History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical), Part 42

Author: Blanchard, Rufus, 1821-1904
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 544

USA > Illinois > DuPage County > History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical) > Part 42

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Prussia. Henry Rassweiler, the father of sub- ject, was married in Prussia, came to the United States in 1831 and settled in Pennsyl- vania, where he followed bis trade-that of a weaver. In 1850, he came to Illinois and settled in Stephenson County, where he en- gaged in weaving. while the male members of his family followed farming. He is now seven- ty-seven and his wife seventy-nine years of age ; they live retired in the village of Dakota. Stephenson Co .. Ill. The subject of this sketch early assisted his father in weaving, and, hav- ing received a fair education, began teaching school at the age of sixteen. When seventeen years of age, he entered the Northwestern College at Plainfield. Ill., but was unable to attend regularly, on account of ill-health, for the next three years or more, but afterward attended regularly and graduated in 1870, having taught in the college part of the time during his at- tendance in order to meet the expenses of his tuition. After graduating, he made a regular engagement with the college, acting as tutor for several years, then Assistant Professor of Mathematics until 1879, when he left the col- lege for a two years' furlough, which time be spent in California managing a branch office of the Western Publishing House, Chicago, with which establishment he has been connected since 1875. On his return from California, in 1881, he became Professor of Mathematics in the college, which position he now holds. In 1871, he married Lizzie E. Harlacher. a native of Wisconsin, daughter of Rev. Joseph Har- lacher, now of Cedar Falls, Iowa. From this union three children have been born, viz., George F., Katie MI. and Inez Josephine.

PROF. H. H. RASSWEILER, A. M .. nat- ural science. Naperville. The eldest of a PROF. C. F. RASSWEILER, A. M .. teacher of mathematics, Northwestern College, Naperville, was born in Allentown, Penn., in 1846, young- est child of a family of five born to Henry and family of seven children. Is a native of Or- wigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Penn., born April 3. 1842. In 1857, the family removed to Illinois and settled in Stephenson County, where they Catharine B. (Hoffman) Rassweiler, natives of | engaged in farming. Subject, at the age of

BIOGRAPHICAL:

seventeen, began teaching in the district schools of Stephenson County, and also assist- ed his father on the farm. When he became twenty years of age, he entered the North- western College at Plainfield, Ill., and, by teaching during the college vacations and act- ing as tutor in the college, he earned sufficient money to give him a thorough collegiate edu- cation. He graduated in 1868, and was ap- pointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science, which position he maintained till the spring of 1881, when, owing to the increase in his classes in natural science, he resigned his position as Professor of Mathematics, and has since given his attention solely to the natural science department. In 1868, he married a former classmate of his, S. Victoria Harlacher, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., who has borne him two children, viz., Lorena Belle and Harry Clinton. Prof. Rassweiler has been Superin- tendent of the Sunday School in connection with the college since its organization in 1870; he is a member of the Illinois Conference Evangelical Association; was licensed in 1876 and ordained in 1880. The Professor's par- ents, Philip and Dora (Hacseler) Rassweiler, were natives of Germany. Philip came to the United States when a young man and set- tled in Lehigh County, Penn., where he learned the weaving trade, and afterward worked with his wife's father in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Penn. Was married in 1841; in 1844, moved to Millersburg, Penn., and, in 1857, to Illinois, where he has since followed farming. His wife came to America with her parents, who were weavers, and settled in Schuylkill County, Penn.

A. McS. S. RIDDLER, cashier for W. Scott & Co., bankers, Naperville, is a native of the city of New York ; born in 1837 ; second child of a family of nine children born to John J. and Elizabeth (Sanderson) Riddler, natives of Scotland, where they were married, and where also their eldest child was born. John J.

