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 29

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 29
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 29

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).

Mr. Bowne has twice married. His first wife, Cynthia A. Emery, a native of Genesee County, N. Y., died August 25, 1873, aged fifty-three years, and February 24, 1875, he married Nancy V. Murphy, of Kane County, who was born Au- gust 23, 1852, a daughter of Chester and Rachel (Conaway) Murphy, natives of Illinois and Ohio, respectively. To this union four children were born, whose names and dates of births are as fol- lows: Merton H., May 17, 1876; William D., No- vember 30, 1877; Leo H., November 26, 1882, and Edna A., August 24, 1884. In politics Mr. Bowne is a Republican, and he holds the offices of road commissioner and school director. He is cer- tainly far more clever than many college graduates of the present day, being a keen observer of hu- man nature, from which he has been taught many a practical lesson.

B AXTER O. SKINNER, son of and third in the family of four children of Orrin and Charlotte (Cady) Skinner, was born in West- port, Essex Co., N. Y., November 15, 1834. His grandfather, Cady, took part in the War of 1812. Orrin Skinner was a farmer who came to Ill- inois in May, 1853, and settled on Section 22, Plato Township, Kane County, where he lived a quiet, unassuming life until his death January 13, 1861. His widow died February 12, 1881.

Baxter O. Skinner was reared on the farm, and attended school in the vicinity, obtaining a fair education. He chose farming as his vocation, and has followed agricultural pursuits to the pres- ent time, now owning 113 acres on Section 22, Plato Township, which is well stocked with domestic animals, provided with good buildings, and is finely improved throughout. The residence is situated in a grove, back from the public highway, and its surroundings make it an exceedingly pleas- ant home.

Mr. Skinner is of high social and. moral stand-

ing; he has served as deputy sheriff four, school trustee thirteen, and school director twelve years. Politically, he acts with the Republican party, but his greatest interests are with the public weal and his neighbors' good. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Skinner has overlooked the injune- tion, " It is not good for man to be alone," hav- ing, so far, taken Paul's side of the matrimonial question.

G EORGE L. PEASE, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Plato Township, is the son of David Pease, who was born in Tol- land County, Conn., March 3, 1804. The parents of David were Elijah and Anna (Fuller) Pease, who were born February 12, 1770, and June 3, 1775, respectively, and his grandparents were John and Anna (Fosgate) Pease, former of whom was a native of England.

David Pease was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the common schools of the vicinity. When he reached his majority he went to work as a common laborer by the month, and in time turned his attention to the manufacture of lime and charcoal, and also to lumbering in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., following the latter business thir- teen years. He served as constable, seven years, and deputy sheriff, three years. He came to Illi- nois in 1847, and located land in Campton Town- ship, to which he added until he was possessed of 600 acres. He retired to his pleasent home in Plato in 1879. September 6, 1832, he married Patience Seaman, daughter of John and Philena (Jackson) Seaman, and to this union were born the following named children: Sarab, now Mrs. Milton Sher- wood, in California; George L., of Plato Town- ship; Mary, wife of James Kendall, of Plato; William, of Plato; Sylvester and John, of Iowa.

George L. Pease, was born in Cold Springs, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., March 6, 1840, and spent his early life on the farm, attending the common school. In 1860 he bought 120 acres on Section 21, Plato Township, Kane Co., Ill., and going to Iowa in 1871, he returned the fol- lowing year, and engaged in farming on his own land. In 1SS1 he took possession of the old home-

318

KANE COUNTY.

stead, having sold his own farm. He diligently set about making a stock farm of the old home- stead, and has made extensive improvements on every hand, stocking it with select graded horses and cattle, especially Holstein cows.

March 14, 1860, Mr. Pease married Harriet Armstrong, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Druse) Armstrong, born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., February 8, 1834. Her parents came to Illinois in 1837, locating first at Lockport, and subsequently living at various places in the north- ern part of the State, finally settling in Plato, where, in March, 1886, the father departed this life, the mother having died January 24, 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Pease have no children. He is deeply interested in all public matters; he has served as constable nine years, road commissioner three years and collector one year.

