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 45
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 45
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I am, captain, with respeet, your most obedient ser- vaut,
(Signed) WILLIAM HANNA, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
[Copy.]
CAMP OF 4TH DIVISION, 15TH ARMY CORPS, 1 NEAR WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., May 31, 1865. ยง To Adjutant-General United States Army, Washington, D. C.,
SIR :- We, the undersigned field-officers of the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, hereby most respectfully request that Capt. L. H. Everts, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, be appointed assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, with the rank of major.
We ean each and all of us testify to the faithful and efficient manner in which Capt. Everts has discharged the arduous and responsible duties of assistant adjutant- general, the majority of us having been officially assoei- ated with him sinee the summer of 1862.
We are, general, with great respeet your obedient ser- vants,
(Signed)
BRIG .- GEN. E. W. RICE, Commanding 1st Brigade. BRIG. GEN. WM. T. CLARK, Commanding 2d Brigade. BRIG .- GEN. R. ROWETT, Commanding 3d Brigade. COL. R. N. ADAMS, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteers. COL. WM. HANNA, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteers.
[and thirty-two others.]
It was indorsed by his general commanding the division as follows.
HEADQUARTERS 4THI DIVISION, 15TH ARMY CORPS,
NEAR WASHIINGTON CITY, D. C., Juue 3, 1865. 5
Respectfully forwarded, and earnestly recommended. An officer able, faithful and gallant-in every way de- serving the promotiou.
(Signed)
JOIIN M. CORSE, Brevet Major- General Commanding.
This application was recommended and ap- proved by corps and army commanders, and his
promotion secured. Since the war Maj. Everts has been successfully and extensively engaged in the publishing business, including local and gen- eral works, the wonderful system regulating it doubtless being an outgrowth of his army experi- ence.
His brothers, James S. and E. A., were for a number of years associated with him in the pub- lishing business, the former in charge of agents and the latter as superintendent of the publication department in Philadelphia. James S. Everts is now a member of the firm of Everts Brothers, and in charge of "Louiland Stock Farms," near Falls City, Neb., while Edward A. Everts, youngest of the brothers living, holds the responsible position of secretary and treasurer of the Cold Blast Feath- er Company, of which L. H. Everts is president, located in Chicago and New York, a company deal - ing extensively in wholesale bedding supplies.
AMES FITCHIE, one of Kane County's most respected and honored citizens, as well as successful and well-to-do farmers and dairy- men, resides on Section 24, Plato Township, where, surrounded by an interesting family, he en- joys the possession of a fine farm of 210 acres. He conducts a large dairy, finding a ready market for the product thereof in Elgin. Mr. Fitchie was born at Newtyle, Perthshire, Scotland, June 22, 1828, and is the fourth in the family of six children born to David and Ellen (Martin) Fitchie, former of whom was a farmer, recognized as a man of high moral standing.
James Fitchie was reared on the farm, receiv- ing the rudiments of an education from his parents, and when old enough to earn money for himself, he expended it in procuring an education at the graded schools. When twenty years of age, he became foreman to W. E. Collins Wood, on the Keithock estate, near Cupar Angus, and his capa- bility for that position won for him, afterward, the position of foreman of the vast estate of Sir George Kinloch, of Kinloch, a position he held one year, and was then promoted to overseer of Kinloch's home farm, in which capacity he remained fifteen years and six months. Upon leaving Sir George
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Kinloch's service he came to America, and located in McHenry County, Ill., afterward removing to Rutland, Kane County, in 1873; in 1885 he bought a farm of 210 acres, on Section 24, Plato Township, which is well watered with springs, well stocked with horses and cattle, and under ex- cellent cultivation. In 1886 Mr. Fitchie remod- eled his barn, and now has one of modern 'style, 82x30, erected at a cost of $1,500, as well as other valuable and commodious outbuildings.
Mr. Fitchie is not a politician, but takes an interest in public affairs; he is a school director, and director of the Horse Mutual Protection So- ciety. He is an ardent supporter of the Repub- lican party, a strictly temperance man, and an ad- herent of the Presbyterian faith.
