USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 15
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In 1866 Mr. Phelps was married to Sarah Ann Woodford, then of Battle Creek, Mich., having but one child, a son, Fred Woodford Phelps, at this time living in Joliet. Mr. Phelps came to Joliet from Chicago in 1889, where he had been engaged in the stove business and became interested in the Joliet Stove Works. Later he associated himself with the corporation then known as the Joliet Wheel Company, engaged in the manufacture of bicycles. He also became interested in the reestablishment of the Joliet Daily News, then the principal newspaper of the community, and in 1891 erected a building to house its publication.
Mr. Phelps served for some years on the school board, being elected on a fusian ticket and was actively interested in all affairs pertaining to the community welfare of Joliet. He generally supported the Demo- cratic ticket in casting his vote.
Andrew S. Phelps died Feb. 26, 1926, his wife, Sarah A., having passed away on Jan. 6, 1905. Both are buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago.
Lewis Tilsy .- The name of Tilsy is inseparably linked with the his- tory of Will County, the first member of the family having located here over 75 years ago. Lewis Tilsy, a son of William and Dorothea (Holm) Tilsy, was born in Homer Township, Will County, Sept. 3, 1858.
William Tilsy was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, May 15, 1834. In 1850 he came to the United States and located in Will County where he worked on the Illinois and Michigan Canal and for various farmers
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in the county. In 1856 he purchased a farm in Homer Township. He was married in Chicago, Nov. 7, 1857, to Dorothea Holm, also a native of Mechlenburg, born Sept. 3, 1838. To this union five children were born: Lewis, the subject of this sketch; William, born May 3, 1862, a farmer of Homer Township; Mary E., born Nov. 25, 1864, married Charles Doctor, resides in Orland Township, Cook County ; Henry, born Dec. 29, 1869, a farmer of Orland Township; and Carrie, born Aug. 5, 1873, a teacher, resides with her brother Lewis Tilsy. William Tilsy died Sept. 14, 1884, and his wife died March 14, 1916, and they are buried in Brooks Cemetery, Homer Township. He was a Republican and served for many years as school director.
Lewis Tilsy acquired his education in the public schools of Homer Township, and Lockport High School. He worked on his father's farm until the spring of 1885 when he removed to Orland Township, Cook County, Ill., and in partnership with his brother William, worked 160 acres of land. In 1895 the partnership was dissolved. He continued farming alone until the spring of 1908 when he removed to Homer Township. In 1909 he returned to the old homestead where he remained until Feb. 23, 1924, when he removed to Marley, New Lenox Township, and retired.
In 1889 Mr. Tilsy was married to Miss Dora Holm, a daughter of John and Mary (Holm) Holm, both natives of Mechlenburg, Germany. Mr. Holm was born July 13, 1825, and his wife was born July 13, 1834. He died in 1911 and she died in 1891. Both are buried in Oakwood, Wis. Mr. Holm came to the United States in 1853 and settled near Oakwood, Wis., where he purchased a farm which he operated until a few years be- fore his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Holm nine children were born: Maria, deceased; Henry, lives at Bartelsville, Okla .; Helen, married Jacob Klein- man, resides on the old homestead; Dora Tilsy; Ida, married Charles Boucher, lives at Boise, Idaho; Emma, married Otto Toeplt, lives near Oakwood, Wis .; Lewis, deceased; Mary, married Herman Ninneman, lives at Franklin, Wis .; and John, lives at Sturdivant, Wis.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tilsy three children were born: Ralph, born in 1890, died in 1899, buried in Brooks Cemetery, Homer Township; John, born Aug. 16, 1893, and died Aug. 16, 1893; and Helen, born 1902, a graduate of Joliet Township High School, attended the State Teachers College, DeKalb, Ill., is a teacher.
Mr. Tilsy has always taken an active part in civic affairs. For 16 years he served as a member of the school board of Cook County, Ill., and for eight years was constable in that county. He was justice of the
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peace for 12 years, and 15 years served on the school board of Will County, Ill. Mr. Tilsy is a Republican and a member of the Will County Farm Bureau. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.
Christian Bechstein, deceased, was a representative citizen and suc- cessful business man of Mokena, where he was well known as the presi- dent of the Mokena State Bank. He was born at Frankfort, in Will County, Aug. 1, 1854, the son of Henry and Sophia (Hohman) Bechstein.
Henry Bechstein was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, as was his wife. About 1846 they emigrated to the United States and settled at Frankfort, Ill., where Mr. Bechstein engaged in general farming and stock raising. He and his wife are deceased and are buried in St. John's Cemetery.
