USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 8
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The life history of Charles K. Ladd given in detail with an analyzation of his character is an interesting one. He was born February 26, 1839, in Wil- mot, New Hampshire, and his history was in measure shaped by the influences of his youthful days spent among the granite hills of that state. He always had the deepest attachment for his New England home, to which in reminiscent mood he referred with tenderness and eloquence. His parents were John T. and Lydia Ladd, the former a stone-cutter by trade. They remained residents of New Hamp- shire until 1855, when they brought their family to Illinois, settling at Indian Hill, a small place near Mineral. There Charles K. Ladd assisted in the cul-
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tivation and improvement of the home farm until the fall of 1858, when he came with his parents to Kewanee. Soon after he had opportunity for supplementing his early educational privileges by a course at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois, and in that institution pursued his studies to graduation. In his college days he formed the determination to become a lawyer and to this end entered the law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, his admission to the bar following the completion of his course there. Throughout the years of a successful professional career he remained a resident of Kewanee, first enter- ing upon practice in connection with Judge Wilson, with offices on Tremont street. After four or five years the firm removed to another location at the cor- ner of Tremont and Third streets, and soon Mr. Ladd purchased the interest of Judge Wilson and continued in practice alone there throughout the remainder of his life. For nearly thirty years he occupied offices in the Fischer building and . about five years prior to his death removed to the location in which he continued until his demise. He was one of the eminent lawyers, not only of the Kewanee bar but of the state, and practiced in various sections of Illinois, having cases pending in many courts at the time of his death. Constant and close study brought him thorough knowledge of the law, and, moreover, he attained rare ability as an orator and forceful speaker, these qualities resulting in winning him enviable success in his profession. He was retained as counsel for the defense or prosecution in many important cases and during the latter part of his life lost none of the eloquence which characterized him as a lawyer and public speaker in his earlier years.
Judge Graves said of him: "He was a lawyer of eminent success. I find es- pecial reason for his success and that lay in his ability to present his case effec- tively to the jury. He did not use the same speech for all cases, but changed its sentiment and style of presentation to suit occasions. He was tactful and knew how to get the jury to return the verdict he was working for. I have known him to obtain verdicts which the court could not allow to stand. I attribute this to his tact and his skill in presenting the law and his side of the case. Lawyers are many times slandered and declared to be lacking in veracity. In all my ac- quaintance with Mr. Ladd I know that he has never violated an agreement with me regarding any of the cases on the docket or on trial. I needed no written stipulation. His word was as good as his bond." He was attorney for the Tube Company from its inception until his death and of other important business in- terests and corporations in Kewanee.
While Mr. Ladd was prominently known to the legal profession of Illinois, he was even more widely known because of his political labors in behalf of the democratic party, of which he was always a stanch advocate. His words and voice carried weight, not only in local but in the state and national councils. In the political campaign of 1892 he delivered many addresses and following the election of Grover Cleveland was offered the United States district attorneyship of northern Illinois. He had no desire, however, for public preferment and, de- clining the proffered honor, recommended that his friend, Sherwood Dixon, of Dixon, Illinois, be appointed, which suggestion was honored by President Cleve- land. He also declined at the same time to become ambassador to the court of Italy. When Carter Harrison first became mayor of Chicago he offered Mr.
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Ladd the position of corporation counsel, but this, too, was declined. He first formed the acquaintance of William Jennings Bryan at Springfield, in 1894, and there sprang up between them a close friendship that continued until the death of Mr. Ladd, Mr. Bryan always being the guest of Mr. Ladd when in Kewanee, while the latter several times visited at the former's home. They were said to resemble each other closely in personal appearance, so much so that on one oc- casion when Mr. Ladd was traveling with Mr. Bryan and the latter became fa- tigued Mr. Ladd went upon the rear platform of the train at a number of stations where he made short speeches and was recognized and cheered as the Nebraska statesman. He served for a number of years as a member of the state central committee and in 1896 was chairman of the democratic state convention held in Springfield. During the campaign of that year he traveled throughout the east and middle west and in two months delivered more addresses than any of the democratic orators under the direction of the national committee. He generally agreed with the political views of Mr. Bryan but took strong exception to his attitude on government ownership and expressed his views on that question in an article which apeared in the Chicago papers. It was also in the convention of 1896 that he made the speech that quieted disorder and defeated David B. Hill for temporary chairman. At that convention he declined the vice presidency. His open letter to William J. Bryan, upon the latter's return from Europe, he urging the Nebraskan to moderate his views on certain questions in the interests of harmony, brought him prominently into public notice.
