History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 35

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 35

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able manner with the intricate problems that con- tinually confront the physician in his practice. The splendid results which follow his attendance upon important cases entrusted to him and the attention of the general public and the profession as well have made him recognized as one of the best known homeopathic physicians of Illinois to whom the medical fraternity accorded honor and recognition in his election to the presidency of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association. He has frequently been called to service on many of the most important committees of that body. He has his office and residence at the corner of Columbus and Jefferson streets in the central section of Ottawa in one of its most beautiful and popular residence districts.

Dr. Bascom was married to Miss Lucy B. Perry, of Hinsdale, Illinois, on the 24th of Sep- tember, 1874, and they occupy a prominent social position, their home being the center of a cul- tured society circle and the scene of many attrac- tive social functions. While leading a very busy life on account of the demand for his professional service, Dr. Bascom is not without that public- spirited interest in municipal affairs that mark the loyal and patriotic citizen and has co-operated in many progressive movements for the general good. For a number of years he has been called to represent the second ward in the city council, elected upon the republican ticket. He is, how- ever, without political aspiration for himself. While a member of the council he was chairman of the Ryburn Hospital committee and to other important committee work that furthered municipal interests along the line of reform and improvement. He stands as a high type of American manhood, his career having been ac- tuated by principles of fidelity to public and pri- vate duty, by conformity to a high standard of professional ethics and by exemplification of those traits of character which win warm personal regard.

JOHN BOSHELL.

John Boshell, deceased, was for a long period connected with agricultural interests and won through his labor and perseverance a measure of success which enabled him to leave his fam- ily in comfortable financial circumstances. He was born in Manchester, England, April 3, 1831, a member of a distinguished family of that coun- try. His paternal ancestors were of French, while in the maternal line he was closely re- lated to Lady Jane Collins, who owned the Col- lins line of steamers plying from Liverpool to New York city.

When a young man of twenty years John Boshell, in October, 1851, crossed the Atlantic to America. This was at a time when sailing vessels traversed the ocean and it required three weeks to complete the voyage. He journeyed by rail from New York to Buffalo, thence by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago and by rail to Aurora, after which he started for La Salle, where he had a brother living. Continuing his journey into the interior of the country he trav- eled from Aurora by stage into La Salle county, over the then unsettled prairie, stopping at the Hardy House in the village of La Salle. After seeking a favorable location he turned his atten- tion to manufacturing interests in Magnolia, Illinois, and after his marriage purchased land and began farming. It was in 1856 that he in- vested in a farm, on which he built a residence, and with the exception of a period of three years spent in Bloomington, Illinois, he resided continuously in La. Salle county after coming to America. He became the owner of two hun- dred and forty acres in Hope township and con- tinued to devote his energies to general agricul- tural pursuits until 1899, when he removed to Ottawa, being then practically retired until his death. At one time he also owned timber land in Putnam county.

Not long after his arrival in the new world Mr. Boshell was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Schofield, of Manchester, England. They be- came the parents of seven children, all of whom were born in La Salle county, namely : Mrs. W. O. Campbell, who is living in Mattoon, Illi- nois : Mrs. C. B. Carter, of Chicago; Mrs. T. E. Wayman, also of Chicago; Mrs. H. J. Lee, of Ottawa; Engene F., of Lostant, Hope township, La Salle county ; and Isabelle and Maud, who are living in Ottawa.

Although Mr. Boshell devoted the greater part of his time and attention to agricultural pur- suits he first began the brick manufacturing busi- ness in Putnam county after his arrival in the new world. In 1852 he entered a tract of land on what is now the site of Pontiac, Illinois, se- curing it at the government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. As stated, he turned his attention to farming in 1856 and was thus identi- fied with the agricultural development of the county until 1889. He then lived retired save for the supervision which he gave to his invested interests until his death, which occurred Jan- uary 25, 190I. His fraternal relations were with the Odd Fellows. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he served in a number of local offices during the years of his residence here. He was a man of strict integrity and did much toward the improvement

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of this section of the country and his death was deeply deplored as that of a representative citi- zen who had come to be known and honored throughout this part of the state. Mrs. Boshell still survives her husband and now makes her home at No. 622 Webster street in Ottawa. She still owns the farm in La Salle county and from this property derives a good income.

JOHN STOUT.

