Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 114

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 114

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OHN W. FRANKS is at the head of the well- known firm of J. W. Franks & Sons, the leading lithographers, printers and electro- typers in this county, having their establish- ment at No. 206 to 210 South Jefferson Avenue, Peoria. The Company was incorporated in 1888, with J. W. Franks as President and manager; his son Frank S. as Superintendent; his son Thomas G., Vice President; and his son Gerald B., Secre- tary and Treasurer. The capital stock of the com- pany is $30,000, and the present officers are practi- cally the same as when the company was inaugurated, with the exception that Gerald B. is now manager of the concern. The firm was established in 1872, as .John Franks & Sons, and first did job printing, being then located at No. 213 Main Street. They increased their business every year, and now have the finest printing establishment in Central Illinois,

having been in their new offices since July, 1887. They have twelve thousand square feet of space, and have finely finished, commodious offices in front. These gentleman have been engaged in the directory business for five years, having first begun that in 1855, and published under the name of J. W. Franks & Sons, each year with the exception of 1889. The past year they have put out by far the finest directory ever issued in this city.

J. W. Franks was born in England, and when a young man, came to the United States. He learned his trade in Chicago,"and in 1864 came to Peoria, where he followed his calling until he established himself as we have just noted. He married Miss Hanno Barrett, a native of Ireland, who was a resi- dent of Detroit at the time of their marriage. They have four sons-Fred, Frank, Thomas and Gerald -- all of whom are associated with their father in business, and are intelligent, enterprising young men.

ILLIAM HOUSTON, one of the prosperous farmers of Akron Township, has a remun- erative estate of two hundred and forty acres, upon which all needed improvements have been placed, thus making it a home of comfort and attractiveness. Mr. Houston is of New England birth and parentage, being a son of John and Anna (Moore) Houston, who were born in Bedford, N. H., and there began their wedded life. They made their home in different places, and Mr. Houston spent his last years in Orange, Grafton County. The widowed mother of our subject died at his home in Akron Township, she having been an in- mate of his household for ten years.

Our subject is the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children. His birthplace was Tem- ple, N. H., and his natal day February 24, 1815. He resided in his native State until he was twenty- seven years old, being chiefly engaged in farming after he was of sufficient age. In Concord, Sep- tember 25, 1842, he was married to Sarah E. W. Chase, a daughter of Peter and Martha (Stevens) Chase. The parents of Mrs. Houston were natives respectively of Cornish and Plainfield, N. H., and

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both died in Merrimac County. They had five children, of whom Mrs. Houston was the fourth. her birth having taken place in Cornish, February 3, 1819.

Soon after their marriage, our subject and his wife came to this State, traveling with horses and a wagon. They settled in Pike County in 1846, taking possession of the farm which is now their home. They are the parents of three children, all happily married and settled in homes of their own: Ilenry C. married Anna Peters; William A. married Maggie McLarren; and Charles S., Martha Mc- Larren.

Mr. Houston has held some of the minor offices in the township, and has been Postmaster of Akron continuously since his appointment by President Grant, during that famous man's first term. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its stanchest supporters. He and his wife are liberal in their religious views, and ready to bear a hand in various worthy enterprises, irre- spective of creed.

ACOB HOAG is the owner and occupant of a good farm on section 29, Akron Town- ship. It consists of one hundred and fifty- six acres, on which the present owner has erected substantial buildings of various kinds, such as are needed in carrying on the occupation of farming, to which he gives his principal attention. Mr. Hoag is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., where his birth occurred October 10, 1814. His father was a carpenter and also a farmer, and to the latter occupation he gave the most of his time. During the childhood of our subject the family re- moved to Niagara County, where the father died when the son was fourteen years old.

Our subject continued to make his home with his mother until he became of age, and about a year after that event came to Peoria County. This was in the spring of 1837, and, with the exception of one year, his home has since that time been in the township where he now resides. His marriage was solemnized in this township about a year after

his arrival in the county. His bride, Abigail Hill, was born in the Empire State, and was a most estimable woman, a respected member of the Meth- odist Church. She was called from time to eter- nity in August, 1888. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hloag include the following-named children: Albert S., Edwin R.,Amelia M .. Alma P.,Antinah, Stephen and John F. All are living except Antinah.

