History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 148

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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In his political views Mr. Blanchard is an earnest and stalwart republican and socially is connected with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to the Ottawa Boat Club and to the Congregational church. A young man, he is well known in the city where his entire life has been passed and is popular in social circles, while in his profession he is winning the advancement that comes in recognition of close application, broad knowledge, laudable ambition and devotion to his clients' interests.

JULE F. BROWER.

Jule F. Brower, attorney-at-law of Chicago, maintains deep interest in La Salle, the county of his nativity, where he maintained his resi- dence during the period of his boyhood and youth and until he had prepared for the bar. His birth occurred in Ottawa in 1868. His fa- ther, Frank F. Brower, a pioneer resident of La Salle county, removed from Ohio to Illi- nois in 1845. He was a son of Irenus Brower, one of the first residents of La Salle county, and thus from a pioneer epoch in the history of the county the Brower family has been con- nected with its development and interests. Frank F. Brower became a prominent attorney of Otta- wa, serving as city attorney and at one time was mayor. He died, however, in 1870, when com- paratively a young man, and deep and wide- spread regret was manifest over the loss of one who was uniformly regarded as a valued citizen. Mrs. Brower survived her husband for many years, passing away in 1892. She bore the maiden name of Ruth W. Miller. Following her hus- band's demise she conducted millinery stores in Ottawa, Streator and Seneca for a long period and was also thus connected with the business in- terests of Chicago.

Jule F. Brower, who was only two years of age at the time of his father's death, pursued his education in the public schools of La Salle county and becoming a high-school student in Chicago removed to the latter city when eighteen years of age. He afterward continued his edu- cation in the Northwestern University, at Evan- ston, but following his graduation from the high school in 1887 he managed a store in Streator for two years. His college course being com- pleted, he entered upon preparation for the prac- tice of law as a student under the direction of W. E. Furness and H. W. Wolseley, attorneys of Chicago, and continued his studies in the Chi- cago Law School, from which he was graduated

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in 1892. The same year he was admitted to the bar and has practiced continuously since in Chi- cago. He has largely made a specialty of real- estate and corporation law and his practice calls him to various states in the Union, fully one- third of his clientage coming to him from dis- tricts outside of Chicago. He is thoroughly in- formed in the line of his specialty and readily masters the intricate problems which are being presented in connection with real-estate and cor- poration law. In his practice he has at different times found excellent opportunity for judicious investment in real estate and has thus become the owner of considerable valuable property. He is a representative of the Hartford syndicate in the west.

Mr. Brower was married in 1897 to L. Lor- raine Catlin, of Louisville, Kentucky, and a daughter of Captain Robert Catlin, who served with General Rosecrans. Mr. and Mrs. Brower reside at Highland Park and his office is located at No. 1331 First National Bank Building. Mr. Brower is a member of the Chicago Athletic Club and the Washington Park Club. He was secretary and also director of the Hyde Park Club and is president of the Holland Society of Chicago. Fraternally he is connected with Ma- sonry, belonging to the lodges, chapter and con- sistory, and has thus attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite.

JOHN C. WILLSHAY.

John C. Willshay, who is filling the office of assessor of Ophir township and is one of its prosperous farmers, was born in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany, on Christmas day of 1846, his parents being Theodore and Elizabeth (Wilm- roth) Willshay, who were likewise natives of Germany. The father was a stone-mason by trade and in 1847 came to America, settling near Buf- falo, New York, where he worked at his trade from spring until fall. Thinking that he might have still better business opportunities in the new but growing middle west he then came to La Salle county, making a long and tedious trip across the country with ox teams. He located at what was then called Homer but it is now Troy Grove and ten years later, when his la- bors had brought him sufficient capital, he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Troy Grove town- ship and made his home thereon until his death. The farm was all wild prairie when it came into his possession, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made. He built the first house thereon, placed the fields under cultiva- tion and continued the work of improvement un-

til he had a good farm property. His death occurred on the old homestead in 1865, when he was forty-nine years of age and his widow, long surviving him, passed away in Mendota six years ago at the very venerable age of eighty- five years: In their family were four children : William, who died on the old homestead in February, 1905 ; John C., of this review ; Cather- ine, who became the wife of Mathew Malone, of Livingston county, and died in 1871 ; and Mag- gie, the wife of Robert Ashley, a resident of Nickerson, Kansas.

