USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 37
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occurred August 4, 1905. Hattie is the wife of Andrew Quigley and resides in Chicago. Margaret is the wife of Michael Kennedy, a resident of Florence township, Will county.
Mrs. O'Connor, a bright and active lady of eighty-two years, still enjoys good health and has many friends in Wilmington, where she now makes her home. She has eighteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren now living. The family are highly respected, having many friends in this ยท community.
HERMAN F. ROTERMUND.
The birthplace of Herman F. Rotermund was the farm on which he now resides and through- out his entire life he has been connected with the work of tilling the soil and with other agricul- tural interests. He lives on section 30, Crete township, and there he was born January 12, 1852,-the third of the four children of Freder- ick and Mary (Miller) Rotermund, natives of Hanover, Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1848 and making his way to Du Page county, Illinois, there worked at farm labor until 1851, when he came to Will county and purchased a Mexican land warrant, wherewith he secured one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. It was entirely destitute of improvements and after building a little board house upon the place lie began breaking the sod, planting the seed and in due course of time gathering good harvests. Conditions found upon the frontier were still prev- alent here at that time. Chicago was the nearest market at that time and while on a trip there in 1854 Mr. Rotermund became ill and died at Blue Island, Illinois. He was a good man, honorable in all- life's relations. He held membership in the Lutheran church and gave the land upon which St. John's Lutheran church in Crete township was built. While he had not been identified with farming interests long enough to win an estate of much value he left to his family the more valu- able heritage of an untarnished name. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Rotermund be- came the wife of Christ Rust. She passed away in Crete township in 1885, at the age of seventy years. By her first marriage she had four child-
ren, but the eldest died in infancy. The others are : Sophia, the wife of J. H. Schweer, living on the Indiana side of the state line: H. F., of this review ; and Henry, who makes his home in the village of Crete. By the second marriage there was one daughter-Mary Rust, now the deceased wife of John Schweer, of Crete.
H. F. Rotermund was reared to farm life, re- maining with his mother and step-father, while in the German schools he acquired his education. He has always engaged in general farming and the habits of industry and perseverance which he formed in his youth have since been numbered among his strongest characteristics. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of the old home- stead, on which are good improvements, most of which have been placed here by Mr. Rotermund.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Sophia Schweer, who gave him her hand in marriage in 1879. She was born in Lake county, Indiana, in 1854, a daughter of Christ Schweer, an early settler of Lake county, who died about a year ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roter- mund have been born four children: Amelia, now the wife of Herman Wassman, a farmer of Orms- by, Minnesota; Fred, who will graduate from Concordia College, of St. Louis, Missouri, in June, 1902, in preparation for the ministry; Martin, at home; and Albert, a twin brother of Martin, who died at the age of six months.
In connection with the operation of his own farm Mr. Rotermund acted as manager of the Interstate Creamery from 1893 until 1902 and has been one of its directors since 1891. He it was who called the first meeting of farmers to talk over the plan of having a creamery and was also largely instrumental in putting up the plant. The enterprise has proved a decided success and has been of much benefit to the community. In his political views Mr. Rotermund is a republi- can and has filled a number of local offices. He was appointed postmaster of Bemis under President Cleveland and filled that position for seven years. He served as constable for one term, was justice of the peace for sixteen years, was collector for one year, and for a quarter of a century has been school director. He and his wife are members of St. John's Lutheran church, in which he has served as trustee for seven years and as treasurer for four years. The church finds in him a devoted
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and helpful member and his fellow townsmien know him as one worthy of their respect and good will.
HENRY LEACH.
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the secrets and causation of success it will be found that earnest, persistent industry is the real basis of all advancement in the business world and the life record of Ilenry Leach, a lumber merchant of Joliet, is another exemplification of this fact. Born in Kendall county, Illinois, on the 13th of August. 1845, he is a son of Ilenry Leach, who was a native of England and who followed agricultural pursuits in Kendall county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1850. His widow, Mrs. Sarah Leach, survived until 1878.
