USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 18
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Mr. Hilliard served for one term as an alderman, in Ottawa. In the Grand Army of the Republic he belongs to Seth C. Earl Post, No. 156, of Ottawa. In the Masonic order he is identified with Occidental Lodge,
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No. 40, A. F. & A. M., of this place. By his marriage to Miss Maria Hickling, a daughter of Thomas Hickling, Mr. Hilliard had one child, a daughter, who died when eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard have an adopted son, Hubert J. Hilliard, who now resides on Mr. Hilliard's farm near Utica.
ANDREW HEBEL.
Andrew Hebel, the secretary and treasurer of the Peru Beer Company, and ex-mayor of Peru, was born in LaSalle, Illinois, May 13, 1865. His father, Andrew Hebel, was a well known pioneer brewer of LaSalle and Peru, and was a native of Bavaria, Germany, coming to the United States some time during the '50s. After visiting Milwaukee, St. Louis and other points, with a view to locating, he came to LaSalle, where he settled about 1860. Here he married Miss Karolina Rapp, who came from Bavaria to LaSalle a few years later than Mr. Hebel. Five children were the fruits of this marriage-Andrew, Josephine, Caroline, Annie and Bertha. The father was a master brewer, having learned the trade in his native land, and after locating in LaSalle took charge of the brewing of the Eliel Brewing Company, remaining there nine years. In 1869 he moved to Peru and took charge of the old Peru Beer 'Company, a co-operative concern. Three years later he and Herman Brunner bought the plant and operated it under the name of Hebel & Brunner until his death in 1886. His wife still survives him.
Andrew Hebel, our subject, was about four years old when his father became a resident of Peru, and he grew to manhood in this city. He was given every facility for obtaining a good education in order that he might become a successful man of business. His primary training was received in the public schools of Peru and the high school, at which he graduated in 1880. He then attended the University of St. Louis for one year, and took a six-months course in the Bryant & Stratton Business Col- lege of Chicago to gain a practical idea of bookkeeping. To gain actual experience in the work he secured a position as bookkeeper in the office of Rand. McNally & Company, of Chicago, where he remained four years. leaving there in the spring of 1886. at his father's request, to take charge of the latter's interest in the brewery. At the death of his father he took charge of the office and became a partner, taking his father's interest and continu- ing the business under the old style for three years. In 1889 the firm was changed to a stock company, which was incorporated and known as the Peru Beer Company, with an invested capital of fifty thousand dollars, and at present the annual output is about fifteen thousand barrels. The
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officers elected were Herman Brunner. president; Andrew Hebel, secretary and treasurer; and Charles Herbold. superintendent. They have been con- tinued in that capacity ever since. They have made a special effort to pro- duce a pure, malt-and-hop beer, and are given credit for brewing a high grade. Their business has increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to enlarge their buildings, and they have just completed the erec- tion of a large stock house or cold-storage cellars, at a cost of thirty thous- and dollars.
Mr. Hebel was united in marriage, in 1889, to Miss Rose Cossmann, whose father was an iron-foundry man of Chicago. Five of the six chil- dren born to them are living. Mr. Hebel and wife are members of the Catholic church and are liberal contributors toward its support. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica and other organizations. In politics he is a Democrat and was twice elected to the office of alderman without opposition. During his second term of office Mayor Rausch resigned and the council elected Mr. Hebel mayor pro tem. for the remainder of the term. At the election held in the following May he was elected mayor without opposition and held the trust for a further period of two years, declining re-election afterward on account of his business.
THOMAS F. THOMPSON.
The Scandinavian element in our great western population is a good one. The men from Sweden and Norway who have cast their lot with us have demonstrated their ability to seize upon the advantages of Amer- ican citizenship as practically and as patriotically as men "to the manor born." One of the most prominent Scandinavians in LaSalle county is Thomas F. Thompson, grain merchant and banker. at Leland, who has made his way to permanent success in life in the face of many obstacles.
Thomas F. Thompson was born in Norway, September 7, 1832, and was brought to the United States by his parents in 1844, and the family found a home in Norway, Racine county, Wisconsin. His parents were Thomas T. Flattre and Isabella Thompson. His mother died in Norway, Wisconsin, and his father in Leland. LaSalle county, Illinois, where he located in 1853, though he later lived in Kansas for a time.
