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 26
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The subject of this notice received a careful parental training, attended the district schools in his native township and grew up healthful in mind and body with strength and courage for the battle of life. When reaching his majority, he crossed the Atlantic to visit the scenes of his father's early years and his grandfather's home. This proved not only a pleasant but a very valu- able experience, and he returned feeling that the time and money thus employed could not have been spent in a wiser manner. Subsequently he was married, in Crete Township, to Miss Mary Hartmann. Mrs. Ohlendorf was born in this town- ship June 18, 1861, and is the daughter of John and Ellen (Behrens) Hartmann, who were likewise natives of Germany and early settlers of this town- ship, and who are now residents of Crete. Mrs. Ohlendorf is a lady of more than ordinary intelli- gence, and by her union with our subject has be- eome the mother of four bright children-Agnes, Charles O., Walter and Ida. Both our subject and his wife were trained in the doctrines of the Luth- eran Church, to which they faithfully adhere. Po- litically, Mr. Ohlendorf is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He has been tax collector of his township for the past year and is a man in whom the community has entire confidence. He is reliable in his business transactions and as a farmer, skillful and progressive, and in all respects is proving a worthy representative of one of the leading families of this section.
ON. FRED KAUKA. It is probable that ho resident of Beecher is more widely known than the lon. Fred Kauka, a retired farmer and ex-Representative. Ile was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, November 17, 1823, and lost his father when very young. His mother married again, and she and his stepfather died after our subject became a resident of the United States. Ile grew to maturity in the land of his birth, receiving an excellent education in his native tongue. Ile married Miss Mary Hasenjaer, and after the birth of one child the young couple
Charles Pittig nu
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set sail for the United States, leaving Bremerhaven on the "Gaeta." Capt. Homen commanding. After a voyage of seven weeks they landed in the Ameri- can metropolis, whence they went direct to Chicago.
Mr. Kauka settled fourteen miles west of that city, remaining there from 1847 to 1854, at which time he became a resident of Will County. He secured one hundred and sixty acres of Govern- ment land on section 13, Washington Township, his homestead being surrounded by unbroken lands devoid of habitation. He improved the estate. seeing cultivated fields gradually take the place of the primitive sod, and various improvements spring up about him. The enterprise which he displayed redounded to his credit, and he became known as one of the most judicious and enterprising farmers in this vicinity. After some years he soll his fer -. tile estate and bought five aeres on section 21, near the town of Beecher. Here he has made his home since 1881. retired from the arduous labors of farm life, while yet surrounded with all which makes country living pleasant.
Mrs. Kauka was born in Hesse-Cassel, August 25. 1823, and is the daughter of natives of that Duchy, who were of pure German stock. They came to America three years after their daughter, and set- tling in this county, died here at an advanced age. They were members of the Lutheran Church, as were also the parents of Mr. Kauka. They were the parents of one sou and three daughters, three of whom are now living in Illinois and one in Fowa. Mrs. Kauka was the third in order of birth. and like her brother and sisters was carefully reared and well educated in her native land. She is an excellent housewife. a kind neighbor and a devoted wife and mother. She is the mother of seven chil- dren, all now settled in homes of their own. Caro- line is the wife of Jacob Frahm and lives on a farm in Saunders County. Neb .; Mary is the wife of Henry Letz, who operates a farm in Washington Township, this county ; Sophia married Fred Gev. eke, who is farming in Fillmore County, Neb .; Liz- zie is the wife of Peter Blayne and resides in Beecher; Fred II. married Emma Hattendorf, their home being in Chicago; Ellen is the wife of Thomas Peterson. a mechanic in Chicago; Lavina married Fred Dorman, a milkman in Chicago.
In 1877 Mr. Kauka was elected by the Republi- cans of this county to represent them in the State Legislature, and was re-elected in 1879. He served on the committees of Agriculture and Horticulture during the entire time that he was in the Legisla- ture. and he also acted on special committees on Mining, Manufacturing and Penitentiary. As a committeeman he was painstaking and judicious, and his friends have no reason to be ashamed of the record which he made in the legislative halls. As a local official he has served in various offices, among them being those of Township Collector, Supervisor, Commissioner of Highways, and Justice of the Peace. In the latter oflice his term of serv- ice amounted to sixteen years. This fact alone is proof that his fellow-men regard him as upright, intelligent, and interested in the best good of his fellow-men. He and his estimable wife attend the Congregational Church of Beecher.
