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 39
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 39
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Since the departure of her husband Mrs. Pingree has remained upon the home place, and, although quite aged, attends to the business of the farm, where she resides with an aged sister, as already mentioned. She has no children by her husband, but one was adopted by them, reached womanhood, married Captain Kelley, of Elgin, Ill., and died in 1883, leaving three children.
F RANK M. SIMPSON. This enterprising business man of Aurora was born in La- moille, Bureau Co., Ill., October 12, 1850, his parents, James and Lydia Ann Simpson, being pioneers of that county. His father, having come to Illinois in 1821, for a long time was connected with mills and similar interests. He was also an Indian trader, and followed boating to some extent on the Mississippi River. He was a prominent factor in public affairs in his vicinity, and frequently preached in the Methodist Church, of which denomination he was a member for many years. He was a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and his wife of Kentucky. During the early days he also kept a hotel, but in later years his principal business was farming.
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In his youth Frank M. Simpson learned the carriage trimming trade, and afterward harness making, completing the latter trade at Aurora. He began business on his own account as saddler, har- ness maker, etc., in 1873, and has since success- fully continued same. winning an enviable reputa- tion for fair dealing and good workmanship.
Mr. Simpson was married in Aurora to Miss Marion Tanner, a daughter of William A. Tanner, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson's four children are George. C., Jesse M., Fannie J. and F. Marion. The family are attendants of the Methodist Church, of which Mrs. Simpson is an earnest member, and active as a worker in promoting its interests.
M RS. JANE EAKIN, widow of Samuel Eakin and the mother of two of Kane County's well known farmers, was born in the County Londonderry, Ireland, in the year 1807. Her late husband was a native of the same county, born in 1801. Their marriage took place in the year 1830, and for seventeen years they toiled together in their native land, dur- ing which period six children were born to them. Desiring, however, a land of more liberty and bet- ter advantages, they came to America with their family, and, casting their lot in Kane County, Ill., commenced a home on a tract of wild timber land in Rutland Township, which they converted into a fine farm. They had to endure all the privations of pioneer life, but persevered until prosperity rewarded them. The fruit of their married life was ten children, nine of whom still live. Their names in the order of birth are as follows: Lavina J., Mrs. T. Moore, in Rutland, Ill .; William S., a grocer in Elgin; Martha A., Mrs. F. Rae, in Pipe Stone, Minn .; Mary E., at home; Robert J., in watch factory, Elgin, Ill .; David C., on home farm; Isabella M., Mrs. A. H. McCormack, in Rutland; Samuel A., on the home farm; Mathew M., car- penter, in Elgin, Ill. Robert J. served his country in the War of the Rebellion; David C. was mar- ried to Nancy Stewart, but she survived her marriage only three years; Mary E. has shown her filial devotion by clinging to the old home and her mother, helping to cheer her final years.
Mr. and Mrs. Eakin celebrated their golden wedding in 1880, at which their many friends demonstrated in a substantial manner the high esti- mation in which they were held. In 1884 Mr. Eakin departed this life in his eighty-third year. He had played a prominent part in the upbuilding of his township, holding for twenty-two consecutive years the office of town treasurer, a fact that testi- fies to his faithfulness to his trust. He for many years was a leading elder of the Presbyterian Church, with which denomination his entire fam- ily is identified. Since her husband's death Mrs. Eakin, wonderfully well preserved for one of her advanced years, has remained upon the farm, calmly waiting the final summons that will reunite her with the husband of her youth.
The family are much respected, and have always held prominent places in their county's history.
S YLVIA GAGE, widow of Solomon Gage, and daughter of Ephraim C. and Sarah (Samis) Stanton, was born in Canada, in 1826. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire and New York States, respectively, and both died on Canadian soil. They had two children, one son and one daughter. Mrs. Gage's paternal grandfather, Eldridge Stanton, a native of England, came to America, where he bore arms against his native land as a captain in the War of 1812, and was killed at the battle of Black Rock, December 31, 1813. Her maternal grandparents were natives of New York State, and removed to Canada, where the grandmother died, and whence the grandfather, Benjamin Samis, came in 1845 to Kane County, and settled in Burlington Township, where he died in 1861.
