USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 47
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E. W. THOMPSON.
The history of a country is no longer a record of wars and conquests. for its annals contain the story of conquest over mind and matter and not over man. Those who figure prominently in the community are the men who control its business affairs and in this connection E. W. Thompson is well known, being president of the Thompson Transfer & Storage Company, which he organized in 1896.
Mr. Thompson was born in Dorset, Vermont, June 7, 1845, a son of John and Julia Ann (Colson) Thompson, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The mother was born in Dorset. but the father's birth occurred in Grafton in 1814. He remained in Vermont through the period of his youth and until after his marriage and in 1845 he brought his family to the Middle West, settling in Kane county, Illinois, upon a farm in Sugar Grove township. There he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, to which he added until the place comprised one hundred and fifty-five acres. Year after year he cultivated the property, bringing it under a high state of development and thus his time passed in the active and honorable pursuits of the farm until he was called to his final rest in 1892. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he rendered to it stalwart aid and unfaltering allegiance. For twenty-five years he was justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was also highway
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commissioner, township collector and assessor, serving in the different posi- tions for several terms and at all times proving most loyal to the trust reposed in him. He was a delegate to various county conventions and his efforts in behalf of his party were far-reaching and effective. His life was in harmony with his professions as a member of the Methodist church and at all times he enjoyed and merited the confidence and good will of those with whom he was associated. Unto him and his wife were born five sons and one daughter, but three of the number died in infancy. The brother of our subject is B. H. Thompson, who is now a resident of Aurora.
E. W. Thompson was educated in the common schools of Sugar Grove township and in Bryant & Stratton Business College, where he pursued a commercial course. During the summer months and other periods of vaca- tion Mr. Thompson worked upon the home farm and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After completing his education he operated the home farm for his father on shares, living at that time in the town of Sugar Grove, where he resided for several years, conducting a coal and lumber business there. In 1890 he removed to Aurora, where he engaged in the livery business and in 1892 his success was so great as to justify his branching out in other lines. He therefore took up the drayage business and it was but a logical step to the storage business, with which he became associated in 1894. He, at that time, secured a vacant black- smith shop and started out in the line designated but he did not receive the patronage he had hoped to secure and was obliged to give it up. He afterward rented another building, tried again and was successful and his present extensive storage business is the result. In 1896 he organized the Thompson Transfer & Storage Company, which has since conducted an ex- tensive business. They have erected large buildings on the west side and the enterprise is proving quite profitable. Mr. Thompson is a very active and energetic business man, who is constantly watchful of opportunities pointing to success, while the methods he has followed in all of his business trans- actions have commended him to the confidence and support of the general public. His son, Clarence, and his brother, B. H. Thompson, are associated with him in business.
In 1866 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Mary E. Paull, a daughter of Stephen G. Paull, who came from Ohio and settled in Sugar Grove town- ship, Kane county, Illinois, in 1842. That the country was then largely wild and undeveloped is indicated by the fact that he purchased his home farm of four hundred acres from the government. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began its development and soon transformed it into rich fields that annually brought forth bounteous harvests.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born two children: Clarence S., who is now associated with his father in business; and John Paull, who was born in 1874 and died in 1895. He was a very popular and promising young man and his death was the occasion of the deepest regret to all who knew him.
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Mr. Thompson is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen of America. He also belongs to the People's church and is in- terested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, political and moral welfare of the community. He has never been an office seeker and, in fact. has always refused to accept positions of political preferment, desiring rather to concentrate his energies in undivided manner upon his business pursuits, whereby he is rapidly forging his way to the front as one of the prosperous residents of Aurora.
STEWART G. WILKINSON.
This gentleman, who is now a prosperous tiller of the soil, with a well- improved farm of fifty-eight acres in section 10, Sugar Grove township, is an apt illustration of the versatility of the American mind and the adaptability to various occupations of the American citizen. He passed the early years of his manhood as a mechanic, making a good record and winning a high reputation in that capacity, and he is now equally successful and prosperous as a farmer.
