USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 21
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ABNER W. KELLEY.
Abner W. Kelley, now deceased, was one of the prominent men of McHenry County, and long a resident of Marengo, and he was born in Canada July 26, 1859, and died December 6, 1918. When he was three years old he was brought to Marengo, and was here reared. He learned the trade of a machinist, and worked at it all of his life, principally in MeHenry County, although he spent a year in Virginia engaged in farming. Returning to Marengo, he resumed his business of handling Ford cars, in which he had been engaged before moving South, and he had the record of running the first Ford in MeHenry County, having bought it in 1904. Mr. Kelley bought the first two Fords in the county, driving them from Kalamazoo to Marengo, and from that time on continued to handle them. In connection with his ageney he conducted a garage and a machine shop established by his
O.D.Sherburne
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father in 1872. He and his brother built a new garage 80 x 150 feet, with an ample repair department, and a fine display window, there being none better in the county, and he had just arranged matters satis- factorily so as to take things more leisurely when death claimed him. Associated with him in the garage business were his two sons, who have served in the World War. Mr. Kelley was a Republican, and had served on County Committees as well as being interested in securing the well being and progress of his community, serving several terms as alderman. Mr. Kelley was an elder in the Presbyterian church.
On May 14, 1SSS, Mr. Kelley was married to Caroline Kimball, born in Massachusetts, but reared at Elgin, Ill. Her father was a hard- ware merchant, and one of the oldest business men of Elgin. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley were the parents of the following children: Pauline, who married R. S. Fidler of Aurora, Ill .; Charles, Joy and Benjamin, who are conducting the garage business formerly owned by their father; Fred, who is attending Lake Forest College, was also in the service during the World War; Theodore, who is also at Lake Forest College; Abner, who is attending Beloit College; and Caroline, who is at home. Charles Kelley served in the Second Division, Army of Occupation, having crossed to France in December, 1917, and was a hospital supply driver. Joy Kelley served in France in automobile repair work.
On December 6, 1918, Mr. Kelley was returning from Chicago with a car, when he was taken with heart failure and was found near Elgin by other autoists in his car. dead at the wheel.
JOHN T. KELLEY.
John T. Kelley, ex-mayor of Huntley, vice president of the Huntley State Bank, and grain merchant, is numbered among the most repre- sentative men of McHenry County. He was born December 19, 1867, a son of John G. and Sarah (Coyne) Kelley, and grandson of James Coyne.
John G. Kelley was born in Ireland, and after his father's death, which occurred when he was thirteen years old, he was brought to the United States by his mother. He and a brother, Thomas, were engaged in an implement business at Chicago, later living at St. Charles, and Crystal Lake, Ill., and finally coming to Huntley in 1862, where he was engaged in operating a blacksmith shop until 1885. In that year
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he sold his shop and continued to supervise his extensive farming inter- ests until his death which occurred January 7, 1915. He and his wife were devout members of the Catholic church.
John T. Kelley attended the public schools and the Drew Business College of Elgin, Ill., being graduated from the latter March 16, 1886. When he was fourteen years old he entered the employ of W. G. Sawyer & Co., and remained with this concern for twelve years, and then bought a half interest in it, and when Mr. Sawyer died March 15, 1912, he purchased his interest from the estate, and continued the business alone, under his own name for three years, when he took in Harry Hilbert as a partner. The firm of Kelley & Hilbert handled flour, feed, grain and coal, and did a large business, amounting to $60,000 annually.
Mr. Kelley is now the president of the Huntley Farmers Supply Company, organized September 1, 1918, and owns a number of shares in the same. His son is treasurer, and Mr. Hilbert acts as secretary. The business has a capital of $30,000, and an extensive business is carried on in coal, grain, flour, feed, seeds, etc.
Mr. Kelley also owns 500 acres of choice farm land in Grafton Town- ship. When the Huntley State Bank was organized, Mr. Kelley was made a director, and in 1916, he was elected vice president. Very prominent locally, Mr. Kelley has served as postmaster, village clerk, township trustee, school director, town elerk and mayor of Huntley, and is now secretary of the school board.
