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 24

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 24
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 24

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In November, 1863, he was honorably discharged from the army by order of the Secretary of War, in order to accept an appointment as clerk in the pay department, and so served during the balance of the war. He was at New Orleans, La .; Brownsville, Tex .; St. Louis, Mo .; Vicksburg, Miss., etc., until November 15, 1865, when he returned to Kane County, and, February 1, 1866, formed a partnership with John Loomis under the firm name of Loomis & White, lumber dealers, at Aurora. This continued until November, 1870, when the firm of White & Todd was formed, con- tinning to date (1887).

Mr. White is prominent and influential in the politics of his vicinity; was for four years chair- man of the county Republican central committee; was city treasurer during 1869 and 1870; has been a member and secretary of the west side board of education for fifteen years, Oak Street school- house being built during this time; he was also elected and served as mayor of Aurora during 1885-86. Under his administration the contracts were let for constructing the city water works. and the work was pushed so rapidly that they were completed and put in operation, according to contract, a short time after the close of his term. In 1885 he was appointed State commissioner on a board with six others, viz .: Col. W. W. Berry, Capt. H. M. Hall, Col. H. T. Noble, Col. M. C. Crawford, Gen. M. R. M. Wallace and Hon. F. E. Bryant, to locate a site for a soldiers' and sailors' home, which, after five months spent in investigating and visiting various places all over the State, was finally located at Quincy, Ill. He helped to organize and establish the Aurora Public Library; was on the building committee, and helped to raise funds to erect the soldiers' memorial and library buildings and G. A. R. hall, toward which he was a liberal contributor; is presi- dent of the public library; assisted in organizing the Aurora Creamery Company in August, 1881, and has been its secretary and treasurer and a director ever since; is an original stockholder in, and has been a director of, the Aurora National Bank since its establishment; was a member of the building committee in erecting the cotion-mill, and was one of the charter members of the Home

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Building & Loan Association of Aurora, and for sometime a director and vice-president; and he is also a director and secretary of the Aurora Slate Mantel Co., organized in 1887. Mr. White is a member of Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 90, F. & A. M., and of Aurora Post No. 20, G. A. R.

In addition to his large and varied business interests, Mr. White writes numerous articles for the press, and has been a regular correspondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean since 1880. He was married July 10. 1864, to Miss Olivia M. Todd, They are attendants of the Universalist Church.

A B. DE WOLF. One of the oldest and best known physicians of this section, having practiced here for the long period of forty-six years, is Dr. A. B. De Wolf, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born March 2, 1817. He is a son of Tensard R. and Polly (Bar- tholomew) De Wolf, who at an early day came with their parents to Ohio from Connecticut, their na- tive State. Here they reached their maturity, married, and resided until their deaths. Tensard R. DeWolf was a prominent, public man, for many years a member of the Ohio State Legislature. He was in the War of 1812.

Dr. A. B. De Wolf was, after the manner of the boys of his time, reared amid the privations of a pioneer period. He comes of an old and noble line of French ancestry. The progenitors of the De Wolf family in America were three brothers who, coming to the Western Continent at an early day, settled in Rhode Island, New Orleans and Canada, respectively. Dr. DeWolf comes of the Rhode Island branch of the family. His grand- father was for seven years a commissioned officer in the War of the Revolution. At the age of fif- teen the Doctor entered the academy at James- town, Penn., where he remained some time, and when he had attained his nineteenth year he began the study of medicine at West Greenville, Penn., and by close application progressed rapidly. Shortly afterward he entered Ohio Medical Col- lege for the purpose of attending lectures. This was about the year 1838. He soon began the practice of his profession at Sharon, Penn., but in

1841 determined. to locate farther west, and ac- cordingly started for Iowa, having in his posses- sion letters of recommendation from ex-Gov. Lucas and others. He set off on his journey with a sin- gle horse and carriage, and had driven as far as St. Charles, when he became impressed with the beanty of the country and its fine location for a city. Altering his first intentions he determined to locate here, which he did September 22, 1841, and at once commenced the practice of his profes- sion in this place. Some years later he returned to Ohio, and graduated from Cleveland Medical College. During his residence of forty-six years in St. Charles the Doctor has had an extensive practice, and has become well known to the med- ical fraternity. Politically he is a supporter of the Democratic party. He was one of the charter members of St. Charles Lodge, No. 14, I.O.O.F.