John Stout, engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, with offices at No. 800 La Salle street, in Ottawa, was born in Spring- field, Ohio, January 1I, 1829. In 1845, when a youth of sixteen years, he left his native state in company with his brother, Dr. Sout, and two sisters. In two wagons and carriages they traveled across the country to Ottawa, arriving here in October, 1845. They drove over plank roads and corduroy roads built of logs placed across the swamps. They also forded streams and continued on their journey after the primi- tive manner of travel at that time. The children of the family who grew to manhood and woman- hood were: Dr. Joseph, who practiced medi- cine in Ottawa and died there in 1903; Matilda, who is living at Vincennes, Indiana; James, a practicing attorney located in Ogden, Illinois ; Rachel, deceased, who married Judge William White; Eliza, deceased, who married General Warren Keiffer, who at one time was speaker of the house of representatives; John; and Charles, who is secretary and treasurer of a building and loan company at Springfield, Ohio.

The year following his arrival here John Stout was apprenticed to a merchant for three years, his services as a clerk to be recompensed at fifty dollars per year. In November, 1848, however, on account of illness he left home and went to Springfield, Ohio, where he entered col- lege. His father died the following year and by reason of this Mr. Stout put aside his col- lege work and accepted a clerkship in a store, where he remained until 1853, when he again came to Ottawa. Here with the capital he had acquired through his diligence, economy and per- severance he engaged in the dry-goods business, in which he continued until 1872, when he built a warehouse at Ransom, Illinois, and became a grain dealer at that place, retaining his residence, however, in Ottawa. After disposing of his grain business he engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business in Ottawa and has thus been identified with business circles in this city since 1888.

In 1852 Mr. Stout was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Doty, of Springfield, Ohio, who was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was of English descent. By this marriage there were seven children, of whom three are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Stout traveled life's journey hap- pily together for fifty years and two months and were then separated by the death of the wife in November, 1902.

In his political affiliation Mr. Stout is a repub- lican and has been a member of the city coun- cil, while from 1870 until 1878 he was super- visor. He was also president of the city school board for eight years and has been city collector continuously since 1891. His capability and fidelity in office constitute the secret of his long connection with official service here. He is a member of Occidental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M .; Shabbona chapter, No. 37, R. A. M., and Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, K. T. He aided in building the Masonic Hall here and since 1853 he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has also been a generous contributor to churches and charities and is a prominent and influential citizen, respected by all, his strong and salient traits of character be- ing such as command uniform esteem and con- fidence. Since 1854 he has resided at No. 427 East Main street in Ottawa and is justly ac- counted one of its representative citizens.

TERRY SIMMONS.

Terry Simmons, editor and publisher of the Marseilles Plaindealer, which he founded in De- cember, 1876, was born in Shabbona, De Kalb county, Illinois, September 26, 1855. Several generations ago his ancestors came from Scot- land and Ireland to the United States. He is descended from a soldier of the Revolutionary war. A farm belonging to his grandfather, Mor- ris Simmons, in Sangamon county, was sur- veved by Abraham Lincoln. His parents, Melvin M. and Phylance Simmons, both natives of New York, came to Illinois in 1835, having made their home in Marseilles since 1870, the mother dying several years ago. In early years the father followed carpentering but for a consid- erable period has lived retired.

Terry Simmons acquired an education in the common schools of Leland and of Marseilles, Illinois, and in Jennings Seminary, at Aurora. His habits in youth were not unlike those of most lads of the period save perhaps he was a more regular attendant than many at Sunday- school and church, and had the benefit of the

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refining influence of a good home. In the wise counsel and loving and untiring guidance of a devoted mother is due the fact that in youth he never formed the habit of swearing, gambling, playing cards, using tobacco nor intoxicants and throughout his entire life he has been a stal- wart advocate of the cause of temperance, doing everything in his power to secure the adoption of its principles. At the age of sixteen years he began learning the printing trade and subse- quently was employed as clerk in the postoffice for six years. In December, 1876, he founded the Marseilles Plaindealer, of which he has since been editor and publisher. The paper entered upon a prosperous career which has continued to the present time and it is not only an excel- lent news sheet but also a good advertising me- dium because of its large circulation. On the 28th of November, 1894, Mr. Simmons pur- chased the Seneca ( Illinois) Record, and also continues as its editor and publisher. He is a valued representative of journalistic interests in this section of the state and is president of the La Salle County Editorial Association, while for fifteen years he has been a member of the Illinois Press Association and much of that time one of its officers.

On the 12th of June, 1879, Mr. Simmons was married at Leland, Illinois, to Miss Julia Thomp- son, a daughter of Henry and Minnie Thompson. Unto them have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters, Arthur, Floyd, Frank, Victor, Vida, Cora and Myrtle. In community affairs Mr. Simmons is deeply interested and through the columns of his paper and personal effort gives hearty and helpful co-operation to many movements for the general good. He is now beginning his second year as secretary of the public library board of trustees, is a Univer- salist in his religious belief and a republican where national issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot for the can- didates whom he regards as best qualified for office.

HON. WALTER REEVES.

