History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 58

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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His ability and loyal citizenship soon found rec- ognition in election to public office. He was the first supervisor for Farm Ridge township, serv- ing for six years, during which time he acted for two years as chairman of the board. He held the office of justice of the peace for fourteen con- secutive years and then, after a long lapse, was re-elected and was filling that position at the time of his death. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and neither fear nor favor could swerve him in the announcement of a judg- ment. For twenty years he served as postmas- ter at Farm Ridge and became school treasurer of the town at its first settlement, acting in that capacity until 1874. His name is also inter- woven with the legislative history of the state, for in 1857 he was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the general assembly. Again he was chosen to that office in 1867 and in 1872 was elected a member of the state senate. To each question which came up for settlement he gave careful consideration and was identified with much important constructive legislation. Up to the last he was deeply interested in political questions, even during the campaign which pre- ceded his demise attending rallies at Streator, Ottawa and La Salle. In antebellum days he was a stanch abolitionist, for he regarded the cus- tom of slavery as an unrighteous cause and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and continued one of its supporters.

ELMER BALDWIN.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Mr. Baldwin was, moreover, deeply interested in many movements which had direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the county. He was interested in the building of the canal and of the railroads and in La Salle county was found as an ardent, earnest and effective supporter of the movement for the improvement of public highways and of the educational and moral de- velopment of the people through the schools and churches. He took an active part in building the church in his neighborhood and in laying out the cemetery. He was the founder and principal owner of the Farm Ridge Seminary, at one time the most important school of the county, where- in were educated many of the men now prominent in business and public life here. He never iden- tified himself with any denomination but was a believer in the fundamental truths of Christianity -which is the essential of all religion-and in his life he excmplified the spirit of the Golden Rule. He regularly, however, attended church services and for forty years led the choir.

His neighbors often sought his advice con- cerning business or legal matters and his opinions were given freely and honestly. He believed in arbitration rather than in litigation in the set- tlement of difficulties and always advised such a course. For many years he was a member of the state board of charities, being chairman of the board for five years. Joy and gladness had their part in his life and he was fond of the dance and music, but was opposed to every species of dissipation and vice. A man of strong convic- tions, he delighted in an argument and was fond of debate, yet he was never abusive in his treat- ment of an adversary and was always amendable to reason. He would encourage the young to take part in discussions, knowing the value of such a training for them. Although he had not the advantages of a college course he read broad- ly and thought deeply and was well informed upon many subjects which are unfamiliar to the man of average intelligence. His ability as a writer is evidenced in his "History of La Salle County" and also in the little volume which he published only about a year prior to his death, "How to Live a Healthful, Long, Happy Life." His own life was a living illustration of his prin- ciples. He was always temperate in his habits, never abused nature's laws and was thus spared to almost reach the age of four score years and ten and death came to him without the prepara- tion of a long sickness. . He was as one "who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.' The date of his death was November 18, 1894. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of accomplished and success-

ful effort, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this man. His life was most beneficent in its influence and its purposes and he left behind him a valuable ex- ample and precepts.

KIMBALL W. LELAND, M. D.

Dr. Kimball W. Leland, engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in the village of Utica, is de- scended from an ancestry honorable and distin- guished, and the family record is given largely in detail in connection with the sketch of his father, Judge P. K. Leland, on another page of this work. He is a grandson of Colonel Cyrus Le- land, of Grafton, Massachusetts, and his mother was Elizabeth M. (White) Leland.

