USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 46
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On Aug. 15, 1925, Mr. Hinz married Miss Mabel I. Hogrefe, of Le- mont, the daughter of Charles and Emma (Schmidt) Hogrefe. The former is deceased and the latter lives at Lemont. Mr. and Mrs. Hinz have a son, Edward C., Jr., born May 26, 1926.
Mr. Hinz is a Republican and active in local politics. He is a member of St. Peters' Lutheran Church and is prominent in church activities, being well known throughout the city as an accomplished musician, lecturer and speaker.
William Kellsner is a well known business man of Joliet, where he is a florist and manager and one of the owners of the Chicago Carnation Company. He was born in the southern part of Sweden, Nov. 24, 1879. He attended the public schools there and at the age of 15 years went to work in a greenhouse. When he was 21 years of age he went to London, England, and worked in a greenhouse for about two years. From Lon- don he came direct to Chicago, Ill., where he worked in greenhouses, and in 1903 came to Joliet and secured employment with the Thompson Carnation Company, where he remained one year. He worked in Dan- ville, Ill., one year, and Tilton, Ill., for three years, after which he re- turned to Joliet to take charge of the present plant.
The Chicago Carnation Company has one of the largest greenhouses in Will County and state, with 150,000 square feet of glass covering five acres, and have 16 acres in all. It was incorporated in 1917 as the Chicago Carnation Company, William Kellsner manager. Their retail store is located at 407 Jefferson Street, Joliet. The plant employs 15 men, and there are six employes at the down town store. The green- house has over 30,000 rose plants, which is the principal product ; 20,000 carnation plants ; 15,000 chrysanthemum plants; calla lilies, 2,100; Eas- ter lilies, bulbs, imported from Japan; about 1,500 ferns of various kinds,
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10,000 bedding plants for spring, and all other plants in a first class greenhouse plant. The greenhouses are located on the Michigan Central tracks, Route No. 5 State Highway, about two and one-half miles east of Joliet. The company has a large wholesale and retail trade in Joliet and the Chicago markets.
In 1911 Mr. Kellsner was married to Miss Hilda Ryden of Sweden, and they have a daughter, Agnes, a sophomore in Joliet Township High School.
Mr. Kellsner is a Republican in politics and a member of the Joliet Lutheran Bethlehem Church, the Svitioth Club, and the John Erickson Club, Joliet Flower and Garden Club. Mr. Kellsner has spent nearly all his time as a florist and horticulturist.
Archibald C. Jeffrey, resident manager of the Lincoln Jockey Club, is a representative citizen of Joliet. He has also been prominently iden- tified with politics in Will County, having served as county treasurer, and mayor of Joliet. He was born at Braidwood, Ill., Feb. 2, 1874, the son of Joseph and Jane (Craig) Jeffrey.
Both Joseph Jeffrey and his wife were natives of Scotland. The former was born in 1848 and the latter in 1846. About 1873 they came to the United States and located at Braidwood in Will County, where Mr. Jeffrey was employed in the coal mines. He died in 1885 and his widow died in 1926. They are buried in Braidwood Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey were born six children: Joseph, died at the age of 19 years; William, died at the age of 31 years; Archibald C., the subject of this sketch; Jane, unmarried, lives at Joliet ; James, lives at Joliet; and John, who is employed in the county treasurer's office.
Archibald C. Jeffrey obtained his education in the public schools of Braidwood and also attended night school. He began his business career as a grocer's clerk and later engaged in the grocery business at Braid- wood, which he successfully conducted until 1914. He filled the office of County Treasurer of Will County from 1914 until 1918 and was then made deputy treasurer. He was appointed mayor of Joliet to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Thomas V. Gorey. He later went to Chicago as chief office deputy of the internal revenue office. In 1925 he was appointed residence manager of the Lincoln Fields Jockey Club, which is located in Crete Township. It is among the finest clubs of its type
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ARCHIBALD C. JEFFREY
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in the United States and was built at a cost of two and one-half million dollars.
On Jan. 30, 1900, Mr. Jeffrey was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Melcher, of Braidwood, the daughter of Matthew and Mary Melcher. Mr. Melcher is deceased. His widow lives at Joliet. To Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey were born three children: Archibald C., Jr., born Dec. 2, 1901, a graduate of Joliet Township High School, now in the employ of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad; Gertrude, a graduate of the National Kindgarten School, Chicago, now a teacher in the public schools of Joliet; and Joseph, born Oct. 22, 1905, a graduate of Joliet Township High School. He attends the University of Illinois.
