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 31

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 31
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 31

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).

fine block, consisting of eight tenements, which when completed will be another ornament to the city. It can be truthfully said that very few men in the city have done more in improving and building it up. The Doctor is also owner of up- ward of 2,000 acres of farm land located in the States of Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Mis- souri and Mississippi, besides valuable real estate in Chicago. He has been a promoter of several business enterprises of the city; was an original stockholder and one of the largest subscribers, in East Aurora, in establishing the cotton mill, of which he is at present a director; is the largest stockholder in and a director of the Aurora Watel Company, a director of the Aurora Silver Plate Company, and one of the promoters and stockhold- ers in building and equipping the Aurora Street Railroad; has served as a director of the Aurora National Bank, and in various ways has been prom- inently identified in promoting the best interests of the city. He is courteous and gentlemanly in his deportment, of pleasing address, enterprising and thoroughly alive to the progress of the age, and energetic in all affairs with which he becomes connected.

Dr. Pond was married, in 1863, to Elizabeth Wing, of Acushnett, Mass. This lady died in 1878, and in 1880 the Doctor married Harriet Smith Pierce, of Galena, Ill., by whom there were four children: Frances B., born August 1, 1881. died August 18; Frederick L., born August 31, 1882; Walter S., born December 24, 1883; Sarah E., born July 5, 1885.

T HOMAS FOLEY, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of St. Charles Township, is a native of Ireland, born near Fethard, County Wexford, December 23, 1828. He remained with his parents, Mathew and Mary (Laughlin) Foley (who were born, reared and who died in their native country) until he attained his maturity. In 1853 he came to America, and located in the State of New York, where he worked as track-walker on one of the eastern railroads. Later he engaged as a deckhand on the propeller "Sun," running from Buffalo to Chicago. In 1856 he went by way of

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the Isthmus of Panama to California, where he was successfully engaged at mining until October, 1863, when he returned cast.

While spending the winter at Fort Dodge, Iowa, he met and married Miss Bridget Drennon, and the following spring, 1864, they came to St. Charles, and purchased the farm on which they now reside. The original purchase of 125 acres they have in- creased until they now have 255 acres of well- improved land, on Scetions 9 and 10. Ten chil- dren have been born to them-seven sons and three daughters: Mary, Mathew, William, Kate, Peter, Johannah, Thomas, James, John and Frank. Mrs. Foley was born in Queens County, Ireland, in 1841. She came to America when but seven years of age with her parents, William and Katherine (Grady) Drennon, who located in St. Charles, where they resided until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Foley and their family are adherents of the Catholic religion. In political matters Mr. Foley is Democratic. He is one of St. Charles Township's most substantial farmers, and a representative, progressive citizen.

AMES WINTERINGHAM, a man well known in connection with the agricultural and dairy- ing interests of St. Charles Township, but who is now living a life of quiet retirement on his farm, was born at Burlington, Yorkshire, Eng- land, May 10, 1824. His parents, Robert and Rachel (Hodgson) Winteringham, were worthy people in the mother country. Robert was a miller by occupation, to which pursuit he trained his son James, who, at the time of his father's death, assumed control of and carried on the business.

August 11, 1849, James Winteringham was united in marriage with Miss Marion Dinsdale, a native of Yorkshire, England; born in North Frothingham, August 7, 1827. In 1853 they im- migrated to America, landing in New York on July 4 of that year. They came directly to the West, locating in Chicago, where he became en- gaged as foreman for the milling firm of Gage & Haines, with whom he remained eleven years. In 1864 they moved to St. Charles, and located on the farm where they now reside, and which they had purchased in 1861. Their union has been

blessed with seven children, of whom three are now living: Dinsdale, of St. Charles Township; Agnes E., now Mrs. John H. Rowland, and Arthur J., all born in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Winteringham are both members of the Episcopal Church of Elgin. In political faith he is independent, and has served as a member of the board of education.

