USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 21
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Frederick Richards
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energies to the cultivation of the fields through the day, while in the evenings he worked at his trade.
In 1851 Mr. Richards made his first purchase of land, consisting of one hundred acres, in the township of Bruce. In 1852 he began the devel- opment of the tract, and in addition carried on work at his trade. His energy and ability enabled him to so prosecute his labors that he derived therefrom a good income, and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised one hundred and forty acres. In 1861 he made an additional purchase of two hundred and forty acres, and upon his farm, then comprising more than half a section, he began feeding cattle and hogs. The new branch of business also proved a profitable one, and, as stock brought good prices through the war, he made considerable money and invested it very judiciously. In 1863 he purchased another tract, of one hundred and sixty acres, in Bruce township, making five hundred and forty acres in all, and at different times he has added to his landed possessions until he now has twenty-two hundred acres of valuable land. His last purchase was made in 1894. when he became the owner of what is known as the Payne farm-a tract of two hundred and seventy-six acres. His home farm comprises five hundred acres, and is one of the most desirable country residences in this section of Illinois, being improved with all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm. A good residence, spacious barns and large cattle sheds are found upon the place, and the well tilled fields yield to the owner a golden tribute in return for his care and labor. One of his purchases consisted of eighty acres, a part of which was within the corporation limits of Streator. This he has laid out in town lots, and it is known as the Richards addition. One of his valuable farms is situated in Livingston county. He has been one of the successful cattle- feeders of Bruce township, LaSalle county, feeding as high as five hundred head of cattle in a year and about one thousand head of hogs. His business interests have been well conducted. He follows progressive methods, his practical common sense readily selecting what is best in the new theories that are advanced in regard to farming and stock-raising. He has ample shed room for the shelter of cattle and hogs through the winter and during inclement weather, which insures good animals, well fitted to be placed upon the market.
In addition to his extensive agricultural interests Mr. Richards has also carried on other lines of business, and is to-day the owner of a good grain elevator at the town of Richards. He handles all kinds of grain and is doing a large and profitable business in that way. He has been a stockholder and director in the Union National Bank, at Streator, since its organization, and his sound judgment has contributed in no small measure to
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its success. His systematic methods, his unfailing energy and his reliability, which is above question, are the characteristics which have brought to him wealth and gained him a position among the leading business men of La- Salle county.
In 1851 Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Leah Croty, a native of Germany, but at that time a resident of LaSalle county. They had one son, William, now a prosperous farmer of Otter Creek township, LaSalle county. The mother died in 1856, and Mr. Richards afterward married Mary Graham, by whom he had the following named children : Thomas, Mary, Alexander, Louis, Walter, Charles, and two who died in infancy, named James and Fred.
In his political views Mr. Richards is independent, voting for the man of his choice, regardless of party affiliations. He has served as commissioner of highways for a period of twelve years, his long continuance in office well indicating his fidelity to duty. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster of Richards. His duties of citizenship have ever been faithfully performed, and in all life's relations his well known integrity has won him confidence and respect.
J. B. BAILEY.
The proprietor of the Ottawa livery, feed and sale stable, J. B. Bailey is one of the native sons of LaSalle county, and has spent his whole life within its boundaries. He is well and favorably known, not only in Ottawa, but in various parts of the county, and bears an excellent reputation as a business man and worthy citizen.
The father of the above-named gentleman was a native of Ireland, born in April, 1812; but he left the land of his birth when he was a youth of about sixteen years, and in 1828 sailed for America, the land of promise. For some time he lived in Oswego, New York, after which he proceeded to Illinois. Arriving in this state in 1835, he settled in LaSalle county, and years afterward he took up his residence in Ottawa. In 1836 Mr. Bailey served on the committee which built the first Catholic church erected in Ottawa.
J. B. Bailey was born in 1854, during the period that his parents resided in LaSalle county, and when he had reached a suitable age he commenced attending the common schools. Industry and economy were among the lessons which he thoroughly mastered in his youth, and these principles carried out in his later life were the foundations of his present prosperity. Many years ago he embarked in the livery business, and within his spacious stables can be found a large assortment of horses and vehicles, including
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carriages, both single and double, hacks, picnic wagons, etc. In political matters Mr. Bailey is a Democrat, and fraternally he is associated with the Woodmen of America.
