USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 51
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JOHN D. RANDALL, now living a retired life in Aurora, has been a res- ident of Kane county, since June, 1843. He traces his ancestry back to John Ran- dall, who came from England in 1630, lo- cating in Connecticut, where some of the family have always remained. The great- great grandfather of our subject was also named John Randall. His son, Col. Will- iam Randall, was in command of a regi- ment, during the war of 1812, and at Ston- ington, defended the town and beat off the British. His son, Jedediah Randall, was born in Stonington, New London county, Connecticut, and was the father of our sub- ject. Jedediah Randall married Philura Peckham, of North Stonington, and a daughter of 'Squire Thomas Peckham of that place. After their marriage they re- mained for some years in Connecticut, and in 1843, came to Kane county, Illinois, where he purchased a partially improved farm, of one hundred and twenty acres, in
Sugar Grove township. After further im- proving the place, some eight years later he sold and moved to Aurora, but died on a farm near that city in 1860, at the age of sixty years.
Jedediah and Philura Randall were the parents of seven children, whogrew to man - hood and womanhood-John, our subject; Russell, now in the real-estate business in Georgia; James, for some years an active business man at Batavia and Aurora, was killed by an accident in his stone quarry; Mary A., married Peleg Winslow, and they located in Hinckley, where she died; Dudley was a printer by trade, and died in St. Louis; Cyrus was a soldier in the war for the union, and died in Andersonville prison; and Roswell, who died at the age of eight years.
John D. Randall was born in the town of Stonington, New London county, Con- necticut, August 9, 1823, and his boyhood and youth were spent in his native state, where he was reared to farm life, and in its common schools procured a fair education. He was twenty years old when the family came to Kane county, and for several years remained with his father assisting him in farm work. In 1851, he purchased two tracts of government land, lying near Waterman, Illinois, each containing one hundred and sixty acres. He located upon one quarter, and commenced its improve- ment, and there resided for three years. Renting that farm, he built a residence and moved to the other tract. In 1855 he sold out and returned to Kane county, buying residence property in Aurora. In the fall of the same year he sold his residence property and purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, lying near the city, to which he removed and there engaged in farming
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for some years. He later sold one-half of the farm and yet retains one hundred and sixty acres, just outside the city limits, and which is a well improved and valuable farm.
In 1851 Mr. Randall was married, in Kane county, to Maria L. Barnes, a native of New York, born in the town of Alexander, Jefferson county, where she remained until the age of fifteen years, when she came with her father. Ira Barnes, to Kane county. This was in 1845, her father being numbered among the early settlers of Sugar Grove township. By this union were three chil- dren. Frank grew to mature years. He was a natural mechanic, and invented a corn harvester, which he later sold to William Deering, of Chicago. He died in 1882, leaving a wife and three children. Martha grew to womanhood and married Oscar E. Marlette, a farmer of Kane county. Lew Wallace is married and carries on the home farm.
In 1888 Mr. Randall purchased a lot at No. 18 North Chestnut street, where he built a neat residence, and where he has since continued to reside. He has always been an active and enterprising man, and in 1884 was elected highway commissioner of Aurora township, and served three years, 'during which time the roads through the township were graveled. and the New York street and North avenue bridges were built, important and much needed improvements. While residing in Waterman, he was elected and served two years as assessor, and was also justice of the peace for two years, re- signing the latter office when he returned to Kane county. He was also township trus- tee a number of years, and assisted in the organization of the school districts of his township. Being a firm believer in prohi-
bition, for some years he has been identified with the Prohibition party, but formerly was a Republican. When he came to Kane county, there was not a railroad anywhere in the vicinity, and the country was but little better than a wilderness. He has lived to see it thickly populated, having within its borders many. thriving towns, while its farms are the most productive in the country.
