USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 9
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Joseph A. Ley. Few young men are better or more favorably known in their home city than Joseph A. Ley, who is a representative of the American Bond and Mortgage Company, with offices at 204 Rialto Building, Joliet. He was born in this city, Dec. 4, 1898, a son of Frank X. and Catherine (Dolan) Ley.
Frank X. Ley was born in Jackson Township, Will County, Ill. He was educated in the public schools and worked on his father's farm. When a young man he came to Joliet where he associated himself with the Chicago, Joliet Electric Railway Company. He remained in the employ of this company until his death, which occurred in 1900. He was a devout member of St. John's Catholic Church. His widow, a native of Will County, resides in Joliet. They had one son, Joseph A., the subject of this sketch.
Joseph A. Ley attended St. Patrick's parochial school, and was grad- uated from St. John's High School in 1914. After leaving school he was for two years in the accounting department of the Public Service Company. He then entered the employ of the Cudahy Packing Com- pany as a bookkeeper, later being transferred to their plant at Aurora, Ill., as cashier, and later to the Rockford, Ill., plant. He resigned this position in 1924 and became representative of the American Bond & Mortgage Company in Rockford, Ill. In the latter part of 1924 Mr.
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Ley returned to Joliet where he has since represented the company. His territory embraces four counties, Will, Kankakee, Grundy, and Kimball. The business has had a steady growth under the capable man- agement of Mr. Ley and he has several agents under his personal super- vision.
Mr. Ley is interested in all that pertains to general progress, and politically is independent. He is a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus, Joliet Council No. 382; Holy Name Soci- ety ; B. P. O. Elks No. 296; and the Chamber of Commerce.
Gustaf A. Carlson, proprietor of G. A. Carlson Funeral Home, is one of the well known young men of Joliet, where he was born, April 19, 1900, a son of Charles A. and Emily (Johnson) Carlson.
Both Charles A. Carlson and his wife were born in Sweden, the former being born at Smoland, Nov. 20, 1859. He came to the United States in the early eighties and settled at Manhattan, Ill., where he worked on a farm. He later removed to Joliet and worked in the quar- ries. He was a stone mason and then engaged in the contracting busi- ness, building bridges, curbs, and side walks. In 1900 he established a coal and feed business on Cass Street. This store was destroyed by fire and he then removed to the north side of Joliet where he still conducts his business. He is a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175; Swedish North Star Association, and an active member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. He takes an active part in politics and belongs to the John Erisson Republican Club. He married Emily Johnson at Joliet, and to them six children were born: Albert, died in 1900, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet; Alma, married Joseph M. McGarry, Joliet; Mary, married Edward F. Powers; Edward, a veteran of the World War, Joliet; Anna, married Ray F. Pendleton, a World War veteran, lives at Joliet; and Gustaf A., the subject of this sketch.
Gustaf A. Carlson attended the public schools of Joliet and was grad- uated from the township high school, after which he entered the employ of his father in the coal and feed business. He attended the Metropol- itan Business School. In February, 1918, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, later being transferred to Washington in the Quartermaster's department where he checked coal supplies for the various camps. He was later sent to Port Newark,
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N. J., where he received his discharge on June 1, 1919, and returned to Joliet, and again became associated in his father's business. In 1925 Mr. Carlson entered the funeral business with Frank Johnson, and took up the profession of embalming and undertaking at the Worsham Train- ing School of Sanitary Science and Embalming, from which he received a certificate in March, 1926, which entitled him to practice his profes- sion in Illinois. In November, 1926, he engaged in business under his own name, at 713 Cass Street.
Mr. Carlson is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church; the American Legion, Harwood Post No. 5; Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 142; the John Erisson Republican Club; the Swedish North Star Association; and the Illinois State Undertakers Association.
Jay Albert Folk is a well known business man of Joliet where he is proprietor of Folk's Garage, located at 101-105 South Eastern Avenue. He was born in this city, Feb. 17, 1882, and is a son of Dr. Julius William and Helen J. (Henry) Folk, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
Jay Albert Folk received his education in the public schools, Joliet Township High School, and also attended Culver Military Academy. After leaving school he went to Canada where for two years he was in the transportation department of the Folk, Surggart & Collins Fur Company. He returned to Joliet and then went west where he remained for several years. When he returned he was associated with the Will County National Bank as a teller, which position he resigned in 1912. That year he bought a farm in the State of Washington. In 1921 he returned to his old position with the Will County National Bank where he remained until 1923, when he established a service station and auto- mobile laundry. In the spring of 1927 he built his present garage, which is of brick construction, two stories in height, and which affords space for his excellent business. He employs four men and has a storage capacity for 100 cars.
