USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 85
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Hosea E. Perkins was reared on the farm, receiving a good education, and for seven years taught school during winter, working on the farm in sum- mer. In 1841 he came to Illinois and settled in Elgin township, where he bought an interest in a quarter section of land in section 26, a part of which still remains in possession of his children. He added to it until at the time of his death he owned over three hundred acres. For several years Mr. Per- kins was engaged in raising grain, then turned his attention to breeding horses, but for some time prior to his death he was connected with the dairy business, for which the farm is well adapted, it being thoroughly drained. He erected a good house and several commodious barns, pleasantly located near South Elgin, and was widely recognized as a leading agriculturist and prominent citizen of this county.
On the IIth of December, 1850, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Mary Bishop. a daughter of Nathaniel Bishop. Mrs. Perkins died January 28, 1853, and on May 18, 1854, he wedded Elizabeth Hale, daughter of Isaac Hale. They were the parents of six children: Edson A., of Elgin, who is married and has six chiklren ; Harvey W., deceased; William M., of Elgin, who married Sylvia Godfrey, by whom he has three children ; Zilpha E., the wife of Edward Dickerman, of DuPage county; Albert G., deceased;
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and Mary E., the wife of Nathan Brown, of St. Charles. The mother of these children died January 11, 1868, and on the 8th of June, 1869, Mr. Perkins married Anna J. Marshall, of Elgin, a daughter of George P. and Mary (Burton) Marshall, and a granddaughter of James and Ann ( Parker) Marshall. George P. Marshall emigrated from England to Canada, where he was married, thence coming directly to Kane county, Illinois, in 1845. He was a farmer by occupation, and he and his wife reared a family of ten chil- dren, as follows : Mrs. Perkins; Lavina E., the deceased wife of H. C. Padel- ford; William E., of South Dakota; Charles H., deceased, formerly a resi- dent of California; George, of Elgin; Lizette, the widow of Hiram J. Brown, of Elgin; Ella L., the wife of Millard Starr, of this county; Richard, who makes his home in South Elgin; Frederick, living in Marengo; and Henry, likewise of South Elgin. Mr. Marshall's death occurred October 3, 1882, when he had attained the age of sixty-four years, but his wife still enjoys most excellent health in the eighty-third year of her age. Unto Hosea E. Perkins and his third wife were born seven children: Louis A., who wedded Edith Poy. of South Elgin, by whom he has the following children, Warren, Willard F., Sidney L., Leonard and Cora E .; and Charles F. ; Anna E., the wife of Seth Stowell, of South Elgin, by whom she has five children, Carleton, Louis, Dorothy, Seth F. and Alberta; Frederick E .; Harry B., who married Caroline Danhorn, of Elgin, and has one son, Elsworth; Chester M., of Elgin, who wedded Edith Horn and has one daughter, Helen; and Eugene R.
Mr. Perkins was a stalwart champion of the republican party prior to his demise and always took a deep interest in local political affairs, holding the position of supervisor, assistant supervisor and road commissioner, while for eighteen years he served as school trustee. Mrs. Perkins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is also identified with the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union, although the organization to which she belonged has long since ceased to exist. She is well known and highly respected throughout the county as a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind, the circle of whose friends is only limited by the number of her acquaintances.
WILLIAM ROWLAND BATEMAN.
William Rowland Bateman, a successful agriculturist residing in Kane- ville township, was born in Wales, February 26, 1882, a son of William Bateman. The latter came to Illinois at an early day, settling on a farm in Kaneville township. Kane county. He was killed by a mad bull on the 28th of March, 1908. The record of his children is as follows: Margaret, the wife of James Albert Bartlett, a farmer of Kaneville township; David, a retired agriculturist, who makes his home in Elburn, Illinois; Peter, who follows farming in Kaneville township; May J., the wife of Edward James, a farmer of Kaneville township: Annie R., the wife of Edmond James, of Big Rock; Augusta H., who became the wife of Will Heig, a farmer by occupa-
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tion, and resides in Kaneville township; Hannah, the wife of E. McNair, who follows agricultural pursuits in Blackberry township: William Rowland, of this review; and Joel, who likewise follows farming in Kaneville town- ship.
