USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 18
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Herman Henk remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he began working for farmers by the month. On February 10, 1898, he was married to Caroline Zimmerman, born at Ridgefield, April 8, 1875, a daughter of Charles and Caroline Zimmerman, natives of Germany. Mrs. Zimmerman came to the United States when she was cighteen years. Mr. Zimmerman was a farmer, and was killed at a railroad crossing when his daughter, Caroline, was seven years old. After his marriage, Mr. Henk rented for some years one of his father's farms on shares. Later he bought that farm of 180 aeres, placed about forty acres more of it under cultivation, remodeled the buildings, built a new barn, 36x100 fect, and two silos 16x35 feet, and kept on improving his property each year, until it is one of the best farms in the township. Until March, 1908, he operated his farm, but then retired, and since then has rented his farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Henk have three sons, namely: Herman, who took a commercial course in the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago;
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Paul, who is in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad at Algonquin; and William. Mr. Henk attends the Congregational church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and his wife to the Rebekahs of Crystal Lake. During the years he was on the farm Mr. Henk proved that he knew how to work and save, and by improvements increase the value of his property. While he has never entered politics, he takes an intelligent interest in civic matters, and believes in improvements to keep up a village or county, just as he does those on a farm.
FRED J. HERDKLOTZ.
Fred J. Herdklotz, one of the enterprising farmers of Greenwood Township, owns and operates 120 acres of land, and he was born in a log cabin on this farm, September 19, 1866, a son of Henry and Mag- dalena (Deidtrich) Herdklotz. Henry Herdklotz was born in Alsace Loraine, France, in 1840, and was brought to the United States when he was five years old. His wife was also born in Alsace. Their children were as follows: Laura, who is the wife of B. C. Kingsley; Henry, who is deceased; and Fred J. When the Herdklotz family came to the United States in 1845, immediate settlement was made in Greenwood Township, McHenry County, and here Henry Herdklotz was reared and became a successful farmer. The log cabin in which Fred J. Herd- klotz was born, was built by the grandfather as the first family residence in the new home, and it is still standing, being considerable of a novelty today.
Fred J. Herdklotz was reared in his present township, and from boy- hood was taught farming in all of its details. He attended the local schools, and helped his father until he reached manhood.
In 1891 he was married to Emma Haefner, a daughter of Christ and Mary Hacfner, who was born in Wisconsin. Her father was a stockman, and he died in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Herdklotz have two children, Milford and Stella. He carries on general farming, and has time to give some attention to public matters, having been a road com- missioner for three years, and a school director for many years. His affiliations are with the Republican party. The Methodist Episcopal church holds his membership. A skilled farmer and good business man, Mr. Herdklotz carries into public life the same characteristics which
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Anton M Schmith. Katharine Schmitt
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brouglit him success in his private ventures, and his community has benefited by his experience and ability.
ROY L. HERRICK.
Roy L. Herrick, president of the Ilerrick Feed Company, and one of the enterprising men of Harvard, has built up a business of consider- able magnitude through his own efforts. He was born in Wisconsin, March 1, 1877, one of the three children of Hiram H. and Jennie (Dodge) Herrick. Hiram II. Herrick was a prosperous farmer of Sauk County, Miss. He died in 1883. During the Civil War, he supported the Union canse as a soldier, and received his honorable discharge after his period of service had expired. His wife survives him.
Roy L. Herrick attended the district schools of his native place, and entered railroad employ when he become self-supporting, becoming train dispatcher of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and con- tinuing with that road for twenty-three years. On January 1, 1918, he branched out, organizing The Herrick Feed Company of which he is President, and M. H. Ilerrick, his wife, is secretary and treasurer.
On March 26, 1901, Mr. Herrick was united in marriage with Miss Mabel H. Carpenter, and they have the following children: Roy V., who was born August 15, 1902; Jeannette, who was born February 3, 1906; and Robert L., who was born March 15, 1907. He and Mrs. Herrick are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In all his business transactions, Mr. Herrick has displayed an integrity and a willingness to render efficient service, and he enjoys the respect of all with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES C. HIGBEE.
Charles C. Higbee, former mayor of Marengo, is at present engaged in the oil business as a member of the Pennsylvania Oil Company. Mr. Higbee was born in Michigan, June 3, 1870. On October 9, 1893, he was married to Zua W. Blodgett. They have one child, Garnette A. In 1900 Mr. Higbee came to Marengo Township, and bought a farm,
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on which he and his family resided until they moved to the city of Mar- engo in 1908.
