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 49
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 49
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The education of our subject was obtained in common schools. After his father's death his mother removed to the farm where he now re- sides, and of this place he has had charge since he was fifteen years of age. In politics a Repub- lican, he was elected highway commissioner on that ticket in the spring of 1897, and is now filling the office. His marriage, September 1, 1892, united him with Miss Daisy G. Whitmore, who was born and reared in Channahon, a daugh- ter of Franklin and Eleanor (Ferris) Whitmore. They are the parents of three children, now living, Lester W., Ruth E. and Arthur.
HOMAS W. SPROAT has resided on his present farm since 1890. During that year he came from Cook into Will County and purchased one hundred acres on Maple street, of which eighty acres is in New Lenox Township, where he has since made his home. The farm at that time was in a run-down condition, its build- ings were old and its fences unsightly. Under his supervision a remarkable transformation had been effected in the appearance of the place, which now ranks with the best in the township. In 1893 a substantial and large barn was built, and four years later a fine residence was erected, while other improvements have been made from time to time. In addition to general farming he has engaged in raising cattle and has also carried on a dairy business.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The father of our subject, John Sproat, was born in Scotland, and after he was married came to America about 1846, settling near Geneva, in Seneca County, N. Y. In 1854 he came west to Illinois, spending a year in Hadley, Will County. In 1849 he moved to Black Oak (now Oaklawn), Cook County, where he has since successfully followed farming, but is now, at seventy-eight years, somewhat retired from active business cares. Since the organization of the Republican party he has voted for its principles and sup- ported its candidates in local and general elec- tions. On a question of politics there is never any doubt where to find him; he is squarely and openly for protection of home industries, for sound money and for expansion. By his mar- riage to Elizabeth McCullah, of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, lic had four children, namely: Thomas W .; Ellen, wife of Chester H. Marr; Mary E., who married James Crandall; and John R., a farmer in New Lenox Township.
Thomas W. Sproat was born in Seneca County, N. Y., August 24, 1851. Hc was a small child when the family settled in Illinois, and he passed the years of youth in Cook County, where his education was obtained in the public schools. He gained his knowledge of agriculture by work- ing on his father's farm, and he continued to re- side in Cook County until his removal to his present property. Like his father he is a stanch Republican, and like him, he has never aspired to public office, but aids the party in every way possible and assists his friends who are candidates for office. May 12, 1880, his marriage occurred to Miss Ruby Crandall, daughter of John Cran- dall, deceased, an old settler and wealthy farmer of Worth Township, Cook County. John Crandall married Jane Mckenzie, daughter of William and Jeanctte (Weir) Mckenzie. The latter, a native of Scotland, is yet living at Worth, aged ninety-one years, and is in full pos- session of all her faculties. Mr. and Mrs. John Crandall were the parents of seven children: James A .; Harriet J., wife of Benjamin Crandall; Mrs. Ruby Sproat; Mrs. Mary Biedenkopf; Daniel L .; John (deceased) ; and Ellen J., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sproat are the parents of
five children, namely: Jessie May, wife of Ed- ward Blee; Frank Edwin, who died aged ten months; Laura Ella, John Franklin and Alfred Leroy. The family attend the Methodist Epis- copal Church of New Lenox.
RWIN C. MORGAN, a farmer and stock - raiser of Wesley Township, residing on section 4, has spent his entire life on his present farm, and was born here September 13, 1854. His father, Benjamin F. Morgan, was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., born April 2, 1811, and continued to reside in that county un- til his removal to Illinois. The year 1840 found him in Will County, where he settled on section 4, Wesley Township. The following year he brought his family west and established his per- manent home here. The land on which he set- tled was raw and wild, with scarcely a furrow turned in its soil. He cleared the eighty acres, placed it under cultivation, and devoted it to general farm pursuits and to stock-raising. Later lie bought another eighty-acre tract. He was always interested when improvements in the township were proposed. He filled a number of local offices, to which he was clected on the Re- publican ticket. While he never attained wealth, yet at the time of his death, in 1882, he left a valuable farm and other property, which repre- sented the results of his labors during an active portion of his seventy-one years. He married Elizabeth Sternberg, who was born in New York and died in Will County in 1861. Of their four children, Erie F., is living in Chicago; Philip C. is deceased; Erwin C. was third in order of birth; and Sidney S. was the youngest. After the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan our sub- ject's father was a second time married, choos- ing as his wife Betsey E. Gould, a native of this county. By that marriage a daughter was born, May E., now the wife of Irving F. Lowell, of Rochester, N. Y.