Mr. Jeffrey is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree, Knights of Pythias, Elks Lodge, Eagle's Lodge, and Loyal Order of Moose. He has served as supervisor of Braidwood for four years and for many years had been president of the school board.
William Plagge .- Prominently identified with the financial interests of Will County is William Plagge, who is president of the Monee State Bank, vice president of the First State Bank of Beecher, and cashier of the First National Bank of Harvey. He was born at Manhattan, Will County, Jan. 1, 1862, the son of Charles and Mary (Claussen) Plagge.
Both Charles Plagge and his wife were natives of Germany and early settlers of Will County, having located here in 1860. Mr. Plagge purchased a grain elevator at Monee and also conducted a general mer- cantile business at this place until 1902, at which time he retired. He died Aug. 23, 1921, at the age of 85 years. His widow lives at Harvey, Ill. Mr. Plagge was among the influential business men of Will County and was the first mayor of Monee. There were ten children in the Plagge family, six of whom survive.
The education of William Plagge was obtained in the public schools of Monee. Early in life he was associated with his father's mercantile business in this city, but many years ago became interested in banking. In 1907 he was appointed cashier of the First National Bank of Harvey. He has been connected with the Monee State Bank as president since its organization and has also been vice president of the First State Bank of Beecher since its inception.
On Nov. 30, 1890, Mr. Plagge married Miss Lena Koepke, of Monee. They have three children: Elmer, lives in Chicago; Luella, married
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Emery C. Woeltje, lives at Monee, and they have a son, Wayne; and Norma, married Walter Hoffman, lives in Chicago, and they have a daughter, Vivian.
Mr. Plagge is a Republican and a member of the Evangelical Church. He has held the office of school treasurer of Monee Township continu- ously since 1885.
Theodore Robert Gerlach, merchant, manufacturer and banker, was born at Mount Vernon, Indiana, February 17, 1867, son of August and Mary (Goth) Gerlach, and grandson of Henry Gerlach, a mason con- tractor, who came from Muhlhausen, Germany, about 1866, and retired soon after reaching America.
Both August and Mary (Goth) Gerlach, father and mother of Theo- dore Robert Gerlach, were natives of Germany and early settlers of Indiana. At the age of 20 years August Gerlach emigrated to the United States. He studied for the ministry and was a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1856 and until his death in 1896. His wife died in 1917. Both are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago. There were ten children in the Gerlach family as follows: Elizabeth, died at the age of three years; Charley and William, twins, deceased in in- fancy; August E., lives at Commonwealth Hotel, Chicago; Theodore Robert, the subject of this sketch; Louis, deceased; Kingsley Henry, lives at Babson Park, Florida; Lydia E., lives at Louis Joliet Hotel, Joliet ; Emma, deceased ; and Clara, married Victor S. Rice, lives at 9054 South Robey Street, Chicago.
Theodore Robert Gerlach, subject of this sketch, received his educa- tion in the public schools of Cincinnati, Columbus and Bucyrus, Ohio, and Marine City, Mich. He began his business career in 1883 as a clerk in a tea store at Detroit, Mich., and was subsequently employed as a clerk in a grocery store in Chicago. In 1887 he established himself as an independent tea and grocery merchant at Joliet, Ill. He was a book and calendar salesman during the years 1892-1907 and in the latter year organized at Joliet, Ill., The Gerlach-Barklow Co., makers of art calen- dars and directors of sales campaigns.
The Gerlach-Barklow Company has grown from a small beginning into the largest organization of its kind in existence, employing 800 per- sons, and devoted to the manufacture and sale of art calendars, direct-
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by-mail advertising, business greetings, leather utilities, etc. The com- pany is capitalized at $2,500,000.00, and its plant occupies 330,000 square feet of floor space. Mr. Gerlach was vice president of the company from its organization and until 1919, when he purchased the interests of its president and two others of the original and larger stockholders, and be- came president, which office he still holds.
Control of The P. F. Volland Co., Chicago, now of Joliet, was acquired by The Gerlach-Barklow Co. in 1924. The P. F. Volland Co. is one of the most successful manufacturers of children's books, gift books, greet- ing cards and framed mottoes, and employs 500 workers. Mr. Gerlach was made president of this company when it was acquired in 1924 and still holds that office.
