History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 92

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 92

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Dr. Ensign has broad general information as well, being a man of scholarly tastes and habits. He employs his spare time in the collection of clippings and selections and their arrangement in a methodical manner for reference under the following heads: Agriculture; house and build- ings ; tools and implements; live stock and ani- mals; business; mechanics and inventions; reli- gious and morals ; education ; art and science ; his- tory ; biography ; law and politics ; defense; medi- cine and surgery ; recreation and miscellaneous. He has a fine and carefully selected lirbrary, with the contents of which he is largely familiar, giv- ing him knowledge of important events of the past and present and of the great sociological, economic and political questions of the day.

Dr. Ensign is a distinguished Mason, his iden- tification with the craft dating from 1867. For nineteen years he served as worshipful master of Rutland lodge, No. 477, A. F. & A. M. He became a Royal Arch Mason in November, 1867, and for nine years served as high priest of Rut- land chapter, No. 112. He was made a royal and select master in Peru council, No. 12, R. & S. M., in 1870, and became a charter member of Rutland council, No. 52, of which he served as thrice illustrious master for a number of years. He was created a Knight Templar in St. John's commandery of Peru in April, 1872, and became a charter member of Cour de Leon commandery, No. 43, K. T., of El Paso, in 1873, of which he is now the oldest living past eminent commander and has been made a life member. He is likewise a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association of Illinois and is widely known in Masonic cir- cles as one whose life is exemplary of the teach- ings and tenets of the craft and whose labors have been effective in promoting the growth of the organization. He likewise was a charter member and a past commander of Rutland post, No. 292, G. A. R., and is a past commander of Post No. 232, at Wenona, Illinois. He was one of the organizers of the Big Bend Veteran Re- union Association in 1883 and was its commander for six years.

On the 12th of September, 1869, Dr. Ensign was married to Miss Frances J. Almy, a daugh-

ter of the late Dr. Henry A. Almy, of Rutland, Illinois, and a granddaughter of Dr. Walton Almy, of Toddsville, New York. The children of this marriage are: Herbert S., who is editor of the Rutland Record; William T., an artist at Long Beach, California ; Orpha D., a classical graduate of Knox College, class of 1898, now at home; and Bertha A., the wife of C. Bert Sauer, a grain merchant of Dana, Illinois.

Politically Dr. Ensign has always been a re- publican and is active in the local ranks of the party. He was president of the local board for a time and president of the first school board of Rutland. His activity has touched many lines and his reading covered a wide variety of sub- jects. For nearly forty years he has been con- tinuously engaged in the practice of medicine and his life has been one of usefulness and honor, his fellowmen profiting by his labors, while the development of his own character has been along lines the worth of which all acknowledge. He is not only a man of scholarly attainments but also of broad humanitarian principles, a fact which is often manifest in his professional service.

THOMAS LARKIN.

Thomas Larkin, a representative and respected farmer of Eagle township, living on section 28, was engaged actively in the cultivation and man- agement of his property from 1862 until about 1903, when he retired from business life and now leases his farm of one hundred and thirty acres. He made all of the improvements upon the place, for it was raw prairie when it came into his pos- session about forty-four years ago. Mr. Larkin is among the wealthy residents of La Salle county that the Emerald Isle has furnished to this sec- tion of the state. His birth occurred in County Galway, Ireland, in 1828, and he came with his father to America in 1849, being then a young man of twenty-one years. He was a son of Ed- ward and Ann (Madden) Larkin. The mother died in Ireland and after residing in Virginia and Minnesota the father came to La Salle county with his son Thomas in 1862, and here made his home until his death, which occurred in 1873. On coming to America, however, the family re- sided for a time in Virginia and afterward removed to Minnesota, where Mr. Larkin of this review made his home until coming to La Salle county in 1862. In the family were ten chil- dren, all of whom came to America, while six are still living, as follows: Edward, who is a ' resident farmer of Eagle township; Bridget, the wife of Peter Brown, residing in Noble county,

THOMAS LARKIN AND FAMILY.

