History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 89

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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Mrs. Olmstead, since her husband's death, has managed the farm property and displays excel- lent business and executive ability and keen sagacity. She is the only woman of Freedom township who has been honored with the office of school director, in which capacity she has served for a number of years. She was born in Free- dom township, March 28, 1852, and has always resided here, so that her life record is well known and its character is indicated by the fact that her warmest friends are numbered among those who have known her from girlhood, while the circle of her friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of her acquaintance. She is an earnest Christian woman, holding membership in the Methodist church, and she belongs to several different societies, including the Grange, the Royal Neighbors, the Women's Relief Corps and the Farmers Institute. She was a delegate to the Illinois State Sunday School convention at Bloomington, at Elgin and at Belleville and was a delegate to the state convention of the Women's Relief Corps at its session held in

Springfield in 1904. She was also a delegate to the Illinois State Farmers Institute held at Mount Vernon, Illinois, in 1900, was chosen vice president of the La Salle County Farmers Institute upon its organization at Mendota. She has also been a delegate to the Illinois State Grange at its meetings at Springfield and at Joliet. She is the largest policy holder in the Freedom Mission & Serena Farmers Insurance Company. The poor and needy find in her a most helpful friend and she withholds her as- sistance from no one whom she deems worthy. She has likewise done much for the material improvement of the county, having in the past twenty years erected twenty-three good buildings on her three farms, which comprise four hundred and eighty-nine and a half acres of valuable land. It was on the 17th of August, 1886, that she was called upon to mourn the loss of her husband, who passed away a short time sub- sequent to the thirty-sixth anniversary of his birth. The blow was an almost unbearable one to friends as well as family and upon the wid- owed wife fell the additional burden of rearing her children, a duty which she has nobly accom- plished. All who know her esteem her for the possession of her splendid business ability and her many womanly qualities which endear her to her friends and win her the favorable regard of all with whom she comes in contact.

HENRY L. HOSSACK.

Henry L. Hossack, who in the capable con- trol of various business interests has become one of the substantial citizens of La Salle county, now living a retired life, was born near Lockport, Illinois, on the 27th of April, 1842, his parents being John and Martha (Lens) Hossack. He was brought to La Salle county by his parents in 1850, when a youth of but eight years and was educated in the Ottawa schools. He started out in business life as a grain and lumber merchant and was thus engaged for many, years, handling those commodities on a large scale and thus conducting a profitable business. He shipped five hundred thousand bushels of grain to Chicago in one year. He was also en- gaged in the real-estate business in the west, handling lands in Kansas, Nebraska and Cali- fornia, spending two years in the last named state. Seven of the Hossack family were in the grain trade at one time. Henry L. Hossack es- tablished the first bottling works in Ottawa, bot- tling mineral water, pop and ginger ale and having a depot in Chicago for the delivery of

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mineral water. About 1886 he owned a steamer which was used for pleasure trips on the Illi- nois river. A man of resourceful business ability, he has turned his attention to many interests and has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken, being thoroughly reliable in his trade transactions, while his enter- prise and industry have been the salient features in his success.

Mr. Hossack was married to Miss Medora Tuttle, a native of Oneida county, New York, who came to La Salle county in 1860 with her father, James Tuttle, a well known cattle man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hossack have been born three children: Emma D., now the wife of John Moore, who is engaged in merchandising in Lisbon, Illinois ; Fannie B., who died at the age of seventeen years; and Henry L., who attended the Lawrence school in Chicago and is now farming near San Antonio, Texas. In 1901, Mr. Hossack was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife and since that time he has married Alice Jennings, of Ottawa.

