USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 14
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WILLIAM F. KOELLING.
William F. Koelling, cashier of the Crete State Bank, in which connection he has gained a creditable position in financial circles, although one of the younger business men of the town, was born in Monee township in 1877. His father, Ernest Koelling, was a native of Germany and is now living in Chicago Heights at the age of sixty years. He came to the United States in 1857. settling in Monee township, Will county,
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where his parents purchased a farm. He was reared upon the old family homestead there and attended the country schools. Throughout his active business life he carried on the work of tilling the soil and after he had spent sometime in this county he rented a farm in Washington town- ship, while in 1886 he removed to a farm in Crete township. There he resided until 1901, when he retired from active business life, making his home in Chicago Heights. He was practical and en- terprising in all that he did and thus won a goodly measure of success as an agriculturist, ac- quiring a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired from further labors. He belongs to the Lutheran church and was a demo- crat in political faith until 1904, when he cast his ballot for Theodore Roosevelt. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lizzie Wedel, was born in Germany and is now fifty-six years of age. She came to the United States in 1875 and after living for one year in Chicago she was married in 1876 to Ernest Koelling. She. too, is a member of the Lutheran church. They have one son and four daughters: William F .; Louise; Anna ; Emma; and Alvina. The daughter Emma is the wife of George Merker, who is engaged in the ice business at Chicago Heights.
William F. Koelling was reared upon a farm and attended the district schools. He spent a year in a Chicago business college to further equip himself for life's practical duties and upon leav- ing the farm in 1900 he accepted a position in a grain office at Chicago Heights, where he re- mained for a year. He was afterward for two years with a lumber firm at that place, on the expiration of which period he entered the real estate office of Ernest W. Balgeman of Chicago Heights, and in 1904 they organized the Crete State Bank with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, which was later increased to fifty thousand. Mr. Balgeman is the president, with H. C. Wehmhoefer as vice president and William F. Koelling as cashier. The bank has done an excellent business from the start and its deposits have reached one hundred thousand dollars. They own a beautiful bank building, a one-story structure with a stone front, built in Grecian style of architecture and supplied with with modern fixtures. Mr. Koelling is a member of the American Bankers' Association. and of the
Illinois Bankers' Association, and has shown ex- cellent business discernment in the control of the institution which is now under his management.
In 1903 occurred the marriage of William F. Koelling and Miss Mary Luecke, who was born in Washington township, Will county, in 1827, and is a daughter of Fred and Frederika Luecke, who came to the United States in an early day, settling on a farm in Washington township, her father becoming one of the successful agricul- turists of that locality. He died in 1883, while his widow still resides in Crete. Mr. and Mrs. Koelling have two children: Arthur Howard, who was born August 20, 1904; and Mabel Alice. born December 11, 1906. The parents are mem- bers of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Koelling is a republican who is now serving as treasurer of the village. He is one of the men of enterprise and business activity who are doing much for the village in which he is located and he has become popular in both business and social cireles.
EDWARD DONAHOE.
Edward Donahoe, living retired in a pleasant home in Wilmington, was for many years ae- tively engaged in commercial pursuits in this village. He was born in County Tipperary, Ire- land, January 7, 1848, and when a little lad was brought to this country on a sailing vessel by his parents, Timothy and Mary (Williams) Dona- hoe, both of whom were natives of the Emerald isle. They arrived in the United States in April, 1854, making their way at onee to Joliet, Illinois. They were communicants of the Roman Catholic church and both passed away in this village, the former at the advanced age of eighty years.
The son acquired his education in the public schools of Joliet and remained with his parents through the period of his boyhood and youth. In September, 1867, when a youth of nineteen years, he came to Wilmington and here engaged in busi- ness as a dealer in groceries, provisions, crockery, glass, wooden and willow ware. He applied him- self diligently to his new business venture, and by his capable management and fair dealing soon demonstrated his ability to rank with the leading
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merchants of this community. In 1874 he estab- lished a branch store at Braidwood, which he aft- erward turned over to his brother, John T. Dona- hoe. Mr. Donahoe continued his business enter- prise here until 1889, when he sold out, but the following year resumed business operations, con- ducting his store with gratifying success until 1895, when he turned the business over to his son and daughter, Timothy J. and Rita Donahoe, now continuing the business which was established by their father almost a half century ago, so that the name of Donahoe is a familiar one in commer- cial circles.
Although leading a very active and busy life, Mr. Donahoe always found time for public inter- ests, being a member of the city council in 1876- 17, and his aid and support can always be counted upon in movements or measures which tend toward the advancement of his town or county. He is public spirited to a marked degree and is one of the leading citizens of this section of the county. During his active life he accumulated a comfort- able competence, which now enables him to live in honorable retirement in a pleasant home, sur- rounded by his family and many warm friends. He is the owner of the Empire block in Wilming- ton, which he has remodeled and improved, mak- ing it an up-to-date building, now worth about twenty thousand dollars. The first floor is occu- pied by three stores and the Commercial National Bank; the second floor is used as an opera house and office rooms; and the third floor as lodge rooms.
