USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 27
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WILLIAM S. BEAUPRÉ.
William S. Beaupré, president of the Aurora National Bank, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, October 2, 1844. His father, Mathias Beaupré, was of French descent and in 1838 came from Canada to the United States, settling first in Joliet, while afterward he resided in Kendall county, Illinois, where for two terms he served as county sheriff.
William S. Beaupré acquired his education in the public schools of La Salle and Kendall counties and, having mastered the branches of learning which constitute the public school curriculum, he entered upon his business career as a clerk in a dry goods store of this city. He left mercantile fields, however, to enter public office, having in 1869 been appointed deputy col- lector of internal revenue for the second district of Illinois. He continued in that position for fourteen years, or until 1883, when he resigned to enter banking circles as cashier of the Aurora National Bank, which was organized in that year. He has since been connected with the institution, and its success is attributable in no small degree to his earnest efforts, his indefatigable energy, his keen discernment and his thorough understanding of the banking business. He was elected to the vice presidency in 1895, and on the Ist of January, 1906, succeeded to the presidency, with M. O. Southworth as vice president. The safe, conservative policy which was inaugurated at the begin- ning has always been maintained, and over the record of the institution there falls not the least shadow of wrong. Its methods have always been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and the men who stand at its head sustain an irreproachable reputation in business circles. Mr. Beaupré is a man of resourceful ability and marked energy and has extended his efforts into various other lines. He is now a director in the Aurora Gas Company, in the Illinois Surety Company and the Fox River Light, Heat & Power Com- pany. He was president of the Kane County Title & Abstract Company. which was organized by him in 1902. He is furthermore a director and treasurer of the Home Building & Loan Association of Aurora, and all of
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these concerns have profited by his able management, keen business discrim- ination and unfaltering enterprise.
While Mr. Beaupré has successfully conducted private business interests and thereby contributed to the commercial development, he has also aided in promoting the city's welfare along lines from which he has derived no substantial return. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion, and for over twenty years he has been an efficient member of the board of education, doing all in his power to raise the standard of the public schools and make their course of study a fit preparation for the practical and respon- sible duties that come when school days are over. He has also been a director of the public library since its organization. He belongs to various fraternal organizations, and in Masonry has attained the Knight Templar degree and is a member of Aurora Lodge, No. 294, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a republican.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Beaupré was married to Miss Julia Brady, a daughter of Lorenzo Brady, a pioneer merchant and banker of this city. They have two children : Marian, now the wife of Charles E. Powell, cashier of the Aurora National Bank; and Olive, now Mrs. H. E. Miller, of Aurora.
Endowed with admirable social qualities, Mr. Beaupré is popular in the different societies to which he belongs, and commands the unqualified respect and admiration of his business colleagues and contemporaries. His entire career has been characterized by that consecutive progress which results from well developed powers, from the utilization of opportunity, and from that initiative spirit which enables the individual to see a chance which is not apparent to others.
WILLARD R. AUSTIN.
Willard R. Austin, who is now living retired on his farm in Campton township, was born at Rochester, New York. August 25, 1836, his parents being Amassa C. and Rhobia W. ( White) Austin, both natives of New York, the former born August 29, 1798, while the latter's birth occurred April 11. 1811. They came to Illinois about 1844, settling in DeKalb county, at which place their remains are now interred, the father having passed away in 1863. while his wife survived him until 1891.
Willard R. Austin served as a soldier in the Union army for two years and nine months and witnessed many bloody battles, being wounded in one engagement. He assisted in driving Price out of Missouri, and was a faithful and loyal defender of the cause which he espoused. never faltering in the performance of any military duty assigned him.
