USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 13
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FRANK BROWN.
Frank Brown, owning a valuable and well im- proved farm of three hundred and sixty acres, sit- uated on sections 13, 14, 15, 16 and 21. Jackson township, a part of which constitutes the old homestead property of his father, is also engaged quite extensively in breeding full blooded Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Brown was born in Jackson township, Feb- ruary 26, 1860, a son of Ara B. and Martha (Haugham) Brown. The father came with his parents from his native state, New York, to Will county in 1834. He remained with them during the period of his boyhood and youth and when starting out in life on his own account engaged in farming on section 15, Jackson township, con- tinuing in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred in 1865. His family numbered thirteen children,six of whom still sur- vive, namely: Mrs. Sarah B. Sharp, a resident of Danville, Indiana : Elias, a resident farmer of Jackson township, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work; Nancy J., a resident of Joliet ; Mrs. D. F. Higgins, also of Joliet ; Frank, of this review; and Martha M., a resident of Joliet.
Frank Brown was reared on the old homestead farm, assisting in the cultivation of the fields and the harvesting of the crops, thus gaining practical knowledge of carrying on general agricultural pur- suits. When not engaged with the duties of the farm he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. He also attended school at Elwood for three winters and during the win-
ter of 1883-4 was a student of Valparaiso, Indiana. He was early trained to habits of in- dustry, thrift and economy, and this is no doubt the secret of his present gratifying success, for hiis present fine farm has been acquired entirely through his own persistency of purpose and his unremitting labors He is today in posses- sion of one of the most valuable farms of Jackson township, and he keeps the fields under a high state state of cultivation through the rotation of crops and the practical methods which he follows in the prosecution of his labors. He has a fine home and many good outbuildings upon the property, and one of the notable features of the place is the barn, which was erected by his grandfather, Peter Brown, in 1838, and which has been continuously used since that time and is still in a good state of preserva- tion. The frame is constructed of hewed logs, fourteen inches square, while the roof is made of slabs of hardwood, and so far as is known this structure is the oldest one in Jackson township.
Perhaps the most important event in the life record of Mr. Brown occurred November 16, 1886, when he was united in marriage to Miss Adelia Spangler, who was born in Will county, a daugh- ter of Henry and Rachel (Grove) Spangler. The father was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 1837, and in 1853 he located in Will county, taking up lis abode on a farm in Jackson township, follow- ing agricultural pursuits here until 1889, when he removed to Joliet, where lie lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1892. His wife, surviving for only about a year, was called to her final rest in 1898. Of their five children, four still survive, namely: Samuel, who resides in Manhattan township, Will county: Elry G., a resident farmer of Jackson township. further men- tion of whom is made on another page of this work; Alvin O., who lives in Jackson township; and Adelia, now Mrs. Brown. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born six children, all of whom are still under the parental roof: Almeda J., Elda, Frank S., Chester G., Martha M. and Donald, known as "Buster" Brown.
Mr. Brown is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen camp No. 3318, at Elwood. He has always been a supporter of the principles of dent- ocracy and is ever interested in all movements and measures tending toward the advancement
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and progress of his town and county. He is known as a reliable business man, enterprising and alert, and he commands the respect and gool will of all with whom he comes in contact.
WILLIAM WALLACE STEVENS.
William Wallace Stevens., the nestor of the Will county bar, the oldest member of the different Masonic bodies in Joliet, and one among the oldest residents of the city, was born in Rumford Falls, Maine, July 14, 1832. His parents were Bernard C. and Esther A. (Lufkin) Stevens. The father was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, in 1800, and was a son of Jonathan and Mary Stevens, also natives of that town. At the age of twenty-one years Bernard C. Stevens went to Rumford Falls, Maine, where he met and married Esther Abbott Lufkin in 1825. She was born in Rumford, June 14, 1797, and was a daughter of Benjamin and Mehitable (Abbott) Lufkin, also natives of that place. Mrs. Stevens was a lineal descendant of the Abbotts, the first settlers of Concord, New Hampshire, and of the Lufkins, the first settlers of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her father was a sol- dier of the Revolutionary army and was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill. Afterward he served in Captain John Drury's company, in Ezra Wood's regiment and participated in several of the impor- tant battles from 1778 to 1780, when he was discharged. Benjamin and Mehitable Lufkin had eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. Three of the sons were ministers in the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years were very prominent in church circles in their native state. Among the daughters were Esther A. Lufkin, who in 1825 gave her hand in marriage to Bernard C. Stevens, who was a farmer by occupation. They became the parents of seven children, of whom only two now survive: William Wallace, of this review: and Reuben F. Stevens. Both are residents of Joliet. The father died in Octo- ber, 1874, and the mother on the 19th of April, 1849.
