USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
nership and they worked up their business until it became the largest in the city, returning a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Holden retired from the firm in 1904 and became connected with the Miller-Bryant-Pierce Company as stockholder and secretary and is now vice- president of this company. The enterprise has become a profitable productive concern of the city, and Mr. Holden is now active in its management and control. He was the first secretary of the Improvement Building and Loan Association of Aurora, and is now a director.
On the 2d of November, 1892. occurred the marriage of Mr. Holden and Miss Marie Wheaton, a daughter of the late Judge Wheaton, of Aurora. Their union has been blessed with one child, Sarah.
Mr. Holden is a representative of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being the first secretary of the lodge in Aurora, which position he capably filled for four years. He is very prominent and popular in the organ- ization and is also known as an enterprising and influential business man of his native city. He now owns and occupies a beautiful home on South Lincoln avenue, which is one of the visible evidences of his life of energy and prosperity.
ISAAC D. HARLEY.
Isaac D. Harley, a successful farmer of Campton township, and man- ager of the Garfield estate, comprising two hundred and seventy-three acres of Kane county's best land, is a native of Bourbon township, Marshall county, Indiana, and a son of Daniel and Annie (Kaufman) Harley. His father, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, is a veteran of the Civil war, having served for twelve months in the Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He married Miss Annie Kauffman, now deceased, and unto this union were born seven children, namely: Isaac D .; Ellen, the wife of Fred Hickman, a farmer residing near Hartville, Ohio; Elizabeth, deceased; L. D., a hardware merchant of Plymouth. Indiana: Sarah, the wife of Milo Gill, a farmer residing in Bourbon township, Indiana; Abraham, also engaged in farming in Bourbon township, Indiana; and Jolm, a farmer residing near Tippecanoe. Indiana.
Isaac D. Harley resided in his native township until he was twenty-one years of age, and received his education in the district school, which he attended regularly up to the time he was eighteen. He then left school and devoted his entire attention to his father's farming interests until, at the age of twenty-one, he branched out for himself, securing employment as a farm hand. He remained in this position for five years then, in 1895, came to Elburn, where he has since resided.
On December 6, 1899, occurred the marriage of Isaac D. Harley and Miss Minnie Z. Garfield, a native of Campton township. Her father. Jefferson Gar- field, was a native of Vermont and came to Illinois at an early day, locating near Elburn, where he bought the property referred to in the opening of this sketch, which now belongs to the Garfield estate. He married Miss Harriett Snow, who survives him and now resides in California. Mr. and Mrs. Garfield
371
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
were the parents of five children : Wade, who resides in San Diego, California ; Fenton, deceased; Jennie E., who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Harley, the wife of our subject; and Mable F., a teacher in the schools of Kewanee, Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harley have been born four children: Garfield, Raymond, Wendall and Harriett. Mrs. Garfield owns an undivided interest in the ideal country home where they reside, which is situated three and a half miles east of Elburn on the St. Charles and Elburn road. It is a most desirable property, being provided with bounteous shade, an excellent water supply, and a well-established orchard.
Mr. Harley gives his political support to the prohibition party. He is public spirited and progressive and gives his influence to every enterprise for public good. He and his wife occupy an enviable position in the best social circles of the community and their pleasant home is the abode of hospitality.
CHARLES D. ROSSETTER.
Charles D. Rossetter, a passenger conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with many friends in Aurora and also among the patrons of the road, was born in Chicago, November 18, 1852. His parents were Asher and Sophronia (Newton) Rossetter, natives of New York. The father was born at South Barre, Orleans county, and was a son of Asher W. Rossetter, likewise a native of the Empire state. He followed the teacher's profession and was a man of some means, accumulating through business interests a com- fortable competency. He died at No. 62 Hester street in New York city, when more than seventy years of age, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsey Richards, and was born at Southeast, Putnam county, New York, in 1786, has also departed this life. They were the parents of ten children.
