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 67
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 67
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Renting a tract of eighty acres, Mr. Rose be- gan independent farming. He spent four years on the same place, and in 1858 removed to Man- hattan Township, where he operated a rented farm for six years, and in 1864 bought a farm in Wilton Township, between Peotone and Wilton. Upon the one hundred and sixty acres compris- ing the farm he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He later bought eighty acres of land west of Wilton Center. He remained on his farmı until his removal to Manhattan in 1891. He has never cared for office and, aside from voting the Republican ticket, takes no part in politics. In 1846 he married Miss Mary Hallam, a native of England. They are the parents of the following-named children: Charles, James P., Robert H., Elizabeth, Mary J. and Harriet S. Of these Charles is in Los Angeles, Cal.
PHRAIM L. SHAFFNER. The business interests of Joliet have an energetic repre- sentative in Mr. Shaffner, who for years has been the owner and manager of a coal yard in this city. Forming a partnership with his father, under the firm name of B. Shaffner & Son, in 1876 he embarked in the coal business. Eight
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years later the partnership was dissolved, he as- suming full control of the business, which he has since enlarged to its present magnitude. His yard is conveniently located near the tracks of the Chicago & Alton, Illinois Central and Santa Fe Railroads. He is a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment, and has attained a success of which lie is eminently deserving.
In 1846 John Shaffner came to this county and took up government land, on which he engaged in farming. His son, Benjamin, was born in Cumberland County, Pa., in 1825. The next year the family removed to Summit County, Ohio, and he was twenty-one years of age at the time of the removal to Illinois, the family settling in New Lenox Township, this county. Later he acquired a farm in Jackson Township, where he remained until 1857. On selling that place he removed to Joliet and began working at the car- penter's trade, but after a time became interested in wagon-making, also carried on a grocery and provision business, and finally opened a coal yard. About 1884 he retired from active business cares, and has since lived in the enjoyment of an income sufficient for his needs, occupying a com- fortable home in this city. In politics he is a Republican.
By the marriage of Benjamin Shaffner to Caro- line Larkin, of this county, two children were born, E. L. and E. P., both of Joliet. The former was born in New Lenox Township, October I, 1852, and received a common-school education. At fifteen years of age he secured employment with the Joliet Iron & Steel Company as an office boy. Gaining the confidence of his employers, he was promoted from one position to another until he was finally given charge of the pay rolls, and he continued with the company until he re- signed to engage in the coal business.
June 21, 1877, Mr. Shaffner married Miss Frances A. Stanley, who was born in Joliet June 10, 1855. Her father, Francis G. Stanley, was for twenty-seven years foreman of the William Adams Lumber Company, continuing in the po- sition until the time of his death. Mrs. Shaffner died May 12, 1885, leaving four children. The eldest, Edwin Stanley, who was born May 29,
1878, is assisting his father in business. Frances M., born December 7, 1880, is a graduate of the Joliet high school, and resides at home. Lottie A. died at five years; and Benjamin F., born January 8, 1885, is with his father. The second marriage of Mr. Shaffner took place May 18, 1886, and united him with Miss Martha J. George, who was born in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Susan (Stichler) George. Her father came from Ohio to Will County in an early day and after a resi- dence liere of several years returned to Ohio, where he resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffner are the parents of a daughter, Clara Belle, born June 9, 1889.
LEXANDER DAVIDSON, proprietor of a livery on South Bluff street, Joliet, was born in Scranton, Pa., June 9, 1870, a son of Francis P. and Elizabeth (McNeal) Davidson, who were born, reared and married in Scotland. His father, who followed the machinist's trade in Scotland for some years, after coming to Amer- ica became master mechanic in the steel inills at Scranton. In 1873 he removed to St. Louis, where he held a position as master mechanic in the Vulcan iron works at Carondelet. His next location was in Crystal City, as master mechanic in the plate glass works there. In 1880 he went to Chicago and became superintendent of the Morton Frog & Crossing works, having charge of the building and fitting up of the new plant. Coming to Joliet in 1890, he accepted a position as manager of the Fox Pressed Steel Company (now the Pressed Steel Car Company). This plant he fitted with machinery and put in run- ning order. In 1892 he went to Montana as superintendent of the mechanical part of the noted Anaconda mines. Since 1898 he has been retired from business cares and has made his home in Joliet, wliere he stands high in the esti- mation of the people as a reliable citizen. Among those in his line he has always held a high rank,
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and during his active years he was considered one of the most skilled mechanics in America. Reared under the influences of the Scotch. Presbyterian Church, he has always adhered to its doctrines and endeavored to live up to its teachings.
