USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 27
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remarkable success in life has come entirely through his own efforts as he is decidedly a self-made man.
MELVILLE W. MERRY.
Melville W. Merry, proprietor of the Nyal Store at Hebron, is one of the leading druggists of that city and is a director of the Bank of Hebron. He was born in this county, January 6, 1862, one of the five children of Waterman S. and Pleiades (Wilkinson) Merry. Waterman S. Merry was born in New York state, but came to McHenry County, where he was extensively engaged in farming, and where he lived until his deathı.
Melville W. Merry attended the Harvard High School and the Aurora Business College, after which he became a clerk in the drug store of Gresbeck & Wilkinson of Harvard, with whom he remained for ten years, and then in 1885, he located at Hebron, where he has since remained. He carries a full and varied stock of drugs, books and jewelry amounting to $20,000, and he owns the building in which his store is located. In 1916, Mr. Merry became a director of the Bank of Hebron, and still maintains that connection. He is secretary of the Milk Producers Association of Hebron. During the administration of Presidents Roosevelt and Taft, Mr. Merry served as postmaster of Hebron, receiving his last appointment, August 28, 1907, and he is a staunch Republican. He was also interested in farming for ten years, and still owns 400 acres of land in Hebron Township. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World.
In 1888, Mr. Merry was united in marriage with Miss Emma C. Mead, a daughter of Henry W. Mead. Mr. and Mrs. Merry have three children, namely: Nina A., who is a graduate of Lake Forest University, is at home; Clifton H., who was born February 13, 1892, was grad- uated from the Northwestern University in 1916, enlisted September 4, 1917 in Company F, Three Hundred and Forty-second Infantry, was mustered out of the service December 16, 1918, and is now serving as assistant cashier of the Bank of Hebron; and Celia F., who is attending the Northwestern University. Mr. Merry has been active in many movements at Hebron, and is recognized as one of its most prominent and influential citizens.
CHARLES H. TRYON
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EDWARD W. MEYER.
Edward W. Meyer, one of the leading business men of Cary, is held in high esteem by the people of McHenry County. He was born at Desplaines, Ill., May 3, 1889, one of the four children of Edward J. and Augusta (Geils) Meyer. Edward J. Meyer was born at Albany, N. Y., but came to Des Plaines, Ill., at an early day, is now retired and lives at Crystal Lake. His wife died in 1905.
Edward W. Meyer attended Maine Township High School, and the Northwestern College of Pharmacy. In 1912, he opened his present drug store, and gave it his personal attention until June 10, 1918, when he was made assistant cashier of the Cary State Bank. Almost imme- diately thereafter, he was called upon to discharge the duties of cashier. While serving in the latter capacity he went into the government service as a soldier.
In 1916, Mr. Meyer was married to Miss Fern Hutchinson, a daugh- ter of Chester Hutchinson of Barrington, Ill., and they have a daughter, Marjorie. Mr. Meyer is a Mason and Odd Fellow. In politics, he is a Republican. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Both as a druggist and banker, Mr. Meyer has proven his worth and capability, and he is perhaps as well known throughout the country as any man now living in it.
CHARLES C. MILLER, M. D.
Charles C. Miller, M. D., is one of the residents of Marengo who has attained to a world-wide reputation as a writer upon subjects of interest to apiarists, and as a naturalist of more than average ability. Doctor Miller was born in Pennsylvania, June 10, 1831, and his father, Johnson J. Miller, was a member of the medical profession. The mother of Charles C. Miller bore the maiden name of Phebe Roadman.
