USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 76
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While Mr. Johnson long continued to engage in general farming in order to provide for his family he has in the later years of his life retired from active business and is now enjoying well earned rest in Fulton. He well deserves mention among the honored pioneer settlers of the county for his memory forms the connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. and for more than three score years and ten he has been an interested witness of what has been accomplished in this part of the state. He has borne his full share in a work of general development and has been particularly helpful in promoting the agricultural progress of Kane county.
WILLIAM P. TOPPING.
William P. Topping, superintendent of the D. C. Cook Publishing Com- pany of Elgin, was born near Darien, Wisconsin, December 4, 1870, his parents being Nelson H. and Evaline ( Palmer) Topping. Josiah Topping. the grandfather, removed to Sharon township, Walworth county, Wisconsin. in 1840, thus becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that part of the state. His home was the first frame house in that section of Wisconsin, and the nearest postoffice was Darien. He was a member of the first Wis- consin territorial legislature and took a prominent and influential part in the early development and upbuilding of the locality. His brother, Henry, who was a minister of the gospel, went to Wisconsin in 1840, and shortly after- ward several more of his brothers removed to the Badger state, settling in Delavan, Walworth county. Josiah Topping followed farming throughout his active business career and his labors were an important element in the agricultural development of his community. The representatives of the family are numerous and prosperous, and have taken an important and prominent part in the upbuilding and progress of Walworth county, Wiscon- sin. Nelson H. Topping, the father of our subject, was born on the roth of April, 1837, at Sharon Springs, New York, and was two and a half years of age when brought by his parents to Wisconsin. On the 8th of May, 1867. he wedded Miss Evaline Palmer, a daughter of Philip and Lucinda (Potter) Palmer. Her father, who was born in Macedon. Wayne county, New York, was a miller by trade and also carried on agricultural pursuits to some extent. At Williamson, Wayne county, New York, he likewise engaged in business as a commission merchant. His demise occurred on the 9th of June, 1887, while his wife. who was born May 11, 1815. passed away in 1886. Nelson Topping died in Elgin, Illinois, January 3. 1904.
William P. Topping acquired his education in the schools of Darien, and when eighteen years of age became engaged in the creamery business. Subsequently he was employed by the D. C. Cook Publishing Company, of Elgin, as bookkeeper and assistant superintendent. His capability and fidelity in the discharge of his duties won him promotion to the position of
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superintendent, which he now holds, and he is well known and highly esteemed as one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community.
On the 24th of December, 1891, Mr. Topping was united in marriage to Miss Grace May Marsh, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Rebecca (Elmore) Marsh, of Elgin. They have two children, Gladys Marsh and Mildred Evelyn. Mrs. Grace Topping's grandfather, Rev. David W. Elmore, was one of the pioneer Baptist ministers in Kane county, coming from Albany, New York, in 1836, settling on a large farm in the beautiful Fox River valley, between Elgin and St. Charles. Most of the Baptist churches now existing in the various cities and villages in Kane county, lying upon the Fox river, were organized by this man. On the 29th day of July, 1854, a life which had been devoted to others' good was suddenly quenched by lightning's swift stroke.
AUGUSTUS W. CHAPMAN.
Augustus W. Chapman has reached the advanced age of eighty years. and is one of Kane county's most respected as well as most venerable cit- izens. He was born in Chemung county, New York, March 3, 1828. His father, Charles Chapman, was born near Utica, New York, and in that locality married Miss Elizabeth Tanner, a native of the same neighborhood. They were married December 24, 1815, and remained farming people of the Empire state until called to their final rest. His death occurred Decem- ber 2, 1841, when he was forty-nine years of age, while his wife died Decem- ber 1, 1860, at the age of sixty-seven years. Their children were Henry, who died in Sugar Grove township in 1895; Maria, who became the wife of G. F. Shafer, but both died in Nebraska; Albert G., who died in Coles county, Illinois, where he had resided for some time; Hannah, who passed away at the age of twenty-one years; William B., who spent his entire life in Chemung county, New York; Augustus W .; Amanda, who died at the age of twenty years; and James R., who died at Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Augustus W. Chapman was only thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He had previously attended the district school of the neighborhood for a few terms, but after his father's demise he assisted his mother in carrying on the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty-five years. He then decided to seek his fortune in the far west. Sev- eral years before his brother, Henry Chapman, had come to Illinois and had located a homestead in Sugar Grove township, Kane county, in 1844. His glowing accounts of the state and its possibilities attracted A. W. Chapman and in November, 1853, he arrived in this county, hoping to enjoy the benefits which he had been told could be secured here.