Thomas F. Thompson remained at the family home in Norway, Wis- consin, until 1852, when he was twenty years old, and then he went to Chicago, where he remained two years. In 1854 he first came to Leland, where for two years he was in partnership with A. A. Klove. Disposing of his interests to Mr. Klove, he went to Atchison county. Kansas, where
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he ran a sawmill two years. After his return to Leland he was for a time employed in the store of Hans Thompson. In 1861 Mr. Thompson and Thomas Iverson began to deal in grain at Leland and they continued the business with varying success until 1866, when Mr. Thompson disposed of his interest in it and was associated, for a time, with C. F. Okefield in the same business. He then removed to Crescent, Illinois, where . for eight years he was engaged in merchandising. Returning to Leland, he formed a partnership with Knute Buland and bought the grain business of Mr. Okefield, who had died just before that time. In 1883 Andrew Anderson bought Mr. Buland's interest in the business and the firm became Thompson & Anderson, under which style it exists at this time. Its banking depart- ment was added in May, 1896.
Mr. Thompson is a Republican. He has served for his townsmen since 1880 as town clerk and has filled several other important offices. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church more than fifty years ago. He married Miss Caroline Selter, a daughter of Ole T. Selter, June 19, 1861. Mrs. Thompson was a native of Norway and was brought to the United States when she was only about a year old. She bore Mr. Thompson ten children and died deeply regretted in 1886. Six of their children are living: Lewis T., Stanley O., Cora M., Nettie E., Jeannette O. and Charlotte T. Mr. Thompson has proven himself a public-spirited citizen, alive to the best inter- ests of his town, county and state and deeply interested in national affairs. There is no public movement affecting the weal of the people of LaSalle county in which he is not active and helpful.
GABRIEL M. JAMESON.
America can boast of no better, more patriotic citizens than the sons of old Norway, and Illinois and the great northwest recognize them as extremely important factors in the development and progress of this splen- did region. Almost without exception they are industrious, peaceable, law- abiding citizens, and in these respects few countries can compete with Norway. Prominent among the early settlers of LaSalle county were the Jamesons, who for more than thirty years have been numbered among the enterprising agriculturists of this flourishing section of the state.
The father of the subject of this article was Sivert Jameson, a son of Gudman Jameson, and a native of the island of Skudesness, on the west- ern coast of Norway, born May 16, 1826. When he was twenty-seven years of age he married Rachel Christopherson, and to them were born the following named children: Gabriel M .; Rastus; Annie, wife of Knute
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Holt, of Iowa; Maggie; Rachel, wife of Richard Thorgerson, of Chicago; Martha, who married John Watnem, of Dayton township, LaSalle county; Laura, wife of B. Johnson, of Freedom; Ollie, bookkeeper for the firm of Skinner. Richards & Company, of Chicago; and Miss Nellie.
Until he was forty years of age. Sivert Jameson struggled to gain an honest livelihood for himself and family by farming and fishing, as was the custom of the people of his country. Largely through his own per- sistent efforts he obtained a little education, and, having given particular attention to the subject of the United States and its development, its re- sources and industrial conditions, he at length determined to seek a home in the land which ever has extended a warm welcome to the honest sons of toil. When he landed on these hospitable shores he was better versed in the politics and duties of citizens here than some of the native-born sons of the country, and he had made up his mind to uphold the laws and do all within his power to promote the prosperity of the nation. On tlie Ist of June, 1866, with his six children, he stepped from the deck of the sailing vessel which had conveyed them from Stavanger, Norway, to Quebec, and thence proceeded by railroad to Chicago. There he remained for one month, and then went to Leland, Illinois, where he rented a house, and, having safely installed his family therein, he commenced working by the day, as his scanty funds were in need of replenishment. In the following spring he rented an eighty-acre farm of Charles Wiley, who was so impressed by the industry and spirit of his tenant that he said to him one day that summer, "I want to sell you this farm;" and when Mr. Jameson replied, "I am not able to pay for it." Mr. Wiley told him that he would sell the property for two hundred dollars in cash, and the remainder might be paid for on as easy terms as he desired. Mr. Jameson accepted the condition, and, in due time the farm was deeded to him. After owning the place for eight years he sold it to Theodore McClure, and purchased two hundred and forty acres in Wallace township, making a fine country home there.
