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 80
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 80
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Jonathan Welsby sailed for America in 1860, going direct to Waltham, Mass., where he worked in the carpenter shops of the watch factory in that city, remaining until 1864, when he went to Cali- fornia. In San Francisco he established a school furniture factory, which he conducted one year, and then returned to the East, in a short time moving to Elgin, Ill., where he accepted his present position in the carpenter shops of the watch factory here. Mr. Welsby has seen Elgin grow to be a fine city, and has been an active participant in its improvements.
In 1860 he was married to Elizabeth S. Poole, a native of Northampton, England, born July 3, 1840. Their wedding trip was a forty-two days' voyage across the ocean. Their children are Lucy Ellen, who married P. B. Olson, of Elgin; Mary E., now Mrs. Henry Bucklin, of Dundee; and Minnie P., at home with her parents. In 1869 Mrs. Welsby, being in poor health, visited Eng-
land, taking her daughter Mary E. with her, and after remaining a year among friends, and enjoy- ing the air of her native land, she returned with health fully restored In 1884 Mr. Welsby paid a visit to his native land, where he spent some time among his friends, passing once more over the scenes of his childhood. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and has served his ward as alderman six successive years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Select Knights. The family attend wor- ship at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W D. ACKEMANN is by birth a German, born in Winzlar, Hanover, September 24, 1855, a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Walbaum) Ackemann, farmers who be- longed to the middle or better class of laboring people in that country. When the son had reached the age of seventeen he bade adieu to home and native land, and sailed for America, landing in New York in August, 1872. He spent but little time idling, soon finding work in a grocery store at Green Point, Long Island, where he spent nearly a year. In 1873 he moved to the West, and after looking about a little, selected Elgin as his future home. He found employment as a clerk in a dry goods store, and continued at this until 1881. His services were highly appreciated by his employers, as he was trusty and energetic, showing such good judgment and honesty as to win the fullest confidence on every hand. In 1881 his careful saving and the good name he had made enabled him to embark in business on his own account. From his commencement in his new line, his success was equal to his fondest hopes, and he soon found himself on an equal footing in the financial circles of some of the oldest and stanchest houses in the town.
Mr. Ackemann was married in Elgin to Bertha Sexaur, who died leaving one child, a daughter, named Bertha. During life the mother had been a prominent member of St. John's Luthieran Church, Elgin. Mr. Ackemann has always shown a progressive public spirit. After his arrival in this country, and realizing his own good fortune in leaving the Old World, he did not forget his
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parents and family he had left behind. He brought two of his brothers, August and Conrad, to this country, and gave each employment, upon their arrival, in his store. He then assisted his sister, Minnie, to immigrate, and she has since become the wife of Herman Bauer, who is employed in the Elgin Watch Factory. Mr. Ackemann then visited his old home, and on his return brought his eldest brother, Henry, with him. Later he induced his parents to come over on a visit, who both returned home to wind up their affairs there, and then came to this country for their future permanent home. Mr. Ackemann is a member of the National Union, Royal League and the Concordia Society.
THIEL CROSBY TOWNER, who, ,by a life of quiet industry, has risen to prominence as one of the well-to-do and highly respected peo- ple of Kanc County, was born at Chatham, Lower Canada (now called Province of Quebec), September 25, 1831, the son of William Alexander Towner. When old enough, he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, serving his term of seven years at St. Andrews, a town located about seven miles from where he was born, whichi long apprentice- ship was in accordance with the custom of the Old World.
When he reached his majority, Mr. Towner came to the United States, his fortune mainly be- ing his love for the free institutions of the land of his father, his trade, a hardy constitution and per- severing industry. Surely he was fully justified in the faith that, with these inalienable qualities of head and heart, he could not fail in this favored land. At twenty-one he set forth in quest of his future abode, and, after considerable investigation, selected Elgin, where he went to work for G. W. Renwick, at blacksmithing by the day. After some five years he went to California, and on his return built his present place of business, where, by the excellence of his work and general ability, he has secured a capital trade. Mr. Towner invested in farm land in this section, purchasing 240 acres in St. Charles Township. This was a departure from the trade and business of his life, and after work- ing one year on his farm he removed to his old
Elgin home, again engaging at his trade, and turning his attention largely to manufacturing wheeled vehicles. He built some of the fine busi- ness blocks in the city.
