USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 29
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October 19, 1862, married Charles Tooker of Edgar, Nebr .; Augusta, who was born April 22, 1865, married Fred Parent, and died leaving three children; and Otelia, who was born May 12, 1868, is Mrs. Frank Ammon of Sterling, Ill. By his second marriage he had the following children: John, who was born June S, 1873, lives in Marengo Town- ship; Jacob, who was born June 8, 1876, is mentioned below; Frank, who died in Colorado when about thirty years of age; Michael, who is now deputy attorney general of Wisconsin, resides at Madison, Wis., and was graduated from the law department of the University of Wis- consin; and Emil, who was drowned while bathing in Lake Mendota, Madison, Wis. He had just been graduated from the State University at the age of twenty-three years, and had a brilliant future before him. The'father of these children, Jaeob Olbrich, was killed on the railroad crossing at Lawrence in 1897, while trying to cross the tracks. His horses became uncontrollable and they, too, were killed. At that time, Mr. Olbrich was fifty-nine years of age. His widow died about seven years ago. Both are buried in Bigfoot Cemetery. Mr. Olbrich spent his entire life on a farm and was an excellent business man. The German Evangelical church had in him a most devout member, and he was held in high esteem in the congregation. Mrs. Olbrich was a daughter of Frederick Weitzel, a neighbor of Mr. Olbrich, born in Germany in January, 1810. In 1852 he came to the United States brining with him his wife whom he had married in 1835. Her maiden name was Amarilla Gabriel, and she was born in Germany in 1813. The three children of the Weitzel family were as follows: Katherine, who is deceased, was the wife of Jacob Olbrich; Christina, who resides in Wisconsin, is the widow of John Mueller; and Amarilla, who was born September 10, 1845, be- came the second Mrs. Olbrich. Mr. Weitzel died about 1895, aged eighty-six years, his widow surviving him until she was ninety-five years old. This is a long-lived family.
Jacob Olbrich, the younger, owns 124 acres of land formerly the Weitzel farm, to which he has added thirty acres, all in Chemung Town- ship. This farm is well developed and on it Mr. Olbrich earries on dairying, having thirty cows, and he also raises horses, hogs and other stock. He is not married, his home being eared for by Mrs. Flora Wood, widow of James E. Wood, who was born and reared in Chemung. He was an inventor among his other products being a corn husker, on which patents were granted. While working as a millwright mechanie at Aurora, he was killed on October 12, 1910, his clothing catching in the machinery. Mrs. Wood has a daughter, Grace A. Wood who is the
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wife of Randall Weitzel of Harvard. They have no children. Mr. Weitzel is engaged in a real-estate business and is a rising young man. Both the Olbrich and Weitzel families are old ones of McHenry County, and they are associated by ties of friendship and intermarriage.
SOREN P. OLESEN.
Soren P. Olesen, city assessor of Marengo, owns some valuable rural property in MeHenry County, and was formerly one of its progressive agriculturalists. He was born in Denmark, April 3, 1861. In 1883 he came to the United States, and for a while divided his time between working on a farm in the vicinity of Petersburg, Ill., and labor in Moline, Ill. In the spring of 1884, he went to South Dakota, homesteaded at Charles, Mix County, proved up his farm and lived on it for about five years, in all spending eleven years in South Dakota. He then returned to Illinois, settling near Capron, Boone County, where his wife was born and had lived until nine years of age, and in March, 1901, came to MeHenry County, buying a farm at the Seven Bridges, five and one- half miles west of Marengo. This farm comprised 2921/2 acres of land and was then known as the Delos Poyer farm, but is now named The Highland Farm. For the subsequent fifteen years, Mr. Olesen lived upon this property, making many improvements, including the erection of a large dairy barn, the remodeling of all the buildings, and the putting in of a silo, forty-eight feet high. His new barn stands on the site of the old one. This farm is a very good one, comparing favorably with any other in the township. On it dairying and hog raising are carried on very profitably. He sold this farm in 1916, and in this transaction obtained his present 120-acre farm in Coral Township, where he has built a silo similar to the one on his original farm, and this is rented to a tenant. In June, 1919, he bought another 120-acre farm in Riley Township. About three years ago Mr. Olesen moved to Marengo. While not a strong partisan, he generally votes the Republican ticket, and is thoroughly Americanized. Prior to his election as city assessor, he had served acceptably on the district school board, and is a man of sterling character and unflinching honesty. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, but since coming to this country has been identified with the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder, and clerk of the sessions.
