Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County, Part 154

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

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FRANK E. GEORGE.

FRANK E. GEORGE, Recorder Kane County, Batavia, Ill., was born in Strafford, Orange County, Vt., Oct. 14, 1856, and was brought by his parents to Batavia, Ill., in 1865. His education was secured in the city schools and at Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill. In 1875 he established a grocery and restaurant business, and ten years later turned his atten- tion to groceries and fire insurance. Politically he is a Republican. He was chosen Assistant Supervisor in 1890, and the following year was elected Supervisor. In 1896 he was elected County Recorder, was re-elected in 1900, and is still filling the office; is also serving his

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

second term as President of the State Associa- tion of Circuit Clerks and Recorders. He is President of the Board of Education of East Batavia, a member of the Republican County Central Committee and is acting as Treasurer of the latter. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman.

FRANCIS K. GEORGE, retired, Batavia, Ill., born in Strafford, Orange County, Vt., Dec. 31, 1819, the son of Ebenezer and Betsy (Kibbling) George, and the grandson of two revolutionary veterans. His father was a soldier of the War of 1812. Francis K. George was reared in Ver- mont and educated in the public schools of that State, learned the wool-carding and cloth-dress- ing trade while still a boy, and in 1864 removed to Illinois, settling on a farm near Batavia. Two years later he moved into the city, where for twenty years he was actively engaged in the real-estate business. Still later he was a partner, with his son Frank E., in the grocery trade; also served as Assessor eight years and two terms as Town Clerk. In 1844 he married Miss Edna Williams, of Strafford, Vt., who died in November, 1882.

WILLIAM GEORGE.

WILLIAM GEORGE, financier and attorney at law, Aurora, was born in Aurora, Sept. 23, 1861, a son of Alonzo and Lydia (May) George,

secured his academic education in the Aurora public schools, was graduated from the West Aurora High School in 1879, and a member of the class of 1884, of the University of Iowa. In 1885 he graduated from the Union College of Law, Chicago, and was admitted to the Bar of Illinois the same year. From 1885 to 1887 he was associated professionally with Senator A. J. Hopkins, in the practice of law, and from 1887 to 1893 was alone in his legal work. In 1893 he formed a partnership with F. D. Wins- low, and later with N. J. Aldrich, who lett the firm of Hopkins, Alurich & Thatcher, to become identified with the firm of George & Winslow. Some years later, because of de- mands on the time of Mr. George in other directions, he withdrew from active prac- tice, giving his attention only to such legal matters as concerned corporate interests in which he and his friends were interested. In 1893 he became one of the Vice-Presidents of the Old Second National Bank, of Aurora, and two years later, on the occasion of the retire- ment of his father, succeeded to the presidency of that institution. Mr. George is a director ot the Aurora Cotton Mills, and Director or other- wise officially connected with other institutions in Aurora and elsewhere. In addition to these interests he is associated with his uncle. Ben- jamin George, in stock farms near Aurora and Galena, where they have successfully estab- lished large herds of registered Hereford cattle, many of them directly imported by Mr. George from England. He is Vice-President of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Associa- tion, and is President of the Illinois Bankers' Association, as well as member of Union League and Hamilton and Saddle and Sirloin Clubs, of Chicago. Mr. George was married Oct. 11, 1887, to Miss Alice Maude Lounsbury, daughter of E. W. Lounsbury, D. D., at Dayton, Ohio, and they have one child, Alice May, born Nov. 12. 1892.

CHRISTOFER FREDERICK GEYER (de- ceased), Aurora, born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, Oct. 22, 1839, and died in Aurora, June 9, 1903; was associated with the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company as machin- ist and in other capacities for over forty years; married March 29, 1864, Miss Caroline Schars- chug, and by this union there are three chil- dren: Mrs. Mary Lincoln, Clarence and Edna I. Mr. Geyer was in all probability the oldest

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and one of the most expert machinists in this section of Illinois.

