USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 3
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Following his marriage Mr. Gray resided in Frankfort and worked at his trade there until the 1st of May, 1871, when he removed to Joliet. Here he rented a shop on Chicago street and be- gan business on his own account, soon securing a liberal patronage. He made a study of horse- shoeing, in which he was an expert. Later he purchased the shop at No. 306 South Chicago street and subsequently he employed his brother, William Gray, as one of his helpers and the latter now carries on the business for Mrs. Gray. Mr. Gray continued in business up to the time of his death, and his excellent workmanship se- cured him a liberal patronage, so that as the years went by, through the careful husbanding of his resources, he acquired a handsome com- petenee.
He was a stanch republican in politics and took much interest in the work and growth of the party but was never an office seeker. For many years he was an exemplary member of the Ma- sonie fraternity and he held membership in the Episcopal church, of which his widow is also a communicant. While he did not seek to figure prominently in public life he was always inter- ested in community affairs and the good qualities
he manifested in all life's relations won him the confidence and trust of his fellowmen and gained him those warm personal friendships which are not based upon honor, fame or success but have their bases in individual character.
JUDGE FRANCIS GOODSPEED.
Judge Francis Goodspeed, who in the profession of law conferred honor upon the judicial history of northern Illinois, became one of the early mem- bers of the Joliet bar and throughout the years of his connection therewith maintained a foremost place in its ranks. The legal profession demands not only a high order of ability but a rare com- bination of taet, learning, talent, patience and in- dustry. The successful lawyer and the competent judge must be a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information, possessed of an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, his personal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of disposition in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and lib- erty must look for protection. Possessing those qualities, Judge Goodspeed justly merited the high honor which was conferred upon him by his eleva- tion to the bench and for seven years he capably presided over the circuit courts until ill health caused his resignation.
Born in Deerfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of January, 1821, he was a son of John Goodspeed, a merchant. His early education was afforded by the common schools, but am- bitions for further intellectual culture he left home and for two years was a student in Genesee Seminary at Lima, New York, then a famous in- stitution of learning in the east. About the year 1847 he came to Joliet, where he resided con- tinuously until his death. He was one of the pio- neer lawyers of the city, being admitted to the bar in 1848 after pursuing the study of law in the office and under the direction of Hon. Hugh Hen- derson, a former circuit judge.
Soon after entering upon active practice Judge Goodspeed became a law partner of O. H. Haven and this association was maintained until the death
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of Mr. Haven in 1854. For a brief period Judge Goodspeed was then associated with Colonel F. A. Bartleson and about 1856 he formed a partner- ship with Hon. Josiah McRoberts, afterward cir- cuit judge. The dissolution of this firm occurred in 1864 and in 1865 Judge Goodspeed formed a partnership with Hon. Henry Snapp and Augustus F. Knox, thus practicing until 1876. When the present judicial circuit was established in 1877 he was elected to the bench and in 1878 was re- elected for the full term of six years. He served in that capacity until June. 1888, when owing to poor health he resigned. His legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasped the points in an argument, all combined to make him one of the most capable jurists that has ever presided over that court and the public and the profession acknowledged him the peer of the ablest members of the bar in this portion of the state.
Judge Goodspeed attained equal prominence in public life and left the impress of his individual- ity upon public thought and action. He did much to mold public opinion and shape the policy of the city at an important crisis in the history of the country when men of known loyalty and ability were needed in all public offices because of the ex- citable conditions prevalent at the time he was elected and served as mayor. filling the office in 1859 and 1860 and giving a public-spirited ad- ministration. In 1861 he was elected as a dele- gate to the constitutional convention, participated in the debates of that body at Springfield and took an active part in framing the organic law of the state. His stalwart democracy was unquestioned and yet he never placed partisanship before the general good and personal aggrandizement was al- ways made subservient to his devotion to the wel- fare of county, state and nation. After the open- ing of the Civil war, when new issues arose, he transferred his allegiance to the republican party, which stood loyally by the government in the darkest hour of our country's history.
