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 87

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

USA > Illinois > Kane County > Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States > Part 87
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 87

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HEODORE SHARPANTER. The subject of this brief memoir was born in Bondorf, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Ger- many, November 17, 1848, a son of Peter and Kate (Rademacher) Sharpanter, of the same place. The father was a tailor by trade, and, be- ing himself a hard-working man, he brought his family up to industrious habits. He died in his native place, and in 1865 his widow and children sought a home in the New World.

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They finally settled in Aurora, Kane County, where the subject of this sketch has ever since lived. Early in life he began to work, and mate- rially assisted his mother with his scanty earnings. When old enough he procured the situation of fire- man on an engine on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, but, not finding the work congen- ial, he abandoned it, and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, in which he has been success- ful, having now a fine general store in Aurora. After commencing business Mr. Sharpanter mar- ried Lizzie, daughter of Peter B. Weber, a native of Battendorf, Germany, in which place Mrs. Sharpanter was also born. Mr. and Mrs. Shar- panter have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, whom they have named Nicholas Schultz Sharpanter, and whom they are bringing up as their own. Mr. Sharpanter has been a mem- ber of the school board of the city of Aurora for two years, and, as a business man and citizen, stands high in the estimation of the community. Both he and his wife are members of the St. Nich- olas Roman Catholic Church, in Aurora.

A LANSON ELLIOTT COON, an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, like many other railroad men, makes his home in Aurora. He was born in Bos- ton, Mass., May 16, 1840, his parents being Alanson Elliott and Emily Collins (Eastman) Coon, the former of English ancestry in New Hampshire for many generations, and the latter of Puritan stock of the Old Bay State. In 1843 they removed to Orleans County, Vt., where the boy grew to manhood, and in the fall of 1861 he was a regularly enrolled soldier from the Green Mountain State in Company I, First Vermont Volunteer Cavalry. After an active service of nearly two years he was captured July 6, 1863, at Hagerstown, Md., and held a prisoner in different Southern prisons till April 28, 1865, when he was released. He received an honorable discharge August 19, 1865, and returned home.

He soon after came west, located in Aurora, and commenced railroad business; after working about two weeks in the shops of the Chicago, Bur-

lington & Quincy Railroad, at Aurora, he engaged at "firing" September 1, 1865, and December 20, 1868, he was given charge of a locomotive. In the winter of 1876-77 he was promoted to the charge of a passenger engine, and has filled that responsible position ever since. He is well and favorably known in the Brotherhood as a pains- taking and hardworking engineer. He was mar- ried in Aurora to Amanda F. Addyman, and their union has been blessed with a family of one son and three daughters: Charles A. B., Edna Idelle, Frankie May and Minnie Blanche. Mrs. Coon was born in Buffalo, N. Y., and is a daughter of James M. and Mary (Senior) Addyman, natives of Leeds, England, and whose progenitors in that country were among the supporters of John Wesley. Rev. John Addyman, an uncle of Mrs. Coon, was one of the first ministers sent out by the Wesleyan Society of Leeds, England, to Canada, in the interests of that body, and was prominent in Wesleyan Methodist Church work in Canada. Her father was a carpenter and builder, and after coming to America, in 1842, was identified with his calling in Canada and in Buffalo, until 1851, when he came west to Rockford, Ill., locating here in 1856.

Mr. and Mrs. Coon attend the services of the Congregational Church, of which she is a member. Mr. Coon is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 20, and of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge, chapter and council. Mrs. Coon sympa- thizes with her husband's affiliations, and is an active member of the Eastern Star. Mr. Coon has always taken a deep interest in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and has held honorable membership in Division 32; he is secretary of their insurance society here, known as The Engineers Mutual Life Insurance Association.

OHN F. ETTNER is a native of Kane County, born September 1, 1850. He is the son of George and Anna Sophia (Miller) Ettner, who were immigrants to this country + from Bavaria. The family came to Kane County in an early day of its development, and con- tributed to the growth and increase of wealth to

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the community. In this family were five chil- dren, all surviving except a son, who died at the age of twenty-five years. All are residents of the county, and highly respected people.

