History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 94

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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On the 2d of September, 1904, Mr. Smalley was married to Miss Florence Rankin, the wed- ding being celebrated in Ottawa. Mrs. Smalley was born in Streator July 3, 1880, a daughter of Ralph and Mary Rankin, natives of Scotland and England respectively. Her father was a coal miner in his native country and following his emigration to the new world he became a resident of Streator in 1876, and was here en- gaged in merchandising for a number of years, being well known in business circles in La Salle county. He is a member of Finley lodge, No. 182, K. P., and his political support is given to the republican party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born five children: Ralph, William, Mrs. Smalley, Minnie and Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley now have one son, Elliot Everil.

In his political views Mr Smalley is a repub- lican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., and is exalted ruler of Streator lodge, No. 591, B. P. O. E. Although yet a young man he has attained an enviable position in business circles and his am- bitions and enterprise are such as to warrant the prophecy that he will steadily advance in his business career, winning both prosperity and an honorable name.

CYRENIUS A. DAVID, M. D.

This is an age of specialization. Few men in professional or business life attempt to at- tain equal proficiency in all lines bearing upon a business, and this is especially true in the med- ical profession, where, after gaining a knowledge of the general principles and methods of practice, the physician frequently concentrates his energies upon some special department of his profession, gaining a knowledge and skill that could not be attained if he did not concentrate his energies upon a single line of work. Dr. David has gained prominence in connection with the treatment of diseases of the rectum, and with offices located at No. 74 Madison street, Chicago, is enjoying a large patronage. For thirty years he has been a representative of the medical fraternity of that city, prior to which time he engaged in the

practice of medicine and surgery in La Salle county.

A native of Illinois, Dr. David was born in Richland county, April 25, 1845, and when two years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Grundy county, where they lived until 1862. In the paternal line he comes of French Huguenot ancestry, while in the maternal line he is of German lineage. His more specifically literary education was acquired in Fowler Insti- tute, in Kendall county, Illinois, and with broad general learning to serve as a foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his pro- fessional attainment he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1869.

Dr. David then located for practice in North- ville, La Salle county, and afterward removed to Sheridan. No physician in that part of the state enjoyed a larger or more remunerative practice, but all this was preliminary to his greater success in his chosen field of specializa- tion. He early turned his attention to one class of diseases, those of the rectum, and has directed his study and research along that line. In 1875 he established an office in Chicago for the prac- tice of his specialty and subsequently, in order to further perfect himself in this work, pur- sued a medical course in the University of New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1882. Then removing to Chicago Dr. David became a member of the Illinois Medical Asso- ciation and was sent as a delegate to the Amer- ican Medical Association in 1875. Dr. David has spent the best years of his life in the study of his practice and specialty and he has attained an eminence in this line that places him in the foremost ranks of the profession. He has thor- oughly acquainted himself with the methods of practice, as utilized by others, and at the same time has given to the world new ideas and processes as the result of his individual study, investigation and experiment. He has practically abolished old methods of torture and substituted therefor a human and rational treatment. His reward has been most marked not only in a finan- cial way, but also in recognition of the value of his work by the profession and the gratitude of his patients. He has become recognized by the profession at large as an authority on rectal . diseases and their treatment and has built up a splendid practice, patients coming to him from all parts of the country. During the greater part of his residence in Chicago Dr. David has associated with him in his work Dr. F. B. Ives, under the firm name of Ives & David.

In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. David and Miss Anna A. Knight, a daughter of

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Bradley Knight, and a granddaughter of James Knight. Mrs. David was reared in Adams town- ship, La Salle county, and by her marriage has become the mother of one son and one daughter : Vernon C., who is a graduate of the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, and who will soon complete a course in Rush Medical College, of Chicago; and Geraldine, who is now a university student.

Dr. David belongs to the La Salle County As- sociation and maintains a lively interest in all that pertains to the county which witnessed his initial efforts in his profession and saw the dawning of his present successful career. He likewise belongs to the Illinois Club and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while in Masonry he has taken the various degrees of the York rite and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He is president of the Citi- zens League, an association which is doing much for municipa. reform and progress, and he is recognized as a public-spirited citizen, who in the line of his profession and other works as well has made his life of value to his fellowmen.

