History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 149

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 149

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Mr. Benson of this review was reared in his native country and attended the public schools there, while later he spent a brief period in a school in Minnesota following the emigration

of the family to the new world. He remained at home through the period of his youth and aided his father in the development and im- provement of the farm. He lived at Wedron, La Salle county, for some time before coming to Ottawa, where he took up his abode in 1904. He has since devoted his attention to the sand business and although he started with but a small capital he has been quite successful and now has a large trade, the business having assumed pro- portions which render it quite profitable.

Mr. Benson was married in this county to Miss Helen Goodmanson, who was born in Nor- way, but in her early girlhood days came to America with her parents, the voyage being made in 1872. The family home was established in Leland, Illinois, but her parents are both now de- ceased. Her father, Sovereign Goodmanson, was for some years section foreman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Benson have been born six children : Elmer, Obie, Sadie, Bertha, Ella and Elvin, all of whom are now in school.

In his political views Mr. Benson is a repub- lican but without aspiration for office, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In his business he is manifesting the indispensable qualities of industry, perseverance and enter- prise which ultimately lead to success and al- ready he has a business of large proportions that is bringing to him a gratifying return.

ARTHUR F. EVANS.

Arthur F. Evans, general counsel for Swift & Company, at Chicago, was born in La Salle county, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Evans. who are residing with him in Chicago. The father was born in 1828, and became a prominent and influential resident of La Salle county, where he engaged for many years in the practice of law as a learned and able attorney. For eight years he served as probate judge of La Salle county. He figured prominently in legal circles during the days of Lincoln and Douglas, with both of whom he had personal acquaintance and with whom he was also associated as a member of the bar. He was actively connected with events of epochal importance in the history of Illinois and from personal recollections speaks of many measures and movements which have had direct effect upon the policy of the state, which to most of the people of the present day are matters of history rather than experience.

Arthur F. Evans was educated in the schools of Ottawa, completing the high-school course

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

with the class of 1887, after which he entered Beloit (Wisconsin) College, and was graduated in the class of 1891. Having taken up the study of law, thorough preliminary reading prepared him for admission to the bar in 1892 and he entered upon the active practice of the profession in Chicago as a member of the firm of Barnum, Evans & Barnum of that city. Since 1896 he has been general attorney for Swift & Company, at the stock yards in Chicago, a statement which needs little comment as showing the superior abil- ity of Mr. Evans. Thoroughly informed in all departments of jurisprudence he is particularly conversant with corporation law and with the legal interests which bear upon the extensive business of the corporation which he represents and his connection therewith as general counsel stands in incontrovertible evidence of his po- sition of prominence in the legal fraternity in Illinois.

Mr. Evans is a member of the Union League Club, the Glenview Club, Chicago Athletic Club, South Shore Country Club and the College Fra- ternity Club. He thus figures prominently in club life of the city, being connected with its lead- ing organizations of this character .. He is also a member of the La Salle County Association, and thus maintains pleasant relations with friends of earlier years.

HENRY A. SCHMIDT.

Henry A. Schmidt, residing on section 25, Dayton township, was born in the city of De- troit, Michigan, August 20, 1857, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Schmidt, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of their son, R. A. Schmidt, on another page of this work. His education was acquired in the public schools of Ottawa, where for eighteen years his father was engaged in the conduct of a tinware and hardware business before removing to the farm. After attending the pubic schools Henry A. Schmidt continued his studies in Chicago Business College. He has always been a resident of La Salle county, spending much of his time on the farm and he now owns a valuable tract of land of two hundred acres, which is well im- proved with modern buildings and all general equipments. Here he engages in the tilling of the soil and has a well developed farm property.

On the 15th of September, 1900, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Agatha Scheref- ski, who was born in West Prussia, April 14, 1879. They have two children : Richard P.,

who was born July 31, 1901 ; and Marie, June 30, 1902.