HARLES PETTIGREW. On the opposite page appears a portrait of this gentlemen, who is Superintendent of the Ilinois Steel Works. He has for many years been intimately connected with the business interests of Joliet and is recognized everywhere as a man liberal and pub- lie-spirited and of more than ordinary ability. He was President of the first Building and Loan Asso- ciation organized in the place and held the office until the press of other business compelled his res- ignation.
One of the best countries on the face of the globe claims Mr. Pettigrew as her son, he hav - ing been born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. February 1. 1814. Ilis parents were John and Agnes (Hislop) Pettigrew, who were likewise of Scotch birth and ancestry; they are both living and are now residents of Scotland. The father for many years was engaged in the grocery trade and was a man noted for his sturdy, honesty and reliability. The parental household included eight children : John is a resident of Joliet; Charles, our subject, is the second child; Ellen, Mrs. Scott, lives with her husband in Melbourne, Australia; Isabel remains
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in her native Scotland; Gavin, who resides in the city of London, England, is engaged in the mer- cantile business; Andrew is proprietor of a dry- goods establishment in the city of Glasgow, Seot- land. One child, also named Isabel, died in infancy. and Agnes when about twenty years of age.
The subject of this notice spent his boyhood days in his native village of Lanark, and after a l;rief time spent in school went into the cotton fac- tory of the Lanark Spinning Company, where he remained seven years and until a youth of eigh- teen. Then, determining upon a change of occupa- tion, he repaired to the city of Glasgow and served an apprenticeship of five years at the trade of a machinist. Not yet satisfied with the condition of his prospects he, in 1867, crossed the Atlantie and making his way to Chicago, Ill., followed his trade there until 1870.
In August, of the year above mentioned, Mr. P'etti- grew came to doliet and entered the employ of what is now known as the Illinois Steel Company but what was then the Union Coal, Iron and Transpor- tation Company, of which A. B. Meeker, was Presi- dent. Ilis fortunes now began to mend perceptibly and here he has since remained. By strict atten- tion to his duties he secured the confidence of his employers and in 1872 was promoted to the fore- manship of the machine shop. A year later he was made Master Mechanic with its attendant duties and responsibilities. In 1882 he became Assistant Superintendent and in 1889, was appointed Super- intendent, which office he still fills to the entire satisfaction of all.
Upon becoming a voting citizen Mr. Pettigrew identified himself with the Republican party, but he has meddled very little in politics with the excep- tion of serving as an Alderman of the First Ward for two years. He took unto himself a wife and helpmate in June, 1869, Miss Agnes, daughter of Daniel and Agnes (Stewart) Cameron. Mrs. Petti- grew, like her husband, is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and was born in December, 1811. ller childhood home was in the same town as that of her husband. Her parents were of Scotch birth and ancestry and are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Pettigrew there have been born three chil- dren, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Edith Stew.
art, is the wife of II. II. Delos and lives in Chicago. The other daughters, Agnes and Clara Belle, are at home with their parents. The Pettigrew family occupies a tasteful and commodious residence at No. 709 Collins Street, and is numbered among the first families in the social circles of the city.
b ENRY COLE. One of the finest farms within the limits of Crete Township is owned and occupied by Mr. Cole, who is recognized as one of its leading citizens. This comprises his father's old homestead, embrae- ing four hundred and ten acres, finely located and improved. well watered, and plentifully supplied with timber. Among its valuable features is a mineral spring which is utilized by both the pro- prietor and outsiders.
The main points in the history of the subject of this notice are as follows: He is the son of the well-known Erastus Cole, a native of New Hamp- shire and of English deseent. The latter when a child of three years was taken by his parents to Herkimer County, N. Y., where he was reared and educated, and where he lived until forty years old. In the meantime he learned cabinet-making, which he followed in the Empire State until 1838, and in that year he came to Illinois, an unmarried man and seeured a tract of Government land, which land is now comprised in the farm oceupied by his son llenry, and which he seeured at a land sale in Chicago. It embraced a part of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, in what is now Crete Township, and there he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1864, when sixty-six years old.
