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 84
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 84
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GENEALOGICAL, AND) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
party and continued to vote with that party until the silver issue of 1896 and 1900. when he cast his ballot for the Republican candidates. At one time he served as president of the board of trustees of Oswego. Finding the town in debt lie advanced from his private funds the money with which to pay the debt and place the village upon a substantial footing financially. Fra- ternally he has been a member of both the Ma- sonic and Odd Fellows' Orders. In religion, both he and his wife have always been identified with the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Wayne has always kept up his acquaint- ance with relatives and boyhood friends in Eng- land, and has made thirty trips across the ocean. On one of these trips, in 1844, he married Jemima, daughter of Joseph and Maria (Palmer) Dommett, of Frome, Somersetshire, England. Her father was a large landed proprietor in Frome and had the title of Esquire. His estate, "Phoenix Hall," was one of the old places of the town, and he was a man of influence, and was an active member of the Church of England. Mrs. Wayne passed away December 7, 1900. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne consists of two sons. The elder, Thomas D., is a member of the board of trade in Chicago. He married Miss Abbie Lyons and they have two children, a son and daughter, Albert and Mabel. The son is also a member of the board of trade. The younger son, Joseph E. D., remains in Kendall County and carries on a farm in Oswego Town- ship. He married Miss Lizzie Hudson, whose father, Henry S. Hudson, has been county judge of Kendall County since 1865.
A NDREW BRODIE. A sturdy representa- tive of the grand old country of Scotland, which has given to America some of its best citizens, was Andrew Brodie, who for years was one of the most honored residents of Fox Town- ship, Kendall County. For many years he was one of the most honored and influential men of his section. He held the office of road commis- sioner eighteen years, meantime aiding in the opening and improving of roads. He was often
urged to accept the office of supervisor, but always declined. For many years he served as a school director, and the schools of his district owed not a little to his intelligent oversight.
Mr. Brodie was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, September 18, 1817, a son of Robert and Jane (Guthrie) Brodie. He learned the trade of a stonecutter in his native land. In 1841 he came to America on an old sailing vessel that anchored in New York harbor. From there he came to Illinois, spending the winter in Fulton County. In the spring of 1842 he removed to Somonauk Creek, and spent a year there with his brother William, who had come to this country a year before. During that year he learned the black- smith's trade. They then moved to what is now Harding, La Salle County, and spent four years there, when their shop was burned down. In 1850 our subject traveled overland to California, having charge of a company of thirty-six men. He traveled by horses as far as Salt Lake City, where his horses were taken sick from drinking alkali water, and he was obliged to resort to oxen to complete the journey.
At the expiration of five months and twenty days from the time of starting he arrived at his destination. For a time he mined, also engaged in freighting and the provision business, and met with success. After two years in the far west he returned to Illinois via the Isthmus of Panama. On his return lie and his brother sold their farm in La Salle County, and he bought two hundred and twenty-six acres on section 19, Fox Town- ship, Kendall County, for which he paid $1,500. Only fifty acres had been broken. The only building was a log-house, in very poor repair. The roof was so defective that Mrs. Brodie was obliged to place receptacles in various parts of the house to catch the water whenever there was a rain. Most of the land was covered with hazel bruslı Mr. Brodie used four yoke of oxen in breaking the ground. He also operated a quarry and had two lime kilns on the place. From these hc secured the lime used in the erection of the majority of brick buildings used in Plano and Sandwich. In fact the reputation of the lime spread over the surrounding country, and he re-
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ceived orders for lime from people in Earlville, Harding and other places. After coming here he erected the residence in which the family now reside. At the time of building he furnished em- ployment to a large number of men, and Mrs. Brodie had to cook for twenty-two persons alto- gether. The yard enclosing the residence and barns is surrounded by a stone wall four feet above ground, and one of the barns is also built of stone. He raised farm produce and stock, having on his place horses, cattle and sheep. In religion he was of the Presbyterian faith, and aided his denomination liberally, also assisted in the erection of other churches in his county.
