USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Donoghue was married twice. He first wedded Julia Driscoll, who died about thirteen years later. They were the parents of four children : Margaret, Michael, Dennis and John. On the 3d of July, 1872, Mr. Donoghue was again married, his second union being with Mary Dwyer, a daughter of Richard and Ellen (Barry) Dwyer, of Rutland, Kane county. They had one child, Mary Ellen, who is a graduate of the Elgin high school and is now principal of the Oak street school of this city, having occupied that responsible position for six years. The board of education at Elgin desired to make her supervising principal, but this would have necessitated a change of schools and the parents of children in the district where she is now principal petitioned so strongly that she should not be removed that the board at length had to rescind. While it cost her something in the line of financial promotion, it indicated most clearly the great esteem in which she is held in the community and also proves the excellent work that she is doing in connection with the schools. She has seven teachers under her and is a most excellent teacher. proving a capable disciplinarian as well as instructor, and one who is con-
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stantly alert for new methods that will improve the interests of the schools and promote their efficiency.
Mr. Donoghue was an active democrat and was a most loyal Catholic, in which faith he reared his family. He was related to the Dooleys, the great shipbuilders of New York, and the Donoghue family is a noted one in Ireland, being well connected. When Mrs. Donoghue came to Elgin with her parents there were but seven houses in the town. Her father was a farmer and took up a school section of land. As the years passed he prospered in his under- takings and became the owner of three large farms at the time of his death. which occurred in 1888. Her mother passed away in 1891. They had come to Elgin, December 12, 1842, being among the first residents of this part of the county, and from that time to the present representatives of the family have been well known here and have taken an active and helpful part in the work of public improvement and upbuilding. Mr. Donoghue, too, was known as a citizen of value and though in his later years he did not enjoy good health, he yet gave his aid and his influence to many movements for the public good.
BEEBY E. RICHARDSON.
Beeby E. Richardson is a resident of the beautiful little city of Geneva, the county seat of Kane county, and at the present writing, in 1908. is filling the office of county sheriff. A native of Aurora, he was born March 14, 1866, and comes of Scotch ancestry, both his paternal and maternal grandparents spending their entire lives in the land of hills and heather. It was there that his parents, John and Isabella ( Ackerly) Richardson, were also born and reared. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and followed that pursuit for many years. On coming to the United States he settled in New York, but later removed to Michigan and afterward became one of the early residents of Kane county, Illinois, taking up his abode in Aurora, where he was em- ployed in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company until 1872. In that year he removed to Goldfield, Iowa. Unto him and his wife were born seven sons: John, of Ottertail, Minnesota; Thomas, deceased ; Jeremiah, who has also passed away: Clark, who resides in Knierim, Iowa ; Frank, deceased : Beeby E., of this review : and Henry, who is also deceased.
Beeby E. Richardson was reared in the city of his nativity and at the usual age began his education in the public schools, continuing his studies to the age of thirteen years, when he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed for five years and at the expiration of that period entered the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, where he learned the trade of a wood machinist. For seven years he was thus employed and later spent several years in the Pullman shop- at Pullman, Illinois. In 1894 he became a resident of Geneva, where for three terms he served as chief deputy sheriff. His long experience in that office well qualified him for the duties of sheriff, to which position he was elected in
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1906. He discharges his duties without fear or favor and is an excellent custodian of the public interests in maintaining law and order.
On the 26th of December, 1889, Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Agnes Burke, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Burke and a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Richardson belongs to Rock City Lodge, No. 718, 1. O. O. F., Mystic Trial Lodge, No. 419, K. P., Rock Springs Camp, No. 662, M. W. A., and is likewise connected with the Elks of Aurora and the Eagles of Elgin. In these different organizations he has many friends and is found as a worthy exemplar of the beneficent spirit upon which they are founded. Since attaining his majority his political allegiance has been unfal- teringly given to the republican party and he is recognized as one of the leaders in its local ranks.
ELIAS J. VAILL, M.D.
Since 1900 Elias J. Vaill, physician and surgeon, has practiced at Elgin, his native city. He was born August 25, 1868, a son of John and Frances (Shaw) Vaill, the former a native of New Brunswick and the latter of Scot- land. Both came to the. United States in early life. The father, a watch- maker by trade, was for a long period associated with the Elgin National Watch Company.
Reared in the city of his nativity, Dr. Vaill at the usual age became a public-school student, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years, when he started out in life on his own account as an employe in the watch factory. He sought the situation in order that he might earn money enough to enable him to pursue a course in a medical college and, carefully saving his wages, at the age of eighteen he entered the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in March, 1894. He then took the competitive examination for an interneship in the Cook County Hospital and, winning second place, served for twenty-two months as house physician there. On the expiration of that period he located for practice in Chicago and was assistant professor of health surgical clinics for one year and also assistant professor of obstetrics for one year in the Bennett Medical College.