The ancestry of the Rossetter family can be traced back in this country to Edward Rossetter, who came from England with his family in 1630 on the ship Mary and John and landed at Nantasket, May 3, 1630. He began a settlement at Matapan, which they named Dorchester and which is now South Boston. In 1635 he removed to Windsor, Connecticut, and acted as assistant to Governor Winthrop, being chosen for the position in England previous to his embarkation to the new world. His son, Bray Bryan Rossetter, served as assistant governor of Connecticut when it was one of the English colonies, hold- ing the office for eleven years. The maternal grandfather of Charles D. Rossetter was Henry Newton, a descendant of Sir Isaac Newton.
Asher Rossetter was a farmer boy in the Empire state and in 1833 or 1834 arrived in Chicago, but the city had not then been incorporated and pre- sented the appearance of a straggling village stuck down in the swamp. He dug potatoes for his first night's meal and afterward assisted in taking the Indians to the reservations in Michigan. Later he returned to Chicago, where he remained until his death. He became one of the pioneer hotel proprietors of
372
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
that city, owning and conducting the American House. Later he purchased the Lake House, which stood on the north side, a two-story brick structure, which at the time was about the most imposing building that Chicago con- tained. He afterward added two stories and remodeled and rebuilt the hostelry, which was considered one of the finest in all of the west. He was also the pioneer woodenware manufacturer of the west, being senior partner in the firm of Rossetter, Pahlman & Smith. His business activity, his enterprise and his cooperation in civic affairs contributed in substantial measure to the early development and growth of Chicago and he left his impress upon the city in no uncertain way. He died in 1857, at the age of forty-three years, and his wife passed away in 1853. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters, as follows: Stephen Decatur; Charles Raymond: Henry Clay; George Washington; Charles Decatur, of this review; Mary Sophronia, de- ceased, who was the wife of Frank A Leavitt, of Gardner, Maine; and Julia, who died in infancy.
Charles D. Rossetter was reared in Chicago and attended the public schools. He was only five years of age when left an orphan and was early thrown upon his own resources. He worked in the commission house of George M. Allen and later was employed in a telegraph office, while sub- sequently he became a newsboy on the Northwestern Railroad. His next employment was as cabin boy on a steamship and eventually he became a steward. He was also at one time ticket agent and later had charge of the Hickson Grocery House of Chicago. He also learned the trade of brick- laying and studied architecture, while in 1877 he turned his attention to railroading. The following year he became freight conductor and for the past thirty years has been a passenger conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He is one of its most efficient and trusted employes in the passenger service. He is always courteous and kindly to the patrons of the road and, at the same time, thoroughly loyal to the interests of the corporation which he represents. He has made his home in Aurora since 1877 and is widely known here.
On the 18th of November, 1878, Mr. Rossetter was married to Miss Ella Duncan, a daughter of Arad and Mercia Ann (Watles) Duncan. Her father was a native of Vermont and her mother of New York. He learned and followed the machinist's trade, and about 1860 removed from Detroit to Aurora, having formerly owned and cultivated a farm in Michigan. In Aurora he followed his trade in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad shops, and here he died in 1882, at the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife passed away in 1859, at the age of forty-five years. Their family numbered six children, of whom Mrs. Rossetter is one, the others being as follows: Louis, deceased; Libby, the wife of Samuel Emery, of Memphis, Tennessee ; Lucy, the wife of Charles Hathaway, a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Belle, the wife of Major Safford, of Detroit, that state ; and Fred, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Mrs. Rossetter was born in Detroit. Michigan, in 1859, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of six children, namely: Frank Asher, system man with the Link Belt Machinery Company of Chicago, who married Maude
373
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Leone Long, and by whom he has one son, Frank Paul, born May 22, 1908; Myrtle E., the wife of Albert G. Frost, of Aurora, by whom she has two children, Marion Wilson and Robert Rossetter Frost; Duncan Edgar, who is employed as assistant civil engineer by the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, with headquarters at Drummond, Montana; Alice Marion, in school; and two who died when young.
The family residence is at No. 387 Linden avenue, and was erected by Mr. Rossetter in 1893. The family is well known in Aurora, where the members of the household have many friends. Mr. Rossetter has here resided for more than thirty years and his many good qualities have gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated. He is one of the oldest representatives in passenger service on the railroad and his fidelity to its interests have never been called in question.
