The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 30

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

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C HARLES A. STONE is a representa- tive one of the earliest pioneers of Kane county. His father, Isaac Stone, was born in Orford, Grafton county, New Hampshire, January 1, 1811, where he lived until attaining his majority. In 1833, he moved to White Pigeon, Michigan, and in the spring of 1834, came to Kane county, when there was but one house in Elgin, that of James T. Gifford, and it was not finished. He hewed and hauled logs to build the first log house on the west side for Jonathan Kimball, which served as resi- dence, hotel and justice's office. In that

house Mr. Stone and Mr. Kimball kept " bach " until the arrival of Mrs. Phinneas Kimball. In the summer of 1835, Mr. Stone made claim to two hundred and forty-six acres which now comprises the farm of our subject. He married Abigail Knapp, born at Homer, New York, about 1820. She is the daughter of James Knapp, of Homer, New York, who died when about eighty years of age. He married Abigail May, born in Hartford, Connecticut, and daughter of Eleazer May. She died at the age of fifty- two years. The grandfather of Mrs. Isaac Stone fought through the Revolutionary war, and while on the way home was killed by the Indians within sight of his house. Isaac and Abigail Stone had four children, two of whom are living-Elvena, now Mrs: S. W. Chapman and Charles A., our sub- ject. The mother is yet living and makes her home with Mr. Chapman in Elgin.

Charles A. Stone, our subject, was born on the farm where he now resides, April 4, 1856. He attended the public schools of Elgin township, and completed his educa- tion in the Elgin Academy. He remained at home, assisting his father in the cultiva- tion of the farm until the latter's death, which occurred January 14, 1881, since which time he has been in charge of the place. For years he has made a specialty of stock raising, principally horses, and has charge of many driving horses through the winter, caring for them until spring. The farm is well-improved and in front of his residence is a fine lawn shaded by oak trees of unusual size.

Mr. Stone was married in Clinton, Iowa, December 28, 1880, to Miss Emma E. Fletcher, born in Plato township, and daughter of Lewis and Lydia (Griste) Fletcher, the former a native of England

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and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of three children-Emma E., now Mrs. Stone; Albert and Henry, who reside in Elgin. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone five children have been born: Fred, born October 22, 1881; Leon, December 19, 1882; Ray, August 18, 1883; Isla, Novem- ber 20, 1888; and Vernette, November 25, 1890.

In politics Mr. Stone is a Democrat and a firm believer in free silver. The only of- fice that he has held has been that of school director. As a farmer he ranks among the best in Elgin township, and as a citizen he is held in the highest esteem.

A SA ROSENCRANS, deceased, was one of the representative and honored pio- neers of Kane county, with whose early de- velopment and prosperity he and his family were prominently identified. The family is of Danish extraction, being founded in this country by two brothers who came from Amsterdam, and the name was formerly spelled Rosenkrans. Representatives of the famnily have figured largely in American history, one of whom was General Rosen- crans, of the Civil war.

Col. John Rosencrans, our subject's grandfather, was a famous Indian fighter, and 'commanded a regiment during the French and Indian war from 1755 until 1762. In 1777 he was made a colonel in the war of the Revolution. Filled with the spirit of adventure, he did much toward opening up new country to civilization. He was born in 1724 and was married in 1751 to Miss Margaret De Witt. Their second oldest child, John Rosencrans, was a native of New Jersey, and was a farmer by occu- pation. The first of the family, who also

bore the name of John, died in infancy. These were followed by Jacob; Arrantie, who died in . infancy; Arrantie, married Abraham Van Coopen; Alexander, born in 1759, married Mary Mortman; Catherine, born in 1761, who first married a Mr. Woodard, and, after his death, wedded John Pelton; Charrick De Witt, born in 1764, who married Sarah Pelton; Dr. Eli- jah, born in 1766, who married Cornelia Suffern; Levi, born in 1770, who married Polly Hankinson; Benjamin, who was a twin brother of Levi, and married Margaret Schoonover; Simon, who died in infancy; Dr. Simon, who married Sarah Schoonover; and Polly, who was born in 1777 and died unmarried.