Riddler and family came to the United States in 1837 ; lived one year in New York City, thence moved to Chicago; thence, in 1838, to Flag Creek, Cook Co., Ill., where he carried on farming ; in 1840, moved to Du Page County ; thence, in 1844, to the village of Naperville. In 1843, he became Deputy Recorder, and, in 1847, was elected Recorder, serving in that office from 1850 to 1854. Was engaged in mercantile business in Naperville ; was Post- master there fiom 1856 to 1860, and thereafter held the office of Justice of the Peace until his death, in 1866. Ifis widow lives on the old homestead in Naperville. The subject of this sketch received a fair education, and, when thirteen years old, entered his father's store in Naperville. In 1855, secured a posi- tion as clerk in a store in Omaha, Neb., which he resigned in 1859 on account of ill health, and returned to Naperville, where he secured the office of Treasurer, and was elected Clerk in 1861. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; served three years and ten months, and was mustered out in July, 1865, as First Lientenant, having attained to that rank by successive promotions from Fifth Corporal. During his time of serv- ice, he participated in the battles of Beverly Ford and Hazel Run, W. Va., South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg and other engagements in which his regiment took part. Returned to Naperville at the close of the war. He was elected Village Clerk in 1866, which office he held till 1873. In 1867, he engaged as clerk in Dr. Daniels' drug store, where he remained until 1872, when he took his present position, cashier for the banking firm W. Scott & Co. He has filled the offices of Village Trustee for three years and President of the Board one year. In 1874, he married Mary D. Collins, a native of Naperville, daughter of John Collins, one of the early residents of this vicinity.

LOUIS REICHE, hardware and agricultural implements, tin manufacturer, Naperville, is

NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP.

a native of Hoenstein, Saxony, born in 1839, and is the fifth in a family of eight children born to Fritz G. and Caroline (Eidam) Reiche, natives of Saxony. In 1850, the family came to the United States and bought a farm in Cook County, which they occupied, but afterward sold to a railroad company and bought another place near the Indiana line, and farmed until about 1867, since which time he has lived re- tired, being now eighty-one years of age. Mrs. Reiche died in Chicago about 1860. Our sub- ject lived with his parents until he was eighteen years of age. At sixteen. he was apprenticed to the tinner's trade, in Chicago, serving about two years ; then came to Naperville in 1857, and finished his trade, working as journeyman several years in Chicago and other places. In 1863. he came back to Naperville and worked for Mr. Fridley, and in 1867 he and Mr. W. H. Hillegas formed a partnership and bought the business which they have continued since. In 1864, he married Miss Elizabeth Hickel, a native of France, who came to Du Page County, Ill., with her parents, when quite young. They have two children-Otto and Edwin ; also, liv- ing with them, is Elizabeth, daughter of George Hickel (deceased). Is a member of the Lu- theran Church, and independent in politics.

SAMUEL H. RICKERT, farmer, P. O. Na- perville, is a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., born in the year 1841, and is the younger of two children born to John and Rebecca (Clow- ser) Rickert, natives of Pennsylvania, who, in 1845, moved west by teams to Cleveland ; tlience by lake to Chicago ; thence to Naperville, and bought a farm southwest of the town, where they farmed until his death in 1847; she re- mained on the place a few years, and married Mr. John Messner, and they moved to Brook- ville, Ogle Co., Ill., where he died ; she is liv- ing in Brookville at the present time. Our subject lived at home until he was twenty-one. On becoming of age, he married Miss Elizabeth Hummel, a native of Pennsylvania, who came

to Ogle County with her parents. After mar- riage they rented a farm, and the next year oc- cupied a place of his own in Ogle County, and farmed six years ; he then bought a place in Du Page County, and lived on the place for three years. He then moved to Naperville, where he lived four years ; then bought a farm, and farmed it some three years. He then went to Nebraska, where he lived about one year, and returned to Du Page County, and rented his present place, and two years later bought the same. In 1865, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Illinois Infantry, Company K, and served about seven months. He is a Republican in politics. By the marriage there have been three children -Amelia C., John C. and Gertrude H. Mr. Rickert owns a number of fine stock, and a fine seven-year-old Clydesdale stallion. He owns 115 acres, located one mile north of Naperville.

DANIEL N. RESSLER, farmer, P. O. Naperville, is a native of Du Page County, Ill., born on his present place in the year 1847, and is the fourth of eight children born to Joseph and Susan (Swilley) Ressler, who were natives of Lancaster County, Penn. They married there, and came to Du Page County, Ill., in 1842, where they lived until their death-he, in July, 1881, and she, in May, 1879. He was a miller in his native State, but followed farming in the West. Our subject was raised on his present place, and, in addition to the common schools, at- tended the Northwestern College, at Plain- field, Ill., a number of terms. In his twenty- second year, he married Miss Hannah Rick- ert, a native of Kane County, Ill. After the marriage, he rented his father's farm a few years, and then moved to Iowa, where he farmed in Black Hawk County for four years. He then returned to Du Page County, Ill., and rented his father's farm again, and, after his father's death, he bought his present place, being the old homestead. He owns

BIOGRAPHICAL:

eighty acres, located two miles southwest of Naperville. By this marriage there have been five children, four of whom are living- Oscar. Wilson and William, and Robert.

