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 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
The Frey family is traced back to Switzerland whence the grandfather of our subject came to America at the age of seventeen years. He was a tanner by trade. To him, at his home in Pennsyl- vania, was born a son, JJ. HI., who after becoming a man turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. J. H. Frey married Margaret Hartong, who was also a native of the Keystone State, and in an early day they took up their abode in Ohio. In 1856, they came to Illinois, locating in Plainfield, this county, whence they removed to Joliet in 1858. Mr. Frey had kept the toll gate on the old plank road, prior to his removal to this city. To this couple nine children were born, their record being as follows: Mrs. Fiannah Peddicord lives in West- ern Kansas; Daniel R., in Dakota; Samuel M. died in Iowa in June, 1876; Onrias died at Camp Doug- las, Ill., in 1863, being a member of the Sixty- fourth Illinois Infantry; Byron S. lives at Lock- port; Adam died in infancy; F. P. is the next in order of birth; Mrs. Ilattie M. Mapps, lives in York, Neb .; Anna still remains at home.
The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch was born in Manchester, Ohio, Septem- ber 29, 1852, but passed his boyhood in Joliet, having been brought thither at the age of four
years. In the common schools he received a good education and from his worthy parents the moral teaching and habits of industry which have been praetieed in his business and social career. He started out in the coal trade by entering the em- ploy of J. Q. A. King, for whom he worked by the month until 1874, when he opened an office for himself. Since that date he has continued a scarcely interrupted business.
The first Presidential ballot of Mr. Frey was east for U. S. Grant, and his political allegiance has ever been given to the Republican party. He was nominated for Assistant Supervisor in 1890, against his protest, as he had no desire to enter public life. His talents are made available in so- cial and religious matters, and he is Financial Sec- retary of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and Treasurer of Erwin Council, No. 110, of the Na- tional Union. Ile is also Secretary of the Presby- terian Sunday-school, a position he has held eight years, and is numbered among the active members of the church.
The lady whom Mr. Frey wood and won for his wife, was in her girlhood Miss Minnie M. Hicks. She is a daughter of S. J. Ilieks who now resides in Oshkosh, Wis., and is an estimable lady with cultured mind, useful knowledge and pleasing man- ners. The rites of wedlock were celebrated July 31, 1881, and four bright children have come to bless the union. They are named respectfully-Chester C., Edna M., Lulu M. and Ella Rue.
DIIOMAS W. BROWN. As a sagacious, practical, industrious farmer, the subject of this biographical review has played an im- portant part in the development of the rich agri- cultural interests of Plainfield Township, and his well-ordered farm, with its neat buildings and well- tilled fields, compare favorably with the finest in this part of the county. Mr. Brown, though looking after his agricultural affairs himself, does not occupy his farm but makes his home in the village, where a few years ago he purchased a fine residence, which is built in a modern and pretty
-
327
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
style of architecture, and is well and tastefully furnished.
Our subject was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, April 14, 1839. His father, John Brown, is thought to have been a native of Dumfrieshire, his fa- ther of the same name, being also a native of Seot- land. and of Scotch ancestry. He was a weaver and followed that trade the greater part of his life. The father of our subject was reared to agricultu- rat pursuits, but for a number of years after mar- riage, operated a stationary engine in a spinning factory. He continued to reside in the land of his birth until 1853, when with his wife and thirteen children he embarked for America in the month of August. Landing at New York he came directly to Chicago and after a short stay there. came to Will County, and settled in Wheatland Township, where he purchased a tract of land a few acres of which were broken and some small buildings were on the place. He was actively engaged in the management of that farm until his life was brought to a close in 1885, and thus passed away one of the worthy pioneers of the county. The maiden name of the mother of our subjeet was Lumsdale. She never came to America but died in her native Scotland, in 1849. The father married a second time. Ilis wife survives him and still resides on the homestead in Wheatland Township. Mr. Brown was the father of eight children by his first mar- riage and five by the latter.
