History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 129

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 129

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Dr. Ayling was married in 1903 to Miss Emma Hughes, who was born in Oil City, Pennsyl- vania, in 1878 and in the city of their residence they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes.

SAMUEL WILEY, M. D.

No history of Earlville would be complete without specific mention of Dr. Samuel Wiley, who was the first resident physician here and who for many years engaged in the practice of medicine, his skill and ability enabling him to do much good for his fellowmen in the alleviation of suffering and the restoration of health. More- over his personal characteristics were such as to awaken the most kindly regard and wherever he was known he was held in high esteem. A na- tive of Maine, his birth occurred in the town

of Mercer, May 5, 1820, and he was reared to farm work. The family is of Scotch lineage and the ancestry can be traced back to the great- grandfather, who was a native of Scotland and removed to Ireland. There the grandfather of our subject was born and when he was a lad of about twelve years the family crossed the Atlan- tic to America, settling in Massachusetts. Rob- ert Wiley was the youngest of seven sons and was born in the state of Maine, where he grew to manhood and married Hannah Charles, also a native of that state. Her parents, however, were born in Sweden. Robert and Hannah (Charles) Wiley were the parents of Dr. Wiley of this re- view and in their family were five sons, who set- tled in La Salle county. The father also made his home here during his later years and died in this county. The family were adherents of the Universalist church and were upright, honor- able people, highly esteemd by all who knew them.

Dr. Wiley of this review became a resident of Illinois in 1843, at which time he took up his abode in the village of Harding. Ambitious for other business interests than those of the farm, he began preparation for a professional career and in the winter of 1845 attended lectures at Rush Medical College in Chicago. After devot- ing several years to the study and practice of medicine he became a resident of Earlville in 1848. The country was sparsely settled and phy- sicians were few, so that Dr. Wiley, in the course of his professional rounds, covered a wide terri- tory. He erected the first frame house on the present site of Earlville and continued in active practice here during the greater part of the time up to his last illness. He was a capable physi- cian, who read broadly, thought deeply and kept in touch with the onward progress of the times, not only in his profession but also along other lines of mental activity.

On the 21st of October, 1847, in Ottawa, Dr. Wiley was married to Miss Clara Darrow, a daughter of Quartus and Clarinda Darrow and a native of Westhampton, Massachusetts, born June 12, 1829. Dr. Wiley and his wife became the par- ents of four children : Willis E., of Chicago, who is in the railroad service as an employe of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad; Louis H., a painter and decorator of Earlville, who married Miss Hattie Bushnell and has four children ; Dr. Frank A. Wylie, a physician and surgeon of Earl- ville, who was born in the family home here and is a graduate of the Rush Medical College of Chicago, his attention now being given to the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat; and Edgar Louis, who died in 1851, when a little less than two years of age.

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Mrs. Wiley is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quartus Darrow, pioneer residents of La Salle county, who located in the town of Freedom, Illi- nois, in 1845. They purchased a farm near there and made it their home until about 1870, when they removed to Earlville, where they spent their remaining days, Mr. Darrow passing away in 1890, when almost ninety years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Clarinda Gee, died in 1885, at the age of eighty-two years. Both were representatives of old Massachusetts families. They became the parents of five chil- dren, of whom only two are now living, Mrs. Wiley and Mrs. Goodspeed, the latter a resident of Joliet, Illinois. All resided in the vicinity of Earlville for a number of years. Mrs. Wiley now occupies a very comfortable home on South Ottawa street in Earlville and is one of the worthy pioneer women of the county.

