History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 114

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

USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > History of La Salle County, Illinois > Part 114

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

in public life and business affairs, standing for advancement in citizenship and for material, in- tellectual and moral progress.

MILROY A. McKEY.

Prominent among the foremost business men of La Salle county is numberd Milroy A. Mc- Key, banker and capitalist, who belongs to that class of distinctively representative business men of America who, while promoting their individ- ual interests leading to personal success, also contribute in large and substantial measure to the general welfare. What he undertakes he accomplishes, and his methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In this age when fraud and injustice, through monopoly or business combines, seem to have largely tinctured the business world, it is the records of such men as Mr. McKey who restore public confidence and work for stability in the field of industrial and commercial activity.

He comes of an ancestry honorable in con- nection with public as well as business life, being descended in both the paternal and maternal lines from families noted for patrotism and devotion to the general good as well as honorable success in business. His paternal grandfather, Alex- ander McKey, was born in Scotland and in colonial days became a resident of America, settling at Troy, New York, where at the time of the historic Indian massacre one of his sisters was captured by the savages and was ransomed by him for a barrel of whiskey. His father, mother, and other brothers and sisters were killed and their house burned. He was a weaver and farmer and sometime after the struggle for independence and the establishment of the republic, he removed to Chemung county, New York, where he died when more than seventy years of age. During the greater part of his life he was a devout member of the Presbyterian church.

In the maternal line Milroy A. McKey traces his ancestry back to James Westbrook, his great-grandfather, who lived in Chemung county, New York, where his death occurred when past the age of eighty years. The tradi- tions of the family have it that he was six feet, four inches tall and massive in proportion and that he was as brave as he was strong. He was a member of General Washington's staff and fought by his side during much of the struggle for American independence. His great- grandson has a cane which once belonged to James Westbrook, who on one occasion saved

his life with it by warding off a blow aimed at him by a British soldier. Mr. Westbrook fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in times of peace and was a large landowner and influential citi- zen. His ancestors came to this country from Holland. His son, James Westbrook, the grandfather of Mr McKey, was born, lived and died in Chemung county, New York. He was a slave owner and it is said that he emancipated his negroes but could not get rid of them because they liked him and depended upon him so much for everything that they would not leave him. His family was a numerous one and his de- scendants are now widely scattered over the country.

The birth of Alexander W. McKey, father of Milroy A. McKey, occurred in Delaware county, New York, and in early life he followed the profession of school teaching, while at the same time he devoted his attention outside the schoolroom to the study of medicine and after receiving his diploma located for practice in Candor, New York, where for forty years he successfully followed his profession, his skill and ability being widely acknowledged. He became a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, in 1864, and afterward of La Salle county, passing away in Troy Grove, April 5, 1876, the day preceding the seventy-eighth anniversary of his birth. His widow died March 15, 1877, in her seventy-seventh year. His fellow townsmen called him to public office and he served as postmaster and supervisor, as well as in other local positions, while his efforts in behalf of the improvement of the schools were far-reaching and effective. He frequently made gifts of school-books to children unable to buy them and the poor and needy always found in him a friend, his benevolent spirit finding many man- ifestations in his professional career. His wife, who bore the name of Maria Westbrook, was a native of Newark, New Jersey, and to their marriage were born five children: Milroy A .; Eliza Ann, the wife of N. T. Moulton, of Wenona, Illinois ; Laura Maria, the widow of La Fayette L. Huson, of Viola, Illinois ; and William J. of Princeton, Illinois. One child is deceased.

