History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 106

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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rah ( Berry) Cain, who came to this country in early life and resided in Savannah, Georgia. The father dying there, the mother afterward re- moved to Illinois, settling in Eagle township, La Salle county. She was one of the pioneer resi- dents of this locality and continued to make her home here until her demise. In the family were two sons and four daughters, but only two of the number are now living: Ann, who resides in this county ; and Bridget, who makes her home in Kansas. .

Anthony Cain was brought to the United States by his parents during his early childhood and after his father's death he lived with his mother and aided in her support up to the time of his marriage and in fact took care of her for fifteen years after his marriage, thus re- warding her by his filial devotion for her parental care in his early youth. After his marriage he engaged in farming on eighty acres of land, to which he added from time to time as his finan- cial resources permitted until he had six hundred and forty acres, which he afterward divided with his children.

It was in August, 1873, that Mr. Cain was joined in wedlock to Miss Ann Jannett, the mar- riage being celebrated in Ottawa. Mrs. Cain was born in Ireland, March 17, 1843, and is a sister of Hugh A. Jannett. This marriage has been blessed with nine children: Sarah, the wife of Martin Nolan; Mary; Thomas; Marcella, the wife of Thomas Prendergast; Ann, the wife of Edward Connes; Dennis; Mathew, who married Julia Hoarty; Margaret, who is a sister of charity in Wisconsin; and Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Prendergast.

For many years Mr. Cain continued his act- ive farming operations and season after season cultivated his fields, planting the seed and har- vesting good crops. Finding a ready sale for his products, he at length became the possessor of a very desirable competence and, putting aside business cares, he removed to Streator in March, 1904. There he purchased the home which his widow now occupies and lived retired up to the time of his death. He was a school director for many years and the cause of education found in him a warm and stalwart friend. He was like- wise a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church and he exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the democracy. He was a man of excel- lent business capacity and untiring energy, who formed his plans readily and was determined in their execution. As the years went by he prospered and was thus enabled to leave his family in very comfortable financial circum- stances. His widow now has three hundred and

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sixty acres of land in Eagle and Osage town- ships and is very comfortably situated in life in a pleasant and attractive home in Streator. She has many friends in this city and in the county, the hospitality of many of the best homes here being cordially extended to her.

CONRAD SEIPP.

A most important element in our citizenship is that which has been furnished by the father- land and among the worthy representatives from Germany now living in La Salle county is num- bered Conrad Seipp, who, retired from active farm life, is residing at No. 305 La Salle street in the city of Streator. He became a resident of this county in 1848, the year of his arrival in America. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 15th of February, 1826, his par- ents being Conrad and Katherine ( Haas) Seipp, both of whom spent their entire lives in Ger- many, passing away after the emigration of their son Conrad to the new world. The father was a manufacturer by trade and always followed that occupation in order to provide for his family. There were six children. Christopher, who came to America and resided in Peru, Illinois, for a number of years, died there several years ago. John, a blacksmith, located in Peru, where he spent his last days. William became a resident of Kansas and is still living in Marysville, that state. Mrs. Katherine Bean, now deceased, was a resident of Peru. Mrs. Margaret Hoover is residing in Wichita, Kansas.

Conrad Seipp, the other member of the family, was reared in Germany, is indebted to the public- school system of that country for the educational privileges he enjoyed, and when twenty-two years of age started for America, hoping to bene- fit his financial condition in the new world, for favorable reports concerning business conditions and opportunities had been received by him. Crossing the Atlantic, he made his way at once into the interior of the country, locating first at Peru, where he resided for ten years. He was variously employed during that period and with the money saved from his earnings he pur- chased the farm on section 27, Richland town- ship, where his son Charles now resides. He secured three eighty-acre tracts of land on that section, now valued at two hundred dollars per acre, and with characteristic energy and de- termination began cultivating his land, which he made very productive, so that large crops were annually harvested.

Mr. Seipp was married in Peru, Illinois, to Miss Mary Wagner, who was born near Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, in the village of Byron, February 2, 1838, her parents being John and Mary (Konkle) Wagner, who came to America in 1845, settling in Putnam county, Illinois, where they remained until called to their final rest a number of years ago. Mrs. Seipp had two sisters, Mrs. Clara Meyer, who is now deceased, and Mrs. Barbara Ginter, who is now residing in Livingston county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Seipp have become the parents of eleven chil- dren : William; Mrs. Mary Winters, of Streator ; Mrs. Kate Bush, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Dell Ryan, of Streator; John, deceased ; Edward, a resident farmer of Richland town- ship ; Charles, who is also carrying on farmting in Richland township; Cooney, who has departed this life: Mrs. Charles Schroeder, of Streator ; Mrs. Ella Plank, whose home is in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; and Annie, who died in girlhood.