W. W. Stevens, after attending the common schools in his early youth, become a student in Tubbs Union Academy, at Washington, New Hampshire, and later in the Andover (N. II.)
Academy. from which he was graudated in the summer of 1854. In the following winter and spring he was assistant principal of the McIndoes Falls (Vermont) Academy and in November, 1855, he came to Joliet, where he entered the law office of Messrs. Parks & Elwood and commenced the study of law. He remained with that firm until March, 1859, when he was admitted to practice as an attorney, so that he has been a member of the bar for almost half a century.
On the 6th of September, 1859, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Althea Hawley, a daughter of the late Judge Oscar L. and Nancy ( Burdge) Hawley. Mrs. Stevens was born in Lockport, this county, April 13, 1839. Her father was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1809, and was a son of Lyman and Althea Hawley, also natives of the Empire state. They came to this county with their son Oscar in 1834, establishing their home here when Will county was a frontier district and Joliet little more than a crossroads village. Judge Hawley became one of the promi- nent men of the county. He was elected county clerk in 1849 and held the office until 1857, when he was elected county judge, continuing to serve upon the bench until his death, on the 8th of November, 1861. Mrs. Hawley was born in Chau- tauqua county, New York, August 18, 1819, was married in April, 1838, and died in Lockport, in 1848.
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of seven children : The eldest, Ada H., in 1881, became the wife of Charles M. Becker, of Joliet, who died in Daytona, Florida, September 19, 1888, leaving a son, Claude W. Kate Esther, the second daughter is at home. Will H. married Fannie Oviatt, of Lansing, Michigan, and they have two children, William Wallace and Maude Winifred. They are residents of Daytona, Florida. Ella V. is the wife of Will S. Hamm and they reside at Lakeside, Illinois, with their two daughters, Grace Winifred and Willa Elanore. Jennie M. is at home. Frank M. married Miss Sadie Perkins, of Joliet, lives at Oak Park, Illinois, and has two children, Edna Althea and ITarold Perkins. Winifred Wallace, the youngest. is also at home.
Mr. Stevens is a member of Mount Joliet lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M .: Joliet chapter, No. 27, R. A. M. ; and Joliet commandery, No. 4, K. T., and is the oldest member of each of the three
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bodies and also the oldest past master of the lodge and high priest of the chapter. He is likewise dean of all the attorneys of the county, and be- cause of his long connection with the bar, with fraternal interests and with those movements and measures which have direct bearing upon the wel- fare and upbuilding of the county, it would be difficult to find one who has more intimate knowl- edge of the events which have shaped its history and the men who have promoted its progress.
WILLIAM J. KOEPKE.
William J. Koepke, engaged in general mer- chandising in Peotone, has developed a business of gratifying proportions and has made a creditable record by the commercial ethics which he has followed. He was born in Monee, Will county, in 1872, a son of Christian and Wilhelmina (Buethe) Koepke, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Koepke, when fourteen years of age, the family home being established upon a farm in Green Garden township among the pioneer residents of Will county. Although reared to agricultural pursuits Christian Koepke was for twenty-five years a merchant of Monee, and a prominent representative of commercial interests in his sec- tion of the county, but during the past fifteen years he has lived retired from business, having through his capable management and the careful husbanding of his resources obtained a competence that enables him to rest from further labors. He now owns three farms in Green Garden town- ship and also has landed interests in Kansas. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, in the work of which he takes an active interest and to its support contributes generously. For many years he has been a loyal democrat and at different times has acted as president of the villiage board of Monee. In 1904 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away at the age of sixty-two years, in the faith of the German Lutheran church. of which she had been a devoted follower. They were the parents of five children, of whom two died in infancy, while Doretta died in 1891. The living daughter, Lena, is now the
wife of William Plagge, a retired merchant of Monee.
