USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 34
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Ralph H. Hardy attended school in Kaneville until fifteen years of age and then entered the academy at Elgin, from which he was graduated in 1888. Returning to Kaneville, he has since made his home here and now has the management of the general mercantile establishment of J. W. Dauber- man. He is a man of excellent business ability and unquestioned integrity and the success of the enterprise is due in large measure to his able control of its interests.
Mr. Hardy was joined in wedlock on the 12th of September, 1884, to Miss Bertha M. Eldredge, by whom he has two children: Hiram T., born September 18, 1896; and Irwin E., whose birth occurred July 5, 1902.
In his political views Mr. Hardy is a stanch republican, while frater- nally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and has gained an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community during the long period of his residence here.
WILLIAM J. FOWLER.
William J. Fowler, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Company, is thus closely associated with the productive industries of Aurora. He is a man of marked strength of char- acter, of clearly defined individuality, of laudable ambition and firm purpose and he stands today as one of the prominent residents of his adopted city.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, April 8, 1854, being the youngest son of Edward Y. and Mary G. ( Williamson) Fowler. His paternal grand- parents were Weeden and Phoebe (Halsted) Fowler. The former, a native of New York, was a millwright by trade and came westward to Illinois with his parents, Gilbert and Martlia (Keck) Fowler, who settled at Big Rock, where their remaining days were passed and where they were eventually laid to rest. Weeden Fowler bought land, improved and cultivated it and engaged in farming for many years, becoming recognized as one of the representative and leading agriculturists of his community. Both he and his wife died when well advanced in years.
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In the maternal line William J. Fowler is a representative of an old New York family. His grandfather, William Williamson, was a native of the Empire state and a farmer by occupation. He died at Bedford, West- chester county, New York, at an old age. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah Carpenter and the grandmother of our subject. They had a family of twelve children. For his second wife William Williamson wedded Phebe Park. His father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and the English troops came onto their farm at the time of the battle of Tarrytown.
Edward Y. Fowler was born in Westchester county, New York, and has long been a prominent and well-known resident of Aurora. After his marriage he lived for a time in New York city, where he was engaged in the grocery business, but in 1854 came to Illinois, settling at Aurora, where he opened a grocery store on the old McClelland corner, where Hotel Arthur now stands. He died in 1863 at the age of forty-three years, while his wife survived him until 1900 and was more than seventy years of age at the time of her demise. She belonged to the Society of Friends, while Edward Y. Fowler was a Congregationalist in religious belief. He was always active in public affairs, aiding materially in the development and substantial upbuild- ing of the community in which he lived and his entire life was in harmony with the teachings of the Masonic fraternity, in which he held membership. Unto him and his wife were born four children who reached adult age. Joseph- ine is the widow of John R. Little and was for many years a resident of Big Rock, but afterward removed to Fairmont, Nebraska, where her husband died. Josepha, twin sister of Josephine, is the widow of George W. King. who was an early settler of Big Rock. Edward Y. is a member of the firm of F. E. Royston & Co., wholesale grocers.
William J. Fowler, the youngest of the family, was reared in Aurora und attended the public schools. He then entered upon his business career. securing a clerkship in a grocery store, where he was employed until twenty years of age. He then began traveling for the Aurora Silver Plate Manu- facturing Company and has been connected with the same line of business continuously since, much of the time being with the Aurora company. He was for a part of the time, however, with the Meriden Silver Plate Company, of Meriden, Connecticut. For the past ten years he has been with the Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Company and is now secretary, treasurer and manager. This company was organized in 1869 and is engaged in the mant- facture of all kinds of silverware. The excellence of its output insures to the house a good trade and under the capable direction of Mr. Fowler the business is meeting with excellent success, for he is giving his attention to constructive efforts and administrative direction. possessing also excellent executive ability.
