USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 42
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
had borne fruit through his absence of fifty years. The family returned by way of Liverpool and Montreal. The daughter kept a dairy while in Europe, to which the family often refer with in- terest, thus recalling to their minds events and incidents of their trip. Mr. Kraeft has also tray- eled quite extensively in his adopted country and is familiar with the western states.
Mr. and Mrs. Kraeft hold membership in the Crete Lutheran church and he is one of the di- rectors of the German school. He is also a mem- ber of the village board and a director of the Crete Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. Those who read between the lines will learn much of his early struggle to make a living and of his deter- mined purpose and unfaltering perseverance, which have characterized his entire life. He stands to- day a strong man, strong in his honor, his good name, and his success.
EDWARD VAN DUSER.
Edward Van Duser, engaged in farming on sec- tion 4, New Lenox township, was born in this township in 1856. His father, George Van Duser, was a native of the state of New York, born in 1817 and his death occurred in 1898, when he was nearly eighty-one years of age. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit through- ont the greater part of his life, although for a time he worked in the old "Red" mill. He came west- ward to Chicago in 1836, a year before the incor- poration of the city, and was associated with the early development and progress of this part of the state. In Will county he married Miss Elmina Mellen, who was born in Vermont in 1818 and died in 1893, her parents being Nathaniel and Achsah (Wheeler) Mellen. Mr. and Mrs. Van Duser favored the Universalist church. Mr. Van Duser gave his political allegiance to the democ- racy but never sought or desired office. The fam- ily numbered seven children. Emily is the widow of John Widney and resides upon a farm at White Willow, Kendall county, Illinois. Adelaide is de- ceased. Jerome is living near Sheffield, Iowa, and follows agricultural pursuits. Ida died at the age of twelve years. Gilbert is a farmer living near Fredonia, Kansas. Edward is the next
180
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
younger. Flora is the wife of Frank Gorham, a farmer lving near Dunlap, lowa.
Edward Van Duser, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the district schools and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, working on the farm as his age and strength increased until he became thoroughly familiar with every department of farm labor. He now lives upon the old homestead where his father located in 1840, and he is the owner of ninety-three acres of land, which is rich and productive. The farm is on section 4, New Lenox township, and there have been added to the place many modern and substantial improvements which make it an excellent property. Mr. Van Duser has been a member of the Grange and is in- terested in all that bears upon the subject of agricultural development. In politics he is inde- pendent, nor has he ever sought public office, for he feels that his time and energies can better be devoted to farm work.
WILLIAM D. BOUGHTON.
William D. Boughton, the present supervisor of Wheatland township, owns and operates a well im- proved farm of three hundred and sixty acres on sections 12 and 13, Wheatland township. A por- tion of the farm on which he now resides has been in possession of the Boughton family through three generations, it having been settled by the paternal grandfather of our subject, Orris Bonghton, who came to Will county from New York in 1842, bringing with him his family, consisting of wife, four sons and two daughters. He had traded for this property, whereon he made his home for many years, and both he and his wife died here. The only surviving member of his family is O. H. Boughton, who resides in Marion county, Illinois.
The father, Warren W. Boughton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orris Boughton, was born and reared in Genesee county, New York. He was married there to Miss Mary L. Scott, who was born in Geauga county, Ohio. They accompanied his father's family to Will county, where he built a log cabin on his farm on section 13, Wheatland town- ship. He died in 1850 while en route for Cali- fornia, his death occurring at Des Moines, Iowa.
He was accompanied on the trip by three brothers, who continued their journey to the Pacific coast. His widow survived for a long period and passed away in Will county in 1899, when she had reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years, although she was bright and active almost to the last.
William D. Boughton is one of two children born of his father's marriage, his brother being Newell J., who was born in Du Page township. Will county, in 1842. He served for three and a half years in the Civil war as a member of Bolton's Battery of Chicago. After returning from the war he divided his time between Buffalo, New York, and Will county, but died in the latter place in 1876, at the early age of thirty-four years. His wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Scarrett, and was a daughter of Perry Scarrett, who was at one time sheriff of Will county and was one of its carly residents. She afterward married again and now resides in Iowa.
