USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 3
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Earl township, whence they later removed to Meriden township. There the father, whose birth had occurred in 1817, died in 1895, after a resi- dence of two-score years in this state. The wife and mother departed this life in 1891. Their children comprised the following named: Julia, wife of Wellman Tisdale, of State Center, Iowa; Marian, deceased, formerly the wife of George W. Dumond; Dan W .; Harriet and Gertrude, both of Earlville: Louise, wife of Jesse Reynolds, of Newton, Kansas; and Cora, wife of Duncan Dunn, of Freedom. Two children died in infancy,-Frank and Francis.
Dan W. Bowen obtained a fair education in the district schools of his native state and Illinois, and was early initiated into the duties of farming. For several years after reaching man's estate he continued to live on the old homestead and shared the profits and losses of running the same, with his father. Then for two years he rented a farm in Freedom township, at the end of which period he returned to the old home, and for a dozen years or more was engaged in the cultivation of the farm. At length he purchased a homestead in Earl township, but, after operating it for a short time only, he rented the place, and in turn leased what is known as the David Davis farm, in Freedom township, where he has the advantage of a greater acreage, situated in one body. He has been quite successful in his undertakings, and enjoys the respect of all of his neighbors and acquaint- ances.
During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Bowen, then a young man, was very anxious to offer his services in the defense of the Union, but deferred to the wishes of his father, who needed him on the farm, for he was an only son. At last, however, the elder man yielded to the wishes of the younger, and in September, 1864, our subject was duly enlisted in the ranks of the Federal army to serve for one year. He became a private of Company E, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, which was mustered out of the service in September, 1865. During this last year of the great conflict the old and seasoned troops were the ones placed at the front, where their experience was needed, and the later-enlisted regiments were assigned to guard duty, and were posted on the outskirts of the main branches of the army. Thus Mr. Bowen did not take part in any of the great battles of the war, though he participated in some pretty sharp skirmishes with the enemy while he was stationed at or near Memphis, Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Natchez, and other points in the Mississippi valley. Returning home in the autumn of 1865, he resumed the peaceful vocations of life, and has striven to perform his entire duty as a citizen.
In January, 1866, Mr. Bowen and Eliza, daughter of Samuel Smith, of Kendall county, Illinois, were united in marriage. She died in April, 1876,
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leaving three children, namely: Fred, who married Lydia Haslett and resides in Earlville; Elsie; and Josephine, wife of D. Franks, of Earlville. In January, 1879, Mr. Bowen married Gertrude L. Cook, and their five children are Gladys, Fay, Scott, Inez and Helen. Mrs. Bowen is a daughter of Lyman and Sarah Cook, who came from Meriden, Connecticut, to Earl township many years ago.
JOHN BRAUN.
A highly respected German-American citizen of Peru is he of whom this sketch is penned, his residence here dating back half a century. His paternal grandfather followed the same calling, that of tailor, in Germany, as does our subject. The latter's father, George Braun, who was one of six children, four of whom were sons, likewise was a tailor by trade, though he gave some attention to farming also. He was a soldier under the great general, Napoleon Bonaparte, and died when in the prime of manhood, aged about forty-nine years. His widow, whose maiden name was Kath- erina Diedewig, came to America in 1852, bringing with her their four younger children. For some time she made her home in Peru, and in 1853 the dread scourge, cholera, swept her away. She was an only daughter, but had three or four brothers. Her father, who was a shoemaker by trade, died in Germany, at an advanced age. George Braun and wife were devout members of the Lutheran church, and were upright, honored citizens, as their ancestors were before them.
John Braun of this sketch is the twin brother of Peter Braun, born April 15, 1819, in the village of Nieder Saulheim, on the river Rhine, in the province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. His other brothers and sisters who grew to mature years were George; Andrew; Katherina, who married Jacob Kreis, and is now deceased; Appolonia, wife of Mr. Graeber, of Lawrence, Kansas; and Lorena, wife of Clemens Young, of Kansas.
