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 53
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 53
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S WAIN M. DAHLBOM. foreman of the Star Manufacturing Company, of Carpenters- ville, is a native of the Kingdom of Swe- den, and was born at Carlshamn, January 10, 1826, a son of Magnus and Ingre (Nilson) Dahlbom, the former of whom was a manufacturer, also inventor of the first portable threshing ma-
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chine in use in Sweden, and the son learned his father's trade.
In 1854, Swain M. came to America, landing at New York, and proceeded direct to Kane County, Ill., for a short time locating at Geneva, from which place he soon removed to Carpenters- ville. Here he began the manufacture of culti- vators and other agricultural implements, which business soon developed into the Star Manufactur- ing Company, of which Mr. Dahlbom is a stock- holder and director.
In 1858 he married Miss Amelia Pickering, who was born in Sheffield, England, and came with her parents to America when eight years of age. Three children have blessed their union: Alfred M., Carrie M. and Florence. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church, Mr. Dahl- bom is a supporter of the Republican party. He is a pushing business man, and has added much by his presence in advancing the manufacturing interests, especially in the line of agricultural goods, in this section of the country.
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C A. HOXIE, a son of George W. and Fidelia (Aldrich) Hoxie, was born in Dundee Vil- lage in 1848. Both the parents were natives of Cheshire, Mass., where his ancestors had resided for many years, being purely Ameri- can, and the originial members of the family were Quakers.
When a young man the senior Hoxie was em- ployed in a foundry at Troy, N. Y. After some time spent in New York he returned to his native State, thence, in 1837, he came to Dundee, and settled upon a tract of Government land. Here he labored and endured the hardships and priva- tions of a pioneer's life. In 1882, owing to advanced years and failing health, he was induced to leave the farm, and some two years later settled in Dundee Village, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing from earth in March, 1886. His life had been a useful one, and he was only known to be esteemed. When a young man he had con- nected himself with the cause of religion, and had joined the Baptist Church. Before leaving the East he was united in marriage with Fidelia
Aldrich, and together they shared life's joys and sorrows until death separated them. In July, 1887, Mrs. Hoxie followed her husband to the grave. Five children were born to them (four of whom survive), as follows: Homer W., who is a baggage master on the Chicago & North-Western Railroad. at Dundee, and known as an honest and upright citizen of Kane County; Edgar E., an engineer on the same road; Jennie J., Mrs. Jerome G. Irick, of Dundee; Emily D., deceased, and C. A.
C. A. Hoxie in his youth attended the public schools, and fitted himself to occupy the various responsible positions since given him. During the five years following his leaving the farm he filled the position of baggage master on the rail- road, and was then promoted to the post of station agent, which he has filled for the past eleven years.
In January, 1872, he was married to Albina D. Morton, a native of Chicago, and daughter of Charles Morton. No children have been born to them. Mr. Hoxie is a member of Dundee Lodge, No. 190, A. F. & A. M., L. L. Mann Chapter, of R. A. M., Bethel Commandery of K. T., Elgin. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace, and still fills the position. For several terms he has been town clerk. He is one of Kane County's rising young business men.
F RED BROWNING, one of the rising young business men of Dundee, was born in Dun- dee in 1862. His father, George S. Brown- ing, came here in 1836, from his native State, Massachusetts. The mother was born in New York, and there spent her early life. When he was but two years of age Fred Browning went with his parents to Hastings, Minn., and while a resident of that place he made a study of phar- macy, being now a registered pharmacist. His education was obtained in the common schools of the city.
In 1876 he returned to Dundee, where he worked for J. Oatman & Sons, and later for Oat- man Bros., spending in this manner about ten years. He then purchased their stock of groceries
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and drugs, and has since continued the trade, his stock consisting of drugs, medicines, wall paper and groceries. He is known as a thorough busi- ness man, and is gradually reaching the front rank of Dundee's representative citizens. In 1882 Mr. Browning was married to Jennie F. Kirst, a native of Westfield, Mass., and two children have been born to them: George F. and Ethel M. Mr. and Mrs. Browning are members of the Baptist Church. He is a strong Republican.
