USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 3
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"Charles H. Hughes saw all of this and the passing and ephem- eral work in the field of politics tinged his later and riper years with something of pathos. But what he missed in human nature he found in nature.
"When man disappoints the moon holds. He ever devoted much of his time to his farming interests and in the Blue Book
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
of Illinois officials his occupation is given as that of a farmer. When not at the Dixon National Bank, where for years he held the position of cashier, he gave himself over to the charm of the country. He knew the gospel of the star and the daisy and the peace which seems to brood over field and forest. He found solace in the stability of elm and oak and a lesson in the patience of the pine. The beauty of the wild flower and the clinging vine ap- pealed to him. He watched his growing crops with care and in- terest and his live stock was his especial pride. The Christ is ever manger-born and the religion of the country gave the deep- est solace to his years. He purchased Hazelwood, one of the most historic and beautiful of the wooded bluffs along Rock River. He preserved and refitted the log cabin there and the stretches of grass and trees which surrounded it were given his special attention. There, in that quiet spot, so lavishly garnished by the hand of nature, he found his greatest pleasure in entertaining friends.
"In the quaint and beautiful Palmyra cemetery the friends of Charles H. Hughes will gather on Sunday afternoon with flowers and tears to pay the last sad tribute of love and respect to a busy life. The nooks and hills of all this vicinity which he so loved are garlanded by nature in their most peaceful and hope- ful moods. The beautiful waters of Rock River which inspired so many hours of his life with lasting pleasure seem to profoundly whisper 'all is well.' The bird caroling from the wayside tree seems sweetly but reverently to swell the universal anthem to the unseen Power which fixed the paths of the planets and 'surveyed the streets of the ant-village.' It is this Power which bids us look about us at the work Charles H. Hughes accomplished and from it gain an inspiration for the tasks of our hands yet to do."
REINHART ASCHENBRENNER.
Bradford township numbers among its valued and representa- tive residents and among its successful and enterprising native sons Reinhart Aschenbrenner, who is not only one of the most extensive landowners here and the holder of large landed interests in the west but who has also been for many years one of the great individual forces in the agricultural development and growth of Lee county. A spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated him
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REINHART ASCHENBRENNER
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
throughout his life and this, guided and controlled by sound and practical judgment, has brought him to a high place among men of marked ability and substantial worth in this community. Mr. Aschenbrenner was born in Bradford township, this county, Octo- ber 31, 1860, and is a son of Rev. John and Catherine (Reinhart) Aschenbrenner, natives of Germany. The mother came to America with her parents in 1845 and the father some years later. Their marriage occurred in Lee county and here the mother died July 20, 1900. The father makes his home on an orange farm near Los Angeles, California. He has reached the age of eighty-three years and only recently gave up the ministry, with which he had been connected during his active life. In this family were three chil- dren: Christian, who died July 28, 1913; Reinhart, of this review; and Andrew, a farmer of Bradford township.
Reinhart Aschenbrenner was reared at home and remained with his mother until he was thirty-two years of age, although at twenty-three he had purchased the farm which he now occupies. He moved upon this property in 1893 and he has since made his home there, carrying forward the work of improvement and devel- opment in a progressive and able way. His fields are in a high state of cultivation, his buildings are substantial and in good repair and everything about the place is in excellent condition. Mr. Aschenbrenner has from time to time bought more land and he is today one of the large holders of farming property in this part of Illinois. In partnership with his brother Andrew he owns six- teen hundred acres in Lee county, all but two hundred acres lying in Bradford township. They also have extensive land holdings in the west. Mr. Aschenbrenner has always made a specialty of rais- ing horses, cattle and hogs and he still supervises his extensive stock-raising interests although he is living practically retired.
In 1892 Mr. Aschenbrenner was united in marriage to Miss Helen Muerner, a native of DuPage county, Illinois, and a daugh- ter of Peter and Louisa (Knopf) Muerner, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Germany. The parents came to America in their early years and both died in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Aschenbrenner have become the parents of a daughter, Catherine E., who was born June 6, 1893. She has received a college education and is also a graduate in music. They have an adopted son, Lester Cecil.
