USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
WILLIAM A. RUSSELL.
This prosperous farmer and dairyman and influential citizen of Burling- ton township was born September 21. 1854, in sight of his present residence, and has passed practically all his days thus far on the same land. He is the son of Jonas and Rebecca (Esterbrook) Russell, and one of their five chil- dren, three of whom are living, the other two being Albert and George, both farmers in Burlington township, the latter owning and farming a portion of the parental homestead. The two children who died were the daughters of the family, Mary J. and Hannah.
The father of this family was born near Orangeville, New York, and accompanied his parents to Illinois when he was a young man. The family located at Batavia and devoted their energies to farming. As young Jonas Russell grew to manhood he bought a farm in Burlington township, which was but a nucleus for his farther ambitions. By energy, sagacity and strict attention to all his opportunities, he increased his original purchase until he owned six hundred acres of the best land in the township. At his death on October 3, 1906, he left this land highly improved with all the needs and conveniences of a first-class modern farm and in an advanced state of cultiva- tion. He was a prominent and popular man with commanding influence in the affairs of the township, and for many years served the people greatly to their advantage as supervisor, township clerk and justice of the peace. In politics he was a republican, and in fraternal life a member of the Masonic order. His widow, now in her eightieth year, is still living on the homestead, vigorous in health and active in her participation in the duties of the household.
William A. Russell obtained the usual education vouchsafed to country boys of his day and locality. He attended the country school near his home
721
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
in winter, working on the farm in summer until he reached the age of twenty-one. Soon after attaining his majority he was married to Miss Phoebe M. Jones, who was born in the state of New York. They have two children: Freeman, who lives in Burlington; and Fannie P., who is the wife of William Barry, and who, with her husband and one daughter, Blanch Ruth, lives on the farm with her parents.
Mr. Russell's farm consists of one hundred and eighty-six acres and is part of the land formerly owned by his father. Although in good condition when he became possessed of it, he has greatly improved it, keeping pace with the progress in the science and practice of agriculture, and adding to his home all of the comforts, many of the luxuries and much of the artistic adornment of modern country life. His dairy is furnished with the yield of fourteen fine cows and makes a substantial addition to the enjoyments of his home and to the revenues that provide them. The proprietor is a repub- lican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in religious affiliation. No man stands higher in the community, and none is more deserving of the esteem that is universally and freely accorded him.
BYRON S. CORNWALL.
Byron S. Cornwall, a successful farmer and dairyman residing near Lily Lake, was born in Herkimer county, New York, December 26, 1850, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Ewings) Cornwall, both of whom were natives of England, where the father was born in October, 1808, and the mother in 1810. At the age of thirty Thomas Cornwall removed with his family to the United States and located in Herkimer county, New York, where he followed farming. Later he located his family in DeKalb county, Illinois, and, having caught the gold fever, he went alone to California, where he was very successful in gold mining. He remained there for three years, when he returned to the state and purchased a farm near Sycamore, which he later sold and then purchased the farm upon which our subject now resides near Lily Lake. He has made his home in Sycamore for the past fifteen years. He was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics was a stanch republican. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cornwall, five sons and one daughter, namely: William G., a retired farmer, of Harper county, Kansas; Thomas, a medical practitioner, of Sedg- wick, Kansas, where he owns and conducts a drug store; Martha, the widow of Harry Winters, formerly a machinist of Syracuse, Illinois; Alonzo D., a machinist, of Syracuse, Illinois; Fred, a farmer, in Michigan; and Byron S., of this review.
Byron S. Cornwall received his early education in the district schools of DeKalb county, which he attended regularly throughout the winter months up to the time he was eighteen years of age, when he discontinued his studies to devote his entire attention to the work of the farm. He contributed his energies to the general advancement of the family interests until he reached
722
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
the age of twenty-eight years, at which time he rented a farm and began operations in his own behalf. He continued to rent land for the next five years, during which time his success was such that at the end of this interval he was able to make a payment and secure title to two hundred and fifty eight acres of land, one hundred and twenty-eight acres of which he later sold, leaving him in possession of his present home place, consisting of one hundred and thirty acres. The farm is well stocked with fruit, well watered and highly improved, there having been about eight thousand dollars expended in improvements on the place. In addition to his farming interests he also conducts a dairy of twenty cows, of the Holstein and Durham stock.
