USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 38
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In reviewing the history of our subject it is found that he comes from one of the old and honored families of Vermont. His paternal grandfather was captain of a sea-going vessel, the Neptune. The parents of Mr. Clement, Chauncey and Sarah (Brown) Clement, natives of Vermont, had six children, five sons and one daughter, most of whom are still living.
Mr. Clement was born in Franklin, Vermont, in 1830. When thirty
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years of age he went to California, and for some time was engaged in business in San Francisco. He then returned to his native state and for a number of years was very successfully occupied in the hotel business in the town of Richford. Later he went to Wisconsin, where he managed hotels at Sheboygan, Stevens' Point and Beloit, being located at the last named place for three years. In 1897 he came to Ottawa and took charge of the Windsor Hotel, which he rented and has since carried on with grati- fying success. This fine hotel, one of the best in the northern part of Illinois, wa's erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. It is a modern three- story building, heated by steam, furnished throughout with hot and cold water, and all of the appliances considered necessary in a first-class hotel. Large, attractive dining and billiard rooms and parlors, and light, clean and comfortably furnished rooms for guests are among the features noted here, and the cuisine is excellent. The long, practical experience of the proprietor, who has devoted almost his entire mature life to this line of business, makes him thoroughly conversant with the wishes and needs of the public. He is frank, generous and of a happy, genial disposition, and is a great favorite with his patrons and numerous friends of this locality. In political standing he is a Democrat. taking an intelligent view of the national issues of the day.
On the 25th of January, 1881, Mr. Clement and Miss Mary Shell, of Wisconsin, were united in marriage. Mrs. Clement is an able coadjutor in the multitudinous duties and cares which rest upon her husband, and in many ways she makes her presence felt for good in the direction and super- vision of the various departments of work always inseparable from the proper management of a hotel of these proportions.
ERNST GLEIM.
This well known citizen of Ottawa is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the village of Asmushausen, Hesse-Cassel, October 26, 1835. He is a son of George and Anna B. Gleim, who were of the agri- cultural class, honest and respected, and whose entire lives were spent in the Fatherland.
Having completed the regulation period of time in the government schools, Ernst Gleim was well qualified in general to enter upon the more serious responsibilities of life, and in 1851 he made one of the most important steps in his career. He determined to come to the United States, and bidding farewell to the friends and associations of his childhood he embarked on a sailing vessel at the port of Bremen. At the end of a tedious voyage of some six weeks' duration, he arrived at New York city, in which metropolis
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he passed seven years. In the meantime he had learned the barber's trade, serving a two years' apprenticeship, and after working as a journeyman for some time he concluded to go to Chicago, where better wages were paid. Not long after he reached that city he came to Ottawa, where he opened a barber shop in 1858. For forty-one years he has conducted this business here, and without doubt he is one of the most popular and well patronized barbers of LaSalle county.
In 1862 Mr. Gleim married Miss Fredericka Wolf in New York city. She is a native of Germany, and is a daughter of John E. Wolf. Ten chil- dren were born to this marriage, and the family circle is still unbroken by the hand of death. In order of birth the children are named as follows: Henry, Adam, Katherine, Louisa, Minnie, Ernest, Jr., George, Fred, Will and Frank.
A man well informed upon the general topics of the day, Mr. Gleim is a patriotic son of his adopted country, with intelligent views upon all public questions of moment. Until 1887 he had upheld the Republican party, but since that time he has been independent in politics. Socially he belongs to Lessing Lodge, No. 326, I. O. O. F. He owns a comfortable dwelling and has a competence for his declining years, as a result of his industry and application to business.
JUDSON SPAULDING.
Judson Spaulding, son of the well known citizen, George H. Spaulding, of Waltham township, LaSalle county, was born in Waltham township, Oc- tober 13, 1853. He was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools, and on reaching his majority engaged in farming on his own account. Since 1875 he has been identified with Ophir township.