In 1908 Mr. Folk married Miss Sadie A. Brown, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brown. Mr. Brown is deceased and his widow resides in Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Folk have a son, Robert J., a student.
Mr. Folk is a Republican and a member of the Universalist Church. He is affiliated with Oriental Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 74, Spokane,
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Wash .; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Joliet Shrine Club; and B. P. O. Elks, No. 296. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Culver Legion, Chicago Motor Club, Culver Summer School Alumni Association; and a director of the Will County National Bank. Mr. Folk is one of the substantial citizens of Will County.
Dr. Julius W. Folk. One of the leading citizens of Joliet, well known throughout Will County as an influential and honored citizen, was Dr. Julius W. Folk, whose death on Nov. 10, 1925, was a shock to the com- munity. He was born in Abbottstown, Pa., July 5, 1842, a son of Dr. Henry Folk, who came west in 1845 and located in Will County, Ill., and who is mentioned in the general history of this county.
In 1862 Julius W. Folk enlisted in Company B, 100th Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He was immediately made a corporal and assigned to hospital duty under the late Dr. A. M. Heise, father of Attorney William D. Heise. Later he was sent south where he took an active part in the battles of Laverne, Stone River, and Chickamauga. He was honorably discharged, with a surgeon's certificate of discharge, in February, 1864. After his return he studied medicine and in 1868 entered Chicago Med- ical College from which he was graduated in 1869. He then practiced medicine with Dr. Heise for two years. In 1871 he entered the railway contracting business with his father-in-law, the late J. A. Henry. In 1895 Dr. Folk retired from the railroad business and devoted his time to the affairs of the Will County National Bank, and the supervision of a farm which he owned southwest of the city. He was one of the oldest officials and vice president and director of the Will County National Bank for over 20 years.
On Sept. 26, 1867, Dr. Folk was married to Miss Helen J. Henry, a daughter of Jacob A. Henry. On Sept. 26, 1924, they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. To this marriage two children were born: Mrs. Frank Rich, wife of Dr. Frank Rich, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history ; and Jay Albert, a sketch of whom also appears in this history.
Dr. Folk was prominent in Masonic circles and was a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27;
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Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Joliet Shrine Club ; B. P. O. Elks No. 296; and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Folk is very active in church work and is a member of St. John's Universalist Church. She resides at 114 South Eastern Avenue, Joliet.
Robert S. Rowell is a well known young business man of Joliet where he is president of the Rowell Coal Company. He was born in this city, Jan. 9, 1895, a son of Nathaniel J. and Annie W. (Strong) Rowell.
Nathaniel J. Rowell was born in Rochester, N. Y. He graduated from the University of Chicago with the Bachelor of Science degree, and with a Mr. Renwick established the Chicago Gravel Company. He was interested in this company until his death which occurred in 1904. He was a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and the Union League Club. Mrs. Rowell, who was born in Joliet, now resides here. There were three children in the Rowell family: Lilla, married James V. Clyne, cashier of the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank, Joliet ; Nathaniel J., Jr., Joliet; and Robert S., the subject of this sketch.
Robert S. Rowell first attended the local public schools, after which he entered Prof. Griswold's Private School for Boys at Redlands, Calif. He later attended Joliet High School and the University of Arizona. After leaving college he was secretary for the Oliver Realty Company.
In 1918 Mr. Rowell enlisted in the World War in the Ambulance Corps of the U. S. Army and was sent to Chicago for training and was attached to an ambulance driving corps. He was honorably discharged in October, 1918. In November of that year he entered the employ of the National City Company of New York as a bond salesman, and was later transferred to Milwaukee, Wis., as representative for that district. In November, 1919, he went to Denver, Colo., where he engaged in the bond business for himself remaining until 1922, when he returned east. On Oct. 1, 1922, he established his present business, the Rowell Coal Company. This company is incorporated under the laws of Illinois for $20,000. The present officers are: Robert S. Rowell, president; James Clyne, vice president ; and Nat Rowell, secretary and treasurer.