William Rowland Bateman was brought to America by his parents when two years of age, the family home being established near Big Rock, Illinois. He attended the country school until fourteen years of age and sub- sequently was a student in the Elburn high school for two years. On com- pleting his education he returned to the old home farm, assisting his father in the work of the fields until the time of the latter's death. He then con- ducted a livery barn at Elburn for some time, but afterward again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, being now successfully engaged in the cultivation of his valuable farm in Kaneville township. The fields annually return to him golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and he is well known as a representative and progressive agriculturist.
Mr. Bateman was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Mundy, whose father is engaged in farming west of Kaneville. She was born in Oswego, Illinois, March 2, 1886, attending a country school until sixteen years of age and for the two following years was a student in the Kaneville high school. After putting aside her text-books she remained at home until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Bateman when a young lady of twenty-one. Her sisters and brothers are: Eva M., Ivan and N. B., who reside with their parents in Kaneville township; and Thomas M., who is a farmer by occupation and resides in Kaneville.
In his political views Mr. Bateman is a republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife have an extensive circle of friends throughout the community, having gained the esteem and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
GEORGE C. SIMPSON.
George C. Simpson is the owner of a valuable farming property of one hundred and twenty acres in Aurora township and in his farming operations is meeting with good success that results from well-directed energy and unfaltering purpose. His birth occurred April 12, 1877, about a mile and a quarter north of Aurora, in the old stone mansion which was built by a Mr. Ratcliffe in 1845. The house still stands in an excellent state of preserva- tion and is a spacious dwelling of fourteen rooms, surrounded by stately elms. A half century ago it was designated as the most beautiful homestead in Kane county. The place was purchased by William A. Tanner, the maternal grandfather of George C. Simpson, and one of the pioneer settlers of Kane county. It became his property in the early 'Gos and was afterward the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Simpson, the parents of our subject. It became the birthplace of George C. Simpson and has since continued to be
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his home. It comprises forty-five acres of land and upon the death of William A. Tanner was inherited by his daughter. Frank M. Simpson, the father, was born in Lamoille, Bureau county, Illinois, and when a young man came to Kane county. For many years he was engaged in the harness and carriage trimming business in Aurora and for a long period was the leading representative of that line of business in Kane county. Successful in his undertaking's, he accumulated considerable money, which he invested in land-buying and then selling again at a good profit. He now owns and cultivates a farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Millington, in Kendall county, and likewise owns several thousand acres of land in Kansas. He wedded Marian Tanner, a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the county. She was born on the old homestead on section 6, Aurora township, and became the wife of Frank M. Simpson, in 1875. Their children were: Jesse M., of Aurora; Fannie J., who is the wife of Elmer E. Still, of Emporia, Kansas, and Marian F., who lives with her brother on the old family homestead. The house is situated about one hundred and fifty yards back from the river and commands a fine view of the Fox river valley. The Aurora & Elgin electric car lines pass in front of the house, which is also located on the leading thoroughfare of the county, traversed by more people than any other road in Kane county.
It was upon the old homestead farm that George C. Simpson spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was a student in the Aurora Oak Street high school and at the age of nineteen years he leased his father's farm, which he operated for nine years. In association with his father he afterward managed the dairy farm of two hundred acres, which his father purchased near Naperville. This business claimed his attention for some time, but in the spring of 1907 he returned to the old homestead, about a mile and a quarter north of Aurora. Here he now carries on general agricultural pur- suits and is regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of the locality. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and commendable methods and in business circles he sustains an unassailable reputation.
On the 24th of February, 1905. Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Lily Louise Buckendahl. This was the thirtieth anniversary of his parents' mar- riage and the ceremony was performed by the Rev. Atchinson, now of Elgin, who had married the parents three decades before. Mrs. Simpson is of German descent and was born at Detroit. Michigan. Her parents were John Buckendall and Mary Koglin, both of whom were natives of Germany. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living in Aurora. Mrs. Simp- son was graduated with high honors from the West Aurora high school and because of this was given a scholarship in the Chicago University, which she attended for one year. She is greatly interested in music and painting and, in fact, in all that promotes aesthetic culture and refinement.