The life record of Milroy R. McKey began in Candor, Tioga county, New York, May 4, 1825, and he has therefore passed the eighty- first milestone on life's journey-a life fraught with successful accomplishment and crowned with the respect and honor of his fellowmen. He was educated in the academy at Cortland, New York, and by a private tutor and for sev- eral terms taught school in the east but the opportunities of the new and growing west at- tracted him, and at the age of twenty-three years

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he became a resident of La Moille, Bureau county, Illinois, where he purchased two hun- dred and eighty acres of land. He then re- turned to the east but in 1850 located on his Illinois property, built a residence and converted his place into richly productive fields. He was married in New York in 1852 and then re- turned with his bride to his Bureau county farm, where he successfully carried on general agricul- tural pursuits until the fall of 1861. He was then a resident of La Moille until the fall of 1864, when he took up his abode in Mendota, where he was destined to become a leader in the public life and business affairs of the city, his recognition and utilization of opportunity making him a power in the successful manage- ment of important business enterprises. He is widely known in banking circles and has been connected with six different banks. He is the vice president of the First National Bank of Mendota and is a director of the Creston Na- tional Bank, of Creston, Iowa, which he ex- amines twice each year. He is likewise the president of the Mendota Gas Company and has made extensive investments in real estate and other business interests in Illinois and other states. His success is the result of steady growth and advancement in the business world. He has made a close study of the conditions and has progressed in harmony with the strictest com- mercial ethics.

It was on the 30th of March, 1852, that Mr. McKey wedded Miss Mary Frost, a daughter of Horton and Electa (Coryell) Frost. She was a most estimable lady, of many excellent traits of character who exemplified in her daily life her religious faith as a member of the Baptist church. She passed away April 25, 1891, at the age of sixty-three years and sixteen days. On the 13th of January, 1892, Mr. McKey married Mrs. Georgietta Mckean, widow of Nathan Hubbard Mckean and a daughter of Henry and Phoebe (Young) Fisher. Mrs. McKey is of Scotch and French lineage and was born near the Bunker Hill Monument at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Her parents died in the east when she was very young and she came west, being married in Brookfield, Missouri, to Nathan N. Mckean, by whom she had two children, Georgia Adelaide, who died at the age of thirteen years and eleven months; and Frank Paine Mckean, now bookkeeper for the Men- dota National Bank. He was born in Brookfield, began his education there and afterward entered the east high school at Mendota, from which he was graduated in 1896. He also completed . the business course in the Dixon (Illinois) Col- lege, by graduation and immediately afterward

entered the bank. He is regarded in Mendota as one of the enterprising young business men of the city, of good ability, and in the bank has made an excellent record.

Mr. McKey, in the public life of Mendota, has exercised a widely felt and beneficial in- fluence, and is recognized as a leader of public thought and action. While in Bureau county he served for a number of years on the board of supervisors, acting as chairman one year, and in Mendota has served four times as mayor of the city, his administration charterized by all that works for public progress and practical reform. In politics he is an independent democrat, usually voting with his party, yet not considering him- self bound by party ties. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, and his life has exemplified the beneficient spirit which underlies these orders. His has been a long and active career characterized by all that is honorable in man's relations with his fellow- men, with all that is enterprising and straight- forward in business and all that is loyal and progressive in citizenship. The various com- munities in which he has lived have benefited by his efforts, both directly and indirectly, and his name is an honored one wherever he is known.

NORMAN J. CARY.

Recognizing the fact that the present and not the future holds the opportunity, that the mo- ment for action is at hand and that each day holds its duties and responsibilities, Norman J. Cary, with due regard to these facts, has made for himself a splendid position in the business world and is a recognized leader in industrial and commercial circles in Utica, being secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Utica Ce- ment Manufacturing Company and of the Utica Hydraulic Cement Company. His life record stands in contradistinction to the fact that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country," for in La Salle county, of which he is a native son, Mr. Cary has so directed his efforts as to win the respect and admiration of his fel- lowmen and at the same time achieve the success with is the goal of all honorable effort. He was born in the city of La Salle, June 2, 1855, his par- ents being Charles A. and Mary J. (Blakeslee) Cary. He was a youth of thirteen years at the time of his parents' removal to Chicago and there he continued his education in the public schools, supplemented by a course in Bryant & Stratton Business College. Thus well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of a business ca-