The son, of whom we write, received his educa- tion in the schools of his native shire. He was fourteen years old when he accompanied his pa- ren's to America, and he commeneed life here as a farm laborer. working by the month. After a few years he returned home to assist his father in the management of his farm and remained with him until his marriage, when he rented land in Kendall County. So well was he prospered that in 1870, he was enabled to become a land-owner himself, pur- chasing in that year sixty-two acres of land in Plainfield Township and a few years later, buying the seventy acres adjoining, and subsequently be- coming the possessor of fifty aeres more, so that his farm now contains one hundred and eighty-two aeres of unsurpassing fertility whose improvements are of the best. Ile did not, however, settle on his
farm but lived in Kendall County until 1888, when he removed to Plainfield to his present fine resi- dence.
Mr. Brown has been twice married. In 1859. he was wedded to Marian Vandervort, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of John Vandervort. The following four children were born of that marriage: Morian Elizabeth. Silas A., Florence E. and Dilroy M. Our subject's second marriage oc- curred in 1879, when he was united to Miss Han- nah M. Smith, a native of Kickapoo, Ill. ller fa- ther, Daniel Smith, was born in Kent, England, and came to America with his wife and three chil- dien. Hle resided in New York for a time and then. coming to Illinois, was a pioneer of Peoria County. About 1812, he came to Will County and bought a farm in Plainfield Township, on which he resided until his mortal career was brought to a close in 1863. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Bachelor. She was born in Eng- land and died in Plainfield.
Mr. Brown is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word : with sound understanding developed by intelligent reading and careful observation, a stable character and industrious habits, he is an influence for good in this community with whose social, religious, and material interest he is associated. Ile and his wife are members of the' Methodist Episcopal Church, and by their conduet in the every day affairs of life show themselves to be sineere Christians. A citizen of publie spirit and always evincing a general interest in the wel- fare of the township and county, our subject inter- ests himself in politics and is a devoted follower of the Republican party.
---
OIIN II. OHLENDORF, JR. The late John Ohlendorf was a leading farmer of Crete Township and quite an old settler therein. Hle was a native of Hesse, Germany, born September 16, 1827, and died at his home in this township, May 25, 1888. He was the oldest of five sons and two daughters born to his parents. and grew to man's estate in his native land. Ile
328
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
received a good practical education in the Father- land, whenee. in 1852, he came to America with the other members of the parental family. Sail- ing from Bremerhaven in JJune, they spent seven weeks on the briny deep, finally landing in New York City, and, as a united family, coming west to Chicago, Il. Soon afterward they all came to to this county.
John Henry Ohlendorf, Sr., was reared to farm pursuits in his native Hesse, and was also a local officer there for some years. He married a Ilessian lady, Miss Sophia Senne. When they arrived in this county, he purchased one hundred and sixty arres of land on sections 34 and 35, Crete Town. ship, paying $1,100 for the same. It was mostly wild land at the time of purchase. There the parents of our subject lived for some years, when they purchased another farm and gave their orig- inal estate to their eldest son. They subsequently gave their second farm to their second son, and con- tinned this process until all their sons were estab- lished in good homes, when they made their home with their youngest son, August, There the father died July 9, 1882, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His widow is yet living, still making her home with her son, August. She is now nearly seventy-eight years of age. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which her hus- band was also a member, and like his, her life has been characterized by industry and piety.
Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, he of whom we write led to the hymeneal altar Miss Wilhelmina Arkenberg, the marriage rites being performed at the home of the bride in this township. She was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, November 16, 1835, and is the oldest child of William and Dora ( Gisika) Arken- berg. Her father was a shepherd in Germany, that having been the avocation of the family for several generations. After the birth of their four sons and two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Arkenberg emigrated to America, sailing from Bremerbaven to New York. They came at onee to Chicago and later to this county, this being in 1853, Mr. Arkenberg purchased a farm near Goodenow, Crete Town- ship, making of it an estate of considerable valne. There he breathed his last in 1880, at the age of
seventy-two years. His widow departed this life four years later when seventy-one years of age. Both were members of the Lutheran Church.
