USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 2
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The former, born August 30, 1877, in Joliet and completing his education in the Joliet high school, then entered the office of George H. Mun- roe, real estate and loans, with whom he remained for about three years. On the expiration of that period he became collection clerk in the First National Bank of Joliet, occupying that position for five years, when he entered into business with his father and the firm name of George N. Cham- berlin & Son was assumed. They have at all times maintained an excellent system of conduct- ing funeral work, combining tact, good taste, promptness and efficiency, and their work is recog- nized as a model which has been followed in con- ducting all of the better class of funerals. The extensive establishment at Clinton street and Arch court with its modern and complete equipment has always borne a reputation second to no house in this line in the state and they are perfectly justified in claiming high rank in their specialty.
Fred M. Chamberlin is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity having served two successive terms as master of Matteson lodge, No. 175, A. F. & A. M., and is also a chapter Mason of Joliet chapter.
PHILIP MERSINGER.
Philip Mersinger, who conducted the largest sewing machine business in Joliet and in the state outside of Chicago, was also the oldest mer- chant in this line in Will county. He was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1840, and died in December, 1906. The record of the Mersinger family can be traced back to a remote period in the history of the province of Wurtem- berg, Germany. His father, John Mersinger, was born and reared in that country and there carried on merchandising. Accompanied by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Janette Whiteman and was a native of Ruchheim. Germany, he came
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to the new world, bringing also their two children. They made their way to Pennsylvania and Mr. Mersinger opened a store at Penn's Valley, Cen- ter county, where he resided up to the time of his death. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, five. of whom attained adult age, while three are still living.
Philip Mersinger was a mere lad when he be- came self-supporting. From early youth he dis- played a spirit of industry and enterprise which won recognition and secured him important busi- ness positions. For a number of years he man- aged some of the largest farms in Center and Union counties, Pennsylvania, and gained an ex- cellent reputation for ability as a manager ad financier. In 1869 he became connected with the sale of sewing machines near Center Hall, Pennsylvania, and there made his home for some years. In 1878 he came to the middle west and after traveling for some time, visiting various sections of Kansas and Illinois, he established his home in Joliet, which at that time was a city of only eleven thousand population. He witnessed its subsequent growth until today it has fifty thou- sand inhabitants and he aided in the development of its business interests. He became the owner of one of the largest sewing machine, piano and organ business enterprises in the state outside of Chicago and built up an extensive trade which is not limited to his home town but extends throughout this portion of Illinois and is now car- ried on by his widow. The location of his first store in Joliet was at No. 109 South Ottawa street, where he remained for a period of twenty- six years, when in 1904 he removed to the premises at No. 117 North Ottawa street, where may be found on sale the New Home, Standard, White and Domestic machines. He also built up a large trade in pianos and organs and handled all kinds of musical merchandise. In point of years of continuous business activity he was the oldest merchant in the machine trade in Joliet.
In his work Mr. Mersinger was efficiently as- sisted by his wife, who is a lady of superior ability and now has entire charge of the business. She bore the maiden name of Sarah E. McCormick and is a daughter of William and Margaret Mc- Cormick, of Scotch-Irish and German parentage. She was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, where her girlhood days were passed and her mar-
riage was celebrated. Brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determined, earnest and honorable purpose, Mr. Mersinger steadily worked his way upward in the business life and was a valued representative of commercial interests in Joliet, where he was known for his thorough reliability and his close adherence to a high stand- ard of business ethics.
DANIEL BARRETT.
Daniel Barrett is one to whom fate has vouch- safed an honorable retirement in recognition of unfaltering toil and activity in former years. He has been identified with agricultural interests or engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery for thirty-eight years, and was also well known as a breeder of Norman horses but has now put aside the more arduous duties of life and is enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
He was born in Florence township, April 15, 1852, and acquired his education in the schools of Wilmington, while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, William and Elizabeth (Kidney) Barrett. The father was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1841, landing at New York city. He thence proceeded by sailing vessel to New Orleans, where he lived for a year, after which he returned to the Empire state and assisted in building the new Erie canal. In 1844 he again went to the Crescent City, and in 1845 returned to New York, working on the New York Central Railroad. The year 1850 witnessed his arrival in Illinois, where he spent a number of years and then once more went to New York. On returning to Illi- nois he settled in Florence township, Will county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, while subsequently he purchased railroad land and at one time was owner of three hundred and fifty acres. He spent the subsequent years of his life in stock-raising and farming and became a prominent representative of agricultural interests in this part of the state. He never cared for public office for himself and at elections voted for the best men. His religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church. He was mar- ried in New York to Miss Elizabeth Kidney, who
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was born at Kingsail, County Cork, Ireland. The death of Mr. Barrett occurred in Florence town- ship in May. 1889, when he was seventy-six years of age, while his wife survived until June 20. 1902, passing away at the age of eighty-five years. They had a family of three children : Daniel ; Han- nah who died September 25, 1906; and Dennis, who died October 29, 1904.
