USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois. Volume I > Part 6
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Betsey Loring, the second daughter of David Loring, was born in Ontario county, New York, in 1812, and became the wife of Nelson Morey. In 1836 they came to Illinois, afterward emigrated to Texas, and in 1850 Mrs. Morey died near Galveston, leaving one son, named Harvey Morey.
David Loring, the second son of David Loring, Sr., was born in Ontario county, New York, in 1814. and in 1836 came to Illinois. He drove a stage for Fink & Walker on the old stage route between Chicago and Ottawa, and was a prominent factor in events forming the pio- neer history of the county. He married Elizabeth Nichol, of Mans- field, Ohio, and they had eight children, two sons and six daughters, but two of the children died in infancy. Those still living are Malvina, Betsey, Ella, Marvel, Jennie and George. Of this family Malvina married Mr. Hill, by whom she has a son and daughter, and they now make their home in Olympia, Washington; Betsey is now the wife of Mr. Craw-
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ford, of Wyoming, and they have three children; Ella is the wife of Mr. Swan, of Olympia, Washington, and they have two sons; Marvel also lives in Olympia; Jennie is married and resides in Ontario county, New York, upon a farm near the old David Loring homestead; and George is married and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Loring, the father of these children, is still living, at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother is now eighty years of age. They reside in Olympia, Washington, and are now enjoying fair health for people of their years.
John Loring, the third son of David Loring, Sr., was born in Ontario county, New York, August 22, 1817, and in 1835, when eighteen years of age, came to Illinois. During the summer months he worked as a farm hand for Joseph Brumbach, and when autumn came returned to Ohio. In the spring of 1836, however, he again came to this state and for almost half a century he and his wife resided upon one farm in this locality. He was married January 1, 1844, to Lowisa Mickey, of Mansfield, Ohio, who died December 28, 1893, at the age of seventy-six years and eleven months. After her death Mr. Loring resided with his daughter, Mrs. Piester, in Mar- seilles, and died at the age of eighty-one years and seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Loring were the parents of four children, two sons and two daugh- ters: Eliza, Hulbert L., George and Alzina. The elder daughter became the wife of Milton Piester, of the town of Mission, and for some years they resided on a farm in Rutland. In 1882 they removed to Marseilles, where Mr. Piester purchased an interest in a hardware store and became a partner of Mr. Wilson. He died in 1887, at the age of forty-nine years, leaving his widow and four children-Carrie, Marcia, Alzina and Winnie-all of whom reside in Marseilles. Hulbert L. Loring was born in the town of Miller, September 6, 1846, and was married December 25, 1870, to Mary Bosworth, who died June 27, 1872, after which Mr. Loring lived with his parents until December 25, 1878, when he wedded Mary J. Grove. They live on a farm in Miller township and have two children, George and Wilber. George Loring, the third child of John Loring, was born in the town of Miller, January 13, 1849, and married Addie B. Engle, of Burr Oak, Michigan, De- cember 5, 1878. He lives on the John Loring homestead in the southwestern part of Miller township, LaSalle county, and has two children-Margaret and Raymond. Alzina Loring, the fourth child of John Loring, was born January 1, 1856, and was married September 17, 1879, to John M. Wells, of Nevada, Iowa, where they now reside. They have a daughter named Reine.
William R. Loring, the youngest son of David Loring, was born in On- tario county, New York, on the 22d of August, 1820, and in 1838 came to Illinois. He was married in 1843, to Jane Mickey, of Mansfield, Ohio, a
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sister of his brother John's wife, and by this union were born ten children, nine sons and a daughter, of whom seven are living, while three have passed away. Mrs. Loring died in Osceola, Iowa, several years ago, and Mr. Loring's death occurred in Peoria. Illinois, in 1897. Of their children, Thomas and May died in infancy; Alonzo died at the age of eighteen years; Riley is married and lives in Peoria; Augustus P. is married and resides in Missouri; Ernest is married and resides in Colorado; Elzie. Jesse and Simeon are living in Kentland, Indiana; and Charles is married and resides in Chicago.
