USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 39
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Washington ; Frank R., who devotes his time to farming in Clinton county, Iowa, and Lottie May and Amy, who are deceased.
Dr. Oake acquired his education in the country schools and in the high school at Sabula. In preparation for a business career he entered the North- western School of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1892. He then engaged in the drug business for four years but thinking to find the practice of medicine more congenial and more profitable he matriculated in the medi- cal department of the University of Illinois and was graduated from there in 1904. He has since practiced in Elburn and has gained a good patronage.
Dr. Oake was married in 1896 to Miss Isabella Robinson and they have one child, Willard W., who was born February 24, 1900. Dr. Oake belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Royal Neighbors, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Although keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never sought nor desired office, preferring to con- centrate his energies on his business affairs, and in his practice he is meeting with that success which comes only in recognition of superior skill and merit.
FRANKLIN W. MOORE.
Franklin W. Moore, whose death in 1904 was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, lived for many years in Kane county, where he arrived in 1854. He was at different times connected with agricultural and mer- cantile pursuits and his last years were spent in honorable retirement. He possessed many excellent traits of character that gained for him a constantly increasing circle of friends. He was born in Wolcott, Wayne county, New York, in 1837.
His parents were Lucius and Anna (Cook) Moore, whose family num- bered one son and five daughters, but only two are now living: Almeda, the wife of Albert Leach, of Lyons, New York, and Mrs. Malvina Crane, the wife of Fred Crane, of Long Beach, California. The father died in New York state in 1840 when his son, Franklin, was but three years of age. The mother afterward came west with her family and lived for a time on a farm near Wheatland. Subsequent to the Civil war she removed to Aurora, where she died at the age of sixty-eight years.
Franklin W. Moore was reared in Wolcott, New York, to the age of seventeen years and acquired his education in the public schools. Owing to his father's early death, however, it was necessary that the boy begin work when quite young in order to provide for his own support. In 1854 he came to the west and conducted the farm for his mother. When the war broke out he sold the property and offered his aid to the government, en- listing as a member of Company M, Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry, with which he remained until the cessation of hostilities. He was on scout duty most of the time and did not participate in any of the battles, yet his military service was often arduous and hazardous. After the war he settled in Aurora, where
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he engaged in the coal business. He was thus identified with commercial pursuits in the city for a number of years and became recognized as a repre- sentative and reliable business man.
On the 2nd of November, 1869. Mr. Moore was married to Miss Cor- nelia Dunning, a daughter of Josiah D. and Eudoxea (Smith) Dunning. There was one child born of that marriage, Lucius Wright Moore, who died at the age of seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Moore began their domestic life in Aurora but in 1874 removed to Iowa, settling on a farm near Martelle. where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. There they lived for eleven years, after which they returned to this city in order to care for her parents, who were then well advanced in years. Mr. Moore afterward lived retired until his death, which occurred June 11, 1904. He died in a Chicago hospital, whither he had gone to submit to an operation, being at that time sixty-six years of age. His widow still survives him. She was born in Sodus, New York, and was four years of age when she came with her parents to Illinois in 1843.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore attended the People's church and he was a member of Aurora Post, No. 20. G. A. R. His political allegiance was given to the republican party for a long period, but later he supported Bryan and the democracy. He was ever a man who stood firm in support of his honest convictions, was devoted to the interests and upbuilding of his city, was faith- ful in friendship and in his home was a devoted husband.
CHARLES SCOTT WASHBURN.
Charles Scott Washburn, a representative farmer of Blackberry township. owns a beautiful place of one hundred and twenty acres. It is adorned with all modern equipments and accessories. The residence stands on an elevation of ground that commands an excellent view of the surrounding country. It sets somewhat back from the road and a well-kept drive leads up to the house. Everything about the place is attractive in appearance and indicates the careful supervision of the practical, progressive owner.