On the 1st of February, 1872, Mr. Donahoe was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Feehan, of Wilton township, who was born in Ireland and brought to the United States during her infancy. They became the parents of six children, of whom five are still living, namely: Mary J., now the wife of A. B. Towle, a resident of Wilmington; Mathew J., who is engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Wilmington; Rita ; Frances; and Edward P., who in connection with his sister Rita is en- graged in the grocery business in Wilmington. One son, Timothy J., died December 23, 1904. The family are prominent both in business and social circles in their home town. In religious faith they are communicants of the Catholic church, and Mr. Donahoe is identified with a number of fraternal orders, including the Modern Woodmen
camp, No. 124; the Elks lodge, No. 296, of Joliet ; and Division No. 4 of the Ancient Order of Hi- bernians at Joliet.
PHILIP YOST.
Philip Yost, a member of the firm of Yost Brothers, proprietors of a meat market at Lock- port. was born November 14, 1862, his parents being John A. and Mary (Miller) Yost. The father came from Germany in 1851. He was a shoemaker by trade but shortly after his arrival in Lockport he became connected with the firm of Norton & Company, in the milling busi- ness and acted as superintendent of their flour and paper mills at Lockport until he retired from business life. He died at the age of seventy years.
Philip Yost, whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in the public schools of Lockport, passing through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course. He began business life as a farmer but afterward entered the employ of the Illinois & Michigan Canal Company, and when he left that service went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he began clerk- ing in a grocery store. He spent five years as a salesman in that city, after which he returned to Lockport and opened a meat market in connec- tion with his brother Henry, under the firm name of Yost Brothers, in 1885. This business has since been continued with constantly growing suc- cess and a large trade is now enjoyed, many of their patrons having remained with them through- out all these years.
Mr. Yost was married to Miss Frances E. Wald- vogle, of Lockport, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Waldvogle, the former a merchant. The marriage, which was celebrated May 1, 1889, has been blessed with two children, Casilda and Mur- illa. Mr. Yost is recognized as a citizen of worth and value and has twice been elected alderman. During his first term he was one of those who assisted materially in securing the passage of the ordinance for the laying of concrete walks through- out the city. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen, and is a charter member of
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
the Heptasophs and also of the volunteer fire de- partment, of which he was formerly chief.
Henry J. Yost, brother and partner of Philip Yost, was born May 28, 1859, and acquired a public-school education. He afterward entered the paper mill of Norton & Company, where he re- mained for some time, going thence to St. Louis Missouri, where he learned the butcher's trade He afterward engaged in business on his own account in that city until 1885, when he disposed of his market there and returned to Lockport. where in connection with his brother Philip he opened a large meat market, which they have conducted up to the present time, this being one of the leading enterprises of this character in the town. He, too, has been somewhat active in con- nection with public affairs, has served as assistant supervisor for four years and was treasurer of Lockport for two terms. While filling that po- sition the bank of Lockport failed and with many others he lost a goodly sum.
Henry J. Yost was married to Belle Ruppert. of St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Henry and Catherine E. Ruppert, the former owner of a transfer and teaming business in St. Louis, where he died at the age of fifty years. Two children have been born of this union, Lillian P. and May Louise. Henry Yost os a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and also affiliates with the Mac- cabees and the Elks of Joliet. The brothers are well known business men of marked diligence and enterprise, whose close application and unfalter- ing energy constitute the foundation upon which they have builded the superstructure of their business success.
HOWARD T. KELTIE.
Howard T. Keltie, dependent upon his own re- sources from an early age, is today one of the most prominent representatives of industrial life in Joliet and in business affairs has heen energetic, prompt and notably reliable. He is today secre- tary and treasurer of the Keltie Stone Company, which is operating extensively in the quarrying and sale of stone: nor have his efforts been con- fined alone to one line but have reached out to various fields of activity wherein the business
development of the city has been promoted, while individual success has also been accomplished thereby.
