History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 54

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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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Doudanville has been blessed with nine children, eight of whom are yet living: Edward L., who is a priest in a Catholic church on Grand boulevard in Chicago; Carrie, a sister of mercy in Ottawa; Dr. Martin S. Doudanville, a practicing physi- cian in Moline, Illinois; Mary, the wife of John Meyer, who is living near Whittemore, Iowa; Anna, who is engaged in teaching; Leona, at home; Leo Joseph, a young man who assists in

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the operation of the home farm; and Lawrence A. They lost one child in infancy.

Many political offices have been conferred upon Mr. Doudanville, in recognition of his genuine worth and his loyalty to the public welfare. He has always been a democrat, supporting the policy advocated by Grover Cleveland in favor of sound money. He cast his first presidential ballot for General George B. McClellan in 1864 and has voted for each presidential nominee of the party since that time. Locally, however, where no issue is involved, he casts an inde- pendent ballot. He first served as constable and was a member of the school board for thirty- three years. He was also highway commis- sioner for twelve years and for two years was assessor and when a young man he served as township collector. He regards a public office as a public trust-and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. For some eighteen years he was surveyor of the Mutual Insurance Company for Serena town- ship. He has been a delegate to the county and congressional conventions of the democracy for thirty-three years and has been elected a delegate to the state conventions. His public service has at all times been commendable, being prompted by unfaltering devotion to the general good. Coming to La Salle county in early boyhood, as he has advanced in years and intelligence his worth as a citizen has correspondingly in- creased and for a long period he has been numbered among those who uphold the political and legal status and who favor public progress along all lines of general improvement. More- over in his business career he has given evidence of the possession of traits of character that every- where command respect and confidence and his close application and keen business discernment have resulted in winning a highly pleasing measure of success.

GEORGE GLETTY.

George Gletty is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sec- tions I and 12, Adams township, and a recent purchase has added eighty acres to his landed possessions, his second tract being also on section 12. For many years he has been identified with farming interests in this section of the state, having lived in La Salle county since 1844. He arrived here in his seventh year, having been born in Alsace, France, October 21, 1837. His father, Jacob C. Gletty, also a native of France, was there reared and married, the lady of his

choice being Miss P. Yent, who was likewise born in that country. In accordance with the laws of his native land the father engaged in military service for seven years in his early man- hood and in his business career he followed the occupation of farming but the better opportuni- ties of the new world attracted him to America, and in 1844 he crossed the Atlantic with his family, arriving in Chicago in July of that year. Later he settled in De Kalb county near Sand- wich, where he improved and developed a farm, making his home thereon throughout his re- maining days. He reached the venerable age of eighty-nine years, passing away in 1891, while his wife died in 1881. In their family were eight sons and four daughters, of whom six of the sons and all of the daughters are yet living. One brother, Jack, was a soldier of the war of the rebellion and died while serving in the army.

George Gletty was reared in De Kalb county, having but limited school privileges, for his serv- ices were needed upon the home farm. The schools of the neighborhood, too, were of a primitive character, owing to the fact that this was a pioneer settlement. He continued under the parental roof until September, 1861, when he enlisted for three years' service, or during the war. He was mustered out at Savanah, Georgia, December 24, 1864, and after being honorably discharged returned to his home. He was first under fire at the battle of New Madrid, Missouri, where the captain of his company-Company H, of the Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-was killed. He took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, later went to Knoxville, afterward par- ticipated in the engagement at Chattanooga, in the Atlanta campaign and in the march to the sea under General Sherman. He served to some extent on detached duty while at Corinth and on the expiration of his term was mustered out. He never faltered in the performance of any military duty and his bravery was attested on a number of important battle-fields.

Making his way north Mr. Gletty then re- turned home and worked with his father on the farm for a time. He afterward rented land and engaged in farming on his own account, and as a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Sophia Guth, to whom he was married in Adams township, La Salle county, April 19, 1870. She is a daughter of Francis Guth, a native of Alsace, France, and she was reared in Northville township. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gletty settled where they now reside, Mr. Gletty having purchased the previous year forty acres of land, on which was a small dwelling and stable. He at once took up the task of cultivating the fields and im-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