John Frederick was given a fair English edu- cation in the schools of the locality, and when lie became sixteen years of age he was employed as a clerk in a store. This was much in the nature of - an apprenticeship, he learning the business in all its branches thoroughly. To this practical business education he added faithful industry and excellent habits, the two secrets of certain success. When he was twenty-two years of age he commenced business on his own account in Elgin, and has continued with entire success from the day he opened his store, and invited the public to give him their confidence and custom.

His wife is an honest farmer's daughter, nee Christiana Deuchler, the father, Jacob M. Deuch- ler, being a native of Baden. Mr. and Mrs. Ettner are the parents of three sons and one daugh- ter: John F., Lydia Henrietta, William H. and Charles Edwin. The family attend the services of the Evangelical Church. He is a member of the Elgin Loan and Homestead Company.

EORGE LIMON SHEPPARD was a native of England, born in Sealby, Lincolnshire, May 24, 1834, son of Abraham Millet and Mary Limon Sheppard, natives of the same place, of the better class, who were able to rear their children in comparative comfort and give them fair educational advantages. Abraham M. Sheppard was a veterinary surgeon, enjoying an extensive practice in his time.

The subject of this memoir spent the days of his youth in his home, attending school sufficiently to be well grounded in the branches of an English education. When old enough he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade in a shop in the vicinity of where he lived, and at this he served diligently some years.

In 1856 Mr. Sheppard quitted, forever, his childhood's home and sailed for America, coming directly to Peru, Ill., where for some years follow- ing he was engaged in the sewing-machine trade.

Here he continued until 1875, when he removed to Elgin and engaged in merchandising. He was united in marriage with Charlotte Augusta Beal, also a native of England. Her father was a Gov- ernment official in the navy yard at Sheerness, England. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard are Mary E. Limon, now Mrs. Fred G. Barclay, of Elgin; and Elmira Alice, who mar- ried Alvin T. Pruden. and resides in Elgin. Mr. Sheppard died in October, 1887. He was a Royal Archi Mason, and a member of the St. George's Benevolent Society.

W ILLIAM STEWART SHAW was born in Spencertown, Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1815, son of Samuel and Ruth (Smith) Shaw, former of whom was a farmer, and at one time sheriff of his county. William S. grew to manhood in his nativity, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and came to Illinois Au gust 15. 1836. Mr. Gifford, of Elgin, gave the young carpenter his first remunerative employ- ment in the West, offering him as an inducement his choice of what are now several of the finest lots in the city, as compensation. He accepted the offer, and selected one lot at the corner of Chicago and Centre Streets, whereon to build a hotel, and subsequently he erected there the "Elgin House," which he conducted several years. Mr. Shaw, however, undertook building and contracting, and for several years was an important aid in the then young and growing city. He, meanwhile, secured other property of value, among which was that now occupied by the Home National Bank Block, and also that upon which the present "Commercial House" stands. Upon this latter he built his hotel, which, upon the arrival of the railroad, he occupied, and has since been its proprietor. He retired from the building business to give his attention to the hotel and a farm he owns one mile east of Elgin.

He married Ruth Ann Shaw, and reared five sons and two daughters: Lorinda (deceased wife of George Galloway, also deceased); Adelbert, who lost his life in railway service near Rockford; Wil- lis Lewis, Charles, George, Evaline, wife of

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George R. Phillips, of Chicago; three of the sons, Adelbert, George and Willis, served in the army during the late war. Mr. Shaw has done his share in public matters, having served the county as deputy sheriff and constable for several years. He was the first constable in Elgin.

H C. SWAN is one of the honored veterans of the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted in 1862, and answered the roll call from the hour that he entered the ranks until the long war was over, and peace came to a happy, undivided Union. He enlisted in Company H, Ninety-Fifth Illinois Infantry, and with his regiment was soon sent to the front. His intelligent services were appreciated by his superior officers, and he was ordered, soon after his command was in the field, on detached service, at the headquarters of the army of the Tennessee. Here lie filled many times dangerous and difficult offices, bearing sometimes important dispatches, at other times being com- manded to carry reports or orders where danger and death lurked in every possible ambush, or in the short range of the enemy in the open field.

