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 61
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 61
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W. COPPAGE. It is said that every man has his specialty, -some one subject with which he is more familiar than with any other. Some men's specialties are difficult to dis- cover, not so with Mr. Coppage, for even those but slightly acquainted with him are aware that his "hobby " is the manufacture of ink. The term, "ink fiend," meaning an ink salesman, was first used by him, and if this expression may also be taken to mean one whose mind is wrapped up in the subject, and who is familiar with its every phase, it might appropriately be used con- cerning himself. In the spring of 1893, coming to Joliet, he organized the Challenge Printing Company, which manufactures all kinds of print- ers' inks, paints and oils. He is the inventor of a new process ink with a luster, for which he has received the highest testimonials from publishers and printers. Through his efforts the manufac- turers of inks were forced to make an ink with a superior luster for a small price. His inventions are proving profitable to himself, and his sug- gestions have made fortunes for other men.
The Coppage family were among the F. F.V.'s in colonial days, but date back to New England,
and were represented in the Revolutionary war. Lemuel Payton Coppage, a native of Virginia and a large slave-holder, being opposed to the institution of slavery, freed his negroes and then removed to Brown County, Ill., where he farmed until his death. One of his sons, Joseph, as- sisted in driving the Mormons out of Nauvoo, Il1., and later served in the Mexican and Civil wars, retiring as a major; he now resides at Naples, Ill. John Wesley Coppage, another son of the Virginia planter, was born in Fauquier County, Va., and in 1847 settled in Chicago, where he engaged in fresco painting, and also was a canal contractor and boat-owner. He died in Chicago, February 14, 1871. His wife, Eliza- beth Yarnow, was born in Brockville, Canada, of French descent, and settled in Chicago in April, 1837. Her father, John Yarnow, a native of France, was one of the first shipbuilders in Chi- cago, and superintended the building of the first steam vessel launched in that city. At one time he owned property in the heart of Chicago, but sold it before its value became known. He and "Long John" Wentworth were cronies, and were called the " two big Johns." His last days were spent in Minnesota, where he died. His daughter, Mrs. Coppage, is now living in Oak- land, Cal. Of her family only a son and daughter are living.
The subject of this sketch was born in Chicago, September 18, 1856. His education was begun in the old Harrison street school. He was, of course, too young to participate in the war, but he vividly recalls the scenes of those days, when his father had charge of the colors on the gun- boat " Carondelet," and when all was excite- ment and expectation. For a few years he served at the merchant tailor's trade. In November, 1871, he entered the employ of Millard & Decker, printers. He entered the employ of the National Printing and Engraving Company as errand boy, earning $3 a week, but received various promotions, and was finally made fore- man, with the highest wages paid any employe. After sixteen years with the company he re- signed to take the western agency of J. K. Wright & Co., of Philadelphia, manufacturers of print-
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ing ink. He made Chicago his headquarters and traveled throughout this entire section of country, holding the position until the fall of 1892. While he was with the National Printing and Engraving Company, they were the first to put in a plant for making their own ink, and he probably made the first pound of printing ink ever manufactured in the press room.
In 1899 Mayor Mount appointed Mr. Cop- page city oil inspector. He was secretary of the first Young Men's Republican Club organized in Chicago. Until 1892 he continued a Repub- lican, but he then became a silver adherent, and in 1896 was elected secretary of the Silver Re- publican Club. He was made a Mason in the William P. Warren Lodge, A. F. & A. M. His marriage in Chicago, united him with Miss Mar- garet O'Brien, who was born at Cold Springs, N. Y., and by whom he has two daughters, Grace and Gertrude. Mrs. Coppage is a daugh- ter of M. J. and Margaret O'Brien, the former of whom, a contractor, settled in Joliet in 1879, but is now living retired in Chicago.
LIAS BROWN, supervisor of Jackson Town- ship, and a prosperous farmer and cattle- feeder, was born in this township November 12, 1851, a son of Ara Broadwell and Martha (Hougham) Brown. He was one of thirteen children, six of whom survive, namely: Sarah B., wife of George W. Sharp, a farmer in Indiana; Elias; N. Jane, of Joliet; Mary B., who married D. F. Higgins, an attorney of Joliet; Frank, who resides on the old homestead in this county; and Martha M., of Joliet. The father was born near Syracuse, N. Y., February 19, 1820, a son of Peter and Mary (Teeple) Brown, and descended from Scotch forefathers. The Teeple family was founded in America during the Revolutionary war by two brothers from Holland, one of whom espoused the American cause, while the other fought with the British.
