USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 24
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MRS. HATTIE E. GIFFORD.
Mrs. Hattie E. Gifford, widow of the late Ed- son Gifford and one of the highly esteemed resi- dents of Elwood, was born on the 1st of Decem- ber. 1834, in Kendall county, Illinois, and is the only survivor in a family of four children, whose parents were Dr. Gillman and Lucy (Manning) Kendall. Her father was a pioneer physician of Illinois, having removed from Massachusetts to this state in 1831 and located in Greenville, Bond county, where he practiced his profession for three years. In 1834 he took up his residence in Ken- dall county, where he continued to engage in the practice of medicine up to the time of his death.
On the 1st of March, 1844, Miss Hattie E. Kendall gave her hand in marriage to Edson Gif- ford, who was conducting a general store in El- wood and continued to engage in business here until called to his final rest January 21. 1894. He was twice married and by the first union had two sons. Charlie Gifford, the elder of these, lives in Elwood and now carries on the store, having
taken charge of the business at the time of his father's death. He married Miss Minnie Line- barger. Willard Gifford, who is holding a posi- tion in the county treasurer's office at Joliet and makes his home in that city, married Lydia Bryan and they have four children, Stella, Kate, Grace and Edson. By the second marriage there was one child, Earl H., who died in infancy. Mrs. Gifford has an adopted daughter, however, Fan- nie A., who is the daughter of a cousin and makes her home with her foster-mother in Elwood, where she is now acting as operator for the Chicago Tel- ephone Company.
Mrs. Gifford is an earnest and consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and also be- longs to the Ladies Aid Society and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, taking an active part in the work of each. During her long resi- dence in Elwood she has made a host of warm friends and is highly respected wherever known.
WALTER E. WHEELER.
The retail trade interests of Joliet find a well known and worthy representative in Walter E. Wheeler, who is conducting a grocery business at No. 609 South Chicago street. He was born in Frankfort, this county, May 31, 1861, and is de- scended from old New England families, his par- ents. David N. and Lydia (Stanley) Wheeler, both being natives of Rutland, Vermont. The father was born in 1812 and was a farmer by oc- cupation. He came to this part of the country at an early day and settled on a farm in Frank- fort township, Will county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1880. He
then rented his land and went to live with his daughter in Norwood. Kansas, there residing un- til his death, which occurred January 2. 1903, when he was eighty-eight years of age. His wife died in St. Paul, Minnesota, October 4, 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was a mem- ber of the Christian church and he was a sup- porter of the republican party.
Walter E. Wheeler spent his early youth on the homestead farm and became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist, but not wishing to engage in farming
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as a life work he turned his attention to other pur- suits and for some years was employed in various grocery houses of this city. For ten years he has conducted business on his own account at No. 609 South Chicago street, where he carries a good line of staple and fancy groceries and has a liberal patronage.
On the 5th of November, 1884, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Josephine B. San- ders, of Green Garden, Will county, Illinois, a daughter of Michael F. and Sarah (Davis) San- ders, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler : Francis E., who is with the American Steel & Wire Company and lives in Joliet ; Morti- mer S., who is engaged with his father in the grocery business : and Walter D., who is attending school. The family residence is at No. 657 South Chicago street.
Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Modern Wood- men camp and has a favorable acquaintance in fraternal and social circles as well as in business life. Ile has always lived in this county and has made a creditable record in trade circles by rea- son of his enterprise, progressive spirit and hon- orable methods.
LOUIS MARTIN ARNOLD.
From humble clerkship have come some of the successful merchants of the country. In Amer- ica the road to prosperity is that of usefulness and activity, supplemented by laudable ambition, and it is these qualities which have made Mr. Arnold one of the successful business men of Peotone. Today he is a leading merchant of the town and is also the owner of much property. having invested largely in real estate.
He was born on a farm near Mattison, Cook county, Illinois, August 29, 1854. His father, Michael Arnold, was born in Germany and came to the United States when fifteen years of age. IIe settled in Pennsylvania and was married there. In 1831 he made his way westward to Chicago, where be worked at the locksmith's trade. On leaving that city, he settled on a farm near Mat- tison in Cook county. This was about 1834. He bought land and in the course of years became
prosperous, owning three hundred and sixty acres at one time. He also engaged in raising a large number of cattle and this became an important branch of his business, bringing to him good snc- cess. He was an ardent republican and held the office of supervisor for nine years. A broad-mind- ed, liberal man, whose life was characterized by high principles and honorable conduct, he was es- teemed by his friends and neighbors and respect- ed wherever he was known. His wife, Mrs. Fred- erika Arnold, was born in Germany and died June 25. 1885, and at the age of seventy-three years. She came to this country when fourteen years ot age and settled first in Pennsylvania, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Arnold. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom five are now living. Elizabeth became the wife of August Harken and died in 1875: William served in the Civil war and died in 1901; Philip is a retired farmer living in Monee: Kate is the wife of William Bookay, a barber of Chicago; Michael is deecased ; Helen is the deceased wife of John Wolf: Teresa is the wife of George Tou- zalin, a Chicago salesman; Louis is the eighth of the family : George is a retired merchant of Peo- tone ; two died in youth.
