USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 12
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Elry G. Spangler, the second in order of birth in his father's family, was reared on the old home- stead farm in Jackson township. early becoming familiar with the best methods of farm work. When not actively engaged with the duties of the fields he pursued his studies in the district schools. When he started out in life to provide for his own support, he chose the occupation to which he had been reared, and he has since continued in gen- cral agricultural pursuits. His present property comprises two hundred and fifteen acres of well improved land, lying on sections 19 and 20, Jack- son township. He has improved the place by the erection of good and substantial outbuildings, while a modern and commodious residence adds to the attractive appearance of the farm. He is practical in his methods of carrying on the farm work, so that each year brings him rich and abun- dant harvests as a result of the care and labor he bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Spangler was married on the 15th of March, 1882, to Miss Eva M. Winter, a native of Jackson township and the eldest of three chil- dren born unto Robert and Ellen ( Morse) Winter, the other living member of the family being Charles Winter. Mr. Winter came to Illinois from Pennsylvania at an early day, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Will county. He served throughout the period of the Civil war as a mem- ber of Company B, One Hundredth Illinois In- fantry. He is now making his home in Marion, Wisconsin, his wife having passed away in 1884. Mrs. Spangler was born September 3, 1860, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children : Fred W., at home; Mrs. Garland Blatt, who resides in Elwood; and Bertha M. and Ollie, both of whom are with their parents.
Mr. Spangler has always given stanch support to the democratic party, and on that ticket was elected to the office of road commissioner, in which capacity he has served for the past fifteen years, and is the present incumbent. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America, White Cross, the Masonic order, the Court of Honor, and Jackson Grange, and is prominent in the different orders with which he affiliates.
Mr. Spangler and his estimable wife are hos- pitable, genial people and take great delight in entertaining their many friends, while in business
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and political circles Mr. Spangler is well known, being a leader in many movements and measures instituted for advancement and progress in his home locality.
L. E. INGALLS.
The history of mankind is replete with illus- trations of the fact that it is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposi- tion that the best and strongest in man are brought out and developed. The truth of this assertion finds another verification in the life rec- ord of L. E. Ingalls. Varied and extensive have been his business interests, and his ready recogni- tion of opportunity has been the open sesame to success. An analyzation of his life record shows that one of his strongest characteristics has been the perseverance that has enabled him to carry forward to a high state of perfection whatever he has undertaken. Joliet has profited largely by his business operations and many substantial enter- prises of the city have felt the stimulus of his sound, directing judgment and keen discrimina- tion. Ile is still financially interested in differ- ent concerns of Joliet, and at the same time is operating largely in real estate in Chicago, seeking the broader field of labor offered by the city mar- velous.
A native of Illinois, from the outset of his business career Mr. Ingalls seems to have been prompted by the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the up- building and development of the middle west. He was born in Dupage township, Will county, Oeto- ber 26, 1839. His father, Henry Ingalls, a na- tive of Vermont, was born in 1800. Following his removal to the middle west, he followed the occu- pation of farming in Dupage county, and died in the year of 1875. The mother bore the maiden name of Lois Royce and was a sister of Jonathon Royce and Abner Royce of Dupage township, now deceased. She was born in the state of New York in 1800 and passed away in 1856. Their family numbered twelve children : Samuel, Mary, Henry. Jonathon, Phoebe, Hannah, George and Andrew. deceased ; Abner E. Ingalls, of Joliet ; Frank I.
Ingalls, of Seneca, Kansas, and Lois Sargent, of Naperville, Illinois, still living.
The educational advantages of L. E. Ingalls were limited to about eight months attendance in the Naperville school, but reading and observa- tion have largely broadened his knowledge, and in the school of experience he has learned the many valuable lessons that have made him a well informed, practical and successful man.
