USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 77
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On the 14th of March, 1894, Mr. Sadler was united in marriage to Miss Alice H. Gardner, a native of Peoria county, Illinois, and a daughter of Reuben Gardner, a native of New York. The latter served for three years in the Civil war. He was married November 10, 1863, to Mary F. Townsend, who was born in Indiana but spent most of her life until married in the state of Missouri. They now reside at Neponset, Illinois. Mrs. Sadler's maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hannah McGee, is still living at the age of eighty-four years and resides in Buda, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sadler have one child. Verna Fay, whose birth occurred November 21. 1900, and who is now attending the Kaneville school.
In his political views Mr. Sadler is a stanch republican, while fratern- ally he is connected with the Yeomen and the Royal Americans. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. in the work of which she is actively and helpfully interested.
WILLIAM H. DENNEY.
William H. Denney spent his entire life on what is known as the Denney homestead on section 3, Sugar Grove township. He early learned the value of industry and thrift as factors in achieving success and while he care- fully conducted his business affairs, he also guided his life by honorable, manly principles. He was born September 3, 1841, on the farm on section 3, Sugar Grove township, which is still owned and occupied by his heirs. He was the son of John H. and Nancy ( Snook) Denney. both of whom were natives of the state of New York. William H. Denney always resided upon the farm where he was born and as his age and strength increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields. On the Ist of January, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A. Senska, who was born in Rockford. Illinois, and was a daughter of Francis Senska, a native of Poland who was banished with many of his countrymen to Siberia as a political prisoner, but made his escape and came to America. He mar- ried a lady in the state of New York who was of Irish descent and soon afterward they removed to DeKalb county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, continuing its cultivation until his death in 1864. His wife lived to
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the very remarkable old age of ninety-nine years and passed away in AAugust, 1903, having lived for many years with her daughter, Mrs. William H. Denney.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denney have been born the following named : Lottie May, who was born July 19, 1872, and is the wife of E. J. Danker, of Hay- ward, Wisconsin ; Clarence Fay, who was born May 5, 1874, and now carries on the home farm; George Earl, who was born December II, 1875; Edward Ray, who was born April 20, 1878; and Lettie Golda, who was born May 5, 1881, and is now engaged in teaching in Sugar Grove township. She was graduated from the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial School in June, 1899, and bears the reputation of being one of the most thorough and efficient common-school teachers in the township.
The death of Mr. Denney occurred March 27, 1888, and was the oc- casion of deep regret to many friends as well as his immediate family. He had lived a most active life and as the years passed became a prosperous farmer, owning and cultivating one hundred and seventy-six acres of rich and productive land in Sugar Grove township which is still the property of his widow and children. He made good improvements on the place and added to it all modern accessories and conveniences. In all his business affairs he was straightforward and reliable and commanded the confidence and good will of those with whom he was associated. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he served as township collector and also as school director for many years. The aid which he gave to public interests was of a practical character, bringing results which were beneficial and far-reaching. Since her husband's death Mrs. Denney has reared her family to lives of usefulness and they are now occupying creditable places in various stations. The family is well known in the community, and its members are well known socially as well as in a business way.
FRANK M. O'FLAHERTY.
Frank M. O'Flaherty, who is successfully engaged in the plumbing busi- ness in Elgin, was born in that city on the 28th of January, 1856, and is a son of Patrick T. and Eliza F. (Mann) O'Flaherty, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Reared in Elgin, our subject is indebted to the public and high schools of this city for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his boyhood and youth. He also attended the Elgin Academy for a time.
On leaving school Mr. O'Flaherty began learning the plumber's trade in the employ of the gas company, with which he was connected from 1874 until 1880, and during the following year he traveled quite extensively throughout the west. In 1884 he again entered the service of the gas com- pany, remaining with them until 1888. He was next in the employ of J. R. Scanlan, a plumber, but in 1903 he and his brother, Leo F. O'Flaherty, formed a partnership and embarked in business on their own account,
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opening a store at the corner of DuPage street and Grove avenue. Elgin. where they are still located. They do an extensive business as general plumbers, gas, steam and hot water fitters, and they have built up their trade through reliable dealing and first-class work.
