USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 60
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On the 22d of February. 1853. at Elgin, Illinois, Mr. Hathaway was united in marriage to Miss Sylvira M. Bartlett, whose birth occurred in Genesee county. New York, on the 7th of October, 1830, being the eldest daughter of Edmund and Naomi ( Babcock) Bartlett. Her parents located in Kane county. Illinois, as early as 1834, making their home upon a farm near Wayne, Illinois, for nearly fifty years. The father died upon that place in January. 1883. while his wife's death occurred in Elgin, Illinois, May 10. 1891. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway were born two children. Carrie is now the wife of Professor D. Webster George, of Jacksonville, Illinois, and has two children. Herbert Annas Hathaway, who has been employed by the Elgin
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National Watch Company for the past twenty years, was married to Miss Bertha Dresssaunt on the 9th of March, 1898. She is the only daughter of French parents, who came from Paris, France, in 1854.
Mr. Hathaway was a thirty-second degree Mason, having first joined that order in St. Charles on the 20th of September, 1852. He was a member of Loyal L. Munn Chapter, R. A. M .; Bethel Commandery, No. 36, K. T., of Elgin, Illinois; Oriental Consistory and Medinah Temple, of Chicago. His demise occurred in Elgin, Illinois, on the 19th of August, 1898, and the county mourned the loss of one of its honored pioneers and highly respected and valued citizens. Mrs. Hathaway, who still resides at her home at No. 645 North Spring street, has been a resident of Kane county, Illinois, for seventy-three years and is, therefore, largely familiar with its annals from a very early period down to the present time, being well known and highly esteemed as one of the venerable pioneer ladies of this part of the state.
WELFORD A. READ.
Welford A. Read, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Virgil township, was born on the farm where he now resides, November 17, 1859, his parents being Richmond and Miranda W. (Sweet) Read, the former born in Nova Scotia, May 21, 1821, and the latter in Onondaga county, New York, February 26, 1835. The father came to Illinois in 1838 and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land from the government at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. In Virgil township, in December, 1851, he wedded Miss Miranda W. Sweet, and his demise occurred May 16, 1890, on the home farm of his son, Welford A. His wife still survives him, making her home at Sycamore.
Welford A. Read attended the common schools until sixteen years of age, and throughout his entire life has continued to reside on the farm on section 12, Virgil township, on which his birth occurred. The property comprises two hundred and fifty acres of highly improved and productive land and is equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. The buildings on the place, including a commodious and attractive residence, are all in good condition and the farm, in its neat and thrifty appearance, indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He owns fifty cows and conducts an extensive dairy, shipping one hundred and twenty gallons of milk daily from Lily Lake to Chicago. He likewise has thirty Poland China hogs, eleven head of horses and a fine lot of Plymouth Rock poultry, and owns various kinds of im- proved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. In the different branches of his business he has met with a well merited and enviable degree of success and is a well known and prosperous resident of his native county.
On the 21st of November, 1882, Mr. Read was united in marriage to Miss Cora B. Walker, of Virgil, by whom he has the following children : Stella May, born December 29, 1883, who attended the high school at Syca- more; Ernest O., born August 4, 1885, who attended business college at
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Elgin and is now engaged in farming; Maude Blanche, born March 10. 1887, who attended the St. Charles high school and also taught for one year ; Floyd S., born June 4. 1888, who attended business college at Elgin and is also now engaged in agricultural pursuits: Richmond R., whose birth oc- curred July 16. 1890. and who attended the common schools, while at the present time he follows farming : Arthur H., whose natal day was December 2, 1894: Florence C., born April 28. 1897: and Maurice W., whose birth occurred June 30. 1899. All of these children are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Read gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Globe. He is also a Mason, belonging to Blackberry Lodge, No. 359. A. F. & A. M .. at Elburn; Sycamore Chapter. R. A. M .. and Syca- more Commandery. No. 15. K. T. Having been a resident of this county for almost a half century, he has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred and which have transformed the pioneer region into one of the rich agricultural districts of the Union.