Walter Reeves, four times honored by his congressional district with election to congress, is one of the distinguished citizens of Streator and his entire public career, public and private, has been an honor to the district which has hon- ored him. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born near Brownville on the 25th of September, 1848, his parents being Harrison and Maria (Leonard) Reeves. The father, of Scotch-English descent,

was also born in Pennsylvania and was a farmer by occupation. The mother was of German and Welsh lineage. In the year 1856 they came to Illinois, settling on a farm in La Salle county, where their son Walter, then seven years of age, was reared to manhood. He acquired his edu- cation in the public schools and through private study and early became a teacher, but like many others used this means of reaching the practice of law. He was admitted to the bar at the June term of the supreme court of Illinois in 1875.

Mr. Reeves entered at once upon the active practice of his chosen profession in Streator and soon became successful. In 1884 he was ad- mitted to practice in the United States supreme court and in the years of his connection with the bar has been entrusted with much important liti- gation.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Walter Reeves' position on political questions has never been an equivocal one. He is a stalwart republican and a protectionist and in 1894 he received his party's nomination for repre- sentative in congress from the eleventh Illinois district and the endorsement of the public was given him at the polls in a plurality of nearly five thousand votes. In the three succeeding elections he received increased majorities. Re- garding himself as a public servant whose duty it was to advance the best interests of those he represented, he began devoting his energies to the work of internal improvement in the country and was appointed a member of the committee on rivers and harbors. In the river and harbor bill passed by the fifty-fourth congress he ob- tained from the general government for im- provements in the state of Illinois between eight and nine million dollars. His position was that in the midst of exceedingly hard times the labor- ing people should be assisted through providing work in these internal improvements and that the farmers and business men would also be benefited by the internal development of our country. Thus he accomplished more for the in- ternal improvements of the state by general gov- ernment than had been accomplished for a score of years. He also prepared and introduced a bill in congress to control the patent systems of the United States and while it was under con- sideration a leading labor paper of New York said that if it passed it would accomplish more for the laboring people of the United States than any other bill ever introduced in congress. He has stood for progress, disapproving of useless expenditure. He does not believe in the practice of economy to the extent of hindering the onward march of progress, realizing that a nation, like

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an individual, must advance or retrogression fol- lows. He is pre-eminently a worker and one who accomplishes results and he is given full credit for this by the people of Illinois.

In 1876, Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Metta M. Cogswell, of Washington, Connecticut, She is a daughter of Lucius T. Cogswell and a member of one of the oldest New England fami- lies, counting among her relatives both United States senators and judges. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary of Massachusetts.

A contemporary biographer has said, "It is but just and merited praise to say that as a lawyer he ranks among the ablest in the west ; as a citi- zen he is honorable, prompt and true to every engagement ; and as a husband a model worthy of all imitation. His characteristics are modesty of demeanor and entire absence of all parade and ostentation, together with a simple dignity born of innate virtue and self-respect. Mr. Reeves has educated conscious, a large heart and a practical sympathy manifest in a tender regard for all young men who are struggling for an education and a higher life. It is not because of special prominence in public affairs that Mr. Reeves has, and is justly entitled to, the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, for his personal qualities are such as to make men esteem and honor him."

ALBERT E. BUTTERS.

Albert E. Butters, who since 1888 has been an active practitioner at the bar of Ottawa and from the beginning has been unusually pros- perous in every respect, is today a member of the firm of Huttman, Butters & Carr. He was born September 22, 1865, in Freedom town- ship, La Salle county, a son of William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Butters, who were natives of Glasgow, Scotland, in which city they were reared and celebrated their marriage. Not long afterward they started for America, landing at New York city in 1851. They did not tarry in the east, however, but continued their journey into the interior of the country and after spend- ing a few days in Ottawa, during which time Mr. Butters sought a location, they took up their abode in the village of Harding, in Freedom township. There the father, who was a black- smith by trade, opened a shop which he con- ducted successfully for a number of years, when, attracted by the discoveries of gold in Cali- fornia, he made his way to the coast. He spent two years in gold mining in that state and following his return to his old home in Free-

dom township gave his attention to the cultiva- tion and improvement of a farm until the death of his wife, which occurred December 30, 1883. Soon afterward he removed to Ottawa, where he passed away November 29. 1896, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who was born in 1821, was in the sixty-third year of her age at the time of her death. In the family were seven children, of whom five are yet living : Mrs. Agnes Wilcox; Elizabeth, the wife of C. C. Carpenter ; Anna, the wife of C. H. Stock- lev, of Freedom township; and Jane, the wife of C. K. Howard. Two sons, William and James, are deceased.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Albert E. Butters in his boyhood days. He attended the district schools until February, 1882, and here at- tended the night session of Drew's Business Col- lege, completing his course by graduation. He also attended the Ottawa high school, from which he graduated in the class of 1885. He entered business life as a teacher and for three years had charge of schools in Harding and Dayton, Illinois, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his intention to become a member of the bar and to this end he read law in the office of Mayo & Widmer. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1888, and for three years was as- sociated in practice with E. G. Dyer under the firm style of Butters & Dyer, at the end of which time Mr. Dyer removed to Chicago. Mr. Butters afterward practiced alone for two years, at the end of which time the firm of Butters, Carr & Gleim was formed. Mr. Gleim later retired and the firm continued as Butters & Carr until 1903, when Henry W. Huttman, of Chi- cago, became the senior partner and the firm is now Huttman, Butters & Carr.