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Minnesota ; Ann, who married Morris O'Hern their home being also in Noble county ; Eliza, the wife of Richard O'Hern, likewise a resident of Noble county; and Margaret, the wife of Thomas Maroney, who is residing in Rice county, Minnesota. One son of the family, Rev. Father John Larkin, who died in 1890, was the pastor of Holy Innocence church in New York, one of the largest parishes of that city. Mary, who was next older than our subject, became the wife of Michael Carey and resided in Jersey City, New Jersey, but both died some years ago. James, another son of the family, departed this life in Chicago.

As before stated, Thomas Larkin had come to this county in 1862. He had relatives in Osage county, Illinois, and hearing favorable reports of business conditions and opportunities in this part of the state led to his removal to La Salle county. He purchased his present farm, which was then entirely uncultivated and unimproved.

The following year, as a companion and help- mate for life's journey Mr. Larkin chose Miss Delia Conness, to whom he was married in Eagle township in 1863. She was born in Coun- ty Galway, Ireland, in April, 1840, and in 1847 came to America with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Conness, who located in Eagle town- ship. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mary Killien and both she and her husband were na- tives of County Galway. Mr. Conness passed away about twenty-five years ago, while his wife survived him for about ten years. Mrs. Larkin had three brothers, John, Walter and Jeffrey Conness, all of whom became residents of La Salle county and are now deceased. A sister, Mrs. Margaret Connerton, is now residing in Dimmick township.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin has been blessed with ten children, all of whom were born in La Salle county, and six are yet living. Ed- ward, now residing in New Orleans, is there engaged in dealing in mineral water. He is married and has one child. Thomas, Jr., living in Chicago, Illinois, is engaged in the insurance business. Robert E. is a student of law in the office of Lloyd Painter, at Streator. Mary is the wife of Ed Cavanaugh, who is engaged with a traction company in Chicago. Margaret mar- ried Thomas Halligan, who is a carpenter re- siding at Kangley, Illinois. Delia L. attended school at Ottawa for two years and was also d student in Kankakee, Illinois. She was the first teacher in Kangley, Eagle township, and re- mained in that position for four years after the establishment of the school there. She is a bright and cultured young lady and is now resid-

ing at home. Four children of the family have departed this life, one of whom was John J. Larkin, D. D. S., who died three years ago in La Salle, where he was practicing dentistry. He was a graduate of the dental department of the Northwestern University, and he left a widow, who was the daughter of Hon. J. W. Duncan, of Chicago, and he had a child by that marriage. Walter died in 1901, at the age of sixteen years. The other two children died in infancy.

Politically Mr. Larkin is a democrat and for thirty years has served as school director, acting as clerk. of the board much of the time. He is connected with Father Egan's parish in Eagle township, having been reared in the faith of the Catholic church, of which he has always been a communicant. He has now passed the seventy- eighth milestone on life's journey but is still quite a well preserved man. He has been one of the world's workers and his success is attribut- able to his own efforts and principles, showing what can be accomplished by determination, force of character and diligence. Such a life record should serve as a source of inspiration and en- couragement to those who have to start out in life as he did with limited financial resources.

PAUL RAYMOND CHUBBUCK.

Paul Raymond Chubbuck, one of the younger members of the Streator bar, who has in his profession gained a reputation that many an older practitioner might well envy, is a native son of the city in which he makes his home. His birth occurred here August 29, 1875, his parents being Orvil F. and Nellie E. (Sherbrook) Chubbuck. The father was born near Longpoint, Livingston county, Illinois, and the mother in Syracuse, New York. They were married in Livingston county and Mr. Chubbuck, having studied law, was ad- mitted to the bar but practiced for only a short time. He is now a traveling representative for the Streator Metal Stamping Company. In the family were but two children, Paul R. and Lorena M.