Mr. Simpson is a republican in his political views, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never sought nor desired public office for himself. He belongs to the Galena Street Meth- odist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the First Baptist church.
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Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen, Knights of the Globe and the Columbian Knights. Well known in the county where his entire life has been passed, warm friendship and high regard are given him in recogni- tion of his many sterling qualities, including the most straightforward principles as manifest in his business dealings.
REV. TIMOTHY RYAN.
Rev. Timothy Ryan, the present well known pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic church of St. Charles, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, on the 21st of April, 1864, and began his education in the national schools of that country. He prepared for the priesthood at All Hallows College. Dublin, Ireland, and was ordained on the 23d of June, 1889, by Archbishop Walsh, of Dublin.
Coming to the United States, Father Ryan was assigned to the Chicago diocese and for a time was assistant pastor of St. Cecelia church of that city. In 1902 he was appointed pastor of the Catholic church at Harmon, Illinois, and remained at that place until coming to St. Charles in 1905 to take charge of St. Patrick's church of this place. Under his guidance the church is now in a flourishing condition and he faithfully ministers to the spiritual needs of his parishioners. He has made many improvements in the church property, having redecorated the interior, and he has also established Mt. St. Mary's Academy, which is under the supervision of the Dominican Sisters. As a citizen he is highly esteemed by Protestants as well as Catholics and he has made a host of warm friends since locating here.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH.
It was early in the '3os that mass was first said in St. Charles and for some time services were conducted in different homes, but principally at the residence of John Connor, which stood at the corner of what is now Cedar and West Fourth street, now owned by Mrs. Sarah Jennings, it being one of the oldest houses of the city. Mission priests came here from Chicago to baptize and hold mass, the first mass being celebrated by Father Fealey, of St. Mary's church, which was burned during the great Chicago fire of 1871. Ile conducted services here once a month and afterward became pas- tor of the Catholic church at Elgin, where he died.
St. Charles soon became the center for all Catholics in this section of Illinois. In 1858 Father Patrick O'Dwyer became resident pastor and imme- diately began the erection of the present stone church, bringing the model from London, Canada. It was dedicated by Bishop O'Reagan as his prede- cessor. Some of its first members were the O'Connors. O'Malleys, Morans, Dohertys, Gerraughtys, Murphys, Kerwins, Roches, Kelleys, Lalors, Boyl- sons. Morgans, Kennedys, Jennings and McGloin. The parsonage occupied
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by Father O'Dwyer stood on the site of the present Johnson home at the corner of Main and Fourth. His parishioners were poor and were unable to pay him much, so that during the last year of his pastorate here he received only six dollars. He was succeeded by Father Murphy, who remained two years and was then made chaplain of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. About 1863 he returned to St. Charles, but while stepping off a train he fell, sustaining injuries from which he died. His improvements were the first to be made in the interior of the church.
In 1864 the congregation was presided over by Father O'Neil, of Savan- nah, Georgia, who was driven from that place on account of his northern sympathies. Another of the early pastors was Father Sullivan, who died in Baltimore, Maryland; followed by Father McGwinn, Father Burch, and Father Prendergast, who went to Batavia and established a parochial resi- dence there, leaving the St. Charles church to drift again into the mission class. He died in Batavia. Father Spellman, who was next in charge here, is now located at Braidwood, Illinois.
Father Goulet, a French priest, was the first to make St. Charles an independent parish. He was ordained by Bishop Foley. He was first a phy- sician and was married, but after the death of his wife, being of a very religious nature, he joined the priesthood. His son was ordained before the father and followed Father Madden as pastor of St. Charles. Father Mad- den spent five years here and died at Highland Park, Illinois. Young Father Goulet was pastor here for eight years and was succeeded by Rev. Morris Stock, who remained seven or eight years and is now pastor at Lee, Illinois. He was followed by Father Lee. At present the parish comprises both St. Charles and Geneva, both congregations being composed of all nationalities from Catholic countries.