In 1915 Mr. Iligbee was elected mayor of Marengo, and so popular did his administration prove that he was re-elected in 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Higbee belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Higbee is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
REV. BENNO A. HILDEBRAND.
Rev. Benno A. Hildebrand, pastor of St. Peter's Roman Catholic church of Spring Grove, is one of the scholarly men of his faith, and a potent factor in the moral life of his community. He was born in Switzerland, November 16, 1884, and he is one of five children born to his parents, John and Sophie (Wetzel) Hildebrand. John Hildebrand was a veterinary surgeon, and praetieed his profession until his death, which occurred in 1901. His wife survives him.
Benno A. Hildebrand attended the public schools of his native land, completing his studies at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis. Imme- diately thereafter he was ordained priest, June 27, 1909, by the Very Rev. Bishop Muldoon of Roekford, Ill., and was stationed at Aurora, Ill., as assistant priest. From there he was sent to Savannah, Ill., where he remained for a year, and then for three years he was sent as a mission- ary to Cuba. Upon his return to this country, he served for three years as assistant priest at Aurora, and then, in September, 1917, he came to St. Mary's church at Huntley, and in May, 1919, to Spring Grove. His parish contains sixty-five families, and under his beneficent eare, the affairs of the church are in excellent condition.
CHAUNCEY W. HILL.
Chauncey W. Ilill, one of the pioneer horseshoers and blaeksmiths of McHenry County, conduets one of the best equipped general repair workshops at Woodstock, and is a solid and reliable man of this part of the county. IIe was born in MeHenry County, in September, 1858, one of the six children born to Newell and Wealthy (Hawley) Hill.
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Newell Hill was born in New York state, where he learned the horse- shoeing trade, and followed it in his native state until 1848, when he came to Illinois, but he died in New York, where he had moved from Illinois. The mother died in 1885.
Chauncey W. Hill attended the common schools of New York, and learned blacksmithing under his father, who was an expert in his line. He has always continued in this branch of industrial activity, and is unquestionably a leader in it. He is a Republican, and served the city of Woodstock as an alderman for eight years, and was a justice of the peace for ten years.
On December 22, 18SO, Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Ott, a daughter of Martin Ott, and they have two children, namely: Leon O., who married Pear MeGowen, has two children, Robert and Douglas; and Merle D., who married Nellie Fosdick, has a son, William. Mrs. Hill is a Christian Scientist. In addition to the very elegant family residence at No. 125 Van Buren street, Woodstock, Mr. Hill owns other city property, and is a man of ample means. His fraternal connec- tions are with the Elks and Woodmen of the World. The services he has rendered to his community in both a business and official way, cannot be lightly considered, and he is justly numbered among the worth-while men of the county seat.
PHILIP G. HOFFMAN.
Philip G. Hoffman, of Spring Grove, supervisor of Burton Township, is one of the very representative men of McHenry County, and one who stands high in public confidence. He was born in MeHenry Township, May 2, 1865, a son of Aaron Hoffman, and grandson of Martin L. Hoffman. Martin L. Hoffman was born at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1790, and reared in Somerset County, Pa., from the time he was ten years old. In 1830 he came west to Berrien County, Mich., and to McHenry County, June 6, 1836, settling then in Burton Township, of which he was the pioneer. During the gold excitement of 1849, he went over- land to California, and died at New Orleans, La., on the way back, in 1852, aged sixty-seven years. His wife, Hannah Cupp, was born in Somerset County, Pa., in 1808, and she survived him until 1867. Their old house at Spring Grove is now owned by Philip G. Hoffman.
Aaron Hoffman was born in Somerset County, Pa., October 1, 1824,
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and he went to California with his father, and prospected there for three years, meeting with fair success. On his return to McHenry County he bought land in MeHlenry Township, where five of his eight children were born. His wife was Isabella Cole, also a native of Somerset County, Pa. In 1862, Aaron Hoffman bought another farm and in 1868 moved on it and here he died in 1893, his widow surviving him until 1902. Aaron Hoffman owned 495 acres of land in Burton Township, which is now divided into three farms. His children were as follows: Senorita, who was born in 1855, married William R. James and died in 1910: Douglas, who was born in 1857, died in 1870; Mark, who was born in 1859, died in 1916 on the okl home at Spring Grove: Philip G., whose name heads this review; William, who was born April 16, 1872, is a railroad man of Green Bay, Wis .; and three who died young.