Mr. Keltie was born in Clinton, Canada, June 27, 1851, a son of Thomas and Mary H. (McCul- lough) Keltie. The father was a native of Scot- land and at an early age became a resident of Kingston, Canada, whence he removed to Clinton and there died in the prime of life. He was a carpenter by trade and in that manner provided for the support of his family, which numbered wife and seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom two sons have now passed away. The mother, who was of English parent- age, was born in Canada and died in Detroit but was buried at Joliet. In religious faith she was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Howard T. Keltie was but three years of age when taken to Point Clark on Lake Huron. Four years afterward he returned to his native town and there attended the common schools until he reached the age of sixteen, when he began earning his own livelihood through employment in a stave factory. He afterward spent three years as engineer in the drilling of salt wells in Ontario in the vicinity of his old home and coming to Illinois, he was engaged to put down an artesian well at Lemont, beginning the work in July, 1873. HIe dug a well thirteen hundred and sixty feet deep-the first deep well in the locality. Subse- quently he spent several months in deepening wells in Joliet, after which he returned to Canada. where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1874 he arrived in Mendota, Illinois, where he dug an artesian well twenty-two hundred feet deep and subsequently he put down a well at Champaign Illinois. Later he deepened the well at Mendota and his next contract was near Marseilles, Illi- nois, where he put down a well that was twenty- one hundred feet deep.
It was while at Marseilles, that Mr. Keltic formed the acquaintance of Mr. Hays of the Joliet Stone Company, who engaged him to buy an engine and machinery for sawing stone and put it in operation. With this company Mr. Keltie continued as an engineer for four years and was then superintendent of the quarries for a similar period. In 1884 he bought an interest in the Joliet & Chicago Stone Company and superintended the work at the quarries at Fourth
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and Rowell avennes. Two years later he was made vice president and secretary as well as superin- tendent and continued to act in those capacities until he resigned in 1893. Organizing the Douglas & Keltie Stone Company, he became its manager and soon afterward bought his partner's interest changing the name to the Keltie Stone Company, of which he has since been secretary, treasurer and manager. Under his supervision quarries were opened between Jackson and Cass streets on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, where the company bought a large tract of land Ile also opened and began to operate twenty acres west of Joliet on the some railroad. The quarries are provided with steam plants, derricks, siding and other necessary equipments, and the product is a good quality of building stone. He is also a contracting stone-mason and does all the work in this line for the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail- road. He also has had contracts for the material used in the government piers at South Chicago and at the present writing the Keltie Stone Com- pany has the contract with the Great Lakes Dredg- ing & Dock Company to furnish thirty thousand cords of stone for the new town of Gary, In- diana. Shipments of stone are made to all parts of the country with particularly large markets at Milwaukee and St. Louis. Mr. Keltie has become one of the foremost representatives of the stone industry in Joliet, having developed his business along modern progressive lines, and his keen per- ception, careful management and correct business principles have enabled him to develop an enter- prise which has reached a large volume. Extend- ing his efforts info other fields of activity, Mr. Keltie is financially interested in the Will County Bank and was one of the incorporators of the Vance Furniture Company, acting as its secre- tary until the business was sold.
In community affairs Mr. Keltie is deeply and actively interested. He is a valued representa- tive of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, belonging to Mount Joliet lodge. No. 42, A. F. & A. M .; Joliet chapter, No. 27, R. A. M .; Joliet commandery, No. 4, K. T .; and to the Medinah Tefple of the Mystic Shrine in Chicago. He is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, having served as chancellor commander in the latter organization. In his political views
a stalwart republican, he has served as a member of the county central committee, has been treasurer of the Working Men's Republican Club and has labored earnestly and effectively in behalf of the principles in which he believes. He has served as a member of the board of school trustees for Joliet township and as its president, and in 1904 was elected a member of the city council, to which position he was re-elected in 1906.
In Joliet Mr. Keltie was married to Miss May T. Smith, who was born in this city, a daughter of William Smith of Joliet, and they have three children, William H., Arthur J. and Laura M. They also lost one son, Howard, who was killed in front of their residence by a street car when four years of age. The family hold membership in the First Baptist church, in which Mr. Keltie is now serving as a trustee. They are well known socially and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by many friends. Mr. Keltie thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and his associates. Ile is always courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of natural ability. his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Joliet has been uniform and rapid. He is, moreover, a publié-spirited citizen and has ever supported those interests which are calcu- lated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.
JOSEPH S. BURTON.
Joseph S. Burton was for fifty-five years a resident of Wilmington and his many good qual- ities and strong traits of character made him a most highly respected citizen. He was born in Longworth, Lincolnshire, England, November 4. 1822, and was therefore in the eighty-third year of his age when he passed away at Wilmington on the 4th of February, 1905. He pursued his education in the schools of his native country while spending his boyhood days under the paren- tal roof. He was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Siennet) Burton, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they passed away. The
Joseph L. Barton
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
father engaged in market gardening there. The family numbered five sons and a daughter, but only one is now living-William-who resides in Wilmington, Illinois. Four of the sons, Thomas, Joseph, William and Septimus, came to the United States. Thomas married Elizabeth White and they had nine children, of whom three daugh- ters are now living; Selina, the wife of Peter Brodie of Wilmington ; Emma, the widow of Felix Keeley, who died in 1902, leaving five sons and a daughter, living with their mother in Wilming- ton; Ann, the wife of John Hennings of Wil- mington.