ELVIS B. ALLISON.
Elvis B. Allison, who is conducting a dairy farm in Batavia township, is a young man of energy and determination whose success in business seems assured, owing to the fact that he is wide-awake, alert and progressive. He was born in Carmi, Illinois, November 25, 1885. His father, Adam Allison, was a native of that place and a farmer by occupation, devoting his entire life to the work of the fields. He died, however, in 1886 when his son Elvis was less than a year old. His wife bore the maiden name of Jane Grady, and both she and her husband were members of old families that have been rep- resented in the United States for many years.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Elvis B. Allison in his boyhood and youth. He is indebted to the public- school system for his educational advantages, and after he put aside his text- books he was employed at farm labor, enjoying the confidence of those whom he served by reason of his faithfulness and unfaltering industry. Desiring, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he began rent-
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ing land in 1905 and in 1908 he took charge of the Van Nortwick farm west of Batavia and at the present time is cultivating a large tract of land of two hundred and sixty-eight acres, which he has brought under a high state of development. so that the fields annually produce abundant crops. He makes a specialty, too, of the dairy business and for this purpose keeps a large number of cows, while the products of his dairy find a ready sale on the market.
On the 3d of December, 1904. Mr. Allison was married to Miss Pearl Tyson. a daughter of Lawson and Tymi ( Householder) Tyson, of Plymouth:, Indiana. Two children now grace this marriage: Carl Raymond, who was born July 10, 1905; and Harold Blaine, on the 8th of January, 1907.
In his political views Mr. Allison is a stalwart republican. He is also connected with the Congregational church and is a member of the Mystic Workers. His life in all its relations is actuated by high and honorable principles that makes him one of the most respected and worthy residents of the locality as well as an enterprising young business man.
JUDGE RICHARD NICHOLS BOTSFORD.
To have attained to the extreme fullness of years and to have had one's ken broadened to a comprehension of all that has been accomplished within the flight of many days, is of itself sufficient to render consonant a detailed consideration of such a life in a work of this order but in the case at hand there are more pertinent. more distinguishing elements-those of usefulness, of high honor, of marked intellectuality, of broad charity-which lift high in reverence the subjective personality of one who stood as one of nature's nobleman, "four square to every wind that blows." The life of Judge Rich- ard N. Botsford was ever constant in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation and while he eschewed practically all political honors, he gained in the practice of civil law a reputation which made him one of the most distinguished members of the bar of northern Illinois, having for a half cen- tury continued in active practice.
A native of Connecticut, Judge Botsford was born in Newtown. Fair- field county. October 28, 1830, and was a son of Austin N. and Volucia (Glover) Botsford. He resided in his native state until the time of his father's death, when at the age of eleven years he went to New York city to live with an aunt. His stay in the metropolis was of short duration. how- ever. for, becoming tired of city life, he returned to Connecticut and devoted his energies to farm labor in provision for his own support until eighteen years of age. Ambitious to enjoy better educational privileges than had pre- viously been afforded him, in 1845 he entered Hobart Academy at Hobart. New York, where he continued his studies for three years. Returning to Connecticut, he entered the State Normal School at New Britain to prepare himself for the profession of teaching and for two years pursued his studies in that institution.
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Attracted by the opportunities of the west, Judge Botsford, then a young man of twenty-one years, came to Illinois in 1851, settling at St. Charies, Kane county. He taught select schools in that town, also in Missouri and other parts of the country until 1856. He was also for a period in the employ of a St. Louis firm, who were engaged in making maps of various towns in Iowa. Returning to St. Charles, he purchased, and conducted a hotel and livery barn but disposed of his business in 1856, when he began preparation for the bar as a student in the office and under the direction of C. C. Pope, an attorney at Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He was admitted to practice the following year. His time had not all been devoted to the mastery of Blackstone, Coke, Littleton and other authorities, for it had
been necessary that he provide for his support by teaching school while in Wisconsin and his reading was done in the hours which are usually termed "leisure" and by most people are devoted to rest and recreation. Following his admission to the bar Judge Botsford again located in St. Charles, where he purchased and published the St. Charles Argus for about a year.