Mr. Schmidt is independent in politics, sup- porting the principles which he believes best cal- culated to advance the interests and the candi- dates who stand for the platform which he en- dorses. He has voted for Bryan and Mckinley and for Roosevelt. He served as school director for a number of years and for nine years has filled the office of road commissioner, being the in- cumbent at the present writing. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Cath- olic church.

FRITZ P. GOEBEL.

Fritz P. Goebel, a glass-blower connected with the Streator Bottle Company, was born in Omas, Sweden, January 25, 1864, and is a son of John F. and Charlotte (Swanson) Goebel, both of whom were natives of Sweden but were of Ger- man parentage. The father was born July 12, 1836, and the mother October 12, 1838. He was a glass-blower in his native country and thus provided for his family. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and Mrs. Goebel passed away October 2, 1894, while her husband survived until July, 1897. They never came to the new world but continued residents of Sweden until called to their final rest. In their family were five sons and five daughters : Rainholdt and Amelia, both living in Sweden; Hilda, who died in Sweden; Fritz, of this re- view; Axel, living in Sweden; Milda, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island; Amiel, who married Clara Peterson and resides in Streator; Marie, who is living in Chicago; Matilda, still in Sweden; and Albin, whose home is in Streator.

Under the parental roof Fritz P. Goebel spent the days of his boyhood and youth but his education was acquired in Sweden. Thinking that he would have better business opportunities in America he came to this country in March, 1886, landing in New York city, whence he made his way to the city of La Salle, Illinois, where he resided from 1886 until 1889. He then came to Streator, where he has since lived and has worked for the Streator Bottle Company as glass-blower. He is descended from a family of glass-blowers, his great-grandfather, his grandfa- ther and his father all having followed the same pursuit. He is a member of the Glass Blowers Association of the United States and Canada, has been president and treasurer of the local lodge of that organization and one of its com- mitteemen and has been a delegate to the national convention many times.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Before leaving his native country Mr. Goebel was married to Miss Almeda Gustafson, who was born in Sweden, September 17, 1862, their wedding being celebrated January 1, 1886. Her parents were Carl and Christina (Olson) Gus- tafson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Her father died in 1868, at the age of thirty- nine years, while the mother, who was born August 6, 1826, is still living in her native coun- try. In their family were two sons and five daughters, namely: John, born in 1851; Ida, in 1853; Frank, who was born in 1855, and died in 1891 ; Emma, born in 1859; Almeda, now Mrs. Goebel; Matilda, who was born in 1866; and Hulda, in 1867. The father followed farm- ing in his native country and was a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goebel have been born seven children : Ingeborg, born September 12, 1886, is now cashier and bookkeeper for a whole- sale and retail grocery house in Rockford, Illi- nois. Thyra, born July 17, 1888, was appointed by the governor as stenographer for the Eastern Hospital, at Kankakee, Illinois; Signa, who was born July 24, 1890, is attending high school; Ruth, born July 24, 1892, has graduated from the grammar school. Florence, born July 19, 1894, died April 16, 1896; Emma, born April 26, 1897, and Russell, born June 2, 1900, are at home.

Mr. Goebel is identified with various fraternal organizations, being a member of the Royal Ar- canum, the Modern Woodmen camp, the Order of Eagles, the Knights of Pythias and the Ger- man Singing Society. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was elected alderman of the sixth ward in 1904, while in 1906 he was re-elected. He has been a mem- ber of the central committee of the city and in public office has exercised his prerogatives in support of many movements which are of direct benefit to Streator. His labors have been an ele- ment in its promotion and he is well known here as an enterprising and reliable citizen.

