History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 82

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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Fred Gleim came to this country with his parents in 1835, the family taking passage on a sailing vessel which weighed anchor at Bremen and eventually reached Baltimore, Maryland. There the family home was maintained for five years, the father being a cabinet-maker, which trade he followed in that city. In the spring of 1840 he removed with his family to Pittsburg, making the journey by wagon, and there took passage on a boat down the Ohio river to Cairo, Illinois. He proceeded thence up the Missis- sippi river to St. Louis and up the Illinois river to Ottawa, where he lived for a short time, when through the advice of Joseph Glover he located in what is now Farm Ridge township, purchasing eighty acres of land, on which he built a small house in the midst of the wild and unimproved prairie. He employed Robert Blackwell to break ten acres of land for him, which he planted to wheat, and as time advanced he continued the work of developing and improving his farm prop- erty, upon which he continued to make his home until within five years of his death. He would

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haul his wheat to the Chicago market with ox teams and he met the varied experiences and dif- ficulties of frontier life in the early days when there were no railroads or means of rapid trans- portation. As the years passed by, however, he prospered and in course of time became the owner of a good farm. He and his family were mem- bers of the German Lutheran church and his po- litical allegiance was given to the democracy, his views being in harmony with Jacksonian principles.

Fred Gleim spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and was a young lad of about eleven years when the family came to Illinois. Here he assisted in the arduous task of cultivating a new farm, sharing with the family in the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier. When twenty-two years of age he started out on his own account after having attended school, which was held in an old log building, while through the summer months he worked in the fields and thus assisted his father in reclaiming the land for the purpose of culti- vation. When he started out for himself Mr. Gleim purchased forty acres of land, becoming owner of this tract in 1851. It is located in Farm Ridge township and he paid fifty dollars for the entire amount. He still owns the property, which is now very valuable. In the winter of 1850-51 and 1851-52 he worked in the pineries of Michigan and in the spring of 1852 went to California, making the overland journey with ox teams. He paid one hundred dollars to join the train but walked, driving cattle and standing on guard when needed. It required six months to complete the trip across the long stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes, but at length their eyes were gladdened by the sight of the green valleys of the Pacific coast. Mr. Gleim remained in California until 1855, when he returned by steamer to New York city. He made some money through mining ventures in California and with a sum that enabled him to gain a good start in business life in La Salle county he invested in land here and continued his farming operations with excellent success. From time to time as his financial resources in- creased he added to his realty holdings until they aggregated fourteen hundred and fifty acres in this county. In addition to tilling the soil and raising the crops best adapted to the climate he also engaged successfully in feeding stock and as the years passed his labor brought to him a high measure of prosperity and he became one of the wealthy agriculturists of the community.

On the 13th of March, 1856, Mr. Gleim was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Small, who was born October 21, 1832, in Germany

and is a daughter of Conrad and Christine Small, whose only child was Mrs. Gleim. Fol- lowing the death of her first husband Mrs. Small married Jacob Hess and in 1852 Mrs. Gleim came to this country with her mother and step- father. They lived in Buffalo, New York, for about four years, Mr. Hess there following the baker's trade. On the expiration of that period they came to Illinois, settling in La Salle county upon a farm in Farm Ridge township. Mr. Hess at first rented land but finally purchased a tract, to which he added as opportunity offered until he had about six hundred acres of valuable land, the greater part of which he improved, transforming it into very productive fields. In 1899, Mr. Gleim retired from the farm and purchased a home in Streator, where he is now living. He has given each of his sons one hundred and sixty acres of land and to each of his daughters one hundred and twenty acres of land and thus has been very generous with his children, giving them an excellent start in life.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gleim have been born ten children and the record is remarkable, in that the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Christina is the wife of John Schroder and resides upon the old homestead. Louis married Tressie McKering. Fred wedded Miss Lena Benckendorf. Mary is the wife of John Alband, a hardware merchant of Streator. Kate is the wife of George Duder. Annie is the wife of Alvin Wakey, a farmer residing northeast of Streator. John married Lizzie Hoff- man and follows farming four miles northeast of Grand Ridge. Henry married Sadie Mor- rison and is an agriculturist living five miles north of Streator. William wedded Ora Hornick and resides on the old Gleim homestead six miles northeast of Streator. Lillie is the wife of Theodore Scharfenberg, of Galesburg, Illinois.

