USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
To the first marriage of Mr. Wilder there were born nine children, only four of whom are now living : Mrs. John Dodge, of Crete township; Mrs. Maria Modruff, of Englewood ; Miss Malissa Wilder, of Chicago; and A. E. Wilder, of Califor- nia. By the second marriage there were six chil- dren, the living being: Mrs. Charles Howard, of Denver, Colorado, and George H.
George H. Wilder was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools. In early man- hood he espoused the cause of the Union and in 1862 joined the boys in blue of Company F. Eighth Illinois Cavalry, as a private. With his command he went to the front and was mustered out at St. Louis, Missouri, at the close of the war, after serving for over three years, during which time he was promoted to corporal. He took part in a number of the most hotly contested engage- ments of the south and was ever found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the old flag and the cause it represented. When hostilities had ceased he returned to the farm and has since been en- gaged in its cultivation, now owning the old home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Wilder chose Miss Augusta Brown, to whom he was married in 1869. She was horn in Cook county. in 1844, a daughter of Adam and Phoebe (Meyers) Brown. Her father was a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, and when a child removed to Preble county, Ohio, where he was married in 1830. In 1833 he removed to Cook
658
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
county, Illinois, being one of the earliest settlers of this part of the state. For many years his home was the stopping place for people traveling to and from Chicago, which at that time was a small village giving little promise of its present great- ness. He and his wife lived together for sixty- two years in a most happy union. She died upon the home farm in 1892, and Mr. Brown passed away at the very venerable age of ninety years. Two of their sons, William, now deceased, and George, a resident of Kansas, were soldiers of the Union Army in the Civil war.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilder have been born a daughter and two sons. Jessie, an accomplished young lady, who was a graduate of the Northwest- ern University at Evanston, Illinois, and was en- gaged in teaching, died in 1900 and her death was most deeply regretted by a very large circle of friends, for she was very popular. Frank, at home, is a graduate of Bryant & Stratton Busi- ness College and is now serving as township tax collector. Charles married a daughter of W. C. Trowbridge of Crete, lives in that place and is employed in the piano factory at Steger.
Mr. Wilder votes with the republican party and while keeping well informed on the political ques- tions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do, he has never sought nor desired office. The family attend the Methodist Episco- pal church and he and his two sons are members of the Masonic fraternity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilder are well informed people, interested in good literature and they have a library well filled with choice books, with the contents of which they are largely familiar. Their social standing is irre- proachable and the consensus of public opinion places them in the front rank among the repre- sentative citizens of Crete township.
JESSE W. BROCKWAY.
Jesse W. Brockway is now filling the responsible position of general foreman of the machine shops of the Illinois Steel Company, at Joliet. His connection with this company covers a period of seventeen years, during which time he has made rapid and substantial advancement, having won
promotion until he now fills a prominent place in the industrial interests of this city.
Mr. Brockway was born in Lee county, Iowa, in 1859, a son of James and Catherine (Flint) Brockway. both of whom were born in Ohio. The father followed general agricultural pursuits in Iowa until 1886, when he removed to South Da- kota, where he purchased considerable land and lived for a decade, subsequent to which time he went to Florida, where he died in 1903 at the age of sixty-six years. The son was reared to farm- ing pursuits, assisting his father in the various tasks of the fields, and in the common schools he acquired his education. He then learned the blacksmith trade at Kingston, lowa, where he served a two years' apprenticeship after which he was employed in the Murray Iron Works, Burling- ton, lowa, serving a three years' apprenticeship as a machinist. Later he worked in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy shops, where he was em- ployed as machinist for two years subsequent to learning the trade. Coming to Joliet, he worked as a journeyman in the machine shops of the Illi- nois Steel Company for fourteen years, during which time he was promoted from one position to another, while eleven years ago he was made night foreman of the machine shop. He has charge of the entire department, which employs about one hundred and forty men. many of whom are among the most expert machinists of the country. The plant is equipped with most mod- ern machinery for the manufacture of tools for the splice mill, merchant mill, etc., and in addi- tion a general repair work is done in connection with the machinery of the shops. The building is eighty by one hundred and forty feet and is equipped with two electric cranes running the entire length of the building. The long experi- ence of Mr. Brockway in connection with the ma- chinist's trade well qualifies him for the arduous and responsible duties which devolve upon him and he is discharging his duties with entire satis- faction to the company.