Louis Martin Arnold was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools until thir- teen years of age, after which he spent three years as a student in the high school at Blue Island. When sixteen years of age he began to earn his own living by clerking in a store at Blue Island. On the 25th of November, 1872, he became an employe of Rathje Brothers & Harken, general merchants, with whom he remained as a clerk until August, 1874, when his father bought a third in- terest in the business and the firm style was changed to Rathje, Harken & Arnold. This was continued until 1878, when the senior Rathje gave his interest in the store to his son and the latter sold it to Mr. Arnold in 1880, at which time the firm name became Ilarken & Arnold. In 1887 George Arnold purchased one-half of our subject's interest in the business and the firm he- came Harken & Arnold Brothers. In 1902, Clyde F. Arnold, son of 1. M. Arnold, purchased the interest of George Arnold and the firm name was changed to Arnold, Harken & Company, which continues today. Our subject has been buver for the firm since 1828.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Mr. Arnold has other business property in Peo- tone and is likewise the owner of one hundred and sixty years of land two and a half miles from Peotone and nine hundred and sixty acres in Man- itoba. From his property he derives a good mn- come, and his success is well merited because of his close application, unfaltering diligence and honorable business methods.
On the 8th of November, 1876, Mr. Arnold was married to Hannah Jones, who was born in Kane county, Illinois, January 5, 1854, and is a daugh- ter of Robert and Eleanor Jones, who were natives of Yorkshire, England, and settled in Kane coun- ty about 1852, the father being one of the pioneer farmers of that county. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a republican in his political views. In the Jones family there were eight children: John C., who is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church at Leaf River, Illinois ; Mrs. Arnold : Eliza- beth, the wife of Lordus Brannon, a practicing physician of Joliet; Mary, the wife of John C. Baker, a farmer and dealer in blooded stock at Manhattan ; Frank, who is engaged in the banking business in Manhattan : Benjamin, a dealer in grain and coal in Manhattan: one who died in infancy, and one at the age of nine years.
Mrs. and Mrs. Arnold have four children : Laura, at home; Clyde F., who married Elsie Hartwig of Chicago, and is in partnership with his father: Marshall, who is with the Bell Tele- phone Company of New York city, and is a grad- nate of the Wisconsin University at Madison of the class of 1906: and Stanley, who is a student in Culver (Indiana) Military Academy. The pa- rents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Mr. Arnold is serving as steward and trustee of the church and is a mem- ber of the building committee, which is in charge of the erection of a new church edifice at a cost of eleven thousand dollars. He gives liberally to the support of the church and both he and his wife do all in their power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. In his political views he is an earnest republican and does not seek or desire office. On the contrary, he prefers to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which he is meeting with signal success. His record has always been hon-
orable, and throughout his entire business career he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen.
ROBERT NORMAN.
Robert Norman, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Will township, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1854, a son of George and Louisa Norman, who were natives of Eng- land. The father was a landowner there. and a Knight Templar Mason. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Dr. George Norman, was a surgeon in the British army.
Robert Norman is the second in a family of six children. He came to the United States in 1874, when twenty years of age, with his brother Fred, and soon afterward bought and settled upon the farm on which he now lives, on section 9, Will township. He has here four hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land and also owns three hundred and twenty acres in Burleigh county. North Dakota. He was educated in the schools of his native country and throughout his entire life has followed agricultural pursuits, ex- cept two years spent in a bank in England, be- ing now accounted one of the extensive and lead- ing farmers and enterprising business men of his adopted county. He possesses sound judgment concerning agricultural interests and has dis- played excellent business discernment.
In 1880 Mr. Norman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Woodward, who was born in Canada, in 1858, and is a daughter of William and Annie (Christian) Woodward, who came to Monee town- ship in 1865. There he lived for a short time, after which he purchased a farm upon which he resided until 1896. He then retired to the village of Monee, where he is still living, at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years. His wife, however, passed away in 1905, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of three children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norman have been born six children : George, who wedded Emma Westfall, of Will township, and a daughter of Charles West- fall, and has one child. Eunice Bonita, who is now eight months old; Edith, who is engaged as a teacher in the Crete schools; Lulu. a teacher of
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Will township; Lloyd, Hope and Frank, who are at home, the latter being engaged in teaching.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Norman holds membership rela- tions with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He now votes with the republican party and is interested in its growth and success, having given it his unfaltering sup- port since the issue of "Free Silver," but was for- merly a democrat, serving as committeman. etc. He served as township clerk ten years and has also filled the office of justice of the peace.