Mr. Washburn was born in Batavia, Illinois, October 23, 1865. his par- ents being Joseph S. and Harriett E. (Scott) Washburn, who came to Illinois in 1865 and settled in Elburn. They were natives of New York and spent their early lives in the Empire state. The father gave his political support to the Jeffersonian democracy.
Charles S. Washburn was the eldest child in his father's home and at a comparatively early age, the care and management of the home farm devolved upon him. When a young lad he was sent as a pupil to the district schools of Blackberry township where he continued his education until eighteen years of age. During that period. however, he worked upon the home farm during the summer months and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of an agriculturist.
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After completing his education he assisted his father in carrying on the home farm and there he remained up to the time of his marriage in 1888. He wedded Miss Louisa R. Johnston, a daughter of Nicholas Johnston, who was a farmer and carpenter. Both of her parents are now deceased. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Washburn has been blessed with three sons: C. Scott, Harry J., and Newton.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Washburn removed to the farm which he had purchased, and which has been his home continuously since, covering a period of twenty years. It is one of the attractive farm properties in Black- berry township. In addition to the comfortable and commodious residence, there are good barns and outbuildings, affording ample shelter to grain and stock. He also uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, and that his labors are practical are indicated in the large harvests which he annually gathers. Mr. Washburn votes with the democratic party, and always keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is able to support his position by intelligent argument. In his business life he is found to be thoroughly reliable, as well as enterprising, and his success is, therefore, well merited.
CHARLES JOHN ANDERSON.
Charles John Anderson, successfully engaged in farming and dairying in Virgil township, was born near Helsingborg, Sweden, June 26, 1874. his parents being Lett and Annie Anderson, the former a miner by occupation. Our subject has but one sister, Annie, the wife of Karl Christenson, who is engaged in farming.
Charles John Anderson attended the schools of his native country until he was thirteen years of age and subsequently worked as an assistant on a farm until he had attained the age of seventeen years. At that time he emi- grated to America, taking up his abode in Chicago, where he secured employ- ment as a plumber, following that trade for one year. On the expiration of that period he began work as a farm hand near Elburn and was thus engaged for four years, while subsequently he spent five years at the carpenter's trade. Afterward, however, he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and has since been successfully connected with that line of activity, operating his father-in-law's farm in Virgil township. He has twenty cows and in ad- dition to the work of general farming also conducts a dairy, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. He likewise has a number of registered Jersey red hogs, and is recognized as an enter- prising and representative business man.
Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Jennie A. Jacobson, who was born in Virgil township, her father being Andrew Jacobson, a native of Sweden. The latter resides with his wife near Lily Lake. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born the following children: Lillie C., Charles C. and Andrew, who are attending school ; and Herbert and Leslie, at home.
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In his political views Mr. Anderson is a stalwart republican and has served for some time as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. He attends the Lutheran church and is highly es- teemed throughout the community for his many excellent traits of character. Coming to the new world with the hope of winning success in a land unham- pered by caste or class, he has worked earnestly and persistently and is now numbered among the substantial citizens of his community.
MRS. HUNTOON SMITH.
Mrs. Huntoon Smith, now residing at No. 288 Galena street, Aurora, has long lived in this part of the state and is a most estimable lady, enjoying to the fullest extent the good will, friendship and high regard of those who know her. She was born in Littleton, New Hampshire, October 27, 1815, and has, therefore, passed the ninety-third milestone on life's journey. Her parents. Joel and Anna (Applebee) Wilder, were also natives of Littleton, New Hampshire. Their family numbered three daughters and two sons : Eliza, the eldest, died when eleven years of age; Anna became Mrs. Huntoon Smith; Jane, deceased, was the wife of George Lane; Luke and Warren came to Aurora in 1837 and were employed at various occupations during the early period of the county's development and upbuilding. They were alert, enter- prising men and prospered in their undertakings. Luke Wilder afterward went to New Mexico, where his death occurred, while Warren Wilder went to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1866. He owned a fruit ranch and made his home there for a quarter of a century, after which he returned to Aurora, where he lived until his death. At one time he owned considerable property. He passed away in April, 1908, at the age of eighty-seven years, leaving Mrs. Huntoon Smith as the only survivor of the family.
