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 61
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The marriage of our subjeet to his present worthy wife was consummated in 1864, and has proved of mutual benefit to both, as thereby he se- cured a true helpmate and companion. and she a devoted husband. Mrs. Knapp at the time of her marriage with our subjeet was Mrs. Ann S. Peebles, the widow of Robert Peebles, who came from Eng- land. She is the mother of two children by that marriage: Charles, a young married man; R. W., a resident of Egypt, Ill., who is married and has two children, one of whom lives with its grand- mother, Mrs. Knapp.
A man of superior intelligence and sound prinei- ple, and of blameless character, and an earnest supporter of what he considers right in every walk in life, Dr. Knapp has always exerted a wholesome influence in this community with whose interests his own have been bound for a period of more than half a century. Ile has earnestly labored in behalf of the social and religions development of Channa- hon, and has taken an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and his wife are consistent members. Politically, he has always voted according to his honest convic- tions, and has sided with whichever party he thinks to be the nearest right at the time, and he is now identitied with the Prohibitionists.
SAAC T. MILLSPAUGH, Justice of the - Peace in Joliet, was first elected to that office in 1877, serving four years; in 1886 he was again elected, this time to fill a vacancy, and at the expiration of the term was continued in the position. llis character is an honorable one, his nature enterprising and genial, and his life has been spent in usefulness and good citizenship. As
a public servant, he proves worthy of the suffrage of the people, laboring for the peace and good order of the community faithfully and ably.
In Orange County, N. Y., February 26, 1820, the eyes of Isaac Millspaugh first saw the light of day. His father, Charles Millspaugh, was a native of the same county and a farmer there. He mar- ried Mehitable Van Tassell, of the same county, who bore him seven sons and one daughter. When the son of whom we write was fifteen years old the parents removed to the village of Bloomingburg, where the father died in 1837, and the mother a year later. Both were members of the Presbyter- ian Church and respected in the community.
The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until the death of his father, when he went into Tompkins County and learned the trade of a black- smith, passing his apprenticeship at Dryder. Cro- ners. He worked at the trade nearly twenty years, all told. In 1844 he came to Illinois, arriving at Joliet in May, and at once beginning the labor in which he had previously been engaged. He made the first steel plow manufactured in Joliet, and was the first blacksmith in the Chicago & Alton round house, that being the last of his blacksmithing. He fired the engine that pulled the first train out of Chicago, and ran the first engine that came into Joliet over the Rock Island Railroad, that being in 1852. Ile also ran as an engineer on a construc- tion train of the same road.
At the time that he abandoned his trade, Mr. Millspaugh was elected Assessor for Joliet City and township, and being re-elected at each success- ive election, served about ten years. The duties of the office occupied the most of his time, and soon after this long term of office he was made .Justice of the Peace. lle was the organizer of Millspaugh's Orchestra, that furnished musie for social gatherings here for forty-two years. During his entire mature life Mr. Millspaugh has been a stanch Democrat. Hle belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, holding membership in the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Commandery.
In March, 1842, Mr. Millspaugh was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte E. Noyes, the eere- mony taking place at MeLain, Tompkins County, N. Y. One living son is the fruit of the union-
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Charles II., of this city. The second wife of Mr. Millspaugh was in her girlhood Miss Mary L .. Roberts, of Lockport, N. Y. She died in JJoliet, in January. 1882.
G EORGE F. GURNEY. Among the large land owners and wealthy agriculturists of Will County. George F. Gurney holds a prominent place. Ile is the owner of nine hundred and sixty-six acres of land, which without any special improvements would in this section of the Mississippi Valley be a valuable possession. Its worth has been enhanced by various improvements. among them being a complete line of buildings adequate to shelter the stock, store the crops which are raised upon the broad acres, and protect from wind and weather the farm machinery and imple- ments which the progressive ideas of Mr. Gurney demand. Seven hundred and forty acres of this fine landed estate are included in JJackson Town- ship, and on section 36,stands the family residence. It attracts the attention of every passer-by, its out- ward appearance leading one to believe that it is a home in more than name, a belief which is borne out by the hospitable spirit and intelligence which rule its inmates.
