USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
JAMES W. LOVE.
James W. Love is a well known and prosperous representative of industrial interests in Joliet, where he is engaged in the manufacture of store and office fixtures and is also doing a jobbing and repair business. He is one of the citizens of Canadian birth who have come across the border to enjoy the broader opportunities furnished in the United States with the livelier business com- petition and better advantages here supplied.
Mr. Love was born in Whitby, Canada, March 17, 1855, and began to learn the carpenter's trade when seventeen years of age, remaining in the employ of one man for five years. In the fall of
506
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
1822 he came to the United States and for three year's thereafter was in the service of Mr. Burlin- game, a contractor and builder of Joliet, while for six years he was in the employ of Mr. Van Fleet, handling sash, doors, blinds and builders' supplies. Previous to that time, however, he was engaged in the bridge department of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, and in 1894 began jobbing, open- ing a shop in the old Republican Sun building near the river. Two years later he removed to North Joliet street and after a year located at No. 212 North Ottawa street, while at the present writing he is located at No. 315 North Joliet street. Each change in location has indicated an increase in business and his patronage has steadily grown until his business is now large and pros- perous.
In Seaforth, Ontario, on the 24th of March, 1885, Mr. Love was united in marriage to Miss Essie Ward, of Canada, and they now have one son, Harry Ward Love. Mr. Love gives his po- litical allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has been a committeeman and delegate to conventions but has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office as a reward for party fealty. His character is largely indicated by the fact that he is a valued member of the Odd Fellows society, the Sons of St. George and the Methodist Episcopal church-associations which indicate the principles which govern his conduct and guide him in all his relations with his fellowmen. He is not only a meinher of the sub- ordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, but also belongs to both the encampment and canton at Joliet.
CHARLES S. OSBURN.
Charles S. Osburn is one of the leading rep- resentatives of agricultural interests in this part of the state. He was born in Florence township. October 18, 1867, and is a son of Nial N. and Sarah E. (Steadman) Osburn, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of Wilmington and has devoted his entire life to general farming and stock-raising interests. He was superintendent of the stock-raising department of the father's business from 1892 until 1902, and since that
time has advanced his individual business affairs, making extensive improvements upon his farm, comprising twelve hundred acres. The land is richly cultivated and brings forth large and abun- dant harvests and the best methods of farming, according to modern scientifie ideas, have been introduced and the value proven upon his place.
On the 12th of October, 1892, Mr. Osburn was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bertha Rathke, the wedding being celebrated at her father's home in Florence township. She was born in that town- ship, July 2, 1874, and is a daughter of Henry and Katherine ( Doering) Rathke, both of whom are now deceased.
JAMES J. KELLEY.
James J. Kelley, serving as collector of Joliet, his native city, was born July 18, 1876. His father, John B. Kelley, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1866 came to Joliet. Soon afterward he entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company and is still a mill man in that service, his long connection therewith being incon- trovertible proof of his fidelity and capability. He wedded Bridget Mary Sheridan, who was born in County Meath, Ireland, and was brought to the United States at the age of three years, settling in New York city, where she remained for a few years, when she accompanied her parents on their westward removal to Livingston county, Illinois. There she was reared and educated and in 1870 she gave her hand in marriage, in Livingston county, to John B. Kelley. By this union there were born four daughters and three sons, namely : M. S., John B. and Catherine, all of whom are residents of Denver, Colorado; Anna, the wife of John Connors of Joliet : Veronica, at home: Isa- belle. a student in the high school at Joliet ; and Charles, who died when fourteen years of age.
The other member of the family is James J. Kelley of this review, who acquired his education in the public schools of Joliet, passing through successive grades until he had become a junior student in the high school. He then put aside his text-books in order to learn the machinist's trade when seventeen years of age and followed that pursuit for eight years. He became promi-
507
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
nent in union circles and was president of the Machinists Union. He has also been greatly in- terested in political affairs and in 1902 announced himself as a candidate for alderman. In 1905 he was appointed to the office of city collector, in which position he will continue until the spring of 1907. He has proved capable and reliable in this office, his service giving uniform satisfaction.
