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 52
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Robert Ferguson was reared in his native land until he was eighteen years of age, when he came to America and located at Easton, was employed in a wire manufactory and resided there until 1852. Then in the vigor and prime of manhood, he came to this county intending to devote himself to farm- ing. He first purchased eighty acres of wild prai- rie land on section 35, Plainfield Township, paying therefor $5 an acre. He immediately set about its improvement, preparing the land for cultiva- tion and ereeting a temporary building for the shelter of his family, which he replaced some years later by a frame house. He was much prospered in his undertakings and was subsequently enabled to buy one hundred and sixty acres more land in the same section. upon which he erected a fine set of frame buildings, replete with all conveniences, and here his useful life was brought to a close by his untimely death, May 31, 1888.
Mr. Ferguson was greatly indebted for the posi- tion he attained, to the help he received by bis worthy wife to whom he was united in marriage in 1841. She still occupies the oldl homestead, the farm being ably managed by her son James. Mrs. Ferguson's maiden name was Nancy MeDougall, and she is also with her husband, a native of County Derry, Ireland. Her father, Edward Me- Dougall, is supposed to have been a native of the same county, where he carried on the occupation of farming. Later in life he came to America to join his children, and resided for a time in New York, his last years were spent in this county. The maiden name of his wife was Mollie Smith, and she too was born in County Derry, her father, Jacob Smith, being also a native of Ireland, where he carried on farming and spent his entire life. She
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died in New York. Mrs. Ferguson's only brother, James died in New York. She had three sisters, Mol- lie, who married a Mr. McClanahan and is now de- ceased ; Sallie, who married Thomas Leggett and is now deceased; Eleanor, who married Joseph Mcclintock and lives in Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Fer- guson had seven children all of whom are living: Robert M., John J., Joseph M., Eleanor, James, Mary and Jennie.
Mr. Ferguson possessed in a large degree the qualities necessary for success in a farmer's call- ing, and as we have seen attained it, placing him- self among the solid well-to-do citizens of the township. His inherent traits of character won him a good name and a good standing in the commun- ity. and as a pioneer his memory will ever be re- speeted in Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church but after coming here, identified themselves with the Congregational Church and Mrs. Ferguson is still a faithful attendant.
ILLIAM ERB. Treasurer of the People's Loan & Homestead Association at Joliet, is also engaged as a money loaner and dealer in real estate. He is a man of unquestioned business ability, and in years is still on the sunny side of forty, having been born May 26, 1813. Ilis native place was on the other side of the At- lantie in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, and he comes of unadulterated German stock. Ile inherits from a substantial ancestry the qualities which have made this nationality one of the best on the face of the globe.
Pantale Erb, the father of our subject, emigrated , to America in the fall of 1815, locating in Louisi- ana, and four years later sent for his family, which consisted of the mother and two children, William, our subject, and Hannah. now Mrs. Kaffer, of JJoliet. The family remained residents of Louisiana until the spring of 1856, then came to this eounty and located in Joliet, where they lived until the death of the father, which took place February 9, 1887. Two more children in the meantime had been added to
the family circle, viz: Louisa, Mrs. Peter Beirschiet, whose husband is an Allerman from the Third Ward, and Anthony, who died in Joliet March 27. 1889. The mother is still living, making her home with her daughter. Mrs. Beirschiet, in Joliet, and is now seventy-seven years old.
Mr. Erb acquired a good. practical education in the common school and at an early age imbibed the habits of industry which have been the secret of his success in life. When leaving school he em- ployed himself at whatever he could find to do to earn an honest dollar, and with the thrift and pru- dence which is, almost without exception, charac- teristic of his countrymen, he was soon enabled to store away a snug little sum of money. He re- mained unmarried until a man of twenty-eight years and was then wedded, June 7, 1871, to Miss Sophia Trabing, of JJoliet. Soon afterward he em- barked in the coal business at which he continued successfully until the spring of 1876, when he sold out and established himself in the retail grocery trade of Washington Street. This enterprise also proved successful, he building up a tine trade, and he was thus occupied until September, 1885. Then selling out he embarked in his present enterprise. He is now in the enjoyment of a competency with the prospect of sufficient means to defend him against want in his old age.
