USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 28
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DE WITT SIMPSON.
De Witt Simpson, president of the Wilcox Manufacturing Company. is preeminently a man of affairs, capable of controlling important business interests, as he has passed through successive stages in a business career that has brought him broad experience, wide outlook and large opportuni-
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ties. Numbered among the native sons of the Empire state. De Witt Simpson was born in Washington county, New York. January 8. 1845, and acquired his education through the medium of the public schools. He remained a resident of the east until twenty-four years of age, when, in 1869. he removed westward to Aurora, thinking to find better business op- portunities and conditions in this section of the country.
For a number of years he was a salesman in the employ of Daniel Volentine, one of the pioneer merchants of this city, but ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he carefully saved his earnings and when opportunity offered became identified with commercial pursuits as a shoe merchant, forming a partnership under the firm style of Brown & Simpson. He afterward went upon the road, traveling for ten years as the western representative of eastern shoe manufacturers, and in 1882 he became con- nected with the Wilcox Manufactuing Company, of Aurora, rising from the position of salesman through the various steps of promotion until he became vice president, manager and president of the concern. He is today the chief executive officer in this enterprise, which is one of the pioneer business interests of Aurora. It has grown and expanded with the develop- ment of the city and now furnishes employment to several hundred men. Operations were begun with a force of five workmen and the increase in the number of operatives is indicative of the substantial development of the business.
Mr. Simpson is also interested in other enterprises. He has been for a number of years a director and is still one of the vice presidents of the old Second National Bank. He has ever been interested in the welfare of the city, is prominent in the work of the Baptist church and is not unknown in connection with charitable interests and yet his beneficence is always free from ostentation and display.
RALPH C. TAYLOR, M. D.
Ralph C. Taylor, a well-known physician and surgeon of Lilylake, where he has a well-established and constantly growing practice, was born at Millburn, Lake county, Illinois, November 12, 1869, the son of David B. and Josephine (Dodge) Taylor. His father, David B. Taylor, was born in Kingsville, Ohio, December 25, 1826, and was educated as a physi- cian and surgeon, being graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan, also from the Cincinnati College of Medicine. He began the practice of medicine at Hillsdale, Michigan, continuing in practice there until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Eighteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry in 1862, when he was appointed assistant surgeon, a position which he held throughout the war. He then located at Lake county, Illinois, where he continued in the practice of his profession until the time of his death, which occurred in 1904. Dr. Taylor was a stanch republican and fraternally was a member of the Masonic order,
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while religiously he was a consistent and faithful member of the Congrega- tional church. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Taylor were born three children, namely : Edith Ione, the wife of H. A. Janeson, residing in St. Louis, where he is a member of the F. G. Smith Piano Company; Edward T., an attorney and teacher in the public schools of Chicago, and Ralph C.
The last named received his early education in the district school of Millburn, which he attended until sixteen years of age. He then entered the Jennings Seminary, of Aurora, Illinois, which he attended for one year, going from there to the Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he remained for one year. At the age of nineteen he engaged in teaching and followed this profession for four years, at the expiration of which time he entered the Valparaiso School of Pharmacy, at Valparaiso, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1894. In the fall of that year he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating therefrom in April, 1897. It will be seen from this record that Dr. Taylor not only possesses an inherited and inherent adaptability and inclination for his chosen profession, but that he has thoroughly educated himself both in the principles of pharmacy and diagnosis, so that he is able to make ready and unerring application of the same. His education in the school of pharmacy enables him to compound his own remedies, which he does from his own private dispensary. In December following his graduation, he located in Lilylake, where he has since continued to reside and his high professional attainments and sterling characteristics have gained for him the respect and confidence of the local public.
In 1900 was celebrated the marriage of Ralph C. Taylor and Miss Irene Stewart, whose parents reside on a farm near Millburn, where Mrs. Taylor was born on April 2, 1880. They have become the parents of two children, Glen Stewart, born October 24, 1903, and Merrill Leon, born May 25, 1907.
