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 71
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other appurtenances of the well-regulated country homestead. His first house was destroyed by fire October 22. 1889, but he rebuilt and is rapidly re- trieving his loss.
Mr. Studimann was married in New Lenox Township March 20, 1873, to Miss Lena, daughter of Christian and Caroline (Stein) Keitel. Mrs. Keitel died in Germany in 1871. Mrs. Studtmann's father is still living in this township. She was born in Germany November 22, 1818, and came to America in January, 1872. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children, one of whom died in infancy. The survivors are Ma- tilda, Hermann Jr., Bernhard, Lizzie and Frieda- lien. In politics Mr. Studtmann is a stanch Dem- ocrat. He has served as School Director in his district and both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is a go-ahead, enterprising citizen and is rapidly taking a posi- tion among the leading men of his community.
h ON. FRED WILKE. of Beeeher, is one of the most prominent men in this part of the county. Not only is he well known as a gen- eral dealer in all kinds of grain, as a farmer and breeder of Holstein cattle, but he has also come before the public as an official who has served with credit to himself and his constituents in the legisla- tive halls of the State. Ile moved to Beccher in the fall of 1889, succeeding to the grain trade of Mr. 11. Matthews, deceased. Prior to that time he had resided on his farm, which is located on seetions 17 and 18, of the fractional part of Washington Township. The estate comprises three hundred and thirty-five aeres, favorably located and well improved, and has practically been made what it is by the present owner.
The Hon. Fred Wilke was born in Westphalia. Germany, March 17. 1829. llis father, Herman Wilke, was a native of the same Province and be- longed to a respectable family who were engaged in husbandry. He married Elizabeth Waltman. who had been well and carefully reared. after his marriage settling near their birthplace. When our
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subject was eleven years old the wife and mother died, at the age of thirty-nine years. The husband and father survived but three years, being fifty- eight years old at the time of his decease. Both parents were active members of the Lutheran Church and endeavored to train their children in paths of usefulness. Their family comprised five children, one of whom died in Germany; the others eame to America and three are yet living, two making their home in Will County. Ill., and the other in Lake County, Ind.
After he was old enough to enter the army our subject served his country, according to the custom of that land. his connection with the soldiery being from 1850 to 1852. In the spring of 1851, he em- barked at Bremerhaven on a sailing vessel which anchored at New York City after a voyage of six weeks. Mr. Wilke went directly to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment as a teamster, making that city his home until 1860. He had visited Will County, Ill., in 1857. purchasing land which was slightly improved and upon which he settled in 1860. It was situated on section 17, Washington Township, and is a part of the estate now owned by him. The energy of Mr. Wilke soon gave him a prominent position among the farmers and stock-raisers of the vicinity. and ere long he was enabled to add to his landed estate and put the whole place under excellent improvement and enltivation.
The first marriage of Mr. Wilke took place in his native land. his bride being Miss Ann Nunker, who was born in the same neighborhood as himself and whose good qualities he thoroughly understood. A year after he had come to America she followed him across the briny deep, joining him in Cincin- nati, where she died at the birth of her second child who did not long survive. Mrs. Wilke was but twenty four years old when called from time to eternity. She was a birthright member of the Lutheran Church and had consistently carried out its teaching in her daily life. Her first-born, Mrs. Lizzie Scheiwe, died at the age of thirty-four years, leaving three children.
The second matrimonial alliance of Mr. Wilke was contracted in Cincinnati, his bride on that or. ension being Miss Stena Brutlag, who was born in
Westphalia. She was reared to the age of twenty years in her native land and then crossed the ocean alone, coming to Cincinnati, where soon afterward she became the wife of our subject. She is the mother of two children, one of whom died in in- fancy. The living is a son, HI. F., who married Miss Lena Meier, who died leaving one child- Fred. He subsequently married Miss Sophia Meier, who, although bearing the same surname, is not related to his first wife. This union has been blest by the birth of four children : Emma, Lena, Amelia and Herman. Il. F. Wilke now occupies and oper- ates his father's farm in Washington Township. He is a Republican in politics and he and his wife be- long to the Lutheran Church.