When Mr. Seipp became a naturalized citi- zen he gave his political allegiance to the de- mocracy as a result of his study of the questions and issues of the day. He served as commis- sioner in Richland township for eight years and proved a capable official but has never been active as a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and his life has been characterized by honorable and manly principles. His life in America has dem- onstrated that it was no mistake in judgment that led him to seek a home in the United States. On the contrary, the wisdom of his choice has been proven by the passing years, for in the new world he has embraced the opportunities which are open to him and which have made him a prosperous and influential resident of the community.

CHARLES A. HISLER.

Charles A. Hisler is a retired farmer living in Waltham township, and is one of the repre- sentative citizens that France has furnished to La Salle county. Here through the improvement of business opportunities and advantages of the new world, he has steadily worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence. He was born in Alsace, France, in 1838, a son of Martin and Margaret Hisler, both of whom were also natives of Alsace, where they spent their entire lives. A sister, Caro- line Hisler, however, came to the new world and is now Mrs. Gosliens, a resident of Chicago.

Charles A. Hisler acquired his education in the schools of his native country and came to the

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new world in 1865, arriving in this country with- out a dollar. It was necessary that he find immediate employment, and for three years he worked in New York before he came west to Illinois in 1868. He took up his abode in La Salle county and was married the same year to Miss Louise Boisso, who was born in this county and is a representative of an early French family in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Hisler have become the parents of five children: Mary, the wife of William Anderson, who resides upon a farm in this county; George, who married Ina Bellman and is living in Waltham township; Charles A., who married Ina Reed, who died in 1905; Caroline, wife of Eli Erb; and Edward, at home.

Mr. Hisler now owns one hundred and sixty- three acres of fine farm land in Waltham town- ship, on which he has erected a substantial resi- dence. In fact he has placed all of the improve- ments there and has now a well equipped farm supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories. It is devoted to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and in both branches of his business he is meeting with success. His life in America proves what thrift and sober, intelligent work can accomplish. For many years he continued active in the work of the fields but is now living a retired life, although he gives his supervision to the farm. Mr. Hisler is es- pecially interested in community affairs and co- operates in many measures that have direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the county. He is a stalwart republican in politics and has been road supervisor, while for nine years he has filled the office of school director. He has been a member of Waltham lodge, No. 384, A. F. & A. M., for many years and in his life exemplifies the true spirit of Masonry, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He has had no occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for in this land he has found opportunities, and through their improvement has advanced to a creditable position in business circles and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil.

WILLIAM F. RICHARD.

The rich soil of La Salle county furnishes ex- cellent opportunity to him who follows agricul- tural pursuits, and among the good farms of Eagle township is the property of William F. Richard, who resides on section 14. He owns and cultivates three tracts in this township, hav- ing forty acres which constitutes the northeast

quarter of the northeast quarter of section 13, and thirty-one acres which is in the east quarter of the east half of the southwest quarter of section 12, beside his home place which is the southwest quarter of section 14. He thus has one hundred and sixty acres in all and he has recently sold a half section of land in Thomas county, Kansas.

Mr. Richard is a young man and in his busi- ness career has attained a measure of success that many an older agriculturist might well envy. He was born in Eagle township in 1872, his par- ents being William and Margaret (Schneider) Richard, the latter now residing in Ottawa at an advanced age. The father was born in the king- dom of Prussia, Germany, in 1840, and when fourteen years of age made the voyage across the ocean with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Richard, who located in Pennsylvania. In the early '50s they came to Illinois, settling in Eagle township, La Salle county, and afterward took up their abode in Richland township, where both passed away, the death of Christian Richard oc- curring about 1856. William Richard, his son, purchased the farm which is now the property of William F. Richard of this review and later he bought three eighty-acre tracts in Richland town- ship, which he cultivated. He was active in business affairs as a representative farmer until his removal to Ottawa two years prior to his death, which occurred March 13, 1898. At that time he owned two hundred acres in Boone coun- ty, Iowa, and eighty acres in Jackson county, Minnesota. William F. Richard has a brother and three sisters living and is the third in order of birth in this family. The others are: . Mrs. Caroline Shawback, who died in Iowa several years ago; Mrs. Anna Shawback, of Richland township ; Daniel C., who is practically living re- tired in the village of Lostant; and Mrs. Wil- helmina (or Minnie) Baker, residing in Richland township.

William F. Richard was reared in La Salle county and educated in the common schools and in Naperville, Illinois, where he pursued his studies for a few months. In his youth he became familiar with farm labor and has always engaged in the tilling of the soil. He has made most of the fine improvements upon his farm, building barns, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and keeping his fences in good re- pair. He uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields and the farm in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision.

Mr. Richard was married here to Miss Kate Claus, who was born and reared in Richland township, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Claus, now retired but still living upon a farm.

