History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 133

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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Mr. Mosley had been married in Illinois, in 1849, to Miss Mary J. Van Namee, who was born in the state of New York, near Ballstown, a daughter of Jesse and Ann (Francisco) Van Namee, of an old family of the Empire state. Her father served as a soldier of the war of 1812, while his father, Abner Van Namee, was a valiant soldier of the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Mosley came with her parents to La Salle county in 1844. They drove across the country from New York state and finally crossed the ferry at Ottawa after five weeks spent upon the road. Mrs. Mosley was then a young maiden of four-

teen years. The family settled on Indian Creek. where they resided on a rented farm for a year. In the meantime Mr. Van Namee selected and purchased from the government a tract of land near Earlville now owned by Henry Torman. That was the family residence until after the mother's death, which occurred in March, 1854, when she was sixty-three years of age. Jesse Van Namee later sold the farm and removed to Earlville, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he had reached the extreme old age of ninety-one years and six months. Mrs. Mosley is the only one now living of the family of four children. Lacking one month she was en- gaged in the millnery business in Earlville for thirty years. Following her husband's demise she establishel . a millinery store and conducted the business with marked success for three decades. In April, 1903, she closed out her store and retired on account of failing health, being then seventy-six years of age. She is a lady of excellent business ability, who capably managed her interests and controlled her affairs so as to win a very comfortable and desirable competence.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mosley was born a daugh- ter, Josephine, who is now the wife of J. C. Kel- ley, of Earlville. They had one son, Leslie J. Kelley, who died in Arizona, September I, 1905, at the age of thirty-one years. Mrs. Mosley is a member of the Presbyterian church. She is one of the best known ladies of this part of the county, her business and social interests bring- ing to her a very wide acquaintance, while her many good traits of character have won for her it the favorable regard of all with whom she has been associated. She has contributed through her business interests to the substantial upbuild- ing of Earlville and well deserves mention in this volume.

ENGLEBERT KUHN.

Englebert Kuhn is the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and ninety acres of well improved land, in the midst of which stands a beautiful new residence and the well kept ap- pearance of the place is indicative of the spirit of enterprise which permeates the owner in his care of his property and the management of his business interests. A native of La Salle county, he was born in 1864. His father, Thomas Kuhn, as the name indicates, was of German birth and lineage and died in La Salle county at the age of fifty-eight years. The first work which he did in this country was at a salary of fifteen dollars per month and he began farming on his own account north of Ottawa. Subsequently he removed to

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Allen township, where he resided for a few years, after which he took up his abode in Grand Rapids township, where he spent his remaining days, be- coming a successful agriculturist as the result of his close application and diligence. Without re- ceiving aid from others he worked his way stead- ily upward to the plane of affluence. His polit- ical faith was that of the democracy and his re- ligious belief was indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. He married Elizabeth Richards, who was born in Illinois and is now living at the age of sixty-four years, making her home in Ottawa. She still enjoys good health. In the family were eight children : William, who wedded Margaret Lane and is living in Brook- field township: Caroline, the wife of George Na- gle, a resident of Grand Rapids township; En- glebert, of this review; Edward, who married Elizabeth Horn and is engaged in farming in Grand Rapids township; Emma, the wife of Charles Roser, a cigar-maker living in Ottawa ; Frank, who wedded Kate Horn and is living in Otter Creek township; Victoria, the wife of Ed- ward Widman, a resident farmer of Utica town- ship; and Albert, who married Sarah Horn and is farming near Lamar, Missouri.

Englebert Kuhn, the third member of the fam- ily, has always made his home in La Salle county, where he has followed farming. His education was acquired in the public schools and through the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the fields. When he started out in life on his own account he first rented land from his father and was engaged in its cultivation for about three years. He received eighty acres from his father's estate and with this to aid him as he entered upon an independent business career he has become the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of well improved land. He has recently erected a beau- tiful residence, in the rear of which are good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and these in return are surrounded by well tilled fields, giving promise of rich harvests in the autumn.

Mr. Kuhn was married to Miss Julia Lane, a daughter of Bartholomew and Catherine (Two- hey) Lane, both of whom were natives of Ire- land. Becoming residents of America, the father followed farming in La Salle county and spent his last days in Fall River township, where he died in 1895. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the de- mocracy and both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Catholic church. Mrs. Lane passed away in Grand Rapids township in June, 1900. In their family were the following: Ellen Lane, who married Patrick Daniher, a resident farmer of Nebraska; Catherine, the wife of Frank Hen-

igan, who is engaged in railroading in Nebraska ; and Margaret, the wife of William Kuhn, who is engaged in farming in Brookfield township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn have been born three children, Theresa, Thomas and Ellen, aged re- spectively thirteen, ten and six years. The fam- ily are communicants of the Catholic church. Mr. Kuhn is a democrat in his political affilia- tion and has held a number of township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity.