In addition to his real estate in this county, Mr. Hoag owns one hundred and sixty acres of excel- lent land in Kansas. Ile is numbered among the enterprising farmers and worthy citizens of this section of country. Politically, he acts with the Republican party, although he is not an office- seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Church, in which he has held official positions.

C. HANSEL. Peoria County numbers as one of its progressive citizens. the gentle- man whose name introduces this personal sketch. He was born in Newark, Licking County, Ohio, July 20, 1840, and is the son of John W. and Mary A. (Little) Hansel, also natives of Ohio. In 1844 the Hansel family came West to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1851, located in Peoria, where they have since principally resided.

When the Civil War began to arouse all patriotic citizens in defense of the Union, our subject en- listed April 17, 1861, and was the first to enlist from Peoria under the general call for troops. He was subsequently assigned to the Peoria Battery. From files of the Peoria Daily Transcript, April 17, 1861, we learn that a citizens' meeting was called in the interests of the Union, and at this meeting, George C. Bestor made a patriotic and elo- quent speech. Ile was followed by Jolin Bryner, and a form of enrollment was presented by J. C. Ilansel, whose name headed the list, making him the first enrolled man from Peoria. On May 12, 1861, his mother, one of the many patriotic women who aided so largely in the war, presented the com- pany to which her son belonged, with a beautiful silk flag, worth $30.

The call of duty led Mr. Ilansel chiefly west of

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the Mississippi, and he participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., after which he was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant. He commanded the battery during the last nine months of his ser- viee, and was mustered out April 15, 1863, under general orders, reducing the number of officers. He then entered the Provost Marshal's office at Peoria, where he served until the close of the war. The various positions he was offered in the meantime he did not accept, hoping to get back as an artillery man.

On October 4, 1865, Mr. Hansel was united in marriage with Agnes M. Johnson, of Winona, Minn. Mrs. Hansel is the daughter of the Hon. II. H. Johnson, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In 1867 our subject began to operate as a real-estate dealer, and is now inter- ested in that direction, as well as in loans and in- surance. In 1890 he organized the Guarantee Abstract & Trust Company, of which he is Presi- dent. He is also President of the Peoria Transfer & Storage Company, which he organized in 1885.

Politieally, Mr. Hansel is, and always has been. an ardent Republican, and in boyhood was known for his adherence to the cause of the party, whose principles he believed to be correct. During the campaign of 1860, he took an active part, making his maiden politieal speech, which is 'yet remem- bered because of the bold utterances it contained. Socially, he keeps alive his interest in war days by an active membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and in religion, is a member of the Con- gregational Church.

II. BARNEWOLT. Among the prominent business men of Peoria is this gentleman, who, although a native of Germany, is yet a devoted citizen of his adopted country. IIe is identified in many ways with the social and politi- cal life of Peoria, and has been Alderman of the Sixth Ward, also Supervisor four years. For two years he was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, being the first German who ever held that position. Ile now lives on his pleasant homestead in Lime-

stone Township, retaining the active management of the farm of two hundred and fifty acres. He casts his ballot with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Druids, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor.

Mr. Barnewolt was born August 1, 1843, in Hanover, Germany. His parents were Henry and Geske Barnewolt, the former a painter by occupa- tion, who came with his family to America in 1856, proceeding directly to Peoria. At that time the family comprised four children, namely : Gerhardt, a painter in Peoria; Johanna, wife of Anton Rie- gel, of Peoria; Ulrich, also a painter by ocenpation and a resident of Peoria, and our subject. The father died in Peoria in 1859.

Adolph H., our subject, learned the trade of a painter in Germany, and after coming to the United States, worked for a time in the Peoria House, then became a clerk for Ballenberg in "Yankee Notion." He also for awhile was engaged in butchering, in the employ of John Smith. This occupation he followed a number of years. Later he was a run- ner for McFarland's old hotel, on the corner of Bridge and Adams Streets. He was offered $10 a month and board to work in a brickyard, but after working a half-day concluded that the occupation was not congenial to his tastes, and accordingly ran away.

