USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 20
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useful life of Mr. Goedtner, but enough has been given to indicate his position and standing. namely. in the front ranks of the leading citizens of his city and county.
RANSOM D. PALMER.
Ranking with the representative farmers of Ophir township. LaSalle county, is found the gentleman with whose name we are pleased to intro- duce this review, Ransom Dunn Palmer.
Mr. Palmer was born on the farm on which he now lives and which has always been his home. October 18, 1857. He was educated in the Englewood high school. After completing his four years' course in that institution he became actively identified with the management of the farm. .
His father becoming enfeebled more and more as age crept on. the responsi- bilities of the farming operations were finally all transferred to the son, Ransom D.
Joseph Snow Palmer, the father of Ransom D., was born in Warsaw. New York. April 29, 1819. a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Snow) Palmer. who emigrated from New York to Medina county, Ohio, in 1831, and to Kane county, Illinois, seven years later. In 1843 Joseph S. Palmer re- turned to Ohio and bought the old home place, but in the fall of that year sold it and came back to Illinois, settling then in LaSalle county. Decem- ber 15, 1845, he married Cynthia Parker, who died in July, 1899, at their home in Ophir township, whither they had moved in the spring of 1851. His death occurred June 27, 1892. Their children are as follows: Mrs. Azema Kimmey, of Chicago, Illinois; Rush H., of Miden, Nebraska: Ran- som D., whose name initiates this review; Mrs. Alma Smith, of Peoria. Illinois; and Dr. Enos E., of Ottawa, Illinois. Mrs. Cynthia Palmer was a daughter of Shepard and C. Zarina Parker, and was born in Lower Can- ada. Her parents removed to Ohio in the early part of the present century and died in Medina county, in 1846. Joseph S. Palmer was one of the foremost citizens of Ophir township, interested in all that tended to ad- vance the general welfare and material prosperity of his township and county. His industry and business foresight were amply rewarded by the acquirement of a large landed estate, and everybody within the scope of his acquaintance was glad to refer to him as a friend. Politically he was a Republican: religiously a Free-will Baptist.
Ransom D. Palmer was married January 13. 1887, to Miss Nettie E. Cole, a daughter of Lawrence and Frances (Lowe) Cole. Mrs. Palmer is one of a family of five. her brothers and sisters being: Charles D. Cole. a commission merchant of Chicago: Edwin Cole, of Pomona, California;
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Mrs. Catherine Hickok, of Crown Point, New York; and Mrs. J. W. Phelps, of California. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are the parents of three chil- dren: Horace E., Ina Frances and Kenneth Cole.
Ransom D. Palmer is a counterpart of his father in all that contributes to good citizenship. He is successful to a marked degree in his vocation and is an honor to the name he bears and a credit to the town and county in which he lives. A staunch Republican, he has done his part, as he has been called upon, in matters of public interest, but is in no sense a seeker for pub- lic honors.
CHARLES KEMBER.
Charles Kember, of Serena township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is a son of the late William Kember, who was born in Kent county, England, at Chelseafield, in the year 1813. The latter came to the United States in 1840 with his wife, nee Sarah Castle, and settled in LaSalle county, Illinois. They were in poor circumstances but were by nature endowed with an industrious disposition and were impelled by a strong desire to acquire a home in this Mecca of the poor, and were rewarded for their labors with more than mere existence. Mr. Kember had no advantages for obtaining an education in his youth and it was not until after his marriage that he learned to read and cipher. In his later life, however, he gained a fair knowledge of books and papers, and he was a useful and trustworthy citi- zen. On his arrival in Illinois he bought a tract of cheap land, which "Uncle Sam" was then selling to home-seekers, and through frugal and industrious management paid for it, improved it, and subsequently added to its area, and at the time of his death he was the owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres. When it is remembered that he was "freighted" into this county with an ox team, with only ten dollars in his pocket to stand between his family and actual destitution, his accumulations do not seem small. He soon became interested in the politics of his adopted country, and espoused the cause of the Republican party upon its organization, and while he was always interested in public affairs he never sought nor accepted office other than that of membership on the school board of his district. His first wife died in 1861 and some time afterward he married Rachel Brewer, who died in 1885. The children by his first marriage were William, who married Kate Reed, was four years in the federal army during the civil war, and died in 1889; Alfred, who married Miss C. Middleton, died in 1874: Charles, who is the subject proper of this sketch; and Albert J., who married Mary McAtee and now resides in Oklahoma. The children of the second marriage are Ralph E .: Ella, wife
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of Wilson W. Hupp; Mary, wife of Lincoln Knight, of Adams township; and Arthur T., of Serena township, who married Nellie Harthan. The father died in April, 1882. He had lived an honorable, upright and useful life and passed to the world beyond believing that "He who doeth all things well" would give him the reward that is promised the God-fearing man here below.
