USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 20
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Rodney D. Jackman and his wife had the following children: Amelia, who is Mrs. Ellis Spencer, is a widow of Crystal Lake; Kate, who is Mrs. Thomas Ford of Oak Park, Ill .; E. R., whose name heads this review; Charley, who is a mail carrier of Elgin, Ill. Ezra R. Jackman owns the old farm, having bought out the other heirs, although prior to that he had leased it from his mother, taking charge of it when he was twenty-four years old. For several years he was in a mercantile business at Crystal Lake with his brother, Charley, but later returned to the farm, where his first wife died. In 1915 he located permanently at Crystal Lake, where he has since lived. He built a barn on his farm, which has a cement floor and other modern conveniences, and a silo. The house was erected by his father, who spent the greater part of his married life in it. While conducting the farm, E. R. Jackman kept about thirty cows, milk being his leading feature. As this farm was prairie land, it was not nearly so hard to develop it as those in the timber. Like his father, Mr. Jackman is no politician, the older man espousing, however, first the principles of the Whig party, and later those of the Republican. All his life Rodney D. Jackman was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Crystal Lake, but his son does not
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belong to any religious organization, although he is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member.
On October 7, 1887, E. R. Jackman was married to Carrie Adriance of Crystal Lake, who died August 29, 1901, leaving him with four chil- dren, namely: Ralph; Mrs. Hazel Wingate, who married Clifton Win- gate of Nunda Township; Lester; and Leon. Of these children, Ralph was married to Ida M. Schrader, who died, leaving two children, Loris and Elroy, and after her demise, Ralph left the old farm where he had been living. Leon enlisted for service in the regular army, First Regi- ment of Engineers, July 5, 1916, and was sent to Eagle Pass, Tex., and from there to Washington, D. C., to act as guard at the White House. He was then assigned to the Seventh Regiment Engineers at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and sent to France in March, 1918, and was at the front from July, 1918, until the signing of the Armistice, following which he was in the Army of Occupation in Luxemburg, and during his period of service was in France and Italy, and advanced from private to corporal and then sergeant. Lester is another son who has upheld the family name in military service, going into the National Army under the Selective Draft, and after being trained at Camp Fremont, was sent abroad, and was with the Siberian Contingent.
E. R. Jackman was married (second) to Mrs. Ida E. Hill, of St. Charles, Ill., born at Aurora, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Parker) Sinclair, and widow of John Hill of Grenada, Miss. There are no children. The Jackman is one of the best known families in Algonquin Township, and its members are commanding confidence and respect both at home and abroad.
WILLIAM JACKSON.
Page 139.
JOHN JANAK.
John Janak, proprietor of the leading garage of Algonquin, and dealer in agricultural implements, lumber, wagons, buggies, road wagons, wood and iron pumps, Plymouth binder twine and similar commodities,
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is one of the best known men in this locality. He was born in Bohemia, May 11, 1862, a son of Frank and Frances (Joblonrski) Janak, the former of whom was a native of Bohemia, who brought his family to the United States in 1872, and after a short stoppage at Spring Lake, Ill., went to California, where he lived until his death in March, 1916. His wife died in 1895.
John Janak was ten years old when brought to the United States, and he attended the Algonquin schools. All of his mature years he has been engaged in his present business, and branched out when he built his garage at a cost of $7,000, disposing at that time of a livery business he owned.
On June 22, 1892, Mr. Janak was married to Miss Josephine Suchy, a daughter of Franklin Suchy, Bohemians. Mr. and Mrs. Janak became the parents of the following children: Valentine, who is the wife of Fred Schutie, city marshal of Algonquin; Edward, who enlisted in the United States army in 1915 as a private, became a sergeant with the Philippine Coast Artillery; Edna, who is at home; Elmer, who was with the United States navy; and George, who was a quartermaster in the United States army. Mr. and Mrs. Janak and their family belong to the Congregational church. He is a Republican. His fra- ternal relations are with the Woodmen of the World. A fine business man, Mr. Janak has made a success of his undertakings, and is numbered among the successful residents of MeHenry County.
EMILUS C. JEWETT.
