Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County, Part 159

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

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HENRY E. HUNT. pioneer merchant and banker, Dundee, Ill., born in Brandon, Vt., April 19, 1819, in the same house in which Stephen A. Douglas was born, went into Western New York with his father when a boy, and there grew to manhood. In the early history of that

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

institution, he was a student at Oberlin Col- lege. In 1840 he married Miss Esther Ann Ed- wards in New York. Two years later the young married couple came to Illinois, and made their home at Dundee, where Mr. Hunt started a pioneer store. Winning success in this enter- prise, he established the first banking house in the village of Dundee, the management of which he retained in his own hands until his retire- ment from business, when it was entrusted to his son-in-law, Edgar C. Hawley. He was also a large land-owner, and a thoroughly practical farmer. For fourteen years he was on the Kane County Board of Supervisors, and was a mem- ber of the State Board of Equalization from the Kane County District four years. To Mr. Hunt and Mrs. Hunt have been born nine chil- dren, of whom four were living in 1903, one oť them (Mrs. E. C. Hawley) on the old home- stead at Dundee.

GEORGE HUNTER.

GEORGE HUNTER, Consulting Superinten- dent National Watch Company, Elgin, Ill., was born in Wendell, Mass., Nov. 13, 1834, and edu- cated in the public schools. He learned the machinist trade and came to Elgin in 1864 to install the machinery department of the Na- tional Watch Company. Mr. Hunter served as foreman of the machinery department until

1872, when he was appointed Superintendent of the plant, and which office he held until Jan. 1, 1903, when his present position was created for him. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Hunter is a stockholder in the Elgin National Watch Company, the Home National and the Home Savings Banks, and a director of the last named corporation. He is a member of the Century and the Country Clubs of Elgin, and has long been active in Monitor Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

GEORGE E. HUNTER, Superintendent Elgin Watch Factory, Elgin, Ill., was born in Wal- tham, Mass., Nov. 29, 1859, son of George Hunter, and was brought by his parents to Elgin, Dec. 26, 1864, where he attended the pub- lic schools, graduating from the Elgin Academy in 1877. The same year he entered the Watch Factory as an apprentice in the machinery de- partment to serve three years. He remained in this department six years, when he was ap- pointed assistant foreman of the escapement department in 1883, and was made foreman of the same room in 1885. In 1888 he was made Assistant Superintendent in charge of the me- chanical branch of the work, holding this po- sition until Jan. 1, 1903, when he was appointed Superintendent with full charge, his father hav- ing been promoted on that day to the office of Consulting Superintendent. "The Watch Fac- tory has grown from a capacity of but a few hundred in 1871, to a capacity of 2,000 a day under George and George E. Hunter." Mr Hunter is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and is now serving his second term on the Elgin Library Board. He was married in 1885 to Miss Belle M. Taylor, of New York, and is the father of two sons and a daughter by this union. Donald Taylor, the oldest son, was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., May 20, 1903; the other two children are Marjorie Bell and George Richard.

THOMAS M. HUNTER (deceased ), Batavia, Ill., who was long identified with the stone- quarrying interests of Kane County, was born in Ida, Mich., Aug. 10, 1838, son of Benjamin and Anna (Miller) Hunter, where he was reared to manliood and educated in the local schools. In his early manhood he came to Illinois and was engaged in the railway service, and also in farming. In 1868 he established his home

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in Batavia, and entered the employ of Isaac S. Stevens, who was operating extensive stone- quarries at that place. For several years prior to his death, which occurred at Batavia, March 24, 1900, he was superintendent of these quar- ries, and was widely known among those en- gaged in the building trades. He served one term as a member of the Batavia Board of Al- dermen. In 1871 he married Miss Elviza Tracey, of Raisinville, Mich. She died in Ba- tavia, in 1883, and in 1888 he married Miss Elizabeth White, daughter of Charles White, of New York.

HARRY T. HUNTER.

HARRY T. HUNTER, lumber and coal mer- chant and stone-quarry operator, Batavia, was born in Batavia, Ill., Jan. 19, 1875, son ot Thomas M. and Elviza (Tracy) Hunter, and obtained his education in the Batavia public schools. His first business engagement was with the legal firm of Alschuler & Murphy, Au- rora, after which he was for a time with the Newton Wagon Company, at Batavia. When nineteen years of age he began his business ca- reer in the lumber and coal trade, in which he has continued to the present time. Some years since he was elected an Alderman of Batavia, and is the youngest man ever called to serve Batavia in that capacity. In 1898 he married

Miss Katherine, daughter of Major H. K. Wol- cott, of Batavia.

