USA > Illinois > Grundy County > History of Grundy County, Illinois > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
and from there to Miami County. In 1859, they left Lee County, Ind., and came to Grundy County, Ill., settling where they now live. Their union gave them fifteen children, eight living -- George, Elizabeth, Will, John, Thomas, David, Martha, Lida J. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He votes the Repub- lican ticket. Thomas, the fifth child, was born May 15, 1840, in Bartholomew County, Ind .; was married, April 10, 1861, to Esther Mor- rison, the result being one child-Elva J. He was in Company K, Illinois Light Rifles and Company K, Illinois Light Artillery, etc Lida J. married Thomas R. Curran, the result being Margaret A., Lydia M. and James H. Mr. C. has been Township Clerk.
LLOYD & REES, merchants, Braceville. Prominently identified with the business firms of Braceville are the gentlemen whose names head this article. John Lloyd was born De- cember 30, 1849, in Wales. Is a son of David and Sarah (Buttrey) Lloyd, natives of Wales, and the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom survive, viz., Mary, Richard, John, Eliza- beth, Ann, Davy and Abraham. The parents emigrated to America in 1861, settling in Penn- sylvania. In 1863, the family came to Grundy County. Ill., where the father purchased eighty acres of land lying within the corner of Will, Kankakee and Grundy Counties, after having mined for many years. The parents are living in Braceville, retired from the active pursuits of life. John, of whom we write, mined until about twenty-one years old, when he engaged in other vocations. He began his present busi- ness in July, 1881, and on March 13, 1882, he accepted Mr. R. Rees as a full partner, which firm name still exists, having at this time a full line of groceries, dry goods and notions. He was married April 5, 1873, to Sarah A. Rees, a sister of his partner, which resulted in four children, two of whom are living, viz., John and Daniel. Mr. Lloyd was a Justice of the
115
BRACEVILLE TOWNSHIP.
wood Lodges, A., F. & A. M. and U. O. F., and of Braceville Lodge K. of P., and is D. D. G. C. in the latter. Rees Rees, the junior member of the firm, was born November 28, 1854, in Wales, and is a son of William and Sarah Rees, natives of the same country, and the parents of a large family. His parents emigrated to Illinois in 1864, and in 1865 they came to Braceville, and are now residing at Braidwood. At the age of nine, our latter subject of this sketch began mining, which he has worked at more or less since. He had some experience as a clerk in a grocery store before forming his present partnership. He had some good school advantages. Was mar- ried, January 27, 1877, to Mary Oliver, of Braidwood, Will County, which union has re- sulted in two children-Lillie and Emma II. He is a member of the Braceville Lodge, K. of P.
A. J. LAGERQUIST, contractor and builder, Braceville, was born January 8. 1840, in Swe- den. Is a son of Jonas and Corrie Lagerquist. natives of Sweden, and parents of five children, viz .. Jonas, Katy. Elias, A. J. and Corrie. Mr. Lagerquist attended school but little, and at the age of thirteen he began the tailor's trade, and soon after worked at carpentering at very sinall wages. At the age of twenty-two, he engaged in farming, together with his trade. Was married, in 1859, to Caroline Lagerquist, and in the same year he came to America, set- tling in Kansas, where he farmed until 1864, when he engaged in carpentering in Gardner, this county. In 1875 he settled in Braceville, where he has since carpentered, and has added the lumber trade and house-moving. He owns some good property here His union blessed him with four children-Anna, Anders (furni- ture dealer at this place). Charles and Caroline L. lle votes the Republican ticket.
JESSE MILL, Justice of the Peace, Coal City, was born January 10, 1810, in England. Is the son of John and Jane (Fulford) Mill.
the parents of James, John, Joshua, Jonathan, Jesse, Jemima, Julia, Jethro, Jabez, Josiah and Joce. It is a remarkable fact that this entire family of eleven children possesses a name commencing with J. Our subject attained an excellent education. He graduated in a law school in his native country, and came to Wis- consin in 1864, and in 1865 to Braceville Town- ship, this county, where he farmed and mined for several years. In 1863. he was married to Kate Pomeroy, resulting in seven children- William, Jerome, Augustus, Jessie, Bertie, Charles and Sealey. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1877, which position he holds yet, together with Township Clerk and Treas- urer, Village Clerk, and about ten other minor offices.