IJenry Leach was only six years of age at the time of his father's demise. He acquired his early education in the public schools and afterward at- tended Fowler Institute in Newark, Kendall county, Illinois, until 1866, thus acquiring a good education, which well qualified him for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. Putting aside his text-books, he remained upon the home farm until his marriage on the 19th of January, 1869, when he settled upon a farm near Chatsworth in Liv- ingston county, Illinois, where he resided until 1875. In that year he removed to Gardner, Grundy county, this state, where he purchased land, continuing its cultivation for fourteen years and still retaining ownership of that property. In 1887 he established a lumberyard in Gardner. where he remained for three years and in 1890 removed to Joliet, where he continued in the same line of business, being today one of the leading lumber merchants of the city with a large and gratifying patronage.
The lady whom Mr. Leach wedded in 1869 bore the maiden name of Miss Iona C. Howland, who met her husband while they were students in Fowler Institute. They traveled life's journey happily together for a quarter of a century and were then separated by the death of Mrs. Leach on the 23d of January, 1894. On the 25th of June. 1896, Mr. Leach was again married, his
second union being with Delia Baldwin of Joliet. His children are Henry C. Leach, born November 21. 1869: Howard . E., April 20, 1871; Roy B., October 30, 1876; Arthur C., February 4, 1879; and Elmer S., July 28, 1884.
Mr. Leach is prominent in Masonic circles, be- longing to Matteson lodge, No. 175, A. F. & A. M .; Joliet chapter, No. 27. R. A. M .; and Joliet commandery. No. 4, K. T. He is likewise a member of the Commercial club. In community affairs he has been prominent and influential and his co-operation may always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. He held the office of supervisor in Grundy county and also in Will county and has been a member of the high school board since its organization. He is now president of the Silver Cross hospital, in which connection he is ably administering the affairs of an institution which is of the utmost value to the citizens of Joliet and surrounding districts. A gentleman of broad humanitarian principles and kindly spirit, of keen insight and unfaltering energy in business, in all life's rela- tions he displays firm purpose, unfalteringly sup- porting his honest convictions and winning the respect of his fellowmen by his well known fidelity.
BENJAMIN CRONEN.
Among the venerable citizens of Will county none are more deserving of mention in this volume than Benjamin (roxen, who has reached the age of four-score years and now resides in Peotone township. Ile was born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1826. His father, Benjamin Croxen. was a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife died in England. Mr. Croxen of this re- view had no school privileges and the success which he has won has come as the reward of his force of character and unfaltering determination in busi- ness affairs. He crossed the Atlantic to the Uni- ted States in 1850, loeating in Joliet, and as he had no capital he earned his living by working by the month on a farm. When he had saved from his earnings a sufficient sum of money to justify his purchase of land, he bought one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 30, Peotone town-
HENRY LEACH.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
ship. This was in 1854 and he has resided con- tinuously upon the farm, covering a period of more than a half century. Throughout his en- tire life he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and has prospered as the years have gone by.
Mr. Croxen had four children : Ida, at home; Sallie, the wife of George Bartlett; Ira, who is operating the home farm; and John, deceased. Ira married Jennie Berry, a daughter of George and Jane Berry, and they have four children, Gerald, James Temple, Eugene and George.
Benjamin Croxen of this review votes with the republican party, having been one of its stanch advocates since its organization. His son Ira is an independent republican. Mr. Croxen has led a life of activity and usefulness, developing a character which commands respect and is worthy of emulation, and now in the evening of life he receives the esteem and veneration which should ever be accorded to those who have traveled far on life's journey.
ROBERT E. HALEY.
Robert E. Haley, city attorney of Joliet, is the youngest incumbent who has ever occupied this position but his years seem to be no bar to his progress as a member of the legal fraternity and in the conduct of important cases he has displayed marked ability. Born in Joliet, March 5, 1879, he is a son of Patrick C. and Mary Anastasia (D'Arcy) Haley, the former a prominent at- torney of Chicago.
