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 31
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Mrs. Ingersoll was the third in a family of eleven children and was born in Orland, Il., Sep- tember 19, 1817. Her childhood and youth passed quietly and uneventfully under the home roof where she remained until her marriage. Of this union there have born four children. viz .: Anna A., Walter J., Florence and Percy. The two latter (lied at the ages of twenty-two months and four days respectively. Mr. Ingersoll has served as a Justice of the Peace for a period of fourteen years, and was Township Clerk one year.
Alonzo 1. Ingersoll, the father of our subjeet, was a native of Vermont, while his mother bore the maiden name of Barbara Weaver, and was a native of Syracuse, N Y. The latter came with her par- ents to this county in 1833. Her father was Benja- min Weaver, and the maiden name of her mother was Phebe Paddock. Upon coming to Illinois they settled in Homer Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. The paternal grand- parents of our subject were Chester and Lueretia (Burdick) Ingersoll. the former of whom was a Colonel in the Sauk War. He came to this county in 1828. Subsequently he was married in Chicago, in 1834, and kept the first hotel in that city, which was familiarly known as the Green Tree Ilouse. Mr. Ingersoll's parents were married in what is now the town of Homer, but which was then called
the "Yankee Settlement," October 8, 1838. The father secured land on section 9, Homer Township. and on the farm which he built up he and his es- timable wife spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Ingersoll met his death by being struck by lightning, March 19, 1847. The mother died at the okl homestead October 5, 1861. There were born to them three children only-Andrus A., Anna A. and Phehe P. The two sisters of Mr. Ingersoll are deceased.
G OTLIEB SEGGEBRUCH. One of the largest farms in Crete Township is owned by the gentleman above named. comprising four hundred and ten acres. and occupying a portion of sections 30 and 31. A portion of it is now op- erated by the sons of our subject, who, after many years of thrifty and laborious life is content to allow his offspring to relieve him of some of the burdens which he has borne. He is the only repre- sentative in America of the parental family which comprised eight children, and is a worthy descend- ant of German parents who lived to a ripe okel age and died heartily respected by those who knew them. They were farmers in the Kingdom of Lippe Schambourg. where the eyes of their son. Gotlieb, opened to the light April 19, 1815. He was reared to farm life and became a farm laborer in his own land, where he remained until some years after he had set up his own household.
The wife whom Mr. Seggebruch chose in his early manhood was Louisa Siegmanu, a native of Ilesse-Cassel, who was reared to womanhood in her native State After the birth of five children the family. in the fall of 1854. left Bremerhaven for America, landing in New York after a voyage of six weeks. Thenee they journeyed to Detroit, Sich., on a boat, and thence to Chicago, two days later coming to Will County and purchasing eighty aeres of land. Ilere Mr. and Mrs. Seggebruch have grown old upon the land where they first set- tled. The acreage has been increased and the whole placed in a fine condition of improvement and tillage, and well stocked with domestic animals
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and adequate machinery, while the dwelling has been supplied with conveniences and the household affairs condneted in the thrifty manner which is early taught to the daughters of Germany.
The happy union of our subject and his com- panion has been blessed by the birth of five sons and four daughters. One son, Henry, died when seven years oldl; Caroline is the wife of Henry Oldreg, a farmer in Pottawatomie County, Kan. : William married Eliza Brymeier, and operates a farm in Ashgrove Township, Iroquois County; August C., who lives on a farm in Monce Township, this county, married Sophie Miller, who died leav- ing three children. after which he married Anna Kaurtz; Amelia is the wife of Henry Arkenberg, a farmer in Crete: John assists his father in work- ing the homestead and resides with his parents : Sophia is the wife of Charles Waggoner, who has a grocery store on South Butterfield Street, Chicago; Louisa is the wife of Fred Miller. a farmer in Pot- tawatomnie County, Kao .; Fred W. is still at home and assisting in carrying on the estate. Mr. Segge- bruch and his sons all belong to the Republican party. The sturdy qualities of industrious, upright manhood and womanhood belong to our subject and his good wife, and they are not only honored by their progeny but respected by neighbors and acquaintances.
