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 82
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 82
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November 9, 1859, Mr. Chapman married Mary B., daughter of Eli Gleason; they had two sons: James A. Chapman, who is married and lives near the homestead; and Edward B., who is with his mother at the old home. The younger son carried on the farm of three hundred and twenty acres until 1900, when the place was
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rented, but he and his mother remain in the resi- dence on the farm. Mrs. Chapman was a helpful and devoted companion to her husband during all the years of their wedded life. The words writ- ten of her in a local paper show her devotion to her husband: "She was the most unselfish, en- ergetic and cheerful wife and mother I ever knew. She was a tower of strength to him, and such a comfort that during the last few days of his life minutes seemed like hours to him if she left his side, and he would beg her not to go out of his sight." Like him, she is of a charitable disposition, alwayshappiest when helping others.
Mrs Chapman's father came to Kendall Coun- ty in 1833, with Joel A. Matteson, afterward governor of Illinois, and Jeremiah A. Cole, after- ward county clerk. These three men cut timber, hewed it, then took it to Lockport, where it was sawed, and with the lumber they built a house. They had previously kept "bachelor's hall" for some time in a log house on the edge of the grove. The frame building is still standing, north of Mrs. Chapman's home. Mr. Gleason took up two eighty-acre tracts. He became one of the most prominent men of this locality and was a large land owner. He married Clarissa Johnson, who was born at East Windsor, Conn., March 23, 1813. After their marriage, in Sep- tember, 1837, they came to the west, spending three weeks on the lakes, during which time they were in great peril from fearful stonns. From the lakes they rode across the country in a lumber wagon, finally arriving at his farm in Kendall County. On the place lic had previously built a house, the three upper rooms of which were finished. There was only one house be- tween them and Joliet, and one between them and Plainfield. Indians still roamed through the forests and frequent evidences of their treachery and hatred were seen. Wolves ran through thic lower rooms of the house and the deer walked close by. All of the dry-goods and grocerics used by the family were brought in a wagon from Chicago, and letters came in the same way. In 1849 Mr. Gleason went to California, hoping to make a fortune in the gold mines. But he never came liome, and the news of his death was re-
ceived just after Mrs. Gleason had been bereaved by the death of one of her daughters. December 1, 1853, Mrs. Gleason became the wife of James Brady, who died in 1891. Afterward she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Chapman, and when her son-in-law was called from earth his two children, James and Edward, strove to take his place in ministering to her comfort and wel- fare. Surrounded by these dear ones, and lov- ingly ministered to by them, she fell into her last sleep, January 14, 1900, when in the eighty- seventh year of her age.
M ARSHALL BAGWILL. A number of the men now prominent in the agricultural cir- cles of Kendall County are natives of the region where they now reside, and among these is Mr. Bagwill, the well-known and successful farmer of Fox Township. He was born about three miles southwest of Newark, in LaSalle County, June 4, 1842, a son of William and Al- mira Silence (Neff) Bagwill. His ancestors were Scotch, and on both sides he is of Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather being a sol- dier in the first war with England for seven long years, while on his mother's side he descends from General Neff. It is but natural, therefore, when his ancestry is considered, that he himself should have fought so bravely to defend the old flag and the nation his forefathers had helped to establishı.
The father of our subject, William Bagwill, was a native of Charleston, S. C., but at the age of one year was taken by his parents to Indiana, where lie grew to man's estate. In 1836 he came to Illinois and settled in the township of Mission, in LaSalle County. He successively took up a number of claims and sold them at a slight profit. He then settled on a tract which, on being sur- veyed, showed two hundred and forty acres. This he broke, improved and cultivated, making it his liome for years. Finally, in 1872, he removed to Iowa and improved a farmi in Boone County. He is still living therc, and is now eighty-seven years of age. During the existence of the Whig
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party he voted that ticket, and after its dissolu- tion he became a Republican. Among the offices he filled was that of road commissioner. By his marriage to the daughter of Ebenezer Neff he had eight children, of whom two daughters live in Iowa, one son in Nebraska, Marshall in Illi- nois, and the others in California.