N. J. CARY.

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reer he accepted, in 1872, a position in the office of James Clark, who was then at the head of what was known as the Utica Cement Association in Chicago. For five years he remained with that firm, thoroughly acquainting himself with the business in its various departments, and through his close application, keen discrimination and un- faltering industry proving his worth as a trusted employe of the house. He afterward entered the employ of Chicago's merchant prince-Marshall Field -- but a year later returned to the employ of Mr. Clark in Utica. This was in 1879 and he continued as an employe of Mr. Clark until 1883, when the Utica Hydraulic Cement Com- pany was organized and he purchased stock therein. He was elected secretary and treas- urer of the new concern, and in 1898 was given similar positions in the Utica Cement Manufac- turing Company. He has since acted in those capacities and at the same time as general man- ager of the two important business enterprises which are among the leading productive indus- tries of La Salle county. His business activity extended to other fields, when, in 1888, he was chosen cashier of the Clark Bank of Utica upon its organization. He is likewise a director of the bank, and his sound business judgment and keen sagacity are essential factors in its success. Mr. Cary is yet a young man but has achieved a position in trade and commercial circles that many a man of twice his years might well envy. He has been watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, has closely studied the business condi- tions of the country and the signs of the times and has kept pace with the onward march of progress in trade circles, while in his identifica- tion with his specific interests he has instituted new methods, formulated new plans and has car- ried them forward to completion.

Mr. Cary is prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in Acacia lodge, No. 67, A. F. & A. M .; Peru chapter, No. 60, R. A. M .; Peru council, No. 12, R. & S. M .; and St. John's commandery, No. 26, K. T., of Peru, and in 1893 was admitted to the Oriental consistory, at Chi- cago, thus attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He is also a member of the Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Chi- cago, and has occupied many important offices in these organizations. He votes with the repub- lican party, using his influence for its support yet is without political aspiration for himself, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his busi- ness affairs.

On the 24th of March, 1885, Mr. Cary was married to Miss Manda M. Collins, a daughter of Cassius A. and Mary J. (Sanger) Collins, of Utica. They have two sons : Clarence C., who

was born December 22, 1886, and was educated in the University of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Indiana ; and Clark B., who was born April 19, 1890. Mr. Cary has a very wide acquaintance in La Salle county, where almost his entire life has been passed. His social qualities have ren- dered him popular with his fellowmen and his business ability has made him a prominent fac- tor in industrial and commercial circles. There is in him a strength of character and determined purpose, a keen insight and reliable judgment, which, coupled with his approachable, genial man- ner renders him at once a power in the world of trade and a friend whom to know is to respect and honor.

M. A. BARBER.

M. A. Barber, now living in the village of Troy Grove, is one of the well known citizens of the county, having many friends in all parts of this portion of the state. He was born in Clinton county, New York, his parents being Benjamin and Mary Ann (Smith) Barber, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. Seek- ing a home in the middle west, they came to La Salle county and took up their abode in Free- dom township in 1866. The mother is now liv- ing in Joliet but the father has departed this life.

M. A. Barber is indebted to the public schools of Prairie Center for the educational privileges he enjoyed. After putting aside his text-books he was apprenticed to a butcher in Ottawa, after which he came to Troy Grove in 1886 and em- barked in business on his own account. Open- ing a meat market, he continued in business for eighteen years, soon building up a good trade, which was continued until he sold out in the fall of 1905 to Mr. Long. He had a very liberal patronage because he carried a good line of meats and was fair and straightforward in all his business dealings.

Mr. Barber was maried to Miss Isabelle Mc- Clarren, a lady of Scotch ancestry, and they be- came the parents of six children: Roy, a gradu- ate of the Chicago Dental College of the class of 1906, married Miss Della Birch, of Chicago. Maud S. is a trained nurse at Kankakee, Illi- nois. Evelyn is also following that profession in Kankakee. Carl, Winifred and William are all at home. The family residence is one of the attractive dwellings of the village of Troy Grove and its generous hospitality is greatly enjoyed by many friends of the family.

