USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 81
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Of this family, Mrs. Elliott was born in Greenwood. MeHenry county. Illinois, May 11. 1847. She attended the Todd Seminary in Woodstock, Illinois, and the Jennings Seminary in Aurora. It was while staying there that she became acquainted with Mr. Elliott. They have two sons: Wilmot Owen, who was born January 8, 1868, in Aurora, where he is now residing : and Robert Chenoweth, who was born March 7. 1878. and is now farming in Kendall county. He is married and has a daughter. Anna Garretta, two years of age.
In his business affairs Mr. Elliott has been quite successful. He is fortunate in possessing one of the best sand banks in Kane county. It is located on his farm near Aurora, and was first opened by his father fifty- two years ago, since which time it has been continuously operated. Hundreds of thousands of loads of sand have been hauled away. Over six hundred loads of sand were hauled from here to build the old Center school, and four hundred loads were hauled for the building of the First Methodist Episcopal
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church A large amount was also utilized in the building of the old Frazier block, which was the first building of any size worthy of note, erected on the west bank of the Fox river, it having been constructed over fifty years ago. In all his business dealings Mr. Elliott is enterprising, recognizing his possibilities, and, at the same time, never overlooking anything that might prove detrimental to his best interest. In his political views he is a repub- lican, and in religious faith his wife is a Methodist, belonging to the First Methodist Episcopal church of Aurora. They are both highly esteemed in the community, enjoying the warm friendship and regard of those with whom they have been associated, for their many good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the trust and confidence of friends and neighbors. Both are representatives of old families of this locality, and few are better informed concerning the early history of Kane county and its subsequent development than is John Elliott.
HARRY S. LONG.
Harry S. Long now owns and cultivates one hundred and ninety-six acres of the old Long homestead, which has never been out of possession of the family since it was entered as a claim from the government. His birth occurred on section 20, Big Rock township. August 22, 1863. His father, Edward R. Long, was a native of Greenfield. Massachusetts, born in Septem- ber, 1827. When in his thirteenth year he came to Kane county. Illinois, in June, 1840, with his parents. Dr. and Mrs. Silas Long. The father purchased the farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres from the govern- ment, paying the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. The property has since been known as the Long homestead, and its many substantial im- provements are monuments to the enterprise and labors of those who have owned and cultivated the place. Silas Long was the first to break the sod and till the soil and continued to reside upon the farm until his death, which occurred about 1855. In the meantime he had extended the boundaries of his property until it comprised three hundred acres, and at his death this was divided between his two sons. Lewis and Edward R. Long. The latter always remained upon the old homestead, there carrying on general agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred May 17. 1895. In early manhood he wedded Emma Dale, a native of England and a daughter of Thomas and Ann Dale. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Long became the parents of four children: Fred E., who was born March 24, 1858. and lives in Big Rock, Big Rock township: Carrie A., who was born May 4, 1860. and is the wife of William Price, of the same township; Harry S., of this review ; and Minnie E., who was born April 15. 1869, and is living in Big Rock township. The father died May 17. 1895, and the mother's death occurred on January 21, 1905.
Harry Long, spending his boyhood as do most farm lads, worked in the fields, enjoyed the pleasures of the playground and performed the
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duties of the schoolroom. At the age of eighteen years he permanently put aside his text-books and then engaged in assisting his father upon the home farm until twenty-six years of age, when he rented the place and cultivated it on his own account for fourteen years.
