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 46
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Dencon Marshall was a man ambitious and ener- getic during his younger years and prominent in the affairs of his community. Ile contributed his full quota to the growth and development of his adopted township, was strictly honest in his trans- actions with his fellow-men. a kind man in his fam- ily and much respected by his neighbors. His name will be held in high remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers. Ile is now eighty-four years old. By his second marriage there was one child. Adaline, who is single and at home.
The subject of this sketch is the only surviving child of his father's family by his first marriage. He was born in New Lenox Township, October 18, 1835. and has spent the greater part of his time within its limits. He acquired a practical educa- tion in the common school, together with those habits of industry and frugality which have con- tributed to his success in life. He was married at the residence of John M. Reynolds in New Lenox Township, November 10, 1859, to Miss Clara M .. daughter of Mr. Reynolds, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Marshall was born at the farm where she now resides, October 29, 1840. In connection with her studies, which she proseented in the common schools. she began receiving musical instruction at an early age and evineed more than ordinary talent as a singer and performer. She has proved in all respects the suit- able companion and helpmate of her husband and with him enjoys the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Marshall votes the Republican ticket and always keeps himself posted upon the
march of public events. He has officiated as Road Commissioner and School Trustee, also as a Clerk in the Hadley Baptist Church. In 1884, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, which office he has held to the present time. For a period of sixteen years he was Secretary of the New Lenox Fire In- surance Company, and managed the affairs of the company in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned.
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ATHIAS L. COOK, a member of the firm of Bennett & Co., liverymen, makes his headquarters at No. 408 Van Buren Street, Joliet, and holds a good position among the business men of the city. Ile is a veteran of seventy-three years, having been born September 2. 1846, and is a native of Morris County, N. J. Ile comes from a good family, being the son of Jabez and Sarah ( Bnrett) Cook, who were natives of New Jersey, and spent their last years in that State. The parental family consisted of six chil- dren. two of whom are living.
The subject of this notice grew to mature years in his native place, and when approaching man- hood began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he followed probably until 1837. When a young man of twenty-three years he deter- mined upon seeking his fortunes in the Great West, and making this county his objective point, arrived in Joliet in the fall of 1839. Two years later he became interested in the livery business in com- pany with O. W. Stillman, and they established the first enterprise of the kind in the embryo town. Mr. Cook had his first stable on Benton Street. He was successful from the start, and has contin- ned so up to the present time, covering the long period of over fifty years. In the meantime he has dealt quite extensively in horses, and is perhaps as good a judge of the equine race as can be found in this part of the country.
After having established himself fully in busi- ness Mr. Cook took unto himself a wife and help- mate. being married in November, 1813, at the bride's home in Joliet, to Miss Flavilla Seeley.
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This lady was born in 1824, in Susquehanna County, Pa., and was the daughter of Justin and Mrs. Seeley, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Seeley emigrated with his family to Illinois about 1836, and thereafter occupied himself in millwright pursuits. Ile had learned millwright- ing in early manhood, which he followed until 1860. The parental family consisted of two chil- dren; the parents spent their last years, the mother in Illinois, and the father in lowa.
Mrs. Cook attended the common schools dur- ing her girlhood, and was trained by a careful mother to all useful household duties. She re- mained under the parental roof until becoming mistress of her own home. Of her umon with our subject there were born three children, only one of whom is living, a son, Oscar, who is now in Topeka, Kan. Mrs. Cook departed this life April 11, 1884.
Mr. Cook east his first Presidential vote for Van Buren, and maintains his allegiance to the Demo- cratie party. Ile has been somewhat prominent in local affairs, serving heretofore as a member of the City Council in the old Fourth Ward, but is now Alderman from the Second Ward. He owns and occupies a comfortable home in the central part of the city, and enjoys an extensive acquaintance among its leading residents.
C HARLES BESEKE. An excellent example of the results of frugality, persevering industry, and prudent management, is to be found in the life of the above-named gentleman, who is numbered among the well-to-do farmers of Washington Township. He is the owner of the northeast quarter of section 29, and the southeast quarter of section 20. in that township, together, with ten acres of good timber land in Yellow Head Township, Kankakee County, and one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson County, Minn. All this has been accumulated by him since he came to this county in 1863 and established himself on his first farm on section 20. The land of which he then
took possession was in its primitive condition but is now one of the most productive estates in the county, marked with all needful improvements, as is the farm on section 29.