Fraternally Dr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Modern Woodmen of America, for which he is the lodge physician. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Christian church, while his estimable wife is a Congregationalist.
WILLIAM H. H. SHOOP.
William Henry Harrison Shoop, one of the representative farmers and prominent citizens of Kaneville township, was born on the 8th of July, 1842, in Crawford county, Ohio, and is the oldest son of Benjamin and Catherine (Miller) Shoop. The father's birth occurred in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1815, but he was only eight years of age when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Crawford county, Ohio. There he grew to manhood amid pioneer surroundings and his school advantages were very limited as the county at that time was an almost unbroken forest with few clearings. The schools were far apart and very primitive and the
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Shoop family endured all of the hardships and trials one usually encounters on the frontier. As a means of livelihood the father of our subject followed farming. He was a soldier of the Mexican war, serving under General Taylor, and was a democrat in politics, while his religious connection was with the Evangelical church. In early manhood he married Miss Catherine Miller, who was only two years old when taken to Ohio from her birthplace at Millersburg. Pennsylvania. Her father was a shoemaker by trade.
William H. H. Shoop is one of a large family of children. his brothers and sisters being as follows: Martin V .. now deceased: James A., who resides in Chicago and is employed at Garfield Park: George W .. who is superintendent of janitors in the State Normal School at De Kalb, Illinois ; John W .. formerly city marshal of De Kalb, where he makes his home; Isaac, who is engaged in the manufacture of tile at that place: Wesley, a retired farmer living in De Kalb: Angeline, the wife of G. Snyder, who is a merchant of Maple Park; Emeline, deceased; Caroline, the wife of John R. Taylor. a farmer of Griffith, Indiana: Sarah, the wife of Michael Dillon, a stone mason, of Sandwich, Illinois: Hattie, the wife of Melvin Beverly, of Maple Park: Adealie. the wife of Henry Hoyt, who is engaged in the bottling business in De Kalb. and Catherine, the wife of John Hoyt. a druggist of De Kalb.
Mr. Shoop of this review received his education in the district schools near his boyhood home, where he pursued his studies during the winter months. while throughout the summer season he assisted his father in the work of the farm. At the age of twenty years he laid aside his text-books and devoted his entire time to the cultivation of the fields and other farm labor upon the home place until his marriage. He then removed to Reno county. Kansas, where he lived for three years, but at the end of that time returned to Kane county, where he has since resided. He has made farming his life work and is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 14. Kaneville township. He has a beautiful home situated on a slight elevation overlooking the rest of the farm and the other improve- ments are of the best. Upon the place is a model dairy. where the milk from twenty-five cows is cared for and in all his work Mr. Shoop has been found to be very progressive and up to date.
On the 9th of October, 1869. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shoop and Miss Emma J. Weston, who was born in Rutland. Vermont, January 24, 1851, a daughter of J. F. and Sarah ( Wetkins) Weston. While residing in the east her father was employed as teacher in an academy for some years, but when she was only two years old he brought his family to Illinois and here he followed farming. Mrs. Shoop received a good education and prior to her marriage she also taught school in both Illinois and Iowa with good success. She has become the mother of four children, namely: Ethel M .. now the wife of Charles H. Shoop, who is in the employ of J. R. Wat- kins & Co .. at Elburn: Edna G., the wife of Frank E. Gusler, a farmer of Kaneville township: Viola, the wife of A. J. Bissell. a resident of Rutland, Vermont, where he is engaged in the lumber business, and Benjamin F., still at home with his parents.
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Mr. Shoop is independent in politics, supporting the men whom he be- lieves best qualified for office regardless of party ties. For many years he served as justice of the peace, his first commission being signed by Governor Oglesby, and he continued to serve in that capacity until 1907, when he resigned to accept the office of supervisor, to which he was elected. He has been a member of the school board continuously during his residence in Kaneville township, and his various official duties have been most promptly and faithfully discharged and have won the commendation of the entire public. In religious faith Mr. Shoop is a Methodist.
