History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 147

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 147

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Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. West- gate lived on a farm given to them by his father. After a few years, however, he purchased the farm upon which he now lives on section 18, Ophir township. It was partially improved but the house was not finished and the build. ,

were poor. With characteristic energy he took up the task of developing the land and adding modern equipments and he now owns five hun- dred and thirty acres of which three hundred and thirty-five acres was a part of his father's old estate: He has prospered in his farming operations and has dealt extensively in cattle, buying, selling and feeding for many years. The business has brought him a good financial re- turn and he is well known as an enterprising and successful farmer and stockman.

As the years have passed nine children have been added to the family, of whom seven are living. The record is as follows: George H. resides at York, Nebraska. Charles H. is lo- cated at Blackwell, Oklahoma. Letitia, after graduating from the Mendota high school, studied medicine, was graduated from the Ladies Medical College of Chicago and is now practicing medicine at Sycamore, Illinois, where in connection with her father she owns a hos- pital which they built. Herbert and Mark died in infancy. Harvey E. is a newspaper telegraph reporter of Hollywood, California, and a man of much experience in newspaper work, who is winning excellent success in his chosen field of labor. Frank S. is living on the farm in Ophir township. Mary E. is the wife of Wil- liam Ward, proprietor of Ward's Hotel at Sycamore, Illinois. Ruth E., at home, expects in the fall of 1906 to enter Oberlin College to complete her musical education and will en- gage in teaching music. Mr. and Mrs. West- gate have a family of whom they have every reason to be proud. They have provided them with excellent educational privileges and all are well qualified to fill important and responsible positions in life.

Mr. and Mrs. Westgate have traveled exten- sively, visiting many parts of the country, and they expect soon to retire from the farm. He is independent in both his political and religious views. He served as supervisor for one term and as township trustee of schools for four years. He is a man of good education, a fluent talker and well posted on current events. An admirer of W. J. Bryan, he voted for him at both elections. His first presidential ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln and he recalls being in the great man's presence at Springfield and relates some of his stories and interesting say- ings. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid and for ninety days served with Company B of the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He has vivid recollections of pioneer days and experiences and is one of the representative early residents of the county, 42 bears an excellent reputation as an honest

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man, of good ability, of straightforward pur- pose and of manly principles. His life has com- manded for him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has been associated and he is very widely and favorably known. He has always stood for progress in citizenship and in business and his influence has been a potent factor for good in the community where he has resided.

He is now one of the few remaining early settlers and his memory forms a connecting link between the progressive present and the primi- tive past. He vividly recalls the days when much of La Salle county was still an undeveloped district, the land being wild and unimproved, large tracts of it being still in possession of the government. He has seen it converted into fine farms, in the midst of which stand beauti- ful country residences, while here and there towns and cities have been built and every evi- dence of modern civilization is to be found. The country homes of today in their commodi- ousness and with their tasteful furnishings, their telephones and other modern conveniences, are very unlike the pioneer homes, in which the fireplace was in use, while the rooms . were lighted by candles. Mr. Westgate retains a strong picture of many pioneer conditions, ex- periences and environments and well deserves mention in this volume as one of the leading old settlers.

FRANK E. MUDGE.

Frank E. Mudge is a farmer and stock-raiser located on section 10, Eden township. He was born at Mendota, this county, on the Ist of July, 1861, and is a son of Charles Mudge, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. In his childhood days his parents removed to a farm on section 5, Eden township, which remained the family home for a number of years. There Frank E. Mudge was reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the schools of Eden township, of Tonica and in Peru high school, and he entered upon business life when a young man. He now owns and operates eighty acres of land on section IO, Eden township, which was a part of one of the first farms secured by Charles Mudge. Mr. Mudge of this review has made all of the excel- lent improvements upon the farm and has trans- formed it into a richly productive place, from which he annually harvests good crops.