On the 18th of February, 1900, Mr. Butters was united in marriage to Miss Ida B. Hayes, a daughter of George Hayes, a leading citizen of East Saginaw, Michigan, and on the 19th of November, 1902, there was born to them a son, to whom they gave the name of Harold. Mr. Butters belongs to Freedom lodge, No. 184, A. F. and A. M .; Shabbona chapter and com- mandery at Ottawa; and is an advocate of de- mocracy. He is recognized as an able member of the party in La Salle county and while working earnestly for its success is without political aspiration for himself.

In no profession is ever a career more open to talent than in that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the

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absolute ethics of life or of the underlying prin- ciples which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unfaltering application, intu- itive wisdom and a determination to thoroughly utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession. Possessing all the requi- site qualities of an able lawyer Mr. Butters has from the time of his admisison to the bar con- tinued in practice in Ottawa, his labors attended with success that has gained for him a place among the representative members of the La Salle county bar.

HON. RALPH PLUMB.

Hon. Ralph Plumb, capitalist and philan- . of land. Only one of his children was born in thropist, founder of Streator and promoter of many of her leading business interests, was numbered among Illinois' distinguished cit- izens and was the friend and associate of many of the eminent men of the state. Full of years and honors he passed away on the 8th of April, 1903, but his memory will be cherished through generations to come in the city which he named and which owes so much of its substantial development and intellectual and moral progress to his aid and co-operation. Others have figured more promi- nently before the public, winning military or political distinction, but Ralph Plumb concen- trated his energies upon the upbuilding and improvement of Streator and the city, with its varied interests, its business activity, its high ideals and possibilities for intellectual culture, stands as a monument to his life and labors. As the years rolled their course and were added to the cycle of the centuries each one was filled with successful accomplishments and good deeds that indicated that while not without that laud- able ambition for advancement in business world Mr. Plumb also possessed the thorough un- derstanding of life, its principles and its possi- bilities, that led him to aid his fellowmen and work for individual character development, for civic virtue and for national progress. Although .

the life record is ended the full value of his work cannot be estimated until the interests with which he was connected have reached their full measure of possibilities for good.

Ralph Plumb was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, on the 29th of March, 1816. His ancestors had lived for many generations in the new world, the line of descent being traced down from John Plumb, who sailed from Eng-

land to Great Britain's colonial possessions in America in 1635, locating in Weathersfield, Con- necticut. The ancestral history in England is obtainable back to the year 1240 and prior to that in Normandy to the year 1180. The earliest knowledge of the family is largely obtainable through wills found in the great rolls of Nor- mandy, showing Norman ancestry of the Plumb family in the time of Henry II, the great-grand- son of William the Conqueror. A most com- plete record of the Plumb ancestry in England is obtainable, the line being traced back to the year 1500.

John Plumb, the first representative of the name in America, having taken up his abode in Weathersfield, Connecticut, rendered active service in the Pequod war under command of Captain Mason and received therefor a grant

America and there is no record of any save one son, Samuel, who lived with him in Branford, Connecticut, when he died in 1648. It was from this John Plumb and another who came in 1660 and left descendants that the American branch of the Plumb family sprang, and in successive generations representatives of the name have been prominent in military and civil life of the country. They have been a race of warriors and statesmen and have been notable and forceful in all the emergencies of their several genera- tions. There were forty representatives of the family in naval and military service during the war of the Revolution and the family was also worthily represented during the Civil war, while splendid record has been made by its members in official capacities. Ebenezer Plumb, grand- father of Ralph Plumb, was a native of Mas- sachusetts and fought for the independence of the nation in the Revolutionary war. Because of his great activity and prominence in church work and the fact that he held the office of deacon for many years in the old church at Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, he was familiarly known as Deacon Plumb. His son, Theron Plumb, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, August 17, 1783, and was married to Miss Harriet Merry, a daughter of Samuel Merry, of Herkimer county, New York. For a number of years they were residents of the Empire state and were living in Chautauqua county at the time of the birth of their son, Colonel Plumb, removing thence, however, in 1820, to Hartford, Ohio.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 35

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