Mr. Swan is a native of the State of New York, born in Oneida County, and when young he removed with his parents to Illinois. The family settled in McHenry County, where the son grew to manhood, laboring in assisting his parents toward the family maintenance, and in a restricted way attending the public schools. Here he first established himself in the livery and feed stable business. About thirteen years ago (1875) he came to Elgin, and re- moved to this place his livery stock. He soon established his present business, and is now well- known as the proprietor of the foremost establish- ment of the kind in the city.

H A. GROCE, the eldest of a family of twelve children, is a native of New Eng- land. He was born in Hanover, Plymouth Co., Mass., March 12, 1826, and is a son of Ansel G. and Rebecca J. (Wilder) Groce. The father was a prosperous farmer and stock breeder, of English descent, his ancestors coming to Amer-

ica from England in 1630. The Wilder family. also English, were early settlers about Westfield, Mr. Groce when young learned the trade of shoe- maker in his native place, and engaged in same when he reached the age of maturity.

In 1874 he migrated to the West, and in part- nership with a brother engaged in the boot and shoe trade. Their business throve well, and was enlarged from time to time to meet the public de- mands. In the meantime, from his native State, he had enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of Company F, Forty-third Mas- sachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was in the field during the years 1863-64, enduring the perils and hardships of war that this nation might live. At the end of his term with his command he was honorably discharged from the service. Such was his prosperity at his trade in the West, that he was enabled to change his business, and he opened a well equipped grocery store in Elgin. With increased business came the success and prosperity which have enabled him to surround his family with all the comforts of life, and rear his children with the most favorable surroundings.

He was married in West Scituate, Mass., to Julia A. Curtis, and to them were born one son and one daughter: George H., and Addie J., the wife of George F. Stoddard, of Hingham, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Groce attend worship at the Universalist Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post.

M D. E. LULL, for many years a prominent resident of Elgin, has occupied the posi- tion of foreman of one of the departments in the Elgin Watch Factory during nearly his entire residence in the place. He is a native of Vermont, born at Windsor June 12, 1825, and is a son of Joel and Celia (Smith) Lull, both na- tives of Vermont. Joel Lull was a prominent at- torney of Windsor, and was sheriff of the county ten years. He removed with his family to Chicago in 1859, and was there engaged in the practice of his profession until his death. The son manifested a taste for mechanics, and engaged to learn the machinist's art. He worked for a number of years in the United States Armory, at Windsor, and also

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Springfield. Mass. In 1857 he came to Chicago, where he was engaged until 1864, when he re- moved to Elgin, where he entered the machine de- partment of the watch factory, of which he was made foreman, a position he still holds.

At Newark, N. J., in 1860, he was united in marriage with Annie M., daughter of Thomas S. and Frances (Morrill) Cavert. She is a native of Albany, N. Y., a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and one of the prominent society ladies of Elgin. In this family is but one child, a daughter, named Birdie. Mr. Lull is a Repub- lican in politics, and a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. His industrious and exemplary life has secured him many friends, and a comfortable competence for himself and household.

H ON. WALTER L. PEASE. Few men who have come to Illinois have taken a more conspicuous part in the development of its business interests than has this gentleman. . The family name is an old and honorable one in America, being found in the early records in the New England States. The subject of this memoir was born at Hartford, Conn., April 18, 1825, a son of Walter and Olive (Denslow) Pease. The father was born in Windsor, Conn., March 24, 1799, the son of Walter and Ruby (Bissell) Pease, who were married in Connecticut, and the former of whom was born about the year 1772.

Mr. Bissell, the father of Mrs. Ruby Pease, established the first ferry on the Connecticut River, and to this day it is known as "Bissell's Ferry." Capt. Levi Pease, an uncle of Walter Pease, Sr., and a blacksmith by trade, became a prominent soldier in the War of the Revolution, serving through the entire struggle under the command of Gen. Thomas, and was with his commander when he died of small-pox. Attracting the attention of Gen. Washington, he became his confidential guide and trusted messenger in carrying secret instruc- tions on many occasions, when the attempt was fraught with the greatest danger. He never failed his commander, and his wonderful resources in outwitting the enemy and his ready acumen in the most trying emergencies made him the favorite of

both Gen. Washington and the other officers of the army. After that war Levi Pease established the first stage line in New England; under Postmas- er-General Franklin he secured the first contract for carrying the United States mail, which he most successfully organized, and for some years he was the only large mail contractor in the United States. In the vast and wonderful mail service we now see traversing the land, we observe the great machinery based on the fundamental ideas that emanated from the brain of this old patriot and hero, who also established the first express company in the country.

