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 69
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Mr. Doescher took up civil life as a farmer in his native county, also carrying on a tubular-pump business until August. 1871, when he came to Will County and became a resident of Endor. In the meantime. in 1870, be had taken a companion in Miss Henrietta Weber. their marriage being cele- brated near his birthplace. Mrs. Doescher is of Hanoverian parentage, but is herself a native of the I'nited States, having been born in Wisconsin. on the 26th of March, 1849. Her parents resided in the Empire State for some time after their emigra- tion from Germany, afterward going to Wisconsin and still later to Illinois. Both are now deceased, their bodies resting in the cemetery at Dalton. Ill. Mrs. Doescher is an energetic, intelligent woman who was educated in Wisconsin, and is looking
well to the ways of her household and the training of the children that have been given her. The family circle includes two sons and two daughters named respectively: Otto II. 11., Tilda, Ida and Henry H. Mr. Doescher bas been School Treasurer for years, his financial ability and strict integrity being recognized by his fellow-men. He is a sound Republican in polities, never failing to deposit his vote on election day.
ILLIAM WEHMHOFER. The German- American citizens of Will County form a portion of its most substantial and reliable element and have contributed largely to the de- velopment of its agricultural resources. The sub- ject of this notice owns and occupies his father's old homestead to the original acreage of which he has added.until he now has two hundred and twenty aeres of cultivated land and twenty-eight acres of timber. This is finely located on section 15. and has been his home sinee his boyhood.
Mr. Webmhofer was born in the Province of llesse-Cassel, Germany, December 29. 1841, and came when a boy with his parents to the United States. They settled at onee in this county where the father first secured eighty acres of land and later doubled the amount from which he opened up a fertile farm and where he spent the closing years of his life. The homestead became the property of our subject in 1875, and he has effected additional improvements so that it has beeome the source of a handsome income, making the proprietor inde- pendent, financially.
William Wehmhofer, Sr., was also a native of Hesse-Cassel and was of pure German stock as far back as the records go. The paternal grandparents spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. William Sr., learned the trade of a blacksmith which his fa- ther followed before him and also most of his brothers. William after reaching his majority, was married in his native province to Miss Mary Wilkening, who was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband. They remained
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there until after the birth of their eldest child, the subject of this sketch, and then about 1846 set out for America, embarking at Bremerhaven, and after a safe voyage, landing in New York City. Thence they proceeded to Chicago and shortly afterward to Will County. The father established a shop in Crete and operated this a number of years before settling upon his farm. He died in 1875, aged sixty-three years. He was an honest and industri- ous man, making a good living for his family, and by his straightforward dealings with his fellow- citizens earned their confidence and esteem. He had- been reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church to which he faithfully adhered and to which he gave liberally. Upon becoming a voting citizen, he identified himself with the Republican party of whose principles he was a warm supporter.
The mother of our subject is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Crete. Al- though seventy years old she is bright and active and from ber youth has been a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. William was the only son of the family and has four sisters living. all being married and settled in comfortable homes.
Mr. Welunhofer after reaching man's estate was married in Crete Township to Miss Mary Brandts. Mrs. Wehmhofer, like her husband, is a native of llesse-Cassel, Germany, and was born in 1850. Her parents Christoph and Minnie (Schwake) Brandts, were also of German birth and parentage and when their daughter was a young lady eighteen years old emigrated to America and coming to Will County, settled in Washington Township. They are still living and both have attained their three- score years. They are most excellent and worthy people and consistent members of the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Wehmhofer was the second born in a fam- ily of six children, all of whom are living and with one exception all are married. She was reared and educated in her native province, being more than ordinarily bright and intelligent and was a young lady of eighteen years when coming to the United States, being about the first member of the family to leave the Fatherland for America. She was joined by her parents and the other children one year later. She has proven an efficient helpmate
to her husband and they are the proud parents of six bright children, all of whom are at home and named respectively. Sophia, Mary, Emma, Anna, William Jr., and Henry. Our subject and his esti- mable wife are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Wehmhofer like his hon- ored father, is a sound Republican.
