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 55

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Beers, Leggett & Co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Illinois > Kane County > Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States > Part 55
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 55

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Carrie M. Dunham, wife of M. W. Dunham, to whom she was married May, 29, 1877, was born the second day of July, 1858, at Maquoketa, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Frederick S. Dunham, who was born December 18, 1831, at Mansfield, Conn. He was the son of Lewis Brigham Dunham, born October 6, 1806, at Mansfield, Conn. Lewis Brig- ham Dunham was the son of Cephas Dunham. Cephas Dunham was the son of Seth Dunham, Jr., and was born February 12, 1781, at Mansfield, Conn. Seth Dunham, Jr., was the son of Seth Dunham, and was born July 4, 1741, in Plymouth, Mass. Seth Dunham, Sr., was the son of Eben- ezer Dunham, and was born about 1719, at Ply- mouth, Mass. Ebenezer Dunham was the son of John Dunham III, and was born at Plymouth, Mass., April 17, 1684. John Dunham III was the son of John Dunham II, who emigrated with his father from Lincolnshire, England. He settled first in Plymouth, married in 1716, and removed to Mansfield in 1724.

The mother of Mrs. Mark W. Dunham was

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Phobe McCoy, daughter of Joseph McCoy and Phœbe Bellows, daughter of Col. Caleb Bellows, of Bellows Falls, Vt., son of Gen. Benjamin Bel- lows, founder of Walpole, N. H., grandson of John Bellows, who emigrated from London on the ship "Hopewell," in 1685.

M. W. Dunham, the subject proper of this bio- graphical sketch, received his primary education in the schools of his native township, supplemented by a course in the academies of Batavia and Elgin, and at Wheaton College. He early acquired the habit of self-reliance, so necessary to success. From the age of fifteen, his father's large farm was largely under his direction and management, and, upon his father's death, in 1865, the homestead was left by will to him. Here he has continued to live to the present time, making the many vast changes that have taken place in the growth and general im- provement of the old home place. The original farm consisted of about 300 acres, with buildings of moderate dimensions. Now " Oaklawn Farm" has, by repeated accessions, extended its borders until it consists of 1,200 broad acres, thoroughly tilled, of most fertile and highly improved land, crossed at convenient distances by fine graveled roads. The estate is dotted with a number of commodious dwelling houses for the accommoda- tion of employes, while the large barns and well- appointed stables have a capacity for properly and conveniently caring for about 800 horses. In fact it is generally known and recognized as the largest and finest establishment of the kind in the world.

On the opposite side of the road, a few hun- dred yards distant from the old farm dwelling of Mr. Solomon Dunham, is located the family resi- dence of M. W. Dunham, a large mansion. It is built of white brick with stone trimmings in the Norman-Gothic style of architecture of the French chateau type, and is one of the finest farm resi- dences, if not the finest, in the State of Illinois. The mansion from without presents an imposing appearance, with its Norman battlements and Gothic towers and turrets. It is situated on a gently sloping eminence, having as a background a beautiful natural grove to the north and west. It is surrounded by thirty-five acres of handsomely ornamented grounds, abounding with shrubs and

flowers, and intersected with graceful macadamized roads and walks. The present season will prob- ably see these grounds enlarged to 100 acres, mak- ing it one of the largest and finest private parks in the country. The plans for and the arrangement of the apartments in the mansion were made wholly under the direction of Mr. Dunham and his amiable wife, and with their fittings are models of elegance and convenience.

"Oaklawn" is noted for its hospitality, and to every railroad train that stops within a mile of its generous doors has for years been sent an " Oak- lawn " team and carriage, to carry guests to and fro.

The family consists of three bright and inter- esting children, named Wirth Stewart Dunham, born March 28, 1878; Bernice Dunham, born Feb- ruary 21, 1880, and Belle Dunham, born August 10, 1881.

The firmness and strength of character inher- ited from his father, in an intensified degree, united with a phenomenal pertinacity of purpose, well fitted M. W. Dunham for the successful direction of any business; but an especial love for and a natural talent in the judgment of horses has, undoubtedly, contributed largely toward his unprecedented success in his chosen business, and placed him on the top rung of the ladder among the successful breeders of fine stock in this coun- try, and he is certainly more widely known than any other stock breeder in America.

