History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 48

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

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MATTHEW KICKELS, farmer, P. O. Channahon, whose residence is on Section 25 overlooking the surrounding country on the south, is one of the most commanding and beautiful that can be found in this, or, in fact, any other portion of the State. His

residence is on the high bank, or rather pla- teau, overlooking the head of the Illinois River at the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers, at an elevation of about 150 feet above the level of the surrounding country. In Felix Township, immediately at the foot of this plateau, courses the canal and river, running parallel with each other. Upon this beautiful site stands the residence of Mr. Kickels, where a view of a score of miles or more can be easily had, Braidwood and Wilmington lying off to the southeast in full view, while immediately south a vast ex- panse of country, upon which can be seen thousands of cattle grazing. To those who have not seen this enchanting spot, a visit to this point will not be in vain. Matthew Kickels, proprietor of this place, was born December 2, 1823, on the Rhine, in the " Fader Land," and emigrated to this coun- try to seek his fortune in 1852. His parents, Peter and Lucy (Mitchell) Kickels never came to America. Matthew came alone and penni- less, to Kendall County, where he hired out by the month, where he remained until the fall of Buchanan's election, when he came

to Au Sable Township, and purchased ninety-nine acres of land, which cost him $8 per acre, there being no improvements on the land at the time. He has since extended his domain, having now 155 acres, and 132 in Will County, all of which, with the assist- ance of his noble wife, he has gained by ac- tive industry. February 20, 1854, he mar- ried Margaret Adgey, who was born March 11, 1831, in County Antrim, Ireland, daugh- ter of Robert and Sarah E. (Cunningham) Adgey. Mrs. Kickels came to this country alone in 1849. Six children have been born of this marriage, but two of whom are living: Mary E., residing at Lockport, wife of James Duddage, and John, at home with parents. The children deceased were James P., Mat-

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thew R. and Joseph F. Mr. Kickels is a member of the Catholic and Mrs. K. of the Presbyterian Church.

L. K. KEOGH, Justice of the Peace, Mi- nooka. Among the substantial residents of the village of Minooka is Esquire Keogh, who came here in the fall of 1856 and has since resided. He is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Keary) Keogh, the Koarys being of Welch extraction. He was born in 1827, in County Wexford, Ireland. where he received a liberal education and engaged in teaching at eighteen, and continued shaping the di- rection of the " young idea " in that country until he emigrated to America. in the fall of 1852. He stopped first at Syracuse, N. Y., where he taught for three years. then, coming to this State, in 1855, he taught one year in Joliet and until his coming to this place, where he was at once employed as a teacher in the public school, and continued very suc- cessfully for about ten years in all. For three years, he was engaged in the grocery business with Mr. Kinsley, under the firm name of Kinsley & Co. He has served the township as an officer in all the offices of trust, as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Highways, Town Clerk, Assessor and Treas- nror, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace, which offico he has hekl since 1874; he attends to the duties of his office, and also accommodates his neighbors with the use of his money at a reasonable rate of in- terest. September 26, 1866, he was married to Martha Weston, of Staffordshire, England; they have no children.

JACOB H. MURPHY, Minooka, was born in Belmont County, Ohio. September 18, IS30, ellest son of Horatio and Hannah (Beam) Murphy. Horatio Murphy was born about 1792 in Virginia: his wife was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Benjamin Beam, who was a native of Germany

