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 74
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 74
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As a farmer John W. Diersen was efficient, and he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres in Crete Township. In addition he was secretary of the Crete Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, and for years served as highway com- missioner. In religion he was a Lutheran.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Diersen consists of twelve children: John, William, Louisa, Henry, August, Herman, Gotleib, Amelia, Emma, Wal- ter, Anna and Otto. Mr. Diersen died Novem- ber 12, 1898.
ILLIAM F. STAFFORD. A study of the lives of prosperous men shows that their success is in every instance due to their energy and good judgment. It is to these quali- ties that Mr. Stafford owes the success which has rewarded his efforts in business. When he came to Joliet, in 1891, he secured employment with Mr. Hess, whose interest he bought in the fall of 1892 and afterward continued with Mr. Godfrey for two years, meantime holding his own finan- cially in spite of the panic of 1893. Since 1894
he has been alone, continuing at the same site as before, No. 707 Van Buren street. He is the largest wholesale and retail milk dealer in the city, and furnishes milk and cream for the state penitentiary as well as for many private parties. In butter and eggs he also carries on a wholesale and retail business. He has a plant with twelve- horse electric power, which he uses in the manu- facture of ice cream for the wholesale and retail trade, and in this line, as in others, he has built up a valuable business.
Mr. Stafford was born in Dupage Township, Will County, February 13, 1856, a son of Enoch and Sarah (Wheat) Stafford. His father, who was a son of William and Ann Stafford, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, February 23, 1830, and came to America in 1851, arriving in New York May 29. Proceeding west, he secured work as a farm hand in this county and afterward cul- tivated a rented farm. After ten years he in- vested his savings in farm property, and he now owns one hundred and ninety well-improved acres in the township where he first settled. His first wife died in 1858, leaving two children, Wil- liam and Sarah, the latter now deceased. After- ward he married a sister of his first wife, Miss Jane Wheat, who came to America from England at twelve years of age, settling in Dupage Town- ship with her parents, Benjamin and Hannah (Hinsliff) Wheat. Eight children were born of this marriage, four of whom are living.
Remaining with his father in youth, our sub- ject gained a good knowledge of farm work, and until 1890 he was interested in agricultural pur- suits. November 25, 1880, he married Miss Ab- bie L. Kiliner, who was born in Dupage Town- ship, her father, Reuben Kilmer, having come here at an early age from the vicinity of the Hudson River in New York. To their marriage have been born two sons, Reuben E. and James K., the older of whom assists his father in busi- ness. In September, 1890, Mr. Stafford became connected with the Dupage creamery, but a year later he removed to Joliet and has since been identified, as employe and later as owner, with the business of which he is now head. He is a Republican in politics and prior to his removal
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from Dupage Township served as tax collector for two years. Fraternally he is associated with Matteson Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M. While he is not a member of any religious organ- ization, he contributes to the support of the Eastern Avenue Baptist Church, of which his wife is a member.
G G. THORP, M. E. In the life of this gen- tleman is afforded an illustration of the ยท recognition which talent and merit almost invariably win in the business world. From early boyhood he showed a talent for mechanical engineering and, his tastes lying so strongly in this direction, he secured the necessary education and has since been engaged in work directly con- nected with this occupation. The remarkable success with which he has met proves that his choice of an occupation was wise. As general superintendent of the Illinois Steel Company he holds a very responsible position, but it is one whose duties he discharges faithfully and well, thereby winning the commendation of his su- perior officers and the respect of those under him.
