USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 9
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HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY
JOHN C. DIENER.
John C. Diener, one of the retired residents of Harvard, has a record of having been successful along two widely diversified lines, that of farming and railroading. He was born in Germany, February 4, 1853, one of seven children, of whom five survive. These parents, John and Catherine Diener, were born in Germany, which they left in 1856, coming to the United States, and after their arrival in this country, they located at Fond du Lac, Wis., where the father died in 1914, having been a cabinetmaker by trade.
John C. Diener was but a small child when his parents came to the United States, and he consequently was reared here, and attended the public schools of Wisconsin. When he was thirty-eight years old, he came to MeHenry County, and has made this county his home ever since. His farming was done in Wisconsin between the ages of twelve and twenty-two. For five years he was occupied with selling pumps, lightning rods and agricultural implements, and then for thirty-three years he was connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, commeneing as a laborer, and advancing to the position of roadmaster. On March 1, 1912, he retired, being at that time held in the highest esteem by all who were associated with him.
On March 31, 1878, Mr. Diener was married to Miss Delia M. Brown, a daughter of Pearson Brown, and a member of a pioneer family of Fond du Lac County. Mrs. Diener died December 13, 1919. Their two children are: Winifred J., who is Mrs. F. B. Saunders of Chicago; and Wayne R., who lives at Harvard. Politically Mr. Diener is a Repub- lican, and he has served Harvard as a member of its city council, being elected three consecutive terms. Fraternally he belongs to Harvard Lodge No. 309, A. F. & A. M., and Harvard Camp No. 86, M. W. A. For some time Mr. Diener has been a prominent member of the Men's Club of Harvard, and has always taken an active part in any movement having for its objeet the promotion of the prosperity of Harvard, and the advancement of its people.
ALBERT BLODGETT DIGGINS.
Albert Blodgett Diggins, now deceased, was one of the most prominent and wealthy men of Harvard, and was held in the highest esteem all
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over MeHenry County. He was born in MeHenry County, January 23, 1854, a son of Franklin and Ellen (Blodgett) Diggins, who had three children. Franklin Diggins was one of the pioneers of MeHenry County, and became a farmer here upon an extensive scale.
Albert Blodgett Diggins was reared on his father's farm, and attended the local schools. In 1881 he went to Hersey, Mich., and for some time conducted a large dry goods store, later branching out into the lumber business, with headquarters at Cadillac, Mich. In 1894, he returned to MeHenry County and resumed his farming activities, con- tinuing them until he retired in 190S, and he then lived in retirement at Harvard until his death which occurred February 6, 1916. When he died he owned 150 acres of valuable farm land in MeHenry County; a large amount of land in Texas; a number of lots at Harvard, as well as his residence, and his interest in the Cummer Diggins Lumber Com- pany of Cadillac, Mich. Mr. Diggins also had a large amount of money loaned out on gilt-edged mortgages.
On December 28, 1875, Mr. Diggins was married to Emma J. Johnson, and they became the parents of the following children: Stella E., who is the wife of John McFadden, one of the prominent men of Harvard; Frank A., who is supervising his mother's interests, married Effie Udell; and Ralph C., who is a veteran of the World War, enlisted in the aviation branch of the service, July 3, 1917. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Diggins was a staunch Republican. He was a Mason and belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Diggins survives her husband, and lives at the old home in Harvard, where she is surrounded with every comfort and luxury. She enjoys the respect and affection of her associates to whom she has endeared herself by her many excellent traits of character.
WILLIAM EDWIN DIKE.
William Edwin Dike, formerly one of the prosperous farmers of Dorr Township, is now living in practical retirement at Crystal Lake. He was born at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., October 11, 1861, a son of Abial and Olive (Manley) Dike, who were married in Vermont. In 1862 they came to McHenry County, III. Abial Dike bought a small farm one-half mile from Crystal Lake, and conducted it for a time, but became crippled by rheumatism. In 1867 or 1868
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he sold this farm and bought a large tract of prairie land in Greenwood Township, which continued to be his place of residence until he retired and moved to Woodstock, where he died, surviving his wife, who passed away in January, 1910, having been born in 1829, while he was born in 1828. She was educated at a ladies' seminary at Pittsford, Vt., and was a consistent member of the Congregational church for a number of years. IIe was a successful farmer, and during his life owned several large farms, and had bought and sold considerable real estate. Abial Dike was one of the original directors of the McHenry County Fair, and superintendent of the horse department of it, for years. At one time he was extensively engaged in breeding both road and farm horses, and was among the first to introduce Merino sheep into MeHenry County, and raised and bred on a large scale sheep, cattle, hogs and horses. He was reared in the Congregational church, and was a liberal contributor to it. A very strong Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Dike had the following children: Minnie, who lives at Zion City, Ill .; William E., whose name heads this review; Elizabeth Adelia, who is Mrs. B. V. Morris of Park Ridge, Ill .; and Abbie J., who is Mrs. Peter B. Johnson of Zion City, Ill.
