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 79
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 79
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While residing in Richmond Dr. Bennett was united in matrimony with Jane, daughter of Charles G. Cotting, a successful miller and busi- ness man of that place, and by this union was born one son-Charles Robert. In 1882 Mrs. Bennett departed this life, a member of the Bap- tist Church, and the Doctor afterward married Mrs. Fanny M. Conro, daughter of Rev. David B. Cheney, D. D., of the Baptist Church, of Lima, Ohio.
The chief successes in Dr. Bennett's life have been in the line of his chosen profession. He is a member of the Fox River Valley Medical Associa- tion and also of the Elgin Scientific Society.
During the Civil War he served as surgeon and on the medical staff, without commission. His work in the field was a valuable aid to the cause of the Union. In the midst of his other and professional cares he finds time to contribute to the leading medical journals of the country. When but twenty-one years of age he became a F. & A. M., and is now in Bethel Commandery.
R ICHARD PARKIN, by birth an English- man, by adoption and allegiance a patri- otic American, was born in Durham, Sep- tember 8, 1845. His parents were Thomas, Sr., and Ann (Hodgson) Parkin. Richard came to America with his parents when he was four years old. The family settled at St. Charles, Kane County, where Thomas, Sr., engaged at his trade of shoemaker. In a short time the family removed to Elgin. The father purchased land in Plato Township, engaged in farming, and spent the remainder of his days at his farm home.
In August, 1862, Richard enlisted in the Union army as a protest against the rebellion, shouldered his musket, and marched to the front in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy - seventh Illinois Regiment. With his command, he was at Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Knoxville, in the Atlanta campaign and numerous other battles, sieges and marches, where are made the great red gaps of war. He was taken prisoner at Fayette- ville, N. C., and conveyed to Libby prison, from which he was paroled March 5, 1865. He had, while in the service, been corporal of his company. When peace was declared he returned to Elgin, and found employment in the Elgin Watch Fac- tory, in which he has since remained continuously.
In 1871 he married Sybil R., daughter of Alvin and Margaret (Sharp) Smith, natives of New York and Vermont, respectively, who came to Illinois soon after the Black Hawk War, 1844, first locating in Cook County, and in 1874 coming to Kane County and settling in Elgin. Mr. and Mrs. Parkin have the following named children: Harry A., Ethlin M. and Ralph B. Mr. Parkin is a Republican; is alderman of the Fifth Ward, and during four years he was at the head of the
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Elgin fire department, being at present marshal of that service at the watch factory. He is one of the trustees of Bethel Commandery, No. 36, K. T., and is Excellent King of Loyal L. Munn Chapter, No. 96, R. A. M. He is a member of the G. A.' R. Post.
H ENRY SCHLAACK, the only child of his widowed mother, for whom his whole life has been one entire labor of love and simple un- selfish devotion, is a native of Burg Schlitz, Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany. Having served an apprenticeship at his profession, that of horti- culturist and floriculturist, at Basedow, he suc- ceeded in getting employment in the Imperial gardens and parks at Potsdam, where he soon found himself foreman of several departments.
All Germans being required to serve in the Imperial army for a stated period, young Schlaack in due time, in 1867, was enlisted in the Mecklen- burg Regiment of Grenadiers, No. 89, and in the full share of its glory he participated on its several battlefields in Franco-German War of 1870 and 1871. He was honorably discharged July 15, 1871, after a service of three and one-half years.
Having now resolved to seek a land where to find an individual freedom not granted in the Fatherland, he immigrated to the United States, leaving behind him in Germany, his lonely, aged widowed mother, with the promise that he would send for her as soon as he might find himself per- manently settled. Landing in New York, July 2, 1872, he made his way, bravely battling the many disadvantages experienced by all foreigners, toward the setting sun, and first coming "to the halt " in Chicago, he there in time found employ- ment at his profession. In 1873 he commenced business on his own account, investing the small fortune his father had left him. Reverses came upon him, however, owing to the lack of knowledge of the ways of the country and ill health, and he had to abandon business after losing nearly every dollar of his investment. But the man who had faced many thousand bullets was not to be readily baulked or discouraged. After working in the South Park, at Chicago, and elsewhere, for a time,
he moved to Elgin in order to fill the position of gardener for the Illinois Milk Condensing Com- pany, having the care of the little park and green- house connected with the establishment. True to the promise he made so many years ago, in 1883 he sent for his dear old mother, having a friend to care for her on the long voyage; and she is now spending her declining years with a son well worthy of her, and of whom she is so fond and proud.
