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 43
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Mr. Geiss has been twice married, his first wife having been Sarah Kerlin, of Berks County, Pa., who shared his joys and sorrows until December 7. 1859, when death took her. She was the mother of eleven children. Of these, William F. lives in Chicago: Alison is deceased : David lives in Cen- ter, Center County, Pa .; Susan is deceased; Daniel lives in Joliet; Sarah is deceased; Jacob, Mary J. and Anna C. complete the circle of survivors, and the roll of the dead includes two infants unnamed on earth.
For his second companion Mr. Geiss chose Kath- arine, a sister of his first wife, with whom he was united October 4, 1860. Prior to this union she had been twice married, her first husband having been William Schrefler, by whom she had two chil- dren-Mary and William. After his death she mar- ried William Runkle, by whom she also had two children-Sarah and Jacob. Mrs. Geiss is now eighty years of age. Her life has been a useful and up-
right one, and she merits the esteem of her ac- quaintances and the "good report" that follows her. Mr. Geiss is one of the most intelligent and well- read men of the community, and in his company an hour can ever be spent in a profitable manner. llis energy of character, the manner in which he carved ont a fortune from adverse surroundings, and the upright life that has been led by him, alike gain the high regard of all who know him, and all rejoice in his prosperity. He is a stanch Democrat. Both he and his good wife hold membership in the Lutheran Church. Mr. Geiss has twenty-six grand- children and two great-grandchildren.
6 HOMAS VARLEY. Among the pioneers whose names are identified with that of Wheatland as its builders, none occupy a more honorable position than that of this gentle- man, who for many years has been a tiller of the soil in this locality and has thereby secured a com- petence, his farm on section 28, being a most desir- able one in ever respect.
Our subject is of English origin, born in York- shire, June 27, 1821. a son of William and Mary Varley. He was reared to manhood in his native conntry and has been employed in farming pur- suits from early boyhood. He had but a rudimen- tary education in the schools of England, but after he came to this country he attended school two winters and during the two months of each season applyed himself closely to his books and rapidly improved in scholarship. Ile has always been fond of reading and aims to keep well posted on affairs of general interest. In 1850, in the prime of carly manhood, he determined to seek his fortunes in America, and taking passage to llull on a sailing vessel,after a voyage of about seven weeks landed in New York City. He came directly to Will County from there and when he arrived here found that he had but two shillings left, and as he was suffering with a felon on his hand he was obliged to pay out that money to have it removed. He thus started in life here under discouraging circumstance. Noth- ing daunted, however, with characteristic British
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pluck and tenacity of purpose he immediately sought work and soon became employed as a farm hand. Ile saved his money and in time had earned enough to send for his wife and children, who joined him in 1854. After the arrival of his family he farmed as a renter for about four years and then bought land in Wheatland Township. He subsequently purchased his present farm in 1865, and since has built up a substantial home by hard and persistent labor, aided by his faithful wife. The two hundred and forty acres comprising his farm are under excellent cultivation, and neat and conveniently arranged buildings adorn the place, and everything about it shows the care of the owner.
Our subject was married in England, March 5, 1844, to Martha Cravan, a native of that country. Six children were born to their union. Margaret, John, Charles, Mary, wife of Peter Cheese, of Col- orado; Jane, wife of Edward Levec, and the mother of three children-Harvey, Frank and Nelson ; and Martha, wife of Robert Pennington, of Kane County. Ill.
May 23. 1878. the wife who had been our suh- ject's helpmate for so many years, departed this life, leaving behind her a wealth of love and affec- tion and many warm friends who mourn her Joss.
"Iler work is compassed and done ; All things are seemly and ready, And her summer has just begun. "But we cannot think of her idle : She must be a home-maker still ; God giveth that work to the angels Who fittest the task fulfill.
"And somewhere, yet, in the hill tops Of the country that hath no pain She will watch in her beautiful doorway To bid us a welcome again."
In a career. honorable alike to himself and to the community. Mr. Varley has shown those val- nable traits of character without which success is unattainable; and the perusal of this biographical sketch leads one to feel that he is a man of sound intelligence and high worth, whom his fellow citi- zens may well holl in respect and esteem. He is classed among the oldest pioneers of the neighbor- hood and while witnessing the gradual growth of
the country from its primitive wildness to its pres- ent high state of cultivation, he has done much pioneer work to forward its improvement. Ile has served as School Director and has been Road Com- missioner of the township for several years. Ile long since identified himself with the Republican party and has remained a true supporter of its principles.
