USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 47
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
While his business relations were pleas- ant and he had the full confidence of his employers, the life of a mere clerk was dis- tasteful to him. He desired to better his
condition in life, and with that end in view came west in 1845 and located in St. Charles, Illinois. Here he at once engaged in the hardware trade, a line with which he was thoroughly familiar. For three years he carried on the business alone, and then associated withi himself John Lloyd, and a foundry business was added to that of hard- ware, the combined line being carried on under the firm name of Bowman & Lloyd. This was continued from 1848 until 1861.
The war for the union was now in prog- ress and Mr. Bowman determined to en- list. Accordingly he sold out his interest in the hardware line to Owen Butler, but by mutual consent retained his interest in the foundry. In October, 1861, he was com- missioned captain of Company G, Fifty- second Volunteer Infantry, and with his regi- ment marched first to St. Louis, from which place it went south, joining the advance in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh in April, 1862. Soon after this engagement he resigned his commission and returned home.
On his return Captain Bowman resumed active relations with . Mr. Lloyd in the foundry and about one year later re-pur- chased the interest of Owen. Butler in the hardware trade. This relation was contin- ued for some years. Captain Bowman then selling, lived retired for one year. But one of his temperament could not endure that kind of a life. He was one of the organiz- ers of the Kane County National Bank, and was a director during its existence. J. C. Baird & Co. succeeded to the Kane County National Bank in which Captain Bowman was a stockholder and director, and at the death of Mr. Baird, some time later, he be- came its general manager. For about three years the business was continued un-
469
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
der the old name, when a new co-partner- ship was formed by Mr. Bowman, John Warne and John Stewart, since which time the bank has been run under the name of Bowman, Warne & Stewart, bankers. It is recognized as one of the reliable and solid institutions of the county, due in a great measure to the well-known business ability and conservatism of Captain Bowman.
After remaining a bachelor in St. Charles for four years, in October, 1849, Mr. Bow- man returned to his native state, and at Elmira married Helen M. Smith, who was born, reared and educated in that city. She was a faithful wife and helpmeet to him for forty-two long years, passing away in De- cember, 1891. There were three children by this union: Carleton Smith, a farmer re- siding in Kane county; Francis E., who died in infancy, and Edward Harvey, who was a lawyer by profession, practicing for about five years in Chicago. He was acci- dentally drowned in 1890.
In early life Captain Bowman was po- litically a' Whig, casting his first presiden- tial ballot for William Henry Harrison in 1840. With that party he continued to act until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks, voting for General Fremont for president in 1856. From that time to the present he has never missed voting for the Republican nominee for the highest office in the gift of the people. His interest in the party has never abated, and in the campaign of 1896 he was a warm supporter of William Mckinley, and an earnest advocate of protection and reciprocity. In the various conventions of his party-county, district and state-he has often served as a delegate, and by his fel- low citizens has been honored with inany local offices, including supervisor of his
township, being the first elected to that office in St. Charles, trustee of the town of St. Charles, school trustee and school treas- urer, serving in the latter position some twelve or fourteen years. In every position, public or private, he has discharged its duties faithfully and well. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, subordi- nate and encampment, and has filled every position in his local lodge and camp. He has also served as a delegate from his lodge to the grand lodge and also to the grand en- campment. For more than fifty years he has been a member of the order and has taken great interest in its welfare and in the dissemination of its principles, believing them to be for the best good of humanity.
In addition to his banking business, Captain Bowman is a stockholder in the tile factory, the condensing company and the Crown Electric Manufacturing Com- pany. Few concerns established in St. Charles but have had his hearty co-opera- tion. For fifty-three years he has been identified with the commercial and manu- facturing interests of Kane county, and few men are better known and none more highly respected. As a business man and financier he has the confidence of all. His memory will long be cherished by those who know him, and his industry, thrift and business sagacity will be an incentive to those who come after him.