When Mrs. Gage was but two years old, her father died, and until the age of eighteen she lived with her mother. She was then married to Fields F. Brisbin, who died in Plato Township in 1870, having for thirty one years been a resident of the county. In 1872 the widow became united in marriage with Solomon Gage, who was born in Arcade, Wyoming Co., N. Y., June 15, 1828, and came to Illinois in 1841. In 1853 he made his first overland trip to California, spending the
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winter in Eureka City. In that year he was engaged in buying and selling merchandise to the emigrants. In 1854 he returned to Illinois, bought a drove of horses, cows and oxen, and returned to the Pacific slope, where he carried on dairying until 1857, in which year he again returned to Illinois and settled permanently. On the occasion of his first trip to California, and while return- ing by water, he was shipwrecked and cast away on a desolate island, from which after two weeks he was rescued. He died November 7, 1886, of in- flammation of the bowels, after only twenty-four hours' suffering, having been a resident of the county forty years. He was thrice married. His
first wife died in California; his second bore him nine children, four of them now living: Charles M .. Ernest A., Susan M. and John G.
Mrs. Gage still resides on the homestead farm, in Rutland Township, highly esteemed, a member of the Free Baptist Church, in the work of which . she is ever active.
S AMUEL JEWETT KIMBALL. In the his- tory of the earliest pioneers who ventured into the wilds of this part of Illinois the name of Kimball stands prominent. As early as 1834 Samuel J. Kimball came here, driv- ing his team from his New Hampshire home, in order to view the land, and prospect a suitable place as a permanent abode for himself and wife. He finally examined the Fox River Valley, which he sensibly concluded was the favored spot. He pre-empted land, went to work upon his claim, built a cabin, and cultivated a small patch of ground. In the following spring (1835) he re- visited the East, brought his wife to Illinois, and settled in Elgin.
A review of his character, together with the main facts of his history, will be of interest. He was born in Groton, Grafton Co., N. H., March 20, 1809. His father. Joseph Kimball, a farmer of English extraction, died at Perry, Ohio. His mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Courier, is still living in Elgin at the advanced age of one hundred years and five months. His wife, previ- ously referred to, was born in Thornton, N. H.,
November 7. 1813, and is still living in Elgin. Their children were Joseph C., born November 28, 1836, the first male white child born in Elgin; Walter H., born October 7, 1838; Harriet Tamsen, born February 15, 1840; Emily G., born Febru- ary 28, 1843; Cleora J., born April 7, 1845. Of these children all are still living but Emily G., who died November 8, 1845.
In early youth the subject of this sketch ex- hibited the traits of character which in his maturity rendered him respected by all who knew him. In Plymouth, N. H., the youth received the advan- tages of a common-school education; but, not sat- isfied with this, he repaired to the New Hampton Institute, and for some time devoted himself to learning, under the favorable influence of that celebrated school. Nor did he, when leaving school life, lay aside all thoughts of literary cult- ure. In the midst of business perplexities, and the toil of a farmer's life, he found time to read and write more or less every day. On all questions exciting the religious or political world, he formed and expressed shrewd and intelligent opinions. Appreciating this intelligence, and in token of the esteem in which he was held, the citizens of Elgin, in 1856 and 1857, chose him by a unanimous vote to the office of mayor.
He was an admirable counselor. His remark- ably equable temper and disposition gave him command of all the resources of his mind. At all times, in the midst of violent excitement or opposition, he was calm and undisturbed, and his opinion, taken at the moment, safe and reli- able as at other times. His hospitality was an- other distinguishing feature of his character. For thirty years his house in West Elgin was the home of the traveler, the emigrant, the preacher, the teacher, and especially a "home for the friendless." Himself and family seemed never weary of administering to the wants of others. In early days, when house room was scarce, a whole family of emigrants would sometimes tarry with him till their little home could be built. The poor were never turned empty from his door, they came as to a father's liouse; they were treated not as beggars, but as friends, and their blessings followed him to his grave. Nearly allied to this
Samuel Hewett Himball
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trait was his humanity. He was not circum scribed by race or sect. He was one of the con- stituent members of the Baptist Church, and held his religious and denominational views firmly, but without a particle of bigotry or intolerance. To men of all religions, all races, all conditions, his sympathies went out generously. Hence, in religion he was tolerant, in politics radical, not from impulse or fiery zeal, but from the principle of universal love.