L OUIS VAN PATTEN, M. D., a prominent practicing physician of St. Charles, was born in Cortland County, N. Y., Febru- ary 2, 1853, the son of Major J. S. and Louise R. (Bacon) Van Patten, a biographical ac- count of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. In his earliest infancy, owing to the loss of his mother by death, he was taken to the home of his grandparents, where he was cared for until he reached the age of twelve years, at which time he came to Illinois and joined his father at St. Charles. He received substantial educational advantages, and occupied some of his time in work in the drug store, where he, at a very early period of his life, began to gain practical knowledge of medicine and the handling and compounding of the same. In 1874, when twenty-one years of age, he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, and attended the sessions of 1874-75 and 1876-77 of that institution. He then returned to his early New York home, in Cortland County, and engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession until the year 1878. Coming next to Illinois, he located in Elgin, where he ·opened a dental office, and practiced for some time. He then went to St. Charles and became engaged in the drug business. In 1883 he entered the Chi- cago College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1884, and in the following fall located in the town of Elburn, in the practice of medicine, remaining here two years, or until the summer of 1886, when he returned to St. Charles.

Dr. Van Patten was one of the founders of the Illinois State Pharmaceutical Association, being a member of its executive committee in 1880 and 1882. He has served both as assistant house sur- geon and as dispensary surgeon in Cook County Hospital, Chicago.

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This brief account of dates and facts tells us that no practitioner in the healing art has had more ample opportunities to become well grounded in the principles of his chosen profession than has this gentleman. Professionally and socially he is highly appreciated throughout the county. In so far as he interests himself in politics he is an Inde- pendent. Dr. Van Patten and Miss Mary L. Gil- lotte were married in the year 1877. She is a daughter of Charles H. and Martha (Bacon) Gil- lette, of New York, born in the year 1855, and is a member of the Elgin Baptist Church. She grad- uated in June, 1887, from the Cortland Academy, Homer, N. Y. The Doctor has recently purchased a fine place at the corner of West Main and Sixth Streets, St. Charles, and when the contemplated improvements are completed he will have one of the pleasantest homes of which the Fox River Valley is so justly proud.

C HARLES BLANCHARD GODFREY. In Burlington Township there is no name that ranks higher than that of this gentleman, in all those qualities which constitute cit- izenship. His integrity of purpose, force of character and nobility of heart are familiar to the people, and for him can here be heard none but good words upon every hand. He has been among these people a long time, and they know him well; and for this reason they appreciate him highly. He was born June 26, 1839, in Thetford, Orange Co., Vt., a son of Stephen and Rhoda (Blanchard) Godfrey. Stephen Godfrey was the eldest son of Jonathan and Esther (Tucker) Godfrey, and was born March 27, 1795; he was united in marriage March 2, 1822, with Rhoda, daughter of Jonas Blanchard. Jonas Blanchard's father was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. In May, 1839, Stephen Godfrey came to Illinois, took up a claim, built a log cabin, returned to Vermont in October, same year, and brought west his family, which consisted of two boys and three girls. Here Mr. Godfrey lived until his demise in 1857.

Charles Blanchard Godfrey was reared on the farm, and received such education as could be ob- tained at the public schools. His father's death

threw some responsibility upon him, and he re- mained upon the farm, keeping a dairy for ten years, when he turned his attention to buying and selling cattle; lie now owns 676 acres in Sections 15 and 22, which is heavily stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. His farm is divided into forty acro fields, and is under good cultivation, he hav- ing spent $3,000 in tiling; he has a good house and out-buildings, his barn being the largestin the township, costing about $5,000.

November 13, 1861, Mr. Godfrey married Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Putnam) At- kinson, and born in London, England, March 11, 1841; her father was a railroad conductor in Eng- land, but after coming to America engaged in farm- ing. He, with his family, came to the United States in 1849, and located at Syracuse, N. Y., where they remained five years; then removed to Kane Coun . ty, Ill., in 1854, and here settled in Burlington, the father engaging in farming. In 1861 he en- listed in the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, served eight months, and then, owing to a wound, returned home for a short time, but upon his return to the army he was discharged, as his health had failed. He died of disease contracted while in the service of his country in 1864.

Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey have been blessed with six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Albertie, born January 10, 1867, diod August 27, 1873; Herman Elvas, December 17, 1869; Lora, December 26, 1871; Charles Clayton, December 20, 1873; Herman Leslie, March 26, 1876; Lyman, May 14, 1878. Mr. Godfrey is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He supports the Republican party, and his neighbors have shown their appreciation of him by electing him school director, a position he has held ten years; he lias also been road commissioner three years.