WILLARD SCOTT, Sr., banker, Naperville, was born at Unadilla, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 20, 1808. His father, Stephen J. Scott, was, in early life, a sea-faring man, having been the owner and master of a schooner bearing his name, and engaged in the coast trade along the eastern shore of our country. The mother, whose maiden name was Hadassah Trask, was a relative of Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolution- ary fame. They were married in Connecticut, and moved from Hartford to Unadilla, Otsego Co., N. Y. In 1816, the family moved to Mary- land, where they lived about ten years. During this time, Willard Scott, Sr., received his edu- cation, which was confined to the district school course of study, except a short special course in mathematics. His desire was to be a sailor, as his father before him, but abandoned the idea, yielding to his mother's entreaties, to whom a sailor's life seemed full of peril. In 1825, his father determined on seeking a new home in the West. The family visited New York. and then started for St. Joe, Mich. At Buffalo, N. Y., the father shipped the household goods, going with them by sail vessel to De- troit, and Willard. with the family, started over- land through Canada. At Detroit, the family went by schooner for St. Joe, save Willard, who, in company with a man from Ohio, crossed the country in order to meet the goods which had been sent in advance. The journey was a perilous one, there being no habitation save the Indians, and no route marked except by blazed trees and Indian trails, through the dense Michigan forests. They arrived ten days ahead of the boats, during which time they lived on corn and potatoes obtained from a Frenchman who lived on an island in the river. Not liking the east side of the lake, the family crossed and built a habitation with posts, poles

and blankets, at Gross Point, now Evanston, theirs being the first house at the place. In 1829, July 16, at Holderman's Grove, our sub- ject was married to Caroline Hawley. Her father, Pierce Hawley, moved from Vermont to Vincennes, Ind., in 1818, and later moved to Illinois, living at varions places, settling at Holderman's Grove in 1825. In the fall of 1830, Willard, with his father, father-in-law, and their families, settled at the junction of the two branches of the Du Page River, three miles south of Naperville. At that time, Cook Coun- ty included the present counties of Lake, Mc- Henry, Du Page and Will. Chicago was the voting place, and of the thirty-two votes polled that year, the father of our subject heads the list. In 1832, the Black Hawk War broke out, and Willard's knowledge of the habits and wiles of the Indians made him a useful man to the settlers during those perilous months. In the spring of 1838, he removed to the village of Naperville, where his father had preceded him the previous year. He built the Naper- ville Hotel, which he conducted for eight years. IIe then commenced merchandising, and for nearly twenty years, most of the time with his eldest son, Thaddeus (since deceased, leaving one son, Willard H.), continued the business by which the firm name of Willard Scott & Co. has been made historical. After the late war of the rebellion, he retired from active business life as a merchant, in which, however, he has been succeeded by his son, Willard Scott, Jr., who continues the business under the same firm name. During the time of his residence in Naperville, he has been President, first, of the Du Page County Bank and afterward of the Bank of Naperville, and since he retired from mercantile life has been doing business as a private banker ; and the banking house of Willard Scott & Co., is considered one of the absolutely safe institutions of its class in North- ern Illinois. An attendant of the Congrega- tional Church, his religious views may be

NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP.

classed as orthodox, except for a strong lean- ing toward the belief of the final salvation of all, through the Savior. In politics. he is a Democrat; voted for Jackson, loved Douglas, and with him believed in " obeying the laws and supporting the Constitution." Mr. and Mrs. Scott have both been residents of Illinois for more than half a century, and all that time have lived near Chicago. They have seen and helped to produce the remarkable progress of this seetion, and now move around amid their children, grandchildren and neighbors, enjoy- ing the confidence, esteem and respect of every- body.

