The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 3

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 3

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).

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

When Mr. Adams came to Illinois he & St. Paul railroad, in whose services he had but little of this world's goods, but by his own labor and enterprise he has accu- mulated a valuable property, and is recog- nized as one of the substantial men of Kane county. He is a man of exemplary habits, of upright character and worth, and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and his friends are numerous both through- out Kane and Cook counties.

. In the summer of 1895 Mr. Adams and his daughter made a trip to Europe, visiting a number of the cities and kingdoms of that land. They first visited Glasgow and North Scotland, including Edinburgh, through some of the German states and Switzerland, Paris, Venice, Rome, London and Liverpool, and altogether had a pleasant and profitable time. They returned home in the fall of the same year, feeling well repaid for the time and money spent.

R EV. CASPER J. HUTH, the popular priest in charge of St. Charles Catholic church at Hampshire, Illinois, was born in Cologne, Germany, September 22, 1845, and with the family emigrated to America in 1855, leaving their home May 27, sailing from Antwerp June I, and landing in New York, June 17. His father, Peter Huth, was born in Cologne, September 15, 1819, and in his native country worked as a day laborer. With a view of bettering his con- dition he came to the United States and settled in Freeport, Illinois, where he made his home the remainder of his life, with the exception of a short time: spent with our subject in Hampshire. Shortly before his death he returned to Freeport and died at the residence of his daughter, January 29, 1898. On coming to this country he secured work with the Chicago, Milwaukee

remained for many years, filling various positions, and for a number of years before retiring had charge of the roundhouse at Freeport. His life though an uneventful one, he so lived as to merit the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. In his native city he married Cecelia Mevis,. who became the mother of four children as fol- lows: Caspar J., our subject; Mary, who died at the age of eleven years; Clara, who married John Zengerle, of Stillwater, Minne- sota; and Theresa, wife of Charles Secker, of Freeport, Illinois, with whom the father made his home at the time of death.

While yet residing in Germany, our subject attended the parochial schools, which he also attended after coming to Freeport, and which was supplemented by attendance in the public schools of Free- port. He began his theological studies in the University of St. Louis, at St. Louis, Missouri, and later attended St. Mary's of the Lake, at Chicago, Illinois, where he re- mained seven years, and was then a, short time in St. Francis College, Milwaukee, where he was ordained to the priesthood January 29, 1869.

Father Huth's ministry has been an unusual one in the length of time which he served at his various stations. His first charge was at Somonauk, De Kalb county, Illinois, where he remained fifteen and a half years, then took a vacation for six months, at the expiration of which time he was assigned to St. Charles church, in Hampshire. This was in the spring of 1885, since which time he has ministered to the spiritual wants of the congregation of that village, in sickness and in health, at the bridal altar, and at the bier. He is a man of energy and strong mental vigor, and

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is greatly esteemed by Catholics and Prot- estants alike. One of his most pleasant recollections, is that of a visit while at Somonauk, of Archbishop, now Cardinal, Gibbons, who was visiting Bishop Froley, of Chicago. Many years after, at a large gathering of clergymen, at which the Cardi- nal was present, the latter recalled the visit and asked if the young priest who officiated at Somonauk was present, and when he was presented to him, gave the Father Huth a most cordial greeting.

After an absence of more than forty years from his native land, Father Huth now contemplates a trip abroad to revisit the place of his birth and greet his kindred whom he has not seen since boyhood. His many friends in Kane and De Kalb counties will wish him a pleasant journey and a safe return to take up the work of ministering to fallen humanity.

C HARLES P. REID, M. D., Hamp- shire, Illinois, is recognized as one of the best physicians in the north part of Kane county. He was born near Kingston, Frontenac county, Canada, October 16, 1848, and with his parents came to Kane county, Illinois. His father, David Reid, was born near Aiken Claurie, about thirty- five miles south of Glasgow, Scotland, Feb- ruary 13, 1813. His early life was spent in his native country, and in 1833, when twenty years of age, he emigrated to Canada, sailing from Campbellton on the vessel Mar- garet, of Londonderry. The voyage re- quired three months, the vessel landing at Quebec. Two years later he was followed by his father, John Reid, the family settling near Kingston, in Frontenac county, where he lived seventeen years. John Reid, the

father of David, bought a farm of two hun- dred acres near Kingston, where his death occurred about 1852. His wife, Martha Armour, died about 1859. She was the daughter of William and Margaret Armour. John Reid was the son of William Reid, who married a Miss Gordon, and both died in Scotland.

