Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County, Part 167

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

USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County > Part 167

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

873

HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

War, and established the first store at Dundee, becoming closely identified with the mercan- tile trade until his retirement from active busi ness in 1880. He served as Postmaster of Dundee for eight years and was a Justice of the Peace as early as 1844. He was married in 1836 to Miss Lucy Curtis Mowrey.

DENNIS P. O'BRIEN, Catholic Clergyman, Aurora, Ill., was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1860; educated at Mount Millirey Seminary. Waterford, Ireland, studied theology at St. John's Seminary in the latter city, grad- uating from that institution in 1883; was ordained priest in the latter year, and for two years thereafter traveled and studied in Europe; came to the United States in 1885, and was Assistant Rector of St. Mary's Parish, Chicago; later was appointed Assistant Rector of St. Columbkills Parish for ten years; came to Aurora in 1897 to take charge of Holy Angel's Parish, and remained there three years; has since been Rector of St. Mary's Parish, Aurora.

DOMINICK O'MALLEY.

DOMINICK O'MALLEY, retired farmer, Maple Park, Kane County, Ill., born Jan. 1, 1812, in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1849, settling at St. Charles, Ill. He was largely employed for some years

in and around Joliet at railroad-grading work, and in 1857 bought a farm in the town of Vir- gil. He was a general farmer until 1893, when his eye-sight became seriously impaired. Since 1900 he has been entirely blind. In 1893 he moved to Maple Park, where he has since made his home with his daughter. He has been Road Commissioner, and has filled other local posi- tions. Mr. O'Malley was married Dec. 31, 1840, to Miss Judith Duffy, who died March 12, 1902. She became the mother of ten children, tour of whom died in Ireland. Two of the daughters and four of the sons of this marriage are still living.

ERNEST WRAY ONEAL, clergyman and lec- turer, Aurora, Ill., born at Glenwood, Iowa, August 29, 1863, the son of Rev. H. H. Oneal. D. D., one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of that State; was educated in the public schools and at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, grad- uating from that institution in 1885. He then took a course in Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, Ill., graduating there in 1889, when he was ordained to the ministry in the Method- ist Episcopal Church and admitted to the Rock River Conference the same year, being assigned to the pastorate of the church at River Forest, a suburb of Chicago. He has since had charges at Woodlawn Park, Chicago; Plato Center and Ashton, Ill., and in 1899 was appointed to the pastorate of the Galena Street Methodist church, Aurora, which (1904) he still occupies. Mr. Oneal has gained distinction as a pulpit orator and lecturer. In 1887 he was married to Grace Ellinwood, of Rochelle, Ill., and they have one daughter, Janet Oneal.

RENALVIN OUTHOUSE ( deceased ), farmer, Lily Lake, III., born near Lily Lake, April 22. 1852; obtained his education in the public schools and at Jennings Seminary and Business College, Aurora, and later engaged in farming on his father's homestead, which was deeded to him previous to the latter's death; married Addie Leighton. Mr. Outhouse died Nov. 4, 1892.

WILLIAM W. ORMSBEE, dentist, Geneva, Ill., was born in Shoreham, Vt., March 8, 1832, son of John M. and Polly ( Wilson) Ormsbee, where he was reared on the farm and educated in the local schools, and Brandon Seminary. In 1853 he began the study of dentistry at Mid-

874

HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

dlebury, Vt., with Dr. Josephus Brockway. with whom he practiced for two years before setting up for himself in Brandon, Vt. In the spring of 1859 Dr. Ormsbee came to Geneva, Ill., where he located himself, and has since been in con- tinuous practice. He is undoubtedly the oldest dentist in Kane County, if not in the State. He was one of the original members of the Illinois Dental Society with which he has been con- nected more than forty years. For many years Dr. Ormsbee was actively connected with the drug business in Geneva, and has held various official positions in the city. Feb. 21, 1859, he was married in Miss Amanda C. Powers, daugh- ter ot Deacon Jacob Powers, of Brandon, Vt. She died in 1876, and two years later Dr. Ormsbee married Mrs. Frances Willard Smith, of Oberlin, Ohio, who died in 1895.

GEORGE WHEELER OSGOOD, retired mer- chant, St. Charles, Ill., born at Cambridgeport, Vt., Oct. 2, 1853; came to St. Charles, Kane County, in January, 1865; engaged in the gro- cery business at St. Charles in 1872, which he conducted until 1890; married in 1875 Charlotte P. Hall, of St. Charles.