On the 8th of June, 1898, Mr. O'Flaherty was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frisby, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen ( Knox) Frisby. Her father died April 13, 1873. lacking only one month of being forty years of age, but her mother is still living and continues to make her home in McHenry.
In politics Mr. O'Flaherty is independent and takes no active part in public affairs, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business. He holds membership in the Catholic church and the Catholic Order of Foresters and in that fraternal order has held all the offices up to vice chief ranger. He is also connected with the Master Plumbers Association. He has a pleasant residence at No. 115 Summit street, and finds his greatest pleasure in his home.
ALBERT J. DENNEY.
Albert J. Denney, member of the firm of Denney & Denney, furniture dealers and undertakers, of Aurora, possesses those qualifications so essential in the conduct of successful mercantile interests. In addition to keen busi- ness discernment and executive force, he has a knowledge of the market and the public taste, which has come through close study and logical deductions derived from his long experience. A native of Aurora, he commands the respect which is accorded him as a straightforward and prosperous business man, and is a loyal and progressive citizen.
He was born November 28, 1856, his parents being Joseph and Emeline (Elliott ) Denny, the former a native of Kirby Moorside. England, and the latter of Kane county, Illinois, she being the first white female child born in the county. Joseph Denny was a son of Joseph Denny Sr .. a cabinetmaker and builder of Kirby Moorside in Yorkshire, England. In 1856 he came to America with his son. William Halifield. Ebenezer and Thomas, and lived retired in Aurora to his death, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife was Mrs. Mary Denney and their family numbered five sons, including Joseph Denney, Jr., who learned and followed the cabinetmaker's trade in England. Coming to America in 1851, he settled in Aurora and in the fall of that year he established a furniture store, which he conducted until he retired from the business in 1894. He was for many years a most prominent merchant of the city and one whose success is the merited reward of his close application and excellent administrative direction. He died in this city in 1906. at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow, who still survives him, has reached the age of seventy-two years. She was a daughter of William Elliott, a native of Connecticut, who in 1834 arrived in Aurora and took up govern- ment land on the east side of the river. above Montgomery. He was a black-
A. J. DENNEY
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smith by trade and died at the age of eighty years. He married Rebecca Pierce, a member of the old Pierce family of Oswego, Illinois, and she, too, passed away at the age of eighty years. They had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters: Emeline; Homer, of Minneapolis; John, of Aurora; Frank M., a physician of this city; William, who is living in Riverside, California; Mrs. Sarah Keck, of Aurora; and Byron, deceased.
The family of Joseph and Emeline (Elliott) Denney numbered five children. Albert J., William W., Sarah, the widow of Ralph Danford; Charles, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Frank, of Aurora. The mother still sur- vives, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Denney was a member of the First Congregational church and was for a long period one of its deacons, while in the work of the church in all of its departments he was actively interested. He was the first of his family to come to this county, but was followed later by the other members. He never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and which, by the way, are always open to ambitious young men. Through the improvement of the chances that came to him he worked his way upward, winning a gratifying measure of prosperity as the years went by and at the same time gaining the confidence of his fellow townsmen by his honorable methods.
Albert J. Denney, whose name introduces this review, has spent his entire life in Aurora. He was graduated from the east side high school and afterward served an apprenticeship of five years at the upholstering and undertaking business. He then accepted a position in the store of Denney Brothers and in 1882 was admitted to a partnership. Subsequently he pur- chased his father's interest and he and his uncle, Ebenezer Denney, bought the share of the others in the store, the firm name being changed to Denney & Denney. That relation was maintained until 1907, at which time Robert and Albert Denney, sons of our subject, purchased the interest of his uncle, Ebenezer Denney, and became partners, but the old firm name was retained. The business has had a continuous existence here since 1851, or for a period of fifty-seven consecutive years. Twice the store has been partially destroyed by fire, but has overcome all the obstacles that have had to be encountered and the business has grown year after year. the enterprise being long one of the foremost commercial interests of the city. They carry all kinds of up-to-date furniture and undertakers' goods and receive a liberal patronage in both departments.
