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 28
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acres of land in what is now Franklin County, Ohio, and he was thus an early pioneer of the State. In the spring of 1801 each member of the colony sent a son into the wilderness of Ohio, to build log cabins and prepare the way of the others who soon joined them, the removal of these families being made with teams, some of them having horses and others oxen. They were among the first to locate in that part of Ohio. and the grandfather of our subject, settled in what is now Sharon Township, nine miles north of the present site of Columbus, on Whetstone Creek. In that time the State was in a wild and unsettled condition, the dense prime- val forests being inhabited by various tribes of Indians, and deer, bears, wolves, panthers, and wild cats were numerous. There were no railways nor canals, and in fact no public roads, all communica- tion with the outside world was by persons passing through the narrow paths or Indian trails on foot or horseback. The people lived in the most primi- tive manner, obtaining their food from products of the land, wild game and fish, and the women spun and made all the clothing used. The grandfather of our subject resided on the homestead that he hewed from the wilderness, until death closed his mortal career.
The father of our subject was reared, married and resided in the place of his birth until 1870, when he came to Plainfield, and with his sons, bought the farm where our subject now resides. Ile is still living, is in his eighty-first year, and makes his home with his children. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Annah Ross and she was a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., a daughter of David and Mary (Satcher) Ross. ller death occurred in Franklin County, Ohio.
George S. Bristol received the rudiments of his «Jueation in the public schools and then had the advantages of a fine course at Eastman's Business College at Chicago. In May, 1864, at the age of twenty-one years, he enlisted in Company E, One Ilundred and Thirty-third Ohio National Guards, for one hundred days, and was dispatched with his regiment to Parkersburg, W. Va., and after re- maining there six weeks was sent to Washington, and thence to the flames River of Virginia, where he did garrison duty until the expiration of his
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term of enlistment, when he was discharged having done honorable service in the cause of his country. After his military experience, Mr. Bristol returned to his native State and remained a resident thereof until the spring of 1868, when he made a new de- parture and in the vigor of a stalwart manhood came to Illinois to try farming in the Prairie State. Hle was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Plain - field in the summer and in the winter utilized his education by teaching. He taught six winter terms and the remainder of the year was engaged as before mentioned. In 1871. he located on the farm he now owns and occupies and has been thor- oughly successful in its. cultivation. In 1889. he had the misfortune to have his dwelling burned. and he has since replaced it by his present neat and comfortable residence.
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The marriage of our subject in 1872 with Miss Rosabelle Clark was an important step in his life and he thereby secured an able assistant in his work. She is a native of Plainfield, born in March. 1817. and a daughter of Erastus Clark. Her father was born in Greenfield. Franklin County, Mass., his father bearing the same name. being also a native of that county. born in the town of Colerain. His father. John Clark, is supposed to have been a native of the same town and a descendant of English ances- try, who were early settlers in that place, and he was there engaged as a manufacturer. Mrs. Bristol's grandfather learned the trade of a woolen manu- facturer and established the first spinning jenny, and carried on the business there some years. He subsequently removed to Niagara Falls. established a factory, and resided there until 1836. when he came to Plainfield. He was an early settler here, buying a traet of land about one mile south of the village. He and his son operated a flour and saw- mill for a few years and he then went to Kalamazoo. Mich., and there died at the home of a daughter at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Bris- tol's father was young when he came to Plainfield with his parents and assisted his father in operating the mills, finally buying the sawmill. which he op- erated for a time. He then disposed of it and turned his attention to farming, and resided here until 1878. In that year be removed to Kansas, bought a farm in Reno County and still makes his
home there. The maiden name of Mr. Clark's wife was Caroline Cotton. She was born on the Isle of Wight. a daughter of William and Jane ( Brett) Cotton, also natives of that island, who were pio- neers of Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. Bristol's pleas. ant wedded life has brought to them two children, Mabel J. and Elsie C.
