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 17
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After their marriage the elder Trowbridge and his wife remained for some years residents of Har- risburg and then removed to Altoona, Pa., where the father operated some time as a foundryman. He then removed to Juniata County. and later to Lewistown, where he became the employe of a firm engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. He was thus occupied until the fall of 1863, and then, the Civil War being in progress, enlisted in the Two Hundred and First Pennsyl- vania Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable dis- charge.
of the Freedom Steel Works, one of the largest manufacturing enterprises of the kind in Pennsyl- vania, and he there remained until 1870. We next find him making his way to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he was joined by his family in 1871, and where he spent the remainder of his life. In Grand Rapids he was manager of Chubb's Agricultural Implement Works. ile was a skilled workman, and was of that genial and companionable disposition which drew around him hosts of friends. llis re- ligious views coincided with the doctrines of the Episcopal Church.
The mother of our subject died at her home in Grand Rapids, Mich., in March, 1875, aged about sixty years. She, like her husband, was a member of the Episcopal Church. There were born to them ten children, seven of whom, five daughters and two sons, are yet living. These with one exception are all married. William C. is next to the eldest, and like them obtained his education principally in his native county. He accompanied the family in the removal to Grand Rapids, Mich., and was there married, March 10, 1876, to Miss Lelia M. Wil- kins. This lady was born in Grand Rapids, Au- gust 31, 1856, and was carefully reared and edu- cated. She grew up an accomplished and intelligent woman, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of three children, viz .: F. Winona, William Roy and Myron. Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge are members of the Congregational Church at Crete, and Mr. Trowbridge, politically, is a sound Republican.
OHN DAY. No member of the farming community of this county is more worthy of representation in this BIOGRAPHICAL Ammuy than this gentleman, who has been identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the State for many years, and now owns and occupies a choice place of ten aeres in Plain- field Township, and also one hundred and eighty- two acres in Du Page Township.
Returning now to his home and family in Lew- istown, Pa., the father of our subject not long Mr. Day is of English birth, born in Lincoln - afterward took charge of the smelting department # shire, April 2, 1836. llis father, bearing the same
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name as himself, was a native of the same shire. and his grandfather was a life-long resident there. The father of our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, and was there employed in agricultural pursuits until 1856, when he came to America and settled in Illinois, buying a home with our subject in DuPage Township, and living there until his useful life was closed by death. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Rebecca Brickles, and she was also a native of England. She spent her last years at the home of our subject at Plainfield. She and her husband were the parents of four children, namely: Mary. William, John and Sophia. The latter died at the age of four years, and the others came to Amer- ica. Mary married William Pepper. They lo- cated in this county, and she is now deceased. William located in Manhattan, but is now residing in Joliet.
John. of whom we write,e was reared in the land of his birth until he was eighteen years of age. He had heard of America, and being an ambitious. .If-reliant. adventurous youth, he longed to try his fortunes here, but was restrained by his par- ents from coming to this country until the age mentioned. Having finally obtained their per- mission, he set sail from Liverpool April 2, 1854. and after a tedious voyage of seven weeks landed in New York. He started thence at once to Illi- nois to join friends at Plainfield. He immediately sought employment here. as he needed the money. and soon found work on a farm at $16 a month. He was thus engaged for about three years, and then rented land ou shares until 1866, when he bought ninety-one acres of land on section 30, DuPage Township, and about eight years later bought ninety one acres adjoining on the same section. He resided there until 1884, then rented the farm and came to town, and bought the pleas- ant residence in which he has since lived retired. he having acquired a handsome competence by untiring and well-directed labors.
To the wife who makes this home cozy and at- tractive, Mr. Day was united in marriage in Octo- ber, 1859. Mrs. Day's maiden name was Cath- erine Stratton, and she was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 6. 1810. Her father,
William Stratton, was a native of New Jersey. and moving from there to Ohio, located among the pioneers of Wayne County. and there spent the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Barbara flicks. She was born, it is thought, in Pennsylvania, and was of Dutch des- cent. She spent her last years in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Day have three children living-Sophia A., Lizzie .I. and Carrie O.
