History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 61

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 61

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In 1888, at Dongola, Illinois, Dr. Fitzgibbons was married to Miss Henrietta E. Cook, a native of that place and they have one child, John T., who was born in Dongola. The Doctor exer- cises his right of franchise in support of the men

and measures of the republican party and socially is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation, Illinois State Medical and La Salle Coun- ty Medical Associations and was health officer of the city of Peru, Illinois, from 1902 to 1905. His professional career has been marked by the steady advance which follows careful prepara- tion and untiring devotion to the duties which devolve upon one in this connection. He upholds a high standard of professional ethics and enjoys the good will and trust of his professional brethren as well as the general public.

JAMES A. MITCHELL.

James A. Mitchell, a farmer and stockman re- siding in the village of Utica and owning large farming interests in Utica and Deer Park town- ships, was born on the old farm homestead north of La Salle, on the 8th day of May, 1859, his parents being William and Mary ( Wenner) Mitchell, who were early residents of this county, connected with its pioneer progress and develop- ment. The father furnished meat for the Illinois Central Railroad in early days and hauled grain to Chicago by wagon before the railroad was built. He prospered in his undertakings and made extensive and judicious investment in land, becoming the owner of twelve or fourteen hun- dred acres in Dimmick township, most of which is still a part of the estate. He possessed sound judgment and keen discernment in all business affairs, and his investments were carefully placed, his property rising in value with the settlement of the county and the improvement made upon the farms. He died May 1, 1883, and is still sur- vived by his widow, who yet resides upon the old homestead. In the family were ten children, of whom nine are still living: Walter, a resident of Utica township; Mrs. Lena B. Wylie, of Wal- tham township, whose husband has been repre- sentative in the state legislature; Mrs. George Hartshorn, of Waltham township; Henry J., of Billings, Montana ; William W., residing in South Dakota, where he owns and operates a ranch ; Kate, Frank and Charles, at home.

The other member of the family is James .1. Mitchell of this review, who was reared upon the old homestead farm, where he resided until 1898. when he removed to Utica. He now owns five hundred acres of land in this vicinity, which he operates, together with some land leased from the cement company. Ile is engaged in the dairy business, sending milk to Ottawa and La

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Salle and also cream to the latter place. He has a large herd of fine cows and his dairying interests prove a profitable source of income, while as the result of his farming operations he harvests good crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.

Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Bertha Bill, a daughter of Captain E. D. Bill, who died December 23, 1905. Four children have been born of this marriage, of whom two are living, Nathan Bill and Ada Mary, aged respectively three and one years. One child died in infancy and Dorothy has also passed away. Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the Congregational church. Po- litically Mr. Mitchell is a republican, having given his support to the party since attaining his majority and in Dimmick township he served as commissioner. He is well known as an agricul- turist, dairyman and public-spirited citizen of large and important business interests, which he is carefully conducting in accordance with methods which neither seek nor require disguise. He is a worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the county, the name of Mitchell having ever stood for good citizenship and for business integrity and activity.

CAPTAIN ERASTUS DENISON BILL.

Captain Erastus Denison Bill, for a long period one of the worthy citizens of La Salle county, whose many good traits of character made him respected by all who knew him, was born in Groton, Connecticut, May 13, 1826. His father served in the war of 1812 and his grand- father was one of the heroes of the Revolution. His mother was a daughter of Colonel Ben Adam Gallup, who served with credit and honor in the war for independence when only sixteen years of age. In early life Erastus D. Bill entered upon a seafaring life, making his first voyage on the whaling ship, Citizen, sailing from Sag Har- bor, Long Island. He was a seaman for four- teen years and rose to the rank of first officer on one of the finest clipper ships sailing from New York harbor. After a two years' cruise on one occasion they brought home thirty-seven hundred casks of oil. Leaving the sea Captain Bill entered mercantile circles in the west, locating first in Ottawa, Illinois, afterward at Sheffield, this state, and subsequently at Plymouth, Indiana. He finally retired upon his farm near Sheffield, where he resided until his death.