Christian Bechstein grew up at Frankfort and received his educa- tion in the public schools. He became interested in farming early in life and was thus engaged until 1895, at which time he removed to Mokena. In August, 1909, he was one of the founders of the Mokena State Bank and served as president of the institution until the time of his death, which occurred on Sept. 10, 1924. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena.
On Jan. 10, 1878, Mr. Bechstein was united in marriage with Miss Ida M. Schmuhl, the daughter of Henry and Marie (Kitzrou) Schumhl. Mr. Schmuhl was born in Germany in 1826 and came to the United States in 1852. He settled at Mokena and for many years was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad. Both he and his wife are deceased. They were members of the German Lutheran church. Mrs. Bechstein died Dec. 5, 1912, and is buried in St. John's Cemetery. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bechstein: Emma, deceased; Mamie, married Owen Miller, lives at Cincinnati, Ohio; Alice, married Arthur Maue, lives in Orland Township, Cook County, Ill .; Rose D., the widow of Herbert Moriarty, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this his- tory; and Mabel, died June 29, 1919, was the wife of Clarence Mast, who lives in New Lenox Township, Will County.
Mr. Bechstein was always a Democrat and held many important local offices. He was mayor of Mokena for several terms, and served as alder- man and highway commissioner of Frankfort Township. He served as a member of the local school board for 26 years. He had a wide acquaint-
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ance throughout Will County and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Herbert H. Moriarty, deceased, was well and favorably known throughout Will County, where he spent his entire life. At the time of his death, Nov. 10, 1923, he was serving as cashier of the Mokena State Bank. Mr. Moriarty was born on a farm in New Lenox Township, Will County, Feb. 24, 1884, the son of George F. and Lizzie (Fulton) Moriarty.
George F. Moriarty, deceased, was a prosperous farmer of New Lenox Township, where he lived throughout his life. He was the owner of 300 acres of well improved land and specialized in dairy farming. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist church. His widow lives at Mokena. To Mr. and Mrs. Moriarty were born two sons: Her- bert H., the subject of this sketch ; and Walter G., who died in 1914. He is buried in Marshall Cemetery, New Lenox.
The education of Herbert H. Moriarty was received in the public schools of New Lenox Township and he also attended Mokena High School and Valparaiso University. He engaged in general farming and stock raising in New Lenox Township until 1918, at which time he removed to Mokena and accepted the office of cashier of the Mokena State Bank. He was serving in this capacity at the time of his death, Nov. 10, 1923. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery.
In 1910 Mr. Moriarty married Miss Rose D. Bechstein, the daughter of Christian Bechstein, a sketch of whom appears in this history. They had two children: Francis C., born in 1912, attends Joliet Township High School; and Grace Edith, born in 1919.
Rose D. (Bechstein) Moriarty attended the public schools of Mokena and in 1908 was graduated from DeKalb Normal School. She was a teacher in the public schools of Chicago Heights before her marriage and also taught at Rowley School, Hadley, Ill. Mrs. Moriarty is vice president of the Parent-Teacher Association of Mokena and vice presi- dent of the Ladies Aid Society. She holds membership in St. John's Evangelical Church and is active in church affairs.
Mr. Moriarty was a Republican and belonged to the Modern Wood- men of America and Will County Farm Bureau. He was especially well known throughout the county as a capable auctioneer and did work of that nature throughout the state of Illinois.
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Francis La Piana, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and sur- geons of Joliet, is a veteran of the World War. He was born in Sicily, Italy, Nov. 28, 1879.
Francis LaPiana spent his boyhood in his native land, where he was educated. In 1901 he was graduated from Palmero University, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then came to the United States and settled in New York City. He served in the U. S. Army during the Spanish-American War and spent almost three years in hospital work in the Philippine Islands. Upon his return to this country he engaged in the drug business at Milwaukee, Wis., for ten years. He took up the study of medicine at Marquette University, from which he received his degree in 1914. He spent the following two years in practice at Des Moines, Iowa. During the World War he served in the Medical Corps with the rank of Captain. After the close of the war he established a general practice in Chicago, where he remained until October, 1926. He has since been located in Joliet, with offices in the Laughran Build- ing. Besides his extensive practice Dr. LaPiana is connected with the staff of St. Joseph Hospital.
In 1906 Dr. LaPiana was married to Miss Livia LaPiana, of Mil- waukee, Wis. They have five children: Vincent, a graduate of Mckinley High School, Chicago, attends the Armour School of Technology, Chi- cago; George, Josephine, Anthoniette, and Francis, Jr., all at home.
