USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 55
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David L. Gibson, second son of John and Martha (Post) Gib- son, was born in Dorr Township, McHenry Co., Ill., Aug. 25, 1850. John Gibson was born in Augusta Co., Va., in 1802, and in 1835 came to McHenry County, in company with William Hartman and others. He made his home with Mr. Hartman till after his mar- riage in 18-, when he settled on the farm now owned by his son David,entering the land from the Government. He was a suc- cessful business man. His wife died in the spring of 1864. He then lived with his children till his death in 1875. But two of his five children are living-David L. and Martha. David L. Gibson received a good education, and on reaching manhood turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns 155 acres of choice land adjoining the village of Ridgefield. He is an energetic industrious man, and one of the most promising young farmers of the county. He was married in 1877 to Manella, daughter of Israel Cline. They have two children-Flora and Lewis.
William W. Goff, the second white child born in McHenry County, was born in Nunda Township, Dec. 24, 1838, a son of Cameron and Lydia (Morse) Goff, natives of New York, who set- tled in Nunda in 1837. His mother died in 1878, aged seventy_ three years. His father is living on the old homestead. But two of their five children are living-William W., and Henrietta, wife of C. C. Howe, of Mitchell County, Iowa. William W. Goff
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has a fine farm of 202 acres, with a good residence and commodi- ous farm buildings. He is one of the most successful farmers of the township, and an enterprising, publis-spirited citizen. He was married in 1860 to Laura Payne, daughter of Jason L. and Harriet Payne. They have a family of four children, three sons- and one daughter.
Stephen O. Gregory is a native of Danbury, Fairfield Co., Conn., born Feb. 9, 1811, a son of Miles and Annis (Bronson) Gregory. After leaving school he worked at the shoemaker's trade several years, and then opened a meat market, which he car- ried on ten years. He then went to Luzerne County, Pa., and in the fall of 1853 came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Dorr Township, McHenry County. In 1870 he moved to the farm where he now lives, which contains 335 acres of choice land. His residence is a fine two story frame, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. He had but small capital when he came West, but has been successful and has accumulated a large prop- erty. Mr. Gregory was married in 1836 to Ruth Ann Olmsted, a native of New York. They have three children-Mary E., wife of Dayton B. Truax ; Cordelia J., wife of B. H. Stevens ; and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church. Although well advanced in years Mr. Greg- ory is active, and superintends the work of his farm with the energy of many younger men.
George H. Griffing, deceased, was born in Berkshire, Tioga Co., N. Y., March 22, 1812, a son of Henry and Anna (Len- nard) Griffing. In 1837 he came West, and remained two years; then returned home, and Jan. 5, 1839, was married to Mary But- ler, a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., daughter of Martin and Cynthia (Potter) Butler. They came immediately West, and set- tled on a farm two miles west of Woodstock, where they lived till 1865 ; then moved to Woodstock, where Mr. Griffing died April 3, 1872. He was a prosperous farmer, and an enterprising, in- fluential citizen. He took an interest in every movement that promised advancement to the agricultural interests. He was Su- perintendent of the Agricultural Society, and a liberal supporter of its interests. He was an enthusiastic endorser of all educa- tional movements, and an active and devoted member of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Griffing had a family of six children -Theodore L., who enlisted in the fall of 1861 as a private in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and rose by promotion, for his
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meritorious services at the battle of Pea Ridge, to Captain of his company. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, and died Nov. 22, 1862. William Henry enlisted in the last call for three years' men, and died in the service. Addison, also a soldier, served his time out and returned home. Fred resides in Janesville, Wis. George B. has charge of the farm. Cynthia died in infancy. Mrs. Griffing sold the homestead in the fall of 1877, and in the spring of 1883 bought the Baldwin farm, where she now lives with her son George. It contains ninety-six acres of choice land, including the largest orchard in the county. Mrs. Griffing is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is loved and esteemed by all who know her.
John G. Hartman, the eldest son of William and Agnes W. (Gibson) Hartman, was born in Logan County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1831. He was reared and educated in McHenry County, Ill., working on the farm till nineteen years of age. He then began to learn the carpenter's trade, and served an apprenticeship of two years. He then opened a shop, and soon after added wagon and carriage making and the undertaker's business. He was married in 18- to Almedia Murphy, daughter of William H. Murphy. They have one son-Fred W. Mr. Hartman built the first house in the town of Ridgefield.