Of this family John Rosencrans was the father of our subject. He married Eliza- beth Van Nest, and they made their home upon a farm in New Jersey, which was aft- erward purchased by their son Asa, with whom they lived until called to their final rest. In order of birth their children were as follows: Isaac, Asa, Elijah, Dr. Char- rick; Lucy, who married John Dennis, and during her widowhood came from New York to Elgin, Illinois, where she died dur- ing the '50s; Catherine, who died unmar- ried, in 1827; and Garret, a farmer by oc- cupation, who removed from New Jersey to Wisconsin, where his death occurred. All are now deceased.

Asa Rosencrans was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1785, and on reach- ing manhood he married Miss Jane Cole, also a native of that county, born December 1, 1789, where their children were all born excepting the youngest-Mrs. J. R. Hawes -whose birth occurred in New York. On leaving his native state, Mr.' Rosencrans re- moved to Steuben county, New York, and

GARRETT ROSENCRANS.

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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in the autumn of 1836 sent his two oldest sons, Horace and Frazier, to Illinois to pur- chase a farm. They were very fortunate in their selection of land, choosing a tract about two and one-half miles from the pres- ent public square in Elgin. The following year the family located here, and with the interests of Kane county some of its mem- bers have since been identified. In this state Mr. Rosencrans followed farming, but in New Jersey he had worked at the carpen- ter trade. He was very handy with tools, did considerable cabinet work, and some of the bureaus and other articles of furniture which he manufactured are still in posses- sion of the family, prized as precious heir- looms. He died October 30, 1884, and his wife. passed away January 18, 1877. For thirty years her health was very poor, but her mind was very active, and she was very devoted to her family. She and her hus- band were among the first members of the Congregational church of Elgin, always took an active and prominent part in its work, and will long be remembered for their countless acts of kindness and hospitality, so characteristic of the pipneer settlers. She was a woman of deep piety and great strength of character.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following named children: (1) Horace, born in New Jersey November 15, 1810, married Maria Ingersol, and had nine chil- dren, of whom four died in infancy. The others are Horace Edgar, a resident of Marengo, Illinois; Louisa, wife of D. Hen- derson, a carpenter; Mrs. Sarah Ann Eggle- ston, of Iowa; and Mrs. Deborah Wood- ward. The father of these children died in 1893, aged eighty-three years. (2) Frazier, born in 1813, came with his brother Horace to Illinois in 1836. Two years later, with

his brothers, he was bathing in the Fox river above where the shoe factory is now located, and one of the younger brothers went be- yond his depth. Being unable to swim, Frazier went to his assistance and succeeded in rescuing him, but was himself taken with a cramp and sank to rise no more. His untimely death, by such a heroic deed, cast a pall of gloom not only over the happy family, but over the entire neighborhood, for he was a great favorite among the early settlers, and made friends of all with whom he came in contact. (3) Maria, who was born December' 26, 1815, died in the early '50s. She first married James H. Scott, and after his death wedded Jerome B. Smith, by whom she had three children-Helen, Arthur and Alfred-all now deceased. By her first marriage she also had three children -Harriet, Fannie and John Frazier Scott. The last named is the only one now living, his home being in Pittsfield, Illinois. He married Mary Pike and has three children: John, an attorney of Chicago; Daniel, a dentist of that city; and Fannie E., who now makes her home with Mrs. Hawes in Elgin. (4) Dr. Halsey Rosencrans was edu- cated for the medical profession in Chicago under Dr. Brainard, first practiced in Lake Zurick, Wisconsin, for a short time, and then went to Port Lavaca, Texas. His first wife was Anna Eliza Hale, daughter of Dr. Hale, of Dundee. By this union there were three children: Fannie, Lizzie and Cora. For his second wife he married Miss Cynthia E. Bowen September 11, 1873. (5) Garrett, mentioned below. (6) Elizabeth, born in December, 1823, was her mother's constant companion for many years. She died in 1892. (7) Catherine, born November 19, 1826, died at the age of twenty-one years. (8) Hiram, born April 29, 1828, is living

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near Mount Carmel in Southern Utah. (9) a daughter of John and Susan (Billings) Jennie, widow of Moses W. Hawes.