In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cornwall and Miss Marguerite Hines. who was born in Aurora. Four children have been born to this union, of whom Arthur E., Johnny and Howard reside at home with their parents. Lulu is a teacher in the public schools of Campton town- ship. Politically Mr. Cornwall is a republican. He is a warm friend of the cause of education and has served as school director in his district. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order.
W. J. TYERS.
Among the able members of the Aurora bar is numbered W. J. Tyers, who is one of the native sons of the city, born February 13, 1869. His father, John Tyers, was a native of Northamptonshire, England, his birth having there occurred on the 4th of September, 1831. In his native land he learned and followed the carpenter's trade until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when in 1852, he came to the United States. In 1854 he became a resident of Aurora, where he engaged in business as a contractor and builder, and was also for a number of years connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as a contractor, engaged in the erection of depots and other buildings. He erected many private residences and many public buildings in Aurora and was closely associated with its material progress and improvement. In 1858 he married Sophie Corlett, a native of New York.
W. J. Tyers was educated in the public schools of Aurora, passing through consecutive grades as he mastered the branches of English learning. Eventu- ally he took up the study of law with the firm of Alschuler & Murphy and was admitted to the bar in 1894. In 1897 he was elected city attorney, and was reelected two years later. In 1900 he was elected state's attorney and served for one term. Since that time he has practiced alone in Aurora and has ever maintained the reputation as one of the strongest and ablest lawyers of the bar of this city. During his term as state's attorney he had charge of many impor- tant cases, notably the Romana case, in which the murderer was tried at Geneva and was sentenced to death. The case was appealed to the governor on legal arguments on the grounds of insanity. Mr. Tyers prosecuted the case all through, and the penalty was fixed at death, it being the first legal execu- tion in Illinois for fifty years. Mr. Tyers is strong in argument, mastering
.
W. J. TYERS
725
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
the points of his case with logical precision, while his deductions are sound and his application of legal principles correct. In 1908 he was again nom- inated for state's attorney, although there were four candidates running against him, but his past record won him the nomination.
In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Tyers and Miss Anna Had- den, a native of Bristol, Kendall county, Illinois. Mr. Tyers is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Richly endowed by nature with admirable social qualities, he has, too, the sterling principles which command respect and confidence in every
NICK RILAND.
Nick Riland, a successful agriculturist residing in Virgil township, was born in Luxemburg, October 18, 1850, his parents being William and Barbara (Batender) Riland, both of whom were born in Luxemburg in 1833. They there celebrated their marriage and in 1888 came to America, settling east of Aurora in Kane county, Illinois, where the father remained until the time of his demise in 1897. His wife survived him until 1904, and they are both buried in Aurora. The record of their children is as follows: Mary, whose birth occurred in Luxemburg in 1849, became the wife of Jacob Steffes, an agriculturist, and they reside in Virgil township. Nick, of this review, was the next in order of birth. Cathrina, who was born in Luxemburg in 1851. married William Faber, a farmer by occupation, and they reside at Virgil. Mary, born in 1852, became the wife of Matthew Stark, a laborer residing in Aurora. Lena, whose birth occurred in Luxemburg in 1853, married Carl Hines, who is also a laborer residing in Aurora. John, born in Luxem- burg in 1854, married Miss Mary Wrangler and they make their home in Aurora. Catherina, also a native of Luxemburg, now lives in Austin, Illinois. She is the wife of Pete Miller, who is foreman in the power house. Elizabeth, a native of Luxemburg, became the wife of Frank Obermeyer, a resident of Austin, Illinois.
