USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 54
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cated in Lake county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres, and after living upon that place for several years, sold and removed to Algonquin, McHenry county, but only remained there one year. He next engaged in mercantile pursuits in Rome, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, until 1862, when he removed to Batavia, Kane county, Illinois, where he made his home for three years, during which time our sub- ject was born. In 1865 he purchased a good farm of one hundred acres in Burling- ton township, where he resided until com- ing to Elgin, in the spring of 1897. Politic- ally, he was originally a Whig, but on the dissolution of that party became a stanch Republican, and for four years under Presi- dent Johnson's administration he served as postmaster of East Burlington. He was a man of character and sterling worth, and he well merited the high regard in which he was uniformly held. After a long and use- ful life he passed away at the home of our subject in Elgin, February 19, 1898.
On the 26th of December, 1847, Theo- dore Hawley was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Cramp, who was born in Sus- sex, England, March 20, 1826, and when three years old was brought to America by her parents, William and Sarah (Morton) Cramp, locating first in Oneida county, New York. In 1847 the Cramp family removed to Algonquin, McHenry county, Illinois, where the marriage of the parents of our subject was celebrated. Both lived to wit- ness the fiftieth anniversity of that happy event, and the mother is still living, finding a pleasant home with our subject. To this worthy couple seven children were born, namely: Marcus A., a resident of Kansas; Helen L., who died in 1896; Annie, wife of S. G. Conners, of Plato township, Kane
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county; Sarah E., who died in infancy; Em- ily H., wife of Henry Buzzell, now a resi- dent of Iowa; Cora E., wife of August C. Bird, living near Belvidere, Illinois; and Arvin T., of this sketch.
In Batavia, Kane county, Arvin T. Haw- ley was born October 5, 1864, but when only six months old his parents removed to the one-hundred-acre farm on section 25, Burlington township. Upon that place and an adjoining section in Plato township he made his home until his removal to Elgin in the spring of 1897. He acquired a good practical education in the public schools, which he attended until eighteen years of age, and then assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, taking entire charge the following year, when his father retired from active labor, though he made his home with our subject until his death. Mr. Hawley still owns the homestead of one hundred acres and also leases fifty-five acres, which are now operated by a tenant, and upon the place keeps thirty-five cows, shipping the milk to Chicago. His country home was destroyed by fire October 23, 1896, but the following spring was rebuilt. Mr. Hawley also owns his pleasant residence in Elgin. In the spring of 1898 he embarked in his present business at the corner of Standish and Jewett streets, Elgin, dealing in Champion mowers and binders and a full line of farm implements. He is already meeting with excellent success in this un- dertaking.
In Belvidere, Illinois, Mr. Hawley was married December 18, 1890, to Miss Elver- etta Morrison, a native of Sycamore, De Kalb county. Her father, Joseph Morrison, was born in Ontario, Canada, and about 1868 removed to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farm-
ing. He wedded Mary Mccarthy, daughter of George McCarthy, of that county. Mr. Morrison died in June, 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Hawley were born two children, name- ly: Edna Pearl, who died at the age of two years, and Erma Ethelyn, who was born in February, 1898. Edna Morrison, the sister of Mrs. Hawley, makes her home with our subject, and attends the Elgin public schools.
The Republican party has ever found in Mr. Hawley a stanch supporter, and from the time he attained his majority until his removal to Elgin, he was a member of the school board of his district. He also served as township assessor one year and tax col- lector two years. Socially, he formerly be- longed to the Knights of the Maccabees. He is an energetic, wide-awake and enter- prising citizen, and in both business and private life commands the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he comes in con- tact.
H ENRY G. OHLS, M. D .- In the last half century it has been rare for a man to win prominence in several lines. It is the tendency of the age to devote one's entire energy to a special line, continually working upward and concentrating every effort towards accomplishing a desired end. Dr. Ohls, although well qualified for general practice, has made a specialty of the dis- eases of the nose, throat and chest, and along these lines has made an enviable rep- utation in the medical world. He resides in Elgin, has an office in the Elgin Bank block, and he is also engaged in practice in the Venetian building, Chicago.