Above all he was distinguished for his univer- sal and spontaneous interest in the welfare of others Sometimes this increased his own burden, especially in seasons of financial depressions, but it never soured his heart, nor made him suspicious and cold. At all times his heart throbbed with sympathy toward others in distress. In sickness this sympathy overflowed in acts of kindness per- formed with such gentleness as to make him ever the most welcome of nurses. -
His own sickness and death occurred in Jan- uary, 1866, at the age of fifty-seven. In his usual health on Sunday, by the following Thurs- day he had gone to reap the reward of his faithful, conscientious life. His death produced a great impression on the community, where he had lived since early manhood. He was stricken by paraly- sis at a time in life when he might reasonably have hoped to enjoy many years more of honored and useful life. But death found him ready, as life had found him true. He "rested from his labors, and his works do follow him."
OSEPH C. KIMBALL. This gentleman's name can not escape becoming a permanent part of the history of Elgin. He is not only a native, but the first white child born in Elgin Township, the date of his birth being No- vember 28, 1836. His parents were Samuel J. and Clarinda (Hill) Kimball, respectable people, who were prominent as among the early settlers in Fox River Valley. The boy was sent to the pio- neer schools in the vicinity, attending them until he reached the age of seventeen, when he entered the literary college of Kalamazoo, Mich., remain- ing there two years. After his return home he
went to Chicago, and took a course in the commer- cial college. Completing his education, he was employed as clerk in a music store in Chicago. In 1861 he was a clerk in St. Louis, where he re- mained until 1862, when he received the appoint- ment of quartermaster's clerk to his uncle, Capt. G. R. Dyer, who was stationed at Pilots Knob, Mo. In 1863 he was clerk on a Government transport on the western rivers, where he remained until after the close of the war, and then returned to his Elgin home, where he engaged in farming.
In 1870 he removed to the city, and purchased a flouring-mill in that place. Later he bought an interest in a shoe store, and the firm of Kimball, O'Connell & Co. was formed. In time he became the sole owner and proprietor of the establishment, and in 1880 he closed out his business. In 1882 he opened a grocery store in Chicago, which he conducted successfully until 1886, when he closed out his Chicago business and returned to Elgin, where he organized the Elgin Iron Mining Com- pany.
November 24, 1865, Joseph C. Kimball and Alice G. Martin were united in marriage. She was born in Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Penn., June 9, 1845. To them have been born the fol- lowing named children: Robert M., Lizzie N., Joseph C., Jr., Charles H., Oliver H., Richard B. and Grant. Mr. Kimball is a Republican in poli- tics, has filled the office of alderman in Elgin, is a member of the I. O. O. F., a member of Oakwood Council, No. 805, Royal Arcanum, and trustee of the Royal League.
W ALTER H. KIMBALL, second son of the old pioneer of Kane County, Samuel Jewett Kimball, whose biographical rec- ord appears above, was born in Elgin, Ill., October 7, 1838. His life has been spent in the city of his nativity, where he attended the public school, and received from his parents the advantages of a careful training.
In 1861, as one of the noble band of young men who eagerly responded to their country's call for troops to suppress the great Rebellion, he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Regiment Illinois Infantry,
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was mustered into service at Springfield, Ill., and marched to the front. After receiving his dis- charge at the end of his term of service in this regiment, Mr. Kimball was in Missouri, and there organized a company of troops; but this company was neither mustered nor accepted into the United States service. Of this military organization he was chosen captain, and he served as master of transportation in the quartermaster's department of the West, under Gen. Allen, until February 18, 1866.
Mr. Kimball married, April 29, 1866, Mrs. Mary V. Morse, nee Mary V. Phillips, daughter of Anthony and Miriam B. Ames Phillips, one of the highly respected families of Kane County, and of the pioneers of this part of Illinois, coming to Kane County in 1838, a hardy, long-lived race of people, noted for their intelligence and integ- rity. To Mr. and Mrs. Kimball have been born the following named children: Samuel J., Walter H., Jr., and Miriam Cleora.
