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 92
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 92
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L PATTERSON, resident manager of The Plano Manufacturing Company, was born May 20, 1828, in Shutesbury, Mass., and is the youngest son of Oliver and Anna (Newell) Patterson, both natives of the same State. When a child his parents brought him to Peru, Huron Co., Ohio, and at the age of thirteen he commenced a clerkship in a dry goods store in San- dusky City, Ohio, where he remained for a num- ber of years. In 1885 he engaged in the manu- facture of agricultural implements at Dayton, Ohio, with Mr. Rufus Dutton, under the firm name of R. Dutton & Co. A few years later Mr. Dutton sold out his interest in the works to Pitts & Bray- ley, proprietors of the Pitts Agricultural Works, of Buffalo, N. Y., Mr. Patterson remaining in the management of the business, building extensively what is so well known all over the world, "The Buffalo Pitts Threshers," up to the time of Mr. Pitts' death, when the works were again sold. He then moved to Chicago, and there established a branch house of the Buffalo Pitts Agricultural Works in connection with Mr. James Brayley, pro- prietor of these works, under the firm name of Brayley & Patterson. For eleven years he con-
ducted the business of this branch in a very suc- cessful manner, and then left it in charge of his eldest son, S. J. Patterson, moved to the par- ent works at Buffalo, and there assumed the posi- tion of vice-president and manager. Holding these offices there a number of years, he finally resigned, and in 1885 came to Plano and accepted the position of resident manager of the Plano Manufacturing Company, which is the outgrowth of a small industry originating prior to 1860, with C. W. & W. W. Marsh, of De Kalb County, who were the inventors of the harvesters which bear their name. Their first patent was issued August 17, 1858, and the second machine was built in 1859. In the following year they attempted to make several machines, but were unsuccessful, owing to many disadvantages-fifteen miles from the railroad; iron work done by blacksmiths inex- perienced in mechanics, etc. The machine would run a short distance and then break down; a re- sult of the parts being badly put together and im- properly balanced. The projectors, though not discouraged, were dazed and nonplused. It is stated that "Lew Steward," seeing one of them work with the above results, remarked: "Boys, you are on the right track; if you can make your machine run successfully ten rods, you can make it run ten miles." With the assistance of John Hollis- ter, a native genius of Plano, they made some marked improvements. In 1861 the first Plano Harvester was made in a small building then standing on ground now occupied by the present works. The motive power for this infant manufactory was fur- nished by a belt running from Steward & Henning's Elevators. In 1863 Marsh, Stewart & Co. were the proprietors, and in that year twenty-six machines were made for the harvest of 1864, being the first "harvesters " ever put on the market.
Though since that time improvements have been made, and changes effected in the management and division of interest in the Marsh patents, yet the manufacture of this class of machines has been unremitting up to the present. In 1871, Gam- mon & Deering secured an interest in the works. Mr. Gammon was a member of the firm of Ester & Gammon, and had been connected with the de- velopment of the industry. Mr. Deering, a wealthy
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ex-merchant from Maine, secured a half interest in 1871, but did not assume active operations until 1873. In 1875 they had secured entire control of the works. In 1879 Mr. Gammon sold out to Mr. Deering, who the following fall removed his inter- ests to Chicago, and since 1881 the works have been under its present control, and known as the " Plano Manufacturing Company." It is owned by a stock company, some of whom are residents of Plano. Mr. Gammon, of Batavia, and W. H. Jones, of Chicago, having large interest.
The manufactory now ranks third in the list of producers of "binders and mowers," having a working capacity of 12,000 binders and 5,000 mow- ers annually, and giving employment to 500 men; their average monthly pay roll figures from $25,000 to $30,000. Many of the employes in the shops are men who have grown up with the enter- prise, and altogether it presents a remarkable com. bination of experience. This mammoth enterprise is under the efficient management of Mr. Patter- son, whose extended experience eminently qualifies him for the responsible position he so ably fills.
