USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 49
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· whose efforts are guided by sound judgment. He was an active member of the Crete Lutheran church and one of the organizers of St. John's church in Crete township. In the community he was known as a good neighbor and in his family circle was a devoted husband and father, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children. His early political al- legiance was given the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new repub- lican party in 1856 and remained one of its faith- ful supporters until his death, which occurred in 1871 in his sixtieth year. His wife passed away in 1900 in her sixty-sixth year. She came from Germany with her brothers, Conrad and Otto Behrens, who settled in Crete township, and her sister, Sophie Behrens, who afterward became the wife of Henry Wiebruk, who settled in Monee township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartman were born the following children: Henry, who is now a merchant in Chicago Heights : John, a farmer in Iroquois county; William C .: August. a farmer in Crete township; Marian, the wife of Henry W. Ohlendorf, who follows farming in Crete township; and Sophia, the wife of T. C. Tatge, of Crete township.
William C. Hartman was reared upon his father's farm in Crete township and attended the district schools in the days of his boyhood and youth. He remained upon the old homestead and assisted in its further development and improve- ment until 1885, when he opened a general store in Bemis, in which business he is now engaged. He carries a good line of general merchandise and has a liberal patronage. In 1901 he was appointed postmaster of Bemis and filled that position until 1907, when the office was discontinued and the rural route system was established to cover that territory. In connection with his mercantile in- terests Mr. Hartman owns a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 25, Crete township, and this property yields to him a desir- able revenue.
In 1885 Mr. Hartman was married to Miss Mary Saller, daughter of Conrad and Sophia Saller, natives of Germany who cast in their lot with the early residents of Crete township, where their daughter Mrs. Hartman was born in 1864. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children : Alice, wife of William Behrens, of Crete
township; Frank and Fred, who are attending school ; Helen, LeRoy and Raymond, who are all at home.
The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church and Mr. Hartman exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party. He has been town collector and justice of the peace, and the duties of these offices have been promptly and faithfully discharged. He is known as a man of good business qualifications, honorable princi- ples and throughout his entire life has been a resi- dent of Will county and one who has ever enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
FERRIS EDWIN GAINES.
Ferris Edwin Gaines, who is carrying on agri- cultural pursuits and also conducts an abstract business, was born in Crete, in 1873, and still makes his home in that town. His father, Horatio N. Gaines, was born in Vermont and on removing to the west settled in Crete township. He first worked by the day and in 1877 purchased the Henry Hauer farm, adjoining the village of Crete, on sections 8-9, Crete township. The place com- prised one hundred and seven acres and is now the residence of Ferris Edwin Gaines. The father carefully conducted his farming interests and also engaged quite extensively in the raising and sale of stock and was a breeder of thoroughbred trot- ting horses, making a specialty of IIambletonians. He was a lover of fine horses and was seldom, if ever, at error in his judgment of one. He be- came well-to-do and his business life was at all times strictly honorable and upright. Though he did not belong to any church he regularly attended services and contributed to the support thereof. In politics he was an earnest republican. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ann Adams, was born in Illinois, and they became the parents of two children of whom Walter Lee, now pursuing an agricultural course in the State Uni- versity at Champaign, is the younger. The father died in 1887. at the age of forty-seven years, but the mother is still living at the age of sixty-two years. making her home with her older son, Ferris E. Gaines.
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L'pon the home faim on which he now lives and which adjoins the village of Crete, Mr. F. E. Gaines was reared and still continues in the occu- pation of farming, with which he became familiar after practical experience in his boyhood days. In the management of the property he displays good discernment and unfaltering energy and the farm is bringing to him goodly returns in bounteous harvests. Also he has a knowledge of abstracting titles of estates, having served for one year in the O'Connor abstract office in Joliet. He makes a business of making abstracts of titles and also does an insurance business and general conveyancing. He is likewise a notary public and places many loans, his efforts thus extending into the abstract, loan and insurance business as well as engaged in agricultural lines.
