History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 138

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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ship for S. J. Haight, one of the early settlers and wealthy agriculturists of Meriden town- ship. Mr. Van Horn afterward married Mr. Haight's daughter and four years later he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, whereon he engaged in farming for three years. On the expiration of that period he sold his property and turned his attention to the butcher- ing business, conducting a meat market in the village of Meriden for four years. On resum- ing agricultural pursuits he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, whereon he engaged in farming until five years ago, when he bought property in Earlville and retired. He now owns one hundred and sixty-three acres adjoining the city of Earlville and indeed part of it lies within the corporation limits. He has a nice home in the southwestern part of the town and he has valuable real-estate interests, including one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 3 and one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 10, Meriden town- ship. He operates a gravel pit on his farm near Earlville, which yields him a good income. Al- though he has retired from active farm work he is still interested in business affairs. Indo- lence and idleness are utterly foreign to his na- ture and have prompted his connection with in- dustrial and commercial concerns. He is presi- dent of the Earlville Grange Elevator Company, which is a stock company of farmers, organized June 20, 1905. They built an elevator and buy and ship grain. This concern is controlled by a board of managers, of which Mr. Van Horn is a member and of which he has been president since the organization of the company. They have side tracks to the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and also to the Northwestern Railroad and do an extensive busi- ness in the purchase and shipment of grain. Mr. Van Horn is a man of excellent business ability, resourceful and enterprising, and has met with creditable success in his undertakings.

In 1872 was celebrated the marriage of J. M. Van Horn and Miss Josephine I. Haight, a daughter of Samuel J. Haight, deceased. She was born in Meriden township and by this union there were two children, but the daughter, Myrtle M., died at the age of a year and a half. The son, J. M. Van Horn, Jr., who recently married Miss Leola J. Deem, is now living upon his fa- ther's farm in Meriden township.

In both politics and religion Mr. Van Horn is independent in thought and action. He always votes for the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for office and has no aspiration for po- litical preferment himself. He belongs to no church and is reticent in expressing his opinions in religious matters, believing those things to be

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purely matters for individual settlement. He is now serving on the board of education and is a strong advocate of temperance, exemplifying his belief in this direction in his life through his total abstinence. He is rated high in the com- munity where he is known as a substantial and trustworthy citizen.

PETER BOHNENBERGER.

Peter Bohnenberger, an employe of the Strea- tor Bottle & Glass Company since 1885, was born in Louisenthal, the Rhine province of Germany, on the 28th of December, 1865, his parents being Peter and Madeline (Hein) Bohnenberger, like- wise natives of Germany. The father was born in Luxemburg and both he and his wife died at the age of thirty-six years. In their family were three children, of whom two are now liv- ing, Peter and Louis, the latter a resident of the fatherland. Peter Bohnenberger, Sr., was a glass-maker in the old country and he belonged to the Roman Catholic church.

In taking up the personal history of Peter Bohnenberger of this review we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in this section of the state. He spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native country and in accordance with the laws of the land acquired his education. In 1881 he became a resident of Illinois and in the city of La Salle learned the glass-blower's trade. He afterward worked in Albany, Indiana; Louisville, Ken- tucky; and Covington, Kentucky, and in 1885 came to Streator, where he has since been em- ployed by the Streater Bottle & Glass Company. The fact that he has so long continued in the service of this corporation is proof conclusive of his ability and of his fidelity. He is an ex- cellent workman, one thoroughly conversant with the trade, and his labors have been entirely satis- factory to the house which he represents.

Mr. Bohnenberger is a prominent member of the Glass Blowers & Bottlers Association and has held all the offices, including that of president and treasurer in branch No. 3, while for twelve years he has been financial secretary. He has likewise been a representative in the national association for ten years and has served on the executive board of the national organization.

