USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 6
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knowledge and advancing his proficiency. He holds membership with the American Medical Association, the state and county medical societies and the Chicago Medical Society, and has been examiner for various fraternal insurance orders. His private practice has developed to extensive and profit- able proportions and he numbers among his patrons many of the prominent families of the city. He is most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and adheres closely to a high standard of professional ethics, so that he enjoys to the full extent the regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity.
In January, 1888, Dr. Bridge was married to Miss Clara M. Barrows, the eldest daughter of M. T. Barrows, of Dundee. They became the parents of two children, but the elder, Liniti, born in May, 1889, died in August, 1892. The younger, Clarita, born in September, 1894, is at home.
Dr. Bridge is a broad-minded man, liberal in his religious and political views, yet usually voting with the republican party. He served as a trustee of Elgin Academy for one term and the cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion. He has ever been a student and lover of good books, and much of his leisure is devoted to reading, while manly outdoor sports also make strong appeal to him, he being particularly interested in golf.
GILES EMMETT STRONG.
Giles Emmett Strong is a retired farmer living in Aurora. He has made his home in Illinois continuously since 1834, and has witnessed the remarkable changes which have transformed the northern part of the state from a wild and unimproved district, inhabited mostly by Indians, to a region of rich fertility, constituting one of the finest agricultural districts of the world, while its commercial and industrial interests now reach out to every part of the globe. Mr. Strong was but six years of age when he arrived in this state.
He was born in Tompkins county, New York, October 25, 1827, a son of William J. and Caroline (Blodgett) Strong, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. The father was born November 18, 1800, and was a son of Salmon Strong and a grandson of Benajah Strong. who was a captain of the Revolutionary war. His father settled in Tompkins county. New York, where he owned considerable land. The founder of the family in this country was John Strong, who came from England in 1630, taking up his abode in Massachusetts, and was one of the founders of the town of Dorchester. Salmon Strong was reared in the state of New York and was a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Jager, and both died when well advanced in years, while Benajah Strong lived to the very venerable age of ninety-six years.
William J. Strong, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupa- tion. He remained a resident of the east until 1834, when he came with his family to Illinois and settled three miles east of Aurora, just one half mile from the Kane county line in Dupage county. He entered his claim from the
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government before the land was surveyed. It was one of the first prairie farms settled in that county, for previous to this time the settlers had made their homes in the edge of the timber, and did not regard the open clearing as a fit place for a home. William Strong became a thrifty and prosperous farmer and lived upon his first claim until 1858, when he sold his property to his son. Giles E .. and removed to Aurora, where he practically spent his entire life. A year or two prior to his death he removed to Chicago and there he passed away in 1889, lacking but one month of being eighty-nine years of age. He had married Caroline Blodgett, whose father was a native of Massa- chusetts and a sea captain. Both he and his wife died in the east. Their family consisted of two daughters, one of whom was Mrs. William Strong. She was born in 1807 and died in 1878. They were charter members of the First Presbyterian church of Aurora, now the Congregational church, and he was known as Deacon Strong, a fact which indicates that he was an officer in the church and took an active and helpful part in its work.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Strong were born seven children, of whom three are now living: Giles E .; Schuyler, of Los Angeles, California; and Charles F., of Texas.
Giles E. Strong came from New York to Illinois with his parents when he was six years of age. They made the journey in a schooner from Buffalo, landing in Chicago on the 4th of July. 1834. Giles E. Strong was reared on his father's farm in Dupage county, near Aurora, and left home when twenty- one years of age. He attended the old-fashioned subscription schools, where the methods of teaching were very primitive, while the teacher "boarded 'round" among the scholars. Thus he pursued his studies in the winter sea- sons, while in summer he worked upon the home farm. In 1847, however. he was afforded better educational opportunities and entered the Collegiate Insti- tute at Rochester, New York, where he studied arithmetic, algebra. philoso- phy and chemistry. In 1848 he attended school in Chicago, the school being conducted by Benjamin F. Taylor, the poet and author, in the old Trinity Episcopal church. In 1849 he left school with the intention of going to Cali- fornia to mine gold and purchased three yoke of oxen in this part of the state and another yoke in Iowa. Thus he made an overland trip to California, but not meeting with the success that he had anticipated among the gold fields of the far west, he returned to Aurora by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York, arriving again in Kane county in January, 1855.