In 1881 Nick Riland removed from Aurora, Illinois, to his present location in Virgil township, here owning ninety-three acres of well iniproved and productive land. He paid thirty-eight dollars per acre for this tract, but, . owing to its present high state of cultivation and improvement, it is now worth one hundred dollars per acre. In addition to the work of general farming he conducts a dairy, having sixteen cows, and daily delivers thirty-two gal- lons of milk to the creamery. Besides his farm he has personal property to the value of one thousand dollars, and also owns a house and two lots in Maple Park which are worth twelve hundred dollars. He is widely recognized as one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the county and his success is attributable in large measure to his well-directed energy and unwearied industry, guided by sound business judgment.
Mr. Riland was united in marriage. in 1872, to Miss Cathrina Crisman, whose birth occurred in Aurora, July 4. 1853, and by whom he has six chil-
726
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
dren : Jacob, who was born in Aurora in 1875, was married in 1901 to Miss Catherina Wintzen, and now resides at home, being a farmer by occupa- tion. Maggie, born in Aurora in 1877, became the wife of Nick Wintzen and now resides in Virgil township. John, whose birth occurred in Aurora in 1878, is a Catholic priest residing at Chicago Heights. William, a native of Aurora, his natal day being July 31, 1885, is farming in DeKalb county. Mary, who was born in Aurora in 1889. keeps house for her brother at Chicago Heights. Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in Virgil in 1892, is at home.
Mr. Riland is independent in politics, supporting the best men regardless of party affiliation. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Kane county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
CHARLES P. REID, M.D.
Dr. Charles P. Reid, for sixty years a resident of Kane county and for thirty-six years engaged in the practice of medicine. is a representative of the profession whose laudable ambition has prompted him to carry forward the work of investigation and research until his ability places him with the leading physicians of this part of the state. He is, moreover, a man of sym- pathetic nature and kindly spirit-qualities which are always essential in the attainment of the highest success in the practice of medicine and surgery.
Dr. Reid is a native of Frontenac county, Canada, his birth having occurred near Kingston, October 16, 1848. He traces his ancestry back to William Reid, his great-grandfather, who married a Miss Gordon. Both died in Scotland, their native land. The grandfather, John Reid, was for seventeen years a resident of Frontenac county. Canada, making his home near Kingston after his arrival in the new world in 1835. He owned there a farm of two hundred acres and it continued to be his dwelling place until his death, which occurred about 1852. He married Martha Armour, a daughter of William and Margaret Armour, and her death occurred about 1859.
Their son, David Reid, was born near Aiken Claurie, about thirty-five miles south of Glasgow. Scotland, February 13, 1813, and remained a resident of the land of hills and heather until 1833, when he sailed from Campbellton on the vessel Margaret, of Londonderry, which three months later dropped anchor in the harbor of Quebec. It was two years afterward that his parents came to the new world. David Reid resided in Canada until 1848, when, on a prospecting tour, he visited Kane county, Illinois, and made investment in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hampshire township. He then returned to his old home but in the spring of 1850 took
727
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
up liis permanent abode in this county, spending more than a half century upon the farm which he first purchased. At different times he added to his property until he became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres, but, selling a portion of this, he owned at the time of his death the south half of section 17. He reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years, passing away in 1901. He was married in Canada to Olive Powley, whose birth occurred in Frontenac county in April, 1813, and who passed away on the old family homestead in Hampshire township, this county, in 1871. Her father, William Powley, a native of Pennsylvania, attained the age of ninety years. His parents lived in America prior to the Revolutionary war, but after the close of that struggle returned to Germany, their native country, where they spent several years and then came again to the new world. Will- iam Powley married Elizabeth Hoffman, and about the time of the out- break of the war of 1812 removed to Canada, where he purchased land and carried on farming throughout his remaining days. It was his daughter Olive who became the wife of David Reid, and three of their children still sur- vive: John, a banker of Kansas; Charles P .; and Martha, who is the wife of Alexander R. Walker and yet lives upon the old family homestead.
