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 65
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A commodious brick edifice, two stories in height and with ground dimensions 24x60 feet. was erected by Mr. Zinser in the fall of 1889, and in one of the largest and finest store-rooms in Man- hattan he now carries on a large portion of his busi- ness. He carries a full stock of the articles men- tioned at the beginning of our sketch, makes a specialty of threshers, binders and mowers, and operates a tin shop in connection with the hard- ware establishment. The building which he form- erly occupied with this department of his business, is now used by him as a furniture repository. his trade in that line having been instituted in the spring of 1890.
At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Moyer, on February 3. 1881, George Il. Zinser and Priscilla S. Moyer were joined in holy wedlock. The bride was born in Naperville, where her father was engaged in farming and whence he removed to Manhattan upon retiring from active life. She is well educated, possesses many domes- tic accomplishments and womanly virtues, and is devoted to the interests of her husband and chil- dren. The group around the fireside is made up of Royce F .. Irvin W. and Lloyd II.
Mr. Zinser received the appointment of Post-
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master in June, 1889. Hle is a member of the Vil- lage Board of Trustees and was Treasurer two years. Hle is an ardent Republican who never fails to cast his vote in behalf of the principles of his party. Hle belongs to the Evangelical Church and was formerly Superintendent of the Sunday-school. There is probably no more popular man in Man- hattan than he, and certainly none who present a better example of a self-made man.
OIIN FRANCIS. Supervisor of New Lenox Township, and one of its most substantial citizens, is a native of this township, and was born January 8, 1843. His father is the well-known Abraham Francis, a sketch of whom appears in the history of A. Allen Francis, on another page in this volume. The parental household consisted of eleven children, of whom the record is as follows: Margaret L. is the wife of N. P. Cooper, of New Lenox Township; William D). died in this township when a promising young man of twenty years; Mary A. J. is the wife of John S. Blackstone, of Kankakee, Ill .; A. Allen is a farmer of New Lenox Township; John, our sub- ject, was the next in order of birth; Lydia is the wife of W. S. Nichols, of the same township; ('lara M. died when about sixteen months old, Charles is farming in the vicinity of the old home- stead; Adeline A. is the wife of Jesse Meharry, of Tolone, Ill., a biography of whom appears in the biographical work of Champaign County: George L. is farming in New Lenox Township; Carrie D. died at the age of about thirteen years.
The subject of this notice was the fifth child of his parents, under whose careful training he devel- oped into manhood, becoming familiar with the various employments of farm life, and pursuing his early studies in the common schools. When ap- proaching manhood he took a course of study in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, then, re- turning to the farm, remained there until twenty- three years old. In the meantime he was married. in New Lenox Township, December 21, 1865, to 1
Miss H. Maria Bliss. The young couple spent the first few months of their wedded life at the old homestead, and the following year moved upon the farm where they now live.
Mrs. Francis was born at her father's old home- stead in New Lenox Township, September 5, 1846, and is a daughter of the late Abel and Lucinda (Blake) Bliss. The former was born in Wilbra- ham, Mass , February 9, 1810. His wife was born at Springfield, that State, October 14, 1816. They were married May 6, 1840, at Springfield, and soon afterward set out for the West, coming to this county, where the father secured a tract of land on section 18. New Lenox Township. He had visited Illinois abont 1837, but could not make his arrangements to locate permanently until three years after. He was successful in his farming oper- ations, built up a goodly estate and died December 25, 1883. The mother is still living at the home farm.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bliss there was born a family of seven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Mary, married John McGee, and died in Michigan; William S. died at the homestead when only twenty-five years old; II. Maria, Mrs. Francis, was the next in order of birth; Ellen J. died at the in- teresting age of nineteen years; Josephine died when about twenty-six years old; Abel is farming in New Lenox Township; Alice P. is the wife of F. A. Wetherbee, of Buchanan County, Iowa.
