History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 120

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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Returning to Earlville, he spent one summer on a farm and in 1893 accepted a position with the Northwestern Railroad Company. In Octo- ber. 1894, he purchased a brick and tile works at Earlville and in March, 1895, took possession of the same. There is perhaps no single industry which has contributed so largely to the develop- ment and agricultural prosperity of La Salle county as the manufacture of drain tile. Thou- sands of acres in the vicinity of Earlville, now worth from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, would be producing little of more value than cat tails and bullrushes if it was not for the drainage that has been promoted through the use of drain tile. The Pioneer Brick & Tile Works is en- gaged in the manufacture of this product. The plant of the company is equipped with the latest improved machinery, having a Brewer brick and tile machine and a Tate & Company automatic tile table, both of which are in operation in this plant. These machines have a capacity of from twelve to fifteen thousand tile per day and the work they turn out is unexcelled. They manu- facture tile from four to twelve inches in diame- ter and that the product is of splendid. quality is shown by the fact that it has long stood the test, for the tiling manufactured by the company has been used in this section for years and has given good satisfaction. An exceptionally fine quality of brick is also made there. The brick are very hard and smooth and uniform in size and finish and the product of the house is largely in demand by those who want the best brick possible for building purposes. From seventy- five to one hundred carloads are shipped every

year beside what is used in supplying the local trade. The factory stands in the eastern part of the city, where a rich deposit of clay is found. The plant was founded about thirty years ago by J. A. Conger, of Ohio, and twelve years ago the business was purchased by the present proprietor, Walter M. Pratt. About four times as much business is done now as when Mr. Pratt came into possession. About eight or ten men are employed during the season and the plant is thoroughly equipped with all modern devices to facilitate the work and turn out a first class product. Immense drying sheds have been built by Mr. Pratt and three large kilns have been built after designs furnished by the owner. He is a close student of clay working in all of its departments and has done consider- able experimenting in that line, his opinions being largely regarded as authority on the sub- ject. He has recently made a sample of vitri- fied tile, such as once was made at the old Day- ton factory, and he expects to manufacture a supply of that grade, as it is superior and lasts longer than the ordinary tile. The output of the plant is now large and finds a ready sale on the market because of its superior quality and the fact that the house sustains an unassailable repu- tation in business circles.

On the 13th of April, 1898, Mr. Pratt was united in marriage to Miss Nellie E. Pulver, of Paw Paw. He votes with the republican party and was the first engineer of the city water works after the construction of the plant in 1895. He is now public engineer for the city. In recogni- tion of his knowledge in affairs of clay working he was elected secretary of the State Clay Workers' Association at the annual meeting in 1905-a position which he is well qualified to fill. Upon his father's death Mr. Pratt inherited eighty acres of land, to which he has since added an eighty-acre tract, and he now has one of the best farms of a quarter section in Earl township. In manner he is unassuming, not given to boast- ing, and is regarded throughout the community as a safe, substantial citizen and business man. He is strictly temperate, never using liquor nor tobacco in any form, and he thus keeps his ener- gies and powers in the best possible condition.

WILLIAM FREEMAN.

William Freeman, devoting his time and ener- gies to farming and stock-raising, lives on section 34. Vermillion township, and his excellent farm of eighty acres has been improved by himself, its many substantial evidences of agricultural

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progress being also the visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise. He was born in Richland township, this county, January 26, 1858, a son of Conrad Freeman, who is mentioned else- where in this volume. No event of special impor- tance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He attended the common schools and when not busy with his text-books his attention was given to the pleas- ures of the playground or the work of the fields. The occupation to which he was reared he has followed as a life work, beginning farming on his own account in 1881, since which time he has been very successful. He is therefore classed among the representative agriculturists of his community and is today in possession of a com- fortable competence as the reward of his own labors.