She was reared in Morristown, New York, on the St. Lawrence river, where her father conducted a hotel. He died there in 1834, when about forty- six years of age, having for some time survived his wife, who died in 1824. at the age of thirty-seven years. His father was also Joel Wilder, a native of Massachusetts and a farmer by occupation. He served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and his death occurred at Antwerp, New York, as the result of a kick from a horse.
Mrs. Anna Huntoon Smith was reared to womanhood in the Empire state from the age of four years and was there married in 1836 to Elias Hol- brook, who died in New York, leaving one child, a daughter, Belle, then but twenty-one months old. She is now the wife of Calvin Smith, resides in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is the mother of seven children: Nellie, Fred, Grace, Kittie, Harvey, Maude and May. Mr. Holbrook died in the east, and Mrs. Holbrook afterward became the wife of Edward D. Huntoon in Aurora. He had removed to the west from Massachusetts and had preempted land in 1836, only four years after the Black Hawk war occurred. He owned two quarter sections and was closely associated with the pioneer development of
MRS. HUNTOON SMITH
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this part of the state. Mrs. Huntoon arrived in Illinois in 1840. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, Harvey, Josephine, Frank, Guy and Edward, but all are now deceased. Mr. Huntoon died in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years. He had figured prominently in business interests in Aurora during the middle part of the nineteenth century, and had built the old Huntoon Hotel in Aurora, located on Galena street and Middle avenue, now known as the Grand Hotel, but still termed the Huntoon Hotel by the old settlers and thousands of others who visited the city during an earlier day.
Following the loss of her second husband Mrs. Huntoon became the wife of James W. Smith, who died May 10, 1898, at the age of eighty-two years. He was engaged in buying cattle for the government at the time of the Civil war and he had two sons who were soldiers in the army. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith conducted the hotel for ten years. They then purchased a comfortable home at No. 288 Galena street, where Mr. Smith died and his widow still owns and occupies the property. She has lived in this city for sixty-eight years and in addition to her present place of residence she owns four good business blocks on Galena street. Her son, Edward C. Hun- toon, married Miss Alice Ruth, and died on the 18th of November, 1907, at the age of fifty-four years. His widow is living with his mother, Mrs. Hun- toon Smith. She has resided in Aurora for a longer period than almost any of its residents and has witnessed its growth and development, so that she is familiar with the story of its progress and relates many interesting incidents of the early days. As the years have come and gone she has enjoyed the friendship of the great majority with whom she has come in contact and now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those of advanced years.
BOYD M. NASH.
Boyd M. Nash, a resident of Campton township, where he owns a fruit and stock farm consisting of thirty-four acres of land, three and one-half miles east of Elburn, was born in Kent county, Michigan, September 9, 1873, the son of James M. and Helen ( Moffet) Nash. Both parents are natives of Ohio. While yet a young man Mr. Nash left his native state and located in Michigan, later going to North Dakota, where he is now residing. He is a republican in politics and now holds the office of justice of the peace. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nash have been born five children, as follows: Merton J., a farmer of North Dakota ; Verner D., who resides at Muskegon, Michigan, where he conducts a feed store; Frances B., the wife of Milo Miller, a farmer of North Dakota; Arthur J., the cashier of a bank in North Dakota, and Boyd M.
Boyd M. Nash attended the district schools in Michigan until he was fourteen years of age, when he left school to aid his father in the work of the farm. He went with the family to Barton, North Dakota, at the time they
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located there, and remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He then came to Illinois and located near La Fox. Here he met Miss Jennie C. Flower, who afterward became his wife. She was born in this township. Her father is now deceased and the mother makes her home with our sub- ject. After his marriage Mr. Nash returned to North Dakota and remained for six years, when he again returned to Illinois and purchased his present farm, which he has converted into an ideal home which affords him a com- petence and freedom to exercise his talents for his future advancement, for Mr. Nash is yet a young man and unlimited opportunities await him. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nash have been born six children, namely: Vern T., Helen F .. Mildred L., Ella M., Francis 1. and Warren C.