N ASON MOSES TENNEY is a native of Kendall County, was born on Section 15, Little Rock Township, March 9, 1845, in a house that is now a part of the dwelling in which he resides. This part of the house was built by his father, Amos Tenney, in 1840; the lumber was wagoned from Chicago and taken in part exchange for wheat at a low price and a high price for the lumber. Amos Tenney was a native of Grafton County, New Hampshire, born Sep- tember 23, 1794, and was a son of Moses and Sarah (Garland) Tenney. Moses was born May 24, 1751. Amos Tenney married Hannah, daughter of Nason and Sarah Hoit Cass, and from the two grand- parents our subject received his baptismal name, Nason Moses. Amos was a cooper and farmer, and for awhile resided near Dover, N. H., where he kept a hotel, and, as was the custom of that day, had a bar attached for the sale of liquor; but when the temperance excitement began he refused to sell any intoxicants, and started a temperance pledge, which he signed himself. This was the first
attempt at reform in this direction made in New Hampshire. After his marriage, January 3, 1819, with Hannah Cass, who was born April 18, 1801, he purchased land adjoining his father's farm; but in 1837, with his wife and seven children, he migrated to Illinois in two wagons, he driving one, and his eldest daughter (now Mrs. Bennett) driving the other. He stopped with his family the first year in Long Grove, now Pavilion, and became a tenant farmer. In 1839 he removed to Little Rock Town- ship, and bought a land claim on which his son now resides. Being by trade a cooper he here employed his winters in the making of barrels, hauling them to Chicago and there selling them. He was very industrious and energetic, and rapidly accumulated what was thought to be wealth in those days. He died January 13, 1849, his widow fol- lowing March 6, 1868. They were highly respect- ed people, and no family had a larger circle of sin- cere friends and warm admirers. Both were mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Nine children sur- vived them, as follows: Eunice, born July 21, 1821; Solomon A., born October 9, 1823; Hannah C., born August 29, 1825; John C., born April 3, 1827; Catharine B., born May 6, 1829; Sarah G., born January 11, 1833; Charles L., born January 7, 1835; Caroline E., born February 11, 1842, and Nason M., born March 9, 1845.
Eunice was married twice-first to Thomas Swift, April 2, 1810, and after his death to Darius Bennett. Solomon A. is a resident of Aurora, Kane County, and married Mary Perey. Hannah C. mar- ried Milton Evans, a resident of Plainfield. John C., now of York County, Neb., married Malissa Gernsey. Catharine B. became Mrs. Dwight Twitchell, and is also in York County, Neb. Caro- line E. lives in the same place, and is the wife of George A. Beck. Charles L., Mrs. Bennett and Nason M. all reside in Kendall County.
The youngest, Nason M., was reared on his father's farm, and had fair school advantages. When he reached his majority he started on his own account, and December 22, 1869, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Tolman, who was born in the township, and is a daughter of Alonzo Tolman. In a short time after marriage he re- moved to Whiteside County, Tampico Township,
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and there engaged in farming until 1872, when he returned to the farm on which he now resides. For eight years he carried on dairy farming, ' and in this line was very successful, as well as in general farming and stock raising. His pos- sessions include about 300 acres of rich and beauti- ful farm land. Mr. Tenney is known for his ener- gy and enterprise, and has a high standing in the community for integrity and benevolence. He possesses a natural mechanical ingenuity, and has recently perfected an attachment to stock pumps that is considered a valuable invention by those competent to judge who have examined it; and it is expected it will soon come into general use.
In 1886 Mr. Tenney engaged in the real estate business, dealing extensively in lands in Minne- sota and Nebraska.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tenney are as follows: Alonzo C., Clarence E., Nason E. and an adopted daughter, Mattie M.
A LEXANDER SMALL. Among the more prominent farmers and early settlers of Kendall County, may be classed this gen- tleman. He was born in Washington Coun- ty, N. Y., January 28, 1820, to Edward and Phœbe (Thomas) Small, whose progenitors were among the early settlers of New York and Rhode Island. James Small, the grandfather of Alexander, was a native of Scotland, and came to America prior to the Revolu- tionary War; he took part in that struggle on the side of the colonists, as a teamster, and afterward settled in Washington County, N. Y.
Alexander was one of a family of three sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to mature years. He was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, and, on arriving at man's estate, was married in the town of Jackson, September 26, 1844, to Miss Mary Wood, a daughter of James and Anna (Kecthie) Wood, all of Washington County. This marriage proved a happy and pros- perous union, and the young couple in the follow- ing year (1845) set out for the West, stopping for two years in Oakland County, Mich., whither his wife's brother had preceded them; but in 1847 he emigrated still further westward, located in Oswego
Township, Kendall Co., Ill., and purchased a tract of land, on which he has since resided, en- gaged in farming, stock raising and dairying. The homestead now consists of 600 acres, and is con- ducted as a grain and dairy farm, carried on princi- pally by his sons, Mr. Small having retired from act- ive work. His good wife, who accompanied him to Illinois and shared his pioneer home for many years, he lost by death, September 24, 1881. She was a noble Christian woman, a fond mother, good wife and kind neighbor, and for many years was a member of the Congregational Church. Her re- mains lie at rest in the family lot in Spring Lake Cemetery, at Aurora. Mr. and Mrs. Small had born to them children, as follows: Phebe, who is the wife of Henry Coulter, of Washington County, N. Y., and the mother three children; Josephine, the wife of Henry Hopkins, of Kendall Township, and has two children; James W., a farmer of Oswe- go Township, and has two children; Edward, who is a farmer and stockman, residing near Aberdeen, Dak., and has one child; Anna and Thomas, on the homestead with their father.