JAMES F. PADELFORD (deceased), pioneer farmer, Dundee Township, Kane County, 111., born at Savoy, Mass., June 17, 1814; came to Illinois in 1845, locating in Dundee Township, Kane County, where he purchased 160 acres of land to which he made subsequent additions until his holding embraced 300 acres. He was engaged quite extensively in dairy farming, and personally conducted his farm up to the time of his death, June 15, 1883. Mr. Padelford was married in 1840 to Miss Prudence Pound of Canada, and they were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Mrs. Amanda Peck, Mrs. Phoebe Chaffee, W. H., Mrs. Ida M. Gilbert, and Mrs. Jennie P. Kerr. Mrs. Padelford died April 9, 1903.

RODOLPHUS WILLIAM PADELFORD (de- ceased ), pioneer, Elgin, Ill., born in Savoy, Berk- shire County, Mass., July 21, 1806, son of Manly and Thankful (Crapo) Padelford, descended from colonial families of combined English and French ancestry, Mr. Padelford being descended in a direct line from the famous Roger Wil- liams and John Rogers families, whose names are so prominent in colonial history. In Massa- chusetts he had the benefit of a school educa-

tion. In 1828 Mr. Padeltord established himself in Buffalo, N. Y., and was there interested in several enterprises. While living there he mar- ried Mary Wilber, a descendant of Samuel Wilber, who settled in Boston in 1634. In 1842 the family moved to Elgin, Ilì., where Mr. Padelford engaged in trade for a time and then opened a daguerreotype gallery, one of the first of its kind in Northern Illinois. In 1847 he was elected City Clerk of Elgin, filling the position until 1875. in 1857 he was elected Clerk of the City Court, holding the position until 1892; was also Secretary of the Northern Hospital for the Insane from its establishment until 1893. Mr. Padelford was one of the founders of the First Baptist church of Elgin, and served as clerk and deacon for more that fifty years; for the same time was Secretary of the Fox River Valley and Chicago Baptist Association, which increased in that period from five to seventy churches. Mr. Pad- elford was an active anti-slavery man, and an earnest, intelligent Baptist, who secured and kept the good will and respect of all who knew him. Mr. and Mrs. Padelford were renowned for hospitality and generosity. To them were born six children, four of whom are still living.

WILLIAM J. PARKER, retired merchant, Dundee, 111., born at Warren, Mass., March 3, 1819; grew to manhood in his native State, and came west in 1852, locating in Dundee, Ill .. October first of that year. He first engaged ill carpenter work, but later established a furni- ture store, which he conducted until 1888 when he retired from active business life, and has since devoted his time to looking after his realty interests. Mr. Parker was married Sept. 3. 1842, to Miss Ruth Litchfield, of Florida, Mass.

EDWIN C. PARRY, retired farmer, Elgin, Ill., born in Shropshire, England, August 28, 1843; came to the United States in 1871, locat- ing in Elgin about 1873, and became connected with John Newman's mercantile establishment ; later he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Plato Township, Kane County, following that occupation until the spring of 1901, when he removed to Elgin, which has since been his home. He was married in 1878 to Miss Sarah A. Pickering, and their children are: Maurice B., Edwin C., and Carl F .- another son, Ken- neth, died when seven years of age.

875

HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

CHARLES PATTEN (deceased), merchant, Geneva, Ill., born in Roxbury, Mass., in 1814. came to Illinois in 1837, and the same year opened a store in the first frame building erected in Geneva, where he carried on business until his death in 1887. He was one of the founders of the Geneva Unitarian church, and did much to build it up. He married Harriet F. Clarke, daughter of Scotto Clark. She died a few years after her husband, leaving no children.

GEORGE D. PATTEN (deceased), grain dealer and lumber merchant, Geneva, was born in Roxbury ( now a part of Boston), Mass., July 24, 1811, the son of William and Sally ( Williams) Patten. He was educated in the home schools, and trained to mercantile pur- suits in Philadelphia. He remained in that city until 1854, when he came west and settled in Geneva, Ill., whither his brother Charles had preceded him. There he engaged in the lum- ber and grain trade for many years, dying there in 1887. Mr. Patten was one of the early mem- bers of the Geneva Unitarian church, the second body of that denomination to be established in Illinois, and did much to promote its interests. During the years of anti-slavery agitation he belonged to the freedom-loving New England element in the State, and helped forward the movement that finally resulted in the abolition of human slavery. Two of his sons wore the Union blue, and one laid down his life for his country. Mr. Patten was married in 1840 to Miss Eliza Kellum, of Bordentown, N. J.