The subject of this biographical sketch is now serving as Supervisor and Treasurer of the town- ship. the former of which offices he has held almost continuously since 1870, the only exception being the time when he was representing the county in the Legislature. He has been Assessor some years and Collector one term. In 1888 he was elected to the State Legislature, where he proved to be a valuable worker for the good of the constitueney which he represented and the interest of the county at large. His record as a member of committees and a worker on the floor is ereditable to himself and those who elected him. He is a sound Repub- liean. He and his wife are active members of the Lutheran Church and prominent in every good work which is going on in the community. The personal traits of Mr. Wilke are such as to give him the reputation of a " first-class fellow" and he exerts an extended influence for all that is moral and elevating.
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U RIAS EICHELBARGER, a Pennsylvanian by birth, has been associated with the farmers and stock-raisers of Illinois for several years, and has been much prospered in his agricultural undertakings and is now the owner of a large and well conducted farm on seetion 1. Dul'age Town- ship.
Our subject is a native of Lancaster County, Pa., born April 23, 1839, to John and Susan Eich-
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elbarger, who were likewise natives of that State and were of German descent. His father is now deceased. His mother, who is between seventy and eighty years of age, makes her home in Nap- erville, this State. Our subject is the oldest son in the family of whom the following survive: l'rias ; John, living in Kansas, ( Dickenson County ) ; Mary, wife of Joseph Taylor, of Du Page Town- ship.
I'rias Eichelbarger was reared in the place of his birth and at the youthful age of twelve years, left the parental home to make his own way in the world. He lived out with a farmer until he was fifteen years old and then began to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. At the expiration of that time he opened up a smithy in his native county and car- ried on his calling for several years. After aban- doning that trade for a short time, he engaged in marketing. buying butter, eggs and other farm produce. He then began farming for himself in Lancaster County and carried on agriculture there for three years. In 1869, he came to Illinois and for a year and a half resided in Naperville. Du Page County, where he worked as a journeyman blacksmith. After that he again took up farming and pursued the calling as a renter in Wheatland Township for eleven years. At the expiration of that time he purchased his present farm in DuPage Township. This comprises three hundred and forty seven acres of land which is under fine til- lage and exceptional improvement, its fields yielding rich harvests and it is provided with con- veniently arranged buildings. Mr. Eichelbarger acquired this property solely by the exercise of those faculties that make him an intelligent per- severing. industrious member of society.
During these years of labor Mr. Eichelbarger has not been without the assistance of a capable wife who has labored by his side since their mar- riage in 1859. Mrs. Eichelbarger's maiden name was Martha Eshleman and she, like her husband. is of Pennsylvania origin. They have five children living, namely : John, Abraham, George.Susan, wife of James Brossman, and Amanda.'
insight into the best methods of conducting agri. culture to the best advantage, as is attested by the fine condition of his farm. In polities he is a firm believer in the policy of the Republican party and supports it by voice and vote. Ile served three years as Road Commissioner of DuPage Township, and has been School Director of his district a number of years and in both capacities has aided in advancing the best interests of the community with commendable publie spirit.
ARMON V. FRAZER. This venerated cit- izen of Homer Township is approaching the seventy-fourth year of his age, having been born October 6, 1816, and his native State was New York. His parents were James G. and Polly ( Hawkins) Frazer, natives of Connecti- eut, whenee they emigrated to Monroe County. N. Y .. settling near the town of Pittsford. Later in life they joined their children in this county, and spent their last days in Homer Township. There was born to them a family of five sons and four daughters, nine in all. and Harmon V. was the third in order of birth. He lived in his native State until about thirty-four years old.
In the meantime Mr. Frazer was married in Pittsford. N. Y., September 16, 1817, to Miss Sa- mantha Warren. In October, 1819, they came to tIns county and settled in Homer Township, of which they have since been residents. Mrs. Fra- zer was born April 3, 1825, in Pitcher, Chenango County, N. Y., and was the sveond in a family of ten children, five of whom are living. Her par- ents, Ely and Sarah ( Ferguson) Warren, were na- tives of New York and spent their last years in that State.
