USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 3
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Mr. Young is a member of the Episcopal Church and belongs to Har- wood Post No. 5, American Legion, which he helped organize and was its first commander, the "40 and 8" Society, Mt. Joliet Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Joliet Country Club, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Kiwanis Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He is a Republican.
William C. Strohm who has been for many years a leading citizen of Joliet and is now serving as Commissioner of Public Health, is a native of Germany. He was born in Herrenalb, Wurttember, the son of Christian and Mary (Keller) Strohm.
Both Christian Strohm and his wife were natives of Herrenalb, where he was burgomaster for several terms, and also was city treasurer for fifteen years. They were the parents of six children: William C., the subject of this sketch; Pauline, married William Gall. He is de- ceased and she resides at Rock Island, Ill .; Amy, deceased; Adolph, Rock Island; Carl, Chicago, manager Patterson Bakery & Pie Company; Bertha, married Bernhardt Seeberger, and they reside at Rock Island.
William C. Strohm received his early education in his native land and was graduated from Polytechnical College. In 1879 he came to the United States landing in New York City and then came direct to Joliet. He was first employed by the dry goods firm of N. D. Dyer as a clerk, later purchasing an interest in the business and became first vice presi- dent. He sold his interest in the Dyer Company and became connected with L. F. Beach Dry Goods Company, where he remained for 22 years.
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In 1910 Mr. Strohm was elected town supervisor of Joliet and served three terms of two years each in this capacity. He retired in 1916, but in 1923 was induced to return to public life and was elected commis- sioner of the city of Joliet for four years, and in 1927 was reelected.
In 1882 Mr. Strohm was married to Miss Emma Kearns, a daughter of John Kearns, a native of Lewistown, Pa. He is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Strohm was born a daughter, Edna Pearl. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and is executive secretary to the City Charter Association of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Strohm is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church and Mrs. Strohm is a Presbyterian.
Mr. Strohm is a Republican in politics and fraternally is a member of Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. and A. M. 42; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. 27; Joliet Commandery, K. T. 4; L. O. O. Moose, 300, honorary member ; I. O. O. Fellows; Modern Woodmen of America, of Stevenson Camp. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Strohm has always been interested in the civic affairs of Joliet and in charitable and other commendable activities has given his un- selfish support.
Hon. Frederick Ray Adams, probate judge of Will County, is among the distinguished jurists and public officials of Illinois. He was born at Towanda, McLean County, Ill., Feb. 1, 1884, the son of William Benjamin and Jennie Louise (Harper) Adams.
William Benjamin Adams was born at 106 North Broadway, Joliet, Aug. 18, 1859, a son of Micajah L. and Mary (Banker) Adams, early settlers of Joliet. He died May 12, 1927, and his widow resides at 201 Richmond Street, Joliet. She was born March 3, 1864, the daughter of William and Jane (Hughes) Harper. The Harper family were early settlers of Chicago, William Harper having been master carpenter in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad for over 46 years. William Benjamin Adams was interested in grain inspecting when a young lad and continued at this occupation for a number of years in the employ of Carpenter & Marsh. After this department was placed under state control, he engaged in the railroad business with his father-in-law in Chicago, and later returned to Joliet, where he became identified with
FREDERICK RAY ADAMS
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the American Steel & Wire Company. He left this firm about 1907 to go with the Southern Steel Company at Ensley, Ala., where he remained for several years. He later returned to Joliet, where he was connected with the Joliet Wall Paper Mills until his death. There were four children in the Adams family: Frederick Ray, the subject of this sketch; Myrtle Louise, born Feb. 25, 1886, was married July 17, 1908, to J. W. Lorraine, lives at San Francisco, Calif .; Hazel Irene, born May 31, 1891, married William LaFontaine, lives at 201 Richmond Street, Joliet; and Roland Harper, born March 1, 1898, died Dec. 27, 1905.