On the 20th of June, 1906, Mr. Gaines was married to Lillie D. Cook, who was born in Kan- kakee county, Illinois, in July, 1880, daughter of Thomas and Margaret E. Cook, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. Her father and mother came with their respective par- ents to Illinois, the Cook family establishing their home in Crete, while the mother's people settled in Plainfield. Mrs. Gaines is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gaines is a re- publican and in 1906 was elected township clerk. He is a young man possessing a spirit of enterprise and laudable ambition which prompts him to great- er success and larger achievements.
GEORGE F. S. BAKER.
George F. S. Baker, deceased, was for many years a resident of Will county and was classed with its most progressive and prominent farmers and stock-raisers. In 1879 he introduced into this part of the state the first pure bred Here- ford cattle and in the conduet of his business interests he did much to improve the grade of stock raised, thus contributing directly to the material prosperity of the county. Moreover, in all his business transactions his methods were so honorable and his principles so straightforward that he commanded the confidence and esteem of all. and in business as well as in social relations he won many friends.
A native son of Will county, Mr. Baker was born February 6, 1858. His father, George Ba- ker, was a native of Watertown, New York, and when a young man came to Illinois, which was then a frontier district. He first settled in Monee township, Will county, where he lived until 1857, when he removed to Crete township, where he pur- chased a farm, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1861. On the 25th of December, 1849, he married Jeannette Goodenow, a member of one of the early pioneer families of Crete township. Following her husband's demise she removed to Galesburg, Illinois, where she lived for several years, and her death occurred in Crete April 16, 1891.
George F. S. Baker was one of a family of four children, but the others all died in infancy. His boyhood days were spent in Galesburg and he was provided with liberal educational advantages, being a graduate of Knox College and of Lom- bard University, of that city. After completing his education he returned to the farm with his mother and engaged in the tilling of the soil, making the place a splendidly improved property, to which he added all modern equipments and accessories, such as are found upon model farms of the present day. He gave considerable atten- tion to stock-raising and in 1879 introduced into this part of the state the first pure bred Here- ford cattle. Soon after this he admitted H. J. Fluck, a native of Herefordshire, England, and an expert in raising Hereford cattle, to a partner- ship in the business and the connection was con- tinued until the death of Mr. Baker, since which time Mr. Fluck has remained in charge of the business.
On the 24th of November, 1886, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Hewes, a native of Crete, Illinois, and a daughter of Daniel Hewes. Theirs was a most happy married life and their union was blessed with two children: George W., a young man of nineteen years, who has spent two years in the high school at Chicago Heights and a short term at Valparaiso, Indiana, and is now contemplating entering college: and Alice, who will graduate from the Chicago Heights high school in June, 1907. Mrs. Baker and her chil- dren reside upon the farm, which is also the home of Mr. Fluck, who manages the business interests. The place is known as the Oakland Stock farm
GEORGE F. S. BAKER.
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and shows yet many evidences of the care and supervision of Mr. Baker, who died April 10, 1891. Few men in this part of the state have done as much to improve the stock-raising interests and his herd of Herefords became famous. Aside from business, he was widely and favorably known in the county of his nativity as a man of genuine personal worth, highly esteemed by many friends, while in his family he was a most devoted husband and father.
Mrs. Baker still resides upon the home farm and has valuable real-estate and stock-raising in- terests. She has spent her entire life in this county and the hospitality of her beautiful home is greatly enjoyed by her many friends.
HENRY JOHN FLUCK.
Henry John Fluck, bearing an international reputation as a fine stock producer and exhibitor, is a native of Hereford, England, born May 21, 1862, his parents being John and Emily (Gardi- ner) Fluck. The father was, with one exception, the youngest son in a family of eighteen children. His father, Thomas Fluck, was one of the most prominent cattle breeders and fine stock-raisers in England, excelling in the breeding of Hereford cattle and Shire horses. He died at the age of sixty-three years, while his wife survived to the advanced age of eighty-five years. Their son, Jolın Fluck, was a merchant of Hereford, England. His wife, Mrs. Emily Fluck, died when their son Hen- ry J. was between five and six years of age.