Gabriel M. Jameson was born near Stavanger, Norway, March 21, 1852, and was a lad of fourteen when he came to LaSalle county. After learning the details of farming on the parental homestead, he worked for three years by the month, and with the carefully saved earnings of this period later bought an eighty-acre tract of land from his father. There he began his independent family life and resided there until 1898, when he sold that property and bought the Rowe estate in Freedom township. He is improving this farm and is making a success of his business undertakings. as he generally does.
The first wife of Mr. Jameson was Amelia, daughter of Matthias Saw- yer. They were married in February, 1881, and in September, 1884, the
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wife died, leaving two children-Raymond and Merton. In January, 1896, Mr. Jameson married Mary Thornson, a daughter of Thorn Thornson, and they became the parents of two children, Fremont and Marian. Mrs. Jameson was summoned to the silent land in August, 1898, and her loss has been deeply felt by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.
BENJAMIN SPRINGSTEED.
Benjamin Springsteed, of Serena township, LaSalle county, has a wide acquaintanceship in this section of the state and is highly esteemed by every one. He is a son of one of the sterling, rugged pioneers of this county, Hiram Springsteed, who settled here three-score years ago, in October, 1839, and thenceforward was associated with the welfare of this community. He was a native of Onondaga county, New York, born Oc- tober 16, 1819. He had but limited educational advantages in his youth, but was a man of practical business ability, possessing sound common sense and good judgment. When he was a lad of twelve or fourteen years he left his native state, lived four years in Ohio, and, going to the pine woods of Michigan, found employment in the forests. He worked very hard for the two years he was there, becoming noted for the number of rails which he could split in a day, and after coming to Illinois, in 1839, he was similarly occupied for some time, chiefly employed by a Mr. Borap, of Bureau county. Carefully husbanding his means, he was at length en- abled to purchase a quarter section of land from the government, and part of his original farm is now in the possession of Henry Harthan, of Adams township. Selling this homestead later, Mr. Springsteed invested his funds in a piece of timber land in Adams township, and subsequently he secured adjoining lands in Serena township. He cleared and improved his posses- sions, gave to each of his two eldest children a farm, and still owns five hundred and fifty acres. He hauled to the Chicago market one of the first loads of wheat that were hauled to Chicago, and he took it to Whiting's warehouse. During the gold excitement. in 1850, he went to the Pacific coast, crossing the plains, but was not of the fortunate few who reaped a fortune, and at the end of a year he returned home, by way of the isthmus of Panama, but little richer than when he started. He was very active in the support of the Democratic party and took an active interest in local affairs, though in no wise a politician. His death occurred in October, 1895.
January 4, 1844. Hiram Springsteed married Maria, a daughter of Samuel Lett, and a sister of Benjamin Lett, the celebrated Canadian patriot and revolutionist who blew up the monument to General Brock and had a
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price set on his head by the British government. To Hiram and Maria Springsteed several children were born, and those surviving are: Riley, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mary, the wife of Joseph Nelson, of Serena; Hiram, a prominent farmer of Serena township; Benjamin; and Emma, the wife of Gus Grandgeorge, of Adams township.
The birth of our subject, Benjamin Springsteed, took place upon the farm which is his present place of abode, the date of the event being June 22, 1856. He received a fair district-school education, and early mastered the details of farming. Possessing the industrious spirit which animated his father, he has been justly successful, and is the owner of two hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable, improved property. Politically he is a Democrat and takes an interest in the management of township matters as well as in the greater state and national issues.
Joy and sorrow have come into the life of Mr. Springsteed, as to every one, and he has endeavored to act the manly, noble part, under all circum- stances. The lady who is his wife, and sharer of his fortunes, is a native of New York state, and was visiting a cousin in Serena township when she made the acquaintance of her future husband. Her maiden name was Luna B. Nichols, her father being George Nichols, of Niagara county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Springsteed were married July 26, 1888. Their eldest child, born in 1889, and named Mabel, was killed accidentally, April 4, 1899. Two daughters and three sons remain to cheer and brighten the home. Their names are given in order of their ages: Jessie Ellen, Harry Bryan, Vera Belle, Riley G., and an unnamed baby.
