USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 76
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years. On the 10th of January, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Lola Footh, a native of Virgil township, Kane county, Illinois, a daughter of Simon Footh, and a sister of Silas Footh, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. By this union three children were born-Fred R., Maude and Edith. Maude is now deceased.
Politically, Mr. Read is a Republican, and is a firm believer in the principles of that party. He cast his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, in 1876, and his last vote for William Mckinley, in 1896. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with various local offices, including town- ship collector, which position he filled for several years, and a member of the school board, holding the latter office for over twenty-five years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and Knights of the Globe. He and his brother Wilford are the owners of five hundred and eight acres of land, which is a part of the old Read homestead. The improvements upon the place show the thrift of its owners, who are held in the highest esteem by their friends and neighbors.
C HARLES HOPKINS BARRETT, who is engaged in farming in Blackberry township, was born in Berkshire .county, Massachusetts, October 16, 1850, and is the son of Sylvester and Caroline Adelia (Hix) Barrett, the former a native of Mas- sachusetts, and the latter of Renssellaer county, New York. They were married in Brainard, New York, and later removed to New Lenox, Massachusetts, where he en- gaged in his trade of mason and also in operating a quarry. After living in Massa-
chusetts for a time, they went to Lebanon, New York, where they remained some years, and in the spring of 1857 came to Illinois, locating at Geneva. For some three or four years he worked the quarry at Batavia, then moved back to Geneva, there lived two years, while still working the quarry. He then moved to Sugar Grove township, where he worked at the mason's trade four years, then moved to the vicinity of La Fox, Black- berry township, where he resided until his death, April 24. 1896, at the age of eighty- six years and three months. He was well and favorably known throughout the county, especially during his active life. He was a member of the Congregational church, of which body his wife was also a member.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was a very prominent man in his day, serving as colonel of militia. His son, Nathan, was a man of great will power, but died comparatively young, the effects of a cancer in the neck, which severed the jugu- lar vien. He became the father of three sons and three daughters, as follows: Ruth, who married Samuel C. Evarts, of Geneva township, but is now deceased; Julia, wife of William Fitch, lived and died near Lenox, . Massachusetts; Ettie, was the wife of Will- iam Hazzard, but is now deceased; Sylves- ter, father of our subject; James and Jed- ediah, who reside in the vicinity of Lenox, Massachusetts.
The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject was Thomas Hix. His children were, Eliza, deceased; Solomon, deceased; Hiram, residing in Lebanon, New York; Charlotte, residing in New York; Philander, deceased; Mary Jane, deceased; Henrietta, who es- tablished a school, known as the Transyl- vania School, was a very successful teacher, and a most worthy lady; Sarah, wife of
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John Proper; Caroline Adelia, the mother of our subject; Ann Maria, wife of Edward Hulburt, resides in the state of Washington, Josephine and Albertine, twins, the former residing with Ann Maria, and the latter is deceased; Frances, residing on the old home- stead in Rensselaer county, New York.
The children born to Sylvester and Car- oline Adelia Barrett were Charles Hopkins, our subject; Lottie, wife of Willis Richard- son, by whom she has one child, Ralph B., and they reside in La Fox, Illinois; Frank and Anna, twins, the former married to Emma Reid, and with the child, Imo, they reside at Union, Illinois; the latter is a primary teacher in St. Charles, Illinois, a lady of culture and refinement, and well worthy of the high esteem in which she is held by the school board, pupils and all concerned.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and has spent almost his entire life on the farm. For some years he was engaged in dairy farming, having about forty cows and shipping the product to Chicago. He sold out February 18, 1898. In politics he is an ardent Repub- lican, and has been quite active in political affairs, and keeps well posted on the issues of the day. He is perhaps one of the best posted men in his township, and has many of the elements of good citizenship. He is in accord with the progress of the commu- nity, on every line of advancement.
