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 45
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The parental family consisted of seven children. Mr. Shaffner remained a member of his father's household until twenty-one wyears old and then took unto himself a wife and helpmate, being wed- ded January 20. 1852. to Miss Caroline Larkin. This lady was born in Cranbrook, Kent. England, May 18. 1832, and came to America with her pa- rents, Jesse and Sophia Larkin. when about seven- teen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffner after their marriage. settled on a farm in Jackson Township. where they sojourned until 1862. Removing then to Joliet Mr. Shaffner engaged in carriage and wagon-making and also in carpentering. Later he embarked in the grocery and coal trade and gave
his attention to the coal business for fourteen years. abandoning the grocery department soon after (n- gaging in it. In the meantime he had associated with him his son and they operated together five year's under the firm name of B. Shaffner & Son. Mr. Shaffner retired from the coal trade in May. 1884.
By a course of uprightness and honesty , together with courteous treatment of his customers, Mr. shaffner built up an extensive patronage and ac- cumulated a competence. He has a fine home at the intersection of Mound and Sherman Streets, and also owns a share in the Shaffner Bleck, on Wash- ington Street, also a half interest in the coal busi- ness of E. L. Shaffner. his son, who is represented elsewhere in this work. The coal-yard is amply equipped with sheds, a large ice-house and a good sized office, and lies between the Chicago & Alton and the Santa Fe Railroad tracks, on Washington Street.
Mr. Shaffner, politically, votes with the Repub,- lican party. Besides the two children born to him and his estimable wife, they have an adopted daugh- ter. Miss Carrie. a maiden of twenty years. Eph 1. is one of the promising business men of the city of Joliet; Eldon P., a moulder by trade. has hell the same position with the Rolling Mill for the long period of fifteen years-which is a sufficient indication of his worth and ability.
Jesse Larkin, the father of Mrs. Shaffner, only lived three months after coming to Joliet. surviv- ing his wife only three days, and they left a family of seven children among strangers in a strange land. A short time prior to this they had emigrated to America from Cranbrook, Kent County, England.
The reader will recognize in the portrait of Mr. Shaffner, which appears on another page, one of the most prominent and influential citizens of loliet.
ARPER BOVEE, of Wilmington Township, came to this section of country about the year 1870, and in due time purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on seetion 14. Wilmington Township, where he has
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since given his attention to the various pursuits of farm life. Ils land is mostly prairie, easily tilled and highly productive, and there is an air of com- fort about the premises which gives indication of the oversight of a man enterprising and industri- ous-one who has surrounded himself and his fam- ily with all of the comforts of life, and who has accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to insure him against want in his old age.
A native of Wyoming County, N. Y.,the subject of this notice was born June 25, 1825, and is a son of Harper and Lydia (Nichols) Bovee. who were na- tives of New England and the father a farmer by occupation. The latter emigrated to New York State early in life. where he spent many years as a resident of Wyoming County, coming West about 1850. He died of cholera in St. Louis, Mo .. in 1852. Although not a money-getter, he provided comfortably for his family and was a man esteemed in his community, being prominent in local affairs, and hokling the minor offices. After his death the family removed to Rockville, Kankakee County, this State, and the mother came to Wilmington with her family and died there.
The parental family of our subjeet comprised the following children: The two eldest, Roby and Norman, both died after marriage and left fami- lies; Mary is the wife of Solon Billings, of Spring- field, Erie County, Pa .; Harmon is farming in Washington; Harper, our subject, was the fifth chill; Olivia died in childhood : Alexander is farm- ing in I'nion County, Dak. ; John is farming in Wil- mington Township, this county: Charles died after his marriage in Peoria. Harper, our subject, was reared to man's estate in his native county, whence he removed with his parents to Chautauqua County, and later to Erie County, Pa. His early years were spent uneventfully under the home roof, obtaining such education as was afforded in the common school and assisting his father and brothers around the farm. He lived in Pennsyl- vania until 1870, coming that year to this county.
