USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 25
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S. A. Read was born at Geneva, Wis., and is now a resident of Joliet, where he was interested in the oil business and is now associated with the Ruberoid Manufacturing Company as superintendent. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Elks Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose, and Eagles. To Mr. and Mrs. Read were born three children: Merle, engaged in the automobile busi- ness, Joliet; Allan, mention of whom is made below; and Irma, the subject of this sketch.
Allan Read, popularly known in Joliet at "Pat", was first manager of the Will County branch of the Chicago Motor Club. In connection with the club he also engaged in the automobile insurance business. Mr. Read died in 1925, and the club has since been ably managed by his sister, Mrs. Downey.
Irma Read was married June 9, 1926, to Arthur J. Downey. He was born at Joliet, Feb. 3, 1896. Mr. Downey served throughout the
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World War and after his discharge from the service went to Chicago, where he engaged in the insurance business until 1923. He has since been a resident of Joliet.
Mr. Downey is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Elks Lodge. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance in Joliet, where they are prominent in social and civic affairs.
Milton S. Johnston is an enterprising and progressive business man of Joliet, where he is identified with the Johnston Coal, Building Ma- terial and Transfer, located on West Fourth Avenue. He was born in this city, June 17, 1875, the son of A. C. and Mary (Star) Johnston.
A. C. Johnston, deceased, was born in Adrian, Mich., and settled in Joliet, Ill., in 1898, and engaged in the coal business, as well as building materials of all kinds. Mr. Johnston was a member of the Richards Street Methodist Church, and served as trustee and as treasurer of same. In politics he was a Republican. He died in December, 1922, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet. Mrs. Johnston, who was born in Wheaton, Ill., now lives with her daughter, Myrtle, at Troy, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston three children were born: Milton S., the subject of this sketch; Myrtle, a teacher in Russell Sage College, Troy, N. Y .; and Arthur, a tool and die manufacturer, lives in Chicago.
Milton S. Johnston attended the public schools of Detroit, Mich., after which he entered his father's coal business in 1892. Since the death of his father Mr. Johnston and his mother are sole owners. Mr. Johnston is also interested in various other business enterprises, and conducts a trucking and transfer business, and owns and operates a large garage and service station at Fourth and Eastern Avenue, Joliet.
On April 30, 1904, Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Jane Francis, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Haven) Francis. Mr. Francis, who was born in New Lenox, Ill., was a farmer and stockman, and owned 400 acres of land in Lenox Township. He was also a breeder of thor- oughbred stock and the owner of a large dairy. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is deceased and is buried in New Lenox Township. Mrs. Francis was a daughter of Judge Haven, and a sister of Dwight Haven, who was judge of Will County. Mrs. Francis now resides at 109} Grover Street, Joliet. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Francis: Charles, a physician, deceased ; Alice, a teacher in the public schools, Chicago; Walter, deceased;
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Francis Johnston; Marguerite, married R. E. Stephens, a capitalist, lives at Daytona, Florida; and Fred, who lives on the old homestead, and is a stockman, is also supervisor of Lenox Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston four children have been born: Charles, born March 4, 1906, a graduate of Joliet High School, in business with his father, lives at home; Walter, born 1907, a graduate of high school, is also connected with his father's business ; Ruth, born in 1910, a graduate of high school, now attends Russell Sage College, Troy, N. Y .; and Louise, born in 1912, attends St. Francis Academy.
Mr. Johnston is a member of the Methodist Church and has served as trustee for a number of years. He has always taken an active inter- est in all civic affairs. He has served as treasurer of the Republican Central Committee of Will County, is secretary of the Rotary Club of Joliet, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge.
James H. Merrill is a prominent young business man of Joliet, and is secretary of Hansen & Petersen Company, general contractors. He was born in this city, Dec. 6, 1893, and is a son of Fred H. and Miriam (Puddicombe) Merrill.
Fred H. Merrill, who now lives retired, is a pioneer resident of Will County. He was born in Jackson Township and when a young man removed to Joliet. He was then employed in various jobs and worked on the street cars. Later he opened a grocery store in partnership with his brother, Charles Merrill, which they conducted successfully for a number of years. He then entered the postal service and for 35 years was a valued employe of the Joliet post office. He is a Republican and attends the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Merrill was born at St. John's New Foundland. The family home is at 303 Mississippi Avenue, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill three children were born, as follows: Erle R., superintendent of the Bethlehem Steel Company's coke plant, Johns- town, Pa .; James H., the subject of this sketch; Dr. E. Forrest, physi- cian and surgeon, is chief of the X-Ray department of Rochester Gen- eral Hospital, Rochester, N. Y. Previous to this he was identified with the Mayo Brothers at Rochester, Minn. During the World War he served in the Reserve Medical Corps.