The parents of our subject were William and Ruth (Cooper) Gurney, both natives of England. whence they came to Will County in the spring of 1845. They made their residence in Joliet two or three years, and then removed to the country, both dying in the township of Channahon. They were accompanied to this country by their son of whom we write, who was then about thirteen years of age. llis natal day was July 2. 1832, and his birthplace Gloucestershire. England. His tasto led him to adopt farming as his avocation, and his possessions afford abundant proof that he chose well. With the exception of a short time during which he lived in Grundy County, III .. the county to which be first came from England has been his home since boyhood. Ile settled in Jackson Township in the spring of 1865.
Wilmington. Ill., his chosen companion being Miss Eliza Brydon, who possesses many virtues and graces of mind and heart. Under her efficient management the home is ever neat and orderly, good cheer is abundant for both the inner and onter man, and the members of her household have reason to bestow upon her the deepest affection. She is the mother of seven children, three of whom have left the parental roof for homes elsewhere. Frances is the wife of Frank Losh; Elsie is the wife of Charles Pohlman; and Elmer is now living in North Dakota, Arno, Lizzie, Nellie and Otto still linger under the parental rooftree.
The political views of Mr. Gurney coincide with the principles laid down in the Republican plat- form and he exercises the right of suffrage in be- half of that party, taking quite an active part in political affairs. While living in the town of Wil- ton. he was Township Assessor, and he has accept- ably tilled the office of School Director. It would be but natural to suppose that he is interested in the progress of the cause of education as well as in other civilizing and improving movements, and such is the case. He has for many years been one of the largest cattle feeders in the county, and is also extensively engaged in breeding English Shire horses. It will thus be seen that he is one of the most active business men in this section of Ili- nois.
In connection with the personal sketch of Mr. Gurney we present his portrait, to which we invite the reader's attention. It represents a man who, together with his family, stands high in the regard of others.
G EORGE EIB. The name of this gentleman is conspicuous among the old settlers of this county, in which he began his residence while it was still a part of Cook County and he but a lad. From the time when he accompanied his father here he has been a continuous resident, and has borne a share in the agricultural development which has made the wilderness blossom like the rose, and which makes of this broad State one of
The marriage of Mr. Gurney was celebrated in . the most prosperous commonwealths of the nation.
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Ilis beautiful farm is located on section 7, Jackson Township, and comprises two hundred and seventy- two and a half acres. on which good improvements have been made by the present owner.
The parents of our subject were Peter and Mad- alina (Gilbert) Eib, the former of whom was born in Lancaster County, Pa. The early years of their wedded life were spent in Harrison County, W. Va., whence they removed to Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Eib dying in the Buckeye State. The family afterward removed to Fountain County, Ind., and in 1833, made settlement where George Eib now lives. The father died in this township in 1858. His first marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, W. Va., March 17, 1816. Ile was ten years old when his parents re- moved to Ohio, and seven years later he accom- panied his father to Illinois. Farming has been his life work. and success has attended his labors. He has not sought for office, but has preferred the quiet of his home and the association of his many friends to the rivalries and excitements of public life. lle is a Democrat. always ready to cast his vote when occasion demands. Mr. Eib possesses a genial, social nature, and the hospitable spirit which makes his society sought, and by his quiet pur- suance of duty and honorable character he retains the friendship of those who are predisposed toward him by his social qualities.
At the home of the bride, in Joliet Township, May 18. 1814, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between George Eib and Mary Ann Zumwalt. This lady was born in Adams County. Ohio. January 31, 1824, being the second in a family of fourteen brothers and sisters. ller parents were Joseph Zumwalt, a native of Kentucky, and Mary (Ogle) Zumwalt, who was born in Adams County, Ohio. Their wedded life began in the Buckeye State, whence they removed to Ilancock County, Ind., and in 1831 to this section, which was then in- cluded in Cook County. They settled in what is now Joliet Township. continuing to reside there until 1849, when they removed to California. They made their home on the Pacific Slope from that time, the mother dying there in 1885. Mr. Zum-
walt still survives at a very advaneed age, having been born in 1800.