In 1893 Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Mary Connor, a daughter of Jeremiah Connor of Kane County. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have the following children: Marie, who is Mrs. Raymond J. Donohue of Kane County; Gordon J., who is in business with his father; Margaret and Raymond J., who are at home. Mr. Kelley belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley and family are devout members of the Catholic church.
WILLIAM KERR. Page 138.
WILLIS JAMES KITTLE.
Willis James Kittle, one of the substantial farmers of Nunda Town- ship, owns a finely-improved farm on sections 11, 12 and 15 of this town-
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ship. He was born in Nunda Township, October 3, 1856, a son of James and Jane Isabella (Mosgrave) Kittle, who spent the greater part of their lives in Nunda Township, where they were engaged in farming. The maternal grandfather of Willis James Kittle, settled on the present farm of the latter, in 1844, buying a large part of it from the government.
Growing up in his native township, Willis James Kittle attended its common schools, and then studied for two terms at the normal school at Valparaiso, Ind. Early taught to make himself useful on the farm, he has spent the greater part of his life in agricultural pursuits, although " earlier in life he was also engaged in school-teaching, and had some practical experience in mercantile work, in which he was engaged for several years commencing with 1893, during the period of the World's Fair at Chicago. He is a strong Republican, and during 1881, served as township collector, and has been on the school board, and also as a village trustee. The Methodist Episcopal church holds his member- ship, and he is highly regarded in the local congregation.
Mr. Kittle was married (first) at Ringwood, Ill., to Rose L. Niekle, who was born at Ringwood, September 5, 1855, and they had one son, Roy L. Kittle, who died October 30, 1918. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Kittle was married (second), at Crystal Lake, Ill., to Miss Laura A. Paine, who was born at Crystal Lake, July 31, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Kittle have one son, James Lewis Kittle, who was born April 11, 1913. The family residence is at Crystal Lake, although Mr. Kittle still owns and operates his farm. Few men stand any higher in public esteem than he, and he deserves the place he occupies in his community for he has won it through personal effort and real merit.
LENTILLES KIZER.
Lentilles Kizer, a retired farmer of Harvard, belongs to the old and honored Kizer family of MeHenry County, and was born on the farm his father secured from the government, July 12, 1856. He is a son of Warren Kizer, one of four brothers, Morgan, Jacob, Warren and Morris Kizer, who came to MeHenry County in 1844. Warren Kizer's farm joined that of Jacob on the south, while the farm Morris secured was across the road, so the three brothers had an undivided piece of land. Morgan Kizer was about three-quarters of a mile away from the others. The latter left the county about 1861, and died at Oregon, Ill. Morris
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sold his farm before the outbreak of the Civil War, but bought another one in Chemung Township, where he died, and his property was later sold and his family is scattered.
Warren Kizer was married in New York state to Sophronia Brees, and at once came West. They had but the one child, who was born in a log house, but about 1859, a new residence was built, and in it he died August 5, 186S. For some years prior to his demise he was in poor health, and his wife did fine sewing and trimmed hats, gaining a widespread reputation for the quality of her work. For several years he and Warren were in partnership with the Waite brothers and they conducted a general store at the State Line Corners, but after the establishment of the village of Sharon, on account of the building of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, the trade was drawn away from that region, the business was abandoned, and Mr. Kizer returned to his farm in 1860. In young manhood he taught school, and was the first teacher at the Big Foot school, five miles from home, and he walked back and forth, receiving only $12 and his board per month, for his services. When he went for his certifieate, he was asked if he could make a quill pen, and when he replied that he could, he was told to write out a certificate, and it was at once signed, the one question and answer constituting the only examination given him. The little schoolhouse in which he first taught was built of cobblestones, and he also taught in his home district. All four brothers were Republicans after the formation of that party. Warren Kizer's wife survived him until April 23, 1902. Their marriage certificate, still in the possession of his son, is dated Fairport, N. Y., April 28, 1844, and shows that he was born in Lucerne County, Pa., June 14, 1816, and she in Chemung County, N. Y., February 4, 1S18.
