History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 96

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 96

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Fremont C. Blandin, the only child born unto Charles W. and Deborah A. Blandin, was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the high school department of the Normal University with the class of 1877. For two years he attended the University of Michigan in the class of 1881 and then became a student in Illi- nois Wesleyan College, where he pursued a lit- erary and law course, which he completed by graduation, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1880 and Bachelor of Laws in 1881, while in 1883 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. Locating in Streator, he practiced law from 1881 until 1889 and for a few years was editor of the Monitor at Streator. He also filled the office of justice of the peace while living in that city, but because of his father's failing health he returned to Rutland and took charge of the drug store in 1889. He continued as manager for his father until the latter's death, when Fremont C. Blandin suc- ceeded him as proprietor and has since con- tinued the business alone. He does not now engage in active practice of his profession but is frequently called upon to give legal advice. His is a well equipped store, carefully managed

and carrying a large line of general drugs and sundries. His sterling business methods have gained him a liberal patronage and he is now enjoying a prosperous trade.

Mr. Blandin is equally well known in relation to community affairs, being a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party. He has served as a member of the La Salle county republican central committee for ten years and has several times been a delegate to the state con- vention. For seven years he has been president of the village council, filling the office for five consecutive years and since 1899 he has been secretary of the cemetery association.

On the 30th of April, 1891, Mr. Blandin was married to Miss May A. Stanley, a daughter of Joseph and Ellen ( Powis) Stanley, who were natives of England but came to the United States before their marriage. The father died in 1905, at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother is still living, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Blandin. Born of the marriage of our subject and his wife are six children: Vera M., Leda M., Stanley J., Walter P., Anna A., and Fremont H. Blandin, all of whom are vet at home.

A native son of La Salle county, Fremont C. Blandin has spent his entire life within its bor- ders and is classed with its representative citi- zens. He has labored effectively for local prog- ress and his public spirit has been manifest in many tangible ways for the welfare of the com- munity. He has left and is leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon public thought and action and moreover he contributes to the substantial upbuilding of the community through the conduct of a successful commerical enter- prise, for upon its commercial and industrial ac- tivity the welfare of every town and city depends.

JAMES M. HITE.

James M. Hite, deceased, was for many years a successful and enterprising agriculturist of Dayton township and was respected by all yho knew him. He was born in Ohio, July 5. 1833, and departed this life on the 28th day of August, 1893, being then sixty years of age. His parents were David and Elizabeth Hite, who came to this county when their son James was a youth of fifteen years. The father was for many years actively engaged in blacksmithing in the city of Dayton, Ohio, and later turned his attention to farming. In the family were six children : Ben- jamin, deceased; David, who is living in Ne-

MR. AND MRS. JAMES M. HITE.

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braska; James M .; Albert, deceased ; Alcinda, who is living in Ottawa; and Fidelia, the wife of Benjamin Babcock, a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

James M. Hite spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and, as stated, came with his parents to La Salle county at the age of fifteen years, after which he resided continuously in this locality until called to his final rest. He was married February 22, 1864, to Miss Martha M. Jones, who was born in Massachusetts, June 20, 1846, a daughter of John R. and Mercy M. (Higley) Jones. The father, who was born June 24, 1808, died on the old home farm in Serena township, this county, January 22, 1891, in the eighty-third year of his age. His wife, whose birth occurred November 8, 1811, died in Serena township, October 1, 1874. They had been married in the east on the 23d of March, 1832, and in 1855 came to La Salle county, set- tling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Serena township, whereon they continued to reside for many years. In their family were nine children. Harriet D., born December 18, 1833, is the wife of Charles Hoxey, a resident of Nebraska; Henry A., now deceased, was born February 19, 1835, married Louisa Leonard and made his home in Iowa. Ellen C., born Septem- ber 7, 1836; is the widow of Joseph Bagley and is living in La Salle county. Sarah E., born July 12, 1838, is the deceased wife of Adolphus McInturf, of Serena township. Esther C., born September 30, 1839, is the wife of Thomas Leonard, who is living in Iowa. Mary A., born May 26, 1843, is the wife of George Morton, whose home is near Leland, Illinois. Mrs. Hite is the seventh of the family. William T., born May 4, 1849, married Sarah Smith, a resident of La Salle county. John P., born August 18, 1854, married Henrietta Pool, of Serena town- ship, and is living in Woolstock.

