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 66
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 66
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May 8, 1884, is the date of the Doctor's mar- riage with Miss Eliza Stewart, a native of Illinois, born February 14, 1861, daughter of John and
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Martha (Thomas) Stewart. They have two chil- dren, Helen E. born November 28, 1885, and John Stewart born July 31, 1887. Dr. Watson is, polit- ically, a Republican.
A BNER CURRIER is a leading citizen of Maple Park, Kane County, who has spent the years of his useful life chiefly among his present surroundings in this quiet and pleasant village. From the day of his landing in Kane County to the present hour he has prospered all the time, in gathering about him wealth and the solid comforts of this world; but far more important as a pleasing reflection in declining years has been his greater success in gathering, in the range of his friends and acquaintances, those who love and respect old age, because they find in it those elements of good so well mixed that all the world might stand up and exclaim: "This is an honest man!" After all, this is the proudest cor- onet that can press the brow of man; it is ruling an empire of good, and building a memorial of life that rests upon no crime, no wrong, and carries with it no heartache. This may not be the notoriety of cheap fame, but it is that solid measure that comes to patient merit.
Abner Currier is a native of Erie County, N. Y., born January 15, 1813, a son of Abner and Susanna (Porter) Currier, who were good and re- spected citizens, farmers in their younger married lives, but who became engaged in keeping hotel, and afterward were prominent merchants and traders. In the pleasant home of his parents Abner spent his childhood and youth, receiving such advantages in the schools and in polite learning as were given the average child at that time-the rudiments of an English education, based upon the enduring foundation that had been his main lesson (learned at home), of industry and honesty. This was chiefly the fortune with which the young man was endowed to go forth and battle for himself. The good seed sown in the boy's mind by his parents had fallen upon fallow ground, and in the after years the good fruits are now the ripened harvests-the rich- est rewards that can bless declining years. When he had reached the age of twenty years he received
his parents' blessing and consent, and was married to Melissa C. Morton, daughter of John Morton, and born at Poultney, Rutland Co .. Vt., in 1815. The worthy girl came to the Currier family, not as a stranger and intruder, but as another child, as additional sunshine and love to a family that knew her worth, and welcomed her; and this con- necting link joined the two families, where taste. sympathies, education and the ambition of their lives had ever been in close relation and similarity. The bond of wedlock had followed in the chain of friendship and equality.
In 1837 the young married couple bid adieu to the scenes of childhood, and as immigrants came to Illinois, where they selected their future farm home in Campton Township, Kane County. This was a new and wild country then, society was scattered at wide intervals, and manners and customs were often crude and rough. The young couple met their new surroundings bravely, and looked hope- fully to the future outcome of their venture into a land of little else than hardships and desolation. They were brave and industrious, having an unfal- tering trust in each other, over which sacred trust no blighting shadow ever came; they have moved along life's highway, brushing easily aside every obstacle in their path, and have gathered and dis- pensed only blessings, not only for themselves but upon all about them. To this perfect union of man and woman no children have come in whom they could live over their young lives again and again. But it has not, therefore, been a barren and cheerless household; they have reared and blessed two children, a boy and a girl, and to them they have given the love and joy that naturally flow from parents toward children.
When they had purchased their farm, they diligently set about improving it to the best of their ability. They built the first frame house, it is said, in Kane County, hauling the lumber by wagon from Chicago. In 1852 Mr. Currier was seized with a terrific attack of California gold fever, and as all supposed remedies were not remedies at all, he hitched up his team and joined a caravan in a four months' overland voyage to the Golden State. In the wild and rough mining camps he spent the next two years, dug up gold, and,
Aber Courrier
Melissa Me Marier
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what so few others did, saved it, and returned to his Kane County home in 1854. He has never been afflicted with political ambition, nor that awful and fatal American itch for office. His neighbors, however, have, by their votes, on several occasions, assigned him to official positions. For several years he was town clerk, and for several terms was elected justice of the peace. The chil- dren already mentioned as having been reared in this pleasant family were L. H. Parker, now a resi- dent of and prominent man in Omaha, Neb., by trade a mason and house builder, and doing a large and prosperous business; and Mary Mullen, who became Mrs. Charles H. Wallace, now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Currier are regarded as among the most worthy people of the county by all with whom they have come in contact. They have long been active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Currier has sometimes been a trustee, and in the Sunday School of which he has given valuable aid on all occasions. He has acted in harmony with the Republican party. A devoted, worthy and respected couple, hand to hand in the afternoon of life, pleasant to behold and beautiful to contemplate, are Mr. and Mrs. Abner Currier.
