The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 69

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

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Mr. and Mrs. Ames commenced their domestic life on the homestead of his father, and there remained for ten years. In 1855 they came to Kane county, Illinois, where some of their Vermont friends had preceded them. Soon after coming he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres, two miles north of the village of Kaneville, on which there was a small house, and about forty acres of the land having been broken. To the improvement of the place he bent his entire energies, and after a short time pur- chased forty acres adjoining. The old

house in due time was remodeled by addi- tions, and became a modern building, and good barns and other outbuildings were erected. On the place he continued to re- side for twenty-six years, and was reputed one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of the township. In 1882 he rent- ed the farm and moved into the village, where he purchased residence property, and has since continued to reside.

Mr. and Mrs. Ames have five children. Annette is the wife of Dr. H. B. Osborn, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Daniel C. was mar- ried and resides in Homer, Nebraska, where he is engaged in farming. Edward is a practicing physician and surgeon and resides . in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Charles S. is a successful business man residing in Iowa. Avery M. resides in De Kalb county, Illi- nois, where he is engaged in farming. The mother of these children passed away July 12, 1896. She was a noble Christian wo- man, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in the full assurance of faith. The family were patriotic during the war for the union. The son, Daniel C., served as a soldier in the Fifty-second Regiment, Illinois Volunter Infantry; Dr. Osborne was a surgeon in the army, and served as post surgeon at Vicksburg for one year after the close of the war; Avery Ames, a brother of our subject, served in a New York regiment.

Politically Mr. Ames was originally a Whig, casting his first presidential ballot in 1 840 for William Henry Harrison, and coll- tinuing to act with that party until its final dissolution, after the campaign of 1852. He then united with the Republican party, vot- ing for Fremont in 1856 and for every pres- idential nominee of the party, up to and including William Mckinley. The only

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offices ever held by him were those of high- way commissioner and a member of the school board. He was formerly a member of the Congregational church and later a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an active worker for many years, serving as trustee and steward, and was also active in Sunday-school work. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and was connected with the lodge at Kaneville until its surrender of its charter, after the de- struction of the lodge-room by fire, when he united with Blackberry lodge at Elburn. A resident of Kane county for forty-three years, Mr. Ames is well and favorably known throughout its length and breadth. In the many changes that have been made he has given material assistance, and has lived to see the day when Kane county is ranked among the best in the entire state. He is respected by all who know him, and is one of the best citizens of his township and county.

W ILLIAM L. WHITE, a contractor and builder, of Aurora, Illinois, has been a resident of the city for almost half a century, dating his residence here since April 29, 1853. He is a native of New Jer- sey, born near Milford, Hunterdon county, June 14, 1830. His father, Alvin White, was also a native of New Jersey, and there married Ann Sinclair, a native of the same state, and a daughter of William Sinclair. Alvin White was a farmer and mechanic,' and spent his entire life in his native state, where he died September 28, 1867. His wife died some years previous. In their family were six sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to mature years, and of which four sons and two daughters are living.

The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood in his native state, and in early life learned the mason's trade, serving an appren- ticeship of three years. He then worked at his trade as a journeyman, and also took a few contracts. In 1853, he came to Aurora, then a town of about two thousand inhabit- ants and the end of the railroad. He soon began contracting and building, and actively engaged in the work here for over forty-five years. All over the city are found public and private buildings, the erection of which was superintended by Mr. White. In that time he built a number of residences for himself, which were disposed of from time to time.

Mr. White was married in Aurora, in 1854, to Miss Francis Maria Harwood, born in the city of London, England, and who came to the United States when but fifteen years of age, in company with her father, J. E. Harwood, who settled in Aurora, about 1853. In the spring of 1855, Mr. White moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he en- gaged in business for some fifteen months, and then returned to Aurora, where he has since resided. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White, of whom one . is deceased. The living are Anna, wife of L. L. Rickard, of Kendall county, Illinois; Clara E., wife of C. G. Pearce, of Joliet, Illinois; George W., a business man of Beardstown, Illinois; William H., married and residing in Chicago; L. R., a traveling salesman; H. S., with the Joliet Steel Wire Works; E. B., bookkeeper for the Standard Oil Company, at Geneva. The deceased was Charles, who died at the age of eleven years.

