USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 24
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A. D. McDougall, cashier of the Illinois Steel Company, is a veteran of the World War, and a member of one of the earliest families of Joliet. He was born in this city, Aug. 2, 1887, a son of Duncan and Isabel (Beattie) McDougall.
Duncan McDougall came to the United States from Canada in 1868, and settled in Joliet. He was employed by the Illinois Steel Company for many years and died in 1912. His widow, also a native of London, Canada, resides at 113 Grover Street, Joliet. She is 82 years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. McDougall were born five children: Martha, married Elmer Pierce, lives at Joliet; Isabel, married F. S. Allen, lives at Los Angeles, Calif .; James, teller, Commercial Trust Company, Joliet; Albert, deceased; and A. D., the subject of this sketch.
Mr. McDougall is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, and Elks Lodge. He has a wide acquaintance in this city where he has spent his entire life.
Thomas C. Davis .- Among the prominent business men who have come to Joliet within recent years may be mentioned Thomas C. Davis, who is secretary of the Gerlach-Barklow Company. He was born in England, April 20, 1866, the son of James and Hannah (Carus) Davis.
James Davis, deceased, was a native of England. He lived there throughout his life and was employed in the government postal service. He died in 1879, and his wife died in 1895. They had five sons, three of whom are still living, as follows: Rev. Canon Davis, Bradford Cathedral, England; Rev. W. H. Davis, vicar Lower Brixham, Devon- shire, England; and Thomas C., the subject of this sketch.
Thomas C. Davis grew up in England and was educated there. In 1890 he went to Winnipeg, Canada, where he spent six years as pro-
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fessional accountant. He then went to St. Paul, Minn., and in 1908 came to Joliet, where he became identified with the Gerlach-Barklow Company, and has been secretary since 1922.
On Nov. 3, 1885, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Annie Russell, who was born in Birmingham, England., July 22, 1862. They have a daughter, Hetty Gladys, who was born Oct. 1, 1888. She was married April 27, 1918, to Lewis M. Body, of Chicago, and they have a daughter, Peggy Virginia, born in 1919.
Mr. Davis is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, and is past president of the Rotary Club of Joliet.
Frank E. Pennuto, a progressive and well known merchant of Joliet, who is in the hardware, plumbing and sheet metal business, at 811 Col- lins Street, is a native of Italy. He was born there Jan. 27, 1889, a son of Charles and Rosa (Gallo) Pennuto.
Charles Pennuto came to the United States from Italy in 1892 and located in Joliet, where he was engaged on the construction of the Jackson Street dam. He is now superintendent of his son's hardware business. Mr. Pennuto was among the first four Italian men who organized the North Side Italian Political Club in 1901, of which his son, Frank E., is now president. The family home is at 300 Chase Street, Joliet. There were seven children in the Pennuto family: 1. Sarah, died in 1927; 2. James, a hardware merchant, Cass Street, Joliet; 3. Ralph, owner of grocery and meat market, Chicago, is a veteran of the World War. Previous to the war he enlisted in the United States Army at Chicago, and was stationed at Fort Townsend, Seattle, Wash., with the coast artillery, and served three years. 4. Josephine, resides in Italy. 5. Frank E., the subject of this sketch. 6. Louise, lives in Chicago, Ill. 7. Marie, lives at home.
Frank E. Pennuto attended the public schools of Joliet. At the age of 16 he left school and was employed by the Illinois Steel Company for four years. He then learned the barber business at which he worked from 1905 until 1912. Later, on account of his health, he went to Indianapolis where he worked in the machine shops of the Nordike Marmon Company until April, 1913, when he returned to Joliet and engaged in the hardware business, in which he has been unusually successful, and has one of the best equipped stores in this section of the State. He started without capital but owing to hard work and fair
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dealings with the public he has a splendid trade in all branches of his business.
On Aug. 16, 1911, Mr. Pennuto was married to Miss Hilda Dennison, who was born June 25, 1892, at Mt. Vernon, Ind. There are five children in the Pennuto family: Eugene W., born Aug. 16, 1912, a student in high school; Frank R., Jr., born Oct. 17, 1913, a high school student ; Lawrence B., born Nov. 16, 1916; Marie M., born Jan. 12, 1918; and Bernice V., born Dec. 8, 1921. The family home is at 809 Collins Street.
