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 42
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Dr. Nash was married to Miss Anna J. Cornelius. in September, 1861. She was the daughter of Rev. Samuel Cornelius, ot Ann Arbor, Mich. By her he had four children, viz. : Jesse. the wife of Robert Berger. of Peoria, Ill .; Miss Maud, a short-hand reporter residing in Chicago; Claud, a resident of .Joliet; and Anna at home. Mrs. Nash died at their home in Lapeer, Mich., in August, 1875. Dr.
Nash was married to his second wife in July, 1879. Iler name was Mrs. Charlotte P. Richards. The Doctor and his wife have a comfortable home on C'ass Street.
When first entering the army Dr. Nash was as- signed to the Army of the Potomae and was captured at the second battle of Bull Run. Hle received an order from Lee's Medical Director to remain on the field and take care of wounded rebels and for this service was tendered a pass to Wash- ington from Fitz Hugh Lee. The "Johnies " traded boots, hat and coat with the Surgeon and thus accoutred he appeared in the presence of Lee, who said, " that pass shall be honored." The Doc- tor has this document still in his possession. As he left the lines a guard remarked to a comrade. " this is one of Pope's officers, let's shoot the d-d cuss." The Doctor expected they would carry out the suggestion, but they did not and he finally reached the Union cump in safety, at Arlington Heights.
Dr. Nash in 1861, was made Brigade Surgeon under Gen. Israel Gerrard. In December, 1863, he had charge of the surgical department in the hospital at Knoxville, where he remained six months. lle joined his regiment as it was starting from Camp Nelson, going with Sherman to Chat- tanooga and was under the command of the hero of Atlanta until after the fall of the city.
Dr. Nash was appointed Pension Examiner on the board for this district in 1889, and is Secretary of the Board.
RANK E. MARSIL. This young man is a well-known grain dealer of Joliet. in which city he was born in 1819. Here he grew to manhood. enjoying the privileges of her excellent public schools. and after finishing the course in them. taking a term in the Chicago University. In 1868 he beeame ticket agent 'and telegraph op- erator, continuing in that position until 1874, when he embarked in the business which he is now fol- lowing. Ile buys at different points on the line of the Elgin. Joliet & Eastern Railroad, and such suc-
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cess las attended his efforts that he has continued to carry on the trade.
In 1873 Mr. Marsh led to the hymeneal altar Miss Kate Richmond. with whom he lived happily until 1879, when she was called hence, leaving three children-Richmond, Loren and Kate. the latter of whom died when two years old. In 1882 Mr. Marsh contracted a second matrimonial al- lianee, the lady who now shares his joys and sor- rows having borne the maiden name of Ida Pierce. They have one living child. Ralph L .; and lost a daughter. Agnes, in infancy.
Mr. Marsh was elected Alderman in 1885, and has since been retained as a member of the City Couneil. The subject of this brief biographical notice is a son of the Hon. H. N. Marsh, one of the representative men of Joliet, whose life history is found on another page in this ALBUM.
D INCAN MACLAREN THOMSON. This gentlemen is one of the few men who came to Will County independent in financial re- sources, and whose life here has not been the struggle which many have experienced. lle owns and operates over four hundred acres on sections 16, 17, 20 and 21. Frankfort Township. llis land is all enclosed. and is marked with excellent im- provements, which not only include buildings. orchards and others of the usual order, but much which is not usually found on farms. The dwell- ing is situated on section 21, and is not only of beautiful design, but is pleasantly located, well furnished and gives evidence of the presence of a woman of relinement at the head of the establish- ment. Among the farm buildings are three barns and other structures which sutlice to shelter all the stock and grain. The agricultural and domestic labors are simplified and made easy by the use of a windmill and fank. a horse-power grinder ( it being under cover), corn-cutter and other improved machinery, and Mr. Thomson also has a silo, the first and only one in Frankfort Township.
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The land includes valuable timber, pasture land watered by Hickory Creek. and fields of great fer-
tility. Full-blooded and graded Short-horn cattle are raised, as well as fine hogs, roadsters and draft horses. About fifteen head of horses are to be seen on the estate, and the herd of cattle numbers from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty head. Mr. Thomson ships his own stock, and in addition to that raised upon his place . . feeds about two car-loads of cattle per annum. Besides his fine estate here, he owns two hundred acres of land near Emmetsburg, Palo Alto County, Iowa.
