USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 5
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KANE COUNTY HISTORY
county supervisor for nine years, and resigned that position to accept the superintendency of the almshouse. His administration of the duties of this office has won for him high encomiums, as all are thoroughly satisfied with his labors in this connection.
EDSON K. ALLEN.
The name of Edson K. Allen was well known both in Elgin and Chicago, where as a prominent contractor he was closely identified with building inter- ests, but it was not alone his ability nor his success that entitles him to repre- sentation in this volume, but the fact that he was honored by his fellow towns- men as a man of business integrity and as a representative citizen. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, on the 19th of May. 1834, and had almost reached the sixty-seventh milestone on life's journey when, on the 5th of May, 1901, he passed away. His father, Zenus Allen, also a native of the Green Mountain state, journeyed westward when his son Edson was but four years of age, settling first in Chicago, where he lived for a brief time, and then, in 1839, took up his abode upon a farm at Hampshire, Illinois.
Edson K. Allen was reared under the parental roof and in his boyhood days assisted in the work of the farm when not busy with his text-books in the effort to acquire a good practical English education as afforded by the public schools. Not desiring to follow agricultural pursuits as a life work, when about sixteen or seventeen years of age he learned the mason's trade, becom- ing quite proficient in that line and following the calling for some time or until after his marriage. He then returned to the farm and devoted his energies to the work of cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate until after the outbreak of the Civil war when, feeling that his supreme duty was to his country, he offered his services to the Union and on the 4th of February, 1863, became a private in the cavalry. He served for a time in Company H. of the Tenth Illinois, and afterward was promoted first sergeant. He con- tinued at the front for two years, participating in a number of hotly con- tested engagements and passing through all of the experiences which are meted out to the soldier.
When the war was over Mr. Allen returned to his home and family in the north. On the Ist of November, 1855, he had married Miss Mary Jane Brydia, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Wilson) Brydia, of Burlington, Illinois. They became the parents of a daughter and two sons. Nancy Lueretia, who was the wife of Royal L. Dodge, and died in 1901 at the age of forty-four years: William E., who died at the age of four years; and George E .. who married Kate Westveer, a daughter of John and Hattie ( Walters) Westveer. Mr. and Mrs. George E. Allen now have one daugli- ter, Hattie M., the wife of Ralph H. Judkins, of Elgin.
Following the close of the war Mr. Allen became well known as a mason, contractor and builder in brick and stone, both in Elgin and Chicago. In addition to the substantial structures, which he erected in this city, he built
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY
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KANE COUNTY HISTORY
many large buildings in Chicago, and his son, George E. Allen, was asso- ciated with him under the firm style of E. K. Allen & Son. He took a large contract on the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago, was also the builder of the Rosalie apartments at Fifty-seventh street and Lake avenue, seventeen three- story blocks on Berkeley avenue in Chicago and six stores at the corner of Sixty-ninth and Wentworth avenue. He also did an immense amount of work for "Buck" McCarthy. a well known alderman of Chicago. He erected the addition to the Sherman House and was a subcontractor on a number of the World's Fair buildings. He thus became well known as a prominent representative of building operations in the west, the character and nature of his operations gaining for him a foremost place as a leading contractor.
In politics Mr. Allen was a stanch republican, unfaltering in his loyalty to the party and its principles, and at one time served as deputy sheriff of Kane county. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. He stood prominent as a man among men, his pleasant. genial manner winning him friends wherever he went, while haughtiness and ostentation found no part in his composition. He was a typical representative of the age and the district in which he lived, being an alert, enterprising, progressive man, whose death was mourned far beyond his immediate family circle, for he was esteemed and honored wherever he was known, and most of all, where he was best known.
REV. JAMES S. KIRTLEY, D.D.
