USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Nicholas Lauffer, a retired farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Mokena, was born in Frankfort Township, Will County, March 15, 1853, a son of George and Eva (Utzinger) Lauffer.
George Lauffer was born in Germany where he was engaged in farm- ing. He came to the United States and settled in Frankfort Township in July, 1846. As he had no work that fall he walked all the way to St. Louis seeking employment. The next fall he returned to Frank- fort where he followed farming and became very successful. In 1869 he removed to Homer Township, Will County, where he bought a farm of 685 acres. He also owned 160 acres of land in Cook County, Orland Township. Besides farming he was also engaged in stock raising on a large scale. He was a Democrat and a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. His wife was also born in Germany. They were married in Illinois, and to their union six children were born: Sarah, the widow of John Falk, lives at Orland, Ill .; Nicholas, the subject of this sketch; George, deceased; Caroline, the widow of Nick Marti, lives in Frankfort Township; Daniel, lives at Homer, Ill .; and Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Albert Marti, who resides at Homer, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Lauffer are both deceased and are buried in Mokena.
George Lauffer was the son of Philipina Lauffer, who came to the United States and resided with her son George. She died in 1863 and was the first person to be buried in the Mokena Cemetery.
Nicholas Lauffer was educated in the public schools of Frankfort Township. He remained on his father's farm until he was 29 years of age, when he purchased a farm of his own consisting of 160 acres. He
716
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
was a stock raiser and also did general farming. He continued to buy land until he had a farm of 360 acres. In June, 1912, Mr. Lauffer re- tired from the farm and purchased a home in Mokena.
In 1880 Mr. Lauffer was married to Miss Florence Sayers, a daugh- ter of John and Harriet (Goddard) Sayers, natives of England, where they were married. They came to the United States in 1842 and settled in New Jersey. In 1844 they came to Illinois where Mr. Sayers engaged in farming. They are now deceased and are buried in Cook County, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Lauffer six children were born: Ella, married Elmer Cooper, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; Arthur, and Charles, both engaged in farming, in Homer Township; Elsie, mar- ried Harrison Haley, a farmer, Ford County, Ill .; Viola, married Barney Hastert, lives at Mokena; and Lester, deceased.
Mr. Lauffer has been prominent in the affairs of his township and county. He is a Republican and has filled the office of school director and road commissioner. He and his family are estimable people and have the esteem of their entire community.
Charles E. Hirsch, a well known and excellent citizen of Will County, was born in Mokena, April 24, 1859, the son of Charles and Philipine (Worthmiller) Hirsch.
Charles Hirsch was born in Germany, as was also his wife. He came to the United States with his father, Karl Hirsch, who settled in Frankfort Township, Will County, on July 4, 1847. The latter followed farming and was well known in the county. He is buried in Mokena. His son, Charles Hirsch, attended the public schools and when a young man engaged in buying live stock and grain. He later established a general merchandise store in Mokena which he conducted for many years. At his father's death he purchased the homestead from the other heirs and was engaged in farming. He had lived retired for some time prior to his death. He was a Republican and a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. For many years he served on the school board as director, and was holding that office when the present school was built. To Charles and Philipine (Worthmiller) Hirsch five children were born: Charles E., the subject of this sketch ; Bertha, married Ben- jamin Marti, lives in Los Angeles, Calif .; Frank E., lives at Mokena;
717
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Julius, 1st, died in 1869; and Julius G., 2nd, died Jan. 31, 1928. Mrs. Hirsch was also born in Germany and came to the United States when a young child with her parents.
Charles E. Hirsch was educated in the public schools of Mokena, and attended Cook County Normal School. He then engaged in the buy- ing and selling of grain in Iowa, later going to Chicago, where with his brother Julius, he became a trader in live stock at the Chicago stock yards. Upon the death of their father they returned to Mokena and settled on the farm where they still continued their live stock trade, as well as operating the farm. In 1925 Mr. Hirsch retired from active business.
Mr. Hirsch is a Republican, a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Hirsch has many friends in Mokena where he has practically lived since boyhood.
Harvey H. Reab, a well known young business man of Mokena, and proprietor of Reab's Market, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Colona, Henry County, July 10, 1893, a son of Herschel Clifford and Mary Jane (McHenry) Reab.