Henry J. Fluck acquired a grammar-school education in Hereford, England. He was reared upon a farm by his uncle and aunt and his tastes naturally drifted into agricultural lines. When his school days were over and he had arrived at the age when boys naturally think of the future. he was on a sunny afternoon pondering the ques- tion as to what he should do and where he should make his home, and before the sun had gone down he decided to leave England and come to Amer- ica.
Accordingly, on the 6th of September. 1880, he left Liverpool and in due course of time reached Illinois. He obtained a position with a very prominent Chicago business man to manage his
fine herd of Hereford cattle, which he did with great success both for his employer and himself. Ile won many coveted prizes in exhibiting the fine stock against the strongest competition in the country in all the leading shows. After a period of three or four years he entered into a more lucra- tive position with another Chicago merchant, and later, severing the connection with him, Mr. Fluck allied his interests, in 1891, with G. F. Baker, of the Oakland Stock farm, at Goodenow, Illinois. His connection with the breeding, raising, im- porting and exhibiting of pedigreed cattle is un- surpassed and has won him world-wide fame. To mention the numerous champion prizes over all breeds of cattle that he has won at the leading expositions and state fairs would make a book in itself. The Oakland Stock farm has been the nursery of many recent champions, including the last year's grand champion at the International Exhibit at Chicago and the World's Fair cham- pion at both the World's Columbian Exposition and the Pan-American Exposition.
Mr. Fluck takes no active part in politics. He is in favor of electing the best qualified candidates and abhors machine politics. He is also opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs and stands at all times for a good, clean government.
LEVI B. WHIPPLE.
Levi B. Whipple, now retired from active busi- ness life, was for seventeen years engaged in the grain, coal and lumber trade at Plainfield and in all commercial relations sustained an unassailable reputation. He wrought along modern business lines, never overreaching another in any trade transaction but so conducting his interests that his perseverance, energy and enterprise brought to him a large measure of prosperity. He was born near Morris in Grundy county, Illinois, in 1846. His father, William Whipple, who died about six years ago at the age of eighty-one. came to Illinois in 1832 from Watertown, Jefferson county, New York. He was a pioneer settler of this state and purchased canal land. He followed merchandising for about twelve years and then turned his atten- tion to farming in 1844. His wife, who bore the
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maiden name of Miss Gibson, was a native of Ver- mont and in the early `30s came to Illinois, prob- ably about 1834, at which time she became a resi- dent of Grundy county. She died at the age of forty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whipple were born two daughters, one of whom has passed away, Mrs. Henry Decker, who died about two years ago at her home near Morris, Illinois. The other is Mrs. Thomas Turner, of Ford county.
Levi B. Whipple was reared in Grundy county, Illinois, attended the common schools and for a time was engaged in the lumber business at Morris in this state. In fact he remained a resident of Grundy county until 1890, when he removed to Plainfield, where until a very recent date he was entensively engaged in the grain business. For seventeen years he was the senior partner of the firm of Whipple & Barr but recently sold out to Mr. Barr, who is still conducting the business. The firm dealt in grain, coal and lumber and built three elevators-one at Plainfield, one at Caton Farm and one at Frontenac, Illinois. The business of the house constantly increased and in course of years reached an extensive figure. By judicious use of his capital Mr. Whipple became a prosperous business man and is now enabled to rest from further commercial cares and responsi- bilities.