and came to Ohio when the country was in its infancy. Horatio Murphy was of Scotch- Irish parentage, and came to Belmont Coun- ty, Ohio, when a young man, and there mar- ried. He was a jeweler by trade, and, sot- thing in Belmont, engaged in his business, remaining thero until 1856, when he removed to this State, when he came to this county and lived among his children until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1865: his wife died in Ohio several years previous to his coming to this State. They raised a family of seven children, all of whom lived to raise families-Jacob H., Benjamin, John. Mary, Joanna. Ann E. and William. Benjamin lives in Livingston County, near Dwight, and is a farmer. John resides in Dwight, samo county. Mary lives at Nevada, Ill., wife of Mitchell Thompson. Joanna lives in Joliet, wife of Caleb Thayer. Ann in same county, wife of Charles Smith. Will- iam resides in Champaign County; is a farm- er. Jacob H. loft home when nearly of age, and worked three years by the month, receiving $10 per month the first two years, and the third year his wages were increased to $11 per month. Ho then came to Illinois, bringing some stock through to this place for a Mr. Bradshaw, with whom he hired, re- maining with him until his health failed, when he engaged in trading in horses for nearly two years, then engaged in farming by ronting on the farm now owned by Israel Cryder; then he und his brother Benjamin opened up a farm for John B. Davidson, in Erienna Township, and stayed there about seven years. August 20, 1863, he purchased the farm he now owns, which was then owned by H. Bradshaw, for whom he worked when he first came here, and, with the exception of two years, when he lived in Minooka, he has romained on the farm, and all the time in the township. He has 200 acres of land,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

and put the substantial improvements on the farm, and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, keeping good graded stock. He was married, October 18, 1859, to Mary B. Pumphrey, born in Belmont County, Ohio, December 30, 1838, daughter of Rid- ley Pumphrey; she died April 9, 1875, leav- ing three children-Laura, Willie and Net- tie, the latter deceased; Laura and Willie are at home. January 27, 1876, he married Mrs. Francelia Whittington, born in White- hall, Washington Co., N. Y., daughter of Thaddeus and Eunice M. (Reynolds) Curtis, natives of Vermont. By the last marriage, two children have been born, one of whom is living- - Freddie, born December 27, 1876, and Jessie, died young, October 27, 1881, aged two years, five months and seventeen days. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are members of the M. E. Church, and of the Mutual Aid Society. He is a supporter of the Republi- can party. Mrs. Murphy's grandfather, Nicholas Reynolds, was born in West Rutland, Vt. ; he was a son of Jonathan Reynolds, who lived to be one hundred years old (lacking fourteen days), and who was a great hunter: when eighty-three years old, he stood in his own door and killed a deer with his rifle.

HENRY NEWMAN, farmer, P. O. Mi- nooka. Among the self-made men of Grun- dy County who came from Germany, there are none who have more fully developed the truth of the adage, that wherever "there is a will" a way will be forthcoming, than Henry Newman. Coming to this country as he did, poor and destitute of friends, he, by steady industry and rigid economy, has be- come one of the opulent and independent farmers of the county. He was born January 6, 1825, near Frankfort, in Hesse-Darmstadt, third son of Casper and Margaret Newman. In 1850, he came to America, landing in New York, and, for three years, worked out by the

month in New York State, sometimes on the railroad and at other times on a farm, mak- ing $8 per month, and receiving such wages as the times justified. In 1853, he came to this county, and, for several years, worked about Morris and the surrounding country. During this time. he was saving his money, while it came slowly, yet it was sure, and it was not squandered. At the beginning of the war, he made his first purchase, on Sec- tion 9, in Au Sable Township, buying 190 acres, at $14.50 per acre; here he located, and has since lived, and has been prosperous. He has now about 400 acres of land, well stocked with cattle, all of which, with the as- sistance of his faithful wife, he has made by his own industry and good management. In addition to his land here in this township, he has recently purchased several hundred acres in Dakota. He was married, in 1855, to Lena Meyers; they have five children- Mary, George, Henry, Lizzie and Adaline. Mary is the wife of Al Patten and resides in this townhip.

