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 70
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 70
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On this homestead Joshua N. Hilton was born in 1835. Some time after his marriage he pur- chased and removed to the property upon which his grandfather, William, had settled as a pio- neer. He has since continued to reside on that place, engaged in agricultural pursuits. While he is not an office seeker nor a politician, he is a man of influence in his community, and a stal- wart supporter of the Republican party. He has long been active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at one time held the highest office in his home lodge. He had a brother, Amos (now deceased), who was a member of the Maine legis- lature and took an important part in the passing of beneficial measures during his time as a pub- lic servant.
The village of North Anson, at an early period of its existence, alive to the advantages afforded by a good education, had founded in its midst an academy where the knowledge acquired in public schools could be supplemented by a thorough course in the higher branches. It was in this in- stitution that our subject completed his educa- tion. As he grew to manhood the question of a permanent occupation and location occupied much of his time. He looked about him upon the surroundings with which he had been familiar from his earliest recollections; he saw a small town, remote from the business centers of the country; obscure and unknown; its citizens as a rule unambitious, its opportunities meagre. Be- lieving that the west would afford greater priv- ileges he determined to seek a home liere.
Reaching Illinois he at once sought employ-
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ment, for he had little money and was anxious to secure any work that offered an honest liveli- hood. His first position was in an elevator at New Lenox, this county. His work was ex- ceedingly difficult and exhausting, and after four- teen months, finding his health was giving way under the strain, he felt obliged to resign. Dur- ing the summer of 1880 he visited California, with a view to recuperating his health. He found a business opening at Orofino, Siskiyou County, that state, and so remained there for thirteen months. Meantime his former employer at New Lenox had been urging him to return, promising him more congenial employment in his mercantile business which he conducted in connection with the grain business. Thus Mr. Hilton was influenced to return. For four years he remained in the store. In 1885 he and his cousin, G. S. Hilton, bought a grain elevator at Manhattan, and he took charge of the business. This was the beginning of his success. From that time he pushed his way ahead, with fewer obstacles than before. In December, 1888, he and his cousin sold the business at Manhattan, and he came to Symerton, purchasing the ele- vator at this place early in 1889. Here he built a large new elevator and also added to his grain trade a drain, tile, coal and lumber business.
In political sentiment Mr. Hilton is a Repub- can. Though in no sense a politician, he takes an earnest and active part in the conduct of public affairs, and in casting his ballot at local elections casts his vote for a candidate differ- ing with himself in politics if he believes that candidate will better serve the people than his own party's nominee; for it is his belief that in local matters the man and the principle should carry more weight than the opinions of the candi- date concerning protective tariff, free coinage of silver, expansion, and other national problems. At various times he has held the town offices and lie has also served as supervisor of Florence Township, into which office he has brought the same business traits and the same energy notice- able in his private affairs. Fraternally he is con- nected with Symerton Camp No. 4361, Modern Woodmen of America. In 1886 he married Miss
Christina Bouch, of Mokena, who was born in Manhattan Township. They had four children, Lester A., Roy, Lloyd and Merl. The oldest son, born September 1, 1887, died March 4, 1900; the youngest, born August 11, 1893, is the only one living; and the other sons died in infancy, while Mrs. Hilton passed away February 6, 1895.
