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 86
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 86
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HOMAS BARNETT DREW, M. D. There is no profession or occupation in which a greater advance has been made than in the science of medicine during the past few decades. It has been brought out of the realms of the em- pirical into its true sphere as a science. Hence, it presents unusual attractions to the young and ambitious men of the present day. Its possibili- ties unfold before the eager mind and cause one to realize that success will surely come to him who is a faithful disciple of the profession. It may be said of Dr. Drew that he is thoroughly grounded in the science of medicine. He has had the advantage of study under professors whose superiors cannot be found in the world. Being of an inquisitive mind, he has embraced all of these opportunities and thoroughly grounded himself in professional knowledge. Hence he has before him a career of unusual promise.
The Drew family is of Scotch origin. As a young man, John Drew, father of the subject of this sketch, came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. Locating in the midst of a dense forest, he hewed the timber, "grubbed" and cleared the land, and developed a farm from the primeval forest. He engaged in raising both grain and stock. About 1865 he came to Aurora, where he has since made his home, during much of the time being foreman in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy foundry there. In politics he is a Republican,
and fraternally a member of the Woodmen of the World. In the work of the United Presbyterian Church he has been very active and has served the local congregation as deacon and secretary. By his marriage in Aurora, in 1873, to Cecelia M. Provan, he had three children, Thomas Bar- rett, Cecelia Maude and David Provan. Mrs. Drew is a daughter of David Provan, who was born in Scotland and came from that country di- rect to Aurora, Ill.
In Aurora, Ill., where he was born in 1875, Dr. Drew received the rudiments of his education in the public schools. There, also, he began to study the medical science, being under the direc- tion of a preceptor in Chicago, but making his home still in Aurora. In 1894 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago, where he took the regular course of study, grad- uating in 1897. He had the advantage of study in an institution famous all over the country, and which offered especial opportunities for clinical work. His first knowledge, derived from practi- cal experience, was gained in Chicago, where he had a large hospital practice of a varied and in-
teresting character. Since coming to Oswego, immediately after graduating, he has established a growing practice and an excellent reputation for skill in his profession. In his fraternal rela- tions he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Mystic Workmen, the Blue Lodge of Masonry, and the Chapter of the Eastern Star.
R OBERT WILKINSON. One of the pioneers of Kendall County whose name has been closely associated with its history for almost a half century is Robert Wilkinson, a retired farmer living in Yorkville. He was born in Yorkshire, England, July 29, 1824, a son of Robert and Ann (Calam) Wilkinson. His edu- cational advantages were meager. When thir- teen years of age he began to be self-supporting, and for some time he was employed as a hand on farms. In 1851 he came to America on the sail- ing vessel Joseph Badger, which was three weeks in crossing the ocean. Landing in New York
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662
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
he proceeded west as far as Sturgis, Mich., where he engaged in farming for two years. Hearing that land was cheaper and more fertile in Illi- nois, he decided to seek a home in this state. The year 1853 found him in Kendall County, where he bought eighty acres in Lisbon Town- ship. The land was raw prairie, on which not a single improvement had been made. The sur- rounding country was equally unimproved. No roads had been opened, few houses built and few farms cleared. One of the first duties to which he set himself was the building of a frame house. With his team and yoke of oxen, with which he had driven across the country from Michigan, he began the task of turning the furrows in the virgin soil. Gradually he succeeded in breaking the land and raising crops. Then, as now, the market was at Morris. On his farm he raised both wheat and corn. As he prospered he added to his holdings, until he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres. In addition to the raising of farm produce he gave some attention to the stock business, and made a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and a good grade of hogs. No pioneer of the township did more than he to de- velop its resources. He was keenly interested in its progress and favored every measure to aid its development. In the early days, in spite of lack of improvements, he had the greatest faith in the future of this region as a farming center. Now this faith has become a reality. He looks back over the past years and delights in contrasting those days with the present. When he came here there was but one bridge between Yorkville and Morris, and the land was so swampy that riding was unpleasant and even dangerous. He saw that the land needed to be drained, so he started a system of tiling that made of his farm a valuable property, and his success in this work encouraged other farmers to follow a similar course. During his service as road commissioner he was helpful in opening and improving roads, and he also aided the district schools while acting as a director. In politics he is a Republican, with a leaning toward the Prohibition party. He assisted actively in building the Methodist Epis- copal Churches at Lisbon and Plattville. For
thirty years he was a church officer, and at the same time he was connected with Sunday-school work.
