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 34
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 34
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In 1859 Mr. Fraser married Ann A., daughter of James Brown, a farmer in Sullivan County, N. Y., who settled in Will County in 1853. Six sons were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, two of whom are living, Herbert A., who teaches in Joliet, and Ernest J., who conducts
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the home farm. The heaviest sorrow of their married lives was the loss of four of their sons, Frank having died at nine years, Gillian at seven years old, and Harry at the age of four months; while another son, Thornton, a young man of intelligence and ability, and at the time a teacher in Golconda, Ill., was drowned in 1886, while trying to rescue one of his lady pupils.
ON. ISAAC C. NORTON. A lifelong resi- dent of this county, Mr. Norton is one of the experienced steel-mill men of Joliet, having been actively identified with this business since the days when the Bessemer process was in its infancy. He has been prominent in public affairs and has wielded an influence in the Re- publican party, of whose principles he is a stanch advocate. As a member of committees and delegate to conventions he has borne his part in party matters, and at one timche represented the first ward on the board of aldermen. In 1888 he was elected to serve as a state elector and was one of the twenty-two electors who cast their votes for Benjamin Harrison for president.
Almond Norton, a native of New York and a merchant of Lewis County, was an intimate friend of De Witt Clinton and other men promi- nent in public affairs. When his son, whom hc named in honor of his statesman-friend, was a youth of sixteen years, lie brought the family to Illinois, settling in Lockport in 1842 and en- gaging in the mercantile business therc, where he died at seventy-two years. His son, who was born in Lewis County, N. Y., in 1826, became a merchant and grain-dealer and operated one of the first stone quarries in Lockport. He was superintendent of the Singer & Talcott Stone Company at Lemont until this company sold out to the Western Stone Company, and he remained with the latter as superintendent. He died in Lemont in 1892 and was buried in Lockport. In early life he was a Douglas Democrat, but voted for Abraham Lincoln's re-election and ever after
affiliated with the Republicans. He held the office of school director in Lockport and was also mayor of Lemont for ten or more years.
The marriage of De Witt Clinton Norton united him with Maria L. Singer, who was born in Con- neaut, Ohio, and is now living in Englewood, Ill. Her mother was a Miss Collins, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Norton had four sons and two daughters, namely: Isaac Cook, the subject of this article; Fred D., who is engaged in the stone business in Bedford, Ind .; Clinton S., who is also in the stone business in Indiana; Mrs. Elizabeth Knight, of Kankakee, Ill .; Mrs. Mamie Clealand, of Englewood; and Horace S., who is with the Illinois Steel Com- pany in Joliet.
The subject of this notice was born in Lock- port, Ill., December 15, 1850, and was educated in his home town and Chicago. His first em- ployment was as a clerk in Lemont. In 1870 he bought out a mercantile business in Lemont and with a partner, under the title of Kipp & Norton, carried on a profitable business. In 1872 the firm was consolidated with Teedens & Co., and as such the business was continued until 1874. Hc then spent six months in Garnett, Kans., after which he became bookkeeper for R. Mathews in Joliet. In 1878 he accepted a position as time-keeper with the Joliet (now the Illinois) Steel Company. Two years later he was made superintendent of the making of rails in B mill. In 1882 he became night superin- tendent in A mill, and continued as such for seven years, when he was made super- intendent of the Billet and Bar mill. In 1897 he was also made superintendent of the rod mill, in which capacity he has since continued, having thic oversight of between eight hundred and one thousand men. He has wit- nessed the growth of this plant from insignificant proportions to its present sizc, and lias himself been an important factor in its development. The company has had no employe more faithful to its interests than he, and liis good judgment and intelligence have materially aided tlie ad- vancement of its interests.
The residence of Mr. Norton is at No. 302
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North Eastern avenue. He was married, in Lemont, to Miss Alvira S. Niccolls, who was born in Cadiz, Ohio, and received her education in Bloomington, Ill. Her father, Eben S. Nic- colls, an early settler of Bloomington, went from there to Kansas, where he engaged in railroad contracting and in the real-estate business; he now makes his home in Joliet. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Norton. The eldest, Charles C., died at twelve years of age. The second, DeWitt Clinton, a graduate of the Joliet high school, served in Company A, Third Illi- nois Infantry, during the Spanish-American war, and is now connected with the quartermaster's department of the gulf, located at Atlanta, Ga. The youngest child, Maria Louisa, is a graduate of the Joliet high school. Mrs. Norton is a member of the Baptist Church and a contributor to its work.
