USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 10
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Company which he organized in 1904. He is also president and general manager of the General Finance Corporation with headquarters in Joliet.
On April 19, 1893, Mr. Cheadle married Miss Elizabeth Ruple, of Oquawka, Ill., the daughter of Samuel H. and Sarah Jane (Parkinson) Ruple, natives of Pennsylvania, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cheadle have three children: Genevieve, born June 3, 1894, married Rolland J. Strasser, lives at Evanston, Ill., and he is a member of the firm of Sargent & Lundy, Chicago, electrical and mechanical engineers; Charles Ruple, born Feb. 22, 1899, employed in the department of pur- chases and construction, Springfield, Ill .; and Richard Eugene, born July 21, 1903, secretary and assistant general manager of the General Finance Corporation, Joliet.
Mr. Cheadle is a Republican, a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and Joliet Country Club.
Clarence A. Carlson, one of Joliet's most successful young business men is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Lockport, in Will County, June 26, 1898, the son of John and Matilda Carlson ..
John Carlson was born in Sweden, as was his wife. They were early settlers of Illinois, having located at Lockport, where Mr. Carlson was employed in the stone quarries. He later became engaged in building trades and is now employed in that work at Lockport. He is a Repub- lican and a member of the Swedish Mission Church. His wife died in 1916 and is buried at Lockport. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlson were born six children as follows: Evelyn, deceased; Alfreda, deceased, was the wife of H. Woodman, who lives at Chicago Heights, Ill .; Harry, a mechanical dentist, lives at Lockport, Ill., is a World War veteran, having served in France with the 326th Machine Gun Battalion, being gassed and wounded while in service; Clarence A., the subject of this sketch; Hubert, with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, lives at Lockport, Ill .; and Arnold, lives at Lockport.
The education of Clarence A. Carlson was obtained in the public schools of Lockport. He worked as a clerk in the dry goods business of A. L. Gaines & Sons, Lockport, and later went to Argo, Ill., where he was employed as an automobile trimmer by the Elgin Motor Car Cor- poration. Mr. Carlson volunteered for service in the World War in
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November, 1917, and served in France as a member of Company A, 108th Engineers, 33rd Division. He participated in the following impor- tant engagements: Somme, Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel. He was discharged in May, 1919. Mr. Carlson then went to South Bend, Ind., where he remained until 1921. He then came to Joliet as a salesman for the Cable Piano Company, and on March 1, 1926, established his present business, the Carlson Radio Company. It is the only exclusive radio store in the city, and Mr. Carlson is dealer for several important concerns.
In 1920 Mr. Carlson married Miss Anna Marie Wallace, of South Bend, Ind. They have three sons, Wallace, Kenneth, and Wayne.
Mr. Carlson is a Republican, a member of the Swedish Mission Church, and belongs to Harwood Post, No. 5, American Legion, and Exchange Club. He is vice president of the Joliet Radio Trades Asso- ciation.
Elmer L. Cooper, member of the firm of Cooper & Hostert, is among the enterprising and progressive business men of Mokena. He was born at Orland, Cook County, Ill., July 14, 1879, the son of James and Mary (Daniel) Cooper.
James Cooper, deceased, was a native of Illinois. He was born at Orland and throughout his life was well known in that section as a farmer and stockman. He was the owner of three well improved farms, containing a total of 354 acres, and he specialized in dairy farming. Mr. Cooper was a Republican and served as tax collector of Orland Town- ship, as well as school director. In 1922 he retired and settled at Mokena, where he died March 31, 1924. His first wife, Mary (Daniel) Cooper, died April 1, 1890, and is buried at Orland, Ill. To this union were born three children: Thomas, retired, lives at New Lennox, Ill .; Elmer L., the subject of this sketch; and Celia M., lives at Mokena. Mr. Cooper was married (second) to Miss Catherine Weiler, who resides at Mokena. She has two children, Everett, lives at Mokena; and Cora, married Howard Gorham, lives at St. Petersburg, Fla.
Elmer L. Cooper grew up on his father's farm where he remained until he was 22 years of age. He attended the public schools of Orland and in early life engaged in general farming and stock raising, having removed to Goodland, Ind., where he spent five years. He then returned to Orland and in 1916 came to Mokena, where he engaged in the automo-
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bile business, being the first dealer in this city. Cooper & Hostert are local dealers for the Ford automobile. They have an attractive sales- room, well equipped garage, and render high grade service to their many patrons.