After following for a time his trade of a painter and engaging in hauling coal, Mr. Barnewolt en- tered into partnership with Mr. Rose in a restaur- ant on Fulton Street. After working at this for eight or nine months, he purchased another team and hauled coal. also operated as a painter. Finally be turned his attention to the grocery business and again forming a partnership with Mr. Rose opened a grocery store, which they managed together one year. In 1871 he opened a grocery store on the cor- ner of Lincoln and Webster Streets, which he oper- ated very successfully until 1889. He is at present, as above stated. operating his fine estate ın Lime- stone Township.

Mrs. Barnewolt bore the maiden name of Mary E. Mitchell, and was united in marriage with our subject in 1864. Of this union ten children were born, nine of whom are now living and one de- ceased. They are named respectively. Henry,

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Elizabeth, Catherine, Maggie and Myron (twins). Sarah, Leonora, George and Valentine. The fam- ily ranks high among the residents of Peoria County and its members are universally esteemed for their worth and integrity.

C APT. B. WARREN. Few men now living in this county-or indeed in the State-have had a more eventful career than Capt. Warren, who resides in Chillicothe and is doing a large business in insurance. He is a representative citizen, wielding an influence that is widely felt in behalf of all that pertains to the well being of the community, and in his own life presenting an ex- ample of loyal devotion, unswerving integrity, and true piety that may well be emulated by the rising generation.

The Warrens, Nuttings and Vallette were among those early New England families whose history is linked with that of the struggle for Ameriean In- dependence, three great-grandfathers of our subjeet having fought in the Patriot Army, and it is worthy of record that while the latter of these was braving the dangers of the war, his wife, the great-grand- mother, Mrs. Abigail Vallette, rendered important service to John Hancock and Paul Revere, who be- set by British scouts, sought guidance during a stormy night to a place of safety. The heroic woman, though a cripple, led them to the house of a patriot farmer, being carried over a swollen stream in the arms of Mr. Hancock.

Grandfather Warren served in the navy and died at sea about the close of the war when in the prime of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Vallette, daughter of the above-named patriotic woman, was of French ancestry,and died in the Bay State when quite aged. To this good couple two children were born, the father of our subject being the only son. He was christened Benjamin, a name that was borne by four genera- tions, and was reared in Massachusetts, which was his native State. He learned those mechanical arts which fitted him to transact the business of a builder and contractor and was following it when

called from time to eternity, his death taking place in Georgetown, 1). C., when he was not yet thirty years of age. His wife is yet living, making her home with her daughter, Mary J., the wife of Rev. Mighill Dustin, D. D., now of Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Warren is quite smart and active, although she has reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. Her maiden name was Mary Monroe and her native State, Massachusetts. She is the mother of three children-our subject, who is the first-born ; Henry Vallette, who is a Presbyterian minister at Prince- ton, Ill., and the daughter before mentioned.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Groton, Middlesex County, Mass .. April 28, 1825, and spent the first ten years of his life in bis na- tive State. He was left fatherless when but five years old and about five years later accompanied his mother to Nashua, N. II., where he continued his education in the public schools. When eigh- teen years of age he entered the United States navy as an apprentice, serving for more than three years. which covered the period of the Mexican War. The ship of the line "Columbus" in charge of Commo- dore James Biddle, made a voyage around the world during which it entered Yeddo Bay, Japan, with a view of opening treaty relations with the Jap- anese who were then maintaining their ancient pol- icy of non-intercourse. While lying there the Commodore had occasion to visit a war junk for the purpose of communicating with a Japanese official, and as he was ascending the gangplank he was violently thrust back by the soldier in charge. The timely assistance of Capt. Warren, who was in the boat, alone prevented serious injury to the Commodore from the fall.