The wife of our subject having been seventeen years of age when she accompanied her parents to America, received the greater part of her educa- tion in her native clime. With the devotion of a true wife, she labored hard with her husband to make a home for their family, proving her efficiency in household duties, and as a counselor and sym- pathizing helpmate wherever woman's work is needed. After the death of her husband, she took up her residence in Crete, where she is still living, with her youngest child. She is the mother of three children-Henry W., whose biography oecu- pies a page in this volume; Amelia, wife of Henry Triebold, their home being on a farm in Crete Township; and Regina, who is her mother's com- panion. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which her children also belong, and with which her deceased husband was identified. The life of Mr. Ohlendorf was one of persevering industry, neighborly kindness, and unassuming devotion to the principles in which he believed, and his death removed from the township a citizen whose worth was unquestioned. Besides leaving a good home to his heirs, he left to them that best of all inheri- tances, a name and memory which can be thought upon with loving reverenee.
G EORGE E. SHAW. one of the most pros- perons farmers of Plainfield, has been a resident of this township for more than thirty years, and has been elosely associated with its agricultural development, helping to make Will County one of the finest farming regions in the State, and during this time he has acquired a goodly amount of property and has placed him- self among the substantial citizens of the eom- munity.
Mr. Shaw is a native of Elizabethtown, N. J., born February 2, 1815, a son of Elijah Shaw, who is thought to have been born in New York
329
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
State. The latter learned the trade of a cooper and followed that calling in Columbia and Dutchess Counties. At his death, in 1822. in the town of Milan, a useful and honorable life was brought to a close. The maiden name of the mother of our subjeet was Catherine Althouse. She is thought to have been born in Dutchess County and spent her last years with a daughter in Westchester County. N. Y. There were seven children born to the parents of our subject of whom the fol- lowing six were reared: Mary, Jane, George E., Elijah, Phoebe and Helen. The mother of the sub- jeet of this sketch was married a second time, becoming the wife of George Shaffer and they reared one daughter. Louisa.
Our subject was but seven years old when he had the misfortune to lose his father and one year later he went to live with a farmer, Philip I. Zink. He was bred to agricultural pursuits, re- eviving in return for his services his board and clothes. At the age of twenty-one he started out for himself. with empty pockets and in debt for the cloth to make the suit of clothes that he wore. . 1 young man of his willingness and capability. to work found but little difficulty in obtaining a situ- ation, and he was soon engaged on a farm in Dutchess County, his wages being 812 per month for eight months in the year, and during the win- ter season he was obliged to work for 88 per month. He labored very hard and prudently saved his earnings, and the following spring in- vested a part of them in a traet of three hundred acres of wild timber land in Cochecton. Sulli- van County. in part payment for it giving eight months more work. He did not locate on his pur- chase at that time but continued working for a few years. until he was enabled to buy two hun- dred acres adjoining it, and after marriage he bought a house and three aeres of land in Stan- ford, Dutchess County. The following year (1847) he sold that place and went to Sullivan County intending to settle on his land there, but before building, he embraced a fine opportunity to sell a part of his land for an improved farm in the town of Bethel, the same county, and two years after that he bought the remainder of the first tract he had previousty purchased. Hearing much
of the wonderful fertility of the soil of the Prai- rie State and the various other advantages offered to the practical, wide-awake farmer. he determined to try life here, and selling his farm in New York, he came to this State and two years later pur- chased the farm where he now resides. Eighty acres of this is located on a part of seetion 35, and he has besides another eighty-acre tract on the same section, and eleven and one-half acres of valuable timber land on section 27. In the years of hard labor that followed his settlement liere Mr. Shaw devoted himself assiduously to the work of his farm, and has brought about a great change in every respect. erecting roomy, convenient buildings, suitable for every purpose, cultivating the land after the best methods and providing himself with the best machinery, so that his place may be regarded as a model in its way.
Mr. Shaw has been married three times. llis first wife, to whom he was united in 1811, was Catherine E. Schoonover. She was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and a daughter of Richard and Ann Schoonover. Her death, October 31, 1850, deprived him of a good wife. lle was next married, September 11, 1851, to Mary A. Colsen, a native of Ireland and a daughter of William and Aun Colsen. After a pleasant wedded life of nearly thirteen years he was deprived of her assist- ance by death July 10, 1864. To them had been born three children, namely: William E., George 11. and Lewis. William married Martha Kennelly. and has three children -- Ella, Margaret and Lester; George H. married Estella O'Strander and has one child, Ethel.