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On April 2, 1893, Mr. Olesen was married in South Dakota to Maude M. Carroll, born August 10, 1874, which in that year fell upon Easter Sunday, but it has not since occurred. Mrs. Olesen was born at Capron, Ill., a daughter of H. M. and Climena (Blodgett) Carroll, who brought her to South Dakota in 1883. Mrs. Carroll died in South Dakota, and Mr. Carroll spent his last years with his daughter, Mrs. Olesen in MeHenry County, although for several years he was a hardware dealer at Capron, Ill. He was a highly respected man, and a Thirty-second Degree Mason, and had organized several lodges during the twenty-one years he lived in South Dakota, for which he was awarded a medal, now in the possession of Mrs. Olesen. He was buried at Platte, S. D., by members of his lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Olesen have had the following children: Metta, who married Roy Stock, lives near Seven Bridges, Marengo Township; Ralph C., who was in the service during the Great War as an aviation mechanic, spent six months in England, after having been in training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., San Antonio, Tex., and Long Island for fourteen months, and was discharged with creditable mention; Lyle D., who is in the employ of the Oliver Typewriter Com- pany at Woodstock; Muriel V., who is attending the Marengo High ·School; and Erving B., who died in infancy.
SILAS E. OLMSTEAD.
Silas E. Olmstead, ex-mayor of Woodstock, owns and operates a fine farm of 270 aeres of choice land in the vicinity of the county seat. He was born in New York state, November 29, 1851, a son of Edwin S. and Maria (Marshall) Olmstead, who had four children, two of whom survive. Edwin S. Olmstead was also born in New York state, died in Ridgefield, Ill., July 15, 1913.
Mr. Olmstead attended the schools of MeHenry County, where he was brought when one year old, and was reared on a farm. Having learned the principles of farming from boyhood, when he attained to mature years, he naturally adopted farming as his life work, and has always been engaged in that calling, and stock raising, with marked success.
In 1874 Mr. Olmstead was united in marriage with Miss Mary Scott, a daughter of Andrew Scott, and they have had two children: Winnifred D., and Delbert J. Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead are consistent members
Roff C. Mecker
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of the Presbyterian church. Very prominent as a Republican, he was elected on his tieket for alderman, and in 1917 was elected mayor of Woodstock, and while in office gave the city a fine and businesslike administration, and he takes a deep interest in public matters. His fraternal affiliations are with the Woodmen of the World and the Court of Honor. A man of high principles, he has always lived up to them, and is a citizen of whom his county may well feel proud.
KNUTE OLSON.
Knute Olson, one of the younger agriculturalists of Grafton Town- ship, and a leader among those who claim Sweden as their place of birth, was born in Sweden, January 17, 1878, a son of Jons and Anna Olson, farming people. Knute Olson was well educated before he left Sweden, and taught to be a practical farmer under the wise guidance of his father. In 1897, when he was nineteen years old, he came to the United States, and located at Huntley, working on a farm in its vicinity for four years. He then spent a year in Chicago, but returned to Grafton Township, where he rented land, until be bought his present farm. This property of 200 acres was the old J. J. Schuyler farm, and here he carries on general farming and dairying, and has been very successful.
In 1905 Knute Olson was married to Clara Holmgreev, also born in Sweden, and they have four children, namely: Russell, Arthur, Knute and Garnet. Mr. Olson is a Republican. Probably he is one of the best examples of what can be accomplished through a man's industry and thrift in the county. Coming to this country without means, he has in a little over twenty years become the owner of one of the finest farms in Grafton Township, and won confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
SAMUEL L. ORVIS.
Samuel L. Orvis, now living retired at Spring Grove, is one of the veterans of the Civil War, and a man whose usefulness to his country in both war and peace has been clearly proven. He was born at Battle- boro, Vt., January 1, 1840, a son of Simeon V. and Derexey (Campbell) Orvis, and grandson of David C. Orvis, who was a Revolutionary
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soldier and officer. In 1840 the family moved to New York, and in 1853, to Illinois, and after three years in this state, went to Wilmot, Wis. Still later, Simeon V. Orvis went to Iowa, but he and his wife spent their last days with their children, of whom there were four grow- ing to maturity and marrying.