Charles Kember was ushered into life in Serena township on the 22d of August, 1846. He passed his youth, as was the custom of the farm boys of his time, going to school in winter and following the plow in sum- mer. He remained at his parental home till past twenty-two years of age, when he was attracted to the west by the reports of the large and quick profits to be made in the stock business on the, frontier. He located at Burlingame, Kansas, engaged in the cattle business, and for four years reaped a reasonable harvest from his ventures. At the end of that time he closed out his business and returned to the state of his birth to be near his father and to try his fortune with the money-makers of LaSalle county. He turned his attention to farming and soon began acquiring real estate. His has not been the fate of "the rolling stone" but rather of the rolling snowball. He now owns no less than six hundred acres in Serena town- ship, and his home place is one of the finest in LaSalle county. Also he has a large creamery in Serena township, which he is successfully operating.
Mr. Kember was married in 1876 to a young lady whom he met while in business in Kansas-Miss Winnie Granteer, a daughter of the late Will- iam Granteer. Her mother is now the wife of W. P. Warren, of Serena, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kember have three children,-Orville H., Jesse E. and Elsie.
Mr. Kember votes with the Republican party, has filled the office of township assessor and is at present the commissioner of highways and post- master of Serena. It is due to him that Serena township has more than fifty miles of gravel road, and it is also largely due to his efforts that the Republican organization in Serena has been so well preserved, for he has been a member of its advisory committee for fifteen years.
MILTON E. BLANCHARD, M. D.
Through two decades Dr. Blanchard has engaged in the practice of medicine in Marseilles and has won distinctive preferment as a representa- tive of the profession. His entire life has been passed in Illinois, his birth having occurred in Brookfield township, LaSalle county, on the 30th of September, 1852. His parents were Psalter S. and Phoebe (Thorp)
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Blanchard. His father was born near Rochester, New York, October 18. 1800, and was married in that city to Miss Thorp, whose birth occurred June 14, 1816, and who was a daughter of James Thorp, a native of Genesee county, Michigan, and a farmer by occupation. Throughout his life Psalter S. Blanchard carried on agricultural pursuits. He arrived in La- Salle county, Illinois, in 1847, and purchased a farm on section 16, Brook- field township, devoting his energies to its cultivation and improvement until his death, which occurred on the 14th of March, 1868. In his family were the following children: Adelaide L., Elizabeth, Emily, James S., Alba G., Achsah M., Milton E., Eunice L. and David E., and all are living with the exception of Elizabeth and James.
Dr. Blanchard spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and early became familiar with the work of the fields, following the plow and perform- ing other services incumbent upon those who engage in the tilling of the . soil. In 1869, however, he left home and went to Remington, Indiana, where he was employed in a grain office. He was ambitious and energetic, and, desiring to acquire a better education than had hitherto been vouchsafed to him, he spent all his leisure time in study. In the winter of 1873-4 he engaged in teaching, and in 1875 joined his brother Alba in conducting a drug store. which they purchased, in Cornell, Illinois. In September of the same year Dr. Blanchard went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the Eclectic Medical College, where he pursued his studies for two terms, after which he began the practice of medicine in Norway, LaSalle county. There he remained until September, 1877, when he re-entered college, and was graduated January 22, 1878. Immediately thereafter he went again to Norway and remained there until June, 1880, when he came to Marseilles. He has further perfected himself in his chosen calling by a post-graduate course in the Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he pursued his studies in 1893-4, and while there he was promoted as assistant to Professor Adolphus in the clinical chair of gynecology. His professional connection with Marseilles covers a period of twenty years, during which time he has demonstrated his ability to cope successfully with all sorts of disease. His superior skill and his devotion to the profession have won him a creditable place in its ranks, and he enjoys the regard of those who, like himself, are giving their energies to the healing art. His genial manner in the sick room, as well as his skill and ability, makes his visits very desirable. He is a member of the LaSalle County Medical Society and of the Illinois State Medical Society, and is a surgeon of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company,-which position he has held ever since 1890.
