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 84
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William
Cañón
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ery for various purposes, and he has erected a fine set of frame buildings, and everything about the place evinces thrift and careful management on the part of its owner.
Mr. Flagg and Miss Margaret Van Horn were united in marriage in 1867, and they have estab- lished one of the coziest and most attractive homes in the neighborhood, the scene of generous and friendly hospitality. Their pleasant home cirele is completed by their five children-Kate O., Bessie L., Warren L., Henry C., and Burr W.
Mr. Flagg is a man of many fine characteristics, is thoughtful, discriminating, self reliant. and clear sighted, is a good worker, and is a credit to the place of his nativity, where he is held in univer- sal respect whether in social or in a business life, by the people who have watched his career from youth up, and by all with whom he associates. Ile holds advanced views in regard to religion, and is a thorough advocate of the Universalist faith as preached by the Rev. Jacob Merrifield, in the church of that denomination in Plainfield.
W ILLIAM PENN CATON. A few years since there passed from life's active seenes a gentleman who had been conspicuously interested in the most important affairs of Will County, and whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. Ile was prominent in political and religious circles, and was first a member of the Whig party. Upon the organization of the Re- publican party he became a strong supporter of its principles, and during the late war was a stanch Inion man.
The native place of the subject of this notice, late a resident of the city of Joliet, was Orange County, N. Y., on the Hudson River, and he was born March 28, 1815. Ilis immediate progenitors were Robert and Ilannah (Dean) C'aton, who were Quakers in religion and worthy representatives of that peaceable sect. Robert Caton was born May 22, 1761, and was three times married, Hannah Dean, the mother of our subject, being the third wife. The father died Aprit 6. 1815, when our
subject was only nine days old. The mother died April 16, 1836, aged fifty-eight years.
In Oneida County young Caton spent the first eighteen years of his life. Then, setting out for himself, he repaired to Ann Arbor, Mich., and so- journed there three years, being employed as a clerk In a general store. In 1836 he went to Chi- cago, Ill., and clerked there and in Milwaukee, Wis., until the following year. Then, returning to Chicago, he sojourned in that place briefly, and finally took up two thousand acres of Govern- ment land in Cook County, Ill., situated about six- teen miles northwest of the present site of Chicago, where he lived until the year 1848. In the mean- time he was married, on Thanksgiving Day, No- vember 28, 1844, at the bride's home, on the north branch of the Chicago River, Cook County, to Miss Elizabeth Steele.
Returning now to Chicago, Mr. Caton secured an oflice as inspector of canal hoats, an important po- sition, which he held until 1856. Then, removing to the vicinity of Plainfield, this county, he en- gaged in farming until 1871. He now decided to retire from active labor, and removing to Joliet, remained a resident of this city until his death, March 22, 1886. During the late years of his life he suffered very much from ill-health. While a resident of Chicago he was connected with the Plymouth Church, in which he officiated as Dea- con. After coming to Joliet he joined the First Presbyterian Church and held the same office in this church for many years. Ile became promi- nent in mercantile circles in the Garden City, and for a time was engaged in banking.
The estimable wife of our subject, Mrs. Elizabeth (Steele) Caton was born May 30. 1819, in Eliza- bethtown, Essex County. N. Y., to Jonathan and Theodosia ( Nichols) Steele. Jonathan Steele was a native of Hartford, Conn., and was born in 1777. From his native place he removed to Elizabeth- town, N. Y., and in 1812 had charge of the arsenal at Elizabethtown, fitting out the troops for the campaign on Lake Champlain. Ilis wite, Theo- dosia, was born in Vermont, October 16, 1780, and died in Elizabethtown, N. Y., when her daughter, Elizabeth. was only three months ofd. Subse- quently the father removed to New York City,
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and lived there until removing to Chicago, Il., in 1837. Mrs. Caton thus looked upon the now great city when it was a village of a few houses. and she has watched its gradual growth to a great metropo- lis with more than ordinary interest. She sailed from Buffalo on one of the first lake steamers which ever plied the waters of old Lake Michigan. ·
To Mr. and Mrs. Caton there was born a family of nine children, five of whom are living: William Edward, a resident of Grand Rapids, Mich., is mar- ried and the father of three children ; Hannah E. is the wife of T. A. Mason, of Joliet, and they have two children; Charles A., a resident of Ot- tawa, Ill .. is married and the father of three chil- dren ; Albert R. and wife are living in Plainfield; Minnie E. remains with her mother. Mrs. Caton, since the death of her husband. has managed the estate in an admirable manner, and is a lady greatly respected in her community.
