USA > Illinois > Will County > Portrait and biographical album of Will County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 15
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Charles F. and Frederick, sons of Judge Good- speed. are now living in Joliet. His eldest son, John C., a young man of much promise. fitted him- self for the medical profession but died in October, 1883. During the many years in which Judge Goodspeed remained a resident of Will County, he not only witnessed its progress from a compara- tively unimportant portion of the State to its proud position as one of the foremost counties of Illinois, but he aided in its development and his history is closely interwoven with that of the county. His portrait, which is presented in connection with this biographieal sketch. represents a man widely known and bonored wherever known. His life was a busy one; realizing that. as has been said, "We have a whole eternity to rest in" and that the aim of life is not to merely "kill time" he rightly valued every moment given him, and thus gained a reputation
for promptness in originating plans and dispatch in executing them. Of this it might well be said that he was one of those
"Who comprehend their trust and to the same Keep faithful with a singleness of aim ; And therefore do not stoop nor lie in wait For wealth or honor or for worklly state; Whom they must follow, on whose head must fall, Like showers of manna, if they come at all."
C HRISTOPH SCHOENSTEDT, who is one of the foremost business men of Monee, has been a conspicuous figure in its upbuilding and is prominent in the management of its public affairs. Our subject is of German origin. born January 30. 1837. in the village of Urbach Thuer- ingen, near Erfurt. Germany. His parents, Fred and Fredericke (Wilke) Schoenstedt, were natives of the same village as himself. They had five children, namely: Charles or Karl, Henry, Chris- toph. Frederick and Dorothea. Frederick came to the United States about 1862 or 1863, remained with our subject two years, and is now a resident of Livermore, Cal .; the rest of the family are still living in Germany.
The subject of this sketch came to this country in 1851, landing in New York June 28, and the following August found him in Chicago. The cholera was then prevalent here, and fearing an attack of that dreaded illness, he took himself to New Bremen. He had no capital with which to start in business. having, in fact. left New York $13 in debt. having borrowed that sum of some one to pay his passage. He, therefore, sought any em- ployment by which he could make an honest living, and for two months he was engaged in mowing, at 8to a month. After the haying season was over he worked six months for $5 a month. At the ex- piration of that time he went to Blue Island to learn the trade of a wagon-maker. receiving for payment $50 the first year, 875 the second year, and $110 the third year. He had considerable tal- ent for music which had been carefully cultivated in Germany, and here he was enabled to earn quite a sum of money playing on a clarionet. After he
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had acquired a thorough knowledge of his trade he went to work on his own account, coming to Mo- nee in March, 1859, and opening a shop here, en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons the ensuing fifteen years. He then established himself, in April. in the implement business, which he carried on until February 1, 1890, meeting with more than ordinary success, and deriving a handsome income from the profits. Coming to this country without means, his stalwart, vigorous manhood, clear brain and skillful hand being his only capital, he has se- cured wealth, and is one of the richest men in this part of the county. He is the owner of four hun- dred and sixty-eight acres of land, three business buildings and good residence property in this city, besides owning valuable realty in Chicago. To the lady who presides over his attractive home he was united in marriage March 5, 1859. Her maiden name was Louise Gantz, and she was born in the Province of Saxony, Germany, May 17, 1839. She was a daughter of Lawrence and Sophie Gantz. In 1853 they came to the United States and first set- tled at New Bremen, near Chicago, where he bought a farm, on which they resided the rest of their days, his death occurring in 1880, and his wife's in 1882. They had four daughters-Mary, Louise. Caroline and Rafine, all of whom are mar- ried and have families. Our subject and his wife have seven children, namely : Fred; Anna, wife of Louis Bischmann; Rudolph, who died at the age of six months; Leopold; August; Louise, who died at the age of twelve years; and Otto.
