USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
On Nov. 16, 1909, Mr. Cinotto was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Pommatto, who was born at Braidwood, July 9, 1887, the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Falletti) Pommatto, natives of Italy and early settlers of Braidwood. Mr. Pommatto lives retired at LaSalle,
925
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Ill. His wife died May 20, 1916, and is buried at Braidwood. There are seven children in the Pommatto family, as follows: Steven, lives at LaSalle; Kate, married Dominick Berta, lives in Will County ; Emma, married Dominick Perardi, lives at LaSalle; Annie, married James Osborn, lives at Gillespie, Ill .; Mary, married Charles Dillon, lives at Braidwood; Margaret Cinotto; and Jennie, married John Wilson, lives at Wilmington. To Mr. and Mrs. Cinotto have been born two daughters: Beulah Rose, born Aug. 13, 1911, attends high school; and Madeline Marie, born Dec. 1, 1913, also attends high school.
Mr. Cinotto is a stanch Republican and holds membership in the Catholic Church.
S. L. Wylie is a leading figure among the successful business men of Plainfield, where he is engaged in the grocery and meat business. He was born on a farm in Joliet Township, Will County, Nov. 19, 1867, the son of William and Martha (Glascow) Wylie.
William Wylie, deceased, was a native of Ireland. About 1860 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Will County, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising. He met with success and became one of the prosperous men of Kendall County. He retired about 1907 and lived with his son, S. L., until the time of his death, which occurred in 1924, at the age of 84 years. To William and Martha (Glascow) Wylie were born seven children, as follows: Catherine, mar- ried George Williams, lives at Gardner, Ill .; William, lives in Chicago; S. L., the subject of this sketch; Samuel James, lives in Chicago; Margaret, died in Los Angeles, Calif., was the wife of Charles Letson; John H., lives in Chicago; and Jesse C., lives at LaGrange, Ill. The mother of these children, a native of Ireland, died in 1880 at the age of 39 years. Mr. Wylie was married the second time to Miss Catherine Fanning, a native of Massachusetts. She died in 1903. There were no children born to this union.
The boyhood of S. L. Wylie was spent on the farm in Kendall County and he received his education in the district schools. When 22 years of age Mr. Wylie went to Chicago, where he remained until 1893. He then located in Plainfield, where he became interested in the ice cream and candy business with his brother-in-law, William Upton. They continued this partnership for six years, and after disposing of his inter- est to Mr. Upton Mr. Wylie formed a partnership with Edwin Whitley. They conducted a grocery business together for twenty years and were
926
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
also dealers in men's furnishings. In 1919 Mr. Wylie purchased the building in which his present business is located and since that date has conducted a grocery and meat business at that address. He is most successful in his business relations and has a well established trade.
On Sept. 5, 1893, Mr. Wylie was united in marriage with Miss Cath- erine Upton, of Chicago, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Upton, early settlers of Lockport and Plainfield. To them were born seven children, as follows: William Upton, merchant, lives at Wheaton, Ill .; Martha, lives in Chicago; Lawrence S., connected with the Chicago Tele- phone Company, lives in Joliet; Harold C., lives at Harvey, Ill .; Allen James, attends the University of Illinois; Catherine I., a teacher in the Plainfield schools; and June B., attends the University of Illinois.
Mr. Wylie is a Republican and has held several public offices. He was village clerk for 12 years and in 1913 was elected mayor of Plainfield, which office he filled continuously for ten years. He has also served as township treasurer since 1912. Mr. Wylie and his family hold member- ship in the Congregational Church and he is affiliated with A. F. and A. M. Lodge No. 536, of which he has served as Past Master. He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Wylie has always been a public spirited citizen and takes an active interest in all civic affairs. He has served as President of the Plainfield Library Board since its organization and takes an active interest in it.
John N. Nelson is among the highly successful and widely known business men of Joliet, where he is interested in the insurance business as a representative for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He was born at Campus, Ill., July 12, 1883, the son of Ole and Matilda (Polson) Nelson.
Ole Nelson came to the United States from Sweden, where he was born, and settled in Livingston County, Ill. In 1899 he removed to Braidwood, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising. While a resident of Campus, Ill., he was the proprietor of a hotel. He now lives retired at Wilmington. Mr. Nelson is a Republican and has held several township offices. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. They have four children: John N., the subject of this sketch; Arthur H., cashier of the First National Bank, Braidwood; Blenda, married A. P. Oswald, lives at Wilmington; and Esther, married J. R. Patterson, lives at Braidwood.
