USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 14
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Charles Manning Fish .- Among the more notable real estate men in Joliet, who have established reputations for integrity and have achieved notable and well merited success in their calling, none are more worthy of mention than Charles Manning Fish. A resident of the county seat for many years, he fully exemplifies the alert, energetic character for which the people of his city have been noted, and in addi- tion to having played a prominent part in business affairs, has fully discharged the duties of citizenship.
Mr. Fish was born in Joliet, Aug. 1, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Mary V. (Manning) Fish, and traces his ancestry back on the paternal side to John Alden, and on both sides to Colonial days in America. His direct ancestor, William Manning, came from England to America in 1634, taking up his residence at Cambridge, Mass., and later being selected with Deacon Cooper to rebuild old Harvard College in 1672. The paternal grandparents of Charles Manning Fish were Calvin Bacon and Clarissa (Sterling) Fish, the former born in Norwich, Conn., Dec. 15, 1779, and the latter at Sterling City, Lime, Conn., Feb. 18, 1780. They became farming people in Jefferson County, New York, and Calvin Fish Bacon died at Rutland, N. Y., in 1830. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Fish were Joel and Diza (Jenkins) Manning, the former born at Andover, Vt., Oct. 3, 1793, and the latter in Tennessee, Oct. 15, 1806. She was a sister of Elizabeth, who married Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. John A. Logan; and of Hon. Alexander M. Jenkins, who served as lieutenant governor of Illinois in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Manning made their way by boat and Indian trails to St. Louis and finally located at Brownsville, Jackson County, Ill., where Mr. Manning engaged in the practice of law for some years. He was appointed by the Governor as secretary of the Board of Commissioners, of Illinois and Michigan Canal, and during the early days of Chicago resided on the present site of the Conway Building, corner of Clark Street and Wash- ington in that city. When the office of commissioner was moved to Lock-
14-VOL. 2
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port, Ill., he took up his residence there, and continued to make his home in that city until 1861, when he and Mrs. Manning removed to Joliet. At the latter place Mrs. Manning died, Nov. 27, 1861. Mr. Manning died Jan. 8, 1869.
Henry Fish was born at Watertown, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1819, and mar- ried Feb. 1, 1854, Mary V. Manning, who was born at Brownsville, Ill. He came to Joliet in 1834 and engaged in the real estate, lumber and grain business, with which he was identified during the remainder of his life. In 1873 he became the organizer of the Will County National Bank, of which he was the first president, and later organized a private bank which he operated for many years. He died June 22, 1899, his widow surviving him until Oct. 3, 1903. They were the parents of the following children: George Manning, born Jan. 27, 1855, who died Aug. 15, 1917; Jennie Clara, born March 31, 1857, died Sept. 3, 1858; Charles Manning, the subject of this sketch; Henry Manning, born Feb. 12, 1862, died Dec. 11, 1915.
After meeting with financial reverses with his brothers in 1893, Henry Manning Fish took up the study of medicine and was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. He spent eighteen months at the renowned hospital in Vienna where he specialized in the study of diseases of the eye. He returned to Chicago, Ill., and became a noted eye specialist, and to him the present successful treatment of eye diseases is largely indebted.
Henry Fish took a great interest in politics and public affairs, and was a delegate to the national convention of the Republican party which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. Mrs. Fish was also a woman of attainments, and many years served as a trustee of North- western University. As a small child she witnessed the parade pass their home at Clark and Washington streets, Chicago, of the Indians who received payment in money for the site of Chicago, and often related to her children in later years the ludicrous appearances of the Indian princess who rode a horse astride, wearing proudly a man's silk hat. Mrs. Fish's sister, Mrs. Cornelia A. Miller, the widow of Edmund Miller, of Waterloo, Iowa, moved to Joliet in 1883. She was a world traveler and collector of rare curios, and in 1886 made a trip to the Orient in company with Bishop and Mrs. Warren to inspect Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and gave $30,000 to the Garret Bible Institute of Northwestern University. In 1896 she became an invalid and so continued until her death, April 14, 1906. During that time she was cared for by her nephew, Charles Manning Fish, in her beautiful
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residence at 205 Richards Street, Joliet, at the corner of Lincoln, which was bequeathed to Mr. Fish at the time of his beloved aunt's death. Mr. Fish has since torn down this residence, considered the finest in Joliet, and erected a large apartment building, metropolitan in all respects, where he resides with his family.
