USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 17
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and the affection existing between Mr. and Mrs. Clark was a deep and abiding one.
Mrs. Clark is an excellent business woman, as well as a brilliant writer, and during her husband's life she was his confidential adviser and helper in all his complicated business affairs, and he held her judgment and opin- ions in the highest estimation. Since his death she has ably carried on the business of the Utica Cement Works and has also worthily used the large fortune left her by her devoted husband. She still retains her abode in the beautiful Clark homestead, which is picturesquely located upon the bluff overlooking the town of Utica. The home is a most attractive one and is a landmark for the surrounding country. Mrs. Clark enjoys the respect and admiration of the people of Utica and worthily bears the honors of an honored name.
JOHN J. CASSIDY.
The office of police magistrate is one requiring peculiar talents and close attention to details almost innumerable. It requires an intimate knowledge of human nature and a knowledge of the law that applies to police cases combined with the ability to decide quickly and with due re- gard for the just claims of all conflicting interests. There are some model police justices in the west and Police Magistrate Cassidy, of LaSalle, is one of them. LaSalle is his native town, and he was born November 29, 1855. a son of Thomas and Rose (McGuire) Cassidy, who were descended from historic Irish families. Thomas Cassidy was born in New York, a son of Francis Cassidy, a native of Ireland. At an early day in the history of LaSalle, Francis Cassidy, with his family, took up his residence there. He lived there many years, and died there at a ripe old age. His son Thomas, father of John J. Cassidy, has spent most of his life at LaSalle and is still living there, aged about eighty. He was formerly well and favora- bly known as a bridge builder and general building contractor. His wife, Rose McGuire, was born in Ireland. She bore him the following named children. who survive her: John J., Thomas, James. Maggie and Minnie-the latter the wife of Nelse Nelson.
John J. Cassidy was reared in LaSalle and educated there at a Cath- olic institution called the Christian Brothers' School and favorably known for the excellent character of its educational work. At this institution he was graduated in 1871. His first experience in the business world was as a dry-goods clerk. In subsequent years his business experience was varied. He was at the head of a hotel enterprise at LaSalle longer than he devoted himself to any other one interest.
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In politics Mr. Cassidy is a Democrat and is in all ways active in the support of the principles and measures of his party. In local elections in LaSalle party lines are not closely drawn and it is only in national politics that strong partisanship is developed. In 1888 Mr. Cassidy was elected police magistrate of the city. He was re-elected to the same office in 1892 and again in 1896, and is filling it at the present time in such a manner that his continuance in it is not even slightly problematical if he should consent to another re-election. He is one of LaSalle's public-spirited citizens, zeal- ous in all good works for the town and devoted to the best interests of its people.
WILLIAM E. MEANS.
William E. Means, assistant general manager of the Illinois Zinc Company at Peru, is a son of Archibald Means, elsewhere mentioned in this volume, and was born in Manchester, Adams county, Ohio, May 21, 1868. When he was but three years old he was brought by his parents to Peru, Illinois, where he was reared and has spent most of his life. He is a gradu- ate of the high school of this place and was for two years a student in the State University of Illinois. After leaving college he went to Chicago, where he spent one year in a wholesale hardware establishment. The next two years he was in the Merchants' National Bank of Chicago. Then, on June 1, 1890, he accepted a position in the employ of the Illinois Zinc Com- pany of Peru, and as assistant general manager of the same continues in the service of this concern.
Mr. Means was married June 29, 1892, to Jessie Waugh, daughter of Samuel Waugh, and to them have been born two children, one of whom, Marjorie, is living, the other having died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Means is a Republican, active and enthusiastic, and took a prominent part in the campaign of 1896. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is identified with the Illinois Commandery of the Military Order of Loyal Legion.
HENRY T. MOSEY.
Henry T. Mosey, Freedom, Illinois, is a son of Thomas T. Mosey and a nephew of Barto Thompson, two of the well known and most highly respected pioneers of the town of Freedom. He is one of a family of eight children, all enumerated in the sketch of Thomas T. Mosey. His only brother, Charles T. Mosey, is a member of the firm of Klove & Mosey, hardware and implement dealers of Leland. Illinois.
