History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 143

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 143

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John Nicholson, whose name introduces this record, was reared and educated in England and came to America in 1855, when a young man of

twenty-four years. In December of the same year he located at Lowell. He was a miller by trade, having learned the business in his native country, and after coming to Illinois he entered the employ of Mr. Benham and operated the flourmill for him under the firm style of Benham & Brown. Later Mr. Nicholson rented the mill and thus continued its operation for a term of years. At length he purchased the property, put in the last dam and otherwise improved the place in company with Bulloch and Ryder, and when some time had elapsed purchased his partners' in- terests and operated the mill successfully until the dam went out some twenty years ago. In the meantime he had made judicious investments in land, becoming owner of various tracts and at one time he and his brother William owned six hundred acres of valuable land in La Salle county, while at his death John Nicholson had three hundred and sixty acres. He and his son had operated the farm, where they are largely en- gaged in the raising of fine stock, and the business had proved profitable, returning to them a grat- ifying annual income.

Mr. Nicholson was twice married. He first wedded Miss Martha Huss, who died in Au- gust, 1901. They had three children: Thomas Alvin, who resides on the old homestead at Lowell and who is married and has several chil- dren ; Margaret Helen, the wife of Charles Hous- ton, who is living in Deer Park township; and Harriet Luella, the wife of Joseph Dodd, of South Dakota.

On the 27th of October, 1903, Mr. Nicholson was joined in wedlock to Miss Frances Stoffer, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, and reared in Brown county, this state. Her parents were Benjamin T. and Amelia ( Randall) Stoffer. The latter died January 31, 1898, at the age of fifty- eight years and Mr. Stoffer is now living in Lowell. He has resided in this county for the past twenty-one years, while his residence in Illi- nois dates from 1846, at which time he settled with his parents in Peoria. He was born in Ohio in 1834 and is a potter by trade. Mrs. Nichol- son came with her parents to La Salle county in 1885 and has since resided in Lowell or vicin- ity. She had one brother, A. R. Stoffer, who died at Lowell, October 20, 1890. He it was who in connection with Hiram E. Leach, now of Kan- sas, established and for years operated the pot- tery in Lowell.

In his political views Mr. Nicholson was a dem- ocrat who kept well informed on questions and issues of the day. He served for seven years as supervisor of Vermillion township and also in various other offices of trust in his locality. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church,

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which he always favored, and in his life he stood for high and honorable principles, was just in his relations with his fellowmen and they enter- tained for him warm personal regard. Mrs. Nicholson, still surviving her husband, makes her home in Lowell. She is a member of the Methodist church and is acting as superintendent of its Sunday-school. She has a wide and fa- vorable acquaintance in this county, where she is warmly esteemed, her influence ever being given for those interests which tend to promote social, intellectual and moral progress.

FRED HEUSEL.

Fred Heusel, for many years engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising but now practically retired from business, resides upon his farm of two hun- dred and forty acres on sections 21 and 28, Rich- land township. He also owns a farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Marshall county, Illi- nois, and a tract of land of two hundred acres in Wright county, Iowa, and these various farm- ing properties return him an excellent income, making him one of the substantial agriculturists of La Salle county. His residence in this county dates from 1868, when he located in Vermillion township with his parents, who still reside upon the farm in Richland township. His parents are Christian and Annie ( Heusel) Heusel, who were born in 1825 and 1827 respectively, both being natives of Wurtemberg. Crossing the Atlantic to America they came direct to La Salle county in 1868, and the father purchased a farm, upon which he lived until the past fourteen years, dur- ing which period he has resided on his son's farm in Richland township. He still owns the old home property in Vermillion township and for a long period he followed general farming. In the family were seven children: Mrs. Mary Young, who is a widow and resides in Rooks Creek township, Livingston county ; Fred, of this review ; John, who makes his home in Hope township; Mrs. Christina Walker, who lives in La Salle, Illinois ; Gotlieb, who is located in Peru, this county ; and August, a farmer living at Cherokee, Iowa.