Mr. Kelley is a member of the White Cross and of the Knights of Columbus, and resides with his parents at No. 409 Collins street in Joliet. He is well known in this city, where his entire life has been passed, and many of his stanchest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted since his boyhood days.
HENRY O. WILLIAMS.
Henry O. Williams, filling the office of sheriff of Will county, to which he was elected in the fall of 1906, was born in Joliet, July 29, 1864. He is a son of Robert Williams, who came from Ohio in the early '60s and who worked in the Chi- cago & Alton woodyard for a few years. He then removed to Springfield, where he remained for five years as baggage master for the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Returning to Joliet he was employed in a similar capacity for the same road for sev- eral years, and his death here occurred in 1872. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy A. Callan, was born in Ohio, where they were mar- ried. They came together to Illinois and her death occurred in Joliet in 1898, when she had reached an advanced age.
Henry O. Williams was educated in the Joliet public schools and his start in life was secured solely through his own efforts. He began selling newspapers and shining shoes and in this humble way entered the business world, wherein he has since made a creditable record. For a time he carried telegrams for the Chicago & Alton Rail- road and worked his way upward to a position in the freight department, where he remained for five years. He then became cashier for the Michigan Central Railroad, occupying that position for a few years, after which he accepted a position of teller in the Joliet National Bank, thus serving until a recent date.
Mr. Williams has made a creditable record in public office as well. He was city treasurer for two years and discharged his duties with such prompt- ness and fidelity that he readily secured the nomi- nation for sheriff of Will county, to which position he was elected on the 6th of November, 1906. For years he was a member of the republican county central committee and in that connection did effective service for the party organization. He is identified with many fraternal bodies, in- cluding the Modern Woodmen camp, the Elks lodge, the Eagles, the Royal Arcanum, the White Cross, the National Union, the Court of Honor and others.
In 1890 Mr. Williams was married, in Joliet, to Miss Kate A. Mitchell, who was born in this city and is a daughter of Matthew Mitchell, one of the early settlers here. They now have a son and daughter: Walter F., who, at the age of four- teen years, is attending college in Quincy, Illi- nois ; and Mary Edith, three years of age, at home. The record which Mr. Williams has made indi- cates a strong force of character, laudable ambition and earnest purpose, for, starting out in life empty-handed, he has depended entirely upon his own resources and is today accorded a place of prominence in public regard in Joliet by reason of the position which he has filled in business and political circles.
DAVID J. EMERY.
Joliet has been signally favored in the char- acter of men who have filled her public offices and among those who stand as representatives of municipal interests at the present time (1907) none are more deserving of mention among the representative citizens of Will county than is David J. Emery, chief of police. He was born in the county seat, September 22, 1873, and is a son of David and Martha (Hammond) Emery, who are of Scotch-Irish descent and came to Joliet about 1869, since which time they have been residents of this city. The father has been connected with the Illinois Steel Company through- out the entire period of his residence here and was engaged on the construction of the old mill.
508
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
David J. Emery, whose name introduces this record, is indebted to the public-school system of the city for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and after leaving school he worked in the steel mills for several years. Early in 1897, however, he became connected with the Joliet fire department and served therewith until May, 1901, when he became connected with the police depart- ment acting as night patrol sergeant during Mayor Barr's administration, or until 1903. Dur- ing Mayor Crolius' term he served for two years at the Illinois state prison as keeper and when Richard J. Barr was re-elected mayor in 1905 Mr. Emery was appointed to the position of chief of police, in which capacity he is now rendering signal service as a defender of the rights and lib- erties of the people and their property interests. He has a well organized police department under his control, is fearless in the discharge of his duties and has the strong endorsement of the law- abiding element of the city.
