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 55
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 55
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Fraternally Mr. Stoos is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Heis connected with the Sharpshooters' Association and the Western Catholic Union. Some years ago he married, his wife being Miss Helen Gallinger, daughter of Alexander Gallinger, a lumberman of Oshkosh, Wis.
MANDAS S. SPEICHER, a leading busi- ness man of Plainfield, was born in Berks County, Pa., December 23, 1859. When he was eight years of age his parents settled on a farın and there his youthful years were passed, his education being obtained in neighboring schools. In 1881 he started out for himself and,
coming to Plainfield, worked by the month on a farm near the village. He saved $350, and with this for a start he married and established his home in Plainfield. He rented a farm adjoining the city limits, and for four years superintended its ninety-five acres. At first he was prospered, but finally a disastrous fire caused a loss of $1, 900 in grain and property. Meantime he had started a dray and teaming business in town, and after the fire he returned to the village, where he opened a coal yard. This he conducted for two and one-half years, in connection with his team- ing. On selling the coal business he opened a livery, which he has since conducted. At the same time he began to sell buggies and other vehicles, a line of work that he has since con- tinued, having built up the leading business of its kind in the town. In 1898 he added imple- ments and binders to his stock in trade. During the summer of 1899 fire again caused a heavy loss, but he immediately rented new quarters and has since been prospered. Teaming, the livery business, and the sale of buggies and implements, engross his attention and keep him constantly occupied. Being strictly honest in all of his deal- ings he has gained the respect and confidence of other business men. Notwithstanding the mis- fortunes by fire with which he has met, he has never allowed himself to become discouraged, but has pressed forward with renewed energy, and has now placed his affairs upon a sound financial basis, with every prospect for future success.
In politics Mr. Speicher is a Republican and takes a lively interest in local affairs. He has never sought office and has never held any local position except that of policeman. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and Plainfield Lodge No. 536, A. F. & A. M. January 19, 1886, he married Miss Ada- line Neiswender, of Plainfield, and they now have three children, William Guy, Paul and Louella.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
455
COL. FRED A. JACKSON.
D OL. FRED A. JACKSON, late of the Third Illinois Infantry, Spanish-American war, and lieutenant-colonel of the Third Illinois National Guard, has made his home in Joliet since 1853. His connection with military affairs dates from 1876, when he entered the Joliet city corps as a private. Soon chosen first sergeant, in 1878 he was elected first lieutenant, and Jan- uary 23, 1880, was elected captain, which office he held for more than twelve years. The title of major was conferred upon him in July, 1892. During this time he served successively in the Tenth and Twelfth Battalions, and Fourth and Third Regiments of Illinois National Guard. On the reorganization of the Third he was elected and commissioned lieutenant-colonel, which office he held until July, 1899, when he resigned and retired from the army. His regi- ment rendered active service at the time of the Braidwood strike in 1877, the LaSalle strike in 1878, the Chicago strike in 1894, again at La- Salle in 1894, and twice at Lemont.
When troops were called for, to serve in the war with Spain, the Third Regiment volunteered and he was commissioned major of the same. After a time in the camp at Springfield the regi- ment proceeded to Chickamauga and tlience to Newport News. On the 3d of August they landed at Porto Rico, being the first soldiers to occupy Aroyo and that part of the island. Witli the Fourthi Ohio they advanced in an attack on Guyama. August 13 they marched up Coyey road, where they expected a fight, but news being received of the signing of the protocol, they were ordered back to Wyama and thience to the United States. They arrived in this country
October 3, 1898, and were mustered out at their home station. The Third continued to have the same officers until its reorganization, when its major was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel, and afterward continued as such until his retirement from the guard. In the spring of 1899 he was nominated for town clerk on the Republican ticket and was elected by a majority of thirteen hundred and twenty-six, this being the largest majority ever received by a Republican candi- date in Joliet Township. He took the oath of office April 23 for a term of one year.