James H. Merrill graduated from Joliet High School in 1911, and then attended law school for a time. In 1914 he entered the employ of
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Hansen & Petersen Company, general contractors, as a bookkeeper. Mr. Merrill has been secretary of the firm since 1924.
On Sept. 5, 1925, Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Thekla C. Bale, and they have two children: James B., born Dec. 18, 1926; and Miriam, born March 23, 1928. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Merrill is an elder and a deacon.
During the World War Mr. Merrill enlisted for service in the navy, at Chicago, on Dec. 11, 1917. He was stationed at New York City, and received his training on the U. S. S. Gopher on the Great Lakes. He was released from active service Feb. 15, 1919, and returned to Joliet.
Mr. Merrill is a Republican and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, being a member of Knights Templar No. 4, Oriental Consistory, Chicago and Ansar Shrine, Springfield, Ill. He is also a member of Joliet Chamber of Commerce.
Charles E. Gray .- Prominent among the successful business men of Joliet is Charles E. Gray, a member of the firm of Webb & Gray Coal Company. He was born in this city, Feb. 5, 1886, a son of John W. and Nora (Rogers) Gray.
John W. Gray was born in Joliet and for a number of years was engaged in the grocery business and later was in the bakery business. He is now living retired at 314 Campbell Street, this city. Mr. Gray served as alderman of the Sixth Ward, Joliet, for twenty years, and was chief State Grain Inspector under Gov. John P. Altgelt, and held many other civic offices. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America; Ancient Order of Hibernians, B. P. O. Elks, and politically is a stanch Democrat. He is a Catholic. Mrs. Gray is deceased and is buried in Olivet Cemetery, Joliet. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray: John and Lawrence, both deceased; Charles E., the subject of this sketch; George, owner of Joliet Bakery Company; Raymond, deceased; Melville, attorney, with firm of Donovan, Bray & Gray, Joliet. He enlisted in the U. S. Army while attending Harvard College, and was sent to Camp Grant, and later to Fort Sheridan. He served during the war and was commissioned a first lieutenant; Mary J., lives at home; and Catherine, married Fred J. Walsh, real estate, lives at Joliet.
Charles E. Gray attended the parochial and public schools of Joliet, and worked in his father's grocery store. He later went to Colorado
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where he worked for eight years as a nail maker. He returned to Joliet and was employed by the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad in a clerical capacity for ten years. In partnership with Michael Webb they opened and operated the Alamo Billiard and Lunch Parlors, at Chicago and Clinton Streets, this city, which they sold out after three years. In 1927 they organized the Webb & Gray Coal Company, and have a well established business.
Mr. Gray is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. He also belongs to the Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge.
John F. Skeel, who is serving as clerk of the Joliet Township High School and clerk of the Joliet Township School Board, is one of the best known citizens of Will County. He was born in Putnam County, Ill., Dec. 24, 1860, the son of Linus B. and Flora (Morrison) Skeel.
Linus B. Skeel, deceased, was among the early settlers of Putnam County, having located there in 1830. He was born at Syracuse, N. Y., and his wife was a native of Scotland. Mr. Skeel improved 220 acres of land in Putnam County and became a successful farmer. He died at the age of 85 years and his wife died when 91 years of age. Both are buried in Union Grove Cemetery, near the old homestead. Mr. Skeel served throughout the Black Hawk War. He was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Skeel the following chil- dren were born: Nathan L., deceased; Donald W., died at the age of 21 years; Olive, married James B. Foley, lives in Colorado; William L., deceased; John F., the subject of this sketch; and Flora M., lives in Sioux City, Iowa.
