USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 28
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He was married December 28, 1865, to Miss Malinda Pitzer, daughter of William and Sarah (Kite) Pitzer, early settlers of this county. Five chil- dren have resulted from this union. Their only son, William L. Grove, was born on May 25, 1869, and December 12, 1893, he married Rose A., an adopted daughter of F. A. Forbes, of Seneca. Two children have been born to them,-Etta Pearl, who died at the age of two years and nine months, and one son, Lucian, born December 3, 1898. The daughters of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Grove are Etta, wife of Arthur Long, of Miller township; Cora Mabel and Belle, at home. One child died in infancy. Mr. Grove and family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are members, and are liberal contributors to its cause. He is a believer in the principles
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of the Democracy, and gives his support to that party, and is at present a faithful member of the school board. He is a man who commands the respect and confidence of every one, and his kindly nature is ever prompting him to deeds of mercy.
ALBERT WILLIAMSON.
Among the popular young business men of Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is Albert Williamson, proprietor of a general store and the postmaster at Danway.
Mr. Williamson is a native of the township in which he lives, born February 15, 1870, and is of Norwegian descent. His father, Endre William- son, was born in Norway in 1819; his mother was, before marriage, Miss Christina Gunnerson. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are as follows: William E., Martin E., Milton C., Albert, Cordelia, Knutson and Theodore H., the last named on the old Williamson homestead,-all residents of Miller township. The father of these children died some years ago, and their mother died August 5, 1899.
Albert Williamson was educated in the public schools and the Pleasant View College, and after leaving the latter institution secured a position as clerk in a dry-goods store. As clerk he became familiar with every detail of the business, was employed in this capacity for several months, and last year he purchased the general store at Danway, which he is successfully conduct- ing, and where by his uniform courtesy.and his honorable business methods he has won a large circle of friends. Politically he is a Democrat. Relig- iously a Lutheran. He was appointed postmaster in 1899.
FRANK D. MOULTON.
Frank D. Moulton, one of Ottawa's best citizens, was born in Chicago, the great and wonderful metropolis of Illinois, May 14, 1860, the only child of George W. Moulton and Lina Daniels Moulton. His mother died in the centennial year, when her son Frank was a youth of sixteen.
ยท Much of the life of our subject has been passed in the city of his birth, to whose fine public schools he is indebted for the excellent education which he possesses. He graduated at the Chicago high school in 1879, at the age of nineteen years, and soon afterward accepted a position as clerk in a large wholesale mercantile establishment. The years of 1890 and 1891 he spent in New York city and Baltimore, as timekeeper on elevators being con -. structed by J. T. Moulton & Son, grain elevator contractors. But he re-
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turned to the west, better satisfied with the enterprise and business activity which prevails here. Since 1881 he has been a resident of Ottawa, which place he intends to make his permanent home. He is now engaged with the Pioneer Fireproof Construction Company, and has met with success and has won an enviable reputation among the citizens of Ottawa as a man of sterling uprightness and reliability in all his dealings.
The marriage of Mr. Moulton and Miss Mabelle Ashley, a graduate of the Ottawa high school, and a lady of many attractive characteristics, was solemnized November 8, 1894. Mrs. Moulton is the daughter of Thomas E. and Anna M. Ashley. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton have two chil- dren,-George Franklin, born December 14, 1895, and Lina Maria, born March 28, 1899.
Fraternally Mr. Moulton is a Knight of Pythias, and has served as master of finance of his lodge several years. He is also a member of the Uni- formed Rank, K. of P., and has been recorder many years. Politically Mr. Moulton is associated with the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is a valued worker in the Sunday-school, contributing liberally of his time, means and influence to the advancement of Christianity and high and noble principles of living.
Mr. Moulton is a cousin of George M. Moulton, colonel of the Second Regiment, I. N. G., who served in the late war in Cuba and afterward was a member of Colonel Fitzhugh Lee's staff in Havana.
JOSEPH C. HITTER. .