Before his removal to the west Mr. Chapman was married on the 8th of June. 1853, to Miss D. J. Van Duzer, a native of Sullivan county, New York. After reaching this state Mr. Chapman purchased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 10. Big Rock township, and
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
there began farming on his own account, making that place his home for forty years, during which time he brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and gathered therefrom rich crops, the sale of which made him one of the substantial farmers of the county. In the spring of 1893. however, he rented the farm and built a house in the village of Big Rock. taking up his abode there in order to spend the evening of his life in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. In addition to the tilling of the soil Jie had engaged also in stockraising, and his diligence and industry in busi- ness affairs gained him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He still owns three hundred acres of land in sections 10 and 11, Big Rock township, and from the rental of this property derives a substantial yearly income.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born four children: Albert V., who was born in 1857 and is living in California; Alice E., wife of W. D. Powell and a twin sister of Albert, living at home with her father; Samuel A., who was born in 1863 and occupies the old homestead farm; and Will- iam H., who was born in 1866 and lives on a farm on section 10, Big Rock township.
Mr. Chapman has several times been called to serve in public offices. He was supervisor of Big Rock township for a period of eight years. has been justice of the peace, was school trustee for several years, and is now a notary public. He always discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity so that his official record is creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. For fifty-five years he has been a resident of Kane county and has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the middle west for here he found good opportunities and has gradually worked his way upward, having for many years been classed with the representative agriculturists of the community. He is today enjoying pros- perity that is the just reward of his labor, and, at the same time, he has the full respect of his fellow citizens, who know that his life has ever heen honorable and upright. Many changes have occurred during his residence here for at his arrival comparatively few roads had been laid out and much of the prairie was still covered with its native grasses. It was customary also to ford the streams but as the years have passed there has been a marked advance in the mode of living and Mr. Chapman rejoices in what has been accomplished.
CHARLES CLIFFORD HINCKLEY.
Charles Clifford Hinckley, city electrician and proprietor of a machine shop in Aurora, belongs to that class of men whose industry and enterprise constitute salient features in their life work. His activity and his faithfulness in positions of public trust make him a valued resident of the community. He was born in Winsted, Connecticut, January 1, 1854, his parents being George W. and Jane ( Tatro) Hinckley, the former a native of Berkshire county, New York, and the latter of Winsted, Connecticut. The family is descended from
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two brothers, Thomas and Silas Hinckley, who on crossing the Atlantic landed at Cape Cod in colonial days. George W. Hinckley was only nine years of age when left an orphan and was reared by an uncle and aunt. He left the east in 1883, making his way from Hartford, Connecticut, to Aurora, Illinois, where he became pattern maker for the Aurora Watch company. Here he died at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1883. at the age of fifty-nine years. Both were Episcopalians in religions faith. Mrs. Hinckley was a daughter of Peter Tatro, who was an old sea captain and lived for many years at Winsted, Connecticut, but died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hinckley, in Hart- ford, Connecticut, at the age of ninety-seven years. He married a Miss Rock and she, too, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley when ninety-four years of age. They were the parents of thirteen children.
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hinckley had a family of four sons and four daughters, as follows: Silas William, deceased; Charles Clifford, of this review : George Everett, who has also passed away ; Henry Dwight, of Hart- ford, Connecticut ; Emily Jane, the wife of Elton E. Ackley, of Middletown, Connecticut ; Clara Louise, the wife of George Campbell, of Aurora, Illinois ; Sarah Wells, who became the wife of Lincoln Iliff and resides in Aurora; Anna Elizabeth, the wife of Harry H. Castleman, of Aurora.
