USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 25
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William Pool was seven years old at the time he came with his parents and other members of the family to America, and at the time of their re- moval from New York to Illinois was twenty-three. He was reared a
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farmer, receiving only limited educational advantages. In 1844, at the age of twenty-one, he came west on a prospecting tour and was so well pleased with LaSalle county that he decided to locate here. Hence the coming of the family a short time later. He was married May 28, 1846, just before they all started west, the lady of his choice being Sarah, daughter of David Smith, a Vermont farmer. Of the Smith family we record that John Smith, the father of David, was born at Needham, Massachusetts, October 9, 1758. He fought in the battle of Lexington April 19, 1776, and was an artillery- man in the battles of Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga. His second enlistment was at West Point in 1779, and it is fair to presume he served through the war. He married Sarah Mastick in 1780, and died at Grafton, Vermont, in 1838. His children were Clarissa, Hannah, John. Sarah, Walter, Elijah, Nahum, Joseph, Nathan and David. David Smith, born in 1794, went to Plattsburg, New York, in 1812. and married Phebe McCreedy, August 2, 18IS. He died in 1837, and his widow in 1843. Their children were Sylvia, who married Benjamin Barber, died in 1846; Sarah, born July 13, 1825; Esther M., wife of Isaac Winters, died in 1857; Phebe, deceased; and Ann, a resident of Joliet, Illinois, is the widow of Benjamin Barber.
William Pool and wife are the parents of the following named: Albert J., a prominent farmer and stockman of Ford county, Illinois, married Lucy Crook and has four children-Willie C., Harry A., Ralph W., and Ethel May. Arthur S., a resident of Freedom, Illinois, has been twice married, his first wife being Eliza Ball, and his second wife Hester Hinchman; Car- lisle M., born March 10, 1855; and Sarah, wife of J. W. Hall, of Eldon, Iowa; they have two children-Clarence L. and Lyle W.
Carlisle M. Pool has thus far passed his life on the farm on which he was born. His opportunities for obtaining an education were limited to the district schools. Under his father's training and with experience as a teacher, he became a first-class farmer and has always taken a pride in keeping his place in the best condition. His farm and home are among the most attractive in the township, giving every evidence of the fact that the owner is a man of industry and careful management. He has always taken an active interest in the public affairs of his township and has ren- dered efficient service in some of its public offices. He comes from a line of Democrats, politically, but claims to be an independent during the events of the present time. He has been a town clerk and commissioner of high- ways. Fraternally he, as well as Albert and his father, is identified with the Masonic order, having his membership in Freedom Lodge, No. 194. Al- bert and Carlisle have also taken the Chapter and Commandery degrees- Carlisle in Ottawa Chapter, No. 40, and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10. .
Carlisle M. Pool was married in 1885 to Louisa Fogg, who was born
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August 7, 1858, a daughter of Ezekiel Fogg, of Ottawa, Illinois. She has two brothers and two sisters: Dr. Charles Fogg. of Wenona, Illinois; Lean- der Fogg, of Freedom, also in Illinois: Sophia, wife of Frank Smith, of Col- orado Springs, Colorado; and Anna M .. of Ottawa. this state. Mr. and Mrs. Pool have two children. a daughter and a son: Irene Bertha, born October 23, 1886; and Ernest Howard Carlisle, June 5. 1894.
HENRY B. NEFF.
The gentleman to whose life history we now direct attention-Henry B. Neff-was born in Franklin county, Indiana, October 14, 1821, a son of Ebenezer and Susanna (Buck) Neff. pioneers of that place.
Ebenezer Neff was a native of the Green Mountain state, being born in Vermont, August 4. 1790: was a pioneer of Indiana, and in 1835 left the "Hoosier" state for Illinois. coming to Mission Point, LaSalle county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying May 31. 1867. He was a farmer by occupation, always took an active part in the public affairs of the community in which he lived, and when the Republican party was organ- ized in LaSalle county became one of its ardent supporters. He was twice married. His first wife, nee Susanna Buck, was born October 2, 1784. and died in Franklin county, Indiana. July 25, 1823. Their children who grew to maturity were Daniel B., Betsey, Almira S .. Olive, Isabelle P. and Henry B. Mr. Neff's second wife was before marriage Miss Margaret Douglas. She was born July 12, 1799. and died December 9. 1871. The children of this union, that lived to adult age, were William B., Rachel, Sarah Bell, Janetta, Ellen, George and Margaret.