C HRISTOPHI SALZMANN. The develop- ment of the agricultural resources of Wash- ington Township, has been largely due to the efforts of foreign-born citizens, particularly to natives of the German Empire. Many of them have made their home here, and taking tracts of unbroken prairie land, devoid of buildings, have soon converted the virgin soil into smiling fields of golden grain, in the midst of which substantial dwellings and outbuildings have been erected. This has been the case on the homestead of. Chris- toph Salzmann, who owns eighty acres of excel- lent land on section 30.
The father of our subject was Paul Salzmann. a native of Northern Germany, and a linen-weaver by trade. He died when but forty-six years old, leaving four sons and two daughters, most of whom are now deceased. His wife was Mary Er- bach, also a native of Northern Germany, in which she spent her entire life, breathing her last when sixty years of age. Both husband and wife were life-long members of the Lutheran Church.
The gentleman of whom we write was born September 12. 1821, in Saxe-Coburg, Germany,
and having lost his father when but five years of age, was reared by his worthy mother. When he had reached the proper age he began to learn the trade of a linen-weaver, in which his father had been so skilled a workman and in which he also at- tained proficiency. lle was thirty-two years old and yet a single man when he was drawn to Amer- iea by what he had heard of the openings which this country presented for a man of energy. He left Bremerhaven May 20. 1853, on a sailer that required fifty-four days to make the voyage to New York City. Ile came at once to Cook County, Ill., in which he made his home until 1862, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa. During this time he was engaged as a farm laborer and had been hoarding his resources in order to buy himself a home. Coming to Will County he secured the traet of prairie which his well-directed efforts have converted into his present well-im- proved and well-cultivated estate.
The lady whom Mr. Salzmann won for his wife and, with whom he was united in marriage in Cook County, was Miss Sophia Shoof. She was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, June 23, 1830, and reared and educated in her native land. In 1856 she accompanied her parents and other members of the family to America, whence two brothers had pre- ceded them. They crossed the Atlantic on a slow sailer from llamburg to New York. the entire fam- ily coming direct to the Prairie State, and settling at Oak Park. Cook County. There Henry Shoof died in 1870, at the ripe age of seventy-one years. llis widow afterward came to live with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Salzmann, and died at her home in 1872, when seventy-nine years oldl. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shoof were members of the Lutheran Church, kindly of heart and industrious in habits. After reaching Chicago their daughter earned her liveli- hood as a domestic until her marriage to our sub- ject.
The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Salzmann has been blest by the birth of seven children, and they mourn the loss of a daughter, Sarah, who died when a year old. Of the surviving members of the family circle, Rosa is living with a sister in Thornton, Ill. ; Frank married Anna Kratehmar and lives in Chicago, where he has a saloon; Emma A.
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is the wife of William Maxwell, a quarryman, in Thornton; Robert, a promising young man, is at home and working the homestead and an eighty- aere tract of land which belongs to himself ; Christy M. is attending school at Thornton; Jessie G. is at home. Mr. Salzmann is a member of the Republican party, and he and his good wife be- long to the Lutheran Church, by whose principles they endeavor to guide their daily lives.
1 LINK. though of foreign birth, came to this country in his boyhood and was reared under our institutions and educated in our schools. and to-day, in the vigor of a stalwart manhood, seareely past its prime, is a prosperous and sue- cessful citizen of one of its richest farming commu- nities, the possessor of a farm in Troy that is as valuable and well improved as any to be found in this section of Will County.