Dr. LaPiana is identified with the Chicago Medical Association and American Medical Association. He is a Republican and active in local politics. He is affiliated with the Sons of Italy, American Legion, Knights of Pythias, and the Will County Italian Club, and the North Side Italian Club. The family residence is at 823 Carnelia Street.
James W. Belay .- Representative of the successful young business men of Will County is James W. Belay, who is owner of the Joliet Advertising Service. He was born in Joliet, Feb. 22, 1901, the son of Louis L. and Elizabeth (Meade) Belay.
Louis L. Belay was born in France in 1843. He came to the United States when 25 years of age and settled at Joliet, where he engaged in the tailoring business for many years. He died in 1912 and is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery. He was a Democrat and served as local judge, clerk and alderman. His widow, who resides in Joliet, was born in Ken- tucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Belay were born three children: Irene, mar-
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ried Harry Harrigan, lives at Joliet; Marguerite, married Thomas Driscoll, lives at Joliet; and James W., the subject of this sketch.
James W. Belay attended the parochial schools of Joliet and was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1920. He then spent three years in the advertising department of the Herald News, Joliet, and was afterward associated with Libby, McNeil & Libby, as head of the order department. His next business connection was as treasurer of the Farmers' Weekly Review and since April, 1927, he has been con- nected with the Joliet Advertising Service, which is located in the Will County Bank Building.
Mr. Belay is a Republican and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce.
Charles T. Mason .- Few men are better known in Illinois than Charles T. Mason, whose name has been prominently associated with the steel industry of the State, and who for 30 years has been identified with the Illinois Steel Company, at Joliet, and is general superintendent of the plant. He was born in Oshkosh, Wis., Nov. 23, 1876, a son of Thomas and Harriet (Dennis) Mason.
Thomas Mason was born in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 21, 1850. After finishing high school he worked on the Chicago and Northwestern Rail- road, beginning as a fireman and was soon promoted to engineer. He continued in this capacity until he was pensioned in 1915. He died in 1916 and is buried in Fond du Lac. He was a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and fraternally was affiliated with Fountain City Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Oshkosh Chapter, R. A. M .; and Fond du Lac Commandery, K. T.
Harriet (Dennis) Mason was born at Omro, Wis., Dec. 26, 1858, and resides at Fond du Lac, Wis. Mr. Mason was educated in the public schools of Fond du Lac, and graduated from the high school there in 1895. In 1899 he received his degree of Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineer from the University of Wisconsin. He immediately entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company, Joliet branch, in the Engineering department. In 1908 he was appointed assistant chief engineer ; in March, 1918, he was made assistant general superintendent; and on Nov. 1, 1926, was promoted to General Superintendent.
Mr. and Mrs. Mason were the parents of ten children: Charles T., Elizabeth, married Irwin Smalley, lives in Hartford, Mich .; Harriet, Ber-
CHARLES T. MASON
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
keley, Calif .; George, Livingston, Mont .; William, Fond du Lac ; Thomas, Green Bay, Wis .; Robert, World War veteran, Green Bay, Wis .; Adah, married Peter Peterson, Sturgeon Bay, Wis .; Walter, World War vet- eran, Schwano, Wis .; and Herbert, World War veteran, Berkeley, Cal. The latter two are twins.
Fraternally Mr. Mason holds membership in Matteson Lodge, No. 175, A. F. & A. M., past master in 1906; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27, past high priest in 1907; Joliet Council, R. & S. M. M. No. 82, past master in 1916; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4, past commander in 1914; Oriental Consistory, A. A. S. R., 32nd degree, Chicago; Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Chicago; Marguerite Chapter, O. E. S. 187, past patron; Bethany Shrine, W. S. J. No. 7, past watchman. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Joliet Country Club, Rotary Club, Shrine Club of Joliet ; Medina Athletic Club of Chicago; American Iron and Steel Institute; and B. P. O. Elks, No. 296. He is a Repub- lican and belongs to the Episcopal Church.
On Nov. 5, 1906, Mr. Mason was married to Miss C. Alphie Longley, the daughter of Thomas L. and Helen K. (Dunning) Longley. They have a son, Charles T. Mason, Jr., born March 26, 1918, a student.
Charles D. Eldred, M. D., is one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of Joliet. He was born at Braidwood, Will County, Ill., June 24, 1887, and is a son of Dr. C. C. and Emma R. (Cooper) Eldred.