He owns fine property in this city which yields him an excellent income, including the Fisher Meyer store building. In politics he is a repub- lican and has been a member of the city council for three terms. He has also served as assistant supervisor and in the public offices to which he has been called has always been found loyal and faithful. Mr. Hossack belongs to Seth C. Earl post, No. 56, G. A. R., of Ottawa, and is entitled to membership by reason of his active service in the army. He enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for six months. He was elected captain and was stationed in Missouri and Kansas, doing guard duty. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational church and are held in high esteem in the city of their residence. Their home is at No. 521 Pearl street and its hospitality is generously extended to those who know them. Mr. Hossack has led a busy and useful life and the rest he is now enjoying is well earned.

FRED A. KOEHLER.

The industrial interests of Peru find a worthy representative in Fred A. Koehler, who is now numbered among the successful business men of the city, where as a contractor and builder he is enjoying a large patronage and contributing in substantial measure to the upbuilding and prog- ress of the community. His labors have been an important element in its architectural adorn-

ment and aside from his business occasionally he has figured in public life in the city as a sup- porter of all progressive interests. He was born here March 8, 1862, a son of Albright and Eliza- beth S. (Burkhart) Koehler, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former having been born in Michaelstadt, Hessen, and the latter in Oper- gimper, Baden. They were married in Peru, in 1858, the father having come to the United States in 1852, while a year or two later his parents also arrived.

The paternal grandfather, Dr. George Koehler, was a physician and for many years was success- fully engaged in practice in Peru, Henry and Chicago, Illinois. The year 1854 witnessed the arrival of Albright Koehler in Peru, where he conducted a drug store until after the outbreak of the Civil war. His patriotic nature being aroused, on the 14th of November, 1861. he en- listed as a private in Company K, Fifty-third Illinois Infantry but was soon promoted from the ranks, on account of his knowledge of drugs and medicine, to the more responsible post of assistant surgeon. In the fall of 1862 he was discharged from the army because of ill health. On again locating in Peru he resumed the drug business and at different times was a resident of Mendota, Peoria, Henry and Wenona, Illinois, after which he again came to Peru and gave his attention to the painter's trade for a considerable period. He was for a number of years justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, winning him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." He was worthy exemplar of the Masonic lodge and enjoyed the unqualified re- gard of his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic. He passed away December 1, 1891, at the age of fifty-three years, eight months and fifteen days. Mrs. Koehler, whose birth oc- curred August 8, 1838, came to Peru with her parents, John and Mary Ann (Ehrlacher) Burk- hart, in 1851. Her father was a mechanic and died in Peru, in 1857, while her mother passed away in this city in 1881. Mrs. Koehler still survives her husband and of their six children, four are living, Louisa W., Fred A., Leopold W. and Minnie J. The deceased members of the family were George C. and Emma M. H. Koehler.

The boyhood days of Fred A. Koehler were uneventfully passed, his attention being given to the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, spending three years in that manner. In 1885 he began business on his own account as a member of the firm of Utz, Sperber & Koehler. After six or seven years that part- nership was dissolved and Mr. Koehler has since

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been alone in business, making for himself a cred- itable name as a leading and skillful contractor of the city. He erected the Masonic Temple, Turner Hall and many fine residences as well as public buildings. His workmanship has always been of the highest character and his thorough and practical understanding of the trade enables him to carefully direct the labors of those whom he employs. He is thoroughly reliable in his business undertakings and his efforts have re- sulted in financial success.

In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Koehler and Miss Elizabeth Whickert, of Peru, a daughter of August and Lena (Erb) Whickert, natives of Germany. They became the parents of five children : Elma, deceased; Fred W., who is attending the Chicago College of Dental Sur- gery ; Edith, who has also passed away; Walter ; and Irene. Mr. Koehler belongs to the Society of the Turnverein, the Peru Rod and Gun Club and the Knights of Pythias lodge. He is also an honorary member of the Peru fire department and usually exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democ- racy but does not consider himself bound by party ties. Diligence and enterprise have been his chief characteristics through an active business career, which has extended from his fourteenth year to the present time and resulting therefrom has come a success which is as honorable as it is gratifying.