S. CLAYTON is a dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry and wall paper, Aurora, Ill. The ancestors of this prominent citizen and lead- ing business man were of English nativity. They immigrated to this country, locating in the city of New York in its early history. They and their immediate descendants assumed a prominent

CO. Il Clayton

PHOTO BY D. C . PRATT.

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part in the learned professions, in mercantile pur- suits, and as skilled workmen, as well as becoming eminent in the arts and scientific avenues of life, and Mr. Clayton, himself, as a decorator, has no superior in this part of the country. His parents were Joseph and Rachel (Ross) Clayton. The father was a hatter, doing business in that city, and subsequently was residing in and conducting a similar business in Chicago. O. S. Clayton was born in New York City, March 11, 1828, and when a mere lad learned the painter's trade. He came with his father's family to Chicago in 1844, where, soon after his arrival, he added to his acquirements by learning the art of printing, and for some time was employed on the Chicago Journal, continuing working at his two trades until 1852, when he opened business on his own account at Freeport, Ill., carrying a stock of paints, oils, wall paper, etc.

This business he conducted successfully for fif- teen years, then sold out, and in 1867 located at Aurora, where he dealt for a time in the same line of goods, but, selling out his paints and oils, he com- menced dealing heavily in watches, clocks and jew- elry, and to-day he has the finest arranged and most attractive store in the city, such as is seldom excelled, even in a metropolis. His counters and cases are largely stocked with the choicest collec- tion of goods of every description in his line, thus affording to buyers of watches, jewelry, table ware or other articles usually found in a first-class establishment, an opportunity to select from a large and varicd assortment, thereby suiting every taste and purse equally as well as in any princely estab- lishment in New York City, or some other great center of trade. The large stock of clegant goods displayed in this establishment, the taste, arrange- ment and general fittings, are indicative of the highest grade of business ability and liberal enter- prise on the part of the proprietor, as well as reflecting credit on the city. This successful busi- ness concern was not established without applica- tion, vigilance, and industry; and it is noteworthy that for the first fifteen years of Mr. Clayton's business life as a proprietor he never lost a day, and during his whole business career but eighty days have been devoted to other purposes or pas- times, a record seldom surpassed by business men.

Mr. Clayton has been a member of the Method'- ist Episcopal Church since young manhood, and has taken an active part in promoting the erection of the present First Methodist Episcopal Church edifice, in Aurora. He has been active in nearly every good work affecting the vicinity in which he resides. He is an earnest advocate of temper- ance-theoretically and practically. He was mar- ried in Chicago to Martha E. Knott, a native of England, and their family consists of five sons and two daughters: Adelia Louise (now Mrs. Dr. F. H. Robinson, of Aurora), Ella E., Gilbert O., Albert Wilson, Charles W., Harry S. and Roy.

YACOB HALLOWAY is a well-known citizen and business man of St. Charles, where he has resided since 1853. He is the descendant of Scotch and English ancestors, who came to this country at an early day. His parents were Justus and Hannah (Parks) Halloway, both of New York, in which State the father was a farmer. Jacob was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1805, and received the limited education common to the majority of farmers' sons at that day. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to learn the trades of tanner and shoemaker, in Putnam County, N. Y., remaining there until he had at- tained his majority. When twenty-three years old he removed to Connecticut, returning thence to his native State, and in 1853 came to St. Charles, Kane County, where he has since made his home. At various times since coming here he has carried on the business of a carpenter. He has never married. Mr. Halloway believes in the principles of the Democratic party; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

(AIRUS B. BROWN. Since 1838 Mr. Brown has been a resident of St. Charles. He is a native of Warren, Mass., born February 10, 1812, and is the son of Levi and Lovisa (Bliss) Brown. Levi Brown, who was a farmer by occupation, came in 1838 to St. Charles Town- ship, Kane County, where he purchased a claim, and the following year he bronght his family out.

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Jairus B., soon after his arrival, commenced farm- ing for himself. In 1853 he removed to Iowa, where he resided until 1875, at which time he re- turned to St. Charles Township.

Mr. Brown has been thrice married: First, February 7, 1840, to Mrs. Saralı Barker Arnold, who died March 12, 1870, at the age of seventy- five years; second, July 1, 1875, to Clarissa Trumbull, who died February 11, 1878; and third, February 6, 1879, to Miss Lizzie Cray, his present wife, who was born March 29, 1844, a native of Somerset County, N. J., and a daughter of Chris- topher and Priscilla Cray, who, in 1856, came to Iowa, where the father died when forty-eight years of age. Mrs. Brown comes of Holland- Dutch and Scotch extraction, the advent of her ancestors to America dating prior to the Revolu- tion. Mr. Brown and wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican.