William Hartman, of Ridgefield, was born in what is now Bath County, W. Va., May 1, 1805, the third son of William and Sophia (Click) Hartman. He remained in his native State till 1831, when he moved to Ohio, and from thence to Indiana. In the spring of 1835 he came to McHenry County, in company with three other families. The land at that time had not been sur_ veyed, nor come into market. He settled on what was after_ ward section 25. range 8, and has made from a wild piece of land one of the best farms in the county. He owns 160 acres where he lives, and also owns 200 acres in Nunda Township. When he first came to the county he was obliged to go forty miles, to Du Page County, to mill, and to Chicago or Du Page County for groceries and clothing. He found ready sale for his wheat at home, as the new comers were obliged to prepare their land before raising their own. Soon after coming to the county he carried three bushels of corn to a mill sixty miles distant, taking a week to make the journey. It was the first corn raised, shelled and dried in the county. Mr. Hartman was married in Virginia to Agnes W. Gibson. To them were born eight children 38
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-- John G., William M., Isaac, David, Lemuel H., Sophia, wife- of J. B. Wayne; Mary A., deceased; and Elizabeth, wife of Will iam Morey. Mr. Hartman built his residence in 1850. It was the first brick house in the county. Mrs. Hartman died July 17,. 1883, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. Mr. Hartman has good health, is active, and retains his hearing and eyesight to a remarkable degree. In politics he was originally a Whig, but has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Rev. Samuel C. Hay was born at Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1836, and is a son of Rev. Philip C. Hay, D. D., and Eliz- abeth (Condit) Hay, both of whom were natives of Newark, N. J. His father died at Orange, N. J., December, 1860, and his mother at Belleville, N. J., February, 1874. Mr. Hay received a good educa- tion, pursuing his literary course partly under private instructors and partly at Hamilton College, Oneida County, N. Y. Gradu- ating at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest, Chicago, April 18, 1865, he took charge of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock, McHenry Co., Ill. Mr. Hay was mar- ried in June, 1867, to Miss Sara E. Oakley, daughter of Dr. Lewis Oakley, of Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y. They have three children, one son and two daughters.
Mark Hickox, an enterprising and successful farmer of Dorr Township, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Dec 25,[1819, the fourth of seven children of Isaac and Sarenia (Duelly) Hickox, the father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of Rhode Isl- and. In 1836 Isaac Hickox and his family moved to Illinois and settled in what at that time was Cook County, near the village of Libertyville. After the formation of McHenry County he moved, in the fall of 1845, to a farm near the village of McHenry, where he lived till his death in 1860. He had a good farin of 160 acres and was one of the most successful stock-raisers of the early day. He was well known throughout the county and was universally es- teemed for his sterling integrity and noble character. His wife died in 1859. She was in every sense a helpmeet, an amiable, unassuming woman, who performed her part nobly and well. Of their seven children Mark is the only one living in McHenry County. On attaining manhood he commenced life for himself as a farmer, and although he had but limited capital, has by liis in- dustry and close application succeeded in accumulating a good property. In connection with farming he carries on quite an exten-
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sive dairy. During the war he dealt extensively in cattle. He owns ninety acres of choice land adjoining Woodstock. He has a pleasant residence, with beautiful surroundings. Mr. Hickox was married in 1848 to Betsey A. Abbott, a native of Ohio. They have one daughter-Exa, now the wife of E. W. Allen, of this county. Mr. Hickox has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1852.
