USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 27
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
hundred and fifty acres of good land. He then located on the old homestead farm at Crete, where he remained for several years, and in 1903 he re- tired from active business life, taking up his abode in the village of Crete, where he occupies a com- fortable and commodious home, being surrounded there with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. He is a director in the Crete State Bank.
In 1885 Mr. Scheiwe was married to Miss So- phia Harst, who was born in Washington township in 1861, a daughter of Fred and Mary Harst, both of whom came from Germany in early life, set- tling in Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Scheiwe have a daughter and son, Lydia and Al- fred, the latter a college student. The family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and occupy an enviable position in social circles in which they move. Mr. Scheiwe is a repub- liean who has served as a member of the village board of trustees, and his co-operation in move- ments for the general good has made him a valued citizen. while his carefully directed business af- fairs have gained for him a substantial place among the citizens of affluence.
JOHN P. KING.
1
John P. King, extensively engaged in the lum- ber business in Joliet, owning and conducting two large yards, was born upon a farm near Terre Haute. Indiana. December 18, 1832. His father. Andrew King, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, was born in 1804 and died in 1849, while his wife, Margaret Bailey King, was born in Pennsylvania in 1807 and departed this life in 1877. After a residence of some years in Indiana the parents removed to Troy, Will county, Illinois, in 1834 and Andrew King here began farming. He had served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war in 1832 and he was an honored pioneer settler who bore a substantial part in the work of early development and improvement here. In the family were five sons and six daughters, of whom three sons are now living: Andrew J., a resident of Fairbury. Nebraska ; Joseph, who is living at Sumas City, Washington ; and John P. The sisters are Mrs.
Julia A. Bishop, of Newark, New Jersey; and Mrs. Barbara A. Evans of Chicago.
John P. King was not yet two years of age when brought by his parents to Will county and few indeed are the residents who have so long remained within its borders. He was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, sharing with the family in all the hardships and privations incident to settlement upon the fron- tier. He remained with his parents until nine- teen years of age and attended school in Troy township. He then went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold, and made his way to the mining region of Trinity county. He engaged in mining for a time and for three years operated a stage line between Yreka and Red Bluffs. He also spent some time in Oregon and after a residence of twelve years upon the Pacific coast he again came to Will county, Illinois, settling in Joliet in 1864. For two years he did not engage in active business but in 1866 established a lumberyard on the west side below the site of the Porter Brewery, where he continued for six years, when he removed the business to the present site at No. 214 North Desplaines street. This is the main office, although the company now operates another large lumber- yard just east of the Citizens Brewery on the Michigan Central Railroad. The business has constantly grown in volume and importance since John P. King began operations in the lumber trade and has now reached such proportions that it is accounted one of the foremost commercial enterprises of the city. It is the oldest estab- lished continuous lumber business in Will county.
Mr. King was married in 1867, in Joliet, to Miss Hannah Leonard, a daughter of Charles and Mary L. Leonard. Her father was one of Joliet's old settlers and a retired farmer. His death occurred in August, 1901, while his wife, Mary L. Leonard, died in August, 1896. Unto Mr. and Mrs. King were born four children who are yet living and they lost one child, Laura. who died at two years. Those who still survive are as follows: Mrs. Inlu B. Puffer is a widow, her husband having died July 15, 1892, and lives with her parents. For the past three years she has served as secretary and treasurer of her father's lumber company, while he has practically retired from active business. Mrs. Gertrude Leanard resides at No. 501 Union street in Joliet.
JOHN P. KING.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
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Harless W. is general manager of his father's busi- ness. John W. resides in Birmingham, Alabama. The family are members of the Universalist church and Mr. King belongs to Mount Joliet lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M. He is a democrat, though liberal and served two terms as alderman from the seventh ward, being elected in a ward that is strongly republican. He also served six terms as supervisor of Joliet. He is a man of ex- cellent business ability, whose well directed labors have brought him a measure of success whereby he is now numbered among the substantial resi- «ents of the county.