Before leaving England Mr. Wilkinson was married, April 6, 1850, to Miss Ann Stampher. They became the parents of nine children, viz .: William A., who died at six years of age; John T., a merchant in Lisbon; James Edwin, who died February 27, 1900; Fred M., who is engaged in business at Mount Ayr, Iowa; Francis W., who is farming the old homestead; Alvin M., a machinist in the boiler department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Aurora, Ill .; George H.,, a farmer of Seward Township; Minnie A., wife of Oscar C. Knudson, of York- ville; and Bertha L., deceased. Mrs. Wilkinson died October 9, 1895; her body lies in the ceme- tery at Lisbon.
Since 1882 Mr. Wilkinson has not engaged ac- tively in farm work. On leaving the homestead the first time he spent a year in Lisbon, but re- turned later to the farm and remained there until 1896. He then came to Yorkville, and has since made his home with his only living daughter, Mrs. Knudson.
) HRISTIAN H. MILLER. The village of Millington is one of the substantial and old- established villages of Kendall County. It was founded more than sixty years ago, and was laid out by Samuel J. Jackson June 20, 1838, un- der the name of Millford. Since then it has had a comparatively uneventful history. It has num- bered among its citizens men of more than ordi- nary intelligence and ability, and has been foremost in enterprises for the growth and prog- ress of Kendall County. Of the men who 110w reside here probably none is better known than . Christian H. Miller, who is closely identified with the business interests of the place.
A native of Nassau, Germany, born September 15, 1844, Mr. Miller was three years of age when, in 1847, the family crossed the ocean to America and settled in the township of Northfield, LaSalle County, Ill., where his boyhood and youth were spent. Meantime he thoroughly acquainted
663
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
himself with the science of agriculture. His ed- ucation was received in the public schools of the district in which his parents lived. In 1857 he engaged in farming pursuits for himself, and for more than twenty years he continued in this occupation, owning and conducting a large farm in LaSalle County.
From boyhood Mr. Miller showed a fondness for mechanical work. He seemed to possess abil- ity in devising contrivances and tools. In fact, he proved that he had a natural gift as a me- chanic. In 1876 he patented a windmill which he manufactured, and which had an extensive sale throughout the country for more than twenty years. The manufacturing of these mills was done in Millington, and, in order that he might more closely look after these interests, in 1884 he retired from the active work on the farm and moved to Millington, where he has since made his home. About two years after he came to this village he became interested in the lumber busi- ness and the accessories that go with the trade. He still continues in the business, and now has one of the most extensive yards in the county.
Mr. Miller has been twice married, and is the father of two sons and one daughter. In politics he is a strong Republican, but has never taken an active part in the same. As a citizen he favors measures that will promote the welfare of the village and county. His support is always to be relied upon in the cause of justice and right, and lie is loyal to all the best interests of the commu- nity.
ELS SEVERT NELSON. As one of the leading farmers of Big Grove Township, Mr. Nelson is well known throughout Ken- dall County. If for no other reason he would be entitled to respect and esteem on the ground that lie served his adopted country so loyally and well during the Civil war. But this is by no means his only title to esteem. He has proved himself reliable and honest in every walk of life and with every associate. He has been a local Republican leader, working in the interests of his party, and his popularity is indicated by the offices lie lias
been called upon to fill. For three years he was township collector; for three years highway com- missioner, during which time he aided in im- proving the roads; assessor six years; a member of the board of school trustees for many years; and at this writing is serving as supervisor, to which office he was elected without opposition.
The birth of Mr. Nelson occurred in the state of Bergen, near the city of the same name, in Norway, the date thereof being September 6, 1840. His parents, Severt and Jane Nelson, were also natives of Norway. His father, who was a farmer and land owner, came to America in 1849 and settled in Saratoga Township, Grundy County, Ill., where he bought forty acres of land. At the time there were but two houses between his place and Morris. After six years on that place he sold out and moved to Kendall Township, Kendall County, purchasing ninety-two acres. In the fall of 1864 he died 011 that place, his death and that of his wife and a daughter occurring, from typhoid fever, within a few weeks of one another. All were interred in the North Lisbon Cemetery.
