USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 4
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Julia m c Laughlin
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Mary mc Loughlin
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In 1893 Mr. Bolle was married to Teressa Risto, born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bolle have the following children: Emil, Arthur, Hattic, Eugene, Agnes, Lucy and William. Mr. Bolle is an independent Repub- lican, casting the vote accorded him for the man he deems best fitted for the office in question. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Mystic Workers of the World. The family belong to the Evangelical church. Thrifty and hard working, he has made a success of his undertakings in his adopted country.
FRED G. BOSSHARD.
Fred G. Bosshard, president of the Woodstock Implement Com- pany, incorporated, is one of the live and energetic young business men of McHenry County, who deserves the success his efforts have brought him. He was born at La Crosse, Wis., June 11, 1886, one of the two children of Edward and Marie . (Sulzer) Bosshard. Edward Bosshard was born in Wisconsin, in the city of Sauk, and in his home state his useful life was spent, he being for a number of years one of the substantial merchants of Sauk. He died in that city in 1893.
At the age of eight Fred B. Bosshard went to Switzerland, and attended the graded and high schools of Winterthur. Returning to La Crosse in 1903 he took a course at the Keef College of La Crosse, from which he was graduated in 1905, following which he accepted a position with the La Crosse Plow Company as bookkeeper. Leaving that concern in 1910, he went to Beaver Dam, Wis., as head book- keeper of the J. S. Rowell Manufacturing Company, and from there came to Woodstock in 1912, and organized his present business under his own name. The following year it was incorporated as The Wood- stock Implement Company, with Alvin J. Eppel as secretary and treasurer. The firm handles farm machinery, tractors, gasoline engines, wagons, carriages, automobiles, tires and supplies, and does well work.
In 1911 Mr. Bosshard was married to Miss Inga M. Solbery, a daughter of Louis Solbery, and they have one child, Winifred L. Mr. and Mrs. Bosshard belong to the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic order. The beautiful family residence at No. 418 Jefferson street is noted for its delightful hospitality, and here Mr. and Mrs. Bosshard entertain their many friends.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY 1
J. L. BOSSLER.
Now that the supplying of the world as well as this country with foodstuffs has become of such paramount importance, the work of the farmer has increased in value and dignity. Among those of MeHlenry County whose labors have been directed along this exceedingly important line is J. L. Bossler of Greenwood Township.
The birth of J. L. Bossler occurred on the farm he now owns and occupies, on Seetion 28, Greenwood Township, October 28, 1874, he being a son of John J. Bossler, born in France. When he came to the United States, the father first located in Lake County, Ill., migrating to Mellenry County in the early sixties, and settling on section 28, Green- wood Township, where he developed a farm, and here died. He was married to Thressa Benisch, born in Austria, who survives him, and lives with her son, J. L. Bossler. They had a daughter, Minnie E., who is now deceased.
J. L. Bossler was reared on the homestead, and alternated attending the district schools, with work on the farm, learning from experience how to be a practical agriculturalist. He now owns 160 acres, twenty acres being in pasture, twenty acres in timber, and the remaining 120 acres being the well tilled land of the homestead. Mr. Bossler has made many improvements on his farm. In politics he has always been independent, preferring to use his own judgment with reference to voting, rather than be bound down by party ties. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and belongs to the Catholic church, as does his mother. An industrious, capable man, he has well earned the confidence and esteem he inspires.
ALBERT E. BOURNE.
Page 132.
JAMES THOMAS BOWER.
James Thomas Bower, one of the retired business men and farmers living at Richmond, has been very active in the affairs of his township and village, and faithfully discharged the duties of a number of public
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offices. He was born at Chicago, December 8, 1853, and comes of an old and honored family here, his father having been a heavy land- owner. When he was nineteen years old he left the homestead, and going to Fulton, Ill., spent some time at that place, and then returned to McHenry County. In September, 1885, Mr. Bower was appointed postmaster of Richmond, and re-appointed under the second Cleveland administration. From 1890 to 1900 he conducted a harness shop, and then was engaged in a fire insurance business. For ten years he was on the board of review, from 1907 to 1917, and he has filled all of the local offices, although a Democrat and living in a strong Republican township, which speaks very well for his personal popularity. For twenty years he has been township clerk, and police magistrate, and has served as member and president of the village board, is now its clerk, and is one of the best known men in the country. When his father died, Mr Bower inherited the old home farm of 411 acres, three miles east of Richmond, and since it has come into his efficient hands, he has made many improvements, including the remodeling of the buildings, the erection of two silos and the installation of everything to put the farm in fine shape. Dairying is the principal feature, and from forty to fifty cows are kept. Mr. Bower has a tenant operating his farm on shares.
