USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 15
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Mrs. Gorham was born at Bradford, Vt., January 9, 1842, a daughter of William and Savilla (Hayes) Sawyer, who were of English-Puritan ancestry. Savilla Hayes was born at Strafford, Vt., January 3, 1811, a daughter of Robert and Abigail (Merrill) Hayes, the former of whom was a soldier of the American Revolution. Their children were as follows: David, John, Samuel, Sallie, Irene, Lydia, Roxanna, Elvira, Luey (who died young) and Savilla. The Hayes family here referred to belonged to the same stock as Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes.
William Sawyer, father of Mrs. Gorham, was born at Oxford, N. H., in November, 1807, a son of John and Judith (Webster) Sawyer, the ancestors of both having been among the very early settlers of New Hampshire. This branch of the Sawyer family belongs to the same stock as that of former Senator Sawyer of Wisconsin. Judith Webster was a second cousin of Daniel Webster. John Sawyer was killed at an early day in Canada. His son William Sawyer acquired what was for his day an excellent education, and always was an earnest student of history. In 1839 he was married to Savilla Hayes, and their children were as follows: Judith Helen, who married Henry Gorham; and George, who served as a soldier during the Civil War, as a member of Company F, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but died a few months after his enlistment at Lake Providence, La. Mr. Sawyer was engaged in farming and the transportation of produce from his home town to Boston, Mass., by way of the Connecticut River on flat boats made by himself. Later he bought a farm near Bradford, Vt., where he remained until 1840, at which time he moved to Bradford. In August, 1851, he came to MeHenry County, Ill., locating on eighty acres of land, which was un- improved except for a dilapidated log cabin. He improved this property and increased his farm until he owned 1SS acres. His death occurred when he was eighty-one years of age, his widow surviving him until January 3, 1902, when she passed away, aged ninety-one years. She was a Methodist in religious belief, and very active in church work.
Mrs. Gorham has lived on her present farm since 1851, and is one of the oldest residents of the township. While not a member of any religious denomination, she is an attendant on the services of the Presbyterian Church, and takes an active part in the good work of that body as well as social organizations, having given liberally of her time and money to the Red Cross.
George F. Gorham, son of Henry Gorman, took charge of the old homestead which formerly belonged to his grandfather Sawyer, and an additional farm of 15S acres two miles away from his original one, which
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is owned by his mother. He specializes in milk production, his herd averaging twenty head. The present residence was erected in 1892 to replace the one destroyed by fire. The barn, 36 x 120 feet, is a modern structure, and other improvements are contemplated, for George F. Gorham is one of the progressive men of his calling who believes in having a first-class equipment in every particular. When the government asked the farmers for a greater wheat production, Mr. Gorham responded with a crop of 1,100 bushels in addition to his regular milk production. The Gorham family is one of the most representative ones in McHenry County, and George F. Gorham is living up to its highest standards.
FLAVEL K. GRANGER.
Page 138.
HENRY F. GREELEY.
Henry F. Greeley, one of the very prominent men of Richmond, owns two choice farms in Richmond Township, and has been interested along several commercial lines in this city. He was born in McHenry County, August 8, 1868, one of the nine children of Michael and Hannah (Waldron) Greeley. Michael Greeley came to Mellenry County in 1850, and for many years was engaged in farming. He lived to the unusual age of ninety-nine years, and was one of the most highly esteemed men of his locality.
Henry F. Greeley was reared on his father's farm, and was given an excellent public school education. For some time he was engaged in farming, and then he went into a dairy business at Richmond, but later sold it. A staunch Democrat, he was the unsuccessful candidate of his party for the office of mayor of Richmond, being defeated both times by E. C. Covalt, although he ran way ahead of his ticket on account of his personal popularity.
On November 9, 1910, Mr. Greeley was married to Miss Ariel V. Carnahan, a daughter of Mrs. Emma Gates, who was born in Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Greeley have two children, namely: Henrietta, who was born November 14, 1911; and Horace E., who was born August
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27, 1912. He has always given a prompt and loyal support to local measures which in his judgment would prove of benefit to the majority, and few men are held in higher esteem in their communities than he.
CARL GUSE.
