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 46
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 46
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L. Baskins, a native of Iowa, born August 20, 1858, a daughter of George K. and Harriet (Page) Baskins. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart one child has been given, Earl F., born September 8, 1885. The parents attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Stewart is a Republican, and at present is city clerk.
W ARREN TYLER, proprietor of the most extensive fire insurance, real estate and loan agencies in Aurora, was born in the village of Victory, Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 16, 1834, son of Ira Doty and Aurila (Mixer) Tyler, natives of the same county. The elder Tyler, with his family, removed to Illinois in 1835, and located at St. Charles, Kane County, where Warren grew to manhood on his father's farm. When nineteen years of age he left the farm, and engaged as a clerk in a store at St. Charles. Sub- sequently he carried on the business of a merchant at that place for several years. In 1862 he re- moved to Aurora, clerked in a dry goods store about five years, and soon afterward purchased the present agency for insurance, real estate and loans. Mr. Tyler's business in this line has gradually grown under his careful and energetic supervision, so that now it is one of the prominent business es- tablishments of the city, and a figure in its affairs which, if effaced, would be greatly missed by the entire community. The proprietor himself, through his prompt and honorable business dealings with thousands of customers, has established a record for fair dealing seldom equaled by any business man. Consequently his name, to-day, in connec- tion with any enterprise gives it character, and clothes it with the stamp of worth. He is an ar. dent Republican, being active in the party coun- cils, and for the past three years has served the city as a member of the council. During his in- cumbency of that office he has been a member of its most important committees, such as "Judici- ary," "Fire and Water," "Streets and Alleys," "Finance," etc. In the time of his membership of the council, the very admirable city water works and electric light for the city were established, im- provements that reflect credit upon all the council
who advocated them, and in promoting which Mr. Tyler took an energetic and able part. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over thirty-five years, a large part of that time in an official capacity.
He was married at St. Charles to Emily S. Wheeler, a native of Orange County, N. Y., daugh- ter of Nathan S. and Julia A. (Coe) Wheeler. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler had children as follows: Flora E., Leroy Warren (who died aged twenty-six), Charles F. and Frank A., the latter two being now asso- ciated with their father in business.
INZENZ SMITH, one of the county's veter- ans and patriots in the Civil War, was born in Baden, Germany, January 21, 1837, his parents being Anthony and May Josephine (Kinnecht) Smith, natives of the same place. In 1853 he came alone to this country, locating at Milan, Ohio, where he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith to learn the trade, and there remained until 1857, when he began traveling from place to place, working at the trade. Finally he stopped at Batavia, Kane County, where he remained from 1860 to the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in Company B, First Illinois Light Artillery. He served the full term of three years, participating in some of the hardest battles fought, such as Bel- mont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Mission Ridge, etc., and was discharged July 23, 1864, at Springfield, Ill. Returning from the war he went to Akron, Ohio, and there engaged in business for himself, re- maining over four years; was one year in Mc- Henry County, and over seven years at Wayne, Du Page County, where he had a large shop. He then sold out and removed to Hampshire, where he is at present engaged in the blacksmith and general repair business.
While living at Akron, Ohio, he visited Batavia, Ill., and was married to Mary Kenney, a native of Ireland, born July 25, 1844, whose parents, Ter- rence and Mary (Cowell) Kenney, came to America when she was a small child. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith took place in the house of John Van Nortwick, of Batavia, his daughter, May,
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acting as bridesmaid. Of this marriage eleven children were born, as follows: Nettie M., Novem- ber 17, 1865; Russell T., April 13, 1867; Mary J., August 15, 1868; George V., October 7, 1870, and died July 12, 1872; Charles M., July 14, 1872; Sadie M., January 31, 1874; Morgan L., April 15, 1876; Clara B., April 18, 1879; Ira W., Novem- ber 23, 1880; Alfred C., January 20, 1883; and Mark V., April 30, 1884. Mr. Smith is a Repub- lican, and member of A. F. & A. M., Hampshire Lodge, No. 443, and I. O. O. F., No. 730. Is also a member of Miller Post, G. A. R. Mrs. Smith is a member of Rebecca Lodge at Belvidere, Ill. They both attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Smith is a member.