On April 21, 1926, Mr. Rowell was married to Miss Mingon Bryant, a daughter of W. Roy and Georgia (Sale) Bryant, natives of Normal, Ill., later removing to Bloomington, and then to Joliet. Mr. Bryant was dis-
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trict manager for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1927 he was transferred to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he is general agent for the company. Mr. and Mrs. Rowell had two children: Georgann, born Jan. 6, 1927, died March 24, 1927, is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Joliet; and Mingon, born Feb. 16, 1928. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Rowell is a Republican and is a member of the Joliet Country Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He is prominent in Masonic circles and is a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. No. 27; and Joliet Com- mandery, K. T. No. 4. He is a promising young man whose business success is fully established.
Frank D. Rich, M. D., established his residence in the city of Joliet in the year 1904, and here his ability has marked him as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the county. Dr. Rich was born at Chicago, Ill., March 18, 1870, the son of Arthur D. and Esther (Dyckman) Rich.
Arthur D. Rich, deceased, was a prominent attorney of Chicago for many years. He was born at Lake Ticonderoga, N. Y., and his wife was a native of Albany. He was graduated from the law school of the University of Michigan and throughout his professional career was lo- cated in Chicago. Mr. Rich was a Republican and a member of the Sweden Borgian Church. He and his wife are buried in Oakwood Ceme- tery, Chicago. They had the following children: Arthur D., Jr., deceased; Frederick, physician, a graduate of the Chicago Medical College, lives at Clear Spring, Maryland; Evert, real estate operator, lives in Cali- fornia; Louis, manager of the Savings department of the Illinois Trust & Savings Bank, Chicago; Charles D., physician, a graduate of Chicago Medical College, now deceased; Albert D., attorney, a graduate of the University of Michigan, now deceased; Frank D., the subject of this sketch; Esther, married Lee Riley, of the firm of Riley-Brittan, pub- lishers, Chicago; Benjamin C., a graduate of the University of Michigan, now chief engineer, of the Dresden Locks Company, Chicago; and Wil- liam B., a graduate of the University of Michigan, lives in Chicago.
Frank D. Rich acquired his early education in the public schools of Chicago, Englewood High School, and Northwestern University Pre-
FRANK D. RICH, M. D.
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paratory School. From there he entered the Medical School of the University of Michigan, graduating in the class of 1893. He spent one year as assistant to Prof. D. A. Mclachlan, and then located at Manis- tee, Mich. In 1903 he went to Chicago, and the following year located in Joliet, where he has since been one of the outstanding representatives of the medical profession.
In 1912 Dr. Rich was united in marriage with Miss Ethel Folk, daughter of Dr. J. W. and Helen (Henry) Folk. Dr. Folk, deceased, was a leading physician of Joliet, and throughout the Civil War served as a surgeon in the army. He is deceased, and his widow resides in Joliet, Ill. To Dr. and Mrs. Rich have been born two children: Frank D., Jr., born in 1914, attends Joliet High School; and Helen, born in 1916, attends Washington School.
Dr. Rich is a Republican, a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Elks Lodge, Kiwanis Club, the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He is past president of the Will County Medical Society and he is also identified with the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. While a resident of Manistee, Mich., he served as secretary of the Manistee County Medical Society and as coroner of Manistee.
In 1914 Dr. Rich became interested in the Boy Scout movement and became scout master of Troop No. 6, Central Presbyterian Church. He was elected commissioner of the Boy Scouts of Joliet in 1926, and is now commodore of the Sea Scout Division of the Boy Scouts.
Gilbert Cooper. Among the principal industries of Joliet is the Ideal Concrete Company, of which Gilbert Cooper is the president. He is a native of Will County, having been born in Frankfort Township, Sept. 7, 1885, a son of George H. and Fanny (Newton) Cooper.