M RS. ABISHA S. CALKINS (deceased). This venerable lady, who was for many years a resident of Illinois, was born in Kingsbury, Washington Co., N. Y., April 14, 1814. On the 15th of January, 1841, she mar- ried L. Kezar, with whom she came to this State, locating at Sycamore, De Kalb County, where her husband died September 15, 1844. To them were born two children: Alma H. married to George Y. French, and Mary, who died August 21, 1845, and was buried at Jericho. On the 15th of August, 1845, Mrs. Kezar again entered matri- monial relations, Nathaniel T. Austin becoming her husband, and three children coming to their home: George H., Nathaniel C. and Mary E. Of these Mary E. died September 15, 1854, and was laid beside the little Mary who had died nine years before. In the spring of 1849, Mr. Austin cast his lot with the throng of men and boys who were hurrying toward the newly-discovered El Dorado -California-but death overtook him on the way, his earthly career being terminated May 6, 1849, by an attack of cholera. He was buried at Inde- pendence, Mo.

For nearly four years the widow and her chil- dreu struggled on as best they could, and on the 26th of January, 1853, Mrs. Austin united her

fortune with that of Eldad M. Calkins, a native of Corning, N. Y., where he was born December 16, 1804. To them were born the following named children: Charles A .; John E., killed by lightning at Sugar Grove, July 3, 1876; and Mecelia A. married to Frank M. Putt.

Mr. Calkins was a very prominent and highly respected citizen, and for about fifteen years held the position of postmaster at Jericho. He died June 4, 1879, and was buried in Jericho Cemetery. Mrs. Calkins, whose life had been so eventful, resided until her death upon Section 36, in the township of Sugar Grove, and owned a fine farm of ninety acres. She was a member of the Baptist denomination. Her death occurred July 24, 1887, and she was buried at Jericho.

A LEXANDER L. HINDS. Corlis Hinds, the grandfather of Alexander L., was a native of Vermont, and at an early day removed to Westernville, N. Y., and subsequently to Watertown, N. Y. He was elected a member of the Legislature of that State in 1809,* his colleague being D. I. Andrus. He died in 1811, his remains being buried at Watertown Centre. His wife, Polly (Bent) Hinds, was also a native of Vermont; she died in 1858, and was buried at Newark, Ohio. Corlis Hinds located at Water- town Centre about 1803, and from 1805 to 1808 was supervisor of .his township. He may have held the office a year or so earlier, also, but if so the fact can not now be ascertained, as the records previous to 1805 have been destroyed. He was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen, from whom it is an honor to be descended.

On his mother's side Mr. Alexander L. Hinds' grandfather was Matthew Wilkie, a native of Con- necticut, and a minister of the Baptist denomina- tion. He lived to the age of ninety years, and at his death was buried at Evans' Mills, Jefferson Co., N. Y. He was a relative of Miles Standish, of England. In a list of pastors of the Baptist Church of Le Ray, located at Evans' Mills, the name of Rev. Matthew Wilkiet appears first. He

*This date is from the records of elections in Jefferson County. #Subsequent to 1832 Mr. Wilkie was pastor of the "Second Bap- tist Church of Alexandria," located at the village of Redwood, in Alex- andria Township, Jefferson County.

جـ

اللهم ارز ئ حة

Tff Day

PHOTO BY D. C. PRATT.

321

KANE COUNTY.

lived in the western part of the town of Le Ray, a few miles northeast of Watertown, and at his house the second school district in the town was organized, so that Mr. Wilkie was among the early settlers of that locality. His wife, whose maiden name was Phobe Smitli, was a native of Rhode Island. She died at the age of eighty-two years, and was buried at Evans' Mills. Mercy Wilkie, daughter of Rev. Matthew Wilkie and wife, was born in the town of Western, Oneida Co., N. Y., September 10, 1797. She married Alpheus H. Hinds, son of Corlis and Polly Hinds, and born in Mount Holly, Vt., March 9, 1796. . Both now sleep in the west side cemetery of Aurora. Mr. Hinds dying December 10, 1874, and his wife December 20, 1872.

Their son, Alexander L. Hinds was born in Redwood. Jefferson Co., N. Y., August 14, 1839, and came to Kane County, Ill., with his parents March, 9, 1842. He is descended from English, Scotch and Irish ancestry. February 26, 1868, he married Nettie Colley, of Belleville, Richland Co., Ohio, who bore him one child, Alice L. Mrs. Hinds died April 24, 1877, and was buried in the West Aurora Cemetery. Mr. Hinds possesses a farm of eighty-five and one quarter acres on Sections 23 and 26. He is a Democrat in politics; a member of Lodge No. 2394, Knights of Honor, at Aurora. and of Lodge No. 52, Modern Wood- men of America, at Sugar Grove. His sister, Laura, has been twice married: First to William J. Rose, who died May 16, 1873, and is buried in Sugar Grove Cemetery, and second, December 24, 1885, to Thomas McFall Davison. Mr. Davison died August 19, 1887. and is also buried in Sugar Grove Cemetery.

