USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 52
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To Alexander Reid and wife ten children were born, nine of whom are living as fol- lows: (1) Margaret, who married Andrew Burroughs, by whom she had three chil- dren, Harvey, Catherine and Erwin. Mr. Burroughs is now deceased, and his widow is making her home with her brother Will- iam on the old homestead. (2) John, who resides in Shawnee county, Kansas, married Amanda James, by whom he has two chil- dren, Alice and Ethel. (3) Martha, who married George Titus, by whom she had two children, Ernest and Jennie. Mr. Titus is now deceased and his widow is living in Hampshire. (4) James, a farmer in Hamp- shire township, of whom further mention is made in this sketch. (5) Alexander, Jr., a merchant in Hampshire, married Lovina Lovell, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Perry) Lovell. They have one child, Ber- nice. (6) William, who lives on the old homestead in Genoa township, De Kalb county. (7) Emma, who married Joseph 'Corson, a farmer of Genoa township, De Kalb county, by whom she has one child, Vernon J. (8) Alice, wife of Edgar Dittmer, of Hampshire township. She was for seven years a successful teacher in Hampshire township. (9) May, who is a teacher in the public schools of Hampshire township, and who resides with her mother.
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In 1868 Mr. Reid sold his property in Canada and came west, settling in the north- east corner of De Kalb county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which was his home until his death in 1890. He was a man of excellent moral qualities, of sterling honesty and worth, and was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was a Re- publican. In his death the community lost one of its most valuable citizens, and the family a loving husband and affectionate fa- ther. Mrs. Reid now resides in the village of Hampshire, where she is held in the highest esteem. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES F. REID, who was fourth in J order of birth in the family of Alexan- der and Catherine (Abbott) Reid, is engaged in farming on section 7, Hampshire town- ship. He was born near Kingston, Canada, April 3, 1858, and attended school in his native country until coming west in 1868. He then attended the district schools in De Kalb county until the age of eighteen years, working during the summer seasons on the farm. He remained at home until 1883. when he began life for himself, renting the Lyons farm in Hampshire for two years. He then worked in a tile factory in Hamp- shire for four years, after which he rented the farm which he now occupies, for sev- eral years. On the 14th day of May, 1896, he purchased the farm, which consists of three hundred acres of well improved land, with good house and barns and fine old trees, forming a grove about the place. The farm is well drained with seven miles of tiling; and is what is known as a stock farm, Mr. Reid giving his attention principally to
the raising of stock, raising sufficient grain for his own use.
Mr. Reid was married in De Kalb coun- ty, Illinois, April 27, 1883, to Miss Ella W. Waters, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James V. Waters, who was born in the same county, and who married Elizabeth Carson, who died in November, 1894, at the age of fifty- six years. Mr. Waters was a miller by trade, and came to De Kalb county, Illi- nois, in the spring of 1869. Of his family of eleven children, Ella W. is tenth in order of birth.
To James F. and Ella W. Reid three children have been born-Lizzie, Winnie and Buelah. The first named died at the age of nine years. Fraternally, Mr. Reid is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics, he is a Republican. As a farmer he is thoroughly enterprising and up to date in every respect, his farm being well supplied with all kinds of agri- cultural implements, and is kept in the very best order, making of it a model farm.
PETER KLEIN, editor and proprietor of the "Aurora Volksfreund," of Au- rora, Illinois, was born in Nusbaum, Rhein- ish Prussia, Germany, September 1, 1849. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Kessler) Klein. His father was a native of . that section, born November 2, ISII. He served in the Prussian army for a long time, and in 1862 came to the United States, lo- cating in Chicago, and later removing to Aurora, where he died July 3, 1878. In politics he was a Republican. His wife died in the old country August 26, 1860. They were members of the Evangelical Protestant church, and their only child is the subject
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of this sketch. Mrs. Klein had been previ- been a member of the board of public ously married, and by her former husband, Fr. Niebergall, had three sons, Fred, John and Henry, all of whom are now living in Chicago.