Walter Pease, Sr., had a family of two sons and one daughter: Lester, a hatter by trade; Walter, Jr., and Ruby. Walter, Jr., by occupa- tion a hat manufacturer, in 1830 moved to Hart- ford, Conn., where he established an extensive trade in the hat, cap and fur business, becoming a leading manufacturer and business man of the place. He serves his adopted city as a member of the city council, as bank director. and in various official and important public positions. In October, 1849, he removed with his family to Watertown, Wis., where he bought a farm, part of which was in the city, and also became a leading. influential man of the place, being elected to various city offices and places of trust, among others serving on the board of supervisors. He was married three times, and there were born to him four sons and two daughters. (His first wife was Olive Denslow.) Of his children, two sons and two daughters are living: Ruby, who married Prof. Jabez Brook, professor of languages in the State University of Minneapolis; Walter L., the subject of this sketch; Joseph G., who married Eliza Turner, of Watertown, Wis., and is now a resident of Denver; and Olive A., who became the wife of George L. Chapin, of Jefferson, Wis. Oliver lived to become a soldier in the War of. the Rebel- lion. He was a captain in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Regiment, was mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and died a short time afterward. The other child died in infancy.

Walter L. Pease was educated in the Hartford public schools; then attended Clark's Academy, and completed his education at Ellington Academy,

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near Hartford. In these schools he received a thorough literary and scientific education. In 1848, having accumulated a small capital, he organized the firm of Pease, Bourne & Co., his brother, Joseph, being one of the company, and they opened a small store in Watertown. In 1852 Walter L. sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Bourne, and came to Belvidere, Ill., where, in company with B. F. Lawrence and Ezra May, they established a distillery. He had entered the heart of the corn belt of Illinois, and it came under his observation that in the East corn was worth a dollar per bushel, while here, in the West, it was only worth the price of common fuel. The fact presented itself to his mind that it was a question of transportation, and he saw that a practical way of forming a solution to the problem was to manu- facture the corn, reduce the bulk and increase the value. The idea was a large and practical one, and, had not the railroads to some extent here settled the question of transportation to the sea- board, it would have, in time, come to have been the one saving clause for the farmers in this State.

After successfully conducting his business in Belvidere he closed it out and came to Elgin, where he formed the private bank of Lawrence, Pease & Town, which concern eventually became, in 1864, what is now the First National Bank of Elgin. Lawrence & Pease were the largest Elgin subscribers to the Elgin Watch Factory, as well as its chief first promoters. When the first efforts were made to establish it Mr. Pease offered to do- nate thirty-five acres of land in addition to his sub- scription. Afterward, Messrs. Pease, Lawrence, Henry Sherman and Judge Wilcox bought 180 acres of land, and donated thirty-five acres of it to

the watch factory. When the factory was built, and the concern was yet struggling to get firmly upon its feet, there was for a time quite a panic among the subscribers to the stock, and many sold out. Mr. Pease never lost confidence in the con- cern for a moment, and he inspired others with enough of his faith to save the calamity of a col- lapse. He was one of the organizers and chief promoters of the Illinois Iron & Bolt Company, of Carpentersville, a small affair, originally, whichi owes much of its present remarkable growth and prosperity to the efforts of Mr. Pease. He was elected its president in 1864, and has occupied that important position to the present.

This brief record of some of the most import- ant affairs of Mr. Pease bears testimony to his value to the community at large for his keen per- ceptions as to the wants of the country, and his remarkable powers of originating and organizing upon sound principles those industrial projects that are permanent in good effects, and that tend greatly to increase the wealth of the community at large. As a mark of respect for the man himself it may be stated that while he has all his life affiliated with the Democratic party, he has several times been called by the votes of those opposed to him in politics to the position of alderman, and he has been twice elected mayor of the city of Elgin.

November 6, 1848, Mr. Pease was united in marriage with Sarah W. Fowler, a native of Hart- ford, Conn., and to them have been born the fol- lowing named children: Sarah K., the wife of Daniel Innes, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Charles F., of Chicago, and Hattie, at home with her parents, in Elgin. Mrs. Pease and daughter are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Pease is a Knight Templar.