The Doctor was born in Chicago, Octo- ber 27, 1860, a son of John and Augusta G.
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(Garnsey) Ohls, natives of Ohio, in whose family were two children, the other being Effie L. For thirty-five years the father was connected with the American Express Company, being assistant superintendent of the Illinois division the greater part of the time. He died at Hinsdale, May 23, 1894, aged fifty-eight years. The Doctor's mother passed away in 1880, at the age of forty years. Both were active and promi- nent members of the Episcopal church, Mr. Ohls serving Grace church in Hinsdale both as vestryman and warden for several years. In common with every member of the Ohls family, he was a Republican from the for- mation of the party, but not an office . seeker.
Early in the eighteenth century the Doctor's ancestors removed from Germany to Philadelphia, and many members of the family reside in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio to-day. During the Revolution the family furnished its quota to the patriot arıny, and throughout the last war mein- bers of the family served with distinction in the armies of the north. The Doctor's maternal grandfather, Daniel E. Garnsey, lived for many years at Piqua, Ohio. At an early date he invested largely in Chicago realty, but, lacking the confidence of others in the city's prospects, removed to Michigan City, and sold his holdings in Chicago, which later became very valuable. His death occurred at Rives Junction, Michigan, in his sixty-fifth year. His wife bore the inaiden name of Mary Phillips, of the well- known New York family.
Reared in Hinsdale, from the age of six years, Dr. Ohls began his education in the public schools of that place, later attended the Aurora high school, and in 1883 gradu- ated at the University of Michigan with the
degree of Ph. B. After a business experi- ence of one year in the employment of the American Express Company, he entered Rush Medical College, where he served as assistant in chemistry to Professor Walter S. Haines, graduating at that institution with the class of 1887. For three years thereafter he engaged in practice in Clin- ton, Iowa, but in 1890 returned to Chicago and pursued special studies in the Polyclinic. He 'continued to reside in Hinsdale until 1896 when he removed to Elgin and has since built up a good practice at this place. For several years he has confined his prac- tice to the diseases of the nose, throat and chest, and has served as professor of laryng- ology and rhinology in Jenner Medical Col- lege in Chicago. He has also been medi- cal director of the Expressman's Mutual Benefit Association for a number of years. For two years past he has been associat- ed with Professor E. Fletcher Ingals as edi- tor of the department of laryngology and rhinology in the American Year Book of medicine and surgery, in which are record- ed all the important discoveries of the year in medicine and the best results in surgery, taken from medical journals, monographs and text books.
On the 20th of June, 1894, Dr. Ohls married Miss Anna Elizabeth Oden, of Benton Harbor, Michigan. August 1, 1895, a daughter, Katharine Augusta, was born to them. The Doctor is a member of the Episcopal church, and his wife is a Method- ist in religious belief. They have made many warm friends since coming to Elgin and occupy a prominent position in social circles.
Dr. Ohls is a member of Michigan Alpha Chapter of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the
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Globe, and is also a member of the Fox River Valley Medical Association. His offices are equipped with the most modern appliances needed in his practice, and he keeps abreast of the latest discoveries and theories. His skill and ability is attested by the liberal patronage accorded him.
W ILLIAM L. MESSENGER, a vet. eran of the war for the union, now holding a position with the board of ware- house commissioners, Chicago, resides at No. 457 South Lake street, Aurora, Illinois. He is a native of Massachusetts, born in Norfolk county; March 4, 1839, and is a son of Fisher Messenger, born in 1806, in the same town, county and state. Fisher Messenger married Roanna White, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Leonard White, a direct descendant of Perigrine White, one of the pilgrim fathers, and also a descendant of Governor Bradford, of Massachusetts. He was a weaver by trade and followed that occupation until he camne west in 1857. He also learned the manu- facture of baskets, and on his removal to Aurora, in 1857, engaged in that business, finding sale in Chicago for his product. He made Aurora his home until his death in 1879. He was married three times, his first, wife who was the mother of our sub- ject, dying in Massachusetts in 1843. His third wife survives him; and is yet residing in Aurora.
dia married Albert Pettee, but is now de- ceased; and William L., our subject. By the third marriage of Fisher Messenger, there is one daughter living, Mrs. Emma F. Carnes, of Aurora.
