Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies , Part 112

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208

USA > Illinois > Livingston County > Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies > Part 112

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AMES KELAGHER. junior member of the firm of Miller & Kelagher, grocers of Dwight, has been established in his present business since the spring of 1885. Ile is well known throughout the county as a young man of excellent family and good character, and is accounted among the valued members of an intelligent community.

Mr. Kelagher is the son of an Irish gentleman, who was born in Ireland in 1814, and emigrated to the United States in 1847. Ile settled in Wal- lingford. Conn., and there married Miss Esther Confry, a native of his own country. William and Esther Kelagher became the parents of six children, namely : James, Mary A .. Katie, Esther, William and Rose. They resided in the Nutmeg State un- til 1×57. when they migrated westward, and Mr. K. for a time wa- in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Co., in this locality. In 1881 he crossed the Mississippi into Texas, where his death

took place three years later; the mother is still liv- ing in Texas.

Our subject was born in Wallingford, Conn., Oct. 25, 1856, and was but one year old when bis parents came to this county. He received a com- mon-school education and began for himself as an employe of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He lived economically and saved what he could of a somewhat limited salary until in 1884, in company with his present partner, he embarked in the grocery trade, in which he bids fair to succeed.

On the 17th of April, 1882, while a resident of Dwight, our subject married Miss Mary A. Cassady, of Braidwood, and they became the parents of two children-Katie, who was born Nov. 23, 1885, and one who died in infancy. Mr. K. meddles little with political or public affairs, giving his attention mostly to his business concerns, although when exercising the right of suffrage he casts his vote with the Democratic party. In the neat family residence the inmates enjoy all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries.

OHIN D. KETCHAM, dealer in coal and ice, at Dwight, is the descendant of an old American family of English origin. His father, also John Ketcham, was for many years a highly respected farmer of Dutchess County, N. Y., and married Miss Jane Losee, daughter of John and Eliza (Lewis) Losee, of the same county. They became the parents of two children, John and Eliza A., the latter of whom died young.

The father of our subject was an upright and in- dustrious man, correct and temperate in his habits, and lived to the advanced age of seventy years. The mother was the daughter of John Losee, a well- known clergyman of Dutchess County, and promi- nent among the best families of that section. She is now deceased. Their son, John D., our subject, was born at his father's homestead, in Dutchess County, Sept. 20, 1848. He began his studies in the common schools, and when eight years of age came West with his uncle, Franklin Losee, who set- tled in Dwight, and engaged in carpentering. John completed his education in the schools of the city,

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and started out for himself at the age of seventeen, becoming an employe of Col. J. B. Parsons, who was carrying on au extensive trade in coal and ice. He continued in the employ of the Colonel for a period of seventeen years, which speaks well for both parties.

Mr. Ketcham, in 1873, when twenty-five years of age, was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie, daughter of C. T. and Ellen (Lewis) Johnson. The young people commenced life together in a modest dwelling, and in due time the household was brightened by the birth of three children-James B., Gertie M. and Gracie E. In 1881 Mr. K. pur- chased the coal and ice business of Col. Parsons, and since that time has carried on an extensive and lucrative trade. Ile bears the reputation of being a straightforward business man, careful and consci- entious in his dealings, and conspicnous for his in- dustry and perseverance. There is no doubt that his political opinions received their coloring from the gallant soldier in whose society he remained for so many years, and like him, he is a strong Republican.

AMES H. BEATTY, who owns 160 acres of land on section 30, Round Grove Township, where he is engaged in general farming and raising Norman horses and Short-horn cattle, is a native of Loudonn County, Va., and became a citizen of Livingston County in 1866. Ile was born in that county, May 12, 1845. and is the son of William and Eliza (Smith) Beatty, who were natives of Virginia and died in Loudoun County.

Our subject was reared on a farm, where he re- mained until he was seventeen years of age, and during that time attended the common schools of his neighborhood. On the 1st of July, 1862, he enlisted in the Londoun County (Va.) Rangers. a company made up of loyal Virginians, and served about three years, or until the close of the war. At the engagement of Charlestown, W. Va., he was wounded in the spine by a minie ball, a portion of his backbone being shot away. At the same time he was taken prisoner, and was afterward

confined ten weeks in Libby Prison, at Richmond, and at Belle Island. Ile made his escape from the latter place by passing out of the prison at a time when 300 of the prisoners were taken out to be exchanged. He was subsequently taken prisoner at Waterford, Loudoun County, W. Va., by Mosby's guerrillas, but while on the way to Richmond, Va., he very cleverly made his escape from his captors and was two days making his way back to his reg- iment.