Educated in the public and high schools of Streator, Paul R. Chubbuck afterward studied law under the direction of his grandfather, Or- lando Chubbuck, one of the oldest and best known lawyers of La Salle county, and was admitted to practice in the state courts at Ottawa. Subsequently he was admitted to practice in the United States courts at Chicago, and joining his grandfather in the law practice, the firm so continued until the death of the senior partner. Mr. Chubbuck

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of this review has since practiced alone. His clientage is now large and of much importance and in addition to this he has varied business interests. He is interested in much valuable real estate, including the Columbia Hotel and Annex and is treasurer of the Streator Metal Stamping Company. He is also president of the Streator Chautauqua Association and is part owner of St. Hubert's restaurant in Chicago. He has ever helped to push forward the interests which have direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of Streator and has firm faith in the city and its advancement.

Mr. Chubbuck is well known in fraternal cir- cles, belonging to Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., and Streator chapter, R. A. M. He held membership in Ottawa commandery, No. IO, K. T., until March, 1906, when be became a charter member of Streator commandery, No. 70, K. T., of which he was one of the organiz- ers. His political allegiance is given to the re- publican party. He is indebted to Streator for the educational advantages he has received and has great faith in the city, and has found in its conditions the business and professional oppor- tunities which he has sought and which through their improvement have led to success.

HERBERT S. ENSIGN.

Herbert S. Ensign, owner and publisher of the Rutland Record, is a native of Rutland, La Salle county, Illinois, born April 2, 1871, and has spent nearly his entire life there. He pur- sued his education in the public schools and the Rutland high school, from which he was grad- uated in 1887. He afterward completed a course in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and the rank of major of cadets in the class of 1893. He afterward spent two years as military commandant at St. Albans' school in Knoxville, Illinois, and in January, 1896, he took charge of the Rutland Record. In September, 1901, he left this position and leased the Knox County Republican at Knox- ville, Illinois, conducting the same for about a year. In March, 1904, he returned to Rutland and purchased the Rutland Record, which he has since edited and published. On his graduation from the high school as a reward for the best work done in the senior year he was given a scholarship at Adrian (Michigan) College and upon his graduation from Knox College he re- ceived a commission from the governor of Illi- nois as brevet major in the state militia, having

held all of the ranks up to and including the position of major in the military department of Knox College.

THOMAS DIMOND.

Thomas Dimond, deceased, who was one of the large landowners of La Salle county, was born in Ireland and died on his farm in Dim- mick township, October 15, 1899. He came alone to America when a young man. In Ohio he learned the molder's trade and afterward removed to La Salle county some years prior to his mar- riage, becoming an early settler in this region. Here he worked as a farm hand, saving his money, and as the result of his frugality, dili- gence and economy he was at length enabled to purchase land. He invested in farm property in Dimmick township and as his financial resources increased, added to this from time to time until he became one of the extensive landowners in this part of the state, his holdings embracing val- uable farms in La Salle county. His home farm comprised six hundred acres and he had three hundred and twenty acres in Hancock county, Iowa. He was also much esteemed and respected, for in all his business transactions he was thor- oughly trustworthy, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade relation.

Mr. Dimond was married in La Salle, in 1861, to Miss Mary Ann Murphy, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, a daughter of Richard Murphy, a native of Ireland, who came to Amer- ica when a young man and settled in La Salle in 1837 or 1838, becoming one of the pioneers of the county. He married Miss Caroline Roe, a native of Maryland, and his death occurred in La Salle. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dimond were born thirteen children, all natives of Dimmick township and all yet living, as follows : Caroline, who married John Lanning and has seven chil- dren, May, John, Ella, Thomas, Caroline, Cas- sie and Richard; Mary; Theresa; Susan, who is the wife of Henry Webber and has two chil- dren, Harry and William: Richard: John; Ag- nes ; Thomas; Edward, who wedded May Wet- ter; Joseph; Burnetta; Gertrude; and Vincent J. Mrs. Dimond removed to La Salle in 1904.

Mr. Dimond was a democrat in his political views and was for many years highway commis- sioner, doing much to improve the public roads. He also served as a member of the school board and at one time was president of the township board. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen and the Home Fraternal Society. His life was

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one of untiring activity crowned with success and while he never sought to figure prominently in public affairs he was respected as one who accomplished in honorable manner whatever he undertook.

