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 36
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 36
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Fraternally Mr. Grant is connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Court of Honor. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He was mar- ried in Wilmington, this county, to Miss C. A. Fishburn, who was born in that place, daughter
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of John Fishburn, a pioneer farmer there. Four children have blessed the home life of Mr. and Mrs. Grant, namely: Cynthia, who died at the age of two and one-half years; Charles, who is a baggageman on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Lena E. and Edna, who reside at home.
G EORGE MASSEY, president of the Massey Stone Company, has been prominently iden- tified of recent years with the development of the quarry interests in this county. His con- nection with the quarry of which he is now the proprietor began in 1892, when the Kirkpatrick, Howk & Massey Stone Company was organized, with himself as president and owner of one-half interest. The company opened a quarry on Mill road, near Richards street, at once beginning to operate the same. After three years Mr. Massey purchased the interest of his partners, since which time he has been alone. He is the owner of. eighteen acres of quarry, which is connected by a switch with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, and is provided with a complete equipment of derricks, steam drills, etc. The products of the quarry are shipped to various parts of the coun- try, and, the quality being very desirable, bring a fair return to the owner.
A son of William and Ellen (Cleary) Massey, the subject of this sketch was born on the home farm in County Limerick, Ireland, and descended from one of the oldest families of Ballylander. Of seven children, he and three other sons survive, John being in Chicago, William at Lake Geneva, Wis., and Charles in South Chicago. When a boy he studied in the national schools of Ireland. In 1861, accompanied by his mother, he crossed the ocean from Liverpool to New York, the jour- ney on a sailing vessel, the "North America," taking forty days. He at once joined his three brothers and two sisters at Lake Geneva, Wis.,
and for two years worked on a farm near that place. Next he went to Racine, Wis., and for a year was employed in J. I. Case's machine shop. Going from there to Chicago he worked in the Northwestern Railroad shops. In 1871 he en-, gaged in general contracting in the same city, but two years later established his home in Joliet, where he has since resided. He carried on con- · tracting and a real-estate business in this city until 1892, since which time he has been identi- fied with the stone industry. He has bought and sold considerable property, and built the house which he now occupies on Collins street. Here he owns six fine buildings that pay a good rental and are among the best investments on the street. He also owns five acres of quarryland two miles west of his old quarry, which is also a good investment and will prove a heritage to his descendants.
In his political views Mr. Massey is independ- ent, never having mingled in public affairs to any extent, but preferring to devote himself ex- clusively to his business interests. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and is now a member of St. Mary's Church. In this city he married Miss Lizzie Kelley, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, a daughter of Will- iam Kelley, at one time a resident of Joliet, but who died in Chicago at eighty-four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Massey are the parents of five chil- dren: Nella T. and Catherine V., who are grad- uates of St. Mary's Academy; William E., who is taking a business course; Lizzie G. and George, Jr.
Mr. Massey deserves much credit for his suc- cess in life. Starting almost without a dollar, but being endowed with a great amount of energy and perseverance, he was determined to succeed. His life is a study to the historian of this country and an example to the younger generation. His reputation for honest dealing is proverbial and his jolly greetings and hearty ways will long be remembered by the citizens of Joliet.
Horace Humphry
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
HORACE HUMPHREY.
ORACE HUMPHREY, senior member of Of their six children only three are living, our the firm of Humphrey & Sons, is proprietor subject and two sisters. of the oldest manufacturing establishment in Joliet and enjoys the distinction of being one of the pioneer foundrymen in Illinois. In 1861 he began the foundry business on a small scale, building a foundry on land that lie first rented but later purchased. Gradually the business grew to large proportions, a machine shop was erected with a capacity of forty tons, and other improvements were made from time to time. At this writing the business place has a frontage of three hundred and twenty feet on Ottawa street. Machinery and castings of all kinds are manufactured and the quality of the products is such as to insure a steady demand for them.
