USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 45
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
of Wayne county, New York; William, who fol- lows farming near Baldwinsville, that state: and Catherine, the widow of Thomas O'Brien, who makes her home on a farm near Baldwinsville. The mother of these children was a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mrs. Burch, as stated, was only six years of age when she lost her mother, after which she re- mained with her father during the period of her girlhood, and she acquired her education in the schools of Baldwinsville. She remained with her father until eighteen years, after which she spent some time visiting with her sister Mary and an aunt. At the age of twenty-one she joined her sister in Illinois, who had preceded her a year and was employed in Will county as house- keeper by Jacob Burch, to whom Elizabeth was married January 29, 1861. He was then a widow- er, his first wife having been Ann Lanfear, who died in 1858. He was born in Washington coun- ty, New York, in 1817. a son of Abraham and Phoebe Burch, who were farming people of the Empire state, and there the father passed away. After his death the mother brought her family to Illinois, their home being established in Will county, where she remained for some time but finally returned to New York, where her death occurred.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Burch located on a farm on section 29, Homer town- ship. and here he followed general agricultural pursuits for many years, and acquired a valuable property, comprising two hundred acres which is now in possession of his widow. He was a repub- lican in his political views, but while he gave stanch support to the party he was never active as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private business inter- ests, in which he met with gratifying success. Mr. Burch was called from this life January 29, 1896. when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years, and thus Will county lost one of its honorable and highly respected pioneer residents.
By her marriage Mrs. Burch has become the mother of four children, three of whom died in infancy. The only survivor is Henry, who resides on the home farm, which he operates. He married Hattie Garden, a native of Scotland, in which country she remained until she reached the age of eleven years, when she accompanied her parents.
803
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Robert and Margaret Garden, to the United States. Her father was a blacksmith by trade and fol- lowed that occupation in the old country but after taking up his abode in Illinois, he established his home first in Frankfort, Will county and after- ward located on a farm in Homer township, where the daughter met and married Henry Burch. Mr. Garden passed away in this county, November 13, 1884, when he had reached the age of fifty-eight years, while his widow survived until July 10, 1894. when she, too, was called to her final rest, having reached the age of sixty-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burch have been born three sons and three daughters, namely: Elizabeth, who graduated from the Lockport high school in June, 1906 ; Mary Irene, who is now in her second year in the high school at Lockport ; Margaret B., Ralph H., and Harvey Reed, all of whom are students in the district schools : and Robert G.
Mrs. Burch is a devoted member of the Congre- gational church, in which she takes an active and helpful interest, and she is also identified with the Ladies Missionary Society, a church organization. She is an estimable lady, and although she has now reached the age of sixty-seven years, she is still active and takes a deep interest in church and social duties. She possesses many excellent traits of heart and mind, which have endeared her to a host of warm friends, among whom she is popu- lar.
GEORGE SONNEBORN.
George Sonneborn, vice president and director of the Eastern Will County State Bank at Monee, figures prominently not alone in financial circles but also as a representative and progressive citi- zen who has been honored by his fellow townsmen with the offices of village president and trustec. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1853. His father, George Sonneborn, was a native of Ballenborg, Germany, born in 1816, and he died in 1892 at the age of seventy-six years. He came to the United States in 1850 and located in Balti- more, Maryland. He was a tailor by trade and re- mained in Baltimore until 1861. when he removed with his family to Monee township, Will county, Illinois, making his home for a brief period with
his wife's people. He afterward spent six years in Cook county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade and also clerked in a store. In 1867 the family returned to Monee, where the father invested in village property. He established a clothing and tailoring business, being the pioneer in that line in Monee, and he continued in the successful man- agement of the enterprise up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1892. He was a good business man of sound judgment who prospered in his undertakings and followed methods which commended him to the confidence and trust of all. He was conservative and made no purchase except when able to pay cash. He held membership in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he was one of the trustees, and when in Baltimore he was a Redman. IIis political allegiance was given to the democracy and he filled the office of trustee in his village. Ile was a man held in the highest esteem, possessed a charitable, benevolent spirit and gave generously according to his means. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katherine Bischel, was born in Schwarznau in the province of Westphalia, Germany, in 1823, and died in 1904. She came to Baltimore in 1851 from Ger- many and was married the same year, having known her husband while they were still residents of the fatherland. She was also a member of the German Evangelical church. Their family mim- bered two children, George, and John B., who was born in Baltimore, September 15, 1855. He is now a member of the firm of G. Sonneborn Sons. He married Emma, daughter of John and Magdalena Kolstedt, and they have one child, Leola.
