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 48
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Mr. Stellwagen remained an inmate of the par- ental home, working for his father, until he was twenty-seven years old, when he set up his own household in Rockville Township on a rented farm. For two years he operated four hundred aceres of land, raising both grain and stock, and then purchased eighty acres in the northeastern corner of Frankfort Township. Upon that farm he remained until 1872, at which time he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of partly-im - proved land, which forms a portion of his present estate. llere be continued the improvement which had been begun by breaking the virgin soil, and ere long added one hundred and twenty acres ad- joining, making up the amount which he now owns and operates.
The estate includes eighty acres on section 21. eighty acres on section 20, and one hundred and twenty acres on section 16, all tillable land. It has been tiled wherever under drainage would be beneficial and is fenced with wire and hedge, the latter being kept neatly trimmed, and so add- ing to the beauty of the land. Mr. Stellwagen has set out groves and orchards, has erected a cozy and attractive dwelling, and a barn, 70x36 feet, to- gether with other adequate outbuildings, and he has likewise put up a windmill and tank, by means of which water is conveyed wherever it is needed. The principal erops which he raises are corn and oats, and his stock includes high-grade cattle, road- sters and draft horses. Of the latter he generally has from twenty to thirty head, while three teams are needful to carry on the work of the estate.
The estimable woman who presides over the household economy of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Louisa Neckrauer. She was born in Bayren, Germany, and came to Amer- ica with her parents in 1846. Her father, Jacob
Neekrauer, is a shoemaker, who worked at his trade in his own land, and in Frankfort Township, this county, but in later years engaged in farming. He is now living at Frankfort. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Stellwagen took place at the bride's home, March 25, 1865, and their happily married life has therefore extended over a quarter of a century. They are the parents of two children- Philip, who still remains at home, and Katie, who married G. J. Lankenau, a farmer in Green Garden Township.
Mr. Stellwagen has been School Trustee for the township and is now Director of his district. He is independent in polities, voting for the best man or for the principle which, in his judgment, is the prominent issue during any campaign. He has served on both grand and petit juries, where his intelligent understanding of the cases presented and his keen sense of right and justice make him useful. Ile belongs to the Evangelical Church, at Frankfort, and by the other members of the con- gregation. as well as by the citizens in general, he is respected as his good qualities deserve.
AMES FELL, Postmaster at Green Garden, is a substantial and enterprising farmer, whose estate on section 30, bears every mark of careful and intelligent tillage and con- stant improvement. The farm comprises one hun- dred and sixty acres of tillable land which is divided into convenient fields by well-kept hedge and other fencing, and which is supplied with a full set of farm buildings and a comfortable resi- dence. The land is fertilized by living water and both grain and stock are raised to advantage. Probably the most noticeable feature of the estate is the garden in which the owner takes great de- light and which is by far the finest and best kept in the township. It has proved the source of a considerable revenue since this branch of horticul- ture was undertaken by Mr. Fell. A fine, large orchard also adds to the value of the farm.
Appleby, Lincolnshire, England. was the birth- place of our subject and also of his father, John
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Fell, who was a farm laborer. The latter was twice married, his second wife being Mary Houst, a native of the same shire and daughter of Jona- than lloust, a shoemaker in Ludington. The mother of our subject died in England and the father was brought to Canada by his son, breathing his last in the Dominion in 1860 when three-score and ten years old. Of the children born to this worthy couple he of whom we write is the only survivor. Jonathan, John and Mary A. are de- ceased.
The natal day of James Fell was September 8. 1826. lle was reared in his native village with but limited school advantages which consisted of an uncertain attendance during some three years. The English Testament was his reading book. When eight years old he began the labors of life by being employed to keep sparrows and other birds out of gram fields. He received seventy-five cents per week for his labor, and as he grew older took up farm pursuits, boarding at home until thirteen years old, when he hired out by the year.