Dr. C. C. Eldred, deceased, was born at Gardner, Ill. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1874. He was engaged in practice in Braidwood until 1898 when he removed to Joliet, where he continued in practice until his death. He died Feb. 4, 1923, and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. His widow resides in Joliet. There were five children in the Eldred family, as follows: Bertha, a teacher in Joliet High School, is a graduate of Northwestern University; Alice S., married Edwin Allen, of Tacoma, Wash., an electrical engineer, with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Elizabeth Steward Johnston, of Cairo, Ill .; Charles D., the subject of this sketch; and one child died in infancy.
Charles D. Eldred lived in Braidwood until he was eleven years of age, when the family moved to Joliet. He graduated from the Joliet High School in 1906, afterwards graduating from Yale University with the class of 1910. After a medical course in Northwestern University,
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he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1914. Dr. Eldred served his internship at St. Luke's Hospital until 1916, and in the spring of 1917 enlisted for service in the World War. He served in the Medical Corps and was overseas from June, 1917, until February, 1919, and was stationed in Camp Hospital No. 52. He was commissioned a first lieu- tenant and was with the 83rd Division, and later was raised to the rank of Captain. Upon receiving his discharge he returned to Joliet and resumed his practice.
On March 9, 1918, Dr. Eldred married Miss Lela Jimison, of Gales- burg. Mrs. Eldred is a graduate of Lake Forest College, and prior to her marriage was a teacher in Michigan City High School. They have two children: Elizabeth Steward; and Bertha Bernine.
Dr. Eldred is a member of the Illinois State Medical Society, the Will County Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Isaac Walton Club, and to the Masonic orders. Politically he is a Republican. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.
Jacob C. Adler, president and manager of The J. C. Adler Company, wholesale meats and groceries, is one of Joliet's prominent citizens. He was born on South Chicago Street, Joliet, Feb. 13, 1871, the son of Jacob C. and Emily (Erhard) Adler.
Jacob C. Adler, Sr., was born in Germany and came to the United States with his parents when he was two years of age. The family located in Joliet. In 1855 Jacob C. Adler opened a meat market, and in 1879 he purchased the old National Hotel where President Lincoln was a guest when a young man. After a time the hotel was leased to Mr. E. A. Bowen, from 1881 to 1888, then leased to Mr. Carl Pauli, who operated it continually to 1924. Emily (Erhard) Adler was born on Bluff Street, Joliet, her parents being among the pioneer settlers of the town, having located here in 1843. She died September 25, 1922, at the age of 81 years. Mr. Adler, Sr., died June 29, 1919, aged 83. They are both buried in St. John's Cemetery, Joliet. To Jacob C. and Emily (Erhard) Adler eleven children were born, four of whom died in infancy. Those now living are: 1. Louise, wife of Dan P. Lennon, vice-president of The J. C. Adler Company. 2. Jacob C., the subject of this sketch. 3. Lawrence J., secretary and treasurer of the Adler Company. 4. Patricia, wife of James Macdonald of Joliet. 5. Kath-
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erine, who lives with her brother Lawrence. 6. Emily, deceased wife of C. J. Reinhard, buried at LaSalle, Ill. 7. Michael L. Adler, deceased formerly with the J. C. Adler Company.
Jacob C. Adler attended the public schools of Joliet, and University of Niagara. At the age of 17 years began work in his father's store. January 1, 1901, O. W. Arnold's business was purchased. This has been enlarged until the company now occupies the entire National Hotel Block, besides their seed, pet, and egg depot across the street at the northwest corner of Bluff and North Jefferson Streets.
The J. C. Adler Company was incorporated in 1907 with J. C., Sr., as president, which position he held until a year before his death. He died June 29, 1919, at the age of 83 years. Mr. Adler was a leader in whatever he undertook, and he died rich in the possession of a well earned popularity, and in the esteem which comes from honorable living. He was active in all civic works and took an interested part in the development of the channel and waterway of Joliet.
The J. C. Adler Company handle meats, eggs, oleomargarine, butter, a complete line of groceries, seeds, feeds, and vegetables of all kinds. They supply the surrounding towns of Ottawa, on the southwest, Aurora and Lemont on the north, and Kankakee on the east, selling the Adler Jim-Dandy products, of lard, bacon, sausage, hams, eggs. They have the only packing house outside the city of Chicago in this part of the country, and employ 75 men regularly. The present officers are: Jacob C. Adler, president; Dan P. Lennon, vice president; and Lawrence J. Adler, secretary and treasurer.
