Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States, Part 103

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Beers, Leggett & Co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Illinois > Kane County > Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States > Part 103
USA > Illinois > Kendall County > Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

with confidence, for advice, certain to find a sym- pathetic listener to their troubles, and substantial help, and when his children grew to be men and women, their places were supplied by the children of strangers. His faults (and who has them not?) were the result of circumstances surrounding his early life. They were not faults of the head or heart. To sum all up, he was a courageous, large- hearted, honest man- the best type of a pioneer.

The children of Mr. Hollenback were as follows: John S., Clark, Sarah Ann Boyd, David S., Mary, Philip, George M., Amelia Davis, William A., Mary Jane Moulton, Nelson K. and Hannah Eliz- abeth La Sure. The first, fifth and sixth, in the order in which they are named, are dead.

Clark Hollenback, a brother of our subject, who settled in Kendall County the same year, was born in August, 1777; was married in 1807, in Muskin- gum County, Ohio, to Ann Blizzard, and to this union were born the following named children: Eleanor, George B., Hannah Cunningham, Thomas, John, Wesley, Mary Ann Elerding, Clark and Bar- ton. Of these Eleanor and Clark died in infancy. Barton died, aged eighteen, in 1846. The others arrived at years of maturity, but all are now, March, 1888, dead, except John, who is now in his seventy-fourth year. None of Clark Hollenback's children, nor any of his descendants, are now resi- dents of Kendall County.

The descendants of John Hollenback, who came from Wurtemberg, in the direct and collateral branches, living and dead, number more than 1,000 individuals-a prolific stock indeed.

G EORGE M. HOLLENBACK, son of George and Sophia (Sidle) Hollenback, was the first white child born in Kendall County, Ill., his birth occurring December 1, 1831, on the northeast quarter of Section 22, in Fox Township. When he was very young he was taken by his parents to the fort at Plainfield, and subsequently to Fort Dearborn, to escape from Black Hawk and his band. He grew to man- hood on the homestead, and has spent his life in Kendall County, with whose interests he has been closely identified as a private citizen and public official. He worked on the farm in summer, in

PHOTO BY D. C. PRATT.

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winter attending the district school, and later had some experience in teaching. At the age of eighteen he commenced reading law, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-five years old. In November, 1856, he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and, after serving his term, was re-elected, in November, 1860. On the completion of his second term he located, in March, 1865, on the southeast quarter of Section 21, on a farm lie had purchased, the first owner of which was Samuel Morse, and the second, Earl B. Palmer. In 1876 he rebuilt the house, which is on a beautiful and commanding site, and is well furnished with home comforts. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar; in same year he was appointed by the Court master in chancery, and, with the ex- ception of two years, has since held that office. During the war he was commissioned by the gov- ernor enrolling officer. In 1872 he was elected mem- ber of the Twenty-eighth General Assembly; since 1870 he has served as justice of the peace; has also served as supervisor two terms. May 5, 1859, he married Miss Julia Ann Woodworth, who was born September 20, 1834, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, the eldest daughter of Daniel and Roxana (Heatlı) Woodworth. Mrs. Hollenback died Au- gust 23, 1886; she was an estimable woman, possessed of many noble qualities, and the mother of one child-Stella Louisa. The latter is a graduate of the West Aurora High School, is now her father's housekeeper, and a very credit- able one. Aside from his home farm, Mr. Hol- lenback has four others in Cass County, Iowa, em- bracing 560 acres, well improved, and which he has owned since 1858. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the R. A. C. of Aurora.

L EVI OLMSTEAD MUNGER, farmer and stock raiser, of Lisbon Township, was born in Little Rock Township, Kendall County, December 25, 1847, and is a son of the Rev. Obadiah Munger, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, born July 9, 1804, in Rensselaer County, N. Y., to John and Susan (Wicks) Munger.