The Thorp family is of English ancestry. J. M. Thorp, our subject's father, was born in Philadelphia, and was the son of an Englishman, born in Manchester, and who became a cotton manufacturer in his native city and later in Philadelphia. From that city J. M. Thorp re- moved to Pittsburg, where he engaged in the manufacture of oils. In 1882 he removed to Madison, Wis., where he is now living retired. He married Jane H. Veeder, who was born in Schenectady, N. Y., of remote Holland-Dutch descent, her ancestors, however, having long re- sided in New York. In her family there were five daughters and one son, the latter being the subject of this article. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., June 29, 1868. In 1887 he graduated from the high school of Madison, Wis., after which he entered the University of Wisconsin, and con- tinued there until his graduation in 1891, with the degree of M. E. The following year lie spent as a fellow in the department of mechanical en- gineering. In 1892 he went to Chicago, where
he was employed in the old North Chicago rolling mill operated by the Illinois Steel Company, his special work being as engineer of tests. In 1895 he was appointed assistant master mechanic of the Joliet plant. The next year he was promoted to the position of master mechanic in the Pueblo plant of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. He proved himself so efficient and capable that he was soon made chief engineer of the works. After having been connected with that plant for some years, in May, 1899, he resigned to accept his present position with the Illinois Steel Com- pany. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Chi Psi of the University of Wisconsin. So deeply has he been interested in his profession and so engrossed by its duties that he has never identified himself with public affairs in any way and, aside from voting the Republican ticket, takes no part in politics. From the success that has already, at so early a period of his life, rewarded his earnest and intelligent efforts, it may be safely predicted that the future years hold for him ever increasing successes and honors in the business world.
ENRY DOUGLAS SNAPP. There is per- laps no occupation carrying with it a greater weight of responsibility than that of railroad engineer. He who fills such a position must necessarily be a man of steady nerve, great cour- age and possessing a mind over which a sudden danger has no power to throw dismay or terror. Such a man is the subject of this article, who is one of the most popular engineers running out of Joliet. He is above all an unostentatious man, doing his duty faithfully, but quietly, and never showing in his character any indications of pride or boastfulness. Those who once meet him are his friends ever afterward, aud those who know him best most highly appreciate his fine qualities of manhood.
A son of Hon. Henry Snapp, whose sketch appears on another page, the subject of this sketch was born in Joliet February 28, 1853. His education was obtained in the public schools.
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At the age of sixteen he began railroading, for his tastes ran in that direction, and he had no de- sire to take the college course planned for him by his parents He entered the employ of the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad Company as a fireman. After two years with that company he took a similar position on the Rock Island road. After some five years as fireman he was given an engine on the Chicago & Indianapolis Air Line, now the Monon route, and since then has been on different roads. Strict attention to his work has been his watchword and his high standing as an engineer testifies to his fidelity to duty.
The marriage of Mr. Snapp took place October 10, 1877, and united him with Miss Frances Hill, who was born in New York state, but at two years of age was brought to Joliet by her parents, Alva and Margaret (Banta) Hill. Her father, who followed the shoemaker's trade in Joliet, continued to reside in this city until his death, which resulted in an accident on a railroad ex- cursion on the 4th of July, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Snapp are the parents of two sons, Henry Alvin, who was born June 5, 1886; and Robert Douglas, born September 12, 1888.
G OBERT GOUDY, a farmer of Dupage Town- ship, was born in lower Canada January 2, 1822, a son of Alexander and Jane (Wal- lace) Goudy, natives respectively of Scotland and Ireland. When he was small his parents moved to Burlington, Vt., and a year later went to Es- sex County, N. Y., where he passed the years of boyhood. When he was twenty-two he came to Will County, Ill., and for three years worked by the month on a farm. He then bought fifty acres of wild prairie land. Next he worked on the canal for ten years. On selling his original farm he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, which place he improved and on which he resided until removing to his present farm. He has served as school director and for ten years was highway commissioner. October 15, 1848, he married Miss Ophelia Welch, who was born in
Ohio and came to this county in 1837. They have one daughter, Julia, wife of J. E. Davis, who now has charge of Mr. Goudy's farm.
OHN COMISKEY, superintendent of the Joliet chemical works and part owner of the plant, was born at Newcastle-on-the-Tyne, England, in 1858. His father, Dennis, who was in the chemical business, remained during most of his life in the vicinity of his birth. By his marriage to Jane Skill he had nine children, of whom John is next to the eldest. In 1882, two years after his son had settled in this country, he came to the United States, but, not liking the climate, he returned to England. He died in Liverpool in 1894.
