History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 112

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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CHESTER B. CLARK.

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she has a very extensive circle of friends. Mr. Clark was one whom to known was to esteem and honor because of his allegiance to those principles which work for good citizenship, for reliability in business and for integrity in all life's relations.

W. F. McWHIRTER.

W. F. McWhirter, formerly engaged in busi- ness as a millwright, is now proprietor of the furniture store in Troy Grove and also owns a farm in the same township. His possessions have largely been acquired through his own efforts and now in comfortable financial circumstances, his life record indicates what may be accomplished by determined will, honest dealing and unfal- tering industry. He was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, and spent the first ten years of his life in the land of his nativity. He then became a res- ident of Canada, crossing the Atlantic in com-

pany with his father. His parents were Hugh and Agnes ( Ferrier) McWhirter, both of whom were also natives of Scotland. The mother died in Scotland and in 1854 the father emigrated to the new world, settling in Canada. There were nine children in the family, two of whom, An- drew and Robert, became residents of Troy Grove township, owned farms there and spent their remaining days on their respective properties.

W. F. McWhirter is indebted to the public schools of his native land and of Canada for the educational privileges he enjoyed, but his advantages were meager, as he was early thrown upon his own resources, being apprenticed to a millwright, whereby he became familiar with the business of building and refitting sugar mills. He was employed by the firm of Goldin & Mc- Cullough, of Galt, Ontario. He remained a res- ident of Canada until 1877 and then went to the Sandwich Islands, where he remained for nine years, where he worked at his trade of put- ting up sugar mills. In the course of his busi- ness life he has traveled extensively and has thus seen much of the country, gaining that knowledge which only travel can bring. He came to Troy Grove in 1886 and bought eighty acres of land, which he afterward sold. Later he invested in sixty acres, which he still owns, and he also has his residence and store in the village of Troy Grove. His land is largely devoted to the raising of grain and is very valuable. In 1893 he embarked in the fur- niture business, owning the only furniture store and cabinet shop in the village. He carries a well

selected stock and has a liberal patronage, his trade increasing annually. He manifests marked diligence in everything that he undertakes. He has never been dilatory or negligent in any busi- ness transaction and has mastered every task which has claimed his time and energies. Thus year by year he has steadily progressed toward the goal of prosperity and is now one of the well-to-do business men of La Salle county.

In Troy Grove township Mr. McWhirter was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah McWhirter and they occupy an attractive home in Troy Grove, in which hospitality reigns supreme. Early thrown upon his own resources, Mr. Mc- . Whirter came to a realization of the value of strenuous effort and diligence and has allowed no thought of failure to enter his mind. Thus he has steadily advanced to a prominent place in business circles in La Salle county and at the present writing is conducting a profitable store in Troy Grove and is also the owner of a valuable farm property in the county.

MICHAEL DINNEEN.

Michael Dinneen, serving as alderman from the fourth ward at Ottawa, resides at No. 203 East Norris street, where he has made his home for forty years, while his residence in the city dates from 1864. He is thoroughly identified with the interests of the city in various depart- ments of activity and his efforts in behalf of public good have not been without desired results.

Mr. Dinneen was born in County Kerry, Ire- land, in 1844 and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He came to America when about twenty-one years of age and soon after arrived in La Salle county. He spent fifteen years at the Rock Island depot as baggage- master and ticket agent and afterward became connected with the coal trade, conducting the business as a retail merchant in that commodity for eighteen years. In more recent years he has been engaged in the insurance business which is his present trade connection.

In 1866 Mr. Dinneen was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Walsh, a cousin of Alderman James T. Walsh, of Ottawa, and a native of County Kerry, Ireland. One of her brothers, . the very Rev. Thomas E. Walsh, vicar general of the diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, died in 1901 and Mrs. Dinneen passed away on the 9th of March, 1906. In the family were six sons, all of whom are yet living, three being residents of Ogdensburg, New York. Of the

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others one resides in Ottawa, one is in Chicago, while the third has been traveling representative for eight years for the Record-Herald of Chicago.