Dr. Leland was born in La Salle county, on the 4th of November, 1857, and acquired his early education in the public schools of Ottawa after which he attended the Ottawa high school in the city of Ottawa. He thereafter entered upon the study of medicine in the early spring of 1876 under the direction of Dr. A. E. Gibbs and Pro- fessor Henry Olin and attended lectures at Ben- nett Medical College, in Chicago, from 1876 un- til 1879, being graduated therefrom on the 27th of March of the latter year. He afterward en- tered upon the practice of his profession at Utica, Illinois, and served in the smallpox epidemic of 1881, making a report upon the same. He further advanced in his chosen profession as the result of post-graduate work in Rush Medical College, where he attended lectures in 1891-2, be- ing graduated therefrom on the 29th of March. 1892. He also did post-graduate work in the Chicago College of Opthalmology and Otology, in 1879, and received the honorary degree of Bach- elor of Science from the Northwestern Normal, at Geneseo, Illinois, in 1892. Throughout the period of his professional career he has resided in Utica, having entered upon active practice here. following his graduation from Bennett College in 1879. His practice has been large and of an im- portant character. He has done considerable surgical work. He is a member of the La Salle County Medical Society and of the Illinois State Medical Society and was city health officer in Utica from 1879 until 1885. He was also town- ship physician from 1879 until 1887 and medical examiner for several life-insurance companies. In addition he has had a large general practice. He is moreover a registered pharmacist and has reg- istered as a physician in Illinois, Michigan, Kan- sas and Porto Rico. He was president of the La Salle County Medical Society in 1898 and 1899.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Dr. Leland was married October 24, 1883, to Miss Mary Louise Crosiar, a daughter of A. O. and Lovina (Brown) Crosiar. She died June 17, 1891, leaving a son, Pardon Kimball Le- land, Jr. Dr. Leland belongs to the Utica Bap- tist church. He is also a Mason and a Knight Templar and is past master and past eminent commander. He is a worthy and prominent rep- resentative of one of the honored families of the county and in his professional life has made a most creditable record by reason of his under- standing of the principles of the medical science and his correct adaptation thereof.

J. W. BROWNE.

Jacob Wardwell Browne, deceased, was a man of superior literary and professional attainments, who figured for many years as a prominent law- yer at La Salle county bar. He was born in Bethel, Maine, in December, 1822, and after acquiring his preliminary education engaged in teaching, whereby he provided the means neces- sary for the continuance of his own studies. Ambitious for a college education, he carefully saved his earnings and at length matriculated in Bowdoin College, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1846. He resumed the pro- fession of teaching and in company with a Mr. Hines established what is now called the Nor- way Liberal Institute in Norway, Maine. While engaged in the conduct of that institution he entered upon the study of law in 1849 in the office of Eldridge Gerry, of Waterford, Maine, and was admitted to the bar at Paris Hill in Oxford county, Maine, in 1852.

Well qualified by thorough preliminary train- ing for the onerous and intricate duties of the profession, Mr. Browne entered upon the prac- tice of law, which he followed for five years in Buckfield, Oxford county. Believing that broader opportunities might be enjoyed in the new but rapidly developing west, he then came to Illinois, settling in Earlville in 1857. He was very successful in his profession, having a large clientele which connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district. He possessed broad and comprehen- sive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and his analytical mind enabled him to readily determine the strong points in a case, while his logic and gift of oratory assisted him in pre- senting his cause in the strongest possible light. He was regarded as the peer of the ablest men- bers of the La Salle county bar and as his practice brought to him good financial returns he made Chicago to Kansas City ; and E. L., who is mar-

investments in property and accumulated valu- able real-estate holdings.

Mr. Browne was married in Buckfield, Maine, in February, 1859, to Miss Margaret J. Spauld- ing. They lost a daughter, Kittie, in 1873, when she was five years of age, her birth having occurred in 1868. The only surviving member of the family is their son, Lee O'Neil Browne, of Ottawa. Two other children of the family have also passed away.

In his political views Mr. Browne was a dem- ocrat, recognized as a leader in the local ranks of his party. He served for many years as city attorney and was also mayor of Earlville, giving a public-spirited, practical and progressive ad- ministration. In matters of citizenship he always stood for advancement and ably used the means at hand in working toward an ideal. He was a man of scholarly attainments and broad general information, who devoted much of his time to general reading and his literary ability is indicated in a collection of his poetical writings which have been published and which show more than ordi- nary merit. Like all men who walk on a higher plane his circle of friends was select rather than large and yet all who knew him respected him and entertained for him the highest esteem by reason of his ability and personal worth. . He died in 1892, while his wife, who was born in 1832, survived him for two years, passing away in 1894.

