USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 86
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
George German, the father, born in Illinois, was reared on a farm about a mile and a half west of Geneva and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He served as a soldier in the Civil war and died in 1877 from illness contracted in the army, when but thirty-five years of age. His wife
883
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
died in 1881. Both were consistent members of the Methodist church and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them. Their family numbered but two sons, the younger being Harry German.
George L. German was reared in Geneva and attended the public schools, lacking but two months of graduation from the high school when he was taken ill and for the benefit of his health was sent to the west, where he remained for a year and a half. He also traveled all through the south, and after his return to Geneva became night watchman at the Howell foundry, where he remained for one year. He then became one of the first street car conductors on the electric line in Aurora and subsequently was foreman in the Boston Grocery Store, having charge of the grocery department for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Geneva and accepted a position on the police force under D. J. Hogan. His official service has also included that of marshal and constable and on his retirement from the office he went to work as foreman for the Corn Products Company at Geneva, with which he was connected for a year. He was then transferred from Geneva to the plant in Chicago and afterward was employed in the large glucose works near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, during the year 1905. Again com- ing to his native city, he established business on his own account as a real- estate and insurance agent and in this connection has secured a good clientage, having in the last two or three years negotiated a number of important realty transfers and written a large amount of insurance.
On the 5th of April, 1899, Mr. German was married to Miss Carrie Schwarz, a daughter of John and Caroline Schwarz, and they have one child, Kathleen Louise. Mrs. German is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. German belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Sons of Veterans, formerly serving as captain of Camp No. 21, of Aurora. He is widely known in his native county and both he and his wife have many warm friends here.
CHARLES P. EAKIN.
Charles P. Eakin, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising on sections 21 and 22, Rutland township, and is also serving as clerk of that township, was born on the farm where he now resides, it being the estate of his father, William Eakin. The latter was born in Ireland, October 20, 1826, a son of Robert and Margaret ( Bates) Eakin. He accompanied his parents on their emigration to America in 1840, they purchasing and locating on the farm in Rutland township, Kane county, which is now the home of our subject. When seventeen years of age William Eakin also pur- chased some land, which is still in possession of the family. He devoted his time and energies to general farming and stock-raising interests and met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity. On the 19th of Octo- ber, 1853, he was here united in marriage to Miss Margaret Pollock, whose birth occurred in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 12, 1828, her parents
884
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
being John and Margaret (Gilmore) Pollock. On crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1848 they settled in the state of New York, but in 1855 came to Illinois, making their home with their daughter. Mrs. Eakin, until called to their final rest in 1855 and 1882 respectively. William Eakin passed away February 26, 1906, in the faith of the Reformed Presbyterian church, of which his widow is also a member.
Unto William and Margaret (Pollock) Eakin were born ten children, seven of whom arrived at years of maturity. Maria became the wife of W. T. Wright, and passed away in 1884 at the age of thirty-three years, leaving four children to mourn her loss, namely : Clayton, Zilphia, Charles and Eliza- beth. Mr. Wright lives in Elgin. Annie became the wife of Joseph Hunter and was called to her final rest in 1888, at the age of thirty-three years. Rev. John A. is pastor of the Congregational church at New Hampton, Iowa, having preached the gospel for the past fourteen years. He was educated in the Elgin Academy and is also a graduate of Beloit College and the Chicago Theological Seminary. He married Miss Jessie Morgan, of Elgin, and has five children, namely : Charles, Freeman, Ruth, Selden and Elizabeth. Charles P., of this review, was the next in order of birth. Elizabeth is still under the parental roof. Mary, who is a graduate of the Rockford Hospital Training School, is a trained nurse. Dr. Allen C., of Rockford, attended Elgin Acad- emy and is also a graduate of Beloit College and of the class of 1891 of the Northwestern Medical School. He wedded Miss Belle Oliver and has two children, Chancellor and Donald.
