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 6
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 6
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
they floated down the river to Wilmington, and then followed the Indian trail to New Lenox Township. Choosing a location, Mr. Francis entered one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land and "floated" another tract of similar size, comprising the north half of the east half of section nine, where his son, A. A. Francis, and his family afterwards resided.
After building a log cabin Mr. Francis re- turned to Ohio. There he married Miss Mary A. J. Davison, who was born in Adams County, that state, March 17, 1815, a daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Ingraham) Davison, both of whom died in Tippecanoe County, Ind. Novem- ber 16, 1831, Mr. Francis and his bride arrived at their new home in Illinois. On that day snow began to fall and they did not see the bare ground again that winter, which will be recalled as the winter of the great snow so disastrous to pioneers. At one time, when Mrs. Francis was attending to her household duties, Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, the minister of the community, drove up to the cabin. When she met him at the door, he, judging from her youthful face that she was the daughter of the family, inquired where her father was. She answered that he was on the home farm back in Ohio. "Then," said he, "what are you doing here?" "I am keeping house for my husband and his brother Thomas," was her answer. Both Mr. Francis and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and in early days the Sunday meetings of the congregation were often held in his barn, which is still standing. It is probable that the first religious services in the borders of New Lenox Township were held in this building.
When the Black Hawk war broke out, in June, 1832, Mr. Francis was one of six men appointed to investigate the report of the Indian outrages on Fox River. Finding that the reports of the outrages were true, Mr. Francis removed his family to Shawnee Mound, Ind. He then re-
turned and served as second lieutenant under Captain Seissions. When hostilities ceased he resumed the cultivation of his farm. At the time of the cholera epidemic he was engaged in team- ing for the government at Chicago. Prior to the division of Cook County and the separation of Will County, he served as deputy sheriff and held other offices of honor and trust. In politics he was for years a Democrat, but at the time of the Civil war became an adherent of the Repub- lican party.
The family of Abraham and Mary Francis con- sisted of eleven children, eight of whom attained mature years and married. The eldest, Margaret L., wife of Needham P. Cooper, of New Lenox Township, is believed to have been the first white child born in this township. The eldest son, William D., died at the age of twenty-two years. Mary A. J. married J. S. Blackstone, of Kankakee. A. Allen, the second son, is represented in the following sketch. John, who was born January 8, 1843, is a prominent stock- raiser and dairyman of this township and for years held the office of supervisor; his biography is presented upon another page. Lydia E. is the wife of William S. Nichols, of this township. Charles is a farmer near the old homestead. Clara M. died when sixteen months old. Adalina A. married Jesse Meharry, of Tolono, Ill. George L. is a machinery merchant in New Lenox and also engages in agricultural pursuits near the old homestead. Carrie D. died at the age of thirteen years. One sister, two of the brothers, and the widow of the second brother, live nearly all on the same road, the sister occu- pying the center farm, while the others have places that adjoin. All are honored and respected in the locality and are recognized as people of superior worth and intelligence. The father of the family died at the old homestead November 28, 1862, and his wife passed away January 15, 1884.
A. allen Francis
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
A. ALLEN FRANCIS.
ALLEN FRANCIS. Intimately associated with the history of New Lenox Township L - throughout his entire life, Mr. Francis long held a conspicuous position among its stock- raisers and land-owners. For years before his death he was the owner of one of the finest stock farms in the county. Through the exercise of his remarkable business ability he became the owner of over one thousand acres of land, be- sides which he had other valuable interests. Nor was his success merely that of gaining ample means, but he was also successful in winning the confidence of his associates and the affectionate regard of his friends. As an instance of the es- teem in which he was held, it may be mentioned that when, after having served as president of the Farmers' Institute since 1888, he expressed a de- sire to retire from the office in 1898, there was a unanimous demand for his continuance. When he finally consented, a demonstration was given him that will not soon be forgotten by those who were present. Perhaps greater enthusiasm was never shown for a citizen of Will County than was exhibited at that time.
