USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 11
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Edward Eddy remained on the homestead, and bought it in 1877, but gave his parents a home with him until their death. He added to the original farm and erected new buildings, making the property a very valuable one. Here he carried on dairying and hoggrowing, milk-
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stock December 7, 1855, and when eighteen years of age began teaching in the local schools of MeHenry County. For fifteen years she con- tinued in the educational field, seven years of which she taught in the Woodstock school, the remainder of that time being in the country districts, on account of her health, which necessitated her residing amid rural surroundings. Since her marriage she has diverted her talents to social and club work, and for eight years has been recorder of the local camp of the Royal Neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth have no children. They reside in the northern part of Woodstock, where Mr. Ellsworth erected a comfortable house, and every summer take an outing on the lakes of Wisconsin. Both the Ellsworth and Lemmers families are exceptionally well known in MeHenry and adjoin- ing counties and their representatives stand for all that is best and highest in community welfare work and good citizenship.
M. F. ELLSWORTH.
Page 134.
ALVIN J. EPPEL.
Alvin J. Eppel, secretary and treasurer of the Woodstock Implement Company, incorporated, is recognized as an important factor in the business life of Woodstock, and MeHenry County. He was born in McHenry County, June 8, 1875, one of the four children of his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Koch) Eppel, natives of Germany and the United States. He came to this country in his youth, and became a farmer of McHenry County.
Alvin J. Eppel attended the local schools of McHenry County, and the Woodstock High School. Until 1903, he was engaged in farming, but in that year became associated with Fred G. Bosshard in his present business, which is the handling of farm machinery, gasoline engines, wagons, carriages, automobiles, tires and supplies, and doing well work.
On September 29, 1903, Mr. Eppel was married to Miss Liza Nail, a daughter of Charles Nail of MeHenry County, who was born in Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Eppel have one daughter, Helen A. Mr. Eppel
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is a Republican in his political convictions. The Lutheran church of Woodstock holds his membership and that of his wife and daughter. The Eppel residence on Dacy street, Woodstock, is a very comfortable one, and here the many friends of the family enjoy gathering upon numerous occasions.
HENRY T. EPPEL.
Henry T. Eppel, one of the prosperous farmers of Greenwood Township, owns and operates 247 acres of valuable land on section 34. He was born in Seneca Township, February 16, 1868, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Koch) Eppel. Jacob Eppel was born in Alsace Lor- raine, France, and came to the United States when he was twenty-two years of age, and after stopping in Ohio for a year, came to Illinois, and located in Hartland Township, McHenry County. After living there for thirteen years, he moved to Seneca Township, and became the owner of 200 acres of land. There he died when seventy-one years old. His wife survives him, being now seventy-seven years old. She was born in Racine County, Wis. Their children were as follows: Henry T., Alvin J., William J. and Fred R., all of whom are still living.
Henry T. Eppel attended the local schools in Hartland Township, and learned practical farming from his father, so thoroughly that he was able to make a success of his own farming from the very beginning. He was married to Rose MeIntyre, born March 14, 1875, in New York state, a daughter of A. MeIntyre. Mr. and Mrs. Eppel have the fol- lowing children: Irvin H., who was born June 4, 1897; Florence, who was born November 22, 1898, is a teacher; and Ida, who was born August 7, 1902. In politics Mr. Eppel is a Republican, but he has not had the time or inclination to seek public office, his work on the farm occupying his attention, but he has always taken an intelligent interest in local affairs, and given his support to those measures he deemed best for the community and its people.
EDWARD J. FARDY.
Edward J. Fardy, senior member of the hardware firm of Fardy & Vick of Hebron, is one of the well known business men of MeHenry
John C. Peters
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County, where his ability is appreciated. He was born on a farm in Wisconsin, August 18, 1883, one of six children of William and Alice (Goodman) Fardy.
Edward J. Fardy was reared on his father's farm, and he attended both the common and high schools of his locality, being graduated from the latter in 1901. He then learned the trade of a tinner and plumber, and gained a practical experience which has stood him in good stead in his present undertaking. On March 11, 1916, he and Chris Vick organ- ized their present business, which is the handling of a general line of hardware, gasoline engines, and pumps, and the carrying on of plumbing and repairing. An extensive patronage has been built up, and both partners are accepted as skilled workmen and experienced in their line.
