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 78
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business is not his only possession, but he owns town lots and a residence, which is valuable and attractive. His business energy and tact are not excelled in the city and all who know him agree in the verdict which pronounces his success but a merited reward.
The marriage of Mr. Schroeder was celebrated in Thornton, IN1., February 7. 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie Justes. She was born in Munden, Prussia, and her father, Joseph Justes, was also a native of that place. He emigrated with his family about 1858, making his home in Blue Island, Cook County, where he continued to work at his trade of a shoemaker until his death. Mrs. Schroeder possesses a fine character, is a notable housewife. and has been devoted to the interests of her husband and the children, whom she has reared to habits of usefulness.
The family of John Schroeder includes eight sons and daughters. of whom Mary, Dora and Katie still linger by the home fireside. Clemenec, the first-born, is senior member of the firm, and his life will be more fully detailed below; the second child is Emma, now Mrs. Rose, of Wilton Township; the third is Louis, who is married and farming his father's acres; the fourth is Annie, now Mrs. Mackey who lives in Manhattan; the fifth is Mrs. Sophia Gerdes, of Wallingford.
Ilis fellow-citizens have not allowed Mr. Schroe- der to exert his abilities entirely in personal affairs but have called upon him to act as Collector and School Director. In both of these offices he served while residing at Wilton. and he also helped to or- ganize the society and build the house of worship for the Lutherans in that place. He is a charter member of the church there and is justly consid- ered one of the pillars therein, having ever been an active worker. In polities he is a staneb Repub- lican.
Clemence Schroeder, junior partner in the firm of J. Schroeder & Son. was born at Wilton Center, August 1, 1860. He is a young man of rare busi- ness qualifications and a degree of enterprise which indicates that if his life is spared he will become one of the most influential business men of North- ern Illinois, Ilis traits of character and disposition are such as to win and keep friends, and everyone
has a good word for him. He was reared in his native place and there afforded excellent school advantages, also having the privilege of six months' attendance at a German school in Glassville, Ind.
Returning to his home after this course of study, young Schroeder, who had not long before entered his teens, began to assist his father by painting carriages and wagons, The air of the paint room, which had to be tightly closed during much of the work which he performed, proved injurious to his health, and he left the shop and went upon the farm. There he engaged in agricultural labors, finding his health much benefited by his out-of- door life, which he continued until 1881. He then came to Manhattan, where for a year he was em- ployed as a clerk by Elliott & Bryant. He next accepted a similar position with Knapp & McGov- ney, in whose employ he remained until the first of March, 1887. His employers were then bought out by himself and father and the new firm insti- tuted, which is prosperous and popular.
The virtues and acquirements of Miss Sophia Krapp, a native of Mokena, won the affection of Mr. Schroeder and, his wooing having proved suc- cessful, she became his wife April 20, 1887. The young couple have one child, a bright little boy named Alvin. Mrs. Schroeder is a daughter of Martin Krapp, a German stock dealer, who has been for a number of years engaged in stock-deal- ing and the meat business in Mokena.
Clemence Schroeder is one of those through whose efforts the town of Manhattan was incorpo- ated. He is now serving his second term as a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees and he held the position of assistant Postmaster a little over year. Ile follows his father's example and teaching in being a stanch Republican, and he also belongs to the German Lutheran Church at Wilton.
AT. J. ROWELL, senior member of the firm of Rowell Bros .. is, with his partner. tran- sacting a thriving business as a dealer in gravel, eobhle stones and sand. operating two pits of thirty fect depth, convenient to the railroad
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tracks, and having all the necessary facilities in connection therewith. Ile also deals considerably in real estate. He is numbered among the rising young business men of Joliet, popular in society and having before him a fair outlook for the future.
A native of the town of Clarkson, N. Y., Mr. Rowell was born June 26, 1858, and was brought by his parents to this county when a child of two years. They lived on a farm until he was fourteen years old and then removed to the present residence of the family on Richards Street. Young Rowell, during his boyhood attended the academy in Joliet and subsequently was a student in the University of Minnesota one year. Later he was in Chicago I'niversity four years, from which he was grad- uated with high honors in 1878.