T RUMAN H. DAY was born in West Bur- lington, Otsego County, N. Y .. December 21, 1838, son of Ezra S. and Mardula (Parker) Day, of the early settlers in Con- necti cut and New York, respectively. Truman H. Day is a nephew of the late O. D. Day, one of Aurora's early and prominent citizens. He spent his boyhood in West Burlington, receiving the benefits of the schools at that place, as well as

a course in the seminaries at Cooperstown and Cazenovia, N. Y. At the age of twenty-one years he came west to Aurora, where for a year hie was employed as a clerk and bookkeeper; then he embarked in mercantile business on his own account, which he afterward abandoned, and entered the office of the Aurora Fire Insurance Company as assistant secretary. After the Chicago fire he was chosen cashier of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, at Chicago. He filled this place for seven years until his father's death, in 1877, when the following year he resigned his position, and returned to Aurora to attend to matters of his father's estate. In 1882 he purchased an interest in the Wilcox Manufacturing Company, assuming the duties of vice-president, and in 1883 he was elected secre- tary, treasurer and general manager of the com- pany, and to him is due much of its growth and prosperity. But his business energies have not been confined to this company, as several enter- prises of importance to the city have had his hearty aid and co-operation, among which may be especially mentioned the Aurora Watch Company, of which he is a large stockholder, a member of the board of directors, and executive committee, and secretary of the company. He is identified with the Aurora City Railway Company, being its secretary as well as one of the directors, and chairman of the finance committee. He is also a stockholder and one of the directors of the First National Bank, and has been an active worker and an efficient counselor in other public enter- prises of value to the city. He was one of the committee organized in the interest of the town to look after the stock and interests in the C. & I. R. R., which resulted in disposing at a premium above par the town's stock, a feat in railway stock accomplished probably by few, if any, corporations in the State. In the financial and industrial affairs of his own and the community he has played a conspicuous part, and his public trusts are specially noted for his success in conserving the general interests. When the Park Place Baptist Church songht to build a new edifice the whole financial matter was entrusted to Mr. Day, and he here, as elsewhere, proved his worth in the speedy erection

322

KANE COUNTY.

of the present elegant building that is one of the landmarks of Aurora, and in having it dedicated free from debt. with money in the treasury, some- thing unusual in church building. He was secre- tary and treasurer of the society during this period, for several years served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school of that denomination, and was an active and earnest official of the church. The people appreciated his worth, and he was called to serve them as alderman from the Ninth Ward, being six years in this capacity. He served nine years as a member of the board of education, was vice-presi- dent of the Y. M. C. A. one year, and then for two years after was president of that society; he is a worthy Sir Knight in Aurora Commandery, K. T., and a member of the K. of P.

Mr. Day married Miss Edith, daughter of Barnabas and Louise Russell, in the city of New York, and the union has been blessed with the advent of one bright and loving daughter-E. Louise. The family attend worship at the Park Place Baptist Church. Mr. Day is widely esteemed as one of Aurora's successful business men, is a large real estate owner in and about the city, and his public spirit has contributed largely to the general welfare of this community; and about this happy household are gathered the love and warm esteem of a wide circle of neighbors and sincere friends.

D AVID SMITH. Probably no man in Sugar Grove Township is more widely or favor- ably known than the subject of this bio- graphical sketch. He was born in Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vt., August 5, 1839, and is a son of Ephraim and Lucinda (Pressey) Smitlı, who came to Kane County with their family in 1844, settling on the place now occupied by their son, David. The elder Smith died here, and is buried in Sugar Grove Cemetery. His widow, now in her seventy-ninth year, lives with her eldest daughter. in Aurora. Twenty years ago she became totally blind, but with that exception is in full possession of her faculties. Ephraim Smith was a man of quiet, peace-loving disposition, universally liked. He was a member and vestryman of Trinity Epis-

copal Church, at Aurora; was commissioner of highways, school director, etc., in his own town- ship, and while living in Vermont was a lieutenant in the State militia. Ephraim and Lucinda Smith had four children: David; Francis, who died un- married, in 1884, at the age of forty-three; Jane E., wife of Henry A. Judd, of Aurora; and Julia, who was the wife of Flavel T. Watkins, and died at Batavia, Kane County, in 1884, leaving an in- fant daughter, Alice Julia, who is being reared by hier Aunt Jane. Ephraim Smith was a millwright by trade, which he learned in his native State, and followed for twenty-five years, but after coming to Kane County he principally devoted his time to farming, in which he was successful, leaving at his demise a modest estate to his family.