G EORGE BRIDGE, a dairy farmer, of Dun- dee Township, was born in Wittersham, County of Kent, England, in 1827. When twenty-one years of age he immigrated to America, and for sixteen months remained in Guilderland, Albany Co., N. Y., whence he came to Illinois in 1850, locating in Cook County. In 1862 he removed to Kane County, and settled upon the farm which he has ever since owned. It was then but a slightly cultivated farm, but is now well improved.
In 1854 Mr. Bridge was united in marriage in the city of Elgin with Mary A. Checksfield, a native of Tenterden, County of Kent, England, where her parents both died. She was twenty years of age when she came to America, in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Bridge were born twelve chil- dren: William C. (a practicing physician in Elgin), Charles J. (of Elgin), Clara A. (of Elgin), Martha M. (now Mrs. J. Given, of Elgin), Flora B. (now Mrs. William Wanzer, of Iowa), Henry H., Frank A., Elma J., Edward G., Mary M., Carrie and Frederick, the last three named being deceased.
Mr. Bridge is a Republican, and was a strong abolitionist, and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Elgin.
H C. LEMKE, junior member of the firm of Reese & Lemke, dealers in dry goods and groceries, was born on a farm some three miles east of Elgin. His father, William Lemke, and his mother, Christina, came from Germany to Kane County in 1860, and have since resided in Dundee Township. Both are
inembers of the Lutheran Church. They are the parents of seven children: Angusta. Frank (de- ceased), Carrie, Henry, Fred, Louis and Edith, those living all residing in Kane County.
H. C. Lemke had the advantage of the com- mon schools, and labored on his father's farm until fifteen years of age. He then began clerking for his brother-in-law, with whom he is now a partner. In the fall of 1887 the firm erected a fine two-story brick building, 20x110 feet, with plate-glass front, one of the finest structures of its kind in the town. The first floor is occupied by them as a dry goods and grocery store. The second floor contains the offices of a notary public and doc- tor, also a flourishing dressmaking establishment conducted by Miss Lucy F. Blow. Mr. Lemke is a promising young business man of excellent char- acter, highly respected by all. He is a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, a growing society, and having the largest congrega- tion in town.
F M. BROWN, M. D., one of the successful and rising physicians of Dundee, was born in New Hampshire, February 8, 1845. His ancestors, who were of English and Irish extraction, came to America at an early date, and settled among the granite hills of New Hampshire, where their descendants grew and resided until 1854, when True and Lucinda (Blake) Brown, the father and mother of the gentleman whose name heads this memoir, came to Kane County. The father, who was an agriculturist. purchased a farm three miles from Dundee, where he resided until his death; he died July 11, 1870, aged sixty-five years. His faithful wife preceded him to the grave some fourteen months. She was the mother of six children, only two of whom now live-Daniel, in the watch factory, at Elgin, and F. M. Mr. True Brown was a member of the Republican party, having previous to its organiza- tion been a Whig, and in his native State filled the position of selectman; he also held various positions of trust in Kane County, among others that of highway commissioner.
F. M. Brown. when a young man, became a clerk in the general store of Oatman & Jenks,
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Dundee. His educational advantages having been good, he resolved to become an instructor, and taught one winter terin in the township of Elgin; then in 1870 he became a carriage painter. But three years later, feeling that liis real life's work was in the field of medieine, he began in the office of Dr. H. K. Whitford to make preparation. For eight years he continued his preparatory studies, and finally finished in Bennett Medical College, Chicago, from whieli he graduated in 1883. He began his practice in Dundee. and by striet appli- cation to business has built up a large and inereas- ing practice.
In 1865 Dr. Brown was married to Nettie Bangs, who was born in Elgin, where her father, David Bangs, located in 1834, and still resides. Dr. Brown is a member of the Masonie fraternity, and also the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a rising young man, well deserving of the confi- denee and patronage bestowed upon him by an ap- preeiative public.