In the schools of his native city Robert E. Haley acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by professional training in the Uni- versity of Michigan. He studied law with his father for some time, doing much preparatory work in his office, and was graduated from the law department of the Michigan University in 1902. The same year he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court and entered at once upon the practice of his profession in Joliet, where he has since secured a gratifying clientage. In April, 1905, he was elected city attorney and has made a satisfactory record in the office. He is one of the youngest attorneys in Joliet and is the young-
est who has ever been elected to the position which he is now filling. Socially he is popular and he has various fraternal connections, affiliating with the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles the White Cross and the Commercial Club.
JOHN. F. HERBERT.
John F. Herbert, who is the owner of one hun- dred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land in Channahon township, was born in that town- ship, February 26, 1855, and is the only surviv- ing member of a family of three children whose parents were Patrick and Mary (Lonergan) Her- bert, both of whom were natives of County Lime- rick, Ireland. The father, who was born in 1826, died in the year 1858, while the mother, whose birth occurred in 1833, passed away in 1892. On coming to America they landed at Boston, Mass. achusetts, where the father worked for a time in a nail factory and then went to Weymouth, that state. He came to Channahon township, Will county, Illinois, in the early '40s, and began farm- ing on section 15, where he remained until his death. In 1864 his widow became the wife of Joseph Geary, who was also connected with agri- cultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death in 1895. There was one child by that marriage. Joseph C., who is now living in Chi- cago.
John F. Herbert was reared upon the home- stead farm, carly becoming familiar with the du- ties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- turist, and since attaining his majority he has made farming his life work. He was married January 17, 1881, to Miss Mary King, who was born September 26, 1851, in Wilmington town- ship, and died April 19, 1903. She was the sec- ond of the three children of Henry and Mary (Gleney) King, both of whom were natives of Ireland and came to Will county at an early day. They were connected with farming interests here. One daughter, Mrs. Thomas McCormick, is now living in Parsons, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Herbert were born six children, all of whom are living: Mary M., Gertrude E., Catherine, Thomas W., and Alice A. and Agnes H., twins.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Mr. Herbert of this review remained upon the home farm in Channahon township until 1880, when he removed to Kansas, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1895, when he returned to the old homestead, upon which he now resides. He owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of arable land, well improved, and bringing forth rich crops annually. He has served as school di- rector for the past nine years and at the present writing is assessor, to which office he has been elected four times successively. He has always been a democrat and is a man well liked through- out the community in which he has so long made his home.
GEORGE S. MILLER.
George S. Miller is one of the prominent rep- resentatives of the business life of Monee. He has varied interests there, being engaged in general merchandise, in buying and shipping grain and in banking as well, as cashier of the Eastern Will. County State Bank. He was born in Mattison, Cook county, Illinois, in 1865. His father, Simon Miller, was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and came to America with his parents when a youth of fourteen years. The family settled in Chicago and he became a member of Company 6, Volun- teer Fire Department, serving with Barrett and Sweenie, the latter afterward becoming chief of the Chicago fire department. After several years on the force Mr. Miller was advised to leave the city and settled at Richton and afterward at Mat- tison, where he turned his attention to general merchandising and the grain trade. Later he was engaged in the same line of business at Monee. He was a very successful business man and was wide- ly known throughout the county by reason of the extent of his operations, the excellent business qualifications which be displayed and the straight- forward methods which he followed in the conduct of his interests. Hle also figured in public life as a leader in local democratic circles. He served as supervisor for several years and was the last dem- ocratie chairman of the county board of super- visors. At one time he was the unsuccessful can- didate for the state legislature. Ile held mem- bership in the Reformed Lutheran church and
spent his last days in Chicago, where he died July 3, 1902, his remains then being interred in Monee.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Bepperling. She was born in New York, and is now living in Chicago, having accompanied her parents on their removal to that city at an early day. In fact Chicago was only a village at that time and among her playmates were the little Indian children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simon Miller were born three sons, who died in childhood, and a daughter, who is now Mrs. Holzapfel, a resident of Alhambra, California.