William J. Koepke, the only surviving son, attended school at Monee and also the Metropoli- tan Business College in Chicago. He entered commercial life as a salesman in a drug store in Chicago where he remained for five years, after which he pursued a course of pharmacy in the Chicago College of Pharmacy and was there grad- uated. In 1894 he bought out the general stock of merchadising of Frederick Wahls, of Peotone, and has since been continuously in business, cov- ering a period of twelve years. He carries a good line of dry goods, clothing, groceries, furs and other general stock and has a liberal patronage, which is accorded him in recognition of his rea- sonable prices and his honorable business methods.
Mr. Koepke was married in 1895 to Miss Bertha Wahls, who was born in Peotone, in 1875, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine Wahls, the former a pioneer merchant of the village. Mr. and Mrs. Koepke have one daughter, Catherine, now six years of age. They are members of the Lutheran church and theirs is one of the most heautiful homes of Peotone, having been erected at a cost of six thousand dollars. It is beautifully furnished and gives every evidence of a refined and cultured taste. Mr. Koepke supports the democracy and has served as a member of the village board for a number of years. Community interests awaken his earnest admiration and many movements for the public good receive his hearty endorsement and co-operation.
ROBERT EATON.
Robert Eaton, one of the leading farmers of Jackson township. was born on the 2d of Novem- ber, 1858, in Kendall county, Illinois, and was a child of four years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Will county, the family locating in Jackson township in 1862. His father, Daniel Eaton, was born in Craigh Warren in the north of Ireland, September 26, 1828, his parents having removed to that country from Scotland a few years prior to his birth. In the family were five sons. On attaining his majority Daniel Eaton was united in marriage to
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Miss Mary McClintock and seven years later they came to the new world, locating first in Kendall county, Illinois, where they made their home until coming to Will county in 1862. Unto them were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and the three daugh- ters still survive, namely: Daniel, a resident of Joliet; Robert, of this review; Mrs. G. J. Eib, of Jackson; Mrs. Anna Jacobson, also of Jackson; and Mrs. Mary Ralf, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. At the father's death, which occurred December ?, 1906, he had eighteen grandchildren and four great-grandehildren. Throughout his active busi- ness life he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits and met with fair success, so that he was able to leave his widow in comfortable eirenm- stances. He was an earnest and consistent mem- ber of the Central Presbyterian church of Joliet and his upright, honorable life won for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social relations.
Robert Eaton grew to manhood upon the home farm and has always followed the occupation to which he was reared, being now the owner of a well improved farm of eighty acres on seetion 9, Jackson township. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of the raising of full blooded Poland China hogs, Percheron horses and shorthorn cattle.
On the 3d of February, 1882. Mr. Eaton mar- ried Miss Julia E. Young, of Jackson township, who is the tenth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children, her parents being Sheldon and Eliza (Haugham) Young. She has four sisters and one brother still living, namely: Mrs. Lena Williams, a resident of Oklahoma; Mrs. L. H. Eib, of Joliet : Mrs. Emma Palmer, of Jackson township; Mrs. Mattie Pierce, of Chicago; and Walter H. Young, of Southington, Connectient. The father of this family was born in New York state in 1820 and in 1838 came to Jackson town- ship, Will county, Illinois, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred July 18. 1900. His wife died on the 28th of June, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have four children : John R., Ernest L., Harry I .. , and Robert Young, all at. home.