W TILLARD CARYL TORREY, who is superintendent of two departments in the Elgin Watch Factory, is a native of Rockland, Maine, born February 25, 1855. He is a son of Joseph Grafton and Nancy (Caryl) Torrey, the former a native of Han- son, Massachusetts, and the latter of Stock- bridge, Vermont. The father was a son of Joseph Torrey, a native of Massachusetts, who died in middle life. He was a minis- ter in the Baptist church. His children were Joseph G., George L., Francis B. and Almira L. Of these, George L. is living in Kennebunkport, Maine; Francis B., in Bath, Maine; and Almira L., the widow of Zo- pher Sturtevant, in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Joseph G. Torrey was reared in his na- tive state, and in early manhood went to learn the founder's trade, which he followed through life. His death occurred at Rock- land, Maine, February 28, 1894. He was a life-long member of the Congregational church, and for many years served as a deacon. In politics he was a Republican. His, wife is yet living in Rockland, Maine, and is a worthy member of the Congrega- tional church at that place. They were the parents of six children: Helen Maria, deceased; George Everett; Mary Frances died in infancy; Willard C .; Olive Bird died
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in childhood; and Arthur Lawrence. Of these, George is living in Rockland, Maine, and our subject and Arthur L. in Elgin. .
The ancestry of Willard Caryl Torrey can be traced back for many generations. He is a grandson of John Caryl and Lucy (Clark) Caryl, the great-grandson of Will- iam and Sarah (Barron) Clark, and the great-great-grandson of Captain Peter and Hannah (Eppes) Clark. Captain Peter Clark removed from Braintree, Massachu- setts, to Lyndeboro, New Hampshire, in 1775. Soon after arriving there he joined the Continental army, and was commis- sioned captain in the Ninth Regiment, New Hampshire Militia. He was engaged in the battle of Bennington, commanding a company of sixty men, and in that battle displayed great bravery, being the second to scale the British breastworks. He also took part in the defeat of General Bur- goyne, at Saratoga, in 1777.
On the Caryl lime our subject is the great-grandson of Dr. John and Eunice (Willard) Caryl, the Doctor being a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. Being the grandson of Joseph and Elmira (Little) Tor- rey, he is the great-grandson of George Little, the great-great-grandson of Lemuel and Penelope (Eames) Little, the great- great-great-grandson of John and Constant (Fobes) Little, the great-great-great-great- grandson of Lieutenant William Fobes, who was a brother-in-law of Captain Benjamin Church and second to him in command dur- ing King Philip's war.
On the Little line Mr. Torrey traces his ancestry to Thomas Little, who came from Devonshire, England, in 1630. He was a lawyer by profession. He married Ann Warren in 1633. Their third son was Eph- raim Little, who married Mary Sturdevant.
He died in 1717. His son, John Little, married Constant Fobes, above mentioned, through whom the line continued as already given. Captain George Little, the grand- son of John Little, was made an admiral in 1799. He had served in the Revolutionary war.
Another line through which our subject traces his ancestry is that of Richard War- ren, who came over in the Mayflower. He was the father of Ann Warren, who married Thomas Little, and Mr. Torrey is therefore his great - great - great - great - great - great- grandson. It will thus be seen that the genealogical record of our subject is a good one, of which he may well be proud. Pa- triots every one as far as known, they are well represented in the history of our country.
The early life of Willard Caryl Torrey was spent in Rockland, Maine, where he attended the public schools. Later he en- tered the polytechnic institute at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was graduated in 1877. He then spent two years at Bath, Maine, as superintendent of the Torrey Roller Bushing works, owned by his uncle, Francis B. Torrey. At the end of that time he started west, stopping at Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he remained six months. He then came to Elgin and entered the machine shop of the Elgin Watch factory, where he was employed somne fifteen months. Returning east, he located at Fredonia, New York, and took charge of the tool works of the watch factory there. He only remained at Fredonia, however, six months, and in 1882 again came to Elgin, and entered the watch factory there as foreman of the stem- winding department. Later that depart- inent was consolidated with the screw de- partment, and Mr. Torrey was given charge
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of both. He now has the supervision of about two hundred hands.
