History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 45

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506

USA > Illinois > Grundy County > History of Grundy County, Illinois > Part 45

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Dr. Wills, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1855. In 1878, he received an hon- orary degree of the Chicago Medical College. In April, 1855, he began the practice of his profession at Morris, where he has continued ever since. There he engaged in the drug business in September, 1880; this he still fol- lows, in connection with his practice; he car- ries a good stock and has a fine trade. He has been Coroner for Grundy County the past sixteen years, Chief Engineer of the Fire De- partment six years, and has been a member of the Board of Education for the past four years. He enlisted in the Federal army, Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment, as Assistant Surgeon, in August, 1862, and returned home in August, 1865. Dr. Ridgway was married in this coun- ty, in 1869, to Alcinda B. Hoge, born in 1842, daughter of William Hoge, one of the oldest settlers in this county, born July 5, 1801, in Virginia, and is still living at his old home- stead in this county. His wife, Rachel (Bowles) Hoge, was born in Virginia in 1807, and died in this county in 1843. Subject has six children, four sons-Frederick William, Henry. A., George M. and Franklin S., and two daughters-Mary H. and an infant. Subject is a Presbyterian and a Republican.

THOMAS II. ROSS, miner. Morris, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, May 27, 1845, and here he lived until twenty years old, at which time, be- ing a member of the Ohio National Guards, he, with his regiment, was called into active serv- ice. In this enlistment, he served four months in Kentucky and Tennessee, after which he en- listed in Company A, of the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, remaining in the field until the close of the war. He came to Grundy County, Ill., in 1870, and worked in the coal mines of Brace- ville Township until 1876, when he came to Morris, and associated himself with Mr. John.

MORRIS CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

son in the mining business, the firm known as ris, but of any of the small cities of this part of the State. Mr. Scoville was married at Keno- sha, Wis., in January, 1856, to Elmira II. C. Cole, who was born in New York July 20, 1834, and 1 is a daughter of John and Lucy (Hicks) Cole. Mrs. Cole now lives with her son-in-law, our subject, at this place. Subjeet has four children -two sons, J. S. R., Jr., and De Lancy T. W., and two daughters, Nellie Z. Y. and Fanny Belle Wallace. Mr. Scovill has been Alderman two years ; is a member of the Board of Edu- cation, and has been elected Mayor seven times, notwithstanding that he is a Democrat, and in general elections the city goes Republican by a Johnson & Ross. He subsequently became owner of the entire mine, but soon sold a half- interest to A. F. Mallory. The partnership continued one year, when Henry Burrell be- came the successor of Mallory. Since then the firm has been known as Burrell & Ross, now operating on the line of the Chicago, Roek Island & Pacific Railroad. On the 8th of Sep- tember, 1875, Mr. Ross was married, to Miss Bell Peacock, daughter of John Peacock, one of the first settlers of the county; she was born in Morris September 19, 1844. They have two daughters-Gertrude I., born December 30, 1876; and Lizzie H., born June 4. 1881. Mr. | handsome majority ; this shows the popularity Ross is a member of the Masonic fraternity; his wife is a member of the Episcopalian Church. They own thirty acres of valuable property in the eastern part of the city, adjoin- ing the paper car-wheel manufactory. Their residence is on Fremont avenue, west of Nettle Creek.

of our subject. He has two maiden sisters living in a house built by his grandfather in New York more than one hundred years ago. Our sub- ject has followed four generations to the grave from his place ; first, his great-grandmother, at the age of ninety-two years ; next, his grand- father and grandmother ; next, his father and mother ; and next, a brother and a sister.