Rev. James S. Kirtley, recognized as one of the ablest divines of the Baptist clergy and also widely known as a lecturer, has been a resident of Elgin since the Ist of June, 1903. He was born November 9, 1855. in Saline county, Missouri, and traces his ancestry back to Francis Kirtley, who came from Wales to the new world in 1710, settling in Virginia. His great- grandfather, Jeremiah Kirtley, was a Baptist clergyman, having begun to preach in middle life, after he removed from Virginia to Kentucky. The grandfather, Robert Kirtley, was also a minister of the Baptist church, while two uncles of our subject, Robert E. and James A. Kirtley, were like- wise preachers of this same denomination, while three cousins, Eusebius. Lycurgus and James A., likewise devoted their life to the work of the Baptist ministry. The first two are now deceased.
The father of Dr. Kirtley was Major George R. Kirtley, a native of Boone county, Kentucky, born in 1824. He was reared in the place of nativity and in early manhood went to Missouri. He became a surveyor of Saline county and afterward served as an officer under General Price in the Confederate army until he laid down his life on the altar of his convic- tions, being killed at the battle of Hartville, Missouri, January 11, 1863.
Dr. James S. Kirtley was but seven years of age when his widowed mother returned to Kentucky, and there he was reared upon a farm in Boone county. He completed his more specifically literary education by graduation
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from Georgetown College in June, 1883, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He also studied for two years in the Louis- ville Seminary and spent a portion of a year in the University of Chicago. Determining to devote his life to the ministry, his first pastorate was in the Baptist church at Versailles, Kentucky, while later he occupied pulpits in St. Louis, Missouri, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and in Kansas City, Missouri. On the Ist of June, 1903, he accepted a call from the Baptist church of Elgin, where he has since remained, and in the intervening years his labors have been crowned with large success. His influence has been of no restricted order and he has not been denied the generous harvest nor the aftermath. While well versed in the doctrines of the church, Dr. Kirtley is not a theologian in that he preaches doctrinal sermons or expounds a church creed to the exclusion of a discussion of those subjects which are of vital interest to man in his relations to his fellowmen and his Maker. On the contrary he looks at life from a practical standpoint and yet holds to high ideals. His liberal scholar- ship and success in his chosen field of labor won official recognition when in 1894 Georgetown College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Kirtley has by no means confined his attention simply to his local church and pastoral duties. For eleven years he has prepared each week a treatise on the Sunday-school lesson for various daily papers. He is the author of a book sold by subscription, entitled "The Young Man and Him- self, or The Royal Path." His publications also include "Twenty-six Days With Jesus." He is in demand as a lecturer and has declined many proposi- tions to go upon the lecture platform. He is known as a fluent, forcible writer, an earnest and entertaining speaker, ever clear in the expression of his thought, while his utterances show comprehensive familiarity with the subject under discussion. He is one of the lecturers in connection with the Chicago University Extension work, delivering a series of lectures on the life of Christ. He has also delivered a popular lecture entitled, "In the Barefoot Kingdom," another upon "Music and Folks," and still another on "The Yellowstone Wonderland." He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and is familiar with its many points of scenic beauty and grandeur.
Throughout his life a deep thinker and an earnest student, he has given close attention to questions of an ethical nature and stands with the pro- gressive leaders of the church at the present time, who are preaching Chris- tianity rather than doctrine, and bring into the lives of their parishioners the influence of that Perfect Life which had its beginning in Bethlehem more than nineteen hundred years ago. He has striven to secure the adoption of higher ideals and has exerted much influence in putting a check upon gam- bling, including raffling. That he is in hearty sympathy with the organized efforts for charity and benevolence is indicated by the fact that he is now vice president of the Baptist Old People's Home and also of the Central Baptist Orphanage, both located at Maywood, Illinois.
Dr. Kirtley was married March 2. 1897, to Miss Mary Louise Kniffin, a native of Sedalia, Missouri, and a daughter of the late Captain S. W.
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Kniffin. of Kansas City, who was an officer of the Union army. The mar- riage of Dr. and Mrs. Kirtley was celebrated in St. Louis and has been blessed with three children. George, Adelaide and Bess Kirtley.