Politically Mr. White is independent. Religiously he is a member of the People's church. His forty-five years' residence in

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Aurora, has brought him prominently before the people, and he is well known in city and county; and his friends are many.

J JOHN S. MILLER, who is engaged in the general merchandise business at Sugar Grove, Illinois, is an enterprising man of strict integrity, one who is helpful in any community where he may reside. He was born in the town of Beckett, Hamlin county, Massachusetts, March 20, 1849, and is the son of Frank and Frances (Hughes) Miller, both of whom are natives of the same state. The father died when our subject was but two years old and his mother· passed to her reward when he was but six years old. After his mother's death he was taken by Benjamin Bracket, and was reared on his farm in Massachusetts. He was given fair school advantages, attending first the com- mon schools and for two years was a student in the Suffield Connecticut Seminary ..

After arriving at mature years, Mr. Mil- ler was engaged in market gardening at South Hadley Falls for two years, after which he began the mercantile business at the same place, and later was engaged in the ice business in connection. He contin- ued in business at that place for four years, building up a good trade. Selling out, he engaged in the real estate business, and was also shipping clerk in a paper mill up to 1876. He owned a fine business block at South Hadley Falls, which was burned in 1891, entailing a loss of six thousand dol- lars.

called " Uncle Tom's Cabin ", was a three story structure, costing nearly ten thousand dollars. It was burned down in 1878. On the completion of the building they put in a stock of general merchandise, which was the first in the town. A large trade has been built up by Mr. Miller, who has a reputation for fair dealing. In addition to his mercantile trade he is connected with a creamery company, and yet owns a good share of its stock. For some years he was also engaged in the lumber and coal trade, but in 1897 disposed of this part of his business. In 1894, in partnership with Frank Catlin, he engaged in buying and feeding sheep, usually having in hand about two thousand five hundred head. They rent a large farm, which is used in con- nection with the sheep business. In the fall of 1897, they bought and sold over fif- teen thousand sheep.

At South Deerfield, Massachusetts, in November, 1875, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Hale, a native of that town and state, and a daughter of Stephen B. Hale, also a native of Massa- chusetts. Previous to her marriage she was engaged as a teacher in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller five children have been born as follows: Annie is now the wife of George O. Lye, of Sugar Grove; Hattie, who has been employed as a teach- er in the schools of Jericho, Illinois, for three years; Stephen B., John E., and Frank, at home.

Politically, Mr. Miller has been a Re- publican from his youth up. For two terms he served as postmaster of Sugar Grove and for one term was assistant postmaster. For many years he served as school trustee of ed in the public schools. Fraternally, he is

In 1876, Mr. Miller came to Kane coun- ty and located at Sugar Grove, where in connection with " Uncle " Thomas Judd, he erected a building for school and mer- · his township, and has always been interest- tantile purposes. The building, which was

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a Master Mason and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Knights of the Maccabees. For twenty-one years he has been a resident of Sugar Grove and has always shown himself a worthy citizen, giving liberally of his time and means in aid of every public enterprise. In the erection of the Methodist Episcopal church he gave a generous donation, and has always assisted in maintaining its serv- ices. While not classed as an old settler, he is yet widely known throughout the coun- ty and is respected for his genuine worth.

RICHARD C. TAYLOR, M. D., of El- burn, Illinois, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, November 16, 1860, and is the son of James and Mary (Gaut) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and both are now living in Marshall county, Indiana. For many years the father was an extensive farmer. He was born December 10, 1811, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, from which place he moved to Crawford county, Ohio, about 1830. His marriage with Mary Gaut was solemnized August 31, 1837, and they celebrated their sixtieth anniversary August, 1897, at which time there were present their family of six children, with the exception of one daughter, Margaret. There were nine grandchildren present, and a good time was had by all. . In early life Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Presbyterian church, and later of the Baptist church. She is a de- vout Christian and an excellent good woman, widely known and frequently spoken of for her many admirable qualities of head and heart. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom two died in infancy and