In 1857 Mr. Fitchie was married to Miss Grace, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Duer) Mc- Intosh, and who was born in 1828, in the parish of Dull, Perthshire, Scotland, receiving such educa- tion as could be obtained in the schools of that parish. Previous to her marriage she spent seven years in the household of Sir George Kinloch, of Kinloch. Mr. and Mrs. Fitchie have been blessed with one daughter and five sons, as follows: Mar- garet Ann, born May 28, 1858, now the wife of Mr. Hugh Templeton, a baker, of Elgin; David, born December 18, 1859, died November 22, 1872; James, born March 28, 1862, is a molder by trade in Chicago; Robert A., born March 29, 1864; Hugh W., born July 23, 1866; and Alexander M., born February 6, 1870.
J OSHUA W. SKINNER, one of the old set- tlers of the county, and a prominent farmer, is a native of Seneca County, N. Y. ; born Oc- tober 1, 1818, a son of Joshua G. and Cla- rissa (Wayburn) Skinner, also of same place. The father died at his home in New York, at the age of seventy seven years. In early life he worked at carpentering, but in later days followed agri- cultural pursuits. He was a soldier in the War of 1812-15. The mother of J. W. Skinner died in her twenty-first year, when he was but eleven days old.
On his father's farm Joshua W. remained until he was twenty-five years of age. He was married
May 24, 1843, to Martha Attix, a native of Seneca County, N. Y., and daughter of Aquilla and Re- becca Attix. Of this marriage five children were born: Clarissa, February 26, 1845; Janette, March 12, 1847; Chester C., January 20, 1850; Rebecca A., April 15, 1852; Daniel G., October 2, 1854. Of these Clarissa was married December 31, 1862, to Solon Dickson, of Hampshire, Ill., and lived with him until his death, which occurred October 15, 1864 (nearly two years later, June 10, 1866, she became united in wedlock with Prof. N. E. Leach, of Elgin, Ill. ; Mr. and Mrs. Leach resided in Elgin several years, and she taught in the pub- lic schools with him; they are both living); Janette was married November 2, 1865, to Nathan Levey, of Hampshire, Ill., and they lived on a farm near that town till the spring of 1871, when they re-, moved to Wall Lake, Iowa, where they resided on a farm till her death, April 5, 1884 (she left three children-two sons and one daughter); Chester C. was married February 2, 1871, to Helen A. Ste- phens of Constantine, Mich., and by her has two children-one son and one daughter-both living. This wife died June 20, 1880, at Constantine, Mich., where she was buried. After her death Chester C. came to Hampshire, Ill., here married, October 19, 1881, Alice J. Mann, of Dundee, Ill., and two years later they removed to Hurley, Tur- ner Co., Dak., where they still reside, he being proprietor of a creamery at that place; by his sec- ond wife he has two daughters and one son.
In the fall of 1846 Mr. Skinner came west, and bought eighty acres of land on Section 24, Hamp- shire Township, where he has since resided, and which he conducts as a stock and grain farm. Mrs. Skinner died June 4, 1856, at the age of thirty-six years, and was buried at Hampshire. Mr. Skin- ner's second wife, nee Mary T. Putnam, of Worces- ter, Mass., born November 16, 1818, and whom he married March 16, 1858, is a direct descendant of Gen. Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, her par- ents being Charles and Sarah (Bragg) Putnam, also natives of Worcester. Her father served as captain of Rifles in the War of 1812-15, and died August 23, 1841, aged forty-eight years; her mother died June 18, 1831, aged thirty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner are members of the
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Free Methodist Church, at Elgin. He has served the town as road commissioner and as school di- rector. Politically he has always supported the Republican ticket until recently, when he took up the Prohibition cause, and has since been a close adherent of that party.
C APTAIN LEVERETT M. KELLEY, Elgin City, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., September 28, 1841, son of John and Eliza Mansfield Kelley, of New York. They came to Illinois, and located on a farm in Rutland Town- ship, Kane County, in 1845. John Kelley was a carpenter and builder in Schenectady, now a thrifty and successful farmer in Illinois, still residing on his farm at the age of eighty-three years. In a short time after he came to Kane County he be- came well-known to the free-soilers, and in 1852 he became the first free-soil (now Republican party) candiate for representative ever nominated in the county. He was in advance of the people of his time, and thereby failed to be elected. Mrs. Eliza Mansfield Kelley was a native of New Haven, Conn. She bore her husband nine children, of whom Leverett M. was the fifth. She died at the old homestead in Rutland Township, in 1884, aged seventy-six years. She died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.