The education of our subject was acquired principally in South Chicago. When a mere boy he was apprenticed to the monlder's trade, serv- ing his time with Fraser & Chalmers, and work- ing in Chicago. When his father went to Ana- conda he accompanied him, but after a stay of three months returned to Chicago. However, in 1893 he again went to Montana, this time re- maining until June, 1895, when he settled in Joliet. His connection with the Bates Machine Company began shortly after lie settled in this city and continued until March, 1899. He then bought out the business he now successfully con- ducts. Everything about his barns is first-class. His carriages are all rubber-tired and modern in every particular. He owns ten horses of high grade and also has a number of boarders in his stables. He gives his attention very closely to his business, desiring in every particular to please his customers and to conduct affairs in a manner satisfactory to patrons and profitable to himself. Politically he has not allied himself with any po- litical party, but is independent in his vote.
A BIJAH R. STARR, former proprietor of the Stone City greenhouses at No. 110 Macom- ber avenue, made his home in Joliet front 1871 until his death in 1899. He was born in Ithaca, N. Y., March 25, 1832, a son of William Russell Starr. The common ancestor of all branches of the Starr family in America was Dr. . Comfort Starr, a native of Ashford, Kent County, England, and a prominent surgeon and owner of large estates. This ancestor settled in Massa- · chusetts in 1635 and afterward made his home there. He was a warden in St. Mary's Church at Ashford, Kent County, England. Both he and his descendants were prominently identified
with many important movements for the develop- ment of New England, and the family name was a synonym of honesty and uprightness. His son, Thomas, came to America in 1637; his name is mentioned in the early history of Massachusetts, and he was. one of the surgeons that went out with the army against the Pequod Indians.
Capt. Josiah, son of Dr. Thomas Starr, was born at Chestertown, Mass., September 1, 1657, and became the founder of the branch of the family in Danbury, Conn. He was elected the first town clerk, captain of the first military com- pany there, and also held the offices of justice of the peace and surveyor. In 1702 he was chosen deputy to the general court, a position of great distinction. This office he held, by re-election, during the remaining years of his life. He had a grandson who bore the same name as himself and who was born in 1717. He was a member of what was then known as the train-band. In 1754 he was chosen ensign of his company. In August, 1755, he was chosen second lieutenant of the Fifth Company to go against Crown Point. In 1756 he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. His father also served as an ensign and captain . and as deputy to the general court and was promi- nent in church affairs.
Abijah, son of Colonel Starr, was born in Dan- bury, Conn., about 1744, and removed thence to Patterson, Putnam County, N. Y. His son, Abijalı, a native of Patterson, settled in Ithaca about 1816, and afterward followed surveying. By his marriage to Hanna Watts he had three children, of whom the eldest, William Russell Starr, was born in Patterson August 4, 1807, and engaged in the mercantile business there. In 1834 lie came to Illinois and took up some land near Crete, where he engaged in farming. He was a stanch Whig and Abolitionist. For some years he was postmaster at Crete. He took an active part in the organization of the Congrega- tional Church of Crete. November 18, 1829, he married Harriet L. Royce, daughter of Asahel and Sally (Clark) Royce. He died February 10, 1857.
The subject of this sketch was their only son. He was two years of age when they brought him
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to this county, coming via the lakes on one of Mogg, and a native of Clay, N. Y. Her grand- the earliest steamers, "Uncle Sam," that made the voyage. When a boy he attended school held in a log building put up by the pioneers, and containing openings for windows and doors; afterward doors and windows were made of what was known as shake boards, split out of logs. In 1850 he went to California, driving across the plains with a large party. The journey was a perilous one, owing to the hostility of the Indians. At night and day guards were on the alert to protect the travelers against possible attacks, but they were not molested. As a miner he had fair success. After two years he returned to Illinois, on account of his father's illness, and resumed the management of the home farm. Four years later his father died and the farm was sold to our subject's uncle. Our subject then went to Wheaton, Dupage County, where for eight years he engaged in the mercantile business.