Emilus C. Jewett, president of the State Bank of Woodstock, and one of the leading financiers of MeHenry County, is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. He was born on a farm in MeHenry County, January 29, 1854, a son of Walter P. and Harriet C. (Horton) Jewett, who had five children, two of whom grew to maturity. Walter P. Jewett was born in Vermont, but in 1836 came to Rockford, Ill., and to MeHenry County in 1838. He was a farmer until his death which occurred in 1879.
Attending the public schools, Emilus C. Jewett spent his young manhood in Woodstock, and entered the counting room of the First National Bank of Woodstock; he remained there for eight years, leaving it to start in the shoe business, in which he remained for seven years.
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The following two years he spent in the Northwest, and then in 1887, he, with E. E. Richards, formed the firm of Richards & Jewett to handle an abstract business which is now incorporated as the Richards, Jewett & Wright Abstract Company. In December, 1889, he became cashier of the State Bank of Woodstock at the time of its organization, and later was made its president, in 1915. His knowledge of the banking business is intimate, and under his able direction the affairs of his bank are in admirable condition.
In 1879 Mr. Jewett was united in marriage with Miss Alice C. Eckert, a daughter of Jacob Eckert of MeHenry County, and they had two children, namely: Jessie E., married Raymond F. Pfeiffer, and Helen A., married Roscoe G. Brewer. She has two children: Harriet Horton and Roscoe G., Jr. Mrs. Jewett passed from this life. April 12, 1912. The family attend the Congregational church. Polit- ically Mr. Jewett is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Elks, and he is as popular with these organizations as he is with the community at large.
GEORGE H. JOHNSON.
George H. Johnson, manager of the Wilbur Lumber Company at West MeHenry, Ill., is a young man of wide experience and knowledge, and is admirably fitted for the duties of his present position. He was born in MeHenry County, December 30, 1886, a son of Benjamin and Caroline (Anderson) Johnson, who had three children. Benjamin Johnson was for many years a farmer, and is now living at Crystal Lake, Il.
George HI. Johnson attended the common and high schools of Crystal Lake, and was graduated from the latter in 1906, and engaged with the Wilbur Lumber Company's plant at West McHenry. In 1912 he accepted a position with W. G. Wheeler at Rockford, acting as traveling salesman for four years. Mr. Johnson then became manager for the Alexander Lumber Company at Waynesville, Il., and he remained there until October 14, 1918, when he was appointed cashier of the Bank of Ringwood to fill the vacancy left by the death of R. G. Wharton. On March 1, 1920, he severed his connection with the Bank of Ringwood and accepted the managership of the Wilbur Lumber Company yard at West MeHenry.
E.E. Seward
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IIISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
On June 3, 1914, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Mabel M. Granger, a daughter of Frank K. Granger, and a member of an important McHenry family. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the parents of three children, namely: Margaret 1., who was born August 16, 1915; George E., who was born February 14, 1917; and Frank K., who was born June 21, 1920. Mr. Johnson is independent in his political views. Fraternally he belongs to McHenry Lodge No. 158, A. F. & A. M .; McHenry Chapter, No. 547, O. E. S., and to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is held in the highest esteem wherever he has lived, and his ability is recognized by all who know him.
HORACE W. JOHNSON, M. D.
Horace W. Johnson, M. D., now deceased, was the first practicing physician of Harvard, and one of the pioneer members of the medical profession of MeHenry County. He was born in New York City, N. Y., December 16, 1810, the eldest of the three children of Jacob and Maria (Johnson) Johnson. After completing his academic courses in New York City, he was graduated from Rutger College, New Jersey, having been under the preceptorship of Valentine Mott, Sr. For the subsequent six years Doctor Johnson was engaged in practice in New York City, but in 1836 came west and from then until 1856, practiced in Kenosha, Wis., when he came to Harvard.
When Doctor Johnson came to what is now Harvard, the present site of the city was occupied by a field of waving corn, and not the most optimistic could have visioned the present surroundings. However, Doctor Johnson did have faith in the future of the neighborhood, and was here located until his death, February 24, 1871. On November 9, 1842 he was married at Bloomfield, Wis., to Adaline A. La Tour, a native of New York City, born August 27, 1823, a daughter of James and Christina (Kipp) La Tour. Doctor and Mrs. Johnson had a family as follows: Col. M. Johnson, M. D., of Harvard, and three sons and two daughters who died early in life. The grandfather of Mrs. Johnson, Anthony William La Tour, came to the United States from France with General Lafayette, served in the American Revolution as an officer, and later had the honor of being one to entertain the distinguished French official when he re-visited this country many years after the close of the war in which both had participated. In the spring of 1841,
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the parents of Mrs. Johnson brought her to Walworth County, Wis., where they permanently settled.