HON. J. S. R. SCOVILL, jeweler and Mayor of Morris, was born in Johnstown, Fulton Co., CHARLES SPARR, harness shop, boots and shoes, Morris, was born in Germany, April 5, 1836 ; is the son of Nicholas Sparr, a native of Germany, born in 1800, a harness-maker by trade, died in Germany about 1870. Our sub- ject attended school in his native place until sixteen years of age, when he came to this country ; the voyage, which took twenty-eight days, he made alone. He spent two years at Columbus, Ohio, working at the trade of har- ness-making ; from there he came to Oswego, Kendall Co., Ill., where he remained from 1854 to 1856, when he came to Morris, and continued the harness business. In 1868, he formed a partnership with George Woelfel, in the tannery business. This he continued for twelve years, or until January 1, 1880, when he dissolved the partnership, Mr. Sparr taking the harness and boot and shoe departments, and Mr. Woelfel the tannery business. Mr. Sparr does a thriv- N. Y., May 18, 1832 ; son of Rev. John Seo- vill, who was also born in New York, in 1804, and in the same house that our subject was born in ; the mother, Clarissa (Young) Scovill, was also born in the same town in 1806. The Rev. Mr. Scovill was a clergyman of the Epis- copal Church, and died in December, 1861, and his wife died in 1870. The parents raised four children to maturity-one son, our subject, and three daughters. Subject was educated at Johns- town, common school and academy. He began in the jewelry business in Lyons, N. Y., with a cousin, with whom he learned the trade. IIe left New York in 1855, and went to Waukegan, Ill., and two years afterward to La Porte, Ind., where he remained five years ; thence to Chi- cago, and remained there till 1866, at which time he came to Morris, and has followed the jewelry business ever since. He now owns not only the leading jewelry establishment of Mor- , ing business ; owns several store rooms and a

BIOGRAPHICAL:

good briek residence at Morris. He was mar- ried at Oswego, Kendall County, in 1856, to Catharine Wolf, who was born in Germany in June, 1836. They have had eleven children born to them, ten of whom are still living, viz., Joseph, William, Harry, Frank, Mary, Kittie, Carrie, Hattie, Birdie and an infant. Several years ago, Mr. Sparr was City Treasurer for two years ; he also acted as Supervisor for two years. He is a Republican.

WILLIAM STEPHEN, retired farmer, P. O. Morris, is a native of Scotland; was born May 26, 1817, and came to the United States in 1837; he is a sou of William and Elizabeth (Cruickshank) Stephen, both natives of Scot- land. Subject left Scotland the 24th of April, 1837, and reached New York City some time in the following June, having been on the sea some six weeks. He reached Chicago July I, 1837; left there the 4th of the same month, ar- riving at Lisbon, La Salle County, Ill., on the 7th; thence to what is now Nettle Creek, Grun- dy County, where he made his first purchase of land, one-fourth seetion, in Section 20. The 22d of November, 1837, Mr. Stephen was caught out in a severe snow storm, and was so badly frozen that it was necessary to amputate two of his toes, and the ends of his fingers were so frozen that they bear the sears to this day; he lived on the aforesaid farm about one year and afterward settled near Lisbon, Kendall County, where he lived with the exception of two years, till 1869; one of these years was spent in Grundy County, and the other in La Salle County. He next moved on a farm which he purchased near Morris in 1869, where he re- mained about six years, and in December, 1875, moved to the city of Morris, where he still re- sides. Subject owns at present about 1,400 aeres of good farming lands in this and Ken- dall Counties, besides city property in the su- burbs of Chicago, consisting of about ninety lots, and two good residences in Morris. After his misfortune of getting frozen, when a young

man, Mr. Stephen found himself without any means whatever, and what property he now owns is the result of his own efforts, showing what can be accomplished by well directed dili- gence. Mr. Stephen was married in the town of Big Grove, Kendall County, February 27, 1843, to Margaret Waterman, daughter of Isaiah and Hester (Van Vrankin) Waterman. Mrs. Stephen was born December 16, 1825. They have had ten children born to them, seven liv- ing, four sons, viz., William I., Merritt J., Charles M. and Fred L., and three daughters, viz,. Ella, wife of Charles B. Collins; Helen. wife of Albert E. Cogwin, and Hettie J., wife of Frederick Page. Mr. Stephen, wife and one son are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Subject has been Justice of the Peace for two terms, Assessor eleven years for the town of Big Grove; is now a member of the Board of Education here, and also Superintendent of Grundy County Poor Farm; he is a Republican.

M. W. STEINER, dentist, Morris, is a native of Pennsylvania; born April 12, 1855; son of Andrew Steiner, born in Pennsylvania in 1822; a bridge-builder by occupation, and is still liv- ing in Pennsylvania; his wife, Henrietta (Wiley) Steiner, was born in Pennsylvania in 1824, and died in 1878. The parents had twelve chil- dren born to them, nine of whom are living, four sons, of whom our subject is the third, and five daughters. Mr. Steiner was educated prin- cipally at Morris; graduated in dentistry at Philadelphia Dental College in 1876. Subject came to this place when eleven years of age, all alone, to visit his married sister, Mrs. Dr. Murray, with whom he made his home till Oc- tober, 1879. He began the practice of his pro- fession in 1876, and by industry aud elose at- tention to business, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his business, he has built up a fine practice. Mr. Steiner was married in this city October 2, 1879, to Miss Lilly Grant born Jannary 15, 1856, daughter of Judge C. Grant, of this place. He was a native of Scotland,

MORRIS CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

born in 1821, and died here in January, 1881. Mr. Steiner is a member of the Congregational Church; subject is a member of the Masonic order, and Secretary of the Morris Cutlery Com- pany ; he was City Clerk in 1880; is one of the officers of the fire department, and a Republi- can in politics.