After the war was over and he received his dis- charge from the army, Mr. Beatty returned to Lou- doun County, Va., and remained there until March, 1866, at which time he migrated to the West and located in Livingston County, where for two years he worked out by the month in Brough- ton Township. He then purchased eighty acres of land on section 30 in the township, which he has since made his home, and increased to 160 acres. He has shown considerable enterprise in the im- provement of his farm, and the class of buildings which he has erected thereon is much better than the average. Besides engaging in general farming he is a large producer of Norman horses and Short- horn cattle, and in that branch of business has been signally successful. Ilis stock has a reputa- tion throughout Livingston and adjoining counties for correct and thorough breeding.

In Odell, Ill., on the 13th of September, 1868, Mr. Beatty was married to Miss Betsy .I. Brough- ton, who was born in Crown Point, Essex Co., N. Y., on the 5th of August, 1840, and came to Liv- ingston County in 1866. She is the daughter of Dorwin and Martha (Phillips) Broughton, who were also natives of Crown Point, N. Y., where the mother died Jan. 5, 1884. The father died six weeks after coming to Livingston County, on the 25th of March, 1884.

Mr. and Mrs. Beatty have had but one child, who was named Mortimer F. and died in infancy. Mrs. Beatty is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes great interest in church affairs. Mr. Beatty is a Republican in politics, in which party he is an active and leading man. As a citizen he is highly esteemed, and he and his wife enjoy the respect and esteem of the people of the surrounding country.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

b ON. HENRY J. FRANTZ, one of the most prominent and popular men of Eppard's Point, has for many years been closely identified with its most important interests. Hle poresses all the elements of a good citizen. being broad-minded, intelligent and liberal, and is rated in all respects as one of its most valued and representative men. His career has been more than ordinarily successful, and all who know him agree that it is but the just reward of an upright and honorable course. in which he has sought to deal justly by his fellowmen, and to be of use in his community.

Our subject was born near Salem, Roanoke Co., Va .. Feb. 7. 1834. and is the son of Jacob and Eliza ( Petty) Frantz. also natives of the Okl Do- minion. Ilis father, born in 1802, was the son of Michael Frantz, whose father was of German birth and parentage, and emigrated to the United States in early manhood. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Abner Petty by name, was a native of Virginia, where his daughter. Eliza, was reared, and in 1824 became the wife of JJacob Frantz. The latter spent their entire lives in their native State. Jacob Franz, although the possessor of a good farm, was a tanner by trade, and pursued this calling in connection with agriculture. He died at his home in Roanoke County, in 1869, at the age of sixty- seven years. The mother had died of typhoid fever in 1848, when our subject was fourteen years old. She was married when fifteen years of age, and was of unusually robust and healthy frame, falling a victim, as is the case with many similarly constituted. at the first attack of disease.

The children of JJacob and Eliza Franz are re- corded as follows: John. the eldest. is married, and engaged in the grain and lumber business at Cisco. Ill. ; Thornton occupies a farm adjoining the old homestead in Roanoke County, Va. ; Mary is the wife of HI. N. Burk-, a farmer of Woodford County. this State; Henry, of our sketch, was the fourth child: Lucy is the wife of Henry Shafaver, a prosperous farmer of Roanoke County, Va. : Nancy married Christian Ninninger, who i- carrying ou forming and fruit-growing in Roanoke County, Va. : Mar-ball is married. and live- in his native county in Virginia. Fanny i- the wife of George Buskholder,

and with him crossed the Mississippi into Allen County, Kan., where they live upon a farm : Emery is married and continues a resident of Roanoke County, Va .: Charles is also married, and farming near the old homestead: Mattie is unmarried, and lives with her brother on the home farm.

