Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I, Part 64

Author: Gross, Lewis M., 1863-; Fay, H. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 678

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On the 8th of November, 1882, in De Kalb, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Nelson, who was born in Sweden, July 10, 1863. Her father was Nels Nelson, who was also a native of Sweden, as was the mother, who hore the maiden name of Betsy Benson. The parents came to Illi- rois in 1869. In their family were eight children, of whom Mrs. Johnson is the sixth in order of birth, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children. but Carl Edward. the first born, whose natal day was April 25, 1884, died on the 23d of May. 1886. The daughters are Esther Louise, born January 29. 1886: and Jessie Elizabeth, born April 12. 1893. The family have an attractive home at No. 404 South Fifth street and there are seen many evidences of the love of education and of music, which are dominant traits in the family. Socially the Johnsons are promi- nent in the community.

RESIDENCE OF MRS. C. O. BOYNTON.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

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In his political views Mr. Johnson is an earnest republican and for one term has served as alder- man of De Kalb. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 215, and his kindly, charitable spirit is indicated by his membership in the Swed- ish Benevolent Society, while he also belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church.

JAMES M. WILSON.

James M. Wilson, who is one of the few remain- ing first settlers who came to De Kalb when the work of development and progress had scarcely been begun within its borders and is now num- bered among the prosperous farmers and stock- raisers, has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which pays tribute to the care and labor he bestows upon it. It is situated on section 2, Sandwich township, and there Mr. Wilson resides amid pleasant surroundings. He came to the county in 1843, at which time he was a little lad of six years, his birth having occurred in Syra- cuse, New York, March 11, 1837. His father, William Wilson, brought the family to the west in 1843. Amid pioneer surroundings James M. Wilson was reared, attending the common schools in his youth though he is largely self-educated. In 1859 he made an overland trip across the plains with ox teams to California, being five months upon the way. It was a long and arduous trip across the high steppes of sand and through the mountain passes, but he at length reached the Golden state and remained upon the Pacific slope for about three and a half years, spending his time largely in teaming while in the far west. Ile then returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York city and from the latter point by rail proceeded westward to his home, arriving in the fall of 1863.

It was not long after this that Mr. Wilson purchased a farm of eighty acres. It was new land as yet uncultivated but he brought the fields under the plow. continuing to carry on the farm work for over a year. On selling that property he bought an improved farm, fenced and tiled his land and tilled the fields. In connection with raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he has raised pure blooded Hereford reg-

istered cattle and high grade hogs. In both branches of his business he has met with success and is now comfortably situated in life.

Mr. Wilson was married first in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth Hanlin, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, but was reared in this county. She died in 1871, leaving a daughter, Cora, who is now the wife of Lars Anderson, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, by whom she has one daughter. Mr. Wilson was again married in 1872 at Sandwich, the lady of his choice being Miss Jane Dimond, who was born in Ponghkeepsie, New York, daugh- ter of William H. Dimond, who came west in 1863, settling where Mr. Wilson now resides. There were two children by this union: Frank, who is married and has three children, Claud, Mildred and Clarence, and operates the old home farm : and Linna, who is the wife of Harry Bart- lett, a farmer of Squaw Grove township, and they have two children. Rubie and Forrest La Verne.

Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, Mr. Wilson has been a stalwart advocate of the republican party. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church at Sandwich .. They are a most highly esteemed couple, enjoying the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Wilson has seen the county change and de- velop from a wilderness to a richly improved dis- trict, has helped break many an acre of the virgin prairie soil with ox team, and has seen the coun- try side bloom and blossom as the rose, owing to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the agriculturists. When he came here in early youth much of the land was still unclaimed, there were no railroads, streams were unbridged and the timber uncut. Into the wilderness of the west, however, there came men of resolute purpose who reclaimed this district for the use of the white race and Mr. Wilson, as the years have gone by, has borne his full share in the labor necessary to make the county what it is today.

WILLIAM MCDERMOTT.