All his life he has manifested a deep interest in all that pertains to the . welfare of the community, withholding his support from no movement
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which gives a net result in favor of human welfare. Accordingly he has also been an active politician. A stanch Jeffersonian Democrat, in 1892 his party rewarded his zeal and fidelity by electing him the coroner of this great county, which office he filled with credit to the county and honor to himself. He has also distinguished himself in the Masonic fraternity, hav- ing held an office in Marseilles Lodge, No. 417, with the exception of one year, for the past eighteen years. He has been elected worshipful master five times, and now occupies the chair, for the fourth time, of excellent high priest of Shabbona Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Ottawa. He is also thrice illustrious master of Oriental Council, Royal and Select Masters, at Ottawa, a member of Oriental Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, Chicago, and of Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. In further social connection with the fraternity he is also a member of Medinah Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. In active philanthropic connection with the order he is also a life member and a director of the Illinois Masonic Home for the Aged.
Locally he has just completed one of the finest business blocks in the city of Marseilles and now occupies it with a drug store and his offices.
On the 7th of November, 1874, the Doctor was married to Miss Ella M. Bartlett, a daughter of Charles E. and Maria S. (Virgil) Bartlett. She was born November 16, 1858, in Naperville, Illinois, and is now the mother of four children, namely: Florence, who was born August 15, 1875; Vivian M., born October 18, 1877: Alfa M., born December 10, 1888; and John. born May 23, 1897.
In all his professional, political and domestic relations the Doctor has manifested a trustworthy devotion and responsible skill, and so has won for himself a name and fame envied by all.
WILLIAM CALLAGAN.
It has been said that if the roll were called of the men who have won lasting fame as leaders of this grand republic, of those who have achieved great things in the domains of science and commerce, we should be wonder- fully surprised to find how large a proportion of these men were reared upon farms and shared in the arduous labors of the pioneer, clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation, growing strong in body and mind. while nourished by simple, wholesome country food and invigorated by the clear pure air. Thus it is not strange, after all, nor is it remarkable, that many return to mother nature and agriculture after a few years, more or
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less, spent in the feverish pursuits of wealth and honor, realizing that here alone is found true contentment.
William Callagan, one of the progressive farmers of Adams township. LaSalle county, has never aspired to a place in the busy world of commerce or public life, but has quietly and happily attended to the business of culti- vating his homestead and providing for the needs of his little family. He is a son of William Callagan, who was born in Ireland in 1820, of poor. but honest and upright parents. He learned a trade, and in 1845 came to the United States. Upon coming to LaSalle county he bought a tract of government land. and continued to improve and cultivate the place during his life-time. His career was that of an industrious, patriotic citizen, his chief ambition to do his duty in every way and to merit the good opinion of those who knew him. In his political convictions he was a stanch Repub- lican. He died in 1896, and is survived by his widow, whose maiden name was Jane Fleming, and by their three children, namely: Mrs. Mary Hupp. of Northville township; Mrs. Annie Madison, and the subject of this article.
The latter was born January 13. 1848, in Adams township, and has spent his entire life here. His education consists of the knowledge gained in the schools of this district, together with the more practical learning of experience, reading and observation. Industry and well applied energy are the secrets of the success he has won, and now in the prime of life he is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of valuable land in LaSalle county. and is accounted one of the leading agriculturists of this locality. Amply abundant as are his means to support himself and family for the remainder of his days, he is not a lover of idleness, and has no desire to retire as long as he is blessed with health and strength.