A DAM WEAVER, who resides on section 20, Batavia township, Kane county, is a representative farmer of Kane county, owning and operating a farm of two hun- dred and forty acres, two miles west of
Batavia. His residence in Kane county dates from 1849. He is a native of New York, born in the town of Ellsburg, Jef- ferson . county, January 31, 1826. His father, John Weaver, was also a native of the same state, born in the Mohawk valley. His grandfather, Adam Weaver, was a sol- dier in both the Revolutionary war and the second war with Great Britain, in 1812. The family are of German ancestry, and were early settlers of the state of New York. John Weaver, the father, grew to manhood in the village of Mohawk, and there married Christine Chrisman, also a native of New York. After his marriage he settled in Jef- ferson county, where he reared his family and spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1837.
Our subject was but eleven years of age when his father died, after which he was compelled to make his own way in the world. When a young man he went on the lakes as a sailor, and later followed the sea in the same capacity. In all he served some six or eight years on the water. Farming, however, was his main work, and he followed that in his native county for some years. On coming west he com- menced work on a farm in Kane county, and for two years worked by the month on various farms. He then rented a farm for two years, after which he rented the Able farm, where he remained six years, and then purchased a portion of his present farm. To his original purchase he added from time to time until he had two hundred and sev- enty-five acres of valuable land, thirty- five acres of which he has since sold, leaving him a tract of two hundred and forty acres which is under a high state of cultiva- tion, with a good frame dwelling house, large and substantial barn, and good out-
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buildings. When purchased the greater part of the farm was unimproved.
Mr. Weaver was united in marriage February 9, 1857, to Mrs. Adelia Trimble, a native of Erie county, New York, born in 1825, and a daughter of John Talmage, who drove through from New York to Chi- cago, with a team in 1836, and located in Du Page county. Mrs. Weaver was but eleven years of age, and there she grew to womanhood, and first gave her hand in marriage to Charles H. Trimble, and they settled in Kane county, where he engaged in farming. In 1849, on the discovery of gold in California, he went to that new Eldorado, and there died soon after. By her first marriage, she became the mother of two children-Adelbert, who grew to mature years and then died, and Ella, who died at the age of thirteen years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver six children were born as follows: Ada . A., who died when about seven years of age; Frances E., now the wife of James McDermott, of Wis- consin; Imogene, who died in childhood; Fanny, who also died in childhood, Oris- sa, wife of Theodore Brandenburg, of Kane county; and Herbert A., who married Florence Emmett, a native of Kane county, who was educated in Geneva and Batavia, and taught school for some years previous to her marriage, as did also her husband; they have one child, Roy Maxwell.
Mr. Weaver was originally an old-line Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. For nearly fifty years he has been a resident of Kane county, and is well and favorably known as a man of exemplary habits and upright and character, he and his estimable wife are held in the highest respect by all who know them.
M ARSHALL LAWRENCE, who is en- gaged in general and dairy farming on section 8, Burlington township, was born on section 32 of the same township, and is the son of Edward and Melissa (Marshall) Lawrence. Edward Lawrence is the son of Robert Lawrence, who for many years ran a boat on the canal in England, and there died at the age of seventy-three years, never coming to this country. Our sub- ject's father was born in Thurnham, Lan- cashire, England, where for eleven years he ran a merchant boat on the canal. ' Remov- ing from that place, he resided at Liverpool for about one year, and then carne to Amer- ica in company with two brothers, sailing for New York from Liverpool in 1850. The two brothers that accompanied him were both younger. William is deceased. and John resides in Sycamore, De Kalb county. Coming direct to Kane county, Illinois, Edward Lawrence settled in St. Charles, where he .resided one summer, re- moving from there to Charter Grove, De Kalb county, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he bought a farm on section 32, Burlington township, and later, about 1 860, purchased the farm on which our sub- ject now resides on sections 8, 16, and 17, Burlington township. Here Mr. Lawrence made his home until 1881, when he retired from active life and moved to Genoa, De Kalb county, Illinois, residing there up to November, 1896, at which time he removed to Elgin, where he is now living in re- tirement.
On the 4th of June, 1856, Edward Law- rence was united in marriage with Miss Me- lissa Marshall, born in Nottinghamshire, England, and a daughter of William and Mary (Binghain) Marshall. Mrs. Law-
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rence's father served for seven years in the and forty acres. This farm was purchased British army. To this union were born four children in order of birth as follows: Marshall, the subject of this review; Jennie, residing in Elgin with her parents; Robert Edward, a merchant of Elgin; and Mary E., wife of Edwin Lawson, also engaged in the mercantile business in Elgin, Illinois.