Mr. Thomson is a Scotchman of a lineage honor- able and influential. His paternal grandfather. John Thomson, born in Stirling, Stirlingshire, was a carriage manufacturer in his native city. which was his place of abode until his death. He left three sons and two daughters. The sons were: John Thomson. D.D., of Paisley; George, the father of our subject; and William, also engaged in carriage manufacturing. His son George suc- ceeded him in the business, enlarging it and en- gaging extensively in the manufacture of carriages, stagecoaches and railroad carriages. He made the carriages for the first railway in Scotland. He was known far and wide as an influential and wealthy citizen, and a pleasant and agreeable man. The following incident is a good instance of his promi- mence: As two travelers were passing through Stirling one asked the other the name of the city, and being told, inquired what it was noted for. The second traveler responded, "For its castle and George Thomson's carriage works." Mr. Thom- son was a member of the Town Council and a Hammerman. He was a Liberal in polities, and a Presbyterian in religion, serving as Elder in his church. lle died in 1867, at the age of fifty-six years.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Maj. Dunean Maclaren, a native of Perthshire. He belonged to the Twenty-fifth Regiment, "The King's Own Borderers," until he retired to Stirl- ing, where he died in 1819. His daughter, Mary A. C., was born on the farm Dundurn. at St. Fillan's. Perthshire, but reared in Stirling, and there married to George Thomson. She breathed her last July 15, 1879, at the age of sixty-three years. She was the mother of six children, namely:
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RESIDENCE OF ADAM TUCK, SEC. 33. NEW LENOX TP. WILL CO. IL.
VIEW OF FRANKFORT FROM RES
AVIEW' NEAR THE SPRING
stil.
MINERAL SPRING IN NORTH PASTURE
RESIDENCE
BARN & STABLESS
RESIDENCE OF D. M. THOMSON, SEC. 21. FRANKFORTTP. WILL CO. I LL .
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Isabelle B., Mrs. H. M. Douglas, who died in Scotland; John, who died at Frankfort Station, this county ; our subject: Mary, now Mrs. M. N. Parkhurst. of Green Castle. Ind .; George, who died in Pernambuco, Brazil; and flames, who is proprietor of car works in Scotland.
The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch was born in Stirling, Scotland, March 25, 1843, and had excellent school advantages. After being graduated at the Iligh School in Stirl- ing, he spent a year at Mt. Greenvan Academy. When fourteen years ofl he was apprenticed at carriage-making under his father, and at the age of twenty years took charge of the shops. When his father died he took entire charge of the carriage works, managing them until the youngest son became of age. when the property was divided.
In May. 1875, our subjeet came to America on a visit, sailing from Glasgow on the steamer "Vic- toria." and twelve days later landed in New York. Thence he came at once to Chicago, and after re- maining there some three months, spent about the same length of time in traveling in the State of Illinois. He finally determined to locate in Will. County, and purchased one hundred and sixty- eight acres of land where he is now located, mak- ing a cash payment of $62.50 per acre. He en- gaged in farming and stock-raising, increasing his landed estate until it reached its present acreage, and making nearly all the improvements upon it. lle has displayed the sterling qualities which be- long to the Scotch character, and is looked upon as a farmer and citizen who is a credit to the county in which he has made his home.
On January 3, 1871, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Thomson and Miss Isabelle Hunter Paton. This accomplished lady was born in Leith Edinburgh. July 24. 1842, and is a des- cendant of families whose members have acquired fame during the historic times of Scotland. She was educated under private instruction, modern classies and music being included in her course of study, and the graces of manner being by no means neglected. When she had arrived at woman- hood she possessed a cultured mind, the charming manners of a well-bred gentlewoman, and the vir- tues of character which make and keep friends.
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Her happy union has been blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom the following survive: Lizzie A. Hunter, Charlotte, George, Duncan M .. Jr., and Gladys May. The deceased are: Walter Paton, who died at the age of seven and one-half years; Isabel Beatrice, who died when one year old, and two who died unnamed in infancy. The surviving children still remain under the home roof, and display a marked degree of intelligence and quickness of perception.