In 1881, in Kansas, William Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Kate Walter, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1857, a daughter of John and Barbara (Kern) Walter, who came from the fatherland to this country in 1870, lo- cating in Kankakee county, Illinois. Mr. Kern departed this life in 1879, when seventy-two years of age, and his wife, now eighty-three years of age, is residing with Mr. and Mrs. Freeman. Mr. Walter was a farmer by occupation, always following that pursuit in order to provide for his family. He had two daughters and two sons : Mrs. Susie Schultz, of Humboldt, Woodson county, Kansas; John, a resident farmer of Wilkin county, Minnesota ; William, a resident of Kankakee county, Illinois; and Mrs. Freeman. The last named attended school in Germany and also to some extent in this country.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have a wide and favorable acquaintance in Vermilliom township and other sections of the county and the warm- hearted hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Politically Mr. Freeman is a republican and both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church of Rich- land township.

MICHAEL MAHONEY.

Michael Mahoney, one of the venerable citi- zens of La Salle county, was born in Ireland, July 28, 1825, and is now living in Freedom township. He came to America in 1844, being then a young man of nineteen years, and after spending three years in St. Johns, New Bruns- wick, he made his way to Chicago. The fol- lowing year was devoted to service on a steam- boat on the Mississippi river and in 1848 he arrived in La Salle county, where he has since

made his home. He is therefore numbered among its early settlers and has witnessed its gradual transformation as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all of the evi- dences of an advanced civilization. Soon after his arrival he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of new land which he improved and has since made his home. With characteristic energy he began its development and in the course of years his labors were rewarded with bountiful harvests, making him one of the substantial farm- ers of the community. With the labors that con- tributed to the early substantial development of the county he was thus closely associated and aside from his private business interests he gave co-operation to many public movements of direct benefit to his locality.

In 1852, Mr. Mahoney was married to Miss Ann Conner, who died August 6, 1893, when they had traveled life's journey together for more than four decades. They became the parents of six children, who are yet living: Mary, who is now a Sister of Mercy in Ottawa; John, at home ; Theresa, living in Ottawa; Frank, who resides in Nebraska; Charles, who is living on a farm in Freedom township ; and James, who operates the home farm.

Mr. Mahoney still owns three hundred and twenty acres of land and his farm is the visible evidence of his life of energy, thrift and perse- verance. He had no capital when he came to the new world, but he possessed substantial quali- ties in his firm determination, in his spirit of endurance and in his unfaltering industry, and these qualities have constituted the basis upon which he has builded his success. His political allegiance has ever been given to the democracy, but he has always refused to hold office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. At the present writing he is in poor health and he now makes his home with his son James, who rents the farm. Mr. Mahoney well deserves representation in this volume as an honored pioneer settler, for during fifty-eight years he has been identified with the county and has not only witnessed its growth but has aided to the extent of his ability in the changes which have worked for its present day improvement.

James Mahoney, operating the home farm, was born on this property, January 16, 1869, and continued under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, after which he spent eight years in the west. He then returned to La Salle county. He had been educated in the district schools, in Iowa Commercial College at Daven- port and in a business college at Grand Island, Nebraska, and was thus well equipped

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for life's practical and responsible duties. He worked for three years at the carpenter's trade, but during much of his life has carried on general agricultural pursuits and now rents his father's farm, which he has placed under a hgh state of cultivation, making many good improvements thereon.

On the 8th of February, 1899, Mr. Mahoney was united in marriage to Miss Etta C. Garland, who was born in Ophir township, a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Brady) Garland. The father is now deceased, while the mother is living in Ophir township. Mr. Mahoney and his wife have four children: Frank J., Earl J., Mary A. and Loretta.

James Mahoney, like his father, votes the democratic ticket although he is somewhat in- dependent in politics. His attention is given to general farming and, realizing that persistent labor is the basis of all honorable success, he is working diligently and is earning a good living thereby, being enabled to surround his family with all of the necessities and many of the com- forts of life.

SAMUEL M. WARREN.