When a boy our subject attended public school.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Like most boys, he was more fond of play than of study, and the best education he has gained has come from contact with the world in the school of experience, as he always keeps well posted on topics of importance. His life has been quietly and busily passed on the old home- stead. He has charge of two farms and makes a specialty of raising grain and stock. On his place he has made a number of good improve- ments, which prove him to be a man of thrift and energy. In politics a Republican, he has been active in local party matters. From 1879 to 1881 he was town clerk. In 1883-84 he served as town collector, and again in 1892 and 1898 as town clerk. At this writing he is clerk of the school board. His various positions he has filled with fidelity, showing that he is a good citizen, alive to the needs of the township. In 1880 he was united in marriage with Fannie M., daugh- ter of Henry H. Jones, of this township. They have an only child, Bessie V.
ILLIAM F. KEITH. Few of the citizens of Elwood have been identified with its history for so long a period as Mr. Keith and none has been more influential or progres- sive. In the fall of 1863 he purchased a small mercantile business in the town, which then con- tained only three dwellings and several shanties. From that day to this he has been foremost in enterprises for the upbuilding of the village. He prepared the charter for the town and after it was incorporated, by a special act of the legis- lature, he was made police magistrate. A number of times he has been chosen to serve as town trustee, and twice he was president of the board. In 1866 he was commissioned notary public by Governor Yates, and has since held the office, by successive appointment. He is also serving his fourth term as justice of the peace. In the building up of schools and churches he has taken a leading part. In fact, every movement for the benefit of the community receives his co-opera-
tion and aid. During 1868 he disposed of his general merchandise and, erecting a business block, opened a drug store, which he conducted personally for years. He is still a member of the drug firm of W. F. Keith & Son, but in 1894 practically turned over the management of the business to his son. Besides his other interests he has considerable business as an attorney, also handles real estate and acts as agent for fire in- surance companies.
Near Rome, in Lewis County, N. Y., William F. Keith was born August II, 1827, a son of John T. and Maria (Miller) Keith, of whose three children he alone survives. His father was educated for the ministry and became a mem- ber of the Methodist conference, in which he continued until, through the failure of his health from overwork, he was obliged to go south and remain until he regained his strength. His wife died while he was pastor at Mount Morris, and he died shortly after his return from the south. His father, William Keith, a native of Easton, Mass., was a minister in New York City, where he died at the age of thirty-four years. He mar- ried Sarah Tibbetts, a member of an old family of Rome, N. Y. The Keith family descended from three brothers who came to this country in an early day to escape religious persecution in their home country, Scotland. It is supposed that they settled in Bridgeport, Mass. The mother of our subject was orphaned at an early age and was taken into the home of an older brother, Isaac Miller. She was born in Con- necticut, where her ancestors were early settlers.
At the time of his mother's death our subject was ten years of age. He was given a home with his grandmother Keith in Lewis County, N. Y., but after two years went to live with an uncle in Buffalo. His education was obtained in the common schools of the latter city and at Rich Academy, Attica, N. Y. When eighteen years of age he went to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and began his apprenticeship as carpenter and builder, studying the principles of architecture. In 1848 he married Miss Rachael Mackey, daughter of David Mackey, who held many of- fices of trust in Cattaraugus County and was a
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
successful farmer. His ancestors settled in that region when the entire country was a dense for- est, through which roads had not yet been opened. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keith, of whom the daughter, Ada, is de- ceased. The son, Clarence A., is a general mer- chant in the village of Cattaraugus.