Mr. Whipple married Miss H. A. Stone, of Grundy county, Illinois, formerly of Rochester, Monroe county, New York. She came with her parents, Charles and Amanda Stone, to Illinois in 1860 when thirteen years of age. They took up their abode in Grundy county, where the father was extensively engaged in raising, feeding and shipping stock, making extensive shipments to the castern markets. He was a very successful stockman and was widely known in business cir- cles. He died in California at the age of fifty- nine years, passing away in 1879, while his wife survived until 1883 and died at the age of sixty- four years. Mrs. Whipple was one of their family of ten daughters, of whom five are now living, namely : Mrs. C. V. Barr, of Will county ; Mrs. Whipple ; and three who reside elsewhere in Illi- nois. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children but Winnie died in 1905 at the age of thirty-three years. The sons are: Lester, who is engaged in the hardware business at Plainfield ; and Chester, who for five years was
connected with the grain business in Plainfield and is still with Mr. Barr.
Politically Mr. Whipple has always been a stal- wart republican and stanchly endorses the princi- ples of the party. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Plainfield, having been the organizer of the lodge in 1894. He served as one of its officers for years and has been repre- sentative to the grand lodge. He is likewise con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of Plainfield, while in his religious views he is liberal. In business life he has made a most creditable record, his history standing in exemplification of the fact that success is not a matter of genius, as held by many, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment and experience supplemented by un- faltering industry.
WILLIAM JONES.
Among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Florence township, is numbered William Jones, who owns and operates a well improved and valu- able farm on section 1, his postoffice being Man- hattan. He is one of the worthy citizens that England has furnished to Will county, his birth having occurred in Yorkshire, June 10, 1860. His parents, John and Anna ( Hall) Jones, were likewise natives of the fatherland, where the father engaged in farming until 1820, when, with his family, he took passage on a sailing vessel bonnd for the United States, hoping in this country to better provide for the support of his wife and children. Landing in America, he at once made his way direct to Wilton township. Will county, Illinois, there purchasing a farm on which he lo- cated and made many valuable and substantial improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were married in Yorkshire in 1855, and their union was blessed with three sons, all yet living: John, a retired farmer living in Joliet; Joseph, who is living re- tired in Peotone, Illinois; and William, of this re- view. The father lived and died on his farm in Will county, passing to his final reward in Feb- ruary. 1891, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, while his widow survived for about five years, and passed away in 1896.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
William Jones, the youngest member of his father's family, was but a little lad when the family emigrated to the new world. He was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, assisting in the work of the farm during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. He remained under the par- ental roof until he attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account by engaging in the occupation to which he had been reared, and now owns a good farm of eighty acres on section 1, Florence township, on which are found all modern and substantial improvements. He has given close application to his farming and stock-raising interests, and annually feeds and ships a carload each of cattle and hogs for the city markets.
Mr. Jones has been three times married. He was first wedded to Miss Emma Holmes, their mar- riage being celebrated in Wilton township, Will county, March 30, 1880. She survived her mar- riage for less than a year, being called to her final rest December 28, 1880. For his second wife Mr. Jones chose Emma Geiss, whom he wedded on the 15th of November, 1884. She was born in Jack- son township, June 30, 1865, a daughter of Hiram E. and Malinda E. (Whitman) Geiss, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively, but both died many years ago. After the deatlı of his second wife Mr. Jones was again mar- ried, this union being with Grace M. Cooney. She was born in Kendall county, Illinois, July 23. 1870, a daughter of George and Susan (Byron) Cooney, the former a native of the Keystone state, and the latter of Sheffield, Eng- land. They were married in Kendall county and became the parents of seven children, of whom six still survive, namely: Florence, Sarah, Ruby, Eugene, Mrs. Jones and Clara. Mr. Cooney pass- ed away in 1888, when he had reached the age of sixty years, while his wife survived until February 11, 1896, when she, too, was called to her final rest, at the age of fifty-six.ª Mr. Jones has the fol- lowing children : John H., Florence A., Floyd E., Jane, Daniel, Alice, Grace P., Harold G., Howard W., Eva V. and Lester L.
Mr. Jones gives his political support to the re- publican party, while he and his wife hold mem- bership with the Methodist Episcopal church. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the
Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Wilton camp, No. 4338, lodge No. 1, Knights of the Globe, at Freeport, and the Court of Honor, at Wilton. Mr. Jones takes a deep and helpful in- terest in the cause of education and has served for one term as school director.
