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 88
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Setting sail from Hamburg in April, 1862, on the "Otseal" Mr. Paulsen spent eight long weeks on the broad Atlantic ere landing was made at New York.
D. H. F trampling
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Thence he went to Chicago and into Kankakee County, where he labored about a twelvemonth. He then came to Will County and in Monee Township spent some time as a farm hand. Ere long he determined to have a home of his own and therefore began to improve the land, which now rewards his efforts with an abundance of the fruits of the cartlı.
The efficient helpmate and companion of Mr. Paulsen in his labors to secure a competence was known in her maidenhood as Miss Sophia Hack. She is a daughter of Ernest and Sophia ( Recopf) llack, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, who came to America in 1861, following some of their children across the sea. They settled in Will County, Ill., and here both died well advanced in years. They had six children, Mrs. Paulsen being the youngest; she was born in Mecklenburg, May 19, 1812. and was consequently twenty-two years old when she came to the United States. She has borne her husband nine children, two of whom died in infancy.
The surviving members of the family circle are: Bertha, wife of Henry Wherman, a farmer in Wash- ington Township; dolin, Herman, Carrie, Heury, Louis and Emma, who are yet living under the pa- rental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen belong to the German Evangelical Church, and politically, he is a stanch Republican.
ON. JOHN M. THOMPSON. Few residents in New Lenox Township have so strong a claim upon the consideration of the readers of this volume as the gentleman above named. He has borne an honorable part in the public affairs of a great commonwealth. won a gal- lant record for service during the Civil War, sue- cessfully and intelligently prosecuted a farmer's career, possesses a cultured mind and much learn- ing in the law. and represents a family which has given many honored members to public life. His home is on a finely-improved farm where every necessary and convenient structure. first class ma- chinery and farm implements, and high grades of
stock may be seen. The estate consists of about six hundred acres which, when covered with grow- ing crops, present an appearance of prosperity not to be surpassed in Northern Illinois.
The Thompson family is of English origin while the maternal ancestors of our subject sprang from Germany. His father, the late James Thompson, was born in Salem, Mass,, and his mother, Sarah (Snure) Thompson, in Canada. Their first home after marriage was in the Dominion, from which they removed to Winnebago County, Ill., about 1810. Mr. Thompson first built a blasting furnace and afterward a factory in which he manufactured woolens and did custom carding and fulling. Ile resided in Roscoe until his death, which occurred in 1863. His widow survived until September, 1884, breathing her last in Rockford. Their fam- ily consisted of eleven children, of whom the fol- lowing facts may be noted:
Clark W., a resident of Minnesota, died in April, 1885, at the age of sixty-one years ; he was a State Representative, a member of the Constitutional Convention and State Senator several terms, bear- ing a prominent part in the political affairs of the State. He was also one of the Lincoln Electors, and the first President of the Southern Minnesota Railroad. He owned a tract of twenty-five thous- and aeres and established the town of Wells, which was named for his wife. Edward, a miller, resid- ing in Blunt. S. Dak., has been a Representative and State Senator; Mary C. is the wife of JJames Abbott. of Beloit, Wis .; Eliza J. died in 1870; the next in order is the subject of this sketch; Agnes died in 1851 at the age of sixteen years; Anna is the wife of Maj. D. C. Wagner. of Chicago: James a resident of Fillmore County, Minn .. was nominated to the Legislature but declined to run ; Marie L. is the wife of Seely Perry. of Rockford; Fanny A. is the wife of Dr. Manuel Quintero, of Lyons, France; Albert died when two years of age.
The natal day of our subject was October 22, 1832, and his birthplace Yarmouth, Canada. Hle was nine years old when his father removed to Illinois, and he prosecuted his studies at Mt. Morris and Beloit. Wis. After completing his classical education he was employed as clerk in a store and post-office at Roscoe for a year, then, in the fall of
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1855, went to Hokah, Houston County, Minn., where for about three years he had charge of the business of his brother Clark. He next engaged in the real-estate business in the same place, and two years later turned his attention to the study of law. In 1859 he returned to Roscoe, Ill., continuing his legal studies there a twelvemonth. Assisted by F. G. Ensign and James B. Kerr. he raised a com- pany of men under the first call for troops in 1861. to become a part of the Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. He tendered his services but was rejected. and re- turning to Minnesota entered the office of his brother Clark, who had been appointed Superin- tendent of Indian Affairs and was located at St. Paul.
time during the following September when he was exchanged.