WILLIAM H. RANDALL, farmer, P. O. Minooka, was born in this township, where old Dresden now is, November 25, 1840, the only son of Samuel S. and Nancy L. (Per- kins) Randall. Samuel S. Randall was born in Massachusetts March 3, 1809, son of Joshua Randall, of Massachusetts, who married Sally Skeel, who bore him a family of nine chil- dren, six sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to be grown-Bethany, Samuel S., Hannah, Dianah, Henry H., Louisa, Will- iam A. and Adaline A. Bethany married Frances H. Butler, in Kansas. Hannah mar- ried Geo. W. Dealing, settled in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and there died. Dianah now residing in New York, Oneida County, mar- ried a Mr. Fox. Henry H., in Minnesota. Louisa settled in Wisconsin, now deceased; she married L. McMaster. William A. re-

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sides in Kansas. Adaline resides in Mar- seilles, wife of S. K. Danley. Samuel S., the father of William H., emigrated West, to this State, locating in this township, in June, 1837, and lived some time at Dresden. He was a carpenter by trade, which ocenpation he followed for several years, and assisted in building the first frame house in Morris, the old American House. He finally located on Section 15, west half of the sonthwest quar- ter, where he built a house in 1844, and re- mained there until his death, which occurred June 14, 1877; his wife "passed over " the year previous, in August, 1876. He was a Whig, and later. a Republican, and, in early days, was one of the first Constables; subse- quently, he served conseentively as Justice of the Peace for fourteen years, and Supervisor and other official stations of trust in the township. He was a successful man in busi- ness, and, by adding to his first purchase, he had, at the time of his death, about 400 acres of land. To him and wife were born five children, three of whom lived to marry-W. H., Mary J. and Holon: Mary J. is the wife of George W. Collins; she died March 3, 1873, leaving four children-Edward L., Hattie and Kate A. Helen married Ezra Tabler, and resides in this township. Eliza- beth died in 1864, agod 15. Harriet died in infancy. William Henry now succeeds his father on the homestead, and has since his birth been a resident of the township, where he received the home school advan- tages. At twenty-three years of age, he be- gan business for himself, engaged in farm- ing. November 12, 1866, he married Harriet MI. Gifford, who was born in Lorain County, Ohio, daughter of John N. and Martha (Mes- senger) Gifford. Immediately after the death of his father, Mr. Randall located on the homestead, and has since resided there. He has two children-Libbie May and Hen-

ry G. They are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Randall is a member of Mi- nooka Lodge, No. 528, A., F. & A. M.

WILLIAM SHEPLEY, hotel, Minooka, was born in Lancashire, England, Sep- tomber 3, 1821, and was raised in Che- shire, England. He is the eldest son of Will- iam Shepley, who was a son of John Shep- ley. His mother's maiden name was Eliza- beth Lindley, daughter of John Lindley. Subject was raised at home; his father died when he was sixteen years old, and William then remained with his mother until twenty- five years of age; during this time, he assist- ed in maintaining the family; at the age of nine years, he went to work in a cotton fac- tory, and worked at the same business until twenty-six years of age; he then went into a foundry, at Staleybridge, and worked there until he came to America. In 1855, he came to this State and stopped in Yorkville, Ken- dall County, and stayed there one year, work- ing out by the month among farmers. The year following, he came to Plainfield, and worked there in a foundry, for Dillman. He stayed in Plainfield about ten years. In 1866, he left Plainfield, and went to Troy, in Will County, and stayed there four years, carrying on a grocery store. In February, 1868, he came to Minooka and engaged in the hotel business, which he has since con- tinued: he has been in partnership in the mercantile business, with G. Dahlem, which partnership still exists. He was married, July 7, 1844, at Stockport, England, at the " Old Church," to Fannie Kay, who was born in Lancashire December 5, 1816, danghter of John and Lucy (Assen) Kay. Mr. and Mrs. Shepley have four children living- Matthew, Edward, Elizabeth A. and John. Matthew, on the farm in Kendall County; Edward, living with parents; Elizabeth, wifo of Oliver Paul, who served four years in the

BIOGRAPHICAL:

army, and who died in 1879. Mr. Shepley has eighty acres in Will and eighty acres in Kendall County, Ill., and has valuable prop- erty in Minooka. He keeps a good hotel on Main street, having a bar in connection, stocked with best wines and liqnors; he also, in connection with the hotel, runs a good livery and feed stable. He is a Republican.