927
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
John N. Nelson received his education in the public schools of Campus and for several years worked on his father's farm in Reed Township. He spent a year at Aberdeen, S. D., and upon his return to Will County located at Joliet, where he was employed by the Western United Gas & Electric Company for two years. Then he went with the Illinois Steel Company of South Chicago and served as a steel inspector for one year. He was identified with the Peoples Gas & Light Company, Chicago, for four years as an inspector, and in July, 1918, became associated with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as a sales- man. He lives at Braidwood.
On Jan. 22, 1913, Mr. Nelson married Miss Pauline V. Wiborg, who was born in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have no children.
Politically, Mr. Nelson is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Pythias. He is secretary of the Reed Custer High School Board and is active in the civic and social life of Braidwood.
Patrick Muldowney, deceased, was a well known pioneer of Will County. He was born in Ireland and early in life came to the United States and settled at Pottsville, Pa. He enlisted in the Civil War at Tremont, Pa, in 1862 and served in Company H, 176th Volunteer Infantry. In 1866 he moved to Braidwood, Ill., where he was employed in the coal mines. Later he served as Marshall of Braidwood for two years. He died in 1878 and is buried at Wilmington.
Mr. Muldowney married Miss Annie Delaney, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who died Sept. 27, 1927. She is buried at Wilmington. To Mr. and Mrs. Muldowney were born nine children, as follows: John, lives at Braidwood; Patrick; Mary; Thomas, who died in 1918; Alice, mention of whom is made below; and Joseph. All are residents of Braidwood. Edward, Luke and William, deceased.
Mr. Muldowney was a member of the Catholic Church and was active in the life of the community in which he spent so many years.
Alice Muldowney was reared and educated at Braidwood, and for many years has been connected with the local schools as a teacher. She is now principal of the lower Braidwood schools. Her brother, John, has served as a member of the school board for a period of 40 years.
928
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Dr. E. A. Kingston, who has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Lockport for the past 25 years, is among the leading physi- cians and surgeons of Will County. He was born in Ontario, Canada, Oct. 30, 1876.
The early education of E. A. Kingston was obtained in the public schools. He then attended Picton Collegiate Institute and in 1901 he was graduated from Queen's University at Kingston, Canada, and in 1903 received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois. During that year he established his present practice in Lock- port.
On Oct. 7, 1903, Dr. Kingston was united in marriage with Miss Lenna G. Burr, of Ontario, Canada. They have a daughter, Marjorie Burr Kingston, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1927.
Dr. Kingston is identified with the Will County Medical Society, Illi- nois State Medical Society, American Medical Association, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a Republican and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. In 1920 Dr. Kingston was elected coroner of Will County, and reelected in 1924 to the same office, and was nominated for the office again in 1928.
Lee B. Overman, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and loan business at Plainfield, ranks high among the representative men of Will County. He was born on a farm in Muscatine County, Iowa, Oct. 23, 1854, the son of L. B. and Mary L. (Brock) Overman.
L. B. Overman, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil and Mexican Wars. He was born in southern Ohio in 1820 and died in Iowa in 1893. Mr. Overman went to Iowa in 1844 and followed general farming. He was also a cabinet maker. He served throughout the Civil War with a regiment from Iowa. His wife, a native of Canton, Ill., died in 1913 at the age of 87 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Overman were born seven chil- dren, two of whom survive: Lee B., the subject of this sketch; and John W., who lives at Plainfield.
After completing his schooling in the district schools of Iowa, Lee B. Overman clerked in a store. He spent 25 years in the mercantile business. In 1879 came to Joliet, where he entered the employ of N. D. Dyer & Company, dry goods merchants. The following year he came to Plainfield, and spent ten years as a clerk for G. N. Chittenden & Company. He then engaged in the mercantile business and operated
Eakingston m.D
929
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
a store successfully here until the disastrous fire, which wiped out the entire northside of the street on which his store was located. The fol- lowing year he again established a dry goods business in this city, which he conducted for five years. He then removed to Plainfield Township in 1897 and operated his wife's farm. Mr. Overman became one of the leading stockmen of the county and for 14 years was widely known as a breeder of Durham cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. In 1911 he returned to Plainfield and since that date has been interested in the real estate and loan business. He makes a specialty of farm properties and handles the majority of land sales of this type in this section of the State.