Herschel Clifford Reab, deceased, was born in Dayton, Ill. After leaving school he worked on the Rock Island Railroad and was made foreman of the bridge gang. In 1917 he removed to Galena Junction, Ill., where he was lock tender for the State of Illinois. He resigned this position in 1919 and removed to Colona, where he died in 1920. He is buried at Dayton, Ill. His widow resides at Colona. He was a Republi- can, a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and had served as village trustee of Colona. There were eight children in the Reab family: James, a contractor, Corvallis, Ore .; William, East Moline, Ill .; Clyde, deceased; Emma, lives at Lincoln, Neb .; Lula and Lilly, twins. Lula married Fred Jordan, lives at Coal Valley, Ill .; and Lilly, married William Darrow, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Harvey H., the subject of this sketch; and Ruth, deceased, buried in Colona.
Harvey H. Reab was educated in the public and high schools of Colona. He then worked as a member of the bridge and paint gang on the Rock Island Railroad for a time. He later removed to Frankfort
718
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Township, Will County, and worked on a farm. In 1917 he went to Round Up, Mont., and engaged in ranch work, being foreman of the M. and L. Ranch for one year, and then returned to Mokena, where he was employed by the Bowman Dairy Company. On July 1, 1927, Mr. Reab established his present business. He handles choice Western and domestic meats, and also carries a high grade of canned goods.
In 1922 Mr. Reab was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Liess, a daughter of John and Mary (Marti) Liess. Mr. Liess was reared on a farm. For many years he has been a land agent and also engaged in the insurance business. He has been active in the affairs of his town- ship and county. He is a Republican and has held the offices of town- ship clerk, township treasurer, collector of taxes, and at present is serv- ing as treasurer of Mokena, where he resides. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reab have a daughter, Winona, born Jan. 12, 1924.
Mr. Reab is a Republican, a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of Gleaners.
John Cappel, well known retired farmer, now living one-quarter mile south of Mokena, was born in this city, Aug. 26, 1862, a son of Fred and Katherina (Schweser) Cappel.
Fred Cappel, deceased, was born on the Rhine, in Germany. He came to the United States with his parents when a small boy, the family locating in Frankfort Township, Will County, where the father pur- chased a farm. He later removed to Greengarden, Ill., where he followed farming. He sold this farm and purchased a cafe in Frankfort which he conducted a year, then removed to Three Points, Joliet Township, where he operated a cafe for five years. He went to Perry, Dallas County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for five years. From there he went to Laurelville, Calhoun County, Iowa, remaining a year, later going to Ridgway, Mo., where he purchased a farm, and remained for six years. He was engaged in farming for two years in Kimball, S. D., from there going to Woodbury County, Ia. He returned to Mokena, where he died in 1888. He was a Democrat and held various public offices. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. There were eight children in the Cappel family: Katherina, Emma, Louise, Mary, Fred, all deceased; Christie, married George Lang, Chicago; Carrie married
719
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Fred Yunker, Mokena; and John, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Cap- pel, who was born in Luxemburg, Germany, died in 1883, and is buried at Ridgway, Mo.
John Cappel was educated in the public schools of Mokena. He traveled all through the West with his father and returned to Mokena in 1884, where he worked for John Cappel, buying cattle and farming. He later engaged in business for himself buying and selling cattle and hogs. He continued in this business until 1926 when he retired.
In 1895 Mr. Cappel was married to Elizabeth Stork, a daughter of George and Nettie Stork, natives of Germany, and later residents of Mokena. They are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cappel have two chil- dren: Carrie, married Gilbert Hurley, of Mokena. They have two chil- dren, Arthur and Violet; and Walter, a fireman on the Rock Island Rail- road, lives at home.
Mr. Cappel is a Republican, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and Royal Neighbors. He is a member of St. John's Evan- gelical Church, and a member of the Cemetery Board of St. John's Cemetery Association.
Mr. Cappel has an excellent standing in the town and is highly esteemed.
Ben W. Mager is well known in Frankfort where he is a member of the firm of Heusner & Mager, distributors of Willys Knight and Pontiac automobiles. He was born in Orland, Cook County, Ill., June 14, 1884, a son of Jacob and Marie (Gunderman) Mager.
Jacob Mager and his wife were both born in Orland. He was a farmer and stockman in Cook County. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried in Batchels Grove, Ill. They were the parents of six children: Edward, deceased; Jacob, lives at Blue Island, Ill .; Ben W., the subject of this sketch; George, an agriculturist, Frankfort Township; Marie, married Joseph Kohl, a sketch of whom appears in this history; and Phibibin, married John Sneurstein, lives at Blue Island, Ill.