Samuel M. Warren, prominent, enterprising and progressive, has been active in business cir- cles in Earlville and he belongs to that class of representative men who while promoting indi- vidual success also contribute to general progress. He has now reached the age of seventy-eight years and is largely living retired in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his former labor. He was born in Putnam county, New York, October 22, 1828, his parents being John N. and Rachel (Davenport) Warren, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father was a black- smith, who followed that trade throughout his entire life. He died in New York at the age of forty-five years, while his wife died at the home of her son Samuel in Earlville when sev- enty-three years of age.

Samuel M. Warren is a self-made man, who started out in life on his own account when very young, working as a farm hand in New York. That he was a faithful and trusted employe is shown by the fact that he remained in the serv- ice of his first employer for seven years. He spent six years in the forests, getting out ship timber.

The year 1857 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Warren in Earlville, where for one year he worked in a store and for one year in an ele- vator. He then went to Cincinnati and entered the employ of the Cincinnati Bridge Company.

Following the outbreak of the Civil war this com- pany had the contract with the government to build bridges in the south and Mr. Warren was one of one hundred and fifty men sent out to superintend the construction of the work in that district. He went to Nashville, Tennessee, and from 1862 until 1870 was superintendent of bridge building, his work taking him to various sections of the country. In the latter year he returned to Earlville, where he has since con- tinuously made his home. For three years he worked at the carpenter's trade and for two years he was upon the Stilson farm. For twenty- six years he was street commissioner for the city of Earlville and the excellent public highways are the evidence of his capability and efficiency in that office. He secured the first load of gravel ever put on the streets of Earlville and he always worked along progressive lines for the improve- ment of the public highways. The first year in which he was in office the teams would get stuck in the mud on South Ottawa street and during some seasons of the year that street was not used at all on account of the mud. Mr. Warren set to work to remedy these conditions and in the course of years transformed the streets of the town into splendid roads. They are now in fine shape, all due to his good judgment and untiring effort. Five years ago he resigned his position, but the town is enjoying lasting benefit from his labors as a public official. Mr. Warren is now president of the Earlville Brick & Tile Company, a position which he has filled for eight years, while since the organization of the company in 1893 he has been one of its stock- holders.

In April, 1869, Mr. Warren was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lobdell, who was born in Putnam county, New York, in 1841, a daugh- ter of William and Sarah (Davenport) Lobdell. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have one child, a son Elli- son, who at the age of thirty-six years is living at home. He was educated in the Earlville pub- lic schools and in Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago and thus qualified for book- keeping. Mr. Warren cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and has since been a stalwart republican, inflexible in support of the principles of the party, but at local elec- tions where no issue is involved he often votes an independent ticket. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. War- ren first came to Earlville almost half a century ago and has resided here continuously for thirty- six years. None of its residents have been more closely identified with the city's interests than he. He has watched it grow from a hamlet of three hundred people in 1857, saw it incorporated into

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a village in 1863, while the city charter was se- cured in 1876. He is a most whole-souled man, genial and kindly in spirit and though he is not wealthy he has become well-to-do through the management of his business interests and has justly earned the rest which he is now enjoying. He has always had good health and is a splen- didly preserved man for his years. Although he has attained the age of seventy-eight he can see to read without glasses. Young and old, rich and poor, respect and esteem him and he has many warm friends, who enjoy his acquaintance and companionship and honor him because of the many excellent traits of character which he has displayed.

EDWARD J. DENAPLE.

Edward J. Denaple, who after many years connection with agricultural interests is living retired at Pontiac, was born in New Jersey, June 16, 1837, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Denaple, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, in which country they were married. The mother died during the infancy of her son Ed- ward. The father, a harness-maker by trade, removed wtih the family from New Jersey to Ohio about 1839, making his home in Akron and was accounted one of the leading represen- tatives of his line of business in that part of the state. He died in Ohio at the age of sixty-six years. In the family were three sons and two daughters, but only two are now living, the elder brother being John, who is living retired in Akron, Ohio.