CARL AUGUST BLOMQUIST.
Carl August Blomquist, who carries on agricultural pursuits in St. Charles township, was born in Jonkoping, Sweden, June 4, 1843, his parents being Carl Erickson and Maga Stina Bowman, both natives of that country, the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1812. The father of our subject passed away in Sweden in 1870, and the mother also died in the land of her nativity, being called to her final rest in 1858. The record of their children, in addi- tion to the subject of this review, is as follows: Louisa, who was born in Sweden, married Gustaf Johnson, a shoemaker, and still resides in the country of her birth; Andrew Peter is deceased; Alexander M., who was born in Sweden in 1845, came to America in 1870 and now resides at Berwyn, Illinois.
Carl August Blomquist acquired his education in his native land and also served in the Swedish army for several years. In 1881 he emigrated to the United States, locating near St. Charles, Illinois, and has since been success- fully engaged in general farming here. Seven years ago he purchased his present beautiful home, where he has since resided, the property being valued at five thousand dollars.
Mr. Blomquist was united in marriage in Sweden, in 1868, to Miss Caroline Peterson, whose birth occurred in that country on the 12th of April, 1839, and who passed away in Campton township, April 25, 1899, her remains being interred in St. Charles. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blomquist were born five children. Franz August is deceased. Othelia Sophia was born in Sweden. November 22. 1869, and accompanied her parents on their emigration to America in 1881. She married Louie J. Johnson, a groceryman, and resides in St. Charles. John A., born in Sweden, February 4, 1872, attended school in that country and subsequently married Miss Josephine Axelson, of St. Charles. He is now a groceryman of St. Charles. Matildia Caroline, born in Sweden, October 19, 1873, makes her home in St. Charles with her father. Franz Albin is also deceased.
In his political views Mr. Blomquist is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church.
374
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Coming to the new world in order that he might take advantage of the broader business opportunities here offered, he has worked diligently and persistently as the years have passed by and has gained a gratifying and enviable measure of success.
EDWARD C. FINCH.
Edward C. Finch, one of the most prominent citizens of Aurora by reason of the extent and importance of his business interests and associations and his activity in municipal affairs, is now serving as chief executive officer of the city, having been elected in November, 1907. He is giving to the city a public-spirited and progressive administration, for he is opposed to any- thing like misrule in public affairs and stands as a stalwart defender of municipal virtue and substantial upbuilding. He was born in Woodstock, Illinois. September 14, 1869, a son of Luther E. and Ellen S. (Ford) Finch. The father was a native of Syracuse, New York, and in 1837 removed west- ward, settling in Woodstock, where he remained until 1870, when he brought his family to Aurora. The following year he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. While living in Woodstock he had engaged in general farming Jut after coming to this city he lived in comparative retirement, enjoying a well earned rest up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1894.
Edward C. Finch acquired his education in the public schools of Aurora and after putting aside his text-books learned the printer's trade in the office of the Daily News and the office of the Aurora Beacon. He afterward spent one year in the employ of Rand. McNally & Company, of Chicago, but ambitious to engage in business on his own account, in 1903 he established a printing business under the style of Finch & McCulloch, printers, binders and stationers. From the beginning this has proven a profitable venture. His business has grown to extensive proportions and in November, 1907, they removed to their present fine building, which is one of the best in the city. Here they are thoroughly equipped to do any kind of work in their line as printers, binders and stationers and the patronage of the house is steadily growing, making this one of the chief industrial concerns of the city. The business is thoroughly systematized and in all business affairs Mr. Finch has learned to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential, using the former in .a continuance of business success and discarding the latter as detrimental to the furtherance of his interests.
In public affairs Mr. Finch has always been deeply interested and whether in office or out of it has labored earnestly to promote the best interests of the community. In politics he is a stalwart republican and an earnest champion of the party, and in 1907 he was elected to the mayoralty. He is now serving as chief executive officer and he brings to bear in the discharge of his official duties the same keen insight and reliability which characterize his private business interests.
