USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 21
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 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
Mr. Russell has been married twice. In 1852. in Burlington township, he wedded Miss Charlotte Sherburne, who was born in Jay, New York, in 1829, and came to Illinois with her parents about 1850. She was a daughter
214
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
of William and Abigail ( Harrison) Sherburne, natives of New Hampshire. The death of Mrs. Russell occurred January 7, 1901. There were four chil- dren of that marriage: Emma, the wife of Ernest Eckerson, of Sturgis, Michigan ; Ella, deceased; Freeman, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and Laura A. Egan, of Elgin. On the 19th of March, 1903, Mr. Russell was again married, his second union being with Amelia J. Her- rick. a native of Crawford county, Missouri, and a daughter of John J. and Ann M. (Sharp) Herrick, the former a native of New York and the latter of Scotland. John J. Herrick came to Illinois with his father, Luther Herrick, who settled on what is now known as the old Herrick farm in Hanover town- ship on the Chicago road, entering the land from the government. At that time only three houses, and they were built of logs, marked the site of the present city of Elgin. The family was prominent in pioneer times but Mrs. Russell is now the only representative of the Herrick family in Elgin.
In his political views Mr. Russell has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party and for three terms he served as supervisor of Plato township. He is a member of the Congregational church and in his fraternal relations is a Mason-associations which indicate much of the character of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His life has been well spent and in all his career he has been sincere and upright in his purposes, honorable principles guiding him in all of his relations with his fellowmen.
FREDERICK B. STREETER.
Frederick B. Streeter, conducting business in Aurora as a coal merchant, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on the 28th of November, 1871, and is the eldest of the four children of Byron L. and Hattie B. (Ford) Streeter. The paternal grandfather was Barzabeel Streeter, who was a native of New York and of English descent. He devoted most of his life to the conduct of a hotel and died in the Empire state at a very advanced age. Unto him and his wife were born a large family. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of the Emerald isle and on crossing the Atlantic to the new world settled at Ottawa, Illinois, where he carried on wagon making. There he died when well advanced in years. He married Miss Burke, who also lived to a good old age and they reared a number of children, including Hattie B. Ford, who was born in Ottawa, Illinois, and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Byron L. Streeter, a native of New York.
Byron L. Streeter was reared in Berlin, New York, and when a young man began clerking and also followed bookkeeping for many years. He came west to Illinois before the war and settled in Morris, Grundy county, for a few years. In 1864 he responded to the country's call for military aid and enlisted as a member of Company G. Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was captured at Kenesaw Mountain and was imprisoned at Andersonville and Florence. As the result of his exposure in the army he has suffered from total blindness for fifteen or twenty years, thus making
F. B. STREETER
217
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
a great sacrifice for his country. After the war he went to Chicago and was employed in a wholesale commission house for several years but about 1875 ·came to Aurora, where he engaged in clerking and bookkeeping. He was also foreman of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy oil house for a number of years, or until failing eyesight compelled him to retire. Both he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. For one year Mr. Streeter served as tax collecter of Aurora and is well known here as a reliable man and enterprising citizen. The members of the family are: Frederick B., Burton B., May, the wife of E. L. Perrigo, and Milford E.
Frederick B. Streeter has lived in Aurora from the age of four years and became a public-school student, passing through consecutive grades until he acquired a good knowledge of those branches of English learning which qualify one for the active duties of life. He made his initial step in the business world in the employ of C. W. Marshall & Company, whom he repre- sented as a salesman for about eight years. Later he began work in railroad contracting for his cousin, D. D. Streeter, with whom he continued for eight years. He was next secretary of the Elks' Club for a year and a half, after which he purchased the Cyr Brothers' Coal Company in July, 1906, and has since carried on the business, securing an extensive patronage during the two years or more in which he has operated in this line. He is a member of the Holy Angels' Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. He is widely and favor- ably known in this city, where he has lived from early boyhood and where many who know him entertain for him the warmest friendship.