Although not one of the earliest settlers, Mr. Schoenstedt may justly be regarded as one of the pioneers of this county, which owes much to his untiring labor. His name will always be indisso- lubly linked with that of Monee, as partly by his influence it has attained its present position as one of the leading towns in this section of the State; he has ever been active in extending its com- mercial and business interests, has contributed generously to all schemes that would enhance its material prosperity, and he has its educational, re- ligious and social interests at heart. A man of sneh vigorous mind, such unerring sagacity and keen vision cannot well avoid accepting public office at the call of his fellow-men, when it seems |
his imperative duty as a loyal citizen to do so. and hence, while having the care of an extensive busi- ness and a large property, Mr. Schoenstedt has found time to take a part in the administration of of local affairs, and has served as Village Trustee eight years. In politics his views coincide with the principles promulgated by the Republican party. Religiously, our subject and his estimable wife are members in high standing of the United Presbyte- rian Church, actively assisting in the good work carried on by their pastor and fellow-members.
OSEPH E. GOUGAR. This is one of the most worthy representatives of the well- known Gougar family, who have since the pioneer days been closely identified with the interes's of New Lenox Township. The father of him of whom we write was the late William Gougar, who with others of the family is written of on other pages of this volume. They have uniformly followed agricultural pursuits, and have obtained the reputation of being the most thor- ough and skillful agriculturists, as well as being numbered among the leading business men of Will County.
The subject of this notice was the youngest child of bis parents, and was born at the oldl homestead in New Lenox Township, March 21, 1834. 1le spent his boyhood and youth at the farm, becom- ing familiar with the various employments of rural life, and pursuing his early studies in the district school. Later he was a student one year at Beloit ( Wis.) College, and also pursued his studies for the same length of time in the State University at Madison. Ilis education was com- pleted in T. J. Sloan's Commercial College at Chi- cago, from which he was duly graduated. This last-named institution was instituted and conducted by Col. T. J. Sloan, who during the Civil War commanded the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry.
For eight months after leaving college Mr. Gou- gar was employed as book-keeper for the firm of Reynolds & Willis in Chicago. With that excep-
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tion he has spent the most of his life in his native township. During the Civil War he was an active Union man, and raised two companies of troops, these being assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He also visited the South, and relieved the wants of many of his old friends whom he found in need.
For three years Mr. Gougar bought grain at the village of New Lenox, and operated the warehouse at that point. For nearly one year he taught school in the township. Afterward he turned his attention to farming, in which he has since been engaged. lle is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of choice land, upon which he has made good improvements, including a fine set of buildings, besides planting fruit and shade trees, building substantial fences and gathering together all the necessary machinery for the successful pro- secution of agriculture. There is an air of thrift and prosperity about the place, which invariably attraets the eye of the passing traveler, and is in- dicative of the progressive spirit and industry of the proprietor.
Mr. Gougar remained a bachelor until thirty years of age, and on the 2 Ith of November, 1861, was joined in wedlock with Miss Hattie Perkins, the ceremony taking place at the bride's home in Minooka, Grundy County, this State. Mrs. Gou- gar is the only daughter of her parents, William and Elizabeth ( VanDalson) Perkins, and was born in Grundy County, December 28, 1841. She was carefully trained and educated, and for some time prior to her marriage followed the profession of a teacher. Her father, the late William Perkins, was one of the pioneer settlers of Grundy County, and departed this life at his home June 17, 1887. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, liberal and progressive in his ideas, and when his children were of suitable years removed from his farm to Joliet for the purpose of giving them the education he desired them to have. This aceom- plished, he returned to the old homestead.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins was born a family of three children, two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Van Dalson Perkins, was a non com- missioned officer, serving in the late Civil War, and met his death on the battlefield of Chicka-
mauga. The other son, Charles E., is farming in Kendall County, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Gou- gar are the parents of six children, two of whom- Ella and Florence-died at the ages respectively of three years and sixteen months. The survivors are : Charles P., Hattie M., Harlow W. and Eva A.