THOMAS S. FLANNIGAN.

Thomas S. Flannigan, a farmer and stock- raiser, somewhat widely known as a breeder of shorthorn cattle, lives on section 31, Richland township, where he owns and cultivates a quar- ter section of land. He also has one hundred and sixty acres on section 32 of the same town- ship and his farming interests, owing to his in- tense and well directed energy and sound busi- ness judgment, have made him one of the sub- stantial citizens of the community. He came to La Salle county in October, 1852, when twelve years of age. He was born in Queens county, Ireland, in 1840, his parents being Edward and Margaret (Magee) Flannigan, who came to Ottawa in 1850 and there resided for a number of years. The father died on a farm north of the city in 1859, and his widow afterward re- moved to the vicinity of Munster, purchasing a farm in Eagle township, the station being lo- cated on one quarter of her land. She after- ward became a resident of Chicago and subse- quently became a member of her son Thomas' household, dying at his home on section 32, Rich- land township, in 1886, at the age of seventy - six years. In the family were seven children : William, who is now living retired at Streator ; Edward and Barney, both deceased; James, a farmer living near Artesia, South Dakota; Mrs.

Mary Dwyer, who is a widow and makes her home in this county ; and Mrs. Johanna Hopkins, who is also a widow and lives in Watertown, South Dakota.

The other member of the family is Thomas S. Flannigan, who, as before stated, arrived in La Salle county in October, 1852, when twelve years of age. He resided for some time in or near Ottawa and for two years worked at farm labor. He afterward herded and drove cattle for Eli Strawn, remaining in his employ for four vears. He had practically nothing to start in life with save strong determination and earnest purpose. These, however, proved an excellent capital, whereby he has steadily advanced from a · humble financial position to one of affluence. Having married, he purchased a farm on section 32, Richland township, in 1865, and resided there for thirty-eight years, while for the past three years he has lived at his present home on section 31 in the same township. £ Both farms are

splendidly improved and indicate in their excel- lent appearance the careful supervision and pro- gressive methods of the owner. Mr. Flannigan has always followed general farming and during thirteen seasons he operated a threshing machine and corn sheller. In this business he was in partnership with Thomas Flahwin, a farmer liv- ing near Garfield. With the exception of two years, 1861 and 1862, spent in Colorado, during which time he was engaged in gold mining, Thomas S. Flannigan has resided continuously in this county since his arrival here when a young lad, and the years have been witness of a life of industry and enterprise resulting in success.

In November, 1865, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Flannigan and Miss Mary Ann Howard, who was born in Louisiana in 1846, a daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Kelly) How- ard, who came to La Salle county in 1849, locat- ing in Eagle township. They both died there, the father in 1874, when fifty-six years of age, and the mother in 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-four. In their family were five children : Peter, now deceased : James Howard, a farmer of Eagle township; William, who is living in Farmer City, Illinois ; and Mrs. Catherine Flan- nigan, a widow residing on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Flannigan have ten children, who are living : Edward, who is married and follows farming on section 32. Richland township; Mrs. Katie Sennett, of Streator ; Bernard, at home; William, who is married and lives in Wenona, Illinois ; Maggie, Helen, Annie and Joseph, all at home ; James, a telegraph operator in Indiana; and Lizzie, at home. They also lost four children : Mary, Mary Agnes and two who were named Thomas.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

In his political views Mr. Flannigan has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as tax collector and school director and is now one of the commissioners of Richland township. Community affairs are of interest to him and his efforts in behalf of general improvement have been far-reaching and beneficial. He is a mem- ber of St. John's Catholic church of Lostant and is neglectful of none of his duties relative to the church or to citizenship and at the same time he successfully controls extensive and import- ant business interests, making him one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community.