Mr. Towner married, in St. Charles, Mary Ann Switzer, a daughter of Joseph Switzer (now de- ceased), who was a native of Canada, lately one of the leading farmers of St. Charles Township. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Towner there are now surviving Harriet Matilda, wife of S. P. Rich- ards, of Crandon, Dak., and the mother of three children; Everetta May; Jennie Mary, wife of John Fleming, of Chicago; Inez Cornelia, and Welling- ton Samuel. The names of the children deceased are Evaline, Arnold Alexander and George Joseplı (twins), Jennie, George and William Crosby (the last named being a twin to Wellington Samuel).
The family are prominent members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Towner is a Sir Knight in Bethel Commandery, a member of Oriental Consistory, and Medinah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He laid out and platted an addi- tion to the city of Elgin, and built some of its fine business blocks. He has served on the board of councilmen two full terms, and has occupied other official positions, being three terms elected super- visor. In politics he is a Republican, but is not a mere partisan.
W ILLIAM LEBARON, M. D., was born October 17, 1814, in North Andover, Mass., where he spent the first thirty years of his life. He came to Geneva, Ill., in 1844, and about two years before his death moved to Chicago. His father and maternal grandfather and uncles were physicians, and he inherited unusual medical talents. He graduated from the medical department of Harvard College in 1839. Two years afterward, in 1841, he mar- ricd Sarah Jarvis Carr, of Ellsworth, Me., and they had six children. While very young he showed marked taste for the natural sciences, and before leaving Massachusetts he had made an extensive entomological, botanical and ornitho- logical collections. His greatest interest on com - ing west was the fine field he found here to add
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to his collections. He divided his time between his profession and his scientific studies. In 1870, without having made personal application, he was appointed by Gov. Palmer, State entomologist of Illinois. This office he lield four years, when ill health compelled him to resign. He was a member of the Philadelphia Entomological Soci- ety, and also of the Massachusetts Society of Natural History, as well as a member of the Fox River Medical Association. He was Unitarian in faitlı and practice, and in politics he affiliated with the Republican party, though in no sense a poli- tician. He died October 14, 1876, and is buried at Geneva, Ill.
OHN K. LE BARON was born in Geneva, Kane County, December 30, 1855. His father was the eminent physician and sci- entist mentioned in the preceding sketch. When fourteen years of age, he left school and en- tered the employ of R. Long & Son, general mer- chandise, at Geneva. In 1871 he went to Chicago, as a clerk in the retail store of J. G. Brooks & Co., on West Madison Street, graduating from there to the retail store of Field, Leiter & Co. During the year 1877 he was employed as calling clerk in the notion department of A. T. Stewart & Co., wholesale, Chicago, and left there to go to Elgin, where in January, 1878, he accepted a position with S. L. Taylor, on the Elgin Advocate.
Having a natural taste for newspaper work, he soon filled the place of editor, and in July, 1880, bought of Mr. Taylor, the Elgin Daily News, which he edited with much success, until he sold it to A. H. Lowrie. In January, 1882, Mr. Le- Baron was appointed, by President Arthur, post- master at Elgin, which position he filled to the en- tire satisfaction of even his political enemies. He resigned in January, 1884, and April 12, 1884, issued the first number of a literary and local paper, the Every Saturday, which paper he still owns and edits. In February, 1887, at the Quincy meeting of the Illinois Press Association, J. K. LeBaron was elected president of that body. Mr. LeBaron was married November 29, 1881, to Mary E. Bundy, of Beloit, Wis. She is the
youngest daughter of William and Jane Bundy. Mr. and Mrs. LeBaron have one child, William, born February 16, 1883.
A B. CHURCH. This gentleman was born in Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 10, 1844, son of Hiram and Emeline Eunice (Eno) Church, former of German extrac- tion, and latter of English parentage. They were married in Colebrook Centre, Conn.
As early as 1835 Hiram Church was a citizen of St. Louis, where he was engaged in merchan- dising, much of the trade at that time being with the Indians, in exchanging goods for pelts and furs. During that year he made the trip from St. Louis to Chicago, following the long way in an Indian trail, and must have passed through the domain then inhabited by the Pottawattomies. He was a man of much natural force of character, and possessed many of the bold and enterprising characteristics of the pioneers who aided in estab- lishing civilization in the Upper Mississippi Val- ley. He afterward returned to the spot where now stands the city of Aurora, no doubt attracted to that locality on Fox River because of its being one of the most beautiful places he beheld on his journey from St. Louis to Chicago. It is probable that he saw, where is now the busy town, nauglit but the new and unfinished log-cabin of Joseph McCarty. Mr. Hiram Church died in Aurora in 1857, and in 1860 his widow was married to Gail Borden (now deceased), one of the noted inventors of his day, and the patentee of the "Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk," which has so powerfully aided in developing the great dairy interests in and about Elgin.