New Year's Day, 1873, was appropriately cele- brated by Mr. Bovec in his marriage with Miss Lora Tilden. who was then a resident of Custer. this county. Mrs. Bovee was born March 5, 1839, in Williamstown, Orange County, Vt .. and is a
daughter of Martin F. and Sarah A. (Kimball) Tilden, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain State. They emigrated to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1840, where they lived nine years, then moved on further westward to this county, settling in Custer Township. The father secured a farm and is still living there. The mother died at the homestead about 1883. The six children of the parental family were named respectively: Lora, the wife of our subject; Sarah, who is a widow and living at home with her father; Martha; Lewis and Hannah deceased ; Martha (2d), also deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Bovee have no children. This is the second marriage of our subject, his first wife having been Miss Marietta Linn. a native of Craw- ford County, Pa. Of that union there was born one child, a son, Odel. who died in infancy. Mrs. Marietta Bovee died about 1856 or 1857, in Penn- sylvania.
E MIL ILAASS. M. D. The confidence which is bestowed by the people of Frankfort and vicinity upon this gentleman is not mis- placed, as he is thoroughly skilled in the medical profession, is well read in general topics, has been a keen observer of life in its various phases, and has borne himself as a man of breeding and finc character in all the scenes through which he has passed. Hle opened his office at Frankfort Station in the fall of 1877 and was not long in securing a large practice which includes a wide extent of ter- ritory in Will and Cook Counties. He has been very successful in alleviating suffering, and well deserves the honor which he receives as a member of a profession which is exceeded in its benefits only by that of the ministry, and which in many respects stands side by side with the priestly calling.
The family of which Dr. Haass is so worthy a member has given the world professional and busi- ness men of high standing, and women of great intelligence and worth of character. His paternal grandfather was Prof. George Ilaass, a native of Alsace, France, and a graduate of the Strasbourg
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Seminary. He engaged in the profession of teach- ing until the first French Revolution, when he removed to Baden, remaining there until his death. which occurred at the ripe age of eighty- four years.
The father of him whom we write was also called George and was born in Baden, Germany. He was graduated from the famous university at Heide !- berg and became a minister of the Evangelical Church. having a pastorate at Bishopsheim and later at Milheim. At the latter place he became Deacon and had the supervision of the ministers of the district, a position of high authority in the Church. He entered into rest in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years. He was twice married, the first union resulting in the birth of three children: Charles, who died in New York; Sophia who died of yellow fever at Memphis, Teon .; and Emil.
The mother of these children was Caroline Masque, who was born in Strasbourg and was a daughter of Dr. Conrad Masque. The latter was born in France, studied the profession of medicine and practiced in Strasbourg until his death. His daughter received a fine education and taught in the royal families of the Duchess Amelia of Coburg, the Princess of Baden, and other branches of the nobility prior to her marriage to the Rev. George Haass. Her death took place in 1829.
The second marriage of the father of our subject was blest by the birth of four children, of whom we note the following. The oldest son, George. entered the ministry and labored faithfully in the Master's vineyard until his death, which occurred in Germany. Maximillian came to America and during the late Civil War was Adjutant-general in Sherman's anny under Gen. Osterhaus; he is now engaged in the drug business in Mendota. Ill. Theodore is a millionaire and owner of a castle at Baden-Veiler, in the Duchy of Baden. Matilda resides in Amsterdam, Holland.
The subject of this sketch opened his eyes to the light of day in Strasbourg, Germany, August 5. 1827. Soon after his birth his father removed to the Duchy of Baden and the lad was reared to the age of eleven years in Bishopsheim. He then went to live with an uncle in Paris, France, and there attended the Academy Royal until 1811. He next entered the world-famous university at Heidel-
berg and after a year in that institution, went to Freiburg, where he continued his studies until 1816.
The following spring he returned to the French capital, entering the medical department of the Academy Royal and continuing his studies there until the schools were closed on account of the Revolution of 1818, when Louis Philippe was dethroned. a Republic instituted and Louis Napo- leon Bonaparte made President. The young student remained in the capital during the Reign of Terror but as soon as it was possible to leave the city he returned to Baden. About the time of his return to the parental home an attempt was made by German Revolutionists to found a Repub- lie in Baden. and the ardent young man joined the forces, taking an active part in speechmaking and other efforts to accomplish their purpose. He was associated with Charles Shutts and other leaders whose names and deeds are historical. He held the position of Assistant Surgeon in the Revolu- tionist army, and being captured with the others when they were overpowered by the Royalists, he was court-martialed and sentenced to six years labor in the fortifications or to banishment.