On the 18th of October, 1882, Albert J. Denney was married to Miss Eliza Stevenson, a daughter of the late James Stevenson and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Cochran) Stevenson, of Specie Grove, Kendall county, Illinois, who came to America from Scotland in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Denney have become the parents of four sons and a daughter: Robert S., who married Miss Rhoda Wheeler, of Chicago, and is in partnership with his father, is a graduate of the Beloit College, of Chicago University and the Rush Medical College, of Chicago. Albert, also is in partnership with his father. Elliott S. and Joseph C. are yet at home, while the daughter, Jean, died at the age of two years. The parents and children are members of the First Congrega-
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tional church, in the work of which they are deeply and helpfully interested. Mr. Denney is serving as one of the deacons and for five years was superin- tendent of the Sunday school, while for thirty-seven years he was also a Sunday school teacher.
Politically he is a republican, but while he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never sought nor desired public office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Mystic Workers of the World. The name of Denney has always stood in Aurora as a synonym for commercial integrity, enterprise and progress, and this reputation is fully sustained by the members of the present firm of Denney & Denney. Throughout all life's relations Albert J. Denney Has endeavored to live at peace with his fellowmen, to be just and fair in all relations with them. and his close adherence to the high standard which he set up has gained for him the unqualified regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
EDWARD S. FRAZIER.
Edward S. Frazier is the president of the W. S. Frazier Company, man- ufacturers of road carts and other vehicles in Aurora, in which occupation he is controlling one of the important productive industries of the city. Although he entered upon a business already established, with ability to plan and perform, he has enlarged this enterprise and extended its scope and is conducting it along modern lines, which makes it a prominent factor in the commercial interests of the city.
Mr. Frazier was born in Chicago, July 5, 1863, and is a representative of old families of New York. His paternal grandparents, William J. and Matilda (Winegar) Frazier, were both natives of the Empire state and the former engaged in business as a clothing merchant at Fabius for many years. Coming to the west about 1866, he located at Batavia. He was born on the 12th of October, 1809, and for the past quarter of a century has lived in Aurora. He is now almost a centenarian and is, perhaps, the oldest citizen in Kane county. His wife, however, is deceased. The Frazier family is of Scotch lineage and authentic records of the ancestry have been preserved in Scotland as far back as 1165. The name originated with Charles of France in the year 912 and has undergone many orthographical changes. The progenitor of the family in America was James Frissell, who settled in Massachusetts about the time of the arrival of the political prisoners who were exiled from Scotland in 1652, being sent from England to Boston by Cromwell, following the battles of Dunbar and Worcester in that year. In the years which have elapsed the spelling of the name has undergone many changes and eventually the present form was adopted by the branch of the family to which Edward S. Frazier belongs.
His father, Walter S. Frazier, was born at Fabius, New York, August 31, 1835. and acquired his education in academies and other schools of Onondaga county. He attended the Homer Academy and afterward
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entered upon his business career as a salesman in the Crouse dry goods store in Syracuse, where he continued for five years. Subsequently he was a bookkeeper. He was married in the east to Miss Mary Stevens, a daughter of Jacob Vanderbilt and Hannah (Tallman) Stevens, who lived in Syracuse, New York, and died there when well advanced in years. The mother of Jacob V. Stevens was a cousin of Commodore Vanderbilt.
