USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 5
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becoming a leading and influential resident of this part of the state. He died September 25, 1876, at his residence on Collins street, and his widow survived him for but a brief period. They were the parents of eight children, Jane A., W. Nelson, J. Alexander, Mortimer A., Maria A .. Whallon J., Washington J. and Martha J .. all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Martha J., who is the wife of Harvey Downey, a resident of Joliet.
Mortimer A. Flack was educated in the country schools of Essex county, New York. He was just twenty years of age when his parents removed to Illinois in June, 1845, and he at once began work on his father's farm in Joliet township. After two years he removed to Chicago, where he was engaged in the hotel business for several years. and on selling out there he went to Michigan City, Indiana, where he established and conducted a retail dry-goods store for several years. On the expiration of that period he sold out there and returned to Joliet, investing his money in city property. after which he lived retired here save for the supervision which he gave to his real-estate interests.
Mr. Flack was first married in Ohio to Miss Jane Wheeler, who died in Joliet, while the two children of that marriage died in infancy. In 1870, in this city, Mr. Flack was joined in wedlock to Miss Clara Anderson, a native of Kent county, Michigan, where her parents spent the greater part of their lives and there passed away. There were three children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Flack. Belle E. resides with her mother. Harry M., who married Alice Knowlton, is engaged in the coal trade as a member of the firm of W. T. Conklin & Company, of Joliet, his business being at No. 520 Jefferson street and his residence at No. 308 Os- good street. They have one child, Mortimer Ed- ward, born August 15, 1905. Charlotte is the wife of John J. Allison, who was superintendent of schools at Joliet but is now retired. They have one child, Mary Clara, born May 9, 1905.
The death of Mr. Flack occurred Angust 19, 1904. He held the offices of alderman and super- visor of Joliet for several years and was a member of the library board. He took an active and help- ful interest in everything pertaining to the wel- fare of the community and gave his political alle- giance to the democracy, while with the Masonic
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fraternity he held membership. He also belonged to the Universalist church, of which his widow is a member. In his varied business interests he was successful and made considerable money from his real-estate investments in Joliet. He was widely known in the city and county where he lived for so many years and where his good qualities of heart and mind endeared him to a large circle of friends. Mrs. Flack now owns and occupies a nice home at No. 111 Second avenue, where she and her children reside, and she also has other resi- dence property from which she derives a good an- nual rental.
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FRANCIS W. PLANT, A. M.
The name of Francis W. Plant has figured prominently in the history of commercial and in- dustrial interests in Joliet and the spirit of enter- prise which has actuated him in all that he has undertaken has gained him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He was born in Utica, New York, on the 13th of September, 1843, his parents being James and Hannah A. (Mason) Plant. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to John Plant, of Branford, Connecticut, who was among the volunteers in the Narragansett war and re- ceived a tract of land as bonnty for military serv- ice. The next in line of descent was John Plant, Jr., of Branford, who was born in 1678 and died in 1752. He married IIannah Whedon, who was born in 1685 and died in 1754. Their son Ben- jamin was born in 1732 and died in 1808. He married Lorana Beckwith and lived in Branford, Connecticut. Benjamin Plant, Jr., of Utica, New York, was born in Connecticut in 1763 and died in 1812. He married Lucinda Potter, a daughter of Stephen Potter, who held a commis- sion as captain in the war of 1812. Their son, James Plant, was the father of our subject. He was born in Utica, New York, June 17, 1798, and married Hannah Angel Mason, who traced her ancestry back to Sampson and Mary (Butter- worth) Mason, of Rehoboth, Rhode Island, the former of whom died in 1676 and the latter in 1714. The next in descent were Isaac and Han- nah Mason, of Rehoboth. Isaac Mason was born
in 1667 and died in 1742. His son, Nathan Ma- son, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, was born in 1705 and died in 1758, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lillis Hale, died in 1797. Their son, Levi Mason, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, was born in 1750 and died in 1844. He married Amy Tilson, who was born in 1753 and died in 1844. Their son, Arnold Mason, of New Hart- ford, New York, was born in 1777 and died in 1812, while his wife, Mercy Coman, was born in 1776 and died in 1850. This worthy couple were the parents of Mrs. Plant, the mother of our subject. After entering business life, James Plant followed farming near that city until its growth enabled him to plat his land and sell town lots, which are now in the center of the city. He died January 5, 1860, while his wife, who was born May 19, 1812, passed away August 1, 1890. In their family were two children: Helen, the wife of T. D. Catlin, of Ottawa, Illinois; and Francis W., of this review.