Mr. Fardy was married to Miss Jennie C. Howie, a daughter of De Witt Howie, and a member of a prominent Wisconsin family. Mr. and Mrs. Fardy have one daughter, Grace E., who was born November 23, 1907. The Fardy family are Universalists. Mr. Fardy is a Repub- lican. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Having made his own way in the world, Mr. Fardy deserves all the more credit for what he has accomplished, and is worthy of the confidence he inspires.
CHIARLES H. FEGERS, M. D.
Charles H. Fegers, M. D., one of the honored retired physicians of McHenry County, is now living at MeHenry, and is interested in the West MeHenry State Bank, which he is serving as president. He was born in Germany, but when only four years old was brought to the United States by his parents, John H. and Gertrude Fegers, also natives of Germany, who located at West Point, Iowa, in 1850. John H. Fegers was also a physician, and practiced his profession at West Point, Iowa, for a number of years. In 1877, he returned to his native land on a visit, and there died. His wife died in Iowa.
Dr. Charles HI. Fegers attended the public schools of Iowa, and then embarked in a drug business at Keokuk, Iowa, and was engaged in the same line at Burlington, Iowa. IIe then began the study of medicine under Doctor Andrews of Chicago, completing his medical studies at the Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1879. He then located at Johnsburg, Ill., but four years later came to McHenry, where for many years he was engaged in an active practice. In 1911,
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he retired owing to increasing years, but he still maintains his interest in politics, voting independently, and for some years was a member of the school board. He had also dealt largely in real estate, having built many residences in MeHenry and a number of summer cottages. Pro- fessionally he long belonged to the county, state and national medical societies, and is still interested in their work.
In 1880, Doetor Fegers was married to Miss Alice McGee, a daughter of Sylvestor MeGec, a prominent resident of Woodstock. She died some years ago. The family belong to the Catholic church,
FRANK C. FERRIS.
Frank C. Ferris, junior member of the grocery house of Schuett & Ferris, is one of the enterprising business men of Woodstock, and well known throughout MeHenry County. He was born at Huntley, Il., June 24, 1878, one of the five children born to Theodore R. and Mary (Merrill) Ferris. Theodore R. Ferris was a druggist at Huntley for thirty years, and he was also postmaster at that place for a number of years, being appointed under a Republican administration. He has now retired from active life, and is enjoying the comforts his former activities have entitled him to.
Frank C. Ferris attended the graded and high schools of Huntley, and completed his studies at the Elgin Academy, and a commercial college. He then clerked in his father's drug store, and was associated with his father in the post office. Coming to Woodstock, he entered the well-known grocery house of A. K. Bunker, with which he continued until April 15, 1918, when he and Robert H. Schuett bought the business. Mr. Bunker is now deceased. The new firm carry a full and complete line of groceries and hardware, and are upholding the old prestige of the house. Their stoek averages about $6,000. Mr. Ferris, like his father, is a strong Republican. His fraternal connections are with the Masons and Odd Fellows. A live business man, he has known how to forge ahead, and deserves the eredit which is accorded him as a citizen and a man.
HOWARD J. FERRIS.
Howard J. Ferris, one of the substantial business men of Harvard, holds the responsible position of superintendent of the Hunt, Hchin,
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IHISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
Ferris Company, of which his father, Henry L. Ferris, is vice president. He was born on a farm known as the Ferris Homestead in Alden Town- ship, February 16, 1878, one of four children born to Henry L. and Millie F. (Mosher) Ferris. A sketch of Henry L. Ferris is given elsewhere in this work.
Howard J. Ferris was reared at Harvard, Ill., and after attending its schools, took a business course in the Rockford Commercial college. On completion of this course he spent two years in the office of Hunt, Helm, Ferris Co., and then took a four year course in mechanical engi- neering in the University of Chicago. Returning to Harvard he again entered the employ of Hunt, Helm, Ferris Co., working as drafts- man and pattern maker for two years. In August, 1904, he was made superintendent and still holds that position although he is devoting more and more of his time each year to the experimental department in which the devices manufactured by his firm are developed.