While homeward bound from China the "Colum- bus" put in to Valparaiso, S. A., where the Com- modore received dispatches from Washington, advising him of the existing war with Mexico and ordering him to proceed to the Pacific Coast and occupy the ports of San Francisco and Mon- terey. Upon his arrival he found the American flag flying at both places, which be guarded five months, capturing one prize. At the close of the war the "Columbus" sailed for the United States, via Cape Horn, arriving at Norfolk, Va., in the spring of 1848, where she was put out of commis-

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sion. The noble old ship should have beeu spared as a monument of the past, but was destroyed by the confederates during the Rebellion. Besides our subject, but few of that ship's company are now living.

Not desiring to continue in the service with no prospect of higher office than was at that time pos- sible to an apprentice, Mr. Warren left the navy and found occupation in Lowell, Mass. In 1849, he was one of one hundred and fifty men who organized the Bay State and California Trading & Mining Company, of which he was a Director. A vessel, the "Areatus," was purchased, officcred, and equipped with a year's provisions and set ont around Cape Horn, anchoring in the Golden Gate after a five months' voyage. Finding their scheme was not feasible the members of the company sold their vessel, dividing the proceeds, and each man set out for himself. Capt. Warren relates that im- mediately upon landing his attention was called to a man standing upon a pile of lumber, offering $1 an hour for hands to unload a lighter, and further states that he went no farther until that lighter was unloaded and he had received the first money he earned in California. The most interesting part of the incident was that the man for whom he worked proved to be a former shipmate. After the "Area- tus" was sold, Capt. Warren and two others built a hotel in San Francisco which they carried on for six months, when it was destroyed by fire and they lost their all.

We next find Capt. Warren striking out for the mining regions as a passenger on board the "R. M. Ryerson," whose destination was the new gold dig- gings on the Trinity River. The vessel sailed up the coast in search of the mouth of Trinity River, and upon arriving off Eel River, this was declared to be the place sought. When the boat was tied up to the bank the real object of the expedition was made manifest, the leading spirits being after a town site which was soon surveyed near the mouth of the river. Most of the passengers had taken passage hoping to find a shorter and easier route to the Trinity than the known route up the Sacra- mento and over rugged mountains. These were not satisfied so went prospecting, and upon one of these expeditions Capt. Warren had his first sight

of Humbolt Bay. From a hilltop he obtained a fine view which determined him to remain no longer on Eel River.

Others joined him in moving, a small creek fav- oring them a portion of the way. . Then by a la- borious portage they reached the bay, launched their boats, and proceeding to what they termed the "head of navigation," disembarked and drove their stakes. The monotony of waiting for a town to grow could not be borne by some of the adven- turous spirits and a party of eleven set out for the mines on the Trinity. Among these were Capt. Warren, who thus describes the outcome of the ad- venture in a letter to the San Francisco Bulletin : "I shall never forget that journey through the wil- derness without track or guide. The seventh day we came to a stream swollen by the melting snow. A raft was constructed upon which two of us with considerable difficulty made the opposite bank. Be- fore crossing some of the party endeavored to per- suade us not to attempt it and prepared a return to the coast,and now to our disgust they were all of the same mind, positively refusing to attempt to cross. The reader of to day must remember that none of us were "mountain men," and obstacles that to our experience seems unsurmountable, two years later were of no hindrance whatever. But the stream was not the only obstacle. Our provisions were nearly exhausted. We knew not where we were, or what was before us. Some were foot-sore, others sick, and when I look back to those days I am only surprised that they did not succeed in persuading us to re-cross and return to the coast with them. We separated to go in opposite directions, and with two exceptions have never since met. The next day it was our good fortune to fall in with a small party of prospectors, who informed us that we had "found the Trinity River," or more correctly speaking, they had found us. In August I made a trip to the coast for supplies, and found the pre- emptors patiently waiting for the town to grow, and I most sincerely hope they have been amply rewarded. It is now more than thirty-nine years since I rode out of that embryo town on my little gray mustang. My life has been something of an eventful one, having circumnavigated the globe previous to 1849 and participated in the varied

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experiences of a soldier during the late war, but among all these experiences there is no spot or place which would afford me more genuine satis- faction to visit thian the localities I have here hastily and briefly sketched."