The opportunities afforded a farm laborer in Eng- land were not sufficient to satisfy the ambition of young Fell, and be determined to emigrate. to America, hoping to better his condition. Ile was twenty-four years of age when. in April, 1851. he left Hull on the sailer "Meteor." Smallpox broke out on the vessel and upon reaching Quebec it was quarantined a week. Mr. Fell had had the disease. but in a very light form, and as soon as a landing could be made he was able to begin work. Ile labored at different occupations in Canada and in Rochester. N. Y., for some time, among his em- ployments being that of a teamster for a store keeper. In 1853 he removed to Chatham, County Kent, on the shores of Lake Erie, where he op- erated a farm for eleven years. Following this were various means of gaining a livelihood until March 9, 1866, when he located near Joliet, III.
There Mr. Fell operated a rented farm a year, after which he bought forty acres in Green Town- ship, section 19, and putting up a small house made it his place of abode. Hle cultivated his own land and rented adjoining aeres several years, finally purchasing eighty acres of his present estate. This was improved land to which he subsequently added
eighty acres adjoining, bringing up his landed es- tate to two hundred acres, from which he subse- quently sold forty.
Six years since Mr. Fell received the appoint- ment of Postmaster, and he is still the incumbent of the office. For three years he proved his etti- ciency as a School Director. lle is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the ranks of the Democratic party he is ever found ready to cast his vote for its candidates. He has served on the grand and petit juries. As a citizen, interested in the true welfare of the community, as a farmer of energy and progressive ideas, and as a man of high principle. he is alike respected by those who enjoy his acquaintance.
The lady who presides over the pleasant home of Mr. Fell was born in Gresby, Lincolnshire, May 11, 1829, and bore the maiden name of Eliza - beth Ramthorp. The ceremony which made her Mrs. Fell was performed in England. January 21, 1851. The happy union has been blest by the birth of nine children, of whom we note the fol- lowing: John and Robert each operate eighty acres of land in Manhattan Township, this county, the former making his home in the village; Thomas is farming at Blue Hill, Neb. ; George is working out in the same State; . James, Jr., is assistant Postmas- ter under his father; Edward resides at home and operates the farm; Mary A. married Cornelius Fennick, a farmer in Nebraska; Odessa is the wife of Dr. Goodrich, of Peotone; Ann still remains under the parental roof.
UNGO PATTERSON is a typical repre- sentative of the hardy, industrious, intelli- gent Scotch pioneers of Will County who have been so useful in developing its rich agricultural resources. Coming here in the early days of the settlement of Wheatland Township. he identified himself with its farmers and stock-raisers, and is still living on the farm he then bought from the Government when it was a tract of wild land.
Mr. Patterson was born in Dumfrieshire, Scot-
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land, September 22. 1814. He was a son of John and Jane ( Hall) Patterson. natives of Scotland, Ile is the oldest son of his father's family and has two brothers. James and Daniel, living in Wheatland Township. . Our subject passed his early life on his native heath and gained his education in the local school. In 1841. desiring to make more of life than he could in the land of his birth, he emi- grated to America. taking passage at Liverpool, and after an ocean voyage of six weeks landed in the great metropolis of this country. From there he proceeded to Wayne County. N. Y., where he spent the ensning years until the spring of 1811. when he made his way to Illinois. Ile came to this county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land from the Government, paying there- for $1.25 per acre. Hle settled on it before there was a furrow turned or any improvements had been made. It took many years of hard and per- ยท sistent hbor to bring it to its present fine condi- tion, with its well-tilled fields and ample buildings. and all things necessary for its successful manage- ment. He has added to its acreage, and it now contains one hundred and ninety acres of valuable land.
Mr. Patterson was married in the State of New York, in 1812, taking unto himself for a wife Miss Agnes Clow, who was, like himself, born in Seol- land. Her father. Robert Clow, was an early set- tler of Wheatland Township. By his marriage our subject became the father of six children. of whom the following five are still living: John, in Indi- ana; Robert, in Du Page Township; Sarah, wife of Robet Wightman. in Wheatland Township: Will- iam. in Du Page Township. and Adam. in Wheat- land Township.
In January, 1890, Mr. Patterson met with a great loss in the death of his wife, who had been his devoted wife and companion for nearly half a century. She was a woman of high character, whose great kindness of heart and other sterling qualities gained her the warm affection and the sincere re- spect of all who came in contact with her. and many mourn the loss of that lovable woman.
