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 28
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 28
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D F. VAN LIEW, builder and inventor, Au- rora. The subject of this biography is a worthy reflection of the character of that noble band of pioneer people who made possible an early settlement in the New World, and who brought with them to these shores grand principles of thrift, industry and inventive genius, coupled with the broad Christian principles of humanitarian sentiment. He was born in Frank- lin Township. Somerset Co., N. J., April 23, 1820. His parents were Frederick F. and Maria (Voorhees) Van ·Liew, whose progenitors on both sides number among the substantial pioneers of Long Island and the valley of the Hudson, and whose posterity reckon among them many who have taken worthy rank in the religious, political and industrious life of the East, and in many other parts of this fair Union of States.
The Van Liews originally belonged to Hol- land, on the borders of France, where the naine
"Lewen " in its originality still exists; the title of "Van" or "Von" (meaning nobleman) being given to that branch of the name who established themselves in Amsterdam, Holland; where they attained prominence as commercial people in the Merchant Marine of that kingdom, the title being similar to that of "thane" or nobleman, in England, and conferred as a mark of merito- rious services, and constituting an exalted order of nobility. The Van Voorhees family were also of Holland stock, and followed in the line of the Van Liews, their title of nobility being similarly ac- quired. Branches of both families made early settlements in the New World, and left memorials of themselves in a posterity whose characteristics were love of their religious faith, thrift, industry and inventive genius. Of the original Van Voor- hees we have the American Voorhees, the title being dropped on account of the repugnance to titles of nobility in this country; and probably the reason for not dropping the " Van " in Van Liew, was that there would be great danger of corrup- tion of the " Liew " or " Lewen," and a possible absorption of it into some other name.
Mr. Van Liew obtained a fair education in his nativity. His early predilections were for mechan- ical work and inventions, and at the age of sixteen years he became an apprentice to the trade of carpenter and builder. Arriving at the age of manhood, he went to New York City, and soon after established himself as master builder. He entered upon it with a spirit in keeping with his character as a student of the trade, and we soon find him a successful contractor, and commanding an extensive business in his line, extending it not only to the city proper, but to its more tasty sub- urbs, where to-day may be seen in their public and private structures relics of his handicraft and practical ability. Besides working earnestly in the prosecution of his large business, he had ex- tended material aid to other enterprises, among which may be mentioned that of one of the city banks, in which he held a worthy membership in its directory; but his health failed him, and he was compelled, very reluctantly, to abandon his business. He had, meanwhile, indulged his benevolence too liberally, and, in consequence of
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his endorsing for a friend, who betrayed him, he was made to suffer great financial loss. With a view of restoring his shattered health and fortune, he visited this western country, and sought a location for himself and family in the fair city of Aurora, Ill. Here he became restored to health, and he again applied himself to building and inventive work. Of the years 1869-70-71 he spent about two in San Francisco, Cal., as an active member of the firm of F. S. Weeks & Co., wholesale deal- ers in wall paper, decorations, etc. The firm dis- solving upon the loss of the health of the senior partner, Mr. Van Liew returned to his Aurora home, and after continuing the business for awhile he prosecuted his inventions more actively than ever, being occupied in this work, mostly in the line of railway improvements.
His character in life has been to stand at the front of his vocation, and he has worked assiduously in the consummation and introduction of his many inventions, and now has the gratification of seeing an extensive, practical and successful use of his inventions, prominent among which may be men- tioned his various "Grain Doors " for railway cars, which, in their universal usage, and his manage- ment, have yielded him a full competency, finan- cially. In keeping with the character of men of his class, namely inventors, he is plain, and un- ostentatious of his abilities. A liberal contributor to all worthy objects, he takes especial pleasure in giving substantial aid to the development of inter- ests belonging to his adopted city. He is a promi- nent stockholder in the Aurora Street Railway Company, and a member of its board of directors, an enterprise of commendable worth, and whose consummation may be attributed to his liberal sub- scription in its early origin. Upon the organization of the Anrora Watch Company, he subscribed liberally, and supported it actively. He has held a membership in its directory since, and as one of the executive committee of that institution, has also lent material aid to other kindred interests in Aurora.