On account of the wound he had received, Maj. Thompson was led to adopt farm life, and in May, 1865, located a short distance east of Joliet. He has given his attention chiefly to his farm, placing it in a condition second to none in the county and making it the source of an abundant income. Hav - ing some years since returned to Minnesota for business purposes. he was elected to the State Leg- islature and resided in that State about two years, creditably discharging the duties of his official station. In 1867, accompanied by his wife, he visited the World's Fair at Paris, and traveled quite extensively on the continent.
There Mr. Thompson resumed the study of his In Joliet, January 14, 1863, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Jennie M., daughter of Judge John J. and Priscilla ( Moore ) Davidson. Iler father had been a Probate Judge in Indiana, but in Will County, of which he was one of the early settlers, he followed the occupation of a civil engin- eer. He died in New Lenox Township in 1814, his wife surviving him nearly forty years and breath- ing her last in the county seat in 1881. She was a native of New Hampshire and an estimable woman, under whose careful training her daughter grew to womanhood in possession of fine traits of charac- ter, useful habits and courteous manners. The family of which Mrs. Thompson is a member, con- sisted of herself and a sister, Rachel D., now the wife of HI. N. Higginbotham, of the firm of Mar- shall Field & Co., Chicago. chosen profession. In September he accompanied his brother up the St. Louis River and Lake Super- ior, assisting him in paying off the Nation's wards. He was nearly prepared for admission to the bar but was still determined to enter the army, and in October, 1861, enrolled himself as a private in Company K, Fourth Minnesota Infantry. In due time he was in the field, bearing his part in the many privations and dangerous scenes incidental to a soldier's life. He participated in ten of the hardest-fought battles of the war, among them be- ing Juka, Corinth. Jackson and Champion Hills. From the ranks he was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant of his company and afterward solicited by the Colonel to act as his Adjutant. IIe was afterward unanimously elected Captain of Company E, and still later (January 14, 1863) Mrs. Thompson was born in New Lenox Town- ship in December, 1840, and after acquiring a fundamental education entered Rockford Female Seminary, from which she was graduated in due time. She has borne her husband five children- Jennie M., John D., Helen, Agnes and Vera. The son is now a clerk in the dry-goods house of Mar- shall Field & Co. Agnes died when in her eighth year. The other daughters are at home, gladden- ing their parents with their inereasing culture and true womanliness. promoted to be First Major of Cavalry and as- signed to duty with the Second Minnesota. That regiment took part in the Indian campaign, and Maj. Thompson was assigned to the command of Ft. Ripley. He was finally detailed to serve on a court martial convened in St. Paul, Minn., and remained there until the surrender of Gen. Lee, when he resigned, his resignation to take effect May 1. 1865. At Forty Hills he received a slight wound and at Champion Hills. while leading his company to charge a battery, he was shot through the body. Maj. Thompson has taken quite an active part in political affairs, always endeavoring to act upon principle and fearing not to change his party affili- lle was supposed to be mortally wounded, was so reported, and being left to die on the field was tiken prisoner and held from May 16 until some i tions as his views regarding party poliey were
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modified or his opinions as to the National needs diverged from a former standpoint. He was orig. inally a radical Republican, but afterward became active with the Greeley faction. For some years he was independent, then affiliated with the Green- back party, by which he was nominated Secretary of State hy acclamation.
In November, 1887. Maj. Thompson was elected Trustee of the State Grange of Illinois. Patrons of Husbandry, and in the fall of 1889 was almost unanimously re-elected to the same office on ac. count of the prosperity which the order was enjoy- ing under the business management of himself and colleagues. At Springfield, May 2. 1890. he was elected Chairman of a conference of the four organ- izations-the Patrons of Husbandry, Farmers' Mu- tual Benefit Association. Farmers' Alliance and Knights of Labor. They formed a federation known as the Farmers and Laborers' Conference, of which Maj. Thompson was elected first President.
