USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 34
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Harvey G. West, who lives retired at Momence, was born there in 1850. Throughout his life he was interested in general farming and stock raising. His wife, a native of England, died in 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. West the following children were born: Archie L., the subject of this sketch; Rua M., married Frank Hagerman, lives at Pratt, Kan .; Hilda, married Guy Harris, lives in Canada; and Arthur, lives at Grant Park, Ill. Minnie lives in England. She is the wife of Capt. William Kinsey, a veteran of the World War.
Archie L. West attended the public schools of Momence and also was enrolled at Valparaiso University, in Indiana. He studied teleg- raphy at the Dodge Institute of Telegraphy, and accepted his first posi- tion as an operator with the Grand Trunk Railroad at Valparaiso. For his services he received a salary of $40 per month. He was later con-
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nected with the New York Central Railroad for a short time, and was also employed by the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad at Momence. In September, 1906, he went with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad as assistant agent and operator at Momence, but the following year was transferred to Manhattan as agent.
On Dec. 5, 1906, Mr. West was united in marriage with Miss Effie May Dubridge, of Momence, the daughter of Alfred H. and Delilah (Patterson) Dubridge. Mr. Dubridge died in 1896 and his widow resides at Momence. She was born at Peotone, Ill. There were five children in the Dubridge family: Effie May West; Hazel, married Frank Sharkey, lives at Niles, Mich .; Claude R., lives at Chicago Heights, Ill .; Walter S., a World War veteran, lives in Chicago; and Elva Hughey, lives at Elm- hurst, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. West were born three children: Elton Walter, born June 14, 1907; Ellis, born Aug. 20, 1908; died Oct. 3, 1918; and Beatrice May, born May 12, 1924.
Mr. West served as alderman of Manhattan and is now a member of the school board, having been a director and clerk for the past nine years. He takes an active interest in all civic affairs.
Mr. West was among the first radio operators of Will County to receive a federal license, having taken up the study of radio in 1912. He attended the first radio convention in Chicago and served as district superintendent of Illinois for the American Radio Relay League, Inc., of Connecticut.
Frank J. Kohlhagen, a popular citizen of Frankfort, has been a resi- dent of Will County his entire life. He was born in Frankfort Town- ship, Dec. 17, 1871, the son of John and Maria (Westfahl) Kohlhagen.
Both John Kohlhagen and his wife were born in Butso, Macklenberg, Germany. He was born June 29, 1849, and his wife on Feb. 25, 1852. John Kohlhagen was the son of Frederick and Sophia Kohlhagen, who came to the United States in 1865 and settled first in New Lenox Town- ship, later removing to Frankfort Township, Will County, Ill. He was a farmer. He and his wife are buried in Hadley Cemetery, Hadley, Ill.
John Kohlhagen was 16 years of age when he came to the United States with his parents. He was reared on his father's farm and in 1870 was married to Maria Westphal. He purchased a farm of 160 acres and followed grain farming and dairying. He conducted this farm until 1892, when he retired and moved to Frankfort. On Nov. 1, 1895, with his son Frank J., he organized Kohlhagen's general store, but he
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was never actively engaged in the business. He sold his interest to his son in 1911. He lives in Frankfort. His wife died Oct. 18, 1918, and is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort, Ill. Mr. Kohlhagen is a Democrat and for many years served as highway commissioner. He is a member of St. Peter's Evangelical Church, and has served on the build- ing committee and as trustee of same. To Mr. and Mrs. Kohlhagen three children were born: Frank J., the subject of this sketch; Lily, married Otto B. Herschbach, a hardware merchant, of Frankfort; and Emma, married Frank W. Logan, an ice cream manufacturer of Chicago Heights. Mrs. Logan died Feb. 3, 1924, and is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort.
Frank J. Kohlhagen attended the public schools of Frankfort and graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago, in 1890. In 1892 he went to Joliet as deputy County Clerk, under Henry H. Stassen. In the spring of 1895 he returned to Frankfort, and on Nov. 1st of that year in partnership with his father he established the Kohl- hagen General Store, and served as manager. In 1911 he purchased his father's interest, since which time he has been sole owner. He has met with success in this undertaking and has one of the largest stores of its kind in the city. In October, 1928, he held a sale, closing out his entire business and retired. Mr. Kohlhagen was one of the organiz- ers of the Frankfort State Bank in 1913, and was elected a director and secretary, in which capacity he is still serving. He is also agent of the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois, and a director in the Frankfort-Hall Company.