Following his marriage Mr. Hite resided in Wallace township for about eight years, purchas- ing and operating a farm there. On the ex- piration of that period he removed to a farm on section 8, Dayton township, securing two hundred and forty acres of land known as the Yager place. He made it his home until death, which was occasioned by cancer. He lived an active and useful life, working earnestly and persist- ently year after year and gaining as the result of his energy and labor a very gratifying com- petence, which enabled him to provide a comfort- able living for his family. Unto him and his wife were born ten children. Elmer, born Jan- uary 16, 1865, married Lucy Trimble, a resident of Illinois, has four children and is living in

Kansas. Elnora, born January 15, 1867, is the wife of Thomas J. Collins, a resident of Ottawa, and they have one child. Edward, born April 20, 1868, married Gertrude J. Ellenwood, has three children and resides in Kansas. The next member of the family died in infancy. Minerva, born December 17, 1870, is the wife of William D. Whistler, a farmer of Serena township, and has one child. Martha E., born November 17, 1873, is the wife of Oliver. H. Thompson, who re- sides on a farm near Sheridan, and they have one child. Alcinda, born January 2, 1876, is the wife of John J. McGrath, a resident farmer of Wallace township. Elsie, born February 19, 1879, is the wife of John F. Whistler, of Aurora, Illinois, and has two children. Fidelia, born December 4, 1880, is at home. Rae, born April 17, 1885, is the wife of William Osborne, living on a farm in Ottawa township. The children have all been provided with excellent educational privileges and five of them have received certificates and taught school. Some of them have attained con- siderable proficiency in music.

In his political views Mr. Hite was a democrat and he served as school director but otherwise would hold no public offices. He did not believe in secret nor fraternal organizations. He was a · supporter of the Baptist church, to which his family also belongs, and he lived an honest, up- right life in every respect, being trustworthy at all times and thus winning the unqualified esteem of his fellowmen. He was faithful in citizenship, loyal in friendship and was a kind and loving husband and father. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Hite has continued to manage the farm through the assistance of employes and she displays excellent business ability and keen executive force.

FREDERICK F. KOLM, D. D. S.

Dr. Frederick F. Kolm, whose well appointed dental office indicates the success which has attended him in his professional labors as a repre- sentative of the dental fraternity in La Salle, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1876. His father, John Kolm, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, has resided in Ottawa for many years and still makes his home there. He is a ma- chinist by trade. He married Miss Emily De Molle, who was born in Ottawa, and they now have four children: Ida, who is the wife of Harry Langdon, and has a son, Harley: Fred- erick F., of this review ; Charles, who is study- ing law in Chicago; and Mabel.

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Dr. Kolm at the usual age entered the public schools and continued his studies in his native city until, having passed through consecutive grades, he was graduated from the high school. at Ottawa. While pursuing his high-school course he was also a student in the office of Dr. A. T. Olmstead, a dentist of that city, and later he studied with Dr. F. Y. Hubert, of Otta- wa, as his preceptor. Subsequently he entered the Ohio Dental College, at Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1898. He practiced for three years with Dr. P. R. James, of Ottawa, and in 1902 came to La Salle, where he opened an office and has since built up a good practice, which is constantly . growing, receiving the patronage of many of the best citizens of La Salle.

In 1903 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Kolm and Miss Lena Steinmayer, a daughter of Christian Steinmayer, of La Salle, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this work. His political views endorse republican principles and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Elks lodge and the Knights of Pythias. He is also president of the board of the Tri City Dental Society and stands for progress and advancement in his profession. He has kept in touch with

is eighty-five feet above the surface of the ground. Dr. Deenis ships his sand extensively to points in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, In- diana and Colorado and the business is becoming a very extensive and likewise a profitable one, being conducted under the firm style of the C. G. Deenis Sand Company. This company em- ploys from fourteen to sixteen men and the work is largely done by machinery.

