USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 12
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The marriage of Stephen J. Madden and Miss Maggie Naughtin was celebrated on the 3d of September. 1890. Four children have blessed their union, namely: Paul. John, Mabel and Stella. Mr. Madden and his family are communicants of the Catholic church, and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of For- esters and the Commercial Club. He has followed in his father's political footsteps and is a stalwart Democrat. His fellow townsmen have elected him to the position of alderman and in that office he labored earnestly to
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secure needed improvements and to produce material advancement in Mendota. He supported measures toward securing good sidewalks, sewers, water-works and other good and substantial improvements, and at all times has labored to benefit the city in progressive lines.
HOSEA FOOTE.
Hosea Foote, one of the enterprising business men of Earlville, LaSalle county, is one of the honored pioneers of this state, his arrival in Illinois dating back fifty-five years. A witness of almost the entire development of the county, he has contributed his share toward its welfare, and is well and favorably known throughout this section.
The parents of our subject were Nicholas Floyd and Catherine (Beagle) Foote, who were natives of New York state. The former was one of the five children of Isaac Foote, of English extraction, likewise born in the Empire state, and a farmer and lumberman by occupation. His latter years were spent in Illinois, and his death took place upon the homestead of a son, south of Earlville, when he was in his eighty-sixth year. Mrs. Cath- erine (Beagle) Foote, who died in 1839, was a daughter of John Beagle, a farmer, whose birthplace was in New York state, and who was of Dutch ancestry. In 1833 Nicholas F. Foote and family removed to Steuben county, Pennsylvania, and eleven years later came to Illinois. For two and a half years they dwelt upon a farm situated about three miles from Aurora, and then, coming to LaSalle county, they resided upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, in Earl township, three miles from Earlville. A few years prior to his death. Mr. Foote retired from active labor and made his home in Earlville, where he departed this life in July, 1893, in his eighty-ninth year. His second wife bore the maiden name of Mary Miner, and of the sons and daughters born to them four survive: Nancy, Lucinda, Martha and Almira. To the first marriage of Mr. Foote three sons and two daughters were born, but only Floyd and Hosea survive.
Hosea Foote was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, January 15. 1832. Thus he was twelve years of age when the family came to this prairie state, and in the district schools he completed his education. After leaving home upon attaining his majority, he worked for farmers by' the month for a period, after which he was employed for a number of years on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, as a foreman of construction of the road-bed, part of the time doing contract work. In 1858 he took charge of a sawmill near Freedom, and operated it for the proprietor for about three years. Afterward he was employed by Sutman & Lighthall,
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of Earlville, for several years, and finally, in 1892, he purchased the sawmill here which was owned by Frank Atherton, and has managed it successfully ever since, also running a feed mill in connection. A public-spirited citizen. he takes a loyal interest in local enterprises. For two terms he served in the capacity of alderman, being elected on the Democratic ticket.
On the 17th of March, 1855. Mr. Foote married Miss Isabel, daughter of Thomas and Isabel (Beggs) Holgate, and after about a quarter of a century of happy wedded life she was called to the home beyond. She was then forty-six years of age, a devoted member of the Methodist church. Of their five children, Charles H. died at the age of six months, and Mabel, who was the wife of Robert Horr, of Mendota, died when her baby girl. Mabel, was a week old. Etta is the wife of William Buck, of Earlville; and Alice, Mrs. Joseph Schrecengost, also of this town, has five children: May. Bert, Carl, Ione and Ada. Floyd H., unmarried, is in the employ of his father. On the 7th of August, 1885, Hosea Foote wedded Mrs. Mary Bosard, widow of George L. Bosard and daughter of Cornelius and Fannie (Hammond) Beagle. The latter were natives of New York and Pennsyl- vania, respectively, the father, of Dutch extraction, having been born and reared in Broome county, and the mother in Tioga county. Both died when in their fiftieth year, on the old farm in Tioga county, where they had commenced keeping house, death separating them little more than a year. In religious faith he was a Baptist, while she was a Presbyterian, but they were liberal enough to allow each other perfect freedom of opinion. His father, John Beagle, was a native of New York state, a farmer, and his death occurred when he was still in the prime of manhood. David Ham- mond, father of Mrs. Fannie Beagle, was a hero of the war for independence. He was born in Connecticut, followed farming as a means of livelihood and lived to pass the three-score and ten years spoken of by the Psalmist. Mrs. Foote is one of eight children, of whom seven survive. Kate is the wife of George Buckbee; Elsie is Mrs. John Brimmer: Lizzie is unmarried; Fan- nie is the widow of Frank Dodge: Jennie is the wife of John Houck; and John Beagle is the only brother living. Mr. and Mrs. Foote are con- sistent members of the Methodist church and in their daily lives they strive to mirror the noble principles which they profess and in which they earnestly believe.