The latter was provided with liberal educational privileges. He supplemented his early training by study in Utica Academy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1860 and from Hamilton College, at Clinton, New York, in 1864, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Subsequently his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He was a classmate of Elihu Root, afterward secretary of war and governor general of the Philippines. His collegiate course completed, Mr. Plant spent two years in connec- tion with a bank at Utica, after which he engaged in the book and stationery business as a member of the firm of Davis, Gilbert & Plant. Thinking to enjoy still better business opportunities in the middle west, he removed from Utica to Joliet in 1869 and joined T. A. Mason and H. B. Plant in the lumber business. Later the firm became F. W. & H. B. Plant, and they engaged in the manufac- ture of sash, doors and blinds and also built up an extensive planing-mill business. This became one of the important industrial concerns of the city with a large and growing trade, the success of the enterprise being attributable in no small degree to the executive force and business discernment of Frank W. Plant. For years he was also presi- dent of the Peoples Building & Loan Associa- tion, and he is now connected with the Chicago Telephone Company as solicitor.
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In Brooklyn, New York, on the 16th of October, 1866, Mr. Plant was married to Miss Elizabeth Merle, who was born in New York city, Novem- ber 17, 1845, and died April 23, 1889, at Joliet. They were the parents of five children, Helen Merle, Laura Merle, Grace Merle, James Merle, and Anna Merle. For many years Mr. Plant was a member of the vestry of Christ Episcopal church and served on the building committee at the time of the erection of the house of worship in Joliet. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party. Since his removal to the middle west he has been an active factor in business life here and his enterprise and activity have been of utilitarian value in promoting the growth and up- building of the city, while at the same time they have proven a source of individual prosperity.
JOHN JACOBS.
John Jacobs is now living retired in a beautiful home in Peotone, while he also owns three hundred and sixty acres of finely improved farming land in Will county, from which he derives a good in- come, which supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Jacobs is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has fur- nished to this country, his birth having occurred in Hanover, May 15, 1851, a son of Henry and Catherine (Tiemann) Jacobs, the former born in Hanover in 1812. They emigrated to this coun- try a few years after our subject arrived here and both died at his home in Peotone township, the former in 1884, while the mother survived until 1891, passing away at the age of seventy-three years. Their family numbered three sons, of whom John of this review is the youngest, the others being Henry, who is a farmer living in Manteno township, Kankakee county, where he takes an active part in political affairs and is now serving as supervisor, while William Jacobs, who followed farming in Peotone township, died at the age of fifty years, leaving a widow, who still makes her home on the farm.
John Jacobs was reared in his native country to the age of seventeen years, when, having heard favorable reports concerning the advantages of- fered to ambitious young men in America, he de- cided to try his fortune across the Atlantic. He
made his way direct to Illinois, where lived his brother Henry, who had come to this country a few years previous. Mr. Jacobs was a poor boy, having no capital when he arrived in this state, but he possessed a strong determination and a will to succeed. He soon found employment at farm labor and when he had saved a sum of money con- tinued his journey farther west, locating in Pierce county, Nebraska, where he purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land. He then returned to Kankakee county, Illinois, where he was mar- ried, expecting to return again to Nebraska but his plans were somewhat changed and he remained in this state. He began farming here by renting land for a few years, but in 1880 he purchased eighty acres in Peotone township. erecting thereon many modern and substantial buildings. He la- bored diligently and energetically in his efforts to acquire a good property and as his financial re- sources permitted he added to his original hold- ings until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres comprised in the old homestead farm, this being operated by his son, while he owns an- other farm of two hundred acres, which is operated by his son-in-law. He was engaged in general agricultural pursuits through a long period, dur- ing which time he followed the most practical and modern methods of farming, using only the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors in the care and cultivation of his crops. He made his home on the farm until four years ago, when he removed to Peotone, where he purchased one of the most beautiful homes in the city, paying for the same thirty-two hundred dollars. The house is supplied with every modern convenience and equipment and the property presents a neat and attractive appearance.