Colonel Jackson was born in Springville, Sus- quehanna County, Pa., December 7, 1844, a son of Tliomas and Julia A. (Mussey ) Jackson, na- tives respectively of the north of Ireland and Connecticut. His father, at eighteen years of age, went to Canada, but soon crossed into New York and settled in Springville, where he carried on a dry-goods business. In 1853 he came to Joliet, where he bought grain for George Wood- ruff. When the Michigan Central elevator was started he managed the same for J. L. Hurd & Co., of Detroit, holding the position until his deatlı, in 1884. He was a Republican and a member of the Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1896. They were the parents of four sons and one daughter, of whom two are living, Fred A. and Henry B., both of Joliet. When our subject was nine years of age he accompanied the family to Joliet. I11 1863 he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company as bill clerk, and continued with them for twelve years, after which he was with Hobbs & Knowlton. I11 1880 he became a clerk with the Illinois Steel Company, and later was cashier, holding the
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position from 1884 to 1892, when he resigned. On the Republican ticket he was elected to repre- sent the first ward upon the board of aldermen and served until he moved from the ward. He now resides just outside of the city, where he has a comfortable home on Maple street. At one time he was connected with the Knights of Pythias. He was married in Newcastle, Pa., to Miss A. S. Crawford, who was born there. They are the parents of four sons, namely: Cleve F., who is night foreman with the Bates Machine Company; Thomas L., a locomotive engineer, who was sergeant of Company L, Third Illinois Infantry, in the Spanish war; David C., a loco- motive engineer with the Grand Rapids & Northern Indiana Railroad; and Dean H., at home.
ILLIAM F. BARRETT, late of Joliet, now deceased, was born in Lenox, Berkshire County, Mass., January 18, 1818. He was the oldest of three children, who were orphaned by their father's death in early life. When he was fifteen he went to Lyons, N. Y., where he clerked for Chester Yale, a brother of his mother. In 1835 Mr. Yale removed to Jackson, Mich., establishing a hardware store in that city. The young man accompanied him as a clerk and at the age of twenty-one was made a partner in the business, the two continuing together until the uncle died in 1843, after which the nephew grad- ually closed out the business. Coming to Joliet in July, 1850, he secured work at the tinsmith's trade with W. A. Strong, on the corner of Ex- change and Bluff streets. After little more than a year he bought an interest in the business, and the firm title became Strong, Brooks and Barrett. Several years before the war he bought the in- terest of his partners and continued the business in the same location alone, but finally business reverses came and in 1867 he sold to T. P. Ford.
Becoming interested in the stone business, Mr. Barrett purchased Weaver's quarry, but after two years sold it and bought Capt. George
R. Dyer's hardware store on Jefferson street. In 1872 he admitted his son, John Onderdonk Barrett, as a partner, the film title becoming W. F. Barrett & Son, and the two remained together until he died, June 5, 1878. For several terms he represented the fourth ward in the common council, being elected on the Republican ticket. He aided in the organization of the First Presby- terian Church, of which he long served as a trustee, and at the time of the erection of the church he was a member of the building com- mittee. In 1859 he erected, on the corner of Hickory and Oneida streets, the residence where his widow now makes her home.
October 31, 1844, Mr. Barrett married Cla- mana Onderdonk, who was born in Holley, Or- leans County, N. Y., September 10, 1823. She was one of seven children, three of whom came to Illinois. Of these, John T., who went to Cali- fornia in 1849, returned to Illinois in poor health and died before the Civil war; a sister, Mrs. Sarah Ganson, died in Idaho Springs, Colo. Her father, John Onderdonk, was a son of Thomas Onderdonk, a soldier in the Revolution- ary war and a farmer on the Hudson River. The remote ancestors came from Holland to New York and settled at Nyack, on the west banks of the Hudson. John, who was born in Ramapo, Rockland County, N. Y., became a clothier in New York City, thence removed to Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., where he was married, and then settled in Holley, N. Y. In 1831 the family re- inoved to New York City, but in 1836 settled in Jackson, Mich., where, and in Albion, Mich., he also followed the clothing business. In 1850 he established his home in this county, purchasing a farin three and one-half miles southeast of Jo- liet, in Joliet Township, and farming the land for a few years, after which he retired. He died at the home of his daughter in Joliet when eighty- four years of age. His wife, Charity, was born in Nyack, N. Y., in 1802, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William F. Barrett, when seventy-six years of age. She was a daughter of John Acker, a farmer near Lyons, N. Y., who in 1831 became a pioneer of Con- cord, Jackson County, Mich., later removed to
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Joliet, and died at the home of John Onderdonk when lacking only six months of one hundred years. He was of Holland descent. His son, Henry, became a merchant of Concord, Mich., and represented his district in the Michigan legislature. Mrs. Barrett was educated in pri- vate schools in Jackson, Mich., and Haskell's Academy in Ypsilanti. In religion she is a Presbyterian, and her life has been that of an earnest, consistent Christian.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Barrett consists of three daughters and three sons. Of these, Sarah Emily, the eldest, married T. D. Baird, M. D., of Walsenburg, Colo .; Charity is the wife of H. H. Carson, of Joliet; John O., the first-born son, is at the head of the Barrett Hardware Company, in Joliet; William F., Jr., is traveling salesman for D. B. Fisk & Co., of Chicago; Elizabeth Acker resides in Joliet. Edward C., the young- est of the family, was born in Joliet February 16, 1864, and in 1880 entered the Barrett store as an apprentice to the trades of plumber, timer, and gas-fitter. Since 1883 he has had charge of the manufacturing department. In 1885 he be- came a member of the firm, and upon the incor- poration of the company was chosen secretary and treasurer, which offices he now fills. He married as his first wife Jennie Cullom, a niece of Senator Cullom. His present wife is Antoin- ette, daughter of Thomas Hobbs, and they have one child, Mary.