ENRY LANGREDER. This gentleman ranks among the enterprising farmers of Washington Township, owning a pleasant and well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 31. It has been thirty years since he obtained a tract of unbroken prairie from the railroad company, and during this interim he has made of it a fruitful expanse where fields of waving grain take the place of the wild grasses which formerly covered it. The buildings are well constructed and sutliciently numerous and commo- dions to answer the purpose for which they were designed, and everything about the estate bears the appearance of order which those acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Langreder would expect.
The parents of our subject were Detrick and Grace (Avers) Langreder, both of whom were born in Ilanover, Germany, and the latter of whom died there. In October, 1848, the father, accompanied by his three children, set out for the United states, leaving Bremen on a sailing vessel which made a landing at New Orleans, La., after a tedious voyage of nine weeks and five days. The father and son worked about four months in the Southern metrop- olis to earn money with which to continue their journey. and finally the family reached Chicago, Il. Two days after their arrival the father died. when somewhat past his three-score years of age. He and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church and man- ifested in their daily walk and conversation the virtues which belong to the Christian religion.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born in Hanover, Germany, July 24, 1828, and is the youngest member of the parental family. Ile was eleven years old when he lost his mother and about twenty when he bade good-by to his native land. His education was obtained in the Father- land under the excellent school laws which provide all German children with a fair share of school privileges. Besides himself. the only survivor of the parental household is a sister who is married and living in Minnesota.
After the death of his father the young man went to California, where he spent some years in the mining regions with the varying success which usually attends such experiences. On returning to the States he resided in Cook County, IN., three years and then, in 1860, becatue a resident of Will County. He was first married in Cook County to Mis- Louisa Riesperkart, who was born in Germany and came to the United States when eighteen years old. She died at her home in Will County when yet in middle life leaving a large family to whom she had been a devoted mother. All her offspring are yet living and all are now married but two sons: William; Henry, married and lives in Beecher; Fred. married and lives in Beecher; Edward. Adolph. Louisa and Emma.
Mr. Langreder contracted a second matrimonial alliance, celebrating his marriage to Mrs. Louisa Swarica in Washington Township. This worthy lady was born in Hanover. Germany, and came to
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America alone, following her parents to this coun- try. She is the mother of six children by her present union and two by a former marriage, viz .: Bertie, Mary, Lillie, Anna, Carrie and Detrick.
OHN C. BROADIE, a son of one of the early pioneers of New Lenox Township, was born at the homestead which he now owns and occupies, September 12, 1868. Ile is a young man of fine talents and stands well in the community, being possessed of the traits of char- acter which seldom fail to enable a man to become prosperous in business and possessed of the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
The father of our subjeet was the well-known Robert J. Broadie, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, and boru near Columbus, February 5, 1829. The mother bore the maiden name of Ann Cooper. and she was born in Brown County, Ohio, February 28, 1832. The latter was brought by her parents to New Lenox Township when a child three years of age. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Broadie settled on section 28. New Lenox Township, where the father prosecuted farming successfully, and died December 21, 1873. The mother survived her husband for nearly twelve years, also dying at the old homestead, June 7, 1885. Their family consisted of five children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Lydia J., died young ; Anna L. also died in early childhood; Esther Ann became the wife of Dr. G. E. Brinkerhoff, and died in New Lenox Township, November 11, 1885; John C., the subject of this notice was the next in order of birth; Sarah A, became the sec- ond wife of Dr. Brinkerhoff, and they are living in Oakland, Cal.
The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life at the homestead which he now owns and oe- eupies, and which embraces three hundred and fifty acres of as fine farming land as is to be found in Will County. Upon it is a set of neat and sub- stantial frame buildings, with quantities of fruit and shade trees, while the fields are enclosed and divided with good fencing, and in fact Mr. Broadie
has all the facilities for carrying on agriculture after the most approved methods. He brought a bride to the old roof-tree in 1889, being married September 18, that year, to Miss Mary, daughter of Addison and Pamelia (Lynk) Collins.