The great improvement brought about in the draft horses of this country during the past twenty years is largely due to M. W. Dunham's untiring energy and good judgment, he having imported from France during that time over two thousand of the best specimens of the Percheron breed to be found in that country, in addition to which he is constantly breeding from his stud of over two hundred imported mares.

His unswerving devotion to his business and unimpeachable integrity, coupled with an estab- lished reputation for handling nothing but the best, has earned for him the gratitude of the French as well as the American people; and in the old district of the Perche, in France, the name of Mark Dunham is truly a household word, and his extended acquaintance among the best men of both

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France and America, whose confidence he fully enjoys, has given him an influence that few men possess.

The great influence exerted by this man with the French Government on behalf of the breeders of France, for the improvement of the Percheron race, will never be fully known here, and cannot be estimated. It has united the Government officials and the private breeders of that country in harmonious efforts for progress, and established the standard of the Percheron breeding upon a higher plane than that of any other draft race in the world.

Unassuming by nature, with no desire for per- sonal distinction outside of his business, Mr. Dun- ham has always declined political prominence, although flattering recognition of his ability has repeatedly been tendered by his fellow citizens. He has preferred to seek and earn eminence in his chosen field, and he has certainly established a world-wide reputation as one of the clearest-headed, most energetic and far-seeing of American stock breeders, and won a success which is as marked in its line as are those of Jay Gould or Vanderbilt in railroading, or A. T. Stewart in the mercantile world.

OSEPH JAMES, proprietor of one of the general merchandise stores in Gilbert's, Rut- land Township, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1826, and at twenty-four years of age came to the New World, landing in New York, whence he proceeded to Canada, where he remained only a short time, and then removed to Pennsylvania, in which State he began working in a coal mine; then two years later he removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., where he met and married Cath- erine Boyd, daughter of William and Mary (Hock- field) Boyd, natives of Scotland, where they spent their lives. Six months after their marriage, in the year 1854, Mr. and Mrs. James removed to Du- Page County, Ill .. and in 1866 they came to Rut- land Township, making their home in Gilbert's. At this time he was working on the Chicago & North-Western Railroad at day labor, in which he continued until 1872, when he was appointed station agent at Gilbert's, a position he yet occu-

pies. In 1885 he erected his present beautiful home, which is one of the most pleasant and com- modious in the place. In 1886 he purchased the stock of merchandise of John Kelley, sheriff of the county, and has since had it controlled by his son, William.

The family is of Welsh-Scotch descent. The paternal grandparents of Joseph James were na- tives of Wales, and removed to England, where John James, their son, married Ann Salmon, by which union Joseph is a son. John James died in 1855, aged fifty-six years. His widow lived until 1871, in which year she died aged eighty- six years. Mr. and Mrs. James are the parents of nine children, six of whom still live, their names in order of birth being as follows: William F., who for some time was conductor on the Chicago & North-Western Railroad until, rheumatism disab- ling him, he left the road and then filled the posi- tion of township collector for three terms, but he now attends to the business of the store, and is one of the rising young men of the county; Elizabeth A., residing at home; Frank D., conductor on the Chicago & North-Western Railroad; Emma J., a teacher in Gilberts' school; Walter S. and John J., both at home. Mr. James is a Republican, and has held the office of highway commissioner; a member of the Episcopal Church. He is well- known and much respected throughout his county, and in his business is straightforward.

H ENRY F. PAULL, farmer, is the son of William H. and Lucretia M. (Sackett) Paull, and is a native of Sugar Grove Township. He resides upon a 125-acre farm, situated in Section 33. His father is a na- tive of Medina County, Ohio, and his mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. Paull married Emma K. Kilts, who was born in Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis., Jan- uary 19, 1855. Her father, John H. Kilts, who now resides at Eagle, is a native of the State of New York, where he was born in 1822. Her mother, Hannah (Lake) Kilts, was born in East Troy, N. Y.

Mr. Paull is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which he has been steward since

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1883, and is also a trustee. In politics he is a Republican. From 1883 to 1886 he filled the of- fice of highway commissioner in his township, and has also served as school director since 1883. Mr. Paull has a worthy record as an upright and es- timable citizen.