After securing his degree of A. B. from Union College of Schenectady, N. Y., Doctor Miller studied medicine in the University of Michigan, being graduated therefrom in 1856, and for a time was engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1861 his lifelong interest in bees found expression with his entrance into the bee industry at Marengo, and he increased his business until at one time he had over 400 colonies. Carry- ing on his work in a scientific manner, he made experiments which were
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of such value that his constructive contributions to bee journals met with instant attention, and he was thus encouraged to place the results of his observation in book form. Since 1894 he has conducted a depart- ment of questions and answers in the American Bee Journal and has been department editor of Gleanings in Bee Culture since 1890; and is a member of the National Beekeepers Association, which he twice served as president. He also is the author of "A Book by P. Benson, Sr.," "A Year Among the Bees," "Fifty Years Among the Bees," and is editor of the apiary terms in the Standard Dietionary. For many years he was secretary and later president of the MeHenry County Sunday School Association, and president of the Second District of Illinois, comprising six counties. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian church for more than sixty years. Doctor Miller has also been head of the local Sunday school, and chairman of the Synodical committee for the Synod of Illinois for several years. He attended the conven- tion of the International Association of Sunday School Work held at St. Louis, and was a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presby- terian church at Saratoga Springs.
In the line of his bee industry, Doctor Miller produced honey for the market and took first premium at the World's Fair in 1893. At the convention of Bee Keepers at Chicago in February, 1919, he was hailed by Dr. E. F. Phillips, head of the Government Department of Bee Keeping, at his appearance before the convention, as the "greatest bee keeper in the world."
On August 12, 1857, Doctor Miller was united in marriage with Mrs. Helen M. White, of Marengo, who died in 1880. On November 15, 1881, Doetor Miller was married (second) to Miss Sidney J. Wilson, of Marengo. Doctor Miller has one son, Charles Clinton Miller, who is a clerk in the adjutant-general's office, in the War Department at Washington, D. C. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he resigned to serve in that campaign, but resumed the duties connected with his position after peace was deelared.
Doetor Miller has endeavored to interest others in growing flowers, especially the gladioli, and has sought to have instruction relative to its culture introduced in the public schools. He is a member of the National Plant and Flower Guild, which arranges with express com- panies to carry flowers for distribution in the shins of cities. As is but natural in a man of his mentality and inelinations, Doctor Miller has always been a strong advocate of the Prohibition movement, and no one is better satisfied than he at the successful passage and ratification of the Prohibition Amendment.
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JOIIN C. MILLER.
John C. Miller, proprietor of the Princess Theatre, is one of the most representative men of this part of the country. He was born on a farm near Dundee, in Kane County, Ill., February 14, 1879, a son of John and Rachel (Salow) Miller, who had seven children, six of whom survive. The parents were born in Germany, but came to the United States in 1871, and located in Kane County, Ill. The father died in September, 1916, but the mother survives and lives at Marengo.
John C. Miller attended the common schools of his native county, and early in life lived with his parents on a farm, but on March 19, 1907, came to Woodstock, Ill., and was employed in the Oliver Typewriter Co., and on February 1, 1909, engaged in the motion picture exhibition business. He is a staunch Republican, and was elected alderman from the third ward in 1917.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage on June 4, 1902, with Miss Lena Trebes, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Trebes, and they have one daughter, Helen L., who was born June 18, 1905. The family belong to the Grace Lutheran Church. Mr. Miller is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Country Club, and is the vice-president and a director of the Commercial and Community Club. He is a man widely known and is justly popular.
JOHN F. MILLER.
John F. Miller, proprietor of the Rosedale Greenhouses of MeHenry, is a native of Denmark, where he was born August 26, 1876, and learned the business in which he has always been engaged. In 1896 he came to the United States and spent three years at Morton Grove with the Pullman Company, and then came to MeHenry and rented his present property for a year. The greenhouses were established in 1903, and are located on the Fox River adjoining the village of MeHenry. There are nine and one-half aeres of land surrounding the houses, which are in the highest state of fertility. Mr. Miller has 40,000 feet of glass, and his houses are heated by a steam plant. While in Denmark his specialty was rose growing, but he finds that here there is a greater demand for carnations, chrysanthemums and sweet peas, which he sells at wholesale in Chicago. When he took over this business he and his wife had between
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them just $1,000, which they paid down, and went into debt for the remaining $13,000. In the years which have followed they have done so well that they have cleared off this debt and made many improve- ments, having one of the finest plants of its kind in this part of the state.