At the age of thirty-three years. December 27. 1881, Mr. Callagan married Miss Eva, daughter of William Reed, of Sycamore, Illinois, and they have had born to them four children, namely: Ralph Jason, Rilla May. Lloyd Harrison and Cora Ann. Mr. Callagan and family are members of the Methodist church, he being one of the trustees of the congregation with which he is identified, and having served as superintendent of the Sunday-school.
JOSEPH SHERMAN.
Joseph Sherman, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Northville township. LaSalle county, was born in the township in which he lives, September 20, 1846, a son of Stephen and Louise Sherman, natives of Ger- many, the former born in Prussia and the latter in Alsace-Lorraine. Stephen Sherman came to this country a young man, about the year 1839,
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having a brother John who had preceded him to this country and settled in Illinois,-Northville township. LaSalle county,-when the Indians were yet plentiful through this section of the country. The mother of our sub- ject came to this country about the time the father did. They were mar- ried in Illinois, and afterward he pre-empted a tract of government land, one hundred and ninety-three acres. in Northville township, where they spent the rest of their lives and died. his death occurring in 1869. when he had attained the age of sixty-four years; hers in 1875. at the age of fifty- one. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Joseph; Sophia. de- ceased: Bosine. deceased; Elizabeth, Henry. Mary, Kate, Edward, infant, deceased, and Caroline Lawrence. In their religious faith the parents were' devout members of the Catholic church.
Joseph Sherman has all his life continued in the occupation in which he was reared, and in his farming operations has been rewarded for his labor by a fair degree of success. While he carries on general farming he has always given more or less attention to stock-raising.
In 1873. at the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Sherman married Miss Louise Antoine, a native of Northville township and a daughter of Lawrence and Catherine Antoine, early settlers of this township, having come here from their native land. Alsace-Lorraine, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have three children .- Lawrence. Clara and Henry.
Mr. Sherman is identified with the church in which he was reared, and politically is a Democrat, supporting the same party as did his father. As to public position, he has filled the office of road commissioner.
ALMAN A. CLAPSADDLE. ,
Alman A. Clapsaddle is a brilliant young attorney of Leland. Illinois, who is rapidly forcing his way to a prominent place among the legal fra- ternity of this county. He was born November 25. 1868. in De Kalb, De Kalb county, this state, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Ames) Clap- saddle, prominent residents of that county.
Andrew Clapsaddle was of German origin, but the place of his nativity was Herkimer county. New York, whence he came to De Kalb county in 1848. He had received a good education and the earlier years of his life were spent in teaching school. a vocation for which he was eminently fitted. Coming to this state he engaged in agricultural pursuits and it was while thus engaged that he met Mrs. Mary Heustis, nee Ames, for whom a strong friendship was formed. Her parents were of Scotch-English descent and were early settlers of Stonington, Massachusetts, moving later
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to Otsego county, New York, where the daughter, Mary, was born. The friendship which sprung up between Andrew Clapsaddle and Mrs. Mary Heustis soon ripened into love and culminated in their marriage. A family of five children blessed their home, which was rudely broken by the death of the affectionate wife and mother in 1873. Left with a number of small children to care for, the father chose a second wife to preside over his house- hold and care for his little ones and was permitted to remain with them until they were grown to adult years. In 1894 he laid down the burdens of life and entered into the dreamless sleep that leads to life everlasting.
Alman A. Clapsaddle was five years of age when he was bereft of his mother's love and care, but remained at home and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He assisted with the chores common to all farms and attended the country schools; but farm work did not appear congenial and he decided to enter a profession, choosing the legal as offering the greatest scope. He attended school at Leland and then entered Jennings Seminary at Aurora. Leaving school he became a teacher for four or five years, having in the meantime entered the office of M. T. Maloney, of Ottawa, with whom he studied two years and was admitted to the bar in June, 1892. He first practiced in Ottawa for one year and in 1893 came to Leland, where he has since been established and has worked up a good clientage. He has a large patronage among the better class of people and his skill in the treatment of the cases that come under his care has shown a surprising ability in one of his experience.