Erastus Cole was an honest, hard-working man who gained a competence through his own efforts. Possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and decided in his views, he was first a member of the Whig party, a staneh Abolitionist during the slavery days, and died firmly grounded in Re- publican doctrines. Ilis religious views accorded with those of the old school Baptist church. After coming to Illinois he was married in Danville to Mrs. Martha (Boardman) Gilbert. This lady was
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born in Rushville Township, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1810, and came of American parentage. She grew to womanhood in her native county, and was there married to Asel Gilbert. They lived in New York State until about 1835, then came to Ilinois and settled hear Danville, where Mr. Gilbert en- gaged in farming and died. To Mr. and Mrs. Gil- bert were born three children, all of whom are now deceased.
Mrs. Cole proved the true helpmate of her hus- band in all his worthy undertakings, and contributed by her good judgment and frugality. largely to his snecess. She survived him a number of years, and died at her home in Crete February 28, 1870, at the age of sixty years. For some time she had been a member of the Congregational Church. Of her union with Mr. Cole there were born three children, two daughters and a son. The eklest, Emma, was married to D. P. Shoemaker, and died in 1880 in LaPorte County. Ind., at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving two sons. Mr. Shoemaker is still living and a resident of Indiana. Miss Ellen Cole is unmarried and a resident of Joliet. Henry, our subject, was the eldest born. He was reared on the farm and completed his studies at the village schools of ('rete.
1
Mr. Cole was married in ( rete April 22, 1862. 10 Miss Lucy A .. daughter of O. O. and Lydia (Skin- ner) Bordwell. Mrs. Cole was born April 5, 18445. in Shelburne, Mass., of which State her parents were also natives and where they were feared and married. They came to Ilinois in 1854, settling in Crete, but in 1866 removed to Manteno where they are now living retired from active labor. Mr. Bordwell is seventy-eight years old, while his esti- mable wife is a year his senior. They are greatly respected in their community. and possess all the traits of character which made them kind and in- dulgent parents and hospitable neighbors.
To the parents of Mrs. Cole there was born a f:unily of six children, three of whom are living, and of whom she was the fourth in order of birth. She was a child of nine years when her parents came to Crete, where she was reared to womanhood and obtained her education in the village sebool. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children-Laura E., Willard M., Ada B .. Frank
W., Inez G. and Ray E. They are all at home with their parents, with the exception of Ada, who is the wife of William E. Hall, and who resides at Manteno, this State.
Mr. Cole, politically, is a strong supporter of Re- publican principles, and has been prominent in local affairs, serving as Township Assessor eight years; Road Commissioner four years, and School Director for many years.
REEMAN H. ROBERTSON, editor and proprietor of the Peotone Eagle, is a native of the Granite State, and possesses marked characteristics of the Yankee race. He is the sec- ond of three children born to John W. and Martha T. (Huntoon) Robertson, who were also natives of New Hampshire, and spent all their wedded life therein except two years. During that period they resided in New York, where the husband died in 1855. The widow survived until 1875.
The town of Franklin was the birthplace of our subject, and May 3, 1813, his natal day. He ob- tained a common-school education, and at the age of eleven years took up the labors of life by be- gining the trade of a printer. He finished his apprenticeship in the office of the Statesman at Concord, when sixteen years old, spending the fol- lowing two and a half years in advancing his studies and improving his mind.
Coming to Illinois in 1865, Mr. Robertson worked on the Peoria Transcript a year and a half, then found employment in the Democrat office, in Henry. A twelvemonth later he went to lowa, and entered the office of the Bedford Southwest, at Bedford, remaining there but a year, and thence going to Mount Ayr. where he bought a half in- terest in the Ringgold Record. After a brief so- journ of eight months he sold out, and removing to Dakota City, Neb., purchased a half interest in the Dakota City Mail, retaining it but a twelve- month, when he again changed his location, first selling his share in the journal.