The subject of this sketch attended school up to the time of coming to the United States. On arriving here his first employment was in a dry-goods store, where he remained five years, and he then en- gaged in life insurance business for a short time. In 1868 he started the " Volksfreund," at Aurora. It was then a seven-column folio, published weekly, and was Republican in politics. In June, 1895, he started the " Daily Volksfreund," a four-page paper. The weekly has been increased in size to an eight-page sheet. In connection with the paper Mr. Klein has a large and complete job office, and does all kinds of commercial and job printing. The "Volksfreund" is one of the oldest German papers in the State, and both editions have a large circu- lation. It is a wide-awake sheet and is en- gaged in building up the best interests of Aurora and in advocacy of the principles of the Republican party.
Mr. Klein was married in February, 1876, to Miss Harriet Wilson, daughter of Ulmer and Sarah (Russ) Wilson. She is a native of Belfast, Maine. Her parents were old settlers of Maine, of English and German ancestry. The Russes came from England in 1634. Ulmer Russ, the great- grandfather of Mrs. Kline, took an impor- tant part in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Klein are the parents of two chil- dren, Ulmer and Clio Kessler. Fraternally, Mr. Klein is a member of the Masonic order. He has been a member of the school board for several years and has taken special interest in educational affairs. He has also
works, and has served as city treasurer. For some years he has been a director in the German-American National Bank, and is also a director in the building and loan asso- ciation of Aurora. In every position, pub- lic or private, which he has been called upon to fill hé has discharged its duties faithfully and well.
A LEXANDER P. THOMS is a leading representative of the business interests of Elgin, and as a dealer in sewing machines and bicycles, he now carries on operations at No. 166 Chicago street, Of excellent business ability and broad resources, he has attained a prominent place among the sub- stantial citizens, and is a recognized leader in· public affairs. He has won success by well-directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.
Mr. Thoms is a native of Scotland, born near Glasgow, July 9, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Patrick) Thoms. The name was originally spelled Thom. The paternal grandfather, George Thom, spent his entire life in Scotland, where he reared his large family of children, and died at an advanced age. Rev. Alexander Patrick, the maternal grandfather, was a prominent Methodist minister of that country, where he conducted many. large revivals. He was also the founder of the Methodist church at Wallace Stone. He died in Scotland at the age of sixty.
In 1850 the parents of our subject left their old home in Scotland and came to the United States, first locating on a farnı of eighty acres in Cook county, Illinois, east of Elgin. After a short residence there, the
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father sold the place, and bought another farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres three miles west of that city, which he im- proved and cultivated until 1884, when he rented the place. He then made his home in Elgin until called from this life in March, 1895, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife had departed this life one year previous, aged seventy-two. They were faithful mem- bers of the Methodist church, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. The father was a very industrious man, and strictly honorable in all his dealings, and his fellow-citizens, appreciating his sterling worth, elected him to various local offices.
In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, ten sons and two daugh- ters, and with the exception of one, all are still living. Three of the sons are promi- nent Baptist ministers. They are as fol- lows: George, deceased; Alexander P., of this sketch; Robert E .; Rev. James P., of Chicago; Rev. John C., of Titusville, Penn- sylvania; William A .; Rev. Craigie S., of Des Moines, Iowa; George B. and David D., twins; Charles M., who, in connection with his brother George, is engaged in the real estate and loan business in Rochester, New York; and Mary C. and Maria J., both of Elgin.
Mr. Thoms, whose name introduces this sketch, was seven years old when he arrived in Kane county, and under the parental roof he grew to manhood, acquiring his educa- tion in the district schools and the Elgin Academy, under Prof. Brydges. Feeling that his adopted country needed his services during the dark days of the Rebellion, he joined the army at the age of eighteen, en- listing in September, 1861, and becoming a member of Company D, Eighth Illinois (Farnsworth's) Cavalry. He enlisted as a
private and was on detached duty with Gen- erals Keyes, Casey and Peck. With the Army of the Potomac he participated in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the seven-days figlit, the engagements at Pools- ville, South Mountain, Antietam, Martins- burg, Fredericksburg, Minoxy, Bevelry Ford and many skirmishes in Virginia and Mary- land. After over three years of faithful service he was mustered out at Chicago.