Hoping that a change of climate would benefit his wife's health, in 1856 Mr. Keith came to Illi- nois. He settled at Naperville, where his uncle, Aylmer Keith, was a banker and prominent busi- ness man. However, his wife was not improved by the change and in a few months he returned with her to New York state, where she died. Leaving his children with her parents, in the fall of 1857 he again came to Naperville. Dur- ing his first visit there he had been chosen archi- tect for the Naperville bank and superintended the construction of the building. On his return he formed a partnership with a cousin and es- tablished a notion and confectionery store in Naperville. One year later his older cousin, who was cashier of the Naperville bank, sold out and removed to Twelve Mile Grove, Will County, where he purchased a farm and embarked in sheep-raising. After a year, however, lie sold out and went to Joliet, where, with Mr. Keith, he embarked in the drug business. In 1860 the two went to Pike's Peak and established a saw- mill business. Seven months later they retureed to Joliet, and soon afterward sold the drug busi- ness. In 1861 Charles W. Keith, the cousin, formed a company of artillery, of which he was made captain. Our subject enlisted in the Nine- teenth Illinois Infantry and was made a member of the regimental band, which was organized in Lockport. He was sent to Nashville and Mur- freesboro, Tenn. During the winter he was taken ill and sent to the hospital at Elizabethtown, Ky., where, as soon as he recovered sufficiently, he was appointed apothecary. In the spring of 1863 another illness caused him to be returned to his regiment at Nashville, where lie was dis- charged and sent home, but for a year or more he remained an invalid.
In the spring of 1863 Charles W. Keith came to Elwood and purchased a farm, and our subject
made his home with him for a time. As soon as he was able to engage in business he opened a store at Elwood, and here he has since been a prominent business man. In politics he is a Democrat, and for two years he served as deputy county treasurer under Treasurer Donahue and eight years under Mr. Spangler. He is identi- fied with the Presbyterian Church and for ten years served as an elder. In 1866 he married Miss Hannah T. Leverich, who was born in Waterford, Pa. To their union three children were born, viz .: William H., who is chief clerk and cashier in the freight department of the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad in Joliet; Edward E., who has charge of the drug business in Elwood; and Eva M., who is with her parents.
OBERT WHITLEY, head miller in the large mills of Norton & Co., at Lockport, was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, Eng- land, in 1831. When fifteen years of age he began an apprenticeship to the miller's trade in a large mill at Wakefield, where he served for six years and afterward worked for wages. In the fall of 1854 lie sailed for America on the " Harvest Queen," which did not complete the voyage until seven weeks had been spent on the ocean. Meantime cholera had appeared on the ship and eighty-two passengers had fallen victims of the plague. From New York City Mr. Whit- ley came west to Illinois. He settled in Oswego, near Aurora, where he engaged in the milling business for nine years. Although he was un- familiar with the customs of our country hie was quick to learn and soon was able to compete with men of our own nationality. Being industrious and painstaking his work was satisfactory to all concerned.
From Oswego Mr. Whitley went to Chicago as a workman in a mill. In a short time he came to Plainfield and took charge of a mill. Two years later the mill was sold, and at the same time (1866) lie came to Lockport as a miller in
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the Norton mills. From that year to this he has been connected with this industry, which is one of the largest of its kind in the west. In 1871 he was sent to assume the management of the company's large mill near the Madison street bridge in Chicago, where he remained for a year. In January, 1872, he was given charge of the mill in Lockport, which was then a small plant employing few men and turning out only a small amount of flour. During the years that have since elapsed he has witnessed the growth of the mill to its present enormous proportions, and its present prosperity is due not a little to his wise oversight. He resides in Lockport and owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres three miles west of town, which represents the earnings of his active years.
Prior to leaving England Mr. Whitley mar- ried Miss Sarah Loryman, of Wakefield. Seven children were born to their union, but two of these died in childhood, and Christopher died when twenty-seven years of age. The older of the living sons is Noah, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The daughters are Maria, wife of Nicholas Pitts, a miller in Lock- port; and Ruth, wife of E. W. Ray, of Anacor- tes, Wash. The younger son, Robert, is a miller by trade, but at this time is engaged in survey- ing with his brother.