Philip G. Hoffman followed in the footsteps of his father and grand- father, and went to the Klondike in search of gold, but unlike them returned rich only in experience. At his father's death he secured a portion of the homestead, and as long as his brother Mark was alive, was in partnership with him. He now owns 289 acres of the homestead and his grandfather's farm, and carries on dairying and grain farming, keeping two tenants. For some time he has been taking things easy, only going into the fields at harvest time and when there is a rush of work. Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat, and after serving as assessor, in 1917, was elected supervisor, which office he still holds, and is discharging the duties of that office very efficiently. Fraternally he is a Mason and Woodman.
Mr. Hoffman has never married, but has practically reared his nephew, Paul Hoffman, who entered the service for the World War, June 26, 1918, was sent to the front in October, 1918, was gassed on the Argonne front and died at Stignay, France, May 6, 1919, aged twenty- four years, leaving a widow who is now residing at Wauconda, Ill.
JOSEPH C. HOLLY.
Joseph C. Holly, cashier of the Hoy Banking Company at MeHenry, and a former postmaster of the city, is deservedly placed among the representatives and very prominent men of MeHenry County. He was born in MeHenry County, July 25, 1885, one of the six children born to his parents, Roswell and Nizza (Hebard) Holly. Roswell Holly was
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born in Pennsylvania, but came to MeHenry County in 1855. He was a carpenter by trade, and worked at his trade in Woodstock, where he lived until 1884, when he moved to MeHenry, and there died in 1905. His wife survives and lives with her son, Joseph C. Holly.
After attending the grammar and high schools of his native county, Joseph C. IFolly learned the trade of a mould maker and was employed as such by the Terra Cotta Company of MeHenry County, with which he remained until 1911, when he was appointed postmaster of McHenry. At the close of his term of office, he went with the Hoy Banking Company as bookkeeper, and was made its cashier, September 16, 1916. Since 1914, he has been township treasurer, and in 1917 was elected village treasurer. He is a strong Republican in politics.
On September 16, 1908, Mr. Holly was married to Miss Ethel May Strong, and they have two sons, Warren S. and Harold J. Mr. and Mrs. Holly are Universalists. He belongs to the Masons, Eastern Star and Modern Woodmen of America. A man of sterling character, he has capably discharged the duties assigned to him, and proved himself worthy of every trust reposed in him, and of future advancement, if he desires to accept other offices.
RILEY HOLMES.
Riley Holmes, now deceased, was formerly one of the well known men of MeHenry County in several lines of endeavor, and during his declining years lived in retirement at Hebron. He was born at Akron, Ohio, February 10, 1846, a son of Thomas and Maria (Roddell) Holmes, both of whom were born in England, but were married after coming to the United States. They located in Lake County, Ill., about 1849, going thence to Racine County, Wis., and in 1871 came to McHenry County and divided their time between Hebron and Richmond townships, he dying in the latter, when sixty-three years old. She passed away in Hebron Township when seventy years old. Their farm was in Rich- mond Township. Of their nine children who reached maturity, four were living in 1919, namely: Riley, whose name heads this review; Russell, who lived at Genoa Junction, Wis., was killed in an accident January 5, 1920; Frank, who lives at Hebron; and Ida, who is Mrs. John Reynolds of Hebron.
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After attaining to a working age, Riley Holmes became a cheese maker and was in the employ of G. W. Conn at Hebron for ten years, and continued in this line for thirteen years and becoming very expert turning out 600 pounds of cheese daily, and was paid a salary. His prod- uet was exhibited at county fairs, and he would make it at these exhibitions as he was recognized as one of the expert cheese makers in the state. For the past twenty-six years Mr. Holmes lived at Hebron and was a director of the IIebron Bank. While he was a Republican, he took no active part in politics. Of late years he spent his winters at St. Petersburg, Fla., where he died December 5, 1920, aged seventy- four years, nine months and twenty-five days.
On September 18, 1895, Mr. Holmes was married to Dora Holmes, widow of his brother Adelbert, and daughter of Melvin J. Cole, and a sister of A. J. Cole, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Holmes was married first when twenty-three years of age.