Mr. Emery is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Joliet. He was married, December 6, 1905, to Miss Edith Morgan. A young man, he has already made for himself a ereditable position in connection with municipal interests, and his loyalty to the general welfare is above question.
CHARLES CHANEL.
Charles Chaxel, who departed this life October 3, 1903. was one of the best known and most suc- cessful musicians and piano tuners in Will county. He was born in the dukedom of Baden, Germany. in the town of Herbolzheim, near the French border, on the 18th of October, 1849, and was a son of Joseph Chaxel, who lived and died in that country. Charles Chaxel was graduated from the grammer school and, possessing the love for and talent in musie so characteristic of people of his nationality, he studied the art in Germany until fourteen years of age, when he was sent to Switzer- land to learn the piano and organ building trade. Hle devoted six years to its mastery and became an expert in that line, thoroughly familiar with the business in every detail. When twenty years of
age, attracted by the business conditions and op- portunities of the new world, he crossed the At- lantie to America, locating first at Chicago, where for six months he followed his trade. His sisters had preceded him to Will county and accordingly Charles Chaxel made his way to Lockport, where he engaged in piano tuning and also in the sale of pianos. After three years spent at Lockport he removed to Joliet in 1882 and continued in busi- ness from that time until his death, accumulating a very gratifying competence, for he had a liberal patronage. He was well known in musical cir- eles in the city and his talents enabled him to contribute in large measure to the pleasure of those who enjoy the art.
Mr. Chaxel was twice married. At Lockport he wedded Miss Marie Baumgarten, who died there, leaving two children, Ella Marie, now the wife of W. Miller, a resident of Chicago : and Mary Pauline, who died in infancy. Mr. Chaxel was again married at Lockport to Miss Matie J. Beck, a daughter of William and Frances (Kittinger) Beck. Mrs. Chaxel had come to Will county with the family in the later '70s.
Mr. Chaxel purchased a five-acre tract of land just west of Joliet on Western avenue and there erected the fine residence still occupied by his widow. One acre of the land has since been sold, but the ground still occupies four acres, in the midst of which is a most attractive home-a monu- ment to the enterprise, labors and business ability of Mr. Chaxel. Fraternally he was connected with the Knights of Pythias, while in political faith he was a republican. He was reared in the Catholic faith, but later affiliated with the Christian Science church. He was a man of strong mental force, of keen insight and broad knowledge, and his mental and social qualifications rendered him popular,. while his business ability gained for him a desir- able measure of success.
CHARLES H. TALCOTT.
Charles H. Talcott, for twenty-two years con- nected with the Will County National Bank, of which he is now cashier, sustains an unassailable reputation in financial cireles as a man of excellent executive ability and of thorough understanding of
-
=
=
Đường thự.
=
-
Chat Ghaxel
513
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
the banking business. He was born in Silver Creek, New York, August 19, 1854, and is a son of William D. and Persis B. (Gage) Talcott, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. The mother was a daughter of Gen- eral Gage, of Revolutionary war fame, who served with the British forces. William D. Talcott was engaged in the lumber business in Buffalo, New York, for a number of years and owned several fleet boats on Lake Erie, becoming eaptain on a Lake Erie steamer. He served as supervisor for some time and was a man of more than local prom- inence because of his business success and the in- fluence which he exerted in public affairs. He died in Silver Creek, New York, and his wife has also passed away. They were the parents of seven sons and one daughter.
Charles H. Talcott was educated in the public schools at Silver Creek, New York, and continued his studies in Clinton College of that state. After putting aside his text-books he went to New York city, where he was employed in a lumberyard, per- forming all kinds of labor incident to the conduct of the business. There he remained for several years and his ability and diligence won him ready recognition in promotion until he became super- intendent of the yards and bookkeeper for the firm. He was thus identified with business in- terests in the metropolis until 1826, when he came to Joliet and was made car accountant of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, filling that position until 1882, when he was employed by the Chicago Telephone Company as manager of the Joliet office. He remained with that corporation until 1884, when he entered the Will County Na- tional Bank as bookkeeper, which position he filled for two or three years. He was then made assistant cashier and a year later was chosen cashier, in which capacity he has since remained to the entire satisfaction of all concerned-both the owners and the patrons of the bank. During this period he has thoroughly mastered the bank- ing business in principle and detail and the success of the institution is attributable in no small meas- ure to his labors.