Interested in public affairs and in all that per - tains to the welfare and progress of his city, he has co-operated in many movements for public good. He votes with the democrat party, and in 1894 was elected alderman from the third ward, serving until 1896. He was again chosen for a two-years' term in 1898 and once more in 1904, so that he is now serving for the third term as the incumbent in that office and he exer- cises his official prerogatives in support of all the movements and measures which are intro- duced into the council for the general welfare and benefit of the city. He has been chairman of the board of police and health commissioners and meat and milk inspector for several years.

Dr. Deenis was married December 5, 1883, to Miss Ella A. Curyea, of La Salle county, and they have one son, Roy D. G. Deenis, who was the onward movement of the dental fraternity . born in 1886 and will graduate from the high since leaving college and has supplemented his theoretical knowledge by broad, practical ex- perience, making him one of the able represen- tatives of the dental profession in his native county. school in June, 1906. They have a beautiful home at No. 902 Paul street and are most hos- pitable people, occupying an enviable position in social circles. Mrs. Deenis is a member of the Congregational church, taking an active, and helpful part in its work and Dr. Deenis serves CHARLES G. DEENIS, D. V. S. as one of its trustees. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, the Elks lodge and the Mutual Life, and has attained the Knight Tem- Dr. Charles G. Deenis is not only well known as a business man, but is also active in political circles and is now representing the third ward in the ctiy council. He was born in Rutland township, this county, in 1859, a son of David G. Deenis, who came to Illinois in 1836 from Licking county, Ohio. The father engaged ex- tensively in farming and was the largest stock- raiser in this part of the country in his day, con- ducting a business of mammoth proportions. plar degree in the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His entire life has been passed in La Salle county and he has a wide and favorable ac- quaintance. His business interests have been carefully directed with the result that success has attended his labors and he is today one of the prominent business men of his city. He has attained a wide degree of popularity, and the in- dustry and perseverance which have character- ized his past bespeak for him an even more suc- cessful future.

Dr. Deenis was educated in the country schools and in the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he was graduated in 1893 He then prac- ticed continuously until 1901, since which time he has given his attention largely to his farms and to the sand business. He began shipping sand in 1901 and now has a large sand bank which he opened on one of his farms four miles below Ottawa. The sand is what is called steel moulding sand and is used in foundries. It is formed of a rock called St. Peter sand rock and

EDWARD F. ST. CLAIR.

Edward F. St. Clair, who, in 1905, was ap- pointed special agent of the department of Washington to secure evidence in connection with the meat trust investigation, was born in

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Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois, August 24, 1864, his parents being Benjamin F. and Mar- garet E. (Krater) St. Clair. The father was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, in 1834, and the mother's birth occurred in Marietta, Pennsylvania, in October, 1838. In the '50S Mr. St. Clair came to Illinois and in 1870 settled in Streator. He was a blacksmith by trade and for many years followed that occupation. A

man of genuine personal worth his ability and fidelity in matters of citizenship were recognized by his fellow townsmen who called him to serve as a member of the city council for two terms. In his political views he was a stalwart repub- lican. He died in Streator in October, 1880, and is still survived by his widow. She was of Dutch descent, her grandfather having come from Holland. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. St. Clair were five children, of whom four are now living : Jacob N .; William E .; Edward F .; and Margaret, the wife of Dex- ter Davison, a resident of India.

Edward F. St. Clair at the usual age began his education in the public schools and after putting aside his text-books he worked at the blacksmith's trade for four years. He then en- tered the employ of J. C. Ames in the lumber business at Streator and continued with him for fifteen years as a most trusted and faithful rep- resentative of that enterprise. On the expira- tion of that time he was appointed deputy United States marshal under Mr. Ames and filled the of- fice until 1905, when he was appointed special agent of the department at Washington to se- cure evidence in connection with the investiga- tion of the meat trust and in this capacity he is now serving. He was assistant sergeant at arms at the republican convention in Chicago in 1900 when Mckinley was nominated for presi- dent, and held the same position at the nomina- tion of Roosevelt in 1904.