Mrs. Francis received careful parental training, and remained a member of her father's household until her marriage. She is now the mother of four children, the ellest of whom, John E., was gradu- ated from the Joliet High School, and is a success- ful teacher in New Lenox Township; Howard B. was also graduated from the High school at Joliet and remains under the parental roof. The two younger are llattie J. and Wilbur A. In 1871, Mr. Francis was elected Supervisor of New Lenox Township and, in 1874, was a second time elected to that office, which he has since held continu- ously. He was formerly a School Trustee, and since 1881 has held the office of School Treasurer and was also Township Collector two years. HIe is a Republican, and takes an active part in poli- ties, serving as a member of the County Central
A. allen Francis
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Committe and occupies other positions of trust and responsibility.
Aside from these duties, Mr. Francis has fol- lowed farming all his life, and for many years has made a specialty of stock-raising. and also oper- ated as a dairyman. shipping milk to Chicago. Both he and his estimable wife are members. in good standing, of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Francis formerly held the office of Secretary and Treasurer. His farm property embraces five hundred and thirty six acres of choice land in New Lenox Township, where he has made fine im- provements, being supplied with the requisite buildings, and availing himself of the most ap- proved machinery in the cultivation of his land.
Personally, Mr. Francis is looked upon as one of the leading men of his township. He is a man of progressive ideas, liberal and public spirited, and his career is indicative of the esteem and con- fidence with which he is regarded by his fellow- citizens. ITis amiable wife has been an efficient helpmate and has contributed her full quota to- ward sustaining the reputation of the family. They have one of the finest country homes in the township, one which invariably attracts the atten- tion of the passing traveler, who turns a second time to regale his eyes upon its beauty and the air of comfort and plenty which surrounds it.
ALLEN FRANCIS. The Francis family is recognized as holding a leading position among the best people of Will County. They made their advent here in the pio- heer days, and have contributed in no small degree to the development of its best resources. Their honesty, industry and enterprise proved a stimoli to those around them, while likewise maining for themselves a competence. They represent a large amount of property, and pay annually into Up county treasury a snug sum in the way of taxes. Their homes represent taste and culture, for which they have ever been distinguishsd. and their names
will go down to posterity among those who have been most honored in Northern Illinois.
In tracing the lineage of the Francis family we find their ancestors were originally from Scotland and England. During the religious persecution of 1696, they were driven from those countries and took refuge in Ireland, where two generations were born. The immediate progenitor of the subject of this sketch was the late Abraham Fran- cis, who was born in County Cavan. Ireland, Sep- tember 29, 1808, As a lad he was more than ordi- marily bright and intelligent. and at an early age evinced an ambition to do something and be some- body in the world. He had come honestly by this trait of character, as in 1816 his father had decided that he could better his fortunes in America, and accordingly sailed for the New World with his little family. They located in Brown County, Ohio, where the father died when Abraham was a youth of fifteen years.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was William Francis, also a native of County Cavan, and a farmer by occupation. Ilis chief character- isties have been his honesty and industry, as his ad- vantages were limited and he had at an early age come in contact with the sterner side of life, and was obliged to make his own way in the world from the time he was able to do so. After his death Abraham and his sisters lived together in Brown County, until the former had reached his majority. The mother had died in Ireland.
Early in the spring of 1831 Abraham Francis left the Buckeye State in company with a young German who had been in his employ, and set out on horseback for Shawnee Mound, Tippecanoe County, Ind. Thence they started on foot with their knapsacks and axes to explore the region round the headwaters of the Kankakee River. After arriving there they made canoes and floated down the river to Wilmington, where they again took terra firma and followed the Indian trail to this township. This trail led directly by the door- yard of the residence now owned by the subject of jis sketch.
Having finally chosen his location, Abraham Francis entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Government, and settled very
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nearly upon the spot where the residence of A. Allen now stands. He also "floated " another one hundred and sixty acres, which embraced the north half of the east half of section 9, New Lenox Township. Here he built a log cabin and remained until the latter part of June, 1831. Then, having business in Brown County, Ohio, he started for that region, arriving there carly in July, for the purpose of finishing up his harvesting and also to take unto himself a wife and helpmate to share his pioneer life in Illinois. The wedding occurred October 4 following, the bride being Miss Mary A. J. Davison, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, March 17, 1815. She was thus less than seventeen years old at the time of her marriage. Her father, William Davison, was a native of Adams County, and the maiden name of his wife was Mary Ingraham. Subsequently they removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where they died and were buried in the old Meharry graveyard.
