The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 64

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

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G RANT GOODRICH, D. D. S., one of the leading and popular dentists of Elgin, was born in Iowa, near Clinton, November 23, 1861, and is a son of Her- man and Emily (Duncklee)-Goodrich, na- tives of Pottsdam, New York, and Du Page county, Illinois, respectively. The mother died July 1, 1874, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving six children, namely: Carrie, now the wife of C. P. Dandy, of Los An- geles, California; Grant; Walter, of Elgin; Harry and Herman, of Chadbourn, North Carolina; and Mame, wife of John Way, of Los Angeles. For over twenty years the father was a successful dealer in sewing machines and attachments, but since 1882,

has engaged in farming in North Carolina. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Frances Brewster, by whom he has two sons-Charles and Monroe. The Doc- tor's paternal great-grandmother lived to the extreine old age of one hundred and six years, but his grandfather, Ebenezer Good- rich, died at the age of forty. He was a native of Pottsdam, New York, and had two sons. The maternal grandfather was a farmer by occupation and died at the age of fifty.

From the age of two years Dr. Good- rich was reared in Chicago, and acquired his early education in the public schools of that city. Later he attended the Elgin Academy, and for seven years was his fa- ther's bookkeeper in Chicago. He studied dentistry and graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery with the class of 1888, and the same year opened an office in Elgin, where he has since successfully engaged in practice.

On the 4th of June, 1884, Dr. Goodrich led to the marriage altar Miss Kittie Trues- dell, a daughter of Dr. W. H. and Jane (Burritt) Truesdell. They have a pleasant home at No. 565 Park street, which the Doctor built in 1888. He is a member of the Northern Illinois Dental Association, and also belongs to Monitor lodge, F. & A. M., and the Royal Arcanum, while po- litically he is identified with the Republican party.

F 'REDERICK J. MARSHALL, section 10, Plato township, is numbered among the young and progressive farmers of the township. His father George P. Marshall, was born at Ryther, Yorkshire, England, May 9, 1817, and died on his old homestead

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in Elgin township, Kane county, October 3, 1881. In his native land he learned the carpenter's trade which occupation he fol- lowed for some years. In 1842, he emi- grated to Canada, and two years later came to Kane county, and for two years rented a farm in Plato township and then purchased seventy-seven acres, in sections 27-8, Elgin township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a man highly respected by all who knew him, and left to his descendants a good name, of which they are justly proud. He was the son of James and Ann (Parker) Marshall, whose entire life was spent in Yorkshire, England. While yet residing in Canada, in 1842, George P. Marshall married Mary Burton, born in Sharrington, near Montreal, Canada, August 14, 1825, and a daughter of John Burton and Jane (Stringer) Burton, the former a native of North Burton, York- shire, England, born in 1792, and the latter in Hull, Yorkshire, England, in 1794.

Frederick J. Marshall was ninth in a family of ten children, and was born Octo- ber 4, 1860. Until sixteen years of age he attended the public schools a portion of each year and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. From six- teen to twenty-one he worked by the month on various farms. On the 7th of March, 1883, in Elgin township, he married Miss Mary McKinnell, the fourth in a family of nine children born to Peter and Jesse Mc- Dowell McKinnell. By this union four children have been born-Maude M., Roy I., Elma M. and George P.

Immediately after his marriage Mr. · Marshall rented the old homestead one year, then the farm of George Stringer one year, and then spent one year at Udina, engaged in carpentering, after which he oc-

cupied the old homestead two years. He then moved to Elgin and followed the car- penter's trade for three years, after which he rented a farm near Pingree Grove, Plato township, for two years, and in 1893 leased his present place, known as the Cornell farm, consisting of two hundred and four- teen acres, and is engaged in dairy farming.

Politically Mr. Marshall is a Republican, with which party he has been identified since attaining his majority. Fraternally he is a member of Pingree Grove camp, No. 655, M. W. A. , In religion he is liberal in his views.

S AMUEL S. BRILL, dealer in gen- eral merchandise, St. Charles, Illi- nois, is one of the young, active and en- terprising business men of the place. He was born in the city of Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, June 19, 1869. His father, Israel Brill, is a native of Prussia, where he grew to manhood and married. Emigrating to the United States, he located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a few years later removed to Chicago, and has since been an active business man of that city.

