The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 29

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 29

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Politically Mr. Haley was a Republican

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for years, and cast his vote for John C. Fremont, the presidential candidate of that party. He was originally a Whig and cast his first presidential vote for Zachary Tay- lor. Of late he has been identified with the Democratic party. By his fellow citizens, he has been honored with several positions of honor and trust. He served as village trustee and one term as president of the board. He is now police magistrate, which position he has held for twelve years, with credit to himself and .constituents. In po- litical affairs he has always manifested great interest, and has often served as a delegate to the various conventions of his party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons and has served in every position in the blue lodge except Master, and in some of the offices of the Chapter.

In July, 1894, Mrs. Lucinda Haley de- parted this life, and on the 24th of Novem- ber, 1897, Mr. Haley married Mrs. Caro- line Patterson, née Carter, of Chicago, but a native of Ohio. She is a member of the Episcopal church, in which she takes a com- mendable interest. A resident of Kane county for forty-four years, Mr. Haley is well known as a man of exemplary habits, true to his friends and one who is willing to do his duty in all things.

THOMAS F. RICH, a veteran of the war for the union, and for many years a substantial farmer in Kane county, is now living a retired life in the village of Hamp- shire. He was born in the town of Benson, Rutland county, Vermont, where he at- tended country schools until the age of twelve years. In 1836 the family came west, leaving Whitehall, Vermont, May 16, going by canal to Buffalo, New York, and

thence by lake to Chicago. On account of severe storms, they were required to lay by for three days at Manitou Islands. Arriving at Chicago, they at once went to Naperville, Illinois, where they resided until the follow- ing October, when they moved to Deerfield precinct, now Rutland township, Kane coun- ty, where the father took up three hundred acres in the southwest corner of the town- ship.

Elijah Rich, the father, was one of the first settlers of Rutland township. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 10, 1795, and with his parents removed to the town of Benson, Rutland county, Vermont, in 1810. His father, Elijah Rich, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Elijah Rich married Tryphosa Fowler, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Thomas and Betsy Fowler. By this union there were four children, of whom our subject was sec- ond in order of birth. In 1835 the father came west, riding all the way from his Ver- mont home to Kane county, Illinois, on horseback. Being favorably impressed with the country he returned home and, as already stated, brought out his family in 1836. Here his last days were spent, and he died full of years, while honored and respected by all.

The subject of this sketch remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he ran away and lived with the Indians for a time. He then went to Chicago, where he worked one year, going from thence to Ga- lena, Illinois, where for three years he found employment in the lead mines. Attracted by the glitter of a traveling circus, he joined it, and remained with it for six months. The life was a hard one and he was well pleased to break his connection with it. For two summers he was on the Mississippi

THOMAS F. RICH.

SIUNITTO DO ALISTERIAIL 3HL 10 ANYallt

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river, running on the steamer, Ainaranth, plying between St. Peters, Minnesota, and St. Louis. The greater part of the time, however, the boat ran no farther north than Galena.

Having enough of a roving life, he re- turned to Kane county and purchased one . hundred and twenty acres in section 20, Rut- land township, which had been partially im- proved, having on it a log house and log stable. He at once went to work and in due time had one of the most productive farms in the township, and all iinprove- ments were in keeping with the time. He there remained until 1891, when he sold the place and removed to the village of Hampshire, where he owns a good dwelling and also a store building on Main street. Mr. Rich has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Priscilla Noakes, who was born April 14, 1823, on the ocean, while her parents were emigrating to Amer- ica from England. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary Noakes. This wedding ceremony was celebrated in Rutland town- ship in 1850, and by this union were four children as follows: Albert, who lives in Dundee; Anise, who married Henry Stevens, and now lives at Molino, Florida; Mary, who died at the age of four years; and Alan- son, who lives in Nebraska. Mrs. Priscilla Rich dying December 3, 1876, Mr. Rich was again married, March 3, 1880, his second union being with Miss Mary Welsh, born in Lewisburg, Virginia, and a daughter of Will- iam and Catherine (Schaver) Welsh. By this second union, one daughter was born, Ada, who resides at home.