Mr. Erb, in the spring of 1883, was elected to his present position as Treasurer of the Loan de Homestead Association, in which he has been a Director since 1878. He was one of its first stock- holders and has always been warmly interested in its success. He owns and occupies one of the finest houses in the city and has large real estate-interests aside from this. To him and his estimable wife there have been born three children-George, Louise and Edwin. They are all under the home roof, and it is the intention of their father to give them the best advantages within his power.
Mrs. Erb was born in the German Province of Hesse-Darmstadt. in 1853, and came with her par- ents to the United States when a child of twelve years. Iler parents, JJacob and Louisa Trabing, were also of German birth and ancestry and are now residents of Will County.
The People's Loan & Homestead Association
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was organized in April, 1875, largely through the instrumentality of Edwin B. Mason, and having for its first President, James G. Elwood. Its second President was Charles Pettigrew. Upon his retire- ment F. W. Plant was elected President and is still serving. The other otlicials are : I. C. Norton, Vice President; William Erb, Treasurer; Horace Weeks, Secretary. The Directors are: Henry Pohl, lohn Lyons, William Ireland, and G. N. Reistad. The capital stock at the present time aggregates 83,- 000,000, while the twelve hundred depositors make a monthly deposit of $25,000. The institution is thus in a most flourishing condition, which speaks admirably for those in charge, among whom Mr. Erb is no unimportant factor. Its loans at this writing amount to over three-fourths of a million dollars.
EFFERSON BUMP. The substantial ele- ment in the community of Homer Township finds a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, who is a man careful and conscientious in his habits of life and his business affairs, and who has made for himself a good rec- ord, gaining the confidence and esteem of those around him. He makes his headquarters at a well- regulated farm on seetion 15, which is supplied with good buildings, and has about it all the other evidences of enterprise and prosperity.
The native place of Mr. Bump was in Chautau- qua County, N. Y., and the date of his birth Jan- nary 31, 1826. His parents were Jacob and Lydia (Bowen ) Bump, who were natives of New Tamp- shire, and emigrated to the Empire State at an early day, settling in Chautauqua County. They lived there until 1834, then came to Illinois and settled on section 15, of what is now known as Homer Township. The father followed agricultu- ral pursuits, and assisted by his estimable partner, made a comfortable home for his family, and there both parents spent the remainder of their lives. There was born to them a family of twelve chil- dren, Jefferson being among the younger ones and two of whom are hving.
Mr. Bump, of whom we write, was a lad of eight
years when he came with his parents to this county. He grew to manhood in Ilomer Township, where with the exception of seven years spent in Califor- nia he has since resided. He went to the Pacific Slope in 1852, and during the years mentioned was engaged in mining, meeting with fair success. Since returning he has devoted his entire attention to farm pursuits, and is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of choice land, which with its im- provements makes one of the most desirable coun- try estates in Will County.
When ready to establish matrimonial and do- mestic ties, Mr. Bump was married at Plainfield, Ill., December 20, 1860, to Miss Fannie M., daugh- ter of James and Nancy (Bump) Rockafellow. Mrs. Bump was born April 30, 1844, in Plainfield, to which her parents removed from Lake County, Ohio, in 1839. The father, who was a native of New York State, died at the homestead in Plain- field Township in 1856, and the mother is still liv- ing and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Bump. They were the parents of two children only, of whom Mrs. Bump was the younger.
Seven children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife, viz .: Sarah A., the wife of Alonzo Bump, of Nebraska; Nelson J., Clarence J .; Nancy 11., the wife of Mathias Homerding; Frank G., Loretta L. and Kate L. Mr. Bump cast his first Presidential vote for Van Buren, and con- tinnes his allegiance to the Democratic party. He is a man of decided views and opinions, and keeps himself thoroughly informed upon the leading topics of the day. He has never aspired to office, being content to occupy himself with his farming interests and the comforts of his family.
