USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 84
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the Ist of Apri!, 1907. when Mr. Clyne was elected city attorney and with- drew from the firm to enter upon the discharge of his official duties, in which he is now engaged.
Mr. Clyne maintains a deep interest in the political situation and issues of the day and was the democratic candidate for county judge in 1906. He belongs to the Catholic church and is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and also of Aurora Lodge. No. 705. B. P. O. E. He is like- wise a member of the state committee of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and a member of the state board of laws of that society, while his member- ship relations include the Yeomen of America and the Mystic Workers of the World. He lives at No. 347 Fox street with his mother and has traveled quite extensively in this country and Europe, gaining that broad knowledge and culture which can be obtained in no other way. He is a young man of laudable ambition and honorable purpose, who has won the respect of his fellow citizens and has gained a good clientage as a practitioner at the Aurora bar.
JAMES CANNON.
James Cannon is closely associated with the industrial interests of Kane county as vice president of the Cannon Box Company, manufacturers of wooden boxes of all kinds at Geneva. He is a man of resolute purpose and determination, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He was born in Fulton, Illinois, August 15. 1865, and in the paternal line comes of Irish ancestry, his grandfather. Byron Cannon. hav- ing spent his entire life in Ireland, where he followed the occupation of farming. He married a Miss Mackay, who survived him and came to the United States, spending her last days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she died at the age of eighty-eight years.
Their family of four sons and two daughters included Daniel Cannon, father of our subject. He, too, was a native of the Emerald Isle and for many years was a railroad man. He crossed the Atlantic about 1845 and for a time resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. while subsequently he removed to Fulton. Illinois, and eventually became a resident of Maple Park. For the past thirty years or more, however, he has lived in Geneva. For more than four decades he was one of the capable and trusted employes of the Northwestern Railroad Company in construction work and maintenance of way but is now retired, having been pensioned by the company in recognition of his long service and ability. Hle wedded Miss Mary Murphy, also a native of Ireland. as were her parents, who, on coming to the new world. settled in Vermont and remained residents of the east until called to their final rest. But two of their children are now living: Catharine. the wife of John J. Hess, of Cleburne. Texas; and Ellen, the wife of Daniel Cannon, of Geneva. Both parents of our subject are members of the Catholic church.
They have fifteen children, eight sons and seven daughters, and the record is a notable one in that the family circle yet remains unbroken by
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the hand of death. These are: Mary, the wife of John Wheeler, of Geneva; James, of this review ; Bernard, of Milwaukee; Catharine, the wife of Anthony J. Roefs, of Batavia, Illinois; Ellen; Julia, the wife of James Downey, of Geneva; John, who resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Rose, likewise living in Milwaukee; Daniel, of Geneva; Frank, who makes his home in Cairo, Illinois; William and Joseph, twins; George, a resident of Geneva; Josephine, also of Geneva; and Agnes.
James Cannon was reared in Geneva, Illinois, from the age of six years and, entering the public schools, passed through consecutive grades, con- tinuing his studies until he began providing for his own support as a messenger boy in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company in 1880. In April, 1881, he secured a clerkship in the freight and ticket office of the Northwestern Railway Company and was promoted from time to time in recognition of his diligence and worth until in 1888 he was made agent. He continued as the popular and efficient incumbent in that position until May, 1907, when he resigned to look after his interests in the Cannon Box Company, in which he had been a partner for several years, and of which he is now vice president. This company employs from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty persons. The plant is well equipped with the latest improved machinery for facilitating the business and the output is shipped extensively, while the annual sales reach a large figure and the business is now extensive and profitable. The present officers of the com- pany are : Arthur W. Pope, president; James Cannon, vice president ; Frank C. Cannon, secretary ; and Arthur W. Pope, treasurer.