Madison was the next home of Mr. Robertson, and his enterprise the purchase and publication of
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the Review, which he sold after a year, buying in- stead the plant of the old Dakota City Mail, and removing it to Stanton. In that town he published a paper two years, then moved the plant to Mis- souri Valley, Jowa, continuing his journalistic labors there until an accident brought them to a close. A runaway team had caused a fracture of his skull, and six months after beginning his work there Mr. Robertson was obliged to close out his business.
The next newspaper venture of Mr. Robertson was at Gilman, Ill., where he ran the Argus, Cres- cent City Sun and Lahogue New's at the same time, also carrying on an office and publishing a sheet called the Panhandle Advocate, at Piper. The oflice at Gilman was burned, in 1884, entailing upon our subject the loss of all his machinery, pa. per and other material. His spirit was undaunted, and he was soon in the possession of the Gowrie Register, at Gowrie, Iowa, the plant of which he subsequently removed to Grand Junction, later selling it and returning to the Prairie State.
Entering an office at Kankakee, Mr. Robertson remained there until November, 1889, when he became editor of the Sunday Hero, in Chicago, leaving that city to begin an enterprise in Peotone for which he saw a good opening. His work there was begun May 19, 1890, and already the Eagle is linding its way into many a household, continually growing in favor. "Ye editor" adds to his native energy the training given by years of experience amid varied surroundings, and such is his financial shrewdness that he wins success where many a man would see nothing but disaster. He wields a facile pen, observes keenly, judges quickly, and judi- ciously selects matter for publication.
The choice of a companion is an important step in a man's life, and fortunate is he who chooses well. The lady who shares the joys and sorrows of Mr. Robertson became his wife in 1869, prior to which time she bore the name of Sarah Herold. She is a daughter of Amos and Margaret (Gander) Herold, who lived in Ohio many years. The mother was born in that State and the father in Virginia. Mrs. Herold died in 1849, and Mr. Herold after- ward went to California. Returning to the States he married again and removed to Livingston
County, Ill., dying there in 1873. Ilis first mar- riage resulted in the birth of seven children, llis daughter Sarah, Mrs. Robertson, was born March 14, 1844. She is a capable housewife, an honored member of society, and a loving wife and mother. She has one son, Willie HI., a bright lad who has already been working at the printing business a year and a half.
Mr. and Mrs. Robertson belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have good standing among its members. He belongs to the Ancient Odd Fel. lows. In politics he is a Republican, and no man in the party has more abounding faith in its prin- ciples, or is more interested in its advancement than he. Although Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have been so short a time in Peotone they have shown the qualities of mind and character that win friends, and are likely to be the center of a large circle as they become better known.
E NESHIA MEERS, LL. B. The legal pro fession is represented in Joliet by severa men of pronounced ability and erudition in the law, who are an honor to the legal brotherhood and to the community of which they form a part. When a young man assumes a prominent place among them, rising in the esteem of his associates and extending his practice, these facts indicate his possession of a high degree of professional skill and knowledge,and the manners which win success and respeet. Such has been the case with the subject of this sketeh, who began his practice in the city in the fall of 1876, and whose office in the Masonic Building is pointed out as that of one of the prom- inent and rising attorneys and counselors of the flourishing town.
The parents of our subject, Dennis and Anna (llalloran) Meers, were born in Ireland and came to the United States soon after their marriage, their first location being in Massachusetts. They after- ward lived in other Eastern States, the husband being engaged in railroad work and contracting. In New York City and the State of New Jersey the greater part of his life was spent. In 1875 with
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his family he removed to Joliet, IH., where he en- gaged in the hardware business. He continued the same until his death, in June, 1888, having asso- ciated with him his son Robert, who still carries on the business. Mr. Meers belonged to the Demo- crat party, and although always ready to cast his vote, had never been an office seeking politician, being always a busy man, whose attention was given exclusively to his personal affairs. He had reached the age of seventy-two years. when he breathed his last; his widow still lives. Both be- longed to St. Mary's Catholic Church before the division of the parish, after which they were num- bered among the early members of the Sacred Heart Church. and helped to build the church edifice.