Mr. Schlaack again, in 1884, commenced busi- ness for himself, starting on a small scale, and has by close application and economy so managed to increase the capacity of his greenhouses every year that they at present have over 8,000 square feet of glass covering. He also deals in everything connected with gardening and floriculture, and is in every respect a useful and honorable citizen.
OHN V. SCHALLER, alderman for the Third Ward of the city of Elgin, and a worthy rep- resentative of the younger business men of the place, was born in Chicago, Ill., Novem- ber 24, 1849. His parents, Andrew and Victoria (Sauter) Schaller, were natives of the Fatherland, the former, whose immediate progenitors were prominent wine-growers, from near Strasburg; the latter from near Mecklenburg. Andrew Schaller, when a young man, sought for himself a home in the New World, and, being of an enterprising nature, came to the then new country of Illinois. He did service here in the Black Hawk War, and located in Chicago in about 1830, where he subsequently opened a wine house, the first of the kind estab- lished in that city. He was industrious, public- spirited and progressive. He there met and mar- ried Miss Sauter, who arrived in Chicago in 1832, and they had a family of four sons and three daughters, who grew to manhood and womanhood, and rewarded their early care by becoming honored citizens of their different localities. After a suc- cessful business experience in Chicago, Andrew Schaller retired to Elgin, where, in 1864, he passed to his last rest, mourned and respected by all who knew him.
John V., having completed a good literary
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training, became an apprentice to the trade of watch making, in the factory in Elgin, with which institution he was connected for about fifteen years, retiring in November, 1886; afterward he embarked in the cigar and tobacco trade. Mr. Schaller married Lizzie B., daughter of Philip Bernhard, builder, of Elgin, and a native of Ger- many. Mr. Schaller is a recognized public-spirited citizen, and has lent a helping hand in the further- ing of many. of the important local interests of Elgin. He was for many years an active member of the fire department of the city, serving as its secretary for about seven years, and for two years as assistant fire marshal. He is now serving his second term on the board of aldermen of the city. Liberal in religious sentiments, Mr. Schaller con- tributes to all denominations. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., of the I. O. O. F. and the Select Knights. Of his father's family, Joseph resides in Elgin, and Frank and George are watchmakers, the former a resident of Elgin; Matilda is the wife of H. P. Wetzel, manufacturer and inventor, of Newark, N. J .; Louisa and Elizabeth are both residents of Elgin, the former the wife of Henry Strausel, and the latter the wife of Fred Jenks, in the insurance business. The widowed mother resides in Elgin.
C ARLETON E. STARRETT, M. D., though quite a young man, comparatively, in pro- fessional life, is already one of the promi- nent physicians of the country. His resi- dence in Elgin gives him a large and lucrative prac- tice, and his abilities have placed him in the posi- tion of professor of physiology in the Chicago Col- lege of Ophthalmology, and professor of materia medica in Bennett Medical College, Chicago. He is a native of Maine, born in Alma, Lincoln County, the son of David and Sarah (Chadwick) Starrett, who were Scotch and English people, the father a mill- wright, and one of the highly respected men of Maine, where for many years he was the largest builder and contractor in his part of the country. He migrated to the West in 1871, and for some time was an extensive contractor and builder in Chicago, then recovering from the great fire.
It was, therefore, in Chicago that Carleton E. spent his youth and grew to manhood. He attended the city public schools and was also instructed by a private tutor, being well-grounded in the elementary branches of education. He then became a student in Wheaton College, from which he received the Master's degree. He attend- ed medical lectures at Bennett Medical Col- lege, Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1884, after spending three years in the college. The following year he was a member of the editorial staff of the Chicago Medical Times. While thus employed he carefully studied and investigated the practical subjects of his pro- fession. In 1884 he was assistant professor of physiology in Bennett College, and the following year demonstrator of chemistry in that institution.
In 1886 he located in Elgin, and at once entered actively upon the practice of his profession. By his medical brethren he is recognized as one learned in his profession; in the colleges he is known as an able expounder and a teacher of rare abilities in presenting to the classes the sciences they are studying. Amid all his multifarious labors he is a close student and 'extensive reader.