OHN G. LONGSHORE, one of the enter- prising farmers of Wilton Township, has demonstrated the fact that perseverance and zeal will prevail to conquer circumstances and gain a competence for him who exercises those qualities. Ile now owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land on sections 28 and 33, his resi- dence being on the former. All the improve- ments-and they are many and excellent-have been made by the present owner of the farm and reflect credit upon his judgment and thrift. Mr. Longshore is the only survivor in a family of four children born to Thomas and Jane (Gain ) Long- shore, of Bucks County, Pa. He is the second on the roll which includes the names of Sarah. Mary and Susan.
In the county that was the birthplace of his worthy parents. John Longshore was born .Inne 9. 1820. He was reared on a farm, his father opera- ting one in connection with work at his trade of a wagon maker. In 1837 the family removed to Reynoldsburg, Franklin County, Ohio, where the parents died. There our subject remained until 1819 when he came to Will County, Ill .. and entered two hundred acres of land in Wilton Township. Since coming to this State he has followed farming, but previously he worked at the trade of a carpenter and cabinet-maker several , years.
Mr. Longshore has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity since anont 1817 and holds good standing in Lodge No. 640. at Wilton Center. Ile has held some minor township offices, and affiliates with the Republican party, in the principles of which he firmly believes. An honorable man, a
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reliable citizen. and a kind neighbor and father, he wins respect from his associates and has many friends throughout the vicinity in which he has so long resided,
The first wife of Mr. Longshore was spared to him but five months when the Angel of Death called her. She bore the maiden name of Ann Van Camp. Miss Sydney Pugh was the second choice of our subject and with her he lived happily several years, She bore eight children, of whom Jane, Charley, John and Eddie are now living. In June, 1862. Mr. Longshore was again married, taking as his companion Miss Matilda Hurting, of Rockville. Kankakee County. This worthy woman was born in Pennsylvania about 1830, and is still living. Her father was Samuel Hurting. To her and her husband six children have been born, named respectively: Henry. Mary, Samuel, George. Ida and Julius. Henry and Mary have been re- moved from their sorrowing parents by death.
Le ANSON E. ROSS. A pleasantly located and fertile tract of land on section 4. Joliet Township, is owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch, who is now giving his atten- tion to the purchase and sale of real estate. His farm being just northwest of Joliet, combines the pleasant features of town and farm life in such a proportion as to be pleasurable to any except the most fault-finding. The career of Mr. Ross has been marked by a careful attention to the matters he had in hand and the exercise of taet and good judgment, producing a favorable effect upon his finances and in the minds of those with whom he has to do.
In the first quarter of the present century Elijah Ross, a native of Kentucky, and Mary L. Houston, a native of Delaware, became husband and wife. Their first home after marriage was in the Buck- eye State, near Springfield, whence they removed to the vicinity of Piqua. where the husband closed his eyes in death. The widow subsequently beeame
inmate of the home of a daughter near Elk-
hart, Ill., and there departed this life, Their fam . ily comprised ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the seventh, he having been born in Clark County, Ohio, June 15, 1832. Ile was an infant of about twelve months when his parents removed to Piqua, and he grew to manhood in the contiguous village of Rossville, which was named in honor of his father and uncle. Ile re- mained in that place until 1856, when he came to the Prairie State, making his first location near Morris. Grundy County.
After a residence there of about one year, Mr. Ross bought land in Livingston County, and set- tled down to the life of a farmer in Nevada Town- ship. Some nine years later he sold the farm and engaged in the grocery and hardware business in Dwight, continuing it for about two years, when he sold out the business and made another change of base. Coming to Joliet. he bought the land upon which he now resides, and which has since been his home with the exception of a short time spent in Dakota.