Dr. Vaill continued in practice in the metropolis until 1900, when he removed to Elgin. By reason of his previous training and experience he was not unknown here and gradually has worked his way into a large and lucra- tive practice, which indicates clearly that his ability is of superior order, while his devotion to the interests of his patients is proverbial. Not content to rest with the knowledge acquired in his collegiate course, he has constantly broad- ened his learning by investigation and through his association with the American Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Fox River Valley Medical Society. He is also a member of the Physicians' Club of Elgin and of the alumni of the Cook County Society.
Dr. Vaill in his fraternal relations is connected with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, while his political views are in harmony with the princi-
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ples of the republican party. He has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of the city and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public.
THOMAS BISHOP.
Among those who, once active factors in the business life of Kane county. have now passed away is numbered Thomas Bishop, who for a long period was a leading farmer and stock-raiser here. He was born in Devonshire, England, on the 16th of September, 1826, and in early childhood accompanied his parents on their emigration across the Atlantic to New Brunswick, being at that time eleven years of age. His parents were Nathaniel and Mary Ann Bishop, who had a family of four sons and five daughters, including Thomas Bishop. He arrived in Illinois in July, 1850, settling in Elgin township upon a farm, where he continued to make his home for a long period. He invested in two hundred and forty acres of land, which increased in value as the years passed by and he placed upon it modern improvements and transformed it into a rich and productive property. His life was one of untiring activity and enterprise and he worked diligently to acquire success and make a good living for his family.
In May, 1869, Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Stringer. a daughter of John A. and Mary Ann Stringer. Her father was born in Yorkshire, England, July 20, 1808, and in 1819 accompanied his parents on their removal to Canada. The year 1845 witnessed his arrival in Illinois. He reached the state in September and located on a farm on sec- tion 30, Elgin township. Here he became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation, con- verting it into arable fields that annually brought forth rich and abundant harvests. In politics he was a republican, but was somewhat liberal in his views. In October, 1835, he married Miss Mary Ann Sterricker, who was born in Yorkshire, England, June 7, 1818. In 1831 the father was engaged in the manufacture of wheelbarrows, which were used on the construction of the Mohawk & Hudson River Railroad, which was the first railroad built in this country. He spent his last days in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bishop, passing away on the farm June 17. 1895. His widow survived for some years and died in California, March 18, 1902. Their children were : Judge T., now living in Hampshire, this state; Justice J., of Iowa; Melvin H., who is now deceased; Clarence R., who enlisted at Elgin for service in the Civil war and died in Libby Prison, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country; Mrs. Bishop; and Edith F., the wife of Percy Bishop, of California.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bishop were born four children: Clarence T., a traveling salesman living in Elgin ; Flora P., the wife of M. Smythe, of Elgin ; L. W., of Elgin ; and Walter H., at home.
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Aside from his farming interests Mr. Bishop became a director of the Home National Bank of Elgin. He continued in active connection with gen- eral agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death and developed a model property, which indicated in its neat and thrifty appearance his careful super- vision. In his political views he was independent and was also liberal in his religious opinions. He belonged to the Universalist church and in all rela- tions he was a tolerant man, never judging harshly the acts or the motives of others. He held the office of road commissioner for three terms and filled other local positions, the duties of which he discharged in a prompt and able manner. He died October 5, 1891, and his many good traits of heart and mind caused his demise to be deeply regretted not only by his immediate family but also by many friends. Since her husband's death Mrs. Bishop has removed to Elgin, where she has now lived for twelve years. She here purchased a dwelling, but she also retains the old homestead.
MRS. ANNIE WHITNEY SPENCER, M.D.
Dr. Annie Whitney Spencer is accorded a prominent place in the ranks of the medical fraternity in Kane county, by reason of the ability which she displays in her practice at Batavia. She is a native of Wayne, Dupage county, Illinois.
Her father, William M. Whitney, was born in Ontario, New York, and is now practically living retired, save that he owns and cares for a small apiary. He arrived in Dupage county, Illinois, in 1858, and was soon recog- nized as a prominent and influential citizen there. His fellow townsmen in 1860 elected him clerk of the circuit court of Dupage county and ex officio county recorder. The capability which he displayed in discharging his duties led to his reelection four years later and his incumbency, therefore, covered eight years. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar, but never practiced law. In 1870 he was elected to the general assembly from Dupage county and proved an able working member of the House of Representatives. In 1872 he was a member of the State Board of Equalization and in 1879 he became connected with the Eastern Illinois Asylum for the Insane, having charge of the accounts for that institution for eight years. All this time while in the public service he was also engaged in the real-estate business, for he began handling property in 1860. He made his home in Dupage county, but his real-estate operations were in Chicago and he is now living retired at Evans- ton, enjoying a well earned rest after many years of active and faithful public service and a business career that has at all times been honorable and straight- forward. He married Sarah Lavilla Clark, who was born at Evans' Mills, Jefferson county, New York, in 1831 and died in 1880.