A LBERT BEVERLY. This gentleman is prominent among the early settlers and self-made men of this county, who have been identified with its agricultural development ever since their first arrival. He has acquired a goodly portion of this world's goods through his own perseverance and energy. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., March 12, 1825, a son of David D. and Elinor (McMaster) Beverly, both natives of New York. The father was a wheel- wright by trade, but followed farming as a means of livelihood, rearing a family of twelve children.

Albert enjoyed only such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the common schools. He remained with his parents until 1844, when he came to Illinois, locating near Maple Park, Kane County, which at that time was called Franklin. He purchased land, and after one year of hard labor on a farm in Campton Township, proceeded to improve it. In September, 1846, Mr. Beverly married Miss Mary Jenkins, a native of New York, who came to Illinois with her parents. No chil- dren were born to their union, and a year later Mrs. Beverly departed this life. In' 1850 Mr. Beverly married Sarah J. Smith, a native of New

Hampshire, and of the six children who blessed their union, three are deceased; the living are John A., born in 1852, now a resident of Iowa; Carrie B., born in 1857, now Mrs. Wilkinson, of Kane- ville, and Walter B., born in 1860. After the death of his second wife, Mr. Beverly married Miss Leannah Bennett, a native of Ohio, who became the mother of six children, two of whom are de- ceased, and the four remaining ones are living at home, viz. : Hattie B., now Mrs. Wheeler, born in 1865; M. Jake, born in 1874: Mercedes, borr in 1877, and Minnie M., born in 1880.

Mr. Beverly has always been a member of the Congregational Church, and is a man respected for his sterling worth and integrity; he is serving as assessor for the eighth year. He is a supporter . of the Republican party, and takes considerable interest in local politics. He owns a fine farin of 210 acres on Sections 28 and 33, in the most desir- able part of Virgil Township, and has a residence in a pleasant locality of Maple Park, where he now lives with his family.

H ERMON I. CRANSTON. For many years this gentleman was a resident of Kane County, but he now lives at Spaulding Sta- tion, Cook County, four miles southeast of Elgin. He was born at Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., January 10, 1825, and is a son of Caleb and Abigail (Davis) Cranston, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of New York. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. In 1838 Mr. Cranston removed to Michigan, where he remained until 1863, when he came to Kane County, locating on Section 6, St. Charles Town- ship, where he still owns 146 acres of fine farming land.

April 25, 1850, Mr. Cranston was married to Adaline, daughter of John and Phœbe (Fuller) Guptill, of Elgin, Ill., former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New Hampshire. Mrs. Cranston was born in Clarke County, Ohio, and comes of old Puritan stock; and her grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Cranston have three children: Judson G., born December 25, 1852; Frank H., born in 1858; and Martha

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Inez, born December 5, 1863. The eldest son who lives on his father's place in St. Charles Township, was married, in 1882, to Miss Lillie Davis, of Cook County, and they have two children: Mabel Inez, born November 29, 1883, and Edward Jay, born April 4, 1887. Frank H. was married December 30, 1SSO, to Miss Addie E. Bisby, of St. Charles Township, and they have one child, Zoe Inez, born October 16, 1881. Martha Inez was married March 30, 1882, to Leslie G. March, and they have two children: Earl, born September 15, 1883, and Lora, born in November, 1885. In the spring of 1882 the elder Cranston removed to his present home at Spaulding Station. He is engaged in dairying. and in raising high grade Percheron horses. In his younger days he taught school for fifteen terms. He has held the offices of school inspector, township clerk and notary public; is a member of the Masonic fraternity; a Republican in politics; and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at Elgin.

EORGE M. CREGO, an honored settler, progressive farmer and stock raiser, of Black- berry Township, owning 290 acres on Sec- tions 31 and 32, came to Illinois in 1851, from Chenango County, N. Y. For the first several years he rented land in Sugar Grove Township, this county, and, in 1855, purchased his present property. Besides his farm in Blackberry Town- ship, he also owns 360 acres of improved land in Sugar Grove Township. Nearly all his accumula- tions are the fruits of his own labor.