GEORGE ALBERT JAMES.
George Albert James, who in his official record has given evidence of his loyalty as well as capability, regarding a public office as a public trust, is now filling the position of county treasurer. He maintains his residence at Aurora, although his official duties call him to the beautiful little county seat of Geneva. His birth occurred in Wooster, Ohio. February 28, 1858, his parents being James C. and Amelia ( Seeley) James, natives of England, the former born in Bath and the latter in Somersetshire. The paternal grand- father. Charles John James, was a native of England and became a wealthy owner of coal mines. He made his home at Bristol, England, and died at the age of about seventy-two years, while his wife, Mrs. Ann James. died in early womanhood, leaving four children. He afterward married again, but there were no children of the second union.
James C. James was a lad of thirteen years when he came to America. landing at New York city in 1823. Soon afterward. however, he returned to his native country and enlisted in the navy, in which he served for more than five years, during which period he visited nearly every important port of the world. In 1832 he returned to the United States and settled in Wooster, Ohio, where in 1833 he was married to Miss Amelia Seeley, whose parents had come to this country a year and a half before. Her father was George Albert, a native of Somersetshire, England, while her mother bore the maiden name of Ann Seeley. They crossed the Atlantic with their family of three sons and a daughter and settled on a farm in Wayne county, Ohio, about two miles from Wooster. Mr. Seeley purchasing over a thousand acres of land there. He was about seventy-three years of age at the time of his death, in 1858. while his wife survived him for nearly eleven years, and was eighty years of age at the time of her demise.
James C. James embarked in business as a grocer following his return to the new world, and later also engaged in the ice trade, carrying on his interests at Wooster. Ohio, from 1834 until 1865. In the latter year he removed to Aurora, Illinois, and established a store for the sale of musical instruments and wallpaper, which he conducted until about a year prior to his death. He became one of the representative and enterprising merchants of the city, belonging to that class of men, who in promoting individual success. also contribute to the general prosperity. He died June 13, 1879. at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife, who was born in 1818. passed away November 8. 1888, at the age of seventy years. Both were members of the Episcopal church and their lives were characterized by fidelity to their belief and the teachings of their denomination. Mr. James was a stalwart repub- lican and was quite prominent. especially among his fellow townsmen of
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English birth. In all of his business dealings he was strictly honorable and straightforward, commanding the full confidence and respect of those with whom he was associated. His family numbered three sons and five daugh- ters. The eldest, Fred Douglas, served for four years and eight months as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting as a private in the Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Later he was promoted to the rank of captain and par- ticipated in many of the most hotly contested engagements of the war. He is now deceased. The others are: Adaline, the wife of W. N. Jones, of Galva, Illinois; Amanda, of Chicago; Frank W., who died in October, 1907. when more than fifty-nine years of age; Ella, the wife of L. J. Warner, of Chicago; Tillie, who became the wife of George E. Simpson and resides in Edgebrook, Illinois; George Albert, of this review; and Eva, the wife of Charles Gregg.
George Albert James, whose name introduces this review, was only seven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Aurora in the spring of 1865. As a pupil in the public schools he pursued his education, and in that city was reared to manhood, entering upon his business career at the age of eighteen as an employe in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He continued with that company for twenty-nine years and three months, and for twenty-two years of the time was foreman or acting foreman-a fact which stands in incontrovertible proof of his fidelity, capability and the trust reposed in him by the corporation which he represented. In recent years, however, he has been active in public service, wherein he has made an equally creditable record. In 1893 he was first elected alderman from the first ward of Aurora and in that office served for three terms, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many pro- gressive and helpful public measures. He was chairman of the finance com -- mittee for three years, and did much to promote the interests of the city from the standpoint of funds. In the spring of 1899 he was appointed a member of the board of public works and thus served for seven years. In the spring of 1903 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Kane county and capably filled that position for three years, after which he resigned. In the fall of 1906 lie was elected county treasurer and took the office on the Ist of December, being the present incumbent. He has already proved a capable custodian of the public money and his official record in this, as in other positions, has won for him high encomiums.
