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 57
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The name donates the Scotch origin of the Ken
iston family that has been known and honored in New England for many years. In the Green Mountain State, Joseph and Sallie (Glidden) Ken- iston were born. and lived until 1854, when they came west and took up their residence in the Prai- rie State. A settlement was made in Wilton Town- ship, this county, and the parents tarried here un- til 1865, when they removed to Aurora, Kane County, in which city they spent the remainder of their lives, both living to an advanced age. The elder Mr. Keniston devoted himself to farming as a life work, and was in easy financial circum- stances. For many years prior to their deaths, he and his wife were active members of the Baptist Church. The parental family consisted of eleven sons and daughters. John B., Elizabeth, and Sarah, are deceased; our subject is the fourth in order of birth; Emeline is the wife of William Frie. a carpenter at Minneapolis, Minn .; Noah G. is engaged in farming in Montgomrey County, Towa; Simeon G., is deceased; Hiram B. lives in Oregon; Joseph JI. in Iowa; Henry and Julia are deceased.
In Sheffield, Caledonia County, Vt., the eyes of the ITon. JJerry Keniston opened to the light of day March 2, 1829. He received a good common- school education and on the farm acquired the knowledge of agriculture that is the common herit- age of farmer's sons. When about twenty-five years old he came to Illinois with his parents, and in this county he resided until after the Civil War began. He then determined to assist his country in her hour of need and abandoning the peaceful pursuits of his former years, took his place in the ranks as a member of Company II, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry.
Soon after his enlistment, Mr. Keniston was made Second Lieutenant of his company and at the close of the war held a Captain's Commission. lle took part in every battle in which his regiment was engaged until the contest at Chickamauga, where he was captured by the enemy and taken to Libby Prison. There he was held a prisoner seven months, and then removed to points farther south, and on March 2, 1865. released at Wilming- ton. N. (. Returning to the State whence he had entered the Union Army, Mr. Keniston resumed
John Williams
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the peaceful occupation of farming, settling on the land which he still owns and operates.
Mr. Keniston has served as Township Supervisor three terms. In 1879 he was elected to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket and repre- sented this county ably. He has always taken an active interest in politics, believing that all loyal citizens should understand fully the needs of the Nation and aid in the Government by their vote and influence on the side of right when no more prominent work is given them. He is a member of the Baptist, while his wife belongs to the Congre- gational Church.
In 1858, Mr. Keniston married Miss Martha A. Tiffany, of Pike, Wyoming County. N. Y .. with whom he lived happily until she was called hence in 1862. In 1866, he married Miss Martha Lynde of Wil- liamstown. Vt., who has ably managed the house- hold affairs and wisely governed the children com- mitted to her care, winning friends by her graces of heart and mind. The union has been blessed by the birth of nine children-Henry C., John L .. Lela, Laura. Charles 11., Mattie, Carroll. Raymond and Daisey. Lela and Mattie have been removed by the hand of death ; Ilenry is now living in Chi- engo; the others remain at home. All are single.
OHN WILLIAMS, SR. The oldest settler in Wesley Township. and one of the oldest in the county. this nonagenarian has the love and respect of the entire neighborhood, and more especially of the younger members of the community. Nothing affords him greater pleasure than to sit and talk of the old times, whose inci- dents are as vividly impressed upon his memory as though they had transpired but yesterday. His general health is good and his mind yet active. al- though he so long since passed the allotted age of man. He has a home with his son Frank and fam- ily, but is otherwise alone. seven members of his family being buried in the cemetery near by.
The gentleman of whom we write was the first- born in the parental family and opened his eyes to
the light of day in Greenbriar County, Va., April 5. 1801. llis education, a common-school one, was obtained in Greenbriar and Monroe Counties, in the latter of which the family resided for a time. At the age of twenty-one years, he began his per- sonal career in life as a farmer, that being an occu . pation to which he had been reared, and his whole life has been spent in open air employment. lle had a deed for three hundred and forty acres of Maj. Hamilton, of West Virginia, and worked that farm until September, 1831, when he took the Western fever.