In 1848, David Reid came to Kane coun- ty, Illinois, on a prospecting tour, and liking the country purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Hampshire township, returned home and in the spring of 1850, moved here with his family. He is now living with his daughter on the old home- stead, where he spent nearly half a cen- tury. At one time he was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres, forty acres of which he later sold, leaving him the possessor of the south half of section 17. He was a good farmer, a good citizen, and good neighbor, and is yet living at the age of eighty-five years, but in ill health from a stroke of paralysis. While yet residing in Canada, he married Olive Powley, a native of Frontenac county, Canada, born in April, 1813. Her death occurred at the family residence on section 17, Hampshire town- ship, in 1871. She was the daughter of William Powley, a native of Pennsylvania, who attained the age of ninety years, and who married Elizabeth Hoffman. His par- ents lived in America prior to the Revolu- tionary war, but after the close of that struggle returned to their native country, Germany, but some years later again emi- grated to the states. About the time of the outbreak of the war of 1812, William Powley moved to Canada, where he secured a good farm and passed the remainder of his life. He often related to his children, how at one time in the forest he ran out of

C. P. REID, M. D.

LIBRARY Of 1HÆ UNIVERSITY EH

3 í

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

many, who died in Kansas City, Kansas, August 16, 1889, leaving one child, Guy, a pupil in the Hampshire High School. Two children, Olive and Mayne, died in in- fancy. provisions, and killed, cooked and ate a married Rosamond Heath, a native of Ger- rattlesnake, which he always declared was, under the circumstances, very good. Of the four children born to David and Olive Reid, three are yet living as follows: John, a speculator and banker of Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Charles P., our subject. Mar- tha, wife of Alexander R. Walker, lives on the old home farm, and ministers to, and cares for her aged father, in his affliction.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Hampshire and the Elgin Academy, and for one year at Clark Semi- nary, now Jennings Seminary, in Aurora. He then taught school during six winter terins, being occupied with farm work dur- ing the summer seasons. He began teach- ing at the age of nineteen. Previous to this he began reading medicine, reading privately for a time and then in the office of Doctor Kelly, of Elgin. He then attended Bennett's Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1872. He also studied pharmacy in Chicago, in the Phar- maceutical College, passing examination, and was for three years engaged in phar- macy in that city. In 1875 he began the practice of his profession in Hampshire, where he remained until 1888, when he joined his brother in Kansas City, Kansas, practicing there until 1894, when he re- turned to Hampshire. Since his first ad- mission to practice, Dr. Reid has kept abreast of the times by occasional courses in medical colleges, having attended two courses of lectures in the Chicago Medical College, and one in Hahnemann, of the · same city. In the summer of 1898, he pro- poses to again take a post-graduate course, obtaining a knowledge of the improved methods of medicine and surgery.

Dr. Reid, on the 6th of February, 1877, 2

Dr .. Reid delights in scientific subjects, and is of an inventive turn of mind. Among the creations of his inventive genius, may be mentioned an improved electric alarm, which gives warning when wires are cut or disabled, as well as when the apartment is surreptitiously entered, The fault with prior inventions has been that they get out of order and give no warning as to their condition.

Dr. Reid is prominent in business and social circles and was for eight years presi- dent of the village board, and for six years was a member of the school board. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Hamp- shire, in which he has filled all the chairs, and is a member of the Foresters and Knights of the Maccabees. A genial, wholesouled gentleman, he enjoys the es- teem of the people amongst whom he has lived for nearly half a century.