Mr. Aschenbrenner is a member of Lee Center Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M., and Amboy Chapter, No. 194, R. A. M. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Lee Center and
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for eleven years served in a capable and efficient manner as commissioner. He has spent his entire life in Bradford township and for the past twenty years has made his home upon the farm which is yet his place of residence. He has won success and prominence and because he has always fol- lowed the highest and most honorable standards has commanded and held the confidence and regard of all who are associated with him.
BENJAMIN ROBERTS.
Benjamin Roberts has been a resident of Lee county since 1868 and for the greater part of the time since the beginning of his active career he has been connected with agricultural interests here, owning and operating one hundred and thirty-seven and one- half acres of excellent land on sections 11 and 2, Wyoming town- ship. He was born in Pavilion, Kendall county, Illinois, October 8, 1860, and is a son of H. H. and Elizabeth (Scott) Roberts. The father was a carpenter by trade, following this occupation in Penn- sylvania for a number of years. In 1848 he came west to Illinois and settled in Kendall county, where he engaged in farming. In 1868 he moved to Lee county and bought the farm now owned by the subject of this review, paying forty dollars an acre for land now worth three hundred dollars per acre. He passed away in 1868 and was survived by his wife until 1905. Both are buried in the East Paw Paw cemetery. They were the parents of eleven children: Crawford, who died in the Union army during the Civil war; Annie, the wife of R. M. Morgan, a farmer in Oklahoma; Jennie, who married John Wolcott, a farmer in Kendall county, Illinois; Henry, who died in 1910 and is buried in the Wyoming cemetery; Emma, the wife of Joe Agler, who is engaged in farming near Wakefield, Nebraska; Etta, who became the wife of Henry Litz and died in Abilene, Kansas, in 1888; Lizzie, who married Mathew Goodyear, a farmer at Philip, South Dakota; Benjamin, of this review; George, a farmer in Wayne, Nebraska; Mary, the wife of James Britton, county judge of Wayne county, Nebraska: and Della, the wife of George Hicks, a clothier in Paw Paw, Illi- nois.
Benjamin Roberts acquired his education in the public schools of Paw Paw, laying aside his books at the age of seventeen. He
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
afterward assisted with the work of the farm until he was twenty- two and then became a clerk in a drug store. He was later for eight years connected with the clothing business in Paw Paw. He purchased the homestead at auction and has since carried forward the work of its improvement and development. He engages in mixed farming and under his able management his property has greatly increased in value, being now one of the finest farms in the township.
In Paw Paw, on the 16th of June, 1891, Mr. Roberts married Miss Pearl Carnahan, a daughter of John and Malvina (Cole) Carnahan, the former an engineer and farmer and one of the pio- neers in Lee county. He now makes his home in Iowa, having survived his wife since 1907. She passed away when she was sixty years of age and is buried in Saybrook, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children: H. Louise, a graduate of the Paw Paw high school and now a student in Lake Forest College; and Benja- min E., attending high school.
Mr. Roberts is a member of the Baptist church, in which he has been deacon and Sunday School superintendent for fifteen years. He is connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America and gives his politi- cal allegiance to the republican party. He has served with credit and ability in various positions of trust and responsibility, having been alderman of Paw Paw for three terms, street commissioner. for two terms and also school director. He is a man of many excellent traits of character which he evidences in all the relations of life, holding the esteem and respect of his neighbors as a pro- gressive business man and upright citizen.
JOHN BUEL CRABTREE.