Mr. Torrey was united in marriage at Fredonia, September 2, 1884, with Miss Ruth S. Wilson, daughter of Henry and Almeda (Steele) Wilson, natives of New York. Henry Wilson was a son of Lyman Wilson. His wife was the daughter of Oli- ver Wolcott Steele, also a native of New York. She is still living in Fredonia, that state, where her husband- died September 8, 1876. They were the parents of three children: Addie E., wife of Frank C. Wil- son, of Elgin; Elizabeth C., who resides in Fredonia, New York; and Ruth S., our sub- ject's wife. The mother, who is a daugh- ter of Sally Potter, is a member of the Pres- byterian church. The Steeles are related to Governor Oliver Wolcott, of Massachu- setts.
To Mr. and Mrs. Torrey two children have been born: Marion Goulding and George Arthur.
Mr. and Mrs. Torrey reside in a pleas- ant home on Watch street, which is ever · open for the reception of their many friends. Politically Mr. Torrey is a Republican. Re- ligiously Mrs. Torrey is a member of the Congregational church. Both are highly respected by all who know them.
P PIERCE TYRRELL, M. D. - Among those who devote their time and ener- gies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is the gentleman whose name in- troduces this sketch. He is now one of the most expert physicians and diagnoticians of Elgin, and his office is located at No. 209 Chicago street.
The Doctor was born in Bullyduggan,.
parish of Mullinahone, county Tipperary, Ireland, in August, 1832, a son of William and Bridget (Frisby) Tyrrell, also natives of the Emerald Isle. Of their eight children, six sons and two daughters, only two are now living-Pierce, and David, who is a resident of Rutland, Illinois. The paternal grandparents, Patrick and Johanna (Tobin) Tyrrell, spent their entire lives in Ireland, where the grandfather followed farming, and there both died at advanced ages, the for- mer being ninety-six and the latter ninety- seven at the time of their deaths. The grandmother Frisby was ninety-three years old at the time of her death. When past the age of four score years the grandfather was still very vigorous and active.
John Frisby, the Doctor's maternal grandfather, was educated for the priest- hood, but was never ordained, and later became a farmer. He died when about sixty years of age. His people were large and a very warlike race. His son, William Frisby, was six feet two inches in height, measured fifty-two inches around the chest, and although he weighed two hundred and twenty-five pounds, he was an athlete and was very active, able to jump over four horses when placed side by side and into the saddle without touchiug a stirrup. He possessed a most wonderful constitution, which was plainly demonstrated at the time of his death. He had fallen sixty feet and broken his neck, and although he could not speak he lived nine days. One son of the Frisby family, David, was tried for treason. Both the Tyrrell and Frisby families and connection were instrumental in putting down the collection of tithes in the parish of Mullinahone, county Tipperary.
In his native land William Tyrrell, the Doctor's father, followed the occupation of
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farming. In 1847 he crossed the Atlantic with the intention of making a permanent home in America, and only six hours after his arrival at the city of New York went before a notary public and declared his in- tention of becoming a citizen of the United States, as did his brother Pierce. He died, however, on Lake Erie, while en route to Illinois, at the age of forty-nine years, and was buried at Cleveland, Ohio. His wife survived him until 1856, dying at the age of fifty-eight. Both were. members of the Catholic church. The Doctor's family are not imembers of any Christian church. The Doctor is an outspoken ag- nostic and looks upon the whole thing as a confidence game of R. R. D. D. on their deluded dupes.
The Doctor's primary education was ob- tained in the schools of his native land. He was fifteen years of age when he came with his parents to America, and has since made his home in Kane county, Illinois, since No- vember, 1847. He was reared on a farm, and having always been a great reader of medical works, he began studying medicine soon after his arrival here, and manufact- ured fluids, fluid extracts, etc., before he entered a medical school. He first read the popular medical works, also studied under the direction of Drs. Clark and Whitford, and later entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated with the class of 1866. He first opened an office in Gilbert's, Kane county, from there removed to Huntley, Grover township, but in 1868 located permanently in Elgin, where he had previously practiced to a limited ex- tent. He has made a special study of renal and chronic diseases and microscopy. He has always been a believer in bacterial origin of disease and for years has been an expert
in microscopic research, and probably the first physician in Illinois to use or introduce antiseptics and germandes, having used them since 1860.