William E. Dike was reared and educated in McHenry County. When he was twenty-two years old he took charge of a farm near Crystal Lake for his father. Later he returned to the home place, and when his father retired, he took charge of the old farm. The father disposed of his real estate before his death, and in 1903 W. E. Dike bought the farm of Albert Morse which contained 133 acres of land to which he later added the Ohinstead farm of 120 acres, and called his property Sunshine Farm. Here he ran a dairy farm, and had a herd of Jersey cows, shipping milk to Chicago for eighteen years.
He made other improvements on his property, remodeled the house and barns, and then sold it to James Tate in April, 1919, and moved to his present residence at Crystal Lake, which is one of the most pleasant and comfortable homes in McHenry County. He is a faithful supporter of the Republican party.
On February 10, 1904, Mr. Dike was married to Clara Ashton of Crystal Lake, a daughter of T. II. and Huldah (Chase) Ashton, natives of Medina, N. Y. They came to Illinois in 1855, and ten years later located at Crystal Lake, and owned and conducted the Crystal Lake Hotel until Mr. Ashton's death. He was widely known among traveling men. His death occurred May 19, 1891, when he was seventy-five years old. In recent years Mrs. Ashton went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Dike and died at their home February 6, 1909, aged ninety years.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Ashton were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Dike was born at Barrington, HI., September 16, 1858. She was educated in a girls' school at Crystal Lake, and was a kindergarten teacher at Blue Island, near Chicago, prior to her mar- riage, and she had also taught at Woodstock. Mrs. Dike had three sisters, namely: Cornelia, who was Mrs. William Morris, is deceased; and Miss Amanda Jane Ashton; and Sarah Patience Ashton Nash, both of whom are living with Mr. and Mrs. Dike. The two brothers, Lewis H. and L. Chase Ashton, are residents of Ogden, Utah. Mr. and Mrs. Dike belong to the Presbyterian Church.
LOUIS DIMMEL.
Louis Dimmel, who is successfully engaged in farming on his fine rural property four and one-half miles west of Woodstock in Seneca Township, was born in Alsace, France, September 23, 1847, a son of Louis and Eliza Dimmel, who in 1848 came to the United States, and bought property one mile east of the present homestead of their son, of which he still owns a portion. Here Louis Dimmel, the elder, died, his widow surviving him until 1910, when she too passed away being then about eighty-four years old. The grandfather, John Dimmel, had come with the family to McHenry County, and he died at an advanced age. The elder Louis Dimmel had served for seven years in the French army, Alsace at that time being under French rule, as it is at present, but for over forty-five years it belonged to Germany. His children were as follows: Louis, whose name heads this review; George, who lives in Winnebago County, Ill., is engaged in farming; and Cather- ine, who died in young womanhood.
Louis Dimmel, the younger, was only fifteen years old when his father died and upon his young shoulders fell the burden of operating the farm as his brother was only four years old at that time. Later, about 1867, he sold the homestead of 100 acres and purchased his present farm, but still later bought fifty-five aeres of the homestead left by his father, and has 175 acres of land, on which he has erected his present buildings, except the barn, which he has recently remodeled. Ilis land is all in the famous Kiswaukee Prairie. Mr. Dimmel has always car- ried on dairying and keeps from thirty-five to forty cows, selling his milk to factories. His cattle are high-grade Ilolstein. He is a Demo
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Emily &. Peak
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crat in his political beliefs. St. Mary's Catholic church of Woodstock holds his membership, and his is one of the oldest families in the parish.