Daniel Barrett was reared upon the old home- stead farm in this county, where he remained up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated April 26, 1892, Miss Mary Murphy becoming his wife. She was born in Wilmington, February 22, 1853, and is a daughter of Cornelius and Mary (McCarty) Murphy. Her father was born at Bellcolling, twenty miles from the city of Cork, and died in the town of Florence, Will county, Illinois, at the age of seventy-six years, while his widow, who was born in County Cork, is now liv- ing in Florence township at the age of seventy-five. They were married in New York city. Mr. Mur- phy had come to the United States in 1847 as a passenger on a sailing vessel, which dropped an- chor in the harbor of New York. He resided in the eastern metropolis until 1852, when he re- moved to Wilmington, and a year later he took up his abode in Florence township, where he spent his remaining days, engaged in farming and stock- raising. He served as justice of the peace for eighteen years, and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was recognized as one of the leading residents of his township, was in politics a Jacksonian democrat, and in religions faith a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He and his wife became the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living: Mrs. Barrett; Catherine, the wife of Edward Long, a resident of Florence township ; and Ellen Eugene, who is a sister of the St. Xavier Order at Chicago and teaches in St. James Academy.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Barrett began farming on his own account and for a long period was closely associated with agricultural interests in Florence township. bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and annually gathering therefrom rich and abundant harvests. He prac- ticed veterinary surgery for thirty-eight years and also engaged in breeding Norman horses, continu- ing actively in business until 1904, when he re-
tired and took up his abode in Wilmington, where he is now enjoying a well merited rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barrett has been born a daughter, Lizzie. For ten years Mrs. Barrett suc- cessfully engaged in teaching school in Florence township and is recognized as a lady of culture and refinement. Mr. Barrett has served as road commissioner for three years, is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and holds mem- bership in the Roman Catholic church.
THOMAS F. HOTCHKISS.
Thomas F. Ilotchkiss, general superintendent and purchasing agent of the Phoenix Horse Shoe Company of Joliet, is a native of Brooklyn, New York, born July 12, 1868. He was educated in the public schools of his native city and entered busi- ness life in the employ of Harper Brothers, pub- lishers of New York, with whom he remained for two years. In 1887 he became connected with the Phoenix Horse Shoe Company as office boy in the offices of the firm in New York city. He was subsequently sent to Poughkeepsie, New York, and has steadily worked his way upward, filling various positions until he was promoted to that of general superintendent and purchasing agent of the Joliet plant. in which capacity he has remained for a number of years. The building operations of this company were started in Joliet in 1892 and the plant was put in operation early in 1894. It covers a site of twenty acres with ten main build- ings, and shoes for both horses and mules are manufactured from steel and from iron. There are about three hundred and fifty employes and the trade is confined almost exclusively to the United States, there being a large home consump- tion for the product. This plant ships as far east as Ohio, the mill at Poughkeepsie, New York, supplying the trade east of that state. The busi- ness was established by Charles W. Miller at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1885 and he remained its president up to the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1901, when he was succeeded by his son, Elisha H. Miller. The other officers are A. E. Nusbaum, treasurer: S. H. Roberts, secretary : and Thomas F. Hotchkiss, general su- perintendent and purchasing agent.
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Mr. Hotchkiss was married in 1896 to Miss Margaret Phelps, a daughter of Captain Egbert Phelps, of Joliet, and they have become the par- ents of three children, Marjorie, Isabelle and Phelps. During their residence in Joliet they have gained a wide acquaintance and the hospi- tality of many of the best homes of the city is cordially extended them. Mr. Hotchkiss is recog- nized as a man of good business ability and executive force, able in his management, strong in purpose and with keen foresight-qualities which make him very capable in the office which he is now filling.
PATRICK FITZPATRICK.
Patrick Fitzpatrick, deceased, who came to Lockport in 1835 as a pioneer settler of limited means, was at the time of his death the owner of more than twelve hundred acres of valuable land, all in Will county. A business man at once rec- ognizes the fact that to have advanced along the highroad to success must have required indom- itable energy. perseverance and capable manage- ment. His early life was spent upon a farm in Ireland. He was born March 17, 1802, a son of John and Mary (Gowan) Fitzpatrick, the father a farmer and landowner of Queens county, Ire- land. In the year 1820 Patrick Fitzpatrick bade adieu to the Emerald Isle and sailed for the new world, stopping in Quebec, Canada. He was at that time a young man of eighteen vears. He joined a government surveying party engaged in surveying western Canada lands and was thus em- ployed for three or four years. During his resi- dence in the Dominion he was also an agent of the government, taking immigrants west for settle- ment. Shortly after leaving the government serv- ice he bought a small farm and sent for his par- ents, who joined him in Canada, where they lived for some time. Mr. Fitzpatrick, leaving that country, made his way by boat from Buffalo to Chicago in 1833, and after a brief stay in the fu- ture metropolis and vicinity he came to Lock- port, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of raw and unimproved land from a Mr. Hutchins. On this he built a log cabin and began farming in Lockport township, where
in the course of years he made extensive invest- ments until he became the owner of something over twelve hundred acres of land in one body before his death. He was supervisor of Lockport township for three years and held many local offices there. He was very active in church work and was a communicant of St. Dennis, being one of its largest contributors during his life.