Charles P. Eakin was reared in the place of his nativity and acquired his education as a student in the Elgin Academy. He now operates two hundred and thirty-seven acres of rich and productive land on sections 21 and 22. Rutland township, where he is also engaged in feeding hogs and cat- tle and in breeding hogs. In both branches of his business he has won a most enviable degree of prosperity, owing to his well directed energy, untir- ing perseverance and excellent management.
In his political views Mr. Eakin is a stanch republican and for the past sixteen or eighteen years has served continuously as clerk of Rutland town- ship, his long retention in office being incontrovertible proof of his capable and faithful discharge of the duties entrusted to his care. Though reared a Pres- byterian, he is liberal in his religious views. He has gained an extensive circle of friends in his native county and is widely recognized as a public spirited and progressive citizen, whose aid and influence can always be counted upon in furthering any movement or measure for the general welfare.
FRANK PARKS McDOLE.
It cannot be denied that the pioneers of Kane county were men of force, enterprise and breadth of view. They not only redeemed the wilder- ness and made it subservient to the needs of an on-coming civilization, but they laid the foundations of all their civil and governmental institutions
885 :
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
broad and deep, and gave them tone and character which have shown up well under every test. It is an equally patent fact that their descendants are worthy exemplars of their high example, and are carrying the heritage received from the fathers of the county toward its highest and fullest fruition.
Frank Parks McDole, long a leading farmer in Sugar Grove town- ship, and now a resident of Aurora, living retired from active pursuits, is a case in point. He was born in Sugar Grove township, January 30, 1860, one of the four sons and nine children of Rodney and Abigail (Louns- bury) McDole. Seven of the number are living: Samuel Prescott, whose home is in Aurora; Mary, the wife of Henry Kingsley, of DeKalb, Illinois; Nancy, the wife of George C. West, a prominent farmer of Blackberry township in this county; Johnathan Robert, a resident of Aurora; Sarah, the wife of Charles D. Judd, of Aurora; Flora, who married William H. Young, and also lives in Aurora; and Ida, the wife of Frank Catlin, of Ashland, Wisconsin. One brother, A. G. McDole, died several years ago. Frank P. McDole was reared on his father's farm and educated at the district school in the neighborhood and at Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial school, which he attended five years. At the age of nineteen he rented the home farm on sections 1 and 13. Sugar Grove township, and this he farmed for four years. In this undertaking he prospered, acquiring sufficient means to enter upon enterprises of greater magnitude. On April, 5, 1883, he was married to Miss Lizzie Niles, a daughter of William S. and Julia Ann (Makepeace) Niles, natives of New York state and early emigrants to Kane county. Inimediately after his marriage Mr. McDole went with his bride to DeKalb county, where he rented a farm, which he worked for one year. At the end of that period he took up his residence on his father- in-law's farm in Sugar Grove township, this county, which he leased and farmed for five years. In March, 1889, he again became his father's tenant on the home farm, but five years later saw an excellent opportunity to gratify a long cherished desire to own a farm of his own. Accordingly, in 1894, he purchased the Niles farm, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself with industry and intelligence until 1901. Then his wife's failing health and the chance to realize a good advance on the purchase price of his land induced him to sell it and move to Aurora, where his wife died on May 2, 1902. Since then he has not engaged actively in business of any kind. For one year he conducted a restaurant in Aurora. All the rest of his years of activity were passed in farming.
Mr. McDole's family consists of his two sons, Stanley Makepeace, who was born April 13, 1884, and Niles Kenneth, whose life began December 15, 1896. The former attended the West Aurora high school and the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial school, and afterward followed a complete course of instruction in the Aurora Metropolitan Business college. He is now office manager for the Garlock Packing Company, of Chicago. Bright. intelligent and energetic, his future is full of promise. The second son is now in the Deaconess Orphanage Home at Lake Bluff, Illinois.
Mr. McDole has been prominent in local public affairs wherever he has lived. He served a number of years as school director, performing the
886
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
duties of the office wisely and stimulating energy and enlarged views in the development of the school system. He is a republican in political allegiance and a Modern Woodman in fraternal relations. As a charter member of the West Aurora Farmers' club, his influence was potential in the organ- ization of that body, and in his activity in its service ever since he has been one of the most helpful factors in promoting its usefulness and keeping its proceedings up to a high standard. Dwelling apart, as it were. from the strife and turmoil of the world's activities, he is passing his days serenely in the enjoyment of the acquisitions and recollections of his wisely employed past and the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, who everywhere hold him in high regard.