After spending a short time in Elgin Mr. Thoms and his brother, James P., embarked in the commission business in Chicago, con- ducting the same for three years. Our subject then traveled for different sewing- machine companies, establishing agencies in thirty-three different states, and on his return to Elgin in 1883 he purchased his brother William A.'s interest in the sewing- machine business here. He now handles machines for five different companies, and for the past fourteen years has done an ex- tensive business as a dealer in sewing-ma- chines, and is now also dealing in bicycles.
In September, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Thoms and Miss Isabella, daughter of Deacon D. L. Jacobus, of Chi- cago, and they have become the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Lawrence D., who assists his fa- ther in the store; William S., who is em- ployed by an electric light company in Chi- cago; Alexander P., who is attending the Chicago University; and John C., Florence Belle, Ethel May, who are all at home and attending school; and two who died in in- fancy.
Socially, Mr. Thoms affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and Veteran post, G. A. R .; while religiously both he and his wife are active and prominent mem-
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bers of the First Baptist church of Elgin, of which he has been one of the trustees for three years. He is one of the leading and influential members of the Republican party in the city, takes an active part in campaign work, and was elected captain of the largest cavalry company ever raised in Elgin.
Mr. and Mrs. Thoms have an elegant home at No. 624 South street, in West Elgin, surrounded by an acre of ground. Being great lovers of flowers and shrubbery they have spent considerable time in beaut- ifying and ornamenting their place and have converted it into one of the prettiest places of the city. Here hospitality reigns su- preme and the many friends of the family are always sure of a hearty welcome.
D AVID W. SHOLES is one of the lead- ing and enterprising citizens of Hamp- shire. He is of English descent, the first of the name coming to America in colonial times. John Sholes, the grandfather, from one of the New England states, came west in 1846, and took up land in Burlington township, and here resided until his death at the age of ninety-four years. He was a pensioner of the war of 1812. His father was a minister of the gospel and died in the east. John Sholes married a Miss Ham- mond, who died in Burlington township in the early '50s. Their son, David Sholes, the father of our subject, was born in Ver- mont about 1820. He left his native state in the '30s, and after living a few years in Ohio, came to Illinois, locating first in Ga- lena, where he lived one year, and in 1844 settled in Burlington township, Kane coun- ty, where he secured a tract of fifteen hun- dred acres of good land. An energetic, hard worker, and a good manager, he was
very prosperous. He married Mary J. Young, a native of Chemung county, New York, a daughter of Simon Young, also a native of that state. She died in 1890 at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Stephen, who died at the age of eighteen years; Ernest C., a brick manufacturer of Hamp- shire; Esther, wife of William Smith, of Elgin; David W., our subject; and Vernon, who died in infancy.
David W. Sholes was born in Burling- ton township, Kane county, Illinois, April 24, 1854, and after attending the district schools completed his education when seven- teen years old at Jennings Seminary, Au- rora, Illinois. In 1871, in company with his brother, Ernest C., he bought a cheese factory in Burlington township, and after one year purchased his brother's interest, and a year later sold out and went to Elgin, where he embarked in the grocery business with A. E. Archibald. In six months he bought his partner's interest and continued the business one year. He then sold and moved to a farm of four hundred and forty acres belonging to his father, and com- menced farming, in which he continued un- til 1882, when he moved to Hampshire and engaged in the coal business, and also in buying and shipping stock. He soon sold the coal business, but continued in stock trading until 1892. He was appointed postmaster of Hampshire, July 1, 1893, and served four years, since which time he has been in the commission business in Chicago, going into the city every morning and re- turning on the afternoon train.
