USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 16
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
Charles K. Halverson is one of ten children, all but three of whom have entered the silent land. His brother Nels is a resident of this county; and the only surviving sister. Betsy, is the wife of S. M. Sanderson. Two brothers were heroes of the civil war, and their lives were sacrificed to their country. They were both members of Company I, Eighty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which saw hard service in some of the important cam- paigns of the great civil conflict. Halver died of typhoid fever in the south, and Ole was killed during one the Virginia campaigns.
The birth of Charles K. Halverson occurred May 28, 1854. He re- ceived good public-school advantages in his youth, and during the greater part of his life he has pursued the calling of his forefathers, agriculture. However, he was engaged in business in the town of Lee, Illinois, for a period of twelve years, in the meantime serving as a justice of the peace and a police magistrate. In 1894 he sold out his interests in the store which he had conducted at Lee, and returned to the old homestead in Adams township, where he had been born and reared to maturity. By the exercise of the talents with which he was endowed by nature, he long ago placed himself above the need of anxiety respecting his financial affairs, and with faith in himself and the kindly Providence which has watched over his welfare he is quietly pursuing the even tenor of his way.
On the 30th of September, 1875, Mr. Halverson wedded Martha, daughter of Sander H. Sanderson, of De Kalb county, Illinois. They have several children, namely: Curtis, whose education was recently finished at Steinman's College, in Dixon, Illinois; Mabel, Clara, Sander. Leslie, Walter and Edith.
Following in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Halverson is a loyal Republican. He and his wife and elder children are members of the Lutheran church, and active in its various departments of usefulness.
IRA W. GOODELL.
About a quarter of a century has elapsed since Ira W. Goodell first engaged in railroading, and since 1882 he has been closely associated with the local railroad interests of Peru. He is of English descent, his paternal grandfather. John Goodell, being a farmer of Oneida county, New York, subsequent to his arrival in this country, in 1835. He died there in 1883, at the extreme age of ninety-two years; and his wife also attained about the same age. They had three sons and six daughters. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Walter Olmstead, was a native of the Empire state, owned a paper-mill at Walesville for a number of years, and passed
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his entire life in that section of the United States, his death occurring when he was four-score years old.
William Goodell, the father of our subject, was born in Lancastershire, England, and came to the United States when a child of seven or eight years. He lived in Oneida county, New York, until 1862, when he removed to Hillsdale county, Michigan. About 1870 he settled near Fre- mont, Steuben county, Indiana, where he lived until his death, in July. 1888, when he was sixty-three years of age. His chief occupation was agriculture, though in connection with this he was engaged in teaming for a few years. He was not a member of the church, but led an upright, moral life, and was a thorough, practical believer in the Bible and the truthis of Christianity.
For a wife William Goodell chose Miss Fidelia Olmstead, whose birth- place was Walesville, New York. She was one of three children, and, as the only daughter of a well-to-do mill-owner, she received good advantages. To William and Fidelia Goodell four sons and a daughter were born: two sons are deceased; Ella is the wife of Elroy J. Carpenter, of Angola. Indiana; Ray is a citizen of LaSalle, Illinois, and Ira W. completes the list. The mother, who is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, has made her home in LaSalle for the past nine years. While yet a very young girl she was honored by being made postmistress at Walesville, New York, which position she retained for several years.
Ira W. Goodell was born in Walesville, New York, October 13. 1858. and accompanied the family in its various removals, working for his father on the farm until he was sixteen years of age. He managed to gain a fair education in the district and public schools of Michigan and Indiana, and in 1874 obtained employment in the freight office of the Fort Wayne & Jackson Railway Company at Fremont, remaining there for three years. Then, going to Pleasant Lake, he worked for the same company, and in 1882 came to Peru. Here he found employment in the service of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, being in charge of their local coal shutes for about three years. Then, going to LaSalle, he served for the same company as car clerk, following which he was their cashier for two years. Since 1889 he has been located in Peru as chief clerk in the freight department of the same corporation. He is considered one of the most efficient and faithful of its employees, for he carefully consults the best interests of the company in all that he does.
Socially Mr. Goodell belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Mystic Workers of the World. In his political belief he is a stanch Republican, as was his father before him. In 1889 Mr. Goodell built a comfortable modern house at No. 625 Creve Coeur street, LaSalle,
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and makes his home there, although much of his time is necessarily spent in Peru. In both places he is very well known and stands high in the esteem of their citizens, being popular among his associates in railroad circles at the same time. June 16, 1886, a marriage ceremony was per- formed by which Miss Harriet Turner became the wife of our subject, and two children bless their union, namely: Cecil and Hazel. Mrs. Goodell's father, Henry Turner, was born in Germany, but her mother, Mrs. Isabel (Chapin) Turner, is a native of Illinois.
