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 16
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It is worthy of note that Mr. Sollitt was a poor man with a wife and three children to support and but $5 he could call his own when he reached Chi- cago. The first work he obtained was the con- struction of a stage curtain roller for the first theatre built in the city, and this job, although a small and simple one, secured him further work by its good excention. After he had gotten a start as a buikler, Mr. Sollitt became a partner of Peck & Updike, and ere long was prominently re- cognized in his business. He built the first court- house in Cook County.
The wife of Mr. Sollitt died of the cholera, July 18, 1850, in the prime of life, leaving a family of small children without a mother's care. The hus- band contracted a second matrimonial alliance in Racine, Wis., choosing Mrs. Annie Wilson, nee Rountree, as his companion. This lady was born in County Durham, England, and was there mar- ried to Samuel Wilson, an Englishman. They came to the United States, locating in Buffalo, where Mr. Wilson died of the cholera. Ihs widow afterward came West to Wisconsin, and after her marriage to Mr. Sollitt resided in Chicago until her health failed and they bought property for a country home in Will County. This farm, now
owned and operated by our subject, was the par- ental home until the death of the mother in 1871, when she was about fifty years old. She had borne her last husband two children-our subject and a sister, Blanche, now Mrs. Board, who resides in Oak Park, a part of Chicago.
John Sollitt was again married, the ceremony taking place in Racine County, Wis. The bride was Miss Ann Blackburn, also a native of England. She had come to this country when a young lady, and since her marriage, with the exception of the first two years, has lived in Chicago. Mr. Sollitt is a member of the Old Settlers' Society of that city.
Charles W. Sollitt won as his companion in life Miss Clara Marsh, an educated and refined woman who was born in Crete, January 13, 1858. She was reared and educated in this and Cook Coun- ties, and was engaged in teaching for some time prior to her marriage. The wedding rites were celebrated at the bride's home in Matteson, Cook County, March 23, 1877. Her parents, Edwin and Mary ( Frank) Marsh, are now living in Chicago rather retired, although they still own an interest in a ranch in Russell County, Kan.
Mr. and Mrs. Sollitt, of this notice, bave had three children-Anna died at the age of three years; Leslie and John still live to gladden their parents hearts by their intelligence and affection. Mr. Sollitt is a Republican, and stanch in the faith. Ile and his good wife attend the Congregational Church at Beccher. They are respected and es- teemed by their fellow-citizens as their merits de- mand.
OIIN BEDFORD, deceased, was a worthy member of the farming community of Plainfieldl Township, and during his busy carcer he was active in advancing its ma. terial interests, and we are pleased to be able to place this brief outline of his life on the pages of this volume. A native of Lincolnshire, England, he was born September 28, 1828, his father, bear- ing the same name, also being a native of England, and was there bred to farming pursuits and spent
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his entire life on his native soil. Our subject was reared to an agricultural life, and resided in the land of his birth until 1852. Then in the prime of a vigorous, self-reliant manhood. he set out for the New World, trying to see what life held for him in this land of promise, embarking at Liver- pool in the month of March on the sailing-vessel "Lady Ashburton." Ile landed in New York and came directly to Illinois. where he thought he would be most likely to prosper as a farmer. Ile found employment on a farm in Will County, and was engaged there for some time. In 1855 he re- turned to his old home, and in the same year was married to Miss Ann Foulston, a native of Lin- colnshire, England. Her father, John Foulston, was born in Nottinghamshire, his father. of the same name, being a native of the same shire, where he carried on farming until his death. Mrs. Bed- ford's father was reared on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits. spending his entire life in the land of his birth. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Nicholson. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom came to America-George, now deceased. resided in Ili- nois some years; James lived in Canada some years, spending the latter part of his life in Mani- toba; Francis came to Illinois and has since died; Charles lives in this county.