On the 17th of November, 1897. Harry S. Long was married to Miss Abbie Jones, a native of Oneida county, New York, born June 16, 1871. Her parents were Richard and Winifred (Davis) Jones, the former a native of New York and the latter of North Wales. Their family numbered the following named: George W., living in Frankfort, New York; Jennie J., the wife of David T. Evans, a farmer of Big Rock township; Robert R., liv- ing in Chicago; Jesse E., whose home is at Wilmurt, New York; Oscar W .. of Prospect, New York; and Mrs. Long. The mother of these children died when Mrs. Long was eight years of age, and the father is still living at Prospect, New York. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and for many years was identified with building interests but is now living retired.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Long has been blessed with two children. Edward Russell, born November 18, 1900, and Winifred, October 2, 1904. The family residence is the old homestead farm and throughout his entire life Mr. Long has carried on general agricultural pursuits, meeting with good success in his undertakings. In the midst of his land stands a com- fortable residence and many other substantial buildings. In 1906 he built a barn forty-two by seventy feet with twenty-four foot posts and having a capacity of one hundred and forty tons of hay. It also gives shelter to fourteen horses and twenty cows. There is a concrete floor and every con- venient arrangement and equipment. The barn is unsurpassed in Big Rock township. While Mr. Long is leading a busy and useful life in the man- agement and conduct of his farming interests, and is meeting with success in his undertakings, he has also been somewhat active in community affairs and for eleven years has served as constable. He holds membership with the Knights & Ladies of Security at Hinckley. His entire life has been spent in this county on the farm where he yet resides and thus for forty-five years he has been a witness of the events which have transpired and the changes which have occurred. As time has passed he has kept abreast with the progress made by the representatives of agricultural life and is today numbered among the leading farmers of Big Rock township.
JUDGE VICTOR KASSER.
Although Judge Victor Kasser has passed from the scene of earthly activities his memory is yet cherished and honored by those who knew him in life and entertained for him the warm regard which is always accorded upright, honorable manhood. For a long period he served as police magistrate in Elgin, and over the record of his official career there fell no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He was born in Hirtzfelden, Alsace,
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May 13, 1833. His father, August Ettienne Kasser, lived and died in Alsace, which country was also the birthplace of the mother, Mrs. Odilie ( Yecker) Kasser.
Judge Kasser was the only one of the family who ever came to the United States. He was educated at the college of Rouffach, Germany. He was reared in his parents' home and at the age of eighteen came to the new world. He had heard various favorable reports concerning the oppor- tunities offered in this country, and hoping that he might more rapidly win advancement in business circles on this side the Atlantic, he crossed the water and settled at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1882. After learning the cabinet-maker's trade he conducted a furniture store and undertaking establishment in the east, but on his removal to Elgin in 1882 he became a carpenter and builder and for some time was thus identified with the industrial interests of the community. His fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability, called him from private life to public office. He was elected justice of the peace and served for eight years, "winning golden opinions from all sorts of people." He was then elected police magistrate of Elgin and filled the position continuously until two years prior to his death, when he left the office and lived retired throughout his remaining days. As police magistrate he made a splendid record, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, and that his fellow-townsmen had confidence in him is shown by the fact that he was long retained in office by those who hold themselves amenable to law and order.
In 1854 Judge Kasser was married to Miss Anna Margaret Duterwich, a daughter of John and Barbara (Riessinger) Duterwich, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The young couple began their domestic life at Lancaster, where they lived for twenty-six years ere their removal westward to Illinois. They became the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Charles, the eldest son, passed away on the 16th of April, 1906. He had mar- ried Miss Fannie Howell, by whom he had one son, Victor. Francis Augustus was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Peterson. Edmund Paul died on the 2d of January, 1879, at the age of twelve years. Stephen H. married Miss Anna Herrick, by whom he had eight children, namely: Margaret. Milo. Edmund, Mildred, Gertrude, Zirilda, Victor and Adele, the last two being twins. Mildred and Adele, the fourth and eighth in order of birth, died in infancy. William Harry, the youngest member of the family, resides in California. The daughters are Adele, Rosalie, Anna, Marie, Agnes and Cecilia. The last named is the wife of L. W. Wright, and to them were born three children: Nan, Cecil and Marie Rosalia.
