USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 23
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Mr. Patterson is a Republican and a member of the Salem Evan- gelical Church, of which he is trustee. He has served as school trustee of Wheatland Township for many years.
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Peter Shutts is a substantial and honorable practitioner at the Will County bar, and for some years has been a prominent figure in public life. In the field of his profession he has established a wide reputation for unflagging earnestness and effective work, and his official record has always been one absolutely beyond reproach. Mr. Shutts was born in Ulster County, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1849, a son of John and Catherine (Cole) Shutts.
John Shutts was born in Columbia County, N. Y. He was among the early settlers of Will County, coming here in 1855, and locating on a farm in Joliet Township, now the site of the Joliet Country Club. He was the owner of 256 acres of land, 80 acres of which were raw prairie. He carried on general farming and stock raising. He was a Democrat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and served as supervisor of Will County for several years. He died in 1898, and his wife died in the seventies. There were seven children in the Shutts family: Cath- erine, married, Thomas Tait, of Will County, both deceased; Helen, Samuel, John, Cassius, all deceased; Frank, lives in Kansas; and Mary, deceased.
Peter Shutts attended the rural school, which is now the wood shed for the Babylon school, near the Country Club. He read law with Judge Randall and Royal A. Barber, later forming a partnership with James R. Flanders. In 1882 he withdrew from the partnership and began his own private practice. He is the oldest practicing attorney in this section and still active in the law. He is a stanch Democrat and for many years has been school inspector.
Peter Shutts married Miss Harriet Bush, born in Joliet, the daugh- ter of Frank and Harriet (Diverson) Bush. Mr. Bush was born in Joliet, and his wife was a native of England. Mr. Bush was a pioneer merchant of this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Shutts the following children were born: Gladys, at home; Marjorie, married Alfred J. Gunderson, with the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company, Cleveland, Ohio; Irving, associated with his father in the practice of law; Glenn, in the electrical business, Chicago. He enlisted in the World War from Will County, and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station. He was 18 years of age at the time he enlisted in 1918 and served throughout the remainder of the war; and Janet, a teacher, lives at home.
Irving Shutts attended the public and high schools of Joliet and was graduated from the latter in 1909. He then entered the University of Michigan and received his degree of L. L. B. from the Law Department in 1913, and was admitted to the County Bar. Since that time he has
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been engaged in practice at Joliet, with offices at 207 Will County National Bank Building.
On Aug. 26, 1926, Mr. Irving Shutts married Miss Mildred C. Barker, a native of Newport, R. I. They have a son, Eugene, born May 29, 1917. Mr. Shutts is a Republican.
John Stephen .- For many years one of the most representative and respected citizens of Will County, Ill., was the late John Stephen. He was born in the Province of Alsace, then of France, but later belonging to Germany, on July 18, 1839, the son of John Stephen, and his mother, whose maiden name was Odelia Haude, were likewise natives of the province, where they were reared and married. They lived there until 1846, then emigrated to America, leaving on a sailing vessel from Havre. They proceeded directly to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, but lived in that state only six months, coming thence to Illinois and located in Joliet Township, Will County, where he engaged in farming for a number of years. They later removed to Joliet where the last seven years of their life were spent. There were five children born to them, four sons and one daughter, of which John, the subject of this sketch, was the third child. John Stephen, Jr., was a child of seven years when his parents came to America, and he had a dim recollection of his old home in France and of the scenes and incidents attending the voyage to America. He lived with his parents until he was 23 years of age, when he was married and settled in the town of Troy, living there two years, thence returned to the old homestead which later became his property.
John Stephen was married on Oct. 13, 1863, to Miss Rachel, a daugh- ter of Ignatz and Mary (Walter) Schall. The parents of Mrs. Stephen were also natives of Alsace and came to America in about 1847, settling near Rome, N. Y., later coming to Will County, Ill. They lived in the town of Troy for several years, and then removed to Joliet, where they resided until their death. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Stephen was the youngest. She was born June 28, 1845, and was therefore less than two years of age when her parents emi- grated to America. Mr. Stephen died Sept. 23, 1916, and Mrs. Stephen died Oct. 10, 1913. Both are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Joliet.