ABRAM COTTEW.
Numbered among the well-to-do farmers and successful business men of Adams township, LaSalle county, is he of whom this biography is penned. He is one of the five children of John and Sarah (Young) Cottew, respected pioneers of this county. The father was a native of Kent county, England, born August 2, 1814, and his long, useful life was brought to a close August 29, 1892. His parents were poor, and he found it exceedingly difficult to make a good living in his native isle, and for that reason he decided to try his fortunes in the land of promise, America. It was in 1844 that he carried out this resolution, coming the entire distance to Chicago by the water route, from New York city by way of the canals and great lakes. In the Garden City, as Chicago has since been known, he hired a teamster to convey himself and family to LaSalle county. Here he bargained for a small tract of land, procured a yoke of oxen, and for some time provided for his loved ones by breaking prairie and other ardu- ous work for the settlers of the neighborhood. Industry and earnest effort always bring their reward, and in the course of time this worthy man be- came one of the substantial farmers of Adams township. During the early years of his residence here he gave his ballot to the Democratic party; but when the great contest over the slavery question came on he trans- ferred his allegiance to the Republican party, which he thenceforth sup- ported. His wife was summoned first to the better land, her death occur- ring December 30, 1887. Their eldest son, William, enlisted in the Union army in the civil war, and died after the battle of Shiloh, in which he was actively engaged. The three daughters survive, namely: Harriet, wife of Walter Partridge, of Iowa; Mary Ann, wife of Henry Shulz, of Otoe county, Nebraska; and Sarah A., Mrs. Edwin Moore, of Dawson county, Nebraska.
Abram Cottew. born July 1, 1848, has passed his entire life at his birthplace, the old farm in Adams township. Such education as he pos-
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sesses was acquired in the district schools, and from his boyhood he has been familiar with farming, in its various departments. Success has at- tended his efforts, and his farm, comprising two hundred and fifty-two acres, in the southeastern corner of Adams township, is considered one of the most desirable in this locality. Following in the political footsteps of his father, he cast his first presidential ballot for Hayes, and is loyal to the principles which the Republican party maintains.
The married life of Mr. Cottew was of brief duration. On the 22d of February, 1882, he wedded Emma Lett, whose death occurred March 16, 1884, and their only child, Ethel, passed into the silent land October 10, 1883. Mrs. Cottew was a daughter of Robert Lett, who was a native of Ireland but for some time after coming to America resided in Canada and spent his last years in this county.
JEROME C. KOONS.
Probably no citizen of Peru is better known or more popular with the general public than is Jerome C. Koons, whose position as agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad brings him into contact with multitudes daily. Moreover, he is one of the native sons of the town, and has passed his whole life here, winning the esteem of every one, both as boy and man.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was of German descent. Born in Pennsylvania, he was reared in Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation. He reared a large family, and was a worthy, upright man. William Hicks, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of English extraction and was a painter by trade. He removed from New York to Ohio, and finally came to Peru, where he died about 1855, at the age of seventy-two years.
Joseph Koons, father of Jerome C., was born in the Buckeye state. About half a century ago he became a resident of Peru, where he was en- gaged in the jewelry business until 1895. thus being one of the oldest busi- ness men of the place in years of active enterprise. He was a stanch Republican, and served as an alderman for one term. Death summoned him to his reward, when he was in his seventy-third year, July 14. 1898. His widow, who survives him, is still making her home in Peru. She was a native of New York state, and bore the name of Harriet Hicks in her girlhood. Of her four children-three sons and a daughter-one is de- ceased. and the others are Jerome C., Edward and Carrie.
Jerome C. Koons was born March 10, 1854, and after completing his public-school education he began learning telegraphy, with the railroad he
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is now employed by, and his first station was at Princeton, Missouri, where he remained for eight months. Then, returning to Peru, he was appointed operator here and has filled the responsible position ever since. In 1887 he was made ticket agent also, and is still serving as such.
On the 9th of June. 1886, Mr. Koons married Helen M. Gardner. Mr. and Mrs. Koons occupy a comfortable home on Fourth street, it having been erected by Mr. Koons some six years ago. Mrs. Koons, who is a lady of good education and attainments. is a member of the Christian church, and is identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Koons likewise belongs to the order mentioned, is a Mason in high standing. being a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 13. A. F. & A. M .; Peru Chap- ter. No. 60. R. A. M .: and Peru Council, No. 12. R. & S. M .: and he is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a stalwart Republican in his political views, and uses his ballot in favor of all measures which he deeins worthy of support.
JAMES CLARK.