It will be hard to find a woman who possesses a greater number of the qualities of ideal womanhood than Mrs. Eib. of whom her husband can truly say "her price is far above rubies." She is the mother of nine children, two of whom died when young. the survivors being Peter B., Louisa, Almeda, Mary O., Catherine A., George J. W. and Jaeob L. Peter and Louisa live in California, the lat- ter being the wife of William Ash; Almeda is the wife of George Ilibner. of Grundy County; Mary is the wife of Andrew Shelly, of Nebraska; Catherine and George are yet at home. and Jacob is farming in this county.
OIN R. CASEY, 31. D. The subject of this notice bears the distinction of having been a resident of Joliet for the long period of thirty years. He came to Will County. when the city where he now resides was little more than a hamlet and while watching its growth and progress, he has been no unimportant factor in bringing it to its present condition. As a physi- cian and surgeon, he has made for himself a good record, while at the same time he has been promi- nent in local affairs and now represents the Second Ward as a member of the City Council.
A native- born citizen of the Prairie State, Dr. Casey was born January 28, 1835, in the town of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County. The name of his father. Zadok Casey, was familiar to the people of Illinois over fifty years ago. he having been Lieu- tenant-Governor of the State. The mother bore the maiden name of Rachael King. The parents were natives of Kentucky and are now deceased. Their family consisted of seven children, four now living.
The subject of this notice pursued his studies in the common schools until a youth of sixteen years, and was then admitted as a student of MeRendree College at Lebanon, Ill. After completing his studies in this institution he began reading medi- cine under the instruction of Dr. Charles A. Pope,
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of St. Louis, Mo. When sufficiently advanced he entered in 1857. Pope's Medical College. from which in due time he was graduated. equipped with the knowledge necessary to enter upon the duties of his chosen calling.
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The young physician commenced the practice of his profession at Olney, Richland County, this State, but remained there only a comparatively short time, removing in 1859 to Joliet, of which he has since been a resident. In the meantime he has built up an extensive and luerative practice and has become widely and favorably known to the people of Will County. Ile was Physician and Surgeon at the Penitentiary for a period of ten years. He is prominently connected with the Will County Med- ical Society. of which he was at one time the President.
Dr. Casey was married JJune 10. 1863, at the bride's home in Joliet. Ill .. to Miss Ada Vander- pool, a native of New York City. Of this union there were born four children, all of whom are liv- ing and at home. namely: Florida, who remains with her father; Willis; Dwight, who is attending school in Delafield. Wis., and Laura, who is pursu- ing her studies in Hannibal. Mo. Mrs. Ada Casey departed this life at her home in Joliet. July 4. 1881. The Doctor, politically. is a stanch Demo- crat and he finds his religious home in Christ Episcopal Church, of Joliet.
place among the thrifty, well-to-do agricul- turists of Will County, and his well-man- aged farm in Channation Township attests to bis skill and success as a farmer. Our subject was born in the Province of Bradenburg, about eighty miles east of Berlin, Germany. November 2, 1829. Ilc was there reared and received excellent educational advantages, his father desiring him to attend col- lege. Our subject did not care for that. however. as his ambition lay in another direction. and shortly after his marriage. in 1856, to Miss Hattie Sabath. he came to America to try his fortunes in this land of promise. lle first went to Milwaukee and from
there to Watertown, Wis,, where he was actively engaged in farming for eight years. In 1861 he took a trip to Jefferson City, Mo., to survey the country with a view to locating in that vicinity. Ile lived there a year but as it was during the war he found it not a very agreeable abiding place and wished to move where he could secure greater freedom. He was a member of the militia, and while serving he was taken seriously ill. and as soon as able came to JJoliet and was sick there for sev- eral months, but under the skillful care of Dr. Hays he recovered in the spring and then went on a farm on the same section where he now lives. renting it for awhile. In 1868 his wife bought twenty acres of land which they still own. But he did not think it sufficient for a farm, and in 1870 he bought the eighty acres adjoining, on which he has built up a roomy and substantial home. His house and barn are the result of his own handiwork. as he was al- ways very proficient in the use of tools, and while living in Missouri followed the trade of a carpenter. After coming here Mr. Krause had the misfortune to lose his wife, as she died after giving birth to their only daughter, Minnie, who is now the wife of John Hobner, of JJackson Township. Our sub- jeet was again married, taking for his wife Miss Sophia Fritz. of Watertown, Wis, and she has been a faithful helpmate to him. She came from the same part of Germany as himself, originally. They have no children of their own. but two of Mrs. Krause's neices have a home with them. Alvina and Lena Druhiam. children of Mrs. Krause's sister.