Mr. Barber has always taken great interest in the cause of popular education and has ever

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stood for good schools and the employment of competent teachers. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he served for ten years as one of the alderman of Troy Grove, during which time he exercised his official pre- rogatives in support of every progressive meas- ure that tended to benefit the village. He is a self-made man and one who is well known all over the county, being one of the popular mer- chants of Troy Grove and a gentleman of such genuine personal worth that his friendship is rated as high as is his name in commercial circles.

THEODORE P. MILLER.

The agricultural interests of Richland town- ship find a representative in Theodore P. Miller, who is well known as an enterprising farmer and stock raiser and breeder. He makes a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs but has good grades of other stock upon his place. His farm is located on section 17, Rich- land township, where he has one hundred and twenty acres of land which he owns and culti- vates. He was born in this township on his fa- ther's farm on section 17, his natal day being June 8, 1872. His parents were Gustave and Mary (Wortman) Miller, the latter now resid- ing in the German settlement south of Leonore. She was born October 18, 1851, in Peru, this county, and is a daughter of Fred Wortman, who still resides at his daughter's home at the age of seventy-seven years. He is a native of Ger- many and when a young man came to America. For years he was engaged in the butchering busi- ness in Lostant and was well known in commer- cial circles in this part of the county. His wife died about twenty years ago.

Gustave Miller, father of Theodore P. Miller, was born at Dunningen in the province of Wur- temberg, July 28, 1847, and was twelve years of age when he came to America with his par- ents, one brother and one sister. Here they joined two brothers and two sisters who had pre- viously crossed the Atlantic. On the 27th of September, 1859, they took up their abode at Granville. Three years later they removed to a farm on section 4. Richland township, where they resided for forty-seven years. In 1866 they removed to the present Miller homestead and on the 23d of November. 1869, Gustave Miller was married to Miss Mary Wortman. Nine children blessed this union, four sons and five daughters, of whom one son and three daugh- ters are now deceased : Matilda, who died at

the age of eighteen months; Fred, who died in infancy ; Emma, who died at the age of four years ; and Agatha, who died when two years old. In 1903, Gustave Miller retired from active farm life and removed with his wife and daughter Minnie to what is now called the Settlement, tak- ing up his abode there on the 22d of September. After great suffering from rheumatism and dropsy Mr. Miller passed away on the 10th of August, 1904, at the age of fifty-seven years and twelve days. He is survived by three sons and two daughters: Theodore P., of this review; Adolph G., a farmer living on section 9, Rich- land township, who married Miss Elizabeth Pflib- sen ; Charles, who wedded Frances Horback and is a farmer living on section 17, Richland town- ship; Anna, the wife of William J. Puetz, who follows farming on section 19, Richland town- ship ; and Minnie, who resides with her widowed mother. There are twelve grandchildren now living. The funeral of Mr. Miller was one of the largest ever held in this vicinity, for he was a man highly esteemed and honored as a citizen, while warm friendship was given him by the great majority of those with whom he came in contact. He is also survived by two brothers and one sister, namely: John Miller, who is liv- ing in Nebraska; Charles Miller, whose home is in Britt, Iowa ; and Mrs. Peter Salz, of Leonore.

Theodore P. Miller was reared and educated in Richland township, attending the common schools. He has successfully followed farming since attaining his majority and he was asso- ciated with his brother Adolph as administrator of his father's estate. The practical knowledge which he gained concerning farm life in his boy- hood days has proved of immense value to him since attaining his majority and he is now classed with the energetic and progressive agri- culturists of his community, accomplishing much through well directed purpose and unfaltering energy.

On the 19th of October, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Theodore P. Miller and Miss Christina Pflibsen, a daughter of William Pflib- sen. She was born in Richland township, July 24, 1875, and was there reared and educated, remaining under the parental roof until her mar- riage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born six children: Gracie, born February II, 1899; Delia. June 26, 1900: Ervin and Edwin, May 14, 1902 ; Frances, May 23, 1904; and Min- nie, March 2, 1906.