There were nine children in the family, and all are living but the seventh, a daughter, who died at nine years, at the same time with her parents. The others are: Nels, the eldest; An- drew, a farmer in Polk County, Iowa; Alice, Mrs. Ersland, of Cambridge, Story County, Iowa; Helen, wife of Larson Anderson; Lewis, an attorney in Luverne, Minn .; Joseph, who is a dealer in hardware and agricultural implements at Cambridge, Iowa; Bertha, Mrs. John O. Burke, her husband being an attorney in Fergus Falls, Min .; and Severt, a farmer and school teacher in Wright, Iowa.
From the age of about nine years our subject has made America his home. Being the eldest of a family whose father was poor, he early began to assist in gaining a livelihood for the younger children. Hence he had few opportunities to at- tend school. Early familiar with agriculture, le selected it for his life work, and lias followed it steadily and constantly, with the exception of the period of his army service. Early in 1862 he rented eighty acres of land near the parental
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664
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
home and planted it to corn, wheat and oats. September 8 of the same year he enlisted for three years, joining Company E, Ninety-first Illinois Infantry, under Col. Henry M. Day. With his company he was ordered from Camp Butler, Chicago, to Springfield, Ill., October I. From October 7 to December 27, the company engaged in scouting in Kentucky, and guarded the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. December 27 the rebel General Morgan appeared with his troops at Elizabethtown, Ky., where the Ninety- first was stationed under Lieut .- Col. Henry T. Smith. Following demands of surrender from each commander, a battle began at 1:30 P. M. After a time the Union soldiers exhausted their ammunition and were forced to surrender, with a loss of seven killed, while the Confederates lost over two hundred. In this battle Mr. Nel- son was severely wounded, receiving a musket shot through the thigh. The regiment was scat- tered, the members reaching Louisville as best they could, and there all able to do so, took the cars for St. Louis. Only seven reported at Ben- ton Barracks, the remainder returning home.
As soon as his wound permitted Mr. Nelson returned home, where he spent two months, afterward rejoining his regiment. February 28, 1863, two-thirds of the members of the regiment responded to roll call at Benton Barracks. They remained there until June 5, when they were armed and equipped. July 6 they started via steamer for Vicksburg, with the Twenty-ninth Illinois and Seventh Pennsylvania Regiments. They were given, at Vicksburg, a position on Grant's right wing, where they were especially exposed to the enemy's fire. Their loss by shot, however, was less than that caused by water poi- soned by dead bodies. July 24 they left Vicks- burg, reaching Port Hudson on the 25th, and re- maining there until August 13, engaged in scout- ing duty. They were then sent to New Orleans, where they remained until September 5. They then, with the second division, thirteenth army corps, proceeded via steamer to Morganza Bend, where they arrived one day later. On the morn- ing of the 7th they started west to the Atchafalaya River, where they arrived about sundown of the
same day. There the brigade encountered the enemy and was forced to retreat six miles. On the 8th they again advanced, this time driving the enemy across the river with little loss to themselves, capturing two hundred of the south- ern soldiers. On the 9th they marched back to the Mississippi River. The next day they took possession of Morganza. Returning to New Or- leans, the regiment was assigned to the first brigade, second division, thirteenth ariny corps. October 23 they were assigned to patrol duty in that city. Next they started for Texas, via the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico, arriving at Point Isabella November 3, and skirmishing all the way from there to Brownsville. They re- mained at Fort Brown from November 9 to De- cember 31, when they made their famous raid on a point ninety miles distant, intending to capture the supposed salt works of the enemy. They secured a few hundred horses, mules and cattle, and found a lake of salt water, two miles square, but neither works nor enemy were to be found. January 9 they returned to camp, after a march of two hundred miles, without the loss of a man. Afterward they engaged in frontier duty on the Rio Grande until July 28, when they went to Brazos de Santiago, Tex., and there did garrison duty until September II. They had a fight with Confederates near Bagdad, and drove the enemy back over the old battlefield of Palo Alto. December 24 they broke camp and took a steamer for New Orleans, where they arrived De- cember 29, and were quartered in the "Alabama Press," doing provost duty until February 21, 1865. They then proceeded to Mobile Point, Ala., and remained there until the advance on Mobile. March 17 the thirteenth corps, General Gordon commanding, with the Ninety-first Regiment in advance, started to march through swamps, build- ing corduroy bridges, swimming creeks and rivers, and finally reaching Mobile. March 27 they met the enemy in force and made such a vigorous attack upon them (the Ninety-first leading) that the Confederates were quick to re- treat to Spanish Fort. After a siege of fourteen days, Spanish Fort surrendered April 9. On the same evening the brigade moved to the rear of
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD.
