The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 12

Author: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 798

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Mr. Newman has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Haddie Vir- ginia Beaty, daughter of Colonel John Farr Beaty, who was for many years secretary of the Chicago Board of Trade. Their marriage was celebrated September 5, 1867, at the home of the bride's parents in Elgin. By this union were four children: Paul B., who is associated with his father in the mer- cantile trade; John B., who is employed in the First National Bank of Elgin; Hattie, a young lady admired and esteemed by all who knew her, who was called from this life May 5, 1895; and William, who is in the of- fice of the John Newman Company. The mother of these children died April 27, 1876. She was a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal church, one whose life was in strict conformity to the teachings of the lowly Nazarene.

The second marriage of Mr. Newman was on the 27th of October, 1887, when he wedded Mrs. Laura J. Borden, of Fort Bend county, Texas, a daughter of Ezekiel and Martha M. (Winfrey) George, natives of Wharton county, Texas. She is a lady 6

Politically, Mr. Newman is a Democrat, with which party he has acted since becom- ing a citizen of the United States. · In 1896, on the division of the party on the silver question, he took the gold side, believing the honor and integrity of the country should be maintained, and not degraded as it would be by a debased currency as advo- cated by those favoring the unlimited coin- age of silver at the ratio of 16 to I. He is known as a Cleveland Democrat. While a politician in the true sense of the term, he has never been an office seeker. Time and again he has been solicited to give the use of his name as a candidate for mayor of El- gin, but has invariably refused the proffered honor. The only political office he ever held was that of trustee of the Northern Illinois Hospital for the Insane, receiving his appointment from Governor Altgeld. While he held the office he discharged his duties faithfully and well, to the entire sat- isfaction of all concerned. Because of the fact that he could not agree with the gov- ernor in his peculiar views on the silver question, or become a tool in his hand, he was removed by that gentleman, an act that did the governor no good, but which made Mr. Newman many warm friends.

A friend of education, Mr. Newman served for many years as a member of the board of education of Elgin, and for six years was its president. During that time four new school buildings were erected. For a number of years he has been treas- urer of the Elgin Opera House Company. He has always held a prominent place in musical circles, and for years was president

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of the Elgin Choral Union. The only society with which he is connected is the St. George Benevolent Society, of which he was presiding officer for a long time. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and for that Church in Elgin he has done much in various ways, contributing of his time and means to its upbuilding. He is also one of the leading members of the Century Club of Elgin.

While Mr. Newman is known as one of the most prosperous business men of Elgin, it must not be supposed that it has always been smooth sailing with him, and that no losses have been experienced. Twice he was burned out, entailing upon him heavy losses, but like the famed Phoenix, there arose from the ashes larger and better build- ings and more extensive stocks than before. On one occasion when burned out, and while the smoke was still going up, he rented a vacant storeroom, went to Chicago, purchased a new stock, and was ready for business within two days.

Such in brief is the life record of John Newman. For more than a third of a cen- tury he has gone in and out among the people of Elgin, leaving his impress upon almost every public enterprise, giving of his time and means to advance the city's interest. Broad and liberal minded, he is honored and respected by all. While at all times having a large number of men in his employ, he treats them kindly and in a considerate manner, showing himself to be their friend as they are his friends, and will do for him everything in their power.

Mr. and Mrs. Newman reside in a beauti- ful home at No. 321 Division street, Elgin, which is the abode of genuine hospitality, and where many friends are received and handsomely entertained. They have like-

wise a fine summer residence on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where they spend a portion of the year. They believe in enjoy- ing this life, as well they may.

ISAAC V. DOTY is a retired farmer resid- 1 ing on section 28. Hampshire township, and who has spent more than fifty-three years of his life in Kane county, Illinois. He was born in the town of Granville, near Lake Champlain, Washington county, New York, January 17, 1819, and is second in a family of five children born to Levi and Sallie (Bredenburgh) Doty. The father was a farmer and owned a large tract of land in Washington county, New York.

When our subject was but nine years old his mother died, and until the age of sixteen or seventeen years he attended a common school of his native state, after which he did farm work for neighbors. Later he rented a part of his father's farm, and, being united in marriage with Miss Ce- leste Thorington, began life for himself. She died leaving one child, Margaret, now the wife of Porter Baldwin, by whom she has six children.