In 1897 Mr. Adler was married to Miss Elizabeth Young, a daughter of Henry and Mary Young. Mr. Young was a very well known citizen of Joliet where he was engaged in the real estate business. He built the Young Building. He was also prominent in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Adler have four children: 1. George Henry, a graduate of Joliet Junior High School and Armour Institute, received degree in electrical engi- neering at Armour Institute, now operating Superintendent of Crystal Lake for Public Service Company. 2. Catherine, a graduate of Joliet High School, Junior College, St. Mary's College Notre Dame, and received her Master of Arts degree from Chicago University, is a teacher in the Joliet High School. 3. Joseph L. a graduate of Joliet High School, and Notre Dame University, where he received his Bach- elor of Commerce degree, now secretary and treasurer of the Prilliman Adler Roofing Company. 4. Elizabeth, a graduate of St. Francis Aca- demy, Joliet Junior College, and St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind.
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In a local way Mr. Adler helped organize the Joliet Chamber of Com- merce, served as director of same for two terms. Mr. Adler is a mem- ber of St. Raymond's Catholic Church, one of the directors of the Joliet Trust & Savings Bank and past president of the Merchants Association. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Loyal Order of Moose and W. C. U. and is interested in the promotion of a greater Joliet and the Chicago waterways channel, which is now under construction.
Not only as a son of one of the pioneer business men of Joliet, but in his own individual sincerity and worthy endeavor Mr. Adler has won the esteem and confidence of the entire community.
John P. Hayden is among the highly esteemed citizens and repre- sentative business men of Joliet, where he is identified with the Farm- ers' Weekly Review as secretary, general manager and editor. He was born at Lowell, Ind., April 21, 1895, a son of Fred and Ella (Volkins) Hayden.
Fred Hayden was born in 1864. In early life he followed farming and general stock raising and was later associated with the Oxweld Acetylene Company, as a salesman in Indiana. He died Nov. 17, 1927, and is buried in West Creek Cemetery, Lowell, Ind. His widow, a native of Illinois, resides at Lowell. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayden were born the following children: Leslie, died at the age of five years; Leander, farmer, lives at Lowell, Ind .; Leonard, died in infancy ; Delbert, farmer, lives at Lowell; John P., the subject of this sketch; George, with the Cloverleaf Dairy Company, Indiana territory; Yrvie, also associated with the Cloverleaf Dairy Company, Chicago offices; Vivien, agent Northern Life Insurance Company of Hammond, Ind .; and Vera, was graduated from Lowell High School in 1928.
John P. Hayden received his education in the public schools of Lowell and was graduated from Valparaiso University in 1916. He then taught school at Grant Park, Ill., and at Momence, Ill. He afterward became associated with the Western Steel Car Company for a short period. He became interested in newspaper work while at Minneapolis, Minn. He came to Joliet as manager of the classified advertising depart- ment of the Joliet Times, and in August, 1922, was one of the founders of the Farmers Weekly Review. With Judge Adams he is now sole owner of the publication, which has a circulation of over 5,000. They
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are also interested in publishing work of all kinds, and specialize in school magazines and papers. The plant also does commercial printing.
On Jan. 29, 1917, Mr. Hayden married Miss Mary Bieth, a native of Illinois. She is a graduate of Joliet Township High School and the University of Illinois, where she specialized in the study of music. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden have a daughter, Marjory Lorraine.
Mr. Hayden is a Republican, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce.
Matt Bloomfield, M. D .- A member of the medical profession dis- tinguished by more than 14 years of service in Joliet is Dr. Matt Bloom- field, a native of Illinois, and a member of one of the substantial families of the State. He was born at Toledo, Ill., Dec. 25, 1887, the son of Dr. Robert G. and Julia (Hurst) Bloomfield.
Dr. Robert G. Bloomfield, deceased, was a native of Illinois. He was born at Toledo, May 31, 1860. He was a graduate of Rush Medical College in the class of 1884 and became one of the leading surgeons of the section of the State in which he lived, carrying on an extensive prac- tice at Toledo. He later lived in Oklahoma City, Okla. Doctor Bloom- field died in May, 1924, and is buried at Toledo, Ill. His widow now resides in Oklahoma City. To Doctor and Mrs. Bloomfield were born four children: Austin, deceased; Matt, the subject of this sketch; Lottie, married Charles Unger, lives at Oklahoma City, Okla .; and Elma, married Joseph Vahlberg, lives at Oklahoma City, Okla.
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