Walter S. Frazier came to the west in 1857, settling in Chicago, where he soon secured a position in the office of the city comptroller and, eventually, was made chief clerk there. He filled the position for five years, and was then appointed clerk of special assessments by the board of public works. In 1863 he received the republican nomination for clerk in the office of the recorder's court but was defeated. Further political honors came to him, however, for in 1865 he was chief clerk of the Illinois house of rep- resentatives and on the expiration of his term his course received the commendation of the members, state officers, and the press of the capital city, who spoke of him as the most thorough and efficient clerk who had ever officiated in that capacity. At the close of that session he was presented with a handsome gold watch and chain in token of the appreciation of the members for his faithful service and remarkable accuracy in reporting the proceedings of the legislature. In the fall of 1866 he was threatened with failing health, and, leaving there, purchased a farm between Batavia and Geneva, where he removed with his family, making it his home until 1870. He then became a resident of Aurora and for some years was not engaged in any active business. He was elected, however, a member of the board of education and was active in support of many other progressive public move- ments. He also began breeding fine road and trotting horses, having always a wholesome love for a fine horse, and one which he developed-Brother Jonathan-became one of the most noted horses of the day and was sold to the late Peter Kimberly, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, for twelve thousand dollars. While engaged in breeding horses one of his trackmen came to him with a proposition that he buy a certain cart to be used in breaking young stock. On examining the cart Mr. Frazier believed that he could produce a better one, and after some thought and experimenting he produced what he termed the road cart, the first vehicle of this character placed upon the market. It attracted such wide attention and favorable comment that he at once saw that its manufacture might prove a profitable undertaking and to this end established a factory in 1881. The road cart is today known in all portions of the world. Though he established his factory on a small scale it was rapidly enlarged to meet the constant demands of the trade, becoming in time one of the most important industries of Aurora, and em- ploying as high as one hundred and seventy-five men. Later other lines of vehicles were added to the manufactured products and in every civilized portion of the globe the output of the Frazier factory is seen. Walter S. Frazier continued at the head of the enterprise until his death, which occurred March 3, 1904, when he was nearly sixty-nine years of age. His wife died in 1880 at the age of forty-two years. Mr. Frazier long figured prominently in the public life as well as business interests of northern Illinois. He was mayor of Aurora for one term following the election of 1892, and
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he was also a member of the republican state central committee. He took a great interest in political questions, was thoroughly informed concerning . the issues before the public and his labors in behalf of his party were effective and far-reaching. He was an alert, enterprising man, who wielded a wide influence and left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and action. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frazier were born four sons and two daughters : Anna; Hattie, deceased, who was the wife of Dr. Courtney Smith; Walter S., Jr., and Edward S., twins, residing in Aurora; Lincoln B., also of Aurora; and Floyd, who makes his home in Chicago. Since the death of the father the business has been continued by his sons, Walter S. and Edward S., who became interested in the enterprise many years ago. The latter is the president and the former the secretary and treasurer of the company. These sons were reared in Aurora and have been familiar with the business from early boyhood. They are graduates of the West Aurora high school and they have received their business training under their father. While keeping abreast with the progress of the times, they are constantly enlarging their enterprise and improving upon the workmanship of the output. They are both stockholders in the First National Bank and in the Merchants' National Bank, while Edward S. Frazier is a director of the Aurora Specialty Manufacturing Company.
Walter S. Frazier married Clara Pfrangle and they have two children : Walter S., the third; and Laura. Edward S. Frazier wedded Miss Mary Dunbar Holbrook, a daughter of the Rev. Charles A. and Mary (Carring- ton) Holbrook. They became the parents of two children, Helen and Philip. Mrs. Edward S. Frazier and her daughter attended the Iroquois theater on the day of the never to be forgotten fire, and the mother lost her life in that disaster, while the daughter but narrowly escaped. Edward S. Frazier resides with his children at No. 150 Highland avenue. His brother is a member of the board of education, of the police and fire com- mission and also of the library board, and while Edward S. Frazier is not an office holder, he is equally loyal in his championship of progressive public measures. He is preeminently a business man, a man of action, reso- lute and energetic, and is justly accounted one of the forceful factors in the business life of Aurora.
