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 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
340
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
=
parents. acquiring useful and upright habits. Her union with our subject has been blessed by the birth of seven chiklren. and none of the interesting group are missing from the home. They are named respectively : Millie, John, Herman, Ada. Henry, Frederick and Louis.
IMON MILLER, a prominent citizen of Monee Township, has hell an important place among the business men of Will County for several years, and has aided in putting it upon a sound financial basis, and is one of its best civic officials. He was born in Kaiser3- Lautern, in the Province of Bavaria, October 9. 1834, his birthplace being near the River Rhine. Ilis parents. George and Veronika ( Imhoff ) Miller). were both natives of Bavaria. the father born Sep- tember 10, 1800, and the mother May 1, 1801. They came to the United States in the spring of 1819. and located in Cook County, living in Chi- cago for three or four years. Mr. Miller was su - perintendent of a large lumber trade in the okl country, and subsequently was in the grocery busi- ness on the southeast corner of Clinton and Madi- son Streets. Ile bought a building on Clark Street for $50, and moved it across the river, about 1850, the removal being made on a flat-boat; the build- ing is still standing in Chicago. Mr. Miller then took up his residence in the town of Richton, where his death occurred. He and his wife were con- sistent members of the Evangelical Protestant Church. and took an active part in its work. They bad ten children, and the following seven came to the I'nited States: Catherine, Frederick, Adam, Simon, Lena, Louisa and Henrietta.
established himself in the general merchandising business, and was extensively engaged in buying grain, under the firm name of Tatge. Miller & Her- bert. They were together some years, but after 1877 he was alone. In September, 1888, he turned over his business, which had greatly increased un- der his able management, to his son and son-in-law. Ile has acquired a good deal of valuable property. He owns two farms, containing two hundred aeres, in Will County, and has an interest in his former business, owning two elevators. He is also the pro- prietor of the store buikling, and has a fine resi- dence and a store where he lives, besides has property in Chicago, on the corner of Webster and Burling Streets, also a building on Orchard Street, and has residence property in that eity worth about 825,000.
Mr. Miller has built up a beautiful home, and the lady who presides over it became his wife January 19, 1856, the ceremony that made them one being performed in Chicago. Mrs. Miller's maiden name was Elizabeth Bepperling. and she was born in New York City, February 19, 1840. the only daughter of John George and Johanna ( Paul) Bep- perling. In 1812 she came to Chicago with her parents, where the father died, and the mother married John Davis, who became a pioneer of the eity, he building the first brick house on the North Side, located near the okl Lake House. Ile was one of the charter members of the first Ma- sonic Lodge in Chicago. Ile was of English birth, and came to the United States in 1812, rather un- willingly, he having been captured by an American privateer. He took an active part in the famous Black Hawk War. He came to this country with- out any means, but at his death left a large prop- erty. The happy wedded life of our subject and his estimable wife has resulted to them in the birth of five children, two now living-Mary and George S. Their daughter is the wife of F. J. Sanchez, who was born in the same room of the same house in which our subjeet was born. His father, Franz Sanchez, was a native of the same place, the son of a Spaniard, who was an officer in the Spanish army. lle was captured by Napoleon and taken to Germany a prisoner, and after the war settled
The son. of whom we write, at fifteen years of age was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tin and coppersmith, and worked at that ten years. Then going to Richton he built the Richton House, and for three or four years was engaged as a hotel keeper. Ile then bought a fine store in Madison, which he managed till 1867, when he came to Mo- nee, and with Conrad Tatge and August Herbert | there. He subsequently came to the I'nited States,
511
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and passed the remainder of his life in lowa. Some of his children bore an honorable part in the late war.
1
Mr. Miller has had the making of his own for- tune, as he began life without a dollar he could call his own. By the quiet force of persistent effort. directed by wise discretion and constant de- votion to duty. he has left poverty far behind. and to-day is a wealthy man. with an assured income from his handsome property. He has always been closely identified with the public life of Will County since he took up his residence here. While living in Richton he was Township Clerk through the war, at Madison he was Postmaster. and since coming here he has borne a prominent part in the management of the public affairs of township and county. He served as a member and also as the President of the Board of Trustees a number of years, and is now serving his third term as Super- visor of Monee, and is one of the most able men holding that office on the County Board. In poli- ties he has ever been a firm Democrat of the Doug- las order. and his high standing in the county is apparent when it is considered that he is the rep- resentative of a Republican stronghold.