When he was young John Braun attended the public schools of his native land, and as soon as old enough he commenced learning his father's trade. In 1843 he came to the United States, and for one year lived among the Indians and forests of Washington county, Wisconsin. Then, going to Chicago, he worked at his trade for six years in that infant metropolis, and in 1850 came to Peru, which has been his abiding place ever since. At first he was employed as a journeyman, but in 1860, growing a little more ambitious, he opened a shop of his own. The beginning of the civil war the following year, however, interfered materially with his business prospects, and he gave up his independent enterprise. For the next fifteen years he was employed as a cutter in tailoring establishments here, but
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during the Centennial year he opened his store, which has been conducted ever since under the firm name of Braun & Son. It has enjoyed the patron- age of the leading citizens of Peru, and only first-class work and the best of material are confidently expected to emanate from this well known business house. Many minor concerns have waxed and waned since Braun & Son opened their shop, but their popularity has continued unabated, and they have always been kept very busy in meeting the demands of the trade.
On the 2d of June, 1847, John Braun married Katherine, daughter of Adam Betz, and though this worthy couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary two years ago they bid fair to live to enjoy many happy returns of the festal day. Since 1851 they have resided on Center street, near the city hall, and are much attached to their home, around which the associ- ations of almost half a century cling. In religious faith they are Lutherans.
Two of the eleven children born to John and Katherine Braun died in infancy. The eldest son, Charles A., who has been engaged in business with the father since early manhood, married Julia Van Horn, and has two children,-Ora and Fred. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of our subject, is the wife of L. A. Williams, a well known Ottawa lawyer, secretary to the Old Settlers' Society, and they have two children, Charles and Lorena. George married Annie Wilson, and died about three years ago in New York city. Mary E., who is unmarried, is a teacher in the Englewood (Illinois) schools. Fred W. married Mrs. Kate E. Standiford, and has one child, June Elizabeth. They reside in Los Angeles, California, where he is engaged in the wholesale drug business. John, his next younger brother, is employed by him in the drug store mentioned. John married Linda Hill, of Los Angeles, California. L. Gustav, the youngest of the children, is a mail-carrier in Chicago. He married Marian E. Van Sciver, and has two children,-Harold and Ida. Anna, wife of Frank Crawford, is the mother of four daughters, and is a resident of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Emma mar- ried John Klinger and lives at the corner of Second and West streets, Peru. John Braun, our subject, and his sons, are affiliated with the Democratic party.
CHARLES A. BRAUN.
An almost lifelong resident of Peru, Charles A. Braun is well known in this vicinity and bears an enviable reputation as a business man and citizen. He is devoted to the welfare of this place, doing all within his power to promote the cause of progress and good government.
Of German ancestry, Mr. Braun has inherited many of the best qualities of the sons of the Fatherland. His sterling integrity, justice and general
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reliability, united with his business traits of industry and perseverance, have won for him the approbation of his associates and acquaintances. A son of John and Katherine (Betz) Braun, natives of Germany, Charles A. was born in the city of Chicago, Illinois, March 17, 1848. When he was two years old he was brought to Peru by his parents, and here he grew to man- hood. His education was obtained in the public schools and in the German Lutheran parochial school. During the winter of 1865-6 he attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Chicago, thus gaining a practical knowledge of commercial methods. Prior to this, however, he had been employed by the dry-goods house of R. & A. D. Murray, and subsequently he worked for J. B. Lininger, who was in the same line of business in Peru. His next situation was as bookkeeper for the firm of Hank, Ream & Company (later known as C. J. Hank & Company), who were likewise in the dry-goods business. On the 7th of August, 1877, the young man started in business in partnership with his father, under the style of Braun & Son. They occupy fine quarters in Turner Hall building, carry a full line of furnishing goods and a well selected stock of material to be manu- factured into suits and overcoats of the latest fashion. The firm commands a large and remunerative custom, and numbers among its patrons many of the leading citizens of the town and locality.
July 9, 1879, C. A. Braun married Miss Julia, daughter of John and Mary (Hibbs) Van Horn. They have a son and daughter, named re- spectively Ora and Fred. The family reside in a pleasant home at the corner of Grant and Second streets. Prior to his marriage, Mr. Braun traveled ex- tensively in various parts of the United States and Canada, and is well posted in matters of general interest. In his political faith he is a Demo- crat, and fraternally he belongs to the Mystic Workers of the World. His success in life has been well deserved, and his example is one worthy of emu- lation.
GEORGE HOLLAND.