Brought to Kane county during his infancy, Dr. Reid pursued his early education in the public schools of Hampshire and afterward attended the Elgin Academy and Clark Seminary, now Jennings Seminary, in Aurora. He engaged in teaching school during six winter terms and in the summer months devoted his time and energies to farming. In the meantime he began reading medicine, preparatory to making its practice his life work. He pursued his studies privately for a time, and then continued his reading under the direction of Dr. Kelly, of Elgin, prior to his matriculation in the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1872. He was also a student in the Pharmaceutical College of Chicago and after suc- cessfully passing his examination there, devoted three years to the practice of pharmacy in that city.
Dr. Reid located for the practice of medicine in Hampshire in 1875 and there continued until 1888, after which he joined his brother in Kansas City, Kansas, continuing a member of the medical profession at that point until 1894. He then returned to Hampshire and has since enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, to which his ability well entitles him. He reads broadly, thinks deeply and makes correct application of his knowledge to the needs of his patients. In the summer of 1898 he pursued a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic College of Chicago, where he obtained broad knowledge of the improved methods of medical and surgical practice. He was again a student there in 1903 and 1907, and he also did post-graduate work in the Herring Hospital in Chicago in 1907.
Dr. Reid is interested in various scientific subjects and possesses not a little inventive genius. His ability in this direction has resulted in several tangible forms, one of his inventions being an improved electric alarm, which not only gives warning at the entrance of a burglar, but also when the wires are cut or disabled-in which regard it is an improvement upon other inventions of a similar character.
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
On the 6th of February. 1877, occurred the marriage of Dr. Reid and Miss Rosamond Heath, who was born in Germany, and died in Kansas City, Kansas, August 16, 1899, leaving a son, Guy, while two children, Olive and Mayne, died in infancy. In 1898 Guy Reid joined Company E of the Third Illinois Regiment, which went from Elgin to Porto Rico and served during the Spanish-American war. He was subsequently for four years in the United States navy on the battleship Missouri, and was hon- orably discharged in October, 1907. He was on guard at the time of the explosion on that ship but, fortunately, was not seriously injured. Prior to his enlistment he was in the employ of Marshall Field & Company of Chi- cago, and since his retirement from the army he has been bookkeeper for the United Cigar Stores Company at Boston, Massachusetts, where he is now located.
Dr. Reid is a Mason and has filled all of the offices in the lodge at Hamp- shire. He has likewise taken the degrees of the chapter and commandery and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. His name is also on the membership rolls of the Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees. In community affairs he has been an influential factor and the village acknowl- edges its indebtedness to him for valuable services in its behalf. He has been a member of the village board for nineteen years, acting as president during much of this time, and for twelve years has been a member of the school board. On the expiration of his present term as a member of the board of supervisors, he will have served for ten years in that capacity. While a pro- gressive and helpful citizen and a friend who delights in social interests, he yet regards the practice of medicine as his chief life work and allows naught to interfere with the prompt and capable performance of his duties in that con- nection. He is a member of the various eclectic medical societies, has been vice president of the State Eclectic Society and also keeps in touch with and attends the meetings of the regular and homeopathic societies. In his prac- tice he has been remarkably successful in obstetrical, typhoid and diphtheria cases and the profession as well as the general public entertains high regard for his ability.
C. T. McBRIARTY.
C. T. MeBriarty, conducting a fire insurance and real-estate agency in Elgin, his native city, was born May 31, 1861, a son of Anthony and Mar- garet ( Kenealy) McBriarty. The father was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and the mother of Limerick, Ireland, and on coming to this country about 1835 they settled in New Jersey.