WILLIAM HENDERSON.
William Henderson is conducting an extensive and prosperous business as a dealer in horses and cattle and as an agriculturist. There is no better judge of stock in this part of the state and his ability in this direction has enabled him to make judicious investments and profitable sales. He resides in Aurora, where he is widely known. His birth occurred in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, Scotland, January 1, 1863, and his parents, William and Margaret (Dick) Henderson, were also natives of the land of hills and heather. The former was a son of John Henderson, who died in Scot- land when about fifty years of age. He was a miller and millwright and was long survived by his wife, who, in her maidenhood, was Miss Annie Linn, and who lived to be seventy-seven years of age. Their family num- bered two sons and two daughters, including William Henderson, Sr., who, in his early manhood devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and later became a contractor and street builder and also a dealer in horses. About 1889 he removed to Canada, settling in Toronto, where he is now living retired. He holds membership in the Free Church of Scot- land, to which his wife also belonged. The death of Mrs. Henderson occurred in 1900 when she was fifty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of William Dick, who was a large property owner and was connected with the salmon fisheries. He died in Scotland at the age of seventy-seven years and his wife, Mrs. Nannie ( Hay) Dick, also reached the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of five children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Henderson, Sr., were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom seven are now living, namely: William, of Aurora; Annie, the wife of Alexander White, of Toronto, Canada; John, deceased; Jessie, the wife of John Polson, of Toronto; Robert, who resides in Toronto; David, who has also passed away; George, of Toronto; James, who died in infancy ; Bella, the wife of Fletcher Omerod, living in Toronto, and Alexander, living in Aurora.
William Henderson, whose name introduces this review, was reared at Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, Scotland, and acquired a common-school education. He then studied law for a time and afterward began dealing in horses with his father. In 1886 he came to America and settled in Aurora,
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working by the month on a farm. He then formed a partnership and en- gaged in the livery business for a short time. Aurora has been his home almost continuously since and he has become recognized as a successful and enterprising business man, who is now interested in agricultural pursuits and is also well known because of his extensive operations as a dealer in horses and cattle. He breeds and buys high grade coach horses, also handles speed horses and breeds Holstein cattle.
On the 31st of May. 1893. Mr. Henderson was united in marriage with Mrs. Fannie B. House, the widow of Christopher G. House and a daughter of William W. and Julia A. (Shepherd ) Bishop. Her grandfather, William Bishop, was born in England and there spent his entire life, as did his wife, Anna ( Smith) Bishop. They were parents of nine children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Henderson was James Shepherd, who married Mary Milson. Both were natives of England, whence they crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, settling at Leicester, Massachusetts, where they both died. Mr. Shepherd passed away at the age of eighty-two years, while his wife reached the very advanced age of ninety-eight years and seven months. They had a family of nine children. The father of Mrs. Henderson, William W. Bishop, was born on the Isle of Man and in his boyhood came to America with his parents, who settled in Canada. He afterward removed to Massa- chusetts, where he learned the trade of a carpenter and cabinet-maker, while subsequently he turned his attention to the foundry business in Worces- ter, Massachusetts. In 1852 he came to Aurora, Illinois, built a foundry and manufactured wheels for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, some of these being still in use on the railroad. Having prospered in his undertakings, he later turned his attention to the banking business and in partnership with John Coulter opened a private bank where the First National now stands. This was conducted under the name of Bishop & Coulter and after the death of Mr. Coulter it was reorganized under the name of the First National Bank and Mr. Bishop became its first president. He was also connected with many other important business enterprises and, in fact, was a promoter who readily recognized and utilized opportunities and in securing his individual success also advanced the public welfare. He was instrumental in securing the location of the cotton mills, the Acorn Stove Works and other manufacturing enterprises which have been factors in the business development of the city. He served as alderman for fourteen years and as mayor for one term and during that period cleared the city from a heavy debt. His administration was intensely businesslike, practical and progressive and was marked by excellent results. The death of Mr. Bishop occurred in October, 1892, at the age of seventy-one years, and the com- munity lost one of its most representative and valued citizens. He left an indelible impress upon the public life and at all times his labors constituted an element in the general progress. His widow still survives him and has now passed the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Bishop had been reared in the faith of the Episcopal church, while his wife is a Congregationalist in religious belief. At the time of his death he owned a beautiful farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres in the northern limits of the city of Aurora,
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together with other farm land and valuable city property. There were two children in the family, Frank W. and Mrs. Henderson. The former, who died in 1895, was a farmer and married Charity Van Duser, who is also deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are well known socially here and have a large circle of warm friends who esteem them for their many excellent traits of. character as well as for their hospitality and kindly spirit.
