The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 20

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


USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 20


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The subject of this sketch was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys and in the public schools of Cook county ob- tained his education. During his youth he first worked on a farm, then he learned the carpenter's trade and also learned to operate a stationary engine. On coming to Elgin · in 1882 he worked at his trade of carpenter for three years, and for the same length of time was employed in the Elgin Steam Laundry. At the end of that time he pur- chased the plant and business, which he has since successfully conducted. He gives em- ployment to from twenty to twenty-five persons, and the work turned out is excep- tionally fine,


On the 26th of June, 1886, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Goetting and Miss Mary Borchert, a daughter of Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Springer) Borchert. Three children were born to them-Charles G., Bertha A., and Ida E., but the first two


named are now deceased. The parents are prominent members of the St. Paul's Evan- gelical Church, and Mr. Goetting is now serving as church treasurer. He belongs to St. Paul's Benefit Society, and the Colum- bian Knights, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He resides at 216 Dexter avenue, where he has a pleasant home, and there the many friends of the family are always sure of a hearty welcome. As a business man he is enterprising and progressive, and as a citizen he meets every requirement.


JACOB PHILIP LONG, deceased, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the val- ley of the Rhine, March 6, 1825, and died at his home in Elgin, on the 20th of Sep- tember, 1896. His life span therefore covered the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, and the record which he made during that period was one character- ized by business ability and well-merited successes, by honorable dealing and by the regard which is ever accorded genuine worth.


Mr. Long was a son of Jacob and Kath- arine (Younge) Lange, also natives of Ger- many, and it is only by the American repre- sentatives of the family that the name is spelled "Long." The father of our subject was a wagon-maker and spent his entire life in the country of his nativity. His wife was a daughter of a wealthy distiller of the pro- vince of Hessen, who was the owner of a large farm and much real estate, and who was also a soldier under Napoleon.


Mr. Long, of this review, learned the trade of wagon making under the direction of his father, and that of distilling with his maternal grandfather. After his mother's


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death he entered the German army in which he served for four years. Upon his return home he found that his father had married again and being much displeased with this state of affairs he resolved to come to Amer- ica. Accordingly he made all preparations to leave his native land and sailed from Havre to New York, whence he made his way to Chicago and then to Elgin. Here he worked at the wagonmaker's trade as a journeyman for a time, and then embarked in business on his own account. His first factory, established on Milwaukee and River streets, was destroyed by fire, and he then removed to a temporary shop on River street, in which he carried on business until the completion of a fine two-story brick shop and factory, which was erected at No. 112 Division street, in 1879. There he carried on business until his death. He did a large repairing trade and built up an ex- tensive business in the manufacture of all kinds of vehicles, which on account of the excellence of the workmanship found a ready sale on the market. The enterprise which he conducted therefore proved a prof- itable one and enabled him to surround his family not only with the necessities, but also many of the luxuries, of life.


Mr. Long was married in Cook county, Illinois, about ten miles east of Elgin, to Miss Caroline Wilhausen, who was born in Kur Hessen, Germany, and came to Amer- ica when fourteen years of age with her par- ents, Frederick and Caroline Wilhausen. Her father owned a small farm in Kur Hes- sen, but disposed of that property in 1847, and with his family sailed from Bremen to New York. He then made his way to Chi- cago, where he resided for two months, while seeking a desirable farm. Finally he pur- chased land near Schaumberg, Cook coun-


ty, where he continued to make his home until his death, about 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Long were born six children, but three died in infancy. Those still living are Julia, wife of August Schwemin, a machinist of Chi- cago; Anna, who is residing with her mother; and Herman Frederick, who carries on the business left by his father. He learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, also wagon making and carriage painting, and now displays marked ability in his conduct of the industry. He was born in Elgin, May 16, 1872, was educated in the public schools and Drew's Business College, and when twenty years of age put aside his text books to take up the practical duties of busi- ness life. Like his father, he is a Democrat, and is a progressive, wide-awake young business man, and a popular citizen.


Jacob P. Long was a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd. Fellows, and a consistent member of St. John's Evangel- ical church. He found his greatest enjoy- ment in his home amid his family, but was not without a large circle of warm friends. He was large-hearted, generous and kindly, possessed a jovial disposition, was true to every trust reposed in him, and possessed such sterling characteristics that the highest regard was ever his.