On the 8th of January, 1879, occurred the marriage of William J. Fow- ler and Miss Emma Quackenbush, a daughter of David and Anna ( Beattie) Quackenbush. There are two children of this marriage: Ned Y., the elder, is deputy probate clerk at Geneva and married Miss Edna Corbin, a daughter of Daniel M. and Julia A. Corbin. William J. is superintendent of the Aurora Silver Manufacturing Company, with which he has been connected
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for several years. He married Bertha Carnes, a daughter of Morris V. and Emma M. Carnes, and they have one son, Lewis Stanley Fowler, born in August, 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler attend the People's church and Mr. Fowler belongs to Aurora Lodge, No. 90, A. F. & A. M .; to Aurora Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M .; to Aurora Commandery, No. 22, K. T., and to Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, in Chicago. He is likewise connected with the Elks, while politically he is a pronounced republican and an able worker in the party ranks. He is now serving as a member of the county central committee, has been a delegate to the state conventions and has been a helpful factor in securing republican successes. He resides at No. 277 South Broadway in the old home which his father purchased many years before. In manner he is genial and courteous, possessing qualities which well fit him for political leadership, while his business discernment and enterprise are manifest in the fact that he has worked his way upward to a position of responsibility and prominence in industrial circles.
SETH S. SHERWOOD.
The stock industry has engaged the attention of many active and enter- prising men in this country for many years and grows every year in magni- tude and importance in all its departments. Among those who are success- fully occupied with it in the department of breeding for the market, Seth S. Sherwood, of Plato township, is one of the leaders in this county. He was born in Plato township, May 25, 1884, and is the son of Charles S. and Luella (Meurhead) Sherwood, both natives of Plato township. The father is now a retired farmer and lives in Elgin, Illinois. The father is a republi- can and the mother a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Seth S. Sherwood began his education in the district school near his home, which he attended until he was fifteen years old. He was then a stu- dent for six years at Elgin Academy, and after that took a special course of instruction at Elgin Business College. On the completion of his studies he returned to the farm to engage actively in its duties and subsequently to take charge of it. He has now been in active control of all its operations since March, 1908. and has shown himself to be a farmer of capacity and judgment and a stock breeder of enterprise and breadth of view.
On January I, 1907, he was married to Miss Hazel Samis, who was born in Burlington township, August 12, 1886. Her mother is living and makes her home with them. Mr. Sherwood controls one hundred and twenty acres of land and keeps for his own use ten good cows. He devotes his attention mainly to raising live stock for the market, to which the farm is well adapted, it being largely composed of good grazing ground and located only two miles from the railroad station. In political faith Mr. Sherwood is a republican and in fraternal life a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He pushes his undertakings with earnestness and zeal and is mak-
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ing a pronounced success of them. He also devotes a good citizens' interest and care to the welfare of the township and takes his place and does his part in the promotion of every worthy enterprise for its advancement. One of the most successful of the younger farmers and stock breeders of his township, he is also one of its most esteemed citizens.
FRED FAUTH.
That Fred Fauth is now one of the popular. prominent and influential resi- (lents of Aurora is indicated by the fact that he has been repeatedly reelected al- derman until his continuous service in the office covers ten years, while his entire service as a public official covers nineteen years. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and he maintains an equally enviable reputation in busi- ness circles as a successful cigar manufacturer. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, June 13, 1860.
His father. John Fauth, a native of Germany, came to the United States when twenty years of age, and in 1854 arrived in Chicago, where he remained for a short time. He then removed to La Salle, where he followed the cooper's trade. Before locating in La Salle, however, he spent a short time in Aurora in the early '6os, and was so favorably impressed with the city as a place of resi- dence and business that he returned here in 1868 and was identified with coopering interests of the city until his death, which occurred in 1888. when he was fifty-seven years of age. His wife. Magdalena Schmidt. is also a native of Germany and is now living in Aurora at the age of eighty-four years. They reared a family of five sons and one daughter. all of whom reside in Aurora and are most highly respected citizens, namely : Albert, John, Gustavus A .. Fred. Henry and Barbara, the last named the wife of Timothy Biever.