OIIN J. HUNT. The Nation in which we take such just pride is indebted to the lands across the sea for many of her most reliable citizens and enterprising workers in various lines of life. Among this class is numbered the gentleman above named, who owns and occupies a fine estate in Joliet Township, not far from the city limits. It comprises two hundred and fifty-
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four and a half acres, four and a half acres on sec- tion 22, fifty acres on section 23, and two hundred aeres on section 1, Manhattan Township, which is marked with the improvements usually made by a man of enterprise, but which are above the aver- age in their durability and design. Mr. Hunt has spent the greater part of his life in the pursuit of agriculture, connecting stock-raising with the tilling of the soil to a considerable extent.
In Somersetshire, England, November 7, 1832, the eyes of our subject opened to the light, and in the mother country he remained until the age of eigliteen years. Ile then crossed the briny deep for the land which had attracted him by its promise of a broader field for the energy which he felt, and after landing on the Eastern coast he came to the Prairie State, making his entrance into Joliet July 17, 1851. He found employment on a farm on Hickory Creek, where he worked by the month about seven years, after which, with his brother Mark, he rented the same estate for about four years. llis next enterprise was the rental of a farm belonging to William Ferguson, for a twelve- month, the following three years being spent as a renter on an estate belonging to William Hughes.
While living upon the Hughes estate Mr. Hunt took a companion in life in the person of Miss Olive J. Wheeler, the marriage ceremony taking place May 7, 1861. Mrs. Hunt was born in Ver- mont, June 23, 1839, and exemplifies in her person the housewifely ability and unbounded energy of the Yankee character. Iler parents, David N. and Lydia (Stanley) Wheeler, are also natives of the Green Mountain State, whence they emme to Illi- nois early in the '50s. They made a permanent settlement in Frankfort Township, where they are still living. Their family consists of five sons and live daughters, Mrs. Hunt being the eldest.
E., who is the youngest child, being the only one who remains with them. Joseph C. married Cora Jane Mapps, and lives in Joliet; Cora E. is the wife of John C. Love; John W. is now in the em- ploy of the Michigan Central Railroad.
Mr. Hunt exercises the right of suffrage in sup- port of the principles and candidates of the Repub- lican party. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the First Baptist Church of Joliet. Among their associates they have many friends, and by all to whom they are known they are classed among the most res- pectable and intelligent members of the commu- nity.
The parents of Mr. Hunt were Joseph and Char- lotte (Green) Hunt, both natives of the mother country. who died in Somersetshire. They had three sons and three daughters, he of whom we write being the second member of the family circle.
ARTIN CUSIHING, D. V. S. The subject of this notice is a prominent man in his profession and occupies a conveniently arranged establishment at No. 108 Ex- clinge Street, Joliet, in which he has conducted a successful practice for the last six years. Ilis wide experience and his strict attention to the duties of his chosen calling have rendered him more than ordinarily expert and he avails himself of all the means at his command to inform himself in regard to the various matters connected therewith. He has gathered around him the various appliances re- quired for a successful business and personally, as well as in business circles, is highly spoken of in business community.
The subject of this sketeh, a native of Utica, N. Y., was born September 7, 1852, and is the son of James and Margaret ( McQuade) Cushing, the for- mer of whom was born in County Queens, Ireland, and the latter in the city of Paisley, Scotland. James Cushing when a young man, emigrated to America and settled in l'tica, N. Y., where he was married. In the spring of 1851, resolving upon seeking the farther west he came with his little
For nearly two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hunt resided upon the Hughes farm, after which they bought an estate in Manhattan Town- ship, and removing there made it their home thir- teen years. Having bought the present estate and erected upon it a most excellent dwelling, they re- moved here on March 26, 1876, with the intention of making this their permanent home. They are the parents of four children. their daughter, Edna | family to this State and settled in Joliet. James
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Cushing died November 9, 1884. The widow still resides in Joliet.
