The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 4

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

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P ROFESSOR MARVIN QUACKEN- BUSH, of Dundee, Illinois, is the efficient superintendent of public schools of Kane county, which position he has held since 1886. He is regarded as one of the best educators in the state, and as superin- tendent has but few equals. · He is a native of New York, born in the town of Hatwick, Otsego county, November 25, 1842. His father, Abram Quackenbush, was also born in Otsego county in 1801, while his grand- father, James Quackenbush, was likewise a native of that state. The family were origi-

nally from Holland and settled in New York in the seventeenth century. Two brothers came from Holland about that time, one locating in Fort Orange, later called Alba- ny, and the other in New York City. The branch of the family from which the Pro- fessor descended was that of the Albany brother. The name was originally spelled Quackenbos.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jaines Quackenbush, was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he held a commission. He settled in Otsego county, engaged in agriculture pursuits and there reared his family. Abram Quackenbush grew to man- hood in that county, and in 1826 married Miss Delaney Wolf, also a native of New York, whose father was one of the early set- tlers of the Empire state and served in one of the old Indian wars. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Cath- erine, now the wife of Bradley Foss, of Laporte City, Iowa; Edward, a well edu- cated inan and a professional teacher for some years, and also a farmer, now living retired at Laporte City, Iowa; Maria, de- ceased; Adelia, now the wife of Rev. R. H. Wilkinson, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now residing in Evanston, Illinois; Amelia, now the wife of Louis. Dutton, of Chicago; and Marvin.

Abrain Quackenbush was a farmer in Otsego county, New York, and there all his children were born. Desiring to give them better opportunities for advancemeut in life he determined to come west, and in 1850 they moved to Illinois, locating in Kane county, near the city of St. Charles, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. While yet a young man he learned the blacksmith trade, which oc- cupation he followed in his native state in

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connection with farming. After residing in eleven years in Dundee. While in charge Kane county for some years he moved to of the school at that place he received the nomination of superintendent of public schools of Kane county, to which position he was elected. He has been twice re- elected, both times without opposition. This certainly shows the popularity of the man and his efficiency as superintendent. Laporte City, Iowa, where he spent the re- inaining years of his life, dying at the resi- dence of his daughter, in 1885, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. His wife preceded him to their heavenly home three years previously and both were laid to rest in the Laporte City cemetery, where a sub- stantial monument marks their last resting place.

The subject of this sketch came to Kane county with his parents a lad of seven years, here grew to manhood and received his ed- ucation in the common schools and in Jen- nings Seminary at Aurora, supplemented by a course at Bryant & Stratton's Commer- cial College, Chicago. The war for the Union was now in progress and our subject felt it his duty to enlist, and accordingly offered his service as a member of the Thir- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected at the examination on account of a severely injured foot. His desire, however, to assist in putting down the Rebellion was not cooled by his rejection, and in Novem- ber, 1864, after raising a company of forty inen, he joined the One Hundred and Fifty- third Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry and went to the front. He was assigned to the quartermaster's department, and served in that connection until July 21, 1865, when he was discharged for disability and re- turned to his home.

Previous to entering the service of his country Mr. Quackenbush had taught three terms in the public schools, and after his return resumed teaching, first in country schools and later in charge of the St. Charles school on the east side, where he remained six years. He then taught one year at Geneva, after which he taught

Professor Quackenbush was married at Clintonville, Illinois, in August, 1870, to Miss Eleanor Boynton, a native of Dun- dee, Illinois, and a daughter of Nathan and Margaret (McClure) Boynton, who were pioneer settlers of Dundee. By this union there is one son, Edward, a graduate of Hobart College, Geneva, New York, now . taking a law course at Elgin, Illinois. The grandfather of Mrs. Quackenbush, General McClure, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Elgin about 1850. His son-in- law, Captain Jamison, was the first com- mander of old Fort Dearborn, and he and his wife were the first white couple married in Kane county.

