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 41
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 41
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ILLIAM PLATT is one of the well-known farmers of Kendall County and owns and occupies a fine farm in Seward Township, where he has lived for many years. Since com- ing to his present farm he has doubled its acre- age, has made many improvements in the way of buildings, etc., and has energetically carried on the work of the farm, raising grain principally. On the eighty acres comprising his original homestead he has put in forty-four thousand rods of tiling. The best-improved farm ma- chinery, including a corn sheller, grinders, etc., may be found on his place, and an adequate supply of water is furnished by two wind mills.
Mr. Platt was born in Hewton Moor, near Manchester, England, July 6, 1844, a son of Thomas Platt, a carpenter, who was engaged principally in repairing and making railroad cars. In the fall of 1859 the family came to America and settled in this county. They crossed in the sailer Lucy Thompson, which spent six
weeks in the voyage, meantime encountering one exceedingly severe storm and another not so severe; finally, after great delay by reason of the loss of the sails, the ship sailed into New York harbor. From there the family traveled by rail- road to Buffalo, thence by lake to Cleveland, and from there by train to Joliet. Arriving in Ken- dall County, the father bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. This he broke and placed under cultivation, and he has ever since engaged in farm pursuits, although at this writing, on account of advanced age, he has to some extent retired from active pursuits. While in England he married Anna Bostick, who died in this county in 1877. They had seven chil- dren, of whom the following survive: William, James, Jane, Samuel and Mary E.
When the family came to America our subject was fifteen years of age, and he well remembers the fearful storm they encountered on the ocean, when for a time all hope was lost and the pas- sengers momentarily expected to be hurled to a watery grave. From Joliet he walked to Ken- dall County with his father and selected a suit- able location for their home. He at once began to assist in the breaking of the prairie, and proved so efficient that he succeeded in breaking every acre but one, in the entire place. In Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty- ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to the front, serving in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, and taking part in the battles of Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chattanooga, Chicka- mauga, etc. He accompanied General Sherman on his famous marchi to the sea, until he was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, June 22, 1864. The wound was a serious one, his right hand being completely shattered by a gunshot, so that amputation was necessary. The operation was a serious one and left him so weak that for four days he could eat nothing whatever. Slowly, however, his strong constitution triumphed, and he was able to leave the field hospital for more comfortable quarters in Chattanooga and later in Nashville. From the latter city he was returned home on a furlough. He refused to accept his discharge, for it was his ambition to return and
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be of service to his country in some way until the war was ended. In 1865 he was honorably discharged, with a record as a soldier of which he and his might well be proud.
It was some months after his return home be- fore Mr. Platt was able to engage at any work. In the spring of 1865 he rented forty acres, but a few months later he bought the eighty acres where he now lives. In the fall of 1894 he bought an adjoining eighty, so that he now has one hun- dred and sixty acres. All of the buildings on the home place were erected by him, and he did most of the work personally, only paying out $30, altogether, for carpenter work on his house. He is connected with the Grand Army Post at Morris and in politics is a Republican. For two terms he served as path master and for nine years as school director. In religion he is con- nected with the First Congregational Church.
The first marriage of Mr. Platt was in the fall of 1864, when Ellen M. Putney became his wife. One child, Mary Elizabeth, was born of this union. By his second wife, Ellen Bannon, he had no children. He and his present wife, who was in maidenhood Bertha Larson, are the par- ents of five children, viz .: Sylvia May, William Sherman, Bert Ulysses, John Garfield and Oscar Winfield Grant.
LAVIUS J. SLEEZER. The business in- terests of Newark have a capable represen- tative in Mr. Sleezer, who is proprietor of a hardware store in this place, selling a general line of hardware and tinware and also doing a general repairing and manufacturing business. In addition to the management of the store he conducts a farm of thirty acres, on which he has a number of head of stock and engages in farm- ing in a small way. He has also owned and con- ducted a blacksmith's business in the village. During the years from 1894 to 1897, in partner- ship with his brother, Charles Sleezer, he carried on a well-drilling business in Kendall, Grundy and LaSalle Counties, and in that time they sunk many of the deepest and most difficult wells in the vicinity, among these being the town well
of Newark and the well on Joseph Jackson's place in Millington. From early boyhood he has shown a talent for building and operating ma- chinery. Among his early products were a windmill and tread power, and the well-drilling machinery operated by him as above related was of his own design and make. Since he came to Newark he has erected two houses, one in 1898, which he rents, and the other in 1896, which is owned by I. J. Miehl.