Mr. Small has taken no slight part in affairs pertaining to the public weal during his long resi- dence in Oswego, and has served his township re- peatedly in offices of honor and trust, such as super- visor, school director, commissioner of roads, etc. He is also trustee of and deacon in the Congrega- tional Church of Aurora, of which he has been a member many years. His character as a man and citizen was briefly told the writer by one who has known him a lifetime; it was sententious, short, and in these words: " To know him, is to fully trust him, with the certainty of never being deceived."
S AMUEL BARTLETT was born in Oneida County, N. Y., January 16, 1816. From early youth he showed a remarkable talent and skill in mechanics, and, following his natural bent of mind, before he was of age he was a good millwright, and while yet a youth went to Michigan City, engaged at work at that trade. In his native State he married Ada Knight. To them were born four children: Wallace; Mary, who became the wife of Levi Mosher, of Canton,
Alexander Small
Small
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Minn .; Sarah, who is now a resident of Montana and the wife of Cyrus Gillett; Charles, deceased, who left oné child, Minnie.
In 1837. in company with Isaac Hatch, Samuel Bartlett came to what is now Little Rock Town- ship. The outfit was a one-horse wagon, and Mr. Bartlett's cash capital on arrival was fifty cents. Of course, in the country at that time there was not much to be done in building mills, so the young man put his industry and ingenuity to building houses, and then making whatever the people were able to furnish their houses with. He was as handy in working in iron as in wood. He made chairs and would repair and fix guns, and in many a cabin in a wide range of country there was hardly a piece of furniture or an implement about the premises but what he had made. He was noted for his ingenuity, his genial social qualities, and for his deeds of charity. He could not resist the appeals of the suffering, and in those days, when there were no hospitals or professional nurses, he was ever one of the first to be found in the sick room, where his ministrations often brought life and hope to the deepest despair.
In time he opened a store in Little Rock, where for twenty-two years. he carried on trade, and dur- ing all that time was village postmaster. He seemed ever more ambitious to do good than to ac- cumulate great wealth. He was loved and honored by one and all, in the surrounding country, and died greatly lamented, September 18, 1882.
His son, Wallace, is at this time postmaster. He was born July 16, 1845, in the village of Little Rock, where he spent his childhood days and grew to young manhood. When he was seventeen years old he enlisted as a soldier in the late war, in Com- pany F., One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illi- nois Volunteers, and served faithfully his term of enlistment. After he returned from the war he spent the next three years at Leland, going from there to Plano, where he resided two years engaged in butchering, when he sold his shop to C. N. Lawson, and returned to his old home, in Little Rock, in 1870. In this place he opened a store, and also carried on his farm. He was appointed post- master, and remains in that position. At odd times he has interested himself in taxidermy, and now
he has quite a collection of birds and animals.
In October, 1866, he was united in marriage with Maria, daughter of Porter Pepper. They had ten children, and those living are as follows: Lucinda E., Mary, Harry, Maud, Bertha, Arthur and Nellie. Mr. Bartlett is a Republican, and a member of the A. O. U. W., Plano Lodge.
ORNELIUS JONES HENNING is the eld- est living son of Cornelius Henning, who came to Kendall County in 1836, and settled where Plano now stands. The Hennings are a strong race of men; they have been among the most prominent people of the county from its first settlement to the present time, and have con- tributed as much toward building up and develop- ing its resources as any family within its limits.
Cornelius J. was born in Petersburg Township, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., September 9, 1825. He was eleven years old when he came with his parents to Illinois. He recollects the long trip the family made as they came via Buffalo, and then by the lakes to Chicago, and then in a wagon to Kendall Connty. The son grew to manhood on the home farm, and his first occupation, after his majority, was operating a threshing machine the next six years in connection with farming. In 1849 he purchased J. F. Phillips' farm of 208 acres, in- cluding the crops, at $8 per acre, and has made it one of the most valuable farms in the county. December 20, 1850, he was married to Caroline Foster, who lived but little more than six years after marriage. She was born in Lewis County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Johnson Foster. By this marriage were born four children: Rowena L., John M., Delaney E. and Caroline I. Rowena L. married James Hayes and resides in Greene County, Iowa; John M. is at the old homestead; Delaney E. and Caroline I. are residents of Greene County, Iowa. Caroline I. is the wife of Theodore Yoss.
