USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 27
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Mr. Welsh has been twice married. On the 4th of October, 1894, he wedded Miss Maggie McCormick, of Seneca, a lady of intelligence and natural refinement. but in less than a year they were separated by death, Mrs. Welsh being called to her final rest July 10, 1895. On the 27th of February, 1897, Mr. Welsh was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Sheedy, of Brookfield township, and they now have an interesting little son, Joseph Russell.
In his political affiliations Mr. Welsh is a Democrat, and is now serving his sixth year as supervisor. He was also the town clerk for a number of years, and his retention in public office plainly indicates the fidelity with which he discharges his duties. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Welsh is a gentleman of enterprise, of frank and genial manner, and is very popular, his commendable qualities winning him favor with all with whom he comes in contact.
JOHN B. ULRICH, JR.
John B. Ulrich is one of the prominent and progressive young farmers of Dayton township, LaSalle county, and is a worthy son of one of the hon- ored early settlers of this county. His father, John B. Ulrich, Sr., was born in Alsace, France, about seventy-seven years ago, and in early life emigrated to this country, settling in Northville township, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he was subsequently united in marriage to Miss Sophia Hubrecht. Here he reared his family and here for a period of sixty years he has been prominently connected with the material prosperity of his township.
The younger John B. Ulrich dates his birth in Northville township April II, 1861. He was reared to farm life, and has always been engaged
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in agricultural pursuits. He has only recently taken up his abode in Dayton township, but has already thoroughly identified himself with its interests.
Mr. Ulrich was married January 25, 1893, to Mrs. Mary E. Marshall. Mrs. Ulrich is a daughter of Edward Retz, one of the early Alsatian settlers of Northville township, and a man highly respected throughout the county. Her first husband, Edward Marshall, was a son of John L. Marshall, and she has one son, Edward J. Marshall, born January 30, 1880. Also by her present husband Mrs. Ulrich has one child, Rosalie Sophia Margarete, born March 18, 1894.
DAVID RUDE.
It is gratifying in this age to meet a man who has had the courage to face the battle of life with strong heart and steady hand and carve out for himself a competence, beginning at the very foot of the ladder and mount- ing to success when the whole world seemed against him and he had no capital with which to woo the fickle goddess of fortune.
Such has been the record of David Rude, who was born in Ashfield, Franklin county, Massachusetts, May 7, 1831, and at the tender age of thir- teen took upon his young shoulders the task of a wage-earner, a task that has proved too much for many an older head. He is a son of Thaddeus and Betsie (Vincent) Rude, both natives of Massachusetts. The father was born in Franklin county, and was a son of Thaddeus, who was born at New Salem, that state. They were of Scotch-Irish lineage, and settled in the state of Connecticut, whence they emigrated to Massachusetts. Thaddeus Rude, Jr., was a farmer and married Betsie Vincent, who was born in Denis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and was of English descent. Her ancestors were among the early settlers of that state, and she was related to Miles Standish, the brave Puritan leader. The father died at Ashfield in 1833, in his thirty- ninth year, leaving his widow with eight children to rear to adult years. They were Arial, who died in Massachusetts in 1837; Elizabeth, Thaddeus, Hannah, Alfred, Mary, David and Harriett. The mother did all in her power for her children, and was assisted by them when they arrived at years when their services would be of use to her. A number of the children came west to Illinois, and here the mother followed them, settling in La- moille, this state, where she died in 1886, at the age of ninety-three years, conscious of a life well spent and a victorious struggle in behalf of her father- less little ones.
David Rude remained on the farm until he was thirteen years of age, and was able to obtain but little literary education, attending school for about three years, some three months each winter. At the age of thirteen he
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started out as a peddler of notions, traveling through the country and small towns of Massachusetts with a pack on his back and selling notions and small wares. This was continued until he was eighteen, when he was mar- ried, and within a few weeks thereafter came west with his brother Thad- deus, who had married a sister of Mrs. David Rude and located at Lamoille on farm land. They remained there ten years and were joined there by the mother and brothers and sisters, except Alfred. In 1860 our subject moved to Lamoille, where he engaged in general merchandising, although he re- tained his interest in farm lands, and now owns some seven or eight hun- dred acres in Iowa. Three years later he purchased a furniture store in Mendota, Illinois, and in March, 1865, made this city his home. He sold the furniture store in 1868 and took the position of bookkeeper for his brother Thaddeus, who was in the grain business. In 1871 he purchased a hard- ware store, first being associated with L. R. Curtis and later with George Holland, who is still in the business with him. This has proved to be a paying investment and has prospered under the management of Mr. Rude until it is the leading store of its kind in Mendota. In all his business trans- actions he has met with success, and he has never been without money from the day he worked for Deacon Newton in Massachusetts for six months for the munificent sum of thirty dollars (!) until the present time.
