USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 65
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whom are happily married and settled in homes of their own; and Phillip, of this review.
Phillip Brockner attended the district schools of Germany until he was sixteen years of age, receiving a good practical education. He then worked in a factory in his home city in Germany for three years, after which he spent one year with his parents. When twenty years of age he came to the United States and located in Elgin, where he secured employment as helper to a stone-mason. It was impossible, however, that after settling in this locality he should not become interested in the rich agricultural resources of the section, and it was only a question of time until he engaged in farming operations in his own behalf. He has found the occupation quite lucrative and has branched out in the business until he now operates two hundred and thirty-eight acres of land, and keeps a dairy of forty-six cows, principally of the Holstein and Durham brand. In addition to raising the hay and grain which is consumed by his own live stock, Mr. Brockner ships a carload of hay and a carload of oats to the city market annually.
Mr. Brockner married Miss Elizabeth Kadel, and they have become the parents of nine children, namely : Amanda, Willie, Phillip, Felix, Arnold, Eva, Roscoe, Hazel and Bernice, all of whom reside at home with their parents.
In politics, Mr. Brockner is a stanch republican, though he has never aspired to political honors, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his farming interests. He possesses the energy, resolution and perseverance so characteristic of his nationality, and he has every reason to feel proud of the success to which he has already attained, as at the outset of his career he had no capital excepting the innate forces that were bound up in his own nature.
JAMES P. FERNALD.
James P. Fernald, the deceased, was a well known citizen of St. Charles. prominent in municipal affairs, active in church work and enterprising in business. His salient traits of character were such as commended him to the confidence and good will of all who knew him and caused his death to be deeply regretted when he passed away. He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, about 1820. His father, Samuel Fernald, was a weaver by trade and removed to New York city. Still later he became a resident of Troy, New York. After his children were grown and married he went to live with a son, Francis, in New York city, and there passed away. He was twice married.
James P. Fernald was the eldest of three children, his sister being Mrs. Martha Keep, and Francis, who died in New York city. He acquired his education in the public schools and became self-supporting when about twelve or fourteen years of age. In early life he learned the tailor business, serving for seven years in mastering the trade and becoming an expert workman. When a young man he went south and was married in Kentucky to Miss Phoebe Caroline Hayworth, a native of North Carolina. A few years after
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with his wife and two children he went to New York city and later took up his abode at Attica, New York, where he followed his trade until about 1844, when he came to Illinois by way of the lakes, landing at Chicago. He thence proceeded to Kane county and settled in St. Charles when it was a little hamlet containing only a few houses. Here he opened up a tailor shop and carried on a business until his death, which occurred in 1882. He received a liberal patronage and was one of the leading merchant tailors of this part of the county. In all of his business relations he was strictly fair and honorable and his reasonable prices and enterprising methods gained for him a fair measure of prosperity.
Mr. Fernald was married three times. His first wife died in Attica, New York, and in that city he wedded Miss Sarah Chadwick, whose death occurred in St. Charles. Subsequently he wedded her sister. Hannah Chad- wick. There were three children by the first marriage: Emily, the eldest. born in Eddyville, Kentucky, was brought to Illinois at the age of ten years and now resides in St. Charles. Edwin, born in Eddyville, Kentucky, enlisted in the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served from the beginning to the close of the civil war. He never married and died in Kentucky in 1902. Katherine A., born in New York city, was four years of age when they came to the west in 1845. She became the wife of Edward Chapman, a hardware merchant of St. Charles, who died here, leaving one child, Carrie E .. now deceased. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Chapman became the wife of D. B. Moore, who was a blacksmith by trade, but at the time of his death, which occurred in April. 1906, was engaged in the tea and coffee business in St. Charles. The children of James Fernald's second marriage were Sarah, deceased, and George, who is living in Iowa. There were three children by the father's third marriage, but Fred, a resident of California, is the only one who survived.