On the 25th of April, 1891, in Streator, was celebrated the marriage of Peter Bohnenberger and Miss Lena St. Germain, the wedding cere- mony being performed by Rev. Dominic Meier. The lady was born in Schoenecken, Alsace-Lor- raine, November 1, 1868, her parents being Peter

and Margaret (Koenig) St. Germain, who were also natives of France and are now living in Streator, having come to La Salle county in I881. The father is bottle-blower and for many years has followed that pursuit. In . his family were eight children, Mrs. Bohnenberger being the third in order of birth. The parents are members of St. Anthony's Catholic church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bohnen- berger has been born one son, Arthur, whose birth occurred February 18, 1892.

In his social relations Mr. Bohnenberger is connected with Streator council, No. 1580, of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is vice regent. He belongs to St. Anthony's Catholic church and is independent in politics, voting for the man whom he regards as best qualified for office. Coming to the United States in his youth, he has here found the business opportunities he has sought and as the years have gone by has made a cred- itable record, never having occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the new world.

THOMAS M. BUTTERS.

Thomas M. Butters, assistant attorney for the Chicago Terminal Transfer Railroad Company, is numbered among the native sons of La Salle county, whom she has sent to the metropolis to find in its broad business conditions the op- portunities which they have sought for advance- ment and success, and he is also numbered among those who have attained a goodly measure of prominence. He was born in Prairie Center, La Salle county, in 1874, his parents being John and Maggie (Miller) Butters, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They became residents of La Salle county about 1869 and the father followed farming for a number of years, but at length, retiring from agricultural pursuits, he removed to Ottawa about 1884 and is now living there in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His wife also survives. Three of their daughters are yet living in Ottawa ; Agnes, who is engaged in teaching school; Ida; and Alice. All three are still living with their par- ents. There are also two sons of the family beside our subject: George, who is in Vicks- burg, Mississippi, with the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company ; and Charles, who is in the Grand Central Passenger Station in Chi- cago with the Chicago Terminal Transfer Rail- road Company, his position being in connection with the auditor's office. He served as a soldier in the conflict with Spain and during the war was in active duty in Porto Rico. For a number

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of years he served as second lieutenant of Com- pany C of the Third Illinois Regiment and has a good military record, being widely known and popular in military circles. He married Clara Erb, of Streator, and they have one child, How- ard, who is two years of age.

Thomas Butters. entering the public schools at the usual age, continued his studies until he had completed the high-school , curriculum and was graduated with the class of 1899. Deter- mining upon the practice of law as a life work, he pursued his preliminary reading under the direction of A. E. Butters and Robert Carr, of Ottawa, and later was with V. J. Duncan in the states attorney's office after his admission to the bar. He was licensed to practice in 1892 and after active work as a representative of the legal profession of La Salle county for five years he came to Chicago in 1897 and entered the Grand Central Passenger Station as assistant attorney for the Terminal Company. He is thoroughly versed on railroad law and his qualification for the duties which devolve upon him is recognized by the corporation. Mr. Butters is a member of the La Salle County Association in Chicago and is popular with friends of earlier years as well as those he has made during his residence in the metropolis.

JOHN S. GALLUP.

John S. Gallup, engaged in general agricultural pursuits on section 26, Miller township, on what is known as the old Gallup homestead, is a native of La Salle county, having been born on this farm January 27. 1863. Here he has a half sec- tion of land and its care and cultivation claims his attention and brings to him success. His fa- ther, Rinaldo Martin Gallup, was born at Chepa- chet, Rhode Island, in 1838. a son of George S. and Betsey (Fuller) Gallup. The grandfather was a native of Connecticut, born in Brooklyn, in 1816, and was a representative of one of the old New England families. The great grandfather, Martin Gallup, was a son of the English emigrant who founded the family in the new world when a young man, settling in the state of Rhode Island. George S. Gallup married Miss Betsey Fuller, a native of Rhode Island, whose ancestors that name are not un- known to Revolutionary fame. Three of their children reached adult age, the eldest being Ri- naldo M. Gallup, father of our subject. The daughter, Isadora Ruth, became the wife of Z. Bourne, a resident of Hamilton county, Iowa, and William Spencer makes his home in North Da-

kota. The mother, Mrs. Betsey Gallup, died when in her seventy-third year, and the father passed away in October, 1903. They came to the west in 1854. settling in La Salle county upon a farm in Miller township, where they spent their remaining days.