Henry B. Neff was a boy in his 'teens when he accompanied his father and family to Illinois. He was reared a farmer, receiving only a common- school education, and when he started out to make his own way in the world it was as a poor young man with no capital save a willing hand and a determination . to succeed. He engaged in farming in Kendall county, Illinois, was prosperous from the start, and as the years went by accumu- lated a large amount of property. He continued farming until 1882, when he moved to Ottawa, near which city he had a farm, and during the rest of his life his time was spent in looking after his property, loaning money, etc. He died in Ottawa. January 14. 1895. Politically, like his father, he was a stanch Republican, but never aspired to official honors. His religious creed was that of the Congregational church, of which he was a consistent member.
Mr. Neff was married April 15. 1852, to Miss Mary J. Freeland, a
Henry B Neff
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native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born February 24, 1829, a daughter of Richard and Ellice (McMath) Freeland. Mr. and Mrs. Freeland were natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania, were among the early settlers of Indiana and were married in that state. Their family consisted of the following named members: Mary J., John W., Samuel L., Ann Eliza and Ellice Augusta. In 1848 the Freeland home was changed from Indiana to Mission township, in LaSalle county, Illinois; and many years afterward to Troy Grove, this county, where the mother died. After the mother's death the father went to Champaign county, Illinois, where he passed the closing years of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Neff had no children, but adopted a daughter, Lillian V., whom they reared as their own. Mrs. Neff is a member of the Congregational church.
GEORGE D. HILL.
For some years Mr. Hill has been a prominent factor in the business circles of Grand Ridge, and at the present writing he is the popular and efficient mayor of the city, who, in his control of municipal affairs, follow's a wise and progressive policy, resulting greatly to the benefit of the com- munity which he thus officially represents. He is an enterprising man, loyal citizen, and at all times loyal and reliable in the discharge of the trusts and responsibilities devolving upon him.
A native of Maine, Mr. Hill was born in Augusta, a son of John and Oral (Sutherland) Hill, who had seven children, three sons and four daugh- ters. The father, who was the proprietor of a shoe store, removed to Bement. Illinois, and thence to Streator, this state, where for a number of years he was successfully engaged in dealing in shoes. Mr. Hill accompanied his parents to Illinois, and under the parental roof spent the days of his boy- hood and youth. He acquired a good education, well fitting him for the practical and responsible duties of life, and after attaining his majority he was engaged in business in Dana, Illinois, where he dealt in fruit for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Grand Ridge and pur- chased of A. K. Knott & Company, of Ottawa, his present grain and coal business. Here he is enjoying a liberal patronage, which is steadily in- creasing. He has a very large elevator with a capacity of six hundred thous- and bushels of grain; and as Grand Ridge is located in the center of a rich farming district he carries on an extensive business, deriving therefrom a good income and at the same time furnishing an excellent market for the grain producers of this region.
In 1894. in Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, Mr. Hill was united in
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marriage to Miss Martha Lindsay, a lady of superior education and culture. She was graduated in the State Normal School, and for some years prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have two children, May and Oral. The parents are members of the Methodist church and are numbered among the most prominent people of Grand Ridge, occu- pying a leading position in social circles and enjoying the hospitality of many of the best homes. In his political affiliations Mr. Hill is a Republican, and on that ticket was elected to the office which he is now filling so credit- ably to himself and satisfactorily to his constituents. Socially he is connected with several fraternal organizations. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In manner he is frank and cordial, entirely free from ostentation and display, but his genuine worth at all times commands re- spect and in the community he has many warm friends.
LEVI M. EATON.
