USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 29
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gave him the use of a tract of land, comprising one thousand acres at Shab- bona Grove and near the present village of Shabbona. There the great chief held many councils with his tribe and there he planned his campaigns against the Sac and Fox tribes. It was because of his fidelity to the whites that he was persecuted by the other tribes. On one occasion Mr. Brown, then a young man, and his father were talking with "Bogus" Gates, a roving white settler and a man of somewhat sullied reputation, when Shabbona appeared upon the scene. Gates had bargained with Shabbona for his reservation rights but after many promises and no pay Shabbona became provoked and when he recognized Gates, immediately became involved in an altercation over the settlement. He reached for his knife several times, which scared Gates, who pleaded for his life. At length Gates made a solemn promise to get some money and bring it to Shabbona, and while the old chief waited at an appointed place for his return. Gates was lengthening the distance between himself and the Indian as fast as he could and was never again seen in that locality. On one occasion Mr. Brown assisted other settlers in building a log cabin for Shabbona, who visited it before it was completed. The cracks had not yet been chinked up and Shabbona, in his gruff way, said. "Shanty no good. Shabbona can take papoose and throw him through cracks." Mr. Brown does not remember whether the old warrior ever went into the cabin again. He was a man of marked influence with his tribe and did many friendly and helpful acts for the white man. He died in July. 1859. on the bank of the 1flinois river near Seneca, and was buried in Morris cemetery, although no monument marks his grave.
Mr. Brown has always been a very active man in the affairs of life and is widely known for his integrity and broad-minded views. His home was always noted for his hospitality and he has ever manifested a helpful spirit toward his fellowmen. He has lived to see many changes in this part of the county and state and has borne his full share in the work of development and improvement. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and is one of the honored and venerated citizens of Kane county.
HENRY MILLER.
To her thrifty sons and daughters of foreign birth or parentage America is indebted for much of her rapid growth and development and her great prosperity. To no class of them is she more indebted than those of the German race, who surmount all difficulties by their persistent industry and power of concentration, and who make the wilderness a garden wherever they locate in it. Henry Miller, of Plato township, one of the thrifty and sub- stantial farmers and dairymen of that section, belongs to this hardy race and in his career well exemplifies its prominent and serviceable characteristics.
Mr. Miller was born in Germany, January 13, 1867, and is a son of Adam and Katy ( Schwatz) Miller. also natives of Germany, in whose prolific soil, which they helped to till while living. their remains now rest.
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They had four children: Henry, John, Anna and Catherine. John is still a resident of the fatherland. Anna is the wife of John Detman, and lives in Germany. Catherine is the wife of George Schuppner and a resident of Plato Center.
Henry Miller attended school in his native land until he was fourteen. He then went to Ireland and was there employed three years. In 1884, when he was seventeen years old, he came to this country, and locating in Kane county, went to work as a hired man on a farm in Plato township. He con- tinued his service in this capacity until his marriage with Miss Anna Detman, which occurred on March 28, 1886. She was also born in Germany and came to this country when she was eighteen, finding a home in St. Louis, Missouri, whence she moved later to Kane county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have five children, George, Harry, Minnie, Charley and Mary. all of whom are living with them, the older ones attending school and helping with the work on the farm. One child, Frank, died aged two years.
Mr. Miller is a democrat in his political faith and allegiance, and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. He is recognized as a man of intelligence and influence, wise to all the requirements of the people in the way of progress and improvement, and always ready and willing to do his part in promoting every worthy cause and undertaking. He is widely known and everywhere highly esteemed. He carries on a dairy business, keeping forty cows, and cultivates two hundred acres of rich and fertile soil, which yields abundant crops.
WALTER S. FRAZIER, JR.
The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its com- mercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations and, therefore, among the builders of a town are they who stand at the head of the business enterprises. In this connection Walter S. Frazier, Jr., is well known, being at the head of one of the important manufactories of Aurora, but while his business affairs have assumed extensive proportions, he has also gained place in the ranks of the representative citizens here by reason of the fact that he has been a cooperant factor in many concerns of public importance and is equally well known in military circles. Born in Chicago on the 5th of July, 1863, he is a son of Walter S. Frazier, Sr., who is mentioned else- where in this volume.
In the schools of Aurora the son pursued his education through suc- cessive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1881. He then became connected with his father's business. He did not use parental influence to assist him in his industrial career, however, but commenced in a humble capacity, fully determined to acquaint himself with the business in principle and detail. Gradually as his efficiency increased he was promoted and in 1885 was admitted to a partnership in connection with his brother, E. S. Frazier. His thorough knowledge of the business, his
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aptitude for successful management and his excellent executive power well qualified him to assume control upon the death of his father and to extend his business connections. The brother, too, is equally efficient as a factor in the promotion of the interests of the house and the firm is a strong one, now owning and controlling one of the extensive productive industries of Aurora under the name of W. S. Frazier & Co. The subject of this review is the secretary and treasurer of the company, which is engaged in the manufacture of road wagons and all kinds of vehicles. The house has not only followed progressive methods but has instituted many. They placed upon the market the first road carts and. gradually extending the scope of their activities, they now produce all kinds of vehicles, the workmanship and the prices at once commending the company to the patronage of the general public.