LICK LUNDSTRUM. It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Lundstrum that the Joliet Builders' Association was organ- ized and he was elected its first secretary, an of- fice which he still efficiently fills. When he came to Joliet in 1888 he secured employment as a carpenter. Four years later he commenced to take contracts and has since had charge of the erection of many public buildings and private residences, not only in his home town, but throughout Will County and in Grundy and Kendall Counties. Among his contracts are
those for the Farragut school on the west side, the residences of M. F. Loughran, Jerome P. Stevens, C. Howard Calmer and S. F. Good- speed in Joliet, and the high school in Center- ville, Iowa. He has erected churches, schools, business blocks, residences and buildings of all kinds, and has a business that is constantly in- creasing. Having made a special study of arch- itecture, he is enabled to draw up the designs for buildings, and shows considerable taste in this direction. He owns his residence at No. 118 Akin avenue, and is interested in other real es- tate.
Mr. Lundstrum was born in Westrebothen, Sweden, March 3, 1868. His father, Erick, who was born and reared in the same place, followed the carpenter's trade and engaged for years in the building business in his native country. In 1869 he took his family to Sundswall, where he made his home for ten years. Crossing the ocean in 1879, accompanied by his family, he settled in Lockport, Ill., where he secured em- ployment as a millwright and carpenter, with Nor- ton & Co. In 1887 he came to Joliet, where he has since worked at his trade, having liad charge of jobs for which his son holds the contracts. He is still quite active, notwithstanding his six- ty-five useful years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna L. Bostrom, was born in Sweden, the daughter of a farmer; she died in Lockport in 1881, leaving six children, viz .: Mrs. Emma Anderson, of Lockport; Alick; Mrs. Lydia Walters, of Lockport; Freda L., wife of D. B. Coleman, of Lockport; Anna, who resides with her father at No. 114 Akin avenue; and Otto, a carpenter.
The early boyhood days of Mr. Lundstrum were passed in Sundswall, where his education was begun. When he was eleven years of age he came to America with his parents, crossing to Hull and Liverpool and from there taking a steamer to Boston. After his arrival in Lock- port he spent a year in the public school, but after that was obliged to begin work and could attend school only at infrequent intervals. He has been familiar with carpentering from his ear- liest recollection and has always been handy with
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tools. In 1882 he was employed in the building. of the Swedish Lutheran Church in Joliet. When he was sixteen he secured a position in the dry- goods store of George B. Norton, with whom he remained for thirteen months. Afterward he was in the grocery establishment of Skoglund & Co., for a year, and spent a similar period in the store owned by F. F. Stowe & Son. In 1888 he came to Joliet, where he has since made his home. He possesses excellent executive ability, with the power to plan and the energy to execute work of an important nature. His contracts have been filled to the satisfaction of all concerned, and his reputation is that of a first-class builder.
A man of strong temperance principles, Mr. Lundstrum has accomplished much for the ad- vancement of the cause of temperance. He has organized many lodges, particularly of the order of Sons of Temperance, and at one time served as grand worthy patriarch of the state of Illinois. In politics he is independent and in fraternal re- lations a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He married, in Unionville, Iowa, Miss Christine Herteen (originally Hjertin), who was born and reared in Sweden.
R EV. PATRICK W. DUNNE. The history of St. Patrick's Church of Joliet, which has been under the spiritual oversight of Father Dunne since January 29, 1886, dates back to a very early period in the history of Illinois. The present pastor has in his possession the records of the congregation extending from its organization to the present time. The grandest event in the history of the Roman Catholic work in Joliet was the celebration, in1 1889, of the golden jubilee of the church, and the occasion will long live in the memory of all who witnessed the attending cere- monies. The pontifical high mass was celebrated by Bishop Burke, of Cheyenne, and Archbishop Riordan, of San Francisco, delivered the jubilee sermon.