Mr. Gerlach is also a director of The Ferndon Manufacturing Co., Aurora, Ill., manufacturers of advertising signs; vice president and gen- eral manager of The Joliet Wrought Washer Co., Joliet, Ill .; president of The Commercial Trust & Savings Bank, Joliet, Ill .- and has long been prominent in the work of the International Advertising Association, having served for thirteen years as a member of its advertising com- mission for the United States, a member of the executive committee in 1916 and since 1922 a member of its joint assembly. He was president of the Advertising Specialty Association of Chicago in 1918-1919, and is still on their board of directors, and for the past ten years has been a director of the Illinois Manufacturers Association. He is a past presi- dent of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, is a director in the Association of Arts and Industries of Chicago, a lay member of the Painters and Sculptors Gallery Association, Grand Central Art Galleries, New York City, a trustee of Silver Cross Hospital of Joliet, and a director of the Joliet Country Club, of which he was president in 1919 and 1920.
Mr. Gerlach was married December 25, 1889, to Miss Charlotte D. Hill (deceased September 18, 1925), daughter of Charles A. and Lydia M. (Wood) Hill, the former a native of New York and the latter of Will County, Illinois. Mr. Hill was a lawyer, an assistant attorney general of Illinois and a member of Congress. He died May 29, 1902, and his wife died January 7, 1912.
Mr. Gerlach is a member of the Universalist Church and belongs to the Union League Club, Chicago, The Joliet Chamber of Commerce, The Joliet Country Club and The Isaac Walton League. He has always been a Republican, and finds his chief recreation in fishing and hunting.
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Eugene C. Huston, who lives retired at Braidwood, is a representa- tive citizen of that community, and a member of a family that has long been identified with the history of Will County. He was born at Braid- wood, Feb. 1, 1876, the son of Robert and Emma (Blanchard) Huston.
Robert Huston, deceased, was a prominent pioneer of Braidwood, where he located shortly after the close of the Civil War. He engaged in the dry goods business at this place for many years and ranked among the dependable and successful merchants of Will County. He served as postmaster, alderman, and sheriff of Will County, and throughout his life maintained an active interest in local politics. He was a Re- publican. Mr. Huston was a member of the Baptist Church, and be- longed to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died Dec. 5, 1894, and his wife died Aug. 18, 1921. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet. They had four children: Maude, married Oscar Brazelton, lives in Texas; Eugene C., the subject of this sketch; William, deceased; and Jessie, actress, married Fred Palmer, lives in New York City.
Eugene C. Huston attended the public schools of Joliet and began life as a clerk in the employ of a Joliet railroad office. He has traveled extensively and is well known as a contributor to newspapers and maga- zines. Mr. Huston lives at Braidwood in the old Huston family home- stead, which is one of the interesting landmarks of Will County.
Mr. Huston is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having en- licted in Company B, Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was later identified with the Illinois Reserves.
Arthur F. Schweer .- Among the most successful of the younger business men of Will County is Arthur F. Schweer, who is engaged in the shoe business at Crete. He was born here, July 28, 1894, the son of William and Louise (Wehmhofer) Schweer.
William Schweer, deceased, spent his entire life at Crete. He was a blacksmith by trade. He died in 1913 at the age of 56 years and is buried in Trinity Cemetery, Crete. His widow resides here. To Mr. and Mrs. Schweer were born six children, as follows: William and Henry, who live at Crete; Helen, the widow of Walter Turkington, lives at Crete; Martha, married Fred L. Pierce, lives at Chicago Heights; Arthur F., the subject of this sketch; and Fred, lives at Crete.
Arthur F. Schweer was reared and educated at Crete. He learned the machinists' trade early in life and was also interested in electrical
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work. He is a veteran of the World War, having served in France with the 77th Coast Artillery. He was discharged at Camp Grant, Ill., in April, 1919. In January, 1925, Mr. Schweer purchased the Schweer Shoe Company, which was founded many years ago by his uncle, Henry Schweer. He is local dealer for the Florsheim shoe and handles high grade merchandise exclusively. Mr. Schweer is also interested in the radio business, which he conducts in connection with his shoe store.
In 1923 Mr. Schweer married Miss Emma C. Meier of Crete, the daughter of Fred J. and Louise Meier. Mr. Meier is a retired farmer. Mrs. Schweer was educated in the public schools of Crete and Chicago Heights, and before her marriage was a stenographer.