Dr. Spencer of this review acquired her primary education in the public schools of Dupage county and afterward attended the high school at Hinsdale. Determining to engage in the practice of medicine because of her deep interest in science and the work of the profession, she began study at the Hahnemann
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Medical College in Chicago and was graduated from there in 1896, with the degree of M.D. In the meantime, however, she had been married and had lost her husband. On the 14th of September, 1882, she became the wife of Dr. E. Stillman B. Spencer, of New York, who engaged in the practice of his profession in West Winfield, New York, until his death, which occurred on the 3d of February, 1892. At that time Dr. Annie Spencer removed to Chicago, where she practiced medicine for a year.
Following her graduation in 1896, she located in Batavia, where she has since engaged in general practice, although she makes a specialty of diseases of women and children. She is accorded a liberal patronage and the pro- fession in the public acknowledge her worth and merit. She belongs to the American Institute of Homeopathy and was elected second vice president on the 2d of June, 1903. She is also a member of the Illinois State Homeopathic Association, of the Women's Medical Club of Chicago and the Chicago Homeopathic Medical Society. At the meetings of these organizations she has read many papers which have attracted wide attention by their value, orig- inality and capable handling of the subjects under discussion. She has served on various important committees of the associations and has been chairman of a number. From 1886 until 1900 she was assistant physician at the Belle- vue Place Sanitarium at Batavia, but resigned on account of the growth of her private practice.
A lady of strong intellectuality, of broad humanitarism and kindly spirit. these qualities have contributed to her splendid success in her chosen calling. She feels the keenest interest in her cases and neglects nothing that may con- tribute to winning a successful outcome in every instance. Her reading has been broad and extensive, for she carried her investigations far and wide into the realms of scientific knowledge, where she has gleaned many valuable truths.
FRANK WILBER JOSLYN.
Frank Wilber Joslyn was born April 27, 1860, and received his early education in the public schools of Elgin and graduated from the Elgin Aca- demy in 1881. He at once entered his father's office and studied law, being admitted in 1883. In 18844 he was elected city attorney and again in 1886. In 1892 he was elected state's attorney of Kane county and again for a second term in 1896, being the only occupant of that office to hold for two consecutive terms.
Mr. Joslyn has been politically and professionally active during the past twenty years and has held many offices of trust. He is still one of the super- visors from Elgin and also holds the office of assistant attorney general of Illinois under Attorney General William H. Stead.
As a public speaker Mr. Joslyn early acquired a place of note and he has been continuously before the public in that capacity for twenty years. He possesses great power of eloquence and thought, whether before a public
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audience or a jury, and is recognized as one of the leading, if not the leading. criminal lawyer of Kane county. He is an opponent few care to meet in an important case. He married Carrie Colby Mead in 1886 and has one child, Paul Mead Joslyn, now thirteen years of age.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH HUDSON.
In a history of the soldiers who made creditable records on the southern battlefields in defense of the Union appears the name of Captain Joseph Hud- son, who throughout the entire period of hostilities fought in defense of the old flag. He was well known as a respected and worthy resident of Elgin, where he lived for many years. He was born in England, September 23. 1837, and was a son of William Hudson, who on crossing the Atlantic to the United States established his home in this county. He located here at a very early day, settling on a farm near Dundee when the Indians were still numer- ous in the locality. Much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated and there was comparatively little evidence of civilization or little promise that work of development and improvement was being carried steadily for- ward and would transform this into one of the most populous and prosperous districts of the state. Mr. Hudson aided in the early improvement of the county and later his son, Joseph Hudson, bore his share in the work of general improvement.
At the time of the Civil war Captain Hudson responded to the country's call for aid and joined the Union army, with which he served until 1866. He went to the front as a member of Company K, Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a private but was promoted through suc- cessive grades in the line to the rank of captain and thus commanded his company, inspiring his men with much of his own valor and loyalty. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, being shot through the leg. after which he was granted a furlough and returned home, but as soon as able he rejoined his command at the front. The date of his enlistment was July 30, 1861, and after serving successively as corporal. sergeant, second and first lieutenant, he was commissioned captain on the 8th of September, 1865. He was then honorably discharged on the 16th of December following, but he continued in the employ of the government until the following spring. He took part in many important engagements, including the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, all in Georgia; Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and others. Before those named he was also at Farmington, at Columbia, Tennessee, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge. Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church and Pine Mountain. He was likewise present at the battle of Island No. 10. New Madrid, the siege of Corinth and the battles of Hoover's Gap and Dandridge. He never faltered in the performance of his duty, even though it stationed him in the thickest of the fight or left him to act as guard on the lonely picket line.