OIIN WOODS. an old and well-known resi- dent of Joliet. came West in a prairie schoo- ner with his parents in 1842. He was then a mere child, born December 11, 1836, in Mercer County, Pa. The family located in Pike County. this State, but seven years later they ro- moved to Galesburg, Knox County, where John obtained his education, completing Ins studies in
Knox Academy. Ile learned the printing business with C. R. Fisk. and subsequently worked on the Oquarka Spectator. His father in the meantime purchased the Free Democrat office at Galesburg, whereupon John went to work for him. When the latter disposed of his paper in Is5s, John opened a job office.
Mr. Woods, in 1860, removed to Winchester, Scott County, where, in company with C. I. Sel- lon, he published a Republican paper during the Lincoln campaign. After the election it was abandoned and Mr. Woods then went to Spring- field. On the Ist of April, 1861. he decided to take Mr. Greeley's advice "Go West young man." and crossing the Mississippi located in Page County,
lowa, and commenced farming. I'pon the break- ing out of the Civil War he, in company with others, organized a company of Home Guards, and on July 1, they organized a regiment, the First Iowa Militia, of which Mr. Woods was appointed Adjutant.
In September following this regiment volunteered under Col. Cramer and went into Missouri as far as St. Joseph. Adj. Woods, however, on the dis- bandment of the regiment the following month, returned to Springfield. Ill., and entered the Quar- termaster's department as a clerk under Capt. Bail- hache. In 1862, in connection with Tom Lewis and his brother, he established a daily paper, the Union Herald. Subsequently they attempted to transfer this to Memphis, Tenn., but did not suc. ceed. The office, however, was removed to Cairo, in August, 1868, but its politics being changed from Republican to Democratic Mr. Woods with- drew.
In 1865 our subject purchased a printing office at Cairo, Il., which he conducted two years, and in 1867 repaired to Belleville, this State, and be- came manager of the Weekly Advocate. with which he remained for a period of ten years. In 1879 he came to Joliet with his brother and purchased the Republican, which they conducted until 1883. Mr. Woods was appointed Postmaster of Joliet, by President Arthur, through the recommendation of Congressman Cullen and others, his commission bearing date March 3, 1883, and during his term secured the establishment of the free delivery sys- tem for the city. In recommending letter carriers for appointment, however, he did not see fit to con- sult the wishes of the local leaders of the party then in power, which act gave color for the charge of "offensive partisanship" under President Cleveland's dictum, and resulted in the suspension of the offend- ing Postmaster four months before the expiration of his term. He then formed a partnership with 1. N. Marsh in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness.
Mr. Woods was married in Springfield. Ili., Au- gust 6, 1863, 10 Miss Jennie M. Dann. There have been born to them four children. one of whom is deceased. The survivors are Charles Holcomb, William W. and Asa. Mr. Woods stands high in
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Masonie cireles, having attained to the Master and Royal Arch degrees at Belleville, where he served as Worshipful Master and High Priest. Ile re- ceived the Knight Templar Orders at Joliet and belongs to Commandery No. 1. He is serving his third term as High Priest of Joliet Chapter, No. 27, and has been an active promoter of the Masonic Temple enterprise, which magnificent building is now nearing completion.
JACOB A. HENRY. It is the common re- mark that there is not a more public-spirited man in the city of Joliet than he with whose name we introduce this biographical out- line. He has been in all respects the architect of his own fortune, rising from an humble position in life to one of affluence, and is now one of the capitalists of Will County, and extensively en- gaged as a railroad contractor. Of New England antecedents. he was born in Hunterdon County, N. .l., the date thereof being April 25, 1825.
Mr. Henry was reared a farmer's boy, and at an early age was made acquainted with hard work. The last active manual labor which he performed was driving a team at $7 per month, and of this small wages he was cheated by his employer, who failed in business. Then in 1842, when a youth of seventeen years, he entered the employ of the Hart- ford & New Haven Railroad Company, and assisted in laying the first tract on the canal road through the city of New Haven. In 1816 he emigrated to Ohio, and locating in Elyria, took his first contract in connection with a railroad in Ohio and Indiana. Ile superintended the construction of the northern division of the Sandusky road, then, in 1856, came to Illinois, and three years later became a resident of Joliet.