WILLIS A. MARTIN.

Willis A. Martin, proprietor of the general store at Harding, was born in Freedom township, January 21, 1862, his parents being Richard and Minerva (Allen) Martin, who removed to Whit- tier, California, about a year ago. The family is descended from the Aldens who were passen- gers on the historic Mayflower, but this branch of the family has since changed the name to its present form. The father, a natiye of Vermont, came to this county about 1856 and was here mar- ried to Miss Minerva Allen, who was born in Freedom township, representing one of the early families of this part of the state. For many years Mr. Martin followed the builder's trade as a carpenter and contractor and lived for a long period in the village of Harding prior to his re- moval to California. He died in Whittier May 24. 1906, and was buried there. In the family were three children : Willis A., of this review ; E. A., a resident of Streator, who is a railroad postal clerk on the Santa Fe road running from

J. W. Browne

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

ried and resides with his mother in California, where he is engaged in the growing of oranges.

Willis A. Martin acquired his education in the country schools and entering upon his business career was for six years a clerk in the store of S. U. Lawry, and then became a partner in the en-

terprise. In 1893 he purchased the interest of Mr. Lawry and conducted the store alone until about three years ago, when he admitted W. J. Pool, a former farmer of Freedom township, to a partnership under the firm style of Martin & Pool. This relation has since been maintained and the business is carefully .conducted along modern lines, the firm carrying a large stock of drugs, dry goods, notions, groceries and in fact everything found in a general store. They have a good trade and Mr. Martin owns the building in which the business is carried on. He has also built a fine residence on an adjoining lot.

On the 25th of November, 1891, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Frankie Walters, a native of Freedom township and a daughter of James R. Walters. In his political views Mr. Martin is a democrat and served as postmaster of Harding from 1893 until about three years ago, when the office was discontinued and the mail is supplied to the village through a rural delivery route. In his fraternal relations Mr. Martin is a Mason and his life is thoroughly consistent with the beneficent principles of the craft. In a re- view of his life record it will be found that he was a faithful and thereby a trusted employe, that he is a reliable merchant and thereby a success- ful one, that he is progressive and helpful in his relation to the public welfare, and therefore, a valued citizen. Few men in this part of the county have a wider acquaintance than Willis A. Martin and none are held in higher esteem. The associates of his boyhood are still his friends and few there are who come within the circle of his acquaintance who do not extend to him their warm regard and esteem.

CLARENCE B. CHAPMAN.

Clarence B. Chapman, the junior member of the firm of McDougall & Chapman, well known attorneys of Ottawa, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Princeton on the Ist of January, 1857. His father, O. E. Chapman, was of English lineage, but the grandfather, Sceva Chapman, was born in Vermont. The father was a native of Medina county, Ohio, and hav- ing arrived at years of maturity was married to Sarah L. Beeman, a native of the same county

and a daughter of Milan Beeman, who was born in Connecticut. For a number of years the par- ents resided on a farm near Walnut, Bureau county, Illinois, and there Clarence B. Chapman was reared to general agricultural pursuits, his time being devoted to the mastery of the branches of learning taught in the public schools when he was not busy with the work of the fields. He made rapid progress in his studies and supple- mented his district-school education by study in Princeton, where he was graduated in 1878 on the completion of a high-school course. He aft- erward entered the law department of the North- western University at Evanston, Illinois, where he prepared for the bar and was graduated in 1880.