Mrs. Broadie was the fifth child of her parents, and was born in Homer Township, this county, September 18, 1869. Her father, Addison Collins, was born in Rochester. N. Y., and the mother was born in the same State, near the city of Syracuse. They were reared and married in this State, whence they came to Illinois at an early day, each with their parents, and have since been residents of New Lenox Township. Their family consisted of seven children, three sons and fonr daughters, five of whom are living.
Mr. Broadie was reared by his excellent mother in the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is now a faithful and consist- ent member, and gives to his church a liberal sup- port. He is a young man of excellent education, having completed his studies in Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College, at Chicago, from which he was graduated March 1, 1888, He and his young wife have begun the journey of life together un- der the most favorable auspices and with the kind- est wishes of hosts of friends. A handsome litho- graphic view of Mr. Broadie's residence is shown on another page of this work.
P RENTICE G. STORRS, who is actively engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing, paying much attention to breeding horses, stands among the most clear sighted. practical and business-like men of his calling in Will County. His farm in Troy, lying along the DuPage River, which flows through the eastern part of it, thus affording a never-failing supply of water for his stock, shows every evidence of careful enltivation and constant improvement.
A native of New York, our subject was born near Plattsburg, Clinton County, November 22, 1834. Ile remained a resident of the place of his birth till 1860, when he started out anew in life,
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RES. AND FARM PROPERTY OF JOHN C. BROADIE, SEC.28. NEW LENOX TP. WILL CO. ILL.
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coming to this State to carry on his ealling on this fertile soil. He lived for several years on a farm in Grundy County, and then bought a farm in Manhattan. on which be resided until his wife's death, when he returned to the East for a while. He subsequently sold his place in Manhattan and purchased his present farm in 1882. Here he has one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, all under good cultivation, and finely situated five miles west of Joliet. He is managing his affairs with excellent success, doing a general farming business and paying considerable attention to breed- ing horses, of which he has about thirty of good grade on his place.
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Mr. Storrs has been twice married. He was first wedded to Mrs. Caroline Ingram, daughter of Wash- burn Storrs, and widow of Mr. Ingram, of Platts- burg. Their married life was not of very long duration, her death occurring in 1857. She left two children, Franklin and Harriet. The former resides at home with his father. and the latter is the wife of Ilenry Willis, a milkman of Chicago. The maiden name of the present wife of our subjeet was ('lara Comstock, to whom he was united in Platts- burg. N. Y., she being a daughter of Ezekiel Com- stock, of Beekmantown. near Plattsburg. Two children have been born of this union. Raymond, and a child who died in infancy.
Mr. Storrs is a fair dealing. straightforward man. possessing the confidence and esteem of all about him, and his energy, persistence and shrewdness have placed him in the possession of a comfortable property. In his polities he sides with the Repub. lican party. Mrs. Storrs is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HARLES S. SEAVER, successor to the firm of Monroe & Seaver. wholesale dealers in flour, fruits, produce, cigars and tobacco, oceupies a prominent business place on La Fayette Street, where he has been established since October 4, 1884. At that date the firm was organized being a continuation of the business of G. Monroe & Son. wholesale grocers. Mr. Seaver then purchased
with George H. Monroe, an interest in the business with which he remained connected until September, 1888, and then became sole proprietor. The build- ing is a fine brick and stone structure, comprising an office and warerooms, a large store and basement. It is located opposite the Rock Island depot, which was built in 1887, and they do a business approach- ing 8500,000 annually. In addition to his city employes, three salesmen represent his interests on the road. Mr. Seaver is an enterprising, go-ahead man and forms no unimportant factor among the business interests of Joliet.
A native of Orleans County, Vt., the subject of this notice was born August 17, 1852, and is the son of Samuel Stillman Seaver, likewise a native of the Green Mountain State. The latter grew to manhood in his native county and was married to Miss Martha Wright. He was born in 1808, fol- lowed farming and merchandising, and spent bis entire life upon his native soil, dying in September, 1870, at the age of sixty-two years. The circum- stances of his death were very distressing he having been run over by a train of cars, death ensuing in a short time. He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in the State and under their solemn ceremonials his remains were consigned to their last rest. The mother being ill at the time, survived the shock only four weeks. In addition to farming, Mr. Seaver dealt quite extensively in live stock, mostly cattle and horses.