Charles Manning Fish attended the public schools of Joliet and after his graduation from high school became a student at the Pennsylvania Military College, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1882, with the degree of Civil Engineer and was one of the six honor students whose names were presented to the governor of Pennsylvania, and was the leader of his class. At the time of his graduation he and his brothers embarked in the manufacture of all kinds of wire, and built the largest and best equipped wire drawing plant in this part of the country. At the end of the year 1892 through the machinations of several designing business men their wire mill and other business prop- erties were swept away.
Soon after Mrs. Miller, the aunt of Mr. Fish, suffered a stroke of apoplexy and Mr. Fish devoted his time for the next ten years to the care of his invalid aunt and her business. Afterwards Mr. Fish became greatly interested in suburban real estate and opened an office in Joliet, where he has since been engaged in a constantly growing business. He has been identified with a number of large and important transactions.
Mr. Fish has been for over 50 years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a Republican in his political views, and has been a member of the Sons of Colonial Wars, Sons of the American Revolu- tion, Mayflower Society of Illinois, Midlothian Country Club, and Joliet Country Club for many years.
On Feb. 1, 1887, Mr. Fish was united in marriage with Louise Steel, who was born in Joliet, Sept. 23, 1866, and died Feb. 8, 1892. She was a daughter of William A. and Frances Louise (Sanger) Steel, and to this union was born one daughter, Mary Louise, born June 5, 1889, at Joliet. She married Paul W .. King of Evanston, Ill., June 4, 1910, and has one daughter, Frances Louise, born April 30, 1911.
Mr. Fish was married (second) on May 18, 1898, to Miss Helen E. Thompson, who was born April 8, 1872, at Joliet, a daughter of Major J. M. and Mary J. (Davidson) Thompson, the former born at London, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 22, 1832, and the latter in Will County, Ill., Jan. 15, 1840. To this union were born four children: Jennie, born Feb. 20, 1899, who died March 30, 1908; Manning, born Nov. 20, 1903; Charles M., Jr., born May 11, 1906, graduated from the University of Illinois Class of 1928: and Allen Miller, born July 9, 1907.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Fred A. Francis, president of the New Lenox State Bank at New Lenox, Ill., and one of the prominent citizens and substantial business men of Will County, was born near New Lenox, Oct. 26, 1888, the son of Charles and Mary (Haven) Francis.
Charles Francis was born in New Lenox Township in 1847. He was reared on his father's farm and after his marriage purchased a farm south of New Lenox, where he lived for many years. He later pur- chased the farm where his son Fred A., now resides. He was engaged in general farming, stock raising and dairying. He died in 1919 and is buried in New Lenox Cemetery. His widow, also a native of New Lenox Township, now lives in Joliet. Mr. Francis was a Republican in his political views, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was a trustee and superintendent of the Sunday School. There were seven children in the Francis family: Hattie, deceased, buried in New Lenox; Dr. Charles H., deceased, was a physi- cian and surgeon, and a graduate of Northwestern University; was located in Reno, Nev. He is buried at New Lenox .; Alice M., a teacher in Parker High School, Chicago; Jane, married Milton S. Johnston, Joliet ; Margaret E., married Roland E. Stevens, lives at Daytona, Fla .; Walter, deceased, a graduate of the University of Chicago, and superin- tendent of Bradstreets, buried in Los Angeles, Calif .; and Fred A., the subject of this sketch.
Abraham Francis, the father of Charles Francis, came to New Lenox Township in 1831. He had three sons. A. Allen Francis was born in Will County, Ill., Sept. 7, 1840. He married Lizzie J. Haven, Sept. 15, 1870. The second son, John Francis, was born in Will County, Jan. 8, 1843, and married Harriet M. Bliss, who was born Sept. 5, 1846. The third son was Charles Francis, father of the subject of this sketch.
Fred A. Francis attended the public schools and was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1907, after which he worked on his father's farm, and in 1915 assumed the management of the farm, con- sisting of 280 acres of land. Mr. Francis and his mother are now owners of this farm.
In 1915 Mr. Francis was married to Anne Clow, a daughter of William and Eliza V. (Cherry) Clow. Mr. Clow, who is deceased, was a farmer in Wheatland Township, Will County. His widow resides in Plainfield, Ill.