Carl Guse, who is now living retired at Marengo, where he owns his comfortable residence, is one of the highly respected, thoroughly Americanized citizens of German birth. He was born in Germany, January 20, 1856, and came to the United States in 1875, his mother accompanying him. After three months spent at Chicago, Mr. Guse, who had been reared on a farm, came to Riley Township to join a friend who had located here. His first work was as a harvest hand, and for four years he continued at farm labor, spending two of these years in the employ of Monroe Sears. Mr. Guse was then married to Therese Post, who had been born in the same village as he, and came to the United States on the same boat. She remained at Chicago until her marriage.
When he married, Mr. Guse rented a farm in Riley Township and remained on it for four years, when he bought the farm adjoining it, known as the Tenrick farm of 160 acres, for which he paid $31 per acre, going heavily into debt to secure it, and it took him twenty years to clear off this obligation. However, he had a team and some stock, and gradually made things pay. Here he lived until 1915, when he retired. During the time he lived on this farm he had erected new buildings, and did considerable draining, at a cost of $2,300.
To his original farm he added 100 acres, two and one-half miles distant, and put in $700 worth of drainage on it, operating the two farms. The buildings on his last purchase have also been erected by him. Dairying was his main interest, and he kept twenty-five or more cows. Of late years Mr. Guse sold his last farm to his son, but retains the other, having a tenant on it.
Mr. and Mrs. Guse became the parents of the following children: Emma, who married Neil Hopkins, lives near Buffalo, N. Y .; Ella, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Rosa, who lives with her sister in New York; Will, who lives on his father's smaller farm, married Flossie MeMackan, has one sone, Walter C., and owns 240 acres of land; Lena, who spent some years at Chicago, is now at home with
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her parents; Charles, who rents the old homestead, married Martha Schauer; Anna, who is employed at Chicago; and Fred, who is on the homestead.
Soon after coming to this country, Carl Guse took out his papers of citizenship, and is a strong Republican. He was a school director for about twenty years. One of the original members of the Zion Lutheran church of Marengo, he has been one of its most generous contributors, and was on the building committee at the time the new church edifice was erected. Although living at some distance from the church, he has always attended its services, and outside of his family and farming, it has been his principal interest in life. Having lived in this country so many years, he has become thoroughly imbued with its principles, and is proud of it and of his choice which brought him to it in the full flush of his young manhood.
CHARLES E. GUSE.
Charles E. Guse, manager, treasurer and a stockholder of the old- established firm of Shurtleff & Peters of Union, operating as the Shurtleff & Peters Company, dealers in the Deering hay, feed and corn machines, tillage implements, corn cultivators, planters, shellers, knife grinders, motor trucks, feed grinder, threshing drills, cream separators, soil and gas engines, oil tractors, manure spreaders, ensilage cutters, farm wagons and trucks, twinc, coal and feed, is one of the best known men in this section of the county.
Charles E. Guse was born at Chicago, Ill., July 22, 1876, a son of Herman and Amelia (Gluth) Guse. Herman Gusc was born in Ger- many, but came to the United States in 1868, first locating at Chicago, where for twenty-four years he conducted a lumber business. Selling that, he came to McHenry County, and from 1892 has resided on a farm south of Marengo. He and his wife had nine children born to them.
Charles E. Guse attended the Chicago schools, and was sixteen years old when he came to MeHenry County. Hc engaged in farming, moving to a farm of his own at Union in 1901, but in 1912, became manager of his present firm, and has since held that responsible position. He employs three men in his establishment.
On December 8, 1904, Mr. Guse was married to Miss Augusta Rechner, and they have two children, namely: Emil C., who was born September 29, 1905; and Martha, who was born January 10, 1907. In
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polities Mr. Guse is a Republican, and he has been president of the Union school board since 1914. During his occupancy of the office, the present modern schoolhouse was erected. He is also secretary of the fire department of Union. A member of St. John's Lutheran church, he is serving it as secretary. A live, progressive man, he gives to his community the same loyal, efficient service that he renders his business associates and is highly respected by all who know him.
JOSEPH A. GUTH.