Mr. Stephen was a very successful farmer and stockman of Joliet Township, owning 330 acres of land at one time, and later 250 acres, all located on Troy Road, two miles west of the city of Joliet. He served
JOHN STEPHEN
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
as township highway commissioner of Joliet, and was a director of the Reed School Board for 12 years. He was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church.
To John and Rachel (Schall) Stephen nine children were born. 1. Clara, married Joseph Nussbaum, retired farmer, 101 Comstock Street, Joliet. 2. Mary R., married Joseph Heintz, lives at 707 Western Avenue. 3. John E., farmer and stockman, Kane County. 4. Frances M., married A. A. Nussbaum, connected with Joliet Herald-News, lives at 211 North Hickory Street. 5. Josephine A., married John J. Wellnitz, attorney, lives at 915 Western Avenue. 6. Adeline M., the widow of P. A. Murphy, lives at 905 Wilcox Street. Before her marriage she was a teacher in the Joliet city schools. 7. Amelia E., a nun, with the Sisters of St. Francis, stationed at Mansfield, Ohio. 8. Lenora S., a nun, also with the Sisters of St. Francis, Mansfield, Ohio. 9. Raymond A., a com- plete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
The habits of thrift and industry to which John Stephen was trained from boyhood followed him through life, and in his latter years he was supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He had a large circle of friends who have the kindest recollections of him.
Raymond A. Stephen, secretary and treasurer of the J. L. Ferguson Company, is a native of Will County. He was born in Joliet Township, July 18, 1886, the son of John and Rachel (Schall) Stephen.
A complete sketch of John Stephen and his family will be found else- where in this history.
Raymond A. Stephen attended the public and high schools of Joliet and also graduated from Putland's Business College. He began his business life doing office work in Joliet and Chicago, and from 1912 until 1920 was located at Hammond, Ind., where he was chief clerk with the Northern Indiana Gas and Electric Company. In 1920 he returned to Joliet and became identified with the Commonwealth Motor Company as cost accountant, and in 1922 connected with the J. L. Ferguson Com- pany, as secretary and treasurer.
On July 18, 1917, Mr. Stephen was united in marriage with Miss Jessie M. Birkey, who was born in Joliet, July 6, 1891. She is the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Pittman) Birkey. Mr. Birkey was born in Iowa City, Iowa, and is a veteran well driller of Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Birkey the following children were born: William, a fireman, Joliet,
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a veteran of the World War; Avis, married Leo St. Julien, storekeeper, Illinois Steel Company, Joliet; Jessie Stephen; Gordon, with Barrett Hardware Company, Joliet, a veteran of the World War; Ralph, clerk of the E. J. & E. Railroad, Joliet, a World War veteran, served overseas one year; Elmer, salesman for A. Leath Furniture Company; Richard, clerk at E. J. & E. Railroad, Joliet ; Robert, confectionery business, Joliet ; Brownell, a student; Alice, married Thomas Reilly, teacher Joliet Town- ship High School. Mrs. Stephen before her marriage was for four years a teacher in the schools of Joliet Township.
Mr. Stephen is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. The Stephen family has been prominent in Will County for years, where the name stands for integrity, for uprightness and for patriotic service.
Henry R. Pohl, who for more than half a century has been associated with the Peoples Loan & Homestead Association, has been an important factor in the growth and development of that institution. He was born in Germany, April 14, 1851, the son of Henry and Rosalia (Haupt) Pohl.
Henry Pohl emigrated to this country from Germany with his fam- ily in 1853 and settled in Chicago. The following year he removed to Joliet, being one of the first settlers of this section of the state. He was a tanner by trade. Mr. Pohl was a Democrat, a member of the Lutheran Church, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He is deceased. His wife died in Chicago in 1854. Their only child was Henry R., the subject of this sketch.
The boyhood of Henry R. Pohl was spent in Joliet, and he received his education in the public schools. He served as assistant county clerk of Will County for one and one-half years and then became deputy circuit clerk, in which capacity he served for 14 years. He also was circuit clerk for eight years. In 1877 Mr. Pohl became identified with the Peoples Loan & Homestead Association and since that date has served as secretary of the organization. He has also been presi- dent of the Joliet Title & Guarantee Company.