THOMPSON MARTIN, retired farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born August 28, 1832, in New York City. Is son of Alfred and Hannah (Cox) Martin. natives of New Jersey, and the parents of nine children-John, Mary. Thompson. Henry L., William K., Harriet D., Jane M .. George W. and James P. Our subject attended school considerably. At the age of six. he fell from a mill and injured his skull, which impaired his mental powers. Was with his parents till nineteen, when he came to Illinois on a hunt- ing spree, and finally made a settlement, his father buying him eighty acres of land in Braceville Township, which was mostly tim- bered. Was married to Amanda Cairns, the result being two children -- William and Char- lic. In 1873, he left his farm and came to Gardner on account of poor health, where he has since remained. He enlisted in Company 1. Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and was out over three years. His wife died June 28, 1858, and he was again married, November 14, 1865, to Huldab Sutton, the re- sult being six children-llarriet A., Alberta, Alfred N., John B .. Helen E. and Llewellyn. The present Mrs. Martin is a daughter of Na- than and Martha Sutton, settlers here about
116
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1861 ; her mother is living with them, and is hale and hearty at eighty-seven years. He has served in some small township offices ; was Deputy Postmaster once, and carried the mail from Braceville to Craigs. Our subject owned the first log cabin ever built on the prairies in this part of the country ; it was built by Wood- ward in 1847. The building was used for fire- wood and hitching-posts in Gardner.
JAMES MCKINLEY, boarding, livery and undertaking, Coal City, was born October 1, 1830, in Scotland, is a son of John and Mar- garet (Brown) Mckinley, also natives of Scot- land. The parents had ten children-Jane, Margaret, Mary, James, John, Elizabeth, Will- iam, Robert, Jesse, Elam. Mr. Mckinley began coal mining when ten years old. In 1852, came to Pennsylvania, where he mined for four years, transferring then to La Salle, La Salle Co., Ill, and following the same avoca- tion. In the fall of 1856, he was employed for a few months at Morris, Grundy County, after which he farmed in De Kalb County for five years. He abandoned farming there, and after laboring a few months at Morris, he went to Belleville, St. Clair Co., Ill., and mined for two years, and from there to Vermillion County, where he mined and bossed the miners for about three years. His next transfer was to Braidwood, Will County, at which place he took an interest in some mines, which proved unsuccessful, and he invested what means he had in a restaurant, which, with other prop- erty, he traded for land in Braceville Town- ship, where he farmed until 1882, when he left his farm of 240 acres and engaged in his pres- ent business, that of boarding, livery and undertaking, having the only establishment of the latter two businesses in the village. Was married August, 1856, to Margaret Haughy, which resulted in six children, four of whom are living-John, James, Margaret and Nellie. Has served as Commissioner of Highways and School Director. Votes the Republican ticket.
THOMAS MORGAN, blacksmith and wag- on shop, Braceville, was born October 15, 1825, in Wales, is a son of Thomas and Mar- garet (Evans) Morgan, also natives of Wales, and the parents of seven children, viz., Thomas, Evan, Jacob, John, Mary, Margaret and William. Mr. Morgan attended school until eleven years old, when he took sick with a fever, and was unable to labor until he was twelve, at which time he commenced learning the trade of a blacksmith, which he has fol- lowed during the remainder of his life. In 1868, he emigrated to New York, and there worked at his trade. In one year, he trans- ferred to a shop near Akron, Ohio, and from there to Racine, Wis., where he was employed by Mitchell Bros. in the manufacture of wag- ons for six years. He came to Dwight, Ill., in 1880, and a little later, to Braceville, where he is doing a good business. Was married, Octo - ber 5, 1850, to Maria Williams, who blessed him with eight children, namely, John, Thomas, Evan, William (deceased), Catharine, William (deceased), Maggie and Jane. He has been no office-seeker, and has given his time to his business. He and wife are members of the Welsh Methodist Church, in which he is Treas- urer and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He votes the Republican ticket.
E. J. MYERS, livery, Braceville, was born January 29, 1844, in Du Page County, Ill. He is a son of Jacob and Elovina (Rhodes) Myers, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. The fam- ily came to Du Page County at an early day. Our subject is one of seven children, viz., Mary, the wife of F. Benter ; E. J .; Albert ; Eliza, the wife of George Hullinger ; Maria, the wife of B. T. Harley ; Jacob and Oscar. Mr. M. attended school some after twenty-one years of age, paying his way by taking care of horses for Dr. Bell, of Naperville. After leav- ing the Northwestern College, he engaged as a clerk for Kline & Rickert, commission mer- chants of 156 and 158 South Water strcet
117
BRACEVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Chicago. At the expiration of six months, he began farming for his unele, Elias Myers, of Will County, which he continued for two years, and then rented a farm in De Kalb County. One year later, he rented south of Joliet. January 26, 1881, he was married to Frantie Ramer, of De Kalb County, Ill., which resulted in one child Floyd. He came imme- diately after marriage to Braceville, and opened up a livery business, renting an old building. lle has continued the same, and has lately constructed a fine stable, to which he has add- ed a fine line of buggies and first-class driving horses. He votes the Republican ticket.