Politically Professor Quackenbush is a Republican, and supports the men and measures of that party in all general elec- tions, but in local elections casts his ballot for the best men, regardless of politics. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, of the blue lodge at Dundee, Fox River chapter of Geneva, and of Bethel commandery at Elgin. He has served as master of the blue lodge and high priest of the commandery, and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state and his commandery in the grand body of that or- der. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Congregation- alist church, in which they both take an active interest. For almost fifty years he

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has been identified with the interests of Kane county, especially in educational af- fairs. No man is better known in the coun- ty, and not one has more warm friends.

M AJOR B. T. HUNT .- More than six- ty-one years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Kane county, and he is justly numbered among her honored pio- neers and leading citizens. He has been prominently identified with her business in- terests, but is now living retired. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confi- dence of all with whom he has come in contact.

Major Hunt was born October 19, 1812, in Abington, Plymouth county, Massachu- setts, of which county, his father, Thomas Hunt, Jr., was also a native. There the grandfather, Thomas Hunt, Sr., reared his family and lived for many years. Our sub- ject's mother, who bore the maiden name of Susannah Pool, was also born in the old Bay state. The father was a merchant, farmer and tanner, and was one of the first to extensively engage in the manufacture of shoes in New England:' He was one of the representative and successful business men of the state.

The subject of this sketch is the only one of the family now living. In his native place he grew to manhood and obtained a good comnion-school education, which has well fitted him for the practical duties of business life. During his youth he assisted his father in the tanning and manufacturing business, as well as in the store, and thus obtained a good practical knowledge of busi- ness affairs, which has been of great value to him in later years. After the father be-

came too old to have active charge of the business, the older brother, Joseph, and Thomas assumed control and built up the large shoe factory in that section, employ- ing many men.

In 1836, during his early manhood, Major Hunt came west, locating in St. Charles on the 10th of September. Through a friend he purchased a half interest in two hundred acres of land east of the Fox river -- the original town site -- the other owners being Reed Fersons and Ira Minard. These three gentlemen engaged in merchandise there through the summer of 1836, but in the fall the Major returned to Massachu- setts, locating permanently here the follow- ing spring. They continued in mercantile pursuits together for a couple of years, and then our subject sold his interest and started in business on his own account. Selling his general store in 1850, he built a tannery, which he successfully operated until 1861, when his plant was destroyed by fire. · Sub- sequently he embarked in the hardware busi- ness, in which he was interested until 1890, and also erected, at St. Charles, the first paper mill in the northwest, beginning the business on a small scale, with Mr. 'Butler, but gradually it developed into a large 'con- cern. Subsequently he built a new mill on the west side of the river, put in modern machinery, and did an extensive business for many years. In 1850 he leased the factory to Butler & Hunt, who continued its opera- tion. The Major has been instrumental in establishing a number of enterprises that have not only advanced his own prosperity but have been extremely beneficial to the city. .

At St. Charles, October 12, 1842, Major Hunt was united in marriage with Miss Har- riet H. Lathrop, who was born in New York

MAJOR B. T. HUNT.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IL. V1:15.

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and reared near Auburn, Cayuga county, that state. Her father, Simon Lathrop, settled in St. Charles as early as 1841. He had been a merchant previous to his removal to the west. He had three daughters. They became the parents of four children, of whom Charles, the eldest, died when young. (2) Frank Bradley is married and has four chil- dren, one son and three daughters. In 1887 he removed to Iowa, and for ten years en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in that state. In October, 1897, he and his family returned to St. Charles, where they are now living. With his son, Frank C., he is engaged in the hardware business in St. Charles. (3) Clarence inarried and located in St. Charles, whence he removed to Michigan, and later was engaged in business for about three years in Chicago. He then returned to St. Charles, where he died in the summer of 1897. (4) Wilbur C. obtained an excel- lent education and adopted the legal profes- sion, which he followed in St. Charles for some years. He was a man of superior busi- ness ability and had the confidence and es- teem of all. He died suddenly in the sun- mer of 1897, leaving a wife and two sons, besides his parents and many friends to Inourn his loss.