On the 3d of June, 1881, Mr. James was married to Miss Mollie Rooney, a daughter of John and Catharine (Williams) Rooney. One son has been born unto them, James C. James, who is now a practicing attorney of Aurora. He is a graduate of the west side high school of Aurora of the class of 1899, and was graduated with high honors on the completion of the scientific course in the State University of Wisconsin at Madison. Later he attended the Columbia Law School of Washington (D. C.) and was admitted to practice at the bar of Illinois in October, 1906, having for the past two years been connected with the legal profession in Aurora. The parents of Mrs. James were natives of Ireland and came to America from County Kerry early in the '50s. They first landed at Canada and thence removed to Illinois
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in 1852. They have three daughters, who are now living : Maggie, Catharine. and Mary.
Mr. James is connected with the Yeoman of America. a fraternal insur- ance society. He is also connected with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and in politics is a stalwart republican. He owns a fine flat building on Galena street in Aurora, and a beautiful home at No. 260 Downer Place. In an analyzation of his life record it will be seen that trustworthiness is one of his salient characteristics, combined with thoroughness in everything that he has undertaken. His record in these respects is most exemplary and over his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
REV. CARL SCHNUECKEL.
Rev. Carl Schnueckel, whose labors splendidly conserved the Catholic interests of Aurora, was serving as pastor of St. Nicholas church at the time of his death, which occurred October 15, 1908. He was born in Westphalia. Germany, March 16, 1846, the place of his nativity being the city of Warburg. In due course of time he became a public-school student and, determining to devote his life to the church, he then studied for the priesthood, being ordained in 1872. Owing to the unsettled relations between the church and state in Germany, Father Schnueckel and a number of young Catholic clergymen came to the United States in August. 1872. there being a demand for further workers in the church in this country. He was first assigned to duty at St. Francis church in Chicago and afterward was given charge of St. Anthony's for a time, owing to the illness of the regular pastor there.
In 1880 Father Schnueckel came to Aurora, where he remained contin- uously from July of that year until his death. He took charge of St. Nicholas parish, which was established in 1862, the first pastor being Father John Miller, C. S. S. R., who came at intervals from Chicago to minister to the spiritual needs of the Catholics of this locality. After a time a small wooden church was built. The first resident pastor was Father John Westkamp, who came in 1863 and was succeeded by Father H. Liermann in 1865. He was followed by Father Schnueckel in 1880 and he labored effectively, zealously and untiringly for the upbuilding of Catholicism here. When he took charge the parish was worshiping in a frame building. With characteristic energy he began providing the buildings which he felt the parish demanded, erecting a school building the year in which he took charge. He also set on foot plans for the erection of a new house of worship, which was completed in 1883. and the rectory was built in 1889, while a fine hall was built in 1900. All these structures are the finest of the kind in the city and are a credit to Aurora, while standing as a monument to the indefatigable efforts and splendid execu- tive ability of Father Schnueckel. Under his guidance the church greatly increased in membership. In 1880 there were two hundred and eighteen members and today there are six hundred. notwithstanding the fact that St. Joseph's parish was cut off from St. Nicholas' parish in 1902, as the terri-
C - Schmident. Pastry of it. Michales-
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tory and the membership was too great to be supervised by St. Nicholas church. Father Schnueckel possessed splendid powers of organization. He was a man of liberal mind and broad views, who looked at life from a prac- tical standpoint and brought to the people a religion which he believed would prove helpful to them in their everyday contacts and experiences as well as in their relations to the church.
CHARLES ABEL GIFFORD.