On the 17th of June, 1908, Mr. Streeter married Miss Teresa M. Swan- son, a native of Aurora, and a daughter of Aaron Swanson.
JOHN McNEIL.
While John McNeil is widely known in business circles as a wholesale grocer of Chicago, he maintains his residence in Elgin and his position in public regard here is of the highest. He has by consecutive stages worked his way upward to a place of prominence in the business world and his name is honored by reason of the straightforward policy he has ever followed, as well as owing to the progressive spirit which he has manifested. He was born in Ardrie, Scotland, near Glasgow, May 22, 1839, his parents being Daniel and Jane (Crichton) McNeil, both of whom were natives of the land of hills and heather. The father was in charge of coal mines in his native country, while the mother there conducted a store of which her husband was the owner. He died in the year 1845 and in 1848 the mother with her three children, Malcolm, John and Anna, now the wife of Thomas Todd, of Elgin, left Glasgow for America as passengers on a sailing vessel which was six weeks in making the voyage.
They landed at New York city and came direct to the west, settling on a farm at Dundee, Kane county, Illinois. This farm was then in a poor con-
218
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
dition, but they soon made such improvements as they could and John McNeil remained there until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. He attended the district schools and later pursued his studies in the Elgin Academy, while subsequently he took a commercial course in Cloan's Commercial Busi- ness College in Chicago. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account in the spring of 1862. John McNeil with his brother Malcolm opened a grocery store on the corner where Edwin Hall's drug store now stands. Subsequently he turned his attention to general merchandising in the Hubbard block and in 1866 the firm removed to the corner where the Elgin Bank now stands. There they opened a store on a still larger scale under the firm name of M. & J. McNeil. continuing at that point until 1872, when they sought a broader field of labor by a removal to Chicago. In October of that year they opened a wholesale grocery house in the western metropolis under the firm name of McNeil & Higgins and in 1887 they incorporated the business under the firm name of the McNeil & Higgins Company, which still continues.
Mr. Higgins withdrew in 1899 and the stock is now held by Malcolm and John McNeil. with their sons as stockholders. They are located at Nos. 3-15 State street and also have an extensive house on the north side, where they take care of their country business. The trade has developed to extensive proportions owing to careful management and correct business prin- ciples on the part of the owners. They have wrought along modern lines, finding scope for their energy and activity in the city with its pulsing indus- trial interests and as the years have passed they have extended their trade into various sections of the country. Their place of business in Chicago is one of the old houses of the city and they have an extensive trade, being represented on the road by ninety traveling salesmen and in the house they employ about three hundred and fifty. On the north side, at No. 462 Illinois street, they have a large factory, manufacturing an extensive line of goods under their own brands, while the sales amount to between five and six million dollars annually. Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way from humble beginnings to leadership in commerce, the great productive industries, the management of financial affairs, and in controlling the veins and arteries of the traffic and exchanges of the country. To this class belongs John McNeil.
John McNeil has always made his home in Elgin and for many years has owned a beautiful residence at No. 162 South State street. He was married on the ist of March, 1864, to Miss Janet Crichton, a daughter of Robert Crichton, a native of Scotland, who came to America at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. McNeil have three sons and a daughter: John L. and Walter W., who are associated in business with their father; Howard; and Maude, who is the wife of William A. Jones, now president of a large printing company at Buffalo, New York. Mr. and Mrs. McNeil are members of the First Baptist church, in which he has served as a deacon for thirty-eight years. Everything pertaining to the welfare of Elgin is of interest to him and his labors have been an important element in its growth and progress in many ways. He has been a director in the Home National Bank and the Home Savings Bank for a number of years. He also owns a fine farm in Dundee
219
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
township, comprising two hundred acres, from which he derives a most grati- fying income. He is one of the syndicate owning the large tract of land known as Washington Heights, which has been subdivided for town lots. He possesses a stalwart determination and an unfaltering purpose that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is a man of broad capabilities, as his varied and extensive business interests indicate. At all times approachable, he patiently listens to whatever a caller may have to say, is always courteous and at all times a gentleman in the truest and best sense of the term. He cares not for notoriety, nor is there about him the least shadow of mock modesty, and he is a gentleman of fine address and thorough culture, occupying a first place in society as well as in the commercial circles of northern Illinois.
