History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 75

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 19th of June, 1849, Robert McQuown wedded Anna Elizabeth Blackert, who was born in Hessen, Germany, February 8, 1822, and came to America when twenty-five years of age. Her parents had both died in Germany, where her two brothers remained. She came alone to the new world and after six weeks spent in New York city and two years passed in the state of New York, she made her way westward to Otta- wa, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. McQuown, here making her home until the death of her first husband. On the 25th of Jan- uary, 1862, she was again married, becoming the wife of Nicholas Muenster, who died in 1894. at the age of almost sixty-seven years. In 1868 they removed to section 15, Allen township, just east of the village of Ransom, and in 1886 became residents of Ottawa, renting their farm. In 1897 Mrs. Muenster removed to Eagle township, mak- ing her home with Mr. and Mrs. Muenster. By her first marriage she had five children. Mary Ellen is the wife of John Pennman, residing on section 35, Eagle township, and they have three children: Mrs. Anna Baldwin, of Davenport, Iowa ; James, making his home near Springfield, Illinois ; and Susie, at home. John McQuown, who died at his home on section 35, Bruce town- ship, February 2, 1883, left a widow and one daughter, Dora. Christian is the wife of Walter Hussey, residing at Lathrop, Clinton county, Missouri, and they have three children, Stella, Nora and Floyd. Lucy became the wife of Fenton Hussey, and died in 1894, leaving two children, Anna and Hanison Hussey, still living in Missouri. Susanna is now Mrs. Cuister and the youngest of the family.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Custer have been born two daughters : Bertha, now the wife of Herbert Miller, residing in Redding township, Livingston

county ; and Elizabeth, usually called Lizzie, now the wife of G. G. Gilbert, a merchant at River- side, a western suburban district of Streator.

In early manhood, carefully husbanding his resources and his earnings, Mr. Custer was at length enabled to purchase a farm by incurring somc indebtedness but he now has all this paid for and is well and comfortably situated in life. He has built a fine home on his place and has a well improved farm property, equipped with all modern conveniences. His attention is given to general farm labor and his efforts are attended with a measure of success that is very gratifying. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but though well informed on the questions and issues of the day is without political aspira- tion for office. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church and in the community where they reside they are held in high esteem by all with whom they have come in contact.

PATRICK MULLEN.

Patrick Mullen is practically living retired from active farm life, his home being on section 20, Farm Ridge township. He is the oldest resident of the township, the year of his arrival antedat- ing that of any other settler now found in the community. He emigrated to Illinois in 1843, having come from New York in company with Bronson Murray, for whom he had contracted to work for two years. A native of Ireland, Mr. Mullen was born in Belfast, in county An- trim, March 17, 1821. His father, who was a farmer of the Emerald isle, died when the son was only seven years of age and early in life Patrick Mullen began to work to earn his own living and to assist his widowed mother, for he was the only son in the family. He inherited a portion of the farm, which he sold upon attain- ing his majority and soon afterward he com- pleted his arrangements for seeking a home and fortune in America. Crossing the briny deep he landed in New York city, accompanied by his young wife and he there made the contract with Mr. Murray to come to Illinois. They crossed the lakes in the fall of 1843 to Chicago, at which place Mr. Murray purchased a team of horses, harness, wagon and other necessary equipment and thus they drove to La Salle county. Mr. Murray settled on section 18, Farm Ridge township, and had charge of his father's large iand holdings in La Salle county. Mr. Mullen helped survey many of the farms along the Vermillion river and elsewhere, and at the

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end of two years received payment for his serv- ices in land valued at five dollars per acre. He thus became owner of land on section 20, Farm Ridge township, and paid taxes thereon in the year 1844. Upon this place he has since made his home. He at first secured fifty-four acres of land, which was paid for, but he had neither stock nor machinery to work a farm. He began with ox teams and operated the land on shares for Mr. Murray. In the meantime he worked his own land and later borrowing the necessary money, built thereon a small house. With charac- teristic energy he continued the task of cultivat- ing and improving his farm and as the years went by placed it under a high state of cultiva- tion. Mr. Mullen brought from Chicago the first imported bull from England, it being the property of Bronson Murray's father, and was the first high grade animal brought into La Salle county. As the years went by Mr. Mullen added to his farm until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, together with town prop- erty in the village of Grand Ridge. He has also been engaged in the raising of stock and general farming until in later years, when he put aside the more arduous duties of the fields, giving his attention merely to the supervision of his property.

