USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 42
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
J. H. HODDER.
LIBRARY OF THE INOMIFOCITY OF ILLINOIS.
423
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
publication of the "Aurora Beacon." In 1858 the "Beacon" and "Republican" were consolidated and the firm of Bangs & Knickerbocker formed, which continued the · publication of the " Beacon." Mr. Hodder having sold his interest, engaged in the job printing business on his own account, which he continued until 1861, when he reinoved to. Woodstock, McHenry county, and for two years published the "McHenry county Union. In 1863 he returned to Aurora, and for three years was foreman of the "Beacon" establishment. In 1866 he purchased Mr. Bangs' interest in the con- cern, and the firm of Knickerbocker & Hodder was formed, the co-partnership con- tinuing until the death of Mr. Knickerbocker in May, 1885. Since that tinie Mr. Hod- der has conducted the business, and under his management the "Beacon " has contin- ued to maintain a position in the front rank of newspapers in the northwest. In 1882 Mr. Hodder erected a substantial building on the Island, expressly for the business, and has one of the best appointed printing and book binding establishments in the state outside of Chicago.
In December, 1859, Mr. Hodder was united in marriage with Miss Kate M. Hey- wood, a native of Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, who was then engaged as a teach- er in the Aurora public schools. By this union there are two living children, one son and one daughter. Frank H. Hodder, after receiving his primary education in the pub- lic schools of Aurora, entered Michigan University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1882, with the degree of Ph. M. Soon after his graduation he ac- , cepted a position as instructor in history and political science at Cornell University, New York. After remaining there four years, he 20
went to Europe, spending nearly two years at the German universities in study. While there he was cabled an offer of the chair of American History in the Kansas State Uni- versity, at Lawrence, Kansas, which he ac- cepted, and is now filling that position with distinction. The daughter, Miss Kittie B. Hodder, lives with her parents in their pleas- ant home at 241 South Lincoln avenue, Aurora.
In 1876 Mr. Hodder invented and pat- ented "Hodder's Blotter Tablet," a simple and convenient device in stationery bind- ing, which speedily . came into general use throughout the United States and Canada. In educational matters he has always taken interest, and for several years efficiently served as a member of the board of educa- tion of school district No. 5, Aurora. Com- ing to this country at a time when the slav- ery agitation was at its height, and when the slave power was determined to force slavery upon the territories of the Union, notwithstanding the terms of the Missouri compromise, he naturally allied himself to the Republican party, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has ever since taken an active part in Republican- politics. In June, 1889, Mr. Hodder was appointed by President Harrison, postmaster of Aurora, and filled that position until March 1, 1894, his administration of the affairs of the office meeting with general approval. As editor of the " Beacon, " he has been a prom- inent advocate of every enterprise calculated to build up the city and county.
J JONATHAN MILLET HOLT, of Au- rora, was for thirty-seven years fore- man of the freight car shops of the Chicago, , Burlington & Quincy railroad, at that place.
424
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
.
His great length of service attests his abil- education. His boyhood and youth were ity as a workman and manager of men. He was born in the town of Norway, Ox- ford county, Maine, January 13, 1827. The family are of English origin, and was founded in this country long prior to the Revolutionary war. Three brothers came from England, one of whom settled in the south, another in New York, and the third in Massachusetts. Our subject is descended from the one settling in the latter state. His grandfather, Darius Holt, was born in Massachusetts, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, and participated in the bat- tles of Bunker Hill and Lexington. For his services in the struggle for American Independence, he was pensioned by the gen- eral government. After the close of the Revolution he moved with his family to Maine, and was among the first settlers in Oxford county. He there opened up a farm in the vast wilderness, where he spent the remaining years of his life. His son, Darius Holt, Jr., there married Sarah Man- son, born at Kittredge, Maine, her father being one of its first settlers. After their marriage he engaged in farming in Norway, Oxford county, Maine, but later went to Canada, where his death occurred. His wife survived him a number of years, and died October 20, 1870, at her home in Maine at the age of eighty-one years.