Mr. Chapman located for practice in Ottawa and has since been a representative of the legal fraternity of La Salle county. For three years he practiced as a member of the firm of Arm- strong & Chapman, his senior partner being M. N. Armstrong. He was afterward alone until 1887, when he joined Duncan McDougall in the establishment of the present firm of McDougall & Chapman, which has now had a continuous ex- istence of almost twenty years and with the ex- ception of a brief period of nine months, com- mencing in July, 1886, spent in Beatrice, Ne- braska, Mr. Chapman has remained continuously in Ottawa. Elected to the office of county attorney he served from September, 1894, until the fall of 1896 and he has received the endorsement from the county delegation for judge of the supreme court of Illinois. He has, however, no political aspirations outside of the direct line of his pro- fession wherein he has attained a prominent posi- tion by his capable handling of the intricate legal interests entrusted to his care. His mind is analytical, logical and inductive and he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, his devotion to his clients' interests being proverbial. He has thus won a clientage that comes not only from Ottawa but from many outlying districts in the county and has connected him with the most important cases tried in the courts of his district. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and assiduous attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. His arguments have elicited from time to time commendation not only from his asso- ciation at the bar but also from the community. He is a very able lawyer ; his briefs always show wide research, deep thought and the best and strongest reasoning which can be urged for his contention, presented in cogent and logical form and illustrated by a style unusually lucid and clear.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

A stanch republican in his political affiliation Mr. Chapman has served for two terms as secre- tary of the republican county central committee. He has also been United States commissioner for a number of years and for two terms has been a member of the board of directors of the Red- dick library. He likewise has fraternal relations with Ottawa lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F .; with Humboldt lodge, No. 555, A. F. & A. M .; Shab- bona chapter, No. 37, R. A. M .; and Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T. He was married October 12, 1886, to Miss Katie H. Ebersol, a daughter of Daniel S. Ebersol, of Ottawa.

ANSON HAWLEY.

The name of Hawley has figured in connection with the development of La Salle county, partic- ularly along agricultural lines, from an early epoch in its history, and Anson Hawley is now numbered among the wide-awake and progressive farmers, who are carrying on the work of im- provement that results in making this one of the leading farming districts of the state. He was born in West Arlington, Bennington county, Vermont, April 12, 1833, and traces his ancestry back to the early colonization of the new world, being of the ninth generation living in this coun- try. He is descended from Joseph Hawley, one of three brothers who emigrated from England about 1629, or 1630. He lived in Connecticut and Massachusetts and was the progenitor of several branches of the Hawley family in the United States. As given in a "record" published by Elias S. Hawley, of Buffalo, New York, it will be seen that the Hawleys are of English descent and that the family became connected with New England history at a very early period. Elisha Hawley, grandfather of Anson Hawley, was born in Vermont, where he spent his entire life, passing away in middle age. He was the father of four sons, including Ezra Hawley, who was born upon the home farm in West Arling- ton, Bennington county, Vermont, February 3, 18II. There his childhood and youth were passed and he was reared to the occupation of farming. He became an agriculturist and stock- raiser, and, believing that the prairies of the west furnished better opportunity for carrying on those pursuits, he made his way to Illinois, tak- ing up his abode in La Salle county in 1835. when it was still a pioneer district. The long journey across the country was made in a cov- ered wagon, for the era of railroad building had not yet been begun and the travelers of