Mr. Krause is a very intelligent gentleman and KRAUSE occupies a prominent and worthy | is well posted in all the current events of the day. lle and his wife are whole-souled, kind-hearted peo- ple, and their pleasant home, about eight miles from Joliet, is the seat of true hospitality. Although of foreign birth, Mr. Krause takes a patriotic interest in his adopted country and is a Republican in pol- ities. his experience with the Democratic party hav- ing been such as to make him lose confidence in its methods from the start. He says. while in Milwaukee. when Buchanan was running for the Presidency, the Democratic politicians tried to make him vote in the Sixth Ward. although he was not a resident of that part of the city and was not. in fact, a legal voter, not having ob-
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tained his naturalization papers. Another German asked him why he would not vote, and remarked that he had voted six times that day and got a glass of beer each time. When Lincoln was the Presidential candidate, our subjeet was a legal voter and was at that time working for a Democrat. Both being busy in the cornheld they paired off, each agreeing not to vote. Towards evening his employer made an excuse to go to the house, and there got on a swift horse. rode to town and voted just before the polls closed. thus cheating Mr. Krause out of his vote. His personal contact with the same party during his stay in Missouri, in the excitement during the war.only served to strengthen his prejudice against it.
ENRY H. LICHTENWALTER. In noting the leading incidents in the life record of this gentleman. who is numbered among the leading men in Florence Township, we find that he was born in Stark County. Ohio. An- gust 28, 1833, and is a son of Solomon and Cather- ine ( Hane) Lichtenwalter, who were both descen- duuts of highly respectable families. Solomon Lichtenwalter was born in Adams County, Pa .. in 1797. Ile emigrated to Ohio when a young man. locating in Stark County. and secured a farm upon which he spent the remainder of his life. probably about fifty years. He was a plain, unassuming citizen. conscientious in his dealings with his fel- low-men. and one who enjoyed the esteem and comtidence of all who knew him.
The father of our subject started in life a poor boy and obtained a foothold, financially, working out by the month and day. He became well-to-do in later years, and was a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church, in whose welfare and prosperity he took a warm interest. engaging ac- tively in religious work and giving to the church a liberal support. He was one of the few who were instrumental in the erection of the church edifice in Jackson Township, Stark County, and assisted in upholding the society when at times it was liable to be dismembered. Politically. he was | Manhattan Township. besides another quarter sec-
a stanch Demoerat from the first to the last of his voting days, Fut aside from this did not meddle with public affairs. He departed this life at the old homestead in 1885. His father was Abraham Lichtenwalter. likewise a native of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. The latter died in Ohio, and his remains were laid to rest in the cem- etery in Canton.
Mrs. Catherine Lichtenwalter, the mother of our subject, was born in Lebanon County, Pa., about 1806. She died in 1860, aged about fifty- four years, in Stark County, Ohio. She was a daugh- ter of Christian Hane, a native of Pennsylvania and who spent his last years in Ohio. To the parents of our subject there was born a family of fourteen children, eight of whom lived to mature years; Samuel is a farmer and carpenter and lives at Me- Donaldsville, Ohio; Mary became the wife of Sam- uel Braucher, a farmer of Stark County, Ohio, and is deceased; Sarah is the wife of Martin Metz. a farmer and carpenter of Elwood, this county ; John. a farmer and carpenter. also lives at Elwood; William pursues the same calling in Manhattan. this State; Henry II., our subject, is the next in order of birth: Christian carries on farming and carpentering in Thayer County. Neb. ; Amanda is the wife of William Young, a farmer of Stark County. Ohio. The other six children died in infancy.