Lentilles Kizer was twelve years old when his father died, and the next four years were spent by him in attending school and in helping his mother. When he was sixteen years old, he began operating the farm, which he owns, leaving it in 1907, to locate at Harvard, although he still supervises the work of the farm, keeping it well improved, and he has a very fine farm. His residence, located on an elevation, is the original house lived in by his father, but he has practically rebuilt it, and made it very modern. Mr. Kizer is a Republican:
On May 27, ISSO, Mr. Kizer was married to Lettie E. Burton, a daughter of Billings and Harriet (Sweasey) Burton, born on the Burton farm, April 16, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Kizer have no children.
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ROLLAND C. KIZER.
Rolland C. Kizer, who owns one of the best farms in Chemung Township, is located eight miles northwest of Harvard and three miles east of Sharon, and was born on this farm October 17, 1853, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Smith) Kizer, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Kizer, accompanied Jacob Kizer when he journeyed overland to Ohio, and with them were two brothers of the latter, Warren and Marius. They came on to McHenry County, the younger men all securing government land, which they developed and spent the remainder of their lives in this vicinity. The old grandfather lived with Jacob Kizer until his death which occurred at the age of ninety-three years. A son of Warren Kizer owns his father's homestead which joins the one of Jacob Kizer, and on it Warren Kizer died at the age of seventy years. His wife was also a Pennsylvanian. Marius had a farm opposite to the one of Warren, but he later sold it and went to Rock Island County, Ill., and there died, his family remaining there also. When the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was built, all the brothers helped in the con- struction work, and they were among the organizers of the township. Warren served the township as assessor for years.
Jacob Kizer, in partnership with John A. and William A. Waite, conducted a general store at the State Line Corners, and in addition to the store and post office there was a blacksmith shop and a few houses, the nucleus of a village, but with the building of the railroad and the establishment of Sharon, business drifted to the new town, and Jacob Kizer returned to his farm which he conducted for twenty-five years, but then retired. He was born December 10, 1815, and died February 12, 1896. His wife was born November 24, 1816, and died October 21, 1897. They were married November 11, 1841. Their children were as follows: Laura M., who married Edward V. Phelps, a banker of Harvard; Ann E., who was born July 24, 1846, died in the cholera epidemie of 1870; Hamilton, who was the first of the children born in Illinois, his birth occurring June 11, 1847, lives at Harvard; Edward S., who was a creamery man of Sherland, Ill., died February 2, 1897; R. C., who is mentioned below; Lydia R., who married Robert Brown of Sharon, Wis., a farmer, died December 18, 1909; and Frank, who is engaged in a creamery business of Wapaca, Wis., left McHenry County in young manhood.
Jacob Kizer was one of the active Republicans of his township, but
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never could be induced to accept of public honors. During the early days he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at State Line Corners, but later connected himself with the Cary Church at Sharon, and died firm in its faith. He was a man who held the respeet of his neighbors and deserved it for he was upright, hard working, thrifty, a good citizen and reliable man.
Rolland C. Kizer has added to his father's homestead until he now has 140 acres. His house was ereeted by his father, but he has prac- tically re-built it. He has also built a barn, silo and made numerous other improvements. For years he has devoted himself to dairying and keeps from seventeen to twenty cows of the Holstein strain. Like his father Mr. Kizer is a strong Republican.
On March 10, 1886, Mr. Kizer was married to Frances Hawver, a daughter of Charles Hawver, born and reared at Big Fork, Chemung Township. Mrs. Kizer died February 8, ISSS. Mr. Kizer has not re-married. He has a splendid tenant on his farm. In young manhood, Mr. Kizer united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Sherland, and later transferred to the one at Sharon. He is a Blue Lodge Mason, being affiliated with the lodge at Sharon. Like his father he enjoys the confidence of all who know him, the county owes him and his much for the representatives of his name have borne an important part in the development of this part of the state.
CLAYTON W. KLONTZ, M. D.
Clayton W. Klontz, M. D., one of the prominent members of the medieal profession of MeHenry County, is engaged in practice at Rich- mond, where he located August 1, 1917. He was born in Illinois, April 25, 1890, a son of Isaac and Marguerite (Folgate) Klontz, who were the parents of five children, four of whom survive. Isaac Klontz was born in Ohio, but eame to Illinois when two years old. He later engaged in farming continuing in this line until his death, in 1908. An excellent farmer and good business man he was very successful, and stood well in his home community.