Mr. Burton of this review came to the United States in 1849 and in November of that year set- tled in Wilmington. He was employed for sev- eral years in the White Cloud flour mill, having learned the milling business in the old country when a boy. Later he engaged in the meat busi- ness, in which he continued for several years, selling out, however, in 1867. He then returned to his native land on a visit to relatives and after spending three months in that country returned to the new world with his wife. He had been married ere he left England the first time, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Buliflint, whom he wedded in September. 1847. She went back to England and had made quite an extended visit there, when her husband returned to his na- tive land in 1867. As stated, they again came to the United States after he had visited among friends and relatives for three months, and he engaged in the brokerage and real-estate business in Wilmington, in which connection he became well known, his real-estate operations proving an element in the substantial development of Wil- mington as well as a source of individual profit.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton had no children of their own, but adopted George W. Buliflint when he was two years of age. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Buliflint, who came to the United States on the same vessel with Mr. and Mrs. Bur- ton in 1849. Mrs. Buliflint, however, died on shipboard and was buried at sea. The father died soon after his arrival in this country and Mr. and Mrs. Burton adopted the little son, who was thus left an orphan. They reared and educated him and at the age of sixteen years he enlisted for service as a member of Company E. Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war. He
was made a corporal July 18, 1862, in recognition of the bravery which he had displayed at Harrison Landing. Later he was promoted to sergeant and was wounded in battle. He was then granted a furlough, which he spent at home, after which he returned to his regiment, but he lost his life at Fort Craig, April 2, 1865. The color bearer hav- ing been shot down, a volunteer was called for, and the young man took the place of his dead comrade. While thus defending the colors he gave up his life, having seven bullet holes in his body.
After losing his first wife Mr. Burton was married on the 21st of September, 1893, to Miss Harriet Myers, the wedding ceremony being per- formed in Chicago by the Rev. Noble, of the Union Park Congregational church. Mrs. Burton was born in Ruswarp, Yorkshire, England, Octo- ber 20, 1863, and was a daughter of John and Katurah (Kirby) Myers, natives of England. Mr. Burton continued in business in Wilmington for many years and was a resident of the city for more than half a century. The old homestead has ever been noted for its hospitality and Mr. Burton was a man of genial nature and kindly dis- position, who enjoyed the companionship of friends and neighbors. He was strictly honest in all of his dealings and his word could always be depended upon. He reached the age of eighty- two years and at his death Wilmington lost one of its representative and valued citizens.
JOHN BELL.
John Bell, a representative of the farming in- terests of Will county, owning and conducting a tract of two hundred and fifty-three acres in Flor- ence township, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the farm in which he still makes his home, December 3, 1861.
His father, David Bell, was born in Dumfries- shire, Scotland, March 16, 1812, and was there reared and educated. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native land, and when a young man of twenty-one years, having heard favorable reports concerning the new world, decided to try his for- tune in America, accordingly, in 1833, taking pas- sage on a sailing vessel, which was six weeks in
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crossing the Atlantic. Landing at New York, he there remained for a time and worked at his trade. Later he spent some time in Canada and Michigan, continuing his work as a carpenter and joiner, and in 1837 he made his way to Illinois, locating at Wilmington, where he resided for many years, being there engaged in business as a carpenter and contractor. He finally located on a farm on section 30, Florence township. This was all wild and unimproved when it came intc his possession but he developed and cultivated his fields and built a home thereon, this being con- strneted of black walnut, which cost him ten dollars per thousand. When he located here few settlements had as yet been made and there were many inconveniences to be endured in this fron- tier region. No wells had been dug, the water was bad, and consequently there was much sick- ness in the neighborhood. He had to drive to Chicago, which was their nearest market, for sup- plies, while the products of the farm were like- wise hauled to that city. Deer and wild game were numerous, so that the family table was al- ways well supplied with wild meats. Mr. Bell was a very prominent and influential man in his community, taking an active part in the develop- ment and improvement of this section of the state. He served as school director for many years, while he held membership with the Presbyterian church and helped to build the first church of that denomination in Wilmington in 1840. He gave his political allegiance to the whig party.
David Bell was twice married. His first mar- riage was celebrated at Wilmington, January 12, 1843, when Miss Sarah Cook became his wife. She was a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, and by her marriage become the mother of three children, of whom two are now living: May. who was born September 8. 1843, and is now the wife of E. E. Hazzard, a resident of Paw Paw, Michigan ; and William, who was born March 1, 1847. and resides in Manteno, Illinois. The wife and mother passed away July 6, 1855, and Mr. Bell then wedded Jeannette MeIntosh. She was born in Perth, New York, November 8, 1829, and on the 20th of February, 1861, at Wilmington, gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Bell. This union was blessed with a son and daughter : John. of this review ; and Elizabeth, who was born Feb- ruary 23, 1864, and is now the wife of Clarence
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