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 26

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 26
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 26

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Holmes Miller was about thirteen years old on his arrival in this county. When nineteen years of age he began learning the dry goods business in the store of Hawkins & Jenks, as a clerk, where he continued until 1853, and then he and Richard M. Goodwin opened business on their own account. He has been since continuously engaged in mer- cantile trade in Aurora, establishing a reputation as an honorable merchant, and occupies a high place in the esteem and consideration of the pub- lic. . As a manifestation his fellow citizens have many times conferred upon him various offices of public honor. He was president of the village board of trustees before the incorporation of Aurora as a city; he was also mayor of the city of Aurora. In various business interests, besides his individual mercantile affairs, Mr. Miller has taken an active part. He was an original stockholder in the estab- lishment of the Aurora Cotton Mill, the Aurora Watch Factory, and the Silver Plate Company, all of which added materially to the population, and

consequently to the business and wealth of the city. But to enumerate all of the various enter- prises that he has been identified with, which natu- rally benefited Aurora, would require space not allowed to this article; enough to say that the city has no citizen in its bounds of more public spirit or enterprise, or who is more thoroughly endowed with all those good qualities that go to make up the good citizen.

He was married in 1852 to Melissa L. Tubbs, at Corfu, Genesee Co., N. Y. The family were originally from Vermont. This union has been blessed with three children-two sons and a daugh- ter-named Jennie, John M. and William S. Mr. Miller has always acted politically with the Repub- lican party, and is an attendant of the Methodist Church. He is now senior partner in an extensive dry goods house establishment on Fox Street, Aurora, the name of the firm being Holmes Miller & Sons.

R OBERT S. SAFFORD. This worthy and highly esteemed gentleman is one of the best-known business men of the city of Aurora, with many of whose leading indus- tries he has been identified for a quarter of a cen- tury. He was born in Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., May 22. 1835, and his parents were Will- iam C. and Margaret (Murdoch ) Safford; the former was a native of Massachusetts, of which State his ancestors had been residents for several genera- tions, and had all his life been a farmer; the latter was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. They had two sons-William H. and Robert S., both of whom removed to Illinois, and William H., who was a farmer, died at Genesee, in that State.

Robert S. Safford remained at the place of his birth until he had arrived at the years of man- hood. He obtained a good common-school edu- cation, supplemented by an academic course in a well-known institution in his native town. For some years thereafter he followed the profession of teaching in New York State. In 1856 he visited the west, and was favorably impressed with the young and growing town of Aurora, to which place he removed in 1862, and has made it liis per-

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manent home. Since living here Mr. Safford has been engaged in various enterprises. For some time he was in commercial business, as a traveling salesinan for a wholesale grocery house, and has been identified with the horticultural business in this locality. He is also connected with the Aurora Cotton Mill, as well as other enterprises, and is regarded as a shrewd, energetic and lead- ing business man.

On March 7, 1867, Mr. Safford was married to Helen M., youngest daughter of Samuel and Har- riet (Fairchild) Rust, who were former residents of Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., and to this union three children have been born, the youngest of whom, Gracie, died in 1875. The survivors are Frederick F., and Fannie V., both of whom live with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Safford are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an officer ; and both are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

HOMAS MEREDITH (deceased) was one of the most prominent of all the pioneer farmers who came to Kane County ; conspic- uous not only as such, but as one of the best known and widely-respected citizens in this portion of the State. He was born in the parish of Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, Wales, December 10, 1812. The Meredith family tree places the origin of the name in England. The ancestors of this branch of the family are, however, truly Welsh, they having never gone over in their patri- otism to the English in either sympathies, habits or customs, but in these respects remained true to their own native and loved little principality. The father of Thomas was of the better class of yeo- manry, and spent his life in the pursuit of agri- culture, living and dying in the place of his na- tivity.