W. H. RAWLING.

Among the venerable citizens of La Salle county eminently worthy of representation in this volume because of long and well spent lives is numbered W. H. Rawling, who has reached the age of eighty-one years. He was born Au- gust 28, 1825, in Indiana, his parents being Wil- liam H. and Laura (Lewis) Rawling, who occu- pied a farm in that state. The son spent his boyhood days there, acquired his education in the public schools and remained at home until twenty-nine years of age, when he removed to La Salle county. Here he first worked on a farm for Alexander Roe, whose daughter he aft- erward married. Ambitious to secure a farm of his own, in 1855 he purchased eighty acres of land, whereon he has since made his home. There was an old house and barn on this farm, called the Halfway place and supposed to have been the rendezvous of a band of horse thieves. Mr. Rawling at once began to improve his newly ac- quired property and to it he afterward added fifty-three and a third acres. He has resided here continuously since and the excellent condi- tion of the farm with its modern improvements and well tilled fields is the result of his persever- ance and enterprise.

In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of W. H. Rawling and Miss Ann E. Roe, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Alexander and Sina Ann Roe, who were early residents of this county. Mrs. Rawling was called to her final rest in 1877, when forty-eight years of age, and Mr. Rawling afterward married Eliza Jane Giles, who died in 1899. He has had four chil- dren, of whom two are now living. William Hamilton Alexander Rawling, who married Phoebe Tucker and lived in Freedom township, died at the age of thirty-six years. Eliza Ann is the wife of Willis Clark and lives in Grundy

county, Illinois. Frank E., born April 16, 1864, remained at home until twenty-one years of age, after which he spent a few years in the west. Twelve years ago he returned to the old home farm, which he now operates for his father. He was married in 1890 to Miss May Wilkinson. a daughter of John and Eliza Wilkinson, the former now a resident of Wedron, while the lat- ter is deceased. Frank E. Rawling and his wife have three children : Inez B., Carrol and Anna. Lewis E. Rawling, the youngest of the father's family, died at the age of twenty-six years.

In his political views Mr. Rawling of this re- view has always been a republican. but has re- fused to hold office, believing that ample oppor- tunity comes for good citizenship in the private walks of life. He is a member of the Universal- ist church. A man of large build and strong mind, he possesses a wonderful memory and has intimate knowledge of the early history of the county, being able to relate many most interest- ing incidents of pioneer life, for his residence here covers a period of more than a half century.

REV. DONALD KENNEDY CAMPBELL.

Rev. Donald Kennedy Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Ottawa, was born in Glencoe, Pictou county. Nova Scotia, and is of Scotch lineage, his parents having come to the new world from the Highlands of Scotland. He has one brother who is a physician at Clinton, Illinois.

Rev. Campbell spent his boyhood days on the home farm and attended the country schools, receiving such advantages as the public institu- tions of learning of his time and district afforded. At seventeen years of age he became a student in the high school of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, where he remained for a year and then spent four vears in Delhousie College, in Halifax. His theological course was pursued in Princeton Seminary and since his ordination to the min- istry he has filled various pastorates including the old Leacock church in Pennsylvania, in Jop- lin, Missouri, in Mason City, Litchfield and Pontiac, Illinois, and at South Chicago church in Chicago. On the Ist of January, 1902. he accepted the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church at Ottawa, which under his guidance and instruction has had a steady and substantial growth. He is a man of energy, an earnest, zealous preacher and talks on gospel subjects as one who thoroughly believes what he preaches. Even those who oppose him in doctrine respect

W. H. RAWLING.

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him for his sincerity and his influence has been of no restricted order.