CALEB W. CAMPBELL.

Caleb W. Campbell, a representative of a pio- neer family of La Salle county, now engaged in the milling business and in the shipment of grain at Ottawa, was born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, September 3, 1839. His parents were Abel and Eliza Jane (Woodward) Campbell. The father, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, passed away in Iowa, June 7, 1894, at the age of eighty-four years. He came to Illinois in 1851, locating first in Putnam county, whence in 1855 he removed to La Salle county, locating in what was then Grand Rapids township but is now Fall River township. He first bought land at six dollars per acre, thus ac- quiring a quarter section. It was wild prairie on which not a furrow had been turned or an im- provement made, but he began its cultivation and erected thereon a frame residence, having, how- ever, lived in a log cabin while in Putnam county. He was one of the worthy pioneer settlers of La Salle county, contributing to its general improve- ment and development. After residing here for a time he bought twenty acres of timber land and

he engaged quite extensively in the raising of wheat, for which he found a good market in Ottawa, the city having been for many years one of the leading exporting points for grain in the country. In community interests Mr. Campbell took an active and helpful part. He served as supervisor for many years and was school di- rector for a long period. He was also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and did all in his power to promote the moral develop- ment of the locality. His political support was given to the whig party. His wife, who was born in 1816 in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, died in Iowa, November 3, 1895. They were married in Pennsylvania and became the parents of fourteen children, of whom ten are now living, namely : Caleb W .; William, who is married and makes his home in Iowa; Hamilton, living in Iowa; John, a resident of Streator, Illinois; Albert, of Kansas; Morgan, who is living in Dakota; Newton, who makes his home in Nebraska ; Mary, the wife of J. Reader, of Missouri; Jane, the wife of Jacob Overmeyer, of Oklahoma ; and Alice, the wife of Taylor Gye, of Iowa. One brother, Walker, served in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry as a member of Company G and gave up his life for his country. A son and two daughters of the family died in infancy.

Caleb W. Campbell, whose name introduces this review, acquired his early education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and of Illinois. When twenty years of age he started out in life on his own account and when twenty-two years of age was married on the 24th of December, 1861, to Miss Mary Roena Gillham, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, February 24, 1842, and was a daughter of John and Mary (Atchison) Gillham. Her father was born in Madison county, Illinois, and died at the age of fifty-eight years, and her mother was a native of Kentucky. Mr. Gillham came to La Salle county in 1850 and purchased a quarter section of land, for which he paid six dollars per acre. He then de- voted his attention to farming, converting the tract of raw prairie into one of rich fertility, on which he made substantial improvements. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gillham were born five children : Adeline, the wife of R. Case, now living in Iowa ; Orsmess, who resides in Iowa; John, also of Iowa; Lucy, the wife of A. Farnham, of Colo- rado; and Mrs. Campbell.

Mr. Campbell had been reared to the occupa- tion of farming and on starting out in life for himself chose the same occupation. He devoted his time and energies to that work until 1891, when he sold his land in Fall River township, this county, and bought land in Iowa. In 1897,

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however, he embarked in the milling and ship- ping business and has since been connected with the grain trade in Ottawa. In this enterprise he is a partner of C. A. Caton. For some time Mr. Campbell was upon the road selling the prod- ucts of the mill, but now remains in Ottawa in the supervision of the business, which has reached extensive and profitable proportions. He is a man of untiring industry and perseverance and carries forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes.

In 1903, Mr. Campbell was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 9th of October of that year. By this marriage had been born five children: Nellie L., the wife of John Brownfield, of Ottawa, by whom she has two children; Oscar L .; E. Burdette, who is liv- ing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Henry H .; and Lura B., who married Andy Patterson and re- sides in Streator, Illinois.