Mr. Brockway was married in Chicago, in 1892, to Miss Katy Jenkins, who was born in Quiney, Illinois, and they have become the parents of five children : Edna, Ruth, Esther. Elmer and Mil- dred. Mr. Brockway is a republican in his po- litical views and affiliations and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
659
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge, chap- ter and council, and in these connections com- mands the good will and esteem of his fraternal brethren.
ROBERT H. JOHNSON.
Robert H. Johnson, residing in the village of Channahon, has always devoted his time and en- ergies to farming. He was born in Joliet, Janu- ary 8, 1842, his parents being Adam and Mary (Hamilton) Johnson. The father was a native of Ireland, born in the year 1808, and, leaving the Emerald isle, he crossed the Atlantic to Canada, whence he afterward made his way to Lockport, Illinois, where he remained for a year. He then went to Joliet, where he spent some time, after which he took up his abode upon a farm in Troy township. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a period and later set- tled on a farm in Channahon township in 1850. IIe afterward tilled the soil there and continued the further improvement of the property until 1866, when he gave up general farming and re- moved to the village of Wilmington, where he spent his remaining days, being called from this life on the 6th of February, 1874. His family numbered six children. of whom Robert H. was the fourth in order of birth, and three of the number are now living, the sisters being Mrs. Isaac Drew, who resides in Joliet ; and Mrs. Mary Noble, living in Lincoln, Kansas.
Robert H. Johnson has spent his entire life in Will county. No event of special importance varied the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days, during which period he worked in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he was engaged in wrestling with the tasks of the schoolroom. After he had put aside his text-books he gave his undivided at- tention to farm work until he entered military life, joining the Union army on the 6th of August, 1862. He enlisted as a member of Company A, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, under Captain Stewart. went to the front and did active duty on the field, making a creditable record for valor and fidelity. He participated in practically all of the twenty-one engagements in which the regi- ment took part and served with distinction.
When the country no longer needed his aid he returned home and resumed agricultural pur- suits.
On the 3d of September, 1870, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Douglas and unto them have been born two children: Mrs. Lillian Calis, of Troy township; and Mrs. Emma Tabler, who is living in Grundy county. Mrs. Johnson's parents came to Illinois from the state of New York in 1856 and settled in Kankakee county. She is one of twelve children, six of whom are yet living, namely: John, a resident of Lexington, Illinois; William, who makes his home in Wilmington; Mrs. Susan Dixon, of Chi- cago; Mrs. Belle Page, who resides in Wichita, Kansas: and Mrs. Mary Corey, of St. Louis, Missouri.
Following his marriage Mr. Johnson took up farm work with renewed energy and continued actively in that line of business until 1901, when he removed to the village of Channahon. He now owns ten acres of land within the corporation limits and has a pleasant home there. By his former toil and activity he accumulated a com- fortable competence that now supplies him with all of the necessities and some of the luxuries of life. In politics he is an earnest republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the party. He is now serving his second term as vil- lage mayor and has also been highway commis- sioner for two terms. As chief executive officer of the town he is exercising his official preroga- tives for an economical yet progressive adminis- tration, and his course has been one of benefit and of progress to the village.
HENRY MONK.
Henry Monk, a prosperous farmer, owning and operating the old homestead on section 1, Peo- tone township, the tract embracing one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, is a native son of Will county, his birth having occurred in .