As he attended school only fourteen years in his boyhood, our subject is practically self-edu- cated, and his present position and standing may be attributed wholly to his unaided efforts. When eleven years of age he began to be self-support- ing. He was employed in chemical works near his home and thus acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the business in which he is still engaged. In 1880 he left England to seek a home in Amer- ica. For six years he was employed in chemical works in New Jersey, and, being economical, he saved a considerable part of his salary. With this money he came to Joliet and started in busi- ness, beginning the manufacture of muriatic acid. While he had much to contend with he turned out such a superior article that he was assured of success from the start. In order to secure suffi- cient capital to conduct the business he admitted a partner and has since continued steadily at work in the same line. In 1888 the firm bought their present location and since then they have erected buildings as needed. In addition to the manufacture of muriatic acid they now make sul- phate of soda and sell direct to manufacturers, having a contract to dispose of all they can turn out. Being a practical man, thoroughly ac- quainted with the machinery, he superintends it personally, and has met with a success that he well merits. After the product is manufactured
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he has the refuse ground up and shipped to Chi- cago, where it is used in the manufacture of glass.
Mr. Comiskey is a Republican and has served his party as a delegate to conventions, but is not active in politics and does not care for office. In 1897 he built a neat residence at No. 304 South Water street, and here he and his wife (formerly Miss Mary Jane McGowan) and their children, Mary, J. Vinson and Dorothy, have a pleasant and comfortable home. .
EM NORTHAM, proprietor of Hotel Munroe, is one of the best known hotel men not only of Joliet, but also of northeastern Illinois. He is a member of a family that has been repre- sented in New England ever since about the time of the "Mayflower." The first to leave Massachu- setts for the west was his grandfather, Deacon Eli Northam, who settled in Dupage County, Ill., at an early day and remained there until his death. By his marriage to Jerusha Robbins he had a son, Robert R., who was born in North Adams, Mass., in 1818, and came west to Chicago in early manhood, entering the employ of the pioneer hardware firm of Hooker & Jones, in that city. Early in the '40s he settled in Wilmington, Will County, where he carried on a grain business with his brother Henry until the latter went to California in 1849. He came to Joliet in 1853 and opened a dry-goods store on Bluff street. About 1857 he removed to Wheaton, Ill., but the follow- ing year settled in Aurora, where he first conduc- ted a meat market, then engaged in the restaurant business and later was interested in the wholesale fruit and provision business for many years. In 1885 he turned the business over to his son Lem and retired from active labors. Through all his busy life he took an interest in politics and kept posted on the issues before the people. Among the offices he held were those of deputy sheriff and justice of the peace. At the time of his death, in January, 1893, he was seventy-five years of age.
Robert R. Northam was twice married. By his first wife he had three sons. The oldest -
Richard M., now of Joliet, was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting when a lad of sixteen. The second son, Edward D., lives in Chicago, and the youngest, William, was accidentally killed in that city. Of the second marriage there were born two sons, Lemual Robbins, of this sketch; and Robert, who was accidentally killed in Aurora in 1873. The second wife bore the maiden name of Louisa A. Hentze and was born in Browns- ville, N. Y., a daughter of Henry and Charity (Gould) Hentze, natives of New England. Henry Hentze, who was of Hessian descent, was born in Rutland, Vt., and removed from there to New York. He brought his family to Chicago via the lakes, and was met in Chicago by his son-in-law, George Munroe, Sr., who brought them to Wil- mington in a wagon. In 1852 he and Mr. Mun- roe went overland to California, making the trip with an ox-team, and mining there with fair success. He remained in the west until his death, but Mr. Munroe finally returned to Will County. In the family of Mr. Hentze were seven daughters and two sons, of whom four daughters are de- ceased. Mrs. Northam is still living and makes her home with her only surviving son.