The Rev. Obadiah Munger came to Illinois in its early settlement, was a member of the Rock

River Conference, and rode the circuit for many years, laboring faithfully as a minister of the gos- pel and accomplishing much good. He also con- ducted farming, and was greatly interested in in- troducing fine stock into his vicinity. He removed with his family to Lisbon Township in 1848, where he lived greatly esteemed and honored for his many sterling virtues, and died September 9, 1852. His widow still survives, aged seventy-six years, and lives with her son, Levi O. Her name previous to marriage was Sarah Hartshorn, and she was born August 29, 1812, in Cross Creek, Jefferson Co., Ohio, daughter of Hugh Hartshorn, born June 3, 1789, in Kent County, Md., and Charity (Holmes) Hartshorn, born December 13, 1790, at Holiday's Cove, Penn. Hugh Hartshorn and wife had the following named children: Nancy, Sarah (the mother of our subject), Hugh and Spry.

Hugh Hartshorn, first named, was a son of George Hartshorn, a captain in the patriot army during the Revolution, and Ann (Worroll) Harts- horn, by whom there were the following named children: Mary, Hugh, Spry, Edward and Eliza. The Rev. Obadiah Munger was married to Sarah Hartshorn, July 9, 1844. She came with her par- ents to Rock River, in 1837, and they settled on Kish-wau-key Creek. By the above marriage there were four children; the two living are Levi O. and Gad O. W.

The subject of this sketch was married Janu- ary 23, 1868, to Amanda M. Kelsey, born Novem- ber 10, 1850, in Lisbon Township, and a daughter of I. L. Kelsey [see sketch]. After his marriage Mr. Munger moved to Iroquois County, Ill., where he engaged in farming until 1883, when he re- turned to Lisbon Township to reside, and has since been engaged in farming, and especially in the breeding and raising of choice varieties of thor- oughbred horses, short-horn cattle, Poland-China hogs, Leicestershire sheep, etc., at which vocation he has become favorably and well known. Levi O. Munger and wife have three children: Obie, Morris W. and Ethel A. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and attached to Orient Lodge, No. 323. The Rev. Obadiah Munger was married to his first wife, Esther C. Bathrick, Jan- uary 8, 1827, and had by that union the following

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named children: John W., who was drowned from the vessel "Central America." off the Virginia coast, September 12, 1857; Susan A., now Mrs. Orin Taft, of Nebraska; Reuben C., a farmer of Milk Grove, Iroquois Co., Ill .; Aaron G., a hard- ware merchant of Herscher, Kankakee Co., Ill., and Esther, who died in 1856, aged ten years.

EORGE RUSHTON is a respected citizen and well-to-do retired farmer, residing on his farm situated on the southeast quarter of Section 36, in Lisbon Township. Dur- ing the first years of his residence in the county he had a hard struggle, but by industry and persever- ance he acquired a good home and a farm of 100 acres, and is now enjoying the fruits of an honor. able past in his home and family. He was born January 22, 1823, in Lancashire, England, son of George and Mary (Lord) Rushton, to whom six children were born, viz .: Mary Ann, Alice, John Bettie, George and James. Mr. Rushton was, early in life, thrown upon his own resources, and when a young man worked as a common laborer. He was married, September 17, 1846, to Isabella, a daughter of George and Ellen (Parker) Hoyle, and two years afterward, in hopes of bettering their con- dition, immigrated to America, leaving his wife in England. He arrived in New York City January 11, 1849, after a sea voyage of six weeks' duration. He spent that winter at Staten Island, N. Y., and in the following May came to Kendall County, where for two years he worked as a quarryman in Lisbon Township. Having accumulated sufficient means, he sent for his wife and son, Joseph H., who came to him June 3, 1851, and for three years after their arrival he rented land on Section 29. In 1857 he purchased land in Seward Township, but, owing to the financial panic and hard times of that period, and being forced to pay 24 to 36 per cent interest, he was obliged to give it up. He soon afterward removed to Grundy County, and in Au Sable and Saratoga Townships farmed again on rented land for five years. In 1866 he purchased his present farm for $20.50 per acre. This place had no buildings on it of any kind at that time. He soon put up comfortable ones, however, and