Socially Mr. Dinneen is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hiber- nians, Western Catholic Union and of the Catho- lic church, being connected with Father Keat- ing's parish at Ottawa. He has been very active in politics for many years and has served as alderman for the past fourteen years, proving a capable and progressive member of the board, who works along practical lines for the develop- ment and progress of the city. He is a man of distinct and forceful individuality, who has left and is leaving his impress upon municipal affairs. In the field of political life and com- mercial activity in Ottawa he has won distinction and is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of La Salle county.

HON. BENJAMIN F. RICHOLSON.

Hon. Benjamin F. Richolson, a prominent attorney of Chicago, member of the firm of Horton, Brown, Richolson & Miller, with offices in the First National Bank Building, was born in Leland, La Salle county, in 1854, a son of Lars and Helen (Johnson) Richolson. The father became a resident of La Salle county in the fall of 1839, and was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, carrying on extensive busi- ness interests along those lines.

Benjamin F. Richolson pursued his prelimi- nary education in the schools of Leland and afterward attended Aurora Seminary. His more specifically literary course being completed, he took up the study of law under the direction of his brother, Samuel Richolson, of Ottawa, and after a thorough course of reading successfully passed the examination that secured his admis- sion to the bar in January, 1877. For a year he was associated in practice with his brother in Ottawa, and in the fall of 1878 he removed to Chicago, where he has practiced continuously since. For some time he was city prosecuting attorney and was assistant corporation counsel. He was also special assessment attorney and special counsel for the city of Chicago in the defense of what was known as viaduct cases, each case involving large sums of money, as high as three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and in all this litigation he was completely successful. His service with the city covered a period of eleven years, though not continuously. For four years he was attorney for the west and north side street car companies and since that time

has been engaged in the general practice of law. He has had many important cases and is now attorney for the west park board. At one time he was elected city attorney but was counted out, while he has also been a candidate for superior court judge.

Earnest effort, close application and the exer- cise of his native talents have won Mr. Richol- son prestige as a lawyer and have connected him with much important litigation of the city and also of private individuals. His legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the strong advocates before the court and he is equally well known as a safe counselor. He is a man of great energy, which is as necessary in the profession as in any other department of business life and his clientele embraces many wealthy men of the city.

Mr. Richolson was married in 1879 to Miss Ella Daley, who was born in the northern part of La Salle county and is a daughter of James Daley, a pioneer settler of the county and a vet- eran of the Mexican war. Mr. and Mrs. Richol- son have a daughter, Edna L., a talented pianist now in New York. She has been a pupil of Raphael Joseffy, renowned as one of the great pianists of the world, studying under his direc- tion for five years. She was for a year a student in Smith College, and in May, 1906, she com- pleted a post-graduate course in musical com- position in New York. Her talent places her among the foremost representatives of the art in the world.

Mr. Richolson is a member of the Illinois Club and at one time was quite active and prominent in club circles. His legal learning and his well known devotion to his clients' interests have made him an able and successful member of the Chicago bar and a credit alike to his native town and his adopted city.

REV. HENRY A. O'KELLY.

Rev. Henry A. O'Kelly, who has been an influential factor in the growth and development of the Catholic church in Streator, where he is pastor of the church of the Immaculate Con- ception, was born in the city of Galway on the western coast of Ireland in 1852. His father, Dr. P. F. O'Kelly, was a skilled physician, who was afforded excellent educational privileges. He was a native of Dublin and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Birmingham, was a daughter of Thomas Birmingham, of Ash Grove,

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County Galway, and belonged to one of the most ancient Anglo-Norman families in Ireland.