Kendall County,

LLINOIS.

JIL

PHOTO BY D. C . PRATT.

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KENDALL COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

RADY. J. T. H., M. D., is one of the few left of the now fast diminishing num- ber who came as grown per- sons to Kendall County as early as 1838. This year (1888) is Dr. Brady's semi- centennial of constant res- idence within the lines of the neighborhood where he settled when he came to Illinois. He was born November 10, 1811, in South Salem, Westchester Co., N. Y. His father, John B. Brady, was a son of Jesse Brady. To some extent it was with the grandfather that the Doctor, as a boy, spent much of his time. The wife of John B. Brady was Lydia, a daughter of Samuel Kipp, who was of Dutch descent, and a crown officer in the War of the Revolution. His brothers, however, were loyal to the colonists' cause.

When young Brady reached the age of four- teen years, he terminated his home life with his grandfather and sought his fortune in New York City, where, in 1834, he began the study of medi- cine. After reading some time he was placed in charge of an infirmary at 170 Canal Street, and

there remained until 1838, when he sold his en- tire interest in the establishment, migrated west- ward, and July 3d of that year arrived in Big Rock Township. He purchased land and com- menced farming, which he followed until 1846, when he removed to Little Rock Township, where he added to his other labors the active practice of his profession. In 1847, in company with a brother, he opened a general store. This firm continued in business until 1864, when the brother sold his interest to Abram Still, who afterward sold to Alonzo Conklin. This store was situated in Little Rock, and during much of the time Dr. Brady was also postmaster at that place. Thus he was an active physician, doing a wide practice, a farmer, a prom- inent merchant and, most of the time, postmaster.

Dr. Brady has been twice married. His first wife was Dorinda Fowler, who died without issue. His present wife, a native of New York City, is Emeline B., daughter of William L. and Phebe Wiley, who came to Illinois in 1846, and settled in Big Rock in 1867; thence they removed to Plano, where their remaining years were passed. In 1876, owing to failing health, the Doctor re- tired from his active labors, and is spending a quiet afternoon of life in his pleasant and comfort- able home. After a long and laborious life he has carned the quiet and rest he is enjoying. His

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long residence, and prominence in business circles and in professional life, alike distinguish him. He is the owner of an eighty-acre farm in Big Rock Township, across the county line, in Kane County. In addition to his arduous professional duties, the Doctor has filled or is filling the following posi- tions of trust and honor: He was one of the charter members of the Big Rock Farmers' Mutual Life Insurance Company, and was for ten years its president; was elected justice in the town of Big Rock in 1845; was elected supervisor of the town of Little Rock in 1864, and held the office three years; is the present school trustee of Little Rock Township; trustee of Union Church in Lit- tle Rock Village, and also president of the Board of Trustees of Fowler Grove Cemetery, in the town of Big Rock.

HOMAS SERRINE. Among the few old pioneers of the spring of 1838 yet living in Fox Township, Kendall Co., Ill., is Mr. Serrine, hale and hearty, though six years past four-score. He was born January 14, 1802, in Poughkeepsie Township, Dutchess Co., N. Y., to James and Betsey (Carly) Serrine. The pro- genitors of the Serrines came from France to Amer- ica, at the time of the Huguenot hegira from that country, and settled in the New England States. Twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, were born to James and Betsey Serrine, all of whom lived to adult age, and their names are as follows: Jacob, Absalom, Lydia, Freelove, Will- iam, Charles, Sabrina, Thatcher, Mary, Eliza, Thomas and Elias. Of these Charles and Absa- lom came to Illinois and located in La Salle Coun- ty, Charles dying there, and Absalom in Kanka- kee County; Elias removed to Iowa; Sabrina was married to Alanson Robinson, in Dutchess County, N. Y., then came to Fox Township, and died here; Freelove and Eliza remained in Dutchess County, N. Y .; Mary settled with her husband, James H. Bates, in Carthage, Mo. The family are inclined to longevity, and one of the number living is older than Thomas.

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Commemorative portrait and biographical record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographicalsketches of prominent and representative citizens of Kane and Kendall Counties, together with portraits and biographies of the presidents of the United States, Part 87

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

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