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 75
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
October 2, 1851, Mr. Robins and Miss Elizabeth Kinley were united in marriage. She is a native of Prince Edward Island, born July 3, 1832, and a daughter of William and Ann ( Allen) Kinley. ller father was a native of the Isle of Man and her mother was born in Nova Scotia, both being descendants of a sterling English ancestry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Robins has been born a large family of children, of whom the following eight survive: William K.,a resident of Cherokee County, Iowa; Alfred M .; Idell C., wife of R. S. Sager. of Story County, Iowa; Luey A., wife of M. J. Ken- son, of Story County, Iowa; Ethel M., wife of J. C. Eyer; Eva I., wife of Albert Lemer, Buena Vista, Iowa; Russell C., and Bertha: The names of the deceased children are Georgina, Lizzie, Jolin J. and James.
Through his long residence here Mr. Robins is well-known. and he is regarded as a thoroughly
good man, whose life is guided by principles of rectitude and unswerving integrity, whose loyal citizenship is an honor to the place, and whose will- ing helpfulness and roundabout common sense makes him a good neighbor and a safe counselor. Ile favors all schemes for improving his adopted township, and did good service as Road Commis- sioner in the term that he held the office. He is a Prohibitionist in polities. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at Plainfield, and cheerfully give their support to every good work that is carried on by its pastor and members.
C APT. EDWARD MCALLISTER is classed among the leading farmers of Plainfield, where he has a farm that in point of eulti- vation and general improvement is considered one of the most desirable in the township. Our sub- ject is a fine representative of the citizen-soldiers of the United States who fought in the late war and saved the Union from dissolution, and he won an honorable record as an intelligent, brave soldier and efficient leader.
The Captain was born in the town of Salem, Washington County, N. Y., December 21, 1828. llis father. William McAllister, was a native of the same town, and a son of the llon. Hamilton Me- Allister, a native of Scotland. He was born and reared in that country, and came from there to America accompanied by two brothers,one of whom settled in Philadelphia and the other in New York. The grandfather of our subject was agent for a company of large land-owners, and held power of attorney to do business for them. Ile was one of the three first white men who ever set- tled at Salem, where he took up a tract of timber land and cleared a fine farm. He soon began to take a leading part in public life, and was one of the foremost citizens of Washington County. Hle was its first Sheriff, and represented the county in the State Legislature. That was the time when each member had to pay his own expenses, and as money was scarce, many of the legislators had to resort to various expedients to foot their bills,
648
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and it is told of him that his faithful wife made butter and sent it to Albany to pay his board. In the early days of settlement of the county there were no mills, and on one occasion his wife took a sack of wheat on horseback by an Indian trail to Albany, forty miles distant. The maiden name of the grandmother of our subject, was Sarah Diek, and she was born in Ireland, and was of Scotch ancestry.
The father of our subject grew to stalwart man- hood in his native county, and followed agricul- ture all his days, placing himself among the most substantial and well-to-do farmers of the county. Ile inherited a part of the old homestead and bought out the interest of the other heirs in it, and there his entire life was passed in tranquillity and prosperity. The maiden name of his wife was Anna Shoudler, and she was also born in Wash- ington County. Her father, Andrew Shoudler, is thought to have been a native of the same county, his ancestry originating in Holland. He was a farmer and also kept a tavern on the Troy and Whitehall Road. Ile spent his last years on a farm. The mother of our subject died on the okl homestead eight years after his father departed this life. To that worthy couple were born six chil- dren, live of whom were reared to maturity. Archi- bald was a pioneer farmer of Plamfield, coming here in 1848, and he died in Chicago. William K. was for many years one of the most eminent members of the legal profession in Illinois. He was at one time Judge of the old Recorder's Court, of Chicago; from 1870 to 1873 he sat on the Supreme Bench of the State. After his resig- nation from that position he was again elected a member of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and served in that capacity until he was called to be Judge of the Appellate Court, and he held that office at the time of his death at his home in Ravenswood, Chicago, in 1888 or 1889. Our sub- jeet's sister, Catherine, married John C. Walker, and lives in New York State. His brother, Jesse, who was a farmer and stock man, is now deceased.
