USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 10
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as well as ingenuity in outwitting the enemy. The ability, keen discernment and sound judgment which he displayed made him a favorite not only of General Washington but of other officers of the army.
Levi Pease established the first stage line in New England under Post- master General Franklin and secured the first contract for carrying the United States mail. He most successfully organized the work and for some years was the only large mail contractor in the United States. He instituted the fundamental principles upon which the present great mail service of the country is founded and he also established the first express company of the country.
It will thus be seen that Walter L. Pease is descended from an ancestry honorable and distinguished. Walter Pease. Sr., had a family of three sons and two daughters. Lester, a hatter by trade; Walter, Jr .; Eliza; George; and Ruby. The second named. Walter Pease, Jr .. who was the father of our subject. became a hat manufacturer and in 1830 removed to Hartford. Con- necticut, where he succeeded in building up an extensive trade in the hat. cap and fur business. In fact he was known as one of the most prominent manufacturers and representatives of commercial interests in that city. He was also active in political affairs and wielded a wide influence in molding public policy. He was elected to serve as a member of the city council and in other positions of trust and responsibility, thereby leaving the impress of his individuality upon the general welfare. He also figured in financial circles as a bank director.
Attracted by the opportunities of the middle west, Walter Pease, Jr., removed his family to Watertown, Wisconsin, where he purchased a tract of land. a part of which lay within the corporation limits of the city. His native force of character, his ability and his progressive spirit soon led to his selection for important duties in the public service there. He was recognized as a leading and influential citizen of Watertown and was elected to various municipal offices and was called to other positions of public trust. He served for some time on the board of supervisors.
Walter Pease, Jr., was married three times and had four sons and two daughters. His first wife was Olive Denslow. the mother of Walter L. Pease. His daughter Ruby became the wife of Professor Jabez Brook, pro- fessor of languages in the State University of Minnesota. His son. Joseph G. Pease, married Eliza Turner, of Watertown, Wisconsin, and is now a resident of Denver, Colorado. Another daughter, Olive A., became the wife of George L. Chapin, of Jefferson, Wisconsin. Oliver Pease lived to become a soldier of the Civil war, going to the front as a captain in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Regiment. In the battle of Shiloh he was severely wounded and died a short time afterward. The other children of the family passed away in infancy.
Walter Lyman Pease spent his boyhood in his native city and pursued his education in the public schools, in Clark's Academy and in the Ellington Academy near Hartford, being well trained in literary and scientific branches. From early manhood he displayed an aptitude in business affairs, readily solving intricate business problems, while he also displayed the ability that
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enabled him to recognize and utilize opportunities that others passed by heedlessly. In 1848, having accumulated a small capital, he organized the firm of Pease, Bourne & Company, his brother Joseph being one of the part- ners. They established a small store in Watertown, Wisconsin, and Walter L. Pease continued active in its management until 1852, when he sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Bourne, and removed to Illinois. He first settled in Belvidere, where he joined B. F. Lawrence and Ezra May in a distillery business. He had entered the heart of the corn belt in Illinois and his keen insight into conditions and possibilities showed him that it was necessary to place corn on the market other than in its natural state if it should be a profit- able source of revenue. At that time it was selling in the east for a dollar per bushel, while in the west it was worth only the price of common fuel. The fact presented itself to his mind that the question of transportation was the most important one involved and he saw that a practical way of solving the problem was to manufacture the corn, reduce the bulk and increase the value. Thus he became interested in the distillery business. Later, however, the railroads were built, affording transportation whereby the corn product could be sent to the markets.
After successfully conducting his interests at Belvidere for some time Mr. Pease closed out his business there and came to Elgin. Here he became a member of the private banking firm of Lawrence, Pease & Town, which was the predecessor of the First National Bank of Elgin, being converted into the latter institution in 1864. Mr. Pease not only figured prominently in financial circles but was a cooperant factor in many movements that have resulted in the material development and substantial upbuilding of the city. He and his partner, Mr. Lawrence, were the largest Elgin subscribers to and the chief promoters of the Elgin watch factory. When efforts were being made to organize this industry Mr. Pease offered. to donate thirty-five acres of land in addition to his subscription. Afterward, in association with Mr. Lawrence, Henry Sherman and Judge Wilcox, he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land and gave thirty-five acres of it to the watch factory. When the plant was built and the concern was yet in a doubtful position as to whether it would thrive or meet failure many of those who had subscribed for stock became fearful and sold out, but Mr. Pease remained a steadfast friend of the enterprise and his belief in its ultimate successful outcome led others to follow his example and continue as supporters of the new under- taking. The years justified his wisdom, for the watch factory has been one of the most important sources of revenue to the city. He was also one of the organizers and chief promoters of the Illinois Iron & Bolt Company of Car- pentersville, which had but a small beginning yet is today one of the chief productive industries of this part of the state. This result was achieved greatly through the executive management and support of Mr. Pease. In positions of administrative control he has shown the keenest insight into possibilities, looking always beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities of the future. He also seemed to know intuitively how to com- bine forces and to shape seemingly adverse conditions into a unified and har- monious whole. In 1894 he was elected president of the company and con-
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tinued in that position until shortly prior to his death. He always displayed unfaltering energy and had that strong purpose that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. His clearly defined plans inspired confidence in others and thereby gained cooperation.