In March, 1871, Mr. Starr sold out in Wheaton and came to Joliet, where he and his wife started a store at No. 69 Jefferson street, which they carried on for five years. The management of the store was almost wholly in his wife's hands, and she displayed excellent judgment in superintend- ing it. Meantime he had started a greenhouse on Macomber avenue, which was the first one started in Joliet. In 1878 he and his wife dis- posed of their stock of goods and turned their at- tention wholly to the florist's business. They rebuilt their residence and erected another house on an adjoining lot. In the greenhouses there are five thousand feet of glass. The accommoda- tions are ample for the care of a large variety of plants, two of the houses being 20x50, while two others are 20x70.
Mr. Starr was a stockholder in the first build- ing and loan association organized in Joliet. As a Republican, he was fairly active in politics and attended numerous conventions. In religion he was a Methodist. During his residence in Wheaton he was made a Mason, and after coming to Joliet he joined Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he held positions of trust.
October 24, 1853, Mr. Starr married Sarah Ann, daughter of Jared and Lana (Young)
father, Jeremiah Young, was a Revolutionary soldier and traced his ancestry to Germany, his great-grandfather having come to this country from that land. Many of the name still reside in Schoharie and Onondaga Counties, N. Y., where the original emigrants settled. Her father was born in Connecticut in 1791, and was orphaned by the death of his parents when he was a small boy. He was bound out and in boyhood was compelled to work very hard, with no advantages or opportunities. While he was still very young, the treatment he received caused him to run away from his master. He secured work on a farm and was employed as a hand until he had saved enough to start out for himself. After his marriage he bought a farm in Onondaga County. After a time lie bought another farm and also ran a sawmill in Oswego County. A strong Jackson Democrat, he took an active part in politics. He was a very upright, honorable and industrious man, one who had many friends in his com- munity. In his family there were fourteen chil- dren, all but one of whom attained maturity, and ten are still living, the youngest of these being fifty-seven years old, it being the oldest and largest (taken altogether) of any family now living that was born in Onondaga County. Mr. and Mrs. Starr became the parents of three daughters, namely: Mary, wife of A. C. John- ston, of Joliet; Ellen, a physician and the wife of Dr. C. H. L. Souder, of Chicago; and Attie Cor- delia, wife of George T. Relyea, a wholesale grocer, of Joliet.
At his home, surrounded by his family, Mr. Starr departed this life December 18, 1899, aged sixty-seven years, nine months and eighteen days. Throughout life he was noted for his ster- ling honesty and positive convictions, and was respected by all his acquaintances for his love of truth and right and his bitter hatred of dis- honesty and corruption, either in public or pri- vate affairs. He was always kind and generous in his family and with his neighbors. His genial . and sympathetic nature led him to perform many acts of kindness and charity toward the poor or the distressed in his neighborhood. Of his char-
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acter and life it may truthfully be said that they always stood for the right because it was right and not for policy's sake. He admired and championed the cause of truth and justice, and he boldly denounced wrong. In every good cause he was a supporter. He did much, by example and precept, to lead the community in paths of justice, loyalty and honor.
HARLES W. KEITH, foreman of the Joliet plant of Selz, Schwab & Co., is descended from Scotch ancestry, but his forefathers have been in America since 1661. During that year, Rev. James, son of Robert Keith, came to the new world from the county of Caithness, in the northern part of Scotland. From him descend all of the Keiths of New England. He was edu- cated in Marshall College, Aberdeen, and came to America immediatly after completing hiscollege course. He was called to be the first minister at Duxbury, Mass. His son, Simeon, was born in Mendon, May 6, 1742, and was orphaned at an early age; learning the blacksmith's trade, he started out for himself when eighteen years of age. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution- ary war he enlisted in a company of volunteers under Captain Wilkinson, of Sutton. He marched with the company to Roxbury, but there, through the exposure of camp life, caught a severe cold resulting in fever, from which he died January 3, 1776. Though he did not live to see the inde- pendence of our country, his name deserves to be perpetuated among those of other patriots who gave their lives for their native land. By his marriage to Rebecca Leland lie had five children, of whom the second, Royal, was the grandfather of our subject.
