USA > Illinois > Kendall County > Genealogical and biographical record of Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present > Part 20
USA > Illinois > Will County > Genealogical and biographical record of Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present > Part 20
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ORACE E. BALDWIN, Joliet, secretary and treasurer of the News Company, was born in Lacon, Marshall County, Ill., Sep- tember 25, 1853. His parents, John G. and Adeline S. Baldwin, moved to La Salle County in 1854 and remained there until 1870. He was educated in the public schools of Ottawa, but moved from that city two years before his high school course was completed. Five years were spent in Kansas. During the first half of that time he engaged in farming in Woodson County, and during the last half he made his home in LaCygne, Linn County, where he learned the printer's trade under the firm of Kenea & Gore, proprietors of the Journal.
In 1875 the grasshopper siege caused Mr. Baldwin to return to Illinois. He finished his apprenticeship in a job office in the old Times building in Chicago, and in the following year went to Kansas City, where he attended the high school. February 4, 1877, Frank H. Hall, present business manager of the New's and one of the partners in the News Company, induced him to come to Joliet to work in the Phoenix of- fice. In July of the same year he was given a position on the Morning News, and September 30 became associated with R. W. Nelson, now of New York, and James H. Ferriss, one of his present partners, in publishing that paper, which in 1880 was changed to an evening publication. He has been connected with the paper from the day it started, April 9, 1877, to the present time, excepting about nine months spent in a grain office, in 1884.
Mr. Baldwin was married January 12, 1884, to Miss Lillian M. Truby, of Bird's Bridge, Ill.,
9
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a daughter of the late Marshall Truby. Five born at Aberdeen, Scotland, October 11, 1823, children were born of their union: Adda M., Marshall T., H. Robert, Henry D. and Phil.
RANK H. HALL, business manager of the News and member of the News Company of Joliet, was born in Dupage County, Ill., November 14, 1857. His parents were among the pioneers, having settled in Dupage and Ken- dall Counties, Ill., early in the '30s. He ob- tained his education primarily in the "little red schoolhouse," after which he studied in Jen- nings' Seminary at Aurora. Leaving school when fifteen years of age he began to learn the printer's trade. Four years later, with one of his present partners, J. H. Ferriss, he published the Yorkville News in Yorkville, Ill. In 1877 he came to Joliet. Until 1882 he engaged in news- paper work here, after which for ten years he was manager for the American Press Associa- tion in Cincinnati and Chicago, and also held re- sponsible positions with the Chicago Newspaper Union, American Type Founders' Company and Thorne Type Setting Machine Company. Few men have a larger personal acquaintance with the newspaper business throughout the United States than he, as he has traveled extensively through most of the states. In 1897 he returned to Joliet, where he has an attractive and comforta- ble residence on Sherman street. While he belongs to a few fraternal organizations and press associa- tions, he has never been especially interested in lodge work nor is he much of a club man: He was married in 1880 to Belle G. Moulton, of Joliet, and they have a son, Harry H., nineteen years old, and a daughter, Elsie Katherine, twelve years of age.
ILLIAM J. BRUCE, proprietor of the James Bruce quarries at Joliet and a mem- ber of the Bruce Stone Company at Romeo, is a native of this county, born'at Lockport, De- cember 6, 1857. His father, James, who was
came to America shortly before attaining his majority, crossing the ocean in the sailing vessel "St. Lawrence," in 1844. After a voyage of seven weeks, via Montreal and the lakes, he ar- rived in Chicago, from which point he proceeded to Lockport. The trip had been an expensive one, taking all of his money, so that when he reached this county he had only one British shilling left. He was fortunate in at once secur- ing work. Hiram Norton employed him as a millwright in the construction of the Norton mills. Later he acted as purchasing agent for George Barnett and made regular trips to Chicago, re- turning with supplies. He also acted as superin- tendent for Mr. Barnett. In time he became himself a contractor and employer of men. He built the Illinois Central bridge at Lasalle and continued contracting and building until his wife died, in the fall of 1865. He then took up quar- rying, changing his occupation in order that he might be at home to care for his children. In company with others, he bought the old prison quarries, but gradually he bought the interest of his partners until he finally became the sole owner. The remainder of his life was devoted to the quarry business, and for many years he was the largest shipper of stone from the county. His success in the business induced others to enter it, and thus he proved a great help in developing one of the most important industries of this locality. A Republican in politics, he was, how- ever, not active in public affairs and never cared to hold offices. While he was not connected with any denomination he attended and con- tributed to the maintenance of the Congregational . Church. His home was a substantial residence, built by himself, on the road between Joliet and Lockport. Few residents of the county have been more respected than he, and none have stood higher among their associates and friends. His worth was recognized by all. His character was above reproach. After a very active life he passed from earth December 13, 1898, at the age of seventy-five years, two months and two days. He had been twice married. His first wife was Jane, daughter of George Stephen, who
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came to this county at the same time with James Bruce. Five children were born of this union, viz .: Georgiana, deceased; Belle, wife of George P. Stephen, of Lake County, Ill .; William J .; Margaret, wife of J. A. Jamieson, of Marseilles; and Jennie, deceased. By his second wife, Jane Stephen, who was a cousin of his first wife, Mr. Bruce had four sons, namely: Ebenezer S., de- ceased; James, who is engaged in the grain busi- ness at Marseilles; Harry W., deceased; and Robert.