JOHN KRAMER.
John Kramer is the son of thrifty German parents, but is himself a native of Kane county and was born in Plato township, where he now lives. He unites in his make-up the sturdy industry and perseverance of his ances- try and the enterprise and progressiveness of America, as is shown by his successful career as a farmer and dairyman. His life began in Plato township on March 24, 1879.
His father, Fred Kramer, who is a farmer and lives in Plato township, was born in Krempe, Germany, and came with his parents to this country
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when he was very young. The family located first in Ohio, and became residents of Illinois in 1856. The father of John bought a farm in Kane county, and on that he has passed years of productive industry, rearing a family of his own and winning standing and substance in life. He mar- ried Miss Lena Zack, who was also born in Germany, and they became the parents of six children, the brothers and sisters of John being: Annie, who is the wife of Charles Thron; Lizzie, who is the wife of August Vireig ; Minnie, who is employed in the watch factory at Elgin; Albert, who lives at Barrington in Cook county, this state; and Fritz, who is a carpenter and a resident of Illinois.
John Kramer obtained his education in a district school, which he was allowed to attend at intervals until he was fourteen, when he was obliged to remain at home and assist in the work on the farm. On April 19, 1906, he was married to Miss Annie Landehart, whose parents reside at East Elgin. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer have one child, Henry, who was born on July 15, 1907. After his marriage Mr. Kramer settled on the farm he now occupies in Plato township, and on this he has ever since carried on a vigorous farming industry and an active and expanding dairy business with twenty-six cows as the source of supply.
THOMAS PARRY.
Thomas Parry is the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Big Rock township, where he is engaged in the cultivation of grain and the raising of stock. He was born at Mon, North Wales, March I, 1866, and is a son of David and Letitia Thomas. He was the youngest son in the family and, in accordance with a custom of that land, he took his father's last name as his first name. The parents were both natives of the little rock-ribbed country of Wales and the mother died there, when her son Thomas was twelve years of age. The father, who passed away Septem- ber 18, 1905, remained true to her memory and never married again. He was a stonemason by trade, and in connection with his three brothers, built many buildings in Wales, Ireland and Scotland, and also many railroad bridges, being large contractors.
The brothers and sisters of Thomas Parry were: Ellen, the wife of Charles North, of Slatington, Pennsylvania; Hugh Thomas Parry, who lives in Wales; Katherine, the wife of Thomas Morse, of Slatington, Penn- sylvania.
Thomas Parry received but limited educational privileges. He attended the public schools for a few years, but after he reached the age of twelve years he was obliged to seek employment and provide for his own support. He worked for six years as a farm hand and was then employed as a deck hand on steamboats making the trip between New York and Liverpool for two years. Attracted by the business possibilities offered in America, he then went to work in the slate quarries at Slatington, Pennsylvania, where
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he remained for two years, when, thinking that he might have still better opportunities in the middle west, he came to Kane county, Illinois, arriving in Big Rock township in March, 1889. Here he hired out as a farm hand for two years and was then married and began farming on his own account.
It was on the Ioth of September, 1890, that Mr. Parry wedded Miss Emma Dienst, who was born in Pierce township, DeKalb county, Illinois, June 24, 1866. She lived at home and attended the country schools until sixteen years of age, and after putting aside her school books continued with her parents until her marriage. She is a daughter of Henry and
Henrietta (Kaus) Dienst, natives of Germany. Her father, who always fol- lowed farming as life work, died April 14, 1905, and the mother is still living on the old homestead farm in Pierce township with her son. Their children are: Elizabeth, who is living with her mother; Mary, the widow of Ernest Wiebke, of Hinckley, Illinois; Minnie, the wife of William Long, a resident of Pierce township, DeKalb county; George, who is living on the homestead farm; Lyda, the wife of Ernest Homeyer, of Forrestville, Wisconsin ; and Ernest, a farmer near Maple Park. Kane county.
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