At the time Father Dunne accepted this pastor-
ate the church building was in a dilapidated condi- tion and the work in a condition far from satisfac- tory. He at once entered upon his duties with enthusiasm. In the remodeling of the church his father proved most helpful, and it was the latter's pride that the last work he ever did was the fit- ting of a house for the worship of God. A slate roof was put on and other improvements made. The church building stands four hundred feet on Hickory and three hundred feet on Broad- way. In connection with it is St. Patrick's paro- chial school, started by the present pastor, and occupying a modern building that cost $25,000. The six large rooms and a commodious hall fur- nish adequate accommodations for the two hun- dred pupils. The building is heated by steanı and lighted by electricity. The school is in charge of the Ladies of Loretto, under whose supervision the pupils are given a thorough edu- cation in all the common branches up to the high school grade.
Father Dunne was born in Watertown, Wis., March 4, 1852, a son of Edward and Mary (Finn) Dunne, natives respectively of Queens County, Ireland, and Prince Edward Island, and a grand- son of Patrick Dunne, a farmer, who emigrated from Ireland to Prince Edward Island, but died in Chicago. In 1849 Edward Dunne settled in Watertown, Wis., making the trip to Chicago via boat, thence soon afterward to Watertown, where his family joined him. He built the first church in the town and the first bridge over the Rock River; the latter, which is still standing, was built of oak timber resting on wooden pegs. In 1853 he went to Chicago and afterward built some of the first bridges in and near that city. He died in Joliet July 2, 1888, and was buried from St. Jarlath's Church, Chicago, on the 4th. He was one of nine children, there being seven brothers who came to America. One of them, Dennis, was vicar-general of the Chicago diocese for years, holding the position at the time of his death in 1867. During the Civil war he organ- ized a regiment that was known as the Dunne legion (later the Irish legion.) The crowning work of his life was the building and conduct of an orphan asylum on Archer avenue, Chicago,
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and it was through overwork in the carrying for- ward of this work that his fatal illness was brought on.
In many respects Edward Dunne possessed more than ordinary ability. He was exceedingly quick in grasping plans and ideas, and in the completion of contracts was prompt and ener- getic. He built the first Magdaline asylum in Chicago, but, just before the work was com- pleted, the building burned to the ground, entail- ing a heavy loss upon him. He was a faithful church member and for thirty-five years had the same pew in church. His fifteen children were reared to usefulness and habits of honesty and energy, and the ten still living are men and women of intelligence. One son, William, gradu- ated from Rush Medical College with the highest honors of his class, and during the Civil war was a surgeon in the Second Illinois Infantry, after which he was city physician of Chicago for years; his death occurred in Chicago. A daughter, Rose, is a sister in the order of Loretto, in To- ronto, Canada. Michael is assistant manager of the New Planter's Hotel in Chicago; Felix is a bookkeeper in that city; and Dennis will com- plete his education and enter the priesthood in 1901. The mother, who was the only child of Felix Finn, resides with her daughter in Chicago, and is now seventy years of age. For the past nineteen years not a week has elapsed without her son, Patrick, visiting her.
From an early age Father Dunne was destined for the priesthood. He was educated in Chris- tian Brothers' Academy, on Adams and Des- plaines streets, Chicago; St. Charles College at Ellicott City, Md., where he studied the classics from 1869 to 1875; and St. Mary's Seminary, where he took two years in philosophy under the direction of the Sulpician Fathers and three years in theology. December 20, 1879, he was or- dained by Cardinal Gibbons in the Cathedral in Baltimore, and was assigned to the Chicago diocese. Returning west, he was sent to Joliet as assistant of St. Mary's parish, where lie re- mained for six years, under Father Burke, now bishop of the St. Joe (Mo.) diocese. On the death of Father Power, of St. Patrick's, he was
assigned to this place, which was his first and has been his only pastorate. This is the "mother " of the Roman Catholic churches of Joliet, and out of it have sprung five other organizations that have become potent factors in the religious life of these several localities.