Samuel S. Brill grew to manhood in Chicago, and was educated in its public schools. He is one of seven children born to his parents, all of whom are living: Lena, wife of M. Davidson, a business man of Mil- waukee; Joseph, a civil engineer, married and residing in New York; Samuel S., of this review; Charles, who is married and in business in Chicago; Isaac, holding a re- sponsible position in Chicago; Simon, who is clerking for our subject at St. Charles; and Anna, at home.

When quite young, our subject began clerking in a mercantile establishment in

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Chicago, and for about ten years was thus employed, receiving a thorough and practi- cal business training. In 1891, he came to St. Charles, put in a stock of general mer- chandise and commenced business for him- self. He was soon, however, burned out, meeting with a severe loss, but with true Chicago grit, within ten days he was again selling goods. By fair dealing, he has built up an extensive trade, and carries one of the largest and most complete stocks of gen- eral merchandise in St. Charles. In the seven years that he has been engaged in business, in this place, he has built up a trade second to none, and as a reputable business man, he is respected and honored by all.

Mr. Brill was united in marriage in Chi- cago, March 18, 1893, to Miss Jennie Wins- berg, a native of Germany, but who was reared and educated in Chicago. They have one son, Leon L , a bright little lad of three years, and a daughter, Blanche.

Politically, Mr. Brill is independent, taking no active part in political affairs, his taste and inclination running in the direc- tion of business, rather than politics. An almost lifelong resident of Illinois, he is now thoroughly identified with the interest of St. Charles and Kane county and by its people is held in the highest esteemn.

P HILIP SCHICKLER, the leading to- bacconist and cigar manufacturer of Aurora, Illinois, was born in Obendorf, Ba- varia, June 5, 1837, and is the son of John and Anna (Bolei) Schickler. The father was a native of the same country, where he lived and died. By occupation he was a farmer. The mother died since Philip came to the United States. They were the par-

ents of five children, as follows: Henry, yet residing in the old country; Christopher, now living in Aurora; John, who died in the old country in 1897; - Philip, our subject; and Peter, who died in Aurora.

Philip Schickler left Bavaria for the United States in the spring of 1851, when but sixteen years of age. Landing in New York City, from there he went to Syracuse, New York, where he remained five years, and was engaged in the tobacco and cigar business. He then came to Aurora, arriv- ing here in the fall of 1856 where his broth- er, Christopher, had settled. For a time he worked for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company, and in 1864 started up in the tobacco and cigar trade in company with C. Hoffman. This part- nership was dissolved in 1877, Mr. Schick- ler selling out. However, he soon opened up business again, at 89 Fox street, where he has since remained.

Mr. Schickler was married at Aurora to Miss Augusta Eitegeorge, a native of Ger- many. By this marriage six children were born-Emma, now the wife of Fred Weis- senger, living in Aurora; Louise, at home; Phillip, now in the cigar and tobacco busi- ness at Elgin, and who married Clara Eich- born, of Aurora, by whom he has one child, Paul; Carl, who married Gertrude Trautan, of Aurora, is now assisting his fa- ther; George, who married Maud Moore, of Aurora; and Rosa, a teacher in the public schools, residing at home. Religiously, Mrs. Schickler is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Schickler usually supports the Democratic party, but 1896 supported the Republican ticket.

For his trade, Mr. Schickler carries a full line of tobacco and cigars, manufactur- ing most of the latter. He employs on an

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average about nine men, and has built up a buildings, making it a number one farm. Here he spent the last years of his life, dy- ing December 14, 1893. He was a man well respected in the community where he so long resided. Religiously he was a mem- ber of the Catholic church, of which body his wife and family are also members. prosperous business. His brand of cigars are widely known and much sought after by those who want a choice and reliable arti- cle. Mr. Schickler has also a house in El- gin, which is managed by his son who is having a good trade. He has a good farm in Banner county, Nebraska, and some real estate in Aurora. By correct business prin- ciples and integrity of purpose he has ac- quired a competency, and by his pleasant manners and genial disposition, he has made · public schools he entered the academy at hosts of friends, and is a credit to the coun- try of his adoption.