Mr. Beseke came to this county from DuPage County, in which he had lived for seven years and in which he began his life in America as a farm laborer at $90 per year. His earthly possessions at that time consisted of his clothes and $45 in money. With this capital and the education and training which he had received, he began the career which has resulted in the attainment of the property noted above and an assured standing in the finan- cial circles of the county.
In the kingdom of llanover the eyes of our sub- jeet opened to the light of day October 18. 1825. lle began life for himself when about of age and in 1856 determined to seek a home in the New World, which he thought afforded better opportu- nities for an energetic young man of small means. Taking passage at Bremerhaven on a sailing vessel, he spent eleven weeks and three days on the broad Atlantic and after this tedious voyage landed in New York City. Ile at once came west to Chicago, and securing employment in DuPage County took up the labors whose result is so inspiring to others who are compelled to depend upon their own efforts for worldly success.
The parents of Mr. Beseke spent their entire lives in Hanover, Germany, living to quite a good old age. Their family comprised four sons, Charles being the only one who came to the United States. The others are yet living in their native land where they have acquired considerable property. One of them is an old soldier and an officer of rank.
In DuPage County. Ill .. Mr. Beseke led to the hymencal altar Miss Laura Wagoner, an estimable young lady who was born in Baden, Germany, in the fall of 1837. but was quite young when her parents emigrated to the United States. They settled in DuPage County in early days, but after some years removed to Will County where they died when near the age of four-score. The two daughters born to them are now living in Will County.
To our subject and his wife eleven children have been born. Five died in infancy and a daughter
RESIDENCE OF MICHAEL BINZEN , ONE MILE SOUTH OF JOLIET, ILL.
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES BESEKE, SEC. 20. WASHINGTON TP.WILL CO. ILL.
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Ellen after her marriage. The living members of the family are Conrad, who married Ellen Land. grader and lives in Yellow Head, Kankakee County, where he carries on a mereantile establishment ; Lena, wife of Louis Kerhoph, a merchant and farmer of the same town; Charles, George and llenry. who still reside under the parental roof.
In connection with this personal sketch of Mr. Beseke, we present a view of his pleasant home- stead to which we invite the readers' attention. Within his cozy residence, the many friends to whom years of elose intercourse have bound him . self and wife. are frequently entertained and are always sure of a hospitable welcome.
ICHAEL BINZEN, Highway Commissioner at .Joliet, was in the spring of 1890, elected for the second time to the position which he fills to the general satisfaction of the community. In politics he is a decided Democrat and is recognized as a great worker in the ranks. He belongs to the social and benevolent order of Odd Fellows and has many friends by whom he is highly regarded. He was born in Prussia, January 29. 1836, being a son of John and Annie (Hirs- chien) Binzen. His father was a cooper and distil- ler. and became expert in distilling grapes, plums, juniper berries and cherries. a business which he followed many years. Of the children born to him there are now living three sons. Joseph re- sides in Troy, N. Y .. and is engaged in the manu- facture and sale of shoes. employing fifteen men; lacob and Michael reside in Joliet.
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The gentleman of whom we write came to Amer iea in 1852. making his first stop at Albany, N. Y., where he found employment in a brewery. We next find him in Hudson, where with a brother-in- law he opened a brewery, which was destroyed by fire in 1868. Thence he went to Pittsfield, Mass .. where he engaged in the liquor traffie, coming West in the latter part of the same year and after re- maining a year in Chicago, taking up his abode in Joliet. For the first two years of his residence here he worked in a brewery. after which he again
engaged in the liquor trallie. A few years thereaf- ter, in 1881, he purchased a farm which he has since successfully managed.
The marriage of Mr. Binzen and Miss Catherine Meyer was celebrated January 23, 1856. Mrs. Bin- zen is a well-informed woman with many useful accomplishments and is a notable housewife. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, named respectively: Mary, wife of James Cushing; Joseph, Michael, Jr., John, Cato, Emma and George (twins), and William.
In connection with this sketch, is given a lith- ographie view of Mr. Binzen's pleasant homestead.
