USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 42
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Reuben Royal Hafenrichter attended Lombard district school in Wheatland township. He remained on his father's farm ever since.
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Mr. Hafenrichter is well known as a feeder of stock. He is a stockholder in the Plainfield Grain Company and is prominent in the Will County Farm Bureau.
On Jan. 5, 1912, Mr. Hafenrichter married Miss Amanda Hummel, a native of Kendall County, Ill. She is a graduate of Oswego High School and for seven years before her marriage was a teacher in the public schools of Kendall County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hafenrichter, as follows: Uarda, born April 17, 1913; Everett, born March 30, 1916; Glenda, born Oct. 14, 1919; and John Lee, born April 26, 1928.
Mr. Hafenrichter has always been a Republican. He is serving as justice of the peace.
Ezra Edward Hafenrichter .- One of the leading farmers and stock- men of Wheatland Township is found in Ezra Edward Hafenrichter. He was born in this township, March 5, 1875, the son of John and Mary (Hemm) Hafenrichter.
Mr. Hafenrichter attended the public schools of Wheatland Town- ship and took a business course at Aurora, Ill. He has always been interested in farming and with his brother, Reuben Royal Hafenrichter, is one of the largest sheep feeders of the county. He also specializes in grain raising.
On Dec. 12, 1900, Mr. Hafenrichter was united in marriage with Miss Tina Hummel, of Oswego Township, the daughter of John and Apolonia (Schleucher) Hummel, natives of Germany and early settlers of Illinois. Mr. Hummel is deceased. His widow lives at Aurora, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Hafenrichter were born the following children: Owen, born Jan. 29, 1902, died at the age of 15 years; Ada, born April 21, 1906, a graduate of North Central College, now teaches in the schools of Aurora, Ill .; Mellicent, born Sept. 4, 1907, died Dec. 17, 1907; Eunice, died in infancy in 1909; Mercedes, born Sept. 18, 1911, attends Central College ; Belinda, born Feb. 2, 1914, a junior in high school at Aurora; and Fern, born Dec. 28, 1920, attends public school.
Mr. Hafenrichter is a stockholder in the Plainfield Grain Company and belongs to the Will County Farm Bureau. He has served as school director of Wheatland Township for 15 years.
The modern residence, built by Mr. Hafenrichter in 1918, is among the attractive homes in the township. It is of brick construction and thoroughly modern. The farm buildings are also of recent construction.
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A barn on the land houses 500 head of sheep. Mr. Hafenrichter has been a resident of this place for 16 years. He formerly lived on the home place with his brother, Reuben with whom he was in partnership until 1912.
Fred J. Shaw is a well known resident of Joliet, where he has been in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company for almost 40 years. He was born in this city, Oct. 30, 1870, the son of Isaac and Mary V. (Mes- ser) Shaw.
Isaac Shaw was a native of New York and the son of James Shaw, pioneer settler of Joliet, and owner of the first brick yard in this city. Isaac Shaw was associated with his father's business for a number of years and later was connected with the Rock Island Railroad as a locomotive engineer. He died at the age of 68 years. His widow lives in Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw had seven children.
Fred J. Shaw obtained his education in the public schools of Logans- port, Ind., and when 18 years of age entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company as a roller in the Joliet plant. He lives in Joliet Township on State Route No. 7, where he is the owner of 23 acres of land. He conducts a gasoline service station and restaurant at this place, and owns eight summer cottages.
In 1898 Mr. Shaw married Miss Myrtle E. Spafford of Joliet. She is the daughter of E. R. and Harriett (Pritchard) Spafford. Mr. Spaf- ford was born in Reed's Grove, Will County, Ill., May 25, 1855. He was born in a log cabin and early in life was a railroad man. He served in the Spanish American War as also his two sons, Miles E. and Wallace B. Mr. Spafford resides in Joliet, Ill. They have the following chil- dren: Hazel, Helen, Myrtle, Fred J., Jr., Theodore, and James, all at home.
Mr. Shaw is a Republican and is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Robert Hayne is a well known merchant of Joliet, where he is en- gaged in the wholesale meat business. He was born in Nova Scotia, Nov. 4, 1860, and spent his early life there.
In 1880 Mr. Hayne came to the United States and settled at New Haven, Conn., where he was employed in a meat market. He later went to Providence, R. I., where he spent six years as a manufacturer of dried beef. He then went to Chicago where he followed the same
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work for two years. Mr. Hayne came to Joliet in 1912 and was em- ployed in this city by the Morris Packing Company until February, 1921, at which time he established his present business at 602 Van Buren Street.