On Nov. 6, 1884, Mr. Overman married Miss Harriet Hyland, who was born on a farm near Plainfield, March 23, 1864, the daughter of Granville and Mahalie (Cropsey) Hyland. The Hyland and Cropsey families are among the oldest families of Will County and are prominent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Overman have two sons: Guy H. and Warren W. The latter resides in Indiana.
Mr. Overman has always been a Republican and for the past 12 years has served as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Guy H. Overman, a leading farmer of Plainfield Township, was born at Plainfield. He spent his boyhood here and is a graduate of Plain- field High School and Joliet Business College. He has managed the Hyland farm in Plainfield Township since 1911. He is extensively engaged in the dairy business and owns one of the finest herds of Jersey cattle in this part of the country.
Mr. Overman was married to Miss Maude Van Dyke, a native of Kendall County, Ill., and the daughter of the late Sidney Van Dyke. They have five children: Robert, Van, Marcia, Harriet, and Wayne.
Avery F. Lambert, president of the Plainfield State Bank, is one of the prominent figures in the business life of Will County, and a man who is highly esteemed in the community in which he lives. He was born in Plainfield Township, Will County, April 25, 1864, the son of George and Kerenhappuch (Bird) Lambert.
George Lambert, deceased, was a prominent pioneer of Will County. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, July 1, 1829, and in the fall of 1849 made the voyage to this country from Liverpool, England. The entire trip to Lockport, Ill., was made by water as it was before the
26-VOL. 2
930
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
time of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Mr. Lambert worked as a farm- hand for Squire Hamlin, and received $12.00 per month for his services. He saved his money and soon was able to purchase a small tract of land in Will County. Later he owned 80 acres in Plainfield Township and finally became the owner of 160 acres of fine farm land, which is now part of the Lambert estate. Mr. Lambert was living retired at the time of his death. His wife, who was born in England, in September, 1833, is also deceased. She was three years old when her family went to Canada and about 15 years later they came to Illinois and settled at Plainfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lambert were life long members of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom survive. Avery F., the subject of this sketch, was fifth in order of birth.
Avery F. Lambert grew up on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He also was a student at Northwestern College at Naperville, Ill. Mr. Lambert followed farming until 1906 and then engaged in business at Plainfield. He has been connected with the Plainfield State Bank since May, 1913, and served as vice president of the institution from 1914 until 1924, at which time he was elected president.
On Sept. 14, 1892, Mr. Lambert was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Tyler, of Plainfield, the daughter of A. H. and Ann L. (Dunlap) Tyler, early settlers of Will County. Mr. Lambert died July 12, 1925, leaving a son, Burton A., who lives at Plainfield. He is employed by the Public Service Company. On Nov. 5, 1927, Mr. Lambert married Miss Vera B. Collett, of Lovington, Ill.
Mr. Lambert has always been a Republican. He held the office of supervisor of Plainfield Township from 1913 until 1924 and has been active in local politics. He is a member of the Congregational Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge.
The Plainfield State Bank .- Much of the essential banking history of the city of Plainfield is involved in the record of the Plainfield State Bank. It was organized in May, 1913, with a capital stock of $25,000, and began business on June 7, 1913. It was founded by Ralph N. Bal- lou and C. M. Wolf, and the first officers were: John Patterson, presi- dent; and Fred Haag, vice president. John Patterson was the prede- cessor of Charles Frazer, who served as president of the institution from
931
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
March 13, 1916, until his death in 1923. A. F. Lambert has occupied the presidency of the institution since March 17, 1924. J. A. Henebry was made honorary vice president.
The members of the original board of directors were Fred Haag, John Patterson, O. G. Brown, Fred Tuttle, and M. G. Van Horn.
On Feb. 25, 1914, the capital stock was increased to $50,000. The bank was located in a rented structure on Lockport Street in Plainfield until 1916 when it erected a modern bank building at a cost of $30,000. The present officers are: A. F. Lambert, president; R. M. Ballou, and J. A. Henebry, vice presidents; C. M. Wolf, cashier; Earl H. Van Dyke and Mrs. Lucy O'Toole, assistant cashiers.