16 Femur
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Henry T. was born in the town of Freedom, Illinois, May II. 1858. He received his early training on the farm and in the district school. After reaching his majority he assumed the role of farmer independent of par- ental assistance, which occupation he still follows and in which he finds contentment and a reasonable degree of prosperity. He resides on and owns the farm upon which he was born, ranks with the representative inen of his township, and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Mosey was married January 17, 1888, to Miss Emma Quani, a sis- ter of John A. Quam, of Sheridan, Illinois. Their union has been blessed in the birth of four children, namely: Earling, Omer, Ruth and Blanche.
Mr. Mosey is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for the lamented Garfield, and has supported every candidate of his party since. He has served as a town collector and has just concluded a seven-years ser- vice as town assessor, and is serving his fifth year as surveyor for the Inde- pendent Farmers' Aid Company for Freedom township.
BENJAMIN M. ETZLER, D. D. S.
Nearly a quarter of a century ago Dr. Etzler began the practice of dentistry, and few, if any, are his superiors in this profession. During this period greater progress has been made in dental science than, perhaps, in any other field of professional endeavor, and the public has not been slow in demanding nothing but the best and most skilled work at the hands of the dentist. Desiring to keep thoroughly abreast of the times, Dr. Etzler has neglected no study or effort that would advance him in his chosen vocation, and has thus succeeded where many of his colleagues have failed.
A native of Snyder county, Pennsylvania, born September 21, 1853, Benjamin M. Etzler is a son of Frank and Mary (Hartman) Etzler, whose five children included William W .; Sarah, Mrs. Wagner; Howard; and Jane, wife of Calvin Fryberger. The parents likewise were natives of the Keystone state, and there the mother departed this life in 1856. The following year the father came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Freeport, Stephenson county, where he died in 1858, aged about thirty-eight years. Both he and his wife were valued members of the German Reformed church. His father, Benjamin Etzler, was born in Pennsyl- vania and passed his entire life in that state, his occupation being that of agriculture. The father of Mrs. Mary Etzler was Michael Hartman, like- wise a native of the Keystone state, and a shoemaker by trade. At an
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early day he came to Illinois and located upon a farm in Stephenson county, in which county he died when over seventy years of age.
Dr. Etzler resided in Stephenson county until he reached his majority, obtaining a good education in the public schools. Later he took up the study of dentistry in Freeport, under the tutelage of Dr. Samuel Garber, and after having mastered the business he came to Peru in 1876, and opened an office. After practicing here for two years he went to LaSalle, where he passed three years. Then, going to Chicago, he remained in that city for seven years.
Thus, by extended practice in every variety of dentistry he gained invaluable experience. and has steadily progressed. In 1889 he returned to LaSalle; thence he went to Freeport and in 1895 he resumed his inter- rupted practice in Peru. In all local affairs of the place in which he makes his home he takes an interested part, doing his duty as a citizen and voter. His political preference is for the principles and nominees of the Repub- lican party.
The marriage of Dr. Etzler and Miss Jennie Corwin was celebrated in 1894. at the home of the bride's father, H. S. Corwin, of Peru. Mrs. Etzler is a lady of pleasing mental and social qualities, and she presides over her cozy home with grace and dignity.
FRANK B. ZWICK.
An enterprising, wide-awake young business man of LaSalle, Frank B. Zwick may be justly termed self-made and self-educated. Starting into business here a few years ago, he has steadily advanced financially and in every way, winning the respect and high esteem of all with whom he has been associated or had dealings.
A native of Germany, our subject is a son of Casimer and Anna (Loerke) Zwick, of the same country. The father emigrated to the United States in 1871 and in the spring of the following year sent for his family, who arrived in LaSalle April 22. The eldest daughter, Rosa, with her hus- band. John Waszkowiak, had located in this place in 1870, and it was largely through her influence that the others concluded to cast in their fortunes with the citizens of this state. Pauline. the second daughter, is now deceased, as are Anton and one who was born in this county and died when young. Augusta is married. Wynoa. Casimer is a merchant in this city, and Anna is married and lives in Chicago. The parents are still living here, the father being seventy-six years of age and the mother in her sixty-seventh year.
