and a daughter of Samuel and Eva (Lock) Bunger. They have eight children, namely: Mrs. Eathlinda Rutter, of western Nebraska; James P., who owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and is engaged in farming in Farm Ridge township, LaSalle county; John Perry, of Webster county, Iowa; Samuel, on his father's farm; William F., on Deer Park farm; Mrs. Eva H. Provins, of Gardner, Illinois; and Andrew J., Jr., and Leroy at home.
Mr. Redmen has always supported the Republican party and has served officially in several local offices. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. As a citizen he stands high in the estimation of the people of his community.
HENRY F. HOWLAND.
In reviewing the life history of Henry F. Howland, one of the leading and wealthy citizens of Streator, one is inevitably impressed with what he, who was a few years ago a poor man, has accomplished. From his boy- hood industry and diligent application to whatever task he had before him have been among his marked traits of character, and this concentra- tion of his energy to the working out of some particular aim is one of the secrets of his success.
The father of our subject, Shubal Howland, was born at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and during the greater part of his mature life he was en- gaged in merchandising. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Godfrey, was born at Blackstone, Rhode Island, and passed the most of her life in her native state.
Henry F. Howland was born in Seekonk, Massachusetts, May 5, 1839. When he was quite young his parents removed to Rhode Island, and there the lad attended the public schools until he was about fifteen years of age. He then obtained employment in the great Lonsdale Manufacturing Com- pany's mills, at Lonsdale. Rhode Island, where he continued to render faithful service for some fourteen years.
In 1870 the desire to see the west, with a view to making his perma- nent abode there, led to his coming to LaSalle county, and, having some capital, he invested it in a furniture and undertaking establishment at Wilmington, where he remained eleven years. During this time he was always at the front in furthering the development and improvement of
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his home city. He served two years as city clerk and six years as a mem- ber of the city council, and was also solicited a number of times to accept the office of mayor, but declined further honor in that line. Becoming acquainted with Daniel Heenan, of Streator, through that gentleman's persuasion he was induced, in 1880, to remove his business to Streator, where he has met with even greater success, and numbers among his patrons the best families of the place. In 1891 he erected a fine, substantial tliree-story brick block, forty-five feet by ninety feet in dimensions, and all of the room thus afforded is used by him in the various departments of his prosperous business. He carries a large and well selected stock of household furnishings, carpets, furniture and general supplies. A fine line of caskets and funeral equipments are to be found in that department of the enterprise, and a good hearse and horses complete what is considered one of the best undertaking outfits in the county. Mr. Howland's reputation in his special lines of business has extended over the southern and central part of LaSalle county, and his record for fairness and square dealing is unsurpassed.
In 1859 Mr. Howland wedded Miss Mary Carlin, a daughter of John Carlin, of Lonsdale, Rhode Island. Five children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Mary, wife of Nicholas Casey, a retired farmer of Streator; Lydia, who is at home; Henry J., who is associated in business with his father; John F., now employed by the Santa Fe Railroad Company; Lydia, who is at home; and Lucy, who is still pursuing her studies at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Chicago.
In politics Mr. Howland is a stanch Republican. For six years he served as a member of the Streator school board, favoring progressive methods and better educational facilities for the rising generation. Socially he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He owns his attractive home and other valuable property here, and has an assured competence for his declining years, all of which is the result of his executive ability and good judgment in business affairs.
J. J. WAFER.
Unusual merit and stability of character must be possessed by the young lad who is thrown upon his own resources at an age when he should be in the school-room, yet who bravely fights the battle for a liveli- hood in which many of his elders are worsted, and eventually comes off victor over circumstances. This is found to be the case in the history of
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J. J. Wafer, who for the past five years has been engaged in business in Ottawa.
He is a native of St. Louis, his birth having taken place in that city some thirty-four years ago. His father, John Wafer, now deceased, was a son of the Emerald Isle, but in his young manhood he emigrated to the United States, and taking up his residence in St. Louis there married Miss Elizabeth Early. In 1876 they removed to Denver, Colorado, where they dwelt for years.
J. J. Wafer had but limited educational advantages, as he commenced serving an apprenticeship at the plumbing, gas and steam-fitting business when he was but eleven years of age. He made rapid progress in the craft, and at last was promoted to the position of foreman for the business house of W. W. Judd, of Denver, in whose employ he continued for eight years. He is a practical workman, understanding thoroughly every branch of his line of business, and all contracts awarded him are executed with a prompt- ness and ability which make friends of all of his patrons. Since locating in Ottawa his place of business has been at No. 104 Main street, where may be found a complete stock of plumbers' supplies. He has succeeded in gaining a large and remunerative patronage, and his outlook is most promising.