Levi M. Eaton, of Sheridan. Illinois, was born in Freeport, this state, April 4. 1848, a son of William and Eliza (Hunt) Eaton, the former a native of Cortland county, New York, the latter of Massachusetts. and both of English lineage. Mr. Eaton's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Mexican war and served as a drummer. The snare drum used by him is now owned by Mr. Eaton, who is himself a fine drummer; and to this day it is as fine an instrument of its kind as can be found.
Mr. Eaton was reared on a farm, his only educational advantages in early life being those of the country school. In the broad school of ex. perience. however. he has acquired a large stock of useful information, and, being a good reader and a close observer, keeps himself well posted on the general topics of the day. He began the battle of life for himself at the age of seventeen years. At twenty-three he went west and had consider- able experience in mining. Afterward he spent three years in the iron mines of Michigan. In 1882 he returned to Freeport, his native town, and for several years thereafter his occupation varied. June 11, 1890, he started out on the road, with horse and wagon, selling Dr. Ward's Remedies, and in this business he has since continued with success. Dr. Ward's name and remedies are too well known to need further mention here. Suffice it to say that Mr. Eaton as a salesman in this line has met with more than or- dinary success. For several years he has resided in Sheridan, where he is well and favorably known.
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Mr. Eaton was married, in 1884, to Miss Lena Olsen, and they have one daughter, named Eva J. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Modern Woodmen of America, the Home Forum and the Royal Circle.
JOHN ARTHUR QUAM.
There is no foreign element in our American nationality more valuable than that which comes from Norway. The land of the midnight sun has fur- nished to the United States many of its most prominent citizens, and its rep- resentatives are found in all the useful walks and vocations of life. The gen- tleman whose name heads this biographical record belongs to a worthy Norwegian family, although he is a native son of LaSalle county. He is now occupying a leading position in business circles, being a merchant and banker of Sheridan, where he exerts a wide and beneficent influence upon the com- mercial affairs of the place.
Born on a farm in Mission township. May 24, 1854, he is a son of Ole A. and Gertrude (Osmunson) Quam, both of whom were natives of Nor- way. When thirteen years of age the former came to the United States with his parents, in 1843, the family settling in Mission township, LaSalle county, where John Arneson Quam, the grandfather of our subject, spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1880, when he had reached the age of eighty years. His wife, Rachel Quam, has also passed away. They were the parents of two sons and four daughters, but one son and two daughters are now deceased. Ole A. Quam and Gertrude Osmunson were married in LaSalle county. The latter came to the United States in 1839. when five years of age. Her father died in Chicago soon after the arrival of the family in this country, and the mother moved to the town of Mission, LaSalle county, where she passed away six months later, leav- ing two little daughters, alone in a strange land, and without a known relative in the world! Here they grew to womanhood, and Gertrude mar- ried as above mentioned. By the union were born eight children, namely: Rebecca. John Arthur, Rachel, Isabelle, Bertha, Emma, Clara and Victor J. The parents continued to reside in LaSalle county until 1879 and then removed to Norway, Iowa, where they remained until 1896, since which time they have made their home in Ashland, Wisconsin.
John Arthur Quam, the subject of this review, was reared in LaSalle county, and has here spent his entire life. He acquired his elementary edu- cation in the common schools and later pursued his studies in the schools of Aurora and in the Fowler Institute at Newark, Illinois. He left the farm at the age of twenty-one years and came to Sheridan, where he entered
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upon his business career as a general merchant. in partnership with Peter C. Berkland. This connection was continued for three years, when Mr. Quam bought out his partner's interest, and since that time he has dealt exclusively in clothing and men's furnishing goods. His store is filled with a large and well selected stock of everything found in his line and he receives a liberal patronage. In 1884 he established a private banking business and in 1887 Robert Knapp became his partner in both branches, since which time operations have been carried on under the firm style of Quam & Knapp, merchants and bankers.