Not long after his return Mr. Strong married and later operated his father's farm on shares for a year. In 1857 he made a second trip to Cali- fornia to settle up some business which he had left there, but in the spring of 1858 returned to Dupage county and bought his father's farm of three hun- dred acres. He then carried on general agricultural pursuits with excellent success until 1902, when he sold or divided among his sons all of the farm save fifty acres of land. He has since lived retired in Aurora, where he now owns a good home at No. 337 South Avenue. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in the business world, as he has worked diligently and perseveringly to achieve prosperity, nor has he ever been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction.
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On the Ist of October, 1855, Mr. Strong was married to Miss Frances Crane, a daughter of David and Catharine (Stolp) Crane. She was the first girl born in Dupage county, her birth occurring September, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Strong have a family of three sons and one daughter. Edward C., the eldest, owns and operates a part of the old homestead in Dupage county. He married Addie Ferry and they have four children: Maud, Ethel, Alice and Charles. Wilbur, the second of the family, died when ten years of age. Net- tie is the wife of Edward Jenkins, a resident of Naperville township, and they have three children : Bertha, Roy and Frances. Marvin is also a farmer of Dupage county, living on a part of the old homestead. He married Florence Crampton and they have a daughter, Genevieve. Maud Strong, the grand- daughter, is now the wife of George Igo and they have a daughter, Grace.
Politically Mr. Strong is a republican and cast his vote for president for Fremont in 1856. He then supported Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has since been a stalwart republican. For many years he was engaged in tilling the soil and his labors were attended with a measure of success that has made him a man of affluence. He is able now to live in retirement without further recourse to labor, and yet able to enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
EDWARD J. RAYMOND.
On the roster of officials in Aurora appears the name of Edward J. Raymond, who is now filling the office of city clerk. He was born in this city September 1, 1873, his parents being Charles and Julia ( Villeneuve) Raymond. The mother was a native of Canada and came to Aurora with her parents in 1847. The father was also born in Canada and arrived in Aurora in 1858. He has now been in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in the shops at this place for over forty years, being one of the most trusted and faithful representatives here, his capability and loyalty being indicated most clearly by his long retention in the shops.
Edward J. Raymond at the usual age entered the public schools, and after therein mastering the elemental branches of learning, he attended the Sacred Heart school of this city. He made his intital step in the business world when fourteen years of age, entering the office of the Beacon, where he learned the printer's trade. For ten years he was connected with that office and filled every position in connection therewith from that of devil to foreman. Gradually he worked his way upward as he mastered every department of the business. For some years he was foreman for the Wormwood & Berry Printing Company, and later embarked in the job printing business on his own account. In 1903 he was called to public office, being elected city clerk. and is now serving for the third term-a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his trustworthiness, ability and fidelity. In 1902 he was a candidate for probate clerk on the democratic ticket.
In October, 1899, Mr. Raymond was married to Miss Julia Holslag, a native of Buffalo, New York, and they have one son, Charles Edward, who
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was born September 6, 1904. Mr. Raymond is a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles, and of the last named he is worthy president. He has also been active in labor organizations, being a member of the Typographical Union, which he repre- sents in the central body, and of which organization he was secretary for three years. He is very widely known in the city of his nativity and of his resi- dence, having many warm friends here who entertain for him the highest regard, while the confidence of the public is plainly indicated by the fact that he has been elected for the third term to the office of city clerk.