On September 20, 1849, at the age of eighteen, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Philena Hall, of Hawley, Massachusetts. The ceremony was celebrated in Vermont by the famous Universalist minister, Hosea Ballou, and the happy life thus inaugurated lasted until January II, 1888, when death claimed Mrs. Rude. November 29, 1888, Mr. Rude married Mary A. Whitney, a most estimable lady. Mr. Rude is not a member of any church, but contributes with a generous hand to the cause of religion, charity or education. He was formerly an Abolitionist, but has voted with the Republi- can party since he cast his first vote for Fremont. He was chiefly instru- mental in establishing the electric-light plant in Mendota, and has become closely identified with the city from his long residence and public spirit, and is among the leading and most highly respected residents of the city.
JOHN B. OSTRANDER.
John B. Ostrander, proprietor of the Covel Creek House in South Ottawa township, LaSalle county, is one of the well-known men of the town- ship. He has himself been a traveler to a considerable extent, having made the trip to the Pacific coast three times, and understands the business of catering to the traveling public.
Mr. Ostrander is a New Yorker by birth. He was born near Corinth,
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in Saratoga county, of the Empire state, May 31, 1824, a son of New York parents. His father, Joseph P. Ostrander, was a native of Rensselaer county, while his mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Barber, was born in Tompkins county, both representatives of old and well-known fami- lies. John Ostrander, the grandfather of John B., was a Revolutionary soldier. His parents came to this country from Holland. Joseph B. Os- trander and wife came to Illinois in 1852 and settled in Livingston county, where he died. The mother of our subject died in Boone county, Iowa, at the age of seventy-three years. The father was twice married, and had two children by the first wife and five by the second. Of this number three are now living: John B., whose name initiates this review; Mrs. Jane Tombaugh, of Livingston county, Illinois; and Mrs. Hannalı Clark, of Boone county, Iowa.
John B. was reared in Erie county, New York, and there learned the trade of carpenter. He came out to Illinois in 1844 and was employed in work at his trade here until the California gold "fever" broke out in 1849, when he was among its victims. He made the trip overland by stage to Cali- fornia in 1863, spent some time at "Hangtown;" or Placerville, and returned east by way of the isthmus of Panama, again taking up his abode in Illinois. He was variously employed for some years, made several moves, going in 1875 to Colorado, where he remained a short time, and finally settled down to the hotel business. He conducted a hotel at Marseilles, Illinois, for some years previous to his taking charge of the Covel Creek House, which he is now running, and which has long been a favorite resort for travelers.
Mr. Ostrander was married in 1849. at Deer Park. LaSalle county, Illi- nois, to Miss Nancy Latham, a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, born in 1834, a daughter of Lyman S. and Mary A. (Gollop) Latham, both natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Latham came west to Livingston county, Illinois, in 1838, and resided here until 1862, when they went to California. Both parents died in the Golden state,-the father at the age of sixty-five years, the mother at eighty-four. In their family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, Mrs. Ostrander being the only one now living in LaSalle county. Mr. and Mrs. Ostrander have had nine chil- dren, six of whom are living, viz .: Helen, wife of Ed Udell, of Rantoul, Illinois; Bellzora, wife of John Poundstone, of Grand Rapids township, La- Salle county; Mary, wife of John A. Sale, of Rantoul, Illinois; Charles H., principal of a public school in Chicago; Frank M., a carpenter at Mazon, Grundy county, Illinois; and Albert N., at home, a carpenter. The three deceased are Viola, who died at the age of five years; Augusta J., at the age of fifteen months; and Arthur, at the age of twenty-one years. The last named was a promising young man and successful teacher.