Thomas Meredith married Miss Sarah, a daughter of John Thomas, the two families being of the same locality, and of the same ideas and patriotism. Of this marriage there were born at their early home four sons and one daughter. The father began to turn his attention to America, and,

after correspondence with neighbors who had pre- ceded him, he sailed with his family in the year 1843, landed in New York, and came directly to Big Rock Township, Kane County. Purchasing land and improving it, he made his home here until he retired from active manual labor, in 1865, and moved to Aurora, where he passed the re- mainder of his days. Having projected a residence in Florida, he, with this in view, visited that State, and while there was stricken with heart disease, dying suddenly February 14, 1882. Of his sur- vivors, his widow is spending the evening of her days at the home of her only surviving daughter, Mrs. Isaac Morgan, of Aurora; the eldest son, Thomas, is ex-county clerk of Kane County; John is a merchant in Aurora; Edwin, a merchant in Batavia; George, a merchant, and the present ef. ficient mayor of Aurora; William is in the United States mail service, and Wynn is also in mercan- tile business.

The worth and character of Thomas Meredith is . attested by the kind words and affectionate re- membrances of the people among whom he lived and moved so long. Large and generous of na- ture, kindly and charitable of disposition, with a deep sense of right, he was greatly respected by all, and his counsels were always widely sought by his many friends. In a marked degree he possessed the courage of his convictions, and his faults, if he had any, leaned to virtue's side. For years he was one of the most prominent men of Big Rock Township, for he possessed many of those natural qualities of head and heart that belong to those who are the born leaders of men. His death came like a personal affliction to many of the people of the county. He lived to see his children grow to use- ful manhood, and ready and capable to take up the ' life work where he laid it down, and bear his un- tarnished name to succeeding generations.

C HRISTIAN SOLFISBURG, brick and tile manufacturer, of Aurora, was born in the Canton Berne, Switzerland, January 3, 1832, to John and Mary Ann (Solfisburg) Solfisburg. He immigrated to the United States in 1852, landing at New York City January 1 of

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that year, and immediately journeyed west, where for several years he engaged in farming pursuits. He afterward became interested in the wood busi- ness at Aurora, and, in 1861, began the manufact- ure of brick, also dealing in lime, and for the past twenty-five years he has been a prominent factor in the business affairs of the city. He has served as highway commissioner for the past twelve years, alderman for the sixth ward for four years, and was one of the organizers of the Aurora National Bank, of which he is at present a stockholder and director. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Concordia Lodge No. 303, and of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid, etc., and is a thoroughly representative and honored citizen.

Mr. Solfisburg was married at Aurora to Eliza- beth Love, a daughter of Robert and Margaret Love. This union has been blessed with the fol- lowing named children: Clara, now the wife of John T. Kerr, of Hinckley, Ill., Albert, who at present manages his father's business; Lincoln, Lilly, Edwin, Addie Belle, Lydia, Lottie, Roy . and Flora. Mr. Solfisburg is one of the solid and substantial citizens of the city.

OHN W. HARDY was born at Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., December 23, 1838, son of James and Hannah (Welbon) Hardy, who in 1829, came to this country from England, where the father had followed the occupation of a shep- herd. John W. spent his early life on his father's farm, receiving his educational training at the district schools. In 1860 he came to Illinois, where he worked for a time by the month; he then rented land until 1865, in which year he bought `ninety-six acres on Section 17, to which he after- ward added fifty, aggregating a splendid farm of 146 acres under high cultivation, with good build- ings, etc., located in Aurora Township. Mr. Hardy produces on his farm grain, cattle and other stock. Of cattle he has a herd of thirty head, be- sides many horses and hogs, among the former being descendants of some celebrated trotters.

Mr. Hardy married March 13, 1867, Addie Richardson, a native of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., born April 5, 1840, daughter of Anor and

Lydia (Basinger) Richardson, who moved to Aurora, Kane Co., in 1846. While yet young Mrs. Hardy made a profession of religion, and became united with the First Baptist Church of Aurora. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Minnie L., born October 7, 1869; Carrie H., born June 29, 1871, and Earl C., born June 15, 1879, all receiving excellent education, including instruction in music. Mr. Hardy makes no pretense of being a politician, but takes deep interest in local public affairs, and supports the Republican party.