Henry J. Frantz spent his boyhood and youth at the homestead in Roanoke County, Va., being edn- cated mostly in subscription schools. After reach- ing his majority, and when starting out in life for himself, he sought the Prairie State for a location, taking up his residence first in Woodford County. lle there engaged in farming until 1879, and in the spring of that year located at Ocoya, in Eppard's Point Township, where he established the busi- ness in which he has since successfully engaged. Ile has been quite prominent in the affairs of Wood- ford County, and in the fall of 1867 was elected Treasurer, which position he held for a period of six years. Ile discharged the duties of this offiee with so much credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents that in 1874 he was elected a mem- her of the Illinois Legislature, serving thereafter two years in the House and four years in the Sen- ate. During this time, among the many other im- portant measures, he introduced the Funding bill, which became a law, and the provisions of which have been carried out in a manner most satisfactory to the people at large. At the same time he was a member of several important committees, most of the time serving as chairman, and was connected with the matter of roads and bridges, agriculture and charitable institutions. The very fact that he had not in any measure been an office-seeker com- mended him to the people of his section as one most thoroughly qualified to represent their interests.

Mr. Frantz scoured land in this county in 1878, before taking up his residence here. Hle first pir- chased the elevator at Ocoya, and subsequently 400 acres on sections 17 and 18. Hle afterward sold a half interest in the elevator to Messrs. Ilaines, Gordon & Co., and added 250 acres to his landed interest -. This he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and has put np a fine residence with an monple and substantial barn, and the various other out-buildings required to complete the mod- ern country home. The elevator has a capacity

J. J. Hadley

John J auerhand

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of 30,000 bushels, and has become one of the in- dispensable institutions of that section.

The family of Mr. Frantz includes his estimable wife and eight children at home, namely : William D., Montie, Lulu V., Minnie S., Mamie, Frank C., Walter P. and Orville G. Henry E., a resident of Wellington, Kan., completed his studies in Wes- leyan College, at Bloomington, and is now con- nected with the Wellington National Bank. Mrs. Frantz was in her girlhood Miss Maria, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Houts) Gish, natives of Virginia. They came to Illinois in 1852, locating in Woodford County. Maria was born Oct. 28, 1838, and became the wife of our subject Dec. 20, 1858. The parental household included six children, three now living. Rufus Gish is a minister of the Ger- man Baptist Church, and a resident of Woodford County : Elizabeth is the wife of John McCauley, of that county. The deceased were named respect- ively, John, Hester, Eliza and Susan.

OHN MONAHAN, whose portrait is given in connection with this sketch, owns 480 acres of land in Charlotte Township, located on section 21. Here he is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising on quite an extensive scale. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, May 1, 1838, and was the sixth in a family of eight children born to John and Bridget (Glacken) Monahan, who were natives of the town of Glackentown, Ireland, which was named after the original family of Glacken. The paternal grandparents were Michael and Mary (Hoden) Monahan, and the maternal grandparents were Eugene and Catherine (Cuddan) Glacken, all natives of Ireland. The father of our subject was a farmer in Ireland and remained in that country until his death, which occurred in 1849. Ilis excellent wife survived him and died at the advanced age of eighty-four years.

Mr. Monahan remained in Ireland until he was nearly seventeen years of age, and received his ed- ucation in the national schools which are similar in their features to the Normal Schools in this coun- try. He then resolved to try his fortunes in the New World, and in the month of March, 1855, sailed from Liverpool on board the sailing-vessel

" Duck Conqueror," and after a rough voyage of seven weeks and three days, he landed at Castle Garden, N. Y. Ile first located in Onondaga County, N. Y., where he remained for about two years, engaged at farm labor in the summer at $10 per month, and attended school in the winter. At the age of nineteen, he with seven companions, went on a prospecting tour for the purpose of find- ing future homes, and stopped first at Dubuque, where they passed a short time, and then spent about six months in prospecting through various portions of Iowa. Not finding a location which exactly suited him, Mr. Monahan went to Mor- ris, Grundy Co., IN., and remained there for two years engaged in weighing coal at the mines in summer, and teaching school in the winter. When he left Grundy County he came to Livingston County and settled on section 22, Charlotte Town- ship, on the 24th of June, 1858. His brother, Pat Monahan, was a partner with him in this purchase of land, as well as in stocking the farm, and they remained in partnership until the month of Octo- ber, 1863.