On September 14, 1868, Dr. Tyrrell married Miss Margaret Ann McGrath, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (McGrath) McGrath, and to them have been born four children, namely: Mary Olla, born July 24, 1869; William D., February 20, 1871, who is now attending the Chicago Medical Col- lege; John Stafford, April 25, 1873; and Pierce C., November 10, 1876, all at home. The children have been provided with good educational privileges, and the family is one of prominence.
In his political affiliations the Doctor is a Republican. His skill and ability in his chosen profession is attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys, and which ranks him as one of the leading physicians of the coun- ty, having patients in several states of the Union. In social as well as professional circles he stands deservedly high, and has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
E EDWARD P. ROBERTSON, who is en- gaged in the banking business at Maple Park, Illinois, is an old and well-known citizen of Kane county, one who has done much to advance its material interests. He is a native of Saratoga county, New York, born January 3, 1828, and is the son of John D. and Dorothy (Palmer) Robertson, both natives of New York state, and the parents of ten children, five of whom are yet living-Edward P., Benjamin L., James Q., Orville A., and Mary E. The parental grandfather, John A. Robertson, was also a native of New York, and a soldier in the
E. P. ROBERTSON.
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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war of 1812. He lived to be about ninety years old. The great grandfather Robert- son was a native of Scotland, who emi- grated to the United States, in an early day, locating in New York.
The subject of this sketch was born and reared on a farm, and in the common-schools of the neighborhood received his education. In his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, commencing when eleven years old, and following that occu- pation until 1860. In 1851 he left his native state for Ohio, and there remained until 1856, when he came to Maple Park, Illinois, and was appointed station agent · for the Northwestern railroad, and occupied that responsible position for twenty years. Leaving the employ of the railroad, he en- gaged in the lumber and hardware business, in which he was successfully engaged until 1891, when he sold out and embarked in the banking business, in which he has since been engaged.
On the 25th of April, 1846, Mr. Robert- son was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Esmond, a native of New York, by whom he had two sons, Charles F. and Ira E. They both served their country faithfully in the war for the union, the former giving up his life at Vicksburg, while the latter sur- vived until after the close of the war, and · died at home. Our subject has an adopted daughter, Hattie, who married Robert S. Brown, a former partner of his, and who died on the 20th of August, 1893, when about fifty years of age. They had three children: Esmond R., Letitia and Amy.
In politics Mr. Robertson is an ardent Republican, and has always manifested more or less interest in political affairs. In 1857 he was elected justice of the peace, and again in 1858, and in 1864, serving in
all, seven years. In 1879 he was elected supervisor, and served until 1888, In the village he has held all the important offices, and has ever shown an interest in the mate- rial welfare of the place. No improvement has ever been suggested but has met with his unqualified support, and he is therefore regarded as one of the most enterprising of the citizens of Maple Park. Fraternally, he is a Master Mason, holding membership with the lodge at Sycamore, Illinois. He also belongs to the chapter and commandery.
Mr. Robertson is in all respects a self- made man. Through his own exertions he has attained an honorable . position and marked prestige among the representative» inen of Kane county, and with signal con- sistency, it may be said that he is the ar- chitect of his own fortunes, and one whose success amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed, but most expressive title " a self made man." He has many of the elements of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life, many of the companions of his youth, who, at the outset of their careers, were more advan- tageously equiped or endowed.
H B. WATERHOUSE, contractor and builder, 308 Fox street, Aurora, was born in Greenport, east end of Long Island, New York, November 15, 1859, and is the son of William and Cynthia (Booth) Water- house, the former a native of Clinton, Con- necticut, and the latter of Long Island, New York. William Waterhouse was an early settler of Long Island, where he died June 6, 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a steady-going, quiet man, a mem- ber of the Baptist church, of which body his wife was also a member. Her death oc-
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curred December 1, 1881, at the age of sixty-one years. She was visiting her daughter, Mrs. Willis, in Chicago, at the time of her death, which was very sudden and unexpected. Of their family of eight children seven are living: Amelia, widow of John Terry, residing in Long Island; William H., now residing in Florida, was a soldier in the late war under General Kil- patrick, was in the battle of Gettysburg, was later taken prisoner, and was ten months in Andersonville, from which he was discharged at the close of the war; Cynthia, wife of William H. Willis, of Woodlawn, Chicago; John L., a boat builder, residing in the east end of Long Island; George B., a resident of California; H. B., our subject; and Edward, residing on Long Island.
