USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 19
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MICHAEL F. HENNEBRY.
Michael F. Hennebry, engaged in the practice of law at Wilmington, where for six years he has served as city attorney, while his specialty in private practice has been in probate work, was born in Felix township, Grundy county, Illinois, on the 14th of March, 1872. Ilis parents were William and Johannah (Cooper) Hennebry, who were pioneer residents of Will county, locating within its borders in 1848. They took up their abode at Aitens, now Lemont, and the father fol- lowed the occupation of farming. They were both natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, and the father, who was born in Glen Arlagh, died in Wes- ley township, Will county, Illinois, on the 12th of April, 1893. The mother still survives, being a resident of Wilmington, in her seventy-fourth year. They were married in Wilmington in 1854 and remained residents of that place until the early '60s, when they removed to Grundy county, Illinois, settling on what was known as the old Shoemaker farm. In 1879 Mr. Hennebry made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres about three miles east of the village of Mazon, Grundy coun- ty. They removed to Will county in 1888 and purchased what is known as the old Elnathan Jones farm in Wesley township, for which they paid twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Hennebry started on his business career without capital and became one of the leading agriculturists of Will county, owning valuable property interests, from
which he annually derived a good income. He never cared for public office, although he was a stanch advocate of democratic principles. In his family were eleven children, of whom eight are now living: Thomas, Mary, Margaret, William, Patrick, Hannah, Michael and John. The first named is a resident of California.
Michael F. Hennebry spent the days of his boy- hood and youth under the parental roof and, hav- ing acquired his preliminary education, continued his studies in Notre Dame University in Indiana, pursuing commercial, English and law courses. He was graduated from the law department in the class of 1897. He had lived and worked upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years and in his youth his time was largely occu- pied with the duties of the fields, his opportunity of attending school being limited to the winter term. He early developed a strong desire for a professional career and when his father's finan- cial resources permitted he was sent to more ad- vanced schools, thus preparing for the walk of life upon which he entered following his graduation.
He opened a law office in Wilmington and in his practice has largely made a specialty of pro- bate work. He is also interested with his brothers in the farm in Wesley township, to which his par- ents removed in 1890. He has been city attorney of Wilmington for six years, proving a capable and efficient officer, and in the trial of causes en- trusted to his care by reason of his office he has displayed a comprehensive knowledge of the law and unfaltering fidelity to duty. Mr. Hennebry is greatly interested in the political situation and the questions which divide the two great parties. He votes with the democracy and was elected a member of the house of representatives, serving in the general assembly in the session of 1899. He was defeated for a second term through a mis- take in the counting of the ballots under the old cumulative system of voting.
Mr. Hennebry is a member of the Joliet coun- cil of the Knights of Columbus, which he joined in 1899, and he also belongs to River camp, No. 124, M. W. A., with which he has affiliated since 1896. In 1901 he became a member of Wilming- ton district court, No. 196, of the Court of Honor. He is a Catholic in religious faith, being a com- municant of St. Rose of Lima at Wilmington. The predilection which he manifested at an early
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age for a professional career seems to have had a he added a jewelry department. He also opened good basis in his natural tendencies and abilities, for in the profession which he has chosen as a life work he has won substantial success, being re- garded as one of the strong and able members of the Will county bar.
J. C. OWENS, M. D.
Dr. J. C. Owens has been engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Plainfield for the past twenty- four years, removing to this village after a brief residence in Joliet. He was fresh from college and some hundreds of dollars in debt, but by strict attention to business he has accumulated a comfortable competence and has become recog- nized as one of the able members of the medical fraternity in his part of the county.
Dr. Owens was born in Oneida county, New York, January 3, 1857, and is a son of Henry and Nancy (Kees) Owens, who resided in Oneida county until called to their final rest a number of years ago. The Doctor has one brother and one sister residing at Rome, New York, James A. Owens being a druggist of that place, while the sister is Mrs. Fannie Mowers.
J. C. Owens was reared in the county of his nativity and after acquiring his literary educa- tion he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and began studying in Syracuse Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1881. He supplemented his theoret- ical knowledge by broad and practical training of a year's hospital experience as interne in the Rochester City Hospital, Rochester, New York, and thus well equipped for his profession he came to Will county, Illinois, where for a short time he engaged in practice in Joliet, having an office with Dr. Nash. He then removed to Plainfield, where he has resided for almost a quarter of a century. Ile soon demonstrated his ability to suc- cessfully cope with the intricate problems of the profession and as the years have gone by he has kept abreast with the best thinking men of the medical fraternity and by reading, study and ex- perience has constantly broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency. In 1888 he estab- lished a drug store and three or four years later
a harness shop and all three business enterprises are prospering. As his financial resources have increased he has likewise invested in real estate and is now the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of finely improved land in Kendall county. This is divided into three farms, which he leases, and from his real estate he derives an excellent income. His present financial condition is in marked contrast to that of his earlier years. Com- ing to the county in limited financial circum- stances, he has gradually worked his way upward until his name is today an honored one on com- mercial paper.