Since becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Whitley has taken an interest in public and political affairs. He was a warm admirer of Lincoln, and since the latter was president has voted the Republican ticket. In his desire to provide his children with every advantage possi- ble he did not forget his duty to the community, but has kept closely identified with the educa- tional interests of the town, and the schools here owe not a little of their excellence to his untiring efforts in their behalf. At this writing he is president of the school board, and for nine years he was a member of the board of school trustees. He has also served as an alderman of Lockport. For thirty-two years he has been a member of Lockport Lodge No. 538, A. F. & A. M., of which he was master much of the time for a quarter of a century. He has also been connected with the
chapter and commandery at Joliet for twenty- five years, being among the oldest members of the same. Any enterprise calculated to benefit his city is sure of his co-operation and aid, for he has the interests of the place at heart and takes a just pride in its advancement.
ENRY GOTTSCHALG, who resides at No. 411 Collins street, Joliet, was born in Joliet Township in 1862, and has spent his entire life in this county, devoting his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. His father, August, a native of Saxony, Germany, learned the shoemaker's trade in his youth and followed it for some time in his native land, where he also worked as a stone mason. In accordance with the national custom he served his time in the German army. In June, 1847, he came to the United States, proceeding direct to Joliet, at that time a small village in the midst of an unimproved farm region. Soon after his arrival he purchased twenty acres three miles east of Joliet, on Maple street, in Joliet Township. The land was unim- proved, and was practically in its primeval con- dition. He set himself to the task of clearing and cultivating the place, erecting needed build- ings and fences, and making such improvements as his means rendered possible. He continued to make his home on the same place until 1892, when advancing years with their attendant in- firmities caused him to retire from active labors. Having met with success in his enterprises he was able to spend his declining days in the en- joyment of a competency that had been justly earned and mierited. From time to time he had added to his possessions until he was the owner of four hundred and twelve acres in this county and two hundred and twenty acres in Nebraska, in addition to city property ; and this large acreage was remarkable when it is remembered that he came to America with little means. He died in Joliet October 2, 1898, when almost seventy-six years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
name of Dora Ford, was born in Saxony, Ger- the Indians. In the subsequent years he beeame many, and died in Joliet July 22, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years. Seven ehildren born to their union are now living, namely: Amiel and Osear, who are farmers in Nebraska; Matilda, wife of Louis Huff; Lillia, who married C. C. Colby; Henry; John, of Joliet; and Augusta, who is the wife of Henry Rub.
The education of our subjeet was acquired in the country schools of this eounty. Familiar with farm work from his youth he naturally selected agriculture for his life oeeupation. In 1889 he began independent farming on the old Berger farm in New Lenox Township, at first renting the plaee, but in 1894 purehasing it, and he continued to reside there for some years, en- gaging in the raising of eattle and horses, in ad- dition to general farming. All of the improve- ments on the place were made under his personal supervision. He built the residenee, which is a comfortable farm house, and also put up other buildings as needed. In February, 1899, he moved from the farm into the eity, in order to give his ehildren the educational advantages he desired for them. He has never been active in polities, although he keeps posted eoneerning the questions brought before our eountry for solution, and in his opinions inclines toward Republiean doetrines.
The marriage of Mr. Gottsehalg took place in1 1889 and united him with Maggie, daughter of Adam Meyer, a resident of Troy Township. They have four children, Ivy Augusta, Estella Ida, Elmer A. and Carl August. The family are eonneeted with the Lutheran Chureli.
A RTHUR C. CLEMENT. The founder of the Clement (or Clements, as it was thien spelled) family in America was Robert Clements, Jr., who came from England thirty years after the sailing of the " Mayflower " and settled in Haverhill, Mass. He was one of three trustees to whom the town was deeded by
a man of great influenee in the village, where his father and family joined him and where he eon- tinued to reside until death. Benaiah Clement, a deseendant of Robert, Jr., spent much of his life in Windsor, Vt., where he was born; he died at forty-nine years of age. His son, Charles, was born in Windsor in 1810. In the spring of 1833 he eame west on horseback, and after a short time in Peoria, Ill., settled in Joliet, where he bought one aere, ineluding what is now the northwest eorner of Bluff and Exchange streets. He built the first frame building in the town, which he sold later. With Mr. Wileox he en- gaged in the mereantile business for two years. In company with that gentleman, Mr. Allen and others he established the Joliet Courier and published the same in Merehants' Row on North Bluff street. In the possession of our subject is the first impress of the first edition of this paper, which bears the date of April 20, 1839.