Mr. Patterson has not been an idle spectator in watching the growth of the county, but has done his full share of the pioneer labors necessary to
redeem it from the hand of Nature. The weary days of toil, privation and hardship that he then endured long ago came to an end, and now, in the decline of life, he is reaping his reward in the com- fortable home that he has established and in the enjoyment of the ample competence that his shrewd management of his interests has brought him. He inherited in a large degree the excellent traits of character for which the Scotch are noted, and these have made him a good citizen, and a kin l neighbor, and have made his domestic relations felicitous. A truly religious man, whose life is an exemplification of his Christian views, he is a faith- ful member of the Presbyterian Church and is es- leemed by all who know him. Mr. Patterson has served as a School Director and has done sthat he could, in various ways, to promote the educational, moral and material well- being of Wheatland Town- ship. In his political views he is a stanch Repub- lican and has long affiliated with that party.
ILLARD WOOD. founder of Crete, bears the distinction of being one of the oldest settlers in this part of Will County. Hle came to this region about 1836. and first secured the southeast eighty acres on section &, and the southwest eighty acres on section 9, which is now all included in the village limits and he likewise purchased other land. He encouraged people to emigrate hither by free donations to private parties and gave a lot to the Methodist Episcopal and the Congregational Churches, besidesassisting in erect- ing the church buildings. He has been interested in the growth and development of the town since its organization and has proven no unimportant factor in promoting its material interests.
Mr. Wood assisted in building the first school- house in Crete Township. and officiated as the first pedagogue in this township. in the year 1838. He served as a Justice of the Peace from 1838 in- til sometime in the '50s and has been for the last four years a Police Justice, serving as such since the incorporation of the town in Isst. For fifty years he has been an attorney-at-law, being ad-
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mitted to practice in Illinois, at Joliet, about for- ty-seven years ago. He was for a number of years the Postmaster of Crete, receiving his first appoint- ment through the influence of the late Long John Wentworth, of Chicago, who was then serving his first term in Congress.
About 1848 Mr. Wood erected the Crete Hotel, which was the first frame building of its kind in the place and the first public house in this part of the county. Within it he had a public hall in which at the opening of the house were entertained many of the notable men of Chicago. including Henry B. Clark, also Col. Fake. Dr. Allen and Robert Duncan of Joliet, together with their wives. The original hotel was later supplanted by the present one, which, with the exception of a few years, has also been conducted by Mr. Wood and is located on land which he purchased from the Gov- ernment in 1838. At that time he was without means, and secured the land through the kindness of Mr. Charles Walker, a merchant of Chicago, to whom he paid 33 1-3 per cent. interest for three years. He has since owned considerable land in: Crete Township, and has now one hundred aeres besides property in the village.
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The summer of 1836 witnessed the first advent. of Mr. Wood into Will County, to which he emi grated from Morristown, Vt., where he was partly reared and obtained his education. He studied law and taught school about five terms before his marriage. Ilis native place was in Randolph, Vt., and the date of his birth August 28, 1808. He is therefore approaching the eighty-second year of his age. He comes of stanch New England stock and ancestry, being the son of Thomas Wood. a native of Massachusetts. His paternal grandfather, also named Thomas Wood, was born in Vermont and came of English ancestry. He followed farming all his life and died at Randolph at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
Thomas Wood Jr., the father of our subject, grew to manhood in the Green Mountain State and after attaining his majority engaged in farming on his own account. Upon the outbreak of the War of 1812. he was one of the first patriots to en- list for a service of five years if necessary, and he participated in many a hard-fought battle. About
the close of the war, while in the Burlington Bar- racks at Colchester. Vt., he contracted a fever from which he died in 1815. He was then in the prime of life, only about forty-three years old and pre- sented a fine specimen of manhood both physically and mentally. By trade he was a blacksmith and worked at this in and around Middlebury. Vt., in partnership with a Mr. Denison.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ruby Newland. She was a native of Massachu- setts and after the decease of her husband was married to Jobn Moxley and they settled in Mor- ristown, Vt .. where Mr. Moxley died at the age of sixty-seven years. lle served as Quartermaster in a Connecticut Regiment during the Revolutionary War. By trade he was a tailor, which he followed before entering and after leaving the army. After his death Mrs. Moxley came to Ilinois with her son Charles, and died at his home in Will County after attaining her three-score and ten years. Like Mr. Moxley she was a Universalist in religious be- lief.