In 1840 Dr. DeWolf formed a happy matrimo- nial alliance with Mary Herrington, a native of Pennsylvania, and a consin of A. M. Herrington, who is identified with the history of Kane County as one of its original founders. Her father, Jacob Herrington, was also a prominent citizen, and for fourteen years was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Dr. and Mrs. De Wolf have had four children (one son and three daughters), of whom two are now living: Mary, wife of Henry M. Sill, of St. Charles, and John S., a resident of of Livingston County, Ill. The Doctor is propri- etor of a drug business, in which he has been en- gaged for thirty years, in St. Charles. He and his wife are actively interested in all progressive and deserving movements. The Doctor is in every sense of the word a self-made man, as he has by close study, attentive observation and kind, genial disposition, won for himself the satisfactory re- sults he now enjoys.

RANK H REESE, one of the younger citi- zens of Aurora who is worthy of mention in this volume, is the subject of this notice. He was born at Naperville, Ill., February 14, 1857, and is a son of Richard and Hannah (Stevens) Rees, whose biography appears else- where in this volume. Frank H. spent his youth

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in Aurora, and obtained a good training in the public schools of that city. He early began for himself, first working at the baking business, and then at silver plating. Finding both of these em- ployments uncongenial, he, at the age of eighteen, sought work with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and September 17, 1876, began "braking" on that line. This proved to be the business of his choice, and he applied himself to it with energy, making himself master of the different duties of his calling. He was promoted to conductor of freight trains, and received a thorough training in this duty. In 1883 he took charge of a passenger train, and he has proved himself a worthy custodian of the trust.

Mr. Reese was united in marriage in Aurora, December 29, 1881, with Fanny Edith Rosier, who has borne him one daughter, Hazel May, born May 5, 1885. Mrs. Reese is the daughter of Russell (now deceased) and Amarett (Seeley) Rosier. The mother was united in marriage with William H. Barrett, after the decease of Mr. Rosier. Mr. Reese is a careful, considerate con- ductor, and is a respected officer of his guild. Upon the organization of Belknap Division of the Order of Railway Conductors in Aurora, in 1883, he gave it a cordial support, and was active in the promotion of its interests. He is the chief con- ductor of the order in that place, and has been three times elected to represent his division in the national councils of the body. He attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Al- though young in years, Mr. Reese has filled no small place in the advancement of the order to which he belongs, and has aided materially in the development of kindred associations.

L ERMOND WATTS. This gentleman has by efficient labor, diligence and skill earned the responsible position of superintendent of bridges for the Chicago Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He was born in Warren, Knox Co., Me., April 2, 1838, a son of Edward and Eliza (Seavey) Watts, the former a son of Hector M. Watts, and grandson of John Watts, a native of the North of Ireland, or

rather of the family of Watts, so prominently figur- ing in Scotland. The descendants of John Watts in this country were seafaring people, who in later generations became artisans and agriculturists. The Seaveys were of English ancestry, who settled in and around St. George, Me., in early times.

Mr. Watts completed the trade of ship carpen- ter in Thomaston, Me , and followed it until in 1867, when he came west, and went to work at bridge building, in Quincy, Ill .; then was in the same employ for the Illinois Central Railroad, at Dubuque, Iowa. In January, 1870, he accepted work in this line with the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and was thus engaged for about sixteen months. Returning east in 1871, he engaged with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in geni- eral bridge repairing, making his home in Aurora. His promotions have been rapid, and he has filled every position with credit. Mr. Watts was united in marriage in Chicago with Miss Alice M., dangh- ter of William Walker, a native of England. Mr. Watts has been a member of the Baptist Church for twenty-seven years. Mrs. Watts is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is president of the ladies' guild of that society.