Both George H. Cooper and his wife were born in Orland Township, Will County, Ill. For many years Mr. Cooper conducted a dairy and stock farm in that township and met with success. He was active in politics and served as highway commissioner of the township for many years, and was a member of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture. He is now living at St. Petersburg, Florida, where he is engaged in the real estate business. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as trustee, and also belongs to the Modern Wood-
11-VOL. 2
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men of the World and Court of Honor. Mrs. Cooper died in 1913 and is buried in Orland Township. They were the parents of six children: Walter, a farmer, Orland Township; Herbert, farmer, Orland Township; Gilbert, the subject of this sketch; Fanny, deceased; Maude, married Bert Ingle, St. Petersburg, Fla .; and George H., Jr., postal department, St. Petersburg.
Gilbert Cooper attended the public schools of Frankfort Township, Will County, and Orland Township, Cook County, Ill., and took a business course at Orr's Business College, Chicago. After leaving school he worked for Mateer Brothers, and for the Joliet Steel Construction Company. He was superintendent of works for the latter company, and became an estimator and salesman. He resigned this position on March 1, 1911.
On April 1, 1911, with C. Vander-Boegh he founded the Ideal Con- crete Construction Company, in which business he has since been the head.
In June, 1912, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage with Miss Marie Vander-Boegh, a daughter of C. Vander-Boegh, a building contractor and real estate operator of Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two chil- dren: Chester G., and Myrtle M., both students. The family are mem- bers of the Richards Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
In political affairs Mr. Cooper is a stanch Republican. He is a mem- ber of the B. P. O. Elks, No. 296; a charter member of the Joliet Lion's Club "Director"; the Chamber of Commerce; was president of the Illi- nois Concrete Products Association in 1925. He is a member of the National Concrete Products Association and the American Concrete Institute.
The Ideal Concrete Company was organized on April 1, 1911, by Gilbert Cooper and C. Vander-Boegh under the name of the Ideal Con- crete Construction Company. It was incorporated in August, 1925, under the name of the Ideal Concrete Company, with a capital stock of $150,000.00. The officers are: Gilbert Cooper, president; John G. Sengenberger, vice president; Marie Cooper, treasurer; and Oscar Lara- way, secretary. The plant covers five acres of ground and is one of the largest plants of its kind in Illinois. They employ thirty men and have their own delivery service. The company manufactures concrete build-
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ing units, including chimney blocks, porch columns, balusters, concrete blocks, concrete trim stone, sills, coping, and a full line of ornamental garden furniture. They also carry a complete stock of 10 different sizes of concrete burial vaults. The plant is located at 451-455 Rowell Avenue and has a frontage of 526 feet.
E. G. Cornish is a prosperous merchant and leading citizen of Joliet, where he is engaged in the grocery business as proprietor of the E. G. Cornish Grocery, 700 East Washington Street. He was born in Monroe County, Mich., March 3, 1871, the son of Demmon and Mary Catherine (Haner) Cornish.
Demmon Cornish, deceased, was a native of Rutland, Vt., and his wife was born near Syracuse, N. Y. He went to Iowa many years ago and later returned to Chicago, Ill. In the late fifties he removed to Crete, Ill., being one of the first settlers of that section of Illinois. He was a general contractor and built many bridges, churches, and other public buildings, as well as private homes. He spent the latter part of his life in Monroe County, Mich., where he was a successful farmer. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried at Saline, Mich. Mr. Cornish was a Republican and a member of the Congregational church. His wife was the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mogg) Haner, who settled at Crete, Ill., about 1840. They later removed to Hurdland, Missouri, where they died. To Demmon and Mary Catherine (Haner) Cornish were born six children, as follows: Henry, farmer, lives at Saline, Mich .; Wilbur, farmer, lives at Saline, Mich .; Lucy, married James Toms, lives at Ann Arbor, Mich .; E. G., the subject of this sketch ; Herbert, who died in 1919; and Hubert, twin brother of Herbert, lives at Patterson, N. J.
E. G. Cornish grew up on his father's farm in Monroe County, Mich., and attended the public schools. He also was enrolled at Ypsilanti College. In 1893 Mr. Cornish came to Joliet and was associated with the grocery firm of Schroeder & Wilson until 1898, at which time he went with George T. Relyea Company, wholesale grocers. In 1906 he became associated with the Quaker Oats Company as a salesman but the following year purchased a half interest in the grocery business of C. E. Wilson. Three years later he became sole owner of the business and the building was purchased by Mr. Cornish in 1922. In that year
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also he built ten modern apartments in connection with his store build- ing. Mr. Cornish has an excellent trade and is the exclusive dealer in the city for Ferndell products.