Mr. Pohl was married July 29, 1874, to Miss Harriet E. Decker, who was born at Troy, N. Y., May 5, 1850, the daughter of Melvin Decker. Mr. Decker was born in New York and was an early settler of Iowa, having located at Maquoketa, where he was well known as a merchant and an interior decorator. He and his wife are deceased. They had
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
three children: Robert M., deceased; Harriet E. Pohl; and Ella J., the widow of Louis Anderson, lives at Waterloo, Ia. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pohl: Robert H., born May 9, 1875, a veteran of the Spanish American War, died Jan. 31, 1928, buried at Hot Springs, S. D .; Frederick W., born in May, 1880, secretary of the Peoples Loan & Homestead Association, Joliet; and John M., born Nov. 30, 1881, lives at Joliet.
Mr. Pohl has always been a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a highly esteemed citizen of Joliet.
E. J. Perry, of Joliet, is regarded as one of the city's successful industrial executives. He is superintendent of the American Can Com- pany. Mr. Perry was born in Canada, Jan. 28, 1892, the son of Henry L. and Susan (Droulliard) Perry.
Henry L. Perry spent his early life in Canada, and in 1898 removed to Michigan with his family. He is a stationary engineer and still resides in Detroit. To Mr. and Mrs. Perry the following children were born: Fanny, married W. C. Churchill, superintendent of the Edsel Ford estate at Milford, Mich .; Alice, married Frank Schultz, superin- tendent of the Eagle Plant of the Ford Motor Company, Detroit ; Albert, lives in Canada, is a veteran of the World War; Arson, property superin- tendent for the Buick Motor Company, Flint, Mich .; E. J., the subject of this sketch; Edna, married J. C. Bradford, photographer, Detroit, Mich .; Eva, married A. J. Stuart, foreman, Detroit Twist Drill Company, Detroit; Ernest, employed in the public works department, Detroit; Rose, supervisor of the Detroit Bell Telephone Company, lives at home; and Leo, connected with the Detroit Checker Cab Company, Detroit.
The education of E. J. Perry was obtained in the public schools of Detroit and the Catholic High School from which he was graduated in 1908. Three years later he entered the employ of the American Can Company in Detroit as a storage clerk. He came to Joliet in 1914 and served as department foreman for four years, as assistant superintend- ent for four years, and in 1923 was promoted to superintendent of the local plant.
On Oct. 23, 1917, Mr. Perry married Miss Helen C. Prange, who was born at Joliet, July 29, 1895, the daughter of Albert and Rose (Schmidt) Prange, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Prange, now residents of Joliet, have four children: Frank, lives at Joliet; Martha, married
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Charles Fletcher, lives at Phoenix, Ariz .; August, lives at Joliet; and Helen C. Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Perry have two children: E. J., Jr., born July 6, 1919; and Doris, born Feb. 15, 1922.
Mr. Perry and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
John Devine, a doctor of dental surgery, who is engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at Joliet, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Streator, Aug. 20, 1904, the son of Charles and Mary (James) Devine.
Charles Devine, who now lives retired at Streator, was for many years a leading merchant of that city. His wife, was born in Coal City, Ill. They were the parents of five children: John, the subject of this sketch; Charles, a banker, Oconto, Neb .; Thaddeus and Edward, stu- dents; Martha, deceased. Mr. Devine is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Eagles.
John Devine attended the public schools and prepared for his pro- fession in Creighton University, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1926. In the same year he returned to Joliet and has built up a good practice. His offices are located at 406 the Rialto Building.
During the World War Dr. Divine attended the military training school at Creighton University and received a commission as first lieu- tenant. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and one of the popular young men of Joliet. He is a member of the American Dental Association.
L. M. Struzynski, M. D., is a physician and surgeon of Joliet, with offices at 704 North Chicago Street. He was born in Warsaw, Poland, a son of Dr. Leonard Joseph and Josephine (Czajkowski) Struzynski.
The Struzynski family emigrated to the United States in the early days, locating first in Pennsylvania, and then going to Illinois, and locating at Joliet, where Dr. Leonard J. Struzynski was a pioneer phy- sician. He also served in the Revolutionary War. He died in 1909 and his wife died in 1903. They are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Joliet. There were six children in the Struzynski family, L. M., being the fourth in order of birth.