OSEPH REISING. In the array of mer- chants, who have risen to prominence in the commercial walks of Aurora, is to be named this gentleman. He is a native of Watten- heim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born September 28, 1829, son of Michael and Eva (Reiling) Reis- ing, natives of the same place, former of whom was a farmer of the better class, conducting a large business in his line. The family were members of the Catholic Church. The son received a good education in his native land. When he arrived at the age of sixteen years he quitted the scenes of his childhood and native land, and set sail for America, intent upon gaining some of the many golden promises in the New World, and drink of the sweet waters of liberty and independence; a land where nobility of birth lias little or nothing to do with the fate of young men who might aspire to rise in the world. In 1845 he safely landed in Cleveland, Ohio, where he sought and found his first employment. He engaged as an apprentice to the boot and shoe maker's trade, and to learn the manners and customs of the country, and to master the details of his chosen vocation were the labors to which he gave his diligent attention.
In 1850 he was able to stand alone, even in a country where every man is figuratively running by day and by night a dead heat in the scramble for promotion and riches. He was not so nervous, perhaps, as some of the natives, but had that steady
German persistence that was of more value in the long run, the outcome of which is that kind of certainty that has accompanied Mr. Reising's life in his adopted country. He pushed his way to the West in the year 1850, and came directly to Aurora. He was much pleased with the town and the people, but after a short stay returned to Cleveland. Here he was violently attacked with the " California gold fever," and the attack defying all remedial efforts " carried him off" to the Golden State. He, in company with several others, made the long and tedious overland trip in the spring of 1851. He drove an ox team all the way to Portland, Oregon. Armed with a "grub stake," he industriously . began to delve for gold, digging and prospecting the most of the time on the left fork of Jackson Creek, in Jackson County. He was lucky in a very moderate fashion. He worked hard, lived amid all the deprivations of a lonely miner's life, and for four years endured this hard life patiently. He "washed out " his last "toilings" in 1855, bade adieu to the gold hunter's paradise, came to Aurora, and settled down, determined to fix here his permanent home. His short stop here in 1850 had left an indelible impression on his mind, and in his loneliest hours and darkest days of camp life Aurora's "morning bright light " had filled him with hope and happiness for the future. Soon after his return he engaged in the boot and shoe trade, and has steadily prospered from that hour to this.
Mr. Reising is a liberal, public-spirited citizen, and has aided every movement that has promised the good of the town and community. In this respect he is highly regarded by all. His life here has been a public good, and his memory deserves a permanent record in the annals of the city. For six years he was a member of the county board of supervisors, and his aid in his official and private efforts toward the improvement of the roads, bridges, and general county interests were of last- ing value. He votes the Republican ticket and has widely aided his party by safe counsel and personal efforts on many occasions. He is a stock- holder in and one of the board of directors of the Aurora Cotton Mill. In 1855 Mr. Reising was united in marriage with Maria M. Smith, daughter
18
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of Xavier Smith, a native of Alsace, Germany. They have two children, daughters, as follows: Maria C., wife of Jacob Eye, and Anna F., who is at her parents pleasant home. The daughters are College graduates. The family attend worship at the Catholic Church. Mr. Reising is known favorably as one of the solid well-to-do men of Aurora, and not only is he in the enjoyment of wealth, but is one of the city's most prominent and respected citizens.
ILBERT CLOSSON GALE. The Gales are descended from English progenitors who settled in New York during its colonial history. Gilbert Closson Gale was born at Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., October 14, 1820, to Augustus and Maria (Vaughan) Gale. Augustus had learned the trade of blacksmith with his father, Noah Gale, but subsequently followed farming. He was drafted as a soldier in the War of 1812, but did not serve. Gilbert C. Gale is one of a family of two sons and three daughters. He learned the trade of blacksmith with Van Dyke & Daney, carriage builders and general jobbers at Skaneateles, and for a few years afterward carried on a sliop at that place.
Mr. Gale was married at Mottville, N. Y., June 1, 1843, to Miss Ellen Hickok, a native of Pittsfield, Mass. While living at Skaneateles, four sons were born to them: George F., who is now a photographer at Joliet, Ill .; John G. and Willis H., respectively in the mercantile and dental busi- nesses at Chicago, and Julius F., in the United States mail service at Kansas City, Mo. In 1854 Mr. Gale came west, and located with his family at Mendota, Ill., where a daughter, Nettie M., was born, who is at present business manager of the Conservatory of Music, Madison, Wis .; she is a graduate of the University of Leipzig, Germany, in the German language, also a graduate of the Col- lege of France, in the language, and is a talented and accomplished lady. While a resident of Men- dota, Mr. Gale served four years in the city coun- cil and in other positions of public trust. He re- sided in that city for some years when he removed to a farm in Bureau County, Ill., and followed
agricultural pursuits for awhile. In 1865 he re- moved to Aurora, and established his late business of general blacksmithing, from which he is now re- tired, after working at his trade for half a century. He is a member of the First Baptist Church, and is universally respected.