R OBERT C. HARRIS was born in Sussex County, N. J., April 13, 1824, son of Rus- sel D. and Rebecca (Carl) Harris. He spent his boyhood on the farm, obtaining his education at the district school, and when seven- teen years of age he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for ten years. December 24, 1846, he married Susan, daughter of Henry and Ellen (Crammer) Hoffman, and to this union were born eleven children, six of whom are still living: Henry D., married to Annie Walsh; Ellen H., wife of D. Babcock: John Y., married to Car- rie Sheffer; Lamitta, now Mrs. Jackson, of Iowa: William and Frank, with their parents. In 1855 Mr. Harris came to Illinois, and settled in Kendall County, remaining there seven years.

In 1862 Mr. Harris moved to Anrora Town- ship, Kane Co., and rented the Van Sickle estate until 1870, when he purchased a farm of 175 acres, part of which is on Section 7, Anrora Town-

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ship, and part on Section 12, Sugar Grove Town- ship. He raises both grain and cattle, and is numbered among the successful farmers of his township. Mr. Harris formerly voted the Demo- cratic ticket, but recently he has supported the Republican party.

R EV. THOMAS F. LEYDON, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Aurora, was born in Chicago, December 21, 1850. His parents were Michael R. and Bessie (McNulty) Leydon. Thomas F. in his boyhood received a thorough elementary training in St. Louis' Parish School, Chicago, and at the age of twelve was sent to the University of St. Mary of the Lake, at that time located at the corner of Cass and Superior Streets, Chicago, the site now occupied by the Cathedral of the Holy Name. He concluded his studies at St. Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wis., from which he was gradu- ated in 1873, and ordained from that institution to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church by Archbishop Henni. of the Milwaukee diocese. He was then appointed assistant rector of St. John's Church. Chicago, and chaplain to Cook County Hospital; and after nine months' clerical service there was transferred to the parishes of Hyde Park, South Chicago and Englewood, where he remained until October 10, 1877, when he took charge of St. Mary's Church, Woodstock, McHenry Co., Ill., St. Thomas' Church, Crystal Lake, McHenry Co., Ill., and St. Ann's Church, Barr- ington. Cook Co., Ill. June 23, 1885, he was called upon to take charge of St. Mary's Church, Aurora.

His duties in the different localities wherein he has labored had given him practical lessons in ministerial work, and this, coupled with his native abilities, made him master of the situation, when he was called upon to take charge of this congre gation, which had in a great measure become dis rupted. He entered upon the work with vigor- and besides bringing about a full and united mem bership in the congregation, he has secured some $15,000 worth of valuable additions to the edifice. May 1, 1887, he consummated the purchase of

six and one-half acres of land opposite Spring Lake Cemetery as a burial place for the dead of his faith, and which on June 5, 1887, was consecrated by him, and dedicated as "Mount Olivet Ceme- tery."

Father Leydon has so deported himself as to command the admiration and respect of all who know him, both Catholics and Protestants. He is a man of scholarly attainments, and a close student, and his life is one of constant activity in his profession. To the poor he is charitable, and to those who differ with him in religion he is al- ways gentle and kind. As a pulpit orator he ranks high, and it is said of him that the current of his eloquence flows without a ripple.

P ROF. GEORGE W. QUEREAU. The pur- suits and positions that have occupied the attention of this gentleman designate him as not only one of the prominent educators of the country, but also as one whose executive abilities, when at the head of important educa- tional or business establishments, entitle him to equally high rank among the strong and useful men of the day. From the public schools, at the age of fifteen years, he entered upon a classical course at Union Academy, New York, to prepare for college. He continued his studies until he graduated at the University of Middletown, Conn., in 1849, at the age of twenty-two years. Soon afterward he accepted the position of Latin teach- er in the East Greenwich Academy, of Rhode Is- land, and after two years' employment was made principal of the institution. He found much here to discourage the average teacher in the affairs of the academy. The school had been falling behind financially, but under his care and control it was soon placed upon a paying basis, its halls were crowded with students, more land was purchased, a larger and excellent building was erected, and in everyway it became entirely successful.

In 1859 he resigned his position in the acad- emy, and came to Aurora to accept the office of principal of Clark (now Jennings) Seminary. This important educational institution had then just been built, but in its construction it had become

G. W. Quereau

PHOTO BY D. C. PRATT.