MANLEY H. HORTON.
Manley H. Horton, Earlville, Illinois, was born in Savoy, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, February 10, 1843, a son of Ansel and Hannah (Thompson) Horton. His ancestors were among the early settlers of
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New England. the Hortons being of Scotch descent and the Thompsons of English, and both his father and mother were born, lived and died in Massachusetts. Their family was composed of eight sons and three daugh- ters.
His father a carpenter and builder, Manley H. in his youth learned that trade, working under his father. At the age of nineteen, laying down the hammer and the saw, he enlisted. September 1. 1862, as a private in Company A, Forty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, for a term of nine months, and was honorably discharged September 1, 1863, having served three months more than his term of enlistment. Among the engagements in which he participated were the siege of Port Hudson and the battles of Hudson Plains and Donaldsonville.
At the close of his army service young Horton returned to his home in Massachusetts and resumed work at his trade. In 1876 he came west to Illinois and located in Earlville, where he followed his trade five years, at the end of that time moving to a farm in Lee county, this state, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits ten years, and at the same time did some contract work in building. In 1891 he moved to Marathon, lowa, where he invested in land, buying a quarter section, which he improved and subse- quently sold at a good profit. He also invested in other lands there and bought a drug store in the town of Marathon, which is conducted by his son-in-law. Mr. Horton made his home in Marathon until 1896. March Ist of that year he returned to Earlville and has since resided here. The pleasant and attractive home he now occupies he erected in 1898. Recently he met with an accident which crippled his knee and he is now unable to do active work.
Mr. Horton was married. in 1865, in Massachusetts, to Miss Emaline Carpenter, a native of the same town in which he was born and a repre- sentative of one of the old families of the place. She died in 1873, leaving three children .- Edna, Herbert, and Etta. In 1874 he married Mary .A. Blood, a native of Cheshire, Massachusetts, and they have four children,- Howard, LeRoy, Imogene and Harry.
MIr. Horton is politically a Republican and fraternally a Mason.
JOHN C. MADDEN.
John C. Madden, deceased, was a pioneer citizen and highly respected business man of Mendota. Illinois. He was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland. June 17, 1830, and was a son of Stephen and Hannorah (Hurley) Madden. The father was a native of county Meath, Ireland, born in the
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last year of the eighteenth century, and his death occurred in Mendota about 1876. The subject of this review accompanied his parents on their emigration to America when about four years old, the family locating in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he passed his boyhood days, acquiring a good common-school education. He also served an apprenticeship to the trades of carpenter and pattern-maker, thus thoroughly equipping himself for a successful business career. He was reared under the parental roof and early taught the importance of industry and perseverance in the affairs of life. The surviving children of his father's family are: . Mrs. Peter Dono- line, of Mendota; and Mrs. Chester Stevens, of Wichita, Kansas.
Realizing that the broad prairies of Illinois would prove an advan- tageous field of labor for ambitious young men Mr. Madden came to La- Salle county in 1852 and for several months devoted himself to the work of carpentering and building. In the spring of 1853 he returned to Taun- ton, Massachusetts, and on the 4th of April of the same year was united in marriage, in St. Mary's Catholic church, of that city, to Miss Mary Sulli- van, who shared with him the joys and sorrows of life until he was called to the home beyond. Immediately after their marriage the young couple, accompanied by his parents, came to Illinois, taking up their residence upon a farm about four miles north of Mendota.
