USA > Illinois > Will County > Souvenir of settlement and progress of Will County, Ill. A review of the lives of our presidents, political, military and commercial history of the United States and of the state of Illinois Business directory of Joliet Comp. specially for the people of the county > Part 37
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
Lyman Foster, born March 30, 1793, at Meriden, Connecti- cut; settled in Plainfield township in 1844. For years he was engaged in various important industries throughout New York State. Once here, he settled on his farm, which he managed
375
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
until 1869, when he retired. In 1824 he was married to Miss Esther Blood, of Vermont, who died about 1863, leaving eight children. On April 18, 1869, he married Mrs. Emily Pearsons. His memories of 1812 are very distinct and relations accurate.
H. R. Fraser, born in Sullivan county, New York, Novem- ber 30, 1834; settled in Plainfield township in 1846; while on the journey hither his mother died at Chicago. His father was engaged on the homestead farm until his death in July, 1857.
In 1861 Harvey R. Fraser enlisted in the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry: served over three years. (See Military Chapter. ) From 1865 to 1872 he was Mr. Smiley's partner in trade at Plainfield; in the latter year Mr. Fraser became principal of the firm now controlled by J. H. Smiley. Miss Roxanna Wright, to whom he was married February 6, 1866, was born in this town- ship December 19, 1845.
Wheeler Green, son of D. D. Green, born in Plainfield village 1854, moved to his farm on section 16 in 1873, was married December 29, 1875, to Miss Ida Colegrove, daughter of Lester G. Colgrove, of this township.
Robert B. Graves, born in Orange county, Vt., came to the present site of Palentine, Cook county, in 1846, settled in Wheatland township in 1865, and located his farm on section 22, Plainfield, in 1867-8. From 1873 to 1878 he served as revenue inspector, his district comprising twelve counties. His first wife, Miss M. Ketcham, died June 11, 1874; the present Mrs. Graves is a daughter of Alvin J. King, now a resident of Plainfield. His service with 5th Illinois Light Artillery from 1862 to 1865 is referred to in other pages.
Justus Grant, born at Grafton, N. H., September 3, 1821, settled in Massachusetts in 1848, in California in 1853, in Crete township, Will county, in 1860, and at Plainfield in 1873. He was married to Miss Ann Eliza Westcott, daughter of Capt. Westcott, of Kendall county, in 1872.
Denison D. Green, born in Otsego, N. Y., February 13, 1807, settled in Will county in 1836, and at Plainfield village in 1845. His wife, Miss Ottilla, daughter of Samuel Wheeler, of Columbia county, N. Y., was married January 26, 1831. They are the parents of two sons and three daughters, viz: Judson D., of Wyandotte, Kan .; Bartley W., farmer, Plainfield; Mrs. Lovi (Green) Riley, of Muskegon, Mich .; Mrs. Emma (Green) Ride, of Barbara county, Cal., and Mrs Josephine (Green) Highland, of Plainfield township.
J. D. Hahn, born in Mahoning county, Ohio, July 3, 1826, settled in Will county in 1847, and on his farm on section 1, Plainfield, in 1857. His marriage with Miss Rebecca Shreffler, born in Pennsylvania, April 4, 1829, took place June 7, 1849.
Jonathan Hagar, born at Quebec, Canada East, February 19, 1807, came to Plainfield in company with Samuel Sargent in
376
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
1834, where they opened a stock of goods in a wagon shop owned by John Bill. In 1835-6 Hagar and Sargent built a store-house, which was subsequently converted into the Congregational par- sonage. It may be said that from 1834 to 1861 Mr. Hagar was the principal trader of Plainfield, and in connection with Good- hue and Burrell was also engaged in the milling business. Miss Catherine Goodhue, his first wife, was born in New Hamp- shire, married September 14, 1843, and died March 19, 1858. (See Pioneer and Official History also.)