Fred Heusel spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native country and was educated in Germany. He has always been connected with farming, aiding his father in agricultural pursuits in his boyhood days and carrying on farm work for himself since attaining his ma- jority, or since twenty-six years of age, up to the time he remained upon the old home place and worked for his father. He has resided upon

his present farm . for the past seventeen years and it is a splendidly improved property, indicat- ing in its excellent appearance the careful super- vision of the owner.

In Vermillion township, in 1880, Mr. Heusel was joined in wedlock to Miss Katherina Simon, who was born in Richland township in 1857, and is a daughter of Henry and Sophia (Schroeder) Simon, who came to La Salle county about 1850, taking up their abode in Richland town- ship. Her father was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1819, and on crossing the Atlantic to America located first in Pennsylvania, whence he after- ward came to Illinois. His death occurred Janu- ary 1, 1895. His widow, who was born in Mech- lenberg, Germany, in 1828, came to the United States about fifty years ago and they were mar- ried in this country. Mrs. Simon still survives and still makes her home with a son in Ver- million township. Mrs. Heusel has two broth- ers and a sister : Barbara, the wife of Christian Heusel, of Hope township; Katherina; Henry, who is residing in Eden township, near Tonica ; and August, who makes his home in Vermillion township.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heusel has been blessed with three children: Emma, now the wife of Christ Walker, of Marshall county, Illi- nois, by whom she has two daughters, Helen and Rosina; and Amelia and Matilda, both at home. Politically a republican, Mr. Heusel is interested in the questions of the day and in the growth and success of his party, and has served as school trustee and director. He and his fam- ily are members of the German Lutheran church of Vermillion township and they are highly esteemed, occupying an enviable position in social circles in which they move.

JAMES B. BAILEY.

James B. Bailey, who is successfully engaged in the livery business in Ottawa, was born in La Salle county, April 17, 1854, his parents being Chris and Catherine (Corrigan) Bailey, both of whonr were natives of Ireland, coming to Amer- ica in youth. They settled in Oswego county, New York, and in 1836 came westward to Illi- nois, establishing their home in La Salle county, where they spent their remaining days. The fa- ther was a farmer, owning a large tract of land and became quite wealthy, managing his busi- ness affairs with an ability and enterprise that brought him a high measure of success. He was one of the early members of the first Catholic church of Ottawa and was an advocate of many

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progressive measures which have been of direct benefit in the upbuilding of the city. In his fam- ily were eight children, six of whom are now liv- ing, but both of the parents have passed away.

James B. Bailey pursued his education in the Ottawa schools and afterward engaged in farm- ing until twenty-seven years of age, when he took up his abode in the city, turning his atten- tion to the grocery trade, in which business he continued until 1896. He then established a liv- ery and has since conducted it with excellent suc- cess, having a good barn and receiving a liberal patronage because of his well known reliability in business affairs and his earnest endeavor to please his customers. His place of business is at No. 113 West Jefferson street and he keeps about sixteen head of horses and a number of. good rigs.

Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Catherine O'Connor, a native of La Salle county, and they have become the parents of eight children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Chris R., Elmer E., James E., Mary L., Catherine E., Alice E. and William M. One son, Edmond J., died at the age of nine years. Politically Mr. Bailey is independent, voting without regard to party ties. He belongs to the Knights of Co- lumbus, to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Fraternal Reserve Life and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He has a wide acquaintance in Ottawa and has many friends among the business men of the city.

S. EDWARD SNOW.

S. Edward Snow, who died June 17, 1906, was numbered among the valued and representa- tive citizens of Earlville and his friends were so numerous that the history of his life cannot fai to prove of deep interest to many of our read- ers. He was born in Shaftsbury, Vermont, Oc- tober 15, 1849, his parents being R. R. and Sarah (Mason) Snow, who brought their fam- ily to La Salle county in 1857, locating in Earl- ville. In tracing the genealogy of the family, we observe that Reuben R. Snow was a son of Simeon Snow, son of Reuben Snow, son of Eleazer Snow, son of William Snow, son of William Snow, Sr., who was the parent tree of the family in America, coming from London, England, his native city, to New England, in 1638. He was then in his youth and was brought to this country as an apprentice. Reaching his majority, he married and settled in Massachu- setts. Many have been his descendants, and they have been scattered in many of the states

