USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 7
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On March 16, 1896, Mr. Cole was married to Miss Libbie Rotnour, a daughter of Sanford Rotnour, and they had one daughter Carolyn, who lives at home. Mrs. Cole died January 26, 1913. After her death, Mr. Cole was married (second) to Mrs. Susan M. Meyers, who belongs to one of the oldest pioneer families in the county. Mr. Cole has been very prominent in the Republican party, serving in the Hebron council for seven years, and as mayor of Hebron for one term. A Mason, he belongs to Hebron Lodge No. 604, A. F. & A. M., Harvard Chapter No. 91, R. A. M., and Calvary Commandery No. 25, K. T. He is also a member of Hebron Lodge No. 767, 1. O. O. F. His connection with the Hebron bank as its chief executive official, gives it solidity and prominence, for his own record as a business man and citizen has been such as to reflect credit upon him and his associates.
THOMAS. D. COLE.
With the passing of the late Thomas D. Cole another of the honored sons of MeHenry County has gone to his last reward, leaving behind him a record of uprightness, sterling integrity, and dependable work both as an experienced agriculturalist and public-spirited citizen. He
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was still in the prime of life, but during the years accorded him, he accomplished much, and dying, left many friends, and few enemies, behind him. The example of a blameless life such as his cannot help but be beneficial in his neighborhood, and prove a stimulus to the rising generation to order their lives in like manner.
The birth of Thomas D. Cole occurred on the farm so long occupied by him, in Burton Township, one mile east of Spring Grove, December 18, 1869. He was a son of Franklin M. and Emily M. (Stevens) Cole. Franklin M. Cole was born at East Andover, Merrimack County, N. II., January 4, 1836, and his wife was born September 27, 1841. The parents of Franklin M. Cole, Miles and Sallie (Bixby) Cole, natives of New Hampshire, decided that the old New England home was too narrow, and so set out for the West, packing their household possessions in two covered wagons, one of which was on springs, something then quite new, and made the long trip overland, being seven weeks on the road, and arriving in what is known as the Creek District, McHenry County, in November, 1838. They entered the farm from the government which was so long controlled by Thomas D. Cole, and here they rounded out their lives, dying in old age before the birth of their grandson. They had six children, of whom four grew to maturity, namely: Miles Harmon, who was a miller of Richmond; Ransom B .; Harvey, who went to California and was lost trace of; Franklin M .; Martha, who married Thomas Kimball, a farmer of Lake County, Ill., died in old age; and Mandana, who married Lewis Hatch, lived near the homestead in Burton Township, and they had the following children: Miles, Fred, Frank and Martha Loretta Hatch.
Franklin M. Cole was married in Lake County, his wife being the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Stevens, natives of Brattleboro, Vt., and Utica, N. Y. A sketch of the Stevens family is given elsewhere in this work. As a lad Mr. Stevens had come to Illinois and settled in Lake County, where he lived for many years, but his last days were spent with Mr. and Mrs. Cole. Franklin M. Cole secured the home- stead of his father, and spent his life upon it, and in 1871 erected the residence now standing. The farm originally contained 520 acres, and he operated it as a general farmer and stockraiser, breeding short-horn cattle, which he exhibited at county fairs. A Republican, he served on the school board and as road commissioner. His death occurred May 20, 1895, his widow surviving him until May 8, 1918, when she died on the farm which had been her home from the time of her marriage. Their children were as follows: Lucy, who died in childhood; Warren, who died
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March 13, 1920; Alice, who died at the age of sixteen years; Thomas D., whose name heads this review; John, who died in young manhood; Frank, who died in childhood; and Annie, who died in young womanhood.
Thomas D. Cole spent his life on the old Cole homestead, and for sixteen years operated it in partnership with his brother, Warren, who died five months prior to his own demise. They were enterprising farmers and stockraisers, and very successful in all of their operations. Thomas D. Cole was married to Ida M. Dodge, who was born at Apple- ton, Wis., and they had three children, namely: Franklin Dodge, Martha Elizabeth and Edith Stevens. Like his father, Mr. Cole served on the school board. He maintained fraternal relations with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Cole died August 13, 1920, very suddenly at his old home, and his funeral was held August 15, there being a very large attendance as his many warm, personal friends came to pay a last tribute to one whom they held in such high regard. The services were conducted by Rev. Clay E. Palmer, of Richmond, and interment was made in the Cole Cemetery.