In public schools and the Fowler Institute our subject gained his education. He began to teach, but the breaking out of the Civil war changed all of his plans and led him to enlist as a private in Company G, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. August 7, 1862, his name was enrolled in the Union army. He was or- dered to Louisville, and afterward served succes- sively under Generals Buell, Rosecrans, Thomas, Grant and Sherman, taking part in the battles of Hartsville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission- ary Ridge, etc., after which he accompanied General Sherman on the march to the sea. His regiment participated in every battle from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta. At Missionary Ridge he was wounded and for a time was obliged to carry his arm in a sling, but continued with his com- mand without the loss of a day, except while on furlough, but acted as quartermaster's assistant the remainder of his service, not being able to carry a gun. When peace finally reigned he went to Washington and took part in the grand review, after which he was ordered to Chicago and discharged in July, 1865.
Returning home, Mr. Bagwill turned his at- tention to farm pursuits. After two years he married, left the homestead and began farming on his own account. His first purchase com- prised one hundred acres, but after cultivating that place two years he sold and bought one hun- dred and twenty acres. The latter estate he sold in 1872 and then bought two hundred and seven- ty-two acres on section 29, Fox Township. At the time of the purchase the erection of a brick residence had been commenced. He completed and added to this house, which he now occupies. With the exception of the old barn across the street all of the buildings on the farm were erected by him. By subsequent purchase he added to the property, which now consists of three hun-
dred and sixty-four acres. He has made a stock farm of his land, and the grain raised is used for feed. He has invested $400 in water works, by means of which he supplies water to the house, barn and yard, the water being thrown with suf- ficient force to reach the top of the house. To assist in the cultivation of the land twelve horses and three men are employed.
Prior to settling in Fox Township Mr. Bag- will was continually in office, but since coming here he has declined, being satisfied with path- inaster for seventeen years and for many years a member of the school board. He is a stanch Re- publican and has been a delegate to many con- ventions. He is interested in and a member of Beardsley Post of the Grand Army at Sheridan. His first marriage took place in 1867 and united him with L. Cornelia, daughter of J. H. Whit- ney, a pioneer of Kendall County. She died in 1888. Of the four children born to this union, the oldest, Ashley Mills, is deceased. Edith is the wife of Lewis Jones, of LaSalle County; Er- nest lives in Streator; and William James is on the home farm. In 1892 Mr. Bagwill married R. Estella Gridley, daughter of Henry Gridley, who was an early settler of Newark.
HARLES COOK POPE is a native of the township and county of Kendall and was D born August 21, 1847. His father, Jacob F.'Pope, a pioneer of 1839 in this county, was born in Monmouth County, N. J., March 4, 1817, and grew to manhood in that state. At the age of twenty-two years he started west with the Cook family. On reaching Illinois he at once began to follow the tailor's trade, which he had learned in the east; but there was not enough de- mand for such work to furnish him steady em- ployment. He therefore secured an ox-team and commenced to break prairie land. After a time he settled on the land now owned by his son, Charles C. The two hundred acres com- ' prising the place had been located by his father- in-law, John Cook. He applied himself dili- gently to the task of clearing and cultivating the
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land. As he prospered he added to his farm un- business as a dairyman, selling milk in Yorkville til he acquired an aggregate of four hundred and and besides has a number of sheep and swine. The grain that he raises is used for feed, which plan he finds more profitable than the selling of the produce in the market. To assist in the care of the land and stock he employs help constant- ly, while during the busy seasons he has an ex- tra corps of workmen. His time is so closely given to business pursuits that he has no leisure for participation in public affairs, nor has he any desire to hold office. In general elections he votes with the Democrats, but in local matters has always preferred to cast his vote for the men he considers best qualified to represent the people. His marriage took place February 10, 1887, and united him with Ada B. Kennedy, daughter of Hugh Kennedy, of Bristol Township, Ken- dall County. They have two children, twins, Lawrence Earl and Hugh Kemedy, now in school. twenty acres. During the early days, before railroads had been built through the country, he was obliged to haul all of his grain to Chicago. Besides growing grain he gave con- siderable attention to the raising of horses. At the time of the Civil war he owned a large herd of fine horses, which he sold to the United States for the cavalry. Subsequently he raised draft horses from imported stock. He con- tinued actively engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1880, when he rented his farmi and removed to Aurora. He still makes his home in that city and is robust for one of his years (eighty-four). In politics he is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type and always votes for the party candidates in general elections, but in local affairs is inclined to support the man lie deems best fitted for office. During earlier life he served in a number of township offices. By birthright he is a Quaker. After coming to Kendall County he married A1111 Cook, a member of the family whom he had accompanied west. They became the parents of three sons and four daughters, all of whom are still living except one. Mrs. Pope died in 1875.