In 1901 Mr. Cooper married Miss Ella Lauffer, the daughter of Nick and Florence (Sayers) Lauffer, natives of Cook County, Ill. Mr. Lauffer, a retired farmer, resides at Mokena. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born two children: Florence, married Hugo Neithammer, lives at St. Louis, Mo., and Harold, lives at home.
Mr. Cooper is a Republican and is serving as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to Mat- teson Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 175; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 4; Joliet Council, R. & S. M. No. 82; and Modern Woodmen of America.
Gustaf B. Erickson, assistant attorney general of the State of Illinois, is a veteran of the World War, and is recognized as one of the ablest attorneys practicing at the bar of Will County. He was born in Joliet, Oct. 4, 1892, the son of Per. A. and Ida C. (Melin) Erickson.
Per. August Erickson was born at Ekebybonasoken, Ostergotland, Sweden, in February, 1858, the son of L. P. and Anna Katarina Erick- son. His father, who was a farmer's son, followed agricultural pursuits and also operated a distillery. He took his family to Elgmyra, Christ- bergs, Soken, when Per. A. Erickson was two and one-half years of age, but later settled at Stjarnorp, and finally retired to Norrkoping. He died at Motala, in 1891, and his wife died in 1873.
Per. A. Erickson had excellent educational advantages and at an early age studied English. He served an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade in Motala, and later secured work at Linkoping. In 1877 he became a sailor and two years later emigrated to the United States. He spent some time in New York and Chicago and later removed to Lock- port, Ill., where he was employed in the quarries. He also worked at the tanner's trade for Houck & Brown, and in 1897 accepted a position as keeper at the Illinois State Penitentiary, where he remained until his death. Mr. Erickson was a Republican and a charter member of the Swedish American Club, the Swedish American Republican League of Illinois, and he also belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America, and Knights of Pythias. He was a life long member of the Swedish
GUSTAF B. ERICKSON
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Lutheran Church. On Dec. 13, 1890, Mr. Erickson married Miss Ida Charlotta Melin, who was born at Swanaholm, Sweden. She came to Joliet in 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were born four children: Carl Oscar, an artist, lives in Paris, France; Gustaf B., the subject of this sketch; Thurston F., proprietor of the Vogue Stationery Company, Chicago, Ill., is a World War veteran, having served in the U. S. Navy; and Dr. Hilding W., physician and surgeon, lives in Chicago.
Gustaf B. Erickson received his early education in the public schools of Joliet and in 1910 was graduated from Joliet Township High School. He began as a messenger boy with the Illinois Steel Company and later became a chemist in the company's laboratory. In 1913 he entered the University of Chicago, and the following year enrolled in the Law School of Northwestern University, from which he received his degree in 1917. He was admitted to the Illinois State bar on October 3rd of that year.
In April, 1917, Mr. Erickson enlisted in the U. S. Army and the fol- lowing month was assigned to the First Officers Training Camp, at Fort Sheridan, where he received the commission of second lieutenant, Field Artillery, Aug. 14, 1917. He was transferred to Camp Grant and assigned to the 333rd Field Artillery Supply Company. The company marched to Sparta, Wis., to Camp Robinson, making one of the longest hikes that any army outfit completed in this country. On Sept. 16, 1918, he sailed for France and was made regimental munition officer of his regiment, after having been commissioned a first lieutenant in June. He was discharged from the service at Camp Grant in July, 1919.
Upon his return to private life Mr. Erickson located in Chicago, where he specialized in income tax reports for Kixmiller & Barr, attorneys, and for Judge Robert E. Gentzel. In 1921 he returned to Joliet, where he has since engaged in private practice with offices in the Morris Building.
Mr. Erickson is a Republican, and is chairman of the Will County Republican central committee, past president of the John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois, and past president of the John Ericsson Republican Club of Will County. He is a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and belongs to Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 42, American Legion, Harwood Post, No. 5, the "40 and 8" Society, the Delta Theta Phi fraternity, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Erickson holds the rank of captain in the U. S. Reserve corps, assigned to the 14th Field Artillery.
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William E. Fay is well known among the successful business men of Joliet where he is president of the Champion Machinery Company. He was born at El Paso, Wis., the son of John and Anna (Coyle) Fay.