Joseph C. Hitter is a native of Otter Creek township, born January 6, 1856, where he now resides, near Streator, LaSalle county, and is a son of Henry and Augusta (Weler) Hitter. Henry Hitter was of German descent, his ancestors having made their home in Saxony for many decades. He was among the early settlers of LaSalle county, was married in Streator to Miss Augusta Weler, and located at Willow Park. Later he moved to Chi- cago, where he now resides. He is a Republican in his political views, and in religion a devout member of the Evangelical church. Six children com- pose their family, viz .: John, of Iroquois county; William, who died in in- fancy; Joseph C., the subject of this biography; George, of Iroquois county; Melissa (Mrs. Charles Iserman), of this township; and Emily Nolan, of Chicago.
Joseph C. Hitter received his education in the public schools of LaSalle county, and after completing his education turned his attention to farm- ing. Realizing that whatever he achieved must be by his own unaided ef-
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forts, he applied himself diligently to his chosen task, and is to-day one of the most substantial and influential citizens of his locality, a self-made man in the truest sense of the word. His farm is supplied with good, comfortable buildings, and shows that neatness and care have been used in its manage- intent.
January 3, 1878, he led to the altar Miss Carrie Iserman, daughter of William Iserman, a prominent farmer residing in this township. She is a native of this county, where she was educated and grew to womanhood, and her many excellent qualities of mind and heart have endeared her to a large circle of friends. An interesting family of eight children have blessed their home, the two older, Estella B. and Lillie E., being employed as teachers in the public schools, where they have met with success. Nora E., Josie N., Ida A., Lawrence A., and Pearl W. constitute the other members of the family, Clarence J. having died in infancy. Mr. Hitter has been warmly interested in the cause of education, and for a number of years was one of the most efficient members of the school board, making the opportunity, if none was offered, for promoting educational interests. Furthermore Mr. Hitter is greatly interested in public roads, having held the office as commis- sioner of highways for nine successive years in Otter Creek township. His family are extremely popular in the social circles in which they move, and their integrity and fundamental worth have won for them general approval and respect.
W. GUY ROSEBERY.
W. Guy Rosebery, the principal of Brown's Business College at Ottawa, is an educator well known in this section of the state, and his marked devo- tion to the profession he has chosen, combined with actual ability, has gained him deserved prestige. He was born in Madison county, Illinois, near the historic towns of Edwardsville and Alton. His father, Robert A. Rosebery, is well and favorably known throughout the county. The Gillhams, of which family his mother was a member, and the Roseberys were among the first settlers of southern Illinois, and are to-day prominent in political, edu- cational and social affairs.
Mr. Rosebery acquired his education in the public schools of Madison and Montgomery counties, and in the Peoria high school. He prepared for his work as a business educator by a thorough course in Brown's Peoria Business College, one of the leading schools of the kind in the country, and by private tutor. After teaching for about five years in the Peoria Business College he came to Ottawa. in 1896, having been elected the principal of the commercial department of Pleasant View College. He remained here for
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three years, giving his best efforts to the work and establishing this depart- ment on a very thorough and practical basis. In July, 1899, he resigned his position at this school to become the principal of Brown's Ottawa Busi- ness College, to which institution he is now devoting all his energies. This school is a part of the system known as Brown's Business Colleges, seven large and successful schools being under one management. Professor G. W. Brown, of Jacksonville, Illinois, is the president, and the various schools are located respectively at Jacksonville, Peoria, Decatur, Galesburg, Bloom- ington, Centralia and Ottawa. Brown's Business College made a splendid ex- hibit at the educational exhibit at the World's Fair, receiving both diplomas and medals. Professor Brown was the manager of the business educational exhibit at the World's Fair, having been selected by the business colleges of America. Professor Rosebery has made the business college at Ottawa of equal prominence and proficiency with the others.
His reputation in educational circles is indeed enviable. He holds a World's Fair diploma, issued by the board of lady managers to the business educators who prepared students to assist in the business college exhibit at the World's Fair. He is a member of the Business Teachers' Association, the Western Penman's Association and the Federation of Commercial Teachers of America.
Mr. Rosebery was married in January, 1900, to Miss Addielou Grant, of Newport, Vermont, the daughter of Theophilus Grant, one of the prominent residents of the state.
CHARLES P. SALLADAY.