On the 16th of May, 1903, Mr. Cannon was married to Miss May B. Blackman, a daughter of Dr. F. H. and Julia C. Blackburn. They have one son, Kenneth Blackman, and they occupy a pleasant home at the corner of Fifth and Franklin streets in Geneva. Mr. Cannon is a communicant of the Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is also connected with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and in politics he is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is, however, interested in all that pertains to the public welfare and gives active and helpful cooperation to many measures for the general good. In his own business career he has made steady advancement and has attained a creditable position by his indefatigable labor and effort.
AXIL EMIL STROM.
Axil Emil Strom, who follows farming and dairying in Virgil township, is a native of Sweden, and a son of Andrew and Anna Lena ( Burgerson) Strom. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living and makes her home with our subject. He also has three brothers: Charley J., who is engaged in mining at Leadville, Colorado; John A., a farmer living near Aurora ; and Andrew D., a carpenter of Batavia, Illinois.
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In the land of his nativity. A. E. Strom passed his boyhood and youth, attending the public schools until fourteen years of age and then working as a helper on a farm until twenty-three. For his services he received only forty crowns per year, a crown being worth about twenty-seven cents in our money. Believing that he would do much better in the new world he then crossed the briny deep, and on landing in this country proceeded at once to Kane county, Illinois, where he soon secured work on a farm near Elburn, being thus employed for five years. At the end of that time he removed to Leadville, Colorado, where he followed mining for fifteen months, but since then his time and attention have been wholly devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is now successfully engaged in general farming and the dairy business in Virgil township, keeping about fifty cows.
Mr. Strom has been twice married, his second union being with Miss Anna P. Johnson, also a native of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1898 and located at Elburn, Illinois. Unto them have been born two children : Alta A., born August 12, 1903; and Agnes M., born October 16. 1904. The parents both hold membership in the Lutheran church and they are held in the highest regard by all who know them. In politics Mr. Strom is a republican.
JONATHAN S. ELIASON.
Jonathan S. Eliason, residing on his home place in Campton township, where he owns twenty-six acres of land and a dairy, was born in Sweden, June 7, 1874, the son of Elias and Christina (Anderson) Johnson. He is one of four children, of whom his brother Alfred is deceased. His two sisters, Annie and Hilda, reside at home in Sweden with their mother. The father died in 1892.
Jonathan S. Eliason received the rudiments of a good education in the district schools of Sweden, which he attended regularly until fourteen years of age. He then left school to assume his share of the responsibility of mak- ing a livelihood from his father's farin and continued working for the fam- ily interests until he was eighteen years of age. It was then that he deter- mined to seek the larger opportunities which the new world afforded, as so many of his countrymen had done before him, and. not possessing sufficient funds to pay his passage to America he borrowed the amount. He came direct to Elgin, where he first secured employment on public works. He later secured a position as farm hand. He then rented a farm and later pur- chased his present place of twenty-six acres, which he has improved and converted into a comfortable home. In addition to the cultivation and care of this place Mr. Eliason also rents land which he works to the full capacity of his capital and energy.
Mr. Eliason married Miss Augusta Peterson, who was born in Sweden and came to America in 1893. They have become the parents of two chil- dren, Hilda Florence and John Roy.
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Politically, Mr. Eliason supports the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Svitch. Mr. Eliason is yet a young man and the substantial benefits which he has already reaped as a result of his thrift and industry bid fair to place him in a position of affluence and independence in the course of a few years.
F. G. ADAMSON.
F. G. Adamson, a well known representative of the manufacturing inter- ests of Aurora, is strong in his ability to plan and to perform. He has learned to correctly value life's contacts and experiences and in the utilization of opportunities has displayed the power to bring into unity the varied and com- plex interests which constitute features in every business enterprise. A native of Canada, he was born on the 8th of September, 1866. His father, Henry Adamson, a native of England, went to Canada when a young man and there engaged in merchandising. He also filled the position of post- master at Stayner, Canada, for many years, but has now retired from busi- ness and official connections and is living in Barrie, Canada, in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anne Abigail Baker, is also a native of England.