Frederick Ray Adams acquired his early education in the public schools of Chicago and Joliet. He also attended Joliet Township High School, Putland's Business College, and the Hamilton College of Law, Chicago. He was obliged to start to work when 16 years old, having entered the employ of Ferdinand Schroeder as grocery clerk and delivery boy. He spent one year as driver for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, worked in the freight department of the Michigan Central Railroad from 1902 until 1907, served as traffic manager for the Southern Steel Company, Birmingham, Ala., in 1907, and the following year collected taxes in the spring for William C. Brockman, and the balance of the year had charge of the tract indexes in the abstract offices of Charles F. Goodspeed. In the spring of 1909 he collected taxes for David R. Davis, and was also employed in the blast furnace office of the Illinois Steel Company until June 1, 1909, when he entered the Will County National Bank. He resigned as auditor of that institution Dec. 1, 1918, and accepted the office of assistant to the probate judge, Samuel J. Drew, of Will County. He held this office until Jan. 1, 1924, when he resigned to enter into active practice, having formed a partnership with Albert F. Krusemark, Edward Gorey, and the late Eneshia Meers. Mr. Adams continued in the practice of law until May 1, 1926, when he was appointed by Governor Small to the office of probate judge of Will County to succeed the late Judge Samuel J. Drew. He took office Dec. 1, 1926, as probate judge elect and is now serving in that capacity. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1916.
On Sept. 26, 1906, Mr. Adams married Miss Hattie Irene Darragh, of Joliet, the daughter of Thomas Alexander and Minnie Louisa (Mather) Darragh. Mr. Darragh was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland,
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and emigrated to America when ten years of age. His wife was born at Hillsboro, Ohio. Mr. Darragh lives with his daughter at 513 Plain- field Road. His wife died Jan. 31, 1924, and is buried in Oakwood Ceme- tery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born three daughters: Dorothy Louise, born Jan. 11, 1910, a senior in Joliet Township High School; Lois Jane, born July 24, 1913, a freshman in Joliet Township High School; and Ruth Harriet, born July 4, 1915, attends Farragut School.
Judge Adams is a Republican and has served as city treasurer of Joliet. He and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church. His fraternal affiliations are: Matteson Lodge, No. 175, A. F. & A. M .; Joliet Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M .; Joliet Council, No. 82, R. and S. M .; Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T .; Ansar Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Springfield; Joliet Lodge No. 296, B. P. O. Elks; Modern Woodmen of America; Kiwanis Club; Joliet Country Club; and Chamber of Com- merce. He is identified with the Illinois State Bar Society, Will County Bar Society, and American Bar Association.
Charles A. Noble is one of the vital progressive representatives of the real estate and insurance business at Joliet, where he has been actively engaged in the real estate business since 1900. He was born at Wilmington, Will County, Illinois, Oct. 12, 1859, and is the youngest of six children born to Royal S. and Ellen N. (Richards) Noble. His father died in 1862 and his mother died in 1878.
Mr. Noble attended the public schools of Wilmington, Ill., and gradu- ated from the high school. His first position was that of bookkeeper and conveyancer in the real estate office of L. E. Ingalls, at Joliet in 1879. In 1884 he became chief deputy in the circuit clerk and recorder's office for four years and in 1888 was reappointed. In 1892 he was elected to the office of Recorder of Deeds and served as the first recorder of Will County. He was reelected to this position in 1896. During 1900-1912 he engaged in real estate having been interested in it as a speculator while in the circuit clerk's and recorder's offices. In 1912 he was elected county auditor, a new office created at that time, and served as its first auditor for four years. Was reelected in 1916 and
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again in 1920. This was the second office that was created and in which he served as its first officer, viz: Recorder of Deeds and Auditor. Since December, 1900, he has been actively engaged in the real state and insurance business, which is one of the leading concerns operating in Will County.
In 1887 Mr. Noble was married to Miss Lillian Reed at St. Paul, Minn. She was born in Waukegan, Ill., and died in 1888. In June, 1899, Mr. Noble married Florence A. Smith, a daughter of A. H. Smith. To this union two children were born: Marion, married Arthur J. Stevens, lives at Joliet, and they have a daughter, Barbara; and Albert, a stu- dent at Junior College, Joliet. Mrs. Noble died in 1919.