PATRICK TRACEY O'FLAHERTY.
Patrick T. O'Flaherty, deceased, was for many years a well-known citizen of Elgin. His early home, however, was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Clare Tuam. County Galway, Ireland. March 12. 1824. He grew to manhood in his native land and was there married on the Ioth of April. 1846. to Miss Elizabeth Liddy. With his bride he sailed for the new world the same year and made his first stop in Canada. re- maining there only a short time, however. He then located in New York state and in 1850 came to Illinois, taking up his abode in Elgin, where for some time he worked at his trade of shoemaking in the capacity of cutter and foreman for the firm of Clark & Watson.
In 1852 Mr. O'Flaherty was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. who died on the ist of November of that year. There were four children born of that union, namely: Thomas B., who was born July 22. 1847. and lied August 9. 1847: Maria J., who was born October 6. 1848. and died November 1. 1880: Sara F., who was born February 17, 1851. and is now the only one living; and Teresa, who was born October 24. 1852, and died November 19. 1852. Mr. O'Flaherty was again married May 11. 1853. his second union being with Miss Eliza F. Mann, who was born in West Meath. Ireland, October 17. 1829. a daughter of John Lowe and Cecelia ( Feery) Mann. Coming to America in 1845. she was a resident of New York state for four years, and in 1849 located in Elgin. Six children were born of Mr. O'Flaherty's second marriage: Edward J .. Frank M., Cecelia E .. Thomas P .. Catherine and Leo F .. all of whom are still living.
When his adopted country became involved in Civil war. Mr. O'Flaherty espoused the cause of the Union and on the 6th of September. 1862. en-
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listed in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served until the close of the war and was mustered out as corporal June 5, 1865. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea and participated in the following battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Black Bayou, Champion Hills, Big Black River, the assault on Vicks- burg, the siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, the pursuit of Longstreet, the siege of Knoxville, Resaca, Dallas, Ackworth, New Hope Church and Big Shanty.
After his return from the war Mr. O'Flaherty engaged in the boot and shoe business, dealing in custom made shoes, but he finally sold out his business in 1883. The following year he was appointed one of the original five letter carriers by Postmaster W. F. Hunter at the age of sixty years and acted in that capacity until September, 1892. He then lived retired until called to his final rest on the 16th of August, 1907. His second wife died January 24. 1905. Both were devout members of the Catholic church and were held in the highest esteem by all who knew them. In politics Mr. O'Flaherty was an ardent republican and was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Although born across the water and still retaining a love for his native land, he became a very patriotic citizen as was shown by his service in the Civil war and he was willing to lay down his life for the stars and stripes if need be.
THOMAS WRIGHT.
Working with sedulous industry through obstacles and difficulties, and making every hour of their time and every dollar of their earnings count to their advantage for years, Thomas Wright and his good wife have at length reached the goal of their ambition in a competence for life and a firm and well founded hold on the regard and good will of the people among whom they live.
They were born and reared in England, the former in Buckinghamshire and the latter in Herefordshire, and immediately after their marriage in 1871 emigrated to the United States and took up their residence in New Jersey, the husband working four years in an iron mill at Boonton, that state. In 1876 they came west and settled in Sugar Grove township, Kane county, Illinois, where they have ever since resided.
Mr. Wright was born August 10, 1853, and is a son of James and Sarah (Perrins) Wright, natives of Buckinghamshire, England, where the father died in 1875 after a long life of usefulness as a farmer. Mr. Wright has two sisters: Eliza, the wife of William Cuttle, of Brooklyn, New York; and Anna, the wife of William Sheesby, of Yorkshire, England. The family was in very moderate circumstances and the advantages of educational train- ing for the son were meager and irregular. He succeeded, however, in acquiring a good knowledge of the fundamental branches, and on this he has since enlarged and amplified by his own efforts devoted to careful read-
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ing. reflection and study. The early experiences of his wife, whose maiden name was Helen Arnett, were much the same, and her subsequent course has been like unto his.