E. C. FINCH
377
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
In 1905 Mr. Finch was married to Gertrude B. Grant, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and they are well known socially in the city, having an extensive circle of warm and admiring friends. Fraternally Mr. Finch is connected with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. He is well known in the city where almost his entire life has been passed and at no time has he ever been disloyal to its interests, but on the contrary has been an advocate of all that pertains to public progress.
CHARLES D. JUDD.
Charles D. Judd is holding the position of vice president in the national organization of Yeomen of America. He was born in Sugar Grove township, Kane county, Illinois, October 11, 1851, a son of Dexter C. Judd, who was a native of Warren county, New York, but in the early '40s came to this state and engaged in farming in Sugar Grove township. He also followed black- smithing and manufactured axes, building the first shop in this section of the state outside of Aurora. His uncle, Thomas Judd, was one of the first settlers in Sugar Grove township and founded the town of Sugar Grove, where he built a school and otherwise contributed to the development and substantial progress of this part of the state. In community affairs Dexter C. Judd took an active and helpful part. He filled the office of supervisor and was also township clerk and in the discharge of his duties he proved most loyal and competent. He married Eliza Brown, a native of New York, and unto them were born five sons; A. T., S. B., S. L., C. D., and S. C. Of these the third and fifth are now deceased. The father, too, has passed away, his death occurring on the 28th of June, 1903.
Charles D. Judd is indebted to the public-school system of Kane county for the educational privileges accorded him. He was reared upon his father's farm, and the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist early became familiar to him and constituted a part of his life work. Desirous, however, of following other pursuits than the work of the fields, he left home and entered the employ of the Pullman Sleeping Car Company, with which he was connected for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he came to Aurora and was engaged in the lumber business under the firm style of A. T. Judd & Company for four years. He then retired from the firm and joined the force of employes of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company, which he represented in the operative department, being a conductor on the line for seventeen years. He proved a most courteous and capable official, always carefully looking after the interests of the patrons of the road and never neglecting the fidelity which he owed to the company which he represented. Upon his retirement he engaged in the grocery business for a short time and in June, 1898, he became one of the organizers of a fraternal insurance society known as the Yeomen of America, being associated in this with Charles E. Corlett, Charles M. Coates, William A. Colledge and Dr. Prichard. Mr. Judd was elected the vice president of the company and
378
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
has continued in the position to the present time. The success of the organiza- tion is attributable in no small degree to his methodical habits and his careful systemization of the duties that have devolved upon him in this connection.
On the 15th of October, 1873. C. D. Judd was married to Miss Sarah J. McDole, a native of Sugar Grove township, and a daughter of Rodney McDole, now deceased. Her father was one of the best known of the early pioneers of this part of the state and his eldest son, A. Gordon McDole, was the first white child born in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Judd now have one daughter, Abbie. the wife of Frank LaSuer.
Mr. Judd belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of Railway Conductors, and other social and fraternal organizations. In matters of citizenship he is progressive. desiring the welfare and upbuilding of the community to the extent not only of endorsing public measures, but of cooperating in many movements for the general good.
PHILIP PETERSON.
Although of foreign parentage. Philip Peterson, of Campton township. is a native of Kane county, having been born at St. Charles, August 31, 1861. He is a son of Fred Peterson, now a retired farmer residing at St. Charles, who was born in Sweden and came to this county in 1851. He has always been a farmer, but is now enjoying well-earned rest at the age of 84. He was married in Sweden to Christina Nelson of that country. now deceased. He is the father of eight children : Philip: John, at present a resident of Wiscon- sin, and a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church; Oscar, a carpenter and contractor, who lives at St. Charles: Caleb A., who is also a resident of St. Charles and a farmer on the old homestead; Emma, a trained nurse. who now lives in Florida; Carrie, the wife of M. Bennett: Abbie, the wife of E. F. Goodell; and Clara, who is living with her father. The father is a republican in politics, and has long served the public as a school director.
Philip Peterson attended the district school at St. Charles until he reached the age of nineteen. When he left school he started out in life for himself. and after working by the month for one year, rented a farm which he began at once to work with vigor and energy. The farm he now controls contains three hundred and twenty-seven acres, and is devoted to mixed crops, prin- cipally corn, oats and barley. As a side issue to his farming industry, and growing out of it. Mr. Peterson keeps fifty Durham cows, which enables him to carry on a thriving and profitable dairy business, to which his farm is well adapted.