George S. Miller largely spent his boyhood days in Monee, where he pursued a common-school edu- cation. He also spent six months as a student in the Metropolitan Business College in Chicago. When twenty-two years of age he began business as a general merchant and still continues in this line, having now one of the largest and most com- plete stocks in the village. A liberal patronage is accorded him and he makes a close and earnest study of the demands of the public, so that he is able to meet any call that may be made by the general trade. He also owns an elevator and buys and sells grain. In 1893 he was one of the organ- izers of the Eastern Will County State Bank and from the beginning has been its cashier, while his father-in-law, John Kolstedt, has been president of this organization. This is one of the strongest banks in Will county with a capital stock of twen- ty-five thousand dollars and surplus of nine thous- and dollars. A general banking business is con- ducted and from the beginning the enterprise has been most successful. George Sonneborn is vice president and the officers are members of the board of directors, together with John Scheidt, of Rich- ton. Illinois; Phil Glaeser, of Richton; Fred Nagel, of Monee; Nicholas Fortmiller, of Mat- tison : Albert P. Lilley, of Peotone; and Henry J. Schluntz, of Joliet.
In 1891 was celebrated the marriage of George S. Miller and Miss Francilia Kolstedt, a daughter of John Kolstedt, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. They now have one son, Harold M. Their home is one of the finest residences of the village and its hospitality is most pleasing, being generous and warm hearted. Mr. Miller belongs to the Reformed Lutheran church. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and for two years he served as trustee of the village board,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
while for sixteen years he has been president of the village board. In this connection he has given most capable service, being especially interested in its growth and substantial improvement and working along modern business lines for its de- velopment and growth. He endorses all those in- terests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride and in political as well as business lines his efforts have been far-reaching and bene- ficial to Monee.
ARTHUR D. JACKSON.
Arthur D. Jackson, an extensive farmer and stock-breeder, owns and operates a well improved tract of three hundred and fifty-six acres, and in his pastures are seen high grades of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, this constituting a very important branch of his business. He is a native son of Will county, his birth having occurred in Florence township, November 2, 1857. His paternal grand- parents, Isaac and Hannah Jackson, were both natives of Nova Scotia, but were married in New York. Their union was blessed with six chil- dren but all are now deceased. They settled in Will county in the early '30s, where the grand- father took up a government claim, which he im- proved and in November, 1845, divided among his children. In addition to carrying on general farm- ing he was also a pioneer minister of his locality. He gave his political support to the whig party and was a very prominent man in his day, taking an active and helpful part in the agricultural as well as moral development of this section of the state, and Jackson township was named in honor of him. After a residence of almost a half century in this county, his death occurred August 12, 1875, when he had reached the venerable age of ninety years, four months and twenty-four days. His wife died February 2, 1856, when she had reached the age of sixty-six years.
Delancy M. Jackson, son of Isaac and Hannah Jackson, was born at Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, September 3, 1824, and was only a small boy when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Will county. He remained with his father dur- ing the period of his boyhood and youth, and in the division of the latter's landed possessions, a
farm on section 8, Florence township, fell to the lot of the son Delancy. He built a home on the farm and made many valuable and substantial improvements, hewing the lumber and shaving the shingles used in the construction of his house from timber which was cut on his land. This place now constitutes a portion of the farm oc- cupied by his son, whose name introduces this re- view. Mr. Jackson was one of the pioneers of Florence township, aiding in the development and progress of his home locality. He prospered in his work, for he followed practical methods in the cultivation of his crops. There were many in- conveniences to be borne, for Chicago was his nearest market and he had to haul his wheat and other farm products to that city, for this was prior to the era of railroad development. He became one of the large land-owners of Will county, having at the time of his death four hundred acres, which he divided among his five sons, giving to each an eighty-acre tract. He was married Feb- ruary 4, 1849, to Miss Harriet Gould, who was born in Syracuse, New York, December 18, 1830, and in early life removed with her parents to Ohio, whence in 1845 they removed to Will county, set- tling in Wesley township. Their family numbered six children, of whom three are deceased: Andrew M. and Aaron E., both of whom have passed away ; Albert J .. who wedded Electa Emery and makes his home in Coloma, Michigan ; Arthur D., of this review ; James I., who wedded Laura O. Wegnall, and resides in Grand Junction, Colorado; and Della, who died in infancy. The father of this family passed away July 19, 1879, at the age of fifty-six years, while his wife survived for many years, and died November, 1903, at the age of seventy-three. The father gave his political sup- port to the whig party and served continuously as school director from the time of the building of the first schoolhouse until the time of his death.