COLONEL M. JOHNSON, M. D.
Colonel M. Johnson, M. D., one of the prominent members of the medical profession of McHenry County, is the proprietor of the Cottage Hospital of Harvard, which was the first hospital in the county. He was born at Kenosha, Wis., May 2, 1854, one of six children born to Horace W. and Adeline Amelia (La Tour) Johnson. Horace W. Johnson was a well known physician and surgeon of New York City, where he was born, and later of Wisconsin. He finally came to Harvard, Ill., where he died February 22, 1871. His widow survived him many years, passing away in March, 1901.
Doctor Johnson attended the common and high schools of Harvard, Notre Dame University, from which he was graduated in 1871, the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in September, 1875. He took a post-graduate course at Bellevue Hospital, New York City for a year, and then in 1876, located at Harvard, where he has since remained. Subsequently he built his hospital, at a cost of over $15,000. This hospital has accommodation for thirty-two patients, and seven nurses. Doetor Johnson belongs to the county, state and national medical societies. He is a Democrat, and has served as city physician, treasurer, alderman and mayor of Harvard, and has very well satisfied his constituents in all these offices. Ife is a Thirty-second Degree and Shriner Mason, and also belongs to the Illinois Historical Society.
Doctor Johnson was married to Elizabeth Jolly and divorced from her. They had one son, namely: Horace W., who is engaged in a real- estate and insurance business at Chicago. Doctor Johnson was married (second) to Miss Helen E. Downes, a daughter of Richard H. Downes of Onconta, N. Y. Doctor and Mrs. Johnson have one son, Colonel R. M., who is at home. Both in private practice and as the head of his own hospital, Doctor Johnson has attained to a well deserved popu- larity, and those under his charge are certain of receiving expert atten- tion and the most modern of hospital service, without going to the expense and trouble of visiting Chicago.
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SAMUEL A. JOHNSTONE.
Samuel A. Johnstone, one of the progressive general farmers and dairymen of MeHenry County, owns and operates 120 acres of land on section 36, Nunda Township. He was born in Scotland, May 13, 1856. a son of William and Margaret (Stelle) Johnstone, natives of Scotland. who came to the United States in 1869, and located on the farm now owned by their son. Here the father died at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith. There were nine children in his family, namely: Isabella, Samuel A., Janette, Richard, William. Robert, Margaret, John and Fred.
Samuel A. Johnstone attended the schools of Scotland and McHenry County. He was married to Jennie Kirkpatrick, born at Elgin, Ill., a daughter of William and Mary Kirkpatrick, natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone have four children, namely: William K., who is in the United States navy, and has been for twelve years; Melvill George, who is also in the navy, on the Texas; Robert C .; and Samuel A. The only daughter, Maggie, died at the age of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone are correctly numbered among the thoroughly representa- tive people of the county, and their sons are living up to the high stand- ards of the family on both sides.
MERRITT L. JOSLYN.
Page 138.
TIMOTHY KANALY.
Timothy Kanaly, now deceased, was formerly one of the successful farmers of Seneca Township, and a man universally liked. He was born near Cork, Ireland, in July, 1836, and died January 23, 1910. His father died when he was small, and when he was ten years old, Timothy Kanaly was brought to the United States by relatives. Later he sent for his mother to join him. Until he was eighteen years old, he remained
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in New York, a portion of that period working for a gardener, but in 1854, he came to MeHenry County, and was for a time employed by Thomas Richards, and helped to set out the evergreens that have since given the name of Evergreen to one of the school districts. On January 6, 1858, he was married to Johanna Nihan, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in November, 1838, the ceremony taking place at St. Patrick's Church at Hartland. She had come to MeHenry County with her parents, James and Mary Nihan, who located in Seneea Township, where both died when about eighty years old, and they are buried in the pioneer cemetery of Seneca Township.