On the 6th of November, 1848, Mr. Pease was united in marriage to Miss Sarah W. Fowler, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, born November 2. 1827. They long traveled life's journey together, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years passed by. They became the parents of three children : Sarah K .. the wife of Daniel Innes, of Pasadena, California : Charles F., who died in July, 1903, leaving a widow and one daughter, now living in Elgin: and Hattie, who is the wife of Walter P. Hemmens, living with her mother in Elgin. Mrs. Pease has crossed the Rocky Mountains forty times, spending the winters in Old Mexico and in California, and has several times made trips abroad. All of the original stockholders and organ- izers of the Elgin National Watch Factory have now passed away and Mrs. Pease is the only widow of those who were connected with the enterprise at the outset. She is a most remarkably well preserved woman and yet travels extensively, although now eighty years of age.
In politics Mr. Pease was always a stalwart democrat, was prominent in the ranks of the party and in his candidacy for office frequently received the support at the polls of those who held opposite political views. This was indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellowmen. He was elected to the position of alderman and twice served as mayor of the city. His interest in public affairs was prompted by the utmost devotion to the general good and his labors in behalf of the city were at all times of a most practical. beneficial nature. His life was an upright, honor- able one, in harmony with the teachings of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree. His wife and daughters are mem- bers of the Episcopal church. For a number of years prior to his death Mr. Pease spent the winter months in California and passed away in Los Angeles. June 28, 1890, his remains being interred there. No history of Elgin, how- ever, would be complete without the record of his life, for his history is closely interwoven with the annals of the city in its material development, political progress and social advancement. His salient characteristics were such as contribute to a sterling manhood and he enjoyed in full measure the respect and honor of his fellowmen.
ANDREW ANDERSON.
AAmong the men who have come to Kane county from the land of the midnight sun and whose life record is a credit to the country of their nativity and of their adoption, was numbered Andrew Anderson, who became well known in Elgin. He was born in Christiana. Norway, August 30, 1824, and for a considerable period followed farming in Illinois. He accompanied his parents to Canada in his youth and in 1854 became a resident of Elgin.
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Although a miller by trade, he here turned his attention to farming and car- ried on general agricultural pursuits at Udina for twenty-one years. He had a farm of eighty-inree acres, which he brought under a high state of cultiva- tion, converting the land into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests. At length he put aside the active work of the farm and retired to Udina, where his last days were passed. He was one of the pioneers of this locality. Elgin was but a small town at the time of his arrival and several of the enterprising villages of the present had not yet sprung into existence. As the years passed his business activity contributed to the substantial growth of the community. Aside from his farming inter- ests he was well known as an engineer, becoming the first engineer for the Borden's Condensed Milk Company and acting in that capacity for sixteen years.
In 1845 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Christiana Nelson, who was born in Norway, April 25, 1822, and still survives at the advanced age of eighty-six years. They had one child, Angelina Margaret, the wife of Captain Joseph Hudson, deceased, who is mentioned on another page of this volume, and they had two children: Henry William, who died March 23, 1867, at the age of five months; and Alfred W., who is serving on the police force of Elgin. He married Anna Fletcher and has one child, Earl Joseph.
Mr. Anderson never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for he found here the business opportunities which he sought and which led him to success. He lived a busy, active and useful life and reached the age of eighty-one years, passing away on the Ioth of Sep- tember. 1905.
ALBIN NELSON.
Albin Nelson, a farmer and stockman, successfully engaged in the opera- tion of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Elgin township, was born in Sweden. On his emigration to the new world in 1885 he located in Kane county, Illinois, and first worked as a farm hand, subsequently renting a tract of land for ten years. In 1907 he became manager and superintendent of Mr. Yarwood's farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Elgin township, in which capacity he still continues. Under his capable direction the work of the place has been carried forward along progressive and profitable lines and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm is indicative of his enterprise and practical methods in its supervision. Since Albin Nelson's arrival in this country the other members of the family, with the exception of his mother and one sister, who died in Sweden, have also come to America.