On October 7 of that year, Mr. Williams started with a four horse team toward the setting sun, and upon arriving in the vicinity of Danville, Ill., made a settlement, remaining there until April, 1831. He then came to Will County, and located one-half mile from his present home. At that time Will County had been subjected to no improve- ment worthy of mention. and the land was being surveyed by the United States Government. Mr. Williams' neared neighbor was George N. Beck- with. three miles distant. and he remained at that time but a few day :. Indians were here two sea- sons after Mr. Williams' arrival, but they were Ixacerble.
The house built by Mr. Williams was the first in this township. It was of logs, and being 16xIN feet in dimensions, was looked upon as quite a man- sion. The first year our subject plowed forty acres, two-thirds of which be planted in corn, rais- ing from the sod four hundred bushels of good corn and enough soft grain to keep his cattle and horses all winter. He had twenty-two head of cattle and two horses. Having had some money with which to start here, Mr. Williams had not the struggle which some pioneers had. His first purchase was three hundred and twenty aeres. but he sold off twenty to a new neighbor. Very few settlers ar- rived prior to 1836, at which time there was quite an influx of immigrants.
In October, 1819, Mr. Williams united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified since that time. and in the work of which he took an active part for many a long year. He helped to organize the first congregation in this township. in 1835. and was Class-Leader from 1836
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to 1839. In 1837 the congregation numbered fifty- two members. The first regular minister was the Rev. Mr. Springer, father of Congressman Springer.
The first school in this vicinity was also organized in 1835. and Jolin Frazer selected as its teacher. Mr. Williams was one of the first School Directors, and has frequently served in the same capacity in later years. Hle was here when the county was organized, and has therefore been as closely connected with its history as anyone now living. The first house which he built is now used by T. W. Jones as a stable. In July, 1871, he came to his present home. Mr. Williams has always taken an interest in poli- ties, and from the time of casting his first Presi- dential ballot, which was given to John Quincy Adams, he has never failed to deposit his ballot in the interest of good government. His father was a Federalist and he has been a Whig and Re- publican.
The first marriage of our subject took place Sep- tember 5. 1832, the bride being Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Aaron Burr, cousin of Col. Aaron Burr. That estimable lady survived until 1845, when she joined the sheeted nations of the dead. She had borne seven children of whom the sur- vivors are LeRoy, now living in California; John, in Colorado: Clarke, in Kansas; and Mrs. Rebecca Withroe in Kentland, Ind.
On June 22. 1847, Mr. Williams contracted a second alliance, his companion being Miss Susan Groff, whose home was near LaFayette, lod. This union was blessed by the birth of four children, with the youngest of whom, Frank L., our subject makes his home. The others are JJames W., Mrs. Jennie Shefler and Mrs. Lizzie Grey, who live in Kansas. Mrs. Susan (Groff ) Williams departed this life in August, 1860. The third marriage of Mr. Williams was celebrated March 27, 1862, on which occasion he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Morehead, who survived until Novem- ber 13. 1881, when she too was laid to rest in the silent tomb,
The father of our subjeet was Richard Williams, who was born in Greenbriar County, W. Va .. Octo- ber 17, 1776. In the same county in 1780 a child was born who was christened Thankful Morrison, and who in due time became the wife of Richard
Williams. In 1808 they removed to Monroe County, of the same State, settling upon a farm, which they made their home for twenty-three years. They then returned to their native county, where Mr. Williams breathed his last in 1843, and his good wife in 1852. This worthy couple were the parents of eight sons and three daughters, three of the family yet surviving.
A lithographie portrait of this venerable citizen of Will County appropriately accompanies his per- sonal sketch. To attain to a happy and healthy old age is the lot of only a few, and Mr. Williams is fortunate in that principles of honor and upright- ness were early inculcated in his mind. and thus he is enabled to consider the past without regret and the future without fear.
G EORGE W. YOUNG, LL. B., is one of the prominent and rising young members of the bar of this county, his office being in the Barber Block, Joliet. Ile was born in Man- hattan, this county, March 25, 1864, and came to Joliet with his parents when twelve years old, re- ceiving his education at the grammar and high schools of this city. In 1883 he took a position on the staff of the Joliet Republic and Sun, where he remained until the fall of 1885. Ile then entered the School of Law in Columbia College, New York City, taking also the course in political science. lle was graduated in 1887, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. cum laude.