When he was a young man of about twenty-three years, in 1877, Mr. Bailey married Miss Cathrine A. O'Conner. This estimable couple have a very nice family, comprising five sons and three daughters, whose names, in the order of birth, are as follows: Christopher R., Elmer E., James B., Mary L., Catherine E., Alice Estella, William Francis, and Edmund Joseph Robert.
BYRON A. ROATH.
Byron A. Roath, one of the brave boys who wore the blue through the trying years of the civil war, has been an honored inhabitant of Mar- seilles since the close of that dreadful strife. He is a native of Lockport, Niagara county, New York, his birth having occurred October 19, 1842. His parents, Mason and Hannah (Swift) Roath, were likewise born and reared in that town, where they continued to reside until about 1845. The father was of Teutonic extraction, as his great-grandfather was a native of Germany, while the mother of our subject, a daughter of James Swift, of the Empire state, was of Scotch descent.
When he was three years old Byron A. Roath was taken to Michigan, where his parents carried on a farm on a school section of land for five years. At the expiration of that period the family located near Adrian, Michigan, and there our subject attended school. His military life began in 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Cap- tain George K. Newcomb and Colonel W. W. Duffield being in command of his company and regiment. That winter was spent in camp at Louis- ville, Kentucky, and the following spring the regiment was sent to Eliza- bethtown, where Mr. Roath's company was detached, and, going to Nolin, Kentucky, participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, July 13, 1862; Lavergne, Tennessee, December 27, 1862; Stone River, Tennessee, De- cember 29 to 31, 1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863; Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19 and 20, 1863; Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863; Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, May 8, 1864; Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864; Dallas, May 27, 1864; Kenesaw, June 25, 1864; Chattahoochie River, July 3 to 6, 1864; siege of Atlanta, July 22 to August 25, 1864; and Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1, 1864. With his regiment our subject was then ordered to Chattanooga to take charge of the deserters and bounty-jumpers, and later served under General Grant, and in the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle of Stone River he was taken prisoner by the forces of General
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Wheeler, but fortunately was released at the end of thirty-six hours on parole, and sent to Nashville, Tennessee. In December, 1864, he and his comrades veteranized and continued actively engaged in the war for the preservation of the Union until peace was declared, being mustered out in June, 1865. He was a brave, efficient and thoroughly reliable soldier, prompt and cheerful in the performance of his duties, and fully merited the high esteem in which he was held by his comrades and superiors alike. From 1878 until 1888 Mr. Roath was a member of Company A, Twelfth Battalion, Illinois National Guard, commencing as first lieutenant and served in that capacity for six years. He was then elected captain and served until the company was disbanded.
In October, 1865, Mr. Roath came to Marseilles, where he has unin- terruptedly dwelt during the intervening years. He had mastered the trade of mason and plasterer, and continued to follow this calling for some ten years. He then embarked in the mercantile business, keeping a general line of goods, and for fifteen years he was very prosperous as a merchant. Then elected justice of the peace, he held that office acceptably to all con- cerned for twelve years, and for two years served as an alderman, repre- senting the third ward in the town council, and being elected on the Re- publican ticket. He is an ardent admirer of the principles of that party, and has been a member of the county central and township committees. For some time he has conducted a general insurance and real estate busi- ness, besides being a notary public. Being interested in the Covenant Mu- tual Benefit Association, he was one of its directors for three years. Social- ly he is affiliated with Marseilles Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M., and Ottawa Chapter, No. 37, R. A. M., and Joseph Woodruff Post, No. 281, G. A. R.
Soon after his return from the battle-fields of the south Mr. Roath married Miss Amanda A. Bangham, daughter of John Bangham, of Mar- shall, Michigan, and they have two living children, namely: Anna A., now the wife of M. L. Robinson, of Marseilles; and June A., an enterprising young man, who is still living at home with his parents.
JACOB H. BAISCH.
This prominent citizen of Ottawa, LaSalle county, was born Novem- ber 15, 1858, in this place, which he has always looked upon as his home. He is a son of Jacob Baisch, who was born in Germany, where he passed twenty-seven years of his life. Then crossing the Atlantic, he landed in New York city, where he resided for some time. While there he married
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Miss Caroline Raisling, and in 1850 they came to Ottawa. Later, in 1888, this worthy couple removed to Madison county, Nebraska. The father is a loyal citizen of this his adopted country, and reared his children to the same high standard of patriotism. Two of his sons are now living in Ne- braska,-Joseph in the town of Broken Bow, Custer county, and Fred in Madison, Madison county. The only daughter, Christiana, is the wife of William Fletcher.
