USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 20
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Weitzel: Harry S., the subject of this sketch; and Emma, married George Rigby, Jr., grocer, lives in Joliet.
Harry S. Weitzel obtained his early education in the public schools of Joliet and in 1915 was graduated from the Chicago College of Napra- pathy. He immediately established his present practice in Joliet, with offices in the Morris Building. Doctor Weitzel has been unusually suc- cessful in his particular work and has an excellent practice.
On April 26, 1916, Doctor Weitzel was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Shepley, of Minooka, Ill. They have two children: Mary Louise, born Feb. 15, 1918, and John Shepley was born Sept. 21, 1919.
Doctor Weitzel is identified with the Republican party in politics and he is affiliated with the Masonic lodge and its various organizations.
Ona E. McGovney, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Mokena, is a member of one of the oldest families of Will County. He was born at Mokena, Sept. 11, 1879, a son of Ozias Erwin and Georgia C. (Knapp) McGovney.
A complete sketch of Ozias Erwin McGovney appears elsewhere in this history.
Ona E. McGovney received his education in the public schools of his native town and in 1897 began teaching school in District No. 121 and taught school for six years. In 1903 he became interested in the insur- ance business in his father's office, later succeeding to the business. In 1910 he was appointed postmaster of Mokena, in which capacity he served until 1919. He has also served as mayor and for 20 years has been a member of the village board, as well as secretary of the school board.
On Sept. 24, 1914, Mr. McGovney married Miss Amanda L. Staffel, the daughter of William and Fredericka (Krueger) Staffel. Mr. and Mrs. Staffel were natives of Illinois. Mr. Staffel is deceased and his widow lives at Blue Island. To Mr. and Mrs. McGovney were born three children: Elmira T., Erwin W., and O. Ellsworth.
Mr. McGovney is a Republican, a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175, Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet Council, R. and S. M. No. 82; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; and Modern Woodmen of America. During the World War Mr. McGovney was active in the
ONA E. M.GOVNEY
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work of the American Protective League, a member of the Four Minute Men, and was prominent in Liberty Loan and allied drives. In 1927 he became a charter member of the Civil Legion, being one of the first three men in Will County to become a member of this organization.
Carl G. Wollett, who is general superintendent of the General Refrac- tories Company, is among the substantial and widely known citizens of Joliet. He was born at Huntingdon, Pa., Feb. 14, 1891, the son of Scott S. and Anna (Wagner) Wollett.
Scott S. Wollett, deceased, was a native of Pennsylvania. He was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad for many years and was serv- ing as a freight conductor when he was killed in a wreck. His widow lives at Mount Union, Pa. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wollett; Aubrey, engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, lives in Pittsburgh, Pa .; William B., a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, lives at Homestead, Pa .; John S., lives in Pittsburgh, Pa .; Mary, died at the age of 22 years, was the wife of Frank Jones, of Mount Union, Pa .; Carl G., the subject of this sketch; Ard, lives at Mount Union, Pa .; and Scott S., lives at Homestead, Pa.
The boyhood of Carl G. Wollett was spent at Pittsburgh, Pa., where he attended the public and high schools. The family lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., for about 12 years and after leaving Pittsburgh, Pa., the family moved to Mount Union, Pa., where Mr. Wollett was employed in a brick works. He has been associated with the General Refractories Company since 1916, having come to Joliet in May, 1912, to enter the employ of the American Refractories Company, which is now part of the General Refractories Company. The companies were merged in 1916. From 1912 until 1916 Mr. Wollett was connected with the Rockdale plant. He has held his present position as general superintendent since January, 1924.
On June 2, 1917, Mr. Wollett was united in marriage with Miss Mamie E. Cullman, of Joliet, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cull- man. The former is deceased and Mrs. Cullman lives in Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Wollett have a daughter, Dorothy Jean, who was born Aug. 30, 1925.
Mr. Wollett is a Republican, a member of the English Lutheran Church of Joliet, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge.
18-VOL. 2
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Julius G. Weese, who is connected with the Weese Printing Com- pany, is widely known among the energetic business men of Joliet. He was born Feb. 22, 1895, in Joliet, and is the son of Julius and Mary A. (Scheidt) Weese.
