History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 79

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 79

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John N. Shuler was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Mary E. Benner, of that state, who died November 9, 1904, after they had traveled life's journey happily together for more than a half century. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom eight are now living: Clarence, who is engaged in business at Wedron but makes

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his home in Ottawa ; J. B., of Chicago; Mrs. Min- nie Kendig, of Ottawa; Mrs. Maggie Freden- burg, of Ottawa; Mrs. Lydia Parkhurst, of St. Louis, Missouri ; William K., of Ottawa ; Charles G. and George B., both of Chicago. One child died when only a year old and a daughter, Kate, the wife of Dr. Downs, died in 1905.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Fredenburg is a Mason. He has attained the Knight Templar degree of the commandery and is also a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He has a very wide acquaintance in Ottawa and throughout the northern part of the state and is a popular, genial gentleman, with a host of warm friends and nowhere is he held in higher esteem than in his native city.

F. H. WHIPPLE.

F. H. Whipple, engaged in farming on section 29, Waltham township, was born July 7, 1836, in the town of Putnam, now a part of the city of Zanesville, Ohio, his parents being Warner and Phoebe ( Brown) Whipple. He is a repre- sentative of one of the early and prominent Ohio families, the name having long been an honored one in the Buckeye state. His paternal grandfather, Levi Whipple, was born in Connecti- cut but removed westward, settling in Ohio about 1788 or 1789. He took up his abode in Marietta and lived in a block house for a time in order to have protection against the Indians, for the district was wild and unimproved and in fact was a pioneer settlement upon the western frontier. Later he removed to Zanesville and became one of the founders of the city. It was there that Warner Whipple, father of our subject, was reared to manhood and he was intimately as- sociated with the growth and development of the state, his business enterprise and activity con- tributing in substantial measure to its growth and material progress. Levi Whipple built and operated a large flouring mill in Putnam near the junction of the Muskingum and Licking rivers and was one of the prominent business men of Zanesville in the early '30s. Warner Whipple continued a resident of Ohio until 1851, when he came to Illinois settling in La Salle county and purchased the farm upon which his son, F. H. Whipple now resides. It was at that time wild and unimproved land but with charac- teristic energy he began its development and cultivation and in the course of years made it a good property, the richly cultivated fields bringing him an excellent financial return.

F. H. Whipple spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native county and then ac- companied his parents on their removal to La Salle county, Illinois, being further reared in this locality. He remained at home until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he en- listed at La Salle as a private in Company H, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry under com- mand of Colonel W. H. L. Wallace and Captain Coats. The work of this regiment forms a part of the military history of the state and reflects the utmost credit upon the loyal, devoted sons who constitute its membership. The command participated in many important and hotly contested battles, i its members al- ways acquitting themselves with credit in

the face of the enemy. Mr. Whipple served all through the war with the Eleventh Regiment and participated in the battles of Fort Henry and Donelson, of Shiloh and the siege of Vicksburg, resulting in its surrender. At Liverpool Heights he was shot in the forehead, the ball crushing the outer wall of the skull but glancing upward. Mr. Whipple continued with his command until after the close of hostili- ties and then received an honorable discharge at New Orleans in September, 1865, at which time he was serving with the rank of sergeant major. Like the other members of the Eleventh Illinois Infantry he made an excellent military record and never faltered in his devotion to the old flag and the cause it represented.

Returning to his home Mr. Whipple has since been identified with farming interests in La Salle county. He was married June 29, 1893, to Miss Charlotte F. Fairfield, a daughter of Samuel and Josephine ( McVean) Fairfield. This union has been blessed with two children, War- ner and Josephine.

Mr. Whipple still owns a very valuable and productive farm in Waltham township, which indicates careful supervision in its neat and thrifty appearance. This farm is largely devoted to the growing of grain and excellent crops are annually produced. His life has been given to agricultural interests in Waltham township and he now lives upon the old farm homestead, where his father located fifty-three years ago. .

LOUIS NATER.