Mr. Clapsaddle was married in 1890 to Miss Minnie Potter, daughter of C. M. Potter, of Leland, and two children have been the fruits of their union, Reita M. and Janet A. He is a member of Leland Lodge, No. 558. F. & A. M., and Sandwich Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M. He is a Republican in his political views and is well posted on all the current events of the day. He has won the respect of the community by his conduct and general bearing and his friends predict for him a bright and prosperous future.
ANDREW N. ANDERSON.
The gentleman whom we here select as deserving special mention in a collection of biographical sketches of citizens of LaSalle county, is a banker at Leland. He was born in Adams township, this county, March 17, 1855. a son of Nelson and Ann (Quam) Anderson. His parents were both natives of Norway. He came to this country about 1845 and his wife in 1842, and were married in De Kalb county, Illinois, in which county they continued to reside for a short time. and then moved to Adams township. LaSalle county.
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Nelson Anderson was a farmer by vocation and died in 1864, at the age of forty-four years; and his wife is still living, now aged sixty-eight years, and living on the old homestead in Adams township. Their six children were Sophia B., Mattie S., Lorinda S., Andrew N., John N., and Nelsey M. All these are now deceased excepting our subject and John N., who is a farmer on the old homestead.
Mr. Anderson of this sketch was reared to farm duties and educated at Leland; and he continued in agricultural pursuits in Adams township until he was thirty-two years of age. In the autumn of 1883 he and Thomas F. Thompson formed a partnership, he buying out Mr. Thompson's former partner, Mr. Buland, in the grain business, ever since which time the firm name has been Thompson & Anderson, bankers and grain merchants. They established the Leland Bank in 1896, and are doing a safe and profitable business.
Mr. Anderson has been a resident of Leland ever since 1883. He has served as supervisor, is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In 1884 he married Anna Vold, who died in 1897, leaving three children-Vira A .. Nelson C. and Nieda J.
CHARLES A. COULTER.
Charles Alvin Coulter, the genial and accommodating postmaster of LaSalle, Illinois, has been a lifelong resident of this city, having been ushered into life here June 15. 1859. He is a son of Robert K. and Mary E. (Allinder) Coulter, well known substantial citizens of this city. The father was born September 22, 1822, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he was educated and learned the trade of painter. When twenty years of age he began work as a journeyman painter and later contracted work and painted many steamboats at Brownsville and Pittsburg. In 1857 he came to LaSalle and opened a shop. soon acquiring the reputation of being a first-class house painter and decorator. He was married in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary E. Allinder, in 1851. Six chil- dren were born to them, namely: William G., Emily J., Charles A., John A. and two that are deceased.
Charles A. Coulter attended the public schools of LaSalle, finishing with a course in the high school. As his father was a painter and deco- rator of ability, it was not strange that the son should show a decided aptitude for the work and make it his vocation. For seventeen years he was the junior member of the firm of R. K. Coulter & Son, general painters and decorators. Mr. Coulter was married in 1887 to Miss Lucy J. Brown,
Charles a. Coulter
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daughter of N. R. Brown, one of the oldest citizens of Peru, Illinois. Charles A. Coulter has been prominently identified with the Republicans of LaSalle county since early youth and has contributed much toward the success of that party in his district. For seven years and a half he was a member of the city council, but resigned in 1894 in order that he might take his wife to Colorado, hoping the change would prove beneficial to her health. This hope was a delusive one and she passed away in October, 1896, and was laid to rest in that state beside an infant son. Donald. With two little ones, Lucy M. and Robert G., left to his fatherly care, he returned to his native city and once more took up the duties of life. On May 4, of the following year, 1897, he was commissioned postmaster of LaSalle and has filled the office most acceptably since. He is a Knight Templar Mason and stands high in the councils of that body, being the present worshipful master of Acacia Lodge, No. 67. A. F. & A. M., of which he served as the same officer in the years 1886-7 and '8.
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