W. SLAUGHT, M. D. During the com- paratively brief time in which Dr. Slaught has been located in Joliet. having settled here in September, 1888, he has built up a fine practice, and is rapidly acquiring an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon. He is com- paratively a young man, having been born Jaly 6, 1855, and his native place is in the vicinity of Watkin's Glen, N. Y. His father, AAbram Slaught, was also a native of the Empire State, where he was reared to manhood and married to Miss Helen Hanley, of Schuyler County.
The mother of our subject was born and reared near the childhood home of her husband. The father is a farmer by occupation and was also the proprietor of a foundry and machine shop at Wat- kin's Glen. A. W., our subject, sojourned there with his parents until a youth of sixteen years. at-
tending the public schools. He then entered Col- gate Academy an'l later was a student of Madison University, from which he was duly graduated. For two years afterward he was employed in the Ilamilton post-office, but in the meantime he util- ized his leisure hours in the study of medicine. Later he emigrated to Marquette, Mich., where he engaged in teaching and in other occupations, but all this time he had in view the medical profession and for this he labored.
In due time young Slanght. to his great satisfac- tion, entered the Chiengo Homeopathie Medical College, becoming a member of the class of '83. and while pursuing his studies also engaged in practice and as a nurse, finally filling the position of professional nurse for some time in Chicago. lle was graduated from the above-named institution in February. 1887. and for a time thereafter at- tended to the business of one of the old physicians who was away on his vacation. Subsequently he repeated the same at Braidwood. this county. and in the meantime he visited his mother in Florida, where her death took place in April, 1889; she was then seventy-one years oldl.
Epon coming to Joliet Dr. Slaught engaged in practice with Dr. Campbell, one of its oldest and most prominent physicians and they made a spe- cialty of the diseases of women, doing at the same time a large amount of surgical work. This part- nership still continues. although Dr. Campbell is at present ( 1890) in California. Dr. Slaught, socially. belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellow>, of Joliet, and it is predicted that not only as a phy- sician and surgeon, but as a member of the com- munity. he is destined in the near future to make his mark.
-
ICHAEL RAAPPLE. The farming com- munity of Joliet Township recognizes a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, who pursnes the even tenor of his way at a well-developed farm on section 7, and who exercises a considerable influence in his com- munity. He is looked upon as one of its most re- liable men, and has held the various local offices,
542
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
serving as Commissioner of Highways six years. also as School Director, and in politics is a Demo- crat. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, to which he and his estimable wife belong. attending services at Joliet.
In noting the antecedents of our subject we find that he is the son of Samuel Rapple, a native of what was then the French Province of Alsace, but which now belongs to Germany. The mother bore the maiden name of Barbara Anser. She was a native of 'the same village as her husband, where they were married and lived for several years after- ward. In 1816 they decided upon emigrating to America. and crossed the Atlantic in the spring of the year, coming directly to Will County, Ill., and settling in JJoliet. The father occupied himself as a farmer, and died there in the spring of 1867. The mother survived her husband a number of year . dying at the home of her son. our subject, about 1885.
:
To Samuel Rapple and his good wife there was born a family of five children, the eldest of whom was he whose name heads this sketch. He was a native of the same province as his parents, and was born August 25. 1833. He was a lad of thirteen years when the family emigrated to America, and he sojourned with them about four years thereafter. In the spring of 1850, when a youth of seventeen Years, he started for California, joining the caravan which was hastening thither in search of gold. After an absence of about eighteen months he was content to return home. and thereafter followed the peaceful pisuits of farm life. In addition to this he has also been considerably interested in buying and shipping horses, especially during the war and for some time afterward.