R OBERT GOUDY is one of those to whom DuPage Township owes its present highly cultivated and developed condition. He came hither in 1843 and well remembers the time when settlements were "few and far between" and Chicago, then but a small town, was the depot for supplies and the market for grain. To that now wonderful city he went for several years as the trading center.
The parents of our subject were Alexander and Jane ( Wallace) Goudy, natives of Scotland and Ireland, respectively, who came to America about 1818. They located in the Province of Ontario, then Lower Canada, but after a short time removed to Vermont and still later to Essex County, N. Y., where they lived about a quarter of a century. They finally came to Illinois in 1845 and died in Will County, full of years. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom the only survivors are our subject and a sister Jennie, wife of George W. Potter. of this county.
Mr. Goudy, of whom we write, was born in the Dominion of Canada, January 2, 1822, but reached his majority while living on a farm in Essex County, N. Y. He received but a limited educa- tion in the district schools there and advanced his knowledge by attending school one winter after he came to Illinois. Ile has endeavored by much reading to overcome the deficiencies and keep up with the times in information regarding current events and topics of general interest.
The greater part of Mr. Goudy's life has been devoted to farm work, although he learned a trade in his youth. When eighteen he became a black- smith but followed the trade only four years. For seven years he was lock-tender on the Illinois &
USD Barry
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Michigan Canal, two and a half miles north of Loekpert, HI .. and for two years ran a boat for Norton & Co., of Lockport. The rest of his life has been given to agricultural labors. He came to Illi- nois in 1813, and for several years worked as a farm hand by the month. The estate of one hun- dred and twenty acres he now owns has been se- cured by industry and persevering efforts and placed under good cultivation by the owner, whose merited success is a matter of rejoicing to his many friends.
On the 15th of October, 1818. Mr. Goudy led to the hymeneal altar Miss Ophelia Welch, a native of Ohio, whose estimable qualities had won his re- gard. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of four children, and the parents have been called upon to part with three-William 11., Mary, and Charles R. The living child, Julia, is the wife of J. E. Davis, and they make their home with our subject. Mr. Goudy has served as School Director and as Township Highway Commissioner a number of years, with credit to himself and those who placed him in office. He is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are now in the prime of life, en- joying the fruits of useful and well spent years, surrounded by friends and well-wishers, whose ro- speet they have gained by their honest endeavors and kindly spirit.
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INCENT L. D. BARNEY. Among the honored pioneers of New Lenox Township, none are more worthy of mention than Mr. Barney, a portrait of whom is presented on the opposite page. Without perhaps making any great stir in the world, be has acquitted himself as an honest man and a good citizen. and possesses those kindly traits of character which have drawn around him hosts of friends. In no less manner has the lady, who for a period of twenty-two years has been the sharer of his earthly for- tunes, earned the esteem and confidence of the community. Their home is one of the most lios- pitable in the county, and is the frequent resort of
the friends whom they have attracted to them during their long residence in this county.
In noting the parental history of our subject we find that his father, Perus Barney, was a native of New York State, and married Miss Eleeta Morton, who was born ard reared near the early home of her husband. After uniting their lives and for- tunes they settled near Watertown, N. Y., and thence, in 1836, emigrated to Illinois, and for several years lived in the vicinity of Babcock's Grove, DuPage County. Their next removal was to Waukegan, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was called hence October 28. 1877, and the mother September 29, 1885. There was born to them a family of seventeen children, two of whom died unnamed in infancy, and ten of whom are yet living ( May, 1890.)
The subject of this sketch was the second child in the family, and first opened his eyes to the light May 19, 1823, in Rutland, near Watertown, N. Y. Ile was thirteen years of age when his parents came to Illinois. The family left their Eastern home in 1836, taking passage on a schooner for Milwaukee. The latter city was reached June 21, and after remaining there about two months, on the 15th of August they left for DuPage County, Ill. They traveled in a primitive manner, with three yoke of oxen and two wagons, camping for the night wherever darkness overtook them. On arriving at their destination they settled in a shanty about fourteen feet square, and there lived until the following summer, when they erected and moved into a new house. DuPage County con- tinned to be their home for eighteen years, during which period six of the children married. The remainder of the family then removed to Lake County, Ill., and since then the remaining children, with the exception of the youngest, have settled down in homes of their own in different States.