Dr. Owens was married in Grundy county to Miss Mary H. Hitchcock, of Morris, Illinois, who for a year was in the county treasurer's office un- der George Munroe. Dr. and Mrs. Owens became parents of three children, but Robert H., their first born, died in infancy. The others are Ken- neth H., who is a junior in the high school at the age of sixteen years; and Jay C., aged four- teen years, a grammar school student.
In his political views Dr. Owens is a stalwart republican, but without aspiration for office. So- cially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and he attends the Congregational church with his family. In professional lines he is connected with the Will County Medical Soci- ety. In a calling where advancement depends en- tirely upon individual merit, intellectual force and correct application of scientific principles to the practical needs of the sick room he has made steady progress, and by his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics, combined with his ability, has won the unqualified respect and admiration of his fellow practitioners as well as of the general public.
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WILLIAM EDWIN IMHOLZ.
William Edwin Imholz has been engaged in contracting and building in Peotone since 1884 and most of the modern residences here have been erected by him. Born in Winnebago county, Il- linois, in 1861, he was one of the ten children of Joseph and Mary Ann ( Mink ) Imholz. The father. a native of Germany, is now living in Peotone,
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at the advanced age of seventy-six years. He came to the United States in 1858 and located at Pe- catonia, Winnebago county, Illinois. He was a carpenter by trade and remained at his first loca- tion until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in August, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a member of Company B. He thus served un- til wounded in the skirmish at Missionary Ridge, after which he was sent to the hospital. After his return to the north he located at Peotone. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he is an active worker, and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with William Webb post, G. A. R., through which he maintains pleasant relations with his o'd army comrades. Politically he is a democrat and for a number of years he acceptably and faithfully served as a member of the board of supervisors of Peotone township. His wife, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, died in 1888, at the age of fifty-six years. Of their ten children only three are now living : Frank, a resident of British Columbia; Mamie, who is the wife of Sidney Rauworth, a farmer re- siding at Rockville, Kankakee county; and Wil- liam Edwin.
The last named was a student in the public schools of Peotone, and afterward learned the car- penter's trade under the direction of his father. becoming an expert workman, thoroughly convers- ant with the business in all of its departments. He began contracting on his own account in 1884 and for twenty-three years has continued in this line, having a large share of the public patron- age. He has built most of the modern residences in Peotone and his excellent workmanship and fidelity to the terms of a contract insure him a continuance of the publie support.
- Mr. Imholz was married in 1884 to Miss Ida M. Sollitt, who was born in Will township, in 1862, and is a daughter of John B. and Ilannah (Dodds) Sollitt. Her father was a pioneer farm- er of Will county, who came from England and was head hutcher in one of the Chicago packing houses. For years he acted as supervisor from Pe- otone township and after leaving the farm was engaged in the drug business in the village of Pe- otone, becoming a prosperous merchant. He and his wife were devoted members of the Baptist church and he was also a thirty-second degree Ma-
son, a member of Oriental Consistory of Chicago. In their family were eleven children, of whom Ida M. was the tenth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Imholz have been born five children, Theron, Lois, Gil- bert, Rudyard and Hilma. The parents are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Imholz is connected with the Masonic lodge and the Mod- ern Woodmen camp. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has been tax collector cf Peotone township.
JAMES NOONAN.
James Noonan, a resident farmer of Channa- hon township, was born January 15, 1841, in County Limerick, Ireland, and is a worthy repre- sentative of the Irish-American citizens who have largely settled this part of the county and have promoted its substantial growth and development. He was the eldest of six children whose parents were Dennis and Mary ( Slattary) Noonan. Five of the number are still living, namely: Mrs. C. Cull, a resident of Joliet ; Mrs. Henry Mulett, living in Lockport, New York; Catherine, who is keeping house for her brother James: and Michael D., who is a resident of Channahon township.
James Noonan spent the first six years of his life in the land of his birth and in 1847 came with his parents to the United States, landing at Boston, Massachusetts. His father was a cooper by trade and secured employment in that line in Boston, where he remained for about four years, when he removed with the family to Weymouth, Massachusetts. He was employed at coopering in that place for six years, on the expiration of which period the family came to Will county, Illinois, in May, 1855, settling in Channahon township, where Mr. Noonan followed the occu- pation of farming until his death. He passed away February 28, 1887, having for several years survived his wife, who died May 14, 1882.