lle of whom we write passed the early years of his life in his native State, but in the prime and vigor of the opening years of his manhood he left the scenes of his youth and his many friends, having re-
solved to see what life held for him on the bound- less prairies of the "Great West," and coming to Illinois, he east in his lot with the settlers of Will County, locating on the farm that he still ocen- pies, and which under his careful and skillful man- agement is made to yield large harvests and a comfortable income. He was busily engaged in agricultural pursuits when the first alarm of the war was sounded, and he was prompt to offer his services to his country. Ile previously been Captain of a company of State militia, and April 21, 1861, it was called out by the Governor and sent to Cairo, and was there organized as Company K. Tenth Illinois Infantry, but September 1 was mustered in as Company K, First Illinois Artillery, generally known and spoken of in histories as Me- Allister's Battery, in honor of its brave Captain. Our subject was soon solicited by Gen. Prentiss, the commander, to remain and take charge of the fort. The Captain hired men, whom he paid out of his own pocket, to recruit a company, of which he was commissioned Captain, and was in command at the battle of Shiloh, where his men, inspired by his presence and spirited example, did noble serv- ice. The hardships and privations of military life proved too great for even the hardy constitution of our subject, and soon after that battle he was obliged to succumb to sickness and to resign his position. Ile returned home, and as soon as suf- ficiently recuperated from ill-health, he resumed farming, and has ever since been prosperously en- gaged at that, having his farm of one hundred and sixty aeres of choice farming land under high cul- tivation, and has it amply supplied with substantial, roomy buildings, and all the needed appliances for carrying on agriculture after the best methods.
Capt. McAllister had the good fortune to secure in the wife, to whom he was wedded in 1860, a true helpmate and companion, one who knows well how to make home pleasant and attractive. Mrs. MeAllister's maiden name was Fanny M. Bebee, and she is, like himself, a native of Salem, N. Y., a daughter of Norman and Sophie Bebee. Five children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely : Carrie, Ada, Jessie, Clyde and Will- iam King, the latter being deceased.
Ilonorable and upright, a loyal citizen, true hus-
Fred Schwing
651
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
band. tender father and faithful friend, in our sub- jeet township and county find an example of their best citizenship. The Captain votes with the Re- publican party, and is one of its strongest sup- porters in this vicinity. lle is public-spirited and takes a deep interest in civie affairs. and has repre- sented Plainfield on the County Board of Super- visors. Socially, he is a member of Plainfield Lodge, No. 536, A. F. & A. M. A man of clear and progressive views on all questions of general interest religiously, he is a l'niversalist, he and his family being members of the Universalist So- ciety, of Plainfieldl.
REDERICK SEHRING. The brewery in- terests of Will County acknowledge as among their leading men the subject of this notice, a portrait of whom appears on the opposite page. Ile is prominent in the affairs of Joliet and has been a member of the City Council since 1871. Of German birth and parentage, he was born in Langen Duchy, Hosse-Darmstadt, December 19. 1834. His father, Weigand Sehring, was a soldier in the War of 1813, in Germany, and married Mar- garetha Keim. They came to America in 1817. settling in Frankfort Township. Will County, ' where the father occupied himself as a farmer until 1854. That year he removed with his family to Joliet and conducted an hotel until 1860, while in the meantime, Frederick. who was fond of his books, devoted himself to study. At their home in Joliet, the parents both passed to their last rest.