He started upon his business career when six- teen years of age, having no capital save strong determination and earnest purpose. He worked first for his board and afterward was employed at farm labor at ten dollars per month, and later received sixteen dollars per month, and subse- quently twenty-five dollars per month. He did not continue long as a farm hand, however, being ambitious for a broader business outlook. He eagerly watched for opportunities and improved them when they came. He purchased the right of way for the Chicago, St. Louis & Western Railroad Company and also had charge of the grading of the road south of Joliet and at dif- ferent places along the line. Gradually he worked into the field of real-estate operations and has handled more property than any other man in Joliet. In the year of 1869 he purchased his home place adjoining the corporation limits of the city and he now owns three hundred and forty acres, constituting a valuable farm, which borders the gravel road. It is beautifully located near the Higinbotham place, and in fact Mr. Ingalls sold some land to Mr. Higinbotham Nature has furnished much original beauty which has been enhanced by the arts of the landscape gardener. There is a fine park and race track on the place known as the Ingalls park, and here fairs and races are held. There is a street car line running through the farm and in the development of the property Mr. Ingalls has made a model country place, where he finds rest and recreation from the rush and turmoil of business life in the city. A large dairy business is conducted on the farm and the equipments are of most perfect character.
Connected with various business enterprises the labors of Mr. Ingalls have directly benefited Jol- iet in many ways. Ile was for fifteen years en- gaged in the conduct of the electric light plant of Joliet, first, the Joliet Lighting Company and afterward two other companies, and finally with
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Truly Yours LE Ingalls
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others purchased dam No. 1 and then formed the Economy Light & Power Company. He was also engaged in the lumber trade and he sold lumber and material to the steel mills in 1871 and in 1872 sold the lumber business to Mason & Plant. He originated the plan for the purpose of the pur- chase of the water plant of Joliet and thus his labors have been directly beneficial to the city in many ways. For a time he was connected with the Chicago & South Western Railway Company, which he sold to the Santa Fe Railroad, after which he continued with the latter company for two years. In 1887 he transferred his business interests largely to Chicago and now has a suite of rooms at No. 184 La Salle street, where he is president of the Richmond-Smith Company, milk agency, representing nearly three thousand farm- ers who ship their milk to Chicago. He also owns the Del Prado Hotel. at Fifty-ninth, Madison and Washington avemes. He also owns the large Chicago fireproof storage warehouse at Twenty- first and Wabash avenue, and likewise owns a large building at the corner of Illinois and Dear- boru streets and another commodious compartment building on Fifty-ninth and Michigan avenue. His real estate holdings in the city are very valuable, and few men are better informed concerning the valuation of realty in the metropolis. He has held offices in the real estate board of Chicago and his opinions regarding property are largely re- ceived as authority in real-estate circles.
Mr. Ingalls has been married twice. He mar- ried Amelia Emmers, and his present wife bore the maiden name of Esther E. Bartholomew. She was born in Illinois, a daughter of Russ Bartholo- mew, a farmer of MeHenry county, Illinois. Mr. Ingalls has lost three children, Millie, Roy and Charles, his surviving daughter being Myra, the wife of George M. Peale, a resident of Joliet.
Mr. Ingalls is a member of the Masonic lodge, chapter and commandery at Joliet. and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. He also belongs to the Union Club and Commercial Club of Joliet and to the Union League and IIamilton Clubs of Chicago. There is naught of the theorist about Mr. Ingalls. On the contrary he is a man of action, and while others might argue and debate he has gone to work and demonstrated. It is his ready execution that has been one of the strong elements in his success, advancing him from an
humble financial position to one of business prog- ress and affluence. He stands as a representative of the best type of American citizenship, belong- ing to that class of men who, while winning suc- cess, do not strew their pathways with the wreck of other men's fortunes. On the contrary, in his beautiful country home Mr. Ingalls has given evidence of his appreciation of nature in all of her loveliness and in his business relations has many times manifested a spirit of public prog- ress that has prompted him to put forth generous and effective aid in support of many measures that have been of direct benefit to the city.
JOSEPII ROSE.