David Smith was reared on the liomestead in Sugar Grove Township, and lived there until Au- gust, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Onc Hundred and Twenty fourth Illinois Volunteers. His regiment was assigned to the Western army, and saw severe service. During the time lie was with it he was in the battles of Port Gibson, Ray- mond and Jackson, Miss. (though not actively en- gaged at the latter place), and at Champion Hill, Miss., he was with a part of the regiment, which lost very heavily in proportion to its numbers. Hence they went to Vicksburg, where they were under fire during the entire siege. June 26, 1863, while they were holding the "crater" in Fort Hill, after the first explosion there, Mr. Smith was severely wounded in the right arm. He was in hospital ten months, and on April 25, 1864, lie was honorably discharged, and returned home. A consultation of physicians was held on his case, amputation was decided upon, and his right hand was sacrificed for his country.

For a year and a half be was disabled, but then began farming for his father on the home- stcad, and during two years of the time he was farming he was town collector. In 1866 he was nominated and elected on the Republican ticket as sheriff of Kane County, filling the office two years with credit to himself and satisfaction of the peo- ple of the county. In 1882-83 he was township assessor, and has been school director for several years, besides filling other local offices, in every

32:

KANE COUNTY.

position proving himself a capable and worthy offi- cial. His political affiliations have always been with the Republican party, and he has exerted in this county a powerful influence in its support.

Mr. Smith was married, October 27, 1869, to Harriet L., daughter of Cornelius and Eliza (Champlin) Van Dervolgan, and born April 30, 1849, in Root, Schoharie Co., N. Y. They have four children: Lucinda P., Allen L., Harry V. and Hallam C. Mrs. Smith's father was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1805, and is buried in Winfield. Du Page Co., Ill. His wife, Eliza, is a native of New York, born in 1809, and is now liv- ing in Winfield, in her seventy-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dervolgan had eleven children, of whom six are deceased, one dying while in the Union army. Those living are Charles M., in St. Charles, Kane County; Jay, in Winfield, Du Page County; Emma, wife of Benjamin Howarth, in Turner, Du Page County; Amenzo W., in Ba- tavia, Kane County, and Mrs. Smith.

SAAC EVANS. The name of this gentleman indicates that he is descended from Welsh an- cestry, and he is himself a native of the land of Druids, the home of poetry and song. His grandfather, William Evans, was born in Wales, and there died; also his father, John Evans, whose birth occurred in 1779, and death in 1846.

Isaac Evans was born April 5, 1825, and he has been a resident of Kane County since March 1, 1861. On February 20, 1856, he led to the altar Miss Hannah Walters, who is also of Welsh de- scent. Her father, David Walters, was born in South Wales in 1796. Her grandfather, David Thomas, was a native of the country, his daughter, Ann Thomas, being the mother of Mrs. Evans. The inother of Isaac Evans was also born in South Wales, and thus the blood that flows in the veins of Mr. Evans and his wife is intermingled with none other than that which has been transmitted through generation after generation of native Welsh stock. To Isaac Evans and his wife have been granted a numerous family, their children being as follows: David, who died and was buried in Big Rock Cemetery in February, 1858; David

T., born in Kaneville, June 28, 1858, married Jennie E. Jones, and now a resident of Big Rock Township, Kane Co., Ill .; Thomas W., born in Squaw Grove, July 19, 1860; Annie, born in Big Rock, September 28, 1863; John D., born in Sugar Grove, October 25, 1865, now on the home farm. Mr. Evans is engaged in general farming, and possesses 131 acres of land, the residence be- ing located on Section 19. His political faith is pinned to the Democratic party. He is in every way a worthy citizen.

R OBERT SHEDDEN was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1824. His parents were Rob- ert and Margaret (Young) Shedden. In 1842 they came to Illinois and settled in Plato Township, where the father bought 300 acres of land. He was a man of strong convictions, and a stanch Presbyterian; he died in 1870, his widow still surviving him.

Robert Shedden was reared on the farm, and educated in the district schools of Scotland. He came to America with his parents, and his first purchase was 150 acres, where he still lives, in Section 11, Plato Township, Kane Co., Ill. The farm is in a high state of cultivation, well watered with springs, and drained with nearly 2,000 rods of tile. Mr. Shedden has some very fine stock. His herd of forty-five cows is well graded with Ayrshires, containing four imported animals; he has also one pair of imported Berkshire hogs, and is devoting some attention to the raising of Chester-White hogs, having several head of record- ed stock. Besides stock, Mr. Shedden, in 1886, imported sixty bushels of grain, comprising fifty- one varieties of wheat, twenty-one of oats, twelve of barley, ten of grass, five of rye and two of flax.