The same year Mr. Young was admitted to the bár in Illinois. and at once began to practice in Joliet. During the last Presidential campaign he was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Lincoln Club, an organization of young Repub- lieans, and still holds the office. He was also a member of the Township Campaign Committee. He is now a Director of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association, and was recently elected Vestry- man in Christ Episcopal Church. These facts thoroughly establish his reputation as one of the upright, energetic and trustworthy young men of the city, and indicate that his life is to be a useful
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one, not only in advancing his personal interests, but in carrying forward the higher welfare and civilization of the community to which he belongs. It further demonstrates the fact that the family name. which is already an honored one. promises to become still more honorable through the merits of the younger generation of the name.
On September 5, 1889, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Corabelle Beers Rugar, a cultured and refined young lady. She was born at Gales- burg. 111., April 2, 1861, and is a daughter of Capt. Francis Rugar, U. S. A. She was educated at Knox College and afterward pursued the study of art in the Art Institute, of Chicago, and the cad- emy of Design, of New York.
The first member of the Young family in Amer- ica was the Rev. John Young, who was sent to this country about 1635 as a missionary of the Church of England, as previously there had been none in New England. He made a permanent home near Sag Harbor. 1. 1. He had two sons. Edward and Alexander, who left home about 1700. the former going to New Jersey and the latter to Westchester County. N. Y., where the descendants of Alex- ander Young lived for many years. His son. also named Alexander. was the father of Edward, and the grandfather of a third Alexander. who married Miss Elizabeth Lawrence about 1787. Miss La"- renee was the daughter of John Lawrence, of New York City, and cousin of the noted Capt. Joh . | Lawrence. of the United States frigate -Chesa- penke," whose memorable command - Don't give up the ship" is still a popular motto is he may.
The last-named Alexander Young was a promi- nent Orthodox Friends preacher. well known throughout the country. He owned and op afrl an extensive mill at Esopus, Elster County. on the Hudson. Hle and his wife reared a family of six children. the third of whom was John Yome. the grandfather of our subject. He wa roch 0. Esopus July 18. 1799. was considered of ef .. most highly-educated men of bis de .. some time in charge of a private school in Ne York City. He had previously est ilist Brooklyn Collegiate Institute, which Le renthnon until 1844. In 1826 he was appointed Frited States Surveyor for the District of Cincinnati, but
never undertook the active duties of the office. In the fall of i818 he came to Illinois, and locating in Manhattan, this county, was joined by his family in the spring of 1819. He hecame well- known throughout the county, being a prominent and extensive farmer, and serving as Supervisor of his township for ten years. In 1876 he re- tired from active life. removing to Joliet to spend the remainder of his days with his son Edward. He was one of the organizers of St. Paul's Epis- copal Church. at Manhattan, and was largely in- strumental in building the church cditice. Ile was for several years before his retirement President of the Will County Agricultural Society. He was also patentee of several agricultural implements.
In 1825 John Young became the husband of Miss Caroline Thompson, daughter of the Rev. James Thompson. a well-known Episcopal clergy- man, of l'Ister County. N. Y. Four children sur- vive him. They are James Thompson. President of the Staten Island Dyeing Establishment in New York City; Mansfield, a resident of Hartland, Kın .: Caroline E., wife of Francis L. Cagwin, of Joliet: and Edward.
The youngest son. Edward, who is the father of our subject, was born in Durham, N. Y., February 6. 183F, and came to this county with the family in ISI. He received his olucation at private schools in New York City and after reaching his mourits succeeded his father in the management of the farm upon which he remainel until 1876. the hon removed to Joliet and engaged in the hay and rum business having in different parts of .It was and singing to the South and East, my at extend the business he has recently re- mivel to Konsis, with his heelquarters st .Anthony. whenhe gives of attention expensively to gru
I_ mtady of we. gol Me. I. Tward Yoaug :-
est. The second one is Charles Herbert, who is now attending Trinity College. Hartford. Com.,
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being a candidate for the Episcopal ministry; the third is John Mansfield, city editor of the Joliet Press: Ilensted T., the fourth child. is private sec- retary to the General Freight Agent of the Erie Railroad, at Chicago. The younger members of the family circle are Francis Edward. who is now in school. and Margaret Hoyt. The family have long been members of the Episcopal Church, the father having been Vestryman and Warden of Christ Church, of Joliet. since 1876.