Fred Fauth was but eight years of age when his parents came to Aurora. and in the public schools he acquired his education, pursuing his studies to the age of fourteen years, when he began learning the cigarmaker's trade. He has since continued in this line of business and as the result of his industry, careful methods and keen discernment, has won success. His progress, too. is undoubtedly attributable in large meaure to the fact that he has continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman and, therefore, his profici- ency and ability have constantly increased. In 1879 he began business on his own account, and has since been known as a cigar manufacturer of Aurora with a large trade, the quality of his goods and his reasonable prices insuring him a liberal patronage.
While Mr. Fauth has made a creditable record in business circles, he is. perhaps, even better known because of his activity in public affairs, and many tangible evidences are given of his loyalty to the general welfare. In 1889 he was elected to represent the fifth ward on the board of aldermen and from 1891 until 1897 he served as a member of the board of public works. The following year he was again elected alderman without opposition and the same condition existed in 1900. 1902. 1904.1906 and 1908. A nomination is equivalent
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to an election and it is certain that Mr. Fauth can have the nomination as long as he desires, for his fellow-citizens have come to recognize the fact that no one would more conscientiously and faithfully serve the public interests 'than Mr. Fauth. Since 1902 he has been chairman of the finance committee, and may well be termed the watch-dog of the treasury. While he believes in progress at all times, he does not believe in useless or extravagant expenditure. In politics, as in his business and private life, he is progressive and honest, with a clean record and enjoys the full confidence of all who know him.
HENRY W. ZIEGLER.
Henry W. Ziegler, who is engaged in the coal business in Maple Park, was born in Pierce, De Kalb county, Illinois, December 30, 1855. His father, Louis J. Ziegler, was born in Germany and at the age of twenty-one years emigrated to America, locating near Chicago. He was united in marriage to Catherine Schule, whose father was a farmer. Following his marriage, Louis J. Ziegler removed to Pierce, De Kalb county, where he purchased a tract of land, paying ten shillings per acre for the same. He improved this land and made his home thereon until his demise, which occurred in 1900, his remains being interred in Fast Pierce cemetery. In his family were nine children : Henry W .; Lizzie, the widow of John Hammond, who served in the Civil war and is now deceased, Mrs. Hammond now making her home in Hinckley; Louis, a miller of Maple Park: Amelia, the wife of Henry Haish, a retired farmer of Hinckley; Annie, the wife of Charles E. Emhk, a farmer of Iowa; Sapona, the wife of Edward Bloom, a blacksmith of Hinckley; Amanda, the wife of Frank Ramer, a farmer living near Pierce, Illinois; and Albert and Fred, who are also engaged in farming in Pierce.
Henry W. Ziegler, whose name introduces this review, was reared on the home farm in De Kalb county, assisting his father in the fields from the time he was old enough to handle a plow. In the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. At the age of sixteen years he started out to make his own way in the world, being employed at farm labor for ten years. He operated a farm in Virgil township, Kane county, for some time, and in addition to carrying on general agricultural pursuits, also engaged in dairying, both branches of his business proving a profitable source of revenue to him. He is now engaged in the coal business in Maple Park. Mr. Ziegler has traveled quite extensively through the west and north and in 1903 pur -. chased a farm in Colorado, which he sold in 1908, making a profit of forty- eight hundred dollars. He also owns property in Maple Park.
Mr. Ziegler has been twice married. He first wedded Lucy Garleach, who was born in De Kalb county, and whose parents now reside in Hinckley. This union was blessed with one daughter, Laura E. For his second wife Mr. Ziegler wedded Mary Newman, who was also a native of De Kalb county, and whose parents are now deceased, their remains being interred in the De Kalb
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cemetery. By this union there is one daughter Olice C., who was born February 19. 1897, and is still at home.
Mr. Ziegler gives his political support to the republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America. Personally he is quiet and unassum- ing in manner, refusing political preferment and avoiding publicity. He possesses unusual will power and a high order of business talent, and in his undertakings is meeting with success, being numbered among the substantial citizens of Kane county.
THOMAS S. HUNTLEY.