proving the property. Later he bought eighty acres more land. Subsequent to this time he built a large, neat, two-story residence which is surrounded by a well kept lawn, adorned with shade and evergreen trees, which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. He has recently purchased eighty acres additional on section 12, Adams township and though he com- menced life empty-handed, having no assistance as he started out upon an active business career he has become the owner of valuable farming property and has a pleasant home.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gletty have been born six children, three sons and three daughters: George E., who is engaged in business in Earl- ville; Charles J. and Harry L., both at home ; Josephine, at home; May, the wife of George Rumph, of De Kalb county, and Grace M., who completes the family. In his political views Mr. Gletty is an earnest republican, having supported each presidential nominee of the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has not sought office as a reward for party fealty but does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the principles in which he believes. His wife was reared in the Catholic church and he in the Lutheran faith. Mr. Gletty is now a member of the Grand Army post at Somonauk and thus maintains pleasant relations with his comrades who wore the blue and with whom he marched upon the battle-fields of the south. He has been a resident of Illinois for sixty-two years and great changes have occurred during this period, resulting from the active effort of pioneer set- tlers, whose energy and enterprise have wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of this portion of the state. Mr. Gletty has borne his share in the work of agricultural improve- ment and development and is justly rated as one of the enterprising farmers, his success being worthily won.

PROFESSOR RINALDO WILLIAMS.

Professor Rinaldo Williams, "a gentle, kindly, kingly soul," was for many years a resident of Streator and La Salle county and his influence was like the

"Echoes which roll from soul to soul

And grow forever and forever."

He stood for the highest and holiest in life, for the uplifting principles which awaken honor- able manhood, laudable ambition and lofty pur-

poses and all who knew him were made better by his friendship, his kindly counsel and his belief in the goodness of his fellowmen. There are comparatively few who ever attain world- wide or even national prominence, but there are in every community men of such genuine worth of character that their death comes as a deep per- sonal loss to all with whom they have been brought in contact and such was Rinaldo Williams.

His life record began on the 23d of Novem- ber, 1829, at Providence, Rhode Island. He was a lineal descendant of Roger Williams, who founded the colony on Rhode Island and who stood, as did his descendants of later genera- tions, for religious liberty, truth and honor. In his early manhood Mr. Williams developed the latent intellectual powers with whom nature endowed him, making good use of his opportuni- ties for the acquirement of an education, so that he was enabled to teach school, which he did for a short time near Rochester, New York. He retained his place of residence, however, at Providence during that period and until 1852, when he sought a home in the middle west. A few years before the Farm Ridge Seminary had been established and was the highest school in point of extent and character of its curricu- lum in the county. Professor Williams accepted the principalship of this institution and remained at its head for five years. As the educational system of the state grew and pros- pered the old school, having served its purpose, passed away and for a number of years there- after Professor Williams devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He lived near to nature's heart while following the honorable calling of a farmer and he ever had the highest appreciation for the beauties of nature in all of its phases. In the earlier years of his residence, while devoting the summer months to farm labor, he gave winter seasons to the profession of teaching and in 1872 his ability as an educator won recognition in an appointment to the position of county superin- tendent of schools to fill a vacancy. He was afterward twice elected to that position, thus serving altogether for ten years, during which time there was a notable advance made in the schools, both in the character of the work done and in its breadth and scope. During all of this period Professor Williams had continued to reside upon his farm in Farm Ridge, but in 1863, when called to the principalship of the Streator high school he removed to the city, where he continued to reside until his death. This was one of the first schools established under the township high-school law and for

RINALDO WILLIAMS.

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eleven years he devoted his time and energies unfalteringly and zealously toward the upbuild- ing of the school, making it one of the most thorough educational institutions of the state. In 1894, however, he resigned and lived retired until called to his final rest. His interest in the cause of education, however, never abated and his influence was ever given for the benefit of the public-school system of the state. Through another avenue he contributed to intellec- tual progress, for during a year or more prior to his death he was president of the board of directors or the Streator public library. When this library was instituted he was named by the mayor as one of the members of the board and as its president was an indefatigable worker for its growth and improvement.

On the 2d of April, 1858, at Farm Ridge, Pro- fessor Williams was united in married to Miss Mary B. Baldwin, who was born in Northville, Connecticut, in 1835, and was a daughter of Elmer Baldwin. She was only six months old and when brought to Illinois by her parents, who settled at Farm Ridge. There were no railroads in this part of the county then, so they journeyed down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to their new place of residence. Mrs. Williams attended the Farm Ridge Seminary and was afterward a student in Mount Holyoke (Massachusetts) Seminary, being a member of the class of 1855. As a bride she went to her husband's home at Farm Ridge and they resided there until 1884, when they removed to Streator. They became the parents of three children who reached mature years; Elmer, who is living in Grand Ridge, this county; Herbert, of Salt Lake City, Utah ; and Charles, a hardware merchant of Streator. While active in his profession and faithful in his friendships, Professor Williams reserved his best traits of character for his fireside and his family and was a most devoted, loving and tender husband and father, doing everything in his power to enhance the welfare and happiness of his wife and children.