Julius Weese, deceased, was a native of Joliet, where he spent his entire life. He became interested in the printing business and devoted his life to that work, being the founder of the Weese Printing Company. He died in 1917 at the age of 42 years. His widow, a native of Alsace- Lorraine, now resides in Joliet. There were the following children in the Weese family: Julius G., the subject of this sketch; John M., in business with his brother, Julius; Marie, the wife of Frederick F. Van Horn, Joliet, Ill .; Frederick, deceased; Leo Arthur, resides in Lockport Town- ship; Alma A., wife of Stanley Lawson, Joliet, Ill .; Josephine M., mar- ried Irving Koppelman, Joliet, Ill .; and Raymond L., Joliet, Ill.
Julius G. Weese grew up in Joliet and received his education in the public and parochial schools. Since 1917 he has been conducting the business which was established by his father in 1912. Both he and his brother are capable business men and are successfully carrying on this well established business.
Mr. Weese is a Republican, a member of St. John's Catholic Church, and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Western Catholic Union, and president of the Speed Boys Athletic Club, the Joliet Rivals Club, and is also a member of the Joliet Typographical Union No. 194 and Central Trades and Labor Council of Will County. He is not married.
Oscar Gross is prominent in Joliet, where he has been associated with the Winckler Decorating Company for many years. He was born in Chicago, June 1, 1876, the son of Arnold and Leona (Bercher) Gross.
Arnold Gross was born in Cadelburg, on the Rhine, Germany, in 1829, and his wife was a native of Switzerland. He came to the United States in 1850, making the voyage in one of the first steamships. He settled in Joliet, where he was employed as a stone cutter. A brother, Alexander Gross, was superintendent of the mason work during the building of the state capitol building. Mr. Gross later lived in Chicago for about 15 years. He died May 22, 1892, and his wife died in 1886. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross were born three children: Oscar, the subject of this sketch; Lena, un- married, lives at Atwood, Ill .; and Ernest W., lives in Chicago.
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Oscar Gross was ten years old when his family left Chicago and moved to Joliet. He was educated in the public schools and early in life served an apprenticeship with Fred Faust, decorator and painter. After seven years in the employ of Mr. Faust, Mr. Gross spent two years in the employ of his brother, Henry Faust. He later became associated with Mr. Winckler and William Doerfler for one year, and after the death of Mr. Winckler, Mr. Gross and Mr. Doerfler purchased Mr. Winckler's interests in the decorating business. Mr. Winckler was one of the pioneers of Joliet, in the decorating business. In 1908 he entered into partnership with Mr. Gross and Mr. Doerfler, and the firm name has been known as the Winckler Decorating Company since that time. They are among the leading painting and decorating contractors of Joliet. They have been in their present location at 125 South Bluff Street since 1911. The Winckler Decorating Company is widely known throughout Will County. They also do high grade decorating and interior work.
Mr. Gross married Miss Elizabeth Goetschel, a native of Germany, the daughter of George and Anna A. Goetschal. The former is deceased and the latter lives in Joliet. The Goetschel family came to America from Germany in 1848 and were pioneer settlers of Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have no children.
Mr. Gross is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, the Knight Templar and Chapters and Councils, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Chamber of Commerce.
Francis D. Willard, vice president of the First National Bank of Wilmington, has had a veteran's service in banking, being connected with this institution for the past 25 years. He was born at Wilmington, Dec. 18, 1876, the son of E. W. and Jessie (Duck) Willard.
E. W. Willard, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer settler of Wilmington, having located here in 1856. He was born in New York State, Oct. 22, 1838. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, 23rd New York Volunteer Infantry, and was later com- missioned first lieutenant, attached to the 138th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Willard was a pioneer druggist of Joliet and Wilmington, where he engaged in business for many years. He was prominent in Masonic circles in Will County and for a number of years was com- mander of the Knights Templar. He was a Republican in politics. Mr. Willard died Dec. 16, 1922. His wife, who was born in DuPage County,
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Ill., March 9, 1848, died Sept. 16, 1917. Both are buried in Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Willard were born three children : Francis D., the subject of this sketch; Edward Hartley, who lives at Portland, Ore .; and Jessie Roberts, who lives in Connecticut. Edward Hartley Willard, was for many years a lumber dealer of Portland, where he operated three large lumber yards.