Royal Keithi was born February 23, 1769, and was seven years of age when his father died. The care of the family then fell upon the mother, who, in spite of the hardships of war, the priva- tions of poverty and the sorrows of widowhood, managed to keep the children together and reared
them to become useful, honorable citizens .. As soon as he was old enough to earn money Royal helped to support the family. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his uncle, Elijah Stanton. In 1788 he went to Boston, where he found em- ployment in a shoe store occupying a room in Faneuil hall. Two years later he returned to the family home at Grafton, where he soon began to manufacture shoes on his own account, selling in Boston and Providence. He was one of the earliest manufacturers of custom shoes in Amer- ica, having begun in business soon after the first tariff was passed for the protection of American industries. The first shoes he manufactured were rough hand-sewed articles, which were used by laboring men or shipped south for the Carolina negroes. After a time these shoes were supplanted by others more modern in style and shape. Dur- ing the embargo of the war of 1812, transporta- tion by water was impossible, and Mr. Keith sent a shipment of shoes overland from Grafton to Richmond, Va., which was a very difficult task in those days. He was a citizen highly esteemed for his worthy qualitics. Possessing excellent business qualities he always succeeded in busi- ness enterprises. Often he was appealed to by his neighbors for advice in weighty matters. He was frequently chosen to serve in official capaci- ties, and in 1836 was the representative from Grafton in the general court of Massachusetts. He died November 13, 1857, after a long and successful life.
By the marriage of Royal Keith to Deborah Adams, which was solemnized December 26, 1797, ten children were born, of whom Royal A., the sixth, was born December 27, 1809. He was a farmer by occupation, although he also engaged in the meat business for some years. In religion he was a Congregationalist. He was a man of quiet, unassuming disposition, who, like his father, was respected wherever known. He at- tained an advanced age, and passed from earthi August 29, 1882. By his marriage, September 2, 1840, to Lydia D. Fisher, eight children were born, Charles being the fifthi. The last-named was born at Grafton, Mass., April 19, 1849, and was educated in common schools. In youth he
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became familiar with the shoe business. About 1865 he went to Worcester, but a year later re- turned to Grafton, and for six years was withi J. W. Slocum & Son. Next he went to Upton, where he was similarly employed for two years. For five years he was in the employ of C. A. Claflin, of Hopkinton, Mass. Later he was with J. H. and G. M. Walker at Worcestsr until 1883, when he came to Joliet upon the recommendation of Mr. Claflin, who was at the time assistant su- perintendent for Selz, Schwab & Co., in this city. For a part of the first year he was assistant to the foreman, after which he was appointed foreman, and has held this position since, notwithstanding the different administrations of affairs. After the first year he took the place of two foremen, hav- ing charge of from seventy to eighty men.
In politics Mr. Keith is a believer in Republi- can principles, but in local affairs believes it is more a question of the right man than of political principles, hence he supports the men he consid- ers best qualified to represent the people. Janu- ary 28, 1880, he married Carrie A., daughter of Lovett B. Hayden, who was engaged in the boot and shoe business in Hopkinton, Mass. They are the parents of four children: Carrie Ethel, Royal Adams, Nina Hayden and Robert Elwin.
ENRY CHRISTMANN, who is proprietor of a meat market at No. 623 South Chicago street, Joliet, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, October 14, 1865. He was the third among eight children, six of whom are now liv- ing. His father, Christopher Christmann, was for twenty-five years engaged in the mercantile business in Bavaria, but in 18So left Germany and
emigrated to America, settling in Joliet, where he is now living, retired from business cares. Since identifying himself with our government he has been a stanch Republican. He was mar- ried in Bavaria in 1859 to Margarita Schneider, who is yet living, in Joliet.
At the time of coming to the United States Henry Christmann was a boy of fifteen years. From an early age he has been self-supporting, and through his industry and perseverance he has laid the foundation of a very profitable business. After working for six months in a butcher shop he started a meat market of his own, and has since continued in business for himself. In 1892 he erected a two-story brick building north of his shop, but this he later sold. In all of his work he lias showed good judgment. He uses great care in the selection of his meats, thus gaining the confidence of his customers. His long ex- perience in the business, combined with his en- ergy and perseverance, well qualify him to carry on his market with success.