Mr. Austin was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L. Higgins, a native of DuPage county, Illinois, where her birth occurred April 2. 1848. of the marriage of Van Rensselaer and Lucy ( Bingham) Higgins, both natives of New York. The parents were wedded in Ohio and thence removed to DuPage
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county, Illinois, coming overland by ox-team and bringing a cow and a spin- ning wheel with them. They were early pioneers of this part of the country, but both are now deceased and lie buried in the Whitney cemetery at Campton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Austin have been born four children. Flossie B., who was born January 13, 1879, attended school at Wasco and now resides at home. She displays considerable musical talent. Maude L., born April 15, 1881, became the wife of Edward Swanson, an agriculturist by occupation, and they reside near St. Charles. Pollie V., whose birth occurred in Wasco, January 16, 1884, married Miss Arvilla Johnson and still lives in the place of his nativity. Alva C., born in Wasco, August 28, 1888, is yet under the parental roof.
A republican in his political views, Mr. Austin gives stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of that party. He is affiliated with G. A. R. Post, No. 456, at St. Charles, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed throughout the com- munity, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
FRANK MICHELS.
The welfare and progress of a city depends in large measure upon its police service, as the resident business man always considers the safety of his interests before he will make investments. The department therefore which conserves law and order is a most essential one in the city government and at the head of this department in Aurora stands Frank Michels, the efficient and capable chief of police. A native son of Aurora, he was born March 4, 1866.
His father, Frank Michels, was a native of Germany and in early man- hood became a resident of this city, where he turned his attention to mer- chandising. He was for many years connected with the grocery trade here and was much respected for his honorable business methods and his upright life. He died in 1901 as a result of a railroad accident, while his wife, Mrs. Mary Michels, passed away in 1907. For a number of years prior to his death he was engaged in general farming, having retired from commercial interests.
Frank Michels was educated in the public schools and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father on the farm for eight years. In 1887 he came to Aurora and joined the police department, acting first as driver of the patrol wagon. He thus filled all the various positions of the department, acting at different times as patrolman, plain clothes man, captain, city detective, and in 1897 he was appointed chief of police, which position he has now filled for eleven years. No more capable or faithful custodian of public interests could be found. He has been connected with many important cases and has been a loyal officer, bringing the force up to a high standard of efficiency.
On the 17th of September, 1890, Mr. Michels was married to Miss Mary Wagner, a native of Aurora. He belongs to the Benevolent & Protective
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Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias Lodge and also to the Luxemburg Club. He is popular with his fellow townsmen, who have learned to know and to appreciate his worth from his boyhood days and who find in him an official whose record is above suspicion of evil.
CYRUS C. STOWE.
Cyrus C. Stowe, a public-spirited citizen who is serving as constable of Maple Park, has also been engaged in the livery business in this city since 1903. He was born near Sycamore, DeKalb county, September 28, 1852. His father. William Henry Stowe, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and at the age of twenty-two years came to Illinois, settling near Syca- more. There he was engaged in farming for a time, while later he removed to the city of Sycamore and opened a cooperage, at which he was engaged for five years. He then took up his abode in Minnesota, entering there one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, which he continued to cultivate for a number of years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Electa Ward, was likewise born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children, as follows: Cyrus C .: Harriett, the wife of O. F. Holcombe, a farmer residing in Sycamore : Char- lotte, the wife of Gus Taylor, a retired farmer residing in Minnesota : Emory, deceased; Fred, who is a mail clerk employed by the government in Minne- sota: Edward, who is clerking in a store in Spokane. Washington; and Herbert, who has departed this life.
Cyrus C. Stowe was reared on his father's farm and began his educa- tion in the district schools. He was a youth of sixteen years when his parents left the farm and took up their abode in Sycamore and the son then entered the high school of that city, being graduated therefrom at the age of nineteen years. He then returned to farm life and in 1872 established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Collins, who was born in 1853.
Following that important event in his life Mr. Stowe engaged in farm- ing near Sycamore and Maple Park until 1903, when he removed to the latter city and opened a livery barn, which he has conducted to the present time. He keeps a number of good horses, has on hand a nice line of buggies and carriages for rent and his business has now reached extensive propor- tions, owing to his reasonable prices and his fair treatment of those who give him their patronage. He was formerly proprietor of a hotel here for four years.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stowe has been blessed with two daughters and a son: Nellie May, the wife of Herman Burkenhagen, who is engaged in merchandising in Maple Park: Mabel, the wife of Fred Snyder, who is clerking in a store in this city, and Floyd H., who is engaged in the transfer business here.
