History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 47

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

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EDWARD CANTWELL, farmer, P. O. Minooka: has been a resident of the county since 1850; he is the oldest son of Michael Cantwell. who was born in Kings County, Ireland, in 1816, sou of Edward and Bridget (Iloolen) Cantwell. The paternal grandsire of Michael was Matthew Cantwell. Michael Cantwell, the father of our subject, came to America in 1536, landing in Albany samo year, and, having nothing when he came to this country, hired ont to work, and continued in and about the city for about four years. In February, 1839, he married Margaret Fochan, a native of Kings County, daughter of Cor- nelins and Mary (Deogon) Fechan. About the year 1840, Mr. Cantwell removed lo Michigan, where he had purchased land;

there he remained until the spring of 1850. when he came to Chicago and engaged in the Inmber business, but discontinued it and came to this township the fall of that year. and located here and since remained. He tirst bought forty acres of land at $3 an acro: afterward bought 160 acres near the canal. now owned by the Boyle family. He has five children-Edward. John. Margaret, James and Thomas, all residents of the township. Margaret is the wife of William Woods. Edward, the eldest of the family, was born in Albany County in 1840, cemoved with his parents to Michigan and returned with them to this county, in 1850. At the outbreak of the war, or soon after. he responded to the call to arms, and enlisted, in February, 1862, in Company I, Sixtieth Regiment Illi nois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. His first engagement was at Stone River. Afterward, Chickamauga. Mission Bidge, Lookout and Kenesaw Mount- ains. Rosaca. Peach Tree Creek. Atlanta. Jonesboro and all the engagements of the campaign. At Bentonville, he was taken prisoner, April 19. 1564, and was transferred from different points until he was finally dis- charged, in June, 1565, having been a true and bravo sollier during his period of enlist- ment. Upon his return home, ho resumed work at home, where he remained until his marriage. Since then, he has been on his own land. He was married, August 15. 1575. to Josephine Gordon, a native of Mas- sachusetts, daughter of George Gordon; they have four children-Edward. Thomas, Louisa and May. His farm is located on the north- east quarter of Section 10.

ISRAEL CRYDER, farmer, P. O. Mi- nooka. born in Huntingdon County, Penn .. March 11, 1835, fourth, child of Jacob and Elizabeth Cryder. Jacob Cryder was a son of Israel Cryder, whose wife was a Miss Car-

BIOGRAPHICAL:

penter. Jacob Cryder was alfarmer by occu- pation; he died in 1839, when subject was four years of age; he had six children, two sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to be grown, save one-Hannah M., Henry, Amanda, Israel, Sarah A. Those living are Israel and Sarah A., now Mrs. James Rear- don, in Vienna Township, this county; all of the above came West and all first settled in this township. Hannah M. married N. H. Tabler. Henry died in November, 1872. Amanda married Jonas Bartlett; they set- tled in Saratoga Township; she died about the year 1854. Our subject came West in the fall of 1844, with his mother and the family; they lived with Henry Cryder a few years. Mr. Cryder remained with his grand- father until he reached the age of maturity, and engaged in farming. He bought 190 acres where he now lives, and has since lived here. September 14. 1862, he married Mary Hampson, born June 7, 1839, in Jefferson County, N. Y., daughter fof George and Maria (Cash) Hampson, both of England, who settled in Jefferson County, then' re- moved West, to Kendall County, in 1858, where the father yet lives; the mother died in 1867. Mrs. Cryder has four brothers and two sisters-Edward and Henry, in Kendall County; also, Hannah, wife of Thomas New- som; Thomas, in Decatur County, Iowa; Jane, in same county, wife of Thomas Rear- don, and Joseph, in Newark,N. J. Since Mr. Cryder located here, he has been a con- stant resident. engaged in farming and stock- raising, keeping some fine Durham stock on the farm of 385 acres, on which he has put all the substantial improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Cryder have four children-Emma E. Edith M., Henry E. and Jessie B. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity-Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, and Blaney Commandery.