Owing to inflammation of the eyes, our subject was unable to attend school regularly; hence the collegiate education he desired was impracticable. He remained at home until twenty-one, working for his father. He then began farming on his own account, and for four years he operated all eighty-acre tract. He then turned his attention to carpenter work, which trade he followed for nine years. As he had a taste for such work, he met with considerable success. Afterward, with his brother, he began the cultivation of about two sections of land belonging to Lewis Steward. This they tilled four years, and later Charles op- erated it alone five years. I11 1885 he bought two hundred and thirty eight acres of the old home farm, since which time he has resided o11 the place where his boyhood days were passed. In agriculture his specialty is stock-raising, and on his place he has about sixty head of English red Polled cattle. He also does considerable
ILLIAM KOLLMANN, who is one of the substantial citizens of Kendall Township, Kendall County, has been a resident of this section of the state since 1848. He is a worthy type of the German-American, possess- ing that industrious, persevering spirit to whichi success is rarely denied. He has accumulated a large estate within the past half century, by hard work and good management, and in the mean- time has won an honorable position in local so- ciety and in the church with which he has been identified.
Born in Colenfeld, Hanover, Germany, May 13, 1833, William Kollmann is a son of Frederick and Dorothea (Busse) Kollmann. When he was fifteen years old lie accompanied his elders to America, and the latter lived for about eighteen years subsequent to their arrival liere. The fan- ily located in Kendall Township, Kendall Coun -. ty, and our subject at once became an employe of the man who owned the homestead which 110w belongs to the former "hired hand." At the end of six years the industrious young man pur- chased eighty acres of this farm, and at once commenced business as an agriculturist, inde-
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pendently. He prospered to a wonderful degree, and time and again added to his original pos- sessions, until he became one of the largest land- holders in the township. He dealt extensively in live stock for many years, and in this manner acquired a large proportion of his means. Dur- ing the first year of his housekeeping he lived in a small log cabin, and the following year built the main wing of his present residence. As the years rolled away he added conveniences and comforts to his house and improved the home- stead generally. He has purchased miles of til- ing, which, carefully placed where most needed, has greatly increased the productiveness of the fields.
In 1856 Mr. Kollmann married Sophia Wehr- mann, and of the ten children who blessed their union, the youngest is deceased. In order of birth they are as follows: Annie, wife of F. Neu- sus, whose home is but a mile and a half from the old homestead; Mina, wife of August Tatge, of Luzerne, Iowa; Henry, who is the proprietor of the old Thurber homestead in this township; Tillie, wife of C. Stumine, a teacher in the pub- lic schools of Cleveland, Ohio; William, whose farm is just across the road from his father's home; Ernest, also a farmer of this township; August, a Lutheran minister in Jefferson Coun- ty, Neb .; Otto, who is assisting in the manage- ment of the parental homestead; Charles, his twin-brother, farming in this locality; and George, who died when in his eighteenth year.