Although one of the younger attorneys at law in Elgin, his years do not seem any bar to his professional success, and Thomas S. Huntley is already well known as a capable representative of the legal profession, whose client- age has connected him with much of the important work in the courts in recent ears. He was born in the town of Huntley, this state, October 17, 1877, a son of Thomas S. and Annette E. ( Brinkerhoff) Huntley, who were natives of the Empire state. In early life they came to Illinois and settled in Grafton, McHenry county. The father devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and became quite prominent in his county, hold- ing a number of local offices, while his opinions were an influencing factor in many affairs of public concern.
In his youthful days Thomas S. Huntley was a pupil in the village school and afterward attended the Beloit Academy of Beloit, Wisconsin. He quali- fied for his profession as a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, being graduated from the law department in the class of 1900. He then went to Europe and gained in his sojourn that broad culture and knowl- edge which only travel can bring. After several months' absence he returned and located in Elgin. Being admitted to the bar in 1901 he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession with the law firm of Botsford, Wayne & Botsford, with whom he remained for about five years. He afterward shared offices with John A. Russell, but is now practicing alone and has secured a large and distinctively representative clientage. In the legal profession, which embraces many of the most brilliant minds of the nation, it is difficult to win a name and a place of prominence. Many aspire but few attain. No assistance from friends can prove of avail, for each lawyer must commence at the initial point, must plead and win his first case and work his way upward by ability, gaining his reputation and success by merit. Mr. Huntley's experi- ence has been that of most lawyers, but his earnest application, analytical mind and careful preparation of his cases has brought him a creditable mcasure of success.
On the 31st of December, 1902, occurred the marriage of Mr. Huntley and Miss Gertrude B. Kennedy, of Grand Marais, Michigan. They now have one son, Thomas S. Huntley, the third of the name in successive genera-
T. S. HUNTLEY
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tions. Mr. Huntley belongs to the Delta Chi, a legal fraternity, and is also connected with the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. That he is prominent in republican circles is indicated by the fact that he is now president of the Young Men's Republican Club of Elgin ; is also a member of the Hamilton Club of Chicago; and the Sons of the Revolution. He is now referee in bankruptcy for the district, comprising Kane, Dupage, Kendall and De Kalb counties. This is the only office that he has sought or filled, for he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties and is most loyal to the interests of his clients.
EBENEZER DENNEY.
For fifty-one years Ebenezer Denney was identified with the mercantile interests of Aurora. Now he is enjoying well-earned ease, having retired from commercial pursuits. His name has long figured in this city as a synonym of progressive business methods and of unfaltering honesty and his example may well serve as a source of emulation and encouragement to others. Mr. Denney was born in Yorkshire, England, August 15, 1840, and is a representa- tive of old families of that country. His parents were Joseph and Jane {Woods) Denney, the former a cabinet-maker of England, whence he came to America in 1855, settling first in Aurora. In this country, however, he lived retired and passed away at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife died in 1859 at the age of sixty-five years. Both were earnest Christian people, holding membership in the Congregational church. Their family included six sons and a daughter, five of whom have been residents of Aurora: Thomas, who is still living; Joseph, William and Hallifield. all three deceased; and Ebenezer, of this review.
The last named was about fifteen years of age when he left the land of his birth and with his parents came to Aurora. Here he was reared to man- hood and attended the public schools. After putting aside his text-books he joined his brothers, Joseph and William, who were engaged in the furniture business here, and continued with them until after the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861. His patriotic spirit being roused, he then joined the army, enlist- ing as a member of Company G, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was commissioned second lieutenant and later first lieutenant, with which rank he was mustered out. He served until the fall of Vicksburg, when he was transferred to the Fiftieth United States Colored Troops, with which he was connected until the spring of 1866. He was then mustered out at Vicks- burg and returned home with a most creditable military record. He had first enlisted as a private, but with the colored troops was quartermaster sergeant. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg from the beginning until the capitula- tion of the city, was also in the siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely and in innumerable skirmishes.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Denney returned to Aurora, and again entered his brothers' store, this time becoming a partner
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under the firm style of Denney Brothers. He bent his energies to the develop- ment of the business and to the extension of its trade relations, and became recognized as an enterprising and progressive merchant. In 1896 he became the senior partner of the house upon the retirement of his brothers, and con- tinned in the business until January 7, 1906. During the last few years his nephew. Albert J. Denney, was associated with him. Altogether, he was in business here for fifty-one years and during most of the time was at one location at No. 27-29 Broadway. The house has always been noted for the large and well-selected line of furniture which has been carried, for its reason- able prices and for its honorable business methods. Mr. Denney figured as one of the leading merchants and trustworthy business men of the city, and con- tinued active in the trade until 1906, since which time he has enjoyed a well-earned rest.