Riley Holmes and his brother Frank Holmes were together all their lives. When the mother died twenty-four years ago, the two brothers began living together at Hebron. Mrs. Holmes owned a farm inherited from her father which was sold in 1919 and Riley and Frank Holmes owned their father's homestead in Richmond Township. Riley Holmes was the owner of several track horses, some of which were exhibited, and won premiums at the Woodstock and Elkhorn fairs. He was a member of the Horsemen's Association of Richmond, and all his life enjoyed driving a good horse. His horse "Modesty" won many honors and is still well remembered by horse lovers in the county. He was held in the highest regard by all who knew him, and he had many friends who were won and retained through his genial manner and kindly actions. His demise was deplored by all who knew him although he was spared for many useful years during all of which he was a constructive force in his community.
JAMES S. HOWARD.
James S. IToward, one of the oldest native sons of Greenwood Town- ship, and a prominent farmer of this county, was born on the farm he still occupies, October 14, 1844. IIe is a son of Matthew and Catherine (Short) Howard, natives of County Clare and County Tyrone, Ireland, respectively. In 1835, Matthew Howard left Ireland and landed at Quebec, Canada, where he spent three years, and then, in 1838, came to
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McHenry County, Ill., and took up a claim in Greenwood Township. In 1840, he bought 280 acres, and later forty acres more, from the government. Subsequently he bought other land from private indi- viduals until he owned 640 aeres. He and his wife had the following children: Johanna, who is the widow of P. J. Nolan, resides in Hart- land Township; James S., Margaret, who died in infancy, and Thomas P., who died at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother of these children died when she was thirty-four years old, and at that time James S. was only five years of age, and he was taken by an aunt, Mary Howard, who reared him, and he lived with her until she was married. His father married (second) Mary Griffin, and they had two children, John J. and Edward L. Matthew Howard died April 11, 1SSS.
James S. Howard has spent all of his life on the homestead, and here he earries on general farming. This farm contains 320 acres of land, and is located on sections 17 and 28. In politics Mr. Howard is a Demoerat. He belongs to the Catholic church. Belonging as he does to one of the old pioneer families of McHenry County, and having lived here all his life, he naturally is very much interested in whatever promises to prove of permanent benefit to his community and its people.
CLARENCE F. HOY.
Clarence F. Hoy, general manager of the Ringwood State Bank of Ringwood, is one of the substantial and well-known men of this county. He was born in MeHenry County, and belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of this part of the state. He is a son of Fre- mont and Hattie (Osborn) Hoy, who had four children born to them, three of whom survive. Fremont Hoy resides at Woodstock and is connected with several of the best known banks in the county. A complete sketch of the Hoy family is given in the sketch of M. D. Hoy, the grandfather of Clarence F. Hoy.
The boyhood of Clarence F. Hoy was passed in his native county, and after he had completed courses in the common and high schools here, he attended Beloit College, from which he was graduated. Fol- lowing that, he was engaged in an insurance business for three years, leaving it to engage in a banking business at Huntley. There he re- mained until the close of 1912, and in November, 1913, he became manager of the Hoy Banking Company, it having been then organized.
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It was a private bank of the highest standing and reliability, with a capital stock of $25,000, until its reorganization into a state bank. Its cashier is Kenneth Hoy, a brother. Mr. Hoy was formerly vice-president of the United State Bank of Crystal Lake, Ill., of which Fremont Hoy was president, until disposing of their interests there in January, 1919. and Mr. Hoy is also vice-president of the Fox River Valley State Bank of Mellenry. Like his father, he is well known in financial circles as a man of probity and an expert banker.
In 190S Mr. Hoy was married to Miss Beatrice Boyd, a daughter of Edward K. Boyd, a prominent resident of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Hoy have a son: Hamilton B., who was born April 2, 1915. Mr. Hoy is a Republican. Mrs. Hoy is a Christian Scientist. Both are among the leaders in the best circles of Crystal Lake, where they reside and their influence can be relied upon in all movements tending toward a betterment of existing conditions.
GEORGE H. HOY.
George H. Hoy, one of the leading financiers of MeHenry County, is president of the Farmers Exchange Bank of Woodstock, and comes of one of the old and honored families of this section of the state. He was born February 21, 1853, in MeHenry County, a son of Marmaduke and Catherine Maria (Alberty) Hoy. Marmaduke Hoy was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., March 3, 1821, and he died May 15, 1912. His first wife, the mother of George H. Hoy, was born in Green County, N. Y., February 19, 1821, and died July 23, 1863. On October 4, 1864, Marmaduke Hoy was married (second) to Esther Eleanor Atwater, who was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., February 20, 1833, and is now deceased. By his first marriage, Marmaduke had five children.