Dr. Cushing acquired a practical education in the city schools of Joliet and when approaching manhood was variously engaged until commencing the studies of veterinary surgery. In due time he entered upon a course of lectures at the Columbia Veterinary College, in New York City, and subse- quently spent two years in the American College, in New York City, graduating from the latter in 1885, with a thorough knowledge of the methods of proceedure in ordinary practice. Ile at once located at Joliet and has now all the business which he can attend to both in the city and country. In connection with this he established a livery busi- ness in partnership with his brother James, in the city of Joliet, in 1889, putting up a fine stone building which is conveniently arranged for hos- pital and operating purposes located at No. 108, Exchange Street.
Dr. Cushing has distinguished himself as a lib- eral and publie spirited citizen, and after filling other positions of trust and responsibility, was in 1889 elected a member of the City Council on the Democratic ticket.
HARLES S. COCKETT, late Secretary of the Ashley Wire Company, departed this life at his home in Joliet, September 20, 1888, at the age of fifty-three years, having been born March 3, 1835. His native place was Kirk- land, Oneida County, N. Y. and his father was Thomas Cockett, who was of English descent and spent his last years in New York. The paternal grandfather settled on the Susquehanna River at an early day and built a number of mills in that vicinity, where it is probable he spent the remain- der of his life. He was a skilled workman and successful man and became prominently known throughout that region.
The subject of this notice grew to mature years in his native county and obtained a good educa- tion, completing his studies in one of the schools of Cooperstown, Otsego County. For several years
thereafter he occupied himself in the mercantile business in the store of his uncle at Cooperstown. Then leaving his native State he emigrated to De- catur, Mich. and engaged in the insurance and ex- press business until after the outbreak of the Civil War. Determining then to have a hand in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted in Company B, this being assigned to a regiment of Michigan Infantry, and which later became a part of the Excelsior Brigade of New York State. He served nearly four years, engaging in many important battles and receiving an honorable wound at the battle of Williamsburg. He was mustered out after the close of the war and received an hon- orable discharge. On account of having con- tracted a severe cold from the effects of which he was unable to entirely recover, he was given the post of Commissary Sergeant, which he held most of the time during his army life. Upon leav- ing the service Mr. Cockett returned to Decatur, Mich., and resumed operations in the insurance and express business which he conducted success- fully for some years. On the 10th of April, 1867, he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary J. Smith, and made his home in Decatur until 1875.
In the year above mentioned, Mr. Cockett disposed of his business interests in Michigan, and coming to Joliet, began dealing in grain and was thus occupied for two years. At the expira- tion of this time he became connected with Messrs. H. B. Scott & Co., manufacturers of barb wire. and when the Ashley Wire Works was or- ganized he was made the Secretary and held this position until his death. He was a capable and reliable business man and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
Mrs. Mary J. (Smith) Cockett was born June 8, 1839, in New Lyme, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and is the daughter of H. B. and Mary (Clapp) Smith. Mr. Smith removed from Trumbull County, Ohio, to Benton Harbor, where his death took place. Mrs. Smith died June 20, 1839, a few days after the birth of her daughter. Mr. Smith lived until his daughter had reached womanhood. Mary remained a member of the household until her marriage, which resulted in the birth of one
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child only, a son. Bret Harte, who was born March 16, 1871, at Decatur, Mich., and remains at home with his mother. Both mother and son are mem- bers in good standing of the Central Presbyterian Churel.
AMES F. MORRISEY. It would be hard to find a gentleman of the same age who has reached so high a position in business circles, and held so prominent a place in in public affairs, as the subject of this biograph- ical notice, who is now serving as a member of the Common Council of Joliet. Hle represents the sixth ward in the aldermanie body, and is serving his second term. In addition to his public labors, he carries on the sale of agricultural implements and seeds. at No. 205 Washington Street, also deal- ing in road carts, etc.
Mr. Morrisey is a native of the city which he honors by his ability and service. his natal day having been April 25. 1859. His parents were James and Catharine Morrisey, both natives of Ireland, who came to America prior to their mar- riage, that event taking place in this city, where the father died. He of whom we write grew to maturity here, at the early age of thirteen years being graduated from the Joliet Business College. Ile then engaged with G. C. Erhard, dealer in ag- ricultural implements, remaining in that gentle- man's employ eleven years.