GEORGE COLLEPS, book-keeper, Mi- nooka, was born March 16, 1848, in Buffalo, N. Y., son of John W. and Margaret (Schro- der) Colleps, both natives of Hesse-Darm- stadt, and who came to the United States the same year that our subject was born. When young, he removed with his parents to Michi- gan, where they remained until 1853, when he came with them to this place. At the age of sixteen, he volunteered in the service of his country, enlisting in the spring of 1864, in Company G. Sixty-fourth Regiment of II- linois Volunteer Infantry, and, after partici- pating in several of the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, was taken prisoner, July 22, at Atlanta, and taken to Andersonville Prison, where he was incarcerated for nearly ten months, and for nearly one month he stood jand laid on the ground in the rain, with no clothing or covering for his body but a shirt and pair of drawers At the time of his capture, he weighed 130 pounds; at the time of his release, had dwindled down to fifty-six. His sufferings were indescribable, and the horrors of that den and the remem- brances of the cruelties enacted there will ever remain vividly impressed upon his mind as long as reason holds her sway. Upon his release at the termination of the war, he re- turned to Minooka and engaged as clerk in the dry goods and grocery store of R. Gardi- ner. where he continued until 1870. Then, for three years, he was associated in the hardware business with W. A. Worthing, after which the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent; he then clerked again for R. Gardiner, continuing in his employ for two years. after which he was for two years and a half in copartnership with L. Smith in the grocery business; he then disposed of his interest to S. W. Smith, and remained with him as elerk until 1880, when he took charge of the books in the grain and elevator office

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of A. K. Knapp, and has since served iu that capacity. September 14. 1869. he married Jennie Van Horn. who was born in Essex County, N. J., daughter of John and Mar- etha (Terhune) Van Horn; they have no children living. He is a member of Minooka Lodge. A., F. & A. M., Orient Chapter and Blaney Commandery.

THOMAS CARROLL, farmer, P. O. Mi- nooka. Of tho representativo men of this township who came from Erin's Isle, none are more highly esteemed or more deserving than Thomas Carroll. He was born August 15, IS14. in County Lovel, Ireland. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Tafe) Carroll, and to them were born the following children: Patrick. John, James, Thomas, William, Ed- ward. Maria. Alice and Bridget. None of the family came to this county savo Thomas. who emigrated to America in June, 1837. landing in New York. When he came . ho had nothing but his hands and a willing heart, but he made good use of his opportu- nities, though few they were. Ho hired out to work as teamster. and turned his attention to whatever employment was the most remu- nerative to him. He remained in New York four or five years, then came to this State prior to the building of the canal. The first work he did upon his arrival to this State was for Mr. Kimball. at Marseilles, where he stayed somo two years or more. Then he worked about three years on the canal. Afterward went to Ottawa, where he worked on the canal, and afterward worked for William Armstrong about two years. Prior to 1850. ho located on the land ho now owns. Having accumulated some money, he invested first in forty acres of land, which cost him $7 per acre, the land being unimproved. He after- ward purchased eighty acres in Will County, for which he paid $13 per acre, and he has now 210 acres, all of which he has worked

for and obtained by great industry. His wife before his marriage was Mrs. Mary Ann Freckleton. a native of County Tipperary, Ireland; her maiden name was Conn and her mother's maiden name was Ann Heakey. now eighty-eight years old; by this union. there have been born eight children, whose names. according to the order of births. are John, Thomas, Andrew, Michael, Edward. William. Maria and Mary A. Mr. Carroll is a Democrat and member of the Catholic Church.

JOHN CASS, farmer, P. O. Channahon. Among the old settlers and self-made men of this township is Mr. Cass, who was born in Queen's County, Ireland, in 1828, only son of William and Bridget (Kenihan) Cass. Subject was raised on the farm; left home May 19. 1849, and after five weeks and four days' voyage, landed in New York, July 2. same year. When he came to Chicago. he had but 33 cents in his pocket. all he pos- sessed. He worked a short time at Blue Is- land, and came to Au Sable that harvest: worked through the season, then went to Iowa and worked on the public works until the spring, and returning here, he worked on the State boat until harvest. Ho then hired out at $10 per month on a farm about thirteen months. losing but one and one half days in that time, for John Adams. He then took the farm and rented the samo on shares for two years, after which he rented land of the Lewis heirs, on the land which Briscoe now owns. for about five years. After he had been here three years, he bought eighty acres. where he now lives, paying $30 per acre; no improvements on the land whatever. He re- mained on the Lewis farm until December. 1856, when he moved on his eighty acres, and has since lived there, having now 220 acres of land with good improvements. April 3, 1852, he married Nora Delaney, born in

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Queen's County, Ireland, daughter of James and Bridget Lynch Delaney. Mrs. Cass came here in 1850. When Mr. Cass located on this farm, he had but little in the way of comforts. They had a hard time for several years, but by hard labor, diligence and great industry, they have acquired the home and property they now have. They are members of the Catholic Cinirch. Mr. Cass also owns some property in Joliet.