On aeeount of ill health Mr. Clement returned to New England and temporarily retired from business pursuits. About 1860 he returned to Joliet and started a dry-goods store on the corner of Jefferson and Ottawa streets, where the Will County Bank now stands. In 1863 he sold out and engaged in loaning money on real-estate and farm lands. In politics he voted with the Dem- oerats, and on that tieket was many times eleeted to the eity eouneil. He died in this eity Decent- ber 11, 1878. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Cordelia Wileox, was born in Elbridge, N. Y., in 1825, and died in Mayville, that state, i11 1893. She was a daughter of Loami Wileox, a farmer, and a sister of the gentleman who en- gaged in business with her husband. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Clement consisted of a son, Arthur C., and a daughter, Aliee C., Mrs. Chaney, of Chautauqua, N. Y.
In the first frame house built in Joliet the sub- ject of this notice was born January 16, 1852. He was reared in Chester, N. H., until ten years of age, and afterward studied in the Joliet publie sehools. In 1868 he entered Cornell University, from which he graduated in 1872 with the de- gree of B. S. He began the study of law in the
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
office of Olin & Phelps and later studied in the Chicago College of Law for a year, being ad- mitted to the bar at Mount Vernon, Ill., in 1875. Entering upon practice he was a member of the firm of Phelps & Clement until 1878, when his father died and he, as administrator, settled up the estate and continued the loan business started by his father. In 1885 he formed the firm of Clement & Oliver, dealers in real estate and loans, but that connection was dissolved in 1891, and he continued alone for some years. In 1897 the firm of Clement & Chaney was formed, and this partnership continues to the present time. He has built and improved considerable real-estate. He built the Clement block and remodeled and enlarged it so that it now contains eight stores, with a frontage of one hundred and thirty-two feet on Ottawa street and eighty-eight feet on Jefferson street. He also built his residence at No. 300 South Eastern avenue. Besides his other interests he is a stockholder in the Will County National Bank, in which he has been a director. For one year he held the office of president of the Silver Cross hospital, filling the position at the time the hospital was being erected. A charter member of the Union Club, he was for six years a member of its board of directors and also served as treasurer. He also held membership in the Stone City Club.
In Auburn, N. Y., Mr. Clement married Georgia, daughter of Alfred Smith, a. large farmer of that place. They are the parents of two children: Charles, a student in the North- western Medical College; and Laura, a high school student.
HARLES N. SPRAGUE, a member of an honored pioneer family of this county, owns and occupies a beautiful home in Joliet. He was born in Dupage Township, June 19, 1847, and is a son of Thomas J. Sprague, deceased, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this vol- ume. Alternating attendance at the district schools with work on the home farm, he grew
to a vigorous, robust manhood, fitted to enter upon the responsibilities of life. When he was twenty-three years of age he married and began for himself, purchasing a farm and devoting his time to its improvement. Later he became interested in a creamery, which he operated in conjunction with his father, meantime renting his farm and making his home in Joliet. He continued to be connected with the creamery until February 1, 1897, when he disposed of his inter- est in the plant. Since 1885 he has resided in Joliet, having at that time traded his farm for property in the city. While his home is here, he has for a few years been engaged in the dairy and stock business near Marseilles, La Salle County, Ill., where in 1897 he purchased a farm of five hundred and thirty-six acres. He makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn Durham cattle, and has found stock-raising a profitable adjunct of general farming. For a number of years he conducted a milk business in Joliet, running sev- eral milk wagons and having a good route. At this writing he owns stock in the Joliet Lime- stone Company, an enterprise that is proving quite remunerative.
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