Louis Nater, assistant cashier of the Streator National Bank and three times city treasurer, is thus a factor in public affairs in La Salle county. He is a native son of Illinois, having been born in Aurora, November 2, 1865, and when but two

F. H WHIPPLE

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years of age was taken by his parents to the city of La Salle. He is a son of Dr. John H. and Wilhelmina (Bertalott) Nater, the former a na- tive of Switzerland and the later of Germany. Dr. Nater came to America in 1861 and was married in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Miss Bertalott. After a residence of a few years in Aurora, he removed his family to La Salle and in February, 1878, took up his abode in Streator. For a long pe- riod he was engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery but is now living retired. Unto him and his wife were born the following children : Louis; Lizzie, the wife of Thomas Jenkins ; Leo- nora; Emma, who died in 1901; Minnie; Otto H. ; and Herman H., who is teller in the Streator National Bank.

Louis Nater has resided in Streator from the age of twelve years and his education, gained in the schools of La Salle, was continued in this city, although he has never attended school from the age of thirteen years. He is, however, a self-educated man, who has added largely to his knowledge through reading, experience and ob- servation. He possesses an observing eye and retentive memory and has kept in touch with current events and the questions of general inter- est. On the Ioth of October, 1878, when a youth of thirteen, Mr. Nater began work as a cash boy in the store of D. Heenan & Company and grad- ually worked his way upward, his ability, fidelity and trustworthiness winning ready recognition until he served as cashier, head bookkeeper and credit man. He was with the house continuously for about fourteen years or until the 4th of May, 1892, when he resigned, and the following day entered the Streator National Bank as book- keeper. In January, 1901, he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier, which has been his connection with the bank since that time.

Mr. Nater was married September 24, 1889, to Miss Mabel Smith, who was born near Streator, May 7, 1868, a daughter of Nelson and Charlotte (Taylor) Smith. She came with her uncle, Dr. Charles R. Taylor, to Streator when about twelve years of age and after acquir- ing her education engaged in teaching school for two or three years prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Nater occupy an enviable position in social circles and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

In his political views Mr. Nater is a democrat and was elected upon that ticket to serve for three terms as city treasurer, being first chosen for the office in 1893. He retired in 1895 and after an interval of two years was again elected, serving until 1899. He was elected for a third term in 1903 and in 1905 again retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and

good will of all concerned. For four years he has been a member of the high-school board, having first been elected to fill a vacancy as a successor of George A. Schmid. He has twice been elected and has also served as a member of the park commission. Deeply interested in all things which are a matter of civic pride and civic virtue, he has stood for progress, reform and improvement in municipal affairs and his co-operation has been no unimportant ele- ment for the advancement of Streator. The prin- ciples which permeate his life are indicated by the fact of his membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, Finley lodge, No. 182, K. P., and the Park Presbyterian church. He takes an active and helpful interest in church work, serving as elder and treasurer of the Park church and also as superintendent of the Finley mission. His life record is notable from the fact that from the humble position of cash boy he has worked his way steadily upward until he is well known in financial circles, while all recog- nize the value of his efforts and co-operation in those movements which tend to promote public progress as well as those which uplift humanity and work for righteousness, justice and truth.

CHARLES H. CROOK.

Charles H. Crook, a dairyman and farmer lo- cated just south of Ottawa, where he owns and operates one hundred and seventy-four acres of land, was born in South Ottawa township, No- vember 24, 1863, his parents being Sylvanus and Elizabeth (Farnsworth) Crook, the latter a daughter of Daniel Farnsworth, who died about 1867. The Farnsworth family was established in this county in 1832, coming from the east, and thus the name has been inseparably inter- woven with the history of development and prog- ress from pioneer times down to the present. Mrs. Crook, the mother of our subject, died in 1881. Sylvanus Crook was for a long period a merchant of La Salle county, establishing a drug store at South Ottawa, which he conducted sev- eral years. Later he owned a number of farms and at one time a large part of what is now the city of South Ottawa was in his possession. His first wife died when quite young, leaving a daugh- ter, who passed away at the age of ten years. Mr. Crook served as justice of the peace and was widely known as Squire Crook. He took an active part in public affairs, was a respected citi- zen and all who knew him entertained for him high regard. His residence here covered a long period, for he arrived in 1834, having come from