E DGAR E. HOXIE, a locomotive engin_ eer on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, now residing at No. 320 Center street, Elgin. is one of the valued citizens of that place, and is a representative of one of the old and respected families of Kane coun- ty. He was born in Dundee, October 18, 1845, a son of George W. and Fidelia (Ald- rich) Hoxie, who were natives of Massachu- setts, and were married just across the line


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in Pownall, Vermont. The father, who blind making, which he followed at that was a farmer by occupation, came to Illi- place, in Elgin and in Chicago for sixteen nois in 1836 and purchased land in Kane years. He then entered the service of the county, after which he returned to the east Chicago & Northwestern railroad as firemnan, and after being thus employed for four years, he was promoted engineer in 1881, com- pleting his seventeenth year in that capac- ity in July, 1898. During the twenty-one years he has been with the company, he has never been reprimanded or had any un- pleasant relations with them, which fact speaks volumes as to the faithful manner in which he has labored for their interests. He has never met with any serious accident, never had but one collision, which was not his fault, but the fault of the pay car, which ran into him; twice his engine has left the tracks, but no serious accident has hap- pened to himself. and was married in that year or the year following. He then brought his bride to his new home in the wilderness, erecting a log house, in which they began their do- mestic life. The farm, comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres of wild land, purchased of Mr. Dewesse, was soon placed under a high state of cultivation, but in the mean- time the family endured all the hardships and privations incident to life on the front- ier. At that time Chicago was a mere ham- let, and the land on which the court house is now located could be bought for ten shillings per acre. The father took no act- ive part in public affairs aside from serving as school director in his district, which office was very important in those pioneer days. He died in 1889 at the age of seventy-six years, his wife a year later at the age of eighty-one. Both were earnest members of the Baptist church, with which he was offi- cially connected. Reared to habits of in- dustry and economy, they were always hard working people, and were thus well equipped for frontier life.


In the family of this worthy couple were five children, namely: Emily, who died of cerebro-spinal meningitis when past the age of thirty years; Homer, a resident of Dundee, and foreman of the condensing factory in Carpentersville; Jane, wife of Je- rome Irick, of Dundee; Edgar E., of this sketch; and Charles A., station agent at Dundee for the Chicago & Northwestern railroad.


Upon the home farm at Dundee Edward E. Hoxie was reared until fifteen years of age, and then learned the trade of sash and


During the early part of the Civil war Mr. Hoxie enlisted for three months, in a call to guard prisoners from Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and after serving for four months, he returned home. In 1863 he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as corporal, and after- ward re-enlisted in Company I, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He partici- pated in the Atlanta campaign, when the Union troops were almost constantly under fire for ninety days, and he was with Sher- man on his celebrated march to the sea, walking the entire distance. He was under the command of General Corse, who, after General Sherman signaled him to hold the fort at Altoona Pass, sent back the reply: " I am short a cheek bone and an ear, but able to whip the Rebs and all hell yet." It will be remembered that Altoona Pass is in the vicinity of the town of Altoona, in northwestern Georgia. Here, on the 5th of October, 1864, occurred the battle made


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memorable by the gallant defense of Altoona . ures of the Republican party, and he takes by General John M. Corse, of the Federal quite an active interest in local affairs. As a citizen he commands the respect and es- teem of all who know him, and has a host of friends throughout his native county. army. General Sherman was occupying At- lanta, having garrisoned Altoona as his sec- ond base; this point the Confederates deter- mined to capture, and General S. G. French, under General Hood, was commissioned to accomplish the work. Sherman being in- formed of these designs, signaled from Ken- esaw Mountain to General Corse, stationed at Rome, to inove with the utmost speed to Altoona and "hold the fort " against all op- position until he himself could arrive with aid. Here General Corse, with scarcely two thousand men, maintained the defense from nine in the morning until three in the after- noon against a large force of Confederate soldiers. At three General French sounded a retreat, and Altoona was saved. The proudest day of Mr. Hoxie's life was when he participated in the grand review at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, at the close of the war. Fortunately, during the entire service he was never wounded or taken pris- oner, and when the war was over he was honorably discharged in Chicago, in July, 1865. .