G 1 EORGE P. HARVEY .- The subject of this review is one whose history touches the pioneer epoch in the annals of Kane county and whose days were an in- tegral part of that indissoluble chain which linked the early, formative period with that of later-day progress and prosperity. He has borne an important part in the upbuild- ing of this section of the state and his name deserves an honored place among its prom- inent pioneers. He is now living at No. 208 Kimball street.

Mr. Harvey was born December 22,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1816, in Ontario county, New York, a son of Joel and Polly (Bennett) Harvey. On the paternal side he is of English descent. His great-grandfather was Medad Harvey, while his grandfather was Joel Harvey, Sr., a farmer by occupation, who removed from New Hampshire to New York at an early day, locating near Utica, where he died at the age of seventy years. Our subject's maternal grandfather spent his last days in Herkimer county, New York.

Joel Harvey, Jr., was a native of Mas- sachusetts, but spent the greater part of his early life upon a farm twelve miles east of Utica, New York. He married Polly Ben- nett, a native of Connecticut, and they be- came the parents of six children, who grew to man and womanhood. Four are still living, namely: George P .; Emily, wife of Paul R. Wright, of Santa Barbara, Califor- nia, Sarah, wife of Major W. M. Taylor, of Chicago, Illinois; and Joel D., of Geneva, Illinois. The father was a blacksmith by trade. In 1835 he came by team to Illi- nois, accompanied by all the members of his family with the exception of our subject, who made the trip by water, as their goods were shipped in that way. They were fol- lowed by their faithful dog, who was very watchful of their possessions, not permitting a stranger to touch anything. The dog considered all Indians his enemies. The family arrived in Kane county in October, 1835, at which time there were only two log houses on the present site of Elgin, one on either side of the river. The father took up a claim of three hundred acres in the northern part of the town of St. Charles and improved and cultivated the place until his death, which occurred in 1840, at the age of forty-six. He took quite a prominent and influential part in public affairs, served

as treasurer of Kane county for one term, was justice of the peace several years, and held various township offices. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was always a loyal and patriotic citizen. His estimable wife long survived him, dying June 10, 1872, at the age of seventy-four.

Mr. Harvey, of this review, was reared eight miles west of Syracuse, in Onondaga county, New York, on a farm, and com- pleted his education in the academy in Bald- winsville. He was nineteen years of age when he came to Illinois, and in 1837 he purchased a farm of his own in Kane county, containing three hundred and twenty acres, which he improved and cultivated until his removal to Elgin, in 1848. Here he has since made his home with the excep- tion of two years spent upon a farm in Elgin township. He built a large warehouse on the east side of the river for the Northwest- ern railroad in 1850-51, and had charge of the same for a number of years, storing all kinds of goods and grain. Later, in part- nership with George W. Renwick, he en- gaged in the manufacture of threshing ma- chines.

On the 13th of November, 1839, Mr. Harvey married Miss Mary L. Burr, a daugh- ter of Atwell and Betsy (Wheeler) Burr, who came to Kane county from Pompey, Onondaga county, New York, in the spring of 1836, and first settled in St. Charles. Later they removed to Campton township, where they purchased land and continued to make their home until called from this life. They were of English descent, and Mrs. Burr was born and reared at the foot of the Hoosac mountains. Mr. Burr also aided in the war of 1812, and died about 1851.

Of the ten children born to Mr. and

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mrs. Harvey, four sons died in infancy. The others are as follows: Charles M. en- listed in the Seventh Illinois Infantry, under the first call for three-months' men, and after the expiration of his term re-enlisted in the Plato Cavalry, his company being first assigned to the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and later to the Fif- teenth Illinois Cavalry, serving as first lieu- tenant of Company B. Re-enlisting again as a veteran, he served until the close of the war. He was with Sherman's army on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea, and was once slightly wounded while carrying dispatches. He married Clara E. Conger and lived in Waco, Texas, at which place he and his wife and daugh- ter all died. .. Welford W. makes his home on a ranch near Buffalo, in. Wyoming. He married Mrs. Mary E. Orr, by whom he has one son, Ray Phelps, and she has two daughters by her former marriage-Minnie and Nellis. Cecil C. was formerly a suc- cessful teacher for a number of years, but for the past fourteen years has been libra- rian of the city library of Elgin. Mary E. is also at home. Estelle E. is the wife of William Freck, a machinist and inventor living in Chicago, and they have three chil- dren-Florence, Howard B. and Margaret Loraine. Illione is a writer in an insurance office in Chicago. The wife and mother passed away September 19, 1895, when almost seventy-eight years of age. She was a member of the Universalist church, which her husband also attends.