Mr. Pennuto has filled the office on the county board as supervisor of Will County for six years. His fraternal associations are: Mount Joliet Lodge, No. 42; Joliet Chapter, No. 27; Joliet Council, No. 2; Joliet Commandery, No. 4; and Knights Templar. He is a Republican in politics and he and his family are members of Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
Robert D. McCoy is a leading citizen of Joliet, and prominent busi- ness man, where he is president, treasurer and general manager of the Mid-West Wall Paper Mills Company. He was born in New Brunswick, N. J., Nov. 25, 1884, and is a son of John and Catherine (Smith) McCoy.
John McCoy, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., was a pioneer wall paper manufacturer. He went to New Brunswick, N. J., when a young man and worked for Janway, one of the largest wallpaper mills. He remained in New Jersey for two years, returned to Philadelphia, and was engaged in the wall paper industry for three years. In 1889 Mr. McCoy located at York, Pa., where he organized one of the largest wall- paper mills in the world, having conducted this business for 33 years. He died in 1902, and is buried at York, Pa. His wife was born in Glas- gow, Scotland. There were three children in the McCoy family : John S., vice president and sales manager of the United Wall Paper Mills, head- quarters, New York City; Elizabeth, married Charles Ewing, stock broker, lives at Scarsdale, N. Y .; and Robert D., the subject of this sketch. John McCoy was a stanch Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Robert D. McCoy attended the public schools and was graduated from York High School, and from York (Pa.) College in 1902. The same year he entered the employ of the York Card & Paper Company, at York. He commenced at the bottom and worked his way through the various stages of paper making until at the time he resigned from the company he was holding the position of general superintendent and
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purchasing agent, in 1925. He then came to Joliet, Ill., and organized the Mid West Wall Paper Mills, and built the company's plant, which it owns. This is one of the most modern, and well equipped wall paper plants in the country, and since its organization has operated 50 weeks a year, besides overtime work which is often found necessary owing to the large demands for its product.
Mr. McCoy was married in June, 1910, to Miss Kate Williams, who was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1887. They had three children: Mildred, born at York, Pa., Nov. 2, 1911, a graduate of Joliet High School, class of 1928; Virginia, born at York, Nov. 20, 1913, a junior; and Janet, born at York, Pa., died at the age of six months.
Politically Mr. McCoy is a Republican. He is an active member of the Central Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree, Shrine, Elks Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He has served as commissioner of the Boy Scouts, and is chairman of the Troop Committee of the Central Presbyterian Church.
James Pennuto, a successful hardware merchant of Joliet, was born in Italy, in 1883, the son of Charles and Rosa (Gallo) Pennuto.
Charles Pennuto, who was born in Italy, emigrated to the United States in 1892, and located at Joliet, and is one of the few remaining pioneer Italian families of this city. He worked on the construction of the Jackson Street dam, and is now superintendent of his son Frank E. Pennuto's hardware business. The family home is at 300 Chase Ave- nue. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pennuto, as fol- lows: 1. Sarah, died in 1927, is buried in Italy. 2. James, the subject of this sketch. 3. Ralph, engaged in the grocery and meat business in Chicago. He enlisted in the United States Regular Army, before the World War, at Chicago, and was stationed at Fort Townsend, Seattle, Wash., where he was with the Coast Artillery. 4. Josephine, resides in Italy. 5. Frank E., a complete sketch of whom appears in this his- tory. 6. Louise, lives at Chicago, Ill. 7. Marie, at home.
After attending the public schools of Joliet, James Pennuto entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company, where he remained ten years. For the past 15 years he has been engaged in the general hardware business, and has been located at his present address, 809 Cass Street, since July, 1922. He has experienced a steady growth in his business and has a well established trade.
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In 1911 Mr. Pennuto was married to Miss Isabella Puglino, a native of Italy, and they have the following children: Rosie, attending high school; Victoria, Weitho, Charles, and John.
Mr. Pennuto is a Republican in politics, and he and his family are members of St. Anthony's Catholic Church.
E. J. Gustafson, optometrist, is among the prominent business men of Joliet where he works for his father in the city's pioneer jewelry store. E. J. Gustafson was born in Joliet, Dec. 7, 1892, the son of W. A. and Beda Charlotte (Lindeneau) Gustafson.