Mr. Cole was not a man who sought public honors. His happiness was found in his home, and with his family. He knew how to carry on farming capably, and was never afraid of hard work. A friend of the public schools, he tried hard to raise the standard of those in his neigh- borhood, and also did all in his power to improve conditions in his town- ship and county. A good man is gone, but the results of his earnestness and sincerity remain and live after all that is mortal of him has erumbled to dust.
JOHN CONLEY.
John Conley, one of the progressive farmers of Grafton Township, is entitled to be numbered among the representative men of MeHenry County. He was born in Grafton Township, October 7, 1866, where for a number of years his father, Owen Conley, was engaged in farming. Owen Conley and his wife, Marguerite (MeCue) Conley, were natives of Ireland, but came to the United States when young, and located in Grafton Township. Here he died February 18, 1894. They had five children born to them.
John Conley attended the local schools and was reared on the farm where he has always resided, it comprising 236 acres of valuable land,
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all improved, on which he is carrying on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Conley was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Driscoll, a daughter of John Driscoll, one of the leading men of MeHenry County. In politics Mr. Conley is a Democrat, and he has ever been very active in local affairs, serving as road commissioner for twelve years, and was elected supervisor for Grafton Township in the spring of 1918. He and his family are members of the Catholic church.
MICHAEL CONLEY.
Michael Conley, who represents one of the old families of MeHenry County, is a native son of this county, and is now successfully engaged in general farming and dairying in Nunda Township. He was born in Dorr Township, February 14, 1854, a son of William and Anna S. (Hanrahan) Conley, the former of whom was born in Kilkenny County, Ireland in 1813, where he was married. In 1849 he and his wife came to the United States and for a time they lived at Pittsburgh, Pa., from whence they came to McHenry County. He died on his farm of thirty aeres, in Nunda Township. They had six children, all of whom are living, they being as follows: Ann, who is Mrs. Welsh; Bridget, who is Mrs. M. Dailey; Michael; James; Margaret, who is Mrs. Fitszimmons; and Kate, who is Mrs. Hanrahan.
Michael Conley has spent his life on his farm, and has been engaged in farming for thirty-one years. He now owns 240 acres of land, and he has a herd of thirty cows. An earnest, industrious man and good farmer, he is regarded as one of the desirable citizens of this county. He is a member of the Catholic church.
FRED A. COOLEY.
Fred A. Cooley, who is one of the progressive business men of West McHenry, deals in agricultural implements and owns and conducts the West McHenry Feed Mills. He was born in Illinois, December 19, 1870, one of the four children of his parents, Henry and Frances E. (Rowe) Cooley. Henry Cooley was born in Vermont, but later moved
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to Illinois, and was a farmer all his life. He died in 1914, and his wife is also deceased.
Fred A. Cooley was reared on a farmi, and was sent to the district schools. He was engaged in farming until 1916, when he established himself at West MeHenry, organizing his present implement business, and buying his feed mill. In his implement business he carries a stock of $20,000, and his trade is a large one and it comes from a wide territory.
Mr. Cooley was united in marriage with Miss Matilda K. Seyler, a daughter of Conrad Seyler, and a member of a prominent family of MeHenry County. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley have the following children: Floyd, Opal and Jennie M.
A. B. COON.
Page 133.
JOHN HOWARD CORNUE.
John Howard Cornue, who is living retired on his farm in Alden Township, three miles west of Hebron, and fifteen miles northwest of Woodstock, on the state line, is one of the well known men of McHenry County. He was born on the family homestead, one mile west of his present home, November 5, 1856, a son of Daniel A. and Sarah Jane (Olmstead) Cornue, natives of New York.
Daniel A. Cornue came to Illinois in 1844, and took up wild land on which he built a house, but for a time he worked out by the month to obtain a little ready money, but later settled on his farm. Although he devoted much time and attention to this farm, he was one of the organ- izers of the Alden Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and continued a member of its board of directors as long as he lived. He also helped to organize the Lynn-Hebron Presbyterian church two miles away from his farm, and was on the committee which built the church edifice, as well as on the official board. He is buried in the cemetery connected with that church. His family was as follows: Melvin C., who is a retired farmer of Steuben County, N. Y .; Elvira, who is Mrs. Doric Porter, lives at Kansas City, Mo .; John Howard, whose name heads this review;
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William Duane, who owns the old homestead, is living at Hebron, and a sketch of him appears elsewhere in this work; and Ellen, who married Fred Thacher, lives at Stanley, Wis.