WARNER P. STRONG.
Warner P. Strong. long identified with the agricultural interests of Will county, where he has resided continuously for sixty years, was born in Elk county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1845, his parents being Erwin and Lucy (Warner) Strong. The father, who was born near Ithaca, New York, March 10, 1819, died June 11, 1897, and his wife, whose birth occurred in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1823, departed this life August 11, 1900. They were married in her native county, September 11, 1844, and both spent their last days in Florence township. Will county, Illinois. In early life Erwin Strong entered Allegheny College at Meadville, Penn- sylvania, and after studying there for a time ma- triculated in Jefferson Medical College at Phila- delphia, from which he was graduated. On the completion of his course he located for the prac- tice of medieine in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years, and in 1847 came to Wilmington. For three or four years he resided in the village and then removed to Florence town- ship, where he made his home for a half century. He was a close student of his profession, keeping abreast with the advanced thought of the day and was recognized as one of the ablest as well as one of the earliest physicians of Wilmington and his portion of the county. He did great good as a pioneer practitioner and indeed his entire life was of signal service and usefulness to his fellowmen. He held membership in Wilmington lodge, No. 208, A. F. & A. M .; Wilmington chapter. No. 142, R. A. M .; and Joliet command-
ery, No. 4, K. T., while his political allegiance was given to the whig party and later to the republican party. Unto him and his wife were born five children, of whom four are now living : Warner P .: Caroline: Sarah E., the wife of John Lardner, a resident of Wilmington ; and Mary, who is with her sister Caroline on the old homestead.
Warner P. Strong was but thirteen months old when brought by his parents to Illinois. He was educated in the public schools and being the only son of the family took charge of the home farm and throughout his entire life has carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. In 1900 he purchased a residence near the old homestead in Florence township. He has lived a life of thrift and industry characterized by honesty in business and devotion to the daily duties which have devolved upon him and by all who know him he is highly esteemed and respected.
On the 17th of June, 1875. Mr. Strong was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Alkire, who was born in Brookston, Indiana, October 30, 1853. Her parents were Jackson and Mary (Lucas) Alkire, who were married in Brookston, Indiana, August 15, 1852. The father was born at Mount Sterling, Madison county, then a part of Pickaway county, Ohio, February 5, 1815, and died May 14, 1899, while his wife, whose birth occurred at Brookston. Indiana, May 5. 1824. passed away at her home in Petaluma, California, in 1906, at the age of seventy-two years. Jackson Alkire was first married to Belinda Shearer, December 25, 1848, at Battleground, Indiana. She died August 5. 1850, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Mary D. Hunt, of Chicago. By the second marriage there were nine children, of whom five are living, namely: Mrs. Strong; Florence F., who married Harry Parker and resides in Petaluma, California ; Taylor H., Edward C. and Ella C., all in Pet- aluma. It was in 1866 that Jackson Alkire came with his family to Wilmington, where he engaged in the grocery business until 1873. He then took up his abode in Florence township, where he pur- chased a farm of two hundred and seventy acres and thereon built a home. He devoted his time and energies to general farming and stock-raising until 1881, when he sold his property and removed to Petaluma, California, where he remained for about eight months. He next went to San Ber- nardino, California, where he lived for four years,
1
DR. ERWIN STRONG.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
when he returned to Petaluma in 1885 and there spent his last days. He was esteemed by all as an honest, upright man and good citizen. For a number of years while living in this county he served as school director and all who knew him entertained for him high regard. His wife sur- vived him and also passed away in Petaluma. She was a highly esteemed woman, a devont Christian and a loving wife and mother. All who knew her loved her and her death caused genuine sorrow.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Strong have been born four children, two sons and two daughters: Edna B., who died March 22, 1881, at the age of five years and three months; Erwin J .; Marcus A .; and Bernice F. The family is well known in Will county, where Mr. and Mrs. Strong have spent almost their entire lives, enjoying in large meas- ure the kindly regard and friendship of those with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Strong served as township supervisor in 1886 and 188%, was township clerk for ten years and has been assessor for one term. He was also school treas- urer for more than a decade, school trustee for two terms and highway commissioner. In all of these positions he has discharged his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity and a sense of conscientious ob- ligation. In politics he is a republican, recog- nized as one of the leaders of his party in Florence township. In business life he has displayed in- dustry, enterprise and keen discernment and is accounted one of the leading agricultorists of the county.
JOHN NACKE.