OHN T. MARKS was with his parents in 1841, when they came from Jefferson County, N. Y., and settled in Blackberry Township, on Section 12, where he now resides. His mother died September 19, 1864, at the age of seventy-six years, and his father in July, 1876, aged ninety-six years. They were of Scotch-English ancestry, and members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
John T. remained with his parents until his thirtieth year, and November 25, 1855, married Mrs. Mary C. Harding, who was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., September 18, 1819; her parents were also natives of that State. Her mother died when she was but twelve years of age, and her father, who came to Illinois in 1843, died in 1862, aged seventy-five years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Marks began farming on the place
now owned by them, when the country was com- paratively a wilderness, and wolves and deer were their most numerous neighbors. The beautiful trees now surrounding the house were planted by Mr. Marks. Politically, he affiliates with the Re- publican party.
ASENDANA HOWARD, widow of Philo Howard, was born in Clinton County, N. Y., August 23, 1830, daughter of Ahira and Eunice (Lobdell) Jones, who came to Illi- nois in 1847, and settled in Marengo. The mother died in April, 1864, and the father in March, 1868, both members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, in which Mr. Jones was a minister.
August 24, 1862, the subject of this sketch married Philo Howard, and they then settled on the place where Mrs. Howard now resides. Two children blessed this union: Emerson Ahira, born January 26, 1864, and Zaidee, born March 23, 1867. Mr. Howard was born in New York April 6, 1820, and came to Illinois in 1851, hav- ing, upon his arrival here, but two shillings. March 2, 1838, he married Anna K. Colvin, a na- tive of Jefferson County, N. Y., and they had seven children. Mr. Howard died January 25, 1869. At the time of his death he was a presid- ing elder in the church of which he was a member. Mrs. Howard's fine farm of 181 acres is situated five miles west of Batavia.
M RS. CLARINDA A. FERSON. This lady, the widow of Read Ferson, is a native of Vermont, born in Cavendish, Windsor County, March 21, 1822. Mr. Ferson was one of the earliest settlers of this section of Illinois, having been a member of the old firm of Minard, Ferson & Hunt, founders of the city of St. Charles. He was born in Bradford, N. H., January 13, 1809, and came to St. Charles in 1834, from Vermont, whither he had gone when a boy with his parents, Alexander and Abigail (Brown) Ferson, of whom a biographical notice appears elsewhere.
On coming to St. Charles, Mr. Ferson embarked
*
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in mercantile and real estate business, and here he resided until his death, which occurred Decem- ber 3, 1865. He was an energetic citizen, always interested in movements tending to the advance- ment of the place. Politically, he was a Republi- can, but never sought nor held office. He came here when the country was a wilderness, and when wolves, deer and Indians were his most numerous neighbors.
His marriage with Clarinda A. Wheeler was celebrated at St. Charles in 1841. She is a daugh- ter of Amos and Lydia (Adams) Wheeler, both of Vermont, the former of whom died when she was twelve years of age. In 1836 her mother came with her family to St. Charles, where our subject grew to womanhood. Her union with Mr. Ferson has been blessed with six children: Hattie, Henry, Ellen, Emily (deceased), James and Kate. Mrs. Ferson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a strong advocate of temperance principles.
A MASA W. LOOMIS. His grandfather, Stephen Loomis, a native of Connecticut, when the Revolutionary war broke out, offered his services, with two yoke of oxen, and acted as teamster throughout the war, spend- ing the winters at home. When in the service he was under Gen. Putnam. At home he was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1790, at about fifty years of age. The parents of Amasa W. Loomis were Alvin and Wealthy (Wyghtman) Loomis. The father was born in Connecticut in 1783, and was a sailor for many years. He went to Oneida County, N. Y., in 1808, and engaged in farming. He reared a family of six children (of whom Amasa W. is the fifth child), and died in 1852. The mother came to Illinois in 1854, where she died at the home of her son Almerson Loomis, in 1856.