William McDermott, who is conducting a retail store for the sale of wines and liquors in De Kalb, is a native of Dutchess county, New York, born on the 15th of October, 1858. His parents were Tim-

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othy F. and Margaret ( Riley) McDermott. men- tion of whom is made in connection with the sketch of his brother, T. F. MeDermott, on an- other page of this work. William McDermott was only a year old when brought by his parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Lee county, where he was reared. His education was acquired in the district schools and in the Rochelle public schools. also spending one winter in a public school on West Jackson street in Chi- cago. He remained upon the home farm until his twenty-second year, when he took a trip to the west, spending twelve or fifteen months in vari- ons localities in the western states. He then re- turned to Illinois and engaged in the saloon busi- ness in Rochelle. In 1892 he disposed of his business there and came to De Kalb. where he opened a saloon, with which he has since been con- tinuously identified, having a good patronage which is bringing to him a fair measure of finan- cial success.

On the 7th of July. 1892, Mr. McDermott was married to Miss Susan A. Riley, a daughter ot John and Catherine ( Mead) Riley, of Rochelle. Mr. and Mrs. McDermott have one daughter, Ger- trnde Mildred. They are communicants of the Catholic church and his social relations embrace connection with De Kalb lodge, No. 215, K. P.

J. P. REDMOND.

The history of the farming interests of Milan township would be incomplete without mention of J. P. Redmond, who for more than a third of a century has carried on general agricultural pur- suits in De Kalb county. He now lives on a farm of two hundred acres on sections 25 and 26, Milan township, and in the operation of his land dis- plays practical and effective methods which pro- duce good results as seen in the abundant harvests which he annually gathers.

Mr. Redmond is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred at Penn's Park in Bucks county in 1856. His parents were Mnrt and Elizabeth (Harris) Redmond, the former a native of Ireland, born in 1826. When twenty-four years of age he came to the United States and estab- lished his home at Penn's Park, Pennsylvania,

where in 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth IJarris. He then cultivated a small farm and it was upon this place that his eight children were born. Attracted by the opportuni- ties of Illinois he came with his family to De Kalb connty in the spring of 1842. settling in Malta township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of good land. The care and labor that he has since bestowed upon this place have made it a valuable farm. The father continned actively in its development until 1885, when he retired from business and took up his abode in De Kalb to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.

J. P. Redmond, the eldest of his father's fam- ily, was a youth of sixteen years at the time of the removal to Illinois. In his youth he attended the district schools, but not content with the educa- tional advantages there offered he embraced the op- portunity of spending several terms in the higher graded schools of De Kalb and the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago. When twenty-two years of age he began teaching and followed that profession for three years and later for several winter terms. Ile proved a capable educator, im- parting readily and concisely to others the knowl- edge he had acquired and also maintaining excel- lent discipline, without which the educational work of the most learned is rendered of no avail.

In June, 1887, Mr. Redmond was married to Miss Catherine Lyons, daughter of John Lyons, a prosperous farmer of De Kalb township, now living retired in AAurora. Illinois. Unto this mar- riage were born five children: John. Elizabeth. Allen, Ruth and William. All are still living, but the wife and mother passed away February 27, 1902. her death being deeply regretted by many friends.

Mr. Redmond resided in Malta township until 1895, when he removed with his family to Milan township and has since eultivated his farm of two hundred acres, which he has greatly improved. The fields have been drained through the judicious use of tile and upon his place is a fine orchard and many beautiful shade trees. The buildings are substantial and well kept and the farm constitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape. Mr. Redmond's life has been characterized by unfal- tering diligence and perseverance. He early dis- played the remarkable strength of his character in his determination to secure a more advanced edu-

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cation than the district schools afforded. In his farming operations he has not been content to fol- low the lead of others, but has worked out pro- gressive lines for himself and has been very suc- cessful in raising the crops best adapted to soil and climate. Hle also keeps good grades of stock upon his place.