Jonathan M. Holt is one of four sons and two daughters born to Darius and Sarah Holt, all of whom grew to mature years, but three are now living. One brother, Daniel Holt, is a farmer residing in Norway, Maine. His sister, Ann, married Silas Goud, and resides on Cousin's Island, Casco bay, Maine. Our subject grew to manhood in his native county and state, and in its common schools received a fair
spent on the home farm, assisting in its cul- tivation. During that time he also learned the carpenter and joiner's trade with his father. On attaining his majority he went- to Lawrence, Massachusetts, and entered the carshops of the Boston & Maine rail- road. He there remained until 1854, when he went to California, by way of Aspinwall, Panama, crossing the isthmus and proceed- ing to San Francisco. He remained in California for three years and a half, work- ing for a time in the mines, but principally at his trade in San Francisco. While there the city was overrun with lawless charac- ters, which he assisted in connection with the vigilance commitee in subduing, thus restoring law and order. In 1857, he re- turned home by the same route that he went, and in his native town resumed work as contractor and builder. In the fall of 1858 he came to Aurora, where he also en- gaged in contracting and building, until in July, 1859, when he went into the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He was soon made foreman of the freight carshops, a position that he held until 1897, when he was compelled to quit work on account of illness. He was then one of the oldest and most efficient em- ployees in the shops at Aurora.
Mr. Holt was married in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in April, 1853, to Miss El- nora Phipps, a native of Maine, born in Otisfield, in 1827, and a daughter of John and Relief (Burnell) Phipps, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Maine. Mrs. Holt is one of their two re- maining children, the other being Professor Sireno B. Phipps, now a resident of Aurora, where he has lived for about twelve years, and is engaged as a teacher of instrumental
425
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
music. He is also a composer of music, and has published a number of volumes of considerable merit and which have had a ready sale. To Mr. and Mrs. Holt six chil- dren have been born, as follows: Eugene Oscar, married, and engaged in business in Aurora; Abraham Lincoln, married, and also a business man of Aurora; Ansel Lewis, married, and employed in the shops of the Burlington road at Aurora; George Wesley, also in the employ of the Burlington road, residing at home; and William Francis, en- gaged in clerking and residing at home. They lost one daughter, Elnora May, who died at the age of eleven months.
In early life Mr. Holt was a Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Zackary Taylor, in 1848. He continued to act with that party until 1856, when he supported John C. Fremont, and has since been an earnest and enthusiastic Republican. For six years he served as alderman of his ward, during which time he was on several im- portant committees. He was on the fire and water committee, when the water works was established; was chairman of the elec- tric light committee, when electricity was adopted as a means of lighting the city; was chairman of the street and alley com- mittee, and also chairman of the building and public grounds committee. The work done as a member of the various commit- tees, is but another proof of his ability to render efficient service in whatever position he is placed. He has always taken great interest in political affairs, and as a delegate to various county and state conventions, has exerted a good influence. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of the blue lodge, chap- ter and commandery. He is also prominent as an Odd Fellow, having passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and repre-
sented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the . state. Mrs. Holt is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and has been active in its work. The family are highly regarded in Aurora, and wherever known they are held in the highest esteem.
W ALTER A. MERREFIELD, who for twenty-three years has served as assistant postmaster of Elgin, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity, was born in Hanover, Cook coun- ty, on the 14th of November, 1850, and is a son of Charles E. and Harriet E. Barnard Merrefield. On the paternal side he is of English descent. His grandfather, Charles E. Merrefield, was a native of England, and crossing the Atlantic to America, spent his last days in Elgin, where he died at about the age of sixty years. Farming was his chief occupation. His family numbered two children, one of whom, the father of our subject, was born while the family were crossing the Atlantic. When a young man he took up his residence in Elgin and ac- cepted the position of bookkeeper in the bank of Towne, Lawrence & Pease. He was also assistant postmaster here for some years. He married Miss Harriet E. Barnard, a native of New York, and a daughter of Ephaphas Barnard, whow as born in the Empire state and was of Dutch descent. By occupation he was an agriculturist. Mr. and Mrs. Merrefield became the parents of two children, Walter A. and Frank C. The father died at the age of thirty-four years, and the mother, surviving him some time, passed away in 1874, at the age of sixty- one. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and a highly respected citizen of Elgin.