Ben W. Mager was reared in Orland and attended the public schools, after which he worked on various farms in Cook County. He later bought 160 acres of land, practically all under cultivation. He carried on general farming and dairying and met with success. His farm was
720
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
located on the Lincoln Highway, in Will County. He sold his dairy busi- ness and farm in 1917 and purchased an interest in a garage business with Mr. Heusner, and they were distributors for the Ford and Over- land cars. They now handle the Willys-Knight and Overland cars. They have a well equipped garage and show room and employ three men.
On June 24, 1908, Mr. Mager was married to Miss Amanda Kampe, a daughter of John and Anna (Drowley) Kampe. Mr. Kampe was a farmer and is now deceased. His widow, who was born in Monroe Township, resides in Frankfort. Mr. and Mrs. Mager have one son, LeRoy, born Aug. 4, 1909, a graduate of Joliet High School, is a record clerk in the offices of the Joliet and Eastern Railroad.
Mr. Mager is a Republican, and has been a trustee of the Village Board for two years. The family are members of the Evangelical Church.
Patrick C. Haley, deceased, was a prominent and successful member of the Bar of the State of Illinois, and of Will County in particular, and was one of the liberal and prominent citizens of Joliet.
Mr. Haley was born in Sarinac, Clinton County, New York, March 17, 1849. When he was two years old his parents, the late Thomas and Hannah Haley, pioneer residents of Will County, came to Illinois, set- tling in Joliet. His education was primarily obtained in this city and after being graduated from the Township High School, he entered the Law School of the University of Michigan, from which University he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws with the class of 1870. During that same year he was admitted to the Bar and commenced the practice of his profession in Joliet. He was active in the politics of the state, and for a number of years was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. In 1874 his party elected him City Attorney, which office he held for two years. For fourteen years he was a member of the Joliet City Council, being Alderman in the Fifth Ward. In 1891 he was elected Mayor of the City of Joliet, and this position he filled for two years, giving the city an energetic and progressive administration. For twenty-five years Mr. Haley served as Chief Counsel for the San- itary District of Chicago, and during that time he was engaged in more condemnation cases, and in cases in which the Law of Eminent Domain was involved, than any lawyer in the United States, and at the time of
PATRICK C. HALEY
721
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
his death he was considered the leading authority on the Law of Emi- nent Domain in Electric Law.
On December 1st, 1875, Mr. Haley was married to Miss Mary A. D'Arcy, a member of a pioneer family in Joliet. Mrs. Haley died on December 25th, 1927, and Mr. Haley's death occurred shortly thereafter on February 21st, 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Haley were the parents of nine children: Margaret; Robert E., an attorney of the Will County Bar, who is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and a veteran of the World War; Raymond A., deceased; Columbia, who is married to W. J. Dooner; Madeline; Genevieve; Paul C., a veteran of the World War, of Akron, Ohio; Angela, now married to Harry P. Keeley; and John P. Haley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
John P. Haley, a veteran of the World War, is one of the rising younger members of the Will County Bar, engaged in practice at Joliet, as a member of the firm of Haley, Haley & Haley, with offices in the Cutting Building. He was born at Joliet, July 19, 1899, the son of Pat- rick C. and Mary A. (D'Arcy) Haley.
A sketch of Patrick C. Haley appears elsewhere in this history.
John P. Haley acquired his education in the grammar and high schools of Joliet, completing his high school course in 1917. Subse- quently he entered the University of Chicago where he received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1921. That same year he entered the Law School of the University of Chicago and in 1924 received the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence. He was then admitted to the Bar and has since been in practice with his father and brother, Robert E. Haley.
In July, 1918, Mr. Haley enlisted in the U. S. Infantry and was sent to Evanston, Illinois, where he attended the Infantry School at North- western University. He was later transferred to Camp Taylor, Ky., where he attended the Officers Training School. He was honorably dis- charged December 20, 1918.
Mr. Haley is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and belongs to the American Legion, and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He is identified with the Will County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Associaton and American Bar Association. He also belongs to the University Club of Joliet.
13-VOL. 2
722
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
William Lankenau, president of the Frankfort State Bank, is num- bered among the dependable business men of Frankfort. He was born in Greengarden Township, Will County, Nov. 10, 1871, a son of Carsten and Margaret (von Soosten) Lankenau.
