History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 74

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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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Temple have been born two children, William M. and Mattie, both of whom are at home. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Temple has en- dorsed the men and measures of the republican party but has never sought office nor desired po- litical preferment. His entire life has been passed in La Salle county and his friends are many, the circle being almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. His work has been carried forward diligently and persistently and he is now one of the prominent farmers of this portion of the state, his landed holdings be- ing valuable and continually increasing because of his effective labor, resulting in success. The qualities of good citizenship and faithful friend- ship are his and he is spoken of in terms of com- mendation by all with whom he has come in contact.

LEE O'NEIL BROWNE.

Lee O'Neil Browne, a leading member of the La Salle county bar, for three terms representa- tive in the state legislature and widely recog- nized as one of the best criminal lawyers in the state of Illinois, was born in Earlville, La Salle county, in 1866. His father, Jacob W. Browne, was an old settler and prominent member of the La Salle county bar and one of its most re- spected citizens. He was born in Albany, Maine, came to the middle west at an early day and continued to engage in the practice of law

for many years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret J. Spalding, was born in Buck- field, Maine. His death occurred in 1892 and his wife passed away in Earlville in 1894.

After acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of his native city Lee O'Neil Browne spent four years as a student in the State Normal School, pursuing a classical course. He was afterward a student for two years in the law department of Wesleyan Col- lege, at Bloomington, Illinois, and in June, 1888, was admitted to the bar. Later he practiced for a year at Earlville and in July, 1890, came to Ottawa, where he formed a partnership with Frank D. Ayres, with whom he continued in practice for two years, when Mr. Ayers re- moved to Chicago. Mr. Browne was then alone until 1894, when he entered into partner- ship with Daniel F. Trainor, one of the best trial lawyers who ever practiced in La Salle coun- ty. Their partnership was continued until the death of Mr. Trainor in December, 1901, after which Mr. Browne was again alone until Jan- uary, 1903, when he and Herbert C. Wiley formed a partnership that has since existed. His career at the bar is notable in the number of cases that he has won. As a lawyer he is sound, clear-minded and well trained and his success in a professional way forms the best evi- dence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. He never neglects to make a thorough preparation, seems to possess a natural discrimination as to legal ethics and never fails to recognize the main point at issue and to give it due weight in the presentation of his cause. He was associated with William H. Stead, now attorney general, as a lawyer for the defense in the Bowermaster murder case, was assistant prosecutor in the Fitzsimmons mur- der case, the Fisher embezzlement case and a multitude of others. He has been on one side or the other of nearly all criminal cases of La Salle county for the past ten years. He is strong in argument, logical in his deductions and correct in his conclusions, never fails to im- press court or jury, and seldom fails to win the verdict desired.

Mr. Browne is perhaps equally prominent as a legislator, having been chosen to represent the thirty-ninth district in the general assembly in I900. He served during the session of 1901 and was again elected in 1902 and for a third term in 1904, and his many friends insist that he shall again become a candidate. His work in the legislature has become a matter of record. He was the father of the present garnishment law and was one of the leaders in the fight in the ses-

LEE O'NEIL BROWNE.

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sion against the so-called local option bill. Hc led the fight for the appropriation for the Illi- nois and Michigan canal and the fight against the increase in size of the Chicago drainage dis- trict. He has been the advocate of many meas- ures, the value of which have been proven, and has always been regarded as an active, working member of the house, connected with much im- portant constructive legislation. He is thor- oughly outspoken, positive in his assertions, up- holding his position without fear or favor, and at the same time he is ever courteous in the ex- pression of his opinions. Fraternally he is con- nected with Humboldt lodge, No. 555, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the chapter degrees in Masonry.

M. A. BRONSON.

M. A. Bronson, manager at Streator for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, and an active factor in political circles, is a native son of Michigan, having been born in Wayne county not far from Detroit, on the 13th of August, 18ro. His parents were George and Adaline (German) Bronson, the former a native of Litchfield, Connecticut, and the latter of the state of New York. The paternal grandfather, Hen- ry Bronson, was likewise born in Connecticut, and the Bronson family was of English lineage while the German family was of German lineage and both families were established in America at an early day. His mother, Mrs. Adaline Bron- son came of sturdy German and French stock. Her father, David German, a son of Reuben Ger- man, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years. Through- out his active business career George Bronson de- voted his time and energies to general agricul- tural pursuits and passed away in 1895, when in his seventy-eighth year at his home near Deer Park, Illinois, where he had resided since 1852. His widow, who was born April 24, 1827, is spending her last years with her son, Walter F. Bronson, in Boone county, Missouri.