Marshall Lawrence was an attendant of the district school No. 10, Burlington town- ship, until his twentieth birthday, after which he rented his father's farm, consisting of one hundred and ninety acres on sections 8, 16, and 17, which he conducts as a general and dairy farm, niilking from thirty to thirty- five cows, and selling the product to the fac- tory at Burlington. Mr. Lawrence was joined in wedlock February 24, 1886, in Genoa, De Kalb county, Illinois, with Miss Sallie Schairer, a native of Naperville, Illinois, and a daughter of George and Salome (Vogt) Schairer, the former dying when Sal- lie was but five years old.
George Schairer was born in Baden, Ger- many, January 12, 1813, and died in Feb- ruary, 1868. In 1826, when only a lad of thirteen, he came to America, reaching his destination after passing through a number of exciting adventures, including that of shipwreck. He had sailed for New York, but eventually landed in New Orleans, from which place he started north. Working at various places in the different states on his way up, he finally reached Chicago, two years after his landing in New Orleans. On his arrival in Chicago he took up the trade of a tailor, which he learned thoroughly. Leaving Chicago he went to Naperville, Illi- nois, where he worked at his trade for many years. On the 15th of September, 1865, he removed to Burlington, Illinois, where he purchased a farm consisting of one hundred
on the 15th of December of the same year, and later was increased to two hundred and thirty-seven and a half acres, which his sons, Charles and Lewis, now operate. Mr. Schairer continued working at histrade up to a short time before his death. He was an earnest worker and an active member of the · Lutheran church, and fraternally he was a member of the I. O. O. F.
George Shairer was united in marriage with Miss Salome Vogt, a native of Gierst- heim, Alsace, Germany, and who came with her parents to America when ten years of age. The family settled in Lisle, Du Page county, Illinois, where the father bought an eighty-acre farm. Both parents of Mrs. Schairer were killed in a cyclone, which oc- curred in 1868, the father meeting his death at the bridge, being struck by flying timbers as he was hastening home to protect his family; the mother being killed in the house with her children, none of whom met injury. The grandfather of Mrs. Schairer, Philip Vogt, and his two sons were killed while serving in the French army in Africa. Of the seven children born to George and Salome Schairer, five yet survive, as follows: George, a resident of Aurora; Charles H., a resident of Elgin; Carrie M., wife of Charles A. Chase; Louis, a merchant of Burlington; and Sallie, wife of our subject.
To Marshall and Sallie (Schairer) Law- rence have been born two children, Pearl Winifred and Bertha May. In political belief Mr. Lawrence is independent, voting for the man he considers best qualified to fill the office regardless of party. He has served in several official positions, among them that of highway commissioner, which office he filled for some five years, and then refused to be a candidate. He was school
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director for over thirteen years, always tak- ing a deep interest in all things pertaining to education or plans to advance the ma- terial interests of his county.
W ILLAM GROTE .- The city of Elgin has within its borders a number of men who have become prominent in the social, political and financial world, and among them all none stand higher, or are worthy of greater commendation than the one whose name heads this sketch. His parents, Wm. and Sophia (Eberhardt) Grote, were German peasants of thrifty, careful and religious habits, who spent their last days in the new world, locating in Bart- lett, Du Page county, Illinois, in 1867, the mother dying in 1879, at the age of sixty- seven years, and the father May 27, 1895, at the age of eighty-three years.
William Grote was born in the hamlet of Winzlar, in the province of Hanover, Germany, November 22, 1849, and there secured a limited education in the parodcial schools. Early in life he learned of that country, in which peasant life was unknown, and where even the humblest had the op- portunity of attaining the highest rank-the grand United States of America. Obtain- ing the consent of his parents, he crossed the Atlantic in 1866, when but sixteen years of age, landing in New York, but at once coming west, locating in Bartlett, Du Page county, Illinois, where for one year he was employed as a farm hand. He was then joined by his parents, and together they purchased a farm which they cultivated for nearly five years.