426
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Walter A. Merrefield was reared in Cook and Kane counties, Illinois, removing to the latter when nine years of age. He spent his minority here, and after acquir- ing a preliminary education in the public schools, continued his studies in the Acad- emy of Elgin. Entering upon his business career, he devoted his attention to agricult- ural pursuits, but after a time began the inanufacture of cheese and butter in Hano- ver. After some years service as assistant postmaster of Elgin, he engaged in the manufacture of cheese and butter in La- Salle county for four years, and then re- turned to Elgin. He was first appointed assistant postmaster January 1, 1871, serv- ing at that time for eight years, and then after his four years' residence in LaSalle county, he returned and was again appointed assistant postmaster, which office he has now filled since 1879. His faithful dis- charge of his duties and his courteous treat- ment of the patrons of the office has made him a popular official.
On the 5th of August, 1874, Mr. Merre- field was united in marriage to Miss Esther Burnidge, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Field) Burnidge. Four children have been born of this union: Hattie May, Myra Jennette, Walter Charles and Floyd Aus- tin. All are with their parents with the ex- ception of Walter Charles, who died at the age of four years. The mother died in 1891, in the same month in which her son's death occurred.
J
JOHN J. CLARK .- The deserved re- ward of a well-spent life is an honored retirement from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Clark is quietly living at the home of his son at No. 750 Highland avenue, Elgin, surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought him.
Mr. Clark was born October 26, 1816, in Dundee, Yates county, New York, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Plummer) Clark, the foriner a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Yates coun- ty, New York. Thomas Clark, Sr., the pa- ternal grandfather, was also born in Phila- delphia, was a carpenter and contractor by occupation, and during the Revolutionary war he aided the colonies in achieving their independence. He reared a family of three children, one son and two daughters. At the time of his death he had reached the extreme old age of one hundred and two years, but was still quite active, having walked four miles a few days before he died. The maternal grandparents of our subject were George P. and Hannah (McMurtrie) Plum- mer. He was a farmer and during the Revolutionary war made a number of sleds for the soldiers. He died when about ninety-two years of age.
During his early manhood Thomas Clark, Jr., was a boat builder and sea cap- tain, but later turned his attention to farm- ing. On coming west in 1840, he located in Udina, Kane county, Illinois, where he
Mr. Merrefield holds membershp with the Modern Woodmen of America, and _died in 1859, at the age of seventy years. gives his political support to the men and He was a Spiritualist in religious belief. Being drafted during the war of 1812, he hired a substitute. His wife survived him only two years, dying in Sacramento, Cali- fornia, when about seventy years of age. measures of the Republican party. His home is at No. 603 Spring street, and in the city where he has long made his home he is widely and favorably known.
427
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
After his death she had crossed the plains by wagon with some of her children. Nine children were born to them but only four are now living, namely: John J., George, Palmer and Barton. deceased. Byron wedded Mary Sovereign and has two children-Alice, wife of Joseph King, by whom she has one child, Lyle; George married Mary Dorrissey, now de- ceased, and to them were born two children John J. Clark grew to manhood upon a farın at Dundee, New York, and during his youth learned the millwright's trade, which he successfully followed for over twenty -Arthur, and John Ella is the wife of Jacob Deill, of Chicago, who is a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. The two children born to them are now de- years. In the fall of 1841, he came by . ceased. Mrs. Clark, who was a faithful member of the Methodist church, departed this life November 3, 1860, and our subject now makes his home with his son Byron.
way of the Great Lakes to Kane county, Illinois, and purchased fifty-three acres of his father's farm, but after operating it for a few years, he sold and bought a drove of horses, preparatory to starting across the plains to California. When about sixty-five miles above Fort Laramie, the Indians stole his horses and also shot one of the company but did not kill him. They pushed on to California, walking much of the distance. In that state Mr. Clark and his son Byron worked at bridge building, receiving three dollars and a half per day, and after two years spent upon the Pacific slope they re- turned to Illinois by way of the Isthmus.