Garrett Rosencrans, fifth in order of birth, was born in New Jersey April 1, 1821, where his boyhood was passed. In the primitive schools of that period he received his elementary education, and at the age of sixteen accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where they settled in Kane county. . Here he assisted in the work of the farm until his removal to Elgin. Politically an ardent Republican, he could never be prevailed upon to accept office, with the exception of that of assessor, which he filled with credit for many years. He was also engaged in surveying. He died in Elgin September 10, 1891. Garrett Rosen- crans was one of the well known citizens of Elgin, and was actively identified with every enterprise calculated to develop and foster the growth of his adopted city. By his up- right and honorable career he won the respect of all.

W TILLIAM W. SHERWIN .- There are few men in Elgin in the past quarter of a century who have done more for its commercial interests and its growth and de- velopment than the man whose name heads this review. Without vain display he has moved on the even tenor of his way, and yet left his mark on almost everything that has served to make the city of his adoption take front rank among its sister cities of northern Illinois.

Albert Sherwin, father of our subject, who is now a leading business man of Lead- ville, Colorado, is a native of Vermont, born February 23, 1828, and is a son of Timothy Sherwin, also a native of Vermont. He married Louise Davis, born in Vermont, and

Davis, both of the same state. By this union were four children, as follows: Will- iam W. and Carrie, twins, the latter dying in childhood; Albert E., who is with his father in Leadville, and Susan B., also at Leadville.

In 1852 Albert Sherwin came west, first locating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in railroad building. From there he moved to .Madison, in the same state, where he lived several years. Mrs. Sherwin departed this life in 1865, and he later married Miss Frances M. Lang, by whom he had one son, Fred L., now with his parents in Leadville. In 1868, Mr. Sherwin came with his family to Elgin, and engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese, which business he carried on for ten years, when he sold out and transferred his business operations to Leadville, Colorado, where he has devoted his energies to min- ing, smelting and banking, in which he has been successful. He is a man of fine char- acter and sound business principles. In politics he is a Republican.

The subject of this sketch spent a part of his boyhood days in Madison, Wisconsin, and was about thirteen years of age when his parents settled in Elgin. After attend- ing the district schools for a short time he was sent to the Academy. In 1871 he en- tered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, but did not complete the course of study. In 1875, when in the senior class, he gave up his studies and returned home to enter upon a business career.

Forming a partnership with D. E Wood in 1880, under the firm name of Wood & Sherwin, he commenced the manufacture of butter and cheese. This continued until 1890, when he purchased his partner's in-

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terest, and has since conducted the business alone. In 1887 he was one of the organ- izers of the Creamery Package Manufactur- ing Company, of which he has since been secretary, and also one of its directors.

Mr. Sherwin is a member of the Board of Trade of Elgin, and has been its treasurer for a number of years. In 1887 he organ- ized the Elgin Milkine Company, which is also incorporated, and of which he is presi- dent. This product will in due time add to the reputation of Elgin, and will be one of the most popular articles for the table. Aside from all these interests, he is the holder of considerable realty in his adopted city.

On the 28th of April, 1880, Mr. Sher- win was united in marriage with Miss Carrie M. Town, who was born in Elgin, a daugh- ter of Morris Clinton Town, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. They reside in a beautiful home, No. 80 South State street, Elgin, the abode of hospitality. Politically, Mr. Sherwin is a Republican. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Monitor lodge, No. 522, F. & A. M .; Loyal L. Munn chapter, No. 96, R. A. M .; Bethel commandery, No. 36, K. T., all of Elgin, and the Consistory of Chicago. Socially he takes an active in- terest in, and is a member of, the Century Club of Elgin, the Lake Side Park Club, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; the Chicago Athletic Club and the University Club of Chicago. With his wife he attends the Congregational Church of Elgin.

T HERON J. POTTER, of Aurora, Illi- nois, is a native of the great Empire state, which has sent many of its best citi- Zens to Illinois, and who have done their

full share in making it occupy its present proud position as the third state of the Un- ion. The family are of English descent, some of the ancestors of our subject locat- ing in New England at a very early day, the grandfather, Silas Potter, moving to Dutch- ess county, where his son, James Potter, was born in 1798. In his native county James Potter married Margaret Thorne, also a na- tive of that county. By occupation he was a farmer, in which he continued during his entire life. In 1853 he came to Illinois, settled first in Kane county, where he re- sided a few years and then moved to De- Kalb county, where he spent the last years of his life, dying in 1862. His wife sur- vived him a number of years, dying in 1880. . They were the parents of five sons and one daughter, who grew to mature years. The oldest, Silas, married, moved west, spent his last years in Aurora, living a retired life, and where his death occurred; Fannie, who is the widow of Lucian Burr, resides in De- Kalb county; William first settled in Kane county and later moved to De Kalb county, where his death occurred; Theron J., of this review; Isaac, a business man of Water- man, Illinois; and Seneca, who is living re- tired in De Kalb, Illinois.