Jacob H. Baisch, of this sketch, is fortunate in being almost equally proficient and familiar with both the English and German languages. After completing his public school education in Ottawa he commenced learning the trade of cigarmaker, at which calling he was employed from 1874 until 1888. He was associated with W. F. Fletcher in the cigar business from 1886 to 1888, and met with success, and since 1888 he has been located at 800 Jackson street in the saloon business.
At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Baisch married Miss Adaline Meyer, a daughter of Joseph Meyer, of this town. They have one child, Lottie B., now in her fourteenth year, and a promising student in the local schools. Following the example of his father, Mr. Baisch is an ardent adherent of the Republican party. Socially he is identified with the Ger- man Benevolent Order and the United American Workmen. He enjoys the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances, who one and all united in wishing him well and in praising his sterling qualities.
WILLIAM S. REDDICK.
This gentleman is one of the popular citizens and successful farmers of Otter Creek township, LaSalle county, Illinois, and also belongs to that class of brave men whose ranks are each year being thinned,-the veterans of the civil war.
William S. Reddick was born in Washington, D. C., in 1841, and is of Irish descent. His father, James Reddick, was born on the Emerald Isle, son of William Reddick, and when a lad of six years accompanied his parents to America. In this country he grew up, and here married Miss Margaret Wise, who was born and reared in Georgetown, across the river from Washington, D. C. They made their home in the east until 1858, when the family came west to Illinois and settled in LaSalle county, north of Ottawa. On his father's farm William S. was early taught lessons of in- dustry and economy, and soon after he came to this state he engaged in farming on his own account, an occupation in which he has since been en- gaged, his location being in Otter Creek township.
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At the age of twenty-eight Mr. Reddick married Miss Matilda Wakey, who was born near South Ottawa and who is the daughter of William Wakey, an early settler of LaSalle county. Mr. and Mrs. Reddick have six children, viz .: Lulu Weber, a successful music teacher; Maggie, wife of James Armstrong, of Streator, Illinois; Birdie, wife of Charles Gerry, of Otter Creek township; Mamie, at home; William Clifford, of Streator; and James, who married Miss Carrie L. Baker, daughter of Christian Baker. The Reddick family attend worship in the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically Mr. Reddick is a Democrat.
JOHN L. CLARK.
We have now to consider the career of a pioneer and the son of a pioneer,-a man who, with the good example of an honest, intelligent and enterprising father before him, has made his way to a position of prominence in the business and social circles of LaSalle county, along lines which com- mend him to his fellow citizens and assure him that self-satisfaction belongs of right to the man whose aims are high, whose methods are good and whose success is in every way praiseworthy.
Such a man is John L. Clark, of Ottawa, Illinois, a son of the late Hon. James Clark, one of the most prominent men in this part of the state. James Clark, father of John L. Clark, was born in Ashburnham parish, Sussex, England, September 9, 1811, a son of James and Ann (Westen) Clark, and died at Utica, Illinois, in 1888. He learned the coachmaker's trade in England, and in 1830 came to the United States and located at Grafton, Ohio. After farming there four years he came to Utica, Illinois, and in 1835 bought two hundred and forty acres of land. He lived in a log house for ten years. He was contractor for a portion of the Illinois & Michigan canal, which work he finished in 1848. In 1849 he was appointed first post- master of Utica, and held the office continuously for fourteen years. He began the manufacture of hydraulic cement in 1845. Later his son, John L. Clark, was associated with him in the business, which reached an annual production of one hundred thousand barrels. Under the firm name of James Clark & Son they bought grain extensively at Utica from 1860 until 1878. From 1867 until 1869 they manufactured stoneware pottery. In 1869 they became associated with William White and began the manufac- ture of sewer pipe and drain tile, the first factory of the kind of any im- portance in the county, and they continued until 1878, when they leased the property and retired from the business. As early as 1852 James Clark & Son commenced the shipment of sand from Utica to St. Louis for the
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manufacture of glass; also large quantities were shipped to the different iron manufacturers. They continued this business until 1877. In 1883 the hydraulic cement enterprise passed into the control of a joint stock company, of which Mr. Clark was president. Upon the completion of the Rock Island Railroad, in 1853, Mr. Clark was made its agent, a position which he held for many years. He was long a member of the board of supervisors of LaSalle county, and he was a member of the Illinois legisla- ture in 1870-71 and served on the committee on canals and on other commit- tees of equal importance. He was a man of strict business integrity and of honest, upright principles, as well as of indomitable will and tireless energy.