PAUL HUGH MUNROE.
Paul Hugh Munroe is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Will county, owning and operating a tract of land of one hundred acres which is known as the Lilly Page farm, situated at the junction of the Lilly Cache creek and the Du Page river, this tract of land having been devel- oped and improved by him, for it was all cov- ered with timber when it came into his possession.
Mr. Munroe was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1839, a son of J. W. and Susan D. (Spencer) Munroe. The father was a farmer and miller in the Green Mountain state and was a very wealthy man. His death, however, occurred in 1849, at the comparatively early age of thirty-seven years. His widow remained in the east until 1872, when she came to Will county and here passed away in February, 1881, when she had reached the age of sixty-seven years.
Panl Hugh Munroe is the only surviving mem- ber of a family of three children, his brother, S. W., having died in Vermont about ten years ago, while his sister, Mary Wales, who became the wife of John L. Gates, who is connected with the National Express Company, died in 1872. Mr. Munroe was reared in his native state, and his early education, acquired in the common schools, was later supplemented by a course of study in Burr Seminary. He was a youth of only eighteen years, however, when he lost his father, after which he took charge of the homestead farm until 1863, when he took up his abode in this state. He purchased a farm of one hundred acres, this
having been his home continuously since that time, covering a period of forty-three years. The land was all covered with timber when it came into his possession, but he chopped down the trees, grubbed out the stumps, and in due time had his land prepared for the plow, after which he planted his seeds and cultivated his crops, each year gathering rich harvests as a result of the care and labor which he had bestowed upon the fields. He has added many improvements to his property by the erection of a nice home and substantial outbuildings, and his place presents a neat and at- tractive appearance, indicating the thrift and care- ful management of the owner.
Mr. Munroe was married in Vermont to Miss Mary J. Elwell, a daughter of James W. Elwell. Their marriage has been blessed with two daugh- ters and one son, all of whom are married. Agnes Irene, the eldest, is now the wife of Ernest Bil- lings, by whom she has one son. Harold. They are residing with her father. Miriam Kate is the wife of Carl Pilcher, a resident of Wheatland. They have two daughters, Genevieve and Frances. J. Wales wedded Miss Carolyn Sennett, a daugh- ter of the late John Sennett, of Plainfield, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. They have one daughter, Myrtle.
In his political views and affiliations Mr. Mun- roe is a republican and has served as highway commissioner. He likewise takes a deep and help- ful interest in the cause of education. He served for four years as deputy county treasurer under Andrew Fries and in the discharge of his duties in this connection gave entire satisfaction to the general public. In addition to his connection with public interests in Will county, Mr. Munroe also opened the first set of abstract books in Spink county, South Dakota, where he conducted busi- ness for a time, but later disposed of his inter- ests in that regard. He went to that state in 1881. and in Spink county entered three quarter sec- tions of land from the government, which he im- proved and operated for four years, but he has since disposed of one of these farms, while the re- maining two are now rented.
Mr. Munroe has long been identified with the Masonic fraternity, joining the order in Benning- ton, Vermont, when twenty-one years of age. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church, but Mrs. Munroe holds membership with the Meth-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
odist church, while the children are Congregation- alists. Mr. Munroe has been very successful in his business ventures, so that he is today num- bered among the well-to-do and prosperous citi- zens of his home locality and he and his family are highly respected wherever known.
ALLISON FLETCHER.