When the South rebelled, and endeav- ered by force of arms to dismember the union, Mr. Rich showed his patriotism by enlisting in the Eighth Illinois Calvary, 14

serving from September 18, 1861, until September, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, was at Seven Pines, Whitehouse Landing, Mechanicsville, and in all sixty regular battles. His interest in war mat- ters has been maintained and he is now a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, while his wife is a member of the Relief Corps. In politics he is a Republican.

C YRUS H. WOODRUFF is one of the old and honored citizens of Elgin, his - home being at No. : 306 Chicago street. A native of Massachusetts, he was born Feb- ruary 15, 1819, in the town of West Stock- bridge, Berkshire county, and is a son of Henry and Belinda (Benedict) Woodruff, also natives of that state. His paternal grandfather, Asaph Woodruff, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving under Captain Reddington, ofRichmond, and Colo- nel Williams and Benedict Arnold. In November, 1775, he went with his regiment to Canada, under command of General Montgomery, and after the capture of St. Johns and Montcalmn, they joined Arnold's forces at Quebec. The siege at that place lasted until December 31, during which Montgomery was killed. The troops then fell back, spending a miserable winter in fortifications of snow, where they were without food for three days, and at any time the soldiers could be tracked by bloody foot- prints. Mr. Woodruff re-enlisted July 17, 1777, but the same month was discharged and transferred to another company. He never received a pension, as when the army was finally discharged and paid off, he and some of his comrades were taking home some sick soldiers. He died in 1833, at

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about the age of ninety years, and his last wife, Ruth (Stone) Woodruff, died a few years later at a ripe old age.

Henry Woodruff, our subject's father, was born in 1794, and was a soldier of the war of 1812, being a member of an artillery company stationed at Boston. He died be- fore pensions were issued for that war. He was a practical surveyor, and also engaged in farming and the manufacture of lime and brick. One night while sawing marble in a mill, he became entangled in the gearing about nine p. m., and being all alone he was unable to inake any one hear his cries for help, no one coming to his relief until about six o'clock the next morning. After twenty-four hours of terrible suffering, he passed away, in 1826. He was one of a large family of children, of whom Gilbert Woodruff is still living at the age of eighty- eight years, being the oldest man in the sec- tion of North Carolina where he makes his home. For the past twenty years he has been the only survivor of the family. The mother of our subject, who was a daughter of John and Betsy Benedict, died in 1832, in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a consistent mem- ber. Cyrus H. is the oldest of the four children and is the only one now living. John B., an attorney, died at the age of twenty-six years; Harriet B. died in 1831, at the age of eleven; and Lewis T. died at the age of twenty-three. All were residents of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. John B. was a graduate of Union College, New York.

Mr. Woodruff, of this review, began his education in the schools of West Stock- bridge, and later attended an academy at Canaan, New York. He was reared on a farm, and before attaining his majority he

engaged in teaching for three winters. He then embarked in the hardware business in Stockbridge, meeting with fair success in this undertaking. A few years later he be- came a partner in a blast furnace at West Stockbridge, with which he was connected until coming west in 1856. In partnership with another gentleman, he engaged in the hardware business in Lena, Illinois, until 1862, when he removed to Dundee, Kane county, organizing the Illinois Iron & Bolt Company, of which he was secretary and treasurer for three years. Since 1868 he has made his home in Elgin, where he was engaged in the foundry business for six years, being forced to retire at the end of that time on account of rheumatism. Since then he has engaged in no active business.

On the 19th of March, 1840, Mr. Wood- ruff was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Sprague, of Austerlitz, New York, a daugh- ter of Heman and Anna Sprague. Of their five children, Mary Ann died at the age of nine years, Harriet B., at the age of five years, and Emma Isabel, at the age of ten months. Ida Louise is the wife of W. Eu- gene Bosworth, a merchant of Elgin, and they have five children-Cyrus I., who graduates from Yale College with the class of 1898; Charles E., who died in 1885, at the age of nine years; Ralph Roy, Ethel M. and Walter Henry. Charles Henry, the youngest child of our subject, married Marian Eaton and has two children-Wilda E. and Rosella.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, their son, daughter and son-in-law are all members of the Baptist church, in which the last named is serving as deacon. Since attaining his majority in 1840, Mr. Woodruff has been identified with the Democratic party, and since 1856 he has affiliated with the Mason-

