The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 46

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

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The subject of this sketch was reared on . the home farm in Sugar Grove township, where he attended the common schools, and assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he started out in life for himself by renting a farm, adjoining that of his father. He

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continued in that occupation until about 1885, with the exception of about three years, when he removed to Sugar Grove Station, and engaged in the lumber, coal and feed business, and also did some auc- tioneering. He remained in Sugar Grove until 1890, when he removed to Aurora, and buying out the stables of Fred Wright en- gaged in the livery business which he has since continued. He is located at No. 67 Broadway and has a full line of livery, and is well equipped for the business. He also operates the sprinkling wagons, and has a transfer line, inerchant's express, and stor- age warehouse. His business is quite ex- tensive, and he is worthy of the patronage received.

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage March 5, 1866, at Batavia, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Paull, a native of Sugar Grove township, and a daughter of Stephen G. and Roxey A. (Barker) Paull, who were na- tives of New York, who moved to Medina county, Ohio, and from there came to Illi- nois in 1837, locating in Sugar Grove town- ship, where they engaged in farming. Their other children were Jane H., who married N. W. Thompson, and died in 1893; John B., Mary E., and Flora D., the latter being the wife of Robert L. Wing. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of two children, Clarence Stephen, and John Paull, the lat- ter dying November 10, 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the People's church, Aurora. In politics he is a Republican, and for twelve years served as school trustee, in Sugar Grove township, and for a time served as highway commis- sioner. Fraternally he is a member of Waubansie lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F .; Aurora lodge, No. 390, K P., and is captain of the uniform rank. He is also a member

of the Knights of the Globe, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of good business standing and is respected by all.

JOSEPH B. SEYMOUR, now living a re- J tired life at 405 Lasalle street, Aurora, Illinois, came to the state in 1842: He is a native of New York, born in Yates county, September 1, 1824, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Wright) Seymour, both of whom were natives of New York, the former born in Duchess county, in 1783. In 1842, he came with his family to Illinois, and set- tled in Cook county, where he purchased a fairly improved farm on which was built two log houses and he further improved and de- veloped the place. Later he built a good frame residence and good frame barn. An active and enterprising farmer he continued at farm labor until late in life, when he moved to Elgin, and died at the residence of his son, John W., at the age of ninety- three years. Of their family of twelve children five are yet living.

Joseph B. Seymour came to Illinois when eighteen years of age, having spent his boyhood and youth in his native state, where he had very limited educational ad- vantages, attending school during a few win- ter months. On coming to Illinois, he as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, after which he gave him half time until his marriage.

Mr. Seymour was married in Cook county, Illinois, June 11, 1848, to Miss Mary Saviah Haven, who was born Novem- ber 28, 1832, in Carthage, Jefferson county, New York, and a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Strong) Haven, the former a native

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of Massachusetts, born about 1790, and the latter a native of New Hampshire. They were married in Paris, Oneida county, New York. In 1844, Samuel Haven with his fainily came west, and located in Cook county, Illinois. By occupation he was a blacksmith and followed that business a few years after coming west. He spent the last years of his life with a daughter, Mrs. Lydia Knowles, in Michigan, and there died. Of his family of two sons and five daughters, Mrs. Seymour and a sister, Mrs. Martha Vernon, of Chicago, are the only survivors.

Mr. and Mrs. Seymour began their do- mestic life on a farm in Cook county. He first purchased one hundred and twenty acres on which was a frame house, the farm being partially improved. From time to time.as his means increased he purchased other tracts and became the owner of four hundred acres on which were three good dwelling houses, two good barns, and which in due time he made one of the best farms in Cook county. He continued to reside upon the place until 1867, when he rented it and moved to Aurora, where he purchased a residence on Broadway, in which he lived until 1882, when he sold and removed to Elgin and there resided six years. In 1888, he returned to Aurora, purchased lots and built a good substantial residence where he yet resides.