RANK A. JOHNSON. The family repre- sented by this gentleman is one of the oldest in Westrejutland, Sweden. As far back as the genealogy can be traced its members have been identified with the history of that region and have contributed to its development. His father, Johannes Anderson, has spent his entire life as a merchant in Boras and is still living there, active in spite of his seventy years. He married Cath- erine Anderson, whose father, Andrew, was a farmer, and who died many years ago, leaving three sons: Edwin, who remains in Sweden; Frank A .; and Adolph, a machinist, who has made his home in Joliet since 1882.
In the village of Boras, Frank A. Johnson was born March 19, 1857, and there he received a public-school education and gained his early knowledge of business by clerking in his father's store. After his marriage, in 1883, he left home and settled upon a farm, where he and his wife . began housekeeping. The money which he saved enabled him to purchase a home of his own, but in 1886 he sold out and came to America, arriving in Joliet on the 23d of May. Soon he secured employment in the wire mill, where he remained as a fence maker, in the wire fence department for twelve years. Finally he resigned and em- barked in a business of his own, becoming a mem- ber of the firm of Johnson & Larson, in February 1899. The firm established headquarters at No. 606 Cass Street, and built up a good trade in coal, flour and feed. He sold his interest in this business in October, 1899, and then bought a half interest in an undertaking establishment at No. 503 Cass Street. The name of the firm is Wunderlich & Johnson.
Stanchly Republican in his views, Mr. John- son is a member of the Swedish-American League of Republican Clubs and has also been active in the Swedish Republican Club, serving on various prominent committees. In the Swedish Lutheran Church he is a member of the board of trustees. He carries insurance in the Fraternal Aid of Milwaukee, and is a member of the Knights of the Globe. The residence which he built at No. 318 Harris avenue makes a neat and pleasant home for himself and his wife, who was Emma Johnson, a native of Sweden. They had . but one child, Erik Arthur, and were bereaved by his death when but three years and seven months old.
Lavage
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HON. AMOS SAVAGE.
ON. AMOS SAVAGE. Both through his honorable service in the army during the Civil war and through his efficient work as a public official, Mr. Savage is entitled to a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. His army career covered a period of more than three years, beginning August 5, 1861, when he en- listed in Company G, Thirty-ninth Illinois In- fantry. His first commission was that of second lieutenant, which was succeeded, July 20, 1862, by his promotion to first lieutenant. He assisted in repelling the raid of "Stonewall" Jackson up- on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where one hundred men of his regiment defeated a night at- tack of the Third Arkansas and the Thirty-sev- entl Virginia regiments, who attempted to de- stroy a railroad bridge on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Shortly afterward, in the battle of Winchester, March 23, 1862, he lielped to drive the Confederates from the field and secure some of their guns and a number of prisoners. Witlı his command he was sent to join the Army of the Potomac and aid in the seven days' fight. From April to December, 1863, he took part in the siege of Charlestown, during which time he led liis company over the parapet of Fort Wagner. In 1864 he participated in the campaign against Richmond, with the Army of the James, and on the rith of July of that year he was given a cap- tain's commission, in which office he remained until the close of his service. On account of dis- ability he was honorably discharged, October 31, 1864. At that time his regiment had been re- duced, from the casualties of battle and from dis- ease, from seven hundred and fifty to one hundred and fifty men in the short space of two months,
which fact alone attests to the valor of the men and their active participation in the war.