On January 15, 1905, Mr. Ferris was united in marriage to Miss Beatrice Gaye, a daughter of William C. and Nancy F. Gaye, and they have two children, namely: Robert G. and Beatrice Nan. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, both serving as teachers in- the Sunday school for years. Politically he is a staunch Republican, but does not care for office, preferring to exert his influence in favor of his party and civic improvement, as a private citizen. He is president of the board of education and a director in the Harvard State Bank. The Ferris family is one of the best and most favorably known in the county, and Mr. Ferris is a worthy member of it, and the principles for which its representatives have always stood.
HENRY L. FERRIS.
Henry L. Ferris, vice president of the Hunt, Helm, Ferris Company of Harvard, one of the largest concerns of its kind in the United States, is accounted one of the most prominent men of McHenry County. He was born at Alden, Ill., September 24, 1850, one of six children born to Sylvanus and Sarah (Brandow) Ferris. Sylvanus Ferris was born in Greene County, N. Y., where he spent the early part of his life. He died at Alden, Ill., where he had located in 1875.
Henry L. Ferris was reared on a farm in Illinois, and attended its public schools. After reaching years of maturity, he entered the cream-
-
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ery business, and was so engaged for seven years, interesting himself in the production of butter and cheese. Later he obtained several patents of so valuable a nature that they justified the organization of the company of which he is now vice president, and the plant has been expanded to its present proportions, employment being now given to about 300 people. Mr. Ferris has been an energetic and tireless worker, devoting most of his time for the past forty years to inventing and developing the many devices owned and manufactured by his company. He is a firm believer in patents as shown by the fact that he has taken out over one hundred foreign and United States patents covering the devices he has perfected.
In 1876 Mr. Ferris was married to Miss Millie F. Mosher, a daughter of William Mosher. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris became the parents of the following children: Howard J., who is superintendent of the above mentioned company, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Eugene C., who is at Alden, Ill., is manager of H. L. Ferris & Sons Dairy Farms of 940 acres, producing last year 350 tons of milk; Bessie I., who is Mrs. William Doyle of Harvard, Ill .; and Olive C., who is Mrs. Samuel May of Rockford, Ill. The Ferris family belong to the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mr. Ferris is very active in civic matters as a Republican, and has been a member of the city council of Harvard, and on its school board. In addition to his heavy interests in the Hunt, Helm, Ferris Company, Mr. Ferris owns several valuable farms in the vicinity of Harvard, and has the prosperity of this locality elose at heart, and can be counted upon to render any aid in his power to advance it and its people.
REV. ALBERT A. FISKE.
Rev. Albert A. Fiske, D. D., one of the honored residents of Har- vard, has the distinction of being the founder of Christ Episcopal church here, and one of the scholarly men of MeHenry County, whose labors in the ministry and for the uplift of humanity, have endeared him to a wide circle of people. He was born in Troy, N. Y., November 1, 1828, one of six children born to Allen and Eliza (Chapman) Fiske. Allen Fiske was born in New Hampshire, and was graduated from Dartmouth College as a Phi Beta Kappa. Originally a farmer, he passed his last years as an educator, and specialized as an instructor in literature and English grammar. His death occurred in 1877.
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Albert A. Fiske was reared at Troy, N. Y., and received his pre- liminary instruction under his father. Devoting himself to the service of the church, he entered Nashotah, Wis., Seminary, and was graduated therefrom, being ordained for the ministry by Bishop Whitehouse of Chicago. After faithfully fulfilling the duties of several charges, he was induced by Bishop McLaren to undertake the work of organizing a church at Harvard, and held his first services there in January, 1877. From then until 1886, he labored zealously and successfully, and during that period the present beautiful church edifice was erected and con- secrated. In 1886 he received a call from the church at Austin, Ill., and left Harvard for Austin, but in 1891 he was recalled to Harvard by his old parishioners, who felt that he belonged to them. Once more he assumed charge of affairs, and continued to minister to them until failing health made it necessary for him to permanently retire.
In 1859 Mr. Fiske was married to Miss Amelia Goodyear, and after her demise, he was married (second) to Mary S. Herrick, of Boston, Mass. During his youthful days, Mr. Fiske did considerable newspaper work, and has contributed some able articles since then to church publications. He is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason.
JOHN G. FITCH.
