USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 23
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PETER A. OLSEN.
It is a fact continually receiving greater recognition that the Scandi- navian race is playing a very important part in the development of the great west and northwest, and equally certain it is that no more patriotic, honest, industrious citizens can be found in the length and breadth of this fair land. For many generations the people of the Scandinavian penin- sula have been noted for their peaceful, law-abiding qualities, for their up- rightness of word and deed, for sincere trust in God and fraternal regard for their fellow men.
Peter A. Olsen is proud of the fact, and well he may be, that he comes of this noble race of "hardy Norsemen." His birthplace was in the pic- turesque town of Molde, Norway, on the same line of latitude as, and not a great distance from, the Shetland islands, north of Scotland. The date of his birth is April 1, 1868. His father, Ole Olsen, is a jeweler by trade and for thirteen years plied his calling in Chicago, thence returning to his native land, in 1893. The mother of our subject died when he was twenty- four years of age.
The education of Peter Olsen was acquired in the excellent public schools of Bergen and Christiania, Norway, and was completed in Chicago. The young man's love for journalism manifested itself when he was scarcely out of the school-room, and he served an apprenticeship to the business in the office of the Norden and later in the office of the Skandinaven, a news- paper which is published in Chicago. Having thoroughly mastered the trade and become familiar with the various departments connected with the publishing of a paper, Mr. Olsen established the Afholds-Vennen, which was first issued in Chicago, March 30, 1894. Subsequently he re- moved to Ottawa, in 1896, and the first local edition of this now popular journal bore date of April 4, 1896. Thus it is now entering upon the seventh year of its existence, and is no longer an experiment, as it has won its way into the hearts and homes of about fourteen or fifteen hundred Scandinavians in this vicinity and in the adjacent territory. The paper, comprising four pages, is devoted particularly to the interests of the Nor- wegian people and is sound and progressive in tone, advocating righteous
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causes, such as temperance and disinterested American citizenship, the purity of the ballot and the nobility of labor. A brilliant future is opening before the young and ambitious editor, who seems peculiarly fitted to stand in the attitude of a leader of thought among his beloved people. In poli- tics he is an uncompromising Republican, believing heartily in the policy of the party under whose wise guidance the ship of state breasted the stormy waves of the troublous civil-war period, and rode through breakers, scarcely less dangerous, of the "reconstruction" and great financial crises of 1873 and 1893.
On the 4th of August, 1888, Mr. Olsen and Miss Marie A. Solem were united in marriage in Chicago. They have two interesting little girls, -- Caroline and Viola. Mrs. Olsen is a lady of culture and good education, and in innumerable ways she is of assistance to her husband in his important undertakings.
EDGAR S. BROWNE.
Edgar Selwyn Browne, mayor of Mendota, Illinois, was born on a farm in Oxford county, Maine, May II, 1851. His parents were George H. and Lavina (Shaw) Browne, both natives of Boston, Massachusetts, and representatives of old New England families. The Brownes are of English origin and the Shaws are of Welsh extraction. George H. Browne was a merchant and the owner of farming land. During the civil war he was a member of the Seventeenth Maine Regiment, which he entered as a private. He was in charge of hospitals at Alexandria, Virginia, and was a con- temporary of Morrill, Blaine and Hannibal Hamlin, and served in the Maine legislature in 1859 with James G. Blaine. In politics he was a Republican. After the war he carried on merchandising, also speculating in lumber and doing contract work. He died in February, 1896, at the age of seventy- two years. His widow, at this writing (1899), eighty-one years of age, re- sides in Mason, Maine.
