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 84
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 84
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October 1, 1884, Mr. Troendle married Lillie A. McClellan, of St. Louis, who was born in Hop- kinsville, Ky., December 18, 1865; her father, a native of West Virginia, is first cousin to Gen. George B. McClellan, and her mother is a relative of Solomon P. Sharpe, of Kentucky.
HESTER PARMELEE TRASK. This gentleman (now deceased), one of the old- est and most respected citizens, having lived in Aurora or its vicinity for some fifty-one years, belonged to that class of pioneers of Kane County, whose lives were so intimately interwoven with the development of its interests, as to form an important part of its records. He was born in Seneca County, N. Y., October 8, 1818, his progenitors being of the State of Massa- chusetts. His father, Joseph C. Trask, a black- smith by trade, married Lydia Dickison, and to- gether the young couple left Seneca County, N. Y., and located in Melmore, Seneca Co., Ohio, the then "Far West," in 1822; they afterward moved to Toledo, and settled later in Sandusky County, Ohio, where they engaged in farming.
Chester Parmelee Trask, at the age of eighteen years, came to Illinois. He had gained a fair knowledge of lumber milling, and in 1839 located at Aurora, where he was identified with that in- terest for several years. He had, meantime, ac- cumulated property, and in 1854 settled on his farm in Aurora Township, which he conducted successfully for many years. Here he had mar- ried Miss Fanny Sheldon, the union being blessed with a family of four sons and two daughters: Amasa, a farmer and stock raiser, in Greene, Butler Co., Iowa; Luther, who gave his life in defense of the Union at the siege of Vicksburg (his father visited him, cared for him and brought his body home, and he is buried by the side of his mother); Lucilla, the wife of Orrin Squires, a farmer, in
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Seward, Neb .; Alonzo, a carpenter by trade, who lost his life while in railroad employ in Washing- ton Territory (he is buried at Spokane Falls); Melissa, the wife of Greenwood Barclay, a carpen- ter and builder, in Aurora; and Chester Eugene, in commercial business in Chicago. The mother of these children died, and is buried in West Aurora Cemetery. Mr. Trask was again married, Miss Julia A. Hunt becoming his second wife, and one son and one daughter were born to them, viz .: James, a machinist, in Chicago, and Cora, a stenographer and correspondent, also in Chicago. Mrs. Julia A. Trask was born in Jay County, Ind., and is a daughter of James and Jane (Dempsey) Hunt, pioneers of Kendall County, Ill., and natives of Virginia. Mrs. Trask is a member of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Trask was killed at Aurora by a runaway accident, at the age of sixty-nine years. While he and his father-in-law, Mr. Hunt, were driving down the Galena Street hill, the breeching of the harness broke, causing the horses to run away. Mr. Trask attempted, in- effectually, to stop them, but the wagon was over- turned, throwing both occupants out. Mr. Hunt escaped with a few slight bruises, but Mr. Trask was not so fortunate. He was badly cut about the head, and became unconscious soon after his re- moval to his home. He died the following morning.
OHN M. SIMMONS, farmer, residing on the southeast corner of Section 7, Kaneville Township, where he owns a finely improved and productive farm, is a native of the Empire State, born in 1825, and is a son of Jacob Simmons, a native of New York State. In his youth he learned the trade of carpenter and builder, a busi- ness he subsequently carried on for several years. In 1856 he moved to De Kalb County, Ill., and soon thereafter located in Kaneville Township, where he has since resided, occupied in the care of his farm.
Mr. Simmons was married February 6, 1853, to Lydia, daughter of Henry J. and Lydia (Miller) Snyder, natives of Columbia County, N. Y., of German descent, and the result of this union is a family of three children: Adin D., married to
Sarah M. Benedict, residing in Brookings County, Dak .; Franklin L. and Alta E. In politics Mr. Simmons supports the Democratic party, taking an active interest in public affairs. He has ever been a patron of education, and is an honored and zealous member of the Methodist denomination, attending Maple Park Church, of which he has been steward and secretary for several years. He has served his vicinity in various offices of public trust.
A MOS MINER, deceased. This, the first set- tler of Kaneville Township, together with his estimable wife and infant child, was among the foremost in the ranks of those brave pioneers, who many years ago came into the wilderness, and, by dint of strong will and persevering industry, coupled with uprightness of purpose, began the work of improvement, and caused the silence to be broken by the sound of the hammer and the ax. He was born April 11, 1814, in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he was reared. December 30, 1834, he there married Amanda Rose, a native of the same county, born January 7, 1819; in the spring of 1836, with their infant child, they came to Michigan, thence to Illinois, arriving at Chicago, August 1, 1836.