Edward J. Denaple resided in Akron between the ages of two and twenty-one years, spending the period of his minority in his father's home and acquiring a public-school education. He came to La Salle county in 1858, settling near Ottawa, where he turned his attention to farm- ing. Subsequently he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Allen township, re- moving to that farm in 1867. There he en- gaged in the general tilling of the soil, making all of the improvements, for the land was a tract of raw prairie when it came into his posses- sion. Not a furrow had been turned or a build- ing erected thereon and with characteristic en- ergy he began to cultivate and develop the place. As the years went by he added many modern buildings and the latest improved machinery and his work was conducted successfully, bringing to him a very gratifying financial return.

In 1863, Mr. Denaple was united in marriage to Miss Samantha Nichol, who was born in Mar-

seilles, this county, in 1842. a daughter of John T. and Rebecca ( Mickey) Nichol. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Ashland county, Ohio. He was one of the first settlers of La Salle county, Illinois, settling in Rutland township before the railroad or even the canal had been built. He hauled his grain to Chicago with ox teams in the early days and he carried on the farm work after the primitive manner of the times, but eventually became the owner of three hundred and forty acres of good land. His death oc- curred when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. In his family were seven children, but only four are now living : Lucius, Eugene, Andrew and Flora.

His daughter, Mrs. Denaple, passed away in 1886. There were four children of that mar- riage, a son and three daughters: Nellie A., the wife of George Westcott, who is living in South Omaha, Nebraska: Edith B., who mar- ried Samuel Mackey and resides in Kewanee, Illinois; Emma L., the wife of Charles Stude- baker, who is living in North Dakota; and Emmett L., who married Emma Griffith and is now living on the old homestead.

Mr. Denaple continued to engage actively in farming until, having acquired a gratifying com- petence sufficient to enable him to put aside busi- ness cares and yet enjoy the comforts of life. he removed to Ransom, where he lived until 1904, when he purchased a home at No. 91I North Mills street in Pontiac, where he has since resided in the enjoyment of well earned ease. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His residence in La Salle county covers a period of almost half a century, during which he has witnessed many changes that have occurred, while the work of improvement has been carried forward and in its advance he has taken a helpful part.

MARK DUFFY.

Mark Duffy, superintendent of the city water- works of Ottawa, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, February 29, 1848, his parents being John and Ann (Manley) Duffy, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father died in 1857, at the age of forty-five years, while the mother died in 1857, at the age of thirty-two years, both passing away in Ottawa. Mr. Duffy had taken up his abode here in 1849 and was one of the contractors in the building of the Illinois and Michigan canal. For a number of years he fol-

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lowed farming and his last days were spent in the county seat. Unto him and his wife were born four children, Mark, Catherine, Jennie and Margaret.

Mark Duffy was brought to Ottawa by his parents in his infancy and was educated in the public schools of the city. When sixteen years of age he began to learn the machinist's trade, which he followed continuously until 1883. He was then made first county engineer, which posi- tion he held for nine years, after which he spent seven years in the employ of the Schapell Glass Company. In July, 1900, he became superin- tendent of the city waterworks, which office he has since filled with credit to himself and satis- faction to the general public. He has deepened some of the wells to a depth of fourteen hundred feet and has made many improvements in his department, the waterworks system of Ottawa being entirely adequate to the needs of the city, while the management thereof and the business interests connected therewith are capably con- trolled by Mr. Duffy.

On the 29th of June, 1870, Mr. Duffy was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Kennedy, who was born in Utica, New York, and came to La Salle county with her parents, who were early settlers here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duffy have been born four children, Mark, Henry, Mabel and Margaret.

In his political views Mr. Duffy is a stanch republican and has taken an active and influential interest in the work of the party. He served as alderman from the second ward of Ottawa in 1869, and in 1870, and was alderman from the third ward in 1889 and 1900. He is deeply in- terested in community affairs and has given tangible evidence of his public-spirit in hearty co- operation and generous support, which he has given to various measures for the public good. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Globe.