In 1883 Mr. Hayne married Miss Julia Hitchcock of New Haven, Conn. They have no children.
Mr. Hayne is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Elks Lodge and Chamber of Commerce.
Walter F. Luehrs, president of the Commercial National Bank of Wilmington, 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 at Matteson, Ill., May 30, 1892, the son of Henry and Mary (Vatter) Luehrs.
Henry Luehrs, deceased, was a native of Illinois. He was born at Monee, in Cook County, and was one of the earliest settlers of Matteson. In 1901 he retired from business and located in Joliet, where he died Sept. 9, 1901. His wife died March 13, 1927. They are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Luehrs six children were born, as follows: Henry, a World War veteran, lives at Joliet; May, married A. S. Nahin, real estate, lives in Chicago; Arthur, a World War veteran, lives in Joliet; Walter F., the subject of this sketch; Elmer, lives in Joliet; and Emma, married Alexander R. Keir, Jr., a farmer, lives in Will County.
Walter F. Luehrs was reared and educated in Joliet. He also attended Putland's Business College, and began his banking career in 1900, with the First National Bank of Joliet, with whom he was identified for 11 years. In December, 1919, Mr. Luehrs came to Wilmington as cashier of the Commercial National Bank. He was elected president Nov. 30, 1926. For many years Mr. Luehrs was also cashier of the First National Bank of Braidwood, Ill., and is still a member of the board of directors.
On May 25, 1920, Mr. Luehrs was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Bissel, who was born at Joliet, Oct. 7, 1889. They have four children: Ruth Louise, born Jan. 26, 1922; Walter F., Jr., born Oct. 13, 1923; Frederick, born Feb. 23, 1925; and Margaret Mary, born Jan. 17, 1927.
On Sept. 5, 1918, Mr. Luehrs volunteered for service in the World War and was sent to Camp Grant, Ill. He was later transferred to Camp
WALTER F. LUEHRS
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McArthur, Texas, and was discharged from the service, Dec. 29, 1918, at Camp Grant, IIL.
Mr. Luehrs is a Republican in politics and has served as city treasurer of Wilmington for two terms. He is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion, being adjutant of Lester Smith Post, Wilmington.
The Commercial National Bank of Wilmington .- Much of the essen- tial banking history of the City of Wilmington is involved in the record of the Commercial National Bank. This bank was organized March 15, 1872, and was originally known as the Miners National Bank of Braid- wood. The first officers were: John H. Daniels, president; H. E. C. Daniels, vice president; and William H. O'Dell, cashier. The directors were: John H. Daniels, H. E. C. Daniels, E. W. Felton, Henry Jones, and William H. O'Dell.
The presidents of this institution in order of their succession are: John H. Daniels, D. W. Cobb, E. W. Felton, H. N. Roberts, Edward Donahoe, and Walter F. Luehrs.
The officers for 1928 are: Walter F. Luehrs, president; M. F. Riley, vice president; and W. H. Whitmore, Jr., cashier. The directors are: E. P. Donahoe, M. F. Riley, Walter F. Luehrs, George McQueen, and H. J. Ohlhnes.
George W. Alderman is a highly esteemed citizen of Joliet, and a member of a prominent pioneer family of Will County. He was born in Dupage County, Ill., near Downer's Grove, Feb. 16, 1872, the son of Augustus S. and Eleanor (Welch) Alderman.
Augustus S. Alderman, deceased, was a prosperous and representa- tive farmer of Dupage Township. He was born in Canada, March 4, 1835, the son of George W. and Adeline (Sharp) Alderman. When two years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan City, Ind., where the family resided for a short time, and then went to Chicago. In 1841 the family settled on a small farm in DuPage Township, Will County, where Augustus S. Alderman grew to manhood. He devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. On March 14, 1871 Mr. Alderman married Miss Eleanor Welch, and to this union three children were born, George W., the subject of this sketch ; Eleanor
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Dystrup; and Grace Phelps. A year previous to his marriage Mr. Alder- man purchased a small farm and by industry and economy he prospered, and as his financial resources increased he kept adding to his property until he was the owner of 540 acres of excellent farm land, located in Sections 22, 26, and 27, DuPage Township. Mr. Alderman was a stanch Democrat and never withheld his aid from any measure which he be- lieved would prove a public benefit. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was one of the self made men of Will County, having started out in life in limited circumstances and the success he achieved was due en- tirely to his excellent business ability, sound judgment, good manage- ment, as well as his industry. He died Oct. 9, 1910, and is buried in Barber's Corners Cemetery, DuPage Township. His widow, who was born in DuPage Township, July 10, 1850, now resides at Lemont, Ill. Augustus S. Alderman had one sister, Mary, who married Romanzo Lyman. She is deceased and is buried at Naperville, Ill.