The birth of E. Meers took place in Bloomsbury, N. J., February 15, 1854, and his youthful days were spent in his native State and New York City. He was educated at Seton Ilall College, a well- known Catholic institution, located at Orange, N. J., and of which Father Corrigan, now Arch-bishop of New York, was President. After completing his studies in that institution young Meers assisted his father in his work of contracting until the re- moval to the West. Ile then read law with Messrs. Olin & Phelps, and with the late Judge McRoberts, taking his lectures at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in the class of '76.
Returning to Joliet Mr. Meers began the prac- tice with C. W. Brown, a prominent attorney of this city, with whom he remained four years, or until the election of Mr. Brown to the position of States Attorney. Ile then opened an office for himself, and continuing to practice alone, has proved very successful in acquiring business and in winning cases which have been given into his hands. He is a vigorous pleader, able at will to employ the shafts of wit which are so peculiar to the Irish race, and which so thoroughly impress a point upon the hearers; he is well versed in the principles of equity and in legal precedents, and in all respects a worthy disciple of Coke and Black- stone.
Mr. Meers served two terms as City Attorney. holding the office from 1879 until 1883. He has not run for any other otlice, although an active
worker in the ranks of the Democrat party. Dur ing the Presidential campaigns he has always taken a prominent part in the canvass, making speeches and aiding his party as much as possible. Ile belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters; C'atholie Order of Foresters; Ancient Order of Ilibernians; and the Irish-American Club. He belongs to the Church of the Sacred Heart. Mr. Meers is still single, living with his mother in a fine home on Third and Eastern Avenues, a beau- tiful part of the city, where his father first built.
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SAAC HENRY, a worthy citizen of Plainfield Township, where he is engaged in agriculture, came to this county as early as 1856 and cast his lot with its pioneers. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth and his father, Jacob Henry, is supposed to have been a native of the same State. He moved from there to Ohio in 1835, and was an early settler of Richland County. At that time that part of Ohio was sparsely settled, and but few improvements had been made. Deer and all kinds of wild game were plentiful where now are fine farms, thriving towns and cities. Mr. Henry bought a tract of timber land, and after building a log house for the accommodation of his family, entered upon the hard task of clearing a farm from the primeval forests. There were no railroads in those days, and Milan, fifty miles distant, was the nearest market. Mr. Henry lived there six- teen years and then sold out and removed to De- fiance County, and buying land there, entered upon the task of its improvement. His useful career, however, was soon brought to a elose. as he died there about one year later. The maiden name of his wife was Christiana Coulser, and she was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1860 she re- moved to Wisconsin, and after living there a short time, to Grundy County, Iowa, and later to Marion County, Mo .. and there died.
The subject of this sketch was five years okl when he removed with his parents to Ohio, and there he was reared under pioneer influences to the life of a farmer. When the family removed to
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Defiance County he bought a traet of timber land and built there. Thinking to better himself by removing to Illinois. he came here in 1856. and was employed in a cabinet shop for a year. Ho then went to Michigan City, Ind., but after a stay there of two months returned to his own home, and the following year again came to Illinois. Ile engaged in farming, working land on shares for eight years, and then purchased the place where he now resides, on section 13, Plainfield Township. It comprises eighty acres of land of exceptional fertility, and he has it under good improvement. and has made here a comfortable and cozy home.
Mr. Henry is. no doubt, greatly indebted to the aid he has received from his capable, helpful wife, to whom he was united in marriage in 1858. Iler maiden name was Sarah Smith and she was a daughter of G. Y. Smith, of whom see sketch on another page of this work. The pleasant home circle of our subject and wife is completed by the five children born to them, namely : Mary M .. Clara M .. Werner L., Laura and Frank. A simple, upright, independent man, Mr. Henry bears a good reputation and is held in genuine respect for his sterling qualities. Ile has made his way in the world by persistent industry, and by the careful management of his affairs to a place among our sub substantial citizen -.
G EORGE II. DARSHBARGER is classed among the leading agriculturists of Plain- field Township, and there is no finer or better improved farm in all the county than his. Hle was born in Penn's Valley, Center County, Pa .. January 27, 1829. llis father, John Harshbarger. was of German descent. The grandfather of our subject was a native of that country, and was there reared and married, and subsequently came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, and there passed the remainder of his life on his farm in l'enn's Valley.
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