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ic order. While a resident of Massachus- etts, he took quite an active and prominent part in political affairs, and in 1849 and 1853 was elected to the state legislature, serving for two terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Among his colleagues were several noted men, including George S. Boutwell, Gen. N. · P. Banks, Benjamin Butler, Amasa Walker and H. L. Dawes. After coming west his business interests occupied his en- tire attention, leaving no time to devote to political affairs. He never acts except from honest motives and in all his varied relations in business affairs and in social life, he has maintained a character and standing that has impressed all with his sincere and man- ly purpose to do by others as he would have others do by him.

JOHN MCKELLAR, who resides on a farm on section 20, Plato township, was born at Plato Corners January 11, 1857. His grandfather, Archibald Mckellar, was a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, born Janu- ary 12, 1777, and there died February 25, 1864, at the age of eighty-six years. He was by occupation a farmer and fisherman, and married Mary McGregor, a descendant of Rob Roy, the Scottish chieftain.

Daniel Mckellar, the father of our sub- ject, was born in a fishing boat in Argyle- shire, forty miles from Glasgow, June 12, 1813, and died March 16, 1889. He lived on the farm and followed fishing with his father. Their old stone house on the Clyde is yet visible from passing boats. When a young man he and his brother Duncan opened a store on one of the islands, and there secured a good trade. His brother had served with the Scotch Greys in the

British army. During a short visit to his home on the mainland his brother died, and the widow in a very short time disposed of everything and sailed for America.

In 1836 Daniel Mckellar, in company with his cousin, Colin McKellar, came to America, sailing from Greenock, Scotland. He lived ten years at Dryden Corners, Tompkins county, New York, where he rented land and engaged in farming. In 1837 his parents also came to this country, and later his brother, Hugh Mckellar, came. In 1846 the family came to Kane county, Illinois, lived one year in Elgin township, and then Daniel and his father bought one hundred and sixty acres of land west of Plato Corners, to which he subsequently added twenty-five acres more. Daniel Mc- Kellar lived at Plato Corners from 1853 until his death in 1889.

On the 4th of July, 1850, Daniel Mc- Kellar married Miss Emily Sovereign, born at Simcoe, Canada, August 3, 1827. She lived at Simcoe and in New York state until she came west, in October, 1845. She is the daughter of Richard Sovereign, a native of New Jersey, who died about 1866, at the age of seventy-three years. He was a car- penter and builder by trade, but purchased eighty acres in Plato township, and there engaged in farming. His father, Henry Sovereign, also a native of New Jersey, died at Ludlow, New York. Richard Sovereign married Elizabeth Plummer, daughter of George and Hannah (Murtrie) Plummer. To Daniel and Emily Mckellar eleven chil- dren were born, as follows: Richard, who died at the age of twelve years; Jennie, wife of John Sherwood; Archibald, who died at the age of thirty-seven; John, our subject; Mary, who married Thomas Dadswell; Ana- belle, who married Robert Shedden; Ruby,

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wife of Arthur Durrant; Richard married Lydia Wright, and lives in Elgin; Daniel, who died at the age of fifteen months; James Gregor lives at home with his mother; and Benjamin, who died in infancy.

John McKellar, our subject, remained at home with his father until his marriage, when he began farming for himself. He was married in Plato township February 12, 1884, to Miss Minnie Sherwood, a daughter of Seth Sherwood, a native of New York, who came west in 1846 with his father's family. Seth Sherwood was the son of John and Sarah (Pease) Sherwood, the former a native of Virginia, who lived some years in New York, served in the war of 1812, and later emigrated to Kane county, where he died at the age of seventy-four years. Of the eight children born to Seth Sherwood and wife, Mrs. McKellar is the youngest.

Mr. Mckellar owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres, while Mrs. McKel- lar is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in several tracts, but all lying in Pla- to township. Mr. Mckellar devotes his time to general farming, making a specialty of raising and fattening cattle for the mar- ket. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican, taking great interest in political affairs, and has served as a member of the county executive committee of his party. He has been honored by his friends and neighbors with a number of local township offices.