As in war, so also in peace Captain Savage has proved himself a public-spirited citizen. His in- terest in civic affairs has continued thoughout his entire active life. In politics a believer in the Republican party, he was on that ticket elected supervisor of Homer Township when he was twenty-four years of age, being the youngest man ever elected a member of the Will County board. He served for a few months, resigning when he enlisted in the army. In 1867 he was again chosen to be supervisor and accepted the office, filling it five years, being chairman during two years of the time. He resigned his position on the board in 1872, in order to accept a seat in the state legislature. In that body he was known for his championship of measures for the benefit of the people. He was a member of the commit- tee that drafted the present railroad law of Illi- nois. In other ways he rendered acceptable serv- ice to the people and ably represented his con- stitnents, retiring with the good will of all. From 1876 to 1884 he was a member of the state board of equalization. In November, 1864, he was ap- pointed township school treasurer, which office he filled continously for thirty-one and one-half years. His first connection with a presidential campaign was in 1860, when he took the stump for Abraham Lincoln, and he has been active in every campaign since that time.
For sixty-one years Captain Savage made his home on the farm in Homer Township where lie was born June 18, 1836. He is one of the oldest native-born citizens of this county and has wit- nessed its growth and the development of its re-
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sources. When a young man he taught school for six successive winters, but with that excep- tion and the public offices he filled, his attention has been given to stock-raising and farming. For fifteen years he made a specialty of feeding and shipping hogs and cattle, in which work he met with success. Having accumulated a competency he determined to retire from active labors, and in 1897 removed to the village of Marley, where he now makes his home. Besides his residence here he owns three hundred and seventy acres of farm land in Homer Township, the rental of which brings him a good income. He has been a proni- inent member of the Old Settlers' Association of this county and served as its president many times. He is active in the E. A. Gooding Post No. 401, G. A. R., in which he has served as chaplain. He was appointed president of the Will County Farmers' Institute to succeed the late honored A. A. Frances, but declined the of- fice. He is president of the New Lenox County Fire Insurance Company.
The Savage family originated in England, but seven generations ago it was founded in Connec- ticut. The first of the family concerning whom there is a record was John Savage, of Middle- town, Conn., who was married at Hartford to Elizabeth Dubin, February 10, 1652. The old Connecticut homestead is still in the family. The captain's great-grandfather, Amos Savage, was born and died near Middletown, Conn. He served in the French war and the Revolution, and in the latter was commissioned an ensign, a posi- tion similar to that of lieutenant. His son, Amos, was born in Middletown, in 1765, and soon after the Revolution migrated to New York, where he became the owner of a large farm and also en- gaged in tanning. For his day he was a well-to- do man. In politics he was an old-line Whig. He died in 1839.
Levi Savage, the captain's father, was born in Washington County, N. Y., January 28, 1799. At Granville, January 27, 1822, he married Milenda Streator, who was born February 20, I799. Soon after his marriage he settled in Clinton County, N. Y., but three years later re- turned to Washington County. In June, 1833,
he brought his family to this county, settling near Joliet, but in the spring of 1834 took up land on section 28, Homer Township. There he im- proved a valuable farm. For years he was a deacon in the Congregational Church. He was an Abolitionist and a Republican. He died Feb- ruary 14, 1885, at the age of eighty-six. His wife passed away October 13, 1893, aged ninety- four. They had eight children, but only three are now living, viz .: Emily, wife of William H. Lanfear, of Homer Township; Edward, of Sioux Falls, S. Dak .; and Amos, our subject.
During a furlough while in the army Captain Savage married Mary L., daughter of Asahel and Catherine (Geddes) Slate, and a native of Georgetown, S. C., but at the time of her mar- riage a resident of Lemont, Cook County, Il1. Five children comprise the family of Captain and Mrs. Savage. The eldest, Helen E., is the wife of Frank A. Rowley, of Homer Township. Frank M. resides in Homer Township. John H. is an attorney of Chicago. Willard holds an office as meat inspector for the government at Omaha, Neb. Mary A., the youngest of the family, is the wife of Dr. Walter Paddock, of Orland, Ill. The mother of the children deserves inuch credit for the rearing of an intelligent fam- ily. She has labored self-sacrificingly to have her children a credit to the community and an honor to the family name.
The property which Captain Savage owns and the advantages which he has given his family in- dicate the energetic nature of the man, assisted by his wife, and to their determination and in- dustry they are due. In his labors as a farmer and stock-dealer he displayed good judgment and an ability to work to the best advantage. Reared in this county during its pioneer days, when the schools were few and their instruction limited, he nevertheless acquired a broad fund of practical information, and by self-culture and ap- plication has become a well-informed man, con- stantly adding to his early stock of knowledge acquired in the primitive schools. No one ap- preciates more than he the value of a good edu- cation, hence he gave his children every advan- tage in his power and also helped to promote the
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interests of the schools of the township. While Joliet and secured a position as bookkeeper and he is now retired from active labors, he still su- perintends the management of his property, and this affords an outlet for his energy and an op- portunity for the continued exercise of the judg- ment that brought his success in the past.