Mr. Noble's fraternal affiliations are with Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. and A. M. 42, past master ; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. 27, past high priest ; Joliet Council, R. and S. M. 82, past thrice Illustrious Master; Joliet Commandery, K. T. 4 .; Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. and B. P. O. Elks, No. 296. He organized the Real Estate Board of Joliet and served as its president for ten years. He was first secretary of the Union Club, and past president. When the Silver Cross Hospital was built he was president of the Board of Trustees and continued in that office for some years, and is now a trustee. In 1891 he organized the Noble Ma- sonic Relief Society, serving as its president, and has also served as a director of the Joliet Relief Association. He is a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Noble has always taken an active interest in the civic and social affairs of Joliet and is one of the substantial citizens of whom Will County is justly proud.
Alfred W. Ehlers is a veteran of the World War with a record of overseas service, and is one of the enterprising business men of the city of Joliet, where he is associated with the A. W. Ehler's Motor Sales Company. He was born at Whiting, Ind., Dec. 8, 1892, a son of Henry and Charlotte Ehlers.
Henry Ehlers, deceased, was a native of Germany. He was born at Hanover in 1844, and in early youth came to the United States and set- tled in Baltimore. He later removed to Chicago, where he engaged in
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the general mercantile business for many years. From there he went to Whiting, Ind., where he was well known as a general merchant until the time of his death which occurred in 1907. He is buried at Hammond, Ind. His widow resides at Whiting. Mr. Ehlers was a Republican and held various public offices at Whiting, including that of chief of police, fire marshall and alderman. He was a life long member of the German Lutheran Church. There were three children in the Ehlers family; Selma, married John Visconty, lives at Whiting; Walter, lives at Whit- ing; and Alfred W., the subject of this sketch.
Alfred W. Ehlers grew up at Whiting, Ind., where he attended the public schools, having graduated from Whiting High School in 1909. He entered the employ of the Lake County Savings & Trust Company, Hammond, Ind., as a bookkeeper, and was later transferred to the bank's real estate department, having full charge of this department in 1915. In that year he became connected with the Inland Steel Company, In- diana Harbor, Ind., and remained with that concern until February, 1918, at which time he enlisted in the U. S. Army for service during the World War. He was sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, and attached to the 84th Division. He later sailed for France, where he was transferred to the 16th Infantry Regiment, Company F, First Division. He par- ticipated in the battle of the Argonne and Meuse-Argonne. He was also in Germany after the close of the war with the Army of Occupation and was discharged from service, in May, 1919, with the rank of corporal. Mr. Ehlers became interested in the automobile business upon his return to Hammond, Ind., and was associated with E. L. Shover. In July, 1920, he came to Joliet and established the A. W. Ehlers Motor Sales Company. They are local dealers for the Hudson and Essex automo- biles and operate one of the up-to-date sales agencies of the city.
In 1917 Mr. Ehlers married Miss Verta Sheffield, a daughter of Perry and Helen (Dixon) Sheffield, natives of Indiana. Mr. Sheffield, who died in January, 1928, was a prominent agriculturist of Val- paraiso, Ind. His widow lives at Hammond. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers have two sons: Robert, born in June, 1918, and Edwin, born in March, 1923. .
Mr. Ehlers is affiliated with Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 42, and American Legion, Harwood Post, No. 5. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics.
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George J. Arbeiter, in the profession of law, has attained note- worthy rank in Will County. He has been in continuous practice at Joliet since 1895. Mr. Arbeiter was born in Plainfield Township, Will County, June 10, 1865, the son of Carl and Katherina (Suhler) Arbeiter.
Carl Arbeiter was born at Grottkau, Prussia, Germany, and his wife was a native of Kulmbach, Bavaria, Germany. He emigrated to the United States in 1850 and settled in Plainfield Township, Will County, where he improved a tract of 250 acres. He became a prosperous farmer and stockman and at the time of his death was living retired at Plainfield. His wife came to the United States in 1855, their mar- riage taking place at Joliet. She is also deceased and with her hus- band is buried in Plainfield Township. Mr. Arbeiter was a Democrat, and served as highway commissioner and school director. He was a member of the Catholic Church and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Arbeiter were born five children: Joseph, a farmer, lives at Alexandria, Minn .; Charles W., a farmer, lives in Na-au- say Township, Kendall County, Ill .; George J., the subject of this sketch; Mary W .; and Adeline, both deceased.