The first marriage of Mr. Ross was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Dwight, the lady whom he had chosen for his companion being Miss Esther Thompson She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, possessed many good qualities, and was devoted to the interests of her husband and chil- dren. The union was blessed by the birth of seven sons and danghters, their record being as follows: Mary L. is the wife of William Eaton; Alma E. married John Belsly; Marion died when six months old; Frank II. is in the nursery business in Joliet; L. Edgar is a clerk in a store there; Rob- ert W. is a student at Jackson, Mich., where Jessie E. is also studying. The mother of this family de- parted this life in November. 1887.
Mr. Ross contracted a second matrimonial al- liance, September 5, 1889. the marriage ceremony being performed at Marseilles, La Salle County, and the Inide Miss Vanch Gardner. This educated. enltured, and Christian woman was born in Am- boy. Lee County, July 11, 1813, She has not been content to sit with folded hands since the studies of her girlhood were completed, but has ever been on the alert to find use for the talents which have been given her, and in her own womanly way to make
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the world better for her presence in it. She finds an outlet for her religious nature in the work and worship of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Ross also belongs. As a member of so- ciety she is highly regarded, while in her own home "her price is far above rubies." Mr. Ross formerly acted with the Republican party, but is now a Prohibitionist. While living in Livingston County, he satisfactorily discharged the duties of Township Treasurer and School Commissioner.
OHN MCFADDEN, JR. This gentleman, who is proprietor of the well-known Me- Fadden Livery on Ottawa Street, is recog- nized as one of the leading men in this business in Joliet. He has a fine outfit, compris- ing some of the best horses and vehicles and enjoy's the patronage ot a large portion of those who are dependent upon this method of getting over the country. He has a life-long interest in the welfare and progress of the city of Joliet, which is his na- tive place. He was born April 17, 1856, and is the son of John and Bridget ( Hafferty ) McFadden. who came hither about 1850. The parents of Mr. McFadden were natives of Ireland; the mother is deceased and the father resides in Joliet.
The subject of this notice received a good edu- cation in the city schools and in early manhood be- came a member of the Fire Department, driving the first steam fire engine which was brought into the city. Ile remained connected with this for a period of six years and then in 1879, established his present livery business on East Van Buren Street from which he removed in 1883, putting up his present fine barn which occupies one of the most desirable locations in the city, being just west of the court-house and near Hotel Royal and the depot.
In addition to his livery business Mr. McFad- den deals quite extensively in horses from which he enjoys profitable returns. While having ex- tensive business interests, he has found time to de- vote some attention to city polities, in which he
is independent. Ile was elected to represent the Second Ward in the City Council in 1889, and still holds the office. He was reared in the Catholic faith of his forefathers and is prominently con- nected with St. Mary's Church, in Joliet. A man upright and honest in his transactions, he is highly spoken of by all who know him. He commenced at the foot of the ladder in life and has aceumulated a fair share of this world's goods through his own unaided efforts. He enjoys the acquaintance of a large circle of friends.
Mr. McFadden on the 25th of October, 1881, was united in marriage with Maria Duggan. Mrs. MeFadden, also a native of Joliet, was born in 1857 and was the daughter of Edward and Mary Duggan, who were natives of Ireland and are now residing in Joliet. Of this union there were born two sons and one daughter-Charles, Frank and Mary. Mrs. MeFadden departed this life at the family residence in Joliet, November 23, 1889.
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6 HOMAS CROWE, Superintendent of the Converting Mill of the Joliet works of the Ilinois Steel Company, and having his head- quarters in this city, forms no unimportant factor among its industrial interests. The works give employment to four hundred men in that depart- ment alone, all of whom are under the supervision of Mr. Crowe. He is apparently well fitted by na- ture and training for the responsibilities which he has assumed.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Mr. Crowe was born December 21, 1851, to William M. and Mary ( Mellenry ) Crowe, who are also natives of the Do- minion and are both of Irish extraction. The father was engaged in the boot and shoe trade and is now in London, Canada. Thomas acquired his education in the schools of his native city and re- mained a member of the parental household until a young man of twenty years. Then repairing to the oil regions of Pennsylvania during the times of the greatest excitement there, he occupied himself variously in that region until April, 1872. Thenee he emigrated to Chicago and engaged with the con-
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Gro A. Buck
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verting department of the North Chicago Mills, for the purpose of learning the business. He started as ladleman and was thus employed until May, 1882, after which he filled various positions until he he- came foreman of the mill. By this time the works were located at South Chicago and Mr. Crowe was appointed Superintendent, which position he oceu- pied until the latter part of 1884.