JOHN C. PATTERSON, physician, Batavia, Ill., was born in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1849, son of Dr. Richard J. Patterson, a widely-known specialist in the treatment of nervous diseases and the founder of Bellevue Place Sanitarium. The subject of this sketch was educated in pri- vate and public schools, and graduated from the Chicago Medical College in the class of 1872. He began medical practice at Bellevue Place Sanitarium, being assistant to his father until the latter retired from active practice. Doctor Patterson is still interested in the institution in a proprietary way.

RICHARD J. PATTERSON, M. D. (deceased ), founder of Bellevue Place Sanitarium, Batavia, Ill., was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1816, a descendant of Andrew Patterson who settled at Stratford, Conn., in 1686; graduated

from Berkshire Medical College in 1842, after which he served five years as Superintendent of the State Asylum for the Insane at Colum- bus, Ohio; still later spent a like period as Medical Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane at Indianapolis, Ind., and five years more in a similar capacity in connection with the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane. With this long experience in the treatment of ner- vous and mental diseases, Dr. Patterson came to Batavia, and in 1867 founded at that place the Bellevue Place Sanitarium, of which he continued to be proprietor and Superintendent up to the date of his death, which occurred in 1892.

CHARLES F. PAULL, retired farmer, Aurora, Ill., born in Medina County, Ohio, July 12, 1822, son of Richard and Clarinda (Gooding) Paull, was reared on the farm and educated in the local schools, and accompanied the family on its removal to Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, Ill., in 1841. Here he began life for himself on an 80-acre tract of Government land which has since been increased by later pur- chases to an entire section. For forty years he had been engaged in farming and stock-raising when he retired from active business in 1881 to make his home in Aurora. Here he has been identified for some years with the banking interests of the city, being a director of the Aurora National Bank. For six years he was Assessor of Sugar Grove Township, and has also filled other important local offices. Miss Lavina Brooks, who became his wife in 1846, died leaving three daughters and two sons, and his second wife, Jane Abbey, born in New York, was a resident of Kane County from her girlhood. She was killed in a street car acci- dent in Aurora in 1902. Mr. Paull's living chil- dren are: Mrs. Ann Waite, of Sugar Grove; Lewis F., Aurora; Mrs. Ella Doty, Sugar Grove; Mrs. Alice Newcomb, of Nebraska; and Charles E., Aurora.

STEPHEN G. PAULL (deceased), pioneer. was born at Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1812; grew to manhood in Medina County, Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1840, establishing his home in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 26, 1875. He was a thoroughly progressive farmer, and was one of the pioneer breeders of fine cattle in Illinois, as well as

876

HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

the first breeder of Durham cattle in the south- ern part of Kane County. His wife, who sur- vived him until 1894, was Roxy A. Barker, of Royalton, Ohio. Their surviving children at the present time (1903) are: J. B. Paull, of Lake City, Iowa; Mrs. Mary ( Paull ) Thompson, and Mrs. Florence ( Paull) Wing, of Aurora.

BENJAMIN S. PEARSALL, manufacturer, Elgin, Ill., born in Otsego County, N. Y., July 29, 1866; educated in the public schools of Illi- nois; in 1891 became connected with the S. E. Wood Butter Company of Elgin. with which he is still identified. In 1898, when this com- pany was incorporated, he became Secretary and Treasurer and also General Manager, positions he has since filled efficiently. He was married in 1893 to Miss Leah J. Calkins.

JOHN W. PEARSON (deceased), born at Witersham, Kent County, England, May 14, 1831; came to the United States in 1850, locat- ing first in New York State, where he learned the carpenter's trade; came west and first re- sided in Elgin and then at Belvidere, Ill., and later in Wisconsin; returned to Kane County in 1878, residing here the remainder of his days, dying February 23, 1903. Mr. Pearson was first married to Miss Cordelia Hayes and after her death, Miss Mary Coeller, who died in 1874. In 1875 he married his third wife, Mrs. Emma ( Plant) Weller. who, with their four sons and three daughters, survives him.

J. H. PEASE, pioneer merchant and financier, Aurora, Ill., born at Sardis, Ohio, August 8, 1834; came to Aurora with his parents in 1835; in company with L. O. Hill established the first electric light plant in the world, Aurora being the first city in the world lighted with electricity; was President for a time of the Wilcox Manufacturing Company; is now Presi- dent of the Richards Manufacturing Company, organized in January, 1903, and is also Vice- President of the First National Bank of Aurora. Mr. Pease was married January 1, 1867, to Miss Helen M. Forsyth, of Canada.