In 1875 the subject of this review was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Nelson, a daughter of Peter C. and Sygne (Danielson) Nelson. Her father was born in New York and was a son of Cornelius Nelson, a native of Norway and one of the owners of and passenger on the "Norwegian May- flower," the sloop Restoration, which weighed anchor from Stavanger, Nor- way, on July 4, 1825, with fifty-two emigrants, and landed in New York, October 9, with fifty-three passengers. Cornelius Nelson settled in that city and his son was born in the Empire state. After the death of the grandfather of Mrs. Quam, his widow and her children came west to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1836, casting in their lot with the early settlers here. Mrs. Nel- son's death occurred in this county, at a ripe old age. Her son, Peter C. Nelson, was born January 20, 1830, and is believed to be the oldest living Norwegian born in America. He is now residing at Larned, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Quam have been born three children: Mabel, wife of Rev. J. M. Hibbish, of California; Vida and Hila.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are numbered among the most prominent citizens of Sheridan. In politics Mr. Quam is a stalwart Republican and for the past ten years has held the office of supervisor for Mission township. As a citizen he is progressive and gives a generous support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. In business he has been successful, and his reputation is unassailable, for his honesty is proverbial, and in all transactions he fully merits the confidence reposed in him.
JAMES BRUCE.
James Bruce, junior member of the firm of Bruce and Jamieson, and one of the promising young business men of Marseilles, LaSalle county, was born at Lockport, near Joliet, on September 2, 1872, and is a son of James and Jane (Stephens) Bruce. His parents were both natives of Scotland, the father having been born at Aberdeen in 1823. He came to America in 1844 and located at Lockport, where he was a contractor in the stone quar-
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ries of Joliet for many years. He died December 13, 1898, at Lockport. He was a son of George Bruce, of Scotland. The same vessel that brought him to this country also brought Jane Stephens, a daughter of Ebenezer Stephens, to whom he was united in marriage in this country. Of the five children born to them but three survive.
James Bruce was the second child born in the family. He attended public school at Lockport, finishing with the high school, after which he took a course in a commercial college at Chicago. The following four years were spent assisting his father in his work connected with the stone quarries. In 1894 he came to Marseilles and formed a partnership with J. A. Jamieson and has since dealt in all kinds of grain, hard and soft coal, and built up a very profitable business. He is a straightforward, honorable man with whom it is a pleasure to do business.
In 1895 he was joined in marriage to Miss Adlaine Richards, whose grandmother was a Miss Middleton and whose parents were Daniel and Catherine (Gould) Richards, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Bruce is a mem- ber of the board of directors of the First National Bank, and is the trustee of his father's estate.
JOSEPH FUTTERER.
Among the zealous and influential workers in the Democratic party of LaSalle county, Joseph Futterer is acknowledged to be in the front ranks. His ability and valued assistance to the party received fitting recognition when, in 1892, he was honored by election to the responsible office of supervisor. He served for two years-the full term-to the entire satisfac- tion of all concerned, and was then chosen by the vote of the majority for a second term. In 1898 he was again elected to the supervisorship, and is thus filling his third term. Not only in a public capacity but also as a citi- zen in the private walks of life, he commands the respect and high regard of all with whom he has had dealings, and he has been engaged in business in Ottawa for many years.
A native of Baden-Baden, Germany, born in 1852, Joseph Futterer spent the first years of his life in that fair land, and was a lad of about thir- teen years when, in 1865, he and his parents, Joseph and Rosa Futterer, bade adieu to all their old friends and associations and set sail for America, here to found a new home. In 1868 they settled in Monroe county, Wis- consin, and on the homestead there, not far from the village of Sparta, the mother is still living. The father died some years ago, when in his sixtieth year. They had only one son, but were the parents of four daugh- ters.
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Our subject received the benefits of a thorough training in both the German and English languages, and in his boyhood and youth acquired an intimate knowledge of the various duties connected with the proper manage- ment of a farm. In 1873 he came to Ottawa, where he has since made his home, while occupied in business transactions. By diligence and persever- ance in whatever he undertook he gradually amassed a competency, and he now has a good bank account and valuable property. Socially he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias, the German Benevolent Society and several other fraternal organizations.