George Holland, a hardware merchant of Mendota, was born in the city of Albany, New York, September 8, 1852, and is a son of Nicholas and Anna (Strausner) Holland, both natives of Germany, but residents of the state of New York at the time of their marriage. In 1856 they came to Mendota, where the father worked at his trade of plasterer and mason until his death, which occurred in his sixty-fourth year. Six children were born to them, George, Maggie, August, deceased, Hannah, deceased, Sophia and John. The mother is a resident of Chicago, making her home with a daughter.
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George Holland was but three years of age when his parents moved to this city, and it was here he received his education in the public schools. He began work at the age of fifteen as clerk in the hardware store of Hodge Brothers. Later he accepted a clerkship with Curtis & Rude, with whom he remained twenty-five years. In 1894 Mr. Rude withdrew from the firm and his place was taken by Mr. Holland, who purchased the interest of Mr. Curtis in 1897, and now conducts the store under the name of Holland & Company, with Mr. Rude as a silent partner. He handles a general line of hardware and has worked up a fine trade, his courteous treatment of his customers making him a popular salesman, and his long experience giving him the advantage of knowing the wants of his patrons and the best line of goods to place in stock.
He was married in 1876 to Miss Ella Cooper, of Mendota, who has presented him with four children, two of whom are deceased. He is a Republican and was elected to the office of city clerk in 1885, and has held the office continuously since, discharging the duties in an able and efficient manner. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is highly respected as well for his kindly bearing as for his honest and upright dealings, while his business record calls for the commendation of the business men.
JOHN T. MILLING, M. D.
No one in Peru, LaSalle county, has lived here as long, uninterruptedly, as has the honored old citizen whose name stands at the beginning of this sketch. Half a century ago he established himself in practice in this town. and though he is now four-score years of age many of his old friends and patients are urgent in their desire to retain his medical attendance whenever illness seizes upon them. He is still as ambitious and enterprising as are many men of half his years, and the invaluable experience he has acquired in a life-time of professional work would be to any young practitioner a treasure- house of wealth untold could the venerable physician's wisdom be trans- ferred. The only surviving charter members of the LaSalle County Medical Society are Drs. Milling and Hatheway. The former has always kept up his active relations with the society, and moreover has belonged to the med- ical organization of the state. His acquaintanceship is very extensive, and in scores of families his name has been a household word for the greater part of the existence of Peru, which town he has seen developed from a hamlet to a large and prosperous place.
Nine children were born to John and Susan (Siddel) Milling, and only
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three of the number survive, namely: Dr. Milling, of this sketch; Jane, who resides at the old homestead in Ireland, and is now ninety-five years of age; and Elizabeth, also a resident of the parental home, and now in her eighty-sixth year. Their father, who was a farmer of county Louth, Ireland, died in 1823, when about seventy years of age, and their mother's death occurred the previous year. They were both Episcopalians in religious faith. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Milling, was a physician also, and lived and died in the Emerald Isle. He had eleven children. Mrs. Susan Milling was one of three children, and her father, likewise, spent his whole life in Ireland.
Dr. J. T. Milling was born in county Louth, Ireland, April 16, 1819. In his school-days he studied Latin and Greek, and chose his course with special reference to taking up medical work later. In accordance with the cus- tom of that time he graduated in the several departments of the Royal College of Surgeons, receiving separate diplomas from each branch. He was graduated in the surgical department in July, 1842, and in the general medical department in 1843. Entering the college in 1839, he was not deemed thoroughly competent to practice until he had spent four years in earnest study and hard work-rather of a contrast, so he found, to the loose methods in vogue on this continent, at the same time, when any man who had spent a few weeks or months in assisting an established physician might set up an office and practice of his own, if he chose to do so. It was in 1843 that Dr. Milling sailed to the United States, and, locating in Prince- ton, Bureau county, Illinois, he continued to practice there until 1849, when he became a permanent resident of Peru. For years his life was not an easy or desirable one, in many respects, for it meant to ride through all kinds of weather, far and near, across swamps and over roads of the worst possible description, to suffer hardships to which the modern practitioner is an utter stranger. He never neglected the call of the suffering, and rarely considered his own comfort or convenience. He endeared himself to hundreds, and his name has been spoken with love and reverence throughout this locality for years and years.