James Noonan remained with his parents until they were called from this life. He was early trained to habits of industry upon the home farm and he worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. In 1860 he sold corn in Channahon
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
at a shilling per bushel, but in 1862, when there was frost during every month in the year, corn steadily arose in price until it reached one dollar per bushel during the latter part of the Civil war. At his father's death Mr. Noonan received one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he has since owned and cultivated. He has also added to the property and is today the owner of two hundred acres lying on sections 22 and 23, Channahon township. He raises much stock, be- ing well known as a stock farmer, for he keeps on his place high grades of cattle, horses and hogs, and the sale of these brings him a good annual income. He is an energetic and reliable business man and has been somewhat active in community affairs. serving as school trustee for nine years and as highway commissioner for a similar period.
GEORGE L. VANCE.
George L. Vance, who was long identified with commercial interests in Joliet, though now passed from earth yet lives in the hearts and memories of his friends and neighbors. His character as a man is well known, but a recital of the incidents of his life may still more firmly establish the record of his honorable and useful career. Nature and culture vied in making him an interesting and honorable gentleman, education made him a scholar, and his kindly spirit won for him the warm esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was justly classed with the prominent citizens of Joliet, not only by reason of the extent and im- portance of his commercial interests, but also by reason of the sterling traits of his character.
Mr. Vance, a native of Groton, Vermont, was born March 13, 1839. Ile belonged to one of the old New England families, for in the year 1700 representatives of the name sailed from the north of Ireland and established homes in Connecticut. John Vance removed from Connecticut to Cale- donia county, Vermont, and became a pioneer far- mer there. His son, David Vance, who was born in Connecticut in 1778, served for many years as a captain in the Vermont militia and also left the impress of his individuality upon the political his-
tory of the state, representing his district for fourteen consecutive years in the general assembly. He did much to mold public thought and action and his name was honored wherever known. He died in Caledonia county at the age of seventy- five years.
Aaron Vance, son of Captain David Vance, was born in Groton, Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1812. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and became the founder of the family in the mid- dle west, removing to Money Creek, Houston county, Minnesota, in 1866, where he purchased a farm. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucinda Tucker, was born in Newbury, Vermont. and was a daughter of Jonas Tucker, who was a farmer, justice of the peace and prominent busi- ness man of his community, and who married Miss Ann Johnston, a daughter of General Joseph. Johnston, of Revolutionary fame.
In the family of Aaron and Lucinda Vance were two daughters and six sons. Two of the sons. George Livermore and Aaron Vance, became closely identified with the interests of Joliet and figured prominently in the business life of the city for many years. The former was twelve years of age when he started out to make his own way in the world, being employed through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he continued his education in the public schools. When eigh- teen years of age he began teaching school and followed that profession for four years, when at the age of twenty-two he entered Newbury Semi- nary. He was ever a man of scholarly attain- ments, whose reading was broad and liberal and who kept in touch with the best thinking men of the age. In 1862 he went to Rutland, Vermont, where for two years he conducted a boot and shoe store. In the spring of 1864 he secured a clerk- ship in the war department at Washington, D. C .. being in the capital at the time when General Early made his raid into the north. In 186; he was made corresponding clerk in the law department of internal revenue and while filling that position devoted his leisure hours to the study of law in Columbia College Law School, from which he was graduated. Admitted to the bar. he resigned his goverment position in 1820 and came to the west with a view of practicing law, but changed his plans and for two years was engaged in busi- ness with an unele at Money Creek, Minnesota.
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Mr. Vance became a resident of Joliet in 1872 in which year he entered the furniture business as a member of the firm of Woods & Vance, but the country becoming involved in a financial panic he lost all that he had invested. Unde- terred by the obstacles that he had met and re- garding his difficulties only as an impetus for renewed effort, he bought his partner's interest and again started in business and this time was eminently successful, his trade constantly grow- ing in extent and importance year after year until it made him one of the substantial and prosperous merchants of Joliet. In 1895 he sold out to Mr. Hess in order to enjoy a well earned vacation and went abroad, visiting various points of interest in Europe, Asia and Africa, making the trip up the Nile and through the Holy Land, and seeing many interesting places in Europe. He often spoke of the three months' sojourn abroad, with its freedom from all business cares, as one of the happiest periods of his life. He gained thereby, too, that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring.
Upon returning to Joliet he purchased his former business and continued iu active connec- tion therewith up to the time of his demise. In 1903 the business was reorganized under the firm name of the Vance-Fitzgibbons Furniture Com- pany, J. W. Fitzgibbons becoming his partner. The business was expanded until it occupied not only the three-story stone building which Mr. Vance had erected in 1891, but also included the commodious store rooms in the Gorman build- ing, Mr. Vance being president of the company, the largest enterprise of this character in Joliet: He did not confine his efforts alone to this line of business, for through many years he was vice president and one of the directors of the Will County Bank, in which he held considerable stock. He made it his aim to attain the highest degree of perfection possible in many lines of business activity, was alert and enterprising and had a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time. Moreover he maintained a policy in harmony with the old and time-tried maxim concerning honesty and labor, and his business record might be summed up in the phrase "through struggles to success."