Mr. Mullen married Miss Eliza Morrow, whose people were of Scotch and Irish descent. She died June 28, 1886, leaving three children. John W., born December 31, 1844, enlisted in Feb- ruary, 1862, when but seventeen years of age, in the Fifty-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry under command of Colonel Cushman, and was wounded at Vicksburg. He returned home and afterward became a veterinary surgeon at Lafay- ette, Indiana, where he resided until his death. He left seven children, one of his sons, William E. Mullen, being the attorney general of the state of Wyoming, residing at Cheyenne. The death of John W. Mullen occurred July 12, 1905. James, born in 1848, was on the police force in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, and died in 1892, when about forty- four years of age. Catherine, born in June, 1850, married Henry Nagle, of this county, and died in 1888, leaving three children. Mary, born in 1855, is the wife of J. S. Locke, an agricul- turist of Farm Ridge township. Henry, born in 1859, is a farmer of Farm Ridge township. where he owns and cultivates ninety-five acres of land adjoining his father's place and also has one hundred and sixty acres in Webster county, Iowa. He married Miss Alice Wheatland, of this county and has four children, William, Francis, Loretta and Marie. Maggie, born in 1861, is the wife of George Singer, a resident

of Grand Rapids township and has one child. Several children of the family died in infancy.

Mr. Mullen has served as overseer of highways and built of logs some of the first bridges which were made over the sloughs in this county. He has never desired political office, however, pre- ferring to devote his attention to his farming interests. In the early days he freighted to and from Chicago and he is the oldest continuous. resident of the township, having been a witness of its growth and improvement for many years. He has been closely associated with many move- ments resulting beneficially to the county and with the work of early progress and improvement was associated, his labors being of direct and permanent good. Many pictures of pioneer life are indelibly impressed upon his memory and he relates many interesting incidents of the days when La Salle county was upon the western frontier.

JOSIAH M. O'NEIL.

Josiah M. O'Neil, now deceased, was proprie- tor of the first blacksmith shop in Streator and for many years was an active mechanic and hon- ored citizen here. He was born in West Vir- ginia, March 14, 1835, and died in Minnesota, March 16, 1889. His parents were Barney and Clarissa (White) O'Neil, both of whom were na- tives of West Virginia, the former born March IO, 1808, and the latter January 26, 1815. In 1837 they removed with their family to Illinois, where Barney O'Neil became a pioneer farmer and was also one of the old-time physicians of the locality. They made a settlement in McLean county, where the mother died. The father re- moved to La Salle county in 1848, settling on a farm a mile west of the present site of Streator. For more than a half century he remained a res- ident of this county, passing away January 26, 1815. In his family were nine children, but only two are now living-Nancy A., the widow of William Rainey, and a resident of Streator. and Mary C., who is the widow of Isaac Fris- bey, and resides in Topeka, Kansas.

Josiah M. O'Neil was only two years old when his parents left West Virginia and came to Illi- nois. When a youth of thirteen he accompanied his father to La Salle county and in 1859 he built the first house in Streator, on the banks of the Vermilion river, to which place his brother gave the name of Hardscrabble, by which name it was known until platted and then called Unionville. It was not until 1867 that Streator was laid out and the present name assumed. Having learned the blacksmith's trade, Mr. O'Neil built the first:

JOSIAH M. O'NEIL.

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blacksmith shop long before the present city of Streator was platted and here he followed his trade until 1884. His first shop stood on the present site of Coswell's dry-goods store. It has been removed, but is still one of the old land- marks of the city, being now at the corner of Hickory and Bloomington streets. Mr. O'Neil continued to work at his trade until 1884, when, on account of ill health, he retired from business and spent several years in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. In 1888 he bought a farm in Minnesota, to which he removed, and there his last days were passed. At one time he paid taxes on twenty thousand dollars' worth of real estate and in the years of his residence in this county he prospered, becoming one of its substantial citizens.