Mr. Gongar since early manhood has taken an aetive part in local politics, and is a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party. For the past eighteen years he has been connected with the School Board of his district, has held the office of Township Assessor four years, and Collector one year. Both he and his estimable wife are promi- nently connected with the Episcopal Church, at- tending services at New Lenox. They have one of the most pleasant homes in the county, and occupy a high position in the social circles of their community.
6 RUEMAN A. MASON. No visitor to Joliet would long be in ignorance of the name and estate of the gentleman above named, as his home is that of an ideal farmer. The splen- did place is situated on the Boulevard and is sup- plied with all the modern conveniences in the resi- dence and outer premises. Mr. Mason spends his time in looking after his flocks and herds, taking great delight in the fine sheep and cattle that graze upon his fertile fields. After an active business career of years during which he gained a fine rep- utation for honorable dealing, enterprise and zeal, he has become the possessor of means which enable him to indulge his tastes and take the case he desires.
A history of the lives of Daniel and Hannah Mason, parents of the subject of this sketch, is in- corporated in this volume. The son was born in New Hartford, N. Y., March 11, 1846, and at- tended the schools in Utica, completing his educa- tion begun in the public schools by studying at Whitestown Seminary in the same city. His years until 1866, were spent in the East, and leaving his native place at that date, he came to Chicago, III. Entering the employ of the Chicago & Alton
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railroad. he worked for that road a few months returning to the Empire State in the fall of 1867, and engaged in the wholesale paper and stationery business.
In 1869, Mr. Mason disposed of the business and began dealing in lumber, sash, doors and blinds. doing both a wholesale and retail trade in com- pany with F. W. Plant under the style and title of Mason & Plant. In 1881, Mr. Mason dis- posed of his interest and again coming west em- barked in the same business at the Michigan Cen- tral cut-off in Joliet, continuing in the trade until May, 1889, when he sold out to Wilcox Brothers. Mr. Mason also owns a lumber business in Plain- field of which Albert R. Caton is manager.
In 1872 the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Mason and Miss Hannah E. Caton whose family is represented elsewhere in this vol- ume. Under the efficient care of Mrs. Mason, the dwelling to which friends are so cordially wel- comed presents the appearance of order and refine- ment so attractive to family and guests, and all who enter are charmed by the gracious manners of the hostess. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason has been blessed by the birth of the following named children: Cornelia, who was born in 1873; William Caton, in 1875; Marie. in 1878, and who died in 1880; Bessie, born in 1880, died in 1881; True Caton.born in 1887, died March 26, 1888. Mr. Mason's family belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Joliet.
E DWY C. OGDEN, M. D. The medical pro- fession of this county includes the names of many skillful and successful practioners among whom may be properly mentioned he with whose name we introduce this biographical record. Ile located in Joliet in 1879, and in a short time fully established himself in the confidence and es- teem of the people, both as a physician and sur- geon and as a member of the community. He is essentially a Western man with western interests, his native place being Fond du Lac. Wis, and the date of his birth May 25, 1859.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Dr. M. B. Ogden, an eminent physician and a native of Cooksville, Province of Ontario, Canada, who there grew to man's estate and with his brother, Dr. Edwy J. Ogden, read medicine and took his first course of lectures at Vietoria College, Toronto. For some years he followed the methods of the regular school and then removing to Fond du Lac, Wis., adopted the Homeopathie system to which he ad- hered subsequently. In 1861-65, he attendedl lec- tures at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, then in August, 1866, removed to Joliet, where he resumed his practice which he continued up to the time of his death. This event occurred September 6. 1884. He was cut down in the prime of life having been born in 1838. He was one of the car- liest Homeopaths in this section of the country and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Ogden has two uncles in Chicago and a large num- ber of cousins. members of the medical profession. As he remarks, this seems to be "a family failing." The father was a member in good standing of the Episcopal Church, and in politics. voted the Republican ticket. His wife had preceded him to the silent land, her death taking place March S, 1879.