Joseph A. Guth, a prosperous general farmer of Greenwood Town- ship, is a man who has developed his land and firmly established himself in publie estimation. He was born in Hartland Township, this county, September 21, 1867, a son of George and Ellen (Long) Guth. George Guth was a son of Jacob Guth, and when the former was fourteen years old, his father brought him to the United States, and settled in Hart- land Township, where he became a farmer. Ellen Long was born in Ireland, a daughter of Dennis Long. The children of George Guth and his wife were as follows: Katherine, who was married to Edward Howard; Joseph A .; Thomas; Fred; and Margaret A., who is deceased.
Joseph A. Guth was reared in Hartland Township, where he attended the district schools. When he began farming for himself, he bought eighty aeres of land on seetion 22, Greenwood Township, and here he has developed a valuable property. He was married at Chicago, Jan- uary 19, 1898, to Margaret Keefe, born September 6, 1870, in Hartland Township, where she was reared. Her parents were Edmund and Bridget (Davis) Keefe, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Keefe had the following children: Katherine, John, Richard, William, Joseph, who died at the age of thirty years, Mrs. Guth, who is deceased; Anna, who is Mrs. William McGee and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Guth have the following children: Grace F., George, Edmund, J. Walter, Margaret E. and Edna. In politics he is independent in his views. The family are members of the Catholic church.
ROBERT E. HAEGER.
Robert E. Haeger, supervisor of Algonquin Township, is one of the leading stoekbreeders of the state, and his work in developing the Hol-
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stein strain of cattle has made him known from coast to coast. For many years he has been a resident of Algonquin, and was born in Algon- quin Township, on his father's farm, May 5, 1875, a son of Robert W. and Mary (Jayne) Ilaeger, the former of whom, born in Germany, was brought by his parents to the United States when a lad of eight years, in 1857, and with them settled on a farm near Spring Lake, MeHenry County, Ill. There he was reared and resided until 1895, in the mean- while in 1876, starting one of the first Holstein herds in Illinois. In 1895, Robert W. Haeger moved to Algonquin, where he died January 19, 1901, his wife having passed away March 21, 1893, and they were the parents of six children.
Robert E. Haeger attended the common and high schools of Mc- Henry County, and when he was twenty years of age began handling stock, and has been connected with the stock industry in various branches ever since. In young manhood he became a professional ball player, and was one of the pitchers of the Pelican team of New Orleans of the Southern League, and was also in the Interstate League and later the Eastern League. In 1898 Mr. Haeger took up auctioneering and has attained to a national reputation in this line. In 1911 he was elected on the Republican ticket supervisor of Algonquin Township, and still holds that office. For many years he has been alderman of Algonquin, and is admittedly one of its foremost men, his volume of business aggre- gating $100,000 annually. His extensive stock barns are located at Algonquin. Mr. Haeger has, in the past twelve years, developed the champion show herd of Holstein cattle in the world. In 1890 he did his first auctioneering, taking it up as a regular line of business in 1898, and owing to his lifetime experience with Holsteins, his services have naturally been in demand at the biggest sales of blooded stock in the country. He has received the highest price ever paid for male and female animals in the United States. Mr. Haeger has rendered his services as auctioneer all over the United States and Canada, and is one of the best-known men in the stock industry.
On May 28, 1901, Mr. Haeger was married to Miss Ruth M. Yerkes, a daughter of Frank Yerkes, one of the leading men of Algonquin, and they have one son, Robert Douglas, who was born March 12, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Haeger belong to the Congregational church. A potent factor in the development of his community, Mr. Haeger displays in every way his business ability and public spirit, and no man in the county or state is more popular than he.
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ALVA HI. HALE.
Alva H. Hale, supervisor of Nunda Township, and a very successful operator of farm lands, lives at Crystal Lake, where he and his family are regarded as being among its most essential citizens. He was born in Nunda Township, October 22, 1869, only son of Osman M. and Lurelia (Webster) Hale. Osman M. Hale was one of the prosperous farmers of Nunda Township, whose death occurred December 29, 1909. His widow survives.