Charles Clifford Hinckley was reared in Hartford, Connecticut, and mas- tered the branches of learning taught in the public schools there. On putting aside his text- books he entered Colt's Armory in Hartford, but soon afterward went to sea from Marblehead, Massachusetts. He made one trip to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, the voyage covering six months, but that served to convince him that he did not wish to follow cod fishing as a life work. He then turned his attention to the mastery of the business of watch man- ufacturing in the employ of E. Howard & Company, of Boston, the oldest watch manufacturing company in the country. There he remained for nearly four years, after which he went to Waltham, Massachusetts, and was in the employ of the Waltham Watch Manufacturing Company for about a year. He was afterward connected with the United States Watch Company, at Marion, New Jersey, and later entered the employ of the New York Watch Company at Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1872 he made his way westward to Grand Crossing, Illinois, and was with the Cornell Watch Company until he became connected with the Rockford Watch Company. He was afterward with the Illinois Watch Company at Springfield. being there employed as the model watch maker and inventor, bringing out their new models of various kinds. While there he made the model of the Aurora watch and in June. 1883. he came to Aurora and was one of the organizers of the Aurora Watch Com- pany, with which he was connected for three years. He then began manufacturing on his own account and now conducts a machine shop at No. 172 Middle avenue, where he employs a number of workmen in the conduct of a prosperous and growing business.
On the 19th of August, 1876, Mr. Hinckley was married to Miss Mary J. Stothard, a daughter of William Stothard, of Rockford. They became the parents of two sons and a daughter. George Clifford, the eldest, is an
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engineer in the employ of the Western Electric Company and Manufacturers' Junction Railway. He built that road and is its general manager. He married Catharine Hull, of Aurora. and they have one daughter. Blanche Ethel is the wife of R. D. Smith, formerly of Plano, Illinois, but now of Chicago, and they have one son, Clifford Hinckley Smith. Charles Stothard, the youngest of the family, is at home. The elder son is a graduate of the Illinois University. Mrs. Hinckley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hinckley is a prominent Mason, belonging to Aurora Lodge. No. 254, A. F. & A. M .. Aurora Chapter. No. 22, R. A. M., Aurora Council, No. 45, R. & S. M., Aurora Commandery, No. 22. K. T., and to Tebala Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Rockford. He is a past commander of the commandery and a past president of the board of control in Masonry in Aurora. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he belongs to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, together with several other organizations. His father was one of the oldest Odd Fellows of Con- necticut, connected with the order for fifty-two years, becoming a charter member of Charter Oak Lodge No. I. Politically Mr. Hinckley is a republi- can and served for one term on the board of public works. while for the past twelve years he has been city electrician. Few men have more intimate knowledge of mechanical pursuits or have more pronounced skill and ingen- uity in those lines. He is conducting an excellent business, while as an office holder his long retention in the position is proof of his ability and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM SWEET NILES.
William Sweet Niles was born December 19, 1819, in the town of Berlin, Rensselaer county. New York. He was the son of Samuel Niles and Hannah Maine. His mother died when he was but four years of age, and from that time until the father changed his residence he lived with his grandparents, who were farmers, experiencing pioneer life in the forests of eastern New York. They lived in a log cabin and cooked their food by the fire-place. Flour was not used by them, corn being the only bread material of that country. Many times did he walk two miles and back through the dense woods, where wild animals were numerous, to get milk with which his grandmother prepared corn bread for their meal. About the year 1830 Samuel Niles removed to Jefferson county. New York, and purchased a farm, taking his son. William, with him.
