The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 7

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

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Robert Archibald began his education in the common schools of Kane county, and later attended the Elgin Academy. Since completing his education he has devoted his time and attention to farming, having be- come thoroughly familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist upon the home farm where he was reared. Being a thorough and systematic fariner he has inet with a well-deserved success and is now the owner of two valuable farms in

farming he is also engaged in dairying. Socially he affiliates with Dundee lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M., and politically is a Dem- ocrat. In the various relations of life he has always been the same earnest, upright, capable and courteous gentleman, winning . the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

D WIGHT E. BURLINGAME, M. D., is one of the most prominent and suc- cessful physicians and surgeons of Elgin, his office being at his beautiful home at No. 18 Villa street. He was born in Adams, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, June 8, 1844, and is a son of Daniel Fenner and Mary A. (Mason) Burlingame, also natives of the old Bay state. The family is 'of Danish origin and its first representatives in England were probably prisoners of war. It was founded in this country as early as 1640. The Doctor's grandfather, Elisha Burlingame, was a native of Rhode Island, and as a Continental soldier during the Revolutionary war, he fought in the battle of Long Island. "He died of pneumonia in middle life, leaving four children, three sons and one daughter. James Mason, the Doc- tor's maternal grandfather, was also a native of Rhode Island, was a farmer and frontier tradesman, and died at an advanced age.

Daniel F. Burlingame was also a farmer by occupation, and died on his farm in Adams, Massachusetts, in 1895, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. During his early days he was captain of the state mili- tia, and did considerable business in settling up estates as a referee and appraiser. His wife departed this life in 1893 at the age of eighty-six years. Both were consistent members of the Congregational church, and

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

were highly respected by all who knew them. Four sons and one daughter were born to them, of whom four are still living -Elisha, a resident of Adams, Massachu- setts; Dwight E .; Phœbe A .; and John L., of Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Under the parental roof Dr. Burlingame grew to manhood, and after attending the public schools of his native state for some time, he graduated from a high school in 1865. Subsequently he entered the medi- cal department of the Northwestern Univer- sity at Evanston, Illinois, and graduated from that institution in 1869 with the de- gree of M. D. The following year he opened an office in Elgin at his present loca- tion. He has that true love for his work without which there can be no success, and has always been a progressive physician, constantly improving on his own and others' methods and gaining further encouragement and inspiration from the performance of each day's duties. Regularly each year he makes a trip to the east for the purpose of visiting noted medical institutions to refresh his memory and obtain the latest ideas on the science of medicine and surgery. He regularly visits the old University Medical School of Philadelphia, one of the most thorough medical schools in the country where the work of such men as Drs. Joseph Price, Ashurdt, Baldy, Penrose, Deavor, and Hart is studied. He also visits the celebrated Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege and the Post Graduate School of New York, whose corps of teachers are nowhere excelled for their ability and skillful work, both in medicine and surgery. In 1892 he crossed the ocean and visited the hospitals in Europe, especially those of Berlin, Ger- many, and Paris, France, gaining much use- ful and practical knowledge. Although en-

gaged in general practice, he makes a specialty of surgery and is recognized as one of the most skillful surgeons in Northern Illinois. At present and for some years he has been a member of the surgical staff of Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Illinois. In his chosen calling he has met with remarka- ble success.

In 1872, Dr. Burlingame was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Winchester, a native of Canada and daughter of Dr. Edgar and Anna Maria (Martin) Winchester, the former born in the province of Quebec and the latter in England. In early life Dr. Winchester moved with his father's family to Walpole, lower Canada, where he grew to manhood and received a good education. He studied medicine in that country and at- tended a medical college in Toronto, Can- ada, later graduated at Ann Arbor and took a post-graduate course in Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 1852 he removed with his family to Dundee, Kane county, where he engaged in practice a few years and then moved to Elgin, where he soon became well estab- lished and was recognized as one of the best physicians and surgeons in the place.