Mr. Miller was married to Minnie Stevensen, also born in Denmark, but a resident of New York for some years prior to her marriage. They have two children, namely: Alice Rose and Theodore S., both of whom are at home. Mr. Miller belongs to McHenry Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Woodstock Chapter, R. A. M., and both belong to the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Miller is an official. They have succeeded beyond all expectations, but theirs has not been an easy way. They were only able to meet their obligations and get ahead, because they were willing to work early and late, and save every penny not needed for the absolute necessities of life. As a result of this industry and thrift, they have today a fine business and are numbered among the prosperous people of their locality, in which they are highly appreciated and respected.
ANDREW MORITZ.
Andrew Moritz, one of the thrifty and prosperous agriculturalists of MeHenry County, is located on his farm five miles north of Union in Seneea Township. He was born in Hanover, Germany, April 1, 1855, and reared on a farm. In 1880 he eame to the United States, landing in New York City, from whence he came to Illinois and for a time worked by the month, for farmers in Du Page County, and then in 1881 located in Coral Township. In 1883 he bought his present farm of 140 acres for which he paid $50 per aere, and on it he erected all the buildings, and has now a very valuable property. He has always been a hard worker and is regarded as one of the first-class farmers of the township. Independent in his political views, he votes for the man he thinks best fitted for the office.
In 1882 Mr. Moritz was married in Seneca Township to Marie Dunker. She is a daughter of Henry and Dora Dunker, all born in Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States in 1876, and settled in Coral Township. Mr. Dunker died when seventy years old. His widow survives him and is living at Marengo, being now a very aged lady. Mr. and Mrs. Moritz became the parents of the following ehil- dren: Christ, who is a raneher of Montana; Dora, who is at home;
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Treda, who lives at Delavan, Wis .; Louis, who is living on a portion of his father's farm; Henry, who is a partner of Louis, was in France as a member of the Twenty-first Engineers, being sent over in October, 1918; Mina, who also lives at Delavan, Wis .; Charlotte, who has been teaching in Seneca Township for six years, lives at home; Elizabeth, who has been teaching for two years, also lives at home; George, who is also on the homestead; and Carl and Mary, both of whom are at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Moritz and their children belong to the German Evangelical church at Union, and Mr. Moritz is a generous supporter of its good work. They are very estimable people, and have the esteem of their neighbors.
WILLIAM MUNSHAW.
William Munshaw, a representative man, has been for years one of the substantial farmers of McHenry County, and owns and operates together with his brother, Lambert, a fine farm in Algonquin Township, three miles southeast of Crystal Lake and three miles north of Algon- quin. He was born on this farm, October 24, 1871, a son of William and Maria (Wiles) Munshaw. The elder William Munshaw was born March 16, 1817, in Ontario, Canada, where he was married, and where four of his children were born. In 1869, he came to MeHenry County, Ill., and buying 102 acres of land in Algonquin Township, located in the oak openings, and here he died July 24, 18SS, aged seventy-one years. His widow survived him for fifteen years, dying at Crystal Lake. She was much younger than he. In addition to his farm in Algonquin Township, he owned another one near Crystal Lake, but made his first one his home, and lived in the house now standing on it. His life was devoted to general farming and he had no taste for politics, although he voted the Republican ticket.
A brother of the elder William Munshaw, John Munshaw, who was born in Ontario, Canada, June 24, 1818, came to McHenry County, Ill., in 1871, and died here August 28, 1891, aged seventy-three years. His children were as follows: Mrs. D. E. Green, who lives at Lincoln, Neb .; Mrs. Fayette Thomas, who lives at Crystal Lake, Ill .; Mrs. Z. B. Udall, who lives at Columbus, Neb .; Miss Louise, who lives at Elgin, Ill .; E. D., who lives at Evanston, Wyo .; T. A., who lives at Elgin, Ill .; and F. A., who lives at Eau Claire, Wis.
William Munshaw and his wife had the following children: Louise,
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who is Mrs. William Huffman, lives at Crystal Lake; Anna, who is Mrs. Fred Goodman, lives at Crystal Lake; Carrie and Sophronia, who do not live in MeHenry County; John Robert, who died when about fifty years old, left three children, Hazel, Jennie and Ralph; William, whose name heads this review; and Lambert, who is a chemist in the Terra Cotta Works, is in partnership with William, in the ownership of the old home, which William operates, and where Lambert also lives.