J. J. HORNUNG.

The rich lands of La Salle county furnish ex- cellent opportunities to the farmer and stock- raiser, who finds his fields productive and his pastures rich and is therefore enabled to raise good crops and fine grades of stock. Mr. Hor- nung is making a specialty of Hereford cattle and Percheron French draft horses, which he raises on his farm on section I, Deer Park township. Here he owns three hundred and sixty-six acres of

valuable land, splendidly improved and its present condition is largely his work. He has made his home here during the past seventeen years, dur- ing which time he has built a commodious resi- dence and good cattle barns, together with other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He operates all but one hundred acres of the farm, having about eighty acres devoted to the rais- ing of grain, while the remainder is pasture and hay land.

Mr. Hornung is one of La Salle county's na- tive sons, his birth having occurred in the vil- lage of Lowell in Vermillion township in 1862. He is a son of John G. and Magdaline (Ott) Hornung, who removed with their family from Lowell to Deer Park township in 1867 or 1868, while for the past thirty-two years the family home has been on section I of that township. The father came to America from Wurteinburg in 1850 and resided for a time in New York. He also spent two or three years in Michigan, after which he came to La Salle county, where for a long period he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in August, 1899, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife was also a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and in their family were seven chil- dren: J. G., a farmer residing at Liberty, Gage county, Nebraska ; J. J., of this review ; William C., who also follows farming at Liberty ; J. C., who is in the Central Station heating business in Chicago; A. F., a farmer residing on the old homestead; Mrs. John Lock, of Lowell, this county ; and T. F., an insurance man who for the past four years has lived in San Francisco, California, and is with the Northwestern Mu- tual Insurance Company.

J. J. Hornung was reared and has resided in Deer Park township since the age of eight years. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and spent two years at Geneseo, Illinois, as a college student. He has always followed farming and stock-raising, feeding cat- tle for beef purposes for a number of years, but for the last two or three years he has not engaged in that work. Since its organization he has served as vice president of the La Salle County Hereford Breeders Association and is always doing much to improve the grade of stock raised in this part of the state. Prices are thereby ad- vanced and the whole community is benefited. In all of his work he is practical and he now has a splendidly improved farm property, which in its neat and attractive appearance indicates the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He uses the latest improved machinery in facilitating the work of the fields and in his pastures are found fine grades of stock.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

In 1891, Mr. Hornung was married to Miss Cordelia E. Johns, a daughter of T. R. Johns, of Deer Park township, who was one of the early residents there. He died in May, 1899, while his wife passed away many years ago. Two sisters and a brother of Mrs. Hornung live in Chicago and two sisters in Pennsylvania. Unto our sub- ject and his wife have been born three children : Florence M., William C. and Charles F., aged respectively thirteen, eleven and nine years and all now in school. In his political views Mr. Hornung has always been an earnest republican and has served as collector and in other township offices. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp and with other frater- nal and insurance orders. The Hornung family were originally of the German Lutheran church, but have attended the Baptist church in La Salle county and the church in which our subject wor- ships is located on his farm. He is a man of good ability, seldom at error in matters of business judgment and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to completion. Those who know him re- spect him for his fidelity to high and honorable principles.

CHARLES SUMNER CULLEN.

Charles Sumner Cullen, who is serving for the second term as states attorney of La Salle county, being the first one honored with re-election to the office since 1876, was born upon a farm in Adams township. His father, the Hon. William Cullen, prominent in public life, was sheriff of La Salle county in 1864 and member of congress from 1880 until 1885. He was also for a quarter of a century joint owner and editor of the Ottawa Republican, now the Republican Times. He wed- ded Mary A. Berresford, who was born in this county, a daughter of Robert Berresford, who came from Ohio to Illinois in 1828 and con- tributed to the pioneer development and progress of this locality.