The subject of this sketch was born in Aurora, Ill., September 9, 1860. When a boy he became in- terested in the produce business. He succeeded to the management of the business established by his father and continued it until 1891, when he sold out. Afterward he and his brother, Edward D., built the Evans grand opera house in Aurora and this they conducted until 1893, when they disposed of it to a syndicate. November 1, 1893, he came to Joliet as manager of Hotel Munroe, which he remodeled and improved, and to which he built an annex. The building stands on Chi- cago street, occupying the finest location in the city. It is acknowledged by all to be the most elegant as well as the leading hotel of the city. It contains one hundred and twelve rooms, of which eighty-six are guests' rooms. The build- ing is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Connected with the hotel are a first-class sample room and Turkish baths. The success of the business is due unquestionably to the foresight, energy and judgment of the manager, whose
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genial manner makes a guest his friend, while the excellent management of the hotel at the same time wins the admiration of the most critical.
In 1898 Mr. Northam received from the mayor an appointment as member of the board of park commissioners, and on this board he has since served, being now interested in the improvement of the sixty acres comprising Highland park. As a Republican he is actively connected with local politics, and his aid is always to be relied upon by his party during important campaigns. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Knights of Pyth- ias, Modern Woodmen of America, Foresters and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In religion he was reared in the faith of his ancestors, the Congregational denomination, and has always adhered to the doctrines of this church. During his residence in Aurora he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha L. Graves, who was born in Warrenville, Dupage County, Ill., and gradua- ted from the West Aurora high school. She is a daughter of one of the pioneers of Dupage County, Capt. A. C. Graves, who won his title by his official service in the Union army during the Civil war.
OL. FRED BENNITT. The Bennitt fam- ily is of English descent and was established in Massachusetts in 1634. Ephraim Ben- nitt, a native of Connecticut, made his home in Orange County, N. Y., during the Revolutionary war and took part in that historic struggle. After peace was restored he settled in the Wyom- ing Valley in Pennsylvania. His son, Daniel, who was born in Orange County, N. Y., was the father of twenty-three children, among the youngest of whom was Col. Benjamin Bennitt; the latter was born March 23, 1827, three miles north of Hammondsport, Steuben County, N. Y. When he was seven years old he accompanied his father and ten of the other children to Steuben County, Ind., but three years later his father died, the family became scattered and he made his home with a sister. He studied law in an
office in Hammondsport and later with Judge Comstock in Canandaigua, and was admitted to the bar March 6, 1850. With the exception of four years in the army his subsequent life was given to professional work in Hammondsport. For nearly thirty years he served as justice of the peace and for several terms he was justice of the sessions. As a lawyer he was thorough and conscientious in his work and showed a superior mind and strong will in his many contests in the courts. As a soldier he was enthusiastic and faithful to every duty. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, April 12, 1861, and the call for troops made on the 15th, he went to Bath and enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third New York In- fantry, as a private. May 16 he was promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant and November 28 was made first lieutenant by Governor Mor- gan of New York. Among his engagements were those of Gowesville, Groveton, Rappahan- nock Crossing, second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville. Returning home he was commis- sioned to organize a company of cavalry, and this company, with him as its captain, was mus- tered in at Rochester February 2, 1864, and in- corporated with the Twenty-second New York Cavalry, joining the army of the Potomac, and taking part in the various engagements under Grant. The year that followed was one of great hardship for the company and its gallant captain; but, in spite of his sufferings (or, perhaps, on ac- count of them) he could never be persuaded after- ward to recount or, indeed, scarcely mention them. He took part in the twenty-seven days' battle in the Wilderness and assisted in General Wilson's dashing raid to Richmond. During that raid a part of Captain Bennitt's company was captured by Fitzhugh Lee, and of these thirty-one men, only twelve lived to return to their homes. For eight months he was confined in southern prisons and during that time his relatives did not know whether he was living or dead. Four times he escaped, but each time was recaptured. He was finally exchanged in 1865, and allowed to return home. He was commis- sioned major of the Twenty-second New York
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Cavalry by the governor of New York and Presi- dent Johnson brevetted him lieutenant-colonel for meritorious service. February 15, 1865, he was appointed inspector-general of the Twentieth Brigade of the National Guard of New York. After the war ended he resumed the pursuits of private life. He became active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was commander of the post in his home town. After a busy and useful life, he died August 24, 1889.