In his political views Dr. Wiley was an ardent republican and his opinions were often a deci- sive factor in the councils of the party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and abil- ity, called him to a number of local offices and at one time he represented his district in the state legislature. He was truly a self-made man and his life of unremitting diligence and industry was crowned with a gratifying measure of suc- cess. His last days were spent in Earlville, where he died October 1, 1884, respected by all who knew him. Perhaps no better testimonial of his leading characteristics can be given than by quoting from one who knew him well and who said of him: "Dr. Wiley came to Illinois in early manhood, while a medical student, his only resources being energy, self-reliance, habits of industry and fru- gality, combined with a brave determination to conquer adverse circumstances, complete his medical education, build up a practice and stand- ing worthy his best efforts. Entering upon the practice of medicine of that early period with but few of the comforts and none of the luxuries of the present time, the long cold rides by night and day over the bleak prairies, with scant pro- tection from winter's pitiless blasts, the suffering endured and dangers incurred can hardly be real- ized by practitioners of today. Yet with a cour- age worthy the man, although never robust in health, he never faltered in his duties to the sick, risking his life and health in fidelity to the trust imposed ,by his profession. To his practice Dr. Wylie brought a rare delicacy of perception and attention, a refinement of thought and feeling. ever grateful to the sick, combined with a firm- ness and decision that inspired trust and confi- dence, and to his patients he became to a rare degree a wise counselor, friend, nurse and physi- cian. Of mental characteristics, it may be said

his mind was strongly of an analytical charac- ter, a clear reasoner, sharp and incisive in his methods of thought, broad and philanthropic in his views of life, with a discriminating judgment that rarely mistook the false for the true, bold and fearless for the right, with a moral courage that commanded admiration, yet ever ready with tender sympathy and help for the weak, needy and suffering. With scholarly tastes and love for the beautiful, he brought to public and home use the best thoughts of the age. Ever active in all that pertained to the public good, the tem- perance cause, woman's suffrage and all reform- atory movements received his earnest attention and support. With large idealty and keen an- alysis, his religious convictions were based upon practicability. The claims of creeds, sects and par- ties were alike valueless to him, except that they met the wants of the living present. Ever loyal to truth and duty, ever striving to develop the good in all, he yet claimed the right to think for himself, deciding all questions by the judgment of his reason. The world was his church, the needs of humanity his creed, growth its founda- tion. Thus by patient toil, he wrought out a character that ennobled his life while filling the honored position of citizen, husband and father."

HERBERT C. WILEY.

Herbert C. Wiley, of the firm of Browne & Wiley, attorneys at law, with offices in the Le- land Building in Ottawa, has gained a creditable place at the La Salle county bar, being recognized by the profession as a lawyer of excellent judg- ment and ability. He was born March 26, 1869, at Earlville, and is a son of the Hon. Samuel C. Wiley, an old settler and prominent democrat, who has represented this district in two sessions of the state legislature.

Herbert C. Wiley acquired his education in the public schools, and afterward engaged in teach- ing in the district schools. £ He was then ap- pointed deputy circuit clerk of La Salle county by W. W. Taylor and afterward was appointed deputy appellate clerk of the second district of Illinois under James R. Combs. He then studied law with Brewer & Strawn, and in 1891 was ad- mitted to the bar. In his practice Mr. Wiley early acquired a large probate clientage, which has remained with him. He secured the confi- dence of his clients and his method of practice have enabled him to retain it. He was appointed by F. A. Sherwood one of the executors of his will and served in that capacity until the estate was settled, his being one of the largest estates

H. C. WILEY.

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ever probated in the county. In 1902 he was the nominee of the democratic party for the of- fice of probate judge of this county and although the county had a republican majority of two thousand five hundred at that time, Mr. Wiley came within sixty-five votes of being elected. On the Ist of January, 1903, he formed a partnership with the Hon. Lee O'Neil Browne under the firm name of Browne & Wiley and the partner- ship is still maintained with mutual pleasure and profit. The firm has been accorded a liberal and distinctly representative clientage that has con- nected them with much important litigation tried in the courts of this district.

He was married in 1895 to Katherine Huns- berger, of Ottawa, youngest daughter of S. H. and Mary E. Hunsberger. They have one child, Herbert, Jr., born in 1905.

Mr. Wiley is a director of Reddick's Public Library and occupies the responsible position of secretary of the Ottawa Building, Homestead & Savings Association. He is a Knight Tem- plar and a past master of Occidental lodge, A. F. & A. M. These connections indicate something of the character of the man, his ability and his public spirit, and he is a worthy representative of a family which from pioneer times has stood for progress and improvement in La Salle county.