Doetor Klontz attended the grade and high schools of Freeport, Ill., and the University of Illinois for three years, taking a science course, and later became a student of the Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in 1916. For eighteen months thereafter he was
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connected with St. Anthony's Hospital at Chicago, where he gained a very valuable experience. Since coming to Richmond he has won the approval of his fellow practitioners and the favor of the public, by his knowledge of his profession and his skillful treatment of his cases. He is a member of the MeHenry County Medical Society. A man of strong convictions he prefers to vote according to his own views instead of binding himself down by party ties.
Doctor Klontz was married to Miss Luła M. Swanson, a daughter of Herman and Mary (Wrightson) Swanson of Lewiston, Mich. Both Doctor and Mrs. Klontz are protestants in religious faith.
GARDNER A. KNAPP.
Gardner A. Knapp, superintendent of the County farm at Hartland, has a practical knowledge of farming that particularly fits him for his present position which he has held since 1913. He was born on a farm in Iowa, April 13, 1868, one of the nine children of Ebenezer R. and Emily (Thompson) Knapp. Ebenezer Knapp was born in New York, from whence he came West as far as Ohio, and after a stop in that state, to McHenry County, in 1855, and locating at Woodstock, carried on a wagon-making business until 1871. In the later year he moved to Seneca Township, and for some years was engaged in farming. He died January 10, 1905. During the Civil War he served in Company G, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. His wife survives.
Gardner A. Knapp was reared in McHenry County and attended its schools. He has alternated farming and working at his trade as a carpenter, but since 1913, he has devoted his time and attention to the care of the inmates of the county home. This home was built in 1884, and opened on December 10 of that year. At present there are thirty-eight inmates. The farm comprises 109 acres of land, and the buildings are supplied with modern conveniences.
On February 16, 1898, Mr. Knapp was married to Miss Marian E. Barrows, a sketch of her family appearing elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have the following children: Paul E., who was born January 21, 1900; Mabel, who was born June 24, 1908; Russell, who was born December 24, 1911; Gerald, who died at the age of one month, and two who died in infancy. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Knapp is a Republican, and he has served as a
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justice of the peace and town collector. Under his wise and judicious management the poor of the county receive attention and at the same time are kindly led to till their farm so as to provide in some measure for their food supply. Mr. Knapp is a Royal-Arch and Shriner Mason, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
MICHAEL KNOX.
Michael Knox, a farmer of Nunda Township, who deserves more than passing mention in a work of this character, belongs to one of the old families of MeHenry County. He was born in this county, January 21, 1864, a son of John Knox, who was born in Ireland in 1819, and died in 1887.
John Knox came to the United States in young manhood, and soon after his arrival, located in McHenry County, where he became a farmer. He was married to Mary Noonan, born in Ireland, who was brought to the United States by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Noonan, and they became early settlers of Mellenry County. John Knox and his wife had the following children: Ella Bolger; Anna Doherty; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. M. Conway; Mary; Alice; John; Michael, all of whom are living; and Thomas, Edward and two infant daughters, who are deceased. In politics John Knox was an independent Demoerat. Buying 160 acres of land, he farmed it until his death, and was a very successful man.
Michael Knox attended the district schools, and grew up on the farm. With the exception of two years spent in Chicago, Mr. Knox has always lived in McHenry County. For three years he rented a farm, and then bought 160 acres on section 15, Nunda Township, on which he has since carried on general farming and dairying with gratify- ing results.
In 1895 Mr. Knox was married to Mary A. Doherty, born in Nunda Township, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Knox) Doherty, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have the following children: Florence, who is a teacher; Francis; Edward, who served on the U. S. S. Massa- chusetts; Harold T .; Robert; Vernon; Mabel and Marie, who are living; and Ellen, who is deceased. Mr. Knox is an independent Democrat. During the more than half a century Mr. Knox has lived in McHenry County, he has borne his part in its development.
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Mattie & Sincerbox
W.S. Sincelay
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FRANK KREUTZER.