Mr. Kohlhagen was married in 1896 to Miss Emma Bettenhausen, a daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Horn) Bettenhausen, natives of Germany. Mr. Bettenhausen was a farmer in Green Garden Township. In 1891 he retired and moved to Frankfort, Ill. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort. To Mr. and Mrs. Kohlhagen three children have been born: Grace, registrar of Joliet Township High School; Olive, married Dr. Charles V. Wag- goner, of Chicago; and Eloise, attends the University of Illinois.
Mr. Kohlhagen is a Republican. He has served on the village board as village clerk and trustee, and is now a justice of the peace. He has been Township School Treasurer for the past 22 years, and is clerk of the Modern Woodmen of America, of Frankfort. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Kohlhagen is a mem- ber of the official board of same. He has an excellent standing in the town and is highly esteemed.
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Frank R. Jones, cashier of the State Bank of Manhattan, Ill., since 1895, figures prominently not alone in financial circles but also as a pro- gressive and representative citizen. He was born in Wilton Township, Will County, December 30, 1862, the son of Robert and Eleanor (Cooper) Jones.
Robert Jones and his wife were natives of Yorkshire, England. They came to the United States in 1851 and settled in Kane County, Ill. In 1856 he purchased a farm in Section 26, Wilton Township, Will County, on which he lived until 1886 when he retired and moved to Peotone, where he died in 1901, aged 78 years. His wife died in 1912, aged 88 years. They are buried in Wilton Center Cemetery. Mr. Jones was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and served as school director for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones eight children were born, as follows: 1. John C., a Methodist minister, died in May, 1927, and is buried at Yorkville. 2. Hannah, the wife of Louis M. Arnold, lives at Long Beach, Cal. 3. Elizabeth, married Dr. Londus Blandon, of Joliet. 4. Mary L., the wife of John C. Baker, died in 1919, and is buried in Manhattan Cemetery. 5. Charles W., died in 1869, buried in Wilton Center Cemetery. 6. Frank R., the subject of this sketch. 7. Benjamin D., lives in Manhattan Township. A twin sister of Hannah died at the age of one year.
Frank R. Jones attended the district school of Wilton Township, and attended Northwestern University. He taught school in Wilton and Green Garden Townships for three winters, and then engaged in the lumber business. When the Bank of Manhattan was organized in 1895 he was made its first cashier, in which position he has since served continuously. In 1919 the bank was organized as a State bank.
On August 27, 1885, Mr. Jones was married at Wilton Center to Miss Luanna Renfrew, who was born in Vermont, May 27, 1864. Her parents were Harvey and Adelaide (Smalley) Renfrew. Mr. Renfrew was a lumber dealer in Kansas until his retirement. He is now living in Man- hattan and is 86 years of age. His wife died in March, 1923, and is buried at Manhattan Center. Mrs. Jones, previous to her marriage, was a teacher in the Wilton and Manhattan schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones three children have been born: Herbert R., a graduate of North- western University, and a veteran of the World War, married Miss Mena Ryon, of Streator, Ill., has been employed in the office of the County Treasurer for the past six years. 2. Irvin H., a graduate of Chicago University, was an ensign during the World War and served
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
from February, 1918, until June, 1919, a chemist, now associated with the Koppers Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa. 3. Eleanor, a graduate of Joliet Township High School, lives at home.
Mr. Jones is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For the past 30 years he has been treasurer of the school board of Manhattan, and for 20 years a member of the board of trustees. He and his brother, Benjamin D. Jones, conduct the Baker, Jones & Company, grain and coal dealers. Fraternally Mr. Jones is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Joliet Commandery No. 4, and the Medina Shrine, Chicago, Ill.
Frank S. Hoerrmann .- One of the substantial citizens of Manhattan is Frank S. Hoerrmann, who is interested in the hotel, bakery, and con- fectionery business. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 29, 1879, the son of Gustave and Anna (Gutheinz) Hoerrmann.
Gustave Hoerrmann, deceased, was a native of Germany. He was born Jan. 8, 1844, and died Aug. 5, 1920. His widow, who was born in Germany, Oct. 10, 1854, resides at Manhattan. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoerr- mann the following children were born: Anna, born in 1875, married Joseph Schweitzer, lives in Chicago, and they have three daughters, Myrtle, Bertha, and Anna; George, born in 1877, lives at Manhattan; Frank S., the subject of this sketch; Mathilda, unmarried, lives at home; and Eugene, born Oct. 29, 1881. He is mayor of Manhattan and a promi- nent citizen of Will County.