Mr. Bristol is a man of honorable character and high standing in this community, with whose best interests he has earnestly identified himself more than twenty years, and by his manly, straightfor- ward course in all his business dealings and in his social relations he has gained a warm place in the regard of his fellow-citizens. He has a well-balanced, well-cultivated mind and sincere religious views which find expression in the I'niversalist faith, he and his wife being valued members of the society of that denomination in Plainfield. Politically he is a stanch Republican.
B ENJAMIN OLIN. The legal profession of Will County is worthily represented by the subject of this notice who has been engaged in the practice of law at Joliet since June, of the year 1870. He is a native of the Empire State and was born in Allegany County, August 12, 1838. He emigrated to Ilinois with his pa- rents when quite young, they settling first in La salle County, from which they subsequently removed to Kendall County.
Judge Olin received his English education in the common and spleet schools of La Salle and Ken- dall Counties and subsequently entered Beloit Col- lege, Wis. He commenced the reading of law in the office of Messrs. Gray & Bushnell at Ottawa. Ill .. and later studied with John Cruthers, of Os- wego. Kendall County.
I'mon the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Olin in April, 1861, assisted in raising Company K. Twen- tieth Illinois Infantry and was elected First Lieu- tenant of his company. After about one year spent in the service he was obliged to send in his resignation on account of ill-health. He then
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went to Colorado where he spent several months and upon his return resumed his law studies at Chicago with the firm of Mather, Taft & Bates. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1863 and began the practice of his profession at Morris, this State.
Subsequently Mr. Olin associated himself in partnership with Hon. P. A. Armstrong, of Morris, and they engaged in the practice of law until the removal of Mr. Olin to Joliet in June, 1870. In the meantime he had become prominent in the lo- cal affairs of Grundy County, representing his ward in the City Council of Morris and holding the office of School Inspector. besides filling other positions of trust and responsibility. He was looked upon as a man of sound judgment and his opinions were generally respected.
After his removal to Joliet Judge Olin associated himself in partnership with Capt, Phelps in the practice of law, which partnership continued until 1873, when it was dissolved by the election of Mr. Glin to the Judgeship of the County Court. Hle acquitted himself with great credit, serving his full term and in 1877 was re-elected and held the office the full term of the four years, and one year over on account of a change in the law fixing the time of holding elcetions. Then after nine years of publie service and when his nomination was again talked of, he declined to be a candidate for re-elec. tion.
Since his removal to Joliet Mr. Olin has been identified with many of its leading enterprises and has distinguished himself as a liberal and public- spirted citizen. He is particularly interested in educational affairs, having held the office of School Inspector for several years, and was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Joliet Publie Li- brary, which office he has recently resigned. As an attorney he has been entrusted with important in- terests, while his intimate knowledge of the intri- racies of law has enabled him to serve his clients in a just and satisfactory manner. Ilis strict integrity and honorable dealings have gained him the conti- dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and both in social and business cireles he occupies an enviable position.
Mr. Olin in September, 1865, was joined in wed- lock with Miss JJulia Schauber. Mrs. Olin is a lady
of high culture and varied attainments and well fitted to be the partner of such a man as ber hus- band. She was born in Saratoga County, N. Y. The family residence is pleasantly located at No. 102 Young's Avenue. In 1889 Judge Olin asso- ciated himself in partnership with George JJ. Cow- ing, a young gentleman of line attainments, who is rapidly rising in his profession.
RED BOLTMANN. The late Mr. Bolt- mann was born in Hanover, Germany, June 9, 1816. Ile was the son of Henry and Sophia (Olenkemp) Boltmann, natives of Ilanover, where they were reared and married, and lived for some years thereafter. They came to America in 1853, taking passage at Bremer- haven on a sailing-vessel that crossed the Atlantic at a rapid rate, making the quickest time ever re- corded by a sailing- vessel. The hurricane which had speeded it on its course at so rapid a rate nearly caused the destruction of the vessel, and many of the passengers died from fright or siek- ness in the short space of three weeks and three days. The Boltmann family survived the dangers of the passage, and coming from New York to Chicago, settled on a farm in Du Page County. There they made some improvements ere changing their residence to Will County and settling on section 35, Washington Township.