Both Carsten Lankenau and his wife were born in Hanover, Ger- many. He emigrated to the United States in 1843 when he was but sixteen years of age and settled for a time in New York City. He went to Illinois in 1857 and settled first in Frankfort Township, remov- ing to Greengarden Township in 1860. While living in New York he was in the grocery and meat business, but after he came to Will County he engaged in general farming until the time of his death. He was born in 1827 and died in 1899. His wife died in 1905, and they are both buried in Union Cemetery, Greengarden Township. He was a Republi- can and a member of the Evangelical Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Lan- kenau eleven children were born: John, Elizabeth, Adeline, all deceased; Catherine, the widow of Adam Holl, resides in Monee, Ill .; Henry and Charles, deceased ; Girard J., lives in Frankfort ; Caroline, married Philip Stellwagen, lives in Frankfort; William, the subject of this sketch; and two children died in infancy.
William Lankenau attended the public schools of Greengarden Town- ship, and the Frankfort public schools. He remained on his father's farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1920 when he removed to Frankfort. In 1913 he was one of the organizers of the Frankfort State Bank, and was elected president and a director, and has served in that capacity since.
In 1894 Mr. Lankenau was married to Miss Ida Hilda Illgen, a daugh- ter of Theodore and Adeline Illgen. Mr. Illgen, who was a farmer and stockman, was born in Matteson, Ill. He is deceased. His widow, who was born in Monee Township, Will County, lives at Monee. Mr. and Mrs. Lankenau have three children. 1. Otto, with the Will County National Bank, Joliet, married Sadie Nieland, and they have a daugh- ter, Oleta. 2. Amanda, married Edwin Dralle, an agriculturist, of Peotone Township, Will County, and they have two sons, Ralph and David. 3 Ella, married Richard Oetter, automobile business, Peotone Township.
Mr. Lankenau takes an active interest in all civic affairs. He served as town clerk of Greengarden for six years; supervisor of Greengarden township for eight years; supervisor of Frankfort Township for six
723
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
years; Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors for three years; and on the school board of Greengarden Township. His fraternal affilia- tions are as follows: Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. and A. M .; Joliet Chap- ter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet ommandery, K. T. No. 4; and Modern Wood- men of America. He has served as a trustee of St. Peter's Evangelical Church, of which he is a member. Politically he is a Republican.
Frankfort State Bank of Frankfort, Ill., is one of the small but lead- ing financial institutions of Will County. It was incorporated April 3, 1913, with a capital stock of $25,000.00. The officers are: William Lan- kenau, president; Fred Warning, vice president; and J. A. Luhring, cashier. The directors are: J. P. Bauch, Max Haas, William Lankenau, F. J. Kohlhagen, Fred Warning, J. A. Luhring.
The capital stock is $25,000.00; surplus, $25,000.00; undivided profits, $2,579.58; time deposits, $108,634.97; demand deposits, $121,- 794.45; total liabilities, $280,509.00. Resources: Loans on real estate, $32,350.00; loans on collateral securities, $5,280.00; other loans, $173,- 331.26; overdrafts, $10.07; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $9,105.00; due from banks, cash, and other cash resources, $60,432.67. Total resources, $280,509.00.
Walter V. Hedges, M. D., who has been a resident of Frankfort since 1908, is one of the most successful practitioners of his profession in Will County. He was born in Faribault, Minn., Jan. 19, 1884, the son of Norman and Effie (Walrath) Hedges.
Norman Hedges was born in Stillwater, Minn. He was reared on his father's farm. After his marriage he bought a farm and engaged in general farming and stockraising until his retirement from active busi- ness in 1916. He was a Republican and a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Hedges died in June, 1926, and is buried at Faribault, Minn. His widow, who was born in Morristown, Minn., lives at Fari- bault. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges were the parents of five children: Adolphius, a physician, Ridgway, Wis .; Gordon, sales manager for Quaker Oats Company, Minneapolis ; Chester, automobile business, Fari- bault; and Viola, deceased.
724
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Walter V. Hedges graduated from Faribault High School in 1901, after which he attended the University of Minnesota for two years. He prepared for his profession at Hahnemann Medical College, from which he received his degree in 1907. The following year was spent as an interne in the Chicago Memorial Hospital, and in 1908, Doctor Hedges came to Frankfort and engaged in practice. Doctor Hedges took post graduate courses in 1921 at Leeds, England, and the University of Edinboro. During the World War he served as an examiner on the Draft Board of Will County.