Returning now to ,loliet, Mr. Rowell became in- terested in newspaper work, and for one year was city editor of the Republicand Sun. Upon sever- ing his connection with this paper he repaired to Washington, D. C., to assume the duties of a gov- ernment office. He resigned this in 1885, and returning again to Joliet, became interested in real estate and insurance to which he confined his atten- tion until 1889. That year he extended his busi- ness as already stated.
The parents of our subject were Hopkins and Mary E. (Blood ) Rowell, likewise natives of Mon- roc County, N. Y. and the father born in Clarkson in 1809. There was born to them a family of five children, all of whom are living; the father is now deceased and the mother still living in Joliet.
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AMES McNAMEE, managing editor of the Press and Secretary of the Joliet Press Publishing Company, although only a resi- dent of the city for three years past, has become favorably known to the greater portion of its people and is looked upon as a thorough busi- ness man, fully competent for the position which he has assumed. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, October 13. 1848, and there and in Eng- land spent the first thirty-two years of his life. At
an early age he became interested in newspaper work, and going over to England, was for fifteen years engaged as a journalist, meeting with more than ordinary success.
Finally, in August, 1881, Mr. MeNamee deter- mined upon emigrating to America, and after crossing the Atlantic, located in New York City, where he was in the employ of different news- papers until going to Philadelphia, Pa. He so- journed there until coming to the West. Upon reaching this county, he located at onee in Joliet, and was employed as editor of the Press prior to the reorganization of the company, and when this was effected, having by his good habits and steady attention to business secured the confidence of those with whom he was associated, he was chosen for his present position. He has proven a proper man for the place and has exerted no small influ- ence in bringing the Press to its present efficiency and prominence. He was reared in the Catholic faith of his forefathers and belongs to St. Mary's Church. His parents were John and Mary Me- Namee, natives likewise of County Tyrone, Ire- land, and who are now deceased.
While a resident of the city of Middlesborough, England, Mr. McNamee was wedded, July 27. 1876, to Miss Flora O'Neill. Of this union there have been born six children, all of whom are liv- ing, and named respectively : John, Peter, James, Philip, Mary and Joseph. The little family oecu- pies a neat home in the Seventh Ward and enjoys the friendship and acquaintance of its cultivated people.
The Joliet Press Publishing Company was incor- porated October 6. 1889, with a capital stock of 820,000, of which 85,000 was paid up. There has since been added $10,000 to the paid-up stoek. The officers are: Dr. William Dougall. President and Treasurer; James MeNamee, Secretary and Managing Editor. The Board of Directors con- sists of five members, viz: Dr. William Dougall, James McNamee, D. M. Stiles, Capt. James Miller and M. J. Kane. The office is thoroughly equipped for both newspaper and job printing, having, sinee the consolidation, increased its facilities by the put- ting in of new machinery and presses of the most approved make. The outlook is flattering, and as
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the establishment is in the hands of some of the most capable business men of the city, there is little question that the enterprise will be an entire success.
OUIN FRIDLEY. In passing through Flor- enee Township. a visitor is struck by the prosperons appearance of many of the rural homes, and the eyes are especially attracted to some of the residences that dot the landscape. Among those thus conspicuous is that of Mr. Frid- ley, a commodions building of pleasing design, which is accompanied by fine barns and other structures needful to a flourishing agrienlturist. The fertile aeres that surround the dwelling show that the owner is a master hand, for, although the land is now rented. nothing is allowed to gain a look of neglect or in any wise indicate a loss of its former progressive attitude.
Mr. Fridley is a native of the far-famed land of Switzerland, where his eyes opened to the light March 26, 1838. He is the only child of John and Elizabeth Fridley, the former of whom spent his life in that cfime and the latter still lives there. When nineteen years old, young Fridley came to America, settling in Florence Township, this county. on a tract, where he remained from 1857 until 1876, when he became the occupant of the estate he now owns. This comprises two hundred and forty acres on sections 10 and 11. All the build- ings on the place have been made by him, and to his energy is due every improvement that makes of the estate so valuable a piece of property.