three in early childhood. Of the six living, Margaret is the widow of James Sprout, and resides on a farm in Ashland county, Ohio; Elizabeth is the wife of Peter W. Blue, and they reside at Mentone, Indiana; Sarah J. is the widow of J. T. Bloomer, and resides on a farm in Fayette county, Ohio; Jerome B. is a farmer residing in Kosciusko county, Indiana; Richard C., our subject; and Amanda K., wife of Jesse Taylor, a farmer of Marshall county, Indiana. James Tay- lor was quite a prominent man in the county of his adoption, well educated, and with many friends throughout the county. . Dur- ing the war for the Union he advocated its vigorous prosecution.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he was taken by his parents when one year old. He attended the district schools of that county, and remained upon his father's farm until 1879, when he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked eleven years. While working at his trade he commenced the study of medicine, and in 1890 commenced reading with Dr. J. W. Heffly, of Mentone, Indiana, and later at- tended the Bennett Medical College, of Chi- cago, Illinois, from which he was graduated in the class of '93. On receiving his diploma he commenced the practice of his profession in Chicago, and there remained until Janu- ary, 1895, when he removed to Elburn, where he has since continued in practice with gratifying success. Dr. Taylor was married August 4, 1886, to Miss Elvina Nellans, daughter of Moses and Lucinda Nellans, of Fulton county, Indiana, of which county she is a native. By this union they have two children-Katie E. and Mary E., both of whom are attending the schools of Elburn. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the

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Baptist church, in the work of which she is greatly interested.

In politics Dr. Taylor is a Democrat, but takes little interest in political affairs as such, voting for the men rather than the party. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held all the offices in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He is a mem- ber of the Forresters and an officer in the same, and of the Court of Honor, of which he is examining physician. He is also med- ical examiner for several of the insurance companies. The Doctor, who is yet in the prime of life, is highly esteemed by all who know him, and stands well among the mem- bers of his profession. He is energetic, enterprising and enthusiastic, just such a citizen as gives character to a community.

EDWARD C. WHILDIN, who resides on section 4, Big Rock township, where he owns and operates a farm of one hun- dred and eighty-five acres, is a native of Kane county, born in Sugar Grove town- ship, December 26, 1844. He is the son of Richard Whildin, a native of Wales, who came to the United States a young man, and first located in New York, and there married Louisa Benjamin, a sister of Leon- ard Benjamin, who came with them to Kane county, Illinois, about 1838. Locating in Sugar Grove township, he entered a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, opened up and developed the farm, there raised his family, and there died in May, 1875, at the at the age of seventy-three years. His wife died some seven years previously, passing away in 1868. Of their family of four chil- dren, Mary is the wife of H. P. Swan, of Livingston county, Illinois; Mrs. Harriet A.

Taylor resides in Big Rock township; Ed- ward C. is our subject; and George F. owns and operates the old home farm. After spending his boyhood and youth upon the farm in Sugar Grove township, and at- tending its public schools, our subject con- tinued to assist his father in operating the farm, until his marriage, May 28, 1873, to Miss Mary G. Taylor, who was born and reared on the farm where she now resides, and is the daughter of Percy Taylor, a na- tive of Vermont, who in early life moved to New York, and there married Rebecca Lawrence, moving west to Kane county, Illinois, in 1837, where he entered the land now owned and occupied by our subject.

After marriage, Mr. Whildin rented a farm for several years, and then bought out the heirs to the old Taylor homestead, on which he located, and has resided since March, 1880. He has since built a large residence, two barns, tiled much of the land and otherwise improved the place. He has always been somewhat interested in polit- ical affairs, and since casting his first presi- dential ballot in 1868, for General U. S. Grant, he has advocated the principles of the Republican party. His ability has been recognized by his fellow citizens, and for four years he served as assessor of his township, and for eleven consecutive years has served as a member of the board of supervisors. On the board he has been quite active, serving as chairman of the equalization committee, and of the miscel- laneous committee, and also as a member of various other committees. As a delegate to numerous county, congressional and state conventions, he has exerted a good influ- ence. In every position called upon to fill he has discharged the duties, faithfully and well, and in a most satisfactory manner.