In March, 1856, our subject again set sail for America, embarking on the vessel "Neptune," accompanied by his young bride, whom he was bringing with him to assist in the upbuilding of a home in his adopted country. Six weeks later they landed in New York. and came to Illinois and located at Lockport. Our subjeet was there engaged as an engineer, running a stationary en- gine fora few years. He then resumed the occu- pation to which he had been bred. In 1876 he bought the farm where his family now resides. This contains ninety-two acres of finely-cultivated land, provided with substantial buildings and every necessary improvement. It is very fertile, and is finely located four miles from Plainfield and eight miles from Joliet,
Ere he had attained to old age, and while it seemed as though he had many years of usefulness before him. his honorable career was cut short by
his untimely death, March 28, 1880. A man of sterling integrity, whose every day life bore testi- mony to the inherent uprightness of his character, by his demise the township lost one of its most respected and trustworthy citizens; his family a good husband and faithful father, who was always kind and considerate, and his neighbors, one who was always helpful in his relations with them. Hle deserved the prosperity that followed his work, as he labored conscientiously and perseveringly, and exercised sound judgment and due discretion in all his dealings, In his wife, who survives him, he always found a faithful and ready assistant, one to whose aid he was greatly indebted for the coziness and comfort of a good home. To them were born four children-Albert F .. who lives with his mother; Walter S., who resides in Joliet; Lizzie J., who is in St. Louis; and Sarah J. at home. The family occupies a good social position, and all are attendants at the Episcopal Church.
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OSEPH F. LEISING, dealer in grain. Im- ber and live stock. established himself in business at Goodenow in 1877, and has con- dueted an extensive and successful business. Ile was formerly a book-keeper with the Crete Manufacturing Company, and possessing business talents of a high order, has naturally made steady progress until he is now numbered among the most reliable men of his town. He was born in the Province of Westphalen, Germany, December 1, 18 15, and lived there until a young man of twenty- four years, coming in 1869 to America. During his residence of twenty years in his adopted coun- try. he has become thoroughly adapted to her in- stitutions which find in him one of their warmest defenders.
The father of our subject was Henry Leising. also a native of Westphalen. who spent his entire life in his native land. engaged in farming pursuits. Ile had served his country as a soldier and was a reliable and substantial citizen, and one who en- joyed in a marked degree the esteem of all who knew him, llc was fifty-six years old at the
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time of his death; he was married in early man- hood to a maiden of his own province, Miss Elizabeth Senger, who survived her husband a number of years, living to be quite aged. Both were members of the German Catholic Church. There had been born to thetn two sons and three daughters of whom Joseph F. of this sketch was the eldest, and he was the only one who came to the United States. His two sisters are still residents of Westphalen one of them being married.
Mr. Leising in accordance with the laws and customs of his native country was placed in school at an early age and received a thorough educa- tion, becoming familiar with the French and Latin languages. Hle commenced his business career as a clerk and was thus occupied for nine years in his native province. Not being satisfied however, with his condition or his prospects. he decided upon seeking the New World and in the summer of 1869 repaired to the port of Bremerhaven and look passage on a steamer bound for New York City. Arriving safely at his destination he at once set out for Chicago, but not long afterward came to Crete Township, where he soon found employment as a clerk and book-keeper and by his faithfulness and attention to his duties gained the goodwill of his employers and the esteem of all who knew him.
Mr. Leising was married at Crete to Miss Eliza, daughter of Andrew Schwendemann. The latter was a native of Bavaria and was married in the Grand Duchy of Mechlenburg to Miss Elizabeth Miller. Later they emigrated to the United States, settling in Buffalo, N. Y., where the father con- ducted a hardware store for a number of years and died at the age of fifty-three. The mother and daughter then came to Illinois, locating in Crete Township where they lived until the mar- riage of the latter. The mother then returned to Buffalo where she is now living with one of her daughters. Although sixty years of age she is bright and active.
Mis. Leising was born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 31, 1856, and was one of a family comprising two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. She was subjected to careful parental training and after her father's death remained with her mother
until her marriage, obtaining her education in the common schools. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, viz: Henrietta M. died aged eleven months; those living are: Ida S., Ella C., Leo A. II. and Augusta. Mr. Leising, politically, is decidedly in favor of the Democratic party and has served as Township Clerk, besides holding other minor offices. IIe is prompt to meet his obligations, a square man in his business transactions and looked upon in all respects as a representative citizen.