Thereafter Mr. Henry spent several years as a Roadmaster of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. In 1870, going to Texas, he filled the contract for the building of the Houston & Great Northern Railroad, which he completed in 1873. In the meantime, ho also built a portion of the Southern Pacific, which involved a large amount of heavy work. In 1888
we lind him operating in Arkansas, and since that year he has built one hundred and seventy-three miles of railroad. Few men in this part of the country have entered into larger contracts than Mr. Henry, or carried them out more satisfactorily. Ile enjoys the enviable record of having fulfilled every contract he has ever made to the letter.
Mr. Henry, in 1873, put up one of the most ele- gant residences in Joliet, this being located on East- ern Avenue, and still remaining the home of the family. Within and without it is indicative of cultured tastes and ample means, and forms one of the most attractive features of the city. Mr. Henry has always taken a lively interest in the growth and prosperity of his adopted city, and contributed lib- erally of his time and means to this end. For a city of its size, Joliet enjoys an unequalled system of street railways, the cars propelled by electricity, and this enterprise was inaugurated and carried out by Jacob A. Henry. Every enterprise which is calculated to advance the interests of the people, socially, morally, and financially, receives his un- qualified support. Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Henry has been its stanch adherent. Although he has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, he has never been am- bitious of official preferment, being content to work out his plans in a quiet way, and in this man- ner has accomplished a vast amount of good.
The subject of this notice was first married, April 26, 1846, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Ellis Briggs, of Winsted, Conn. Of this union there was born one daughter, now the wife of J. W. Folk, of Joliet. Mrs. Nancy ( Briggs) Henry departed this life at her home in Joliet, January 23, 1878. In October, 1885, Mr. Henry contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Rachel (Hulsizer) Apgar.
AMES A. CLYNE, M. D. Among the suc- cessful practitioners of Joliet may be men- tioned Dr. Clyne, who located in the city in the fall of 1886. He is the surgeon of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and aside from this en- joys a lucrative practice in the city and vicinity.
Edward. H. Wormer D.O.S.
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Ile is also a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Staff. lle was born at Cohoes, N. Y., March 2, 1860, and is the son of James Clyne. The latter was also a native of New York State, where he was reared to manhood and married Miss Catherine Quinn. The mother of our subject was born in the northern part of New York. near the carly home of her hus- band. and both are still living at Cohoes.
Dr. Clyne pursued his early studies in the com- mon schools of his native city. and supplemented them by a course in the Business College at Cohoes. being a student in the class of 1878. He began the study of medicine in his native town, under the instruction of Dr. D. W. Houston and in due time entered upon a course of lectures at the Albany Medical College, which he commeneed attending in the fall of 1883, and from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1886. While there, after a successful examination, he received a hospital ap- pointment and remained in Albany until May, 1886, in the meantime having charge of a physi- cians, practice in the northern part of the State.
Soon after coming to Joliet, Dr. Clyne associated himself in partnership with Dr. G. C. Raynor, one of the prominent physicians of the city. Two years later he was appointed city physician. which position he still holds. He still belongs to Albany Medical Society, also the Will County Medical So- ciety, and is the Medical Examiner for various life insurance companies. He is prominently connected with the Independent Order of Foresters, and is the court physician of the same. He has entered upon a successful career in connection with his chosen calling, to which he devotes his close atten- tion and in which he is ambitious to excel. Politie- ally. Dr. Clyne is a Democrat.
E DWARD II. WERNER, D. D. S. Although but little past his majority this young gen- tleman is manifesting that close attention to business which combined with his thorough un- derstanding of his profession, will undoubtedly seeure for him a high standing in the dental ranks and a fine reputation among those who need such
services as he can render. He has opened in Joliet one of the best dental offices in the county. furn- ished with all the modern appliances, and in the few months in which he has been established has started a rapidly increasing trade.
Dr. Werner was born in Joliet. December 9, 1867, and received his education in the public schools of this city. After making his choice of a vocation he became a student in the New York College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in the class of '89, with the degree of Doctor of Den- tal Surgery. He at once opened an office in his native city and in a short time set up his own home, taking for his companion in life Miss Leonora M., daughter of S. J. Barber. The rites of wedlock were celebrated between them January 22, 1890. Mrs. Werner is a charming young woman, educated and cultured, and endowed with many virtues of character.