SAMUEL COOP, farmer, P. O. Minooka, born August 20. 1827, in Lancashire, En- gland, second son of James and Mary (Birt- wistle) Coop. At the age of fourteen, he went to learn the machinists' trade, and served seven years in the shop. December 25. 1853. he married Ann, daughter of John and Mary (Holden) Bull. In the spring of 1855, he emigrated to this county and pur- chased eighty-five acres of Mr. Longworth, on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 5, paying $9 per acre. There were no improvements on the same whatever when he located here, yet. by hard work and econo- my, he has succeeded in making a good home and a competence for himself. He has but one child -- Priscilla, wife of Charles W. Barker, of Minooka. Mr. Coop is a Repub- lican, and has always voted that ticket.

PATRICK CLENNON, farmer. P. O. Minooka. was born in Queen's County, Ire- land, 1825, son of Patrick and Judah (Scott) Clennon. Mr. Clennon emigrated to Amer- ica in 1849, landing in New Orleans in De- cember the same year. From there he went to Fayette County, Ohio, where he hired ont among the farmers by the month, taking his pay in scrip, and remained there until the fall of Buchanan's election, when he located in this township, where he now resides upon land that he purchased two years prior to his leaving Ohio, said land being unimproved at the time of his purchase, and costing him

$4.50. He has now a good farm, well im- proved and plenty of stock, all of which has been the fruits of his own earnings. He was married, in 1848, to Margaret Phalen, daugh - ter of Daniel and Catharine (Campen) Pha- len. This marriage has been crowned by the birth of one son-James Patrick, who re- sides with his parents on the homestead. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and removed to this county with his parents and since remained. May 3, 1500. he married Jennie Kinsley, who was born in this town- ship, daughter of Andrew and Eliza (Smith) Kinsley; they have one son-James Patrick, born December 25, 1881. Mrs. Clennon, Jr., is a grand-daughter of Andrew Kinsley, one of the pioneers of this township, who was prominently identified with this portion of the county; he was a contractor on the canal at the time of its building; was one of the founders of the Catholic Church at Dres- den. one of the first Supervisors in the town- ship and one of the leading and representa- tive men of his time in Au Sable Township. He had three sons -James, Michael and An- drew, none of whom are now living in the county. Andrew Kinsley died in August, 1872; Eliza, his wife. in August, 1862; she was a daughter of Thomas Smith, of County Wexford, Ireland, who came to Lockport. N. Y., in 1852, and there died in 1554. He has one son in this township-George T .. a mer- chant in Minooka. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kinsley had two children-Jennie and Mary.

GERHARD DAHLEM, Postmaster and store, Minooka. The present efficient Post- master of Minooka came to this township in 1855, and since that time has been a constant resident of the place and identified with its interests. He was born July 16, 1832, in Bavaria, Germany, son of John and Kate (Ruth) Dahlem. In 1852, Gerhard emigrated to America and spent three years in Lee

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County. Iowa, at a place called Denmark, where he worked in a cheese factory. In September, 1855, he came to this State and township, and engaged as a farm hand in the employ of R. Gardiner for one year, after which he worked on a railroad seetion one year: then was switchman two years, after which he was in charge of the section as foro- man on the railroad for three years. August 29, 1862, he enlisted as private in Company D, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and served until the close of the war; was advanced to Cor- poral. then to Sergeant, and participated in many of the stirring and thrilling engage- ments of the war, and was at times Orderly on Gens. Grant's, MePherson's and Thomas K. Smith's staff. After his discharge, in May, 1865, he returned to this place and resumed work for the railroad company, as switchman and baggageman, until the spring of 1867. when he engaged as clerk for Daniel Fergu- son, one year after which he was appointed night store-keeper in the Au Sable distillery. In 1868, Daniel Ferguson having resigned as Postmaster, Mr. Dahlem was appointed in his stead and engaged in the grocery business, afterward adding dry goods. October 9, 1570, he was burned out, but rebuilt and as sociated in business with his nephew, Adam Stauffer, under the firm name of Dahlem & Stauffer, which copartnership lasted three years, when, owing to ill health, he sold out his interest to Samnel Persells, but retained the post office, where he continued. In Au- gust, 1876, he engaged with William Shepley, in general merchandise business, which asso- ciation has since been kept up, the firm name being Dahlem & Shopley, the post office being still kept by Mr. Dahlem; he has been twice married-first, in 1854, to Susan Webber, daughter of John and Mary (Ruth) Webber; she died August 13, 1862, leaving one child -Jacob J .; his present wife is Mary Stauffer,

daughter of Jacob and Catharine Stauffer: they were married October 28, 1565, and four children have blessed this union-Adam, Katie, Daniel and Mary. Mr. Dahlem has a snug home, a good business and is well and favorably known throughout the entire county. He is a member of the Minooka Lodge. No. 528, A., F. & A. M., and served several years as the Worshipful Master of that lodge; is also a member of the Chapter at Morris, and of the Commandery at that place. Has always been a stanch Republican.