Captain Bill first married Eliza Jane Phillips, of Lisbon, Connecticut, who died August 1, 1855. His second wife was Ada Mary West, a daughter

of Dr. Charles West, of Plymouth, Indiana. They were married September 1, 1857, and for many years traveled life's journey happily to- gether. Unto them were born the following named: Mrs. Frank W. Littlefield, of Dorches- ter, Nebraska; Mrs. Bert Morris, of Tiskilwa, Illinois ; Henry A. Bill, who is residing in Minne- apolis, Minnesota; Mrs. James A. Mitchell, of Utica ; Fred A., of Sheffield; Mrs. Allen O. Stetson ; and Charles D. and Burt E., of Sheffield, Illinois.

In the death of Captain Bill there passed away one of the last of the old-time seamen, who cir- cumnavigated the globe under canvas. Years before Commodore Dewey sailed into Manila Bay Captain Bill had walked the streets of that island city. He spent a few months among the forty-niners who dug gold in California and he sailed into the ports of Japan and China before the natives believed the rest of the world had much of an existence. He bought provisions and fuel for his ship in the Sandwich Islands before the natives had acquired a civilized taste for dress. His was indeed in many respects an eventful and interesting career. He was a man of the most lovable disposition as is attested by the many letters which were written him by pas- sengers who sailed with him when he was an officer on the clipper ships. In his family he was an ideal husband and father and among his associates was a most faithful and loyal friend. He served as a deacon in the Congregational church and was an upright citizen, a good neigh- bor and a conscientious man. He was survived by his wife, eight children and twenty-one grand- children.

JAMES J. CONWAY.

James J. Conway, one of the strong and able members of the Ottawa bar, is a native of Brook- lyn, New York, where his birth occurred August 8. 1863. He resided in that city until April, 1875, at which time, upon the death of his par- ents, he came to Illinois to make his home with his uncle in Wallace township, La Salle county. His study in the public school was supplemented by three years' attendance at St. Vincent's Col- lege at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and later he matriculated in the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, where he remained four years, when he graduated from that institution on the 24th of June, 1885. He also studied law at this university and won the degree of Bachelor of Laws, but while at Notre Dame his special attention was given to the pur- suit of a scientific course, the degree of

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Bachelor of Science being conferred upon him by Notre Dame University, June 24, 1885. His superior educational privileges well qualifying him for professional labor, he entered upon the practice of law in the autumn of 1885. No dreary novitiate awaited him, for almost immedi- ately he gained prominence as a practitioner and has ever maintained a foremost place among the most capable attorneys of La Salle county. He is strong in argument, logical in his deductions and clear and concise in his statements and he fears not that laborious attention to detail which makes the office work of the lawyer his most important service, for it is in the preparation of his cases that the real strength of the lawyer is shown. His offices are at 406-407 Maloney Building and his residence is at 117 East Wash- ington street in Ottawa.

Mr. Conway was united in marriage to Alida M., the second daughter of the late Nelson J. Rulison, on June 23, 1900, and they have one son, Nelson J. R., born June 19, 1904. Mr. Conway is recognized as a leading representa- tive of the democracy of La Salle county and although without aspiration for office himself he gives unfaltering aid to the party in winning its local successes.

CLARENCE GRIGGS.

Clarence Griggs, a practitioner at the La Salle county bar, was born in Ottawa, January 2, 1857. His father, Edward Young Griggs, was born Oc- tober 24, 1818, in Stonington, Connecticut, and in the same year his parents removed to Cincin- nati, Ohio. In early manhood Edward Young Griggs wedded Mary P. Barnet, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, May 6, 1827, the wed- ding being celebrated at Charlestown, Indiana, August 5, 1847. They arrived in Ottawa, April 22, 1849, and for a year and a half Mr. Griggs was employed as a clerk by J. G. Nattinger. He then formed a partnership with George White in the dry-goods business. In 1853 he opened a drug and book store and he built the fifth house in East Ottawa, occupying that home in 1869. He was closely associated with business inter- ests here for a number of years and became a di- rector in the First National Bank. During his en- tire business career he has borne a spotless repu- tation for integrity in all his dealings and no man in the entire community is more honored or re- spected than E. Y. Griggs. Upon the organiza- tion of the republican party he joined its ranks and has always been one of its supporters where national questions are involved but at local elec-

tions votes independently. Unto him and his wife have been born the following named: Lavinia, Allen, Oakley and Clarence.