Mr. Link is a native of Alsace, Germany, where he was born August 1, 1815, to Joseph and Mary Ann (Striker) Link. When he was eleven years of age his parents emigrated to America and came directly to Joliet, where they lived for five years. In 1863 they purchased a part of the farm in Troy Township now owned and occupied by our subject. Here they remained making their home with him until death called them hence, the father dying in February, 1888, at the age of seventy-five years and one month and the mother April 3, 1889, aged seventy-five years, seven months and twenty-five days. They left a family of three children-Ellen, wife of Xavier Beath, a farmer of Troy ; our sub- ject ; Mary, widow of Joseph Metzgar.
Hle of whom we write, received an excellent common-school education. He was reared to farm- ing pursuits and remained on the homestead of his parents, finally buying the farm of them. He has been very much prospered in his vocation and has added to his first purchase a large tract of fine farming land comprising two hundred and sixteen acres. so that his farm is now composed of two hundred and ninety-six acres of land well filled and finely improved. He has built a large and
conveniently arranged barn and is preparing to build a commodious and substantial residence, and has other suitable buildings.
The marriage of Mr. Link with Miss Christina, daughter of Michael and Caroline Eigsted, took place in 1872. Mrs. Link's parents came from Prussia in 1855. and spent the remainder of their lives in Joliet, leaving two children at their death. Seven children complete the present household circle of our subject and his wife. Frank. John, Mary. Albert, Lizzie, Josephine, and baby Louisa. Mr. Link aims to give his children each two years schooling in the church as he desires to have them well educated. They all speak good German and the elder ones have good English educations.
Mr. Link has well improved his opportunities, Hiboring unceasingly, carrying on his work with skill, and sound, clear judgment, so that he has achieved a proud place among the most wide awake and successful of our farmers in this part of the county. His fellow-citizens, marking his abil- ity in carrying on his own affairs, have called ou him to aid in the management of public business. He has been Highway Commissioner for three years and also Collector for the Township, and has faith - fully filled the position as School Director for six- teen years, the school of District No. 5, being located on his farm. Hle and his wife are true Christians and members in good standing of the St. John's German Catholic Church of Joliet, their chil- «Iren also being communicants of that church. In polites he is a sturdy Democrat, though he is not confined to party ties. but in local elections votes for the man whom he thinks is best fitted for the oflice.
AVID ROSENHEIM, one of the pioneer clothing men of foliet, has, by a thorough understanding of his business, built up an extensive and lucrative trade, having among his friends and patrons the leading men of the city. He is still comparatively a young man. approaching the forty-third year of his age, hav- ing been born December IL. 1817. His native place was in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, and his par-
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ents were Benediet and Babette ( Metzgar ) Rosen- heim, who were likewise of German birth and an- cestry, and who spent their entire life on their native soil.
Our subject, arrived in Joliet in the spring of 1863, having made the passage on the steam- ship "China." lle engaged first as a clerk with his brother. and then became proprietor of the busi- ness. By steady application thereto and court cous treatment of his customers, he has attained to a good position socially as well as in a business way, and like most of those of his nationality who have sought their fortunes on the soil of America, he is now comparatively independent.
Mr. Rosenheim was joined in wedlock with Miss Augusta Lindauer at the bride's home in Joliet. June 18, 1878. This lady was born in the same town in Germany as her husband, and was his play- mate during their school days. Her father. Julius Lindauer and his wife, were of German birth and parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenheim are the par- ents of four bright children-Bert, Julian, Myra and Sidney. The little family occupies a snug home in the city where they enjoy all of the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life.
ENSEN BROS., proprietors of the cele- brated "Paradise Farm." are among the most intelligent, active and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers in Will County. Their farm, on section 30. Channahon Township. lies on the upland, near the mouth of the Des- plaines and Kankakee Rivers, where they unite to form the Ilinois. From the bluff on which they live they have a magnificent view for many miles up the Kankakee, and on a clear day can see Wil- mington, Braidwood and other surrounding towns. Our subjects came here in 1875 and bought a small part of their present estate, lying in the forest, and since then they have done so well financially that they have added to their original purchase and now own four hundred acres of valuable land. By extraordinary exertions and persever- ance they have cleared about one hundred and
forty acres of this and have it under the plow, de- voting the remainder to pasturage for their large herds of stock, the land being especially adapted to that purpose. They have provided it with an- ple buildings, each having a comfortable dwelling, and there are good barns and other outhouses on the place.