W. A. Gustafson came to the United States from Sweden, where he was born, in 1881, and settled in Chicago, where he was associated with the jewelry business of Matteson & Company. He was later with Ben- jamin Allen, wholesale jeweler, and in 1885 came to Joliet, where he established his present jewelry business. He has been located at 667 Cass Street since 1901, and since 1907 his son has been asociated with him. Mr. Gustafson is a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. To Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson were born 11 children, as follows: Linnea, married G. R. Kendall, jeweler, lives at Memphis, Tenn .; Alfred, jeweler, lives at Memphis; Vivian, married A. G. Humphries, florist, lives at Mt. Sterling, Ky .; Victor, associated with his father's business in Joliet; Carl, jeweler, lives at Forest City, Ark .; Lilly, died Oct. 6, 1908, at the age of 18 years; George R., jeweler, whose business is located at 323 Clinton Street, Joliet ; Elmer J., associated in business with his father, is a veteran of the World War, having served in France with the 72nd Artillery Corps; Ruby E., lives at home; Edna M., high school teacher, Homer, Ill .; and Violet, at home.
E. J. Gustafson was educated in the grammar and high schools of Joliet. He began his business career in his father's store as a watch- maker in 1907, and since that time has been connected with the business.
On Oct. 19, 1922, Mr. Gustafson was united in marriage with Miss Myrtle M. Gustafson, who was born at Joliet, Sept. 14, 1901. They have a son, Edward M., born Dec. 4, 1923.
Mr. Gustafson is a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He is a Republican.
V. G. Gustafson, G. R. Gustafson, and E. J. Gustafson were keenly interested in aviation and were designers and builders of three of the
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first airplanes in this section of the country. They are also designers of the tractor biplane, which is similar in construction to the planes built by Louis Brequet in France.
Carl H. Peterson, secretary and manager of the Joliet Calendar Com- pany, is a representative young business man of this city. He was born here, March 24, 1896, and is a son of Charles O. and Anna Dorothy (Blomdahl) Peterson.
Charles O. Peterson, a native of Sweden, came to the United States when 21 years of age and located in Joliet, where he conducted a dairy business for many years. He is a Republican and a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in which he taught Sunday School. Mrs. Peterson was also born in Sweden. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson: Carl H., the subject of this sketch; Lillian, married Anseln V. Lilyers, with Powers Thompson Construction Com- pany, Joliet; Ellen, married Elmer Kramer, connected with the Will County Welding Company, Joliet; Chester, deceased; Siegfrid, with the Joliet Calendar Company, married to Linnea Nelson, of Joliet.
Carl H. Peterson was a member of the 1913 class at the Joliet Township High School. He began his business career as a clerk in the office of the E. J. and E. Railroad, remaining there four years. Later he was with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad doing valuation work in the auditor's office for the U. S. Government one year, and for two years thereafter was with the Standard Oil Company in Joliet as a bookkeeper. In 1919 he accepted a position with the Joliet Calendar Company as a bookkeeper; in 1921 was made secretary of the company, and general manager in 1924. The company's offices are located at 905 Benton Street. This company erected in 1928 a new plant on Gardner Street, this city. The plant and equipment cost over $100,000.
On July 16, 1927, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Miss Rusha Eileen Farmer, a native of Kentucky, and later a resident of Fayetteville, Ark. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, and also a graduate nurse, having trained at Mercy Hospital, Chicago, Ill.
Mr. Peterson is a Republican and has served as committeeman since 1924. He is affiliated with Matteson Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 175; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; A. A. O. N. M. S., Ansar Temple, of Springfield, Ill. He also belongs to the Shabbona Club, Shrine Club of Joliet, and is a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
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Henry Anderson .- Through his lifelong interest in photography, and his careful and painstaking methods of business, Mr. Anderson's studio is known for artistic arrangement and equipment, and his system for expertness and thoroughness. His studio is located in the Young Build- ing, Joliet. He was born in Denmark, June 30, 1869, a son of Christian and Anna (Pederson) Anderson.
Christian Anderson and his wife were natives of Denmark where Mr. Anderson was a farmer, and held several public offices. There were three children in the Anderson family: Andrew, a civil engineer, lives in Denmark; Anna Marie, married Christian Thompson, stockman, lives in Denmark; and Henry, the subject of this sketch.
Henry Anderson attended the public schools in his native land. In 1890 he came to the United States and settled at Chicago. He learned the photographer's trade and in 1897 opened a studio in Plano. The following year he removed to Wisconsin where he followed the same profession at Gillett. He has been a resident of Joliet since 1904 where he has continued in business until the present time.