The statement of the bank for Feb. 28, 1928, is as follows: Re- sources : loans and discounts, $402,080.76; bonds, $125,478.30; cash and due from banks, $107,162.33; banking house and furniture, $15,347.15; total, $650,068.54. Liabilities: Capital stock, $50,000.00; Surplus, $20,000.00; undivided profits net, $6,938.04; deposits, $556,347.53; re- serve, $6,661.97; dividends unpaid, $121.00; total $650,068.54.
W. H. Cryder .- One of the substantial citizens of Plainfield Town- ship, is W. H. Cryder, who is president of the Plainfield Grain Company and a director of the Plainfield State Bank. He was born in Grundy County, Ill., Oct. 28, 1860, the son of Henry and Mary E. (VanCleve) Cryder.
Henry Cryder was born in Blair County, Pa., and his wife was a native of Trenton, N. J. He was 12 years old when his family came west and settled in Illinois, where he later engaged in general farming and stock raising. To Mr. and Mrs. Cryder were born four children: F. A., farmer, lives on the old homestead in Grundy County, Ill .; W. H., the subject of this sketch; I. V., farmer, lives in Kendall County, Ill .; and Mrs. Ella E. VanDyke, widow of Charles Albert Van Dyke, lives at Plainfield.
W. H. Cryder was educated in the district schools of Grundy County and in 1881 was graduated from the normal school at Morris, Ill. He spent two years in the teaching profession and then engaged in general farming and stock raising in Kendall County, where he purchased 160 acres of land. In 1890 he came to Will County and bought 240 acres of land in Sections 33 and 34. He made many improvements on the place, erected numerous buildings, at the same time adding to his
932
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of 412 acres in Plainfield Township. Mr. Cryder is widely known as a breeder of fine stock. He is assisted on his farms by his son, John H., and son-in-law, Howard Phelps.
On Oct. 9, 1889, Mr. Cryder was united in marriage with Miss Lucena Bronk, who was born in Kendall County, Ill., May 24, 1871, the daugh- ter of John and Kate I (VanDyke) Bronk. Mrs. Bronk died Oct. 28, 1927, in Grundy County, Ill. Throughout her life she was active in church work and was a life long member of the Congregational Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cryder were born two children: M. Edna, married Howard Phelps, lives at home, and they have four children, John, Norma, Mary and William; and John H., farmer, lives at home. He married Miss Helen Barnes, and they have three children, John H., Jr., Robert, and Lucena.
Mr. Cryder is a member of the Congregational Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He is a Republican in politics and has served as a member of the school board as township assessor.
Mr. Cryder was one of the organizers of the Plainfield State Bank in 1913. He was also one of the founders of the Plainfield Grain Com- pany, of which he has served as president since its organization.
Earl H. Van Dyke .- Prominent among the successful young business men of Plainfield may be mentioned Mr. Van Dyke, who is assistant cashier of the Plainfield State Bank. He is also interested in the real estate and loan business. Mr. Van Dyke was born in Kendall County, Ill., March 20, 1893, the son of Charles A. and Ella E. (Cryder) Van Dyke.
Charles A. Van Dyke was born in Kendall County, Ill., Aug. 2, 1865. He was a farmer throughout his active career and in 1907 came to Plainfield, where he lived retired until the time of his death in 1911. His wife, who was born in Kendall County, Ill., April 18, 1866, was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Van Cleve) Cryder. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke one child was born, Earl H., the subject of this sketch.
Earl H. Van Dyke received his education in the public schools of Plainfield and in 1912 was graduated from high school. He then attended the University of Illinois, from which he received his B. S. degree in 1917. Since that date Mr. Van Dyke has been identified with the Plainfield State Bank as assistant cashier and director. In 1928
933
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
he opened offices in Plainfield, where he carries on a large volume of business in mortgages, insurance, and loans. He is also interested in the real estate business.
On Aug. 2, 1917, Mr. Van Dyke was united in marriage with Miss Bessie M. Pike, who was born at Plainfield, Feb. 6, 1893, the daughter of Edgar J. and Carrie (Evans) Pike, natives of Plainfield. Mrs. Van Dyke is a graduate of Plainfield High School and attended the Uni- versity of Illinois and Northwestern University. She is also a graduate of the Columbian Conservatory of Music.
Politically, Mr. Van Dyke is a Republican. He holds membership in the Congregational Church, of which he is treasurer, and he also belongs to A. F. and A. M. No. 536, Joliet Chapter No. 27, and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
C. F. Hartong, secretary and treasurer of the Plainfield Grain Com- pany, is a leading business man of this city, and a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Will County. He was born at Odell, Ill., Dec. 5, 1872, a son of Franklin and Eliza (Sensenbaugh) Hartong.