Leverett M. Kelley attended the public schools of Rutland, and then the Elgin Academy, and completed his education at Beloit College. He abruptly terminated his school days when Presi- dent Lincoln called for soldiers in the three years' service, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, in July, 1861. The number of the regiment indicates it as having been among the earliest formed in the first three years' serv- ice. During this long term of service, the history of Mr. Kelley is in the brilliant war record made by that regiment. The young man was in the line with musket, in time becoming corporal, and then acting sergeant-major of the regiment. On the banners of his regiment are written the bloody battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Franklin, Nashville, and all the last
great battles toward the close of the war. In addition to these, Mr. Kelley was in several other engagements. He was captured in the charge at Kenesaw Mountain, but in the confusion, soon after escaped. After he had served his three years' term he re-enlisted, and upon reorganization was elected first lieutenant and afterward captain of Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois. The war over, these veterans returned to Springfield, and were mustered out at the end of four and one-half years' faithful service. Capt. Kelley returned to his father in Rutland, and the next winter, instead of the keen sword, was wielding the keen birch of the schoolroom. In 1867 he engaged in farming, and the following year was elected sheriff of Kane County. In the meantime he liad opened a drug store in Elgin. In 1873 he was again elected sheriff, the legal term at that time being two years. In 1878 he was appointed In- dian agent at Standing Rock, Dak. He was after- ward transferred to Los Pinos, Colo. While here he conducted a very important treaty with the Indians to a successful issue, and was highly complimented therefor by the Government, and the people in the vicinity of the agency. He resigned the Indian agency in 1879, when he engaged largely in mining in Colorado, and met with good success. He now retains important interests there. In 1879 he returned to Elgin, which at all times has been his permanent home. He has made here large investments; some of the noted blocks and buildings in the city he has erected, at the same time he has successfully car- ried on his fine farm of 540 acres.
He has, however, for the past few years been giving more and more attention to his city prop- erty. In 1873 he erected the present fine Kel- ley & Todd block, and is just now (December, 1887,) completing one of the finest blocks in the city, the Kelley block, just opposite the postoffice, at a cost of $18,000. The lower floors of this build- ing are storerooms, having all modern improvements and elegancies; the upper floors are fitted up in elegant style, and are the " European Hotel," ele- gantly furnished, with steam heat in every room.
Capt. Kelley organized the National Elec- tric Company, of Elgin and Chicago, exclusively
Lenneth M. Kelley
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KANE COUNTY.
for the manufacture of dynamos for the arc and incandescent electric light. This system of elec- tric light is rapidly becoming a great success, as it clearly possesses great advantages over all other systems yet invented, the special advantages being in the automatic dynamos. Mr. Kelley is presi- dent of the company.
He has been too busy a man since his return from the war to give very much attention to poli- tics. He was, however, a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 1884. He is a Knight Templar, a member of the G. A. R. Post, and a member of the Universalist Church.
Mr. Kelley has been twice wedded. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Emma G. Pingree, and to them were born three children: Gertrude H., Charles R. and Grace B. Mrs. Emma G. Kelley died in 1883, and in October, 1885, Mr. Kelley married Mrs. Fanny E. Bradford, a native of Richmond, Va., widow of the late Maj. R. B. Bradford, of Denver, who, at the time of his death was one of the best known and prominent men of that State.
Capt. Kelley has won his success in life with the warm and cordial approval of his fellow citizens. He is well known in Kane County. Naturally of a pleasant and genial nature, social in manners, generous and public spirited, he has richly merited the success which has come to him.
G EORGE EDWIN SISLEY, publisher of the Hampshire Register, at Hampshire, Ill., was born at Chicago, Ill., April 3, 1865, to John S. and Anna (Lyman) Sisley. He was reared in Geneva, Kane County, and educated at the public schools of that city, up to his fifteenth year. He then, the same year, com- menced to learn the art of printing in the office of the Republican, at Geneva, under Mr. Charles Archer, and here he remained three years. After- ward he worked in printing offices in Chicago and Elgin, Ill., for a short time. Then became railroad news agent on the Chicago & North-Western Rail- way, serving one year, and in the same capacity on the Sioux City & Pacific Railway, Nebraska, also for one year (1882-83).
Again turning his attention to the printing business, Mr. Sisley, March 5, 1885, commenced the publication of the Register, at Hampshire, Ill., in partnership with his brother, L. A. Sisley, whose interest in the concern he bought out June 5, following. The Register is well edited and ably managed, enjoying at the present time a cir- culation of between 600 and 700. It is an inde- pendent seven-column folio weekly, twenty-two inches long, bright and newsy, and reflects much credit on its editor and publisher. Mr. Sisley is a member of Hampshire Lodge, No. 730, I. O. O. F. In politics he is Republican.