John C. Willshay was reared under the pa- rental roof, remaining at home until twenty-two years of age. His educational privileges were very limited. The school was across a creek and in the winter was difficult to reach. When quite young he worked on the farm during the summer months and thus he had little opportunity to mas- ter even the branches of learning which were taught in the schools of that period. When twenty-two years of age he left the old home- stead and began working in a mill, where he was employed for two years. He was then mar- ried and engaged in farming on his own ac- count, purchasing sixty-two acres of land in Dim- mick township. This was unimproved and he at once resolutely undertook the task of clearing the fields, building fences, cultivating the soil and otherwise improving the property. He built the first house upon the farm. dug the first well, also built the buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and continued the work of improve- ment for a long period, making his home there until eleven years ago, when he bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. where he now lives. He carries on general farming and is very suc- cessful in his work, having improved the prop- erty with good buildings and drained the land by tiling it at a cost of a thousand dollars. Eleven years ago he was seven thousand dollars in debt. He has now discharged all financial obligations and has added eighty acres to the original farm with the assistance of his sons.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Willshay have been born three sons: Charles, who married Susie Shemp and is living upon the home farm in Dimmick township : William, who wedded Marie Nern- berg and is living on a farm with his father ; and Clayton, who wedded Mary Vandre and is living on the farm adjoining his father's which the two brothers. William and Clayton. purchased a few years ago.

Mr. Willshay is a republican, firm in his advo- cacy of the party principles. He has served as assessor two years and was school director in Dimmick township for eighteen years. He is truly a self-made man. He received a little as- sistance from his wife's people in early days but

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nearly all that he possesses and has enjoyed has come to him through his own labors. He re- calls many hardships of the early days when all farm work was done by hand, there being none of the improved agricultural implements or ma- chinery known at the present time. In the home dip candles were used and the furnishings and conveniences were very primitive, but with the passing of the years success has come to him, enabling him to secure all of those things which make farm life easy and add to the comforts and pleasures of a rural existence. He has ever been straightforward in his business dealings and naught has ever been said against his good name.

HERMAN BRUNNER.

Herman Brunner, now deceased, was for many years identified prominently with the business interests of Peru as a representative of its pro- ductive industries, being one of the proprietors of a large brewery. He belonged to that class of German-American citizens, who, leaving the fatherland, come to the new world to enjoy its broader business opportunities and advantages more quickly secured. His birth occurred in the fatherland on the 5th of March, 1838, and his life record covered the intervening years to De- cember 13, 1899, when he was called to his final rest. In accordance with the laws of his native country he attended school between the ages of six and fourteen years and then, considering his education completed, he began earning his own living by securing employment in a store, where he remained for nine years, a fact which is indicative of the trust and confidence reposed in him by those he served, together with his ability in the discharge of his duties.

He was a young man of about twenty-eight years when he came to America. Crossing the Atlantic he landed at New York city in October, 1866, but did not tarry on the eastern coast. He made his way into the interior of the country and, locating at Peru, La Salle county, secured a clerkship in a store, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he became a clerk in the brewery of the Peru Beer Company and three years later bought out the firm, becoming pro- prietor of the business in association with An- drew Habel under the firm style of Habel & Brunner. They afterward continued the busi- ness together for many years and were very successful. They had a well equipped plant, which they improved in accordance with modern and scientific ideas concerning the manufacture

of beer and which was under the charge of a practical brewmaster. The business grew as the years passed by until the annual output was ex- tensive and brought an excellent financial reward for the labors of the owners.