While in active business in New York City Mr. Van Liew formed a happy marital union with Miss Catharine M. York, a descendant of the Hollanders of Manhattan Island, known as the
Knickerbockers, and who were among the earliest settlers of Ulster County. She is one of Aurora's most prominent and esteemed ladies, in social life, adorning equally her home and society in love and true Christian charity; and she has presided over the early care and training of her family with a worthy maternal solicitude. Mr. and Mrs. Van Liew have reared one daughter and one son, Maria Louisa and Wainright D., the former the accomplished wife of Richard W. Thickins, Esq., artisan and inventor, of Minneapolis, Minn., a lady of unusual abilities in art work in its different branches, and who, with fond filial pride, has bestowed upon her parents masterpieces of her handicraft and skill (which the writer had occasion to observe) that adorn their home -a pleasant com- mentary upon her early care and training. The son married " Carrie," eldest daughter of Charles Gill (an early prominent citizen of Aurora), and is a substantial merchant and business man of Osh- kosh, Wis., in the wall paper and decorative business there. He is a master of his art, and a citizen of valued worth of that stirring city.
Mrs. D. F. Van Liew participates with her family and husband in the universal respect paid to their citizenship, and is an active worker in the interests of woman's work here. Upon the organi- zation of the Women's Christian Association, of Aurora, she enlisted her interests, assisting it materialy, and has ever since been a prominent worker in its growth and development. She has served several years as its honored president, since its organization, and has labored effectively in kindred interests auxiliary to it, resigning reluc- tantly this year (1887) in consequence of ill health. She is an acknowledged representative lady in the work of benevolent matters in the city, and besides the above mentioned official work, has been promi- nent in organizing, and serving as trustee and vice-president of the Aurora Hospital Association.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Liew are of the Baptist faith, and have held membership in the Park Place Baptist Church nearly thirty years. In many ways, and in none of any but good, practical utility and humanitarian sentiment, we find these worthy peo- ple strongly identified in the history of Aurora's social and industrial life, and in connection with
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those interests which embellish and adorn its pros- perity, as citizens since 1857. Liberal in sentiment. and charitable to a marked degree, the poor and downcast are never turned from their doors without substantial aid and kind words of good cheer; high and low are alike treated with a worthy respect. In their partial retirement from the more busy cares of life they have the pleasure of reflecting upon a life well and usefully employed, and to see in their children worthy people of their localities, and citizens of high and noble sentiment.
Z ACHARIAH SQUIRES, the subject of this biographical record, was born in Virgil. Cortland Co., N. Y., May 31, 1807. His parents were Zachariah and Catharine (Brink) Squires, whose progenitors were among the early families of the Susquehanna Valley, N. Y., and also of the State of New Jersey. The Squires family were of English pioneer stock in the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania, but, being driven from that place by the Indians, sought the more peaceful Susquehanna Valley, where they led industrious and honorable lives. Some of the family served with credit in the War of 1812. The Brinks came to New York State from New Jersey, and settled at Binghamton. Capt. William Brink was an officer in the Revolutionary War, and passed a useful life at Binghamton, where he died. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, and was actively engaged in their prosecution and in other interests, in the place of his nativity until 1847, in which year, with his wife and chil- dren, he came west and located in Big Rock Town- ship, Kane County, engaging in farming. In 1850 the gold fever seized him, and he went to California, but after a short stay returned to his farm in Big Rock Township. In 1855 he came to Aurora, embarked in merchandising, and has here been well and favorably known since.
Mr. Squires was united in marriage in Marathon, Cortland Co .. N. Y., with Miss Harriet Ogden, who bore him three sons, of whom the eldest, Ogden, went to California when eighteen, and lived there until his death, at the age of fifty. He was honored with official trusts in his locality from his
twenty-first year, and, later, he served as probate judge of his district. Zachariah, the second son, is to-day one of Chicago's representative merchants in the wholesale saddlery and hardware business; and Charles, the youngest, is manager of the inspection department of the board of fire under- writers, of Chicago. In 1875 Mr. Squires' wife died, and he was subsequently married to Mrs. Martha McNett, widow of DeGras McNett, Esq. Mrs. Squires is an ardent worker in woman's Christian work, having held for the past thirteen years a life membership in the Women's Chris- tian Association, of which she is vice-president ; is also an active member of the Aurora Hospital Association, a life member of the Episcopal Church, and of the Ladies' Guild of that denomi- nation. In 1882 Mr. Squires retired from active business life. While in Big Rock Township he served with honor and credit in official capacities, and assisted materially in the development and ma- terial growth of the township. Since coming here he has held official positions in the town and city. He has given a strong support to the public schools, and has served on the board of supervisors from Aurora and Big Rock. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and a liberal supporter of all Christian churches.