The genealogy of the Sleezer family is found in the sketch of Seth C. Sleezer, presented on an- other page. Flavius J. Sleezer was born on the family homestead in Kendall County June 12, 1863, a son of Seth C., Sr., and Eliza A. (Kel- logg) Sleezer. His education was begun in common schools and completed in the high school at State Centre, Iowa. He remained with his parents until his marriage. March 31, 1886, he was united with Lois M., daughter of Samuel and Laura (Rolph) Lewis, the latter of whom, a widow, makes her home with her only child, Mrs. Sleezer, and our subject's widowed mother is also a resident of their home. Mrs. Sleezer was born in Jones County, Iowa, and accon1- panied her parents to LaSalle County, Ill., in childhood, where she grew to womanhood. By her marriage four children were born: Ethel M., Viola, Dewey Lee and Fannie M.
After his marriage Mr. Sleezer rented land near the old homestead. Five years later he bought the Harrington farm of eighty acres, which remained his home until 1895. During the last years of his residence on that farm he and his wife gave their attention principally to raising poultry, and carried all the leading breeds, including Light Brahmas, Rose Comb Wyandottes, Barred Plymouth Rocks and Brown Leghorns, also Mammoth Bronze turkeys, Tou- louse geese and Pekin ducks. Their trade be- came quite large, including not only consign- ments of eggs to markets, but also shipments of poultry throughout the country from Maine to California. In 1895 he disposed of the farm and poultry business and moved to Newark, where he organized the firm of Sleezer & Sinclair. After eighteen months Fred Kellogg became a
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member of the firm, buying Mr. Sinclair's inter- est, and the title was afterward Sleezer & Kel- logg until our subject purchased his partner's interest in 1898, since which time he has con- ducted the business alone. In June, 1900, he perfected a free rural mail delivery box, on which a patent was allowed on the 15th of the following August. He also has invented a machine for their manufacture, owing to the increased de- mand, and this was placed in operation Novem- ber I. Witli his increased facilities he is able to supply the present demand, and in this short time has established a business which is destined to reach a great volume. Made of galvanized iron, it is provided with signal flags of metal to indicate mail for collection by the carrier or for the owner of the box.
Supporting principle rather than party, Mr. Sleezer has never identified himself with any po- litical organization, but gives his influence to such men as he believes most trustworthy and efficient. He has served as a member of the town board. A man of strict temperance prin- ciples, he gives his support to the temperance cause, believing it to be one of the most impor- tant movements for the benefit of humanity.
Politically Nathaniel Roe was affiliated with the Democratic party. He served the people of his town as assessor, and in 1877 was made a Both he and his wife are active members of the . member of the local board of supervisors. From Baptist Church, and he filled the office of assist- ant Sunday-school superintendent for some years. He is a well-educated young man, and both be- fore and after his marriage taught in his home district, but of late years other business matters have taken his entire attention, to the exclusion of educational work.
ABRIEL S. ROE. Kendall County has no more reliable, patriotic citizen than Gabriel S. Roe, who, in a quiet, unassuming man- ner, performs every duty, and had led a life worthy of emulation. He is of Scotch and Welsh extraction and possesses in a marked de- gree the innumerable sterling characteristics of his ancestors, including those of deep thought- fulness and a keen sense of responsibility in all of his relations toward God and mankind.
The paternal grandfather of the above-named
gentleman was William Roe, who married Miss Mittie Ann Mapes. He came to America and settled near Chester, N. Y., and became an im- portant factor in the work of the Presbyterian Church, being known as "the elder." Nathan- iel, father of G. S. Roe, was born in Chester, N. Y., November II, 1815, and at a tender age was orphaned, and thenceforward was dependent upon his own resources. He was actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and dairying in Chester for a number of years, and by industry accumulated a competence for age.
He wedded Sarah, daughter of Gen. Charles Board, and five sons and one daughter were born to this worthy couple. Mrs. Roe was a grand- daughter of Joseph Board, who, with his two brothers, James and David, emigrated from Wales to the United States at an early period and settled in a village which was afterwards known as Boardville, N. J. There they had charge of a great, prospering ironworks, and in time they were owners of fifteen hundred acres of land there.