The business interests of Dixon find a worthy representative in John. Buel Crabtree, secretary and treasurer of the Dixon Water Company since 1902. This is, however, but one phase of his activ- ity, for he is a well known and representative member of the bar, his ability being continually manifest in his successful conduct of important and involved cases. Born in Dixon, he attended the public schools until graduated from the high school and then pre- pared for his chosen profession as a student in the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
1902. He has since engaged in general law practice and has served as justice of the peace since 1909. He has never neglected to give thorough preparation before entering the courtroom, while an excellent presence, an earnest manner, marked strength of char- acter, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles make him an attractive and successful advo- cate. In the year in which he opened his law office he also entered into active connection with commercial interests as secretary and treasurer of the Dixon Water Company.
Mr. Crabtree is equally well known in other connections, being popular in fraternal circles and active in church work. He belongs to the Baptist church, of which he is a trustee, and he is a past exalted ruler of the Elks lodge. He likewise has membership with the Masonic fraternity and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and all entertain high consideration for him because of his integrity and impartiality in his profession, his enterprise in busi- ness connections and his public spirit in matters of citizenship.
ANDREW ASCHENBRENNER.
Agricultural and stock-raising interests of Lee county find a progressive and worthy representative in Andrew Aschenbrenner, who during the entire period of his active life has been engaged in farming in Bradford township. He is one of the extensive land- owners in this part of Illinois and his success in the conduct of his large interests has made him widely and favorably known in busi- ness circles. He was born in Bradford township, April 1, 1865, and is a son of John and Catherine (Reinhart) Aschenbrenner, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Andrew Aschenbrenner was reared in this township and ac- quired his education in the district schools and Dixon College. He aided in the operation of the homestead until he was twenty- five years of age and then began farming independently. He after- ward moved upon a farm on section 29, Bradford township, and here he has since resided, giving his attention to general farming and stock-raising. He has large interests in farming property in this locality, owning in partnership with his brother, Reinhart Aschenbrenner, sixteen hundred acres in Lee county. In addition to this they have valuable holdings in western states.
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ANDREW ASCHENBRENNER
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
On the 22d of February, 1890, Mr. Aschenbrenner was united in marriage to Miss Malinda S. Frost, who was born in Bradford township, February 11, 1867. She is a daughter of Captain Wil- liam S. and Sophia E. (Shaw) Frost, the former a native of Maine, and the latter of Niles, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Aschenbrenner have three children: Della E., who was born June 11, 1893, and who is a talented musician; Marian E., born August 16, 1898; and Andrew Reinhart Frost, born June 4, 1903.
Mr. Aschenbrenner is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Masonic lodge and chapter at Amboy and the Elks at Dixon, being affiliated also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served for fifteen years as township clerk. He is now in the twentieth year of his able service as school director and the cause of education finds in him an earnest supporter. He was a member of the board of review for the year 1912. He is receiver for the Northern Illinois Electric Railway of which company he is also secretary. It is likewise interesting to note that he ran the first car over the line. In Bradford township, where he has spent his entire life, he is widely and favorably known, having gained recognition as a substantial farmer and a useful citizen.
CHARLES F. PRESTON.
One of the foremost and best known lawyers in Lee county is Charles F. Preston, who has practiced his profession in Paw Paw for thirty years, or since 1883. During that time he has been con- nected with much important litigation and has successfully estab- lished a reputation for high professional efficiency. He is equally at ease before the court or jury and sets forth his point in such a clear, concise and logical manner as to make it understandable not only for men of his profession but for practically every lay mind. He has, therefore, succeeded in winning a good many cases by pre- senting his views in a manner so clear that every member of the jury understood his point. Moreover, Mr. Preston enjoys not only high prestige as a lawyer but is well known in local public life, in which he has actively participated largely to the benefit of the general interests.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
A native of Lee county, Charles F. Preston was born in Marion township, January 20, 1860, and is a son of James H. and Nancy A. (Maydole) Preston. The father came to Lee county in 1854, one of its pioneers, and at first settled near Amboy but later removed to Marion township. He held the office of county superintendent of schools for thirteen years and also was honored by his fellow citizens with election to a number of township offices. He died in 1896, deeply mourned by a large number of friends and neighbors, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife passed away ten years later, in 1906, and both are buried in the Prairie Repose cemetery at Amboy. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and has been settled in America since the days preceding the Revolutionary war.