February 25, 1848, Mr. Brodie married Mar. garet, daughter of Jenkin and Margaret (Wil- liams) Jones. Mrs. Brodie was the youngest of eight children, and was born in Lampeter, Wales, May 2, 1830. In 1842 she came to America, landing in New York on the same day that Mr. Brodie did, although they were not acquainted then. and did not meet for several years after- ward. Her parents settled near Philadelphia, where they remained three years. They then came to Illinois and settled in La Salle County, just across the line from Fox Township. Eight children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brodie, but only two are now living, William A. and Eliza J. The daughter resides with her mother. The son, who married Alice Grey, and has seven children living, is a farmer in Fox Township. Another son, Graham S., who mar- ried Mary Cox and had three children, carried on the home farm until he was accidentally killed in 1899. This accident was caused by the break- ing of a circular-saw which he was operating, and which struck him on the head.
During the last months of his life our subject suffered greatly from rheumatism and heart-dis- ease. However, he preserved to the last his in- terest in others and his enjoyment of the society of friends. On the eightieth anniversary of his birth his family prepared a surprise for him, in- viting in a number of his old neighbors and associates, and the occasion proved a delightful one for all. It had been the hope of the family that both he and liis wife might be spared to
celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, but a few months before that date his death occurred, October 28, 1897. His widow is active for one of her years, and superintends considerable work, although, necessarily, she has been obliged to relinquish much of the active labors to which she gave her attention for years
A LEXANDER PATTERSON, assessor of Bristol Township and a prominent citizen of the village of Bristol, was born in this township February 10, 1842, a son of Matthew and Jane (Conell) Patterson. His father, a na- tive of Scotland, emigrated to America in 1835 and became a pioneer of Kendall County, he and lıis wife at first making their home with a neigh- boring family in a log cabin until he had com- pleted a house of his own. Wliite settlers at that time were few and Indians still roamed over the prairies. Grain was hauled to Chicago, which was then a small town, without pavements or brick buildings. In the work of building up this country he bore an important part and his name is entitled to lasting remembrance by every patri- otic citizen. He was spared to witness the pros- perity and growth of Kendall County, and his old age was rendered comfortable by his industry in former days. His wife passed away in Sep- tember, 1880, and nine years later his death occurred. Further mention of his life will be found in the sketch of his son-in-law, Simon Dickson, on another page.
The earliest recollections of our subject are connected with pioneer days in Kendall County. He recalls the long walks to the school, the long rides to market, the long days of hard work and the few opportunities for recreation or pleasure. The school he attended was held in a log cabin, and was known as the Hunt school. He remem- bers the village of Bristol when it was first started. He has seen the development of the country from a wilderness to a fine farming region, bearing every evidence of the wealth of its owners.
A few months after he was twenty years of age
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD.
Mr. Patterson enlisted in the Union service. In August, 1862, his name was enrolled in Company H, Eighty-ninth Illinois, which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, McCook's Twenty- eighth Corps. After the battle of Chickamauga the regiment was reorganized and assigned to the Fourth Army Corps, commanded by Gen. O. O. Howard. He took part in the battle of Stone River December 31, 1862, and was there struck in the head by a minie ball, which destroyed the sight of his right eye. Among his other en- gagements were Missionary Ridge and the en- gagements en route to Lovejoy, south of Atlanta, the one hundred and forty miles being a contin- uous battle ground. After the battles of Frank- lin and Nashville he accompanied the troops against Hood. During his entire time of service he was away from his regiment but once, and that was at the time he was ill with smallpox. He was discharged as corporal June 10, 1865, at Nashville.
Ou returning from the army Mr. Patterson worked with his father on the farm. In 1872 lic married and started out for himself, purchasing a farın of ninety-two acres in the corner of sec- tions 17, 18 and 19. This he cultivated as long as his health permitted, but, owing to the effects of his army service, he was unable to do as much manual labor as he wished. In 1888 he retired from active work and settled in Bristol, renting his farm until 1900, when he disposed of it. As a Republican he has been prominent in local pol- itics and has served as a delegate to conventions. For six years he has served as assessor and also has the office of collector. Since the organiza- tion of Yorkville Post No. 522, G. A. R., he has been one of its most prominent members. He is not connected with any church, but attends and contributes to the Methodist Church, of which his wife is a member.