Mr. Fernald assisted in organizing the Congregational church in St. Charles, contributing generously toward its erection and was always liberal in its support. He served as a deacon in the church for many years and took a helpful part in all of the church activity. His life was in harmony with his professions and all who knew him esteemed him for his many good qualities and now cherish his memory. His daughters, Mrs. Moore and Miss Fernald. who reside together in St. Charles, have always been active and helpful workers in the church and their influence is always on the side of right, justice, truth and progress.
ROBERT J. WING.
Robert J. Wing, who is practicing law at Aurora, with the firm of Hopkins. Peffers & Hopkins, is continually calling into requisition the legal powers which he developed in his student days and which are now con- stantly expanding through the varied experience of a general law practice. He was born in Aurora. January 14, 1880. his parents being William M. and
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Ida ( Kinley) Wing, the former a native of Washington county, New York, and the latter of Will county, Illinois. The father was a son of Osburn Wing, a farmer by occupation, who settled in Kane county, Illinois, in the early 'zos, taking up his abode on a farmi southeast of Aurora. After fol- lowing general agricultural pursuits for a long period he lived retired in the city until called to his final rest. His wife. Mrs. Abigail ( Moncrief ) Wing. is of Quaker lineage and still survives her husband, being now eighty-four years of age.
They had a large family, including William M. Wing, who remained a resident of Washington county, New York, until sixteen years of age. He then came west with his parents and lived with them upon the farm southeast of Aurora. Here he continued his education as a student in Jennings Semi- nary for about four years and upon the death of his father, which occurred in 1871, he began teaching school in the old Keck district west of Mont- gomery. He was there engaged in teaching for several years, proving an excellent disciplinarian as well as instructor. He afterward entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as a brakes- man and a little later became connected with the Hoyt Brothers Company as a molder. A year afterward he went to Sycamore, Illinois, to work in a like capacity and became foreman of a foundry there, but the Hoyt Brothers, appreciating the value of his services, induced him to return and placed him in charge of their foundry in this city. Following the financial panic of 1 393 the Hoyt Brothers became a constituent of the American Wood Work- ing Machinery Company and William Wing was made superintendent of their foundry department, in which capacity he is still serving. He is an expert workman in this line and therefore well able to direct the labors of the men who are employed under him. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Wing was a daughter of Abner and Mary Kinley, and in the paternal line is descended from ancestors from the Isle of Man.
Robert J. Wing is the elder of two children, his sister Mabel being the wife of William Given, of Aurora. He was reared in this city and passing through consecutive grades of the public schools was graduated from the East Aurora high school in 1898. He then took up the study of shorthand and secured a position in the law office of John Kelley. While thus engaged he began the study of law but later spent a year in commercial life. He then resumed preparation for the bar as a law student in the office of and under the direction of Senator Hopkins, and in due course of time was admitted to the bar in 1893, since which time he has been associated with the firm of Hopkins, Peffers & Hopkins. He is yet a young man but his ability is becoming recognized and in course of time he will have established for him- self a place in the leading ranks of the legal fraternity in his native city.
On the 28th of June, 1905. Mr. Wing was united in marriage to Miss Corda Ellen Clark, a daughter of Jerome B. and Delia (Luther) Clark. Politically Mr. Wing is a republican but while keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day has never sought nor desired office. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church and are prominent
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socially, enjoying the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city. They reside at No. 234 South avenue, where Mr. Wing erected an attractive residence in 1902 and he also owns several other residence and city properties here, from which he derives a substantial annual income.
JAMES P. GORDON.
The pen of the biographer has seldom, if ever, a more engaging theme than the life story of a good man who is able to enjoy the sunset and the milder glories of the late evening of his life surrounded by the riches of a prosperous country he has helped to redeem from the waste and develop and improve, ministered to by affectionate kindred and friends, enjoying every comfort and reveling in the strength and beneficence of valued public institu- tions he has aided materially to found and build up to a widely useful matur- ity. Such as this is the life story of James P. Gordon ,one of the venerable pioneers of Kane county and one of its most successful farmers, whose years of life now number eighty-four, and who is well preserved in a hale, vigorous, serene and cheerful old age.