M ARK WENTWORTH FLETCHER, one of the pioneer settlers of St. Charles Town- ship, whose name is honorably and in- separably connected with its history, was born at Thetford, Vt., October 15, 1803. He re- ceived the advantages of a liberal education at Dart- mouth College, where he was graduated. He adopted the study of law as a profession, was ad- mitted to the bar in New York State, where he practiced for some years, and afterward for a short time in Kane County. He located on land in Sec- tion 13, St. Charles Township, in 1835. He was, and yet is, of the Democratic school of politics, and on the county organization was elected its first clerk, and at the same election to the office of county sur- veyor, serving in the latter office one year; as coun- ty clerk he served for twelve consecutive years, and then retired to his farm. He has ever retained the entire confidence of his community, and, as a wise counselor in the general affairs of life, his advice has always been highly valued-advice that, when sought, was freely given. He was born and reared under Presbyterian influence, and through more than half a century's residence in Kane County, has been a model of good morals. Pos- sessed of noble impulses, no appeal to his sympa- thies was ever disregarded; and now, in his age, he is reaping that sweetest of rewards, universal re- spect and love. He resides on his farm of about 800 acres, in St. Charles Township.

Few indeed are living of the men who, like Mr. Fletcher, were pioneers of this section. With Gov. Ford he was intimate, and all his friends and associates were among the best citizens of his section or State.

Mark Wentworth Fletcher was married August 25, 1846, to Harriet Dunham, a daughter of Solo- mon and Lydia (Ballard) Dunham, and had the following named children: Julia E., born Novem-

ber 29, 1847; Francis, born March 20, 1850, and died February 18, 1863; Charles, born April 28, 1857; James Moore, born September 28, 1863; Harriet, born May 30, 1866.

According to credible records, running back to the thirteenth century, the name Fletcher was derived from fleche (an arrow), and originated at Burgundy, on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, from one De La Flechiere, a member of the suite of the powerful Duke of Savoy, who came to England in the latter part of the thirteenth century, and from him the English branch is de- scended. The first of the family to come to Amer- ica was Robert, who, with a family of five chil- dren settled on land (a part of which is included in the city limits of Concord, Mass.), in 1630. A brief genealogy is here given: Mark Wentworth Fletcher, born October 15, 1803, is a son of Jona. than, born November 9, 1767, a son of Jonathan, born March 30, 1741, a son of Joseph, born at Westford, Mass., July 6, 1713, a son of Joseph, born at Chelmsford, Mass., June 10, 1689, a son of Joshua, born March 30, 1648, a son of William, born in England, 1622, a son of Robert, born in England, 1592, and settled in Concord, Mass., 1630.

C. NEWTON. D For a man who has hardly yet reached the prime of manhood in years, this gentleman has already made a mark in the busy active world that will remain a long time after his physical person shall have passed away. He is the eldest of the children of Levi and Rachel (Cooley) Newton, born in Alex- ander, N. Y., August 26, 1832. He attended the common schools of that vicinity, and was a pupil in the Alexander Academy, in his native State, and then became a student in Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn. Here he laid the foundations of a ripe scholastic education. In the meantime, in vacations and when not in school, he was in his father's shops, gaining his first ideas in the business of the factory that was to occupy his entire time and talents in mature life. There were combined the natural tastes of the lad for the operating of machinery and the financial affairs and reverses of his fathe to make him unite the

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practical with the theoretical lessons of the school- room. Thus apparent adversity was made his future helper to great successes, as the oak grows stronger and strikes more firm its roots in the soil when it is beaten upon by the winds and storms.

Soon after quitting school he was admitted to a partnership with his father, and with him suffered in the loss by fire of their factory and contents, in 1854, the work and savings of years being swept away-a total loss from the fact that the insurance company never paid a dollar on its policy. At the time of the destruction of their factory the son was not yet twenty-two years of age. The Newton family then, in 1854, came to Illinois and were attracted to Batavia by the magnificent hardwood timber in the big woods that lay along the east side of Fox River and the splendid water power of that stream, to be used in working up this body of timber. Father and son continued their rela- tion of partners, and at once set about retrieving their fortunes, but they had to commence in rather a small way to carry on the work, their chief capital being their knowledge of working in wood and iron, and their own strong and willing hands to do the work. For some time it was slow progress; they had not only to manufacture their goods, but to make a market and build up a trade that would extend beyond the confines of the small vicinity. Then, too, at about the time they com- menced to build up their factory, the railroads were beginning to awaken the long silence of the upper valley; thus they had to contend against the Eastern and old established manufacturers, and compete with those of large capital who were thus brought to their very doors by the railroads. They were never discouraged, never lost faith a moment in their future, as they realized that the new and wonderful means of transportation that brought them to the doors of the East would in the end bring the great West to them, and thus in the end would be their best good fortune. And month by month they worked and struggled along, con- stantly adding every new appliance of machinery that their means would permit of in the develop- ment of their factory. And thus the small shop has grown to be the present great wagon factory, one of the most extensive now in the State of Illinois,