Theron J. Potter was born in Dutchess county, New York, April 3, 1829. Upon the home farm in his native state he grew to manhood, and as the opportunity was afforded him attended the common schools during the winter months. On attaining his majority he left the parental roof, came west and joined his brother, Silas, in Kane county. Here he was married, September II, 1851, to Miss Ellen Graves, a daughter of D. T. Graves, a minister of the Baptist church, who was a native of Vermont, but in New York married Electa Babcock, a

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daughter of Samuel Babcock, who was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. With his family Rev. Graves came west in 1838, settling in Warrensville, Du Page county, Illinois, from which place he moved to Aurora in the fall of 1845. He was an ear- nest and active minister of the Gospel, and continued in the ministry until his death in 1851. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1893, at the age of eighty- six years. They were laid to rest in the West side cemetery. Mrs. Potter is one of their family of four daughters. Iwanona J., widow of Richard Breese, resides in Aurora; Ellen, wife of our subject; Mrs. Eliza Free- man, a widow, of Aurora; and Emma, wife · of Theodore Howard, of Aurora.

On coming to Aurora, Rev. Graves pur- chased a farm of one hundred acres lying near the city. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Potter began their domestic life on that farm, where they resided some three or four years. They then moved to De Kalb county, where Mr. Potter pur- chased a farm which he operated two years, when he sold out and returned to the old Graves homestead, having purchased the interests of the heirs. He at once be- gan its improvement, and in due time built a large, neat residence, barn and other out- buildings, making of it one of the most de- sirable farms in the township. He contin- ued to work the farm until 1883, when he removed to Aurora, but soon after pur- chased a farm lying partly in Kendall coun- ty, and partly in Sugar Grove township, Kane county, which he operated some three or four years. In 1889 he purchased residence property in Aurora, and has since been living a retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have reared three children, of whom Fannie is the wife of Lewis Paull, a

stockdealer of Aurora; Arthur J., married and in business in Aurora; and Minnie E., wife of Arthur Winteringham, representing the Covenant Mutual Insurance Company, of Galesburg, Illinois.

In his political views, Mr. Potter is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party. Voting first for John C. Fremont in 1856, he has continued to vote for the nominees of that party from that time to the present. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the New England Congregational church of Aurora. For for- ty-eight years he has resided in Kane and DeKalb counties, while his wife has been a resident sixty years. In the development of Kane county he has borne his part well. and no family in Kane county is held in higher esteern. Honest and upright in character, he has made many friends throughout Kane and De Kalb counties.

S AMUEL J. GIFT, a farmer residing on section 15, Hampshire township, traces his ancestry back to Colonial times, his grandfather, Jeremiah Gift, who was of German parentage, being born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he died at a ripe old age. His son, Daniel Gift, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Union county, now Snyder county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1811, and there died June 6, 1879. He married Sophia Hassinger, who died at the age of sixty years. She was the daughter of Jacob Hassinger, who was also of Ger- man descent. To Daniel and Sophia Gift, ten children were born, eight of whom are yet living. In order of birth they were- Samuel J., our subject; Mary, who married Simon Wetzel, and lives in Kansas; Ros- well, who served in the war for the union,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3II

and who died in Ohio after its close; Mar- garet, wife of George Dibler, a retired farmer of Hampshire; Barbara, who mar- ried Philip Gilman, and lives at Milton, Pennsylvania; Jonathan, who also served in the Union army, died in Kentucky during the war; Emeline married Mr. Gilman, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania; Sarah, who married Reuben Bauersox, of Paxton, Penn- sylvania; Austin, who lives at Paxton, Pennsylvania; and Addie, who married Mr. Horner, of the same place.