On the 10th of March. 1885, Mr. Crowe came to Joliet and entered upon the duties of his present position which he has since discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to all con- cerned. He is a man generally well informed and is justly proud of the fact that he has always voted the straight Republican ticket. Socially, he he- longs to the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Crowe was married July 3, 1886, at the bride's home in Chicago, to Miss Mary Gibbs. This lady was born March 1, 1855, in Mellenry County. Ill .. and is the daughter of Walter and Annie ( Frisbie ) Gibhs. the latter of whom died when her daughter Mary was but two years old. Mr. Gibbs remained a resident of MeHenry County until his death. which occurred in 1875. Of this union there have been born four children. two sons and two daughters: William Joseph. Thomas Edward. Nellie and Mamie. The little family occupies a snug home in the southeastern part of the city. Mr. Crowe, although but five years a resident in this county, has fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of its people and is num- bered among its most reliable and substantial citizens.
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G EORGE A. BUCK. The city of Joliet is sufficiently large to afford to its residents an opportunity for every reasonable pleas- ure, congenial companionship and comfort which heart can desire. To it have been attracted many men who. after years of industrious labors. have secured a competence and are enabled to spend their declining years in merited repose and the enjoy- ment of all that is best in life. Among this num- ber is the gentleman above named. whose portrait is
presented in connection with this sketch. and who is a retired farmer, having large property interests in this vicinity. He has been a townsman since 1883, and is numbered among the best citizens of the city, as he formerly was among those of the adjacent country. In politics he is a sound Demo- erat. Ilis fitness for public service has been recog- nized by his fellow-men, who have imposed upon him the duties of various offices. Among these were the positions of Town Clerk, Supervisor and others, the last-named office having been held by him five terms.
The old Bay State claims Mr. Buck as one of her sons. and his parents. Asahel and Sophia ( Mason) Buck, were also born within its limits. To them were born six children. as follows: Ach-ah and Sarah, deceased; George A .; Mrs. Harriet Linn, living in Manhattan Township. this county; Tru- man, whose home is in Omaha. Neb. ; and Laura, deceased. The father departed this life August IG, 1880. at the age of seventy-eight years, his death taking place in Poultney, Vt. There the widowed mother is still living, having now reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
The subject of this brief biographical sketch was born September 10, 1829, at Lanesborongh. Berkshire County, Mass. His father having been a farmer, his early years were spent upon a farm in acquiring such knowledge of its management as is always secured by a bright lad, and in obtaining as good an education as the schools of the vicinity afforded. At the age of twenty-three years he be- came a merchant at Cheshire, but after three and one-half years spent in mercantile pursuits re- turned to farming as an occupation more congenial. In 1856 he came West determined to make a home in the Prairie State, selecting as his first location Waukegan, Lake County. There, after a few short months of happy wedded life. his companion was removed from him. breathing her last April 16, 1857. Their marriage had been celebrated May 12. of the previous year, the bride bearing the name of Helen C. Wolcott. Not long after the death of his wife Mr. Buck came to this county. locating near Five Mile Grove, where he carried on agri- cultural pursuits until he abandoned them to be- come a resident of Joliet.
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Mr. Buck contracted a second matrimonial alli- ance March 22, 1859, taking as his companion Miss Sarah II., daughter of Jariah E. and Elmira Baker, natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y. The Baker family became residents of this county in 1856. Mrs. Buck possesses all the qualities of a motherly woman and is devoted to her husband and fam- ily. She has not. however. neglected neighborly and social duties. and has many friends throughout the community.
Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Buck we record the following : Helen C .. born December 1, 1859, is now living in York County. Neb., and is the wife of John Cockle: Josephine S., born May 18, 1861, died October 19, 1866; Sophia M., born No- vember 28, 1862, died October 5, 1865; Mrs. Laura E. Tenny, whose home' is in St. Louis, Mo., was born August 2, 1865; George A., Jr., born June 22, 1867. died June 30, 1870; Werden, born February 9, 1869, is at home and engaged in the grocery tra le ; Jennie T .. born March 18, 1871, is bookkeeper in her brother's store ; Kate F. was born November 19, 1872; Paul Revere, born November 12, 1875. died March 22. 1877 ; Fred A., born May 7, 1877, passed away December 16. 1889; Lucy Mason was born February 19, 1882.
