The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 77

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

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In 1849, William Dettmer came with his family to the United States, and, land- ing in New York, there resided one year, and then came west and purchased a farm

in South Grove township, De Kalb county, Illinois, on which he resided until his death, in 1889, when in his eightieth year. He also followed agricultural pursuits in Ger- many, and, being an only son, he was re- quired to work very hard when a boy, and therefore had but little educational advan- tages. Trained to hard work, he kept it up during his entire life, and became one of the most prosperous farmers in De Kalb county.

The subject of this sketch attended school in his native village, and also at Nas- sen, Germany. He was fourteen years old when the family emigrated to America, in the spring of 1849. Sailing from Bremen,

- in April of that year, on the ship " Her- mena ", after a voyage of three weeks, they landed in New York, where he remained un- til 1856. At the age of twenty-one, he came to Illinois, first locating in South Grove township, DeKalb county, and worked for various farmers for about four years. On the 16th of September, 1861, he married, in Hampshire township, Miss Magdelena Munch, who was born in Tona- wanda, Niagara county, New York, about 1840, and died March, 1890. She was the daughter of Phillip and Magdelena (Scheur) Munch, the former a native of Alsace, Ger- many. By this union are five children- Lydia, who married Harrison Reams, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; George, who died at the age of nine months; Emina, who married Mark Devine, by whom she has one child, Dettmer; they reside in Elburn, Illinois; Matilda, who married Henry Rittel, and lives in Hamp- shire, Illinois; and Edward A., who mar- ried Alice Reid, daughter of Alexan- der Reid, whose genealogy is given in full elsewhere in the work. Mrs. Edward

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A. Dettmer has been one of the successful teachers of Kane and De Kalb counties, having taught one year in the Warner dis- trict, three years in the district where she now resides, in Kane county, and three years in De Kalb county. She graduated from the Hampshire High School in 1890.

In 1861, Mr. Dettmer rented a farm for one year in De Kalb county, and then bought eighty-five acres in South Grove, township, Dakota county, which he con- tinued to operate for ten years. In 1872, he sold that farm, and purchased his pres- ent place on section 29, Hampshire town- ship, Kane county, Illinois, rebuilt the house house and barns, and has since continued to reside. For some years he was engaged in general farming and stockraising, but now gives more time to dairy farming, ship- ping the products from Hampshire to Chi- cago. His first presidential voté was cast for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and has since continued to act with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church.

S AMUEL R. PLUMMER, who is oper- ating a farm on section 20, Big Rock township, first came to Kanecounty in 1855, when a young man of twenty-four years. He is a native of Massachusetts, born in the town of West Newberry, Essex county, May 16, 1831. The family are of English de- scent, and of Quaker stock. His father, John L. Plummer, was a native of Maine, and the only son born to his parents. His father dying when he was but a small child, he was taken to Massachusetts and reared by some of his mother's family. He mar- ried, in Massachusetts, Miss Joanna Rogers, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter

of Captain Samuel Rogers. John L. Plum- mer was by occupation a farmer, and also a manufacturer of shoes. He spent his life and reared his family at West Newberry, Massachusetts, and there died in 1877, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died about 1851. Of their three sons and six daughters, seven grew to mature years, our subject and three daughters being the only survivors.

In his native town, Samuel R. Plummer was reared and educated in its public schools. In his youth he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and followed that occupation prior to his removal west. On coming to Kane county he located at Aurora, where he engaged in contracting and building, following that business at intervals for seven years. In 1862 he accepted a position with a Rochester, New York, nursery company, and for thirteen years was engaged in travel- ing, and selling nursery stock. His travels took him over twenty-one states, and also into New and Old Mexico, during which time he disposed of nearly a half million dollars worth of stock. While on the road he made his home at Aurora, and during which time he put out ten acres of strawberry plants in Aurora, and cultivated and sold the same to the trade.

On leaving the employ of the nursery company, Mr. Plummer worked for about two years at his trade, and then returned to Massachusetts, and located on the old homestead which he operated until in De- cember, 1883, when he returned to Kane county, and located on the place where he now resides, and on which he has continued to live, engaged in agricultural pursuits. On the farm where he now resides, he was married, September 13, 1864, to Miss Ma- tilda, a daughter of Alexis and Ophelia B.