Mr. Spaulding was married March 10, 1881, to Annie M. Bibbins, who came to the state of Illinois from New York. The children of this marriage are three,-Arthur J., Walter S., and William G. Mr. Spaulding's father, George H. Spaulding, was born in New York state. August 13, 1827, a son of William Spaulding, a sailor. In 1851 George H. Spaulding, then a poor man, took up his residence in Waltham township. He did many a hard day's work for the wages it brought and needed it for the support of life in his home, and in his case honest and earnest effort brought just reward. He engaged in farming and met with that success that enabled him to buy a piece of land from time to time, and as the years rolled by prosperity attended him until now he is reckoned one of the substantial and well-to-do men of this town. He married Miss Polly Bibbins, a daughter of Jeremiah Bibbins,
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and their children are: Annie, the wife of Patrick Donahue, of the town of Waltham; Judson; Julia, the wife of William Scott, of Waltham; Mary, the wife of Niel Peterson, of Calamus, Iowa; Naomi, the wife of John Bain, of Cushing, Iowa; Nellie, the widow of Lee Spaulding, living at home; Cora, the wife of George Spaulding. Cushing. Iowa; and Belle, the wife of William Hunter, also of Cushing, Iowa.
DANIEL C. MILLS.
Daniel C. Mills. a retired farmer of Ottawa, LaSalle county, Illinois, was born in Staffordshire, England, July 3, 1832. He is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Smith) Mills, both natives of England who emigrated to the United States in 1833, arriving in New York city. He became interested in the Veneer Mills, of Cohoes, New York, remaining there until 1839. He sold his mills at Cohoes and returned to Tipton, Staffordshire, England, where he engaged in business, remaining there until 1843, when he started from Tipton by boat to Liverpool; thence he went by sailing vessel to New York, by boat to Albany, by the Erie canal to Buffalo, and by steamer to Chicago, making the entire distance from his old home in England to Chicago by water.
At Chicago he purchased a wagon and team, with which he came to Ottawa. Here he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of Thomas Basnett, and at once entered upon its improvement. He was also interested in the mills here and continued to identify himself with the pros- perity of the place until his death, which occurred September 23, 1880, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. He was a Republican and took an active interest in all local affairs, acting as supervisor and assessor of the town of South Ottawa, and treasurer of the school district, also as enrolling officer during the war. His wife reached her seventy-eighth year, dying June 30, 1891. They were the parents of four children, namely: Daniel C., our subject: Edward C., who died in 1870; Sarah J., wife of Thomas J. Stumph; and George A., of this city.
Daniel C. Mills was a lad of twelve years when his parents left their native country, and his education was well advanced. After reaching Ottawa he attended school in what was known as the old Mechanics' Hall. He con- tinued to assist his father about the farm work until he was twenty-one, and at the age of twenty-three purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Farm Ridge, where he began farming for himself. He placed this land in first-class condition, putting up a good dwelling, barn, sheds and other required improvements, and adding greatly to its convenience and appear-
2. Co. Mills
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ance. He was among the first to introduce the famous Norman and English Shire horses in this locality, receiving fabulous prices for some of them. One team brought him the splendid sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars, and all commanded good prices. He continued to add to his original purchase until he had accumulated four hundred and sixty acres of choice farm land, upon which he lived until 1887, when he moved to East Ottawa.
Mr. Mills was married November 3, 1855, to Miss Eliza Hogoboom, a native of this city and a daughter of Richard and Phoebe (Farnsworth) Hogoboom. Mr. Hogoboom came from New York to LaSalle county in 1829, and in partnership with Russel Kimbal built the first dam across the Illinois river, at Marseilles, in 1830. Mrs. Hogoboom departed this life in May, 1877, while Mr. Hogoboom lived until May 9, 1899, passing away in his ninety-second year.
Five sons and four daughters have blessed the home of Mr. Mills, viz .: Charles C., an attorney at law, of Rensselaer, Indiana; Albert F., a farmer; Horace, also a farmer; Abbie, deceased; Alice; Phoebe; Eliza; Richard, a student: and William A. The family are all members of the Episcopal church and liberal contributors of both time and money to the cause of that ecclesiastical body. Mr. Mills is a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M .; Ottawa Chapter, No. 37, Royal Arch Masons; and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. A Republican, he has held a num- ber of minor offices in the gift of the people and is highly respected for his honor and integrity of character.
WILLIAM FREAD.