SILAS HARDY STRAWN.

Silas Hardy Strawn, a former resident of Ottawa now practicing in Chicago, as a member , of the firm of Winston, Payne & Strawn, has attained considerable prominence as a lawyer of ability and enjoys a large corporation practice. His birth occurred on a farm near Ottawa, on the 15th of December, 1866, his parents being Abner and Eliza Hardy Strawn. He attended the Ottawa schools until, having passed through successive grades, he was graduated from the high school in the class of 1885. He engaged in teaching for two years and subsequently read law in the office of Bull & Strawn, in Ottawa, having determined upon the practice as a life work. Successfully passing the required exami- nation he was admitted to the bar in Ottawa, May 22, 1889, and practiced in La Salle county until 1891, when he went to Chicago. From September, 1891, until April 20, 1892, he was with the firm of Weigley, Bulkley & Gray, of Chi- cago, as a law clerk, and from April, 1892, until September, 1894, with the firm of Winston & Meagher. At a later date he was admitted to a partnership, which was maintained until De- cember, 1901, when he became a member of the firm of Winston, Strawn & Shaw. This was continued until October, 1903, when the present firm of Winston, Payne & Strawn was organized. The firm has a large corporation practice and Mr. Strawn is recognized as an able all-around lawyer. He is strong in argument, logical in his deductions and correct in his conclusions, and has an intimate knowledge of precedent as well as the principles of jurisprudence. His office is located in the First National Bank Build- ing. He is a member of the Chicago Bar As- sociation, the American Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Association.

Mr. Strawn was married, in Binghamton, New York, June 22, 1897, to Miss Margaret Stewart, and they have two children, Margaret and Kath- erine. The family reside at No. 4712 Madison

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avenue, Chicago. Mr. Strawn is well known in club circles holding memberships in the Union League, the Midlothian Country Club, Mid-Day Club, the Lam Club and the South Shore Coun- try Club. Gifted by nature with strong intel- lectual endowment, he has developed his latent powers and talents as the years have gone by and through close, unremitting attention to office work, which is as important as the clear pre- sentation of a cause in court, Mr. Strawn has gained for himself a creditable and enviable place at the Chicago bar.

LEVI W. DAVISON.

Levi W. Davison, who is spoken of as "the best postmaster Earlville ever had," is now filing that position and the creditable record which he has made numbers him among the foremost residents of the city. He was born in Lake county, Ohio, June 19, 1848. His parents were John R. and Ruth (Kightlinger) Davison, the former a native of Massachusetts and the lat- ter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Davison was of Eng- lish lineage, while his wife was of German de- scent. They became early residents of Penn- sylvania, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of wooden bowls and was thus closely associated with the industrial interests of his community. He was also prominent as a political leader and was a noted campaign speaker. In the family were eight children, six of whom are now living.

Levi W. Davison, however, is the only one of the family in La Salle county or in Illinois. His early education was acquired in the com- mon schools of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and he afterward attended a business college there. In 1868 he came to Illinois and has since been a resident of La Salle county, where he first be- gan working as a farm hand. He also engaged in teaching school and followed that profession for thirteen years in La Salle county and for four years in Kansas. He became accomplished as a penman and made a specialty of teaching writing in his schools. He also continued his own education in Aurora after coming to Illi- nois in order to review his studies and promote his efficiency as a teacher. At a later date he engaged in farming. He rented farms in Earl township and carried on general agricultural pur- suits until about eight years ago, when he re- moved to Earlville and soon afterward was ap- pointed postmaster, which position he has filled continuously since, proving a most capable offi- cer. He still owns a farm of eighty acres in this

county and has two town residences, besides land in Wisconsin, which he purchased for speculation.

In 1870 Mr. Davison was united in marriage to Miss Hattie L. Cory, of this county, a daugh- ter of John Cory, one of the early residents of Freedom township. Unto them were born four children, three sons and a daughter. Bert C., who is married and lives in Chicago, is secre- tary for Wilson Brothers, shirt manufacturers and dealers in men's furnishing goods. He is a graduate of the Earlville high school and of Bryant & Stratton Business College. He mar- ried a Miss Churchill and has three children. George E., the second son, is also married and holds a position with Wilson Brothers in Chi- cago. Homer J. is cashier for the Brunswick- Balke Collender Company. Lorena became Mrs. Doan and died at Berwyn, Illinois, January 28, 1905. The wife and mother passed away in 1903 and on the IIth of June, 1905, Mr. Da- vison was again married, his second union be- ing with Mrs. Minnie Fuller, of Grand Junc- tion, Iowa.