Mr. Frazier has been very active in interests relating to Aurora and her development along many lines. The cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion who has done effective work in its behalf as an earnest and zealous member of the school board. He has also been a member of and president of the library board and a member of the fire and police commission. Equally well known in military circles, he became a member of Company D, of the Third Illinois Infantry and rose to the rank of captain in four years. He was then made assistant adjutant general with the rank of lieutenant colonel, but in 1898 retired from active connection with the National Guard in order to concentrate his energies more largely upon business affairs and community interests.
In 1893 Mr. Frazier was married to Miss Clara Pfrangle, a native of this city and a daughter of Charles Pfrangle, a pioneer resident of Aurora. They are well known socially and have the high regard of an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Frazier occupies an enviable position in public regard, not alone on account of the success he has achieved, but also by reason of the straightforward business methods he lias ever followed.
ROBERT E. BEITH.
Robert E. Beith, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying in Campton township. Kane county. Illinois, was born in that township on the 8th of July, 1872, and is descended from a good old Sctoch family. His paternal grandfather, William Beith, was born in the land of hills and heather and emigrated to the United States in the early '4os, becoming a resident of St. Charles, Illinois. Having previously learned the stone mason's trade, he turned his attention to that occupation in St. Charles and took many large contracts for stone work during the carly years of his residence there. Later he secured a tract of government land and bought additional property until his estate comprised five hundred acres of the best land in Kane county, his remaining days being devoted to agricultural pursuits.
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George A. Beith, the father of our subject, was born in St. Charles and possesses many of the sterling characteristics of the sturdy Scotch race from which he springs. He received his early training in the St. Charles schools and at the age of thirteen years began to aid his father in the operation of the home farm, whereon he has since resided. At the death of his father he purchased the interests of the other heirs in this property and has since made many useful and valuable improvements to the place, which make it one of the most attractive farms in this part of the state, in fact, the improve- ments alone cost forty thousand dollars. In 1871 George A. Beith was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Richmond, who was born in Campton town- ship, and they have become the parents of six children: Robert E., whose name heads this sketch; Elizabeth, the wife of John Muirhead, who is en- gaged in farming at Plato Center; Mary, the wife of Charley Muirhead, also a farmer of Plato Center; William A., a farmer living near Elburn, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Lucinda, deceased; and Rachel, at home.
Robert E. Beith obtained his primary education in the district schools and at the age of twenty took a commercial course at the Metropolitan Business College in Chicago, and on leaving that institution returned to his home near Elburn. He then aided his father in the operation of the farm and since 1898 they have carried on the business in partnership. In con- nection with general farming they do a large dairy business, keeping forty, cows for that purpose, and they also raise stock for market, shipping two or three carloads annually.
Mr. Beith has been twice married, his first wife being Elsie Merrick, by whom he had one daughter, Eleanor, but both mother and child are now deceased. For his second wife he married Josephine Molenarr, who was born in Blue Island, Illinois. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity where they reside. Mr. Beith is a supporter of the republican party and its principles and is a member of the Congregational church. Wherever known he is held in high regard and those who have known him from childhood are numbered among his warmest friends, which indicates an upright, honorable life.
COMFORD B. ATWOOD.
Among Aurora citizens who are prominent and well known is Comford B. Atwood, who is now living retired, although in former years his life was one of intense and well-directed activity. He has almost reached the seventy- third milestone on life's journey, for his birth occurred November 12, 1835. He is a native of Chemung county, New York, as was his father, Hector B. Atwood. The father was engaged in the lumber business in the East, and in 1855 removed westward to Kane county, Illinois. Here he engaged in farming for a time, but afterward took up his abode in La Salle county. where he died in 1897. His wife, Amelia Atwood, died in 1855. They were
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parents of the following children: Charles. Comford, Sarah, Nelson, Leroy and Martha. Of this family three are yet living.
C. B. Atwood attended the district schools in his native state, and even before he had put aside his text books became associated with his father in the lumber business. With him he came to Kane county in 1855 and subse- quently turned his attention to farming. In 1875 he settled near Montgomery, where he has lived continuously since. He has been quite successful in his business affairs, owns two good residences and has other investments. He is now living practically retired, but for a considerable period he figured as one of the representative business men in the county, carefully directing his labors so that he won gratifying prosperity as the reward of his undertakings. His business methods, too, were strictly honorable and straightforward, and gained for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated.