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When he was but eleven years of age, Frank B. Zwick was obliged to leave school, which he had attended but three years, and from that time to the present he has been one of the world's busy workers. He was four- teen and a half years old when the family came to the United States, and though he obtained a position in a general store in LaSalle soon after his arrival here he had no knowledge of English and had a very difficult ex- perience in being initiated into the language and customs of our people. He was bright and ambitious, and ere long had acquired familiarity with these necessary things. He now speaks, reads and writes English well, and is well posted in general affairs. For three years he worked in a gro- cery, after which he was employed in a cement works for two years. Then, for six months he was with the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, and subsequently with the Illinois Zinc Works. At length, in November. 1883, he embarked in business for himself, opening a dry-goods and gentle- men's furnishing goods store. His capital was small at first, but his am- bitious undertaking has been very successful, and he has branched out quite extensively, keeping a well selected stock of goods and meriting the large patronage he enjoys.
On the 12th of June, 1887. Mr. Zwick wrote his first fire-insurance policy, and since that time has been the local agent for about all of the leading fire-insurance companies in this country. He is active in the sup- port of the Democratic party. For a time he served as deputy county clerk; in 1890 he was made a notary public: the following year he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and at the expiration of his term he was re-elected, and again, in 1897, was honored with the position. His marriage to Miss Julia Mathys was celebrated January 29, 1894. They belong to St. Hyacinth's Polish church, and, as both have musical talent. they give their services to the congregation, he leading the choir and his wife acting as organist.
HARLEY G. HUPP.
Among the younger class of farmers whose honest, earnest efforts are counting for the advancement of the agricultural interests of Northville township, LaSalle county. is the subject of this sketch, Harley G. Hupp. son of George C. Hupp, a highly respected citizen of this county, whose biographical sketch appears in this work.
Harley G. Hupp was born in Serena township. this county, Decem- ber 25. 1867, and was reared on his father's farm, having the advantage of a liberal education. After completing his studies in the district school he was for a time a student in the Normal School at Geneseo, Illinois, and
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later took a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Chicago. Since leaving school he has been successfully engaged in farm- ing in Northville township and is classed with the prosperous young farm- ers of his vicinity. Like his father, Mr. Hupp is a Republican.
Mr. Hupp was married February 12, 1896, to Miss Effie M. Nichols, a native of Niagara county, New York. To them two children have been born-Russel N. (deceased) and Earl Wesley.
GEORGE C. HUPP.
The substantial and respected farmer whose name introduces this sketch-George C. Hupp-has been identified with LaSalle county all his life and for nearly three decades has made his home on his present farm in Northville township. The record of his life, which includes honorable war service, is herewith presented:
George C. Hupp was born in Serena township. LaSalle county, Illinois, June 9. 1836. His parents, John and Mary (De Bolt) Hupp, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and were married in the latter state. Early in the year 1836 they came to Illinois and first made a settlement in the township of Serena, LaSalle county, where their son George was born, as already stated. and where they lived one year. The next year they removed to Adams township. John Hupp went to California in 1850, and as no news was received from him after 1853 it is believed that he died there about that time. His wife died in February, 1892, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years. Their family comprised the following named members: Sedrick W .. Wilson, Havila S., A. Jane, Samantha, Stephen, George C., Riley E. and Louisa B. Wilson went west with his father and was drowned.
George C., the direct subject of this article, was reared on a farm and has followed farming all his life, with the exception of time spent in the Union army during the civil war. He enlisted in September, 1861, in Com- pany K, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, in 1863 re-enlisted for the rest of the period of the war, and accordingly his service lasted until the conflict was ended and peace restored. During the first three years of his service he held the rank of sergeant, was then promoted to the position of second lieutenant and later to that of first lieutenant, which rank he held at the time he was honorably discharged, July 17, 1865. He participated in a number of prominent engagements, always bravely ready for duty, prompt to obey or command, and at the end of the war came home with a record of which he may justly ever be proud. For a number of years he was a
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member of the G. A. R., but on account of his hearing failing him he withdrew his membership.