On the 26th of November, 1856, occurred the marriage of Josiah M. O'Neil and Miss Matilda Woodruff, who was born in Coldwater, Michi- gan, a daughter of John B. and Margery (Quick) Woodruff, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania. Removing to the middle west, they settled first in Michigan and afterward came to Illinois, taking up their abode in Eagle township at an early day. Both are now deceased. Mr. Woodruff was a blacksmith by trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil were born nine children: Paul M., now deceased ; Warren E., who is living in Streator ; James A., who has likewise departed this life ; Clarissa, living at East Grand Forks, Minnesota ; Ada J., who died September 3, 1885 ; Frank M., deceased; Maggie, living at Lake Crystal, Minnesota, and Tyler I. and Tina I., twins, the former residing upon a farm in Min- nesota, while the latter is living with her mother in Streator.

For many years Mr. O'Neil was prominent and influential in community affairs and was one of the first village trustees of Unionville, while later he became one of the first aldermen of the city of Streator. He was also the first fire chief of Streator and his efforts were ever of a prac- tical nature in regard to the improvement and development of his city or county. At an early day he was rated with the leading influential and prominent residents of his community and his opinions were often a decisive factor in molding public policy. He was the second man who was made a Mason in Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., the degree being conferred upon him in 1869. He was laid to rest with Masonic honors, his remains being brought back to Streator for interment, and more than eighty of his Masonic brethren attended the funeral in a body. He was a man of diligence and enterprise, working persistently and energetically in his busi- ness affairs, and the years brought him the suc-

cess which always crowns earnest, untiring labor. Mrs. O'Neil still survives her husband and now resides in Streator. She, too, is associated with many of the early events of the county and taught the first school in the Lost Lands in 1853, which section of the county is the Eagle township of the present day. She has been an interested wit- ness of the changes which time and hand have wrought and her memory forms a connecting link between her primitive past and the progres- sive present.

WILLIAM J. PARKS.

William J. Parks, engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in La Salle, his native city, was born in 1866, his parents being Joseph and Adelaide (Hankert) Parks, both of whom were natives of Belgium. The father was for a number of years foreman for the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Company, having come to La Salle in 1863. He died in 1870, at the age of forty- seven years and is still survived by his wife, who has married again and is now the widow of Peter Ellingen.

At the usual age William J. Parks entered the public schools and after attaining his majority worked for his stepfather, Peter Ellingen, in the Commercial Hotel, now known as Parks Hotel. He was in Mr. Ellingen's employ until 1889, when he became a partner in the enterprise un- der the firm style of Ellingen & Parks, being as- sociated in the ownership and management of the hotel until 1898, when he withdrew to engage in real-estate and insurance business. He has since continued in this line of activity with a large clientage, representing some twelve or more re- liable fire insurance companies, including the Ger- man Freeport, the Northwestern National, the Philadelphia Casualty, the Milwaukee Fire In- surance Company, the German Pittsburg, the National of Allegheny, the American Bonding Company of Baltimore, and the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. He likewise handles real estate and has negotiated many important property transfers. He has been a notary pub- lic since 1901, his appointment being one of the first official acts of Governor Yates.

In 1892 Mr. Parks was married in Warsaw, Illinois, to Gertrude K. Winkel, of that place. and they have three children. all born in La Salle. C. William, Matilda M. and Adolph J. In politics Mr. Parks is a socialist. He is one of the lead- ing business men of La Salle and a public-spirited citizen, who stands for progress and improve- ment in municipal affairs, for reform and ad-

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vancement. His interest centers in his native city and his co-operation can always be counted upon as a factor in any movement for its wel- fare or upbuilding.

WILLIAM C. FLICK.

William C. Flick, organizer, cashier and man- ager of the First National Bank of Ransom, is a young man of excellent executive force and business discernment, well known in moneyed circles in La Salle county. He was born in Ottawa, August 31, 1872, his parents being Michael and Pauline (Knoedler) Flick, the former a native of Belleville, Illinois, and the latter of Germany, whence she came to this coun- try with her parents in early childhood. Michael Flick was engaged in the conduct of a meat mar- ket for a number of years, but for the past twelve or fifteen years has been living retired. In the family were three children, of whom two sur- vive, William C. and Meta, the latter the wife of William T. Smith, of Paw Paw, Illinois.