Fort Blakely, arriving just as it was captured. The capture of the forts resulted in the surrender of Mobile on the 12th. Later, the Ninety first found several companies of the enemy engaged in guard duty. A skirmish followed and, after a running fight of three miles, the enemy was routed. This was the last fight east of the Mis- sissippi. After pursuing the enemy to the Tom- bigbee River, the Ninety-first went into quarters and commenced building Fort Grainger, where they remained until May 9. They then broke camp, went by a steamboat to Mobile, and were there mustered out July 12, reaching Illinois July 22, receiving an honorable discharge July 28 and disbanding July 29, 1865.
During the war, while at home on furlough, Mr. Nelson married Anna Larson, March 17, 1863. She was born in Big Grove Township July 31, 1843, a daughter of Eric and Caroline (Johnson) Larson, who came to this county in 1839. I11 1870 Mr. Nelson rented land of his fa- ther-in-law and seven years later bought the place, which comprises the northeast quarter of section 1, Big Grove Township. Since then he has engaged in raising cattle for the market. The most of the improvements on the farm were made by himself, including the comfortable resi- dence built in 1883. The family is connected with the Helmar Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Nelson has been a deacon twenty-five years, also superintendent of the Sunday-school several years and a bible class teacher.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are as follows: Lewis, who died at five years; Eric, who married Julia Thompson and lives on a farm in Big Grove Township; Janie, wife of Lars Thor- sen, of Lisbon Township; Randy, wife of John Dowick, of LaSalle County; Carrie, who mar- ried Nels N. Ness, of Lisbon Township; Anna, wifeof Ephraim Danielson, a music teacher in La- Salle County, Ill .; Saralı, wife of Lewis Teudal, a merchant at Helmar, Ill .; Lewis and Severt, who operate the home farm; Alice, Nellie and Isabelle, at home; Joseph, who died at the age of three months; and Joseph (2d), who is at home.
ELTON DRAUDEN. Those of our Ger- man- American citizens who have found homes in Will County have had no reason to regret their change of location. With scarcely an exception they have worked out for them- selves here a degree of success that would have been impossible in the old country. Among those who have become prosperous farmers is Mr. Drauden, who is a well-known citizen of Plainfield Township. He was born in Prussia June 27, 1837, a son of Nicholas and Margaret Drauden. He was only seven years of age when his father died, and thus from an early period he was obliged to be self supporting. He was eighteen when he left his native land for Amer- ica. From New York he proceeded a little to the northwest, settling on a faim in the state of that name, where he remained for five years. He then sought Illinois, settling in Will County, of which he has since been an energetic farmer.
Having little money, he was at first unable to purchase a farm here, but after operating for a few years as a renter and meantime carefully hoarding his earnings, he purchased one hun- dred acres, forming a part of his present home- stead. From the first he met with success. He gave his attention largely to the raising of cereals, although he also successfully engaged in raising hogs and carried on dairying, both of which he continues, though on a smaller scale than formerly. The stock he raises are mostly for his own use. A glance at his place shows him to be a thrifty farmer. It is his aim to keep his buildings and fences in good condition and his land under first-class cultivation. All of the buildings on the farm were put up by him. In 1892 he erected the residence now occupied by the family, and in 1897 built a substantial and commodious barn.