Mr. Humphrey represents the fourth genera- tion in descent from a native of Holland, who, on account of persecution, went to Germany; he married a lady in Holland who was related to the Van Zandts, Bogardners and Anneka Jans family. The grandfather, John Humphrey, Sr., a black- smith by trade, devoted himself mainly to farm- ing in Canada. Owing to his connection with political affairs in that country his farm was con- fiscated and he was forced to leave. He removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and later to Baldwinsville, the same state, where he died. His son, John, Jr., was born six miles from Montreal, and be- came a moulder and foundryman in Baldwins- ville, N. Y., but removed to the west in later years and settled near Adrian, Mich., where he died. He married Phidelia Darrow, who was born, of English parentage, in what is now Oneida County, N. Y., and died in Michigan.
The oldest of the family, Horace, was born at Baldwinsville, N. Y., April 6, 1828. From early boyhood he was familiar with work in a foundry, and when very young was accustomed to make and sell castings for people in his neighborhood. He was made a partner in the business and re- mained there for some years. In 1850 his father went to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, where he waited three months for transportation. During his father's absence he conducted the business. On the former's return, in 1851, he went to Cleveland, working there until the spring of 1852, when he returned to New York. Two years later, having been offered a position in Joliet, he came to this city and entered the foundry of Jones & Cogwin as foreman. He continued with the firm until they sold out two years later, after which he was employed at carriage-making. In 1861 he embarked in the foundry business for himself and during the almost forty years that have since elapsed he has been connected with the manufacturing interests of Joliet. He has given his time very closely to business matters, with no desire to enter politics and no wish to hold public office, his participation in public affairs being confined to the casting of a Republican vote. While in Baldwinsville, N. Y., he married Miss Lucinda Howe, daughter of Cyrel Howe, a farmer of that town. They be- came the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Ida Payne, of Joliet; Cora, widow of W. J. Evans, deceased; H. Fred and Harry B., who are connected with their father in business.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
OSEPH LADD HURD, deceased, formerly one of the successful grain dealers of Joliet, was born in Acton, Mass., May 18, 1821, of English descent, and a son of Isaac and Mary Ann (Heald) Hurd. His father, a native of Massachusetts, born July 27, 1756, was a son of Benjamin and Grace (Estabrook) Hurd, and a grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Barlow) Hurd. The preceding generation was represented by Jacob Hurd, who came from England in an early day and founded the family at Charlestown, Mass. The genealogy of the Healds is traced back to Jolın Heald, a native of Bunwick-on- Tweed, and a member of a family noted for the physical stature and mental attributes of its male members. He settled in Massachusetts in 1641, and his descendant, our subject's mother, was born in that state, February 7, 1786.
The education of our subject was obtained in the east. About 1858 he came to Joliet and at once became interested in the grain business, op- erating the Michigan Central elevator and own- ing other elevators on the same road. For some years he owned the village of Bloon, a small grain town, that is now a part of Chicago Heights. In his business he had abundant opportunities for the exercise of the sterling qualities of manhood and the exhibition of those habits which are wor- thy of emulation. By his integrity he won the confidence of liis associates and was classed among the best citizens of his home town. In politics he was in sympathy with the Republican party and took great interest in supporting all political matters that tended to the improvement of the city or county. Fraternally he was a Chapter Mason, and in religion a Unitarian. Ere yet old age had come to him, his busy life ended and he passed from earth, June 12, 1876.
The lady whom Mr. Hurd married in Joliet, January 1, 1871, and who is still living in this city, bore the maiden name of Jannett A. Tullock, and is a daughter of Alexander and Ruth Eliza (Winters) Tullock. Her father, who was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1812, and was the younger son in a family consisting of two sons and two daughters. As liis father, James Tul-
lock, was a farmer of some means, he was given good educational advantages in his native land. After coming to the United States he traveled some, especially in New York and Michigan. Having learned the stone mason's trade, he gave his attention to it in different towns. On Christ- mas day of 1845, in Lucas County, Ohio, he married Miss Winters, who was born in Delaware County, N. Y., and who now owns the home where Mrs. Hurd resides in Joliet. Immediately after his marriage he came to Joliet, where he en- gaged in contracting. He helped to build the Jackson street dam that was used for almost fifty- five years, and he built the Hyde dam mill, also many residences, a few of which still stand. He witnessed and contributed to the early growth of Joliet and was one of its enterprising pioneers. Both he and his wife early identified themselves with the Presbyterian Church, and he was a con- tributor to church work as long as he lived. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons. From the time of his arrival in this city, in Jan- uary, 1846, until his death, in 1857, he aided in local movements and gave his support to all plans for the benefit of the town. For his family resi- dence he built a house on the corner of Scott and Jefferson streets, which was then in the suburbs of the city. Of the three children comprising his family, Mrs. Hurd was the eldest. The other daughter, Avelena D., married Llewellyn Baker and resides in Oakland, Cal .; the son, George A. Tullock, is engaged in the hardware business in Joliet. Mrs. Tullock is the only survivor of ten children forming the family of James and Electa (Eggleston) Winters. Her father, who served in the war of 1812, removed from New York to Lucas County, Ohio, where he cleared a farm and remained until his death. His wife, who was a daughter of Samuel Eggleston, was born in New York, of English descent, and died in Michigan.