William Fread, of Serena township, LaSalle county, is entitled to rank with that class of citizens known as pioneers, he having taken up his abode on Fox river in this county in 1857. His father, also named William Fread, came to LaSalle county in 1856 and died here in the fall of that year. He was a Kentuckian who had at a very early day gone up into Indiana and settled at a frontier home in Franklin county, where he married and reared his children. His wife, a New Jersey lady, was before marriage Miss Abigail Rockefeller. Their graves are side by side in Mission township, LaSalle county, across the river from the old Fread homestead. Of their family we record that John, who had married Ruth Clark in Indiana, went to Texas, and died there some fifty years ago; Samuel and Henry, the next two, died young: the fourth born was William, whose name introduces this sketch; and James married a Miss Scott and died in Livingston county, Illinois, leaving a number of children.
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William Fread was born in Franklin county, March 7, 1816, and was there reared and married. Since coming to Illinois he has devoted his energies to farm work, his efforts have been rewarded with success, and he is now the owner of two hundred and sixteen acres of choice land, well im- proved and highly cultivated, ranking with the best farms to be found on Fox river.
Mr. Fread was married, in 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Spradling, who died about ten years ago. She bore him the following named children: Martha, wife of Henry Miller, of Kansas; Henry R., of Sheridan, Illinois, who married a Miss Pooler; Leonidas, who married a Miss Hoag, resides in Iowa; Sarah J .; Louise, wife of Henry Plauger; and Nancy E., wife of Daniel Bagwell, of South Dakota.
Mr. Fread cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren for president of the United States. He then deserted the Democracy and has since affiliated with the Republican party. He has never sought nor filled office, his own private affairs having occupied the whole of his time and attention.
SAMUEL H. MONTGOMERY.
Samuel H. Montgomery was born July 6, 1857, near the village of Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio. His parents were Dr. James Mont- gomery and Rebecca Swickard Montgomery, natives of Ohio. Dr. James Montgomery, our subject's father, was reared on a farm until seventeen years of age, his father, Hugh Montgomery, being a farmer by occupation. Dr. Montgomery received his primary education in the district schools and afterward spent about two years at the Richmond College. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. George D. Hamilton, of Knoxville, Ohio, and later attended the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. He commenced the practice of medicine at Knoxville, Ohio, and in November, 1863, came to Illinois, locating at Smithville, Peoria county, where he remained until 1867. In 1867 he settled in Marseilles, where for nearly a quarter of a century he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession. As a physician he was widely known, popular and highly successful, dis- pensing medical aid and comfort to the sick and dying, often without hope of reward or remuneration, other than that of ministering to the needs and welfare of his fellow beings. As a citizen he was respected and honored with the presidency of the city council, and as a man he was generous and just, genial and cheerful. He died in Marseilles, March II, 1896. His widow survives him and resides at the old home with Miss Mary, a daughter, one of the most popular and successful teachers in the city schools.
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Samuel H. Montgomery, the subject of this sketch, accompanied his parents to Marseilles, where he grew to manhood. In 1885 he went to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he remained seven years, the greater part of that time being in the employ of The Beatrice Electric Light & Gas Company. In November, 1892, he returned to Marseilles. November 6, 1895, Mr. Montgomery was married to Laura Conard, a daughter of David Conard and Elizabeth Grove Conard. She was born on the old homestead in Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois, November 15, 1860. After receiving her primary education in the Loring district school she spent some time at the Morris Normal School, this state. As Miss Laura Conard she was known as one of the most efficient and popular teachers in the county, and many of her pupils carry pleasant memories of profitable days that were passed under her instructions. To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have been born two children: Wilson C., who died in infancy; and Winifred, a bright little daughter who now blesses their home.
ALBERT SCHAEFER.
A life-long resident of Ottawa, LaSalle county, Albert Schaefer, the owner and manager of the Ottawa Opera-House, is well known here, and no one stands higher in the esteem of the general public. As his name gives evidence, he is of German extraction, and in fact his father, A. Schaefer, was a native of the great empire now ruled by Emperor William. He came to the United States more than half a century ago, however, and fought for. his adopted country in the Mexican and civil wars, thus doubly entitling himself to be enrolled in the Grand Army of the Republic, with which organ- ization he was connected. He married Miss Christine Miller, of Lanark, Illinois, and of the eleven children born to this worthy couple seven are still living. Four daughters reside in Ottawa: John makes his home in California, and George is now in Tennessee. Their honored father, who died in 1874, was the victim of a most distressing railroad accident.