AMES FENNEL HARRAL is a native of the eity of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, born August 3, 1840, the son of Benjamin Fennel Harral and Elizabeth Whitworth Harral. They came with their family as immi- grants to the United States in 1852; making but a short stop in the East, they eame directly to their point of destination-Aurora. Upon their arrival Mr. Harral soon satisfied himself to make a home in Kane County, and he proceeded to enter some Government land, with the view of making a farm. He found a suitable tract in De Kalb County, going there because most of the choice land in the vicinity of Aurora had been taken. He soon became an operator in real estate, both in Government land and in selected farm lands. In the meantime he worked at his trade of shoemaker. When in this new world but two short years Mrs. Harral, the helpineet, wife and mother, was strieken and died, and her remains are at rest in the cemetery at Geneseo, Ill. Sub- sequently Mr. Harral became engaged in mereban- dising, adding this to his already growing business affairs. In 1872 he sold his entire possessions, and
returned to his native land, there to pass the remainder of his days.
James Fennel Harral was reared to simple, industrious habits, and sueh had been his lessons in self-reliance that at the young age of twelve years he began the battle of life on his own aecount. He successfully made his independent way, work- ing diligently at sueli things as he could find to do. August 19, 1861, he enlisted as a soldier in response to the eall of President Lineoln for troops, placing his name on the roll of Company E, 36th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, to serve three years. With his regiment he participated in many bloody engagements. He was wounded by a gunshot in the jaw at the battle of Perryville, but he did not leave the field, the result of the wound being the loss of his right eye. He was soon after again wounded at the battle of Stone River, shot in the left hand, which permanently injured the member. When sufficiently well, he reported promptly for service and was assigned to garrison duty. In September, 1864, at the end of his term of service, he was honorably discharged. Subsequently he was employed in building fortifications around Louisville, Ky.
When the war was over Mr. Harral was engaged in developing the oil, coal and other mineral inter- ests near Cave City, Ky., at first as an employe for parties and then on his own account. This enterprise not proving sufficiently remunerative, he returned to Illinois, and in 1869 found employ- ment as fireman on an engine of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad. He soon became a competent engineer, was placed in charge of an engine, and continued thus employed until 1876, and then engaged in his present business, that of dealer in coal, in Aurora. In addition to his per- sonal affairs he became pecuniarily interested in some of Aurora's industrial corporations, ineluding the Aurora National Bank, of which he has been a director since its organization, the wateh factory and the cotton mill, to all of which he was a a liberal supporter in their organization. He is recognized as one of the public-spirited and enter- prising citizens of the eity, contributing to its growth and welfare, as well as to the best interests of society at large. In political matters he has
HoGarral
PHOTO BY D. C. PRATT.
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acted with the Republican party, and has four suc- eessive terms been elected a member of the board of supervisors of the county. He is a charter member of G. A. R. Post, No. 20, Aurora, a member of the Council of Administration of the Department of Illinois, and is an unfaltering believer and worker in the cause of temperance. In social, business and public life he is universally and highly esteemed, his kindly and genial nature drawing closely about him warm friends and sincere admirers. He is the descendant of a long line of respected, and some of them eminent, ancestors of his native city of Leeds, England, where they were prominent merchants and skilled mechanics in their day. In this descendant the respectability of the name has been fully maintained to the present.
Mr. Harral was married to Clara, the estimable and accomplished daughter of the late Sheldon Hitchcock, Esq. In the social life of Aurora City she is one of the prominent and favorite women, bright, affectionate and warm of nature. For a number of terms she has served as president of that noble society of women, the "Woman's Relief Corps," No. 10, Aurora, also dept. president one year, where the loyal women of the country act as a powerful auxiliary to the G. A. R. Posts in scat- tering flowers and sunshine along the paths of the country's defenders. The names and memories of Mr. and Mrs. James Fennel Harral will long remain as words with which to conjure pleasant memories to the people of Aurora City and Kane County.
W ILLIAM R. PECK, prominent among the earliest settlers of Dundee Township, was born October 2, 1803, in Rhode Island. His ancestors were of English descent, and came to America many years ago. When but eight years of age he was sent away from home to work on a farm, and he remained in Rhode Island until he was twenty years of age, when he removed to New Berlin, N. Y., where he met and married Mary Hayes, the daughter of Levi and Lydia (Dilly) Hayes. She was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1809. When but a child she lost her mother, and when seven years of age she went to reside with an uncle at New Berlin. N. Y., where
she remained until her marriage. After their marriage they resided at New Berlin until 1853, when they came to Kane County and purchased land. Eight children were born to them, of whom only three sons survive: George H., in Chicago; J. C., also in Chicago, and John W., on the homestead farm. Mr. Peck was a strong abolitionist and was expelled from the Method- ist Episcopal Church, of which he was a mem- ber, for asserting so strongly his principles and faith. He is also strongly opposed to secret fraternities of all kinds. In giving his views on secret societies he says that every person who lives under the constitution is bound to do justice to his fellow men; and he then takes the oath that he will protect a brother, right or wrong, murder and treason not excepted. Mrs. Peck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a member of the Foreign Missionary Association.