In 1885 Gustave Hoerrmann located at Manhattan. In 1895 he estab- lished the bakery business which is now owned by his sons. In 1906 a modern baking plant was built. Besides its local business interests the Hoerrmann estate comprises 140 acres of land, some of which is located within the city limits of Manhattan.
Frank S. Hoerrmann was four years old when his parents came to the United States and settled in Chicago. In 1885 they removed to Man- hattan, where Mr. Hoerrmann was educated. Throughout his business career he has been connected with the hotel and bakery business, which was established by his father. He also conducts a confectionery and ice cream business.
On April 22, 1924, Mr. Hoerrmann married Miss Johanna Lawler, the daughter of Martin and Margaret (Donnelly) Lawler. Mr. Lawler died in 1926. His widow resides in Manhattan, Ill. Before her marriage Mrs. Herrmann was a teacher in the schools of Will and Cook counties.
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Mr. and Mrs. Hoerrmann have two children, Francis Joseph, born May 5, 1926, and Marjorie Ann, born Sept. 28, 1928.
Mr. Hoerrmann is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree.
Harry G. Gerdes, one of the most prominent and highly esteemed men of Manhattan, was born at Wilton Center, in Will County, Oct. 28, 1859. He is the son of H. M. and Margaret Gerdes.
H. M. Gerdes was born in Germany and emigrated to the United States with his family about 1858. He purchased a farm at Wilton Center, which he successfully operated until the time of his death in 1891. His wife died in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes were the parents of the following children: Dora, married Stephen Eyrch, lives at Man- hattan; Harry G., the subject of this sketch; Henrietta, deceased, was the wife of Dr. Muehlenpford, of Ashkum, Ill .; Frederick, died in 1876, at the age of 18 years; Henry, died in 1911 at the age of 54 years; Hermina, died in 1923, at the age of 62 years.
With the exception of a few months spent in Nebraska and Chicago, Harry G. Gerdes has spent his entire life in Will County. He was edu- cated in the district schools of Wilton Center and began his business career as a clerk in a country store. After the death of his parents he returned to the home place, which he operated until 1920, at which time he removed to Manhattan.
In 1890 Mr. Gerdes married Miss Sophia Schroeder, who died in 1908. To them a daughter was born, Edna, who died in 1904 at the age of 12 years. In 1910 Mr. Gerdes married Miss Laura Kineston, of Wilton Center. They have a son, Carl K., who was born in 1912. He attends Manhattan High School.
Mr. Gerdes is a Republican in politics and has been supervisor of Manhattan Township since April, 1928. He was also president of the local school board for seven years. While a resident of Wilton Center he held many township offices. From 1896 until 1907 he served Wilton Township as supervisor. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. Gerdes is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Gerdes is president of the Andres & Wilton Grain Company, which was organized in 1914. The company handles over a million bushels of grain annually and is one of the enterprising business con- cerns of Will County.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
John H. Wehrley is among the widely known business men of Beecher, where he has engaged in the drug business for the past 20 years. He was born in Germany, June 27, 1876, the son of John and Elizabeth (Christman) Wehrley.
John Wehrley was born in Germany in 1845. He was a farmer throughout his life and after coming to the United States settled at Millersburg, Ind., where he died in 1898. His wife, also a native of Germany, died in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Wehrley were the parents of seven children, of whom John H., the subject of this sketch, was the third youngest.
John H. Wehrley was nine years old when he came to the United States with his parents. He received his early education in the public schools of Millersburg, Ind., and studied pharmacy at the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1905. He spent two years in the chemical laboratory of Armour & Company, Chicago, and in 1907 located at Beecher, where he has since engaged in the drug business. For the past four years he has served as postmaster of Beecher.
On April 19, 1906, Mr. Wehrley was united in marriage with Miss Helen C. Beutler, who was born at Lafayette, Ind. They have a daugh- ter, Elizabeth, who attends Purdue University. Two other children died in infancy.
Mr. Wehrley is a Republican and has served as school director for 15 years. He is affiliated with A. F. and A. M., No. 1083 Beecher.
Claude O. Henry, cashier of the First National Bank of Manhattan, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Kankakee County, Oct. 28, 1885, the son of George O. and Emma (Bailey) Henry.