Mr. Clark next owned and operated a planing mill and sash factory in partnership with his brother Thomas, who afterward raised two companies for the Civil war and in the service rose to the rank of colonel. His death occurred in Chicago, in 1894. When our subject and his brother dissolved partnership, he and his son bought a water power and run a machine shop for many years, but for the past three years he has lived retired, enjoying a well-earned rest.
On the 16th of November, 1843, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Clark and Miss Delia Maria, daughter of John Rich, and they became the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters. Roselia married Edwin Little, but is now
In his political affiliations Mr. Clark is a Democrat. For almost fifty-seven years he has been a resident of Kane county and therefore has witnessed almost its complete development. · On his arrival here the land was mostly in its primitive condition, and wild game of all kinds was very plentiful. Mr. Clark has ever taken great delight in hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports and when a young man he always came out ahead in a jumping contest. · He now be- longs to the Elgin Rifle Club, attends the big shooting matches in various parts of the country, and although eighty-one years of age he can shoot as well now as he could twenty years ago, for his eyesight is strong, being able to read without glasses. As he still enjoys boating, hunting and fishing, he has two small family steamboats, tents and other hunting paraphernalia, and takes nu- merous trips up the river, spending several days at a time in his favorite sports. He has always endeavored to live peaceably with all men, having never had a quarrel, and he therefore has the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
George P, Sovereign, the father of Mrs.
428
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Byron Clark, is a native of Canada. In the west. Emba: king on the Ohio river, 1847 he married Agnes Windsor, a native of England, from which country she came with her parents when fourteen years of age. Immediately after their marriage, which was solemnized at Simco, Canada, they came direct to Kane county, locating on a farm in Plato township, where they resided until 1877, when they removed to Elgin. In 1879 they moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where they now reside. They were the par- ents. of nine children, seven of whom are yet living-Mary A., Frances, Ella E., George, Harriet, Myra and Daniel. Mrs. Sovereign is a member of the Baptist church.
G EORGE MUIRHEAD, the well-known supervisor of Plato township, resides on section 16. His father, also named George, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1802, and died in Plato township, Kane county, January 2, 1892. He grew to man- hood in his native city, and learned the weaver's trade, which he followed until his emigration to America. He was eleven years with one firm, and fifteen years with Sir James Anderson. On leaving his em- ployer, the latter gave him a. present of ten pounds in gold, thus showing his appreci- ation of his long service. He arose from the rank of weaver to that of warper, and had charge of the weaving over many oper- ators.
On emigrating, George Muirhead, Sr., took a boat from Glasgow to Liverpool, and embarked in the American vessel, Thomas H. Perkins, for Philadelphia. Soon after landing at the latter place he went to Balti- · more and thence to Cumberland, Maryland. Looking through Maryland, he found noth- ing that exactly suited him, so came on to
the family came by boat down that stream and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and by canal to Chicago. From the latter place he came to Dundee, Kane county, and a few weeks later, in November, 1849, came to Plato township, where he had bought eighty acres in section 14. This he sold in 1860, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 16, which became the- nucleus of the large estate now owned by his sons, the greater part of it in partner- ship, but some in severalty.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Muirhead, spent his entire life in Scotland, as did his wife, who was a Miss McFarland, and one of his father's brothers, William, uncle of our subject, was in the battle of Waterloo. George Muirhead, Sr., first married Jane Bennie, in Scotland, and to them four children were born: Catherine, who married William McKensie, of Creston, Illinois; George, our subject; Annabella, wife of Gordon Ellis, of South Dakota; and Jane, wife of John McKensie, living at South Grove, De Kalb county, Illinois. For his second wife, Mr. Muirhead married Mary Morrison, in Scotland, who bore him eight children as follows: Emily Elizabeth, widow of Emery Lee, of Kane county; Mary Jean- ette, who first married William Tanner, and at his death Brainard Goff, of Newhall, Iowa; James, in charge of the brother's store, at Plato Centre; William, cultivating part of the farm owned by the brothers; Maggie L., wife of Charles Sherwood, of Plato township; Lily Alice, who makes her home with our subject; Charles, who also makes his home with our subject; and John, in the store at Plato Centre.