Mrs. and Mrs. Hurd were the parents of two sons, viz .: Charles H., who graduated from the Joliet high school, and now owns a rice planta- tion in Louisiana; and William Ladd, a photog- rapher in Joliet. Having spent her life in Joliet, Mrs. Hurd is well acquainted in the city and has
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many warm friends among the best people here. She is connected with the Universalist Society. Various charitable enterprises have received her assistance and her philanthropic spirit leads her into active participation in movements of a benev- olent nature.
ILLIAM H. SHIFFER, one of the lead- ing farmers of Manhattan Township, was born in Clarion County, Pa., in 1845, and descends from German ancestors, who settled in Pennsylvania in an early day. His father, Will- iam, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1811, learned the miller's trade in his native county, and this occupation he followed there, at the same time owning and cultivating a farm. In 1857 he came to Illinois and settled on a farm near Plainfield, this county, but after a few years bought a farm near Lockport. In 1866 he dis- posed of his Illinois property and moved to Polk County, Iowa, but five years later he went to Rooks County, Kans., and entered a claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land. Clearing the ground, he put up farm buildings, placed the land under cultivation, built fences, erected a house, and in time made the farm a valuable place. He continued to reside there until his death at eighty years. During the existence of the Know-Nothing party he advocated its prin- ciples, and afterward became a Republican.
The marriage of William Shiffer united him with Elizabeth Near, who was born in Germany and was brought to the United States at eight years of age, growing to womanhood in Pennsylvania. They became the parents of twelve children, namely: John, of Joliet; Lewis, who lives near Plainfield, in Kendall County; Mary, the widow of Francis Delong, of Joliet; Sarah, wife of Syl- vester Hannes, of Des Moines, Iowa; Solomon, whose home is in Joliet; Robert, of Des Moines, Iowa; William H .; Rebecca, the widow of William Haines, of Rooks County, Kans .; Pris- cilla, wife of Nelson Bellward; Simon, of Polk County, Iowa; Charles, residing in Colorado;
and Lavinia, who is the wife of John Rollins, of South Dakota. The mother of these children died in Will County when eighty-one years of age. Four of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war, and took part in its leading battles. John was a member of the One Hundred and Forty- second Pennsylvania Regiment. Lewis, Solo- mon and Robert belonged to the Forty-sixth Illi- nois Volunteers.
At the time the family settled in this county our subject was a boy of twelve years. He was educated in common schools and Plainfield Col- lege. In 1869 he came to Manhattan Township and purchased eighty acres on section 24. Four years later lie sold that place, after which he spent three years in Manteno. In 1881 he set- tled on the old Young homestead on section 22, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres, and carries on a general farm and stock business. The most of the improvements on the farm have been made under his supervision. He is inter- ested in the Manhattan Center Threshing Com- pany, and for four years acted as manager of the machine. A Republican in politics, he has served his party as delegate to the county con- vention. For four years he held the office of justice of the peace, for one year served as town- ship treasurer, for three years was commissioner of highways of the town of Manhattan, and for seventeen successive years was school director, during a part of the time serving as clerk of the board. In the United Evangelical Cliurcli at Manhattan he is steward, trustee, secretary and treasurer, and has also been assistant superin- tendent and a teacher of the Sunday-school. All movements for the benefit of the church have re- ceived his encouragement and assistance, as have also those enterprises calculated to advance the general welfare of the people.