GEORGE GIDDINGS, retired farmer, 314 Ann Street, Elgin, Ill., was born in Essex, Mass., August 15, 1830, son of John and Abigail ( Proctor) Giddings, and when seven years old was brought by his parents to Illinois. They made their home in Barrington, Cook County, where the subject of this sketch was educated in the local schools, also attended a private school, and spent two terms at a Chicago Col- lege. He worked on the farm with his father and when the elder Giddings died he took charge of the farm, situated one mile east of Dundee, into which he moved in 1874, buying a home and retiring from active business for seven years. His removal to Elgin came about this time, where he purchased a house and lot on Ann Street. He was married Jan. 1, 1861, to Almena Todd, and to their union were born two children, Lillian, born Dec. 26, 1864, and Mary Esther, born Jan. 14, 1871.

ABEL D. GIFFORD, pioneer farmer, Elgin, Ill., born at Sherburne, N. Y., August 9, 1818; came to Illinois in 1837 and purchased 280 acres of land in Hanover Township, Cook Coun- ty, where he carried on dairy farming until 1889, when he retired and has since lived in Elgin. Mr. Gifford has been a director of the Home Savings Bank and Home National Bank of Elgin for nearly thirty years. He was mar- ried in 1838 to Miss Harriet M. Root, who died about 1855. His second wife-Julia E. Chappell -- died July 10, 1893, and on Dec. 15, 1896, he was married to Mrs. Clara (Flood) Whitten, of Atlanta, Ga.

EDWIN F. GIFFORD, farmer, Elgin, Kane County, born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Aug. 18, 1845, son of Abel D. Gifford, was brought to Illinois in early childhood, reared to man- hood in Elgin, educated at Elgin Academy and trained to farming. For several years he lived on what is still known as the old Gifford farm near Elgin, and later was engaged in the hard- ware trade for a time. Removing to Minnesota, he followed farming for three years, and then returned to Elgin, where he died on the old farmı May 26, 1872. During the Civil War he served in the One Hundred Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1866 he married Miss Cora M. Ottaway, daughter of Charles Ottaway,

one of the early settlers of Chicago, and owner of a store located near the old Tremont House. To this union were born two children, Ada C., of Elgin, and Fred E., of St. Charles.

F. E. GIFFORD, manufacturer, St. Charles, Kane County, born in Warren, Wis., in April, 1871, son of Edwin F. and Cora M. (Ottaway) Gifford, was taken by his parents to Elgin in 1874, where he passed his childhood and youth, attending the local schools, and graduating from the high school and Drew's Business Col- lege. In 1887 he secured a position with the Elgin Condensed Milk Company, where he re- mained until 1891. That year he removed to St. Charles to enter the employ of the St. Charles Condensing Company, with which his connec- tion has proved so successful that he is now general manager of the establishment. In St. Charles he has taken a prominent part as a public-spirited citizen, and has served the com- munity two terms as Alderman. He belongs to local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1892 he married Miss Della J., daughter of Waldo and Charlotte M. Ward, of St. Charles.

HORACE GILBERT (deceased ), pioneer mer- chant and manufacturer, Aurora, born in Otsego County, N. Y., Aug. 1, 1819, was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. In 1849 he arrived in Aurora on his way to California, but stopping with friends became interested in this part of the State, when he decided to return east and canvass the situation with friends. Returning to Aurora in 1851. he located there and the same year married Miss Minerva Fitch, daughter of Ira Fitch, a pioneer busi- ness man of that city, with whom he shortly formed a partnership in the harness trade, later on carrying on the same business in company with John Kemp in a building on the site of the present Merchants' National Bank of Aurora, conducting an extensive trade reaching nearly every State of the Union. Mr. Gilbert retired in 1890 to devote his attention to the care of his estate. During his life he was inter- ested in the old Second National Bank, the Merchants' National Bank, the Aurora Cotton Mills and the Aurora Silver-Plate Manufactur- ing Company. The first Mrs. Gilbert died in 1859, leaving no children. In 1871 Mr. Gilbert married Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph A. and Julia ( West) Spaulding, who settled on a farm

