USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 39
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Born in Ottawa, Illinois, November 4. 1857, Dr. K. W. Leland is a son of Judge Pardon Kimball and Elizabeth Margaret (White) Leland. He received excellent educational advantages in the schools of that locality, and, after completing his studies in the Ottawa high school, took up medical work under the preceptorship of Dr. A. E. Gibbs and Professor Olin, of Ottawa, in 1876. For the three winters following he attended the Bennett Medical College, in Chicago, and was graduated in that institution, March 27, 1879. The same year he came to Utica, where, for just a score of years
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he has been very successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. A thorough believer in progress in all lines, he endeavors to keep posted in all discoveries relating to disease and the treatment of the same, and in the winter of 1879 he pursued a special course in the Chicago College of Ophthalmology and Otology. He also graduated at Rush Medical College, in March, 1892. In 1892 the honorary degree of Bachelor of Science was bestowed upon him by the Northwestern Norman School, of Geneseo, Illi- nois. At present he is serving the LaSalle Medical Society as its president, and has long been one of its most esteemed and valued members. From 1879 to 1885 he was the city physician of Utica, and from 1879 to 1887 he served this township in a similar capacity. As a surgeon he has won special attention, as he has performed many exceedingly difficult and delicate operations. In connection with his regular practice he made a special study of the subject of drugs and their uses, and holds a diploma as a registered pharmacist.
Socially the Doctor is very popular. He belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and he also is affiliated with the Odd Fellows. His marriage to Miss Mary Louisa Crosair was solemnized October 24, 1883. She departed this life on the 17th of June, 1891, and left one child, Pardon Kimball, Jr. Dr. Leland is a member of the Utica Baptist church, and is a deacon in the congregation.
GEORGE HUM.
The subject of this sketch, George Hum, is ranked with the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Mission township, LaSalle county, Illinois. Al- though a native of Pennsylvania, he has never known any other home than Illinois, whither he was brought in his infancy by his parents, Henry and Anna (Keck) Hum.
Henry Hum was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 18II, of German parentage. In his youth he received a good education in both German and English, and for some time taught a German school. Farming, however, was his life occupation. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Anna Keck, who, like himself, was a native of that state and of German extraction. In 1851 they came west to Illinois, settling first in Northville township, LaSalle county, and later moving to Adams township. He carried on farming in this county for a number of years ; lived to a ripe old age, and died in 1893. His wife passed away in 1888. They were the parents of thirteen children, six of whom are now living.
George Hum was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 27,
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1849, and at the time his parents emigrated to Illinois was two years old. He was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and remaining a member of the home circle until he was twenty- seven years of age, when he married. For four years after his marriage he was engaged in farming in Earl township. Then he farmed three years in Serena township, four years in Adams township, and from the latter place came to his present farm in Mission township, where he owns one hundred and thirty-three acres of fine land and is carrying on general farming. Also he has for a period of thirty-four years been operating a threshing machine, in season, doing a successful business. In the fall of 1899, Mr. Hum pur- chased a hardware store in Sheridan, to which place he then removed.
Mr. Hum was married in 1878 to Miss Olive A. Beardsley, a daughter of Edwin and Margaret (Townsend) Beardsley. Mr. Beardsley was born in Williamstown, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, February 24, 1824, and came to Illinois about 1834. He was married in LaSalle county, this state, in 1844, to Miss Townsend, a native of Sullivan county, New York, born August 19, 1826, who came to Illinois about the time of his arrival here. In 1849 they made the journey across the plains to California, but some time later returned to Illinois, and are now living in Sheridan, LaSalle county. Mr. and Mrs. Hum have one son, Laurin V., and an adopted daughter, Leona.
Politically Mr. Hum is a Republican; and while he has never sought official honors for himself he has always taken a commendable interest in the success of his party.
ALBERT J. FOWLER.
This gentleman owns and occupies a valuable farm in Mission town- ship, LaSalle county, comprising one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, and is a practical and progressive agriculturist, whose business methods are bringing to him creditable success.