On the farm where his entire life was spent Mr. Francis was born September 7, 1840, the oldest son of Abraham and Mary A. J. (Davison) Francis, natives respectively of County Cavan, Ireland, and Adams County, Ohio. He was ed- ucated in country schools and the Joliet high school. From an early age he was interested in the raising of cattle, in which he was uniformly successful. In New Lenox Township, Septem- ber 15, 1870, he married Miss Lizzie J. Haven, who was born here March 31, 1849, and received her education in common schools and Dearborn Seminary, Chicago. She was a daughter of
Hon. Dwight Haven (see sketch on another page) and was the eldest of his family of five daughters and one son. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Francis were born five children, of whom two are living, namely: Mary L., wife of W. Foster Burns, an attorney in Chicago; and Daisy H. There was also an adopted daughter, Anna H., Mrs. Willis I. Doig, of Joliet, who was a member of the household from the age of four years.
When a young man Mr. Francis became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Lenox, of which he was a trustee; he also served as treasurer of the building committee at the time of the erection of the new church. For years he was superintendent and treasurer of the New Lenox Camp Meeting Association, the suc- cess of which was in a large measure due to his indefatigable efforts. Nor did his interest in this movement wane. Up to the last he labored for its welfare, and even after his fatal illness began he was on the camp meeting grounds to see that the work was progressing satisfactorily. He was a stockholder in the Will County National Bank and had moneyed interests in otlier local enter- prises. In his business transactions he was sys- tematic and exact; a man of the utmost probity, whose integrity was never questioned and whose character was above reproach. Ever guardful of the best interests of his township, he was one of its most progressive citizens, and as a Republican he took an active part in the political life of the community. At one time he was president and a director of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Will County and the New Lenox Fire Insurance Company. He was a firm friend of the public school system and served efficiently
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
as a school director of his district. All enter- prises having for their object the good of the lo- cality, or the increase of its material wealth, found in him an advocate and friend, and his township had no resident more closely identified with its progress than was he.
His strength as a leading Republican was shown at the Republican convention of 1898, when his friends, against his wishes, nominated him for state senator.
In addition to the many - tributes of sympathy received by the family upon the death of Mr. Francis, the Will County Farmers' Institute passed the following resolutions unanimously:
"WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God to remove by death Hon. A. Allen Francis, our be- loved friend and president, from our midst, and
"WHEREAS, In the various relations of life, as husband, father, brother, friend, officer, neigh- bor, citizen, he was devoted, affectionate, kind, true, efficient, sympathetic and public-spirited, each day living a noble and exemplary life; Therefore be it
"Resolved, By the Will County Farmers' In- stitute, in session assembled this eleventh day of January, A. D., 1900, fully realizing his good in- fluence and in his death our great loss, we desire to bear testimony to his worth and offer this lov- ing tribute of precious memory and respect. Be it also further
"Resolved, That we extend to his wife and family our heartfelt sympathy in their great be- reavement, and would fain place by the side of theirs the kindred feeling of sympathy and of sorrow."
On every hand were heard expressions of re- gret at the loss of a citizen so progressive and noble. Such tributes as these were spoken by those who appreciated the worth of such a char- acter: "He was the best farmer in Will County. He preached the necessity of keeping up the vir- ginity of the soil. His whole life stood for better methods in agriculture." "No man has had a greater influence in Will County than A. Allen Francis." "Never was I in his presence but I felt the inspiration to do something good." "Men are drawn nearer to God when a good man dies."
M ERRITT O. CAGWIN. During the colo- nial period of American history the Cag- win family came from Scotland to this country. Thomas Cagwin was the son of a Rev- olutionary soldier, served as an officer in the war of 1812, and married Eunice Joslyn, who was also of Scotch lineage. Born in Massachu- setts, he removed from there to Oneida, N. Y., and later settled near Brockport, Monroe County, purchasing a farm of four hundred acres in and adjoining the village. From his land he platted a portion of the town. He continued to reside there until his death, which occurred at sixty years.