LAGUS B. LUNDAHL, who is one of Joliet's most reliable stone masons and cutters, first came to this city in 1870, but the following year went to Des Moines, Iowa, and secured work at his trade. He did not re- turn to Joliet until 1891, twenty years after he had first come to the town. Since then lie has successfully engaged at his trade here, and has been selected to act as superintendent of dif- ferent contracts, among them the building of the Silver Cross hospital, Universalist block, Wood- land schoolhouse, Park avenue schoolhouse and the Bush block. He built the house at No. 607 Second avenue, where he makes his home.
Four miles from Gottenburg, near Alingsas, in Elsborslaen, Westrejutland, the subject of this sketch was born March 21, 1839, a son of Borg and Catherine Martinson. His father, who was a farmer's son, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he continued to follow as long as he lived. In religion he and his wife were faith- ful members of the Lutheran Church. They were tlie parents of four sons and two daughters, of whom two sons (one in Sweden and the other in America) are now living. Olagus B. was reared on the home farm and from a very carly age aided in the cultivation of the land, thus be- ing prevented from attending school regularly. In 1868 lie came to this country. His first loca- tion was at Mankato, Min., where lie was em- ployed as a stone mason for two years. From there he went to Chicago, Il1., in 1870, but dur- ing the same year secured employment at his trade in Joliet. In 1871 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where for eight years he was employed in the cutting of granite and sandstone for the state
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capitol. When the capitol building was com- pleted he began to work as a contractor in the stone-cutting business, and continued in the same city until his return to Joliet. He is a member of the Stone Cutter's Union and takes a warm interest in everything pertaining to the stone business. He has never been active in politics, although he is well posted concerning public affairs and votes with the Republican party. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church and has been a member of its board of trustees.
During his residence in Des Moines Mr. Lun- dahl was married, in that city, December 27, 1872, to Miss Mary Peterson, who was born in Stavager, Norway. They have three daughters, Anna, Ida and Nellie. Mrs. Lundahl was one of nine children, all but two of whom attained man- hood or womanhood and six are now living, two sons being in Iowa, while the others (except herself) remain in Norway. She crossed the ocean in 1870 on a sailing vessel, arriving in New York after a voyage of seven weeks. After spending a short time in Story County, Iowa, she settled in Des Moines, where she met and mar- ried Mr. Lundahl. She is a daughter of Peter Oleson, a farmer, who owned the homestead "Haaland." Her mother, Gunnill, was a daughter of Storkaare, a farmer who owned "Ostenstad." Mr. Oleson passed away some time ago, but his wife is still living, and remains at the old homestead in Norway.
ENRY BENJAMIN SMITH. The family represented by this well-known citizen of Joliet was founded in America by Thomas Smith, a weaver of Ramsey, England, who came to the United States prior to 1635 and settled in Ipswich, Mass. During 1635 he removed to Newbury, Mass. His second son and third child, James, was born September 10, 1645, and during the colonial wars held the office of lieutenant in the army. The eighth child born of his marriage to Sarah Coker was Benjamin, who was born
August 21, 1681, and who married Mrs. Hannah Sooms. Their third child, Benjamin, was born August 9, 1712, and married Dorothy Ballard, of Andover, Mass. The second child born of their marriage was Benjamin, whose birth occurred October 15, 1736. By his union with Johanna Lund, the second child was Benjamin, born June 2, 1765. The latter, when a mere boy, enlisted in the colonial army and served in the first war with England. While in the army he carried a flint- lock gun, which he had made himself and which is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. He married Edy Adams and their oldest child, Benjamin, born March 26, 1791, married Alma Maranda Strong, April 26, 1826. The next generation was represented by Henry Sum- ner Smith, our subject's father, who was born August 3, 1832, in Rutland, Vt. Reared on his father's farm, he left home to learn the ma- chinist's trade, and this occupation he followed for a short time. When gold was discovered in California and the news reached his far-away eastern home, he, with the enthusiasmn of youth, determined to seek his fortune on the Pacific shore. Taking passage on a sailing vessel, he went around the Horn and finally reached his destination. He engaged in mining both in Cali- fornia and Nevada. Finding, however, that mining was not very congenial nor profitable, he returned to San Francisco and engaged in the iron manufacturing business. The firm of Pren- dergast & Smith became one of the largest of its kind in the west, and their products, especially their marine and stationary engines, had a large sale throughout the country. In public affairs he was for years a leading figure in San Fran- cisco, being a local Republican leader, and at one time he was his party's candidate for congress. He was also one of the most prominent Masons in California and held official positions of great responsibility in the fraternity. He died in San Francisco November 12, 1878, when forty-six years of age.
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