Our subject is in every sense of, the word a self-made man, as all that he is and has he owes to his own exertions. lle is a man of self-re- specting character, is well dowered with firmness, activity and sound business qualifications. and is classed among our best citizens.
LBERT L. DAVIS. The subject of this notice, who is a familiar figure among the mercantile interests of Joliet, was born October 7, 1845, in Dublin, Wayne County, Ind. His parents were Norton and Ellen (Cham- berlin) Davis, who were natives of New York. Norton Davis spent his early years in his native county of Monroe, and after reaching man's estate occupied himself at various employments, and was successful financially. For many years he operated a machine-shop, and was engaged in the manufae- ture of farming implements at Dublin, Ind. He died there on the 4th of December, 1883. HIe was a man of fine business abilities, the architect of his own fortune, commencing life without means at the age of sixteen years, and gained for himself a good position socially and financially.
The mother of our subject survived her husband seven years, dying February 9. 1890, at the old homestead in Dublin, Ind. The parental house- hold consisted of six children, only two of whom are living-Albert L. and Walter C., the latter living in Cambridge City, Ind., where he follows the occupation of a jeweler.
Albert L. attained his early education in the com- mon schools, and later he entered Miami Com- mercial College, from which he was graduated in 1861. He commenced his business career as a
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book-keeper for the firm of Davis, Lawrence & Co., which subsequently was known as the Wayne Agricultural Company, and Mr. Davis held his position with the firm for a period of twelve years. In 1886, in company with S. S. Chamber- lin, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Lockport, and the firm holds a lead- ing position among the business interests of the place. In July, 1888, he entered into partnership with the firm now known as S. S. Chamberlin & Co.
Mr. Davis was married January 21, 1869, at the bride's home in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Clara S. Odell. This lady was born August 18. 1819, in that city and is the daughter of Thomas W. and Caroline L. Odell, who were natives respectively of Canada and Ohio. This union resulted in the birth of four children, viz .: Nelle C., Arthur R., Clarence (. and Ada N. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity in doliet. being a Knight Templar. He has one of the most valuable collections of ancient and Roman coins in this country, some of them dating back as far as three and four hundred years before Christ. He and his wife are both active members of the Universalist Church, and hold membership in the First Universalist Church in Dublin, Ind.
HOMAS TUCKER. The agricultural ele- ment that has been so largely instrumental in the upbuilding of Will County is well represented by this gentleman, who is one of the foremost farmers and stock-breeders of Monee Township, where he owns a large and valuable farm.
Mr. Tucker was born September 27, 1835, near Shasberry, Dorchester, England, a son of Luke and Sarah Tucker, who were natives of the same place as their son. Ilis father was a farmer during his early life but for many years he was engaged as a collector of tithes for the church. lle and his wife had a family of eight children: Elizabeth Rose, of England; Ann, who became the wife of George Hitcheoek and died in England, leaving a son and
daughter; Israel is a resident of Chicago; Mary, wife of Abraham Serivens, of Will Township; Sarah married Thomas Randerson, and has since died; Thomas; Stephen ; John, the eldest. died in England. The mother of our subject died in England about 1842, and his father with five chil- dren came to the United States two years later, landing after a voyage of eight weeks, arriving in Syraense on the Fourth of July, in season to cele- brate our great National holiday. Mr. Tucker was a resident of that city about thirteen years, and subsequently going to Chicago died there in Sep- tember, 1876, aged eighty-three years and five months.
A lad of only nine years when he came to this country, our subject has been reared under its in- stitutions and was educated in its public schools, and no native-born citizen is more loyal than he. He followed farming in Syracuse until 1858, when he came to Chicago with his brother Stephen and was engaged in the butehering business there for some years. In the spring of 1863 he took a most important step in life, as he then came to this county to resume his early occupation as an agriculturist and located on the farm where he now resides. This comprises two hundred and forty acres, sup- plied with all substantial improvements and he has besides much other land. He has two hundred and forty acres adjoining in Monee, one hundred and sixty aeres in Will Township, and has eighty aeres of the two hundred and forty acres which he and his brothers owned jointly at one time. Mr. Tucker began life without a dollar and has acquired all this valuable property by the exercise of keen judgment, incessant industry and the wise economy that knows when to spend as well as when to spare money, and is numbered among our moneyed men who are using their influence to advance the town and county in every direction. Mr. Tucker takes a leading place in the township as a stock-breeder, and for the last six years has made a specialty of rearing Hereford cattle, importing a part of his herd directly from England. He is also interested in raising horses, the Ilambletonian stock being his favorite. of which he has some line specimens.