The sharer of the Doctor's joys and sorrows for almost a half century, his devoted wife, formerly Elizabeth Leech, is still living and is the center of his home and affection. They were married on the 10th of July, 1850, and became the parents of two beautiful daughters, both of whom were sum- moned to the better land when at the threshold of mature life. Mary Virginia died at twenty-three and Frances Elizabeth at eighteen. The par- ents of Mrs. Milling were John and Mary (Parr) Leech, natives of Dublin, Ireland, who came to America about 1795, when they were children, and with their respective parents settled in the vicinity of Steubenville, Ohio. The
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latter were pioneers of Jefferson county, Ohio, and at death they were placed to rest in a country cemetery there. In early days John Leech belonged to the state militia of Ohio. About 1833 he came to Illinois and settled on the present site of Peoria, when the only structure there consisted of a fort. At the close of two years or so he went to Putnam county, where he died in 1839. His widow survived him, and died in 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-three years.
From the time that he received the right of franchise in this, the land of his adoption, the Doctor has adhered to the Democratic party. For some four years he served as county coroner, and for two-score years he has been examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. The home in which he and his loved wife have spent almost all of their happy married life was built in 1852, and thus is one of the oldest houses in the town or county. In the summer of 1895 occurred one of the pleasantest events in the quiet but laborious career of this worthy couple. They made a tour of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, visiting the old home of the Doctor in the Emerald Isle, and having a most enjoyable time generally. In religious creed he holds to the one in which he was reared, the Episcopal- ian, while Mrs. Milling's preference is for the Presbyterian church.
THEODORE G. HERBERT.
Theodore G. Herbert, of the firm of Herbert Brothers, proprietors of a meat market in Mendota, was born in Lee county, this state, near the town of Compton, July 31, 1864. The Herberts are of German origin. Mr. Herbert's parents, Andrew and Appolonia (Zach) Herbert, were both born in Germany, Hesse-Darmstadt being their native place. In their family were eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom five are now living, three sons and two daughters, namely: Theodore G., the direct subject of this sketch; Andrew J., his partner; Benjamin, of Men- dota; Caroline, wife of Charley Beckett, of Mendota; and Emma Eliza- beth, wife of Henry Fike, residing two miles north of Mendota. Their father, a shoemaker by trade, emigrated to this country about the year 1862 and first located at LaSalle. A short time afterward he moved to a place near Perkins' Grove, Lee county, all this time working at his trade. Next we find him engaged in farming, which he continued up to 1895. He first rented eighty acres and later a larger tract, and for several years he carried on farming operations successfully. In 1894 he bought a home in Mendota, and has lived here ever since, retired. He and his wife were originally German Catholics, but for some years past have been identified
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with the German Evangelical church. Politically he is a Republican, and at one time he served as the road commissioner of Lee county.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Andrew Herbert. He, too, was a native of Germany, and by trade he was a mason. He lived to the ripe age of eighty-five years. Of his children, three sons and four daughters, only two are now living,-Andrew and Margaret Becker. Grandmother Herbert was seventy-six when she died. The great-grand- father of our subject also was named Andrew Herbert. He was a farmer. Both he and his wife reached advanced age, he being ninety-six at the time of death and she seventy-four.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. Herbert lived and died in Germany; served his time as a soldier in the army, and afterward worked at his trade, that of carpenter. Both he and his wife attained old age. Their only child was Mr. Herbert's mother.
Theodore G. Herbert was reared to farm life in Lee county, Illinois, receiving his early education in the district school near his home and later attending a seminary in Aurora, Illinois. When he started out in life on his own account it was as a farm hand, working by the month, and after one year of this kind of service he rented eighty acres of land, which he culti- vated two years. At the end of this time, in 1890, he moved to Mendota and engaged in running a meat market in company with M. O. Larson, with whom he was associated two years, then buying out his partner and the next three years running the business alone. The following three years he had for a partner J. B. Kuney; and since then he and his brothers, Andrew and Benjamin, have been associated together under the firm name of Herbert Brothers. They have a nice shop and are doing a large business, meeting with the success which their enterprising efforts warrant.