A most pleasant event in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Gleim was the celebration of their golden wedding on the 13th of March, 1906, on which occasion all of their ten children and twenty-one grandchildren besides many friends were present. They were made the happy recipients of many beautiful presents and the occasion was one long to be remembered by all who participated in it. Mr. Gleim is now seventy-eight years of age, while his wife has reached the age of seventy-three years. The family are members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Gleim has never cared for public office and in politics has cast his ballot for the best men rather than for party. He has been a resident of this county since the spring of 1840 and has seen it developed from a wild country to a rich agricultural dis- trict, containing thousands of good homes and

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many growing towns inhabited by an industrious, prosperous, enlightened and progressive people. He has also participated in and assisted in the slow persistent work of development which was necessary to produce the change that has been wrought in this part of the state.

PHILIP HOLLER.

Philip Holler, who after many years of active connection with agricultural interests is now liv- ing retired, was born in Germany, September 27, 1820, but was reared in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and has been a resident of La Salle county since 1847, being therefore numbered among its pioneer residents. He is a son of Christian and Elizabeth Holler, who came with their family and four other families from Penn- sylvania to Illinois. For a year they lived in Knox county and then removed to La Salle county, locating in what is now Dimmick town- ship.

Philip Holler was in limited financial circum- stances at that time and, starting out in life upon his own account, he worked by the day until he could purchase a team, after which he rented a farm. About 1867 he moved to a farm on section 31. Dimmick township, and in 1868 located on his present farm, where he now owns one hundred and sixty-nine acres on section 19, Dimmick township, and the place is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He has been very successful as a hog grower, making most of his money in that way. Nearly all of the improvements upon the farm stand there as monuments to his enterprise, business capacity and diligence. He has laid many rods of tiling and thus drained the land, rendering it very rich and arable. In all of his farm work he has been practical and his labors have resulted in the acquirement of a handsome competence.

As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Mr. Holler was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ott, of Pennsylvania, and unto them have been born ten children, namely: Martha, Samuel, Mary, Emma, Elizabeth, Frank, Hattie, Ella, Harmon and George. Elizabeth and George are now deceased. The daughter, Mar- tha, is the widow of George Hochlander and re- sides upon her father's farm, acting as his house- keeper. Frank farms his father's place.

In his political views Mr. Holler has always been a democrat since becoming an American citizen and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as road commissioner and for fifteen years was school

(lirector. while for twelve years he was town- ship trustee. In the Masonic fraternity he has attained the Knight Templar degree, belonging to St. John's commandery, No. 13. He has oc- cupied various offices in the lodge but is now living retired from all cares of a public nature, enjoying life amid comforts and luxuries that were gained through his own labor and dili- gence. He deserved much credit for what he has accomplished since coming to the new world, for here he has put forth earnest and unfaltering effort, overcoming obstacles and difficulties in his path and working his way steadily upward. Moreover he has manifested business attributes that are worthy of emulation and commenda- tion and naught has ever been said against his business integrity.

EDWIN C. ALLEN.

Edwin C. Allen, whose name appears upon the roll of Ottawa's honored dead, was at one time mayor of the city and was for years president of the National City Bank. Closely associated with public progress and improvement his ef- forts were ever of a tangible character, becom- ing resultant factors in the city's welfare and growth. He was recognized as a high type of our American citizenship, a man fearless in de- fense of his honest convictions, reliable in busi- ness and trustworthy under all circumstances and conditions.

A native of New York, Mr. Allen was born in Rochester, in November, 1820, his parents be- ing Asa and Lucy ( Cutler ) Allen. His grand- father, Philip Allen, a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Vermont, while the Cutlers were of an old Massachusetts family.