Francis D. Willard attended the public schools of Joliet. He was also educated at Oberlin College. In 1886 his parents removed to Joliet from Wilmington, where he resided for a number of years. He began his business career in the newspaper field and was later connected with wholesale grocery firms in Joliet and Lincoln, Neb., and from there went to Portland, Ore., where he was identified with the lumber business. He was connected with the First National Bank of Portland for a time, and upon his return to Joliet in 1904, entered the employ of the First National Bank, Wilmington. He has held practically every position in the bank during his connection with this institution, and has been vice president since 1920. He lives at 407 Union Street, Joliet.
In 1906 Mr. Willard married Miss Mary Rathbone, of Fort Morgan, Colo. They have two children, Juliet and Edward, who attend Wash- ington School.
Mr. Willard has always been a Republican. He holds membership in the Presbyterian Church of Joliet.
The First National Bank of Wilmington, which was organized in 1863, is the oldest National Bank in Will County, its charter being No. 177. It has a surplus of $50,000, and a capital stock of $50,000.
James G. Heggie .- One of the progressive business men of Joliet is found in James G. Heggie, who is president of the James G. Heggie & Sons Steel Plate Construction Company. He is also president of the Heggie Simplex Boiler Company. He was born in Scotland, Oct. 18, 1853, the son of John and Margaret (Smith) Heggie.
John Heggie, deceased, was a native of Scotland, where he spent practically his entire life as overseer of a large estate. He died at the age of 80 years and his wife died at the age of 84 years. Both are buried in Scone, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Heggie were the parents of five children, as follows: Jessie, deceased, was the wife of James Simpson; John, retired, resides in Joliet; Mary, deceased; Isabella, deceased, was the wife of David Dixon and James G., the subject of this sketch.
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James G. Heggie spent his boyhood in his native land and was edu- cated there. He came to this country at the age of 20 years and settled in Chicago. In 1875 he came to Joliet where he entered the employ of the employ of the Joliet Steel Company. He was employed in their shops for 17 years and resigned as foreman boilermaker. In 1892, in partnership with his brother, John Heggie, he organized the Heggie Brothers Company. The partnership continued for ten years, at which time James G. Heggie purchased his brother's interest. The plant con- tinued in operation until 1913 when the business was incorporated as the James G. Heggie & Sons Steel Plate Construction Company. It is located at 1708 Collins Street. The Heggie Simplex Boiler Company, which employs about 80 men, is among the leading industrial plants of the city. They are builders of a special type of house heating boilers, which has an extensive domestic and foreign market. The officers of this company are as follows: James G. Heggie, president; John F. Heggie, vice president ; and Charles A. Russell, Secretary and Treasurer. Thomas M. Meldrum is paymaster for both plants.
In December, 1878, Mr. Heggie was united in marriage in Chicago with Miss Kate Fraser, a native of Canada. She died in October, 1925, at the age of 67 years, and is buried in Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Heggie the following children were born: John F., lives at Joliet; Thomas M., lives at Joliet, where he is manager of the Collins Street plant : James M., died in 1918, at the age of 35 years; William R., who is shop superintendent of the Collins Street plant; Robert B., who is general utility man of the Collins Street plant; Fred, who is identified with the Heggie and Sons Steel Plant as assistant to his father, Joliet, Ill .; Jeanette Margaret, died at the age of 25 years; and Gordon A., who is superintendent of the Heggie Simplex Boiler Company.
James M. Heggie and Jeanette Margaret Heggie both died in Novem- ber, 1918, from influenza, their deaths having occurred within 24 hours of each other.
Mr. Heggie is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He has served as alderman of Joliet and has always been active in civic affairs. He is a director of the Joliet Trust & Savings Bank. The family residence is at 204 Richards Street.
Mr. Heggie is a lover of poetry, the poet Byron, being his favorite author. He is also a reader of Scott and Thomas Hood. The poem, Hoods "Miss Kilmansegg and Her Precious Leg," consisting of 363 verses, is among the numerous recitations of Mr. Heggie.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Franklin A. Deutschman is prominent in Elwood, where he is iden- tified with the Elwood Farmers Grain Company as manager. He was born on a farm in Jackson Township, Will County, March 30, 1875, the son of Herman and Sarah (Gockley) Deutschman.