The subject of this notice was the youngest but one, of five sons and one daughter. He and his younger brother, Charles, the latter of Faribault. Minn .. are the only survivors of the family. Will- ard was first married in Morristown, Vt., May 1. 1835, to Miss Diantha S. Boardman, a sister of the late Judge Boardman. formerly of Joliet. Mrs. Wood was of New England parentage and ances- try and English descent. She was born, reared and educated in Morristown. Vt., and for several terms was a teacher in the public schools of her native county. For a time during the earlier years of their acquaintance she was a pupil of her hus- band. She accompanied him to Illinois and as- sisted him in gaining a foothold remaining his faithful and devoted companion until her death. This occurred at her home in Crete, in 1865. when she was fifty-four years old. having been born in 1811. Her brother, Judge Boardman, also ched at the home of Mr. Wood, his decease taking place after that of his sister.
Mrs. Diantha Wood was the mother of seven chil- dren. all of whom are living, married and have families. Sabina D. is the wife of Robert B. Mil- ler and they live on a farm in Crete Township;
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Fidelia L. married Daniel E. Hewes. a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public of Crete: Lydia M. is the wife of Congressman Charles A. Hill. of Jol- iet, representing the Eighth District; Marian is the wife of A. II. Smith and they live on a farm in Crete Township; Williard S. married Miss Molly Moore, a fruit grower of Glendora, Cal .; William Irwin married Miss Elvia Hewes. the present pro- prietor of the Wood Hotel at Crete; Marcus M. married Miss Jessie Wood and is elerk and corres- pondent for an engine and mining machinery manufacturing company in Chicago.
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In 1869, Mr. Wood contracted a second mar- riage, in Batavia, N. Y., with Mrs. Eliza (Selleck ) Northrup, widow of Normal Northrup, who died in Monee, where he was engaged in trade. Mrs. Eliza Wood was born in Connecticut. She grew to womanhood in her native place acquiring a com- mon-school education and was there married to Mr. Northrup. The two children born of that union are both deceased. This lady died at her home in Crete when nearly seventy-five years old. In religion she was a Universalist, belonging to the Church at Blue Island. Mr. Wood is liberal in his religious views and in politics an uncom- promising Democrat. Ile preserves his faculties in a remarkable degree, being able to read without the aid of glasses and being remarkably bright and active for one of his years. He takes pride in the fact that he has twenty-three grand-children and two great-grandchildren.
P ETER W. SPANGLER, is prosperously engaged in the livery business in Plain- field. He is a native of Pennsylvania. born at Centre Hill, Centre County. April 4, 1836. His father, John Spangler, was a native of the same county, while his grandfather, Peter S. Spangler, is thought to have been born in Lan- easter County, in the same state, and was reared, married and spent his entire life in the Keystone State. The father of our subject was reared to farm- ing but afterwards learned the trade of cabinet making, which he did not follow long. however, but
went back to his first vocation, buying a farm after his marriage, at Contre Hill. Hle resided there till 1846, when he emigrated to Ilinois with wife and twelve children, coming overland with a pair of horses and a wagon and a carriage drawn by one horse. the journey consuming three weeks and three days. Mr. Spangler had been here before prospecting, and had bought two farms located in Plainfield Township, the one on which he settled being well-improved. and provided with good buildings. There were no railways in Illinois at that time, and Chicago was the nearest market. lle lived on his farm some years and then retired to Joliet, where he resided till his death, he having accumulated an ample competence that sufficed for all his wants. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Stemm, and she was born in Centre County, Pa., and was a daughter of Adam Stemm, a native of the same state. She died on the home farm some years before her husband. They reared a family of fourteen children, nine sons and live daughters.