William L. Messenger was eighteen years of age when he came with the family to Aurora. While yet residing in his na- tive state, he acquired a good common- school education, and also acquired a knowledge of basket manufacturing, in which he assisted his father, after coming to this place. On the Ist of December, 1860, he was united in marriage with Maria · Wagner, born at Fort Plains, New York, and a daughter of John J. Wagner, also a native of New York, and a pioneer of Kane county, Illinois, locating here in 1838, on land which now is nearly all comprised within the corporate limits of Aurora. Here he opened up a large farm, reared his family and spent the last years of his life, dying about 1867. To William L. and Maria Messenger four children were born: the oldest, Elnora M., is now the wife of P. G. Lincoln, of Aurora; William F. married and resides in Aurora; Frank C. married and also resides in Aurora; and Earl, resid- ing at home.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mes- senger commenced their domestic life in Aurora, and he continued to assist his father in business. But the war clouds were gath- ering and soon the proclamation of Presi- dent Lincoln was issued for men to aid in the defense of the union. The first call was for three-months' men, and Mr. Mes- senger was one of the first to respond, and joined the Seventh Regiment, Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, the first regiment sent from this state. He was, however, assigned to
Of the five children born to Fisher and Roanna Messenger, Ellen married George W. Barker, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, but is now deceased; Sarah, widow of Rev. James W. Searle, resides in Foxboro, Massachusetts; Mary married William Johnson, and both are now deceased; Ly- an artillery company, and was first in active
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duty at Cairo. After the expiration of his term of service he returned home, and in July, 1862, again enlisted, and was assigned to the First Arkansas Calvary, and was commissioned adjutant, serving in that posi- tion until, in 1863, when the organization was changed, and he was commissioned · second lieutenant of Company D of the same regiment, and served as such until the close of the war, when he was mus- tered out at Fayettville, Arkansas. He participated in many engagements in and around Fayetteville, and also at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. For about a year he was on detach duty, serving as provost marshal of Fayetteville.
After his discharge Lieutenant Messen- ger returned home, where he engaged in the clothing trade for a short time, and later was in the fruit business. He then moved to Salem, Illinois, where he remained for a few years, going from thence to East St. Louis, where he engaged in railroading. In 1877 he returned to Aurora, since which time he has been engaged in various lines of business, including real estate and insur- ance. He now holds a position in the office of the grain and warehouse commissioners at Chicago, a position which he is well qual- ified to fill.
Lieutenant Messenger has been a stanch Republican during his entire life, his father before him being an Abolitionist of the rankest kind, and was connected with the underground railroad, assisting many a poor colored person to his liberty. For two terms our subject served as alderman from his ward, a part of which time he was chairman of the fire and water committee, of the public buildings and grounds com- mittee, and of the judiciary committee. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham
Lincoln, and has since supported every presidential nominee of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masons, and also the Knights of Pythias. As a citizen, he stands high in the estima- tion of his fellow men, and is ever pro- gressive and enterprising, doing all in his power to advance the material interests of his adopted city, of which he has been an almost continuous resident for forty-one years.
H JON. EDWARD C. LOVELL, ex-coun- ty judge and a well-known attorney of Elgin, occupies a suite of rooms in the Spur- ling block. He was born in Chicago, Illi- nois, July 18, 1842, a son of Vincent S. and Lucy (Smith) Lovell, the former a native of Yorkshire, England, and the latter of Whites- town, Oneida county, New York.
Vincent Lovell, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of York- shire, England, and came with his family to the United States after the war of 1812, because of his admiration of American in- stitutions. Unlike many others, he was the possessor of considerable means. By occupation he was a farmer, both in his na- tive land and in this country. In his family were twelve children. His death occurred in Whitestown, New York, when he was about seventy years of age. Several of the children came west, among whom were the late John Lovell and William Lovell, of Elgin. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Daniel Smith, a native of Co- lumbia county, New York, of Welsh ances- try. He was also a farmer. His death.oc- curred in Oneida county, New York, when he, too, was about seventy years of age.