George W. Alderman attended the district school and was associated with his father in farming until 1909, when he began farming on his own account. His first farm consisted of 260 acres. He later purchased 100 acres and to this he added 160 acres, and later 110 more. This was later divided among the estate, Mr. Alderman retaining 500 acres.
On June 30, 1909, Mr. Alderman was married to Miss Anna L. Gil- lespie, of Evansville, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Alderman one son was born, Augustus S., born Oct. 20, 1910. He attended Farragut school, and was graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1928. He was a prominent member of the Joliet Township High School Band, which for the years 1926, 1927 and 1928 won the National Championship among high school bands in the United States.
Mr. Alderman is a Democrat in national politics, and fraternally is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge. He has served as a school trustee of the township board of edu- cation and has always taken an active interest in all civic affairs. His home, which is modern and beautiful, is at 600 Buell Avenue, Joliet.
Henry Biesterfeld is a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Crete Township, where he is serving as highway commissioner and school director. He was born in Lake County, Ind., Aug. 25, 1868, the son of Fred and Engel (Batterman) Biesterfeld.
Fred Biesterfeld, deceased, was a native of Germany. He was among the earliest settlers of Will County, having located in Crete
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Township. He later lived in Lake County, Ind., but after a number of years returned to Crete Township, where he was well known as a suc- cessful dairy farmer, being the owner of 92 acres of well improved land. He died May 21, 1917, at the age of 76 years. His wife is also deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Biesterfeld were born three children: Fred, lives in Stephen County, Minn .; Henry, the subject of this sketch; and Sophia, married William Senholtz, Stephen County, Minn.
Henry Biesterfeld spent his boyhood in Lake County, Ind., and ob- tained his education in the district schools. Throughout his life he has been interested in general farming. Although living practically retired he is still the owner of his fine farm of 83 acres in Crete Township. A modern home was built by Mr. Biesterfeld in 1925. He has held the office of highway commissioner for the past five years and has been school director since 1919. He has been a resident of this township for more than half a century.
In 1897 Mr. Biesterfeld was united in marriage with Miss Marie Rinne, of Crete Township, the daughter of William and Marie Rinne, pioneer settlers of Will County. Mr. and Mrs. Biesterfeld have three children: Edna, was educated in Bloom Township High School, and the Chicago Business College, now employed in Chicago; Martin, married Miss Zelma Meier, of Washington Township, Will County, lives on the old homestead; and Hilda, was educated in Bloom High School and Chicago Heights Business College, married Henry Blievernicht. All live at home.
Mr. Biesterfield has always been a Republican. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he is an elder, and he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce.
Dennison D. Green was born in Westford, New York, February 13, 1807. His wife, Otilla Wheeler Green, was born in Columbia County, New York, Nov. 24, 1812. They were married in 1831 and came to Will County in 1836, settling first in Joliet and a few years later moving to Plainfield, where the rest of their lives was spent. Mrs. Green died April 28, 1896, and Mr. Green followed her on July 4 of the same year.
Five children were born to them: Judson D., born in 1834, married Josephine Kirby, and spent the last years of his life in Plainfield; Emma, born in 1837, married Oscar Hoag, and after his death married Frank Wride, of Los Angeles, Calif., where she passed most of her life; Lovi, born in 1839, married Miss Riley, of Holton, Mich., where she
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died; Josephine, born in 1844, married A. Kendrick Hyland, and after his death to Fred Harris, life spent in Will County; Bentley Wheeler, born in 1854, married Ida Colgrove, life spent on farm near Plainfield.
Mr. and Mrs. Green were lifelong members of the Baptist Church and generous contributors to all of its activities. Mr. Green was also an ardent abolitionist and his blacksmith shop was used as a station in the underground railway and harbored many runaway slaves.
Homer George, one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Wheatland Township,, is a member of a family that has long been identified with the history of Will County. He was born on a farm near where he resides, Nov. 20, 1875, the son of William and Hannah Dun- dore George.