While born in that portion of the world which has alternately been the property of France and of Germany. Judge Kasser was much more French than German in deportment and characteristics, and yet he possessed the German love of and talent for music. He was a well known musician, pos- sessed a fine tenor voice of extraordinary range, power and sweetness and was regarded as a valuable addition to musical circles wherever he lived. He was the founder of the Maennerchor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Walhalla Turnverein of Elgin. He died December
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28, 1905. at the age of seventy-two years. His life was an active and useful one and not only his creditable business record but his equally creditable official service and his musical talent made him a favorite and won for him commendation and approval in every relation of life.
CHARLES SHELDON EAGELSTON.
More than one phase of American life has occupied the time and atten- tion of this gentleman, and led him to different parts of the country, but he found no place he liked as well as he did Illinois and tried no vocation elsewhere that entirely pleased him. He. therefore, settled down permanently in this state, and among its people he has since put forth his efforts and made his creditable record.
Mr. Eagelston was born near Kickapoo, now Edwards Station, in Peoria county. Illinois, August 11, 1851. His parents were William and Emeline ( Fargo) Eagelston, the former born near the city of Schenectady. New York, of English parentage, and the latter of New England parentage. They came to Illinois in the autumn of 1833 and during the next nineteen years lived in Peoria county. In 1852 they moved to Stark county and took up their res- idence on a farm six miles northeast of Wyoming. in Penn township. Here they lived for twenty-eight years. In 1880 the father retired from the farm and moved to Wyoming, where he died in September, 1892. The mother died, twelve years ago.
The son acquired a good common-school education, which he supplemented with a course of special training in Cole's Business College in Peoria. When he reached the age of twenty-one he and his brother George made a trip into Texas and for a number of months experienced the arduous labors and trying existence of cowboys, winding up by helping to drive two thousand head of cattle to Wichita. Kansas, across the intervening plains. They were four months on the trail, and this, with their other adventures as ranchmen. entirely cured all desire in Mr. Eagelston to be a plainsman, and he returned to Illinois and bought a farm of eighty acres in the neighborhod of Castleton, Stark county, on which he lived until 1893. In that year he sold the farm and moved to Aurora, turning his attention to the livery business which he is still conducting.
His livery barn is at the corner of Lincoln avenue and Main street and his business is very large and profitable. It is managed with consummate skill and vigor, and so conducted as to meet all the requirements and give satisfac- tion to all customers. Being an excellent judge of horses, and dealing exten- sively in them, especially family and driving horses, the proprietor is always able to keep for his own use and that of his patrons stock that is attractive in appearance and prime for service, and it is his ambition to let no liveryman anywhere surpass him in this respect. In fact he is an acknowledged author- ity on horses and is frequently called on for advice in reference to them.
C. S. EAGELSTON
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Mr. Eagelston was the fourth child of his parents, the others being : Harriet, the deceased wife of Allen J. Tichnor; William J., a farmer near Castleton, Illinois; George D., a farmer and stock breeder in the vicinity of Fayette, Idaho; Jennie, the wife of J. C. Bloomer, of Denver, Colorado; Fannie, the wife of Samuel Smith, also of Denver; James R., a carpenter at Wyoming, Illinois; and Abbie C., the wife of C. W. McVicker, of Kansas City, Missouri.
On August 17, 1878, Mr. Eagelston was married to Miss Eliza M. Ennis, of Wyoming, Illinois, the daughter of Ezekiel and Pauline (Davis) Ennis. The mother died when the daughter was yet but a child and she was adopted and reared by an uncle. L. E. Timmins, with whom she lived until her marriage. She and her husband have two children: Abbie Maud and Jennie Pauline, both of whom are living at home. The older is employed as a stenographer at the Western Wheeled Scraper Works and the younger as a milliner.
Mr. Eagelston votes the republican ticket in national elections and gen- erally supports the principles and policies of his party but he is not a narrow partisan and although a man of firm convictions, is tolerant of the views and opinions of others. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, hold- ing his membership in Lodge No. 479 at Wyoming. His wife and daughters belong to the Order of the Eastern Star in Aurora and are charter members of the White Shrine, an auxiliary of that order. The family stands well in the community and is highly respected by all classes of people. Each of its members has performed and is performing well the duties of life, and all are worthy of the good opinion and cordial regard in which they are held.