has since made many other improvements, all done by himself or under his immediate supervision. His wife died November 5, 1876. The children, in order of birth, by her, were as follows: Thomas Henry. born September 17, 1847, died June 22, 1848; Joseph Howard, born March 30, 1869 (he came with his mother from England); George Hoyle, born September 7, 1852, died October 18, 1854; William Gadsby, born October 20, 1854, died July 6, 1855; Edwin, born March 6, 1858, died July 2, 1858, and Robert Lyons, born August 29, 1861. Of these Joseph H. was a successful teacher in Kendall County, and is now a dealer in real estate in Fairmont, Neb., where he also owns a creamery; Robert L. resides near him.

In 1876 Mr. Rushton returned to England, and March 27 of the next year was married to Miss Sarah Ann Goostrey, born May 8, 1846, in Che- shire, and a daughter of William and Esther (Beardsley) Goostrey, who died, respectively, in 1876 and 1870. Mrs. Rushton''s brothers are George, who remained in England; James, who came to America in 1857, and is now a resident of Fairmont, Neb. ; William, who resides in Au Sable Township, Grundy County. She has three sisters: Mary, Elizabeth and Edna. Mary resides in Tama County, Iowa, wife of Samuel Hyde, an English- man by birth.

By the last marriage Mr. Rushton has three children: James Weller, born April 5, 1878; Will- iam Goostrey, born June 8, 1880, and George Lord, born January 20, 1886. Mr. Rushton for many years has been a consistent member of the Regular Baptist Church.

J OHN BOYER was born in Centre County, Penn., March 17, 1805, a son of Andrew Boyer, to whom were born following named children: John, Abram, Peter, Isaac, Dan- iel and Harriet. John Boyer was a weaver by trade, which, however, he never followed after his marriage, which occurred March 15, 1827, with Elizabeth Krouse, who was born December 5, 1801, in Centre County, Penn., daughter of Daniel and Silome Helman Krouse, latter a daughter of Har- mon Helman. After Mr. Boyer's marriage he en-

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gaged in farming, cleared up two farms in Cen- tre County, and, in the fall of 1847, started to Illinois in a wagon. His family consisted of his wife, four sons and three daughters: Daniel K., Mary E., Joseph A., Sarah J., John N., David and Martha E. Daniel K. resides in Morris; Joseph A., deceased, located in Bates County, Mo. ; Mary E. resides in this township, the wife of G. D. Smith; Sarah J. resides in Benton County, Iowa, the wife of John Lormor; John N.resides at Normal, this State; David resides in Lisbon Township; Martha E. re- sides in Livingston County, near Cropsy, the wife of Ira McCollough. The family were six weeks on their journey out here. Our subject made his lo- cation in what is now Plattville; he purchased 200 acres of land from Nelson Platt, at $10 per acre. For two years after their arrival they lived in a blacksmith shop, after which he built a house, in which they lived for several years, and engaged in farming. His death occurred February 14, 1881. He had for many years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he contributed largely to building the church edifice and afterward to its maintenance at this place; also filled various offices, such as class-leader and steward. Formerly he was a Democrat, but after the formation of the Republican party he became a member of the latter. His widow, who yet survives him, is now eighty-six years of age, and resides with her son, David, on the homestead. David was born in Cen- tre County, Penn., May 19, 1839, and was eight years of age when his parents came west. He grew to manhood on the homestead, and was brought up to farming pursuits. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served about three years and two months, receiving his discharge in October, 1864. He enlisted as private, was promoted to sergeant, and participated with his regiment in its various marches and engagements with the enemy in Mis- souri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and up to the battle of Stone River, where he was taken prisoner. After his release he was placed on de- tached service until honorably discharged and mus- tered out. His brother, John N., was also a sol- dier, and was captain of Company K, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. October 8, 1865,