As an orator he had exceptional ability. Logical and eloquent, his reputa- tion as a campaign speaker was national. The Galesburg Register said: "He was the most picturesque democrat in central Illinois. No man could be more genial and agreeable, and none more terrific in the arraignment of his political foes. We recall one time his making a political speech three hours long, holding his audience to the end by his entertaining and magnetic eloquence." The Chi- cago Post said: "Mr. Ladd was held in high regard by his party and no impor- tant gathering of democrats in the state was considered complete without his presence and his independent expression of opinion."
In Kewanee, where he was best known, Charles K. Ladd was held in warm- est regard. He figured conspicuously in the public life of the city during his long residence here. Although he shrank from public office he consented to serve for one term as alderman and for a number of years as city attorney, and many of the ordinances of the city ordinance book were prepared by him. On one occasion when a certain amount of money had to be raised for a bonus to enlarge the Western Tube Works, in a given time he started out to secure this and did it so effectively that he was soon able to telegraph Mr. Pierce at Pittsburg that it was all subscribed. He was recognized as the father of the Kewanee Public Library and his interest therein prompted the movement which recently cul- minated in the erection of the splendid new block at the corner of First and Tre- mont streets built for the library. In previous years he had a store of books in one of his apartments and encouraged the idea of a public reading room. He interested others in loaning and giving books for public use and with the gradual growth of the institution he contributed five hundred volumes from his library and later made another gift of fifteen hundred. His private law library con-
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tained forty-eight hundred volumes and was the largest to be found in the central states. He took great pride in his collection of books, which included the works of many famous ancient and modern writers.
In February, 1870, Mr. Ladd was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Shelton, and to them were born two children, Grace Lillian and Ernest Charles. Through- out his life Mr. Ladd maintained for himself the privilege of forming unbiased opinions-a privilege which he accorded as well to others. His creed, which found exemplification in his life, was that of Thomas Paine: "Loving mercy, doing justice, and endeavoring to make his fellow creatures happy." Mr. Ladd held membership in Kewanee Lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M .; Kewanee Chap- ter, No. 47, R. A. M .; Kewanee Commandery, No. 71, K. T .; Kewanee Star, No. 43, O. E. S .; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. All of these organizations were fully represented at the funeral services which were held following the demise of Mr. Ladd, who passed away May 28, 1908. In accordance with his expressed wishes there was no depressing solemnity when he was laid away. Several musical selections of a bright, cheerful nature were sung and several friends spoke from their knowledge of the deceased. Judge Hand, chief justice of the supreme court said : "When a young man he came here and during forty years was one of Kewanee's truest friends and one of the best known citizens of the community. No one will go out from Kewanee or Henry county who will be more missed than C. K. Ladd. He was a warm-hearted, generous man, anxious to help those in need-a man who loved his friends. There was much in his character to inspire the young man of the present day. He came here a poor boy but he carved a name for himself." Judge Graves said : "My friend Ladd was a man of strong convictions. He was a leader, not a fol- lower of men, both in thought and in action. He had his own ideas and was at all times willing to express his convictions on any subject to others. They were not all in accord with current ideas, but it did not necessarily follow that they were not right. It is easy enough to adopt the thoughts and ideas of others, but it takes courage to stem the tide of public opinion with one's own ideas of con- trary nature. * He was a true friend and an affectionate man. There was nothing he would not do for his friends and most of his acts of kindness came unbidden and unexpected. He made mistakes, like the rest of us, but whatever else may be said of him he was not a hypocrite. If there was a worse side to him it was the outside. Generous impulses, breath of sympathy, kindness and charity, public spirit, loyalty to his home city, of all these he had more than his share. And it is these things that will linger in memory." Devotion to his family was one of his salient characteristics.