Robert Clow, a native of Dumfreeshire, Scotland, brought his family to America in 1837. They settled first at Sodus Bay, N. Y., and in 1843 came via Erie Canal and the Great Lakes to Chicago, and settled in
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Will Township. He was born in 1792 and died in 1877. His son, Robert Clow, Jr., accompanied his father to America. He married Rosanna McMicken. He served in the State legislature one term, and two terms as circuit clerk of Will County, and was also justice of the Peace and Township clerk. He died Sept. 15, 1888, and his wife died in 1895. William Clow was the son of Robert Clow, Jr., and was born in Will County, Ill., Dec. 18, 1850. In 1874 he married Eliza V. Cherry.
To Fred A. and Anne (Clow) Francis two sons have been born: Fred C., born Nov. 26, 1917, a student; and Charles J., born Jan. 30, 1925.
Mr. Francis has found time besides his agricultural pursuits to take part in the affairs of his township, and has served as school director of New Lenox Township, District No. 124, and as supervisor of the township, being elected in 1925 for a term of two years, and was reelected in 1927. He is a Republican, and was an alternate delegate to the Republican convention at Springfield in 1928.
Fraternally Mr. Francis is affiliated with Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 42; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; and Modern Wood- men of America, Past Counsel. Mr. Francis was a charter member and one of the organizers of the New Lenox State Bank, and was elected its first president and director. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John Philip Klose, a progressive and well known farmer of Mokena, was born in Frankfort Township, Will County, March 19, 1875, the son of John and Philipina (Mast) Klose.
John Klose was born in Byrish, Germany, Feb. 22, 1850. He came to the United States with his uncle, John Zahn, in 1854. Mr. Zahn settled in Frankfort Township where he engaged in farming, stock raising and dairying. He died in August, 1927, and is buried in St. John's Cemetery.
John Klose died in 1916 and his wife in 1918, and they are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena. They were the parents of four chil- dren: George, born Jan. 21, 1872, a farmer, lives on the old homestead; Oscar, born July 17, 1873, lives in Mokena; John Philip, the subject of this sketch; and Emma Charlotte, born Sept. 4, 1881, resides on the old homestead.
John Philip Klose attended the public schools of Frankfort Town- ship. He worked on his father's farm until he was married. In Feb-
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ruary, 1908, he purchased 100 acres of land. For many years he also conducted a dairy, but now devotes his entire time to general farming, in which vocation he has been very successful.
In 1908 Mr. Klose was married to Miss Elizabeth Sangmeister, a daughter of Adam and Christina (Syspel) Sangmeister, natives of Germany. Mr. Sangmeister was born July 1, 1849. He was a farmer and is now deceased. His widow, who was born April 22, 1847, resides in Frankfort. To Mr. and Mrs. Sangmeister seven children were born: William and George, deceased; Conrad, lives in Joliet; Christ, resides on the old homestead in Greengarden Township; Bertha, lives in Frank- fort; Elizabeth Klose; and Lena, married Henry Laun, lives in Chicago.
Mr. Klose is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church.
John Klose, deceased, was a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Frankfort Township, Will County, Ill., where he spent practically his entire life. He was born in Byrish, Germany, Feb. 22, 1850, a son of Louis and Margaret (Zahn) Klose.
Louis Klose and his wife were natives of Germany. He came to the United States and was engaged in farming. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena, and his wife is buried in Orland Township, Cook County, Ill.
At the age of four years John Klose came to the United States with his uncle, John Zahn, and they settled in Frankfort Township. He attended the public schools and then engaged in farming. He was also interested in stock raising and dairying and met with success.
John Klose was married to Philipena Mast, who was born in Frank- fort Township, Will County, June 21, 1848, the daughter of Jacob and Eva (Bertell) Mast. Jacob Mast was born in Germany in 1810, and his wife was born there in 1812. In 1846 they came to the United States and settled in Frankfort Township, Will County, where Mr. Mast engaged in farming. He died Sept. 11, 1882, and his wife died Dec. 23, 1880, and they are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena, Ill.
To John and Philipena (Mast) Klose four children were born: 1. George, born Jan. 21, 1872, was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools of Frankfort Township. He resides on the "Old Homestead," and like his father he is a great lover of flowers and trees. In 1928 he planted 50 Evergreens on the farm. He is a Republican and a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. 2. Oscar,
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born July 17, 1873, lives in Mokena, Ill. 3. John, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 4. Emma Charlotte, born Sept. 4, 1881, lives on the farm with her brother George. She also has inherited her love of flowers and devotes many hours to her large garden of flowers and plants. She is unmarried.