While the family lived in Oneida County, Abijah, son of Thomas Cagwin, was born, and he was reared there and in Monroe County, learning the trades of tanner and shoemaker. For a time he conducted a tannery at Brockport, but it burned down in 1834, entailing a total loss. Having no longer any interests in the east, he determined to seek a home in the new and grow- ing west. Coming to Illinois in 1835, he bought a large tract of land just east of Joliet, on Hick- ory street, purchasing the same at the land sale in Chicago. He then returned east and bought the necessary equipments for a sawmill, which he shipped to Chicago and thence conveyed by wagon to Joliet. Building a sawmill, he began the manufacture of hardwood lumber, and on the 4th of July, 1836, surrounded by a crowd of patriotic citizens, who came more than twenty miles, he sawed the first board used in the build- ing of one of the first frame houses in Joliet. As sawmills were scarce, he was successful in the work, and continued to manufacture lumber there for fifteen years.
Meantime Mr. Cagwin served eight years as justice of the peace. At the same time he bought real estate in Joliet, which he improved with residences and then sold. At the expira- tion of his term as justice he was elected county judge, filling the office for many years. In both cases he was endorsed and elected by both par- ties. Later he embarked in the grain and mer- cantile business on what is now North Chicago, near Cass street, his being the first business place
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in that section of the city. For many years he continued in the grain trade, at the same time improving lands and farming. He laid out and named Cagwin and Scribner streets, the latter being named in honor of his wife. The property is still in the family and is handled by Munroe Brothers. He was an active factor in organizing the Will County Bank, of which he served as president until he disposed of his stock, Henry D. Higinbotham being vice-president, and Ben- jamin Richardson, cashier. Politically he was a Democrat, and fraternally a Knight Templar Mason. In the organization of the Universalist Church of Joliet he took an active part and con- tinued to be one of its leading members during his remaining years. He died Octocer 2, 1890, when eighty-two years of age.
The wife of Abijah Cagwin was Hannah Scribner, who was born in Poultney, Vt., a daughter of Deacon Peter Scribner, an English- man by birth. On coming to America her father settled in New Hampshire, but later went to Vermont, where he engaged in farming and sheep-raising. When he was ninety-four years of age he was accidentally killed by a fall from a tree. His brother, Sammuel, settled in New York City and founded Scribner's Magazine, long one . of the standard periodicals of the country. Mrs. Cagwin died March 30, 1892, when eighty-four years of age. Of her eight children we note the following : Merritt O. is the eldest of the family; Mrs. Helen Harwood lives in Atlanta, Ga .; Mrs. Sarah Barrett makes her home in Joliet; Thomas P. lives in Milwaukee, Wis .; Hamden A., a grain merchant, and Nancy, both died in Joliet; Mrs. Rosa Briggs is living here; and Abijah, the youngest, who was a member of the Mississippi squadron, U. S. N., during the Civil war, is now in California.
The subject of this article was born in Brock- port, N. Y., May 14, 1828, and was eight years of age when his father returned east, making the trip on an Indian pony, and then, with a team and wagon, brought the family to Illinois via Canada and Michigan, arriving in Joliet May S, 1836, after a trip of one month. From the age of ten he assisted on the farm and in the mill.
When he was fifteen his father opened a store, in which he clerked during the next three years. He then went to Chicago, where he worked for an uncle, who was an auctioneer, and later trav- eled for two years. Meantime he purchased eighty acres of state land at a canal sale, and on this he began in the stock business. By the pur- chase of additional property he became the owner of about four hundred acres lying east of Joliet. The discovery of gold in California awakened in Mr. Cagwin's mind a determination to seek the far west. In 1851 he went to San Francisco via New York and the Nicaragua route, and taking his course up the American River engaged in mining. A year's experience, however, satisfied him with the life of a miner, and he returned home via Panama and New York. On arriving in this county he started in the grain business, which he followed for four years, and then traded for twelve hundred acres in Wilton Township. There he engaged in raising high-grade cattle. During the war he was serving as township su- pervisor. It was his desire to enlist in the army, but could not pass the required medical examin- ation. Nevertheless, he did all in his power to advance the Union cause, and donated $10 to each member of the first company organized in his vicinity.
Returning to Joliet, Mr. Cagwin purchased a grain elevator on the canal, which he conducted with his father. Next he spent three years in the grain business at Wilmington, after which he built the White Cloud mill and manufactured flour. Nine years were also spent in the grain business in Elwood. Again coming to Joliet, he bought an elevator on the west side, which was known as the Jesse elevator. On selling out he bought a farm on Spring Creek, in Lockport Township, three miles from Joliet, and engaged in superintending the management of its one hun- dred and five acres until I891, when he returned to Joliet, leaving the estate in charge of his son, Harlow. Since his return to the city he has re- sided on Cass street, in the old home of the Hig- inbotham family.