Soon after their marriage Abraham Francis and his bride set out for their new home in Illinois, reaching their destination November 16. Upon their arrival they found things entirely different from what they expected, and in consequence were obliged to send back a part of their stock to Tippecanoe County, Ind .. to be wintered. Mr. Francis had engaged a mon to put up a large quan- lity of wild hay, which he failed to do. and thus there was nothing upon which to feed the cattle. The young people began life in true pioncer style ; on the day of their arrival at their new home snow began to fall, and they did not see the bare ground again that winter. The winter of 1831-32 will be recalled as that of the great snow, amid which so many perished and which entailed so much hardship upon the settlers.
In June, 1832, the Black Hawk War broke out, and Abraham Francis was one of six men ap- pointed to investigate the report of the Indian outrages over on Fox River. When they found that the reports were true, Mr. Francis with his comrades returned home and removed his family to Shawnee Mound. Ind. This done, he returned and lent a helping hand in the conflict which fol- lowed, serving as Second Lieutenant under the command of the well-known Capt. Scissions. After
the war was over Mrs. Francis returned, and their domestic life thereafter flowed on uninterruptedly.
At one time, for three weeks during the war, Mr. Francis never saw the face of a white man, and at the expiration of this time an intimate friend of his who was stationed at Ft. Dearborn, having learned that Mr. Francis was here alone, joined him to keep him company. He arrived early one morning. just at the break of day. Mr. Francis, on account of danger, slept in the field tied to his horse, and hearing footsteps, and supposing an Indian must be near, brought his gun to a level, and was about to fire when he discovered that it was a friend instead of a foe. Rushing up to him, he clasped him in his arms, and the meeting can better be imagined than described. Mr. Francis in later years often related the incident with the tears streaming down his cheeks.
Subsequently, Mr. Francis repaired to Chicago and engaged in teaming for the Government, being there during the cholera epidemic. It is hardly necessary to state that he began in life without means, but by his great industry and per- severance he steadily advaneed on the road to prosperity, while at the same time the sterling qualities of his character were the means of bring- ing around him hosts of friends. He was a great lover of fine stock, and was uniformly prosperous at this industry and also as a tiller of the soil. I'pon the coming on of the California gold excite- ment he was exceedingly desirous of seeking his fortunes on the Pacific Slope, but refrained from making the experiment on account of the entrea- ties of his wife.
Mr. Francis. however, sent out a company to work a mine on shares, This enterprise was not successful, as the captain of the company died, and none of the men were capable of taking his place. Prior to the organization of Will County. its present territory being then included in Cook County, Mr. Francis held the office of Deputy Sheriff, and occupied other positions of trust and responsibility. He was originally a Democrat in polities, but during the war felt that he had reason to change his views, and wheeled over into the Republican ranks, being a strong supporter of the Union. Both he and bis estimable wife were lead-
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ing members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Francis departed this life at the old homestead in New Lenox Township, November 28, 1862. The wife and mother survived her husband for nearly twenty-two years, dying January 15, 1881.
To Abraham Francis and his good wife there was born a family of eleven children, five sous and six daughters. eight of whom are living. The eldest, Margaret L., is the wife of Needham P. Cooper, of New Lenox Township, and is believed to have been the first white child born within its limits; William D. died of typhoid pneumonia when a promising young man of twenty-two years ; Mary .A. J. is the wife of J. S. Blackstone, of Kan- kakee; A. Allen. our subject, was the next in order of birth; John is represented on another page in this volume; Lydia E. is the wife of William S. Niecolls, of New Lenox Township; Charles is farming in this township; Clara M. died when sixteen months old; Addie A. is the wife of Jesse Mcharry, of Tolono, Champaign County ; George L. is farming in New Lenox Township: Carrie D. di d when an interesting maiden of thirteen years.