After reaching manhood Grandfather Brown moved from New Jersey to York state, where he
followed farming and the carpenter's trade. In 1834 he removed with his family to Illinois and settled in Will County. He built a cabin on what is now the Boylan homestead, on the Chi- cago street road. In 1837, one- half mile south of his cabin; he built what was at that time the largest farmhouse in the county, and in that home he died March 7, 1841.
At the time of coming to Illinois Ara Broad- well Brown was fourteen years of age. He re- ceived only a limited education. He was twenty- one when his father died and afterward he assisted in settling up the estate, then settled down to farm life, cultivating two hundred and sixty acres and an eighty-acre tract, which was his share of the estate. The homestead being his portion of the estate, he remained there up to the time of his death, which occurred September 8, 1865. He was successful in the stock busi- ness and in farming, and at the time of his death owned seven hundred acres of as fine land as the county contained. He was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, but in no sense of the word an office-seeker, always refusing the nn- merous offices which were tendered him.
The mother of our subject was born in Hamil- ton County, Ohio, April 6, 1824, and descended from an Englishman, who, early in the seven- teenth century, settled in Maryland, having been sent to America by the Church of England as a missionary to the Indians. Her father was a farmer and an active member of the Baptist Church.
After having received his education in common schools and the Jennings Seminary, of Aurora, Elias Brown took upon himself the active duties of life and began farming in his native county. February 27, 1878, he married Miss M. Alpharetta Mapps, who was born in Jackson Township, a daughter of Thomas A. and Mary A. (Hemphill) Mapps. Her father, a native of Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pa., born December 27, 1828, removed with his parents to Ohio in boy- hood and there learned the cooper's trade. When a young man he came to Illinois and settled in Will County, where he married and continued to reside until the time of his death.
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Since his marriage Mr. Brown has resided on 2, 1893, when he was seventy-six years of age. his present farm. While he follows general He married Sarah Marker, who was born in farming, he has made a special feature of the cattle business and has met with success in this industry. In 1883 he was chosen by his party (the Democratic) as a candidate for supervisor and was elected. At that time the term of office was only one year. He was elected for five suc- cessive terms. In November, 1890, he was elected to succeed Henry Spangler, who resigned as supervisor to accept the office of county treas- urer. Since then he has been returned to the office at the end of each term, and has served, with the exception of two years, for the past seventeen years. Fraternally he is a member of Jackson Camp No. 3318, M. W. A. He and his wife are the parents of four children, namely: Ara B., born May 9, 1881; Elias A., September 29, 1883; Jarvis J., April 17, 1888; and Paul, June 24, 1891.
ONDUS BRANNON, M. D. Both in Man- hattan, this county, where he formerly en- gaged in practice, and in Joliet, where for some years he has had his office in the Barber building, Dr. Brannon is well known as a skill- ful physician and surgeon, one who, by careful study in the best colleges, by clinical work in hospitals, and by practical experience in the building up of a large practice, is fitted to hold a high place in the ranks of his profession. Since he came to Joliet, in December, 1895, he has made a specialty of gynecology and major and minor surgery, and has had a large hospital prac- tice beside his private professional work.
Dr. Brannon was born in Decatur County, Ind., November 25, 1857. His father, John, a native of New Jersey, was a young boy when the family removed to Franklin County, Ohio, and settled on a farm. When thirty years of age he removed to Indiana, settling at Forest Hill, where his subsequent years were spent. During the Mexican war he served as a member of an Ohio regiment. His death occurred May
Franklin County, Ohio, of Pennsylvanian par- entage. She is still living at the old Indiana homestead. Of their five children, Laura re- sides with her mother; Mrs. Isophene Wright, of. Greensburg, Ind., is a professional nurse and a graduate of the Illinois Training School for Nurses; Weller cultivates the home farm; George H. is a practicing physician in Manhattan, this county; and Londus, the second son, forms the subject of this sketch. He was educated in the public schools and Hartsville College, and at the age of seventeen began to teach school, it being his aim to earn enough to secure a medical edu- cation. When he was nineteen he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. L. Wooden. In 1878 he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1882, with the degree of M. D. In February, 1883, he came to Will County, opening an office at Manhattan, where he remained until the spring of 1894. Before settling in Joliet he took a course of eighteen months' study and experi- mental work in the Presbyterian, Cook County, Chicago Polyclinic and other large hospitals of Chicago, and availed himself of the splendid op- portunities that city offered for clinical training, whereby he could gain a larger experience than could be gained during a lifetime in a general practice. The last twelve months he spent as house physician and surgeon in the Post-Gradu- ate hospital on the west side, from which he re- ceived a diploma in November, 1895.