THOMAS McCORMICK, a representa- tive farmer of Virgil township, Kane county, Illinois, owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres on section 26, where he is engaged in general and dairy farming. He is a native of Du Page county, Illinois, born January 26, 1856, and is the son of Thomas and Ann (Mulvihill) McCormick, both of whom were natives of County Longs- ford, Ireland. They became the parents of six children-Bridget, Thomas, Katie, Mary A., Maggie and Tressie.

Thomas McCormick, Sr., spent his boy- hood and youth in his native country, and, when a young man, came with his parents to America. After looking the country over to some extent, his father finally settled in Du Page county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. Later the father of our subject came to Virgil township, Kane county, where he purchased forty acres of land and com- menced its improvement. From time to time he added to his original purchase until he had two hundred acres, all of which he placed under cultivation, and supplied the farm with a good dwelling house and various out-

The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and was early learned the use of farm implements, and was required to do his share of farm work. After attending the Naperville, Du Page county, Illinois, where he finished his school life. Since the death of his father he has been living with his mother and sisters, Katie and Tressie. The mother is now seventy-six years old. Farm- ing has been his life work, and he has had little desire to make a change. In this work he has been quite successful, and he is a thorough, practical farmer. In poli- tics he has been a life-long supporter of Democratic principles, in all general elec- tions casting his vote for the nominees of that party.

C HARLES H. FISHER, a member of the firm of Fisher & Mann, is one of the ablest lawyers practicing at the Kane county bar, and is also corporation counsel for the city of Elgin. A man of sound judg- ment, he masters his cases with masterly skill and tact and is regarded as one of the best jury advocates in Elgin. He is a log- ical reasoner and has a ready command of English.

Mr. Fisher was born in Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, February 22, 1864, and is a son of Herman and Elizabeth (Blair) Fisher, the former born in Baltimore, Maryland, of Ger- man parentage, and the latter in Pennsyl-

THOMAS McCORMICK.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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vania of Scotch ancestry. In their family are four sons-Elmer, a druggist of Port Angeles, Puget Sound, Washington; Charles H., of this sketch; Frank, inspector of the port at Port Townsend, Puget Sound; and Morris, an attorney of Port Angeles. From the age of twelve the father was employed as a canal boatman for many years, and then conducted a boat supply grocery in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, for some time. In 1887 he removed to Port Angeles, Wash- ington, where he is now living retired, enjoy- ing a well-earned rest, free from the cares and responsibilities of business life. He has filled various local offices of honor and trust and is now serving as county trustee. The mother is a consistent member of the Bap- tist church.

George Fisher, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Saxe Coburg, Germany, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. On coming to America in 1838, he first located in Baltimore, Maryland, where he spent some years, then removed to Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, and later to Rochester, Pennsylvania, engaging in the boot and shoe business at these places. He died at Wam- pum, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventy- four years. In his family were three sons and three daughters. The maternal grand- father of our subject, Robert Blair, was born near Pittsburg, was a farmer by occupation, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. During early manhood he was killed by a horse. He had received a farm on Chartier's creek in compensation for his services dur- ing the war. His wife, who was born near Pittsburg in 1800, died at Puget Sound in 1891.

Charles H. Fisher was about four years old at the time of the removal of his parents to Newcastle, Pennsylvania, where he later

acquired a good common-school education. After working in the machine shops at Titusville, Pennsylvania, for a time, he came to Elgin in the spring of 1883, and for eighteen months was in the mail service, running between Chicago and Minneapolis. He then studied law in the office of the late Robert M. Ireland and was admitted to the bar in 1886. He has won an enviable rep- utation as a successful lawyer, and most creditably served as city attorney for two terms, and is the present corporation coun- sel.

On the 15th of August, 1889, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daugh- ter of George and Mary (French) Bayliss, and to them have been born three children- Elizabeth, Marian and Stella. They have a pleasant residence at No. 338 St. Charles street. Mr. Fisher belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife holds membership in the Congregational Church. Politically he is independent. The firm of Fisher & Mann owns considerable real estate in Elgin and vicinity, and, as attorneys, they are doing a large and profitable business. Upright, reliable and honorable, their strict adher- ence to principle commands the respect of all.