So well known is Mr. Bower as a man of the utmost probity, that he has oftentimes been called upon to act as administrator of estates, conservator of properties and guardian of orphans. A Mason, he belongs to Calvary Commandery, K. T., and visits the national conclaves, and also belongs to the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Bower was worthy matron at the time of her demise, May 12, 1908.
In September, 1880, Mr. Bower was married to Mary Ella Potter, and they had one son, Earl E., who is connected with the National City Bond House of New York, with headquarters at Omaha, Nebr., spent nineteen years in the Woodstock Bank, and was cashier for six- teen years, being at that time regarded as one of the most efficient financiers of the country. Mr. Bower has a pleasant home at Richmond, which was the girlhood residence of his wife. A public-spirited man, Mr. Bower has given his services to the school board since 1890, and can be counted upon to protect the interests of the children, providing for them suitable surroundings and efficient teachers. It would be difficult to find a more thoroughly representative man than Mr. Bower, who in every capacity measures up to the highest standards of American citizenship.
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HISTORY OF MCIIENRY COUNTY
DANIEL B. BOYLE.
Daniel B. Boyle, general manager and junior member of the well known firm of Shurtlett & Peters Company, dealers in grain, coal and lumber, is one of the progressive business men of Marengo, as well as of MeHenry County. He was born at Marengo, November 29, 1877, one of the nine children of his parents, Daniel and Mary (Tracy) Boyle. Daniel Boyle, Sr., was born in Ireland in 1836, but came to the United States in the early sixties, and locating at Marengo, here rounded out his useful life. His wife died in 1888.
Daniel B. Boyle attended the common and high schools of his native place, and commenced his business career in 1903 with Redpath & Company, grain dealers, continuing with them until the business was sold in 1907, at which time he formed his present partnership. Mr. Boyle has six persons under his supervision, and the business shows a healthy annual increase.
In 1906 Mr. Boyle was united in marriage with Miss Frances M. Redpath, a daughter of David Redpath, and a member of one of the prominent families of MeHenry County. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle have two children, namely: Margaret L., who was born in 1908; and Lindsey B., who was born in January, 1910. Mr. Boyle is a consistent member of the Roman Catholic church. The business acumen of Mr. Boyle is shown in his management of his concern, and his upright policies have won for it a patronage that is gratifying and profitable.
GILBERT BRAINARD.
Gilbert Brainard, now deceased, was formerly one of the leading agriculturalists of MeHenry County, but lived at Harvard for several years prior to his death which occurred in December, 1911, when he was fifty-four years old. He was married at Lawrence, Ill., to Emma Brown, who was born on a farm near Lawrence, to which her father had come from one of the eastern states. The homestead of Gilbert Brainard which is well improved, comprised 300 acres, he having de- veloped the property, but the house now standing has been built since his death. Mr. Brainard specialized on raising cucumbers for sale to pickling factories. For some years he was connected with the MeHenry County Fair Association, served on the school board for years, and was
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a very public-spirited man. His political convictions made him a Republican. The Methodist Episcopal church had in him an earnest member, and he was one of the original class at Lawrence, that later founded the church at Harvard, and Mr. Brainard was a class leader of the latter for several years. Mrs. Brainard died a year before him. They had the following children: Charles Gilbert and Susie May, who died young; Emma, who owns the old homestead, and built the residence at Harvard she now occupies, is very active in community work; Charles Gilbert, who lives at Round Lake; and Susie May, who lives at home, is a teacher at Woodstock.
CHARLES L. BRATZLER.
Charles L. Bratzler owns and operates 160 acres of valuable land in Algonquin Township, where he is engaged in breeding pure-bred cattle, is a resident of Algonquin, and serving as assistant supervisor of his township. He is also secretary for R. E. Haeger, widely known as a cattle man. Mr. Bratzler was born in Algonquin Township, November 19, 1889, a son of J. C. and Eva M. (Jayne) Bratzler, who had four children. J. C. Bratzler was extensively engaged in farming in Algon- quin Township, where he died in 1902.