JUDGE FRANK GEORGE PLAIN.
Judge Frank G. Plain, who has been a member of the Aurora bar since 1892 and is now county judge and also acting as probate judge of Kane county, was born in Aurora, March 24, 1864. His parents, John and Susanna (Lies) Plain, were natives of Germany, the former born in Rhine, Prussia, and the latter in Luxemburg. The father has devoted the greater part of his life in mercantile pursuits and has become recognized as a force- ful factor in business circles in northern Illinois. He came to America about 1852, settling in Aurora, where he followed various pursuits for some time, but as his financial resources increased he embarked in merchandising and in the new undertaking gained enlarged prosperity. He has also been presi- dent of the German-American National Bank of Aurora from the second year of its organization, serving from its formation as vice president. Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable .position in commercial and financial circles than does John Plain, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved, but also owing to the straightforward business methods he has ever followed. He was city treasurer for many years, has been president of the school board, and has held other positions
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of political preferment. He belongs to that class of representative men who, in advancing individual interests, also contribute to public prosperity nor fail to perform every duty which they owe as a citizen.
Judge Plain, one of a family of twelve children, was reared in this city and passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, was graduated from the East Aurora high school in the class of 1882. He afterward matriculated in the University of Michigan at AAnn Arbor, pursuing a course in the scientific department and was graduated in 1888 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In preparation for the practice of law be began studying in the Chicago College of Law and won the Bachelor of Laws degree on his graduation in 1892. The same year he was admitted to the bar and located for practice in Aurora, where he has since remained as a prominent and able representative of the profession. In 1893 he was elected city attor- ney and filled the position for four years. The ability which he displayed as city attorney and in his private practice led to his election to the office of county judge in 1906 and he is now serving on the bench, being the same able minister in the temple of justice that he was when a private practitioner. He is now filling out the term made vacant by the death of Judge David B. Sherwood.
On the 14th of January. 1903, Judge Plain was married to Miss Jennie Guinang, a daughter of John and Emily (Addis) Guinang, and they have two children, John and Eleanor. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Phi while at the University of Michigan and he belongs to the Illinois Bar Association and the Kane County Bar Association. Politically Judge Plain is a republican but he never allows political partisanship to interfere in the performance of his duties. He is now president of the Aurora library board and is interested in all that pertains to progressive citizenship, stanchly advocating those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
JACOB WALTER HOYT.
Jacob Walter Hoyt, a prominent agriculturist and dairyman of Kaneville township, where, in conjunction with his brother, he owns extensive farm- ing interests on section 11, was born near Harristown, Macon county, Illinois, March 15. 1877, the son of Jacob N. Hoyt, a history of whose life will be found in the sketch of Edward Lawrence Hoyt, appearing in this issue.
Mr. Hoyt was educated in the schools near his boyhood home until, at the age of fifteen years, he was admitted to the Elburn high school, which he attended for three years. He then returned home and assumed his share of the management and control of his father's farming interests, ably assisting him in the work of the place. On the 16th of March, 1904, he wedded Miss Lou May Humiston, who was born in Kaneville, Kane county, May 23. 1879, the daughter of Clark M. Humiston, who met his death in a railroad accident near Streator, Illinois.
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Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt are the parents of two children: Merritt H., who was born Jannary 5. 1905; and J. Norris, born December 29, 1907. It will be seen from the foregoing sketch that although Mr. Hoyt is yet young in years he has already attained a marked degree of success in the acquire- ment of a competence and an independence, and his accomplishments illustrate the value of industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed.
ANDREW G. LOFGREN.