Edgar S. Browne spent his boyhood days up to the age of thirteen years on a farm. He is the eldest of a family of four, and, their father being in good circumstances, all were given excellent educational advantages. Edgar S. is a graduate of Gould's academy, Bethel, Maine, and was for some time a student in the State Normal School at Farmington, Maine. He began teaching at the early age of fourteen years and taught and attended school alternately. While teaching he studied law, and was admitted to the bar of Maine in 1871. For five years he practiced law in Portland, Maine, and in 1876 he came west and located in Chicago, where he spent nearly a year, at the end of that time removing to Earlville and becoming
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associated in the practice of law with his cousin, Hon. J. W. Browne, with whom he was afterward in business at Mendota. He located in Mendota in1 1879, and since that date has continued here. He is what is known as a trial lawyer, and his successful career has shown him to be possessed of more than ordinary ability in this line. Politically he has always been a Democrat. In the east he filled some minor offices, and in LaSalle county, Illinois, he has been frequently honored with official position. Mr. Browne was the principal of the high school at Bethel, Maine, and in Gould's academy was professor of higher mathematics, grammar and elocution. Also he taught Latin in the last named institution. He served as justice of the peace, commissioner of deeds for Maine and New Hampshire, and was a trial justice in New Hampshire, being located in Coos county, that state, for a brief time. After coming to Mendota his first public office was that of city attorney, which position he resigned before the close of the second year. As the incumbent of that office he tried one hundred and twenty- one cases, and won each case, his salary being one hundred dollars per year! No wonder he resigned!
In 1886 he was elected a member of the lower house of the Illinois state legislature, as representative for LaSalle county; and was re-elected in 1888. He was made the chairman of the Democratic caucus of the mem- bers of house and senate that formulated the bill for the reduction of state expenses, which afterward made the state go Democratic at the polls. He was the author of a large portion of the bill which was enacted and entitled "An act to create sanitary districts and remove obstructions in the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers," which went into effect July 1, 1889, and which was of great moment and utility to the valleys of said rivers. In another issue he was influential in securing a defeat of a movement for the consolida- tion of the supreme court. In 1891 Mr. Browne was elected the door- keeper for the house of representatives, and during this time participated in the great election contest for United States senator in which John M. Palmer was successful. Mr. Browne was re-elected doorkeeper in 1890, and held that position during the Democratic reapportionment of the state. In 1882 he was a member of the LaSalle County Democratic central com- mittee. In 1888 he was chairman of the committee on permanent organi- zation at the state Democratic convention of marching leagues, and as chairman he decided the tie vote in favor of Frank Jones, of Springfield, as the permanent president of the league. Mr. Jones afterward became assist- ant postmaster general under Cleveland. Mr. Browne was elected mayor of Mendota in 1897, a position he has since filled and in which he has rendered most excellent service.
Turning from his political career to his domestic life, we record that
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Mr. Browne was married in 1885 to Miss Gertrude Schick, of Mendota, and the fruits of their union are two children,-Robert G. and Hazel Beatrice.
ADNEY N. TUCKER.
Adney N. Tucker, who is engaged in the livery business in Sheridan, Illinois, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of LaSalle county.
Mr. Tucker was born in Freedom township, LaSalle county, Illinois, December 26, 1850, a son of Jacob and Phoebe E. (Beem) Tucker. Jacob Tucker was born in New Hampshire, November II, 1822, and died in Sheridan, Illinois, February 28, 1897. He came to LaSalle county, a young man, in the spring of 1845, and here, February 23, 1848, was married to Miss Phoebe E. Beem, who was born in Ohio, July 20, 1824, a daughter of Benjamin Beem. The latter removed with his family to Illinois in 1837, making the journey by wagon, and settled in Freedom township, LaSalle county, where he passed the rest of his life. After their marriage Jacob Tucker and wife settled on a farm in Freedom township, where they lived until 1871, that year removing to Sheridan, where he died, as above recorded, and where his widow still resides, at this writing being in her seventy-fifth year.
Adney N. Tucker is an only son, and has but one sister living. He was reared on his father's farm and after his marriage, in 1870, took charge of the farming operations on the homestead, later coming into possession of it and still retaining ownership. He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1897, when he came to Sheridan and engaged in the livery busi- ness, which he has conducted since February 16, 1898.
Mr. Tucker was married in 1870 to Miss Olive Hall, a native of Wayne county, Iowa, and they are the parents of three children. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
PETER C. ANGEVINE.