Receiving his education in the public schools of Plainfield Township, George J. Arbeiter engaged in the teaching profession for two years. He then took a business course at the University of Valparaiso and from there went to Chicago, where he was employed by the Smith Wire Company of New Jersey. Later he entered the University of Illinois, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893. Two years later he was graduated in Law from the University of Michigan. He was admitted to the Illinois State bar during that year and opened offices in Joliet in the Barber Building. Mr. Arbeiter is identified with the Will County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
On Feb. 1, 1899, Mr. Arbeiter was united in marriage with Miss E. Kittie McBride, of Elgin, Ill., a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Adams) McBride, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Arbeiter is the youngest of eleven children, and the only member of her family born in the United States. Her parents were early settlers of Elgin, Ill., where Mr. McBride engaged in the coal business for a number of years. This business is now conducted by his son, Henry E. McBride and a grandson William
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in the Seventh Ward. In 1898 Mr. Howk was elected to the office of justice of the peace. He has also served for two terms as a member of the Joliet city council.
Mr. Howk was married at San Jose, Calif., in 1872, to Miss Emma Grant, the daughter of William and Sophia (Smith) Grant. Both are deceased. Mrs. Howk was born in the State of Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Howk four children were born: Charles, lives in Chicago, where he is connected with the Commonwealth Edison Company, married Miss Marie Brandan; Ray, identified with the Herald-News, Joliet; Mrs. Alfred Caulkins, and Mrs. William Downing, both deceased.
Politically Mr. Howk is a Republican. He has been affiliated with Matteson Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 175, since March 18, 1884, making a period of 44 years to 1927.
William W. Smith, recorder of Will County, is among the prominent men of Joliet. He was born in Madison County, Ga., Jan. 16, 1863, the son of William R. and Mary (Whitworth) Smith.
William R. Smith, deceased, was born and reared in Madison County, Georgia, and in 1866 moved to Cobb County, Georgia, where he success- fully engaged in general farming. He was born Jan. 14, 1830, and died in October, 1904. His wife, who was born in Madison County, Feb. 28, 1828, died in December, 1876. Both are buried in Bullard Cemetery, near Powder Springs, Ga. They were lifelong members of the Baptist Church, of which he served as deacon.
William W. Smith was educated in the schools of Cobb County, Ga., and spent his early youth on his father's farm. In September, 1886, he went to Birmingham, Alabama, where he engaged in railroad construc- tion work, remaining there until 1891. During this time he also learned the carpenter trade there and the same year he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he learned the structural iron workers trade. In 1893 he removed to Joliet, where he was employed in the construction of the Phoenix Horseshoe plant, continuing in their employ until 1908., when he was elected recorder of deeds of Will County and has been reelected to that office every four years, having served continuously for a period of 20 years.
William WSmith
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On Sept. 14, 1898, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Ger- trude L. DeLong, the daughter of Stephen V. and Sarah J. (Stanley) DeLong, natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. DeLong were married in Will County, Ill., having come here about 1866 and were married in 1868. Mr. DeLong was a soldier of the Civil War. He enlisted in New York and served throughout the war in the Heavy Artillery. Mr. and Mrs. DeLong are deceased and are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet. Mrs. Smith died July 7, 1921. On Oct. 3, 1925, Mr. Smith married Miss Charlotte M. Teetsell, the daughter of Jeremiah H. and Charlotte A. (Brink) Teetsell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Teetsell, natives of New York, are deceased, and are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Saugerties, N. Y. Mr. Teetsell was also a Civil War soldier and served two years and 10 months in Company G, 120th Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church and he is affiliated with Mt. Joliet Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 42, past master in 1900; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet Council, R. and S. M. No. 87; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; Oriental Consistory, A. A. S. R. 32nd degree; Ansar Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., Springfield, Ill .; Shrine Club of Joliet ; Loyal Order of Moose, No. 300; and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican in politics and has held the office of tax collector of Joliet Township.
Arthur Lee Shreffler, M. D. is among the leading surgeons of Joliet, where he was born Oct. 9, 1884. He is the son of Samuel and Bertha (Murphy) Shreffler.
Samuel Shreffler was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1839, and his widow is a native of Cook County, Ill, and resides in Joliet, where Mr. Shreffler was a well known inventor and manufacturer. He died May 8, 1928. Two sons were born to them: Arthur Lee, the subject of this sketch; and Roy, also resides in Joliet.