THOMAS T. MOSEY.
One of the pioneers of LaSalle county. Thomas T. Mosey, has been a citizen of this county for fifty-five years and has been actively interested in its upbuilding and progress. His life has been quiet and unmarked by so- called great events, but he has ever endeavored to perform his full duty toward his fellow men, and has found his chief pleasure in extending a help- ing hand to the poor and needy and in caring for his family.
One of the native sons of Norway, Mr. Mosey inherited from a long line of worthy ancestors the sterling traits of character which he possesses in no unstinted measure. He was born August 21, 1827, was reared upon a farm, and was early instructed in the thrifty, industrious methods pursued by his father. The latter, Knute Mosey, emigrated to the United States with his family, in 1845. and entered a tract of land from the government, in Freedom township, LaSalle county. During the scourge of cholera
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which swept away so many of the inhabitants of this country in 1849. he succumbed to the dread disease, as also did the wife and mother and their two daughters.
Thomas T. Mosey was thus left as the mainstay of the younger mem- bers of the family, and faithfully did he carry out the plans which had been made by the father. Having been thoroughly familiar with farming labor since his early years, he was equal to the task of carrying on the home- stead, and continued to give his entire attention to agriculture for forty- three years. By that time, he had amassed a modest competence, and not being ambitious for wealth he took up his abode in Leland, where he has since dwelt. While a resident of Freedom township he served as a member of the school board for sixteen years, and since coming to Leland he was one of the town councilmen for three years. Politically he is a stalwart Republican. In his church affiliations he is a Lutheran, and has officiated as deacon in his church.
When a young man of twenty-three years, Mr. Mosey married Betsy Hanson, a daughter of Hans Hanson, of Adams township. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Sarah, the wife of the Rev. Gjertsen. of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Josephine, the wife of Dr: Laws, of Minne- apolis; Mary, the wife of the Rev. Guldbrandsen, of Blair, Wisconsin; Charles, a hardware merchant of Leland; Henry T., a farmier of this county; Hannah, the wife of Andrew Klove, of Leland; Lila and Esther, who are unmarried and are at home. The children have received an excellent edu- cation and are worthy citizens of the various communities in which their lot is cast.
AUGUST GERDING.
August Gerding, photographer and one of the leading business men and enterprising citizens of Ottawa, was born in the city of Ottawa forty- two years ago. He is one of a family of ten children. He obtained the benefits of a liberal education in the public schools, and for over a quarter of a century he has devoted his time and energies to the art of photography. making steady improvement and keeping abreast of the spirit of the times. Rapid advances have been made in this useful profession, science being pressed into the service, and great minds finding it worthy of their deep re- search and investigation. In order to be a successful photographer in these end-of-the-century days, one must be an artist, in addition to everything else, and here it is that the natural talent of Mr. Gerding especially asserts itself. Among his patrons may be found the representative citizens of Ottawa and vicinity, as his gallery, at the corner of Main and LaSalle
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streets, is reputed to be the best and most thoroughly equipped of all photographic establishments in this place. To the enlarging of photo- graphs and to the execution of crayon, pastel and water-color work, par- ticular attention is given, especially fine likenesses being guaranteed.
The marriage of August Gerding and Miss Louise Scherer took place November 17, 1882. They have five children, named in order of birth as follows: Augusta, Fred, Othileo, Carl and Hubert. The family residence is a pleasant one, situated at No. 1021 West Webster street, on the west side of the town. Politically, Mr. Gerding is affiliated with the Democratic party.
HORACE B. GEORGE.
Horace B. George, a retired farmer and one of the oldest citizens of Leland, LaSalle county, was born in Jefferson county. New York, October 28. 1824, and is a son of Gilman and Fannie (Bartlett) George. His father was born in Vermont and the mother in New Hampshire, and both were descended from Puritan stock, their ancestors having come from England. They were married in New Hampshire and settled. about 1820. in Jefferson county, New York, where they followed farming and both ended their life. Their family consisted of the following children: Horace B., our subject; Moses, deceased, and for more than thirty years an engineer on the Rock Island Railway: Harvey, who has been a farmer of Iowa for about thirty years: Mary Jane, deceased, who married I. A. Thompson, of Watertown, New York: and Daniel, who lived many years in Jefferson county, New York, but came to this county about three years before the civil war, enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and died in Baltimore, Maryland, while in the service.