Among the representative citizens of the town of Streator, Illinois, is Charles P. Salladay, local manager of the Armour Packing Company. He is a "Hoosier" by nativity, born in Albion, Noble county, Indiana, October 22, 1861, a son of Samuel H. and Mary Ann (Russell) Salladay.
Samuel H. Salladay was a son of James Salladay and was born in Kentucky in 1813. By occupation he was a farmer. The greater part of his life was spent in Indiana, but when well advanced in years he went to Clinton, Iowa, where he died in 1898. The mother of our subject, Mary A. Russell, was born in Ohio in 1823, her parents having moved at an early day from Vermont to that state. She died in 1890. In their family were seven children, three daughters and four sons, of which number four lived to adult age, the others dying in infancy. Only two are now living,-Charles P. and his sister, Mrs. C. S. Maltby, a resident of Iowa.
Charles P. Salladay spent the first thirteen years of his life in his native town, Albion, Indiana. Then he moved with his parents to Mercer county,
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Illinois, and for a time attended school at Alexis, Illinois, following which he was for three years a student in Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois. He concluded his schooling with one year at Davenport, Iowa. Then he entered the employ of the Armour Packing Company, at Davenport, where he remained thus occupied until 1895. That year he was transferred to Streator, Illinois, and placed in charge of the company's business as local manager for Streator and neighboring towns in LaSalle and adjacent coun- ties.
In 1896 Mr. Salladay was united in marriage to Miss Sue Atherton, of Streator, where she was born, daughter of George H. Atherton. Mr. and Mrs. Salladay have one son,-George Harrison, born March 10, 1897.
Fraternally the subject of our sketch is identified with several organiza- tions, including Emulation Lodge, F. and A. M., of Clinton, Iowa; Colum- bus Lodge, No. 333, K. of P., of Davenport, Iowa; and Streator Lodge, Modern Woodmen of America.
PROF. CHARLES ORRIN SOLBERG, A. M., B. D.
Pleasant View Luther college, one of the representative educational institutions of Ottawa, and indeed of this section of Illinois, has not long been in the field, yet has gained a very enviable reputation. It is conceded by all that a better place of training for the young would be hard to find, as here not only his mind but his heart and higher nature as well are cultivated, and he goes forth to fight the battle of life well equipped in every respect. The college is mentioned at some length in the sketch of the president, Rev. L. A. Vigness.
The parents of Professor C. O. Solberg are Halvor and Anna (Natesta) Solberg, his father being a native of Norway. Charles is one of four chil- dren, all sons, and was educated in the schools of Beloit, Wisconsin. His birth took place in Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 24th of December, 1869. Naturally of a studious turn of mind, he made the most of his oppor- tunities for the acquisition of an education, graduating at Beloit college, Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1893. He then entered the Lutheran Seminary in Chi- cago, and was graduated in that institution of learning in the class of 1896, the degree of Bachelor of Divinity being conferred upon him. He imme- diately entered upon his career as a teacher, and from the first has met with gratifying success. His methods are broad and liberal, and he has the rare and happy faculty of being able to impart instruction in a clear and pleasing manner. With his pupils he is deservedly popular, and his ready sympathy and helpfulness is deeply appreciated by them. At present he is teaching
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classes in Greek and English, though his duties are not thus limited, but have a comprehensive grasp of the work being performed in the school. Young, active and ambitious, he is pressing forward to greater triumphs, which he undoubtedly will win.
The marriage of Professor Solberg and Miss Anne Louise Jacobson, a lady of excellent education and cultured tastes, was solemnized in Clinton, Wisconsin, in 1896. They have one child, a little daughter, whom they have named Helen Eunice.
GEORGE A. SCHMID.
Standing in the front ranks of LaSalle county's successful business men is George A. Schmid, of Streator. By well-directed energy and strict ad- herence to well-established financial methods he has won an enviable repu- tation for acumen and ability, while at the same time he bears an unimpeach- able name in regard to integrity and square dealing.