Judge Goodspeed was married three times. In 1849 he wedded Mrs. Esther Wetherbee, who died the following month, and in 1854 he married Lucretia Knox, whose death occurred in 1864. In 1867 he was united to Frances Henderson, a daughter of Dryden and Maria (Coe) Henderson, who were natives of Herkimer county, New York.
Mrs. Goodspeed was born in Steuben county, New York, and still survives her husband. By his sec- ond marriage there were three sons but John, the eldest, who prepared for the practice of medicine, died in October, 1883, while Charles F. and Fred- erick are still living in Joliet. In 1866 Judge Goodspeed erected a fine residence on South Chi- cago street just south of Joliet. At that time it was one of the finest homes in or near the city and was provided with many improvements in ad- vance of those usually seen in the dwellings of that period. The house was surrounded by fif- teen acres of ground and everything about the place showed indicaton of most thorough care and development. Upon his place Judge Goodspeed had a herd of fine Jersey cattle. He also owned considerable farm property elsewhere in the county and Mrs. Goodspeed still retains some of this in her possession.
Becoming a member of the bar when its repre- sentatives in Will county were few in number, Judge Goodspeed ever maintained a foremost po- sition in the ranks of the legal fraternity of north- ern Illinois. A contemporary biographer said of him, "He was a man of strong mental powers, entirely engrossed in the practice of his profes- sion, which he loved and followed constantly as lawyer and judge for nearly forty years. In all the community no man stood higher in the confi- dence and respect of his fellow citizens and no man more thoroughly deserved this confidence. Among the older residents of Joliet to say 'Frank Goodspeed said so' was to carry conviction. He was a man strong in his views yet of most sym- pathetic nature." He had the greatest apprecia- tion for true worth of character and no sympathy whatever with the manifestation of a lack of truth or high principles. The honors which came to him in connection with the framing and the ex- ecution of the laws of the state marked the high consideration which his fellowmen entertained for his integrity, dignity, impartiality and love of justice as shown in both his private life and offi- cial career. He was a man of excellent traits of character, brave and manly, sincere and outspoken, gentle in manner, yet firm in the discharge of his duty. He gained a high place in his profession by hard work and by evidencing his ability to fill the positions with which the people entrusted him.
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Mrs. Goodspeed still resides at the old home at lars per month. Thus it was that they gained No. 125 Union street. There lives with her Mrs. their start in life. Mr. Morrison then rented a Azubah (Cameron) Smith and her daughter, Mrs. Benham, and the latter's family. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Goodspeed were schoolmates in Steuben county, New York. The former is the widow of Seneca S. Smith, who was a lumber dealer of Bath, New York, where his death occurred. Mrs. Smith's daughter Mabel is the wife of Harry H. Benham, who is employed in the Jensen store in Joliet, and they have five children : Charles G., Margaret, Charlotte, Mabel and Smith.
In addition to valuable city property Mrs. Good- speed owns much fine farming land in this county together with the residence which she occupies on Union street.
DAVID MORRISON.
On the roll of Will county's honored dead ap- pears the name of David Morrison, who through a long period was identified with the agricultural life of this section of the state, and by his up- right Christian life and his honorable business methods he won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact, so that his death, which oc- curred on the 1st of January, 1895, was the oc- casion of deep regret not only in his immediate household but to many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Morrison was born in Monaghan county, Ire- land, April 15, 1831. He lived on a farm until he had reached the age of twenty years, during which time he had acquired a good education in the common schools. He also received training for a business life and then emigrated to Amer- ica with his father, his mother having died on the Emerald isle. Following his arrival in this coun- try he worked in a mercantile establishment for four years, but on account of poor health was then obliged to seek other employment. For two years he was attendant in an insane asylum in New Jersey and it was during his employment in that institution that he met the lady whom he after- ward made his wife. In 1857 he continued his journey westward, locating in Carroll county, Illi- nois. IIe was employed on a farm for one year at fifteen dollars per month, during which time his wife was engaged in teaching at sixteen dol-
tract of land and began farming for himself, work- ing in the fields and cultivating his crops through the summer seasons, while in the winter months he engaged in teaching. In 1863 he arrived in Will county, settling on a farm of forty acres. which he had purchased from the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad Company. Through his industry and energy and the assistance of his estimable wife, he prospered in his undertakings, adding to his landed possessions from time to time until at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and eighty-three acres of well improved and valuable land. He possessed excellent busi- ness ability and sound judgment and was a man who was highly respected wherever known.