David married Calista McCloud, born March 20, 1844, in Lenawee County, Mich., and came to this county with her parents, who located in Seward Township, when she was seven years of age. Her parents are Charles and Harriet Kendall McCloud, to whom six children were born, two sons and four daughters. After his marriage, David located in Lisbon Township and engaged in farming. In 1873 he moved to Odell and remained three years, when he returned to Lisbon Township, where he has since continued to reside. His farm is located on the southwest quarter of Section 23, where lie has a vineyard and gives considerable attention to grape culture. He now rents his farm, and resides at Plattville. David has had two children, Maude A. and Grace E. ; Maude A. died, aged eight years; Grace E. resides with her parents. David Boyer was elected in 1886 justice of the peace, an office in which he is still serving. He has officiated as supervisor, and for two terms was collector of his township. He is a member of Darveau Post, No. 329, at Morris, Ill. Mr. Boyer is recognized as one of Lisbon Township's best citizens.

W ILLIAM RIPLEY (deceased), late of Lisbon Township, was born in Yorkshire. England, September 7, 1817, a son of John and Martha Ripley, former a farmer. William grew to manhood in his native place, and April 14, 1849, married Elizabeth Stamper, a na- tive of the same shire, born April 8, 1825, third daughter of Thomas and Mary (Sanders) Stamper. Mrs. Ripley's paternal grandfather was William Stamper. Mary was a daughter of John Sanders. There were eight children born to Thomas and Mary Stamper, named Francis, William, Thomas, Richard, Mary A., Hannah, Elizabeth and Ann. Ann and Thomas, on coming to America, settled in Michigan; Richard located in Canada, but afterward settled in Will County, Ill., where he died in 1868; Thomas and Ann came to this county, but he finally located in Ringgold County, Iowa; Ann resides in Lisbon Township, wife of Robert Wilkinson. In the spring of 1851 our subject moved to Lisbon Township, and located on Section 21, where he had bought eighty acres of

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land for $900. In October, 1861, he added eighty acres more to it, and in 1874 bought 120 acres for $6,000; the latter is called the south farm. Mr. Ripley was a successful farmer, and remained here until his death, February 6, 1875, which was hastened by an attack of typhoid-pneumonia, he liv- ing but ten days afterward; he left an estate of 280 acres of land and other property, to his family. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as a steward of the same; was a liberal supporter of the gospel, and a man of strict integrity. He had a family of ten children, three of whom died young. Seven are now living: Mary A., Sarah F., William H., Martha A., Ida J., Emily A. and Francis J. Sarah F. resides in Grundy County, wife of Frederick Coop; William H. resides in Nettle Creek; Mary A., Martha A. and Ida J. are at home; Emily A. married Melville Britton, in Kendall Township; Francis J. resides · on the south farm. In 1880 Mrs. Ripley built where she now resides, which is at the present time one of the finest houses in Lisbon Township; she has displayed much good judgment in the manage- ment of her farm, which she successfully carries on. Mr. Ripley was interred in Lisbon Cemetery. He was a Republican in politics.

b ILMAN KENDALL, M. D., the sole sur- vivor, save one, of the pioneer settlers of the spring of 1834, in Big Grove Township, Kendall County, has been a resident of the township ever since his arrival, fifty-four years ago. He was born September 20, 1803, in Middlesex County, Mass., where he spent his boyhood and received a good education. For several years he taught school, reading medicine in the meantime. There the Doctor married, April 14, 1830, Lucy Manning, who was born March 28, 1806, in Ashby, Mass., daughter of John Manning, who had been a soldier in the Revolution. After their marriage the young couple resided at Ashby until 1831, when they came west, to Bond County, Ill., locat. ing in Greenville, where the Doctor practiced medicine till 1834, in which year he came to Sec- tion 22, Big Grove Township, Kendall County, where he traded some fencing for 150 acres of