While not not altogether distasteful to him, the life of a farmer was not suited to
our subject. His energy and his mental make-up were not such as could be satisfied with farm work, however honorable or however profitable it might be. Accordingly in 1871 he left the farm and removed to Elgin, where he embarked in the mercantile business, which he successfully continued for eleven years. Though it yielded a good income and was a paying investment, it did not, however, offer the scope for extended operations which he desired, and he there- fore disposed of his interests. Prior to this he had invested somewhat in real estate in Elgin, and on retiring from the mercantile trade he determined to engage more exten- sively in the real estate business.
Not having all the capital desired for the prosecution of his new enterprise, Mr. Grote associated with himself in a portion of the business E. D. Waldron, who became the "silent partner" of the firm. His suc- cess was remarkable from the beginning. Mr. Grote carefully watched indications of . rise in land values, and when he thought investments could profitably be made, he bought land, and became the owner of ex- tensive tracts in and around Elgin, in addi- tion to much business property. This he divided into city lots, and more than twenty large additions were made by and through him, including the Grote & Waldron, first, second and third, Central Park, Winzlar, Boulevard and Grand View additions.
Some time later, upon the partial retire- ment from active business of Mr. Waldron, A. B. Church became associated with Mr. Grote, thus strengthening the firm finan- cially and otherwise. Substantial edifices, which add to the beauty and attractiveness of his adopted city, stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of Mr. Grote and his associates. While in company with Mr.
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Waldron, he erected the Grote & Waldron and the McClure blocks, and in 1880, in connection with Mr. Church, he erected the Merchants Hotel Block, formerly the Jen- nings House, in which is located the princi- pal hotel in the city.
Time has shown that the highest type of business ability is found in the successful real estate dealer, who must be able to an- ticipate the rise and fall in the value of land, must be able to read character, so as to know the individual with whom he is deal- ing, and must so plan and arrange all mat- ters that the persons who are in search of a location may be induced to settle upon property which he controls. Many cities of the west owe their existence to the enter- prise and perseverance of some capable real estate dealer. They are virtually the founders of a town and are connected with its development from the time of its incep- tion. That Mr. Grote has all the elements of the successful real-estate man is attested by his work in and for Elgin.
Through the instrumentality of Mr. Grote many industries have been located in Elgin which promote commercial activity and make it one of the thriving cities of the northwest. It was through him that the well-known D. C. Cook Publishing Com- pany established their. house here; also the Illinois Watch Case Company, the Ludlow Shoe Company, the Cutter & Crossett Company, manufacturers of gents' furnish- ing goods, the Elgin Silver Plate Company, and the Elgin Sewing Machine & Bicycle Company, all of great importance and value to the city, and representing a donated capital of about one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars.
While Mr. Grote has great capacity for work and excellent business ability, his op-
erations have all been confined to Elgin. He is thoroughly loyal to the city which gave him a home, and all his energies are for its upbuilding. Among the various con- cerns which have added to the material prosperity of the city, with which he is con- nected, are the Elgin City, Carpentersville & Aurora railway, of which he is president; also president of the Elgin Packing Com- pany; secretary of the Elgin Lumber Com- pany; president of the South Elgin Stone Company; director of the Home National Bank; director of the Home Savings Bank; secretary of the Elgin Brick and Tile Com- pany; vice-president of the Elgin Milkine Company; in fact, he is connected with nearly every enterprise of importance in the city.
In his private life Mr. Grote has been most fortunate. He was married March 10, 1872, to Miss Kate Deuchler, a resident of Dundee, Illinois, and to them have been born five children, two sons and three daugh- ters, of whom Augusta, Anna and William are still living. In addition to these they have an adopted son, Frank, whom they are carefully and tenderly rearing. Mrs. Grote has been to her husband a true help- meet, and has seconded him in every effort made to rise in the world.
