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 27
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The father of our subject was bred to agrienl- tural pursuits, and followed farming profitably for many years, until his life was brought to a close in
his comfortable home in Penn's Valley, at the age of sixty-three years. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Rishel, and she was a native of Pennsyl- vania. After the death of her husband she went to live in IJublersburgh. Center County. and there passed away in February, 1890, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. She reared six sons and four daughters to good and useful lives.
The son of whom we write received his educ i- tion in the district school, and was early set to work on the farm and obtained a practical knowl- edge of agriculture. continuing to live with his parents until 1841. In that year he commeneed to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he followed in Pennsylvania until 1817, when he concluded to come West to try life on the prairies of Illinois. Ile took the most expeditious route at the time, and by foot and stage made his way to Erie. Pa., and from there by the Lakes to Chicago. where he embarked on the canal for Lockport, and from that place he went to Morris. Grundy County. There he found employment at his trade the ensuing three months, and then he took up his residence in Plainfield, continuing here as a carpenter and bailder until 1878. He had previously bought his present farm, and he then decided to devote him- self entirely to its management. It is pleasantly located on section S. one mile west of Plainfield. and contains one hundred and twenty acres of finely-tilled land. It is exceptionally well im- proved, having upwards of five miles of tile, and is amply provided with neat and commodious buildings, and ranks as one of the finest pieces of property in this section of the country.
Mr. Harshbarger has been twice married, his first marriage, which occurred in Plainfield, being to Miss Harriet Baker, a native of Ohio. Her death in 1862 deprived him of a true and faithful wife, and their four children-Tacy. Frank, Seldon and Anna-of a good mother. Our subject was again married, taking as a helpmate Mrs. Sophia Hoay, nee Barney, a native of New York State, and to them have come two children-Mabel and John. Mr. Harshbarger's daughter, Tacy, married Thomas Hayes and resides in Plainfield. His daughter, Anna. married Wilson Davis, and also lives in Plainfield. Mabel is the wife of Frank G. Gaskin,
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of Plainfield. Frank resides in Somonauk, this State. and Seldon, in Kendall County, 11.
Mr. Harshbarger is endowed with a sound under- standing. decision of character. and other traits that have enabled him to make his own way in the world without the adventitions aids of fortune and birth to an independent position among his fellow-townsmen. Ile and his wife are highly re- garded in this community, where they have lived for many years, and have the warm friendship of many of their fellow. citizens, as they are social. hospitable people, making their home attractive to all who eross its threshhold. They are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and do all they can for the good work in which it is engaged.
HOMAS HILES. Northern Illinois has long been known as a land where fine crops are garnered and· fertile fields abound. Among the very productive estates which are included within its borders may be mentioned that of Thomas Ililes, located on section 20, Wesley Township, along the banks of the Kankakee River. A vast amount of labor has been performed here in order to redeem this acreage from its condition as a part of the primeval forest, and prepare the soil to bring forth abundantly to the full extent of its capacity.
Mr. Ililes is an Englishman, born in December. 1827. and as the son of a farmer had fewer priv- ileges in the educational line than are afforded that class in free America. Although his schooling was quite limited and his book learning is therefore somewhat meagre, he possesses native intelligence and quickly comprehends all that is going on about him. At the age of twelve years he began working out for farmers, continuing to support himself in this manner until he had reached his majority. Having decided that in America he would find op- portunities for advancement not afforded in his native land, he bade adieu to home and friends and crossed the broad Atlantic.
Mr. Hiles landed at Philadelphia a friendless stranger, with about $50 as a capital with which to
begin his labors. He came directly to Cook County, Ill., where for nine months he worked on a farm. In the spring of 1850 he came into Wesley Town- ship. Will County, entered the employ of Elijah Freer for two years, and then purchased eighty acres of the land which he has brought to so excel- lent a condition. He had but few neighbors. He erected a frame house and began clearing the land. doing all the labor of felling trees, ete .. himself. From time to time he added to his farm other tim- bered lands, which he cleared in succession until he now has two hundred and ten acres of improved land, about two hundred acres of which were cleared by himself. This is a record which has been made by few even of our most enterprising farmers, and Mr. Hiles deserves great credit for that which he has accomplished in redeeming the fertile land to man's use. He is engaged in general farming, and successfully pursuing his vocation.