The paternal grandfather of our subject came to America when in middle life and settled in Will County, where he followed the millwright's trade. He had four sons, James, Samuel, Alex- ander and George. He was a man of great activity and energy. His deathi was sudden, re- sulting from cholera. He worked until dark one evening and was buried before daylight the next morning.
While he had very few educational advantages our subject, William J. Bruce, has become a well- informed man, having availed himself of every opportunity to increase his fund of knowledge. When sixteen years of age lie began to work in quarries and this business he has since followed. His knowledge of the occupation has therefore been acquired by practical experience. For some years he was in partnership with his father, until the latter's death. The only serious accident with which he has met was caused by the ex- plosion of a keg of powder, which blew lıim through the side of the house; in the midst of the danger he did not lose his presence of mind, but saved his life by throwing himself in the water at the bottom of the quarry, thus putting out the fire. While he escaped unhurt, his hearing was injured by the accident. As a business man lie is quick and active. From his quarry at Romeo he lias taken as much as twenty thousand tons a month, the most of which has been shipped to Joliet and Soutlı Chicago.
In national politics Mr. Bruce is a Republican, but in local matters is independent, voting for the man rather than the party. He is connected with the blue lodge of Masonry at Lockport. Decem- ber 23, 1885, lie married Jennie, daughter of
William Cameron, of Lockport; she was born in Canada, but has spent her life principally in this county. Her father and her husband's father were born within four miles of each other in Scot- land. Of the seven children born to her marriage three are deceased, and the four living are Cam- eron, Harry, James and Jane. The family oc- cupy a comfortable residence, built in 1896 by Mr. Bruce, and standing on the road between Joliet and Lockport, next to the old Bruce home- stead, where he was born.
ILLIAM RUHE, treasurer of the Crete Farmers' Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was born in Rumbeck, at Schaumburg, Germany, November 30, 1839. His fatlier, Frederick, a native of the same town as himself, engaged in contracting and build- ing there. When he was forty-five years of age he decided to come to America, and pur- chased tickets for himself and wife and their five children, but before the day of starting arrived he was taken sick; after an illness of two weeks he passed away. Immediately after his burial the family proceeded on their journey, shipping from Baden and landing in New York after a voyage of forty-two days. Thence they journeyed to Chicago, but a month later left that city and came to Will County, settling six miles south of Crete. This was in 1855, and William was then a boy of almost six- teen. For a year he worked on a farm, after which he followed the carpenter's trade. Being the eldest of the children, the responsibility of caring for the family fell upon him after his father's death This trust hie nobly dis- charged, caring for the others until they were old enough to become self-supporting. In 1861 lie bought a farm in Washington Township, this county, but three years later he sold the place and, after spending two months in Chicago, set- tled in Crete, where he has since resided. He has engaged in contracting and building contin-
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uously, with the exception of five years when he was manager.of the Crete Manufacturing Com- pany, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Mathias, made her home in this county until her death at seventy-two years of age. Of her chil- dren, the second-born died at thirteen years; Louis is living in Crete; Dora married Herman Grote, and lives in Minnesota; and Mary is the wife of Henry Homeyer, of Iroquois County, Il1.