C HARLES LEVEY, a retired farmer living at Batavia, traces his ancestry in this country to Jacob Levey, a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary war, and who assisted in its struggle for independence. His son, John Levey, was born in Schenec-
470
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tady, New York. He married Nancy Clute, a native of New York, but of German de- scent. They were the parents of eight sons and six daughters, the sons all growing to mature years, six of whom are yet living, as follows: Samuel is a farmer of McHenry county, Illinois; Andrew is engaged in farm- ing in Minnesota; John resides in New York; James resides in Schenectady county, New York, where he is engaged in farming; Peter is also a resident of Schenectady county, and Charles of this review. The two sis- ters living are Catharine, wife of John Akin, of Farmington, Illinois, and Elizabeth, wife of Cornell Brunk, of New York.
Charles Levey, our subject, was born in Schenectady county, New York, August 4, 1829, and is the son of John and Nancy (Clute) Levey. He there grew to man- hood and had but limited educational privi- leges. A young man of twenty-four years,. he came west in 1853, and first located in Du Page county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for several years, He was mar- . ried in Batavia, Illinois, October 10, 1855, . to Miss Ann Frydendall, a native of Sche- nectady county, New York, and who came to Illinois with her parents, Daniel and Hannah (Venton) Frydendall, in 1842. Her father was by occupation a farmer and en- gaged in that calling during his entire life, dying February 13, 1888. His wife sur- vived him, and died April 15, 1898, when eighty-four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Levey are the parents of six living children, as follows: Theodore, married and engaged in farming in Blackberry township; Charles W., mar- ried and also engaged in farming; Daniel, a carpenter and joiner, married and residing in Aurora; Elmer, a farmer of Blackberry township; Belle, wife of Lewis Krumlanz, and May, wife of Thomas Mead, of Batavia.
In 1865, Mr. Levey moved with his fanı- ily to Kane county and purchased a farın of one hundred and twenty acres in Black berry township, which was partially im- proved, and on which was a log dwelling house. He at once commenced its improve- ment and in due time built a large house, barn and other outbuildings, and there re- sided for some years. Renting out his own farm, he subsequently rented a farm of six hundred acres, on which he resided three years. He still owns the old homestead, which is operated by his son Elmer. Hav- ing a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable him to live in ease and retirement, in the fall of 1889, he purchased residence property and removed to Batavia. Occa- sionally he visits the old farm, when the weather is pleasant, and assists his boys in the farm work.
Politically, Mr. Levey was formerly a Jackson Democrat, but is now independent, voting for such men as he thinks best qual- ified to fill the offices. He has been a resi- dent of Illinois for forty-five years, while his wife has resided here fifty-six years. They are both well known in Kane and Du Page counties and are held in the highest esteem.
JOHN KEMP, of Aurora, Illinois, came J to this city in 1855, and for about a third of a century was one of its most enter- prising business men. He is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of honest toil. He was born in the town of Hull, Yorkshire, England, May 29, 1816. His father, John Kemp, Sr., was also a native Yorkshire, and there married Francis Hart, born and reared in the same shire. John Kemp, Sr., was a sailor in early life, and
JOHN KEMP.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
473
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
spent some years upon the sea. In 1829 he Kemp did all the cutting and laying out the came to America and located near Montreal, Canada, and was one of the earliest settlers of that county. From there he moved to New York state and removed to Toronto, Canada, where he died.
The subject of this sketch was but thir- teen years of age when he came with his parents to America. He remembers well the hardships endured, as pioneers of a new country. However, he went to Montreal, learned the harness maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. . He there married, September 10, 1835, Miss Eliza- beth McCullum, born in the Isle of Wight, and a daughter of James McCullum, a native of Scotland. By this union are four children, as follows: Elizabeth, who grew to womanhood, married and is now de- ceased; Charlotte, wife of John Kessler, re- siding in Rhilander, Wisconsin; Mrs. Fannie Rowland, now residing in Los Angeles, Ca !- ifornia; and Matilda, wife of Henry Greg- ory, residing in Charleston, South Carolina.