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February 8, 1872. Mr. Patterson married Nancy E., daughter of Daniel and Chloe Ann (Whitlock) Stocksleger. Two children were born of their union, but both are deceased. Mary Elizabeth was born in May, 1873, and died Sep- tember 13, 1874. John H. born March 1, 1876, died January 8, 1885. Mrs. Patterson's father
came from Rochester, N. Y., to Illinois in 1836, when a young man. He took up government land ou section 20, Bristol Township, and en- dured all the hardships of a pioneer's existence. Deeply interested in public affairs, and an edu- cated man, he was an aid to the citizenship of his township. "He held most of the township offices. A progressive man, he was one of the first to purchase improved farm machinery, and afterward he handled considerable as agent for various companies. He was successful both in raising grain and stock. He aided in building the Methodist Church at Yorkville, of which he was an active member. His death occurred in 1859, when he was still in life's prime. He left four children: Mrs. Patterson, MIrs. Mary O' Brien, Chloe E. and David H., the latter a resident of Michigan. The original Stocksleger homestead is still owned by two of his daughters, Mrs. O' Brien and Mrs. Patterson.
ALPH HEAP, who has made his home in Lisbon and Seward Townships, Kendall
- County, since 1849, is one of those brave men to whom our nation is indebted for its per- petuation after the fierce struggle between north and south. During the progress of the Civil war he offered himself to his adopted country. His name was enrolled in Company H, Eighty- ninth Illinois Infantry, in Angust, 1862, and he was sent with his regiment to the front, where he participated in a number of engagements with the Confederate forces, among the most important of which were those at Perryville and Law- renceburg. After some time he was taken ill and sent to the hospital at Stone River, from which, at the expiration of his term of enlistment and as soon as he was able to leave, he was hon- orably discharged. He is now an active member of the Grand Army Post at Yorkville.
Of English birth and parentage, Mr. Heap was born near Ashton, in Lancashire, July 24. 1837. His father, Edwin Heap, who was likewise a na- tive of Lancashire, was a cabinet- maker by trade, and, desiring to settle in a country where he could take up agriculture and thus give his boys
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a better chance, he emigrated to the United States in 1849, crossing the ocean on the sailing vessel Blanchard, which spent six weeks on the water and encountered a very severe storm. After landing in New York he traveled via boat to Albany, and from there by railroad to Buffalo, thence by the lakes to Chicago, and by canal to Morris. Coming to Kendall County he bought a soldier's right, paying $100 for one hundred and sixty acres in Seward Township, just south of our subject's present homestead. He also rented other land, which he operated for three years, meantime breaking and putting under plow his own tract. Like all of the early settlers, he suffered considerably from prairie fires. He had all the hardships of frontier life, but he lived to see his farm one of the best improved in the township, and could look back in his closing years over a long and useful period of toil, the fruits of which he enjoyed in his last days. Though not active in politics, he was induced to accept the office of path master, which he filled with the greatest efficiency. His death occurred in 1873. Before leaving England he married Hannah Prestwitch, a native of the same locality, and daughter of William Prestwitch. Of their seven children the following survive: James, Ralph and Abel, all of whom are well-to-do farmi- ers of Seward Township; and Alice, who is the wife of J. E. Williamson and lives on the old homestead. Edwin Heap was a son of Jonah and Molly (Schofield) Heap, also of English .birth.
When the family settled in this county our subject was a boy of twelve years. For several years he was a member of the Mutual Improve- ment Society. This was an organization each of whose members gave to the others instruction in those lines in which he was best posted. As soon as he was able to assist he took up work on the home place, and since then has done a great deal of hard work. At the age of twenty-five years he started out for himself. At first he worked eighty acres, this being the land where he now resides. He has since added to it by the pur- chase of other property. He has bought and im- proved several farms, on some of which he has settled his children. At this writing he owns
three hundred and sixty-five acres, all of which he has made by his own industrious and perse- vering efforts. His specialty has been grain farming. In stock he has a large number of swine. All the improvements on the place were made under his personal supervision. After so many years of diligent work he is now living retired from active labors, enjoying the leisure he so richly deserves. However, he is so energetic by nature that he still maintains the management of his varied interests, being happiest when en- grossed with his work. In politics he is a Re- publican. Among offices he has held are those of assessor, three years; commissioner, six years; and school director thirty consecutive years, with the exception of only one year. In the First Congregational Church he serves as deacon.