WILLIAM R. BURDICK.
Success is methodical and consecutive, and however much one may indulge in fantastic theorizing as to its elements and causation in any isolated instance, yet in the light of sober investigation we will find it to be but a result of the determined application of one's abilities and powers along the rigidly defined line of labor. This finds proof in the record of William R. Burdick, who was born in St. Charles, Illinois, July 10, 1848. His parents were Sammel and Orpha ( Root) Burdick, the latter a daughter of Dr. Anson Root, one of the pioneers of Elgin. Both parents were natives of the Empire state and Samuel Burdick became a resident of Elgin in 1836. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and he took up a claim six miles west of Elgin comprising one hundred and sixty acres of raw and unde- veloped land. The first winter he split rails with which to fence his property. There he lived for several years, converting his farm into productive fields, after which he removed to St. Charles, where he became interested in an oil mill.
In 1850 he became a resident of Elgin and there engaged in the lumber business on the site now occupied by August Schule, proprietor of a grocery store. He built a home on Grove avenue, on the site where Meehan's clothing store now stands, and later he traded his lumber business for a farm in Hanover township, where he resided for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Chicago, making his home at No. 113 Michigan avenue, the site now occupied by the extensive establishment of Montgomery Ward & Company. Later, however, he took up his abode on the north side of the city and opened a lumberyard for Charles Mears. He then removed to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, but rturned to Elgin in 1867. In that year he became interested in the flourmill which stood on the site of the Phillip Frieler place, Heideman & Burdick, and later became Burdick & Chapman, Mr. Burdick continuing actively in the management of the business until 1873. when he sold his interest to Mr. Chapman. He then lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1874. His widow still survives and is now living in
220
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Elgin in her ninetieth year. Arriving in this city in 1837, the following year she joined the Baptist church and is now the oldest living member of the church, having become identified therewith under the preaching of the Rev. E. J. Ambrose, the first pastor. Notwithstanding her very advanced years, she is a remarkably bright and intelligent lady and a great reader. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Burdick were five children, all of whom are yet living : James A., now a resident of Colorado; Mrs. L. B. Graves; Mrs. H. Denison ; Mrs. Nettie Clarke; and William R.
The last named was educated in the Elgin Academy under the principal- ship of Professor A. S. Barry. While living in Chicago with his parents, he attended the old Dearborn public school, which occupied the present site of the Boston Store, and also attended the Ogden school on the north side under Professor Hayward, who was at one time a resident of Elgin. During the summer vacations he worked in his father's lumberyard and also attended the high school at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, while his father was in the mercantile business there. He made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in the book store of I. S. Bartlett, at the corner of River and Chicago streets. There he remained for two years, when, in connection with H. H. Denison, he bought out his employer, continuing the business under the firm style of Denison & Burdick for several years.
In April, 1877, Mr. Burdick formed a partnership with W. T. Waite and bought the E. K. W. Cornell furniture business, operating in the store now occupied by Potter Brothers. Subsequently they purchased the furniture stock of Fred Cornell and W. F. Hunter and, merging these interests, removed to Chicago street, where Killip's restaurant now stands. There they continued business for twenty-five years, purchasing the building now occupied by the firm of Waite & Ross. In 1902, however, Mr. Burdick sold his interests to Mr. Ross. The same year he bought out the business of the Radcliffe Regalia Company and has since conducted that enterprise. The business was formerly conducted in the second floor over the Elgin Decorating Company, but in 1904 the present business block was erected by the company. In this connec- tion Mr. Burdick is manufacturing all kinds of special orders of secret soci- eties, including banners, badges, robes, and in fact regalias of all kinds. The trade is now rapidly increasing and has long since assumed profitable proportions.