Mr. Henning's second marriage was with Sarah E. Smith, September 16, 1857. She is a native of Adrian, Mich., and, when an infant, was taken by her parents, William and Fannie Nash Smith, to Wisconsin. By this marriage were born nine
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children, as follows: George A., Herbert B., Frank A., Minnie E., Ellis and Elmer (twins), Charles H., Nellie B. and Nettie M. Of all these children John, George, Frank and' Elmer are farmers in the neighborhood where they were born; Minnie mar- ried William Miller, and is in Fox Township; the other are at home with their parents.
Since the early part of 1887, Mr. Henning has retired from the active and onerous duties of life, having worked hard and prospered well. In connec- tion with his farming he has given much attention to stock-raising, and has done much to introduce a high grade of Percheron horses and thoroughbred Poland-China hogs. He has in his farm 337 acres, all in a high state of cultivation.
L OREN DENSLOW HENNING is the eldest son of the noted early pioneer of Kendall County, William Thurber Henning, who moved from Rensselaer County, N. Y., where he was born May 2, 1821, and came to what is now Kendall County in 1836. He married Ma- rinda Brown, February 28, 1844. She was born in Wayne County, Salem Township, Penn., De- cember 4, 1828, the eldest daughter of Hiram and Daphne (Hollister) Brown. Soon after his mar- riage W. T. Henning purchased 141 acres of unimproved land in Section 20, Little Rock Town- ship, which he cultivated as fast as he could, and soon had a nursery of fruit and ornamental trees growing. It was one of the first successful efforts of the kind in this part of the county. He was one of the large-minded, successful business men of the county, and was much respected throughout this section for his integrity of character, and large and liberal views and aims in life. In 1868 he retired from his farm and removed his family to Plano, where, after suffering from an attack of bronchitis, he died June 29, 1881. The widow, and mother of his children, resides on the old home- stead adjoining Plano. Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hen- ning had seven children, as follows: Loren D., Gilbert F., Clara E., Hattie, Herschell E., William H. and Clara. Of these Gilbert F. is a resident of Stewart Station, Lee County, a merchant in grain, lumber, coal, etc. ; Clara E. is Mrs. William Cox, of
Hamilton County, Neb. : Hattie married M. C. Dewey, of Plano; William H. is in Lee County: Herschell E. is on the old homestead with his mother and sister. The estate of W. T. Henning consists of 1,500 acres of land in Kendall and Lee Counties.
Loren D. Henning was born April 13, 1845, and makes his home on the land upon whichi his father first located and made his farm. He was married to Laura Irvin, December 30, 1868. She is the daughter of William and Savilla Taylor Irvin, and was born December 9, 1848, in Little Rock Township. The year after his marriage (1869), le removed to Lee County and purchased 320 acres of land in Alto Township, on which he resided six years, and then returned to his old home. He is a leading farmer and stock-raiser, and has a fine lot of horses of the Clydesdale breed, shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Henning are the parents of three children, as follows: Everett W., born January 1, 1870; Katie M., February 16, 1873; and Ervin, November 7, 1880.
EDEDIAH LINCOLN. This gentleman is one of the very few now living wlio were born in the past century. Venerable in years, but with mental and physical faculties well pre- served, his retrospection of life is a long and pleasant one. The family name is closely identi- fied with the early settlement of New England by the Puritans. The family tradition is that four brothers, Benjamin, Bowen, Charles and Sylvester, landed on the shores of Massachusetts about the time or soon after the arrival of the Mayflower, and that they were of the Massachusetts settle- ment, Taunton. From the loins of Sylvester sprung the branch of the family of whom Jedediah is a lineal descendant.
