History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 46

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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P. J. LUCEY.

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and in that manner the journey was completed to Ottawa.

The father here turned his attention to farming, investing in one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he purchased from Thomas Basnett. With characteristic energy he began its cultivation and development and he also became interested in mills at Ottawa, retaining his residence in La Salle county until his death, which occurred September 23, 1880, when he reached the ad- vanced age of seventy-six years. He voted with the republican party and was called to several local offices, acting as supervisor and assessor of the town of South Ottawa and assessor of the school district, while during the period of the Civil war he was enrolling officer. He was known as a citizen whose interest in public af- fairs could be counted upon to the extent of active co-operation in any movement instituted for the general good. His wife survived him until June 30, 1891, and passed away in her seventy-eighth year. In their family were three sons and a daughter : Daniel C .; Edward C., who died in 1870; Sarah J., the wife of Thomas J. Stumph ; and George A., of Ottawa.

Daniel C. Mills was not yet a year old when his parents first came to the United States and was a youth of twelve when they left their native country for the second time. He had in his youth been a student in the public schools of England and he continued his education in a school held in what was known as Old Me- chanics Hall in Ottawa. Through the period of vacation and after putting aside his text-books he aided in the work of the home farm until he attained his majority and gained that. practical experience and knowledge of farming that proved of immense value to him when be began agricul- tural work on his own account. He was twenty- three years of age when he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Farm Ridge. He resolutely set to work at the task of bring- ing his fields under a high state of cultivation and making his farm one of the best properties in the county. He erected a good residence, also built barns and sheds for the care of grain and stock and secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. Moreover his stock-raising interests became an important branch of his business and he was largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock raised in this part of the state. His efforts therein were of public benefit for the improvement of stock adds to its market value and the agricultural success is thereby aug- mented. The rich pasture lands of the state pro- vide excellent opportunities to the stock-raiser

and this industry has become a most important one in the interests of Illinois. Mr. Mills was among the first to introduce Norman and Shire horses into La Salle county and some of his stock brought exceedingly high prices, one team selling for the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars. As his business undertakings brought him success he added to his original farm until within its boundaries were comprised four hundred and sixty acres of choice land, which he continued to cultivate and improve until his removal to East Ottawa in 1887.

On the 3d of November, 1855, Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Hogoboom, who was born in Ottawa, her parents being Richard and Phoebe ( Farnsworth) Hogoboom. Her father removed from New York to La Salle county in 1829 and belonged to that type of the builder and organizer who followed the trail blazed by the early pioneer. He was associated with Russel Kimbal in building the first dam across the Illinois river at Marseilles in 1830 and was otherwise identified with the early develop- ment of the county. His wife departed this life in May, 1877, while his death occurred May 9, 1899, when he was in his ninety-second year.

Mr. and Mrs. Mills became the parents of a family of five sons and four daughters. Charles C., who died in 1904, was an attorney who re- sided and practiced law in Rensselaer, Indiana. He married Anna Smith, of La Salle county, and to them were born three sons: Edward, of Chicago; Emery S., who is studying law at Pur- due University in Indiana ; and Howard, living in Rensselaer, that state. Albert F., the second member of the family, now follows farming in Farm Ridge township, La Salle county. He mar- ried a daughter of Rev. Heister and after her death wedded a Miss Batchelor, of Nebraska. They have three children, Clarence, Edith and Doris. Horace, a retired farmer now living in Ottawa, married Miss Wakey, of this county, and they have one son, Glenn. Abbie died at the age of eleven years. Alice is at home. Phoebe is a clerk in Fisher & Meyer's store at Ottawa. Eliza is a teacher in this county. Richard is filling the position of assistant state's attorney at Ot- tawa. William A. is at home and completes the family.

Mr. Mills held membership in Occidental lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M .; Ottawa chapter, No. 37, R. A. M .; and Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T., exemplifying in his life the spirit of the craft and closely adhering to its tenets and teaching. He was a communicant of the Episcopal church, of which his family are all members, and was generous in his contributions to its support. He

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voted with the republican party and filled a num- ber of local offices but was not ambitious in that direction, finding in an active business career ample opportunity to exercise his talents and oc- cupy his time. The last few years of his life were spent in honorable retirement from labor, for he had carefully conducted his business so that he won success. He was a man of fine per- sonal appearance, possessing a nature in which kindness of disposition, generosity and truth were well blended. He passed away May 2, 1905, the community thereby losing a respected citizen and honored pioneer, his neighbors and friends a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father. His best traits of character were reserved for his own fireside and he counted no personal sacrifice too great if thereby was en- hanced the welfare or happiness of his wife and children. His son Richard now looks after the farm and estate, having been appointed adminis- trator, and the family reside in Ottawa, where they have many friends.