As a farmer and stock-raiser Mr. Jones exercises excellent ability in the management of his affairs and has thereby acquired a competence that enables .him to provide a good living for himself and fam- ily. He is ever known to be reliable in all trade transactions so that he has won the confidence and good will of his fellowmen.
JOHN T. DONAHOE.
Will county can boast of many members of the bar who have won distinction in their profession but among this number there are few who carry their honors with a more quiet dignity than John T. Donahoe, who is no less respected by the com- munity than by the clients whose interests he pro- tects.
Mr. Donanoe is a native son of Will county, having been born in Joliet in 1855. His parents, Timothy and Mary Donahoe, were married in their native county-Tipperary, Ireland,-and came to America in 1850, making their way direct to Joliet, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest. Their son, John T. Donahoe, acquired his education in the public schools and took up the study of law in this city, where after thorough preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar in 1885. He then entered upon active practice of his profession and in 1890 he formed a partner- ship with Coll McNaughton, which relation still exists. In 1890 J. A. Mckeown, a talented young lawyer, was taken into the firm, which has an im- mense clientage, transacting business in all of the courts and maintaining a large real-estate depart- ment as well. Their practice is of a very impor- tant character, connecting them with intricate and involved litigated interests. The offices of the firm are located in the Barber building.
Mr. Donahoe was happily married in 1876 to Miss Mary E. Dyer, a daughter of George Dyer, of Braceville, Illinois, an early pioneer of that section of the state. Unto the parents were born
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
seven children, five of whom are living, while two have passed away. Theresa, the eldest, is a gradu- ate of St. Mary's Academy at Joliet. Loretta and Cecelia were also educated in St. Mary's Academy and completed their studies in the Visitation Con- vent at Evanston, Illinois. Lillian and John are now pupils in St. Patrick's parochial school.
Mr. Donahoe has not only figured prominently in professional circles but is one of the recognized leaders of democracy in Will county and for three years filled the office of county treasurer. He was likewise city alderman for four years and has been a member of the public library board. His palatial home is located on Western avenue in the midst of one of the most beautiful residence distriets of the city. Mr. Donahoe is a member of the Knights of Columbus and other fraternal organizations and, associated with his wife and daughters, is continually aiding in worthy and benevolent en- terprises, in which they are of service to their fel- lowmen.
TIMOTHY KELLY.
Among the pioneers of Will county none have left more lasting monuments to their memory than Timothy Kelly, builder and contractor. St. Pat- riek's church and other public buildings familiar to Joliet citizens are evidences of his life of ac- tivity and enterprise. He erected St. Patrick's church in 1839 and later constructed many other stone buildings that are landmarks of that early period.
Mr. Kelly was born in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, on the 12th of March. 1800, and came to Joliet in 1835. He had already gained an ex- cellent knowledge of the builder's trade and in the embryonic city he began operations as a contractor and builder. Joliet had advanced but a slight way on the road to its present growth and improve- ment. Large sections of the county were still un- settled and this city was but a little town, giving sinall promise of future industrial or commer- cial progress. The Catholics of the county, desir- ing a substantial home for church worship, erected St. Patrick's church in 1839, awarding the con- tract to Mr. Kelly, and he soon afterward seenred contracts for the construction of many other im-
portant buildings and for bridge work with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, the Michigan Central Railway, on the line then known as the Cut-off, and the Illinois and Mich- igan eanal, having completed several contracts for each to the satisfaction of all concerned. As su- perintendent of streets for the city of Joliet his duties were performed with an efficiency that was recognized by all interested. As alderman his ex- perience and practical knowledge proved an ele- ment in the work accomplished by the city council, and he labored earnestly, indefatigably and effect- ively for the welfare of Joliet along lines of sub- stantial progress and improvement. He carefully and intelligently studied and protected the needs, desires and possibilities of the city and over the record of his publie career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
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