OHN LOUIS LONG (deceased) was a native of Shelburne, Mass., born August 24, 1818, to Dr. Silas and Matilda (Stratton) Long. In 1840 he came to Illinois, and en- tered a claim of 200 acres on Sections 19 and 20, in Big Rock Township, where he conducted mixed farming extensively. March 30,1842, he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann, daughter of James and Flora (Sherwood) Cornell, of New York City, where she was born July 4, 1823, came to Illinois in 1839 and died January 22, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Long were born seven children, viz. : Charles S., born January 17, 1844; Flora M., born Feb- ruary 1, 1849; Alonzo L., born February 11, 1852; Emma O., born August 11, 1854; Edgar C., born February 13, 1856; George S., born January 13, 1858; and Herbert, born September 13, 1859, died September 23, 1860. Mr. Long died November 6, 1886. He held during his life several positions of public trust; he was a stanch Republican.

H ENRY RISER. This gentleman who is engineer of a passenger train on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and a resident of Aurora, was born in Hartford, Conn., November 17, 1852, a son of Simon and Mary (Reis) Riser, the former a native of Canton Aargau, Switzerland, a carpenter and builder by trade, and the latter a native of Munster, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany ; they were married in the Episcopal Church at Hartford, Conn., and in 1855 came to Aurora, where Henry grew to manhood

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and where he worked with his father at carpentering. Simon Riser still survives, but his wife died Jan- uary 9, 1887, and is buried in the Aurora cem- etery.

At the age of nineteen Henry Riser took up railroad work as fireman; after six years had charge of an engine, and has since been connected with the above named corporation as one of its reliable engineers. Mr. Riser was united in mar- riage in Aurora with Mary Marsh, and they have two sons and one daughter : Emma Wilhelmina, Harvey Simon and William Henry. Mrs. Riser is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Biller) Marsh, of Aurora. Mr. and Mrs. Riser are mem- bers of the Evangelical Church. He is a mem- ber of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

P HILIP SCHICKLER is one of the many engaged in manufacturing in Aurora. This name, German originally, was spelled Schückler, but in English is changed in accordance with the sound, as at the head of this sketch. Philip Schickler was born June 5, 1837, at Oberndorf, Kingdom of Bavaria. His parents, John and Annie (Boley) Schickler, belonged to the better class of farmers, and were wine-growers of that vicinity. The latter industry was carried on quite extensively by the elder Schickler, and is still conducted by his eldest son, Henry. Philip re- ceived a good education in his native country, and when sixteen years of age set sail to seek his for- tune in the United States. He located at Syra- cuse, N. Y., and there learned the cigar-maker's trade, remaining in that city until 1856, when he became a resident of Aurora, being attracted to that locality by his elder brother, Christopher, who had preceded him to America. On his arrival in Aurora he found employment at railroad work, and followed bridge building for about four years. Since then he has been engaged in the manufacture of cigars, dealing in all kinds of tobacco, smokers' articles, etc.

Mr. Schickler is favorably known as an honor- able and thorough-going business man, as well as a successful one. He carries on one of the most extensive establishments in his line in Aurora, and

gives employment to a number of hands, thus aid- ing in the material advancement of his adopted home. He was married in Aurora to Miss Augusta Eitelgarge, a native of Rottleben, Saxony, and they have six children, the elder boys being at the present time valuable assistants in the cigar store and factory. The names of the children in order of their ages are Emma, Louisa, Philip, Charles, George and Rosa. The family are attendants of the Lutheran Church.

W ILLIAM FREDERICK. This honored citizen is a native of Johnstown, Fulton Co., N. Y., born February 15, 1825. He is descended from German ancestors, who settled in America during the seventeenth century. His great-grandfather served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. A generation later the grandfather of William Frederick saw service in the War of 1812. Mr. Frederick has now in his possession a quaint and curiously- carved powder-horn that his revolutionary ancestor carried during that memorable struggle. The horn is engraved with the names of several battles in which its owner participated, having a view of the city of Albany, and all inscriptions on it are spelled in a style of over a hundred years ago. His maternal ancestors served in the War of 1812, one, Maj. Stoner, being among the number. The parents of William were Philip P. and Catharine (Phye) Frederick. The father was a millwright, and William remained at home with his parents until attaining his majority, assisting in his father's business.