John Klose died in 1916 and his wife died in 1918. Both are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena. He was a Republican, had served as school director, and was a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. Mr. Klose had many friends in this part of the state who have the kindest recollections of him. He was a lover of plants, flowers, and trees and spent much time in their cultivation and care, all of which added to the beauty of his well kept lawns and gardens.
John F. Handorf, a leading agriculturist and business man, residing near New Lenox, was born in that township, Aug. 11, 1888, a son of John M. and Mary (Holm) Handorf.
John M. Handorf now lives retired at Marley, New Lenox Town- ship. A complete sketch of John M. Handorf will be found elsewhere in this history.
John F. Handorf was educated in the public schools of New Lenox Township, after which he completed a business course at the Grant Orvis Business College, Chicago, Ill., in 1907. He returned to his father's farm where he was employed until 1914. At that time he farmed 230 acres of land and upon the death of his mother in 1925 she willed him 80 acres of fine farm land, where he now resides. Mr. Handorf carries on general farming, dairying, and stock raising and takes more than an ordinary interest in the live stock business. The farm is a valuable one and is well improved.
In 1914 Mr. Handorf was married to Miss Mary Beckwith, a daugh- ter of Henry and Mary (Riekof) Beckwith, who were born in Worth Township, Ill. Mr. Beckwith, who is now living retired at Worth, Cook County, Ill., was an agriculturist. Mrs. Beckwith is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Handorf have seven children: Marion, John, Alma, Wilma, attend- ing school, and Doris Ethel and Henry Howard at home.
Mr. Handorf is a Republican and school director of district No. 125. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the New Lenox State Bank and is a director of the institution. He is a member of the Will County Farm Bureau.
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Patrick D. Fahey is among the prominent young business men of Joliet, where he is successfully engaged in the real estate business. He was born at Manhattan, Ill., Jan. 30, 1904, the son of F. Matthew and Martha (McDonald) Fahey.
F. Matthew Fahey, deceased, was one of the leading citizens and able attorneys of Joliet. He died Aug. 27, 1913, and is buried at Manhattan. His widow resides at Joliet. Mr. Fahey was a member of the Catholic Church and a member of the Will County Bar Association. To Mr. and Mrs. Fahey were born five children: Marion, married Matthew Nichols, lives at Chicago, Ill .; Frank, lives at Chicago; Thomas, lives at Joliet ; Patrick D., the subject of this sketch; and Margaret, married Thomas Bruce, lives at Chicago.
Patrick D. Fahey received his early education in Joliet, attending the public schools. While a student at Joliet Township High School he was employed in the offices of the Joliet Macaroni Company. He was later graduated from St. Mary's College, St. Mary's, Kansas. In 1924 he became associated with the Raynor Park Investment Company as a real estate operator, and two years later went to Sarasota, Florida, where he was in charge of the Florida offices of Davis, Rider & Flory, of Chicago. During the latter part of 1926 he established his present real estate business in Joliet, with offices in the Will County National Bank Building. He removed to his present quarters at Van Buren and Ottawa streets, Aug. 30, 1927.
Mr. Fahey is a Republican, a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Joliet Council, No. 382, Fourth Degree, and Holy Name Society.
Moore Brothers Company, Joliet .- In the year 1857 two brothers William N. and Alexander K. Moore, began the making of stoves at Neenah, Wis. It was a very new country at that time, literally in the woods, with the great Wisconsin forest still covering the land every- where, excepting here and there as at Neenah, where the giant of progress had as it were stopped to cut a swath or two of trees, so as to get a foothold in the wilderness of timber. Here at Neenah navigable water and water power invited early settlement; soon a saw mill was installed, then flour mills, and a considerable village. Then in 1857 came the railroad, but the stumps still stood in the streets where the forest had been and the Indian was a familiar figure about town.