The last named supplemented his early educa- tional privileges by study in the Michigan Uni- versity and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in the class of 1878. Taking up the study of law he was admitted to the bar in 1881 and has since practiced in Ottawa, where he has made an excellent record as a care- ful and painstaking lawyer, winning thereby a liberal clientage. He served as county attorney from 1898 until 1902 and again from 1904 until 1906 and was master of chancery in 1898.

On the 6th of September, 1883, Mr. Griggs was united in marriage to Miss Lura Nash, a daughter of John F. and Lura M. Nash, whose ancestry can be traced back to 1637, when the family was founded in the Massachusetts colony. The father was born in Williamsburg, Massachu- setts, December 16, 1824, and after attending the common schools entered the seminary at the age of seventeen years, there preparing for college. Forced to adandon his plans to pursue a college course, he came to Illinois and engaged in teach- ing school for several years in Putnam county. In 1846 he was editor of a weekly paper published at Hennepin and during this period devoted his leisure hours to the study of law. On the 2d of April, 1847, he became a law student in the office of Dickey & Leland, at Ottawa, and following his admission to the bar, in October, 1849, entered at once upon active practice. A few months later he was appointed deputy circuit clerk of La Salle county court under Philo Lindley, serving until April 5, 1855, when he was elected circuit clerk. He was the only republican elected in that year and was the sixth representative of the party to be chosen by popular suffrage in La Salle county. He served with ability until 1861, when he formed a law partnership with E. F. Bull. The firm en- joyed a liberal clientage until 1865, when Mr. Nash withdrew to become assistant cashier of the First National Bank and before the close of the year was made cashier, in which position he has since continued. He has been a member of the board of education, has been a director of Red- dick's public library and has been connected with other institutions and movements which are mat- ters of civic pride. He is a Knight Templar Ma- son and has served as master of Occidental lodge, high priest of Shabbona chapter, and commander of Ottawa commandery. He has also been emi- nent grand commander of the Knights Templar of Illinois and a member of the Masonic Veterans Association. He is a man of broad mind and wide general information and these qualities taken in connection with his oratorical power have made

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him a favorite speaker at various public func- tions. Since December 31, 1900, when he ten- dered his resignation as cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, he has lived retired. His daughter, Mrs. Griggs, has always resided in Ottawa and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Lura Florence Griggs, born May 26, 1890.

Mr. Griggs belongs to Occidental lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Shabbona chapter, R. A. M .; Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T .; and is a communi- cant of Christ Episcopal church, while his polit- ical allegiance is given to the republican party.

MRS. JENNIE N. ARTHUR.

Mrs. Jennie N. Arthur, living at No. 202 South Park street in Streator, is the widow of James L. Arthur, who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Sep- tember 8, 1834, and died in Streator, December 22, 1896. His parents were Robert and Martha ( Peoples) Arthur, both of whom were natives of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in 1845 and were pioneer settlers of the northern part of the state. The father died in Peru, Illinois, in 1849, and the mother, long surviving, passed away in 1884.

James L. Arthur accompanied his parents on their removal to the west and was a youth of about eleven years when they took up their abode in this state. His education was acquired in the public schools and he remained under the parental roof throughout the period of his minority. He thus embarked in business on his own account at Odell, Livingston county, where in 1867 he opened a grocery store. He prospered in that undertaking and afterward carried on the busi- ness successfully until 1871. when he removed to Streator, where he opened a similar store, deal- ing in groceries and dry goods until 1892, or foi a period of twenty-one years. He then sold out and established a boot and shoe store, carrying also a line of carpets. In this department of mer- cantile activity he continued up to the time of his death and was long regarded as one of the leading and enterprising business men of Streator.