H. C. WADDLE, M.D.
Dr. H. C. Waddle, city physician of Elgin, and an able representative of the profession, was born in Randolph county, Illinois, June 24, 1867, his parents being Samuel and Jane Caroline ( Morris) Waddle, both of whom were natives of Illinois. The father was a farmer by occupation and lived at Normal, Illinois, for a number of years, where, somewhat prominent in public life, he served as a member of the city council and also as a member of the board of education. He was likewise a leading member of the Masonic fraternity there. He is now residing on the Pacific coast, making his home at Eugene. Oregon.
Dr. Waddle spent the first seven years of his life upon the home farm and afterward became a student in the public schools of Normal, continuing his studies through consecutive grades and later attending the Illinois State Uni- versity, from which he was graduated in 1893. In the interim, however, between his public school and university course he engaged in teaching for four years and proved a capable instructor and disciplinarian. He was super- intendent of schools at Marseilles, Illinois, for two years and for four years was school superintendent at Vinton, Iowa. He regarded this, however, as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his desire to become a member of the medical fraternity, and to this end he began preparation for practice. After some private preliminary reading he matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at the Chicago medical department of the University of Illinois and was graduated in 1903. During the entire four years of his college course he was editor of its paper, The Plexus. He then practiced for a year in Chicago and in October, 1904. located in Elgin. where he has built up a lucrative business. He has demonstrated his power to successfully cope with the complex problems that continually confront the physician, is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and correct in his application of remedial agencies. In May. 1907, he was appointed city physician by Mayor Price, and is now filling that office, at the same time carefully discharging the duties of his private practice.
On the 16th of August. 1894. Dr. Waddle was married to Miss Alchee Amaret Case. of Cherry Valley, Illinois. They have two daughters: Mary Charlotte, who was born May 21. 1898: and Alchee Caroline, born January
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30, 1904. The parents are members of the First Methodist church of Elgin, and are well known socially in the city, where they have already gained many warm friends. Dr. Waddle is a member of the Physicians' Club and Chicago Medical Society, and is examining physician for several local fraternal orders. He is likewise a member of the board of education and is interested in all that pertains to the city's progress and improvement along lines of material, social, intellectual and moral development.
FRANK J. C. KRAHN.
Frank J. C. Krahn, city attorney of Elgin, was born in Dundee township, Kane county, May 21, 1872, his parents being Charles F. and Albertina (Ebert) Krahn, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to America in 1849, settling in Kane county. The father devoted the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease. During the period of the Civil war he went to the front in defense of the Union.
Frank J. C. Krahn was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the work incident to the development of the fields. Liberal educational privileges were afforded him, and after attending the country schools, he pursued a course in the Dundee high school, up to the age of seventeen years. He then entered the Northern Illinois Normal School and Dixon Business College, where he continued for two years, and in prepara- tion for his profession he matriculated in the law school of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of LL.B. He was then admitted to practice in Michigan and Illinois, successfully passing the examination before the supreme courts of each state.
Mr. Krahn did not at once enter upon practice, but, locating at Elgin, worked in the assembling room of the Elgin National Watch factory as inspector for several years. Within that period he established an office in the business district and practiced as he found opportunity. In the election of 1907 he became a candidate for city attorney of Elgin and was elected by a large majority over an opponent that was considered very popular personally. He is now engaging in the general practice of law, and also is conducting an insurance and real-estate business, and is notary public. He has made an excellent reputation as a collector of accounts and is building up a good clientage in the law, with offices in the Hubbard block.
On the 22d of June, 1898, Mr. Krahn was married to Miss Cora M. Hovey, of Aurora, Illinois,, and to them have been born two children : Hazel A. and Frances C. In his fraternal relations Mr. Krahn is connected with Monitor Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and with both the subordinate lodge and the encampment of the Odd Fellows. He also belongs to the Modern Wood- men Camp, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Royal League. He is now serving as collector of the last named, and clerk of the Woodmen of the
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World. A resident of Kane county throughout his entire life, Mr. Krahn is widely known here and has many warm friends. In his business career he is making substantial progress, having already gained a good clientage in the law. and in his real estate and fire insurance business.