URIAS J. HOFFMAN.
The popular superintendent of schools in LaSalle county, Urias J. Hoffman, has been the incumbent of this responsible office for the past five years, during which time many notable changes for the better have been inaugurated in the public-school system of this section of the state. Professor Hoffman is a practical educator and sound business man, earnest and well grounded in his convictions, and persevering in his efforts to per- manently benefit the schools of this vicinity.
John Hoffman, father of the above-named gentleman, was a native of Saxe-Weimar, Germany. There he married Margaret Koelner, and together they came to the United States in 1852. Settling in Indiana, they continued to reside there until the death of the father, a few years later. The widow, thus left alone with two small sons, remarried.
The birth of Urias J. Hoffman took place in the village of Wawaka, Noble county, Indiana, May 12, 1855. He was naturally of a studious turn of mind, and spent all of his leisure time with his books. At fourteen years of age he was given his time, and while working for farmers was permitted to attend school in the winter season. At seventeen he had saved a sufficient amount from his limited earnings to enable himself to take an academic course, and in 1878 his pedagogic career began, as he taught a country school. Then, for two years, he was employed as a teacher in a village school, and in 188I he was elected associate principal of Jennings Seminary, Aurora, and was connected with that institution for six years. He then served three years as president of Hayward Collegiate Institute, at Fairfield, Illinois. Going then to the DePauw (Indiana) University, he was instructor in English for a year, leaving that position to accept one in Florida. At the end of three years' stay in the south he returned to Marseilles, Illinois, where he was principal of schools until he was elected to the present position, in November, 1894.
Among the most important improvements which have been instituted
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD. 5I
in the educational methods of LaSalle county in the past few years the following may be mentioned : A uniform system of text-books in the country schools is in force; the county institute has been attended by the majority of the six hundred teachers of the county, as great care has been taken in securing the best educators in the land for the purpose of instructing them in practical methods of work; a regular course of study, as systematic as that of a graded school, is now maintained in the country schools; and libraries, consisting of the books of the Illinois Pupils' Reading Circle, have been started in about three-fourths of the country schools. In round num- bers there are twenty-five thousand children of school age within the limits of this county, though less than seventeen thousand are enrolled in the public schools; the total expense for school purposes is somewhat over two hundred and ninety thousand dollars a year; there are three hundred and seventeen school houses, and the estimated value of school property is six hundred and twenty-one thousand dollars.
In 1885 Mr. Hoffman and Miss Ella Walker were married, in Earl- ville, LaSalle county. Mrs. Hoffman is a daughter of R. H. and Susan (Sears) Walker. Her higher education was acquired in Jennings Sem- inary, at Aurora, and prior to her marriage she was successfully engaged in teaching for some time. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman is Mar- garet, born September 5, 1898.
Z. SEVERSON.
Z. Severson, postmaster and general merchant at Stavanger, Illinois, is a prominent and well-known factor in the little town in which he lives, he having filled the position of postmaster here for a dozen years and having been in the business here for a longer period. A review of Mr. Severson's life, briefly given, is as follows :
Z. Severson was born in Norway, May 18, 1841, a son of Severt and Sophia Severson, and was reared and educated in his native land, learning there the trade of shoemaker. On reaching manhood he thought to better his condition by emigration to America and accordingly landed here in due time and set to work to make a home and accumulate a competency. His store and residence in Stavanger he built in 1883. He keeps a well equipped general store, his stock including groceries, boots and shoes and a general line of dry goods and notions, and by his honorable and upright business methods he has established and maintains a large trade, which extends for miles in every direction. He was appointed postmaster in 1887, and that he has since filled the office is evidence of his prompt and faithful service in the same.
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Mr. Severson has been twice married. In Norway, in 1864, he married Miss Margaret Peterson, who died in Grundy county, Illinois, in 1881, leav- ing three children, viz. : Thomas, who has a store in Nettle Creek township, Grundy county; and Samuel and Magnus, at home. In 1882 Mr. Severson wedded Miss Sarah Johnson, like himself a native of Norway, she having come to this country since grown.