Franklin Hartong, deceased, was a native of Ohio. He was born near Akron, the son of Jacob Hartong, who came to Ohio from Center County, Pa., during the early days. Franklin Hartong removed to Illi- nois in 1859 and engaged in general farming and stock raising in Taze- well County. He later owned a farm of 120 acres in Odell, Livingston County. In 1875 he moved to Lockport Township where he farmed and owned 120 acres of land. In 1900 he retired and moved to Plainfield where he died July 12, 1914, at the age of 73 years. His wife was born near Akron, Ohio, and was 12 years old when her family came to Illi- nois and settled in Tazewell County. She died Feb. 10, 1920, at the age of 72 years. Her parents, Mathias and Elizabeth Sensebaugh, settled in Will County in 1862. To Franklin and Eliza (Sensebaugh) Hartong six children were born, as follows: Luella, the widow of John W. Prescott, lives at Plainfield; Jennie, the widow of Ira E. Evans, lives at Aurora, Ill .; C. F., the subject of this sketch; Jacob, deceased; John W., lives at Indianapolis, Ind .; and Orva L., married Fred S. Pratt, lives at Plainfield.
C. F. Hartong spent his boyhood on his father's farm and obtained his education in the district schools of Lockport Township, and also the Plainfield High School. Mr. Hartong learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for 12 years, and in 1904 he engaged in farming in
934
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Plainfield Township, having rented the farm of Elisha Brown, which he occupied for 20 years. Mr. Hartong became widely known throughout Will County as a breeder of hogs. From 1924 until 1926 he was asso- ciated in the contracting business with H. A. Goodson, and in 1926 became identified with the lumber and building department of the Plain- field Grain Company. He was made secretary and treasurer of the business, at the time of the organization in 1911, which office he now holds.
Mr. Hartong was married Feb. 27, 1904, to Miss Ida L. Patterson, of DuPage Township, Will County, the daughter of Robert and Eliza- beth (Sinton) Patterson, both deceased. They have a son, Franklin Robert, born Jan. 31, 1918.
Mr. Hartong is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with A. F. and A. M. No. 536, Plainfield, and is also a member of the Council, Joliet, Chapter, Commandery, and Shrine at Springfield, Ill. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
Merton G. Van Horn is one of the representative farmers and stock- men of Plainfield Township and a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Will County. He was born on the farm where he now resides, April 15, 1873, the son of John and Frances (Elwell) Van Horn.
John Van Horn was born in New Jersey, May 17, 1834, and died March 28, 1920. He came to Will County in 1843 with his parents, Cornelius G. and Ann (Van Houton) Van Horn. Cornelius G. Van Horn became a prosperous farmer of Plainfield Township, improving the land which is still part of the Van Horn homestead. He died May 8, 1877, and his wife died April 15, 1872. They were the parents of 12 children, of whom John, father of the subject of this sketch, was the seventh in order of birth. He was married, June 4, 1872, to Miss Frances Elwell, who was born at South Shaftsbury, Vt., Oct. 16, 1839. She died Feb. 29, 1916. Merton G. was their only child.
Merton G. Van Horn has always lived on the old homestead in Plainfield Township, which is known as "Oak Lawn Farm." He received his early education in the public schools of Plainfield and in 1893 was graduated from Joliet Township High School. He then attended the University of Illinois for two years. Mr. Van Horn has devoted his entire life to farming, stock raising and feeding of live stock for the markets. He is a stockholder in the Plainfield Grain Company, the
935
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Plainfield State Bank, the Joliet National Bank, and the Will County Farm Bureau.
On Dec. 28, 1905, Mr. Van Horn was united in marriage with Miss Kathryn Bardwell, who was born in Wilmington, Ill., May 5, 1875, the daughter of Fred and Mary (Connor) Bardwell, the former a native of England and the latter of Ireland. Mr. Bardwell studied pharmacy in England but after coming to the United States engaged in general farm- ing in Will County. He also taught school during the winter months. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn have been born four children: Mary Frances, a graduate of Joliet Township High School and Joliet Junior College, now a teacher in the Marseilles grade school; John B., Carl, and Andrew A., all at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.