FRANK O. HAWLEY.
Frank O. Hawley, now living retired in Aurora, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. His grandfather, Nathaniel Hawley, a native of New York, came to Illinois early in the '40s, and was closely associated with the frontier development and progress of Kendall county. He was a farmer by occupation and aided in the reclamation of wild land for the uses of civilization. He married Patience Greene, a niece of Gen- eral Greene of Revolutionary war fame. Both lived to an advanced age and reared a family of five children, which number included Paul G. Hawley. the father of our subject, who arrived in Kendall county in 1837. His birth occurred in Chenango county, New York, and when he had arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Emily Hubbard, who was born in Lewis county. New York. She was a daughter of Daniel Hubbard, likewise a native of the Empire state and a farmer by occupation. He came with his family to Illinois in 1837 and took up land from the government in Oswego township. Kendall county. Both lived to be well advanced in years. Their family num- bered six children. The marriage of Paul G. Hawley and Emily Hubbard was celebrated in Illinois. He traveled by wagon across the country and eventually reached his destination, which was Oswego, Kendall county. Mr. Hawley was an attorney by profession and continued in the practice of law until his death. He died in 1898, at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife passed away in 1899. at the age of seventy-five years. Both were Bap- tist in religious faith and lived earnest, consistent Christian lives. In their family were seven children, two of whom survive. Four, however. reached years of maturity, as follows: Frank O., whose name introduces this review : Clara, the deceased wife of John Billings; Charles J .. who has departed this life: and Carlton M., a resident of Aurora.
In taking up the personal history of Frank O. Hawley, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this part of the state. He was reared at Oswego. Kendall county, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, and at the usual age he became a student in the public schools. When he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he continued his education in the Northwestern University at Evans- ton, and at Knox College, in Galesburg, Illinois. After putting aside his text-books he engaged in the storage and loan business in Chicago for seven years, after which he returned to Oswego and took up farming. He is today one of the most extensive landowners of this part of the state, having made judicious investments in property from time to time until he now owns eighteen hundred acres of fine farming land in Kendall county. It is comprised within
Frank Q. Hanley
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several farms and returns a splendid annual income to the owner, who, in former years, made many substantial improvements upon the property and yet gives supervision to it in its further development and improvement. In 1890, however, he ceased active connection with the farm work and removed to Aurora, where he engaged in the real-estate business, in which he still continues. He owns one of the most beautiful homes in the city, situated at No. 227 South Lake street.
On the 14th of October, 1875, Mr. Hawley was married to Miss Letitia Gillespie, a daughter of David and Letitia (Cooke) Gillespie. Four children have been born of this marriage: Emily L., at home; Bessie May, the wife of Edwin Faber, general manager of the electric railway lines of Elgin and Aurora, with headquarters at Wheaton, by whom she has a son, Edwin Hawley Faber; Paul G., operating one of his father's farms in Kendall county and making his home with his parents; and Lysander F., still under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawley are communicants of the Episcopal church and Mr. Hawley belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees in Jerusalem Lodge, No. 90, A. F. & A. M., and in Aurora Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M. His position on political questions is never an equivocal one. He is a stalwart advocate of democracy, and has held various offices, serving as mayor of Oswego for fourteen years, also as highway commissioner for sixteen years, and as president of the board of education for twelve years. He has likewise been president of the Kendall County Agricultural Society for two terms, and in all these different official positions has labored earnestly and effectively for the public welfare. His fellow townsmen have recognized his excellent qualifications for responsible duties. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in the discharge of his duties and his understanding of the obligations that have rested upon him are such as to make him a most acceptable incumbent in the offices which he has held. In official life, as in business, he has shown excellent ability as an organizer, forming his plans readily and carrying them forward to successful completion. He represents old and prominent families of this part of the state and the work instituted by his forefathers in pioneer times has been continued by him to the benefit of the county and city in which he has resided.