A G NDREW E. CONANT, whose homestead, "The Pines," is one of Plainfield Town- ship's most desirable properties, has been a resident of Will County since the spring of 1854. He was born in York County, Me., December 9, 1815, being a son of Andrew and Sarah (Emer- son ) Conant.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Until he was twenty years of age he remained at home. On starting out in life for himself he began to cultivate a farm at Kennebunk Port, York County, where he remained for twelve years. On selling his farm he moved to Dexter, where he made his home for six years. While there he built a factory in partnership with the husband of his sister Lucinda, and on the com- pletion of the same he engaged in the manufac- ture of woolens, remaining in the mill for six years, when it was sold. With his share of the proceeds, amounting to about $2,500, he came to Illinois, making the trip via Dexter to Port- land in a stage, from Portland to Boston by rail- road, thence to Buffalo by railroad, and from there to Chicago on the great lakes, taking the canal from Chicago to Fox River, and thence traveling with a team through Illinois and Iowa. He finally concluded that no location was as de- sirable as Will County. Accordingly he came here, bought one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land and began to raise farm products. On this place he has since remained. The majority of the improvements have been made under his personal supervision, as when he came there was not even a barn on the farm, and only a portion of the land had been fenced. From time to time he added to his holdings until at one time he owned four hundred and sixty- three acres. For the first land that he bought (in 1854) he paid $20 an acre. His next pur- chase was in 1866, the price being $60 an acre. Fourteen years afterward he bought one hundred acres at $60 an acre. In 1891 lie bought farm land at $90 an acre.
ATRICK C. HALEY, attorney-at-law, of Joliet, was born at Saranac, N. Y., March 17, 1849. When he was two years of age his parents, Thomas and Hannah Haley, canie to Illinois and settled in Joliet. After gradu-
ating from the high school of this city he took a course of study in the law department of the Michigan State University, from which he grad- uated in the class of 1871. During the same year he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of his profession in Joliet. In April of 1871 he formed a law partnership with J. R. Flanders, but this connection continued only until December of that year. In July, 1874, he entered into partnership with J. L. O'Donnell, and the firm of Haley & O'Donnell is to-day one of the most prominent in northern Illinois.
For years Mr. Haley has been retained as at- torney for a number of corporations, including the Michigan Central, Wabash, Santa Fe and Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad companies. He has filled the position of corporation attorney for the sanitary district of Chicago for Will County in matters which involved millions of dollars.
In Mr. Haley the Democratic party has found a steadfast supporter. Having the welfare of the party at lieart, he has given to it much of his time and contributed to the promotion of its in- terests. For a number of years he was a mem- ber of the Democratic state central committee. In 1874 his party elected him city attorney, an office that he held for one year. For fourteen years he has been a member of the Joliet city council. In April, 1891, he was elected mayor of the city, and this position he filled for two years. Ten days before the congressional elec- tion of 1882 he was nominated by his party for congress. Others had declined to make the race against the Republican candidate, Hon. William Cullen, of Ottawa, for all believed that there was not the smallest chance of victory. However, for the sake of the party, he consented to enter the race. At the close of the election he was de- clared the successful candidate, but afterward the decision was reversed and it was decided that he lost by seventy-seven votes. This was a remark- able showing, and proved his popularity.
INDEX
A
Beggs, Janics W
35
Beggs, Rev. S. R. 35
Behrens, Henry .585
Bell, John A.
263
Beltzner, August
.607
Bennett, Nathan 529
Bennitt, Col. Fred. 592
Bensson, Nels 598
Bethel, Ilenry S. 155
Bieth, Xavier 394
Biggins, James 586
Bissell, Martin C 23
Blakely, U. S. G 42
Blood, Charles F 487
Christian, Lewis 644
Christmann, Henry .542
Clark, R. B. 614
Clement, Arthur C. 415
Clinton, Capt. G. O. . 343
Clow, William M .. 166
Cole, E. P 598
Comiskey, John. 590
Corant, Andrew E
665
Connor, Jolın O GOS
Conrad, John. 491
Cook, George B 30G
Cook, William
585
Cooney, Sanmiel. 280
Coppage, E. W.
496
Corbin, Alfred T .162
Corlett, Hon. John . 201
Corrie, William 520
Cotton, Augustus B 604
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