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OHIN H. DOIG, the oeenpant of a snug farm on seetion 4, New Lenox Township, was born in Washington, D. C., March 13, 1844. Ile is of Scoteh parentage, his parents being Andrew and Isabella ( Fife) Doig, representatives of honorable families in Farfarshire and Fifeshire. A history of their lives will be found in the sketch of Thomas Doig. a brother of our subjeet, whose biography is found elsewhere in this volume.
The gentleman of whom we write was scarcely more than an infant when his parents took up their abode in this eounty. where he received his early education. When about seventeen years old he went to Chicago, remaining in that eity until the spring of 1890, when he returned hither, purchased eighty aeres of land on Maple Street, and is now numbered among the agriculturists of New Lenox Township.
While living in the Queen City of the Lakes, he was engaged in a music store, in mercantile pursuits, the sale of real estate, and in building. Ilis whole business career has been marked with a high degree of the "go ahead" spirit, so character- istie of dealers in Chicago and men of affairs in other communities, and he has been identified with men of similar public spirit in various movements which would benefit mankind and add to the pros- perity of the section in which he lived.
The marriage of Mr. Doig took place in Minne- apolis, Minn., March 21. 1872, the bride being Miss Jemima Macdonald. This lady is a daughter
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of Alexander and Caroline ( Porteous ) Macdonald, the former of whom died in Chicago, July 5. 1881. She was born in Montreal, Canada, April 1, 1851, and grew to womanhood, possessing such noble qualities of character, such intelligence and good breeding, and so thorough a knowledge of useful arts as to deserve the love which she has won. The first part of her life was spent in the city of New York and the latter part in Chicago. She is a member of the Episcopal Church. She has borne her husband one son, a bright lad, who bears the name of Alvin 11.
UGH M. BOLTON, who is a representative of the native-born citizens of this county, sons of its stalwart pioneers who are now important factors in carrying on the work so well begun by their fathers in developing its resources, is successfully engaged in farming in Plainfield Township, the place of his birth. He was born here April 3, 1848, his father, Hugh Bolton. being an carly settler in this region. The latter is a native of Belfast, Ireland. his father of the same name. also having been born there, a descendant of Scotch ancestry. He was reared on his native isle, came from there to America to spend his last years with his children in New Jer- soy. and died there at the remarkable age of one hundred and nine years.
The father of our subject passed the early years of his life in the land of his birth and in the prime and vigor of active manhood came to this country. seeking to better his condition. He located in New Jersey and was there employed on a farm until his return to Ireland three years later. While revisiting that country. he was married. taking as his wife, Miss Eliza Miller, who was born in the same locality as himself. After he was wedded he came back to America with his bride and again took up his residence in New Jersey, remaining there until 1817. In that year he came to Illinois, and bought a small place near Plainfield on which he lived a few years, and then purchased the farm which our subject now occupies. ile was actively
engaged thereon many years, constantly improving it and from tilling the soil acquired a comfortable competence, and now lives in retirement in Joliet, making his home with his daughter. In December 1887, he had the misfortune to lose the good wife who had shared with him the hardships and pri- vations of a pioneer life and lived to enjoy pros- perity with him. Of their happy wedded life five children had been born, three of whom are now living, as follows: Naney, wife of Thomas H. Ilutehings, of Joliet; Archie, who lives in Cherokee County, lowa, and our subject.
The latter was reared on the home farm and obtained a fair education in the district schools and since attaining manhood has devoted himself exclusively to farming. This farm which is located on section 24, of Plainfield Township, contains one hundred and sixty acres of land under excellent cultivation and good improvement, is provided with substantial buiklings and all necessary machin- ery for operating it to the best advantage.
Mr. Bolton enjoys the comforts of a pleasant home and to the lady who presides over it, he was united in marriage in 1874. Mrs. Bolton's maiden name was .Jane Snider, and she is a native of Tenn- essee. ller marriage with our subject has brought them three children-William, John and Jarvis.
Mr. Bolton is a practical farmer, tilling the soil after the most desirable methods so as to gain the best results, and managing his affairs with the thrift and prudence that will ultimately place him among the most solid men of the township. Ile is well regarded in this community where his entire life has been spent, as he is fair in his dealings and upright in his character.