Our subject has been a true and thoughtful father, giving his children what educational ad- vantages he could afford, and when his sons ar- rived at mature years he gave each an independ- ent start in life, by giving him a good farm near his own; these homesteads, varying, running from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty acres. Otto has been assuming the greater part of the responsibility of operating the home farm for the past seven years, and though the father is not far from three-score and ten, he still retains much of his former vigor, and a11 abundance of ambition and interest in all public affairs. Within his recollection great changes have taken place in this county, for in the early
days of his settlement here, the view over these bare prairies was almost boundless. There were neither trees nor houses nor buildings between his own home and the distant Illinois River. Though he has given his ballots to the Demo- cratic nominees, for the most part, he is quite in- dependent, and declines to be tied down to any party. He has served as a road commissioner for the past twelve years, and at the present time is acting as administrator for three estates, an evidence of the high esteem in which he is held, and the great confidence which the people have in his ability as a financier, and the trust they have in his sterling integrity. He has borne a very important part in the work of the Cross Lutheran Church, and originally not only deeded the land on which the edifice was erected, but also aided materially in the construction of the building.
ACOB SEBRING BUDD, supervisor of Fox Township and a prominent farmer and stock- raiser of Kendall County, was born October 21, 1858, at the old family homestead in Mill- brook, this county, and is a son of Jacob Budd, in whose sketch on another page will be found the family history. The education of our subject was begun in the Millbrook school and completed in Jennings Seminary at Aurora. On leaving the seminary he returned to the home place. When his father built the elevator and store at Millbrook he became interested in that work, and continued to assist his father until the latter sold out. He then looked after his father's farm interests.
In 1885 Mr. Budd started out on his own ac- count, settling on the place where he still resides. He operates three hundred and twenty acres, of which all but seventy-five acres are under the plow. To assist in the cultivation of the land he gives steady employment to two men, and during busy seasons increases his supply of workmen. He buys and feeds cattle, also raises a goodly number, and besides these he has on his place Shropshire sheep and Poland-China swine. Con- siderable time is given to the dairy business, the
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products of his dairy being sold to the creamery at Millbrook. His farin is especially adapted for stock-raising, as it has running water, and the springs never run dry. He is a member of the Kendall County Fair Association and has been one of its directors. He was also a stockholder in the Sandwich Fair Association.
An active Republican politically, Mr. Budd has been delegate to county, congressional and sena- torial conventions, and has served as secretary of the first and last named. In April, 1900, he was nominated by acclamation and unanimously elected to the office of township supervisor. He has also been township treasurer, an office for which he is well adapted, as he is careful and painstaking in all of his work. Fraternally he is connected with Sunbeam Lodge No. 428, A. F. & A. M., at Plano. His marriage took place February 22, 1894, and united him with Dora, daughter of John Fay, of Fox Township. They have one child, Earl Fay Budd.
ILLIAM A. MANCHESTER. There are very few families in Kendall County that have been connected with its history for a longer period than has the family which our subject represents. His father was a pioneer of 1839, coming here at a time when the land was still largely owned by the government, when in- provements were few, villages small and widely separated, and the surroundings those of the frontier. With the progress of subsequent years he was closely connected, being especially active in the temperance cause. He held a number of local offices, including that of justice of the peace.
Asa Manchester was born in Rhode Island in 1809 and was therefore thirty years of age when he settled in Kendall County. He improved a farm, on which he raised cereals and stock, con- tinuing at the head of the place until his son, our subject, took charge in 1883. Twice married, by his first wife, Julia Burnham, he had one daughter, Julia, who married Irus Coy, of Chi- cago. His second marriage was to Adeline Burnham, a sister of his first wife. They had
four children, viz .: Helen, who married James P. Rood, of Sheridan, Il .: Eugene, who lives near Sandwich, Ill .; Cora and William A. The last named was born October 23, 1857, on the homestead at Newark that he now owns and oc- cupies. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of -the village.