After marriage Mr. Kemp worked in Montreal for twelve years, then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where for a time he worked at his trade as a journeyman, and later started a shop of his own, and carried on business for three years. He then moved to Chicago, where he remained about nine months, and in 1855 moved to Aurora, then a town of about twelve hundred inhab- tants, bought property and has here since continued to reside. He commenced busi- ness on the west side, and was the second to engage in the harness trade on that side of the city. After a few years he formed a partnership with Horace Gilbert and the firm did a very profitable and extensive business for thirty years, often working as many as fifteen men in their shops. Mr.
work for the entire force. He remained in active business until 1888, when he sold out and has since lived retired. During this time he purchased two farms in Hancock county, Iowa, one of which he continued to hold for twenty-five years. He also pur- chased vacant lots. in Aurora, which he held for a rise in value."
Politically, Mr. Kemp is a Republican, with which party he has continued to act since its formation, but he has never wanted nor would he ever accept public office. When a young man of nineteen, he was converted and united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, but later transferred his membership to the Methodist Episcopal church, with which body he has been act- ively connected for many years, and for the greater part of the time since coming to Aurora a member of the official board of his church. His wife has also been an active member of the same church for many years. For forty-three years he has been a well-known citizen of Aurora, where he and his most estimable wife are held in the high- est respect by one and all.
JOHN N. HURD came to Aurora in the fall of 1854 and has here since made his home. While now living a retired life he was for many years one of the active and enterprising business men and manu- facturers of the city. He was born in Ben- nington county, Vermont, July 1, 1830, and is the son of Gilbert and Eleanor (Thomas) Hurd, both of whom are natives of the same state, the former born in Ben- nington county, in 1803. The grandfather, Abraham Hurd, was a native of Vermont, of which the Hurd family were pioneers,
·
-
474
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
einigrating there from Connecticut. The marriage of Gilbert Hurd and Eleanor Thomas was celebrated in 1827. She was a daughter of Reuben Thomas, who was like- wise a native of Vermont, of which state his father, Reuben Thomas, Sr., was a pio- neer. Gilbert Hurd followed the occupation of a farmer in his native state, and in 1853 emigrated to Illinois, locating in Oswego, Kendall county, where he remained one year and then came to Aurora, when he purchased farm and town property. For many years he engaged in farming and in buying and dealing in stock, sheep and wool. He was a very liberal man and gave of his means for the erection of different churches and also gave liberally to charitable and benevo- lent purposes. His death occurred March 30, 1876. His widow survives him and re- sides on the old homestead where the fam- ily have lived for more than forty years. She is now eighty-eight years old.
The subject of this sketch is one of a family of four sons who grew to mature years. Reuben T. married and resided for a time in Vermont, where he was engaged in business. He later moved to Aurora, where he became a prominent business man and died here in October, 1894. His wife preceded him to their heavenly home some three years previously, leaving three chil- dren. John N., of this review, was next in order of birth. Hosea B., who now re- sides with his mother and brother in Aurora. Samuel, the fourth son, died January I, 1897.
In his native state John N. Hurd grew to manhood, and received a good common- school education. After attaining his ma- jority he taught six winter terms of school and in the summer assisted in taking care 1. of the home farm. In 1854 lie joined the
family in Aurora, and in partnership with a brother engaged in farming and also in deal- ing in stock and wool. They continued in these lines until about 1867, when, with his brother Samuel, he engaged in the manu- facture and sale of tinware, employing agents and furnishing them with an outfit, sold all through the country. They usually had some ten or twenty teams on the road, and gave employment to over fifty hands. They did a very extensive business which was continued until 1885. For about six years of that time, our subject, in company with Daniel Volentine, was engaged in the wool business. The partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Volentine, and for the succeeding two years he was with William Volentine, the son of the former partner. The business of Mr. Hurd was not confined solely to the lines mentioned. He from time to time engaged in buying and selling farms and in the improvement of city prop- erty. He also assisted other parties who were trying to establish themselves in busi- ness by loaning them money.