Mr. Fowler can trace his ancestry back through many generations to Richard Eastman, who was born in Wales, in 1611, and came to this country in 1640, settling in Salisbury, Massachusetts. In the year 1747 three of his sons-Thomas, Enoch and Benjamin Eastman-removed to Hopkinton, New Hampshire, and there Thomas married Eunice Chase, of that town. They had three sons-Thomas, John, and Samuel, who was sometimes called Bonus-and a daughter, Hannah, and perhaps other daughters. Hannah married Deacon Jonathan Fowler, of Hopkinton, in 1784, and their children were Mary, Thomas (who was born November 13,
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1786). Nicholas, Timothy, Ruth, Joanna G., Jeremiah, Eunice, Betsey, Martha and Chase. Mr. Fowler died September 7, 1840, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife passed away May 19, 1858, at the age of ninety-one years.
Of their children Thomas Fowler married Olive Hale, of Hopkinton, a daughter of Captain John Hale, who commanded a company in the battle of Bunker Hill under General Stark. Thomas and Olive Fowler became the parents of the following children: Olive B., who was born in Hopkinton. New Hampshire, July 23, 1812, and died April 22, 1832; Thomas Milton, was born in Hopkinton, August 7, 1814, and died March 21, 1899; Jonathan, who was born at Warner, New Hampshire, January 27, 1817, and died in Newark, Illinois, November 20, 1850. The father of these children died in Newark, March 16, 1872, and his wife departed this life at the same place, on the 19th of April, 1850.
Thomas Milton Fowler, their elder son, was married November 8, 1849, to Hannah F. Phillips, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, Marchi 22, 1821. Their children were all natives of Newark, and in order of birth were as follows: Calvin, born April 9, 1851; Sylvanus, born February 10, 1852; Olive and Orville, twins, born February II, 1854; Annie, who was born January II, 1856, and died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, November 4, 1874; Emma, born December 28. 1857; William, born August 2, 1860; Matilda, who was born July II. 1862, and died in Newark, Illinois, March 3, 1876; and Adell, born February 1, 1864. Of these children Calvin, the eldest, married Sophronia Parker, January 1I, 1882, and their children are: Grace Maude, born in Wisconsin, January 13, 1883; Flossey Pearl, who was born at White Lake, South Dakota, June 3, 1884, and died on the IGth of September of the same year; and L. D., who was born in Ottawa, Illinois, February 6, 1890. Sylvanus was married January 13. 1875, to Ida R. Phillips. Orville was married November 6, 1878, to Amelia A. Jones, and their children are: Claude E., who was born in Newark, June 16, 1880; and R. B., in Newark, July 11, 1885. Olive became the wife of Charles S. Johnson, January 5, 1881, and their children are: Irving E., who was born at Fox, Illinois, September 18, 1885; and Jay F., at Plano, Illinois, June II, 1888 .. Emma married Edgar E. Edgerton, January 5, 1881. and their chil- dren, born in Newark, are: Glenn V., born August 7, 1883; and Dean, May 26, 1889.
Jonathan Fowler, the father of our subject, was born at Warner, New Hampshire. December 27, 1817, and became one of the pioneer settlers of LaSalle county. With his brother, Milton Fowler, he came to the west about the year 1847, locating in Mission township, LaSalle county, where he spent his remaining days. He was here united in marriage, June 9, 1842,
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to Miss Sarah Phillips, who was born in Henniker, New Hamp- shire, September 24, 1817. Mr. Fowler died in 1851, but the mother long survived him and passed away in Newark, Illinois, November 4, 1896. Their children were all born in Newark. John Hale, born March 23, 1845, is now an attorney at law of Ottawa, Illinois. He married Clara Wright, on the 9th of October, 1872, and their children are: Edward Wright, who was born in Newark, June 27, 1884; and Rex Hale, who was born in Ottawa, August 27, 1893. Chase, who was born August 15, 1846, is a member of the legal profession of Ottawa. He was married November 21, 1879, to Mrs. Mary E. Waterman, who died March 22, 1892, leaving two children, Eva and Chase, who were born in Ottawa, the former September 21, 1880, the latter February 15, 1883. For his second wife Chase Fowler wedded Angie Fread, on the 24th of September, 1895, and they have a son, Lyle N., who was born in Ottawa, Illinois, June 24, 1896. Albert J., who was born August 10, 1848, is the subject of this review. Jonathan and Thomas, twins, complete the list of children, and were born July 2, 1850; but Thomas died the following year. Jonathan, who is now a lawyer at the bar of Aurora, Illinois, was married March 24, 1891, to Mary E. Barnard, and they have one daughter, Marian Edna, who was born in Illinois, January 9, 1899.