F. MATTHEW FAHEY
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
William and Alexander Moore came from New York city, attracted no doubt by the richness of the surrounding country, which was being rapidly cleared and settled, and also by the water and new rail com- munication. They started a small foundry and began making stoves, hollow ware, sugar kettles, plows, sleigh shoes, and everything that a country foundry of those days was called upon to make. From 1857 until 1858 was a period of hard times when money almost disappeared from circulation, and such business as was done was carried on by a system of barter with a bushel of wheat as the standard of value. The new foundry venture had its full share in these adversities, but times began to improve. The country round about increased in population and wealth and so the business prospered. From the first, stoves were the principal concern of the Moore Brothers and gradually as their stoves became known the other products were discontinued. Some years passed in the development, and then in 1871, William Moore, seeking a wider market, moved to Joliet, and the same year started a new foun- dry, which he called the Solar Stove Works. From this time on each of the brothers conducted his separate business with success, but for a few years only. In 1873 Alexander Moore died and the Neenah Stove Works, passing through several hands, came to the ownership of Bergstrom Brothers & Company, later George Bergstrom & Son, and under the Bergstrom management has maintained an enviable position in the trade.
In 1875 William Moore died at Joliet, leaving a flourishing business, which was continued as a family interest under the name of the Solar Stove Works until 1887, at which time the Joliet Stove Works succeeded to the business and was thenceforth conducted under the management of William N. and Lewis Moore, sons respectively of William N. and Alexander K. Moore, who began making stoves together in 1857. In the year 1907, fifty years after the beginning of the original copartner- ship, it was decided to honor the founders by changing the name of the concern to the Moore Brothers Company. The associated manage- ment of the sons continued until August, 1911, when William N. Moore died at Auckland, New Zealand, where he had gone on a voyage for health and recreation. Since then the business of Moore Brothers Com- pany has continued with Lewis Moore as President of an active organi- zation which has continuously increased the magnitude and scope of the business until the Moore Products are generally known throughout the country for their meritorious qualities. The plant occupies approx- imately a ten acre area in the heart of Joliet, surrounded by Benton,
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Franklin, and Jackson Streets and the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway right of way.
Lewis Moore was born at Neenah, Wis., Aug. 14, 1866, being the only son of Alexander K. and Mary E. Williams, who were married in 1861. His father was a manufacturer of stoves and furnaces in Neenah at that time. On completion of his school education in 1884 he came to Joliet to associate himself with the business founded by his father and his uncle, William N. Moore, which had been reestablished in Joliet after the death of his father in 1873.
Since adopting Joliet for his field of action he has been continuously associated with the business of stove making and has been since the year 1912 president of the corporation known as Moore Brothers Company.
On Oct. 14, 1891, Lewis Moore was married to Mabelle Dillman, daughter of Louis E. Dillman, a pioneer manufacturer of the early days of Will County. From this union there came a son, Lewis Moore, Jr., who is associated with the Moore Brothers Company as secretary, and Kathryn, wife of Harold F. Patterson.
Mr. Moore has always actively been interested in the general affairs pertaining to industry and a loyal supporter of all worthy civic move- ments, but has never solicited nor held public office. As to politics he has generally supported Republican policies.
Fred W. Phelps .- Fred Woodford Phelps was born at Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 27, 1869, the only child of his parents, Andrew S. Phelps, who married Sarah Ann Woodford in 1866, both coming originally from New York State.
In 1871 his parents moved to Chicago and his elementary school edu- cation was obtained in the Chicago public schools. He later graduated from the Chicago Manual Training School, which was the first technical school established in the middle West. In 1887 he came to Joliet to asso- ciate himself with the Joliet Stove Works, now known as the Moore Brothers Company, In 1891 he entered the bicycle trade in associa- tion with Andrew S. Phelps, his father, and James B. Speer, forming a corporation known as the Joliet Wheel Company to manufacture bicycles. From 1894 to 1898 he was associated with the business man- agement of the Joliet Daily News. In 1898 he entered the grain com- mission business on the Chicago Board of Trade, but not finding that
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occupation to his liking, he returned to the stove business in 1899 and has since been associated with the Moore Brothers Company as vice president and treasurer.
Mr. Phelps was married on June 10, 1896, to Bertha May Jones, daughter of Noble Jones, formerly of Mokena, Ill., and has one son, Norman Jones Phelps, and one daughter, Marian Woodford Phelps.
Andrew S. Phelps .- Andrew S. Phelps was born at Dryden, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1838. His family moved to Cortland, N. Y., where he attended school. He came to Battle Creek, Mich., in 1857, which was his resi- dence until 1870. He enlisted for the Civil war in August, 1861, and was mustered out on Sept. 19, 1865, as captain of Company A, Merrill's Horse of Missouri.
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