The sons attended school in Monce and in 1868 George Sonneborn entered the postoffice as a clerk. there remaining until 1821. At that time he he- came employed in a general store in Chicago, where he continued until the fall of 1877. He then returned to Monce and took charge of his father's business, admitting E. R. Freese as a part- ner in the conduct of the grocery store. Mr. Freese remained in the firm for twelve years. The brother, John Sonneborn, returned from Chicago, where he had been engaged in clerking for eight years and entered the store, being still a member of the firm. Both of the sons are stockholders in the Eastern Will County State Bank, of which George Sonneborn is vice president and a director. His name is well known in commercial and finan-
804
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
cial circles and the firm of Sonneborn is doing an extensive and growing business as dealers in gro- ceries in this place.
On the 9th of December, 1877. Mr. Sonneborn was married to Miss Charlotte Bischel, who was born in Germany in 1860 and is a daughter of Henry and Charlotte (Shilling ) Bischel, who were early settlers of Monee township. Unto Mi. and Mrs. Sonneborn were born seven children: Lydia, the wife of Ewalt Loehr, a machinist of Milwau- kee, by whom she has two children ; George, Oscar and Arthur, all now deceased: Henry, who is studying for the ministry in a college at Elm- hurst, Illinois : Roscoe at school; and George.
Mr. Sonneborn is a member of St. Paul's Evan- gelical church, as is his brother and his wife. Mr. Sonneborn is well known as a stalwart advocate of the Odd Fellows society, in which he has filled all of the chairs and has been secretary for the last twenty-five years. His political support is given to the republican party and he has been both presi- dent and trustee of the village and has been treasurer for many terms. He is also a trustee and treasurer of the church and his efforts in behalf of public progress have been far reaching and beneficial.
FREDERICK J. SCHROEDER.
Frederick J. Schroeder, who throughout his bus- iness career has been connected with the mercan- tile interests of Peotone, is now at the head of one of the leading commercial establishments as a member of the firm of Schroeder Brothers. He was born is Monee, Will county, in 1863, and comes of German lineage.
Ilis father, Frederick Schroeder, was a native of Germany, and in 1855 came to the United States, locating at Cottage Hill, now Elmhurst, Illinois, where he remained for six months. He then removed to Monce, where he conducted a blacksmith shop until 1865, and in the following year he bought a farm in Green Garden township, residing thereon for six months, but a hailstorm ruined his crop and he removed to Peotone, where he again engaged in blacksmithing for a time. He afterward opened a mercantile establishment in which he continued for thirty years, being one of
the leading merchants of the town, his interests proving an important element in the commercial development of the village. He also built two elevators and dealt largely in grain. He was a man of good business judgment, readily recogniz- ing and improving opportunities and so utilizing the advantages that came to him that he worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence and prosperity. He also traded quite extensively in real estate and his property negotiations materially increased his income. II3 was also a most liberal and open-hearted man and rendered most valuable assistance to his fellow countrymen who came to the new world. Many of the German-American citizens of this locality who are now prosperous owe their start in life to him. He was a member of the German Lutheran church for many years and in later life joined the Evangelical Association. He contributed most generously to the support of the church, served as class leader for fifteen years, and filled most of the other offices of the church. His fraternal relation was with the Masons, and in his political affilia- tion he was a republican. He served as supervisor of Peotone township, being elected by both demo- erats and republicans, and he was also a member of the village board and was appointed postmaster in 1862, under President Andrew Johnson, yet he was never an aspirant for political honors and emoluments. He died September 21, 1899, wher. he had reached the age of sixty-four years and in his demise Peotone lost one of its most valuable. honorable and honored citizens.