Charles F. Preston received his primary education in the public schools of Lee county and the State Normal at Normal, Illinois, which latter institution he left at the age of twenty years. He then, deciding upon a legal career, studied law in the office of C. H. Wooster at Amboy and was admitted to the bar of the state of Illinois in May, 1882, beginning his practice in the following year at Paw Paw. He has ever since continued in this city and his repu- tation for fairness, ability and legal and judicial knowledge ranks him among the foremost lawyers of the county.
Mr. Preston married, at Paw Paw, Illinois, October 6, 1886, Miss Ida A. Hendershot, who passed away January 2, 1904, leaving three children: Frances H., a graduate of Lake Forest University; Hazel J., who graduated from Oberlin College, and who married Frank W. Bauer, November 1, 1913; and Rolland C., attending school. On July 25, 1906, Mr. Preston was again married, his second union being contracted at Ottawa, Illinois, with Miss Isabel Harter, of Sandwich, this state. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Harter.
As is often the case with men of the legal profession, Mr. Pres- ton has taken an active interest in the political and public life of his region and for twenty-two years has served with most gratifying results as president of Paw Paw. For fifteen years he was clerk of the board of education and from 1885 to 1889 he served as post- master. His political views coincide with the principles of the democratic party and he has ever given his loyal support to the men and measures of that organization. Along fraternal lines Mr. Preston is connected with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge. He is one of the best known professional men of Lee county and highly esteemed and respected by his fellow lawyers as well as the general public. Ever interested in the growth and progress
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
of his village and district, he considers no effort on his part too great to promote the general welfare along intellectual, moral or material lines.
SAMUEL C. EELLS.
One of the most venerable and honored citizens of Dixon passed away when death called Samuel C. Eells on the 23d of September, 1913. He had passed the ninety-first milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Walton, New York, March 19th, 1822. His father, Nathaniel G. Eells, was born in New Canaan, Con- necticut, in 1794 and was a son of Samuel Eells, and descended from one of the old colonial families. He served in the War of 1812 and died in 1826. The mother of Mr. Eells bore the maiden name of Betty St. John and was born in Connecticut in 1800, a daughter of Cook and Polly (Seymour) St. John, who were also natives of the Charter Oak state and who became pioneer citizens of Delaware county, New York.
Samuel C. Eells was reared upon a farm in the Empire state and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the common schools he attended Delaware Academy, manifesting notable aptitude in his studies, so that when but sixteen years of age he began teaching, which profession he followed until the age of nineteen. He came west to Dixon at the request of John S. Cole- man, who had removed to Illinois from Walton, New York, and who sent for Mr. Eells to join him at Rockford, where he had established and was conducting the Winnebago National Bank. Removing to Dixon, Mr. Eells was placed in charge of the banking business in Robertson, Eastman & Company. Later the name of the firm was Robertson, Eells & Company and in 1859 the bank became the property of Eells and Coleman, at which time Mr. Eells became a partner of his former fellow townsman, John S. Coleman. In 1865 the business was reorganized under the name of the Lee County National Bank with Joseph Crawford as president and Mr. Eells as cashier. The business was conducted under that name for twenty years, when in 1885 another reorganization was effected, bringing into existence the City National Bank with the same officers. Mr. Eells had been made president of the bank in 1881 and so served until the time of his demise. He established the safety deposit boxes in the bank in Dixon and introduced many progressive methods in keeping with the modern ideas of banking.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Moreover, he always recognized the fact that the bank is most worthy of support that most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositers. He ever tempered progressiveness with a safe con- servatism and the bank was conducted along substantial lines leading to its present prosperity.
