History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 70

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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On the 2d of May, 1906, Mr. Amsler was mar- ried to Miss Lena Orsinger, of Ottawa, the wed- ding being performed at the home of his sister, Mrs. Frank Hoerner on Fourth street, Peru. The lady is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Orsinger. of Ottawa. In politics Mr. Amsler is a democrat, while fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Woodmen of America. His entire life has been passed in this county and he displays many of the sterling char- acteristics of his German ancestry, combined with the spirit of enterprise and progress which have dominated America and led to its rapid and sub- stantial development.

WILLIAM A. TOMLIN.

William A. Tomlin resides on section 2, Serena township, and a farm of one hundred and sixty acres pays tribute to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon his land, while his stock- raising interests are proving equally profitable. He is a native son of the county, having been born in Adams township, April 14, 1856. His parents were James and Eliza (Wilson) Tomlin. The father, a native of England, came to the new world when a young man and made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling in Adams township, La Salle county, Illinois. That it was a wild and unimproved district is indi- cated by the fact that he was enabled to enter land from the government, thus securing eighty acres, which he broke and placed under cultiva- tion. He later bought more land until his farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres and through his efforts the once wild tract was con- verted into very fertile and productive fields. He

was married in this county to Miss Eliza Wilson, a native of New York, where she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin lived upon the farm for many years and there in 1862 Mr. Tomlin was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. Later he took up his abode in Somonauk, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred about 1888. In the family were three sons and a daughter, who are yet living.

William A. Tomlin of this review was reared upon the old homestead and was educated in the public schools. He remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, after which he worked by the month for two years in order to gain a start in life. He then began farming on his own account, renting eighty acres of land, upon which he resided for several years. In 1890 he bought his present farm, comprising one hundred and twenty-seven and a half acres on section 2, Serena township, and he has since ex- tended its boundaries by the additional purchase of thirty-two and a half acres. His life has brought the usual experiences of the agricultur - ist, who, placing his dependence upon energy and industry finds that in the capable control of his business and in the careful cultivation of the fields he has the opportunity for success. He has erected a good two-story residence with a large barn and there is a deep well with a wind pump, also a feed mill and steam engine. He has fenced and tiled the place and made the farm what it is today. For twenty years he has owned and operated a threshing machine, which was first a horse-power, while later a traction engine was secured. For sixteen years he was a part- ner of Charles Kember in this business and en- gaged in threshing all over three townships. His life has been one of unremitting diligence and his work has constituted the basis of a very gratify- ing prosperity.

Mr. Tomlin was married in Canada, in 1879, to Miss Emily Brewer, a native of that country, and of English lineage. They traveled life's jour- ney together for about ten years and were then separated by the death of Mrs. Tomlin in 1889. There were three children by that marriage : Arthur J., who is married and follows farming in Mission township: Ross W., a young man at home; and Minnie Z., the wife of Thomas Le- land, a resident farmer of Bureau county. Illinois.

On the 12th of January, 1891, Mr. Tomlin was married to Miss Ellen McKinley, a native of Illi- nois, born in Serena township, and a daughter of John Mckinley, one of the early settlers here. There are two children of this marriage, Florence and Clarence. both of whom are students in the home school.

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Politically Mr. Tomlin is a stanch republican but without desire for office although he has served as school director. He is a member of the Mutual Insurance Company and of the Mod- ern Woodman camp at Sheridan. He has been a resident of the county throughout his entire life and has helped to improve and make it what it is today, one of the most prosperous sections of the great state of Illinois. He has seen many changes in the methods of agriculture as modern machinery has revolutionized the work of the farm. At all times he has kept in touch with the progress that has been made in this direction and is today a most enterprising, active, prac- tical and prosperous farmer.

EDWARD BELROSE.

Edward Belrose, the founder of the village of Wedron, where he is now engaged in general merchandising, was born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, on the IIth of December, 1841. His father, John Belrose, was a native of Pennsyl- vania and died in that state in 1856, at the age of seventy-three years. He was reared upon a farm but after devoting some years to agricul- tural pursuits turned his attention to the manu- facture of wall paper, being one of the pioneers in that industry in this country. In his later years he lived retired, retaining his residence in Phila- delphia up to the time of his demise. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Justice, was also a native of Pennsylvania and died in Phila- delphia at the advanced age of eighty years. In their family were seven children, of whom four are yet living; Edward; William, an agri- culturist; Thomas, who resides upon a farm in this county; and Charles, who is postmaster of Wedron.