Mr. Gordon's useful and productive life began in Oneida county. New York, September 29. 1824. When he was two years of age his parents removed to the Oneida Indian reservation in the same state, and there the father built a sawmill, which he operated until death ended his labors. After the death of his father the son took charge of the mill and controlled it for a period of twenty-five years.
In 1868 Mr. Gordon became a resident of Kane county, settling on the farm in section 21, Sugar Grove township, which has ever since been his home. He has added to his first purchase until he now owns three hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, all under skillful cultivation and well improved with good buildings and other necessary structures, and also well furnished with all the appliances required for its proper cultivation. Mr. Gordon's parents were born and reared in New Hampshire. He inherited from them the natural shrewdness and indomitable energy of the New Eng- lander along with other traits of character, which united to make him suc- cessful in all his undertakings and a model citizen in all the relations of life.
On January 14, 1850, Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Sarah E. Foster, a schoolmate of his boyhood and youth, and this venerable couple, whose lives flowed in companion channels in their early days, are now passing their declin- ing years together, in the full enjoyment of their beautiful country home half a mile south of Sugar Grove, and in the midst of their children and friends. They have had six children, five of whom are living: Anna, widow of Cor- nelius Hanson, who died in 1904, and she is living with her parents ; Meroe S. and Minnie D., who are also living at home; Daniel J., who resides in another house on his father's farm and helps to cultivate and manage it; and William F., a farmer living half a mile north of Sugar Grove. Nellie, another
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daughter and the late wife of Mr. Humiston, died some years ago and her daughter, Nellie G. Humiston, is a part of the household of her grandparents.
Mr. Gordon is a firm republican in politics and a devout member of the Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal church, as is also his wife. He donated the land on which the church edifice was built and twelve hundred dollars toward its erection; and from the beginning of its history he has been one of its main supports, not only in material substance, but also in moral force and Christian influence.
This venerated patriarch is the last survivor of his father's family. He had two brothers and three sisters, all of whom have passed away. They were : Mary Jane, the wife of Asa McDole; Eliza Ann, the wife of Roswell Cooper ; Daniel B. Gordon; and Dolly Dole and Samuel Gordon. Although he is eighty-four years old, Mr. Gordon is still hale, hearty and very active. All his physical and mental powers are vigorous and he is even now as ener- getic as many a man of fifty. He has always lived a strenuous and busy life, and he is not content now unless he is doing something useful and laborious. He still works in the fields with the other men on the farm, and only last spring (1908), with four horses, plowed many acres of the corn ground.
What a lesson is here for the youth of our country who shrink from hardship and privation as almost the worst of evils, among whom self-denial is often a lost virtue, and who see no dignity and no loftiness in useful labor. It should rebuke all such and recall them to the manliness of our earlier days, when men of mold hewed out their opportunities and made of their very obstacles and difficulties wings and weapons for their own advancement. On the other class of young Americans, those who are in their time and way exemplars of the noble traits which distinguish this "Father in Israel," the lesson will not be lost. It will be a stimulus and an incitement to them, and they will realize that a man who can leave such a record to posterity has rendered his country, his time and his race a service above price.
GEORGE C. WEST.
George C. West, who has recently sold out with the intention of moving to California, formerly operated a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty- five acres in Blackberry township, where he was also extensively engaged in stock-raising. He was born in Chenango county, New York. May 9, 1841, his parents being David and Rachel (Stoddard) West, both of whom were reared at Winsted, Connecticut. In the early '40s David West came to Illi- nois, taking up his abode near Kaneville and undergoing all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. In the early days his home was the stopping place of many of the stockmen who were enroute to Chicago, and he was also quite friendly with the Indians, thus saving the settlers much annoyance by the red men. It was because of his friendship for the Indian chief, Shabbona. that the latter prevented a massacre of the whites. Unto Mr. and Mrs. David West were born the following children: George C., of
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this review; F. J., who lives in Dakotah, Iowa; Theron W., who is engaged in carpentering in California ; and Helen E .. the wife of R. Reeves, an engi- neer residing in Houston, Texas.