For two years after their arrival in this county Mr. Wright worked as a farm hand for S. L. Gillette and then rented land of James Gordon, which he farmed two years. During the next twelve years he expended his efforts on a farm which he rented of Mrs. Ruth Harkinson. Having by this time accumulated a goodly sum of money by practicing the most rigid economy and the most persistent industry, he determined to secure a farm and home of his own. Accordingly. in 1893. he purchased a small but well-improved farm of thirty acres in section 30 Aurora township, which he still owns and occupies, and which has been his dwelling place ever since. This little farm is now popularly estimated at a value of $9.000. and the estimate is not ex- travagant when it is considered that it is one of the neatest, most attractive and most productive in the township. The house is fronted by a beautifully kept lawn, adorned with a profusion of choice flowers. all pleasing to the observer and creditable to the taste and enterprise of the owners. The land is cultivated to the limit of energy and skill, and the farm is equipped with everything required for the purpose.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright recall many hardships during the early years of their residence in this country. They were total strangers in the land. very young, and unaccustomed to the conditions and habits of the people. The requirements of their situation were all new to them, and they had nothing but their own energies to depend on. But they did not give up or even grow discouraged. They worked their way steadily forward, losing no ground and omitting no effort that seemed likely to win them progress. They have won their fight and now they cheerfully enjoy the victory and do not regret the thorny path which led to it.
SAMUEL G. CONNER.
Samuel G. Conner, residing in Plato township, is devoting his time and energies to that pursuit which George Washington said is "the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." He was born in Kane county. Illinois, August 5. 1845. His father, Samuel Conner, was born in Vermont in 1811. and spent a portion of his early life in Cattaraugus county, New York. He wedded Miss Eunice Colby, of New York, and with his wife and three children came to Illinois in 1842, settling in Plato township, where he pur- chased fifty acres of land from the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He successfully carried on agricultural interests and added to his original tract until his farm comprised ninety acres. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1814, was called to her final rest in January. 1906. her remains being interred at Wasco.
Their family numbered eight children. Susanna, a native of New York, became the wife of Norman Billington. a farmer by occupation. She lived
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in Illinois for several years after marriage and then removed to Dakota, where she passed away in 1899. Jerushia L. married Leander Collins, a farmer by occupation. She made her home in Elgin until the time of her demise in 1904. Julia, whose birth occurred in New York in 1842, became the wife of Jackson Hillts, a retired agriculturist, and now resides at Milbank, South Dakota. Samuel G., of this review, was the next in order of birth. Welford, born in Plato, Illinois, August 20, 1848, is married and follows gardening near Denver, Colorado. Merritt D., who was born at Bartlett Station, Cook county, Illinois, in 1851, married Miss Matilda Kramer and is a watchmaker of Elgin. Ethan A., whose birth occurred in Plato in 1854, wedded Miss Mary Miller and is engaged in the real-estate business in Elgin. Viola, born in Plato in 1857, became the wife of Dell Pease and makes her home in Elgin.
In 1878 Mr. Conner purchased his present farm of forty-six acres sit- uated three miles southwest of Plato Center. He paid eighteen dollars per acre for the land, but, owing to its present high state of development and also by reason of the many substantial improvements he has placed thereon, it is now worth five thousand dollars.
On the IIth of September, 1870, Mr. Conner was united in marriage to Miss Ann E. Hawley, whose birth occurred in Illinois, February 29, 1852. They have three children: Lettie, born in Elgin, April 5, 1875, is the wife of John R. Tucker, fireman at the Boys Home in St. Charles; Cora, who was born in Plato, in October, 1882, is the wife of Albert Hinkle, an agriculturist residing in Jonesville, Michigan; and Samuel T., whose birth occurred in Plato, June 1, 1887, is still at home.
In his political views Mr. Conner is a democrat and takes an active and helpful interest in local politics, having served as constable for the last nine years, as school director for twenty-four years and as town collector for one year. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is familiar with its annals from a pioneer period down to the present time and is widely known as a prosperous and public-spirited citizen.
COIT SPALDING.