WILLIAM H. BLISH.
William H. Blish, whose long and loyal official services, whose business activity and integrity and whose high Christian character endeared him to all who knew him through the years of his residence in Henry county, was born at East Glastonbury, Connecticut, May 25, 1812, and was a son of Colonel
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Sylvester Blish, the founder of the family in Henry county. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and at the age of twenty-five years he came to Illinois with the colony that was founded at Wethersfield, in 1837. He worked at his trade there to some extent and for several years lived on a farm west of the village, but afterward took up his abode in the town and turned his at- tention to merchandising, conducting a store at the corner of Tenney and Church streets. About 1847 he was associated with his father in the building of a hotel just east of the store, and they conducted it for ten years, it being the only hotel in this section until after the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was built through Kewanee. It was the stopping place for the stage lines and the engineers of the railroad made it their headquarters for some time. Mr. Blish was also associated with other business interests, becoming connected, about 1855, with Zerah Chapin in building a gristmill, in which they conducted a large and profitable business until the failure of the wheat crops of 1860 and 1861. Later in company with Nathanial Mayhew Mr. Blish removed the mill to Neponset, Illinois, and as the venture there proved a losing one they sold out at a great sacrifice. Mr. Blish never allowed things to discourage him or to warp his kindly, genial nature, and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him again and again to public office, his official services covering forty years. He filled the position of county treasurer and acted as justice of the peace until he refused longer to hold the office. He was super- visor for several years, was chosen town collector year after year and for a quarter of a century acted as school treasurer and was town clerk for nearly as long a period. His office in the corner of his old hotel, which he occupied as long as he lived, was the headquarters for all town business and the people seemed to think they could not do business elsewhere. Here he was always to be found-genial, affable, sensible and level-headed; ready to make a deed or mortgage, draw a will or have a friendly conversation on any subject. He was himself a man of peace and very few suits begun in his court ever came to trial for he usually induced the litigants to settle their disputes in an amicable way without recourse to the law.
On the 25th of January, 1836, at Glastonbury, Connecticut, William H. Blish was married to Miss Eliza Hollister, who was born November 27, 1811, in Man- chester, Connecticut, and was the adopted daughter of Deacon Nehimiah Hollister. They became the parents of eight children: Charles Sylvester, who was born December 5, 1836, at Glastonbury, Connecticut; Helen Louise, who was born November 5, 1838, at Wethersfield, Illinois; John Giddings, born on the 23d of June, 1840; Adelaide Eliza, born December 22, 1842, and died October 14, 1854; Frank Cheney, who was born April 15, 1845, and died on the 17th of April, 1845; Prudence Knox, born March 10, 1847, and died October 11, 1860; Rhoda Cheney, who was born on the 10th of June, 1850; and Addie Eliza, born June 14, 1855. The mother of these children passed away November 19, 1858, and on the 17th of April, 1860, William H. Blish wedded Hannah Gage, who was born September 27, 1833, at Fairfield, New York, and a daughter of Elijah Gage of that place. The four children of that marriage were: Margaret Gage, who was born April 1, 1861, and for a number of years has been a successful school teacher ; William H., born January 14, 1863; Hannah Elizabeth, who was
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born November 15, 1872, and after teaching for some years in the schools of Kewanee and Chicago was married July 3, 1902, to Herbert Diller, of the latter city ; and Belle Gage, who was born February 10, 1877, and after teaching in the public schools of Kewanee was married June 17, 1903, to Thomas M. O'Connor. Mrs. Hannah Gage Blish died July 19, 1881, at Wethersfield, Illinois. The death of Mr. Blish occurred in his old home July 15, 1895, when he was in his eighty-fourth year. He was a life long member of the Congregational church and for a number of years its chorister. In the community where he lived he was held in the highest esteem for he was a kind and generous man, ever ready to lend a helping hand or to give words of cheer and sympathy. He left behind him a spotless record and his memory is revered and cherished by all who knew him.