On the 6th of September, 1893, Mr. St. Clair was married to Miss Maud Elizabeth Rainey, who was born in Streator, September 3, 1864, Her parents, William and Nancy A. (O'Neill) Rainey, were married in Ottawa, July 2, 1863. The former was a son of William Rainey, Sr., who was born in Kentucky, in April, 1803, and on leaving that state removed to Ohio, whence he came to Illinois in 1833. He settled on sec .. tion 25. Bruce township, La Salle county, thus casting in his lot with the pioneer residents who aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county. He had served a two-years' apprentice- ship in a machine shop in Cincinnati, and on leav. ing Ohio he made his way from Cincinnati down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Illinois

rivers, landing at Ottawa. He worked in Bruce township as a blacksmith for George Basore, a native of Virginia, and following the death of Mr. Basore he married his widow in June, 1837. She was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May I, 1810, and by this marriage they became the parents of four children. William Rainey, the grandfather, died in this county, March 28, 1851, while his wife survived to an advanced age, pass- ing away February 15, 1902. Their son, Wil- liam Rainey, Jr., was born in Streator, Septem- ber 13, 1840, was a blacksmith by trade and be .. came a contractor. He served as postmaster in Bruce township where Streator now stands. He acted in that capacity in 1865 and 1866. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. His death occurred March 21, 1873, while his wife, who was born February 27, 1843, in Mc- Lean county, Illinois, is now living .. Mrs. St. Clair's great-grandfather in the maternal line was Constantine O'Neill, a soldier of the Revo .. lution, which fact entitles her to membership in the organization of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution. His son, Barney O'Neil, was born in Virginia, March 9, 1898, and came to Illi- nois in 1837, settling first in McLean county. He became a resident of La Salle county in 1848 and he died March 3, 1901, having reached the advanced age of ninety-five years. He was mar- ried February 4, 1831, to Miss Clarissa White, who passed away in 1846. In their family were nine children. Both Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair are widely known in Streator and La Salle coun- tv. where they have many friends. Mr. St. Clair, because of the position which he is now filling, has an office in the Federal Building in Chicago, but spends much of his time in Streator.

JOHN R. YOUNG.

John R. Young, a representative of the insur- ance business in La Salle, was born in Peru, Illi- nois, December 13, 1858. His father, Thomas Young, was a native of Dalkeith, Scotland, and in 1854 came to America, settling first in Penn- sylvania, whence, in 1857, he removed to Illinois. He had engaged in mining in Scotland and con- tinued in the same pursuit both in Pennsylvania and La Salle. In the latter place he was for many years superintendent and manager of mines, being thus engaged until he retired from active business a few years ago. He is still living in La Salle in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. Soon after he came to America he sent for his promised bride. Christina Ram- age, who was also a native of Scotland and who

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joined him in the new world. They were mar- ried here and became the parents of seven sons, of whom three are living, Thomas John R. and William A., the last named a resident of Deca- tur, Illinois.

John R. Young was a little lad at the time of the removal of his parents from Peru to La Salle and here he attended the public schools, but at an early age began to work and provide for his own support. His father being identi- fied with coal mining, he naturally sought em- ployment in that direction and drove a team at the mines. Gradually he advanced in his business career 'and at length, with the capital secured through his own enterprise and economy, he was enabled, in 1882, to establish a grocery store in La Salle on Eighth street, where he con- tinued in business for seven years. In 1889 he turned his attention to the insurance field and for some years has represented the A'etna Em- ployers Liability and Accident Insurance Com- pany. His jurisdiction covers a large area of the state and he is conducting an extensive busi- ness with the large firms and corporations. He also does a general insurance business of all kinds and has a good clientage.

In 1889, in La Salle, Mr. Young was married to Miss Laura Slater, a daughter of Robert Slater, formerly of La Salle, but now of Kansas. This marriage has been blessed with four chil- dren, all born in La Salle: Arthur E., Mabel E., George H., and Laura C.