The birth of Mr. Schmid took place near Beyreuth, Bavaria, Germany, August 23, 1856. His parents were John and Eva M. (Insbruker) Schmid, who passed their entire lives in the kingdom of Bavaria. The father visited America, and was very favorably impressed with the people and country, but circumstances prevented his settling here, as he frequently remarked that he would like to do, and his liking for America and her institutions was nec- essarily an influential factor in the decision of our subject a few years later.
In the common and high schools of his native land George A. Schmid obtained an excellent education, and when a youth of fifteen he commenced serving an apprenticeship to the cabinet and carpenter's trades. Before he had quite finished the three years of his engagement his father purchased his time of his employer, and not long afterward the young man sailed for Amer- ica. Arriving in New York city. he remained there for a year, working as a carpenter, and then went to a small town in Pennsylvania, where he found employment. Subsequently he was given a position in the carpenter's de- partment of the car construction shops at Irwin, Pennsylvania, and in 1879 he came to Streator, where he worked for the Chicago, Pekin & Southwest- ern Railroad in their car-repairing shops.
For three years Mr. Schmid worked for the firm of Sipe & Miller, con- tractors and builders of this place, at the end of that time buying an interest in the business. He continued with his old associates as a partner until 1894, when he became the sole proprietor, buying out the others' interest. He deals in lumber, lime and cement, and carries on a large and finely equipped planing-mill and sash, door and blind factory. A specialty is made
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of material for the fine interior work of stores, banks and churches; and all kinds of moldings and finished lumber is furnished the trade. Many of the splendid churches and public buildings, as well as some of the best residences of Streator and neighboring towns, have been constructed under the contract of Mr. Schmid, who employs from thirty to forty skilled workmen to carry out his plans. Of this number twenty-three are on his pay rolls winter and summer, the whole year round, and frequently in the busy season this force is strongly augmented. It might be- mentioned that Mr. Schmid built St. Anthony's Catholic church in Streator, and completed the interior work as well as the rest of the structure, and the substantial church at Budd, Living- ston county; St. Mary's church at Pontiac, Illinois; St. Thomas' church at Philo; St. Mary's church at El Paso, this state; and convents and sisters' homes at Eagle and Campus, Illinois, and the Spaulding Lyceum at Streator.
From its inception until the present time Mr. Schmid has been actively connected with the Streator German Building & Loan Association, and is now its vice president. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has served the city as alderman for four years.
In 1882 Mr. Schmid and Miss Lucy C. Wachter, a native of Illinois, were united in marriage. They have become the parents of three daughters. -Theresa, Lucy and Eva,-all now attending school. The family belong to St. Anthony's Catholic church, and are respected and held in high regard by a large circle of acquaintances.
GAYLORD J. STATES.
On section 28, Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is found the pleasant home and farm of Gaylord States. one of the up-to-date farmers of the county.
Mr. States is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Fairfield county, Ohio, February 26, 1855. His grandfather and father, Abraham and Emanuel States, respectively, were Pennsylvanians, the latter born May 6, 1823. At an early date the States family moved to Ohio, where they lived until 1858, and it was in that state that Emanuel States was first married. His wife, whose maiden name was Elenora Lysinger, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, September 9. 1828, a daughter of Joseph Lysinger, who was of German descent. This union was blessed in the birth of twelve children, of whom the following are still living: Amanda, wife of C. E. Spencer; George and William, twins, of Greene county, Iowa; Rebecca C. Harris, of Dallas county, Iowa; Gaylord J .: John N., of Grundy county, Illi-
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nois; Charles D., of Greene county, Iowa; Frank E., on the homestead; and Cora, wife of James Parr, of Greene county, Iowa. Those deceased are Angeline, Theodore and one who died in infancy. The mother of this fam- ily died April 9, 1876. She was for many years, and up to the time of her death, a devoted member of the Baptist church. For his second wife the father married Mrs. Eliza Coats, of Lewis county, New York, who died August 8, 1897.
Mr. States passed away March 9, 1899. Politically he was in early life a Whig, and later identified himself with the Republican party, of which he was a supporter the rest of his life. He was a great admirer of General Fremont, and voted for him for president.