P ATRICK V. SCULLY is accredited one of the solid and enterprising citizens of Joliet and owes his prosperous and honorable posi- tion entirely to his own industry and integ- rity. Ilis career in life has been a somewhat remarkable one and the example he has set of per- severing pursuit of a natural bent, is one worthy of being followed by others who have a decided pre- dilection for a certain kind of work.
Mr. Seully was born on the Emerald Isle, Febru- ary 15. 1845. to Edward and Elizabeth Scully. The former died about 1870 and the latter afterward came to America and is still living in Joliet, happy in the possession of a prosperous and dutiful son. not the least of whose admirable qualities is a filial heart. Patrick Seully early in life evinced marked inclination toward mechanies and at the remarkable
age of eight years was employed in light work in Shellield, England. to which place his mother had removed. He was successively promoted in that great steel center until he was recognized as one of the best workmen there.
At the request of a syndicate, Mr. Scully left England and started into suecessful operation the first rolling-mill in Steeltown, l'a., near Harris- burgh. He remained there until 1871, and was then engaged for a brief period in steel works at Troy. N. Y., thence coming to Chicago, Ill., to act in the capacity of instructor in the Union Mills. In 1873, he was specially requested to start the rolling-mill in that city, from which has grown the Illinois Steel Company, one of the leading plants of its kind in America, and since that date he has been in continnous service with this company.
In 1882-'83, Mr. Scully sought a respite from his toil in a trip abroad, and traveled over the European continent, re-visiting Sheffield, the seene of his early labors, and enjoying a banquet with his old friends und associates there.
Soon after his return from Europe, in June, 1883, Mr. Scully was united in marriage with Miss Agnes D'Arey, a daughter of a prominent Will County family. Mr. and Mrs. Seully have four children, and are justly proud of the quartet, who are named respectively : Arthur. Florentine, Marguerita, and George T. The dwelling occupied by Mr. Scully on the West Side was destroyed by fire in 1886, and he built the pleasant residence on Collins Street, in which the family now dwell, and where the tokens of the presence of a refined womanhood are manifest to all who enter.
G AY M. BRUNSON. Joliet is the home of many young men of fine natural abilities, thorough education and business energy, who in various fields of industry are acquiring fine reputations and building up successful business en- terprises. Among these Dr. Brunson deserves mention. as he combines the intelligence, energy and moral character which merit respect and win success. Ile is engaged in the practice of dentistry
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and has no reason to complain of his worldly sue- cess, as he has built up a fine practice in the short time since he opened his office.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest son and child of Cyrus M. and Plethynnai L. (Gay) Brunson. the other members of the family circle being Eugene E. Brunson, 3t. D., who is practicing his profession at Ganges, Allegan County, Mich., and Dora E., wife of Dell D. Smith, of Joliet. The father was a native of Yates County, N. Y .. and was brought to the Prairie State in 1833. when a boy of thirteen years, Grandfather Brunson locating about eight miles north of Joliet, on the Chicago road. when the country was yet a wilderness.
The natal day of our subjeet was February 23. 1860. and he was born in this county, receiving his carly education in the district schools which he at- tended until about fourteen years of age. He spent the next two winters in attending the Lockport High School, assisting his father in the intervals of study. and next spending the greater part of two years at the Northwestern College in Naperville, Du Page County. Still unsatisfied with his attainments he entered the institution at Lombard, and three years later he was graduated in the class of 81, having taken the Latin Scientific Course.
We next find young Brunson studying medicine in Bennett Medical College. Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1886, and where he won a life- scholarship by having the highest standing in the qualifications required for that gift. Subsequently he was offered a professorship in this institution but his heart was set on dentistry. and after a short time spent in the practice of the medical profession he began to fit himself for that which he chose to follow. Going to Philadelphia. he entered the Dental College, and after his graduation located at once in Joliet. where he has already become well established as a thorough workman and holds a high place as a gentleman of broad culture and most worthy character.
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