July 6, 1865, our subject married Sophia Kol- ler, who was born near the same town as him- self. She came to America when eighteen years old and has made lier home in Crete since her marriage, having first come to this village in 1860. Seven children comprise their family,. viz .: Sophia, wife of John Lucke, of Crete; William, a carpenter and builder; Emma, wife of August Hartmann; Amelia, at home; Bertha, who married Albert Frye, of Watseka, Ill .; Henry, a clerk; and Augusta, at home. The family are connected with the Lutheran Church.
In political views Mr. Ruhe is independent. In 1879 he served as township collector. For eight years he was village trustee, and for four years served as president of the village. The Crete Farmers' Township Mutual Insurance Company, of which he is treasurer, was organ- ized in 1861, and reorganized twenty years later. It has since grown to be one of the most impor- tant enterprises of the locality, a result that is largely due to the energy of its officers. At this writing Christ Scheiwe is president and Her- man Schweppe secretary. There are over twelve hundred policies, representing nearly two mil- lion dollars, in force in six townships. Of all the mutual companies in the entire state, this company has the finest record. Its success has indeed been remarkable. June 7, 1884,' Mr. Ruhe was appointed agent for the company, his territory being Will, Monee, Washington and Crete Townships. In 1897 Crete and Monee Townships were given to his son-in-law, John Lucke, and Will and Washington to H. F. Wilke. In January, 1898, he was elected a director of the company and its treasurer, which positions he has since filled, giving a bond of
$56,000 in his official capacity. His attention is closely given to the details of the company's business. As treasurer, he is accurate in the keeping of accounts, and his books are models of neatness and accuracy.
r HARLES A. LARSON. At the time that Mr. Larson settled in Joliet, in the spring of 1881, there were only five men of his own nationality in the city, the large number of Swedes now represented in the population hav- ing settled here since that year. His early ex- perience in his new home proved far less fortu- nate than his imagination had anticipated. He worked for a few weeks in the Davidson stone quarries, and later was with the Joliet Stone Company, until January 18, 1882, when a prema- ture explosion of dynamite injured him so seri- ously that for a time his life was despaired of, and it was not until five months later that he was able to leave his room. Being unable to engage again in quarrying, it was necessary for him to seek another occupation, and, in order to fit him- self for business, he studied book-keeping for a few months, at the same time acquiring a better knowledge of the English language. In the summer of 1882 he entered the store of Brooks & Strong, with whom, and with their successors, Strong, Bush & Handwerk, he has since contin- ued, being now their head clerk. He is also a director in the People's Loan and Homestead As- sociation. In the spring of 1899 he received the Republican nomination for township collector and was elected by a majority of two hundred and seventy-four, taking the oath of office in April for a term of one year.
Near Boros, Elfsborslaen, Westrejutland, Swe- den, Mr. Larson was born July 14, 1862, a son of Lars and Anna (Anderson) Johnson. His father was a member of an old family that owned the estate "Skattegarden," which property was later divided, he receiving the part known as "Aatolsgaarden." In 1883 he came to Joliet,
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where he is now living, retired from active Miss Wilhelmina Sophia Jonson, who was born labors. His wife, who is also living, was a daughter of Andreas Anderson, a farmer and owner of "Stureryd." Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Lutheran Church. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the following survive : Johan A., who is engaged in the insurance business in Joliet; Charles A .; Johannes, in Colorado; Alfred, of Peoria, Ill .; and Mrs. Minnie Sophia Eifler, of Englewood, Ill.
The first of the family to settle in America was the subject of this sketch, who, in July, 1880, left Gottenburg for Hull and Liverpool, and thence crossed the ocean on the steamer "Etru- ria," landing in New York after a voyage of twelve days. On the 2d of August he arrived in Chicago, where a farmer hired him to work on a farm near Peotone, and he continued there for seven months, then came to Joliet. He is one of the best known Swedes in the city, and among those of his own raee wields a large influence. A stanelı Republican in polities, he has served as a member of the congressional committee for eight years, and has also worked on the county committee. He is a member of the Swedishı Re- publican Club. He holds the office of vice-presi- dent for Will County of the Swedish-American Republiean State League, and is also secretary of the Swedish-American Republican Club of Joliet. Sinee 1891 he lias been eollcetor for the Fraternal Alliance. He is identified with the North Star Association of Joliet and the North Star Mutual Life Insurance Company of Illinois. When lie first came to Joliet there were so few Swedes that it was of course deemed unnecessary and impracticable to hold special religious serv- ices of their own. However, he prevailed upon three others to join with him in paying a preacher to come from Rock Island once a month. From that small beginning sprang the Swedishi Lutlı- eran Church of which he is treasurer and a mem- ber of the board of trustees. In the building of a house of worship he took a warm interest, as lie has in all measures for thc benefit of the church.