In 1891 occurred the marriage of Frank E. Mudge and Miss Mary Isabell Whitaker, who

was born near Acton, Indiana, and came to La Salle county, Illinois, as a child with her parents, George B. and Sarah (Cunningham) Whitaker, who located in Eden township. Both died upon the home farm, the father about eighteen years ago and the mother eight years ago. Mr. Whitaker was a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war, serving in an Indiana regiment. Po- litically Mr. Mudge is a democrat with inde- pendent tendencies. He does not consider him- self bound by party ties, although his sympathies are largely with the democratic party. He has served as school director and as trustee for a number of years and matters relating to the pub- lic welfare are always of interest to him and many times receive his hearty co-operation and endorsement. His entire life has been spent in this county and in the line of agriculture he has made substantial advancement, being now one of the representative young farmers of this part of the state.

SCHARFENBERG BROTHERS.

Scharfenberg Brothers is the name of a well known business firm of Streator. Theodore A. Scharfenberg, the senior partner in this well known clothing house, was born at Frankfort- on-the-Main, in Germany, July 4, 1866. His parents are Edward and Frederica Scharfenberg, both natives of Germany, in which country they were married. They came to the United States in 1881 and are now living in Streator, the father having retired from active business. In their family were six children : Edward ; Theodore A .; Robert, S .; Julius, who was married July 8, 1903, to Miss Marie S. Kime, a native of Germany and a daughter of Sylvester Kime; Elizabeth; and Clotilda.

Theodore A. Scharfenberg acquired his educa- tion in the schools of his native country, where he remained to the age of fourteen years, when he crossed the Atlantic and worked for his uncle, Theodore J. Scharfenberg, in Brooklyn, New York, in the manufacture of fireworks, the busi- ness being conducted under the name of the American Fireworks Company. Mr. Scharfen- berg continued there for one year, after which he came to Streator and entered the employ of Eli Cope, a hardware merchant. He was sub- sequently in the service of D. Heenan & Com- pany, which firm he represented for fourteen years, and in September, 1895, with the capital he had acquired through his labor, economy and capable management he engaged in the clothing business on his own account in connection with

ABNER D. WESTGATE.

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his brother Robert, and the firm of Scharfen- berg Brothers has since maintained a foremost place in commercial circles in Streator.

Theodore A. Scharfenberg was married in November, 1895, to Miss Emma Heinew, who was born in Streator and was a daughter of Henry and Frederica Heinew, both of whom were natives of Germany and were early settlers here. The father is now deceased but the mother still lives in Streator. Mr. and Mrs. Scharfenberg have become the parents of three children, Sedonia, Franklin and Carl. Theodore Scharfenberg has never cared for public office nor sought political preferment of any kind. He is, however, a member of different societies and is thoroughly in sympathy with the social spirit and the benefi- cent principles which underlie these organiza- tions.

Robert S. Scharfenberg, the junior member of the firm of Scharfenberg Brothers, was born in Germany, September 6, 1867, and came to this country in 1881. He also was employed by the firm of D. Heenan & Company for fourteen years and as stated, he and his brother established a store of their own in 1895. They have since been connected with the clothing trade and now have the largest stock of clothing in the city, doing a business which in volume and importance makes this one of the most valued enterprises of Strea- tor. They conduct their business along modern lines, keep a thoroughly up-to-date stock of goods and their reasonable prices and reliable methods constitute the secret of their success, which is in- deed enviable. Robert S. Scharfenberg, like his brother, is also identified with a number of fra- ternal organizations and has attained high rank in Masonry.

WILLIAM L. MILLIGAN.

William L. Milligan, traveling agent for the Marseilles Manufacturing Company residing at No. 633 Chapel street, Ottawa, was born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1849. His father. William R. Milligan, was also a na- tive of the Keystone state, the date of his birth being August 2, 1821. He was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and at Jefferson College, that state, being a schoolmate there of James G. Blaine. His father's uncle. William Milligan, was a professor of clocution in Jeffer- son College. When eighteen years of age Wil- liam R. Milligan began teaching school in Penn- sylvania and afterward came to La Salle county, Illinois, where he occupied a clerical position in the circuit clerk's office under Philo Lindley. Subsequently he invested in a farm near where