In 1842 Mr. Fitzpatrick was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Cassin. of Queens county, Ireland, and they became the parents of four children: Mary, the wife of T. J. Kelly, of Joliet, a mer- chant and former mayor of the city; Michael, Catherine and Frances, all on the home farm. Michael filled the office of supervisor of his town- ship for five years and then resigned, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business in- terests. He is a member of St. Dennis Catholic church.
Mr. Fitzpatrick departed this life May 21, 1887, while his wife survived until March 13, 1895. He had been a resident of the county for more than a half century and was closely associated with its early development, having located here when Will county was largely a frontier district. He shared in the hardships and trials of pioneer life, made all the more difficult by the fact that he was in very limited financial circumstances, but as the years passed by his wealth increased as the result of his unfaltering diligence and determination, and he became one of the wealthy residents of his community.
A. J. VINSON.
The legal profession of Joliet finds a worthy representative in A. J. Vinson, who is engaged in practice in this city, having an office at 327 Jef- ferson street. Mr. Vinson was born in Plainfield, Illinois, in 1867, a son of Thomas and Julia (Wil- lard) Vinson, the former a native of Prince Ed- ward Island, while the mother was born in Water- ford, Wisconsin. The father came to Illinois in the '50s, at which time he settled on a farm in Wheatland township, Will county. Later he en- listed for service in the Civil war, becoming a members of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for three years. Returning home from
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the war, he then took up his abode on a farm in Will township, purchasing a tract of land, on which he made his home until 1874. He then re- moved to Plainfield, where he continued agri- cultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. The mother still survives. There are three children of this marriage, all of whom reside in Will county.
A. J. Vinson, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the public schools of his native city and he also attended Jennings Seminary at Aurora in 1888. Deciding to take up the study of law, he prepared for his profession in Ann Ar- bor, Michigan, being admitted to the bar in 1894. He located for practice at Joliet, and now has a well equipped office at No. 327 Jefferson street. Mr. Vinson is thoroughly conversant with the principles of jurisprudence and has built up a large and lucrative clientage. He stands today as one of the leading representatives of the legal pro- fession in Will county and his success is well merited, having come to him through close appli- cation and unfaltering industry. In addition to practicing in the courts of Will county, Mr. Vin- son is also filling the position of village attorney at Plainfield and is also a notary public.
Mr. Vinson was married at Lansing, Michigan, September 1, 1906, to Miss Grace Ferle, a native of that city, where she was supervisor of music in the public schools. She is a lady of superior musical talent and during her brief residence in this city has won many friends. Mr. Vinson gives his political support to the republican party, while his fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias.
PETER A. BRONK.
Peter A. Bronk is numbered among the promi- nent and highly successful farmers and stock- raisers of Will county, while he is perhaps one of the largest landowners of this section of the state. In connection with his sons, Eugene and Edward C., he owns and operates five hundred and twenty aeres of land, three hundred and ninety acres of which comprises the home place on section 23, Plainfield township, while the remainder lies in Troy township.
Mr. Bronk was born in Albany county, New York, July 18, 1836, and when eighteen months was brought to Illinois by his parents, Ephraim and Charlotte (Van Dalfson) Bronk, who settled on a farm in Kendall county just across the line from Will county. The father there purchased a tract of eighty acres from the government, to which he later added an eighty-acre tract. He was there engaged in general agricultural pur- suits until the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1865, when he was more than sixty years of age, while his widow survived until 1874, passing away on the home farmn. Mr. Bronk served as road commissioner and as school director, and although he and his wife were not identified with any church organization, they were attend- ants and supporters of the Congregational church. Their family numbered three daughters and two sons, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Jerome T. Smith, a resident of Plainfield, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; Peter A., of this review ; Mary, the widow of Joseph Brown and a resident of Kendall county ; John V., who owns and operates the old home farm in Kendall county, and who is married and has three daugh- ters: and Amelia, the wife of Solon Smith, a resident of Santa Barbara, California.