JOHN OLESEN.
John Olesen, who carries on farming in Virgil township, was born in Denmark, May 17, 1846, attending the schools of his native country until fourteen years of age. After putting aside his text-books he worked by the month, and also served for three years as a teamster in the Danish army. In 1893 he brought his family to the United States, taking up his abode near Kaneville, Illinois, where he secured employment by the month as a farm hand. By close economy and careful expenditure he was at length enabled to purchase a small farm three and a half miles northwest of Elburn, in the operation of which he has been successfully engaged to the present time.
In 1871 Mr. Olesen was married and his children are as follows: Carrie, the wife of Thomas Thompson, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Elburn; Ole, who carries on farming near Lily Lake; Chris, deceased ; Mary, the wife of Charles Nielson, who follows farming near Lily Lake; Lawrence and Thorwald, both of whom carry on general farming near Elburn; Chris- tina, at home; and Nelse, who has passed away.
By reason of his unremitting. industry and careful management in the conduct of his agricultural interests, Mr. Olsen has gained a creditable measure of success since his arrival in this county, and moreover has the warm esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in contact in business or social relations.
ALLEN PUFFER.
Allen Puffer, deceased, was born in New Hampshire, on the 8th of October, 1853, his parents both passing away in that state when he was an infant. In 1868 he made his way westward, going direct to South Chicago, Illinois. He had attended school in the east and after coming to the metrop- olis also pursued his studies there, but his education on the whole was limited, and the extended knowledge that he later displayed was largely the
887
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
result of reading, observation and experience. He was a machinist by trade and was employed in a sewing machine factory in Chicago until 1875, when he came to Elgin, being engaged by the Elgin National Watch Company. He was employed in the plate room of the factory until the time of his death, which occurred on the 30th of June, 1890. His long retention in the position was incontrovertible proof of his fidelity and capability in the discharge of his duties, and he was well known and highly esteemed as an upright and public-spirited citizen of the community. His brother Gustav, also an employe of the watch company, made his home in Elgin until a few years ago and was very popular and had many friends here.
On the 2d of July, 1879, Mr. Puffer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Turner, a daughter of Doctor and Emma (Strachan) Turner, of Elgin. The father, whose birth occurred in 1808 and who was a very prominent physician of his city, passed away in 1890. His wife, who was born in 1817, was also called to her final rest in 1890.
In his political views Mr. Puffer was an ardent republican, while frater- nally he was connected with the Modern Woodmen. He was a well read man and, though reserved and unassuming in manner, had a host of friends who esteemed him for his unfaltering integrity and genuine personal worth.
CHARLES TEWS
A native of Germany, and bringing to the land of his adoption all the forceful and serviceable characteristics of his race, Charles Tews, of Black- berry township, has shown himself to be a worthy exemplar of the German people and a valuable addition to the citizenship of this country. He was born October 27, 1876, and is the son of Herman and Minnie (Tesch) Tews, who were also natives of Germany, where their ancestors had lived for many generations. The father brought his family to this country in 1882 and located at Aurora, Illinois, where he continued to reside until 1897, when he moved to Mississippi, where he now lives. The mother was born in Ger- many, December 18, 1852. She and her husband were the parents of the following children: Charles; Oricka, who is the wife of Augustus Cutter and lives in Aurora; Robert, who also lives in Aurora; August, who is a prosperous grocer at Aurora; and Emma, Elizabeth and Fred, who reside with their parents.
Charles Tews attended school one year in Germany, then came with the rest of the family to the United States, and here he had the benefit of further scholastic training at the German Lutheran school in Aurora, which he attended until he reached the age of fourteen years. On leaving school he learned the trade of a painter, at which he worked for a number of years. Farming, however, presented more attractions to his active mind, and he determined to follow his bent in this direction. Accordingly, he moved to the farm on which he now has his home, where he has since been engaged in general farming, and, during the last twelve years, also in the milk business.