DANIEL M. TOWNER.

Among the citizens of Chicago who in for- mer years have been closely and actively identi- fied with business interests in La Salle county is numbered Daniel M. Towner, who is now living retired in the metropolis of the west. One of Illinois' native sons, he was born at Troy Grove in Ophir township, March 15, 1841, his parents being Leonard and Julia A. (Dewey) Towner. The father was born in Pennsylvania, May 2, 1804, and the mother in Vermont, No- vember 5, 1806. They were married in Ohio in 1825 and Mr. Towner departed this life Au- gust 25, 1887, having for several years sur- vived his wife, who died in October, 1878. It was in the spring of 1833 that Leonard Towner came to La Salle county and entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ophir township. He built thereon a log house and began breaking the wild prairie with an ox team. He made the journey across the country from Ohio with a team of horses and after losing one of his horses he traded the re- maining one for a yoke of oxen and five dollars in cash, this being all the money which he had at the time. With characteristic energy he began

the arduous task of developing and cultivating new land and as the years passed by he pros- pered in his undertakings. As his financial re- sources permitted he made investment in land from time to time and gave farms to his chil- dren. At one time he owned land near the village of Triumph. He improved the first quar- ter section which he obtained from the govern- ment and was actively connected with farming pursuits until 1868, after which he lived retired until called to his final rest. He engaged more largely in stock-raising than general farming and in his business affairs was very active and energetic. He never cared for public office but served as a school director for many years. His political support was given to the whig party until John C. Fremont became the first candi- date of the new republican party, when he joined its ranks. He was opposed to the institution of slavery and was one of the organizers of the famous underground railroad whereby many a poor negro was assisted on his way to freedom in Canada. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of fourteen children: Ezra, who was born February 9, 1826, and died in 1905. Jane E., who was born May 31, 1827, was married to Joseph Billings and died in Kansas in 1903. Nathaniel, born August 18, 1828, married C. Ormsby and died in Missouri, July 4, 1898. Lo- renzo, born May 13, 1830, died October 6, 1858. Caroline M., born October 20, 1832, married Eakin Smith and died July 17, 1883. Hiram Shabbona, who was born April 8, 1835, and was named by the Indian chief, Shabbona, died July I, 1903. Eleanor L., born January 5, 1837, is the wife of J. E. McKim of Shellsburg, Iowa. Justin D., who was born September 25, 1839, and died September 10, 1880, at Huntsville, Ala- bama, married a Miss Gordon and after her death wedded a Miss Bugg. Daniel M. is the ninth in order of birth. John H., born December 23, 1842, died September 10, 1893. Phoebe C., born November 23. 1844, is married and lives in Washington county, Iowa. James F., born May 20, 1847, is residing in Aurora, Illinois. Mary E., born December 18, 1849, is the wife of George Tobias, of Missouri ; Horace, born December 4, 1854, is living at Fort Madison, Iowa.

Daniel M. Towner was reared upon the home farm in La Salle county to the age of eighteen years, when in the spring of 1859 in company with two companions, Joseph and David West- gate, he took passage on a boat at La Salle and thus made his way down the Illinois river to St. Louis and up the Missouri river to Leavenworth, Kansas, whence he proceeded overland with a team of horses to Clear Creek, Colorado, at-

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tracted by the discovery of gold in that state. gaged in the grain business, and in 1871 he went Later he returned to Glenwood, Iowa, where he spent a portion of the succeeding winter. Dur- ing the holiday season of that year Mr. Towner arrived once more at home and was engaged in farming until April, 1861.