Herman Deutschman, deceased, was a native of Germany. When he was 15 years of age he came to the United States with his father and settled in Jackson Township, Will County, where he spent the rest of his life as a general farmer and stockman. He was the owner of 320 acres of well improved land. Mr. Deutschman met with an accidental death, July 31, 1911, when 60 years of age. He is buried in North Ridge Cemetery, Jackson Township. He was a Democrat, a member of the German Lutheran Church, and was well known in his community. His widow, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., has been a resident of Jackson Township since she was 12 years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Deutschman the following children were born: Clara, born Dec. 10, 1872, married Henry Buckman, lives at Larned, Kan .; Franklin A., the subject of this sketch; Ella, born June 5, 1877, married M. Gardner, lives in Kansas City, Mo .; Anna, born Nov. 4, 1878, married Chris Buck- man, lives at Momence, Ill .; Wallace H., born Aug. 28, 1880, a farmer, lives in Jackson Township; Aaron D., born March 30, 1884, died Aug. 28, 1884; Minnie, born June 27, 1885, married Otto Goranson, lives at Freeport, Ill .; Josephine, born July 4, 1887, married Henry Reed, a farmer, lives in Jackson Township; Viola, born Oct. 27, 1889, married John Hess, a farmer, lives in Jackson Township; William A., born Sept. 14, 1891, a farmer, lives in Canada; Dora, born Nov. 16, 1893, married Paul Schiffler, lives at Napersville, Ill .; and Ira, born Oct. 19, 1896, died Aug. 24, 1897.
Franklin A. Deutschman obtained his education in the public schools of Elwood and attended Mount Morris College. He also took a business course in Joliet and began his business career in the offices of the Phoenix Horseshoe Works in this city. Later he spent two years in the employ of the Schweizer Commission Company, Chicago, and in 1914 became identified with the Elwood Farmers Grain Company. For the past 13 years he has been manager of the business.
On June 30, 1910, Mr. Deutschman was married at Manhattan, Ill., to Miss Milly Kahnt, a native of Germany, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kahnt, early settlers of Kankakee County, Ill., where Mr. Kahnt is a well known farmer. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Deutsch- man have a daughter, Ruth, who attends Joliet Township High School.
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Politically Mr. Deutschman is a Republican. He has held several township offices and at the present time is treasurer of the Elwood School Board. He is a member of the Evangelical Church of South Ridge, Jackson Township.
The Elwood Farmers Grain Company was organized in May, 1914, with a capital stock of $10,000. It does an annual volume of business amounting to more than $350,000. Officers of the company are as follows: Frank Lichtenwalter, president; H. W. Palmer, vice president ; Raymond Tehle, secretary; and Edward Herbert, treasurer. All are residents of Jackson Township.
John Coldwater, mayor of Elwood, is a representative citizen of Will County, where he has spent practically his entire life. He was born at Fishkill, N. Y., June 13, 1856, the son of Adam and Mary (Burnhardt) Coldwater.
Both Adam Coldwater and his wife were natives of Germany and early settlers of New York. They came to Jackson Township, Will County, during the early days and settled on a tract of 400 acres. Mr. Coldwater died in 1874 and his wife died in 1872. They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Coldwater were born eight children, of whom John, the subject of this sketch, was the oldest.
John Coldwater obtained his education in the district school and throughout his active career engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has lived in Will County since 1858 and until his retire- ment in 1915 ranked among the leading stockmen of this section of the state. He is the owner of 360 acres in Jackson Township, and also owns 500 acres of land in Rice County, Kansas. He spent 15 summers on his farm in Kansas, where he was interested in sheep raising.
On Jan. 9, 1879, Mr. Coldwater was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Lingle of Jackson Township, the daughter of Henry and Bar- bara Lingle, pioneers of Will County. To Mr. and Mrs. Coldwater were born nine children, as follows: Frances, died at the age of 30 years, was the wife of John Eaton, of Jackson Township, and they had two daughters, Hazel and Gladys; Aaron, married Alice Jorgensen, lives near Elwood; Charles, died at the age of 20 years; Edward, married Pearl Myers, lives near Elwood, and they have three children, Donald, Franklin, and Beatrice; Venus, died at the age of three years; Walter,
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lives on the Coldwater farm in Rice County, Kansas, married Gladys Caldwell, and they have a son, Walter, Jr .; Lester, lives at Joliet, mar- ried Miss Minnie Jorgensen; Bert, lives on the Coldwater homestead in Jackson Township, married Esther Bird; and Chester, lives at Elwood, married Miss Ada Caldwell, and they have a son, Harold.