Mr. Morrison was a republican in his political views and affiliations and was active in the work of the party. He served as supervisor for two terms, was also assessor and school director, while for nineteen years he filled the office of justice of the peace, and in the discharge of his official du- ties he was prompt and faithful to the trust re- posed in him. He was a member and one of the organizers of the West Peotone Methodist Episcopal church, of which he served as treasurer for a long period. For thirteen years prior to his demise he was in ill health but he always bore his affliction with great fortitude. After his death his son was elected to every position which he held, both in church and township relations.
Mr. Morrison is still survived by his widow to whom he was married in 1857, she bearing the maiden name of Matilda Duncan. Her birth oc- curred in County Antrim, Ireland. February 6, 1835, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Ga- lispie) Duncan, both of whom were natives of the Emerald isle but were of Scotch descent. They emigrated to America in 1847, settling on a farm in Pennsylvania, where the father passed away in 1876, when he had reached the venerable age of ninety-six years, while the mother died in the Keystone state, at the age of eighty-eight. Four years ago Mrs. Morrison purchased a double lot in Peotone, where she erected a beautiful resi- dence, of her own design. She is a lady of ex- ceptional intelligence and culture and is fond of reading, keeping in touch with the writers of both modern and ancient history, and she takes
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great delight in companionship with people of intelligence and learning. Like her husband she is prominent in public service, having for nine years been president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Will county, while for eleven years she served as president of the West Peotone Woman's Christian Temperance Union. For fif- teen years she held the office of secretary of the Bible Society, succeeding her husband to the posi- tion, which is now held by her son. She is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she takes a very active and helpful part. She is a sincere Christian woman and is proud of the fact that her sons have all followed the par- ents' example in that they are all identified with the church.
By her marriage she has become the mother of three sons and one daughter. William A. wedded Esther Mason, by whom he has five chil- dren. He is now acting as foreman of the Dempster Manufacturing Company, makers of windmills and pumps at Beatrice, Nebraska. George A. wedded Bessie Gilkerson, by whom he has four children. She is a daughter of David Gilkerson, one of the pioneers of Will county, and the young couple now make their home on a part of his mother's farm. David H. first wedded Carrie Barton, a daughter of James Barton, a pioneer resident of Peotone township. After her death he wedded Ruth Crawford, a daughter of Ralph Crawford. She died in September, 1906, leaving two children. This son also makes his home on a part of his mother's farm. Mary E. is now the wife of James Fletcher, a merchant of Peotone. She has become the mother of two children.
LYONS BROTHERS.
The Lyons brothers, James, Thomas and John, are well known business men of Joliet, dealing in lumber and coal. with offices at 114 Michigan avenue and 105 Eastern avenue, their yards ex- tending through from one street to the other. This company was organized in September, 1897, the three brothers becoming partners and taking an active interest in the development of the bnsi- ness. They are native sons of Joliet and their
parents are John and Susan ( Finney) Lyons, both now deceased. The father was born in Ireland and when a young man came to the United States, taking up his abode in Joliet about 1856 or 1857. He was originally a carpenter and in 1875 engaged in the lumber business on South Bluff street, this location proving convenient for shipment by canal. He continued in the trade until his death, which occurred in September, 1903, when he was seventy-two years of age. His life was thus one of activity and usefulness and in his business career he commanded respect and confidence by reason of his fidelity to high principles and straightforward dealing. He served as supervisor of Joliet township through election on the demo- cratic ticket and he kept well informed on political issues and questions. He held membership in the Catholic church, as did his wife, who was born in Channahon township, Will county, Illinois, a daughter of Bernard Finney, who was a farmer and made his home in Channahon township until his death, which occurred over a quarter of a century ago. The marriage of John Lyons and Su- san Finney was celebrated at the home of the bride and soon afterward they removed to Joliet. The husband survived his wife for many years, for she passed away in 1884, at the age of thirty-nine. In the family were four sons and three daughters, including William, who is engaged in the lumber business in Joliet ; Mrs. Anna Cassidy, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mrs. Susan Ward, of Ver- sailles, Ohio; and Mary, who died in Joliet in 1902. All were reared in this city and the children of the family were students in the public schools.