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Mr. Stowe gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and has been called to fill a number of public offices. He served in 1895 and 1896 as town marshal, while in 1897 and 1898 he filled the office of deputy sheriff. For the past two years he has served as constable of Maple Park. filling the office to the satisfaction of the public and with credit to himself. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Globe, while his religious faith is that of the United Brethren church. He is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of Maple Park, for he belongs to that class of men whose enter- prising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit, but also advances the general good and promotes prosperity.
LEVI TODD.
Levi Todd, now deceased, became a resident of Kane county more than a half century ago, at which time he took up his abode in Sugar Grove township. For a considerable period thereafter, he was identified with agricultural pursuits and then began dealing in agricultural implements in Aurora, while his last years were spent in retirement from business. There were no questionable methods in his business career. On the con- trary, he closely adhered to the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity, unabating energy and unfaltering diligence and he thus left an example which is in many respects well worthy of emulation.
He was born in East Wallingford, Vermont, August 29, 1815, his parents being Ruel and Lucinda (Tuttle) Todd. In the paternal line the ancestry is traced back through Ruel, Job, William, Michael and Christopher Todd to William Todd, who was the ancestor of the family of this name founded in Connecticut. He lived at Pomfret, York county, England, and was the father of Mercy and Christopher Todd. The latter was born at Pontefract, England, and was baptized January II, 1617. He became a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1639, and died April 23. 1686. He was a miller, farmer and baker and acquired a considerable property. The ancestry can be traced back in the maternal line to William Tuttle, who came from London or St. Albans on the good ship Planter in 1635, with his wife, Elizabeth, and three children. He remained in Boston until 1639 and there two sons, Jonathan and David, were added to the family. Later he went with his wife and children to Connecticut and was one of the signers of the original compact in the formation of the Connecticut colony. As the years passed he became an extensive landowner. He was one of only fifteen whose names always appear on the records as Mr., the title being given only to persons of the highest social distinction. He possessed large wealth for that day and was a man of prominence in the community who was active in public affairs. The family had previously been a very distinguished one of Devonshire, England, representatives of the name during several generations having occupied the highest offices,
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including that of lord mayor of Exeter, the second in importance to that of lord mayor of London. The office of high sheriff of Devon was also filled by members of the family. The name originally was Tothill or Tuthill, and one William Tothill entertained Queen Elizabeth at his fine estate of Shar- deloes, which passed into the possession of the Drakes through the marriage of Joan Tothill to Sir Francis Drake. William Tuttle, who was the founder of the family in America, and his wife, Elizabeth, were parents of Jonathan Tuttle, then followed in successive generations two Williams and Joel Tuttle, the last named being the father of Mrs. Lucinda Todd. He was born May 1, 1746, and died in New Haven, Connecticut, October 9. 1826. He was married September 3, 1772, to Lydia Bradley, who died April 24. 1814. Lucinda Tuttle, daughter of Joel Tuttle, gave her hand in marriage to Ruel Todd. Both were natives of Vermont and Mr. Todd followed the occupation of farming. He was born in September, 1771, while his wife's birth occurred April 8, 1775, and they reared a family of eleven children.
Levi Todd, whose name introduces this review, was born August 29, 1815, and was reared at East Wallingford. He came west in 1854 and settled at Sugar Grove township, Kane county, Illinois, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. That summer he built a house upon his place and carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1869. in which year he removed to Aurora. Here he engaged in selling agricultural im- plements for a time but later lived a retired life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. He was a man whose reliability in business affairs was never called into question. In all of his dealings he was straightforward and honorable and displayed an aptitude for successful management.