Monee township, February 4, 1862, and comes of German parentage. His father, Henry Monk, Sr., was born in Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Ger- many, and died on the farm which is now the property of his son, in 1891, when he had reached
660
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
the age of seventy years. He came to America in 1858 but after a brief residence here returned to his native land, where he was married to Miss Catherine Charmburg, who was also a native of Mecklenburg. She died in 1904, having reached the venerable age of eighty-one years. Upon his second arrival in the new world the father settled at Monee, Will county, where he worked as a laborer, being employed mainly as a well digger. He afterward operated rented land near Monee for five years, subsequent to which time he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Kankakee county, making his home thereon for three years. In 1868 he disposed of that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Peotone township, Will county, this farm constituting the present home of our subject. He here engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits for many years, or un- til the time of his death. Although he was in limited financial circumstances when he took up his abode in the new world, he was a man of good business judgment and practical ideas so that in his farm work he prospered and at the time of his death was in very comfortable circumstances. His family numbered five children, namely : John, who follows farming near Welcome, Min- nesota : Fred, who died at the age of forty-one years; Minnie, the deceased wife of Peter Rath- mond, a resident of Kankakee county; Mary, the wife of Jacob Geminder, a resident of Jolley, Towa : and Henry, of this review.
Henry Monk, Jr., was reared to farm life, as- sisting his father in the operation of the home farm during the period of his boyhood and youth, while in the common schools he acquired his early education, this being supplemented by two years' study in the public schools of Chicago. At the age of twenty-two years he assumed the manage- ment of his father's farm, which afterward came into his possession. In addition to his farming interests he was formerly engaged in dealing in real-estate to considerable extent, and this busi- ness brought to him very gratifying returns. At the present time he is engaged in loaning money, doing quite an extensive business in this line. In his farm work he has likewise met with gratify- ing success and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, while the farm in all its equipments presents a neat and attractive ap- pearance, for he keeps everything in good con-
dition and carries on his work with the latest im- proved farm machinery.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Monk and Miss Amelia Bentien, who was born in Monee, a daughter of William Bentien, a retired farmer of Peotone. After a happy married life of two decades Mrs. Monk was called to her final rest, her death occurring November 30, 1904, at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years. She was a devoted and constant member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and by her marriage had become the mother of ten children, all of whom are still under the parentat roof, these he- ing Ada, Elmer, Jennie, Ella, Amos, Nettie, Arthur, Wallace, Beula and Traverse. The eldest daughter graduated from the Peotone high school. after which she engaged in teaching for two terms but is not acting as her father's house- keeper.
Mr. Monk holds membership with the Meth- odist Episcopal church and gives his political sup- port to the republican party, taking an active in- terest in local political circles. He has several times been a candidate for public office and for three years served as road commissioner. He has frequently been a delegate to county conventions, and at the last convention acted as assistant sec- retary. He is identified with the Grange and for many years has been its business manager and purchasing agent. He is a man of excellent busi- ness ability and sound judgment and is public- spirited in a marked degree. He and his family are prominent socially, having inany warm per- sonal friends in their home locality.
ELIAL S. BRUNSON.
Elial S. Brunson, now practically living retired on the southwest corner of section 23, Du Page township, has spent his entire life in Will county, being the first white child born in West Lock- port. His natal day was April 22, 1835, and his parents were Cyrus and Harriett E. (Scudder) Brunson, honored pioncers of this county. The father was born in Roxbury, Connecticut, Sep- tember 8, 1789, and died on the 16th of Septem- ber. 1857. He was twice married, his first wife being Susan Maxwell, who was born in New Jer-
MR. AND MRS. E. S. BRUNSON.
663
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
sey, October 19, 1788, and died September 2, 1825. By that union there were five children, all born in Barrington, New York, namely: Montraville, who was born July 16, 1817, and died March 3, 1899, in Downers Grove, Illinois; Phoebe L., born April 1, 1819; Cyrus M., April 12, 1821; David H., December 25, 1822; and Susan E., August 16, 1825. For his second wife Cyrus Brunson married Harriett E. Scudder, who was born in New Jersey, January 30, 1810, and died in Du Page township, this county, on the 19th of No- vember, 1892. Four children blessed this union : Elial S .. of this review : Marshall N., born April 18, 1838 ; Clarissa, November 23, 1840: and Har- riett A., July 25, 1845. They were all born in Lockport, Illinois.