R OBERT CHILVERS, a popular con- ductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, residing in Aurora, has been in the employ of that company for twenty-seven years. He dates his residence in Illinois since 1852. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 27, 1850, and is the son of John T. and Alice (Garrod) Chilvers, both of whom were also natives of England. In 1852 the family came to

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America, and made their home in Downer's Grove township, Du Page county, Illinois, where the father bought a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres, which he at once commenced to improve and which in due timne became one of the most valuable farms in that locality. He continued to en- gage in agricultural pursuits until his death, August 29, 1882. His wife survives him, and yet resides on the old homestead with her youngest son. John T. Chilvers came to this country a poor man, but he was en- terprising and industrious, and honest, and his death was a loss to the community.

Robert Chilvers is the oldest of the fam- ily of seven sons and one daughter who grew to mature years. He was but two years of age when the family came to Du Page county, and on the old farm he grew to manhood, assisting his father when old enough to hold the plow, working in the summer months, and attending the district school during the winter months. He re- mained with his father until he attained his majority, and coming to Aurora, engaged with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, first as brakeman on a freight train, at which he worked for about three years, and was then promoted conductor on a freight train, and held that position some twelve or thirteen years. In 1887 he was given charge of a passenger train, on which he has been conductor until the present time. In all the time passed he has never had a bad wreck, and no accident worth mentioning since placed in charge of a passenger train. His first run was from Aurora to Streator, and he continued on that run until 1889.

Mr. Chilvers was married at Naperville, . Illinois, in December, 1874, to Miss Susan Ann Mackinder, a native of Illinois, born in

Fullersburg, and the youngest of a family of five living children born to John and Lydia Mackinder, both natives of England, and who were among the early settlers of Du Page county, Illinois. By this union are four children-Alice Lydia, now the wife of George Davey, of Du Page county, Illinois; Cyrus M., now in the employ of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany; Charles Robert and Mabel S. V., at home.

Politically, Mr. Chilvers was formerly a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland, but of late years has supported the men and measures of the Re- publican party. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and also a member of the Order of Railway Conductors. In her re- ligious belief, Mrs. Chilvers is a Christian Scientist. Both are held in the highest esteem.

V TIGO VALDEMAR CHRISTIANSEN, who has for many years been con- nected with the Elgin Watch Factory, was born at Ribe, Jutland, Denmark, February 4, 1853, and is a representative of a prom- inent and honored family of that country, his parents being Christian and Josephine ( Veis) Christiansen. The father was a native of Schleswig-Holstein, but removed to Jutland after the war of 1848. His grandfather, Christian Christiansen, took part in the Napoleonic wars, being a mem- ber of the Danish army under Napoleon. The father of our subject was also an officer in the Danish army, enlisting as drummer boy and rising to the rank of captain by personal merit. He took part in the war of 1848 against Schleswig-Holstein, and

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also in the war of 1864. He was a man of medium height, well built, of mild temper- ament, good humored and of a gentle dispo- sition. In 1892 he died in Ribe, Denmark, but his widow is still living, residing on the old homestead there, the house being one of historical interest. It once belonged to Anders Sorgensen Wedel, who was the first to establish a printing press in Denmark. This building is quite noted and is often visited by tourists. Ribe was formerly the capital and is a historical town of much in- terest. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Andreas and Jenssine Veis, ex- tensive farming people.

The children born to Christian and Jose- phine (Veis) Christiansen were as follows: Peter, now a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Maria Christina, wife of a Mr. Sverdrup, a civil engineer in the employ of the British government at Cape Town, Africa; Andreas, a dealer in books and stationery at Copen- hagen, Denmark; Vigo V., of this review, and Ida Wilhelmina, wife of Carl Hoffman, a native of Holland, who was a trader, sailing his own vessel, and is now a farmer in Cape Town.

Mr. Christiansen, of this sketch, at- tended the public schools of Ribe until his graduation at the age of fourteen years, and then served a five and a half years' ap- prenticeship to the watch-maker's trade. He then went to Hadersleben, Schleswig, where he worked for three years, and from that place went to Copenhagen, where he was in the employ of the successors of Ur- ban, Jörgensen, celebrated watch makers, remaining with them until he came to the United States. He was drafted for service in the Danish army, but avoided the enroll- ment, and succeeded in leaving the country before the officers could muster him, sailing

in November, 1873, and making the voyage in three weeks on the Gellert-Inman line.