Mr. Campbell, while living in Fall River town- ship, served as a township officer for nine years, being at different times treasurer, general over- seer and road commissioner. In politics he is an unfaltering republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. For forty years he has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episco- pal church and for thirty-seven years has been su- perintendent of the Sunday-school. His life has been upright and honorable, his actions prompted by worthy motives, and his record proves that success and an untarnished name may be won simultaneously.

FRED ROUX.

Fred Roux, whose home is on section 19, Wal- lace township, is engaged in general farming and stock raising and feeding. Both branches of his business are proving profitable and he is therefore meeting with well merited success. He was born in Waltham township, this county, on the 13th of November, 1863, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Burno) Roux, both of whom were natives of France. The father was born in Alsace, on the 12th of November, 1831, and departed this life in 1906. The mother, whose birth occurred May 20, 1833, is still liv- ing. Joseph Roux served in the French army during the Crimean war for seven years and three months. In 1856 he came to America and, making his way to La Salle county, Illinois, owned and resided upon a farm in Serena town- ship until 1862, when he removed to Waltham township. The following year he bought land

in Wallace township, whereon he made his home until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife came to the United States when eight years of age with her parents. She was a daugh- ter of Louis Bruno, who settled in Serena town- ship in 184I and continued to make his home there until called to his final rest. Mr. Roux was reared in the Catholic faith but later be- came a member of the Protestant church. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he filled a number of township offices, the duties of which he discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity. In the family were nine chil- dren, Fred being the third in order of birth. The family record is as follows: Jane, who died at the age of thirteen years; Ida, the wife of a Mr. Gutell, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Fred, of this review; Julia, the wife of Amos Gutell, of Dwight, Illinois; Louis, a farmer of Serena township; Mary, the wife of James Mitchell, of Fall River township; Julius, who enlisted in 1894 in the United States regular army and went to the Philippines during the Spanish-American war, and is now in Porto Rico; Henry, a farmer of McHenry county, Illinois ; and Clara, the wife of Charles Mitchell, of Waltham township.

In the country schools Fred Roux began his education and remained at home with his parents until twenty-eight years of age, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with farm labor in all of its departments, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were gathered in the late fall. He was married on the 15th of February, 1893, to Miss Margaret Mitchell, a native of Ireland and a daughter of James Mitchell, deceased. Her mother, however, is still living and makes her home with a son-in-law, Robert Fullerton, in Wallace township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roux have been born six children, who are yet living : Mary, Walter, Ida, Howard, Albert and Flor- ence. One child died in infancy.

Throughout his entire life Mr. Roux has car- ried on general agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of five hundred and seventy-five acres of good land, upon which are many modern im- provements. He carries on general farming and feeds about two carloads of cattle every year. He also makes a specialty of raising draft horses, and his stock-raising interests as well as his cultivation of crops bring him a good return. He is active and enterprising in all of his work, possessing the determination which enables him to carry forward to successful com- pletion whatever he tries. He is thoroughly reliable in his business dealings and his commer- cial integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in

FRED ROUX.

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his career. He is likewise well known as a sup- porter of many movements relating to the wel- fare of the community. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for fifteen years he served as road commissioner. He is likewise drainage commissioner for Waltham and · Wallace townships and is school director, having acted in that capacity from the age of twenty- one years. He is now a candidate for nomination for county sheriff and if he wins the election will undoubtedly receive a large democratic vote, such is his personal popularity and the confidence re- posed in him by his fellow townsmen, all of whom speak of him as "a fine fellow." He is banker for the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 5764, and the Woodmen Hall has been built on his farm. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal church, and all who know him esteem him for his genuine worth. Having spent his entire life in this country his record is well known to his fellowmen, and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

JAMES P. AWBREY.

James P. Awbrey, one of the intelligent and enterprising agriculturists of Dayton township, living on section 17, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 30th of March, 1844. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Dove) Awbrey, who were likewise natives of the Old Dominion and spent their entire lives there, the father passing away when sixty-nine years of age and the mother at the age of seventy years. Thomas Awbrey was a farmer by occupation and upon the old homestead in Virginia James P. Awbrey first opened his eyes to the light of day. He spent his younger years there, remaining at home until he had reached the age of twenty- three, and as it was necessary for him to go to work when he was quite young his educational privileges were accordingly limited.