In politics Mr. Davison has always been a stal- wart republican and while living on the farm he served as a member of the board of supervisors for eight years. The Earlville Leader some years ago said, "John Miller, of Freedom, one of the oldest and most influential members of the board of supervisors, has this to say of Mr. Davison : "There is no more popular member of the board or one who cares more faithfully for the inter- ests of the township." Another clipping front the Gazette in 1898 says: "Mr. Davison has made a capable and efficient supervisor, one who has looked for the interests of the town and who has long worked on the side of economy and good government." While still another ar- ticle says : "Mr. Davison has been very active in the discharge of his duties as supervisor. One thing especially should commend him to his con- stituency and that is the work which he has done for the cemeteries. The improvements that have been made by his direction and under his supervision have called forth praise from all sides."

Mr. Davison is not a member but attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and is also affiliated with the Odd Fellows, the Yeomen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He at- tends strictly to all the details of the office which he is now filling and is kind and obliging to patrons. His efficient, capable and kindly serv- ice is attested by all and in the eight years in which he has served as postmaster no complaint has ever been uttered because of negligence or inattention on his part. Almost his entire at-

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tention is given to the office, and he has recently been reappointed for a third term. Personally he is a most pleasant, genial man, who possesses broad charity and in his every-day life gives evi- dence of the spirit of the philosopher and the optimist.

IRUS C. WIXOM.

One interested in the history of La Salle county cannot carry his investigations far into its records without learning of the part that has been taken by the Wixom family in the pioneer develop- ment and the later growth and progress of this portion of the state. The name has long figured prominently in connection with its agricultural progress and has also stood for the upholding of those principles which work for good citizen- ship and for uprightness in all life's relations.

Irus Wixom is a representative farmer and respected citizen now living in Troy Grove town- ship on the old Hawk farm, which was at one time owned by his maternal grandfather. He is a son of Chauncey Wixom, an extended his- tory of whose life is given on another page of this work. He was reared under the parental roof and lived at home with his father until eighteen years of age, when he went to Iowa and hired out as a farm hand in the vicinity of Kent. There he remained for a year, after which he returned to Illinois and entered the employ of Montford Crandall, his brother-in-law, in whose service he continued for three years as a farm hand. He afterward worked for his brother, William Wixom, for two years and was then married and started out in life on his own account.

It was in 1896 that Irus Wixom was joined in wedlock to Miss Myrtie Stannard, a daugh- ter of De Hart and Jennie Stannard, of Lee county. Her father was engaged in the leather and harness business in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Wixom began their domestic life upon the farm where they now reside and for eight years he rented the land, but in 1905 purchased it. The place comprises one hundred and twenty acres situated on sections 10 and II, Troy Grove township, the residence being on the former sec- tion. The farm is devoted to general farming and has largely been planted to grain. It is rich, alluvial soil, producing abundant crops in return for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields, and everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner. He has drained much of the land by lay- ing many rods of tiling and has put some of the improvements upon the place. He received practical training at farm work under the direc-

tion of his father, who was a most energetic agri- culturist and a man of sound common sense and keen discrimination-qualities which seem to have been inherited by the son.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wixom has been blessed with three daughters, Eva, Edith and Velma. Edith died in infancy. The parents are very widely and favorably known, occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they move and the hospitality of the best homes of this part of the county is freely and graciously accorded them. Mr. Wixom is independent in politics, voting for principles rather than party and taking into consideration at all times the qualifications of the candidate for the duties con- nected with the office. He is a member of Woodmen camp, No. 65, of Mendota, and is es- teemed in social and political as well as business circles. He has lived the life of an honest and hard-working farmer and his record proves that success may be honorably won. He is a man true to his honest convictions, fearless in defense of what he believes to be right and his record is in harmony with that of a prominent and respected family.

VICTOR H. BAKER.

Victor H. Baker, carrying on general farming on section 16, Richland township, has a good property of eighty acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, so that he an- nually harvests good crops. He was born in Eden township, this county, May 25. 1874, his parents being Simon and Matilda (Miller) Baker. The mother departed this life in 1886 but the father is now living in Ottawa. He came to America from Germany when twenty years of age, arriving about 1855 or 1856. He first located in Putnam county, Illinois, where he made his home for four or five years and then settled in Eden township, La Salle county, which was his home for about thirty-five years. His at- tention was given to general farming and stock- raising and he is widely and favorably known in the locality where he resides. In the family were five children who are yet living and five who have passed away. Those who still survive are as follows: Gustav, residing in Hancock county, Iowa, where he is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, is married and has a family. Lizzie resides in this countv. Charles, who until recently made his home in Eden township, is now living in Colorado, and he, too, is married. Victor H. is the next of the

MR. AND MRS. VICTOR H. BAKER.