Han
ILLIAM LAMBE. Among the many at- tractive, rural homesteads of this county none are more deserving of a special men- tion than that belonging to Mr. Lambe, and which in its appointments is indicative of the true char- acter of both himself and his excellent wife. The farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 30. embellished with good buildings and all the other appurtenances naturally suggested to the mind of the enterprising and progressive agriculturist. Mr. Lambe is well- to-do financially, owning. besides this farm. three hundred and sixty aeres in Clinton County. He is largely interested in stock raising and has that thorough understand- ing of his calling which seldom fails of success. Mrs. Lambe is in all respects the suitable partner of her husband and their hospitable doors are con- tinuously kept open to the hosts of friends whom they have made since their sojourn in this county.
The subject of this notice was born in County Tyrone, Ireland.September,20, 1820, and lived there until 1852, occupying himself mostly as a farmer. lle obtained such education as was afforded by the common schools and at an carly age contracted those habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his later success. Before leav- ing his native land he was for five or six years a resident of the city of Belfast, employed in the Government Custom House.
Upon reaching America in the fall of 1852, Mr. Lambe sojourned briefly in New York City upon landing, and thence made his way to St. Louis, Mo., where for three years he was employed as a pork-
packer, conducting his own business. Ilis estab- lishment and its contents were destroyed by fire and for four years afterward he engaged as a rail- road contractor. Subsequently he was in the trans- fer business for the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad Company, and later engaged as a dealer in coal and ice for fifteen or sixteen years while at the same time retaining his connection with the transfer business. in company with his brother, the late Charles B. Lambe, of St. Louis.
About 1866, Mr. Lambe came to Clinton County, this State, where he engaged in farming and lived until probably 1882. In the meantime he has been accompanied in his migrations by the lady to whom he was first married, in County Down, Ire- land-Miss Letitia Martin-who bore him three children. The eldest of these is a daughter, Sarah, and now the wife of James Allen, of Clinton County. The two younger-Emma and John -- died when small. Mrs. Letitia Lambe departed this life in St. Louis, Mo .. in 1853.
Our subject was married to his present wife in Homer Township, this county, March 6, 1867. Hler maiden name was Louise Barnet, and she is a daughter of the late George Barnet who died in Homer Township about 1861. Mrs. Louise ( Bar- net) Lambe was born in Canada, November 6, 1838, and by her union with our subject has be- como the mother of seven children, viz: George who died when three months old; Georgiana. Wil- liam B .. Anna B .. Emma II .. Minnie L. and Charles B. Mr. Lambe, politically, is a sound Republican. He has had a lengthy experience as a School Direc- tor, holding this office for many years both in Will and Clinton Counties. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church.
C YRUS A. LEWIS. Among the leading men in the community of New Lenox Town- ship, none are held in more genuine respect than Mr. Lewis. IIe possesses all the qualities of "a gentleman to the manor born," being liberal, enterprising and publie spirited as a citizen, skill-
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ful and thorough as a farmer, and has surrounded his family with all of the comforts of life. He is now approaching the sixty-sixth year of his age. the date of his birth being July 19, 1821, and his native place was the town of Decatur, Otsego County, N. Y. He was the youngest of two sons and two daughters, the offspring of Justus and Candace (Spencer) Lewis, who were both natives of New Hartford, Conn. The father served three years as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. and by occupation was a skilled mechanie. After mar- riage the parents settled in Decatur, Otsego County, N. Y .. where the father engaged in farming, and where both parents spent the remainder of their lives, the mother dying in the fall of 1833 and the father in the fall of 1817.