Albert J. Fowler was reared on a farm and lessons of industry and economy were early impressed upon his mind and have had marked bearing upon his later life, causing him to be a practical, energetic and success- ful man of business. He was educated in the schools near his home, and has spent his entire life in Mission township. His diligence has been unabating, his perseverance continuous, and these qualities, combined with his honorable dealings, have secured to him a fine property, so that he is now the owner of one of the valuable farms of the county.
Mr. Fowler has been twice married. On the IIth of March, 1873, he led to the marriage altar Miss Frances Lewis, who died August 27, 1881. They had two children-Charles Milton, who was born in Newark, March 17, 1874, and died November 12, 1874; and Edith Marsellis, who was born June 26, 1876, in Newark, and was married January 23, 1895, to Stanton Sinclair, a native of Kansas, and they have one child, born November 27, 1898, and named Frances May. On the 14th of December, 1882, Mr. Fowler was again married, his second union being with Permelia Jane Mason, and four children have come to bless their union, all natives of New- ark, namely: Emery Stipp, born March II, 1884; Milton Ross, born No- vember 8, 1885; Anna Arvillia, born July 3, 1888; and Alpha Armedia, born January 21, 1895.
Mr. Fowler exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, believing that its principles contain the
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best elements of good government. He is a man worthy of the esteem of his fellow men, and in LaSalle county, where his entire life has been passed, he is widely and favorably known.
CHARLES R. BROWN.
In memory Charles R. Brown can live again the experiences of the pioneer life in LaSalle county and recall the scenes and environments of those days on the frontier when the work of settlement was just beginning and marked progress and advancement were still in the future. His long residence in LaSalle county has made him widely known and his upright life has gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
A native of Vermont, he was born in the town of Brandon, September 28, 1817. His parents were Micah and Phoebe (Merriam) Brown. The father was born at Ashford, Connecticut, in 1876, and was descended from Welsh ancestry. The mother was a native of Walpole, New Hampshire, and was a representative of an old New England family, to one of the collateral branches of which belonged Ethan Allen, the famous general of the Revo- lution. Charles R. Brown was the eighth in order of birth, of a family of eleven children, namely: James C., Evaline, Caroline, William Violet, Phoebe T., Cyrus M., Mary, Charles R., Albert, Anna D., and Laura Eva- line. The father of these children resided in Brandon, Vermont, where his death occurred in 1863, when he had attained to the advanced age of eighty- seven years. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, rising to the rank of major.
Charles R. Brown spent his boyhood days upon a farm, and in the common schools acquired his education. When a youth of fourteen years he accompanied his eldest brother, the late Dr. James C. Brown, to Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. For a time he engaged in clerking in mercantile establishments in that locality, but devoted the greater part of his energies to agricultural pursuits. In 1842 he was married and began his domestic life upon a farm. He wedded Miss Malinda T. Dakin, who was born in Oakland, Ohio, and died in LaSalle, Illinois, in 1893, at the age of sixty-nine years, leaving an only child, now Mrs. Clara Parrish. In 1852 Mr. Brown and his wife came to LaSalle, but soon afterward he purchased a farm near Princeton, in Bureau county, Illinois, where he made his home for several years. On selling that property, he bought land in LaSalle county, and for many years thereafter was numbered among the most suc- cessful and extensive farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He entered
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upon his business career with no capital save determined purpose and will- ingness to work. Gradually, as the result of his enterprise and economy, his financial resources increased and he became one of the wealthiest farmers of LaSalle county. He was never a spendthrift, but made good use of his money and acquired it as the result of industry and careful management. He has spent the last few years in retirement from active labor, making his home in LaSalle. He, however, yet retains the ownership of a number of farms, his landed possessions being quite extensive.