The gentleman of whom we write is of German descent, his parents being natives of the German Empire. William Werner, the father, was born in Frankfort on-the- Main, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Feb- ruary 5. 1831. At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed at the trade of a mason and four years later emigrated to the United States. He spent three months in Stroudsburg, Pa., and in October. 1>51, came West, locating in Frankfort, III. His first work here wits as a stonemason on the Rock Island Railroad, which was then being built, but the next year he located in JJoliet and began busi- ness as a contractor and quarryman. He erected many of the prominent buiklings of this city. among them the Will County Jail, the Union schoolhouse, the West Side Presbyterian Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church and others.
In 1856, William Werner was elected Commis- sioner of Highways and Treasurer, serving three years. In 1861, he became a member of the Board of Aldermen, serving in that august body four ycars. He also served on the Board of Supervisors seven years. During the late war he was Draft Commissioner, having been appointed in 1863. His wife was Miss Barbara Goeble, a native of Prussia, with whom he was united in holy wedlock Septem- ber 7, 1853. The union was blessed by the birth of four children. of whom the subject of this sketch
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is the youngest. The other members of the family circle are Frederick W. Werner, M. D., Frederick Charles, a harness-maker ; and George W., a veteri- nary surgeon.
Dr. Werner's portrait will be found accompany- ing his personal sketch.
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JAMES E. AUSTIN was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 7, 1825.
E L. SHAFFNER. The subject of this no- tice established himself in Joliet as a coal dealer about thirteen years since and is now located at No. 501, Washington Street. Formerly he was in partnership with his father, they opera- ting under the firm name of B. Shaffner & Son, but for the last seven years Mr. Shaffner has done busi- ness alone. His yard is conveniently located near the tracks of the Alton and the Hinois Central Railroads, also the Santa Fe tracks. He has proved himself a good business manager and has built up an extensive patronage.
A native of Joliet, our subject was born October 1, 1852, and is the son of Benjamin Shaffner, who was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1825. The latter came with his parents to this county about the year 1850, they locating in Manhattan Town- ship. Grandfather Shaffner took up a track of Government land and there Benjamin lived with his parents until the time of his marriage. The maiden of his choice was Miss Caroline Larkin, of this county, and they commenced the journey of life together on a farm in Jackson Township, where they resided until their son E. L. was about five years old. Benjamin Shaffner then sold out and removed to Joliet where he commenced working at his trade of carpenter and finally drifted into wagon and carriage making. He also embarked in the grocery and provision business and finally be- came interested in the coal trade. Ile was pros- pered financially, and retired from the active labors
of life about 1883. lle and his excellent partner are still residents of Joliet, occupying a comforta- ble liome. Mr. Shaffner has been for many years a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics he is a Republican.
The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the schools of his native city and commenced his business career as an employe of the Joliet Iron & Steel Company. He rapidly advanced in the good opinion of his employers, being placed in the position of foreman, and having charge of the pay roll for about five years. About 1877 he engaged with his father in the coal trade with which he has since been connected. He added ice in 1886 and has several houses for the accommodation of this article, two on the east and two on the west side,and one in his yard. He usually obtains this from quarries. but this season (1890) is shipping from Winnebago, Wis.
Mr. Shaffner was married, January 22, 1877, to Miss Amanda Stanley, and they become the parents of four children, viz: Edwin Stanley, Frances M., Benjamin Francis and Lottie A., who died at the age of five years. The wife and mother departed this life May 13, 1885, at the age of thirty years. She was the daughter of Francis G. Stanley.
The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married May 18, 1886, was formerly Miss Martha J. George, of Doylestown, Ohio. She is the daugh- ter of lohn George, who was Formerly a resident of Joliet. There has been born of this union one child, a daughter, Clara Belle.
ONRAD WILKENING. The subject of this sketch was born in 1856, in the township of Crete, attended the common school's until the age of fourteen. at which time he entered & general store in the village of Crete, and there by his aptness soon learned the rudiments of the busi- ness that in after years made him successful. Not being satisfied to enter the business world without a better knowledge of its methods, he took a course of study in the best business college of Chicago, graduating with honor. He at once secured a re-
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