John G. Fitch, now deceased, was formerly one of the pioneers of Crystal Lake, and a man widely known and universally respected. He was born at Pawlet, Vt., August 19, 1809, a son of Daniel Fitch, born during the American Revolution at Stanford, Conn. John G. Fitch was married in Virginia, to Caroline Marlow, a native of Loudon County, Va., where Mr. Fitch was engaged in teaching, and where he remained for four years. He then returned to Vermont, and in 1839 came to Illinois, securing land that was located in Crystal Lake, then known as Nunda, from the government, and another farm in Algonquin Township. It was on the first farm that his wife died in 1854. After he was again married, Mr. Fitch went to his other farm, living there until he enlisted for service during the Civil War, in Company H, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which company was largely made up of MeHenry County men. His period of service extended over three years, but eighteen months of it was spent in the invalid corps to which he was transferred after receiving an injury. Later he
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IHISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
did service guarding government property in the North. After his honorable discharge he returned to Illinois, and lived on a farm in Livingston County, where he died April 1, 1883.
By his first marriage he had the following children who reached maturity: Mary Jane, who married Edward Harring, of Westfield, N. Y., died on her seventy-third birthday; James Il., who left McHenry County in young manhood and went to Texas, where he died in 1880, aged forty years; Virginia, who is the widow of Charles H. Cronkhite, lives in Washington County, N. Y .; Marlow, who served in the One Hundred and Twelfth New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War for almost three years, was discharged on account of disability from wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., and returned to the unele with whom he was living at the outbreak of the war; Walter B., who is mentioned at length below; Daniel Edward, who left MeHenry County in boyhood, died when about forty-nine years of age in Arizona, where he was engaged in sheep herding; and Laura E., who lives with her brother, Walter B.
Walter B. Fitch was born April 3, 1847, on the old homestead, one- half a mile north of Crystal Lake, and he has spent his life in this vieinity 'with the exception of his period of service in defense of his country during the Civil War. He enlisted for that conflict, in January, 1865, in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and saw duty in Tennessee, not being discharged until September, 1865, following which he in company with his unele, James W. Marlow, established a general store in the old town of Crystal Lake, this partner- ship being maintained for sixteen years, death severing these bonds, when Mr. Marlow passed away. For the subsequent eleven years Mr. Fitch continued the business, and then retired. During the over twenty-six years he was continuously in business, he built up a fine trade, and was recognized as one of the leading men of Crystal Lake. For four years he served as postmaster under the Harrison administra- tion; was village treasurer for twenty years and school treasurer, and during the time he held the latter office, the main school building was erected. Mr. Fitch belongs to Nunda Post No. 226, G. A. R., and of Nunda Lodge, No. 169, A. F. & A. M., which he served as secretary for sixteen years. Considering the various relations he has maintained with the public, Mr. Fitch is about as well known a man as can be found in McHenry County, and certainly no other man enjoys a greater or more deserved popularity, for he has measured up to the highest standards in every particular.
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MATTHEW H. FITZSIMMONS.
Matthew H. Fitzsimmons, one of the prosperous farmers of Nunda Township, resides five and one-half miles east of Woodstock, on the township line between Nunda and Dorr townships. He was born near Auburn, N. Y., March 4, 1843, a son of John and Mary (Riley) Fitz- simmons, both of whom were born near Dublin, Ireland. In the fall of 1843 Mrs. Fitzsimmons, accompanied by her sister, Ann, came to Chicago by way of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes, and went to visit Patrick Fitzsimmons who had come west five or six years pre- viously, being a pioneer of Nunda Township. Later John Fitzsimmons joined them, and entered a large amount of land near Barryville, Ill.,
where he died in 1893, aged ninety-one years, having been retired for the last twenty years of his life. He was a Democrat. He was a charter member of the Catholic church of MeHenry, the first services being held in the cabins of the early settlers, but later a substantial church edifice was erected. His wife survived him, dying when only lacking two months of being eighty-six years of age. Their children to attain to mature years were as follows: James, who, after having spent twenty years at Lake City, Minn., returned to MeHenry, where he died at the age of seventy-five years; Richard, who, after living in Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas, died at Chicago, December 17, 1917, aged eighty-four years; Mary Ann, who married Smith Searles, kept a millinery shop at McHenry for fifty years, and died at the age of seventy-five years; John, who died at the age of twenty-one years, had taught in the home district and was a law student; Thomas, who died at the age of twenty-two years at Natchez, Miss., while serving in the Ninety-fifth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry during the Civil War; Matthew, whose name heads this review; William, who was a well known stockman, died unmarried at the age of thirty-eight years; and Joseph, who was a storekeeper at McHenry for some years, retired, and now lives at Chicago.