G EORGE J. DOWNING was born in Queens County, N. Y., September 29, 1830, the son of George and Mary (Jackson) Down- ing, who were natives of the same State and county, the former of whom was an industrious farmer. George J. received a common-school education, and assisted liis father on the farm until the year 1852, when he made a trip to Illinois, but soon returned to his native place. In the spring of 1868, however, he again came to Illinois, bring- ing his family with him, and purchased land, which forms in part the place he now owns.
In February. 1861, Mr. Downing married Miss Phobe C. Albertson, a native of Queens County, N. Y., born November 3, 1840, and a daughter of a thrifty farmer of that locality, and by this union he is the father of one daughter and one son, both at home, namely, Lillie L., born January 5. 1862.
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and Hicks A., born December 1, 1863. Mr Downing is very popular among his neighbors and acquaintances, and is noted for his honest and upright dealings in all things. He has supported the Republican party, although he has been too much engrossed with his business to take any act- ive interest in politics. He has served as overseer of highways, and for several terms has been a member of the school board. He has added to his place from the day he took possession of it, and now owns a large stock and dairy farm of 407 acres, the largest farm in the township.
W ILLIAM S. BEAUPRE. This gentleman although still one of the young men, com- paratively, of Kane County, is widely and favorably known in the leading business and social centers of this part of Illinois. He is a na- tive of this State, born in Ottawa, La Salle County, October 2, 1844, son of Mathias and Sarah J. (Pat- rick) Beaupre. Mathias Beaupre was a native of Ontario, Canada, and, as the name indicates, was of French descent. He migrated from the place of his birth to the new State of Illinois in 1838, and first located in Joliet. He removed to Ottawa, and in time from there to Newark, Kendall County. He was twice elected sheriff of that county, and served his two full terms with the entire approval of his constituency. He was an active, quick and bright man, who made friends of all who knew him, and whose course in life inspired nothing but a confiding trust in his integrity and abilities. He died at De Kalb, Ill., January 30, 1873. Sarah J. Patrick was also born in Ontario, Canada, and with her father's family came to Illinois in 1838, the family locating in Joliet, where she now has two sisters living.
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William S. Beaupre, between the ages of seven and eighteen years, spent his time in Oswego, which was at that time the county seat of Kendall County. During this time he attended the public schools of that village, and here gained the rudi- ments of a sound and thorough English education. When he had completed his terms in the public schools, he at once entered upon the responsible duties of life, and for the next four years was a
clerk in a dry goods store, which business he fol- lowed until 1869, at which time he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for thé Sec- ond District of Illinois, a position he held until January 1, 1876, when the office in which he was employed virtually ceased to exist, from the fact that the Sixth Internal Revenue District was con- solidated and merged into the Second District. In the new arrangement the value of his services was duly recognized by his appointment as chief dep- uty in the newly constructed district, thus increas ing his duties and responsibilities. In this posi tion he remained until 1883, when he resigned for the purpose of accepting the more congenial, if even yet more responsible, position which he now holds- cashier of the Aurora National Bank. This bank was organized, and opened its doors to the business pub- lic at that time, and the directors made no mistake in their selection of their chief active officer, as is evidenced by the public confidence the institution has received from the day of its commencement in May, 1883.