Peter A. Bronk, the second child of his father's family. was reared in Kendall county, assisting his father in the work of the home farm, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools, although his advantages in that direction were somewhat limited, for he left school at a very early age. He has, however, through reading, observation and investigation in later years become a well informed man. He remained a member of his father's household until he reached manhood, when he started out in life on his own account, operating a farm which he purchased in Manhattan township. He there made his home for twelve years, subsequent to which time he sold that property and invested his money in two hun- dred and eighty aeres of land in Troy township, which he still owns and operates in connection with his sons. In 1888, however, he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and twen- ty acres on section 34, Plainfield township, and for more than two decades has been engaged in its cultivation. In 1902 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres adjoining. He has a
PETER A. BRONK.
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well improved property, on which stands a nice of the Eastern Star, and the daughter Rosalthea country residence and many substantial outbuild- ings for the shelter of grain and stock. In addi- tion to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises stock to some extent, and both branches of his business are proving a prof- itable source of income to him.
Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Bronk was married to Miss Har- riet E. Storrs, who was born in Clinton county, New York, in 1840, a daughter of William and Kate (Thew) Storrs. Mrs. Bronk came to Iill- nois in company with a brother-in-law, the time of her arrival being January, 1856, she being then a young lady of sixteen years. In June following she was joined in Kendall county by her parents, who there resided throughout their remaining days, the father passing away in June, 1881, at the very advanced age of ninety-five years, while the mother's death occurred in 1879, when she was eighty-two years of age. William Storrs served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Bronk is the youngest of ten children, of whom only four are now living, her three sisters being: Mrs. Sarah Baker, a resident of Kendall county; Mrs. Kate C. Gleason, also of that county; and Mrs. Emily Foss, who makes her home in Plainfield.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born five sons and one daughter, all of whom survive, namely : Engene J., as above stated, is interested with his father in the ownership of a farm in Troy township, Will county. He wedded Miss Alice Hahn, by whom he has two sons, Clare and La Vergne. Ephraim A. is at home and assists his father in the operation of the farmn. Edward C. is a resident farmer of Plainfield township, where, in connection with his father, he owns a good tract of land. He wedded Miss Sadie Smith, a daughter of Milton Smith, of California. Ro- salthea, Emmett D. and Ernest R. are all yet un- der the parental roof.
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Mr. Bronk has always given his support to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, yet he has never been an aspirant for office, for his extensive business in- terests have fully claimed his time and attention. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity, hold- ing membership with the blue lodge at Plainfield. Mrs. Bronk was formerly identified with the Order
is now identified with that organization, while Edward C. likewise holds membership therein. The son Ephraim belongs to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows at Joliet. Mrs. Bronk is a Spiritnalist in her religious belief, while her hus- band favors the doctrines of the Universalist faith.
Mr. Bronk has lived to see Will county placed in the foremost ranks of the great state of Illi- nois, for he can remember when much of the land in this and Kendall counties was still unclaimed, when the homes of the settlers were widely scat- tered. there being but four houses between Plain- field and Chicago and the products of the farm being hauled to the latter city. Although he started out to face the responsibilities of life with a limited education and with little assistance from his father, he has gradually worked his way up- ward year by year until he is now one of the wealthy farmers of Will county. All that he pos- sesses has been acquired through persistent effort and honorable and reliable methods, for he has never been known to take advantage of another in any trade transaction. He and his family are prominent in social circles and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
JAMES GRAY.
James Gray, who departed this life October 21, 1905, arrived in Joliet in 1871 and was engaged in horseshoeing and blacksmithing throughout his re- maining days, covering a period of more than a third of a century. A native of Belfast, Ireland, he was born December 10, 1848, his parents being Alexander and Isabel Gray, who were na- tives of Scotland. The father was a blacksmith by trade and in his shop James Gray learned the business. He acquired only a common-school edu- cation in his native country and was the eldest of a family of twelve children. When he began working in his father's shop he was so small that he had to stand on a block to reach the anvil but even as a young lad he showed a spirit of strong determination and willingness that soon mastered the business. He worked in his father's smithy until carly manhood, and then, thinking to enjoy
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better business opportunities in the new world, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America in 1868. He made his way direct to Will county, Illinois, settling first in the town of Frankfort, where he had a friend living, who was also a blacksmith and conducted a shop there. Mr. Gray entered the employ of his friend and thus started in business life in the new world.
While living in Frankfort Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Arabella Mckeown, also a native of Ireland and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carmichael) Mckeown, who spent their entire lives in Ireland and passed away there when Mrs. Gray, their only child, was but ten years of age. The father was a millwright by trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gray were born five children: Elizabeth, who is at home with her mother; Margaret, who is a teacher in the Richards street school in Joliet; William A., a machinist of this city; Ethel, a teacher in the Eliza Kelly school; and Mabel, a stenographer. All are at home with their mother, who owns a nice and beautiful residence at No. 201 Grover street, which was built by Mr. Gray.
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