There was no long and wearying illness before the end came to him and in fact through the morning of the day on which he died he was busy at the public library. Returning to his home, he complained of trouble with his heart. and a physician was summoned, who relieved him temporarily, but a few minutes after the physician had left the house Professor Williams' condition became critical and in a few moments he had passed away, his demise occurrying Sat- urday, November, 17, 1900. No better idea of the character and life of this honored man can be given than in quoting freely from the resolu-

tions and tributes which were paid through the press. The Streator Public Library published the following :

"Resolved-We, in common with his nu- merous fellow citizens, regret the unexpected and sudden ending of the life work of Professor R. Williams. In this loss a home is bereft of a husband and father, the citizens of an examplar and the Streator Public Library of its most de- voted friend.

"Ever since the organization of our institu- tion he has given of his means, his energy and his ripened counsel without stint and without price to the end that all our people should have free access to the sources of knowledge-good books.

"As president of our board his uniform kind- ness and delicacy marked him as a model officer, and to his knowledge of books and business, coupled with his tireless energy, is due the grati- fying success of our public library.

"His faith in truth, in knowledge and in work are parts of an immortality that will not pass away but shall endure as a monument to his memory.

"It was Webster who said at a critical mo- ment 'I still live.' It is no slight gratification then to his family and friends to know that he still lives-lives in his ideas, lives in his accom- plishments, lives in the gratitude of those he served."

It is not alone the work which he did although he accomplished much for educational development in Streator and La Salle county, but his personality, that made Professor Wil- liams honored and esteemed by all men. Said one who knew him well, "His influence upon his students was a deep and lasting one, its scope for good as limitless as time itself. Not all his scholars were enrolled upon the books of the schools wherein he taught. Many of us who never sat within those walls can say with loving reverence, 'We learned of him'. This veteran educator for fifty years had added to the moral fibre and intellectual growth of north central Illinois. For three score years and ten he had thought pure, wholesome thought, had done kindly, helpful deeds. He proved himself worthy of the best that earth can offer. Tactful, kindly aid, broad, generous, sympathetic en- couragement, were by him extended freely to every young man and woman. No human being ever was compelled to ask Rinaldo Williams for a favor if he first saw the opportunity of con- ferring it."

All of his life he evidenced a scholary pre- disposition which he cultivated assiduously and earnestly, winning recognition in his

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

chosen profession by the high honors ac- corded him. That he was a man of great sincerity and loyalty to principle is dem- onstrated by the respect and admiration always extended him by scores of friends and acquaintances throughout this part of the country. This testimonial to the worth and enduring influence of this genial and great souled man would be lamentably lacking did it record only the respect of his friends. Above all this recognition of his disciplined mind and generous heart is the enduring love which his pupils throughout all their lifetime accorded him. It is a great thing to win honor and respect, still greater to win love. The man who can preserve his own individuality in all its original power and yet open up his heart to his friends and give of his soul's endowment, is effecting the only true immortality-that of an enduring in- fluence. Such was the man so recently among us. Years will come and go; the transient fade from memory, but the permanent qualities of mind and heart that were manifested in the friendly greetings, the earnest word, the per- sonal example of a noble life, are all imperish- ably recorded in the monument to his memory. He lives because he contributed to the value of life. So his death is full of underlying joy- only the shadow throws its gloom now on his hearthstone, but the sunshine of an immortal memory floods the hearts of those for whom his living brought greater fullness of life.

His widow, Mrs. Mary B. Williams, survived her husband only a few months, passing away in 1901. She had been in poor health much of the time after her husband's demise. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the E Re Nata Club and held membership in the Inasmuch Circle of the King's Daughters. Her Christian faith was daily exem- plified in her life and she was a worthy help- mate and companion to her honored husband.

SAMUEL T. STILSON.

Samuel T. Stilson was one of the promoters of Earlville's business activity and substantial growth, his efforts in behalf of public enterprise and individual success making him a representa- tive citizen. Earlville owes much to his efforts, which were prompted by keen business sagacity, a ready recognition of opportunity and thorough understanding of the conditions to be met. He belonged to that class of representative New Englanders who have been such an important factor in the development of the middle west.

His birth occurred in Connecticut on the 16th of July, 1814, his parents being Curtis and Abigal Stilson, who in 1815 removed from Con- necticut to Chautauqua county, New York, be- coming pioneer farming people of that locality. There Samuel T. Stilson was reared, his educa- tion being acquired in the common schools, so that at a comparatively early age he started out in life on his own account without assistance. From that time forward he was dependent upon his own resources for whatever success he achieved. When about twenty-one years of age he began rafting logs down the streams into the Ohio, finding a market for his product at Cincinnati.