Inheriting a devotion to country that is char- acteristic of the German stock, whence he derives his origin, Mr. Fridley devoted some of the best years of his life to the protection of the flag of the Union. In 1862 he joined the army as a private in Company G, One Hundreth Illinois Infantry, and he served until the close of the rebellion. His campaigning was done in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, and during it he fought in several of the most noted contests of the war, among them being Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge,
Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, and the various battles of the Atlanta campaign. At Kenesaw he was wounded and disabled for a time. He was mus- tered out of the service at Nashville, and going to Chicago, there received his discharge July 1, 1865. He is numbered in the ranks of the Republican party, but takes no part in politics other than to cast his vote when occasion requires.
An important step in the life of our subject took place on Christmas Day, 1866, on which date he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary A. Dal- lenbach, of his own township. This estimable lady was the widow of Christian Dallenbach, by whom she had two children-John W. and Frank. She was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and still lives, enjoying with her companion the fruits of indus- try and the esteem of many friends. She is a mem- ber of the Evangelical Church. To her and her present husband a son was born, E. Franklin, from whom they were compelled to part when he was eleven years old.
ILLIAM HELDT. This gentleman owns and occupies a valuable estate of two hun- dred and forty acres on section 35, Wash- ington Township, and is numbered among the en- terprising and progressive agriculturists of the county. He has improved most of the land which comprises his estate, and put up all the buildings upon it, which include every necessary and conven- ient arrangemert for the carrying on of the work of the farm. He was born in Mecklenburg, Ger- many, March 1, 1825, and grew to manhood in his native country, acquiring a good education and the practical knowledge which has been of use in his mature years. He is the son of natives of Meck- lenburg who came with other members of their family to America and died here. A fuller his- tory of the family will be found in the biography of E. Heldt.
The gentleman of whom we write was married in his native land to Miss Hannah Stedt, who was born and reared in the same province as himself and whose parental history is included in the
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sketch of William Stedt, elsewhere in this ALBUM. Soon after his marriage Mr. Heldt and his wife started for America, taking passage at Ilamburg and landing in the metropolis, whence they went at once to Chicago, later making a settlement in York Township, DuPage County. There Mr. Heldt began to work as a laborer on the railroad, subsequently becoming the operator of rented land. In the latter manner he was engaged until 1864, when he eame to Will County and purchased his first land, In his efforts to obtain a good home he was ably seconded by his good wife and they toiled hard together until her death, which occurred June 30, 1888. She had reached the age of fifty- two and one-half years.
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The family of Mr. Ileldt consists of eleven sons and daughters. Minnie died at the age of twenty years, Emma at the age of three, and Fred at the age of two. Henry married Steinie Grauges, and occupies a farm in Washington Township; Will- iam who lives on a farm near Joliet, married Vinie Keichemeister: Mary is the wife of Louis Fieah, a farmer in Washington Township; Charles remains with his father and helps to work the farm ; ller- man. John, Emma and Ameal are also at home.
Mr. Heldt is an earnest advocate of the princi- ples of the Republican party. He is connected with the Lutheran Church, with which his wife was also identified. He is held in good repute as an honorable and industrious man, a reliable cit- izen, and a kindly parent.
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OSEPH HARPER. The farming and agri- cultural interests of New Lenox Township recognize a worthy representative in Mr. Harper, who owns and occupies a well-de- veloped farm on section 12, where he has first-class buildings and all the other appurtenances of the well-regulated country estate. The hand of thrift and industry is apparent at all points, and presents a pleasant pieture of the results of energy and per- severance.
The Harper family is of English origin, and Thomas Harper, the father of our subject, was
born in Westmoreland Connty, England, where he was reared to man's estate and was married. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Wil- son, was born in Lancashire, and the parents came to America in 1852. They settled in Lockport, Will County, Ill., but only sojourned there two montlis, removing then to Frankfort Township, where they lived five or six years. Their next re- moval was to New Lenox Township, this county, where the father selected land on section 12, and built up a permanent home. There he and his es- timable wife spent the remainder of their lives, both dying in 1870.