He was twice married,-first to Charlotte Sargent, a native of England, who died August 12, 1877; and his second wife was Mary J., nee Cary. James Clark and Charlotte Sargent were married September 18, 1830, and they had children as follows: John L., born in Ohio, July 8, 1832; James, born in Ohio, November 4, 1833, died August 4, 1845; Charlotte, born April 29, 1838, married John B. Peckham, and is now a widow living at Danville, Illinois; Ann W., born in Illinois, December 31, 1841, died March 27, 1848.
John L. Clark attended school in the old county court house at Ottawa. The teacher was a Mrs. Towell. Later he attended the Mount Palatine Academy, in Putnam county, Illinois. After leaving school he assisted his father in the hydraulic cement business at Utica, and in time became his partner. He was connected with the enterprise until 1879; in 1882 he moved to Iowa and engaged in farming on a tract of seven hundred and twenty acres of land in Hancock county, which he purchased. In 1888 he returned to Illinois and located at Ottawa, and has since given his time to the supervision of his general business interests. He was elected super- visor in 1872 and served two terms.
Mr. Clark was married October 29, 1856, to Miss Julia Hardy, a daughter of Truman Hardy, of Utica township. Mrs. Clark was born in Vermont, October 29, 1834. Her great-grandfather, Lemuel Hardy, was born in 1737 and died in 1813. The grandfather, Silas Hardy, born March 13, 1763, served as captain in the war of 1812, and died December 6, 1827. Truman Hardy, the father of Mrs. Clark, was born at Monkton, Vermont, June 4, 1792, served in war of 1812, and died in Utica township, November 22, 1869.
The following brief mention of Mr. Clark's children will be found of interest: J. Truman is a graduate of the Northwestern University and is a dentist living and practicing in Chicago; Charlotte became the wife of E. G. Osman, a publisher of Chicago; George H. was graduated with the degree
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of M. D. at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, and took special courses in the hospitals of London, England, Vienna, Austria, and is practicing his profession at Humboldt, Iowa; Jessie married T. J. Lynch, a prominent merchant of Ottawa, Illinois; and Julia lives with her parents.
GEORGE HACKSHAW.
The broad acres and pleasant rural home of the subject of this sketch, George Hackshaw, are located in Otter Creek township, LaSalle county, Illinois, not far distant from the town of Streator. Mr. Hackshaw is a native of the county in which he lives. He was born November 14, 1852, the son of a prosperous and highly respected pioneer of the county, John Hackshaw, a native of England. John Hackshaw was married at Toronto, Canada, to Miss Elizabeth Jensen, a native of Glasgow, Scotland. Their union was blessed in the birth of six children, namely: Jane McCormick, of Chicago, Illinois; John F., of Streator, Illinois; Mary S .; Satie S .; Corwieh- er, who passed away in childhood; and George, whose name introduces this sketch. In LaSalle county the parents spent the greater part of their lives and died, the father passing away in the prime of life; the mother lives in Streator. She is an energetic, industrious woman, of great strength of character, and early instilled into her children right principles of living. The home farm comprised three hundred and twenty acres, and on it the family were reared.
George Hackshaw early became familiar with all kinds of farm work, and on reaching adult years engaged in farming for himself. He owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, on which he raises the usual crops of this locality, and where he is interested in the stock business.
Mr. Hackshaw was married May 17, 1894, at Streator, Illinois, to Miss Minnie Willard, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and the daughter of William J. Willard, deceased.
Politically Mr. Hackshaw is known as a Republican. He may well be classed as one of the best citizens of the township, for he shares the respect and confidence of his fellow men.
THEODORE WEBERLING.