of the Union. Among them have numbered prominent professional and business men. Lon- gevity is remarkable in the Snow family. Not a male descendant in direct line, reaching maturity, save one, has died under the age of eighty years. One died at the age of seventy-seven years. The father of our subject came from Vermont to Illi- nois in 1857 and located in Earlville. He was engaged in the drug business in Earlville for some time and later turned his attention to the produce business, which he conducted for sev- eral years. He died in June, 1898, at the very venerable age of eighty-seven years after a long residence in this county, during which he com- manded the respect and confidence of all with whom he associated, while his labors were a factor in the commercial progress of the city in which he made his home. His wife departed this life several years prior to the death of her husband, having passed away in 1859. Follow- ing her demise Mr. Snow was again married, his second union being with Harriet Bristol, who died in December, 1905. By the first marriage there were five children, all of whom are now deceased, two of the number having died in in- fancy, while the others came to La Salle county with their parents. These were: Emery Snow, who died at Earlville, November 1, 1862; S. E. Snow, of this review; and Mrs. Czarina Far- rington, who died at Rochelle, Illinois, in 1898.

S. E. Snow practically spent his entire active life at Earlville, having been but eight years of age when the family removed to Illinois. He attended school here and was also a student in Lombard University, at Galesburg, Illinois. Fol- lowing the completion of his education he engaged in manufacturing wagons, carriages, etc., be- ginning the business in 1868 and continuing therein until February, 1906. He was a man of strong and robust constitution and his life was a very active and useful one. He developed an extensive and important business, which yielded him a gratifying income, and he was thus en- abled to supply his family with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Snow was a Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge at Earlville and the royal arch chapter of Men- dota, and at one time he was active in the Odd Fellows society. His wife became identified with the ladies' auxiliary of the Masonic lodge, be- longing to Rowe of Freedom chapter, O. E. S. It was on the 15th of February, 1867, that Mr. Snow was married to Miss Arabella Warren, who was born at Paw Paw. Illinois, a daughter of S. B. and Hannah (Brown) Warren. Her father located at Utica, Illinois, in 1833, having come to the west as a young man from Cold

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Springs, New York. His wife was born at Ger- mantown, Pennsylvania, and came with her peo- ple to this state in 1835, settling at Troy Grove. Sylvanus B. Warren resided at different times at Four Mile Grove, at Utica and elsewhere, finally locating in 1854 at Earlville, where he was engaged in merchandising for some time. About 1860 he went west to Montana, where he re- mained for a number of years and later located at Joplin, Missouri, where his death occurred in 1887, at the age of seventy-four years. He was born November 28, 1813, at Cold Springs, Put- nam county, New York, and in 1833 he came to Utica, Illinois, as a pioneer settler of the north- ern part of the state. In 1860 he went to Colo- rado and was engaged in mining in Park and Summit counties. He was also interested in cat- tle-raising for sometime and in 1864 he settled in Deer Lodge valley, where he remained for four years, being one of the first residents of that lo- cality. In later years he made his home in Jop- lin, Missouri, where he engaged in merchandis- ing and subsequently in lead mining. He, too, was a member of the Masonic lodge. His widow survived him and died in Butte, Montana, in 1892, at the age of sixty-eight years, her birth having occurred in 1824. Mrs. Snow was one of their family of eight children, two of whom died in infancy, while six reached years of maturity. Nearly all of the number were natives of La Salle county, including Mrs. Snow. The mem- bers of this family are as follows: Charles, who is known as General Charles Warren Snow, was born in Utica and has been a resident of Montana for forty years. He is identified with mining and real-estate interests there and was formerly a member of the governor's staff. Mrs. Sarah Nichols, the second of the family, died in Butte, Montana, in 1898. Mrs. Snow still makes her home in Earlville. Mrs. Martha Fish is living in Montana. Earl, who was engaged in min- ing, died at Anaconda, Montana. Mason, who was also identified with mining operations, died at Spokane Falls, Washington.

