USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 25
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Mr. Quackenbush is a recognized leader in the local ranks of the repub- lican party and is an effective, earnest worker in its behalf. He has been president of the Dundee Republican Club and also represented that town on the Republican County Committee. His labors are effective and far-reaching and his devotion to the welfare of the party unfaltering.
E. B. QUACKENBUSII
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Mr. Quackenbush was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Biggam, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 6, 1908, and socially is not unknown in fraternal circles but is a valued representative of several orders. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, serving as junior deacon of Aurora Lodge, No. 254, while he also belongs to Aurora Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., the Benevo- lent & Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of Veterans, Knights of Pythias and other organizations. He is a clever and able lawyer, and popular citizen with a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
BERGER ANSHELN PETERSON.
Berger Ansheln Peterson, following the occupation of farming in Black- berry township, rents and cultivates a good tract of land, which he has trans- formed into productive fields that annually yield him rich harvests. He pos- sesses unfaltering diligence and thrift, characteristic of people of his nationality, for Mr. Peterson is a native of Sweden, his birth having occurred there April 22, 1860, his parents being Peter and Anne Peterson. The father is now deceased but the mother still resides in Sweden and has reached the age of eighty-seven years. She still enjoys remarkable health, retaining her physical and mental faculties to a notable degree. The father served in the regular army and was a member of the Lutheran church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peter Peterson were born six children: John, who is now living in Norway; Carl, who resides in Sweden; Enoch, who is living in Elburn, Illinois; Berger, whose name introduces this review ; Lena, deceased; and Louisa, who resides in Sweden.
Berger A. Peterson spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity. As he looked abroad over the business field to find an oppor- tunity that would lead him forward to success, he came to the conclusion that he stood the best chance of winning advancement in the new world. Accord- ingly when a young man of twenty-three years he came to the United States and, making his way into the interior of the country, settled at Geneva, Illi- nois. He had attended school in Sweden until sixteen years of age and had then entered upon his business career, securing a clerkship in a general store, where he remained until he crossed the Atlantic to America. In this country he turned his attention to farming. After spending some time in the vicinity of Geneva he went to Michigan, and later removed to Canton, Illinois, where he still continued to ca- on general agricultural pursuits. His next place of residence was at St. Chanes, Illinois, where he worked in a paper mill for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he came to Elburn, where he now resides. He is here giving his attention to general farming and works diligently and persistently to keep his fields in good condition. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision, his practical methods and his determined spirit.
In 1891 Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Anna Larson, a native of Sweden, and they now have one daughter, Jennie, who at the age of fourteen
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years is attending school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are well known in the community and have many warm and sincere friends. They hold membership in the Lutheran church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested, and Mr. Peterson belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic fraternity. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world. for here he has found the opportunities he sought. which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetic young men. Improving the advantages that have come to him, he has made steady progress in the business world and is now one of the substantial residents of Blackberry township.
EDWARD S. TODD.
Edward S. Todd has spent nearly his entire life in America and is a popu- lar and successful business man, who has the confidence and respect of his neighbors and friends. He is now a member of the firm of Hanna & Todd. dealers in lumber, at the corner of River and Holbrook streets. His birth occurred in Sugar Grove township, Kane county, Illinois. September 13, 1864, his parents being Lucius M. and Mary B. (Bruce) Todd. the former a native of Vermont and the latter in Ithaca, New York. They were the parents of two children, but one of them died in infancy. The father followed farming until about thirty years of age. His early home was near Rutland, at East Wallingford. Vermont. In his boyhood days he came to the West with his parents, the family home being established upon a farm in Sugar Grove township. Kane county. Illinois. It was there that Lucius M. Todd grew to manhood, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors incident to the development and improvement of a farm. He afterward purchased iand for himself and began farming on his own account. When about thirty years of age. however, he abandoned the plow and became interested in a lumber business in Aurora in partnership with F. O. White. They continued together until Mr. White's death, which occurred in 1899, when he was fifty-nine years of age: but the firm style of White & Todd was retained until the death of Mr. Todd. His wife passed away at the age of fifty-three years. She was a Methodist in religious faith.
The ancestry of the family can be traced back somewhat farther than the parents of our subjects. His paternal grandfather. Levi Todd, was a native of Vermont and, becoming a resident of Kane county. entered about two hundred acres of land and followed the occupation of farming. He died at an old age, but his wife passed away when little more than in middle life. She bore the maiden name of Rachel Gibson. The maternal grandparents of our subject were natives of New York. and lived at Ithaca or in that vicinity. They, too, reached advanced years.