The birth of Mr. Schaefer occurred in 1863. at his parental home in Ottawa, and when he had arrived at suitable years he commenced attending the public schools of this place. One of the most important steps taken by him in his early manhood was his marriage, in February, 1888, to Miss Mary Sophia Schmidt, who is a native of Germany, and for some time has lived in this country. Two daughters bless this union, namely: Sylvia and Esther.
As the crowning act of a long and prosperous business career, Mr. Schaefer erected the handsome and substantial brick opera-house of Ottawa,
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three years ago. This modern structure, two stories in height, one hun- dred and twenty-six feet long and thirty-six feet wide, has a seating capacity of one thousand persons, and is extensively used for public meetings, and for the various local lodges and associations of the town. It is centrally situated, being at the corner of Chestnut and Jefferson streets. Politically Mr. Schaefer is a stanch Republican, and fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, a member of the German Benevolent Society; the I. O. O. F., and the O. M. P.
AMOS C. BALDWIN.
Amos C. Baldwin, of Deer Park township, LaSalle county, was born at the place where he now lives, August 7, 1848; was educated at Jennings Seminary at Aurora, and at Mount Carroll, Illinois, and at the age of twenty- three engaged in teaching, a profession he followed for four years. At the end of that time he decided to return to the labors of the farm and accord- ingly established himself at the old home, where he has given the best years of his life to the successful and intelligent cultivation of the soil and the raising of live stock.
Mr. Baldwin is a son of Edgar Baldwin, who was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in the year 1814, and who spent the early years of his life in his native state and learned the carriage-maker's trade there. In 1843 he came west to Illinois, a journeyman carriage-maker, and located at Ottawa, where he engaged in the carriage business with William Palmer, with whom he was associated for some time. When he left the factory he bought a farm in Deer Park township, where he resided until his death in 1895. In politics he was originally a Whig, but in later life affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife, whose maiden name was Helen Calkins, was a daughter of John W. Calkins, who came from Connecticut to Illinois in 1838, and was one of the first settlers of Deer Park township. Their children are as follows: Amos C., the direct subject of this sketch; Mrs. I. N. Reed, of Urbana, Illinois; Mrs. J. M. Massey, of Virginia, Illinois; and Mrs. Lucy Williams, deceased.
Amos C. Baldwin married, January 17, 1878, Miss Elizabeth Reynolds, a daughter of Joseph M. Reynolds. The Reynolds family was the first to settle in Deer Park township, Martin Reynolds, Mrs. Baldwin's grandfather, being the first settler. He came from the state of Ohio and his place of location here was on Vermilion river near Deer Park. Mr. and Mrs. Bald- win's children are Agnes R., Jessie, Louise, Marion and Margaret.
Mr. Baldwin is one of the prominent political factors in his township. In politics he has always been a Republican and is at the present time a
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member of the Republican county central committee. He was elected the supervisor in 1892, having previously been the township clerk and com- missioner of highways. He was a member of the county board seven con- secutive years, three of the seven years being the chairman of the board, and rendered valuable service to his town and country. He served as the chairman of the committee on paupers and statistics, was on the road and bridge committee and on the special committee of that name. He was on the special committee to erect the county insane asylum. The matter of the reduction of pauper expenses gave him much concern and he labored to bring about such a reform in the administration of the county pauper affairs that would achieve that end. The present plan in vogue was adopted in conformity with a resolution of his own and is expected to produce beneficial results.
Mr. Baldwin takes an active interest in church and Sunday-school affairs. He has been the superintendent of the Sunday-school of his community twenty-five years.
FREDERICK P. HARTSHORN.
Mr. Hartshorn, named above, is a progressive farmer who adds skill and science to agricultural art, and is not slow to forsake old methods when they are improved by modern appliances. He has one of the finest and best improved farms in LaSalle county, due to his intelligent and judicious management. He is a son of Alfred I. and Amelia (Dean) Harts- horn, and was born in Waltham township, LaSalle county, August 17, 1860. His father, a native of New York, and his mother, of Connecticut, came to this county in 1837, their location being chosen probably because his aunt, Mrs. Hannah B. Burnham, had preceded them and made her home in Waltham township, this county. They purchased a farm in that township, and there Frederick P. Hartshorn grew to manhood, attending the district schools and later entering the high school in LaSalle. He had a natural ability for farming and assisted his father in the care of his land. In 1882 the family moved to LaSalle township, and about seven years ago he took charge of his father's large farm of four hundred and fifty acres. He carries on general farming, raises horses and hogs, and conducts a dairy. His dairy herd consists of about sixty cows, whose feed and comfort are care- fully looked after, and the returns he receives from them clearly demonstrate the success of his methods.