Vincent S. Lovell, our subject's father, was about fourteen years old when he came
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with his parents to the United States. His youth and early manhood were spent upon a farm in Oneida county, New York, and he there married Miss Lucy Smith. By this union two children were born: Edward C., our subject; and Vincent S., who died in December, 1892. The latter was a grad- uate of the University of Michigan, and was a journalist for several years after leaving college, being for some time on the editorial staff of the Albany "Argus," and later on the Chicago "Post" and "Mail." After his marriage, in 1876, to Miss Eliza A. Had- wen, of England, he made his home in El- gin, where he was associated in business with his brother during the remainder of his life. His modest worth and sterling char- acter were universally recognized, not more by his election at different times to the offices of director of the public library and mayor of the city, than by the affectionate regard and respect in which he was held by all with whom he had either social or business rela- tions.
In 1837 the father came with his young bride to Elgin, where he bought about one hundred and fifty acres of land, the south- ern line of which was some distance north of where Jefferson avenue is now located. This farm he cultivated until about 1841, when he leased the same and removed to Chicago, and there engaged in mercantile trade for three years. He then returned to Elgin and remained here until his death in September, 1852, when in his forty-third year. Reared a Methodist, he later em- braced the Swedenborgan faith, and was one of the organizers of the new church in Chicago. While his business interests com- manded the greater part of his time, he yet served in several local offices, and was one of the first town clerks of Elgin.
On the death of her husband, Mrs. Lovell took charge of the estate and hand- led it with ability and was enabled, though largely through her own exertions, to keep the family together and provide handsome- ly for her boys. A woman of good educa- tion, she taught for some time a private school in Elgin, and gave her sons their first lessons. Later they attended the public school, then the Elgin Academy, and finally entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. The mother accompanied them to that place, rented a house and remained with them until graduation. Her death oc- curred in Elgin in June, 1894, at the age of nearly eighty-eight years. Her memory is cherished not alone. by the family but all who knew her in this life. Kind-hearted, benevolent and affectionate, her friends were among all classes of society. Among her benefactions was a handsome gift to the Elgin Academy of its manual training build- ing, and a liberal donation to Sherman hos- pital.
Since early childhood Edward C. Lovell has been a citizen of Elgin. His life has been an open book, read of all men. Dur- ing the dark days of the Civil war he enlist- ed and was commissioned adjutant of the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry and a few months after the expiration of that service. was made captain of Company C, One Hundred and Fifty- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the autumn of 1865, when the regiment was mustered out. The greater part of Captain Lovell's time while in the regiment was spent on detached serv- ice, chiefly as inspector-general on the staff of Gen. N. A. M. Dudley, and later on the staff of Gen. John E. Smith.
Before entering the service Mr. Lovell
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taught school for a time, and after his re- turn he again took up school work, and in all gave the greater part of his time to teach- ing for about five years. Re-entering the University of Michigan in 1865, he pursued the prescribed course and in 1868 was grad- uated from the literary department. Years before this he had determined to enter the legal profession, and to that end read law with General John S. Wilcox, and after completing his college course in 1868 en- tered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1870.
Returning to his home in Elgin imme- diately after his graduation, Mr. Lovell at once opened an office and engaged in prac- tice. From the beginning he has been suc- cessful in securing clients and retaining their patronage. His merits as a lawyer secured for him the nomination for the office of county judge in 1882, and he was C APTAIN ALEXANDER C. LITTLE, one of the leading attorneys of Aurora, was born in January, 1838, in Rome, Oneida county, New York, and is the son of John duly elected. Four years afterwards he was renominated and again elected, filling the position in all eight years in a most sat- isfactory manner, Leaving the bench in , and Nancy (Rae) Little, both of whom are 1890, he resumed the active practice of law, in which he is now busily engaged.
On the 30th of June, 1885, Judge Lovell was united in marriage with Miss Carrie G. Watres, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, daugh- ter of Lewis S. and Harriet Gertrude (Hol- lister) Watres. Four children were born of this union-Gertrude Caroline, Lucy Coultas, Margaret Louise and Vincent Watres. The last named died in infancy, February 2, 1896. Subsequently the wife and mother departed this life, and was laid to rest beside her infant son. She was a woman of fine attainments, and was a mem- ber of the First Congregational church of Elgin.