Edward S. Todd was reared in Aurora from the age of six years, and attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the West Aurora high school. He then did bookkeeping in the offices of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company for sev-
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eral years, and afterward engaged in dealing in ice for several years. In 1899 he formed a partnership with Edwin S. Hanna in the lumber business, and they are still conducting this under the firm style of Hanna & Todd. Mr. Todd also has a lumberyard at Shabbonda in partnership with John Griffin, under the firm style of Griffin & Todd. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the lumber business in all of its departments, is an excellent judge of the commodity which he handles, and his straightforward business methods and reliability has secured for him a liberal patronage, and he enjoys the unqualified confidence of his fellowmen. He is likewise a stockholder in the Aurora National Bank.
On the Ist of January, 1887, Mr. Todd was married to Miss Jennie Lallaway, a daughter of Patrick and Mary Lallaway. There are two children of this union, Ralph L. and Mary B. The mother is a communicant of the Catholic church. Mr. Todd belongs to Aurora Lodge, No. 705, B. P. O. E. Politically he is a stalwart republican, and for one term served as county supervisor, but his ambition has not been in the lines of office holding. Nearly his entire life has been passed in this city, so that he is well known to a large majority of its residents, and investigation into his career will show that his record has been at all times commendable, making him worthy the success which he has enjoyed in business circles. That his has been an honorable and upright life is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
CHARLES I. McNETT.
Charles I. McNett, who for twenty-four years has engaged in the practice of law as a member of the Aurora bar, is numbered among Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in DeKalb county on the 10th of January, 1860. His father Charles L. McNett, was a native of New York and when a young man emigrated westward to Illinois, where he engaged extensively in the grain business. He lived in De Kalb county for a number of years, but in 1893 went to Chicago, where he has since made his home. In early manhood he wedded Miss Lydia Baker, a native of the Empire state.
Charles I. McNett was educated in the public schools of West Aurora and when he had mastered the branches of learning that usually constitute the public-school curriculum he took up the study of law with the intention of making its practice his life work. He pursued his reading in Ottawa and was admitted to the bar in 1883. The following year he began practice in Aurora, where he has since been located and in the intervening years he has built up a good clientage. In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privi- leges. Unflagging application, intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are some of the concomitants which insure personal
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success and prestige in this great profession. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Mr. McNett has made steady progress in his pro- fession and is now recognized as one of the ablest members of the Aurora bar. He served as city attorney from 1889 until 1893 and was master in chancery from 1893 until 1905. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.
Mr. McNett was married in 1888 to Miss Clara Salom, a native of Boston, Massachusetts.
JOHN ALFRED JOHNSON.
John Alfred Johnson was born in Christianstad, Sweden, November 7, 1863, son of Johan and Elna (Johnson) Johnson, also natives of that country and lifelong residents of it. The father was born December 6, 1817. From his youth he followed the trade of a stonemason, working at it zealously until his death, which occurred on February 19, 1875. The mother survived him twenty-two years, dying October 2, 1897. They were the parents of two children, John Alfred, and Olaf, the latter still living on the old home farm in Sweden.
Following the custom of the Swedish people, among whom education is highly valued and well provided for by the kingdom, Mr. Johnson obtained a good, practical common-school education in his native land. At the age of eighteen, feeling an ardent desire for greater room and larger opportunities for the exercise of the faculties nature had given him, he looked to this country for his chance and came hither, locating first at Princeton, in this state. In the neighborhood of Providence, about ten miles from Princeton and in the same county, he soon found employment as a hired hand on a farm owned by Will Powers, for whom he worked steadily three years, devoting himself wholly to his duties and going nowhere during this period except twice to Princeton, where he had intimate friends. He sent a part of his wages regularly to his mother and saved the rest.
After five years of frugal living and diligent labor as a farm hand Mr. Johnson felt that he had accumulated a sufficient sum of money to warrant him in taking unto himself a wife, and founding a home of his own. Accord- ingly, on March 3, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Christine Anderson, who was, like himself, a native of Sweden. Her parents died when she was but two years old and she was thereupon adopted and reared by friends, with whom she remained until she reached the age of sixteen. At that age she came with an uncle to the United States and found a new home at Princeton, Illinois, where she lived until her marriage with Mr. Johnson. They have had four children : Oscar Ferdinand, who died at the age of thir- teen months; Rosa, a very bright and intelligent young lady of seventeen, who is living with her parents and attending the Aurora Business College ; and Verdun Alfred and John, who are also still living under the parental rooftree.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson took up their residence on a farm in Stark county owned by F. W. Horton, now a resident of
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Chicago, for whom they worked for wages three years. At the end of that time Mr. Johnson rented a farm and during the next seven years worked it on his own account. Then Mr. Horton sold the farm and the Johnsons moved to Milo township in Bureau county, where, during the succeeding six years, they farmed land which they rented of John Fate. The genius for large undertakings and masterly management was stirring in this aspiring man by this time, and he went in search of opportunities for its employment. He entered into partnership with Keller Leet and for two years farmed land belonging to him in Bureau county. Mr. Leet sold this land, and he and Mr. Johnson at once entered upon farming operations on a large scale. In the spring of 1905 Mr. Johnson moved his family to Kane county, and since then he has been in full control of a farm of nearly one thousand acres owned by Mr. Leet in this county, located in Sugar Grove township. Together they own and feed large numbers of stock, having frequently as many as two hundred and forty head of cattle fattening for the market at one time.