John Fay, deceased, was a representative farmer of Waukesha, Wis. He died at Columbus, N. Dak., in 1889. His wife is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fay had six children, as follows: Catherine, married Barney O'Meara, lives at Spring Valley, Wis .; Lotta, married John Farrell, lives at River Falls, Wis .; Mark, lives at River Falls; Alex, lives at Joliet ; John F., lives at Columbus, N. D .; and William E., the subject of this sketch.
The education of William E. Fay was obtained in the public schools of Wisconsin and he also attended Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago. He began his business career as a clerk in the employ of the Commonwealth Edison Company of Chicago, and resigned in 1914 as illuminating expert for the plant. He then came to Joliet where he purchased an interest in the Champion Machinery Company, of which he became president in 1920. Mr. Fay has always surrounded himself with an organization that has made the company successful.
In 1914 Mr. Fay married Miss Helen Maloney, the daughter of P. J. Maloney, of Chicago. Mr. Maloney is nationally known as an interior decorator and has recently completed his fiftieth year of service with Marshall Field & Company, Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Fay have been born three children: Helen Jane, Billy, and James.
Mr. Fay is a prominent member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church and belongs to the Elks Lodge, Joliet Country Club, Union League Club of Chicago, Yacht Club of Chicago, and Chamber of Commerce. He is president of the Joliet Manufacturers Club, and is active in the business affairs of the city.
The Champion Machinery Company, of Joliet, was established in 1886 by Phil Carroll and was originally known as the Carroll Company, manufacturers of several types of cracker and baking machinery. The business was owned and operated by Mr. Carroll until 1907, at which time it was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, with the following officers: Phil Carroll, president; John Kiep, vice presi- dent; and Roy Oliver, secretary and treasurer.
In 1914 the interests of Mr. Carroll were purchased by E. A. Clark, Joseph Weber, and William E. Fay, and the company reorganized. At
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that time the officers were: John Kiep, president; Joseph Weber, vice president ; and E. A. Clark, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Fay took over the Clark interests in 1920 and at that time was elected president. Frank Motta is vice president and secretary, and P. Motta is tresaurer.
The business of the plant has increased between five and six times since 1914 and has an equipment in machinery which is valued at $100,000.00. Approximately 128 people are employed as compared with 35 employes in 1914.
The Champion Machinery Company manufactures a complete line of baking machinery and equipment. During the World War the company completely equipped several cantonments and battleships, and also received contracts from the French government.
Thomas John Ireland, D. D. S., has to his record a quarter of a cen- tury of skillful work as a dental surgeon at Joliet, where he engaged in practice after finishing his education. He was born in Negaunee, Mar- quette County, Mich., July 23, 1875, a son of Thomas John and Agnes Mary (Blaikie) Ireland.
Thomas John Ireland, deceased, was born in Barrackshire, Scotland. He came to the United States at the age of 30 years and settled in Negaunee, Mich. He was a skilled cabinet maker, having served an apprenticeship of seven years without pay in Scotland learning the trade. He established a business of his own in Michigan and met with success, and his work is still pointed to with pride in many houses in Michigan. He died Oct. 10, 1876, and is buried in Negaunee, Mich.
Agnes Mary (Blaikie) Ireland was born in County of Gray, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were natives of Glasgow, Scotland. Her father came first to Canada where they remained about one year and later removed to Negaunee, Mich. He was a mine contractor in the iron ore mines of Michigan. The family were stanch Presbyterians. Both are deceased, Mr. Ireland is buried in Negaunee, Mich. Mrs. Ireland died June 12, 1916, and is buried at Lombard, Ill. There were two chil- dren in the Ireland family: Alice, deceased; and Thomas John, the subject of this sketch.
Thomas John Ireland attended the grammar and high schools of his native city, gaduating from the high school in 1890. After leaving school he worked at various occupations and attended the Chicago
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Technical School. In 1901 he entered the Dental School of the Uni- versity of Illinois from which he received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery on May 5, 1904. He was admitted to practice on May 12th of that year, and immediately came to Joliet where he established his office. He has taken special courses at various times at Chicago.
On March 29, 1905, Dr. Ireland was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Louise Schulze, a daughter of Heinrich and Clara (Brandt) Schulze. She was born in Potsdam, Germany, and at the age of 17 years came to the United States to study. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Dentistry, from which she received her degree on May 5, 1904. That year she went to Germany and in 1905, after her marriage, established offices with her husband in Joliet. For eight years she had a dental office in Mokena, Ill., which she conducted in connection with the Joliet office. Both Dr. Ireland and his wife are members of the Will-Grundy County Dental Society, the Illinois State Dental Society, and the American Dental Association. Mrs. Ireland served as secretary of the County Dental Society.