The same fall Mr. Miner made claim to land in Kaneville Township, but did not move on the same with his family until May 10, 1837, making then, without doubt, the first permanent settlement in the confines of what is now Kaneville Township. It is related that at the above date his cash capi- tal had dwindled to $1. They were, however, thoroughly equipped with courage, industry and energy, and the young couple began building a home in the wilderness. As the years rolled round success attended their efforts; cultivated fields sprang up as if by magic around them, giving a most bounteous yield; large bodies of land were bought, adding to their original claim until the homestead consisted of nearly 800 acres of the most productive and highly improved land; their primitive dwelling eventually gave way to a modern and commodious residence, surrounded with convenient out-buildings, and the desert of
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1837 was transformed into a garden. Neighbors became numerous, whereas, in 1837, but one log- house or building of any kind existed between their home and Aurora. During the happy years thus spent in building up a home the pioneers liad born to them ten more children.
Amos Miner was a man of mark in the com- munity where he lived; was a promoter of the causes of education and religion, and in fact of every enterprise of a public nature cultivated to benefit the people at large. He was exceptionally prosperous, and his wealth was acquired solely by . energy, labor and economy. In politics he was a Republican, and he served the township in several local offices of public trust-for four years, 1858 to 1862, as a justice of the peace. He died Decem- ber 19, 1879, leaving an honored name and a large estate as an inheritance to his children. His widow still resides at the homestead in Kaneville Township. The record of their children is as follows: Rosalind R., born December 22, 1835, in New York State, died in Kaneville, March 19, 1854; Mary L., born November 27, 1837, now Mrs. Alexander, living at Campton (was the first white child born in Kaneville Township); Roxie A., now Mrs. McDole, born April 19, 1840; Malcolm M., born December 2, 1842; Wesley O., born April 17, 1845; Eliza J., born November 8, 1848, died September 24, 1849; Flora E., born March 2, 1851; Edith, born September 13, 1853, died May 24, 1854; Willington C., born April 15, 1855; Orpha, born December 9, 1857; Elmer R., born February 24, 1863, died October 10, 1863.
E LISHA WARNE. The reigning sovereign of England, in the year 1652, made a grant for the settlement of the colony of New Jersey to fourteen Englishmen, and among those stalwart adventurers was one Thomas Warne, the progenitor of the family of that name in Amer- ica. One of the descendants is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is a native of New York State, born March 6, 1832, a son of Henry and Charity (Stives) Warne [see sketch of John Warne], who came to this part of the county in 1837, and were here engaged in farming and keep-
ing the old hotel named by Gov. Ford " The Half- way House," the weatherbeaten sign of which, swinging from a sturdy oak, represented to the wayworn traveler the sun rising behind some hills. Many noted characters have been enter- tained at their hostelry, among them Gov. Ford; ex-Gov. Marcy and wife, of New York; Stephen A. Douglas and John Wentworth. When Elisha Warne was a boy of some eight summers Gov. Ford presented him with a half-dollar piece, the first coin of that denomination he ever possessed.
He made his home with his parents until his twenty-eighth year, and January 20, 1864, mar- ried Mary Woodman, who was born in Du Page County, Ill .. January 20, 1840, daughter of Ira and Eunice Ann (Kimball) Woodman, both parents being natives of New Hampshire. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Warne were Oakley H., at home; Lulu (deceased) and Ernest E., at home. After marriage the parents settled in Elburn, where they still reside, and where Mr. Warne conducts a ware- house. He also owns a stock and grain farm just outside of the village, where he has some very fine horses. In politics Mr. Warne is a Republican, and in religion is a liberal supporter of the Baptist Church. It may not be amiss to note that Mr. Warne is a brother-in-law of the "barbed-wire king," J. F. Glidden, of De Kalb, Ill.
AMES ANDERSON CARLISLE, an active and prosperous resident of the city of Elgin, was born in Charleston, Montgomery Co., N.
Y., June 3, 1827, a son of Dr. William and Lydia (Schuler) Carlisle, of Scotch and German descent, respectively, and of old families in the Empire State.