Mr. Hiles and Miss Sarah Carpenter were joined in holy wedlock September 5, 1852, and lived hap- pily together until February 24. 1880, when the wife was called hence. She was a daughter of Charles and Abigail ( Milliman) Carpenter, natives of the Empire State, who removed to Ilinois about the time of the Black Hawk War. The occupation of Mr. Carpenter was tilling the soil. He and his wife are now deceased. Mrs. Sarah Ililes was born January 17, 1835. She bore her husband six chil- dren, the record of the survivors being as follows : Mary, born January 1, 1857, is the wife of Mike Miller, of Joliet, and the mother of six children; Fred M. was born October 21, 1867: Benjamin T. February 15, 1880.
A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by Mr. Hiles February 1, 1881. His bride on this occasion was Miss Aseneth Hamblin, who was born May 29, 1832, in Onondaga County, N. Y. She received a good education in the district schools, and upon the foundation thus laid has reared a structure of wide knowledge through extensive reading and keen observation. She is an active worker in the Sunday-school. was constantly en- gaged as a teacher while in New York. and is a willing worker in the promulgation of every good cause. Her home is not neglected, but is conducted in such a way that the domestic machinery moves
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smoothly, and every eomfort surrounds the mem- bers of the home circle.
The parents of Mrs. Ililes were Abner I. and Electa ( Nearing) Ilamblin, natives of Massachu- setts and Connecticut respectively. They became husband and wife in the Empire State, and there continued to reside until their death. Their home was in Madison County, where Mrs. Hamblin breathed her last August 6, 1863, and her husband March 15, 1875. Both were active participants in church work, and Mr. Hamblin was a farmer. Mrs. Ililes was the ninth of the eleven children born to them, of whom seven survive at this writing.
Mr. IFiles has always taken an active interest in polities, and gives his vote to the Republican party. Before he left his native land he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. but has not been identified with lodges of that fra- ternity in America. He now holds the office of Township Trustee, in which he has served for fifteen years past, and is also a Director of the local School Board. He has served as Pathmaster. Hle and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ON. AUGUST W. BERGGREN, Warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, has held several important official stations in other parts of this State. and won a high reputation for his uprightness, good judgment and public spirit. He was appointed to the position he now holds in April, 1889, and took charge on May Ist, following. Ile is a native of the Scandanavian Peninsula, his birthplace Sweden. and his natal day August 17, 1840. His parents were John and Catherine Berggren, the latter of whom died in their native land. leaving to her husband's care six sons and one daughter.
In 1856 the widower and his family came to America, drawn to cross the briny deep by the ac- counts they had heard of the " land of the free and the home of the brave," and its opportunities for all whor desire to rise in the social scale or improve their worldly condition. A location was selected at Oneida, this State, but the father subsequently
went to Glendale, Iowa, where he breathed his last in 1863. Two of his children have also passed away: Peter Anton died in the Hawkeye State, in 1863; and Anna Christina in Knox County, this State, the year after her arrival in America. The surviving members of the fraternal band are: John Eric, a Methodist Episcopal minister, now retired and living in lowa; Louis G., a farmer in Polk County, Neb. ; Charles, a stonemason in Gar- rison, Kan .; he of whom we write; and William, a farmer in Pettis County, Mo., who holds the office of Justice of the Peace.
In his native land August W. Berggren was ap- prenticed to the tailor's trade, serving two years. After reaching the Western Continent he worked at his trade both in Galesburg and Monmouth, this State. His workmanship was always to be re- lied upon, and his citizenship was equally trust- worthy. Ere long these faets were recognized by his fellow-citizens, and while still quite young he was placed in public office. In 1869 he was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1872 became Sheriff, and to the latter station was re-elected in 1874, 1876 and 1878. A still higher honor awaited him, his friends desiring his services in a more important function, to which his intelligence, interest in pub- lic welfare, and keen perception of its needs fitted him. In 1880, therefore, he was sent to the Senate, representing the Twenty-second District, composed of Knox and Mercer Counties. Four years later he was returned to the Senatorial body as a mem- ber from the same district, then composed of Knox and Fulton Counties. During the last session of his second term Senator Berggren was President pro tem of the Senate. Ilis record as a lawmaker is a matter of history and well known to his con- stituents, whose cordial esteem he has won by his position on the side of all that is elevating and true.