Mr. Sehring began his business career as a Deputy Clerk in the Recorder's office of the county. where he remained until 1863. He was then clected County Treasurer and served two terms: in March, 1874, he was elected to represent his ward in the City Council, where he has since served with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ents. Ile at an early age evinced unusual business capacities and in 1868, had accumulated sufficient means to go into business, which he did in com- pany with a partner under the firm name of Joseph Braun & Co. With $6,000 capital they established
what has now become one of the finest breweries in the Northwest. This was conducted successfully until January, 1883, when it was enlarged and in- corporated under the title of the Fred Sehring Brewery Company. with our subject as President ; Henry Sehiring. Vice-President; II. F. Piepenbrink, Secretary and Treasurer, and L. J. Sehring, Super- intendent. The new corporation started in with a capital stock of $50,000, and the following month bought ont the brewery of Henry Eder opposite. The brewery now has a capacity of thirty thousand barrels per year and give employment to twenty- five men. The plant occupies about live acres of ground and with its buildings and machinery is of great value, being one of the leading institutions of Illinois and furnishing the beverage not only to city of Joliet, but the towns surrounding.
The subject of this notice was married JJanuary 16, 1855, in Joliet, to Mrs. Louise Bez, and to them have been born six children, all living and named respectively: Susan E., Lonis J., Maggie, the wife of Il. F. Piepenbrink, Henry, Anna and George. The ellest son, Louis, was born in Joliet April 12, 1858, acquiring his education in the city schools and at an early age learned the brewing business at which he engaged with his father. He served through an apprenticeship with this at New York and Chicago, and then returning to Joliet, took charge in 1878, of the business of which he has since been Superintendent. Like his honored father he has been prominent in local affairs, repre- senting the Third Ward in the City Council for two years.( 1885-86). Aside from this, however, he has devoted himself mainly to business and displays ability and judgment beyond that usually evinced by men of his years. He belongs to the various civic societies of the city and is highly spoken of by all who know him. The father certainly has reason to be proud of his son.
Our subject, politically, is a stanch Democrat. He has for many years been prominently connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. rep- resenting it in the Grand Lodge and is likewise identified with the Masonic fraternity. He has gained considerable distinction in politics, being nominated in the fall of 1871 by the liberal Demo- crats to the State Senate, against O. M. Marshall.
652
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
the Republican, and C. Frazier, the Granger can- didate. Mr. Marshall was elected by twelve ma- jority over Mr. Sehring, who contested the election and proved the existence of one hundred and forty illegal votes-the committee reporting these in his favor. When put to the regular vote the Repub- licans and Grangers stood twenty-six for Marshall and twenty-three for Sehring.
... ICHIAEL RAPPAL. The farming com- munity of Joliet Township recognizes a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, who pursues 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- ilable men, and has held the various local otlices, serving as Commissioner of Highways six years, also as School Director, and in polities 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 Rappal, 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 1846 they decided upon emigrating to America, and crossed the Atlantic in the spring of the year, coming directly to Will County, Il., and settling in Joliet. The father occupied himself as a farmer, and died there in the spring of 1867. The mother survived her husband a number of years, dying at the home of her son, our subject, about 1885.
To Samuel Rappal and his good wife there was born a family of five children, the eldest of whom was he whose name heads this sketch. lle was a native of the same province as his parents, and was born August 25, 1833. lle 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 pursuits 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. Rappal was married, in Chicago, III., Sep- tember 4, 1853, to Miss Antoinette Drendel. This lady was also a native of the Province of Alsace, and was born May 7, 1833. Iler parents were of German ancestry, and are now deceased. She came to America with her parents about 1846, and of her union 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. Rappal, about 1867, purchased his present farm, which comprises two hundred and sixty acres of choice land, upon which he has effected good improvements. He has been indus- trious, frugal and temperate, and has acquired a competency.
OIIN J. RINCKER is the owner and oceu- pant of one of the fine farms in Crete Township. He is the representative of a family of considerable prominence in Nas- sau, Germany. His father, Phillip H. Rincker, was born in Prussia and became a mechanic, owning a bell and brass foundry and manufacturing machines, that being the business in which his father and grandfather before him had been employed. He married Elizabeth Tribnel, who was also born and reared in Nassau, and who, like her husband, came of a good German family. Mr. Rincker was suc- cessful in business, leaving his foundry to one of his sons who is continuing it with credit to his worthy sire. The bells that peal in all the prom- inent churches of Germany were east at the Rinck- er foundry. Mrs. Rincker died when seventy years old, her husband surviving a few years and breathing his last at the age of seventy-five. They were prominent members of the German Reformed
.