Mr. Wilkinson was born on a farm near Yankton, South Dakota, January 30, 1871. a son of Josiah and Josephine (Goodroad) Wilkinson. the former a native of Kane county, Illinois, born near Elburn in 1842, and the latter a native of Michigan. They were married in 1869 and immediately moved to the vicinity of Yankton, South Dakota, where they took up a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres. The father died in Aurora in 1894, leaving his widow with a family of eleven children to rear and educate. She entered upon her duty in this respect with fortitude and resolute determination, and she performed it with great credit to herself and benefit to her children. Those who are living are: Sherman A., a resident of Aurora. Illinois; Stew- art G., the subject of this sketch; Malinda, wife of Robert Briggs, who is also a resident of Aurora ; Nettie, the wife of Edward Newton, of Madison, South Dakota; Eva M., the wife of John Ellis, of Madison, South Dakota; and Lewis S .: Clara, the wife of Bert Cole; and Floyd, all residents of Madison, South Dakota. Another daughter named Clara died at the age of three years, and one named AAdeline died when she was twelve. Their mother is still living on the South Dakota farm and has her daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. and Mr. Newton, living with her.
The paternal grandfather of these children. Robert Wilkinson, was born and reared in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, and came to Kane county, Illinois. in the early '50s. Here he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1897. He was an esteemed pioneer in this county and wrought with earnestness and zeal in helping to conquer the wilderness and lay the foundations of the future in the carly days of trial and privation.
When Stewart G. Wilkinson was three years old his parents moved to Boonville. Iowa, where his father was a section boss for four years on the
STEWART G. WILKINSON
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Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. At the end of the period named the fam- ily moved to Bald Mound in this county, where the father worked three years in a cheese factory. He then secured employment as a machinist in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Aurora, and the family found a home in that city, the father continuing in the employ of the railroad com- pany until his death in 1894. He was a soldier during three years and a half of the Civil war, being enrolled as a member of the Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteers.
The son began his education in the public schools and finished it at the Brady school in Aurora, which he attended six years. After leaving school he learned the tinner's trade and passed three years in journeyman work for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, then two years in the same capacity in the shop of Henry Ryan, a hardware dealer, and the next eight in a similar employment under F. B. Rice, who had a hardware store on the island. In the autumn of 1894 he bought the farm of fifty-eight acres on which he now lives.
On June 29, 1893, Mr. Wilkinson was married to Miss Clara Matter, of Aurora, where her father, Isaac Matter, is still living. They have one child, Lester Ray, who was born January 1, 1898, and now attends school and assists his father on the farm. His mother died February 14, 1901, and on January 3, 1902, the father married Miss Jennie Cole, of Petersburg, Michigan, who died January 14, 1905. Politically Mr. Wilkinson is a republican. In religious faith he is a Methodist, being a member and regular attendant of the Galena street Methodist church in Aurora. He has had many troubles. trials and bereavements, but he has met them all with a manly spirit and a courage that knows no defeat. He is a good citizen and well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
EDMUND W. THATCHER.
Throughout his entire life Edmund W. Thatcher was closely identified with agricultural pursuits and for many years owned and operated a fine farm of two hundred acres in Virgil township, Kane county. His early home was in the east, for he was born near Ithaca, in Enfield, Tompkins county, New York, April 1, 1818, being of the third generation born in the same house. There occurred the birth of his grandfather, Edmund Thatcher, on the 3d of April, 1762, and his father, Daniel Thatcher, was born there September 26, 1797. All made farming their occupation. The grandfather married Ger- trude Hull, who was born in June, 1767, and they became the parents of Daniel Thatcher, who spent his entire life in New York. His wife bore the maiden name of Eunice Mellen and was born on the 29th of March, 1800. They had a family of nine children.
Of this number our subject was the only one to come west. It was about 1854 that he became a resident of Kane county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in Virgil township, on which he continued to make his home through-
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out the remainder of his life. He carried on general farming with marked sticcess.