Politically, Major Hunt is a Jacksonian Democrat, and has ever been a stalwart supporter of the principles of that party, but has never cared for official honors, though he served for a number of years on the board of trustees of the village. He served as the first treasurer of Kane county; the receipts for the first year was about seventy-five cents. In those days the sheriff collected all taxes, and the treasurer served only in a nominal capacity. During his younger years he also served as major of the county mili- tia. His estimable wife is a member of the

Baptist church. Major Hunt has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of Kane county, and in the upbuilding and prosperity of St. Charles he has been an im- portant factor, giving his aid to all objects which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit. He is widely and favorable known throughout this section of the state, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.

THOMAS W. DUNCAN .- The expres- sion " the dignity of labor " is exemplified in the life record of this gentlenian, who without reserve attributes his success to earnest work. He is a man of strong force of character, purposeful and energetic, and his keen discrimination and sound judg- ment are shown in his capable management of what is one of the leading industrial concerns of the state-the Illinois Watch Case Factory. No special advantages gave him a good start in life; he worked his way upward by energy, perseverance and dili- gence and the prosperity which is now his is the fitting reward of his own honorable efforts.

A native of Lindsay, Canada, Thomas Wellington Duncan was born December 6, 1858, and is a son of James and Mary (Hawkins) Duncan. His paternal grand- father was Thomas Duncan, a native of . Belfast, Ireland, which city was also the birthplace of James Duncan, who left his native land in 1837 and immigrated to Lindsay, Canada. He was by trade a car- riagemaker and followed that occupation until his retirement from business life about fifteen years ago. He is still living in Lind- say, a respected and valued citizen of that community. His wife was a daughter of

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Thomas and Jane Hawkins and was born in Edinburg, Scotland, where her parents spent their entire lives. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are members of the Episcopal church. Their family numbered six chil- dren-Thomas, Jane, Margaret, John, James and William, of whom the first and last are still living, William being a resident of St. Louis, Missouri.

In the city of his birth Mr. Duncan, of this review, acquired his education and in Toronto, Canada, he learned the watch- maker's trade. In 1881 he removed to Chicago, and in 1887 became a member of the firm of M. C. Eppenstein & Company, wholesale jewelers of that city. In 1888 the Illinois Watch Case Company was in- corporated and began the manufacture of watch cases on Clinton street. On the 1st of May, 1890, the factory was removed from Chicago to Elgin, where an extensive busi- ness is now carried on in the manufacture of gold and silver watch cases. The com- pany is capitalized for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and their output is about five hundred thousand watch cases, which are sold in all parts of this country and shipped extensively abroad, even to Switzerland, the country famous for its watches. Their reputation for the excel- lence of their goods as well as the business reliability of the house extends throughout the country and has secured them an ex- tensive patronage which yields to them a handsome financial return. In 1895 they added a new department to their business- the manufacture of bicycles, and invested one hundred thousand dollars in this enterprise. Their special wheels are the Elgin King and the ·Elgin Queen, which find a ready sale on the market by reason of their durability, their lightness, the ease

with which they are manipulated and the other strong points of the first-class wheel. They manufactured the celebrated ten thou- sand dollar cycle of the Chicago Cycle ex- hibition in 1896. It was one of the "King" cycles and won the prize on the exhibition. It has been sent to Europe where it will be placed on exhibition first at a cycle show in Belfast, Ireland, and then in other cities of Great Britain, after which it will be ex- hibited on the continent. One hundred operatives are employed in the manufact- ure of the wheels and employinent is fur- nished to four hundred hands in the watch- case department. The officers of the company are Thomas W. Duncan, presi- dent and treasurer; M. Abraham, secretary; and T. W. Duncan, M. C. Eppenstein and S. C. Eppenstein, directors.

Mr. Duncan is a supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and neglects no duty of citizenship, but seeks no political office. However, he is a very public-spirited and progressive citizen, and has done much for the advancement and improvement of the city in which he makes his home. Prominent in the Masonic fraternity, he holds membership in Garden City lodge, No. 141, A. F. & A. M .; York chapter, R. A. M .; Apollo commandery, .K. T., and the Oriental consistory, S. P. R. S., all of Chicago. His name is synonymous with honorable business dealing, and in all circles Mr. Duncan commands the respect and esteem of those whom he has met.