William Munshaw, the younger, attended the local schools, and remained at home until his father's death, and in addition to farming, learned the blacksmithing trade at Carey, and then ran a blacksmithing shop of his own for eleven years. For the subsequent one year he was with the Oliver Typewriter Company at Woodstock, and then in 1907, took charge of the farm, in partnership with his brother, Lambert. They have bought the interests of the other heirs, and operate the farm under the style of Munshaw Bros., general farmers, stockraisers and dairymen. Each year Mr. Munshaw grows and fattens a fine drove of Duroc swine of pure breed, and his herd of twenty-five cows are of a high-grade Holstein strain. The farm is well drained naturally, and all of it is under cultivation. The basement of the barn is used for stabling purposes, and the equipment is thoroughly modern.
Lambert Munshaw was married to Myrtle Prickett, but William Munshaw is unmarried. Lambert Munshaw attended the schools of Crystal Lake, and for the past fifteen years has been the chemist of the Terra Cotta Works at Terra Cotta, this county. These young men are typical of the best class of MeHenry people. They were born on their present farm, and have spent their lives within the confines of their native county, so that their interests are centered here and they take great pride in its development, and are favorably inclined toward all movements looking to further advancement of their locality.
GEORGE L. MURPHY.
George L. Murphy, president of the American National Bank of Woodstock, and senior member of the well-known mercantile house of Murphy & Doering, of Woodstock, is one of the leading business men of MeHenry County. He was born at Woodstock, November 19, 1878, a son of John J. and Elizabeth A. (Donnelly) Murphy, being one of seven children, of whom four survive.
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After attending the schools of Woodstock and the University of Chicago, Mr. Murphy returned to Woodstock, and formed a partnership in the mercantile business, under the style of Murphy & Mullen, which firm was in 1910 succeeded by the firm of Murphy & Doering, which now controls a large and profitable trade. In 1901 Mr. Murphy embarked in the banking business, and in 1903 was made president of his present bank, it being then organized by some of the leading men of the county. This bank is one of the most substantial in this section, and under Mr. Murphy's sane and conservative policies, it is in a most excellent condition, and largely patronized. Mr. Murphy is deeply interested in agriculture and is one of the largest owners of farm land in McHenry County.
In 1906 Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Gabriella Casamave, a daughter of Francis D. Casamave, formerly chief engineer of the motive department of the Pennsylvania Railroad System. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have three children, namely: John J., Elizabeth C. and Frances Delphine. The family all belong to the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council of his parish. In politics Mr. Murphy is a Republican, but he has not entered public life, his time and attention being fully occupied with his private affairs.
JOHN J. MURPHY.
John J. Murphy was long one of Woodstock's leading bankers and business men, and this was but one phase of a busy life that reached out in continuous usefulness and sympathy to all with whom he came in contact. He always judged his fellowmen not by wealth, birth or position, but by innate worth of character, and himself measured by this standard, shows a record which places him high on the roll of Woodstock's most valued and honored citizens. He was seventy-six years of age when he passed away, for his birth occurred in County Cork, Ireland, on May 8, 1832. His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Healey) Murphy, were also natives of that county and the father there followed the occupation of farming until about 1838, when he brought his family to the United States, settling in New York city, where he was employed as an overseer in an oil mill and there remained until about 1844, when he came to Illinois, taking up his abode on a farm in Hartland Township, McHenry County, there remaining until
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the death of his wife, about 1862. The father afterward removed to Woodstock, where he spent his remaining days in retirement from business, 'living with his daughter until his death in 1884, when he was in his eighty-fourth year. In the family were seven children.
John J. Murphy, the third in order of birth, attended a brothers' school in New York. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church, to which he always adhered, and he was liberal in his views and did not seek to influence the opinions of others on religious matters. In his boyhood days he was studious and was well posted even in his youth on current events. He ever remained a well-informed man, capable of discussing intelligently the vital problems and questions of the day.