E ARNEST C. SHOLES is a native of Bur- lington Township, Kane County, Ill., born April 14, 1850. His parents, David and Mary J. (Young) Sholes, natives of New York came to this county in an early day, and carried on farming; the father died here in 1881, at the age of sixty-three years.
Mr. Sholes was reared on his father's farm, and attended the common-school, where he ob- tained his early education. In 1872 he entered the Elgin Academy, remaining three terms; then returned and assumed full control of his father's farm, which he managed until he was thirty-two years of age, or till 1882.
He then came to the village of Hampshire, and commenced the grain and feed business with C. Fossett, which he conducted for three years; after- ward, about eight months ago (1887), he opened a general merchandise business with Mr. Ball, under the firm name of Sholes & Ball, and they are doing a very large business. In politics Mr. Sholes is a Republican, and at the present time is one of the town trustees. He is a member of Hampshire Lodge, I. O. O. F., also No. 443, A. F. & A. M., and he enjoys a large social distinc- tion. His aged mother is now living with him at his handsome residence, which is surrounded by one of the most beautiful lawns in Hampshire.
A GUILD. Among the many men of Aurora who have contributed substantially to its material prosperity, and whose love of country became more especially marked in their successful business lives here, stood during his lifetime the worthy man whose name heads this brief biography. Coming here in 1860, from Wayne, Du Page Co., Ill., where he had prosecut- ed a successful business career, he entered into
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the spirit of development which a few years later on marked an important era in the commercial his- tory of Aurora. He had been thoroughly trained in business life in the West, his advent dating back to 1831, in which year, when a lad of ten years, his parents settled in Du Page County, where he grew to manhood.
After a period of twelve years' experience in .
mercantile and general business life he settled in Aurora, his business being that of a merchant. .Upon the organization of any measure tending to the development of Aurora's interests, he lent a helping hand, and assisted materially. Promi- nent among these may be mentioned the estab- lishment of the First National Bank of Aurora, the Aurora Cotton Mills, the Aurora Silver Plating Company, the Aurora Watch Factory Company, in all of which he was one of the stockholders. In many other interests of a sound financial nature he also took an active part; nor were his influences confined to these alone, as he contributed liberally to the embellishment of his adopted city. He was a lover of social institutions, and aided ma- terially in the support of many. He was particu- larly active in Congregational Church matters, and was prominently identified with the upbuilding of the First Congregational Church. He was a genial gentleman of fine qualities, and, notwithstanding long-continued ill health, possessed an indomitable spirit, and was an active business man until his deatlı on June 22, 1886, the cause being heart dis- ease. He expired in his buggy, in which he had been riding with his brother, Dr. Guild, of Bart- lett, Ill. He was born at Conway, Mass., Novem- ber, 2, 1821.
Mrs. Urania E. Guild, his widow, is a descend- ant of Massachusetts people. Her parents, Har- vey H. and Jane E. (White) Coe, were from Gran- ville, Mass., but settled in Oneida County, N. Y., where Mrs. Guild was born. From there they removed to Du Page County, Ill., and lived hon- ored and respected citizens of Bloomingdale, in that county. Mrs. Guild's early inclinations were for literary work, and after completing a thorough course of study in Rockford Seminary she gradu- ated from that institution, and engaged in teach- ing. While at Bloomingdale, Ill., she was united
in marriage with Rev. Edward Payson Whiting, of the Congregational Church Conference.