The father of Mrs. Thomson was Capt. Walter Paton, a native of Edinburgh, whose father had died when he was a babe. Ilis mother's father, Andrew Bell. was a Jacobite, a follower and active supporter of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the Pretender. Hle was a topographical engineer, and surveyed the battlefield of Prestonpans on the night before the battle. He was subsequently taken into favor again by the reigning house, and became quite intimate with the Prince of Wales. He did engraving for his royal friend, being considered the foremost engraver of Scotland. He was the originator of the Enelelopadia Britannica. The Bells trace their ancestry back through some of the noble families of Scotland to the Scougalls of Scougall, who were personal friends of King James VI of Scotland or James I of England. Scougall was a line artist, and did the painting for the royal families.
The father of Mrs. Thomson was a sea captain, first having charge of a merchant vessel and after- ward becoming an officer in the Royal Navy. He was surveyor for Lloyd's and also for the Board of Trade, and Master of the Trinity House, Leith, holding the latter office until about four years be- fore his death. He then retired to Stirling, where he remained until a few months before his decease, which occurred while on a visit to his daughter at Greenock, in 1873. He was then eighty-four years old. having been born in 1789. He had con- ducted and commanded the vessel which conveyed to Germany King Charles X, of France, who had taken refuge in Scotland.
The mother of Mrs. Thomson bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Hunter. She was born in Cu- par- Fifeshire, and was a daughter of Hugh Hunter, an excise officer in Greenock. She was the second
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wife of Capt, Paton, to whom she bore but one child. now Mrs. Thomson. She entered into rest in 1866. She and her husband belonged to the I'mited Presbyterian Church.
The first marriage of Capt. Paton was blest by the birth of three children, viz .: Mrs. Ann Gilki- son, Mrs. Euphemia Stephenson and Walter. The latter worked his way from cabin boy to captain, reaching the latter position when twenty-one. and becoming Commodore when twenty-five. He com- manded the first mail steam packet that went to Canada. and was two years in the Crimean War as Commander of the steamship "Cleopatra," which carried troops to and from the seat of war. lle had retired from the sea when he was importuned "to take command of the "Great Eastern," and re- luetantly consented, sailing as her Captain for about three years. lle then retired the second time, making his home in Liverpool, where he died. His sisters are also deceased.
Duncan M. Thomson is Master Mason in the Bruce and Thistle Lodge, Bannockburn, No. 312; Stirling Rock, Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2, in Stirling, Scotland. In politics he is a Democrat. lle belongs to the Free Church of Scotland, which is one of the branches of Presbyterianism. Person- ally, he is jolly and openhearted, and his friends are many.
On another page of this volume appears a view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Thomson.
DAM TUCK. A book filled with the ree- ords of the lives of good men is sugges- tive of the most precious and important truths. As was said by one famed in En- glish literature, such a book is the "precious life- blood of a master spirit. embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life." They serve as potent examples to each succeeding generation, and teach them how to make life a success. As a prominent farmer of Will County, Mr. Tuck de- serves representation in a volume designed to per- petuate the names of her leading citizens. Ilis pleasant home, a view of which appears in connec-
tion with this brief biographieal review, is situated on seetion 33. New Lenox Township. The farm consists of eighty acres of fertile land, and bears such improvements as are usually found upon the estate of an enterprising man.
Coming of worthy German ancestry, Mr. Tuck is a son of the late William Tuek and his wife Mary Sehroder. This estimable couple grew to maturity in the Fatherland, where they remained for some time after their marriage. They emi- grated to America in 1852, making their first home in Chicago, but after a short sojourn in that city removed to Will County. In Joliet Town- ship, they resided until the spring of 1867, when they settled in New Lenox Township, where our subject is now living. Here the father departed this life December 7, 1881; his widow is yet living and is now making her home in Joliet.
The subject of this biographical notice is the youngest of the eight children comprising the pa- rental family. and was born in JJoliet Township, December I. 1861. Ile received a good practical education in the common schools. and has been chiefly engaged in farming during his years of ma- turity. He has always resided in this county.
At the home of the bride in Carrolton, Greene County, October 20, 1885, Mr. Tuck was united in marriage with Miss Kate Kaffer, a worthy young lady who was born in that county. She is a
daughter of the late Frank A. Kaffer. Mr. and Mrs. Tuek are the parents of two bright children, Frank A. and Florence L. In polities Mr. Tuck is a Democrat, and socially, both he and his esti- mable wife are highly respected.