DAVID W. HURD (deceased), pioneer and merchant, Aurora, Ill., born in Londonderry, Ireland, Sept. 22, 1823, son of John Hurd, who first came to America as a British soldier dur- ing the War of 1812. The father emigrated with his family to America in 1832, locating at Utica, N. Y. David W. Hurd was a school- mate of Thomas L. James, afterward Postmas- ter-General, and James H. Roberts, for some years later United States Senator. Later the family removed to Hamilton, Ont., where David W. grew to manhood with an education largely self-obtained. He was trained to business in the house of John Winer & Co., and at twenty- one years of age was sent to New York on the business for the firm, remaining there until 1860. During that year he came to Aurora, Ill., and bought a drug store from Gilbert Walker, which he carried on as long as he lived. In time he became wealthy, and "Hurd's chest- nut store," so-called on account of its painting, was a land-mark in the business center. He did much to help in various business enterprises and contributed materially to the growth of Au- rora. In politics he was a Democrat and in re- ligion a member of the New England Congre- gational church. In 1847 he married Miss Ma- ria Gibell, of New York City, who still lives in Aurora. Mr. Hurd died March 13, 1886. Be- sides his wife three sons and four daughters survive. With the exception of one son in Pittsburg and one in Philadelphia, all are liv- ing in Aurora (1903). The present homestead has been occupied by the family since 1865.

DANIEL HYDE (deceased), pioneer settler, Batavia Township, Kane County; born at Straf- ford, Orange County, Vt., March 30, 1819; oh- tained a common-school education, and was trained to farming; came west in 1838, locating at first in Michigan, but shortly afterwards re- moved to Kane County, Ill., and purchased a farm near Batavia, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. He died June 20, 1862. His wife, Ellen C. Hyde, was born in Brattleboro. Vt., June 11, 1825, and came to Kane County in 1844. She was reared and educated in New York State, where she taught school, and after coming to Kane County taught one of the pioneer private schools of the county at Mill Creek. She married Mr. Hyde in 1845 at the

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

old homestead about one mile west of Batavia, where she still resides. She has been a contin- uous resident of Kane County for nearly sixty years, and is one of the most widely known of the pioneer women now living.

JOSEPH INGHAM.

JOSEPH INGHAM, farmer, stock-raiser and ex-Recorder of Kane County, born Oct. 18, 1839, son of Col. Samuel S. Ingham, above mentioned, was educated in the public schools and at Lom- bard University, Galesburg. He was a farmer antil 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service in the Civil War, was mustered in Sept. 21st, par- ticipated in the battle of Pea Ridge and in all the campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland, and was mustered out in October, 1864. After his return home he resumed farming and also helped to organize the Kane County Farmers' Institute. In 1892 he was elected Recorder of Kane County, serving four years. He had pre- viously been Assessor of Sugar Grove Town- ship for twelve years, and has long been a recognized leader of the Republican party in Kane County, frequently serving as delegate in political conventions. In 1869 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Strickland, daughter of George Strickland, an Aurora pioneer, and they have had three children: Samuel S., now of Clay County, 111 .; Mrs. Sarah Ingham Tarble,

of Aurora, and Mildred, of Chicago. John Ingham, another son of Col. Samuel S., was born in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, Oct. 19, 1857, educated in the public schools, and in the Sugar Grove Academy, became a farmer and stock-raiser. In 1880 he associated him- self with his brother in farming and stock- raising, and they have since carried on business together. In 1885 he married Miss Catherine Cook, daughter of Peter Cook, of Aurora.

COL. SAMUEL S. INGHAM (deceased ), was born in New York City, May 24, 1801, son of Joseph and Sally (Starr) Ingham. His father was a sailor in early life, but later settled in Steuben, Oneida County, N. Y., on lands be- longing to the Baron Steuben Grant, having several retired sea captains near him, and there spent the remainder of his life as a farmer. Here Samuel S. Ingham grew to manhood, fol- lowing farming until 1839, when he came to Illinois and located on Government land in the Town of Sugar Grove, Kane County. In 1842, when these lands came into market, he bid in the entire township under an arrangement with the "Sugar Grove Claim Association," for the protection of the settlers. From his arrival here until his death, March 17, 1864, he held many positions of trust and responsibility, and was a leader in all movements for the promo- tion of the welfare of the people of Kane County. In 1838 he married Miss Nancy Owens, of Oneida County, N. Y., and their children who lived to maturity were: Joseph, Squire, John and Adaline (now Mrs. Spencer of Au- rora). Joseph, John and Adaline were living in 1903; Squire died in 1895.