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Clinton county, New York. The city of Ottawa at that time contained only a few houses and county was but sparsely settled. He passed away July 7, 1871, at the age of seventy years, three months and ten days, his birth having occurred March 27. 1801. His wife survived him about twelve years, passing away April 22, 1883, at the age of sixty years, seven months and six- teen days. In the family were two daughters : Mrs. Lucy A. Pool, who resided at Paxton, Illi- nois, and died in 1905 ; and Minnie, now living in Paxton.

Charles H. Crook, the only son, was reared in South Ottawa township and has always re- sided on his present farm. It is a finely im- proved property and about ten years ago he erected a beautiful modern residence. As stated, his attention is given to dairying and general farming and until the past three years he ran a wagon for the delivery of his dairy products. He operates one hundred and seventy-four acres of land, which he owns on sections 23 and 24 and he keeps about one hundred head of cows, the milk being distributed to the retail trade throughout Ottawa. He has thus been engaged in business for ten years and his labors are bring- ing to him a richly merited measure of prosperity.

On the 23d of December, 1885. Mr. Crook was united in marriage to Miss Lillian M. Stumph, who was born July 26, 1868, in South Ottawa. She died June 24, 1894, leaving four children, three of whom are yet living: Thomas S., born December 19, 1886; Madge E., born June 17, 1889; and Buell C., September 5, 1891. The youngest son, Carter H., born January 19, 1893, died on the 8th of March, 1896. On the 24th of September, 1896, Mr. Crook was married to Miss Lucy B. Stumph, a sister of Lillian M., and a daughter of Thomas B. Stumph, who formerly served as deputy under Sheriffs Stevens and Mc- Intyre. He was born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, August 30, 1843, a son of William and Nancy Stumph, who came to La Salle county in 1857, bringing their family with them. William and Nancy Stumph both died in South Ottawa, the former August 20, 1880, and the latter Jan- uary 15, 1901. In addition to his service as dep- uty sheriff Thomas B. Stumph acted as station agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at South Ottawa, making his home to- ward the south end of State street, where he owned quite a tract of land largely planted to fruit. He served four years in the Civil war, enlisting as a drummer boy in Company B, Fifty- third Illinois Infantry. He died March 2, 1884. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah J. Mills, was born June 15, 1840, in Staffordshire, England, a sister of Daniel C. Mills, and a

daughter of Daniel Mills, who came to this county at a very early period in its set- tlement. Mrs. Stumph still survives her hus- band and resides at No. 403 State street, South Ottawa. By her marriage she had six children : Lillian M., who was the first wife of Mr. Crook; Lucy B., who was born May 13, 1872, and is the present wife of Mr. Crook; Gertrude H., who was born September 13. 1874, and died in in- fancy ; Helen M., who was born July 25, 1877, and died in childhood; Rufus T., who was a twin of Helen and died when only a few months old; and Gretta M., who was born November 17, 1878, and is the wife of William Metzler, re- siding at No. 403 State street. They have one son, Howard P. Metzler, born June 2, 1905. Thomas B. Stumph was an early resident of the county, coming here in his childhood days.

Politically Mr. Crook is independent and for three years he served as supervisor of South Ottawa township, discharging his duties in prompt and capable manner. In his fraternal relations he is a Modern Woodman and his wife is a member of the Congregational church. They both have many warm friends in the community and those who know them entertain for them genuine regard.

VICTOR ANDRE MATTESON.

Victor Andre Matteson, an architect with of- fices in La Salle and in Chicago, was born in the latter city in 1872, his parents being Andre and Ellen C. (McAughten) Matteson. The father, a native of New York, died at Highland Park, Illinois, in 1904, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away in 1894, at the age of fifty-six years. At the time of his death the father was editor of the Legal Advertiser, a law publica- tion of Chicago, and had previously for many years been editor of the Chicago Times before it was merged into the paper known as the Times- Herald.