Mr. Rapple was married, in Chicago, Il., Sep- tember 4, 1853. to Miss Antoinette Trentel. This lady was also a native of the Province of Alsace, and was born May 7. 1832. ller parents were of German ancestry, and are now deceased. She came to America with her parents about 1816, and of her mion with our subject there have been born six children. viz .: Teresa. Louisa, Mary ( the wife of John Kiep), William. Anna and Joseph. The five unmarried children remain at home with their parents. Mr. Rapple, about 1867, purchased his
present farm, which comprises two hundred and sixty acres of choice land, upon which he has effected good improvements. Ile has been indns- trious, frugal and temperate, and has acquired a competency.
ILLIAM LYNK. The village of New Lenox has been the home of this gentle- man since 1873, at which time he removed from the farm on which he had been residing. Ile was born in Columbia County, N. Y. September 20. 1824, and came to this county with his father. The parental history is included in the sketch of Stanton Lynk, which will be found elsewhere in this book. Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, he of whom we write took to him- self a wife September 16, 1851, the marriage eer- emony being performed at the bride's home in New Lenox Township.
The lady who became the wife of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Chastina Rugg. She belongs to a most honorable family and in her own person exhibits many estimable qualities and womanly virtues. She was born in Winhall, Bennington County, Vt., September 4, 1834, and is the eldest of three children born to her parents. ller wedded life was begun near the village of New Lenox and for over twenty years she and her hus- band remained upon their rural estate.
The father of Mrs. Lynk was Jason Rugg, a native of New Hampshire. born August 15, 1806, and her mother was Lydia Mellen, who was born in the town of Winhall. Bennington County, Vt., November 19. 1809. The couple were mar- ried in 1832, and at once settled in Bennington County, of the Green Mountain State, where they remained four years. They then changed their residence to Will County, Ill., making their home in New Lenox Township, where Mr. Rugg departed this life February 10, 1873. lle was a Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, known and honored of men for his upright character, reliable citizenship, and active intelligence. He belonged to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and took an active part
Rev lePosten
545
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
in the good work of that organization. His widow is identified with the same religious body. Beside Mrs. Lynk of this notice, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Rugg included John J., who lives in South Evanston. Cook County, born September 16, 1838, and Olivia O .. wife of Tunis Lynk, who died in New Lenox, June 19, 1881. John J. Rugg, married Jane Simmons, October 11, 1860. and lived on the old home place until 1889, when he moved to Evanston and is now engaged in the real-estate business in the city of Chicago.
R EV. CHRISTOPHER PATRICK FOSTER. Pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. of Joliet. was born in Manchester, England, August 24, 1855. He is a son of Edward and Mary JJ. ( Haley ) Foster, natives of Ireland who came to America in 1865. Their first home in the I'nited States was at Rushville, Ind., whence they removed to Indianapolis, where the father has gained prominence as a merchant tailor. He has a large establishment of his own. employing quite a number of men, turning out excellent work, and conducting his affairs according to the most honor- able business methods. He is the father of seven children, of whom Father C. P. Foster is the first- born.
Father Foster began his studies in 1870. at Bard- stown, Ky .. in the ohl ecclesiastical establishment of that place so justly celebrated among Catholics for its thoroughiness. From there he went to the Jesuit College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1871. after- ward entering Mt. St. Mary's Seminary of the West, in Cincinnati, where he completed his studies, hav- ing attended there nine years. He then spent a year as an instructor in the advanced course of rhetoric and belles lettres at Bourbonnais Grove. Kankakee County, Ill., in St. Viateur's College, an institution ranking among the best in the State.
On June 24, 1881, Father Foster was appointed Assistant Priest at St. John's Church. at the corner of Eighteenth and Clark Streets. Chicago, under the venerated and respected Rev. John Waldron. one of the oldest and most honored priests of the arch-
diocese. He received his appointment as pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, in Joliet, and assumed charge of the parish, September 28, 1888. His ser- vices are recognized as earnest and faithful, and he is doing a fine work among his people. Respect is entertained for him by all classes, his scholarly attainments making him a fit companion of the cultured people of Joliet, and his devotion to the work which he has taken up commanding admir- ation.
A lithographie portrait of Father Foster will be noticed elsewhere in this volume, and will be valued not only among his own parishoners, but by all who know him.