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(Long) Hall, the latter being a daughter of Dr. Silas Long, who was the first physician in Big Rock township. He came from Mas- sachusetts, but was a native of Vermont. In 1836 he located on the farm now occu- pied by our subject. Alexis Hall was also one of the honored pioneers of Kane coun- ty, who on coming here, purchased a tract of about five hundred acres, which he placed under cultivation. Squire Hall was a very prominent man in the early days, and held various positions of honor and trust. He died here January 15, 1883, at the age of eighty-two years; his wife survived him six years, dying February 26, 1889. Mrs. Plummer was reared on the farm here, and after attending the public schools of the neighborhood, finished her course at Jen- nings Seminary, Aurora. Her father was twice married, and she was one of the chil- dren by the second wife. On' the division of the estate, after the death of the parents, she succeeded to the part on which they now reside. To Mr. and Mr. Plummer one daughter was born, Mary O., now the wife of H. Leon Cutting, who resides in Stamford, Connecticut, and is in govern- ment employ as · postal clerk on the Ham- burg and American line of steamers, run- ning between New York and Hamburg and Berlin. He passed an examination among six thousand applicants for governmental positions, and is now one of sixteen engaged in that work.

Politically, Mr. Plummer is a lifelong Republican and a firm believer in the prin- ciples of that party. He was made a Mas- ter Mason in Aurora in 1859, and is now a Knight Templar. For forty-three years he has been identified with the interests of Kane county, and in its growth and pros- perity he takes especial pleasure.

JOHN G. KIRK, who owns and operates a large farm on section 10, Burlington township, was born in the town of Lanark- shire, Scotland, December 31, 1843. He was fifth in a family of seven children born to Joseph and Charlotte (Schoulds) Kirk. Joseph Kirk and his wife were both natives of "Bonnie Scotland," as was also his fa- . ther, Joseph Kirk, Sr., who for many years was an officer of the British army. He was born near the town of Bigger, in the eastern part of Lanarkshire, where he was engaged in farming until coming to America in 1851. After coming to the United States he again took up the occupation of a farmer, at which he continued until his death in 1858, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy- one years.

John G. Kirk left the land of his birth when a lad of eight years, and, coming direct to the United States, settled in North- port, near New Haven, Connecticut, in company with his parents. Here he resided for six years, attending school in the mean- while. In 1857 the bright halo of success which surrounded the west at that time attracted him, and determining to succeed in life, he immigrated to Illinois, settling in St. Charles, Kane county, where he re- sided for a number of years, and then went to Chicago. After trying various kinds of einployment he engaged in the meat-market business, at which he continued for two years, when he left the mercantile trade to take the position of fireman on the Illinois Central railroad, also later being employed by the Northwestern railway at the same work. Leaving the railroad, at which he had been engaged for over two years, he came back to St. Charles, where he bought a small farm and opened up a meat market in the town, which occupied his attention

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for the succeeding two years. He kept his ity to again view the grand old town. Mrs. farm for three or four years; then selling it, rented a farm in Virgin township for three years. Kirk yet remembers well the line of de- markation where the muddy waters of the Lahn mingle with the clean green of the Rhine, as it flows into the latter.

In 1881 Mr. Kirk bought the farm on which he now resides, consisting of one hun- dred and forty acres of finely cultivated farm land. This he ran as a dairy farm princi- pally until 1896, when he commenced buy- ing and selling dairy stock and fattening steers for the market in connection with his general farming. On purchasing his farm our subject rebuilt the house and moved the barns and other outbuildings across the road to a later purchase, in order to make the group of buildings one home place. The farm is well improved and is extremely fer- tile, being well tiled throughout.

To the father and mother of Mr. Kirk seven children were born, their order of birth being as follows: Jane, the wife of Samuel S. Lee, residing in St. Charles; Francis, married and residing with his chil- dren west of Batavia; Elizabeth, deceased; Joseph, residing near St. Charles, Illinois; John G., our subject; Margaret, deceased; and William, who is now living in Chicago.