Mr. Shedden is not a politician, but takes an interest in public affairs of a local nature, and is in sympathy with the Republican party. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian faith. His farm is very pleasantly located, having good buildings and pleasant surroundings. November 26, 1856, he married Jane Rome, daughter of Andrew and Jane Rome, and born in Scotland March 4, 1835. Her parents came to America, and settled in New York,

324

KANE COUNTY.

in 1841, removing to Dundee, Kane Co., Ill., in 1851, where she was educated. Mr. and Mrs. Shed- den have nine children, as follows: Robert, born September 26, 1857, a resident of Kankakee, Ill .; Jane, October 23, 1860; Andrew, December 25, 1862; Maggie, January 22, 1865; William, July 11, 1867; Walter, October 22, 1868; George, October 16, 1870; Charles, June 5, 1873; Grace, March 29, 1876.

W ILLIAM STURGES is one of the most prominent and influential farmers in Vir- .gil Township, standing well with his neighbors, respected far and wide for his many good qualities of head and heart; one who has prospered in those things that make even the humblest life well worth living. His finely im- proved farm is well stocked with a good grade of cattle and horses, and provided with a substantial residence and farm buildings that denote thrift and comfort on every hand. He owns 136 aeres in Section 11. Mr. Sturges was born in England August 1, 1828, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Martin) Sturges, who were farmers, and upon the farm in his native country the subject of this memoir spent the days of his youth.

. April 28, 1851, William Sturges was united in wedlock with Susan E. Moulds, and in the follow- ing May set sail for America. To this marriage were born two children: One died in infancy, the other, Robert, is a resident of Kansas. Upon reaching America Mr. Sturges spent one

year in New York .as a farm laborer. In 1853 he went to Ohio, but remaining there only one year he started west, and landed in Batavia, Ill., where he found his first employ- ment as a teamster. In this place his good wife died in July, 1854. In 1858 Mr. Sturges re- moved to Virgil Township, and here rented land until 1868, when he bought eighty acres in De Kalb County. In 1861 he married Isabelle Perry, of Batavia, who lived but two years after her marriage, dying in October, 1863. July 4, 1865, Mr. Sturges married Mrs. Ann Dusold, nee Welch- horn, who was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, March 25, 1830; her father died when she was but

eight years old, and in 1845 her mother came to America, locating at Springfield, Mass., where Ann found employment as a servant girl until her marriage February 8, 1850, with George J. Du- sold. They had four children: George H., a resident of Chicago; Emma, who became Mrs. Kilgore; Margarette A., now Mrs. Henry Allen, and Louis Dusold, all citizens of Iowa. In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. Dusold came to Kane County, and lived in Batavia fifteen years, when he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was killed at South Mountain Gap July 10, 1863. Mrs. Dusold remained at Batavia, laboring to support her fanı- ily until her marriage with Mr. Sturges. Mr. and Mrs. Sturges have but one child, a daughter-Es- ther M., who is still with her parents.

During the year 1871 Mr. Sturges sold his farm in De Kalb County, and bought 240 acres in Ford County, which he owned and cultivated until 1875, when he again sold out, and bought where he now resides. Though not a politician, Mr. Stur- ges supports the Republican party. He was brought up in the faith of the Church of Eng- land, to which he has adhered through life.

J IMOTHY NATHAN HOLDEN, onc of the solid and prosperous merchants of Aurora, is a native of New Hampshire, and at Charlestown, Sullivan County, he first saw the light of day March 21, 1839. He spent his boyhood at his native place, but when four- teen years of age his parents, Richard (who was a merchant) and Sophia (Allen) Holden, came to the West, and located at Rockton, Ill., March 21, 1853. In 1857 they removed to Aurora. The fol- lowing year Timothy N. entered the employ of the then famous and widely known drug firm of Fuller & Fuller, of Chicago, and thoroughly learned the business in all its branches, remaining with them eleven years, with the exception that, in 1861, le volunteered his services under the first call for troops by President Lincoln, enlisted, and served as a soldier three months, at the end of which time he returned to the store of Fuller & Fuller. He left their employ, and engaged in the glass- warc trade in Chicago, opening a store on his own

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 29

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