The specific history of the west was made by the pioneers: it was em- blazoned on the forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and gleaming ax. and written on the surface of the earth by the track of a primitive plow. These were strong men and true who came to found the empire of the west-these hardy settlers who builded their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest and from the sylvan wilds evolved the fertile and productive fields which have these many years been furrowed and refur- rowed by the plowshare. The red man, in his motley garb, stalked through the dim, woody avenues, and the wild beasts disputed his dominion. The trackless prairie was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeav- ors of the pioneer. and slowly but surely were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been builded the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home amid such surround- ings, and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude. strong hearts and willing hands. All these were characteristics of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil.
People of the present end-of-the-century period can scarce realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers: the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization; the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read al-
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most like a romance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and convenience. To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and conveniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was a stern and hard one. and these men and women must have possessed wis- dom, immutable energies and sterling worth of character as well as marked physical courage. when they thus voluntarily selected such a life and suc- cessfully fought its battles under such circumstances as prevailed in the west.
The pioneers were not unaccustomed to more pleasing environments and to one who, like the subject of this memoir, came higher from the older civilization and the more perfectly developed and more consistent man- ners of life of an old English town, the radical change was one which must have been endured only by one who had the courage of his convictions and who, looking to the ultimate results, was willing to sow that others might reap, was willing to be an organizer, a builder and an institutor. To James Clark is there particular congruity in directing attention in this connection, for he was one who lived and labored to goodly ends and who gained not only a position of distinctive prominence in the state which he had aided to develop, but who stood "four-square to every wind that blows" and held the respect and esteem which is never denied to a man whose integrity and honor are beyond question.
James Clark was born in Ashburnham parish, Sussex county, England, on the 9th of September, 1811, being the son of James and Ann (Weston) Clark, the former of whom was a prosperous liveryman. Our subject was reared in his native country, and was eventually apprenticed to learn the coach-maker's trade. He was a young man of alert mentality and ambitious nature. and his ambition soon began to strain at its fetters as he began to outline his plans for a career of usefulness and success. He became convinced that in America were offered better opportunities for advance- ment and for securing due returns from individual effort, and accordingly in 1830 he set sail from the land of his nativity and was soon en route to the United States. His voyage was uneventful, being marked by but one notable incident-the time made in crossing the ocean being sixteen days and the boat being a sailing vessel. This lowered the time record of the day in a very considerable degree. He landed in New York city on the 16th of April, 1830, with only one shilling in his pocket, and realizing his somewhat precarious situation as a stranger in a strange land he immedi- ately cast about for employment, having in the meantime pawned his over- coat in order to secure food and lodging. In a few days he secured a ยท situation, receiving in recompense for his services his board and lodging, but at the end of one month he had proved himself of sufficient value to his
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employer to insure him the additional pay of seventy-five cents per diem.
The extent to which accident or circumstances may shape a man's career was soon given exemplification in the life of our subject. A Mrs. Luellum and two nieces came to New York from England, the eldest of the ladies having known Mr. Clark in his native parish. Upon her arrival here she made a successful effort to find him, and thereupon prevailed upon him to accompany her to the west, where she wished to purchase a farm, having four hundred dollars which she desired to invest in this way. She agreed to pay Mr. Clark ten dollars per month and his expenses if he would go with her and advise her in regard to pre-empting a farm and assist her in its cultivation. The overtures were accepted by Mr. Clark, and, in com- pany with Mrs. Luellum and one of her nieces, he started for that section of the Union which was to figure as the scene of his earnest and successful endeavors. The other niece remained in New York, where she had se- cured a situation. The three made their way westward to Grafton, Lorain county, Ohio, and in the immediate vicinity Mrs. Luellum pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mr. Clark staked out the claim and cut logs to build the primitive cabin which should serve as a home and shelter for the little party. While this work was being accomplished the ladies slept in their wagon and our subject took the "lower berth." that is, he made his bed beneath the wagon. After securing her farm Mrs. Luellum had only sufficient funds left to purchase a yoke of oxen, a cow, a pig and the most primitive farming implements. Under these conditions was instituted the work of clearing and cultivating the pioneer farm; but ill fortune at- tended the efforts of the members of the little household. Their stock was lost through an epidemic of scurvy, and they were reduced eventually to the direst financial extremity. Nothing daunted by the unpropitious out- look, young Clark proved himself a master of expedients. He cut down ten acres of timber, burned it into charcoal and for this produce found a ready sale, thus recuperating the resources of the family of which he was a member. During this time Mrs. Luellum had been unable to pay Clark his wages, and finally she offered to settle with him by transferring to him her right, title and interest in her pre-emption claim; and after receiving this he sold it for thirty dollars. After this he covered their wagon with un- bleached cotton and they prepared to utilize the same for continuing their journey further west.