Charles L. Bratzler attended the common and high schools of Algon- quin, and his first business experience was with a bank. In 1909 he became secretary of R. E. Haeger, which position he still retains. That same year he was made assistant supervisor of Algonquin Township, and is still representing his township on the county board. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and one of the leaders of his party in this part of the county.
On July 15, 1915, Mr. Bratzler was united in marriage with Miss Susie M. Binnie, a daughter of Alexander Binnie, and a member of one of the pioneer families of Kane County. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Elks. Mr. Bratzler has long been connected with the breeding of pure-bred Holstein cattle, and his success in this line has made his name a well known one among cattlemen.
MARTIN C. BREMER.
Martin C. Bremer, now living retired at Marengo, is one of the highly respected men of McHenry County, who is entitled to the regard
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of his fellow citizens. He was born at Elk Grove, Cook County, Ill., May 3, 1860, a son of Henry and Dorthea (Steege) Bremer. Henry Bremer was born in Germany, and when eighteen years old he came to the United States, and became a farmer in Cook County, Ill., where the mother died when her son, Martin, was ten years old. Henry Bremer was married (second) to Sophie Hageman, who survives him, and lives at Marengo. In ISS2 Henry Bremer came to MeHenry County, locat- ing on a farm four miles northwest of Marengo, a portion of which is still owned by Martin Bremer, and the other part by his brother Henry.
When he was twenty-eight years old Martin Bremer was married to Dorothea Sehroder of Huntley, who died two and one-half years later, leaving him with the following children: Fred, who married Ethel Beardsley, lives at Marengo; and his three children, Ethel, Ralph and Jean; Amanda, who married George Rappich, has a daughter, Adeline, and lives at Marengo; and Herman, who married Elizabeth Husfeldt. was in the service during the World war, is now at home with his father, and lives on the home farm. On June 10, 1918, Mr. Bremer was mar- ried (second) to Mrs. Louisa (Stumme) Strubing, also born at Elk Grove, Il., but married at Elgin, Ill., where her first husband Mr. Strubing, had been a merchant. By her first marriage Mrs. Bremer had two daughters, namely: Loretta and Ruth Strubing, both of whom live at Elgin. There are no children of Mr. Bremer's second marriage. The Lutheran Church of Marengo has in Mr. and Mrs. Bremer faithful members and he is a trustee.
After some years devoted to the operation of his farm, Mr. Bremer retired, and now makes his home at Marengo, where he finds congenial surroundings. Ile has been in past years a hard worker, and knowing how to save his money and invest it, he can now enjoy the comforts of life without undue exertion.
WHITNEY BRIGHAM.
Whitney Brigham, one of the prosperous farmers of Hebron Town- ship, lives two miles west of Hebron, and was born on his present farm, February 9, 1878, a son of Charles Morris Brigham. The father was also born on this farm, August 7, 1845, and died July 19, IS94. The grandparents of Whitney Brigham, Whitney and Mary (Colson) Brig- ham natives of Vermont, on September 6, 1839 entered 120 acres of
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land in Hebron Township, long before the railroad was built or there were improvements in the county.
Charles Morris Brigham was married when twenty-five years of age to Fanny Campbell, a native of Vermont, who was brought to Illinois when she was two years old. and she survives her husband and makes her home at Ilebron. They had the following children: Bertha B., who is the widow of Mark Stone, lives at Richmond; Florence, who lives with her mother at Hebron; Grace M., who married Edgar Swan, lives at Libertyville, Ill .; and Whitney, whose name heads this review.
Whitney Brigham has spent his life upon his present farm. He was married February 20, 1901 to Clara Tribbey, born at Janesville, Wis., a daughter of Erastus and Jane (Shirley) Tribbey, natives of Vermont and Germany, respectively, who came to McHenry County shortly prior to Mrs. Brigham's marriage. Mr. Tribbey died October 5, 1918, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Brigham. Mr. and Mrs. Brigham have four children, namely: Shirley, Joyce, Libbey Jean and Beulalı Belle.
Mr. Brigham has 240 acres in his farm where he carries on dairy- ing with fifty cows. His house was erected by his grandfather, but later was rebuilt. He has two cement silos, one 14 x 40 and the other 18 x 44 feet. Mrs. Brigham belongs to the Baptist church, but her husband is not connected with any religious organization. Fraternally he is a Woodman.