Alva H. Hale attended the grammar and high schools of MelIenry County, and has been a resident of Crystal Lake sinee he was seventeen years old. After completing his school life, he embarked in a grocery business at Crystal Lake and continued in it for fifteen years, having learned the business as clerk while attending school. In 1906, he began dealing in farm implements. In December 1911, he was appointed super- visor to fill out the unexpired term of deputy sheriff Ben Troop, and the next spring he was elected to the same office. He also served as a member of the city council of Crystal Lake for one term, and was township treasurer of Nunda Township for several years, Mr. IIale served on the school board of Crystal Lake for fifteen years, and has always been a strong Republican.
On June 6, 1894, Mr. Hale was married to Miss May G. Hamilton, a daughter of William T. Hamilton, and a member of one of the old families of Crystal Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have two children, namely: Marion L. and Hamilton O. Mr. Hale has under his direction nearly 1,000 acres of land in the county. All this property is in Nunda Township. Mrs. Ilale owns the, beautiful residence at Crystal Lake which was erected at a cost of $10,000. Mr. Hale's fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Modern Woodmen of America. Ilis long association with the public affairs of his city and township has given him a valuable experience and affairs of moment placed in his hands are certain to receive capable and immediate attention.
WILLIAM D. HALL.
William D. Hall, one of the most prominent men of MeHenry County, is senior member of the lumber firm of Hall & Eckert of Harvard, and vice president of the Harvard State Bank. He was born in Wisconsin,
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September 3, 1850, one of four children born to Henry and Lucy (Clark) Hall. Henry Hall was born in New York state, in 1813, and his wife was a native of the same state. After their marriage, they moved to Wisconsin, and later located in McHenry County, where he died July 1, 1884, his widow surviving him until June, 1903.
William D. Hall attended the public schools of Wisconsin, Walworth Academy, and the Chicago University. After completing his studies, Mr. Hall embarked in a lumber business at Harvard, and from then, 1873, to the present time has been associated with its development, the annual business now aggregating $80,000. Mr. Hall also owns a choice farm of 107 acres in Wisconsin. In 1910, the value of his connection with the Harvard State Bank was recognized, and he was made its vice president.
On November 29, 1889, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Euretta Young, a daughter of Henry Young of Albany, Vt., and they have one son, William H., who is completing his studies at the Beloit, Wis., College, having already been graduated from the Northwestern Military Academy at Lake Geneva, in 1918. Mr. Hall belongs to Harvard Lodge No. 309, A. F. & A. M., and is also a Knight Templar. A Republican, he was elected mayor of Harvard for one term, and has also served in the city council, being one of the most publie spirited officials the city has ever had. Mr. Hall is one of the wealthy men of Harvard, but he is something more, for he is one of the most popular and highly respected, for it is generally recognized that his ample means have come through legitimate channels, and as the result of honorable business methods, directed by unusual sagacity and knowledge of existing conditions.
JOHN C. HALLISY.
John C. Hallisy, one of the honored retired farmers of Woodstock, was born in Hartland Township, March S, 1848, a son of John and Mary (Walsh) Hallisy, both born in County Cork, Ireland, but married at Newark, N. J. John Hallisy was engaged as boss of a gang of workmen on the construction work of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and being pleased with the outlook in MeHenry County, took up land in the timber at Hartland Township on section 22, settling on his farm in May, 1841.
Two brothers of John Hallisy, Timothy and Daniel, took up land adjoining his and all three spent the remainder of their lives on their
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farms, John dying at the age of sixty-four years; Daniel at the age of seventy, and Timothy at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Mrs. D. F. Coakley, of Woodstock, is a granddaughter of Timothy Hallisy. These brothers were among the first settlers in Hartland Township, and were followed by another brother, Cornelius, who also died in the town- ship at the age of eighty-seven years. All of these brothers were original members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, which was started in 1846. Prior to that year services were held at the home of Andrew Donnelly. Rev. Father Hampston was the first resident priest, and he was later succeeded by Father Eagan, who served the parish for twenty-five years.
The wife of John Hallisy survived him many years, living to be ninety- nine years old, during her last years being tenderly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Ilannah Deneen, of Marengo Township. The children of John Hallisy and his wife were as follows: Hannah, who is Mrs. Deneen; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Nicholas Grady, who died at Woodstock in 1916; Mary, who is Mrs. Timothy Deneen, of Woodstock; Anna, who is the widow of Roderick Cooney, who died fourteen years ago, and she lives at Woodstock ; and John C., who was the youngest.