The Kimball family are remarkable for tenacity of life, and the venerable grandmother of Mr. Kim- ball is yet living in Elgin, at the patriarchal age of one hundred years and five months. Another characteristic of this family is their political integrity, acting on all occasions in harmony with the Republican party. Mr. Kimball is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 49, of Elgin, and is a F. & A. M.
J OHN SHELLHORN, proprietor of the only shoemaker shop in the village of Kaneville, in connection with which he also carries on a tonsorial business, was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, October 19, 1865, to Leonard and Mary (Kroll) Shellhorn, the former of whom was a dry goods merchant, and also a weaver. He learned his trade of shoemaking in the fatherland, and in 1882 immigrated to the United States, landing May 1, of that year.
First coming to Aurora, Kane Co., Ill., he found employment in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad car shops for some time; then worked in the vicinity of Kaneville, and in the spring of 1885 located in the village, where he embarked in his present business. May 16, of
that year, he married Emma S., daughter of Philip J. and Eva M. (Zilley) Mall, natives of Baden, Germany. One child, John W., born October 26, 1886, has blessed their union. Politi- cally Mr. Shellhorn is a Democrat; a member of the Evangelical Church. He became a natural- ized citizen of the United States October 18, 1887.
W ILLIAM E. TREADWELL, M. D., is a native of Elgin, Ill., and born March 15, 1851, a son of William and Martha A. (Adams) Treadwell, the former born in Almira, Canada. William lived in Elgin during his boyhood, attending the common schools. In the sessions of 1868-69 he was a pupil at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Chicago, from which he graduated. Then for a short time he was engaged in merchandising, and soon after commenced a course of reading medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. H. K. Whitford, a dis- tinguished professor of practice and medicine in Bennett College, Chicago. At this institution he was matriculated, and, after attending the lectures three years, was graduated. He had three years' experience in the Bennett Hospital, having pre- viously attended Cook County Hospital. In the Bennett School Dr. Treadwell had the benefit of the fourteen eminent professors of that institu- tion. After graduating he practiced his profes- sion in Chicago, and was eminently successful. He subsequently located at his present home in Maple Park, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Eclectic Medical Society of Chicago. Dr. Treadwell was married, in 1872, to Miss Ida May, a daughter of B. F. Webster Now of Chicago. They have three children; Willie A., George B. and John E.
OHN CHIPP, a leading farmer of Virgil Township, was born in England, June 24, 1828, a son of Isaac and Martha (Lanning) Chipp. When thirteen years of age he was bound out to a butcher, with whom he remained five years; but, not being pleased with his position, he ran away to the Island of Guernsey, where hc carried on butchering business for six years.
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February 20, 1853, he married Jane, a daugh- ter of Abraham and Jane (Wales) Crossland. She was the youngest in a family of eight children, . and when twelve years of age she learned dress- making, a business she followed until her mar- riage. To Mr. and Mrs. Chipp were born five children, two of whom are living-Martha, who became the wife of John Keating. of Aurora, and Wales, who is still at home.
In 1854 Mr. Chipp left his native country, and locating in Chicago, engaged in his chosen occu- pation, that of a butcher, until 1860, in which year he removed to Pike's Peak, where he remained four years; then returned to Chicago, and became a dry goods merchant, which line he followed until 1870. Having been actively en- gaged from early manhood, Mr. Chipp did not enter into business again until 1878, when he came to Kane County, and settled on Section 11, Virgil Township, where he has a fine farm of 250 acres, under a high state of cultivation, with spacious residence and outbuildings of modern architecture, erected at a cost of over $5,000. It is noted as one of the finest farms in the neighbor- hood, and is stocked with horses, cattle and a large number of hogs. Mr. Chipp is a man of energy, and stands well in the estimation of his neighbors, who have shown their appreciation of him by electing him to the position of school director for several years. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and is an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having united with Ashlar Lodge, of Chicago.