I'nder the parental roof our subject grew to a stalwart manhood, and at the age of twenty-six prepared to establish a home of his own. He was then married, JJune 17, 1849, in New Lenox Town- ship, to Miss Clarissa, daughter of Silas Parker. Clarrissa L. Parker was born February 28. 1829. in Westford Township, Chittenden County. Vt. In her eighth year she removed with her parents to
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Illinois ( then the ".Far West" ), arriving in Chicago July 1, 1836. They settled in Plainfield, Will County, Ill., where she lived about eight years, and then removed to New Lenox Township, Will County. The young people located upon the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, and here he has since uninterruptedly followed agricultural pursuits. Of this union there was born a family of seven children, the eldest of whom, a son, James, died when eighteen months old; Caroline is the wife of George MeIntyre, and they live in Chi- cago; Sarah married Iliram Summers, and they are also located in Chicago; Silas is farming in New Lenox Township; Charles is a resident of Wilmington, this State; Emma lives in Chicago; Clara is at home with her father. Mrs. Clarissa Barney departed this life at the homestead April 17,1865.
Our subject contracted a second marriage Octo- ber 1, 1867, at Chicago, with Miss Sarah Ann, daughter of the late Archibald Clybourne, of that city. Mrs. Sarah Barney was born March 24, 1830, in Chicago, where she received her education and was reared to womanhood. Mr. Clybourne was a butcher by trade, and one of the prominent business men of the city. There is living of this union only one child, a son, Archibald. Maggie and Mary died in infancy. Mr. Barney's farm embraces eighty-five acres of choice land, upon which have been effected good improvements. The house is especially neat and comfortable, and with its surroundings forms a very attractive home. Mr. Barney gives his uniform allegiance to the Repub- lican party, and has served as a School Director in his district. Aside from this he has never assumed the cares and resposibilities of office.
R OBERT B. GRAVES has been closely iden- tified with the farming and stock-raising in- terests of Will County for a quarter of a century, and has been no unimportant factor in extending its agriculture, and thus in promoting the material prosperity of this part of the country. Ile owns and is successfully managing a fine farm
in Plainfield Township, that is well stocked, and is well improved in point of cultivation, and sup- plied with neat and substantial buildings. Mr. Graves is a veteran of the late war, in which he did honorable service as a brave and patriotic soldier, and in commemoration of that eventful period of his life and of his country's history he is now a respected member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, belonging to Bartleson's Post, No. 6.
Our subject's native place is among the beauti- ful hills of Orange County, Vt., in Williamstown, December 18, 1832, being the date of his birth, He comes of sterling New England stock, and his father, David Graves, was a native of Massachusetts, as was also his father. The latter removed from the old Bay State to Vermont in the early years of its settle- ment and became a pioneer of the State. The father of our subject was but a boy when his par- ents went to the Green Mountain State to hew a new home from the wilderness, and he was there reared and married, Amelia Persons, a native of that State, becoming his wife. Ile resided in Williams- town until 1845, and then came to Illinois, the re- moval being made with a team to Burlington, and thence by steamer to Whitehall, and from there by way of the Champlain and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence by lakes to Chicago, arriving there in September of that year. Ile located in Cook County, buying two hundred and fifty acres of choice land in Shaumburg, which, including improve- ments, stock and crops, cost him $2,000. Ile soon became prominent in the public life of the town and assisted in its organization, and was otherwise useful as a citizen. lle lived there ten years and then sold his farm advantageously and removed to Mellenry County, where he bought another farm, where he dwelt until 1867, when he sold that place and coming to Plainfield, died in the home of our subject at the good old age of eighty.four years. llis wife preceded him in death one year, she also having attained the venerable age of eighty-four. They reared three children: Daniel, who lives at Ashton, Dak .; Robert B .; William E., a resident of Pevely, Mo.