The elder Mr. Boltmann seenred a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, mostly wild land, on which he at onee began to make improvements. It is now known far and near as a home of great comfort, where pleasing hospitality abounds and the social pleasures of life are thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. and Mrs. Boltmann are now quite old, having been born in 1812, the former July 19 and the lat- ter September 19. Mr. Boltmann has been identi- fied with the Republican party, and he and his wife have been active members of the Lutheran Church since their childhood. They are particu- larly well known by the best German families of the county and are respected by all.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch
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is introduced, was educated in the public schools of Du Page and Will Counties, and acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture on the parental estate. lle was engaged in tilling the soil until after the breaking out of the Civil War. when he entered the Union army as a member of Company HI, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. Going south, the regiment was put under the general command of Sheridan, and under that gallant leader partici- pated in the battles which have made his name famous. Mr. Boltmann also took part in the bat- tles of Atlanta and others of prominence, escaping injury, excepting a slight wound on the knee. in all his arduous and dangerous campaigning. Ile remained in the field until the close of the war, when, being discharged. June 8, 1865, he returned to his father's home justly proud of his record as a loyal citizen and brave soldier.
Mr. Boltmann continued to occupy himself with agriculture until 1873, when he established himself in business at Beecher, dealing in wines and liquors until his health failed. He closed his eyes in death August 21. 1878, since which time his widow has successfully carried on the business. to the inter- est of which he had given his entire attention after its institution. The nature of Mr. Boltmann was a thrifty. kindly and capable one, and he was well known for his generosity toward his fellow-men and looked upon as a good business man. Ile was a member of Blue Lodge, No. 740, F. & A. M., at Grant Park. and had filled the various chairs. Ile was a sound Democrat in politics and his religious faith coincided with the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which he belonged. and to which he gave liberally.
The marriage of Fred Boltmann and Miss Sophia Olenkemp was celebrated in Du Page County. this State. The bride was born in Hanover, Germany, October 9, 1846. She was reared to womanhood in her native land. receiving an excellent educa- tion there, and after she came to America acquired good use of the English tongue. In 1866 she crossed the ocean in company with an unele. the passage from Bremerhaven to New York on the sailing-vessel .Shakespeare" consuming seven weeks and two days. She came at once to Illinois, and for a time resided in Du Page County, subse-
quenntly making her home in Washington Town- ship. Will County. Her parents were William and Sophia ( Herman ) Olenkemp, both natives of Han . over and descendants of German stock of the bet- ter class. Mr. Olenkemp was a shoemaker. Two years after their daughter had come to America he and his wife made their arrangements to follow her to the New World. They were about ready to start when the husband and father sickened and died when about fifty-five years old. The widowed mother subsequently made the journey with the children who remained with her, and joining her daughter in Will County, spent her last days there. She died July 27. 1879, at the ripe age of seventy- five years, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Boltmann. She and her husband belonged to the Lutheran Church. Their family consisted of four daughters and one son, the latter of whom. Henry Olenkemp, is now running a meat market in Wyo- ming. He has served five years in the regular army.
Mrs. Boltmann is a shrewd and capable woman, who manages ber business affairs with great abil- ity. She belongs to the Lutheran Church and generously supports every good work which is done therein. She is the mother of six children, one of whom. a daughter, Emma, died when eight- een months okl. The living are: Tilda, wife of Henry Biefeklt, a lumber dealer of Beecher: Henry and William, who are carrying on the farm in Washington Township, and Alvina, who keeps house for them; and Rosa. who remains at home with the mother.
AMES C. ZARLEY is the owner and occu- pant of one of the fine farms of Joliet Township, his home being located on see- tion 28, and comprising three hundred acres of beautiful land, upon which complete and excel- lent improvements have been made. The place is devoted to the dairy business. from sixty to eighty cows being kept, and three wagons run to doliet, where the milk is sold. That part of the estate which is under tillage is thoroughly cultivated.
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and on every hand are to be seen evidences of the thrift and prosperity of the owner.