After his marriage Timothy Kanaly located on the farm in Seneca Township that is still owned by the family, and he built a shanty on it. There was no road leading to it, and everything was undeveloped. In order to earn a little money, he leased a yoke of oxen, and with them used to work for $1 per day, going four or five miles to work. He eut wood at fifty cents per cord, hauling it five miles to Marengo. Just as fast as he could, he kept on adding to his original purchase of fifteen acres, until he had 220 in his homestead. The little shanty, he replaced with a frame house still standing, but the present residence has been built at different periods. The original barn was built from stumps, covered with hay, but in 1873 he erected the present barn. Mrs. Kanaly made butter which was sold to customers at Marengo. He was a Dem- ocrat of the old school, and never missed an election. While he was firm in his convictions, he was not a man to argue, and his boys are all the same as he in this respect. When they first came there, Mr. and Mrs. Kanaly would walk twelve miles to Hartland for religious services, and when the Marengo church was established, they were among its oldest members. Mrs. Kanaly survives her husband, and lives on the farm.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kanaly were as follows: Timothy, who lives on a farm adjoining the homestead; Mary Ann, who is the widow of J. Riley of Marengo; Cornelius, who is with the Commonwealth Edison Company, of Chicago, has been a resident of that city for thirty years; and Daniel and James, twins, and Katherine, who are all at home. The two sons last named conduet the farm. Daniel is active in township affairs, having served on the election board, and also on the sehool board. The Kanaly family is one of the highly esteemed ones of McHenry County, and the sons are numbered among the sue- cessful farmers of Seneea Township.
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EDWARD C. KAPPLER.
Edward C. Kappler, senior member of the well-known grocery firm of Kappler & Deitz, is one of the leading men in his line at Woodstock, and a well-known figure in MeHenry County. He was born at Wood- stock, April 3, 1874, one of the four children of Charles and Lena (Miller) Kappler. Charles Kappler was a farmer, and was engaged in that line of endeavor until his death which occurred in 1912.
Edward C. Kappler attended the grammar and high schools of Woodstock, and has always been identified with the best interests of his native place. Mr. Kappler first formed a partnership under the name of Kennedy & Kappler, and sold out his interests there in 1913. Later he bought out S. L. Hunt, and he took Arlie A. Deitz as his business associate. The firm carries a full and carefully assorted line of staple and fancy groceries averaging $8,000, and do an annual business of $100,000. The selling force is composed of ten experienced people, and excellent service is rendered. During the late war, this firm cheer- fully lived up to all the government regulations, and deserves the heavy patronage it receives.
Mr. Kappler is Democratic in his political faith. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows, Elks and Woodmen. His residence is at No. 335 Lincoln Street. The business policy of this firm is to render the best service and sell the highest grade of goods at priees as low as is consistent with their quality, and the market quotations.
PATRICK KEATING.
Patrick Keating, now living retired at Huntley, is one of the most highly respected men of MeHenry County, and formerly took an active part in the agricultural life here and is still the owner of a large amount of farm land. He was born in Kane County, Ill., five miles south of Huntley, April 15, 1843, a son of Edward and Mary (Tobin) Keating, both natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, where they were married.
Upon coming to the United States, they proceeded direct to Illinois and soon were settled on a farm in Kane County, Ill., where Edward Keating rounded out his life, and after his death his widow moved to a farm near Crystal Lake, in Grafton Township, and after ten or twelve
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years, went to live at Elgin, Ill. They had the following children: William, who was originally a farmer, became a fireman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and was killed near Dubuque, Iowa; Patrick, whose name heads this review; Thomas, who at one time conducted a blacksmith shop at Huntley, lived for a time at Chicago, and is now a resident of Elgin, Ill .; and Edward, who was a lieutenant on the Chicago police force, in charge of the Stanton Avenue Station, and later chief of detectives, is now deceased.