William D. Boughton was born February 28, 1846, and reared in Wheatland township, receiv- ing a common-school education. He has always made farming his life work, and after his father's death inherited two hundred acres of land, which had been located by the grandfather, who gave to each of his sons two hundred acres, the old homestead farm falling to the lot of Warren W. Boughton, the father of our subject, this in turn being inherited by Mr. Boughton of this review. He has since added to his possessions and now owns three hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Boughton was united in marriage Decem- ber 22, 1869, to Miss E. J. Boardman, a daughter of Franklin Boardman. She was born in Wheat- land township, and has two brothers, George B. Boardman, who resides on the old homestead farm in this township, and Wilbur W. Boardman, of California. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boughton has been blessed with seven children ; Mina L., who is now the wife of Frank W. Eaton. a resident of DuPage township, and who has be- come the mother of two daughters, Lois and Alice ; Della M., the wife of George T. Patterson, also of DuPage township: Newell J., who is pursuing a course in mechanical engineering at Armour In- stitute, at Chicago: Wilbur W., who wedded Miss Florence Thompson, and resides on the home farm,
281
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
being a successful breeder of shorthorn cattle; Frank B., who is with his parents; David W., who is attending the Plainfield high school; and Reuben S., who is also attending school.
In his political views Mr. Boughton is a stanch republican and has taken a deep and active interest in local political affairs, having served as collector and road commissioner, and has also filled other township offices. In the spring of 1906 he was elected supervisor of Wheatland township and is discharging the duties in connection therewith in a most capable and efficient manner. He and his family hold membership with the Presbyterian church. The members of the family rank high in social circles and their own pleasant home is a favorite resort for their many friends.
JOSEPH STEPHEN.
Joseph Stephen, whose labor has been the meas- ure of his success, has for some years been num- bered among the prosperous residents of Joliet. Years ago he established a harnessmaking business on a small scale; today it is a prosperous and thriving enterprise. IIe is, moreover, vice presi- dent and director of the Will County National Bank and its general manager, so that he figures prominently in financial as well as manufacturing circles.
Mr. Stephen was born in Grassendorf, Alsace, France, February 17, 1837, and was nine years of age when he came to Joliet with his parents, John and Adelia (Huet) Stephen. His father was a farmer by occupation.
In the common schools of the little village of Joliet, Joseph Stephen acquired his education and at the age of fourteen years began learning the trade of harnessmaker, at which he here worked until 1857 when he went to Texas. There he followed his trade for three years, returning to Joliet in the fall of 1860. In February, 1861, he opened a small shop on Jefferson street. Three years later this shop was destroyed by fire, to- gether with all its contents, and he lost everything he had acquired. He possessed, however, resolute spirit and unfaltering perseverance, and after this disaster opened a small shop on South Joliet street, where he remained until he could rebuild on Jef-
ferson street. When the new building was com- pleted he returned to his old location which has since been his place of business and where he has met with marked success. His trade has developed with the growth of the city and has long since become an enterprise of importance. As the years have passed it has brought him prosperity that has enabled him to reach out to other fields of busi- ness and in financial circles he is well known as vice president, director and now manager of the Will County National Bank.
On the 12th of November, 1861, Mr. Stephen was married to Miss Antoinette Helmel, daughter of Ignatz and Maria Helmel, natives of Alsace, France. They now have five living children : Charlotte, wife of Charles Kaffer, of Atchison, Kansas; Oscar J .; Edmond R .; Dr. Herman E .; and Bertram H., all of Joliet.
Mr. Stephen, ever recognized as a valued citizen, has been called to many public offices. He has acted as trustee of schools for many years, has been city treasurer, assistant supervisor of his township and director of the public library. In politics he is a conservative republican and his worth in party councils is widely acknowledged, while his value in business circles and community affairs is a matter which none question.
WILLIAM KEOUGH.