AMMON B. MOON.

Ammon B. Moon, living retired at No. 213 South Park street in Streator, is one of the extensive land owners of La Salle county, his realty holdings embracing eight hundred acres of arable farm land in this part of the state. Having lived in the county for more than the allotted Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, he needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, for his acquaintance is a very extensive and favorable one and his life record is indicative of the fact that success is not a matter of genius as held by many, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment, experi- ence and unabating energy.

Mr. Moon was born upon the old homestead farm in Eden township, La Salle county, Jan- uary 27, 1834. his parents being Albert and Elizabeth (Boyle) Moon, while his paternal grandparents were Jacob and Leah Moon. Jacob Moon was of English and Scotch descent and was born in Virginia, where he resided until after his marriage. In 1831 he came with his family to Illinois, establishing his home in Read- ing township, Livingston county, not far from the boundary line of La Salle county. The jour- ney westward was made by team from Virginia and Jacob Moon continued a resident of Illi- nois until his death, giving his time and ener- gies to general agricultural pursuits. He passed away in his seventy-first year and his wife died when about seventy years of age. In their family

were two sons and two daughters. The parents were adherents of the faith of the Quakers or Friends and in politics Jacob Moon was a whig.

Albert Moon, father of the subject, was born in Virginia in 1807 and was reared to manhood in Greene county, Ohio. When twenty-four years of age he cast in his lot with the early settlers of La Salle county, Illinois, coming with his parents to this portion of the state. He made his home upon a farm near Tonica and was closely identified with many of the events and incidents which shape the early history and mark the development of the county. At the time of the Indian massacre in the Black Hawk war there was a company of sixteen men organized at Ottawa to bury the victims of savage cruelty and Mr. Moon was among the number chosen for that purpose. His entire life was devoted to general farming and stock-raising and he took a most active and helpful part in the pioneer development of the county, doing all in his power to plant and cultivate the seeds of civilization. He was married in 1833 to Miss Elizabeth Boyle, a daughter of David and Rachel Boyle, who be- came residents of Putnam county, Illinois, in 1829. In the year 1834 Albert Moon sold his property in this county and the following year purchased a tract of land in Reading township, Livingston county, where he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred on the Igth of November, 1865. He served as school director for many years and was also school trustee. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He favored the Presby- terian church, of which his wife was a member. She was born in Kentucky, January 28, 1817, and long surviving her husband, passed away February 4, 1894. In their family were four children: Ammon B .; Salanda, the wife of L. M. Sawyer; Matilda, the wife of H. B. Schu- ler, of Chicago, Illinois; and Jacob W., who died at Iowa Falls, Iowa, March 19, 1900.

Ammon B. Moon was but an infant at the time of his parents' removal to Livingston coun- ty, Illinois, where in the usual manner of farm lads the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He attended the common schools and as his age and strength permitted as- sisted in the work of field and meadow. In early manhood he began farming on his own account on a tract of land on section 34. Eagle township. There he built a frame house in the fall of 1856 and took up his abode there in the following spring, after which he

A.B. Moon

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gave his attention to the development and im- provement of the farm. He brought the land under a high state of cultivation, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and adding all the improvements in the line of new invention in machinery that would facilitate the farm work. He divided the place into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and kept his buildings in a state of good repair. As his fi- nancial resources permitted he added to his place from time to time until he was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres, constituting a very valuable and productive farm. His first home was a frame building, which in 1872 he replaced by a modern brick residence. At vari- ous times he has invested in property elsewhere and his holdings include one hundred and sixty acres on section 33 and one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Eagle township, making an aggregate of eight hundred acres. He figured for a long period as one of the most prominent and successful agriculturists of the community. No facility or equipment of the model farm was ever lacking and his labors' were of a practical, progressive character that bring successful and gratifying results even in the face of obstacles and difficulties. In 1892 Mr. Moon erected a fine residence in Streator and the following year took up liis abode in this city, where he has since resided. He still owns, however, eight hundred acres of valuable land a mile and a half from the city and his realty holding's return him a very gratifying income. He continuously fol- lowed farming and stock-raising until his retire- ment and now he is enjoying a well earned rest amid the fruits of his former toil.