The marriage of Mr. Heap took place in 1864 and united him with Eliza A. Coop, daughter of John and Nancy Coop. They became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, viz .: John Edwin, a farmer of Lisbon Town- ship; Willian, a farmer of Seward Township; Louisa, who married Charles Dirst. a farmer and sheep feeder of Au Sable, Grundy County, Ill .; Emma, the wife of A. Lincoln Holbrook, of Seward Township; Nellie, at home; Albert, who is engaged in farming in Seward Township; Mary Alice, wife of Clarence Churchill, of this town- ship; and Arthur, who operates the homestead.
Mr. Heap has been something of a traveler and beside attending the Centennial and Columbian expositions, paid a visit to the scenes and friends of his childhood in 1.896.
e LARENCE S. WILLIAMS, who is credita- bly serving as treasurer of Kendall County, has the honor of being the youngest man in the state of Illinois to whom the responsibility of this important office has been entrusted. He was but twenty- four years old at the time of his election to this position, November 8, 1898, and though so young a financier he has fully justi- fied the confidence which the people reposed in him, and his future is one of great promise.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Williams is proud of the fact that he is one of the native-born sons of Illinois, and his whole life has been passed in the northeastern section of the state. His birth occurred in Cook Coun- ty, August 4, 1874. His paternal grandfather. William Williams, came to Illinois at an early day, when he was a young man, and at that time he was employed in the construction of the old Illinois and Michigan Canal. Subsequently he located in LaSalle County, where he became wealthy and prominent, accumulating about eight hundred acres of valuable farming property by the exercise of industry and prudent invest- ment of his earnings. Of his seven sons and one daughter, our subject's father, William Williams, was the eldest and his birthplace was in Mission Township, LaSalle County. Until 1882 he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but since that time he has given his attention to the manage- ment of a store in Newark, Ill. He has been quite a factor in local Republican politics. In religion he is an influential member of the Luth- eran Church. For a wife he chose Belle Lee, of Kendall County, and their eldest child, Girard A., is a graduate of Beloit College, and after serving for two years as assistant superintendent of the high school at Amboy, Ill., he went to Chicago, where he accepted a position with the Aermotor Company, and in the meantime has been attend- ing a night law school. The only daughter, Ida, died when in her twelfth year.
Clarence S. Williams received a good educa- tion in the public schools of Newark, Ill., and when he was fourteen years of age hie entered upon his business career, and for six years he was connected with the mercantile interests of Mill- brook, Ill. Then, as previously stated, he was made a candidate for the office which he now oc- cupies, and in the election of 1898 was duly elected. He is active in the councils of the Re- publican party and has been sent to conventions as a delegate from his locality. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Royal Neighbors. He is also a member of the Hamilton Club of Chicago.
August 24, 1898, Mr. Williams married Mary Etta Budd, daughter of Jacob Budd, of Millbrook.
Ill. The latter, who was one of the honored early settlers of this state, was a native of the vicinity of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and when he was about forty years of age he came to the west and started in business at Newark. Later he bought a farm near Millbrook, and gradually added to his possessions until they comprised one thousand acres, located in Fox Towrship. He has occupied a high place in the esteem of his neighbors; and for a period he was their choice as postmaster of Millbrook, and in other local offices of trust. He has been noted for his public spirit and some years ago he donated the land to the railroad on which the station was erected. He is an ardent Republican, as is his son-in-law, Mr. Williams. To himself and wife, formerly Mary Ann Greenfield, seven children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of a little daughter, who bears the name of Jean- nette.