REV. JOHN J. McCANN.
Rev. John J. McCann, the present priest of St. Mary's Catholic church at Elgin, was appointed to this position at a competitive examination held at the cathedral residence in Chicago in 1899, and assumed charge of the parish on the 24th of December of that year. Father McCann was born at Providence, Rhode Island, October 25, 1862, and attended the public schools of Aurora, to which city his parents removed in 1866, when he was but four years of age. In 1877 he entered St. Viateur's College at Bourbonnais, Illinois, where he remained for five years. He was also a student in St.
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Mary's Seminary at Baltimore, where he completed his theological course on the 6th of January, 1888, on which date he was ordained by His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons.
Father McCann organized the Catholic congregation and built the first Catholic church at Byron, Illinois, in 1895. He was also instrumental in erecting the handsome brick church edifice at Polo, Illinois, and both churches were paid for within a year. He greatly improved the churches at Oregon and Ashton and also purchased a cemetery in Byron. St. Mary's parish in Elgin is one of the irremovable rectorships of the Chicago archdiocese. Its rector is appointed for life and has a vote in the selection of candidates for the archbishopric. To secure the position a competitive examination is held. The examination for Elgin was held in the Cathedral residence in Chicago, December 15, 1899, and there Father McCann received his appointment. His first public service here was held on the following Sunday. Since assum- ing his charge he has finished the church and made various improvements. He has recently purchased St. Mary's Academy and a nineteen-acre cemetery. No man has labored more diligently for the upbuilding and the interests of the parish and he is a zealous, earnest priest, whose life occupation is in the line of the strict discharge of every duty which falls upon him in his priestly capacity.
JOHN ALTHEN.
Among the men of foreign birth in Kane county, who. coming to America, readily adapted themselves to the changed conditions of the new world and through the improvement of the opportunities offered won success, was numbered John Althen, who figured for a considerable period as a carpenter and contractor of Elgin. He was born in Prussia, Germany, August 29. 1842, and the years of his boyhood, youth and early manhood were spent in the land of his nativity, where he acquired his education and learned the builder's trade. Attracted by the business conditions of the new world, he came to the United States in 1872, when thirty years of age. Land- ing at New York, he did not tarry on the eastern coast, but made his way at once to Manitowoc. Wisconsin, where he resided for a year. On the expira- tion of that period he came to Elgin, where he began work at the carpenter's trade, and as a contractor figured for many years in the business life of this city. His residence here covered almost a third of a century and his activity, his diligence and his commercial honor were the qualities which gained for him the prominent place which he occupied in public regard.
On the 11th of June, 1873. Mr. Althen was married to Miss Mary M. Leickheim, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Leickheim, of Orrville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. AAlthen became the parents of four sons and a daughter : Henry L ... the eldest, now living in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he is connected with the Pittsburg Rubber Company, married Miss Jennie Nelson and has one daughter, Hazel: David C., who is with the Morgan & Wright Company,
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of New York city, wedded Anna Dowling, and has one son, John ; John W., who was a Spanish-American war veteran of Company D. Third Regiment of Illinois Infantry, died August 28, 1903, at the age of twenty-six years, from heart trouble brought on by typhoid fever contracted in the war; Mollie B. and Louis A., the younger members of the family, are now living in Elgin. The death of the husband and father occurred October 12, 1905, and his wife, surviving him for only about two years, passed away October 6, 1907. They were people of the highest respectability, who enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence and good will of all with whom business or social relations brought them in contact. Mr. Althen was a Baptist in religious faith, and was very active in church work, doing all in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but he did not seek nor desire office. He was one of Elgin's solid men, who did much for his adopted city and home. He was most genial and his life record in its various phases might well serve as a lesson to the young. Dependent upon his own resources from an early age, his success illustrates most forcibly the power of patient and persistent effort and self-reliance. He so conducted all affairs, whether of a public or private nature, as to merit the esteem of all classes of citizens and no word of reproach was ever uttered against him.
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