James A. spent the years of childhood and youth in his native place, learning very thoroughly the lessons of hard labor and close and constant economy. When still quite a young man he set sail for California, enticed to the Western Slope by the stories of sudden wealth awaiting all lucky comers. He spent six years in California, most of the time carrying on a grocery store. In 1858 he returned to the East, and in a short time came to Illinois in the hunt for a permanent home, and
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located in Elgin, satisfied, after all his roving, that here was the favored land, take it all in all. After his removal to this place he commenced to read law, and, qualifying himself, entered upon the practice of the profession. In time he closed his law business, and embarked in the hardware trade; afterward he turned his attention to the subject of establishing a creamery and cheese factory, and he is now extensively occupied in the manufacture of the products of the dairy.
James A. Carlisle and Alida, daughter of James G. Sprague, of Oshkosh, Wis., and a native of New Jersey, were united in wedlock, and to them have been born three sons and one daughter, living, and two sons, now deceased, as follows: S. Addie, John A., C. Sylvanus and H. Burton, living, and Guy S. and F. Perry, deceased. The family worship at the Episcopal Church. The members of this pleasant family are prominent in the society circles of Elgin, and much respected generally. No man in the community stands more fair of name than Mr. Carlisle. For ten years he was elected by his neighbors to the office of township supervisor. He has also been one of the city fathers, and in all positions, private or public, has been capable, faithful and honest. He is a stock- holder in the Elgin Academy, and was an active promoter and stockholder in the organization of the Elgin Watch Factory.
P ERRY BOWDISH, a successful, retired farmer of Blackberry Township, was born at Milford, N. Y., September 17, 1835, son of Joseph and Ann (Fairchild) Bowdish, the former a native of Vermont, and of old Puri. tan stock, and all of a race of long-lived people. In 1855 the family came to Illinois, and settled in Blackberry Township, where the father purchased a farm, and died June 10, 1876, in the eighty- second year of his age; his widow died December 23, 1879, in her eighty-first year.
The subject of this sketch, who is the third in a family of seven children, remained under the parental roof until of age, attending the district schools. December 25, 1856, he married Jane Caroline Smith, who was born May 22, 1837, in Blackberry Township, this county. Her parents
were James and Azubah (Farnesworth) Smith, the former a native of Erie County, Penn., and the latter of New York State. They came to Illinois in 1836, settling upon a farm purchased in Black- berry Township. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Bowdish is the eighth, and she with her parents spent the last fifteen years of their lives. January 27, 1874, the mother de- parted this life, and October 17, 1878, the father died, both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Smith was a soldier in the War of 1812, and helped to construct Commodore Perry's fleet, re- ceiving for his services a Government grant of 160 acres of land and a pension. The maternal ances- tors of Mrs. Perry Bowdish served in the War of the Revolution, and she has now in her possession a horn cup used by her great-grandfather, John Farnesworth, and her sister, Mrs. G. W. Smiley, of De Kalb County, has the canteen carried by their father in the War of 1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowdish, after their marriage, began farming in Blackberry Township, on the place still owned by them, a fine, well-improved stock and grain farm of 140 acres, located on Sec- tions 21, 22 and 27, about five miles from Elburn. They have had five children: Effie A. (now Mrs. G. S. Beam, of Elburn), Addie L., an accomplished artist, at home; Anna, also at her parental home, and two deceased. For the last nine years the family lave had their home in the village of El- burn. Beginning life under adverse circumstances, Mr. and Mrs. Bowdish have by their industry and economy built up for themselves a pleasant home and accumulated a supply of the comforts of life. Though not members of any church, they are pub- lic-spirited and benevolent. Mr. Bowdish is a member of the village council, and has been a member of the school board. In his political views he is a Republican.
G EORGE M. CLARK. This gentleman is a descendant of a New York State family, who for generations were residents of the vicinity of Elmira, N. Y. His parents, John S. and Julia (Jay) Clark, moved to Illinois and located in Sugar Grove Township, Kane
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County, where the father followed farming, as well as his trade of mason, carpenter and builder; he was a son of Samuel Clark, also a native of New York State.
The subject of this sketch was born in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, June 5, 1851. He learned and worked at the painter's trade. He married Ella M. Withing, and they have one child-Elmer J. For the past several years Mr. Clark has been engaged in farming, and now resides on Section 2, Kaneville Township.
W ALTER KECK. The territory lying along what is familiarly known as the "Base Line Road" has within its area numerous people who bear the surname of Keck, and so plentiful are they that a school- house in the neighborhood has been named " Keck's schoolhouse." These people are among the representative families of early settlers, and, while the name is familiar as a household word, it is recognized by all as belonging to a family respected and worthy.