1849 to the time of his death, December 9, 1884, he held the office of elder in the Presbyterian Church, and few members of his community who have been called from its midst during the past quarter of a century have been more sin- cerely and widely mourned. About fifteen years after the death of the husband the wife and mother was summoned to her reward, and was placed to rest by his side in the peaceful cemetery at Chester. A beautiful memorial window, placed in the Chester Presbyterian Church, re- calls to the minds of those who were acquainted with those noble souls their grand, unselfish, sympathetic lives.
Gabriel Seely Roe, who was born in Chester, Orange County, N. Y., August 28, 1845, was reared in the quiet routine of farm work and it was not until 1871 that he bade adieu to the home he loved and set forth to make his own way in the west. After staying in Illinois for a short
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time he went to Kansas and spent three months in the Neosho Valley. The young man did not like Kansas, on the whole, and therefore went to Iowa, where he prospected three months, seeking a good opening for business. However, in the early part of 1874 he returned to Illinois, and on the 11th of April of that year bought two hun- dred and sixty-two and one-half acres in Kendall Township-his present home. For the past twenty-six years he has been actively occupied in cultivating and developing his homestead, which is considered one of the model farms of this county. He has been especially successful in the dairy business, and sometimes ships milk to Bristol and often to Yorkville. He keeps a high grade of live stock, the fifty head of cattle which he owns at present being Durhams, while he also raises Poland-China swine, black-faced sheep and standard horses. He raises what grain he needs for his stock, and his farm supplies his household with a large share of the necessaries of daily life.
During the Centennial year, October 12, 1876, Mr. Roe married Louisa C. Dean, daughter of John M. Dean, a bridge-builder, and a resident of Rock Island. Hannah E., eldest born of Mr. and Mrs. Roe, is the wife of Alexander Wilson, of Worthington, Minn., and Abigail G., the youngest child, lives with her parents. Thomas B., the only son, died when in his fourteenth year. Mr. Roe has served as a member of the local school board. He uses his ballot in favor of the Democratic party, and has steadily declined any official honors. Religiously he is a Congre- gationalist, and holds membership in the North Yorkville Church.
AMES AARON GODARD. The family of which James A. Godard is the only surviv- ing representative was numbered among the early settlers of Kendall County, and since the infancy of this county the father and son have borne a full share in its development and prog- ress.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Aaron Godard, was a native of Connecticut, and came in 1836 to Illinois, where he died in 1848, in his
seventy-ninth year. His son, Chauncey Y. Godard, was born near Rome, N. Y., in 1810. In 1833 he came to Chicago on horseback, and, in company with his brother, William A. Godard, assisted in the building of the first landing pier erected in that place. Later they proceeded down the Fox River and took up a claim in what now is known as Kendall County. Here they were the first to do plowing north of the Fox River, and for years the Indians were much more plen- tiful in this region than the white race. On their way west their money was exhausted and they took the job of building a barn at White Pigeon, Mich., to secure the means of continuing their journey. Before the young men arrived in Chi- cago they learned that they would be unable to buy feed there for the horses which had so faith- fully carried them from the Empire state, and, at what is now South Chicago, they sold them to a man who, as he had no ready money, gave a note in exchange. Some months afterward, when the brothers applied to him for payment, he pleaded that he could not meet their demands, owing to continued illness and expense, and they were obliged to take back the horses. Accord- ingly they rode on horseback to their old eastern home, and for several years they made an annual visit to their relatives in New York. In 1836 Chauncey Y. Godard brought to his prairie home his new wife, formerly Rachel Ann Green, who shared his fortunes until her death in 1868. In 1840 the worthy conple made the long journey to New York state in an old-time prairie schooner, and the wife spent the next three years in that more civilized community. During the absences of the father from his possessions in Illinois his claims were "jumped" several times, and, as lie was of an extremely mild and peaceful disposi- tion and would not engage in litigation, he merely settled elsewhere each time. In 1845 he located on a tract of land situated three miles north of Yorkville, and continued to dwell there until 1868, when he moved to North Yorkville, where his life came to a peaceful close October 12, 1898. He was a stanch adherent of the Repub- lican party after its organization, and in his township he frequently occupied local offices.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
For two-score years lie was a deacon in the Bap- tist denomination, and for a score of years he acted in the additional capacity of chorister. He assisted materially in the construction of two churches in Yorkville and was active in all good works. Being an unflinching opponent to slav- ery, he was a leader in the abolition movement and often assisted escaping slaves on their way north.