FLETCHER DIRST, farmer and stock- raiser. P. O. Minooka, is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers in Grundy County. He was born August 10, 1835, near the town of Galena, Berkshire Township. Delaware Co., Ohio: he is the ellest son of John and Caroline (Searles) Dirst. John Dirst was a son of Paul Dirst, a native of Pennsylvania. who emigrated to Ohio in an early day, set- tling near Chillicothe, Ohio, where he died. The father of our subject when a young man came to Berkshire Township, Delaware Coun- ty, and there married and engaged in farm- ing. In 185S, the Dirst family came to this State, the family consisting of the parents and four children-Fletcher, Howard, Albert and Sylva. Fletcher began for himself at the age of twenty-two, and while he remained in Ohio was engaged in farming and stock- trading. Since he came to this county, he has given his attention to farming and stock- raising, and has done much to encourage the growth and introduction of tine stock in the county. When he came here, he purchased 480 acres, part of which was in Seward Township, in Kendall County, adjoining. He has resided in the meantime in Au Sable Township, where he has a fine farm, well adapted for farming and general stock pur- poses. He has given especial attention to thoroughbred Cotswold and Leicestershire

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sheep, importing the same from Canada; he is engaged, also, in breeding Durham cattle, and in his business has been successful, be- ing a thorough and progressive farmer. He was married, December 7, 1857, in Delaware County, Ohio, to Ann Dustin, a native of that county, daughter of Nathan Dustin, one of the early settlers and prominent men of that county; his wife was Almira Buzwell, both natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Dirst has now 240 acres of land; his residence is on Section 3, on the banks of the Au Sable, two miles west of Minooka. He has filled the office of Supervisor and other positions of trust in that township. He is a member of Minooka Lodge, No. 528, A., F. & A. M., of Orient Chapter and Blaney Commandery. He has three children-Ann A., John F. and Charles F.

THOMAS DEMPSEY, butcher, Minooka. Among the interests of the town of Minooka that is deserving of especial mention is that of Thomas Dempsey, who supplies the people of this town and locality with the best of meats, and thereby contributes not only to the comfort and happiness of the people in this direction, but is filling a need that is in- dispensable in the way of refreshing the " in- ner man." He has been carrying on this business since 1873. He was born in the town of Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., June 20, 1835, the second son of Thomas and Marga- ret (Taylor) Dempsey, natives of Ireland, he born in County Kildare, she in County Down; they emigrated to New York about 1834, lo- cating there, and came West, to Kendall County, Ill., about 1845; stayed there one year, then moved to Will County, Ill. Sub- jeet's father is still living; his mother died in 1863; they had a family of five sons and one daughter - Jolm (deceased), Thomas, William, James, Hugh and Jane, wife of M. Hinsler, of Chicago. Our subject left home

at the age of twenty-one, and engaged in farming; in 1864, he bought eighty acres of land in Will County, where he remained a few years, then came to Minooka. In June, 1857, he married Miss C. Tyrrel, a native of Connecticut and daughter of James T. Tyr- rel; they have nine children-Mary J., Mag- gie, Nellie, Elizabeth, Lydia, William, Ed- ward, Burton and Vincent. Mr. Dempsey is a Democrat.

HARRISON ENEIX, farmer, P. O. Mi- nooka: is of Virginia stock, and was born in Marshall County, near Wheeling, Va., February 28, 1825. His father, Brice Eneix, was a native of Fayette County, and married Leah Mace, a native of England. Mr. Eneix was reared to agricultural pursuits; at the age of twenty-two, he started in life to do business upon his own account, March 16, 1848,- he wedded Lovina, daughter of Clem- eth Leech, and engaged as a tiller of the soil. In 1855, he came West, to this State, locat- ing in Lisbon, Kendall County, remaining there' two years, when he sold his interests and removed to Saratoga Township, this county, and purchased a farm of 200 acres. In the spring of 1877, he sold his farm, and has since been located in Minooka, and is yet farming, having 1623 acres in Will County, Ill. Since 1859, Mr. Eneix was engaged in stock trading, his field of operations extend- ing over a large extent of country; he con- tinned in the stock business with varied suc- cess up to within the past two years, but since that time has abandoned the business, and given his personal attention to the man- agement of his farm. Of a family of twelve children borne him, ten are now living-Cor- bley, John, Rachel, Clara, Franklin, Aman- da, Martha, Eliza, Mary and Harrison. Ra- chel resides in Iroquois County, wife of Thomas Riggs. Clara resides in Minooka, wife of Jacob Dahlem. Amanda is also a

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resident of this place, wife of Oliver Sadler. The other children aro residents of the town. In 1864, Mr. Eneix mado a trip to Idaho, and driving an ox-team and being four months on the road, having no idea at that time of the marked improvements that have since taken place in that wasto of country over which he traveled with his ox-team. Mr. Eneix is a member of Minooka Lodge, No. 528, A., F. & A. M., and was one of the char- ter members of the establishment of the lodge at Lisbon. Kendall County.