ENRY T. TRUBY, the well-known grain and lumber dealer, is a son of the late Mar- shall Truby. His ancestors came to Amer- ica as early as 1733, one of them, Christopher Truby, being an officer and patriot in the Revo- lutionary war. His father, Marshall, was born in Armstrong County, Pa., and was reared in the east, where for some time he was captain on Ohio and Allegheny River boats. With a fleet of packets, in 1852, he journeyed down the Ohio, up the Mississippi and the Illinois, thence to the canal, where he engaged in the forwarding business between Lasalle and Chicago, at the same time buying and improving a farm. In a few years he sold his boats and bought a tract of raw land adjoining the present city limits of Jo- liet, a portion of which is now included in Bush park. For some time he devoted his attention closely to the improvement of his property. Dur- ing the war he resumed work on the canal, run- ning a line of freight boats. He also made trips from Chicago to Nashville, Tenn., bearing gov- ernment supplies to the front and delivering his cargoes each time in safety, although, owing to the proximity of the Confederates, it was neces- sary to be guarded by gunboats. When the war was ended he began in the grain business, hav- ing an elevator on the canal at South Bluff street. Adjoining the site of his elevator, he started a lumber yard, which he conducted successfully. In 1870 he removed to Birds Bridge, this county, to engage in the grain business, and he built an elevator there, making shipments of grain both by canal and railroad. He continued in business in that village from 1870 to 1897, and during
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that entire time served as postmaster, also for some time held school offices and was a justice of the peace. In politics he was a Republican, but never exhibited a partisan spirit, believing that a true citizen rose above party in loyal devotion to country. The First Presbyterian Church of Joliet numbered him among its members. The success which he gained entitled him to respect. Without any means to aid him in securing a start, and with no influence to help him along except his own good name and upright conduct, with these and by untiring industry and intelli- gent management, he steadily rose until he oc- cupied a position of marked consideration in business circles in Will County. If the title of self-made can with justice be given any man, it certainly belonged to him, for, against adverse circumstances, and in the face of obstacles, he had the energy and determination to attain a high degree of success. There was no detail of the grain business with which he was unfamiliar. Nor did that business represent the limit of his energies. He was also interested in the lumber business as a member of the firm of Truby & Co., and he maintained a supervision of his farm at Birds Bridge, seven miles west of Joliet. In addition, he was senior partner in the firm of M. Truby & Son, owners of elevators both at Joliet and Elwood. After seventy-seven useful and active years, he passed into eternity, July 26, 1897, followed to the grave by the respect of those with whom he had long been associated.
The marriage of Marshall Truby united him with Maria McCracken, who was born in Penn-
sylvania, and is still living at the old home at Birds Bridge, in Troy Township. The family to which she belongs came to America from the north of Ireland, but is of Scotch origin. In her family there are three daughters and a son liv- ing. The latter, who was next to the oldest of the children, was born in Joliet, September 12, 1852. He was educated in the schools of Joliet, Jennings Seminary of Aurora, and the Metropol- itan Commercial College of Chicago. He then became a bookkeeper in his father's office. In 1875 the firm of M. Truby & Son embarked in the grain business. Five years later they bought the two Elwood elevators, taking J. C. Beattie as a partner, and in 1888 purchased the Jesse ele- vator in Joliet, the first-named having a capacity of forty thousand bushels, and the latter ten thou- sand. In 1891 Truby & Co. started a lumber business across from the elevator in Joliet, hav- ing two acres for yards and sheds, and building up a large trade in lumber and building material. Since the father's death the son, Henry T. Tru- by, has conducted the business with J. C. Beat- tie, selling both at wholesale and retail. Besides this business, he is interested, as a director, in the Will County Abstract Company.
Fraternally Mr. Truby is a member of the blue lodge of Masons and in politics he votes with the Republican party. He was united in marriage, in Channahon, with Miss Charlotte Beardsley Fryer, daughter of Hon. J. N. Fryer, an old set- tler of Channahon Township, where she was born. One son living, Charles L., blesses their union.
John Daly
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
563
JOHN DALY.
OHN DALY, one of the old settlers of Lock- port Township, stands high in the regard of his acquaintances, and deserves all that kind fortune can bestow. All that he lias and all that he is may be attributed to liis determination of character and his industry. When he came to this county a young man, without friends or means, lie was glad to secure work at $6 a month. From that small beginning he has worked his way to a competence and an assured position among the farmers and dairymen of his town- ship.