On the 20th of November, 1874, occurred the marriage of Mr. Jacobs and Miss Margaret Schnelly, who was likewise a native of Hanover, born February 10, 1852. Her father, John Schnel- ly, died in Germany at the age of eighty-two years, while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Marie Marvell, was also born in the fatherland, but died at the home of her daughter in Manteno, Kankakee county. in 1880. Mrs. Jacobs has two sisters living, Mrs. Christ Wolle and Mrs. Mary Bockermann, who reside in Manteno, Illinois. She also has a half-brother, John Schelle, living in Minnesota.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born two daughters and one son: Emma, now the wife of Fred Simpson, who is operating one of her father's farms in Peotone township: John, who wedded Mary Hoganow and lives on the old homestead farm : and Minnie, an accomplished young lady at home. Mr. Jacobs and his family are consist- ent members of the German Lutheran church, of which he has been treasurer for the past fifteen years, while the daughter, Minnie, is acting as treasurer of the Sunday school. The corner-stone of the new church edifice, which was ereeted in 1904, bears the name of Mr. Jacobs, he being a member of the extra committee. Mr. Jacobs is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and al- though he has been urged to accept public office he has always refused the honor, preferring to give his time and attention to his private business in- terests.
In former years Mr. Jacobs worked industri- ously and energetically to gain a start in the world, and that his efforts have been crowned with success is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of valuable farming property and a good home in the city, all of which has been acquired through his own well directed efforts and capable business management. for when he came as a youth to this country he had no capital, but he has worked his way upward from the bottom to the topmost round of the ladder and can now look over his past record with a feeling of just pride for what he has accomplished. He and his family are prominent in church and social circles and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
WILLIAM CROXEN.
Among the old-time settlers of Will county who in recent years have passed away but have left behind a memory that is cherished by those who knew them, was William Croxen, who was born in Northamptonshire, England, February 16, 1820. and died December 26, 1905. He was a son of Benjamin Croxen, a farmer by occupation, and in his native land he spent the first twenty- nine years of his life, coming to the United States in 1849. He lived for a year in the state of New
York, working on a farm there, after which he removed to Will county, Illinois, settling in Plain- field. There is engaged in teaming and was also employed at farm labor for a number of years, subsequently coming to Peotone township, where he took up his abode upon a farm which he had purchased and which was situated on section 30. He there had one hundred and sixty acres of. land and eighty acres on section 32. Upon this farm he lived and thrived to the end of his days, carefully conducting his business interests so that success resulted, making him a substantial agri- culturist of the community.
Mr. Croxen was married to Nancy Donaldson. and unto them were born two children, Hannah M. and John J. For his second wife Mr. Croxen chose Matilda Allers, who was born in Notting- hamshire, England, July 8, 1838, a daughter of William and Maria Allers, who came to the United States in 1850, spending two years in Chicago and one year in Plainfield, Illinois, after which they removed to Lockport, where they lived for seven years. Mr. Allers was a carpenter and joiner by trade and engaged in boat building. While at Lockport he worked at his trade on ca- nal boats. After seven years there passed he re- moved to Kankakee county, where he resided on a farm for about twenty years, making it his home until his death, which occurred in March, 1876, when he was eighty-five years of age. He was a well-to-do man, having prospered in his under- takings as the years passed by. He belonged to the Episcopal church, was a republican in politics and held a number of local offices. For a time Mrs. Croxen kept the toll-gate on the road be- tween Wilmington and Joliet. By his second marriage Mr. Croxen had one child, Elizabeth, now the wife of E. J. Crawford, who resides op- posite her mother's home. Mrs. Croxen's first husband was Arthur Croxen, a brother of William. There were five children of that marriage: Ben- jamin, who is with L. M. Arnold in Peotone; Esther, the wife of John Paulis, of Peotone town- ship; Sarah, deceased: George, who is operating the home place; and Henry, who is in Chicago with the Sears-Roebuck Company.