ELI PECK, pioneer citizen, Geneva Township, Kane County, Ill., was born at Sandgate, Vt., in June 1816, and reared in his native State, where he also obtained liis education in the public schools; came to Kane County. Ill., in the fall of 1843 and purchased a farm about

three and a half miles southwest of Geneva, npon which he resided until his death in Feb- ruary, 1892. Mr. Peck added to his holdings from time to time until he owned one of the largest estates in Kane County; was also interested in sheep-raising, being well known in connection with this branch of industry. He was married in 1839 to Miss Jerusha Sherman, of Sandgate, Vt., and they reared a family of eight children- four sons and four daughters.

GEORGE E. PECK, farmer and stock-raise". Geneva Township, Kane County, Ill., born at Sandgate, Vt., Jan. 18, 1842, son of Eli and Jerusha (Sherman) Peck; came with his par- ents to Kane County in 1843, where he grew to maturity and obtained his education in the public schools. In early manhood he joined his father in farming and stock-raising, but since the latter's death he and his brothers-Albert S., Frank and Seth E .- have conducted the estate as a whole, other members of the family also retaining their interests. The Peck estate embraces 2,200 acres, which is carried on in the most approved manner. Their dairy inter- ests are extensive, and as breeders of Spanish merino sheep, the Peck Brothers are among the most famous in the United States, making ship- ments to Australia, South Africa and Mexico, as well as to all parts of this country. They are members of the Vermont Sheep Breeders' Association. the New York Sheep Breeders Association, and the National Sheep Breeders' Association; are also interested in registered trotting horses, and have gained considerable prominence in this branch of stock-raising. Mr. George E. Peck is a member of the Board of Supervisors of Kane County, having served in this capacity nearly ten years.

GEORGE H. PECK, Elgin, retired farmer and wholesale milk-dealer, was born Sept. 21. 1839. in New Berlin, Chenango County, N. Y. His father, William R. Peck, was born in Rhode Island and the mother, Mary A. ( Hays) Peck. in New Berlin. N. Y. The family came west in April, 1852, to Dundee, Ill., where the father bought a farm. George H. Peck remained with his parents until he was of age, and then rented a farm for himself, which he held only six months, when, in September, 1861, he en- listed in Company K, Ffty-second Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. After the battle of Corinth he received an honorable discharge, and returning

877

HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

to Dundee, bought a farm of 120 acres, which he devoted to the cultivation of small fruits, sell- ing great quantities of raspberries and straw- berries in Elgin for many years. Mr. Peck was one of the original promoters of the Elgin Packing Company, now one of the best paying institutions of the kind in the country. In 1874 Mr. Peck sold his farm and removed to Chicago, where he engaged in the wholesale milk business, and soon was commanding an immense trade on the west side of the city. After twenty-two years of unbroken success, in 1896 he sold out and removed to Savanna, Ill., where he bought a farm of 680 acres, and has since lived retired from active business. Mr. Peck was married Jan. 11, 1860, to Miss Amanda, daughter of James F. Padelford, formerly of Dundee Township, Kane County, and they have two sons-Frank I. and W. R .- both of whom are residents of Elgin.

GEORGE M. PECK, merchant, Elgin, Ill., born at Dundee, Ill., August 14, 1843, obtained his elementary education in the public schools of his native village, and later took a commer- cial course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College (Chicago). In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, in which he became Commissary Sergeant and served until 1864, when his term of enlist- ment expired. Beginning his business career as clerk in a dry goods store in Elgin, he has been actively engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in that city since 1868. Mr. Peck is a Director of the Elgin City Banking Company, and President of the Elgin Wind Power & Pump Company. He was married in 1877 to Miss Julia C. Chapman, of Elgin.

ORVILLE PECKHAM, lawyer, Geneva, Ill., was born in Newport, R. I., Oct. 30, 1846, and was graduated from Brown University in 1867. In the spring of 1872 he removed to Chicago, where he has been engaged in the practice of law. Since 1892 he has made his home in Geneva.

ORA L. PELTON, physician and surgeon, Elgin, Ill., born at Sherman, Chautauqua Coun- ty, N. Y., in 1851; educated in the public schools and at the University of Michigan, graduating from the medical department of the latter insti- tution in the class of 1872; graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College (New York)

in 1874; studied at the University of Edinburg, Scotland, during the year 1875; practiced ten years at Elburn, Ill .; has since been one of the leading practitioners of Elgin.

HOSEA E. PERKINS.