On the 17th of January. 1843. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Thatcher and Miss Adelia Van Vlack, of Ithaca. Tompkins county. New York, and to them were born the following children: Delphine, who is now the wife of Charles Coburn, of Elgin, and has four children. Lois May. Roy. Jennie and Gokla Lucy: Mary Helen, who was born January 17, 1846, and (lied September 4. 1848; Frank, a resident of Virgil township, who married Anna Snook and has three children. Ada Winnifred, Edmund L. and Clara L .: Elbert, who wedded Mary E. Wright and lives in Elgin: Jennie. now the wife of Frank Downing, of Maple Park: Almon Homer, who was born July 11. 1855, and died at the age of fourteen months: Daniel Homer, of Elgin, who married Minnie McCarthy and has one child. Helen: Cora Irene. a resident of Elgin ; and Dewitt. of St. Charles, who married Mabel Powers and has one child. Dewitt W. The family now have a pleasant home on Ryerson avenue, Elgin.
Mr. Thatcher died on the old home farm in Virgil township. August 26. 1890. and thus passed away one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of the community, for he was widely and favorably known, and those who knew him best were numbered among his warmest friends. He was called upon to fill many offices of trust in his locality, and as school trustee and director did much to advance the educational interests. The republican party found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he ever took a deep interest in public affairs.
JOHN C. NELSON.
John C. Nelson, who owns extensive farming and dairy interests in Campton township, was born in Denmark. September 20, 1873, the son of Nels Christian and Johanna M. (Christensen) Nelson, both of whom were born in his native land, where the mother still resides, the father having been called to his eternal rest. He was a farmer by occupation, and religiously was a member of the Lutheran church. Three children were born to their union, namely: Nels, a carpenter, residing in Denmark: Christian, who resides in the fatherland : and John C., of this review.
John C. Nelson attended the district school of Denmark until fourteen years of age, at which time he quit school in order to devote his entire time to the work of his father's farm. He remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age. when he came to America, locating first in Chicago. where he obtained employment in a cement factory. Leaving Chicago he located in Elburn, where he secured a position as a farm hand, an occupation which he continued to follow for the next three years, during which time he had saved a sufficient amount to engage in farming in his own interests. Hle at first rented a place which he operated for some time with marked success, and later realized his ambition in securing title to his present beautiful
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home, consisting of one hundred seventy-eight and a half acres, located two miles north of Lily Lake. The farm is splendidly arranged for the conduct of the dairy business, fifty-three and a half acres of it being devoted to pasturage, while this year Mr. Nelson planted eighty acres of it in corn : thirty in oats, and fifteen in hay. The estimated value of the improvements on the place is about six thousand dollars. The dairy herd consists of forty COW'S.
On the 23d of February, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Nelson and Miss Mary Oleson, who was born in Denmark, June 21, 1878. They have become the parents of five children, namely: Johanna Mary, born May 24, 1897; Jensena Christina, born August 18, 1899; Nels C., born January 9. 1902; Jens M., born November 28, 1905; and Demi V., born February 4, 1908.
Politically Mr. Nelson is a republican but he has never made politics the ruling spirit of his life, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his farming interests. The cause of education finds in him a warm champion, and he is now school director in his district, serving in the capacity of presi- dent of the board. The school is located about half a mile from his residence. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church.
JOHN ALBERT VOLSTORFF.
John Albert Volstorff, a retired agriculturist residing in Elburn, was born in the province of Pommern, Germany, December 1, 1849. When six- teen years of age he made his way to the new world, locating at Elgin, Illinois, where for five years he was employed as a farm hand. He subsequently re- moved to Edwards county, Kansas, but in December, 1888, returned to Elburn. By dint of close economy and careful expenditure he was at length enabled to purchase two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement and which still returns to him a gratifying annual income. He bought the place from L. R. Reed and has in his possession the deed which was issued to that gentleman by James K. Polk and J. Knox Walker. The prosperity that now enables him to live retired is entirely the result of his own well-directed labor and unremitting diligence, for he had no outside aid when he began the struggle for a liveli- hood in a new country amid strange surroundings.