On Aug. 29, 1911, Mr. Cornish married Miss Florence Hurd, the daughter of Edward and Frances Hurd. Mr. Hurd is deceased and his widow lives in Joliet.
Mr. Cornish is a stanch Republican, a member of the Methodict church, and is affiliated with Matteson lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175; Joliet Chapter R. A. M. No. 27; Knights Templar No. 4, Joliet Com- mandery ; Medinah Temple; Joliet Shrine Club; and Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Cornish is highly esteemed in the community and has many friends.
The great-grandparents of E. G. Cornish on both sides were soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Charles B. Cheadle. One of the prominent representatives of the business life of Joliet is Charles B. Cheadle, who is president and general manager of the General Finance Corporation, as well as secretary of the Dixon Home Telephone Company, at Dixon, Ill. He was born on a farm near Dallas City, Hancock County, Ill., May 9, 1862, the son of Richard and Phoebe Ellen (McKee) Cheadle.
Richard Cheadle was born at McConnellsville, Muskingum County, Ohio, Dec. 11, 1821. He was descended from a line of Cheadles that settled in New England in early Colonial times. His father was born and reared in Windsor County, Vt. His grandfather and great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary War. His youngest brother, Joseph B. Cheadle, served with distinction in the Civil War and was elected to congress for two terms from the Ninth Indiana District. Richard Cheadle in early life was engaged in steam boating from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, and came to Illinois in the early 50's. He was interested in a flour mill in Hancock County, Ill., and the later years of his life were spent on a farm. He died at Dallas City, Ill., Feb. 12, 1899, and is buried on the family lot in Tull Cemetery, near Pontoosuc, Ill. Phoebe Ellen Cheadle was born in Union County, Ill., Feb. 23, 1833. She died at Kinmundy, Ill., Dec. 3, 1924, and is buried in the Tull Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Cheadle were born the following children: Joseph R., born April 15, 1858, lives at Kinmundy, Ill .; Hattie L., born Oct. 26, 1864,
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the widow of John D. Kaser, lives at Ottumwa, Iowa; Charles B., the subject of this sketch; Dr. C. M., born Aug. 26, 1869, lives at Micaville, N. C .; and Thomas A., born July 21, 1871, lives at Lockport, Ill. By a former marriage Richard Cheadle had three sons: Shepherd R., born April 3, 1847, lives at 5443 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago; George, born in 1849, deceased; and Edwin F., born May 5, 1852, lives at St. Clair, Mich.
Charles B. Cheadle was reared on his father's farm near Dallas City and attended the district schools. He later worked on the farm during the summer and taught in a country school during the winter for several years. In 1887 he entered the law office of Sharp & Berry Brothers, of which Senator O. F. Berry was a member. He read law in their offices and was admitted to the bar June 16, 1890. He then was principal of the public schools at Oquawka, Ill., for one year, at the same time prac- ticing law there. In March, 1892, he came to Joliet and entered into the practice of law. In 1898 he became interested in a small way in the telephone business, having acquired a quarter interest in the first com- mon battery telephone exchange ever installed and placed in service, it being at Lockport, Ill. He later organized the Peoples Telephone Com- pany which was merged with the Northwestern Telephone Company, and in turn merged with the Interstate Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany. Mr. Cheadle became a director in the latter named company in 1902. The following year he reorganized the Tri City Telephone Com- pany of Clinton, Iowa, and developed its business. In 1904 he organized the Dixon Home Telephone Company, which acquired the property of the Lee County Telephone Company. In subsequent years he organized and reorganized various telephone companies throughout the State of Illinois, and in 1924 and 1926 a group of these companies became merged into the Illinois Central Telephone Company, of which Mr. Cheadle became vice president and general manager. He was also president and general manager of the National Telephone & Electric Company, operating at Clinton, Ill., and in adjacent communities. In 1920 Mr. Cheadle organized the General Finance Corporation and became its secretary and treasurer. A few years later he became its president and general manager. Early in 1928 he was instrumental in bringing about a sale of the controlling interests in the Illinois Central Telephone Com- pany and the National Telephone and Electric Company, and also effected a sale of the property and assets of the Tri City Telephone Company of Clinton, Iowa. He remains as secretary of the Dixon Home Telephone
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