Peter Spangler was ten years old when he came to this country with his parents, and he was here reared to agricultural pursuits. At eighteen years of age he commenced to learn the trade of a plasterer at Plainfield. and worked at that here for a time. and was then engaged at it in Cedar Rapids, lowa, for a while. Ile returned to Plainfield before the war. and joined a company of light infantry, which was sent to Cairo by the governor at the first call for troops, and was there mustered into service as Co. K. 10th Illinois Battery. Our subjeet proved that he had good soldierly qualities, and he did faithful service in defense of the Union during the three months that he was in the army, that being the length of the term of enlistment of his regi- ment. At the close of that time he was obliged to abandon miltary life on account of ill health. and for nearly two years thereafter he was unable to do any manual labor. He subsequently resumed his trade, which he soon gave up to give his atten- tion to farming. and was thus engaged in farming on his father's farm during the following. live years. At the end of that time he returned to Plainfield, and three years later entered upon his present business , as the keeper of a livery stable and a trader in
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horses, his dealings extending to all points between here and Chicago. Ile has quite an aptitude for this calling, being a good judge of horse flesh, and possessing the requisite shrewdness and sagacity necessary for the business. llis livery stable is . well managed and well patronized.
Mr. Spangler has had the good fortune to secure a good wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lee, and to whom he was united in marriage in 1870. Two children complete their household circle, Roy and Merton.
Mr. Spangler is a sturdy Democrat in politics; socialty, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M. as a member of Plainfield Lodge. No. 536. He possesses good business qualifications, is enterpris- mg, and knows how to conduet his transactions to the best advantage. He is kind hearted and gen- erous, ever ready to do a favor, and is well-liked by his neighbors.
n ATHANIEL BARNS. In all the broad expanse of the Mississippi Valley, no finer farms can be found than the Prairie State can boast. The agriculturists of this State are generally men of unbounded energy and good judgment, under whose careful management, the fertile soil yields abundantly of golden grain and various fruits in their season. In this county, Joliet Township is not behind other sections in attractive and remunerative farms. One of these is owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch and comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 31.
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In the Empire State many years ago a babe was born, who grew to womanhood bearing the name of Rachael MeGinnis. In the neighboring State of Connecticut was born and reared Isaac Barns, who met and married the worthy young woman, making a home in Rockland County, N. Y., where they reared a family of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the sixth.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in Haverstraw, in the county above mentioned, June 18, 1818. He grew to manhood on his father's
farm. early becoming thoroughly acquainted with the details of agricultural life and the enterprises connected therewith, and assisting as his strength would permit in the work of the home. He also obtained a good practical knowledge of the more important branches of education. Two years were spent by him in the State of Virginia, but with this exception he continued to make his home upon the parental estate until he was thirty years of age. During this time he was engaged in farm- ing and stock dealing, and for nine years in the butchering business.
In the spring of 1858, Mr. Barns turned his footsteps westward and reaching this country, pur- chased a farm and identified himself with the cit- izens of Illinois. Here he has since lived, success- fully carrying on his chosen work and while seeuring to his family the comforts of life laying the foundation for ease in his declining years. llis farm contains all the improvements which mark the homes of the better class of farmers, the buildings comprising a full set of adequate and substantial structures, and a good supply of im- proved machinery and implements being found in use thereon.
An important step in the life of our subjeet was taken in Westchester County, N. Y., October 4, 1819. when he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Mary E. Tlnell. This lady was born in Rockland County in 1829, and is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Von Buskirk ) Thiell, who were natives of the same county, where the father died. The mother breathed her last in Newburg, Orange County. Mrs. Barns is a woman of exceptionally tine char- acter, strong. tender, and true, "whom to know is a liberal education." She has been an able assistant to her husband, by her wise economy and prudent management aiding in the accumulation of their present means, while to her children she has been a devoted mother, rearing them to useful and honor- able lives. The affairs of her own household have not taken her entire thought, but she has been ready for neighborly deeds of kindness and sympathizing interest in all worthy movements.
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