The father of this family was a soldier of the war of 1812 and at the close of the war held a captain's commission. He also served in the state troops as colonel and finally reached the rank of brigadier general. His father, Thomas Brunson, the grandfather of our subject, fought for the in- dependence of his country in the Revolutionary war, as did also his six brothers, while the ma- ternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the war of 1812.
Amid pioncer scenes Elial S. Brunson grew to manhood and throughout his active business career followed farming, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings, so that he is now enabled to lay aside the arduous labors of the farm and enjoy the rest and competence which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He is the owner of two hundred and ten acres of rich and arable land on section 23, Du Page township, where he makes his home, but he now rents his farm, de- riving a good income from his share of the pro- ducts raised.
On the 28th of December, 1859, Mr. Brunson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Alden, who was born in New York state, March 15, 1835, and is the fourth in order of birth in a family of nine children, of whom four are still living. She is a direct descendant of John Alden, of Puritan fame. Her father, Simeon Alden, was born in Stafford, Connecticut, July 18, 1800, and died in Du Page county, Illinois, August 30, 1889, while her mother, who bore the maden name of Mary Campbell, was born in Rome, New York, on the 12th of October, 1807, and died in Du Page county,
on the 25th of July, 1885. In 1846 they brought their family to Illinois and became residents of Chicago, where Mr. Alden worked at his trade of a mechanic until 1853, when he removed to Du Page county. There he bought a quarter section of land and he and his wife continued to reside in that county throughout the remainder of their lives.
From pioneer days down to the present time the Brunson family have been identified with the up- building and development of Will county. On the removal of our subject's parents to this local- ity they passed only three houses between Chicago and Lockport, so sparsely was the country settled at that time. As an influential and prominent citizen of the community, Mr. Brunson has been called upon to serve in a number of official po- sitions, being justice of the peace for twelve years, school treasurer for eight years and school director for a number of years. He has also been a mem- ber of the board of auditors and in 1900 was elected township supervisors, in which capacity he served for two years. The duties of these offices he most capably discharged and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order.
BERNARD TIERNEY.
Bernard Tierney, who follows farming on sec- tion 19, Troy township, was born on the 5th of December, 1849, in Franklin county, New York, and is a son of Patrick and Ann (McPhillips) Tierney. both of whom were natives of Ireland. In 1850 the father brought his family to Will county, Illinois, and located in Troy township, where he followed farming for many years. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community and acceptably served as jns- tice of the peace in Troy township for five years. He died on the 23d of June, 1904, at the age of eighty-six years and four months, having sur- vived his wife many years, as her death occurred September 6, 1883, when she was fifty-one years of age. Both held membership in St. Mary's Catholic church of Minooka.
In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, of whom Bernard is the eldest. Eugene
664
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
died at the age of thirty-five years, and his widow passed away fourteen years later, leaving two chil- dren, James and Henry. Rosie Ann is the wife of William O'Brien, of Seneca, Illinois. Elizabeth is the widow of Patrick Murphy. Charles is a resident of Ransom, Illinois. John died at the age of thirty-six years, and Edward died at the age of twenty-one years.
During his boyhood and youth Bernard Tier- ney pursued his studies in the district schools and early became familiar with the work of the farm, devoting his entire time and attention to agricul- tural pursuits since attaining his majority. He now owns a good farm of seventy-four acres, upon which he has made many useful and valuable im- provements, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.
On the 13th of June, 1889, Mr. Tierney was united in marriage to Miss Mary Becker, whose parents were John and Katharine ( Outt) Becker, natives of Germany. They now have two chil- dren : Charles, born January 6, 1892, and Eve- line, born August 14, 1898. The family are com- munieants of St. Mary's Catholic church of Mi- nooka, and politically Mr. Tierney is identified with the democratic party. He has served one term as assessor of Troy township and three years as highway commissioner, and is one of the re- spected citizens of his community.
WILLIAM E. DEAN.