EOPOLD NEUER. This gentleman has been a resident of Joliet since 1873, and ranks among her successful citizens. He owns productive property and is largely interested in building and loan stock. He is a sou of George and Walpurga Neuer, and was born in Bavaria, Germany. June 8, 1829. In his native land he followed the trade of a wagon-maker, but during the last six years of his life in Germany the hard- ships and privations of a soldier were his portion, his time being spent in the army. On the 24th of February. 1857. he landed in New York, drawn thither by glowing accounts of the possibilities of- fored in the New World and thoroughly tired of the rigors and contracted opportunities of the old.
Going directly to Chicago, Mr. Neuer took up his trade of wagon-making, but after three months went to Manistce, Mich .. and worked in a sawmill. Returning to Chicago he succeeded in spending what money he had accumulated. after which his next move was to go upon a farm, where he re- mained until after the breaking out of the Civil War. Moved by patriotic impulses which strongly contrasted with the feelings which were his when he entered the military service of the Fatherland, he enlisted November 1. 1862. in the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. After eleven months spent with that command he re-enlisted as a member of Bat-
546
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
tery D. First Illinois Artillery. With this com- mand he remained nineteen months. making a good record as a soldier, his previous discipline in the German army being of avail in giving bim a vivid understanding of orders and a readiness in fulfill- ing thein which a raw recruit would scarcely have. Wherever his battery was engaged there he was found always ready for duty.
After the war was over Mr. Neuer returned to Chicago, where in 1865, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Eichorn. He opened a saloon in Madi- son. Cook County, but in a few years took up his abode in Joliet. Ile belongs to Bartelson Post, No. 6, G. A. R., to the Sharp-shooter's organiza- tion, and to the Kreiger-Verein or German Soldier society.
HOMAS 11. HUTCHINS. The business of a patent solicitor is one requiring a thorough understanding of the methods of procedure, and the duties of which are not generally under- taken by the ordinary attorney. Of this Mr. Hutchins makes a specialty and has established therein a wide and enviable reputation. He is thoroughly equipped for this line of practice, hav- ing a large library of works bearing on this special branch. Mr. Hutchins is however engaged in a large general law practice, and gives special atten- tion to probate business.
The subject of this notice, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y .. was born April 2. 1839, and is the son of William Il., and Hannah (Clements) Hlutel- ins, who were natives of New York. Ilis father, William 11. Hutchins followed merchandising in New York City until 1848. then came to this county and engaged in various speculations, dealing largely in real estate. lle was a good finaneier, attended strictly to business, and accumulating a competence. Ile departed this life in JJuly, 1877. The wife and mother survived her husband a num- ber of years, her death occurring February 22, 1890, at the home of her daughter in Girard, Kan., while on a visit. her home being in Wichita. Kan. The parental family included seven child- ren, viz: Thomas II., our subject : George E., who
was słain at Winchester during the Civil War; Sarah E., who died at Joliet in 1863; Anna M., Mrs. Harder, a resident of Lockport, this eounty; Mary E., Mrs. Byrnes. of Colorado; Jennie, Mrs. Gaylord of Girard, Kan., and William J., a Patent Attorney, of Wiehita, Kan.
Mr. llatchins acquired his education in the cities of Joliet and Chicago, attending in the latter the famous Douglas University, from which he was graduated in April, 1861. Soon afterward return- ing to Joliet, he entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has since continuously prose- cuted. Ile pursued his first law studies in the office of Parks & Elwood, Joliet, Ill., in 1857, and subse- quently he studied under R. E. Barber, where he was engaged in keeping abstracts of titles and where he largely obtained his knowledge and ex- perience in this business.
The wedded life of Mr. Hutchins began Deeem- ber 6,1866, when he was joined in marriage with Miss Nancy J .. daughter of Hugh Bolton. of Plainfield, this county. This union bas resulted in the birth of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely; Kate C., Laura E. Raymond, and Leonard B. Mr. Hutchins cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has sinee continued his allegiance to the Republican party. And for many years he has been a recognized leader of the party in Illinois.