On Oct. 3, 1895, Mr. Anderson married Miss Sena Anderson, who was born in Denmark, June 14, 1876. They have two sons: Elmer H., born June 12, 1897, photographer, lives in Indiana; and Magnus C., born Aug. 10, 1898, lives in Joliet.
Mr. Anderson is a Republican and is affiliated with the Masonic lodge in its various branches.
Walter Voitik is a well known resident of Joliet, where he holds a responsible position with the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. He was born in this city, Feb. 26, 1897, the son of Leo and Louise (Kramer) Voitik.
Leo Voitik has spent his entire life in Joliet, where he has been in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company for 37 years. He is employed in the machine shops. Mr. Voitik is a member of the Catholic Church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Voitik: Louise, married Edward DeGrace, lives in Chicago; Walter, the subject of this sketch; Leo, Jr., Ray, Harold, Clarence, Helen, Joseph, George, Margaret, Mildred, and Gertrude, all at home.
Walter Voitik attended the parochial schools of Joliet and in early life entered the employ of the American Can Company, resigning his position with that company as assistant chief clerk after seven years.
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He then went with the American Refractory Company for two years, and in May, 1921, entered the service of the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois as a wireman's helper. He was in the accounting department for about four years and for one and one-half years as traveling auditor for the company, and in January, 1927, was promoted to chief clerk.
Mr. Voitik was married Feb. 20, 1919, to Miss Kathryn Keers, who was born at Braidwood, Ill., Feb. 29, 1896. They have two children: Walter, Jr., born March 13, 1925; and Kathryn, born Nov. 9, 1926.
Mr. Voitik is a Republican and a devout member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church.
J. Lee Ferguson, president of the J. L. Ferguson Company, of Joliet, is well known and esteemed as a public spirited and useful member of the community, as well as a genial and likeable citizen. He was born in this city, June 30, 1884, a son of John J. and Mary (Eaton) Ferguson.
John J. Ferguson is a son of Robert and Nancy (McClintock) Fergu- son, natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Will County, Illinois, in the early days where Robert Ferguson engaged in farming and stock- raising and was well known throughout this section. He and his wife are deceased and are buried in Plainfield, Ill.
John J. Ferguson was born in Plainfield Township, Will County. He was reared on his father's farm and learned the trade of millwright. He worked in Joliet, Kansas, and later in Chicago. He is now living retired in Chicago, Ill. He is a Republican and a member of the Pres- byterian Church. His wife was born near Hamilton, Ontario. To their marriage seven children were born: Joseph R., Chicago; May I., de- ceased, married E. J. Abell; Maud L., married G. D. McKensie, lives at Joliet; Elmer J., Chicago; J. L., the subject of this sketch; W. B., a veteran of the World War, lives at St. Petersburg, Fla .; and Helen, married E. A. Buford, Chicago.
J. Lee Ferguson attended the public schools of Joliet. He worked as driver and clerk for the Werden Buck Grocery Company, and afterward learned the carpenter trade from his father. In 1901 he worked at the millwright trade, in which he was occupied for a year. In 1902 Mr. Ferguson entered the employ of the American Cereal Company, now known as the Quaker Oats Company, as a draftsman. He remained with this concern until 1921 and resigned as chief engineer, to engage in business for himself. On March 1, 1923, the J. L. Ferguson Com-
J. LEE FERGUSON
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pany was incorporated, occupying leased quarters, which they purchased in February, 1924. The firm manufactures automatic machines, ma- chines for weighing and measuring free flowing products into packages, and closing devices for packages. J. Lee Ferguson is president, and R. A. Stephen, secretary and treasurer.
In 1908 Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage with Miss Lily Wein- brod, a daughter of Charles and Louise Weinbrod, natives of Germany, and later residents of Grand Crossing, Ill. Mr. Weinbrod, who was a machinist by trade, now lives retired in Chicago. Mrs. Weinbrod is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have five children: John D., Robert Charles, Willow Jean, all students; Donald Oscar; and Jack Leeland, deceased.
Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, Joliet Country Club, Caledonian Club, Rivals Club, the Medina Athletic Club, Joliet Shrine Club. Fraternally he is affiliated with Akron Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 83; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. 27; Joliet Council, R. and S. M. M .; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; Oriental Commandery, thirty- second degree; Medina Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; and B. P. O. Elks No. 296. He is a director of the Joliet Finance and Thrift Company, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
L. C. Stephens, one of the leading citizens of Will County, and of Joliet, is district manager of the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. He was born in Galesburg, Ill., Sept. 8, 1881, and is a son of L. D. and Mary (Cast) Stephens.