Mr. Lewis spent his boyhood and youth in his native county remaining there until 1850. He be- came familiar with the various employments of farm life. and when approaching the twenty third year of his age, was married, February 23. 1847. at Decatur, to Miss Emeline, daughter of Jesse and Zurviah ( Peck) Seward. The father of Mrs. Lewis was a cousin of William 11. Seward. Secretary of State during President Lincoln's administration, while Mrs. Seward was a relative of ex-Governor Marey, of New York State. Mrs. Seward died there, while Mr. Seward died in the city of Joliet, Ill. Mrs. Lewis was born in Decatur, N. Y .. Sep- tember 20, 1825, and remained there with her par- ents until her marriage and until the spring of 1850.
In the above-mentioned year Mr. and Mrs. Lewis came to Illinois and settled on section 30, New Lenox Township. this county. Mr. Lewis is the owner of nearly four hundred acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. 1 part of this was purchased by him at $4 per acre. but under his careful management it has now be come more valuable property. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, the oldest of whom, a daughter. Mary. is the wife of William Greenwood, of New Lenox Township. The eldest son, Spencer, was piously inclined from his youth. and is now a missionary under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Clinreh and stationed at Chunk King, in which is located the West China Mission.
He is an earnest laborer in the Master's vineyard and possesses in a marked degree the talents and ability suitable to his responsible position. Can- dace is the wife of Calvin Armagast, of Joliet; Nellie is the wife of Julian Barnes, of that city; C. Almon is an architect, of Spokane Falls, Wash .; Sherman and lennie remain at home with their par- ents. Florence Ida died aged two years, and an infant died unnamed.
Mr. Lewis has for some time entertained a warm interest in the temperance movement and in poli- ties is now a Prohibitionist. He and his family are all members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lewis being a Trustee of the Ottawa Street Church, at Joliet, and one of the chief pillars. Aside from holding the offices of Road Commissioner and School Trustee, he has kept aloof from the cares and responsibilities of public life.
C
R OBERT IN STON, Sheriff of Will County, was elected to this office in 1886 and the indications are that he is thoroughly adapted to the discharge of its duties. He is a man of large experience and keen observation, having a good understanding of human nature and bas proven himself competent to deal with the motley characters which frequently come under his juris- dietion.
A native of New York City, Mr. Huston was born August 7. 1815, to Robert and Elizabeth (Shaw) Huston, who were natives of the North of Ireland. The Huston family is of Irish descent while the Shaws originated in Scotland.
The father of our subject emigrated to America in 1831. when a young man, and two years later was married to Miss Shaw. The union resulted in the birth of five daughters and four sons, of whom Robert was the sixth in order of birth. The fam- ily, in 1850, removed to Grundy County, this State. Robert Huston. Sr., had in his own country learned the trade of a carpet weaver, but now en gaged in farming upon the rich soil of the Prairie State. Mrs. Elizabeth (Shaw) Huston departed
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this life at her home in Gardner. III., May 11, 1885. One son. John W., died in the hospital at St. Louis, Mo., from sickness contracted in the army during the late Civil War. Thomas J., for the past nine- teen years has been the railroad agent at Lemout, Ill. William proseentes farming at the old home- stead in Bracewell Township. The sisters are all living and all married. One is residing in Braid- wood, one in Hastings, Neb .. and three in Gardner, Ill. The aged father who has now numbered eighty-two years, is passing his days quietly on the old homestead in Grundy County.
Robert received the advantages afforded by the common schools and after the outbreak of the Civil War, although only a little over sixteen years old, enlisted December 20, 1861, as a Union soldier in Company I, Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, and participated with his comrades in the vicissi- tudes of army lite and in many important battles. At the battle of Yellow Bayou, La., May 14, 1864, he belonged to the color guard, of whom four were wounded and two killed, Mr. Huston upon that occasion suffering the loss of his right leg. lle was confined in the hospital at Jefferson City, Mo., until sufficiently recovered to return home and received his honorable discharge in February, 1865, being mustered out as corporal.
After leaving the army Mr. Huston supplemen- ted his education by an attendance at school two years, part of the time at Fulton, Ill., where arrangements had been made by the State for free tuition and board for soldiers, Hle subsequently taught school two years in Grundy County,and then for eighteen months was employed as a weighman at eval shafts at Braidwood. Later he engaged in merchandising at that point for twelve or thirteen years. At the expiration of this time he sold out and subsequently served as Postmaster of Braid- wood one term. He assumed the duties of Sheriff in the fall of 1886.
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