Mrs. Snow was born and reared in La Salle county and by her marriage became the mother of one son, Clyde Mason, who is engaged in teaching in the Chicago College of Pharmacy. He was graduated at Earlville, also attended military school at Oxford, Maryland, and after- ward was a student in Bryant & Stratton Busi- ness College of Chicago. He carried on the drug business in Earlville for two years and served as postmaster of the city under Presi- dent Cleveland's administration. He, too, is a Mason and holds membership in Earlville lodge. In the history of S. Edward Snow there is much that is commendable and worthy of emulation.

Without special advantages at the outset of his career and with no influential friends to aid him he worked his way steadily upward, making good use of his opportunities and realizing that suc- cess comes as the reward of earnest labor, guided by sound judgment and supplemented by honest purpose. He was a man who in all life's rela- tions commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated and Earl- ville numbered him as one of its leading busi- ness men. For more than a third of a century he was a factor in the business life of Earlville and when his establishment was destroyed by fire in 1875 he at once rebuilt, and with laudable am- bition set to work to retrieve his lost possessions. His fellow citizens knew him for an honest man and one worthy their highest regard.

THOMAS J. YOUNG.

Ottawa has furnished a goodly quota to the ranks of successful business men in Chicago, and the city, always distinguished for the ability of her bench and bar, claims many able lawyers from La Salle's county seat. Among this num- ber is Thomas J. Young, who is practicing at the Chicago bar with offices at No. 1009 Ash- land Block. He was born in Ottawa, in Decem- ber, 1866, and is a son of John D. Young, who in early manhood went to La Salle county, where he became a prominent and much re- spected citizen. He was a lumber merchant of Ottawa and for one term acted as mayor of the city, where he continuously made his home from early manhood until the time of his death in 1899.

Thomas J. Young is indebted to the public- school system of his native city for the early educational privileges he enjoyed. He com- pleted the high-school course and soon after- ward he entered upon the study of law under the direction of L. W. Brewer and was admitted to the bar in 1886, when twenty-one years of age and entered upon active practice in the office of B. F. Lincoln and George H. Haight. After eight years of practice in Ottawa, he removed to Chicago in 1894. He has practiced alone in that city and has a large and distinctively repre- sentative clientage for one of his years. He continues in general practice of law and his ability is winning him recognition as he dis- plays thorough mastery of the principles of jurisprudence and correctness in the adaptation of its principles to the points in litigation. While a general practitioner he yet makes a specialty of

THOMAS J. YOUNG.

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corporation law and represents several large corporations.

On the 5th of July, 1902, Thomas J. Young was married to Miss Anna Petras, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In his political views Mr. Young is a democrat and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Owls, a fraternal society consisting of profes- sional men. Although no longer a resident of his native county he yet maintains deep interest in and close association therewith, having for a number of years been secretary of the La Salle County Association, of Chicago, while in 1906 he was elected its president. This organi- zation, formed by those previously residents of La Salle county, has a membership of more than two thousand, who on stated occasions hold meetings and banquets, maintaining a spirit of fellowship in their reminiscences of the days when they were residents of La Salle county.

J. KENT GREENE.

J. Kent Greene, formerly a law student in La Salle county and now a practitioner in the courts of Chicago, was born in Dayton, and is a son of Jesse Green, whose birth occurred in Licking county, Ohio, on the 22d of December, 1817. Jesse Green is now the oldest settler living in La Salle county, where he took up his abode in 1829, being at that time a youth of twelve years. For seventy-seven years he has been a witness of the changes that time and man have wrought as the frontier region has been converted into a thickly populated district in which are seen all the evidences of business progress and intel- lectual and moral culture. He has passed the age of eighty-eight years and is honored as Ottawa's most venerable citizen. Three of his sons are living in Chicago. Frank Greene is a druggist at No. 1350 Ogden avenue. T. H. Greene, an electrician, resides at No. 827 Ham- ilton court.