The lon. Mr. Berggren is quite interested in social and benevolent orders, and is identified with the Knight Templars and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been President of the Cove- nant Mutual Benefit Association of Illinois, located at Galesburg, since its organization in 1877, and he is also a Director in the Galesburg National Bank. He chose as his companion in life a Swedish lady,
Yours truly
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Mi- Christina Naslund. their marriage being cele- brated March 8, 1866. Mrs. Berggren excels in housewifery. is intelligent and refined, and with a character which causes her to be highly regarded by all to whom she is known. The union has been blessed by the birth of six children-Capitola Mand. Guy Werner, Ralph Augustus, Claus Eu- gene. Jay Valentine and Earl Hugo. The daughter is finely educated, being a graduate of Knox Col- Jege, and the others have also received excellent advantages proportionate to their years. Death has entered the family circle, removing from its midst the son and brother, Ralph Augustus, who was accidentally killed by a gravel train on the Santa Fe Railroad, on May 20, 1887.
REDERICK WILLIAM WERNER, M.D., bears the reputation of being one of the busiest persons in the city of Joliet. Ile is in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice, and is widely and favorably known throughout Will County, where thus far he has spent his entire life. Ile was born February 8, 1858, in dloliet, and is the son of William and Barbara (Goebel) Wer- Der. who were natives of Germany. The mother while single emigrated to America, in 1843, and the father a few years later.
The Werner family is of pure German stock, as far back as is known, and possessed in a marked degree the substantial and reliable traits peculiar to that nationality. They were unusually well edu- cated, conforming to the laws of their native land, which required that a child should be placed in school at the age of six years. and pursue his stud- ies until fourteen.
The father of our subject was trained to habits of industry in his youth, learning the trade of a stone mason, developing into a contractor and builder. Upon coming to America he settled iu Will County, Ill., and departed this life May 20, 1887. The mother bore the maiden name of Bar- bara Goebel. The parents were married in Joliet,
and Mrs. Werner now makes her home with the Doctor. The householl circle included seven children. the oldest of whom. a daughter. Eliza- beth died when two years old; Annie Marie died in infancy; Frederick W., our subjeet, was the third child: Louis Charles Frederick died when about eighteen months old; Frederick Charles is engaged as a harness-maker and living in Joliet; George Washington, a veterinary surgeon of good repute, makes his home in Kansas City, Mo .; Ed- ward Herbert is one of the leading dental surgeons of Joliet. It will be observed that these children were named in honor of the patriots of both Ger- many and America.
Dr. Werner in his boyhood days attended the city schools of Joliet, and when approaching man- hood began the study of medicine under the in- struction of Dr. A. W. Heise, in the winter of 1876-77. Later he entered the medical depart- ment of the Michigan State University, and after- ward Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, from which he was graduated March 1, 1880. Returning then to his native city, he opened an office, and his career has been one of uniform prosperity.
In politics Dr. Werner favors the principles of the Republican party, but he meddles very little with public affairs, otherwise than those connected with his profession. He served as Coroner of Will County from June, 1880, to December. 1884, first by appointment and subsequently was twice elec- ted to the office. He was County Physician from 1881 to 1888, and City Physician from 1884 to 1887. From 1882 to 1885 he held the office of Treasurer of the I'nited States Pension Examining Board. Ile is a member in good standing of the Will County Medical Society, the Chicago Medical Society and the American Society of Microscopists.
On the 28th of May, 1881, Dr. Werner was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Fredricka, daughter of C. W. and Marie Agnes (Berteh) Stachle. Mrs. Werner was born in Joliet, and re- mained with her parents until her marriage. receiv- ing a good education in the common school. Mr. and Mrs. Stachle wore natives of Germany, and are now residents of Joliet. Their family consists of seven living children.