On the 29th of October, 1870, Mr. Brunner was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Reinhart, of Peru, who was born in Bavaria, Germany. Her father, Professor Joseph Reinhart, was born, reared and educated in Bavaria and later taught in a parochial school and being a fine musician led the singing in church. He married Miss Ursula Rothenhoefer, also a native of Bavaria, and in 1850, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came to the United States, locating in Peru, Illinois. For many years he success- fully followed his profession as a teacher of music but during the last nine years of his life lived retired, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Brunner, where he died at the age of eighty- three years. He was a well informed man, was upright and honorable in all things and was a supporter of the republican party. His children were: Ida, wife of Casper Haas, of Peru; Frank M., a resident of Peoria; and Mrs. Brunner. Mrs. Reinhart died four years after coming to America at the age of forty-five. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brunner was blessed with four daughters: Flora, now the wife of Edward Brannemann, of La Salle county ; Rosa A., Sidonia and Camilla, all at home.

Mr. Brunner was devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife and children and did every- thing in his power for their comfort and pros- perity. He continued as a well known, enter- prising and active citizen of Peru until his death, which occurred December 13, 1899, and which was deeply deplored by his many friends. He was especially prominent in German circles in Peru and had the entire confidence and trust of his fellow countrymen.

MITCHELL BROTHERS.

Charles and Frank Mitchell, constituting the firm of Mitchell Brothers, are among the most prominent stock-raisers and dealers in La Salle county and northern Illinois, and are conducting a business of large extent and importance, becom- ing their father's successors in this line of ac- tivity. They are sons of William and Mary (Wenner) Mitchell, who were early residents of this county, connected with its pioneer progress and development. The father furnished meat for the Illinois Central Railroad in early days and

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hauled grain to Chicago by wagon before the rail- road was built. He prospered in his undertak- ings and made extensive and judicious investment in land, becoming the owner of twelve or four- teen hundred acres in Dimmick township, most of which is still a part of the estate. He pos- sessed sound judgment and keen discernment in all business affairs, and his investments were carefully placed, his property rising in value with the settlement of the county and the improve- ments made upon the farms. He died May I, 1883, and is still survived by his widow, who yet resides upon the old homestead. In the family were ten children, of whom nine are still living : Walter, a resident of Utica township; Mrs. Wa- ley, of Waltham township, whose husband has been representative in the state legislature; Mrs. George Hartshorn, of Waltham township ; Henry J., of Billings, Montana ; William W., residing in South Dakota, where he owns and operates a ranch ; Kate; James A., who is extensively en- gaged in farming and stock-raising in this county, his home being in the village of Utica; and Frank and Charles, who constitute the firm of Mitchell Brothers.

These brothers were reared in the usual man- ner of farm lads and are indebted to the public- school system for the educational privileges which they enjoyed. For many years the Mitchell fam- ily have been noted in this section of the state as stock-buyers, shippers and feeders and have furnished a local market for much of the stock grown in this part of the state. After the fa- ther's death the business was conducted by Charles and Frank Mitchell under the firm style of Mitchell Brothers. The business has been con- tinually on the increase for the last few years and the sons are doing even a larger business than was carried on by the father. The farm is located on section 35, Dimmick township, and its situation is very desirable for the manner of business which is here conducted. Both broth- ers are excellent judges of stock of all kinds and therefore make judicious purchases and profitable sales. They are, moreover, noted throughout the entire country for fair dealing and honesty and thus the firm sustains an unassailable reputation.

Both brothers are still single and they reside upon the old home farm on section 35, Dimmick

township. They travel quite extensively in the west both for business and pleasure and they own a fine tract of land near Billings, Montana. Frank Mitchell has attained high rank in Ma- sonry, belonging to Medinah Temple of the Mys- tic Shrine, at Chicago, while Charles is connected with the Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. Generosity is among their distinguishng traits of character and in their business life they have dis- played qualities whch everywhere command re-

spect and admiration. They are managing their business so as to add to their success and at the same time they have never been known to take advantage of the necessities of their fellowmen in any business transaction.