In 1861 Mr. Atwood was married to Miss Cynthia Bennett, who was born in Schuyler county, New York. They traveled life's journey together for ten years and were then separated by the death of the wife in 1873. They had two children, the elder being Myron C., who lives in Aurora and is as- sistant superintendent of the Western Wheel Scraper Works; the daughter, Julia, is acting as housekeeper for her father.
In his political views Mr. Atwood has long been a democrat, and for eighteen years filled the position of alderman, while at the present writing he is commissioner of highways. He has always been deeply interested in whatever tends to promote the progress of the community along political and other lines, and his capability in public service has marked him as a favorable citizen. He belongs to Aurora Lodge, No. 254, A. F. & A. M., and to Argos Lodge, No. 514. I. O. O. F. A resident of the county for more than a half century, he is well known here, and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
E. S. HOBBS.
The truth of the statement that success depends upon tireless and well- directed energy finds verification in the life record of E. S. Hobbs. His business advancement has depended not upon qualities which are in them- selves rare, but which are notable in their harmonious union. He early came to place a correct valuation upon opportunity, realizing that the present and not the future moment is the one that contains an advantage which, if utilized, brings a broader outlook and a wider scope for successful achieve- ment. He is today treasurer of an important cotton manufacturing industry which Aurora claims as one of its chief productive concerns. He was born that year practically brought to a close, although the terms of peace were in Saco, Maine, October 1. 1850.
His father. R. M. Hobbs, was a native of Falmouth, Maine, and a representative of an old and respected family of New England. His great-
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grandfather, Jeremiah Hobbs, served in the Revolutionary war as a member of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment and was mustered out in 1781 after an arduous campaign in which he served as corporal. Hostilities were in not perfected until about two years later. When his military service was over Jeremiah Hobbs settled at Falmouth, Massachusetts, where his son, Josiah Hobbs, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared. He became a farmer and lived at the place of his nativity until his later years, when with his family he removed to Yorkville, Illinois. There he engaged in farming until his death.
R. M. Hobbs in early manhood learned the cotton manufacturing busi- ness and became a prominent representative of that line of production at Biddeford, Maine. He died October 5, 1890, but for a number of years prior to his demise had acted as treasurer of the Aurora Cotton Mills Com- pany. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Cobb, was a native of Maine.
E. S. Hobbs pursued his education in Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, from which he was graduated in 1874. He then turned his attention to cotton manufacturing, seeming to inherit his father's ability in this line. Throughout his entire business career he has been connected with cotton manufacturing interests and today stands as a prominent representative of this undertaking, for it has constantly progressed in the methods of manu- facture and in the service which the house renders to the public. In the first year after he left college he was appointed superintendent of cotton mills at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and in 1876 he went to Selma, Alabama, where for eight years he continued as superintendent of a cotton mill. On the 15th of March, 1884, he arrived in Aurora, well equipped by a comprehensive knowledge and broad experience to add to the success of the Aurora mills, and to his effort is due in large measure the wonderful growth and conse- quent prosperity of the undertaking. The business here was organized in 1883 by Mr. Hobbs and his two uncles, S. F. and N. R. Hobbs. All had practical experience in this line of business, were enterprising and far-sighted and they succeeded in interesting local capital and established the mill which has since been one of Aurora's most prosperous and prominent manufacturing concerns. E. S. Hobbs remained as superintendent of the factory until he succeeded to his present position-treasurer-following the death of his father, R. M. Hobbs. From the beginning the business has grown steadily and has more than doubled since its organization. The men who are at its head are citizens of high character, of business discrimination and resolute purpose. Mr. Hobbs is now bending his energies largely to organization, to constructive efforts and administrative direction. Possessing broad, enlight- ened and liberal-minded views, faith in himself and in the vast potentialities for development in manufacturing lines, his has been an active career in which he has accomplished important and far-reaching results, contributing in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of the city and from which he himself has also derived substantial benefits.
In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hobbs and Miss Mattie Dunklin, a native of Selma, Alabama. They have three children, Alice,
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Virginia and Edward. They also lost their first born, Ernest, who died of typhoid fever in 1904, at the age of nineteen years while a student in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mr. Hobbs was chairman of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce for two years and has been president of the Fox River Valley Manufacturers Association, in which connection he has done much to further the business interests of the city. He is also a member of the Congregational church. His advancement is due to the fact that he has carefully mastered every task assigned him and in an acquirement of a thorough knowledge of the business has qualified for the control of the efforts of others. The course he has always pursued has been such as to merit the confidence and good will not only of his colleagues but also of his associates and those who know aught of his career.