In May, 1845, Mr. Doty left his native state for the west, taking a canal boat at Whitehall to Buffalo, New York, the fare being two dollars. They carried their own provisions with them for use upon the boat. From Buffalo they went to Chicago by lake, the fare for which was three dollars. From Chicago they came to what is now Starks Station, in Rutland township, Kane county, Illinois, where a brother-in-law was then living. He began farming on Starks' farm, where he remained three years, and then moved to Hampshire township, to the farm of his wife's father, eighty acres of which

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had been deeded to her. This our subject commenced at once to improve, erected every building, made every rod of fence, set out many of the shade trees, and for many years was there engaged in agricultural pur- suits.

On the 3d of October, 1855, the second marriage of our subject occurred in Hamp- shire township, when he wedded Mrs. Au- rilla Ingersol, widow of Orrin L. Ingersol, and to them four children were born, as follows: Mary, who married Julius H. Nor- ton, who served in the war for the Union, and their four living children are Julius, William, Emma and Aurilla. Lucy mar- ried C. V. Jacobs, who was also in the war, and by whom she had one child, Mary, who is living; she is now deceased. William, who married Flora King, by whom he has two children, Ruth and Donald. Sidney, who died at the age of four years. Mrs. Doty is a daughter of Philip Terwilliger, a native of New York state, and of an old Dutch family. He married Mary Low, of Orange county, New York, and a daughter of Daniel Low, who died at the age of eighty years. He married a Miss Crany, who attained the age of eighty-six years. Daniel Low, Jr., is now living at Chenango Forks, New York, at the age of ninety years. Philip Terwilliger served in the war of 1812. He came to Kane county, Illinois, and built the first frame house in Hampshire town- ship, where he owned a large tract of land. He died at the age of sixty-nine years. His father, James Terwilliger, married Eliza Terwilliger, and their respective ages at death were seventy-seven and seventy-three.

Fraternally Mr. Doty is a member of the Masonic order, and religiously of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which body his wife is also a member. In politics he is a

Republican, and has held the offices of school director and road commissioner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doty are numbered among theold settlers of Kane county. They remember when houses were few and far between, and they have seen wolves, deer and other game in large numbers in the vicinity. Mr. Doty was always a good marksman, and even now, at the age of seventy-nine years, can kill chickens with a rifle.

W TILLIAM HENNEL BLACK .- For- tunate is he who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. Our subject is blessed in this respect, for he springs from promi- nent families of New England, and he has become one of the leading and representa- tive citizens of Elgin.

Mr. - Black was born in Ellsworth, Maine, January 1, 1845, a son of William Hennel and Abigail Eliza (Little) Black. His father was born in the same place October 18, 1811, a son of Colonel John and Mary (Cobb) Black. The birth of the grand- father occurred July 3, 1781, in London, England, where he obtained a good educa- tion, and when quite young entered the great banking house of Hope & Company, of that city, as clerk. While visiting London, in 1799, William Bingham, of Philadelphia, the principal proprietor of the great Bing- ham estate in Maine, employed Mr. Black to come to this country as clerk for General David Cobb, of Gouldsboro, Maine, agent for the estate. Mr. Black arrived the same year and soon mastered the details relating to the landed interests of the proprietors. From 1803 until 1808 he served as town clerk of Gouldsboro, was justice of the