He was a native of Batavia, N. Y., a self-made man in his professional studies, a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, and a student of Can- andaigua College, and of Rochester University, in the State of New York. He was devoted to his calling, and during his ten years of ministerial labor was an acknowledged leader. His death oc- cured at De Witt, Iowa, of typhoid pneumonia, on January 10, 1877. Mrs. Whiting has proved herself a worthy helpmeet to her husband in a class of work that suited her taste, working assid- uously as teacher in the Sabbath-school of their congregation. Upon the loss of her husband she returned to her home in Evanston, and became in a few years the bride of her old acquaintance and friend, Mr. A. Guild. By her union with Mr. Whiting she had two children-a son, Ellsworth Daggett, who is a student of civil engineering, and a daughter, Theodosia Urania, living with her mother. Since coming here, and during the life of her husband Mrs. Guild took part in the carrying out of many Christian interests. She served as president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Woman's Christian Association, and of the First Congregational Church Missionary Society.
D AVID REID, Jr., a prosperous merchant, is a native of Kingston, Upper Canada, born April 30, 1841. His parents, James and Agnes (Scott) Reid, natives of Scot- land, removed to Canada in early life. His pa- rents dying when he was quite young, David was compelled to look out for himself, and, conse- quently, did not have much time to devote to study; working as he did on a farm, he only had a few months in the year for schooling.
At the age of twenty -four years he came west, to Hampshire, where he bought a farm of 240 acres, which until ten years ago he conducted, then rented his farm, and removed to the village, where he engaged in selling agricultural imple- ments, a business he followed only six months. He then built the grain elevator, and commenced the grain and stock business, which he conducted
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until 1884, when he sold out. Two years ago he bought an interest in the hardware store known as "Chapman & Smith's," buying Smith's interest --- the firm name becoming Chapman & Reid, dealers in general hardware and farm implements, of which they make a specialty, their trade increasing each year.
For four years Mr. Reid has been president of the village board; has also held the office of as- sessor for the past five years. Politically he sup- ports the Republican party, and he is one of the most prominent business men in the village.
S AMUEL P. MC DOLE. Since the very earliest settlement of what is now Sugar Grove Township, the name McDole has been interwoven with its history. The oldest living settler of the township at this time (December, 1887,) is Rodney McDole, father of Samuel P., who was a native of Chester County, N. H. This son was by the first wife, whose maid- en name was Abigail Lounsbury, born in the State of New York, July 24, 1813, and deceased many years ago.
Samuel P. McDole was born in Sugar Grove, October 17, 1839, his parents having settled in the township in the spring of 1836. September 5, 1862, he was married to Susan Conde, who was born at Batavia, Kane Co., Ill., July 25, 1842. Three children have been born to them: Lena, Jay C. and Lottie. Mrs. McDole's father, Cornelius B. Conde, was born December 27, 1814, in Glen- ville, Schenectady, Co., N. Y. He was a black- smith, and came to Illinois, locating in Warren- ville, Du Page County, in 1838. Four ears later he took up his abode in Batavia, which continued to be his home until his death, September 8, 1885. He was buried at Batavia. Mr. Conde was a man widely known and greatly esteemed, and during his lifetime he was elevated to numerous places of public trust and responsibility. He was for sev- eral years supervisor of Batavia Township, super- intendent for a time of the county poor farm, etc. He was an honored member of the Masonic frater- nity, in which he attained high rank. Mrs. Mc- Dole's mother, Mrs. Conde, was born in Rotter-
dam, N. Y., October 30, 1817, married March 29, 1837, and is the mother of nine children, eight of which are living. Mrs. Conde still resides in Ba- tavia.
Samuel P. McDole is the owner of an excel lent and well-improved farm of 427 acres in Sugar Grove Township, his residence being located in Section 4. He is engaged in general farming, but has found the time to apply himself to the affairs of public life. Years ago he interested himself in the modern scientific experiments of Seth Green,. the father of pisciculture in this country. He ap- preciated and understood the unlimited possibili- ties in store for mankind in making of the waters of the globe, three-fourths of the earth's surface, that is now chiefly waste, the great field of industry in the production of the vast supplies of food of a healthy and nutritious kind, and at a rate so cheap that no living man need ever again go hungry. We stand in admiration of the work of the pioneers where they destroyed the wild beasts of prey, and made the solitudes to blossom in our splendid civ- ilization. Great as was their work, yet how in- comparably greater is that which will come of fill- ing the waters with food producing fish, thus cheapening the necessaries of life, and driving from the world the last vestige of want and famine! It has been truly said that he only is truly great who makes two blades of grass grow, where before grew only one. The homely aphorism is the account of the triumphs of the most exalted genius that is vouchsafed to this world. The victories are blood- less; indeed they give new life to man. They tend to lift up the race, to mitigate suffering, to make this struggling world vocal with human song.