Rev. Campbell was married to Margaret J. McGillivray, who was born in Nova Scotia and was a daughter of a Highland Scotch preacher. They had four children : Robert B., an attorney of Pontiac, Illinois; Anna McGillivray, who is now a teacher in Whiting, Illinois; Gordon H .; and Arthur Wallace, who are engaged in the abstract, real-estate and insurance business in Arkansas. The wife and mother died in Feb- ruary, 1897, and Rev. Campbell has since mar- ried Miss Louisa Scott, of Bloomington, Illinois. They had two beautiful children, Henrietta and Donald K., but they died in 1905 and 1906 respectively, just thirteen weeks apart. The present Mrs. Campbell was a teacher in Evanston, Illinois, for several years and is a lady of culture and refinement, who has been of much assistance to her husband in his chosen field of labor. Rev. Campbell is one in whom nature and education have vied to make an interesting and cultured gentleman, while through the development of his talents and his consecration to his work he has become an able representative of the Pres- byterian clergy, and in his work has not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath.

JOHN R. KNOX.

John R. Knox, who for a number of years has been engaged in the livery business in Streator, is a son of Thomas and Isabella (Prin- gle) Knox and was born March 2, 1854, in Mel- bourne, Australia, during a temporary residence of his parents in that country. The family num -

bered six children. The father's birthplace was on a farm called Brotherstone on the banks of the river Tweed in view of Dryburgh Abbey, which is the resting place of Sir Walter Scott, and in sight of Melrose Abbey, Scotland. He was born February 6, 1819, and while still a young man emigrated to Canada, where he was engaged for a time in agricultural pursuits. On the 2d of May, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Pringle, who was born Decem- ber 25, 1830, and is a daughter of Alexander Pringle, who resides in the vicinity of Brother- stone farm in Scotland. In the year 1852 they sailed for Australia, in which country Thomas Knox engaged for a time in gold mining. He prospered in that undertaking and subsequently removed to Whitby, Ontario, where his capital was employed in the business of merchandising. After a successful business career his declining years were spent in Streator, Illinois, where he

passed from this life August 17, 1891. His

widow still resides on the old homestead.

John R. Knox accompanied his parents on their various removals, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. On the 22d of January, 1877, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Eva Belle Edgecomb, a daughter of Wil- liam and Eunice (Spaulding) Edgecomb, of La Salle county, Illinois. She was the second daugh- ter in a family of three children. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in August, 1833, and the mother in New York in September, 1836. They were married in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1852, and Mrs. Edgecomb passed away in 1861, while Mr. Edgecomb is still living on the old home place in La Salle county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knox have been born six children, four of whom are still living: Guy W., born October 26, 1877; Earl C., August 13, 1879; John T., March 21, 1882; and Inez F., June 17, 1888. Only the youngest daughter re- mains at home. She is a recent graduate of the Streator high school. The eldest son, Guy, at an early age entered the railroad business and is now employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as traveling auditor on the Aurora division with headquarters at Au- rora, Illinois. Earl entered the electrical en- gineering business and is employed by the West- ern Electric Company, being located in New York city. John, who is in the dental profes- sion, has offices in the city of Providence, Rhode Island.

Mr. Knox has for a number of years been en- gaged in the livery business in Streator, where « liberal patronage is accorded him, his business proving profitable. His residence in La Salle county dates from 1888, and he is widely known here.

JOSEPH W. EDWARDS, M. D.

Dr. Joseph W. Edwards, of Mendota, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery along scientific lines, for which he is well qualified through a liberal preparatory course, was born in Washington, D. C., June 30, 1832. His par- ents were William and Sarah (Hyde) Edwards. The father, a native of Cambridgeshire, England, came to the United States in 1830. He was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church and was also a brick-maker, possessed of expert knowledge and ability in that line of manufac- ture. He it was who accomplished the damming of the Potomac and the completing of the Po- tomac basin, which had been unsuccessfully at- tempted by others. He displayed special genius

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

in determining the temper of earth, being able to ascertain by simply crumbling the earth in his fingers the amount of fire which different clay could stand and what it would require to temper it and make it a marketable commodity for the manufacture of brick. £ He died in January. 1881, at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away in 1886, when eighty-six years of age.