There Mr. Madden remained until 1855, when he removed to the city and became associated with others in the organization of the Eagle Manu- facturing Company formed for the purpose of manufacturing gang plows. The company was succeeded by another in which the leading stockholders were Mr. Madden, Peter Donohue, Warren Clark and William Rockford. In 1860 this company sold its interests to the firm of Donoline & Madden, the latter gentlemen establishing a foundry and machine shop, in which they engaged in the manufacture of wagons and agricultural implements. The partnership was continued uninterruptedly and most harmoniously up to the time of Mr. Madden's death, and the business was one of marked success, for years being numbered among the substantial enterprises of the city. The firm of Donohue & Madden underwent no change after Mr .. Madden's death, save that his son Stephen J. succeeded to his interest in the business.
Unto our subject and his wife, who was a native of Ireland, nine chil- dren were born, one of whom, Charles T. Madden, died recently. He served as postmaster of Mendota, and was well and favorably known. The surviv- ing children are: George H., of the Germania Bank of Mendota: Stephen J., his father's successor in business: John F., an attorney at law; Edward T., a bank cashier; Mary, wife of A. H. Eagan, of Evansville: and Emma. Mrs. Madden also survives her husband, and is one of the most estimable
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ladies in the city, having a large circle of warm friends in the community where she has so long resided.
Mr. Madden passed away March 16, 1897, and his death was the cause of much sorrow in Mendota, as he was universally respected and liked here. In the management of his financial affairs he was very enterprising and successful, and his course was marked by the highest integrity. His em- ployes and associates in business had for him warm regard, and his genial and cheery manner and his strong and hearty sympathy with those in trouble won him lasting friends. He was a public-spirited citizen, always ready to assist in promoting laudable enterprises, and was a man of worth to the community. He served as alderman and as school trustee and in those official capacities sought to advance the welfare of the people whom he represented. His integrity was ever above question, and his memory will ever be cherished by those who enjoyed his friendship.
"His life was noble and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man.' "
NORMAN J. CARY.
Not often does it fall to the lot of a man, years before he has reached his prime. to occupy such responsible positions of trust as Norman J. Cary has held: but he has proved eminently worthy and capable of meeting every requirement of his difficult offices. Ambitious to succeed. he was ready for advancement when the opportunity presented itself, had faith in himself, and by faithful, persistent labor has managed to carry out the plans of his early manhood.
Norman J. Cary is proud of the fact that he is a native son of Illinois, and that the major portion of his life has been spent in LaSalle county, to whose. interests his own are wedded. A son of Charles A. and Mary J. (Blakeslee) Cary, our subject was born in LaSalle, Illinois, June 2, 1855. In 1868 he removed to Chicago with his parents, and attended the schools of that city, his education being completed in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. In 1872 he accepted a position in the office of James Clark, then at the head of what was known as the Utica Cement Association, in Chi- cago, and continued with that firm for a period of five years, establishing his value, his fidelity and interest in his employer's affairs. In 1878 he yielded to the advice of some of his friends and entered the wholesale house of Marshall Field, of Chicago, remaining there but a year. however, and then returning, in 1879. to the employ of Mr. Clark in Utica. In 1883,
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when the Utica Hydraulic Cement Company was organized. Mr. Cary be- came one of the stockholders and was chosen as secretary and treasurer ot the new concern. In 1898 he was given similar positions in the Utica Cement Manufacturing Company, and in both of these now flourishing enterprises he retains his original offices. In 1888, when the (James) Clark's bank, of Utica, came into existence, Mr. Cary was chosen to serve as its cashier, and is still acting in that capacity, Mrs. M. J. Clark being president of the institution, as well as occupying the same office in the Utica Hydraulic Cement Company, and also the Utica Manufacturing Company. Mr. Cary is one of the directors in the bank, and to his judicious management must be attributed a large share of the success which has attended it from the first.
An important event in the life of our subject was his marriage. March 24, 1885, to Miss Manda M. Collins, a daughter of Cassius A. and Mary J. (Sanger) Collins, of Utica. The elder child of Mr. and Mrs. Cary is Clar- ence C., born December 22, 1886, and now attending the University of Notre Dame at South Bend. Indiana. The younger son, Clark B., born April 19, 1890, is a pupil in the public schools of Utica.