In his political views Mr. Miller is a democrat and in religious faith a Catholic, being connected with the German Catholic church of Richland township. His interest in matters of public im- provement and progress is manifest by the tan- gible support which he gives to many movements

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for the general good. In his business he is re- liable as well as energetic and he is well known as a stock raiser and breeder, having fine stock upon his place. His farm is well equipped for the care of stock and he is making a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs, the sale of which annually brings to him an excellent income.

E. B. TABOR.

E. B. Tabor, editor and publisher of the Earl- ville Leader, is a native of Lake City, Iowa, born in 1858. His parents were H. H. and Marietta J. (Cole) Tabor, both of whom are now de- ceased. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade and at an early period in the development of Iowa removed to that state from New York. In the public schools of his native city E. B. Tabor pursued his education, but at the age of eleven years went to work in a printing office, which has been well termed the poor man's col- lege. He has continuously been engaged in this business from that time to the present with the exception of a period of five years, from 1880 until 1885, when he was railway mail clerk, and from the most humble capacity in the printing office has worked his way steadily upward, mas- tering the business in principle and detail. For five years he was with the Sioux City Journal and for nine years was in Central Mississippi. Hc came to Earlville and purchased the Leader in 1900 from A. H. Smith. This paper was es- tablished in 1880 by John W. Blee, who soon sold it to J. N. Turner, and in 1890 it was sold to A. H. and C. M. Smith. The former after a few years bought out his brother's interest and conducted the business alone until November 20, 1900, when it was sold to Mr. Tabor. In May, 1904, the Earlville Gazette-Express was consoli- dated with the Leader, giving the latter paper a circulating list that covers this section to a greater extent than all other papers combined. The Leader is well worthy of this liberal patron- age, being a carefully edited sheet, presenting an excellent appearance when viewed from the typographical standpoint and at the same time giving to the reading public a well-edited general and local news. The paper is republican in politics and is the champion of all measures of public progress and of those interests which are a matter of municipal virtue and civic pride. It has been publishing a series of sketches of pioneer days entitled Earlville Long Ago, which are of much interest and contain much of value from the historical standpoint.

On Christmas day of 1878 Mr. Tabor was married to Miss Alice E. Townsend, a native of Cass county, Michigan, and they have four children : Daisy, Ray, Delta and Jack. Ac- cepting the statement of Pope that "the proper study of mankind is man," the thouhtful reader cannot fail to discern in the life record of Mr. Tabor much that is worthy of emulation, for although it is not so unusual a thing in this country for a boy to start out empty-handed and work his way upward, such a record always commands and deserves admiration and indi- cates to the younger generations what may be accomplished through determined effort, unfal- tering will and unremitting diligence. Mr. Ta- bor is well known in Earlville, where a kindly and genial disposition makes him a favorite with all who meet him.

ANGUS MCLACHLAN.

Angus McLachlan, who is residing upon the old Hall homestead and operates the farm, was born in Canada, August 10, 1860. His father, Malcolm McLachlan, died during the early youth of the son -and after her husband's death the mother, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Kechnie and was born in Scotland, came with the family from Canada to the United States, settling in Earlville, Illinois, where she died in 1900. In the family of this worthy couple were eleven children, and one brother, Alexander, is now living in Earlville. The other members of the family, with the exception of our subject, have now passed away.

In his youth Angus McLachlan learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in Earl- ville until July 8, 1890. It was on that day that he was united in marriage to Mis Susie Hall and immediately afterward they began their domestice life upon her father's farm, where they have resided continuously since. They have two children: Hall, now fifteen years of age; and O'Donnell, a lad of thirteen years. Mrs. Mc- Lachlan was educated in the convent at Ottawa and is a lady of more than average intelligence and culture, presiding with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home.

Mr. Mclachlan is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising and has a herd of black polled Angus cattle. He also raises Poland China hogs and both branches of his business are prov- ing profitable. In his political views Mr. Mc- Lachlan is a republican and is now serving for the third term as highway commissioner of Free- dom township. Fraternally he is connected with

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 114

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