Mr. Volstorff was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Holtz, also a native of the province of Pommern. The record of their children is as follows: Marie, deceased: August, a tea and coffee salesman of Aurora : Anna, the wife of George Bartlett, an agriculturist of Elburn: John, who is proprietor of a grocery and meat market in Elburn: Heinrich, who follows farming in Elburn : Wilhelmina, who resides with her brother on a farm near Elburn : Henrietta, who likewise makes her home at Elburn. Illinois ; and Carl, who has passed away.
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In his political views Mr. Volstorff is a republican, and is a very promi- nent and active member of the Lutheran church, in the work of which he is helpfully interested. He is thoroughly honest and it is a widely recognized fact that his word is as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man-and making the best of these he lias steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolu- tion. perseverance and reliability so characteristic of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Kane county.
JACOB SALFISBERG.
Jacob Salfisberg, a retired business man of Aurora, was born in Canton Berne. Switzerland, March 25. 1834, the son of Johannas and Mary (Salfisberg ) Salfisberg. His paternal grandfather was John Salfisberg. a farmer in Switzerland, who died there at an advanced age. He was the father of three sons. His maternal grandfather was Hans Salfisberg, also a farmer of Switzerland, who lived to be over seventy years of age. Johannas Salfisberg. the father of our subject, was a soldier in Switzerland in 1845. In 1854 he brought his family to America and settled at Oswego. Kendall county. Illinois, where he died, at the age of fifty years. His wife survived him, living to be seventy-six years of age. Both were members of the Presby- terian church. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, six of whom are now living, namely : Jacob, of this review : Anna, wife of Thomas Hunt, of DuPage county, Illinois; Samuel and Rudolph, of Aurora: Adam, of Kendall county : and Mary, widow of Hugh Kennedy, now living in Montgomery.
Jacob Salfisberg was reared in Switzerland and received his education there. At the age of seventeen years he began learning the miller's trade. and, coming to America with his father at the age of twenty years, he con- tinned to follow this trade at Oswego, Illinois, for the succeeding five years. In 1860 he removed to Aurora and went into the lime business, remaining here for eight years, when he removed to Naperville and bought a stone quarry, which he ran for nearly twenty-three years. He then sold out and returned to Aurora in 1890, since which time he has lived retired.
In 1859 was celebrated the marriage of Jacob Salfisberg and Miss Anna Salfisberg, daughter of Jacob and Anna ( Ramon) Salfisberg. Mrs. Salfisberg was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, and came to America with her mother in 1852, her father having come to this country about 1850. They first settled in Oswego, Illinois, but afterward removed to Long Grove, near Yorkville, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Salfisberg's paternal grandfather was John Salfisberg, and her maternal grandfather was John Ramon. They died at an old age.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Salfisberg were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, namely : Emma, Amanda, Charles A., Eda, Anna, Jacob E., Edwin A., Frank O., Maude M., and Frederick, who was the first born and died in early childhood. Emma married John Nicholas and is deceased. They had two sons, John and Frank. Amanda married William C. Daniels, a resident of Oak Park, Chicago, and they have one daughter, Viola May. Charles A., a resident of Aurora, married Clara Bell Hair and they have six children living, Le Roy, Grace, Nellie, Robert. Philip and Clara. Eda married Thomas H. Harding. of Aurora, and they have one son, Donald J. Anna married Richard W. Hair, and two children were born of this union, Ralph and Flossie Fern. Anna's second husband is Frank Miles. Jacob E. is a contractor, married Evalyn Callinan, and they have one son, Jack Elmer. He belongs to Aurora Lodge, No. 254, A. F. & A. M .; Aurora Chapter 22, R. A. M. ; Aurora Commandery, No. 22, K. T., and Medinah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Elks, the Eagles and the T. P. A.