Victor A. Matteson, the only one of the three children of the family residing in La Salle, ac- quired his preliminary education in the public schools, of Evanston and afterward attended the University of Illinois, from which he was grad- uated in the class of 1895, having taken a com- plete course in architecture. He was thus well qualified for the profession which he had chosen as a life work and following his graduation he became connected with the firm of Sheply, Rutan & Coolidge, architects of Chicago. ; He was afterward with Jenney & Mundie, and subse- quently with Frost & Granger, all of Chicago.

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In severing his connection with the last named firm he practiced his profession alone in Chicago, his last work in that citv being the supervision of the construction of the Rock Island Railroad station, one of several notable buildings of the city, of which Mr. Matteson was superintendent of construction. He removed to La Salle in 1903 and since that time has been the architect of many residences and business blocks here, drawing the plans for such structures as the Manual Train- ing School and all of the buildings at Deer Park, which are owned by F. W. Matthiessen, the Tribune Building, L. V. Orsinger's wholesale building, the city hall, public library and many others. He has met with much success during his connection with the business interests of La Salle and is greatly esteemed here.

Mr. Matteson is a stalwart republican but with- out aspiration for office. His interest in the city, however, leads to active co-operation in many movements for the public good. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Deer Park Country Club, of which he was at one time a director, while in other organizations he has also held of- fice. In the line of his profession he is connected with the American Institute of Architects and the Chicago Architects' Club and is making con- tinued advancement in his chosen field of labor, having already attained a position of distinction as one whose skill is of a superior order.

SAMUEL A. McFEELY.

The business interests which contribute in substantial measure to the progress and commer- cial prosperity of the city of Streator find a worthy representative in Samuel A. McFeely, who is vice president, superintendent and man- ager of the J. C. Ames Lumber Company. He has been identified with this enterprise since 1880 and since 1891 has held his present connection with the business.

A native of Massachusetts, Mr. McFeely was born in Woburn in May, 1844, his parents being James and Eliza (Ash) McFeely. The father was born in Ireland, where he spent his youth and acquired his education. He was in his nine- teenth year when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Massachusetts, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Ash, whose hand he successfully sought in marriage. She was a daughter of Captain Samuel Ash, who served in the attack on the East Indies. Mr. and Mrs. McFeely were married in Boston, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, erecting many stores and dwellings in that city.

Samuel McFeely spent his youth in the city of his nativity and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he passed through success- ive grades until he had completed the high-school course. His spirit of patriotism being aroused by the attempt of the-south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company K, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, under com- mand of Colonel P. S. Davis. He was with the army for three years and participated in the bat- tle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Har- bor, Petersburg and several minor engagements and following the surrender of the Confederate troops was honorably discharged in June, 1865, having done a soldier's full duty in defense of the cause which he espoused.

For a brief period after the war Mr. McFeely resided in Woburn, Massachusetts, but later made his way to the west and became identified with building operations in Topeka, Abilene, Emporia and Eldorado, Kansas, as a contractor and build- er. After six years spent in the Sunflower state he returned to Massachusetts and afterward passed a year in Canada. On coming to Illinois, he located in Dwight, where he remained until 1872, the year of his arrival in Streator. He was here identified with building interests until 1877 and erected many important structures including the Methodist Episcopal church and various busi- ness houses and residences. In 1880 he entered the employ of the J. C. Ames Lumber Com- pany and his ability won him promotion. In- vesting in the stock of the company, he was made vice president in 1891 and has also been super- intendent and general manager since that year, the growth and success of the business being largely attributable to his enterprise, executive force and able management. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the lumber trade and in fact his activity as a builder well qualified him for the work which he undertook and the business methods employed by the house have secured for them unqualified confidence and a large measure of public support.