Accepting the latter alternative Mr. Haass returned to Paris and completed his medical course : being graduated in December, 1819. After prac- ticing a couple of weeks at Lanchemaux, near the capital. he made arrangements to come to America. From his mother he had inherited some property which was luckily in France and could not be con- fiscated by the German Government, and this he disposed of. His father also sold some property in Germany and the young man therefore had a small enpital with which to embark. About the middle of December. 1819. he left Havre, France, on the stiling vesel "Gallia," and after a pleasant voyage of three weeks landed in New York City January 6, 1850.
One of the faculty in the academy at Paris bad given Dr. Hanss a letter of introduction and recom- mendation to a physician in Philadelphia and to that city he at once went. After consultation with the gentleman to whom he had been introduced. he concluded to begin his practice in the country and therefore located at Plainfield, where he sojourned nearly atwelvemonth. While in that town he was
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one of the committee appointed to receive the Swedish songstress, Jenny Lind, when she visited the place. The Doctor had previously heard her in Europe, as he had other famous singers of that period. The Doctor has a decided taste and love for opera, which he acquired while making his home in Paris.
After a comparatively short sojourn in the Key- stone State. Dr. Haass removed to Illinois, his first location being at Peru, where he practiced for two years. He then removed to Mendota, of which he was one of the first practicing physicians and where he not only worked up a fine business. but was also engaged in the drug trade. In 1860 he determined to remove farther west and selected Booneville, Mo., as the scene of his future labors. He was a strong Abolitionist, but realizing that it was not politie to announce his views, he kept them to him- self during the period immediately preceding and following the breaking out of the Civil War.
However. as a strong Union man he helped to organize the Home Guard and after Gen. Lyons had defeated the rebels at Jefferson City, they were mustered into the service by Gov. Jackson and the baid. two hundred strong. became attached to Lyons' force. Dr. Haass held the double position of First Lieutenant and Surgeon, and with his com- rades participated in many skirmishes and the species of warfare known as bushwhacking, during the ensuing six months. The Home Guards were then disbanded, some to join the Fifth Cavalry, and our subject was ordered to take charge of the post hospita! at Booneville as head surgeon. He performed the duties of that office until the hos- pital was abandoned, and he was mustered out and honorably discharged in July, 1863.
We next find Dr. Haass sojourning again for a short time in Mendota, Ill., whence he removed to Morris, Grundy County, and with that city as his headquarters, successfully labored at his profession until 1877. in the fall of which year he came to Frankfort Station. Here he has added to his pro- fessional reputation and has made hosts of friends, everyone having a good word for him. He has been useful in the municipal affairs of the village, serving on the Board of Trustees four years and now filling the position of President of that body
for the second year. He belongs to the Evangel- ieal Lutheran Church of this place. He belonged to the Odd Fellows lodge at Mendota but is not now identified with that fraternity. In politics he is independent.
Dr. Haass has a fine residence and lots. his home being sufficiently commodious, convenient and well furnished, displaying evidences of good taste in all its arrangements, but without ostentation. It is particularly well supplied with the literature of the day and the best works of classical writers. While living in the French capital, Dr. llaass had every advantage to observe life in its various phases and be there made the acquaintance of members of the different professions and leading lights of the day. It is a pleasure to converse with him and to hear him relate incidents of his meetings with men in the different walks of life. and describe the scenes through which he passed during the Reign of Terror and the revolution in his own land. He is indeed a man whom any community may be proud to claim as a citizen.