On the 24th of January, 1836, Levi Todd was married to Miss Rachel Walker Gibson, a daughter of Jonathan and Hannah Gibson. They became the parents of four sons and four daughters. Olivia Maria, the eldest, married Fred Otis White, who, for a number of years, was a lumber merchant of Aurora, and died in 1892. Lucius Merrill, who died in 1899, had wedded Mary Bruce, also now deceased, and they had two sons, Ed- ward Sherman and Levi, but the latter died in infancy. Eleazer, whose death occurred in 1903, had married Emma Mayo and had three children, Idella May, Bert C. and Nellie Gertrude. Laura Rozilla died at the age of fourteen years. Emma Janc, who was a successful teacher for many years, now lives in Aurora. She is joint author of the "Normal Course in Reading" with W. B. Powell, which has been widely used in the schools. George Henry, who has been engaged in the lumber business for a number of years as a member of the firm of White & Todd, married Lucy Brown Prescott and they have three children: Bertha May, Fred Arthur and Ethel Marion. Mary Abigail, who is a teacher of drawing in the public schools of West Aurora and also assistant in the high school. is the next of the family. Elmer Ellsworth married Rhoda Bird and is engaged in business as a member of the firm of White & Todd, lumber dealers.
The death of the husband and father occurred April 10, 1891, when he was nearly seventy-six years of age. His wife died January 13, 1874,
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at the age of fifty-five years. They were Universalists in religious faith and were people of the highest respectability. Mr. Todd always took an active and helpful interest in public affairs and was found as a cooperant factor in many measures for the public good. His word was considered as valuable as any bond solemnized by signature or seal. He trusted men and they learned to trust him, finding that he was always loyal to a promise, faithful to an obligation and trustworthy in every relation of life. He enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence and good will of his fellowmen and is yet remembered by those among whom he moved as an active factor in the business life.
JOHN DEUTSCH.
John Deutsch, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Virgil township, was born in this township on the 17th of November. 1887, his parents being George and Mary (Schilling) Deutsch, both natives of Lux- emburg. The father, whose birth occurred in 1848, came to America in 1863 and now carries on farming in Virgil.
John Deutsch attended the common schools until thirteen years of age, and from that time forward has been continuously engaged in farming with the exception of four years spent in Aurora as an employe in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy shops. On the Ist of March, 1908, he came to the Meyers farm and became connected with agricultural interests on his own account. He has a dairy of eight cows and delivers on an average of twenty-four gallons of milk to Virgil daily. He likewise owns ten hogs, forty chickens and two horses, and has one thousand dollars' worth of property in stock, tools, furniture, produce, etc. The farm is all tillable land and contains forty acres, while he has also rented ten acres in Virgil. Most of the acreage is devoted to corn, while the remainder is meadow and pasture land, the place being fertile and well improved. Although still a young man, Mr. Deutsch has already met with a creditable and well-merited measure of prosperity in his undertakings and the future holds forth much promise.
On the 14th of May, 1908, Mr. Deutsch was united in marriage with Miss Mary Barth, of Chicago, who was born September 28, 1882, her parents being George M. and Mary (Graef) Barth, both natives of Ba- varia. The father came to America in 1873 and was married in Chicago. Unto him and his wife were born three children. Michael, whose birth occurred in Chicago, October 19. 1876, wedded Miss Kune Sieple, of that city, and is a cabinet-maker residing in the metropolis. Katie, born in Chicago, October 9, 1877, became the wife of Matt Breyer on the 7th of August, 1901. He is a groceryman residing in Chicago. Mrs. Deutsch is the youngest member of the family.
Mr. Deutsch is a stalwart democrat in his political views, while fra- ternally he is connected with the Foresters of Virgil. His religious faith
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is indicated by his membership in St. Peter's Catholic church of Virgil. He has been a resident of his native county throughout his entire life and is widely recognized as one of its progressive and enterprising young agriculturists.
JAMES WALKER.
There is perhaps no biography in this volume which illustrates more clearly the value of determined and persistent effort than does the record of James Walker, who, starting out in life without any special advantages of wealth or influence to aid him, learned the blacksmiths' trade and has steadily worked his way upward until he now occupies the responsible posi- tion of foreman in the blacksmith shops of the Chicago. Burlington & Qunicy Railroad at Aurora. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware, November 20, 1834.