Early in the spring of 1869, Mr. Hurd went east, and in Washington county, New York, March 16, married Maria Gray, a na- tive of that county, and a daughter of Will- iam Gray, also a native of that state. By this union were two children, one of whom, Gracia, died at the age of fourteen months. The other, Rhoda M., is now the wife of William H. Parker, Jr., of Aurora, by whom she has one son, John Alfred. Politically Mr. Hurd is a stanch Republican, as was also his father, though in early life the father was a Whig. He never cared for public office, and has repeatedly refused to con- sider his nomination or election to any. However he was elected and served one term as alderman of his ward, discharging
475
· THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his duties in a faithful manner. On the or- ganization of the Second National Bank, he acquired some stock and for a number of years served as director. In the forty-four years of his residence in Aurora, he has done his part towards its growth and de- velopment.
D WIGHT A. CHAMBERLIN, super- visor and a prominent business man of Elgin, is the well-known district agent of the Rockford Insurance Company. with office in the Elgin National Bank building, Elgin, Illinois. He is a native of the Prairie state, born in Rockford, June 2, 1849, and is a son of Alfred A. and Nancy E .. (Munger) Chamberlin, the former a native of Ver- mont, and the latter of Massachusetts. In their family were four children: Marian C., widow of John Loop, of Santa Monica, California; Emma, wife of George M. Welles, of Elgin; Thyrsa T., wife of George W. Bridgman, of Bridgman, Michigan; and Dwight A., our subject.
Alfred A. Chamberlin, the father, was a pioneer of northern Illinois, locating at Au- rora when the settlers' cabins were few and far between. At that time the great Prairie state gave but little promise of the bright future that was before it. Chicago was then but a small village, and the most en- thusiastic of its citizens little dreamed of what it was destined to be. The county of Kane existed but in name, its many thou- sands of acres of fertile land unturned by the plow. For some years after his re- moval to Illinois, he engaged in the foundry business in Rockford, with moderate suc- cess. From Aurora he removed to Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, and later to Rock- ford. In 1859 he moved to Cherry Valley,
Illinois, and there engaged in. the milling business until his retirement to private life. In 1894 he came with his wife to Elgin and lived with his children, dying at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Welles, June 3, 1897, at the age of ninety years. His wife pre- ceded him but five days, dying May 29, 1897, at the age of eighty-eight years. For a period of sixty-three years they traveled life's journey together, happy in each other's love. One could not live without the other, and so the angel of death tarried but a few days after taking the one before he called for the other. Religiously she was à Baptist, and, while he never united with any religious body, he attended services with her. In his life he endeavored to faithfully carry out the golden rule.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Chamberlin, was a native of Ver- mont and there died. In his family were six or seven children who grew to maturity. The maternal grandfather, Lyman Munger, was a native of Massachusetts, where he died at an advanced age.
Dwight A. Chamberlin, our subject, was about ten years of age when his parents re- moved to Cherry Valley, and his education begun in the public schools of Rockford, was afterward completed in the saine place. In 1871 he commenced the insurance busi- ness in his home village, and for some years traveled in the interest of the Rockford In- surance Company. His success as a solic- itor soon gave him standing with his com- pany and his patronage rapidly grew so that he became well known in many localities, and many held their insurance until his ar- rival that it might be given him. In 1885 he removed to Elgin, opened an office and has here since continued to reside. Having visited this place while on the road, he had
476
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
here a number of patrons to begin with, and that number he rapidly increased. His business has been a large one and fairly profitable even in the midst of the hard times from 1893 to 1897. His company is well known to be among the best in the country and a risk placed with it is known to be safe.
On the 2nd of July, 1886, Mr. Cham- berlin was united in marriage with Miss Cora L. Orth, daughter of John and Mary (Gardner) Orth, and their union has been blessed with two children: Harry D. and Marie E. Mrs. Chamberlin is a member of the First Congregational church of Elgin. John Orth, her father, was a native of New York, and came to Illinois early in the '50s, locating in the township of Caledonia, Boone county, where he engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred October 10, 1878. His widow is a native of Lockport, Niagara county, New York, where they were united in marriage. She is still living on the old homestead in Cale- donia township, loved and respected by a large circle of friends. They were the par- ents of two children: Ida C. and Cora L.
usually given with a generous hand. In his business he is recognized as a hustler, and in the discharge of his official duties he has exhibited the same energy that character- izes him as a business man. As a progress- ive citizen of Elgin and Kane county he is well worthy a place among its most honored men, and few men in the county have more stanch, true and tried friends than the genial, open-handed and warm-hearted sub- ject of this biography.