Streator is now located, but afterward sold that property and removed to Ottawa, where he en- gaged in teaching school for some time, being principal of the fifth ward school several years. He took up the study of law while teaching. In 1862 he .was called to public office by popular suffrage, having been elected to the office of sheriff of La Salle county, in which he served for two years. On his retirement from that po- sition he took up his abode upon his farm in Bruce township, which he operated for some time and then sold out, subsequently purchasing two coal farms, which he afterward sold and pur- chased and improved a fine farm on Covel creek in Grand Rapids township. In 1882 he was again elected sheriff by a majority of twenty-three hundred and twenty on the democratic ticket and while filling the office his son, William L. Milli- gan, served as his deputy. He was a prominent man and a good man, his life being actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy mo- tives. He died October 30, 1892, while his wife passed away April 13, 1897. She bore the maiden name of Margaret Hiller and her ances- try, the Hillers, Swans and Hughes, were among the first settlers in western Pennsylvania and were represented in Pennsylvania regiments in the Revolutionary war. She was a gentle, lova- ble woman, devoted to her family and home circle of friends.

When only four years of age William L. Mil- ligan was brought to Ottawa by his parents and he attended the public schools of this city to the age of fifteen years, when owing to his delicate health his father was obliged to take him from school and removed to the farm on the Vermillion river. Later, however, he had the opportunity of attending the high school at Streator and thus completed his literary education. In his youth and early manhood he was always at home upon the farm or with his father in the sheriff's office. Subsequently he became general agent for the Walter A. Wood M. & R. M. Company, which he represented for a number of years and has since been with the Marseilles Manufacturing Com- pany. He is an enterprising traveling salesman who brings trade to the house and he is popular with his many patrons by reason of his personal traits of character and his carnest desire to please.

On the 13th of December. 1877. Mr. Milligan was united in marriage to Miss Louise Eichel- berger. of Grand Rapids township, a daughter of Frederick Eichelberger, who came to Illinois at an early day from York, Pennsylvania, settling in Ottawa. He was a carpenter by trade but pur- chased land and followed farming in this county. He is now deceased but his wife is living on the

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home farm at the age of eighty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Milligan were born eight children, of whom seven are now living: Lura Belle; Bev- erly W., who is in the office of the Marseilles Manufacturing Company and is a skilled pian- ist : Margaret E .; Duncan, deceased ; Grace ; Dor- othy ; William R .; and Helen L. Mrs. Milligan is a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Milligan gives his political support to the democracy and has served as deputy sheriff. His Masonic life began in 1879 and his devotion to and study of Masonry has caused him to be one of the best known and highly honored Masons of the state. He has gained thorough familiarity with all the work of the order and the present prosperous condition of the local bodies in Otta- wa is attributable in large measure to his efforts and zeal. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason October 13, 1879, in Occiden- tal lodge, No. 40; was exalted to the august de- gree of Royal Arch Mason December 17, 1879, in Shabbona chapter, No. 37 ; passed the circle of perfection in Cryptic Masonry March 2, 1881, and was created a Knight Templar and Knight of Malta April 28, 1881, in Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T. He attained the degree of sublime prince of the royal secret in Oriental consistory, Valley of Chicago, October 7, 1881, and in rec- ognition of his faithful and meritorious service in the order was crowned sovereign grand in- spector general, thirty-third and last degree, at Providence, Rhode Island, September 20, 1887. He was worshipful master of Occidental lodge. No. 40, from 1884 to 1886 inclusive ; high priest of Shabbona chapter from 1881 until 1887 inclu- sive ; thrice illustrious master of Oriental council, No. 63, R. & S. M., from 1883 until 1887, inclu- sive ; eminent commander of Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T., during the years 1886, 1887, 1891 and 1892 ; was grand almoner of Chicago council, Princes of Jerusalem, in 1886; district deputy grand master of the ninth Masonic district of Illinois in 1886, 1887, 1888, 1896 and 1897; was member of the board of trustees of the Illinois Masonic Orphans Home from 1886 until 1891 inclusive and holds life membership certificate No. I and was second vice president of the Illi- nois Masonic Home for the aged Freemasons for several years. He has represented the grand lodge of South Australia near the grand lodge of Illinois since 1887 with the honorary rank of past senior grand warden of the grand lodge of South Australia, conferred on him October 21, 1886, by that grand body. He is also the grand rep- resentative of the grand chapter, R. A. M., of Quebec, and the grand council of Royal and Se- lect Masons of Tennessee and Indian Territory. He takes considerable pride in holding a cer-