He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Stavanger, and his political support is given to the Republican party.
WILLIAM H. HULL.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Ottawa who occupies a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles than William H. Hull, not alone on account of the brilliant success he has achieved but also on account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has followed. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of pros- perity which he to-day enjoys. He is now the president of the Ottawa Gas & Electric Light Company, and at different times has been connected with the various enterprises which have promoted not only his individual success but have also contributed to the general prosperity by promoting com- mercial activity. He is one of the pioneer business men of the city, having been prominently connected with its interests since 1855.
He was born in Oneida county, New York, on the IIth of October, 18-, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his ancestry having always been noted for patriotism. His paternal grandfather, Josiah Hull, was one of the heroes who fought for the independence of our nation; while Horace Hull, the father of our subject, was a gallant soldier in the war of 1812. The former was a native of Durham, Connecticut, and spent the days of his childhood and youth there. He married Mehitable Walker and for many years they were residents of Oneida county, New York, where their last days were spent. Both reached an advanced age, and after the grandfather's death his widow was granted a pension in recognition of his valuable service in the war for independence.
Horace Hull was born and reared in Oneida county, New York, and about 1835 removed to Oswego county, that state, where he carried on agricultural pursuits. He was a man of great industry, enterprise and of un- questioned honesty, and commanded the respect of all who knew him. He married Sabrina Lamphere, and to them were born five children; but two
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died early in life. The others are W. H., of this record; Mary, wife of Frank B. Stearns, who formerly resided in Ottawa but is now a prominent and influential citizen of Ottawa Beach, Michigan; and George, of this city. The father died in the Empire state, at the age of seventy-four years, after which the mother came to Ottawa to make her home with her son, W. H. Hull. She was a faithful wife and tender mother, and her many excellencies of character endeared her to all with whom she was brought in contact. She died at the very advanced age of ninety-four years.
W. H. Hull, of this writing, was a child of only three years at the time of the removal of his parents to Oswego county, New York, where he was reared to manhood upon his father's farm; and a splendid physical develop- ment came to him through his labors in field and meadow, combined with the out-door sports in which country boys usually engage. Nor was his mental training neglected during this period; for he attended the public schools of that locality and later pursued an academic course, so that he was well prepared to cope with the responsible and practical duties of life.
After laying aside his text-books he engaged in teaching in Oswego county, New York, for three years, and then came to Ottawa, in 1855. His interests have been closely allied with those of his adopted city. For two years he was employed as a bookkeeper and then began business on his own account as a dry-goods merchant, in partnership with a Mr. Thorson. Later he carried on operations in that line alone and enjoyed a liberal patronage, owing to his earnest desire to please the public, his uniform courtesy, willingness to oblige and his well known reliability. His ability is by no means confined to one line of endeavor, and in the successful man- agement and control of various enterprises he has largely promoted the prosperity of the community. He was one of the promoters and officers of the glass-works of Ottawa, aided in the organization of the company which established the clay works, and later was largely instrumental in the formation of the Gas and Electric Light Company, of which he was president. To his careful management, sagacity and honesty is due in a large measure the success which has attended the enterprise.
In Oswego county, New York, when twenty-four years of age, Mr. Hull was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Kendall, a lady of intelligence. and culture who has been a worthy helpmeet to him in the many years of their married life. They have two children: Fanny, wife of C. A. Caton, a member of the Illinois Milling Company, of Ottawa; and Horace, a well known attorney and court stenographer of Ottawa: he is a graduate of the Chicago Law School and has attained considerable prestige in his profession.
In his political views Mr. Hull is a Republican, and he has served as a member of the city council for eight or nine years, during which time he:
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has advocated many measures for the further development and improve- ment of his native city. He is a valued member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and in all life's relations commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact. In manner he is frank and genial, ever courteous and approachable. He stands for the best type of American manhood, believing in the dignity of honest toil and the nobility of an upright life.
THOMAS H. SPENCER.