While residing in Elgin, Mr. Seymour farmed a small place adjacent to the city, and with that exception has lived a retired life, but looking after his farm in Cook coun- ty. A part of the place he sold, but yet owns two hundred and seventy acres. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour have one son, Horace Jerome, who resides in Elgin, and of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. In early life Mr. Seymour was a Whig, but

on the organization of the Republican party, became identified with it, supporting its men and measures up to 1884, since which time he has been an advocate of the princi- ples of the Prohibition party. For many years Mrs. Seymour has taken a very active interest in temperance work, and in mis- sionary work. Both he and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, of Aurora, and for the erection of the present house of worship they contribu- ted of their means. For twenty-five years he served as steward of the M. E. church and has also served as trustee.

When Mr. Seymour came to Illinois, Chicago was but an insignificant town and he has lived to see it take rank as the sec- ond city in the union. The changes that have been made in the fifty-six years of his residence in Illinois can scarcely be con- ceived. An almost unbroken wilderness at the time of his arrival, the country is now dotted with flourishing villages and cities, and the magnificent farms with their large dwelling houses and barns indicate that the people are prosperous, indeed.

N R. ZACK, senior member of the firm of Zack & Mylius, engaged in plumb- ing, gas and steam fitting, and sewerage, 52 North Broadway, Aurora, was born in this city December 21, 1860, and is the son of Michael and Anna (Izabaugh) Zack. The father came from Austria to this country in 1849, located in Chicago for one year and a half, and came to Aurora, and was one of its first settlers. He was a tailor by trade, and carried on a shop in Chicago and also for a short time in Aurora; later he moved to a farm, on which he is yet living, and is about seventy-five years of age. He is

N. R. ZACK.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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a member of the German Catholic church. His wife died about 1890, when about sixty- five years of age. She was also a member of the Catholic church. Of their family of nine children four are deceased. The living are Mary, residing at home; Nettie, wife of Jacob Marx, of Aurora; N. R., our subject ; Anna, wife of Michael Wannamaker, of Kane county; Michael on the old home- stead; and Frances.

Our subject attended the schools of Au- rora, and spent his youthful days on a farm, until seventeen years old, when he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he com- menced to learn the plumbing business. After remaining in Minneapolis some eight inonths, he returned to Aurora, and went to work in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad shops in the coach department and remained three years. He started in busi- ness on the island, and was one of the firm of John Linden & Co., with whom he was connected six years, after which he estab- lished his present business, under Fouth Brothers' store, becoming the senior mem- ber of Zack & Mylius. They came to their present place of business, in 1894, where they keep on hand a full line of plumbing, steam and gas-fitting material, as much probably as any other two firms in the city. They do an extensive business, and are worthy of the patronage received.

On the 16th of October, 1884, Mr. Zack was united in marriage with Miss Frances Beaver, daughter of John Beaver, a well- known citizen of Aurora. Four daughters have come to bless their union-Kittie, Mamie, Haddie, and Olga. The parents are members of the Catholic church and politically Mr. Zack is Democratic in national affairs, and in local affairs he is independent. 22

A DONIRAM RIDDLE, of Aurora, first came to this state in 1846, remained four years, returned east, and in 1856 located in De Kalb county, and two years later carne to Kane county, where he has since continued to reside. The family are of Scotch descent, the first of the name lo- cating in New Hampshire at an early day. James Riddle, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of New Hampshire, as was his son, Enoch Riddle, who was born in the town of Grafton, Grafton county. In his native state Enoch Riddle married Polly Prescott, also a native of Grafton, New Hampshire, and a daughter of Reuben Prescott, who was a pioneer of that state. They became the parents of six sons and one daughter: Adoniram, our subject; Pres- cott, who moved to California about 1850, and there resides; Lyman, also residing in California; Cyrus, who died in De Kalb county, Illinois; Orisina, widow of John Cole, residing in De Kalb county; Robert, who resides in Will county; and Charles, also residing in Will county. After his marriage, Enoch Riddle engaged in farm- ing in his native county, and there contin- ned for many years. In his old age he came west to Illinois, where he joined his children, locating first on a farm in De Kalb county, where his wife died, after which he resided with a son in Will county, and there died.