For several years Dr. Brannon was instructing surgeon at the Silver Cross hospital in Joliet. In 1893 he was appointed pension examiner and was chosen secretary of the board, serving for three years. A change of administration in 1896 caused his resignation. He is connected with the Chicago and Will County Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. He was made a Mason before leaving Decatur County, and is now iden- tified with Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. At one time he was connected with the Odd Fellows. He was married in Peotone, Ill.,
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to Miss Lizzie A. Jones, who was born in Wilton Township, this eounty, and is a daughter of Robert Jones, a native of Yorkshire, England. Dr. and Mrs. Brannon, and their nieee, Miss Edna Brannon, have a pleasant home at No. 313 Riehards avenue.
D OL. JOHN CURREY. Notwithstanding the years that have passed sinee the death of Colonel Currey, his memory has not grown dim in the hearts of those who held him dear. As a pioneer of Joliet he is entitled to mention in the annals of the eity, to the early building of which he was a large and prominent contributor. At the time he eame to this place, in 1836, it was known as Juliet and was an insignifieant hamlet, surrounded by great stretches of undeveloped prairie land. During the subsequent years of his busy life he contributed to its upbuilding and fostered its interests.
The Currey family was established in America many generations ago, and was of Frenel ex- traction. Colonel Carrey was born in Portland, Me., November 22, 1801, and was quite young when his father, Parish Currey, removed to Massachusetts. For some years he engaged in the mereantile business at Bridgewater, Oneida County, N. Y., coming from there to Illinois in 1836. He became interested in the ereetion of a large stone building in Joliet, which is now the National hotel. Before the completion of the building his partner, J. J. Garland, sold his in- terest to Martin H. Demmond, and the work was finished by the firm of Currey & Demmond. The building was the largest that had been erected in Joliet up to that time and the house has sinee been eonneeted with the history of the place.
For several years Colonel Currey eondueted a large and prosperous mereantile business in part- nership with Mr. Demmond. On the dissolution of the partnership he took a eontraet for the eon- struetion of a portion of the Illinois and Michigan eanal, and after completing that work he entered into partnership with ex-Gov. J. A. Matteson
in the ownership and management of a large supply store, located on the eanal. As long as the paekets ran on the canal he continued the business, earrying in stoek a full assortment of sueh goods as the location demanded. After buying his-partner's interest he continued the business alone for ten years, until his retirement. He had invested in property near Joliet and planned to establish his home upon it, but prefer- enee for city life led him to ehange his plans and settle in the eity. Here he resided until his death, Mareh 11, 1872.
The Episcopal Church, of which Colonel Cur- rey was a member, received the encouragement of his support and sympathy. In polities he was a Jaeksonian Democrat. He was twiee married; first, in 1823, to Miss Luey Demmond, of Water- ville, N. Y., who died some years later. The two children born to their union died when young. In Joliet, Mareh 27, 1866, he married Susan, daughter of James Sterling, who was a native of Sterling, Seotland, but emigrated to America and engaged in agricultural pursuits at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. By his marriage to Anna Cunnighan five eltildren were born, three now living. Mrs. Currey was the eldest and was born in Cornwall. She aeeompanied her parents to Illinois at the time of the building of the eanal, in which her father was interested as a eontraetor, with George A. Barnett. During the exeitement following the discovery of gold in California Mr. Sterling erossed the plains to the eoast, where he spent several years, meeting with fair sueeess.