George Muirhead, our subject, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 8, 1838, and as
429
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the eldest son, much of the responsibility of the farm management fell upon him. For over forty years he has been the recognized head of the family. He was eleven years old when the family emigrated to America, and his education began in the schools of Scotland, was completed in the district schools of Plato township, which he at- tended as the opportunity was afforded him. Much is due to him for the successful man- agement of the affairs of the Muirhead brothers, which is composed of George, James and William Muirhead.
James Muirhead was born on section 14, Plato township, November 1, 1854, and his education was obtained in the district schools and Elgin Academy. He occupied one of the farms until 1888, engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. In 1887, in company with his brothers, he opened a store at Plato Centre. Since 1886, he has served as postmaster of that place, and for three years served as justice of the peace. He has been twice married, his first union be- ing with Anna A. Aiken, a native of Scot- land, and his second union, with Sarah A. Shedden, who was born in Plato town- ship, and a daughter of John A. and- Mar- garet (Rosborough) Shedden. By this union four children have been born- George, Margaret, Boyd, and one who died in infancy.
William C. Muirhead was born in Plato Centre, June 15, 1857. His education was also received in the public schools of Plato township and in Elgin Academy. His life work has been principally that of farming, and in 1888, when his brother James took charge of the store, he moved to the farin near the station. His marriage with Mar- tha A. Sherwood took place December 10, 1884. She was born in Burlington town-
ship, Kane county, and is the daughter of Milton and Sarah (Pease) Sherwood. By this union are three children-Milton, Mary and Ethel.
Religiously, George Muirhead is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, and polit- ically he is a Republican, as was his father before him. George Muirhead, Sr., was one of the first abolitionists in Kane county. While coming here he incensed the captain of a boat on the Ohio river by freely expressing his opinions. He and a fellow sympathizer were ordered by the cap- tain to be silent on the subject of slavery, as it was distasteful to the rest of the pas- sengers who were mostly southerners. How- ever, he continued to express his opinion as freely as he wished. Our subject has been honored by his neighbors with nearly all the official positions in their gift. He is now serving his second term as supervisor, which position he most acceptably fills. His love for his native land has never abated, and he has twice visited the scenes of his child- hood. The Muirhead family are of sterling qualities, honor and honesty being their two leading traits. Thrift and energy are the secret of their unusual success. All are held in the very highest esteem.
W P. LILIBRIDGE, secretary, treas- urer and general manager of the St. Charles Lumber Company, is numbered among the leading business men of that city, which has been his home since 1892. He was born at Harvard Junction, McHenry county, Illinois, January 1I, 1869. His grandfather, O. P. Lilibridge, was a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to McHenry county early in the '30s. There his son, L. M. Lilibridge, was born about 1845.
430
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
After he grew to manhood, L. M. Lilibridge married Miss Ella J. Billings, also a native of McHenry county, and a daughter of Capt. William G. Billings, a prominent man of that county, who served as internal rev- enue collector of the northern district of Illinois, and who was a soldier in the late war, holding a captain's commission. At present, L. M. Lilibridge is a prominent business man and stock dealer of McHenry county, Illinois, and the owner of consider- able real estate in that county.
W. P. Lilibridge, our subject, is the son of L. M. and Ella (Billings) Lilibridge. His boyhood and youth were spent in his native county, and after spending some time in Beloit College he took a regular course in the Rockford Business College. He then spent two years in the lumber yard at Harvard, with W. D. Hall, and in i889 went to Marathon county, Wisconsin, into the lumber regions, and spent two years in the employ of the Alexander Stewart Lum- ber Company, the greater part of which time, grading, inspecting and looking after the stock. In 1892 he came to St. Charles as general manager of the yard here, and served in that capacity one year, then pur- chased an interest in the business, of which he has since had entire charge as secretary treasurer and general manager.
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.