To the 'parents of our subject there was born a family of five children, viz. : Clarendon S., and Charles S., residents of Joliet; Henry Q., in Geneva, Neb .; William W., Walnut Grove, Minn. ; and Mat- tie E., in Milwaukee, Wis.
Charles S., our subject, acquired a good practical education in the schools of his native county and engaged in the mercantile business until coming to Joliet in 1881. In this city he first purchased the retail grocery business of G. Monroe & Son, which was located in the Opera House Building and con- ducting this until purchasing that which he now owns.
Mr. Seaver was married in September, 1872, to Miss Ella A. Parker, of Orleans County. Vt., and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Maude E. Mrs. Seaver was born November 27,
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1851, in Vermont, and is the daughter of John C. Parker, an old resident of Vermont. Clarendon S. came to Joliet in 1884, and has made this city bis headquarters since that time.
UGUSTUS C. VAN HORNE. The me- chanical and commercial interests of Joliet would be poorly represented in this vol- ume, were no mention made of the railroad business and the men who have it in their control. Aside from this reason for publishing the biog- raphy of the gentleman above-named, it is a pleas- ure to record the success of the worthy son of a learned and honored father.
The late Cornelius C. Van Horne was a pioneer of Will County, to which he came in 1833, and in which his name is perpetuated by Van Horne's Point. He gained an extended reputation as a teacher, being probably the first in the county ; he was an early Postmaster and when, in 1852, he moved into Joliet he was at once chosen Mayor, being the first to occupy that position. He was a man of fine mental attainments, a lawyer and counselor of ability, and his character won him the regard of his associates. In 1840 he married Miss Mary M. Riebards, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters. One of these, William C., is now President of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Montreal, Canada.
The subject of this notice was born in this county, in September, 1844, his birthplace being the town of Frankfort. He attended the public schools, and being an apt pupil, advanced rapidly in his studies and soon acquired a good education. In the year 1861 he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad, remaining in that ser- vice until September 7, 1861, when he became an em- ploye of the Chicago & Alton road. Two years later he changed to the Kansas City and Northern, after which for a brief time he worked for the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. Again he entered the service of the Chicago & Alton road, and has labored for it continuously since. From 1871 to
1882 he was an engineer, but at that date he was put in charge of the roundhouse, and has efficiently superintended it since.
An important step in the life of Mr. Van Horne was taken in 1875, when he was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma A. Hull, of New Lenox, the daughter of an old family in Plainfield. She is a lady possessing many estimable qualities and a consistent member of the Richards Street Meth - odist Episcopal Church. She presides ably over the elegant home that was erected by Mr. Van Horne in 1885. Mr. Van Horne belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic fraternity. He stands well in the opinion of his fellow-men, both employers, employed and general acquaintances.
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II. P. WARTHEN. A favorably located and well-tilled farm of two hundred and thirty- eight acres in Lockport Township, is owned and occupied by this gentleman, who finds enjoyment in his chosen calling and the pleasant surroundings of his home. Every detail of the farm work is under efficient oversight, and tilling the soil has proved a remunerative vocation.
In Licking County, Ohio, in the year 1828, a child was born, whose simple record is contained in these brief paragraphs. Ilis early years were spent in attendance at the common schools, and in such home duties as generally fall to the lot of growing lads in town. Hle is of Revolutionary parentage, being a son of Alvin Warthen, a native of Virginia, who died in 1830. The widowed mother survived until 1888, reaching the advanced age of ninety-two years. She was a hotel keeper for sixty-seven years.
Our subjeet came to Illinois in 1853 and pur- chased a farm near Plainfield, which he afterward sold, buying bis present estate November 6. In 1851 he became the husband of Miss Charlotte Kendall, who, like himself, is a native of the Buck- eye State, and who possesses many of the qualities belonging to honored womanhood. To the happy couple have been born eleven children, nine of
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whom are living and six yet under the parental roof. Mr. Warthen is a Democrat of the okl school. Ile is a reliable citizen and an upright man. especially charitable, and the doer of many kindly deeds known only to their object.