Andrew G. Lofgren is a prosperous farmer and dairyman of Campton township, where he owns and operates one hundred and thirty acres of Kane county's choicest land and conducts a dairy, keeping for that purpose twenty-four cows. He was born in Sweden, February 23. 1853. the son of Andrew and Annie (Anderson) Lofgren. His father was likewise a native of Sweden, where he served the regular time in the Swedish army. He was a miner by occupation and religiously was a member of the Lutheran church. Following his death, which occurred in 1874, the mother came to America, making her home during her last days with our subject. He prizes most highly an heirloom which she gave him in the form of a hand- made mirror which is really a work of art, and which was constructed for her in her maidenhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lofgren were born five children : Annie E., the wife of A. H. Norbery, a miner of Sweden ; Andrew G., of this review; Jonathan F., deceased: Carl M., a molder, residing in California ; and Conrad W., deceased.
Andrew G. Lofgren received his education in the district schools of Sweden. Leaving school at the age of fourteen years, he served as an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade, which he thoroughly mastered and continued following this line of work for twelve years. He married Johan- nah C. Stephenson, of his native land, and in 1879 the young couple set sail for America in the hope of finding in the new world larger opportuni- itse than was theirs in the land of their nativity. Mr. Lofgren located first at South Norwalk, Connecticut, where he worked at his trade for three and one half years, then removed to Aurora, where he followed it for three years longer.
Learning from his fellow countrymen of the success which they were making in agricultural pursuits he determined to branch ont into this line of work, and to that end he rented land and engaged in farming. His success may be attributed not only to his thrift and energy, but also to his persistency, for he remained on this farm for fourteen years, when out of his savings he was enabled to purchase his present place. It is beautifully situated on the old plank road between St. Charles and Sycamore and the residence is a large, commodious brick structure. In addition to this he had made other necessary improvements from time to time as needed.
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Mr. and Mrs. Lofgren are the parents of three children: Matilda J. is the wife of Charles Johnson, a farmer residing near DeKalb: Annie W. is the wife of Elmer Peterson, who is engaged in the grocery business in Rockford: and Ernest G. resides at home with his parents.
Politically Mr. Lofgren is a republican. He is an active worker for his party's interests and is now serving as highway commissioner. Relig- iously he is a member of the Lutheran church. His life has been one of continuous activity. and the success and position of independence to which he has attained have been well merited.
EDGAR CHAPMAN.
Taking the conduct and management of his career in his own hands at the age of eighteen, and coming to the United States for the better oppor- tunities and greater advantages it offered to pluck, industry and perseverance, Edgar Chapman was ready, on his arrival in this country, to do anything he found to do and do it as well as he could. And this has been the rule of all his activities here and is the basis of his gratifying success in everything he has undertaken.
He was born at Ontwell, Cambridgeshire, England, June 16. 1875, and is a son of George and Susan (Bates) Chapman, who were also born and reared in England. The father's life began at Ontwell, Cambridgeshire. July 25, 1841, and the mother's at the same place. November 23, 1839. The head of the house conducted a butchering business and meat market, and after the son left school at the age of thirteen he assisted his father in the work. The family comprised four sons and two daughters, all but two of whom are still living in England, Edgar and his brother Thomas being residents of this county. The others are: Hannah, the wife of Job Lake; John William and Walter; and Kate, who is the wife of James Johnson.
On March 15, 1892, when he was but seventeen years of age. Mr. Chap- man sailed from Southampton in his native land, and when he reached America, came directly to Aurora, Illinois, where his brother Thomas was living. With the readiness for any kind of useful labor which has always characterized him, he accepted employment for a short time as a tender to a stonemason. He next secured a position on the George E. Brown stock farm north of Aurora, on which he worked four years. During the suc- ceeding four and one-half years he was in the employ of Robert Evans in the grain and feed business. This enlarged his ideas and gave him new knowledge of human nature, and has been of service to him in many ways.
But he had a natural bent for farm life, and having saved a goodly sum of money out of his earnings, he began to look about him for a venture :n farming on his own account which held out prospects of success. While thus on the outlook for his chance, he passed four years in the service of L. W. Randall, a farmer and dairyman near Aurora. In 1902 he bought stock and farming machinery and rented the Shepardson farm of three
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