Mr. Brown has a wide acquaintance in this county and is uniformly re- spected by those who know him. He has never sought political office, preferring to devote his energies and time to his business. He has, how- ever, kept well informed on the issues of the day and has thus been able to give an intelligent support to the party of his choice. He cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks and has since followed its banners. One of his old-time acquaintances said to the writer, "You can find no better man in LaSalle county than Charles R. Brown." He has been a successful farmer, a splendid citizen, an honest and upright man and a faithful friend.
CHARLES G. WERNER.
Possessing the love and talent for music which seems to be the special heritage of the German people, Professor Werner, of Ottawa, has devoted much of his time to the art and figures conspicuously in all local events of a musical nature. He is looked up to and consulted in matters pertaining to music, his opinions being considered authority on the subject.
John George Werner, the father of our subject, was a native of Spangen- berg, near Cassel, Germany, who for several years served in the standing army of that government, holding during his term of service several mili- tary positions of high honor. He was with the famous Hussars and saw six years of active service, during which the battle of Schleswig-Holstein against Denmark took place, in 1848. He often related reminiscences of his military experiences, in which he took great pride. He settled in this county in 1856, and departed this life in 1895, when in his seventy-first year. For his wife he married Anna Eliza Kerste, who is a devoted Christian and earnest co-worker with the German Lutheran congregation of Ottawa, her parents having been very religious and brought her up in their faith. Professor Werner's parents both often spoke of the eight weeks' voyage on the sailing vessel on which they crossed the Atlantic ocean to the New World. When they arrived here in LaSalle county the Indians were still numerous
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in the vicinity. Mrs. Werner is still living, being now sixty-seven years of age. These parents had twelve children, of whom four have passed to the silent land. The survivors are: Charles G., the subject proper of this sketch; Christine; Henry G., successfully engaged in business in Ottawa as a boot and shoe merchant; Mrs. Minnie Poltrock, of Ottawa; Herman, a groceryman in Aurora, this state; Mrs. Martha Gasser, of Ottawa; Con- rad, who is clerking in his elder brother's shoe store; also George.
The birth of Mr. Werner took place on the Atlantic ocean, May 26, 1856. and he passed his boyhood in Ottawa, receiving his education in the excellent public schools of the place. His musical ability was noted at an early period, and he received a thorough training from competent teachers. In 1884 he entered into business relations with C. A. Genold, a well known manufacturer of pianos in Chicago and has represented the firm as an agent here ever since, selling various musical instruments and enjoying an extensive patronage as a piano-tuner, in which line he is proficient, having made a special study of the difficult art. His diligent attention to the needs and wishes of his customers, his fair and courteous treatment of them and his thorough knowledge and experience in his chosen field of enterprise, have resulted in financial success; and whereas he was a poor man a few years ago he now enjoys a remunerative trade, etc.
The modern, beautiful residence of Professor Werner is situated at No. 1002 Ottawa avenue,-elegant in all its appointments,-and was erected in 1892, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. Mrs. Werner, who presides over this attractive home, bore the maiden name of Eva L. Pope; and her marriage to Mr. Werner took place in 1881, at the home of her stepfather, John Brundage, of Miller township, this county. The youngest daughter of Mr. Werner and wife, Clara L., who died at the age of ten years, was a bright, promising girl, and her loss seems specially severe. Adaline L., another daughter, now eighteen years of age, is attending Ferry Hall Seminary at Lake Forest, being naturally a talented musician and a skilled artist as a pianist.
Politically Professor Werner is a Republican, and socially is identified with several of the Masonic bodies, in which he is deservedly popular.
THOMAS WRIGHT ESMOND.
The Esmonds have performed their full share toward the develop- ment of LaSalle county, and no more loyal citizens have ever dwelt within its boundaries from the time when it lay on the frontier of western civiliza- tion until the present day, when it ranks among the finest and most fertile and resourceful counties of the great prairie state.
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Cornelius W. Esmond, the father of the subject of this memoir, was one of the first settlers of Utica township and in time became noted as one of its most prosperous agriculturists. For a wife he chose Miss Anna Brown, and they became the parents of seven children.