While never a politician in the sense of office seeking, Mr. Salfisberg has ever taken an active interest in local affairs wherever he has been a resident, and at one time was an alderman in Naperville. He is at the present time a stockholder in the Aurora National Bank and can always be relied upon to sanction any movement that is designed for the public welfare and public safety. Fraternally he belongs to Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 90, A. F. & A. M., and also the chapter and is a member of Aurora Commandery, No. 22, K. T.
GEORGE A. BROPHY.
George A. Brophy, who is pleasantly located on a well improved, pro- ductive farm situated two miles north from Lily Lake and twelve miles south- west from Elgin, is a native of Kane county, having been born in Elgin, October 17, 1851, the son of William and Amelia (Cleveland) Brophy. The paternal grandfather emigrated from Ireland to Canada, where the father of our subject, William Brophy, was born in 1818. He learned the carpenter trade, and in 1843 went to Chicago, where he worked at his trade for three years. Discontinuing this work he then engaged in operating boats on the Illinois canal, putting in two years at this work. He was then seized with the gold fever and in 1852 he went to California, where he followed gold mining for four years, meeting with unusual success in this venture, so that on his return to the "states" he was able to purchase the farm in Kane county now occupied by our subject, consisting of one hundred and seventy-six acres of Kane county's choicest land. He continued to operate this farm until 1882 when he purchased a farm of six hundred and twenty acres in Minne- sota and located on same, remaining there for eight years. He then settled in Chicago, where he lived retired, but later removed to Fox Lake, Illinois, where he resided until the time of his death. in 1891. Mrs. Brophy was born
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in Henningford, Canada, where her father was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, sash and doors. She was a third cousin of ex-President Grover Cleveland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brophy were born six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: Charles A., residing in Hinsdale, Illinois, and en- gaged in the manufacture of cotton belt; Truman W., a dentist, of Chicago; R. Cleveland, who has his residence in Elgin, while his business is located in Chicago; Emeretta A., the wife of Charles Snell, treasurer of Becker county (Detroit ) Minnesota ; and Harriett A., who resides with her brother, George A., of this review. The mother now lies at rest by the side of her husband in Rosehill cemetery, Chicago.
George A. Brophy received his early education in the district schools of Campton township, afterward entering the Elgin Academy where he remained for three years. He then entered the employ of the McCormick Company. of Chicago, with whom he was employed as an expert on improvements in ma- chinery for the following four years. He next engaged in the sale of agricul- tural implements, Minnesota being the field of operations which he chose. He continued in this line of work for ten years, when he returned to Chicago and accepted a position as traveling salesman, which he filled most successfully for two years, but tiring of being on the road so much, he eventually discon- tinued this work and removed to Fox Lake, where he was engaged as superintendent of a large stock farm, raising and breeding trotting horses. From this occupation he returned to Elgin, where he engaged in the manufac- ture of dental supplies, which business he ultimately sold and removed to his present farm, where he now enjoys peace and prosperity. The farm is highly cultivated and improved, the residence being strictly modern in its construction and situated on a hill where it commands a view of the surrounding country.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Brophy has voted the republican ticket, as did his father before him. He is not connected with any fraternal organizations, although his father was a thirty-second de- gree Mason. It will be seen from the foregoing sketch that Mr. Brophy has broad ideas in regard to business matters, having adapted himself with ease to various industrial lines, each one of which he has carried forward to successful completion.
IRA C. COPLEY.
The spirit of enterprise which enables one to grasp and utilize opportuni- ties finds notable exemplification in the life of Ira C. Copley, one of the fore- most business men of Kane county and northern Illinois, and now the president of the Western Gas & Electric Company, which is operating in many of the towns and cities of this part of the state. Ira C. Copley was born at Walnut Grove, Knox county, Illinois, October 25, 1864. and was three years of age when brought by his parents to Aurora. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools he eventually completed his education in Jennings Seminary and in Yale College, being graduated from the latter with the class
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