The subject of this sketch has been a lifelong resident of LaSalle county, and has long figured as one of the prominent and highly respected farmers of Otter Creek township, his post-office being Richards.
Thomas H. Spencer was born on his father's farm in this county, April 16, 1846, of English parentage. James Spencer, his father, was a native of Lancashire, England, born in 1808, son of Harrox and Mary (Hounsworthi) Spencer, the former a mechanic who lived and died in Clitheroe, England. At the age of eighteen years James Spencer came to America. For a few years he worked at his trade, that of blacksmith, in Rhode Island and New York, and in 1840 came west to Michigan, settling at Romeo, where he was subsequently married to Miss Mary Billsborough, a native of Pendleton, Lancashire, England, and in 1843 they removed to LaSalle county, Illinois, and settled on a farm in Otter Creek township, where the subject of this sketch now lives. They became the parents of five children, namely : Thomas H .; Peniath, wife of William Sexton, of Carroll county, Iowa; Mary, deceased wife of J. R. Brehman, of Otter Creek township; James R., a Union soldier of Company F, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was killed in the battle of Hartsville, Tennessee, at the age of nineteen years; and one that died in infancy. The mother died in 1858 and the father survived her until 1878, when he died, at the age of seventy years. He was a successful farmer all his life, and politically was a Democrat, having filled at different times several township offices, including those of township super- visor, treasurer of the school board, and justice of the peace.
Thomas H. Spencer, who was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools and the Ottawa high school, has all his life been engaged in farming. He has a pleasant rural home, located six miles northeast of Streator, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land and carries on diversified farming, making a specialty of raising fine stock.
Mr. Spencer was married January 2, 1870, to Miss Carrie Leach, of Brooklyn, New York, daughter of John and Anne (Billsborough) Leach,
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both now deceased. Mrs. Spencer was born at Hudson, New York, and edu- cated at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have had six children, five of whom are living, namely: Mary, wife of Reece Snedaker, of Alta Vista, Kansas; James B., of Otter Creek township, LaSalle county, Illinois, married Miss Clara Sandrey; Mabel, wife of William J. Stevenson, of Grand Rapids township, LaSalle county; and William E. and Elmer D., at home. Their third born, John R., was killed in an accident, when fourteen years old.
Until the past few years Mr. Spencer was a Democrat, but now affiliates with the Republican party. The official mantle of the father has fallen grace- fully to the son. Like his father, Thomas H. Spencer has served acceptably in several local offices. He was township clerk five years and president of the school board five years, and at this writing is filling the office of justice of the peace. Fraternally, Mr. Spencer is a Mason, having member- ship in Streator Lodge, No. 607, F. & A. M .; Streator Chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, K. T.
ROBERT NEWTON BAUGHMAN.
It is edifying to study and to write, even briefly, the life story of a good man who has "fought the good fight" and has gone to his rest after the battle of life. It will be edifying to those who knew Dr. Robert Newton Baughman, of Marseilles, Illinois, to read the few important facts concerning him which are here presented. He was a man whose influence on his day and generation was good, and his works live after him.
Robert Newton Baughman was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 22, 1847, and died at Marseilles, Illinois, May 29, 1897. He was a son of Robert and Margaret (Armstrong) Baughman. His father was born in Pennsyl- vania, his mother in Ohio. Robert Baughman was a painter, and as a child the future dentist naturally became familiar with his work. The lad attended the public schools of Cincinnati, and on completing his English education took up the study of dentistry. He was graduated from the Cincinnati Dental College, and began the practice of his profession in Toledo, Ohio. He located later in southern Illinois, and in 1881 came to Marseilles, where he continued his professional practice successfully until 1892, when he was com- pelled to relinquish it on account of failing health, and sold his office and practice to Dr. D. F. Cotterman. As a dentist Doctor Baughman was up- to-date at all times in his career. He used only the best materials and employed only the best methods, and was a diligent reader of the important literature of his profession, and a frequent contributor to it as well. He was
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a public-spirited citizen, and his removal in the prime of life was looked upon as a calamity by all who knew him. He was a prominent Mason.