William E. Dean is proprietor of a music house at Joliet, which bears an excellent reputation throughout the county and this part of the state. Mr. Dean has become widely recognized as a leading merchant of the city and as one whose success is well merited because it has been attained through honorable, straightforward methods and untiring industry.
A native of New York, he was born in Am- sterdam, Montgomery county, on January 11, 1855. His parents were Jehiel and Elizabeth A. Dean, who resided on a farm during the early boyhood of their son William. They afterward removed to Illinois and he completed his educa- tion, which was begun in the schools of New York state, at Marengo and Union, Illinois. He en-
tered business life as a book agent and followed that pursuit with considerable success for six months, when on the 2d of August, 1876, he started a piano business at Belvidere, Illinois. and a year later established a similar business at Ma- rengo, Illinois. There he remained for about five years, and in 1882 went to Freeport, Illinois, where he conducted a music house until October, 1885. He then became general agent for Estey & Camp, filting that position until October. 1889, when he was appointed special agent for Kimball & Company, with whom he remained for more than a year. He next took the general agency for the Manufacturers Piano Company, filling that position from October, 1890, until April, 1895. He was next general agent for Hallett & Davis, from March, 1895, until July, 1896.
At this period Mr. Dean decided on opening a music house in Joliet on his own account, be- lieving that such a venture would prove profitable. for he had thoroughly investigated the trade con- ditions of that district. Time has proven the wis- dom of his judgment in this regard. The Dean music house has established a reputation that makes it well known not only throughout Will county, but in adjoining counties as well. Mr. Dean carries an excellent line of musical goods of all descriptions and in his store may be pur- chased anything from a piano or organ to a jew's harp or a sheet of music. His methods are very reliable and he carries only first class goods. It is known that he never misrepresents anything which he has on sale and his long connection with the music trade well qualifies him to supply the pub- lic demand.
On the 24th of May, 1879, Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Ilattie Lucas and unto them have been born a daughter and two sons. The daughter. Mabel A., is now completing her educa- tion in Olivet College in Michigan, while the sons, Louis and Francis, are assisting their father in business. Mr. Dean is a deacon of the Eastern Avenue Baptist church and for six years has been superintendent of the Rockdale Sunday-school. Ile is deeply and actively interested in church work and his labors have been an element in the growth of the church and the extension of its in- fluence. He votes with the republican party where national issues and questions are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot.
665
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
He has never sought or desired political prefer- ment, but is widely recognized as a man of gen- erous public spirit and as a co-operant factor in many measures for the public good.
JOHN KOLSTEDT.
No history of the business and financial devel- opment of Monee would be complete without men- tion of John Kolstedt, president of the Eastern Will County State Bank and a dealer in lumber and coal. He was born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger- many, May 22. 1836. His father. Henry Kolstedt, was also a native of that locality. He came to the United States with his wife and five sons, the boys locating at Bloomingdale, Du Page county, and the parents making their home with their sons, who followed the occupation of farming. The death of the father occurred when he had reached the age of eighty-four years. His family numbered five sons: George W., who is now a re- tired farmer of Cook county, Illinois : Charles, a retired farmer of Monee : John : Henry, of Monee township; and William, who lives near Storm Lake in Buena Vista county, Iowa.
John Kolstedt was one who came with his par- ents to the United States and lived in Du Page county until 1869, when he and his brothers re- moved to Monee township. Will county, bringing their parents with them. They purchased land of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and Mr. Kolstedt of this review continued to engage ac- tively in farming until 1874, when he came to Monce. For four years thereafter he continued to engage in farming but in 1874 withdrew en- tirely from agricultural life and established a lumber and coal business, in which he is still en- gaged. From the beginning this enterprise has proved profitable and the patronage is now ex- tensive. In 1903, in connection with others, Mr. Kolstedt organized the Eastern Will County State Bank and from the beginning has been its presi- dent. It was capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars and now has a surplus of five thousand dollars. It has proven a valuable institution in the commercial circles of Monee and Mr. Kolstedt is recognized as one of the leading business men here.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.