WILLIAM D. JONES.
William D. Jones is a retired farmer, making his home in a comfortable resi- dence in Colona, which he purchased in December, 1908. In former years, how- ever, he led a very busy and active life on the farm, so that the rest which he now enjoys is well merited. Mr. Jones is a native of Canada, born on a farm in Pickering township, near Ontario. He is a son of Isaac Jones, who was born in the Empire state. He was a shoemaker by trade, also engaged in farming. He journeyed from New York, his native state, to Canada and was there united in marriage to Mrs. Susanna Millard, who bore the maiden name of Snyder. Like her husband, she was a native of New York. She had a son by her former mar- riage, John Millard, who served in the Civil war, being a captain in the Confed- erate army. He was killed in battle. She also had two sons, Charles and George Jones, who served in the Union army, being members of a Michigan regiment. Charles was also killed in battle but George served throughout the war and lived for many years thereafter, his death occurring in the Soldiers Home at Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his remains were interred. It will thus be seen that the half brother, Mr. Millard, was their antagonist during that great struggle but the fact was not known at the time.
William D. Jones was reared on the home farm in Canada and was educated in the district schools. In 1866, when a young man of twenty-two years, he crossed the border into the United States, making his way direct to Kewanee, Illinois, where for a time he was employed at whatever he could find that would yield him a living. His principal work, however, was driving teams. After a few months he went from that city to Green River with a drove of fifteen hun- dred sheep for O. A. Gilbert, with whom he remained for several months. He later found employment with various farmers of the neighborhood and was then with the Mineral Creek Coal Company for one winter. During the following summer he worked at farm labor in Edford township and in the winter again returned to the Mineral Creek Coal Company, with which he remained two years. It was about this time that he established a home of his own by his marriage, and subsequently he removed to Cleveland, Henry county, where he worked at car- pentering and mining for about three years. It was about this time that he
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decided to make farming a permanent vocation and to this end he took up his location on a tract of land in Western township. After a residence of three years in Western township he spent one year on a farm in Colona township. During all these years he had carefully saved his earnings and worked diligently from early morning until late at night and through these methods he acquired a sum which justified him in making purchase of eighty acres in Colona township. He paid but ten dollars per acre for this land but it was not long until, owing to the improvements which Mr. Jones placed upon it in the way of buildings and the care he gave to the soil, it was worth many times the amount he paid for it. This proved the basis of his later success and in due time he added ninety-three acres to his original purchase, so that the place now comprises one hundred and sev- enty-three acres in Colona township. For many years Mr. Jones was identified with the cultivation of this farm. He also gave much attention to stock-raising, keeping the best grades of cattle and hogs, which commanded high prices on the city markets. For many years he was likewise engaged in breeding thoroughbred French coach horses, making a close study of this breed of animals and becoming a recognized authority on the subject. Mr. Jones was thus actively engaged until December, 1908, when he put aside the more arduous cares of business pursuits and removed to Colona. His life has been a success but it is that success which comes of earnest and unremitting toil, guided by sound judgment and the capable control of all business affairs.