At the end of that time he entered upon the active practice of his pro- fession in partnership with D. L. Eastman. While advancement in the law is proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate awaited him. In the first cases entrusted to his care he gave proof of his ability in handling the intricate problems of the court and his clientage steadily grew. Following the death of Mr. Eastman he became a partner of S. S. Jones, who was afterward editor and publisher of the Religio-Philosophical Journal of Chicago. This association was continued until 1865.
In the meantime, in 1861, Mr. Botsford was elected judge of the Kane county court and held the office for four years. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and many important cases were tried before him. This, however, is the only office that he ever filled, although frequently solicited to become a candidate. He preferred to concentrate his energies upon his pro- fessional duties and his allegiance to his clients' interests was proverbial. Whatever he did was for the best interests of those whom he represented and for the honor of his profession. No man gives to either a more unquali- fied allegiance or riper ability. He possessed a mind of singular precision and power-in a marked degree a judiciary mind, capable of an impartial view of both sides of a question and of arriving at a just conclusion.
In 1867 Judge Botsford removed to Elgin and entered into partnership with Joseph Healy. He was successively senior partner of the firm of Bots- ford, Barry & Healy, of Botsford, Barry & Lovell, Botsford, Barry & Wilcox and Botsford & Wayne, while eventually the last named firm was joined by Judge Botsford's son under the firm style of Botsford, Wayne & Botsford. The firm has been regarded as the ablest in the county, having been counsel for the Elgin National Watch Company and the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. Judge Botsford concentrated his energies upon civil law practice and had wide and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of that department of jurisprudence. In his practice he was absolutely fair, never indulged in artifice or concealment, never dealt in indirect methods, but won his victories, which were many, and suffered his defeats, which were
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few, in the open field. face to face with his foe. He achieved the highest distinction and he deserved it.
Judge Botsford was married in 1860 to Miss Ellen E. Bundy of St. Charles. and they became parents of a son and a daughter. Carl E. and C. Alosia, the former his father's associate in practice. In his political views Judge Botsford was always a stalwart democrat, and while he never sought nor desired office hie labored for the interests of his party on the campaign platform, delivering many able addresses, which bore fruit in substantial results at the polls. He was an eloquent speaker, a scholarly and accomplished gentleman and courteous in all the relations of life. He remained an active member of the profession until his demise and had often been said to possess the clearest and most alert mind of any lawyer in the county. In spite of his advanced age he retained his faculties until the end, having been consulted on important legal affairs only the week prior to his death, which occurred April 6, 1908. Kane county mourned the loss of one whom it had long known and honored-the nestor of the Elgin bar. He was great because nature had endowed him bountifully and he had studiously, carefully and conscientiously increased the talents that had been given him. During his long service to his chosen profession his career typified the highest quality of manhood.
GEORGE L. GERMAN.
A spirit of enterprise and progressiveness actuates George L. German in all that he undertakes and he is well known in business circles in Geneva, his native city, as a real-estate and insurance agent. He was born here Janu- ary 18, 1870, his parents being George and Della (Flint) German, both of whom were natives of Illinois. The paternal grandfather was Lyman Ger- man, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who, following his removal to this state, became a contractor for all the wood burned and the ties used by the Northwestern Railroad as far west as Clinton. He also erected the first railroad bridge across the Rock River and was closely associated with the material development and substantial progress of this part of the state. where he located as a pioneer settler, arriving in Geneva in 1836, only four years after the Black Hawk war had been fought. He took up a claim on the east side of Fox river, which is now a part of the original town of Geneva and was the owner of a farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, for which he paid in gold-an unusual thing at that time, for money was very scarce in the early days in the west. He died at the age of eighty-six years after an illness of only five days, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza- beth Mckinley, passed away at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of nine children.
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