UGUSTUS EIB. As a resident of this county sinee 1833, Mr. Eib well deserves mention. He was a boy of thirteen when the family settled in the neighborhood of his present home, and he has sinee been a witness of the remarkable growth of this seetion. In Har- rison County, W. Va., he was born June 19, 1820. He was one of nine children, of whom five sons survive. His father, Peter Eib, was born in Little York, Pa., Mareh 12, 1779, and removed
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to Harrison County, W. Va., but in an early day settled in Ohio, where he spent two years. In the spring of 1832 he removed to Illinois and se- lected a claim in Will County, then returned to Fountain County, Ind., where he had been liv- ing for six years. May 10, 1833, he arrived with his family on the place he had selected for their home. He died here August 4, 1858.
Remaining with his parents until 1845, our sub- ject then bought eighty acres of canal land, a part of his present farm. He has been prosperous in his undertakings, and now owns one hundred and sixty-seven acres, forming one of the valuable farms of Jackson Township. His marriage, March 20, 1851, united him with Miss Jane Evans, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 2, 1828, a daughter of Lovead and Mahala (Kyrk) Evans. Her father, a native of Ver- mont, settled in Franklin County, Ohio; thence, in 1837, removed to Fountain City, Ind., but one year later settled in Iroquois County, Ill., and. continued there until two years prior to his death, when he went to Miami County, Kans. Eight children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eib, four of whom are now living, namely: Adelbert, a farmer of Jasper County, Ind .; Peter and Alonzo, who operate farms in Will County; and Willard, who cultivates the home farm.
OSEPH A. KELLY, who for years has been the owner of extensive landed interests in Kansas, is now living in Joliet, retired from active business cares, having transferred to his sons the management of his western ranches. He was born in Trellick, County Tyrone, Ireland, and in childhood was brought to America by his parents, Edward and Rose (Curren) Kelly, settling with them in Jackson Township, this county. When a boy he studied in a log school- house, whose equipment and furnishings were as crude and primitive as its exterior appearance. His education was completed in Notre Dame University, where he remained a student for
six years, graduating in 1863. Afterward he continued with his father for two years and then embarked in the dry-goods business on North Bluff, near Exchange street, later removing to Exchange, near Canal. For some years we was in partnership with Dan Hendricks, but finally bought his interest and afterward carried on busi- ness with his brother, under the firm title of Kelly Brothers, their location being on Jefferson street. About 1878 he sold out to his brother and returned to the old homestead, where he en- gaged in general farming and the stock business.
In 1888 Mr. Kelly removed to Harper County, Kans., buying a ranch six miles from Corwin and placing four thousand acres under fence. The land is well watered by the Little Salty and the Little Sandy creeks and is admirably adapted for cattle-raising. At this writing he has almost one thousand head of cattle on the ranch, and these he markets in Kansas City. Six hundred acres of the land are planted to Kaffer cane, corn and millet, which is used for winter feed. The build- ings on the place are neat and adapted to their several purposes. He also owns another ranch of four thousand acres one mile north of Corwin, lying on the Little Sandy, and this property is stocked with cattle. The K ranches, as these two places are called, are the largest in Harper County. Besides these, he owns three-quarters of a section across the line in Oklahoma. Since 1899 he lias been retired from business, making his home at No. III South Center street, Joliet.
In earlier life Mr. Kelly was an active member of the Joliet fire department. For twenty-seven years or more he has been identified with the Joliet Sharpshooters' Association. At state and national tournaments he has frequently received the first prize. At the first United States Sharp- shooters' match in Jones' Woods, New York, he won one of the first prizes, and he received a medal at the Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876. He is still a member of the association. In poli- tics he is independent, and in religious connections holds membership with St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.