It was in 1854 that Mr. Eells was united in marriage to Miss Anna Moore, a native of New York and a daughter of Henry and Betsy A. (Farrington) Moore. They became the parents of three children: Caroline W .; Anna, the wife of Charles C. Upham, vice president and manager of the New York Steam Company, New York City; and Betsy Pauline.
In politics Mr. Eells was ever a stalwart republican and kept well informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day, but did not seek or desire public office. He was a member of the Episcopal church and his religion found exemplification in all of his life's relations. He never deviated from the highest standards and in all of his business affairs followed constructive methods, never seeking success at the price of another's failure. He came to the west a young man, attacked his duties with the deepest enthusiasm and by the steps of an orderly progression steadily advanced until he was one of the chief figures in financial circles of the northwest.
OLIVER L. GEHANT.
Oliver L. Gehant, cashier of the Henry F. Gehant Banking Company at West Brooklyn, is a wide-awake, alert and enterpris- ing young business man and the record which he has made adds further laurels to a family name that has long been a synonym for enterprise and reliability in the business circles of this part of the county. He was born in Viola township, Lee county, December 25, 1889, and is a son of Henry F. and Eliza (Py) Gehant, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. He acquired his primary education in the schools of West Brooklyn, completing a high-school course at the age of fourteen years, and he has the honor of being its first graduate. He afterward continued his studies in the University of Notre Dame of South Bend, Indiana, from which he was also graduated, receiving a gold medal because of the record which he made in his school work being superior to that of any other member of the class of 1908.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Returning to his home, Oliver L. Gehant entered his father's bank as assistant cashier, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the business and continuing to serve in his original capacity until 1912, when he was appointed to his present position as cashier. He is also a representative of various insurance com- panies and writes many policies every year, this contributing not a little to his success in a business way.
At Harmon, Illinois, on the 4th of October, 1911, Mr. Gehant was married to Miss Josephine Blackburn, a daughter of Peter and Nell (Morrissey) Blackburn, natives of Lee county, now residing in Harmon township. The father is a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Gehant are members of the Catholic church and he is financial secretary of the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and in its support he edits and publishes the West Brooklyn News, an enterprising country journal.
JUDGE ROBERT H. SCOTT.
Dixon has always been distinguished for the high rank of her bar, and among those who have been factors in maintaining this reputation is Judge Robert H. Scott, who since 1902 has served upon the bench and will continue as county judge until 1914. Appointed to fill a vacancy, he has been three times elected to the office and his decisions indicate strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and unbiased judgment. His history stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for Judge Scott is a native son of Lee county; where he has been called to high judicial place and power. His birth occurred in Marion township in 1871, his parents being Robert and Ruth (Fairman) Scott, who were farming people of this part of the state. The usual experiences of the farm boy came to Judge Scott in his youth and his early educa- tion was acquired in the public schools. He afterward entered Dixon College and was graduated on the completion of the teacher's course. He also attended business college and the Dixon College of Elocution, and then, in preparation for a professional career, began a course in the Dixon College of Law, which in due time he completed by graduation. In January, 1896, he was admit- ted to the bar and at once entered upon active practice, which claimed his attention until August, 1902, when he was appointed to
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
fill a vacancy on the county bench. The following November he was elected to the office for a four years' term and again in 1906 and 1910, so that he will remain the incumbent until 1914. He is a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information and he pos- sesses an analytical mind and a self control that enables him to put aside all personal feelings and prejudices and fully sustain the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection.
On the 16th of June, 1907, Judge Scott was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Clark, of Dixon, and they have become the parents of three children, Ione Ruth, Winifred Mildred and Gladys Beth. Judge Scott and his wife are prominently known in the leading social circles of the city and they are both connected with the Eastern Star, the Judge being a well known Mason. He like- wise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has membership in the Hamilton Club of Chicago. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and it has been upon that ticket that he has been called to public office. He served for five years as justice of the peace ere his election to the bench and for two years, from 1908 until 1910, he was president of the North Side school board. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the county both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community.
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