R. JOHN E. HOGAN. The life of this gentleman has been too short to give the biographical writer much to do in outlining it, but it affords the promise of filling an extended sphere of usefulness should life be spared. Pos- sessing a classical education, the quickness of per- ception and keen wit which are so characteristic of the better class of the Celtic raee, and having had his faculties of mind thoroughly cultivated, Dr. Ilogan is one who could make bis mark in society; and when added to this we find a thorough knowl- edge of medicine and surgery, we are safe in pre- dieting an honorable and successful career for this young member of the Joliet medical fraternity.
The parents of our subject are John and Cather-
547
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
ine (Glackin) Hogan, of County Meath, Ireland, whence they came to America. the father in 1840. and the mother a few years later. Three of their children are yet living and six died in infancy. The survivors are : The Rev. J. E. Hogan, of Harvard, Ill .; Mary, who lives with her brother in Harvard; and John E .. of this sketch. The birth of the lat- ter took place June 22, 1863, in Joliet, and he received his primary education in the parochial schools. He then spent two years in the public schools, after which he entered St. Francis' Semi- nary at Milwaukee. After a year spent at that in- stitution he was sent to Bourbonnais Grove, Kan- kakee. under the Franciscan Order. where he pursued his studies four years. completing a classi- cal course and leaving the institution with a well- drilled mind and a memory stored with knowledge.
Having determined to devote himself to the medieal profession, Mr. Hogan entered the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1887. Ile at once opened an office in Joliet, but a twelvemonth later removed to Olivia, Minn .. and after a year spent in that place returned to the city of his nativity in which be desires to make his future home. Dr. Hogan is a Catholic and belongs to the Democratic party.
OHN SHUTTS. After long years spent in agricultural pursuits, the subject of this sketch has retired from the labors of life and is passing his declining years in a peaceful enjoyment of the comforts of life, surrounded by friends whom he has gained by his upright character, and blessed by the love of children whom he has reared to honorable and useful manhood and woman- hood. He is the possessor of one of the finest estates which Joliet Township boasts, comprising about two hundred and ten acres on section 22. Upon it he has erected substantial and adequate accomoda- tions for man and beast. together with such other buildings as are needful to shelter the crops which are raised; he has also done such work in the way of fencing and tree culture as the best farmers
undertake, all the trees to be seen near his fine home having been planted by himself.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth in a fam- ily of cleven children born to Henry and Catherine (Seism) Shutts. Both the parents were natives of Columbia County, N. Y., and there passed away. At Livingston the eyes of our subject opened to the light. September 9, 1814. He grew to manhood on his father's farm. making it his home until he was twenty-four years ofl. In the meantime he had secured as good an education as could be obtained in the schools of the vicinity, together with a thor- ough knowledge of agriculture, and had become possessed of excellent habits and fine principles.
I'pon leaving the parental roof Mr. Shutts lo- cated upon a farm near his early home, remaining upon it three years when he traded for one in Uls- ter County and removed there. For fourteen years he was identified with the interests of that section. leaving it in the fall of 1855, to take up his resi- dence in Will County. Ill. Choosing the location which has since been his home he renewed the la- bors in which he had formerly been engaged, soon becoming known among the old settlers as a farmer of progressive ideas, a citizen of public spirit and steadfastness. and a man of genial. hospitable na- ture and upright character.
Among the very carly settlers of Columbia County. N. Y., were Mr. and Mrs. Cole. To thein was born a daughter Catherine, who grew to ma- turity in possession of a noble character. an intelli- gent mind, and the disposition and manners which made her companionship desired and fitted her to become a true helpmate for the man of her choice. The good qualities of this young lady won the re- gard of John Shutts and after a successful wooing they were united in marriage at her home. Their happy wedded life was terminated December 21. 1878. when the loving wife and devoted mother was removed from her sorrowing household by the hand of death.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shutts nine children were born, seven of them being yet alive. Catherine A. is the wife of Thomas Tait of JJackson Township; Henry is a lawyer in Oregon, Mo .; Samuel is a farmor in Joliet Township; John Jr., lives on his father's farm; Cassius is a resident of Rooks County,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.