On the 3d of February, 1869, Mr. Hoxie was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Lown, daughter of George and Fanny Lown, who were from Dutchess county, New York, her father's farm bordering on the Hudson river in the town of Rhinebeck. Two children blessed this union: Maud, who was born December 18, 1870, and died March 20, 1883; and Mabel, who is attend- ing school in Elgin.


Fraternally, Mr. Hoxie is an honored member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Masonic order, and the Grand Army of the Republic. His political support is always given the men and meas-


JOHN A. LOGAN, whose name is insep- D arably connected with the political his- tory of Elgin, served his fellow citizens as United States deputy marshal for four years and as alderman from the seventh ward of Elgin. He was born in that city August 9, 1861, a son of John and Julia (Murphy) Logan, who were born, reared and married in County Cork, Ireland. On coming to the United States during the '50S they located in Elgin, Illinois, where the father died about the close of the Civil war. On his emigration to America he was accom- panied by his father, Owen Logan, who, with his family settled in Elgin. In politics the father of our subject was a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Catholic, to which church his wife also belonged. She is now deceased. Their children were Mary, Nellie, Julia, Margaret, Thomas, John A. (Ist), John A. (our subject), and Margaret (2d), all deceased with the exception of Thomas, a resident of Elgin, and our sub- ject.


Reared in Elgin, John A. Logan, of this review, acquired his education in the public schools. On starting out in life for him- self he first worked in a brickyard, later was employed in a butter factory for two years, and in a cheese box factory for about four years. He then entered the service of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, remaining with that company for about ten years, or until 1889, when he established a saloon in Elgin and successfully conducted the same


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for two years. In 1888 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Kane county under Will- iam H. Reed, and served in that capacity for four years. Since 1894 he served as United States deputy marshal, and most ably and satisfactorily discharged the duties of that office.


Mr. Logan was married in 188 1, to Miss Mary A. Althen, a native of Sycamore, De- Kalb county, Illinois, and a daughter of Casper and Louise (Miller) Althen, natives · of Germany. Two children bless this union, namely: Margaret and John.


The Democratic party has always found in Mr. Logan a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and he is a recognized leader in local political affairs, being the present chairman of the Democratic committee of Elgin and a member of the senatorial committee. He has also been a delegate to many county, senatorial, congressional and state conven- tions, and is active and influential in the councils of his party. In 1886 he was first


Shubel Moore grew to manhood in Con- necticut, and was twice married, having five children by his first union. His second wife was Betsy Watson, the mother of our subject. She was born in Massachusetts, and was the daughter of Alexander Watson, a native of Middlesex county, that state, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who elected alderman from his ward for the entered the service in July, 1776, when a short term, and at the two succeeding elec- lad of sixteen years. He participated in tions was re-elected, serving continuously until 1891. In 1894 was again elected to the same position, and two years later was re-elected, being the present incumbent, chairman of the railroad committee, and a member of the street lighting, fire and health committees. Socially he is a mem- ber of Lochiel lodge, K. P., of Elgin, and is also a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge of Elgin, and the Medina Temple and Oriential Consistory of Chicago.


JOHN B. MOORE .- Among the many J who came to the grand prairie state in pioneer days, and who have been instru- mental in making it take the highest rank


among its sister states of the Union, is the man whose name heads this sketch, who dates his residence in Illinois since Septem- ber 27, 1844. · A native of New York, he was born at College Hill, Oneida county, July 26, 1815, and is the son of Shubel and Betsy (Watson) Moore, natives of New England, but who were among the pioneers of Oneida county, New York. The Moores are of Scottish descent. The family on leaving that country located for a time in Ireland and then came to the United States, first settling in Connecticut. Thomas Moore was a drover and furnished beef to the army during the Revolutionary war.


many important engagements during the struggle for independence. In 1793, he removed with his family to Herkimer coun- ty, New York, cleared off the timber, opened up a farm, and there spent the re- mainder of his life, dying April 6, 1840. His wife, Persis Watson, survived him some months, dying June 2, 1841.


Shubel Moore moved to Oneida county, New York, at a very early day, locating on College Hill, where he purchased a partially improved place, which he converted into one of the best farms in that locality. He there died in 1820, when but forty-nine years old. His widow survived him many years, dying on the old homestead Decem- ber 18, 1859. After her husband's death,


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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.