In October, 1910, Dr. Ireland purchased a farm of 40 acres which he conducted for 12 years, farming and stockraising along scientific lines as taught by Prof. Hopkins of the University of Illinois.
Politically Dr. Ireland is a Republican. He is a member of Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 42, and is financial secretary of the Royal League. Dr. Ireland enjoys a large professional business and his reputation places him in the front rank of dentists in this section of the State.
Milton C. Geuther, cashier of the Mokena State Bank, is among the representative young business men of Will County. He was born in Frankfort Township, Will County, Aug. 21, 1902, the son of Charles and Sarah (Bauch) Geuther.
Charles Geuther, who lives retired at Mokena, is a native of Will County. He was born in Frankfort Township, and throughout his active career was a prosperous farmer and stockman. He was the owner of 320 acres of well improved land and operated a dairy in connection with his farm. He has lived retired since 1905. Mr. Geuther is a Democrat and has served as a member of the local school board as well as village trustee. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Geuther have five children: Mabel, married Karl Krapp, lives
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at Mokena; Lydia, married Lawrence Kohl, farmer, lives in Frankfort Township; Olive, married Earl Stellwagen, lives in Chicago; Milton C., the subject of this sketch; and Harold, lives in Mokena.
Milton C. Geuther spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the public schools. He was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1926. He began his banking career as a bookkeeper with the Continental National Bank, Chicago, and later served as assist- ant examiner for the Aetna Life Insurance Company. Since June, 1926, he has been identified with the Mokena State Bank. He was appointed assistant cashier in January, 1927, and was promoted to cashier in September of that year.
Mr. Geuther is a Republican and is a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 175. He is not married.
The Mokena State Bank, one of the dependable banking institutions of Will County, was established on Aug. 14, 1909. Its officers are: W. H. Bechstein, president; Emil P. Krapp, vice president; Milton C. Geuther, cashier; and Henry J. Schluntz, secretary. The directors are: W. H. Bechstein, George J. Hacker, Emil P. Krapp, George McGovney, Henry J. Schluntz, Charles F. Schmuhl, and William C. Wunderlich.
The bank statement on Feb. 8, 1928, is as follows: Resources: Loans and discounts, $213,167.80; U. S. Government investments, $5,000.00; Bonds, $21,500.00; Banking House Fixtures and Furniture, $10,140.00; Overdrafts, $27.43; Cash and Due from Banks, $34,043.60; Total Re- sources, amounting to $283,878.83. Liabilities: Capital Stock, $25,- 000.00; Surplus, $25,000.00; Undivided Profits, $566.71; Reserve Ac- counts, $8,151.00; Dividends Unpaid, $80.00; Deposits, $195,081.12; Bills Payable, $30,000; Total Liabilities amounting to $283,878.83.
William H. Bechstein, president of the Mokena State Bank ranks high among the leading business men of the community. He was born in Frankfort Township, Will County, Feb. 13, 1872, the son of Robert and Philipina (Jacob) Bechstein.
Robert Bechstein, deceased, was a native of Will County, and the son of Henry and Sophia (Hohman) Bechstein, natives of Germany, and
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early settlers of Illinois. Robert Bechstein followed farming through- out his life and specialized in the raising of grain. He died Oct. 8, 1881, at the age of 31 years. He was a Republican and a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. Philipina (Jacob) Bechstein, who died June 20, 1920, was the daughter of William and Catherine (Koehler) Jacob, natives of Germany. The Jacob's were pioneer settlers of Mokena, Ill., where Mr. Jacob was a well known cafe owner. To Mr. and Mrs. Bechstein were born three children: William H., the subject of this sketch; Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Warren Harper, of Kent, Wash .; and Robert A., lives in Chicago.