Lockport has every reason to feel a debt of gratitude to William Keough, who as mayor wrought along lines of practical reform and prog- ress most beneficial to the city. He is a native son of Lockport and his life record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that "A prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for here he has so directed his labors as to win in large measure the public regard and confidence, enjoying the respect of all who care for law, order and commendable development.
Mr. Keough was born April 25, 1851, a son of Moses and Margaret Keough, and in the public schools he acquired his education. He afterward entered the employ of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Company as a laborer and has since been connected with the canal service in various capaci- ties. From 1868 until 1871 he was foreman of
782
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
the canal from Chicago to Morris and foreman of repair work from 1821 until 1881. In the latter year he became assistant superintendent from Chi- cago to Coppus creek and has since acted in that capacity.
In municipal service he has also made a most ereditable record. He served as mayor of Lock- port for two terms, being elected in 1892, and during his administration he secured the passage of an ordinance providing that concrete sidewalks should be used throughout the eity, the municipal government to meet half the expense and the prop- erty owners the other half. The passing and en- foreing of this ordinance has given to Lockport the best sidewalks of any town of its size in this country. He also cleaned up the city not only physically but morally, transporting a number of characters who were objectionable to any eity out- side the city limits, with instructions never to appear here again-and they have not done so. He was also instrumental in furnishing a supply of excellent water to Lockport and in fact his administration was characterized by many needed improvements. He worked in a practical way on these, being a man of action rather than of theory and securing results, the benefit of which all good citizens aeknowledge.
Mr. Keough was married, December 22, 1872. to Miss Mary Dougherty, of Loekport, a daughter of Daniel Dougherty. They have seven living children and have lost two. Those who still sur- vive are: John P., a machinist of Lockport ; Jos- eph, an electrician : May E., a stenographer at the courthouse ; Michael, who is with the Illinois Steel Company; Edward, Margaret and Kate, all at home.
In polities Mr. Keough is a stalwart republican and has many times served as a delegate to county and state conventions, his opinions carrying weight in the councils of the party. He has served as alderman three terms, during which time he was one of the leading spirits in establishing the elec- tric light system. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Elks lodge at Joliet, and to St. Dennis Catholic church. He is a man strong in his honest convietions and unfaltering in their support, and stands as a splendid representative of that type of manhood who labor for public progress and for righteousness in government, be- ing opposed to misrule in municipal affairs and
standing stanehly in support of all those interests which are a matter of eivie virtue and of eivie pride.
ELMER S. GRUNDY.
Elmer S. Grundy is connected with the develop- ment of the resources that nature has provided in this section of the state, being well known as a representative of the stone trade in Joliet. A native son of the city, he was born January ?, 1862, his parents being Ebenezer and Mary Ann Grundy, the former a professor of music. The father came from Sheffield, England, to the new world in his boyhood days and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania.
Reared in the city of his nativity, Elmer S. Grundy attended the public schools of Joliet and the Indiana State Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, for a short period. After putting aside his text-books he went to Texas, where he was employed at clerical work in a railroad office from 1881 until 1887 and a manager of a foundry and machine shop from 1887 until 1890. Hle then went to Denver, Colorado, and engaged in the lum- ber trade until the winter of 1891, after which he returned to Joliet and became actively inter- ested in the stone business, and he is now connected with the Joliet Pioneer Stone Company.
Mr. Grundy was married on the 3d of Septem- ber, 1901, in Joliet, to Miss Martha B. Mather, and they now have a son and daughter, Eben Mather and Jessie.
Mr. Grundy is a republican in his political affili- ation. He became a member of the county board of supervisors in 1901, and was elected tax col- lector in 1902. In 1904 he was elected a member of the eity board of school inspectors for a term of three years, and in 1903 was elected assessor for the township of Joliet, which office he now holds. Ile has also been supreme recorder of the supreme council, Order of the White Cross, from 1904 to the present time, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. He was a member of the state militia of Texas from 1884 until 1890, during which time he at- tained the rank of second lieutenant. In the eity of his birth, where much of his life has been
ELMER S. GRUNDY.