In 1846 Mr. Frederick started for the West, and crossed Fox River for the first time May 1, of that ' year, on a foot plank, which took the place of a bridge. On this his first arrival in Kane County, his resources in a financial way were somewhat limited, consisting of but $11, and employ- ment was then so scarce he was obliged to work for his board during the first summer; fol- lowing this he secured employment on the Mont- gomery dam at 5 shillings per day. He subse. quently bought land in Kaneville Township, and became one of the largest and most successful

MM Bishop

PHOTO BY D. C . PRATT.

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farmers in Kane County. He retired from active farming in 1884, removed to Aurora City, and is now residing with his family in the handsome residence, No. 312 Downer Place. He was mar- ried, March 15, 1873, to Elizabeth, a daughter of Amasa and Huldah (Pratt) Hathaway, who was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have seven children: Mary, now Mrs. W. W. Baker, and residing in Iowa; Arte- mus, a resident of Dakota; Margaret M. ; William, Jr .; Agnes: Charles and Burt. Although not a member of any religious denomination, Mr. Fred- erick has been a contributor to and supporter of various churches during his long residence in Kane County, notably the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kaneville, and the Galena Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Aurora. Politically he is Democratic. While a resident of Kaneville Town- ship he was engaged in farming.

HOMAS H. BALL. This gentleman has earned a place among those of Aurora's citizens who are entitled to the honor of having so successfully aided in promoting the building and operating of înstories of that place. He is a native of Canastota, Madison Co., N. Y. He grew up under the training and influ- ences of his home, and received a fair preliminary education in the public schools of his native place. When only a well-grown youth he went to Boston, and entered upon the work of a clerk in a large mercantile concern. At the age of twenty years lie came west, and for some time remained in Chi- cago, where he was again acting as clerk. The only fortune the youth possessed was a willingness to do his work efficiently, and an honest purpose to push his way in life by meriting only success that might come to him. After an extended train- ing in the employ of others, he in time felt strong enough to embark in mercantile pursuits on his own account, and soon established a large trade in the wholesale line in dry goods, etc. In 1881 le turned his attention exclusively to trade in cor- sets, the manufacturing of the same, and chiefly through his efforts, in 1883, was established the Aurora Corset Factory, the buildings erected, and

the business successfully launched. Mr. Ball is in charge of the entire concern, and it is regarded as one of the sound and valuable industries that are contributing so much to the growth and importance of the city.

W ILLIAM WARD BISHOP was born in Great Clackton, Essex County, England, April 19, 1821, the son of William and Anna Maria (Smith) Bishop, both mem- bers of the most ancient families of Essex, former of whom was a carpenter and builder. The par- ents emigrated and came to Montreal, Canada, when their son, William Ward, was but a lad. He spent the years of his childhood in Leicester, Mass., where he reached his majority, and when he had completed his trade of carpenter and builder he removed to Worcester, Mass., in which city he was engaged in a foundry for a few years. He closed up his business affairs, and came west, in 1852, to cast his future fortune with the people of Illinois. At that time there was a great demand here for skilled workmen, especially of the trade which Mr. Bishop had chosen to follow, and for two years he was actively engaged in carpentering and house building in various places in the State. In this way he came to know of Aurora, his judg- ment was at once decided, and he made the city his permanent home, locating there in 1854. The pressing want of a foundry here determined thie nature of his enterprise, and he put up what were rather extensive iron works, for that day. In this shop was done much of the iron work of the then being constructed Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. His business foresight and thrift kept him always abreast of the times, and his pride of workmanship soon came to be a guar- antee to the trade that what was entrusted to his hands would be not only honestly but well done. His shop contributed its full share to the rapid development of the West when the day of great railroad building was inaugurated, truly the day in Illinois that will go into history as that of iron and steam. No private individual effort contrib- uted more in the construction days of this now great railroad, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy,