653
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
(Presbyterian) Church and were not only highly regarded on account of their connection with fam- ilies of note and their abundant means, but on account of their personal character and genuine worth. Their family comprised ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Four of the children came to America and two of them have since died. Of the entire family but two sons and one daugh- ter are now living.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in Nassau, November 21, 1819, and received a fine education in his native tongue, as well as in Latin and French in his native city. Ile was the oldest but one, in the parental family. Ile learned the trade of a boll caster, together with a knowledge of the various departments of the business carried on by his father. While yet a single man he de- termined to make a home in America, and taking passage at Havre de Grace on the sailing vessel Ba- tavia, he reached the western continent after a te- dious voyage of four weeks. Landing was made in New York, September 12, 1817, this being before the establishment of Castle Garden in that city.
Mr. Rincker had many of the experiences known to the early emigrant when starting out in this country among entire strangers, and was often im- posed upon before he arrived at Buffalo. He had a ticket to Chicago, but was obliged to stop and earn money to buy his bread, having become pen- niless. Ile finally met a man who proved a friend in need and gave him a supply of eatables and sent him on his way rejoicing. Probably no prouder man ever lived than was Mr. Rincker at that time. Hle soon reached the new city of Chicago, which he thoughit the muddiest place on earth.
II. W. Rincker, a brother of our subject, had come to this country some time before. and upon reaching this State and his brother's home, he of whom we write joined him in the establishment of a bell casting foundry, the two continuing in part- nership four years. During this time they cast the bell weighing eight thousand pounds, which, from its position in the courthouse, tolled forth the cal- amity which in 1871. befell the city that has now risen, Phoenix like, from her ashes into a more glorious life. The failing health of Mr. Rincker decided him to leave the noise of the shop and the
city streets, and severing his connection with his brother he came to Will County, in the fall of 1851, and became a farmer here. He purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Crete Township, the most of which was unbroken, and the greater part of it covered with timber. This he cleared and improved, subsequently adding to its extent until his estate now comprises two bun- dred and ninety-five acres, the most of which is in an excellent state of improvement. His efforts have made of the farm what it is to-day, a most comfortable home, and the source of a sufficient income to supply the wants of the family and make provision for declining years.
One of the most important steps in the life of Mr. Rincker, was his marriage, which took place at the home of the bride in Cook County. Ilis chosen companion was Miss Helena Pusheck, who was born in Sleceal, Prussia, November 2, 1821, and had lived in finois from her lifteenth year. Her parents, Christian and Hannah R. (Hupsch) Pusheck, had emigrated to the United States and settled on a farm twelve miles west of Chicago. There the father died when sixty years of age, his wife surviving him fourteen years and being seventy-five years old at the time of her death. Both were well-known to a large number of the cit- izens of Cook County, and ranked among the best of the Germans who had sought homes in Amer- ica. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and carefully reared their daughters in the prin- ciples of right living as well as in habits of use. fulness in domestic life.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rincker eleven children have been born, all being yet alive except Ottelia, one of a pair of twins, who died when two years old. Charles married Miss Lena Rinne on whose father's farm, they are now living ; Frank, who is unmarried, lives on a farm in Minnesota; Angust, who married Matilda Letz, operates a farm in Watonwan County, Minn .; William, is his father's assistant at home; Emma is the wife of Andrew Rademacher, a farmer in Crete Township; Anna married Leno Knessner. a wood engraver whose home is in Chicago; Mary is the wife of William Reithel, who occupies a farm in Calhoun County, lowa; Matilda is the wife of Henry Meier, of Watonwan County, Minn .;
651
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
llelena, is now in Chicago; JJohanna, is with her parents at home. The entire family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Rincker is a sturdy Republican. After having been in this country twelve years he made a trip to the home of his boyhood, spending about two months with his old friends, but very glad to get back to America again at the expiration of that time. The various members of the family are manifesting the traits of character, kindliness of manner, and business taet and energy that make them worthy to bear the name which has descended to them.