JOHN FOULK.

John Foulk, a retired farmer and stockman, who in former years was closely associated with agricultural and kindred interests but is now enjoying a well earned rest, was born in Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, and in early life re- moved to Wayne county, Ohio, with his parents, Daniel and Susan (Harsher) Foulk, who spent their remaining days in the Buckeye state, both passing away about 1866. It was in Wayne county, Ohio, that John Foulk began work as a farm hand, for his father was in limited finan-

cial circumstances and it was necessary that the son provide for his own support. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he later rented land, which he cleared from the woods and there began life in pioneer style. He worked diligently and arduously in the field in the days when the farm machinery was very crude as compared with the modern implements, cutting his wheat with a sickle. He had been educated in one of the old log schoolhouses of Ohio, where the methods of instruction were primitive. In those early days wolves and pan- thers were frequently seen and deer could be had in abundance. The Wyandotte Indians lived there at the time and there were many evidences of frontier life, showing that the work of im- provement had scarcely been begun.

John Foulk undertook the arduous task of developing and improving a new farm and as the years passed by he prospered in his undertakings. making money and purchasing eighty acres of good land. At length, thinking to benefit by re- moval to the middle west, he came to Mendota and first purchased two hundred acres of land and later five hundred acres in Lee county, Illi- nois. The following year he removed to his farm, bringing with him a carload of horses and another of cattle and goods, including farm wagons, harness, etc. He made the journey over the Fort Wayne Railroad. In 1856 he invested in land here, which was wild and unimproved. There were no trees, fences or buildings upon the place and every evidence of pioneer life was here seen. He built a little house, in which he began life in true pioneer style, while later he erected a larger residence at a cost of six thousand dol- lars, which is still one of the substantial farm homes of the county. He was very successful as an agriculturist and sold the best bunch of hogs ever brought to Mendota, having one hun- dred and eleven head which averaged five hun- dred pounds each, and sold for eight cents per pound. He had at one time twenty-two hundred sheep and sold two loads of wool for forty-five hundred and twenty-six dollars in Mendota. Mr. Foulk was until a few years ago one of the most extensive farmers in this part of the state and was very widely known as a stock-raiser and dealer. He bought and fed hogs, cattle and sheep and this part of his business proved very profitable.

Mr. Foulk was married first in Ohio to Miss Martha Morrow and they became the parents of three children : John ; Mary, the mother of the wife of Senator C. P. Gardner ; and Frank, who now lives on the old home farm in Lee county. After losing his first wife Mr. Foulk wedded Jennie M. Johnston.

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In a review of his life record we find that Mr. Foulk has been a hard-working business man and in connection with general farming he was for many years a thresher, using the old horse power machine which was built it Massil- lon, Ohio. He raised at one crop fifty-five hun- dred bushels of wheat and cut it with a header, using a hand rake to make the sheaves. When he arrived in this county deer were numerous and there were also many wolves and rattlesnakes. There were no fences and few roads had been made over the prairies. Persons were frequently lost a short distance from their own homes be- cause of the trackless prairie, which gave no in- dication of direction in the midst of severe win- ter storms. Mr. Foulk continued actively in his farming operations until 1902, when he went to Mendota. He raised draft horses on his farm in Lee county, paying four thousand dollars for a Clydesdale General. He also owned many other fine and high bred animals and probably did more to improve the grade of draft horses raised than any other man in the county. He is now retired and lives on section 34, Mendota township, having reached the age of eighty-four years. He was one of the wealthy farmers of an early day and in all of his business dealings he has been widely known for his honesty and un- impeachable integrity. He has been a man of many noble deeds, of kindly spirit and of gen- erous disposition, and in his life has manifested many sterling traits of character which have won him high regard.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 120

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