tificate of honorary membership in Fortitude lodge, No. 47, A. F. & A. M., of La Grange, Ken- tucky. He was grand high priest of the grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons in 1895 and most illustrious grand master of the grand coun- cil, Royal and Select Masons, of Illinois, in 1899. Mr. Milligan has the only correct record of Occidental lodge, No. 40, of Ottawa. His ac- quaintance in Masonic circles in Illinois is very extensive and he has the unqualified good will, confidence and friendship of his brethren.

DWIGHT F. CAMERON.

Dwight F. Cameron, attorney-at-law and presi- dent of the South Chicago City Railroad Com- pany and of the Hammond, Whitting & East Chicago Railroad Company, was born in Peter- boro, Madison county, New York, in 1835. The years of his boyhood and youth were spent in the east and in 1854 he became a resident of Ottawa, where he took up the study of law. After thorough preliminary reading he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1858, successfully passing an examination conducted by a committee whose members were Hon. E. S. Eiland, General W. H. L. Wallace, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh, Oliver T. Gray and Washington Bush- nell, who was afterward attorney general of Illinois.

Following his admission to the bar Mr. Cam- eron located for practice in Ottawa, where he re- mained until 1870, during which period he made proof of his ability to master the intricate prob- lems of the profession through the careful han- dling of his cases. Each point bearing upon the suit was given due prominence and he won many notable forensic triumphs, which gained him recognition as one of the strong members of the La Salle county bar. Seeking a still broader field for professional activity, he removed to Chi- cago in 1870, and has since been a resident of the metropolis of the west, where he has been largely interested in corporation work. He has confined his attention largely to corporation law and has thoroughly qualified for successful practice in this department of the profession. He is now located with offices at No. 405 First Na- tional Bank Building, and is regarded as a safe counselor upon all matters relating to corporation law. Moreover, he is the president of the South Chicago City Railroad Company and of the Ham- mond, Whiting & East Chicago Railroad Com- pany, and in this connection his efforts have had important bearing upon the city's development, for there is no one element that affects more

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largely the progress and promotion of the city than its transportation facilities. During the later period of his residence in La Salle county Mr. Cameron was also an officer of the Fox River Valley Railroad and was largely instru- mental in securing the building of that line through the county. In his business career he has always been quick to note and utilize possi- bilities, to look through the exegencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and has thus labored along lines of progress, the value of which continues from the present into the future.

Mr. Cameron is well known in club circles. He was one of the early members of the Union League Club, the foremost organization of this character in Chicago, and he belongs to St. An- drews Society and the La Salle County Associa- tion. Widely known, the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his ac- quaintance. He is pleasantly located in an at- tractive home at No. 5014 Madison avenue.

BARNET L. BONAR, M. D.

Dr. Barnet L. Bonar, engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Streator, with a patronage that is at once indicative of his skill and knowl- edge of the public confidence reposed in his ability, is descended from one of the old and prominent families of the east, his ancestry be- ing distinctively American in both the lineal and collateral lines for many generations. The line can be traced back to Barnet Bonar, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1695. He emigrated to America in 1740 and settled in Maryland near Havre de Grace. He had a fam- ily of six sons and five daughters. In 1774 he removed from Maryland and settled with his family on a tract of twelve hundred acres near Coon Island, in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania. There he died and was buried in the churchyard at West Alexander, Pennsylvania. The three eminent divines, the Reverends Hora- tio, John and Andrew Bonar, with four other brothers, are lineal descendants of this original Bonar ancestry of Scotland.