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near Elgin in 1849, but later resided in Aurora. Mr. Gilbert died in Aurora, July 9, 1894. Mrs. Gilbert survives her husband, still residing in Aurora. Their children are Jennie Gilbert Staples, Mary Gilbert Hills and Edna Morrill Gilbert, all of Aurora. 4

WILLIAM J. GILBERT, retired, Elgin, Ill., born Jan. 9, 1847, in Brimfield, Peoria County, Ill., was educated in the schools of Brimfield and Elgin, coming to this city in the fall of 1866. He began his business career as a clerk for Bartlett & Waldron, and was later employed by Bartlett & Dennison, who were in the gro- cery store and restaurant business. In 1872 he began business for himself by establishing a book, stationery and news store in connection with the postoffice. For some twenty years he continued in this business, when he disposed of it, and has since devoted himself to the care of his extensive tenement and store property. He was married in 1894 to Rebecca McBride Burritt.

LEWIS H. GILLETT (deceased ), pioneer settler, born in Sullivan County, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1820; came west in 1850, locating in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, where he pur- chased a large tract of land and became a re- markably successful farmer, adding to his origi- inal purchase until his estate embraced 1,000 acres; was one of the founders of the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial Institute. He was married in 1850 to Miss Rachel Harmes, and their living children are: Arthur L., and Mrs. Rachel (Gillett ) Shoop. Mr. Gillett died Jan. 13, 1888; his wife surviving him until June 19, 1900.

STEPHEN C. GILLETT, physician, Aurora, Ill., was born in Neversink, Sullivan County, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1826, son of Ezekiel and Eliza- beth (Curry) Gillett, and grandson of Ezekiel Gillett, who was of French antecedents, and was one of the earlier settlers of Neversink, removing thither from Connecticut. In the maternal line Dr. Gillett was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors. Reared to manhood in New York, he was a school teacher in that State, in his early life. Later he removed to Watertown, Ohio, where he taught school until 1848. During that year he came to Kane Coun- ty, Ill., and secured a position as a teacher in

the public schools of the day. He next took up the study of medicine with Dr. Nicholas Hard, one of the prominent physicians of Aurora, and graduated from Rush Medical Col- lege in 1853, immediately beginning his profes- sional career at Sandwich, Ill., where he re- mained until 1857. He then came to Aurora where he soon rose to prominence and, until his retirement in 1901, was one of the most popular and successful practitioners in this part of the State. Thoroughly skilled and widely read, he had also those qualities which endear the family physician to his patients, and make him both counsellor and guide, as well as phy- sician. He belonged to the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, and the Fox River Valley Medical Association, and contributed much to the general advancement of the profession. As a man of affairs he was no less successful than in his profession. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants' National Bank of Aurora, and afterwards one of its Directors and its Vice-President. Dr. Gil- lett was also President of the Aurora Cooperage Company, and the Aurora Bleaching and Dye- Works, both important industries, and the lasi named at that time one of the few of its kind in the United States. Dr. Gillett was married, in 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Mendenhall, daughter of Thomas G. and Elizabeth ( Hollenback) Men- denhall, pioneer settlers in DeKalb County, Ill. Mrs. Gillett was born April 15, 1833, in Middle- town, Shelby County. Ind., but was married in Aurora. Dr. Gillett and wife settled at Sand- wich where they built the first house after the location of the railway station there. Dr. Gillett died Sept. 3, 1903. His living children are: Mrs. Ida Hobbs, Mae, William E., and Mrs. Blanch Watson, all at home in Aurora. WILLIAM E. GILLETT, a prominent manufacturer of Aurora, was born in that city, Feb. 3, 1863. where he received his education in the local schools and the Aurora Seminary. In 1893 he was chosen Treasurer of the Aurora Cooperage Company, and three years later became general manager of the concern. Up to the present time (1904), he has continued to fill both positions. His success is attested by the marked prosperity which the company enjoys, greater under his administration than ever before. It is now ranked among the leading industries of the city. He was married in 1890 to Miss Jennie Ball, of Aurora.