WELCH RICHEY HARVEY, M. D.

Among the able and successful medical prac- titioners of La Salle county is numbered Dr. Welch Richey Harvey, who is now practicing in Dana. He was born in West Virginia on the 18th of June, 1849, a son of John and Esther (Richey) Harvey. The father was born in Marshall county, West Virginia, in 1809, while the mother was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. In 1826 John Harvey removed from West Virginia with his family to Kendall county, Illinois, when his son, Welch R., was but five years of age. He spent his remaining days as a farmer in that locality and in Grundy county, Illinois, and was well known as an enterprising, resourceful and prosperous agriculturist. He died in the year 1874, at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife passed away in 1883, when sixty years of age. In their family were four children who are yet living: Benjamin, now a resident of Dana; Dr. Harvey, of this review ; and Mary J. and John P., also of Dana. The eldest son, William A. Harvey, died when about forty years of age.

Dr. Harvey pursued his early education in the district schools and afterward attended the Newark Institute in La Salle county, followed by study in a select school at Bristol, Illinois. He made his home upon his father's farm until twenty-six years of age and after leaving home he was employed at farm labor for a time, but thinking to find a professional career more con- genial he took up the study of medicine and was graduated from Bennett Medical College at Chicago in the class of 1875. Locating for practice at Marengo, Michigan, he continued there for a year and in March, 1876, came to Dana, where he has since been actively engaged in practice. He also opened a drug store in 1881 and afterward added a stock of general goods. He is now conducting his commercial interests and at the same time continues actively in the practice of his profession, being an able repre- sentative of the medical fraternity with broad knowledge concerning the most approved meth- ods of practice and with thorough understanding of the great scientific principles which underlie the profession. He is a member of the State Eclectic Society and also of the National Medical Society.

On the Ist of November, 1875, Dr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Rooney, a daughter of Luke and Mary (Cruse) Rooney, who were natives of New England. Her father died in 1865, at the age of forty-five years, while his wife passed away January 19, 1905, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Harvey is a native of Watertown, Wis- consin, and a lady of natural culture and refine- ment, who presides with gracious hospitality

over their pleasant home. They became the parents of three sons but lost their first born, Newton S., who died in the fall of 1877. Frank P., born September 3, 1878, is a physician of Wenona, Illinois, where he has a successful prac- tice. Wilbur R., born October 19, 1886, is a graduate of the Streator high school of the class of 1906.

Dr. Harvey holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias. Although he has many times been proffered political honors and official positions he has always regarded his first duty to his profession and his business and hence has accepted few favors at the hands of his friends. He is justly regarded as a substantial business man and representative of his profession, who ad- heres closely to a high standard of ethics in both fields of labor and the respect which is so uniformly accorded him is his just due.

ALBERT SCHOMAS.

Albert Schomas, a resident farmer of Wal- tham township, living on section 25, was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Illinois in his boyhood days. He is a son of Charles and Louisa Schomas, both of whom were natives of France, and after becoming residents of America, lived for a time in Pennsylvania, although they were married in their native country. Removing from the east they settled in Waltham township and the father turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits.

Albert Schomas obtained his education in the country schools and when not busy with his text-books aided in the work of the home farm so that he early gained knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil. He was the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Charles, Louis, Joseph and Louise. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married to Miss Anna Argus, of Higgins- port, Ohio, and they have become the parents

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of six children, Julia, Emma, Albert, Louise, William and Marie.

The family home is an excellent farm on sec- tion 25, Waltham township, where in connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Schomas raises fine Percheron horses. This is one of the most productive and best kept farms in Waltham township and in its midst stands a fine country home, together with large barns and other sub- stantial improvements. The place embraces one hundred and sixty acres of rich land and the fields produce the various crops best adapted to soil and climate. Mr. Schomas is known as a thoroughly up-to-date farmer and stockman and is conducting profitable business interests. In community affairs he bears his full part and has put forth effective effort for the public wel- fare. He favors education and has given to his children the advantages of high-school training. In politics he is a democrat, while in religious faith he is a Catholic.