Marma Duke Hoy, merchant, Woodstock, Ill., was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., March 3, 1821, a son of Richard and Sarah (Fanning) Hoy. His father was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man. He resided in Al- bany, N. Y., for a number of years after his marriage, and after- ward settled in Schoharie County, where he reared a family of seven children, five of whom are living-Mary A., widow of A. H. Delamater, of Brooklyn; Ann Eliza, widow of John Griffin, of New York City; Nancy, wife of Dr. N. Fanning, of Catskill, N. Y .; Jane, widow of Hiram A. Lemily, of Schoharie County, N. Y., and M. D., who resided in his native county till 1844, and then came West and located in Alden, McHenry Co., Ill. He bought some wild land, but little of which was cleared, and began making a home. In the fall of 1865 he was elected County Clerk and entered upon his duties the following December. He sold his farm, which at that time had increased in value quite largely, and took up hi sresidencein Woodstock. In 1869 he was again elected Clerk and served till 1873. While serving as Clerk he bought a half interest in a drug store, which was conducted under the firm name of Murphy & Hoy. He subsequently disposed of his in terest to his son Luman T., who also bought Mr. Murphy's inter- est and is now sole proprietor. After the expiration of his official term he bought a stock of dry-goods and has since carried on a suc- cessful business, his son George H. being associated with him, the firm name being M. D. Hoy & Son. They have a good trade and carry a stock of from $6,000 to $10,000. Mr. Hoy was married in 1843 to Catherine M. Alberty, who died in 1863, leaving a.fam- ily of five children, four of whom are living-Sarah D., wife of Dr. E. W. Wilber, of Rockford, Iowa; Luman T., who married Anna A. Vandebogart; George H., married Mary L. Belcher; Fremont, married Harriet Osborne and resides at Silver Creek, Neb. On the 4th of October, 1864, Mr. Hoy was again married, this time to Esther E. Atwater. They had two children of whom but one, John M., is living. Their daughter, Kittie A., lived to the age of
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eighteen years, and had nearly completed her education in the public school and made some progress in her chosen profession (medicine), when she was taken with that dread disease, consump- tion, and died, just when the sun of life was brightest, and hope and happiness heamed on every day of her existence. Mr. Hoy has occupied various offices in the town and county in which he has resided, and has always been identified with its growth and ad- vancement; is one of the township's oldest citizens. In religion and politics he has decided opinions, allowing no man to think for or dictate to liim.
Henry Jewett, deceased, was a native of Vermont, born near Bennington, Aug. 19, 1801. He was married in 1827 to Maria Woodward, a native of New Hampshire. After his marriage he settled an a farm and lived till 1842 when he came to McHenry County, Ill., and purchased a farm of the Government in Dorr Township. He improved and cultivated his land, living there till 1867, when he moved to Woodstock, where he died in 1879. His wife is still living in Woodstock, and although in the seventy- sixth year of her age is active and takes care of her own home. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living-Johnson W .; Joseph P .; Susan, now Mrs. E. B. Pierce, of California; Walter P., died Dec. 11, 1884; Harriet; Henry L., died Dec. 16, 1863; Frank M .; Lucy H., wife of L. B. Compton; Ada M., wife of John A. Dufield.
Joel H. Johnson was born in Woodstock, Windsor Co., Vt., March 17, 1817. His ancestors were among the first emigrants of New England, of the old Puritan stock. He was raised on a farm near Woodstock Green, Vt., until he was eighteen years old. His educational advantages consisted of an attendance at a district school three months in the winter except one year at the seminary at Newbury, Vt. He emigrated to Illinois and arrived in Chicago in September, 1836, and from there came into and located in what was then Cook County, but during the winter of 1836-'7 a portion was detached and named McHenry County, and in June, 1837, the county was fully organized. He attended and cast his first vote at the first clection, helped organize the Democratic party at that time, and has continued an active member of that party ever since. He was, in 1838, appointed Deputy Clerk of the Circuit and County Commissioners' Courts, and on the 4th day of July, 1840, was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court; held that office fifteen years, besides was four years County Commissioners' Clerk, and
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Probate Justice of the Peace one term. In June, 1849, the sub- ject of a railroad began to be discussed, and himself and others in Woodstock secured the location of the line from Chicago to Janes- ville, Wis., over which the Chicago & Northwestern Railway now runs, when in October, 1854, he was elected a Director of the company and was immediately placed upon the line to obtain the right of way, attend to the land damages and solicit subscriptions to the capital stock of the company and was largely instrumental in increasing the capital stock of the company over two millions of dollars; and when the stockholders' meeting of the company was held in 1857 he declined a re-election as Director and retired from the company and engaged in the practice of law in Woodstock and continued in the practice until 1878 when he was elected Police Magistrate for the city of Woodstock and has continued in that position to the present time. He named the city of Woodstock, Ill., after Woodstock, his native town in Vermont.