On attaining his majority Mr. Eaton affiliated with the republican party, which he continued to support until the fall of 1906. when he became a
prohibitionist and on that ticket ran for state senator. Although defeated ot the polls he re- ceived the largest vote the prohibition party ever polled in Will county. Both he and his wife are active members of the Central Presbyterian church of Joliet, and he is a prominent and influential member of several social organizations, having been an officeholder in the Illinois State Grange for fifteen years. He also belongs to the Court of Honor and Knights of the Globe and is now sery- ing as president of the Will County Farmers Institute. He is a genial, broadminded man whom it is a pleasure to meet, and he has a host of friends throughout this section of the state.
MATT BERSCHEID.
Matt Berscheid. well known in musical circles in Joliet, having for a quarter of a century de- voted his time to the art, while for a number of years he has been leader of the orchestra in the Joliet theater, was born in Mendota, Illinois, in 1857. His father, Bernard Berscheid, was born in Germany and came to Illinois in 1853, settling in Lockport. He was a miller in his native coun- try, and after arriving in Will county he fol- lowed his trade in Lockport, Mendota, Hennepin, LaSalle and Joliet, continuing in that line of business until his death, which occurred in 1892, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife. who bore the maiden name of Susan Zahren, was born in Germany and came with her parents to America about 1854, the family home being es- tablished in Will county. She survived her hus- band for some time and passed away March 29, 1906. In the family were eleven children : Henry ; Matthew; Peter, deceased; John; Frank, who is alderman of the third ward in Joliet; Julia, the wife of James Maloy; Mary, the wife of John Harrigan : Kate, the wife of Jerry Harrigan ; Bert: Anna, deceased ; and Bart.
Mr. Berscheid of this review became a resident of Joliet in 1871, when fourteen years of age. In early life he learned the barber's trade, which he followed for a number of years and while thus engaged he took up the study of music prepara- tory to devoting his life to that art. He has given twenty-five years to that line of business
MATT BERSCHEID.
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and for a considerable period has been leader of the orchestra at the Joliet theater. He has supe- rior talent and skill as a musician and his ability has won him wide and favorable recognition.
Mr. Berscheid was married in Joliet, in 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Horan, who was born in this city, and they have three children, Marie, Matthew Stanley and James Robert. In his political views Mr. Berscheid is a democrat and is one of the local leaders of the party. In 1903 he was elected city clerk and was again chosen to that office in 1905, so that he is the present incumbent. His re-election was proof of his capability, his prompt- ness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties. He has been a resident of Joliet for more than a third of a century and its history is well known to him.
JOEL WILLIAM GOUGAR.
Joel William Gougar is numbered among the native sons of Will county, who was formerly identified with agricultural interests, but is now local manager of the Chicago Telephone Company's exchange at New Lenox. He represents one of the well known pioneer families of Will county, his birth having occurred on his father's farm in New Lenox township in 1861, a son of William and Clarissa (Hawkins) Gougar.
The paternal great - grandfather, William Gougar, was born in Germany, whence he emi- grated to the United States, locating in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he developed a farm. He was accompanied to the new world by two brothers, one of whom settled in Virginia, while the other located in Kentucky. The paternal grandfather, William Gougar was married in Berks county to Miss Catherine Abel, and following his marriage he remained there until 1818, when with his family he went to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he purchased and developed a new farm, whereon he made his home for four years, subse- quent to which time he disposed of his property and removed to Vermillion county, Indiana, there making his home until 1831, which year wit- nessed his arrival in Will county. Here he made purchase of a tract of wild land on Hickory creek, and at once began the arduous task of de- veloping and cultivating the fields until he made
it a valuable property, adding to his holdings as his financial resources increased until at the time of his death he owned three hundred and twenty acres, constituting him one of the large landowners of this county. For many years he made his home in a log cabin, in which the fam- ily lived in true pioneer style, but he later erected a more commodious frame residence and added many substantial improvements to his place. He was a prominent citizen of his locality and on the democratic ticket was elected to various public offices, serving for several years as commissioner, while for a long period he served on the district school board. Ile was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church, and his home was frequently used as a place of worship for there was no church of that denomination in his locality. After many years of happy married life Mrs. Gougar was called to her final rest in 1854 when she had reached the age of fifty-six years, being survived by her husband until 1861, when he, too, passed away, having reached the advanced age of eighty years. Their family numbered eleven children, while two of the number still survive, these being: Lewis and Joseph E., twins, the former residing in Denver, Colorado, while the latter makes his home in Will county.