The Green family of La Salle county sprang from a line which had its origin in America with John Greene, who was born in 1597, and emi- grated from England to Rhode Island in the company next after Roger Williams, taking a large share in the early upbuilding of that com- monwealth. Major General Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary war fame was of this line. John Green, a direct descendant of this line, a nephew of the Major General, was a pioneer who settled in La Salle county, in 1829. He married Bar- bara Grove. The first ancestor in America of the Grove family was Hans Graf, a nobleman

born in Holland in the latter part of the seven- teenth century, who, because of his religious views, was driven from his native land to Amer- ica in 1717. Jesse Green, the oldest son of John Green, came with his father to La Salle county in 1829, and for many years was the most ex- tensive woolen manufacturer of this state. He married Hannah Rhoads, whose ancestry like- wise is traced to ante-Revolutionary days. Their descendants have several lineal ancestors that took part in the Revolutionary war. The ances- try of these pioneers has been well authenticated by reference to histories of Rhode Island ; Wash- ington county, Maryland ; Licking county, Ohio ; and Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

J. Kent Greene, passing through successive grades in the public schools, was graduated from the Ottawa high school with the class of 1887. He afterward pursued a literary course in the University of Chicago and studied law in the Union College of Law, the law department of Northwestern University, graduating therefrom in 1891. The same year he was admitted to the bar. His preliminary law reading, however, was done under the direction of Clarence Griggs, at Ottawa.

Mr. Greene entered upon the practice of law in Chicago, and after spending one year with a law firm, has, since 1892, been in practice alone. He entered upon the duties of his profession well equipped, having, upon his graduation from the law school, received the first prize for best thesis on a question of practical law in a class of sixty members, several of whom have since become noted in the judicial and civic life of the metropo- lis. He passed his examination for admisson to the bar before he was twenty years of age. His success came soon because his equipment was unusually good. No dreary novitiate awaited him and as the years have gone by he has practiced in all of the courts, having appeared be- fore the supreme court an unusual number of times for one of his age. He now has a good clientage and is making splendid progress in the line of his chosen profession.

Mr. Greene was married in 1895 to Miss Stella Hammond, then of Chicago, but formerly of New York. They have a daughter, Marjorie. born July 3, 1899. Mr. Greene is a member of the Ravenswood Methodist Episcopal church, of the college fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, also of the Sons of the American Revolution, while in the line of his professioon he is connected with the Chicago Bar Association. He likewise belongs to the La Salle County Association and retains warm friendships of many of the associates of his boyhood. His personal characteristics en- dear him to those with whom he has been as-

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sociated and the hospitality of his pleasant home at No. 2614 North Ashland avenue in Ravens- wood, is greatly enjoyed by many friends.

THOMAS J. RIORDAN.

Thomas J. Riordan, prorietor of Riordan's, Theater in Ottawa, is a native of La Salle county, born February 4, 1864. He represents one of the old pioneer families, for his father, James Riordan, took up his abode here in 1847. He engaged in raising, buying and selling horses and was an active business man of his time, but both he and his wife are now deceased.

Thomas J. Riordan acquired his education in the schools of Streator and early in his busi- 'ness career was employed to some extent in the glass works at that place. Subsequently he came to Ottawa, where he has resided since 1885 and during this period he has been engaged in various business transactions. He is now proprietor of Riordan's Theater, located at No. 213 West Madison street.

Mr. Riordan was married to Anna Murray, of Ottawa, and they have three children: Nellie, Frank and Lou. In his political views Mr. Rior- dan is a democrat, while fraternally he is con- nected with the Order of Eagles.

CHARLES RICHARD TAYLOR. D. D. S.

Dr. Charles Richard Taylor, who in his pro- fession has won a creditable place, is perhaps equally prominent by reason of his connection with public affairs that have had direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the community. Many tangible evidences can be cited of his co- operation in matters relating to the general wel- fare and the unfolding of his life's record will indicate much of the development of Streator in more recent years along lines contributing to its improvement and growth in its intellectual, busi- ness and political advancement.

Dr. Taylor was born in Swinfield, Minist, Kent county, England, near Folkstone, and is a son of George and Elizabeth ( Philpott) Taylor. The father was born in England in 1817, while the mother's birth occurred in 1819. They were married in their native land and lived to cele- brate their golden wedding in 1887. In the year 1851, the father came to America, locating in Derby, Connecticut. He was accompanied by his eldest son, George, and after earning money enough to pay the passage of his wife and the

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 143

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