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JOHN B. MOORE.


MRS. J. B. MOORE,


LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.


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she managed the farm and reared her fam- ily, doing by them as well as her means and opportunities afforded. She was'a woman of good business ability, and it can be said of her as of one of old "she did what she could." On the death of her husband, there was quite an indebtedness on the place, which, with the aid of her sons, she in due time paid off, and later built a good, substantial residence. By his first wife Shubel Moore had four sons, Hiram, Miles, Ira and Frederick, and one daughter, Ma- tilda. By his second wife he had ten chil- dren: Persis, Caroline, Keziah, Maria, Thomas, John B., Bright Alexander, Shubel, and two, Cornelia and Eliza, who died in infancy. Of this number, John B, and Shubel are the only survivors; Shubel . ninety-five cents per bushel. His trips to residing in Utica, New York.


John B. Moore was but five years of age when his father died. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his seven- teenth year, assisting in the cultivation of the home farm. He then commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, which occupa- tion he followed for a number of years. While yet residing in New York, on the 12th of March, 1839, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sophia Todd, born at Col- lege Hill, May 6, 1819. By this union were one son, and one daughter. Albert B., the son enlisted in 1862 in the Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was taken pris- oner by the raider, Morgan, and was after- wards exchanged. He is now a farmer, re- siding in Jackson county, Kansas. The daughter, Adelaide, is now the wife of Andrew Schofield, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.


In 1844, Mr. Moore came to Illinois, by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, and by the great lakes to Chicago. Moving on 10


west, he settled in Grundy county and there entered one hundred and forty acres of land, which he commenced to improve. Being without capital, for a time he en- gaged in contracting and building to pay for the land, and make other necessary im- provements. He continued to do more or less contracting and building for several years. As his means increased he bought more land, and at one time owned one thousand acres, comprising the farm on which he lived. In the early days he hauled his wheat and other grain to Chicago, the trip requiring two days each way. At night he slept under the wagon when the weather was not too severe. His wheat brought at different times from forty-eight cents to Chicago were with a wagon and two yoke of oxen, and he usually hauled fifty-two bushels at a time.


While residing in Grundy county, Mrs. Sophia Moore died November 25, 1851. She had been a meinber of the Methodist Epis- copal church since reaching the age of thir- teen years. On the 25th of April, 1852, Mr. Moore .was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Sterling, a native of Michigan, born . May 31, 1831. She is the daughter of Samuel and Cornelia (Lathrop) Sterling, natives of Connecticut, but who were married in New York, removed from thence to Mich- igan, and in 1834, to Kane county, Illinois. They located at Geneva, where Mr. Sterling bought a farm, and built the first hotel in the place. He also built the first dam and erected the first mill in Geneva. Mrs. Sterling was the first teacher in the place. After residing in the village for some years, Mr. Sterling removed to his farm, which is now owned and occupied by our subject, and there built a substantial stone residence.


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The last years of his life were spent on that farm, although his death occurred in Grundy county, at the residence of Mr. Moore, August 30, 1871, at the age of seventy-nine years.


To Mr. and Mrs. Moore, nine children have been born, as follows: Sterling, who died in infancy; George, who died at the age of twelve years; Shubel, a stockman, married, and residing in Jackson county, Kansas: Arabella, wife of Heiko Felkamp, of Great Bend, Kansas; Frederick, a farmer residing near Great Bend, Kansas; Mrs. Maria Fellows, residing in Jackson county, Kansas; Della, wife of John Strader, a drug- gist of Geneva, Illinois; Emery T., a farmer of St. Charles township; and John, who re- sides on the old homestead.


After the death of Mr. Sterling, his . homestead was put up at auction, and was purchased by Mr. Moore. It then com- prised one hundred and eighty-seven acres, to which Mr. Moore subsequently added three adjoining farms, making one of about seven hundred acres. For some years he engaged in its active management, but is now practically retired. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the factory at Geneva, and also the one at St. Charles. He later purchased the Geneva factory, but soon made it co-operative. It is now controlled by a stock company. In every enterprise calculated to advance the material interest of his adopted city and county, Mr. Moore has ever done his part.