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than did Mr. Bishop; and there is hardly a doubt that now in the days of his retirement and quiet his mind often returns to this part of his life-work with that soothing satisfaction that is one of the pleasantest pastimes in the evening of a well-spent life. Here he has won the success of a business ca- reer that brings wealth and the higher comforts that follow, a success that was deserved. About 1865 he retired from the foundry business. In the meantime he had become a bank stockholder, and at once turned his attention wholly to banking. Here the same elevating business principles that had accompanied him through life served him well, and from a mere stockholder he for many years was the principal manager of what was widely known as one of the soundest money institutions in the country. His aid, counsel and advice, as well as his best individual efforts, have always been at the command of his neighbors in the work of pushing forward the best interests of Aurora and the surrounding country, his latest good work being the promotion to a successful issue of the cotton mills of which he is a director and stockholder, and was its first president; his ef- fective work, in connection with his friends, made successful issue of this enterprise. In public life he has not been found remiss, and, while avoiding political strife, he has been called by his friends to those modest places of trust; but only where he could serve to the best advantage his old neigh- bors and friends. For fourteen years he was al- derman in the councils of his adopted city, and its mayor for one term, giving the public freely some of his best efforts for the city's good. For a number of years he was supervisor of his town- ship, where his abilities were equally well devoted to the interests of the county. Several other mi- nor positions he at times accepted at a great per - sonal sacrifice in order to serve his friends. In all cases it was the office seeking the man, and not the man seeking the office.

In his social and family life is Mr. Bishop to be seen at his best. In person above the medium height, erect in his bearing and possessed of that spring in movement that is indicative of vigorous health and unimpaired strength of body. Manly in his intercourse with men, genial and frank in

expression, kindly in thought and action, he wins all to him; and his integrity of character and nobility of purpose hold his friends, when once secured, in bonds stronger than those of steel. He has won wealth in satisfying abundance, but beyond and far above this, he has in gaining it forfeited no friend- ship, sacrificed no pledge, and betrayed no actual or implied obligation, and with his material ac. cumulations has come the greater blessing in the troops of friends eager to bear witness to a well- spent life; one of the every day, home people, moving and mixing among those who understand him best, and who rejoice most in his good fortune, because his best successes are always the direct or remote promotion of their own good. Such lives are a valuable lesson to the young, but here, as elsewhere, too often indeed, the things that are, or should be, our greatest teachers are passed over unnoticed or neglected simply because their great- est virtue being their unassuming simplicity they fail to make that stir and noise in life that some- times will alone arrest the attention of the great multitude.

Mr. Bishop married in Worcester, Mass., Miss Julia Ann Shepherd, whose qualities of head and heart have made her the perfect and helping wife that has been to him, as the most fragile, clinging vine, that often protects from the beating storms the strong and rugged oak. Two children live to bless and cement the happy union, The son, Frank William, is a farmer and stock raiser, of Aurora; the daughter, Fanny M., married Christopher G. House, one of Aurora's prominent business men.

0 LIVIER BOLDUC, proprietor of a marble yard, and manufacturer of head stones, mon- uments, etc., was born at St. Francois, Beauce Co., Quebec, November 1, 1832, a son of Augustin and Catharine (Doyon) Bolduc, both natives of Canada, and of French extraction. The father of Augustin, Joseph Bolduc, was born at Paris, in sunny France. He was a farmer by occupation, as was also Augustin. Olivier is the youngest of a family of eleven children, consisting of seven sons and four daughters. He learned the trade of marble carver at Lawrence, Mass., where

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he had gone at the age of twenty years, and where he worked several years. In 1867 he came west, and located at Aurora, Ill., where he has since been identified with the marble and granite business.

Mr. Bolduc was married at Lowell, Mass., to Delia Gain who was born near Plattsburg, N. Y., of French-Canadian parents. They have two adopted children: Joseph, now fireman in the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy shops, and Addie D .. wife of Odilon La Costa. Mr. and Mrs. Bolduc and family are attendants and worthy members of the Catholic Church.

C LARENCE RIDDLE, one of the proprie- tors of the stone quarries of Aurora, was born at Keene, N. H., September 19, 1854. His parents, Adoniram and Hannah Jane (Cook) Riddle, moved west with their family in 1856, and settled at Aurora. Here Clarence grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the city schools. When seventeen years of age he adopted railroading as a profession, accepting a position as fireman on one of the locomotives of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He was subse- quently promoted to the care of a railroad loco- motive, a vocation he followed eight years, and only abandoned in 1882 to enter upon his present business. He is still an honorary member of the famous Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. Riddle was married at Aurora, to Carrie Doetschman, and they had one son, Harry, who died November 19, 1887. Mr. Riddle is an enter- prising business man, and a good citizen, in an eminent degree commanding the respect and es- teem of all.

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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 26

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