L. D. Stephens, who was born on a farm near Galesburg, was for many years a general contractor of that city. He is now deceased and is buried at Abington, Ill. Mrs. Stephens, who is 73 years of age, lives at Galesburg, Ill. There were two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ste- phens : Samuel C., general traffic manager of the Clover Leaf Railroad, lives in Cleveland, Ohio; and L. C., the subject of this sketch. L. D. Ste- phens was a Republican and a member of the Congregational Church. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
L. C. Stephens attended the public schools of Galesburg and when 17 years of age was a timekeeper for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy construction gang for one year. In 1907 he went with the old North Shore Electric Company, now known as the Public Service Company. Since 1920 he has been district manager of the Public Service Company
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of Northern Illinois, with headquarters at Joliet. This district con- sists of three cities and 15 towns.
On June 16, 1910, Mr. Stephens was married to Miss Josephine Fricke, of Chicago. They have two children: Cathryne Mary, born Feb. 1, 1912, a student; and John Wesley, born Sept. 12, 1916.
Mr. Stephens is a member of the Masonic lodge. He and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. His politics have always been Republican.
Ralph A. Moore, president of the J. P. & A. Transportation Com- pany, ranks high among the successful business men of Joliet. He was born at Northfield, Iowa, Feb. 3, 1874, the son of Frederick S. and Josephine (Gilbert) Moore.
Frederick S. Moore was born in Newfoundland. He was one of the earliest settlers of Page County, Iowa, where his father owned and operated a woolen mill. In 1877 the family located in Colorado, where they took up a homestead on government land. They became large land owners and extensive cattle raisers. Later the Moore family went to Spokane, Wash., where Mr. Moore had large mining interests. Fred- erick S. Moore still resides at Spokane, Wash., and is now 85 years of age. His parents lived to be more than 100 years old. To Frederick S. and Josephine (Gilbert) Moore were born five children: Gilbert, deceased; Robert, deceased; Elmer E., deceased; Ralph A., the subject of this sketch; and Benjamin, deceased. The original homestead of the Moore family in Iowa is still in existence and is one of the interesting spots to be found in Page County. Frederick S. Moore is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife died in 1893 and is buried at Spokane.
Ralph A. Moore grew up in Iowa and later lived in Colorado. He was educated in the country schools and also took a business course at Spokane, Wash. He was employed by the Ledgerwood Electric Railway Company in Spokane from 1891 until 1896, as superintendent, and then entered the service of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company as brake- man and conductor, with whom he remained until 1904. He was with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company until 1916, located at San Jose, Calif., as conductor and electric locomotive engineer. He later became superintendent of equipment and later superintendent of transportation for the same railroad. In 1916 he came to Joliet as general manager of the J. P. & A. Railroad. In 1924 he was promoted to president of the
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company. Mr. Moore is also president of the Illinois Electric Railway Association. In 1924 he organized the Joliet, Aurora & Plainfied Trans- portation Company, of which he is president.
On Jan. 8, 1891, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Clara H. Dewey, of Jonesville, Mich., born July 12, 1875. She is a grand- niece of Admiral Dewey and the daughter of David C. and Lydia (Lynch) Dewey, the former a native of Syracuse, N. Y., and the latter of Michigan. They have the following children: Frank, lives at Tacoma, Wash .; Ella, deceased; Clara H. Moore; Charles, lives at Los Angeles, Calif .; and Sadie, married Arthur Robinson, lives at Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. Dewey died in 1908 and his widow lives in Los Angeles. Three chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore; Chester G., born May 15, 1899, vice president of the United Motor Coach Company, Chicago; Ralph Stewart, born May 3, 1903, master mechanic for the J. P. & A. Trans- portation Company, lives at Plainfield, Ill .; and Arlene, born Feb. 9, 1905, lives at home.
Mr. Moore is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and Elks Lodge. He and his family have an extensive acquaintance throughout Will County and are popular both in the civic and social life of Joliet.
Irma Read Downey, manager of the Will County Motor Club, which is a branch of the Chicago Automobile Club, is a native of Wisconsin, and the daughter of S. A. and Hattie Mae (Hyde) Read.
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