His father, William Walker, was a steel manufacturer in Pennsylvania in partnership with two of his brothers-in-law. Removing west to Michigan, he located at Royal Oak, twelve miles north of Detroit, in 1841. He had become ill at Harrisburg while on his way to the west and died soon after reaching his destination. His wife survived him until 1896 and was about seventy-eight years of age at the time of her demise. She bore the maiden name of Demaris Patchett, a daughter of William Patchett, a native of Eng- land, who on coming to America settled in Delaware. Mrs. Walker was a devoted member of the Baptist church and following her husband's death carefully reared her family. She was born in Delaware, while Mr. Walker was a native of England. Their family numbered seven children: James. of Aurora: Mary, the wife of a Mr. Andrews, of Birmingham, Michigan ; Jane H., the widow of S. S. Thomas, of Detroit, Michigan; and Ann, the widow of J. Perkins, who also resides in Detroit, Michigan. The other mem- bers of the family have passed away.
James Walker spent his boyhood and youth in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended the public schools. When sixteen or seventeen years of age he began learning the blacksmiths' trade, which he has followed continuously since and his success is no doubt attributable in large measure to the fact that he has never dissipated his energies over many fields, but has concentrated them entirely upon this department of labor. In 1852 he went to Chicago, where he resided until 1857. since which time he has been a resident of Aurora. covering a period of more than a half century. He has been constantly employed as foreman of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy blacksmith shops for fifty-one years, and for four years prior to that time was with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. No higher testimonial of his efficient service nor of his unfaltering loyalty to the interests which he repre- sents could be given than the fact that he has continued with this company for more than five decades.
On the 20th of November, 1856. Mr. Walker was married to Miss Jane A. Atkinson, a daughter of William and Anna ( Prince) Atkinson. Mrs.
JAMES WALKER
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Walker was born in New Haven, New York, January 13, 1838. Her grand- father, Thomas Atkinson, was born near Leeds, England, and there engaged in the shoe business. He and his wife both came to America, however, when young people and were married in Utica, New York. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Walker was also a native of Leeds, England, and a shoe dealer there. Coming to America, he settled in Utica, New York, whence he removed to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he died when more than ninety-one years of age. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Atkinson was only five years of age when her parents removed from the Empire state to Toledo, Ohio, and afterward became residents of Cleveland, Ohio, where she lived until fifteen years of age. The family then went to Detroit, Michigan, and removed to Chicago in 1853. Her father was proprietor of a hotel in Cleveland and in Chicago, and in other places conducted a meat market and grocery. He died at the age of seventy-one years, his death resulting from an accident-a tree falling upon him. His wife survived him until 1900 and died in Chicago at the age of eighty-eight years, her mental faculties being unimpaired at the time of her demise. Their family numbered three sons and five daughters, but only three are now living. Mrs. Walker; George W., of Geneva, Illinois; and Annie, the wife of L. N. Young, of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker had but one child, Alice, who was the wife of C. C. Nichols, of Aurora, a bookkeeper for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Mrs. Walker is a member of the People's church. Their home is a large and handsome residence at No. 146 Clark street and Mr. Walker also owns other city property. He is likewise the vice president of the Home Building & Loan Association and his business interests and real-estate holdings are proof of his life of enterprise and thrift resulting in success. Prominent in Masonry, he belongs to Jerusalem Temple, No. 90, A. F. & A. M., Aurora Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., Aurora Council, No. 45, R. & S. M., Aurora Commandery, No. 22, K. T., Tabala Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and to the consistory, in which he has attained the thirty- second degree. He was made a Mason in 1859 and is a charter member of both the council and commandery. He also belongs to Waubaunsie Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F. Politically he is a republican and his prominence in the city is indicated by the fact that he was elected its mayor in 1870. In every relation of life he has commanded the trust and confidence of his fellowmen, possessing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime win recognition and regard.
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