Samuel L. Orvis enlisted for service during the Civil War, in Novem- ber, 1861, in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, and re-enlisted in the same regiment in 1864, continuing with it until after peace was declared. During the last year he was commanding sergeant, and was detailed to capture Jefferson Davis. Succeeding in the undertaking, he with his eomrades shared the reward. During his long and dangerous service he was not wounded or captured. Mr. Orvis received his honorable discharge in July, 1865, after three and one-half years of service.
Mr. Orvis was married (first) to Miss Lavina Sanborn, at Wilmot, Wis., November 4, 1866. A sketch of the Sanborn family is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. Orvis was a farmer of Richmond Township until 1888, but in that year moved on the old Sanborn homestead that originally belonged to Grandmother Sanborn. During recent years he has lived retired at Spring Grove. He and his wife had the follow- ing children born to them: Clarence C., who is an attorney of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Rose, who married James Madden, has six children and is now housekeeper for her father, her children being, Mary, James, Catherine, Samuel and Margaret P .; Bryon, who lives at Waukegan, Ill., is a city employe; Elmer, who is city attorney of Waukegan; and Frank, who was killed in 1909 on the railroad at Shernierville, Ill., was a railroad employe; and Everett, who is a farmer of Lake County, Ill. Mr. Orvis is one of the most highly respected men of the county, and deserves the leisure he is now enjoying for he has worked hard in previous years.
ADDISON D. OSBORN.
Addison D. Osborn, one of the prominent residents and leading merchants of Woodstock, carries a select line of hardware, china and auto supplies, and is regarded as one of the most successful men of McHenry County. He was born in Delaware County, N. Y., January 29, 1860, one of the three children born to Ogden A. and Susan (Multer) Osborn. Ogden A. Osborn was born in New York state, and came to
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MeHlenry County, Ill., in 1873, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1886. His widow survived him until 1909.
Addison D. Osborn attended both the common and high schools, completing his studies at Woodstock. His first business experience was gained in the store of E. A. Purphy and Company, dry goods mer- chants, with whom he remained until 1886, when he went to Chicago, remaining there until 1897, when he returned to Woodstock, and bought his present business from George Eckert and L. J. Young and has since condueted it. His stock which is a very fine one, and his store, is located on the public square, fronting Cass street, and adjoining the Farmers Exchange State Bank.
In 1888 Mr. Osborn was married to Miss Bessie Delamere, a daugh- ter of Charles Delamere of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have one daughter, namely: Ada Doris, who was born May 23, 1890. She was married to Fred J. Mershon, residing at Bay City, Mich., and they have one son, John Osborn Mershon. The family residence of the Osborns is No. 515 Jackson street, Woodstock. Both he and Mrs. Osborn belong to the Presbyterian church of Woodstock. Mr. Osborn is a Republican, and for four years he was a member of the city council, and proved himself a very capable man in office. An excellent business man, lie has known how to meet the requirements of the public, and his prosperity is well deserved.
WILLIAM J. OVERTON.
William J. Overton, one of the substantial men of Richmond Town- ship, is located at Solon Mills, where he was born June 6, 1854, a son of James and Harriet (Rowson) Overton, both born in the same parish in Lincolnshire, England. They came to the United States at different times, and in 1832 were married in New York, coming later to Solon Mills, where he first conducted a cheese factory, and later a farm. At the time he bought it the land was covered by timber, and he sold a good deal of it to the railroads, elearing off at least 200 acres, for which he had paid $25 per acre. He and his wife had four children, as follows: William J .; Richard; Addie, who died at the age of twenty-five years; and Ruth, who died at the age of sixteen years. Richard married Fannie Killey, who survives him and lives at MeHenry. They had two children, who also survive. He operated his father's homestead until his death in 1900, when he was fifty-four years old.
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William J. Overton was engaged in buying and selling stock in part- nership with his father for some years, and later handled cattle for dairy use. When the railroad was built, he established a lumber yard and operated it for five years. For a number of years he has been engaged in farming, carrying forty pure Holstein cows in his herd. His son, Lyn- ford, is breeding full-blood Holstein cattle with marked success, and his son Duane was operating the homestead and carrying on dairying, until the farm was sold in 1920 to Willis Gardner.