The subject of this notice was one of the younger members of the parental family, and was reared at the old homestead in his native county, where like several of his brothers, he learned both carpentering and farming. Ile re- mained with his father until 1856, then decided upon seeking his fortunes in the farther West, and coming to this county followed carpentering for a year or so. and then, about 1860, purchased eighty acres of land on section 11, Jackson Town- ship. Hle gave his attention to the improvement and eultivation of this until 1869. then removed to his present farm, which comprises two hun- dred and forty acres, and is located on section 1. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres ad- joining, the latter lying on section 6, Wilton Township, and he has eighty acres on scetion 31,
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tion elsewhere in that township. In addition he has eighty acres on section 23. Jackson Town- ship and one hundred and forty acres on section 36.
Mr. Lichtenwalter began life at the foot of the ladder and has accumulated his property by his own unaided efforts. He was made inti- mately acquainted with hard work at an early period in his life and formed the habit of econ- omy and prudence which have been the secret of his later success. Since becoming a voter he has given his allegiance to the Republican party. lle served one term as Supervisor of Florence Township, and with his family is prominently connected with the Evangelical Church.
The subject of this notice was married Sep- tember 2, 1858, to Miss Leah Geiss, of Jackson Township. This lady was born in 1838, in Lech- anon County. Pa., to John and Erb Geiss, the for- mer of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and who came to Illinois in 1851. He is still living. making his home with our subjeet.
Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lich- tenwalter, the eldest, a daughter, Martha, died when six weeks old; Orlando is unmarried and re- mains with his parents; Franklin married Miss Ella Kirkham, has two children. Floyd and Bue- lah. and is occupied at farming in Wilton Town- ship; llarvey died when twenty-five years old; Albert and Frances are unmarried and living at home; Mary and Owen died at the ages of three and two years respectively. The next child died ; at birth; John and Addie are at home.
2 ENRY C. WASSMANN is the owner and occupant of a fine property on section 25. Crete Township, consisting of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land marked with the improvements that are generally to be found on the estates of men of enterprise. A full line of substantial buildings stands upon it. and it is well stocked with farm animals and useful machinery, together with the household conveniences which properly accompany a well-arranged establishment.
This farm has been the home of Mr. Wassmann about twenty years and has been owned by him since the death of his father in 1875. He has made most of the improvements and is successfully pros- venting the labors of a general farmer.
In the Kingdom of Hanover, which forms a part of the Germanic Confederation, Christoph Wassmann. the father of our subject, was born. He married Miss Sophia Rohe, who was born and reared in the same Kingdom, and soon afterward set out with his bride for America. They landed at New York and made a settlement in the coun- try near the metropolis, but a few years later ro- moved to Lake County, Ind. Locating on a farm at Brunswick, Mr. Wassmann continued the farm labors to which he had been reared in his native land, remaining in that locality until about 1870, when he came to Ilinois. He purchased the farm now owned by his son, our subject, and here breathed his last when fifty-two years of age. Ilis wife survived him two years.dying at her home when she also was about fifty-two years old. Both were members of the Lutheran Church and well known to the best people of the township. Mr. Wassmann was a practical and hard-working farmer, and was a fine specimen of German citizenship.
Of the three children born to his parents, our subject is the only one now living. He opened his eyes to the light in the Empire State, March 17, 1850, and was quite young when his parents re- moved to Indiana, and not yet of age when they became residents of this State. His education was completed in the German schools of this county. and he assisted his father in the labors of the home, continuing the work begun by his parent, when, by that parent's death, he inherited the estate. lle follows the example and teaching of his parents in being a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, to which his estimable wife also belongs. In polities he is a sound Republican.
At the home of the bride, in this township, De- cember 10, 1874, Mr. Wassmann, of whom we write. became the husband of Miss Sophia Meier. This lady was born in this township February 20. 1851, and is the oldest daughter of John O. Meier (of whom see sketch ). She was educated in Crete and was the recipient of careful home training by her
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