James W. Kelly, one of the most successful farmers of Dorr Township, is a native of Illinois, born Oct. 15, 1838, the youngest of two children of William and Elizabeth (Judge) Kelley, natives of Ireland, and early settlers of the Southern part of Illinois. In 1836 they moved to McHenry County, and located in Dorr Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. James W. was reared to the life of a farmer, attending the district school in the winter. His parents were in moderate circumstances, and he commenced life for himself with limited capital, but has been successful, and in 1884 bought the farm of 240 acres on section 20, Dorr Township, where he now lives. He is engaged in general farming, but makes a specialty of the dairy business. He was married in 1857 to Catherine Dyer, a daughter of Owen Dyer, Esq., of McHenry County. They have a family of thirteen chil dren, seven sons and six daughters. Mr. Kelley has served as Pathmaster several years and as School Director. He was elected Constable but refused to qualify.
C. N. Kendall, dentist, Woodstock, Ill., is a native of New York, born in July, 1839. After acquiring an academical education he began the study of dentistry with Dr. Stone, of Castile, N. Y. After completing his course he came West and located in Rich- mond, Ill., where he practiced twelve years. In the winter of 1873-'4 he attended the Philadelphia Dental College and received the degree of D. D. S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery). In 1875 he moved to Woodstock, and is now the oldest resident dentist of the
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place. Hc has pleasant rooms and the latest improved appliances for the use of the profession. He has been twice married. His first wife was a native of New York. After her death he was married, in 1870, to Emma E. Wegg, of Richmond, Ill., a native of London, England. Mr. Kendall is a member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M .; Woodstock Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., and Calvary Commandery, No. 25, K. T.
Rev. Thomas F. Leydon was born in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 21, 1850. M. R. and Bessie (McNulty) Leydon, father and mother of our sketch, are well-known Chicago people who have raised several sons to places of honor and trust, one, M. R. Leydon. Jr., being at present a Cook County Commissioner. Rev. Father Leydon re- ceived his elementary education in St. Louis Parish School in Chicago. At the age of twelve he entered the University of St. Mary's of the Lake, then on the corner of Cass and Superior streets, and subsequently he concluded his studies at St. Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wis., from which he graduated in January, 1873. After his ordination he was appointed assistant pastor of St. John's Church, Chicago, and Chaplain to the County Hospital, where he labored nine months, and was then appointed to the parishes of Hyde Park, South Chicago, and Englewood, where he remained until Oct. 10, 1877, when he took charge of St. Mary's Church, Woodstock, Ill. He also has charge of St. Thomas's Church, Crystal Lake, and St. Ann's Church, Barrington, Ill., each having a good membership, and in a prosperous condition. Rev. Father Leydon is a young clergyman who stands very high in McHenry County, and is widely known and beloved by Protestants and Catholics. A man of scholarly attainments .and a close stu- dent, his life is one of constant activity in his chosen profes- sion. To the poor he is generous, and to those who differ from him in religion he is always gentle and kind. As a pulpit orator he ranks very high, and it is said of him that the current of his eloquence flows without a ripple.
Thomas Lindsay was born in Scotland, July 23, 1836, a son of Thomas and Marion ( Marshall) Lindsay. His parents cam America in 1840 and in 1842 settled in McHenry County, Ill., on the farm now owned by our subject. The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1880. They had a family of six children-Jennette (deceased), married William Scott; Thomas; Christine, wife of Oren Allbee; Archibald; Mary A., wife of D. Redpath, and Marga- ret J., wife of Thomas Wier. Thomas Lindsay was reared in
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Dorr Township, receiving a good education in the district school. After his father's death he took charge of the farm for his mother, till her death, in 1880. He enlisted in 1864, in Company F, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, and served one year. Mr. Lindsay was married in 1880 to Maggie Pope, daughter of Frederick Pope, of Cook County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M. He owns the old homestead farm which contains 200 acres of valuable land.