Allison Fletcher, connected with mercantile in- terests in Peotone, was born in Peotone township in 1868, representing one of the old families of the county. His father, Allison Fletcher. Sr., was a native of Virginia and in early manhood came to Illinois, having lost his parents when a child. He was one of the early settlers of the county and aided in its pioneer development and progress. Hle first engaged in the operation of a thresher, but afterward turned his attention to general farming. At the time of the Civil war, true to his loved southland, he served in the Con- federate army and was wounded in battle in the hand by the bursting of a shell. He afterward engaged in farming in f'cotone township and his sons succeeded him on the farm. He held mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and was a republican in his political views. In early manhood he wedded Margaret Barnhart, who was born in Pennsylvania and who died in 1898, when about sixty years of age. She, too, was a mem- ber of the Methodist church. Their family mm- bered seven children: Allison, of this review; James, who is proprietor of a book and stationery store at Peotone; Clayton, a farmer residing at Manteno; Theodore, a resident of Peotone town- ship; Eugene, who lives at Manteno; and Mabel and Leonard, both at home. The mother was twice married, her first husband being James Cow- ing, by whom she had four children: Eva, who married Frank Giekerson and resides in Man- teno: Herman. a resident of Peotone: Beatrice. who is the wife of Harry Brett, a member of the fire department of Joliet ; and Maud, who married John Mungur, a resident farmer of Peotone.
Allison Fletcher, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the home farm, carly becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricultorist. He worked in
the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the district schools. After putting aside his text-books his entire time and attention were devoted to farming, and he re- mained upon the old homestead until 1903, when he put aside agricultural pursuits and formed a partnership with Herman Frahm in a general mercantile business, in which he has since contin- ued with success. They carry a well selected line of goods and enjoy a liberal patronage, their busi- ness constantly increasing in volume and impor- tance.
Mr. Fletcher holds membership with the Meth- odist Episcopal church and is deeply interested in its various activities and in its substantial ·le- velopment. He is serving on the official board and is treasurer of the Sunday-school. He is like- wise an exemplary member of the Masonic fra- ternity and in politics is a republican. The only office he has ever held is that of constable, but as a private citizen he has loyally supported the measures and movements that are best calculated to promote the general welfare.
JAMES H. FLETCHER.
In all communities there are found men of en- terprise, perseverance and business discrimination, who are the leaders in commercial circles and whose labors are an important element in the sub- stantial upbuilding and growth of the community. To this class belongs James II. Fletcher, of Peo- tone. Ile was born in Peotone township. Novem- ber 25, 1869, and was educated in the common schools, after which he spent a year in the State Normal School, at Normal, Illinois. Subsequent- ly he engaged in teaching for eight years in the district schools, mostly in Peotone township. He is a painter and paper-hanger by trade and fol- lows that pursuit to some extent in season. He also has a threshing outfit which he operates. In 1902 he purchased the business of his uncle James Barnhart and is now engaged in dealing in books. stationery. pictures, wall paper and novelties. In this connection he is enjoying a good trade be- cause of his earnest desire to please his patrons and his straightforward business methods.
James Fletcher was married to Miss Lizzie Mor- rison, who was born in Peotone township, Septem-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
ber 11, 1870, a daughter of David and Matilda Morrison, who were pioneer farming people of Will county. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have two children : Margaret, four years of age, and Alta Marie, in her second year. The parents are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Fletcher is serving as secretary of the official board and also as secreatry of the building com- mittee, and he did the painting on the new church edifice. He has served as township school treas- urer and his political allegiance is given to the re- publican party. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp. The Fletcher family has long been represented in Will county and its members have been recognized as men of honorable pur- pose, faithful in friendship and loyal and pro- gressive in citizenship, while in business circles the name stands as a synonym for integrity and industry.
WILLIAM H. H. REED.