September 2, 1887, they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. They are still active for people of their years, and are worthy members of society, all speaking highly of them.
F J. MUELLER, senior member of the well known firm of Mueller Bros., of Dundee, a man of recognized business ability, was born in Germany in the year 1845. In September, 1853, he arrived in Chicago with his parents, John A. and Louisa (Wire) Mueller, having come with them from Germany.
At fifteen years of age he became an apprentice to learn the trade of carriage and wagon making, and served for two and one half years at Elk Grove, Ill., and six months at Madison, Ill. He then returned to Chicago where he worked for large firms, being manager for some, till 1870, in which year he opened for himself a shop on Milwaukee Avenue. In 1875 he came to Dundee, and pur- chased a partnership with E. Hendricks, in car- riage and wagon manufacturing, and blacksmith- ing. In 1879 his brother, W. J. Mueller, became a partner in the business, and since then they have thus continued.
In 1867 Mr. F. J. Mueller was married to Sophia Gentzen, whose parents now reside in Dun -
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dee. She is a native of Germany, and came to Chicago with her parents who first settled there. Of her marriage eight children have been born, as follows: William B., at home; Louie, deceased; Matilda, at home; Ferdinand, deceased; Minnie, deceased; and Ida, Bertha and Theresa, at home. Mrs. Mueller was at one time a member of the society of the Sisters of Rebecca. Mr. Mueller belongs to the I. O. O. F. fraternity, the Herman- sons (a German society) and the Chicago Turners. He has held public offices in the corporation of East Dundee, as trustee and treasurer, two years, 1882-84. The business of Mueller Bros. is a large and growing one, and they contemplate at an early day putting up an addition to the present buildings. They do not confine themselves to goods of their own manufacture, but also handle foreign-made wagons, buggies and sleighs of all descriptions. Mr. Mueller is a public-spirited gen- tleman, and has at heart the good of the people among whom he resides.
J (ACOB BINDER is a gentleman prominent in business circles in Aurora, a man of enter- prise and public spirit, who has given valuable aid in the development of the city to its pres- ent importance. He was born in Goeppingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, April 29, 1850, a son of Jacob and Mary (Blind) Binder, who lived and died in the town where Jacob was born, which was their native place also. Mr. Binder, Sr., was the proprietor of and carried on a meat market, and was one of the prosperous business men of his town. In company with the family Jacob spent his days in gaining those early lessons of life at work and study that are the sure foundations on which the mature man is reared so successfully and well. At the young age of eighteen years he felt strong enonghi to go forth into the world upon life's voyage alone. He at once embarked for America, landing in New York City, December 28, 1868, after a long and tedious voyage. Remaining in that city some months he came west, and in August, 1869, ar- rived in Aurora, Ill., where he established his permanent home, entering upon the successful pursuit of the line of business, butchering and
dealing in meats, which he has followed since. He is what is properly termed a self-made man, financially, commencing in Aurora with nothing but his hands and brains to assist him in a strange land, he has succeeded in a comparatively short time in amassing a comfortable fortune through clear grit and industry. He is the builder and owner of the fine brick block that he occupies, and also owns 110 acres of excellent farm land two miles from the city.
Mr. Binder was married, in Aurora, to Bar- bara Smith, a native of that place, daughter of G. F. and Barbara Smith, natives of Bavaria. Mr. and Mrs. Binder have five children: Emily, John, Rosa, Elmer and Charles. He and his wife are members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church.