In 1878 Mr. Dimmel was married to Lizzie Barbien, of McHenry County, a daughter of Nicholas Barbien, of French origin. Mrs. Dimmel died in 1900, leaving the following children: Lena, who is Mrs. William Desmond of Hartland Township, has five children, Dorothy, Arthur, Marguerite, Donald and Eleanor; George, who is assisting his father on the farm; Kate, who is Mrs. Jerry O'Connor of Newark, N. J .; Louis, who is a millwright of Chicago; Mary, who is connected with the selling force of one of the large mercantile establishments of Chicago; Paul, who is also assisting his father; Helen, who is keeping house for her father and brothers; and Madeline, who took a commercial course, is now employed in an office at Elgin. Mr. Dimmel has every reason to be proud of his family, and they and he deserve the confidence they inspire in their associates.
GEORGE A. DODD.
George A. Dodd, who has served as mayor of Algonquin, is an extensive farmer of Algonquin Township, and stands high among the representative men of McHenry County. He was born in Algonquin Township, July 4, 1869, one of the five children of his parents, George E. and Roselle (Ford) Dodd. George E. Dodd was born in New York state, but came to Illinois in June, 1844, and located in Algonquin · Township, where he remained until his death, October 14, 1914.
George A. Dodd attended the common and high schools of his native township, and was reared on a farm, putting to practical use in after life the knowledge he gained during his formative period. His farm of 107 acres of choice land shows the effect of his fostering care, and half of it is within the city limits of Algonquin.
On August 28, 1901, Mr. Dodd was married to Miss Elizabeth Rosencrantz, a daughter of Albert A. Rosencrantz, a prominent man of Crystal Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Dodd have one daughter, Miss Gladys, who is now attending the Elgin High School. Mr. Dodd is a Republican, and was elected mayor of Algonquin in 1916, and gave his city a wise and constructive administration. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family belong to the Congregational church.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
WILLIAM A. DODGE.
William A. Dodge, proprietor of the Oakenwall Farm, one mile north of Ringwood in Mellenry Township, is one of the aggressive farmers of the county, and a man who holds the respeet and trust of his neighbors. He was born at Johnson, Vt., June 5, 1851, a son of Amos and Sarahı N. (Ritterbush) Dodge, both of whom were born in Vermont. In 1872 he went to Massachusetts where he worked in various occupations.
In the spring of 1873 William A. Dodge and his brother Erwin Dodge, came to Illinois, and spent some time in MeHenry County, but later rented their farm and went to Nebraska and conducted a stock business on government land. Still later they bought 380 acres of land in Valley County, Nebr., on which he was engaged in farming for five years, and then returned to MeHenry County, his brother Erwin, who had accompanied him to Nebraska, remaining on their land in that state. The brothers continued to work together for sixteen years, and then William A. Dodge took the farm in MeHenry County while Erwin took the one in Nebraska, which he still owns.
Subsequently William A. Dodge moved to Ringwood, and rented his farm, but in 1903 went to Alaska, and upon his return resumed the operation of his farm, and is still so engaged. In recent years Mr. Dodge has added twenty acres to his original farm, and is engaged in carrying on dairying, handling forty-five cows. Earlier in life he did considerable feeding of cattle, sheep and hogs, both in Nebraska and MeHenry County. The present residence was standing when he took charge of the farm, but he has rebuilt it.
On September 24, 1884, William A. Dodge was united in marriage with Nellie L. Rea, of Ord, Nebr., born at Knoxville, Iowa, but taken to Nebraska when six years of age, and reared on the prairie. She was eighteen years old at the time of her marriage. Her father built the first frame house and first hotel at Aurora, Nebr., and was a very promi- nent man of that region.
Mr. and Mrs. Dodge became the parents of the following children: Rea Arthur, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, had lived at home and operated the farm, and his widow, formerly Ada Westlake, now Mrs. George Simpson of Beloit, Wis., bore him a daughter, Mildred Rea who survives her father; Lora, who married George L. Bacon of Antioch, Ill., a railroad mail clerk, has one daughter, Georgia Irene; Agnes Ethel, who was a school teacher in MeHenry County, entered
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
the government service as reconstruction aid at Camp Grant, Des Moines, Iowa, Atlanta, Ga., and Oteen, N. C .; Elynor E., who is attend- ing school at Antioch, Ill .; Leon E., who is at home; Sarah Jane, who is attending school at DeKalb, Ill .; and William, Jr., who is deceased. Mr. Dodge is a Republican, but has never taken any active part in politics, his private affairs absorbing his time and attention,
GEORGE E. DOLBY.