James A. Godard was born at Mayville, N. Y., July 23, 1841, and in his boyhood attended the district schools of Kendall County. He was the only child, and, his parents being ambitious for him, he was later sent to school in his native county and to academies at Aurora, Galesburg and Rockford, Ill. He remained on the home farm until 1866, when he embarked in the hard- ware and grain business at Yorkville. In July, 1877, he became an agent for the Bradley Manu- facturing Company, and during a period of twenty-one years, except while serving a term as a county officer, represented that concern on the road. He made an excellent record as a sales- man, and always commanded a high salary and the respect and esteem of everyone with whom he had dealings. His labors were chiefly in Illinois, but for two years he traveled extensively in the west, visiting various points in Washington, California, Utah and Idaho.
Since arriving at maturity James A. Godard lias been active in the Republican party and has officiated in numerous township positions, in- cluding that of the mayor of North Yorkville. For four years he served acceptably as circuit clerk and recorder, and during that period he mnade two complete abstracts, one of which is to be found in the court-house, while the other is in his possession. In January, 1899, he opened an office in Yorkville, and now carries on a large real estate and collection business. He also is a notary public and represents the Orient, Conti- nental, Prussian National and Connecticut In- surance Companies. Of late years he has been considerably interested in building enterprises here, as he has erected the elevator, two stores, the brick Union Block, his own residence and other business locations.
The marriage of Mr. Godard and Elizabethı Wilbur was celebrated October 30, 1862. Their eldest child, Dwight, a fine musician, is a mem- ber of the Military Band and Orchestra of Au- rora, Ill., and is a well-known composer of music. Minnie, Mrs. Theodore Worcester, of Aurora, also is a talented musician, and, besides being a teacher of the piano and organ, has been organ- ist of the New England Congregational Church of her city for the past eight years. Gertrude, Mrs. William Alcott, who for two years was at the head of the millinery department of the larg- est store in Aurora, and now occupies a similar position with Mandel Brothers in Chicago, is a lady of notable elocutionary achievements and was awarded several gold and diamond medals in Demerest's oratorical contests. Gerald D., who is a good violinist, made an enviable record during the Spanish-American war, as he enlisted in the Thirty-third Michigan Infantry and was one of the troops which participated in the San- tiago (Cuba) campaign. The beloved wife and mother was summoned to the silent land July 4, 1888, and subsequently our subject wedded Mrs. Jennie Godard, widow of George Godard. Her father, Robert McMurtrie, was one of the pio- neers of this county, having arrived here in 1838.
The children of J. A. Godard may trace their unusual musical ability to hereditary influence, as the father was likewise gifted by nature, and for eighteen years was a member and business manager of the Kendall Cornet Band. Frater- nally he is a member of Kendall Lodge No. 471, A. F. & A. M.
RANK P. TYLER. The farm owned and occupied by Mr. Tyler is one of the best to be found in that favored portion of Kendall County known as Little Rock Township. Its appearance does credit to the owner's progressive and energetic spirit, and proves him to be a man of thrift and industry. The property is the old family homestead, which, after his father's death and through the purchase of the other heirs' in- terests, came into his possession. The grain that is raised on the farm is used wholly for feeding
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his stock, of which he has a fine assortment of Norman horses, Poland-China hogs, and Polled- Angus cattle. One hundred and sixty acres of the farm are under the plow, the remainder be- ing used for the pasturage of the stock. In ad- dition to the stock on his farm he is owner of five shares in the company that owns a valuable imported stallion.