Alanson J. Hatch, born in Berkshire county, Mass., October 31, 1801, settled in Plainfield June 15, 1835, and moved to his present home in 1843. He was married in 1825 to Miss Emiline, daughter of Elihu Gaston, of Richmond, Berkshire county, Mass. His son, Warner Hatch, born in Troy, N. Y., come to Plainfield in 1835, and has followed his trade of tinsmith here for the last thirty-five years. He learned his trade with W. A. Strong, of Joliet. He is the inventer and patentee of a char- coal furnace and of an eave trough fastener. He was married March 5, 1862, to Miss Nancy M., daughter of William Hunt, of Wilmington. His first wife Miss Cornelia, daughter of Jedediah Wooley, married November 1. 1855, died at Channa- hon January 14, 1861. (See Jadediah Wooley's History.)
N. S. Hamlin, born in Madison county, New York, May 27, 1824; came to Will county in 1851, where he located at Lock- port, moving afterwards to Plainfield and settled on his farm in 1857; he served almost twenty years as road commissioner and for a number of years held the office of school director. Mr. Hamlin was married to Miss Parnell Keeler, April 25, 1849, daughter of Nathaniel Keeler of Oneida county, New York.
James Hayes, father of Mr. Hayes and Mrs. Sarah Wagner of Plainfield was an old settler of the county.
William Seward Hess, son of Riley Hess, was born in Mad- ison county, New York in 1850; was married in 1874 to Miss Olive, daughter of Cyrus Reynolds of Kane county, one of the oldest settlers of Illinois, and settled on his present farm in section 21, Plainfield.
Richey W. Hess, born in Madison county in 1815; settled on section 21, Plainfield, in 1856; was married in 1838 to Miss Cornelia, daughter of Roswell Randall of Washtenaw county, Michigan; this lady died December 12, 1869. He married Mrs. Mary L. Ripperton, daughter of Levi T. Reeves of Indiana, May 6, 1878.
George W. Hess, born November, 1834 .- See Company D, 100th Illinois Infantry.
Alonzo Hemstreet, born in Herkimer county, New York, October 6, 1814; settled in Plainfield July 3, 1837; was engaged in various enterprises until 1843 or 1844, when he leased the Hagar saw mill. In 1846 he opened a butcher store which he
377
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
conducted until 1866. Miss Augusta M. Foster, to whom he was married October 26, 1848, is a daughter of Lyman Foster, formerly of Esperance, New York State, where she was born December 20, 1826. In 1843 he was elected constable, which office he held for fifteen years; he has served as trustee of the vil- lage, president of the board and alderman successfully, and is now school director. His sons, Albert J. and Andrew J. are residents of Will county.
G. D. Hyland, son of Consider Highland, was born in Rocksbury, Vermont, in 1834; settled in Plainfield in 1837; was married in October, 1859 to Miss Helia Cropsey, daughter of D. W. Cropsey. Mr. Hyland's lands in section 2 form one of the best cultivated quarter sections in the county.
Allen Jordan, born in Columbia, New York, February 3, 1798, elected Mayor of Hudson, New York, in 1839, was a member of the Bar of that city until 1847, when he came to Plainfield. From 1849 to 1866, when he returned to Plain- field, he was engaged in agriculture and stock-raising in Ken- dall county. Miss Jane P. Cook, to whom he was married December 6, 1837, was born in New York, March 6, 1813.
Hiram Johnson, born in Vermont, settled with his wife and family in Wheatland township in 1844. He was married to Miss Sarah Ann Gault, also a native of Vermont.
Willian M. Johnson, born in Rutland county, Vermont, Au- gust 5, 1827, settled with parents in Wheatland township in 1844, moved to Du Page in 1854, and to Plainfield in 1871. He married Miss Eliza M. Heaton, daughter of Elisha D. Heaton, December 6, 1854, a native of Vermont.
D. W. Jump. M. D., born in Henon county, Ohio, August 24, 1847; settled at Plainfield in 1872, and there married Miss Alice E. Watkins, November 13, 1873. Dr. Jump graduated from the Medical Department of the Michigan University, March 27, 1872.