JOHN SCHOBERT, dry goods, etc., Morris, was born in Germany, July 11, 1847, and came to the United States in June, 1855, with his parents. His father, John William Schobert, was born in Germany. November, 13, 1815, and his mother, Margaretta C. (Zeitler) Schobert was born in Germany, February 16, 1822. The parents raised five boys and three girls, one girl dying when but ten years old, and another when twenty-one years old. Our subject, the eldest son, was educated principally at the public schools in Ottawa, this State, that be- ing the place where his parents settled on their arrival in this country, and where they still reside. Mr. Schobert began business for himself by learning the harness trade, at which he worked at Pontiac, Ill., for about four years, and three years at Ottawa. He next began in the dry goods business, in 1868, as clerk, in Ottawa, which he continued about six years. Ile came here in September, 1874, and began in the same business, in partnership with Mr. Baum, the firm name being Baum & Schobert. In March, 1881, this firm dissolved, each mem- ber opening a store in his own name, in which manner they have continued since. Mr. Scho- bert is doing a good business at Morris ; he is also interested in a store at La Salle, in La Salle County, the firm known as Breuning, Kikluff & Co., which is doing a fine business. Mr. Schobert enlisted in 1863, in the Federal army, Company D, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered out in July 1865. He was with Sherman in 1864, when he went through Miss- issippi. His regiment then came home on thir- ty days furlough, at the end of which time Mr. Sehobert took a trip through Middle Tennessee

and Alabama, and joined Sherman at Acworth, Ga. He was in several minor engagements on these raids, and on the 21st of July, 1864, par- ticipated in the battle at Atlanta, Ga., where he was severely wounded in the right ankle, from which he still suffers. He was married in this city, January 29, 1878, to Elizabeth Baum, sister of his former partner in business. She was born September 11, 1857, at this place. They have had had two children born to them, but one of which is living, a daughter-Jessie B., born October 7, 1880. Mr. Schobert is a Mason and a Republican.

DR. A. D. SMITH, Morris. Mr. Smith was born in Jefferson County, near Watertown. N. Y., August 2, 1847 ; son of Eleazur Smith. a native of Vermont, born at Rutland Septem- ber 21, 1807, and was a farmer by occupation. Ile left Vermont when a young man, and went to New York, where he ran a farm and dairy till 1854, at which time he came to Illinois, selling his property in New York, and purchas- ing a farm, in 1855, in Saratoga Township. this county, where he still makes his home. Ilis wife, Maria (Darby) Smith, was born in Huntington, Vt., August 24, 1815. The par- ents raised ten children ; eight sons, of whom our subject is the sixth, and two daughters. Dr. Smith was educated in this county, princi- pally, and took a medical course at the univer- sity of New York City, from which institution he graduated in 1870. He began life as a tel- egraph operator, which he followed some three years prior to taking his medical course. Im- merliately after graduating, our subject began the practice of his profession, in his native county, with an uncle ; he remained there but a short time. In the fall of 1870. he came to Morris, where he now enjoys a very lucrative practice. He owns some town lots in Mitchell. this county ; he is a Mason and a Republican.

EDWARD STEEP, molder. Morris. Mr. Steep was born in Clinton, Canada, July 5, 1852. Ilis parents, Peter and Mary A. Steep,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

came to the United States in 1851, and settled in Dayton, Ohio, where his father worked six years at the shoe-maker trade. In 1857, they returned to Canada, where they lived until they came to Grundy County, which they did in 1867. Parents lived in Morris from that date till time of death. The father died in the fall of 1866 ; the mother died on January 11, 1879. Our subject was principally educated in Mor- ris. Married January 1, 1875, to Miss Marga- ret A. Longacre, of Morris. She was born Feb- ruary 19, 1857. They have two daughters- Mand W., Isabell, born July 30, 1882. Both Mr. and Mrs. Steep are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Morris. Our sub- ject is associated with Messrs. Griggs and Mar- tin in the manufacture of drain-tile. Yard is located in northwest part of city ; residence on Liberty street. Henry C. and Hannah Longacre (parents of Mrs. Steep) are living, and among the respected citizens of Morris.