Edward Belrose spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, acquired a good practical education and when a young man worked for three years at the plumbing and gas-fitting trade in Philadelphia. In 1859 he came to Illinois and engaged in farming in Livingston county, but after about four years removed to La Salle county in 1863 and bought a farm in Dayton township, where he is engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits. At the time the branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was built from Aurora to Streator he owned the land whereon the village of Wedron now stands and platted a tract into town lots, sold them off and thus became the original promoter of the village. In 1878 he left his farm and removed to Wedron, erecting a large frame store build-

ing, in which he opened a line of general mer- chandise. He has since done a good business, having a fair share of the public patronage. In addition to this property he owns one hundred and seventy-three acres, constituting one of the good farms in Dayton township, together with a number of village lots, and is comfortably sit- uated in life.

On the 7th of April, 1870, Mr. Belrose was married to Miss Clara A. Curyea, who was born in Dayton township, March 20, 1853. Her father was Henry Curyea, a native of Virginia and one of the early residents of La Salle county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Belrose have been born four chil- dren: Louis M., who married Edna Shute and holds a good position with the Wedron White Sand Company ; Laura May, the wife of Edward N. Herbster, who is living in Elgin, where he is purchasing agent for the National Watch Company ; Edward J., who married Engelique Eustis and is a merchant in Wedron, where he is also serving as clerk of Dayton township; and Maud, at home.

In his political views Mr. Belrose was origi- nally a republican but in later years has been independent. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church but is not now identified with any denomination. He has served as school di- rector for several terms and in the early days was postmaster of Wedron for three years. In manner plain and unassuming, he nevertheless possesses many sterling traits of character, and is spoken of most favorably by his many friends and his business associates as an honest and up- right man and as one who is always interested in the public welfare to the extent of co-operat- ing in many measures for the general good.

GEORGE PHILO HILLS.

George Philo Hills, who since May, 1899, has been a member of the Ottawa bar, was born in Polo, Illinois, February 26, 1871. His father, Charles Edward Hills, is a native of Connecticut, and has followed at different periods the occu- pation of a farmer, school teacher and pharma- cist. He wedded Martha Elizabeth Myer, a na- tive of New York, and both were descended from ancestry represented in the Revolutionary war.

Mr. Hills of this review attended the public schools of Ottawa on his removal to this city and passed through successive grades until he completed a course in Ottawa township high school with the class of 1888. He entered Otta- wa Business College in the fall of 1889, from which he was graduated in March, 1890, and

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he pursued his classical course in the collegiate department of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, being graduated in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He pursued his law studies in the law department of Lake For- est University ; in the office of Gere & Philbrick, of Champaign, Illinois ; and in the office of Clar- ence Griggs, at Ottawa. The early years of his life were passed in his native city, Polo, near Dixon, Illinois, and in Seneca, this state, until 1881, when he became a resident of Ottawa, where he has since made his home with the ex- ception of the four years spent in college at Evanston, Illinois, the two years spent as student and reporter for the master in chancery in Cham- paign, and a short period in 1895 in a law school in Chicago. In May, 1899, he was admitted to the bar and opened an office for practice in Ottawa. In the law, more than in any other profession, is one's career open to talent. The reason is evident-it is a profession in which eminence cannot be attained except by indomita- ble energy, perseverance and patience and, though its prizes are numerous and splendid, they can- not be won except by arduous and prolonged ef- fort. It is this that has already brought suc- cess to Mr. Hills and argues well for future ad- vancement at the bar.

In his political views Mr. Hills is a republican and is a member of various fraternal and social organizations. In Masonry he is a Knight Tem- plar, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also connected with the Sigma Chi, a college fraternity; the Phi Delta Phi, a legal fraternity ; and with the State Bar Association.

CHARLES L. HOFFMANN.

Charles L. Hoffmann, deceased, was the owner of a farm of two hundred and ninety acres of rich and productive land on sections 5 and 6, Eagle township. The place is now operated by his son, William Hoffmann, but for many years the father was actively concerned in its develop- ment and improvement and the property is the visible evidence of a life of industry and enter- prise. He was born in the little town of Wanzle- ben, near the city of Magburg, in the province of Saxony, Prussia, February 13, 1828, his parents being Charles L. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Hoff- mann. The family arrived in La Salle county on the 4th of August, 1847, and made a settle- ment on the farm which continued to be the home of Charles L. Hoffmann, of this review, who at that time was a youth of nineteen years. The father was a cooper by trade and selected and

purchased the farm in Eagle township partly on account of the supply of timber, which would enable him to carry on work along the line of his chosen occupation. He continued to follow his trade in this county until the fall of 1853, when his life's labors were ended in death, when he was fifty-three years of age. He had built a house and had otherwise improved the farm and home and had comfortably established his family here when he was called from this life. His widow survived him for a number of years, pass- ing away in 1870 upon the old homestead, at the age of seventy-two years. They brought with them from their old home in Pennsylvania their two children, Charles L. and Louis. The mother became the wife of a Mr. Harcott, who resided in Eagle township and died in 1870. Mrs. Har- cott survived until about 1880.