The boyhood of John F. Skeel was spent in Putnam County on his father's farm. He attended the public and high schools of Granville, and later attended Wheaton College, from which he was graduated in 1883. For one year he taught in the schools of Tama, Iowa, and was principal of the Granville (Ill.) High School, for two years. He also served as superintendent of schools in Putnam County. Many years ago he came to Joliet, where he accepted the position of cashier and bookkeeper for the Barrett Hardware Company. He later was employed as an accountant for the Illinois Steel Company and as cashier of the Lambert & Bishop Company. In 1894 he was appointed principal of the Broadway school. Aug. 1, 1896, he was elected clerk of the Board of School Inspectors of Joliet. Upon the creation of the Joliet Township
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School Board in 1897, Mr. Skeel was appointed clerk. He has served both boards in that capacity continuously since that date.
On June 11, 1885, Mr. Skeel married Miss Flora C. Birdsell, of Tama, Iowa. They have two adopted sons: Gordon, born Aug. 27, 1899, is a World War veteran, lives at Joliet; and William H., born April 24, 1902, lives at Detroit, Mich.
Mr. Skeel is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has served as elder for 37 years.
John M. Jenco, who represents the 41st district of Illinois in the state legislature, is well known in Joliet, where he has lived since early boyhood. He was born in Menomenee, Mich., Jan. 4, 1898, a son of Matthew and Susan (Rheha) Jenco.
Matthew Jenco and his wife were both born in Austria-Hungary, and were married in Harwood, Pa. Upon coming to this country Mr. Jenco settled in the East, later removing to Joliet, Ill., where he con- ducted a saloon business. He sold this and entered the employ of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad. There were nine children in the Jenco family: John M., the subject of this sketch; Michael, Indiana Harbor, Mich .; Susan, at home; Marie, lives at Hazeltine, Pa .; Edward, Anna, Elsie, and Frances, all students; and Frank, deceased. The fam- ily are members of the Catholic Church and in politics Mr. Jenco is a Republican.
John M. Jenco attended the public and parochial schools of Joliet, after which he was an apprentice machinist with the Illinois Steel Com- pany for four years. He then traveled as a journeyman machinist for several years throughout the United States. Returning to Joliet he worked for the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad. In 1922 he was appointed first deputy sheriff under Sheriff John D. Walker, and served four years. In 1926 he was elected representative to the state legisla- ture from the 41st district and took office Jan. 4, 1927. Mr. Jenco is the youngest member of the House this session.
In 1925 Mr. Jenco was married to Miss Henrietta Cirhan, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Cirhan, natives of Jackson, Minn., where Mr. Cirhan is a merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Jenco have two daughters, Betty Jane, and Verna May. The family are members of St. Cyril's Catholic Church.
Mr. Jenco is affiliated with the following organizations : B. P. O. Elks, No. 296; F. O. Eagles; Loyal Order of Moose, No. 300; Speed Boys Club;
JOHN M. JENCO
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International Association of Machinists, St. Cyril's Athletic Club; and Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Jenco is a young man of high ideals and has many friends in Joliet.
In May, 1928, Mr. Jenco opened a gents' furnishing store at 416 Meeker Avenue, and is meeting with success.
Welcome L. Dow is well known in Joliet, where he is identified with the O. D. Larson Motor Company, agents for the Packard Automobile, as manager. He was born at Stockton, Ill., Feb. 9, 1890, the son of Worthy F. and Florence R. (Fitzsimmons) Dow.
Worthy F. Dow, who settled in Joliet, in 1904, was a native of Stockton, Ill. He was a carpenter by trade and engaged in the busi- ness in this city until the time of his retirement. He died at Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1918. His widow resides there. To Mr. and Mrs. Dow were born two sons: George M., who died at Twin Falls, in 1920; and Welcome L., the subject of this sketch.
George M. Dow married Miss Etta L. Gray, of Joliet, who survives him. She has two daughters, Mary and Ruth, and they live at American Falls, Idaho.
Welcome L. Dow attended the public schools and was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1908. He went as cashier for the National Packing Company for two years, and was then located at Twin Falls, Idaho, as district cashier and manager for the Bell Telephone Company. He later spent five years with the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Company, and returned to Joliet in 1915. He served as pur- chasing agent for the city for five years, and then began his automobile connections, with the A. W. Ehlers Motor Company. Mr. Dow has been associated with the O. D. Larson Motor Company since 1923.
On Sept. 6, 1911, Mr. Dow was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Moore, who was born in Joliet, the daughter of Edwin M. and Harriet (Rayworth) Moore. A complete sketch of Edwin M. Moore appears elsewhere in this history. He is vice president of the Barret Hardware Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Dow have been born three children: Edwin F., born March 31, 1913; Robert G., born Aug. 2, 1917; and Genevieve M., born Sept. 14, 1919.