On reaching the shores of the New World, Mr. Christiansen proceeded to Tol- edo, Ohio, where his brother was living, and there worked at his trade for about six months. Coming to Chicago, he was in the employ of Hamilton & Rowe for one year, and then went to Galesburg, Illinois, to take charge of the watch department of Trask & Gentry, Mr. Trask being a si- lent partner of the firm of Hamilton & Rowe. After three years spent in Gales- burg he came to Elgin, and has since been employed in the finishing department "A " of the Elgin Watch Factory. He also con- ducts a private school at his home, instruct- ing his pupils in horology. He is an expert watch maker, being thoroughly fitted for his work by long experience with the most skilled workmen in that line in his native land.

In Chicago, Mr. Christiansen was mar- ried May 25, 1880, to Miss Helen McCuth- en, who was born in Galesburg, January 12, 1857, her parents, John P. and Caroline (Miller) McCuthen, being early settlers of Knox county, Illinois. They are now liv -. ing in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen have two very bright and pretty daughters-Carrie Jane and Helen Marian. The parents hold membership in the Universalist church.

In political sentiment Mr. Christian is a stalwart Republican. Possessing a splen- did tenor voice, he has become a very pop- ular singer in Elgin, and is much sought after in musical circles. He has ever taken a great interest in musical affairs, has been leader of the Universalist and Congrega- gational church choirs, and is now the leading tenor in the Baptist church. He

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is also a prominent member of the Philhar- monic Society of Elgin, and in social as well as musical circles has gained a host of warm friends.

ÖHN A. HASLER, engineer and electri-

cian of the village of Hampshire, occu -. pied a position, the responsibility of which is recognized by few people. The safety and comfort of dwellers in cities, and the occupants of skyscraping office and apart- ment buildings, depends on the engineer. Lives of these millions, who are each year safely carried on railroads and steamships, is due to the watchful care of the engineer. Too little thought and credit is given to this vocation, upon which so much depends.

John A. Hasler was born in Brookfield township, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, May 1, 1857, and is the son of John Has- ler, who was born at Ulm, Wurtemberg, Germany, who married Lucy Kreider, also a native of Ulm. They were married in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and to them were born three children-John A., our sub- ject; Lucy, wife of Charles Huber, a farmer of Cortland township, De Kalb county; and George, who is engaged in farming, lives in Genoa, De Kalb county. In 1862, the fam- ily moved to Elgin, and four years later to Sycamore, Illinois. His education, began in the public schools of Elgin, was completed in the schools of Sycamore, when sixteen years of age. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the trade of an engineer, un- der the instruction of an uncle in Sycamore. For three years he was fireman for his uncle, during which time he studied the theory and practice of steam engines, in books on the subject, to fit himself for passing examina- tion.

In 1883, Mr. Hasler came to Hampshire, and took full charge of the engines of the brick and tile works, and for seven years and seven months filled the position to the satisfaction of employers. Desiring a more active outdoor occupation, he resigned his position with the tile company, and went into the well and windmill business, sinking wells and erecting windmills, over portions of the four counties, commencing near Hampshire. He was in this business from 1890 to 1897. On June 8, 1897, he again accepted a position as engineer for the tile works, and electric plant, which they had added to their business.

Mr. Hasler was married in Genoa, Illi- nois, November 28, 1878, to Eliza Heath, born in Genoa township, a daughter of John Heath, a native of Argyle, Washington county, New York, born February 16, 1817, and who died in September, 1893, at the age of seventy-six years. He was the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Alger) Heath, na- tives of New York. John Heath was fifth in their family of nine children. At the age of twenty, he became a deck hand on a sloop on the Hudson river, in which occu- pation he was engaged for two years. He then went to New Orleans and there worked for a time, then came to Genoa township, De Kalb county, Illinois, in the fall of 1846, where he bought eighty acres on section 34. He was first married May 24, 1846, to Elizabeth McQuarie, in Chatham, Ontario, who was a native of the state of New York. By that marriage three children were born, Webster, who married Maggie Dano, and lives in Sac county, Iowa; Eliza, wife of our subject; and Diana, deceased. Mrs. Elizabeth Heath died July 24, 1859. Mr. Heath again married, January 24, 1860, in Genoa, De Kalb, Miss Hannah Shurtliff,

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 64

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

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