William Gougar, Jr., the father of our subject. was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, August 24, 1818, the same year of the removal of his father's family to that state from Pennsylvania. He was reared in the Buckeye state to the age of four years after which he accompained the family on their various removals, being a lad of thirteen years when the father made a permanent settlement in Will county. Owing to the new and unsettled condition of the country his educational advan- tages were limited to a pioneer district school built near his home on the banks of Hickory creek. Ifis education was supplemented in later life through reading, observation and investigation. At the early age of fourteen he enlisted for service in the Black Hawk war, spending several months in active warfare and enduring many privations and hardships. Two of his brothers. Daniel and Nicholas, were members of the militia in the Black Hawk war. Following his return from the war. William Gongar assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, remaining under the parental roof until 1850, when he made the over-
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land trip to California, remaining on the Pacific coast for three years, during which time he met with fair success in his mining operations. In 1853 he returned to Will county and purchased a farm in New Lenox township, the place being located one mile west of the village. He was there engaged in farming and stock-rising until 1891, when he retired from active business life and removed to the village of New Lenox, where he purchased a home, for he had become incapaci- tated for farm work as the result of injuries which he had sustained in an accident. He started out in life as a poor boy but through his close appli- cation, his industry and his economy, he gradually worked his way upward until he became the owner of five hundred and thirty acres of valuable farm- ing land in Will county. ile was actively identi- fied with the progress and advancement that has here been made, for at the time of his arrival the Indians were more numerous than the white settlers and on one occasion the family were driven from their home during an Indian raid. Ile gave his political support to the principles of democracy and served a number of years as school director, aiding in the erection of school- houses and other public buildings. Deprived in his youth of good educational advantages and realizing the value of broad learning, he did what he could to furnish such advantages to his children as well as his neighbors' children.
In 1859 occurred the marriage of Mr. Gongar and Miss Clarissa Hawkins, who was born in Limestone township, Kankakee county, Illinois. She was an estimable lady, highly respected in New Lenox, where she died October 28, 1899, surrounded by a host of warm personal friends. The family has been called upon to mourn the loss of the father, whose death occurred July 2, 1906. He was devoted to the welfare and happi- ness of his wife and children, taking the utmost pleasure in their companionship, while he was faithful in friendship and loyal in citizenship, so that his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only in the village where he made his home but throughont Will county, where he had a wide and favorable ecquaintance. Their three children.Joel W., Helen and Frank, still survive.
Joel William Gougar, the eldest member of the family, was reared to farm life on the old home-
stead, assisting in the operation of the fields during the summer seasons, while through the winter months he pursued his early education in the district schools near his father's home, this being supplemented by study during two winter seasons at Valparaiso, Indiana. Following his father's removal to the village of New Lenox, the son operated the homestead farm until 1899, when. he abandoned agricultural pursuits and removed to the village, where in 1902 he engaged in the telephone business, and this has continued to be his occupation to the present time. He formerly owned two hundred acres of valuable farming land but recently disposed of this to good advan- tage, it being a tract which was purchased by his father in 1884.
Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Gongar was married December 1, 1886, to Miss Charlotte Finette Gillett, who was born in New Lenox township, Will county, in 1862, a daughter of Egbert A. and Emily Gillett, both of whom are still living and now make their home in Utah. Mr. and Mrs. Gongar are communicants of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Gougar is also a member of the Masonie fraternity, belonging to Matteson lodge, No. 115, at Joliet. He follows in his father's political footsteps, thus supporting the democratic party. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gougar has been blessed with a daughter and son: Myrtle Hlelen, who is now a student in the Jol- iet high school; and Walter B., who' is a public school student. Mr. Gougar and his family ocenpy an enviable position in social circles and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
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