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involved in a debt of $60,000. To organize the school upon a successful basis, and to provide for the liquidation of the indebtedness were the im- portant tasks he had set about accomplishing. It at once became, and continued to be, the largest and most successful school of its kind in the West. So prosperous did it become that before his resig- nation in 1873, it was not only clear of debt, but had a surplus in its treasury. But, unfortunately for the interests of education, so close had been his attention to the affairs of the seminary that he felt his health was impaired to such an extent that he was compelled to resign his position. As early as 1867 he had premonitions of impaired health, and, obtaining a vacation from his labors, he traveled in the East, passing through Europe, Egypt, Pales- tine and Asia Minor. The humorist. "Mark Twain," was one of the party of tourists on this trip, and during the travels jotted down the notes from which came his most noted book, "The Innocents Abroad." Immediately after his return liome Prof. Quereau resumed his labors in Jen- nings Seminary, which were continued without in- terruption until he resigned, as stated, in 1873. The following four years he devoted to leisure and travel, taking the needed rest of body and mind, and recovering mainly his health and strength. In this time he had been appointed manager of the "Silver Plate Company, of Aurora." This he declined until the manager was forced to retire from sickness, when Prof. Quereau accepted tem- porarily, to fill the vacant place, and in time, there seeming to be no alternative, he accepted the of- fice of general manager permanently. The con- cern was deeply in debt when he took hold, owing about $80,000, and the stock was sold at about five per cent of its par value. Under the new management, affairs assumed a new aspect. It be- came one of the prosperous concerns of Aurora, its debts were paid, and the stock was worth par in the market.

George W. Quereau was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., June 9, 1827. His parents, John and Phœbe (Ryder) Quereau, moved to Cayu- ga County, N. Y., in 1828, and engaged in the occupation of farming. The son spent his time on his father's farm, and received his early school

training at home, and in the schools in the vicinity until he was fifteen years of age, when he entered upon his course of study in the academy that con- tinned uninterruptedly to his graduation. Mr. and Mrs. Quereau were married in April, 1855. Her maiden name was Susan H. Smith, a daugh- ter of Ira M. Smith, of Fall River, Mass.

C H. BROWN is a native of Batavia, Ill., born May 24, 1853, a son of Rufus J. and Aurelia (McDaniels) Brown, who came to Batavia from New York with their parents at an early day. Rufus J. Brown is now a resident of Nebraska. C. H. Brown received a fair education, and in 1868 commenced life as a clerk in the post- office at Batavia, in which incumbency he remained continuously until 1880, with the exception of one summer spent in Nebraska. He then spent one year in the United States Railway Service as mail messenger, and in 1882 accepted his present posi- tion of bookkeeper for the Van Nortwick Paper Company.

January 12, 1879, Mr. Brown married S. Flor- ence Starkey, born October 6, 1856, in Du Page County, Ill., a daughter of Warren and Elizabeth (Hunter) Starkey, who in an early day moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois, where they settled. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has served as collector as well as census enu- merator.

E A. BROWNELL, a member of the firm of Brownell & Miller, paper manufacturers, St. Charles, is a native of Rock County, Wis., born in 1841. His parents, Humph- rey and Renew (Willard) Brownell, of the State of New York, went to Wisconsin previous to the year 1839, and there they were engaged in farm- ing; afterward, when E. A. was yet a child, they moved to McHenry County, Ill.

E. A. Brownell received a common-school edu- cation, and then came to St. Charles, where, when sixteen years of age, he began as a laborer in the paper- mill he now owns a one-half interest in. May

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18, 1861, he enlisted at the first call for troops, in Company H, Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Volun- teers, which was the first three years' regiment to leave the State of Illinois. He saw active service for thirty-eight months, during which time he par- ticipated in many of the principal engagements, among them siege of Vicksburg, battles of Look- out Mountain and Mission Ridge, and many others. Honorably discharged in 1864, he returned to St. Charles, and in 1867 established himself in the business in which he is now partner. He is a Re- publican, and has served as alderman, highway commissioner, collector, and for six years was postmaster at St. Charles. He is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., and is a F. & A. M. October 17, 1867, Mr. Brownell married Etta D. Baker, a native of Kane County, born November 4, 1847. Her parents, John R. and Harriet An- geline (Foote) Baker, were early settlers in St. Charles, coming here from the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Brownell have been blessed with the following named children: Lulu M., Hattie A., Mamie T. and Eugene W. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church