Mr. Vance was married twice. He first wedded Elizabeth K. Fowler, of Washington, D. C., who
died in Joliet in 18:3, leaving two children, George A. and Grace F. The son was for a num- ber of years with the Will County National Bank. He died in 1904. On the 19th of July, 1877, Mr. Vance wedded Miss Jennie Lewis, a daughter of William and Keziah Lewis, who were natives of Wales, both being representatives of old and notable families of that country. Their daughter, Mrs. Vance, was born in England and was brought by her parents to America, the family settling in Chicago, where Mr. Lewis engaged in the leather business for several years he after- ward removed to Ottawa, Illinois, and continued in business there for a short time, subsequently removing to Joliet, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Lewis had previously passed away in this city. Mr. and Mr. Vance had one daughter, Beulah, now the wife of R. C. Cummins, who is a proof reader by profession. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins reside with Mrs. Vance at the family home on Herki- mer street.
In politics Mr. Vance was a stanch repub- lican, in sympathy with the principles of the party until 1896, when he espoused the cause of free silver and became known as a free silver republican. So pronounced were his views that he accepted the nomination for congress on the democratic-populist ticket, running against Hon. .Joseph Cannon, and although failing of election he polled more votes than the majority of men on his ticket. For a number of years he was a worthy and efficient school inspector and for sev- cral terms served as a vice president of the school board. All matters of civic virtue and civic pride were of interest to him and his co-operation was given to many measures which were directly bene- ficial to the city in the line of its material, in- tellectual and moral progress. He attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Matteson lodge, No. 175, A. F. & A. M., also the chapter and council at Joliet and Joliet commandery, No. 4, K. T., and to Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Chicago. He was regarded as a most val- ued and prominent representative of the craft in Joliet.
From the year 1865 Mr. Vance was actively connected with the Baptist church in some official capacity, as clerk, as deacon or as trustee, and
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
for many years was superintendent of the Sun- day-school. He was a member of the Baptist Social Union of Chicago and of the board of man- agers of the Baptist Young Peoples Union of America. He also served as president and vice president of the Will County Sunday School As- sociation and his efforts were untiring in behalf of the Sunday-school and the church. He was long a teacher in the Sunday-school of the First Baptist church and afterward of the Eastern Ave- nue Baptist church, of which he was a prominent member at the time of his death. He likewise taught in missions and assisted for more than twenty years in Sunday-school work among the inmates of the penitentiary, in which work he was regarded as most successful. An ardent be- liever in the good accomplished by various church organizations, he gave liberally of his time and means in their behalf and for a number of years was a leader in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association in Joliet.
Mr. Vance died August 19, 1905, at the fam- ily home, his death occurring unexpected y, he having retired in seeming perfect health the night previous. The funeral was conducted under the auspices of the Joliet commandery, K. T., and was one of the largest funerals ever witnessed in Will county. The interment was in Oakwood cemetery, his last resting place being marked by a beautiful monument.
The career of George Livermore Vance clearly illustrates the possibilities that are open in this country to carnest, persevering young men who have the courage of their convictions and are determined to be the architects of their own for- tunes. When judged by what he accomplished in the business world and for the benefit of his fellowmen his right to a first place among the representative citizens of Joliet can not be ques- tioned. His name was honored wherever known and most of all where he was best known.
C. F. OTTO MIESSLER, M. D.
Dr. C. F. Otto Miessler, who in the practice of his profession has shown intimate and accurate knowledge of the principles of medicine and sur- gery, making continued advancement through his broad study and research, was born in Gratiot
county, Michigan, in 1858. His father, E. G. H. Miessler, a native of Germany, is a retired physi- cian now living in Batavia, Illinois, at the age of eighty-one years. He came to the United States about 1848, locating near Saginaw, Michigan. He was a graduate of the Heidelburg College of Ger- many and having studied for the ministry was or- dained in the Evangelical Lutheran church, subse- quent to which time he was sent to the United States by the church to do missionary work among the Chippewa Indians. He spent about twelve years with that tribe, doing effective labor toward civilization as well as moral development. De- termining to enter the medical profession, he was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in that city in 1823, there remaining un- til 1898, when he retired. He was a successful physician of wide and varied learning and his life has been one of signal usefulness to his fellowmen. He holds membership in the Evangelical Luther- an church. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Caroline Hunning, was born in Germany and died in 1871 at the age of forty-three years. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are living: Dr. Miessler, of this review ; Herman, a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Columbus, Nebraska ; and Frederick, a minister of the same denomination at Batavia, Illinois.
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