Mr. Beaupre is a director of the Aurora National Bank, also a director and the secretary of the Home Building and Loan Association, secretary of the board of education of Aurora, treasurer of the Au- rora Free Public Library, and in addition to all these places of trust and responsibility he is now serving his fourth term as treasurer of the city of Aurora. He is a member of Aurora Commandery, Knights Templar, also of the A. O. U. W. In June, 1873, William S. Beaupre and Julia Brady, daughter of L. D. Brady, of Aurora, were united in wedlock. In their present home are two bright and interesting daughters-Marion, aged twelve years, and Olive, aged four years.
G EORGE FIKES, a substantial agricultur. ist of Sugar Grove Township, owns 210 acres of valuable land on Section 25, where he resides with his wife, his children, ex- cept his youngest daughter, who lives on the op- posite side of the road from her father's house, having settled in other places. He was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., December 21, 1813, where he remained and was engaged in different
Lillian Coffin
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occupations during his young manhood. January 31, 1842, he was married to Margaret Keck, who was born in Johnston, Montgomery Co., N. Y., July 30, 1818. .
In the following spring the newly married couple emigrated west, and May 1, 1842, settled in Kane County, of which they have ever since been honored and respected residents, and where they reared a family of children, whose names are here given: Martha A. and William (both deceased): Letitia, wife of Orrin Manchester (now living at North Loup, Neb.); Sarah, who married Joel Wilder (their home is in Yates Center, Kans.); Mary, who married Leslie H. Lawton, residing in Grand Island, Neb. (Mary and Sarah are twins); Augusta, married to Frank Goodale, now residing in Yates Center, Kas .; and Tillie, wife of Don L. Goodale (they reside upon a part of her father's farm). From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Fikes was among the pioneers of Kane County, at the time of his settlement government land having just come into market. During his long residence in the county he has ever sustained a reputation for integrity and good citizenship, alike creditable to his judgment and character. As one of the men who in an early day took part in subduing the wilderness, transplanting in its place the fine farms and beautiful homes that the present gener- ation enjoy in comparative ease, Mr. Fikes is well worthy of being memorized in the biographical record of his county.
P ROF. WILLIAM COFFIN, the youngest son of Nathaniel and Mary (Porter) Coffin, was born in Wiscassett, Lincoln Co., Me., January 19, 1822. His ancestors on both sides were of English origin, and came to this country in the first half of the seventeenth century, first locating near Newburyport, Mass., afterward removing to the Saco River country, in the dis- trict of Maine, where his parents were both born. His father graduated at Dartmouth College in 1800, studied law with Chief Justice Mellen, of Portland, Me., and commenced the practice of his profession in Lincoln County in 1803. He served through the War of 1812 on the staff of
Gen. William King as quartermaster-general of `the Maine Militia. In the spring of 1836 the fam- ily removed to Jacksonville, Ill., and the following year William entered Illinois College, from which institution he graduated in 1841, taking the first honors of his class. After three years of legal and theological study, he was called by his alma mater to the chair of mathematics, natural philosophy and astronomy. This position he occupied for eight years, supplementing his educational work with occasional preaching in the college chapel and neighboring churches, and spending his vaca- tions in the office of his father, who was engaged in extensive real estate transactions for himself and others. Failure of health and other considerations rendering a change of life desirable, Mr. Coffin re- signed his professorship in 1852, and after spend- ing several months in civil engineering removed to Batavia, where he still resides.
Since coming to Kane County he has taken an active part, and been well known in educational, religious and business enterprises. In connection with the Congregational Church he has filled the various positions of trustee, as deacon. superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school, and at several intervals its acting pastor. In 1856 Mr. Coffin opened a private banking house in Batavia, which was sub- sequently merged into the First National Bank, of which he was president and manager. He was also senior partner in the banking firm of Coffin & Paddock, in Aurora, and of Coffin & Tolman, in St. Charles. Mr. Coffin has been an active mem- ber of the Republican party since its organization; was the first Republican supervisor of Batavia, and was a delegate to the Republican convention held in Cincinnati in 1876. In 1877 he was laid aside from active life by an entire loss of sight, since which time he has been engaged in literary pur- suits, having now nearly ready for the press sev- eral biographical and historical works.