Rinaldo M. Gallup was a youth of sixteen years when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to the middle west. His educational ad- vantages were those afforded by the common schools and he was trained to farm labor, remain- ing at home until twenty-two years of age, when he purchased a tract of land and began' farming on his own account. As a companion and help- mate for life's journey he chose Miss Ann Eliza Holley, a native of Salisbury, Connecticut, whom he wedded on the Ist of November, 1860. She was reared in the state of her nativity and prior to her marriage engaged in teaching school in La Salle county. Rinaldo M. Gallup purchased and opened up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Miller township, and for many years devoted his time to the tilling of the soil but is now living retired on the old home place, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was ever progressive in his methods of farm work, utiliz- ing modern improved machinery and the newer methods that have largely revolutionized farm- ing and his labors, guided by sound judgment, were attended with excellent success. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gallup were born five children. John S. is the eldest. Nettie A. is the wife of Eugene Barker, of Seneca, Illinois. Nellie E. and Nina B. are at home. Bessie F. is the wife of Burton Brumbach, of Rutland township.

Upon the old home farm John S. Gallup spent the days of his boyhood and youth, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him. Lessons of industry and enterprise were impressed upon his mind and have borne rich fruit in later years. The com- mon schools afforded him his educational privi- leges and he pursued his studies in the district school of which he is now serving as a director, having acted in that -capacity for twelve years. He was married first in 1884 to Miss Cora

Lewis, a native of Miller township,

who passed away five years later, her death occurring in December, 1889. She left one daughter. May E., who is now the wife of George A. Coppess, a resident farmer of Indiana. After losing his first wife Mr. Gallup was married in the fall of 1891 to Mrs. Adelaide (Bennett) Ormsby, a native of Connecticut, where she was reared and educated. By her former marriage she had a son, Charles J. Ormsby, who is married and is farming a

MRS. J. S. GALLUP.

J. S. GALLUP.

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place of one hundred and twenty acres belonging to Mr. Gallup.

Following his first marriage Mr. Gallup farmed his father's place for a few years and then removed to his present home, where he has since lived. He has erected here good buildings and has fenced and tiled the place, putting every- thing in good shape. He is recognized as one of the industrious farmers whose labors are result- ant factors in the acquirement of a competence, which is merited reward of his perseverance and diligence. In addition to the operation of his fields he keeps some pure blooded horses for breeding purposes, making a specialty of the coach and Percheron horses. For several years he has been a member of a stock company, own- ing some fine horses.

In his political views Mr. Gallup is a stalwart republican and though never an aspirant for office he always keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day. He has served as town- ship collector for one term but otherwise has consented to hold no positions of political prefer- ment. His entire life having been passed in this county, he has a wide acquaintance which is con- tinually growing and his friends are in number almost as extensive as his acquaintances. There has been naught in his business or social life that will not bear close investigation and scrutiny and the sterling qualities of his manhood are manifest to all who know him.

DAVID STRAWN.

David Strawn, who at one time was extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising and became one of the largest landowners of this section of Illinois, having about eight thousand acres in La Salle and Livingston counties, was the second child of Jeremiah and Hannah Strawn, nee Boucher. His parents were married May 23, 1815, and removed to Perry county, Ohio, where the father purchased land and improved a fine farm. In 1830, however, he sold his Ohio home and made an overland journey to Putnam county, Illinois, where he resided until all of his children were married. He afterward pur- chased a home in Ottawa, Illinois, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. Mrs. Strawn passed away October 6. 1874, and his death occurred November 29. 1883. Their chil- dren were ten in number, namely: Ely, who was born March 27. 1817: David, October 1, 1818; Isaiah, February 20, 1820 ; Louisa, July 10, 1822 ; Matilda, November 6, 1823 : Phebe, October 15, 1826; Henry, December 4, 1828; Mary, Feb-

ruary 29, 1830; Zelphia, February 16, 1833 ; and Susan, February 19, 1835.