Until the first presidential campaign of Abra- ham Lincoln, Mr. Cagwin was a Democrat, but
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
since then he has been stanch in his adherence to Republican principles. He is a demitted mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion is a Universalist. During the early days, while holding the office of highway commissioner, he laid out Cass street as a road and also opened up Washington street. He also served as collector of Joliet Township and su- pervisor of Wilton Township. During his term of service as highway commissioner he made twelve miles of hard gravel road in the township. He has ever been active in measures for the bene- fit of the people. The welfare of Joliet and Will County is ever uppermost in his mind, and lie has favored every enterprise calculated to promote their progress. No citizen has shown greater public spirit than he. Having been so long and intimately identified with the business interests of the county, he has witnessed the development of its commerce, the extension of its influence and the enlargement of its resources.
On the Higinbotham farm, in January, 1851, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cagwin and Miss Ambrosia Higinbotham. They are the parents of five children, namely: Albert, who is connec- ted with a tobacco manufacturing business in Chicago; Mrs. Almeda Pritz, of Pueblo, Colo .; Nellie, at home; Fred, a business man in Michi- gan City, Ind .; and Harlow T., who operates the home farm. Mrs. Cagwin's father, Henry D. Higinbotham, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., and, in 1834, when a young man, came to Illi- nois and entered a large farm, becoming in time one of the most successful farmers of this county. In 1854 he established, his home at No. 1009 Cass street, where he died in 1865, aged fifty-nine years. He was the only one of four brothers who came to this county. In many respects his
success was remarkable, for in spite of hardships and obstacles in early days he accumulated what was for that time a fortune. Of the Universalist faith, he was one of the most generous contribu- tors to the church of that denomination in Joliet. He was a Knight Templar Mason and in politics a stanch Democrat.
The marriage of Henry D. Higinbotham uni- ted him with Miss Rebecca Wheeler, who was born in New York state. Her father, Samuel B., was born in New England and removed to New York, where he worked as a wagon maker until his death. In 1832, his son, Mansfield, came to Illinois and settled on a farm in what is now Will County. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Higinbotham were seven in number, the most prominent being Harlow Niles Higin- botham, of the firm of Marshall Field & Co., Chicago. Years ago, on starting out in busi- ness, he was employed by Potter Palmer and continued with the latter's successors, Field & Leiter, as a credit man. In time he purchased L. Z. Leiter's interest in the business and be- came a member of the firm. In public affairs he has also been very active, and is one of Chicago's best known citizens. At the time of the World's Fair he held the office of president of the same, and the remarkable success of his work attracted world-wide attention. Politically he is a Re- publican. The other sons and daughters of H. D. Higinbotham are as follows: Albert, who served in Scott's Chicago regiment during the entire Civil war and died in Joliet; Mrs. Ambro- sia Cagwin; Mrs. Ann Eliza Demmond, of Joliet; Mrs. Gertrude Leddy, who died in Jo- liet; Mrs. Ellen Darwin, who also passed away in this city; and Charles, who is connected with the Elgin postoffice.
At Shroffler
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ANDREW H. SHREFFLER.
A NDREW H. SHREFFLER. Few lives of and became interested with them in the manu- Joliet citizens have borne a grander exem- facture of stoves, plows, mowers and other imple- ments. In the spring of 1863 the business was transferred to Joliet. The firm name was Dill- man & Co., the "Company" being Mr. Shreffler. In 1867 the firm was incorporated under the laws of the state as the Joliet Manufacturing Co., with Mr. Shreffler as the first secretary. This office he filled so creditably and with such foresight of contingencies that in 1873 he was elected presi- dent, which position he held from that time until his death. In 1873 he bought out the interest of Andrew Dillman and in 1890 that of L. E. Dill- man, at which time he became the sole owner of the valuable manufacturing plant. plification of integrity and stability of char- acter than that of Mr. Shreffler. From the early history of Will County his name stood out prom- inently in each era of development and growth. He was intimately associated with the rise of the tide of commercial advancement from the cabin and forest to busy and populous cities and pros- perous farmers. In the financial world and in the liearts of his fellow-men alike he held a proud position. His was a career that knew no such word as failure. Energy and vitality, coupled with his innate conception and appreciation of all that is true and noble, made of the struggling youth a man fitted to fill a high place in the world; and such a place he held throughout his allotted years. When death came he was ready for the summons, and thus quietly passed into eternity's joys one of Joliet's most beloved pio- ncers.