August II, 1887, Doctor Baughman married Miss Harriet E. Gage, second daughter of Isaac and Lucy (Little) Gage. Isaac Gage came to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1837, and became one of the prosperous fariners of Brookfield township. There Mrs. Baughman was reared and spent the years of her girlhood. She is a woman of education and many graces and accomplishments, and dispenses a generous hospitality at the family home on West Clark street, Marseilles. She has a son, Isaac Newton Baughman, who was born December 19, 1888.
SAMUEL R. M'FEELY.
Among the representative men of LaSalle county, Illinois, is the vice- president, superintendent and manager of the J. C. Ames Lumber Company, whose name appears at the head of this biography. He was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, in May, 1844, and is a son of James and Eliza (Ash) McFeely. James McFeely was born in Ireland and there educated and grew to young manhood. In his nineteenth year he came to the United States and settled in Massachusetts, where he married Eliza Ash, daughter of Captain Samuel Ash, who served in the attack on the East Indies. The marriage was cele- brated in Boston, and there James McFeely worked at his trade of carpenter and bricklayer, erecting many of the stores and dwellings of that city. His father was Patrick McFeely.
Samuel McFeely spent his younger days in Woburn, attending the public school and later the high school. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, under Colonel P. S. Davis, and served the following three years. During that time he took part in a number of important engagements, was in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and several minor battles. He was discharged in June, 1865. After remaining a short time in Woburn he went to Kansas and worked at his trade, carpentering and contracting, in Topeka, Abilene, Emporia and Eldorado, for six years. He then went back to Massachusetts and from there to Canada, where he spent a year. His next move was to Illinois and he worked at his trade in Dwight until 1872, when he moved to Streator. He continued to work at his trade until 1877, erecting many dwellings and business blocks, among them the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1880 he entered the employ of the J. C. Ames Lumber Company, of which he was made vice-president in 1891, and is also superintendent and general manager.
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Mr. McFeely was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Close, daughter of James and Elizabeth Close, of Livingston county, Illinois. He is a stalwart Republican, was a member of the school board for four years, and two years was in the city council. He is a member of Streator Lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M .; Streator Chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; Ottawa Com- mandery, No. 10, K. T .; and Streator Post, No. 68, G. A. R., in which last he is past junior vice commander of the Department of Illinois.
WILLIAM ACKERMANN.
One of the progressive and broad-minded journalists of LaSalle county is William Ackermann, of Streator. He is one of the native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Ottawa, March 14, 1857. His parents, Christian W. and Cordula (Kempter) Ackermann, were natives of Wurttem- berg, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1848. They first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, thence went to Davenport, Iowa, and ulti- mately became well known residents of Ottawa, Illinois. The father departed this life in 1894, and the mother is still living, her home being in Pekin, Tazewell county, Illinois.
After he had completed his elementary education in the common schools, our subject attended the Logansport (Indiana) high school for some time, and, being an intelligent, ambitious youth, found little difficulty in obtaining employment in the office of the Logansport Journal and other local papers, when he sought to learn the printing business. In 1880 he engaged in the publication of the Deutsche Zeitung in Leadville, Colorado, and four years later he came to Streator and established the well and widely known Volksblatt, which has attained an extensive circulation among the German citizens of this section of the county. It is a five-column quarto with a six-column supplement, and is issued weekly, on Friday morning. Until September, 1894, the politics of the paper were distinctly Democratic, but at the time mentioned, the tariff issue assuming such grave importance to the people of the commonwealth, it was deemed advisable to follow a different course of tactics, and to advocate protection of the products of .American industry. This course has been maintained since, and though some subscribers demurred, and, "like the laws of the Medes and Persians, changed not," the majority have conceded the wisdom of the editor and loyally praise him as a man possessing the courage of his convictions. The paper is of and for the people, working always for what it believes to be the good of the majority, and for this immediate section of the county. It presents in a clear, concise form, the important news of the day, and matters of local interest.
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