Charles Sumner Cullen began his education in the public schools of Ottawa, passing through successive grades until he became a high-school student. He afterward continued his literary edu- cation in Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan, and prepared for the practice of law as a student in the office and under the direction of the Hon. Charles Blanchard, now judge of the circuit court. He was admitted to practice law in 1880 and has since been a member of the Ottawa bar, enjoying a growing clientage as he has demon- strated his ability to cope with intricate prob- lems of jurisprudence. He has displayed great

care and thoroughness in the preliminary prepa- ration of his case which precedes its presentation before court and jury and his keen power of analysis and logical deductions have won for him many favorable verdicts. In 1900 he was elected states attorney of La Salle county by a majority of twenty-three hundred and seventy and in 1904 was re-elected by an increased ma- jority of thirty-eight hundred and ninety-four, a fact which is indicative of personal popularity and of public confidence, which are also demonstrated by the fact that he is the first person to be elected for successive terms to this office in the county since 1876. He has always been a republican, loyal to the party in times of defeat as well as in times of victory because of a conviction that its princi- ples and teachings best conserve the interests of the general public. He is a firm believer in party organization and that party success is accom- plished by pure and honest methods. He believes that public duty should be performed with regard to the welfare of the people at large and also believes in keeping in touch with the trend of public thought and demand. His hearty opposi- tion to misrule in public affairs has found tangi- ble evidence in his faithful performance of the duties that have devolved upon him and which have been performed without fear or favor.

Mr. Cullen is a third degree Mason, belonging to Humboldt lodge, No. 555, A. F. & A. M. He has a wide social as well as professional and public acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been passed and many of those who entertain for him warm regard have been friends of a lifetime.

CHARLES F. NEWPORT.

Charles F. Newport, of the Ideal Heating Company, is a native son of La Salle county . and a worthy representative of the young men of enterprise and business ability who have wrested fortune from the hands of an adverse fate, for he is now conducting a good business at No. 6312 Wentworth avenue, Chicago, under the name of the Ideal Heating Company, his success being attributable entirely to his own efforts. His birth occurred at Seneca, La Salle county, March 31, 1874, his parents being David N. and Clementina (Malaise) Newport. The father was born in Virginia, in 1834, and was of Quaker parentage, while his wife was a native of Roton, France, born in 1844. They were married in Morris, Illinois, in 1869. The father had come to this state twenty years before, locating in Vi- enna township, Grundy county. There he made

CHARLES S. CULLEN.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

his home and engaged in farming until 1869, when he removed to Seneca, La Salle county, where he engaged in contracting and building for a considerable period. He afterward turned his attention to the furniture business and later on was connected with the hardware trade until 1873, when he resumed building operations, in which he is now engaged. He has erected many important structures in Seneca, evidences of his skill and ability in the line of building being manifest on all sides. He has been a member of the village board and is influential and active in public affairs. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is a member of the Quaker church, or Society of Friends. Unto him and his wife have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom six are now living, as follows: Ida ; J. Hubert ; Charles F. : Marie, the wife of James Kerns, of Chicago ; Lena, the wife of Charles Everhart, living in Seneca ; and Grover.

Charles F. Newport was a student in the pub- lic schools of his native town and after putting aside his text-books learned the steam heating business, which he thoroughly mastered in prin- ciple and detail. He came to Chicago in 1898 and the following year began business on his own account, establishing the Ideal Heating Com- pany, his store being at No. 6312 Wentworth ave- nue. Here he has a fine business, his patronage having steadily increased as the years have gone by until it has now reached large and profitable proportions.

On the 3d of March, 1904, Mr. Newport was married to Miss Florence H. Stevens, who was born in Chicago, February 14, 1882, a daughter of James B. and Minnie ( Archer) Stevens. Her father was born in Watertown, New York, March 3. 1855, and the mother in Utica, New York, May 20, 1858. They were married May 17, 1881, and their children are: Mrs. Newport ; and James B., who was born December 16, 1884. Mr. Stevens came westward from New York to St. Joseph, Michigan, and being an expert accountant was employed as assistant postmaster at that place for eight years. . He lost his father when a youth of fourteen and had to support his widowed mother. In 1880 he went to Chicago. where he engaged in the oyster and fish busi- ness, in which he continued for five years, after which he went upon the road, selling holiday goods and has since been in that line of business, being now traveling representative for A. C. McClurg & Company. He is a member of the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association and in politics is a republican.