When twenty-three years of age a new era be- gan in the life of Mr. Manchester. He secured a position in the Union Stockyards of Chicago as yardmaster of the Fort Wayne shipping division, a position that he filled with efficiency and suc- cess. While living in Chicago he married Jennie C., daughter of William Curtis, of Marion, N. Y. Soon after his marriage he returned to the homestead, and here he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1890. During that year, with his brother-in-law, Irus Coy, he began the breeding, training and selling of roadsters and track horses. During the next few years he and his partner owned a number of famous and valu- able animals, among them being Leo, record 2:1234, on Yorkville track; and Rex M., record 2:2614, sold for $2,000. After the death of Mr. Coy, September 20, 1897, the roadsters were dis- posed of at a sale, since which time Mr. Man- chester has given his attention to the farm and stock business.
The Republican party receives the support of Mr. Manchester. For some years he has been a member of the village and school boards. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- men of America and holds the office of banker in the local camp. He is one of the representative and substantial men of Newark, and his com- fortable residence in the village, which his farm adjoins, is one of the landmarks of the place, having been in possession of the same family for more than sixty years.
D APT. FRANKLIN MOODY HOBBS. Years of business activity justly give a man a high position in his community. It is said that Captain Hobbs has been engaged in business for a longer period than any other resident of Yorkville, and during this long time he has won
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and retained the confidence of his business asso- ciates and of the general public. A gentleman of upright character and conscientious methods, his dealings have always been characterized by a high sense of honor and the most unwavering integrity.
In Falmouth, Me., Captain Hobbs was born January 20, 1829. His father, Josialı Hobbs, a native of Maine and for years a farmier in that state, finally came to Illinois, where he spent his last days. In religion he was a Congregational- ist. By his marriage to Miranda Merrill he had ten sons and one daughter, all of whom are de- ceased except Franklin M. and his brother in Alabama. The former was reared on a farm. When about nineteen years old he left home and went to Saco, where he took up work in a cotton mill, remaining in the same factory for nine years. In 1856 he came to Illinois and started in business on the north side of the Fox River in Kendall County. Two years later he built the north part of his present place of business and opened the first store on the south side of the river. Later, as the need arose, he added to the store and now has the largest establishment in Yorkville, handling dry-goods, groceries, hats and caps, boots and shoes, etc. The building has a frontage of fifty feet; the old part is ninety feet deep and the new sixty-six feet. About 1890 he took his sons into partnership with him and they have since continued active in the business. At this writing he is closing out the business, expecting to retire from active cares.
Politically Captain Hobbs is a Republican. During the Civil war he showed his patriotic spirit by enlisting in the defense of the nation. His name was enrolled in August, 1862, as a member of Company H, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland and took part in all the campaigns front Louisville to Atlanta. Entering the service as first lieutenant, after the battle of Stone River he was made a captain and hield that rank until he was honorably discharged in November, 1864, at the expiration of his time. He then returned to Yorkville and has since given his time and at-
tention closely to his business in this place. In 1861-62 he erected the brick block on the east side of the street and also the residence which he has since occupied. He maintains a deep interest in Grand Army affairs and is connected with Yorkville Post No. 522, department of Illinois, which post he has served as commander.
In 1854, before leaving Maine, Captain Hobbs married Miss Harriet N. Crooker, an estimable lady, who shares with him in the esteem of ac- quaintances. They became the parents of four sons and three daughters, six of whom are liv- ing, viz .: Clara, wife of W. D. King; Charles F., who has been associated with his father in business; Sidney F., also a partner of his father; Glen M., who is an instructor in the University of Chicago; Miranda, at home; and Reuben M., who is in Butte, Mont.
HE HENNING FAMILY was founded in America by Hugh Henning, who crossed the ocean from Scotland during the Revo- lutionary war. After living about five years in Nova Scotia he settled in Rensselaer County, N. Y., where he died in 1840. Mention of his son, Cornelius Henning, follows: In 1836, four brothers, sons of Cornelius and Marbry (Thur- ber) Henning, settled with their father in Illi- nois, coming from Buffalo via the lakes to Chicago and thence to Kendall County. These brothers were born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., their names and dates of birth being as follows: Will- iam Thurber, May 2, 1821; Hugh B., June 5, 1823; Cornelius J., September 9, 1825; and Gil- bert Denslow, January 28, 1828.
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