In September, 1861. was celebrated the marriage of Ebenezer Denney and Miss Mary Elliott, a daughter of W. T. and Rebecca ( Pierce) Elliott. Mrs. Denney died, however, in the summer of 1862 and on the 7th of November, 1865. Mr. Denney wedded Miss Mary Alice Nix, a daughter of Leander and Margaret Miranda (Stewart) Nix. They have an adopted son. George Burton Denney. Mrs. Denney was born near Raymond, Mississippi, in Hinds county. Her mother was a native of the same county, while her father was a native of Tennessee. His death occurred when his daughter was but two weeks old and his wife survived for some years, passing away Septemebr 24, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of four children: Sarah and Rebecca, now deceased; Margaret Nix, of Aurora; and Mary Alice, now Mrs. Denney. The father was a farmer and was reared in Tennessee but married and removed to Mississippi. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Denney was William Stewart, who was of Scotch descent and lived in Missis- sippi during the latter part of his life. He devoted his time and energies to farming save for the period when he served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. He lived to an advanced age, while his wife, Mrs. Sarah ( Wilson) Stewart, had more than reached middle life when called to her final rest. Their family numbered ten children.
Mr. and Mrs. Denney are members of the First Congregational church. and enjoy the highest regard of all who know them. Mr. Denney is a mem- ber of Aurora Lodge, No. 90. A. F. & A. M., Aurora Chapter, No. 22, R. . 1. M., Ben Hur Lodge. 1. O. O. F., and Aurora Post, No. 20. G. A. R. He is now serving as commander of this post, which has nearly two hundred mem- bers. He was also aid-de-camp on the staff of General Force and has always been much interested in military affairs. Politically he is a stalwart republican and was alderman for four terms, representing the old eleventh ward for two terms and the fourth ward for two terms. He was, likewise, city treasurer for two years, school treasurer for two years, and township treasuer, handling all the school money. While he is not active in business pursuits at the present time, he is a stockholder and director of the Aurora National Bank, and the president of the Aurora Home Building and Loan Association. He owns a beautiful residence at No. 104 South Broadway and owns three dwellings on Grant Place, two on La Salle and two on Lincoln avenue. Starting out in
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his business career at the age of fifteen years, Mr. Denney has made steady progress, has utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and has proved his worth in his honorable dealings and his fidelity to every trust reposed in him. His name has become synonymous with commercial integrity and he has been an active moving force in the welfare and development of the city along com- mercial and many other lines. He has never failed to respond to a public call for assistance in community affairs and Aurora has profited by his energy, his business discernment and his active cooperation in matters upon which rests the public welfare.
GUSTAVUS A. FAUTH.
Gustavus A. Fauth, who has made his home in Aurora from the age of twelve years, is now cashier of the German-American National Bank and aided in its organization in 1890. He was born in LaSalle, January 17, 1858. His father, John Fauth, a native of Germany, came to the United States when twenty years of age and in 1854 he arrived in Chicago, where he re- mained for a short time. He then removed to LaSalle, where he followed the cooper's trade. Before locating in LaSalle, however, he spent a short time in Aurora in the early '6os and was so favorably impressed with the city as a place of residence and business that he returned here in 1869 and was identified with coopering interests of the city until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was fifty-seven years of age. His wife, Magdalena Schmidt, is also a native of Germany and is now living in Aurora at the age of eighty- four years. They reared a family of five sons and one daughter, all of whom reside in Aurora and are most highly respected citizens, namely: Albert, John, Gustavus A., Fred, Henry and Barbara, the last named the wife of Timothy Biever.
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