John Howard Cornue was reared on the homestead and assisted in clearing off and breaking the land. He was married February 9, ISSI, to Emma J. Weter, a daughter of M. E. and Delia (Mickle) Weter, both now living at Hebron. Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Cornue began housekeeping on his present farm, originally the James Cornue farm. At first Mr. Cornue bought 100 aeres, later adding forty acres so that he now has 140 aeres, and on this farm he has erected nearly all the present buildings and made many other improvements, this being considered one of the best farms in the township. He carries on dairying and keeps twenty-five eows. For eleven years he bred thoroughbred Holstein cattle and kept fifty or sixty head, milking from twenty-five to thirty, and shipped breeding animals and had sales of his produet. His son is also a breeder. Mr. and Mrs. Cornue have the following children: Arthur D., who operates the farm, married Ethel M. Turner and they have three children, James Howard, Wesley Turner and Richard Arthur; Harvey E., who is a ranchman of Winnett, Mont .; Elsie Evelyn, who died on her fifteenth birthday; E. C., who is a locomo- tive engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, went into the army May 21, 1918. Mr. Cornue belongs to the old Lynn-Hebron Presbyterian church with which his family has been associated for so many years.
WILLIAM DUANE CORNUE.
William Duane Cornue, one of the retired farmers of Hebron, was formerly very active in the agricultural life of MeHenry County. He was born on his father's farm in Alden Township, on the Wisconsin state line, four miles west of Hebron, October 3, 1861. Remaining on the homestead, he secured it in 1884, and lived upon it until he retired in 1903, sinee which time he has had a tenant to conduct it. The farm now contains 240 acres of well developed land, and the buildings were erected by his father but have been kept in fine condition by him, and he had added to them and rebuilt, and has everything suitable for dairy farming. Mr. Cornue owns another farm of 160 acres one mile from the homestead, on which he has ereeted new buildings and put in drainage to redeem the former wet land that now is very productive. While he
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has left his farm he keeps up his interest in it and owns stock in partner- ship with his tenant. Mr. Cornue was one of the directors of the Alden Mutual Insurance Company, and served it as secretary for about eight years. A staunch Republican, he has been committeeman, delegate to county and state conventions, and served his township as road com- missioner and supervisor, rendering valuable service in both offices, his oeeupaney of the former office being during the nineties, and also as assessor for several years.
Mr. Cornue was married September 15, 1903, to Ada B. Wilson, a daughter of John and Lucetta (MeColhern) Wilson, of Sharon, Wis. Both parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cornue have one son, Stanley Huntington, born October 27, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Cornue are members of the Presbyterian church of Hebron, of which he is an elder, and he served in the same capacity in the Lynn-Hebron church two miles distant from his old home, and he has been a delegate to the synod and the general assembly of his church at Kansas City, Mo. The Cornue farm is one of the best developed properties in the county, and in addition to it and his other farm here, Mr. Cornue owns 240 aeres in North Dakota and 80 aeres in Wisconsin. He is one of the most highly respected men of this region, and deserves the confidence he inspires as well as the success which has attended him.
ROBERT E. CORLETT.
Robert E. Corlett of Chemung Township, has one of the most valu- able, well improved and efficiently-operated farms of this region, and his home is a delightful one. He was born on the Isle of Man, August 2, 1852, a son of John and Catherine (Corlett) Corlett. The name of Corlett is found as frequently on the Isle of Man as the one of Smith is in the United States. In 1853 the parents came to the United States, and upon landing crossed the country to Illinois, and spent a year in Richmond Township, MeHenry County, leaving it in 1856 to go to Lodi, Wis., where they remained on a farm until 1865, at which time they returned to Richmond Township, and in the spring of 1880 located on the farm in Chemung Township now owned by their son, Robert. A brother of John Corlett had preceded him to this country, and set- tled at Rochester, N. Y., where he died. John Corlett died in 1915, aged ninety-one years. He was a powerful man both mentally and
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physically, and always kept well posted through reading and study. All of his life he was a local preacher, and he was one of the best known men of the county. His wife died when she was eighty-four years old. The family is noted for its longevity on both sides, Mrs. Corlett's two sisters, who died on the Isle of Man, lived to be eighty-nine and ninety, respectively. The children born to John Corlett and his wife were as follows: Robert E., whose name heads this review; Ceaser Eugene, who is a farmer at Ord, Valley County, Nebr .; and Albert Edwin, who died in 1917 at the age of fifty-eight years, having gone to the state of Wash- ington when he was twenty years old.