Mr. Frazer's farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which through his management has become very fertile, yielding the richest crops in Northern Illinois. He has neat and substantial buiklings, and by the assistance of his good wife has been enabled to accumulate a
Mr. Eichelbarger is in every sense a live, wide- awake man. of strong common sense, and a keen ; competence for their declining years. They have
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no children. In polities Mr. Frazer gives his un- divided support to the Prohibition party, being totally opposed to the manufacture and sale of in- toxicating liquors. Ile and bis wife are promi- nently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and enjoy the friendship and acquaintance of the best residents of the county, who have known them long and well and learned to appre- ciate them for their sterling worth. Mr. Frazer is genial and hospitable, while his estimable wife is in no wise lacking in those qualities which have gained them a good position in their community, where they are universally spoken of as being among the most worthy.
D ETER CHRISTENSEN owns and occupies an excellent farm on section 5, Jackson Township. Being under the control of a man whose life has been spent in agricult- ural employment and who is ambitious to excel. it is thoroughly tilled and well managed in every particular. The buildings upon it are above the average and the whole makes up a home which might well please a more ambitious man than our subject.
The life of Mr. Christensen has been marked by no remarkable events and his history is only that of one who quietly pursues the labor which he has chosen and finds his chief pleasure beneath his own roof-tree. He was born in Denmark June 1, 1816, remaining in his own country until the summer of 1869, when he embarked on an outward-bound vessel. Ile landed in New York City and thence came to Illinois, selecting Will County as his future home. For two years he worked by the month in Channahon Township. after which he rented the farm which he still occupies and which is owned by his wife and her sister Sarah.
In this township. December 28, 1880, Mr. Chris- tensen was united in marriage with Miss Nancy M. Hemphill, daughter of the late JJames and Rachael (Porter) Hemphill. The bride's parents were old settlers of this county, having come hither in 1835 from Fountain County. Ind., where they had been
living a few years. To that region they had gone from Adams County, Ohio. Their home in this county was made in Jackson Township, where they lived until their death. Mr. Hemphill died during the latter part of the Civil War, his widow surviv- ing until October 11, 1872. They were members of the Methodist Church and are remembered with great respect by those who had the pleasure of their acquaintance. The cheerful manner in which they endured the trials which surround the path- way of early settlers in an agricultural region, the kindliness which they exhibited toward their fel- low-men. and their pious lives gave them excellent repute. Their family consisted of eight children, whose record is as follows: Mary A .. who is now dead. was the wife of Thomas A. Mapps; John and James are residents of Jackson Township; David. a twin brother of James, lives in Channahon Town- ship; Sarah and Cyrus live in Jackson Township; Rachael A. died when seven years old; Nancy M. is the wife of our subject. Mrs. Christensen was born in Jackson Township, and under the careful training of her parents her character developed and she became a woman capable of worthily filling her sphere in life.
S AMFEL HOOD, is a retired physician whose home is on a fine farm near the village of Crete. When failing health compelled him to abandon the practice of his profession he turned his attention to agricul- ture in which he has proved successful. reaching a prominent station among the farmers of the county. Ilis home comprises one hundred and fifteen acres on section 16. Crete Township, and is well improved and is kept well stocked with good grades of cattle, horses. ete. Dr. Hood formerly owned one hun- dred and fifty acres here, where he has lived for almost half a eentury. Not only on account of his enterprise in the vocation which he has adopted, but still more on account of his Christian character and cultured mind is Dr. Hood highly esteemed, his reputation extending far and wide.
Although born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Dr.
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Hood is of English ancestry in both lines, his father, however, having been born in the Emerald Isle. Samuel Hood, Sr., was a merchant, he was four times married. and in 1810, came to America, set- tling on new land in Cook County, Ill., where he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He died when eighty-seven years old, having survived his fourth wife twelve years. He was successful in worldly affairs and well known in and about Bloom. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The mother of our subject was Maria E. Van- haften. who was born in Bombay and became the wife of a Surgeon General in an East Indian Com- pany, named NeNeilens. Dr. MeNielens and wife finally settled in County Tyrone, Ireland. and there the Surgeon General died and his widow subse- quently married Samuel Hood. She died a few years later, when her son. our subject, was but a child. He is the only survivor of the two children born to her and his father. Mrs. Hood belonged to a fine English family, was a life long member of the Methodist Church, and the possessor of a bright mind and much culture.