The three brothers thus associated were public- school students and in early life became connected with the lumber business through the assistance which they rendered their father. They have al- ways continued in this line of trade and in Sep- temper, 1897, they organized the present company as a partnership. They carry a full line of Inmber, builders' materials and supplies and fuel, and em- ploy five teams and seven or eight men to carry on the business, while the three brothers are all active in its management and conduct. They are pro- gressive men, energetic and determined, and their long experience in this line has well qualified them for the conduct of a successful trade.
James Lyons was married to Miss Mary Rogan, who was born and reared in Joliet and is a
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daughter of Thomas Rogan, an old resident of Will county, now deceased. Her mother, however. is living in this city at the age of sixty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Lyons have been born three children who are yet living, Albert, Harold and James, and they also lost three who died in infancy. The family residence is at No. 117 South Center street, where Mr. Lyons has built a pleasant and commodious home. In politics he is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and his religious faith is indicated by the fact that he is a communicant of St. Patrick's Catholic church. His name has long been associated with the lumber trade of Joliet and is a synonym for reliable business dealing.
THEODORE HARDER.
Theodore Harder, who is numbered among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Lock- port township, owning and operating the old Harder homestead farm on section 22, was born in Columbia county. New York, October 21, 1828. His father, Peter I. Harder, was like- wise born in Columbia county, August 16, 1797, and was engaged in farming in his native state. In 1832 he removed to Madison county, New York, and in 1852 came to Illinois, locating on the farm where the son Theodore now resides. .On the 4th of August, 1816, he was united in marriage to Miss Lena Van Dusen, who was also a native of Columbia county, born June 30, 1799. Both parents died many years ago, the father hav- ing passed to his reward on the 25th of August. 1870. His wife survived for a few years and passed away December 4, 1874, while on a visit to her son in Wisconsin. Her father bore the name of Robert Van Dusen. Both she and her husband were devoted members of the Baptist church, to the support of which they were liberal contributors. Their family numbered twelve children, as fol- lows: Robert, who was born February 27. 1817. . and died December 20, 1867; Peter, who was born December 30, 1819, and died May 30, 1820: James, who was horn Angust 31, 1821, and is a retired farmer living at Whitewater, Wisconsin ; .Jacob, who was born August 6, 1823, and died
in 1882; Richard, who was born July 11, 1825, and died June 19, 1898; Theodore, whose name introduces this record; Peter, who was born No- vember ?, 1830, and died May 7, 1834; Elizabeth, who was born July 13, 1833, and died in 1904; Herman, who was born March 19, 1837, and passed away in Idaho; Edwin, who was born Oc- tober. 9, 1839, and died February 14, 1841 : Francis, who was born September 9, 1841; and Jane, who was born February 5, 1845, and first married George Stuart, but is now the wife of James Pendleton.
Theodore Harder, the sixth in order of birth in his father's family, was reared to farm life. assisting his father in the various duties of the fields, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools. He was a little lad of four years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Columbia to Madison county, New York, and was a young man of twenty- four years when he removed to Will county. He has always made farming his life work and now resides on the old family homestead, which was deeded to him by his father, the tract comprising two hundred acres of well improved land. He worked hard in former years, so that he is now enabled to enjoy the evening of his life in well merited rest from the arduous duties of farm work.