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Politically Mr. Ostrander is a Republican, taking a commendable inter- est in public affairs, and has filled several local offices. As a citizen he stands in high esteem.
SIMON T. OSGOOD.
The standing of a town or community is measured by the character of its business men, and in this respect Marseilles is especially fortunate. For about a quarter of a century Simon T. Osgood, one of its most progres- sive and enterprising citizens, has been closely associated with its upbuild- ing and prosperity, and with the patriotic spirit of all true Americans has used his influence and means in the support of worthy public industries and undertakings, upholding the law and good government and everything else making for the permanent good of the people.
The Osgood family, to which our subject belongs, is one of the oldest and most honored of New England, it having been founded here in 1638 by one John Osgood, an Englishman, and his wife. Sarah. They settled at first in Andover, Essex county, Massachusetts, and several generations of their descendants have lived in the Bay state. The great-grandfather of our subject was Josiah Osgood, and the great-great-grandfather bore the Christian name of David. The grandfather, Luther Osgood, was born in Wendell, Massachusetts, June 20, 1780, and when the war of 1812 was being waged with England he served in the ranks of the American army. For a wife he chose Miss Joanna (Beaman) Osgood, of Sterling and Wendell, Massachusetts.
The parents of Simon T. Osgood were Luther P. and Catherine (Toll) Osgood, the latter a daughter of Simon and Susan (Conde) Toll, and born in the Mohawk valley in 1821. In 1852 the Osgood family removed to LaSalle county, Illinois, and located upon a farm in Brookfield township. The father became one of the successful and influential agriculturists of that section, and at the time of his death, in 1889, he left a valuable estate, as a result of his well-applied energy and business acumen. Both himself and wife were prominent members of the Baptist church, and led worthy, up- right Christian lives. The wife and mother did not long survive her hus- band, as she received her summons to the silent land in 1890. Of their children Lucy M. is the wife of George Marsh, of Washington, District of Columbia; Susan Condee is the widow of Henry Upton, late of Pierce, Ne- braska; Catherine married Charles M. Carpenter, of Rock Rapids, Iowa; Frances P. is the wife of Marshall M. Armstrong, of Ottawa, Illinois; and Henry D., Luther P., Simon T., and Charles DeWitt are all residents of Marseilles.
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Born in the town of Verona, Oneida county, New York, March 14, 1843, Simon T. Osgood lived in his native place for four years, after which he passed five years in Oswego county, same state. Since 1852 he has dwelt in LaSalle county, and until 1875 was connected with the agricultural inter- ests of Brookfield township. For many years he was associated in the grain business with Isaac Gage, also operating a planing-mill and dealing extensively in lumber until after the death of the senior partner. Since 1890 Mr. Osgood has devoted his time and attention chiefly to the real- estate business, and has bought and sold large tracts of land in the western states. He owns considerable property in this county as well as elsewhere, and has amassed a large fortune by his excellent financiering.
On the 22d of January, 1868, Mr. Osgood married Miss Louisa C. Gage, of Brookfield township. She is the eldest daughter of Isaac and Lucy (Lit- tle) Gage, and was born and reared in the township just mentioned. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Osgood: Edgar G .; Harriet L., wife of Howard Mccullough, of Marseilles; Susan Conde, now a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, and the wife of Rev. George H. Brewer; Isaac Gage, who married Lottie Estelle Drakley, the youngest daughter of Thomas Drakley, of Manlius township, and is managing the old home- stead in Brookfield township; Lucy L., a student in the Chicago university; John L., attending Morgan Park Academy, near Chicago; and Beman F., Simon Milford and Catherine Toll, at home.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Osgood are Baptists, belonging to the Mar- seilles church, where he has acted in the capacity of deacon for a score of years or more. Politically Mr. Osgood is a Republican, and for several years has been one of the trustees of Marseilles. He is a man with high ideals of duty, and to his children he will leave an honorable record, of which they will have just cause to be proud.
JAMES L. HILL.