George E. Dolby, who owns one of the best garages and repair shops in this part of McHenry County, is one of the leading business men of Huntley. He was born at Elgin, Ill., August 2, 1892, one of the eleven children of his parents, George W. and Mary (Grice) Dolby. George W. Dolby was born at London, England, where he was reared and taught the trade of a tinsmith. In ISSO, he came to the United States, and located at Elgin, Ill.
George E. Dolby was brought up at Elgin, and attended its schools and Grant Academy. In 1914 he embarked in his present business, and has built it up to gratifying proportions, and carries a stock of $2,500 worth of goods.
Mr. Dolby was married September 18, 1915, to Miss Florence E. Hill, a daughter of Charles Hill of Elgin, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Dolby have one daughter, Muriel F., who was born November, 1917. Both Mr. Dolby and his wife belong to the Lutheran church, in which they are active. His political convictions make him a Republican. Alert, expert and enterprising, Mr. Dolby has made a success of his under- taking, and stands exceedingly well in his community.
CHARLES H. DONNELLY.
Charles H. Donnelly, circuit judge of Woodstock, was perhaps more widely known and deeply loved than any other member of the bench. In his official capacity he was competent, able, well informed, firm, yet kindly, just, yet merciful; in private life, a loyal, kindly, sympathetic friend, with his heart open to every call of need. Intensely human, Judge Donnelly had characteristics which make comrades of men of
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all classes and ereeds, repelling none, befriending all. Judge Charles H. Donnelly was born at Woodstock, August 22, 1855, one of the ten children of his parents, Neill and Mary (MeElroy) Donnelly. Neill Donnelly was born in County Derry, Ireland, May 12, 1816, and came to the United States in 1828. For many years he was a very successful merchant of Woodstock.
Charles H. Donnelly attended the graded and high schools of Wood- stock, and Notre Dame University, from which he was graduated in 1873. He then entered the law office of Slavin & Smith, and in due course of time was admitted to the bar, January 8, 1877. He was elected eity attorney of Woodstock for seven consecutive years, and in 1890 was elected county judge of MeHenry County, and served until June, 1897, when he was elected to the circuit bench, to which he was re-elected in 1903, in 1909, and in 1915. He also served as captain of Company G, Third Regiment of the Illinois National Guards for six years.
On May 2, 18SS, Judge Donnelly was married to Miss Nina C. Blakleslee, a daughter of Gervase and Helen R. Blakleslee, and their children are as follows: Mary, whose husband, H. L. Webster, was discharged August 12, 1919, from serving the United States army during the World War; and Helen, who has completed her studies at Boston, Mass. Judge Donnelly was a Mason of high standing, belonging to Calvary Commandery, K. T., and the Mystie Shrine, Medinah Temple. In the Odd Fellows, he was past noble grand of the Grand Encampment. In politics he was a staunch Republican.
It would be impossible to overestimate Judge Donnelly's services on the beneh. His knowledge of the law was very well founded, and his rulings have been just, while his personal honor and unblemished integrity give unquestioned assurance of perfect equity to all parties concerned. He died December 27, 1921. (See pages 143-144).
PAUL J. DONOVAN.
Paul J. Donovan, attorney-at-law of Harvard, is a man whose genial traits, devotion to domestic demands, and recognized ability, have won for him deep appreciation and friendship among a wide cirele in MeHenry County and throughout the northern part of the state. He was born at Woodstock, March 19, 1890, a son of John Donovan, president of the MeHenry County State Bank of Woodstock.
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After being graduated from the Woodstock High School in 1907, he became a student of the law school of Notre Dame University, from which he was graduated in 1910, following which he entered the office of David R. Joslyn, and the next year was admitted to the bar of Illinois, it being impossible for him to take his examination carlier as he had not attained to his majority when he completed his collegiate courses. IIe remained with Mr. Joslyn as assistant states attorney for four years, and then formed a partnership with Judge E. H. Waite, this association continuing until Mr. Donovan opened an office at Harvard in November, 1918, this city having been his place of residence since 1912, he having been united on June 19 of that year to Miss Lillian Keating, a native of Harvard, and a daughter of John and Hannah Keating. Mrs. Donovan was educated at Harvard, and for two years prior to her mar- riage was engaged in teaching in McHenry County. There are no children of this marriage.