David Strawn, the second child of this family, was born in Perry county, Ohio, October 1, 1818, and in 1830, in his twelfth year, accompanied his parents on their removal to Putnam county, Illinois, where he developed into energetic man- hood. In 1835 at the great land sale he bought land on section 35, South Ottawa township, La Salle county, owned at the present time by his eldest son, Walter David Strawn.

David Strawn was married November 26, 1840, in Putnam county, to Sarah Loyd, for- merly of Ohio, the second daughter of John and Catherine ( Vanhise) Loyd. She was born April 22, 1823, and to her is due much of Mr. Strawn's success in life, as she took a deep interest in his business projects and assisted him in all his undertakings. Soon after his marriage he re- moved to his one-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm in South Ottawa township, the only improvement on the tract being a log cabin of one room, while their cash capital consisted of three dollars, which must suffice until they could raise some products the following year for sale. Their near- est market was Chicago, ninety miles northeast over the wild and unbroken prairie. Mr. Strawn soon became one of the leading business men of his section of the country and exhibited great talent and judgment in cattle-dealing. His man- ner of making purchase was a little peculiar. With him time was money and, having heard that certain cattle were for sale, he would see the stock and call on the owner. When the cattle to be sold were pointed out to him he would say, I will give you so much for this, that, and the other, or the lot. If the owner did not decide promptly Mr. Strawn would jump into his saddle and be gone to other places of business. His judgment in regard to weight and age of cattle was extraordinary. He could tell age or quality of an animal at a glance and, passing one hundred head before him, could mark their weight, and in fifty thousand pounds not fail twenty-five pounds of their exact weight. He rode over La Salle, Livingston and the adjoin- ing counties on horseback in search of stock until every highway and byway and trail across the prairies were as familiar to him as his own premises. He became an extensive farmer and large landowner, at one time having eleven thou- sand acres of land which was grazed by his large herds of cattle, owning at various other times large tracts of farm lands. He gave a fine school lot and built a schoolhouse on it in his district for the public and it is still in use as a school.

Though abundantly qualified Mr. Strawn never was active in public, as his taste did not

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cause him to desire political distinction, although he always took a lively interest in public affairs. On the 30th of August, 1854, the first republican county convention was held in Ottawa, Illinois, at which (according to the account published in the Ottawa Republican Times of September 2, 1854,) the convention selected as congres- sional , delegates David Strawn and others. David Strawn and Frederick S. Day were nomi- nated and afterward elected to the legislature, where he served out his time creditably but re- fused a re-election. He was a life-long re- publican.

The last great work in which he engaged was the building of what was known as the Chicago, Paducah Railroad, built in 1872-3, in which en- terprise he was associated with Colonel W. H. W. Cushman, of Ottawa, and Ralph Plumb, of Streator, valuable aid being given by the gen- tleman named. It devolved upon Mr. Strawn to see to the execution of the plans adopted. This included procuring the right of way and local subscription to stock, the letting of contracts for grading and bridging the road and a general supervision of the work. Under his active and energetic supervision one hundred and sixty-four miles of the road was completed from Streator to Windsor, Illinois, at the time of his death. A few years later the company extended a branch of the railroad north from the village of Strawn (named in honor of David Strawn and located on his land) to Chicago, Illinois, and this is now known as the Wabash Railroad.

Like his parents, Mr. Strawn was a Methodist and a liberal contributor to church work. He had a grand, strong character, was generous and frank. a friend to the needy and ever ready to help all who were worthy-a man who in his business and social relations was esteemed for his rigid probity, amiability and hearty geniality of character. He died September 25, 1873, at his home in South Ottawa township after several weeks' illness, his disease being typhoid fever complicated with other ailments that were be- yond the control of medical skill. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Strawn, died June 21, 1887. To them were born six daughters and two sons.

JOHN J. GERAGHTY.