In 1877 Mr. Futterer married Miss Theresa Schaeffer, of Ottawa. Nine children came to bless their happy home, but four of the number have passed to the silent land. Four promising sons and a daughter are left to the devoted parents, their names in order of birth being as follows: Fred, Charles. Alice, John and Ernest.
WILLIAM COOPER.
William Cooper, of Otter Creek township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is one of the well known and popular citizens of the county, and has the distinction of being a veteran of the civil war. While he fought for this country and is thoroughly an American at heart, Mr. Cooper is not a native of the United States. He was born in the northern part of Ireland, No- vember II, 1842. His father, Edward Cooper, was a native of Ireland and a shoemaker by trade, following that pursuit in early life, but later turn- ing his attention to agricultural pursuits. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Coughlin, was also a native of the Emerald Isle. When their son William was a boy of six years they emigrated with their family to this country, and settled at Salmon Falls, New Hampshire, where they lived for some time, after which they came to Illinois and took up their abode in LaSalle county. Edward Cooper died at the age of forty-five years. His widow, surviving him, is now eighty-five years of age and is a resident of Streator, Illinois. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Mrs. Maria Roberts, of Indiana; Mrs. Sarah Berry, of Rock Rapids, Iowa; John, of Otter Creek township, LaSalle county, who is given personal mention elsewhere in this work; William, whose name introduces this sketch; Rich- ard, who was a member of the Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, under Gen- eral Grant, and was killed in the engagement at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the civil war: Edward, of Streator, Illinois; Mrs. Jane Litts, of Stuart, Iowa; and Mrs. Lizzie Jones, of Otter Creek township. All of the four sons in this family volunteered in the Union army during the civil war, rendered
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faithful, courageous service, and one, as already stated, lost his life on the battlefield. Few families can show such a war record.
William Cooper, with his brothers and sisters, was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools, and, as one of a large family in moder- ate circumstances, he was early taught industry and economy, and for a time he worked in a cotton factory. To his early training, indefatigable industry and his determination to succeed may be attributed the success he has at- tained in life. He is now the owner of a valuable farm in Otter Creek township, well improved and giving every evidence of successful man- agement on the part of the owner.
During the civil war Mr. Cooper "donned the blue" and fought in defense of the Union. He enlisted in 1862 and went to the front, his name being enrolled on the 14th of August, among the members of Company F. One Hundred Fourth Illinois Volunteers, under command of Captain Mc- Kennan. Among the engagements in which he participated were the battles of Hartsville and Missionary Ridge. While in the service he was disabled by deafness of the left ear, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Washington, D. C.
In January, 1867, Mr. Cooper married Miss Mary Smith, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Booth) Smith, both natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have had six children, all of whom are deceased. One of their daughters, Violet, married Mr. John Brock and died in May, 1893, leaving a child, Clarence William Brock, who is now eight years old and who resides with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Mr. Cooper is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 68, at Streator, and is a loyal and public-spirited citizen whose faithfulness to duty is as marked as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south.
W. E. DOWNS.
From the time that he arrived at his majority W. E. Downs has been one of the most zealous workers in the interests of the Democratic party in Ottawa. He was but twenty-five years old when, in the spring of 1893. he received the nomination and was elected to the office of alderman by his numerous party friends. In 1897 he was again chosen to represent the people in the city council, and was elected from the Third ward. He is still acting in that capacity, and now, as always, has the best interests of the public at heart. Progressive and in accord with the spirit of the times, he advocates public improvements and judicious expenditure of the people's money.
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One of the native sons of Ottawa, in which place he has passed his whole life, Mr. Downs is naturally proud of this enterprising little city, and is loyally anxious to promote its growth and prosperity. He was born in 1868, and is a son of John Downs, an old and prominent citizen of this place. In his youth our subject attended the public schools and gained a practical business education. After leaving the school-room he obtained a position in the employ of the Ottawa Electric Street Railway Company, with which corporation he has been connected in various capacities for many years. At present he is the foreman and superintendent of tracks. By long and faithful service and strict attention to the welfare of his em- ployers, he has won their approbation and confidence.
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