Politically Mr. Schweer is identified with the Republican party. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Marion (Kelly) Bowles, M. D .- Both her wide and varied field of practice in Joliet and her official and professional association with lead- ing medical and health institutions, are inclusive in the round of Dr. Bowles' activities. She is a native of Illinois, born near Table Grove, McDonald County, and the daughter of Lewis E. and Susanna ( Hoopes) Kelly.
Lewis E. Kelly was born at Maysville, Ky., and his wife was a native of Freemont, Ohio. He was a teacher in the public schools for many years and later engaged in general farming and stock raising. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried at Table Grove, Ill. He was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were the parents of three children: William L., lives in Montana; Dr. Franklin E., physician, deceased; and Dr. Marion Bowles, the subject of this sketch.
After attending the public schools of Table Grove, Marion Kelly entered the Illinois State Normal School, from which she was gradu- ated in 1886. She also attended the University of Indiana, and for a short time was interested in teaching school. She subsequently entered the Woman's Medical School of Northwestern University, from which she was graduated in 1894. She served as assistant at the Clinic in general medicine at her alma mater, Chicago, for two years, and thereafter established her present offices in Joliet. Dr. Bowles is a member of the staff of Silver Cross Hospital, and for 20 years she served as an instruc- tor in obstetrics on the staff of Silver Cross Hospital and two years as instructor of pediatrics in the same hospital. She was one of the organ-
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izers of the Will County Public Health Council and has been active in the affairs of this organization, having been chairman of the Tubercu- losis Division, and also has been medical director of two of its child welfare clinics for several years. She is also medical director of the Infant Welfare Station at Lemont, Ill., under the Cook County Public Health Council.
On Jan. 29, 1893, Marion Kelly married William A. Bowles, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
Dr. Bowles is a Republican and a member of the Universalist Church, Kings Daughters, W. C. T. U., Cosmos Club, Joliet Women's Study Club, Alpha Epsilon Iota Fraternity and Marguerite Chapter, O. E. S., and White Shrine of Joliet. She also belongs to the Business and Profes- sional Women's Club, of which she is past state president and past national vice president, also the Woman's Club.
Dr. Bowles served for two terms as president of the Will County Medical Society, was its secretary and treasurer for fifteen years, and she also is identified with the American Medical Association, Medical Women's National Association, and the Illinois State Medical Society.
Dr. Bowles is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the high school board, which body she has served as president for two terms, and active on both local and state boards of the National Feder- ation of Business and Professional Women. She has been a member of the State Board of the Illinois League of Women Voters.
She is prominent in the social life of the city, having served as the first president of the Joliet Federation of Women's Clubs in Joliet, now merged into the Woman's Club.
William A. Bowles, deceased, was one of the representative citizens and prominent attorneys of Will and Cook Counties. He was born at Table Grove, Ill., the son of James and Amanda (Elgin) Bowles.
James Bowles was born at Hancock, Md., and was among the early settlers of Illinois, where he was successful as a farmer. His wife was born at Astoria, Ill. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowles are deceased and are buried at Astoria, in Fulton County. They had four sons: Samuel, teacher and farmer, lives at MacComb, Ill .; James E., attorney, lives in Chicago; Judge Charles H., deceased; and William A., the subject of this sketch.
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The boyhood of William A. Bowles was spent on his father's farm. He attended the public schools of Astoria, and later matriculated at Knox College. After his graduation from the Kent College of Law, he was admitted to the bar of Cook County, and for 20 years successfully en- gaged in practice with offices in Chicago. Mr. Bowles maintained his home in Joliet, commuting each day to Chicago. He died in 1922.
On Jan. 29, 1893, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage with Dr. Marion Kelly. They had no children.
Mr. Bowles was a Democrat and served as representative to the Illi- nois State Legislature from the 41st District for three terms. He was a delegate to the national Democratic convention which was held in San Francisco, Calif. He was identified with the Cook County, Will County, Illinois State, and American Bar Associations. He was affiliated with Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; Medinah Temple; and Joliet Country Club.
Mr. Bowles was one of the organizers of the Autoist Mutual Insurance Company, of which he served as chief counsel for a number of years.
Link C. Bostwick, local auditor for the Illinois Steel Company, is among the most substantial men of Joliet. He was born at Circleville, Ohio, April 23, 1876, the son of Burr H., and Hattie A. (Hall) Bostwick.