C' HARLES W. SUHR, who is operating a fine farm on section 7, Hampshire township, was born in Belvidere, Illinois, November 26, 1867. His father, Joseph C. Suhr, was born in the village of Lang-

felden, Pomerania, Germany, August 30, 1837, and was the son of Joseph Suhr, also a native of the same country. The father was reared to farm life, and received a good education in his native land. In 1867 he sailed from Hamburg on the sailing vessel Liverance, and after a voyage of seven weeks and three days landed at New York, November 12, 1867. From there he came direct to Belvidere, Illinois, where he lived for nine years, working at odd jobs, but the greater part of the time on farms. In 1876 he came to Hampshire township, Kane county, Illinois, rented a farm, and in eight years saved enough to make his first pur- chase of land, which is comprised in the farm now occupied by our subject. He was married in Pensingen, Pomerania, in Oc- tober, 1866, to Lena Grawe, born in Sophienhove, Pomerania, November 1, 1840, and the daughter of Johakeim and Lena Grawe. Johakeim Grawe was the son of John Grawe, and all passed their days in Pomerania. By this union were four chil- dren, as follows: Carrie, who married Charles Terwillinger, of Hampshire town- ship, and now resides in California; Will- iam, a plasterer by trade, living in Chicago; Charles W., our subject; and Bertha, wife of Robert Leitner, a prosperous business man of Elgin. Religiously Joseph C. Suhr was a member of the Lutheran church, and fraternally a member of the Odd Fellows. His death occurred August 23, 1894, on his farm on section 7, Hampshire township.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools, beginning in Belvidere and ending in Hampshire town- ship. He attended school during the winter season until eighteen years of age. He re- mained at home assisting his father until the latter's death, when he took charge of

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the farm for his mother, and in 1896 rented. the place. In 1896 he married Miss Carrie Leitner, a sister of Robert Leitner, and a daughter of John George Leitner, a success- ful farmer residing in Hampshire township, but who was born in Katolzburg, Bavaria, March 15, 1834, and who learned the trade of a weaver from his father, who lived on a small farm. Mr. Leitner came to America in June, 1852, sailing from Bremen on the Swedish sailing vessel Richard Anderson, which had three hundred and ten passengers and were fifty-four days in making the voy- age. Landing at New York, Mr. Leitner there worked some two years, then came west to Kane county, Illinois, and worked for thirteen dollars a month at farm labor for several years. He bought his first eighty acres of land in 1861, to which he has since added sixty acres, making one hundred and forty acres in all. His father, Leonard Leitner, was a weaver by trade, and died in Germany at the age of seventy-seven years. His mother, Sophia (Rupp) Leitner, also died in Germany; which was her native "country. John G. Leitner married Sophia Wiedmeyer, born in Marck, Gronegin, Ger- many, September 20, 1842, and they at once came to America. They were the par- ents of fifteen children, of whom Caroline, wife of our subject, is eighth in order of birth. To our subject and wife one son has been born, Edwin.

The farm on which our subject resides consists of one hundred and seventy acres of fine prairie land, large dwelling house and barns, built by his father. Here he carries on general and dairy farming, usually milking about twenty-five head of cows, the products of which he ships to Chicago. In politics Mr. Suhr is an independent Dem- ocrat, and religiously he and his wife are

members of the Evangelical church. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, and Court of Honor. He is a progressive young farmer, genial and popu- lar with all his acquaintances.

C APTAIN JOHN F. ELLIOTT, an hon- ored veteran of the Civil war, who has for over forty years been prominently iden- tified with the interests of St. Charles, was born September 9, 1834, near Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. His fa- ther, Thomas Elliott, was a native of Ire- land, born in 1811, and when a lad of four- teen years accompanied his brother on his emigration to the new world, first locating in the city of New York, where he was mostly educated. For some years he en- gaged in merchandising there and for two years he was interested in a manufacturing enterprise in Buffalo, New York. Subse- quently he bought a farm in Crawford coun- ty, Pennsylvania, which he operated for some years, and then removed to Erie county, New York, residing there until 1852, when he came to Illinois, spending the .last years of his life in St. Charles, an honored and highly respected citizen.