On the 8th of October, 1856, occurred the mar- riage of Ammon B. Moon and Miss Mary E. Lyon, whose parents were William and Eliza- beth (Mills) Lyon, both natives of Ohio. Her father was born in Clinton county, that state, and died in Pontiac, Illinois, in 1892, while his wife, who was born in 1817, passed away in Pon- tiac in 1882. In their family were five children. who are yet living: Milton D., a resident of Pontiac ; Martha E., the wife of Emery H. Ma- this, also of Pontiac; Eugene, who is married and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska; Lillie, the wife of William C. Gilbreath, of Fargo, North Da- kota: and Mrs. Moon. The father on coming to Illinois, settled in Reading, Livingston county, where he followed merchandising for some years and in 1862 he moved to Pontiac. He served as sheriff of Livingston county in the '50s and was closely associated with its early progress and improvement. He voted with the whig party until its dissolution and afterward became a republican, while his religious faith

was indicated by his membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

Mrs. Moon was born in Clinton county, Ohio, August 15, 1839, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children, of whom Carrie died in infancy and Lillie at the age of five years. William A. married Mamie Cosell and is living in Streator. Nellie married William Turner and had two children, Guy and Harry. After the death of Mr. Turner his widow became the wife of Dr. O. J. Raub, and they had two children, of whom Stanley yet survives. Their home is in Abilene, Kansas. Estella E. is the wife of Dr. Holland, of Streator, and they have one son, Park.

Mr. Moon is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Streator and belongs to the Streator Club. In politics he is a republican and has served as school director for a number of years and as township trustee. Few men have longer resided in this portion of the state, for here he has lived for seventy-two years. Mar- velous changes have occurred during this period, for the growth has been so rapid and so sub- stantial as to make it seem almost magical. When the family located here this portion of Illinois was almost an uninhabited district, only a few homes being scattered over the prairie or through the timber. Because of the remoteness from large cities and with none of the modern trans- portation facilities they were deprived of many elements which are now considered essential to the comfort of life but they met uncomplainingly the hardships and privations of a frontier exis- tence. Nature, sometimes slowly, but always surely rewards those who perform the arduous task of developing new land and Mr. Moon has been no exception to the rule. In his farm- ing operations he has prospered as the years have gone by and he stands today among those whose success is attributable to their own efforts and who in the acquirement of a desirable com- petence have also gained an honorable name.

DANIEL HEENAN.

Daniel Heenan is the promoter of an enter- prise which is now the largest department store in Illinois outside of Chicago and is at the head of the firm of D. Heenan & Company, which controls this important commercial concern. As the progress and prosperity of every communi- ty depend upon its commercial and industrial ac- tivity it may well be said that Mr. Heenan has been a foremost factor in the upbuilding of Streator through the establishment and safe con- duct of his mercantile interests and aside from

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this his labors have been most effective and valued factors in the work of general improve- ment here. He is prominent among the ener- getic, far-seeing and successful business men of northern Illinois and his life history most hap- pily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success and his connection with various business enterprises and industries has been of decided advantage to this section of Illinois, promoting its material wel- fare in no uncertain manner.

Mr. Heenan is numbered among the citizens that Canada has furnished to the United States, his birth having occurred in the town of Indiana, Haldimand county, on the 16th of December, 1839. His parents were James and Anna (Byrnes) Heenan and under the parental roof he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, be- ing afforded the opportunity of acquiring a com- mon-school education, which he continued to the age of seventeen years, completing his studies in the Toronto high school. He then entered upon his business career as a clerk in Cayuga, Canada, and his frugality, combined with the enterprise that enabled him to command a good salary, en- abled him at the age of twenty years to embark in general merchandising on his own account in his native town. He there remained until 1866, when he crossed the border into the United States and made his way to Ottawa, Illinois, be- lieving that he would find better business oppor- tunities in the United States, where competition is greater but where advancement is more quick- ly secured. Entering into partnership with P. T. Burke under the firm style of Burke & Heenan, he established a general mercantile en- terprise, which he conducted successfully in its original form until 1872, when a change in part- nership occurred and the firm name of D. Heenan & Company was assumed, his associates being John Flannagan and M. J. Finlen. In April, 1872, the business was removed to Streator and was consolidated with the branch store at that place, which had been founded by the firm of Burke & Heenan. The present members of the firm are Daniel Heenan, president ; Miles J. Fin- len, vice president and treasurer ; and James A. Finlen, secretary ; and the company has a paid up capital of two hundred thousand dollars. The new undertaking met with success from the be- ginning and the annual sales soon amounted to three hundred thousand dollars. The business has continually grown as modern methods have been introduced in its management, the firm also branching out along new and untried lines, which, however, have proven equally profitable

and effective because of the keen business dis- cernment, enterprise and sound judgment of Mr. Heenan and those associated with him in the conduct of the business. In 1897 the store was destroyed by fire, but immediately afterward Mr. Heenan erected the fine building of stone and brick which covers nearly a half block in the center of the business district of Streator, where is now conducted the largest department store in Illinois outside of Chicago, the annual sales reaching a half million dollars. A visit to this emporium of trade convinces one that its stock will contain almost anything that could be de- manded by the patrons of a general department store and the attractive and tasteful arrange- ment is a feature in the success. The business policy of reasonable prices and straightforward dealing inaugurated by Mr. Heenan in the be- ginning has always been maintained and the house bears an unassailable reputation. Following the fire, while the new building was in course of construction, Mr. Heenan did business in several other stores which he rented and in August, 1800, he opened the present store.