Mr. Redmond votes independently of party ties, but keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day and is never remiss in the duties of citi- zenship. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and warm friend and he has done much for the interest of public schools. In his social relations he is connected with the De Kalb lodge of Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America. His life has been honorable, his actions manly and sincere, and the worth of his work is shown in the excellent re- sults he has attained.

JAMES R. KIERNAN.

This well known business man of Genoa is a native of De Kalb county, born in Kingston town- ship on the 13th of August, 1864, and is a son of William and Anne (Merriman) Kiernan, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1825 and immediately after his marriage sailed for the new world, landing in this country in 1853. He at once proceeded westward to Illinois and took up his residence in De Kalb county, where he was employed at farm labor for a time. He subsequently bought a tract of land in Kingston township and later added to his original purchase until he owned two hundred and eighty-five acres of fine farming land, all of which he accumulated by hard labor, having nothing to start with but excellent health. He continued to actively en- gage in agricultural pursuits until 1893, when he removed to Genoa to spend his last days in ease and retirement after forty years of strenuous farm life. He died on the 18th of June, 1906, at the age of eighty-one years, having long survived his wife, who passed away February 9, 1882, at the age of fifty-nine years. They were highly re- spected people, loved and honored by all who knew them. In their family were six children, four of whom are still living.

James R. Kiernan is the oldest son and he was reared in much the usual manner of farmer lads of his time with rather limited school privileges, completing his education by one year's attendance at the Genoa schools. After laying aside his text- books he remained with his father on the farm, aiding in the work of improvement and cultiva- tion for several years after reaching man's estate. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Holsker, a native of this county and a daughter of John Holsker, who was of German birth and settled here in 1860. Mrs. Kiernan died after a protracted illness December 1, 1902, at the age of forty-three years, leaving four children, namely : Nellie is now the wife of Ole W. Taylor, who is with her father in the implement business in Genoa, and they have two children, Evelyn and Gladys. Dela is the wife of Harland Fisher, of Cherry Valley, Illinois. Lawrence and Anna are still at home and are attending school. Mr. Kiernan was again married, June 22, 1904, his second union being with' Miss Mary Casey, of Burlington, Illinois, a daughter of Thomas Casey, now deceased, who was a prominent farmer of Burlington, Kane county.

Mr. Kiernan continued to reside upon his father's farm until 1891, when he removed to Genoa and established his present business as a dealer in all kinds of agricultural implements, pumps and steam fitting. He is agent for the Advance threshers, engines and shredders, which he has handled for fifteen years, his sales in this line alone amounting to about fifteen thousand dollars annually. Hle started in business in a small way but has gradually built up an excellent trade which now amounts to between twenty-five and thirty thousand dollars annually. His busi- ness is not confined alone to De Kalb county but he endeavors to make sales wherever he hears of a prospective purchaser. Besides farm imple- ments he handles buggies, wagons, etc., and also the International Harvester goods, and besides his store building he has a commodious warehouse. He erects windmills, lays piping and does plumb- ing and is regarded as one of the most energetic and reliable business men of his part of the county. He owns and manages the old home farm, which is operated by a tenant, and is also interested in valuable lead mines at Galena, Illinois. He has always been a very busy man, is thoroughly up-to-

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date and progressive and the success that has come to him is but the merited reward of honorable effort. Mr. Kiernan and his family are members of the Catholic church and fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, having been advisor of the camp at Genoa for one year. Politically he is identified with the repub- lican party.

C. A. ANDERSON.

C. A. Anderson is senior partner of the firm of Anderson & Chellgreen. engaged in the cream- ery business at Kingston. He is a practical but- ter maker and the enterprise which he is now conducting is bringing to him a gratifying measure of success because of his able management and practical methods.

Mr. Anderson is a native of Sweden, in which country he was reared upon a farm. He lost his mother when a lad of about ten years and by his father's death was left an orphan at the age of sixteen years. He is the only son in a family of three children. His sister Hannah is now acting as his housekeeper, while his sister Anna has resided in Chicago for twelve years. He acquired a good common-school education in his native country and also attended school in Kane county, Illinois, to some extent but is really self-educated in English.