Politically Mr. Grote is a stalwart Re- - publican, and is deeply interested in the success and growth of his party. Although it would seem that his business enterprises would occupy his entire time and attention, he has served the people as supervisor two years and assistant supervisor four years. For six years he was one of the members of the board of education of Elgin, working earnestly for the advancement of its schools. In 1891 he headed his party's ticket for the position of mayor, was elected and served
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so acceptably that the business and repre- sentative men of the city, in 1893, elected him for a second term. He is strong in all the essentials that combine to make a val- uable and trustworthy official. Whatever he undertakes to do he does thoroughly and well. He conducted his office as he would manage his own affairs, strictly on business principles, and for this reason he has given general satisfaction. The people delight to honor such men-men who accept public office as .a public trust, and who bear its responsibilities and perform its duties fear- lessly and conscientiously, jealously guard- ing the sacred interests of the people whom they have been called to serve.
During the administration of Mr. Grote as mayor a new city hall was built, and upon its completion he donated the clock which now adorns its tower. Many im- provements in the way of sewerage and paving were inade during his incumbency of the office, the light and water plants were largely increased, and other improvements added, which make Elgin one of the most advanced cities in northern Illinois.
It is ås a philanthropist and public ben- efactor that Mr. Grote is entitled to more credit than he has yet received. His char- ities have ever been of the most quiet and unostentatious character, and within a few years he has given thousands of dollars, with scarcely a comment beyond those from the people most directly interested. With the German Evangelical Association he has been identified since childhood, and in the erection of the magnificent house of wor- ship of that body in Elgin, built at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars, and which is the finest in the city, he contributed most liberally, which enabled the church to be dedicated free from debt. He is trustee of
the association, and for many years has been superintendent of its Sunday-school, a po- sition which he is eminently qualified to fill. He also acted as one of the trustees for the association's board of publication for Amer- ica, Germany and Japan, which has head- quarters at Cleveland, Ohio, and as trustee for Northwestern College, located at Naper- ville, Illinois.
When the association desired to estab- lish a mission at Lane Park addition to Lake View, Chicago, it was found that no funds were available, and Mr. Grote then set to work. He first secured two lots from the owners, and then personally assisted in building the church and partially supported its minister for a period of five years. This church is now prosperous and self-sustain- ing. When the Sherman hospital was erected in Elgin he contributed one thou- sand dollars, and, in addition, he has given much and often to other worthy charities, of which he keeps no record. He gives from a true Christian spirit, and not from any desire to win the praise of his fellow-men. There is nothing narrow or contracted in his nature, and he has made generous do- nations to various other churches, helping nearly all denominations in Elgın.
In 1887, accompanied by his wife and children, Mr. Grote crossed the Atlantic to the old world, and visited many parts of Europe, spending many pleasant hours amid the scenes of his boyhood. He has also traveled extensively in the United States, and finds in travel his chief source of rest and recreation. Mr. Grote is a very busy man, yet he is ever ready to pause in the midst of his business duties to listen to the appeals and relieve the needy. He is wholly worthy of the respect which is every- where tendered him, for his very name is
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synonymous with honorable dealing, and with all that is elevating to the individual or beneficial to the city.
A UGUSTUS H. DETTMER is a repre- sentative of the German-American citi- zens who have done so much in developing the agricultural interests of the northwest. He resides on section 29, Hampshire town- ship, where he has a fine farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres of well-improved land. He was born in the village of Lang- endahl, Hessen Cassel, Germany, Decem- ber 7, 1835. His paternal grandfather, August Dettmer, was the keeper of an inn, near the River Weser, and owned a small farm. The inn was on a road along which . drivers of teams which towed vessels up the river had to return, by a short cut, to their starting place. He was a good business man and quite prosperous. His wife was a Miss Albrecht. His son, William Dettmer, the father of our subject, was born in the village of Gretzbuern, Hessen Cassel, in 1809. He was reared to manhood in his native country and there married Miss Wil- helmina Alberding, born in Langendahl, in 1807, and a daughter of Jacob Alberding, a farmer in the old country. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Augustus H., our subject; Phillip, deceased; Caroline, living in Sycamore, Illinois; Her- man, deceased; Charles, living in. South Grove township, De Kalb county, Illinois; Henry, deceased; Cornelia, who married Joseph Schnee, and resides in South Grove township, De Kalb county.
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