In every community there are certain names which are synonymous with the growth, development and improvement of the locality. The name of Coit Spalding is associated with all that has been progressive in Elburn, where he is well known as a retired farmer and merchant. In the office of county supervisor he has also gained a wide acquaintance and favorable regard as one whose fidelity and trustworthiness are above question.
He was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, November 12, 1836, his parents being Colwell H. and Beulah (Lyon) Spalding, who were married in June, 1834. Both were natives of the state of New York. The father was born in Onondaga county, March 30, 1800, and became a contractor and builder. He took a contract and constructed the turnpike railroad between
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Utica and Syracuse, New York, a distance of one hundred and forty-four miles. In 1844 he became a resident of Kane county, Illinois, settling in Black- berry township, where he purchased land from the government. He was a man of unquestioned integrity, of sound business qualifications, and of hon- esty of purpose. In carly life he gave his political support to the democratic party and voted for James K. Polk, but became a stanch republican on the organization of the latter party and did all in his power to secure the adoption of its principles. For many years he was a justice of the peace, held other offices and was very active in political affairs. He long held membership in the Christian church and was most loyal to its teachings. His death occurred November 28. 1888, while his wife, who was born in 1804, survived him until February, 1891. She, too, was a faithful Christian and held mem- bership in the Baptist church. Her parents were Mathias and Roda Lyon. In the paternal line the ancestry of the family can be traced back to 1670. and in the record Edward Spalding figures prominently. The coat of arms of the family is a shield, having in the center a cross, while around this is an inscription "Hinc Mihi Salus." In the family of Colwell and Beulah Spalding are three children, who yet survive: Gilbert, a resident farmer of Greenwood county, Kansas; Coit, of this review: and Louisa J., the wife of Charles Eckley, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Reared on the home farm in Blackberry township, Coit Spalding was a pupil in the district school until he entered the Academy at Warrenville, where he remained for a year. After putting aside his text-books he assisted his father on the home farm for a time, afterward engaged in railroad work for a year and subsequently clerked in a store. But his attention was largely given to general farming until he began business on his own account in Elburn in August. 1891. He formed a partnership with M. S. Cline for the conduct of a general store and for a considerable period he was prominent in the mercantile circles of the town. In all of his business affairs he has manifested energy, determination and reliability.
On the Ist of January. 1863. Mr. Spalding married Miss Helen M. Barker, a daughter of Jabez and Sarah Barker. Her mother died in November. 1903, and her father the following year, and both were buried in the Elburn cemetery. He was a native of Massachusetts and a pioneer of Kane county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spalding were born three sons: James, who married Nettie Reeves and is a lumber merchant of Elburn: Lester, a liveryman of Elburn ; and Warren, also of Elburn.
In his social relations Mr. Spalding is a Mason, belonging to Blackberry Lodge. No. 359. A. F. & A. M .; Fox River Chapter. No. 14. R. A. M. : and Sycamore Commandery. K. T. He is also affiliated with the Modern Wood- men of America. The republican party of Kane county numbers him among its most prominent and well-known representatives. For twenty years he has continuously filled the office of supervisor, and in that time has materially reduced the cost of providing for the county poor. He has served continuously as school treasurer since October 14. 1878, and his official duties have been discharged in the most commendable, energetic and capable manner, winning him the commendation of all concerned.
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Mr. Spalding now occupies an elegant residence in Elburn, which he erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars. It contains a most interesting heirloom in the shape of a clock that is over two hundred years old. It stands over eight feet high and has a dial in two divisions, the upper part showing the faces of the moon, and the lower, the time. The workmanship is per- fect, and the clock has always been in such good running condition that it has become an epigram with Mr. Spalding that "There is nothing so reliable as the old clock." He also has a copy of an old will, bearing date May 13, 1666, which reads: "I, Edward Spalding, of Chelmsford, in the city of Middlesex, New England, being of perfect memory and understanding, do declare this my last will and testament. I bequeath my soul into the hands of the Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and my body to the earth till the day of Resurrection." The Spalding home is a most hospitable one, and is always open for the reception of the many friends of the family. Mr. Spalding is one of the best Known citizens of this part of the county, and there is none who has more friends or more justly deserves the good will and respect which are uniformly accorded him.