While he has never been active in local affairs, Mr. Christmann has firm opinions on political subjects and votes with the Republicans. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of America, Home Forum and Loyal Orange Lodge. He is connected with the German Protestant Church and is now serving as its secretary. His first marriage took place January 21, 1888, and united him with Emma Liederbach, who died in 1895, leaving two children, Christopher Frederick and Catherine Louise. March 3, 1897, he was united in marriage to Helen Dieterich, of Joliet, a daughter of Lawrence and Susannah (Schneider) Dieterich, natives of Germany. They settled in Troy Township, where Mrs. Dieterich yet resides, on the old homestead.
Ir. Rowanego le matin
GENEALOGICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
545
ROMAINE J. CURTISS.
OMAINE J. CURTISS, M. D. Those who possess originality of mental attributes form striking figures in local or general history. In keenness of perceptive qualities, in clearness of mind and firmness of convictions, Dr. Curtiss has a leading position among Joliet physicians and surgeons. His record is that of a man fear- less in the defence of truth, firm in the expres- sion of his opinions, even when these convictions are diametrically opposed to the views of his co- laborers. A constant student of his profession, he has kept in touch with every development that has been made in the medical science, and has himself been a leader in the forward march of discovery and research.
Many generations gone by, in the remote past, the Curtiss family emigrated from Spain, where its members had long lived in peace under their own vine and fig tree, and settled in the less genial England. From there three brothers came with the Cambridge colony to America, settling in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Dur- ing the Revolutionary war the family was repre- sented at the front. Zurial Curtiss, a native of Connecticut, removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., where his son, Newell, was born. Later he set- tled in the timber near Plymouth, Richland County, Ohio, where he reared his family on a farm and spent his remaining years. Newell Curtiss was a farmer, and also owned a saw and grist mill, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and flour, having his mill near New Ha- ven, Huron County, Ohio, where he moved soon after the birth of his son, Romaine J. After a busy and active life he retired to the quiet of his home and is now living at Norwalk, Ohio, at the
age of more than ninety years. He married Marilla Sage, who was born in Oswego, N. Y., and is still living; her father, Roswell, was a farmer in New York.
Of four children Dr. Curtiss was the eldest, and is now the sole survivor. He was born near Plymouth, Ohio, October 1, 1840, and was reared in Huron County. At seventeen years of age he entered Hillsdale (Mich.) College, where he remained for two years. He then took up the study of medicine under Dr. Charles Richards of New Haven, after which he entered the Buf- falo Medical College with the intention of com- pleting his course there. However, the Civil war came on and he enlisted as a medical cadet in the army. He was assigned to duty on a hospital boat containing the wounded from Vicksburg who were being taken to St. Louis, and made several similar trips until illness forced him to resign. In 1864 he graduated from Ohio Medi- cal College at Cincinnati as an M. D., and shortly afterward entered the navy as assistant surgeon on the United States flagship "General Burn- side," assigned to the Mississippi squadron, eleventh division. At the close of the war he returned home on an extended furlough, and four months later was discharged.
For seven years Dr. Curtiss practiced at An- dover, N. Y. While there, through an accident on the railroad, eighty people were killed and sixty wounded. After the accident he was the first on the ground, and was given charge of the wounded. Later he was made surgeon for the Buffalo & Erie (now the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern) Railroad, being the first railroad sur- geon ever appointed in the United States. In
28
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September, 1873, he came to Joliet and opened an office for practice. He soon built up a repu- tation for efficiency and skill. For years he was surgeon for the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern, and the Santa Fe roads; for ten years was surgeon in charge of St. Joseph Hospital, and also acted as surgeon for steel wire mills, etc. He was the first health commissioner of Joliet and organized the health department, also wrote all of the ordi- nances for the same. On the reorganization of the Will County Medical Society he was its president for a year, and later served as secretary for thir- teen years, but in 1895 resigned. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Grand Army, and in religion he is a Catholic.
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