Mr. Dow is a Republican, a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He also belongs to the Joliet Country Club and Chamber of Commerce.
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Mrs. Lois Davidson, one of the proprietors of the Davidson Cafe- teria, is a leading business woman of Joliet. She was born at Sennett, N. Y.
Mrs. Davidson has been a resident of Joliet since 1880. She was married in August, 1889, to Thomas Chalmers Davidson, who died in 1908. He was born at Warsaw, N. Y., and throughout his life was interested in the newspaper business. Beginning work on a newspaper at Cairo, Ill., he later was connected with the Inter-Ocean, in Chicago. He also was connected with a local newspaper before his death. Mr. Davidson was a life long Republican and a member of the Universalist Church. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet.
Davidson Cafeteria was started by Mrs. Lois B. Davidson, June 6, 1914. She began in a small way and later Mrs. Minnie L. Davidson, her sister, became associated with her. The Davidson Cafeteria, which is located at 312 Clinton Street, is among the attractive restaurants of the city and has facilities for serving 300 people. They also specialize in catering to banquets, and private parties.
Mrs. Davidson is identified with the Business and Professional Womens Club, the Bethany Circle of Kings Daughters, and the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution. She is a Republican and holds mem- bership in the Universalist Church. Her residence is at 100 Brooks Avenue.
Michael Webb, a well known and enterprising business man of Joliet, is a member of the firm of the Webb & Gray Coal Company. He was born in Joliet, Nov. 1, 1885, and is a son of John and Julia (Cunning- ham) Webb.
John Webb, deceased, was born in Syracuse, N. Y. He came to Will County in the early days and settled at Joliet. He was a railroad builder for a time, and for many years was employed by the Illinois Steel Company. He was a Democrat and a member of St. Mary's Cath- olic Church. He died Oct. 20, 1910, and his wife, who was born in England, died in February, 1911. They are buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Joliet. They were the parents of seven children: William, deceased; Mary, married Alfred Richardson, lives in Fairmount Park, Joliet ; John, a member of the firm of Webb & Riley, carbonated drink bottlers, Joliet ; Thomas, deceased; Michael, the subject of this sketch; Nellie, married John Scott, lives in Joliet; and Joseph, with the Webb & Riley Bottling Works.
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Michael Webb attended the public schools of Joliet, and then worked for the Illinois Steel Company for 16 years. He later was associated with Charles E. Gray in the Alamo Billiard and Lunch parlors, located at Clinton and Chicago Streets. In 1927 he and Mr. Webb organized the Webb & Gray Coal Company, which is located at 411 East Marian Street. They are wholesale and retail dealers and are meeting with success.
On Feb. 7, 1906, Mr. Webb married Miss Edith Mercer, who was born in England, July 7, 1889. They have three children: Irene, born Oct. 28, 1909, is private secretary for her father and is a graduate of St. Francis Academy, in 1927; Evelyn, born April 20, 1919, a student; and William, born Sept. 5, 1922.
Mr. Webb is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church.
The Reverend William Charles Godden, pastor of the Ottawa Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Joliet, was appointed to that church in October, 1924.
Mr. Godden was born in England and came to this country in his youth. He spent many years in study for the ministry and finally graduated from the Garrett Biblical Institute of Evanston, the theo- logical school connected with Northwestern University of Illinois, in the class of 1903.
The Reverend Mr. Godden became a member of the Rock River Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1901 and has served as pastor of the churches of his denomination in Manhattan, Newark, and Lisbon, and Glen Ellyn, all in Illinois and the following named churches in Chicago: Vincent, Gresham, Diversy, Boulevard, Calvary and Joyce Memorial.
For six years consecutively, Mr. Godden was elected to serve as sec- retary of the Chicago Methodist Preachers' Meeting and in 1919 was elected to the presidency of that organization. In 1927 he was elected to the presidency of the Will County Ministerial Association.
Mr. Godden was greatly honored by the Rock River Conference by being elected as one of the delegates to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which held its sessions in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Godden is a member of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, of the Kiwanis Club of Joliet, and of several orders in Masonry. In June,
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1903, Mr. Godden was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Davidson Met- calf of Oswego, N. Y., and they spent the first months of their married life in the parsonage at Manhattan, in Will County. One child was born to this union, Adelle Margaret, who graduated from the public schools of Chicago and later from the School of Music of the Northwestern University, receiving her Bachelor's degree in 1925. Miss Godden is now a teacher of music in piano and voice at the Columbia School of Music in Aurora, Illinois.