In early manhood he had wedded Elizabeth Con- rad. who was also a native of Germany, and who came to the United States in 1858 with her mother, locating in Elmhurst. She is now living in Peotone, at the age of sixty-seven years, and is a member of the United Evangelical church, to which Mr. Schroeder also belonged at the time of his death. Their family numbered eleven chil- dren, eight of whom reached adult life. the oldest being Frederick J. The second son. Henry 11 .. in partnership with his brother Frederick, has charge of their bianch store at Kankakee, where they are dealing in music and musical instru- ments, this being one of the largest concerns in Illinois outside of Chicago. The brothers, Fred- erick and Henry, are also half owners of the Bank of Peotone and are heavy stockholders in
FREDERICK SCHROEDER.
807
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
the Poultry Publishing Company, of Peotone. William, the third son of the family, is traveling for a wholesale grocery house of Chicago. August M. is in the store at Peotone, being a partner in the concern. Caroline is the wife of John H. Stassen, a merchant of Peotone. Ida is the widow of Dr. John Bell Howe, who was engaged in practicing medicine and surgery in Peotone. Elizabeth is the wife of Frank Gross, manager of the Poultry Publishing Company. Josephine is the wife of Merle Taylor, a merchant at Mount Valley, Kansas.
Frederick J. Schroeder pursued his early edu- cation in the Peotone schools and his business course in Naperville Academy. When twelve years of age he entered his father's store and has since been connected with the business, acting as a clerk until twenty-four years of age, when he was admitted to a partnership and has since been a member of the firm. For some time the busi- ness was conducted under the style of Schroeder Brothers & Yung but is now Schroeder Brothers. They occupy a two-story brick building, which was crected by their father and themselves and which is one hundred and ten feet in length on second street with a frontage of fifty feet on Main street, and a floor space of sixty-two hun- dred and fifty square feet. They occupy the entire building, one room being utilized by the Bank of Peotone, in which they have a half interest. In the store they use the first floor for dry goods and groceries and on the second floor carry cloth- ing. men's furnishing goods, crockery and other merchandise.
In 1887 Mr. Schroeder was married to Miss Emma Bollman, who was born in Kankakee in 1861 and is a daughter of Charles and Mary Bollman, natives of Germany. On coming to America they settled in Illinois, the father be- coming a pioneer merchant of Kankakee county. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have a comfortable home, characterized by its warm-hearted and liberal hos- pitality. They are members of the United Evan- gelical church and for twelve years Mr. Schroeder served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp, and in politics is a republican. When twenty-one years of age he served as village trustee but has never been active in political circles, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his
business affairs, in which he has met with excel- lent success. Tireless energy, keen perception and a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time-these are numbered among the >alient characteristics of Schroeder Brothers.
CHARLES W. FINCH.
Charles W. Finch, although never a resident of Lockport, was well known in business circles in northern Illinois, and his family following his death removed to this city, where Mrs. Finch still resides. Mr. Finch was born March 31, 1824, in New York, and was there educated. Removing to the middle west in 1842, he first settled at St. Charles, Illinois. He was a tailor by trade, but on account of ill health he learned the drug busi- ness and spent his life in that line. On removing from St. Charles to Batavia, Illinois, he estab- lished a drug store, which he conducted through- out his remaining days, being one of the leading merchants of that place in the middle of the nineteenth century. He was reliable and enter- prising in business and made the best possible use of his opportunities. In his fraternal relations he was an Odd Fellow and both he and his wife were Universalists in religious faith.
On the 1st of December, 1850, Mr. Finch was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. Hawley, a daughter of Lyman and Althea Hawley, of Lock- port, who came to this place in 1835. The father was a farmer by occupation and died at the age of sixty-one years. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Finch covered abont seven years and was terminated by the death of the former on the 10th of November. 1857.