N. W. TOMBLIN.
N. W. Tomblin is conducting the largest insurance business in Aurora and is also connected with real-estate interests, while of the Improvement Building & Loan Association he is the secretary. His birth occurred in Plano, Illinois, November 16, 1858. His father, Levi N. Tomblin, was a native of Chautauqua county, New York, and became one of the pioneers of Illinois, arriving in Kendall county in 1836, in which year he located on a farm north of Plano. He made the journey westward with his father, Sheldon Tomblin, who purchased the land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made on the place, but with characteristic energy the grandfather began its development and as the years passed his son, Levi, became a factor in the cultivation and improvement of the property. The latter is now living retired in Plano at the age of eighty-one years. He has seen the country develop from a wilderness into a thickly settled and richly improved district, supplied with all the evidences of a modern and progres-
sive civilization. He recalls many interesting incidents of the early days when many of the homes were log cabins, heated by fireplace and lighted by tallow candle. In early manhood he wedded Miss Elizabeth Cook, a native of New Jersey, who is now seventy-five years of age.
N. W. Tomblin, their only child, was educated in the common and high schools, and was early trained to the work of the farm, assisting in its develop- ment for a number of years. He afterward engaged in farming on his own account for a considerable period and then thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable, he turned his attention to the real-estate and insur- ance business in Plano, where he continued until 1895, when he came to Aurora as special agent for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company. After a
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few years he formed a partnership with H. R. Holden in general insurance and for nine years they did a very extensive business. Mr. Holden then retired from the firm, Mr. Tomblin purchasing his interest, and since 1904 he has conducted the business alone. He still occupies the same suite of rooms in the Staudt building, of which he was the first occupant. The business is now conducted under the firm style of N. W. Tomblin & Company, insur- ance and real-estate agents. No other representative of insurance has such a large clientage or writes such an extensive amount of business annually. He makes a specialty of fire insurance, and among his patrons have been many of the large local firms. He has written more factory fire insurance than all the other insurance brokers in Aurora combined, and he is also a licensed Chicago broker. He is a member of the State League of Fire Insurance, and at the time of the San Francisco fire, when the Traders Insurance Company failed, which company he represented in Aurora, he reinsured all of his patrons at considerable expense to himself in other companies. He accomplished this in less than three hours after the failure of the Traders Insurance Company, and this act was much appreciated by all of his patrons. Mr. Tomblin like- wise engages in real-estate operations and is also the secretary of the Improve- ment Building & Loan Association.
In 1881 Mr. Tomblin was married to Miss Katie B. Wheeler, a native of Plano, Kendall county, Illinois, and they have one daughter, Beulah. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, together with other fraternal organizations, and is deservedly popular and respected. The Greek philosophier, Epicarmis, ages ago voiced the adage : "Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to sloth"; and realizing the truth of this, Mr. Tomblin has put forth effective and unremitting effort in the acquirement of success which is the just crown of his labor.
FRANCIS .W. WRIGHT.
Francis W. Wright, deceased, was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire. July 12, 1823, his parents being Wincol F. and Mary ( Worcester) Wright. the latter a niece of the compiler of Worcester's dictionary. The father followed the occupation of farming as a life work.
Francis W. Wright learned the trade of a millwright in his early man- hood and in 1844 came to Elgin, being here connected for some time with A. Hadlock, the pioneer manufacturer of threshing machines in the locality. In 1862 he purchased a farm of two hundred acres just outside of Elgin, part of which now lies within the city limits, and successfully carried on his agri- cultural interests until 1892. when he disposed of the property. He then lived retired on the farm for six years and in 1898 took up his abode in Elgin. here making his home until he was called to his final rest on the 5th of June. 1001. He was well known and widely recognized as a worthy pioneer and substantial citizen of the community, and his death was deeply mourned not only by his immediate family but also by a host of friends.
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