By the marriage of Ben Bennitt to Melinda Wheeler, which occurred February 8, 1854, two sons were born, Fred and Mark. The former was born in Hammondsport August 5, 1855. His education was begun in public schools and completed in Cornell University. In 1875 he came to Joliet and entered the law office of Judge Goodspeed. At the same time he followed the printer's trade in the office of the Weekly Republi- can. In September, 1876, he was admitted to the practice of law in this state. Since that time he has built up a large practice in all of the courts. Much of his practice is in the nature of counsel for corporations. He is attorney for the Joliet Gas Company, in which he holds the of- fices of secretary and director. He is also con- nected with other prominent enterprises in the city. In fact, every worthy movement for the advancement of the place has received his en- couragement and aid. The cause of religion has in him a warm and steadfast friend, and the Episcopal Church, of which he is an official member, has been especially fortunate in receiv- ing numerous evidences of his interest. He was married, April 19, 1883, to Miss Anne E., daughter of Samuel B. Reed. They have two children, Alice and Samuel B.
In 1877 Colonel Bennitt became a member of the State Militia. From that time to the present he has been more or less intimately connected with military affairs. His services during the Spanish-American war are fresh in the minds of all. It is but natural that a man of his character and mental attributes should be interested in public affairs. We find him a public-spirited citizen, though not a partisan. Prior to 1896 he supported Democratic principles. During that
year, when the Democratic party was divided over the silver question, he assisted in organizing the National Democratic party, which nominated Palmer and Bucker for president and vice-presi- dent. In the campaign that followed he took a leading part. He has often been selected to act as delegate to county and state conventions and has also held numerous local offices, including those of alderman and city attorney.
AMUEL BENEDICT REED was born in Arlington, Vt., November 18, 1818, a son of Thomas B. and Esther (Benedict) Reed, natives of New Hampshire. When he was a small child his parents settled near what is now Ottawa, Canada, but, not liking that country, they returned to the States, locating in western New York. In 1842 he was present at a celebra- tion in honor of Lafayette. His education was obtained in public schools and an academy. While yet a boy he was employed as a rodman on the Erie Canal. In 1844 he accompanied the fam- ily to Joliet and soon afterward settled on a farm west of the city, which he still owns. His first railroad experience west of New York state was on the Detroit & Pontiac Railroad. Afterward he was with the Michigan Central system, later with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, which road he constructed into the city of Chi- cago, connecting that town for the first time with the east by rail. He was chosen civil engineer of the Rock Island Railroad, which he located out of Chicago on the old Oswego & Indiana and plank road charter. In selecting the route through Joliet he chose a line crossing Eastern avenue near Osgood street, but the people clamored for a railroad in the center of the vil- lage; consequently the line was changed as now located. From the eastern division of the Rock Island road he took up the construction of the division ending at the Mississippi River, thus completing the first railroad from the east to that river, and he also built the first bridge across the
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river, it being at Rock Island. He engaged in constructing the Washington branch of the Rock Island and the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, which was the first to reach the Mis- souri River.
In 1864 Mr. Reed was commissioned to go to Salt Lake City and secure the aid of the military commander and Brigham Young in selecting a feasible route for a railroad through the Rocky Mountains. After two years of hardship and dangers he reported the route along which the Union Pacific road was later built. In 1866 he was made superintendent of construction of the last-named road. Under his supervision the work of building was pushed with remarkable energy and swiftness. The record of construc- tion was eight miles and three thousand feet of railway in one day, a feat which has never been surpassed. Mr. Reed afterward stated that, had he been permitted, the railroad could have been completed as far west as the Humboldt Moun- tains instead of Promontory Point, one thousand and one hundred miles west of Omalia, where the two roads met in 1869. In this very re- sponsible work, Mr. Reed was entrusted with millions of dollars. To this trust he proved most faithful. Only one man ever attempted to bribe him (although bribery was rampant at the time) and this man met with such serious consequences that he at once retired from business.
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