Mr. Sholes was married in Elgin, June 17, 1876, to Miss Nancy J. McClellan, born in Burlington, Illinois, and a daughter of John M. and Nancy (Wilson) Mcclellan,
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the latter born near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- are of English descent, and originally set- vania, and a daughter of Jacob Wilson, tled in Connecticut. Early in the present century Sarson L. Judd removed from his native state to New York. He was a black- smith and axe-maker by trade, which occu- pation he followed for many years. About 1834 he came to Kane county, and built the first blacksmith shop in what is now the city of Elgin. He there carried on business for a year or two, sold out and returned to New York, where his last days were spent. whose wife was a Miss Fitzpatrick, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. John M. McClellan, also born in Pennsylvania, was the son of John McClellan. To John M. McClellan and wife five children were born as follows: Mary Jane, wife of E. K. Allen; George, who died in Greene, Iowa; Margaret, who married William Stone, but is now deceased; Nancy J., wife of our sub- ject; and Genevra, who married Joseph C. Wall, of Watertown, South Dakoka.
To our subject and wife two sons were born. Thomas F. is a fine machinist, and inakes his home in Hampshire. He mar- ried Anna Scott, daughter of Walter and Charlotte (Scott) Scott, natives of Eng- land. David J. is the cashier in the Kane County Bank.
Mr. Sholes lately built a fine cottage in the eastern part of Hampshire in the midst of a beautiful natural grove. Politically, he is a Democrat and has served in various official positions, among them being collec- tor, school director and member of the village board. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees and Knights of the Globe. Socially he and his wife are members of the Wednesday Club.
S ARSON L. JUDD, of Sugar Grove town- ship, has been actively engaged in farm- ing for many years, and has been a stock dealer for about twenty years. He is a na- tive of New York, born in Warren county, March 4, 1849. His father, Dexter C. Judd, was a native of Connecticut, born in 1825, while his grandfather, Sarson L.'Judd, was also a native of Connecticut. The family
Dexter C. Judd grew to manhood in New York, and learned the blacksmith trade with his father, and carried on business at Bol- ton, on Lake George, up to 1850, when he came to Kane county, Illinois, and pur- chased a farm of twenty acres in Sugar Grove township. He also built a black- smith shop and w. rked at his trade in con- nection with farming for a number of years. As his means increased he purchased more land, until he had a farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres adjoining the present village of Sugar Grove. While residing in New York he married Eliza C. Brown, also a native of that state, where she was reared and educated. They were the parents of five sons, all of whom grew to mature years and all living and heads of families. Asel T. is a farmer of Sugar Grove township; Samuel B. resides in Aurora; Sarson L., of this review; Charles D., of Aurora; and Smith C., of Chicago, Illinois. Dexter C. Judd was quite a prominent man in Sugar Grove township, and held a number of local offices of honor and trust. Later in life he removed to. Aurora, where his death oc- curred in June, 1893. His wife passed away two years previously, dying in 1891, and their bodies were laid to rest in Sugar Grove township.
The subject of this sketch grew to man-
SARSON L. JUDD.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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hood on the old home farm, and was edu- cated in the Sugar Grove schools. He re- mained with his parents until after attaining his majority. On the 25th of November, 1870, in Sugar Grove township, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Gillett, a daughter of Lewis H. Gillett, a pioneer of Kane county, and later removed to Iro- quois county, where he purchased a farm and remained six years, then returned to Kane county, bought the old homestead on which he has since resided, and where he has engaged in general farming and also in the stock business. In 1897 he also en- gaged in the farming-implement and coal business åt Sugar Grove, where he has just completed a large and substantial residence, one of the best in the township. Mrs. Judd died in 1894, leaving two sons-Lewis Dex- ter, married and now running the old home farm, and Clarence, a student in the Sugar Grove Normal Institute. Mr. Judd was again married April 2, 1895, his second union being with Miss Susie Kauth, who was born and reared in Kane county, and a daughter of Michael and Audesia Kauth, of Sugar Grove township.
Politically Mr. Judd is a life-long Re- publican, the liberty-loving principles of which he inherited from his father, who was a strong anti-slavery man. He cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868, and has voted for every presidential nomi- nee of the party up to William Mckinley, for whom he voted in 1896. He has al- ways taken an active interest in political affairs, and has served as a delegate in many conventions, county, congressional and state, and has given his services to his county as supervisor for nine years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. As a citi- 25
zen he is enterprising and progressive, and never fails to be found in the front of those advocating any measure that will advance the interest of his town or county. Well known throughout the entire county, as well as in the adjoining counties of Kendall and De Kalb, he is held in the highest esteem by all.