Though not a politician in the sense of seeking or desiring public office, Mr. Cary takes a lively interest in local and national affairs, and uses his ballot and influence in favor of the Republican party. In the fraternities he ranks deservedly high. In the Masonic order he has taken the thirty- second degree, and is active in Acacia Lodge, No. 67, A. F. and A. M .: Peru Chapter, No. 60, R. A. M .: Peru Council, No. 12, R. and S. M., and St. John's Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of Peru; and in 1893 was ad- mitted to the Oriental Consistory, at Chicago. He is also a member of Medina Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., also of Chicago. In these various organizations he has occupied many of the important offices; was conductor of the council from 1892 to 1893: and is at present thrice illustrious master of the council; was the worshipful master of Acacia Lodge from 1895 to 1897; and was the eminent commander of St. John's Commandery from 1897 to 1898 inclusive. In all of his relations with his fellow men, whether in business, society or the home circle, Mr. Cary is upright, true and just, winning the esteem and admiration of all who know him.
ARTHUR J. HERRCKE.
Arthur J. Herrcke, bookkeeper in charge of the purchasing and dis- bursing department of the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, LaSalle. Illinois, was born in Prussia. Germany, May 6, 1861.
He is a son of Ernest and Henrietta (Von Wellatovski) Herrcke, both
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natives of Danzig. Prussia, Germany. The father had in his veins a mixture of German and French blood. his paternal ancestors being purely German while on the maternal side they were French, some members of the family having gone from France to Germany in the time of the reign of Napoleon the Great. On his mother's side the immediate subject of this sketch is of Polish origin, his great-grandfather having been Graf Von Wellatovski. Arthur J. is the second of a family of four children, the others being Charles. Robert and Max, all natives of Germany. The mother with her children came to America in the year 1867. and joined the father in Janesville, Wis- consin, he having come to this country the previous year. His original intention was to go to South America, but on arriving at Cuba he changed his plans and came to the United States, locating first in Milwaukee, Wis- consin. From there he went to Janesville and came thence to LaSalle, Illi- nois, in the year 1869. He came to LaSalle to take charge of the sales de- partment of the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, a position he held up to the time of his death, in May, 1885. at the age of fifty-one years. His widow is still a resident of LaSalle.
Arthur J. Herrcke was six years old when he was brought to America. He was reared in LaSalle, Illinois, and educated in its public schools. At the age of fourteen he entered the employ of the same company with which his father was connected, the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, and as messenger boy began his service in this establishment. During the years he served as messenger boy he attended night sessions in a business col- lege and thus learned practical bookkeeping. That was from 1878 to 1880. At the same time he had charge of the company's printing office. He was transferred from the messenger position to one in the sales depart- ment, and was promoted to his present position, that of bookkeeper in charge of the purchasing and disbursing department, in 1886. His entire service with the company has been characterized by promptness and fidelity. and that his faithfulness has been appreciated is evidenced by his promotion and continuance with the same concern.
Mr. Herrcke was married in LaSalle, in 1888, to Miss Adela Moeller. daughter of Frederick and Bertha Moeller. Her father was born in Saxony. Germany, and when fourteen years of age was brought to this country by his parents who located in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, whence they subse- quently came to LaSalle, Illinois. Mr. Moeller was a brother of Mrs. F. W. Matthiessen, of LaSalle. Mrs. Herrcke's grandparents resided many years in LaSalle and her grandfather was an ore purchaser for the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company. Mrs. Herrcke's mother was born in Pennsyl- vania, of German parentage, and is the mother of eight children, two of whom are deceased: and she now resides in LaSalle. Mrs. Herrcke's father
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died in 1892. Her maternal grandfather, Fredrick Ehemann, went west during the gold excitement of 1849, prospered, returned home, and then went west again and was never heard from. It is believed he was murdered for his money, for he had a large sum. Mr. and Mrs. Herrcke have five children-Ernest, Otto. Hildagard. Ralph and Florence. Mr. Herrcke is a Republican.
JAMES WOOL LARABEE.