Until sixteen years of age, Adoniram Riddle remained on the home farm, during which time he received a fair common-school education. Going to Vermont, he spent three years working first on a farm and then on a turnpike. He then went to Massachu- setts and took a position in a cotton factory, where he remained nearly three years, and at Worcester, Massachusetts, entered a ma-

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chine shop and worked one year. He then went to Boston and worked for the Boston Locomotive Company for about two years. From Boston he went to Keene, New Hamp- shire, where he engaged in railroad work, first in the repair shops, and then in charge of an engine on the road. In 1846, he came west, and entered a tract of some six hun- dred acres in De Kalb county, Illinois, to which he removed in 1856. On removing to the place he at once began its develop- ment, and remained on the farm about two years. In 1858 he sold out, moved to Aurora, purchased two lots on the corner of Broadway and LaSalle streets, where he built a residence into which the family moved. On coming to this place he entered the employ of the Burlington road, first in the roundhouse department, and about one year later wasgiven charge of an engine, on which he continued to run for about twenty years. He then gave up railroading, pur- chased a stone quarry opposite the seminary, and, in partnership with his son, engaged in getting out rock. They built up a large business, shipping considerably, besides sup- plying the home demand. In 1895, he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres, adjoining the city limits of Aurora, and has since been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits.

In 1852, in Carroll county, New Hamp- shire, Mr. Riddle was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Cook, a native of that county, and a daughter of Eben Cook, also a native of New Hampshire. She had one sister, Emily, widow of Thomas Christopher, a carpenter and joiner of Boston, Massachu- setts, where his death occurred. Mrs. Chris- topher made her home with Mrs. Riddle for a number of years. There are two living children by this union, the oldest being Clarence, who is married and operates the

stone quarry. The other is D. A., a manu- facturing jeweler of Providence, Rhode Island. They lost one daughter, Alice, who died at the age of three months.

Mr. Riddle was reared a Democrat, but believing in the equality of all nien, he be- came a Republican on the organization of that party, with which he has since con- tinued to act. Fraternally he is a Master Mason. As a citizen he has ever borne his part in the upbuilding of his adopted city. He was one of the originatorsof the Aurora street railway, became a stockholder and was one of its first directors, serving until the road was sold to the New York Com- pany. For forty years he has been identi- fied with the interests of Aurora, and has here many warm friends.

JOHN GARDNER, who is living a retired life in the city of Aurora, is a well-known and highly respected citizen, and for many years wasactively engaged in business in the place. He was born near the city of Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, De- cember 5, 1820, and is the son of Daniel Gardner, born in Essex county, New Jer- sey. In his native state Daniel Gardner grew to manhood and married Phileta Ed- wards, a native of what is now Union coun- ty, New Jersey, and a daughter of Nathan- iel Edwards, who at the age of sixteen years offered his services to his country, and fought during the entire struggle for Amer- ican independence. By trade Daniel Gard- ner was a cooper, and followed that occu- pation, in connection with farming, during his entire life. He died in New Jersey in 1858, his wife surviving him some three years, passing away in 1861. Of their fam- ily of twenty-six children, ten sons and four

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daughters grew to mature years. There again came west, locating in Aurora, where were living sixteen of the children at one he bought several lots on which he erected time. Of the entire number, only three now survive, John, Joseph and Luther, all residing in Aurora. five dwelling houses, which he later sold. He also erected a cooper shop, and engaged in coopering, in which he was actively en- gaged for over twenty years, usually employ- ing two or three men. His principal prod- uct was butter firkins, which he manufac- tured for the Aurora market.

John Gardner grew to mature years in Essex county, New Jersey, and there learned the cooper's trade with his father, and followed it for some years. He was married in Essex county in 1847, to Emma Ball, a native of that county, where she was reared and educated, and a daughter of Noah Ball, also a native of Essex county. By trade he was a hatter, but late in life engaged in farming. His wife was Fannie Edwards, likewise a native of New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Gardner six children were born, of whom Emma Frances and Charles Henry died in childhood; Mary Emma died at the age of seven years; Burton, when about five years old; and Horace in child- hood. The only survivor is Hattie, who yet resides under the parental roof.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner began their domestic life in the suburbs of Newark, where they resided until 1853. While residing in Orange county, New Jersey, he manufactured a ship load of butter cases, which were filled with butter and sent to Australia. In September, 1853, Mr. Gardner came to Illinois, and purchased a farm near Eola, consisting of one hundred and twenty-one acres of improved land. He further improved the place, and there re- sided about fourteen months, when he sold out and returned to Orange, New Jersey, where he engaged in the lumber business. The first year he lost heavily by having sev- eral thousand feet of very valuable lumber being caught in a storm and washed out to sea. He continued the lumber business about three years, and in February, 1858,