To the parents of our subject there was born a family of nine children, of whom Joseph was the sixth. His native place was Westmoreland County, England, and the date of his birth August 3, 1836. He emigrated to America with his parents and re- mained a member of the household until about the time of reaching his majority. His home since coming to this country has been mostly in Frank- fort and New Lenox Townships, and he has uni- formly followed farming pursuits. His property embraces one hundred and ninety-four and one- half acres of choice land, and the improvements which we now see upon it have arisen through the labors and good management of the proprietor.
Mr. Harper was married April 15. 1862, at the bride's home in Frankfort Township, to Miss Isa- bella, daughter of Tilford and Lney Ann (Owen) Duncan. The parents of Mrs. Harper were natives of Kentucky, whence they emigrated to Illinois about 1833, and located among the pioneers of Frankfort Township. There the father spent the remainder of his days engaged in farming pursuits, and died in November, 1860. The mother is still living. Their family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Harper, who was next to the eldest, was born in the town of Frank- fort May 21, 1811, acquired her education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Harper are the parents of three children. The eldest, a daughter, Della J., is the wife of George W. Robinson, of Joliet. George W. and Warren T. still remain at home with their parents. Mr. Ilarper, politically, is a sound
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH HARPER, SEC. 12. NEW LENOX TP. WILL CO. ILL.
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RESIDENCE OF JOHN SWEEDLER, SEC . 23. JACKSON' TP. WILL CO.ILL.
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Republican, while he and his good wife are promi- nently connected with the Baptist Church, attend- ing services at Mokena. They are people highly respected in their community, and have one of the pleasantest homes in the township. Their residence. both in exterior finish and inner decorations, is a beautiful one, and is represented by a view on another page.
OHN SWEEDLER. Whatever may be truth- fully said of the evils of emigration, and whatever effort the citizens of America may make to prevent the landing upon our shores of the masses who have been flooding our ports of entry, it is nevertheless beyond dispute that to for- eign countries we are indebted for many of our best citizens. These are the men who have come, not from the haunts of vice or pauper homes, but who have been reared in honorable and frugal habits, and"who, while seeking a broader field for their energies, do so with the intention of assisting in the best development of the country to which they come.
In the Empire of Germany, John Sweedler was born November 26, 1819. He received the excel- Hent education which the Fatherland bestows upon all. After remaining in his native land until the spring of 1857, with his wife and young son he crossed the Atlantic, to make a home in America. . They landed in New York, whence they went direct ti Blue Island, Cook County, and there they so- journed several years. Then selecting a location in this county, Mr. Sweedler bought eighty acres of land on section 23, Jackson Township, where he has since resided. Ile has added to his original purchase, his estate now amounting to one hundred and thirty acres, on which he has erected excellent buildings and made other improvements. His la- bors are characterized by zeal, prudence and thrift, and it needs but a glance at his home to assure the visitor that the family enjoy their worldly posses- sions.
The wife who accompanied Mr. Sweedler from
the Fatherland was born there October 13, 1821. and bore the maiden name of Mary Hammond. She shared her husband's cares and successes until the fall of 1870, when after about twenty years of wedded life, she closed her eyes to earthly things, the date of her decease being September 21. She bad borne her husband two children: Edward, whose natal day was March 23, 1855, and Augus- tus, who was born November 25, 1858. The oldest son is now living in Manhattan Township, having on February 15, 1883. married Miss Amelia Kling- ler; they have two children, John Edward, born May 9. 1883 ; and Lloyd Elias, November 21, 1884.
A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by Mr. Sweedler, March 31, 1872. His companion was Fredericka Deutschmann, a native of Germany, who was born May 18. 1839. She was abont eight- een years old when she came to America, and in this township her marriage to our subjeet took place. This union has been blessed by the birth of four children. Alvin was born August 7, 1873. and died April 15, 1877; Clarence E. was born April 29. 1876; George, March 1, 1878; Willis R., May 11, 1881. Mrs. Sweedler is a consistent member of the German Baptist Church and en- deavors to rule her household in such a manner as to lit her offspring for useful and honorable careers. The brotherly kindness, which is so prominently kept before the minds of the members of the reli- gious body to which she belongs, wins for her the good will of all her neighbors. Mr. Sweedler is a stanch Republican. Although not identified with any religious body. his life has been an upright one and he receives from his fellow-citizens a due meas- ure of respect and approbation.