He then enlisted for three months' service in response to the country's call for aid, becoming a member of Company B, Twelfth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He enrolled at Mendota under command of Colonel Arthur McCarthy and from that place went to East St. Louis and on to Cairo, Illinois, where he was discharged on the expira- tion of his term. After farming for a year he re-enlisted as a member of Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, which he joined at Mendota in September, 1862. He came up with his regi- ment at La Grange, Tennessee, and was in many skirmishes and also in the battle of Spring Val- ley. After General Grant drove Price out of Corinth the division of the army with which Mr. Towner was connected followed Price on his retreat and at Spring Valley he was wounded. He then spent two weeks in the home of an old planter whose family were very kind to him, his daughters acting as nurses to the wounded. Mr. Towner's companion was wounded and was taken to the home of this planter but though he received every care and attention possible he died the same night. Mr. Towner was removed to Oxford, Mississippi, and thence to Holly Springs, Mississippi, and afterward to Memphis, whence he proceeded by boat to St. Louis, Mis- souri, and on to Keokuk, Iowa. He was in the hospital at Keokuk until March, 1863, when he returned to La Grange, Tennessee, and there joined his regiment. Again he participated in a number of skirmishes and in December, 1864, took part in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, where he sustained a wound, being shot in the head. Sergeant Phillip, who was in charge of the skirmish line, lost his life in the battle and it was the ball that pierced the sergeant's head that wounded Mr. Towner. The troops were ordered back down the mountain. They fol- lowed Hood up the Tennessee river to Decatur, Alabama, and later were sent forward to Nash- ville in August, 1865, where they received the final discharge.

When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Towner returned home and attended school for one year. In 1867 he became connected with the dry-goods business at Mendota, where he continued for about a year and in 1868 he turned his attention to the grain trade at El Paso, Woodford county, Illinois, where he remained until 1870. He then removed to Galva, Henry county, where he again en-

to Walnut, Bureau county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the grain and stock business until 1878. In that year he became a resident of Chicago, where he continued to operate in live stock at the Union stockyards until 1890, since which time he has lived retired.

On the 20th of September, 1878, Mr. Towner was married to Miss Florence Hoffman and they became the parents of three children, Frederick H., Frank L. and Margaret J. His second mar- riage was with Mary A. Calhoun. In his political views Mr. Towner is a democrat. His fraternal relations are now with Englewood lodge, No. 690, A. F. & A. M. ; Hill lodge, No. 822, I. O. O. F .; and George G. Meade Post No. 444, G. A. R. His success is due to the fact that he has displayed a strong persistency of purpose, work- ing on continuously and allowing no obstacles or difficulties to deter him on his onward march.

HENRY ROOT.

Henry Root, who follows general farming and stock-raising on section 33, Vermillion town- ship, owns and operates one hundred and sixty- one acres in the home place and also has forty acres of timber land on the Vermillion river. His possessions are an evidence of a life of well directed thrift and enterprise, for he started out on his own account empty-handed. A native of Germany, he was born in Mechlenberg. Oc- tober 19, 1854, his parents being Frederick and Anna (Johanson) Root, both of whom are now deceased. They came to La Salle county in 1858, locating in Richland township. After the Civil war the family removed to the farm now owned by Henry Root, and the father made his home thereon until his life's labors were ended in death in 1880, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him, passing away about 1884, at the age of sixty- five years. Throughout his entire business career Mr. Root engaged in farming and in the raising of stock, and his well directed efforts resulted in the acquirement of a good property.

Henry Root is the only surviving member of the family. He had one brother, Peter, who died in infancy, but since 1884 he has been the only living member of the family. His boyhood days were quietly passed under the parental roof and he attended the district schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of learning. He has always followed farming, taking his place in the fields at an early age, and on the old home property he has made excellent improvements,

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supplying the farm with good buildings, fine improved machinery and all the equipments found upon a model farm of the twentieth century.

The marriage of Henry Root and Miss Minnie Clahn was celebrated in Dane county, Wisconsin, October 4. 1883. The lady was born in Mech -- lenberg, Germany, and came to this country as a child with her parents who resided in Colum- bia county, Wisconsin. Her father there passed away and her mother still makes her home in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Root have four children, Anna, Henry, Freddie F. and Walter R., all yet with their parents.