On the 17th of October, 1863, Mr. Monahan was married to Mary, daughter of James and Mary (Donn) Glinen, and was the fifth child in a fam- ily of eight born to her parents, who were natives of County Westmeath, Ireland. MIrs. Monahan was born March 11, 1843, in the State of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Glinnen returned to Ireland when the wife of our subject was only seventeen days old, for the purpose of paying a visit to that country, and also of bringing over a brother. After mar- ringe, Mr. and Mrs. Monahan located on the farm on which they now reside, erecting in 1864 a two- story frame house, which cost the sum of $1,600. In March. 1865, this building was totally destroyed by a cyclone which swept over that section of country, and in the same year he built the south wing of the house he has since completed and now ocenpies. Mr. Monahan's original purchase of land in 1863 was 160 acres of wild prairie land. Ile has from time to time made further purchases until he now owns 480 acres of fine, arable land, all under a high state of cultivation, and well im- proved ; 400 acres of this farm is enclosed by fences in 40-acre fields. His buildings, which include

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residence. barns and stables, are all first-class. In his stock operations Mr. Monahan's preference seems to be for Norman horses and Holstein cattle, of which he raises a large number of the very finest grades produced.

Mr. and Mrs. Monahan have had nine children, who were named as follows: Julia Ann. Maria Jane, Thomas Francis. Mathew Paul. Helena Bruno, John Joseph. John Dennis. Edward Alphonso and Katie Agnes. John Joseph died Aug. 17, 1874, at the age of eleven months and seven days. Mr. and Mrs. Monahan are educating these children to the best advantage possible, affording them all the facil- ities that are within their power. The family are adherents of the Catholic faith, and are devoted members of the church.

Mr. Monahan is not . an active man in politics, but votes with the Democratic party. He has held the office of Township Supervisor for two terms, has served as Assessor for two years, and has been School Director of the district in which he resides twenty-one years. The district is very largely in- debted to him for the high standard of excellence the schools have attained. He was instrumental in organizing the present township of Charlotte. Practically. Mr. Monahan is a self-made man, hav- ing accumulated all that he possesses by his own in- dustry and good management in connection with the support afforded him by his prudent and eco- nomical wife.

In 1872 Mr. Monahan made a trip to the old home in Ireland to see his mother and many friends, remaining about three months and visiting many portions of Europe.

J AMES P. HADLEY is a man whose name could not be omitted in writing the personal history of Sunbury Township and Livingston County, for he has been connected with most of the events which go to make up their his- tory. For years he has been engaged in farming and -tork-raising on section 33, Sunbury Township.

lle was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., March 30. 1806, and was the third child in a family of nine children. six boys and three girls, born to Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Patton) Hadley, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. The paternal grand- parents were Ebenezer and Elsie (Adams) Hadley. The former was a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the stanch old Whigs of his time. Elsie Adams, his wife, was a cousin of John Quincy Adams. The maternal grandparents were James and Elsie Patton, who were residents of New York at the time of the "cold plague," and they and one son were found dead in the same house, having died from the disease.

The father of our subject was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1848, where he died on the 8th of January, 1849, in the city of Aurora. He enlisted in the War of 1812, but on account of ill-health never served. Our subject was reared upon a farm and obtained his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He was living between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes during the War of 1812, and distinctly remembers hearing the booming of cannon at the time. He remained in New York until 1819, and then accompanied his parents to Clermont County, Ohio, thirty miles east of Cincinnati, where he remained on the farm until 1831.

December 25, 1831, Mr. Hadley was married to Miss Remina Hill, who was born in New York, March 18, 1809, and was the daughter of James and Fannie (Tiffany) Hill, of that -State. They lived there on a farm until 1848, and then came to Illinois to make their home. They settled in what is now known as Sunbury Township, and purchased 160 acres of land of which ten were cleared. At that time wolves were plentiful, and often chased the dogs to the dooryard. Not long after coming, in 1852, he buried his excellent wife, after having become the mother of a family of ten children, whose names were Mary, Amanda, Paulina, James, Sarah, William, John, Engene and Eliza A. and Eliza J., twins, who died in Ohio. Mary, Paulina, James, William and John are living, but none of them reside in the State of Illinois. After the death of his wife, Mr. Hadley remained single for nine years, and carried on his farm with the assist- ance of his children, the daughters looking after the

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household duties in a most becoming manner.