E. KINNEY ISBELL, retired railroad man, Aurora, was born at Lenox, Mass., Oct. 17, 1833, educated at Lenox Academy, and trained to a farming life. In 1854 he came west with his father, with whom he engaged in farming until the death of the latter placed upon the son the responsibility of providing for the support of the family. In 1860 Mr. Isbell entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as a locomotive fireman. three years later becoming an engineer, and during his twenty-two years of service in this position, had the almost unique record of hav- ing never had a passenger killed and but one injured through his own fault. In 1885 he re- tired from railroading to devote his attention to

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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

his considerable real-estate interests; was one of the original stockholders in the Aurora Cotton Mills, of the old Second National Bank, and of the Aurora National Bank, besides being the owner of valuable farm property in Kane County. In 1869 he married Miss Alice C. Hitchcock, who was born in Connecticut, and accompanied her parents to Aurora in 1855.

JAMES ISBELL (deceased), pioneer, was born in Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., May 10, 1779; grew up in that State and left there for the West in 1834, driving through to his destination with two yoke of oxen and reached Sugar Grove, May 10, of that year; became the first permanent white settler in the township. He passed the latter years of his life at Ba- tavia, Ill., and died there some time after 1877.

CLINTON F. IRWIN, lawyer and Federal Judge of the Second District of Oklahoma, was born in Franklin Grove, Lee County, Ill .. Jan. 1, 1854, removed with his parents to Maple Park, Kane County, in 1860; was educated in Maple Park public schools, at Wheaton Col- lege and Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School; in 1872 began teaching, which he continued until 1879, when, having studied law, he was admitted to the bar. He began practice at Maple Park, but in 1883 opened an office at Elgin, becom- ing senior member of the firm of Irwin & Egan. In February, 1599, he was appointed by Presi- dent Mckinley Territorial Judge of the Second District of Oklahoma, and in 1903 was reap- pointed by President Roosevelt. He married Miss Julia Egan, of Elgin, in 1880.

RICHARD P. JACKMAN, manufacturer, El- gin, Ill., was born at Goffstown, N. H., Dec. 16, 1834, the son of Jonathan M. and Elvira ( Chess- man) Jackman, who were of New England an- cestry. The son was educated in the public schools of his native State, and in his early manhood learned the trade of molder. In 1856 he removed to Iowa, where, for a time, he rep- resented an Eastern mercantile house, but later returning to New Hampshire, he remained there until 1865, when he came to Illinois and estab- lished his home in Elgin. For many years he was head of the firm of R. P. Jackman & Son, iron founders and machinists, which he had es- tablished and built up, but later the plant was

sold to the Elgin Manufacturing Company. Thereafter he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in Denver, Colo., Nov. 16, 1900. He was one of the founders and the first President of the Elgin Loan and Home- stead Association, and one of the organizers of the Elgin City Railway Company, serving on the first Board of Directors; was also identified with other Elgin corporations in an official ca- pacity and as a stockholder. For four years he was a member of the Elgin Board of Alder- men, and his fraternal connections were with the Masonic Order, in which he had attained the degree of Knight Templar. In 1857 he married Miss Samantha Clark, daughter of George and Abigail (Berry) Clark, of Norwich, Vt., and their children are: George L. and Mrs. Isa- bel (Jackman) Joslyn. Their son, George L. Jackman, was born in Nashua, N. H., Nov. 20, 1860, and received his education in the Elgin Academy, graduating in the class of 1876. Soon after leaving school he became junior member of the firm of R. P. Jackman & Son, and was identified with the iron industry until 1892. He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, affiliating with Oriental Consistory and Medinah Temple, Chicago, Bethel Commandery. Loyal Legion, and other organizations.

HERMAN N. JANES, merchant, Aurora, born in East Berkshire, Vt., Dec. 27, 1849, son of Nelson L. Janes, whose career is briefly noted elsewhere in this volume, was brought by his family in 1853 to Racine, Wis., where the son secured his early education. In 1865 the fam- ily removed to Aurora, and here Herman N. was graduated from the High School. Some years later he went to Elgin and was there con- nected with the National Watch Company for a year, but returning to Aurora bought a small furniture store, which proved the modest be- ginning of a large business. In 1880 he bought Newland block, which he increased to three times its original size, and now uses all the space it affords in his business. A natural me- chanic, much of his leisure time is given to the finishing and decoration of his house in fine woodwork. In 1876 he married Miss Mary R. Weeks, only daughter of Charles Weeks, al old-time merchant of Aurora. Mr. and Mrs. Janes have traveled much throughout the United States and Canada. Their living chil- dren are: Charles N., Mabel H., Carrie B., Grace M. and Donald R.