785
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
passed, the circle of his friends is almost co-exten- sive with the circle of his acquaintance, a fact indicative of a well spent and honorable life.
LEON McDONALD.
Leon McDonald, editor and publisher of the Lockport Phœnix and a recognized leader in re- publican ranks in his home locality and county, has through these two connections exercised an in- - fluence upon the public life and progress of the community that is far-reaching and beneficial. A native son of Will county, he was born in the township of New Lenox, November 2, 1860, a son of Jonathan S. McDonald, for some years connected with the banking business in Lockport. The family comes of Scotch ancestry as is indicated by the name. The first authentic record traces the record back to Michael McDonald, a seafaring man, who, crossing the Atlantic from the coun- try of hills and heather, made his way through Canada and began life in New England. On the 20th of June. 1766. Michael McDonald married Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, and their children were Asa and Betsey, the latter dying in early girlhood. Mr. McDonald took his family to Lockport near Syracuse, New York, and left them there while he went to sea. Tradition has it that he was drowned in Lake Ontario, and other stories con- cerning his whereabouts were circulated but noth- ing definitely was known.
After the father left, the support of the family devolved upon Asa McDonald, who, before he had attained his majority, served as drummer in a company raised to oppose the British at Niagara in the war of 1812. He afterward became promi- nent in the New York Militia as a captain and ex- pert musician. His business interests were varied until 1836, when, leaving Onondaga county, New York, he removed to Joliet. Will county, Illinois, and later to Five Mile Grove. while subsequently he purchased land and improved a farm on Spring creek in New Lenox township. Thus the family became established in Will county during the earliest epoch in its history. Asa McDonald mar- ried Olive Rudd at Syracuse and reared a family of six daughters and one son, namely: Rosanna E., Jane C., Jonathan S., Clarissa C., Harriet,
Lovina and Ellen. Although ostensibly a farmer, Asa McDonald employed his energies more in the cultivation and practice of music and was a leader in many public and social enterprises. His fame as a violinist is well remembered by those who at- tended his dances and the social gatherings of the neighborhood. He never aspired to political dis- tinction and died December 4, 1857, at the age of fifty-five years. his birth having occurred May 9, 1802. His wife, who was born September 23, 1805. died March 1, 1873.
Jonathan S. McDonald, their only son, was born at Liverpool, New York, April 17, 1829, and was a lad of seven summers when brought to Will county. In his youth he was largely occupied with the labor of the farm but he did not find that pur- snit congenial and availed himself of the oppor- tunity of teaching in a district school in the winter months. After the discovery of gold in California he made his way across the stretches of hot sand and through mountain passes in 1849, spending four years in the mining regions of that country, meeting with a fair measure of success in his search for the precious metal. He afterward spent two weeks as a student in the college at Oberlin, Ohio, and then relinquishing the idea of gaining further education he established a bank at Lock- port, which he conducted with success until the outbreak of the Civil war. All business was ren- dered somewhat precarious by the events of history at that time and Mr. McDonald suffered heavy losses. He then made his way to the newly dis- covered gold mines at California Gulch, Colorado, but returned in the following spring. In the meantime he was married, on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1857, to Miss Louisa Snoad, a daughter of Colonel George Snoad, a native of England. Fol- lowing his return from Colorado, Mr. McDonald recruited a company for the Civil war, which be- came a part of the One Hundredth Illinois In- fantry and which he commanded in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga and nu- inerous skirmishes. His meritorious conduct on the field won him promotion. At Stone River he was wounded with the result that his hearing was almost entirely destroyed. Following the war he served as a cashier in connection with a railroad business in Chicago and later returned to Will county, where he was connected with newspaper publications and with political interests until his
186
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
increasing deafness forced him to retire from those fields. The Highland Scotch are noted for a tendency to mysticism and "second sight" and this faculty seems to have developed in Mr. McDonald, who is now engaged in philosophical pursuits and has become noted in occult circles as author of sev- eral books on ancient magic and esoterie philoso- phy.