A. B. Church spent much of his youth in the West, and had the average opportunities of the public schools. When old enough he became em- ployed with his stepfather in the milk business, at which he worked for some years. October 11, 1871, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Peterson, daughter 'of John B. and Oracy J. Pe- terson, of Rockton, Winnebago Co., Ill., where she was born December 20, 1842. The Petersons were prominent early settlers in Winnebago County.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Church have been born two children: Mary Borden, born March 31, 1875, died July 26, 1876; and Afred Whiting, born May 18, 1877. The family attend worship at the Con- gregational Church. Mr. Church is one of the prominent business men of Elgin. and has oper- ated largely in the real estate interests of the city, as one of the firm of Grote & Church. He has been a member of the Elgin Board of Education for several years back, and is also a member of the Elgin Public Library Board.
M ATHEW LETHIN is senior member of the firm of Lethin Bros., leading mer- chant tailors in Elgin. He is a native of Sweden, born at Blekinge, October 10, 1843, and is a son of Pehr and Kajsa (Monson) Lethin. The father was in the royal navy of Sweden. When thirteen years old Mathew be- came an apprentice tailor, working for nothing the first year, and the next year getting 25 cents a week. He immigrated to America in 1868, coming to Chicago, where he worked at his trade, and four months afterward moved to Elgin. Mr. Lethin affiliates with the Republican party; is a deacon and trustee in the Swedish Lutheran Church, and for years has been superintendent of the Sunday-school.
In 1871 he married Caroline Gustafva Samuel- son, born October 22, 1846, in Elfsborgs Län, Westergöttland, Sweden, and the daughter of John and Johanna Samuelson. John Samuelson immigrated in 1869 to America with his family; is also a deacon of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and has been one of the head leaders of the church meetings ever since the congregation was organ- ized, in 1871. Mrs. M. Lethin is also an active member of the Lutheran Church, and has for many years been a Sunday-school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Lethin have seven children. as follows: Thekla Maria, born October 22, 1872; Agnes Elizabeth, born October 9, 1874; Ruth Linnea, born August 31, 1876; Emanuel Matheus, born November 9, 1878: Elmer Samuel, born April 25, 1881; Walter Timothins, born November 9, 1884; Anton Nathanael, born August 5, 1887. The firm
of Lethin Bros. are prompt and reliable in deal- ings with their patrons, and the family move in the circles of Elgin's good society.
S WAN LETHIN. This gentleman is the junior member of the firm of Lethin Bros. He was born at Blekinge, Sweden, Febru- ary 27, 1848, and is a son of Pehr and Kaysa (Monson) Lethin. He came to America in 1869. In 1871 he married Matilda Sophia Sam- uelson, and the occasion was noted as a double wedding, the two brothers, Mathew and Swan, being married to two sisters on the same occasion.
To Mr. and Mrs. Swan Lethin have been born six children, as follows: Hulda Caroline, Septem- ber 9, 1872; Paul Walter Victorious, May 20, 1874; Leopold Nathaniel, September 18, 1875; Dell Emanuel, October 31, 1876; Rosa Johanna, September 1, 1880; Albin Samuel, July 10, 1884.
Swan Lethin is a member and organist of the Swedish Lutheran Church. In politics, he affili- ates with the Republican party. The brothers, Mathew and Swan, compose the merchant tailoring firm of Lethin Bros., and their steady industry has given them an excellent standing in the finan- cial circles of Elgin. They are honest in their dealings, enterprising and prosperous. Swan has been the cutter for the firm of Lethin Bros. for fourteen years, and by his skill, in this department of the business, has won a reputation for the firm, which is not excelled by any tailoring establish- ment in Northern Illinois.
A NGUS MC INTOSH STEWART is a native of Beauharnois County, Province of Quebec, Canada, born January 6, 1846, and is a son of James and Mary (McIntosh) Stewart, natives of from near Inverness, Scotland, plain but thrifty and intelligent farming people, who worked hard, and so trained their families.