In 1877 Mr. Burdick was married to Miss Emily M. Joslyn, a daughter of Fred Joslyn, and their children are: Jay, Ella, Madge, Lora Belle, Ruby and Warren. Mr. Burdick is well known in social and fraternal as well as business circles. He was for twelve years the treasurer of the National Union. He belongs to Kane Lodge. No. 47, I. O. O. F., with which he has been connected since 1870. He is likewise treasurer and member of the board of trustees of the First Baptist church, being identified therewith for fifteen years. He is likewise connected with the Yeomen and in all these relations is found to be a faithful member, loyal to the interests with which he has become identified. His record is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable
221
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
business methods he has followed have won him the support and confidence of many. Without the aid of influence or wealth he has risen to a position among the most prominent men of the city and his native genius and acquired ability are the stepping-stones on which he has mounted.
NEWTON C. OWEN.
Newton C. Owen, although yet a young man, has made a record in business circles which many a man of twice his years might well envy. He is today manager for the Kentucky Coal Company of Elgin. His birth occurred in McHenry county, Illinois, December 8, 1886, his parents being George W. and Margaret (Curtis) Owen, both of whom were natives of McHenry county, Illinois. The father is a manufacturer, now connected with the silver plate factory at Elgin.
The son passed through consecutive grades in the public schools of this city until as a high school student he was graduated with the class of 1905. Early in his business career he was connected with the John Newman Butter Company for a time and was afterward with the Illinois Watch Case Company for several months. In August, 1907, he entered the employ of the Kentucky Coal Company as bookkeeper and his ability won almost immediate recog- nition in promotion, for on the Ist of December, 1907, he was made manager of the concern. This company is affiliated with the New Kentucky Coal Company of Chicago and owns and operates its own mines, making a specialty of washed coals. For three years the business has been carried on at Elgin. during which time they have built up an extensive trade. Their yards are located at National street and Third Rail and in his present position Mr. Owen shows himself well qualified to manage the affairs of the company and develop an extensive trade.
Interested in community affairs, he is secretary of the civil service com- mission of Elgin and is also a member of the Elgin board of trade. With appreciation for the social amenities of life, he is connected with the Elks Lodge and the Century Club and also belongs to the Young Men's Christian Association-a connection which indicates that his influence can be counted on for moral progress and development and for the support of that which is just and right.
JOHN A. WRIGHT.
There has been nothing in the life record of John A. Wright to attract the reader in search of a sensational or thrilling chapter, but there are elements in his life history which are of interest to the thoughtful student who draws a correct conclusion from facts and pursues the lessons therein contained to his own benefit. Mr. Wright is a contractor and carpenter of Elgin, who
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
by determined and unfaltering energy has gained for himself a place of prominence among the builders of the city. His father was one of the pioneer settlers here. The son was born in Muskegon county, Michigan, in 1857. but when two years of age was brought to Elgin by his parents, who were return- ing to Elgin in 1860. Here he attended the public schools and also the Elgin Academy, acquiring a liberal education. He afterward learned the carpen- ter's trade with Smith Hoag and later was employed by Russell & Kirkpatrick. As the years passed his efficiency increased and in 1886 he engaged in the contracting business. continuing alone until 1903. when he admitted H. F. Foster as a partner. They now have quite an extensive plant and employ several men in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds and also in repair work. In contract lines Mr. Wright has erected all of the fire stations in Elgin with one exception and has built many fine business blocks and resi- dences, including the Peck block, the homes of Mrs. M. W. Hawes. I. C. Towner, Hiram Thomas, E. F. Gooding, and others. He also built the Masonic Temple. Thus in the city's substantial structures are many evidences of his skill and handiwork.