Mr. Stilson was a young man of twenty-four years when he arrived in La Salle county and secured farm land on the present town site of Earlville. Here he began farming and success attended his efforts, so that at the time of the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad he had four hundred acres of land, in one body whereon the town of Earlville has since been built. His first home was a log house in Earlville, although at that time it was in the midst of a farm and there was little evidence of future growth or development to be seen in this district. On practically the same site is now to be seen the Stilson homestead, which was erected by Mr. Stilson in 1855 and which up to the present time has been occupied by his widow. As the little town sprung up and there was a demand for business interests Mr. Stilson established and conducted the first hotel in Earlville and was also the first merchant, his store room, hotel and residence being all in the same building. He was also the first banker, being associated for a short time with a Mr. Halleck in the ownership and management of a private bank. Later he sold his interest in the institution to Mr. Halleck, who afterward failed. Mr. Stilson was also one of the first grain mer- chants of Earlville and for a time was associated with William R. Haight in both the grain trade and general merchandising. They erected the first elevator in Earlville in 1857. Mr. Stilson retired permanently from the active work of the farm in 1854, but afterward raised considerable stock on his various farms for a number of years. He had in the meantime invested in property and was the owner of several good tracts of land and thereon he had abundant pasturage for his stock. He was one of the organizers and a stockholder in the present First National Bank of Earlville, which was organized in 1885, and he was likewise one of the organizers of the Curtis Gang Plow Company of Peru, which was at first a large institution but not financially a

Samuel . Stetson

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

successful one, and Mr. Stilson sustained heavy losses. He was the founder of Earlville and did much for its upbuilding and the enterprising town of today is largely a monument to his efforts, business capacity and enterprising spirit.

In 1839, Mr. Stilson was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Wood, a native of New York, who in 1837 accompanied her parents on the re- moval to Whiteside county, Illinois. Her brother, Uriah Wood, is now living in California. Her parents with their family came to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1837 and were farming people near Earlville. Uriah Wood left this state in 1852, attracted by the discovery of gold in California and the business opportunities which were thereby afforded, and has achieved great success at San Jose, where he makes his home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stilson were born five chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, while four reached adult age. Davis B. Stilson was a soldier of the Civil war and from the effects of his military service died in California in 1864. The three living children are Orthencia, Samuel Edwin and Talbert U. The daughter, now Mrs. Mckinney, resides in New Mexico, while Edwin is in Grant county, Nebraska, and Talbert is a citizen of Earlville. The wife and mother died in November, 1852, and in 1854 Mr. Stilson was married to Miss Sarah T. Lukens, of Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Worrall) Lukens, also natives of that state. They came to La Salle county in 1847, settling at Freedom. They were residents of this county throughout their remaining days and the father followed the occupation of farming. Mrs. Stilson was born in Knox county, Ohio, and, as stated, came with her parents to Illinois. Her father purchased a farm in Freedom township from William Hall, whose parents were massacred by the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Lukens with their family resided upon that farm for five years and then removed to Prairie Center, where they spent their re- maining days. The father died in August, 1868, at the age of seventy-eight years, while the mother passed away in July, 1864, at the age of sixty years. Three of their sons served in the Civil war. Thomas enlisted with the sharpshooters, became a sergeant and participated in the famous march to the sea under General Sher- man. James was a lieutenant of cavalry in the strife for the preservation of the Union, and John enlisted with Thomas, although he served as a private in another company. Owing to ill- ness he was soon discharged. All contracted disease while at the front and all died later from consumption which was the result of army ex- perience. Mrs. Stilson had two sisters: Mary Ann, who died in Washington in 1902; and

Mrs. Martha Muller, now living at Mount Ver- non, Iowa. William, the eldest son of the family, was a resident of Streator for many years and a successful business man. He also resided for several years at Earlville, but he died at Streator and was buried-at Earlville. He was very promi- nent in the ranks of Masonry. One son of the family is living, Oliver Lukens, who now re- sides in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Stilson taught school for three years and was thus en- gaged at Earlville at the time of the boom in the summer of 1853 just before the building of the railroad. Samuel T. Stilson was then laying out the town of Earlville. He formed her acquain- tance, sought her hand in marriage and the wedding ceremony was celebrated on New Year's day of 1854. By the second marriage of Mr. Stilson were born three daughters: Ella, the wife of George McDonald, of Sandwich, Illinois; Marie Bella, the wife of Charles Haas of Earlville ; and Lizzie C., who died in infancy.

In matters relating to the public welfare Mr. Stilson was deeply interested. He was a gener- ous contributor to the various churches in Earl- ville and he stood for progress along material, intellectual and moral lines. The town which he founded is deeply indebted to him for many of the benefits which she enjoys. He was an ambitious, enterprising man, who carefully noted opportunities and conditions, who wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number and who found time to assist in the work of public progress, at the same time pro- moting individual success.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 54

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