The subject of this sketch was born near Middleburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1832, prior to the time that county was cut off from Snyder county. His edu- cation was obtained in the subscription schools of his native county, before the pub- lic school system was adopted. The school facilities were very poor, the terms of school being short and indifferent teachers em- ployed. Until eighteen years of age he worked on the farm and then learned the bricklaying trade at which he continued for five years. He also learned the tanner's trade, and was also engaged at that business for about five years. In 1866 he came to Kane county, Illinois, and rented land for five years, raising a crop of tobacco. In the fall of 1862 he came to his present place, comprising one hundred and twenty acres which he rented for five years and then purchased. It is fine rolling land, well drained with one and a half miles of tiling, and has on it a good, substantial dwelling, good barns and other outbuildings. Here he has resided for thirty-six years, en- gaged in general dairy farming. He now keeps about twenty head of cows, the prod- uct of which he sells at the creamery in Hampshire.

his first wife being Catherine Aurend, who was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and was the daughter of John Aurend, who married a Miss Reams. By this union were six children, as follows: James W., who married Kate Madre, by whom he has two children, Maggie and Arthur, and they reside in Kansas; Edgar and Agnes, who died in childhood; John D., who lives in Iowa; Charles E., who is as- sisting his father in the cultivation of the home farm; and one who died in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Gift married Bar- bara Frederick, a native of Kane county, Illinois, and a daughter of Mathias Fred- erick. By this marriage are two children, Emma J., who married James Kemmerling, and they have one child, Hilda May; Dora A., who married Reuben Wright. The third wife of Mr. Gift was Lusetta Klick, born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Katherine (Decker) Klick. Her father was the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Decker) Klick, while her mother was a daughter of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Brandt) Decker. By the third mar- riage is one son, Edwin Henry, who is farming with his father.

Mr. Gift is a member of the United Evangelical church. In politics he is a Republican, and has served his township as school director, road commissioner and vari- ous other official positions. A good neigh- bor and citizen, he is respected by all who know himn.

A LBAN L. MANN, M. D., who is suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Elgin, with office in the Spurling block, was born in that city

Mr. Gift has been married three times, on the 22d of September, 1859, and is a

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son of Michael and Margaret (O'Connor) Mann, natives of Westmeath and Queens counties, Ireland, respectively. The pa- ternal grandfather spent his entire life in that country, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. In his family were four sons and four daughters. Michael O'Con- nor, the maternal grandfather, came to America in 1852 and lived for a time near Syracuse, New York. From that place he came to Elgin, where he conducted a black- smith shop for many years. He died here in 1893 at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He had a family of two sons and three daughters.

In 1852 the Doctor's parents also crossed the Atlantic and at once became residents of Elgin, where the father was a harness- maker for some years. During the Civil war, he served as a telegraph operator at the West Elgin depot, and subsequently followed carpentering for a number of years, but for the last ten or twelve years of his life he was engaged in commercial pursuits. By reason of his business acu- men and the exercise of thrift and frugality, he accumulated considerable property, be- ing in comfortable circumstances at the time of his death, which occurred in Oc- tober, 1895, at the age of sixty-three years, resulting from an accident sustained by being thrown from a cart while breaking a colt. His widow still survives him and lives at the old homestead with her daugh- ters. In the family are eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Alban L .; Blanche; Godfrey; Agnes, wife of Frank Hurlburt; John; Maggie; James and Mary.

Dr. Mann acquired his literary educa- tion in the schools of Elgin, and at the age of seventeen entered the drug store of Kel-

ley & Hart for the purpose of acquainting himself with medicine preparatory to enter- ing a medical college. After five years in their employ he matriculated at Bennett Medical College of Chicago, where he grad- uated in March, 1883. For about a year he practiced his profession at Silver Reef Mining Camp, Utah, and then returned to Elgin, where he has since continuously en- gaged in practice.

On the 7th of January, 1887, Dr. Mann married Miss Bertha S. Kohn, a daughter of Charles and Dorothea (Andorff) Kohn. They now have two children -Alban W. and Marguerite - and the family have a pleasant home at No. 392 Chicago street.

Socially the Doctor belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum, and the Knights of the Maccabees, and he is also a member of the Illinois State Eclectic Med- ical Society, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, belonging to the last named by reason of having served for five years as surgeon, with the rank of major, in the Third Infantry, Illi- nois National Guard. Politically the Doc- tor is independent, but usually votes with the Republican party, and for three years he served as city physician.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 30

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