FRANKLIN S. BOSWORTH .- Success is determined by one's ability to recog- nize opportunity, and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus

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accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in the business circles of the community with which he is connect- ed. Mr. Bosworth, through such means, has attained a leading place among the rep- · resentative men of Elgin, and his well-spent and honorable life commands the respect of all who know him.

Mr. Bosworth is a native of Boston, Erie county, New York, and a son of Ben- jamin F. and Almira (Smith) Bosworth. His father was born in Greenfield, New York, and was a son of Alfred Bosworth, who was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, of English parentage. The latter came to the West in the fall of 1839, taking up his resi- dence in Dundce, Illinois, where he died in June, 1861. In his early life he followed the hatter's trade, but in his later years en- gaged in farming. He married Olive Child, a native of the Empire state, and they be- came parents of six children: Benjamin F., Oliver C., Increase C., Lucinda C., Mary C., wife of Harry Weed; Lucinda, wife of Alfred Edwards; and Abbie M., wife of Ben- jamin Simonds. All of this family are now deceased.

Dr. Benjamin F. Bosworth, father of our subject, studied medicine in early life, and practiced his profession until his re- moval to Illinois. He located in Chicago in 1856, and engaged in merchandising in that place until his removal to McHenry, Illi- nois, where he conducted a mercantile estab- lishment until his death, in September, 1843. In politics he was a Whig. In his early · manhood he was graduated at Union Col- lege, New York, then a noted institution of learning, and while practicing medicine was very successful. His wife, a daughter of Amos Sınith, was also a native of New York. She was a member of the Methodist Episco-

pal church, and died in New York about 1834.

Franklin S. Bosworth, their only child, was born December 17, 1832, and acquired his education in the common schools. He began merchandising in 1852, in connection with I. C. Bosworth, at Dundee, Illinois, where he carried on business until June, 1871, when he removed to Elgin. Here he purchased an interest in a hardware store on the East Side, which he successfully con- ducted until September, 1883, when he sold to Metcalf & Reed. In 1888 he purchased an interest in à lumber yard on the West Side and soon afterward extended his field of operations by dealing in coal. For three years he was associated in business with Lewis Eaton, but on the expiration of that period purchased his partner's interest, and was alone until 1896, when he adınitted to a partnership his son, Frank H. Bosworth. The business is now conducted under the name of F. S. Bosworth & Son and they carry all kinds of lumber and hard and soft coal, and have built up a very extensive, profitable and satisfactory trade.

On the 4th of January, 1859, at Dun- dee, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bosworth and Miss Sarah E. Hunt, a daughter of Ward E. and Mary Hunt, her father a native of Vermont. Four children were born of this union, of whom the eldest, Reuben H., is now deceased. Edward is professor of Greek and also occupies the chair of theology in Oberlin College of Ohio. After completing his preliminary ed- ucation in the common schools, he was for two years a student in Oberlin College, and then matriculated in Yale College, where he was graduated with honors. He is a young man of splendid mental attainments and ex- ceptionally brilliant prospects. He married

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Miss Bertha McClure, of Elgin. Mary is aided the heroes who fought for the inde- now the wife of Walter F. Skeele, a resi- pendence of the colonies by supplying the army with cattle and other necessaries. dent of Los Angeles, California. Frank H. is with his father in business.

The family are members of the Congre- gational church, and in politics Mr. Bosworth and his sons are Republicans. He has been honored with several local offices, was elect- ed a member of the city council in 1879, and in 1880 was elected mayor of Elgin, filling that office for two consecutive terms. His administration was progressive, and the city's interests were materially promoted through his efforts. He manifests a deep interest in the welfare of Elgin, and his in- fluence and support are given to all meas- ures beneficial to the municipality. Loyal to all public duties, honorable in all business relations, faithful to all the obligations of social life, he stands as one of the leading .. . church, but afterwards joined the Methodist men of Kane county.