In politics Mr. Johnson is an ardent and active republican, devoted to the interests of his party and doing his full share of the work required to promote its growth. He was one of the leaders in the organization of the Swedish Republican League of Illinois, and is still one of its most prominent, influential and energetic members. This league has a large membership and is proving a potential factor in state political affairs. It was also through his efforts, aided by those of other enthusiastic Swedish-Americans, that the recent state celebration of John Ericson day was held at Aurora. In fraternal life Mr. Johnson is a Master Mason, with membership in the lodge at Aurora, and this prevents him from being received into membership in any Swedish religious organization, although he is of a religious turn of mind and would like to belong to some Christian church of his own nationality. King Oscar and other royalties and high officials of Sweden are prominent in the Masonic order and also in the churches, but the common people of the country are not allowed to become communicants in the churches if they are Freemasons. Mr. Johnson is universally esteemed as an excellent citizen, an enterprising and successful business man, and a wise and resourceful leader of the Swedish people in Kane county. He is also a loyal and patriotic American and warmly attached to the land of his adoption, as he is still to that of his nativity.
EDWARD M. MANGAN.
Edward M. Mangan, who is now serving as judge of the city courts of Aurora and Elgin, was born in this city August 15, 1868, a son of Maurice and Ellen (McInerney) Mangan. The father, who was a native of Ireland, died at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother still survives at the age of eighty-five years. He came to Aurora in 1855 and took up his abode in the house in which his widow still makes her home. He entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and that he was
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one of its most faithful and trustworthy representatives is indicated by the fact that he continued in that service until a short time prior to his demise.
Edward M. Mangan is the youngest of a family of ten children, and carly started out in life to make his own way in the world. He has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, and the success and promi- nence to which he has achieved is indicative of the force of his character, his laudable ambition and his fidelity to every duty that has been entrusted to him. At the age of fourteen years he began to learn the machinist's trade in the shops of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad and continued in that employ for fifteen years, but he felt that his efforts were hampered by the confines of that shop, which gave him little outlook, and beside he had always been ambitious to engage in the practice of law from his boyhood days. Circumstances, however, had interfered with him carrying out this idea. yet he never abandoned it, and as opportunity offered he studied at night with this end in view. He also attended Aurora College, and likewise read law in the office of the firm of Alschuler & Murphy. The year prior to his admission to the bar he was elected police magistrate, which gave him much practical experience in the work of the courts. In 1900 he was admitted to the bar and in 1901 he resigned the office of magistrate and was elected city attorney. He was twice reelected to that office, and continuously and acceptably filled the position until 1907, when he was elected city judge, wnich position he is now filling. On the bench his decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon a comprehensive knowledge of the law and the equity in the case. He is recognized as a leader in democratic ranks and one whose efforts in behalf of the party have been effective and far reaching. Two years ago he was a candidate for the legislature on the democratic ticket, and is one of the strong and able workers in democratic ranks in Aurora.
Mr. Mangan was married July 30, 1902, to Miss Lilian Thorne, a native of New York and a daughter of Benjamin and Marguerite (Johnston) Thorne, old settlers of Aurora. They now have two interesting little daugh- ters, Margaret and Eleanor. Mr. Mangan is a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, No. 705; the Knights of Columbus, No. 736; and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is a popular citizen and, endowed by nature with attractive social qualities, he is a popular member of many societies, while wherever he goes he wins friends and gains the high esteem of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM ADAM HARTSBURG.
There is no record which the American citizen holds in higher esteem than that of the man who wins success through honorable methods and as a result of his untiring diligence and energy. Mr. Hartsburg therefore receives the admiration and respect of his fellow townsmen, for such has been his life history. He started out practically empty-handed and has made his own way in the world from early boyhood. He is now senior partner of the firm of
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the Hartsburg & Hawksley Company. engaged in general mill work at North Aurora. This enterprise is a prosperous one that has been built up from a small beginning through the well directed labor and diligence of the owners.