Joseph Rose is a retired farmer of Manhattan and is well known in Will county, where for many years he was engaged in general agricultural pur- suits. He was born in Nottinghamshire, Eng- land, March 1, 1825, his parents being John and Sarah (Whitely) Rose. The father, who was a farmer and lived on rented land, died during the early boyhood of his son Joseph, who then lived with his widowed mother until he had attained his majority and largely relieved her of the care and work of the farm. He came to America in 1850, sailing from Liverpool, on the sailing ves- sel Manhattan, commanded by Captain Mulligan. After a voyage of six weeks he landed in New York City and thence proceeded by the water route to Chicago, from which point he made his way over the Michigan and Illinois canal to Lock- port. At that place he lived with Charles Robin- son, who was formerly a resident of England, his home being seven miles from the Rose farm. Mr. Robinson lived in a house which he built from one load of lumber. When it rained pans and tubs were set at different points over the floor to catch the water running through the roof.
Mr. Rose had just twelve dollars when he reach- ed Lockport. He left his wife and children in England, but as soon as he had earned sufficient money he sent for them and they arrived the fol- lowing year. He worked for D. C. Young for three years for thirteen dollars per month, the highest wages paid at that time. He afterward engaged in farming for himself on rented land.
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During the period of the Civil war, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land on section 12, Wilton township, the purchase price being one thousand dollars. He did not have quite that sum of money at the time, but soon discharged his indebtedness. He built a house and other buildings there and carried on the work of the farm year by year, meeting with excellent success. He there continued until 1891, when he retired from active farm life and removed to the village of Manhattan, but still owns the farm of two hundred and forty acres in Wilton township, from which he derives a good income. He also has four residence properties in the village and a half interest in the postoffice building.
Mr. Rose was married in England in 1846 to Miss Mary Allam, a native of that country, who died soon after the Civil war. They had seven children, namely: William, who is living in Jol- iet ; Mrs. Graves, of Wilton township; Mary Jane, the wife of Robert Mackender, who is living on her father's old homestead; Charles, a resident of California; Robert, in the state of Washington ; Hattie, who is married and lives with her father; and James, who is living on a part of his father's farm. Since losing his first wife Mr. Rose has been married twice. He first married Miss Haz- ard and afterward Miss Chadwick, but his third wife is also deceased.
Mr. Rose has always been a very industrious man and lived in a frugal and economical way, thus accumulating a competence, and he is now enabled to live retired. In politics he has always been a republican, but without aspiration for of- fice. He is known as an honest man and one who has by close application and unfaltering diligence gained the success which he now enjoys.
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
William Robinson, who owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Wilton township. of which eighty acres is comprised in the home place, is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having loy- ally served his adopted country as a defender of the Union cause. He was born in Nottingham- shire, England, March 13, 1840, a son of Charles
and Ellen (Candlin) Robinson, who emigrated to America in 1849, the ocean voyage requiring six weeks. The family home was established in Lockport, Will county, Illinois, where the father worked at farm labor for a time, for he was in limited financial circumstances. He worked in- dustriously and perseveringly in order to provide for himself and family, and while so doing also saved some money, so that he was at length en- abled to engage in farming on his own account, operating rented land for a time. In 1855 he came to Wilton township and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres, on which stood a little shan- ty, while the land was partially cleared. He im- proved the place and carried on farming for many years. As he prospered in his work and added to his financial resources he invested his money in more land, so that at his death he left to his fam- ily an estate of four hundred acres. He died on his farm sixteen years ago, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years, while his wife passed away August 8, 1885. He was a republican in his political views and affiliations, and both he and his wife held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church. William Robinson of this re- view is the eldest of their six children, the others being: Robert, a resident of Joliet: Emma, the wife of James Barton, of Peotone; Joseph, who enlisted in Company II, One Hundredth Illinois Volunteer infantry, during the Civil war and died at Nashville, Tennessee, December 16, 1863; Mrs. Hannah Rauworth, a resident of Chicago; and Charles, who died at the age of nine years.