Mr. Wright was married in 1880 to Miss F. Ella Gardner, of Chicago. and they have one son and one daughter, namely: J. Harry and Berenice E. Mr. Wright belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen. the Archæan Union, the Eastern Star and the Royal Arcanum. In his com- munity he is regarded as a well informed man possessed of broad general information, and in his nature there is nothing narrow or contracted. He has a spirit that while devoted to his resident community is liberal enough to recognize and appreciate advancement and progress in any other part of the world.
JOSEPH WRIGHT.
In the history of Kane county's early development it is imperative that mention should be made of Joseph Wright, who in 1837 took up his abode within its borders and was closely associated with its early developments and interests. He was born in Deruyter, New York, in 1809, remained a resident of the east during his boyhood and youth, and in early manhood wedded Eliza Ann MeClure, who was born in Pompey. New York. They came by lake to Chicago and on to Kane county, Illinois, in 1837, settling in Elgin on what is now the corner of Douglas avenue and Division street. The house was built of cobblestones and was one of the early structures of the city. Later they removed to the corner of South State and Walnut streets and Mr. Wright remained owner of that property until his death.
By trade a woodturner. Mr. Wright established his first shop at the east end of the Chicago street bridge, where Meehan's hardware store now stands. Subsequently he removed from that location to the present site of the Elgin opera house. For many years he was the only woodturner in this section of the country and did this kind of work for a large territory, among his
223
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
patrons being the Elgin Academy. He was an expert workman in his line, displaying marked skill and ability, and his capable labors brought to him a goodly measure of success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born two children, but only John A. Wright, whose sketch is given above, now survives. In his religious faith thre father was a Quaker, while the mother was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Wright is remembered by all of the old settlers and by many of the more recent arrivals. He continued a resident of Kane county for almost six decades and lived to see it emerge from frontier conditions to take its place with the leading counties of this great commonwealth. The Indians were still in camp when he came to the county, Elgin contained only a few houses, Aurora was a little town of small importance, and others of the now thriving towns of the county had not yet sprung into existence. He lived to see the county take on all the appointments of a modern civilization and was justly proud of what was accomplished here. He died in 1896, and thus passed away an honored pioneer settler.
JACOB ROBBINS.
Jacob Robbins, deceased, was born in Herkimer county, New York, September 12. 1824, and learned the mason's trade in his native state. In 1849 he went to California but subsequently returned to the Empire state and at an early day made his way westward to Chicago, where he became promi- nently connected with contracting and building interests, erecting many large buildings. Going to Janesville, Wisconsin, he also erected a large number of structures there, as well as all over the state of Illinois, his contracts including courthouses, etc. From Janesville, Wisconsin, he went to Denver, Colorado, with an ox-team and erected the first brick building there. For a time he was also connected with the Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company as a building contractor. In 1877 he removed to Dakota, where he did a great deal of work in his line, also took up land and likewise a tree claim. After devel- oping both these properties into fine farms he sold them and returned to Elgin, where he had assisted in erecting the first watch factory. He also built a number of other large structures here, but passed away in Elgin, September 15. 1902, shortly after his return from Dakota .. He was very successful in his undertakings and gained a large measure of prosperity, being a man of excellent business ability and keen discrimination.
Mr. Robbins was twice married and by his first union had three children. In 1874 he wedded Miss Dora Foster, a daughter of Eleazer and May ( Ire- land) Foster, of Oregon, Illinois. By this marriage there were six children. Carrie is the wife of Jacob Snyder, by whom she has four children : John. Dora. Laura and Charles. Guy married Delia Allen and has nine children : Fern, Laurence. Murel, Olive. Edna, Howard, Wilda, Hazel and Walter. Frederick is the next member of the Robbins family. Arthur wedded Eliza-
224
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
beth Johnson and has one child, Mildred. Beulah, who is the wife of a Mr. Watson, has one child, Lloyd. Hazel is the youngest member of the family.
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.