Charles L. Hoffmann pursued his education in the schools of his native country, spending two years as a student in an industrial commercial college there, where he acquired a good business education. He was afterward apprenticed to and spent four years in a mercantile business in Germany but did not follow that pursuit after coming to America. He was a young man of nineteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and located with them on the old farm homestead, assisting in its development and improvement as the years went by. The beautiful home as it stands to- day is the result of his efforts in this direction and he planted the magnificent growth of pine, evergreen and other trees which surround the place. He successfully carried on general farming and continued active in the conduct of the farm until about ten years prior to his death, when he was attacked by rheumatism and be- cause of his suffering from this disease he put aside the arduous labor of the farm and practical- ly lived retired until called to his final rest in July, 1906.

In 1850, when only twenty-two years of age, Mr. Hoffmann was elected one of the road com- missioners of the county and afterward served in various official capacities. He had learned the English language in Germany and was among the few settlers of the early days who could read and write. In 1851 he was elected township clerk and filled that position for seventeen con- secutive years. He also served as supervisor for twelve or fifteen years and in 1875 was elected to the Illinois legislature, and again was chosen to represent his district in the general as- sembly in 1885. He gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement during his legislative career and advocated the passage of many measures which have proven

C. L. HOFFMANN.

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beneficial in the history of the state since their enactment. In 1868 he was chosen justice of the peace, which office he held continuously until his death, covering a period of thirty-eight years, during which time he rendered decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. No higher tes- timonial of capability could be given than the fact that he was so long continued in this posi- tion. In politics he was always an active dem- ocrat, usually voting with the democracy, yet fearing not to take an independent course when he believed that the best interests of the city, county, state or nation could be conserved thereby.

On Christmas day of 1857, Charles L. Hoff- mann was married in this county to Miss Bertha Schmitz, a native of Germany, who came with her parents to the United States, the family home being established near Troy Grove, this county. Her parents died there when Mrs. Hoffmann was about fourteen years of age. She had two brothers but the family became scattered at the parents' death. Mrs. Hoffmann resided for a number of years with a family in Peru, or until going to a home of her own at the time of her marriage. She is now living at the age of sev- entv-three years, but has been an invalid for sev- eral years past. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann were born three children, who are living : An- toinette, or Nettie, now the wife of Arthur El- liott, a resident farmer of Eagle township; Wil- liam, who is operating the home farm; and Bertha, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have three children, Charles, Gertrude and Rowland, who are now in school.

Mr. Hoffmann favored the Church of Good Will in Streator. His life of activity was crowned with success and his devotion to the public wel- fare won him the honor and good will of his fel- lowmen. He left the impress of his individuali- ty upon the public life of his county and made a most creditable record for progressive and loyal citizenship. Wherever known he com- manded the respect of his fellow citizens and was justly ranked with the representative men of La Salle county.

B. FRANK GAGE.

B. Frank Gage, a representative farmer, was born in 1858 on the old home farm on section 7, Brookfield township, where he now lives, being the present owner of the property. His father, Isaac Gage, was born in Grafton county, New Hampshire, and became one of the pioneer resi- dents of this state, coming to Brookfield town- ship in 1837 and settling here in 1845. He there-

fore experienced the usual hardships of pioneer life as he continued in the work of developing a new farm, transforming it from wild, unculti- vated land into richly productive fields. He was influential in community affairs and for a number of years served as supervisor. His political alle- giance was given to the republican party and he was active in it's support and deeply interested in its success. He married Miss Lucy Little, who was born in New Hampshire, and for a long period they were numbered among the respected and leading residents of their township.

B. Frank Gage was reared to manhood on the old homestead and acquired a common-school education. When not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, so that practically through- out his entire life he has farmed the old home place which he now owns. It comprises four hundred and eighty acres of very rich and pro- ductive land and is a splendid farm property, equipped with all modern conveniences and fa- cilities. He handles good cattle, having some full-blooded shorthorns and his stock-raising interests, as well as the raising of grain, produce for him a very gratifying income.

In 1886 Mr. Gage was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia V. Carr, who was born in La Salle county and is a daughter of Nathan S. Carr. Her father was born in Chester, New Hampshire, and was a carpenter by trade, follow- ing that pursuit while living in the old Granite state. Coming to the middle west, he took up his abode near Ottawa, where he followed farming for some time and subsequently he resided in Brookfield township, making his home on section 20, where he continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1891. He married Adelia Hogaboom, who was born in New York and spent the first three years of her life in that state, after which she was brought by her parents to Illinois. Traveling westward, the family reached Chicago and thence made their way to Ottawa. Mrs. Carr still survives and is now living with her son, Walter, on section 20. In the Carr family were the following named: Fremont C., who wedded Mary Kiner and is engaged in farming in this county; Mrs. Gage; Mrs. Carrie Post. who died at her home in Nebraska in 1905; Elmer L., who married Maggie Gage and is a grain merchant of Marseilles ; Melvin L., who wedded Emma Allen and is engaged in farming near Marseilles; Adelia, who is the wife of Jo- seph Boyd, a farmer ; and Walter, who is living at home with his mother.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gage has been blessed with four children, Ida A. G., Carrie L., Lawrence F. and Byron, who are all yet under