After spending one season in mining and mak- ing a"good stake,"Capt. Warren went into Oregon, purchased cattle and supplied the California min- ing camps with beef for a year. Ile then returned via the Isthmus and Atlantic Ocean to New Hamp- shire, remaining in Nashua until 1854, then inter- esting himself in manufactures in Lowell, making clothing and having at times five hundred persons in his employ. Like hundreds of other Mexican veterans, he was one of the first to enter the army when the Civil War began. He was a Lieutenant in the Sixth Massachusetts Militia, which was called out for three months' service and was the first reg- iment to arrive in Baltimore, where the terrible riot occurred and two of the regiment, Messrs. Ladd and Whitney, were killed. After serving the three months, the boys were mustered out in August,and in November, following, our subject was mustered into Company D, Twenty-sixth Massachusetts In- fantry and elected to the Captaincy. He took part in Gen. Butler's expedition to New Orleans and in the brilliant victories of the Shenandoah Valley under Gen. Sheridan. At the capture of the New Orleans forts his regiment effected a landing in the rear-a feat supposed to be impossible at that season. When the Confederates discovered the long line of Yankees emerging from the oozy, slimy morass of Back Bay, all discipline in the forts was at an end, and while the Confederate commander formally surrendered to the navy, the garrison abandoned their position and surrendered to the land force at quarantine.

A Battalion of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts with Capt. Warren in command, garrisoned Ft. Jackson, remaining there until July, 1862, when nearly the entire command was prostrated with in- termittent and malignant fevers and the Captain was ordered to New Orleans and placed on detached service. He took charge of the headquarter guard to Gen. Butler, holding the position until Gen. Banks took command of the department. He filled the same position under the new commander for

some months and was then placed in charge of the military prisons of the department. The position called for great discretion, its duties being arduons and complex, such as are well calculated to develop manly and soldierly qualities. Hundreds of Con- federate soldiers still remember with gratitude the Captain who visited them daily, not to establish "dead lines," but to look after their comfort as well as to provide against the possibility of their escape. Upon his arrival scores of the friends of the prisoners would be waiting to ask the privilege of visiting or doing something for their captive relatives, to all of whom he had a court- eous reply, none being refused a reasonable re- quest.

In the summer of 1864, Capt. Warren was re- leased from the trying position and sent with the Nineteenth Corps to Washington, D. C., and thence to join the famous cavalry leader in the Shenan- doah. There he was placed in command of two companies to act on special duty as an infantry es- cort, being present at the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. The last named was fought October 19, on which day the term of service of Company D, expired. The regiment was sent to Massachusetts and mustered out of the service at Lowell, when our subject prepared to resume a peaceful occupation such as had been in- terrupted by the breaking out of the war. In a short time he removed to this State, spending the first four years of his residence in Tonica, La Salle County. He then became a dweller in Varna, Marshall County, sojourning there eighteen years and leaving behind him many friends when he re- moved to Peoria County. He established an in- surance office in Chillicothe in June, 1887, and has built up an extensive connection, having represen- tatives in the life insurance department in the ad- joining counties. He carries many of the old lines, including the Phoenix, of Brooklyn and the Hart- ford, of Connecticut, together with other leading companies in fire and accident insurance, and the ÆEtna of Hartford in life insurance.

In 1849 Mr. Warren was united in marriage with Miss Susan Clapp, of Nashua. N. II. She was an exemplary Christian woman and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died at Nashua

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soon after his return from California. In 1854 Mr. Warren was united in marriage with Miss Marcia B. Hosmer, who was born in Lowell and reared in Nashua, N. H., where her marriage rites were cele- brated and who died in Marshall County, III., November 2,1876. She exemplified the virtues and capabilities of the New England woman and was a consistent member of the Methodist Church. In 1882 Capt. Warren married Miss Mary F. Hosmer, a sister of his second companion, who was born in Massachusetts and reared at Nashua, N. H., where her marriage was solemnized. She also is possessed of sterling qualities and with her husband bears a part in the good work carried on under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they belong. She is educated and accomplished, hav- ing been fitted for the profession of a music teacher which she has followed for a number of years. Her otherwise happy union has been childless, a's was that of Capt. Warren and his first wife.

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Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 114

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014