HOSEA E. PERKINS ( deceased), retired far- mer, Elgin Township, Kane County, was born Nov. 8, 1819, in Jefferson County, N. Y., but received his education in Lorain County, Ohio, whither his parents removed when he was seven years old. His residence was maintained in Ohio until 1841, when he removed to Kane County, Ill., where he worked on a farm and taught school for some three years. At the end of that period he bought a farm about three miles south of Elgin, which continued to be his home for the remainder of his life. In 1894 his health failed, and he afterward lived a retired and quiet life. For a number of years Mr. Perkins served as Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor of his Township, and for twenty years was School Trustee. In 1849 he married Mary A. Bishop, who died in 1850, and three years later he married Elizabeth Hale, who became the mother of six children: Edson A., Harvey W., William M., Zilpha E., Albert G., and Mary E. Mrs. Elizabeth ( Hale) Perkins died Jan. 11, 1868, and on June 6, 1869, Mr. Perkins contracted a third marriage, Anna J.

878

HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.

Marshall becoming his wife. She was the mother of seven children: Louis A., Charles F., Anna E., Frederick E., Harry B., Chester M., and Eugene R. Mr. Perkins died February 25, 1904.

FRANCIS PERRY (deceased), pioneer far- mer, Dundee, Ill., born in Essex County, N. Y., August 5, 1812, came to Chicago in 1834 and purchased four acres of land on the lake front, which he later sold for a pair of boots and $5 in cash; came to Kane County the same year, and in 1838 entered a claim of 222 acres three miles north of Dundee, where he lived until his retirement in 1872. Mr. Perry was married March 14, 1839, to Miss Julia Haasz, and of this union there are now four living children- Mrs. C. A. Smith, Mrs. E. Colvin, Mrs. J. J. Skinner and Mrs. L. J. Corl. Mr. Perry died June 29, 1879; his wife surviving him until Dec. 11, 1901.

PETER PETIT, farmer and manager of creamery, Aurora Township, Kane County, Ill., was born in the township where he now re- sides, August 14, 1862; was educated in the public schools, and married, in February, 1885, Susan Leis. Mr. Petit began his business career as a farmer in Sugar Grove Township in 1887, returned to Aurora in 1891 and purchased the home farm in 1893; was elected manager of the North Aurora Creamery Company at the time of its organization in 1894, and is still actively engaged in that capacity. having been re-elected nine consecutive years.

ARTHUR B. PHELPS, farmer and stock- raiser, Kaneville, Ill., was born in New Berlin, Chenango, County, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1845, received his education in the New York schools, and in Illinois, whither his family had removed while he was still a youth. He attended a business college at Aurora one term. The family located on a farm one and a quarter miles east of Kane- ville, and Mr. Phelps now owns this place, which came into his possession after the death of his father in 1868. He has been School Trus- tee since 1902. Mr. Phelps was married Jan. 26, 1869, to Miss Maria Hartwell, by whom he has had six children, four sons and two daughters. One son is dead.

JOHN T. PHELPS, Geneva, was born in New Berlin, Chenango County, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1855,

son of P. M. and Almira ( White) Phelps. His parents coming to Illinois in 1861, settled on a farm in Kaneville Township, Kane County, and here Mr. Phelps was reared to farm life and educated in the local school. He has taken an active part in Republican politics, for several years being Secretary of the Republican Coun- ty Central Committee. In 1898 he was named by Governor Tanner as a member of the State Grain and Warehouse Commission, and he is still filling that position.

ALBERT A. PHILLIPS, retired farmer, Aurora, Ill., born in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County, Dec. 26, 1841; grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the Sugar Grove schools; was engaged in farming at the old homestead until 1868, when he sold his interest and removed to Kendall County, Ill., purchasing a farm and residing in that locality for fourteen years; later returned to Kane County and purchased a farm near Montgomery, but since 1891 has been retired from active business and has resided in Aurora. Mr. Phil- lips was married in 1866 to Miss Millis Brau. and their children are: Guy A., Frank L., Clar- ence A., Edmund B., Charlie F., Harold E. and Fay E.

C. B. PHILLIPS, manufacturer, Aurora, 111 .. born at Newark, Kendall County, 111., Jan. 6, 1870; at the age of fifteen years he established the "Newark Midget," which he conducted suc- cesfully for one year; came to Aurora in 1892, where he has since been actively identified with printing business, owning at the present time one of the largest printing establishments of its kind-druggist label printing-in the world. Mr. Phillips was married in 1896 to Miss Clara A. Dubroch, of Aurora.

JACOB W. PHILLIPS ( deceased ), pioneer, born in New York State and came to Illinois in 1839, locating on Government land in Sugar Grove Township, Kane County. He died on his farm about 1846. His wife was Betsy Holmes before her marriage, and came of an eastern family. She died in 1860. Their children are: Jerome, of Sugar Grove Township; Har- riet E., who died in Nebraska, and Albert, of Aurora.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County, Part 167

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