The Messrs. Jensen early took the advantage of the adaptability of their land to stock raising, and have made a speciality of that line, raising horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, all of the best grades. They have a fine thorough-bred Holstein bull, and a herd of thorough-bred cows, making a specialty of this breed; while in horses they have the heavy draft Clydesdale and Norman stock ; in sheep they have nothing but the Shropshire; and in bogs they have tbe celebrated Poland-Chinas. These gentle- men have by no means confined their operations to agricultural pursuits, but have branched out in other directions since coming to Will County, in 1869. They own and operate a steam threshing machine and corn sheller, and furnish power for drilling artesian wells. They were the first to buy and operate the now very common road grader, taking road grading by contract, and have made all the roads in the township of Seward, Grundy County, and have done considerable work in the city of Chicago, grading all the streets of Ever- green Park and Washington Heights.
Louis and Augustus Jensen, of whom we write, are natives of Norway, their birthplace being on the shores of the beautiful lake Mjarson. They came to America when Louis was eighteen years of age and Augustus was but sixteen. A twin brother of the latter, John, accompanied them. lle is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers of Grundy County, having a good farm but a few miles from his brothers. They came directly to Chicago, and from there to Minooka, where they had an uncle living, and where each accepted work at anything at which they could turn an honest penny.
Louis Jensen was married to Miss Clara Moe, of Chicago, in 1880, she also being a Norwegian by birth. They have two daughters and one son- Annie Pauline, Ida Fredericka and Warner.
Augustus Jensen was married, in 1881, to a Dan-
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ish-German lady, Miss Catharine llensen. They have two children : Louisa Dora Missa, seven years of age; and Walter Nelson, a baby.
The Jensen brothers, by their courage, foresight and business enterprise, have been very influential in advancing the financial status of the township, and are numbered among its most invaluable eiti- zens. In politics they are a little mixed, being rather inclined to the Greenback order. They were educated in the tenets of the Lutheran Church and still abide by that faith.
ASHINGTON D. STEWART is one of the oldest residents in point of settlement in Custer Township, and has been a very efficient aid in developing its fine agricultural re- sources. Ile was born July 30, 1826, in Wayne County, Ohio, a son of John and Elizabeth ( Motz) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania. They were mar- ried in that State about 1820, and moving to Ohio, became early settlers of Wayne County, where the father carried on farming and where they made their permanent hoine till death called them to a higher life, she dying in 1876, and he in 1880. They had eleven children, eight of whom are now living. The son of whom we write was their sixth child. His early educational advantages were limited and after he was eight years old, he never attended school again. Ambitious, however, to better his education, later in life he pursued his studies and became quite a proficient, especially in mathematics. During his youth he was kept in attendance at the Postoffice and bar of the tavern belonging to his father, but at the age of nineteen he began life for himself. For some years he engaged in handling stock and in general trading until he had quite a sum of money. In 1867, he came to Illinois and bought his present farm, locating land warrants for four hundred acres. Ile did not however, settle here then, but went back to his home in Ohio, and in 1850 returned with his family to make, his per- manent residence here. The two hundred and eighty acres of land comprising his farm have been put under excellent tillage and he has erected a sub-
stantial set of buildings. Ile first erected a frame house and in 1868, built his present more commodi- ons residence at a cost of $2,800. Ile has given his attention to stock-raising and farming, and formerly raised some very fine blooded cattle.
Mr. Stewart was married April 23, 1845, to Miss Rosella Tanner. a daughter of Stephen Tanner, of Wayne County. Ohio. a pioneer farmer of that lo- cality. Mrs. Stewart was born November 21. 1826, on her father's homestead in Wayne County. and received the advantages of a good common-school education. Mrs. Stewart departed this life March 27, 1888. Of the six children born of her mar- riage with our subject, two are now living : Ella, wife of Joseph Myers, who lives with our subject; and Emma.
Our subject occupies a worthy place among the pioneers of the county, and during his long resi- dence in Custer Township has shown himself to be a good citizen who has always taken an interest in its welfare and who has served it faithfully while in publie office. For many years he has been a Di- rector of the school district and for eight years has served with credit as JJustice of the Peace. He has been Township Clerk and Road Commissioner. He has always taken an active part in polities and keeps himself well posted on the political issues of the day. He has been a sound Democrat from his youth upwards, though in local affairs, he votes for the man regardless of party.