George H. Hoy attended the common and high schools of Woodstock, and then took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Chicago. Returning to Woodstock, he entered with his father into the mercantile business and later into the banking business, which were conducted in the same building now occupied by the bank of which Mr. Hoy is president. The bank being originally carried on as a private bank and in January, 1916, organized as a state bank.
In 1877 Mr. Hoy was married to Miss Mary L. Belcher, a member of an old and prominent family of the county, who located here in 1844.
John M. Schmith & Olife
hilderon of John, In Schritt 2 Wife
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Mr. and Mrs. Hoy have two children, namely: William P., who is cashier of the State Bank of Huntley; and Walter G., who is engaged in an extensive contracting business in Northern Illinois. Mr. Hoy is a Republican, and has been a member of the city council, served Wood- stock as mayor, and had long service on the school board. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian church. A man of unusual ability, he has exerted himself in behalf of his community, and is justly numbered among the most representative and influential men of the county.
JOHN M. HOY.
John M. Hoy, cashier of the Farmers Exchange State Bank of Wood- stock, and treasurer of the city of Woodstock, is one of the most repre- sentative men of McHenry County. He was born at Woodstock, April 5, 1872, a son of M. D. and Esther Eleanor (Atwater) Hoy, an extended sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
John M. Hoy attended the public schools of Woodstock, and was graduated from its high school in 1890. His first business experience was gained as a member of the mercantile firm of M. D. Hoy & Sons, merchants of Woodstock, but he later went to Huntley to serve as cashier of the bank established by his father and brothers in that city. In 1903, he was offered his present position, and left the Huntley State Bank, where he was succeeded by his nephew William P. Hoy, and assumed charge of the duties of cashier of the Farmers Exchange State Bank of Woodstock. When the bank at Huntley was re-organized under a state charter, he was made its president, and still holds that office. For several years he has served Woodstock as city treasurer.
On November 11, 1896, Mr. Hoy was married to Miss Letah M. Bunker, a daughter of the late Amos K. Bunker. Mr. Hoy recently served as secretary of Group 4, Illinois Banking Association and declined the chairmanship for this year. The influence of the Hoy family upon the financial development of McHenry County cannot hardly be over- estimated, and it is certainly due to its members that the banks of this section rest upon so solid a foundation, and that the interests of the depositors are safeguarded as they are by sound and conservative policies.
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M. D. HOY.
There are old and honorable names in McHenry County that have long been prominently identified with its development and leading interests, and thus particularly invite attention from a faithful historian. One of these names is that of Hoy, and in the life and character of the late M. D. Hoy were illustrated those indomitable traits and sturdy virtues that have made this family notable and successful in various lines of activity for generations. An early settler in MeHenry County, Mr. Hoy laid the foundation stone upon which he built up a great enterprise at Woodstock, and entered upon and maintained honorable, useful and friendly relations with his fellow citizens until the close of a worthy life.
Marmaduke, or M. D. Hoy, which was his preferred signature from early youth, was born near Gilboa, in Schoharie County, N. Y., March 3, 1821. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction on both ancestral lines. His paternal grandfather, Marmaduke Hoy, was a native of Ireland, and for more than a century the Hoys belonged to County Antrim. In 1805 two of the sons of Marmaduke Hoy emigrated to America, Richard and Marmaduke, and still later other members of the family also came to the United States.
Richard Iloy was born in 1784, in the parish of Upperwood, Ireland, sixty miles distant from Dublin, He assisted his father on their small farm and afterward worked for several years at the shoemaking trade in the city of Dublin, but he was not satisfied with his business pros- pects there and in 1805, accompanied by his younger brother, erossed the Atlantic ocean to New York. The brothers separated, the younger entering into military service in a New York regiment, and the former locating in Schioharie County, where he found opportunity to continue work at his trade in an establishment conducted by a Mr. Stevens, whose sister-in-law, Sarah Fanning, he subsequently married. She was born in New York, October 15, 1785, and was the youngest daughter of Capt. Walter and Grace (Benjamin) Fanning. Captain Fanning was an officer during the War of 1812 and during his later years was a farmer. He was a descendant of Edmond Fanning, who came from Ireland to Stonington, Conn., in 1641, after his father, Domican Fanning, a man of political note, had been beheaded by order of Oliver Cromwell. The Fanning family has many distinguished representatives in the United States today. Richard Hoy removed to Albany, N. Y., after marriage, and conducted a grocery store there for six years and then removed to
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