R OBERT J. BOYLAN, the owner of a good home on section 15, Jackson Township, is a pioneer of the county and as such deserves notice in this volume. He was born in Sussex County, N. J., January 23, 1806, and lived there until he attained his majority, learning surveying and civil engineering after finishing the ordinary branches. lle went to Onondaga County, N. Y., where he lived about seven years, during that period taking for his wife Miss Angeline Brown. That lady was born in Onondaga County, March 11, 1811, and died in Jackson's Grove, this county, February 6, 1841. To ber had been born three children-James, who died in California; Mary, who was bitten by a rattlesnake and died June 15, 1836, and Mary Jane, now widow of (. M. Kellogg.
In November, 1831, Mr. Boylan came to what is now Will County, locating in Jackson's Grove where he has followed farming in connection with surveying. Ile at one time owned over two hun- dred and fifty acres of land but now owns but one hundred and four. Upon this he has made all the improvements it bears. He has held the office of County Surveyor eight years, has been School Treasurer twenty -six consecutive years, was Road Commissioner and Treasurer of the Board sixteen consecutive years, and Township Assessor eight years. He has taken quite an active part in politi- cal affairs and is the only surviving member of the convention that was called in 1836 to organize the Democratic party of Will County. He is also the
only survivor of the petitioners for the setting off of this county, which was done at Vandalia, January 6, 1836. In former years he aeted with the Dem- ocratie party, but is now a Prohibitionist. He and his estimable wife belong to the Baptist Church, in which he has been a member for fifty years and she for nearly as long.
The present Mrs. Boylan became the wife of our subject in Wesley, this county, June 10, 1841. She bore the maiden name of Margaret M. Freer and was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., June 18, 1819. By this marriage there are six living chil- dren namely: Lavinia, wife of A. D. C. Bugbee; Clara, widow of William Aldrich ; Albert W. ; Alice, wife of W. A. Palmer; Nellie, wife of Albert E. Noel, and Robert J., Jr. The deceased are Villetta, wife of George Stuphler, who died June 12, 1888, and Eugene who died at the age of six years.
DDISON COLLINS. although born in Rochester, N. Y .. grew to manhood in this county, living in llomer Township until the summer of 188t. He then removed to New Lenox Village and, abandoning the occupa- tion of farming in which he had previously been engaged, has been living a retired life. Ile owns an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres in the township in which he formerly resided. Ilis natal day was October 25, 1832, and he is the sec- ond child of the Ilon. Addison and Sabrina ( Ball) Collins. llis father was born in Lenox, Mass., March 29, 1796, and his mother, December 18, 1806. They first settled in Rochester, N. Y., thence going to Berkshire, Tioga County, where they re- mained until the fall of 1833. They then emigrated to Illinois, locating in the "Yankee settlement" of this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Addison Collins, Sr., studied and practiced law in Rochester, N. Y., but after coming West devoted his attention to farming. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Legislature and served one term. He also acted as Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, and was the first County Sur-
-
Connza Smith
C.E. Smith
-
659
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
veyor of Will County. He passed away March 27. 1861, his widow surviving until August 29. 1875.
The subject of our sketch was married in Chi- cago, January 9, 1857. to Miss Catherine P., daugh- ter of the late Zachariah W. and Sarah ( Harding) Lynx. She was born in Madison County, N. Y .. June 17, 1839. To herself and husband seven children have been born. Orline, the firstborn, died when twelve years old; Albert is a druggist in Pueblo, Colo .; Eliza died at the age of six months; Tunis L. is in the express business in ('bi- cago; Mary is the wife of John C. Broadie, of New Lenox Township: Ella is a student in the Joliet High School; Cora completes the family circle. Mr. Collins is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Collins is a member of the Baptist Church.
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.