C HRISTOPHER MASON. Several of the trusted and trustworthy engineers of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad re- side in Aurora, and none of them is better or more favorably known than Christopher Mason, who was born in St. John's, near Montreal, Canada, February 17, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Josette (Fleury) Mason, of that place. His first trade was carpenter work, which he abandoned at the age of twenty six, and then engaged with the Montreal & Champlain Railway Company, where he learned engineering. In 1863 he came west, accepted employment with the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad Company, and has held a position in the service of that corporation since that time. He had, however, visited this part of the country in 1847, and in 1849, was married here to Marceline, daughter of Joseph Archambeau, a farmer of this locality, who settled here in 1847. By this marriage he had five sons and four dauglı- ters, of whom four sons and two daughters now

survive: Christopher Ambrose Alexander, in rail- way employment; Joseph Louis Adolphus, an engineer, like his father, in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company ; Orilla Helen, wife of Charles Drake, of Aurora; Rose Emma, still one of the domestic circle; Willie, learning railway business, and Joseph Napoleon, at work in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, at Aurora. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are regular communicants of the French Roman Catholic Church, and members of the congregation of the Church of the Sacred Heart. He is a worthy member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Himself and lady enjoy the respect of ali who know them. In their advancing years they have the pleasure of seeing their children useful members of society, and all well circuin- stanced.

S YLVENUS BOYCE. The picturesque green hills of Vermont sent to this county a fine sample of what they can produce in the genus homo line in the person of the well-known, energetic and substantial farmer of Big Rock Township, whose name appears at the head of this brief record. Mr. Boyce was born at Strafford, Vt., December 13, 1849, a son of Elias and Chloe (Bacon) Boyce, who came with their family to Kane County in 1854, settling in Kane- ville. Our subject was married, February 22, 1871, to Elmirata, daughter of James H. Chap- man, and by her has two sons, Fred Otis, born October 20, 1874, and Frank, born September 10, 1882. Mr. Boyce has by industry and persever- ance secured for himself a pleasant home, and is regarded as one of the representative farmers of his township.

AMES T. DOHERTY. William Doherty, in 1849, came to Kane County, Ill., from County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was born in 1820. He settled in the State of New York, where he was preceded by his future wife, Mary McNevin, who was born in the same county in 1825. They were married in that State June 9, 1850, and in 1852 they came to St.

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Charles, where Mr. Doherty worked at his trade, that of a mason. They had five children-four sons and one daughter-James T., our subject, be- ing the youngest, except his sister. He was born in St. Charles, August 24, 1859. He attended the East St. Charles High School, and for three years succeeding his graduation he was shipping clerk for the St. Charles File Company. Some years thereafter were spent in the drug store of Maj. J. S. VanPatten. He is Democratic in politics, has served several years as city clerk of St. Charles, and in 1885 was appointed postmaster of that place, under the Cleveland administration.

D R. SILAS LONG (deceased) was a native of Shelburne, Franklin Co., Mass., and a son of Dr. John and Esther (Haws) Long, the former of whom had been a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, along with Dr. Jenner, a noted physician of Boston, who vaccinated Gen. Washington. Dr. Silas Long fitted himself for the medical profession, and June 19, 1840, settled on Sections 19 and 20, Big Rock Township, Kane County, where, during life, he enjoyed a large and successful practice. He married Matilda, daugh- ter of Eliphalet and Elizabeth (Stebbins) Strat- ton, and by her he had ten children. He died Oc- tober 27, 1857, his wife having preceded him July 28, 1845.

D R. SILAS O. LONG (deceased) was born at Shelburne, Franklin Co., Mass., June 3, 1814, to Dr. Silas and Matilda (Stratton) Long. The father was the owner of two farms, and thereon the son spent his early life, attending at the same time the common schools, and later the academy at Greenfield. Becoming desirous of leading the life of a farmer, he set out one day on a prospective tour, taking a trip on horseback through the State of Michigan, but finding no inducements to settle there he returned to Massachusetts. Shortly afterward he visited Kane County, and here entered the claims sub- sequently occupied by his father, his brothers and himself. June 24, 1839, he married, at Green-

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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 24

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