USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 14
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hunting and fishing, and has held all of the offices in the Riverside Club, of which he is now a trustee. He was also the first president of the Eagles of Elgin and on leaving the chair was presented with a handsome solid gold eagle emblem. He is now president of the Derby Club and is most popular in social circles, possessing a genial, kindly spirit and manifesting at all times a deference for the opinions of others.
THOMAS FOLEY.
Thomas Foley, formerly identified with farming interests. is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. For a long period he was asso- ciated with agricultural interests and his labors were continuous and were directed by sound judgment. He was born on the seacoast in County Wex- ford. Ireland, December 23, 1828. and has therefore almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. His parents were Mathew and Mary (Laughlin) Foley, who spent their entire lives in the old country. Thomas Foley returning in 1874 to make them a visit. They were the parents of ten children, of whom three sons came to the United States, while the brother and two sisters of our subject are still living in Ireland. The two brothers who came to America, however, are now deceased.
Thomas Foley was reared in his native country upon a farm, where he remained until twenty-four years of age. He was determined to seek his fortune in America, hoping that he might benefit bis financial condition mate- rially by this step. Accordingly he sailed alone for New York in 1853 and began providing for his own support here by working on the New York & Erie Railroad near Hornellsville. His brother Michael was a section boss there and Thomas Foley worked under him for two years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Chicago and fired on a steam propeller. He spent the season of 1855 on the lakes and in 1856 made his way to Cali- fornia by way of the isthmus, and spent seven years in the mines, where he met with a fair degree of success, bringing back with him enough to buy a home. Upon his return to the middle west he settled at Fort Dodge, Iowa. and while there met the lady whom he afterward made his wife on the 7th
of January, 1864. She bore the maiden name of Bridget C. Drennan, and was born in Queens county, Ireland, September 28. 1842. She was seven years of age when she accompanied her parents on their emigration across the Atlantic to Massachusetts. She was a daughter of William and Katharine Drennan, who, making their way from the Atlantic coast into the interior of the country, settled in St. Charles, this county. There the father purchased a farm and he and his wife spent their remaining days upon that property.
After his marriage Mr. Foley made his way to St. Charles, Illinois, and invested in one hundred and twenty-four acres of land. With characteristic energy he began its cultivation and development, brought the fields under a high state of improvement and won success through the production of crops. As his financial resources increased he added to the property and now owns
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seven hundred and ten acres of farming land. comprised within four farms, all in St. Charles township. This returns him a gratifying rental annually and makes him independent of any necessity for further labor for an income. While in California he sent for his younger brother, Mat Foley, who joined him in the mountains of the Golden state in 1857 and worked in partnership with him until 1863. He remained in the mines after Thomas Foley left for the middle west and later went to Idaho, where he spent twelve years. Following his return to the Mississippi valley Thomas Foley continued to give his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits until he retired four years ago, when he purchased his present home and took up his abode in Elgin, leaving his sons on the farm. The improvements upon his farm were made by him and he transformed it into a valuable property. He made a specialty of dairy farming, milking about sixty cows, while his sons are now milking about one hundred and fifty cows. He has ever displayed keen discernment in his business affairs, combined with a spirit of unfaltering enterprise that has enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and steadily work his way upward to success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Foley have been born ten children: Mathew, who is the owner of four hundred acres of land in South Dakota: Mary, the wife of Thomas Hayes, of Chicago; William, who is living in South Elgin ; Katharine, who is a sister in the Catholic convent in Davenport, Iowa; Peter, who is living on one of his father's farms in St. Charles township; Josephine. at home; Thomas J., who resides upon the old homestead; James and John, both of whom are upon farms in St. Charles township; and Frank, who is with his brother on the old homestead. They also lost a daughter, Margaret, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. Foley was school trustee for more than twenty years and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. He has made two trips to California since he first visited that state and on the second trip took his brother with him and kept him with him until he died on the home farm. Mr. Foley now in the evening of life can look back over the past without regret, for his life has been well spent. He has won a creditable measure of success and has gained the confidence and good will of many friends. Born on the green isle of Erin, his travels have taken him to various sections of this country, but for many years he was closely and actively associated with agricultural interests, being known as one of the representative farmers of this part of the state.
FRANK B. WOOD.
Frank B. Wood is well known in commercial circles in Elgin as a dealer in automobiles and supplies of all kinds. A young man, he is forging to the front in business lines, winning recognition and success by reason of his intense and well directed energy. He was born in Huntley, McHenry county,
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Illinois, in July. 1877. His father, D. E. Wood, is a well known citizen of Elgin, removing here in 1881. Frank B. Wood was at that time four years of age. He entered the public schools and continued his studies later in the Elgin Academy and in the Pennsylvania Military College at Chester, Penn- sylvania, with the class of 1898. Following the outbreak of the Spanish- American war in that year he enlisted as a private in Company B. Fourth Wisconsin Infantry, and following a competitive examination was elected first lieutenant. The regiment went into the southern camps and while in the south Lieutenant Wood served as aid-de-camp under General Mattocks and then under General Colby. The regiment was never called to active duty at the front, owing to the early close of the war, and with his command Lieutenant Wood was mustered out in 1899.