On the 3rd of April, 1862, Mr. Kirk was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Pazen, a native of Germany, born at Ems, on River Lahn, in Hessen Nassen, April 20, 1839, and came to America in 1853, sailing from Amsterdam and landing in New York, being sixty-three days on the water. She came direct to Chicago, where the marriage ceremony was solemnized. The father of Mrs. Kirk died while they yet resided in their native land, and before leaving the old country Mrs. Pazen took all the children through Amsterdam, showing them the various points of interest, as more than likely they would never have the opportun-

To Jacob and Helen (Bensz) Pazen were born seven children: Frank C., a former resident of Wisconsin, is now deceased; Gertrude, deceased; Jacob, who now resides in Oskosh, Wisconsin; Sophie, deceased; Louisa, the wife of our subject; Susetta, living in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Joseph, who occupies a very prominent position with the Chicago fire department. He is the second assistant to the chief, and is well and favorably known in political and social circles, where he exerts considerable influence.

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have been blessed by the birth of eight children, seven of whom are yet living. Frank, the eldest born is deceased. ' The living are: Ella, residing at home with her parents; Walter, who is a milk conductor on the Illinois Central rail- way, running to Chicago, married Laura God- frey, a daughter of Charles B. Godfrey, of Burlington, Illinois, and by whom she has two children-Elmer and Verna; Lillie, re- siding at home; Jennette married Ennis Chapman, a blacksmith of Burlington, Illi- nois, and has three children-Florence, Ada and Frank; Mary, Gertrude and Adella, all residing with their father and mother in Burlington township.

In political faith, Mr. Kirk is an ardent Republican, and while not caring for official position, preferring to give his attention to his business interests, has been prevailed upon to accept the office of justice of the peace, which he has held since 1896, prior to which time he served as constable for four years. He was also a school director

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for six years. Fraternally, Mr. Kirk is a ber of years, and having acquired a com- member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at St. Charles, Illinois.

While a resident of Chicago, he was se- lected to drive and escort President Lincoln around through the city. He is president of the Annual Picnic Association of Burling- ton township, the meetings of which attract many thousands.

H JAROLD D. HEMMENS, editor and publisher of the " Daily and Weekly Courier," was born in Elgin in 1858. In . 1882 he, with the late W. S. Doherty, be- gan the publication of the "Courier," and has since continued the work up to the present time. He advocates all measures for the good of the city, and champions its progress along all beneficial lines. Journal- ism has been his life work, and in his chosen field of labor he has won a fair success.

JOHN W. CRIGHTON, section 4, Ge- J neva township, is one of the practical, representative farmers of the township in which he resides. He is what may well be termed " a native son of Illinois," born in Dundee township, Kane county, September 15, 1854. The father of our subject, Will- iam Crighton, was born in Scotland, where he attained his majority, and came to the United States a young man of twenty-one. Coming direct to Illinois, he located in Chi- cago, and there engaged in the butcher business for some years. He later re- moved to Kane county, where he pur- chased a . farm near Dundee, which he opened up and improved. Mr. Crighton continued in agricultural pursuits for a num-

petence, which enables him to live in ease and retirement, he moved to the village of Dundee, where he has since resided. Will- iam Crighton was united in marriage with Miss Grace Todd, whose land of nativity was Scotland, but who came to this coun- try when a lass of seven. Her father, James Todd, was one of the early settlers of Kane county, locating in Dundee town- ship.

John W. Crighton, our subject, grew to manhood on the old farm in Dundee town- ship, and received his education in the dis- trict and high school at Dundee. He re- mained at home until he attained his ma- jority, and then went to Chicago, and there worked one year for other parties in the milk business, then started in the same line for himself. For thirteen years he contin- ued in the milk business in Chicago with gratifying success, having worked up a large trade. About 1886 he traded his Chicago property for seventy-eight acres of his pres- ent farm, and in the spring of 1889 moved to the place and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Since locating on the farm he has built a good residence and . large barn and ınade other substantial im- provements. To his original purchase he has added sixty-five acres adjoining, and has now one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood.

Mr. Crighton was married at Glen Ellyn, Illinois, April 29, 1880, to Miss Mary Cooper, a native of Illinois, born and reared at Glen Ellyn, and a sister of Hon. L. C. Cooper, of that place. By this union there are three living children-Harry Les- lie, Edith A., and John Wilbur. The first born, William, died when five years of age.