The history of the Shireffler family appears in the sketch of John D. Shreffler. Andrew Hafer Shreffler was born on a farm near Potter's Mills, in Center County, Pa., June 9, 1826. He came to Joliet with his father in May, 1846, and soon afterward settled in Plainfield, where he began to carve out his dream of a successful career. June 7, 1849, he was married to Elizabeth, second daughter of Michael Dillman. This cstimable lady died January 23, 1893; of their five children only one is living, Mrs. Mary E. S. Witwer.
In the spring of 1849 Michael Dillman and his sons started in Plainfield the first manufacturing establishment in Will County. In the fall of 1851 Mr. Shreffler entered the employ of the firm
Though reared in the Evangelical faith Mr. Shreffler was identified with the Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal Church during almost the entire period of his residence in Joliet. In every sphere of activity he proved himself to be a man of sincere and earnest Christian character. His name was a synonym of integrity and honor. He was also a man of great energy, to whose enthu- siasm and determination the success of the manu- facturing plant was largely due. As one who contributed effectively to the progress of Joliet, his name is entitled to a lasting place in the annals of the city. He died December 28, 1896.
D LEM SENSENIG WITWER. The Joliet Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Witwer is vice-president and manager, is one of the old-established and successful concerns
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Joliet. Some time during the '4os it was started by Michael Dillman in Plainfield, where agricultural implements were manufactured on a. very small scale. In March of the year 1863 removal was made to the present site, comprising four acres on Cass street and Youngs avenue, in Joliet, where are now large buildings thoroughly equipped for the various processes of manufac- turing. In 1867 the company was incorporated. During the long history of the company its fac- tory has never been closed, except on the occa- sion of the annual inventory. Employment is furnished about one hundred skilled laborers. For years reapers and mowers, plows and corn shellers were manufactured, but for some time the manufactures have been restricted to the Eureka Ironsides corn sheller, the Shreffler and the Rural corn shellers, the Original Joliet Cylin- der corn sheller and Joliet Dustless Cylinder corn sheller No. 2; also the celebrated line of Pitts and Cary patent horse power, the firm being now the only exclusive manufacturers of shellers and powers in the United States. In January, 1897, Mrs. Witwer was elected president and treasurer of the company, and Mr. Witwer vice-president and manager, and these official relations have continued since. The paid-up capital of the company reaches $70,000. The business is car- ried on through jobbers, principally the Kingman Company, of St. Louis and Des Moines; Avery Manufacturing Company, of Kansas City; Van Zant Hardware and Implement Company, of Wichita and Hutchinson, Kans .; Lininger & Metcalf, of Omaha; Harber Bros., of Blooming- ton, Ill .; and the Shannahan-Wrightson Hard- ware Company, of Easton, Md. The products of the plant are shipped to all parts of the country, and the reputation gained by the company is un- excelled for reliability of business transactions and perfection of machinery.
Mr. Witwer was born in Ashland County, Ohio, February 26, 1862, and was one of twelve children, all but three of whom are still living. There are seven brothers and two sisters, viz .: John S., a dealer in agricultural implements in Dallas, Tex., and postmaster there under Presi- dent Harrison; T. W., who is cashier of the firm
of Studebaker Bros., of Chicago; George M., pri- vate secretary to J. M. Studebaker; Clem S., of this sketch; Edward C., superintendent of the carriage department of Studebaker Bros.' factory at South Bend, Ind .; J. F., who represents Stude- baker Bros. in Ohio, making Columbus his head- quarters; H. E., secretary and manager of the Studebaker and Lamb ranch at Kersey, Colo .; Mrs. Joseph Kopcsay, of South Bend, Ind .; and Mrs. J. H. Mohler, of Joliet.
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