William H. Bechstein attended the public schools of Mokena, having come here with his mother when he was nine years old. He was em- ployed in the grain business of John A. Hatch for a short time, and later went to Chicago where he attended the Metropolitan Business College. He began his business career at Seneca, Ill., as a bookkeeper for M. J. Hogan, grain dealer, and in 1902 returned to Mokena, where he purchased the grain, coal and feed business of John A. Hatch. Three years later he sold this business to Liess Brothers, and purchased a third interest in the business of M. J. Hogan, at Seneca, Ill., becoming treas- urer of the company. In 1907 Mr. Bechstein disposed of his share in the business and returned to Mokena, at that time buying the interests of Leiss Brothers. He conducted this business as the William H. Bech- stein Grain Company until 1926, at which time it was disposed of to Cappel Brothers. Mr. Bechstein was one of the organizers of the Mokena State Bank in August, 1909, and served as the bank's first secretary. In January, 1925, he was elected president of the bank.
Mr. Bechstein was married (first) in 1895 to Miss Emma Cappel, the daughter of John Cappel. She is deceased. To this union were born three children: Alma, married George H. Cooper, Jr., lives at St. Petersburg, Fla., and they have a son, George III .; Ruby, died in 1918, buried at Mokena; and Edna, married Arthur Kries, lives at Joliet, and they have a daughter, Irene. In 1922 Mr. Bechstein mar- ried Miss Rose Oswald, the daughter of Erhardt and Sophia Oswald, natives of Germany. Mr. Oswald is deceased and his widow lives at Mokena.
Mr. Bechstein is a Republican, a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, and Modern Woodmen of America.
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Andrew Lindborg, president of the Union Pure Ice & Coal Company, is a widely known citizen and popular business man of Joliet. He was born at Schmolin, Sweden, June 6, 1870, a son of Peter and Christina (Swanson) Lindborg.
Peter Lindborg was a stone cutter by trade and at the time of his death in 1873 was living in Germany. His wife is also deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Carl, farmer, lives at Yemp- lin, Sweden; Alfred, died in 1918, buried in Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Otto, died in 1922, buried in Chi- cago, was a Spanish American War veteran, having served in the U. S. Navy ; Mrs. L. Holmborg, lives in Sweden; and Augusta, deceased.
Andrew Lindborg was three years old when his father died. As a boy he worked in a saw mill and later was employed in a dairy plant. He came to this country in 1888 and settled at Joliet, where he was employed as a laborer in the stone quarry of N. D. Connors. He later entered the employ of the American Wire & Steel Company at the Lockport plant, and in 1892 removed to Chicago, where he was employed as an engineer by the Sellinger & Mayer Dry Goods Company. Mr. Lindborg spent some time in North Dakota and upon his return to Joliet was connected with the Elgin-Joliet and Eastern Railroad. He later reentered the employ of the American Wire & Steel Company and was also associated in the restaurant business at Lockport with Anthony Olson. He later was interested in the restaurant business in Joliet, being the proprietor of the East Side Buffet on Cass Street until 1919. In 1913 Mr. Lindborg established the Union Coal, Transfer & Ware- house Company at 515 Cass Avenue. It was incorporated in 1915 and Mr. Lindborg was made president. Five years later the plant was removed to its present location at 50-52 Henderson Avenue. A 40 ton ice plant was erected in 1921, and at the present time the plant has an 80 ton capacity. The firm which is now known as the Union Pure Ice & Coal Company is incorporated at $50,000.00, and has an extensive trade in Joliet and the surrounding community.
In July, 1903, Mr. Lindborg was united in marriage with Miss Selma Larsen, the daughter of Louis and Bethilda (Pearson) Larsen, the former a native of Denmark, and the latter of Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Larsen are residents of Rockdale, Pa. For many years he was employed by the American Wire & Steel Company. There are seven children in the Larsen family: Selma Lindborg; Hulgar, lives at Joliet; Harold,
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a World War veteran, lives at Joliet; Hattie, at home; Harry, a World War veteran, having served with the U. S. marine corps, lives at Joliet ; Hilga, married Clarence P. Tindall, lives at Joliet; and Hazel, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lindborg have three children: Sigred, married Russell Barron, lives at Joliet ; Lloyd, associated with his father's business; and Laura, attends Joliet Township High School.
Mr. Lindborg is a Republican, a member of the English Lutheran Church and belongs to the Elks Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose and Cham- ber of Commerce.
Hon. George F. Sehring .- A lifelong resident of the city of Joliet, Hon. George F. Sehring is well known to its citizens as a man of integ- rity and ability who has been identified with a number of leading enter- prises, and whose business talents have been enlisted in the cause of public service much to the betterment of the community. In the capacity of mayor, an office in which he has served since the spring of 1923, he has established a splendid record for his business like method of handling conditions which have come under his jurisdiction.
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