The marriage of Dr. Haass and Miss Eliza Hess was celebrated at the home of the bride's mother in Mendota. April 25. 1855. Mrs. Haass was born in Neider-Eckenheim. Baden, Germany, May 26, 1833, to John and Anna B. (Volmer) Hess. Her parents were natives of the same duchy and her father was a farmer in excellent circumstances. He died in his native land and the widowed mother with her daughter came to America in 1853. dying in Men- dota in 1861. The parental family consisted of three children- Marie, John and Eliza, the latter being the only one now living. John participated in the Revolution in Baden and being compelled to leave the country, emigrated to Amerien, settling in Pennsylvania and subsequently sending for his mother and surviving sister. They crossed the ocean on the "William Tell" and after remaining in the Keystone State a year, took up their residence in Hlinois.
Mrs. Haass received excellent home training. was well educated. and grew to womanhood with a character which won for her many friends where- ever she was known. She is a model housekeeper, a sympathizing companion, and a kind and consid- erate mother. Her happy union has been blest by
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the birth of seven children. viz: Emil who died in Morris: Charles who is employed in the grain elevator in Frankfort: Emma, Maximillian, George. Alice and Albert. all of whom still abide under the parental roof. George is the tonsorial artist at Frankfort. All the children are bright and prom- ising, well advanced for their years and are all that parental love could desire.
C APT. IRA W. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser of Custer Township, proprietor of one of the largest farms in the county, was an officer in the late war, in which he won a distinguished record for bravery, superior tact, and cool daring, and showed other high soldierly qual- ities as a leader that gained him an enviable repu- tation in military circles.
The father of our subject. who bore the same name as himself. was of New England origin and birth. a native of the State of Vermont. His pater- nal grandfather. also of the same name. was a sol- dier both in the war of the Revolution and the War of 1812. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Lonisa Beckwith. was also of Vermont birth. She was married to the father of our subject in their native Stato, and thence they removed to Ohio in pioneer days and subsequently came to linois in the month of November. 1841, and cast their lot with the early settlers of this county. Ili- father became much prospered there and improved a good farm which remained his home until his death in 1872. His wife died in 1817. They were the parents of six children. five of whom are now living.
Our subject was the eldest of the family, and he was born in Huron. Loraine County, Ohio. Novem- ber 27. 1832. He attended school but ten months before his twenty-first year. He was. however, a lad of naturally good mental capacity, was fond of his studies and he managed to improve his educa- tion, working hard and obtaining money by which he was enabled to attend Oberlin College. He was a student there for nine months and by constant attention to his books he acquired more knowledge
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in that time than many a student who pursues a full course. He had not money enough to take him through college, and he came back to Ilinois and found employment by the day and month until 1857. In that year he engaged with his father as superintendent of his farm. The breaking out of the war found him thus employed. He had watched with great interest the progress of affairs that led up to the Rebellion. and as soon as he could manage it, he offered his services to his conn- try, enlisting September 26. 1861. in Company D, 1 Fourth Illinois Cavalry, as a private. He served three years. then re-enlisted as a veteran in the company known as the Veteran Battalion of Illi- nois. commanded by Maj. A. T. Search. This company was afterward consolidated with the Twelfth Ilinois Cavalry under Col. Hasbrook Da- vis. afterward General. Our subject proved him- self to be especially adapted for a soldier, and his valor and able services won him deserved pro- motion, and he rapidly passed through all the grades until he was finally the ranking Captain of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. His nerve and un- daunted courage pointed him out to his superiors as one who would make a good scout and he served for seventeen months in that capacity.