R OSSITER RUDD is numbered among the progressive farmers of Joliet Township, his faim being on seetion 24, which has been his home since his infancy. It comprises sixty acres of valuable land, which has been brought to a high state of productiveness by means of a proper rotation of crops and the use of the best fertilizing agents, while the improvements which it bears are adequate for the purposes for
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which they were intended. In the fall of 1887. Mr. Rudd embarked in the coal business in loliet. which he has since carried on in connection with , his agricultural enterprise. He has been useful to his fellow-men in public capacities, manifests great kindliness in his relations to humanity. and in his own pleasant home is the soul of hospitality and good fellowship.
In Rutland County. Vt .. the Rudd family had a foothold many years ago. and there Erastus Rudd, the father of our subject, was born and reared. lle married Miss Harriet Hill. of Onondaga County, N. Y .. their first home being in Syracuse, whence they removed to Patriot. Ind. In 1813 they emigrated to the Prairie State. settling in what is now New Lenox Township, but afterward removing to Joliet Township, and the farm now owned by our subject. There the mother died September 3, 1872. the father surviving until June 22. following. The latter had in early life been engaged in boating, and after coming to Illinois he operated the list boat that was run on the canal, being connected in that enterprise with Abi- Jah Cagwin. Ile was the father of three sons and four daughters, our subject being the fifth child.
Rossiter Rudd was born in Patriot. Ind., No- vember 2. 1813, but was reared to manhood in Will County. Ill., after his father's death taking possession of the old homestead. He was married in Bloomington. August 23, 1863, to Miss Jane Gregg, whose intelligence of mind and worth of character had won his deepest regard. Her par- ents, William and Margaret (Lenox) Gregg. are natives of the Emerald Isle. in which they grew to maturity and were united in marriage. They at once emigrated to Canada, where their daughter, Mrs. Rudd, was born November 23, 1835. her birthplace being the town of Brook. Several years after her birth the family came to Will County. Ill .. >ettling on a farm in Joliet Township. where the parents still reside. Their family comprises one son and ten daughters. Mrs. Rudd being the second in order of birth.
An interesting family has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rudd, the living children being Hannah L ... Fayette, Harriet. Freeman and Mansfield; they have buried one son, Harry, who died when about
a year old. Mr. Rudd has held the offices of Road Commissioner. School Director and Superinten- dent of Mound Cemetery. In every position to which he has been called he has manifested a de- gree of intelligent interest and good judgment which have redounded to his credit in the eyes of the community. In politics he is a Republican. Ile and his wife belong to the Universalist Church, and in all the vicinity round about are held in high esteem for their many good qualities.
S TEPHEN GLIDDEN. A history of the men who have had the making of Will County. would be incomplete without a sketch of this pioneer. who has been so long and so closely connected with its highest ma- terial and social interests, and we are glad to be able to represent him on the pages of this volume. Ile stands foremost among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Channahon, is one of its most ex- tensive land-owners, having a large and valuable farm in this township. and has taken a leading part in making this portion of Illinois one of the richest farming regions in this section of the country.
Mr. Glidden comes of line old New England stock but is himself a native of the Empire State, boro in Essex County, September 15. 1820. His parents were Levi and Sarah (Glidden) Glidden. who were of very old American families, who came to this country many years prior to the Revolution. Mr. Glidden, of barb wire fame, is a representative of this family, and second cousin of our subject.
Our subject was reared in the place of his nativity and followed farming there and also the lumber business. getting out timber from the pine woods till he was twenty-eight years of age. Then in the flush and vigor of a strong manly manhood he came to the Prairie State in 1848, and with the $600 which he had acenmulated in New York as his capital. he started on a new life here, by in- vesting it judiciously in a piece of land lying along the Desplaines River, on which was a mill. Hle operated that for five years very profitably, and then the railroad coming through spoiled the busi-
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ness. After that he purchased one hundred and eleven acres of land and gave his attention to rais- ing and feeding stock and has always been engaged at that. Ile has added to his farm till it is now one of the largest in the county, comprising eight hundred and eighty-five acres of as good farming land as lies in the township.