The natal day of Dr. Hood was line 25, 1815. Hle received his fundamental education in the pub- lie schools of County Tyrone, and when eighteen years old became a student of medicine, first serv- ing three years in an apothecary shop and then en . tering a medical college in London, England. Three years later he was graduated, and going to Liverpool he took passage for America. After five weeks and three days spent upon a sailing vessel. he landed in Philadelphia, Pa .. whence he went to Pittsburg. Ile afterward practiced at different places in the Key Stone State for a number of years, removing thence to Gentry County. Mo., where he continued his professional labors for four years. Hle then came to Ilinois and after twenty years of professional life became a farmer. Ilis reputation as a physician is a creditable one and the energy which has brought him success in his later field of labor, was equally manifest in carry- ing into practice the knowledge of Therapeutics which he had obtained in a famous school and in adapting it to the needs of his patients.
One of the most important steps in the life of
Dr. Hood, was his choice of a life companion, with whom his marriage was celebrated in Butler County, Pa. She bore the maiden name of Ellen Stewart, was born in County Donegal, Ireland. and came to America with her parents about the year 1830. For more than fifty years she has shared in the toils and successes, the joys and the sorrows, which have gathered about her husband's pathway, proving her worth as wife, mother, and member of society. Although now seventy-two years of age, she is still smart and active; she possesses a mind of more than ordinary brightness and her intellect has been exercised in various lines of thought, her domestic duties not preventing her from taking an interest in the world's affairs.
To Dr. and Mrs. Hood, nine children have been boru. but four of whom are now living. The deceased are, an infant; Thomas, a smart young man who died unmarried at the age of twenty one years; Samuel, another bright and promising youth, who died when eighteen years old: David, who died at the age of seven; and an infant. The old- est of the living children is John .I., who is now farming in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; he has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Jennie Hunter, bis present wife having borne the maiden name of Catherine Caldwell. Mary is the wife of Nelson Seymour, a farmer at Homewood, Cook County. Maria married Henry Seymour, engineer of the Crete Manufacturing Company. Harriet is the wife of Roland Hewes, their home being on a farm in Crete Township. Dr. and Mrs. Hood belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and the Doctor is a sound Republi- can in politics.
LEXANDER BALLANCE. The railroad business is a prominent, industry of Joliet and the men who have charge of its vari- ous departments are conspicuous figures in mechanical and financial circles. The gentleman above named has been foreman of the round house of the Michigan Central Railroad for nearly twenty years and enjoys the friendship and con-
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fidence of the officers of the road, who consider him a valuable member of their corps. Hle bears the reputation of a thorough mechanic and his faithfulness has stood the test of years. Such has . been his industry that not a month's pay has been missed in all the years of his service as foreman, and in a capacity previously occupied.
Mr. Ballance was born in the Dominion of Can- ada, in the year 1854. and accompanied his parents to this country when five years of age. The loca- ention selected was Michigan City, Ind .. and there the lad grew to maturity. He attended the public schools and under the system in which the Hoosier State takes just. pride, became versed in practical knowledge of the chief branches of study. When eighteen years old he entered the machine shops of the Michigan Central Railroad, and after a faithful apprenticeship was employed as a master mechanic and later as foreman of the round house in that city.
A satisfactory service of five years led to his ap- pointment to the position he occupies to-day. As a citizen he bears a good reputation and among his subordinates he is spoken of as one in whose kind- liness they have trust, while acknowledging his strict oversight of the details of their work. Mr. Ballance is unmarried, but his mother who is still hale and active keeps house for him. He has re- cently purchased an elegant location where they will ere long reside. His father breathed bis last in Michigan City in 1881.