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family. Edwin is residing on the old home place in Eden township.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Victor H. Baker in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields in the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the public schools, laboring earnestly and persistently as the years advanced in his efforts to bring his father's farm under cultivation. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work and is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Richland township, having eighty acres of land which constitutes a good farm and which is well improved, none of the facilities of the modern farm of the twentieth century being lack- ing. He is practical in his methods and pro- gressive in his ideas and his labors are being attended with a gratifying measure of success.

Mr. Baker was married to Miss Minnie Rich- ard, a daughter of William F. Richard, who is mentioned on another page of this work. They have no children of their own but are rearing a nephew, Victor. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker are faithful members of the Evangelical Associa- tion of Richland township and are people of genuine personal worth, enjoying in large meas- ure the friendship and esteem of those with whom business or social relations have brought them in contact. Mr. Baker gives his political alle- giance to the republican party but is without as- piration for office.

WILLIAM H. BOYS.

William H. Boys, a distinguished member of the La Salle county bar residing at Streator, was born in Marshall county, Illinois, December 18, 1862, his parents being John and Catherine (Long) Boys, both of whom were natives of Marshall county. The father died in 1865, when thirty-five years of age. The mother after- ward married John S. Smith, who passed away in 1875. Mrs. Smith is still living, her home being now in Streator. By her first marriage she had two children, the daughter being Lillian, the widow of L. M. Towner and a resident of Streator.

William H. Boys, the only son, was reared upon the home farm to the age of nine years, when, in 1871, he accompanied his mother on her removal to Streator. He afterward at- tended the high school of that city and was also a student in Hedding College, at Abingdon, Illinois. Following the completion of his liter- ary education he studied law with Judge T. M.

Shaw, of Lacon, as his preceptor and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1886, successfully passing the examination at Mount Vernon, Illinois. Soon after his admission to the bar he removed to Kansas, where he remained for one year and on the Ist of December, 1887, he returned to Streator. In April, 1889, he was elected city attorney for a term of two years. In 1891 he was elected mayor of Streator and served as chief executive of the city for two years. It was also in 1891 that he formed a partnership with Walter Reeves for the practice of law and this relation has since been maintained. From 1894 he attended to all the legal business of the firm, his partner being in congress for four terms. He is a strong and able lawyer with comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and in his application of those principles he is always correct and accurate. His mind is analytical and inductive and in his reasoning he is clear and cogent, presenting his cause with ability that leaves no question as to his thorough mastery of the points in litigation and the legal principles involved. In January, 1905, he was appointed assistant attorney general of the state under At- torney General W. H. Stead and spent eight months in the discharge of his official duties in Springfield. He has held other offices in Strea- tor, acting as president of the high school board for six years and at all times he has been re- garded as the champion of civic virtue and the promoter of many interests which have had direct bearing upon the welfare and substantial im- provement of his adopted city.

On the 15th of October, 1885, Mr. Boys was married to Miss Althea Stire, who was born in Marshall county, Illinois, April 1, 1865, a daugh- ter of Francis H. and Lydia (Dye) Stire, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the later of New York. Her father came to Illinois in the early '50s and followed farming near We- nona. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry at the time of the Civil war, becoming captain of his com- pany, and on the expiration of his first term of three years he re-enlisted, being connected with the army altogether for about five years. When the war was over he received an honor- able discharge and returned to Lacon, Illinois, where for a time he engaged in the grain busi- ness, while later he was connected with the cloth- ing trade of that city. He continued an active factor in business circles of Lacon until 1890, when he removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he is now engaged in the conduct of a music store in connection with the firm of D. H. Bald- win & Company. Mrs. Boys is an only child. and by her marriage has become the mother of

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one son, Thomas L., who was born in 1888 and is now a student in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Mr. Boys is a member of Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M .; and Streator chapter, No. 301, R. A. M. He was knighted in Ottawa com- mandery, No. 10, K. T., but has since demitted to Streator commandery, No. 70, K. T., of which he is a charter member. He likewise belongs to the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Me- dina Temple, Chicago. His name is on the mem- bership rolls of Findley lodge, No. 82, K. P., and he is a charter member of Streator Club. He is prominent and popular socially and is a recog- nized leader in republican ranks and is numbered among the ablest members of the Streator bar, his ability being recognized by the profession as well as the general public.

S. S. BURGESS.

S. S. Burgess, a retired farmer making his home in Tonica, still owns between four and five hundred acres of land in Vermillion township and his large holdings return to him a very desir- able income. He is one of the pioneer residents of the county, having been a witness of its de- velopment from almost the earliest period of its settlement by white people. Deer and lesser wild game could be had at the time he took up his abode here and the greater part of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated. Only here and there had the seeds of civilization been planted, which in due time were to bring forth fruit and make the county what it is today- one of the important centers of civilization of this vast commonwealth. His residence here dates back to the year 1837, at which time the Burgess home was established in Vermillion township.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 133

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