ROBERT H. JOHNSTON.

Robert H. Johnston has put aside the more ac- tive duties of agricultural life, but still resides upon his farm on section 16, Eden township. He came to La Salle county in 1855, or fifty-one years ago, and was at that time a little lad of only four summers. His birth occurred in Brown county, Ohio, in 1851, his parents being Tillery and Nancy J. (Mathews) Johnston, who were also natives of the Buckeye state, born in Brown county. The Johnston family of which our sub- ject is a representative came originally from the north of Ireland and its members were Presby- terians in religious belief. The father was a shoemaker by trade but in his later years fol- lowed farming and upon coming to La Salle county purchased eighty acres of land, to which he added from time to time. He resided upon a farm near the present home of Robert H. John- ston and there he and his wife spent their re- maining days. He was a worthy citizen, re- spected by all who knew him, and he did effect- ive service in behalf of public education as one of the school directors of his district. He was a very successful farmer and business man and died in 1888, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife passed away in 1886, at the age of fifty- four years. They were members of the Pres- byterian church in early life and later joined the Congregational church. In their family were five daughters: Mrs. Anna Smith, living in Chicago; Caroline, of Superior, Nebraska; Mrs. Alvira Cammermeyer, of Columbus, Kansas ; Mrs. Mattie Smith, of Britt, Iowa; and Jose- phine, also of Superior, Nebraska.

Robert H. Johnston, the only son and the third member of the family, was reared in Eden township and attended the country schools. He was also a student in Lebanon, Ohio, and was thus well qualified by educational privileges for life's practical and responsible duties. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has always followed farming and stock-raising. From the age of four years he has lived in La Salle county and as a representative of farming interests has won good success, carefully controlling his busi- ness affairs.

In the fall of 1876 Mr. Johnston was mar- ried to Miss Katie Cammermeyer, who was born in Putnam county, Illinois, near Palatine, in

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1857, a daughter of Henry and Saloma (Krebs) Cammermeyer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of France. They were married in Illinois and Mr. Cammermeyer is now living in Peru at the age of eighty years, while his wife is seventy-three years of age. He came to Illi- nois about 1840, when a youth of fourteen, and settled in Putnam county. In his family were six children, five daughters and one son, namely : George, who is residing in Columbus and who married the sister of our subject: Katie: Mrs. Mary Pilsen, of Peru, Illinois; Mrs. Caroline Johnson, of Santa Rosa, California : Sophia, also living in Peru, this state; and Mrs. May Mes- ner, of Peru. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have had two children: Harry, who died at the age of four years; and Mabel, eighteen years of age. The latter has taken an advanced course in in- strumental music.

In his political views Mr. Johnston has al- ways been an active republican where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has served as school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Tonica and they occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move.

JOHN RAYMOND HOFFMAN, M. D.

Dr. John Raymond Hoffman, a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, practicing in Chicago and in Ottawa, was born in the latter city on the 18th of June, 1865, the son of Asa Mann and Frances (Raymond) Hoffman. The father was born in Peru, Illinois, in 1838, thus representing one of the old pioneer families of La Salle county. He became a farmer of Mendota township and was thus identified with agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he removed to Ottawa and became deputy county treasurer under S. W. Raymond, holding the office until 1886, when he was elected county treas- urer, in which capacity he served up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was forty-nine years of age. He was a member of Occidental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M .; Shab- bona chapter, R. A. M .; Ottawa commandery, No. 10. K. T. : Oriental consistory ; and the Mys- tic Shrine, at Chicago, and for many years acted as secretary in the lodge, chapter and command- ery. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, his affiliation being with St. Elmo