Hle emigrated to the new world when a young man of eighteen years of age and came direct to this state, settling in Kane county, where he se- cured employment in a creamery. He there re- mained for several years. thoroughly acquainting himself with butter making and the creamery business and when he had become an expert in that line and had saved from his earnings a fair capital. he embarked in business on his own ac- count, purchasing a creamery at Altoona, Knox county. He conducted the business successfully for four years after which he sold out there and bought a creamery at Blood's Point and Herbert in 1902. He then took active management of the business and later bought the creamery at Williamsville, McHenry county, Illinois. In 1906 he purchased and took charge of the creamery at Kingston, since which time the firm has made

this their central business point, still owning all the other creameries mentioned, however. He and his partner have built up a large and success- ful business and during the year of 1906 their sales amounted to over one hundred thousand dol- lars. They make large quantities of butter, supply the local trade and ship from fifty to sixty thou- sand pounds of butter each month. They also ship large quantities of cream direct to the Chicago market and from the beginning their trade has constantly increased. Both these gentlemen are good business men. wide-awake and enterprising, and carry to a successful completion whatever they undertake.

Mr. Anderson started out in life as a poor young man without a dollar and through his own labor, diligence and enterprise, has accumulated a com- petence that now classes him with the substantial residents of De Kalb county. He is well known in De Kalb, Kane and adjoining counties, includ- ing all the northern section of Illinois, and sus- tains an unassailable reputation as a business man of strong purpose, laudable ambition and honor- able methods.

CHARLES ELLIOTT BRADT.

From an early period in the history of De Kalb and its business development the name of Bradt has figured prominently and honorably in con- nection with commercial interests and Charles Elliott Bradt of this review, by his life work. has added new luster to the record through the achievement of success along manufacturing lines and in banking circles as well. A native of Glov- ersville, New York, he was born February 22. 1852. and is a son of Andrew Bradt, the veteran merchant of De Kalb. who is now living retired in this city at the age of eighty-four years. The son was about three years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Illinois and in De Kalb he was reared. passing through successive grades in the schools until he became a high-school stu- dent. while later he studied in the Northwestern University at Evanston. He then returned to De Kalb and in 1871 became associated with his father in the wholesale glove business under the firm style cf A. Bradt & Company. In 1872 M. D. Shipman

6. 6. Brach

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became a member of the firm and Andrew Bradt withdrew, at which time the firm style of Bradt & Shipman was assumed The new firm also began the manufacture of gloves and in this connection built up one of the leading industries of De Kalb. When S. E. Bradt became a member of the firm the old style of Bradt & Shipman was retained. They not only continued in the manufacture of gloves as well as in the wholesale trade but also had a plant for the manufacture of glove fasten- ers in Gloversville, New York. Their business interests became extensive, the volume of their trade reaching about four hundred thousand dol- lars annually. As this enterprise proved success- ful they embarked in other lines, Mr. Bradt be- coming associated with the De Kalb Electric Com- pany, with which he was identified up to the time of the reorganization and sale of the plant in 1902 to the De Kalb & Sycamore Electric Company.

('harles E. Bradt was also one of the organizers of the firm of Shipman, Bradt & Company for the manufacture of specialty wagons and for some twelve or fifteen years did an extensive business, after which they sold their interests to the Syca- more Wagon Works. In 1902 C. E. Bradt was one of the organizers of the Commercial National Bank and at that time was elected vice president and also a member of the board of directors, in which capacities he has since served. He is like- wise a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of De Kalb. His business interests have been synonymous with the growth of the city and his labors have been an element in making De Kalb one of the leading manufac- turing and commercial centers in the state outside of Chicago,

In September, 1884, occurred the marriage of C. E. Bradt and Miss Alice Hopkins, a daughter of Thomas M. Hopkins, one of De Kalb's promi- nent lawyers, now deceased. They are prominent in the social circles of the city and their own home is delightful because of its attractive hospitality as well as by reason of the fact that it presents all of the comforts and conveniences that wealth can secure and refined taste suggest. Mr. Bradt is vice president of the De Kalb Commercial Chih and chairman of the executive committee. This club has been an important element in the growth and development of De Kalh and in years past Mr.