Amasa W. Loomis was born in Sangerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 12, 1818. He was reared on the farm, and educated at the district school. When of age he commenced life for himself, and five years worked by the month for from ten to fifteen dollars a month-the latter being the highest wages paid a first-class hand. He saved
his money, and sent it to his brother, who had settled in Illinois, and who bought land for him in Lake County. In 1845 he came to this State, and stayed until 1849; then returned to New York, where he worked until 1850, when he went to California, and engaged in mining. In 1853 he returned to Illinois, sold his farm in Lake County, and bought 240 acres in Cook County, where he lived ten years. In 1864 he sold out, and went to Plato Township, Kane County, where he purchased 120 acres, on which he lived until 1882, when he sold and came to Elgin Township, where he pur- chased 190 acres in Section 29, where he resides. Mr. Loomis has made great improvements since he has occupied his farm, and it is now all in a high state of cultivation and tile drained. He has a fine stock of horses and cattle, buildings suitable for the comfort of stock and the storage of the products of the farm. Mr. Loomis is an active, energetic man, and takes an interest in matters pertaining to public affairs. He has served several years as school director; politically, he is a stanch Republican.
October 18, 1859, he married Julia A. Jones, a widow lady, daughter of Judge Joshua Morgan, of Lee County, Ill., and to them have been born six children, only two of whom are living-Alvin W. and Benjamin F., at home with their father.
AMES STAINFIELD. Many worthy sons of Old England have left their native land and found an abiding place within the terri- tory embraced in Kane County, and among them is James Stainfield, who resides upon a well- tilled farm of 130 acres located on Section 3, Su- gar Grove Township. He is the son of James and Betsy (Warton) Stainfield, both natives of Lincoln- shire, the former's birth occurring in Schunthorpe, and the latter's in Appleby. The senior Stainfield was a laborer by occupation.
The son, James, came to America in 1869, and located at Plainfield, Ill., removing nine years later to Sugar Grove, and settling at his present location. He has always been a farmer, and con- ducts a general business in his chosen vocation. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Bax-
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ter, was born March 31, 1848. Her father, Sam- nel Baxter was born in Wallaston, Northampton- shire, England, and is now living with her son, James. Mr. Stainfield's political preferments are those of the Republican party. In the spring of 1886 he was chosen a director of the school dis- trict in which he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Stain- field are the parents of three children, Charles (deceased), George and Carrie M.
F RANKLIN SMITH BOSWORTH is a son of Benjamin F. and Almira (Smith) Bos- worth. The father was one of the men of force and eminence who came to Illinois in an early day, and were the architects who planned and formed the foundations of this superstructure of society that we now see in this favored part of the State.
B. F. Bosworth was a member of the family of Bosworths-sons and daughters of Alfred Bos- worth, of Rhode Island. When a young man, he (B. F.) was in his native State a graduate from Union College; then took a thorough course of reading, and was graduated from a medical college. He practiced medicine several years. Having passed through the literary and professional schools, and become thoroughly trained in these varied acquirements, he then chose to follow the true bent of his nature and entered mercantile trade, establishing, in 1835, in company with his brother- in-law, Alfred Edwards, a store in Chicago, and they were soon leading and prosperous mer- chants of that city. In time this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Bosworth carried on a store in that city on his own account, having also estab- lished a similar house on the Illinois River. In the course of time he sold out in Chicago and came to Dundee. In the prime of life, indeed rather before he had reached the prime of his manhood, he died in McHenry, Ill., September 8, 1843, his loss being a public calamity. He was just laying the foundations of a great fortune, which, had he been spared ten years longer, would have been per- fected. He was a man of broad and generous ideas, of sound judgment, and of ripe and thorough cult-
ure. He was born October 7, 1801; was twice married, his second wife being Elizabeth Nixon.
Franklin Smith Bosworth was born in Boston, Erie Co., N. Y., December 17, 1832, and spent his young life with his father's family. After at- tending school, he entered his uncle's store in Dundee, Ill., and became a clerk, attending dili- gently to his labors, and carefully saving his earnings. He then purchased an interest in the store, and became a partner in 1852. He was thus engaged the next seventeen years, and soon became well known as a leading and prominent merchant in that part of Illinois.