In 1920 Doctor Hedges was married to Miss Irma Boyer, a daughter of Walter and Adella Boyer, natives of Redick, Ill., where Mr. Boyer is station agent for the Michigan Central Railroad.
Doctor Hedges is identified with the Will County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He has served as Health Officer of Frankfort for 19 years, and is on the staff of Silver Cross Hospital, Joliet. Fraternally he is affiliated with Mount Joliet A. F. and A. M. No. 42, Past Master in 1918; Joliet Chap- ter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet Council, R. & S. M. No. 82; Joliet Com- mandery, K. T. No. 4; Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Chicago; Joliet Shrine Club; Joliet Country Club; B. P. O. Elks, No. 296, and Phi Alpha Gamma.
Doctor and Mrs. Hedges are members of St. John's Universalist Church, Joliet.
Christ H. Warning, a well known agriculturist of Will County, is a native of Germany. He was born in Varnow, Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, April 5, 1868, a son of Christ and Marie (Lang) Warning.
Both Christ Warning and his wife were born in Germany. They came to the United States in the fall of 1881 and settled in Mokena, Ill. Mr. Warning worked for the Rock Island Railroad, and later began farm- ing in New Lenox Township, Will County, Ill. He did general farming and stock raising and also operated a dairy. Mrs. Warning died in 1897, and he died in 1907. They are both buried in St. John's Ceme- tery, Mokena. They were members of St. John's Evangelical Church, and highly respected members of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Warn- ing were the parents of five children: Sophia, married Fred Klott, lives in Mokena; Christ, the subject of this sketch; Fred, a sketch of whom
725
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
appears elsewhere in this history; John, in the automobile business, New Lenox, Ill .; and George, Mokena, Ill.
Christ H. Warning attended the public schools of Germany, and came with his parents to the United States in 1881. He worked on a farm, and in 1893 started farming for himself on a rented farm. In 1901 he purchased his present farm, consisting of 160 acres of well improved land, and in 1902 moved to the farm. This place is situated on the Lincoln Highway, two miles west of Frankfort. Since buying this farm Mr. Warning has remodeled the house and barns, and has one of the best farms in this section of the country. Mr. Warning carries on general farming and at one time conducted a large dairy, which he dis- continued in 1915.
In 1892 Mr. Warning was married to Miss Elizabeth Clausen, a daughter of Boje and Julia (Grimpsman) Clausen, who were born in Germany, and now reside with Mrs. Warning. To Mr. and Mrs. Warn- ing six children have been born: 1. Ervin, born in 1896, a veteran of the World War, having served in France, married Ethel Schenick, and they have two children, Kenneth and "Buddy". Mr. Warning is now engaged in farming. 2. Edward, a mail carrier, was born July 13, 1898, married Elsa Lankenau, and they have two children, Virginia and Dale. 3. Ella, born in 1900, married Jacob De Porto, engaged in the trucking business,.New Lenox, Ill. 4. Walter, born in 1900, married Clara Wach- lin, lives in Chicago, where he is with Swift & Company. 5. Elmer, born in 1905. 6. Florence, born in 1907. The two latter are living at home.
Mr. Warning is a Republican and a member of St. John's Evan- gelical Church. He served as highway commissioner of Frankfort Town- ship for ten years, also on the school board of District No. 158 for many years. He is a dependable citizen and widely known in Will County.
Jacob P. Bauch, one of the highly esteemed citizens of Will County, now living retired in Frankfort, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Frankfort Township, April 23, 1861, the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Schelhassey) Bauch.
Philip Bauch was born near Frankfort , Germany, in 1833. He came to the United States with his parents in 1846 and they settled in Mokena,
726
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Ill., where his father was a farmer. Elizabeth Schelhassey was born in Germany in 1835, and came to this country in 1855 and located in Mokena, Ill. Her parents remained in Germany. After his marriage to Elizabeth Schelhassey in Mokena, Philip Bauch engaged in farming. Later he purchased a farm in Frankfort Township which he operated for many years, doing general farming, stockraising and making butter. He was living retired at Mokena when he died. Both he and his wife are buried there in St. John's Cemetery. Mr. Bauch was a Republican and a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Bauch four children were born: Jacob P., the subject of this sketch; Barbara, married John G. Scheer, a farmer, of New Lenox Township. He died in 1927; Louisa, deceased; and Sarah, married Charles Geuther, lives at Mokena.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.