Among the retired farmers of LaSalle county is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, Peter C. Angevine, of Sheridan. He is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, born in Dearborn county, August I, 1830, a son of James and Susan (Montfort) Angevine, the former a native of New York city, born August 1, 1777; the latter of Fishkill, Dutchess county, New York, born September 23, 1793. James Angevine was a son
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of John Angevine, also a native of New York city, and a son of Daniel Ange- vine, who was a native of Rochelle, France. Daniel Angevine had to leave France on account of his religious views and was among the Hugue- nots who sought refuge from persecution in America. He was a sea cap- tain and ship-owner and also at one time was a wine merchant. £ It was about 1643 that he landed in the American colonies and made a settlement in New York city, where he passed the closing years of his life, working at the trade of shoemaker. John Angevine, the grandfather of Peter C., was born and reared in New York city, and was there married to Miss Sallie Coutant, who, as her name indicates, was of French origin. They were the parents of several children, James being their only son. For thirteen years during his early life he followed the ocean, as a sailor and cooper. He was mar- ried in New York in 1812, and in 1817, accompanied by his wife and three children and his father and mother, he came west to Indiana, which had only the year previous attained to the dignity of statehood, and, selecting a loca- tion in Dearborn county, made a permanent settlement. Their children in order of birth were as follows: James A., John H., Charles E., Alletta M., Eliza A., William, Gilbert, Jane S., Peter C., Sarah L. and Addie V.
Peter C. Angevine came to LaSalle county, Illinois, in the fall of 1869, landing on the present site of Sheridan, October 27. That was before the town of Sheridan came into existence. He has since been identified with this place. His father also came to LaSalle county, but lived here only a short time, when he died and was taken back to Dearborn county, Indiana, and laid to rest by the side of his wife. Peter C. carried on farming opera- tions here during his early residence in the county, but for some time past has lived retired.
He came to LaSalle county in the fall previous to his permanent settle- ment here, and November 18 married Miss Jane E. Rowe, returning with his bride to Indiana and remaining there nearly a year. Mrs. Angevine was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, July 27, 1833, a daughter of Robert and Mary (McMath) Rowe. Mr. Rowe was a Scotchman, born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, January 10, 1802, and died in Sheridan, Illinois, June 10, 1879; his wife, a native of Pennsylvania, born November 21, 1804, died in Sheridan in 1857. Mr. Rowe was brought to this country when two years old by his parents, Robert and Isabelle (Mill) Rowe, their settlement being in Dearborn county, Indiana, where Robert grew up and married. He and his family came to LaSalle county, Illinois, April 5, 1838, and settled on a farm which is now covered by the town of Sheridan, where he lived for many years, carrying on agricultural pursuits. He was also a surveyor and made many of the surveys in this locality, and he was somewhat of an astronomer, too. He was a successful man in whatever he undertook, and
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was well known and highly respected in this vicinity. His family comprised the following named members: Mary Ann, Isabelle M., James M., Samuel M., Jane E., Amelia, Emmeline, Alfred, and two that died in childhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Angevine had an only child, Aline A., who died at the age of five years; and they have an adopted daughter, Fannie A.
In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Angevine are Universalists and are identified with the church of that denomination.
WILLIAM TRUMAN.
For almost half a century William Truman and wife were honored iti- zens of Mendota township, LaSalle county. They literally saw the "wil ier- ness bloom as the rose," and aided materially to this result by their own well-directed industry. Their numerous friends will peruse the history of their well-spent lives with interest, and great credit and praise is certainly due this estimable couple for the heroic manner in which they met and over- came the obstacles which confronted them at the time of their early settle- ment here.