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W ILLIAM STEDT. The sterling traits that make the better class of the Germans de- sirable citizens are exhibited in the life and labors of this gentleman. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 26, Washington Township. where he owns eighty acres of fertile land. The estate je well-improved and bears good buildings, all erected by the owner and including every needful and convenient structure. Success is crowning his efforts and a competence waits upon his labors.
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In the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg, Germany, the eyes of our subject first opened to the light in the year 1840. His parents, Joseph and Reirca (bass) Stedt, had been born in the same duchy, and therein grew to maturity and united their fortunes. The husband and father was a sheep- herder. In 1856 the parents, with five children, sailed from Hamburg, believing that in the New World they could find larger opportunities than in their native land, for themselves and offspring. After an ocean voyage of six weeks they arrived in New York, whenee they came direct to Illinois. settling in Du Page County. They began their life in the new home on rented land, determined to succeed in their intention to become land- owners and people of comfortable finances. The father died in that county when sixty-six years of age: the widowed mother is yet living, her pres- ent home being near West I'nion, Iowa. She is now seventy -seven years old. She has been all her life a member of the Lutheran Church, as was her respected husband. She is the mother of three sons and three daughters, all but one of whom, a daugh- ter, lived to come to America.
The subject of this sketch was about sixteen years old when the family came to the United States. Ilis education was therefore obtained
prineipally in the land of his birth. Ite became of age in Du Page County, and was there married to Miss Anna R. Bohl, to whose housewifely skill and domestic virtues he owes the joys and comforts of his home. Three years after their marriage the young couple came to Will County and began their life here on an almost raw prairie, which now stands as a monument to the enterprise that has made it into a fine farm.
Mrs. Stedt was born in Mecklenburg, Germany. November 18, 18 13, and came to America with her parents when thirteen years old. The family first settled in Du Page County, afterward removing to Will County. where the father, HI. Bohl, died in 1885, when seventy-six years old. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, to which his good wife also belonged. She survived until the spring of 1889, breathing her last when eighty-two years old. Her maiden name was Mary Burling.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stedt has been blessed by the birth of live children, named re- spectively: William, Henry, Charles, Herman and Mary. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Stedt is a thorough Republican. Their upright and industrious lives, their kindli- ness toward their neighbors and all in need. and their desire to aid in the true development of the country, gain for them the hearty respect of all to whom they are known.
OIIN THEILER. A stroll through the prinei- pal business streets of Joliet will reveal the fact that that city contains many men whose enterprise and ability is manifest at a glance, and who, one is not surprised to learn, have a high standing in business circles. One of the establish- ments which gives such indications is that of John Theiler & Son, dealers in groceries, provisions, flour and feed, liquors, wines, ete., and occupying Nos. 108: 110 and 112 South Bluff Street. The senior member of the firm is also the owner of Theiler's Hall, which occupies the upper floor of the building in which his business is carried on.
The birth of the subject of this sketch took
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place in Switzerland, December 8, 1829. Ile ac- companied his parents to the I'nited States in 1847. their first home being in Chicago, whence they came to Joliet in 1850. Our subject first em- barked in life as a farmer, but in 1858 came into the city to begin the business in which he is yet engaged. Ile opened upon a small seale. en- larging the establishment as trade increased, and in 1873 building the edifice he now occupies, afterward adding to both hall and store. Ile is agent for the celebrated bottled beer of the An- heuser Busch Brewing Association, at St. Louis.
In Miss Elizabeth Fender, of Joliet, Mr. Theiler found the qualities which he considered desirable in a companion, and after a successful wooing she became his wife May 9, 1853. She presides judici- ously and pleasingly over the home, and has care- fully reared the children whom she has borne. Five sons and daughters comprise the household band. The first-born, Mary, is now the wife of John Scheit, of this city; John is the junior member of the firm; the other members of the circle are Lizzie, Louisa and .Joseph.
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