John M. Kanagy, born in Cumberland county, Pennsylva- nia, in 1828; removed with his father, C. Kanagy, to Stark county, Ohio, in 1830; came to Wheatland township in 1865, and located at Plainfield village in the spring of 1883. Mr. Kanagy, Sr., died in Wheatland township, aged 90 years. He was married in 1850 to Miss Mary. daughter of William Reed, of Stark county, Ohio. His son, Ira Kanagy, farmer, section 4, Wheatland, was married to Miss Susan R., daughter of the late Bailey Pilcher, of Will county. His daughter, Clara, is the wife of Delos W. Davis, farmer, section 4, Wheatland town- ship.
Daniel Kennelly was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1811; moved to this county in June, 1847, and settled near his present homestead in Plainfield township. Was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah Goist, daughter of Henry Goist of Cen-
24
378
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
ter county, Pennsylvania. Has a family of five sons and two daughters living, viz .: Henry G. Kennelly, residence, Arkan- sas; Winfield Kennelly, farmer, residence, Lockport township; Samuel M. Kennelly, farmer, residence, section 26, Plainfield township; John Kennelly, physician, Easton, Mason county Illinois; Benjamin F. Kennelly, residence, Joliet, Illinois; Sarah Kennelly married to Frank Sopher, farmer, residence, section 36, Plainfield township, and Doubline Kennelly, resi- dence, Plainfield.
William S. Keen, a settler of 1841, was born in Cayuga county, New York, December 31, 1821. He visited California in 1849, and remained there until 1852. His marriage with Miss Roxanna E. Norton (born at Ithaca, New York, June 11, 1825), took place in 1846; Anson Keen, one of his sons, en- listed in 8th Illinois Cavalry in 1863 .- (See Military Chapter.)
A. J. King, born in Erie county, New York, in 1824; settled in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1855; located at Plainfield in 1882. He was married in 1849 to Miss Susan E. Southworth, of Erie county, New York.
Thomas J. Lang, born in Grafton county, New Hampshire, August 21, 1808; settled in Cook county, in 1834, and on his present homestead in 1835. He was married in 1832, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Levi George of Straford county, New Hampshire. His sons, George and John C. Lang reside at Joliet; Levi W. in California; Andrew J. in Iowa; and Henry C. in Plainfield.
Alexander McCloskey, born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1816; settled on section 12, Plainfield township early in 1852. In 1867 he moved into the village, where he now resides; his marriage with Miss Nancy, daughter of John Ton- ner, of Centre county, Pennsylvania, took place in 1842. Of his five children, John T. died in February, 1859; William is a member of the firm of McCloskey & Hayes; Charles W. resides at Plainfield; Catharine is the wife of Amos Dice, of Cherokee county, Iowa, and Sarah A. is married to Albert Robertson of Joliet. (See Official History of Township.)
McCloskey & Hayes, hardware merchants. McCloskey and Hayes established their hardware and grocery house in July 1883, succeeding A. L. Robertson, an old merchant of Plainfield. They are agents for the Buckeye Reaper and Mower, Furst & Bradley's Agricultural Implements, and Knowlton's Cultivator. Their annual trade acceeds $20,000. The firm is composed of William McCloskey and Thomas R. Hayes, both residents of Plainfield.
John McClellan, born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, in 1826; settled on section 29, Plainfield, in February, 1856, and at Plainfield village in 1883. His farm of 185 acres on sections 22-1 is devoted to agriculture and stock raising. In April, 1850,
379
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
he was married to a daughter of Thomas Brown, of Franklin county Massachusetts. His son, Edward R. McClellan resides on the farm. (See General History and Local).
Joseph McCreery, born in Ontario county, New York, July 1, 1810, emigrated to Canada, in 1833; settled in Plainfield in 1845, where he engaged in agriculture on sections 33 and 34, and located his farm in 1875. His marriage with Miss Abigail A. Van Riper, of New Jersey, took place in November, 1830.
Lewis W. McCreery, son of Joseph McCreery, born in Plain- field, May 10, 1857; assumed control of the Joseph McCreery farm on sections 33 and 34, in 1875. Miss Annie Bristol, to whom he was married February 18, 1877, was born in Ohio, November 7, 1855.
Frank W. Metcalf, born in Lake county, Ohio, November 23, 1840; enlisted from Oberlin College, in one of the three months' infantry regiments; was mustered out; came to Plainfield in 1863; was married to Miss Augusta Metcalf (born in Troy town- ship, June 21, 1837), November 20, 1864, and engaged in agri- culture. He has been closely identified with educational inter- ests in the western towns of this county.