October 3, 1888, in Joliet, Mr. Larson married
in Oskarshamn, Smoland, Sweden, a daughter of Olaf and Maria Sophia Jonson. Her father, a native of the laen of Kalmar, was left an orphan at five years of age, and when still quite young was obliged to be self-supporting. He became a marine engineer and followed his trade in differ- ent parts of Europe, but is now living retired, in Oskarshamn. By his first marriage he had two children, one of whom is living, Mrs. Nils Erik- son, of Joliet. His second marriage united him with a daughter of Johan Johnson, an inn keeper, and by her he had one child, Mrs. Larson, who has made her home in Joliet since 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have two sons, Harry Emelius Levi and Ernst Oliver Milton.
X ERNARD E. BURKE. In the list of en- terprising business men of Joliet, mention belongs to Mr. Burke, who since 1895 has been engaged in the grocery business at No. 314 West Marion street. During that year he bought his present site and opened a small grocery, after- ward building up a good trade among the people of the locality, whose confidence he won by his honesty and reliability in business transactions. In 1898 lic erected a three-story brick building, 27x60 feet in dimensions, two floors of which are occupied by liis stock of groceries, produce and meats.
At No. 150 Comstock street, Joliet, in the ward where he now resides, Mr. Burke was born June 30, 1863, a son of Thomas and Mary ( Hennessey ) Burke, pioncers of this city. Hc was educated in the local schools. When seventeen years of age lie embarked in the transfer business for him- self, and continued until 1895, having his head- quarters at Burke's barn, and running two teams. In 1895 he sold the business in order to turn his attention to the grocery trade. Hc is an energetic and capable business man, and shows excellent judgment in his enterprises.
All movements for the benefit of the city reeeivc
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his co-operation, and, as far as possible, his assist- ance. He is a leader in the local ranks of the Democratic party, and has served as a member of the township and city central committee. As the Democratic nominee in 1896 he was elected alder- man from the Fifth ward by the largest majority ever given any candidate in this ward, and two years later he was re-elected to the office. At this writing he is chairman of the committee on schools and license and as a member of the ordi- nance and west side streets committees. Frater- nally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married in Joliet to Mary, daughter of Joseph Kavanaugh, and a native of Troy Township, this county. They are the par- ents of two daughters, Mary B. and Helen L.
D APT. WILLIAM DOUGALL, M. D. While Dr. Dougall has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Joliet since 1872 he is perhaps best known to the outside world as the president of the Illinois Pure Alumi- num Company, of Lemont, a comparatively recent but very flourishing organization. The company owns a plant in Lemont that is rapidly becoming celebrated and is the largest of its kind in the world. Started in 1892, two years later it came into the charge of its present president, under whose wise oversight the output has been greatly increased. The products include everything in aluminum, from a hairpin to cooking utensils as large as three hundred gallon kettles. Shipments are made to different parts of the United States and to other countries.
pension surgeon. At one time he was president and later secretary of the Will County Medical Society, and he is also connected with the Illinois State and American Medical Associations. In 1879 he was appointed postmaster of Joliet by President Hayesand filled the position during the administrations of Garfield and Arthur, retiring in 1883. In 1875 he was elected chairman of the county Republican central committee and con- tinued in that capacity until 1879.