Dr. Edwards, their fifth child, acquired his academic education at Mount Vernon in Jeffer- son county, Illinois, and subsequently matricu- lated in Mckendree College in Lebanon, St. Clair county, Illinois. His more specifically lit- erary education being thus completed he entered upon the study of medicine as a preparation for a life work, becoming a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was grad- uated in the class of 1854. He then entered upon practice in Mendota, Illinois, and continued until, in response to the country's call for troops, lie enlisted in the Fortieth Illinois Infantry tin- der the command of Colonel S. G. Hicks. He was appointed assistant surgeon, receiving his commission at Springfield, where he was mus- tered in. He joined his regiment in Fort Pick- ering at Memphis, Tennessee, and continued with the Army of the Tennessee, serving until the completion of the Vicksburg campaign. He was also in active service until after the capture of Atlanta, when on account of disability he re- signed in September, 1864.

Dr. Edwards then returned to Mendota, where he was married in 1854 to Miss Harriet E. Hig- gins, who was born in New York and was a daughter of M. Higgins. Their children are : Hiram, who is now in Aurora, Illinois; Harriet E., the wife of Walter H. Packert, who is living in Salina, Kansas; Maud, the wife of L. H. Bryan, a resident of Two Harbors, Minnesota ; William, of Chicago, who is connected with the postal service ; and Arthur, who is a practicing dentist in Princeton, Illinois.

Throughout the period of his professional ca- reer Dr. Edwards has practiced in Mendota, cov- ering more than half a century, save for the in- terval of interruption caused by his service in the Civil war. He has always maintained a foremost place in the ranks of the medical fra- ternity and his ability has been constantly aug- mented by reading and investigation that has kept him in touch with the onward march of progress-nowhere more marked than in the practice of medicine. He has ever maintained a high standard of professional ethics and has enjoyed the favorable regard of his professional brethren as well as the general public. In the line of his profession he is connected with the

North Central Medical Association, of which he is a life member. the Illinois State Medical Asso- ciation and the American National Medical As- sociation. Fraternally he is a Mason and is a past master of the lodge, past high priest of the chapter and past eminent commander of the commandery. A republican in his political views, he served as school director for many years, was a member of the first board of alder - men of Mendota and has served in that capacity several times since. He is indeed a public-spirited citizen, standing for progress and improvement in municipal affairs: is a liberal contributor to churches ; and is an advocate of all that pertains to material, intellectual and moral advancement in the city with which he has so long been indenti- fied, and where he is a most honored resident-

WILLIAM H. KNOWLES.

William H. Knowles, proprietor of an iron foundry and machine shops, is thus intimately associated with industrial life in Ottawa. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1856. His father was a contractor and builder. Both he and his wife are now deceased, but there is one living daughter who resides in Omaha. Wil- liam H. Knowles remained in his native city until he became a resident of Chicago, Illinois, about 1870. He was educated in the public schools and was for a number of years connected with commercial interests. He traveled for about twelve years, representing the stationery busi- ness of the John Morris Company. He has for some years been connected with the iron foundry and machine shops which are now conducted under his name and are located at the corner of Jackson and Fulton streets in Ottawa. The plant is one hundred and fifty feet square and employment is furnished to from thirty to forty men. This plant was established by William Stormont, father-in-law of Mr. Knowles, prob- ably about forty-five years ago as a foundry and machine shop, while now a general con- tracting and jobbing business is carried on. Mr. Stormont came to America from Belfast, Ireland, and throughout his entire life was engaged in the same line of business, establishing the foundry in Ottawa at an early period in the industrial de- velopment of the city and continuing actively in trade until his death, which occurred in 1894. when he was seventy-six years of age. His family numbered eight children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Knowles. Her brother, William G. Stormont,

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was connected with his father in the business until his death.

Mr. Knowles came to Ottawa in 1892 and has since been identified with the foundry and ma- chine shops of which he became the proprietor after the death of his father-in-law. He is now at the head of the business, which is conducted under his name. He manufactures clay working machinery, which forms an important depart- ment of the business and in addition he con- ducts a regular iron foundry and machine shops, doing various kinds of iron work. He is assisted in the management of the business by John Haz- lett, who has been connected therewith for five years and who has been a resident of Ottawa for thirty years or more.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 94

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