The subject of this sketch was the fourth child of the parental household, and was born at the homestead in New Lenox Township, where he now lives. September 7. 1840. He there spent his early years, attending the common schools and assisting in the lighter labors of the farm. He completed his studies in the High School at Joliet, and started out on the journey of life well equipped by nature and training for its sterner duties.
Eight days after attaining his thirtieth year. our subject was joined in wedlock. September 15. 1870, at the bride's home in New Lenox Township, to Miss Lizzie JJ. Haven. Mr. Francis commenced his wedded life under far different circumstances from that of his honored father. being able to take his bride to a comfortable home-the old farm where they have since lived. There have been born to them five children, namely: Mary L .. Oe- tober 20, 1877; Allen M., May 17, 1881 ; Daisy II., Jannary 11. 1886; Dwight C .. September 21, IsST. and one who was born September 25. 1883, and died unnamed. They have also an adopted daugh- ter, Anna H .. born November 19. 1868. and who has been a member of the household since a child
of four years, considered as one of their own fam- ily. Their eldest son, Allen M., died of scarlet fever. June 5, 1888, when a little over seven years old.
Mr. Francis, like his honored father, during the latter's later years, is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has sig- nalized himself as one of the most liberal and public-spirited men of his township, and has con- tributed both time and means for the promotion of its hest interests. Ile was at one time President and Director of the Agricultural and Mechanical " Association of Will County, and is at present President and Director of the New Lenox Fire Insurance Company, and Trustee, General Manager and Treasurer of the Centenary Camp Meeting As- sociation, which was organized under the State law, and at present is President of the Farmers' Institute. Hle has been a School Director in his district, and Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday- school for a period of twenty years. Both he and his estimable wife are prominently connected with this church, and are numbered among its chief pillars.
Mrs. Lizzie J. (Haven ) Franeis was born in New Lenox Township, March 31. 1849, and during her childhood attended the common schools of her neighborhood. Later she became a student at Dearborn Seminary in Chicago, where she com- pleted her education. She grew to an attractive womanhood under the home roof, remaining with ber parents until becoming the mistress of her own home. Iler father, the Hon. Dwight Haven, who is represented elsewhere in this work, came to this county at an early day, and earned for himself a place among its leading citizens. His wife bore the maiden name of Helen L. Savage. She was a sister of the Hon. Amos Savage, of Homer Town- ship. and departed this life at the homestead in New Lenox Township. July 28, 1859. The per- ental family consisted of six children, five daugh- ters and one son, of whom Mrs. Francis was the ekket born.
It is an interesting fact that four of the Francis brothers and one sister live on the same highway. their farms adjoining, the sister occupying the center one. All the wives of the brothers were,
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like themselves. born in New Lenox Township. A. Allen, our subject. is the owner of one thousand acres of land, where he has fine improvements. and in addition to general agriculture makes a specialty of live stock, operating both as a breeder and dealer. In former years he also dealt largely in real estate. The dwelling which he occupies was erected by his honored father, and thus pos- sesses for him a far more than moneyed value.
We direct the reader's attention to a lithographie portrait of Mr. Francis presented in connection with his personal sketch.
HOMAS B. STANNER. In a volume of a biographical nature mention should cer- tainly be made of Thomas Stanner, who is a leading and wealthy citizen of DuPage Town- ship. His home farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land on section 18, upon which are to be seen the buildings, trees, and stock that mark it as the abode of plenty and good judgment. Another tract of eighty aeres is under equally good cultivation, and the whole constitutes an estate of which any man might well be proud.
The parents of our subject were Martin D. and Mary ( Cain) Stanner, who represented the English and Irish races respectively. They resided in Chi- cago several years, coming to Will County at quite an early date and making their home in Dul'age Township for some time. The father died in Co- Inmbus, Ohio, in 1881, and the mother at the home of our subject in DnPage Township. in 1885. They were the parents of nine children of whom those known to survive are: Thomas B ; James. a resi dent of Huron S. Dak. ; and John. whose home is in Joliet.