Robert Corlett remained at home and as his father grew older, he assumed the responsibilities of the farm. All of the present improve- ments on the farm, consisting of a modern residence, commodious barn, two silos and similar buildings, have been erected since the Corlett family has owned the property. At first stockraising was carried on, but now Mr. Corlett is devoting himself principally to dairying, and has a herd of from twenty to thirty cows, of the Holstein strain, but does not exhibit. A Republican, he is strongly in favor of Prohibition, and his father did some very effective speaking in favor of the move- ment, and working with the anti-saloon element. However when it- comes to casting his vote, he supports the candidates of the Republican party.
When he was twenty-eight years old Robert Corlett was united in marriage with Christian Cowlin, born in the Isle of Man, who came to the United States in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Corlett have the following children: Ralph, who is at home; Mona, who is Mrs. C. I. Coates, lives at Monroe, Wis., has three children, John R., Elizabeth, and Elinor. Albert E., and Bertha, who are both at home. The sons are assisting their father in operating the farm. Interested in securing good educa- tional facilities for the children, Mr. Corlett served for some time on the school board, and the excellent schools in his section owe much to his good judgment and wise foresight. He is one of the exceptional men of the county, and he and his family are numbered among the most desirable and worth-while people in this region.
FLOYD E. COVALT.
Floyd E. Covalt, local manager for the Wilbur Lumber Company at McHenry, is one of the enterprising and representative men of this part
Loster @ Nogle
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of Mellenry County. He was born in MeHenry County, July 11, 1884, one of the six children of his parents, Floyd W. and Harriett (O'Connell) Covalt. Floyd W. Covalt was the manager of the Wilbur Lumber Company at Crystal Lake, where he is now living retired from active participation in business life. At one time he was mayor of Crystal Lake.
Floyd E. Covalt attended the common and high schools of Crystal Lake, and as soon as he had completed his studies entered the employ of his present company at Crystal Lake, under his father's management. In 190S he obtained his deserved promotion to be manager of the plant of that company at MeHenry. This branch does a business of $200,000 annually. The officers of the company are: R. W. Houghton, president ; R. II. Wilbur, vice-president; and George H. Wilbur, secretary and treasurer.
In 1907 Mr. Covalt was married to Miss Carrie E. Himler, a daughter of George A. Himler, of West McHenry. Mr. and Mrs. Covalt have two children, namely: Floyd E., Jr., who was born January 29, 1914; and Shirley M., who was born October 7, 1917. Mr. Covalt is a Republican. A Mason, he belongs to MeHlenry Lodge No. 158, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master; MeHenry Chapter No. 36, R. A. M .; Calvary Commandery No. 25, K. T., and he is Distriet Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-first District. He also belongs to Valley Camp, M. W. A.
EMMETT C. COVELL.
Emmett C. Covell, mayor of Richmond, and one of the retired farmers of McHenry County, formerly was very prominent in agri- cultural eireles, and still owns 280 acres of valuable farm land. He was born at Sugar Creek, Wis., June 20, 1856, one of the seven children of his parents, Charles and Phebe (Persons) Covell, of whom three survive. Charles Covell was born in New York, and there learned the trade of a carpenter, and worked on the ercetion of churches and public buildings. In 1862, he came to MeHenry County, and his death occurred April 5, 1905, when he was eighty-six years old. His wife was born in Massachusetts, December 25, 1818, and died August 12, 1905.
Emmett C. Covell attended the schools of MeHenry County, and was brought up on a farm, and still oversees the operation of his large
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farm of 280 acres, although he retired from active participation in the work in 1905, when he moved to Richmond and erected a handsome residence. In 1901 he was elected mayor of Richmond, and has held that office ever since, and he has also been a justice of the peace, and police magistrate of Richmond. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Covell was one of the board of directors of the ereamery, and was manager of it for a number of years.