SAMUEL RIGHT BROWN.
Samuel Right Brown, now deceased, was born at Bedford, Mass., November 17, 1817, and he died at Cary, Ill., February 2, 1908, having lived in retirement in that village for some seventeen years prior to his demise. He was married at Bath, N. Y., to Sallie Ann Cass, born June 3, 1817, at Bath, N. Y. After his marriage he came to Kankakee, Ill., where a brother, Darien E. Brown had already located, and about two years later, Samuel R. Brown came to MeHenry County, to join Mrs. Brown's two sisters, Lucy, who was Mrs. A. L. Weaver; and Matilda, who was Mrs. David Miller, both of Algonquin Township, where their husbands had secured land from the government. Samuel R. Brown rented the farm he later bought, on which was an old house. It was partly covered with timber. He cleared off the land, drained
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it and put up a good set of buildings, to which a silo and other improve- ments have since been added. For years Mr. Brown made butter for private customers in addition to carrying on his farmnings, becoming one of the well known men of his community. On December 3, 1902. Mr. Brown had the misfortune to lose his wife. They were the parents of the following children: William C., who enlisted when only sixteen years old in Company I, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain James Nish, and he served through the Civil War, coming out of the conflict without any wounds but with his health so impaired that he died fifteen years later; Samuel K., who is a well-known stockman, lives at Cary with his sister; Martha, who is the widow of Mark Osgood, also lives at Cary; Charlotte, who died at the age of eighteen years, had attended the academy at Elgin; Julia, who lives at Cary, is a very progressive lady, who during the World War was active in Red Cross work, and belongs to the Woman's Club, Royal Neighbors and Ladies' Aid Society; Darwin, who is a prominent man and successful farmer of Lake County, Ill .; Melvin, who is deceased, was a prominent cement contractor, and passed away at Waneenda, Ill., in 1913; Daniel M., was a milk dealer of Chicago for some years, was educated in the Elgin Academy; and Dora, who married Ben Rand of Crystal Lake, died when about fifty years of age. The Brown family is one of the best-known ones in MeHenry County, and its members during their long residence here have been connected with some of the most constructive work of their section, and are recognized as being typical of the advanced spirit which seems to prevail in this portion of Illinois.
ARCHIE H. BROTZMAN.
The star on the service flag in the home of Arthur H. Brotzman has turned to gold; there is a vacant chair in the family circle; aching hearts seek solace for the supreme sacrifice which took from a useful, happy life one of MeHenry County's most promising young men. Horace A. Brotzman. The great patriotism of this family has been called upon more heavily than that of any other at Marengo, and its members can only be consoled by the remembrance of the fact that their gallant young soldier died in defense of what all of them believed to be right and good, and that he did not try to shirk his duty, but met the requirements of American manhood as a good citizen should.
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Henry Mc Millan & Wife
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
Arthur H. Brotzman, familiarly called "Archie," is now living retired at Marengo, but he was formerly engaged in farming. He was born at Huntley, this county, April 22, 1869, a son of John Brotzman, a native of Ohio, who spent his boyhood in Madison County, that state, to which his father, John, had come from Pennsylvania in an early day. In 1859 John Brotzman, the younger, came to Illinois, his brother, Nahum, who still resides in Riley Township, coming later. Nahum Brotzman was a loyal soldier during the Civil War, and has been an able official of Riley Township, serving it as supervisor for the past thirty years. There is no more true blue American in the township than he. His son, Earl Brotzman, is well known at the Chicago Stock Yards, having been for the past quarter of a century connected with the commission firm of Miller, White and Wood.