William Bonar, the eldest son of Barnet Bo- nar, was born July 9, 1740, and died May 9, 1814. He was married in 1770 to Sarah Mc- Elliott, who was born in 1750 and died Octo- ber 12, 1838. She was born in County Derry, Ireland, and was of loyal lineage. They reared a family of seven daughters and one son, the latter being Barnet, who was saved from massa- cre at the hands of the Indians by his mother

who, carrying him in her arms, fled to the fort near Triadelphia, West Virginia, where the fam- ily and other settlers had preceded them.

Barnet Bonar, son of William and Sarah (Mc- Elliott) Bonar, was born January 14, 1778, on the farm where he lived until his death, which occurred February 1, 1870. This farm has never been out of possession of the family since it was claimed from the government by William Bo- nar, the great-grandfather of our subject. Bar- net Bonar was married March 1, 1808, to Miss Jane Donahey, who was born in Ireland, De- cember 13, 1782. His death occurred Febru- ary I, 1870, while his wife passed away De- cember 13, 1869.

Samuel Bonar, father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the old family homestead, July 9, 1822, and on the 6th of December, 1849, wedded Elizabeth Andrews. He was a farmer by occupation and in all of his business dealings was strictly hon- orable and upright, never being known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any trade transaction. His wife was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (McConnell) Andrews, all of Richland county, Ohio. Her father was a stone-mason by trade and for many years suc- cessfully engaged in contracting and building, Unto Samuel Bonar and his wife were born eleven children, seven daughters and four sons, of whom seven are yet living, namely : Mary, Barnet L., William, Jane, Samuel, James and Margaret. The father died February 12, 1905, while the mother, who was born in June, 1832, passed away December 29, 1904.

Dr. Bonar, of Streator, was born at Coon Island, Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 31. 1852, and there spent the days of his boy- hood and youth upon the old homestead farm. Having completed his preliminary education in the public schools, he entered Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then took up the study of medi- cine in the office and under the direction of Dr. Thomas McKennan, of Washington, and later matriculated for study in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated in 1880. Dr. Bonar located for practice in Bucyrus, Ohio, where he remained for about a year, and since 188I he has resided in Streator, where he has practiced successfully, having a large and lib- eral patronage which is well merited by reason of his knowledge and skill. He is very careful and correct in his diagnosis of a case and in his administration of remedial agencies and excel- lent results have followed his efforts when viewed from both a professional and financial stand-

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point. He has kept abreast with the progress made by the medical fraternity through compre- hensive study and reading and by his member- ship in several medical societies, including the county and state medical societies and the American Medical Association and the North Central Illinois Medical Society.

On the 27th of November, 1888, Dr. Bonar was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Modes, a daughter of William A. and Elizabeth ( Clark) Modes. Mrs. Bonar was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, November 1I, 1864. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Bonar have been born two children : Jessie, born December 26, 1890; and Barnet E., born April 5, 1894.

Dr. Bonar is an advocate of republican prin- ciples and by his ballot supports the candidates of that party. He holds membership in Strea- tor lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M .; Streator chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; and Streator com- mandery, No. 70, K. T. For a number of years he has served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. The greater part of his public service, however, has been done as a private citizen and not as an official because of the heavy demands made upon his time and energies by his profession. He is the family physician in many of the best house- holds of Streator and his business has increased year by year, showing that he keeps in touch with the onward march of the profession as in- vestigation and research broaden the knowledge and promote the efficiency of the practitioners of medicine and surgery.

HERMAN S. BLANCHARD.

Herman S. Blanchard, attorney at law of Otta- wa, was born in this city, June 12, 1877, and is a son of the Hon. Charles Blanchard, who is represented on another page of this work. His boyhood and youth were passed in his native city and his education was acquired in the pub- lic schools, wherein he passed through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course. He afterward matriculated in Beloit College at Beloit, Wisconsin, where he was grad- uated in the class of 1897. Returning to Otta- wa, he took up the study of law in the office of his brother, S. R. Blanchard, and after thorough preliminary reading and study was admitted to the bar in May, 1900. He has since practiced at Ottawa and although one of the younger mem- bers of the profession has gained a reputation which many an older practitioner at the bar might well envy.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 147

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