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peace in 1804-5. He soon secured the and Eleanor (Bradish) Cobb. She was born at Taunton, Massachusetts, July 26, 1776, and died in Ellsworth, Maine, Octo- ber 17, 1851. The children born to them are Mary Ann, John, Henry, Elizabeth, William Hennel, George Nixon, Alexander Baring and Charles Richards. confidence of his employers, agents and all persons doing business with him, and when Donald Ross, local agent at Ellsworth, was compelled to resign on account of ill health, Mr. Black was appointed to succeed him, removing to that place. When General Cobb and his associate agent, Mr. Richards, General David Cobb, a son of Colonel Thomas and Lydia (Leonard) Cobb, was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Septem- ber 14, 1748, and was graduated at Har- vard College, in 1766, after which he stud- ied medicine and engaged in practice at Taunton, Massachusetts, for some time. He was a representative to the general court from that place in 1774, and the same year was elected to the provincial congress which met in Cambridge. In 1777, during the Revolutionary war, he was elect- ed lieutenant-colonel of the Sixteenth Mass- achusetts Regiment, was later elected colonel, and was afterward appointed by General Washington as one of his staff, where, out of five, he was second in rank. He always took a prominent part in public affairs, served as chief justice of the court of common pleas for eight years, was rep- resentative and speaker of the general court from 1789 to 1793, resigning when elected a member of the third congress of the Uni- ted States, and held other prominent posi- tions. He died April 17, 1830, honored and highly esteemed by all who knew him. In 1766 he married Eleanor, daughter of resigned, he was appointed general agent of the estate, which position he continued to fill until 1850, when he was succeeded by his son, George N. Black. For many years he was largely interested in the manufacture of lumber and ship-building, and in his business acquired a comfortable competence. He took an active and prominent part in military affairs, was commissioned captain July 2, 1805, of a company in the Second Regiment, Second Brigade, Tenth Division of Massachusetts Militia, Eastern Division, of which his father-in-law, General Cobb, was major-general; later was elected major of the same regiment, was breveted lieuten- ant-colonel June 12, 1812, and commanded the regiment when it was called to Mount Desert to repel a threatened British in- vasion, 1812-13. Although he was British born and at that time an agent for foreign principals, he did not hesitate. He was commissioned colonel June 20, 1816, but February 11, 1817, resigned and was dis- charged. Subsequently he was for many years captain of the Cobb Light Infantry, an independent company organized near his home. He died at Ellsworth October 20, Ebenezer and Eunice (Cook) Bradish, of

1856. He was one of the most prominent men in his community, his honor and hon- esty were never questioned, and he possessed all of those qualities which go to make up a good citizen, neighbor and friend.

In 1802 Colonel John Black married Miss Mary Cobb, daughter of General David

Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was born January 30, 1749, and died in Taunton, January 7, 1808. Their children were Eleanor Bradish, Betsy, Thomas, William Gray, Eunice, Mary (the paternal grand- mother of our subject), David, Sally, Eben- ezer, Henry Jackson, and David George

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Washington. General Cobb was an inti- mate friend and associate of General Wash- ington, Nathaniel Greene, Benjamin Lin- coln, Henry Knox, Henry Jackson, General La Fayette and Alexander Hamilton.

Colonel Thomas Cobb, the father of the General, married Lydia, eldest daughter of James Leonard, of Taunton, Massachusetts, and the only son born to them was David. Morgan Cobb, father of Thomas, was born December 29, 1673, and died September 30, 1755. On the 22nd of May, 1735, he was married to Esther Hodges, a daughter of Henry Hodges and his wife Esther, daughter of Captain John Galloy, probably a direct descendant of Emperor Charle- magne. Mrs. Esther Cobb was born Feb- ruary 17, 1678, and was the mother of Thomas. Morgan Cobb was a son of Au- gustine Cobb, a native of Norfolk, England, who came to Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1670.

William H. Black, Sr., our subject's fa- ther, spent his entire life in Ellsworth, Maine, and throughout his business career engaged quite extensively in farming, lum- bering and ship building. He met with good success until later in life, when he suf- fered some heavy losses, from which he was never fully able to recover. His death oc- curred October 17, 1883. On the 4th of June, 1834, he was married to Miss Abigail Eliza Little, who was born in Castine, Maine, September 16, 1810, a daughter of Doty and Mercy (Tilden) Little. Her father was born at Marshfield, Massachusetts, October 3, 1766, a son of Thomas Little, who was born in 1719, and was a son of John Little, who married Anna, daughter of Richard Warren, who came to this country in the Mayflower in 1620. Thomas Little, born 1719, married in 1750, Sarah Baker, a

daughter of Kenelm and Patience (Winslow) Baker, and they had ten children, all born in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

The children born to William H. and Abigail E. (Little) Black were as follows: Maria S., wife of Charles J. Perry, of Ells- worth, Maine; Harriet S., who first married Edward S. Tisdale, and after his death An- drew B. Spurling, of Elgin, Illinois, and died May 26, 1896; Charles S., who died as a paroled prisoner in the hospital at Annap- olis, Maryland, September 16, 1864, from wounds received at Gaine's Mills, while in the service; Celia C., the wife of George A. Dickey, now of Wollaston, Massachusetts; Hollis C. married Mary E. Deming. His business was in Boston, residing in Wollas- ton; his death occurred at Allisworth, Maine, Jnly 14, 1893; Oscar T., twin of Hollis C., died in infancy; William H., the subject of this sketch; Lucie L., wife of Harvard Gree- ly, of Ellsworth, and Mary H., also of Ells- worth.