Among the very earliest settlers in this county were the late Reason Zarley and his wife. Ile was born in Kentucky, and in 1814 was married to Sarah Mustard, a native of Ohio. In Sciota County, of that State, they made their first home, coming to Illinois in 1828, and spending about three years in the vicinity of Danville, Vermilion County. In 1831 they removed to this county, settling on the farm now owned by our subjeet. Here they took up the labors of pioneer life, un- flinchingly enduring the arduous toils and severe privations to which they were subject, and braving danger and even death in their efforts to subdue nature and develop the resources which she pos- sessed. On at least one occasion they were obliged to leave their home and seek protection from savage foes in a town where some preparation was made to meet and repulse the Indians. This was during the Black Hawk War, when the Saes and Foxes were terrorizing the settlers upon the fron- tier. Better times gradually dawned, the country became more thiekly settled, the comforts of life more easy to obtain, and the surroundings more pleasant and quiet. Reason Zarley became a highly- respected and influential citizen, and when called hence in August, 1859, he left to his descendants that best of all inheritances-an honored name. Hle was one of the first Justices of the Peace in this vicinity, having been elected when what is now Will County was still a part of Cook County.
Mrs. Sarah Zarley was a daughter of the Rev. William Mustard, one of the pioneer Methodist preachers in Ohio. She joined the Methodist Church when eighteen years old, and was a mem- ber for over seventy-five years. Her death took place August 1, 1887, at the home of her son-in- law, Gabriel Noel, in Jackson Township, this county. Her memory is held in loving remem- brance by her descendants, to whom Grandma Zarley was a model of beautiful old age. She had borne her husband twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the tenth. Two of their deceased children were for many years proprietors of the Joliet Signal. These were Calneh and Calvin Zarley, the former of whom was born in
Pike County, Ohio, April 21, 1822. In May, 1846, in company with his brother Calvin, whose death occurred many years ago, he began the publication of the Joliet Signal, which he edited for forty years. At the time of his death he was in company with R. S. Brown, the publishing firm being known as Zarley & Brown. Caleb Zarley died August 20, 1886. IIe is well remembered by the citizens of Joliet, and by many outside this flourishing corporation.
The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced, was born August 26, 1832, in Danville, to which place his parents had fled for safety dur- ing the Black Hawk War. He grew to manbood on his father's homestead in this county, where the greater part of his life has been spent. In 1864 he went to Montana and engaged in mining for ten years, meeting with varying success, but return- ing to his native State somewhat better off finan- . cially than when he had left it. Since that time he has given his attention entirely to farming, be- coming an expert in the business, and particularly in the management of a dairy farm.
Personally, Mr. Zarley is well calculated to make friends, being cordial in manner, intelligent in mind, and honorable in his dealings with his fel- low-men. Ile held the otlice of Supervisor of Joliet Township one term, and has been School Director for a number of years. In the advance- ment of the cause of education he has always been greatly interested, as well as in other matters which tend to elevate society and increase the prosperity of the country. In politics he is a Democrat. He attends the Baptist Church, of which his wife is a member.
In Joliet, October 3, 1876, Mr. Zarley was united in marriage with Miss Ida, daughter of Jacob and Eliza ( Boss) Patrick. Mrs. Zarley is the youngest in a family of ten children. and was born in Aux Sable, Grundy County, October 6, 1815. She is an educated and refined woman, who looks well to the ways of her household, is devoted to husband and children. and full of kindly deeds to those about her. Her father was a native of New York and her mother of Canada, their first home after marriage being in the latter country. Thence they came to this county in an early day,
Respectfully yours Andrew J. While, In N.
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settling in Joliet Township. but afterward remoy- ing to Grundy County. They subsequently re- turned to this township, in which they breathed their last. Mr. and Mrs. Zarley are the parents of five children -- William H., Arthur M .. G. Noel. Maud HI. and Louie E.
NDREW J. MILLS, M. D., the Coroner of this county, is numbered among its prominent and most successful practition- ers, and is in the enjoyment of a good busi-
ness. He is a man in the prime of life, having been born September 19, 1834, and is a native of Essex County, N. Y.