The paternal grandfather of our subject bore the same Christian name. He was born in England, and died there when over three-score and ten years of age. In his early manhood he was pressed into the government service, at London, and was held on board of a man-of-war for some time. By trade he was a carpenter, and followed that vocation chiefly as a means of livelihood. He reared three children, one of whom was Robert, the father of William Truman, of this sketch. He learned the trades of carpenter and wheelwright in his youth, and in 1852 he removed to the United States. Locating in LaSalle county, he resided here for almost two-score years, working at this trade for some time. He died at the home of his son, Robert, in Daykin, Nebraska, in 1896, when in his eighty-fifth year. His wife, Elizabeth, departed this life June 21, 1884, aged seventy-four years. She was one of the four children of John Robison, a native of England and a miller and baker by trade. He lived to be over seventy years of age, dying in his native land. Mr. Truman was an Episcopalian in religious faith, while his wife was identified with the Baptist denomination at the time of her death. Three sons and three daughters were born to them, namely: Will- iam, John R., of Denver; Robert, of Daykin, Nebraska; Jane, wife of A. C. Johnston, of Denver, Colorado; Eliza, wife of David Reece, of Denver; and Lizzie, deceased, formerly the wife of William McBoyle.
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William Truman was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 16, 1833, and received a limited education in the public schools. When he was a mere child he began learning the bakers and confectioners' trade and subse- quently devoted his time to this calling for many years, meeting with finan- cial success. After coming to the United States in 1852 with his newly wedded wife he located in LaSalle, whence they removed to Mendota in 1855. In this place they established a bakery and confectionery shop, and carried it on prosperously for a period of twelve years. They were the pio- neers in this line of business here and enjoyed a large and remunerative pat- ronage. After the civil war Mr. Truman and John Mundie entered into part- nership and bought, sold and shipped cattle and hogs for the next ten years, one year's business alone amounting to one hundred and eighty thousand dol- lars.
In 1866 Mr. Truman rented the homestead where his widow now re- sides. The place then comprised five hundred acres, and, after renting it for ten years, he purchased three hundred acres of the tract, which he greatly improved. Forty acres of the original three hundred acres he sold for three hundred dollars an acre, and in its stead he bought a two-hundred and forty-acre farm adjoining it on the northeastern corner. In addition to this he owns residence and business property in Mendota. For many years he made a specialty of breeding and raising shorthorn cattle, and sheep of an excellent grade, and upon his farm fine stock was always to be found.
Politically Mr. Truman was a Republican, and for ten years he served as a supervisor of his home township. For eleven months during the civil war he was on scout duty, under the command of Provost Marshal Wanless, of Denver, and his enlistment was under Colonel Shivington, who was a Methodist minister in times of peace. Once, while on duty, Mr. Truman captured five men, and upon other occasions he distinguished himself for his daring and efficiency. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to the Men- dota lodge and chapter, and to the council, and to Bethany Commandery, No. 28, K. T.
On the 20th of April, 1852, Mr. Truman and Mary Taylor were united in marriage in England. Her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Taylor) Tay- lor, were faithful members of the Methodist church. They died in England, their native country, the father in 1847, at the age of fifty-two years, and the mother in 1881, when in her eighty-fifth year. Only three of their ten children now survive, namely: Mary; Elizabeth, wife of William Clawson, of Welbourn, England; and James, who for over thirty-one years has been a citizen of Mendota.
Four sons and three daughters were born to our subject and wife. Louisa, who is unmarried; Adeline Elizabeth, who died when young; William
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S., who died when four years of age; Charles Robert and another child, who died in infancy; William R., an enterprising farmer of this township, who married Bertha Blanche Boslough, and has two children,-Greta Marie and Theora Tryllis; and Mary E., who is the wife of R. N. Crawford, the president of the Mendota National bank, and their children are Louise and Robert N., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William Truman became members of the Meth- odist church early in life. Mr. Truman lived a life of perseverance, energy and earnest purpose, succeeded in business life, secured for himself an excellent reputation as a citizen, and passed away in death leaving to his family and friends a full assurance of his abiding faith in the Christian religion. His death occurred July 11, 1899.
JOHN WALTER.
An enterprising, straightforward business man of Ottawa is he of whom this sketch is penned. He comes of sturdy, industrious German ancestry, and possesses the sterling traits of character for which the sons of the Father- land are celebrated. Kindness and generosity and a sincere desire to be of service to his fellow men makes him win friends wherever he goes.
John Walter, Sr., was born in Germany, and about half a century ago, when he was a young man, he left the scenes and friends of his childhood to found a new home in the United States. Coming to Ottawa, he sub- sequently married here Miss Julia Leix, and seven children blessed their union. Four of the number are deceased; Julia is a resident of Ottawa, and Joseph is a resident of Chicago.