AMUEL G. NELSON, Supervisor and Justice of the Peace of Milton Township, is a native of Randolph County, Ind., and a son of John and Elizabeth (Gray ) Nel- son. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was reared in Huntingdon County, Pa., he later removing to Kentucky and from there to Ohio. His next removal was to Randolph County, Ind., whence he went to Montgomery County, making his home on a farm four miles west of Crawfords- ville. Ile represented his county in the Indiana Legislature, and at one time made a strong race for the State Senate from that district, but was defeated. In 1818 he came to Will County, Ill., where he died in 1851 at the residence of our sub- ject. Ilis life work was that of farming, and his labors were successful. During the War of 1812 he served in the American army. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He was an own uncle of Senator Joseph E. McDonald, of the lloosier State. His wife was born near Wheeling, W. Va., and died in this county in 1852.
The parental family consisted of the following - named children: McDonald, Esther, William T., Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy, Samuel G., Mary and Daniel M. The only survivors of this household band are: William T., Samuel G. and Daniel M. Hle of whom we write was born May 8, 1827, and passed his early life on the farm in Montgomery County, Ind., receiving his education in the com-
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mon schools, under the instruction of Joseph E. McDonald, later one of Indiana's prominent legis- lators. When about of age young Nelson came to Illinois, settling on the farm where he yet lives. Hle owns one hundred aeres of land on section 3, his residence being in the village of Wallingford. Every dollar that he possesses has been made by his own exertions and in farming, which has been his life work.
In 1862 Mr. Nelson joined the Union Army as a private in Company H, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, but was soon elected First-Lieutenant of his company. In November, 1863, he was pro- moted to the Capitaney, and subsequently to the rank of Major, in which he finished his service, After the close of the war he was mustered out. June 12, 1865, at Huntsville, Ala., and at Chieago, Ill., was discharged July 1. During his campaign life Maj. Nelson bore a part in the famous battles of Stone River, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and other conflicts of less prominence yet no less dan- gerous to those who participated. Among these were the engagements at Nashville, Franklin, and the minor affrays of the Georgia campaign as far south as Jonesville. At Mission Ridge he was wounded in the left hip by a minie ball.
The first marriage of Mr. Nelson was celebrated at the home of the bride in Wilton Township. Mrs. Abigail (Meacham) Nelson was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1830, and died August 29, 1855. She left one daughter, Elizabeth H., born September 24, 1854. On December 12, 1878, this daughter became the wife of Alexander Price, who died November 1, 1879. They had one son, Herbert A., who with his widowed mother now lives with our subject.
Mr. Nelson contracted a second matrimonial alliance May 1, 1856. choosing for his companion Miss Sarah A. Thomas. of Cook County. This lady was born in Florence Township, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1837, and died April 19, 1877. This marriage was blessed by the birth of six chil- dren, whose record is as follows: Celia J., who was born July 1, 1857, married William II. War- ren, a farmer of Wilton Township, and has four children-Minnie, Celia, Ella and Walter; Will- iam T, was born May 21, 1859, and was killed by
the kick of a horse August 21, 1873; Sarah E. was born October 28, 1861, and died August 30. 1881; Mary M., born October 8, 1866, is the wife of Anthony F. Dennis, a farmer in Peotone Town- ship, and has one daughter. Elsie M. James M. was born January 1, 1872. and Laura B., Novem- ber 29, 1875.
For eighteen years Mr. Nelson has held the official station of Justice of the Peace, and is sery- ing his sixteenth year as Township Supervisor. HIe takes daily and weekly papers in sufficient numbers to keep himself thoroughly informed in the progress of mankind and the news of the day. and is much better read and more intelligent than most men. llis home is one in which both friends and strangers are sure of a cordial welcome and the best of entertainment he can give; while to enterprises of genuine worth he is a liberal con- tributor. Although not connected with any relig- ious organization, he believes in and supports them. Ile has always been a Democrat and taken an active interest in party affairs. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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AVID S. STEPHEN. This gentleman occu- pies a prominent position among the busi- ness men of Frankfort Station, being proprietor of the Frankfort machine shop, a dealer in engines, machines, pumps, pipes, etc., and also occupying the official station of Justice of the Peace. Ile is a son of Joseph and Jane (Garden) Stephen, both of whom were born in Aberdeen- shire, Scotland. Joseph Stephen studied for the ministry, and during his college life was a class- mate of the famous Lord Byron. IIe began his ministerial labors in his native shire, as pastor of a Baptist Church, abandoning his field of labor there in 1843, when he crossed the Atlantic and located in Canada. There he engaged as elerk for a Mr. Barnet, a contractor on the Welland Canal.