John Nacke, living on section 18, Crete town- ship, owns and cultivates one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land in that township and also has twenty-five acres of timber land on section 12, Monee township. He was born in this township July 25, 1855, his parents being Christof and Sophia (Inecke) Scheiwe. When he was two and a half years of age he was adopted by Fred- erick and Charlotte (Luecke) Nacke, who never had any children of their own. Mr. Nacke was a native of Hanover, Germany, born December 29,
1819, and in 1844 he came to the United States hoping to better his financial condition in the new world, where labor is not handicapped by caste or class. For three years he worked in Chicago on the railroad and the canal and in a brickyard, and in 1852 he came to Crete township, Will county, where he invested his hard-earned savings in eighty acres of raw prairie land, upon which our subject now resides. This was entirely uncultiva- ted at the time, but he made substantial improve- ments upon it and converted it into a fine farm, continuing its cultivation until 1882, when he re- tired to the village of Crete, spending his remain- ing days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He died in December, 1903, and the community thereby lost a worthy and valued citizen, whose well spent life entitled him to the regard and good will of his fellowmen. He was long a de- voted and faithful member of the German Lu- theran church and for thirty years was one of its trustees. Throughout the community he was spoken of as a good man and a prosperous farmer and his life record proved that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneoush.
!lis wife, who bore the maiden name of Char- lotte Luecke, was a daughter of Ernest and So- phie Luecke, who were farming people of Wash- ington township, but both are now deceased. Mrs. Nacke was born in Hesse-Cassel. Germany, in Jan- uary 29, 1829, and is now living on the farm with her adopted son, in the seventy-eighth year of her age.
John Nacke was educated in the public schools and was reared to farm life. early becoming famil- jar with the task of planting in the early spring and of gathering the crops in the late autumn. When Mr. Nacke retired to Crete he took charge of the home farm, which he has since carried on, keeping the fields under a high state of cultiva- tion and adding many modern improvements and equipments. He now owns one hundred and eighty acres of well improved land on which are good buildings, and he is successfully engaged in general farming.
On the 12th of June, 1879, Mr. Nacke was mar- ried to Miss Sophia Ohlendorf, a native of Crete township and a daughter of Conrad and Dorothea (Meyer) Ohlendorf, early settlers of Crete town- ship. Mrs. Nacke died September 17, 1903, after a lingering illness of about three years. She left
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
one son, Fred, who has married Clara Halfelt and they reside with his father.
Mr. Nacke is a member of the Lutheran church and for ten years was one of its trustees. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the republican party, but he has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. On the contrary he has concentrated his energies upon the further development and improvement of the home farm, which he has made a valuable prop- erty.
EDO R. FREESE.
The name of Edo R. Freese is an honored one in commercial circles in Monee, where he is en- gaged in general merchandising. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1845. Among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and are a credit alike to the land of their birth and of their adop- tion is Edo R. Freese. His father, R. E. Freese, also a native of Oldenburg, was a farmer by oc- cupation. He came to the United States in 1854, settling near Manhattan, Illinois, upon a farm, where he remained until 1867, when he came to Monee and embarked in business, remaining here until his death, which occurred on the 28th of October, 1866, when he was forty-six years of age. Ile was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and was a democrat in his political views. He came to the new world empty-handed and at the time of his demise had acquired a comfortable competence. His wife, Helena Freese, was born in Germany and died February 23, 1883, in her seventy-ninth year. She was also a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. They were married at the place of their nativity and had two children, the younger being Frederika, the wife of Herman E. Ilarms, of Green Garden township, this county. By her former marriage to Christ Clausen, the mother had four children, of whom two are living: Catherine, the widow of Claus Hayen, who is living with Mrs. C. H. Harms in Green Garden township; and Mary, the wife of Charles Plagge, of Harvey, Illinois.
Edo R. Freese spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon a farm until he accompanied his parents on their removal to Monee. He was a youth of nine years when the family crossed the Atlantic to the new world. After taking up his abode in the village he engaged in clerking in the store of F. H. Leuhr for two years, subsequent to which time he spent two years in a Chicago commission house. He was afterward baggage man for the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Monee for eleven years, and in 1877 he formed a partnership with George Sonneborn, opening a small store. This firm had a continuons ex- istence of thirteen years, and in 1890 Mr. Freese sold out to his partner and began business alone as a general merchant. He has continued the enterprise with success, enlarging his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade, and he now has a well equipped store in which he is ac- corded a liberal patronage. He has been agent for the American Express Company since 1877 and his identification with the company dates from 1869. Mr. Freese is accorded a place of honor and trust in the regard of his fellowmen. At all times he has been a loyal and progressive citizen and in many ways has contributed to gen- eral progress and improvement. For many years he has been notary public and his advice is often sought by his neighbors on legal questions. He is frequently called upon to draw up legal papers and administer estates. He was appointed ad- ministrator of a large estate in Chicago, in which he gave a bond of eighty thousand dollars, and on another occasion he was made executor and gave a bond of fifty thousand dollars. Many estates in Will county have been settled by him and always without the loss of a single dollar. He owns a tract of land in Monee township in addition to his business in the village and is re- garded as one of the most reliable and enter- prising citizens of this part of the county.
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