When fourteen years of age he went to Chicago, where he clerked in a general store and also attended night school. In 1850, when eighteen years of age, he went overland to California and was engaged in mining near Sacramento and at Hangtown, now Placerville. He opened the mine at Gold Hill, near Marysville, and after about two years spent on the Pacific Coast returned to Illinois to visit his parents. A few months were passed in this state and he then again went to Cali- fornia, accompanied by a number of people from his locality. The second time his sojourn covered about three to four years, and following his return to Woodstock he established a general store, being connected with commercial interests of the city throughout the remainder of his life. He was perhaps even more widely known as a banker. A few years after starting in business in Woodstock he became cashier of the First National Bank, of which his father-in-law was president, and continued in active connection with the institution until he liquidated the bank because of his failing health. In 1892 he with his family spent a year in traveling through France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and the British Isles. About 1894 Mr. Murphy founded the bank which became known as the MeHenry County State Bank, of which his son, G. L. Murphy, was elected president, but subsequently both with- drew. Later he established the American National Bank of Woodstock, of which his son is now the president, and continued in active association with the institution until his death. He did more to place on a sub- stantial footing the leading financial institutions of MeHenry County than any other one man. Moreover, he was an extensive landowner, conducting his real-estate dealings in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, besides owning many valuable farms in McHenry County and city property in Woodstock. In the early days of his connection
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with mercantile interests of Woodstock he engaged in the grain and lumber business very extensively and met with substantial success in that way. At the time of his death his entire attention was taken up by the management of his estate. He was a man of excellent business ability, whose efforts were carefully directed by sound judgment, and at all times his business career was characterized by keen sagacity, unfaltering energy, straightforward purpose and laudable ambition.
On July 13, 1859, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Donnelly, who was born in Greenwood, MeHenry County, Ill., a daughter of Neill and Mary (McElroy) Donnelly, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former born in County Derry and the latter in County Fermaugh. Mrs. Donnelly was brought to America by her parents in infancy and Neill Donnelly eame when a youth of fifteen years, settling first at Lowell, Mass., where he worked in a wholesale carpet store until his marriage in 1838. He then came to Illinois, settling in Greenwood Township, McHenry County, where he purchased a farm and resided for several years. He was then elected sheriff of the county and removed to Woodstock. On his retirement from office he engaged in general merchandising, in which he continued until his death, about 1889. His wife passed away about 1895. Mr. Donnelly was not only well known as one of the foremost representatives of trade interests in Woodstock, but also served as mayor of the city for two or three terms and filled other municipal offices. He was admitted to the bar but never practiced. The community recognized in him a publie-spirited man, whose unselfish devotion to the public welfare was above question. His business activity was also a strong element in the city's growth, and in the early days he was president of the First National Bank of Woodstock and was also the owner of considerable stock in the Northwestern Railroad.
Mrs. Murphy, who died April 22, 1919, was the second in a family of ten children and by her marriage became the mother of seven chil- dren, namely: Julia, who died at the age of nineteen years while a student in the Boston Conservatory of Music; Charles F., who died at the age of two years; Mary F., who is the wife of Dr. George S. Thomas, formerly Dean of the University of N. D., but now a resident of Rich- mond, Va .; Eleanor G., who is the wife of J. N. Kelly, superintendent of the schools of Grand Forks, N. D .; Henry C., who is editor and manager of the Courier, a paper published at Evansville, Ind., married Miss Katherine Speed, of Memphis, Tenn., and they have one son, John S .; Evelyn C., who died April 26, 1908; George L., who is presi-
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dent of the American National Bank of Woodstock, married Miss Gabrielle Casanave of Philadelphia, Pa., and they have three children, Elizabeth, John J. and Frances Delphine.
At one time Mr. Murphy became a member of the Masonic lodge but later withdrew. His political belief was that of an independent Democrat. For one term he served as mayor of Woodstock and he also was a member of the school board. Before advanced years came . upon him he took an active interest in the social and political life of the city. Ile was a man fearless in expressing his opinions and yet did not arouse antagonismn. He gave generously where aid was needed, yet no one knew the full extent of his charities or heard him speak of his benevolenees; and was identified with practically every public improve- ment that tended to advance the material welfare and upbuilding of Woodstock, and his worth as a citizen cannot be overestimated. In the funeral service the priest of St. Mary's Catholic church, Father Gilmartin, said:
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