He is a member of the Chicago, Cook County, State and National Medical Societies; is president of the Cook County Pathological Society; trustee and member of the faculty of Chicago College of Ophthalmology; and was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Cook County Pathologi- cal Society. In 1887 he was professor of chemis- try in Wheaton College.
HARLES ELLIS LIGHTNER is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Sweedsburg, Mont- gomery County, November 27, 1848, and is a son of Edwin N. and Sarah (Ellis) Light- ner, the former of whom was a prominent minister in the Episcopal Church. The boy, when quite young, engaged as an apprentice to learn the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade, in Danville, Penn., to which place his family had migrated. He removed to Norristown, and at this place com- menced work as a journeyman. He also worked at Philadelphia as well as other places. When he
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arrived at the age of twenty years he migrated to the West, and in time reached Elgin, where he went to work in the Elgin Watch Factory, and here he remained, faithfully discharging his duties during the following ten years, in various capacities, as salesman on the road, and in important positions in the factory. In 1877 he established a business of his own in Elgin, and from that time to the present he has been recognized as the leading jeweler in the place. He is favorably known among prom- nent business men, and stands high in the respect of the community. He is enterprising and liberal.
Mr. Lightner was married to May J., a daugh- ter of Col. John F. Beatty, at that time secretary of the Board of Trade, in Chicago. She died in 1880, and was buried in the Elgin Cemetery. Of this marriage is one daughter and one son: Anna Beatty and Charles Ferree. In his second mar- riage Mr. Lightner was united with Clara A., daughter of Otto C. Macklett, of St. Paul, Minn. No business man in Elgin ranks above Mr. Light- ner in those qualities of integrity and enterprise that so markedly distinguish him. He is a very bright and eminent Mason, a member of Oriental Consistory 32d°, Chicago; also Medinah Temple, A. A. O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of Bethel Com- mandery, No. 36, K. T., Elgin. He was one of the original founders of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias in Illinois. The family rank among the most respected in all social and friendly inter- course in society, as they well deserve to do, from the kind and generous treatment that they extend to all. They are all of that pleasant and genial class of people who, in the town's social life, would be sadly missed, should they withdraw from it.
D ANIEL EVANS, whose long residence in Kane County has made him none but friends and well-wishers in the community at large, and secured the love and esteem of a family that has grown up under his hospit- able roof-tree-a man who never sought notori- ety; and yet the true knowledge of his character came to be familiar subjects to the people of his township, and they sought him and elected him to represent them in the councils of the county board
of supervisors, in the confidence that he would guard and protect their interests with integrity and ability at all times. He is at present serving his seventh term as supervisor of Big Rock Township. For a number of years he has been school trustee of his township, and in this position he exercised the best influences in behalf of education. In his political party (the Republican) he has exercised a strong influence and often guided its destinies among his neighbors.
Daniel Evans was born in Wales, in 1827, the son of Daniel and Mary (Davis) Evans, who were natives of the same place. The family were farm- ers, and belonged to what is known in England as the middle class of people, not rich, yet not poor. The father immigrated to America, leaving his family behind, in 1838. This was for the purpose, mainly, of examining the country and selecting a future home. He remained nearly two years, traveling. in seven or eight different States, and then returned to his family in Wales. His wife died in two weeks after his return. In the family were eight children, three of whom are now living: Daniel; Thomas, who with his family resides in Austin, Ill .; and Sarah, who is the widow of Evan Lewis, and resides in Johnson County, Iowa. The living members of the family and one son-in-law came to America in 1840, and located in Big Rock Township, Kane Co., Ill., where they purchased land and engaged in farm- ing, with the exception of the elder brother, David D., who remained in England, and was pastor of the Stoneway Chapel, Bridgenorth, for thirty- one years. Daniel Evans, Sr., died on his farm in 1851.
The subject of this sketch spent the years of his boyhood on his father's farm, attending for only a limited time the schools of the neighbor- hood, and when old enough worked upon the farm, and by practical lessons learned well the secrets of success in this occupation. His education in the schoolroom and at his daily toil fitted him for the struggle of life, where so many who are given the best advantages fail, and are trampled upon by those struggling above them. Daniel Evans mar- ried Gweney Leyson, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Reese and Mary Leyson, both
Daniel Enaus
PHOTO BY D. C. PRATT.
Sarah a. Evans.
PHOTO BY D. C. PRATT.