Mr. Coldwater is independent in politics. He has served as mayor of Elwood for the past 12 years and has also filled other important offices in the community, having served as justice of the peace, highway com- missioner, town clerk, and school trustee. For a number of years he served as manager of the Elwood Elevator Company.
Ernest G. McMahan, M. D .- One of the foremost of the younger phy- sicians and surgeons of Will County, Dr. McMahan, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Mokena, is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Newport, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1892, the son of Albert and Hester (McNabb) McMahan.
Albert McMahan, who died in 1927, was a native of Cocke County, Tenn., where he spent his entire life. He was a farmer. In politics he was a Republican and served as county judge. He was a deacon of the Baptist Church and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. McMahan was a son of Andrew P. and Caroline (Haywood) Mc- Mahan, natives of North Carolina, and early settlers of Tennessee. Andrew P. McMahan was killed in action during the Civil War while serving as a member of a Tennessee outfit. Hester McNabb McMahan, who died in 1902, was the daughter of Tipton McNabb, who was killed in action during the Civil War. He is buried at Newport, Tenn.
To Albert and Hester (McNabb) McMahan were born eight children, as follows: Elizabeth, married W. A. Collins, lives at Cleveland, Ohio; Alice, married William Killion, lives at Jefferson City, Tenn .; James H., lives at Knoxville, Tenn .; Oscar L., attorney, lives at Morristown, Tenn .; Noah L., World War veteran, lives at Newport, Tenn .; Ernest G., the subject of this sketch; Jessie, married Thomas Clevenger, lives at New- port, Tenn .; and Roy L., who died in 1902.
Ernest G. McMahan spent his early life at Newport, Tenn., and after his graduation from high school in 1910 he entered Carson and Newman College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1914. He spent the following two years as a teacher at Blackwell, Okla., and Newport, Tenn., after which he entered Loyola University, Chicago. He
ERNEST G. McMAHAN, M. D.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
was graduated from that institution with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine in 1920, spent the following year as an interne in St. Mary's Hos- pital, Chicago, and during 1921-22 was house physician at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Ill. He established his offices at Mokena, in 1923, and has continued there to the present time.
In June, 1918, Dr. McMahan enlisted in the Medical Corps, U. S. Army and was sent to Allentown, Pa., where he was attached to Hospital Unit, No. 102. He was discharged from the service, Jan. 10, 1919.
In 1919 Dr. McMahan was united in marriage with Miss May C. Krusmark, the daughter of Lewis Krusmark, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
Dr. McMahan is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, and Joliet Country Club. He is identified with the Will County Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and is a member of the staffs of Silver Cross Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital.
Edward A. Schwartz is a well known business man of Joliet, where he is identified with the S. A. Brewster Printing Company. He was born in Joliet, May 10, 1887, the son of Julius and Carrie (Rudolph) Schwartz.
Julius Schwartz, deceased, was a native of Germany, and his wife was born at Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1869 he came to the United States and settled at Joliet, where he was employed by the Western Stone Company for many years. He died in 1907 and is buried in Zarley Cemetery, Joliet. His widow lives in this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz the following children were born: Julius and Charles, who are identified with the Schwartz Brothers, printers, Joliet; Pauline, died in infancy; Edward A., the subject of this sketch; and Oscar, with the Gerlach-Barklow Company, Joliet.
Edward A. Schwartz was educated in the public schools of Joliet and learned the printer's trade when he was 13 years old, in the employ of C. B. Hayward. After three years in his employ he engaged in the printing business with his brothers, Julius and Charles, the business being known as Schwartz Brothers. Mr. Schwartz sold his interests after six years and became associated with the S. A. Brewster Printing Company, which was organized in January, 1912. Mr. Schwartz has been owner of the business since April, 1925. He specializes in com-
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mercial printing and has an extensive trade in Joliet and the surround- ing towns.
Mr. Schwartz married Miss Eva DuBien of Joliet, and they have two children, Edward and Evelyn.
Mr. Schwartz is a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Chamber of Commerce. He is identified with the Democratic party in politics.
Daniel N. Blatt, retired, is one of the best known men of Elwood, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for more than 30 years. He was born in Denmark, March 13, 1864, the son of Neil J. and Christine (Fredericksen) Blatt.
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