ROBERT CHARLES HORR.
Robert Charles Horr, superintendent of streets in Aurora, was born in Earlville, La Salle county, Illinois, August 28, 1860. His parents were George Washington and Alvira (Ostrander) Horr, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. The Horr family is of English lineage and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, who, on coming from the Merrie Isle to the new world, established his home in the state of New York. He afterward became one of the early settlers of La Salle county, Illinois, where he passed away at an advanced age. His wife also attained an old age. The maternal grandfather was of Pennsylvania German descent and was a millwright. He lived with his family at Williams- port, Pennsylvania, and both he and his wife died in that state.
George Washington Horr followed mechanical pursuits throughout his entire life, working as a carpenter, joiner, wagon-maker and in other capaci- ties. When a very small boy he was brought to Illinois, the family home being established in La Salle county, where he was reared to manhood. He came to Aurora in 1887 and was foreman in the building department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad shops for a number of years, but eventually his health failed and he gave up work, spending his last days in honorable retirement. He was a soldier of the Civil war, valiantly defending the Union cause. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy-one years and is still survived by his wife, who is a graduate of the schools of La Salle county and a most estimable lady. They were the parents of four children: Robert C .; Mamie, the wife of C. D. Treman, of Aurora: Josephine, the wife of W. T. Saddler, of Aurora, and Carrie, who died in infancy.
Robert C. Horr, whose name introduces this record, was reared in La Salle county, pursuing his education in the public and high schools of Mendota, and when he had put aside his text-books he began learning the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades, which he has followed throughout the greater part of his life. Early in 1884 he arrived in Aurora, where he entered the employ of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, being engaged in the shops until 1896. He then established a bicycle busi- ness, which he conducted for a time and later was offered a position as assistant city engineer, which he accepted. In 1905 he was appointed city superintendent of streets and is now acting in this capacity. He is proving capable, reliable and efficient and is doing much for the improvement of the streets in his present capacity.
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Mr. Horr has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Mabel Foote, of La Salle county, and unto them was born a daughter. Mabel, who is now the wife of George Kesel, of Aurora, and the mother of one son, George. On the 14th of October. 1885. Mr. Horr was again married. his second union being with Miss Carrie Elizabeth Allen, a daughter of Robert Clark and Alvira ( Weaver ) Allen. One son was born to that union, Allen Horr.
Mrs. Horr is a Methodist in religious faith. Mr. Horr belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Owls. the Royal Arcanum and his poli- tical allegiance is given to the republican party. He is recognized as one of the efficient workers in its ranks and whether in office or out of it he is a progressive citizen who desires the best interests of the community and labors toward that end. He is interested in all things that are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and his worth is widely acknowledged.
MORRIS P. BROWN.
It seems hard to realize that it is within the memory of living men when this section of Illinois was the home of Indians, when the lands were unculti- vated, the forests uncut and the streams unbridged. Yet Mr. Brown can remember when such a condition existed in northern Illinois, for he has long been a resident of this part of the state and has witnessed many changes which have brought about its present development. He was born in Jeffer- son county. New York, his birth occurring in Watertown, July 25. 1827. His parents were James and Fannie (Scott) Brown and both were natives of New England. Their family numbered the following: Russell R., who died in 1864: Abi, the wife of Sardis Willey but now deceased: Emma, who has passed away; and Adelia, who became the wife of Moses Arnold. but both are now deceased.