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NELSON L. JANES ( deceased ), pioneer, Au- rora, Ill., was born in Berkshire, Vt., Aug. 26. 1816, and was reared on a farm, where he re- ceived a very fair education. In 1854 he came to the West as a representative of the Fair- banks Scale Company, and for many years trav- eled extensively throughout the Northwest in its interest. For about ten years he had his home at Racine, Wis., but in 1865 removed to Aurora, where his remaining years were spent. Here he proved himself a useful and public- spirited citizen. His private residence was a fine structure, and he built several handsome houses which added to the appearance of the city. He was a member of the old New England Congre- gational church, and one of its most liberal and reliable supporters. The American Bible So- ciety, as well as other organizations looking to the public good, found in him a generous friend. His death occurred April 3, 1900, in his eighty-fourth year. His widow, who was Miss Harriet Hawley Stone, survived him until May 12, 1903. His living children are Mrs. C. W. Anthony and H. N. Janes, both of Aurora.

DENNISON R. JENCKS, pioneer and retired merchant, Elgin, Ill., was born Oct. 13, 1837, in Adams, Mass., son of Henry Jencks, and came with his parents to Illinois. His father ob- tained a farm near Barrington, Cook County, where he remained until 1855, when he sold out, and moving his family to Dundee, embarked in the grocery business at that point, which he continued for a few years. There Dennison R. Jencks obtained employment as a clerk when fifteen years old, first with a drug firm, with which he remained for eight years, when he went into the drug business for himself as the junior member of the firm of Oatman & Jencks. This firm remained unchanged for three years, when Mr. Jencks sold out, and became a part- ner with C. F. Hall in the dry-goods and grocery trade. Two years later Mr. Jencks disposed of his interest in this enterprise to Mr. Hall, and opened a clothing house and shoe store, which he conducted in Dundee until 1873. Then re- moving to Elgin, he carried on his business there for a year, when he retired to take up a general insurance business, in which he was engaged until 1893, during that year retiring in favor of his son. Mr. Jencks was Postmaster of Dundee for six years, and Assistant Super- visor four years. For thirteen years he was

member of the City Council from the Second Ward. He was married Oct. 25, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Allen S. Hollister, of Dundee. She died in Elgin Jan. 13, 1897.

FRED W. JENCKS.

FRED W. JENCKS, Insurance Agent and Manager Opera House, Elgin, Ill., was born July 6, 1861, in Dundee, Ill., a son of D. R. Jencks, and came with his parents to Elgin in 1872. His education was secured in the city schools and in Elgin Academy, and when only sixteen years old he entered upon the insurance business, doing a general fire and life-work, in which he was decidedly successful. In 1886 he became manager of the Elgin Opera House, and has continued in charge to the present time. At the same time he became city bill poster in connection with the opera house business. He served as Alderman from the Second Ward two terms-from 1895 to 1899- and from 1901 to 1903 was President of the Water Board; was also President of the Illinois State Bill-Posters' Association from 1890 to 1896, and is at pres- ent a Trustee of the Association. He is a mem- ber of the M. W. of A., and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a trustee of the latter; is also a member of the Kane Lodge I. O. O. F. In 1884 Mr. Jencks married Miss Mary Ryne, of Elgin.

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JOHN T. JENCKS, druggist, Elgin, Ill .; born at Barrington, Ill., Feb. 20, 1850; edu- cated in the schools of his native village and Oberlin College ( Ohio) ; employed by the North- Western Railroad Company from 1870 to 1892 as brakeman and conductor. Since 1898 he has conducted a drug store in Elgin, which is known as The Elks Drug Store. Mr. Jencks was married first in 1878 to Miss Hattie Morse, who died in 1896. In 1897 he married his sec- ond wife, Miss Cora B. Hammond, of Harvard, Ill.

WILLIAM F. JOBBINS ( deceased ), manufac- turer and inventor, Aurora, Ill., was born in Worcester, Eng., June 29, 1836, where he was reared and given training as an accountant. In his young manhood he engaged in manufactur- ing in London, where he remained until 1865. He then came to the United States, establishing his home in New York City, where he became a member of the clothing manufacturing firm of Rogers, Feet & Co. While connected with this house he improved and brought into prac- tical use the noted cloth-cutting machine, now so widely used by clothing manufacturers. Be- coming half-owner of the patents taken out on this device and its improvements, he began the manufacture of the machine in New York. This machine has since been sold not only through- out this country and Canada but in England. and royalties are still paid the originators of the enterprise. About 1888 Mr. Jobbins ceased his connection with the management of the business, and shortly after came west for the purpose of making investments. As a result he purchased a tract of land in Aurora, where he established the Chemical Works, since become widely known, for the manufacture of machin- ery and chemicals used by all soap-makers in the making of glycerine. Mr. Jobbins continued his residence and general office in New York un- til 1896, when he removed with his family to Aurora. He built up a large industry here, which is still carried on under the old name, be- ing now under the management of his son, F. Hedley Jobbins. Mr. Jobbins died March 16, 1901, in Greenwich, Conn., to which place he had gone for medical treatment. His widow, born Frances Hobson, a native of Worcester. Eng still resides in Aurora. Mr. Jobbins was long interested in the work of the Y. M. C. A., took an active part in promoting it and was a generous contributor to its funds. He was