On the 14th of November, 1880, Mr. Talcott was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Clayes, a native of Joliet, and they have four children : Ethel M .; Clarence E. and Raymond G., who are now college students : and Persis E. The parents
hold membership in the Central Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Talcott is now a trustee and also director of music. He is a gentleman of broad humanitarian principles, taking an active and helpful interest in the various departments of church work, and he was also one of the founders of the Silver Cross hospital and is now its treas- urer and a trustee. He is identified with various fraternal organizations and has attained the Knight Templar degree of Masonry, belonging also to the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise con- nected with the Elks, the Woodmen and the White Cross and for a number of years he has been treasurer in the Knight Templar commandery. Ile stands for all that is ennobling and uplifting in man's relations with his fellowmen and in his life has been actuated by high principles, while his conduct has been governed by worthy motives.
MRS. MARTHA J. DOWNEY.
Mrs. Martha J. Downey, the wife of Harvey Downey, residing at No. 642 South Chicago street, is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Will county. She was born in Essex county, New York, July 6, 1839, and is a daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Nelson) Flack, who were natives of Washington county, New York, but resided in Essex county, that state, until 1845. Her father was born May 10, 1799, and her mother on the 15th of December of the same year. Their mar- riage was celebrated December 24, 1818, and in 1819 they removed to Essex county, New York, where Mr. Flack made for himself a prominent place in business circles. He followed general agricultural pursuits, engaged extensively in deal- ing in horses, cattle, sheep and hogs and was a manufacturer of lumber. Ile also owned a gen- eral store there and continued his commercial and agricultural interests for many years. He was likewise the founder of what has always been known as the town of Flackville. At the age of fourteen years he enlisted for service in the war of 1812 and remained with the army until the close of hostilities, being known throughout the ranks as "the young volunteer." In 1844 he vis- ited Will county, Illinois, and purchased large tracts of land in this part of the state, becoming
514
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
owner of five farms, which he purchased in order to give one to each of his sons and retain one for himself. In 1845 he removed his family to Joliet and settled upon a large farm two miles southeast of the city, where he spent two years, then moving to Joliet, where he lived until his demise. He arrived here during the pioneer epoch in the history of the county, when the work of development and improvement was in its incipient stages. In those early days he had to hanl his grain by wagon to the Chicago markets. On the old Flack homestead two miles southeast of Joliet is still standing the log house in which he first resided on coming to the county. He became the owner of property interests in both Joliet and Chi- eago and in publie life he exerted a widespread and beneficial influence. He served as an officer in the courts of Joliet and of Will county for many years and he died September 25, 1876, after a useful and honorable life, his widow passing away only a little later.
Of the eight children born unto Mr. and Mrs.John J. Flaek, Mrs. Downey is the only one now living. She was a little maiden of five years when her parents came to Will county and here she was educated in the public schools, attending school with H. M. Higinbotham and many other citizens now prominent in Joliet and Chicago. She has been three times married. Her first husband was John K. Shaw, of Rutland, New York, who came to Joliet in 1855 and was here engaged as freight agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. Later he was promoted to as- sistant tieket agent and held that position for sev- eral years. He afterward removed to New York city and died near the eastern metropolis in 1861. There was but one child by that marriage, Dr. John Bliss Shaw, who wedded Lidia Hammond. and they now reside at No. 303 North Ottawa street in Joliet, where he has a large practice. Mrs. Downey's second marriage was to Aaron Shreffler, a native of Pennsylvania, who also came to Will county at an early period in its develop- ment and here engaged in the manufacture of brick until his death. There was one child by that mar- riage, Celia A., now the wife of Harry A. Roberts, a resident of Chicago. After losing her second husband Mrs. Shrelller became the wife of Harvey Downey, a native of Oswego, New York, and a son of Bosworth Downey, of the Empire state, who
likewise became a resident of Will county, Illinois, and carried on blacksmithing in Joliet until his death. Harvey Downey is also a blacksmith and horseshoer by trade, and he and his brother, under the firm name of Downey Brothers, now carry on business at No. 106 Washington street.
Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Downey: Dr. Charles E. Downey, who mar- . ried May Love, of Joliet, and is the physician for a new railroad company, operating in the west, moving westward as the railway is completed ; Maud I., the wife of John Kriemier, a farmer liv- ing in Manhattan township; and Kate E., the wife of Dr. John Morrison, a practicing physician at Plainfield. Mr. Downey was a democrat in poli- tics in early life but is now a staneh republican. Mr. and Mrs. Downey attend the Methodist Episco- pal church in Joliet and own and occupy a nice home at No. 642 South Chicago street. Mrs. Downey has a very wide acquaintance in this city, having been brought to Will county in her early girlhood days. She has therefore witnessed much of its growth and development and as the years have passed the cirele of her friends and acquaintances has increased.
E. R. GIFFIN.
Among the representative agriculturists and large land-owners of Will county, none are more worthy of mention in this volume than E. R. Giffin, who owns an excellent farm of three hun- dred and two acres situated on section 21, Loek- port township. He is a native son of this town- ship, his birth here occurring in 1852. His father, John E. Giffin, was born in Pennsylvania and was one of the early settlers of Will county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout a long period, being the owner of a good farm of eighty acres at the time of his death, which oc- curred August 27, 1891. when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years. The mother bore the maiden name of Cynthia Rodgers, and was a daughter of William and Miriam Rodgers, the former a chair-maker by trade. She survived her husband for only a few years, passing away in 1895, at the age of sixty-six years. She was a communieant of the Episcopal church at Loek-
515
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
port, while Mr. Giffin was a member of the Con- gregational church and was a republican in poli- tics. E. R. Giffin of this review is the only son of that marriage, his sisters being Myra, Martha, Mary and Cynthia.
The son, whose name introduces this record, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of that period, assisting his father in the various tasks of carryng on farm work, and during the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the dis- trict schools of Lockport township and remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, engaging in the pursuits to which he had been reared. He has worked energetically and per- sistently in the acquirement of a good property and as he prospered in his undertakings he added to his land from time to time until today a fine farm of three hundred and two acres, situated on section 21, Lockport township, gives evidence of the success which he has achieved. He paid from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre for his land, all of which is now under a high state of culti- vation. He is practical and progressive in his work, using the latest improved machinery in the development and cultivation of his fields. He has improved his farm with good buildings, has a fine country residence and many substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and his property is kept in the best possible condition.
Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Giffin was married September 19, 1882, to Miss Hattie Hayward, who was born in Cook county, near Chicago, her natal year being 1846. Her father, Richard Hayward, was a farmer of Green Garden, where his death oc- curred. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Rider, died when Mrs. Giffin was forty-four years old. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The record is as follows: John E., who assists in the opera- tion of the home farm; Beulah E., who is now a college student; Merritt H .; Grant; Cora; Gil- bert; and Mary. Mr. Giffin is a member of the Eastern Avenue Baptist church at Joliet.
Mr. Giffin has spent his entire life in Will county and has here found in the development of its rich agricultural resources ample opportunity
to acquire a competence, and through the assist- ance of his estimable wife he is now in posses- sion of a good property which supplies himself and family with all the comforts of life, and he is also enabled to give to his children good educational advantages. He has ever been found reliable and straightforward in all business trans- actions, so that he has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in con- tact either in business or social relations, and he and his family are popular with a wide circle of friends.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.