JOHN W. SEYMOUR, whose residence J in Illinois covers more than half a cen- tury, and whose home has been maintained in Elgin for twenty-five years, belongs to that heroic pioneer band who were the ad- vance guard of civilization in the northern section of the state, and who, since that time, have been prominent in support of. all interests calculated to promote the general welfare. A native of Yates county, New York, he was born March 3, 1833, and is descended from one of three brothers who emigrated from England and took up their residence in the Empire state prior to the war of the Revolution. Jesse Seymour, the grandfather of our subject, served his country in the war of 1812, and his father, Ebenezer Seymour, was one of those who

John Seymour, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Putnam county, New York, December 2, 1784, while his wife, Elizabeth Seymour, was a native of Yates county, that state, born December 1, 1794. In the spring of 1842 they emigrated to Illinois, locating at Miller's Grove, in the town of Barrington, Cook county. They were accompanied by their ten children, all of whom located in this state. The father died August 27, 1876, at the home of his son, John W., in Elgin, and the mother passed away on the old homestead in Cook county, September 28, 1881. He was a stanch Republican in politics and in his early life was a member of the Baptist

church with his wife. Of the children, five are yet living: Harvey, of Elgin; Mrs. H. M. Campbell, of Edgewood, Illinois; Mrs. J. M. Miller, of Elgin; Joseph B., of Aurora, and John W., our subject.

The last named came to Illinois with his parents when nine years of age and was reared in their home. Later his home be- came theirs, and upon their death by inher- itance and purchase he became the owner of the old farm, comprising three hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. He was mar- ried December 31, 1857, to Miss Emily L. . Wood, of Volo, Lake county, Illinois, a native of Gainesville, Wyoming county, New York, born July 1, 1837. With her parents, George L. and Phœbe (Potter) Wood, she came to Volo Lake, in 1844, and continued a resident of this state until called to the home beyond. By her mar- riage she had two children, William H., born March 3, 1859, and Kleber A., who

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILL VITIS.

JOHN W. SEYMOUR.

MRS. J. W. SEYMOUR.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HI: WTHE

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was born July 6, 1865, and died August 1 5, 1888.

In 1868 Mr. Seymour removed with his family to Barrington Station, Cook county, where he was engaged in merchandising in connection with A. K. Townsend, who was also assistant postmaster. In 1873 he took up his residence in Elgin, and has since been identified with the interests of that city. He has done much to promote its commercial prosperity through his con- nection with various enterprises. In the summer of 1882 he went abroad, accom- panied by his wife, making the journey both a business and pleasure trip. After visiting the principal cities and points of interest in Scotland, England and France, he pur- chased and imported fifteen head of fine Percheron horses, and has since been en- gaged in the breeding of that stock in com- pany with his son, William H. In 1892 they located what is known as the Concho Valley stock ranch, four miles north of San Angelo, Texas. Their stock has gained a wide reputation in the horse markets of the country, and their enterprise has been · at- tended with most gratifying success. The ranch is under the personal supervision of the son, who married Jennie E. Hendrick- son, daughter of Norman G. and Emily (Townsend) Hendrickson, by whom he has one son, Claude H. William H. Seymour is also engaged in dealing in coal, wood, cement, etc., in Elgin, as a member of the firm of Adams & Seymour.

In connection with his other business in- terests, John W. Seymour aided in the organization of the Elgin National Bank in the spring of 1892, and is a member of its directorate. From the beginning the institu- tion has been a paying investment, and is re- garded as one of the most reliable banking

concerns of the county. Mr. Seymour is a man of sound judgment, keen discernment and excellent executive ability, entirely . trustworthy, and carries forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes. His success is well merited, being the legiti- mate outcome of his well-directed efforts.

In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, and he served as school trustee in the town of Barrington. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, of which body Mrs. Seymour was also a mem- ber, and in which she took a deep and kind- ly interest, as well as in all charitable work. She was a lady greatly beloved by all who knew her, and her death, which occurred July 31, 1897, was mourned by many friends. In loving remembrance, the following lines were dedicated to her:

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 4

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