Mr. Arthur was married February 22. 1870. in Odell, Livingston county, to Miss Jennie N. Wool- ley, who was born in Oneida county, New York, October 21, 1844, her parents being Stephen B. and Permelia (Hollock) Woolley. Her father. who was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1811, died in 1897, at the age of eighty-six years, his last days being spent at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Arthur, in Streator. He retired

to sleep at night never to wake again, being found dead in his bed in the morning. His wife, who was born in Dutchess county, New York, May I, 1809, passed away in Missouri in 1888, at the age of seventy-nine years. They were married in the Empire state and in 1851 removed to the middle west, settling near Peru, La Salle county. Mr. Woolley was a mason by trade and followed that pursuit in connection with farming. He be- came the owner of land in La Salle county and also had three hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Livingston county near Odell, which he owned at the time of his death. In 1876 he and his wife removed to Missouri, where he spent about twelve years and Mrs. Woolley died while in that state. He then returned to his farm in Livingston county to spend his remaining days but his last days were passed in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Arthur. In the family were three children : Theron, who is now living in Chicago; Jeanette, the widow of G. W. Landis, and a resi- dent of Kansas City ; and Mrs. Arthur.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arthur were born four children, three sons and a daughter, namely : Frank L., Jay L., Lua and Ray. In politics Mr. Arthur was a republican but took no active part in political work aside from casting his ballot for the men and measures of the party. The only office he ever filled was that of alderman. He was a member of the Liberal church and was a man who fully recognized and observed his duty to his fellowmen and in his business maintained a high standard of commercial ethics. He was active and energetic and as the years passed by his labors won him a measure of prosperity that made him a substantial citizen of Streator.

JOHN H. SHUTE.

John H. Shute, a representative of the farm- ing and live stock interests of La Salle county. where he is both feeding and raising cattle, hogs and horses, resides on sections 31 and 32, South Ottawa township, where he owns a finely im- proved farm. He has three hundred and eighty acres of land. the greater part of which lies in South Ottawa township, while forty acres ex- tends across the boundary line into Farm Ridge township. This place is operated by Mr. Shute and his son, A. J. Shute, who are leading. prac- tical and enterprising agriculturists of the county. The year 1867 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Shute in this part of the state, at which time he located in South Ottawa township, and nine years later. in 1876. he purchased the farm upon which he now resides.

J. L. ARTHUR.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Mr. Shute was born in Devonshire, England, in 1850 and was brought by his parents to America when but six months old, the family home being established at Lockport, in Niagara county, New York, where the parents resided until 1867. The father, Robert Shute, was born in England and devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural interests. In his native land he married Thom- ason Kivell, also a native of that country, and she is now living with her son, W. K. Shute, in Deer Park, Illinois. The father, however, passed away in La Salle county about 1896. He favored the Episcopal church and was a man of many strong and sterling traits of character. His daughter, Mary, now the wife of Peter Nugent, resides in the city of South Ottawa.

John H. Shute spent his boyhood days in the Empire state, where he acquired a good common- school education. As stated, he came to La Salle county in 1867 when the family removed from New York to Illinois and he resided at home until 1876. He is a self-made man, having had practically no help in his business career and the success which he is now enjoying is attributable to his own efforts and shows what may be ac- complished through determination and energy. In the spring of 1876 he married Miss Ella G. Francis, a native of this city and a daughter of George F. Francis, at one time a business man at Ottawa and a former partner of Mr. Porter in the dry-goods trade. Mr. Francis and the other members of the family save Mrs. Shute removed to Kansas in 1876. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shute have been born four children, all of whom were born upon the home farm, which has been the family residence since 1876. George F., the eld- est, residing in South Ottawa township, is mar- ried and is engaged in the stock business. Arthur J. is associated with his father in business. Lee is attending the high school of Ottawa. Edna M. is the wife of Louis Bellrose, a resident of Wedron, Dayton township.