With Mr. Harvey resides his aunt, Mrs. Emily (Harvey) Ainsworth, who in 1843 came to McHenry county, Illinois, but later spent a short time in Missouri. On her re- turn to this state she located in Richview and subsequently removed to St. Charles,

where she had three sisters living, all now deceased. For the past twelve years she has made her home in Elgin, and is now eighty-eight years of age.

Mr. Harvey has ever been one of the popular and prominent citizens of the county, and in early life took quite an active and influential part in public affairs. In the fall of 1854 he was elected county treasurer, and two years later was made alderman of the third ward of Elgin, serving in that capacity for six years. Subsequently he filled the office of assessor of Elgin town- ship for two terms. He also served as in- ternal revenue assessor for Kane county two years. From 1860 until 1862, he lived on his farm, but in the latter year returned to Elgin, where he has since continued to re- side. For sixty-two years he has been identified with the interests of the county, has seen almost its entire development, as on his arrival here the Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers and most of the land was still in its primitive condition. He is now the oldest member of Kane lodge, I. O. O. F., with which he has been connected since 1851. Although eighty-one years of age he is still well pre- served. Nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws, and although his business cares have been extensive age rests lightly upon him. It is safe to say that no man in Elgin has more or warmer friends than George P. Harvey.

THOMAS BISHOP, deceased, was a na- tive of Devonshire, England, born Sep- tember 12, 1820, and at the age of eight years accompanied his parents across the ocean to Canada, the family locating in Quebec, in the schools of which locality he

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

completed his education, which was begun in the mother country. After entering upon his business career he became interested in lumber and operated large tracts of forest land. He served as captain in the militia while in Quebec, and was a leading citizen of the community in which he made his home.

After his mother's death he and three brothers, accompanied their father, Nathan- iel Bishop, to Kane county, Illinois. The four sons secured work as farm hands, Thomas and one brother working on a farm on section 22, Elgin township, Henry and the other brother on a farm on section 28. After two years Thomas and Will- iam purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, on which they had been employed, and Henry and his brother purchased the farm on section1 28. In a few years two of the brothers went to Clinton, Illinois, and with the financial as- sistance of Thomas and Henry established themselves in the grain business, which they conducted with good success until their life labors were ended, winning a comfortable competence by their judicious management and untiring industry.

Immediately after becoming owner of the farm on section 22, Elgin township, Thomas Bishop began its further develop- ment and improvement and in 1856 erected the present commodious residence, which is one of the land marks of the neighborhood. He employed only common laborers to help him and laid the masonry, which is a fine specimen of cobble-stone range work, with his own hands. He also did the interior finishing and the home to-day stands as a monument of his thrift and enterprise. It has very substantial and thick walls like the edifices of the old countries, built to stand

for centuries. When he arrived in Kane county it was a wild and largely unsettled district. There was a stage road over the prairie and across his farm and all was open country. He hauled his produce to the Chi- cago market, finding there a little city just coming into prominence by reason of its shipping facilities. During the early years he also became an extensive stock trader, selling large numbers of cattle to the distil- lery companies and to the beef canning companies. He placed his land under a high state of cultivation until the well-tilled fields yielded to him a golden tribute and his farm became one of the best improved in the county. Neither was his attention given entirely to agricultural pursuits. He was a man of broad capability and made judicious investments in other business con- cerns which brought to him a handsome revenue. He was one of the organizers and stockholders of the Home National Bank, in which he served as a member of the director- ate and was at one time a stockholder in the Elgin Canning Company. A man of strong personality he also took a leading part in local affairs and his influence and support were important factors in promoting the welfare of the community. He did efficient service in the interest of the public schools during his many years service as school director, and for about fourteen years he served as road commissioner, while for eight years he filled the office of supervisor, dis- charging all these duties with marked fidel- ity and promptness. He held membership in the Universalist church, and gave his po- litical support to the men and measures of the Republican party.