C OHN GEORGE GREENACRE. For years agriculture has formed the most important occupation of the people of Kendall County. Some of the farmers here devote their attention almost exclusively to the raising of cereals, while others make a specialty of the stock business. It is to the latter branch of agriculture that Mr. Greenacre has devoted himself for years in Bristol Township. The firm of John G. Greenacre & Son is one of the heaviest shippers of stock in the entire county, and it is said that no other com- pany and no individual exceeds the shipments made by them. While they ship to some extent from Bristol and Plano, their shipments are mostly from Yorkville, from which place they send as many as one hundred and eighty carloads each season to the Chicago market.
Of English birth and parentage, a son of Will- iam and Ann ( Williamson) Greenacre, both of whom died in England, our subject was born in Plumstead May 23, 1836. His education was obtained in common schools and in a Latin and Greek school. After leaving school he engaged in the stock business with his father, who was a prominent stock-dealer and who attended the
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
London market every Monday for many years. Il1 1862 our subject came to America. Hehad a brother, James Greenacre, who had settled in Kendall County in the early '40s and had bought and improved government land. On arriving in Kendall County our subject engaged in farming for three years, after which he turned his atten- tion to the stock business. Settling in Bristol, he erected the residence where he has since re- sided. His integrity in business transactions is recognized by all with whom he comes in busi- ness contact. He buys stock throughout all of the surrounding country, so that he is well known among the raisers of stock. For some time he used the present creamery as a place to feed stock. Later he put it in shape for creamery purposes and rented it to Fred Young, to whom he later sold it.
August 10, 1857, Mr. Greenacre married Miss Maria E. C. Booty, a native of Holt, England, where they were married. They became the parents of six children, two of whom are deceased. Four are living, namely: Walter C, who is in partnership with his father and resides in Bristol; C. Albert and Frank G., who are engaged in the stock business at Hinckley; and Alice A., wife of Joseph Eccles, of Bristol Township. Both Mr. Greenacre and his wife were reared in the Episcopal faith, but, there being no church of that denomination in Bristol, they attend tlie Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Greenacre has never cared for official positions, nor has he sought prominence in local affairs, but is never- theless well posted concerning the problems of the age and politically supports the Democratic party.
HARLES EDWIN SLEEZER, a prosper- ous and progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Kendall County, conducts a farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres in Big Grove Township. He is the son of Seth C. and Eliza A. (Kellogg) Sleezer, and was born on the home- stead of his parents in Fox Township, April 16, 1852. He was reared on the farm, being edu-
cated in the common schools and at Fowler In- stitute, of Newark. When of age he rented the homestead and continued to reside with his par- ents until his marriage to Maggie E. McMath, April 10, 1879.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Sleezer erected a house, in which he and his wife began house- keeping. In 1882 he purchased one hundred and four acres, which is a part of the present property that he owns. In 1892 he added a tract of eighty acres. He has now one of the finest farms in the Fox River valley. The loca- tion is most picturesque and especially desirable for a residence. Although most of the land is under cultivation, he has engaged largely in stock-feeding, devoting his time in this direction chiefly to the raising of swine and sheep. For a time, in 1897, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Jasinsky, he operated the Millington elevator, but, on the whole, has devoted himself quite closely to his agricultural interests.
In politics Mr. Sleezer has always been in- dependent, but since he became a voter has given his earnest support to the temperance cause. In 1888 he was a candidate on the Pro- hibition ticket for sheriff. For eleven years he has been a director of school district No. 4. All in all he is a successful and representative citizen of the county. He and his wife liave one child, Lyle V. O. Sleezer.
Mrs. Sleezer is a daughter of Samuel and Isa- bella (Barton) McMath, and was born in La- Salle County, Ill., April 10, 1855. In the early 5os her parents came to this state from Indiana, and her father was for some years before his death a farmer and miller at Millington, and, with others, erected the Millington woolen mills, of which he was president and superintendent for some time. For years lie was justice of the peace. His widow is still living on the old homestead. They had five children. John, a civil engineer living at Oakland, Cal., was en- gineer of the bridge at Plano and also constructed the iron bridge at Millington. Julia, the wife of Charles French, resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mary J. is married to Arthur Jasinsky, who owns the old homestead in LaSalle County.
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