THOMAS SCHIEK, proprietor of the Union Hotel, Minooka, was born February 11, 1827, in the Kingdom of Wittenberg, Germany, eldest son of Thomas Schiek, whose father was likewise named Thomas. His mother's maiden name was Margaret, daugh- ter of George Reuben. During the early life of our subject, he was raised in a vineyard and upon a farm. In November, 1849, he left the old country, and was upon the ocean until April 12, the following year, before he landed in New York For five years, he lived at Mt. Vernon and the adjacent cities, working during this time at farm labor and learning the carpenter's trade, and coming West, to this State, soon after, he continued at his trade as builder and contractor in Chi- cago and other places, and, being a thorough workman, his services were always in de- mand. He continued at his trade until 1881, since which time he has been engaged in the hotel business at this place, having rebuilt the hotel and fitted the same in excellent order; the house is situated near the depot, and is three stories high, containing about twenty rooms, with a dancing-hall in the third story. There is a bar in connection with the hotel, which is well stocked with liquors, wines and cigars, all of the most ap- proved brands, while his table is well sup- plied with all the substantials that cheer and refresh the "inner man." He has been thrice married-first, to Margaret Palmer, who died four years after, leaving one daugh- ter-Sophia. His second wife, Louisa

Lentz, died, leaving four children-Augusta, Emma, Ida and Lizzie. His present wife was Mrs. Julia Schmidt, who is a valuable aid to his business.

D. C. TABLER, farmer, P. O. Morris, is the second son of Nathaniel Tabler, one of the pioneers of Grundy County; was born July 12, 1833, in Delaware County, Ohio, and was brought to this county when a babe by his parents. who settled on Section 8 in this township. At the age of nineteen, he left home and hired out to his uncle, Michael Cryder, for whom he worked some time. Soon after, he purchased a horse and a shovel plow, and, with an unbroke horse that his uncle Cryder let him have, he made out his team, and with it planted his first crop of corn. He remained with his uncle until the spring, and, at the age of twenty-two, he married Julia E. McCloud, who was born in 1834, in Clinton County, N. Y., daughter of John and Paulina (Ricketson) McCloud, who settled in Kendall County in 1836. After his marriage, he resided two years on his uncle's place, in Saratoga Township, and, October 13. 1863. he purchased his first land, he and his brother Nathaniel buying 120 acres of land in partnership, paying $20 per acre; there were no improvements on the land. March 27, 1865, they purchased twenty-five acres of J. E. Mathers. Novem- ber 7, 1872, the brothers, by mutual consent, dissolved partnership, giving each quit- claims, after dividing up their land. Octo- ber 28, 1873, subject bought of George Collins twenty acres of the west half of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter on Section 17, paying $37.50 per acre for it. December 26, 1881, he purchased of Jeremiah Collins eighty acres of the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 17, and has now 155 acres, all of which lies on the 17th section. Mr. Tabler is the present Commissioner of Highways, and has

AU SABLE TOWNSHIP.

served in that capacity eight years in all. He is one of the representative members of the Au Sable M. E. Church. Of five chil- dren born him, but one-Minnie M .- is liv- ing.