Adam Keck, the father of Walter, was a native of Fonda, Montgomery Co., N. Y., his birth occurring March 12, 1814. His wife, nee Catherine A. Coolman, was born in the same town June 12, 1815, and came with her husband to Kane County, Ill., October 1, 1840. Mr. Adam Keck, whose life was devoted to farming, died July 8, 1870, and was buried in the Keck Ceme- tery. His widow survived him ten years, her death occurring July 12, 1880; she was also laid to rest in the Keck Cemetery.
Walter Keck was born August 17, 1847, in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, and was reared to the life of a farmer. December 31, 1879, he married Sarah L. Elliott, and to them one son has been born-Arthur R. Keck. Mrs. Walter Keck's parents are Eastern people. Her father, William T. Elliott, was born in Connecticut, June 10, 1810, and is now a well-known and greatly respected citizen of Aurora. His wife, Rebecca (Pierce), was born at Bellefontaine, Ohio, October 11, 1818, and came to the site of Mont- gomery Village at a very early day. The home-
stead of Walter Keck is located on Section 36, in the township of Sugar Grove, his excellent farm containing 124 acres. Mr. Keck has been prom- inently identified with the affairs of his township and locality. His religious inclinations have led him to a membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, while, politically, his fortunes are cast with those of the Republican party. For over six years he has held the office of school trustee in his district. He was at one time connected with the I. O. O. F., and has long been a leading spirit in the Sons of Temperance, being a member of" Division No. 726, located at Montgomery. In this latter order he has filled the positions of sen- tinel, assistant conductor, conductor, financial scribe, worthy patriarch and worthy chaplain, and he is now past worthy patriarch.
ELIX MCGINN, another of the numerous employes of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad who have their homes in Aurora, was born in Rochester, N. Y., November 21, 1841, and is a son of Patrick and Rose (Montague) McGinn, of that place, who were from County Fermanagh, Ireland, and who reared in this country a family of seven sons and one daughter. In 1857, when Felix was sixteen years old, the family removed to Marshall, Mich., where the parents died, the mother in 1865 and the father in 1867. After following farm work in Michigan for about four years, Felix came to Aurora, having an acquaintance with Mrs. William Cummings, and, through the influence of Mr. Cummings, was persuaded to engage in railroad work. After firing for about three years, he was given charge of an engine in the Chicago yards, when, after eight- een months' work, he was sent on the road as one of its trusted engineers, a position he has filled with credit to himself and satisfactorily to the com- pany ever since. Mr. McGinn married, in Aurora, July 27, 1867, Miss Zoa Eliza Murray, daughter of Joseph and Mary Olive (Archambeau) Murray, natives of Canada, of Missisquoi Bay, Province of Quebec. The results of this union are three sons and one daughter: Franklin Felix, the eldest, who has taken up railroad business in the shops in
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Aurora; Frederick Joseph, who is attending school, and Edward Earnest Mitchell and Mary Rose Olive (twins). All were born in Aurora except Frederick Felix, who is a native of Kewanee, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. McGinn are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. McGinn is an acknowledged care- ful engineer, an energetic man and a good citizen.
D H. HAEGER, who is extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile in Dun- dee, Elgin and Gilbert's, was born in Meck- lenburg, Germany, August 7, 1839, his father, David Haeger, being by occupation a farmer. He was married in his native land to Mary Prange, who came with him to America in 1854, and they made a home some four miles east of Algonquin, McHenry Co., Ill. Here, in 1873, the wife and mother died. She had six children, four of whom are yet living, the subject of this memoir being the only one in Kane County. After lis wife's death Mr. David Haeger visited his na- tive land, and in 1878 returned to America with a second wife in the person of Sophia Spaulding. He located in Dundee, where he died in 1881, aged seventy-four years. His widow still resides in Dundee.
D. H. Haeger had no favorable opportunity to attend school after leaving his native land, but, by contact with the world, he has gained a valuable practical business education, which has served him in life to good purpose. He remained in his father's home until 1864, when he married Caro- line Reese, a native of Germany, daughter of Henry and Eliza Reese, of Barrington, Ill. She died in 1867, leaving one daughter, Emma, who, now grown to womanhood, resides at home, and one son, Robert, since deceased. In 1870 Mr. Haeger married Mary Weltzien, of Huntley, Ill., and whose native land is Germany. By this second marriage Mr. Haeger became the father of six children: Edith (deceased) and Thusnelda, Edna, David, Mary and Edmund, living at home.