Soon after Mrs. Finch removed to Lockport, where she has since lived. She lost three children in infancy and has two living daughters, Annah B., who has been a teacher in the public schools of Lockport for the past quarter of a century; and Cornelia, who became the wife of Zachariah W. Lynk, a farmer, who died June 9, 1904. They were the parents of three children, Mabelie A., Howard S. and Elsa E. It was on the 25th of Jannary, 1882, that Cornelia Finch gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Lynk, who was born in New
808
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
Lenox township, a son of Stanton and Isabel (Doig) Lynk, the former also an agriculturist. Following their marriage they removed to Bel- mont. lowa. where Mr. Lynk carried on general farming until 1884, when they went to Nebraska. where he conducted a farm and general store for six years. They sold their business there in 1895 and went to Laporte, Texas, where Mr. Lynk en- tered the field of business, conducting the same until his death, since which time the business has been ably carried on by Mrs. Lynk and her son. Mrs. Finch is well known in Lockport, where her early girlhood was passed, and in fact where she has spent the greater part of her life, having many friends here who hold her in warm esteem.
JOHN J. FENTON.
John J. Fenton, well known in railroad circles in Joliet, is well known as a representative of an intelligent, industrial population that has con- tributed so largely to the progress and develop- ment of the city. He was born at Bureau June- fion, Bureau county, Illinois, on the 24th of August. 1863. His parents, Patrick and Margaret (Flaherty ) Fenton, were among the early settlers of that county, coming to America from County Kerry, Ireland, which was the birthplace of O'Con- nell, the liberator. The family numbered seven sons and two daughters.
Like the other sons of his father's household John J. Fenton acquired his education in the public schools of his native county, and in 1887, when twenty-four years of age, he came to Joliet. He had already become known in railroad circles as a leader among the workers on the tracks, hav- ing been appointed foreman of the construction gang before he was twenty-one years of age. His qualifications and trustworthiness were not only known to the men working under his direction but also to the officials of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, who have shown their apprecia- tion of his capable and loyal service by retaining him along that portion of the road where there is much traffic and where vigilant and ceaseless in- spection must be maintained for safeguarding the public safety and the interests of the shippers.
On the 4th of April, 1894. Mr. Fenton was mar- ried to Miss Maria L. McCraney, a daughter of John and Catherine MeCraney, early settlers of the county, who through honest and untiring effort succeeded in accumulating considerable real estate. They also reared a family of six sons and four daughters, who have been a credit to their name. Mr. MeCraney lost his life on the railway, but he had made good provision for his family, so that his widow was enabled to maintain the home and keep her children together, giving them good edu- cational privileges and thus providing for their future welfare. Mr. Fenton, the father of our subject, had also done well for his family, and his widow and one of her daughters still occupies the old homestead. Recently the family have been grieved by the death of a brother, Patrick Fenton, a printer, who was not only a favorite in the family eircle but also among his trade associates. who admired him for his many good qualities and faithful comradeship.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fenton have been born five children : James Patrick, twelve years of age : Esther Maria, ten years of age; Marguerite Agnes. aged eight ; Raymond Joseph, a little lad of three summers ; and John Daniel, who died April 26. 1902. aged five months. Mr. Fenton and his family attend the St. Mary's Catholic church, of which he is a communicant, and he is also asso- ciated with the benevolent societies connected therewith. In questions of state and national politics he is a democrat and always votes the straight ticket but he says he has no time to discuss or take part in local politics and leaves this to the local leaders, believing that they are all as deeply interested as he is in a great Joliet.
JOHN THORNTON.
John Thornton, now deceased, was numbered among the honored pioneers of Will county, where he was well known for his honesty and upright dealing in all his transactions with his fellowmen. Mr. Thornton was born in Cales, Meath county, Ireland, December 23, 1816, and his death oc- curred in Wilmington, March 27, 1898, when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty-two years. He was roared and educated in his native
809
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
country where he also learned the trade of a stone- mason, and there he remained until he had reached the age of thirty years, when, thinking to better his financial condition in the new world, in 1846 he crossed the Atlantic in a sailing ship from Liverpool, being seven weeks in making the voyage. Soon after his arrival on American shores he entered the service of the United States govern- ment at West Point, where he continued for some time. Wishing, however, to resume work at his trade, he made his way westward to Illinois in 1856, for this was at that time a new and rapidly developing country and much work was to be had in his line. He located at Wilmington, where for a time he worked at his trade of a stone-mason, while later he entered the employ of the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago Railroad Company. now the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, being thus engaged for two decades.