January 1, 1861, Mr. Hadley married Phoebe A. (Tripp) Hilton, who was the widow of Richard Ilil- ton. She was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1830, and was the fourth in a family of ten children born to Ephraim and Sarah ( Mason) Tripp, natives of New York. Her grandfathers were Ben- jamin Tripp and Joseph Mason, both of whom were of English birth. The father of Mrs. Hadley was a soldier in the late war and served from the beginning to the close. Three of his sons were also in the service, one of whom, William, was wounded, and the others returned uninjured. Immediately after this marriage just above mentioned, Mr. Hadley settled upon the farm upon which he has resided ever since. Ile was one of the organizers of the township and assisted in appraising the school lands, which was done in 1853, the lands ranging from $5 to $8 per acre in value. These are now worth at least five times that much. He also assisted in organizing the districts for road and school purposes. At that time the settlements were very sparse and the county was full of wild game and animals, includ- ing deer, turkey and bear. The second marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, all of whom are living-Richard, Helen, Norman, Amanda, Irv- ing, Roxana and Orit. Richard married Mary McDougall. and lives on a farm in Esmen Township; Helen married Franklin Heckman, and lives in Kan- sas. The others are at home and engaged in carry- ing on the affairs of the farm.

Mr. Hadley votes the Republican ticket, but has never been active in politics, nor has he held office. There being no church organization within a rea- sonable distance of them, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley have never connected themselves with any congregation. Mr. Hadley is one of the oldest citizens of Livingston County, and his name is familiar to nearly all its peo- ple. Among his neighbors he is familiarly known as "Uncle Jimmy," and with his immediate friends that name has become a household word. llaving lived an upright life, he now enjoys the esteem, confidence and respect of all who know him, and it is with great pleasure that we include his portrait among those given in this ALBUM of many of the leading and most honorable and highly esteemed men of the county.

HOM AS II. AARON is one of the good citi- Zens of Fayette Township, and is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born May 10, 1826. Ile is the son of George and Margaret (Roofner) Aaron, who were natives of the same State. George Aaron, the father, followed the oc- cupation of farming in Pennsylvania, in which he was extensively engaged during his entire life. In addition to farming he was also a stock-raiser on a large scale. He took quite an active part in the political affairs of his day, in which he co-operated with the Democratic party. His death occurred on the 28th of October, 1878, leaving ten children, as follows: James, Thomas H., John, George, Mar- garet, Sylvester, Lucinda, Joseph, Saybilia W. and Francis. The latter was married, and died in Will County, Ill., in 1871, leaving two children.

Thomas H. Aaron began life for himself when about twenty-two years of age, and first learned the trade of a blacksmith in Pennsylvania, under the instructions of George Beer. He served as an ap- prentice for about eighteen months, after which he purchased the business of Mr. Beer, and continued it for two years. He then purchased a piece of timber land which he cleared and farmed for four- teen years. Finding a purchaser for this land he sold it and removed to Henry County, III., in the year 1867. where he remained for three years en- gaged in farming. He then sold his Henry County farm and came to Livingston County, purchasing 160 acres on section 4, Fayette Township, where he has since resided. This farm has been placed under an excellent state of cultivation and made very productive. The improvements in the way of buildings and fences are very complete, and alto- gether the farm is as well conditioned as any in the township. Mr. Aaron raises from twenty-five to forty head of graded cattle per year, for which he finds a ready market.

August 26, 1849, Mr. Aaron was married to Miss Mary Lilly, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born Oct. 14, 1830. She is the daughter of Luke and Rachel Lilly, natives of England and Pennsyl- vania respectively, and now both dead. There were two children, the other being named Jane Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron have eight children,

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named as follows: Vincent, Agnes, Margaret Jane, Elizabeth, Philomena. George, Helena and Alice. Philomena married George Eddy. a native of La- Salle County. Il .. and a son of Stephen and Mary Eddy. who followed the vocation of a farmer. Elizabeth married Peter Hanaghan, who is located at Ottawa. and is a painter. Vincent married Mary Winslow, and is engaged at merchandising at Strawn. Mr. Aaron's two oldest daughters are members of the Order of the Holy Cross. Our subject is a stanch Democrat, and can always be de- pended upon in movements for the furtherance of the interests and succes- of that party. He has held the offices of School Director, School Trustee, Road Commissioner. A-sessor and Township Supervisor. In all respects. politically and otherwise, he is a representative citizen of Fayette Township, and en- joys the confidence of all who know him. Mr. Aaron and family are all members of the Roman Catholic Church, and attend divine worship at Strawn.

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Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies , Part 112

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 1208

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208