The father was a morocco finisher and expert worker in fine leather. The year 1849 witnessed his arrival in Elgin, where he was employed in a tannery upon the present site of Borden's Condensed Milk factory. Here he continued in business until his demise, which occurred in January, 1879. He is still survived by his wife, who yet makes her home in Elgin. Anthony
729
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
McBriarty served as a soldier in the Mexican war and was also a member of Mulligan's Irish Brigade and for four years was thus connected with the Union army in the Civil war. At Lexington, Missouri, he was captured but subsequently was paroled and returned home with a blanket around him, having no clothing. After the reorganization of the regiment he was in Mulligan's Brigade in the Hancock Corps and went to Washington, D. C., where he witnessed the hanging of Mrs. Surratt, who was hanged as an accessory in the assassination of President Lincoln, Mr. McBriarty being on military duty at the time of the execution. Several times while at the front he was wounded and left the army with a number of scars, which were badges of honor, showing that he was ever fearless in defense of the stars and stripes. He had all of the experiences of warfare, including the long hard marches and the lack of food, together with the active duty in the face of the enemy's fire. He held the rank of first lieutenant in Mulligan's Brigade and was a splendid specimen of humanity, standing six feet one inch in height and manifesting the most commendable soldierly qualities. The grandfather of our subject in the maternal line was Thomas McMahon, Lord Mayor of Limerick. Ireland.
C. T. McBriarty, after attending the Elgin public schools, studied law with James Coleman and John Brown for four years. He worked into the insurance and real-estate business and has since continued in this line, being formerly a member of the firm of Coleman & McBriarty. He is now alone in business and represents the Metropolitan of Chicago, the German of Pitts- burg, the Western, also of that city, the National of Allegheny. City of New York, of New York, the Northwestern Fire of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Allegheny, of Pennsylvania, all fire insurance companies, and has built up a fine business. He also handles considerable real estate and has negotiated many important realty transfers.
On the 17th of April, 1901, Mr. McBriarty was married to Miss Louise B. Weeks, of St. Charles, Illinois, and they have four children, Minnie C .. Margaret L., Helen M. and Charles A. The parents are communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Mr. McBriarty is a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles, the Red Men and the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Columbus. Unfaltering perseverance and determination constitute the salient elements in his success, combined with an alert, enterprising spirit that enables him to see and grasp his opportunity.
HENRY PLATT.
Henry Platt, successfully conducting a plumbing and heating establish- ment in Elgin, is a native of Germany, his birth having there occurred on the 25th of October, 1871. His parents, Louis and Mary ( Bloemeke ) Platt, were also natives of the fatherland, born in the years 1840 and 1843 re- spectively. The father was a well digger. In 1880, in company with his fam-
730
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
ily, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way direct to Elgin, Kane county, where he still resides.
Henry Platt supplemented the education which he had acquired in his native land by attending the public schools of Elgin, and after putting aside his text-books followed the cooper's trade for five years. He then learned the plumbing business and in 1894 started out in this line on his own account. opening a shop in Elgin in partnership with Mr. O'Flahrity. This connection continued until 1897, when the partneship was dissolved and Mr. Platt bought out the business of James O'Connell on Grove avenue, there continuing for three years. Subsequently he removed to his present location at No. 50 Doug- las avenue and has here since conducted a sanitary plumbing and heating estab- lishment, meeting with a gratifying and well-merited measure of prosperity in his undertakings.
On the 27th of April, 1899, Mr. Platt was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary F. Brenner, a daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Odebrecht) Brenner, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. One child has been born to this union, Agnes Dorathy, whose birth occurred in March, 1901.
In his political views Mr. Platt is a stanch republican, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the German Methodist church. He is highly respected and esteemed throughout the community as a man of excellent business ability and genuine personal worth, whose aid and influence are always given on the side of improvement and upbuilding.
CHARLES EHORN.
Charles Ehorn, deceased, was one of the representative farmers of Kane county, and although born on the other side of the Atlantic he was a faith- ful and loyal citizen, fighting for the preservation of the Union when the country became involved in civil strife. He was a native of Germany, his natal day being February 5, 1846. and he spent the first fifteen years of his life in the fatherland, where he was given a good practical education. His father was a merchant of that country.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.