Mr. Gardner and his family are mem- bers of the Park Place Baptist church, with which body he has been connected since coming to Aurora. For the past twenty- five years he has devoted his time largely to church work. He was ordained a deacon of the church in 1873. With that earnest desire to help his fellow men, he has freely given of his time to the Master's cause. The good that he has done will only be known at the last day.

JOSEPH W. GARDNER, of Aurora, J Illinois, has been actively engaged in contracting and building in this city since 1855. He is a native of Essex county, New Jersey, born May 1, 1825, and is the son of Daniel and Phileta (Edwards) Gardner, both of whom are natives of the same state, the former born in 1781 and the latter in 1787. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Edwards, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, under General Washing- ton. By trade Daniel Gardner was a cooper, which he followed in connection with farming, for many years residing near the city of Newark, New Jersey, where he reared his large family, and where his death occurred.

Joseph W. Gardner is one of a family of twenty-six children born to Daniel and Phileta Gardner, the children all being

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at single births. Of the number Luther, .John, and our subject are the only ones liv- ing. Joseph W. Gardner grew to mature years in his native state, and at Newark, New Jersey, learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, serving a four years' apprentice- ship. Before he attained his majority, he engaged in contracting and building, super- intending the erection of three dwelling houses in Newark. He was married in that city April 17, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Gar- rison, a native of Sussex county, New Jer- sey, and a daughter of James Garrison. By this union were three children, two of whom are living-Ann Eliza, wife of John Glaspie, who was a soldier in the war for the union, but is now a merchant and postmaster of Galatia, Colorado. William Edward, who is assisting his father in contracting and building. He was married in Aurora, No- vember 23, 1881, to Miss Annie E. Free- man, who was born, reared and educated in Aurora, and the daughter of James Free- man, who was for forty years a merchant of the city, but who died in 1896. By this union are two children, James Lewis and Gertrude May, both students in the Aurora schools. James Freeman, the father of Mrs. William E .· Gardner, was a native of Wales, born in 1830, in a house which was on the line between England and Wales. He came to America with his parents in 1838, and to Aurora in 1840. Here he grew to manhood and married Ann Eliza Graves, daughter of the first Baptist minister of Aurora.

After their marriage,. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner resided some three years in New- ark, where he engaged in contracting and building. From Newark, he inoved to Piermont, New York, where he engaged in the repair and construction shops of the New

York & Erie railroad, continuing there about three years, serving as foreman in the shops. In 1855, he came to Aurora, Illinois, and purchased the property where he now re- sides. He at once commenced contracting and building, in which he has been actively engaged from that time until the present. Many of the public buildings and substantial residences of Aurora attest his skill as a builder. His building operations have been quite extensive, and his work has always been considered the very best. Com- mencing life for himself, empty-handed, by his own labor he has secured a competency and is recognized as one of the substantial men of Aurora.

Politically Mr. Gardner was an old Jackson Democrat, but of recent years he has voted independent of party, casting his vote for the man that he considered best qualified for the office. His son is also in- dependent in politics. Religiously, he is a member of the Park Place Baptist church, with which he has been identified for forty years. His wife and family are also mem- bers of the same church. On the 17th of April, 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner cele- brated their golden wedding, a large number of relatives and friends meeting with them in honor of the occasion and presenting them a number of testimonials of their esteem and friendship. For forty years they have been residents of Aurora, and their friends are numerous indeed. 1

JAMES V. MINK .- Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Elgin is the subject of this sketch, who is a well-known real-estate dealer, with office in room 7. Town's Block. He was born in that city June 26, 1852, a

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son of Robert and Sarah Jane (Van Tine) Mink, natives of New York. His paternal grandfather, John Mink, was also born in New York, of Holland Dutch descent, and was a farmer by occupation. At an early day he came west and took up his residence in Kane county, Illinois, but died two years later, when nearly ninety years of age. He reared a small family. Our subject's ma- ternal grandfather was born in this country and died in middle life.