C HARLES H. BACKUS, a leading financier of the county, is a native of Chaplin, Wind- ham Co., Conn., born June 9, 1856, the son of Jirah L. and Susan M. (Dodge) Backus, natives of same county. Dilseneo Back- us, the grandsire, was a good soldier in the War of 1812-15.
Mr. Backus received his early education in his native town, and while still in his teens, taught school in order to obtain funds to attend college. He is a graduate of Eastman's National Business College, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Leaving college he taught school for about two years in his native county, and then removed to the West, settling in Marengo, McHenry County, where he worked one year as clerk in a general store; lie then entered the Farmers' & Drovers' Bank at that place, as teller and bookkeeper, a position le occupied until 1882, when he came to Hampshire and engaged in the banking business with B. S. Parker, of Ma- rengo, his former employer, the institution being known as the Kane County Bank. January 1, 1885, Mr. Backus bought Mr. Parker's interest in the bank, which concern he lias since conducted, doing a general banking business, and an exchange of $20,000 per month, with his bank in Chicago, He has also extensive interests in other concerns in Hampshire, being connected with O. S. McAl- lister in the hay and coal business, under the firm name of McAllister, Backus & Co. He has also a half interest in the brickyard, firm name being Brown & Backus. Outside of all these enterprises
:
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KANE COUNTY.
Mr. Backus has a large insurance connection, writing nearly all the risks in the village of Hamp- shire, and representing the very best companies.
January 1, 1884, he was married at Geneva, Ill., to Emma L. Sisley, a native of Cook County, born in Chicago, January 19, 1863, a daughter of John W. and Anna (Lyman) Sisley, who were na- tives of New York State. Of this marriage, one child, Charles Sisley, was born November 9, 1884. Mr. Backus was first elected councilman in 1883, and as such served his town four years, or till 1887; is at present village treasurer, also notary public, having been appointed in April, 1885; is a member of Hampshire Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 730, also of M. W. of A., No. 19. In politics, Mr. Backus votes the Republican ticket.
SAAC DAYTON WARD, a leading farmer of Campton Township, is a native of Genesee County, N. Y., where he was born May 15, 1818, a son of James and Laura (Dayton) Ward, who were early settlers in the State of New York. Mr. Ward worked about his father's farm, and attended the district school in the winter term. In October, 1835, he came west with his parents, and they were six weeks making the trip. They first settled on the forks of Du Page River, in Du Page County, Ill., and there they lived in a log cabin, considered a palace in those early days; in the following March, with his father, he moved five miles west of Fox River, where is now the town of Campton. At this time there was no town organization, nor had the land been sur- veyed; but, settling on Section 14, with his father, Mr. Ward pre-empted his portion. After their settlement the survey was made, and, when the land came into market, Mr. Isaac D. Ward bought liis present homestead at the land sale held in Chi- cago. His parents removed, in the year 1859, to Buchanan County, Iowa, and there lived until their death, the father dying about the year 1872, at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother ill 1876, also aged seventy-five years. Isaac D. did not go to Iowa with his parents, but bought a farm of 106 acres on Section 12, to which he has added 254 acres, making a total of 360.
About four years before he bought this place, Mr. Ward married Miss Almena Bogue, the mar- riage taking place August 9, 1840. This lady was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 5, 1821, and is the daughter of Daniel and Permelia Bogue. To Mr. and Mrs. Ward were born, in the township of Campton, nine children, whose names are as follows: Permelia, who died at the age of twenty- three, and was buried in Campton Cemetery; Mal- vina, Rachel, Hannibal, James B., Vesta, Hylus, Kitty and Mary. Mrs. Ward died January 29, 1874, and October 12, 1876, Mr. Ward married Mrs. Laura (Fellows) Wheeler, widow of Abraham Wheeler, by whom she had two children-Mary- etta and Milton Elton. She is a native of Ohio, born in the town of Parma, Cuyahoga County, March 22, 1832, to Steven and Sabra (Stephens) Fellows, natives of New York State, the father of Alexander, Genesee County, and the mother of Sheldon, Wyoming County, and who came west in 1839, settling in Campton Township, where they pursued the vocation of farming, and there passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Fellows dying in 1877, aged eighty years, and his widow a few years thereafter, at the age of seventy-seven years. By the union of Mr. Ward and Mrs. Wheeler one child, Frankie, was born in the town of St. Charles. Mr. Ward is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
C EYLON A. FASSETT, who served his country during the Civil War, is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born January 8, 1841, his parents, Reuben R., and Caroline (Allen) Fassett, being also of same State. His mother died in New York when he was but four years old, at the age of twenty-nine years. His father came west, and settled in De Kalb County, remaining until close of the war. He died in St. James, Cedar Co., Neb., when fifty-six years old.