In 1891 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Johnson, likewise a native of Sweden, who came to the United States in company with a number of other immigrants, making their way from Boston directly to Kane county in 1890. With the exception of her father and one brother,
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who still reside in Sweden, the other members of her family have also made their home in this country. Of the nine children that have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Nelson seven still survive, namely: Mabel. Carl. Edward, Arthur, Walter, Elmer and Mildred.
In his political views Mr. Nelson is a stanch republican, and both he and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man-and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perse- verance and reliability so characteristic of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of the community.
REV. FRANCIS LAWRENCE REYNOLDS.
Rev. Francis Lawrence Reynolds, pastor of the Holy Angels parish in Aurora, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, March 27. 1864. His parents were Michael and Delia (Donnelly) Reynolds, in whose home he spent his boyhood days, acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools. He afterward obtained his academic and classical education in England, and, coming to America, in 1880, when a young man of sixteen years, he entered upon a course of study at St. Mary's University in Baltimore, preparatory to joining the priesthood. There he pursued courses in theology and philosophy and on the 22d of December. 1888. he was ordained to the priesthood in Holy Name cathedral of Chicago by the late Archbishop Feehan.
Father Reynolds then took up the active work of the church, in which he has been most zealous and earnest. His first charge was at Galena, Illi- nois, where he remained for one year, after which he was assistant at Ste. Ann's in Chicago for thirteen years. In 1901 he came to Aurora to take charge of the Holy Angels parish and has here continued to the present time. The church was established in 1892 with Father W. J. McNamee as the first pastor, and he was succeeded by Father Dennis P. O'Brien. The parish has been very flourishing under Father Reynolds' ministry and he has accom- plished much good work for the church and the parishioners. He now has plans under way for the erection of a new house of worship, which will be a handsome structure and a credit to the city and its Catholic population. Father Reynolds is a scholarly and courteous gentleman who endeavors to make religion of practical help in the lives of his people, and he enjoys the respect of all denominations and the sincere regard and friendship of his parishioners. He was called upon to preach the funeral oration of Colonel John F. Finerty in Holy Angels church, and as a popular lecturer he has become widely known, having spoken in the famous Faneuil Hall of Boston, the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, and Central Music Hall and Steinway Ilall in Chicago. Being an orator of splendid ability, he is constantly being invited to speak at conventions both in and out of the church. On the 15th
L. Reynolds
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of August, 1903, he was chairman of the meeting held at Sunnyside Park, Chicago, and introduced William Jennings Bryan and other speakers. He is also the author of many literary works and wrote the preface of that great production : "The Crown of Thorns and Roses."
S. NEWELL NEEDHAM.
S. Newell Needham is well remembered by many of those who were his associates while he was yet an active factor in the affairs of life connected with the agricultural interests of this part of the state. He was born in Addison county, Vermont, September 15, 1829, and his parents, Arnold and Lucinda ( Hutchinson) Needham, were also natives of the Green Mountain state. The father followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family and died in Addison county, Vermont, when about seventy years of age, his birth having occurred in 1797. He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject. Their family numbered four sons and four daughters, of whom four are now living: Mary, the wife of Nelson Hubbard; William; Jane, the wife of Charles Seymour; and Lucinda, the wife of Cornelius Rockwell.
S. Newell Needham lived in Vermont during the days of his boyhood and youth, working on the home farm and thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Believing that the broad prairies of Illinois would furnish better opportunities to one who wished to engage in farming, he came to this state in 1853 and settled in Kendall county, where he purchased land and carried on general farming in Fox township. He there became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres which he brought under a high state of cultivation, transforming the tract into rich fields that annually returned to him golden harvests.
On the 29th of March, 1855, Mr. Needham was married to Miss Mary Lewis, a daughter of Michael and Eunice (Gould) Lewis, who were natives of the Empire state, while the birth of Mrs. Needham occurred in Jefferson county, New York, September 8, 1829. The family came to Illinois in 1853. settling in Kendall township, Kendall county, where Mr. Lewis purchased more than two hundred acres of land, which he developed and improved. He and his wife lived in Kendall county for many years and then removed to Ford county, where they resided for a few years, after which they returned to Kendall county, where they continued to make their home until their death. Mr. Lewis died in 1886 at the age of eighty-six years, while his wife passed away in 1894 at the extreme old age of ninety-two years. They had ten chil- dren, of whom four are living: Sylvia, the widow of Jacob Folts, who makes her home in Denver ; Mrs. Needham; Anna, the widow of George Sherman, of Salina, Kansas; and Nelson T. Lewis. of Grant City, Missouri. The pa- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Needham was Caleb Lewis, a native of New York and of Welsh descent. He wedded Mary Overocre, was a farmer by occupa- tion and lived to old age in New York. The maternal grandfather was James
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Gould, who was also born in the Empire state and followed farming as a life work. He wedded Mary Overocre, who later became the wife of Caleb Lewis.