Dr. Struzynski was educated in his native land. After a medical course in Northwestern University, he graduated with the class of 1904,
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He established his office at Joliet, that year, and has continued there to the present time. He served as Health Commissioner of Rockdale for two terms, and was pen- sion examiner for 13 years. He is on the medical staff of the Joliet hospitals, and has a large practice.
He is a member of the American, State and County Medical asso- ciations.
In 1911 Dr. Struzynski was married to Lillian Lohman, a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
W. W. Ducett, of the firm of Kaiser & Ducett, general building con- tractors, ranks high among the most successful business men of Joliet. He was born at Chippewa Falls, Wis., May 22, 1884, the son of George and Lucy (Doyle) Ducett.
George Ducett came to the United States from Canada in early life and settled at Chippewa Falls, Wis. He removed to Chicago in 1893, where he became successful as a building contractor. He is still inter- ested in the business in Chicago. Mr. Ducett is a Democrat and a mem- ber of the Catholic Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Ducett the following children were born: W. W., the subject of this sketch; May, the widow of William Bassett, lives at Grand Rapids, Mich .; Alice, the widow of James Weatherall, lives in Chicago; Ernest, lives at Harvey, Ill .; Edward J., real estate broker, lives in Chicago; Gustave A., a World War veteran, having served with the U. S. Marines, was disabled while in service, he now resides in Swan Lake, Mont .; Jeanette, married Edward McClain, lives in Chicago; Lee, electrical engineer, lives in Chicago, World War veteran, having served in France and Russia with the 127th Division, Regular Army; and Clarence, mortician, lives in Chicago, World War veteran, having served with the U. S. Navy. He enlisted in the service the day on which the war was declared and made 18 complete trips to France.
W. W. Ducett attended the public schools of Harvey, Ill., and when a boy learned the carpenter's trade. He was serving as superintendent of construction for a large building firm when 25 years of age, and in 1923, engaged in the general contracting business for himself as a mem- ber of the firm of Kaiser & Ducett. They specialize in the construction of theatres and bank buildings, and have contracts throughout the United States. During the World War Mr. Ducett was connected with
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
United States Government ship building, and served as a division super- intendent at the Hog Island shipyards in Philadelphia.
On Sept. 5, 1905, Mr. Ducett married Miss Julia E. Goddard, of Creston, Iowa. She was born in 1884, the daughter of George and Minerva (Thorn) Goddard, both deceased. Mr. Goddard was born at Galesburg, Ill., and was an early settler of Creston, Iowa. He was a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard have the following children: William, building contractor, lives at Cozad, Neb .; Martha, married William Cunningham, building contractor, Creston, Iowa; George, farmer, veteran of the Spanish American war, lives at Creston, Iowa :; Julia E. Ducett; Vant, farmer, veteran Spanish American War, lives in Wyoming; and Eva, deceased, was the wife of William Lacey, who lives at Creston, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Ducett a daughter was born, Jeanette Eleanor. She was born at Clay Center, Kan., Aug. 18, 1913, and died April 18, 1914.
Mr. Ducett is a Republican, a member of the Catholic Church, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, Joliet Country Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
Norman Macdonald, who is secretary of Kaiser & Ducett, general building contractors, has a wide acquaintance in the city of Joliet, where he was born May 1, 1881. He is the son of Norman and Annie (Bow- man) Macdonald.
Norman Macdonald was a native of Scotland and an early settler of Canada. He later lived in Chicago and came to Joliet in 1880, where he followed his trade as a blacksmith. He died in December, 1895, and his wife, a native of Scotland, died Sept. 5, 1911. Both are buried at Joliet. Mr. Macdonald was a Republican and a member of the Central Presby- terian Church. There were three children in the Macdonald family: Fannie, died at the age of four years; Norman, the subject of this sketch; and Anna, married W. G. Mateer, lives at Joliet.
Norman Macdonald received his early education in the public schools of Joliet and attended Denison University. He began his business career with the Illinois Steel Company in a clerical capacity, and later went with the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad, with whom he remained as chief clerk for 23 years. Mr. Macdonald has been identified with the contracting firm of Kaiser & Ducett as secretary since Decem- ber 15, 1924.