Frank Kreutzer, one of the successful men of McHenry County, resides in Grafton Township, three miles north of Huntley, where he owns a valuable farm. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 24, 1854, a son of John and Mary Ann Kreutzer, a sketch of whom is to be found elsewhere in this work. Frank Kreutzer was twelve years old when the family came to the United States, and thirteen, when settle- ment was made in MeHenry County. When John Kreutzer sold the homestead to his sons, Paul and John, Frank Kreutzer began working for John Coil of Kane County, and after one year on his farm, spent two years on the farm of William A. Boies, receiving $18 per month for the first year, and $23 for the second. During these three years he was able to save $300, and with the $900 he received from his father, he had enough money to go into partnership, in 1878, with his brother George and buy his present farm of 160 acres, all of which was open prairie, covered with stones. They paid $25 per acre for this farm, and at that time could have bought an improved farm for $35 per acre. They each paid $1,000, and went into debt for $3,000, paying ten percent interest for two years, when they were able to negotiate a loan at six percent. Still later, Frank Kreutzer bought his brother's share.
There were so many stones on the farm, many of them of considerable size that Mr. Kreutzer decided to make use of them, and utilized them in the erection of his buildings, in this way securing a durable and cheap material. It took an almost unending amount of hard work to clear and develop the land, and it was not until 1912 that he paid off his debt in full. Prices were very low during the early days, milk selling for sixty cents per can, from which the freight of seventeen cents had to be subtracted. In fact for some years he made nothing from his herd, but later on he changed his grade of cattle, and improved the quality and increased the volume of his production. During President MeKinley's administration land in the rural regions began to increase, prices rose for farm products and he was able to make substantial payments on his debt, and thus reduced his interest. Mr. Kreutzer has continued to improve his property, and has redeemed about sixty acres of ponds and swamp land by proper drainage. His residence and other build- ings are located on an elevation overlooking not only his own farm, but an area of several miles in extent, and his entire premises show that they are carefully superintended by one who understands his business and takes a pride in having everything just right. His barn is 36x112 feet,
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and 35 feet in height, with full basement, and he has room for over fifty head of cattle in big box stalls. Ile has made milk his leading feature, and milks forty-five head, feeding all the erop he raises to his stock. As his soil is kept in prime condition, his erops are large. He has a large silo, and other improvements, and his interests are centered in his farm.
In 1880, when he was twenty-three years old, Mr. Kreutzer was married to Mary M. Pobb, born in Illinois, her parents being residents of Buffalo Grove, Lake County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Kreutzer became the parents of the following children: John; Rosa, who married Andrew Schmidt of Huntley, a mason by trade; Anna, who is at home; Lizzie, who married Joseph Zelover, is now at home, her husband having died in November, 1918; Andrew; Willie, who spent six months at Camp Hancock, during the Great War, expected to be sent to France, but did not receive orders on account of the signing of the Armistice; and Leo, who is on the farm, as are all of the other sons. Mr. Kreutzer and his family belong to St. Mary's Catholic church of Huntley. He is one of the strongest kind of Republicans, and firmly believes that only under Republican administration ean this country develop a healthy prosperity, pointing out with accuracy the hard times which have always followed the return of Democrats to power. His information on this subject shows that he has studied the history of his adopted country, and his willingness to give these facts, proves his fearlessness in backing his beliefs.
PAUL KREUTZER.
Paul Kreutzer, a director of the State Bank of Huntley, and an exten- sive farmer of Grafton Township, is one of the most substantial men of this region, and resides at Huntley. He was director of the Chicago, Waukegan & Fox Lake Traction Company during the years 1912 and 1913, in which he lost several thousand dollars. Mr. Kreutzer was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 22, 1848, but since coming to this country, has imbibed the true spirit of his adopted land, and is thoroughly Americanized in thought and aet. He is a son of John and Mary Ann Kreutzer, farming people.
In 1866 John Kreutzer came to the United States, and spent a year at Springfield, Ill., coming thence to MeHenry County, locating on the farm still owned by his son, Paul, which contained 211 acres, forty acres of which were covered with timber, and the remainder is in prairie, to
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