Matthew H. Fitzsimmons was reared on the homestead and with his brother William operated it until the latter's death. He then secured his present farm which formerly belonged to his wife's parents, and prior to that it was owned by Samuel Terwillger, who erected in 1849, the residence which is still a landmark, now occupied by Mr. Fitzsimmons. Mr. Fitzsimmons has built one of the finest barns in the county. He devotes his 300 acres to dairy farming, and his water supply comes from natural springs on the farm, from which the water is piped to the house, barns and yard. It is his practice to keep a tenant on the farm. He is
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one of the original directors of the former MeHenry County State Bank at Woodstock, now nationalized, of which he is vice president. Mr. Fitzsimmons owns a section of farm land in North Dakota, and another seetion in Kearney, Nebr. He has served as assessor and a member of the school board.
Matthew H. Fitzsimmons was married to Margaret Conley, a daughter of William and Anastasia Conley, who settled in MeHlenry ('ounty in the carly forties, buying their farm some fifteen years later. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimmons have no children of their own, but they have reared James Hanrahan, Mrs. Fitzsimmons' nephew, taking him when le was only a child. He has been graduated from Loyola, St. Ignatius School, Chicago, and is now studying law. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fitz- simmons are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church of MeHenry, to which the Conley family belonged from its establishment. An expe- rienced farmer and good business man, Mr. Fitzsimmons has made a success of his undertakings and is justly numbered among the repre- sentative men of the county.
WILLIAM GILBERT FLANDERS.
William Gilbert Flanders, one of the prosperous and representative men of MeHenry County, owns a fine farm five and one-half miles southwest of. Woodstock in Seneca Township, and was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., near Ogdensburg, March 28, 1867, a son of Otis B. and Emily (Kelly) Flanders. The Flanders family was founded in this country during Colonial times by four brothers, who located in . what are now the New England States, and it is now a very large one found in practically all of the states of the Union, as shown by a genealogy compiled about 1870.
Otis B. Flanders was born in New Hampshire May 30, 1832, and during his childhood was taken to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and reared on a farm. During the Civil War he served in the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteer Infantry, Company F, for four years, and participated in a number of important battles. After the close of the war he returned to his wife and family, and later brought them and his parents to MeHenry County, first buying the farm now occupied by his son, William G., and later purchasing other property. His death occurred March 23, 1909.
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For twenty-nine years William G. Flanders has lived on his present farm, and the buildings have been erected by him during the past ten years, and are thoroughly modern. On May 26, 1909, he was married to Mary L. Allbee, a daughter of Orin Allbee, who was born on the farm now owned by James Scott in Seneca Township. She lived with her parents and cared for them until they were claimed by death. Mr. and Mrs. Flanders have no family.
Mr. and Mrs. Flanders are earnest members of the Methodist church, and active in carrying on its good works. Both are held in the highest esteem in the neighborhood where they have spent their lives.
ALLEN GILMORE FLEMING.
Allen Gilmore Fleming, one of the progressive farmers of MeHenry County, is located five miles northwest of Marengo, in Marengo Town- ship. Mr. Fleming was born at Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland, March 16, 1853. In 1870, in company with an elder brother David, he came to the United States, locating in Will County, Illinois. Later he moved to Chicago, where he carried on a grocery and meat market business for a number of years. In 1880 he came to MeHenry County, where he had purchased 160 acres of land at $40.00 per acre, from G. N. Chittendon, of Plainfield, Ill. There was not a building on the farm except a portion of a house. The soil was in fair condition, but a number of acres were covered with water. The latter obstacle was overcome by laying 900 rods of tile, which drained it properly and redeemed the greater part of the land. Later he laid 1,000 rods more, making the entire farm tillable. As he could he erected his barn and other buildings, also bought three other farms which he sold again later.
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