Mr. Fassett enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cav- alry, Company B., serving three years and ten months, and was discharged at Benton barracks, Missouri. At the close of the war he was pro- moted to hospital steward. March 16, 1865, lie was married to Mary Lane, a native of Broome
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KANE COUNTY.
County, N. Y., born March 23, 1844, daughter of Edwin and China (Terwilliger) Lane, who came west in 1841, and purchased a farm. The father pursued the occupation of farming until his death; he died October 5, 1882, aged sixty-nine years; the mother is still living.
After the war, in 1865, Mr. Fassett bought a farm in Hampshire, and a few years ago pur- chased the Terwilliger farm of 160 acres, which makes him owner of 320 acres of finely improved land; he also manages his mother-in-law's farm. A few years ago he moved to town, but goes out to his farm daily.
Mr. Fassett is the father of four children, as fol- lows: Edwin L., born December 27, 1866; Calla A., born November 2, 1869; Eleanora, born Sep- tember 25, 1875; William A., born October 2, 1879, all living at home. In politics Mr. Fassett is a Re- publican, and has served his town as postmaster, four years, school director several terms, and trustee four years. He is a member of Hampshire Lodge, No. 443, A. F. & A. M., and Miller Post, No. 554, G. A. R. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the W C. T. U.
C HARLES W. WERTHWEIN, a prominent merchant and stock raiser, is a native of Newark, N. J., born December 12, 1853. His parents, Eberhart and Frederica, (Weidmayer) Werthwein, were of Germany, and came to Illinois in 1854, locating a short time in Chicago; they afterward moved to Hampshire Township, where they engaged in farming. Here Charles W. was reared, working on the farm, and attending the common school until about 1875. He then came to Jacksonville, Ill., and engaged to learn the butcher's trade; remained there until 1881, and then returned to Hampshire and opened a meat market. About four years ago he associ- ated a partner in business with him, the firm name being Werthwein & Zimmer; and they have not confined themselves wholly to retail business, but are doing a large live stock trade in hogs and cat- tle, amounting to as much as $5,000 per month.
September 19, 1878, Mr. Werthwein married Kate Becker, of Jacksonville, a daughter of Philip
and Lizzie (Groabner) Becker, and by this mar- riage there were four children, as follows: Albert, born at Jacksonville, and died July 9, 1881, aged two years; Percy and Pearl (twins), born at Hamp- shire, May 14, 1882; Carl, born November 4, 1884, and died August 25, 1886. The two chil- dren deceased are buried at Hampshire.
Mr. Werthwein is a member of I. O. O. F., No. 4, of Jacksonville, Ill. In politics he is a stanc Republican.
C A. STEWART. Well known as one of the exemplary citizens, who are practically interested in all movements tending toward the advancement of St. Charles, is C. A. Stewart, a leading business man of the city, a dealer in furniture and manufacturer of carriage tops and trimmings, in which, by straightforward dealing, he has built up an extensive business, giv- ing constant employment to eight experienced work- men. Since he established the enterprise in the winter of 1882 he has so expanded his trade that the material consumed amounts to several thou- sands of dollars yearly, and the product of his manufactory finds a ready market in all parts of the West and Northwest, with the demand con- stantly increasing. Mr. Stewart is now erecting, at the corner of East Main and Second Streets, and will soon have the same completed, a two- story store and factory building, 50x80 feet, which will give him ample accommodations to take care of the increasing business.
Mr. Stewart is a native of St. Charles, and was born August 17, 1855, a son of W. A. and Alice E. (Bowers) Stewart, natives of the State of New York and Canada, respectively, and who came to St. Charles prior to their marriage. He, in 1878, began the business of carriage trimming and upholstering. In 1880 he sold his interest here, then spent some time in the West, and for two years he was foreman of the trimming depart- ment, of the Shaver Carriage and Wagon Factory, then located at Eldora, Iowa, but now at Des Moines. Returning to St. Charles in the winter of 1882, he, as before stated, established his present business.
January 18, 1883, Mr. Stewart married Louise
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KANE COUNTY.
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