ARMON R. BURLINGAME, contractor and builder in Joliet, has a business which is all that he can handle, his contracts sometimes running as high as $50,000 a vear. lle makes a specialty of dwelling houses and has built a large number of the best homes in the city. ile is lrimself a prictieal bnikler and there-
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fore the more competent to take charge of work. and being a man of honor his business is conducted in a reliable and straightforward manner, and his word may be relied upon in matters pertaining to it.
Ira Burlingame. father of our subject, was a professor of musie in New England. He married Miss Mary Whipple, and to them on August 11. 1828. the son was born whose life it is our purpose to ontline. As a boy the lad was handy with tools. and he early made choice of the trade of a carpen- ter, which he learned in his native Green Mountain State. In 1855, he came to Illinois, first locating at Lockport. where he worked at his trade until 1865, when he became foreman of an establish- ment for the manufacture of organs. In the fall of 1868 he removed to Sterling. Whiteside Courfty, "and four years later came to Joliet and enteret upon his life work of contracting and building. with the result mentioned above.
in Lockport Mr. Burlingame served as Town ( lerk two terms. He has been urged to accept varions nominations that at different times have been tendered him, but has never been an aspirant for oflice. His judgment concurs in the principles of the Republican party, which he therefore supports on all occasions. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, combining in his manners the energy of the Yankee and the good breeding of the cos- mopolitan gentleman. In his domestic relations he is kindly and considerate, in society a pleasing companion. and in all his dealings with mankind both just and generous.
The marriage of Mr. Burlingame was celebrated June 17, 1850, his bride being Miss Olive Corlestia Ames, of the widely-known Ames family of New England. She is an educated and loveable woman. regarded with the most reverent affection in ber own home and looked upon with deep respect far beyond the family circle. She has borne her hus- band two daughters -- Mrs. Amy French. now of Channaban, this county. and Lettie L.
Miss Lettie L. Burlingame enjoys the distinction of being the only female representative of the legal profession in Will County. She was graduated from the Joliet schools in 1879. after which she en. gaged in teaching three years, laboring in the inter
mediate and high school departments in this place. Choosing the law as her field of labor in life, she studied with the firm of Fithian & Avery, and then entered the law department of the Michigan I'ni- versity at Ann Arbor. She was graduated in the class of '86 and permission to practice her pro- fession was granted by the Supreme Court of Mich- igan. She, however, did not at once assume her legal work, but remained at Ann Arbor a year, taking a special course in order that she might be still better prepared for her vocation. In May, 1888. she opened an office where she is still lo- cated. and is securing a fair practice. She has taken quite a prominent part in the cause of wh- man's suffrage of which she is an ardent advocate. she also manifests considerable interest in tem- perance work but declines to enter upon it as a party measure, believing that the cause ean be best subserved when work is done independent of polit- ical affiliations. Were the right of suffrage hers, her ballot would be cast with the Republican party.
W ILLIAM W. STEVENS, editor and pro- prietor of the Joliet Record, assumed the duties of his present position in the spring of 1880, at which time he purchased the business and plant of the Record, which was established in 1870. The Record is a bright and newsy paper, devoted to the interests of this county, is intelli- gently conducted and has unquestionably become a permanent institution.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Maine, aund was born in Oxford County. July 11. 1832. His parents were Bernard C. and Esther A. (Luf- kin) Stevens, and the father was born in Salis- bury. N. H .. which was the birthplace of Daniel Weiter, and with whom he attended school in his boyhood. The father of our subject was born in 1800. and remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority. Ile was the son of Jonathan Stevens, an early pioneer of that part of the Granite State. I'pon leaving home he went to Rumford. Oxford County, where he met and mar- ried Miss Esther A. Lufkin, in 1825. They set-
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tled upon a farm and Mr. Stevens confined his at- tention to agricultural pursuits until 1834. then removed to Dover, and subsequently to Springfield. N. IL .. where his death took place in October, 1874. With the exception of a short time spent in Maine. he passed his entire life in his native State.