The father of our subject, Orrin Tyler, was a native of New York and there grew to man- hood and married. In 1853 he removed from that state to Illinois and settled in Kendall County, buying a tract of farm land for which he paid $13 an acre and which consisted of eighty acres. The place was practically wild prairie. Little land had been broken and no at- tempt had been made at improvement. With two yoke of oxen he broke the land, after which he planted various farin products. From the first he has prospered. In 1860 he bought forty acres, for which he paid $25 an acre. Besides raising grain, he devoted some attention to the stock business, which he found a profitable ilt- dustry. He was interested in local affairs and often served as a delegate to conventions of the Republican party. At the time of his death he was about sixty years of age. A few years before he moved from New York he married Eleanor Chambers. The oldest of their seven children, our subject, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., November 1, 1852. Being an infant at the time the family removed west, he remem- bers no other home than this. He assisted in the improving and cultivating of the land from the time lie was large enough to handle a plow. After he was twenty-one his father paid him wages. Ten years later he married and became sole proprietor of the farm, which he worked on shares, continuing in that way until the death of his father, when he purchased the prop- erty.
Reared in the Republican party, Mr. Tyler has always been firm in his adherence to its principles. Frequently he has been delegate to county or senatorial conventions. His long ser- vice (twenty years) as a member of the school board proves his efficiency as a director of the
schools. Equally efficient, too, he has proved as highway commissioner, to which office, after having filled it for nine years, he was re-elected in 1900 for a term of three years. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen and the Home Forumi. His marriage took place Janu- ary 10, 1884, and united him with Emma, daughter of Enos and Eliza Hughes. They have one son, Vernon Tyler, who is now attend- ing school in Plano.
AMUEL NORMANDIN, sheriff of Kendall County, is one of its most esteemed citizens and public officers. His record is of a char- acter of which he has reason to be proud, and he neglects no opportunity to advance and protect the interests of the public.
The fiftieth wedding anniversary of our subject's parents, Peter and Matilda (Le Parle) Normandin, was celebrated January 22, 1900, at their home in Waterman, Ill. The occasion was a joyous one, and for the first time in years the family were united, all of the eight children being pres- ent to share in the happiness of their parents.
The father, who is a native of Canada, and whose marriage took place in Montreal, came to Illinois at an early day, and for many years was successfully engaged in farming in the vicinity of Kankakee. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and are highly esteemed. Their children are named as follows: Edward, of Ellsworth, Iowa; Julia, residing at Waterman, Ill .; Levi P., of Jackson, Mich .: Emma, wife of Ellis Mighells, of Plano, Ill .; Napoleon L., of Chicago; Samuel, of this sketch; Eugenie, wife of Charles Fuller, of Waterman; and John, of Chicago.
The birth of Samuel Normandin occurred in Kankakee, Ill., September 28, 1862, and in this state he was reared to maturity. He resided for a period at Aurora, and later made his home at Waterman, Ill. When he was in his eighteenth year he went to Jackson, Mich., where he worked in the Michigan Central Railroad locomotive shops and thoroughly mastered the trade of a machinist. After spending three years there lie
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returned to Illinois and made his home in Plano, where he was employed in the shops of the Plano Manufacturing Company until the business was removed to West Pullman.
From the time that he arrived at his majority Mr. Normandin has been identified with the Re- publican party. He has acted as marshal, con- stable, deputy-sheriff, and finally, in November, 1898, was elected sheriff of this county by a hand- some majority, running far ahead of his ticket.
Fraternally Mr. Normandin is a member of Kendall Lodge No. 471, A. F. & A. M., and for the past twelve years has been identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. In Septem- ber, 1887, he married Elizabeth Boda, of Plano, Ill. Four children bless their union, namely: Viola, Roy, Nina and Iva.
ON. JOHN REDMAN MARSHALL. One of the greatest factors in the development of a community,-in the extension of its interests, the deepening of its influence, and the progress of its industries, is the newspaper; and especially is this the case where the paper is edited by a man of logical mind, far-seeing judg- ment, and broad, progressive spirit. It is largely due to the exercise of these traits that Mr. Mar- shall has made of the Kendall County Record a paper that stands for all that is highest, noblest and most to be desired. He is a well known figure in the journalism of this locality. To a marked degree he possesses the characteristics of a successful journalist. His pen is ready and forceful; his logic is keen, his mind impartial, unswerved by petty prejudices. To all the changes that have come into the realm of journal- ism since his identification therewith he has readily adapted himself, and, in fact, this adapta- bility to changing conditions is among his noticeable characteristics. The paper, which he founded in 1864, and of which he has since been the ruling spirit, is an eight-page weekly of six columns. So great is its influence that it is known throughout the entire county. Its circu- lation of eighteen hundred is remarkable when it
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