James L. Hill resides near Kernan, and is one of the most popular and progressive young farmers of LaSalle county, where he was born February 24. 1869. His parents were Thork and Elizebeth (Engleson) Hill. His father was born in Norway in 1840, and when a lad of fifteen came to the United States and made his home in this county. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, under Captain J. J. McKinnan, and took part in a number of engagements, among them the battles of Hartsville, Tennessee, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. He was in the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia, and re-
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ceived his honorable discharge in June, 1865. His wife was Miss Elizebeth Engleson, who was born in Norway, and was a daughter of James Engleson, deceased. He took his young wife to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he had purchased and which they utilized with unremitting care. Prosperity attended their efforts, and they were able to add to their original purchase until they had a farm of two hundred and fifty acres of fertile farm land. A family of six children grew up around them, viz .: Serena, who was formerly a successful teacher, and is now the wife of Elmer Remey, of Muncie, Indiana; James L., our subject: Bertha M., a popular teacher in Streator, this state; Allie B., wife of Peter Peterson, of Otter Creek township; Rosa D., who is engaged in teaching school; and Lizzie T., who is yet a student. The mother resides at Streator, and the father died June 13, 1894, at the age of fifty-four years. He was a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Ransom.
James L. Hill grew to manhood in his native township (Otter Creek), attending the public schools in winter and working on the farm in summer, and later taking hold of the more serious duties of life with a vim that bespoke success and won for him the hearty approval and commendation of even the most critical. He acquired a good common-school education, and was well prepared to enter upon his career in the pursuits of agriculture in an intelligent manner. Developing a predilection for the carpenter's trade, he entered the employ of S. W. Egbert, a contractor of Streator, and for three years gave his whole time and attention to learning the busi- ness. At length, however, owing to the failing health of his father, he returned to the farm and managed it with vigor and magnificent success. He takes great pleasure and pride in having only the best, his specialty being the breeding of high-grade poultry.
November 28, 1894, he was united in matrimony with Miss Stella M. Hayes, a daughter of Henry and Emma Hayes, of Wedron, in which place Mrs. Hill was brought up and educated. October 16, 1899, to this worthy couple twins were born, named Glen O. and Gale E.
Mr. Hill is a Republican in his politics, and has served his township one term as constable, one term as a school trustee and two terms as a collector.
FRANK L. HOWE.
Among the prosperous farmers of Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois, may be mentioned Frank L. Howe, whose postoffice address is Seneca. He was born in the township in which he lives, January 17, 1860, a son of Isaac W. and Alma (Packer) Howe, who were among the early settlers of LaSalle county, and who lived on their farm in Miller township
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for many years, rearing their family here. Their five children, now scattered and settled in life, are as follows: Jenny, wife of E. R. Butterfield, of St. Lawrence, South Dakota; John B., of Kentland, Indiana; Ida, wife of W. J. Thomas, of Seneca, Illinois; Charles, also of Seneca; and Frank L., whose name forms the heading of this sketch. The mother of these children was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Frank L. Howe passed his boyhood days as other farmer boys, assisting in the farm work and attending the public schools, and when he grew up engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He has been success- ful in his operations, has acquired considerable property, and is one of the well-known and prosperous farmers of the county.
Mr. Howe was married September 27, 1882, to Miss Mary Velma Fry, a native of Grundy county, Illinois, and a daughter of Simon and Achsah (Wilson) Fry. Mr. Fry was a Virginian, who went from that state to Indiana in 1836, and in 1840 came over into Illinois, where he made a per- manent settlement. Here he married Miss Wilson, the daughter of William Wilson, a native of New York state. The fruits of their union were four children, namely: Andrew J., who died at the age of seventeen years; Aaron Burr, a resident of LaSalle county; Mary V., wife of Mr. Howe; and Jeannette, wife of F. A. Mossman, of Nettle Creek township, Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have two children: Edna M., born April 24, 1885; and James Wallace, born September 16, 1889.
Mr. Howe's father was a Democrat, and he also gives his support to this party.
WILLIAM T. BEDFORD.
William Turner Bedford, editor and proprietor of the LaSalle Tribune, first saw the light of day on September 18, 1863, in Surrey, England, and was a member of one of the most prominent families of that community. His grandfather, Joshua Thomas Bedford, represented the ward of Farrington Without in the London common council for a period of more than thirty years, and at his death was succeeded by his brother, John T. Bedford, who is still a member of that council. His father was William Henry Bedford, who died in 1872. William H. was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Thorn- ton, a daughter of the late General Thornton, who distinguished himself while fighting with the allied armies of England and France, against Russia, in the Crimean war of 1854.