Edwin C. Allen acquired a high-school and academic education in his native city and after putting aside his text-books sought a home in the middle west, going to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he was employed as a clerk in a bank. Later he went to Wisconsin, where he embarked in merchandising at Allen's Grove, Walworth county, which place was named in honor of his father and uncles. There he resided until 1852, when he arrived in La Salle county, Illinois, and for three or four years thereafter was cashier of a bank in Peru. In 1856 he took up his abode in Ottawa, where he turned his attenion to the banking business as a member of the firm of Eames, Allen & Company. In 1865 the National City Bank of Ottawa was organized, Mr. Allen serving as president and principal manager of the institution for many years. Under his guid-

FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE PHILIP HOLLER FAMILY.

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ance it became one of the safe, reliable and pros- perous financial concerns of the county and his name became synonymous with financial integri- ty and enterprise.

Mr. Allen was married to Miss Mary C. Cham- pion, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, the wedding being celebrated on the 20th of July, 1845. They became the parents of four chil- dren, Kate, Edith C., Emma and Edwin C. For years he had figured prominently in public life. wielding a wide influence because of his weight of character, his sagacity and deep interest in progressive public measures. He served for several years as city treasurer and in 1885 was chosen mayor of Ottawa, giving to the city a public-spirited, business-like, practical and ef- ficient administration. He was a stanch repub- lican and his opinions often proved a decisive factor in the local councils of his party. For years he was an active Odd Fellow but after re- moving to Ottawa took no active part in the or- ganization. The family have long attended the Congregational church, of which they have been liberal supporters. Viewed from any standpoint his life may be said to have been a success. For several decades he was closely identified with the history of the city and his name is inseparably connected with its financial records. He was a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and his executive ability and excellent manage- ment brought to the concern of which he was the head a high degree of success. The safe, con- servative policy which he inaugurated com- mended itself to the judgment of all and he se- sured a patronage which made the volume of busi- ness transacted over the counters of the National City Bank of great importance and magnitude. In the counting-room he was resolute, possessing a firmness and decision of character, which, how- ever, never degenerated into stubbornness or im- pulsive haste. In social life he was a courteous and affable gentleman and above all, wherever found, whether in public or private relations, his integrity was above question and his honor above reproach. Ottawa owes much to him and num- bered him among her valued citizens.

EDMUND W. WEIS, M. D.

Dr. Edmund W. Weis, practicing in Ottawa along modern scientific lines with ability .that shows that he is in touch with the advanced thought of the profession, was born in Henry. Marshall county, Illinois, July 30, 1856. He is a son of Valentine and Katherine (Klein) Weis, both of whom were natives of Germany and in

1837 came to Illinois, settling in Marshall coun- ty near Henry. At one time Mr. Weis owned the greater part of the land bordering Weis lake, which was named in his honor, and there he ex- tensively and successfully carried on general farming, but in 1854 he abandoned agricultural pursuits and removed to Henry, where he en- gaged in the lumber business for a number of years. He afterward became connected with the grocery trade and was thus associated with commercial interests of this city until his life's labors were ended in death.

Dr. Weis, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his literary education in the public schools of Henry and then prepared for the practice of medicine in the Missouri Med- ical College at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in the class of 1877. He located for practice in St. Louis, where he was also engaged in hospital work for two years, thus adding to his theoretical knowledge broad practical experience that has been of immense value to him in his later professional service. He came to Ottawa in 1879 and for a number of years has been surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company here. He was also coroner of La Salle county for one term. His private practice is large and of an important character and indicates his thorough knowledge of the principles of the medical science together with correct application to the needs of suffering humanity. He is recognized as one of the leaders in his profession in this part of the state and is physician in charge at the Ryburn Hospital and also commissioner of health of the city of Ottawa. Dr. Weis is a member of the leading medical societies, also of the National As- sociation of Microscopists. He is a fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society, of London, Eng- land, and has made many important tests in the line of microscopical investigation, having some valuable modern instruments for this work. He is considered an authority in this specialty. He is president of the United States board of pen- sion examiners, is ex-president of the La Salle County Medical Society and is secretary of the Illinois State Medical Society. With all of the local medical societies he is identified and also with the Chicago Medical Society, the Physicians' Club of Chicago and the American Medical As- sociation. His research and investigation have been carried on along lines of modern thought as advanced by the profession and along original lines as well and he has continually broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency.