an elder in the Presbyterian church for many years while living in the East, but after com- ing West was one of the chief supporters of the New England Congregational church.

CHARLES B. JOHNSON, M. D., physician, Batavia, Ill .; born in Batavia, Jan. 25, 1867, son of Spencer and Sarah (Chaffee) Johnson-the father being a native of New York, and the mother, of Vermont. Charles B. Johnson was reared and educated in Batavia; read medicine in Chicago, graduated from Rush Medical Col- lege in 1892, and practiced medicine in Ba- tavia in 1893 and 1894, and in Chicago from 1894 until 1900. The latter year he returned to Batavia to resume his medical practice there, which he has continued to the present time (1903). He is in general practice, which is growing quite steadily. He belongs to the American Medical Association, and the Fox River Valley Medical Society. In 1895 he mar- ried Miss Cora E. Leach, of Chicago.

PETER JOHNSON, farmer. Elburn, Kane County, was born Nov. 10, 1850, in Sweden, where he was educated. He came to the United States while still quite a young man, and in 1870 was employed in lumbering in Michigan. In 1877 he came to Kane County, where he has become a very successful farmer, having charge of one thousand acres of lands belong- ing to John Stewart. For the year 1902 he was Vice-President of the Swedish Republican League of Illinois. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, and was married Sept. 20, 1882, to Johanna Mattison.

PETER H. JOHNSON ( deceased ), pioneer set- tler; born on Staten Island, N. Y., April 30, 1798; was one of the founders of Tompkins- ville, N. Y., where he engaged in merchandis- ing; came to Kane County, Ill., in 1842, and purchased 525 acres of land in Blackberry Township at what became known as Johnson's Mound. He was twice married, his first wife, whom he married in 1821, was Miss Ann Bo- gart, who died in 1867. In 1870 he married Mrs. F. B. Morehouse, who was born at Fowler- ville, N. Y., in 1827. She survives her husband and now lives in Batavia. Mr. Johnson died in Batavia, March 29, 1892.

WILLIAM S. JOHNSON, physician and sur- geon, Aurora, Ill .; born in the city where he

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now resides, Nov. 9, 1859; entered Rush Medi- cal College in 1879, receiving his degree of medicine from that institution in 1882; subse- quently. took a post-graduate course at the same institution, giving special attention to surgery and clinical work; began practicing his pro- fession at Bellevue, Iowa, but since 1890 has made his home in Aurora, where he has con- ducted a successful practice. In 1882 the Doc- tor was married to Miss Rose Cobb, of An- drew, Jackson County, Iowa, who died in Au- rora, Dec. 7, 1902.

ALBERT H. JONES ( deceased), Batavia, Ill., born in Whitehall, N. Y., March 19, 1824, came with his parents to DuPage County, Ill., in 1838, and was reared on the farm which his father bought from the Government. He lived thirty-nine years on a farm in DuPage County, and then removed to Batavia, where he died Sept. 14, 1898. Fifty years before he had mar- ried Miss Susan Warne, daughter of John Warne, who settled in DuPage County in 1834, and was one of the widely known pioneers of that early day. Mrs. Jones survives her hus- band and is a resident of Batavia. Few now living have so broad a knowledge of the early history of this portion of the State, her recol- lections going back to the Pottawatomie period, and her descriptions of pioneer days and ex- periences are extremely interesting. Always devoted to the doing of good, she is noted for her kindness to her neighbors in time of sick- ness and distress, and her memory lingers like a benediction with the younger generation. She has frequently nursed in families where contagious diseases were prevailing, but has always escaped the contagion. Born in Warren County, N. J., in 1826, the twin sister of Mrs. Gates, the mother of John W. Gates, of Chicago, Mrs. Jones preserves in her family many his- toric relics, including a bowl and tea-pot made in the first china-ware factory established in the United States, and a pair of the first shears manufactured in this country. She has also gathered much valuable historical data, and is regarded as unquestioned authority on the early settlement and development of the country in which she has lived seventy years.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County, Part 159

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