Dr. E. C. Ogden was the only child of his par- ents and spent his boyhood and youth in Jol- iet where he pursued his first studies in the city schools. He finished his literary education at the Chicago U'niversity and began the reading of medicine with his father, who proved a most thorough and safe instructor. He first attended lectures during the winter of 1877-78 in nahne- mann Medical College and February 27, 1879, he graduated and practiced with his father until the latter's death. He then continued the practice and has thus formed an extended acquaintance throughout the county, receiving the patronage of its best people. He has been a close student and
an extensive reader and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon modern methods of treatment. Ile belongs to the State Medical Association and is President of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
The marriage of Dr. Ogden and Miss Hettie A. White of Joliet was celebrated at the bride's home September 28. 1882. Mrs. Ogden was born in
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Spartansburg. Pa. and is the daughter of Edward D. and Margaret E. White who came to this county in 1875. ller father is now living in Joliet, her mother is deceased. Of this union there has been born one child, a son Arthur W., Decem- ber 13, 1884. The Doctor and his estimable lady stand high in social circles and their pleasant home is the frequent resort of the cultured people of this city. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican.
LONZO B. BROOKS. This veteran of eighty-one years and his estimable partner are familiarly known to a large portion of the residents of llomer Township, where they have sojourned many years, and by their sterling worth have drawn around them many friends. They are passing their declining days quietly and comfortably at their snug homestead on section 10, with the satisfaction of having per- formed life's duties well as far as in them lay, making for themselves a good record and one of which their children will never be ashamed. Mr. Brooks has for some time been afflicted with failing eyesight, but bears the dispensation of Providence in a philosophical manner, and still is enabled to lind much that is good in life.
The subject of this notice was born February 14, 1809. in Otego Township, Otsego County, N. Y., and went with his parents to Delaware County. that State, when a lad of about six years. lle lived there with his parents until 1826, and then the family removed to Hamburg, Erie County, where the parents lived until 1836, when they came to Illinois.
In due time Mr. Brooks returned to Delaware County, and was married to Miss Alice, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Edmonds. They settled in Hamburg, Erie County, where they resided until the following spring, then Mr. Brooks return- ing to Otsego County, occupied himself as a mill- wright. Afterward he removed to Erie County, of which he was a resident until 1837. In June of that year he came to this State. Ile was then joined by his wife, who was only permitted to remain
with him a short time thereafter, her death taking place October 14, 1837, in Lockport Township. Of this union there was born one child, a son, Joseph E., who is now a resident of Lockport.
Mr. Brooks contraeted a second marriage in August, 1838, in Homer Township, to Miss Jane Weaver. This lady was born in Washington County, N. Y., January 21, 1807. After marriage Mr. Brooks remained in Lockport for a short time, then in the spring of 1839 settled on his present farm. This comprises eighty acres of good land, which under his careful management is in a highly productive condition, and is the source of a com- fortable income. Of this marriage of our subject there have been born five children, only one of whom is living, a son, Sterling A. The latter was married in Northport, Mich., to Miss Emily Cor- nell, and is living with our subject.
The father of our subject was Benjamin Brooks, who died about 1865, at the home of his son, Alonzo B., with whom he had lived for eleven years. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna Warner, died in Crete Township about 1838. Our subject has held the office of Assessor and Jnstiee of the l'eace for many years. He officiated as Ilighway Commissioner several terms, and in polities is a firm supporter of Republican princi- ples. He and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also the first Mrs. Brooks.
HARLES HERTZOG. The life of this gentleman presents a record of arduous labor which is perhaps not exceeded in that of any other resident of the county. He has now retired from active work, feeling the weight of seventy-five years and the toil which he endured. A twenty-aere tract of land with a pretty cottage upon it is the home of himself and wife, and his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Kankakee County, is rented to his son. He also owns forty acres of land on section 22, in this township, a part of which he uses for pasture, the rest being rented out.
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Grandfather Hertzog came from Alsace to America many years ago, being sold for his pas- sage. Hle settled in Pennsylvania, where his son, George, the father of our subjeet. was born. The latter married Catherine Ioh, a native of the same State, whose father had served during the entire Revolutionary struggle, spent. the memorable win- ter with Washington at Valley Forge, and walked barefooted on the snow and ice, leaving tracks of blood to mark his way. He hated a llessian sol- dier with all the strength of his being.