In 1858, Mrs. Winchester departed this life. She was a woman of excellent repu- tation, and in early life was a member of the Church of England, but later in life united with the Baptists and was a member of that body at the time of her death. She was a mother of four children, two of whom are now living-Mrs. Burlingame and Dr. William G., a successful dentist of Detroit, Michigan. Later Dr. Winchester married Miss Lydia Choate Perkins, of Elgin, by whom he had three children, only one now living, Maud, residing with her mother in San Bernadino, California.

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Early in 1862, Dr. Winchester offered his services to the general government and in March 25th of that year received his com- mission as surgeon and was assigned to the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He joined his command about a week before the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and coming to the front a young, unknown surgeon, he was assigned by his superior officer to a minor position in one of the field hospitals during the fight. While performing his duty, a captain was brought in wounded, a ball having passed through the bone of one of his arms. The surgeon in charge said the arm must come off, and his opinion was concurred in by other surgeons present. The captain refused to submit to its ampu- tation and in some way Dr. Winchester was called upon for his opionion. After exam- ining the arm he said that it could be saved though the operation would shorten it a little. The other surgeons smiled incredu- ously, but the Doctor proceeded to work, cutting out a portion of the bone and bring- ing the parts together. The operation was quickly, neatly and skillfully performed that the Doctor was at once put to surgical work and his ability was recognized by all. After serving over two years he resigned his posi- tion, which was accepted April 23, 1864.

Returning to his home in Elgin, Dr. Win- chester resumed the practice of his pro- fession and continued until 1871, when he removed to San Bernadino, California, where he died in 1875. He was a consist- ent member of the Baptist church, and took as active a part in church work as his pro- fessional duties would permit. Every Sun- day morning especial found him in the house of God. His widow is yet living in San Bernadino.

To Dr. and Mrs. Burlingame two children

have been born-Anna M. and Hattie F., both at home. The family hold member- ship in the Baptist church and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Fra- ternally the Doctor belongs to Monitor lodge, F. & A. M .; Loyal L. Munn chap- ter, R. A. M .; and Bethel commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Cen- tury Club of Elgin; the Fox River Valley Medical Society; the Illinois State Medical Association; the American Medical Associa- tion. Politically he is independent. Wher- ever the Doctor goes he wins friends and has the happy faculty of being able to re- tain them. His popularity has made him a great favorite in ali circles.

C OLONEL WILLIAM SMAILES, who has attained distinction in military cir- cles, and is one of the leading merchant tailors of Elgin, has shown in his successful career that he has the ability to plan wisely and execute with energy, a combination which, when possessed by men in any walk of life, never fails to effect notable results.

Mr. Smailes is a native of England, born in Burlington, Yorkshire, May 14, 1842, a son of William and Mary (Witty) Smailes. The father and also the grandfather, David Smailes, followed the tailor's trade as a life work. In 1853 William Smailes, Sr., brought his family to America and located in Elgin, Illinois, where throughout the re- mainder of his life he worked at his trade, at the same time being also interested in farming. His death occurred in December, 1881. In his family were five children, namely: Rebecca, who married James O'Con- nor, and died in 1872; William; Mary Ann; Janet; and Frederick, who died in 1897. In

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his religious views the father was liberal and in politics was a stanch Republican.

Having accompanied his parents on their removal to this country, William Smailes, Jr., grew to manhood in Elgin and in the Elgin Academy completed his literary edu- cation, being one of the first pupils in that institution. While not in school he worked principally upon his father's farm until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In Decem- ber, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Thir- ty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was ordered to the front in the spring of the fol- lowing year. During his first engagement- the battle of Resaca-he was wounded in the left leg below the knee and was first sent to the field hospital, from there to Nashville, Tennessee, thence to New Albany, Indiana, and later to Quincy, Illinois. When he had sufficiently recovered, he was as- signed to the medical department at Quincy, where he remained until April, 1865, and was then engaged in military duty on Rock Island until mustered out November 15, 1865.

Returning to his home in Elgin, Mr. Smailes worked at the tailor's trade for others for a while, and then embarked in business on hisown account, then as a mem- ber of the firm of William Smailes & Sons, and later Smailes Brothers. Since the death of his brother he has been alone and to-day enjoys an excellent trade, which has been built up through fair dealing and good workmanship, for he is acknowledged to be one of the best tailors in the city.