Five children were born to the parents of our subject. three of whom are still living: James D. was a soldier of the Mexican War, and was killed in 1847. at the storming of Chapultepec. Mexico; the oldest. Mary, is the wife of Dudley Folanshee. of Joliet; William W. is the next in order of birth; Reuben F. is also a resident of Joliet; Vina, the first wife of Dudley Folansbee, died in 1880. The wife and mother was born in 1793, and was the daughter of Benjamin Lufkin. a Revolutionary sol- dier who received an honorable wound at the bat- tle of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Esther A. Stevens died April 19, 1849, at her home. in Springfield. N. 11.
The subject of this sketch remained with his pa- rents in Dover and Springfiekl, N. D .. until a man of twenty-three years. He received a good edu cation. completing his studies in Andover Acad- emy in the class of 1851. Subsequently he en- gaged in teaching three years, in the meantime having. in October, 1855, emigrated to Joliet, III .. where he taught two years. In March. 1857. he entered the law office of Parks & Elwood. of Jol- iet. and confined his attention to the study of law until admitted to the bar in 1860. Soon after- ward he associated himself in partnership with Benjamin Richardson and they practiced together for three years. after which Mr. Stevens followed his profession singly and alone. In the meantime, in 1863, he was elected City Attorney, and held the office several terms by re-election. Ile also operated as an insurance agent from 1868 to 1873, when he sold out the business which he had built up in this line, and thereafter devoted his time and attention exclusively to his law practice until : 1880, when he turned his attention to newspaper work.
While keeping himself thoroughly posted upon current events. Mr. Stevens has vever been an office-seeking politician. although filling many po- sitions of trust and responsibility. For three or
four years he officiated as School Inspector, at the same time being Secretary of the School Board, and exercised a perceptible influence in the en- couragement of educational matters. In 1856 he identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, and for six years was Master of Mt. Joliet Lodge; he is also a Royal Arch Mason, having been High Priest of the Chapter for six years, and is also a member of Joliet Commandery No. 4. In the Commandery he has held most of the offices, being Prelate for ten years altogether.
On the 6th of September. 1859. the subject of this notice was joined in wedlock with Althea 11. Hawley. and they are the parents of seven chil- dren. all living. Ada 11. became the wife of C. M. Becker, who died leaving one child, a son. Claude W; Kate E. is at home; Will Il. is Route Agent on the Chicago & Milwaukee Rail- road; Ella V. is the wife of Will S. Hamm, of Chi- cago; Jennie M., Frank M. and Winnie Wallace, remain under the home roof.
Mrs. Althea (Hawley) Stevens was born in this county just outside the city limits of Joliet, April 13, 1839. She was the daughter of Judge O. L. Hawley, one of the earliest pioneers of this county and who came here about. 1831. Judge Hawley was one of the prominent men in the early days, presiding over the county court. He is now de- ceased. having died November 8, 1861. Miss lawley was given a good education, completing her studies in Lombard University, at Galesburg, and remained with her parents until her marriage. Iler mother bore the maiden name of Naney A. Burdge, and she was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y .. August 18, 1819. The Judge was a native of New York State, and was born in Sehoharie County, in 1809. He was the son of I yman Haw- ley, who came to Illinois in 1835, and subse- quently laid off the town of West Lockport, build- ing the stone gristmill, the first of its kind in this region. Ile engaged in milling and farming until resting from the active labors of life. Judge Hawley assisted his father in the mill during his early manhood and, in 1849. was elected County Clerk. when he removed to Joliet, discharging the duties of this office two terms. He was next elected Judge of the Probate Court, which oflice
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he hekl until his death. The mother of Mrs. Ste- vens was his first wife. Of this marriage there were two children. a daughter, Mrs. Stevens, and Martin JJ., a resident of Bloomington. III. The two children of the second marriage are Alice (. and Antonia E., who are now residents of Lock- port. 111 .. Judge Hawley was a member of the Universalist Church, and for many years prior to his decease, was identified with the Masonic frater nity. In politics, he was first a Whig. and after the abandonment of the old party, wheeled into the Republican ranks, where he remained until his death. Mr. Stevens, politically, is a Democrat. and the Record naturally reflects his political senti- ments. lie is ably assisted by h's wife, Mrs. Ste- vens, who is associate editor, and who gives per- sonal attention to the general make up of the pa per.
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