Two children graced the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. S. Newell Needham : Della E., who is living with her mother in Aurora: and George L., who is a hardware merchant of Yorkville. He wedded Mary A. Mason and they have three children : Roy M .. Jennie D. and Earl M.
The death of Mr. Needham occurred in November, 1883, when he was fifty-four years of age. Two years later. in 1885. Mrs. Needham and her daughter removed to Aurora, where they have since made their home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Needham were members of the Methodist church and were people of the highest respectability. His life was at all times characterized by his religious faith, by earnest effort to be just in his relations to his fellow- men and to aid a fellow-traveler on life's journey whenever it was possible for him to do so. While he prospered in his business undertakings, he never employed a single underhanded method, nor was he ever known to take advan- tage of the necessities of another in a business transaction. He owed his prosperity to his untiring diligence and his judicious investment. At the time of his death he was the owner of several farms. embracing more than a thou- sand acres of land lying in Kendall, Ford and Livingston counties of Illinois and in the states of Iowa and Nebraska. Beside this large property he also left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and a memory that is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
JOHN R. TOBIN, M.D.
There is no profession in which the demands are of a more exacting nature than those which are made upon the physician and surgeon. It is expected that his power is little less than the marvelous, that he should never succumb to fatigue but should always be ready with a cordial greeting and a cheering word, listening attentively and sympathetically to the woes of those to whom he ministers. In many respects Dr. John R. Tobin possesses the qualities of what the public regards as the ideal physician and, although yet a young man, is making for himself a creditable place as a member of the medi- cal fraternity at Elgin. He is moreover entitled to representation in this volume as one of Kane county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Gilbert. January 26, 1877. His parents were William and Margaret ( Egan) Tobin, both of whom were natives of Kane county. The grandfather, John Tobin. came to this county in 1838 and cast in his lot with the pioneers who laid the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of the county. His occupation was that of the farm and his son William followed in his business footsteps.
Dr. Tobin, however, has sought activity in other fields. In his boyhood he attended the district schools and afterward the public schools at Elgin and the Elgin Academy. When not occupied with his text-books he aided in the work of the farm until twenty years of age, when thinking to find other pur-
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suits more congenial, he took up the study of medicine, which he pursued in Rush Medical College until his graduation with the class of 1901. He after- ward had the benefit of a broad experience as interne and house physician in St. Joseph's Hospital of Chicago, where he continued for two years. He then came to Elgin, where he has since been engaged in practice and is now a part- ner of Dr. James A. Rutledge. He is also assistant head physician for the Illinois Modern Woodmen of America, is examiner for the New York Life and the Prudential Life insurance companies, assistant surgeon for the Aurora, Elgin & Chicago Railroad Company and surgeon for the Elgin & Belvidere Railroad Company. . He is thus rapidly winning recognition for his professional qualities and skill and has met with most creditable success for one of his years.
On the 22d of June, 1902, Dr. Tobin was married to Miss Theresa Zim- merman, of Elgin, and they have two children, Paul and James. The Doctor holds membership relations with the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen and other fraternal organizations, while in more specifically professional lines he is connected with the Illinois State Medical Society, the Fox River Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
PROFESSOR ROBERT I. WHITE.
Professor Robert I. White, superintendent of the schools of Elgin, has made consecutive progress in a profession wherein he is now accorded promi- nence as a most able representative of the interests of public education in the middle west. He was born in Lowell, Michigan, in 1874, and his interests and environments in boyhood and youth were those of the farm. He attended the district rural school and afterward the village high school and, taking up the profession of teaching as a life work, was for three years thus connected with the rural schools, beginning in this way when seventeen years of age. It was subsequent to this time that he spent two years as a student in Albion College and, then resuming his professional labors, he was for four years superintendent of the schools of Grandville, Michigan. He was also county school examiner for Kent county, Michigan, and, returning to Albion Col- lege, he completed his course, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Entering the University of Michigan in the graduate school, he eventually won the degree of Master of Arts. While a.student at Albion College he became a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. His special field of work in college and university was constitutional law and modern history. His study, research and investigation, however, have covered a wide range, making him a man of broad and scholarly attainments.
Continuing in the field of educational labor, Professor White served as superintendent of the schools at Caro, Michigan, and later was called to the superintendency of public instruction in Coldwater, Michigan. From that place he came to Elgin in 1907 and has since been identified with the schools of this city. He is working toward high ideals in his profession and is con-
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