M. A. Bronson devoted his attention in his bovhood days to the acquirement of an education in the district schools and to the labors of the farm. He was studious, thorough- ly mastered the tasks assigned him, and when a mere boy was sent to Galesburg (Illinois) Acad- emy, while later he continued his studies in Au- rora, Illinois. His time and energies were de- voted to teaching for four years after he had com- pleted his own education and for a brief period he was thus employed in Streator, after which he became an employe in the United States mail

service, running between Streator and Chicago, and Streator, Illinois, and Knox, Indiana. He acted in that capacity until 1892, when he re- signed in order to become manager of the Streator branch of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, which has been his connection with business interests for the past fourteen years. He looks after the sales and general interests of the company which he represents not only in Streator but also in adjacent territory and his service has been of a most valuable character to his employers.

In 1875 Mr. Bronson was married to Miss Agnes Ann Mackey, the youngest daughter of Samuel and Sarah Mackey. She died February I, 1902, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Luella M. Neff, a daughter of Oliver H. and Sarah Ann Smith. Mr. Bronson is a democrat and for several years has served on the county central committee of that party. His efforts in behalf of local and state politics have been far- reaching and beneficial and he stands firm in sup- port of the principles which he thinks are most conducive to the general good. For two years he has served as assistant supervisor, and in 1898 was honored with the position of supervisor from Streator, since which time he has acted in the ca- pacity of chairman of the board. Over the rec- ord of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil, as he has labored for the faithful performance of the duties that have developed upon him and has made a most creditable record. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., and the Elks lodge, No. 591. His activity in business and po- litical life has won him a wide acquaintance and he has the favorable regard of many friends who recognize his genuine worth.

WILLIAM K. SHUTE.

William K. Shute is a representative of the farming and live-stock interests of La Salle county, his home being on section 1, Deer Park township, while his lands lie not only in this township but also in Farm Ridge township. He owns and operates three hundred acres, having perhaps one hundred acres seeded, while he cultivates the remainder, his principal crops being corn, oats and hay. He is also extensively en- gaged in raising and feeding stock, including horses, cattle and hogs. He has bought as high as twenty thousand bushels of corn in a single year for feeding. His business is exten-

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sive and his careful management and enterprise constitute the basis of a very desirable success.

The life record of Mr. Shute began in Devon- shire, England, on the 5th of February, 1847. His father, Robert Shute, came to America in March, 1849, settling in Niagara county, New York, where he resided for a number of years or until the spring of 1866. He then came with his wife and five children to La Salle county, Illinois, locating in South Ottawa township, where he lived for three years. He then bought a small farm in Deer Park township on section 12, which was the home of Robert Shute until his death, which occurred in June, 1893, when he was eighty-seven or eighty-eight years of age. His remains were interred in the Baptist ceme- tery in Deer Park township. He had long resided in this county, and had been a co-operant factor in many movements, the value of which time has proven. His labors resulted beneficially for the county in many ways and he was a prominent and honored pioneer settler. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Thomasin N. Kivell, was also a native of Devonshire, England, and still resides in Deer Park township at about the age of ninety years. She yet retains her faculties largely unimpaired and is one of the oldest citizens of the county, while the years of her connection with this part of the state make her one of the honored pioneer women.

William K. Shute attended school in the state of New York and was practically reared there. He came west to La Salle county in 1865, in- duced to make this move through an acquaintance with the Trude family in Farm Ridge township. He has since remained continuously in the county and his record as a citizen and business man through the intervening years has been such as to make him a valued representative of this part of the state. His financial resources were very limited at the time of his removal to the west. He had practically nothing with which to start in life in Illinois, but he has always made the most of his opportunities. He and his broth- ers aided in securing a home for the parents and younger members of the family, and then Mr. Shute of this review and his brothers afterward secured farms for themselves. That he has pros- pered as the years have gone by is shown by the fact that he now owns and operates three hundred acres of rich and productive land. Here he has made excellent improvements in keeping with the ideas of modern agriculture and has a well developed farm, on which is a commodious and beautiful residence, large barns and outbuild- ings. There was scarcely a tree on the place when he became its possessor, but his labors have

wrought a marked change in its appearance and today it shows every evidence of careful super- vision and indicates the progressive spirit of a painstaking, practical owner.

Mr. Shute was married in this county to Miss Dora A. Tiffany, whose people came from eastern Pennsylvania to La Salle county at a very early period. Her father, Russell Tiffany, resided afterward for a number of years in Wisconsin, but later returned to La Salle county, where his death occurred about twenty-four years ago. Her mother is still living in this county, largely making her home with her son at Marseilles.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shute have been born ten children and the family record is certainly notable in that it remains unbroken by the hand of death. The record of the sons and daughters is as follows : Sadie A. is the wife of James Gardner, who resides near Hurdland, Missouri, and they have three sons. William resides at home and is operating part of the farm. May is the wife of John Gregory, who resides on the old home place on section 12, Deer Park township, and they have four children. Helen, Frank, Beatrice, Lizzie, Grace and Ada are all at home.