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In connection with this sketch a lithographie portrait of the Doctor is presented to the readers of the ALBUM.
b ENRY BOIIL owns and occupies a farm on section 34, Washington Township. A gen- eral air of thrift and prosperity is noticeable and even a casual glance is sufficient to show that the land is well tilled and that the buildings which have been erected upon it are ad- equate to their requirements, while they and the other improvements are well kept in every par- ticular.
The eyes of our subject opened to the light in Mecklenburg, Germany, April 14, 4838. llis father, Ilerman Bohl. was a farm laborer who had mar- med a lady of his own Duchy-Miss Mary Buhr- ling. They lived in the neighborhood in which they had been reared until after the birth of six children, two of whom died when quite young. The parents with the surviving members of the family set out for America in the fall of 1857, tak- ing passage from Hamburg in the sailing vessel "America" and landing at New York City after having spent four weeks and three days at sea. The family came west together and made a settle- ment in Du Page County, Ill. After some years the parents, their only son and one daughter, re. moved to Will County and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, the parents living with him until their death. The father breathed his last in 1883 at the age of seventy-seven years; the widow survived until 1889, reaching the advanced age of eighty-two years. During the last two years of her life she was entirely blind. Both of the parents were life-long members of the Lutheran Church.
Henry Bohl is the third in order of birth in the parental family. He received his education in his native country to which he bade adieu when about uineteen years old. He became of age in Du Page County, Ill., and was there united in marriage with Miss Minnie Schuld. This lady was born in Mecklenberg. Germany, in 1846, and after being
1
left an orphan she came alone to the United States when she had almost reached womanhood. She made her home in Du Page County where she was married not long after her arrival. She was well skilled in domestic arts, was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church and a woman whose good qualities were recognized by her neighbors and ae- quaintances. She breathed her last at her home in Washington Township. August 25, 1883, when but. thirty-eight years oldl.
The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Bohl was blest by the birth of eight children, of whom Wil- lie, Lena and two infants are deceased. The sur- vivors are: Recka, Ilenry, William and John. all of whom yet eluster around their father's fireside. Mr. Bohl and his children attend the Lutheran Church and he is a stanch Republican.
ILIAN E. WHITE. This young gentle- man is engaged in the drug business in Jol- iet in which he made a permanent location in 1885, establishing himself in a business that is rapidly growing. With an upright charae- ter. the courteous and pleasing manners of a well- bred gentleman, and an intelligent mind, he has been admitted into the "inner circle" of society, while in business cireles he is regarded as one of the most promising young men of the city. Ile is the third child of E. D. and Margaret ( Adams) White who came with their family to Joliet in 1876. The father is now engaged in the music trade here and in addition to pianos and other musical instruments also handles sewing machines. lle is a native of the Empire State, while his wife opened her eyes to the light in Pennsylvania.
The subject of this biographical notice was born March 9, 1851, in Mayville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., but his boyhood was spent in Crawford County, Pa. After completing his education he became a drug clerk in his home town where he continued in that employment a year. Being at. tracted by the accounts he had heard of the Rocky Mountain region, he then went to Denver, Col., but finding no opening in the drug business became a
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clerk in an establishment devoted to the sale of men's furnishing goods. For two years he was thus employed when he journeyed eastward, reach- ing Joliet in the spring of 1877, his parents in the meantime having located here. Ile entered the establishment of J. D. Brown & Co .. remaining there three or four years after which he went to Chicago. There he engaged with the drug firm of Lord. Stoutenberg& Co .. as a traveling salesman and after two and one-half years spent in that capac- ity, he became an employe of the firm of Fuller & Fuller. For the latter firm he worked about three years after which he began business for himself at the time and place before noted.
Mr. White is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, which he therefore supports on all occasions. He is identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity, having reached the Royal Arch Degree and being Captain in the Chapter. An event interesting to .. Joliet society and particul- arly to Mr. White, took place at the residence of Osmond Fox, April 23. 1890. This was the mar. riage of our subject and Miss Jessie Fox. daughter of the host, a young lady whose intelligence, eul- lure. and amiable character bave given her pop- ularity in society and endeared her to the hearts of many friends. The wedding ceremony was per- formed at six o'clock and was followed by an elegant reception participated in by the society peo- ple of Joliet.