After sojourning in the Dominion a year, Mr. Stephen came to the United States, accompanying his employer to Loekport, this county, where he died not long after. The disease which caused his death was bilious fever, and he was then sixty-
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three years old. He was an ardent Abolitionist, preaching the doctrine from the pulpit and writing upon the question of slavery for the public press. During his boyhood he had become proficient as a mechanic, having inherited a taste for handicraft from his father, William Stephen, a native of Wales, and a practical mechanic, who had served for a time in the English army.
After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Jane Stephen became the wife of James Logan, and they are living at Frankfort Station. By her first union she became the mother of five children, viz .: Jane, Mrs. Bruce, who died in Lockport Township; David S., our subject; E. C., who is running a planing, saw and feed mill, and manu- facturing general wood work in Frankfort; Jo- seph S., a machinist in Chicago; George W., who died when eleven years old. Joseph S. served in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry three months, and re-enlisted in another regiment, serving until dis- charged on account of physical disability. When sufficiently recovered he enlisted again, continuing to act in defense of his country until honorably discharged at the close of the war. The second union of the mother of our subject was blest by the birth of one child, William II. Logan, now con- stable in Frankfort.
The birthplace of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch was St. Fergus, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and his natal day March 14, 1836. Until he was five years old he was reared in his native village, and he then went to live with his grandfather at Almouth, where he re- mained until his parents removed to America, when he accompanied them hither. lle traveled by steam to Edinburg, thence by rail to Glasgow, where the family embarked on the "Naverina." After a tedious voyage of ten weeks, landing was made in New York City, whence they went to St. Catharines, Canada, and then to Thorwald, seven miles from Niagara Falls, whose roar they could distinctly hear.
The removal to Illinois was made by a steamer to Chicago, which was then but a village, and by team to Lockport. A home was made on the Bar- net farm. in the township of Homer, and the lad began his attendance at the common schools,
Previous to this time he had been instructed en- tirely by his parents, and he was able to begin his school life in the Third Reader class. The In- dians had left this region not long before and the country was an almost unbroken prairie, neigh- bors were few and far between, and all the sur- roundings were of a primitive nature. Some four or five years later he of whom we write, and his brother, E. C., walked to Frankfort Township, where their stepfather bought a farm, on which our subject lived until his eighteenth birthday.
During his early years David Stephen was occu- pied in farm pursuits, but when eighteen he began working as a millwright and carpenter finding em- ployment in Joliet and Lockport. He also en- gaged somewhat in jobbing and repairing, all handieraft coming naturally to him as an inherit- ance from his mechanical ancestors. Not only had his father and grandfather Stephen been excellent mechanies, but his grandfather Garden was also a fine workman as a millwright and plowwright, and the eilicient proprietor of a general implement shop in Aberdeenshire. Young Stephen drilled during the late war and volunteered, but was rejected by the examining physician.
In 1863 our subject and his brother, E. C., opened a machine and repair shop in Frankfort, the connection continuing three years, after which the older brother retired, and spent three years in Kalamazoo County, Mich. In 1874 the partner- ship was resumed, and the firm of D. S. & E. C. Stephen built a machine shop, feed mill, sawmill and other edifices. continuing in partnership until 1889, when the connection was again dissolved. Since that time our subject has been carrying on his present business, having a fine set of machinery for working iron, and doing a large trade in re- pairing engines and other machines, and manufac- turing a double-force pump of the Stephen Bros'. invention. He has manifested an unusual degree of enterprise, and has a reputation for mechanical skill which is unexcelled.
At the home of the bride in Frankfort, in Novem- ber, 1867, the rites of wedlock were celebrated be- tween Mr. Stephen and Addie C. Bathrick. The bride was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, was educated in Buffalo, N. Y., and was for a time en-
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Lehas Richards
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gaged in teaching, a profession for which her cult- ure, tact and fine character well fitted her. She is a daughter of the Rev. Stephen Bathrick, a Free Will Baptist minister and also a practicing homeo. pathie physician. He labored in various States- New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc .- ably advancing the cause of Christianity for years. He entered into rest in Frankfort, this county. in 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephen two children have been born. named respectively Marian F. and Edwin L.