In New York city, Thomas Elliott wedded Mary Farrell, who died in March, 1893, having survived him several years, his death having occurred in 1881. While liv- ing in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, he had served as deputy sheriff for some time. In the family of this worthy couple were five sons and two daughters who reached years of maturity. Mary A., the eldest, died in childhood; John F. is next in order of birth; Charles is engaged in business in Chicago; George C. is a farmer residing at

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Seattle, Washington; Theressa and James K. both died unmarried; Henry C., married and settled at Blue Island, Cook county, Illinois, but died at St. Charles, and Lucy died at the age of seventeen years.

John F. Elliott spent his boyhood and youth in Pennsylvania and New York, and received very limited school privileges, being almost wholly self-educated. On the fifth of December, 1855, he became a resident of St. Charles, and having previously learned the mason's trade, he worked at that occupation in both Aurora and Chicago for about twenty years, being employed on many of the early buildings and bridges in this section of the state.

Feeling that his country needed his serv- ices during the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. Elliott enlisted August 12, 1861, in Company K, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-the Fox River Regiment -- which was raised at Wayne, Illinois, and he was soon afterward appointed first sergeant, serving as such fourteen months., For faith- ful service on the field and on the march after the battle of Corinth, he was promoted first lieutenant, and was subsequently com- missioned captain. He participated in the engagement at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the siege of Corinth, and the battles of Perry- ville, Kentucky, and Stone River, Tennes- see. At the last named he was taken pris- oner with forty-two others of his regiment, including seven officers, and was sent to Atlanta, where the officers were confined until February 26, 1863, when they were ordered to march to Libby prison, Rich- mond. While en route Mr. Elliott made his escape from the train at Conyers, Geor- gia, and after traveling a distance of five hundred miles through the rebel country, reached the Union lines, joining the troops

at Corinth, Mississippi, March 26, 1863. Later he rejoined his own regiment at Mur- freesboro, Tennessee. On the 18th of May following, through the kindness of General Phil Sheridan, he was detailed for recruit- ing service in Illinois, and returned to Springfield, where he received his orders. He then opened a recruiting office in St. Charles, but was afterward ordered to re- port at Springfield, and in September, 1863, was placed in charge of Camp Yates, where he remained from the 14th of that month until March 28, 1864, during which time nineteen thousand, eight hundred recruits were received and transferred to their regi- ments. He had received only one order for correction from the auditing department at Washington. After making his final re- port, he was placed in charge of the camp of veteran corps, remaining there until he resigned the commission, on June 4, 1864.

For a few years after his return home, Captain Elliott worked at his trade in Chi- cago and Kane county. At St. Charles he was married September 6, 1860, to Miss Sarah Clark, a native of Birmingham, England, who came to the United States when a child of eight years, and was reared and educated in St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have three sons living, namely: Charles E., now a carpenter and joiner of San Francisco, California; Ulysses S., also a carpenter and joiner, who is married and resides in St. Charles; and John J., at home with his par- . ents. They have also lost three children: May and Nellie, who both died at the age of fourteen months; and Nettie, who was a successful teacher in St. Charles, and died in early womanhood.

The parents are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Elliott is now a trustee, and has been

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a member of the official board for some years. He is a prominent member of the Elon J. Farnsworth post, No. 456, G. A. R., was its first commander and served in that capacity two or three terms. He is now officer of the day. Politically he is a life- long Republican, casting his first presiden- tial vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and four years later supported Abraham Lin- coln. He has always taken an active and prominent part in local affairs, was alder- man of St. Charles for ten years, and for the long period of twenty-one years was a most efficient and faithful member of the school board. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace, and with the exception of two years has since served in that capac- ity, being at the present time the oldest justice of the peace in point of service in Kane county. He is also filling the office of police magistrate, and is recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of St. Charles. He is a man of sterling worth in all the relations of life, and his name is honorably and inseparably con- nected with the history of his adopted city.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 29

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