Bradt has been one of the most active citizens in securing new industries for his home town and thus promoting its growth and prosperity. It may be justly said that scarcely a man has done more- to further the welfare of De Kalb than he and his efforts have ever been of a most practical char- acter. He is a man of action rather than of the- ory and while others have discussed ways and means he has reached conclusions and has carried ont his plans, accomplishing results almost immed- iately, and time has proven the merit of these. He is always well poised, is a man of keen discrimina- tion and is seldom, if ever, at error in matters of business judgment.

Mr. Bradt belongs to De Kalb lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M .; De Kalb chapter, R. A. M .; and to Alida Young commandery, K. T., of Sycamore; also to Medina Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Chicago. He is likewise a member of De Kalb Lodge, No. 765, B. P. O. E., and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as an officer. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for several years he has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. As a citizen he is public spirited to an eminent degree, deeply interested in the welfare of his community and the prosperity of the town in which the greater part of his life has been passed. All who know him entertain for him respect, while those who come within the closer circle of his ac- quaintance find him a genial gentleman and de- light in his companionship.

ALLEN R. TAYLOR.

Allen R. Taylor, foreman for the Haish Manu- facturing Company at De Kalb, is a native of the Empire state. Ile was born in Wolcott, New York, August 12, 1856, his parents being Dexter and Harriett (Rice) Taylor, who were natives of Vic- tory, New York. The father followed merchan- dising in the east and in 1884 came to Water- man, Illinois, where he established a general store, successfully conducting it until his death in 1892. His wife survived him for about ten years, pass- ing away in 1902. The daughter of the family, Mrs. Cora Gatchy, is the wife of Dr. Gatchy, a

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general medical practitioner of Chicago, living in Morgan Park, a suburb of that city.

Allen R. Taylor was educated in the common schools of Wolcott, New York, and clerked in his father's store until he was twenty years of age. He then learned the trade of carriage-painting, which he followed in the cast for a time, while later he clerked in his father's store in Waterman, Illinois. In 1888 he removed to De Kalb, where he followed his trade until about eight years ago. when he took charge of the painting department for the Haish Manufacturing Company. He has since been with the company as one of its most trusted and capable employes. being thoroughly conversant with his part of the business.

On the 1st of January, 1816. Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Eliza Williams, who was born at Port Byron, New York, May 20, 1855, and daughter of Jacob and Lorena (Shaw ) Williams. Her father was a cooper by trade and never came to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have two sons : lester, who was born April 25, 1883, and follows the cooper's trade; and Clyde, who was born May 15. 1890, and is now a high school student. They also have an adopted daughter, Edith Howell, whose mother was a sister of Mrs. Taylor. She is now the wife of Victor II. Lundberg, a postal clerk at De Kalb.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church of De Kalb. Mr. Taylor belongs to the Modern Woodman camp, also the Yeoman lodge of De Kalb. His political support is given the democracy and he is snare drummer in the Third Regiment band of De Kalb. He has always been interested in music and has continuously been a member of some band organ- ization of De Kalb since locating in that city. He owns his residence at No. 318 South Sixth street and also has other real estate here.

GEORGE ALFORD THOMPSON.

George Alford Thompson, who for many years has been extensively engaged in dealing in horses, although one of the more recent arrivals in De Kalb, is widely known in the city and through- out the county. He was born in Rockdale town-

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Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I, Part 64

Author: Gross, Lewis M., 1863-; Fay, H. W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 678

Author: Gross, Lewis M., 1863-; Fay, H. W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 678