In 1867 he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey and was married to Miss Ange- line Heavner, who was born in Virginia, August 15, 1841, a daughter of Wells and Delilah (Slater) Heavner, natives of Virginia. The mother died in the Old Dominion and the father afterward came to Illinois. In the year of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Awbrey removed to La Salle county, where he worked by the month as a farm hand for a year in Rutland township. He then rented land in that township until twelve years ago, when he came to Dayton and bought one hundred and twenty-three acres of land where

he now resides. The place was largely run down when it came into his possession and the buildings were old and were not in a state of good repair. Mr. Awbrey at once commenced the work of improvement and has erected a new residence and has fair outbuildings, all being placed here by himself in the last twelve years. He has also tilled his fields and brought the land to a state of rich productiveness and has led a life of industry and thrift, resulting in the establish- ment of a good farm. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and has always been a man of diligence and enterprise.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Awbrey have been born seven children : C. L., who married Nellie Mc- Griff, and is an employe of the street car com- pany of Chicago ; Felix D., who is also a street car company employe in Chicago; Mary, the wife of Thomas Bigford, living on a farm in Dayton township; W. Jay, who is at home; R. D., also at home; Estella, the wife of Frank Furr, of Grundy county ; and Mabel, who is under the parental roof.

In his political views Mr. Awbrey is a demo- crat, but has never aspired to office, in fact has no desire to hold positions of political preferment. He keeps well informed on the questions of the day, political and otherwise, his reading covering the current event, and he is a well informed man, whose life has been honorable and his actions manly and sincere. He has made a study of im- proved methods of agriculture, gaining broad knowledge from the school of experience, and his efforts have been effective forces in winning him a comfortable competence.

MRS. EMILY L. PERKINS.

Mrs. Emily L. Perkins, residing in Ottawa, is the widow of Lothrop Perkins, who was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, April 10, 1845. He died in Ottawa, Illinois, September 17, 1884, and thus passed away a respected, worthy and in- fluential resident of the county seat. He ac- quired a college education in his native state, after which he came to Ottawa and was employed in the First National Bank for a short time. He then turned his attention to the dry-goods busi- ness, entering trade in connection with S. B. Grid- ley, with whom he continued for ten or twelve years, when, on selling out that enterprise, he became connected with the conduct of a lighting and gas plant, his associate being Colonel Cush- man. Mr. Perkins continued as general man- ager of this business up to the time of his death and made it a profitable industry, owing to his

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capable management, keen discernment and reso- lute purpose.

On the Ist of September, 1870, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Water- man, the wedding ceremony being performed in the home of the bride's parents at Ottawa. She was born in Ottawa, January 14, 1846, and is a daughter of Eri L. and Jane A. (Burgett) Wa- terman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perkins were born three children, two daughters and a son, namely : Jennie C., who became the wife of F. W. Bull, of Ottawa, and now living in Oak Park, Illinois ; Mary E., the wife of Frank Follett, of this city; and Lothrop, Jr., who is living in Ottawa.

Mr. Perkins was a very public-spirited man and his interest in the welfare of that city led him to give tangible support to many movements for the general good. He was fire marshal at one time and also supervisor of his township. A very prominent Mason, he held membership in Occidental lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Ottawa chap- ter, R. A. M .; and Ottawa commandery, No. 10, K. T., while in the consistory he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. In his life he exemplified the teachings and spirit of the craft and his active and honorable career won him a gratifying measure of success and the good will and trust of his fellowmen. He was faithful in friendship and devoted to his family, and in mat- ters relating to the general welfare he took a deep and helpful interest, so that his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret when he was called to his final rest.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 89

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