William Robinson was a little lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to this country, and he can well remember the incidents of that long and tedious voyage across the Atlantic. He was reared under the parental roof until he attained his majority, when. on the 25th of April, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company F, of the Twentieth Illinois Volunteer infantry, which was organized at Joliet. He proved a loyal and faith- ful soldier, never faltering in the performance of any duty that was assigned him. At the engage- ment at Briton's Lane, Tennessee, Mr. Robinson was shot in the thigh. He served with his regi- ment for four years and three months, being dis- charged July 22, 1865, having made a most credit- able military record.
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Following his return from the war, Mr. Robin- son spent two years in the Inmber woods of Wis- consin, after which he came to Wilton township, Will county, Illinois, and worked for his father for two years. In the meantime he was married, in 1868, to Miss Alice Rauworth and at the end of two years they received a little money from her father's estate, which made it possible for them to purchase eighty acres of land, which had been partially improved. After a residence of five years thereon they sold that property and pur- chased their present place of residence, the farm comprising eighty acres. All of the improvements which are here seen have been placed by Mr. Rob- inson, and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition, and he ever follows the best methods of farm work in the prosecution of his labors in the fields. In addition to his home farm he also inherited one hundred and sixty acres from his father's estate, this being operated by his son.
Mrs. Robinson was born in Yorkshire, England, June 6, 1846, a daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Armistead) Rauworth both of whom were na- tives of that country, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1862. The father was a wholesale and retail butcher in England and came to America to establish his sons in farming, in- tending to live here the remainder of his life, but died before his work was done. He had gone back to England to settle up his estate and died there. His wife passed away in this country twenty- two years ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robinson havo been born eleven sons, the eight surviving mem- bers being: Joseph, who follows farming in Iowa; Wesley, who operates his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Wilton township; Amos, a painter and paper hanger, making his home in Joliet; Herbert, who follows farming in Oklahoma; William, at home; Lawrence, also at home; Walter, a resident of Oklahoma; and Ver- non, at home. The deceased members are: Charles, the oldest son, who died at the age of fif- teen years, while his twin died when only two weeks old : and Albert, who was two years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are consistent Christian people, holding membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, and their example is exempli- fied in the lives of their sons, who are noble and honorable young men-a credit to the communi-
ties in which they reside. The father has never used tobacco or intoxicants in any form and his temperance habits are strictly adhered to by his family of sons. The influence of this worthy couple is also felt throughout the community where they make their home, and there are no citizens of Wilton township who are more highly honored or have a larger circle of warm friends than does Mr. Robinson and his estimable wife.
JACOB GROSS.
Jacob Gross, engaged in the boot and shoe busi- ness at Peotone, Will county, is the oldest mer- chant in this place, having since 1888 continned his enterprise in the building which was at that time erected by him. Mr. Gross is a native of Germany, born in Medard, August 5, 1851, a son of Jacob and Mary (Gluck) Gross, both of whom were natives of the fatherland, and there spent their entire lives. The father was a shoe- maker by trade and died at the comparatively early age of forty-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of thirty-eight.
Jacob Gross is the eldest of three children and is the only one who emigrated to America, the other members of the family continuing their home in Germany. At the age of fourteen years Mr. Gross became apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade for a period of three years. Believing that he might enjoy better business advantages in the new world, he then crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way direct to Peotone, where lived an uncle, Peter Conrad, who was en- gaged in the boot and shoe business at this place. For several years Mr. Gross worked at the bench in his uncle's establishment, during which time he carefully husbanded his resources, so that in. 1888 he was enabled to erect a store building and put in a stock of boots, shoes and rubbers, and he has continued at this same stand since that time. Through his reliable and straightforward business methods he has built up a large and lucrative trade and is now the oldest merchant in the city in point of continnous connection with its busi- ness interests.