On June 19. 1884. Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Miss Ida Reams, the daughter of a Kane county carpenter, now dead. They have five children, all living at home: Arthur, Maggie, Ruth. Ruby, and Martha. Politically the father is a republican, and fraternally he is a Free Mason, holding membership in several branches of the order. He belongs to Unity Lodge, No. 48, at St. Charles ; Loyal L. Munn, Royal Arch Chapter, No. 96;
379
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
and Bethel Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templar, the last two at Elgin, Illinois. He and his wife are also members of Eastern Star Chapter, No. 265, at St. Charles, and he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 737, at Elgin, Illinois.
Mr. Peterson is prosperous in his business because he deserves to be, con- ducting it with intelligence and earnestness, and giving all its details close and careful attention. He also stands well in the community because he is a good, useful, upright and progressive citizen.
JAMES O. MASON.
James O. Mason, the efficient treasurer of the Aurora Corset Company, is recognized in the city as a wide-awake, alert and enterprising business man of well formulated plans and of sufficient energy to carry them forward to successful completion. He was born in the town of Fort Ann in Washington county, New York, February 6, 1846. The Mason family, of which he is a representative, traces its ancestry back to Sampson Mason, who came from England to the new world in the seventeenth century and settled at Swansea, Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Shubal Mason, also a native of Fort Ann, New York, and a farmer by occupation. He reached an advanced age. He had a family of five children, two daughters and three sons, but only one is now living: Charles L. Mason, a lawyer by profession, who now resides at North Granville, New York, at the age of eighty-two years.
Orvin T. Mason, the father of our subject, was born at Fort Ann, New York, learned the wagon-maker's trade and followed that pursuit in his native town for half a century. He also owned a farm in the same locality. A few years prior to his death he removed to Truthville, Washington county, where he died in 1893 at the venerable age of eighty-five years. In early manhood he wedded Sarah A. Otis, also a native of Fort Ann, and her death occurred December 31, 1900, when she had reached the age of eighty-nine years. They were both consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Baptist church. Their family numbered five sons and three daughters: Rev. Warren Mason, deceased ; Julius, who passed away in 1873; Ellen, the widow of R. D. Baker, of Aurora; Frances. the widow of Warner E. Wright, of Aurora; James O., of this review : Sarah A., deceased, who was the wife of L. F. Lis- comb. of Hinsdale, New Hampshire ; and Orvin T. and John T., both residents ; of Aurora.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. Mason was also born at Fort Ann. New York, while his ancestors were from Nova Scotia. They settled in the United States, however, at an early day. Mr. Otis followed the blacksmith's trade and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. His death occurred in the Empire state when he had reached a venerable age. His family numbered five or six children.
380
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
James O. Mason was reared at Fort Ann. New York, and attended the common schools there. He worked in the fields through the summer months, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors incident to the tilling of the soil, and he also assisted his father in the wagon shop, so that he gained considerable skill in industrial lines. In 1868 he came to Aurora, where he has resided continuously since. He was at that time a young man of twenty- two years and, entering business circles, he secured a clerkship in the grocery store of Robert Pierpont. with whom he remained for three years, receiving only thirty dollars per month for the first year and a half. He then traveled upon the road as a commercial salesman for three years and was in the whole- sale and retail bakery business in Aurora for twenty-seven years, or from 1874 until 1901. In 1897, however, the business was absorbed by the Na- tional Biscuit Company, but Mr. Mason remained in charge of the plant at this place for four years. The Aurora Corset Manufacturing Company was organized in 1895 and he has ever since been its treasurer. This is an im- portant productive concern of the city and its interests are ably managed by Mr. Mason and his associates. He is likewise a director of the German-Ameri- can National Bank, is also interested in what was then the Aurora Watch Company, but is now the Hamilton Watch Company, of Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, and is widely known as a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination, whose well-directed efforts have been attended with success. Since its organization he has been a director of the Western United Gas and Electric Company.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.