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

the parental roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gage hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed people, enjoying in large measure the warm regard of those with whom they have come in contact, while the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is freely ac- corded them. Mr. Gage gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and has served as supervisor for one term. He is interested in all that pertains to the county in which his entire life has been passed and has co-operated in many movements relating to its material progress and its intellectual and moral development. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, the name of Gage being well known in this county for almost seventy years.

JOHN J. MURRY.

John J. Murry, living on section 22, Wallace township, is now the owner of three hundred and seventy-three and a third acres of valuable land and his possessions are the visible evidence of a life of activity and business enterprise. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 4, 1855, his parents being Thomas and Ann (Frain) Murry, who were natives of Ireland, the former having been born in County Longford and the latter in County Westmeath. They were married in Brooklyn, New York, after com- ing to America. The father was a day laborer and worked at the mason's trade much of his life. In 1856, he removed with his family to La Salle county, Illinois, residing at different places where he could secure employment, and both he and his wife passed away in Ottawa a number of years ago. In their family were ten children, of whom six are yet living, namely: John J., of this review ; Thomas, a resident of Ottawa ; Ann, now deceased; Margaret, the deceased wife of Henry Harger ; Ellen, the deceased wife of Rich- ard Fullerton; Mary, who is living in Chicago; Henry, who makes his home at Matthews, In- diana; James, deceased; William, residing in Wallace township; and Michael, who is living in Matthews, Indiana.

John J. Murry was a pupil in Jefferson school of Ottawa and when seventeen years of age he went to work on a farm, being employed in one place for five years. He worked steadily, re- ceived good wages, saved his money and was thus able to engage in farming on his own ac- count. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Sarah E. Begley, who was born in Wallace township, January 6, 1858, and

who gave him her hand in marriage on the 14th of January, 1877.

Mr. Murry rented land here for two years after his marriage and then went to Indiana, purchasing a farm in Benton county. He con- tinued in the cultivation of that place until 1892, when he sold out and returned to La Salle coun- ty, after which he purchased the Hoxey farm of one hundred and sixty acres. There were no buildings upon the place, the house having been burned down. Mr. Murry has erected a large new residence, substantial barns, granary and corn cribs. His home is a beautiful one and al- together his farm is one of the best in the lo- cality. He has added to his property from time to time until he now owns three hundred and seventy-three and a third acres of good land, most of which lies in Wallace township. He has earned all this himself with the assistance of his wife and children and is one of the self-made men in the township, who has attained a position of affluence and deserves the admiration and re- spect which are accorded him by those who know aught of his career. In all of his dealings he has been honest, finding that it is the best way to succeed, and high principles have actuated him in all of his relations with his fellowmen.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murry have been born nine children who are yet living and they buried one in Indiana. These are: Anna J., Mary E., Sarah E., James, Thomas W .. Margaret, John, Kathleen and Robert. The daughter Sarah has been engaged in teaching school for five years. Mr. Murry votes with the democracy and has served as highway commissioner for six years and as school director for nine years. He belongs to the Catholic church and has lived a life in which straightforward dealing, commendable purpose and worthy motives have been salient features in his career, constituting the basis of his success and also the source of the high regard which is uniformly accorded him.

GEORGE H. SPAULDING.

George H. Spaulding, for a long period closely and actively associated with farming interests, is now living retired upon his farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 2, Waltham town- ship. He has passed the seventy-eighth mile- stone of life's journey and in recent years has relegated to others the cares and labors of a business life, while he is enjoying a well earned and richly merited rest. His natal day was Au- gust 21, 1827, and he first opened his eyes to the light in Herkimer county, New York. His

J J. MURRY

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

education was obtained in the east and he con- tinued to reside in the Empire state until Jan- uary, 1851, when he came westward to Illinois and settled on section II, in Waltham township, La Salle county. Here he purchased wild land at three dollars per acre and began the develop- ment of a farm, transforming the wild tract into richly cultivated fields. As the years passed by he continued his farm labors along modern and progressive lines and his efforts resulted in the acquirement of a handsome competence. In 1864 he removed to the farm where he now resides.

Before coming to the middle west Mr. Spauld- ing was married on the 6th of June, 1850, to Miss Polly Bibbins, a native of New York and a rep- resentative of an old eastern family. They be- came the parents of ten children, Anna, Judson, Juliette, Mary, Naomi, Nellie, Cora and Belle, all of whom are now married. Those deceased are Joshua and George.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 70

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