Theodore Weberling, superintendent of the water works and electric light plant of Peru, Illinois, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 7, 1849. His parents were Frederick and Carolina (Groetch) Weberling, who came to the United States in 1853, and located in Peru, where they spent the
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remainder of their lives. The father was a carpenter, who worked many years in the Peru Plow and Wheel Works. Both were members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and are held in kindly remembrance. The father died in 1875, and the mother survived him but ten years. They had but two children, the elder, Henry, dying after coming to Peru.
Theodore Weberling was but little more than four years old when he became a resident of Peru. At the age of thirteen he was taken from the public school and placed with a harnessmaker to learn the craft. Here he remained five years, and the succeeding five years were spent as a journeyman at his trade, mostly in Atlanta and Galesburg, both in Illinois. Returning to Peru he opened a saloon, which he personally conducted six- teen years, and in 1891 retired permanently from the business. In 1888 the Peru electric light plant was established, and he was placed in the man- agement of it. Three years later this plant was purchased by the city, and he was continued in the management, while the same year the water- works were built, and he was made superintendent of them when they were put in operation the following January. About this time he was appointed to the office of street commissioner and still holds the several positions, giving to them his whole time and attention, and discharging the duties in a highly satisfactory manner. He favors the Lutheran church, and is a Republican in politics. He is an active worker in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Mystic Workers of the World. He was married in 1878 to Miss Bertha, daughter of Albian Smith, and five children have been born to them,-Antoinette, Alvina, August, Edward and Max.
EDWARD S. PEDDICORD.
Among the native sons of Manlius township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is the subject of this sketch, Edward S. Peddicord, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land and is classed with the prosperous farmers of his locality.
Mr. Peddicord was born March 4, 1862, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Johnson) Peddicord, prominent residents of this county for over forty-six years, now both deceased. They were the parents of the following named children: William D., a resident of Dallas county, Iowa; Lewis E., of Chicago, Illinois; Willis P., who died in childhood; Charles J., of Marseilles, LaSalle county; Edward S., whose name introduces this sketch; Milton B .; Isabel, deceased; Ami J., of Story county, Iowa; Jannie, of Marseilles.
Edward S. was reared in his native county and educated in its public
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schools, and has all his life been engaged in farming. His farm is located three miles from Seneca, is under a high state of cultivation, and is improved with modern residence, large barn, fine grove and orchard, etc. In short, it is one of the most desirable farms in this vicinity.
Mr. Peddicord was married at Ottawa, Illinois, May 19, 1886, to Miss Nora Mayers, a daughter of John and Barbara Mayers; and to them have been born six children, whose names in order of birth are Arthur Frank, Louise, John, Isabelle. Eunice and Joseph.
In his political affiliations Mr. Peddicord is Republican. He is now serving his fourth year as a member of the school board.
WILLIAM HOLLY.
For half a century or more William Holly, a prominent citizen of Peru, has resided in the neighborhood of this town, and during his life in LaSalle county he has been a witness of much of its development from the wilderness. He has given his attention to various lines of business since he reached man's estate, and has prospered in nearly all of his undertakings.
The grandfathers of our subject, on both sides of the house, were of German birth. Daniel Holly, the paternal grandfather, spent some years in his native land, was married there and finally emigrated to Butler county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. The parents of our subject were Daniel and Helen (Bender) Holly, both natives of the Fatherland. They had five sons and two daughters, namely: Mary, wife of Christian Brenne- mann, of this county; John, of Putnam county; William, the immediate subject of this sketch; Theodore. of Putnam county; Gustav, of Kansas; Eliza, wife of Oscar Brennemann, of Putnam county; and George W., of this county. When he came to the United States Daniel Holly, Jr., was a boy, and the remainder of his youth was spent on a farm in Butler county, Ohio. With his wife and four children he came to Illinois, making the trip by boat front Cincinnati to St. Louis; thence up the Illinois river, over which he crossed and proceeded to Hennepin, Putnam county. They set- tled on a farm about ten miles distant from that town, and in the course of time the father accumulated considerable property. He retired about five years prior to his death, which occurred in Peru, in 1887, when he was seventy-one years of age. His widow is still living, and is now in her . eighty-fourth year. In religious belief they were originally Mennonites, but Mr. Holly became a Free Thinker when he was about fifty-five years of age. For several years he served as a justice of the peace, and also acted in the capacity of road commissioner at Peru.
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