The subject of this sketch was reared at the village of Greenpert, Long Island, New York, and in its public schools he received his education. He then began working on a farm, where he remained two years, then worked in a fish factory, and in 1881 came to Aurora, Illinois, and commenced work with an uncle at the mason trade. In the past eighteen years they have done some of the principal work in many of the large buildings in Aurora and vicinity.
On the 12th of September, 1893, in Aurora, Mr. Waterhouse was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella Crandall, daughter of D. V. Crandall, of Aurora. By this union there is one child, William Levi. Both parents are church members, and in the work of the church they have each been very active, Mrs. Waterhouse serving as pipe organist for some years. In politics Mr. Waterhouse is a Republican. As a business man he is thoroughly reliable, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
Delos V. Crandall, the father of Mrs.
Waterhouse, is a native of Chenango county, New York, born March 21, 1829. His par- ents, Samuel and Ada (Goodrich) Crandall, were also natives of the same county and state, the father being a farmer by occupa- tion. In 1854 he came west with his fam- ily and settled in Wisconsin, but later moved to Jones county, Iowa, and subsequently to a county near Sioux City, Iowa, where his death occurred. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are still living.
Delos V. Crandall was a teacher in the public schools until after the opening of our Civil war, when, in June, 1862, he en- listed in Company A, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed cor- poral. He was later assistant surgeon in a hospital. In 1864 he was in hospital No. I, at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was then in charge of the gangrene ward under Dr. Rice. In June, 1865, at Washington, he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service. While in the hospital he invented the twin spiral spring, on which he secured a patent on the close of the war. Four thousand dollars worth of these springs were purchased by the city of Chicago for the fire and police departments. Soon after his discharge from the service, he moved to Chicago, and in the great fire, October 9, 1871, was burned out, losing everything that he had. His health failing him, in 1872, he moved to Aurora, and since that tinte has been an invalid.
Mr. Crandall was married February I, 1854, to Miss Esther J. Kyle, also a teacher of much experience for many years. She was born July 21, 1836. They have three living children, as follows: Delos V., Jr., who at the age of sixteen began teaching
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violin music, which he still continues as a profession. He married a Miss Alice Ben- nett, by whom he has four children-Harry, Claude, Margaret and Herbert. They re- side in Joliet. Ella, now Mrs. Waterhouse, is also a teacher of the violin, and is leader of the Urso Quintet, composed of Mrs. Waterhouse, the first violinist; Miss Hila M. Verbeck, Miss Florence Daily, Mrs. Frances Condon, violins; and Miss Lottie Spring, pianist. She is also a pipe organist, and has played in both the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches. Alice Amelia is a graduate of the East Aurora High School of the class of '98. She resides at home. Fraternally, Mr. Crandall is a member of the G. A. R. post of Aurora.
A LEXANDER REID, deceased, was a descendant of an old Scotch family, who lived many generations in Wigtonshire, the southwest county of Scotland, just across from the Irish coast. William Reid, the grandfather of our subject, lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years, while the great-grandfather lived to be one hun- dred and three years old. William Reid married a Miss Gordon, of the famous clan of that name. His son, John Reid, who died about 1857, a very old man, married Martha Armour, a daughter of William and - Margaret Armour. Alexander Reid was the son of John and Martha (Armour) Reid. He was born in 1823 near Aken Claurie, some thirty-five miles northwest of Glasgow, Scotland. In 1833 he came to America, and settled in Kingston, Canada, where he resided for many years. While residing in Kingston, he married Miss Catherine Ab- bott, a native of that city, and a daughter of James and Margaret (Hamilton) Abbott,
the former a native of London, England, born November 15, 1803, and died in Can- ada, near Kingston, October 31, 1871. The latter was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and was a daughter of Robert Hamilton, a soldier of the Irish rebellion of 1798. She died at the age of ninety years. Of the children of James and Margaret Abbott, the only ones residing in the west are Mrs. Reid and Archibald Ab- bott, who resides in Kansas.
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