Robert Graves was a boy of thirteen years when he came to Illinois with his parents. Ile was reared to the life of a farmer and was actively engaged in
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this oceupation when the great rebellion broke out In 1862 he laid aside his work to take up arms in defense of his country's honor, leaving his pleasant home and many warm friends to go forth to the hardships and struggles of a soldier's life. He be- came a member of the Fifth Independent Battery of Illinois Light Artillery, and going South with his company, took part in several battles and skir- mishes with the enemy. Ile was an actor in the battle of Kingston, in the siege and capture of Knoxville, Tenn., and was at the battle at Straw- berry Plains. In the winter of 1863-61 he and his comrades were in camp in Tennessee and suffered greatly from the rigors of the cold January so well remembered by the soldiers. The men were poorly clad. not having drawn any clothing since the pre- reding April. Our subjeet was protected only by a blouse that was unlined and a thin pair of pantaloons that were nearly through at the knees. Fortunately they were in a well-wooded country, and they were enabled to keep up good fires. After the fall of Atlanta. Mr. Graves joined Thomas' command at Nashville, and during the winter went to Washing- ton, D. C., from there to Alexandria, where he embarked for Newbern, N. C., and from there marched to Wiser's Forks, and thence to Gokls- boro, where he once more came under Sherman's command, and was there when Joliston capitulated. From there his company was sent to Greensboro, and thence to Charlotte, and from there to Chi- cago, where it was discharged, July 18, 1865, after three years' faithful and honorable service.
After his military experience Mr. Graves came to Will County and rented a farm in Wheatland. and in 1868 bought his present farm, which is lo- vated one mile southeast of Plainfield Village. There are one hundred and four acres of excep- tionally fine farming land, that is under high culti- vation,is provided with all the necessary machinery, with ample buildings, and is well stocked with horses and cattle of a high grade, Morgans being his favorite in the former, and Holsteins in the latter.
Mr. Graves has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Marilla Ketchum, and they were united in marriage February 22. 1857. She was born in North Adams, Mass., and was a
daughter of Levi Ketchum. After a married life of seventeen years this devoted wife and mother was removed from the household over which she had presided so faithfully, her death occurring June 11, 1871. One son was born of her union "with our subject-Walter R. Mr. Graves was mar- ried to his present estimable wife, formerly Mari- etta King, September 15, 1875. Mrs. Graves was born in Erie County, N. Y., a daughter of Al- vin J. and Ann King. She is a good and true woman, and looks carefully after the interests of her family. The home circle is completed by the two children born to her and her husband-Alice A. and Robbie K.
Mr. Graves is a man of honor, truthfulness and strict integrity in all his business and social rela- tions, and is classed among our most useful and higfily esteemed citizens. He is publie-spirited and is actively interested in whatever will advance his adopted town. and takes part in the administra- tion of its civic affairs, doing his share to advance it materially, socially and morally. Ife is now serving his fourth term as Assessor of the town- ship, discharging the duties of his office so ably and impartially as to deserve and receive the com- mendation and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Hle is a man of sincere and liberal religious views, which find expression in the Universalist faith, and he and his family are members of the society of that denomination in Plainfield. In politics he is a staneh Republican.
E DMUND DIBBLE, a veteran in the late war in which he did good service, for which he was promoted from the ranks to the po- sition of Sergeant, has since leaving the army iden - tified himself with the sturdy, wide-awake, pro- gressive farmers of this county, his farm, lying in Troy Township, comparing favorably with any in the vicinity in regard to its appointments. Mr. Dibble was born in Lenawee County, Mich., December 25, 1838. to Isaiah and Zoey ( La Duke) Dibble. His father was a native of New York and was of German descent, while his mother
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was from Detroit, Mich., and was of French ex- traction. Our subject remained in his native place until he was twenty years of age, receiving his education in the local district school. Leaving the home of his birth he came to Kankakee, III., where he was working on a farm when the war broke out. In JJuly, 1862, he offered his services to the Government and enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. He took part in the seige of Vicksburg, battle of Champion Hills, and was at the battle of Arkansas Post on the White River. While before Vicksburg, he was detailed with others to run a mine under Ft. Ilill, in which was placed a great quantity of powder which was discharged on the 22nd of May and a charge made on the works simultaneously, the ex- plosion blowing up the whole side of the large hill on which the fort was located. Ilis regiment then did guard duty at Memphis, where Mr. Dibble, for his conduct in battle and general efficiency, was promoted to Commissary Sergeant, he being ou detatched duty at the Provost Marshal's office. While there he suffered with rheumatisin which af- terward turned to erysipelas and though he is en- titled to a pension under the law, he has never made application for one. June 27, 1865, Ser- geant Dibble was mustered out of the army, hav- ing done faithful and honorable service for the couse of his country for three long and weary years.