M ICHAEL SHENK is a substantial, well-to- do farmer of Custer Township, and he has borne an honorable part in bringing about the great change wrought by the pioneers and present citizens of Will County that has placed it in the front ranks of its sister counties. Ilis parents were Christian and Magdalene ( Wolf) Shenk. natives of Lancaster County. Pa. His father operated a mill there for thirty years, and with his wife was a life-long resident of that part of the country. she dying in 1850. and he in 1824.
Our subject is the only survivor of six children. He was born in August, 1818. His education was conducted in the common schools. He suffered
an accident at a raising when he was eighteen years of age, whereby his right shoulder, ribs and leg were broken, and for four years he was unable to do anything. After that he went to work on a small farm for himself in Erie County, Pa., made improvements upon it, built a house and barn, and made full payment at the rate of $22 per acre, he buying it of his mother. Ile remained on that place about fourteen years, and then disposed of it in order to try agriculture in this county. and com- ing here in 1858, he bought his present farm. The improvements upon it were very meagre, but he has placed it in a good condition. Hle built his present dwelling in 1875, and also erected a good barn at a cost of $1,000. He has one hundred and sixty acres in the home farm, all of which is under line cultivation except thirty acres, and he has ad- joining it eighty acres of land that is well adapted to pasturage and is used for that purpose, he hav- ing his farm well stocked.
By his marriage, in 1851, to Miss Sarah A. Car- ter. our subject secured the substantial aid of a wife who, by her good management of their house- hold affairs, has contributed in no small degree to bring about their present prosperous circumstances. Mrs. Shenk is a native of England, born in 1822, ind received a good education in the land of her birth. ller marriage with our subject has been gladdened by the birth of eight children, all of whom are living, and are well settled in life. Their record is as follows: John, who is living in Yates Center, Kan., married Sarah Wright. and they have four children: William, a resident of Fairbury, married Alma Robbins, and they have one child; Jerome. of Reed Township, married Belle Morrill. and they have one chikl; Elizabeth, wife of Harvey Brown. of Chicago, is the mother of nine children; Delia Ann is the wife of Napoleon Leslie, of Braid- wood, and has tive children ; Joseph, a resident of Braidwood, married Ella Rankin. and they have five children; Minnie married John Jilson, who lives on the home farm, and they have three chil. dren ; Ida married Calvin Whitson, of Pontine, and they Have four children. John Shenk bore an hon- mable part in the ate war as a sold or in the One Hundredth Ilinois Infantry, and was slightly wounded at Mission Ridge. William went out
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with the same regiment. but came home sick before the expiration of hi ; term of enlistment. lle after- ward served in a three months' regiment.
Since 1858 Mr. Shenk has been associated with the people to whom Custer Township owes its pros- perity, and he has conducted himself in all ways so as to secure the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He has taken part in the management of public affairs as School Director of this district, and at one time he was Assessor of Custer and Reed Townships for a period of two years. Ile votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. Shenk has for many years been a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, and is equally esteemed with her husband.
G EORGE S. BRISTOL represents the tour- ishing agricultural interests of Plainfiekł Township. and his farm on sections 33 and 31. is one of the most desirable in this locality as it is under the best of cultivation and is amply pro- vided with good machinery for every purpose.
Our subject is a native of Ohio, born in Perry Township, Franklin County, January 26, 1843, a worthy descendant of an oll pioncer family of that State. Corel Bristol, his father, was a native of the same county, born in Sharon Township, May 11. 1810. llis father, Eri Bristol was born in Bristol, Conn .. a son of Jacob Bristol, who was of English birth. The father of the latter, great-great-grand- father of our subject. emigrated from Bristol. Eng- land. about 1776,and settling in Connecticut, bought land in the town of Bristol. He was a clockmaker, and it is said manufactured the finest clocks over made in America in his day. During the Revolu- tion he proved to be a patriotic citizen to his adopted country and building two ships he placed them at the disposal of the colonists and aided them in fighting the British. Jacob Bristol was ten years old when he came to America with his parents. He became a clockmaker and spent the rest of his life in Connecticut. Eri Bristol, grand- father of our subject, became a member of the Scioto Company that bought sixteen thousand
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