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

CHARLES B. GODFREY, pioneer farmer, Burlington Township, Kane County, born in Vermont, June 26, 1839; came with his parents to Illinois when only six months old. His father purchased a 200-acre farm in Burlington Township, of which Charles B. took possession at the time of his father's death in 1857, con- ducted farming operation very successfully, adding to the original tract, until his holdings embraced 600 acres; retired from active farm lite in 1898. Mr. Godfrey was married in 1865 to Miss Mary Atkins, and they became the parents of five children.

ALPHONSO L. GODING, retired merchant and farmer, Elburn, Kane County, born at Liv- ermore, Oxford County, Me., April 12, 1828, son of Jonas and Patience ( Hathaway) Goding, both of English ancestry. When about fifteen years of age he removed with his parents to Brighton, Mass., and in the public schools of that State completed his education begun in Maine. His first business experience was in the grocery trade in New York City, after which he engaged in buying and improving real estate in Massachusetts. Having met with business reverses about 1860, hc determined to remove to Chicago; but after taking a careful inventory of his effects, discovered that he had means enough to enable him to reach Syracuse, N. Y. Without hesitation he started with his family and on arriving at Syracuse, took a building contract upon which he realized a sufficient sum to enable him to reach his destination. Leaving his family at Syracuse, he proceeded in 1861 to Chicago, but a few months later return- ing to New York, brought his family with him to Chicago in 1862, and there engaged in busi- ness as a contractor and builder. In 1868, with a view to benefiting his wife's health, he re- moved to Kaneville, Kane County, where he purchased a tarm upon which he continued to reside for the next fifteen years engaged in agricultural pursuits. Then removing to Elburn in 1883, he embarked in the lumber trade as a member of the firm of Elden & Goding, but two years later, having purchased the interest of his partner, became head of the firm of Goding & Son. In 1894, he sold out his interest and retired from business. During his business career in Kane County, Mr. Goding has been the builder and promoter in the erec- tion of twenty-nine buildings in Elburn and vicinity. For six years he was one of the Trus-

tees of the Village of Elburn and for nine years Superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School there. Nov. 28, 1847, Mr. Goding was mar- ried in Levington, Mass., to Miss Lydia M. Chandler, a cousin of Senator Zachariah Chan- dler of Michigan, and of Salmon P. Chase of Ohio. Of this union there were seven children : Flora C., born May 27, 1849; Alfonso C., born May 31, 1851; Josephine O., born May 21, 1853, died July 13, 1854; Ella M., born Feb. 14, 1855. died March 7, 1893; Horace L., born Oct. 22, 1857, died Sept. 4, 1864; Frederick W., born May 9, 1858, is United States Consul at New South Wales, Australia, having been appointed by President Mckinley; and, Oscar W., born May 12, 1860.

E. F. GOODELL, banker, St. Charles, 111., born in the city where he now resides, August 24, 1858; taught country schools for a few winters, and in 1880 accepted a position as cashier with the banking house of J. C. Baird & Company, with which he has remained through two changes, the firm being at the present time John Stewart & Company, in which Mr. Goodell is a stockholder. Mr. Good- ell married Abbie Peterson, of St. Charles, and they have three children, Harry, Ralph and Charlotte.

LEE N. GOODWIN, banker, Aurora, born in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, 111., Jan. 2, 1870, was reared under the home roof and educated in the public schools, finishing his schooling in Aurora. Entering the employ of the old Second National Bank of Aurora as a messenger boy in 1888, by successive promo- tions he rose to his present position, being ap- pointed Cashier in 1898. The following year he became a Director of the bank, and as such is efficient. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Elks and other orders. In 1895 he married Miss Cecelia O'Meara, of Aurora.