Marclı 17, 1873, Mr. Shiffer married Elizabetlı, daughter of William and Elizabetlı (Gardner) Karr. She was one of twelve children, six of whom are living, namely: Philip, a farmer in Nebraska; George, a farmer in Indiana; Martin and John, also residents of Indiana; Elizabeth and Kate, the latter being the wife of Malılan Stroop. One of her brothers, Henry Karr, served
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under General Grant in the Civil war, and died while in the army. In 1847 William Karr came from Germany and settled in Summit County, Ohio. In 1860 he established his home on a farm in Jackson Township, Will County, where he resided for six years. Later he made his home in Greengarden Township for three years. In 1870 he bought the farm where Mr. Shiffer now lives, and here he died at eighty years of age, and his wife when eighty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Shiffer have only one child living, Nettie, wife of Henry Eberhart, who is engaged in the lumber business in Manhattan.
RANK STOWE VANDER BOGART, one of the most popular officials of the county, has made Joliet his home since November, 1889, and for some time served as deputy clerk under Henry R. Pohl. In 1892 the Republican convention nominated him by acclamation to the office of clerk of the circuit court, and he was elected by a majority of little less than four hun- dred. Four years later he was again nominated by acclamation and was elected by a majority of two thousand three hundred and eight, which was much the highest majority given any candi- date of his ticket. His first term began in December, 1892, and the second will expire in December, 1900.
The family represented by our subject was founded in America by Dr. Hermine Myndert Vander Bogart, who came from Holland as ship surgeon of the sailer " Eendracht," in 1632, and settled in Manhattan Island. From him de- scended William Henry Vander Bogart, Sr., who was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., and about 1842 brought his family to Illinois, settling in Florence Township, Will County, where he was a pioneer farmer. He died at his homstead four miles south of Wilmington. His son, William Henry, Jr., was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., and was eight years of age when the family came west. A farmer and stock dealer, he also gave
some attention to the meat business, having a market in Wilmington for many years. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Twentieth Illi- nois Infantry and served until he was taken ill and sent to the hospital at Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he was honorably discharged. His brothers, Walter and James, enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in which the latter served as a sharpshooter until the close of the war; Walter was killed during the early part of the war while acting as a picket upon Morris Is- land. He, like his brothers, served with fidelity to the Union and proved his loyalty to his coun- try in the hour of need. He is now connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and fraternally is a Mason. At sixty-five years of age he is now living retired from business. His wife was Laura J. Stowe, daughter of Cyrus Stowe, who removed from Vermont to New York, thence to the vicinity of Niles, Mich., trom there to St. Joe, the same state, and finally set- tled in Wilmington Township, this county, in an early day.
In a family of six sons and three daughters, all still living, our subject was next to the oldest. He was born in Wilmington, this county, March 15, 1868, and was educated in the public high school of his home town. In 1886 he went to Chicago, where he was employed as bookkeeper for John G. Miller & Co., wholesale clothiers. Later he went back to Wilmington and from there came to Joliet. In addition to his duties as cir- cuit clerk he is treasurer and a stockholder and director of the Hercules Gold Mining Company, which owns three hundred and eighty-five acres of land two and one-half miles from Deadwood. With his father-in-law, Wilbur L. Keeney, he bought the Naperville electric light plant soon after it had been established, and this they built up, he acting as president of the company and his father-in-law as secretary, treasurer and manager. In politics he has always been an ardent Repub- lican, and takes an intense interest in the success of his party. Until the Joliet camp of Sons of Veterans disbanded he was one of its active members.
The marriage of Mr. Vander Bogart took place
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in Naperville, Ill., and united him with Miss Nellie M. Keeney, who was born in East Glas- tonbury, Conn., and in 1874 came to Wilming- ton, Ill., with her parents, who in 1892 removed to Naperville, and now reside in Joliet. To their union one child has been born, a daughter, Ruth Helen.