Our subject took an active part in the following battles: skirmish at Columbus, Ky .; was present at the siege and capture of Fts. Henry and Don- nelson; engaged at Savannah. and he was at Shiloh both days. His troop was the first to receive the enemy's tire the night before the battle of Island No. 10. and was in the Front at Ft. Pillow and at Memphis. Capt. Smith took part in Grant's raid down the Mobile & Ohio Railway, and he did gal- lant service before Vicksburg. While on detached service as a scout he operated from Columbus. Ky .. to New Orleans, on both sides of the Missis- sippi River. He crossed the State of Mississippi six times and the length of it twice. He collected the data for the Engineering Department to con- struct maps of West Tennessee. Kentucky, Mis- souri and the Southern part of Arkansas to the foot hills. This was a very laborions service and re- quired especial taet and ability to get all the facts about the roads, etc. The Captain was relieved from scouting at his own request in 1865. and then
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rejoined his regiment and remained with it until his discharge. In 1864, during the months of July and August, he was in sixty skirmishes. At the battle of Champion Hills, his company of forty- eight men lost at one volley twelve of their num- ber. Our subject was wounded three times and had three horses killed under him and two wounded. At one time he made a desperate charge with eight men into a rebel ambush and one of his men fell dead, pierced with seven bullets, and his horse was completely riddled. The other seven men did not escape unscathed. but had twenty-four wounds amongst them and their horses were also equally wounded. Their gallant Captain cut his way through the enemy and got back to the Union lines unharmed. He served under the following Generals: MePherson, John A. Logan, Davis. Ashboth, Wilson, Grierson and Bragman. Our gallant Captain had the honor of serving as escort to Gen. Grant at Vicksburg, and he was also with him at Yazoo City. His last service was in Texas and he was mustered out December 15. 1865. hay- ing been in the army four years and four months. Returning to his old home he has since been en- gaged on his present farm. tilling the soil and rais- ing stock. He owns one of the largest farms in this section of the country, comprising seven hun- dred and lifty aeres, all lying in a body, of as fine farming !and as is to be found in this locality.
Mr. Smith was married in June, 1866, to Miss Ella Hanson. Her father. David Hanson, - was a member of the Thirty-ninth Ilinois Infantry. and was killed near Richmond. Mrs. Smith was born in 1842. and received the advantages of a good common-school education. She is the mother of six children. of whom the following three are living: Frank. aged nineteen years: Katie. four- teen years old ; and Ira W .. four years old. Mrs. Smith and her children are members in good stand- ing of the Episcopal Church.
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Capt. Smith is very systematie in all that he does and manages Ins extensive farm after improved methods, and its many acres of fertile soil make it a very desirable piece of property. During the late war, the worth of Mr. Smith's citizenship was thoroughly proved, and his course since then as a private citizen has sustained his well-earned repu.
tation for loyalty, truthfulness and honor, and Cus- ter Township holds him as one of her best citizens. He has taken part in the public life of the place, has been a Director of this district and is now Highway Commissioner. He is a stanch Republi- can and has always been a hard worker for his party. He was a delegate to the last State Con- vention, but received injuries from the kick of a horse so that he was unable to attend. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery. In remembrance of his army life he is identified with Bowen Post, No. 17, G. A. R., of Wilmington.
C HIESTER II. MARSHALL. Among the leading families of New Lenox Township may be properly mentioned Mr. Marshall and his amiable and accomplished wife, both of whom take an active interest in all of the progres- sive movements of the day. They are readers and thinkers, more than ordinarily intelligent and well informed, and have one of the pleasantest homes in the township where often gather for social inter- conrse the friends whom they have drawn around them by their genial natures and kindly hospitality. They stand high in social circles and are active in church work. They are numbered among the chief pillars of the Baptist Church at Iladley, of which Mrs. Marshall, who is possessed of rare mn- sical talents, has been organist for twenty-five years.
The immediate progenitor of our subject is the well-known Deacon Rollin Marshall, who was born in Camillus. Onondaga County. N. Y. The mother bore the maiden name of Ann Burrill, and she was a native of the same county as her husband where they were married. Thenee they came to this county in 1834, and settled in New Lenox Town- ship, where the father built up a good homestead, and where the mother died about 1842.
Deacon Rollin Marshall, after the death of his wife continued to live for a time in New Lenox Township and then removed to Mokena, which is still his home. Ile was married a second time to
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Mrs. Belinda Ingersoll) Parker, widow of Silas Parker, who died in Plainfield, this county, many years ago. Of the first marriage of Deacon Mar- shall there were born three sons, the eldest of whom. George N., entered the I'nion Army during the late war as a member of Company M. Fourth Michi- gan Cavalry. He went to the front with his regi- ment. was captured by the enemy, and suffered the horrors of Andersonville prison, within which he died about 1864. Chester II., our subject, was the second born. JJacob B. went to California after reaching manhood and was killed by a snow-slide in the mountains.
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