land. Here he settled, built a frame house, the first of the kind in the township, and combined farming pursuits with medical practice, his pa- tients being for a long time, in those early days, necessarily and literally few and far between. But the Doctor and his worthy helpmate were equal to the occasion, and made the best of their primitive and rugged surroundings, sharing with their neighbors the hardships of pioneer life, and cheerfully administering with kindly hand to their wants and necessities. Dr. and Mrs. Kendall, in 1845, left the farm and located in Lisbon Village, where he devoted his time exclusively to his pro- fession, in which he has been eminently successful, continuing in active practice until about the year 1870, when, on account of the infirmities of age, he retired. Here, now, in their quiet home, the worthy couple are spending the sunset of their honored lives, and awaiting the summons that shall call them to a higher life in the "house not made with hands, eternal and secure." Dr. and Mrs. Kendall had four children: Hattie, wife of Edson Gifford, a merchant in Elwood, Ill .; Jane, one of those deceased, married Henry Langdon, by whom she had six children, one now living: Carrie; Ellen (deceased) married John Wilkinson, by whom she had three children-Bernice, Earl and Howard (they reside in Lisbon Township); Carrie is the wife of Fred. Wilkinson (brother of John Wilkinson), by whom she has one child- Ethel (they reside at Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa). For about fifty years Dr. and Mrs. Kendall have been constant members of the Congregational Church, in which for many years he was deacon, and of the church building he was superintendent. Dr. Kendall has been a Republican partisan, but since the Prohibition party commenced to engage the attention of thoughtful men, he has labored to effect the final triumph of those principles.

The parents of Dr. Kendall were Joseph and Mary (Haynes) Kendall, to whom were born nine children, that grew to manhood and womanhood, as follows: Eli, Samuel, Joseph (who resides in Ashby, Mass.); Sylvanus (who came to Big Grove Township, Kendall County, in 1834, and died in 1884, leaving one daughter now living in Morris, Ill.); Otis (in Wisconsin); Adaline (who was twice

G. Kendall

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married, first to Mr. Sawin, and second to a Mr. Rice); Eleanor (wife of V. King, residing in Massachusetts); Mary (wife of Amos Taylor, also in Massachusetts) and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Kendall's brothers and sisters were Sarah, Abigail, John (who served in the War of 1812) and Asa.

C HRISTIAN CHRISTIAN, a substantial citi- zen of Lisbon Township, was born May 1, 1825, in Bergen. Norway, the eldest of a family of five children, all of whom immi- grated to this country in 1847, coming by lake to Chicago, thence by wagon and arriving in Big Grove Township the same year. The family did not re- main long there, but removed to Norway, in La Salle County. Christian, being of age, remained in Big Grove, where he hired out by the month for the Sherrils, who then resided in the southeast part of Big Grove Township. Wages were then about $10 to $12 per month, yet large in comparison with the usual wages in his native country. He was frugal and industrious, and soon established himself in the confidence of the people, and made some true friends. Among them was Dana Sherril and his brother, Lewis who took a warm interest in his welfare, and assisted him in obtaining 160 acres of land in the northeast quarter of Section 6, in Lisbon Township, which he took up by pre emption in 1850. This act of kindness on the part of the Sherril brothers was not for- gotten by Mr. Christian, who has ever since remem- bered them with feelings of gratitude. In the fall of 1851 Mr. Christian married Annie Larsen (sister of Lars Larsen, of Fox Township), who came over in the same ship from Norway with him. She was born March 9, 1830. She has one sister, Susan, wife of John Thompson, and resides in Story County, Iowa. Mr. Christian has three brothers, John, Ole and Charles, who reside in Story County, Iowa, and had one sister, Elizabeth, who died of cholera. She was the wife of George Obrien, who settled in Lisbon Township. After Mr. Christian's marriage he located on the 160 acres named, erected a small building, 12x14 feet, near the site of his present commodious