On another page the reader will observe a view of Mr. Sweedler's pleasant and commodious resi- dence, with the rural surroundings.
G EORGE S. HOUSE. This gentleman is one of the leading members of the bar of Northern Illinois, and undoubtedly stands at the head of the profession in Joliet. He is persistent, studious, and devoted to his calling,
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displaying in the conduct of cases given to his charge, a knowledge of legal precedents, principles of law and equity, and a knowledge of human nature such as few men possess. Not only is he recognized as a legal light of the first magnitude, but his social qualities and general intelligence make for him a place in the best circles of society.
The House family formerly belonged in the Em- pire State, Oneida County being the birthplace of Rodney House, the father of our subject. In the same county Judith Stillman was born and became his wife. Mr. House was a wagon-maker. In 1833 he came to Illinois. settling in Cook County in that portion afterward ealled Grundy County ; two years later he became a resident of that section now known as Will County. To him and his estimable wife two children were born -- Rodney. .Jr., and George S.
On March 1. 1835, in what was then Grundy County, George S. Ilouse opened his eyes to the light of day. He attended the district schools, and after securing a fundamental education, entered the academy at Rome, N. Y .. where he prosecuted his studies three years. Ile then became a student in Hamilton College, N. Y., from which he was graduated in the class of 1856. Ilaving chosen the law as his life work, he began its study and after a complete course at Columbia Law School, N. Y., was graduated therefrom in 1859. Returning to Illinois he located in Joliet and began a practice which has redounded to his credit, and has been the means of securing just decisions in many cases. With the exception of two years spent in Chicago and four years in army life, Joliet has been the home of Mr. House since he first opened his office here.
Under Gen. Donaldson, of the Quartermaster's Department, Mr. House acted during the war, being Auditor and Cashier in the general disburs ing office at Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky. Ile has been corporation lawyer for the Chicago, Wilmington & Vermillion Coal Company, and for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. His po- litical affiliation is with the Republican party.
The home of Mr. House is presided over by a lady of culture and refinement, who is held in the highest esteem in the circle of society in which she
moves, and-by many in humbler walks of life who know her kindness of heart and generous regard for those in need. She bore the maiden name of Virginia A. Osgood, and became the wife of our subject June 27, 1860. She is a daughter of Uri Osgood of this eity. To Mr. and Mrs. House six children have been born. named respectively; George Clinton. Harry O., Virginia Chamber- lain, Gould, Robert and Hazel. The eldest son is now at work for the Chicago & Wilmington Coal Company. The youngest son, Robert, is highly commended for the courage and coolness which he displayed in saving the life of a school companion who was on the point of drowning. Virginia C. was married, April 10, 1890, in Joliet, to Frank E. Chamberlain. The younger members of the fam- ily do honor to the parental care which has been bestowed upon them, being well informed, courteous and of good habits.
ILLIAM IRELAND is foreman of the pattern department of the Fox plant which is under the control of the Illinois Steel Works Company, by whom he has been employed for the past nine years. For a score of years he has been engaged in the same business, in which he is a master workman, a fact that is thoroughly ap- preciated by his employers. He was born in Kirk- wall on the Orkney Islands, north of Scotland, July 26, 1842, and was engaged in Glasgow and London in pattern-making. Having determined to seek a home in the U'nited States. he crossed the Atlantic in April, 1872, and obtaining a position in the Cleveland Rolling Mills at Cleveland, Ohio, resided in that city for nearly a decade. He then removed to doliet, Il1,, which has since been his home.
Mr. Ireland married Miss Emily Roylance, of Chelford, Cheshire, England, who has proved her- self a devoted companion to her husband, and mother to the children who have been born to them. The pleasant dwelling at No. 820 Irving Street, which was built by Mr. Ireland, bears an appear- ance of order and refinement which none but a thorough housekeeper could impart, and thorough
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