James Stewart immigrated to Canada, bring- ing his family, and there reared his eight sons and one daughter, giving them, in the wilds of that country, advantages they could hardly have hoped for in their native land. All were taught
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to labor, and real necessity sometimes gave them severe lessons in economy. Angus Mc. was placed to learn the trade of baker, at Beauharnois, and he worked at it diligently until he had mastered the secrets of the business. In 1864, after hear- ing much and building fairy air castles about the glories of the "land of the free," he had fully made up his mind to migrate to the country where there were no titles, but where equality and liberty are the normal conditions of every soul born under the ægis of the American flag.
In 1867 he removed to Illinois, first locating at Rockford. where, for a short time, he successfully carried on his trade. He then came to Elgin, here to make his permanent future home, and soon after embarked in his present prosperous business of baker and grocer, adding from time to time to its capacity as demands required, until now he easily commands the leading trade in his line in Elgin. He has pursued the one simple policy of honesty and fair treatment of his customers, and this has both won and kept the best patrons of the times.
Mr. Stewart and Mary E. Smith, a native of Kane County, Ills., were joined in marriage October 27, 1875, and of this union are two sons and one daughter: Angus Bennett, Bruce and Jennie May. Mr. Stewart is a member of Bethel Commandery, Knights Templar. The family at- tend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EORGE M. PECK is a native of Kane County, born in Dundee, August 14, 1843, and is the son of George J. and Marietta (Mansfield) Peck. of Schenectady, N. Y. They were of English descent and of old New York families, and were pioneers in this part of Illinois, first settling in Dundee. The son spent his early years on his father's farm, and at the age of twelve came to Elgin, where he sought and found employ- ment as a clerk in a dry goods store. He attended the common schools, and took a course in a Chicago business college. At seventeen years of age, in the fall of 1861. he enlisted in the army in the War of the Rebellion, and remained in active serv- ice until mustered out in 1864, with health
destroyed, and disabled for active employment the next two years. When sufficiently recovered he completed his commercial education, and again was employed as a clerk. In 1867 he embarked in business on his own account, and he has become one of the successful, prominent merchants of Elgin.
George M. Peck and Julia C., daughter of the late Samuel Chapman, were joined in marriage, in 1877, and they have one daughter -- S. Edna. The family attend the First Congregational Church of Elgin, of which Mr. Peck is treasurer. Our sub- ject is a Republican, a comrade in the G. A. R. Post. This gentleman is not only prominent as a merchant, but also is a large and successful farm- er. He is one of the owners and organizers of the Elgin Wind Power & Pump Company, also of the Elgin Live Stock Company Range, South- western Texas.
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A UGUST NOLTING, a prominent, enterpris- ing citizen of Elgin, and one of the leading manufacturers of and dealers in dairy products in this section of the State of . Illinois, was born at Sonneborn, near Barntrup, Lippe-Detmold, Province of Prussia, October 11, 1834. His parents, Herman and Elizabeth (Haas) Nolting, were natives of that country, coming from a long line of ancestors composed of worthy and industrious people, devoted, as a rule, to their country and their homes.
August was reared in the bosom of his father's family, and attended the schools of his native village. At the age of twenty-one he entered mercantile life at Hamburg, Germany, in which he remained ten years, or until 1865. In that year he sailed for America, having made up his mind that it was better to sunder the ties of home and native land, and cast his lot in a new world, where were hope and the promise of rich returns to all who should live lives deserving of success.
After reaching our shores Mr. Nolting looked about him for some time, and finally located, in 1867, in Chicago, Ill., where he carried on a grocery trade, with good success, until 1869, in which year he sold out. He then moved to Han- over, Cook County, where he has relatives, and
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commenced the manufacture of full cream cheese, afterward adding that of creamery butter, operat- ing alone four factories, until about six years ago. He then crossed the ocean on a visit to Fatherland and other scenes, and before his going had formed a partnership with Mr. Joseph Newman, under present firm name of Nolting & Newman, in the manufacturing of and dealing in fine creamery butter and cheese. They now operate together four factories and a large dairy farm, and are stockholders in the new milk condensing company in Elgin.