In politics Mr. Nash votes the prohibition ticket, but he has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his farming interests. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
AUGUST F. LOHMANN.
A. F. Lohmann is conducting a prosperous commercial enterprise as a dealer in monuments at Aurora. He started out in business life when but twelve years of age, and although obstacles and difficulties have confronted him at various stages on his business career he has overcome these by determined and resolute purpose and is now enjoying a liberal patronage. His birth occurred May 9, 1874, in Chicago, although, as the name indicates, he is of German lineage. His parents, Henry and Caroline ( Biegus) Lohmann, were both natives of the fatherland. The former came to the United States when young, settling in Chicago, where he still resides. He learned and for many years has followed the cabinet-maker's trade. His wife passed away in 1895.
A. F. Lohmann, pursuing his education in Chicago, started out in life on his own account when but twelve years of age. He was a young lad to provide for his own support, but he proved faithful in his different business positions and won promotion with its consequent increase in salary. On starting out he learned the reed and rattan business in Chicago and worked in that way for a few years. Seeing better opportunities in monument work and believing it to be a pursuit more congenial to his taste, he learned the stonecutting business in 1890, and was employed in that line in Chicago for six years. Then, in order to gain experience, he visited all sections of the country, being employed in different localities in the making of monuments. During that time he worked in Aurora for two years and in 1906 he acquired the monument business formerly conducted by T. Otto Fisk. His previous broad and practical experience, his close attention to business and his unfalter- ing perseverance and determination have constituted the elements which have made his ventures successful. Because of the excellent quality of his work and his reasonable prices he is securing a liberal patronage and a trade that is increasing year by year.
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In 1904 Mr. Lohmann was married to Miss Minnie A. Frazier, of Aurora, and in this city their circle of friends is a most extensive one. Mr. Lohmann is now connected with the Modern Woodmen and also with the Yeomen of America. He enlisted in the Chicago Thirtieth United States Infantry, and went to the Philippine Islands, where he remained for fifteen months but was nineteen months in service. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, and his life record is an excellent exemplification of the fact that opportunity is open to all and that the road of usefulness and unfaltering activity eventually leads to the goal of prosperity.
NELS HANSON.
Nels Hanson, a scientific farmer and dairyman of Campton township, was born in Sweden, May 27, 1852, the son of Hans and Hannah (Pearson) Hanson. Both parents were natives of Sweden, where the father engaged in farming. They had five children, four sons and one daughter : Nels; Jons, a farmer residing in Sweden; Betsey, the wife of John Julander, a cement worker near Elburn; Peter, who lives on a farm near Elburn; and Johan, who left home sixteen years ago and has not been heard of since. There is an estate awaiting him. The father was a member of the Lutheran church.
Nels Hanson attended school in Sweden until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he discontinued his studies to aid his father in the work of the farm. In early manhood he came to America and located in Chicago, where he secured employment in the construction department of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which was then being built. His fidelity to his duties and interest in the work gained him recognition from Mr. Hill, the division superintendent, and he was promoted to the position of foreman of the construction department on the four tracks between Minneapolis and St. Paul. While in this position he invented a dump car for removing dirt from the cuts which greatly expedited the work, inasmuch as before his car came to be used but ten or twelve men could be used in digging a twenty- four foot cut, and by its use any number could engage in the work. Mr. Hill, in appreciation of the services which he rendered the company, in 1883 gave h'm a round-trip ticket to Sweden, including the ocean passage. On his return from his old home he brought back eighteen families with him. Mr. Hanson was in the employ of the Chicago & St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba rail- roads for a number of years, at the expiration of which time he engaged in farming, and has resided on the place where he now lives for the past twenty- six years. He operates one of the most modern dairy farms in Illinois, and. perhaps, in the United States. At present he milks fifty cows. The dairy barn is lighted with electric lights, the power being furnished from a four- horse gasoline engine. The floor is constructed of cement, as are also the mangers, which are built four inches above the floor, an arrangement that does away with the necessity of the cow having to bend the knees in order to reach her food. The stanchions are arranged in pairs, each pair being sep-
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arated by a gas-pipe post. a necessary protection as by this means a cow. when rubbing, will not force another to step on the udder of the next cow. Ventila- tion and light are supplied by means of a small window behind each cow, and the barn is further supplied with flues by means of which the foul air is carried off in bad weather when the windows cannot be opened. Water is piped to the barn and the hydrants are so arranged that not only the floors but the mangers can be flooded. After the cows are fed the mangers are washed clean, not a particle of dust being left. All of these improvements were devised by Mr. Hanson. In the conduct of his business Mr. Hanson is aided by all the necessary modern machinery that has been invented for this purpose. among which may be mentioned a corn binder. corn shredder. corn sheller and grinder. The shredder and sheller are operated under the same roof.