William George was born in Germany in 1836 and his wife was born in Ohio in 1838. They settled in Will County in 1866, and Mr. George purchased 80 acres of land in Wheatland Township. He later purchased a larger adjoining farm where he resided throughout his life and died in 1897. His wife died in 1901. They are buried in the cemetery at Plainfield. To Mr. and Mrs. George the following children were born: Mary, born in 1865, died in infancy; Franklin, born in 1867, died in infancy ; William, born May 28, 1868, lives in Napervile, Ill .; Walter, born June 12, 1870, farmer, lives in Wheatland Township; Abbie Mae, born Sept. 5, 1873, married Clem W. Prough, lives in Joliet; Milton Homer, the subject of this sketch; and Robert D .; born July 30, 1884, lives in Joliet.
Homer George received his education in the schools of Wheatland Township, and throughout his life had been interested in general farm- ing and stock raising. He is a charter member of the Will County Farm Bureau and has extensive business interests, being vice president of the Federal Loan Association of Will County and a stockholder in the Plainfield Grain Company. He is also school trustee for Wheatland Township.
On August 30, 1904, Mr. George was united in marriage with Miss Belle Green, of Plainfield, Ill., the daughter of Judson and Josephine (Kirby) Green, both deceased. Both were natives of New York and early settlers in Illinois. Mr. Green died in 1908 and his wife died in 1924. He came to Joliet in 1836 at the age of two years and later moved to Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. Green had three daughters: Mary Jane,
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married Cassius Greene in New York, lives in Los Angeles, Calif .; Alice Louise, married Howard M. Snapp, lives in Joliet ; and Belle George.
To Mr. and Mrs. George were born four children: Forrest Dundore, born June 18, 1905, lives at home; Josephine Louise, born Oct. 20, 1906, married Murley J. Wheeler, lives in Kendall County, Ills., and they have two children, Murley J., Jr., and George Laurence; Laurence Homer, born Feb. 20, 1909, attends North Central College, Naperville, Ills., and Winifred Belle, born Oct. 10, 1911, attends Plainfield High School.
Mr. George is affiliated with A. F. & A. M., No. 536, Plainfield; Pansy Chapter, Eastern Star, Plainfield; Joliet Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar; Joliet Council, No. 82, R. & S. M .; Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M .; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Chicago, and Ansar Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., of Springfield, Ills.
He is prominent throughout Will County and highly esteemed.
Christian B. Eskilson is a highly esteemed citizen and widely known business man of Beecher, where he is president of the Dixie Dairy Com- pany and director of the First State Bank of Beecher. He was born in Denmark, April 5, 1878, the son of Jens and Kjestine Eskilson.
At the age of 18 years Mr. Eskilson came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, where he became interested in the manufacture of butter. Later, he went to Chicago and was employed by the Clover Leaf Milk Company there until 1903, at which time he came to Beecher to buy milk for the city distribution of a Chicago firm. In 1913 Mr. Eskilson purchased his interest and organized Dixie Dairy Company at Beecher and was elected president and treasurer. The other officers are: John C. Werner, vice president; and Elmer Bielfeld, secretary.
The Dixie Dairy Company is the only retail dairy plant in the eastern part of Will County, and ranks among the leading concerns of its kind in the state of Illinois. It owns and operates 45 delivery trucks and employs approximately 75 men. Territory covered by the company extends from Kankakee to Harvey, Chicago Heights, and Gary, Ind. The business was incorporated for $100,000 in 1922.
On May 28, 1904, Mr. Eskilson was united in marriage with Miss Esther Johnson, of Chicago. She was born in Sweden and came to America when 20 years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Eskilson were born four children: Eskil was a student at Beecher High School, a prepara- tory school in Maryland and was a graduate from the U. S. Naval
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Academy at Annapolis in 1926 and now serving as a junior officer in the U. S. Navy; Ethel, a graduate of Bloom Township High School and the University of Illinois in 1928, now a teacher in the public schools of Beecher; Violet, a graduate of Bloom Township High School and a student at the university at Madison, Wis .; and Arnold, a senior at Bloom Township High School.
Politically Mr. Eskilson is a Republican. He is serving his fourth term as mayor of Beecher and has been a member of the school board for several years. He holds membership in the Congregational Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Eskilson is part owner of "Shadow Lawn" farm in Kankakee County, Ill. It is one of the fine farms of that section and contains 176 acres. Besides his local business interests, Mr. Eskilson is a director of the Clover Leaf Milk Company of Chicago.
Ferdinand Oberheide, Jr., is one of the substantial men and suc- cessful merchants of Beecher, where he has engaged in the restaurant and meat business for the past 17 years. He was born in Washington Township, Will County, in March, 1873, the son of Ferdinand and Dor- othea (Thuernau) Oberheide.