At Quincy, June 10, 1866, Mr. Smailes was united in marriage with Miss Emina Lane, daughter of James Lane, and to them were born four children. Anna, the eldest, is now the wife of Morton V. Gil- bert, a prominent lawyer of Chicago, mem- ber of the well-known firm of Smith, Gil-

bert & Kreidler, and they have two children -Virginia and Katherine. The others of the family were Willie, now deceased; Fred J., who is employed in the watch fac- tory; and Guy Garfield, deceased. Re- ligiously the family is connected with the Universalist church.

The Republican party always finds in Mr. Smailes a stalwart supporter, and he takes quite an active and prominent part in local politics. He has been a member of the Republican executive committee, has been a delegate to numerous conventions, and in the spring of 1886 was elected alder- man from the fifth ward. On leaving the army he did not allow his interest in mili- tary affairs to subside, but in 1876 organized a company of state guards, of which he served as captain for eight years. It was made Company E, Third Regiment Illinois National Guards, and was one of the best drilled companies in the regiment. For two years, in 1884 and 1885, Mr. Smailes served as lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army Post of Elgin, of which he was com- mander in 1894 and 1895, and has held other offices. He was also on the national staff of the Grand Army under Grand Com- mander Lawler. Mr. Smailes was the first secretary and is now serving as such at the Elgin Children's Home Association. Fra- ternally he is also an honored member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, No. 522, F. & A. M .; Woodstock chapter, No. 36, R. A. M .; and Bethel commandery, No. 36, K. T. In this order he is past master and past eminent com- mander. It is safe to say that no man in Elgin has more friends or is held in higher regard by the entire community than Will- iam Smailes.

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W ILLIAM H. WING, of Elgin, Kane township as a member of the Kane county board of supervisors, and from time to time held other local official positions. county, Illinois, for many years one of the leading attorneys, real estate and loan agents of that city, with suite of rooms William H. Wing was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Elgin: His school life, beginning in the public schools of Livingston county, Michigan, was continued in the schools of Elgin and Lom- bard University, Galesburg, Illinois. He was united in marriage with Miss Abby C. Saunders, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 18, 1861, and after reading law in the office of Silvanus Wilcox, at Elgin, and attend- ing the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, was admitted to comprising the whole second floor of the First National Bank building, is one of the best known citizens of the county. He was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, and is a son of Washington and Catherine (Himes) Wing, both natives of New York state, who after their marriage first settled in Washtenaw county, Michigan, and later moved to the adjoining county of Living- ston, where they engaged in the occupation of farming, and while there Washington Wing was elected to the legislature .. of- the bar to practice law in the various courts Michigan, and served in the session of of, Illinois, April 23, 1867. He soon after- 1845-6. In the summer of 1846 he came ward opened an office at Elgin, and from to Elgin, Kane county, Illinois, and pur- chased a farm just north of the city, the present site of the Ludlow shoe factory. Later he purchased and moved to a farm just west of the city, where the remainder of his life was passed and where he died in February, 1888. His wife, Catherine Wing, died there in March, 1854. They were the parents of four children: William H., our subject; George W., who died in Michigan, April 16, 1842; Mary V., who died in Elgin, on the farm last mentioned December 26, 1862; and Orlando A., now a farmer and resident of St. James, Minnesota. that time on for several years diligently and successfully followed his profession and the trial of cases in the various courts of Kane and adjoining counties. On the 18th of October, 1875, he was admitted to practice in the district and circuit courts of the United States for the northern district of Illinois, having cases in both of these courts at that time. Of late years he has omitted the trial of law cases as much as possible, as his large office, real estate and loan busi- ness required his entire attention. Several of the young men of Elgin have been stu- dents in his office at various times and are now successful practitioners.