This locality was his home until his marriage, when he wedded Julia Ann Makepeace, a daughter of Thomas Makepeace and Anna Plumb. who was born October 1, 1823, in the town of Pamelia. Jefferson county, New York. Julia A. was a member of a large family, she being the seventh (laughter who, with one exception, were school teachers. Her Grandfather Makepeace was a resident of Massachusetts and a soldier in the Revolution-
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ary war. This family also were pioneers and were reared in a frugal manner, yet each member became intelligent and respected citizens.
William S. Niles and Julia Ann Makepeace were married in April, 1847, and came to Illinois by way of the lakes in the fall of that year, being seven- teen days on their journey. From Chicago they came with team to the Tanner farm in Kane county, Illinois, Mrs. William A. Tanner being a sister of Mrs. Niles, who had preceded her to this then new country some ten years. Soon after their arrival in Illinois, they purchased a farm in the township of Sugar Grove and there lived until a few years previous to their deaths. As they became enfeebled with age, they rented their farm and moved in Blackberry township, this county, in order to be near their eldest daughter, Mrs. Helen I. Davenport. At this place Mrs. Niles passed away July 30, 1885, leaving three daughters, who were Helen I. Davenport, Lizzie A. McDole, and Ada L. Niles, but later Ada Purdum, also one grandchild, Stanley Makepeace McDole, three others, Kenneth Niles McDole, William Taylor Purdum and Helen Lenore Purdum, having been born since. Mrs. Niles was a woman of sterling character, excellent memory and was loved and admired by all who knew her.
William Niles lived for a time with his daughter, Helen, after his wife's death, but later went to Frank McDole's, who was living on his farm and was the husband of his daughter Lizzie. After several months of sickness he died on the farm where he had lived nearly fifty years. His death occurred November 20, 1896. He was a kind parent and a good neighbor and of a cheerful disposition.
JOSHUA READ.
When the history of Kane county is written it will record the names of none who have been more respected or have played a more important part in shaping the early development and later progress of the district than has the Read family. Since Joshua Read came to the county in 1838 he and his descendants have been active factors, especially in the agricultural development and in upholding the political, legal and moral status of the community.
Joshua Read was born in New Brunswick in 1783. His father was William Read, who spent his entire life in Canada and the mother in her maidenhood bore the name of Casey. Three brothers of the Read family came to America with the Massachusetts Bay colony. One of these was Eliphalet Read, who was the direct ancestor, in the third generation removed, of Joshua Read. He served with a military company, known as "Dank's Devils," and was at Quebec under Wolfe, where the corps was instructed not to shoot at Frenchmen until they could see the whites of their eyes- in other words, they were to be near enough so that they would be sure to kill. Another of the three brothers, who came to America and founded a family in the new world, was George Read, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
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Spending his boyhood days in the east. Joshua Read sought a home in the middle west in 1838, arriving in Kane county in the month of October. the journey westward being made by way of the Erie canal. He settled in Virgil township and sent his son, Eliphalet Read, to the first land sale at Freeport. The son covered the entire distance on foot and bought nearly three thousand acres of land. all of which is still in possession of the family, except two tracts,-one of six hundred and forty acres and one of three hundred acres. The remainder of more than two thousand acres is yet owned by the descendants of Joshua Read.
In early manhood, Joshua Read married Miss Priscilla Chapelle, a daughter of Charles and Hannah ( Sommers ) Chapelle, the former of French and the latter of Holland Dutch descent. The Chapelle family was a very prominent one in Canada, and the old family homestead there had been in their possession for over three hundred years. Under Mr. and Mrs. Read were born twelve children: Eliphalet, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Ruth, who was born in 1810, and died in 1874: Charles, who was born in 1812 and married Adaline Baxter, who died in 1906. while his death occurred in 1894; Maria, who was the wife of Orson Kendall and died in 1893; Hannah, a resident of New Brunswick; Joseph, who married Nancy Cady: Richmond, who wedded Miranda Sweet; Elizabeth. the wife of James Outhouse : George Henry, who married Marian Worcester : Albert. who married Catherine Sweet; Otho R., who married Rosaria Crane; and Susan, the wife of Josiah Pride. None of this family are now living.