N. N. Julian .- One of the prominent young men of Will County, interested in educational work, is N. N. Julian, who is superintendent of grade schools at Lockport. He was born at Golconda, Ill., March 15, 1896, the son of John and Martha (Ewitts) Julian.
John Julian, who lives retired at Creal Springs, Ill., is a native of Tennessee. Early in life he located in Pope County, Ill., where he engaged in general farming and stock raising. He became the owner of 220 acres of land and was an extensive stockman. He was married first to Marry Barger, deceased. She was born near Golconda, Ill., and to this union one son was born: Harry, a poultryman of Mt. Vernon, Ill. Martha (Ewitts) Julian, born at Golconda, Ill., died Dec. 15, 1921, and is buried at that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Julian were born four children: Mattie, married Scott Randolph, lives at Golconda, Ill .; Evan, married Charles Wasson, lives at Golconda, Ill .; Rachel, married Ely Buchanan, lives at Metropolis, Ill .; and N. N., the subject of this sketch.
N. N. Julian obtained his early schooling at Golconda and in 1923 was graduated from the Teachers College at Carbondale, Ill. He also has been a student at Illinois State Normal School and has taken post graduate work at the University of Chicago and the University of Wis- consin. Early in 1913 Mr. Julian began his teaching career in the schools of Pope County. During the World War he enlisted for service on June 10, 1918, and was sent to the Polytechnical School at Peoria, Ill., and later to Camp Hancock, Ga., where he was assigned to Company H, Ordinance Department. He served in France until the close of the war and was discharged July 29, 1919, from Camp Grant, Ill. Upon his return to Illinois Mr. Julian became connected with the schools of Pope County again, but soon after entered the employ of the Indian Refining Company as a bookkeeper at Lawrenceville, Ill. In 1921 he entered the teachers college at Carbondale, Ill., where he graduated in 1923. The
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following year he became superintendent of schools at Arthur, Ill., and four years later, 1927, accepted his present position with the grade schools at Lockport.
Mr. Julian is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is unmarried.
Philip Yost was born at Lockport, Nov. 14, 1862. He was educated in the public schools and began life as a farmer. He was later employed on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. He spent several years at St. Louis, Mo., with his brother, Henry J. Yost, and in 1885 they established their present business at Lockport, which is operated under the firm name of Yost Brothers. Mr. Yost was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Lockport, of which he has served as vice president since the date of its organization in November, 1907. He is also a director.
Mr. Yost was married May 1, 1887, to Miss Frances Waldeogel, who was born at Lockport, June 14, 1865. They have two daughters: Can- silda, born March 22, 1890, married W. S. Peck, and they have a son, Philip Worden Peck, born Jan. 20, 1925; and Marilla, born April 7, 1891, married Emory Carlson, lives at Lockport, and they have a son, Emory, Jr., born June 15, 1923.
Mr. Yost is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Shrine of Spring- field, Ill. In politics he has always been a Republican.
Henry J. Yost .- One of the leading citizens of Lockport, will known throughout Will County, is Henry J. Yost, who is identified with Yost Brothers, pioneer grocers. He was born at Lockport, May 28, 1858, the son of John and Mary (Miller) Yost.
John Yost, deceased, was a native of Germany. He came to this country in 1852 and settled at Lockport, where he served for many years as a foreman for the Norton Milling Company. He was later identified with the American Strawboard Paper Company of Lockport. Mr. Yost was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. He died June 15, 1900, and his wife died in 1915. Both are buried in the Lockport Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Yost were born the following children: Peter, deceased; Henry J., the subject of this sketch; John, Jr., deceased; Philip, mention of whom is made below; Charles, lives at
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St. Louis, Mo .; William, lives at Lockport; Louis, deceased, and Albert, lives at Lockport.
Henry J. Yost grew up at Lockport and attended the public schools. He was employed by the Norton Company, paper manufacturers, of Lockport for a short time, and later went to St. Louis, where he spent eight years in the meat business. In 1885 he returned to Lockport and became interested in the meat and grocery business here in partnership with his brother Philip. For more than 40 years Mr. Yost has ranked among the dependable merchants of the city.
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