Mr. Young is a stalwart republican and has done considerable campaign work for his party. He has been urged to become a nominee for the state legislature but refused to do so, as he did not wish to spare the time from his business to take an active part in the canvass. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as a trustee for a number of years, and his intrest in the material, intel- lectual, political and moral progress of the com- munity is deep and sincere and is manifested by tangible effort in behalf of the general good.

CHARLES BENCKENDORF.

The farming and stock-raising interests of Allen township are well represented by Charles Benckendorf, who lives on section 7, where he owns and cultivates a valuable tract of land and also raises high grades of stock. His judgment in business matters of this character is sound and his keen discrimination and sagacity are sailent and valuable elements in his success. Born in Germany on the 6th of May, 1849, he was

brought to America when but three years of age by his grandfather Missel and his mother, who crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. They proceeded by way of the Hudson river and canal to Buffalo and by sailing ship around the lakes to Chicago, thence down the Illinois and Michigan canal to Ottawa. The father, Frederick Benckendorf, came two years later. He was born in Peine, Hanover, Germany, April 26, 1826, and for many years has been identified with farming interests in La Salle county, his home being on section 18, Bruce township. A record of his life is given on another page of this work.

Charles Benckendorf had but limited educational privileges in youth. He spent about one week out of every three months during a period of five years in school and he was also a student under a Lutheran minister in a German school at Ottawa for a short period.

He was nineteen years, five months and five days of age when, on the 9th of October, 1868, he married Miss Caroline Diller and in the spring of 1869 removed to Marshall county, Illinois, where he began farming on his own account, liv- ing there for seven years near Varna. He then sold out and took up his abode on what was known as the Strawn pasture in Allen township in March, 1876. He bought two hundred and forty acres of land where he is now living and added to his possessions from time to time until he became a large landholder with seven hundred and six acres. He has since sold or given to his children, however, three hundred and twenty acres of this land and he retains possession of a valuable tract of three hundred and eighty-six acres where he now lives. This is splendidly im- proved with fine buildings and modern equip- ments. He also bought six hundred and twenty acres of land near Emmetsburg, Iowa, which is divided into two farms, where his sons are liv- ing, and in connection with his family he owns over thirteen hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Illinois and Iowa. All of this he pur- chased with funds earned through his own labor. He has been a most energetic, progressive and successful farmer and in connection with the till- ing of the soil he operated a threshing machine, hay press and corn sheller and grinder for thirty years. He has always bought and bred the best stock and is well known as a successful breeder of polled Durham cattle, Norman horses, also fine drivers and standard bred hogs. A glance at his barnyards and pastures shows that his stock is of the highest grades and indicates that he is one of the progressive farmers of the county, who realizes the value of raising good stock,

CHARLES BENCKENDORF.

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knowing that it will contribute to general progress as well as to individual success.

As stated, Mr. Benckendorf was married Octo- ber 9, 1868, to Miss Caroline Diller, who was born in Bruce township, La Salle county, Octo- ber 5, 1850, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Berge) Diller. The father was born in Ger- many and came to this country in the '40s, locat- ing in Bruce township, where he devoted his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits. He was a pioneer resident here and as the years passed became a prosperous agriculturist, owning three hundred and twenty acres of land which he converted from raw prairie into richly pro- ductive fields. He held some public offices and was influential in public affairs on the side of justice, right, progress and improvement. He voted with the republican party and held mem- bership in the German Evangelical church. His death occurred in 1885, when he was sixty-two years of age and his wife passed away in 1869, when almost forty-five years of age. They were the parents of eight children, six daughters and two sons, of whom seven are now living, namely: Mrs. Benckendorf; Augusta, the wife of Chris. Darm; Elizabeth, the wife of James Swartz; Mary, the wife of George Miller ; Eme- line, who married Henry Ritter; George; and Clara, the wife of Louis Beutke. Mr. Diller, having lost his first wife, married Mrs. Iserman and after her death wedded Mrs. Kitsman, who still survives him. There were two sons and a daughter born of this marriage.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 96

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