S. W. Metcalf, born at Plainfield, September 16, 1835, is the son of Hardy and Judith B. (Russell) Metcalf, who settled in Creve, in 1835. Mr. Metcalf, senior, died June 29, 1860. Five years later, S. W. Metcalf, located on his farm in section 34. His marriage with Miss Sarah Billing, took place July 4, 1869.
Horace and Mrs. Lucy (Brgant) Miller, came from Massa- chusetts to Plainfield township, in 1834. Mr. Miller died Sep- tember 14, 1872, and Mrs. Miller October 15, 1876.
John Mottinger, born in Pennsylvania, May 8, 1799, is num- bered among the old residents of the county and one of its lead- ing farmers. Mrs. Barbara (Long) Mottinger, is a native of Pennsylvania.
H. S. Norton, son of Benjamin K. and Harriet (Yaple) Nor- ton, was born in Plainfield township, December 1, 1845. His father settled on section 3, in 1839, and died there October 17, 1874, twenty-nine years after his discovery of the gravel and building sand deposits on his farm. Mr. H. S. Norton married Miss M. F. Bender (born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1852), March 23, 1870. The Norton sand quar- ies were held in high repute among builders since 1846.
A. J. Perkins, M. D., born at Mt. Upton, N. Y., March 20, 1834 ; settled at Mendota, Ill., in 1860, graduated in 1864, from the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, O., and the same year engaged in his professional practice. Came to Plainfield in 1865. He married Miss Eliza Bangs, of Benning- ton, Vt., May 10, 1860.
Wm. D. Pike owns 120 acres in sections 10 and 15, all under cultivation. He was born in Rutland county, Vt., in 1832, and
380
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
came to Illinois in 1856, removing to this county in 1882. He married in Rutland, Vt., in 1856, to Miss Maria Wilbreth, daughter of Hartford Wilbreth, of that county. Has a family of four sons living in this county, viz .: Charles L. Pike, born in 1859 ; Edgar J. Pike, born in 1861; Frank Pike, born in 1866 ; Harry E. Pike, born in 1868. Mr. Pike has served six years as justice of the peace in Kendall county, Ill., and six years as town clerk, Neosha township, Kendall county, and was elected township assessor of this township in spring of 1884, for one term.
John W. Platt, born in Lincolnshire, Eng., in 1833, moved to Will county in 1853, and settled in Plainfield township, near his present homestead. Mr. Platt was married in Plainfield in 1860, to Miss Cornelia Foster, daughter of Lyman Foster. He married his present wife, Miss Clara A. Norton, in March, 1884. He has two children living. Jesse R. Platt, born November 25, 1871 ; Miss Jennie L. Platt, born June, 1863. Mr. Platt has served one term in each office as school director and path- master. His farm is located on section 13.
S. S. Pratt, born at Bennington, Vt., February 28, 1814, settled at Chicago, in 1834, and at Plainfield village, in 1835, where he opened the pioneer furniture store, now conducted by his son, Norman S. Pratt. Miss Esther A. Beckwith, to whom he was married November 27, 1839, was born at Norfolk, N. Y., August 12, 1822.
Alonzo Ray, born in Windom county, Vt., in 1814, moved to this county in 1836, settling in Plainfield village. Was mar- ried in 1840. to Miss Nancy M. Woods. daughter of Richard M. Woods, of Joliet. He has a family of three children living, viz .: Edwin M. Ray, farmer, Wheatland township ; Julia M. Ray, married to George McMillan, of Brighton Park, Cook county; Alice L., married to Alanson H. Tyler, farmer, Plain- field township. Mr. Ray has served as highway commissioner in this township for fifteen years.
Alexander Roberts, born in Canada, June 9, 1809; settled at Chicago in 1847; furnished the first ties for the Chicago & Galena railroad; manufactured the first lard oil at Chicago; was one of the commissioners who authorized the building of the first court house at Chicago; furnished building material for the canal lock at Bridgeport and next settled in Plainfield township on his farm in section 2. Mr. Roberts was engaged in the Mc- Kenzie-Papineau rebellion in 1837-38, and had a narrow escape from capture by the English soldiery.