Arthur D. Jackson, the fourth son and fourth child born of the marriage of Delancy M. and Harriet (Gould) Jackson, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, early becoming familiar with the tasks and duties connected with agricultural pursuits. He acquired his education in the public schools near his father's home. He worked with his father until twenty-three years of age, when he started out upon an independent business ven- ture, following the pursuits to which he had been
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
reared. In 1885 he made a trip to South Dakota, where he entered a claim of government land, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres. After two years he again returned to Will county and conducted a meat market in Wilmington dur- ing the succeeding two years, when he returned to the old homestead in Florence township and again resumed farm work. As above stated, his father deeded him eighty acres of land on section 5, and he has since continued to make this his home. He has, however, added to his original holdings until today he is the owner of three hundred and fifty- six acres of well improved land, the greater part of which is under cultivation, while a portion is devoted to pasturage, for he is an extensive breeder and raiser of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. He makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep, breeding from one to two hundred head each year, while at the present time he has a drove of seven hundred. He also feeds from one to two carloads of cattle and the same number of hogs annually, which he ships to the Chicago markets. In connection with his brother-in-law, R. D. Corbin, he breeds high- grade Norman horses, and his stock-raising inter- ests claim much of his time and attention. In addition to his holdings in Will county and in South Dakota, he also made a trip in the spring of 1906 to Saskatchewan county, Canada, near Quill lakes, and purchased a half section of land, well adapted to the raising of wheat. He is a man of good business ability, capably managing his extensive farming and stock-raising interests, so that his labors are bringing to him very desir- able and gratifying returns, thus placing him in the front ranks of the leading citizens of this part of the state.
In 1897 Mr. Jackson established a home of his own by his marriage on the 12th of October of that year, to Miss Bernice Corbin, who was born in Florence township, .July 24, 1875, a daughter of Royal S. and Elizabeth (Jukes) Corbin, one of the prominent pioneer couples of Will county, further mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Royal D. Corbin on another page of this work. The only child of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Gladys Bernice, who was born November 30, 1899, died May 23, 1903.
Mr. Jackson's study of the current events of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the republican party, while his fraternal relations are
with the Modern Woodmen of America, belong- ing to camp No. 3318, at Elwood. The name of Jackson has been associated with the history of Will county through more than three-quarters of a century and is therefore a familiar as well as an honored one in this part of the state. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born and reared in Florence township, where they have spent their entire lives, so that they are widely and favorably known, while the hospitality of their pleasant home is freely extended to their many friends.
AUGUSTUS S. ALDERMAN.
Augustus S. Alderman, a prosperous and rep- resentative farmer of Dupage township, was born in Canada on the 4th of March, 1835, and is a son of George W. and Adeline (Sharp) Alder- man. Ile has one sister, Mrs. Romanzo Lynn, now a resident of Downer's Grove, Illinois. When two years of age he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Michigan City, Indiana, where the family resided for a short time and then went to Chicago, but after a brief residence in that place came to JJoliet. In 1841 they set- tled on a small farm in Dupage township, where our subject grew to manhood, his time and at- tention being largely devoted to agricultural pur- suits.
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