As assistant states attorney Mr. Donovan was placed in charge of some important litigation involving the collection of back taxes from tax-dodging men and estates. One of these cases was the County vs. the Barber Estate, which was ably contested, but a final decision was . reached whereby $60,000 in back taxes were recovered for the village of Crystal Lake. Mr. Donovan's study of assessments and the taxing systems as practiced generally during this and other litigation, made him an expert on a subject which has attracted the attention of some of the ablest men of the profession. When Lake County endeavored to collect back taxes from the Richard W. Sears Estate, Mr. Donovan was chosen as the prosecutor, the decision of the case yielding the county some $92,000. The village of Oak Park, in Cook County, also made an effort to collect over $1,700,000 in back taxes from the same estate. Mr. Donovan represented the prosecution in this case as well, and it is still in court.
The attorney general of Illinois called upon Mr. Donovan to represent the State in the case State vs. Durand for the dissolution of an injunction granted by the Circuit Court to restrain the State from destroying a fine herd of cattle infected with the foot and mouth disease. This case was carried to the Supreme Court, where the injunction was dis- solved, the right of the State being held supreme. The financial loss to the owner was reimbursed by action of the legislature. All of these unusual experiences have been of inestimable advantage to a rising young attorney of Mr. Donovan's abilities, and he is now recognized as one of the distinguished members of the bar of the state. In politics
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he is a Republican, differing in his views from his father who is chairman of the MeHenry County Democratie Central Committee.
Mr. Donovan is a close student, going into every phase of a case and understanding it thoroughly before he takes it into court. His field is not overcrowded as are some of his profession, for too few men understand the complicated details of the laws governing assessing and collecting of taxes, especially when they have been persistently dodged, so that in this, Mr. Donovan has ample opportunity to prove his capa- bilities, and win for his elients a fair and equitable decision. His removal to Harvard is regarded by that city as a decided acquisition, and the loss is correspondingly felt at Woodstock.
EDWARD DUFFY.
Edward Duffy, now deceased, was for many years a prosperous farmer of Grafton Township, and one of the well-known men of MeHenry County. Ile was born in Ireland, November 1, 1839, a son of James and Elizabeth Duffy. James Duffy died when his son Edward was a small child, and in 1851 he was brought to the United States by his mother when he was twelve years old. He attended school in this country, and became a farmer.
On October 26, 1878, Edward Duffy was married to Nellie J. Barry, who was born in Ireland, March 19, 1855. She was brought to the United States by her parents, James and Nellie (Hill) Barry, and they located at Hartford, Conn. Later, the parents returned to Ireland, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Duffy became the parents of four children, namely: Mae E., who is deceased; James A., who manages the home farm; Estelle R., who is also on the home farm; and Edward G., who is at home.
The home farm contains 145 acres of land, and here general farming and dairying are carried on. Mr. Duffy died on this farm, August 7, 1912, and he is survived by his three children and his widow, who con- tinue on the farm he left to them. He was a Democrat, and was elected road commissioner and school director. For many years he was a con- sistent member of the Catholic church. A man of fine character and good habits, he was regarded as one of the most desirable citizens of the county, and his death was deplored by all who knew him.
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ALAN J. DUFIELD.
Alan J. Dufield is a veteran of the World War, and one of the sub- stantial men of Woodstock who put to good use a natural inclination for mechanies, and proved that he understands the requirements of his trade. He conducted a first-class general machine shop, and did all kinds of electrical and mechanical work. Mr. Dufield was born in McHenry County, June 1, 1892, a son of John A. and Ada M. (Jewett) Dufield, who became the parents of three children, two of whom survive. John A. Dufield was a very prominent man in McHenry County, and active in Democratic polities. He served as postmaster of Woodstock for eight years, and was also the editor of the MeHenry County Dem- ocrat. He sold the Democrat in 1901, later engaged in the stationery and job printing business, continuing in it until his death, March 17, 1907.
Alan J. Dufield attended the Elgin and Dixon academies, but pre- ferring to follow his natural bent, learned the trade of a machinist, and bought his shop from E. G. Griebel. His equipment was modern and he did all kinds of general machine work, armature winding and electrical work, and made a specialty of the latter. In 1918 Mr. Dufield sold his business, and enlisted in the United States Ambulance service with the French army as a mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1919.
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