that time journeyed in accordance with primi- tive methods. They left home in April and were upon the road until July, when their des- tination was reached. Ezra Hawley was ac- companied by his wife and two children, Anson and Truman. He found a pioneer district, the land being wild and uncultivated, and largely cut up with sloughs and swamps, so that the people suffered greatly from malaria before the low places had been drained. There were some discouraging features connected with the new home but Ezra Hawley put on a brave front and resolutely met the difficulties and obstacles of pioneer life. He entered eighty acres of land constituting the east half of the southeast quar- ter of section 20, township 32, range 2 east, to which he subsequently added until he owned about four hundred acres. Reading between the lines one may judge of the arduous task neces- sary to clear and cultivate a farm and extend its boundaries. He resided upon the old home- stead which he developed until about two years prior to his death, when he removed to Tonica, where he passed away in February, 1884, in his seventy-third year. He was a stanch advocate of democracy until after the passage of the fugi- tive slave law in Illinois, when he renounced his allegiance to the party which he had for- merly supported and became a whig. Upon the organization of the new republican party to pre- vent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and continued one of its stalwart ad- vocates until his demise. He was a member of the state militia in Vermont and was at all times an energetic, active man, whose spirit of de- termination and resolute purpose enabled him to gain a substantial position among the agri- culturists of his adopted county. His wife bore the maiden name of Rhoda M. Buck, and was to her husband a faithful companion and help- mate on life's journey. She survived her hus- band and passed away in 1888. The members of their family were as follows: Anson, Myron E. and Hiram.

Anson Hawley, who was born April 12, 1833. was therefore a very young lad when his par- ents removed from the east to Illinois and upon the old homestead farm amid pioneer environ- ments he was reared. He attended one of the old-time district schools of the early day and though his educational privileges were somewhat meager his training at farm labor was not lim- ited. On the contrary he early began work in the fields and aided in the cultivation of the home place for a long period. At length he be -. came possessed of a part of the homestead prop- erty, and since 1885 has resided continuously thereon.

MR. AND MRS. EZRA HAWLEY.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

On the IIth of December, 1875, Anson Haw- ley was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Buck, who died on the 20th of September, 1876, and he has never married again. In politics he is a stalwart republican and has served in several local offices. He has been overseer of highways and has been road commissioner for two or three terms. In early life he became a member of the American or know nothing party, and during the period of the Civil war he was a member of the Union League. In his reli- gious views he is liberal although he was reared in the faith of the Congregational church, to which his mother belonged. Throughout almost his entire life he has resided upon the old homestead farm and is widely known in the county as a man of enterprise and business in- tegrity, thoroughly meriting the esteem in which he is uniformly held.

Myron E. Hawley was born June 16, 1837, on the old home farm, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. On the 18th of February, 1861, he wedded Emoline Hall, who died January 20, 1882, and on the 23d of December, 1885, he wedded Miss Anna C. Ross, daughter of Andrew and Anna (Bertram) Ross. by whom he had two sons and two daughters, Laura May, Andrew Ezra, Myron Arthur and Nellie Ross Hawley. Mrs. Hawley's parents were born in Scotland, her father in Dumfries- shire, and her mother in the town of Midlothian, now known as Edinburgh. The Ross family is composed of five daughters and one son. Eliza- beth B. became the wife of Warren Tooley, of Toronto, Canada, but is now deceased. Mary is the wife of Everett Angell, of South Ottawa, La Salle county. Anna C. is now Mrs. Hawley. Jessie is living in Ottawa. James R. is a resi- dent of Utah. Mabel is now the wife .of Ed McCall, also a resident of Ottawa. The father, Mr. Ross, is a horticulturist, and since 1845 has lived continuously in Ottawa, but his wife died in 1871, at the age of forty-seven years.

Myron E. Hawley devotes his attention to farming and stock-raising, and owns and op- erates a valuable tract of land of one hundred and ninety-nine and a half acres on section 20, Vermillion township, a part of which is timber land. He votes with the republican party and has served as road commissioner, as school di- rector and as assessor for several years. For- merly he was a member of the Congregational church but withdrew on account of the Masonic discussion.

Hiram Hawley was born February 7, 1844, and married October 17, 1871, to Miss Mary Goodwin, a daughter of Clement and Eliza (Seely) Goodwin. Their children who are liv-

ing are Minnie, Mabel, Maud and Ralph. He is in the livery business in Tonica.

Both Anson and Myron Hawley reside upon the old farm homestead and they are representa- tive agriculturists, who are successfully con- ducting business interests and have also been active in community affairs relating to the gen- eral welfare and progress of their county.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 58

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