PATRICK FEEHAN, farmer. P. O. Morris, was born in Queen's County. Iroland, March 17, 1824, son of Patrick and Mary (Boland) Fechan, she a daughter of Owen Boland. Mr. Feehan came to America in 1850, arriving in New York on New Year's eve, and immedi- ately after came to this State, and, having nothing but his hands to make a living, he immediately set to work. Ho hired out by the month on a farm at low wages, and after saving sufficient means, purchased a team, and, for eighteen months, followed the fort- unes of the railroad. After this, he sold his outfit for $240, came to this township, purchased some cows and engaged in stock- raising; at the same time, he worked among the farmers; all this time he was supporting his mother and one sister. After a time, his stock having accumulated, he made a cash sale and purchased a team and engaged in farming, on the land which Henry Newman now owns, remaining there about two years. About this time, he purchased eighty acres of canal land, on Section 21, paying therefor $6.75, but still continued renting land for about four years, when he purchased eighty acres additional, which cost him $9 per acre, making him 160 acres in ono body. He then located on this land, and has sinco remained, and has put on all the improvements. In 1860, he married Ann O'Mara, a native of

County Tipperary, Ireland, daughter of Jerry and Kittie (Whalen) O'Mara, who came to America in 1849, landing in St. Louis, and finally locating in Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Feehan have but one child-Joseph-who re- sides with them at home, and who was born Jannary 15, 1861. Mr. Feehan owes his success in life to his own energy and indus- try.

S. A. FERGUSON, blacksmith, Minooka, one of the thorough-going and successful mechanics of Grundy County is S. A. Fer- guson; he came to Minooka and set up in business in February, ISSO; he was born July 15, 1855, in Lisbon, Kendall Co., Ill., eldest son of Gardiner and Almira (Lamb) Ferguson, he a native of Maine, she of New York Stato. They came West, to Kondall County, about the year 1843. The subject of these linos was brought up on the farm, but, being of a mechanical turn of mind. at the age of twenty-one, he went to Millington, Ill., where he worked throo years at the black- smith's trade. After the completion of his trade, he came to Minooka, set up in business and has been well patronized, and is doing a thriving trade. November 18, 1880, he mar- ried Bello Thayer, a native of Kendall Coun- ty, who has borne him one child-Guy T. In connection with his blacksmith shop, he carries on a wagon and general repair shop, and also painting in his line.

JAMES HARVEY, farmer, P. O. Morris. One of the old time residents and honored pioneer representatives of An Sable Town- ship, is Esquire Harvey, who came here in 1838, and has since been a continued resident of the township. He was born on " Erin's Green Isle," Roscommon County, about the year 1800, son of Michael and Bridget (Mc- Dermot) Harvey, she a daughter of Charles MeDermot, a mechanic and wheelwright. The paternal grandsire of our subject was

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John Harvey, of same place. In 1834, our subject bid good-bye to his native land, and set sail for America, leaving in April and ar- riving at Quebec, Canada, in June. He be- gan work on the St. Lawrence Canal, where he continued until October, 1837, when he made his way to this State, coming from De- troit by land and arriving in Chicago in February, 1838. He came on to the county, and engaged at once at work on the canal here, continuing for three years; he then came down to Au Sable and purchased land, where he now resides, and has since been a constant resident of this township. In Sep- tember, 1843, he was first elected Justice of the Peace, and was subsequently re-elected. He has been twice married-first, when in Canada, in 1837, to Ellen Kinsey, who died in April, 1845, having borne him five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters-John, Michael, James, Bridget and Mary. The boys are deceased; all of them went forth at the nation's call, and enlisted in the Fifty- third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and were true and valiant soldiers. John and James lost their lives while in the serv- ice. Michael served three years and " veter- aned," and served through the entire war and died, since his return home, from the effects of his exposure, etc., while in the serv- ice. Bridget resides in Traverse City, Mich., wife of Daniel Matison. Mary is the relict of Samuel Burgess. In 1847, Mr. Harvey married his present wife, Mary Kehoe, of same county as himself, and by her has one son-Thomas-who resides with them on the homestead.

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 47

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