Mr. Hartsburg was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, August 23, 1848. His parents were William and Christina (Wise) Hartsburg, both of whom were natives of Westphalia, Germany. The grandfather. William Hartsburg, Sr., who, however, spelled the name Herzberg, was a blacksmith, and his only son and namesake was a native of Westphalia, Germany, and followed in his father's footsteps in a business way. Determined to try his fortune in America he crossed the Atlantic about 1875 and settled in Massachusetts. He afterward removed to Philadelphia and later to New Jersey, while in 1856 he arrived in Aurora and worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in the blacksmith shops. In the spring of 1859 he went overland to Cali- fornia and spent about eight months on the Pacific slope, his family, however, remaining in Aurora during that period. He then returned to this city, where he resumed blacksmithing, which he followed for a number of years. Later he went to Batavia, where for several years he was employed by the United States Wind Engine & Pump Company. He then again returned to Aurora. where he died in 1893, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife still sur- vives him and is now, in 1908, in her eighty-fourth year. Her father was Christopher Wise, who died in Germany at the age of forty-five years. He married a Miss Meyer and they have a large family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hartsburg are Lutherans in religious faith, and Mrs. Hartsburg is an esti- mable lady who has the warm regard of many friends. She, too, was born in Westphalia, Germany, and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons and five daughters : Sophia, who first married John Golding, by whom she had a son. John, and after her first husband's death became the wife of Elisha Lilly, who served in the Civil war, and following his demise became the wife of Carl Schutz but is now deceased; William A., of this review ; Louisa, the wife of James Tehay, of Hampton, Iowa; Emma, the deceased wife of Rev. Ferdinand Ludeke; Ella, the wife of Henry Baseman, of Elgin. Illinois : Frank, of North Aurora; and Mary, the wife of William Coors and a resident of Denver, Colorado.
William A. Hartsburg was but eight years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Aurora. Here he was reared to manhood and pursued his education in the old Oak Street school, but when only ten years of age he began earning his own livelihood, working in a sash factory for five dollars per month and boarding himself. He has continued in business to the present time, becoming expert in that line of work, and after being employed by others in Aurora for a number of years he went to North Aurora in 1869 and began working for the North Aurora Manufacturing Company. After ten years, ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he formed a partnership with William Hawksley and Julius G. Brown. He has since been associated with Mr. Hawksley but in 1901 they bought out Mr. Brown's interest. They started with a horse and a borrowed capital of three hundred dollars and they rented their building and water power from Alonzo George, of North Aurora. The business has since steadily grown along healthful
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lines and they now employ about twenty-five people. They sell largely to the local trade but also ship to various parts of the United States. They manu- facture doors, windows and furniture and do all kinds of mill work. The company was incorporated in 1893, with a capital of over forty-six thousand dollars, and the business, founded upon a substantial basis, has long since become a profitable investment. At different times Mr. Hartsburg has been connected with various institutions of Aurora, being at one time president of the North Aurora Creamery Company. He now owns a forty-acre farm in Texas and also a good home in North Aurora.
On the 16th of May, 1870. Mr. Hartsburg was married to Miss Helena Simons, a daughter of Charles and Helena ( Weber) Simons. They have become the parents of a son and four daughters, namely: May Helena, the wife of James E. Lowell, by whom she has a son. Donald W .. their home being near Seattle, Washington: Daisy A., who is a stenographer and bookkeeper in her father's office; Fred W., who wedded Grace Owens and is a lawyer. practicing in Aurora; and Maud F. and Frances, still under the parental roof. They have been liberally educated and Maud F. is now attending the State University of Boulder, Colorado. May. Maud, Frances and Fred are all graduates of the West Aurora high school and Daisy also attended Wheaton College. Mrs. Hartsburg is a member of the Congregational church and a most estimable lady. Mr. Hartsburg belongs to Aurora Lodge, No. 254. A. F. & A. M. ; Aurora Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M. : and Aurora Commandery. No. 22, K. T. He was high priest of Aurora Chapter for two years and eminent commander for one year, while he and his wife and daughter Maud are all members of the Eastern Star, of which he has been worthy patron. Mr. Hartsburg likewise belongs to Aurora Council. R. & S. M. Politically he is a democrat and for eighteen years served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He gives his allegiance to every movement or measure which he deems of benefit in community affairs and in his life work he has ever shown consideration for the rights and privileges of others, never overstepping the bounds of what he believes to be his duty to his fellowmen. He has therefore made for himself an honored name in com- mercial circles and his success is the reward of merit, ability and unfaltering fidelity.
REV. JOSEPH ROHDE.
Rev. Joseph Rohde, pastor of St. Joseph's German Catholic church at Elgin, was born March 19. 1843. in Reitberg, in the province of Westphalia. Germany, and from early life his studies were pursued with a view of eventu- ally entering the priesthood. He commenced his mental training for holy orders when but a young lad, and took up the prescribed course of study when twelve years of age. His course was particularly thorough and compre- hensive and he was thus well qualified by broad general as well as theological knowledge for the duties that devolved upon him in his church relationships. After devoting seventeen years to preparatory study and training he was
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