George C. West attended the district school until fifteen years of age, and then entered Wheaton College, which he attended for one year. Return- ing to the old homestead farm, he successfully engaged in the cultivation of the fields and in the raising of stock. The place comprised one hundred and sixty-five acres of well improved and valuable land, and Mr. West owned two hundred and twenty head of hogs. His prosperity is well deserved, for he has worked earnestly and persistently year by year. brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determined and honorable effort. In 1864 he raised a company of soldiers for service in the Union army but, owing to the cessation of hostilities shortly afterward, it was not called into action.
On the 5th of March, 1864, Mr. West was united in marriage to Miss Nancy D. McDole, by whom he had the following children : Carrie, the wife of William Philips : Bruce E., a stenographer; Wallace, who is engaged in farming ; Earl D., who follows agricultural pursuits near Aurora; and Erma M.
In his political views Mr. West is a stalwart republican and takes an active interest in the local work of the party, having served for ten years as a school director and for a number of years as road commissioner. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He has in his possession some furniture which was used by his great-great-grandfather. He is well known as a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family and has gained the regard and esteem of all with whom lie has come in contact by reason of his well spent and upright life.
T. B. STEWART.
Among the energetic and successful business men of Aurora is Thomas B. Stewart, president of the First National Bank, who was born in Campton township. Kane county, in 1858. He is the only son of the Hon. John Stewart and Martha ( Thomas) Stewart, the former a native of New Bruns- wick and the latter of Pennsylvania.
Thomas B. Stewart pursued his education in the high schools of Elburn and Geneva. He spent his early life on the homestead farm in Campton township and in 1899, in company with his father and E. F. Goodell, he bought the banking house of Bowman, Warne & Stewart, changing the firm name to John Stewart & Company. In 1900 Mr. Stewart removed to Aurora and in 1905 was elected president of the First National Bank of Aurora, being now at the head of that institution, which was organized in 1863 and is one of the oldest in the state. He is also still connected with the John Stewart Bank at St. Charles.
Mr. Stewart was married in 1884 to Abbie A. Van Derhoof, a daughter of Levi and Esther (Terry) Van Derhoof, and they have two children :
J. B. Stewart
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Esther, now a student at Wellesley College, and John, who is attending the Wisconsin University, at Madison, Wisconsin.
Mr. Stewart belongs to the Masonic lodge at Elburn; to Geneva chapter, R. A. M .; and to Sycamore commandery, K. T. He has always been a consistent republican and interested in the success of his party, serving for twenty years as member of the Kane county republican central committee. There came to him an expression of public trust in his ability and loyal citi- zenship in his election on the 3d of November, 1908, to the state senate. The consensus of public opinion accords him prominence in both political and business lines.
HERMAN RABE.
Herman Rabe, who is doing a profitable and thriving business as a farmer and dairyman in Virgil township, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Kane county, his birth having occurred in the fatherland on the 9th of January, 1866. His parents, Christian and Annie (Freking) Rabe, were likewise natives of that country, the father dying when our sub- ject was quite young. The other members of the family are as follows : Fred, a prosperous farmer of Germany; Henry and William, who are also engaged in farming there ; Charles, who is employed in a factory in New York; Louis, a farmer of Du Page county, Illinois; August, who also follows farming in Plato township, Kane county; and Louise, who died in Germany.
Herman Rabe, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the schools of Germany but was obliged to abandon his studies at the early age of fourteen years, for, as above stated, he lost his father when he was but a young lad and it was, therefore, necessary that he provide for his own support at an early age. He sought and secured work as a farm hand, being thus engaged for some time. At the age of nineteen, having heard favorable reports concerning the advantages and opportunities to be enjoyed in the new world, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States. Upon reaching American shores he at once made his way to Du Page county, Illinois, where for three years he was employed at farm labor.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Rabe was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie Wiese, who was also born in Germany and by her marriage has become the mother of six children: Freddie, Herman. Hellen, Edna, Bernhardt and Matilda, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Following his marriage Mr. Rabe took his bride to Chicago, where they began their domestic life. He worked in that city as a teamster for fifteen years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings in the hope that some day he might engage in business on his own account. He then pur- chased teams, farm implements, and every facility necessary for the conduct of agricultural pursuits and came to Kane county, where he rented a farm. which he has cultivated for the past five years. He is also engaged in dairy- ing, keeping thirty cows on his place. He is meeting with success in his
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undertakings, for he follows the most modern methods of agriculture and the products of his farm find a ready sale on the market. His personal property is valued at five thousand dollars, all of which has been acquired through his own labor, industry and economy.