William H. H. Reed, a veteran of the Civil war, now owning and operating a fine farm of eighty acres in Florence township, is one of the highly respected citizens of Will county. He was born June 18, 1840, a son of Edward T. and Eliza (Robson) Reed, the former born in Ohio, May 11, 1817, while the latter was born May 10, 1822, in Indiana. The Reed family was estab- lished in Illinois at an early day, when, in 1833, the paternal grandparents of our subject, Charles and Chloe Reed, located in Will county. The fa- ther was but sixteen years of age at the time of his marriage, and when twenty-one years of age became a pioneer farmer of Jackson township. and it was in his honor that the town of Reed's Grove was named. In 1842 he removed with his family to Washington county, lowa, where he en- tered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, remaining on that claim during the succeeding four years, when, in 1846, he again returned to Jackson township, Will county, and here remained for a long period. However, in 1872, he removed to Sumner county, Kansas, where he purchased a quarter section of land, and he likewise made application for a government claim in the Indian Territory and fortunately
drew one hundred acres, thus becoming owner of considerable farming land in the west. Later he and his wife made a trip to Los Angeles, Califor- nia, where they spent some time, subsequent to which period they returned to Will county, where their children resided. The father then lived re- tired until his death, which occurred in Custer township, this county, when he had reached the very advanced age of seventy-eight years. He was a whig until the formation of the new republican party, when he became a supporter of its princi- ples. He was identified with the United Breth- ren church. After his death his widow returned to Los Angeles, where her death occurred July 9. 1900. Their family numbered three sons and two daughters: Mary O., the wife of J. J. Smil- lie, a resident of ('uster township, Will county : William H. U., whose name introduces this rec- ord: Charles, who is married and resides in Los Angeles, California; Franklin P., who wedded Harriet Wilson and resides in Peoria, Illinois ; and Chloe, the wife of Scott Odell and also a resident of Los Angeles.
William H. H. Reed was reared under the pa- rental roof, accompanying his parents on their various removals, and in the public schools ac- quired his education. He assisted his father in his farm work until he attained his majority, when he started out in life for himself, following the occupation to which he had been reared. Loyal to the best interests of his country in 1861, he en- listed on the 15th of August of that year for ser- vice in Company A, Thirty-ninth Illinois Vohin- teers. The company was organized at Wilming- ton, whence they proceeded to Camp Mathews, Chicago, where he mustered in for service on the 11th of October following. The company then went to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, making their way from that city to Williamsport. They went into winter quarters at Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Reed participated in the battles at Alpine Sta- tion and at Winchester, after which he was taken ill and sent to Mount Pleasant Hospital at Wash- ington, D. C., and later to a Philadelphia hos- pital. At the time of the battle at Bull Run he did guard duty at Elkton, Maryland, and there spent the winter of 1862. He participated in the siege of Charleston, and at the battle of Peters- burg, June 2, 1864, and was taken prisoner, be- ing both in Charleston and Andersonville pris-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
ons, and later was sent to Savannah, Georgia. While in the prison at Andersonville, he made his escape at two different times, but on each occa- sion was captured and returned. After the close of the war he was released from prison and was honorably discharged August 16, 1865, at Spring- field, Illinois, having served his country for four years and one day.
Returning home from the war he there remained until the following year, when he went to Ford county and engaged in farming there for three years, subsequent to which time he came to Flor- ence township, Will county. having here an excel- lent farm property, embracing eighty acres. ITis farm is well improved with good buildings, and he uses only the latest improved machinery to facili- tate the work of the fields, so that in his work he is meeting with very gratifying success.
On the 8th of March, 1866, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Reed and Mrs. Lorena Shoemaker, nee Eversoll. She was born in Ohio, November 14, 1839, a danghter of William and Susan (Con- rad) Eversoll, both being natives of Virginia. Her father conducted a flourmill, having learned his trade in Ohio, after which he removed to Peru, Indiana, where he lived for nine years, and in 1846 came to Illinois, establishing his home in Shelby county. After a time he removed with his family to Wilmington, the year of his arrival there being 1854. He was there engaged in the milling business until his demise, which occurred, however, in Elwood, Illinois, when he was sixty- six years of age. His widow survived for a few years and passed away at the age of seventy. Mr. Eversoll became identified with the Masonic order at Chemung, but later transferred his membership to the lodge at Morris. In the early days he gave his political support to the whig party, but later became an advocate of democracy. In the family of this worthy couple were but two children, who are living, the sister of Mrs. Reed being Polina, the widow of Eli Medell and now residing in Chicago.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, of whom three survive, namely : Eva E .: Viola, the wife of Warren Corbin, and George E., who wedded Hattie Whitmore. Mr. Reed usually votes the republican ticket, but is a firm believer in prohibition principles. In citi- zenship he is as loyal to the best interest of his
community and his country as he was when he followed the stars and stripes upon southern bat- tle fields. Every movement or measure tended to advance local interests elicits his attention, and he is accounted one of the progressive and representa- tive citizens of Will county.