May 3, 1860, Mr. Tucker and Miss Ann Shevlin were united in marriage. She was born in County
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Donegal, Ireland, a daughter of Charles and Ann (Gollahar) Shevlin, who were also natives of that county, where the father carried on farming. Mrs. Tucker was one of a family of four children, the others being James, of Chicago; Mary, of New Jersey; and Edward, of Chicago. The latter, the eldest, was the first to come to the United States. he coming in 1857 and Mrs. Tucker in 1859. This marriage of our subject has been blessed to him and his wife by the birth of nine children, namely : Ann; Sarah Mary, wife of James O'shea, of Chi- cago; Thomas, Emma, Rose, Charles; Stephen, who died at the age of twelve; Anna, and Israel.
During an honorable career as a sagacious, en- terprising agriculturist, MI. Tucker has displayed in a good degree those solid traits of character that are needful to the attainment of good fortune in any calling, and in his dealings with all, either in a business or social way, he has ever shown himself to be a man of honor and truthfulness. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is a devoted communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically, our subject is a sound Republican.
C HARLES SCHIRRA. This gentleman is numbered among the practical and and suc- cessful farmers of Crete Township, in which he has resided since 1865. He now owns two hun- dred and thirty-five acres of land on seetion 7, it being well improved, well stocked, and well culti- vated. Farming has been the life work of Mr. Schirra and in its pursuit he has brought to bear a marked degree of determination, intelligence. and keenness of observation. As a reliable citizen, an affectionate husband and parent, and an indi- vidual interested in the world's progress, he re- ceives the respect of those about him and fills a worthy place in the list of foreign-born citizens.
The parents of our subject were Nicholas and Mary (Loufe) Schirra, both of whom were natives of Prussia, the former being of French ancestry and the latter of German blood. Both lived to a good old age, spending their entire lives in their
native land. Mr. Schirra was usually employed at farm labor. Hle and his wife belonged to the Ger- man Catholic Church. They were the parents of seven sons and three daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third child.
In one of the Rhine Provinces, Charles Schirra was born April 17, 1817. He obtained a good German education and becoming a farmer worked as a tiller of the soil in his native land until thirty years old. He then, in the spring of 1817, started to America, taking passage at Antwerp on a sail- ing vessel and spending forty-two days on the At- lantic, Ile was followed to this country in later years by two brothers and a sister, all of whom are yet living. He landed in New York City without means to continue his journey, and he therefore worked his way to Chicago, which he reached sometime in the fall. He worked in var- ious parts of Cook County until 1853, when he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of land in Bloom Township, upon which he remained un- til he became a resident of Will County. Ilis first purchase here was of two hundred acres, to which he afterward added.
In Rich Township. Cook County, he of whom we write was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Ladoux, with whom he lived happily until June 14, 1876, when she was called hence by the angel of death. She was then forty-eight years of age, having been born in Switzerland, December 25, 1827. Her parents Joseph and Lizzie Ladoux were natives of Switzerland, who upon coming to the United States in 1845, settled at once in Rich Township, Cook County, where they began to im- prove a farm. After some years the mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Goodseid. being then in her seventy-second year. The father afterward came to Crete Township, Will County, and died at the home of his son. Joseph, he also being seventy-two years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ladoux belonged to the Catholic Church,
To Mr. Schirra and his good wife, fourteen chil- dren were born. John. and Charles died young and they also lost an infant. Of the living chil- dren we note the following: Eliza married Peter Wehren, a furniture dealer who lives in Madison, Cook County; Matilda is the wife of Peter
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Schmidt, their home being in Chicago; Carrie be- came the wife of Sebastain J. Lux, who is now deceased and she lives on her father's farm; Joseph is operating a farm in this township; Phillip C. lives in Monee Township: Ida M. is the wife of Metz Miller, a carpenter in Chicago; Charles C. and Anna A. are at home ; George is now associated with his brother, Joseph, in operating a farm; Walter P. and Jacob O. are at home. All the children were educated in both German and English and are intelligent, well informed, and manifesting energy and thrift. Mr. Schirra is a sound Democrat.