CAPTAIN DON CARLOS NEWTON.
Honored and respected by all, there has been no man in Kane county who has occupied a more enviable position in industrial and financial circles than Captain Don Carlos Newton, now deceased. This was due not alone to the success he achieved but also to the honorable, straightforward business policy which he ever followed. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in controlling and enlarging this many a man of less resolute purpose would have failed. As the result of his clear judgment. experience, laudable ambition and untiring industry, Captain Newton success- fully controlled the business which his father had established and the methods which he employed won for him the respect and confidence of all.
He was born in Wyoming county, New York, in the town of Alexander, between Attica and Batavia, August 26, 1832. His father, Levi Newton, was born in Darien, New York, April 12, 1810, and arrived in Batavia, Illi- nois, in September, 1854. Here he established the Newton Wagon Company and built up a mammoth concern, turning out four thousand wagons per year. He continued an active factor in the business life of the community until June 29, 1879, when his life's labors were ended in death. He married Rachel Cooley, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel ( Hubbard) Cooley and a sister of the great jurist, Thomas Cooley. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Lemuel and Nancy (Taggart) Newton. The former, a soldier of the war of 1812, was born in 1778 and died in 1861, while the latter, born in 1784. died in 1859.
Captain Don Carlos Newton was educated at the Alexander Academy and at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He then went into business with his father in wagon manufacturing at Attica, New York, and in 1854 the plant there was destroyed by fire. On account of the large sales which the firm enjoyed in northern Illinois, especially in Kane county, they removed their business to Batavia and Captain Newton remained a factor in the control of this enterprise until his death, which occurred October 8, 1893.
DON CARLOS NEWTON
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He was very successful in business and after his father's death succeeded to the presidency of the company, having previously been vice president for a number of years. In business affairs he displayed sound judgment and the ability to coordinate forces until he brought his interests to a successful completion.
At the time of the Civil war Captain Newton responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in the Fifty-second Regiment of Geneva. He helped to form Company D, was elected lieutenant and in December of the same year was promoted to the captaincy. He then went to the front for three years and was mustered out in December, 1864, in Savannah, Georgia. He participated in many important battles, including the engagements at Chattanooga, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth and went from Chattanooga to Atlanta and on the march from Atlanta to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to Batavia and resumed his manufacturing interests.
On the 27th of October, 1853, Mr. Newton was married to Miss Mary M. Prindle, a daughter of Abijah L. and Caroline ( Pearl) Prindle, of New York. In community affairs Captain Newton was always interested and active, doing much to promote the public welfare. In connection with Mr. Gammon he built and gave to the Methodist Episcopal society of Batavia a magnificent church building. It is constructed entirely of bowlders and is a beautiful specimen of architecture, attracting wide attention, not only from the townspeople but from visitors, who speak of it always in terms of praise. It will long stand as a monument to the donors. Captain Newton was a member of the Loyal Legion and was most prominent in the various move- ments for the upbuilding and progress of the community. When the First National Bank of Batavia was organized he became its president and so con- tinued until his death. In business affairs his judgment was sound and he manifested the keenest sagacity as well as enterprise. The methods which he followed commended him to the confidence and respect of all and he was honored wherever known but most of all where best known.
HERMAN MILBACHER, M. D.
A fact to which due recognition is not usually given is found in the cir- cumstance that the Austrian-American element has been a most important one in our citizenship. Investigation into the ranks of the successful business and professional men will show that a large majority are of Austrian birth or parentage. To this class belongs Dr. Herman Milbacher, one of the leading physicians of Aurora and a man of broad scholarship and marked intellectual attainment.
He was born in Roumania, October 13, 1850, a son of Dr. Valentine Milbacher, a native of Austria and a well-known physician of that country. His son, in the attainment of professional knowledge, studied in various parts of Europe but principally in Zurich, Switzerland and in Munich, where he was graduated upon the completion of a medical course in 1881. At-
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tracted by the opportunities of the new world, he came to the United States in 1882 and for a time engaged in practice in New York. spending some time in a German hospital there. The same year he located in Aurora, and has been in practice here continuously since. A liberal patronage has been accorded him, for he is recognized as one of the leading physicians of the county. He has constantly promoted his efficiency by further research and investigation and keeps in touch with the advancement of the profession at all points.
In 1893 Dr. Milbacher was married to Miss Kate Vater. a native of Chicago. They now have two children : Louise, who was born May 31, 1896, and Walter, born December 11, 1901. Dr. Milbacher has never taken an active part in political work, but is interested in community affairs and the progress of Aurora, has served as a member of the library board and is an advocate of all interests which contribute to public prosperity and progress. He holds to high ideals in his profession and finds in the faithful performance of each day's duty inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day.
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