William Turner Bedford received his education in his mother country, graduating in 1879 at Christ's College, London, with the honors of the class. He was an apt pupil and diligent in his studies, and the energy which marked
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD. 253
his school days has figured prominently in his business career. His first busi- ness experience began on the staff in the correspondence department of the large wholesale dry-goods firm of Copestake, Hughes, Crampton & Com- pany. Having read much of the advantages to be gained in America, he determined to try his fortune in this country and early in 1884 sailed for the United States. He landed in New York in February of the same year and at once came to LaSalle, where for a short time he was engaged in the insurance business, but not for a long period. His ability in the newspaper field was soon recognized and he was offered the position of editor of the Peru Daily News-Herald. He was the LaSalle editor of this publication for six years, and to his efforts, largely, is attributed the success of that paper. In June, 1891, he succeeded A. L. Hennessy as editor and publisher of the LaSalle Republican. He changed the name of the paper to the LaSalle Weekly Tribune, and on July Ist of that year issued the first number of the LaSalle Daily Tribune. Although started on a very modest scale, the Tribune now occupies a most enviable position among the newspapers of this county and is essentially the people's paper, giving the news in a compre- hensive and interesting form. Mr. Bedford's untiring work in making his paper an excellent one is appreciated by the public and has enabled him to place it on a secure financial basis which is flattering in the extreme. The Tribune is Republican in tone and is earnest and fearless in its advocacy of what it considers right, and equally fearless in its denunciation of wrong, gaining it many supporters among Democrats as well as Republicans; for what the people want is honest convictions, boldly uttered.
Mr. Bedford was married October 20, 1892, to Miss Anna Elizabeth, daughter of George B. Treat, of LaSalle. Being of a social disposition he has attached himself to a number of fraternal orders, being a member of De Soto Lodge, Knights of Pythias; LaSalle Lodge, Mystic Workers of the World; and Deer Park Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. He is always prominent in the councils of the Republican party, and for four years has represented his city on the county central committee. Although a young man he has attained a wide degree of popularity, and the industry and perseverance which have characterized his past bespeak for him an even more successful future.
L. J. GROVE.
L. J. Grove was born January 29, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Elma N. (Jackson) Grove, and a grandson of John and Barbara (Limberger) Grove, the grandfather being a native Virginian. Joseph Grove was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 28, 1806, and remained there until he
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was a young man of twenty-five years. He then left that state and came to LaSalle county, Illinois, making the trip on horseback. He purchased the farm which is now occupied by our subject and became one of the most successful farmers of this region. In 1838 he was married to Miss Elma N. Jackson, a native of the state of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Jesse Jackson, who came to LaSalle county at an early day. The children born to them were as follows: Jesse, of Rutland township; L. J., our subject; Elmira, wife of George Pitzer, of Rutland township; Samantha, wife of Winkfield L. Appling, of Wichita, Kansas; Mary, wife of H. L. Loring, of this township; Minerva, who died in childhood; Jeremiah, who died in the civil war; David L., who went to South America, and John, who died in Nevada, Story county, Iowa, and left a widow and two children. The hard- ships and privations endured by those early inhabitants of our state in its wild, uncultivated condition, were enough to make the stoutest heart quail, and they left their impress on Mr. Grove, completely shattering his health and enfeebling his constitution, and eventually, at the age of fifty-two years, his life was the forfeit. The mother reached the age of fifty-seven years, when she too passed through the valley of the shadow of death.
L. J. Grove was educated in LaSalle county, where he grew to man- hood. The first school which he attended was held in a log school-house, with the most primitive furnishings. The farm upon which he now resides was purchased by him in 1866, and contains two hundred and forty acres of valuable farm land, while the barn, an immense structure which was put up in 1888, would be noticeable in any locality. The main part of the struc- ture is forty by sixty-four feet, with an "L" thirty-four by forty feet, while the posts used in its construction measure twenty-four feet. In 1894 our subject erected a handsome residence, at a cost of three thousand two hun- dred dollars, from which a beautiful view of the surrounding country can be seen, and it is conceded that he has one of the most attractive places in LaSalle county.
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