In 1878 William J. Overton was united in marriage with Eliza Richardson, a daughter of Robert Richardson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Richardson was an honored resident of Burton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Overton have had the following children, namely: James, who married Mamie Cary, had one son James; Lynford, who married Ada Coddington of Milwaukee, Wis., has two children, Avis and Virginia; Duane, who married Lotis MeCloon of Minneapolis, Minn., has four children, William, Bertha, Evelyn and Lotis Lillian; and Addie, who is Mrs .. Willis H. Gardner of Richmond Township, has four children, William Robert, Eunice and Ruth, and Sydney, who died aged seventeen years.
The present residence of Mr. Overton was built by his father, who lived in a portion of it. , While Mr. Overton has always been a stanch Republican and a hard worker for his party, it has been because he believed it his duty to do so, and not for any material benefits, for he is not an office seeker, although he has served on the school board. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is inter- ested in success as he is in everything with which he is connected. He is a man whose personal probity is unquestioned, and one who has brought considerable business to his locality by his extensive operations.
CHARLES L. PAGE.
Charles L. Page, one of the representative men of MeHenry Town- ship, was born on the opposite side of the road from his present farm that is located one and one-half miles south of MeHenry. The date of his birth is January 15, 1865, and he is a son of William and Jane (Harrison) Page, the former of whom was born in County Kent, England, and the latter in Lincolnshire, England. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Page, came to the United States when his son William was eight
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years old, locating in New York state, where he remained until the son migrated to Illinois, and bought a farm cast of MeHenry, in McHenry County. The maternal grandfather brought his daughter, Jane Harri- son to the United States when she was six years old.
After securing land in McHenry County, William Page returned to New York state and remained two years, but then came back to McHenry County, and for two years rented land in Nunda Township. About 1860 he bought the farm in McHenry Township on which his son, Charles L. was born, and where his father, Joseph Page spent his last days. William Page lived for thirty years upon this farm, and then in 1890 went to Chicago to reside with his daughters, with whom he died in 1895, aged sixty-seven years. His farm originally contained 104 acres, and he conducted it, although he was a buteher by trade and followed that calling in New York state. The residence now standing was erected by him, and he put in other improvements. Never desiring public honors, he devoted the time others usually give to politics to work in connection with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was an active and useful member. William Page and his wife had the following children: Franklin, who went to Slayton, Minn., in young manhood, died there; Charles L., whose name heads this review; Ella, who is deceased, was the wife of Murray Terrill of Minnesota; Emma, who is the widow of De Forest Feullington, lives with her brother, Charles L. Page; Nettie, who is the widow of E. B. Webster, lives at Washington, D. C .; and Cora, who died unmarried, at the age of twenty- four years.
Charles L. Page remained with his father until the latter moved to Chicago in 1890, when he took charge of the homestead, and when his father died inherited a portion of it. He bought the interests of the other heirs, and continued to live there until about 1914 when he bought eighty-six acres across the road from J. C. Ralston. The build- ings were already erected, but he remodelled them and made a number of improvements. Later he added to this farm until it now contains 291 acres, and he operates both it and his other farm. On the old homestead he has erected a new barn, remodelled the old one and put up two silos. For a number of years Mr. Page has specialized in dairy- ing and now keeps a herd of thirty-five cows known as the "Sunnyside Herd," all being thoroughbred Holstein cattle, and twenty-one of them are pure bred. He is not an exhibitor but sells his products at auctions. Mr. Page has several fine Holstein bulls and breeds extensively. For fourteen years he has operated a threshing outfit, and owns and uses
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gas and oil tractors for his machines which include a shredder, thresher and similar implements, his equipment being one of the most complete and modern in the county. He is still threshing for the same patrons he gained at the beginning of his career, and has all the contracts he can fill. Aside from serving as a school trustee for a number of years, Mr. Page has not found time to enter public life, but always votes the Repub- lican ticket.
When he was twenty-four years old, Mr. Page was married to Julia A. Fryer of Woodstock, who died eleven years later leaving him with the following children: Charles R., who served during the World War in France; Roy, who was killed by accident at the age of fifteen years; Letah, who is Mrs. Earl Thomas of Elgin, Ill .; and Lester, who is at home. Mr. Page was married (second) to Martha Rossmann of Mc- Henry, and they have one son, Frank Chance.