OHIN T. CLYNE is one of the bright and enterprising young business men of Will County. being closely identified with its stock interests. He is connected with S. W. Simmons in the breeding and handling of trotting stock and they are the proprietors of the Stone City Stables in Joliet, where they have a fine stud of horses. They issue the Will County Horseman, of which our subject is the business manager. They are making a great success of this paper published in the interests of the turfmen. as it already has a good circulation. It is a four-column. eight- page quarto, having been enlarged from a four-page sheet. Our subject comes of sterling New York ancestry and is a native of that State, born in Co- hoes, Albany County, December 8, 1857, to James and Catherine Clyne. Ilis mother was the daughter of John and Mary Quinn, of Washington County, N. Y., who were of Irish descent. The father of our subject was the son of Thomas and Margaret (McCormick) Clyne, the latter a native of Oneida County, and the old homestead on which she was born is still in possession of the family. ller an- cestry eame to America in Colonial times. Thomas Clyne was born in County Longford, Ireland, his father having gone there from Germany during the exodus from that country.
Our subject was reared in the city of his birth until he attained the age of nine years and there
laid the foundation of his education. At that age he commenced working in the knitting factories and was thus employed until 1875, when at the age of seventeen, on a certain Sunday evening, he and his " chun" started out to make their fortune in the West. His friend, Martin Mahon, is now a wealthy man in San Francisco, Cal. When our subject thus ventured out into the workt he had but a few dol- lars in his pocket, and after traveling some days hie secured a job in a sash and blind shop at ninety cents per day. He worked there two weeks and then left to learn the trade of a bricklayer, but the contractor skipped the county and left him in the lurch. Fortunately he had a friend who could and did lend him $5, and he made his way to Lockport, where he obtained work in the harvest field and was there employed nine days, which was his first experience of farm life, and for the next three years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, the last two working for Judge Simmons, the father of his partner. Feeling the need of a better education he entered a good school at Valparaiso, Ind., and was closely engaged in study there for a year. Ile then returned to Plainfield and worked for the same man for a time and then resumed his scholastic pursuits and was in school for a year, paying his own way in the meantime. When he had com- pleted his education he again went back to Plain- field and there took part in a ceremony which has had an important bearing on his after life as he was at that time married to Miss Anna L., daughter of John and Hannah McClosky. She is an earnest Christian and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Of her happy union with our subject three sons have been born-Mead, Wade, and Vard.
After marriage our subject utilized his education by teaching school in DuPage. Ile subsequently took charge of the business of J. W. Funk, who was a great horse shipper and contractor. After that Mr. Clyne was appointed to take charge of the County Poor House, under Judge Simmons, and was keeper for three years, and then was made Superin- tendent of the Poor. and continued in that position fiom 1885 until the present time. He is now as- sociated with S. W. Simmons, as before mentioned. They have a valuable stud of horses of which we may mention Dictator, Jr., son of Dictator and
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Delwood a member of the Nutwood family; Ali Bushaw, son of Greens Bushaw; T. B. Mount. re- presentative of old Almont, No. 33; llarry and Leo McGregor, descendants of the famous Robert Gregor of time 2:173, and many others of consid- erable note.
Mr. Clyne is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Madison Lodge, No. 175; Chapter of Joliet, No. 27. and also belongs to the Joliet Commandery of Knight Templars, No. 4. As a public-spirited citizen fully alive to the best interests of his county and township, he is a thoroughbred Republican and takes a great interest in politics and has been instrumental in getting manygood measures through the State Legislature, notably. the opening of the boulevard at Joliet. A man of ambitious, forceful character. well-trained intellect, and excellent hab- its, our subject is an influence for good in the community and exerts himself to promote its advancement.