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Mr. Tews married Augusta Hoffman, who was born on March 5, 1877. They have five children: Wilhelm, Harry, Paul, Georgia and Eddie. Mr. Tews has prospered in his business and has also grown strong in the esteem and good will of the people around him. He is well known throughout Blackberry township as a sterling. upright man of public spirit and progres- siveness, deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the county and state, and worthy of all commendation for the elevated citizenship which he exemplifies.
MARK SEAVEY.
Mark Seavey, who for many years was closely associated with agri- cultural interests in Kane county, is now enjoying a well earned rest at the age of eighty years, deriving his income from his investments, which include good property and also bank stock. The world instinctively pays deference to the man who has lived an upright, honorable life and Mr. Seavey now receives the respect and veneration of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He started upon life's journey in Cattaraugus county, New York, December 14. 1827, and is now nearing the eighty-first milestone.
His father, Aaron Seavey, was a native of New Hampshire and when a young man went to New York, where he followed farming. He also con- ducted a grist mill and saw mill, but after a time left the location in which he had been carrying on business and removed to Allegany county. There he continued in the same field of activity. In 1837, however, he made a trip to the west, looking over the country, and was so well pleased with the natural conditions and the prospects that he decided to locate here. Accordingly in 1842, with his family and his brother Mark and his family, and his brother- in-law, Eddie Drake, and his family, Mr. Seavey started for Kane county, Illinois. The party made quite a little train, traveling in six covered wagons and one single buggy, Mark Seavey of this review, then a youth of fourteen years, driving one of the wagons. Twenty-one days elapsed ere the trip was completed. The three families settled in Sugar Grove township, where Aaron Seavey acquired three hundred and thirty acres of land by purchase. Upon the place was a log house and a straw barn, while a little patch of ground had been cultivated. There he took up his abode and transformed the tract into a model farm, bringing the fields under a high state of improve- ment and adding all modern accessories and equipments. He was a citizen of value, a typical pioneer who labored for the welfare of his community as well as individual success. He possessed the courage and determination necessary to cope with the hardships and trials of pioneer life and the strength and ability to perform the hard work necessary in transforming wild land into productive fields. He died in 1873 at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife, who in her maidenhood was Betsy Drake, a native of Vermont. died in 1877.
Mark Seavey spent the first fourteen years of his life in the Empire state and then accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Illinois. He
889
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
attended school in Blackberry and also spent one winter in a select school at Aurora. He early became familiar with all of the hardships of pioneer life as he aided in developing the farm. After attaining manhood he purchased a half interest in his father's farm and upon the latter's death he bought the interests of the other heirs in the property. He also purchased an adjoining tract of land and was busily and successfully engaged in cultivating an extensive tract of five hundred and thirty acres until 1887, when he retired, selling a part of his land and trading a part for property in Sugar Grove and in Aurora. He removed to the city and has since lived retired, possessing a comfortable competence that supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Moreover he has been connected with the Merchants' National Bank as vice president. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a trade transaction but has won his success through his close application and unfaltering diligence.
Mr. Seavey is a stanch republican but has never been a politician in the sense of seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He believes in purity in politics and is opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs. His fellow townsmen called him to the office of supervisor of Sugar Grove town- ship and continued him in the position for a number of years. After coming to Aurora he was elected supervisor without seeking or desiring the office. He has never shirked a public duty, however, and proved competent and faithful in the position.
Mr. Seavey has been married twice. He first wedded Ruth H. Thompson and unto them were born five children. Following the death of his first wife he was married in 1867 to Mrs. Mary Goodwin, the widow of Newton Good- win and a daughter of Benjamin Pendleton, a native of Connecticut, who became a resident of DuPage county, Illinois, in 1848. The five children of the family are: A. T., a farmer of Aurora township; Mrs. Ida Rathbun, now of Iowa; Charles E., who is cashier of the Merchants' National Bank of Aurora ; Frank W., a farmer of Kane county ; and Mary A.