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A lifelong resident of Kane county, he is well known throughout its length and breadth, and where best known, is held in the highest esteem.

W ILLIAM WALLACE FRASER, pro- prietor of the creamery and feed mill at East Plato, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, August 1, 1860, and is the son of Robert and Eliza J. (Dales) Fra- ser, both of whom were born in Livingston county, New York, the former May 15, 1816, and the latter in 1824.

Robert Fraser was the son of Alexander Fraser, a native of Scotland, who came to this country at an early day, and was mur- dered for his money at his home in Living- ston county, New York, in 1864, when eighty years of age. Five men came to his home at midnight, who knew of his habit of aris- ing at that hour to read. His wife climbed out of the window, alarmed the neighbors, who found the villains in a school house dividing the money. They were captured, tried and all given life sentences. When a young man Robert Fraser for a time was engaged in teaching singing school, but after his marriage he engaged in merchandising in Cuba, New York, and also owned a farm. In 1862 he sold out, came west, and bought six hundred and forty acres in Elgin town- ship, and engaged in farming. In 1878 he sold the farm and moved into Elgin, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1888, at the age seventy-two years. His widow yet resides in Elgin. They were the parents of seven children: Donald B., deceased; Maggie, wife of Frank S. Heath, of Elgin; Robert, deceased; Melvin, a missionary in Africa; William Wallace, our subject; John, deceased; and Charles.

Our subject was but two years of age when his parents moved to Kane' county. On his father's farm was spent his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools of the township and at Elgin and Milwaukee re- ceived his education. When sixteen years of age he began working in the butter fac- tory which he now owns. He remained there two years, and then secured a place at Lily Lake, Campton township, where he also remained two years, going to Holstein for one year and to Gray Willow one year, returning to Lily Lake, where he spent two years. Moving to Elgin, he ran an engine two winters for an ice company, and then spent eight years in the gilding department of the Watch Factory. Leaving that employ he went into a lumber and coal business, but soon sold his lumber interest, continuing in the coal office two and a half years. In June, 1897, he purchased his present place of business at East Plato.

Mr. Fraser has been twice married, his first union being with Miss May Lathrop, daughter of Alvin Lathrop, who now resides in Dakota. Alvin Lathrop was the son of Elijah and Eunice (Philbrick) Lathrop. By this union there was one son, Donald B., born July 23, 1881. His wife dying, Mr. Fraser, on the 25th of May, 1893, married Mabel Bishop, daughter of Henry and Annie (Elmore) Bishop, the latter being a daugh- ter of David Elmore, born in Massachusetts in 1800, and who came to Kane county in 1836 and died in 1854. He was the son of William Howard Elmore, a descendant of Elmer Elmore, who came over in the May- flower. David Elmore married Mary. Hum- phrey, a daughter of Rev. Humphrey, who married a Miss Curtis. Henry Bishop was the son of Nathaniel Bishop. He was born in St. Mary's parish, Devonshire, England,

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and, coming to America, first settled on St. John's river, New Brunswick, coming to Kane county, about 1851. He bought a farm on section 28, Elgin township, where his death occurred. By his second marriage Mr. Fraser has one daughter, Hazel Mabel.

Mr. and Mrs. Fraser are members of the First Baptist church of Elgin. Fraternally he is a member of Silver Leaf camp, No. 60, M. W. A. In politics he is a Republican.

W TILLIAM M. PRICE, of Sugar Grove township, is now living a retired life on his farm on section 5, comprising four hundred and twenty-six acres of well-im -- proved land. He is numbered among the settlers of 1841 and relates many amusing incidents of pioneer life, incidents which were not so amusing at the time, but by the lapse of years show the ludicrous side. Mr. Price was born in the county of West Mathe, Ireland, July 4, 1816, and when but fifteen years of age came to America with an older brother, and for a few weeks lived in Can- ada, then went to Burlington, Vermont, and on July 5, 1831, at Strafford Hollow, hired out to a farmer and butcher, worked for a month, loaned his employer thirty dollars and lost both that and the month's salary. He then hired to Judge Jedediah Harris, and was employed by him on his farm for six years and nine months. The Judge proved a good friend to the poor Irish boy, and he and his wife were like a father and mother to him. For the next two years he was engaged with another party, but in May, 1841, came west to Illinois, by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo and then across the lakes to Chicago. From that place he came to Sugar Grove township, Kane county, and here joined Mr. Bliss, who had located