George O. Henry, who lives retired at Manhattan, was for many years a farmer and stockman of Sibley, Ill. Since 1921 he has resided in this city. There are eight children in the Henry family, as follows: Claude O., the subject of this sketch; Frank, insurance, lives at Kan- kakee, Ill .; Mrs. A. E. Schroeder, lives at Manhattan; Clayton, salesman, lives at Toledo, Ohio; Bradley, farmer, lives at Sibley, Ill .; Jeanette, teacher, lives at Salina, Kan .; George, lives at Manhattan; and Gordon, lives at Manhattan.
Claude O. Henry received his education in the schools of Bonfield in Kankakee County and when a young man learned telegraphy. He was employed by the Wabash Railroad at Manhattan as night operator
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
and three years later became associated with Bergan Brothers in this city. After five years he became a teller in the First National Bank of Manhattan. He was elected cashier in 1916 and has since served in that capacity.
On June 6, 1916, Mr. Henry was united in marriage with Miss Elda Schroeder, of Manhattan, the daughter of Clemence and Sophia (Krapp) Schroeder, of Manhattan. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were born at Mokena, Ill., and were early settlers of Manhattan, where Mr. Schroeder has en- gaged in the hardware business for the past 42 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry has been born a daughter, Jeanne, born Sept. 17, 1918.
Mr. Henry is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Shrine. He has served as alderman and village clerk of Manhattan and takes an active interest in the affairs of the community.
Wilson F. Smith .- Among the prominent citizens of Will County is Wilson F. Smith, who is living retired at Plainfield. He was born in Lockport Township, in Will County, Sept. 10, 1855, the son of John H. and Lydia (Fouser) Smith.
John H. Smith was born in Summit County, Ohio. He came to Will County in 1854 and after several years returned to Ohio with his family, where he died in 1868, at the age of 40 years. His widow later returned to Will County with her children. After many years she removed to Iowa, where she died at the age of 84 years. Wilson F., the subject of this sketch, was the second child in a family of seven.
Wilson F. Smith received a meager education in the district schools of Lockport Township, being required to go to work as a farm hand when fifteen years of age. After his marriage in 1878 he rented land in Plainfield Township, which he occupied for 30 years. He then pur- chased his present farm of 45 acres which is located on the north side of Plainfield. For many years Mr. Smith was a well known breeder of Englishshire horses, and made many exhibits at the Plainfield Town- ship Fair. He was president of the Fair Association.
On Jan. 1, 1878, Mr. Smith married Miss Jemima Hartong, who was born in Plainfield Township, Aug. 19, 1855, the daughter of Elias and Christina (Schrer) Hartong. Mr. Hartong was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Will County. His wife was born in Germany and was 12 years of age when her parents emigrated to the United
WILSON F. SMITH
MRS. JEMIMA HARTONG SMITHI
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
States. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who celebrated their 50th wedding anni- versary Jan. 1, 1928, are the parents of the following children: Arthur, lives at Plainfield; Lloyd C., lives at Winona, Ill., where he is high school superintendent; Lucretia, lives at home; Lyda, married Dennison Green, lives at Bloomington, Ill .; Beatrice, married Mark Green, lives in Kendall County, Ill .; Dale, lives at Plainfield; Ada and Columbus, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 14 grandchildren.
Rev. Henry Messner, who performed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, lives at Naperville. He is 90 years of age.
Mr. Smith is a Republican. He served as president of the local school board for eight years, and was instrumental in obtaining the consolidated schools for Plainfield. The fine new high school was built during his term as president of the board. He has always been keenly interested in education. He was one of the founders of the Will County Grange in which he has always been an active worker. Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge.
William H. Stelling, proprietor of "Maple Lane Dairy," is one of the progressive young business men of Crete and Will County. He was born in Sumner Township, Kankakee County, Ill., June 17, 1890, the son of Frederic and Wilhelmina (Knoop) Stelling.
Frederic Stelling, deceased, was a native of Germany. He was a small child when his parents brought him to America and settled in DuPage County, Ill., where he spent his boyhood. Later, he removed to Kankakee County, where he purchased a farm of 200 acres. About 12 years before his death he removed to Peotone, Ill., where he died March 1, 1926. He is buried in the Peotone Cemetery. His widow, also a native of Germany, resides at Peotone. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stelling: August, lives at Denver, Colo .; Bertha, married Herbert Peister, lives in Ohio; William H., the subject of this sketch; Minnie, married Henry Daum, lives at Peotone; Clara, married Leslie Howlet, lives at Denver, Colo .; Emma, died at the age of seven years; Hulda, died at the age of nine years; Fred, died May 18, 1927, at the age of 40 years; and two children died in infancy.