Fraternally Mr. Wafer is a Knight of the Globe, and a member of the I. O. M. A., and politically he is independent. In 1890 Mr. Wafer mar- ried Miss Ella Hayne, a daughter of William Hayne. Mrs. Wafer is a native of Ottawa, and is a lady of liberal mental and social attainments. A little son and daughter, Willie and Esther, bless their happy home, where is represented the acme of comfort and culture.
C. E. FARNHAM, M. D.
Dr. C. E. Farnham, of Grand Ridge, Illinois, is one of the prominent 3 young physicians in LaSalle county, and the following brief sketch of his life is appropriately given in this connection. He was born in Farm Ridge township, LaSalle county, Illinois, February 16, 1865, son of William F. Farnham, a well known and highly respected citizen of the township. The latter is of New England birth and ancestry, born, reared and educated in Maine. He came to Illinois when a young man, locating in LaSalle county, and was here married to Miss Sarah Hodgson, daughter of Eli Hodgson, deceased, a prominent early settler of the county. In 1870 William F. Farnham and wife went to Missouri, locating in Vernon county, at Shell City, where they have since lived. They have the following named children:
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C. E., whose name introduces this sketch; William G .; Warren E., a teacher, and Mattie E.
C. E. Farnham received his education chiefly at Shell City, Missouri, and at the age of eighteen commenced teaching, which occupation he fol- lowed for a few years. In the meantime he chose the medical profession for his life work, and regularly took up the study of medicine in 1887, under the instructions of Dr. H. C. Jarvis, a well known and successful physician of Shell City, with whom he remained one year. In 1888 he entered Bennett Eclectic College, in Chicago, from which institution he graduated, being one of a class of seventy-five members. Immediately after his gradu- ation, in 1890, he located at Harding, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he began his professional career and practiced two years. From Harding he came, in 1892, to Grand Ridge, his present location, where he soon built up a good practice and where his success as a physician and his kindly and genial manner have brought him into favor with the people among whom he lives.
Dr. Farnham was married in 1890, at Osceola, Clark county, Iowa, to Miss Rosa Sutton, an accomplished young woman, who was reared in LaSalle county, being the daughter of William and Martha Sutton. Dr. and Mrs. Farnham have one child, Edna M.
Politically and religiously Dr. Farnham clings to the faith in which he was reared, being a Republican and a Methodist. In church matters he takes an active interest, and at this writing is steward of the Methodist church at Grand Ridge. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, being a past chancellor in the former. Personally Dr. Farnham is a man of fine physique, weighing two hundred pounds, and in manner he is frank and genial.
AARON S. WILKINSON.
The gentleman whose name we are pleased to place at the head of this memoir,-the late Aaron S. Wilkinson, of Allen township, LaSalle county, Illinois,-was a justice of the peace and a veteran of the civil war. The record of his life, briefly given, is as follows:
Aaron S. Wilkinson was born in Auburn, New York, July 7. 1828, son of Aaron Wilkinson, a native of Scott's Plain, New York, and his wife, Polly (Wilkins) Wilkinson, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Aaron and Polly Wilkinson were the parents of a large family, whose names in order of birth are: Mrs. Sophia Wisner, of Hanson, Nebraska; Permelia Linsley, of New York; James, an early settler of Allen township, LaSalle
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county, Illinois, is deceased; Polly Granger, deceased; Eleanor Caldwell, deceased; and Cornelia Holcomb, deceased.
In his native state Aaron S. Wilkinson was reared and educated. He had been twice married. His first wife was before marriage Miss Maria Babcock, she being a native of Branch county, Michigan, and daughter of Frank Babcock, of that state. The fruits of their union were four children, viz .: Edna, wife of James Ford, of Ransom, Illinois; James, of Crystal Falls, Michigan; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; and Ambrose B., who died at the age of twenty-eight, leaving a wife and three children. Mrs. Maria Wilkinson died June 23, 1885. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a most estimable woman, loved by all who knew her. In September, 1886, Mr. Wilkinson was married to Mrs. Lovisa Wilkinson, who is the daughter of Bourbon Matthews, a native of Virginia. By this marriage there are two children: Irma and Bertha, aged ten and three years respectively.
Mr. Wilkinson's war record began in September, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Miles Warren and Colonel Stockton, and he was made first lieutenant of his company. He was with his command, participating in the engagements in which it took part, until June 10, 1864, when he was honorably discharged, and thereupon returned home.
Politically Mr. Wilkinson was always known as an ardent Republican. For twelve years he served as a justice of the peace and a notary public. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic Order, and was a member of Francis M. Lane Post, No. 247, G. A. R., having been its first com- mander and being senior vice-commander at the time of his death. Mr. Wilkinson was an accomplished musician, having taught music for over forty years, and for some years past was the leader of the Methodist church choir. November 3, 1899, Mr. Wilkinson passed to his reward, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his demise. He leaves his wife and their two children and two children by his former marriage to mourn his loss. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Ransom.
WILLIAM A. JEFFERY.