Mr. Ilarder was married in 1853 to Miss Susan 1. Billings, of New Lenox. She was born in Wind- hall, Bennington county, Vermont, January 27. 1834, a daughter of Menard and Anna ( Mellen ) Billings. Her father worked in the woolen mills in Vermont and in June, 1836, established his home in New Lenox, this state. She remained with her parents until the time of her marriage, after which the young couple took up their abode in that village, where they remained for one year. subsequent to which time they removed to Lock- port, and now reside on the old Harder homestead. Mrs. Harder is a devoted member of the Baptist church, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children. Ida A. is the wife of Charles II. Merrill and resides in Joliei. Jason R., who was born in 1859, acquired his education in the schools of Lockport and Joliet. He was married, March 26, 1885, to Miss Elizabeth Bretz, who was born in 1862 and was educated in the schools of Lockport. . She is a daughter of Peter
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and Elizabeth Bretz, who lived in that city, and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons : R. Osgood Harder, who for the past three years has been a student in the University of Illinois ; and Clinton R., who is with his parents and is attending the high school at Lockport. Edison E. Harder was born in 1864, and attended school at Lockport and Joliet. He was married November 25, 1885, to Miss Allie Louise Kirk- ham, a daughter of John Kirkham, a well known farmer of Lockport township. They have one daughter, Susan Grace, who was born November 21, 1888, and is now the wife of Gilbert C. Pierce, their marriage being celebrated November 22, 1905. Mr. Harder has now passed the seventy- eighth milestone on life's journey and is now oc- cupying a nice home on his farm in Lockport township, surrounded by a large circle of friends.
REV. PATRICK W. DUNNE.
Rev. Patrick W. Dunne, who for twenty years has officiated at St. Patrick's church in Joliet, dur- ing which period this has grown to be one of the strongest churches of the diocese, is a native of Watertown, Wisconsin, born March 4, 1852. His parents Edward and Mary (Finn) Dunne, were natives of Queens county, Ireland, and of Prince Edward Island respectively. The paternal grand- father, Patrick Dunne, a farmer by occupation re- moved from the Emerald isle to Prince Edward Island and spent his last days in Chicago. In 1849 Edward Dunne became a resident of Watertown, Wisconsin, making the trip to Chicago by boat and thence to Watertown, where he was joined by his family. He was a contractor and builder and erected the first church in Watertown and the first bridge over the Rock river. In 1853 he went to Chicago and afterward built some of the first bridges in and near that city. He died in Joliet, July 2, 1888, and was buried from St. Jarlath's church, Chicago, on the 4th. He was one of nine children, there being seven brothers who came to America. One of them, Dennis, was vicar general of the Chicago diocese for years, holding the po- sition at the time of his death in 1867. During the Civil war he organized a regiment that was known as the Dunne legion (later the Irish
legion ). The crowning work of his life was the erection and management of an orphan asylum on Archer avenue in Chicago and the diligence and zeal with which he carried on this undertaking was really the cause of his death, for overwork brought on an illness that terminated fatally.
Edward Dunne in his building operations was closely associated with the work of early develop- ment and improvement in Watertown, Wisconsin. and in Chicago. He built the first Magdalene asylum in Chicago, but, just before the work was completed, the building was destroyed by fire and he thus suffered a heavy loss. He was a devout communicant of the Catholic church and for thirty-five years held the same pew. He reared a family of fifteen children including Dr. William Dunne, who was graduated from Rush Medical College with the highest honors of his class. He served as a surgeon in the Second Illi- nois Infantry in the war of the Rebellion and subsequently acted as city physician of Chicago for a number of years. He is now deceased. A daughter, Rose, is a sister in the Order of Loretto in Toronto, Canada.
From an early age Father Dunne was destined for the priesthood. He was educated in Christian Brothers' . Academy on Adams and Desplaines streets, Chicago; St. Charles College at Ellicott City, Maryland, where he studied the classics from 1869 until 1875; and St. Mary's Seminary, where for two years he was a student of philosophy un- der the direction of the Sulpician Fathers, while three years were devoted to theology. On the 20th of December, 1879. he was ordained to the priest- hood by Cardinal Gibbons in the cathedral in Baltimore and was assigned to the Chicago diocese.
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