Dr. Weis was married April 12, 1888, to Miss Florence Helen Nash, who was born in Ottawa and is a daughter of John F. and Lura ( Pennell)

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Nash. Both the Doctor and his wife have a wide social acquaintance in Ottawa, their circle of friends being an extensive one. It is well that Dr. Weis finds genuine interest in his profession which is to a greater and greater extent making demands upon his time and energies. Anything that tends to bring the key to that complex mys- tery which we call life is of interest to him and he is today thoroughly well versed in scientific knowledge concerning the practice of medicine and surgery.

LUTHER B. TILLSON.

Luther B. Tillson, a retired farmer living in the village of Earlville, was for many years actively identified with agricultural interests and through his careful management of the farm he won the success that he is now enjoying in the shape of many comforts which go to make life worth living. He was born in Halifax, Ply- mouth county, Massachusetts, August 3, 1829, his parents being Welcome and Leah (Tower) Tillson, both of whom were natives of Massachu- setts. They removed to Hampshire county, that state, when their son Luther was a lad of five years and there he was reared, remaining there until twenty-five years of age, when he deter- mined to seek a home in the middle west to enjoy the opportunities of the new but rapidly developing country. It was on the 15th of October that he arrived in La Salle county. During the seven years previous he had worked in the timber and at whatever employment he could get to do and had saved about five hun- dred dollars. With this he purchased eighty acres of prairie land and engaged in farming. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and plant the crops and as he prospered he added to his farm from year to year until he now owns a valuable property of two hundred and forty acres. This is one of the best farms in Meriden township, upon which are first class buildings and all modern equipments. He car- ried forward his work along practical yet pro- gressive lines and was extensively engaged in raising stock and in dairying. He bought and fed cattle and hogs on quite a large scale. For thirty-two years he lived upon this farm and was actively engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He then removed to Earlville but is still managing the farm. being recognized as a man of excellent business discernment and sound judgment. Ten years ago he erected one of the most beautiful homes in Earlville on South Otta- wa street, which he is now occupying.

On the 30th of December, 1858, Mr. Tillson

was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Wiley, who was born in Maine on the 13th of March, 1840, and is a daughter of Hiram and Amanda Wiley, who came from Skowhegan county, Maine, in 1850 and located in Freedom town- ship, La Salle county. Seven years later they removed to Meriden township, where they made their home upon a farm. There Mrs. Wiley died but her husband's death occurred in California. Mr. and Mrs. Tillson have three children. Frederick H., who was born in 1859, married Miss Harriet Hubbard and is now engaged in business as a wholesale fruit and vegetable mer- chant at Rockford, Illinois. Edward, born in 1863, is an attorney at Naperville and also has a Chicago office and is a graduate of the Chicago Law School. Mabel is the wife of H. H. Town, a resident of Earlville.

In politics Mr. Tillson has always been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party. He has never aspired to office but has held some minor township positions. A man of action rather than theory, he possesses much energy and determination and "onward" has ever been a watchword with him. He has been a student of the financial questions of the day and his business relations have given him oppor- tunity to investigate financial questions thor- oughly. He has always been in favor of "sound money," believing in the United States having a coinage that will be recognized for its face value in any country on the face of the globe. Mr. Tillson has traveled quite extensively, hav- ing seen both oceans within the last four years. In a review of his life we find that the faithful performance of each day's duty and recognition of the responsibilities which devolve upon the individual in this work-a-day world have been strong and salient characteristics in the life of Mr. Tillson and as the years have passed he has shown the unconquerable spirit which ultimately reaches its objective point.