John J. Geraghty, senior member of the manu- facturing firm of Geraghty & Company of Chi- cago, in which connection he has instituted and conducted a successful business in the manufac- ture of badges and buttons, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, November 15, 1856, his par-

ents being Michael and Delia (Carley) Geraghty, whose marriage was celebrated in La Salle in 1855. The father was born in County Roscom- mon, Ireland, and the mother in Dublin, Ireland. His death occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1873, when he was forty years of age, while his wife passed away in Streator at the age of sixty- six years. He had come to America in 1849, landing in New York city on the 4th of July. He afterward made his way westward to La Salle, where. for four or five years he followed the baker's trade, which he had learned in his native country. He then turned his attention to the grain and produce business and in 1856 removed to St. Louis, where he continued as a grain and produce merchant until 1865. In that year he became a resident of Mendota, Illinois, where he conducted the grain trade for three or four years. Returning, on the expiration of that priod, to St. Louis he was again engaged in the grain business there up to the time of his death and was an enterprising and successful merchant. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, of whom five are now living, John J. being the eldest. The others are: William J., who is living in Chicago; Mary, the wife of J. V. Carroll, of Streator ; Frank J., who is chief engineer for the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric Railroad Company and is living at Lake Bluff, Illinois ; and James, who resides in Rockford, Illinois.

John J. Geraghty was educated in the schools of St. Louis and of Mendota, Illinois, and started out in life for himself at the age of sixteen years. He was an expert foot racer in his boyhood days. On the 18th of December, 1877, he was married in Mendota and for two years thereafter worked on a farm near that place. In the fall of 1880 he went to Chicago and acted as assistant man- ager of the Sherman House until 1883. In that year he removed to Streator, where he opened the roller skating rink and also handled western lands. An influential citizen of Streator, he was prominent in public affairs and in 1889 was elect- ed mayor, which position he filled for one term. In 1903 he removed to Chicago and established his present business as a manufacturer of badges and buttons under the firm style of Geraghty & Company. The firm manufacture ribbon, metal and celluloid badges, advertising, souvenir and campaign buttons, also church and Sunday-school buttons and street fair badges, pocket mirrors, celluloid printing, muslin and oil cloth

signs and banners. The factory has a capacity of two hundred thousand buttons per day. A branch office was established in San Francisco, California, that was destroyed by the earthquake on the 18th of April, 1906,

MR. AND. MRS. R. M. GALLUP.

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causing a loss of eleven thousand dollars. The business in Chicago has been increasing continu- ously since its establishment and in the present year, 1906, Mr. Geraghty is making additions and installing improved machinery. He is thus enlarging the plant to meet the growing demands of the trade and is controlling a business which is now of large volume and importance.

On the 18th of December, 1877, occurred the marriage of John J. Geraghty and Miss Marcia R. Hoffman, who was born in Peru, Illinois, April 30, 1855. She is a daughter of John and Rox- ana (Mann) Hoffman. Her father, who was born in Pennsylvania, May 23, 1808, died on his farm near Mendota in 1893, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. His wife was born in Mans- field, New York, and the town was named in honor of her father. Her natal day was July 27, 1815, and she is still living upon the old home- stead near Mendota. At an early period in the development of this part of the state Mr. Hoff- man became a resident of Peru and established a hotel, which he conducted for a number of years. He was also one of the early postmasters of the town, serving under President James Buchanan. He removed to the vicinity of Mendota in 1856 and there engaged in farming, breaking the wild prairie and raising wheat. His market was at Chicago, to which city he hauled his wheat by wagon, as there were no railroads at that time. As the years passed he made extensive invest- ments in property and at one time was the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a prominent and respected pioneer farmer and in his last years he lived retired from the active labor of the fields. He took a helpful interest in all things pertaining to general progress and im- provement and was a respected citizen. His po- litical allegiance was given to the democracy, of which he was a stanch advocate.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geraghty have been born five children, but the eldest died in infancy. The others are John H., Mary, Charles M. and Gertrude. The elder son was in charge of the business at San Francisco which was destroyed by the earthquake.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 138

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