Thomas Wright Esmond, the second son of the worthy couple men- tioned, was born in Utica township, June 4, 1858. His judicious father trained him well in every department of work pertaining to the cultivation and care of a farm, and by the time he had arrived at his majority he was thoroughly competent to undertake the management of a large home- stead. He obtained a practical knowledge in the essential branches of an English education in the schools of his home district, and with this as a foun- dation he has become familiar with wider fields of research and affairs of moment to the world in general. Since his marriage, some fifteen years ago, he has conducted the farm which he now owns. The place is located on both sides of the road, one hundred and sixty acres being situated on section 12, Utica township, and the remainder, ninety-seven acres, in Ottawa township. Large barns afford ample accommodation for the quantities of grain raised each year on the place. A high grade of Norman horses and fine cattle are kept by the progressive proprietor.
In 1884 Thomas W. Esmond and Miss Anna Moore were united in marriage. They have had four children, namely: Oakley W., Roy M., Dale B., and a little daughter, Elva E., who died at the age of five years. Mrs. Esmond's parents, David and Elizabeth (McClure) Moore, were na- tives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1855, locating in Waltham township.
Mr. Esmond has never sought nor held public office, his preference being for a quiet, domestic life and his time given to his houshold and private affairs. For greater freedom and liberty of action he has remained unidentified with political party organizations, using his vote independently, and in the late presidential campaign he declared for free silver. He pos- sesses the high regard of all who are acquainted with him, and his word is considered to be as good as his bond.
JOHN D. VETTE.
Though now nearing the eighty-second anniversary of his birth, John D. Vette, an honored old citizen of Ottawa, is remarkably well preserved and has the use of all his faculties. He and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding day on the 2d of September, 1896, and the pleasant occasion will be long remembered by the participants, children, grand- children, other relatives and family friends who were present, and who
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brought to the venerable couple substantial tokens of love and a multitude of kind wishes for their continued health and happiness.
A son of Charles and Angeline (Brindensek) Vette, both of whom were natives of Germany, the subject of this sketch was born July 2, 1817, in the province of Hesse-Schaumburg. Following in his father's calling, John D. served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade. Dur- ing this period he was given his board but received no wages and had to furnish his own clothing. For some time he then worked as a journey- man, and the last place where he was thus employed was at Hanover. On the 15th of March, 1843, he embarked on a sailing vessel at Bremen and eight weeks later he landed at New York. Thence he proceeded by steamer to Albany, by the canal to Buffalo and by a sailing boat to Chicago, and was, altogether, six weeks in making the journey which can now be made in less than eighteen hours. He arrived in Chicago, June 29, 1843, and found the place but a scattering town, with little promise of the great future in store for her. In 1847 the parents of our subject came to this country and located on a farm in Cook county, not far from Chicago, at a place called Schaumburg, where many other families from the same neighbor- hood in Germany had settled. There the parents resided until their death. After coming to Chicago John D. spent about six weeks on farms in the vicinity, during the harvesting season, after which he worked at his trade as a blacksmith, in company with a man named S. Bainard.
It was in 1845 that Mr. Vette came to Ottawa, and for three years he was in the employ of the same man with whom he had been associated in Chicago. Our subject then started a shop of his own on a small scale, on Columbus street, near the Palmer wagon factory, and for several years his trade consisted chiefly of shoeing the horses used on the canal. As time passed he prospered, as he deserved to do, and in 1857 he erected a large two-story-and-basement brick building on Superior street, the cost thereof being six thousand dollars. The main wing was eighty by forty-five feet in dimensions. As soon as the building was completed the owner com- menced to manufacture wagons and continued in this business for almost half a century. The workmanship, material used and everything connected with the Vette wagons was of the best, and all through this region and the surrounding counties the products of the factory managed by our subject came into great demand. Mr. Vette employed from ten to fifteen men steadily and was as faithful in the payment of their wages and in the recognition of their rights as he always was in meeting his larger bills and responsibilities. In 1896 he retired, having amassed a competence for old age, and having long since conquered the difficulties which he had at first experienced as a stranger in a strange land.
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