MR. AND MRS. W. F. RICHARD.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Three children grace this marriage, all of whom were born on the present farm: Alfred, eight years of age; Wesley, five years of age; and Ed- gar, who is three years of age.

In politics Mr. Richard is an independent re- publican and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association, attending the church lo- cated in Richland township. He is a young man of enterprising spirit, energy and strong pur- pose and already has made a creditable name as a representative of agricultural interests in his native county.

JOSEPH J. LEIX.

Joseph J. Leix, who is filling the position of city alderman and is engaged in business as a cement contractor at Ottawa, was born in this city on the IIth of August, 1858, and is a son of Dionios and Victoria (Rapp) Leix. The family is of German origin and both the father and mother were born in Germany. They were residents of La Salle county, however, for many years, having come to America in 1853. The father was a carpenter by trade and was long associated with building operations in this county. He built the old National Hotel, which he con- ducted for a number of years, being one of the well known landlords of the county, this estab- lishment being popular with the traveling pub- lic. For about ten years prior to his death, however, he lived retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, his labors in former years hav- ing brought to him a gratifying competence. The father died in June, 1905, at the age of seventy- four years, having for a few years survived his wife, who passed away in the summer of 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years. In their family were seven children, who are yet living: John W., now living retired in Ottawa; Joseph J., the subject of this review ; Frank D., engaged in the dry-goods business in this city; Julius, proprie- tor of a hotel in Ottawa; Katherine, the wife of H. Walkling, also of this city; Sophia, the wife of L. S. Ball, and Victoria, the wife of R. Rich- ardson, both residents of Ottawa.

Joseph J. Leix was reared upon the old home farm and was educated in the public schools of Ottawa. He started out to make his own way in the world, however, when eleven years of age and learned the stone-cutting trade, which he has followed to a large extent to the pres- ent time. About eight years ago he began ce- ment work, doing a contracting business in this line, and from the beginning has prospered, de- veloping an excellent business, which is con- stantly growing in extent and importance. He

now employs from eight to fifteen men, most of whom are skilled laborers. He has been very successful and gives practically his entire at- tention to its business. He is found thoroughly reliable and enterprising and his persistency of purpose and capable management constitute the basis of his prosperity.

Mr. Leix was married in Ottawa to Miss Kath- erine Barret, of this city, who was born here and is a daughter of Thomas Barret, one of the old residents of Ottawa, who for many years was engaged in business as a tailor. In his po- litical views Mr. Leix is a democrat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is recognized as one of the able local leaders and has been hon- ored with several local offices, serving as super- intendent of streets for three years, while in the spring of 1905 he was elected alderman and is now filling the position. His religions views are indicated by his membership in St. Francis Ger- man Catholic church, of Ottawa. He is an en- terprising man, interested in the material, in- tellectual, political and moral progress of his city, and his efforts in behalf of public improve- ment have been effective.

JAMES G. DOYLE.

James G. Doyle, editor and publisher of the Daily Post, of La Salle, was born at Fourth and Union streets in the city where he yet resides, February 20, 1880, his parents being Thomas and Bridget (Hanlon) Doyle. The father has for twenty-five years been chief of police of La Salle and for thirty years police officer.

James G. Doyle pursued his education in St. Patrick's Academy (a Brothers' school) of La Salle and was graduated therefrom in 1894. He entered the high school in the fall of the same year and completed the course there by gradua- tion in the class of 1896. From his boyhood days he was fond of outdoor sports and took great delight in anything of an athletic nature. He had wise discipline and training in the parental home, his father pursuing a course that developed his self-reliance and the utility of not depending upon others in times of trouble, never sympathizing with him when he suffered from the attacks of other boys in the usual scrimmages which occur in school days.

After leaving school he was employed as a news-gatherer on the Democrat of La Salle and a year later engaged in office work. Soon after- ward, however, he returned to the newspaper field as the La Salle editor of the Peru News-

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Herald. In 1900 he accepted a position of city editor of the La Salle Tribune and in January, 1903, with H. C. Uthoff, purchased the Demo . crat-Mirror, of La Salle, from F. A. Truesdale, who had been proprietor of the paper but one month, succeeding John McLauchlan. In Octo- ber, 1903, he purchased Mr. Uthoff's interest and became sole proprietor. He was very suc- cessful in organizing forces for newspaper work and by advocating and supporting measures which are for the benefit of the people in general has made his newspaper business both pleasant and profitable. He is proprietor and editor of the Daily Post of La Salle, Peru and Spring Valley, the publishing house being at 722 First street in La Salle. The circulation of the paper is now extensive and it is also a good advertising medium, having an excellent patronage in that direction.