In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. Gross and Miss Lizzie Lauman, who was born near
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Frankfort. Will county, a daughter of Conrad Lauman, one of the early settlers of Will county. Soon after the birth of the daughter, the father went to California, where his death occurred. Unto our subject and his wife have been born nine children : Ida, the wife of George Rehkopf, proprietor of the Peotone Steam Laundry ; Emma. the wife of George Cann, a resident farmer of Will township; Frank, employed in the office of the Poultry Publishing Company, of Peotone; George, who is editor of the Peotone Vedette and is also acting as assistant postmaster; Alfred, a book- keeper for the Poultry Publishing Company ; Car- rie, a young lady at home; Herman, who is work- ing at the butcher's trade in Peotone; and Ottie and Alfreda, who are in school.
When a young man of twenty years, Mr. Gross became identified with the United Evangelical church and has ever taken an active interest in its work, while he is now acting as a teacher in the Sunday school. In polities he is a republican where national issues are involved, but at local elections votes for the men whom he deems best qualified for office regardless of party ties or at- filiations. Since 1882 he has acted as justice of the peace and for sixteen years has been police magistrate. He is a charter member of the Mod- ern Woodmen camp, No. 1405, of Peotone, and for twenty years has been identified with the Ma- sonic order, while he is also a member of the East- ern Star.
In manner Mr. Gross is quiet and unassuming and in business, social and fraternal circles com- mands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is associated.
GEORGE ABBOTT, SR.
George Abbott, Sr., is now practically living re- tired in Joliet, although to some extent he en- gages in gardening. He was born in Keene, New Hampshire, in 1828 and though he has almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey he has never been confined to his home by ill- ness. This is certainly a remarkable record and is largely due to the fact that he has never abused nature's laws. His father, Daniel Abbott, was of English parentage and for many years carried
on agricultural pursuits in New Hampshire, where he was also prominent in public life, serv- ing for several terms in the state legislature. He married Polly Brown, a native of the old Granite state, and they became the parents of seven sons and two daughters, of which family two died in childhood. Three of the number are now living : Charles Abbott, who, at the age of more than eighty years, resides in New Hampshire : Mary A .. also of that state; and George, of this review.
Having arrived at years of maturity, George Abbott sought and won as a companion and help- mate for life's journey Miss Eunice Foster, of Keene, New Hampshire, who died in Joliet in 1861 and was laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Abbie Ann Cut- ting, who came from Maine to the middle west. and whose father was a tanner by trade. She died more than ten years ago, when about sixty years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of three sons and three daughters: John, who is a keeper at the Illinois state penitentiary at Joliet ; Lawrence, an engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad living at Joliet ; George, who resides with his father; Lulu, the wife of James Wroughton of Joliet; Belle, the wife of Frank Shaw, employed at the steel mills in Joliet; and Isabelle, the wife of George East, an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, re- siding at Brookfield, Missouri. There was also one child that died in infancy.
George Abbott of this review came to the mid- (lle west when twenty-three years of age. He first made his way to Missouri and helped get out timber for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, acting for about one year as foreman of a gang of men. He then became overseer on the plantation belong- ing to General Bolion, in which connection he su- pervised the labors of a crew of negroes. He then went to the cast and married, after which he re- turned to Illinois and engaged in the cultivation of a large farm in Winnebago county for one year. In 1837 he arrived in Joliet and for eight- een years conducted a restaurant in the Rock Island depot. He afterward spent ten years in the same line of business at the corner of Chicago and Jefferson streets, erecting the building there which he still owns. Hle afterward bought ten acres of land in the western part of the town on Oneida street and engages to some extent in gar-
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dening, although he is largely living retired. He has led a very busy, useful and active life and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors and perseverance. In all of his business dealings he has been faithful and honorable and in the evening of his days receives the respect and veneration which should always be accorded one of his years. Socially he is con- nected with Joliet lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., of which he is an exemplary member. In politics he has always been a republican, voting for each presidential candidate of the party since he at- tained his majority.
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