Miles Royce born at Bristol, Connecticut, August 20, 1806; settled in Plainfield in 1834 and engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, the first made in northern Illinois; about 1837 he purchased a tract of land which he converted into one of the finest farms in the township. Miss Sarah G. Gilman, to whom
381
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
he was married January 10, 1837, was born at Salem, Massa- chusetts, May 12, 1809.
Orland Royce .- See Military Chapter.
Amos H. Scholfield, a native of New York State; settled in Lake precinct, Cook county, Illinois in 1836, and at Plainfield in 1855. During this year he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Lorenzo Rhodes of Jefferson county, New York, an old settler of Plainfield. They are the parents of five chil- dren.
John Sennitt, born at Stretham, England, January 15, 1830; came to the United States in 1854 and settled in Plainfield township in 1857. In 1860 he was deputy to postmaster K. J. Hammonds; continued under W. Wright in 1861; again under W. R. Frasier, was appointed post master by General Grant and re-appointed down to the present time; thus making a quarter of a century postmaster. In April, 1871, Mr. Sennitt was mar- ried to Miss Emma H. Drew.
Seneca Sly, born in Washington county, New York, May 25, 1816; moved to Will county in 1846 and settled in Lockport township; removed to his present residence at Plainfield in February, 1881. He was married in Wayne county, New York in 1837, to Miss Sarah J. Gordon, daughter of David Gordon of Wayne county, New York; has a family of three sons and one daughter living, viz .: Winfield S. Sly, pastor Methodist Church, Jackson, Michigan; Eugene R. Sly, shipper, of Lexington, Ill- inois; Millard F. Sly, farmer, Lockport township; Rossetta F. Sly, married to Isaac C. Felt of Joliet, Illinois. Mr. Sly has served as highway commissioner, trustee and supervisor of Lockport township.
John D. Sheffler, born in Centre county, Pa., in 1817, settled at Plainfield in 1846, shortly after his marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of John Tonner, of Centre county, Pa. He served on the first village board of Plainfield and was reelected three times. He was also assessor of the town for three terms, and is a member of the Plainfield Cemetery Committee. He held the Western agency for the goods of Caultman & Co., of Canton, Ohio. (See also Local and General History.)
Joseph Sims, born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1805, settled near Plainfield in 1853, where he is now engaged in agriculture. Mr. Sims was married in 1830 to Miss Maria Clough, daughter of John Clough, of Madison county, New York.
Solomon Simmons, born in Columbia county, N. Y., in March, 1812; moved to Will county from Ohio in 1844; settled in Wheatland township, and removed to his present residence in Plainfield village in December, 1881. Mr. Simmons was mar- ried in Monroe county, N. Y., on January 6, 1833, to Miss Mary Nettleton, daughter of Tiffany Nettleton of that county. He has a family of six children living, three sons and three daugh-
382
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
ters. Mr. Simmons was appointed enrolling commissioner (by President Lincoln) of the sixth congressional district in 1863, and served till the close of the war; was elected county judge in 1853, and served three years; has held the office of agent for the Will county poor house since 1859.
George Y. Smith, born in Centre county, Pa., August 8, 1813, settled near Plainfield in 1851. Miss Magdalena Ream, to whom he was married October 6, 1836, was born in Summit county, Ohio, January 2, 1818. His farm is situated on sec- tion 1.
Henry Spangler was born in Centre county, Pa., in 1834, and removed to Will county in 1848, settling on his present homestead in section 22, Plainfield township in 1859; was mar- ried in Plainfield in 1858 to Miss Mary Henselman, daughter of George Henselman of this county; has a family of three sons and one daughter, living in this county.
Horace Spencer, M. D., born at Shaftsbury, Vermont, Feb- ruary 11, 1846; came to Illinois in 1858; studied medicine under Dr. Perkins; again at the St. Louis Medical College, and grad- uated from the Chicago Medical College in 1871. Miss Hattie, daughter of Dr. O. J. Corbin, to whom he was married Septem- ber 29, 1869, was born May 20, 1848. .