At the usual age William C. Flick began his education, attending the grammar and high schools of Streator. He was graduated in the class of 1890 and entered upon his business ca- reer as messenger boy in the Union National Bank of Streator, serving for a year. He was afterward bookkeeper for two years and teller for eight years, and in December, 1901, he came to Ransom, where he organized the Ransoni Bank, conducted by the firm of Schoch Brothers & Flick. Mr. Flick took full charge of the busi- ness as cashier and manager, conducting the same up to the 5th of July, 1906, when the busi- ness was re-organized under the name of the First National Bank of Ransom. Of the new institution Mr. Flick is also cashier and manager and is one of the directors. The bank has been instituted upon a safe, conservative plan which awakens public confidence and has gained public support, and the institution is justly esteemed one of the strong and reliable financial concerns of this part of the county.

On the 3d of August, 1897, Mr. Flick was married to Miss Bessie Emerson Morgan, a daughter of John D. and El Mina (Emerson) Morgan, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father died in Ottawa, where for some time he had acted as a clerk in a mercantile establish- ment, and his widow passed away in Streator. In their family were a son and three daughters who yet survive: J. Emerson, resident of Chicago; Edith, the wife of C. K. Smith, living in Otta-

wa; Juanita, the wife of Professor S. S. Willis ; and Mrs. Flick.

Investigation into his social relations shows that Mr. Flick is a valued and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., and Streator chapter, No. 168, R. A. M. He was knighted in Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T., from which he demitted in March, 1906, to become a charter member of Streator commandery, No. 70. He is likewise identified with the Mystic Workers of Streator and with Allen camp, No. 1250, M. W. A., at Ransom. His political al- legiance is given to the republican party, but he is without aspiration for office, although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and, as every true American citizen should do, stands for general development and progress along those lines which contribute to civic virtue and pride. His entire life has been devoted to banking, with which he is familiar in all of its departments, and his thorough prelim- inary training well qualifies him for the success- ful conduct of the institution which he estab- lished and is now controlling.

CHARLES HOLL.

Charles Holl, agent for the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company at Streator, was born May 27, 1853, in Wittenberg, Germany, and was brought to America in 1854 by his parents, Lud- wig and Rosanna (Hagy) Holl, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, with un- faltering loyalty to his adopted land, enlisted for services in the Civil war in 1861 as a member of the Seventh Regiment of New York Volunteers and was wounded in battle, so that he died in the hospital at Fort Scott, Alexandria, in his for- ty-sixth year. His widow long survived and passed away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in her seventy-fourth year. In their family were three children a son and two daughters: Charles, Lena, the wife of Ernest Daub, living in Milwau- kee ; and Elizabeth, the wife of George Seitz, also of Milwaukee.

Charles Holl of this review was educated in the public schools of New York city, where he remained for twenty-six years. Having put aside his text-books he there learned the gilder's trade and spent ten years in one shop as a trusted and capable employe. In 1880 he was an alter- nate delegate to the republican national conven- tion held in Chicago, and this led him to the west. After the convention he went to Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, where he entered the service

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W. O Flick

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

of the C. H. Henning Brewing Company as trav- eling agent and collector, representing the com- pany for eighteen months. In February, 1882, he came to Streator and took charge of the busi- ness of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company at this place and has since been manager here.

Mr. Holl was married on the 24th of January, 1883, to Miss Sophia Braunlish, who was born in Peru, Illinois, February 27, 1858, and is a daughter of Herman and Emma Braunlish, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in 1833 and the latter in 1837. They were married April 15, 1856, and the mother passed away in 188I. They had but two children,

Mrs. Holl and Emogene, who was born March 14, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Holl have become the parents of one son, Charles L., who was born October 28, 1883, and is now pursuing a course in mechanical engineering in the Illinois State University.