RUSSELL P. GOODWIN, lawyer and jurist, Aurora, 111., born at Bloomingdale, Ill., Dec. 24, 1851; read law with Judge H. H. Cody, of Naper- ville, and Judge M. O. Southworth, Aurora; admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1876, and has since practiced his profession in Aurora, except twelve years that he served on the Bench; married in 1885 Miss Minnie Ralph, of Aurora, who died in 1888. In 1890 he married Miss Nellie Ames, of Geneva. Il1.

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

BENJAMIN E. GOULD (deceased), late Clerk Circuit Court Kane County, Elgin, Ill., was born in Hanover, Cook County, Ill., May 12, 1871, received his education in the public schools and Elgin Academy and in 1891 entered the Elgin postoffice, where he served as Money

BENJAMIN E. GOULD.

Order Clerk. In 1894 he was appointed Deputy Probate Clerk. He received a commission as Captain of Company E, Third Regiment Regu- lar Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served in the War with Spain. He was mustered out Jan. 12, 1899, when he returned to Elgin and resumed his position in the Probate office. Mr. Gould was a Republican, and in 1900 was elected Circuit Clerk, in which position he served till his death in the holocaust of the Iroquois Theater, Chicago, Dec. 30, 1903. He was Junior Vice-Commander of the order of Spanish-American War Veterans for Illinois, and Treasurer of the Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association. Fraternally and socially he was associated with the B. P. O. E., the I. O. O. F., the K. P., Modern Woodmen, the Elgin Cycle Club and the Archaan Union. He was married Dec, 25, 1895, to Pearl Cranston, of Lansing. Mich., who perished with him. They left one child. Dorothy Fern.

GEORGE W. GOULD, retired farmer, Black- berry Township, Kane County, Ill., born in Windham County, Conn., Jan. 22, 1821; edu- cated in the public schools of his native State, and removed to Kane County, Ill., in 1854, and purchased a farm located about five miles south of Elburn, where he has since resided. He was married Nov. 11, 1847, to Mary E. Bowdish.

CHARLES B. GRAY (deceased), farmer, St. Charles, Ill., born in Lawrence County, Ind., Dec. 27. 1813; came to Illinois in 1835, locating on a farm near St. Charles, where he died Dec. 23. 1898. Mr. Gray was married Dec. 16, 1834. to Polly Z. Garton, and seven of their children are now living, viz .: Virgil V., John W., Mrs. Sarah E. Tyrrell, Mrs. Mary J. Fowler, Duncan Z., Hamilton T. and Ellis A.

JOSEPH GRAY (deceased). farmer, Virgil, Kane County, Ill., was born April 22, 1830, in Prince Edward's Parish, New Brunswick. He came to Kane County, Ill., in 1848, bought a farm three miles northwest of Elburn, in the Township of Virgil. For two terms he was Postmaster at Lily Lake. He was married Sept. 15, 1858, to Juliet Woodman, daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (Barnard) Woodman, and of this union there were six children, four sons and two daughters. Mr. Gray died Sept. 16, 1901.

LESTER W. GRAY (deceased), pioneer set- tler, Aurora, Ill., was born July 13, 1811, in Sullivan, Penn., where he was reared to man- hood, and instructed in the currier's trade. In 1838 he located in Oquawka, Ill., but soon re- moved to Henderson, Knox County, where he remained until 1844. That year he engaged in farming in Sugar Grove Township, Kane Coun- ty, his home until 1852, when he purchased a tract of land near the edge of the village of Aurora, on which he built his home, fronting on what was then called Ridge Street, but which is now Lake street. For many years after this he was engaged in farming and deal- ing in real estate, his efforts meeting with marked success. He subdivided and improved several tracts of land, and much of the growth and improvement of the west side can be attri- buted to his earnest and unceasing efforts. He contributed generously to the building of the Chicago and Aurora Railroad, and gave the site for the West Side depot. For nearly twenty