JOHN MATHIAS, saloon, Braceville, was born in 1839, in Wales, is a son of James and Mary (Lewis) Mathias. The parents came to this country, the father in 1862, and the mother in 1863. They were the parents of four children, viz., Ann, John, Margaret and Martha. Our subject attended school until thirteen years old, when he began mining, which he followed the greater portion of his life since. He came to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1860, where he mined for one year, and then came to Morris, Ill., and there engaged with Steel in a mine. He worked at the same busi- ness at Bracevilte for some time. He settled here when there were but three houses to be seen on the present site of the village. He took an interest in mines in Kankakee County. In 1868, he closed his mining career at Gard- ner, Ill. Was married January 31, 1869, to Elizabeth Williams, a native of Wales, which union resulted in five children-John, Mary, Thomas. Lottie and Elizabeth. The latter two only survive. He was Police Magistrate of this village for two years, and is now in his second term as Tax Collector. He is a mem- ber of Braceville Lodges, I. O. O. F. and K. of P., and A., F. & A. M., of Gardner. He is holding office in the first-named lodge.
J. E. PAGE, farmer, P. O. Mazon, was born June 21, -, in Cook County, Ill .; is a son of
T. N. and Selinda (Noyes) Page, natives of New Hampshire. They came to Illinois be- tween 1833 and 1837 ; they emigrated West with a wagon ; the mother died March 6, 1880, having blessed her husband with eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living, viz., J. E., Elizabeth, Ellen, Hannah L., Hiram A., Fred W. (deceased), Mattie and George R. The father is living in Cook County, where he first settled ; is a Methodist, to which organization his consort belonged ; he was Postmaster at Elk Grove for many years. Our subject at- tended sebool some in the country. Was mar- ried, December 28, 1859, to Laura J. Thomas, a daughter of Josephus and Affy (Dyer) Thomas. Her parents came to Illinois in June, 1850. settling in Elgin. Her father died January 18, 1882. and her mother is living in Chicago. Laura J. and Milo are the only chil- dren living. Mrs. P.'s parents united early with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The great-grandfather Thomas was born in 1736, in Providence, R. I .; was married to Sarah Emer- son, of Uxbridge, Mass. Ile was one of the first legislators of Vermont. Mr. P.'s grand- father Page was Governor of New Hampshire two terms, and his uncle, John Page, wis Treasurer of said State for ten years. Our subject made a few different settlements during his sojourn, until 1882, when he located on his present farm of 160 acres in Braceville Town- ship. ITis union has blessed him with seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Helen M. (graduated at the grammar schools of Chi- eago, and has taught ten terms), John, Ed L., Charles D., Fred W. and Gracie A. Ile is an active Republican.
CHARLES PRICKETT, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born October 16, 1829, in Logan Coun- ty, Ohio ; is a son of James and Rebecca Prick- ett. The parents came to Kendall County, Ill., in 1833. They had seven children, viz., Elijah, Joel, Charles, Jolin, Aaron, Elizabeth, Jane. He has always been a farmer. Was married,
118
BIOGRAPHICAL:
February 6, 1858, to Adaline A. Holderman, the result being twelve children, viz., Jane E., George, Byron, Jacob, Rhua, Melissa, Joel, Nellie, Burton C., Rose, Elizabeth, Anthony. He settled at his marriage near Morris, this county, and in 1864 he bought his present farm of 160 acres, and has lived on the same since. He has been Highway Commissioner, Tax Collector and Constable ; votes the Re- publican ticket ; takes an interest in educating his children.
RICHARD RAMSEY, Superintendent coal mines, Braceville, was born November 22' 1842, in England; is a son of William and Ann (Hackles) Ramsey, the parents of seven children - Margaret, William T., Richard, George, Mary A., Joseph, John. The subject attended school until eleven years old, and then began laboring in coal mines. He came to America in 1863 with his mother, settling in Morris, this county. He soon after began mining at Pekin, Tazewell County. In 1873, he located at Braidwood, and was made gen- eral pit boss, and in 1881 he was appointed Superintendent of the mines at Braceville, which position he now occupies, having under his charge about a thousand men and three shafts. Was married in 1867, to Mary A. Bar- ly, of Morris, the result being six children-Z. B., William, Sarah, Laura L., Clara M. and Richard. He is a member of the Braidwood Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and Knights Templar of Joliet. Votes the Republican ticket. As a Superintendent, Mr. Ramsey has but few supe- riors ; he is careful, and is respected by his entire class of men.