From early youth it was the desire of Father O'Kelly to become a member of the priesthood and to this end, when a young man of eighteen years, he crossed the Atlantic to America and entered the theological seminary in Troy, New York. He spent the succeeding eight years in research, study and preparation for the holy calling to which he had determined to devote his life and, following his graduation, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Spalding, after which he was placed in charge of a congregation at Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois. Subse- quently he was transferred to a church in El Paso, Illinois, and since 1883 has been pastor of the church of the Immaculate Conception in , Streator, his service of twenty-three years here being of the utmost benefit to his immediate con- gregation and to Catholicism at large. The house of worship was erected through his in- strumentality and in 1888 he founded the St. Francis Hospital in Streator. He also brought the Sisters of St. Francis here from Springfield, Illinois. The membership of the church includes about three hundred families. Father O'Kelly has also erected the largest house of worship in the city, it being a fine church built of stone and brick.

Since 1883 he has twice visited Europe, mak- ing the last trip in 1902. In the following year was celebrated his silver jubilee, which was at- tended by Bishop Spalding, who ordained him to the priesthood, by Bishop O'Riley and all of the priests of the diocese, together with many friends. He received many beautiful presents, including a silver loving cup from non-Catholics, among whom he has many dear friends. All of the Catholic churches in Streator have sprung from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, also the church at Eagle and the one at Ran- som. A contemporary biographer has said, "Un- tiring in his zeal for the welfare of his church and people, there is little cause for wonder that Father O'Kelly is greatly loved and looked to for sympathy, help and counsel, which he never fails to give."

EDWARD FANNING.

Edward Fanning, residing in Wallace town- ship, owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he purchased six years ago. He has since given his time and energies to its further development and improvement and is converting it into an excellent property. A native son of Illinois, he was born in Livingston

county, on the 9th of August, 1862, his parents being Patrick and Margaret (Wolfe) Fanning, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to Ottawa from Ireland in 1846, and was for several years a general blacksmith, being a very skilled workman at shoeing horses. He also did some work on the material used in the construction of the canal. He was married in Ottawa to Miss Margaret Wolfe, and later removed to Livingston county, where he worked at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1862, when he was forty-seven years of age. He was prominently identified with the demo- cratic party and served as alderman of Ottawa. Following his death the family returned to Otta- wa and later settled upon a farm in Wallace township. The mother died in Ottawa in 1883. In their family were seven children, of whom Edward is the youngest. Three of the number died in infancy, while those still living are : Mary, the wife of Richard Wolfe, a resident of Ottawa; Nellie and Richard, who make their home in Dakota; and Edward.

Edward Fanning spent his early years in Ottawa and at the age of seventeen years went upon the home farm, since which time he has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He worked for his mother until her death, which occurred when he was twenty-one years of age, after which he began business on his own ac- count and six years ago he purchased the Nitchelm farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located in Wallace township. It is well im- proved and the entire tract is under cultivation. There are fair buildings upon it and the fields return golden harvests for the care and labor of Mr. Fanning, who is a most energetic, enter- prising man and is now numbered among the prosperous farmers of Wallace township.

In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of Edward Fanning and Miss Nellie Begley, who was born in La Salle county and is a daughter of James Begley, one of the early residents of the county, now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fanning have been born eight children, all of whom are now living, as follows: Mary, Richard, James, Edward, Robert, Ethel, John and Arthur. All are still under the parental roof and the eldest son, a youth of fifteen years, takes a man's place in the fields.

Mr. Fanning is a democrat and for six years served as township clerk. He is now serving for the second year as treasurer of the school dis- trict and is a member of St. Columba's Catholic church at Ottawa. His life has been one of industry and earnest toil and the years have shown him to be a man of strong purpose, for in his business career he has never faltered when

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obstacles and difficulties have arisen, but has overcome these by determination and energy and is now meeting with gratifying success in his farming operations.