Thomas Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Emma Stringer, who was born in Kane county, March 19, 1848, a daughter

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of John A. and . Ann (Sterricker) Stringer. Her father was born in Devonshire, England, July 20, 1807, and died June 17, 1895. He removed from England to Canada, at the age of fifteen years, resided for a time in New York, and in September, 1845, came to Kane county. where he acquired three hundred and forty acres of land on section 29, Elgin township. In early years he was a grain farmer, and later became largely in- terested in dairy farming. His parents were Richard and Hannah (Garbet) Stringer. The former died in Canada, about 1822, at the age of sixty years, and the latter attained the advanced age of ninety-four years. Mrs. Ann Stringer, mother of Mrs. Thomas Bish- op, was born near London, England, June 7, 1816, and is now living in California with her daughter. She is still a well-preserved old lady, able to walk a number of miles, and took a long journey across the continent without great fatigue. Her parents were Rev. Thomas and Jane (Williams) Sterricker, the former a Methodist minister, who spent the greater part of his life in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, where he died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-four.

By the marriage of Thomas Bishop and Emma Stringer were born six children: Clarence, of whom further mention is made in this sketch; Florence, his twin sister, who died at the age of six months; Frank, who died at the age of three months; Birdie, wife of A. M. Smythe, a jeweler, of Elgin; Wil- bur and Walter, who are living in Elgin with their mother. The father of this fam- ily was called to the home beyond October 5, 1891, in his sixty-ninth year, and the community thereby lost one of its most val- ued citizens-a man whom to know was to honor. He was true to every trust reposed

in him, whether public or private; his hon- esty in all business transactions was above question; and he cominanded the unqual- ified respect of those with whom he was brought in contact. He bore an important part in the work of development in Kane county, and his name will always be linked with those pioneers who laid the foundation for the present prosperity and advancement of this community.

CLARENCE BISHOP, the eldest son of Thomas and Emma Bishop, was born on the farm which is now his home, March. 6, 1870. His elementary education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in the Elgin Academy and in Drew's Business College. At the age of eighteen years he put aside his text-books and be- came his father's able assistant on the farın, continuing his work with him until the fa- ther's death. He then operated the place for his mother until his marriage, in 1895, since which time he has leased the property from the estate. This is one of the best farms in the county, improved with large barns and outbuildings, supplied with a wind- . mill connected with a well two hundred and sixty-five feet deep, which furnishes an in- exhaustible supply of good water. There is also a mill and feed grinder and a twelve-horse power steam engine, and the fire appliances can throw a stream of water over any build- ing on the farm. There is an ice-house with a capacity of one hundred tons, and thus upon his own place Mr. Bishop has all of the conveniences of city life. His land is sufficiently rolling to make good drainage, and is under a very high state of cultivation. He, however, raises hay and grain mostly for his stock, for he is a dairy farmer and keeps on hand from sixty to seventy head of high-grade cattle.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Bishop was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Schumacher, a native of Pekin, Illinois, and a daughter of Rev. Henry Schumacher, who was born in Ohio, and died in Elgin April 25, 1885. He was a minister of the Evangelical church, and for twenty-five years was a member of the Illinois conference. His wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Klick, was a native of Pennsylvania, and now resides in Elgin.

Mr. Bishop is a member of the Univer- salist church, in which he has served as trustee for six years; gives his political sup- . port to the Republican party, and is an in- fluential factor in the political circles in Kane county. He is now serving his sec- ond term as school trustee, is a member of the Lincoln Republican club, of Elgin, and has been a delegate to the state Republican convention in Springfield. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, whose sound judgment, unflagging enter- prise and capable management have brought to him a well-merited success. In manner he is pleasant and cordial, which, combined with his sterling worth, makes him one of the popular citizens of his native county.

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.

The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 3

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