Reared at the old home in Ellsworth, Mr. Black, of this review, began his educa- tion in the common schools of that locality, and later attended an academy. In Ells- worth he also learned the watch-maker's trade, and on the 6th of September, 1865, went to Waltham, Massachusetts, where he obtained a position in the finishing depart- ment of the watch factory, remaining there until December, 1867, when he first came to Elgin. He was employed in the finishing department of the watch factory at this place until 1870, when he returned to Wal- tham, but in June, 1873, again came to El- gin, where he has since made his home. During all this time he has been connected with the Elgin Watch Factory, and since the Ist of January, 1877, has been foreman of the finishing department, having about

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one hundred inen working under him. This in religious belief, died there at the age of long term of service in this capacity is an evidence that his services are duly appre- ciated by his employers.

In Elgin, on the 23d of May, 1868, Mr. Black was united in marriage with Mrs. Fan- nie S. Kilbourne, a native. of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Joshua F. and Rebecca (Arnold) Smith, who were also born in Fitchburg, where one son is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Black have a pleas- ant home on Chicago street, Elgin, which was erected from plans made by himself. Politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party, and socially affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, who commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. Mrs. Black holds membership in the Universalist church, and like her husband.has many warm friends in her adopted city.

L OUIS H. YARWOOD, proprietor of the Yarwood art studio, is one of the best artists in this part of the state, and is also a teacher in landscape and scenic painting. For almost half a century he has made his home in Elgin, but he was born in the east, his birth occurring in Oriskany, New York, November 25, 1827, and his parents, Henry and Katie A. (Wiggins) Yarwood, were also natives of that state. Our subject is the oldest of their four children, the others be- ing Marcus S., a resident of Chicago; Phœbe, wife of G. R. Raymond, of Du- buque, Iowa; and Arthur J., who was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and is now living in Wyoming. While living in the east the father was employed as a woolen manufacturer and dyer and held various offices. His wife, who was an Episcopalian

forty-five years. In 1853 he came to Elgin, where he passed away at the age of fifty- nine years and eleven months. His father, Samuel Yarwood, was a native of England and died in New York, while the maternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Wiggins, was born in that state and died in Chicago, when about ninety-six years of age. His wife was only two or three years younger at the time of her death.

Mr. Yarwood, whose naine introduces this sketch, began his education in the com- mon schools of his native state and later attended the Whitestown Academy. He also began the study of painting when a child, and becoming very proficient in that art, he now devotes his entire attention to * it. On his removal from New York to Elgin in 1851, he accepted the position of bookkeeper in S. N. Dexter's woolen fac- tory, and later conducted a drug store for 1 about fifteen years. The following eight years were spent as librarian of the Elgin public library, but since then he has devoted his energies to painting. He has gained a wide reputation as an artist of superior abil- ity, to which he is justly entitled, his paint- ing being among the finest produced in this section of the country.

Mr. Yarwood married Miss Caroline J. Drummond, and they have become the par- ents of three children-Willard H., who wedded Mary Hunter and had three chil- dren, Bertram and Marguerite, still living, and Willard H., deceased; Marc D., who is a successful piano teacher in Elgin; and Katie D., at home. The family .have a pleasant home at No. 373 Park street, where they delight to entertain their many friends. A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Yar- wood was elected on that ticket to the posi-

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tion of alderman for one term, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Socially he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