In 1861, when Gaylord J. States, the direct subject of this sketch, was six years old, his parents moved from Ohio to Illinois and settled on a farm in LaSalle county, where they lived one year, then removing to Grundy county, Illinois, remaining there until 1865, when they located on the old home farm, section 33, Miller township; here he was reared and educated, his educational advantages being limited to the public schools. He has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has been fairly pros- perous in his operations. His present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of choice land, well improved, and under a high state of cultiva- tion, he has owned and occupied since 1880.
August 12, 1879, Mr. States married Miss Emma F. Long, daughter of Lewis Long, of Miller township, LaSalle county. She was born and edu- cated in this county. Mr. and Mrs. States are the parents of two daughters, Maude E. and Lena, aged respectively eighteen and fifteen years.
Like his father, Mr. States is a stanch Republican. He has served four. terms on the school board, is interested in all that contributes to the general welfare of his community, and is regarded as one of its substantial citizens. Naturally of a genial, social nature, he is a favorite with his large circle of friends, and his accomplishments as a musician, in playing both the piano and violin, add in no small measure to his popularity. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen.
A. R. VAN SKIVER.
A progressive, public-spirited citizen of Streator is he whose name heads this sketch. His influence, which is not slight, is always to be found upon the side of good government, the enforcement of the law, progress and improvement along all lines, better educational facilities and high-class teachers for the rising generation, and everything which will be of perma- nent benefit to the public of this community.
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A native of Preble county, Ohio, Mr. Van Skiver was born in the vicin- ity of the town of Camden, September 20, 1856, his parents being Joseph G. and Rebecca B. Van Skiver. After receiving a liberal education in the public schools, the young man engaged in teaching, and enjoyed the dignity of conducting a school before he was twenty years of age. Feeling the need of a better education in the higher branches, he pursued a scientific course of study in the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, being grad- uated in that well-known institution in 1879. He continued to devote his time and energy to teaching and self-improvement until 1884, when he came to Streator. Here he purchased a half interest in the Free Press, becoming a member of the firm of Van Skiver & Fornof. His partner, J. W. Fornof, is the present postmaster of Streator, and thus the major share of the business of managing the paper falls upon our subject.
The Free Press is a wide-awake, representative journal, devoted to the interests of the citizens of Streator and locality. It aims to give a clear, con- cise account of the events which are occupying the attention of the busy world, and at the same time gives items of especial interest to the people of this section. It is Republican in political creed, and is a fearless champion of the right. The well-grounded opinions of its editors are frequently re- flected upon its pages, and without doubt the paper is growing in popularity constantly.
Mr. Van Skiver has a very pleasant and attractive home, which is pre- sided over by the lady whom he made his wife in 1881. She was then Miss Fannie Beall, a daughter of F. A. Beall, of Preble county, Ohio.
RUFFIN D. FLETCHER.
Ruffin Drew Fletcher, local superintendent of the Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Company, Streator, Illinois, has resided in this city and been identified with this company for a number of years and is well known and highly respected.
Mr. Fletcher is a native of Montgomery county, Tennessee, born December 2, 1840, and is a son of John H. and Alice (Bennyworth) Fletcher, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of England. Mrs. Fletcher came to the United States with her parents when she was a girl of thirteen years, and in Illinois, in 1838, she and Mr. Fletcher were married, he having come to this state when a young man and located in Greene county. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Tennessee, where they remained until 1851, that year coming back to Illinois and again settling in Greene county. From there he moved to Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1855, where he died
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in 1878. His widow survives him and still makes her home in Nilwood, Illinois. Her father was Samuel Bennyworth.
Mr. Fletcher's paternal grandfather was John Fletcher. He was a native of North Carolina, of which state the Fletchers were early settlers. The family, it is supposed, came to this country from Scotland.
R. D. Fletcher, the immediate subject of this review, spent the first twelve years of his life in Tennessee, and accompanied his parents on their return to Illinois, as above stated. He attended the district schools in Greene and Macoupin counties and later was a student in a seminary at Greenfield, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and rendered faithful service for three years, until the close of the war. He was a participant in a number of engagements. A portion of the time he was on detached service in the quartermaster's and commissary departments, with Captain Langdon, who was stationed a part of the time at Cairo, Illinois.
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