Mr. Hanson's wife was Miss B. Christina Uerot, who was born in Sweden and came to America when she was twenty-one years of age. Unto this union have been born four children, of whom Hannah is deceased. and Helding J .. Ebba H .. and Nelse F., reside at home with their parents.
Mr. Hanson casts his ballot with the republican party. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and also of the Royal Neighbors. Religiously he is a member of the Congregational church.
JOHN WAIT.
For many years John Wait was a well known and honored citizen of Kane county, his last days being spent in the city of Elgin, where he lived retired from active labor. His early home was in the east. for he was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, on the 10th of December. 1811, his parents being David and Fannie Lillie Wait. His father was a blacksmith by trade. but after coming west he never followed that occupation. He located on a farm in Lake county, Illinois, during the '40s and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, dying there in 1850.
Reared in his native state, John Wait was indebted to the public schools of Massachusetts for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his youth and he early acquired an excellent knowledge of the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for several years. Coming to Illinois in 1848. he located in St. Charles, Kane county, and for a time was in the employ of the Geneva Mercan- tile Company. During the gold excitement on the Pacific coast, he went to California in 1852 and for four years engaged in mining, meeting with good success in his search for the precious metal. At the end of that period he returned to Kane county.
Mr. Wait was married in St. Charles, October 16. 1847. to Miss Betsey Tallman Hammond. a daughter of Captain William and Lucy ( Tallman) Hammond. who lived on a farm southeast of Elgin. Mr. and Mrs. Wait became the parents of four children, namely : William Tyler, married Luella Cornell, and had three children. Mabel. Clara, and Louise, who died October 27. 1907. Lucy E., born June 29. 1850. died April 12. 1907. She was
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the wife of Judge Henry B. Willis, of Elgin, and had two children, Oliver P. and Meribah Tallman. Clara Bennett, born December 25, 1857, died February 20, 1862. Cora May, who holds a position in the county treasurer's office at Geneva, Kane county.
The republican party found in Mr. Wait a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples and he was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He possessed a charitable and benevolent disposition, giving liberally to all worthy causes, and his death, which occurred at. Elgin, June 20, 1888, was widely and deeply mourned.
ALBERT H. LEIMBROOK.
Alfred H. Leimbrook. general agent for the International Harvester Company, with offices at No. 12 North River street, in Aurora, was born in St. Charles, Missouri, September 12, 1869. and is the eldest in a family of three sons and a daughter whose parents were Frank H. and Catharine ( Risk) Leimbrook, who were also natives of Missouri. The former was a son of Frederick Leimbrook, who was born in Pennsylvania, but became one of the pioneers of Missouri, where he located in 1838. By trade he was a cabinet- maker. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Catharine Leimbrook, died of cholera in St. Louis in 1854. They were parents of three children : Frank H. ; Louise, the widow of J. H. Wilker, of Nevada. Missouri; and Clara, the deceased wife of Henry H. Schnare.
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