A NSON C. BUCKLIN, now living a re- tired life in Dundee, Kane county, Illi- nois, was for many years a successful farmer and dairyman of Fox river valley. He dates his residence in Illinois since June, 1837, coming here when Northern Illinois was a wilderness. He was born in the town of Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, October 15, 1823. His father, Isaac Buck- lin, was born in the same town, county and state, and on the same farm. · His grand- father, Jeremiah Bucklin, was born in Rhode Island, in 1745, and removed to Adams, Massachusetts, in 1767, and took up a large tract of wild land. He served in the war for American independence, and was in the battle of Bennington. John Bucklin, the great-grandfather of our subject, was also born in Rhode Island, in which state he was quite prominent. His ancestors moved to Rhode Island with Roger Williams. He also moved to Adams, Massachusetts, and there the last years of his life were spent. Jeremiah Bucklin was one of the first set- tlers of Adams, Massachusetts, and was a inillwright by trade. He built the first flouring mill in North Adams, for Oliver Parker, and at South Adams built one for himself on the present site of the Brown paper mill. At that that place he reared his family, and for many years was recog- nized as one of its prominent citizens.

Isaac Bucklin grew to manhood in Mas- sachusetts, and there married Miss Achsa Wilmarth, a native of that state, born in Berkshire county. His birth occurred in

1790. They were the parents of three chil- dren-Anson C., our subject; Olive, who grew to mature years, but is now deceased; and Jane, who married George Browning, also deceased. Isaac Bucklin was a fariner and died in his native state, in 1826. In 1837 Mrs. Bucklin sold the old home farm, and, with her family, accompanied by some relatives, came to Illinois, by way of the Erie canal and the lakes to Chicago, and, moving farther west, located in the Fox river valley. She took up a claim of nearly three hundred acres of land, in what is now the township of Barrington, and also two hundred and forty acres on Fox river, which is now East Dundee. Making her home on the Barrington land, she built a house, improved the farm and there spent the last years of her life, dying about 1871.

The subject of this sketch came to Illi- nois with his mother and family, and, a boy of thirteen, held, the plow which turned the first furrow on the place and helped develop the farm. He remained with his mother until her death, she having conveyed to him the old homestead. He built there a good, large residence, barns and other buildings, and made of it one of the best dairy farms in Fox river valley. He commenced ship- ping milk to Chicago in 1856, and has con- tinued in the dairy business since that time, usually having upon his place about seven- ty-five milch cows. In October, 1884, he left his son Henry on the farm and moved to Dundee, where he built a house and has since lived practically a retired life.

Mr. Bucklin was first married, in Cook county, in 1844, to Miss Julia Jinks, a na- tive of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Henry Jinks, a pioneer of Barrington township. She died October 15, 1873, leaving two children-Frances, wife

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of Daniel Burks, a business man of Minne- apolis, Minnesota; and Henry I., a farmer residing on the old homestead, who was born December 24, 1853, and was married March 6, 1883, to Miss Mary Welsby, by whom he has three children, as follows: John A., born December 24, 1883; Julia I., born October 13, 1885; and Olive E., born December 3, 1887.

In October, 1877, our subject married Miss Emma Merritt, a native of New York, but then living in Bloomington, Illinois. She died about two years later, and in De- cember, 1880, Mr. Bucklin married Mrs. Emma Miner, who was born and reared near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and daugh- ter of Russell Mallory.

Politically Mr. Bucklin was first identi- fied with the Abolition party, and on the organization of the Republican party be- came one of its stanch supporters, and in 1856 voted for its first presidential candi- date, General John C. Fremont. Being ever a believer in temperance and the prin- ciple of prohibition, he has of late years supported the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Baptist church, of which body his wife is also a member. For sixty- one years he has been a resident of the Fox River Valley, and the changes which have been made in that time can hardly be con- ceived, even by those most active in the transformation. Few men are better known and none more highly esteemed.

H JALSEY ROSENCRANS, M. D., de- ceased, was for a many years a promi- nent and successful physician and surgeon of Elgin. He was born September 14, 1818, in New Jersey, of which state his parents, Asa and Jane (Cole) Rosencrans

were also natives. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed from New Jersey to New York, and in 1834 came to Kane county, Illinois, where his sons, Hor- ace and Frazier, had located one year before, being numbered among the earliest settlers of this section of the state. The family endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and from the wild land the father developed a good farm.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 12

Author: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 798

Author: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 798