ILLIAM SIMPSON, deputy assessor of Joliet, has for some years been an active participant in the public life of the city. He is a firm believer in Republican principles and a stanch supporter of the men and measures put forward by the party. With the enthusiasm that is one of his attributes he has entered heartily into the field of politics. During his period of service as a member of the county committee he was for a time its assistant secretary. Formerly he held the chairmanship of the city central com- mittee of the party, and is still one of its mem- bers, besides being identified with the work of the township committee. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Illinois State League of Republican Clubs.
The Simpson family is of English ancestry. Mr. Simpson's father, Butler, was born in Lon- don, England, and in early life came to the United States with his father, settling on a farm in Joliet Township, this county. In 1862 he came to Joliet. During a portion of the Civil war he was employed by the government in the repairing of wagons. On returning to Joliet he secured em- ployment in Davidson's quarry. In 1865 he bought property on South Chicago street, where he carried on the business of wagon-making. Later he was interested in a grocery with his sons. He married Mary Jane Coates, who was born in Scarborough, England. They still re- side in Joliet, as do also their five living sons, viz .: William, Frederick, Walter, George and Harry.
In this city our subject was born June 28, 1863, and here his education was obtained in the public schools and Prof. Russell's Business College.
For five years he served as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade under Dan Winters, after which he followed this occupation for six years, during the last two of which he engaged in contracting and building. In 1889 he bought an interest in a grocery at No. 303 South Chicago street, but after nine months sold to his partner, Mr. Mur- phy, and then established the grocery house of Simpson Brothers in his father's store building, continuing there for three years, when he sold out.
When Robert J. Morrison was elected town- ship assessor in 1894 Mr. Simpson received the appointment of deputy, which he has held ever since, with the exception of the year spent as keeper at the Illinois state penitentiary under Major McClaughrey. The latter position he resigned after thirteen months on account of ill health. In 1896 he was deputy collector under T. N. Williamson and two years later hield the same position with William Winckler. In 1898 he received the appointment of city sealer, which he held for one year until a change was made in the mayor's office. He is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Possessing a genial, companionable disposition he has won many friends among the people of the city, and is popular both in public affairs and social circles.
The marriage of Mr. Simpson took place in Joliet October 20, 1885, and united him with Miss Josephine D. Wheeler, who was born in Frankfort Township. The only child of their union, Lawrence F., died September 20, 1897, at the age of nine years and nine months. Mrs. Simpson is a daughter of Benajah and Elizabethı (Sanders) Wheeler, natives respectively of New York and Vermont. She was one of eight chil- dren, all but one of whom are living; of the sur- vivors she is the oldest and the only one in Joliet. Her paternal grandfather, D. N. Wheeler, re- moved from New York during the latter part of the '3os and settled in Frankfort Township, this county, remaining there until 1897. He then went to Virginia, Neb., where he has since lived retired from active labors. Benajah Wheeler re- moved to Missouri in 1871 and is now engaged in farming in Grundy County, that state. His wife
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was a daughter of Frank and Sarah Sanders, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, but settled in this county prior to the '40s, and has since made his home in Greengarden Township, Will County, where he owns a section of land.
OHN F. SKEEL, clerk of the board of school inspectors and clerk of the board of education of Joliet Township, is a descendant of a Welsh family, whose first representatives in this country were two brothers that settled in Connecticut. His grandfather, Nathan Skeel, a native of Connecticut, removed to Salt Point, near Syracuse, N. Y., and engaged in the manu- facture of pumps. During the war of 1812 he served in the defense of Sackett's Harbor. At an early date he brought his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1830 settled in Hennepin, Ill., where he manufactured pumps. At the time of the Black Hawk war his son, Linus B., enlisted in the army, where he showed himself to be a man of courage and hardihood. The active life of Linus Skeel was passed in farm pursuits near Hennepin, and he was successful in his under- takings. On retiring from active labors and busi- ness cares he removed to Gibson City, Ford County, Ill., and there his death occurred in 1897, when he was eighty-six years of age. During the Civil war his farm was a station on the underground railroad and more than one run- away slave was helped by him on his way to free- dom. He was a devout and leading member of the Congregational Church and one of the prin- cipal workers in the congregation in his locality.
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