A son of Edward and Lucinda Daly, our sub- ject was born in 1825, and was nineteen years of age when he embarked for America on the sail- ing vessel "Lord Seaton." After a voyage of nine weeks he landed in New York, from which city he went by boat up the Hudson to Albany, then crossed New York state by rail to Buffalo, and from there came on the great lakes to Chi- cago, completing his journey by wagon to Will County. On his arrival in Lockport Township, in the latter part of 1844, he secured work by the month, and afterward for several years was em- ployed at farming and teaming. For a time lie was engaged in the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal on the Lockport section. The lessons of frugality and industry acquired in his childhood helped him in this country, and he carefully saved liis money until hc was able to buy one hundred and twelve acres of timber land near his present location. However, he lacked a small sum of having enough to pay for the entire tract and was obliged to go in debt for
a part of the place. The land was in its prime- val condition. He was forced to do considerable "grubbing " and clearing before he could com- mence its cultivation. He enclosed the land by good fences and built a small house. As he prospered, he bought other land, until he now owns nearly seven hundred acres. His dairy in- terests are extensive; he owns about fifty cows and ships milk to Chicago, having shipped to the same firin there for twenty-two years. His resi- dence is a substantial stone building, the stone for which he hauled from Lockport on the canal when it was frozen over during the winter months. Beside his home property he owns a number of business houses in Lockport.
In April, 1849, Mr. Daly married Miss Julia Walker, who had come to Will County the year before their marriage. They became the parents of eight children, four of whom are living, Thomas, Margaret, Susan and Edward. Mar- garet married John McCoy, a farmer and dairy- man in Lockport Township; they have six chil- dren: Julia, Susan, Matilda, Sadie, Edwin and Ellen. The younger daughter, Susan, is the wife of George Bush, who lives in Wayne, Neb .; they are the parents of four children, Julia, Georgiana, Jolın and Lotta.
Thomas Daly, the older of Mr. Daly's surviv- ing sons, is a prosperous farmer of Crawford County, Kans. He is an industrious, enterpris- ing and intelligent farmer, and well merits the success he is gaining in his agricultural enter- prises. While still a mere boy he began to save money, and this he afterward invested in land,
29
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
thus gaining a foothold for future prosperity. He married Margaret, daughter of Riley Ritchey, of Homer Township, and grand-daughter of James Ritchey, who came from Chillicothe, Ohio, to Illinois, at a very early day, and was living at Fort Dearborn at the time of the Blackhawk war. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Daly have six chil- dren now living, namely: . John E., Susan M., Eva L., Cleveland R., Jessie and Thomas.
Edward Daly, the younger of our subject's sons, assists his father in the management of the home farm. He married Suella Bush, by whom he has three children, William, Clara and Pru- dence. Another son of our subject, David, was born and reared on the old Daly homestead, and married Sarah Kirman, by whom he had six children, Jennie, Julia, George E., Margaret, Grace and David. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and in politics a Democrat. He was fond of military affairs, and was a mem- ber of the Joliet Light Artillery, with which he served under Colonel Bennitt in some of the noted strikes. Personally, he was genial and popular, a man with hosts of friends and many enemies. He died September 23, 1892.
The subject of this sketch was reared in the Presbyterian faith, and has always aided in its work, besides which he has contributed to the Episcopal Church in Lockport. The Democratic party receives his support in national elections, but in local matters he is independent. He has never desired office for himself, preferring to de- vote his time wholly to his farm and dairy in- terests.
NTHONY WAGNER, who is living retired in Joliet, has made his home in this county since 1846, having come here with his par- ents when he was a boy of twelve. He was born May 31, 1834, in Alsace, which was then a French province, but is now a part of Germany. His father, Ignatz, also of Alsacian birth, for many years ran a ferry across the Rhine River, but in 1846 emigrated to America, crossing the ocean
on the sailing-vessel "St. Nicholas," which was forty-six days upon the water. After a pleasant, but somewhat monotonous voyage he landed in New York. There he transferred to a Hudson River boat, in which he sailed up to Albany. From there he traveled via canal-boat to Buffalo and thence on the great lakes to Chicago. Push- ing on to Naperville he spent a few months there, but in the fall of the same year he came to Joliet, securing employment on the Illinois and Michi- gan canal. Later he was engaged in farnı work, buying some land which is now inside the city limits of Joliet. Prices were very low when he settled here, and he paid only $30 for a log house and the entire block on which his son Anthony now lives, property that has since multiplied in value many hundredfold. On this place the re- mainder of his days were passed and here he died in 1883. He was a lifelong member of the Ro- man Catholic Church, in which faith hischildren were reared. After becoming a citizen of the United States he allied himself with the Demo- cratic party. By his marriage to Mary Ann Erhardt he had four children who attained ma- turity, viz .: Mary; Ignatz, deceased; Anthony and Alois.