The 8th of May, 1869, witnessed the marriage of Mr. Jones and Miss Anna Anderson, a daughter of Andrew and Martha (Anderson) Anderson. The daughter was born in Sweden, March 1, 1849, and accompanied her parents to America in August, 1852, the family home being established on a farm near New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois, where Mr. Anderson engaged in farming through- out his remaining years, passing away December 5, 1878. The mother still sur- vives at the advanced age of eighty-six years. She is still active and in the fall of 1909 made a trip to Polk, Nebraska, to visit a son, John H. Anderson.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones has been blessed with seven children, as follows; Anna, the wife of Daniel McGraw, a farmer of Colona township; Mabel, the wife of Josephus S. Evans, a resident of East Moline, Illinois ; Carrie, the wife of Clarence Garland, a resident farmer of Colona township, who is mentioned in this work; Manville, who died June 11, 1892, leaving a widow and one daughter, who make their home in Colona; Clarence E., of Silvis, Illinois; Lucinda, the wife of Howard Williams, of Colona township; and Wesley D., who operates the old homestead farm.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Jones has supported the republican platform and he has always kept well informed on political ques- tions. For thirteen years he served as justice of the peace but resigned the office when he took up his abode in Colona. He has also been road commissioner, while for fourteen years he served as school director, the cause of education and good schools being one of deep interest to him. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward and as class leader. He is also acting as superintendent of the Sunday school, in which Mrs. Jones is a teacher. She is also identified with the Ladies Aid Society and both are deeply interested in each and every department of church
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work. No man is more respected and no man more fully enjoys the confidence of the people or more richly deserves the esteem in which he is held. The people, recognizing his merit, rejoice in his advancement and in the honors to which he has attained. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust that has been confided to his care, his life is the highest type of Christian manhood.
SHERMAN WILLIAM SHAFER.
Sherman William Shafer is a prominent and well known farmer and stockman residing on section 18, Geneseo township, where he owns a highly improved and valuable tract of land of three hundred and twenty-seven acres. He was born in Williams county, Ohio, on the 22d of November, 1864, his parents being Wil- liam and Mary (Varnes) Shafer, likewise natives of the Buckeye state. The paternal grandfather, Amasa Shafer, was a native of Germany and on coming to the new world took up his abode in Pennsylvania. Subsequently he removed to Williams county, Ohio, where lie passed away when well advanced in years. In early manhood he wedded Miss Elizabeth Hill, by whom he had eight children. The great-grandfather of our subject on the paternal side participated in the Revolutionary war. Stephen Varnes, the maternal grandfather of Sherman W. Shafer, was born in Pennsylvania and was of German descent. Throughout his active business career he was identified with general agricultural pursuits. He was twice married and lived to an advanced age.
William Shafer, the father of Mr. Shafer of this review, came to Henry county, Illinois, in 1865, locating in Hanna township, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved. As time passed by and his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the place by addi- tional purchase until it included three hundred and sixty acres. He likewise owned four hundred acres of land in Iowa and six hundred and forty acres in Nebraska, and was widely recognized as a most prosperous, progressive and en- terprising citizen. He continued to reside on his farm in Hanna township until the time of his demise, which occurred in 1900, when he had attained the age of seventy years. He served his fellow townsmen in the position of assessor for many years and in public as well as in private life proved himself well worthy of the trust reposed in him. Both he and his wife were devoted and consistent members of the Methodist church, in the faith of which the latter passed away in 1890, when fifty-two years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: George and Fremont, who are now deceased; Sherman William, of this review; May C., the wife of Wil- liam Myers, of Geneseo; Clara M., the wife of F. A. Snodgrass, of Geneseo; and Nellie M., who died at the age of twenty-one years.
Sherman William Shafer was but a few months old when brought by his par- ents to this county and was reared on his father's farm in Hanna township. He first attended the district schools, then pursued a course in the Colona high school and subsequently entered the Geneseo Collegiate Institute. After leaving
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that institution he was engaged in the operation of a rented tract of land for two years and then bought a farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Hanna township, near Cleveland, on which he made his home for eight years. On the expiration of that period he leased the farm and took up his abode in Geneseo, where he continued to reside for eleven years. During three years of that time he was engaged in the grain trade and for one year conducted a furniture busi- ness. In 1906 he purchased his present home farm of three hundred and twenty- seven acres in Geneseo township and located thereon in the following year. He still owns one hundred and twenty acres in Hanna township. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also handles cattle on quite an extensive scale, feeding about two hundred head annually. He bought cattle for a number of years and in both his farming and stock-raising interests has gained a measure of prosperity that well entitles him to recognition among the most substantial and leading citizens of the county. He is a director in the Farmers National Bank of Geneseo.
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