Charles Hertzog, of this notice, was born in the Keystone State September 5, 1815, and had such limited educational privileges that his schooling was not more that a year all told. When sixteen years old he was bound out to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he served four years and eight months, receiving only his board and clothes, although during haying and harvesting he worked for farmers and his master took the pay. The youth had very hard treatment during the years of his apprenticeship.
After learning his trade young Hertzog went to Pottsville, where for a short time he was engaged in journey work, after which he became a laborer in the coal mines for several years. In the inter- vals of mining he worked at other occupations, some of his labor in Pennsylvania bringing him the wages of fifty cents per day, from which he was obliged to board himself. fle labored in saw- mills and also followed the river a while.
On September 11, 1836, Mr. Hertzog was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Fiddler, a native of the Keystone State, in which they continued to reside nutil 1850. They then came to Illinois, making their home in Napierville, a few months after which they removed to Kankakee County, then a part of Will County. Mr. Hertzog bought one hundred acres of prairie land, twenty acres of which had been broken, and opened up a good farm. He was almost empty-handed when he lo- located upon the place and he had a hard time to get along. but stubborn perseverance finally con- quered. Ile remained upon the farm until his home was burned out, when he spent a short time in Kankakee, returning to his farm, from which he removed to Will County several years since.
The first vote of Mr. Hertzog was cast for Mar- tin VanBuren. Since then he has been a Whig and a Republican of conservative views. While in Kankakee Township he served as Director of the School Board and as Overseer of Highways. Dur- ing his residence in Pennsylvania he was a member of the Sons of Temperance. He is the father of eleven children, of whom the following survive: Charles Wesley, Mrs. Henrietta Nicolai, Mrs. Ellen Fisher, Henry II .. James N., and Mrs. Martha Fleming. Ile lost one son during the Civil War, at which time Charles Wesley and William F. be- longed to the Thirty-ninth Illinois, Yates Phalanx. The first-mentioned returned to his home at the close of the war, but William was killed June 18, 1864.
HARLES W. SOLLITT. The Sollitt home- stead, now occupied by this gentleman, comprises one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 30, Washington Township, which is well adapted for general farming and the feeding of stock. For the past nine years Mr. Sollitt has been much interested in the Hereford breed of cattle and has made a specialty of raising them. At present he has a herd of thirty, at the bead of which is the noble animal, Justice, whose registered number is 16210.
For some thirteen years Mr. Sollitt has had the personal control of the homestead, on which he has lived since 1861, at which time the parents came here on account of the failing health of the wife and mother. Ile was born in Chicago, July 18, 1851, but grew to manhood in the township he now calls home. Ilis education was finished at the I'niversity of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and he chose as his vocation in life the peaceful pursuit of a farmer. In this work he has been fairly successful, and by hard work and earnest zeal for his pursuit has attained a good rank among the agriculturists of the vicinity.
The father of our subject is an old resident of Chicago, where he has many friends, and is held in excellent repute as a former builder, of integrity and reliability. He has become well-to-do, owning
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much real estate in the city, and now lives a re- tired life at No. 519, Jackson Boulevard. lle was born in Yorkshire, England, and is the son of a mechanic, who died there in the prime of life. The ancestors for several generations had been born in the mother country, but the remote pro- genitors were natives of France. whence they went to England during the Huguenot troubles prior to the date of the American Revolution.
John Sollitt was taught the trade of a wheel- wright. and followed the same in the land of his birth until about 1836. He had married Miss Mary Truitt, of his own shire, and to them had been born two children prior to their removal to America. They settled in Kingston, Canada, where Mr. Sollitt engaged as a builder, leaving that city for the United States after a sojourn of two years. lle located in what was then a small village, but has now grown to be the second city in the United States and a power in commercial circles.
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