In the public schools of his native land F. G. Adamson pursued his education and made his initial step in the business work as an employe of the old Northern Railroad Company in the chief engineer's office. He afterward acted as private secretary to the general manager for a number of years. In 1890 he went to Detroit and became connected with the Grand Trunk Rail- way Company as accountant in the treasurer's office. There he continued for about two years or until 1892, when he went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Webster Manufacturing Company as a member of the office force. He was shortly afterward transferred by the company to one of its subsidiary companies, known as the John Metcalf Company. Mr. Adamson became secretary, treasurer and director of the Metcalf Company and still retains an interest in the business. They are extensive builders of grain elevators and do engineering work, their business having reached large pro- portions as the result of the capable service which they render in their chosen line of activity. Mr Adamson, however, has not confined his attention to one field. In 1901 he came to Aurora with W. W. Stephens, with whom he had formerly been associated in the Metcalf company. They organized the Stephens Adamson Company for the manufacture of transmitting machinery for the transmission of power. Their output includes belt conveyers and other transmitters and from a comparatively small beginning the business has grown and developed until it is now the most extensive in the country. When the enterprise was established here the city gave to them four acres as a site for their plant. They have since purchased twelve acres more and have erected a very extensive and substantial plant, this being one of the most important industries of Aurora. The number of their employes has
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been constantly increased until they now have about two hundred workmen. The plant is thoroughly equipped with most modern machinery and every- thing necessary for the conduct of the enterprise along progressive lines has heen secured.
While important and growing business interests have made heavy demands upon his time and energies, Mr. Adamson has yet found oppor- tunity to cooperate in many movements for the good of the community. He has never sought success for the sake of the money alone but for the oppor- tunities it brings to him, and he has been liberal in sharing his possessions witi: individuals in need of assistance and also in contributions to many pro- gressive and helpful public interests. He is now the vice president of the Young Men's Christian Association and is an active and zealous member of the Epis- copal church. Fraternally he is connected with Aurora Lodge, No. 254. A. F. & A. M., with the chapter and the commandery, and he also belongs to the Union League Club of Chicago. Such in brief is the history of one who stands as a prominent citizen of Aurora. His connection with any under- taking insures a prosperous outcome of the same. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
MRS. ROSE (SMITH) COOLEY.
Mrs. Rose (Smith) Cooley, who successfully manages her farm of ninety- eight acres located a quarter of a mile east of Lilylake, was born in Allen county. Indiana, March 26. 1860. the daughter of George W. and Mary A. (Sapp) Smith. Both parents were natives of Akron, Ohio, in which city the father resided until thirty-eight years of age, following the trade of black- smithing. Dissatisfied with the progress he was making, and ambitious to better his condition in life, Mr. Smith removed to Allen county, Indiana, and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until the time of his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born six children, two sons and four daughters, namely : Martha J., the wife of Mr. Lesh, a farmer of Allen county, Indiana ; Alice M., the wife of Mose Higgins, residing in Allen county, Indiana : Clem B. and Franklin, both of whom are engaged in farming in Allen county ; Eliza- beth, the wife of James Adams, a carpenter residing in Pennsylvania; and Rose, of this review.
Mrs. Cooley received her education in the district schools of Allen county, which she attended regularly until fifteen years of age. At the early age of seventeen years she became the wife of W. M. Harnish, a farmer of Allen county. Mr. Harnish was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Twenty-third Indiana Infantry. He was present in the engagements in the battles of Bull Run and Shiloh. In politics he was a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Harnish resided on the farm for eleven years after their marriage, then located in Carrie Station, Illinois, going from there to take up their residence
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MR. AND MRS. C. C. COOLEY
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at Crystal Lake, where Mr. Harnish died. They became the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely : Maud E., the wife of Jonathan Ross, a machinist of Elgin, Illinois ; George S., a machinist, residing at Wood- stock, Illinois ; Charles W., employed in steamfitting works in Cleveland, Ohio; and Marguerite M., who resides at home with her mother. In 1905 Mrs. Harnish was again married, her second union being with C. C. Cooley, a farmer of Kane county, Illinois, who died July 9, 1907.