The marriage of Mr. Kelly, in Joliet, united him with Miss Maria Elizabeth Hendricks, who
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was born in Rockford, Ill., but was reared in Joliet. She was one of a family of seven, the eldest of whom, Miles, was killed by the Indians when crossing the plains to California in 1849; D. P., cx-city attorney of Joliet, is now engaged in the practice of law in Chicago; Thomas A., formerly a druggist and hospital steward of Com- pany D, Ninetieth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war, is now a farmer in Oklahoma; J. C. is an attorney in Chicago; and B. L. also resides in that city; Margaret, Mrs. Nugent, is a resident of Chicago; and Maria E , Mrs. Kelly, completes the family circle. Her father, Thomas Hendricks, was a contractor and builder and came from New York state to Illinois in 1843. Her mother, Margaret, daughter of Daniel Quig- ley, was born in Athlone, Ireland, in December, 1817, and crossed the ocean in 1834, afterward marrying Mr. Hendricks in Syracuse, N. Y. Her children were reared in Joliet, with the ex- ception of five years spent in Rockford, where Mrs. Kelly was born. Mrs. Hendricks is a woman of strong character and many admirable qualities. Though now advanced in years, she is active and vigorous, and is devoted to the wel- fare of Mrs. Kelly's family, with whom she makes her home. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have six chil- dren, viz .: Eugene and Edward, who have charge of the Kansas ranches and arc engaged in the cattle business there; Leo, who is a student in Notre Dame University in Indiana; Margarct, Marie and Catherine, at homc.
HILIP MERSINGER. At the time that Mr. Mersinger settled in Joliet, September 10, 1878, the city had a population of only eleven thousand. He has witnessed its sub- sequent growth and had aided in the development of its business interests. Meantime, by his ability and energy, he has become the owner of the largest sewing machine business in the state outside of Chicago. By fair and just dealings with all, he has established a large trade, which
is not limited to his home town, but extends throughout this section of the state, four travel- ing men taking orders for machines in Will and adjacent counties. The location of the store is No. 109 South Ottawa strect, where may be found on sale New Home, Standard, White and Domestic machines, also some cight cheaper grades of machines. In addition to machines, he has also built up a large trade in pianos and or- gans, and handles all kinds of musical instru- ments, making a specialty of the Kimball and Emerson piano and the Kimball organ.
The record of the Mersinger family is traccd back to a distant period in the history of the province of Wurtemberg, Germany. There our subject's father, John, was born and reared, and there he carried on a mercantile store. Accon- panied by his wife, who was Jannetta Whiteman, of Ruchhaim, Germany, and their two children, he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, opening a store at Penn's Valley, Center County, and remaining in that county until his death. In religion he was a Lutheran. After coming to this country he identified himself with the Demo- cratic party. Hc and his wife were the parents of seven children, five of whom attained mature years and four are living. Several of the chil- dren were born in Center County, Pa., and among these was Philip, whose birth occurred August 8, 1840. He was a mere boy when he began to be self-supporting and for a number of years managed some of the largest farms in Ccn- ter and Union Counties and gained a reputation as a good financier and trustworthy manager. However, the exposure in inclement weather brought on rheumatism, and he was forced to seek another occupation. In 1869 he began in the sewing machine business near Center Hall, his native town, where he made his home for some years. In 1878 he came west, intending to settle in Kansas, but the three preceding years of poor crops had ruined business in that state, so he returned as far east as Joliet. In point of years of business activity he is the oldest man in the machine trade in this city. In his work he is efficiently assisted by his wife, who is a lady of superior ability and who takes entire charge of the
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business when he is absent. She bore the maiden name of Sarah E. McCormick, and is a daughter of William and Margaret ( Myers) McCormick, of Scotch-Irish and German parentage. She was born in Center County, Pa., where she was reared, educated and married.
In politics Mr. Mersinger is independent. During and after the Civil war he was for four years a special police officer in Philadelphia. He has never cared for political offices, preferring to give his time to his business and its interests. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was a charter member of the first lodge, Knights of Pythias, that was organized in Phila- delphia (which was the second in the United States), and in the same city he also joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but usually attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. They have no children, but are rearing two children of Mrs. Mersinger's brother, Andrew and Candace McCormick.
OHN F. QUINN, proprietor of an under- taking establishment at No. 407 North Chi- cago street, Joliet, is a well-known Democrat and has served as chairman of the city central committee. In 1897 he was elected city treasurer on the Democratic ticket and served for two years, retiring in May, 1899. From 1881 to 1883 he served as assistant supervisor of Joliet Township. He also takes an active part in various fraternities, being a member of the Court of Honor, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus, a member of the board of managers of the Modern Woodmen of America, and county president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. During the period of his connection with steel and iron works in Joliet he was promi- nent in organizations composed of workers in these mills. He assisted in organizing Stone City Lodge No. 4, Rollers, Hookers and Catch-
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