H. C. RICILEY, clerk coal company, Brace- ville, was born January 7, 1841, in La Salle County, Ill., and is a son of W. W. and Maria (Thompson) Richey, natives, the father of Ohio and the mother of Norway. The father settled in La Salle County in 1829, and the mother in 1838. The parents had but one child-H. C. The father was married a second
time to Eliza Horton, the result being two chil- dren-William F. and Cora A. Our subject attended school in the pioneer cabins, with slab seats, slab writing-desks, etc. When fifteen, he began clerking in a store for his father at Marseilles, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was out until the close. Was in the Quar- termaster's Department. Was captured at La Grange, Tenn., and taken to St. Louis, and was afterward exchanged. On his return from the war, he was with his father for two years, and then built bridges with Alex Bruce, of Mar- seilles, for four years. Came to Braceville in 1871, and kept books for the Braceville Coal Company ; thenee to Henry, Marshall County, engaging with Nicholson & Bruce for three and one-half years ; from there to Florida for two years, to recruit his health. In 1878, he re- turned to Braceville, where he engaged as Superintendent of the Braceville Coal Mines until the company sold out, when he was re- tained as clerk for the present Superintendent. Was married in 1861 to S. A. Day, the result being three children-F. L., A. D. and Gertie. His wife died in 1868, and he was again mar- ried in 1871, to M. E. Tremaine, the result being two children-Hattie and Belle. Is a member of Marseilles Lodge, No. 418. A., F. & A. M. Votes the Republican ticket.
E. H. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born April 11, 1834, in Brooklyn, N. Y., is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hayes) Robin- son, who came from an English ancestry. They were natives of England, and landed in America the day before the falling of the meteors in the year 1833. They remained in Brooklyn, N. Y., till June, 1834, when they settled in Delaware County, Ohio, on the line between that and Union County. Here the mother died May 10, 1879, and the father is still surviving. The parents reared seven chil- dren-E. H., Alfred J., Reuben, Arthur, Mary, Edward and Guido. The father was a wood-
119
BRACEVILLE TOWNSHIP.
carver, and left his farm under the manage- ment of his energetic sons, who received for their industry about one hundred acres of land. E. H., of whom we write, received a liberal education from his father, who was a graduate of the Old French College of Lon- don, England, founded by the French Hugne- not refugees in that city after their escape from the massacre of St. Bartholomew, of whom the Robinsons are descendants, Our subject was married, September 16, 1858, to Lucinda, a daughter of John and Esther Hill. Iler parents are of German origin, their ances- tors having emigrated to Pennsylvania some time before the American Revolution, in which struggle they figured prominently. A pair of the second and a pair of the third generation removed from Westmoreland County, Penn., to Ohio about the year 1811. The younger pair, Stephen and Mariam, reared a large family, the descendants of whom are scattered over many States. The Hills noted in , Braceville and Wauponsee Townships are descended from this pair mentioned above. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have two sons as the result of their union, viz., Alfred D. and William R., both of whom are at home. They came to Grundy County March 21, 1865, and bought a farm in Braceville Township, where they are located, and are the possessors of a beautiful home, containing 240 acres. His rare business talent soon won for him the confidence of the people, who soon placed him in their service as Asses- sor, Trustee of Schools, and other offices, all of which he has held several terms with honor to himself and those who placed him there. He votes the Republican tieket.
FREDERICK SEEK, farmer, P. O. Gard- ner, was born September 7, 1843, in Baden, Germany ; is a son of Michael and Catharine Seek. natives of Germany. The parents came to Louisiana in 1853, where the father died, and the mother is living in La Salle County, Ill. Our subject worked upon a farm when
quite young. Enlisted in Company C, Eighty- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and re- mained in the service two years, a part of which time he was a sharpshooter. He was shot through the top of the skull. He helped to capture Mission Ridge, and was with Gen. Sheridan nearly one year. Was married, October 27, 1866, to Louisa Colwell, and has six children-Lillie, Frederick, Willie, Minnie, Louisa and Arthur. He settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 1876; came to this county in 1868, and rented for several years of Cameron. lle votes the Republican ticket.