One of the most vivid recollections of our sub- ject's childhood was the long journey by water from Havre to Chicago. He well remembers, too, the frontier surroundings in this city and county, the sparsely settled regions, the unim- proved land and the log cabins. As soon as he was old enough to guide a plow he was put to work at breaking prairie land with an ox-team, and for some years much of his time was given to this occupation. When of age he learned the stone-cutter's trade, which he followed afterward, being for many years foreman in the large stone quarries owned by Charles Werner, of Joliet, from which position he resigned in 1888 and re- tired from active work. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, was collector of Joliet Township in 1885 and again elected in 1886. Under the adminis- tration of Mayor E. C. Akin, 1895-1897, he was appointed to the office of superintendent of streets of the city of Joliet. That he was the "right man in the right place" was best proven by the
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
following administration of Mayor Lagger, 1897- 1899, again appointing him to this important po- sition; as a Democrat, serving under two Repub- lican mayors, he received indeed a well-earned compliment. He is also one of the few charter members left of tlie Joliet Sharpshooters Asso- ciation, which was organized in 1866.
In 1860 he married Magdalene, daughter of Joseph Klein, of Strassburg, Cook County, Ill. Mrs. Magdalene (Klein) Wagner was also born in Alsace, and came to this country with her parents in 1846. By their union five children were born, namely: Joseph; Mary, wife of Will- iam Downey; Louise, wife of John Giblin; Rose and Emma.
RWIN GOODWIN. In the pioneer history of this county the Goodwin family bore an honorable part. Of New England ancestry, inheriting the hardihood and powers of endur- ance characteristic of that race, later generations also exhibited these qualities and assisted in the development of the great west. From New Hampshire Joseph Goodwin removed to Law- rence County, N. Y., in a very early day, and his subsequent years were devoted to farm pursuits there. His son, William, who was born in that county in 1814, came to Illinois in 1837, settling in Will County. All around him were evidences of frontier life. Houses were few and poorly con- structed, affording but little protection from wind and weather. His trade was that of a carpenter and, seeing the need of more substantial dwel- lings, he was careful in the construction of the lrouses that he built, endeavoring to make them comfortable abodes. In those days land was owned by the government and was offered for sale at prices witliin the reach of the poorest man. He bought land in Wesley Township, receiving a patent from the government for the same. The remainder of his life was spent in this township, where he owned about five hundred acres. His beginnings were small, but industry gave him returns, and as he was a hard-working man, he
became very successful in age. His excellent judgment and common sense did much for him, and he was honored and respected as a man of worth.
In his youth he had received no educational advantages, yet, in spite of this, he became well- to-do. The primitive log schoolhouse was the university that he attended when a boy; its slab benches and puncheon floor were in marked con- trast to the modern appurtenances with which we are familiar; and its teachers were of a grade far inferior to those of the present age. How- ever, in the great school of experience he gained a good education, and who shall say that it was less valuable to him than one acquired from text- books. He believed that every citizen should take an interest in local affairs, and what he expected of others he was foremost in doing himself. Politi- cally he was a pronounced Republican. Frater- nally he was connected with the Masons. After forty years of intimate connection with the farm interests of Wesley Township, in 1877 he was called from earth. His sixty-three years of life had been filled with deeds of generosity and kindness, and his record was that of a good man. He married Margaret Rebecca Althouse, a native of Virginia, who died at the homestead in 1868, at the age of forty-six years. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living, namely: Hiram, a resident of Wilmington Town- ship; Dollie, wife of William H. Cramer; Erwin; John, who cultivates the old home place; William, a farmer near by; and Philip, whose home is in Oregon.
On the homestead opposite his present faim the subject of this sketchi was born February 24, 1854. His father having been successful as a farmer was able to give him good advantages, and he attended the public schools of Chicago and Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. On the completion of his education he settled down to a farmer's life; but soon, with a desire for travel and contact with the world, he deter- mined to travel in the far west. He was twenty-one when he went to Colorado and from there to the Pacific Coast. After four years he returned to Will County, where lie has since remained. He
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now owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land and is engaged in farming and cattle-raising. In 1898 he caused to be built on his place one of the most substantial farm houses in the township, and here, with his wife, lie has a comfortable and happy home. He has never cared for political prominence, and, aside from voting the Republi- can ticket, takes no part in local affairs. Frater- nally he is connected with Wilmington Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M. His marriage took place May 24, 1899, and united him with Clara E. Han- ford, daughter of Stephen Hanford, of Kankakee County.