N. L. TABLER, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born on the old homestead July 4, 1838; he is the fourth child now living by his fa- ther's marriage to Mary Ann Cryder; he re- mained on the homestead until his twenty- third year, then associated with his brother David C. in farming; purchasing land to- gether, they continued together for nine years, after which he located on the land he now owns, which he improved, the buildings thereon being built by his own hands. Though he never worked at the carpenter's trade, yet it runs in the Tabler family to be of a mechanical turn; all of them can con- struct anything they desire. February 2, 1870, he married Hannah Mary Caldwell, who was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., December 6, 1831, fourth child and second daughter of Samuel and Mary (Cryder) Cald. well; her paternal grandfather was David Caldwell; her mother, Mary Cryder, was a daughter of Israel Cryder, whose wife was Mary Seibert. To Samuel Caldwell and his wife Mary were born three daughters and two sons, Mrs. Tabler being the only one who came West. Mr. and Mrs. Tabler have three children-Ella, Rebecca and Mary. He is a member of the Au Sable M. E. Church, and class leader of the same. In school mat- ters, he takes an active part, and is School Director of the same.

EZRA TABLER, farmer, P. O. Minooka. Among the thorough-going young farmers in Au Sable Township is Ezra Tabler, who was born in the township October 21, 1843, on Section 8; he is the sixth son now living that was born to Nathaniel and Mary Ann (Cryder) Tabler; he left home in the spring

of 1864, when he was married to Cynthia Kellogg, who died the same year of her mar- riage, leaving no issue; his last marriage was in 1869, to Helen Randall, who was born in this township on the farm adjoining, only daughter of S. S. Randall, one of the early settlers and prominent men in the township, now deceased. After his marriage, Mr. Tab- ler located on a portion of his father's land. In 1873, he located where he now resides, on Section 16, which was formerly owned by his brother Joseph, who improved it. Mr. Tabler has one of the finest locations in the town- ship; he has a good brick house, and is mak- ing improvements of a substantial character on his premises; he has three children by his last marriage -- Alice, Henry and Elizabeth; he is independent in political matters and liberal in religion.

JEROME R. TABLER, farmer, P. O. Morris, is the eldest son of Nathaniel Tabler by his second wife, Hannah Mary Cryder; he was born on the homestead March 2, 1853. and has since been a resident of the township, and now resides within a short distance of the place where he was born. He was mar- ried, July 27, 1876, to Mary A. Bradshaw, who was born October 14, 1854, in this county and township, eldest daughter of Hamilton Bradshaw, now deceased. After his marriage, Mr. Tabler lived one year on the homestead, but, since February, 1877, has been a resident of the farm he now owns, consisting of 100 acres. He is a progressive young man, an intelligent farmer and a suc- cessful one. They have one child-Albert Roy, born April 2, 1877.

LEWIS WESLEY TABLER, farmer, P. O. Minooka, is the third son of Nathaniel Tabler by his wife, Hannah M. Cryder; he was born November 8, 1856, on the farm where he now lives and where he has since resided. February 14, 1877, he was married

BIOGRAPHICAL:

to Anna L. Bradshaw, who was born Decem- ber 28, 1859, on Section 8, in this township, daughter of Hamilton and Mrs. Hannah Beam Bradshaw, the latter's maiden name being Davis. Hamilton Bradshaw was born July 16, 1811, in Guernsey County, Ohio, son of William Bradshaw. Hamilton was married to Mrs. Bean, on December 21, 1853; she was born in the town of Woodsfield, Monroe Co., Ohio, July 8, 1822, only daugh- ter of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Large) Davis; she was born in Chester County, Penn., daughter of Robert and Sarah (Whit- taker) Large. Dr. Davis was born in Bos- ton, Mass., son of Levi and Hannah (Shep- herd) Davis. Dr. Davis removed with his family West, to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1826, and two years later was drowned, while crossing the river on his horse, on his way to see a patient, Hamilton Bradshaw removed West, to this county, in 1854, and located on the farm now owned by J. H. Murphy, on Section 8, where two children were born-Anna L., wife of C. W. Tabler, and Mary A. now wife of Jerome Tabler, both of this township. Mr. Bradshaw resided on that farm about fifteen years, when he located at Channahon, Will County, Ill., where he died July 31, 1868; his widow yet survives him; her first husband was Landon Bean, born April 17, 1817, in Belmont County, Ohio, son of Levi Bean; by Mr. Bean she had two sons and one daughter-Wesley R., David T. and Sarah E. Wesley is now a Methodist minister in Nebraska City, Neb. David T. is in the employ of a railroad com- pany at Omaha. Sarah E. married Brainard Curtis, and resides in Russell County, Kan. Mr. Tabler resides on the homestead; he has two children-Hattie May and Oliver Wesley. He is a member of the M. E. Church.