Mr. Root exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party and at this writing, in 1906, is serving as road commissioner of Vermillion township. He has also acted as school director and his sup- port is withheld from no movement or measure calculated to benefit the general welfare. Him- self and wife are members of the Congregational church at Tonica and he is a far-sighted and reliable business man, thoroughly acquainted with the best methods of carrying on farming and stock-raising and exemplifying in his suc- cessful career his knowledge of business re- quirements.

A. C. RHIEL, M. D.

Dr. A. C. Rhiel, who is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery at Lowell, where he located June 30, 1894, was born in Ottawa in 1872, a son of Henry Rhiel, who came to this county in the '40s from Germany and died about 1884. Dr. Rhiel was reared in Ottawa and ac- quired his more specifically literary education in the public schools of that city. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he be- gan studying under the direction of Dr. Ryburn and later with Dr. Butterfield, of Ottawa. He attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Illinois in the class of 1894, immediately after which he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Lowell.

.Dr. Rhiel has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Rose Trask, who died leaving one son, Clifton T., now ten years of age. The doc- tor's present wife was Miss Mamie Ward, a sis- ter of C. T. Ward, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Dr. Rhiel has purchased a com- fortable home and twenty-one acres of land at Lowell and is now pleasantly situated in life.

Socially he is connected with the Masonic fra- ternity of Tonica and the Modern Woodmen camp of Deer Park and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lowell. He has attained considerable professional prominence for one of his years and his practice is now large and profitable.

OLIVER E. KUHN.

Oliver E. Kuhn, carrying on general farming in Grand Rapids township, was born about two miles south of his present home in the year 1873. His father, John Kuhn, who was born in Germany in 1833 and became a resident of Grand Rapids in 1864. When he came to La Salle county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land and with this to serve as a nucleus for his present extensive possessions he has added to his landed holdings until he is today the owner of eight hundred acres. His land is rich and productive and because of his possessions, which yield him a gratifying in- come, he is now enabled to take life easy, sur- rounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries which go to make life worth the living. His political views accord with the principles of democracy and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He married Miss Margaret Neusbaum, who was born in Germany and died in 1881. She, too, was a member of the Cath- olic church. Her father, John Neusbaum, was born in Germany and spent his last years in America, but his wife passed away in Germany. Their daughter, Mrs. Kuhn, was one of a family of five children, all of whom came to this coun- try. One sister is living in Chicago and one in California, while the brothers are deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn were born the fol- lowing named: Joseph, who married Caroline Lyon, a resident of Grand Rapids township; John, who wedded Maggie McCormick and is also living in Grand Rapids township; Frank, who married Louis Messiner and is living in Marseilles : Oliver E., of this review : Chris, who wedded Maggie Smith and is also engaged in farming in Grand Rapids township; Marie, who married Peter Schlogeter, a resident farmer of Grand Rapids township ; and Agnes, the wife of Frank Geiger, also living in the same township.

Oliver E. Kuhn of this review has spent his entire life in Grand Rapids township, his birth place being only about two miles from his present home. He is now farming his father's land and is an enterprising agriculturist, practical in his methods and accomplishing what he undertakes.

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Mr. Kuhn was married in 1904 to Miss Bridget Graham, who has spent her entire life in this county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn are communicants of the Catholic church and he gives his political allegiance to the democracy. There have been no exciting chapters in his life history but his record is that of a man who has been loyal to duty and active in business affairs. He is yet a young man but is recognized as an enterprising farmer and one who is mak- ing steady advancement along agricultural lines.

JOHN K. LANG.

John K. Lang, who since 1895 has made his home in Earlville, in which year he retired from active business life, became a resident of La Salle county in 1876, in which year he took up his abode in Earlville, although his residence there has not been continuous. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 5, 1838, a son of Bernhardt and Barbara (Kaiser) Lang, both of whom died in Bavaria, the father in 1875 and the mother in 1881. Bernhardt Lang was a farmer by occupation and was very prominent and influential in the public life of his home town, where for twenty-three years he served as mayor. In the family were six children, five sons and a daughter: John K .; George, resid- ing in Chicago, Illinois; Henry, living in West- burg, the second largest city in Bavaria, Ger- many: Christian, Bernhardt and Barbara, all deceased.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 129

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