In Paisley, Scotland, March 1, 1842, Williani Dougall was born to John and Margaret ( Hous- toun) Dougall. The family descended from the McDougalls, who were represented in the battle of Bannockburn; they were not friendly to the historical Robert Bruce, because one of their family, Red Comyn, had been assassinated by him. John Dougall was born December 10, 1799, and became a cotton spinner near Paisley. In 1858 he brought his family to America and settled near New Haven, Ind., where he died De- cember 28, 1874. His wife was born in Hous- toun, Renfrewshire, January 1, 1801, and de- scended from Sir Patrick Houstoun, a Huguenot, who settled in Scotland about 1585 and became owner of Houstoun castle. Her father, John Houstoun, was a farmer there. Of her twelve children five are living, viz .: Mrs. John Hadden, Allan H., William, Mrs. M. F. Williamson and Mrs. J. F. Beuret. One of her daughters, Isabelle F., Mrs. Williamson, spent thirty years in the mission field of China, and died there in August, 1886.
June 14, 1861, the subject of this sketch was one of the first who enlisted in a three years' regiment, the Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, and was appointed corporal. He took part in the battles of Rich Mountain, Elk Water, Green- brier (Va.), Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Perry- ville, Stone River (where he was wounded by a canister shot), Tallahoma and Chattanooga. October 1, 1863, he was commissioned a captain in the Thirteenth United States Colored Infantry, in which capacity he continued until the close of the war. At the charge of Overton, where the colored troops fought nobly, he lost seventeen
Dr. Dougall is a graduate of Chicago Medical School (now the Northwestern University medi- cal department), from which he received the de- gree of M. D., March 4, 1868. Afterward he practiced at Lemont, Cook County, for four years, and acted as chief surgeon of the Illinois and Michigan canal when it was deepened. Since 1872 he has made his home in Joliet, where, un- der President Harrison, he held the position of out of the forty-three men in his company and
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also had thirteen wounded. In that charge he was the only man who put his foot on the rebel works, and when the line was formed again he was once more at the front and captured a num- ber of prisoners. His being the color company suffered more than the others. At the close of the war he refused a commission in the regular army and resigned as an officer. Returning to his home he took up the study of medicine, which he has since followed. October 1, 1872, he mar- ried Miss Cassie Walker, of Lemont, by whom lie has two children, Mary C. and William Hous- toun.
. At Maysville, Ind., August 18, 1865, Dr. Dougall was made a Mason. Afterward he was senior warden of Mt. Joliet Lodge No. 42, of Joliet. He has also been an officer in Joliet Chapter, R. A. M., and Joliet Council No. 82. In 1872 he was made sir knight in Joliet Com- mandery No. 4, K. T .; in 1880-81 served as eminent commander, and in 1882 was prelate. He has been post commander of Bartleson Post No. 6, G. A. R., and an active member of the Illinois Commandery of the Loyal Legion. Among the business enterprises with which he has been identified is the Lake street elevated railroad in Chicago. Local movements receive his co-operation, and he is justly numbered among the leading professional and business men of his home city.
ILS PETER LINDSTRUM has followed the merchant tailor's trade since he was nine years of age, gaining his rudimentary knowl- edge of the business under the instruction of his father, Swen Peter Johanson, a merchant tailor, who died in Smaland, Sweden, at seventy-five years of age. The latter had three sons (all in America) and one daughter by his first marriage, and by his second wife, Christine Müller, had only one child, Nils Peter, who was born in Bjelbo, Christdaliasaken, Smaland, Sweden, Sep- tember 23, 1850. The family being poor it was impossible for him to attend school regularly; in
fact, his entire attendance at the common school was limited to eleven weeks. However, being ambitious to learn, he often devoted his evenings to study and in that way gained a practical fund of information that has proved very helpful to him. As soon as he was old enough to be of assistance he was taken into his father's shop, where he served an apprenticeship to the tailor's trade.
April 21, 1869, Mr. Lindstrum sailed from the old country for America, and after a voyage of fourteen days he landed in Quebec, May 21. Thence he proceeded to Chicago and from there went to Galesburg, Ill., where he worked at his trade for more than two years. On his return to Chicago he secured employment in a tailor's shop. In July, 1883, he came to Joliet, where, in October, 1886, he opened a merchant tailor shop at No. 913 South Joliet street. During the forty years that he has worked at his trade he has acquired a thorough knowledge of all of its details and is a reliable, efficient and skilled work- man, whose reputation for honesty and skill has secured him the patronage of first-class custom- ers. Being economical he has saved a fair pro- portion of his earnings, and is therefore in com- fortable circumstances.
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