Morris P. Brown is the only surviving member of his father's family. He was eight years of age when his parents removed to Theresa. a town twelve miles from his birthplace. He had meager opportunity for attending school as he was obliged to give most of his time to assisting his father on the farm until he reached the age of eighteen years. In September, 1845. attracted by the glowing accounts of favorable opportunities in the west. he boarded a steamboat at Alexandria Bay and arrived at Lewiston. New York. whence he went by horse cars to Niagara Falls and Buffalo. From the latter point he sailed around the lakes to Chicago, where he arrived after eight days. At that time the metropolis of the west had but three business streets-Lake. Randolph and Water-and there were no houses west of the Randolph street bridge for three miles. On the lake trip he became acquainted with a family who were taking their horses and much baggage with them. Mr. Brown wished to join his father who had preceded him to the west two years and was located near Aurora. The man who owned the horses promised Mr Brown to haul him and his trunk to Aurora if in turn Mr. Brown would help unload the man's goods from the boat. He agreed to do so, but when
MR. AND MRS. MORRIS P. BROWN
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the man had proceeded about ten miles from Chicago, having no further need of Mr. Brown's services, he changed his course and left Mr. Brown and his trunk by the roadside. However, others traveling along the highway assisted him to near Naperville. There he secured lodging for the night, and the following morning walked to Aurora. That city at the time contained but two or three stores, a gristmill and a sawmill. There was a foot bridge across the river from Main street to Galena street, but there were no bridges for teams, which forded the river at the south end of Stolp's island near the present site of the public library.
That fall Mr. Brown worked at threshing and corn husking, and the following December took a claim in what is now Clinton township, DeKalb county. The following spring his mother and the other children of the family came and joined the husband and father who had made his way to the west and prepared for his wife and children to come to the new home in DeKalb county. Thus the family were once more united.
For twenty years Morris P. Brown lived in DeKalb county, carrying on general farming and stock-raising, and on the 30th of March, 1865, he pur- chased a farm on section 14, Sugar Grove township, Kane county, where lie now lives. He took up his abode on this farm on the day on which Lincoln was assassinated. The place comprises three hundred and thirty acres of very rich and productive land and in the care and cultivation of the property he has gained a good income. For some time he was also engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred hogs and this proved to him a gratifying source of revenue.
On the 22d of November, 1855, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Sarah E. Hyde at Coons Grove, DeKalb county. Her parents were natives of Vermont, where Mrs. Brown was also born, and were connected with the famous Corbin family. For a half century Mr. and Mrs. Brown traveled life's journey together and were then separated by the death of the wife, who passed away September 6, 1906. Their children were: Ella Quinn, who died January 8, 1887; May H., who died at the age of sixteen years; Grace S., now the wife of D. J. Gordon, of Sugar Grove township; and Fannie R., the wife of L. S. Hall, who is living at the home farm. At her death Mrs. Quinn ieft a daughter, May. The children of Mrs. Hall are: Floyd E., born July 23, 1896; and Elizabeth G., born April 15, 1900.
For several years Mr. and Mrs. Brown rented their farm and lived in Aurora, but since his wife's death Mr. Brown has made his home with the family of Mrs. L. S. Hall, his youngest daughter. His life has always been a useful one and in many respects an eventful one. When he left home at the age of eighteen years he had but twenty-one dollars in his pocket and when he reached Aurora possessed but eight dollars and thirty-seven cents. During the first years in which he lived in DeKalb county, he saw many of the Pottawattomie Indians and their chief, Shabbona, who proved himself a true friend of the white men. Mr. Brown can remember many of the stirring incidents of those early Indian days and relates many interesting reminis- cences of pioneer times. On account of the friendly attitude which Shabbona always manifested toward the white settlers the United States government
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