J F. COLSON .- No foreign element has become a more important part in .our American citizenship than that furnished by Sweden. The emigrants' from that land . have brought with them. to the new world the stability, enterprise and perseverance characteristic of their people and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and idomitable spirit of the west. Mr. Colson, now one of the leading merchants of St. Charles, is a worthy representative of this class.
J. F. Colson was born in Sweden, Janu- ary 20, 1853, a son of John P. and Chris- tine S. Colson, who during his infancy came to the United States, and, after a short time spentrin Chicago, they located in St. Charles in the summer of 1853. The fa- ther was a shoemaker by trade and con- tinued to follow that trade until incapaci- tated by age. He died in St. Charles in 1892, but his wife is still living and now finds a pleasant home with our subject.
The public schools of St. Charles afforded J. F. Colson his early educational advan- tages, but to a large degree he is self-edu- cated, obtaining through his own exertions a good, practical business knowledge. He began his business career as a clerk in the store of L. C. Ward, with whom he re- mained for twelve years, obtaining a thor- ough training in business methods, which
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has been of great benefit to him in later years. In 1885 he formed a business part- nership with Charles A. Anderson, with whom he had clerked for five years, and to- gether they engaged in merchandising until the latter's death in 1888 .. He was suc- ceeded by Charles H. Haines as silent part- ner, and business has since been conducted under the firm style of Colson & Company. They carry a large and complete stock of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, clothing, hats, caps, carpets, etc., and have built up a large trade, having early gained a reputa- tion for good goods and fair dealing. When Mr. Colson started out in life for himself he had no capital, but by perseverance, industry and economy he has steadily worked his way upward and has become quite well-to-do. He is an enterprising, progressive business man of sound judgment and excellent abil- ity, and the success that he has achieved is certainly well deserved. He has not only secured a comfortable competence, but has made for himself an honored name in the land of his adoption.
In Geneva, Illinois, in January, 1882, Mr. Colson was united in marriage with Miss Anna Johnson, a native of Sweden, who was born and reared in Geneva. They now have five children-Winfield, Leroy, Ruth, Harold and Robert-and the three oldest are attending school in St. Charles. The Republican party finds in Mr. Colson an ardent supporter of its principles, having cast his first vote for General Grant in 1872. Fraternally, he is a master Mason, belong- ing to the blue lodge of St. Charles, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; has filled all the offices in the encampment up to the chief patriarch, and he and his wife be-
long to Rebekah lodge. Mr. Colson has spent almost his entire life in St. Charles, and since attaining to man's estate he has been identified with its business interests, materially aiding in the advancement and prosperity of the city.
B AXTER O. SKINNER, a farmer resid- ing on section 22, Plato township, was born five miles from Westport, Essex coun- ty, New York, November 15, 1834. His early life was spent in his native state, and his education was received in the public schools at Brainard's Forge, five miles from Pleasant Valley. He came west with his parents in May, 1853, and assisted his father in opening up and developing a good farm. His father, Oren Skinner, was born in Lang- don, New Hampshire, in 1804, and died in Plato township, Kane county, January 13, 1861. He was a clothier and draper by trade, his principal work being in finishing broadcloth. On the 5th of May, 1853, he left his New Hampshire home for the west, going by rail to Buffalo, thence by lake to Toledo, then by rail to Chicago. Severe storms were encountered on the lakes, and about ten or twelve days were spent in mak- ing the trip to Chicago. He had two broth- ers then living in Chicago, and with them he remained a short time before coming to the farm where the family has since resided. At the time they came there was much gov- ernment land open to entry, and there was plenty of wild game in the country. Oren Skinner took up one hundred and sixty-five acres, and later purchased forty acres more. Of the original tract our subject now owns one hundred and twelve acres, where he conducts the stock farm, raising horses prin-
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