William H. Stelling was reared and educated in Kankakee County and was connected with his father's farming interests for a time. At the age of 24 years Mr. Stelling went to Texas and from there to Canada, where he spent several years. He then returned to Illinois and settled
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
on a farm in Crete Township, where he specialized in dairy farming. In 1925 he became interested in the dairy business and established his retail trade in Crete. He operates an up-to-date dairy, which is equipped with modern cold storage plant, separating system, etc.
On Dec. 31, 1919, Mr. Stelling was united in marriage with Miss Ottelie Gross, of Peotone, Ill., the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lauman) Gross. Mr. Gross is a pioneer merchant of Peotone. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stelling have a daughter, Elizabeth, born Aug. 7, 1922.
Mr. Stelling is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, of which he is deacon, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Masonic Lodge and Lincolnshire Country Club. He also is active in the Will County Farm Bureau.
Charles J. Rohe .- One of the most prominent men of Crete is Charles J. Rohe, who has engaged in the drug business at that place continuously for the past 40 years. He was born at Crete, Dec. 9, 1864, the son of Henry and Dorothea (Heine) Rohe.
Henry Rohe, deceased, was a native of Germany. Early in life he came to this country and settled at Syracuse, N. Y., but later went to Chicago. He came to Crete in 1850 and for a time was a farmer. He then engaged in business for many years. He died in 1907 at the age of 71 years and is buried in the Crete Cemetery. His wife, who was born in Germany in 1832, died at the age of 85 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Rohe the following children were born: Herman, lives at Crete; W. H., lives at Crete; Mary, the widow of Clarence Hanaca, lives in Chicago; Fred B., a sketch of whom appears in this volume, lives at Crete; and Charles J., the subject of this sketch.
Charles J. Rohe was reared and educated at Crete. He attended Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis., and began his career as a druggist at Milford, Ill. After four years he went to Canton, Ill., and from there to LaSalle. About 1888 he established a drug business in Crete in partnership with his brother, W. H. Rohe. They purchased two drug stores and moved the stock into the present store and the brothers continued in the business together for 15 years, when Mr. Rohe purchased his brother's interest. It is the oldest business house in Crete and Mr. Rohe is regarded as one of the community's dependable merchants and reliable business men.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
On June 18, 1907, Mr. Rohe was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Saller, of Crete. They have no children.
Mr. Rohe is a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he has served as deacon and treasurer, and he belongs to the Lincolnshire Country Club, and the Steuben Club of Chicago. He has always been a Republican and has filled the office of township clerk. He was one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce at Crete.
M. L. Pfoff is a veteran of the World War and an enterprising young business man of Goodenow, where he is engaged in the general mer- cantile business. He was born at Foosland, Ill., Dec. 7, 1897, the son of L. M. and Nora (Ball) Pfoff.
L. M. Pfoff is a well known resident of Foosland, where he has engaged in the general mercantile business for 35 years. Both he and his wife were born at Foosland. She died in 1926 at the age of 48 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Pfoff were born four children : M. L., the subject of this sketch; Richard H., died in infancy; Lloyd D., attends the University of Illinois; and Florence Mae, lives at home.
M. L. Pfoff obtained his education in the public schools and was con- nected with his father's business for several years. He later went to Chicago where he was identified with the American Manganese Steel Company for four years. In 1922 he came to Goodenow and four years later purchased the general mercantile business of J. H. Bahlman, his father-in-law. This store, one of the pioneer business houses of the township, was owned and operated by Mr. Bahlman for 35 years.
On June 2, 1918, Mr. Pfoff was married to Miss Ruby Bahlman of Goodenow, the daughter of J. H. and Anna Bahlman. Mr. Bahlman was born in Washington Township, Will County, Dec. 12, 1866. He was reared on a farm and early in life engaged in business at Goodenow. He also owned a store at Eagle Lake. He was married in 1890 to Miss Anna Wehrmann, and they had four children: Harry, lives at Portland, Ore .; Ruby Pfoff; William, a graduate of Illinois State University, married Miss Jane Britton, lives at Chicago Heights; and Helen, a graduate of Bloom Township High School and Purdue University, now a teacher in the Marseilles (Ill.) High School. Mr. Bahlman was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church, and a prominent citizen of Goode- now. He served as postmaster, justice of the peace and school director. He died April 23, 1926, and is buried in the Beecher Cemetery. Mrs.
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