SAMUEL BARBER THOMAS was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and the second son in a family of five sons and four daughters born to William and Margaret (Evans) Thomas. His father, though born in Chester County, in the same State, was of Welsh descent, and his mother a native of Wales. Until eight years of age, Mr. Thomas lived in Chester County where he was born, when he went with his par- ents to Center County, in the central part of the State. Here he finished a common school education, and with this capital began life for himself as a clerk in a mercantile establishment at Jacksonville. He followed this line of oc- cupation at various places until about twenty- six years of age, when he entered in partner- ship with L. W. Irving in a milling and mer- chandising business. He subsequently went to Clearfield County, and went into the lumber business until 1852, when he removed to Peru, Ind., and for a year and a half engaged with that old-time railroad prince, Andrew DeGraff, in railroad construction. While here at work on

the Indianapolis & Peru Railroad, a letter from his friend and former clerk, E. B. Hanna, reached him, urging him to accept a position in Morris, Ill. He at once accepted this offer, and entered the employ of Mr. Hanna as clerk in the mer- cantile business. Here, as in every position in life, Mr. Thomas formed a wide circle of friends, and paved the way for the long and successful political career which soon followed. In the spring election of 1858, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the town of Morris, and on the 12th of April qualified, and assumed the duties of his office. For four years he amply justified the confidence bestowed upon him by his fellow-citizens, and at the same time so strengthened himself in the regard of a wider circle of friends, that, before the expiration of his term of office, he was called by the popular vote to the position of County Clerk. From 1861 to 1878, he filled this position continu- ously, and with such satisfaction to the people of the county, that he was elected in Novem- ber of the latter year to the position of County Judge, a position he held until his death. Dur- ing his nearly twenty-one years of public serv- ice, he held his high place in the public esteem unchallenged, and so marked was his eminent fitness for the position he ocenpied, that the pub- lie voice proclaimed him his own successor so long as he would consent to forego the pleasures of private life. In the fall of 1882, he was urged by various private considerations to refuse the use of his name as candidate for another term as County Judge, and, though persevering in this determination until the near approach of the nominating convention, he was at last over- borne by the importunity of friends, and gave a half-hearted assent to his nomination. The convention was held on the 12th of September, and on Monday, the 14th, at 7:15, death inter- vened. On Saturday evening, he had gone home apparently in good health, although con- siderably fatigued by the bustle of the con- vention. A little after 9 o'clock, a physician was

MORRIS CITY AND TOWNSHIP.

summoned, but the patient had passed into an unconscious state from which he never rallied. Shortly after coming to Morris, Mr. Thomas met and married Miss Amanda Ferguson. She was a native of New York; was a daughter of Daniel and Amelia (Fowler) Ferguson, and born October 5, 1828. No children resulted from this union, but devoted entirely to each other their lives so blended that death seemed only partially successful in rending them asunder.

The following account from the Morris Her- ald voices the public grief:

DEATII OF SAMUEL B. THOMAS.

Samuel B. Thomas is dead. Hardly can we rea- lize the truth of this statement, and so sudden was his demise that we cannot reconcile ourselves to the belief that it can be true. On last Saturday at 5:30 o'clock we were in conversation with him, and on Sunday morning came the announcement that he was dying.

On Saturday evening, about 6 o'clock, Mr. Thomas went home and complained of not feeling well, at- tributing his condition to having been exposed to the heat of the sun too much during the day. His head troubled him. Home remedies were applied, but instead of receiving relief, he grew worse, until it was thought best to send for a physician. At a little after 9 o'clock Dr. Ferguson was summoned, but before his arrival Mr. Thomas had passed into an unconscious state, from which condition he was never aroused. Dr. Ferguson remained with him throughout the night, and the aid of other medical skill was summoned, but without beneficial results. Ile never spoke after first becoming unconscious. Gradually he sank to rest, and at 7:15 Monday morn- ing he passed away. Words avail nothing at such a time as this. His life has been an open book, read of all men who have looked upon him or came under his influence. He was a true man, devoid of every- thing unbecoming a gentleman. For over twenty years he has been connected with the political and social history of Grundy County, in that time com- ing in contact with all of our people, and we have yet to hear of a single person, regardless of his po- litical opinion or social standing, who had ought to say against Samuel B. Thomas. He was the friend of every man, woman and child in the county, and his demise brings mourning to every household.