where are so many active competitors. The ground on which their buildings stand was pur- chased in 1854; a blacksmith shop, 40x60, and a wood shop, 40x80, erected. The next year a two- story building, for a paint shop and office, was built. This was forty feet square. The two old shops were burned in 1874, but were at once rebuilt in better form and larger. In 1855 they put out thirty-six wagons and thirty-six buggies and carriages. In 1868 were built their present front offices, stores and business block. The entire front has three stories, and the wings have all two stories. The shops cover the ground with solid stone buildings-two wings, 400 feet long and fifty wide, two stories high, and the entire front three stories high, the whole of stone. In 1886 the output was 3,500 farm wagons, and about 500 light spring vehicles. Last year, 1887, they sent out from 4,000 to 5,000 of these vehicles. The factory is operated by water power, but at the same time is provided with ample steam power, for use in case of a deficiency or a failure from any cause of the water power. The regular force of employes is about 110 men. The capital stock is $100,000, with a surplus of $200,000, and, practically, no indebtedness.

D. C. Newton was made president of the New- ton Wagon Manufacturing Company on the death of his father, Levi Newton, who had been presi- dent since its organization. When the rebels fired upon Fort Sumter, Mr. Newton laid aside his business affairs and gave, unhesitatingly, his best energies to the cause of the Union. He assisted in raising a company, and upon its organization was elected lieutenant Company D, Fifty-second Regi- ment Illinois Infantry. In December of the same year he was promoted captain of his company. He was actively engaged in the service during his three-year term, and was mustered out at Savan- nah, Ga., in December, 1864, having participated in the battles commencing at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege and battle of Corinth, Iuka, the · marches and battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and the grand march to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to his home and resumed his old place in the manufactory.

October 27, 1853, D. C. Newton and Miss Mary

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M. Prindle were united in marriage at Bennington, N. Y., of which State she is a native. Capt. New- ton and family have traveled extensively in Europe, and in his home are evidences of taste and refine- ment in rare articles of virtu, found in the course of their travels, purchased and brought to adorn their pleasant home on Batavia Avenue. While traveling through Southern France his attention was drawn to various churches of rare construction, and very attractively built, the walls being entirely of boulders. The impression lingered in his mind, and, after his arrival home, he at times would notice the boulders scattered about the country. These peculiar rocks are supposed to have been brought from the upper lake region by the glaciers that once moved over this part of the earth. The idea eventuated into the erection of the present mag- nificent Methodist Episcopal Church now in the course of construction on Batavia Avenue, opposite the residence of Capt. Newton. It is being built entirely by Mr. Newton and Mr. Gammon, and its walls, turrets, steeples and chimneys are all made of boulder rock, except the face trimmings. When complete it will cost $30,000. This church will long remain, the most unique and elegant in the valley, and will endure as a permanent monument to the liberality, taste and munificence of its build- ers. Its lines of architecture are new and striking, the material, and the solidity and strength of its walls, will keep it in its perfection through the coming centuries.

F RANK J. SCHOONHOVEN. Among the young men of Plato who possess business ability, energy, integrity and enterprise, this gentleman is entitled to a place. He was born in Plato, Kane Co., Ill., February 24, 1862, a son of Henry A. and Martha (Cass) Schoon- hoven, who came to Illinois among its earliest set- tlers, buying 640 acres of land, the greater portion of it being in Section 24, Plato Township, where they lived until the spring of 1887, and then re- tired to Elgin.

Frank J. was reared on his father's farm, re- ceiving a good business education in the public schools, and in the Elgin Academy. When his fa-

ther retired he assumed control of the homestead, where he conducts a dairy farm, finding a market for the products at the condensing factory in Elgin. His farm is also well stocked with horses, is well- drained, is under a high state of cultivation, and on the place are ample buildings of every kind. Mr. Schoonhoven takes considerable interest in public affairs, and is a supporter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist Church, of Elgin.