J OSEPH C. PORTER. This gentleman was born in Charlotte, Washington Co., Maine, July 30, 1837, and comes of ancient ances- try in this country, upon the paternal side. The progenitors of the family were three brothers, Joel, Samuel and John Porter, who came to America from England in early colonial times, and settled in the Massachusetts Bay colony. They all left families, many of whose descendants are people of State and national fame, as Admiral Porter, of the United States Navy, Gov. Porter, of Pennsylvania, and many others. The branch from which Joseph C. Porter traces his descent were seafaring people of the United States Mer- chant Marine, and were prominent in their voca- tion. Edmund Porter, the grandfather of Joseph C., spent a long, arduous life in this service, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-seven years; he was a famed commander in the marine service, a strong, vigorous man, even in his later days, losing his life by a trivial accident. He left his ability as a legacy to Joel (his son, and father of Joseph C.), who as Capt. Joel Porter, of the mer- chant service, was well and favorably known, but who later left the service, and in 1849 located in Galesburg, Ill., where he carried on carpentering and building until his death, April 13, 1863, his wife dying a few hours after. She was formerly Ann Ells, of Nova Scotia, her parents being
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English people, then residents of that province. Joseph C. Porter lived in Galesburg until he became a man. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he was at Wilton Junction, Iowa, where he joined Company D, Eleventh Iowa Volunteers, in which he did active duty for three years and four months, being at the battle of Shiloh, and all through the southwestern campaigns; he was in the rifle pits before Vicksburg for forty days, and served in the siege of Atlanta. After the war he turned his attention to railway business, and en- gaged as a firemair on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. After serving an apprentice- ship of nearly three years he was given charge of an engine, and since that time has received rapid promotion. He now has charge of the fast mail train running between Aurora and Galesburg, having held this position since March 11, 1884. He has his home in the city of Aurora. He was married at Galesburg to Amelia Kern. They have no children, but have adopted a son, Willie Kern. Mr. Porter is an active worker in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and has upon different occasions represented his division, No. 32, in both State and national councils. He is the Worthy Grand Guide of the International Division of the Brotherhood, and has been an efficient official in many other capacities. He is a K. T., and an active as well as useful member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are attendants of the Methodist Church of Aurora, of which Mrs. Porter is a member. He is favorably known to the public as a painstaking and cautious engineer, an npright man and a good citizen.
H ENRY F. HAVERKAMPF, one of the lead- ing furniture and cabinet makers of Dun- dee Village, is a native of Germany, born in 1831. in the Kingdom of Hanover. His father, George Haverkampf, a stone cutter by. occupation, died in his native land, in 1875, his widow, Katherine, dying in 1877, the mother of ten children, four of whom still survive-one in Chicago, two in Dundee, and one in Lawrence, Kas.
Before leaving Germany, Henry F. had mas- terod the trade of cabinet maker, and he has made
it his life's work. In 1854 he was united in mar- riage, in Chicago, with Ursella Zeigler, also a native of Germany, where her parents died when she was but a small girl. In 1853- she came to Chicago, and there the young couple met and married. Nine children have been born to them: Carolina, Henry, Anna, George, David, Edward. Samuel, Moses (deceased), and John (deceased). Three of the sons are industrious business men of Dundee,
When Mr. Haverkampf first came to Dundee he was poor, working at his trade by the day, and endeavoring to save enough to start for himself, which in two years he did, opening a small shop in 1855. In 1859 he left the Lutheran faith and joined the Methodist Church, and accordingly united with the German branch of the latter denomination. His change of religion caused some comment among his acquaintances, and in the fall of 1864 an incendiary, "to see if he could pray in misfortune," set fire to his barn, which, with the adjoining sheds, containing lumber and most of his live stock, was entirely consumed. There was no insurance, so it was to him a severe loss, but, Job-like, he bore bis trouble manfully, and from the ashes of bis former business built up his present large and prosperous one. The per- petrator of the crime remained unknown until 1872, when one afternoon there entered his shop, where he was working, a man who, making him- self known, begged forgiveness, declaring that he was the man who wanted to know whether he (Mr. Haverkampf) could pray in misfortune as well as before; that the memory had forever haunted him, until at last he was converted to Christianity, and could keep his secret no longer, and so had come to the one he had injured to seek forgiveness. The man was poor, and could make no restitution for the damage he had done, yet he might have paid the penalty of his crime within the walls of the penitentiary, but he was told to " go and sin no more.'
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