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natives of Wales. By this marriage were four children, three of whom are living: Annbert M., now the wife of A. L. Long, of Big Rock; Annalon M., wife of John B. Jones, a telegraph operator, of Big Rock; and Lizetto H., who is at her par- ent's pleasant home. His wife, Gweney, dying in 1868, Mr. Evans in 1873 married Sarah A. Owens, a native of New York, and a daughter of William and Sarah Owens, both of whom were natives of England. By this marriage were born four children, as follows: Lawena E., Maver A., Bonnie B. and Genora L .; these are at home with their parents. Mr. Evans resides on the old homestead purchased by his father when he came to the county. On this sacred ground rest the ashes of his parents, and those members of the family who here passed away from earth.
Mr. Evans has never become a member of any church organization, but is an antecedent Congre- gationalist, and his charity and help have been equally extended to all, his orthodox religion having always been the great church which " suf- fers the little ones to come unto Me"-that broader and better charity that includes all nature. His unostentatious life is patterned by the great maxim of the left hand knowing not what the right hand doeth. His nature has been retiring, and in his whole makeup there has been no shadow of that self-assertion that so marks many of the more noisy people of the world. He has the respect most sincerely of those who know him best, and of this family it may be said their modest worth has won them the esteem of a wide circle of appre- ciative friends and acquaintances.
0 RA A. CHAPPELL, D. D. S., a member of the Illinois State Dental Society, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., February 16, 1862, and is a son of A. D. and Aurelia (Pease) Chappell. The family had emigrated from Ohio to Wisconsin. Ora A. was reared in his na- tive town, and educated in the public schools. When he had completed his education he com- menced the study of dentistry, and took a course in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Phil- adelphia, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1882-83.
At one time his parents' family had resided in Elgin, and the knowledge the young man had of the place determined him to make it his location, where he came and opened an office. His profi- ciency has given him a competent practice. He was united in marriage with Nellie B., daughter of the late S. S. Mann, of Elgin. They have one son, Ora Mann.
A NDREW MAGNUS. This gentleman when thirteen years of age came to America from Sweden with his parents. He was born in Ulrikehamn, November 9, 1839, and is a son of Andrew and Anna (Britta) Magnus, who landed as immigrants in Virgil Township, in 1852. They were farmers possessed of the native industry and frugality which characterizes that nation.
Andrew was bound out to E. F. Reeves of Elgin, Ill., till twenty-one years of age, in August, 1852, as an apprentice to learn the trade of brick and stone mason, having in a limited way attended the public schools. With this trade as his chief fortune, when grown to manhood, he essayed to win his way in life, and by faithful industry, quick in- telligence and honesty in all his walks and conver- sation he has reaped his just rewards. His first labors in his own behalf were as a journeyman mason, and as such he worked until 1871, when, in a small way, he commenced to contract for the construction of small buildings, and he soon reached the eminence of the leading builder and contractor of Elgin. Now his name is identified with the building of some of the large and important edifices in the city, among which may be enumerated the Dubois Opera House, Home National Bank, two of the fine public school buildings, and the spa- cious and elegant residence of A. B. Church.
May 30, 1871, Mr. Magnus and Carrie Gustave Samuelson, a native of near the place where her husband was born, were united in marriage, and they have two sons and three daughters: Andrew Victor, Anna, Maud, Clarence and Ethel. Mr. Magnus is one of the responsible leading business men of Elgin. He is a large stockholder in the South Elgin Stone Quarry Company, Elgin Brick Company and Elgin Ice Company. At one time
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in his younger days he spent a few years on the Pacific Slope, and followed his trade in Carson City, Nev., also in California, and at times he has done considerable building in Chicago, but has retained his home and property interests in Elgin, where he has reared one of the highly respected families of the place.
W ILLIS L. BLACK, one of Elgin's ener- getic young inen, is now taking hold vigorously of the business affairs that are slowly and silently slipping away from the hands of the older generations of men. He was born April 18, 1856, and is the only living child of Lyman and Harriet (Weston) Black. He passed successfully through the Elgin public schools, and was graduated from the Elgin Academy. He then entered the University of Chicago, where he graduated in 1878. Returning to the home of his parents, he was employed one year as clerk in a clothing store; he then became cashier and ac- countant in the News and Advocate printing office, and was in this employ until September 22, 1887, when he purchased an interest in the concern, and the firm became Lowrie & Black, publishers and proprietors of the large and influential papers, the Elgin Weekly Advocate and the Daily News.