Since coming to Elgin, in 1883, Mr. Nolting has invested largely of his surplus capital in real estate, some of which he has much improved, adding thereby considerably to the prosperity and wealth of the city, the handsome "Nolting Block" being one of his added improvements. He is, in , addition to his many other interests, a director and stockholder in the Elgin Wind Power & Pump Company.
In Hanover, Ill., March 11, 1870, he married Sophia Volberding, of Du Page County, Ill., daughter of Frederick Volberding, and to them have been born four sons and three daughters, as follows: Ida, Edwin, Emil, Julius, Martha, Fred- erick and Clara. The family worship at the Ger- man Evangelical Church, of the Sunday-school of which Mr. Nolting is vice-president. He has served the people in the honorable and onerous, but unpaid, official position of member of the board of education. Under the family roof-tree is the charming home of his bright and pleasant family, surrounded with the comforts and generous lux- uries of life, and enjoying the high respect and esteem of the best circles of Elgin social life.
D AVID ANDERSON. This gentleman, with his family, resides on an excellent farm one- half mile south of St. Charles. He is prominent as a farmer, and especially as a dairyman, and, surrounded with the coinforts of solid wealth, he has here a home where dwell re- finement, respect and love.
David Anderson is a native of Scotland, the land of sturdy old Jolin Knox, and that sweetest
singer that ever thrilled the human heart, "Bobby Burns," and was born at Bellshill, near Glasgow, May 6, 1823, son of John and Isabella (Bissett) Anderson, on each side of the house descendants of a long line of ancestors, who had been partakers in many of the stirring events that have given Scotland its history and romance. He was in the pleasant home of his parents as child and youth, and grew to young manhood, receiving only the ad- vantages of education and polite learning accorded to the rural population of his class. This would now in this country be considered a limited education for the average boy, but in this case it was that sure and strong foundation on which the young man proceeded to build well and wisely. When he had but fairly commenced life in his own be- half he was married, near his native home, to Eliz- abeth Ray. To them were born seven children, two of whom survive, namely: David R., now a citizen of Chicago, and a member of the printing firm of Hack & Anderson, and Jennie S., now the wife of William Hack, of Chicago.
In 1849 Mr. Anderson sailed for America, and made his first permanent stop in Chicago. He found employment in the factory of George W. Noble, an engineer, remaining in this position until 1860. Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson died in Chicago, in 1859, at the age of thirty-five years. When Mr. Anderson quit the employ of Mr. Noble he visited his native home, and with the old friends of his childhood spent some time. Returning to Chicago in the fall of 1860, he removed to St. Charles, and located on land he had previously purchased, being the farm which he has improved, and on which the family now reside, near St. Charles. This property comprises 213 acres of as fine and as highly cultivated land as any in Kane County. The comfortable mansion, the well arranged farm buildings, and the noted herd of graded milch cows, are a part of the wealth and comfort with which this family is blessed.
In 1861 David Anderson and Mary Beith (daughter of Robert and Margaret Beith, natives of Largs. Scotland) were joined in wedlock. The Beith family were early settlers in Kane County, and became leading representive citizens. [See sketch of William Beith in this volume. ] To
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David Anderson
PHOTO BY D. C . PRATT.
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this union have been born five children, four yet living: Margaret, Robert B., William M. and George N. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are influen- tial members of the Congregational Church, tak- ing an active interest in church work, as well as in all religious and charitable objects. In the church society he has been a trustee for some years.
M SLOCUM is a native of Ohio, born in Crawford County, March 1, 1847, and is a son of Delavan P. and Mary B. (Moffit) Slocum. The father was a carpenter and joiner, a native of New York, and of the family of which the present Gen. Slocum, of that State, is a member and cousin. The mother was a native of Rhode Island. Both the Slocums and the Moffits are prominent and respectable people of their respective localities. When M. Slocum was a small boy his parents removed to Barry County, Mich., where he was reared. In Barry County he met and married Flora E., daughter of William and Mary (Guile) Yule, both natives of New York. In 1873 he removed, with his young wife, to Illinois, and located in Elgin, where he has made his permanent home. His first business in his new home was as a house builder, which he carried on with entire success; afterward he opened his agricultural implement store, and his efforts in this line have been finely rewarded. As he has extended his acquaintance among the farm- ers, so has his trade grown, and his ability in his chosen line is told by the certainty with which he retains the custom of those who were among his first patrons. His family consists of one son and two daughters: Mary, Roey and Nettie. The family worship at the Congregational Church. Mr. Slocum is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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