OHN H. HUBBARD. This former gallant soldier, and now good citizen of Aurora, was born in Booneville, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 19. 1839, his parents being John and Huldalı (Miller) Hubbard, residents of that place. In 1853. his wife being deceased, John Hubbard removed with his children to Chicago, and the fol- lowing year died in that city of cholera. He was a carpenter, a trade which one of his sons learned. At his death John H. went to live with an elder brother, but in 1855 removed to Aurora, where he
had procured employment in the shops of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, working there until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the young man, fired with patriotism, at once laid down his tools, and was the second man to en- list from Aurora. He was enrolled in Company C, Seventh Illinois Volunteers, the first volunteer regiment raised in the State, and served with that organization for their term of three months. Be- fore the expiration of his term he re-enlisted for three years in the same company and regiment. Notwithstanding his youth, his soldierly qualities won recognition, and, after going through the non- commissioned grades, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. In 1863 his regiment re- organized as veterans, and he was elected first lieutenant, of his company, to which position he was subsequently commissioned, and in which he did gallant service until the close of the war. He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and escaped uninjured, with the exception of a slight scalp wound on the top of his head,, where a ball had passed through his cap. At Altoona Pass he was in command of his company, which did daring work there, finally retiring with a loss of nearly half their number. After more than four years' serv- ice in the army, Mr. Hubbard returned to Illi- nois, and for four years more was employed in Chicago, in the shops of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad Company. At the end of that time he was offered work in his old place in Aurora, which he accepted, and has since been known as one of the trusted employes of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company, who pro- moted him, in 1877, to his present responsible position of foreman of the tool room, a trust well deserved by years of careful and conscientious work.
While living in Chicago Mr. Hubbard was married to Lizzie, daughter of F. H. and Sophia (Jones) Moore, who were early settlers in Cook County, Ill. To their union were born six chil- dren, of whom three are deceased: Frankie and Mattie, in childhood, and Nellie M., at the age of fifteen. The surviving children are Walter E. (who works for the same corporation as his father,
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serving an apprenticeship in the locomotive ma- chine shop; he is a member of Camp No. 21, Sons of Veterans), Laura A. and Maud L. Mr. Hubbard has proven himself to be as energetic and pushing a citizen as he was a gallant soldier. He and his wife take leading parts in many of the social and beneficial organizations of the city. He is a charter member of Aurora Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of which he has been quartermaster; belongs to the lodge and encampment, I. O. O. F., which body he has represented in State conventions for the past six years, and is connected with other societies. Mrs. Hubbard is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, No. 10, an auxiliary of Aurora Post; has been an official of the corps, and for the past year secretary of the Department of Illinois. She is also a member of and an official in the society of "Daughters of Rebekah." Both Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are attendants of the Bap- tist Church.
M AJ. CHARLES B. WELLS was born August 8, 1813, at North Adams, Mass. His great-great-great-grandfather, Peter Wells, emigrated from England to Ameri- ca in 1630, ten years after the landing of the pil- grims, and settled in what is now known as South Kingston, R. I. John Wells, grandfather of C. B. Wells, was born in South Kingston, R. I., November 20, 1744, and, anticipating Horace Greeley's advice, "Go West, young man," left Rhode Island, taking all his material goods and his young wife, packed for transportation upon one horse, and started for the then western forests of Western Massachusetts, locating in the northwest corner of the Old Commonwealth, within the pres- ent bounds of Berkshire County, in June, 1765.
C. B. Wells, still anticipating Greeley's ad- vice, "Go west," left Massachusetts in 1840; set- tled in Dundee, Kane Co., Ill., in the spring of that year; entered upon the practice of the law, or- ganized and taught the first district school located in that township, continuing as its instructor three consecutive terms. In 1848 Mr. Wells was elected clerk of the circuit court, and recorder of Kane County, over his Democratic competitor,
Benjamin F. Hall, of Aurora, by just fifty votes. At the close of his terin of four years, ending · December 1, 1852, he resumed his legal profession at Geneva, represented Geneva upon the board of supervisors of Kane County in 1859 and 1860. In 1861, upon the second call for volunteer sol- diers to subdue the Rebellion, by President Lin- coln, Mr. Wells, though forty-eight years of age, abandoned legal practice, locked up his office, and in August, 1861, enlisted, and was sworn into the public service as private in Company I, Fifty- second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was elected a lieutenant, and soon after appointed regimental quartermaster by Col. Isaac G. Wil- son, then commanding the regiment, and com- missioned by Richard Yates, governor of Illinois.
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