In 1867 Mr. Haeger built a grain elevator at Barrington, bought grain and sold farm imple- ments. In 1871 he sold his farm of 275 acres in Lake County, moved to Dundee, and began the
manufacture of brick, and also for a time sold agricultural machines. He became a part owner of the brickyard at Dundee, and later purchased the entire concern. In 1881 he bought the brick- yard at Elgin, and in 1885 purchased land at Gil- bert's Station, where he erected a factory for the manufacture of brick and tile. This factory is one of the largest of the kind in the State. His various works employ over 100 men, and have a capacity of 10,000,000 brick and 2,500,000 tile per annum. For the past fourteen years Mr. Haeger has resided with his family in his fine and commodious brick house, situated on Prospect Hill, overlooking tlie village and river, and fitted up with all modern conveniences. Not only is he a manufacturer, but is the possessor of several farms throughout this and McHenry Counties. He is a man widely known and respected for qualities of excellence in both business and social life.
A LPHONSO YATES. Thomas and Olive (Rawson) Yates, the parents of Alphonso, were both natives of New Jersey. Alplionso Yates was born July 13, 1806, in Marcellus, Onondaga, Co., N. Y. On the 30th of November, 1834, he married Hannah Lindsey, who was born in Luzerne, N. Y., February 19, 1816. She be- came the mother of six children, and died Feb- ruary 4, 1879. The children were Almyron C., born December 24, 1835; Amelia L., born July 11, 1837; Alphonso B., born April 23, 1839; Adelbert C., born February 8, 1847, died July 19, 1848, and is buried at Blackberry; Edwin T., born March 18, 1850, died September 9, 1851, is also buried at Blackberry; and Ella F., born December 3, 1853. June 10, 1839, Mr. Yates and family located in Blackberry Township, Kane Co., Ill., settling upon a farm he rented for three years of Squire West. When he had harvested and threshed out his first crop of wheat, he loaded it into a wagon and hauled it to Chicago, more than forty miles distant. But failing to find a pur- chaser for it, he returned to St. Charles, paid 6 shillings a barrel to have the wheat ground, and, making another trip to Chicago, sold the flour for 20 shillings a barrel. This would scarcely
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KANE COUNTY.
be considered profitable farming at the present day. Mr. Yates subsequently purchased a claim, for which he paid the sum of $50, and continued to reside upon it until the fall of 1865, when he re- moved to Batavia. He has since that time been engaged to some extent in building operations. He was at one time pathmaster, and served three years as school director. Mr. Yates is a Republican.
F RANK P. CONDE, a native of Batavia, was born February 14, 1852, to Cornelius B. and Hannah M. (Quant) Conde, natives of New York State, who came to Illinois when it was little better than a wilderness, and were among the early settlers of Batavia, where the father, who was a blacksmith by trade, opened the first shop in his line, having to haul his iron and coal from Chicago by wagon. Cornelius B. Conde was a prominent citizen, and served as supervisor. He died very suddenly while waiting for a train September 8, 1885, aged seventy-one years; 'his widow is now (1887) sixty-nine years of age.
In 1873 Frank P. entered into partnership withı Mr. Cole in the manufacture of gloves, mittens, robes, etc., at Batavia, and the firm has deservedly met with much success. June 17, 1874, Mr. Conde married Miss Emma Harrington, a native of near Brandon, Vt., born May 13, 1858, daugh- ter of Ephraim and Lucy Harrington who came to Illinois from Vermont and settled in De Kalb County. To Mr. and Mr. Conde have been born two children: Guy H., born May 9, 1876, and Ma- bel C., born August 24, 1879. Mr. Conde is of French extraction, his early ancestors having been driven, through religious persecutions, from France to Holland, whence they emigrated to America.
A ·LBERT F. LADIEU. This gentleman is one of the younger men of Aurora who are able representatives of its established bus- iness interests. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 27, 1854, and was reared in Concord, N. H., whither his father, Peter Ladieu, a mason by trade, had removed when Albert F. was a lad. In Concord our subject grew to manhood, and obtained a thorough knowledge of the trade of carpenter and
builder. He had begun millwrighting, and in 1882 came west, where for about a year he was closely connected with that trade.
In the following year he selected a location in Aurora, where he has purchased a permanent home. In Springfield, N. H., he married Fran- celia Lull, and to their union have been born one son and one daughter: Minott E. and Sadie May, aged (1887) ten and seven years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ladieu are members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected by the people among whom their lot has been cast.
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