Samuel Shreffler came to Joliet with his parents, Samuel and Paulina Shreffler about 1843. They settled near Zarley's Point, where Mr. Shreffler operated a brick yard. He was the builder of the plank road between Joliet and Plainfield, and was a pioneer hotel proprietor of Joliet, having conducted a hostelry on Washington Street. Samuel
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Shreffler, Jr., discovered the first coal lands in Illinois while on a hunt- ing trip near Braidwood, Ill. This section was later developed by the Peabody Coal Company.
Arthur Lee Shreffler spent his boyhood in Joliet and attended the public schools. He was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1904 and subsequently took up the study of medicine at the University of Wisconsin. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from North- western University in 1911 and spent the following year as an interne in the Wesley Memorial Hospital, Chicago. From 1912 until 1917 he was a professor of clinical surgery of Northwestern University, being first assistant to Dr. William E. Schroeder at that institution. Besides his extensive practice in Joliet, Doctor Shreffler serves on the surgical staff of Wesley Memorial Hospital, Chicago, and the local hospitals, Silver Cross and St. Joseph's. During the World War he served on the local draft board as an examiner.
On July 18, 1914, Doctor Shreffler was united in marriage with Miss Edna Gertrude Luke, of Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Captain M. H. and Ella (Penfield) Luke, both natives of Illinois. Captain Luke, now deceased, was responsible for the introduction of the Bertillion Sys- tem into the prisons of the United States and for many years was super- intendent of the reformatory at Pontiac, Ill. His widow resides at San Diego, Calif.
Politically, Doctor Shreffler is a Republican. He holds membership in the Universalist Church and is affiliated with Matteson Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 175, and Phi Rho Sigma fraternity. He also be- longs to the Joliet Country Club and Chamber of Commerce. He is past president of the Will County Medical Society, and also belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Earl C. Casey, who is a successful promoter of oil development and who is serving in the office of justice of the peace, maintains his office in the Morris Building, Joliet. He is a scion of the third generation of the family in Illinois, where his paternal grandfather, Zadok Casey, established a residence in an early day. Mr. Casey was born on the homestead farm near Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Ill., in 1884,
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and is a son of Thomas Jefferson and Jennie (Marteeny) Casey, the former born near Mount Vernon, Ill., and the latter at Danville, Ill.
Thomas Jefferson Casey was long engaged in business as a success- ful breeder and grower of high grade horses and mules.
Earl C. Casey attended the public schools until he was 16 years of age, when he began an apprenticeship in the milling and smelting of ores at Florence, Colo. Five years later he associated himself with the oil refining business at Boulder, Colo., thereby allied with his father- in-law in establishing one of the first refineries in Colorado, and later becoming a pioneer in connection with oil production in the Spring Valley District of Wyoming. He became one of the principals in estab- lishing a refinery there and after serving as superintendent of the same for three years, he disposed of his interests in the property, which at that time was sold to the Utah Oil and Refining Company of Salt Lake City. Under the new ownership Mr. Casey was retained as superin- tendent of the Spring Valley refinery during the ensuing three years, and he then returned to Illinois and became assistant superintendent of the Lockport Works of the Texas Oil Company. He was soon advanced to the position of superintendent of the plant and after con- tinuing his residence at Lockport four years he returned to Wyoming and associated himself with the Interior Oil & Development Company in the Salt Creek fields and with headquarters at Casper. There he remained two and one-half years, at the expiration of which he estab- lished his residence at Joliet, where he has been engaged successfully in the jobbing business and has also been associated with development work in the oil fields, he being now the president of the Northern Oil Development Company of Joliet, which has large interests in the vicinity of Minooka, Grundy County, Ill., where wells are being driven and other development work carried forward at the same time. Within a period of his association with the oil industry Mr. Casey has made a close study of geology, especially in connection with oil development.
The Republican party receives the loyal allegiance of Mr. Casey and while he has not been a seeker of public office he has held that of justice of the peace since May 4, 1925. He is affiliated with the four bodies of the York Rite of Masonic fraternity, in which his main alliance is with the Commandery of Knights Templar in his home city, and he
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is likewise a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and a member of Joliet Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Speed Boy Club and the N. E. A. Club, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church.
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