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In his political views Captain Hudson was a strong republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party which stood as the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war. Immediately after the war he formed a partnership with Mr. Roberts and conducted a brewery in Elgin. Later, how- ever, he turned his attention to mining and was engaged in prospecting at the time of his death, which occurred on the 22d of February, 1879, being occa- sioned by a snowslide in Colorado. Weeks passed, but his body was not found until the ist of May and he was then laid to rest in a cemetery at Alpine, Colorado. His military and mining experiences brought into his life many incidents of thrilling interest and also many hardships such as are incident to life on the battlefield or in the mining camps of the west. He was a man of resolute purpose, however, and did not falter in the performance of any task to which he set himself. He possessed a genial manner that rendered him very popular and he is yet remembered by many who knew and esteemed him in this county.
At his death Captain Hudson left a widow and one child. He had mar- ried Angelina Margaret, the only child of Andrew and Christiana (Nelson) Anderson, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Captain and Mrs. Hudson had two children, but one of them, Henry William, passed away prior to the father's death, dying on the 23d of March, 1867, at the age of five months. The other son, Alfred W., who married Anna Fletcher and has one child, Earl Joseph, is now serving on the police force of Elgin.
ARTHUR B. STURM, M.D.
In a history of the medical profession in Elgin mention should be made of Dr. Arthur B. Sturin, who as a physician and surgeon has gained public recognition in a large and growing practice. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 8th of July, 1874, he is a son of Adolph and Johanna ( Schoth) Sturm, the former a native of Vienna, Austria, and the latter of Germany. Coming to Chicago in 1869, the father has since been engaged in the fancy wood and veneer business. He is also well known in public life, having been super- intendent of the House of Correction of Chicago for three years under the Harrison administration, while for some time he was also assistant deputy commissioner of public works. He is a prominent member of all of the Ger- man clubs of the city and many charitable associations, to which he has been a most liberal and constant contributor. He was one of the commissioners of labor under Governor Altgeld and was one of the founders of the Turn- Gemeinde. He has a very wide acquaintance among the German-American citizens of Chicago and is influential in their ranks, being well qualified by his understanding of important public questions for the position of leadership which is accorded him.
Dr. Sturm is indebted to the public-school system of Chicago for his early educational privileges, while later he attended Northwestern University and was graduated on the completion of a course in pharmacy in 1893 and as a
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pharmaceutical chemist in 1895. He then took up the study of medicine and completed a course in Rush Medical College by graduation in 1899. He entered upon his professional career equipped as few men are, by reason of the fact that he studied pharmacy and chemistry, as well as medicine and surgery.
Dr. Sturm served for one year as an interne of the German Hospital in Chicago and in the fall of 1900 came to Elgin, where he has since been located in practice of his profession. He served as city physician for two years under Mayor Hubbard and in private practice has met with very desirable success, the number of his patrons constantly increasing, for the public recognizes his worth and ability. He is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and thor- oughly understands the power of remedial agencies and their effect upon the component parts of the human body.
On the 25th of April. 1898, occurred the marriage of Dr. Sturm and Miss Leola Thompson, of Oconto, Wisconsin, and they now have two sons and three daughters : Johan, George, Charlotte, Adele and John. The family are well known socially, the hospitality of many of the best homes being freely accorded them. Dr. Sturm is a member of the Skull and Serpent So- ciety and two fraternities, the Phi Chi and the Phi Rho Sigma. In manner he is very genial in deportment, courteous and in spirit kindly and to these qualities are attributable his well known popularity.
WALTER LYMAN PEASE.
No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplishments of Walter L. Pease, who was a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, his native sagacity and his business enterprise. A native of Connecticut, he was born in Hartford, April 18, 1825, his parents being Walter and Olive (Denslow) Pease. He was a representative of one of the old New England families, mention of whom is made in the early records of the country. The father, Walter Pease, Sr., was born in Windsor, Connecticut, March 22, 1799, and was a son of Walter and Ruby ( Bissell) Pease, who were married in Connecticut. The former was born about 1772.
The father of Mrs. Ruby Pease established the first ferry on the Con- necticut river and it has been known to the present time as Bissell's Ferry. Walter Pease, Sr., was a nephew of Captain Levi Pease, a blacksmith by trade, who became prominent as a soldier of the American army in the Revo- lutionary war. He served throughout the period of hostilities under the com- mand of General Thomas and was with the regiment when he died of small- pox. While on active duty he won the favorable attention of General Washington and became his confidential guide and trusted messenger in carrying secret instructions. He did this service on many an occasion when the attempt was fraught with the greatest danger but he never faltered in the performance of his duty and displayed fearlessness and remarkable bravery
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