In his political views William Croxen was a republican and served as school director but was never active in polities as an office seeker. He held membership in the Episcopal church, of
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MR. MATILDA CROXEN
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY.
which Mrs. Croxen is also a communicant, and in the locality where he resided he had a wide and favorable acquaintance. His was a long and use- ful life, covering a period of eighty-five years and his name is now associated with the memory of an upright career, characterized by worthy and honorable principles and conduct.
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PHILIP DIETER.
Philip Dieter, who is living retired on his farm of eighty acres, situated on section 21, Lockport township, is a native of Germany, born near the banks of the Rhine, in 1837. His father, John Dieter, was likewise a native of the fatherland, and in March, 1854, crossed the Atlantic to the United States. During the trip he cooked his own meals on shipboard and was forty-two days in making the voyage. Landing in New York, he at once made his way to Chicago, Illinois, and from there went to Naperville, where lived an uncle, Valentine Dieter, with whom he remained during the succeeding summer, and in the fall of that year he made his way to Will county and purchased the farm in Lockport township which is now owned and occupied by our subject. He was married in Germany to Miss Anna Miri, and they became the parents of seven children, as fol- lows: Philip, of this review; Conrad, who is a resident of eastern Texas, having been the first settler in his section of the state, there being no settlement nearer than thirty miles, and who con- ducted a blacksmith and shoe-making business ; John, a retired farmer of Humphrey, Nebraska ; Adam, who has not been heard from in many years, but who is supposed to have gone to Cuba during the war and was there killed; Jacob, who is now living retired at Reynolds, Indiana; Susan, the wife of John Gardner, a resident of Chicago; and Margaret, who died in 1867 of cholera. The father died in the fall of 1867 of cholera, his death occurring only twenty-four hours after the death of their youngest daughter, while the mother survived for many years and passed away in Ne- braska, when on a visit to her sons John and Con- rad. The father gave his political allegiance to the democracy and both he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church.
Philip Dieter acquired his education in the schools of Germany and was a youth of seventeen when he accompanied his parents on their emigra- tion to the new world. After the family home was established in Will county, he was employed by others in his locality until 1864, when he en- listed for service in the Civil war, joining his com- pany at Joliet in March of that year, becoming a member of Battery I, Second Illinois Light Ar- tillery. He served his adopted country until June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois.
Following his return to Will county from the war, he was employed near his home until the spring of 1866, when he was made guard at the Joliet penitentiary, being thus engaged for two years, when, in 1868, in that city, he was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Dezel, who was likewise a native of Germany. Following their marriage, the young couple located on his father's old homestead property, he buying the interest of the other heirs in the place, and here through their united efforts they acquired a comfortable competence. As opportunity offered he invested in land from time to time until he became the pos- sessor of considerable farm property, but he has since given forty acres to each of his sons, but retains the ownership of eighty acres, situated on section 21, Lockport township, on which he is living retired, his son Philip now operating the property.
Unto our subject and his wife were born two sons and one daughter. John, the eldest, is a resi- dent of Dwight, Illinois. Philip, who operates the old homestead, was married to Miss Bertha Hag- mayer, who was born in 1880, a daughter of Albert and Lena Hagmayer, of Joliet, but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dieter are the parents of four children : Louisa, Linda, Leonard and Clar- ence, Lizzie Dieter is now the wife of William J. Geist, a resident of Aurora, Illinois. The mother of these children passed away on the home farm, February 17, 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was a kind and devoted mother and an es- teemed neighbor and friend and her loss was deep- ly felt by all who knew her. She was a communi- cant of the Catholic church, while Mr. Dieter also adheres to that faith.