UZIAH MACK.
Uziah Mack, who for many years was well known in mercantile circles in Joliet as a shoe merchant and since 1900 has been engaged in the real estate business, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1835. His parents were farming people of that state, and while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof he pursued his education in the Milton Academy. In 1858 he removed from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, to Joliet where he joined his uncle, F. Mack, in the conduct of a shoe store. His business career was inter- rupted, however, by his service in the Civil war. for when the country became involved in hos- tilities he could no longer content himself to re- main at home but with patriotic spirit offered his aid to the Union, enlisting on the 8th of August, 1862, as a member of the One IIundredth Illinois regiment, serving with that command until hon- orably discharged at the close of the war in 1865. In the meantime, valor and meritorius service had won him appointment to the position of first lieu- tenant. When the war was ended he at once re- turned to Joliet and resumed business in connec- tion with his uncle, this partnership being main- tained until the uncle's death in 1872. Mr. Mack then carried on the store alone until 1900, when he sold out to his son. He had enjoyed a large and lucrative business and was well known as one of the old-time merchants of the city. Since retiring from that field of labor he has engaged in the real estate business with an office in the Cutting block, handling city property, and dur- ing the seven years which have since elapsed he has negotiated a number of important realty transfers.
Mr. Mack was married in 1865, at Conover, Iowa, to Miss Jane Flemming, who died a few years later. Of their three children. Robert L. is
UZIAH MACK.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
deceased; Mary F. wedded Harless King and re- sides in Joliet; and William F. succeeded his father in the shoe business in Joliet. In 1883 Mr. Mack was married to Miss Carrie M. Cagwin, and they have two children : Josephine E., who is now attending school at Lake Forest, Illinois; and Francis C., a student in Joliet.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Mack belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of Joliet's oldest and most substantial business men, having for almost a half century been identified with its commer- cial progress and development and the regard in which he is uniformly held is indicative of his mnode of life and his method of procedure in the business world.
GEORGE H. WILDER.
George H. Wilder, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who for three years valiantly followed the stars and stripes on southern battle-fields, is now engaged in general farming on section 4, Crete township, where he has a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This is the old homestead property, having long been in pos- session of the Wilder family.
A native of Bloom township, Cook county, George H. Wilder was born June 1, 1842. His father, Almon Wilder, was born in Onondaga county, New York. May 21, 1806, and in his boyhood days removed with his parents to Ashta- bula county, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two years he married Miss Anna Snow and removed to Lake county, Indiana, where his wife died in 1840. The following year he wedded Mrs. Louisa Wilson Raymond, a daughter of John C. Wilson, an early settler of Bloom township. Cook county, Illinois, who owned a farm where the village of Steger now stands. Mr. Wilder lived on the Wil- son farm until 1844, when he settled upon the farm which he ever afterward made his home and which is now the home of George H. Wilder. It was government land, entirely raw and unculti- vated and he performed the arduous task of breaking prairie and cultivating the land until it became arable fields. He died on this place, March 26. 1891, while his wife passed away August 6,
1890. In early life he was converted, joined the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years was one of the most consistent and valuable mem- bers of the church of that denomiantion in Crete. He voted with the republican party from its or- ganiaztion and was recognized as one of its lead- ers in the community. His fellow townsmen fre- quently called him to public office and he served repeatedly as supervisor, assessor, collector and in other local positions, the duties of which he dis- charged with promptness and fidelity. Because of his business integrity and good judgment in busi- ness matters he was often called upon to adminis- ter estates and no trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. Earnest and zeal- ous in educational matters, he served as trustee of the schools for many years and was school director for a long time.
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