Harvey Stratton, born in Holden, Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, in 1820; came to Lake county, Illinois, in 1857, and located his present farm of 162 acres on section 9, Plainfield, in 1869. Miss Louisa J. Bryant, to whom he was married in 1848, is a daughter of John Bryant, of Worcester county, Massachu- setts. Their family consists of W. H. Stratton, of Streator, Illinois; and daughters, Miss Fannie L. and Miss Ella Stratton, of Plainfield. A reference to the Political Chapter and to the Official History of Plainfield, will show Mr. Stratton's public record.
Noah Sunderland, born at Bridgeport, Vermont, December 18, 1814; settled at Joliet, about 1848, and in this township in 1849-50. From 1866 to 1876, he was owner and operator of the Plainfield flouring mill-in the latter year he rented this manu- facturing concern, but resumed the management. Miss Caroline Randall, to whom he was married April 29, 1841, was born at Hoosick Falls, New York, May 7, 1812. Her parents were na- tives of Connecticut.
A. H. Tyler, son of S. B. Tyler, was born in Wheatland town- ship, in 1851; was married to Miss Alice L. daughter of Alonzo Ray, of Joliet, October 28, 1880. His farm of about 200 acres is situate on section 1, Plainfield.
S. B. Tyler, born in Sullivan county, New York, February 23, 1811; settled in Illinois, in 1835, and followed the carpenter trade until 1861. Miss Ruth W. Flanders, sister of the late Jason Flanders, to whom he was first married, died April 5, 1873,
383
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
aged fifty-eight years. Mrs. Adela A. Goddard, to whom he was married in 1875, is the daughter of Dr. Wight, deceased, and the widow of captain Goddard, formerly of Company G, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. Alfred and Albert Tyler, served also in this command .- (See Military Chapter).
John Van Horne, born in Berrien county, New Jersey, May 17, 1834; came with parents to Plainfield, in 1843; engaged in agriculture on the original farm until 1855, when he settled on his farm in section 27. Miss F. H. Elwell, whom he married June 4, 1872, was born at South Shaftsbury, Vermont, October 16, 1839.
Cornelius G. Van Horne, and his wife, Miss Ann (Van Houten) Van Horne, natives of New Jersey, settled here in 1843. The former died April 15, 1877; the latter, May 8, 1872.
Ira Vanolinda, born in Saratoga county, New York, Septem- ber 1, 1823; settled in Kendall county, in 1848. He visited California, returned and opened a general store at Frankfort; next settled on his farm in Plainfield, then opened a general store in the village, which he conducted until 1873. Miss Louisa Graw, his first wife, died December 10, 1870. He married Mrs. Catherine (Burdick) Wilder (born in Orleans county, New York, in 1835), April 23, 1874. He has filled various town and village offices.
Vetal Vermette, a native of Canada, came to Plainfield about 1822; located there in 1825; entered the service of the American Fur Company; was an employe of this company on the upper Missouri, and subsequently a hunter among the Umatillas of Oregon .- (See Historical Paper, Northwest.)
Rev. Jesse Walker, the pioneer American of Will county, was born in Virginia in 1766, entered the ministry of the M. E. church in 1804; two years later came to Illinois and in 1826 visited the Indian village near Plainfield. In 1827 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Fox River Mission; in 1829 took charge of the Des Plaines Mission, established numerous societies of the M. E. church throughout northern Illinois, and died at Plainfield in 1835. Fifteen years after his body was disinterred and reburied in the new cemetery, where a monument to his memory was erected by order of the Rock river Conference M. E. church .- (See General History.)
Captain James Walker, born in Tennessee in 1793, settled at Ottawa, Ills., at an early date, married a daughter of Rev. Jesse Walker, and settled with his father-in-law at Plainfield in 1829. About this time he put up a mill driven by horse-power, and subsequently built a saw and grist mill. From this mill Reuben Flagg hauled the lumber of which the P. F. W. Peck store at Chicago was built in 1832. His connection with public affairs is referred to in the Organic and Political history of the county. His death occurred in 1850.
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.