Burr H. Bostwick, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was a native of Ohio and for more than 25 years successfully engaged in the practice of law at Circleville. He died in 1894 and his wife died in 1900. They were the parents of the following children: Burr J., lives at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Minnie B., deceased, was the wife of Joseph C. Zinser; Mabel, deceased; and Link C., the subject of this sketch.
Link C. Bostwick was reared and educated at Circleville, Ohio, and after completing a business course at the Klock Commercial College, entered the employ of T. M. Long & Company, cigar manufacturers, of Circleville. At the age of 23 years Mr. Bostwick came to Joliet where he was employed in the office of the O'Connor Abstract Company for a short time. In August, 1899, he became connected with the Illinois Steel Company in a clerical capacity. He advanced steadily and was
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
chief clerk of the local plant in September, 1927, at which time he was promoted to auditor.
On April 23, 1903, Mr. Bostwick was united in marriage with Miss Lucy M. Buck, of Joliet, the daughter of George A. and Sarah Buck, pioneer settlers of Will County. Both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick have no children.
Mr. Bostwick is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He also belongs to the Cham- ber of Commerce.
Peter Rossi, Sr., deceased, early in life became interested in the man- ufacture of macaroni. He was born in Busano, Province of Torino, Italy, May 13, 1851. Before immigrating to America he passed the civil service examination and served with the government for many years. Upon his arrival in the United States in 1878 Peter Rossi, Sr., came to Braidwood and in 1886 engaged in the manufacture of macaroni, which business he conducted until he retired from business and engaged in general farming and fruit raising. He was one of the first men in this section to raise alfalfa. He also specialized in raising green peppers, which he shipped to market in car load lots. He owned the largest grape vineyard in Will County.
He was married to Miss Mary Faletti in 1875. To this union were born nine children, of whom four died in infancy. Five survive, of whom mention is made later.
Mary Faletti Rossi died Jan. 29, 1893. She was a Catholic and is buried at Braidwood. Mr. Rossi returned to Italy and married Mrs. Margherita Fetta Truffa. She resides at Braidwood. She had one child by her former marriage, Jennie Truffa, who is the wife of George Morti- mer and lives at Braidwood. They have one daughter, Margaretta.
Upon Mr. Rossi Sr.'s retirement from active business in 1904, a company was formed with all the sons, under the name of Peter Rossi & Sons.
Peter Rossi Sr. served as alderman from 1891-1893 and also school trustee. He was a Republican and in religious belief he was Catholic. He died June 27, 1918, and is buried at Braidwood.
Of those born to Peter and Mary (Faletti) Rossi, Stephen, a mer- chant, resides at Braidwood. Felix J. and Henry D., who conduct the
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PETER ROSSI, SR.
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business founded by the father, live in Braidwood. Josephine married J. Gerardo, lives in Primeville, Ore. Peter J. lives in Chicago.
In 1920 the firm name of Peter Rossi & Sons was incorporated by Felix J., Henry D. and Marghraita Rossi, who are carrying on the busi- ness at present.
Felix J. Rossi, treasurer of the firm Peter Rossi & Sons, was born at Braidwood Jan. 13, 1881. He was educated in the public schools of Braidwood and has always been identified with his father's business since leaving school.
He was married Aug. 12, 1914, to Miss Theresa Felicia Peyla, who was born at Braidwood July 10, 1883, she having served as principal in the lower Braidwood schools. She is a daughter of Louis and Felicia Peyla, who reside in Braidwood. Mr. and Mrs. Rossi have two daughters, Felicia, born June 25, 1917, and Mary Margaret, born April 12, 1920. Mr. Rossi is a Catholic and belongs to the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He is a Republican and a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Henry D. Rossi, who is president of Peter Rossi & Sons Macaroni Company, of Braidwood, is widely known throughout the state as a successful business man. He was born at Braidwood, May 19, 1882, the son of Peter and Mary (Faletti) Rossi.
Henry D. Rossi was educated in the public schools of Braidwood and has always been identified with his fathers' business, of which he has served as president since 1926.
Mr. Rossi was married Oct. 5, 1910, to Miss Ada M. Reed, who was born at Braidwood, Jan. 17, 1887, the daughter of Fred and Harriet (Parsons) Reed, natives of England, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1880. They later removed to Braidwood. Mr. Reed died in 1918 and his wife died in 1897. He was a Republican, and belonged to the Knights of Pythias. To Mr. and Mrs. Rossi have been born three children: Harriet, born Aug. 12, 1912; Henry, Jr., born June 27, 1917; and Albert, born Jan. 11, 1919.
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