September 4, 1884, Willis L. Black and Etta D., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Roe, of Chicago, were joined in wedlock, and they have one child-Lyman Foster, born March 16, 1887.
R ODOLPHUS WILLIAMS PADELFORD, son of Manly and Thankful (Crapo) Padel- ford, was born in Savoy, Berkshire Co., Mass., July 21, 1806. The Padelfords and Crapos were of English descent, and of the early colonial immigrants to this country. The wife of his grandfather, Zacharia Padelford, was Abigail Williams, daughter of Joseph Williams, a son of Nathaniel Williams, who was a brother of Roger Williams. Nathaniel Williams married Rachel Rogers, daughter of John Rogers, the martyr. In the family of Manly and Thankful (Crapo) Padelford were nine children, three of
whom survive; Rodolphus W. ; John M., of Quin- cy; and Mrs. Mary Peake, of Rockford. The fam- ily were reared in Berkshire County.
When Rodolphus W. was eleven years old he went with his parents to Schoharie County, thence to Buffalo, where, in 1828, he and Mary, daughter of John Wilber, were married; she was born March 2, 1808, a native of Madison County, N. Y. Of Mr. Wilber's family of children there survive: Mrs. Padelford; her own brother, Joshua M. Wilber, and half brother and sisters -- Dr. George D. Wilber, now of Kansas; Mrs. Julia W. Davidson, of Elgin, and Mrs. Emily J. Ward, of Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Padelford commenced life keeping hotel, and then merchandising in Buffalo, N. Y., he was deputy county clerk for some years in the latter place.
In 1842 he came to Elgin, where he has made his permanent home. He first engaged in mer- chandising, then opened an extensive daguerrean establishment. In 1847 he was elected city clerk, and filled that office twenty years. In 1857 the Elgin City Court was established, he was elected its clerk, and continues to fill this position. He is also secretary of the board of trustees of the asylum. The family attend the Baptist Church. .
The children, grandchildren and great-grand- children of Mr. and Mrs. Padelford are as follows: Children-Laventia (McClure), born March 2, 1829, died August 25, 1850; Jane (Mrs. E. S. Joslyu), born August 19, 1833; Jeanette, born July 9, 1835; George W. (Lucy J. Stewart), born June 25, 1838; Harriet Isadore (Kincaid), born November 19, 1844; Rodolphus Williams, Jr., born July 12, 1849, died September 5, 1850. Grandchildren- Charles V. McClure, born October 14, 1849; L. Fred McClure, born September 25, 1851, died in 1852; Edward Fremont Joslyn, born July 26, 1856, died August 30, 1883; Fred M. Joslyn, born March 12, 1858; Frank W. Joslyn, born April 27, 1860; George Joslyn, born September 18, 1862, died September 8, 1863; Mary Genevieve Joslyn, born December 15, 1863; Florence Joslyn, born January 30, 1870, died August 28, 1872; Ro- dolphus W. Joslyn, born March 23, 1866; Lorenzo Douglas Joslyn, born February 12, 1868; Isa Jeanette Joslyn, born January 26, 1872, died
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April 16, 1876; Hattie Joslyn, born October 7, 1874; Laventia Padelford Graham, born April 27, 1860, died January 4, 1888; Jonty Padelford, born September 20, 1861; Walter Padelford, born August 8, 1866; Kate Padelford, born April 7, 1873; Lucy Padelford, born February 22, 1877; Eugenia J. Kincaid, born March 26, 1861; Mary A. Kincaid, born July 15, 1875. Great-grand- children-Willie L. McClure, born October 22, 1874; Leva A. McClure, born October 12, 1878; Ruth W. McClure, born February 24, 1886; Ada Joslyn, born September 6, 1877; Eddie Joslyn, born October 26, 1878; Frank Graham, born April 21, 1883; Lawrence Orson Adams, born February 2, 1882.
ONATHAN WELSBY, who has been for sev- eral years engaged in the carpenter depart- ment of the Elgin Watch Factory, is a pro- ficient at his trade, having in youth divided his time between school and his father's carpenter shop. He is a native of Liverpool, England, born July 27, 1836, son of William and Lucy (Hatton) Welsby. His grandfather was pressed into the British navy, and forced to serve in the wars with Napoleon.
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