In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Sam- uel A. McFeely and Miss Mary Close, a daugh- ter of James and Elizabeth Close, of Livingston county, Illinois. They have an attractive home justly celebrated for its warm-hearted hospital- ity. In community affairs Mr. McFeely is inter- ested and has served as a member of the city council and of the school board, while his ballot supports the men and measures of the repub- lican party. He is also prominent in Masonry, belonging to Streator lodge, No. 607. A. F. & A. M .; Streator chapter, No. 168, R. A. M .; and Streator commandery, No. 70, K. T., of which he is now eminent commander. He also affiliates with Streator post, No. 68, G. A. R.,

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and is past junior vice commander of the de- partment of Illinois. During his residence in Streator, covering a period of more than a third of a century, he has borne an unassailable repu- tation for business ability and integrity and for loyal citizenship that is the logical sequence of his service in defense of the Union.

SIMON SMITH.

Simon Smith, manufacturer of fine cigars, has been engaged in this line of business in Ottawa for thirty years. In an analyzation of his charac- ter and life work we note many of the character- istics which have marked the German nation for many centuries, the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquerable determination to pur- sue a course that has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained for Mr. Smith success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Ottawa.

A native of Germany, he was born in 1846 and is a son of Peter Smith, who in 1854 crossed the Atlantic to America with his family and settled in Chicago, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Simon Smith was at that time a youth of about eight years. He was educated in the schools of Chicago and learned the cigar-maker's trade there, since which time he has followed that pursuit. About thirty years ago he came to Ottawa and entered the employ of A. Hess, with whom he continued for twenty- two years, working his way steadily upward as he displayed his proficiency and capability. No higher testimonial of able service could be given than the fact that he was so long retained in one employ. During the past eight years he has en- gaged in business on his own account and is now located at No. 209 West Main street, where he is extensively and successfully engaged in the man- ufacture of fine cigars. His special brands are Factory No. 5, Hess Own Brand (a ten cent cigar), Key West Havana, My Own Brand and Leaders. He employs five men and they manu- facture about three hundred thousand cigars per vear or five thousand per week. The output is sold all over the country as far west as California and the business is now quite large and profitable. He sells at retail and wholesale, dealing in all kinds of tobacco as well as cigars, and he is well known to the trade, having many patrons who are large dealers.

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Charlotte Pickham, who was born near Utica, La Salle county, and they have four interesting children :

Joseph W., Charles P., Helena S. and Michael J. In politics Mr. Smith is independent. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. They reside at No. 513 Fillmore street at the corner of Main street and have a pleasant and attractive home. Mr. Smith is one who believes in enjoying what he earns and not selfishly hoarding it. He was the owner of the first automobile in Ottawa and he has just appreciation for the social side of life, at the same time never neglecting his busi- ness interests nor public duties. He is a charter member of the Cigar Makers' Union and of the National Union, which he joined in 1864. His success is due undoubtedly in large measures to the fact that he has persevered in the line of business in which he embarked as a young trades- man and along modern business lines he has developed his enterprise until he is today one of the substantial residents of the city.

UTICA HYDRAULIC CEMENT COM- PANY.

The Utica Hydraulic Cement Company and the Utica Cement Manufacturing Company are two of the important industrial concerns of La Salle county. The business plants are located at Utica, and Norman J. Cary is secretary, treasurer and general manager of both, the other officers be- ing: M. J. Clark, president ; C. A. Cary, vice president ; and J. F. Blakeslee, general superin- tendent.

The Utica Hydraulic Cement Company was organized in 1883, since which time Norman J. Cary has occupied his present official position. The business was capitalized for three hundred thousand dollars and a small plant was built, the annual shipments at first representing one hun- dred thousand dollars. Since then the business has continually increased until the shipment rep- resents annually more than a half million dol- lars. Employment is furnished to between sev- enty and one hundred workmen. The plant is located at the village of Utica, and fine shipping facilities are enjoyed, the business being conve- niently situated near the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad and along the line of the Illi- nois and Michigan Canal as well. The Utica plant turns out two thousand barrels of cement per day and the lower mill has a capacity of fif- teen hundred barrels per day.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 79

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