The name of Gifford has long figured prominently in the history of Elgin in this part of the state, and the life record of him whose name introduces this review is in harmony with the record which was made by his honored father, Abel D. Gifford, who was one of the prominent pioneers of this part of the state. The year which witnessed the Black Hawk war, also witnessed the arrival of Abel D. Gifford in Illinois. He found a district here which claimed few white settlers. Ft. Dearborn stood on the banks of Lake Michi- gan to protect the settlers from the red men. Here and there some venture- some, progressive citizen had bravely faced the dangers and trials of pioneer life and had begun the task of opening up a farm or establishing other busi- ness on the frontier. Mr. Gifford became a factor in this life and from the year of his arrival until his death, figured prominently in the community in connection with the promotion of its business, social and political interests. He bore an unassailable reputation among his fellowmen for his enterprise and his reliability. He was for years connected with general farming and also engaged in dairying and sheep-raising. He likewise became connected with the Home National Bank of Elgin and his success made him one of the prosperous citizens of this part of the state. He was also particularly active in the support of the Baptist church, in which he held membership, and in the cause of education, giving a scholarship to the Chicago University, while in other ways he contributed to the work of the schools in this part of the state. His own lack of education in his youth, enabled him to understand how valu- able was the instruction and mental discipline which one receives in the schools. Extended mention of Abel D. Gifford is made on another page of this work, for no history of this part of the state would be complete without the record of his life.
Charles Abel Gifford, his only son, is now residing upon the farm not far from Elgin. He was educated in the common schools of Cook county, his father's farm being situated on the border of Kane county. Later he attended the Elgin Academy and also Drew's Business College in Elgin. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with general agricultural pursuits and is numbered today among the most progressive and energetic farmers of the locality. He has an excellent property of two hundred and seventy acres, and the farm is splendidly improved, while none of the acces- sories of a model farm are here lacking. He likewise has other business connections, for he is interested in the Borden Condensed Milk Company and the Home National Bank of Elgin.
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Mr. Gifford has been married twice. On the 22d of January, 1888, he wedded Miss Florence B. Stickney, who died in 1897, leaving four chil- dren : Frank Abel: Stanley C., who died November 24, 1897, at the age of seven years: Walter C., and Flossie, who died May 12, 1898, when but fifteen months old. Mr. Gifford was again married on the 4th of March, 1808, his second union being with Eva M. Gilbert, a daughter of Captain Gilbert, of Elgin. They have six interesting children : Olive E., James T., Julia A., Arleigh D., Ruby and Marguerite C.
Mr. Gifford gives his political support to the republican party, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. he has never sought nor desired office. Reared in the Baptist faith, he is a loyal and devoted member of the church and has been most generous in his contributions to its support. He is also public spirited and gives hearty endorsement to many movements for the general good. His home is pleasantly located, two and one-half miles east of Elgin, and is one of the attractive farm properties of the community, indicating in its well kept appearance the careful supervision and progressive methods of the owner.
W. C. BRIDGE, M. D.
The close application, constant study and broad sympathy which are so essential as factors in the success of the physician and surgeon are all mani- fest in the life work of Dr. W. C. Bridge, of Elgin, who since 1887 has practiced continuously in this city. He was born in Hanover, Cook county, Illinois, January 18, 1856, and is a son of George and Mary Ann (Chacks- field) Bridge, both of whom were natives of Kent, England, and came to the United States about 1850. They were married in Elgin, at No. 166 Kimball street, in a house that is still standing. After residing for a time in New York, Mr. Bridge had removed westward to Chicago and became a farmer of Hanover. In 1861 he came to Kane county, and after identifica- tion with its agricultural interests, covering a number of years, became a resident of Elgin, where both he and his wife still reside.
Dr. Bridge acquired his education in the public schools and in the Elgin Academy, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1878. In early man- hood his time and energies were devoted to teaching, which profession he followed in Kane, De Witt and Cook counties with good success, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He then took up the study of medicine and was graduated in 1886. His high stand- ing is indicated by the fact that he was appointed interne in Cook County Hospital, where he served through the succeeding year, and in the fall of 1887 came to Elgin. Here for twenty-one years he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is in touch with modern methods as closely as is the recently graduated physician. He has always been a student of his profession and his reading and research are continually augmenting his
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