Ferdinand Oberheide, Sr., who lives retired at Beecher, may claim the distinction of being the oldest resident of Will County. He was born in Hessen, Germany, Oct. 25, 1834, and spent his early life in his native land. At the age of 30 years he came to the United States and located at Beecher, where he married the widow of Christopher Stegge. She was a native of Germany, born in 1835. She died in 1903 and is buried in the Eagle Lake Cemetery. Mr. Oberheide farmed near Eagle Lake until 1909. He owned and operated 120 acres and was a success- ful stockman. Since 1900 he has lived retired at Beecher. To Mr. and Mrs. Oberheide were born the following children: Louisa, born Jan. 6, 1872, died in infancy; Louisa, born Nov. 24, 1875, married Wil- liam Horste, farmer, lives in Minnesota; Ferdinand, Jr., the subject of this sketch; Emma, born March 18, 1878, married Charles Powell, lives in Chicago Heights; and August, died Jan. 10, 1882, at the age of 13 years.
Ferdinand Oberheide, Jr., grew up at Eagle Lake and received his education in the public schools. He remained on his father's farm until about 1910, at which time he came to Beecher and established his
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
present meat business. Two years later he became interested in the restaurant business, which he conducted in connection with his other business. Mr. Oberheide is practically retired and his shop and res- taurant are now capably managed by his son, Henry Oberheide.
On May 28, 1899, Mr. Oberheide was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hahn, of Eagle Lake, born Sept. 5, 1875, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Wille) Hahn, natives of Germany and both now deceased. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Oberheide is Henry, born July 18, 1900. He is a graduate of Beecher Public High School. He was married on May 6, 1926, to Miss Ramona Ione Jurgerson, of Kankakee County, Ill.
Mr. Oberheide has always been a Republican. He and his family are active members of the Zion Lutheran Church of Beecher.
Dr. F. B. Daugherty is prominent among the successful young dentists of Will County, engaged in the practice of his profession at Peotone for the past 11 years. He was born at Red Oak, Iowa, Aug. 25, 1886, the son of William and Sadie (Wyckoff) Daugherty.
William Daugherty, who resides at Gladstone, Ill., has been operating grain elevators in Illinois and Iowa for more than half a century. He spent his early life in Iowa. His wife was born at Oquawka, Ill. They have the following children: Howard, lives at Corvallis, Ore .; Wilbur, lives at Fonda, Iowa; F. B., the subject of this sketch; and Martha, married Frank Lauber, lives at Lafayette, Ill.
The early education of F. B. Daugherty was received in the public schools of Iowa. He studied dentistry at Northwestern University, Chicago, and was graduated from that institution in 1914. He imme- diately established a practice at Crete, in Will County, and three years later located at Peotone, where he has established an excellent practice.
On June 26, 1918, Doctor Daugherty was united in marriage with Miss Hilda C. Tillotson, of Crete, the daughter of Myron J. and Minnie (Bielfeldt) Tillotson. Mrs. Daugherty is a graduate of the schools of Crete and DeKalb Normal School. Before her marriage she was identified with the schools of Will County as a teacher. Doctor and Mrs. Daugherty have two daughters: Marion, born May 1, 1919; and Katherine, born July 5, 1921.
Doctor Daugherty is identified with the Kankakee District Dental Society, the Illinois State Dental Society, and the American Dental
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Association. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with A. F. & A. M. No. 636, Peotone. He is prominent in local affairs, being president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Board of Education, and chairman of the Board of Health at Peotone.
Clinton Ray Hulbert .- One of the recognized leading men of Chan- nahan Township is Clinton Ray Hulbert, who has served as township supervisor for the past 22 years. He has also engaged in the mercantile business at Channahan for 35 years. Mr. Hulbert was born near Hicksville, in Defiance County, Ohio, July 23, 1858, the son of Oren S. and Julia (Ames) Hulbert.
Oren S. Hulbert, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Defiance County, Ohio, Jan. 20, 1837, and came to Joliet in 1883. After several years he removed to Channahan, where he established a general mercantile business which is now conducted by his son. Mr. Hulbert was also interested in real estate. He died Feb. 8, 1923, and is buried in Willard Grove Cemetery, Channahan Township. His wife died in 1863, at the age of 23 years, and is buried in Lost Creek Ceme- tery, Defiance County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hulbert were born two children: Clinton Ray, the subject of this sketch; and Clara, married E. A. Himes, lives at Channahan.
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