OHN GOUGAR. This aged veteran, who has passed the eightieth year of his age, las been a resident of New Lenox Township since 1830. He has seen much of pioneer life, contributed his full quota to the development of the agricultural resources of this section, and is now in the enjoyment of a competence, being able to look back upon a well spent life, and feeling that his labors have not been in vain. During his long residence in Will County he has gathered around him hosts of friends, who have long recognized his sterling qualities, and whose confidence and esteem he enjoys in a marked degree. The biographer linds him pleasantly situated in a beautiful home. amidst all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
The immediate progenitors of Mr. Gougar were William and Catherine ( Abel) Gougar. natives of Pennsylvania, and the father born in Berks County. They were reared and married in the Keystone State, but in 1818 removed to Ohio, and lived eight years in Pickaway County. Thence they re- moved to Vermillion County, Ind., and from there,
in June, 1831, to Illinois, settling on section 18, in what is now New Lenox Township. The father tilled the soil successfully, and constructed a good home- stead from a tract of wild land, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying March 31, 1861. The mother died January 6, 185 1.
To the parents of our subject there was born a family of eleven children, nine sons and two daugh- ters, eight of whom are living. John, our subject, was the eldest of the family, and was born in Northumberland County. Pa., March 20, 1810; he accompanied the family in their removals to Ohio and Indiana, and attained to manhood on a farm in Vermillion County, where he sojourned until the fall of 1830. He then came to what was then Cook. but is now Will County, [1]., and settled on section 18. New Lenox Township, of which he has since been a resident. He thus bears the distinction of being one of the oldest living settlers of this county.
Mr. Gougar remained a bachelor until a man of thirty-nine years, and then he met his fate in the person of Miss Mary Ann Miller, to whom he was married in Joliet, January 2, 18-19. Mrs. Gongar was born May 21, 1813, near Shippensburg, P'a., and was the daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Boots), Miller, likewise natives of the Keystone State, in the eastern part of which they spent the closing years of their lives. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are living.
Our subject and his wife commeneed their wed- ded life together at the home which they now own and occupy. Of their union there has been born one child only, a son, Lewis F., November 15. 1852. He has spent his entire life at the old farm, and for many years past has had the chief man- agement of it, relieving his parents from many cares. He was given a good education in the schools of New Lenox Township and at Englewood, Ill. For several years he has been a School Di- rector in his district, and also served as Overseer of Highways. Both parents and son are regular attendants of the Episcopal Church.
John Gougar east his first Presidential vote for Van Buren, and from that day to this has contin- ued a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. lle served in the Black Hawk War, being a member
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of a company of mounted volunteers, under the command of Capt. Holden Scission, and had three brothers-Williams, Nicholas and Daniel-who served in the sathe company, all being mustered into service in August, 1832. During the early days the post-office was at the house of Mr. Gougar. Cornelius Van Horn acting as Postmaster, and con- stituted one of the stations between Danville 'and Chicago. Mr. Gongar served on the petit jury in Chiengo, walking the entire distance. In 1830 he went to mill with an ox-team to a place near (1- tawa. lle hauled his grain and other produce to Chicago, also drove his live-stock there to market. Upon one occasion, during the Black Hawk War, he in company with David Magnet, sought safety in a cave north of Joliet, where they remained un- disturbed until the danger was past.
Near the residence of Mr. Gougar is an old In- dian burying ground. During the early days the pioneers endured untold hardship, and but few sur- vived to tell the tale. The subject of this notice is looked upon as one of the old landmarks, whose career has been one of more than ordinary interest. lle traces his ancestry to Germany, and the family was first represented in America probably during the Colonial days. Mr. Gougar has in his possess- ion a German Bible, which was printed about 1600, and which is carefully preserved as an invaluable relic. lle has made for himself a good record, and his name will be held in kindly remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers. Two of his brothers, who have also been men of note in their community, are represented elsewhere in this volume.
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