John Walter, our subject, was born in this town over two- score years ago, the date being September 15, 1858. His entire life has been spent in this place, here he was educated in the public schools, and here he embarked in his successful business career. He served a thorough apprenticeship at the hardware business, learning the trade of manufacturing sheet-iron implements, and follows both branches of enterprise. He is the owner of a large and well stocked hardware store, situated at No. 312 Main street.
In 1885 Mr. Walter married Miss Louisa Schomas, the daughter of Charles Schomas, deceased. The sons and daughters who grace the union of our subject and wife are named respectively Joseph, Carl, Julia, Louisa, and Helen.
In political affairs, Mr. Walter is an ally of the Democratic party. In the local fraternities he is associated with the Uniformed Rank of the
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Knights of Pythias, the German Benevolent Society and the Pleasant Even- ing Club. He contributes liberally to various charitable organizations and favors local improvements and everything tending to promote the beauty and desirability of Ottawa as a place of residence or investment.
MILO J. LUTHER.
Streator has no more thoroughly representative citizen than Milo J. Luther, whose ardent interest in the growth and progress of the town has continued unabated during the long period of his residence here. By his means and influence he has fostered many of the leading industries and enter- prises of this vicinity, and to his wise counsel and excellent judgment are due numerous advantages and improvements which our citizens enjoy.
In common with the majority of his countrymen who have risen to positions of honor and high standing, Milo J. Luther was born and reared upon a farm; his forefathers were of the agricultural class. The founder of the Luther family in America came to these hospitable shores from England, and the great-grandfather, Ezra Luther, born in 1751, was so in sympathy with the Colonies that he took up arms in their defense during the war of independence. He was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and died in 1847. His son Nathaniel, the next in line of descent, was born in Rhode Island, in 1784. In early manhood he removed to New York. In the war of 1812 he enlisted and served his country as a captain of militia. He died in Scio, Allegany county, New York, November 12, 1862. Benja- min, the son of Nathaniel, was born March 9, 1806, and departed this life in the town of Scio, New York, September 3, 1859. For a companion and helpmate along life's journey he chose Electa, daughter of Peter L. Stout, like himself a native of the Empire state. Her father, who was a man of much influence and decision of character, was born in New Jersey, and upon arriving at man's estate he married a Miss Waite Luther. He fought for his country in the war of 1812, and reared his children to be loyal, patriotic citizens.
The birth of Milo J. Luther, son of Benjamin, took place on the parental homestead in Scio, Allegany county, New York, October 15, 1835. His boyhood days passed happily and uneventfully in the usual pursuits of country lads, and it was not until he was twenty-four years of age that he left home. Going to Pennsylvania, he soon found employment with con- tractors, then constructing a portion of the Oil Creek Railroad. He con- tinued with them and in the service of the railroad company for seven years, giving entire satisfaction in the performance of the duties assigned to him.
Mg. Lutter
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In 1867 he came to LaSalle county and was placed in charge of the construc- tion of the first line of railroad built out of Streator. At that time the mining industry had not reached its present importance in this region, but the possibilities in this direction soon appealed strongly to the mind of Mr. Luther, and he became a leading spirit in the firm known as the Luther & Tyler Coal and Coke Company. Gradually his interests and investments widened and he became an extensive operator in coal and iron mines, and in gold and silver mines as well. He was one of the fortunate few who reaped a splendid financial harvest during the great advance in Brotherton and other mining stocks some years ago, and at present he owns shares in prominent and promising mines in different parts of the west. Probably in no one matter has he contributed more to the industrial prosperity of Streator and vicinity than by his system of coal-washing, by which process great quantities of coal, hitherto considered valueless, have been freed from dust and other impurities and rendered fit for use.
The genuine interest which Mr. Luther maintains toward everything in the line of progress and education has been manifested in ways too numer- ous to mention. Fraternally he is associated with Streator Lodge, No. 607, F. & A. M .; Streator Chapter, No. 168; and Ottawa Commandery, No. IO, K. T.
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