W. C. HALL.

W. C. Hall, deceased, who at an early period in the development of Illinois became a resident of the northern portion of the state and for many years was a respected and worthy agri- culturist of La Salle county, was born in White- side, New York, December 4, 1821, and was de- scended from ancestry who came to America on the Mayflower. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the east and completed his education in Williams College, being thus splendidly equipped for life's practical and re- sponsible duties.

In the year 1847 W. C. Hall was married in New York to Miss Louise Carroll, who was born in the Empire state, February 1, 1825, and came of an old family, tracing their genealogy back through three hundred years. Soon after their marriage they came to Illinois and Mr. Hall engaged in carpentering and contracting. At one time he had a contract for work on the construction of the state normal at Normal, Illi- nois. In 1858 he took up his abode in La Salle county, where he invested his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land lying in Free- dom township. This was all wild prairie, but he at once began its cultivation and improve- ment and built thereon the first dwelling. He added other modern improvements and contin- ued to reside upon the farm until his death, bringing the land under a high state of culti- vation, so that he annually harvested good crops in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born three daughters : Alice, now the wife of James O'Don- nell, a resident of Cherokee, Iowa; Susie W., the wife of Angus McLachlan, who resides upon her father's old home farm in Freedom town- ship; and Frances, who was drowned when a year and a half old.

In politics Mr. Hall was an earnest republican and while in New York held different offices, but never sought nor desired political prefer- ment after coming to Illinois. He served with the state militia, holding a lieutenant's commis - sion with the New York National Guard. Fol- lowing his removal to the west his interest in political questions continued but he never de- sired office as a reward for party fealty. He

was a very active and earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and was a finely educated man, who read broadly and thought deeply. He was a subscriber to twenty-one papers and kept in touch with the trend of mod- ern progress along all lines bearing upon the general interests of society. He was a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination and his counsel was often sought by those who recog- nized the value of his advice and knew that he would give opinions that were entirely trust- worthy. His death, occasioned by paralysis, oc- curred upon the old home farm in Freedom township, January 18, 1906. He had passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey, his life having been one of activity and honesty-qual- ities which gained him a gratifying measure of success in material things and won him the re- spect of his fellowmen.

JOHN L. BARBER.

John L. Barber, living on section 34, Miller township, is a prosperous farmer, whose place of one hundred and sixty acres is well improved with modern equipments. It is known as the Maplehurst Farm and is a valuable property, indicating his careful supervision and progres- sive methods. Here he has lived since 1851, it having been the old family homestead upon which his parents located on coming to Illinois. Mr. Barber is a native of New York, having been born in Saratoga county, on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1840. His father, Zina Barber, was born at Sandy Hill, New York, in 1809 and was a son of Lawrence Barber, one of the early settlers of the Empire state. Zina Barber was reared to manhood in New York and in early life worked in a sawmill, where he made rapid progress until he became the owner of a sawmill, which he operated, engaging successfully in the manufac- ture of lumber for a number of years. He was married in Saratoga to Miss Hulda Dean, who was born in Warren county, New York, a daughter of John Dean. Several children were born to them while they were residing in Saratoga county and in 1851, when their son John was a youth of eleven years, they came to the middle west, settling in La Salle county, where Mr. Barber purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, while subsequently be bought forty acres more. He broke a large part of this place and made the farm a productive tract, but was only per- mitted to enjoy his new home for about four years, passing away in 1855. His wife long survived him and reared her family upon the old

J. L. BARBER.

MRS. J. L. BARBER.

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homestead. She lived to the very advanced age of ninety-one years and passed away in July, 1904. In the family were three sons and two daugh- ters, who reached years of maturity, namely : Mrs. Caroline Massey, a widow, who resides at Lords- burg, near Los Angeles, California; John L., of this review; Cicero, who was killed in battle May 20, 1864, while serving as a defender of the Union in Company K of the Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry ; Alden, who was also a member of the same company and was wounded and taken pris- oner on the 16th of May, 1864, his death occur- ring three weeks afterward in the Confederate hospital at Richmond, Virginia; and Mrs. Ruth B. Edson, a widow now residing with her son in Saginaw, Michigan.