Patrick Keating remained in Kane County until he attained his majority, working by the month on neighboring farms, and then con- dueted his mother's farm in Grafton Township for four years. He then bought eighty acres of land three and one-half miles northwest of Huntley, going into debt for it. Not only did he clear off this debt, but he erected a fine set of buildings on the property, making it one of the best farms in this region, and also began adding to it until he had 240 acres. This farm is rolling prairie land, with several flat tracts, which he drained, thus redeeming about sixty acres. The house was built in 1883, and the barn in 1876, but the latter he replaced in 1915 by a fine dairy barn, with full basement, 36 x 120 feet, and 16-foot posts, all of the stabling being in the basement. There is also a horse barn 36 x 70 feet and the necessary outbuildings, including a commodious milk house and silo, 16 x 50 feet. These buildings are on a slight ele- vation, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country, and they can be seen for miles about. Mr. Keating's holdings are heavy, he owning 1,400 acres of land, all of which is in MeHenry County with the exception of a 200-aere farm a part of which is in Kane County. These MeHenry County farms are as follows: the old William Miller farm of 160 acres; the Koppen farm of 120 acres; the Henry Sinnett farm of 240 acres; the John Kreutzer farm of 160 aeres; the Salow farm of 140 acres; and the Scott farm of 196 acres, and other valuable lands. Mr. Keating has paid as high as $140, and as low as $26.25 per acre, for his land. As he bought these various farms, he began making im- provements, either erecting new buildings, or remodeling the old ones; sinking wells, putting in windmills, cementing the floors in the big barns, using several miles of tiling in properly draining the low places, and doing everything to bring his properties up to the highest standards of modern efficiency. On his homestead he made it a practice to keep a herd of about forty head, and always dealt in stock, giving this latter branch of his business special attention after he retired from the farm to Huntley in 1884. In order to properly handle his stock, he built a large barn
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for it at Ihuntley. His stock business is now owned by his son, Edward. On February 28, 1867, Patrick Keating was married to Margaret A. Harmon at Woodstock. She is a daughter of Michael and Ann (Quinn) Harmon, both of whom were born in Kings County, Ireland, but came to the United States in 1840, and located in Seneca Township, two miles west of Woodstock, where she died in 1902, aged eighty-seven years, he surviving her for four years, passing away at the age of ninety years.
Mr. and Mrs. Keating became the parents of the following children : William, who had spent some years at Wallace, Idaho, entered the ser- vice of the Knights of Columbus organization for work in France during the World War; Edward, who is in a real-estate and stock business at Huntley; Thomas, who is a resident of Chicago; Bernard, who is with his brother Edward; Michael, who was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, died July 6, 1915; Elizabeth, who is now living with her parents, was for some years a public school teacher, and for three years was thus engaged at Huntley; Mary, who was a public school teacher in MeHenry County and the Elgin High School, is now engaged in War Savings branch of the United States Treasury at Chicago; James, who is engaged in life insurance work, is at home; and Ann, who was a court stenographer at Chicago for some years, is now Mrs. Harold Morton of Yonkers, N. Y. All of the family belong to St. Mary's Catholic church of Huntley.
Mrs. Keating is one of the most intelligent ladies of McHenry County, and much of her husband's remarkable success is due to her foresight and business acumen. Warm hearted and impulsive, she is quick to act and prompt to respond to any call upon her sympathies, and during the late war was very energetic in forwarding the cause in her neighborhood.
JOHN T. KELAHAN.
John T. Kelahan, postmaster of Algonquin, is one of the extensive realty dealers specializing on farm lands. He was born June 16, 1862, a son of Thomas and Mary (Cunningham) Kelahan, who had eight children, seven of whom now survive. Thomas Kelahan was born in the state of New York, and originally was a farmer, but later became a merchant and was engaged in that line of business when he died, ยท September 14, 1875. His wife died February 19, 1918.
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John T. Kelahan attended the common and high schools, and was reared on a farm. He remained with his parents until the death of his father, and then assumed the responsibilities of condueting the farm. Later he became associated with the Borden Company at Algonquin, and was so connected for fifteen years, the last year being superintendent. Upon his appointment as postmaster of Algonquin, March 3, 1915, by President Wilson, he resigned from his firm, but in addition to dis- charging the duties of his position, he deals in farm lands upon an extensive scale.
In 1908 Mr. Kelahan was married to Martha Doyle, a daughter of Thomas Doyle, and they have three children, namely: John T., Jr., Russell J., and Thomas R. The family are all members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Kelahan is a Democrat. His fraternal connec- tions are with the Moden Woodmen of America. His administration of the affairs of the post office is such as to commend him to the general public, while personally he has many warm friends not only in MeHenry County, but Chicago as well, being very well known in both sections of the state. He was mayor of Algonquin for six years, from 1907 to 1913, and during his term of office brought about many improvements, one of the most important being the city sewerage system. Mr. Kelahan served for four years as postmaster of Algonquin under President Grover Cleveland's last administration.
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