With particular pleasure we trace the history of this gallant hero of the great civil war, who gave some of the best years of his early man- hood to his country and to the preservation of that Union which is now indissolubly united in aims, ambitions and spirit. Success and wealth have come to him in later years as the just reward of honest toil and duties well performed, but the crown of his manhood ever has been his loyalty to his country in peace and war.
The Larabees are of French extraction, and our subject's paternal grandfather, Willett Larabee, was a native of Vermont, in which state he lived and was engaged in farming until his death, which event occurred when he was but forty years of age. Of his seven children, all but one of whom were sons, Willett. born two years prior to the close of last century, became the father of James Wool Larabee. He followed agriculture, and at an early day removed to New York state, where he died in 1853. His first wife was a Miss Rachel Winton, by whom he had two children: Willett, now a resident of Nebraska, and Rachel, who married Daniel Van- dercarr and is deceased. The second wife bore the maiden name of Mary Wool, she being a daughter of James Wool. a native of New York state and a hero of the war for independence. He was a successful farmer and a man of influence in his community, every one calling him "Uncle Jimmie." He lived to attain the advanced age of ninety-six years, his death taking place in the Empire state. Mrs. Mary (Wool) Larabee was born in New York, and died in 1864. when in her sixty-sixth year. She was the mother of two children: James W .. of this sketch, and Mary, who became the wife of Timothy Carpenter and has passed to the silent land. Willett Larabee, Sr., was a member of the Methodist church, while his wife, who was a Baptist in creed, was identified with the Presbyterian church for some years.
The birth of James W. Larabee occurred in Rensselaer county, New York. December 5, 1838. He learned farming in its varied forms, and in 1855 came to LaSalle county, where he believed that he would find greater opportunities for making his own way in the world. His half-brother,
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Willett, was living here, and the young man entered his employ, and con- tinued to work by the month for several years for him. Having accumu- lated a small amount of money by the time that the civil war broke out, he invested a part of it in a team and had negotiated for the renting of a tract of land preparatory to farming. The firing upon Fort Sumter awak- ened all of his patriotic ardor and indignation, and, abandoning all of his personal plans, he promptly responded to the president's first call for volunteers to check the rebellion. Enlisting in the three-months service, in Company H, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he returned home at the expiration of his term, only to sell his team, adjust a few items in his affairs, and then to re-enlist in the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, with which regiment he continued until the spring of 1864. He then veteranized and resumed his place in the ranks of the Fifty-fifth, serving until the close of the war, and being honorably discharged in Au- gust, 1865, after four years and five months of actual army life. He par- ticipated in many of the memorable and important campaigns of the war, taking part in the following named battles, among others: Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Memphis, Hernando, Grand Gulf, Arkansas Post, Haines' Bluff, Champion Hills, Black River and the famous siege of Vicksburg. He was wounded at Shiloh, in the right arm, and was again wounded at Vicks- burg. In the last named engagement he was one of the sixty brave sol- diers who volunteered to storm the fort, and thirty-one of whom were killed in making the heroic attempt. For this valorous feat he was pre- sented with a medal by the government, it bearing the simple but impres- sive sentence, "for conspicuous gallantry in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 22, 1863." During his service he was promoted from the ranks to the posts of corporal and sergeant.
Upon returning from the southern battle-fields, Mr. Larabee re- sumed his interrupted labors as a farmer, and on the 9th of the following November, 1865, was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Haight, who has been a faithful helpmate. She is a daughter of S. J. and Lura (Miller) Haight. Seven children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Sam- tel John Haight, James W., Jr., Willett Ralph. Louis Benjamin, Mary E., Charles D. and one who died in infancy. S. J. H. Larabee married Miss Emma Lawrence, and is engaged in the practice of law in Chicago. J. W., Jr., married Almira Howard and has four children, namely: Goldie. Emma, Jimmie and Samuel. Willett R. married Ethel Barrett and has a son, Willett R. J. W., Jr .. and Willett R. are both living in Lee county, and the younger children of our subject are yet at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Larabee rented a farm of ninety acres, and aided by his young wife proceeded to win a competence. At the end of
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