At the close of the war Mr. Hupp returned home and resumed farm- ing. Since 1871 he has resided on his present farm of two hundred and ninety-seven acres, in Northville township. In addition to this farm he has another tract of one hundred and twenty acres, making four hundred and seventeen in all, and has also given land to his children, assisting them to get a start in life. He gives his political support to the Republican party.
Mr. Hupp was married in February, 1866, to Miss Mary Jane Calla- gan. who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1842, a daughter of William and Jane (Flemming) Callagan, both natives of the north of Ireland. William Callagan was born September 9, 1817, and died in Adams township, LaSalle county, Illinois, February 17, 1896. His wife, born Feb- ruary 2, 1813, is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs Hupp. They were married in Ireland and in 1839 came to the United States, settling first in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1845, that year removing to Adams township, LaSalle county, Illinois. Their family comprised the following named children: Mary, Mary Jane, Anna, William, Samuel and Martha. All of this number are deceased ex- cept Mary Jane and William. Mr. and Mrs. Hupp's children are as fol- lows: Clara I., Harley G., William E. (deceased), Euretta M., Fred E. and Arthur C.
WILLIS C. FARLEY.
This popular merchant of Leland was born in the township of Adams, LaSalle county, May 13, 1866, a son of Christopher and Helen (Sanderson) Farley, natives of Norway. His father was born May 15, 1832, a son of Christopher and Julia Farley, who emigrated to America in 1842, settling in Muskego, Wisconsin. There the senior Christopher Farley died, and his wife, with her son Christopher (the father of our subject), in 1844 moved to LaSalle county, locating in Adams township. Here the junior Christopher followed farming, four years as a farm hand at four dollars a month, until he was enabled to make better arrangements. He married and continued in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred Au- gust II, 1895. In politics he was a Republican. His widow is still living, in Leland. Their children were Esther, deceased: Matilda, also deceased; Willis C., our subject; Hannah; Frank, living on the old homestead; Ed- ward and Alfred, who have been grocers in Leland ever since 1897.
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Willis C. was reared on a farm and educated at the country schools.
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He left the farm in 1891 and entered the butchering business in Leland. Afterward selling out he entered the clothing business, in partnership with an uncle, under the firm name of Sanderson & Farley. His interest in this he sold out in the fall of 1894; but on January 26 following he purchased the business of his uncle and has ever since conducted it alone. His stock embraces everything in the line of clothing, boots and shoes and gents' furnishing goods, and he has a nice stock and a large business.
He was married in 1894 to Nettie Baker, a daughter of Ole Baker, of Pawpaw township. DeKalb county, this state, and they have two children, -Fremont and Okley,-the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Farley is a Lutheran and a Republican.
THOMAS CULLEN.
Numbered among the pioneers of LaSalle county is Thomas Cullen, of Adams township, now arrived at the venerable age of eighty-four years. He is the eldest child of James Cullen, who emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1835. reaching New Orleans on the Ist of June of that year. He was accompanied by his family, and had no definite place of location decided upon, and therefore stopped at different points on his way northward, up the valley of the Mississippi, working at his trade. that of blacksmith. It was not until 1846 that he finally arrived in LaSalle county, thenceforth to be his permanent place of abode. Buying the farm, in Adams township, now owned by Ernest Suppes, he improved it and spent the rest of his active life there, his death occurring in 1879, when he was in his eighty-fourth year. One of his sons is the Hon. William Cullen, ex-con- gressman, of Ottawa, Illinois, and the second son, James Fleming Cullen, is deceased. The daughters were Catherine. the wife of James McNeal, of Redding, California: Margaret, wife of John Reed, both deceased; and Eliza, widow of Byron Braden.
Born in the parish of Invers, county Donegal, Ireland, February 4, 1816, Thomas Cullen was reared to young manhood in his native land. He was remarkably apt as a student and prided himself upon his memory. He was instructed in the catechism and was a very small boy when he was able to repeat as many as twelve chapters of the Bible, missing only a few words of the whole. It was a joke in the family that his mother hid an old dictionary which they possessed, in the fear that he would commit that to memory, also! The love for study and books which he then formed has never left him, and has been a source of great pleasure to him in all the past years. Very few of the really valuable works of history and fiction
Cullen
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1
have been neglected by him, and many of the classics as well, have possessed deep interest for him. Religious and theological works were much read by him prior to his conversion to Christianity, and Clarke's Commentaries on Ecclesiastical History and the works of William Paley, D. D., had a great influence in forming his religious opinions.
In Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Cullen learned the business of build- ing locomotives, and followed that calling for a quarter of a century. About 1837 he became convinced that he ought to devote some of his time to the spreading of the gospel of Christ, and for ten years thereafter he traveled through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Illinois, preaching and doing whatever good he could. In 1847 he returned to Adams township, where he has since resided, secure in the love and genuine esteem of neighbors and associates. In his political faith he has always adhered to the Democratic party, and strongly believes in the Jeffersonian principles. He is unalterably opposed to any form of aristocracy, and views with deep concern the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few.
On the Ist of April, 1855, Mr. Cullen wedded Mary Lindsay, a daughter of Samuel Lindsay, who was of Scotch descent, and whose wife, Annie (Barnes) Lindsay, was a native of Steubenville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen have three children, namely: Benjamin, who married a Miss Guir and is managing the home farm; Jennie, who became the wife of William Smith; and William, a railroad engineer, of Chicago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cullen are members of the Protestant Methodist church, and this venerable couple have long enjoyed the highest esteem and confidence of a wide acquaintance. Richest blessings of health, prosperity and happiness have been granted them, for which, with grateful hearts, they give thanks and praise to God. Devout Christians, their lives have been largely devoted to work in behalf of the Master,-Jesus Christ. Many happy years have been allotted them in this life, through the declining years of which they journey with unshaken faith in the hand of God to strengthen them in life, care for them in death and reward them with happiness, peace and rest in the great beyond.
JOHN HILLIARD.
This honored veteran of the great civil war and prominent citizen of Ottawa, LaSalle county, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York. November 2. 1838. His paternal grandfather, Joshua Hilliard, a native of Connecticut, was one of the heroes of the war for independence. He married a Miss Grinnell, likewise of Connecticut, and for a number of years they dwelt in Vermont. It was in that state that the father of our
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subject, Anson Hilliard, was born and reared. When a mere youth he removed to the Empire state, there passing the remainder of his life, and dying while in his prime, in 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Amity Smith, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, and departed this life in 1849.
Thus, when but eleven years of age, John Hilliard was deprived of the tender care of a mother, from whom he received training in example and precept, resulting in high standards of action in his later life. Until the death of his father, he continued to live at the place of his birth, Platts- burg, in whose public schools he obtained a liberal education for that period. In 1858 he came to the prairie state and spent about a year in Ottawa and vicinity, then returning to his native town.
When the war of the Rebellion broke out, John Hilliard was prompt in offering his services to the government. He enlisted in 1861 for a period of two years, in Company C, Sixteenth Regiment of the New York Vol- unteer Infantry, under command of Captain Frank Palmer and Colonel Davies. With his regiment he was ordered to the front in time to take part in the first battle of Bull Run, and subsequently participated in numer- ous minor engagements. In 1863 he was actively engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg, and was captured by the enemy, but exchanged at the end of ten days. At the close of his term of enlistment he was mustered out, at Albany, and granted an honorable discharge.
In 1863, Mr. Hilliard returned to Ottawa, where for three years he was employed on the Illinois & Michigan canal, engaged in the transfer of farm produce from various points along the line to Chicago. In 1868 he en- tered into business relations with Andrew Hamilton, of Ottawa, under the firm name of Hamilton & Hilliard, and for ten years they were suc- cessfully engaged in the sale of flour and feed. lime and other products. At the end of the decade our subject sold his interest to his partner and bought a quarter section of land in Utica township. For four years he gave his entire attention to the cultivation and improvement of this property, and dealt more or less in live stock. A good opportunity present- ing itself for the disposal of his homestead, he sold the place, and returning to Ottawa again became a partner of Mr. Hamilton. This connection con- tinued for two years. For the second time he sold out and retired on account of failing health. He subsequently purchased a farm near the town of Utica, and here resided temporarily for two years, and in the fall of 1899 returned to Ottawa, his present place of residence.
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