JAMES SHORT, merchant, Coal City. Mr. Short was born November 14, 1874, in Grundy County, Ill. Is one of five children by Lemuel and Sarah (Burr) Short, viz., James, W. B., Al- vina, Lemuel and William. Mr. Short had but little advantage of school, owing to the searcity of school-buildings in his younger days. At the age of nine, he was put to herd cattle on the wild, unbroken prairie, which was covered with stones. This he followed until about twenty-one years old. He can recall many in- teresting reminiscenees of his early "cow-boy " life. On one occasion, he seared up a wolf, and made chase with his pony, and finally drove the wild animal to a thicket. When he alighted from his horse, he noticed that the wolf had bitten the pony's legs, which were bleeding freely. This sad sight aroused Mr. Short's temper, and awakened his love for his prairie companion, which he mounted, and returned to the thieket with a full determination to destroy the beast that had so shamefully lacerated his horse's forelegs. Ile either found the same wolf or another, and chased him for about four hours over the prairie, whipping and lash- ing him with his large cow-whip until he had put out one eye of the wild animal, and eut his head so badly that it was covered with blood, and it lay down to rest, at which june- ture of the race our little hero alighted, and with stones beat the wolf to death. From this
120
BIOGRAPHICAL:
time on the faithful horse would run any wolf that aroused from his lair. This was not all that our subject amnsed himself at. Every cattle dealer that came along had with him a fast horse, which he would bet on, and every wager was promptly accepted by Mr. Short, and his pony always won the race. Over the prai- rie, where rocks were as thick as hail after a hard storm, would this wiry little chap run his horse and secure the booty. In 1875, he en- gaged in cattle dealing for himself, which he has continued since with good success ; he was for awhile in the meat business at Coal City, and in 1880 he opened up a line of dry goods, which he is still running. Was married, in 1874, to Frances Lattimer, the result being one child-Frances. His wife died in 1876, and in 1881 he was married a second time to Mrs. Caroline Clark, a daughter of William Moore, an old settler of this county. She was married to Loren G. Clark, resulting in four children- Ettie, Gertrude, Henry and Alla. Mr. Short was President of the Board of Trustees when the village of Coal City was organized. He votes the Republican ticket.
T. T. SMITH & CO., hardware merchants, Braceville. Mr. T. T Smith of the above firm, was born September 8, 1846, in Michigan, is a son of T. and Esther A. (Bashford) Smith, natives of New York, and the par- ents of five children-Oliver N., Harriet A., T. T. and two deceased when young. Our subject obtained a fair education, and spent his young- er days on a farm. In 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and remained until the war closed. On his return from the war, he en- gaged in the grocery business, together with dry goods, at Braidwood, with L. H. Goodrich. After severing his connection with Goodrich, he engaged with C. W. & V., at same village for two years ; afterward he managed a farm for Homes & Cody for two years, and then was with J. L. Swanburg in the hardware business,
which he bought April 4, 1882, and has since continued the same at Braceville, having at this time a full line of hardware, etc. He has a fine business room with a good hall ahove, which is used for general meetings. Was mar- ried, in 1870, to Jennie Bennett, of Wilming- ton. She lived but a short time, and he was again married, in 1874, to Lucy Leatherman, the result being Roy L., Zula M. and Oliver T. He is now President of the Village Board, and is Trustee of the Methodist Church ; is a mein- ber of the A. O. U. W., and is Master of the same ; is a member of the Braidwood Lodge, A., F. & A. M .; votos the Republican ticket.
ALFRED VINCENT, blacksmith, Braceville. Mr. Vincent was born July 5, 1861, in Montreal, Can., and is a son of Julian and Asena (La Rock) Vincent, natives of Canada. The family came to Illinois in 1865, settling at Manteno, Kankakee County. The parents had nine children-Frank, Will, Ed, Julian. Alfred, Lillie, Agnes, Lina and Napoleon. Our subject attended school but little, and learned the car- penter's trade, beginning it when about ten years old. At the age of sixteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade with Thomas O'Neal, of Braidwood, with whom he remained for about three years. In 1882, he began his present business, that of a general blacksmith and wagon, buggy and repair shop, at which he is succeeding admirably, having in his employ two men of experience.
F. S. WATKINS, attorney at law, Braceville, born September 13, 1810, in Maryland ; son of Lafayette and Lydia (Stringer) Watkins, na- tives of Maryland and parents of six children -Richard G., George W., John G., Edward, Rachel and our subject, who attended the dis- trict schools until ten years old, when he engaged as a clerk for J. Merrill at $10 per month ; here he remained for five years, after which he farmed. In 1831, he came to Pekiu, where he clerked, and afterward worked on a farm in Tazewell County, thence to La Salle
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.