On August 22, 1888, Mr. Covell was married to Miss Cora H. MeCon- nell, a daughter of George MeConnell, formerly a banker of Richmond, but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Covell became the parents of the following children: Nellie B., who is now Mrs. John Westmont of Wisconsin; George C., whose death occurred in 1914; Grace L., who is Mrs. Walter Kruse, lives in Aurora, Ill., and Hattie M., C. Bonepart, Marguerite, Cora M., and William, all of whom are at home. The family all belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and are very prominent in it. Mr. Covell is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason and has been advanced in that order to be a Knight Templar. Mrs. Covell and the daughter Ilattie are members of the Eastern Star. A man of sound principles and practical ideas, his counsel is sought upon many occasions, and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
LUCIEN B. COVELL.
Lucien B. Covell, supervisor of Richmond Township, and one of its most representative men, is the owner of a very valuable farm of 200 aeres in Richmond Township. He was born in New York state, No- vember 22, 1848, a son of Charles and Phebe (Persons) Covell, and brother of E. C. Covell. Charles Covell was born in New York state, and his wife was born in Massachusetts, the date of his birth being 1819, and hers December 25, 1818. He died April 5, 1905, and she passed away August 12, 1905. Charles Covell was a carpenter, and in 1862 he came to McHenry County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He specialized in building churches and public buildings. He and his wife had seven children, of whom three now survive.
Lucien B. Covell attended the common schools, and was reared to work on the farm, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Covell was married to Miss Anna Moore, a daughter of William Moore. There are no children. Mr. Covell is a Republican, and one
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of the leaders of his party locally. In 1897 he was elected supervisor of Richmond Township, and held that office for twenty-two years, or until ill health compelled him to retire. For forty-six years he was a director of the school board of Richmond, where he now maintains his residence, although he continues to oversee the operation of his fine farm several miles distant. Mrs. Covell taught school for six years. Both he and Mrs. Covell belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic Order. A man of unusual capabilities, he has exerted himself to such good purpose that he is not only a man of ample means, but one who has accomplished much for his community, and gained the approbation of his fellow citizens.
ROBERT COWAN.
Robert Cowan, a progressive farmer of section 1, Grafton Township, is making a specialty of raising Shropshire sheep, and he is justly re- garded as one of the representative farmers of McHenry County. He was born in Will County, Ill., August 10, 1869, a son of John and Mary (Allen) Cowan, the former of whom was born in Scotland in 1833, and came to the United States in 1865, settling in Will County, where he · was engaged in farming. He lived to be eighty-three years old. His wife was born in Canada of Scotch ancestry.
Robert Cowan was reared in Will County, and educated there, learning farming under the wise direction of his father, and he has always been engaged in this line, and with the exception of three years in Iowa, has spent his life in Illinois. On March 7, 1912, he moved to his present farm, which comprises 160 acres on section 11.
On August 19, 1896, Mr. Cowan was married to Ellen Frydendall, a native of Kane County, Ill., where she was born March 16, 1874, and they have eleven children, as follows: Elizabeth, Emory, Bruce, Burton, William, Jolin, Dean, Gordon, Grace, Verdell and Florence. Mr. Cowan is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife belongs to the Congregational church. Both of them are Republicans. Under- standing as he does farming in every particular, he has made his work count for something, and deserves the prosperity which has attended him.
FRANK CARROLL CURTIS.
Frank Carroll Curtis, who is located on the old Poyer farm in Marengo Township, five miles northwest of Marengo, on the River road and near
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Seven Bridges, is one of the substantial farmers of McHenry County. He was born at Hebron, Jefferson County, Wis., May 19, 1859, and was there reared by his grandparents. His maternal grandfather, James Folts, came to Wisconsin from New York when the country was undeveloped.
In 1886 Frank C. Curtis came to McHenry County and bought the John Poyer farm, then containing 213 acres. John Poyer, then deceased, had lived on this farm for many years and erected the present house, using a portion of the original residence built on an old Indian trail on another part of the farm. John Poyer's son, Delos Poyer, owned and operated the farm just opposite. The barn, which has a full base- ment, is 32 x 134 feet, with an el 28 x 30 feet of the same height, and was built by Mr. Curtis. He also built two cement silos, and uses all of the basement for stabling. Dairying is his main feature, and he keeps from thirty to forty cows. His farm is one of the finest on the River Road. While he is a strong Republican, Mr. Curtis has never cared for office.
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