MEYER, M. D. For about eighteen years Dr. Meyer has been the leading physician and surgeon of Beecher, where he established himself in 1872, and where he has built up a large and successful practice. He was thoroughly educated in the science of therapeutics, and had an extended experience as an army physician and sur- geon. as well as a private experience of many years, before he became a resident of this place. Itis the- oretical knowledge and skill in the use of remedial agents is unquestioned, while in the use of the seal- pel he was equally well versed.
The father of our subject was Michael Meyer, a
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native of Prussia, who served his country as a sol- dier for nine years, chiefly under Napoleon. Hle lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and two years, dying in the land of his birth. Ilis first wife bore the maiden name of Mary Francen. She was the mother of two children, our subject and a brother, Michael, Jr., who also came to this eoun- try. The latter died in Chicago after having served twenty years as detective and policeman there. The mother was noted in her country for her med- ical skill and education, she having practiced mid- wifery for many years; she died at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. She and her husband be- longed to the Catholic Church.
Dr. Meyer was born in one of the Rhine Provin- ces of Prussia. September 11, 1821, and was care- fully rented by his parents, who bestowed upon him all the advantages possible in the way of obtaining knowledge. When he had reached the proper years he entered the medical college of Bon, Germany, where he studied six years. He was then gradu- ated, and entering the Prussian Army spent nine years in discharging the duties devolving upon an army physician and surgeon. He had charge of many serious cases, and performed many critical surgical operations, as he has since done in America.
The knowledge which Dr. Meyer had obtained of the United States led him to believe that a broader field would be opened before him in this country. and he therefore determined to leave his native land and seek a home in the New World. In the fall of 185 I he engaged passage for himself and family on a vessel which sailed from Antwerp to New York. They reached the latter city after a perilous voyage of sixty-five days. Storms swept the vessel clear of its masts and rigging, and the five hundred passengers nearly died from starva- tion before the desired haven was reached. The Doetor came at once to Chicago and opened an office in that city, where he pursued his chosen call- ing with marked success until 1872. lle then re- moved to Beecher, which has since been his home, and the center of his well-directed efforts to allevi- ate the sufferings of mankind.
The first wife of our subject was Miss Theresa A. Haerman, a native of one of the Rhine Prov- inces. in which she spent her entire life, dying
when but twenty-three years old. She left one child, Lena, now the wife of Adam Rauen, whose home is Chicago, and who is connected with the water-works there. Dr. Meyer chose for his second companion Miss Gertrude Hann. who was also born and reared in a Rhine Province in Germany. This. marriage has resulted in the birth of a large family, four of whom are now living. Of the eight who have been removed by death, all died young and most of them in infancy. The survivors are Mi- chael, Peter, John and Anna. The first is foreman of the painting department of the car shops; he is a clever artist, wielding the brush in other lines than those required in the business. He married Miss Augusta Heinz. Peter is a prominent fresco, sign and landscape painter, and he also evinces considerable artistic talent; John is employed in the Cook County Court House; Anna is the wife of John Pauly, a dealer in vines and liquors, at No. 100 Randolph Street, Chicago.
Dr. Meyer is a believer in the principles embod- ied in the Democratie platform, and in all national elections supports it with his vote. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being enrolled in Blue Lodge No. 740, Grand Park. The entire family belong to the Catholic Church. The Doctor owns some fine property in Chicago.
ILLIAM COOK. For many years this gentleman resided on a fine farm on sec- tion 16. Crete Township, Will County, and this land, through his energetic management, was converted into one of the most pleasant estates in the township. He also owned land on section 17, comprising altogether one hundred and twenty-five acres. Ile dated his arrival in this county from May 10, 1850, after which he gradually built up a finely improved farm and accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. Toward the close of his life he retired from his more arduous labors and spent his declining years in ease and comfort. His death occurred at his home, JJuly 14, 1890, when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty years, four months and nineteen days. For six years preced-
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