In 1819 our subject returned to New York for the young lady who had plighted her froth to him, Miss Mary L. Barnett.daughter of Asa and Hannah ( Lamp- son ) Barnett, of Essex County, and their marriage was solemnized July 4. 1849. Accompanied by his young bride, who had left fond parents to cast her fortunes in with him whom she loved best in all the wide world to assist him in building up of a home, our subject returned to Channahon. They established their dwelling on the east side of the river, living there until 1878, when he erected his present fine residence on an eminence commanding a beautiful view of the valley of the Desplaines River and also of the DuPage, about two and one- half miles away, and of the village of Channahon on the river. In the management of his extensive agricultural affairs Mr. Glidden has shown large enterprise and fine business and executive ability, which traits have brought him wealth. He gener- ally votes the Republican ticket, but takes no fur- ther part in elections or politics.
September 12, 1887, the shadow of a great grief fell over the household of our subject; Death crossed the threshold of his home and removed the wife and mother from her loved ones, who hold her dear memory in saered remembrance. She was a woman of a beautiful and noble character, who met the grave duties and responsibilities of life with firmness and serene patience, and fulfilled them faithfully. She was greatly beloved tar beyond the limits of her home circle, her constant kindliness of disposition endearing her to all who knew her.
" Blessing she was; God made her so,
And deeds of week-day holiness fell from her noise less as the snow."
Eleven children were born of the marriage of our subject, six of whom grew to maturity, four of whom are still living: Pamelia, with her father; Sarah Jane, the wife of Henry Haviland. of Chan-
nahon, now a resident of Kansas, where he owns a farm; Melissa, with her father; llarvy, a young man of twenty-two, who lives with his father, and is ably managing the farm. Since the mother de- parted, the family has been called to mourn the death of a loved one, Ella F .. who had just blossomed into womanhood, died February 24, 1888, at the age of twenty-two years. Adelbert, a young man of great promise, in his eighteenth year, was the victim of an accident by which he was killed De- cember 2, 1877. While on a duck expedition he threw his gun into the boat, and the hammer strik- ing on the seat, was discharged, the shot taking ef- feet in his abdomen and he lived but a few hours. We reverently believe that the lives thus uncom- pleted have but "entered upon broader fields of ac- tion and duty, where nobler struggles shall task the strength and more precious crowns reward the vie- tor, where the hopes and dreams of earth shall be turned to sight and the broken circles of life be rounded to the perfect orb."
AVID B. GEISS. In this county are to be found several farmers who have reached a high degree of prosperity by the persistent pursuit of a chosen calling, and the exercise of prudence and foresight in the conduct of their af- fairs. Among these none deserves the notice of the biographical writer more than the gentleman whose cognomen forms the heading of this sketch. He began his career in life with but the talents be- stowed upon him by nature and the knowledge of milling learned from his father; he now ranks among the wealthy residents of Wilton Township, where he owns a valuable estate and is enjoying merited repose after years of toil and activity.
The parents of our subject were George A. and Susan (Bright) Geiss, natives of Berks County, Pa., who died in Lebanon County, at an advanced age. The father was a hard-working man, who made milling and farming the work of his life. The father belonged to the Lutheran Church and the mother to the Reformed Church. Their fam- ily comprised twelve children-Mary, Sarah, Dan-
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iel, Elizabeth, John, George, David B., Kate, Matilda, Peter, Reuben and Susan. Of this large family there survives at this date John, George, Matilda, Susan, Kate and David B.
The subject of this sketch was born April 16, 1812, in Lebanon County, Pa .. and reared in that and Berks County. his time being spent in the mill and on the farm, of both pursuits gaining a knowl- edge in early life. After learning the trade, he carried on the milling business successfully for twenty - five years, both in Berks and Center Coun- ties. In the latter he made his home twenty-two years. After a quarter of a century devoted to that calling, he discovered that his health required him to adopt some ocenpation that would keep him in the open air much of the time. He there- fore turned his attention to farming, and in 1868 eame to Will County, Ill .. and bought his present farm. It consists of one hundred and ninety-six acres on section 6, Wilton Township, and was con- ducted successfully by the owner for several years. lle improved it until it is ranked among the finest estates in the township, and is a home of which any man might well be proud. Owing to his ad- vanced age and feeble health, Mr. Giess now rents the farm. living in retirement in the midst of the adornments he has put upon the face of Nature.
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