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On Oct. 5, 1913, Mr. Macdonald was united in marriage with Miss Josephine LeRette, who was born at Morris, Ill., May 3, 1885, the daugh- ter of Joseph and Margaret (Zimmerman) LeRette, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. LeRette are residents of Joliet. He is a Republican, and a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. To Mr. and Mrs. LeRette were born six children: Stella, married H. E. Carpenter, lives at Decatur, Ill .; Fred- erick, died in infancy; Catherine, married W. H. Hutchins, lives in Chicago; Henry, jeweler, lives at Morris, Ill .; Margaret, married Fred McCartan, lives at Elizabeth, N. J .; and Josephine Macdonald. Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald have three sons: Norman, Jr., born June 15, 1916; John Joseph, born April 26, 1919; and Robert L., born March 18, 1921.
Politically Mr. Macdonald is a Republican. He is a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with A. F. and A. M. No. 42, and the Elks Lodge, of which he is past worshipful master and exalted ruler at present.
William F. Meyer .- One of the representative young business men of Joliet is Mr. Meyer, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank. He was born in this city, Oct. 20, 1898, the son of Herman and Colina (Kingston) Meyer.
Herman Meyer was born at Bloomington, Ill., and in 1898 located at Joliet, where he entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company. He has continued in the company's service to the present time and is a highly respected and well known resident of the city. Mr. Meyer is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is also affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have three sons: Lawrence L., lives at Joliet; William F., the subject of this sketch; and George F., attends the University of Illinois.
The boyhood of William F. Meyer was spent in Joliet and he attended the public schools. After his graduation from Joliet Township High School in 1916 he entered Northwestern University. He spent two years as swimming instructor in the public schools of Joliet and began his banking career with the Woodruff Trust Company late in 1917. Two years later he went with the First National Bank as secretary. He has been assistant cashier of the institution since 1926.
Mr. Meyer is a member of the Methodist church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in the civic and business affairs of the city.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Londus Brannon, M. D .- Standing high among the professional men of Will County, Dr. Londus Brannon, of Joliet, has honorably earned the position he occupies in his profession and community. He was born at Forest Hill, Ind., a son of John and Sarah (Marker) Brannon.
John Brannon was of Irish extraction, his parents coming to the United States from Ireland in the early days and locating in New Jersey, where John was born. In early life he settled near Oxford, Ohio, where he married Sarah Marker, a native of Ohio, of German ancestry. Soon after their marriage they came to Decatur County, Ind., where Mr. Brannon engaged in farming and stock raising. He died in May, 1893, and his wife died in 1908. They are both buried at Greensburg, Ind. There were six children in the Brannon family: Marion, who died in infancy; Laura, the widow of William Garten, lives on the old homestead in Indiana; Isophene, married John Wright, lives in Decatur County, Ind .; Weller, a farmer and stockman, lives on the old homestead; Dr. Londus, the subject of this sketch; and G. H., a physician and surgeon, of Manhattan, Ill.
Preliminary to his professional training, Londus Brannon received his education in the local schools. He spent one year at the University at Hartsville, Ind., and at the age of 18 he commenced teaching school that he might obtain money to pursue a medical course, which he had already enthusiastically adopted. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. Wooden at Greensburg, Ind. Four years thereafter he was gradu- ated from the Medical Department of the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. He began the practice of his profession at Manhattan, Ill., where he remained until he decided to go to Chicago for the purpose of obtaining a thorough clinical training which is of incalculable value to the physi- cian and surgeon, the experience thus acquired being equal in scope and variety to that which the average practitioner obtains in a life time. Dr. Brannon spent 18 months attending clinics in the Chicago Hospital, during the last 12 months of this period he held the position of house surgeon and physician in the post graduate hospital. Thus equipped professionally, Dr. Brannon removed to Joliet, where he has since resided and successfully practiced. He was one of the organizers of the Silver Cross Hospital, placing that institution on an aseptic and antiseptic basis and holding the position of surgeon in chief of the staff of regu- lars. He was also a lecturer on the subject of surgery before the tran- ing school for nurses, and both as an educator and an operator has earned a high reputation. Dr. Brannon is a member of the Illinois
Loudux Brannon
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
State, the Will County, and the Chicago Medical Societies, as well as the American Medical Association.
Dr. Brannon was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones. They have a daughter, Edna Louise Brannon, a teacher in the vocational high school physical training department. The family home is at 313 Richards Street.
In 1914 Dr. Brannon spent three months in Europe studying and was out of Germany just four days when war was declared.
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