Leon McDonald, having acquired his elementary education in the schools of Lockport, became a stil- dent in the Wisconsin State University. He mas- tered the printer's trade in his father's office." serving in all capacities from the humblest to that of editor, and in 1880 he accepted a position on the reportorial staff of the Joliet News, while later he was city editor of the same paper. Ile left the News to engage with two others in the founding and publishing of the Joliet Daily Press, which proved an extraordinarily successful venture, while the original promoters remained in charge. In 1884 Mr. McDonald sold his interest and returned to Lockport, where he assumed control of the pub- lieation of the Lockport Phoenix, which he still owns and publishes, making it an effective factor for the promotion of community interests in the city, and at the same time an element in repub- lican politics in Will county.
Mr. McDonald has ever been a stalwart cham- pion of republican principles and for more than two decades has been a member of the republican central committee and for a long period at the head of its executive committee. His fellow lownsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office, and for two terms he has been president of the village council. ex- ercising his official prerogatives in support of many measures which have proven of direct benefit to the city. It was during his second term that Lockport's excellent system of waterworks was built. In 1897 he was appointed general superin- tendent of the Illinois & Michigan canal, which position he still fills, and during which period the canal passed through some of the most critical ex- periences of its existence. The authorities of the sanitary district of Chicago avowedly sought to destroy it and acquire valuable rights belonging to the state made under the care and control of the canal officers. The contest that ensued both from an engineering and legal standpoint was a huge one and most bitterly fought. It resulted, how-
ever, in a victory for the canal people on every point and saved to the state property and rights worth several millions of dollars. For the part he had in achieving this result. Mr. MeDonald won and received much credit.
On the 21st of September, 1898, Leon Mc- Donald was married to Clara Augusta Rudd, a daughter of Charles H. and Esther (Leonard) Rudd. She was born April 26, 1875, and is a graduate of Oberlin (Ohio) College, having for- merly been a resident of that place. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have two sons and two daughters. Louise E., born July 13, 1899; Esther L., born January 11, 1901 : Donald A., born October 14. 1902 : and Leon E., Jr .. born January 13, 1906.
The fact that Mr. McDonald is connected with one of the oldest pioneer families of the county would entitle Leon MeDonald to mention in this volume even if he had not been a factor in the business and political life of Lockport and of Will county. His activity in these relations, however, have had direct bearing upon the city and county of his residence and that he acts from public- spirited and patriotic motives is indicated by the results which he has accomplished for the general good in various ways.
CHARLES MANNING FISH.
Charles Manning Fish, engaged in the real- estate business in Joliet, his native city, was born August 1, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Mary V. ( Manning) Fish. He is a representative of one of the oldest American families of English lineage. The ancestry can be traced back to Thomas Fish, of Warwick, Wedgenoek Park, Warwickshire, Eng- land, where he was living as late as 1649. His son, Nathanial, was born in England in 1618 and, coming to America among the earliest settlers of Massachusetts, located in Lynn. In 1637 he made a permanent location at Sandwich on Cape C'od, Massachusetts, where he died in 1693. The line of descent is brought down through Thomas Fish, who was a resident of Duxbury, Massa- chusetts. Nathaniel Fish (two), who was born in Stonington, Connectient, April 11, 1713; Na- thaniel Fish ( three), who was born in Stoning- ton, Connecticut, February 6, 1774; Calvin B.
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Fish, whose birth occurred in Norwich, Connecti- ent. December 15, 1779. IIe was the grandfather of Charles Manning Fish and was the first of the family to come to the west. In Lyme, Connecticut, he was married January 1, 1804, to Miss Clarissa Sterling, whose birth occurred in Lyme. Connecti- cut, July 18, 1980. She was a daughter of Cap- tain William and Jemima (Sill) Sterling. As stated, Calvin B. Fish was the first of the family to leave New England and his death occurred in Rutland, New York, in December, 1830.
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.