Mr. Dieter possesses the traits of character so dominant in the German race and through his hon-
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esty and industry has accumulated a competence that now enables him to enjoy the evening of his life in honorable retirement. He is highly es- teemed by all who know him, and having lived for more than a half century in Will county has a very wide acquaintance and a host of warm per- sonal friends.
JOHN JACOB WALZ.
John Jacob Walz is residing in a nice home in Joliet, having retired from business life, and he is now merely giving supervision to his invested interests. He is a large landowner of Will county, the rental of his property supplying himself and family with all the comforts of life, so that he can spend the evening of his life in honorable re- tirement. Mr. Walz was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1836, a son of Daniel and Margaret (Calmbach) Walz. The father was born in Wal- dorf, Wurtemberg, January 12, 1812, and his death occurred in 1884. He was a weaver by trade, manufacturing all kinds of cloth with a hand loom. He owned a small tract of land, on which he raised enough grain to provide a living for himself and family. Mrs. Walz was born in Wurtemberg in 1813, and her death occurred in 1867. They were devoted members of the German Lutheran church, and their family numbered three children : John Jacob, of this review; George Daniel, a brewer by trade, who also came to Amer- ica and passed away in New Jersey; and John George, who resides on the old family homestead in Germany and is now mayor of his home town.
John J. Walz was educated in the schools of his native country and there remained until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when, hav- ing heard favorable reports concerning the oppor- tunities which were offered to young men of am- bition in the new world, he decided to try his fortune in America, and accordingly in 1854, he crossed the Atlantic on an old-time sailing vessel. Reaching New York, he there remained for nine months, after which he went to Connecticut, where he seenred employment on a farm, receiving for his services the meager sum of eight dollars per month. He later, however, secured one hun- dred and fifteen dollars per year for his services
and worked in the east until 1856, when on the 9th of December, 1856, he made his way to Chi- cago, Illinois, where he lived for a brief period. In company with a friend he then came to Will county and took a contract to chop wood near New Lenox. He was engaged at farm labor for the various farmers of the community for several years, when, in the spring of 1863, in company with Nelson Smith he made his way to the Pacific coast, working on a fruit farm in the Sac- ramento valley for two summers and spent about a year in Nevada.
Returning to Illinois in 1866, he once more made his way to Will county, where he had in- vested in eighty acres of land purchased in 1861, his farm having been rented during his sojourn in the west. He then took up his abode on his place, and as he prospered in his undertakings added to his original holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of three hundred and seven acres in this county. He was here engaged in the development and cultivation of his land through a long period, making it one of the valuable farms of this portion of the state. He made many improvements, including the erection of a fine home and substantial outbuildings necessary on a farm. In addition to this he likewise owns a quarter interest in one hundred acres situated near Joliet, and his farm property now brings him a good annual rental. He formerly owned con- siderable farm land in Kansas but has disposed of this so that his possessions are now confined to Will county: In 1895 he retired from farm labor and in the spring of 1896 purchased his present fine home in Joliet, to which he then removed, making it his home continuously since that time. In addition to the home place he also owns other property in the city, including eleven houses which he erected near his home and which he rents, and also some vacant property.
In 1868 occurred the marriage of Mr. Walz and Miss Henrietta Stricher, a resident of New Lenox. She was likewise born in the fatherland, her natal year being 1846. Her parents, Frederick and Sophia (Freier) Stricher, were both natives of the duchy of Mecklenburg, where they made their home until the early '50s, when they emigrated to the new world. On their arrival in Illinois the fami'y first located in Green Garden township. Will county, but later removed to New Lenox
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township, where they lived until the father was called to his final rest in 1880. Mrs. Stricher died at the home of one of her daughters.
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