When Joshua Read came to Kane county it was still a pioneer district in which comparatively few settlements had been made. The land was yet largely uncultivated, the trees were uncut and the streams, unbridged; but there came to the county a band of resolute pioneer settlers who soon con- verted the district into an improved region. Mr. Read bore his full share in the work of development and many acres of land were brought under cultivation as the result of the care and labor which he bestowed upon his extensive farm. He reared a family of children who were a credit and honor to his name. He and other members of the family bought land in Kane and DeKalb counties, subsequent to the original purchase, and were well known as leading representatives of agricultural and other business interests. Father and sons were all prominent in the affairs of the com- munity and left their impress for good upon the general development and improvement.
In the early days Joshua Read gave his political support to the whig party. His son Otho was the first township treasurer in Virgil township. and filled the office for over a half century. He was also for many years county supervisor from Virgil township and when elected treasurer he was but nineteen years of age. No movement for the general welfare failed to elicit the interest and support of the Read family and no history of Kane county will be complete without extensive mention of them. Joshua Read conducted the first religious services that were held in Virgil township. the place of meeting being his own home. From that time his residence was used as a place of worship until a church was built. He founded the first
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church-of the Baptist denomination-now located at Maple Park. He was noted for his extreme justice and fairness in all things and he always stood for the right, never making any compromise with that which was wrong. intolerant or dishonest. At his death, which occurred in 1847. he left a memory which is still cherished and honored by those who knew him.
CHARLES W. SADLER.
Charles W. Sadler, a successful agriculturist residing in Kaneville town- ship, was born in Neponset township, Bureau county, Illinois, on the 12th of March, 1859. His grandfather, William Sadler, came to Henry county, Illinois, in 1855. settling on a farm in Wethersfield township, where he made his home until called to his final rest in 1869. His wife, a native of Eng- land. passed away at Neponset, Illinois, in 1870.
Their son, William Sadler, the father of our subject, was born in Hull, England, in 1820, and was married in his native land in 1852. The follow- ing year, in company with his wife, he emigrated to America, locating in Henry county, Illinois, where for three years he lived on a farm in a little log cabin. Subsequently he took up his abode near Neponset. Bureau county, where he rented the William Arnett farm for a few years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land four miles from Nepon- set, and here made his home until the time of his demise on the 7th of March, 1892. He had been ordained as a Methodist minister in England, and for thirty-seven years preached the gospel, also carrying on his farming interests during most of this time. He was a man of good education and strong religious convictions-one who led a most exemplary and upright life and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He had nine brothers, five of whom were soldiers in the Civil war, serving until honorably dis- charged at the close of hostilities. His brother Joseph was wounded at the battle of Bull Run.
The mother of Charles W. Sadler died on the 7th of October, 1881, when her youngest child, a daughter, was seven years of age. Calling her son Charles W. to her bedside just before the final summons came, she received his promise to care for his little sister. It has been a source of gratification to him that he has been able to faithfully fulfill this promise. having aided the young girl in obtaining a good education and provided her with all necessary comforts until she attained mature years.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. William Sadler, in addition to our sub- ject, were as follows: Anna, the wife of A. D. Arkland, of Los Angeles, California ; John T., who resides in Bradford, Stark county, Illinois; Sarah, the deceased wife of Silas Seeley: Mary Ellen, the wife of Dr. William Barber, of Nance county, Nebraska; Martha, who is the wife of John W. Black and makes her home in Bradford, Illinois; and Josephine, the wife of Charles Stone, of Neponset. Illinois.
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Charles W. Sadler attended the district schools in his early boyhood and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. After the death of his parents he was appointed administrator of the estate. When the farm had been sold and the proceeds divided among the heirs, he took up his abode on a farm near Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, where he was suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits for nine years. In March, 1905. he came to Kane county, and has since been engaged in the operation of a two hundred-acre tract of land near Kaneville, this being one of the best farms in the county. The fields annually return golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them, and he is well known as a progressive agriculturist and enterprising citizen of the community.
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