Since starting out in life on his own account Mr. Shute has carried on general farming and stock-feeding and raises cattle, hogs and horses. His farm of three hundred and eighty acres is well equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories for the careful operation of the fields and the care of the stock. Both branches of his business have proved profitable and he is ac- counted one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. In politics he has been a stanch republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for many years he served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart friend. He also served for ten years as road commissioner, having recently re- signed that position. He deserves much credit

for what he has accomplished and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and en- couragement to others, showing what may be ac- complished through determination, practical methods and unfaltering diligence.

JEREMIAH ANDERSON.

Jeremiah Anderson is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Miller township, his home being on section 16, where his holdings em- brace two hundred and fifty-one acres, constitut- ing a well improved farm. This place is known as the old Anderson homestead and it was upon this farm that Jeremiah Anderson was born April 15, 1852, his parents being Ener and Mar- garet (Gunnerson) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father became one of the early settlers of La Salle county. Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1836, he remained a resident of New York for about two years and in 1838 came westward to Illinois. He entered eighty acres of land from the government and began the improvement of a farm, turning the first furrows in the field. In the course of time he placed the entire tract under cultivation and as he gathered good crops which found a ready sale on the market he was enabled to add to his original holdings until he was the owner of three hundred and fifty acres of very valuable. farm land and was classed with the prosperous agri- culturists of his township. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as his financial resources were very limited when he left his native country and sought a home in the new world. His wife was born and reared in Norway. Upon the farm in La Salle county they reared their family and became known as leading Norwegian citizens of this part of the state, respected by all who knew them. Mr. Anderson continued to reside upon his farm until his death, which occurred on the 7th of April, 1900. His widow still survives him and now resides with a daughter in Iowa.

Jeremiah Anderson, whose name introduces this review, worked as a farm hand in the summer months from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority, his education being acquired in the district schools, which he attended during the winter seasons. He was married in Miller town- ship on the 15th of December, 1875, to Miss Bertha Sampson, a daughter of S. K. Sampson. one of the first settlers in this part of the state. Mr. Sampson was born and reared in Norway and

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was there married to Miss Mary Erickson, a native of that country, and six children had graced this union ere the emigration of the parents to the new world. Mrs. Sampson died July 9. 1882, at the age of sixty-three years and six months, but Mr. Sampson is still living, a hale and hearty old man of eighty-four years, making his home upon the old farm where he has so long resided. In the family were six children who reached adult age, four daughters and two sons. Mrs. Anderson was born in Norway and was an infant at the time her parents came to the United States in 1853, after a six weeks' voyage.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son located on a farm in Miller township, where they resided for one year and then bought a place on section 14 of the same township. He fenced this land, erected buildings and made the farm a good property, the fields becoming very product- ive owing to the cultivation and labor which he bestowed upon them. There he carried on gen- eral agricutural pursuits until 1900, when he sold out to his brother, A. H. Anderson, and pur- chased his present property on section 16, Miller township. Buying the interest of the other heirs. he is now the owner of the old homestead farm. He has remodeled some of the buildings and has built a large new barn. His farm is equipped with modern accessories and conveniences and in connection with the raising of the cereals which the soil best produces he also raises and feeds stock and both branches of his business are proving profitable.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born three sons and five daughters, namely: Eva. the wife of Thomas M. Thorson, a resident farmer of Grundy county : Mabel, the wife of Albert Haver. a farmer of Miller township; Ida, the wife of Zenas Haver. also a farmer of Miller township ; Nora and Mildred, at home : Silas E., who com- pleted his education in Ottawa Business College and is now assisting in carrying on the home farm ; Martin J., who is also under the parental roof; and Thomas M., who was born June II, 1885, and died August 10, 1888. When age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. An- derson voted for the men and measures of the democracy, but in later years has become a repub- lican, casting his last presidential ballot for Theo- dore Roosevelt. He was elected and served as township collector, has been rond commissioner and is now township trustee, having first been appointed to fill a vacancy and later elected to the office, in which he is now serving for the third term. He and his wife are members of the reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints. He has always lived in this county and has helped to improve and make it what it is

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 61

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