lodge. His wife, who was born in Peru, Illi- nois, in 1843, is now living with her children near Petersburg, Virginia. Mr. Hoffman was a re- spected citizen of La Salle county, who made a creditable record in business and political circles. being widely known for- his trustworthiness and his fidelity to duty. In the family were seven children, all of whom are yet living, namely : Dr. Hoffman, of this review : Mabel, the wife of L. H. Stodder, a resident of Virginia : Mary E., the wife of S. B. Bradford, living in Ottawa ; William A., residing in Virginia; Arthur C .; and Lyle M., also of Virginia ; and Rew W., of Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Hoffman pursued his preliminary education in the public and high schools of Ottawa and prepared for the practice of his chosen profes- sion as a student in the medical department of the Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1891. He located in Ottawa, in the spring of 1890, and engaged in general practice in that city until 1895, after which he devoted his energies to the study and practice of the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He came to Chicago in 1897 and became interested in the Chicago Eye, Ear. Nose & Throat College, of which he is now secretary. He has a large private practice in the city and he also has an office in Ottawa, where he spends one day each week. He served on the staff of the Illinois Charitable Infirmary for the Eve and Ear and is professor of ophthal- mology in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat College. He is one of the able educators repre- senting the science of medicine in Chicago and his skill and proficiency have given him high rank in the line of his specialty. He is a member of va- rious medical societies, including the La Salle County Medical Society, Chicago and Illinois State Medical Societies, the Chicago Opthomo- logical Society and the American Academy of Opthomology and Oto-Laryngology.

When Dr. Hoffman was sixteen years of age he enlisted in 1881 for three years' service in a military company at Ottawa, with which he con- tinued until the expiration of his term, being a meniber of Company D of the Fourth Regiment of Illinois National Guard. In 1895 he was ap- pointed assistant surgeon of the Third Regiment for the Illinois. National Guard with the rank of captain and thus continued until 1898.

On the 2d of June, 1892, Dr. Hoffman was married to Miss Mary Hapeman, who was born in Ottawa, February 3, 1869, and is a daughter of Colonel Douglas and Ella (Thomas) Hape- inan, both of whom were natives of New York. They were married, however, in Ottawa, and for many years were leading and respected residents

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of that city. The father was a colonel of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war and died in June, 1905. Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman have three children, a son and two daughters, Douglas T., Phoebe E. and Frances Faith. Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman are communicants of the Episcopal church, at Ottawa, and he be- longs to Occidental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., at Ottawa, and to the Ottawa Boat Club. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the city of his birth and has become well known in Chicago in the profession and has also gained many warm personal friends. He has made constant prog- ress in his chosen calling, and as a specialist has won distinction which entitles him to more than passing attention in a review of the medical pro- fession and its work in Chicago.

BEN BENSON.

Ben Benson, member of the firm and manager of the sand business of Benson Brothers at Ot- tawa, was born in Norway near Stavenger in 1865, a son of Ole and Bertha Benson, who came to this country in 1871, locating on a farm near Whalan in Fillmore county, Minnesota. The father rented a place for a time and then pur- chased eighty acres of land in Freeborn county, Minnesota, which remained his home until about 1878. in which year he removed with his family to La Salle county, Illinois. He was then identi- fied with agricultural pursuits in this county for some years and his death occurred in 1892, when he was fifty-nine years of age, his wife surviving him until 1895, when she, too, was called to her final rest, her death occurring when she was about sixty years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were six sons and four daughters, namely : Ben, of this review : John, who is engaged in the sand business and makes his home at Wedron, La Salle county ; Engle, who is associated with his brother Ben in the sand business and lives in South Ottawa; Ella, the deceased wife of Anton Ormundson; Melinda, the wife of Edgar Thompson, who is residing six miles northwest of Ottawa; Ole, who is engaged in business in West Ottawa; Rasmus, who is in business in Ottawa; Andrew, who is connected with the sand trade in this city; Bertha, the wife of Mar- tin Walker, a farmer residing near Elsford in Hamilton county ; and Emma, who is living in Chicago.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 148

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