Mr. Crego was born in Oneida County, N. Y., July 1, 1831. His parents, Daniel and Ann (Kelly) Crego, came to Illinois in 1852, settling in Sugar Grove Township, this county. Five years afterward they removed to De Kalb County, where the mother's death occurred January 13, 1887; she was born March 24, 1804. The father, who was born April 30, 1801, is still living. Our subject is a Democrat, and has served as commissioner twelve years, also as school director eighteen years. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, having been elevated to that degree in Kaneville.

February 21, 1855, Mr. Crego married Jane

Reynolds, who was born in the State of New York, March 8, 1836, daughter of Silas and Jane Rey- nolds. She was but six months old when her parents settled in Sugar Grove Township, this county. Her mother died in April, 1885; her father is now living at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Crego are the parents of six sons and four daughters: Porte, who is a student of veterinary medicine and surgery; Millie, the accomplished wife of Albert T. Seavey, Esq., of Sugar Grove Township; Celia, attending business college-taking a course in stenography; Belle, a teacher in the public school; Dan, who died at the age of a little over twenty years; Silas R. ; Joseph; Gideon and Irving; Grace, twin of Gideon, died at the age of eight months.

GNATIUS MAURER was born in Senheim, Alsace, France, March 24, 182S. His father, Joseph Maurer, married Magdelena Wagner, and they had eight children, two of whom, Ignatius and Anthony, came to America, the latter now a resident of Naperville, Ill. Joseph Man- rer was a harness-maker by trade, and Ignatius worked at same four years, when he learned that of wagon-maker, in the meantime receiving a fair education in the public schools. In 1852 he emigrated from his native land to this coun- try, and remained one year in New York; in 1853 he proceeded to Naperville, Ill., where he lived eight years, working at his trade. In the spring of 1861 he moved to De Kalb, and in the fall of the same year enlisted in the Second Illinois Light Artillery, Battery G, under Capt. Stahl- brant. He was mustered into service at Spring- field, and was first under fire at Union City, Tenn., under Gen. Grant, with whom he served during the campaigns in Tennessee and Mississippi and at the siege of Vicksburg, where he was detailed as artificer. He went to Grant's headquarters to repair Chief of Artillery Stahlbrant's trunks, as well as those of Gens. Grant and Logan, and now remembers with pleasure of often eating at the same table with the world-famous general. Mr. Maurer was injured on the raid from Vicksburg to Monroe, being thrown from his horse, and was I

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confined to the hospital six months. Hethen went north to Naperville, where he remained two months, after which he resumed his command at Columbus, Ky., where he re-enlisted " for the war." He was in the campaigns when Hood was driven out of Tennessee, and when Price was driven from Missouri. His command was then ordered to New Orleans, and across the gulf to Dolphin Island, where it remained two weeks, after which it was ordered up Fish River to Fort Spanish, where Gen. Thomas was in command. There Mr. Maurer was placed under Gen. Smith's command as artificer. He was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., in December, 1865. Soon after his return liome he built a wagon shop at Burlington, where he still lives, greatly respected by all.

Mr. Maurer has been thrice married. His first wife, whom he married March 4, 1855, was Mary Oberly; she lived but five months after her mar- riage, dying August 4, 1855. March 4, 1856, he married Mary Wehrle, who bore him one child, which only lived to be eleven months old. A second time Mr. Maurer was called to mourn the loss of a wife, who died in the autumn of 1860. His third wife was Mary A. Wolter, Aurora, Ill., whom he married March 4, 1867. They are the parents of seven children; Katy A., Joseplı (deceased), Mary (deceased), Lena, Nicholas (deceased), Julia (deceased) and Macky. Mr. Maurer is a firm believer in the Roman Catholic religion, and is independent in politics.

N ATHAN S. YOUNG. In the history, else- where, prominent mention is made of Gen. Nathan Young, a gentleman who was one of the conspicuous men of Kane County in the early days. He was born in New Grenthan, N. H., in 1792, the son of Rev. Joab Young, a Universalist minister, who was the first settled minister in Strafford, Vt., and received the grant of land known as the "minister lot. " The latter was born in 1758, and died in 1816, his life hav- ing exactly spanned three great wars, the most important to free institutions, that so far had occurred in history. He was born when the Franco- Indian war with the colonists was going on;

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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 31

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