Mr. Shute votes with the republican party, his study of the issues of the day leading him to give stalwart support to that organization. He has served in township offices, acting for thirteen years as road commissioner. His wife is a mem- ber of the Baptist church and both are esteemed by many friends, for they have long resided in this part of Illinois. Early realizing that there is no excellence without labor and that diligence is a safe foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of success, Mr. Shute has persist- ently and energetically carried forward his busi- ness interests until a most desirable financial re- ward has been gained. .

DAVID CONARD.

David W. Conard was one of the pioneer set- tlers of La Salle county, who aided in subjugat- ing the wilderness and extending the frontier. He was closely associated with the early prog- ress and later development of this section of the state and through his intense and well directed business activity became one of the prominent and prosperous landowners with extensive hold- ings in real estate as well as investments in busi- ness enterprises. Throughout his entire life his course was in harmony with a high standard of commercial, ethics, so that his name ever com- manded respect and confidence.

DI.l' Demand

MRS. D.W. CONARD

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David W. Conard was a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Loudoun county, that state, on the 7th of April, 1825. He was only three years of age when his parents removed to Licking county, Ohio, where the days of his boy- hood and youth were passed, but the opportuni- ties of the Mississippi valley region gained his attention and, believing that he might more rap- idly acquire success in Illinois than in Ohio, he removed to La Salle county, where he arrived in May, 1844. This was still a frontier district but gave promise of future development and prog- ress and he cast in his lot with the early set- tlers who were reclaiming the region for the pur- poses of civilization and were converting it into a well improved district.

For several years Mr. Conard devoted his at- tention to teaching school in the winter months, while in the summer seasons he followed the car- penter's trade. When his energy and ability had brought him sufficient capital to justify his pur- chase of a farm he invested in one hundred acres of prairie land north of Marseilles and became actively identified with agricultural interests. As the years passed and he prospered in his under- takings he placed his money in the safest of all investments-real estate-and eventually became the owner of hundreds of acres of land. He also figured in financial circles in La Salle county and elsewhere by becoming a stockholder in various banks in Marseilles and other cities both east and west. He never believed in useless or extravagant expenditure and it was his economy and careful management that gave him his start in life and enabled him to work his way upward until he be- came the possessor of interests that made him one of the substantial citizens of La Salle county. He always enjoyed remarkable health and was thus able to give strict attention to his business day after day and year after year. His judg- ment was seldom, if ever, at fault in matters of business and his transactions always proved successful. He was a broad reader and deep thinker and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, political and otherwise, and was always able to uphold his views by in- telligent argument and forceful statement.

David Wilson Conard was married twice. On the 10th of June, 1849, he wedded Barbara De- Bolt, who died February 9, 1851, survived by one son, Virgil, who grew to manhood but passed away in 1892. On the 17th of March, 1853, Mr. Conard wedded Elizabeth Grove, cousin of his first wife, and they had six children, three of whom are living. Wilson, who is now living retired in Ottawa; Grant, formerly an able law- yer of the Ottawa bar, who is now in San Diego, California, where he is engaged in the real-es-

tate business ; and Mrs. Samuel Montgomery, of Marseilles, Illinois.

For three years the father lived retired at his home in Marseilles but his death occurred in Ottawa on the 24th of April, 1899. Thus passed away one of the well known and honored pio- neer settlers of the county. He was the soul of integrity in his business dealings and it was his energy and enterprise that won him his success. Moreover in citizenship he was patriotic and public spirited and at all times he commanded the respect of those who have regard for honor- able manhood and activity in business life. His widow now resides in Marseilles with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Montgomery.

NICHOLAS CASEY.

Nicholas Casey, dealer in real estate and in- surance in Streator, was born on a farm in Farm Ridge township, La Salle county, Illinois, Jan- uary 15, 1847, and is of Irish lineage. His par- ents, Nicholas and Sarah Jane (McGinnis) Casey, were natives of Ireland and were loyal ad- herents of the Catholic church. Crossing the Atlantic to America they reached Chicago in the year 1837-the same year in which the city was incorporated. Seeking employment in that lit- tle village, which was destined to become the metropolis of the west, he obtained work on the Illinois and Michigan canal, which was then in process of construction. Gradually he advanced toward La Salle and from that city made his way with his wife and one child on to the prairie, securing a claim of government land in Farm Ridge township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on the place but with characteristic energy he began its de- velopment and cultivation and in course of time added many modern improvements to the farm. which he continued to cultivate until his death in October, 1864. His widow survived until 1881 and upon the old homestead their family of eight children were reared. As pioneer settlers of the county Mr. and Mrs. Casey were widely known and their efforts were effective in promoting gen- eral progress and upbuilding. In the early days they endured many hardships and priva- tions incident to life on the frontier. The grain had to be hauled to Chicago with an ox team, for there were no railroads furnishing shipping fa- cilities. The work of the farm, too, was largely done by hand, for invention had not given to the world the modern agricultural implements. Mr. Casey belonged to that class of men to whom the

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modern generation owes a debt of gratitude for they laid broad and deep the foundation of the present progress and prosperity of the county.