Mrs. Cooley has resided on her present place for the past three years and has many warm friends in the community, the hospitality of her home being greatly enjoyed by those who know hier.
HARRY B. READ.
Harry B. Read is a native of Kane county, born in Virgil township, July 21, 1864. He is the son of Charles and Adaline (Baxter) Read, natives of New Brunswick, Canada, where the father was born March 21, 1816. When the father was about twenty-two years of age his parents decided to emigrate to the United States, arriving in Kane county, Illinois, about 1838, after having discussed the proposed change of location several years before venturing to make the trip.
Charles Read, the elder, accompanied the rest of the family to this county and located with them in Virgil township on the homestead the parents then selected, and on which he passed the remainder of his days. He was a zealous and devout member of the Baptist church and in political allegiance was an earnest republican from the foundation of the party. The mother, who, as stated, bore the maiden name of Adaline Baxter, was born in New York in 1837. She became the mother of five children : Charles T., who is living in St. Paul; Orissa, now the wife of Hinston Wheeler, a retired farmer living near Elburn; Martin H., a physician, prac- ticing in Seattle, Washington; Gordon, who is a prosperous farmer of Alabama; and Harry B., the immediate subject of this review.
Harry B. Read began his education in the district school, which he attended regularly during the winter months until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he left because he had completed the course. He then attended the Elburn high school two years, assisting his father on the farm during the vacations, as he had done while attending the district school. After leaving school he remained at home and worked on the farm until he reached his majority, when he rented a few acres of land, which he farmed for a time on his own account.
In 1886 Mr. Read was married to Miss Tillie M. Jacobson, a native of Virgil township, born June 21, 1866. They have one living son. Charles G., who is living at home, while Hinton H. is deceased. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Read returned to the paternal home, on which they expended their efforts as farmers until three years ago, when they took up their residence on the farm which they now occupy. They have made their
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endeavors tell to their advantage. Beginning life as a newly married couple with little of this world's goods, they have worked their way along until they now own herds of fine Holstein and Durham cattle, numbering fifty-two in all, and are conducting an extensive and profitable dairying business.
Mr. Read is a republican in politics and a member of the Methodist church in religious affiliation. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America. The untimely death of his son, Hinton H. Read, was a great bereavement to him. The young man died of Bright's disease at the age of eighteen years. He had been well educated and held a good social rank. Being upright and correct in his deportment, he was highly esteemed throughout the township. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Elburn. The father is a good citizen and also enjoys the respect and good will of the people among whom he has lived and labored.
CARL E. BOTSFORD.
Carl E. Botsford, classed with the leading attorneys of Kane county and recognized as one of the progressive citizens of Elgin, was honored with an election to the mayoralty in 1905. This may well be considered a tribute to his personal worth and popularity and as an expression of public confidence from the fact that he was the first democrat chosen to the office in thirty years.
One of Elgin's native sons, he was born October 2, 1861, his parents being Judge R. N. and Ellen E. (Bundy) Botsford, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Reared under the parental roof, Carl E. Botsford at the usual age entered the public schools and passed through successive grades until he became a student in the Elgin Academy, from which institution he was graduated in 1879. Through the succeeding year he was a student in the Lake Forest University and for a year attended Beloit (Wis.) College. He was for three years a student at Yale and, on the completion of his law course, being graduated within its classic walls in 1884, he returned to Elgin, and immediately began preparation for the bar in the law office of Botsford & Wayne. He continued his reading for two years and was then admitted to the bar.
Previous to entering upon the active practice of his profession, how- ever, Mr. Botsford became secretary of a joint stock company which, on the 16th of October, 1886, began the publication of the Elgin Democrat. In his official position he took up the general business interests of the printing office and after two months was made general editor and business manager. While in his professional career he has had the assistance of one of the ablest law firms of Kane county. An attorney at the bar must prove his individual merit. He cannot, through inheritance or endowment, obtain the knowledge so necessary in the successful presentation of his cases, but must give to each close and unremitting study. Mr. Botsford's success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line.