In his political affiliation Mr. Doyle is a stal- wart democrat and in September, 1904, was elect- ed chairman of the democratic town central com- mittee. He is progressive in his political views, favoring municipal and governmental ownership of public utilities and trust regulation. He exemplifies in his ideas and his efforts the spirit of the times, which is manifestly toward reform and progress, looking to the general welfare of the entire people without regard to class dis- tinction or business combines. Prominent in fraternal and social relations, he belongs to La Salle lodge, No. 584, B. P. O. E .; La Salle Aerie, F. O. E .; Calvert Council of the Knights of Columbus ; the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica ; the Home Fraternal League; Carter Harri- son council of the Royal Arcanum; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Deer Park Country Club. He is also a communicant of St. Patrick's Catholic church.

MICHAEL EARLY.

Michael Early, a retired farmer living at No. 302 Court street in the city of Streator, was born in Cullian parish in County Louth, Ireland, June 16, 1844, his parents being Patrick and Mar- garet (Jennett) Early. His father was born in the same parish and departed this life in Osage township, La Salle county, Illinois, at the vener- able age of eighty-six years. His wife, likewise a native of County Louth, her birthplace being near Dundock, died in this county at the age of eighty-three years. They came to America in 1854, crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of Quebec. They remained in that city for about three months on

account of ship fever, after which they removed to Morristown, St. Lawrence county, New York, where they spent three years. In 1857 the father removed to Illinois, settling first in Bureau county, where he spent one winter. He afterward removed to a farm in Putnam county in the spring of 1858 and continued its development and improvement until the spring of 1862, when he came to La Salle county, settling in Osage township. There he bought one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land, placing all of the improvements upon it, and he likewise ex- tended the boundaries of his property until at his death he owned two hundred acres of very rich and productive land. Thus as the years went by he prospered and although he came to America in limited financial circumstances he was very comfortably situated in life at the time he was called to his final rest. For a number of years he served as road commissioner and his political support was given to the democracy, while his religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church. In his family were six chil- dren, but with the exception of Michael Early all are now deceased.

During the residence of the family in St. Law- rence county, New York, Michael Early first attended school and later continued his education in Illinois. He was a youth of thirteen years when the family came to this state. He lived with his parents through his boyhood days and after his marriage the two families lived together until the time of the death of the father and mother. Mr. Early was associated with his father as a farmer and stock-raiser and they carried on a profitable business. For years he was identified with agricultural pursuits but is now living re- tired, having put aside the more arduous duties of the farm in order to enjoy a richly merited rest.

On the Ist of January, 1876, Mr. Early was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Denaher, who was born in the city of La Salle and died October 13, 1892, at the age of thirty-nine years. She was a daughter of Michael and Mary Den- aher, natives of County Limerick, Ireland, who came to the United States at an early day. In their family were three sons and three daughters : John, now living in Leeds, Illinois; James, who resides near the old homestead in Richland town- ship, this county; Patrick, who is living upon the old home farm; Mary; Margaret ; and Mrs. Early. The father was one of the worthy pioneer settlers of La Salle county and contributed to its early progress and improvement. He and his wife were communicants of the Roman Catholic church and his political faith was that of the democracy.

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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Early has been blessed with five children: Mamie S., William F., Michael J., Evelyn F. and Marguerite M. In March, 1905, Mr. Early purchased his present home at No. 302 Court street and is now resting from further labor, the fruits of his former toil being sufficient to supply him with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. For four years he was school trustee and then resigned and for fifteen years he served as school director. He is a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church, is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and is a supporter of the democracy. From his boyhood days to the present he has resided in this county and his life, though quietly and uneventfully passed, has been fraught with many good qualities, winning for him the respect and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.

CHARLES MCLAUGHLIN.

Charles Mclaughlin, an honored veteran of the Civil war, is living in Troy Grove and though now engaged in no active labor, he was for many years classed with the enterprising agricul- turists of this part of the state. He was born in Maine, a son of David and Polly (Windlow) Mclaughlin, the latter a daughter of General Windlow, of England, who on coming to Amer- ica settled on the bank of the Niagara river and was there murdered by the Indians in pioneer times. On leaving Maine the family removed to Buffalo, New York, where they resided for five years, and in 1835 came to Dimmick township, La Salle county, Illinois. Here the father car- ried on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1847.

Charles Mclaughlin accompanied his parents on their various removals and for more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten has been a resident of La Salle county. Few indeed have longer witnessed its development and growth. In the early days he shared in the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life as the early settlers reclaimed the wild land for the purpose of cultivation, subjugated the wil- derness and extended the frontier. As his age and strength permitted he bore his share in the work of developing and improving the old home- stead farm and in 1860 he purchased a farm in Troy Grove township. There for many years he carried on agricultural pursuits, raising good crops and producing harvests which brought to him a gratifying financial return. As the years passed and his bank account increased and as he

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 106

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286