In 1842 Robert Mink, our subject's fa- ther, came to Kane county and purchased a fine farm of two hundred acres two miles northeast of Elgin, which he transformed into one of the most highly-cultivated tracts in the locality. After engaging in agricult- ural pursuits for many years, le laid aside business cares and lived retired in Elgin for a few years before his death, which occurred il1 1880, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife had passed away three years previous at the age of sixty-five. Both were earnest, consistent Christians, the mother belonging to the Baptist Church, while the father was a Presbyterian in faith. Four children were born to them, of whom three are still living: John W., Leander F., and James V.

Upon the home farm James V. Mink was reared, and, after attending the district schools for a time, he entered the Elgin Academy, where he completed his education. For five or six years after starting out in life for himself, he engaged in the grocery trade in Elgin, but for the past twenty years has been interested in real estate, doing a large and profitable business along that line. Besides his property in Elgin, he owns an excellent farm of three hundred acres five miles east of that place, and also city prop- erty in Chicago.

On the 18th of May, 1878, Mr. Mink was united in marriage with Miss Gracie Todd, 'a daughter of Thomas and Anna (McNeil) Todd, and to them have been born seven children, three sons and four daugh- ters, namely: Edna J., Royal J., Clyde, Annie, Gladys, Mamie, and one who died in infancy. Only three are now living-Annie, Gladys and Clyde. The family have a beautiful home at No. 554 Douglas avenue, which was erected in 1885. Mrs. Mink holds mercbership in the Congregational church.

Politically Mr. Mink is identified with the Republican party, and for four years he most efficiently served as alderman of the First ward. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his suc- cess, and his connection with different busi- ness enterprises has been of a decided advantage to the city. He is public-spir- ited and progressive, giving his support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the general welfare.

C APT. FRANCIS H. BOWMAN, pres- ident of the Bowman, Warne & Stew- art Bank, St. Charles, Illinois, has been a resident of the city since 1845, and is well- known and greatly esteemed by all the peo- ple of Kane county. He is a native of New York, born in Broome county, May 9, 1816, and is a son of Ebenezer and Sylvia (Barn- aby) Bowman, both of whom were natives of Vermont. The Bowmans are of English an- cestry and were early settlers of the Green Mountain State, where Ephraim Bowman, the grandfather of our subject, was born.

Ebenezer Bowman was born about 1794, and grew to manhood in his native state, where his marriage with Sylvia Barn-

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aby took place. About 1814 the young couple removed to Broome county, New York, where he cleared a farm in the wil- derness, built a hewed log house and there resided until the death of his wife in 1828. He then moved to Pennsylvania, where he remained a short time, afterward returned to Vermont, again married, and there re- sided during the remainder of his life. Our subject is the oldest of two sons and three daughters born to Ebenezer and Sylvia Bowman. His brother, Benjamin Carlton Bowman, grew to manhood and settled in Pennsylvania, but later moved to Williams- port, where he engaged in the lumber trade and in banking, being for some years presi- dent of a Williamsport bank. He died there in 1896. One sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Yaw, resides in Franklin county, Vermont. An- other sister, Prudencia, wife of John Col- cord, resides in Vermont. The third one, Hannah M., married Hannibal P. Wood, and located in Illinois, where she died.

Francis H. Bowman was twelve years of age when his mother died. He then went to live with his uncle, Hiram H. Heath, of Ithaca, New York, and later removed with him to Auburn, New York. Good common- school advantages were given him while re- siding both at Ithaca and Auburn, which he industriously improved. When still in his youth he entered a hardware store in Au- burn, New York, as a clerk, and there re- mained nine years, securing a good practical training in business affairs. The last few years of his stay there he was a confidential clerk of the firm and transacted much of the business.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 46

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