Mr. Holl is not active in politics but was for- merly a stanch advocate of republican principles and was sent as an alternate delegate from New York to Chicago to attend the republican na- tional convention when James A. Garfield was nominated for the presidency. He now votes for the candidates whom he regards as best quali- fied for office without being bound by party ties. He feels that he has made no mistake in trans- ferring his business interests and residence to the middle west, for he has prospered in his under- takings here and is conducting extensive trade in- terests as a representative of the Schlitz Brewing Company.

CHRISTIAN KOETZ.

Christian Koetz is numbered among the worthy residents of La Salle county that Germany has furnished to the new world, his birth having oc- curred in the fatherland in 1848. His parents were Henry and Elsie Koetz, both natives of Germany, where they still reside. The father is a farmer by occupation and has thus provided for the support of his family, numbering a wife and five children : Christian, Elsie, Henry, Christina and Cornadena.

Under the parental roof Christian Koetz spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in the pub- lic schools acquired his education. He heard favorable reports concerning business opportuni- ties in the new world and, hoping that he might benefit his financial condition by removing to the United States, he bade adieu to home and friends in 1873 and landed in New York. He did not tarry in the eastern metropolis, however, but made his way at once to Illinois and worked at

farm labor in La Salle county for seven years. Ambitious, however, to engage in farming on his own account, he rented land in Otter Creek town- ship for three years, at the end of which time he had saved from his earnings capital sufficient to justify his purchase of the farm upon which he now lives on section 36, Grand Rapids town- ship. In 1903 he went to Oklahoma and pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of land, for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. He still owns it but could sell at a good profit. His landed interests in Grand Rapids township com- prise two hundred and forty acres and he not only engages in general farming but has also kept good stock, making a specialty of the raising of hogs. Everything about hs place is kept in good repair and the farm is well-improved property, equipped with all modern accessories and con- veniences.

Mr. Koetz was married in 1881 to Miss Mary Santelman, who was born in La Salle county in 1836, a daughter of Henry and Zophie Santel- man, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was seventy-one years of age at the time of his demise. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koetz have been born eight children: Rosie, Otto, Emma, Walter, Mike, Will, May and Lillie.

The parents are members of the German Methodist church and they occupy an enviable position in social circles in which they move, the hospitality of many of the best homes of their locality being freely accorded them. As a re- sult of Mr. Koetz's study of the political issues and questions of the day he now gives his allegi- ance to the republican party. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than realized, for in this country he found the opportunities he sought-which, by the way, are always open to ambitious young men. As the years have gone by he has carefully utilized the advantages which surround every individual and his prosperity has been won at the cost of earnest, self-denying labor.

JAMES WYLIE.

James Wylie, who departed this life July 31, 1895, was born in Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland, May 14, 1816, and was therefore in his eightieth year at the time of his demise. He had lived a life of activity and usefulness in which his fidelity to duty had won him the good will and confidence of his fellowmen. His parents were Alexander and Jean ( Allison) Wylie. The father died in Scotland and in 1852 the mother came to the United States with her son, James,

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her death occurring in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1875, when she was in her eighty-first year. In the family were seven sons, all of whom lived to be more than sixty-seven years of age, and there is a picture of the seven brothers that was taken in the fall of 1894. Three of the number are still living, namely: William, of Ottawa ; Allen, of Mendota, this county ; and Robert, who is liv- ing in Kansas City, Missouri. One brother, An- drew, died July 2, 1894; John, in 1899; and Alexander, January 13, 1905 ; Margaret, the only sister, never came to America and died over sixty years ago.

James Wylie spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his father's home, acquired his edu- cation in the public schools and remained a resi- dent of Scotland until 1852, when, bidding adieu to friends and native land, he came to the United States, making his way direct to La Salle county. He had made a trip to this country some years before and being pleased with the new world and its opportunities he resolved to make a permanent home here and purchased a farm in Ophir town- ship. Later he bought a farm in Waitham town- ship, La Salle county, whereon he resided for thirty years, devoting his time and energies assid- uously to the development and cultivation of his land, so that he harvested good crops year after year. At length he left the farm and for seven years prior to his death resided at Troy Grove. enjoying a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 75

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