REV. A. A. SMITH, A. M., President Northwestern College, Naperville, is a native of Berkshire County, Mass., born November 23, 1806. His early life was spent on a farm. and there began his thirst for knowledge. His means and the times were not favorable for obtaining an education, but he was fond of books. and spent many hours by the fire- side in study. However, he obtained a few short terms of instruction at the district sehools, and, at the age of seventeen, began teaching during winter. later attending two terms at an academy in Lenox. Mass. At the age of twenty-one, he moved to Ashtabu- la County, Ohio, where he was alternately engaged in teaching and studying; was also for a short period in the mercantile business. He taught first in the public school, and then in an academy; then attended Oberlin Col- lege for a year or more, and, in 1838, began teaching in the Grand River Institute. finally becoming its President, and continuing with the institution until 1857, when he resigned and became Principal of the Greensburg Seminary, which position he held for five years. While there, he received the lionor- ary degree of A. M. from the Farmers Col- lege of Cineinnati, Oliio. In 1862, he was called to Plainfield, Ill., as the President of

the Northwestern College, and has continued in his position since. May 23, 1833, he mar- ried Miss Eliza Cowles, a native of Litehfield County, Conn., born in 1808. They have one child. While in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Mr. Smith was licensed to preach by the Congregational Conference, and was or- dained a minister while at Greensburg.

HENRY COWLES SMITH, A. M., Pro- fessor, Northwestern College. Naperville, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in the year 1839, only child of the Rev. A. A. Smith. A. M .. and Eliza Cowles, with whom he has always made his home. He received a dis- triet and academic course of study, and, at the age of eighteen, began teaching in the Greensburg Seminary. In 1860, he entered Oberlin College, graduating in 1863. Mr. Smith is a natural musician, and, early in life, matured to a more than ordinary musi- cian, as early as the age of fifteen beginning to give instruetions in vocal and instramen- tal music. After graduating from Oberlin College, he came to Plainfield, Ill., and en- gaged as teacher of music in the college, and in 1869 he became Professor of Languages, Latin and Greek. Since 1870, he has been Professor of Latin and Music. In July, 1863, he married Miss Mary H. Dreisbach. of Cireleville. Ohio; they have had five children: Annie May (died). Fannie Eyre, Mattie Eliza. Lucy Jewett, Henry Augustine and Charles Arthur.

G. W. SINDLINGER, Professor of Greek in Northwestern College, Naperville. was born in Tioga County. Penn .. March 5, 1843: was raised on the farm, where he remained with his parents, who were in moderate eir. cumstances. until he was twenty years of age. He attended the common sehools, and after- ward a select school, and. being desirous of obtaining, a thorough education, devoted him- self zealously to his studies. At nineteen

BIOGRAPHICAL:

years of age, he began the business of life, teaching public school in winter and working at the carpenter's trade during the summer. He came to Illinois, locating in Freeport, where he followed teaching and carpentering till the summer of 1864, when he enlisted in Company G, Ninety-second Illinois Mounted Infantry, and remained in service ten months. Soon after enlisting, and while on their way to join their regiment, which was with Sher- man, the new recruits were detached to serve under Maj. Cox, with Gen. Thomas, and took part in the three days' engagement at Nash- ville, afterward engaging in a six weeks' campaign in pursuit of Hood through Ten- nessee and Alabama. He returned to Nash- ville, thence by steamer to Louisville, thence by train to Crestline, Ohio, thence via Harris- burg and Baltimore to Annapolis, Md., thence by steamer to Fortress Monroe, thence to Beaufort and Newbern, N. C., thence on a campaign to Goldsboro, N. C., engaging in the battle of Kingston, and at Goldsboro joined his regiment. continuing in the com- mand until the surrender of Johnston. The day previous to the entrance of the army into Raleigh, the Ninety-second Regiment was on the advanced guard, and were repulsed by the rear guard of Johnston's army, subject having a narrow escape from being captured. H. returned to Freeport, Ill., after the war, with $1,000. which he determined to devote to the procuring of an education. In the fall of 1865, he entered the Northwestern Col. lege, and graduated in the classical course in 1869, making three terms during vacations. He then took charge of the public schools of Naperville, and, after remaining there two years, resigned his position on account of ill health, and went to Weston, Mo., where he taught two years as Assistant Principal in the public schools of that place. Thence he went to Holden, Mo .; was Principal of pub-

lic schools there for two years; then traveled a year for his health. In 1876, he came to Naperville, engaged as Assistant Professor in the Northwestern College; and, in 1880, was appointed to his present position, Professor of the Greek Language in that institution. In 1870, he married Miss A. M. M. Pfeiffer, a na- tive of Pittsburgh, Penn .; they have one child, Edna G.