John L. Barber is indebted to the public-school system of his native state and of Illinois for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He attended school practically only through the winter months, for in the summer seasons his labors were needed upon the farm, for his father had died and he had to assist his mother in carrying on the home place. He en- listed on the 18th of January, 1862, as a defender of the Union cause and joined Ford's cavalry, which was later consolidated with the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. He served for three years and participated in the siege and battle of Corinth in October, 1862, and many other important en- gagements and skirmishes. For some length of time he was at Helena, Arkansas, doing scouting and post duty. He was ill in the hospital at Helena for six weeks in 1864 and never fully recovered his health while he remained in the army. In January, 1865, he received an honor- able discharge at Little Rock, Arkansas, and in February returned to his home. He met the usual experiences and hardships meted out to the soldier and was ever loyal to the cause he espoused.

In February, 1865, Mr. Barber returned home and joined his mother in carrying on the home farm and paying off the indebtedness which rest- ed upon the property. He later purchased the old homestead and cared for his mother in her declining years, rendering her filial devotion and love in return for the care which she had be- stowed upon him in his youth. He was married in Marseilles on Christmas day of 1871 to Miss Amanda Brodbeck, daughter of George and Eliza (Uhl) Brodbeck, the former a merchant of Mar- seilles. Mrs. Barber was born in Rome, Peoria county, Illinois, in 1847 and her girlhood days were there largely passed.

The young couple began their domestic life upon the old home farm and Mr. Barber has

greatly improved the place as the years have gone by. He has built a good, neat, two-story resi- dence, substantial barns and outbuildings, has made a deep well and otherwise carried on the work of improvement. He has fenced his place, tiled the fields and he and his mother put out the first orchard, which is yet in excellent bearing condition. There have been no unusual inci- dents in his life as an agriculturist but day after day he has faithfully performed his work and in the capable discharge of his duties he has developed a character that is worthy of emulation and respect.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barber have been born eight children, all of whom are living: Alden C., who is married and resides in Verden, Oklahoma ; Laura E., the wife of L. E. Bentley, of Mar- seilles ; Lucia M., the wife of C. C. Parr, a sub- stantial farmer of Manlius township; Gertie M., the wife of Otho Latimer, a farmer of Miller township; Edith A., the wife of F. E. Yeomans, of Pullman, Michigan ; Carrie E., the wife of I. G. Drackley, a resident farmer of Manlius town- ship; George T., who is operating the home farm; and Leslie D., a young man at home.

Politically Mr. Barber has been a life-long republican, who cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant and for each nominee of the party since that time. He takes an active inter- est in local campaigns. When a boy he and about forty other lads formed a company during a political campaign and bought a flag which cost twenty-five dollars. He was elected captain of the company and the flag was used in the rallies which were held by the party. After the cam- paign it was left with him and he still unfurls it on the 4th of July and during the political cam- paigns. He has never sought or desired office but has served as commissioner of highways and also on the school board, acting in the latter capacity for eighteen years. He has been presi- dent of the district board and for a number of years has been secretary of the board. The cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend who believes in employing good teachers. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and with the exception of the youngest son all of their children have joined the same church. Mr. Barber is one of the official board and takes an active and helpful interest in church work. He is a Mason, belong- ing to Seneca lodge, Shabbona chapter of Ottawa and the commandery in the same city, but has now demitted from those organizations. He holds membership with the Grand Army post at Marseilles, of which he has been commander and is now vice commander. He was a brave soldier

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and has always been equally loyal in the duties of citizenship through the years of peace. His entire life has been devoted to general agricul- tural pursuits and that he has always been a busy man is indicated by the splendid appear - ance of Maplehurst Farm, which with its good buildings and well tilled fields indicates the careful supervision and practical and progressive methods of the owner.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 112

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