DAVID M. HALL.

David M. Hall has been a witness of almost the entire growth of Ottawa, being one of the native sons of the city, born September 12, 1840, in the house then located on the site of the present coun- ty jail. In the years which have come and gone great changes have occurred and with the events which have marked the development and prog- ress of the city and county Mr. Hall is familiar. He has not only seen the work of progress car- ried forward, but has also been a co-operant fac-

L B TILLSON

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tor in many measures that have resulted bene- ficially for the public along the lines of material improvement and development. His parents were Dr. Josiah S. and Elizabeth (Arnold) Hall. The father was born at Middle Haddam, Connec- ticut, May 25, 1801, and made his way from New England to Niagara Falls and to Buffalo, whence he went by boat to Chicago, driving from that city across the country to Indian creek. The metropolis of the west, however, was at that time but a small town, being incorporated in that year -1837. On reaching La Salle county, Dr. Hall located in Ottawa, making his home on Paul street. Here he engaged in the practice of medi- cine to some extent in the early days and he also conducted a blacksmith shop on that street until 1849, when attracted by the discovery of gold in California he joined a party that was arrang- ing to go to the Pacific coast. They traveled by steamer to St. Joseph, Missouri, and thence over- land, Dr. Hall practically walking all the way to the coast. He carried with him a kit of black- smith tools and made considerable money shoeing horses and oxen on the way. , While en route he discovered a ford, which is still known as Hall's Ford, being so indicated on the United States map of the Rocky mountains. He engaged in placer mining in California for a few years and returned to Ottawa in 1853 just as the Rock Island Railroad was being completed. In early years he had for some time operated a canal boat between Ottawa and Chicago in a partnership with a Mr. McDowell and David M. Hall of this re- view saw the first packet to come through the ca- nal. He also went into and through the first passenger train which ran into Ottawa from Chi- cago. As stated, the year 1853 witnessed the connection of this city with outside points through the building of the Rock Island road. Dr. Hall continued to reside in La Salle county from 1853 until 1857, when he returned to Cali- fornia and was followed a few months later by his son, Peleg A. In 1866 he again came to Otta- wa, where he remained until his death, which oc- curred March 17, 1876, when he was seventy-five years of age. In the meantime he purchased a farm on Indian creek, north of Ottawa, which he sold prior to his second trip to California. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Arnold, was born April 22, 1806, at Arlington, Vermont, where she spent a number of years and then went to Homer, New York, where she gave her hand in marriage to Dr. Hall, August 7, 1828. She was a resident of Ottawa from 1837 until her death, which occurred on the 2d of July, 1890, when she was eighty-four years of age.

The children of Dr. and Mrs. Josiah Hall were as follows: Wesley B., the eldest, who was born

at Homer, New York, October 17, 1829, went to California in 1851, following his father to the coast, and with him returned in 1853. He was a machinist by trade and for many years carried on business in Ottawa, following that pursuit un- til his death with the exception of eight or ten years spent in Florida amid his orange groves. He died December 24. 1891. He had married Etta A. Harris, who now resides on Illinois avenue in Ottawa. Hannah Hall, the second member of the family, also born in Homer, New York, February 14, 1834, came to Ottawa with her parents and died October 3, 1886. Peleg A., born in Homer, New York, November 18, 1836, was with the Rock Island Railroad Com- pany for several years and later was employed as bookkeeper by the firm of Fiske & Beem for a number of years. He resided at Ottawa, but spent his winters in Florida in his later years, his death occurring June 28, 1901. David M. is the next of the family. Medora, born March 28, 1843, on Paul street in Ottawa, where she now resides, is the wife of Cyrus L. Stamate, a traveling salesman, and has two daughters: Mrs. Dora Megaffin and Edith F., who is studying to be a trained nurse at the Marion Sims Hospital in Chicago. Josiah S., Jr., born April 23, 1845, died April 21, 1846. Fanny E., born in Ottawa, October 31, 1847, is residing on Paul street with Mrs. Stamate.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 82

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