JOSEPH TEFFT, M. D., the first mayor of Elgin, and for years one of the most prominent citizens of Kane county, was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, August 29, 1812, acquired a good literary education for the times, read medi- cine with an uncle in Great Barrington, Vermont, and in 1833 attended medical lectures at a college in Brattleboro, that state. His father, Jonathan Tefft, Sr., was born in Madison county, New York, March 18, 1790, and in that county married Eliza- beth Collins, who was born December 8, 1792, and died August 24, 1856. In 1835 they emigrated to Illinois, first settled on a farın adjoining the town of Elgin, but in Cook county. On removing to section 36,
Fraternally, Mr. Chamberlin is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Maccabees, Royal League and Home Forum. Politically, he is a Republican, with which party he has . Elgin township, Kane county, the following been identified since casting his first presi- dential vote for U. S. Grant, in 1872. For two years he served as assistant supervisor of Elgin, and in the spring of · 1897 was elected supervisor for a term of two years. He has always taken an active interest in political affairs and for the success of his party has labored hard in season and out in the dissemination of party principles. During the campaign of 1896 he gave much time to the work, and of his means he has year, he sold the Cook county farın to his son. The family were members of the Society of Friends, and were widely and favorably known. Having sold the farm to his son Jonathan, he removed to the city of Elgin, where he died January 26, 1866, at the age of seventy-six years. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. (Further mention is made of the family in the sketch of Jonathan Tefft, on another page of this volume.) The family has been
.
477
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
identified with the history of this country since colonial days. In the possession of Jonathan Tefft, of Elgin township, is the certificate of marriage of his grandparents, Jeremiah Tefft and Rhoda Hoxsie, of Rich- mond, Kings county, Colony of Rhode Island, dated October 23, 1768. After the Revolutionary war they removed to what was then the "far west," locating in Mad- ison county, New York, where they reared a large family of children and spent their remaining days.
With his father's family our subject came to Illinois in the fall of 1835, making the entire journey with ox teams. He first located at South Elgin, but later traded farms with his father, taking the one in Cook county, a part of which is now Lord's Park. Upon this place are still standing apple trees which were planted by Jonathan Tefft. He was the first physician of Elgin, and in the discharge of his professional duties, as well as the common duties of pioneer life, he experienced many hardships. At one time he and his brother-in-law, P. C. Gilbert, had occasion to go to McHenry county. On their return they found that a flood had washed away the bridge over Fox river, and following the direction of a neighbor they started to ford the stream, the Doctor taking the lead. The horses, how- ever, had to swim partly across. On arriv- ing home the Doctor found an urgent call awaiting him. He immediately re-crossed the river, saw his patient and returned, the feat being accomplished with great fatigue both to man and beast.
Some of the earliest settlers tried to drive away those who came a little later, so that they might secure larger tracts of land when their first claims were perfected, but their threats had no effect upon Dr. Tefft.
He was warned to leave his claim, but paid no attention to it. A notice was tacked to his door, and finally one of the band came to his cabin, telling him the rest of the crowd were waiting at the edge of the tim- ber to punish him if he did not leave. He defied them and they asked for a parley. He replied if they would leave their rifles in the field, they might approach and seat themselves upon a log in his yard, and that he would come out, rifle in hand, and par- ley with them. This was done, with the re- sult that he told them plainly that he would stand by his rights as an American citizen, and if he were injured more than one of them would suffer from the encounter. He was left in peace, his firmness and determ- ination having won the day. He continued in active practice until 1875, and was fre- quently called in consultation up to the time of his death. Being a great reader and student, as well as an enterprising pro- gressive man, he kept abreast of the times in his profession, the general sciences and literature. He was one of the most hon- ored and highly respected citizens of the community.
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.