Mr. Newport belongs to the Royal League and gives his political allegiance to the men and

measures of the republican party. He is yet a young man but has attained enviable and notable success, for he has depended entirely upon his own resources and has worked his way upward through ability and enterprise, being now at the head of a profitable commercial concern.

FRANK A. SHUNK.

Frank A. Shunk, glass-blower and inventor, also engaged in the grocery business in Strea- tor, was born on the 4th of June, 1873, in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, his parents being Frank R. and Margaret L. (Smith) Shunk. The father was a native of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of thirty-one years, while his wife was a native of Cook county, Illinois, and ac- companied her parents on their removal to Can- ada, the family home being established near On- tario, while later they removed to Grapeville, Pennsylvania. Frank R. Shunk was also a glass- blower by trade. He held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at his death left a family of three children : Jessie J., the wife of U. G. Davis, superintendent of ma- chine shops in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Hay- wood, who died at the age of two years; and Frank A. After losing her first husband, the mother became the wife of Jacob Habarbeck and is now living in Grapeville, Pennsylvania. By this marriage there are three children, Edna. Phoebe and Louis, the last named being a glass- worker.

Frank A. Shunk acquired his education in the public and high schools of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and at the age of sixteen years began working in a glass factory in that city. He was there employed until he attained his majority, during which time he thoroughly mastered the glass blower's trade. He then removed to Sum- mitville, Madison county, Indiana, where he con- tinued for about eighteen months as an employe in a glass factory. Ile afterward removed to Streator and entered the employ of the Streator Bottle & Glass Company, with which he has since been connected, working as a glass-blower. He is thoroughly familiar with the trade and is one of the expert employes of the firm. He has taken out patents for various labor saving ma- chines for making glass bottles and he is like- wise engaged in the grocery business under the firm style of Shunk & Palmer. Thus his life is one of activity and a fair measure of success has been accorded as a reward for his diligence and enterprise.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

On the 15th of March, 1897, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Shunk was united in marriage to Miss Edith Harrison, who was born in Strea- tor, Illinois, January 21, 1879, a daughter of John and Maria (Rankin) Harrison, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland. They were married, however, in Illinois and are now living in Streator, and in their family are six children : Margaret, George, Mrs. Edith Shunk, John, Albert and Edwin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shunk have been born two children : Gladys, who was born in Indiana, May 2, 1889; and Glenn, born January 13, 1901.

Mr. Shunk is secretary of the local lodge of the Glass Blowers' Association, branch No. 3, and likewise belongs to Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M .; Streator chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; Streator commandery, No. 70, K. T .; and the Mutual Protective League. He was elected alderman of the fourth ward of Streator on the 17th of April, 1906, for a term of two years, and is therefore the present incumbent in the office. He is likewise interested in moral devel- opment and progress of his community and is a valued, active and helpful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he is now serv- ing as superintendent of the Sunday-school.

JOHN W. WALSH.

John W. Wlash, attorney at law at No. 84 La Salle street, is one of the members of the Chicago bar that La Salle county has furnished and he was the third president of the La Salle County Association. His birth occurred in the city of La Salle in 1863, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. John Walsh, who are still living in La Salle. The father became a residentt of the county about 1850, emigrating from Ireland to the new world. In his native country he was a friend of Vincent J. Duncan, attorney at Ottawa, and for some years was associated in business with Squire Duncan, of La Salle. Through a long period Mr. Walsh was connected with the coal mining interests of the county, but has now for some time lived retired. His wife is also a native of the Emerald isle. In their family were three sons and a daughter, namely: John W .; James, who is superintendent of the La Salle County Carbon Coal Company : Frank, an under- taker in La Salle; and Julia, who is principal of the first ward school.

John W. Walsh began his education in the schools of his native city, where he passed through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course. He afterward entered

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 149

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