here some three years previously. He bought a claim of Mr. Bliss comprising a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, paying five hundred dollars for the claim. The land was unimproved, although the frame of a house had been built, which Mr. Price enclosed, and taking a family boarded with them while improving the place. On the 4th of January, 1843, Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss Mary Smith, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of James Smith, a pioneer settler of 1836. By this union eleven children were born, three of whom died in early childhood. The living are Olive M., at home; Janet, wife of Charles Benton, a substantial farmer of Kaneville township; Hugh, married and re- siding in Hinckley, Illinois; Minnie, at home; George W., at home; Nancy E., wife of Richard Berry, a farmer of Sugar Grove township; William W. and George W., who carry on the farm; and Jessie, wife of Cornelius Cornell, a farmer of Yorkville, Illinois.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Price com- menced their domestic life on the farm where they now reside, and which has been their home for fifty-nine long years. In the early day, and for about twelve years, he hauled all his grain and produce to Chi- cago, and there purchased all the neces- saries of life and lumber for his house. For about twelve months he suffered with the fever and ague, which was quite preva- lent in early times. But he was always cheerful and it mattered not what trouble came upon him he endured them in a phil- osophical manner. For some years he has been afflicted with rheumatism and requires the use of crutches, but he is the most cheerful and most pleasant companion, with mind clear and memory good. Mrs. Price

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has also for some years suffered with the to Illinois, and in Kane county spent the rheumatism, but never complains and is ever cheerful and busy with her needle.

Mr. Price came to the United States with but sixty dollars in his pocket, but he came with a stout heart and willing hands and a determination to succeed. By his own labor and enterprise, assisted by his good wife, he has secured a competency, and in old age is enjoying the fruits of his former toil. During the fifty-seven years of his residence in Kane county, he has scarcely been from the farm more than one night at a time, save on one occasion, when he spent four weeks in visiting with a brother. Politically, " Uncle Billy," as he is familiarly called, has been a life-long Democrat, the principles of the party be- ing dear to his heart. Office holding has had no charms for him and he would accept none, save that of school director, in which he served for some ten or twelve years, and also that of road commissioner, in which he served for some years. He has always been an advocate of good roads, and hauled the first load of gravel used on the roads of Sugar Grove township. Few men are better known in Kane county, and the house of Uncle Billy Price is the abode of true hospitality, and there the "latch string always hangs out."

H ENRY SEAVEY, now living a retired life in the village of Big Rock, was for many years numbered among the most en- terprising of the farmers of Kane county. He was born in Wyoming county, New York, January 5, 1841. His paternal grandfather, Mark Seavey, Sr., was a native of Vermont, who, in young manhood, removed to Wy- oming county, New York, and later coming 33

remainder of his life. His son, also named Mark, is the father of our subject. The latter grew to manhood in Wyoming coun- ty, New York, and there inarried Lucy Ann Campbell, a native of the same county and state. While residing in Wyoming county, Mr. Seavey engaged in the milling business, owning and operating a saw and grist mill. In 1844 he came to Kane county, Illinois, and located in Sugar Grove township, where he bought a claim, on which he re- sided for two years. In 1846 he moved to Big Rock township, purchased a partially improved place, having on it a log house and log stable. He at once began the fur- ther improvement of the place, and there resided until his death, January I, 1852, at about the age of forty-four years. His widow remained on the farm, reared her family, and now resides with her children in Big Rock, a well-preserved woman of sev- enty-seven years. Of their two sons and four daughters, all are yet living. Henry is the subject of this sketch; Aaron M. is a farmer of Sugar Grove township; Wealthy is the wife of W. H. Chapman, of Aurora; Ellen is the wife of D. J. Myers, of the vil- lage of Big Rock; Merselia is the wife of Charles Weed, also of Big Rock; and Anna is the wife of C. A. Crouse, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 69

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