REDERICK FIDDYMENT is associated with the agricultural interests of Will County as an active and capable farmer, and his farm in Plainfield Township is one of the most desirable in this vicinity. as it is highly cul- tivated and is replete in all its appointments. Mr. Fiddyment was born in Norfolk County, England, July 3, 1839, a son of William Fiddyment, of that place. Daniel Fiddyment. grandfather of our sub- jeet, is also supposed to have been born there, and he was there reared to the life of a farmer, dying also in his native England. His widow and three
sons, William, John and Walter, came to America, and she died at the home of her son Jolm, in Lockport, Ills.
The father of our subject was bred on a farm, living in England until 1849, when, having re- solved to make a new start in life. he embarked for America in the month of July, taking passage at London, in the sailing vessel "Lucinia," After a long and stormy voyage, he landed at New York, in the month of August, and one week later set out for Illinois, coming by the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, thenee by the lakes to Chicago, and from there by canal to Lockport, this county. For a few years after coming here. he worked in his brother's distillery, and then turned his attention to farming, buying a tract of wild timber land three miles north of Lockport. lle erected suitable buildings, greatly improved the land. and there built up a comfortable home, in which he died in the month of April, 1878. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Nivet, and she was a native of the same shire as himself. She still resides on the old homestead, having reared four children, as follows: Daniel, who re- mains with her; Frederick, our subject: Hannah, who married William Fisher and lives in Lockport : and Walter, who resides in Lemont.
The son. of whom we write, was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents to this country, and he still remembers well the incidents of the long and perilous voyage. He was quite young when be commenced work with his father, and was with him in the distillery about fifteen years. Then he began his career as a farmer and, in 1868, first became the owner of land, buying a tract of wild prairie on section 32, Plainfield Town- ship. Ile did not. however, locate on the place at that time, but rented land for two or three years, and then settled on his own land. In 1875, after greatly improving the place, he disposed of it at a good price, and bought the farm on which he now lives. This farm, one of the finest in the neigh- borhood, lies on both sides of the DuPage River, and comprises one hundred and seventy-two acres of as fertile farming land as is to be found in Will County. It was here that the lumber was cutand sawed for the first frame house ever erected in
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RES. OF DEDRICH BRUMUND. SEC 29. GREEN GARDEN TP. WILL CO. ILL (THIS FARM FOR SALE.)
RESIDENCE OF F. FIDDYMENT, SEC. 17 & 20. PLAINFIELD TP., WILL CO. ILL.
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Chicago. Not only has Mr. Fiddyment erected substantial and commodious buildings, but he has placed the land under admirable tillage. and has all the conveniences for carrying on his operations to the best advantage. A view of his pleasant home appears elsewhere in this volume.
By his marriage, in 1860, to Catherine Raush, a native of Germany, Mr. Fiddyment secured a no- ble wife. who has cheerfully aided him in his work of upbuilding their home. They have ten chil- dren living, namely : John. Elizabeth, Emma. Fred. Willie, Mary, Franklin, Julia, Grace and Florence.
It is the united testimony of his fellow towns- men that Mr. Fiddyment is in all respects a man of conscientious principles and exemplary habits, and one who is free hearted, kind and considerate, always willing to lend a hand to those less Fortu- nate than himself. In his religious views he sym- pathizes with the tenets of the Methodist Church, and is a faithful attendant at divine services in the house of worship dedicated to that denomina- tion in Plainfield.
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IEDRICH BRUMUND. A high rank among the farmers of Green Garden Township is accorded to the gentleman above named. and he well deserves the good report of his fellow-men by reason of his energy and activity in his own worldly affairs and in public enterprises, as well as for his pleasing traits of character. lle owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 29. eighty aeres on section 2s. and forty acres on section 32, this fine body of land lying about eight miles from Frankfort. His residence is a very pleasant one, as may well be imagined by the reader, who will notice a view of it in this volume.
Diedrich Brumund. Sr .. the father of our sub- ject. was an early settler in this township to which he came in 1819. fle was born in Oldenburg. Germany, and there received an excellent educa- - tion to which was subsequently added the knowl- edge of the Dutch language, which he acquired while clerking in Holland. He became a merchant ,
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