In September. 1830, Mr. Clark had been united in marriage to Mrs. Luellum's niece, Charlotte Sargent, and now, with his wife, two children. and Mrs. Luellum he started for Illinois. On the way he traded his oxen for a good team of horses, and with this superior equipment the party con -. tinued their way to Peoria, Illinois, where Mr. Clark left his family, and
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proceeded thence on horseback, to Utica township, where he paid a man named Croisar the sum of ten dollars to advise him as to eligible location where he might "squat" on government land, the result being that he located on section 4, Utica township. He then brought his family from Peoria and settled down to pioneer life. He operated a private stage line between Peoria and Utica and later from Utica to Chicago, and as this was the only method of transportation in the early days he made money through this enterprise.
At the land sales in 1835 he effected the purchase of two hundred and forty acres, and from time to time added to the area of his possessions until he was the owner of two thousand four hundred acres of the most productive land in this section of the state. His first home in LaSalle county was a log house. In 1837 Mr. Clark took a contract on the con- struction of the Illinois & Michigan canal, his contract providing for the extending of the canal through two miles of solid rock. The work was completed in 1848. In 1845 he had erected a substantial and handsome residence, and this is still pointed out as one of the finest in this section of the state.
A man of marked ability, indefatigable industry and utmost probity, it was but natural that Mr. Clark should soon become a man of distinctive prom- inence and influence in the community. He was the first postmaster of Utica, and was the incumbent in this office for the long period of fourteen years. There had been established in Utica an enterprise for the manu- facture of cement to be used in the construction of the locks of the canal, the projectors of this undertaking having been George Steele and Hiram Norton, who had come hither from Canada but had conducted operations upon a very moderate scale. Mr. Clark purchased the cement works and in 1845 began the manufacture of hydraulic cement. The investment proved a profitable one and constituted the nucleus of a large fortune which our subject acquired. The great industry, which he founded so many years ago, has grown to be one of the most extensive of the sort in the Union, from three to five hundred thousand barrels of cement being turned out each year. His wisdom and mature judgment were shown not alone in the estab- lishing of this enterprise, but also in conducting its affairs continuously toward the maximum of success, his business and executive ability having been of the most pronounced type. In 1883 Mr. Clark decided that it was expedient to expand the business facilities by the organization of a joint- stock company; and this was effected. He became president of the com- pany and N. J. Cary secretary and treasurer. The business was pushed forward with increased vigor and became, and still is, one of the most im- portant industries of the state.
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Mr. Clark was the first agent of the Rock Island Railroad at Utica, and this position he retained until the time of his death. He was a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of the county for eleven years. During the war he was a member of the county committee, and in 1870 was granted distinguished honor and preferment in the gift of the people of LaSalle county, being elected to membership in the lower house of the state legis- lature. In this body he served as a member of the committee on canals and on three others of equal importance, bringing to bear in this capacity the same practical business ability and sturdy common sense which had characterized his career in private life, and he thus was a power in insuring wise legislation, gaining the hearty endorsement of his constituents, having been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, while in his fraternal rela- tion he was prominently identified with the Masonic order.
His wife, after having shared with him the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life, and having seen her children well settled, was summoned into eternal rest on the 12th of August, 1877. She left two children to mourn her loss. In 1877 was consummated the marriage of Mr. Clark to Mary J. Cary, widow of Charles A. Cary. She was born in Jefferson county, New York, on Christmas day, 1833. and in 1843 she accompanied her father, a clergyman of the Latter Day Saints' church, to Illinois, and while living in Batavia was united in marriage to Mr. Cary, the date of this ceremonial having been in 1850. They became the parents of two children -Norman J. and Charles A. Cary. Mr. Clark's second marriage proved a wise one in all that makes the marriage state beautiful and happy. His wife was a true helpmeet in every sense of the term, and by her tender solicitude and ministrations made his declining days happy and serene. His death occurred on the 2d of July. 1888. after a long life of prominence and uninterrupted progress. His pathway was ever upward, both in a spiritual and temporal sense. As this review shows, he was distinctively a self-made man, one of nature's noblemen whom no force of circumstances could prostrate or draw into obscurity. His friends were many, and on the list were numbered many of the representative men of the state, and his demise was the cause of widespread regret. while a community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens. After liberally providing for his children he left the major portion of his large fortune to his widow.
Mary Cary Clark is a remarkably gifted woman. She is a poetess of marked ability, and is also the author of prose works of a high standard of excellence. She possesses a brilliant intellectuality and a charming personality, being a woman of great spirituality and one who has made deep researches into the great truths of life. Such a woman could not but be an able and devoted helpmeet for even the most exalted of mankind.
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