After the death of his first wife, Wash- ington Wing married Adeline Willits, of Delhi, Michigan, who survived him. They were the parents of two children: Edwin W., who resides on the old homestead, and Katie L., wife of Rev. Silas Sprowls, of Elsinore, California, where her mother also resides. Washington Wing was an active, progressive farmer, well and favorably known. For some years he served his

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Wing oc- cupied a beautiful home on Highland ave- nue in the city of Elgin, which was re- modeled by them in 1891, making it one of the handsomest residences in the city. There was probably no residence in Elgin that contained more elaborate interior finish, while the exterior was also handsome and modern. This beautiful home was almost

LIBRARY UNIVERSITY .U"

W. H. WING.

MRS. W. H. WING.

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF HERVOIS.

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destroyed by fire on the morning of March 20, 1897, at which time Mrs. Wing lost her life. No greater calamity ever befell the city of Elgin, and the sympathy of the en- tire community went out to the bereaved husband. Mrs. Wing was a native of New Hampshire, her maiden name being Abby C. Saunders, and was a daughter of Henry and Martha Saunders. In 1854, through the advice of the governor of New Hamp- shire, she gave up the comforts of her childhood home at Wilmot, that state, and came west in company with friends, among them Miss Kilbourne, who is now Mrs. Oscar Lawrence, of Kane county, Illinois, to engage in teaching. She soon secured and taught the district school in the new brick school house northwest of the city the coming fall and winter terms, and the fol- lowing year took charge of one of the prin- cipal schools of Dundee, and among her pupils was Alfred Bosworth, the present cashier of the First National Bank at Elgin. Sending for her younger sister, Martha, who was still in the east, they continued teach- ing in the Dundee school, and were very successful.

. In 1856 Miss Saunders came to Elgin and taught school in the building on the site of the present Mill street school, which was known as the Hamilton district. After her marriage to Mr. Wing, in 1861, she contin- ued to teach for a time, and became princi- pal of the Elgin high school. She also taught in the "old brick," where the high school is now located, and in the old Bap- tist church school, and in the Elgin Acad- emy. She was a very able teacher, and a woman of much executive ability and very fine educational attainments. Her manage- ment of the school room was tactful and energetic, while her opinions were often 4

sought and relied upon by those outside of the school room. Many of the middle-aged men and women of Elgin owe the excel- lence of their instruction to her conscien- tious discharge of her duties as a teacher. In later years, as the wife of our subject, her home influence and management were quite as marked as her school government. The boundless hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Wing encircled a host of friends from all points of the compass, and it was a rare occurrence to find her without a guest. To those who frequented her home and shared her genial entertainment, her presence was almost home itself, and the friendly words of advice or encouragement which she seemed so. able to give to many an unfortunate or despair- ing one, can never be estimated in number or fruition. Ever ready to sacrifice herself for the benefit of others, doing through tire- some exertions what many probably never realized, her multiplied years of activity were being spent, and undoubtedly her go- ing to the burning attic the second time that fatal morning was more with the thought of rescuing something that would be a pleasure or benefit to some one than the thought of danger.

The pathetic sadness of perishing in such an act, amid the smoke and flames made in consuming her lovely home and its manifold treasures-the labors and garnering of years -adds to the intensity. She never shrank from an arduous duty because of its great exertion, and it was grand to know the firm solidity of the pillar of strength there was in her friendship, which, when once drawn out, was an ever-flowing source of proffered good, and as reliable as the round of the seasons. A devoted wife, she made home her kingdom. Faithful to her friends, no sacrifice was too great in their service. Her

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duties were discharged ably, conscientiously, cheerfully. The influence of her life can never be forgotten, for it is woven into the character of our citizens and our institu- tions.

Mrs. Wing was a member of the Woman's Club of Elgin, and engaged in many char- itable enterprises. She verified by her life the lofty ideas that she honored. Through her philanthropic principles and kindness, many a helping hand has been extended to those needing charity. Few women were more highly esteemed or had more true friends. Those who knew her in early womanhood and who sat under her in- struction, retained for her a warm place in their remembrance to the last. The last few years of her life she was compelled to remain somewhat retired on account of poor health, but her wealth of intellect never gave way. · A true helpmeet to her husband, her counsel and advice were often sought by him to his great and lasting good. The funeral services were held March 22, 1897, at the Universalist Church, Elgin, con- ducted by Rev. A. N. Alcott. Her remains were then laid to rest in the beautiful Bluff City cemetery. Through the heroic efforts of the firemen the residence was saved from total destruction and has since been rebuilt, but the light of the home had gone out.