The marriage of our subject to his present wife was solemnized May 16,1869, her maiden name was Anna Coon, and she was born in Milan, Dutchess County. N. Y. Her father, Philip A. Coon, is sup- posed to have been born in Columbia County, N. Y., and his father. Jolm Coon. was a farmer and died in Johnstown, Montgomery County. N.Y. Mrs. Shaw's father was also a farmer and at one time owned a farm in Milan. He came to Illinois with Mrs. Shaw and died at her home in 1871. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Link, and she was a native of Milan. Her father, Jobn
330
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Link, is supposed to have been born there, and to have been a descendant of German ancestry., He carried on farming in that town until his death. Mrs. Shaw's mother died in Milan about 1858.
Mr. Shaw is a sturdy representative of our self- made men, as, beginning life in poverty, he has worked his way up to a position of comparative wealth all through his own efforts, he having been well equipped for the struggle with energy, deter- mination, and a good capacity for skillful labor, besides being a man of steady habits, thorough conscientiousness and unswerving integrity. He and his wife are sincere religious people, and the Congregational Church finds in them two of its most faithful members. He was a Whig in former days. but since the formation of the Republican party has been one of its most consistent sup- porters.
ETER P. ADLER. This gentleman is numbered among the prominent citizens of Joliet, where he has been engaged in business for a number of years, manifest- ing a degree of ability and enterprise that has given him a high standing in business circles and wins for him a flourishing trade. He is a member of the firm of Adler Brothers, stock dealers and shippers, and wholesale and retail dealers in meats. Their market is situated at No. 112 Exchange Street, in the National Block; and their business of shipping stock to the East necessitates the buy- ing by wholesale in Kansas City, Mo., and various other points in the West.
The subject of this sketeh owns considerable land in the township and has charge of the estate, whereon horses, mules, cattle, and hogs are raised in considerable numbers. Ile is known as a gen- eral farmer in a large way, while he has also at- tended to the shipping of the stock of the firm, simply overseeing the business.
Mr. Adler was born in Joliet Township, this county, October 8, 1812, being a son of Michael Adler, whose history will be found in the sketch of Jacob Adler on another page of this ALBUM. lle grew to the age of nineteen years on the farm,
after which he learned the trade of a shoemaker in the city of Joliet .. After mastering his trade, he engaged in the clothing business, continuing in it several years, but in 1868 beginning the meat busi- ness. He bought with his brother Jacob, having charge of the market, and since they extended their business to include the buying and shipping of stock, he has spent much of his time in Kansas City, Mo., or in various parts of the State of Kan- sas, interested with his brother-in-law, F. G. Rap- ple. Ile has an interest in the building in which the market is carried on.
The marriage of Mr. Adler took place at the bride's home, in Joliet, in 1865. She was born in Ohio, in 1844, to Joseph and Elizabeth Flick and was christened Mary A. Her father was a native of Alsace, when it was a department of France. and her mother was born in Pennsylvania, her maiden name having been Seuter. The family came to this county in 1833, and Mr. Flick en- gaged in the hotel business in the same house the family now occupies. lle died in 1873, leaving a widow and four daughters, three of whom now survive, two being at home.
To Mr. Adler and his estimable wife six children have been born, three of whom are living. They are named respectively : Angeline, Lizzie and Peter M. J. The parents belong to St. John's Catholic Church and stand well in the esteem of their ac- quaintances. their characters and intelligence ren- dering them useful and agreeable members of society.
HARLES C. MCLAUGHRY, A. B. This young gentleman, who is now filling the position of Chief Engineer of the Illinois State Penitentiary, at Joliet, is a man of more than ordinary ability and strength and nobility of character. lle was the recipient of excellent ad- vantages during his boyhood and youth, made a good use of them, and possesses a mind well stored with useful knowledge and capable of grasp- ing with firmness and with acute perception, sub- jeets brought before him for consideration. With
-
331
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
this, he has firm principles and agreeable, courte- ous manners.