LEWIS B. PALMER.
Lewis B. Palmer, one of the leading members of the McHenry County bar, is engaged in the practice of his profession at Harvard. He was born in Chemung Township, August 13, 1879, being one of a family of four children of his parents, Elbert and Frances M. (Gilbert) Palmer. Elbert Palmer was born in Bradford County, Pa., and in 1878 came to McHenry County, buying land in Chemung Township. A blacksmith by trade he operated a shop at Lawrence for a time, but for some years past has devoted himself to farming. He has been highway commissioner and a school director and is one of the leading men of his township.
Lewis B. Palmer was reared in Chemung Township, and attended the common and high schools of Harvard, and then read law with Calren J. Hendricks of Harvard, who died November 27, 1918, just after he was nominated for county judge. Mr. Palmer completed his legal training in the Northwestern Indiana University, and was admitted to the bar of Indiana September 11, 1911, and to the Superior and Supreme courts June 19, 1912, and the following day. to practice in the United States district courts. He was admitted to the Illinois bar June 5, 191S. Fraternally he is a Mason.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
JOHN A. PARRISH.
Page 139.
ERNEST D. PATRICK.
Ernest D. Patrick, president of the First National Bank of Marengo, and one of the sound and reliable men of MeHenry County, has the distinction of being at the head of the finest banking establishment, outside of Chicago, in this part of the state. He was born at Marengo, January 31, 1869, a son of Richard Montgomery Patrick, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
After attending the common and high schools of Marengo, being graduated from the latter in 1SS6, he went to Lake Forest, and Phillips Academy of New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in 1890. Returning to Marengo, he became a messenger for the First National Bank, which his father had founded, and which is the oldest bank in MeHenry County, and was successively promoted until he became its cashier, holding that position for twenty years. In 1916, when the office of president was vacated through the death of his father, Mr. Patrick was made its chief executive, having associated with him, A. C. Smith, cashier; C. B. Whittemore, first vice president; E. C. Robb, sec- ond vice president, and Charles Schofield, who, with the others, is on the board of directors. A stanch Republican. Mr. Patrick was elected mayor of Marengo, and supervisor of Marengo Township, his record in both offices being excellently creditable.
In 1892 Mr. Patrick was married to Miss Leone Vail, a daughter of Elisha J. Vail, now deceased, a very prominent man of Marengo. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick have the following children: Martha L., who is Mrs. G. Petritz of Rockford, III .; Frances D., who is the wife of Byron B. Brown of Belvidere, III .; and Richard M., who was born January 12, 1904. Mr. Patrick has served as president of the MeHenry County Bankers Association, and is very active in that organization. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Elks. A man of more than usual ability, he has been able to make a record of which anyone might well be proud, and render to his community a service that places its banking interests among the foremost in the county.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
HOWARD V. PATRICK.
Howard V. Patrick, senior member of the prosperous grocery firm of Patrick Bros. of Marengo, is one of the leading business men of his city, and he and his brother own and conduct the finest equipped grocery establishment in the county. He was born at Marengo, September 12, 1887, one of the six children of Francis W. and Harriet (Vandevere) Patrick. Francis W. Patrick was engaged in merchandising until his death which occurred in November, 1906, but his widow survives him and makes her home at Marengo.
Howard V. Patrick attended the common and high schools of Maren- go, being graduated from the latter institution in 1904. Immediately thereafter he embarked in a grocery business, and when his father died, he and his brother, Harry C. Patrick, formed their present partner- ship. The brothers built their present building in 1915 at a cost of $10,000, the store they occupy being 40x80 feet. It is handsomely equipped, and here is carried a full and complete line of staple and fancy groceries aggregating $10,000. The store is at the corner of State and Washington streets, in the center of Marengo. Harry C. Patrick served in the ambulance division during the World War, in which he enlisted in July, 1917.
In July, 1913, Howard V. Patrick was married to Miss Mildred Jackson, a daughter of William Jackson of Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick have two children, namely: Phyllis M., who was born May 22, 1914; and Susanne, who was born April 12, 1916. Mr. Patrick belongs to the Baptist church. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never cared for office, preferring to devote his time to his business affairs in which he has been so eminently successful.
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