In 1847 Mr. Coffin married Mary E., eldest daughter of Samuel D. Lockwood, and who was taken from him by death in 1877, leaving seven children: S. Lockwood, who died September 6, 1887, aged thirty-nine; William K., now cashier of the National Bank of Eau Claire, Wis. : Mary Ellen, wife of Rev. J. W. Bradshaw, pastor of the
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First Congregational Church of Galesburg, Ill. ; Charles P., secretary of the Minnesota Iron Com pany, with office in Chicago; Francis D., who died in 1884, aged twenty four years; Mattie O., a teacher in Miss Hardy's school, in Eau Claire, and John N., now in New Westminster, B. C. In June, 1883, Mr. Coffin married Sophia M., daughter of Jed and Harriet (Weeks) Sawyer, of Mattoon, Ill., thus continuing the old family home with all its quiet enjoyments.
R OBINSON DOTY. This gentleman, a well- known farmer of Kendall County, who is now living retired, was born in Platts- burg, N. Y., June 23, 1811. His parents were Joseph and Susanna (Miller) Doty, who after the birth of Robinson located in the town of Wal- lingford, Rutland Co., Vt., were the boy grew to manhood, and where he was married to Rhoda Nichols. The Dotys were farming people, and our subject chose the vocation of his ancestors, carrying on farming in that State until 1843, when with his wife and four little boys he came to Illi- nois, whose better opportunities tempted him to a trial of pioneer life, in what was then the Far West.
Landing in Chicago Mr. Doty engaged a con- veyance to bring him to Aurora, and subsequently he located upon land at what is now Little Rock, Kendall County, where they led an industrious life engaged in farming pursuits for many years. Their family of four boys had increased to seven, besides two daughters. These children the fond parents reared and educated. On October 21, 1871, at the age of fifty-nine years the loving wife and mother was called to a happier home, respect- ed and mourned by all who knew her. She was buried in Jericho Cemetery. Of the family, Al- mond, their eldest son, went to California in 1852, has not been heard from since 1857, and is sup- posed to be dead; Hannibal is a farmer of Little Rock Township, and the owner of the pioneer home of his parents; Hiram is a farmer in Jones County, Iowa; Albert is engaged in farming in Sonoma, Cal .; Joseph is a successful farmer and stock raiser in Malta, Ill. ; Mary became the wife
of Edward A. Welch, a farmer of Little Rock Township, and died leaving two children; Charles is a farmer in Iroquois County, Ill .; Julia is the wife of Howard Vincent, a merchant and farmer of Cass Township, Cumberland Co., Iowa; and John is engaged in farming at Brooks, Adams Co., Iowa.
December 1, 1873, Mr. Doty was united in marriage with Mrs. Lucretia Stafford Sawyer, a native of Rutland County, Vt., where, in her girl- hood days, she was acquainted with Mr. Doty. With her first husband her life had been among the pioneers of northern New York. While in Lit- tle Rock Mr. Doty served that municipality with credit and honor as an official on different occa- sions. He has held membership in the Masonic body for over thirty years, and for sixteen years was an Odd Fellow, but has dropped from active membership in consequence of lack of time to at- tend to it. He lives in Aurora in the enjoyment of the fruits of a well-spent life, and has the pleas- ure of seeing his family all well off and respected.
D AVID BOWNE is a native of Monmouth County, N. J., born February 7, 1820, the son of Peter D. and Mercy (Cooper) Bowne, who were natives of the same State and county. David Bowne, the grandsire, hailed from England, and fought in the Revolutionary War, taking a prominent part in the battle of Mon- mouth. When Mr. Bowne (the subject of this brief memoir) was but three years old, his parents immigrated to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he lived until he was eight years of age, at which time the mother moved to Morris County, N. J. She having a large family, and David wishing to relieve her of some of the care, even at that ten- der age, apprenticed himself to a farmer for five years, for his board and clothes. At the age of sixteen years hc commenced to learn the black- smith's trade in Somerset County, N. J., where he remained three years and then returned to Tompkins County, N. Y., where for two years he worked at his trade. In 1840 he came west, and settled in St. Charles, Kane County, engaging at the blacksmith's trade for himself, which he con-
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ducted until he bought, in 1853, the property where he now resides. On this place he has made many improvements, and it is now a superior dairy farm of 200 acres, well stocked with fine cat- tle.
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