Mr. Herbert resides in a pleasant home on Twelfth street in Mendota. He was married on the 4th of February, 1890, to Miss Emma E. Rupert, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Metzger) Rupert. They have four children, viz .: Hildah L., Rupert A., Theadore A. and John Robbins. All the family belong to the Evangelical church, and both he and his wife are identified with the Mystic Workers of the World, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican.
THOMAS M. PAGE.
The respected citizen of LaSalle, Illinois, whose name introduces this sketch was born in Frankfort, Franklin county, Kentucky, May 21, 1842, a son of Thomas S. and Jane B. (Julian) Page. He was born in New York city, April 19, 1800, only a few hours after the landing of his parents at
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that port from England, their native country. They made a settlement in Richmond, Virginia, where Thomas S. was reared. He moved to Ken- tucky and became a prominent man in that state. For a period of eighteen or twenty years he filled the office of auditor of state, of which office he was the incumbent at the time the civil war broke out, and during the war he was in the adjutant general's office, as bookkeeper. Politically he was a Know-nothing and a Whig, and later a Republican. He died in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1879. He was twice married, his second wife, Jane B., nee Julian, being the mother of Thomas M., the subject of this sketch.
Thomas M. Page was reared in his native city, Frankfort, receiving a common-school education in the schools of that place. When the civil war came on he was a young man just emerging from his 'teens, and in the second year of the war, in September, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, as a private, and when mustered into service was made second lieutenant by the adjutant general. As a member and officer of this command he served one year. He was in the advance at the battle of Perryville, and throughout his service he acted the part of the brave, true soldier. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, in 1863, he was honorably discharged and came to LaSalle, Illinois. For five or six years he was in the employ of the Kentucky Coal Company, at LaSalle, following which service he was engaged in farming two years, returning then to the coal company. In 1871 he engaged as an employe of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and for eleven years was ticket agent and car account- ant. After this he again turned his attention to farming, this time in Dakota, where he spent three years. Returning to LaSalle, he accepted a position as check clerk at the Illinois Central Railroad depot, which posi- tion he gave up in October, 1897.
Mr. Page was married in LaSalle, in 1868, to Miss Mary Kate, daugh- ter of the late Dr. James C. Brown, of LaSalle. Seven children have been born to them, namely: Julian Day, Henry Brown (deceased), Anna Louise (deceased), Mary Elizabeth (deceased), Addison Thomas, Catherine and Annie Pauline.
Politically Mr. Page is a Republican. In religious relations his family are identified with the Congregational church.
SIMPSON CLARK.
The aged resident of any community who has assisted in the develop- ment of the material blessings amid which he lives, and who has exerted an influence for good before the people about him, is always held in special esteem. Such a man is the venerable Simpson Clark, of Mendota, Illinois.
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now ninety-three years old, but active, alert, full of good cheer and rich in interesting reminiscences.
Simpson Clark was born March 12, 1806, in Thornton, Grafton county, New Hampshire, a son of John and Elizabeth (Enos) Clark, early resi- dents of Londonderry, Rockingham county, that state. John Clark was a Revolutionary soldier and he and his father served in the same company. He left the plow to go to war, and after American independence was assured he again became a farmer. He died at Thornton, New Hampshire, about 1809. His wife died about 1856, aged eighty-nine years. They had eleven children, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. The tenth in order of birth was Simpson Clark, who was named Simpson in honor of his maternal grandmother's maiden name, and who is the only member of the family now living. At the time of his father's death he was about three years old. His mother kept him four years longer, until he was seven, and then he was given a home in the family of James Smith, of Squam Ridge, Grafton county, New Hampshire, in which he remained, getting a limited amount of schooling and living the life of a farmer's boy of all work until he was eighteen. He then went, a stranger, to seek his fortune in Boston. and for a time his experiences were discouraging; but at length he met a friend named Wheaton, who procured work for him of a farmer living just outside the city. After a few months he returned to New Hampshire and worked at quarrying and laying stone. Later he was employed at the United States navy-yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and helped to lay the foundations of the runways from which the Vermont was launched. From this work he went to Quincy, Massachusetts, and was there employed in the stone yards for a time. For a number of years he lived in Boston and was a member of the city police force. Railway construction, on the line of the Connecticut River Railroad, next claimed his services, and he was stationed at New London.
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