Mr. Stephen is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace. and his second term as a member of the Board of Village Trustees. A man of ripe intelligence, good judgment and firm prineiples, he proves an efficient worker for the prosperity and order of the town. He belongs to Joliet Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M. Ile is a stanch Republican, politically, and has frequently been sent as a delegate to county conventions.
R. CHARLES RICHARDS. The medical profession of Will County received a wor- thy addition in 1868, by the advent of Dr. Richards, who thereafter prosecuted a successful practice until his death, which occurred February 5, 1890. He was born in Newport, Her- kimer County, N. Y., July 26, 1832, and was the son of Richard and Mary Agnes ( Newton) Rich- ards, who spent their last years in Ohio.
When Charles was a lad of ten years, his parents removed to New Haven. Ohio, where he completed the rudiments of an English education, and. when of suitable years, began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. F. G. Armstrong. Later be at- tended lectures at the Albany Medical College. from which he was graduated in 1855. He con- - tinued bis residence at New Haven, and followed his profession until coming to Illinois,
inspired confidence among his patients, and which was often of more assistance to them in their re- covery than anything which could be obtained from the pharmacist. Dr. Richards built up a large and profitable practice, and in social as well as business cireles was a universal favorite. From 1870 to 1871 he held the office of County Coroner, and for some time he was Secretary of the Will County Medical Society. His religious belief coin- cided with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a leading light in Joliet, and of which his widow is also a member. Polit- ically. Dr. Richards was a stanch Republican, and was influential in his party in this portion of the State.
The marriage of Dr. Charles Richards and Miss Harriet, daughter of Thomas T. and Phebe (Stew- art) Mulford, was celebrated at the bride's home, in New Haven, Ohio, March 25, 1858. Mrs. Richards was born March 19, 1835, in New Haven, Ohio, and was one of a family of six children born to her parents. The latter were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and are now de- ceased. Mrs. Richards, who survives her husband, is a lady of excellent character, and highly re- spected in the community. She occupies a beauti- ful home on Richards Avenue, and enjoys the friendship and association of the best people in the city. To her active co-operation may be attrib- uted not a little of the Doctor's success, for she was a true helpmate to him in every sense of the word.
In connection with this sketch we present a lithi- ographie portrait of Dr. Richards. He is remem- bered affectionately by a very large circle of acquaintances, to whom his worthy traits of char- acter endeared him. He was distinguished not less for his kindness of heart than for his superior talents of mind, and. as became a true Christian. his word was always as good as his bond.
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During his citizenship in Joliet. Dr. Richards won the respeet and esteem of all by his sterling ILLIAM. C. TROWBRIDGE, junior men- ber of the firm of Tillotson & Trowbridge, is familiarly known as one of the editors qualities of heart and mind. Not only was he skilled in dispensing medicines. but he possessed that sympathetic and genial nature which at once ,| and publishers of the Crete Journal and its aux-
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iliaries, which includes the local interests of Bloom, Monee, Beecher, Matteson and Goodenow. The combination of papers was established by Mr. W. H. Gardner. in March, 1888, and in May following he was succeeded by the present firm. They have a bona fide issue of five hundred copies weekly, and publish a paper which is heartily welcomed by the people of this region, being full of local news, and treating concisely all the important topics of the day.
Mr. Trowbridge is a practical printer, with an experience of eight years as foreman of the Breed- ers's Journal, a stock paper formerly published at Beecher, Ill. Ile served a full apprenticeship at the "art preservative" in Lewistown, Pa., and Grand Rapids, Mich., and subsequently was em- ployed five years in the State Printing Office at Lansing. His native place was Altoona, Pa., and the date of his birth April 14, 1856. His father, William S. Trowbridge, was born in Granville, Washington County, N. Y., August 24, 1825, and died October 5, 1889, at Grand Rapids, Mich. The latter was of staneh New England stock, and on account of the death of his father when he was but a boy, was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. lle learned the trade of an iron moulder at Poultney, Vt., and later emigrated to Harrisburg, Pa., where he followed his trade and was married to Miss Henrietta Kuhn. Mrs. Trowbridge was born and reared in Harrisburg, and was the daughter of Jacob and Susan Kuhn, who died there.
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