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

years he was a member of the Aurora Board of Aldermen, and for several ternis was on the Kane County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Gray was married in 1833 to Miss Diantha P. Put- nam, to whose family Gen. Putnam of Revoln- tionary fame belonged. She was a native of Covington, Tioga County, Penn., and is still living in Aurora, being at the present time (1904) over eighty-seven years of age. The living children of this venerable couple are: John, editor, Jefferson, Iowa; Capt. Thomas P., of Washington, D. C .; Wright, of Windsor, Colo .; and Mrs. Anna Schorb, of Aurora. Mr. Gray died in Aurora in 1881, at the age of seventy years.

ROBERT GRAY, farmer and stock-raiser, Virgil Township, Kane County, was born in Virgil Township, June 14, 1874, the son of Joseph and Juliet ( Woodman) Gray. His edu- cation was secured in the Geneva High School and in the University of Illinois at Urbana. For a time he was employed as an electric en- gineer in Chicago, but of late has been living on the home place.

AMOS C. GRAVES (deceased ), farmer and early settler, Aurora, Ill., born in Cortland, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1825, son of Phineas and Anna (Ken- dall) Graves, and second of family of eleven children. Coming west in 1834, the family set- tled near Lockport, Will County, but later removed to Wayneville, DuPage County, which remained the home of the elder Mr. Graves until his retirement from active life, when he located in Aurora, where he died in 1889. Amos C. Graves was reared and educated a farmer. received such schooling as the times admitted, and was engaged in farming at the breaking out of the Civil War. He raised a company of men in 1862 and was commissioned Captain of Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At first he served on de- tached duty commanding a company of scouts. In the spring of 1863 he was assigned to duty on the staff of Gen. Gordon Granger, continu- ing in the service until March 8, 1865, when poor health compelled his resignation. After the war he resumed farming on an extensive scale in DuPage County, as well as in Iowa, but maintained his home in Aurora from 1867 to the day of his death, Nov. 1, 1901. A pioneer Republican, he was interested in public affairs and filled various official positions. Prior

to the war he was Sheriff of DuPage County for two terms, and was also on the County Board. In Aurora he was City Marshal for four terms. He was associated with the Baptist church, and married Miss Mary A. Buck, daugh- ter of Stephen Buck, pioneer settler of Kane County. Their children were: Mrs. Julia (Graves) Gary (deceased), wife of Judge E. H. Gary, Vice-President and General Counsel of the United States Steel Company; Mrs. Anna (Graves) Judd, wife of William Judd, of Aurora; Mrs. Eva (Graves) Hamilton, wife of Oscar Hamilton, of Aurora; and Mrs. Bertha (Graves) Northam, wife of Lemuel Northam, of Joliet, Ill.

CHARLES E. GRIFFITH, born in Ontario County, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1853, and came with his parents to Kane County, Ill., in 1865, where he grew to manhood on a farm in Dundee Town- ship and obtained his education in the public schools; became connected with the Illinois Iron & Bolt Company in 1873; elected Secretary of the corporation 1888 and has since filled that position : married in 1879 Miss Anna Evans, of Dundee.

LOUIE J. GRIFFITH, lumber merchant, Ba- tavia, 111., born in Danby, Rutland County, Vt., Oct. 26, 1865, son of John B. and Carrie ( Mil- lard) Griffith; educated in the public schools of his native State, and came to Batavia in 1896, where he has since been engaged in the lumber trade; in 1902 assisted in organizing the Batavia Supply Company, of which he became Secetary; served two terms in the House of Representatives in his native State: married in 1887 Miss Bertha L. Tobin.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County, Part 154

Author: Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950