John C. Hallisy remained with his father until his death, and then bought the home farm of 3t2 acres to which he added until it is now over 400 acres, and improved it so that it is one of the best rural properties in the township. It is especially adapted for milk production. While he had charge of the farm he kept a herd of from thirty to forty Durham cows. In 1910 he turned the operation of the farm over to his sons. To one son he gave a fine tract of ninety acres. He had erected two barns and silos, drained and tiled his property, and put in all the improvements he deemed necessary to make it fitted for dairying purposes. All of his mature years he has been a Democrat. He is a Catholic by inheritance and conviction and connected with St. Patrick's parish.
John C. Hallisy was married to Bridget E. Wallace, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Wallace, who were born in Ireland. She was born in MeHenry Township, March 6, 1859, although the greater part of her life has been passed in Hartland Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hallisy became the parents of the following children: John, who married Margaret Hurley, has three children-John C., Margaret M., and Edward R., is engaged in farming near the old farm; James, who married Margaret Castetter, has these children-J. Francis, Robert and Dorothy E., on the homestead; Mary, who is Mrs. John Flavin, of Chicago; Margaret, who married Roy Cowlen, a merchant of Hartland Station;
Mrs. E.E. Richarda
Stasten Emarn Stad
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Florence, who is Mrs. Charles Croak, of Chicago, has a daughter, Lois J .; Edward, who is with his brother James; George, who is a student attend- ing the Woodstock High School; and William H. and Hannah L., who are deceased.
Coming as he does of fine old pioneer stock, Mr. Hallisy is one of the representative men of MeHenry County, and during a long and useful life he has contributed much toward upbuilding his community. He has not desired to enter the public arena, but has rather endeavored to do his duty as a citizen in private, carefully considering problems as they have come up and voting upon them conscientiously according to his best judgment. He has reared a fine family who are doing him and his wife credit, and sustaining the reputation of the name and devel- oping into desirable and constructive citizens, whose work is always directed toward the securing of community betterment and better living conditions.
THEODORE HAMER.
Theodore Hamer, county recorder of MeHenry County, and a director of the MeHenry County National Bank of Woodstock, has long been recognized as one of the leading men of McHenry County. He was born in Germany, February 9, IS69, a son of Claus H. and Anna (Giese) Hamer, who had five children, four of whom survive. Claus H. Hamer was a shoemaker by trade, and worked at his calling all his life.
Theodore Hamer left Germany in 1883, and in 1886 he located in McHenry County. After obtaining his citizen's papers, he became a strong Republican, and his services to his party were recognized by his election to the office of circuit clerk, after he had served for some time as deputy county clerk. Later, he was elected county recorder, and his present deputies are William T. Conn and Miss Emma Shearer.
In 1892 Mr. Hamer was married to Miss Emma Shearer, a daughter of George Shearer, and they have four children. The family all belong to the Presbyterian church, in which they take an active part. Frater- nally, Mr. Hamer belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. A very efficient and painstaking official, he gives universal satisfaction, and is held in the highest esteem throughout the county, where he is recognized as a loyal citizen and most excellent man.
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FRANK E. HANAFORD.
Frank E. Hanaford, one of the retired citizens of Woodstock, was formerly actively engaged in teaming work in McHenry County. He was born at Newhampton, N. H., December S, 1842, a son of Aaron and Sarah (Curtis) Hanaford, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, respectively, who were married in the latter state. The Hanaford family originated in England, representatives of it coming to New Hampshire at an early day. A Captain Hanaford commanded a company of New Hampshire men during the American Revolution.
A brother of Aaron Hanaford, Milton, came to Illinois about 1850, settling at Huntley, where he was later joined by the former. Aaron Hanaford and his wife had the following children: Mary Elizabeth, who married Morris Parks, died in the state of Washington, in 1918, aged eighty-two years; Frank E .; and Isadora, who is Mrs. Kimbally of Woodstock.
Frank E. Hanaford was fifteen years of age when the family located in MeHenry County, and he lived with his father until he enlisted in 1861, in Company A, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in response to the first call of President Lincoln, and served during the Civil War as a brave soldier. He has long belonged to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has attended several national encampments. enjoying meeting his old comrades in this way.
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