Politically, Mr. Moore is a life-long Democrat, being reared in the faith. He cast his first presidential ballot for Martin Van Buren, and has never since missed a presidential election and has always voted for the Democratic nominee. While resid- ing in Grundy county he served for a time


as chairman of the Democratic central com- mittee. By his fellow citizens he was there elected to various local offices, including that of county commissioner. Since com- ing to Kane county he has steadily refused official position, preferring to give his un- divided time and attention to his extensive business interests. While not a member, he and his wife attend the Baptist church and contribute to its support. Mr. Moore is well-known throughout Kane and adjoin- ing counties, and by all who know him he is held in the highest esteem.


H ENRY G. SAWYER, of Carpenters- ville, Illinois, is one of the active and enterprising business men and manufactur- ers of Kane county. . He. has been connect- ed with the Star"Company since its organi- zation in 1873, and to him much of the credit is due for its prosperous condition. He was born in Elgin, Kane county, March 21, 1844, and is the son of George E. Saw- yer, a native of Verinont, born at Bradford, October 17, 1815. John W. Sawyer, the grandfather, was also a native of Vermont, the family locating in that state at an early day. They are of English descent.


George E. Sawyer grew to manhood in Vermont, and there married, January 5, 1837, Abigail P. Blake, a native of New Hampshire, of which state her father, Hez- ekiah Blake, was a native. By trade Mr. Sawyer was a carpenter, which occupation he followed in early life. In April, 1837, with a one-horse wagon, he started from his Vermont home to Illinois, arriving in El- gin in October of the same year. In his wagon were his entire earthly possessions, but he came here with an earnest desire to


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better himself in life. At Elgin his wife had some friends, including a sister, Mrs. David Corliss, who located here the previ- ous year. Commencing work at his trade, he continued at that but a short time and then took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Elgin township, which he later entered and subsequently sold and then purchased a farm in Dundee township, near the present village of Carpentersville, to which he removed and on which he re- sided for about thirty years. Leaving the farm, he removed to Carpentersville, where he died May 22, 1894, at the age of sev- enty-nine years. His wife passed away August 31, 1891. Their remains were laid to rest in the Dundee cemetery. They were the parents of two children-William G., of Elgin, and our subject.


Henry G. Sawyer grew to manhood in Kane county, received his primary educa- tion in its district schools and for a time at- tended the Elgin Academy. He remained at home assisting his father in the cultiva- tion of the farm until twenty-two years of age, when in company with his brother he purchased the mercantile business of J. A. Carpenter, at Carpentersville, in which he continued for eight years. He then en- gaged in settling up the business and was employed as a commercial salesman. He was one of the charter members and stock- holders of the Star Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he was the first secretary and treasurer. That position he continued to occupy until 1896, when he was elected president of the company. This is one of the extensive enterprises in Kane county, its products being sent all over the northwest, including Indiana, Ohio and Pacific coast. The institution was started in a small way on small capital, but under the wise man-


agement of Mr. Sawyer it has grown from year to year.


On the 7th of November, 1867, at Car- pentersville, Illinois, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage with Miss Ella A. Brown, daughter of True and Lucinda Brown, the father being an old settler and substantial farmer of Kane county. She was born in New Hampshire, but came to this county with her parents in early childhood. Her death occurred in November, 1868, and Mr. Sawyer was again married March 23, 1871, to Miss Mary Kingsley, a native of Illinois, born in Cook county, and the daughter of S. W. Kingsley, a native of Massachusetts, and came west by way of the New York and Erie canal and the great lakes. Settling in Barrington township in 1840, he entered about four hundred acres of land, which he improved and on which he resided for many years, but is now liv- ing a retired life in Dundee. By this union were five children: Lora, now the wife of Charles H. Harvey, of Carpentersville; Bertha E., who married Robert Nightin- gale, Barrington, Cook county, but is now deceased; Clara, now a student of Dickson College; George K. and Addie K., twins .- The latter died in infancy. The former is a student of the Illinois State University. The mother of these children died March 25, 1879, and Mr. Sawyer, December 25, 1880, married Lillian M. Burkitt, who was born and reared in Cook county, and a daughter of William Burkitt. By this mar- riage were three children-Clarence E., Ethel M. and Howard C., all attending the home school.




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