Nicholas Casey, whose name introduces this record, was reared on the old home farm and ac- quired a common-school education in what was known as the Padyridge school, six miles north of Streator. In his boyhood days he remembers seeing droves of from forty to fifty head of deer. The last time he remembers seeing deer there were only three, being about ten years of age at that time. He was then engaged in herding cattle on the prairie. His uncle staked his dogs out on the prairies to keep the stock from destroying the grain, for the fields were unfenced. He also re- members crossing the Illinois river with his fa- ther, driving an ox team on a flatboat, for there were no bridges at the time. On one occasion Mr. Casey's mother went to Ottawa, crossing the Illinois river on the ice in the morning, but dur- ing the day the ice broke up, so that when she returned she had to be assisted in making her way over the stream by jumping from one cake of ice to another. Mr. Casey was but sixteen years of age when his father died and being the only son then at home he remained on the farm with his mother until he attained his majority. Coming into possession at that time of eighty acres of land in Farm Ridge township, he began agricul- tural pursuits on his own account and a life of industry, economy, untiring energy and diligence enabled him to extend the boundaries of his prop- erty from time to time until he was the owner of three hundred acres. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he was actively engaged in buying, feeding and ship- ping live stock and was one of a party of three who in June, 1884, shipped a consignment of ex- port steers direct from the farm to New York city. In May. 1883, Mr. Casey left the farm to become a resident of Streator, where he has since made his home and by the judicious investment of his capital he has largely increased his property holdings and now has valuable real estate in the city. He is engaged in real-estate and insurance business and has a good clientage in both departments.

On the 25th of November, 1869, Mr. Casey was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Louisa Con- ness, of Eagle township, La Salle county, a daughter of Jeffrey Conness, and a niece of ex- United States Senator Conness, of California. She died in Farm Ridge township, May 29, 1883, leaving five children : Mary Jane, Julia Loretta, Ellen Louisa, Frances Gertrude and Nicholas Bernard. On the 12th of January. 1885, Mr. Casey wedded Mary Elizabeth Howland, and they have one son, Gerard Henry, who was born

July 25. 1895. They are members of the Im- maculate Conception church of Streator.

Mr. Casey is perhaps best known as a leader in democratic circles, acting continuously and untiringly for the support and advancement of the party's interests. His personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that although living in a republican ward he was elected to the city council in the spring of 1889 and in 1891 was re-elected, serving for two terms to the satisfac- tion of his constituents and with credit to himself. On his retirement from office he became actively engaged in the sale of western lands, confining his efforts largely to lands in the northwest. In the spring of 1901 his fellow townsmen induced him to again become a member of the council and he is now serving for the fifth term as one of Streator's aldermen, representing the fourth ward. He has been strongly opposed to misrule in municipal affairs and his labors have been on the side of progress, reform and improvement. No man in public office escapes criticism and yet there are few men whose political integrity is as little questioned. He is a man of firm convic- tions, fearless in defense of what he believes to be right and has brought to the administration of the city's affairs the same keen judgment and practical experience and enterprise which char- acterize the management of his private business interests.

ANTHONY CUSTER.

Anthony Custer, devoting his time and energies to farming on section 35, Eagle township, owns eighty acres of land here and also cultivates another one hundred and fifty acre tract. He came to this county on the 12th of January, 1876, and has resided at his present home where he carries on a dairy but is mainly engaged in general farming. A native of Switzerland, he was born October 17. 1851, in the canton of St. Gallen, his parents being Anthony and Mary ( Maurer) Custer, both of whom died in Switz- erland before their son came to the United States. He was one of a family of five children and the only one who came to America. Between the ages of six and sixteen he attended school and then sought a home in the new world, being in- duced to take this step through the favorable reports which he had received from two aunts then living in Ottawa. He made his way at once to La Salle county, where he arrived with but seventy-five cents in his pocket. Soon, however, he lost that and was thus rendered quite penni- less. He immediately sought employment and

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worked by the month for nine years in Allen township, after which he made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Susanna McQuown.

Mrs. Custer is a daughter of Robert Mc- Quown, who died in Eagle township, February 22, 1860. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 19, 1791, and there spent his boyhood and youth. As a young man he traveled considerably and served as a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he held rank as a commissioned officer. Coming to La Salle county in early days he cast in his lot with its pioneer settlers and entered a claim on section 35, Eagle township. He built a log house near the present residence of Mr. Custer, having previously married in Ohio Miss Rachel Halderman, who died in their little log cabin, leaving two sons, William and Sherman, who are now residents of Streator.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 74

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