The extent and scope of the mercantile busi- ness are unmistakable proof of the activity and enterprise of Mr. Heenan and yet his efforts have not been confined alone to this line. He is a man of resourceful ability, quick to recognize and utilize an opportunity and in his study of trade conditions and possibilities he has gained a broad knowledge that has enabled him to direct his efforts in those paths leading to substantial sticcesses. In 1882 he was one of the organizers of the Streator Hotel Company, became one of its heavy stockholders and was elected its presi- dent. Today he is sole owner of the Plumb House, having purchased the interest of all the other stockholders. He was likewise one of the incorporators of the Streator National Bank, of which he was a director. Whatever he under- takes he carries forward to successful comple- tion, allowing no thought of failure to find lodge- ment in his mind and brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by determined and honest effort.

Mr. Heenan was first married in Buffalo, New York, in July, 1861, to Miss Jane White, of Indiana, Canada. Following her demise, which occurred in 1890, he was married on the 27th of October, 1896, to Miss Clara Breen, who was born in Streator, and they now have two sons, Daniel, Jr .. and Thomas Breen. The parents hold membership in the Immaculate Conception Catholic church. Mr. Heenan is a member of the Streator Club and also of the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance has always been given to the democracy since he became a

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naturalized citizen of the United States and he has been an active worker in party ranks, serv- ing for some years as a member of the demo- cratic county central committee and also as chair- man of the central committee of Bruce township. For the past fifteen years he has been a member of the democratic state central commit -- tee and has thus aided in molding the policy and shaping the destiny of democracy in Illinois. For four years he served as a member of the state prison commission by appointment of Governor John P. Altgeldt. He has ever been deeply in- terested in Streator and its welfare and his co- operation has always been accounted upon to further any movement for the general good. He has been liberal in his contributions to municipal projects which are a matter of civic pride and also to charitable and benevolent institutions. He has been quick to encourage and assist others at- tempting to win success in the business world and the poor and needy have found in him a lib- eral and helpful friend, yet his benevolences are entirely free from ostentation or display. He has made an untarnished record' and unspotted reputation as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self re- spect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position. In those finer traits of char- acter which combine to form that which we term friendship, which endear and attach man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity-in those qualities he was royally endowed.

MARSHALL NEY ARMSTRONG.

In no profession does advancement depend more largely upon individual talent than in the law and he who wins success at the bar must possess not only strong mentality and keen discrimination but must add to a careful and thorough preliminary preparation the knowledge gained through continued study and investiga- tion. His mind must be trained in the severest school of reasoning and he must have no fear of that laborious attention to detail that is as essential in law practice as in any department of business activity. Well qualified in these different directions for the profession which he has chosen as a life work Marshall Ney Arm- strong has made for himself a creditable place among the representatives of the La Salle county bar. He was born upon the old home farm in Brookfield township, a son of George W. Arm-

strong, who was the first settler of that town- ship. The father came from Licking county, Ohio, to Illinois in 1831 with his mother, Mrs. Elsa (Strawn) Armstrong, and secured a claim on section 28, township 33, range 3. This, how- ever, was jumped by John Hogaboom and Mr. Armstrong finally purchased it for twenty-eight dollars, and he also made a claim on section I, township 32, range 5, on which he took up his abode in the fall of 1833 and was living there at the time of the great meteoric shower, which occurred on the 13th of November of that year. He put forth strenuous effort to clear, cultivate and develop a farm and resided there continu- ously save for a brief period which he spent as a contractor at the time of the building of the Illinois and Michigan canal. He was also active and prominent in political circles and served as township supervisor and chairman of the board for several years. Higher political honors awaitcd him, however, for he was called to repre- sent his district in the legislature, where he served for six terms, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the laws which were enacted and have been factors in establishing the public policy of the commonwealth. He mar- ried Anna Green, of Jacksonville, Illinois, and they became the parents of nine children: John G., who married Nellie McCann; William; Julius C., who wedded Hattie Goodrich and is a congregational minister ; Eliza M., who is the wife of William Crotty; Joseph H., who is living in Seneca ; Marshall N .; Susan, the wife of William Laughlin ; James E .; and Charles G.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 46

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