Horace B. George was reared on a farm and received but a limited education as the facilities for attending school were very poor. He left home when twenty-one to learn the trade of miller, securing a place at Redwood in one of the mills. He came west in 1848, in the fall of that year locating in this county, where he has been a resident ever since .- more than fifty years. He first secured employment in a mill at Dayton, this county, where he remained at a good salary for fifteen years. He was a poor man when he came west and went on to California in 1852 during the gold excitement, making some money by the trip. He saved his earnings and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Earl township, locating it with a warrant that cost him one hundred and fifty dollars and was signed by President Fillmore. He afterward added another eighty. for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. His brother first moved upon this land
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Elizabeth ' Year ge
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and improved it for him, and he moved upon it in 1863. and from that time until 1885 he continued to make this place his home. In 1885 he moved to the village of Leland and has since lived a retired life.
Mr. George was married, while working in Dayton as a miller, in 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Stadden, a daughter of William and Judah (Daniels) Stadden, who came from Ohio to this county in 1829. and here Mrs. George was born four years later. Mrs. George's father was one of the early sher- iffs of LaSalle county and also served two terms in the state senate, and later as a member of a constitutional convention for the revision of the state constitution, and was also prominent in Masonry. He settled at Dayton, and there operated one of the first gristmills of the county. He was a prominent character in the early history of the county. We record, however, that he died rather early in life, being only forty-five years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. and Mrs. George were the parents of four children, one of whom died in early childhood. The other children were William, deceased, who was a hotel-keeper in Spring View. Nebraska, where he died in 1891, aged thirty-nine years: he married Hellen Target and left a daughter, Myrtle; Ida B. married William G. Cove, a traveling salesman for Kimbark & Com- pany, of Chicago; and Edgar C. married Jennie Fluellen, and is living on the old homestead in Earl township. Like his father. Mr. George is a stanch Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. He has been honest and industrious and his life has been pure and simple, --- one that will bear the closest scrutiny.
JACOB C. JACOBSON.
Jacob C. Jacobson. proprietor of a large general store at Leland. La- Salle county, was born in Haugesund. Norway. April 16, 1835, and came to the United States when in his twenty-second year. His parents. Chris- tian and Anna M. Jacobson, lived and died in Norway. Four sons and one daughter were born to them, and they were educated and grew to adult years in their native land. They were farmers and there did Jacob spend the first fifteen years of his life. The following seven years was spent mostly at sea and one year he was a clerk in his native country, and he then took a sailing vessel for Quebec. From there he went by rail to Ottawa. Illinois, and in the month of July, 1857. reached Adams township, LaSalle county, where he went to work as a farm hand. He continued to work as a farm hand until 1864. when he moved into Leland and followed various employ- ments for the next ten years .- in the lumber-yard. clerking in a drug store
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for four or five years and as a clerk in a dry-goods store. In 1874 he opened his general store in this city and ten years later took his son into partnership, and continued as J. C. Jacobson & Son. They handle a big stock of goods and have worked up a large trade, buying the building which they occupy in 1886, and also a good residence property.
Mr. Jacobson was married in the fall of 1857 to Miss Cathaline M. Karlson, who came to America at the same time as did Mr. Jacobson. Their children are: Christian B., who is in partnership with his father, was married to Miss Emma Hansen,-by whom he has three children,-and was educated in Leland, afterward taking a course in the Bryant & Strat- ton Business College; he was brought up in the store and had an inherited as well as acquired talent for the mercantile business; Andrew M., who died at the age of eight years; and Jacob, who died in his twenty-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson are earnest members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, as are the son and his family. He has held the office of secretary of the organization for a number of years. He took out naturalization papers in 1862 and since that time has cast his vote with the Republican party, also serving in a number of offices, such as township collector, president of the board of trustees for twenty years, treasurer of the school board, supervisor of the township and treasurer of Leland Cemetery Association for fifteen years. He has not forgotten the home of his youth and five times has he made a visit there, on one occasion spending a year there with his family. He is whole-souled and patriotic and represents a class of citizens who reflect credit upon their adopted country.
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