Mr. Rabe's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give hearty support to the men and measures of democracy. He is a member of the Lutheran church. He has never regretted his determination to seek a home in America, for in this country he has found the opportunities he sought and making the best of his advantages has worked his way up until he is today numbered among the prosperous and progressive citizens of this section of the state.
HARRY L. BAKER.
Harry L. Baker, president of the Cooperative Laundry Company, was born in Townville, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1884. He is one of the younger among the enterprising business men of Aurora, but is rapidly forging to the front, and his ability and energy are enabling him to outdistance many com- petitors. His paternal grandfather, Lewis Baker, lived in Townville. Pennsyl- vania, the greater part of his life, there following the occupation of carpen- tering, and it was in the Keystone state that Albert Baker, the father of our subject, was born and reared. He, too, learned and followed the carpenter's trade and he now makes his home at Waverly. New York. He married Mal- vina Myers, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, as were her parents, John G. and Emeline Myers. Her father was a farmer by occupation and died in Warren county, Ohio, when about seventy years of age. His wife survived him until 1907 and died at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Myers was a soldier of the Civil war, doing faithful duty in the ranks in defense of the Union. His daughter, Malvina, became the wife of Albert Baker and to them have been born two sons and three daughters: Adda. the wife of B. H. Pear- son of Aurora; Gertrude, the wife of Frank W. Shook, of Warren, Ohio; Jessie E .. the wife of Ord D. Gilliland, of Aurora; Harry L., also of this city; and Charles, who died in infancy. The parents are now living at Waverly. New York, and are Presbyterians in religious faith.
Harry L. Baker was largely reared in Ohio and attended the public schools of Warren. He became connected with the laundry business in the employ of his uncles. F. A. and J. D. Myers, of Warren, with whom he con- tinued for four years. Removing to Aurora in 1903. he formed a partnership with O. D. Gilliland and purchased the laundry which he is now operating. The business has been incorporated under the name of the Cooperative Laun- dry Company, with Mr. Baker as president, and twenty people are now employed in the conduct of the business, which is constantly growing in volume and in importance. The latest improved machinery is used. skilled workmen are secured and high grade work is turned out, so that the company is deserving of the success which it is now enjoying.
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Mr. Baker married Miss Agnes Dow, and they are pleasantly located at No. 114 North View street, while in the city where they reside the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them. Politically, Mr. Baker is a republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
DAVID A. WELCH.
The agricultural interests of Kane county are well represented by David A. Welch, who operates a farm of sixty acres, situated in Virgil township. He was born on a farm near Lewisburg, West Virginia, December 19, 1846, a son of William and Catherine (Shafer) Welch, who were likewise natives of West Virginia. The father followed farming as a life work. He removed from his native state to Illinois in 1856, locating on a farm near St. Charles. . He is now deceased and his remains lie buried in Whitney cemetery, near Wasco, Illinois. The children of Mr. and Mrs. William Welch are as follows : Rebecca, the widow of Samuel Whanger, who followed farming near Fulton, Missouri : Mary, who became the wife of Thomas Rich, a resident of Hamp- shire, Illinois, but who is now deceased; Belle, the wife of L. Garvin, a farmer residing near Charter Grove, Kane county ; Sarah, the wife of George Hall, a resident of Elgin, where he works as a stone-mason; Martha, the wife of Everett Hall, residing in Elgin; Margaret, the wife of C. Bradford, a farmer of Kingston, this state; George, who follows farming in Iowa; Columbus, who lives in Burlington township; and Charles, who is engaged in farming at Sycamore, Illinois.
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