Returning home, he entered upon his business career in the Elgin National Bank, of which his father is the president. In 1907, however, he turned his attention to his present business, opening a garage at No. 60 and 62 River street, where he handies the Ford and Rambler cars and all kinds of supplies. He has built up a good business in this line and is thoroughly informed concerning the different makes of automobiles and believes that he has two of the best cars on the market for the price. He is a man of unfaltering energy, brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome and is accounted one of the valued additions to Elgin's business circles.
In 1906 occurred the marriage of Frank B. Wood and Miss Florence Baker, of Austin, Illinois. He is well known in social circles, belonging to the Century Club, to the Elgin Country Club, to the Chicago Automobile Club, the Lake Geneva Yacht Club, the Columbia Yacht Club of Chicago and the Army and Navy Club. He is also connected with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Archaean Union and also belongs to the Young Men's Christian Association. These connections indicate clearly the nature of his interests and also his personal popularity. In manner, courteous and genial, and in disposition, cordial and kindly, the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
R. WAITE JOSLYN.
R. Waite Joslyn was born March 23, 1866, at Elgin, Illinois, and was educated in the schools of Elgin, being a graduate of the high school in 1886. He then studied at Michigan University three years, graduating there in 1891 with the degree of LL. M. He acted as assistant professor in the law school one year, when he went to Chicago and entered active practice. He continued there until 1904, when he returned to Elgin, where he has since practiced, being associated with his brother, Frank W. Joslyn. He is unmarried.
Mr. Joslyn has won the distinction of being the first Kane county lawyer to contribute a law book to the profession. In April, 1908, his work on the law of "Personal Injuries" was published by T. H. Flood & Company, of Chicago, and met with immediate success and promises to continue through
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several editions. He is now engaged on another law treatise on the "Cor- poration Law of Illinois," to be published next year by the same publishers.
Mr. Joslyn has contributed to the magazines on political and philosophical subjects and is at present publishing a series of pamphlets upon "Normalism," a philosophy of happiness.
A. C. RINEHIMER.
A prominent representative of industrial interests in Elgin is A. C. Rinehimer, the president of the Rinehimer Brothers Manufacturing Company. This is an important enterprise, employing a large force of workmen in the manufacture of sash, doors and all kinds of interior fixtures. The business was established in 1891, and through the guidance of the members of the firm, has been developed to extensive and profitable proportions, the business standing as visible evidence of the capability and diligence of its owners and promoters.
A. C. Rinehimer is a native of California, his birth having occurred near Sacramento on the 6th of October, 1862. His parents were Emanuel and Eliza Jane (Clark) Rinehimer, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of the state of New York. They crossed the plains to California in 1860, Mr. Rinehimer being attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, and there they remained for six years, or until 1866, when they returned by way of the isthmus of Panama. They made their way to Kane county, Illinois, where they had previously resided, having been early settlers of this part of the state. The father was a carpenter by trade and following his return from the far west continued his residence in Kane county until called to his final home.
A. C. Rinehimer was educated in the public schools and the Elgin Acad- emy, but ere pursuing his academic course he spent two or three years in farm labor in Iowa. After completing his education he began working in the mills, gaining broad and comprehensive knowledge of industrial and mechan- ical pursuits and interests. In 1891 he established business on the water power in the manufacture of sash, doors and all kinds of interior fixtures and, remaining at their original location for seven years or until 1898, when they removed their plant to its present location at the east end of the Kimball street bridge. There they have a large factory, splendidly equipped with the latest improved machinery for carrying on the business in this line. They employ between thirty and forty workmen, and the excellence of their product insures for them a ready sale on the market, the output being shipped all over this section of the country. The senior member of the firm is Charles C. Rinehimer, elder brother of our subject and a resident of South Haven, Michigan. This makes Mr. Rinehimer, of this review, the manager of the business, to which he devotes his undivided attention.
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of A. C. Rinehimer and Miss Ada Boyles, of Elgin. They have two children, Charles and Helen. The family
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are members of the Episcopal church and the son is serving as secretary of the Sunday school. They take an active interest in the church work, and their influence is always on the side of progress and improvement. while socially they are widely and favorably known.
CHARLES H. BACKUS.