PHILLIP STRUBLER, Postmaster, deal- er in seeds, plants, etc., Naperville, is a na- tive of Warren County, Penn., born in 1832. second in a family of four children born to George and Saloma (Stocker) Strubler. They were natives of Alsace, France, and were married there, and came to the United States in 1832, locating in Warren, Penn., where he followed rafting on the Alleghany. In 1837, he came to Naperville and worked at his trade of shoemaking, walking to Chi- cago for leather: continued his trade here a number of years, when he engaged in farm- ing, living in town, and, after a few years, rented his land: continued to reside here until death, September 28, 1868; she died August 16, 1871. Our subject lived in Na- perville until 1854, when he went to Califor- nia via New York and Panama, and remained about five years engaged in mining the first eighteen months, after which he was on a ranch and followed teaming. In 1859, he returned to Naperville, and engaged, in com- pany with his brother George, in livery and staging, which they followed about ten years. and, about 1859 or 1860, they took the agency of the American Express Company. In 1866, our subject was elected Sheriff of the coun- ty, and served one term. At the end of the ten years, our subject sold the livery busi- ness to his brother, and, in connection with his agency of express, he engaged in the fruit and seed business. On April 26, his name was sent to the United States Senate,

NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP.

and he received the appointment of Post- master of Naperville. In 1860, he mar- ried Miss Maria Mottinger, a native of Ohio, and came with her parents to this vicinity when she was young. They have four children-Linnie M., Clinton P., Oliver W. and Arlette. Is a Republican; has served several terms in Town Council; also as As- sessor of Corporation.

CHARLES SCHULZ, tobacconist and bar- ber. Naperville, was born in Prussia in 1829, son of Carl and Henrietta (Geistler) Schulz, natives of Prussia. Carl Schulz was a com- missioned Government Pilot on the Baltic Sea for upward of forty years, and is now a pensioner, living retired. Charles received an ordinary education in the schools of his native land, and. at the age of fourteen, was apprenticed to the barber's trade in Stettin, Prussia. After learning his trade, he worked as journeyman in a number of the leading cities of Germany. From Berlin he went to London, England, where he stayed two years; thence to Liverpool, remaining there a year; and thence, in 1852, to America, and settled in New York City. He worked as a journey- man barber in New York for three and a half years, then opened a shop of his own, which be carried on for a year and a half, then sold out and came to Chicago, intending to locate permanently there, but, not liking the ap- pearance of the city at that time, came to Naperville and opened a shop, and has since conducted business there. In 1859, he add- ed the tobacco and cigar business; in 1873, sold out the barber business to one of his ap- prentices, and devoted his entire attention to the tobacco and cigar trade, which grew to large proportions, he traveling and selling goods in the adjoining counties. In Decem- ber, 1874. the frame building owned by Mr. Schulz, containing the tobacco store and bar- ber shop, was destroyed by fire, he suffering i

a loss of about $10,000, insurance only $1,- 000. After the fire, he purchased the good will of his former barber business and opened a shop, keeping also a stock of tobacco and cigars; improved the site of his former bus- iness place, to which he added a lot, and built his present two-story brick block, 30x- 70, located corner of Main and Jefferson streets, now occupied by the post office and his tobacco and barber business. In New York, in 1855, he married Eliza Jeep, a na- tive of Hanover, Germany, who has borne him five children, of whom three are living, viz., Bertha, Robert and Emma. In January, 1882, Mr. Schulz visited his parents, who are living in Prussia; his father is now eighty- one, his mother seventy-nine years of age.

JOHN F. STROHEKER, blacksmith. Na- perville, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1838. His mother died when he was seven years old, and, two years after his fa- ther and family emigrated to the United States and settled in Wayne County, Ohio. where they lived about eight years; thence removed to Plainfield, Ill., where they lived one year, and, in 1855, came to Naperville. Jacob, subject's father, who had followed farming in Ohio, began weaving carpet and doing general labor in Naperville after he came there; since 1877, however, he has been engaged exclusively in weaving. John F. worked at farming and teaming for a year. and, in the fall of 1856, was apprenticed to N. Lent, blacksmith, of Naperville, under whom he served two years: he then worked at his trade as journeyman at Joliet, Plain- field, Aurora and Kaneville, Ill. At the lat- ter place, August 8, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany A. Fifty-second Illinois Infantry, and was chosen Corporal. In the battle of Pitts- burg Landing, he received a wound in the left thigh, and came home to Naperville, and. June 18 following. again joined his regiment.

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History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical), Part 42

Author: Blanchard, Rufus, 1821-1904 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & co. Number of Pages: 544

Author: Blanchard, Rufus, 1821-1904
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 544