In June, 1871, he removed to Elgin where he has made his permanent home, opening a hardware store soon after coming, which was a successful and prosperous establishment. In 1884 he retired from the hardware trade, remaining out of mer- cantile business for one year. He then secured an interest in the lumber yard of L. S. Eaton, and formed the firm of Eaton & Bosworth.
Mr. Bosworth was united in marriage, January 4, 1859, in Dundee, with Sarah E. Hunt, a native of Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., daughter of Ward Hunt (now deceased), of Vermont, one of the early pioneers of Western New York. Of this union were born three children-two sons and one daughter: Edward I., now filling a professor's chair in Oberlin College, Ohio; Frank H. and Mary A., residing at the comfortable and pleasant home of their parents. The family attend the Congregational Church, in which Mr. Bosworth has held official position some years. He has filled with great credit the office of mayor of Elgin, two full terms, and also that of city alderman.
A B. FISH, a lineal descendant of grand old soldiers of the Revolution, who fought, struggled and endured incalculable hard- ships that we might be a free and independ- ent people, is the grandson of Ephraim Fish, whose name is honorably recorded for seven years' service in that war as lieutenant, eagerly respond- ing to the first call to arms, in the name of liberty, and who was at the post of danger and duty until our independence was granted. In the history of
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the world, giving an account of the heroes of all wars, there are none who can for a moment take pre- cedence of this gallant little band of our forefathers. Their names are sacred, their memories cherished, and we can give our children no equal lesson in ยท true manhood to that of the American fathers.
Ephraim Fish was the father of John, who was the father of A. B. The grandfather did noble service in the war for Independence, as already related, and, to add to the family record in the line of patriots, the father, John, was a soldier in the War of 1812, where he added new and lasting laurels to the family name and fame.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y., November 18, 1816, his parents being John and Jane (Gamble) Fish, both natives of the same State. John Fish was a farmer. In 1826 he removed from his native State, and settled in the then wild country of Ohio, locating at Monroeville, Huron County, where he purchased land, and followed farming until the time of his death in 1866, full of years and honor among his fellow men.
A. B. Fish was reared on his father's farm, being but ten years of age when he came west with his family. He acquired a fair English edu- cation, for that time. In 1845, while yet a young man, he removed to Illinois, and located in Kane County. He was employed as manager of the El- gin Woolen Mills, of S. N. Dexter, Whitestown, N. Y. In 1851 he left this and engaged in the dry goods and general merchandising trade, which he continued to carry on successfully until 1858, when he sold out. He then formed a partnership with B. W. Raymond, and opened a tannery, which was his business the next four years. In the meantime he had become the owner of valuable real estate and improvements in Elgin, and to this he gave his attention for some time. In 1874 he estab- lished a drug store, and carried this on four years, retiring in 1878.
Mr. Fish and Abbie Norton were joined in matrimony December 7, 1847. She is a native of Oneida County, N. Y. They had three children- one son and two daughters: Dora (Mrs. O. M. Ober, now deceased), John (in the employ of the United States Express Company), Clara B. (one of
Elgin's most estimable young ladies. ) The enter- prise and liberal public spirit of Mr. Fish have ad- ded much to the growth and well-being of the town, and the " Fish Block " is one of the most prominent business blocks. In the gentle quiet of the after- noon of life, he is in the enjoyment of all that can make existence pleasant in his elegant home, 170 Douglas Avenue.
D ANIEL R. HARTWELL. This gentleman, after spending a long life of work at his trade of carpenter, is now retired from active labors, and is in the enjoyment of the fruits of industrious and well spent years, surrounded by the comforts of plenty in this world's goods, and by the far higher and better pleas- ure that comes of the respect and esteem of those with whom business or social habits have brought him in contact. The real pleasure of life, after all, is in the well rounding it out, in whatever station it may be; in following a reasonable ambition, and in the strict discharge of every duty. Simple industry and integrity of character, added to a kindly nature and clever manners, bring the last. ing reward, smooth the pillow and sweeten the sleep of their possessor. These have been the marked characteristics of this gentleman's whole life. When he was but fourteen years of age he had selected his vocation, and became an apprentice to learn the carpenter's trade.