Mr. Seavey is a man of strong character and sterling integrity, whose life record has been alike creditable to himself and to the county in which he has long resided. It is as an open book which all may read. In his business he has been energetic and straightforward and has never employed underhand methods in winning his success. His example is in many respects worthy of emulation and he well merits the rest which has come to him in the evening of life.
HANS RASMUSSEN.
Hans Rasmussen, a successful farmer and dairyman residing in Camp- ton township, where he has under lease two hundred and thirty-five acres of land, is a native of Germany, where he was born October 14, 1864, the son of Ras and Elizabeth (Evorson) Rasmussen, both of whom were natives of Denmark and emigrated to America in 1885 and located on a farm near Elburn. The father served three years in the Danish army and at the time
596
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
of the war between Denmark and Germany he participated in a number of engagements, being slighty wounded in one of the battles. He now lies at rest in the Elburn cemetery. Nine children were born to this union, namely : Nelse, a farmer residing in Oregon; Christina, the wife of Nelse Christenson; Lena, the wife of George Lawson, a farmer near Lily Lake; Andrew, a farmer residing near Bald Mound; George, a merchant of Elburn; Hans, of this review ; and Catrina, Robert and Mary, all of whom are deceased.
Hans Rasmussen is indebted to the district schools of Germany for his education. These he attended until fourteen years of age, at which time he left school to aid his father in the work of the farm. He devoted the next six years of his life in this direction and at the age of twenty he accompanied his parents to America where, upon his arrival, he secured work as a farm hand upon a place near Elburn. He remained in this position until the time of his marriage, when he rented a farm and experienced the satisfaction of conducting it for his own interests. He has been quite successful in his work and in addition to his extensive farming interests he now runs a dairy, keep- ing for the purpose forty-five cows. As a total he estimates the value of his personal property to be in the neighborhood of three thousand dollars.
In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of Hans Rasmussen and Miss Christina Norgord, who is a native of Germany. They have become the parents of three children, namely: Robert, born December 5, 1892; Nelse, born February 10. 1894; and Lena, born March 28, 1895.
By his ballot Mr. Rasmussen supports the republican party. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran church. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He possesses the thrift, industry and perseverance so characteristic of his race and the prosperity to which he has already attained bids fair to continue.
PETER J. LAWSON.
Peter J. Lawson, who is extensively engaged in the dairy and stock- raising business in Kaneville township, is a native of this section of the country, having been born in Kaneville, November 11. 1884. His father is a native of Germany, where he was born July 23. 1860. He came to America in 1882 and located near Elburn, where he engaged in farming. He was married, August 5, 1883. to Miss Mary Rasmussen, and to this union have been born seven children, of which our subject is the eldest. Of this number Lizzie is the wife of J. C. Johnson. a farmer residing near Bald Mound. Illi- nois; Helen is deceased: Robert is a farmer residing near Elburn : George and Hans are at home: Helena is attending the high school in Elburn. The father rented a farm near Elburn until 1888, when he removed to La Fox and resided until 1897. That year he purchased a farm near Lily Lake, where he has since continued to reside. In politics he is a stanch republican ; fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America : religiously, he is a member of the Congregational church.
891
KANE COUNTY HISTORY
Peter J. Lawson attended the district school until he was fourteen years of age and passed the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, aiding his father in the conduct of his farm. On January 24, 1906, he wedded Constantine Nelson and engaged in farming in his own interests on a place which he rented for this purpose, his farm work consisting principally in raising feed for his dairy cattle, of which he now owns thirty-five head, and the hogs which are a natural adjunct to his business, as they serve to utilize what would otherwise go to waste. Of these Mr. Lawson now possesses some two hundred and forty in number, which bid fair to yield him generous returns when ready for the market. In addition to his stock and dairy inter- ests Mr. Lawson is also possessed of all necessary modern machinery for the conduct of his business, which he now has established on a basis where his progress should be steadily onward and upward.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.