D HARLES A. NOBLE, county recorder, is one of the popular men of Joliet. He rep- resents an old eastern family, whose mem- bers have always displayed the greatest loyalty to our government. His father, R. S., was a son of Hugh Noble, who removed in early life from eastern New York to Dorset, Bennington Coun- ty, Vt., where the former was born and reared, and whence he removed to Illinois about 1840, settling in St. Charles. In a short time he came to Wilmington, this county, and here engaged in the marble business until his death, in 1862. He married Ellen N. Richards, who was born in Claremont, N. H., and died in this county in 1878. They were the parents of eight children, all but three of whom are still living.
The oldest son, W. S., enlisted in Company A, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and served un- til he was captured at Chickamauga, after which he was imprisoned for eighteen months at Dan- ville, Andersonville, Florence and Libby. He is now an engineer in Joliet. The second son, Henry, enlisted in Company I, One Hundredthi Illinois Infantry, and was captured at the same time with his brother, enduring eighteen months of prison life. He was finally released on a sick parole, but did not long survive, dying in the Union hospital at Wilmington, N. C., early in 1865. The third son, James R., served in the Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry until the close of the war; he is now living in Leavenworth, Kans. The fourth son, Edward H., is a locomotive en1- gineer, in Leadville, Colo., and the only daugh- ter, Mrs. Mary Slouson, lives in Denver, Colo.
The youngest of the family was Charles A., who was born at Wilmington, in this county. When he had finished liis schooling he came to
conveyancer in the real-estate office of L. E. In- galls. He soon established a reputation for skill and accuracy with a pen, and ability as an office man which made him available for a better place. This advancement canie in 1884 by his selection to fill the position of chief deputy in the office of circuit clerk and recorder of the county. This appointment was for four years and was renewed in 1888 for another term of four years. He was a courteous and capable official and acquired a large acquaintance and popularity throughout the county, so that at the expiration of his depu- tyship, in 1892, he was looked to as the proper man to organize the newly created office of re- corder of deeds. The Republicans nominated him and he was elected by a nice majority in the close election of that year, running ahead of the state and national ticket. He was re-elected in 1896 by a majority of over two thousand. His term will expire December 3, 1900.
With over twenty years' experience in a real- estate office, as clerk of the court and as recorder, he has gained a fund of practical knowledge about real-estate matters which not only makes him a very useful official, but a safe and conservative adviser, whose counsel is often sought. He buys and sells considerable real estate and is the pro- prietor of one of the principal subdivisions ad- joining Joliet.
In St. Paul, Minn., in 1887, Mr. Noble mar- ried Miss Lillian Reid, who was born in Wauke- gan, Ill., and died in Joliet in 1888. His second marriage took place in Crete, this county, in June, 1899, his wife being Miss Florence Smith, dauglı- ter of A. H. Smith.
Prominent in Masonry, Mr. Nobleis past master of Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. ; past high priest of Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. ; past Tlirice Illustrious master of Joliet Council; member of Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T., and Medinalı Temple, N. M. S. He was the first secretary of the Union Club and later was its president for several years. During the building of the Silver Cross hospital he was president of the board of trustees, and afterward continued in that capacity for some years, assisting in placing upon a firm
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basis an institution that has been an active agent in philanthropic work in Joliet. In 1891 he or- ganized the Noble Masonic Relief Society; of which he has been president from the first and which, through a system of his own, is organized so as to furnish relief promptly and systematically to the worthy poor. The Joliet Relief Associa- tion has the benefit of his assistance as one of its directors. He is also active in the Joliet Business Men's Association, and is serving upon its di- rectorate.