November 29, 1886, Mr. Schoonhoven married Miss Ora Munger, the accomplished daughter of Henry A. and Mary Jane (Shepherd) Munger. She was born in Union, Rock Co., Wis., March 30, 1866. In 1873 her parents removed to Dundee, where she lived until her marriage.

WEN BURK, one of the prominent repre- sentative farmers of Rutland Township, and one who by industry, business tact, and economy, has framed his own fortune, was born in the County Limerick, Ireland, in the year 1809. He remained in his native land until 1834, in which year, in company with his two broth- ers, John and James, he immigrated to America, and for three years labored in the State of New York, thence removing to what is now the city of Elgin, then in its infancy, containing but five houses. Soon after this he pre-empted a farm of 160 acres in Cook County, to which he removed, but a few months later he concluded to make Kane County his permanent home, and accordingly pur- chased in 1842 his present farm, to which he moved in 1849.

In 1837, in the city of Albany, N. Y., he was united in marriage with Mary Glass, who, although now (1887) eighty-four years of age and quite fee- ble, still lives to share with the husband of her youth the prosperity she has helped to gain. Four children have come to their home, all of whom are yet alive: James and Daniel, prominent farmers of Kane County, Ill .; Abbie N., in Nebraska, and Johanna, in Chicago. All are married and to- gether have over thirty children.

Mr. Burk has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his township, and has held the offices of school director many years; highway commissioner,

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three terms; overseer of the poor, several years; collector of taxes, one term; and the duties of all he discharged with credit to himself, and the satis- faction of his constituents. For years he has been a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics a firm Democrat. He is a self-made man. Coming to America penniless, and working for only his board at first, he rose gradually, until to- day he possesses 200 acres of as good land as can be found in the fertile township of Rutland.

H ON. DAVID FRANCISCO BARCLAY was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, March 29, 1831, and immigrated to America with his parents' family, in 1842. He came to Elgin to make a permanent home, in 1851, and engaged in the business of hardware merchant and dealer in dairy products, in 1860. He has served the people as president of the Board of Education; was three times elected alderman, and served the city of Elgin as its mayor, five terms. At this time he is one of the trustees of the Illinois Northern Insane Asylum, of Elgin. He is president of the Elgin Board of Trade, and mem- ber of the board of water commissioners of Elgin.

C HARLES WHEATON. This gentleman, one of the learned and prominent attorneys of Kane County, was born in Warren, R. I., May 29, 1829, and is a son of Nathan N. and Content B. (Maxwell) Wheaton, the former of whom was descended from one Robert Wheaton, of Welsh extraction, who came from England in 1634, and settled in Rehoboth, Mass. The Max- wells were of Scotch descent, the first immigrants of the family settling in Rhode Island early in the eighteenth century. Nathan Miller, the grand- father of Nathan N. Wheaton, was quartermaster- general of Rhode Island during the War of the Revolution, and also a member of the Continental Congress; and James Maxwell, grandfather of Charles Wheaton, served in the War of 1812.

Charles Wheaton received liberal educational advantages, and when but sixteen years of age, in

1845, he started to go, in company with his cousin, Mr. Abbott, and Bishop Chase, to Jubilee College, Il]., there to become a student. They came the entire distance over the Alleghenies by stage, and while crossing the mountain the vehicle was up- set, Bishop Chase being so seriously injured as to cause a detention of the party for two weeks. On arrival at Pittsburgh they took boat for St. Louis, thence via the Illinois River to Peoria, thence by stage to Jubilee College, of which Bishop Chase was principal. This college was built on the open prairie, and the prairie wolves, being numerous then, made nocturnal music under the very eaves. Mr. Wheaton remained at this school a year, and then started on his return trip, taking stage for Chicago, where he put up at the old "Lake House," on the North Side, near the present Rush Street bridge, crossing Chicago River by a rope ferry, taking the steamer " Niagara" for Buffalo, and thence home. Soon afterward he became a student at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., from which he was graduated in 1849.

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Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States, Part 55

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Beers, Leggett & Co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Beers, Leggett & Co.
Number of Pages: 1040