Jedediah Lincoln was born in Castleton, Rut land Co .. Vermont, April 3, 1796. In 1804 his family removed to near where is now Batavia, New York, then a new and wild portion of the country. His parents were Sylvester and Desire (Briggs) Lincoln. They had born to them the following named children: Sylvester, Debby,
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Leonard, William L., John, William H. L., F. Jones, Jedediah and Harriet S. All these lived to have families. Jedediah grew to manhood in Batavia, where he helped his family to clear the farm of a dense timber growth. His father in time became a hotel landlord, as well as a farmer. Jedediah and his brother, F. Jones, succeeded the father on the farm. In 1832 they removed to Mayville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., where they remained some years. In 1839 they came to Ken- dall County, Ill., and purchased a claim in Little Rock Township that is now a part of the realty of the estate of William T. Henning, deceased. A curious part of the consideration for those times was a ponderous "bull's eye" watch. At the time this settlement was made there was but one house in Sandwich. Mr. Lincoln soon put his farm under fair improvement for that early day, and from that time to this he has been a constant resident of the township. In New York he was married to Mary Comstock, and by this union were born six sons and two daughters, as follows: Charles J., Alfred, Derius C., Esther C., Ulysses G., Harriet M., Homer G., and John M. All ex- cept John and Homer lived to rear families of their own. Alfred went to California. where he died; Derius died at Plano; Esther married John L. Coveney, and removed to Iroquois County, Ill., where she died; Ulysses G. is a resident of Ante- lope County, Neb. ; Harriet married P. D. Parks, and died in Chicago; Homer G. died in Little Rock Township, a bachelor; John M. died in California.
Mrs. Jedediah Lincoln died April 30, 1856, and now, for thirty-two years, the husband has been alone in the world, but has his children and friends to cheer him. What a history is encom- passed within his recollections! He has truly come down to us from former generations. While yet a mere lad he was out with the militia in the War of 1812-15, was at the battle of Fort Erie, and in the service he was detailed as a waiter to Col. Churchill. His eldest brother was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, entering the service at the age of seventeen years.
Charles J. Lincoln is the eldest son of Jede- diah, and is now the representative head of the
house. He was born October 26, 1819, at Betha- ny Centre, Genesee Co., N. Y. He came west with his parents. He was married March 7, 1842, to Mary Johnson, who came to Illinois when only ten years of age with her uncle, George Johnson. She was a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born June 26, 1822. Her parents were Dennis and Melinda (Ward) Johnson. The son grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was then for some time engaged in teaching school. For the term of three years he worked for William Thur- ber as a farm hand. In 1842 he purchased his land claim, the title to which he perfected in 1844, by patent, under seal of James K. Polk, having bought the preemption right to the land for $30. This land is in Section 19 where he still resides. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Lincoln, as follows: Sylvester C., George A., Laura M., Martha I., Ellen M., Louisa E. and Mary E. In the family is an adopted son, Ward, who was taken by Mrs. Lincoln when but two days old, and has been reared as one of the family. Sylvester C. is a resident of Sandwich, and is with the Sandwich Manufacturing company; Laura M. and Martha I. are at home; Ellen M. mar- ried Edwin J. Robertson; Louisa E. married Eber Swift, of Dixon County, Neb., where she died in 1885; Mary E. married Samuel McCleary, of Washington County, Iowa. Ward is one of the skilled mechanics in the Sandwich Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Lincoln was the first town clerk after the township of Little Rock was formed. He was also town assessor and collector, filling those positions about sixteen years. He has acted with the Re- publican party, was a strong Lincoln man, but of late has been more with the Prohibition party.
R OYAL ORLANDO LINCOLN. A stranger approaching the farm of R. O. Lincoln would be impressed pleasantly with the elegance of the grounds, the mansion, and farm buildings, as well as the rich land. all in a high state of cultivation. On entering the house, he would find Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Lincoln, a cheery, hospitable and pleasant couple. The farm
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is on Section 30, in Little Rock Township, Ken- dall County, and contains 270 acres. Their five children are now out in the world doing for them- selves, and leading honorable and upright lives. To a visitor Mr. Lincoln could show with pride his well-kept barns, yards, pastures, stables, and his splendid thoroughbred stock, either of heavy Clydesdale or French Percheron draught horses or roadsters, Holstein cattle, etc. ; or tell him about one of his first imported cows, "Nina," which, at three years old, made a record of sixty-seven pounds of milk a day; or tell of the magnificent pair of carriage horses, which was sold in Chicago for $2,000; or show his stock of fine merino sheep, and his bunch of finely-bred Poland-China hogs. He has raised some of the finest horses in the State, and two of his imported cows have taken highest rank in the stock books. On the place, now, are 50 of these cattle, 300 sheep and quite a number of hogs. Mr. Lincoln first became en- gaged in the line of improved stock in 1875, and has made rapid advances. This land he purchased, in 1849, of William K. Rodgers.
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