ISRAEL HUTCHINSON.

Israel Hutchinson, who has lived retired for several years, his home being in Tonica, but still owning a fine farm in Vermillion township, came to La Salle county in the fall of 1837 and has since resided within three or four miles of Tonica, covering a period that compasses almost the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. He was one of the first settlers in that por- tion of the country and about 1840 he purchased from the government the farm which he still owns, comprising the southeast quarter of section 32, Vermillion township. There he followed farming for half a century and about twenty years ago removed to Tonica. His life had been given to general agricultural pursuits and to the raising of horses and his well directed labors re- sulted in the acquirement of success.

Mr. Hutchinson is now one of the most vener- able citizens of the county, having been born in Burlington county, New Jersey, February 9, 1818. His father, Smith Hutchinson, who died when his son Israel was but six years of age, was reared in Trenton, New Jersey, and on arriving at years of maturity was married to Sarah Young, who was also born there and lived to be over ninety years of age. In their family were two sons and two daughters, but Israel Hutchin- son is the only one now living. One brother pre- ceded him to this county some years and died here about forty years ago.

Israel Hutchinson was reared under the pater- nal roof and when a young man sought a home in

the middle west, thinking to enjoy better business advantages than could be obtained in the older and more thickly settled east. He established his home near Tonica and about 1840 purchased the government land that is still in his possession. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place when he made the purchase, but with chaacteristic energy he began its devel- opment and though he was forced to endure many of the hardships and privations of pio- neer life he continued the task of cultivating and improving his fields and in the course of time de- veloped a splendid farm and the years brought him rich harvests and made him a substantial cit- izen of the community.

In the year in which he purchased this farm Mr. Hutchinson was married to Miss Mary Burgess, a sister of S. S. Burgess, of Tonica. She died in 1875, leaving several children. For his second wife Mr. Hutchinson chose Miss Clara Jones, who died in the fall of 1900. Mr. Hutchinson has four living children : Mrs. Lucy Stanford, of Chatsworth, Illinois; Mrs. Jane Porter, of Kan- sas; Edward, of northern Iowa; and John, of California. Three of his sons served in the Union army during the Civil war and one was killed while defending the old flag, while another died after the close of hostilities.

In his political views Mr. Hutchinson has always been a stalwart republican since the or- ganization of the party and prior to that time gave his allegiance to the whig party. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to do his public service as a private citizen. He has been a member of the Congregational church for the past forty years and was one of the building committee which erected the new Congregational church in Tonica. Few residents of the county have longer resided within its borders, for almost seven decades have come and gone since Mr. Hutchinson made his way to La Salle county to find here the business opportunities lie sought, while as the years have gone by he has borne his share in the work of reclaiming a wild fron- tier region for the uses of civilization.

EDWARD ATKINSON.

Edward Atkinson, of Streator, a partner in the Acme Coal Company and superintendent of the mine, was born in Ellenboro, England, July 21, 1845, a son of John and Ann (Burrow) Atkin- son, who were also natives of England and have now passed away. The father was a mine man- ager. After losing his first wife he married Ruth Nickson and unto them were born six children,

ISRAEL HUTCHINSON.

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of whom only two are now living, Robert and Francis Atkinson.

In the schools of England Edward Atkinson acquired his education and afterward became a miner, following that pursuit throughout the period of his manhood in his native land. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married on the 2d of January, 1869, to Miss Jane Pape, who was born near Workington, England, De- cember 2, 1845, a daughter of William and Mary (Fairbairn) Pape. Her father, who was born January 24, 1808, was of English parentage and died November 15, 1846. It was in 1836 that he wedded Miss Fairbairn, who was born Feb- ruary 16, 1810, was of Scotch parentage and died May 6, 1869. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom three are now living, namely: William, who is a sea captain ; Ann; and Mrs. Atkinson.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 92

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