It was during Mr. Thornton's residence in the east that he was united in marriage to Bridget Burns. She was likewise a native of the Emerald isle, her birth having occurred in Sligo, County Roscommon, in 1824, and it was 1847, in Cold Springs, New York, that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Thornton. She preceded her hus- band to the home beyond her death having oc- curred in Wilmington, December 19, 1829, when she was fifty-five years of age. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, of whom six still survive, namely: Mary A., the wife of Michael Brennan a resident of Braidwood, Ilinois; James, Joseph. Catherine and Margaret, all residing in Wilmington : and Nellie M., the wife of Thomas Fitzpatrick, a resident of Minnesota.
Mr. Thornton was a Jacksonian democrat, stai- wart in his support of that party, while he was a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He was a man highly honored and respected in the community and was a trusted employe of the cor- poration which he so long represented. As a pioneer settler of Will county he was interested in the growth and development of his home local- ity and gave his loyal support to every movement and measure that was calculated to advanee the in- terests of his community.
The sons and daughters who now reside in Wil- mington, occupy a beautiful home on one of the most attractive spots of this part of the state. situated on the banks of the Kankakee river.
Their residence is surrounded by five acres of ground and fine oak trees, and during the summer months this is a most inviting place for people who wish to leave the city to enjoy a period of rest and recreation.
CAPTAIN EDWARD MCALLISTER.
Captain Edward McAllister, deceased, was one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and a prominent representative of the farming interests of Will county. Widely known and highly re- spected, he commanded the confidence and trust of all with whom he came in contaet and he left the impress of his individuality not only upon the agricultural development of his locality but also upon political service and the work of different military organizations.
Captain Mc Allister was born in Salem, New York, December 24, 1828, in the house which had been built by his grandfather in 1785. He was descended from Scotch ancestry, the family having been founded in America by three brothers of the name who came from Scotland, one settling in New York another in Philadelphia and a third in Pelham, Massachusetts. The last mentioned was the Hon. Hamilton Mc Allister, who removed to Salem New York, in 1760, when all of Washington county was a wilderness and the surrounding coun- try was sparsely settled. The nearest mill was at Albany, forty-five miles distant, and on more than one occasion his wife Sarah rode on horseback to the mill with a sack of wheat. returning with the four. Hamilton McAllister was the first repre- sentative ever elected from Washington county to the state legislature. In those days the men were obliged to pay their own expenses and it was his custom to take with him to Albany enough butter to pay his board. He was one of the first sheriffs of Washington county and his political allegiance was given to the whig party.
William McAllister, the youngest son of Hamil- ton McAllister, was born in Salem, New York, and while engaged in lumbering he accidentally injured his foot, so that he was unable to join his two brothers in their service as soldiers in the war of 1812. He assisted in clearing the home place, which was covered with a growth of pine trees and from the stumps he built a fence which
810
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
is still seen upon the farm. In his later years he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead property and thereon he spent his re- maining days, greatly improving the farm by the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. His political support was given to the democracy and he was a stanch advocate of the Scotch Presby- terian faith and for many years served as a trustee in his church. When General Burgoyne passed through on his way to Bennington he used that church edifice as a barracks and afterward burned it. On two other occasions the church was burned to the ground and each time the McAllisters as- sisted liberally in rebuilding. In early manhood William McAllister was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Shoudler. a daughter of Andrew Shoud- ler, a representative of one of the old llolland families of New York, while her mother was of English lineage. Five children born of this union reached adult age, namely: Archibald, now de- ceased, who was for years a successful farmer of Will county and spent his last days in Chicago: William K., who was a judge on the supreme bench of Illinois from 1820 until 1873 and later was judge of the circuit court of Cook county, while at the time of his death he was serving on the appellate bench : Mrs. Catherine Walker, a resi- dent of Salem, New York ; Edward, of this review : and Jesse, who engaged in the wool and commis- sion business in Chicago and was killed in a col- lision on the Panhandle Raihoad.
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.