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He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court, and his prominence has come to him as the reward of earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust and recognized ability.
Equally well known in political circles in Elgin, as an exponent of the principles of democracy, Carl E. Botsford received substantial token of the regard and confidence of his fellow townsmen in his election to the mayor- alty in 1905 for a two years' term. During thirty years there had not been a democratic incumbent in the office. He assumed the duties of his position with a determination to give to Elgin a public-spirited and businesslike ad- ministration and his labors were attended by progress and reform in many directions. During his term a contract was let for a complete sewer system and many other tangible evidences of his devotion to the public welfare are cited. While undoubtedly not without that laudable ambition which is so powerful and incentive for fidelity in public office, he, nevertheless, regards the pursuits of private life as abundantly worthy his best efforts and in his practice has fully sustained the high reputation which has always been conected with the name of Botsford in the legal circles of Kane county.
CHRISTIAN TENNYSEN.
Christian Tennysen, who is successfully carrying on his farming inter- ests in Virgil township, was born in Cook county, Illinois, February 28. 1864, of the marriage of Christian and Annie (Smith) Tennysen, the former a native of North Germany, where his birth occurred October 14, 1839. He was married before his emigration to America in 1869 and now resides in DeKalb, Illinois, still surviving his wife, who passed away in Kane county, October 9, 1893, and was buried in Sycamore. Their family numbered four children. Hans C., who was born in Germany, December 19, 1861. wedded Miss Mary Nelson, of Plano, Illinois, in 1889. He is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in DeKalb county, Illinois. Christian, of this review. was the next member of the family. Lena, whose birth occurred in DuPage county, Illinois, April 9, 1866, married Otto Petersen, of North Germany. in 1885. He is a farmer and resides in DeKalb county, Illinois. Annie, born in DuPage county in 1868, became the wife of Sam Matson. an agriculturist of North Germany. His demise occurred in Mason City, Nebraska, on the 22d of May, 1907.
Christian Tennysen operates one hundred and twenty acres known as the Keifer farm, renting the land for a certain sum and furnishing his own stock. He conducts a large dairy, owning twenty-five cows, which produce on an average of fifty gallons of milk daily, which is shipped to Chicago. He is interested in the raising of poultry and has two hundred or more hens, also fourteen hogs, five work horses and one colt. He utilizes only the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his land, his farming out- fit being worth fifteen hundred dollars. In the careful management of his interest he has met with a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity
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and is well known as one of the successful and enterprising residents of the community.
On the 10th of June, 1905, Mr. Tennysen was united in marriage to Miss Cathrina Peterson, who was born in Denmark, December 15, 1873. They have one son, Willie, whose birth occurred in Kendall county, Illinois, October 13, 1906.
In his political views Mr. Tennysen is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. He also belongs to Little Rock Lodge, No. 171, I. O. O. F., at Plano, Illinois, exemplifying in his life the beneficent teachings of the craft.
HOSEA E. PERKINS.
Hosea E. Perkins, now deceased, who was formerly actively and promi- nently connected with the agricultural interests of Kane county, was born at Champion, Jefferson County, New York, November 8. 1819. His grand father, Solomon Perkins, a native of Maine, came to the state of New York in its early settlement, and participated in the French and Indian war. During the Revolution he was employed by the colonial government in the manufac- ture of munitions of war; he died in 1835. Hosea Perkins, the father of Hosea E., was a native of Maine, but for several years a resident of the state of New York. In 1827 he removed to Ohio and engaged in farming, and during his life he held several public positions. He married Edith Man- chester, daughter of Job Manchester, a native of Bristol, Rhode Island. but a resident of New York. To them were born twelve children, only five of whom lived to maturity.
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