Dr. Mills is the offspring of substantial stock, being the son of William Mills, likewise a native of Essex County, N. Y., and who was born May 2, 1812. The latter grew to mature years in his ha- tive county and was there married to Miss Lura A. Fisk. The mother of our subject was born in Ratland County, Vi., May 21, 1811, and was taken hy her parents to New York State when a child of eight years. In the year 1836 the family took up their line of march toward what was then the far West. locating in Franklin County, Ohio, where they sojourned until 1851, the father engaging in farming pursuits. That year they decided upon another change of residence and coming to this county, settled near Twelve Mile Grove. The father in 1818 had entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and upon this he took up his residence with his family and prosecuted agriculture until 1861. Then with his estimable wife, retiring trom the active labors of life. he left the farm and re- moved to Joliet, where the father is still living. The mother departed this life August 8. 1887. Both parents had identified themselves with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church during their younger years. William Mills originally was a Jacksonian Demo- erat, but voted for William Henry Harrison in 1810, and upon the formation of the Republican party identified himself with it. He however has never been a political aspirant, but is contented to · cast his vote at the general elections. He is highly
respected and may be properly numbered among the pioneer residents of this county.
Dr. A. J. Mills, the subject of this notice, spent his younger years in his native State and upon the removal of the family to Ohio, pursued his first studies in the common schools, making good head- way and becoming quite proficient at an early age. He began the reading of medicine alone and after entering the army was under the instruction of Dr. Z. P. Hanson, now a noted physician of Chicago. His studies however were frequently interrupted, as he was obliged to secure the means for continu- ing them.
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War the Doctor entered the ranks of the Union Army, enlisting in the Forty-second Illinois Infantry and being com- missioned as Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. He was at the front and in the field hospitals and for four months was on the medical staff of the Artillery Brigade, Fourth Army Corps, going through the Atlanta campaign. He served until the close of the war, receiving then his honorable discharge and being mastered out April 16, 1865.
Upon leaving the army Dr. Mills entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, in the class of 1865 and 1866. from which he emerged fully qualified for the duties which awaited him, having graduated March 1, 1866. It is hardly necessary to state that politically, he is a stanch Republican .- He was elected to his present office in the fall of 1888 and is prominently connected with the Will County Medical Society.
Miss Sarah E. Whitemore was wedded to our subject March 29, 1855. Mrs. Mills was born September 26, 1835. in Washington County, Pa., and is the daughter of Francis W. and Frances A. ( Webb) Whitemore, who were natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively. They came to Ilinois about ist1, and settled first at Magnolia, Putnam County. Subsequently they came to this county, where they sojourned for a few years, and are now deceased.
The children born to Dr. Mills and his esti- mable lady are recorded as follows: William F. was graduated from Rush Medical College in the class of 1887, and is now a practicing physician of Man- | hattan, this county; be married Miss Agnes K.
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MeDonough, and they have one child, a daughter, Elda A. George W. officiates as the Northwestern Agent for the tobacco manufacturing firm of Wil- son, McCallay & Co., making his headquarters at Omaha, Neb .; he married Miss Nellie A. Diamond, and they have three daughters: Merle Ada, Hiha Lillian and Veldene Eloise. Lura Frances is the wife of William M. Mitchell of Rockville, Kanka- kee County, and they have one child, a son, Ken- neth Mills.
Dr. Mills is one of the oldest members of Wilton Lodge. No. 640, 1. O. O. F., in which he has held the different offices and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State, since its organiza- tion in 1877. Ile also belongs to William A. Webb Post, No. 657, G. A. R., of which he was the first Commander. He takes pride in his practice and aims to excel. The medical profession was one which he chose in his boyhood for his life vocation and one to which he gives his best efforts as the result of his practice indicates. Socially and per- sonally, he is held in high esteem, being numbered among the leading citizens of Joliet.
A lithographie portrait of Dr. Mills appears else- where in this volume.
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