After his military experience our subject came to Joliet with his family of wife and one child and soon settled in Troy. In 1868, he bought one hun- dred aeres of land. to which he has since added one hundred more, all of which is under a ane state of cultivation, is amply supplied with needed buildings, and is in a flourishing condition gener- ally.
To the wife, the homemaker, who renders his home comfortable and attractive, Mr. Dibble was married at Kankakee. Mrs. Dibble's maiden name was Celia Sammons. She is the daughtor of Wil- liam T. Sammons, who had moved to Troy Town- ship while our subject was in the army. Two chil- dren have been born of this union, both of whom are now married and well settled in life. Duane was married to Miss Pinneo, a daughter of JJ. B.
Pinneo, and their children are -- Lotta Eloise, and a babe, Eugene; IIelen, married Edwin G. Fargo, who now lives in Jowa on a farm near Gilmore City, Humboldt County, and they have one child- Chester De Witt.
Mr. Dibble is a whole-souled, genial-hearted man, and the unsullied reputation that he has al- ways borne entitles him to the confidence and es- teem that is accorded him by his fellow citizens. Such is their respect for him, that although he is a strong Republican, having an active interest in politics, twice they have called him to the respon- sible office of Assessor, the town being a Demo- cratie strong-hold, throwing two Democratic votes to one Republican. He is patriotic and publie- spirited in every way and is earnestly alive to the educational needs of his township, and has served zealousiy as School Director of his district for many years. He keeps alive the memory of his days and nights on the battle-field by his connec- tion with the Grand Army of the Republic, of Jol- iet.
R EV. SAMUEL T. CARPENTER, late a minister of the Episcopal Church and who was well known to many of the residents of this county as a man thoroughly devoted to the Master's work, was a native of Glassboro, N. J., and born September 25, 1810. He received a thorough education, being graduated at Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, and soon afterward en- tered upon the duties of his chosen calling. His first charge was in Sharon, Conn., and he subse- quently located in Monroe, Mich. He was for a time Chaplain in the Main Street Hospital in Covington, Ky, and also at Camp Denison, Ohio. His death of- curred December 26,1874,in Cincinnati, Ohio, when a little more than three-seore and four years of age.
By his first marriage Mr. Carpenter became the father of two children, one of whom, Samuel C. B. served in the Union Army as a member of Com- pany B, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. lle en- dured great hardship and exposure and excessive marching, which so undermined his health that he died from the effects thereof October 1, 1871, after
20 J. F. Oljana
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a long illness in Cincinnati and Joliet. The other child, Frances M., a daughter, makes her home with her stepmother in Joliet.
Later Mr. Carpenter was wedded to Miss Emily D. Thompson, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 31, 1830. Her parents were Richard and Elizabeth (Denny ) Thompson, and the father while a resident of the Quaker City. occupied himself as a commission merchant. In that city he passed away. Mrs. Thompson died at the residence of Mrs. Carpenter in Joliet, in May, 1872. I'ntil her marriage Mrs. Carpenter lived in Philadelphia and Wilming- ton. Del. The ceremony was performed June 29. 1852, at the bride's home in Wilmington, by Bishop Lee of the Episcopal Church of that city. Of this un- ion there were born five children, all of whom are living. Herbert D. was born in Smyrna, Del., June 2, 1853. and after completing his literary education began reading law under the instruction of Phelps & Clement; he was admitted to the har in December, 1878, and is now practicing his pro- fession in JJoliet, being located at No. 102 Jeffer- son Street. Hle is an ardent supporter of the Re- publican party. Florence married Albert W. Fiero of Joliet ; Horace T. is in business at Mil- waukee. Wis .; R. Howell is engaged in railroading in JJoliet; Louis T. C. is a salesman in a wholesale house in Chicago. Mrs. Carpenter and her chil. dren located in Joliet in 1865, and there she has since lived. She is, religiously, a member of the Episcopal Church and stands at the head of a fam- ily which is highly spoken of throughout the city.
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