A review of the history of Hampshire in the past quarter of a century will indicate the fact that Charles H. Backus has been a prominent and influential factor in its business development, its municipal progress and its social and political interests. Few men so thoroughly command the respect of their fellow citizens, but throughout his entire life he has never deviated from the principles which constitute upright manhood in all individual and public relations. He has had his residence in Hampshire from the first of April, 1882, and in Illinois from 1879, coming to the middle west in early manhood. He was born in Chaplin, Windham county, Connecticut, June 9, 1856, and is a representative of old New England families established in America in colonial days. Among his ancestors were those who valiantly aided in the struggle for independence and the establishment of a republic. On the maternal side Ephraim Lyon, a descendant of Ponce de Leon. served a number of years during the struggle in various official capacities. For a time he was adjutant in the Twenty-first Massachusetts Regiment. was first lieutenant in Captain Obadiah Johnson's company, Third Regiment. Militia of Boston, was a member of Captain Bute's company of "Lexington Alarms," was first lieutenant in the Third Massachusetts Regiment under General Israel Putnam, and lieutenant in Captain Whiting's company. Fourth Regiment, commanded by Colonel John Ely. Ephraim Lyon's son James married Polly Trowbridge. daughter of James and Mary (Kendall) Trowbridge, the former being a son of Daniel and Hannah ( Spring) Trowbridge. Daniel Trowbridge was a sergeant in the Eighth Company under Captain Ingalls, of the Eleventh Regi- ment from Pomfort. Connecticut. He was chairman of the committee to secure clothing for the Revolutionary soldiers, and was a member of the com- mittee to suggest means to prevent depression of continental money. Mary Lyon, daughter of James and Mary ( Trowbridge) Lyon, married Augustus Dodge, whose daughter. Susan, married Jirah L. Backus, father of our sub- ject. He was the son of De Lucena and Olive ( Simonds) Backus. The latter was a daughter of Elijah and Martha (Canada) Simonds, her father being a member of the Lexington Alarms from Windham, Connecticut, and was a participant in the battle of Bunker Hill.
After pursuing his education in the public schools to the age of seven- teen years, Charles H. Backus engaged in teaching for two years, and with the realization of the value of thorough intellectual training as a preparation for life's responsible duties, entered the Eastman Business College, at Pough- keepsie. New York. Later he again engaged in teaching for two years, prior to his removal to Marengo. Illinois, in the spring of 1879. In his new
CHARLES H. BACKUS
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location he was employed as clerk in a general store for a year, and afterward spent two years in the Farmers and Drovers Bank, of Marengo. Seeking broader opportunity and wider scope for his activities in the business world, he came to Hampshire on the Ist of April, 1882, and established the Kane County Bank, which has become one of the solid financial institutions of this part of the state. The safe, conservative policy which he inaugurated has always been maintained, and at the same time the affairs of the bank are conducted in harmony with the progressive spirit which is the feature of the age. On the 2d of April, 1906, the institution was converted into the state bank of Hampshire, of which he is the president. He has never confined his operations solely to banking, but has extended his efforts to various fields in which the public has been an indirect beneficiary. Forming a partnership with E. C. Sholes, he established the pressed brick and tile works of Hampshire, with a capacity of a half million brick and one hundred and fifty thousand tile per annum. He is still interested in this business, which, from the beginning, has proved a profitable investment. For some years prior to 1907 he was interested in the coal trade as the senior partner of the firm of Backus & Maynard. He was also connected with mercantile interests as senior part- ner of Backus & Sisley, dealers in clothing, boots and shoes, at DeKalb, Illinois. From the last two enterprises, however, he has now withdrawn. His business interests also included financial connection with the Genoa Issue, a weekly paper published at Genoa, Illinois. He is a representative of many insurance companies, and controls considerable business of that character. His invest- ments in land and other properties have been extensive, and his sound judgment and keen discrimination enable him to make wise purchases and profitable sales.
Mr. Backus was married at Geneva, Illinois, January 1, 1884, to Miss Emma L. Sisley, a native of West Chicago, and a daughter of John and Anna Sisley. They have one son, Charles Sisley. In the fraternal relations Mr. Backus is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons, the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Globe, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Sons of the American Revolution. He stands today as one of the prominent representatives of the republican party in this district, active in the championship of its principles and unfaltering loyalty to the public good. He has served as village treasurer, as township supervisor, as clerk of the school board, and as a member of the village board, filling all these offices for a number of years. He has now for eight years represented his district in the state legislature, having been elected in 1900 and at each biennial election since that time. That he has been again and again the choice of the people of his district is a fact that stands in incontro- vertible evidence of his loyalty to their interests. He is now serving as chair- man of the committee of live stock and dairying, and is a member of the committees on county and township organizations, executive department, finance, license, public charities, railroads and state and municipal indebtedness. Never seeking that fleeting notoriety which results from brilliant oratory, he has done much important work along the lines of constructive legislation, and is regarded by his fellow members as one whose judgment is sound, whose
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methods are rational and devotion to the general good unmistakable. In the various relations of life in which he has figured. he stands as a man among men, who is without ostentation and yet without the least shadow of mock modesty. The respect in which he is held is a free-will offering given in recognition of true worth.