Mr. Hartshorn was married, September 8, 1885, to Miss Juliet Bush- nell, daughter of Washington and Phoebe (Charles) Bushnell, of Ottawa. One child, Alfred Burnham, has blessed this union. They are communicants
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of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Hartshorn is a prominent member of Waltham Lodge, No. 384, A. F. & A. M., and the Peru Chapter, R. A. M. He is also a member of St. Elmo Lodge, No. 70, K. of P., of Ottawa; and of the Modern Woodmen of America, Home Forum, Royal Neighbors and the Court of Honor.
CHARLES A. CARY.
In following the history of successful men in the business world how often does the truth of the saying of the great poet come to us that "there is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Happy is the man who is prepared, by nature and education, to grasp the opportunity at the instant that it presents itself, and then, with all the powers of his mind, molds and adapts himself to the opportunity, and it, in turn, to his own uses.
Charles A. Cary, a prominent citizen of Utica, is an example of the keen, energetic business man of to-day, one who, even in his early manhood, evinced marked talents, and by the time that he had seen thirty summers was fully launched upon the flood tide which is bearing him on to fortune. One of LaSalle county's native sons, he was born in the city of that name, December 4, 1857, a son of Charles A. and Mary J. (Blakeslee) Cary. When he was eleven years old he removed with the family to Chicago, which was his home for several years. His elementary education was acquired in the public schools of LaSalle and Chicago. He then attended University of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Indiana, after which he attended the Highland Military Academy at Worcester, Massachusetts. Returning to Chicago, he then pursued a course in telegraphy, and in 1877 was appointed as an operator at Ottawa, and in the following April was transferred to Utica, where for nine years he was in charge of the Rock Island Railway office. At the end of that period, in 1887, he entered into partnership with W. C. and E. J. Reynolds, under the firm name of E. J. Reynolds & Company, and engaged in the shipping of washed sand from the celebrated sand hills near this place. The company controls a large area of this sand, which is of an extremely fine quality, possessing the features especially desirable in the manufacture of glass, its chief use. Thousands of car-loads are annually shipped to glass factories in Chicago and points in Illinois and Indiana, the output of this plant finding a market within a comparatively limited area of the country. Mr. Cary is a stockholder in the Utica Hydraulic Cement Company, and is now acting in the capacity of vice-president of that flourish- ing concern.
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On the 4th of December, 1883, the marriage of Mr. Cary and Miss Julia M. Peckham, of Pontiac, Illinois, was solemnized. She is a daughter of Professor John B. and Charlotte (Clark) Peckham. Two sons and three daughters bless the home of our subject and wife, namely: Howard Clark; Alta Beulah; Viola Belle; Charles Arthur and Marjorie M.
Socially Mr. Cary is a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 67, A. F. & A. M., of LaSalle, and of Peru Chapter, No. 60, R. A. M .; Peru Council, No. 12, R. & S. M .: and St. John's Commandery, No. 26, K. T. In political matters he adheres to the platform of the Republican party, and is an earnest supporter of its nominees. In local affairs he takes an intelli- gent interest, his ballot and influence being always used for the improvement of the town.
KIMBALL WHITE LELAND, M. D.
The blood of sturdy, patriotic New Englanders flows in the veins of the subject of this sketch, a leading physician of Utica, LaSalle county. His great-great-grandfather, Aaron Kimball, was a hero of the French and Indian war of 1757, and at the commencement of the notable struggle of the British colonies of this country against the parental government he was commissioned a captain, on account of his past experience and valuable services about a score of years previously. His commission, dated April 5, 1776, placing him in charge of a company of the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry, was the direct outcome, however, of the prominent part which he had taken on the 19th of April. 1775, at Lexington. His son, the great- grandfather of the Doctor, was a member of the company commanded by Captain Aaron Kimball, at Lexington, participated in the battles of Benning- ton, Vermont, and Bunker Hill, and eventually became a captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wheelock. On the Leland side of the family the Doctor is a great-grandson of Eleazer Leland, who served in the war for independence, and took an active part in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, and grandson of Colonel Cyrus Leland, a prominent citizen of Grafton, Massachusetts.
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