Upon his arrival in MeHenry County, John Brotzman settled at Huntley on a farm. Like his brother he served his country during the Civil War, enlisting in the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years and three days, or until peace was declared. Although not wounded, a horse was shot under him. Returning to MeHenry County he resumed his farming. Soon after the close of the war he was married to Libbie Melvin, who came from Michigan to MeHenry County as a teacher in Riley Township and Coral Township, and was engaged in educational work for several years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brotzman located on the farm near Huntley, now owned by Archie H. Brotzman. In the spring of 1870 John Brotzman bought the farm in Riley Township, four and one-half miles south of Marengo, where he died November 7, 1918, aged eighty-four years, having been born February 15, 1834. His wife died in the seventies, when twenty-seven years old, leaving two children, namely: Libbie, who is Mrs. William Weaver, lives on the old homestead, and Archie H. Brotzman. This farm was a run-down one of 120 acres, which he put in good shape, adding to it until there were 1821 2 acres in it. On it he erected a fine set of buildings so that it is a valuable prop- erty. John Brotzman served for thirty years as township clerk, and for twenty-five years as assessor, being in both offices continuously. He was a Republican, and very active in local affairs. An excellent judge of horses, as well as a lover of them, John Brotzman became well known at exhibits of driving horses, and did a good business in matching teams and selling them. He always drove a good grade of horse himself, and was a magnificent driver.
Archie H. Brotzman remained at home and attended the local schools
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When he was twenty-four years old he was married to Sadie Hance, a daughter of Charles and Eveline (Frayer) Hance, the latter now a resident of Marengo. Mr. Hance was a carpenter and building con- tractor, who died May 30, 1907. After his marriage A. H. Brotzman bought a farm two miles from the old farm, but sold it eight years later, and rented land for a time. He then bought another farm of forty acres. About 1916 he moved to Marengo. He has always been inter- ested in handling stock, and ships to the Chicago market. He has also handled milk cows for the dairymen's trade, and has been interested in other branches of the agricultural industry. He is a member of the Mystic Workers.
Mr. and Mrs. Brotzman have had the following children born to them: John, who was sent overseas from Camp Tremont, August 26, 1917, was in Siberia for some months as a soldier of the National Army; Horace, who was in the coast artillery, enlisted May 12, 1918, and June 28, 1918, died at Fort Weatherill on Narragansett Bay as a result of an accident, when only twenty-one years of age; Eloise, who is in the office of the Ellison Machine Company; Florence, who was graduated from the Marengo High School in 1919; and Clifford, who is at Woodstock.
The death of Horace Brotzman was a heavy blow not only to his im- mediate family but to the community where he had been reared, and where he was known as a bright, clean, ambitious young man, whom it was felt was destined for a happy and successful future. War exacts a heavy price, and the family and friends of this young soldier are paying it in losing him from their midst, and his community suffers because he was not spared for constructive work in its behalf.
SAMUEL W. BROWN.
Samuel W. Brown, postmaster of Ringwood, and owner of one of the leading drug stores of MeHenry Township, is one of the best known men of this section of MeHenry County. He was born in MeHenry County August 23, 1880, one of the two children of his parents, Jonathan E. and Emma (Rugg) Brown, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire, but came to MeHenry County in an early day, locating at lebron in 1849, but later moving to Ringwood, where he died in 1914. His widow survives him.
Samuel W. Brown attended the grammar and high schools of
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McHenry County, the Elgin Academy and a business college, from which he was graduated in 1896. He then took a course in pharmacy at the Northwestern University, and following his graduation, embarked in his present business. He handles a complete line of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper, school books, stationery, and similar commodities, his stock being valued at $5,000. A staunch Republican, he was appointed postmaster November 24, 1904, by President Roosevelt, and so capable has he proven himself that he has since been continued in office by the successive presidents.
On September 12, 1906, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Lora McDonnell, a daughter of James MeDonnell, a veteran of the Civil War, and a prominent resident of McHenry County. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have a son, Leonard J., who was born September 13, 1914. Mr. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Brown belongs to the Catholic church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Woodmen of America, and he is as popular in these orders as he is with the community at large.
THERON HOMER BROWN.
Theron Homer Brown, police magistrate of Woodstock, and one of the solid and representative men of MeHenry County, enjoys the esteem of all with whom he is brought into contact on account of his fair and impartial methods of dispensing justice. He was born in New York, October 13, 1857, one of the four children of his parents, Alexander A. and Anna G. (Tucker) Brown, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of New York state.
Theron Homer Brown was reared in his native state, where he attended the public schools. Until 1901, he was engaged in farming, but in that year he came to Woodstock and embarked in an insurance business. For eight consecutive years he served McHenry County as superintendent of the poor farm, leaving that position to accept that of police magistrate when he was elected as such in 1910. So capable did he prove, that he was re-elected on his record, in 1914, and is still serving.
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