INCREASE CHILD BOSWORTH.
Honored and respected by all, no man in Kane county has occupied a more enviable position in the public regard than did Increase Child Bosworth, who for many years was the president of the First National Bank of Elgin. His name was also associated with many works of public improvement, and he stood among those who occupied a place in the busy world that made his life a benefit to the community, a source of inspiration and encouragement to his associates and a cherished memory to those who were near and dear to him. He was born in Greenfield township, Saratoga county. New York, April 2. 1812, and was a representative of old American families.
His father. Alfred Bosworth, was a native of Bristol. Rhode Island. and his ancestors were identified with American interests from an early period in the colonization of the new world. He married Olive Child, a daughter of Increase and Olive (Pease) Child, whose progenitors were early settlers among the Knickerbockers of New York. Both the Bosworth and Child families were represented in the American army during the Revo- lutionary war, Captain Increase Child being a conspicuous officer, who was present at the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. The Bosworth family was equally noted for patriotism and loyalty and enthusiastic devotion to the Congregational church. The names of members of the family figure prominently on the old records of that denomination, and at the same time are equally common upon the military records of the country. They never swerved from the path of duty in their relations to their country or to their fellowmen and Increase Child Bosworth was fortuante in that he had back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished. His lines of life were cast in harmony therewith and he was ever recognized as a man fearless in defense of his honest opinions and belief and straightforward in all of his dealings.
He was one of five children, the record of whom is as follows: Mary C .. who was born in Saratoga county, New York, October 17, 1799, became the wife of Harry Weed and died in Rock county, Wisconsin, September 20. 1846, leaving two sons and a daughter; Benjamin F., born October 7. 1801, died in McHenry county, Illinois, September 8. 1843. He was married twice. After losing his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Miss Smith, he wedded Elizabeth Nixon. He was a graduate of Union College, read law, afterward studied medicine and eventually became a prosperous merchant. Oliver C., born December 30, 1803, died in Chautauqua county. New York. July 15, 1835. Lucinda S., who became Mrs. Alfred Edwards, was born March 29, 1806, and died July 12. 1849, in Dundee, Illinois. Abi-
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gail M., who became the wife of Benjamin Simons, was born June 18, 1809, and died June 4, 1885. The other member of the family was Increase Child Bosworth of this review.
Increase C. Bosworth was reared upon the home farm, but was offered better advantages than fell to the lot of many boys. Back of him was an ancestry, who correctly valued the opportunities of an education, and the Bosworth children were all sent to the public schools, where, making good use of his opportunities, Increase C. Bosworth qualified for teaching, becom- ing equipped for the profession while still in his minority. He devoted two winters to teaching in his home neighborhood and though he proved a capable educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge he had acquired, he did not care to make the profession his life work. He was attracted by the opportunities of the west, believing that in the new but growing country a young man would have much better chance to work his way upward than in the older and more thickly settled states of the east.
Accordingly, in 1836, he bade adieu to home and friends and set his face toward the setting sun. On the 12th of November he arrived in Chicago, which had not then been incorporated as a city. It was a straggling town, having as yet but little industrial or commercial importance, and yet having the advantages for the building of a great city. Mr. Bosworth secured a clerk- ship in the store of Edwards & Bosworth, the former his brother-in-law and the latter his brother. There he soon learned how different were the ways of the west than the east, and he became imbued with the spirit of energy, deter- mination and enterprise that was dominant in this section of the country, and which led to its rapid growth and substantial upbuilding. Two years' experi- ence as a clerk brought him a comprehensive knowledge of merchandising and equipped him to carry on a successful business on his own account. Mr. Edwards had purchased his partner's interest when during one season he went to the east, leaving the store in charge of Increase C. Bosworth, who after a little while learned that one of the debtors on Fox river was about shipping away his goods without paying his liabilities. Mr. Bosworth then mounted his horse, rode to this part of the country, and was in time to save a little of the debt. Following his return to Chicago he learned that another man in debt to the house, and then located near Aurora, was also smuggling his goods out of the country. Again he made the trip on horseback, reached the party, and after some difficulty, secured the whole of this debt to his employer. This occurred at the beginning of what was known as the great financial panic of 1837. So promptly and efficiently had Mr. Bosworth acted that Mr. Edwards was greatly pleased and recognized in the young man one who could be trusted entirely.
Mr. Bosworth, however, had not only carefully looked after his employer's interests, but in so doing had taken a step which resulted most beneficially for Elgin and the Fox river valley. His visit to this district had convinced him that Dundee, where a large gristmill was just being completed, offered an eligible point for the sale of goods, and his employer then offered to fur- nish him all the goods he wanted and wait for his pay until the sales had been made. The offer was gladly accepted, and thus Mr. Bosworth became a
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