The gentleman of whom we write. was born in Chicago, November 11, 1837, but reared to man- hood in the county that is his present home. He was educated in the public schools of this county with a short attendance in Chicago, and has added to the knowledge obtained in boyhood by much general reading. keeping well posted on topics of interest. With the exception of a few years spent
iu the Garden City, he has lived in DuPage Town- ship and is therefore thoroughly identified with its interests and numbered among its most public- spirited citizens.
On February 25, 1863, Mr. Stanner was united in marriage with Miss Anna Dixon, daughter of Martin and Mary Dixon, formerly of Lockport, but now deceased. Mrs. Stanner is a worthy wo- man who has devoted her life to the-care and com- fort of her family, and been found ready for neighborly deeds of kindness as occasion demanded. She has borne a large family, of whom the follow- ing survive: Fannie, wife of John Matthews, of Joliet; Nellie, Thomas, John, James and Lulu.
The fine estate owned by Mr. Stanner is the best record regarding his enterprise and good manage- ment, and the fact that he has been Justice of the Peace for many years shows that he is well re- spected by his fellow-men. He is independent in polities, aiming to east his vote for the man of highest character and ability, in whatever party he may be found. He is a communieant of the Roman Catholic Church, and belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, being enrolled in Lodge No. 65, at Lockport. He also belongs to the DuPage Grange Lodge and to the Vigilance Society of the town- slup. Ilis administration of the affairs that have come before him as a Justice has given him popu- larity and does credit to himself and constituents. Ilis father and brother Patrick were soldiers in the late war, and his father was also a member of the regular army before the war.
AMES BIGGINS. Among those who within the past decade have joined the "sheeted na- tions of the dead" leaving behind them a memory that will endure, is the gentleman whose cognomen heads this sketch. He was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, May 11. 1822. and died in Du Page Township, Will County, Ill., June 15, 1881. His life had been marked by no great events or striking experiences. but his days had been spent in such industrious labors and quiet pursuance of duty as to secure the esteem of all who knew
-
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him and cause his demise to be regretted by a large cirele.
Mr. Biggins was reared to the age of eighteen years in the land of his birth. receiving a fair cdu- cation and acquiring some knowledge of the art of tilling the soil to which he devoted Ins life. So successful were his labors that be left a valuable estate upon which his widow now lives. His only capital was his strong hands and natural abilities, by a zealous use of which he won success. He was a Democrat. although he did not confine bis vote to the party candidates but gave it to the man whom he though best qualified to fill official sta- tion. Ile was a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Lockport.
For nearly half a century prior to his death Mr. Biggins had resided in Will County, to which he came direct from the East on emigrating from the Land of the Shamrock. When called hence he was not only missed by his immediate family, but by his neighbors and many acquaintances through- out the county where he was known as a public- spirited aund rehable citizen. To his family he was a good provider, to his companion a kind and lov- ing husband and to his children an affectionate and indulgent father.
The marriage of Mr. Biggins and Miss Catherine Prior was celebrated February 9, 1861. Mrs. Big- gins was born in Ireland and is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church; she is active, capable and kindly. holding a due measure of regard from neighbors and acquaintances. She owns two hun- dred and forty acres of land onder good cultiva- tion and the most of it well improved. Of the six children whom she bore her husband, four are now living. These are Eugene. James. Edward and William ; the deceased are George and Mary. The sons belong to the chure i to which their parents consecrated them in infancy.
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James Biggins was accompanied to America by his brother Owen, who also settled in Du Page Township, his farm adjoining that of James. He was an industrions, honest and law- abiding citi- zen. He departed this life April 19. 1>85. It is safe to say that at no period in the history of the Emerald Isle have more diligent, law- abiding and God-fearing men emigrated from |
her shores than the brothers James and Owen Big- gins. For years to come their memory will be green in the hearts of those who knew and re- vered them. as is the isle that gave them birth, and their worthy lives may well be emulated by future generations.
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