Politically, the Judge is a Republican, and with that party has acted since attain- ing his majority. In its principles he firmly believes, and for its success he has given of his time and money. He has served as city attorney of Elgin, also its mayor, and in 1879 was elected and served a term in the legislature of the state. A friend of education, he is at present serving as pres- ident of the school board. As a lawyer his merits are recognized at home and abroad, and he is now local attorney for the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com- pany. His interest in army life has never been lost, and he is a member of Veteran post, No. 49, G. A. R., and the Illinois commandery of the Loyal Legion at Chi- cago. As a citizen he stands high in the estimation of the people.
natives of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and who are related to Thomas Carlyle and Edward Irving. They were married in Scotland, and came to the United States in the '30s, locating in Oneida county, New York, where the father purchased a farm near Rome, and carried on farming. In 1851 he came to Illinois, locating in Kane county, where he was engaged in farming. He died at Big Rock, in July, 1860. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian and in politics a Re- publican. He was the son of John Little, who was the son of John Little, a member of an old Scotch family of substance. Nancy Rae was the daughter of Benjamin and Agnes Rae, and also a member of the Pres-
CAPT. A. C. LITTLE.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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byterian church. She died at her son's home in 1879. They were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject was the youngest son.
Alexander C. Little, our subject, at- tended the common schools until he was eighteen years of age and then began study- ing medicine with Dr. W. Danforth, of Joliet, a friend of the family. Later he en- tered the medical department of the Iowa College, at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1858. For a year before he graduated he was a partner of Dr. Dan- forth. After he left college he spent his time in the seminary in Aurora until 1862, when, the war being on, he enlisted in July of that year. He organized a company, but it was not mustered in and was disbanded. With fifteen of his men he went to Plano and enlisted there, joining Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His first service was at Camp Douglas, and Dr. Little was ap- pointed orderly sergeant. The regiment remained in camp until November 20, when it was ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, and assigned to General Sherman's division, and with it remained until the close of the war.
From Memphis he went with the Chick- asaw Bay expedition, and was in the fight ' in December. Later his command went to Arkansas Post, and was in that battle in which about five thousand prisoners were captured. From there they went to Vicks- burg, and were under Grant at Young's Point. He was in that vicinity and in the siege until the surrender. While at Arkan- sas Post the captain of the company was taken sick and resigned, and our subject was appointed to his place. After Vicksburg they were ordered to Chattanooga, and were all through that campaign. After the relief £3
of Chattanooga they were sent up to relieve Burnside, at Knoxville, from which place they returned to Larkinsville, and went into camp, while Sherman was organizing his Georgia campaign. At the battle of Kene- saw Mountain he was in command of the regiment; the colonel pleading sickness and the major withdrawing, he was put in com- mand by General Giles A. Smith, and with his command was in the hottest of the fight. After the day was won he received the com- pliments of the general for his gallant serv- ices. From then on he was in the cam- paign until the fall of Atlanta. In the en- gagement of August 3, 1864, at Atlanta, he was wounded while in command of the left wing of the regiment. Colonel Curtis lay back with his regiment and would not come out, so Captain Little, in whose valor and capacity to lead there was no question, was called to take charge, and as the regiment was marching out for battle he was wounded. The colonel of this regiment was finally re- instated through political pressure and joined his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina.
After he was wounded Captain Little went north, and later returned to Chatta- nooga, where he was ordered to organize, among the detachments of the Fifteenth Army Corps, a command and go to the re- lief of General Ammen at Knoxville. His command consisted of six hundred men. He then returned to Louden and took com- mand there, guarding the bridge. From there he went to Cleveland, Tennessee, and was assigned to the staff of General Baugh- ton, where he remained until he rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro. He was aide-de- camp on General Baughton's staff. On their way they had a fight with General Bragg, at Kingston, North Carolina. After he arrived at Goldsboro the provisional divi-
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