Hiram J. Lockwood is a native of Gates County, N. Y., born Feb. 20, 1818, a son of Joshua and Mary ( Pearce) Lockwood. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Allegany County, N. Y., where his father died the next year. In 1835 he went to Michigan, and worked in the pineries till the fall of 1840, when he came to Illinois and located in McHenry County, in Dorr Town- ship. In 1843 he moved to Grafton, and from there, in 1864, to Coral Township, remaining there twelve years. In 1876 he moved to Seneca, and from there to Dorr. He owns thirty-nine acres in section 30, Dorr Township; 240 acres in Coral, and forty acres on Seneca. He is one of the most successful farmers in the county, and has also made a specialty of stock-raising. He was married in 1846 to Mary Barber, who only lived six months. In June, 1849, he married Louisa Fox, a native of New York. They have two children-Pliny F., and Mary, now Mrs. Goodridge. Mr. Lockwood is a member of Orient Lodge, No .- F. & A. M. He has served several years as Highway Commissioner,
Matthew M. Lounsbury was born in Steuben County, N. Y., a son of Samuel and Mary (Moorehouse) Lounsbury. He remained in his native country till 1848, and then moved to McHenry County, Ill., and settled in Hebron, and subsequently moved to Dorr Town- ship, and bought the farm of eighty acres where he now lives. He has a good residenceand commodious farm buildings, and his farm is one of the best in the township. He has been very successful, and although a poor man when he came to the county, has made for himself a good property. He was married in 1845 to Permelia Benjamin, a native of Saratoga, N. Y., a daughter of Joseph Benjamin. They have had four children-Albert W., Samuel O., Mary E., wife of Joseph Coolidge, and Adelma, deceased. Mr. Lounsbury is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
Abraham B. Mc Connell, a prominent and successful farmer of Dorr Township, was born in Richmond, Ill., Feb. 3, 1839, the
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eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Bodine) McConnell, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Richmond in 1837. When twenty- two years of age he located on the farm where he now resides, in Dorr Township, a mile and a half southeast of Woodstock. He owns 333 acres of choice land, and makes a specialty of raising small grains. He has a large residence and three barns. He was married in February, 1861, to Hattie S. Potter, native of New York, a daughter of Stephen and Charity Potter. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters. One son is deceased. Mr. McConnell has served as Township Trustee and Road Com- missioner several years. He is a member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M.
Andrew F. Mc Ghee was born in Essex County, N. Y., April 25, 1831, the youngest son of Alexander and Marion (Furgus) McGhee, natives of Scotland, the father of Edinburg and the mother of Glasgow. His parents came to the United States soon after their marriage and settled in Essex County, where they died at an advanced age. Our subject passed his boyhood on the farm and subsequently was employed on a steamboat on Lake Champlain. In 1861 he enlisted in the Nineteenth Ohio Battery, and served one year. In 1862 he came to Woodstock, and in 1863 was employed as salesman for Neill Donnelly, and remained with him till his death. He is now in the store settling up the estate for Mr. Donnelly's heirs. He was married in 1861 to Addie C. Mitchell, a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, a daughter of Silas Mitchell. Mr. McGhee is a member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M .; Woodstock Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., and Calvary Commandery, No. 25, K. T., and has held many offices in each of the departments, and is now Eminent Commander of Calvary Commandery No. 25.
James A. McLaren, deceased, was a native of Fulton County, N. Y., born Jan. 21, 1813, a son of John McLaren. In 1843 he moved to Michigan, and in 1846 to McHenry County, Ill., and settled in Alden Township, where he lived till 1875, when lie moved to Woodstock, where he died in 1883. He was married in 1840 to Susan Quilhot, a native of Fulton County, N. Y. To them were born nine children; three daughters are living-Eliz- abeth, wife of J. S. Soper; Mary E., wife of G. E. Burbank, and Mattie J., a student at Ann Arbor, Michigan, University.
J. S. Medlar, photographer, Woodstock, is the oldest artist in the city. He came to this city from Rockford in September, 1858, and has since continued in the business. His gallery is situ
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ated on the northeast corner of the square, where he has a large north-side sky-light, with interior arrangements for producing all the modern improvements known to photography. He also makes a specialty of india ink, copying and landscape work. He thor- oughly understands every department of his work, which will com- pare favorably with that done in the larger cities. Mr. Medlar was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., in 1830, and is the son of John and Adelia (Rexford) Medlar, his father a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and his mother of Connecticut. Of their twelve children, eleven are living-Elizabeth lives in Sullivan County, N. Y .; Mary A., in Middletown, N. Y .; Louisa, in Brooklyn; J. S., our subject; Jeannette, in Rockford; Effie, in Parksville, N. Y .; James B., in Rockford; Orren, in Parksville; George and Julia, in Rock- ford, and Charles in Lawrence, Kas. Mr. Medlar was married in Woodstock, June 16, 1861, to Maria L. Dake, a native of McHenry County. To them have been born six children; five are living- Frank W., Mabel, Herbert, Lula, and Adeil. Mr. Medlar is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has taken the Knight Tem- plar degrees.
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