The subject of this brief biographical notice was born at Carthage, Hancock County. April 7, 1863, while his father was in the army. When eleven years old he came to Joliet with his parents, finishing his education at Knox College and being graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of '85. He then entered the machine shops of the Illinois Steel Company in order to acquire the trade of a machinist, which he completed in that establishment. He was after- ward connected with the firm of E. R. Brainard & Co .. in their machine department in the peniten- tiary, leaving their employ November 1, 1889, at which time he was appointed chief engineer of the prison. He is a member of the Lincoln Club, an organization of young Republicans, and belongs to the Central Presbyterian Church.
At the residence of W. C. Demmond, of this city, June 28. 1888, the marriage ceremony was performed which united the subject of this sketch and Miss Helen A., daughter of the host. The bride was born in this city, which has ever been her home, and where she has made many friends by her genial manners, intelligence and estimable charac- ter. To her and her husband one child has been born, who bears the name of Helen B.
Maj. Robert W. MeClanghry, the father of our subject, was Warden of the penitentiary in Joliet for fifteen years. He was born in Fountain Green, Hancock County, JJuly 22, 1839, aud remained at home on a farm until 1856. He then entered Mon- mouth College, being graduated in 1860, and re- maining in the institution one year as Professor of Latin. Returning to Hancock County in 1861, he settled at Carthage and became editor of the Carthage Republican. In response to President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand men. he enlisted. in August. 1862, as a private in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. He was chosen Captain of Company B. and in November following was elected Major of the regiment. He participated in all the campaigns in the Gulf de- partment, which resulted in the capture of Vicky- burg, and in all those in Western Louisiana until June. 1864, when he was transferred to the pay
department as Paymaster and assigned to duty at Springfield, Ill. He remained there until October, 1865. when he was mustered out of the service.
Having been elected Clerk of Hancock County, Maj. MeClanghry at once assumed the duties of that office, which he held until 1869. During the next two years he was engaged in the stone quarry business in Sonora and furnished stone for the rail- road bridge over the Mississippi at Keokuk,and also for the Government canal at the same place, and for the foundations of the new State Capitol at Springfield. In 1871 he went to St. Louis, Mo., to take charge of the St. Genevieve quarries, but the following year, his health failing, he returned to Monmouth. Ill., and entered the office of Judge Glenn, to attend to a portion of his business. There he remained until August 1, 1871, when he was appointed Warden of the penitentiary of this place. lle was married, in 1862, to Miss Eliza- beth Madden, of Monmouth, and has five children living.
-
n ICHOLS D. DYER. The flourishing city of Joliet contains many business houses in whose management great tact is displayed, and in which a trade is carried on that gives cireu- lation to thousands of dollars per annum. One of these flourishing establishments is that of the sub- jeet of this sketch, who is a dealer in dry-goods.
Fifteen years after the Pilgrims of the "May- lower" had landed on Plymouth Rock, the first record of William and Mary Dyer, who were first cousins, is found in Boston. Like many others in that day they had left the refinements of an Eng- lish home. to brave the discomforts of the Western wilderness in order to enjoy the blessing of relig- ious liberty. William Dyer was led by the elo- quence of Roger Williams to espouse the cause of the Baptists, whereupon he was disfranchised and like many others compelled to leave the colony. Ilis wife walked out of a meeting of Puritans in company with Mrs. Hutchinson. The banished Dyers bought the little isle-Rhode-Island-then called Aquidunk or Isle of Peace. Of the new colony who settled " Little Rhody," William Dyer
332
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
was selected as Clerk, subsequently becoming Re- corder, Clerk of the Assembly and Atto ney-Gen- eral. His wife still adhered to the Quaker belief although opposed to the spirit of intolerance characterising that body, and especially, the un- just law of banishment. Restless under it and firmly believing she had a mission to perform, she returned to Massachusetts to secure a reformation. In this she failed, and was therefore a martyr to her religious belief, and was brought to the gallows for execution as one sowing the seeds of sedition, by direction of Gov. Endicott. Through the inter- vention of a son she was spared, only to again re- turn to the same mission and become a martyr to her faith. Quite a number of the progeny of these Puritans have become noted in American history. N. D. Dyer, of whom we write, is one of the lineal descendants.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.