When the idea of what could be done in fish culture presented itself to Mr. McDole, he promptly proceeded to investigate it fully, and soon he be- came master of the subject. Hence we find that, during the term of Gov. Cullom, Mr. McDole was appointed State fish commissioner, a position which his energy, perseverence and desire to see the efforts of the State successful in this behalf, and the exist- ing laws strictly enforced, enabled him to fill with great credit. The matter of placing fish-ways in the dams of the State was given his earnest atten- tion, and a cause, starting from a justice's court,
S. P. Mc, Polo
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was carried by him to the supreme court, and to a termination in his favor, the decision in the case becoming law. Mr. McDole is extensively engaged in the culture of German carp, breeding the mirror and scale varieties. His ponds cover three acres, are connected, and contain many splendid speci- mens of that excellent fish. In addition to the interest and attention he gives to his favorite sub- ject, he is a model farmer. He is an upright citi- zen, and a man greatly respected, and his family is esteemed as among the foremost in the township.
C URTIS MEAD BUTLER. The life of the subject of this biography is one which teaches a useful Jesson to young men strug- gling to get a foothold in the world of business. Mr. Butler started without advantage of any kind, and has attained an honorable posi- tion, and an ample competence. He is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., his parents being Abijah and Clarissa (Doud) Butler, the former a native of Connecticut, whose progenitors were of the sub- stantial families of that State, and the latter a daughter of Giles Doud, and in direct line of descent from Henry Doud (or Dowd), who, with a colony under the leadership of Rev. Henry Whit- field, came over from Surrey, Kent, England, in 1639, and settled at what is now Guilford, Conn. This family were well-known people of Connecti- cut. The father of Curtis M. was a poor man in this world's goods, but gave to his family as good opportunities as his circumstances would allow, and inculcated in them lessons of uprightness of character. With this as his sole stock in trade Curtis Mead set out for himself when about nine- teen years of age, and came west to the Black River country, of Michigan. Here he applied himself diligently to work, and in the following year had saved $50, which he invested in land, walking all the way to Detroit, one hundred miles, to secure a proper title, and to pay his purchase money. This property he improved, and in 1838 he brought his father and family to it. Herc the father died April 2, 1842. In the following year Mr. Butler sold his interests in Michigan, and came to Illinois, locating at Oswego, where he
engaged in farming. He was preceded here by other members of the Doud family. On July 5, 1845, his mother died, and was buried in the Oswego Cemetery. Mr. Butler farmed success- fully for several years, and in 1855 decided to enter in the lumber business in Oswego, but changed his location to Amboy, the following year. Here, for many years thereafter, he was favorably known to the lumber trade. Upon the completion of the Rock Falls Railway he opened a branch business at Harmon, and gave financial strength to the interests of the place. While a resident of Amboy he assisted very materially in shaping its growth. He was honored in its councils on differ- ent occasions, and for two terms, of one year each, served as mayor. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, although incapacitated from bearing arms, he gave material aid in support of the cause of his country.
Mr. Butler was married in Geneva, Ill., in 1853, to Miss Sarah M. Atwater, a daughter of David and Mary (Mckenzie) Atwater, of Barker, Broome Co., N. Y., formerly of Washington County, N. Y., and of English and Scotch ances- try, respectively. The grandfather of Mrs. But- ler, Jesse Atwater, served as a volunteer with credit at the battle of Bennington, in the Revo- lutionary War, and her grandfather, Mckenzie, did good service in the war with the Indians. He served as a mounted scout, and is supposed to have sacrificed his life in this cause, as his riderless horse was the only thing found of him after going upon his last expedition. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have had one son and two daughters. The son, Frederick H., is a merchant in Western Springs, Ill., is married, and has a daughter-Lula Dell. The eldest daughter, Della, died when sixteen years of age, and is buried in Prairie- Repose Cem- etery, Amboy; the younger daughter, Blanche, is still with her parents. The family attend the Congregational Church, of which society Mr. Butler has been an efficient official member for many years; Mrs. Butler is also a member of the same church. Mr. Butler has lately settled at Aurora, and has withdrawn from the more active cares of life. He has been uniformly successful in his busi- ness operations, and has accumulated a handsome
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