In his political views, Mr. Wing is a Republican, and since attaining liis majority has always supported the party with time and money, but has never sought political office of any kind, preferring to follow his chosen profession. He has, however, been city attorney of Elgin, and for upward of five years was treasurer of the Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane. Outside of his profession, and in a business way, he has been a director of the First National

Bank of Elgin for several years, is a stock- holder in said bank, and also in the Elgin National Bank. He owns a fine farm of one hundred eighty-five acres on the western border of the city of Elgin, and other prop- erty in various parts of the city. Com- mencing life for himself with scarcely a dol- lar, Mr. Wing has been diligent, and apply- ing himself closely to- business, he laid the foundation for future prosperity, built se- curely thereon, and to-day is numbered among the men who, by labor, sound judg- ment, business sagacity and wise fore- thought, have provided for the time when it may be well to lay aside at least part of his many active business cares.

O WEN B. WELD, who resides in a beautiful home on the corner of Crys- tal street and Highland avenue, Elgin, is numbered among the pioneers of 1838. He was born at Oxford, New Hampshire, October 24, 1831, and is a son of Francis and Harriet (Mann) Weld, the former a na- tive of Massachusetts, and the latter of New Hampshire. The Welds are of English ori- gin, the first of the name locating in Massa- chusetts prior to the Revolutionary war. The Manns were of Scotch origin, and were likewise early settlers of America. The pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, Josiah Weld, was a native of Massachusetts, while his maternal grandfather, Aaron Mann, was born in New Hampshire. The latter mar- ried Sarah Melvin, and they reared a family of five children. After her death he mar- ried Miss Ingraham, by whom he had six children. By occupation he was a farmer. His death occurred when he was about eighty years old.

In 1838 the Weld, Merrill and Mann fam-

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ilies, numbering seventeen in all, including Grandfather Weld, started from their New Hampshire home, bound for the Prairie state. With the exception of that part from Buffalo to Toledo, the entire journey was made by team. They arrived in Kane county June 6, 1838, and found, as yet, an almost un- broken wilderness. The present beautiful city of Elgin contained but three or four log cabins, and they were here two years before the country was surveyed by the general government.

Francis Weld, on his arrival in Kane county, made a claim to one hundred and thirty-six acres of land a mile and a quar- ter west of the city limits of Elgin, and the house stands precisely in the center of the township. He there lived until his death, in 1873, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife , preceded him to their heavenly home eight years, dying in 1865. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are now living: Owen B., our sub- ject; Mary, wife of Dr. Briggs, of Musca- tine, Iowa; Newton F. and Salem E., both of Elgin. The parents were members of the Congregational church, and were num- bered among the charter members of the first Congregational church of Elgin. In his native state Francis Weld followed the occupation of a shoemaker, which he had learned in his youth, but on coming to Kane county, he became a farmer, which calling he followed with success during the remain- der of his life.

Owen B. Weld, our subject, was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to Kane county. Although sixty years have since passed he has a distinct recollection of the country as it appeared to his young eyes. The old log schoolhouse, with its slab seats and puncheon floor, is

vividly remembered, for there he secured a limited education in the subscription schools. But the farm had to be cultivated, and, being the eldest son in the family, he was early trained to hard work, and hard work it was in those days. The farm implements of the present day were then unknown. There were no riding plows, no mowing machines, no reapers, no four-horse culti- vators; in fact, every implement was of the rudest kind. To do the work required one had to be up with the sun, or even before the break of day, and happy was he if he could cease from his labors when the sun went down. The prairie sod did not always readily yield to the teeth of the wooden harrow, the rows into which the corn must be dropped were very long, but the work must be done.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 7

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