OHN LAMBERT. The name of Mr. Lam- bert is indissolubly associated with the growth and development of the wire in- dustry, with which he has been connected since it was in its infancy. He is therefore justly recognized as one of the foremnost men of Joliet and it may be doubted if the city has any citizen more remarkable, in many respects, than he.
The Lambert family were among the early settlers of Hunterdon County, N. J., and the now thriving city of Lambertville was named in their honor. Mr. Lambert was born in that place January 12, 1847. He was a mere lad when the Civil war opened, but, fired with a love of ad- venture and a patriotic zeal in behalf of the na- tion, he determined to enlist in the Union army. In January, 1862, his name was enrolled as a private in Company D, First New Jersey Cavalry. He was sent with his regiment to Virginia, but after a year, owing to ill health, was honorably discharged. Later he again vol- unteered in the service, becoming sergeant of Company A, Third New Jersey Cavalry, in which he remained until the close of the war. Under General Custer he participated in the Shenandoah campaign of 1864, including the battles around Winchester and terminating in the splendid victory at Cedar Creek, the occasion of General Sheridan's famous ride " From Win- chester Twenty Miles Away." In 1865 he took
part in the battles of Waynesboro, Ashland, Din- widdie Courthouse and Five Forks. In the lat- ter engagement he was wounded by a fragment of a shell, causing the loss of a part of his left hand. He also had his horse shot from under him. After this he bore a part in all the battles under General Grant until the surrender of Gen- eral Lee. He was present at the grand review in Washington, D. C., and was one of four men of his company who at the time were able to per- form duty, out of the original number of one hundred and one. He received an honorable discharge from the army August 9, 1865.
Two years after the close of the war Mr. Lam- bert came to Illinois and settled in Grundy Coun- ty. The year 1870 found him a resident of Joliet, where he has since made his home. He was for six years an officer in the Illinois state penitentiary. In April, 1876, he married Miss M. E. Bishop, of Joliet. They have one child, Anna E.
A few years after coming to Joliet, Mr. Lam- bert had his attention drawn to the wire business, a careful study of which convinced him of its. wonderful possibilities of growth and develop- ment. In 1879 he became a member of the Lambert & Bishop Wire Fence Company, which from the first enjoyed steady growth and soon be- came well known among similar organizations. In 1892 this was merged with the St. Louis Wire Mill Company, the Braddock Wire Com- pany and the Iowa Barb Wire Company, form- ing the Consolidated Steel and Wire Company. On the election of officers for the company he was chosen vice-president and later was also made general manager. When the American Steel & Wire Company began its corporate exist- ence, January 1, 1899, he was elected president, a position of great responsibility and influence, and one for which his talents amply qualified him. It was due to his business foresight and capacity, coupled with fine executive ability, that he attained a place among the controlling spirits of one of the largest and most successful manufacturing industries in the country. He has given his attention very closely to business, refusing all invitations to participate in public
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affairs and all appointments to office, the sole exception being in one instance, when he ac- cepted an appointment as colonel on the staff of Governor Tanner.
: ' His notable achievements in the field of com- mercial endeavor have made his name a synonym of success. He is an accurate judge of men, his naturally keen insight having been deepened by his varied experiences in life, which have brought him in contact with men of all classes. His busi- less career has been marked by the exercise of unusually keen discrimination. Perhaps the two traits most noticeable in his business dealings are liis excellent judgment and his energy. In fact, his enterprise and ability are of such a character that death alone can terminate his activities. His ready wit and command of language fit him for a public speaker, and had he chosen to enter the political arena he would have been a power in his party, but his addresses have always been limited to industrial topics, along which line he has. been most deeply interested; and these speeches are especially valuable, as representing the thoughts and ideas of a man whose brain is stored with practical information, accumulated during a long and active business career. :
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