During the years 1895 and 1896 William A. Jeffery was the efficient and popular chairman of the Republican township central committee at Ottawa. He is considered one of the most loyal workers in the party in this locality, and, at the same time, he is not an office-seeker, never having had aspirations in that direction. He firmly believes in the usefulness and
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wisdom of the party principles and seeks to promulgate its beneficent doc- trines. In the order of the Knights of Pythias he is an esteemed member, and at present he occupies the honored position of major of the second battalion of the Uniformed Rank.
For the past twelve or thirteen years Mr. Jeffery has been a resident of Ottawa. He is engaged in contracting and building and has his busi- ness office at No. 325 Madison street. Many of the best houses of the town have been erected by him, or under his direction, and examples of his handicraft are to be seen upon every side. Upright and honorable in all his transactions, faithful in the carrying out of his contracts, whether verbal or written, he justly ranks high among the business men of this place.
Thomas Jeffery, the father of our subject, was born in New York state, and was of English descent. He married a Miss Mary Andrews, who passed to her reward in 1893, and to this worthy couple nine children were born. All of the children, save William A., are residents of Michigan. In order of birth they are named as follows: William A .; Leanora; John; Milo; Lillie; Elton; Edward; Hattie; and Ivia. The father has made agriculture the main business of his life, and in this he has been quite successful. In his political adherency he is a Democrat.
The birth of William A. Jeffery took place on the old homestead in Wayne county, Michigan, September 27, 1850. He received the benefits of a good common and high school education, and was thus qualified for the battle of life. Subsequently to his graduation in the Howell high. school he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, and in 1882 he came. to Illinois, where he has since been busily engaged in his chosen vocation.
On New Year's day, 1878, a marriage ceremony performed in Mar- seilles, Illinois, united the destinies of William A. Jeffery and Miss Florence Irwin, a daughter of Richard Irwin, ex-county superintendent. Three sons and a daughter grace the union of our subject and wife, namely: Mary, Amos, Ray and Frank.
DAVID KROUSE.
David Krouse, of Ottawa, Illinois, is a native of the Keystone state,. and dates his birth in Luzerne county on the 27th of September. 1846. His forefatliers were of German origin and were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. His father, Joseph Krouse, married a Miss Huthmaker, and to them were born seven children,-all sons.
David's boyhood days were passed on his father's farm and in attend -. ance at the public school, and when he was fifteen the great civil war broke:
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out. The next year, in 1862, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volun- teers, under Captain B. G. Cooper. His army service covered a period of ten months, during which time he took part in the battles of Suffolk and Deep Creek, Virginia. He was then honorably discharged, and returned home and resumed farming.
In 1864 he served an apprenticeship with Charles Roth, of Wilkes- barre, Pennsylvania, in the gunsmith's trade, remaining with him three years, and in 1867 he came to Ottawa, working at his trade with H. P. Drunker for three years and the same length of time with D. S. Ebersol. Since then has been in business for himself.
At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Krouse married Miss Sarah A. Arnold, also a native of Pennsylvania, and their union has been blessed in the birth of three children, viz .: Jesse, Benjamin Franklin and Alice. Ben- jamin F. was in the late war with Spain, a member of Company C, Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Politically, Mr. Krouse is identified with the Republican party, and by appointment filled for some time the office of receiver of the port at Ottawa. Socially he maintains membership in the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, in which organization he was elected first lieutenant and after- ward captain.
LEVI CLAY.
For sixteen years Levi Clay has lived retired from the active cares and labors to which his prime was given, his home being in Streator during this period of enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Energetic and progres- sive, he made his own way in the world from boyhood, and won a position and competence and the esteem of all who know him.
Levi Clay comes from the same ancestral stock as does the distin- guished Kentucky statesman, Cassius M. Clay. He is a son of David and Catherine (Harter) Clay, and a grandson of David Clay, Sr. His maternal grandfather, George Harter, was one of the pioneers of Stark county, Ohio, and the latter's wife, whose maiden name was Bowman, came from Baden, Germany, in 1725, as some old records state.
Our subject's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his marriage to Miss Catherine Harter, in 1809, was the first wedding in that county. Ten children were born to David and Catherine Clay, and of this number eight lived to maturity,-George, whose location since 1836 is unknown; David died at Plainfield, Illinois, leaving a wife with five children, three sons and two daughters; Jacob died in Darke county, Ohio, leaving seven children,
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one son and six daughters; John, with his wife and children, one son and five daughters, lives in California; Catherine and husband died in Stark county, Ohio, about 1842, leaving an infant son, Abraham Miller, who is at this time a minister of the gospel at Alliance, Ohio; Solomon Clay, of Pauld- ing county, Ohio, having been married four times, has a wife and ten chil- dren; Polly married John Ditsler, of Summit county, Ohio, and died there about 1849; and Levi is the subject proper of this sketch.
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