Samuel B. Thomas was born at St. Marys, Ches-

ter Co., Penn., October 20, 1820. At the age of eight years, with his parents he moved to Centre County, where after he arrived at the age of matu- rity, he was engaged in the lumber business and mer- chandising until 1852, when he moved to Poru, Ind., and for a year and a half was engaged with Andrew DeGraff in railroading. While there he contracted fever and ague, from which his system was never entirely freed. While at Peru he received a letter from an old time friend and former clerk, Mr. E. B. Hanna, inviting him to a situation in Morris. In 1854. Mr. Thomas came here and entered the employ of Mr. Hanna, who was then in the mercantile bus- iness in this city.

April 6, 1858, deceased was elected to the position of Justice of the Peace for the town of Morris, and on the 12th of that month he qualified and assumed the duties of his office. From this time commenced his political career. On the 15th of November, 1861, before the expiration of his term of office as Justice of the Peace, Mr. Thomas was elected to the office of County Clerk, which position he filled continu- ously until December, 1877, when he qualified for the position of County Judge. to which office he had been elected at the November election preced- ing, his term of office expiring in December next, and would have completed a continuons service of twenty-one years in the court house. What better record could be given to any man. Faithful to every trust, competent for every duty, affable, genial, whole-souled, he won and held the confidence of all people. So strong was his hold upon the people, that when he had declared his intention of retiring from public life, old-time friends would not listen to his protest, but compelled him to signify hi- willing- ness to again accept the position of Judge should the convention which assembled in this city on last Saturday tender him the nomination, with the in- standing always, that he would do no personal work to secure the nomination, At no time did he think seriously of receiving the nomination, and we know from him that he did not want it, and would not have accepted it had he been nominated only as above stated, for the satisfaction of his friends.

Shortly after coming to Morris, Mr. Thomas made the acquaintance of Miss Amanda Ferguson, sister of Sheriff and Dr. Ferguson, of this city, and during his first year's residence here they were married, and for twenty-eight years have lived happily together.

The parents of Mr. Thomas have been dead several ' years, and are buried in Centre County, Penn. Three brothers are living in Pennsylvania, and onc sister in Kansas.

BIOGRAPHICAL:

August 13, 1856, Mr. Thomas was indueted into the mysteries of Freemasonry, and was raised from time to time until he reached the Knight Templar degree. He was a devoted member of the order, and filled various offices in the several branches. At the time of his death he was second in rank in the comman- dery.

The court house and city buiklings were clothed in mourning. The flag at the Republican pole, which had proudly flaunted to the breeze, betoken- ening victories in which the deceased had taken an active part to achieve, was hung at half-mast, now the emblem of sorrow for one who had been its friend and defender. Other flags in the city were placed at half-mast. and during the time of the funeral and services, at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon the business houses were closed

Prior to the death of Mr. Thomas, the Knight Templars of this city had been in constant attend- ance upon him, and after his death they took charge of his remains, and made all arrangements for the funeral services at the request of the widow. Rep- resentatives of the fraternity were present from all of the neighboring towns, which together with the county officials and the vast concourse of people from all parts of the county made up one of the largest gatherings for such an occasion ever held in the city.

The floral tributes were profuse and exceedingly appropriate. From the German society of this city came a pillow inscribed " Unser Freund." From the court house an anchor, surmounted by a star; from the Templars, a Maltese cross: from the family, a sickle and sheaf of wheat. There were many handsome bouquets.

The funeral service was held at the residence, Rev. Young, of the M. E. Church, officiating, con- cluded at the grave by the Blue [Lodge of Masons, followed by the Commandery.

And then was deposited all that was mortal of Samuel B. Thomas, a specimen of God's noblest work-an honest man.

The following resolutions were adopted by Cedar Lodge, A .. F. & .A. M., of this city:

WORSHIPFUL MASTER. WARDEN AND BROTHERS:

One of the most perfect columns of our super- structure-Past Master Samuel Barber Thomas-has been stricken to earth by that insatiate archer- Death, whose sable wings spread a gloom over this Lodge of Sorrow.

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 45

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 506

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506