residence, into which he moved. The latter was built about the year 1860, though additions have since been made to it. Mr. Christian has, by per- sistent labor and good management, steadily added to his original purchase, until he has now over 500 acres of fertile, well-improved land. He has seven children, of whom the eldest is Lewis, who mar- ried Lottie Oyen, of Chicago, by' whom he has three sons: Otto C., Alvin E. and Fred O .; he re- sides on his farm in Lisbon Township. Frank, the second son, resides in Kendall Township; he married Sarah Knudson, by whom he has one son and two daughters, Reuben E., Mabel A. and Mildred. Martin married Josephine Nelson, and has two children, Etta M. and Elmer F .; he is now a resi- dent of Iowa, near Radcliffe postoffice. Eric resides in Hardin County, Iowa. Ellis N. married Minnie Thomson, and has one child, Ervin M .; he re sides near the homestead. Julia E. and Randall are at home. Mr. Christian is a member of the Lutheran Church, and politically is a Republican. He has served his township in various local offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his neighbors, by whom he is highly esteemed.

U RIAH L. HUBBARD (deceased) was born April 13, 1814, in Oneida County, N. Y. December 30, 1844, he was married to Mary A. Sweet. In 1845 the young couple came west, the same year locating on land in Section 13, Big Grove Township, but the following year removing to the southeast quarter of Section 10, in Lisbon Township, where he purchased land and lived the balance of his days. He was a man of sterling worth and commanded the respect and esteem of his neighbors. He was a stanch Repub- lican, and for years served his township in local offices, such as school director, collector, etc., and was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Plattville. He died June 28, 1871. He had seven children, named as follows: William, who died in Mobile, Ala., from sickness brought on by hard marching (he was a member of Company G, Ninety-first Regiment Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry); Delia. who died at the age of six; Delerene and Elemerene, twins, who died, aged four

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months; Urialı F., who resides in Lisbon Township; Wallace, who is employed as weighmaster by Swift & Co., in Chicago, and Franklin, who resides on and works the home farm of 120 acres, which is carried on under the direction of his mother, wlio occupies part of the house. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Mary A. (Sweet) Hubbard was born April 12, 1824, in Menden Township, Monroe Co., N. Y., and is a daughter of Martin Luther Sweet, wlio died in his ninetieth year, and lived to see repre- sentatives of the fifth generation of his descend- ants. The great-grandfather of Martin Luther Sweet was also of the same given name, was a na- tive of Scotland, and was married on shipboard during his passage to America; he was accom- panied by two brothers. They located on land now occupied by the city of Baltimore, Md.

Mrs. Mary A. Hubbard's mother's maiden name was Hannah Lee; she bore her husband eleven children, named Belinda T., Charles S., Louisa W., Phebia B., Hannah L., Lucinda M., Martin L., Ziba L., Mary H., James L. and Sarah C. Of these Belinda T., Louisa W., Mary H. and Sarah C. were the only ones who came west to live.

A BRAM ZALMON BROWN, whose fine farm is situated in Section 7, of Big Grove Township, one mile south of the town of Newark, is one of the leading farmers of the county, and is what is generally truthfully termed a self-made man, having attained success through his individual efforts alone. He was born in the State of New York to Abram Zalmon and Rachel (Bates) Brown, who died when he was but a lad. In 1834 he came to the West, landing in Chicago when it was but a country village, and for some time resided with one or other of his maternal uncles, John Harvey Bates and Steplien Bates, who were, in their day, well known among the early pioneers of Chicago, and Kendall and neigh- boring counties. The winter of 1834-35 he spent in Chicago; then he came to Kendall County, where his life up to manhood was not character- ized by anything outside of the usual experience of a hard working farmer boy. Born of good parent-

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Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States, Part 103

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Beers, Leggett & Co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Beers, Leggett & Co.
Number of Pages: 1040