He is a son of Cephas and Asenath (Robbins) Hartwell, born in Littleton, Mass., February 15, 1823. He was chiefly instructed in the shops, and at other labors of the hand, and was given but limited advantages in the schoolroom. Young as he was when apprenticed to his trade, he went to Leominster, Mass., and was under the eye and training of others than those of his parents and natural protectors. In this position he worked five years, when he was able to return to his home and engage in work as journeyman at his trade. He soon was recognized as a skilled and intelli- gent workman, and this secured him the follow- ing winter employment in a piano-forte manu- factory as finisher of the fine cabinet work re- quired in the shops. After having worked in sev-
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eral different places, he went to Waltham, in his native State, and in 1853 was engaged as car- penter in that department of the noted watch factory at that place. Here he remained the next succeeding eleven years.
In the meantime had been established the Elgin Watch Factory, and the managers were in want of a competent foreman in the carpenter shops. They were referred to Mr. Hartwell, and at once engaged him to come to Illinois and accept the position. He came to Elgin in November, 1864, and entered at once upon his duties as such foreman. Here he remained twenty-three years, or until the spring of 1SS7, when, to the great regret of his employers, he retired from hard labor, determined to give his attention exclusively to his private affairs.
In 1849 Mr. Hartwell was married to Sarah A., daughter of Joel and Sarah (West) Britton. The two are natives of the same place in Massachusetts. They have adopted a daughter, Addie May. The family worship at the Methodist Church, of which they are highly respectable attendants. Mr. Hart- well is a F. & A. M., of the Royal Chapter. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket.
EWIS B. JUDSON, a substantial citizen of Aurora, and a pioneer both in Michigan and Illinois, was born at Westfield, Mass., No- vember 13. 1806. He is a son of Lucius B. and Sally (Loomis) Judson, both of whom were descended from old New England families that set- tled there in a very early day of its colonial his- tory. The immediate ancestors were four broth- ers by the name of Judson, Englishmen, who settled in Connecticut. Of these, the father of Lewis B. was in the War of 1812, a farmer by oc- cupation in Massachusetts, but for the last fifteen or twenty years of his life a manufacturer of powder. He died when forty five years of age; his widow survived him many years, dying at the age of sev- enty-eight years. They had a family of twelve children, Lewis B. being the second child. He was thrown upon his own resources when young, beginning at the age of eleven years to work as a farm hand and at seventeen accepted a position as salesman in Pennsylvania, remaining five years;
thence he removed to Michigan, and on White Pigeon Prairie he purchased a farm and began its improvement. He was one of the founders of White Pigeon Village, and was one of the surveyors who made the plat of the town. He sold his prop- erty in Michigan, in 1834, came to Illinois and settled near Oswego, the same year. On the breaking out of the Black Hawk War, in 1832, he offered his services to the Government; he had been commissioned paymaster of his regiment un- der Col. Stewart. The commission was signed by Gen. Lewis Cass, governor of Michigan Territory, and is still preserved among his papers as a sou- venir of former days.
Mr. Judson was married while in Michigan to Catharine P. Mudgett, a native of New York, and by this union there were the following named chil- dren: Albert E., a farmer of Hodgeman County, Kas .; Mary Jane, now Mrs. William H. Hills, of Lincoln, Neb .; Joseph W., who enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, to serve in the War of the Rebellion, was promoted to a lieutenancy, later adjutant, and died in 1863, of malarial fever, in Indian Territory: Eliza A., who married Anson P. Loomis, and died in 1SS4; William H. H., of New Orleans, the present busi- ness manager of the Times-Democrat, and who was chief of the printing department at the World's Exposition, held in that city. Mrs. Judson, the mother of this family, departed this life in 1840. and in 1843 Mr. Judson formed a matrimonial alli- ance with Miss E. D. Stafford, a native of Ohio. but who with her parents had settled near Oswego, Ill., in an early day. By this union there were the following named children: James A .. now a carpenter in Kansas; Charles L., a merchant of Aurora; Lewis B .. Jr., proprietor of a prosperous stock and grain farm in Kingman County, Kas .; Ella C., wife of Martin Ashley, of Kansas; Frank, a business man of Chicago; Harry (deceased) : Fred, a merchant in Aurora. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1872 Mr. Judson sold his farm, and moved to Aurora; he has been extensively identified with its business and other affairs, and has added much to the city in building some of its finest blocks and residences, among which are the Music Hall, the Judson Block. his
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