EORGE B. COOK. A resident of this county for many years before his death, Mr. Cook became well known among the people of this part of the state, and his manly qualities made him popular with all classes. In- dustrious, persevering and energetic, he was eminently worthy of large financial success; but unfortunate enterprises deprived him of much of his capital, and this, combined with his gen- erosity, which was a dominant trait in his char- acter, prevented him from becoming the possessor of a fortune. However, he won that which is of more value than money-the respect of his · a source of deepest sorrow to his family.
associates, the regard of his acquaintances and the affection of his friends, and it is doubtless
true that few men have been more deeply mourned . near Dublin, Ireland, the youngest of a family of at death than was he.
A son of Lewis and Mary (Hartwick ) Cook, the subject of this article was born in Watertown, N. Y., in August, 1840, and was one of a family of five sons and two daughters, of whom only two sons survive. When he was a boy his father brought the family to Illinois, settling in Cook County, where he died. The wife and mother died in Lockport in 1891. On coming to this county in early manhood, our subject for some years was employed in the office of the canal com- missioner at Lockport, after which he was lock- keeper and then a clerk in a dry-goods store in Lockport. From there he went to Channahon as lock-keeper. Two years later he accepted a position as superintendent in the widening of the feeder near Wilmington, a work that required several years in its completion. Next he became
a member of the firm of Cook & Fowler, mer- chants at Shermanville, this county, but after a few years returned to Chicago and clerked there for some time. In 1885 he returned to this county, accepting a position as clerk for Mr. Dyer in Joliet, later clerking for Neighbor & Nicholas, and afterward engaging in the dry- goods business on Washington street, thence moving to Jefferson street. On selling out he took a clerkship with the Joliet Dry-Goods Com- pany and continued in charge of their dry-goods department until his death.
Politically Mr. Cook believed in the wisdom of Republican principles and gave his vote to that party. Though not a member of any denomi- nation he was a man of firm religious belief and lived the life of a Christian. For some time he held membership in Matteson Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M., in which he was past master. He also was a member of Joliet Chapter, R. A. M., and Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T. On the 6th day of June, 1897, while out riding upon his wheel, he suddenly fell from the bicycle and in a moment was dead, the victim of heart disease. His sudden death was a shock to his friends and
March 25, 1860, in Davenport, Iowa, Mr. Cook married Miss Eliza Killeen, who was born
five sons and four daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are now living, the son, John, being a prominent citizen of New Liberty, Iowa. When a child she was brought to America by her mother and later received her education in a convent in Louisville, Ky. Her father, Theo- dore Killeen, a native of Ireland, engaged in the mercantile business there until his death. Her mother, Ann, was born in England, being the daughter of Frederick Potts, an officer in the English army. After the death of her husband she brought the family to the United States and settled in Providence, R. I. Her death occurred in Davenport, Iowa, in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Cook became the parents of two sons, James and George, both of whom make their home in Joliet, but are traveling much of the time as advance agents for Ringling Brothers' circus.
KEOKUK B. BOOTH.
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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KEOKUK B. BOOTH.
R EOKUK B. BOOTH. As an enterprising business man, Mr. Booth was well known to the people of Joliet. The record of his life affords an illustration of the fact that he who is quick to see opportunities and equally quick to grasp them may attain success, in spite of early disadvantages and many obstacles that confront him. His was a life of diligence. When only fourteen years of age he left home, and from that time he made his own way in the world, suc- ceeding so well that, although he was only in the prime of life when he died, he had accumulated a competency and built up a substantial business. Meantime lie had also made many friends, and it is said that his funeral was one of the largest ever held in Joliet, this fact affording in itself an in- dication of his popularity as a man.
Mr. Booth was born in Libertyville, Ohio, May II, 1857, a son of T. C. Bootli, a descendant of English ancestors who first settled in New Jersey and thence removed to Ohio. When he was fourteen he and his brother, Harry O., came west, and he secured a clerkship in a Chicago clothing store. He was a self-made and a self- educated man in every sense. His evenings were spent in the school room, where he laid the foundation for a store of knowledge that aided him in his business and made his society valuable to his numerous friends. After his marriage, in 1884, he removed to Lake Geneva, Wis., and entered the hardware business as a member of the firm of T. C. Smith & Co. After the death of Mr. Smith Mr. Booth came to Joliet, in 1887, and founded the business in which he afterward engaged, and which he enlarged from time to time. He had a three-story laundry operated by
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