The next move of young Morrisey was to un- dertake the sale of the same line of goods on the road, as an agent for the Kleinfelter & Dillman Com- pany, with which he was engaged eight years. At the close of his term with them. he began business for himself, opening his place of business in Janu- ary, 1889. Thus far he has had a very successful trade, the prospects for the future being bright and encouraging. The long experience of Mr. Morrisey in the line of trade that he has adopted, gives him a perfect knowledge of that in which he deals, and his methods are strictly honorable. while marked by a spirit of enterprise and "push" highly commendable and such as wins success.
The public life of Mr. Morrisey began in 1886,
when he was elected Assistant Supervisor of Joliet Township, the office being so acceptably filled that he was re-elected the following year. The next year he was sent to the Council Chamber, and here also his efforts to advance the interests of the com- munity are recognized by his constituents, and re- flect credit upon himself. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, which was organized with his father as one of its early members.
On October 20, 1882, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Miss Etta M. Ardagh, of Channahon Township. The bride was born in that township, her parents, Patrick and Mary Ardagh, being old residents there. She also belongs to St. Mary's Church. The union has been blessed by the birth of five children. They are named respectively, James R., Mary, Etta, Dora and John D.
ERBERT IL. BALDWIN, M. D., one of the younger members of the medical fraternity of Will County, has evidently entered upon a successful career in his chosen profession, making a specialty of electro-vapor and medica- ted baths. lle maintains that this treatment is superior, usually and in most diseases, to the in- ternal administration of medicine. lle was born in Blue Island, Cook County, this State, Septem- ber 22, 1857, and is the son of Henry and Sarah J. (Alexander) Baldwin, the former a native of London, England. and the latter of Pensylvania.
Henry Ballwin came to America about 1855-56, and died in the year 1858. He was a well-edu- cated man and followed the profession of a teacher. The mother, after the death of her husband, made her home in Bine Island, and is now assistant Principal of one of the public schools of Chicago.
The subject of this notice was the only child of his parents, and attended the schools of his native place, graduating from the High School there. Later he supplemented his education by attend- ance at the Cook County Normal, at Englewood, from which he was graduated in 1876. For five years thereafter he occupied himself as a teacher
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in the schools of Cook and Will Counties. In the meantime he was Principal of the schools of New Lenox. Prospeet Avenue and Washington Heights. Hle commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. II. W. Alexander, with whom he remained as student and associate for several years.
The Doctor finally entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1883. Ile commenced the practice of his profession in Joliet, where he remained something over a year then, crossing the Mississippi, went to Hankinson. N. Dak .. where he remained until the death of Dr. Alexander, May 27, 1889. Returning then to Jol- iet, he took up the Doctor's practice and is build- ing up a fine business. Te belongs to the Will County Medical Society, and keeps himself posted upon modern methods of treatment. both in con- nection with his specialty and the regular practice.
Dr. Baldwin was married June 25, 1888, at the bride's home in Minneapolis. Minn .. to Miss Min- neaxie A. Folsom. This lady was born in that city, and is a daughter of Prof. ... Folsom, also of Minneapolis. The Doctor and his amiable lady occupy a neat home on North Broadway, and en- joy the acquaintance and friendship of its best citizens. Politically he is a Republican. and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OSEPH FREDRICK. The enterprising sons of the Fatherland have permeated through all parts of the United States, and left their ineffaccable mark as the sign-manual of in- dustry, energy and a perseverance which has never admitted the existence of any such word as " fail." They have brought to their adopted country the steady habits which were transmitted to them from a substantial ance-try, and by which they have arisen to prominent positions in the industrial as well as the politieal world. They came to the Ter- ritory of Illinois when it was first opened for settle- ment, and have built up some of its most fertile farms and valuable homesteads.
The subject of this notice-one of the most sub stantial farmers of Joliet Township-is a native of the province of Alsace, then a province of France, but now of Germany, and was born April 20, 1820. He was the eldest in a family of seven chil- dren, the offspring of Mothen and Kathrina (Steck) Fredrick, who were natives of the same province as their son. and where they spent their entire lives.
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