JOHN T. VAN DOLFSON, farmer, P. O. Minooka. Of the ealyr settlers in this town-

ship that have risen from small beginnings, making their commencement by hard months and continued years of manual labor on a farm at low wages, is Mr. Van Dolfson. His ancestors originally came from Holland, and settled in the Mohawk Valley, in Now York State. His paternal grandfather was John T. Van Dolfson, only son of his father's fam- ily; he married a Miss Brunk; to them was born Tunis Van Dolfson, the father of our sub- ject. Tunis married Elizabeth Ten Eyck, who bore him five children-Charlotte, Conrad Garritie, Elizabeth and John T., all of whom lived to attain the years of manhood and wom- anhood, and are yet living, save Charlotte, who married Ephraim Brunk, who first settled in this county, but afterward removed to Kon- dall County, where she died. Conrad resides in Chicago, and has three children. Gar- ritie resides in Labette County, Kan., wife of Theran Collins, and Elizabeth resides in Kendall County, wife of W. H. Perkins. John T. was the youngest of the family, and is the only one of the name in the county; he was born April 5, 1822, in Albany County, N. Y .; his mother died when he was quite young. In 1838, he came to the West, and directly to this county; the following year, he went to Kendall County, where he hired out by the month. In the spring of 1843, he returned to this township, and, with his accu- mulated earnings, he purchased land where he now resides, paying therefor $3 per acre; there was a log cabin and about seventeen acres broken; here he settled and has since been a constant resident and a safe and suc- cessful business man, having accumulated a handsome property; he has been twice mar- ried -first, to Rachel Widney, December 7, 1848; she was born June 28, 1825, in Miami County, Ohio, daughter of John Widney; she passed to her rest in the " beyond " Sep- tember 11, 1858, having given birth to two

AU SABLE TOWNSHIP.

children, both of whom are now living -Mary E., wife of William H. Smith, of Will Coun- ty, and William, residing near his father's, in this township. In 1564, Mr. Van Dolfson married Miss Sarah E. Ross, also a nativo of Miami County, daughter of Charles Ross, of Ohio; no children by last marriage; he is a member of Minooka Lodge, No. 528, A., F. & A. M., and was one of the charter members.

ZACHARIAH WALLEY, farmer, P. O. Morris. Among the old pioneers of this township is Mr. Walley, who was born No- vomber 1, 1807, in Washington County, Md., and son of Conrad and Catharine (Board) Walley. Conrad Walley was a native of Ger- many; came to America when small, and set- tled in Maryland, where he married Catha- rino Beard, a native of that State, daughter of Zackariah and Mary Beard. Our subject ro- moved with his parents, when ten years of age, to the vicinity of Zanosville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, and remained there about fifteen years; then removed to Delaware County, on the Scioto River; here, on attaining his ma- jority, ho run a saw-mill on the river for five years; thon engaged in farming by renting. He married, September 22, 1831, Catharine, daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Hess) Cryder. Mrs. Walley was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 12, 1814. In the fall of 1833, Mr. Walley removed West, to this township, in company with Nathaniel H. Tabler and Henry Cryder, his father-in-law, all of whom settled in what is now this town- ship. Mr. Walley settled first on Section 17, where he squatted, and, not liking the situa. tion, lived there only one year, when, in the fall of 1834, he removed to his present place, took a pre-emption claim of 160 acres, and has since resided here and been engaged in farming. His wife died February 4, 1849, leaving seven children-Elizabeth, Susan, Maria, William and Sarah, all of whom

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 48

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