Politically Mr. Crighton is a life-long

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Republican, having cast his first presiden- are yet living, and whose order of birth is tial ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. as follows: John, residing in Sycamore, De Kalb county, Illinois; Thomas H., the subject of this review; Joseph, who is en- gaged in farming in Nebraska; William, now operating a grocery in Ottawa, Illinois; Mary Jane, who first married Dr. Morand, and after his death was again united in mar- riage, being wedded to William Heren, who is engaged in farming in Michigan. The principles of the party have ever been such that he could readily give his assent to, but he has never been a politician in the common acceptation of the term. Office seeking especially has been distasteful to him, his time and attention being given to his business interests. Religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which she is especially interest- ed. Socially they are both held in the highest esteem, and have many friends in Kane and -Cook counties. Success has crowned their efforts, and they are num- bered among the well-to-do citizens of Ge- neva township.

T THOMAS H. SOLOMON, who owns and operates a farm on section 16, Burlington township, was born in the city of Chicago, on State 'street, September 12, 1850, and was the second child to bless the union of Thomas and Emma (Pierce) Solomon. Thomas Solomon, the father of our subject, was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, and in early life learned the trade of a shoemaker. This occupation he followed in Cornwall, and also in Chicago after his removal to the United States. In 1854 he, desiring a change, moved to Burlington township, where he purchased one hundred and thirty-seven acres of farming land, and here resided until his death, which occurred in 1896, at the age of seventy-six years.

Thomas Solomon was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma Pierce, a native of Cornwall, England, and a daughter of John Pierce. Mrs. Solomon died in November, 1884, at the age of sixty-six. To this union was born five children, all of whom

The subject of this sketch was but four years of age when he came with his parents to Kane county, settling in Burlington town- ship. Here he attended school until the age of fifteen, after which he aided his father in the cultivation of the home farm, but upon reaching his majority he was joined in wedlock with Miss Grace Munn, and rented a farm in Virgil township for one year. Returning to Burlington township, he leased his father's farm for three years, and then moved to St. Charles, Illinois, where he was employed in various capaci- ties for the succeeding two years. Remov- ing back to Burlington township, Mr. Solo- mon bought a small farm of twenty-six acres, where he resided twelve years. Sell- ing this place, he again rented his father's homestead. In June, 1891, he purchased his present place, consisting of forty acres, which he operates as a dairy farm, also being largely interested in bees. In con- nection with his dairy business, he raises hogs and poultry for the market.

On the 24th of September, 1871, Mr. Solomon was united in marriage with Miss Grace Munn, as before mentioned. Mrs. Solomon was born in Virgil township, Kane county, Illinois, and is the daughter of John Munn, a native of East Kent, England. John Munn emigrated to America in 1845, and lived to the age of seventy-one years,

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dying about 1878. His father, John Munn, Sr., died in England, where he resided all his life. The father of Mrs. Solomon was united in marriage with Miss Thankful Northway, a daughter of Harmon North- way, a native of England. To John and Thankful Munn were born seven children, of whom Mrs. Solomon was third in order of birth.

The union of Thomas H. Solomon and Grace Munn, was blessed by the birth of six children: Fred, residing at home; Stella, wife of Wm. Van Doosen, a farmer of Burlington, and to whom have been born one child, Edith; Fannie is the wife of Edward Vogle, who is engaged in farming in Riley township, McHenry county, Illi- nois, and to them one child has been born, which died in infancy; Frank, Edna and Ida, all residing with their parents.

Mr. Solomon is an ardent supporter of Republican principles, and has been some- what active in local politics. He was an efficient constable of the township for twelve years, and filled that office to the satisfaction of others as well as his parti- sans. He was also school director for a period of six years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, Burlington camp, No. 471.

C H. WAYNE, who has attained dis- tinction as one of the able members of the Elgin bar, is now practicing as a mem- ber of the firmn of Botsford, Wayne & Bots- ford. In this profession probably more than any other success depends upon indi- vidual merit, upon a thorough understand- ing of the principles of jurisprudence, a power for keen analysis, and the ability to present clearly, concisely and forcibly the

strong points in his cause. Possessing these necessary qualifications, Mr. Wayne is ac- corded a foremost place in the ranks of the profession in Kane county, and stands to- day as one of the most esteemed members of the Elgin bar.

A native of Union, McHenry county, Illinois, he was born December 27, 1855, the only child of Harley and Ellen (Dietz) Wayne. His paternal grandfather, An- thony Wayne, a native of the Empire state, came to Illinois in 1842, locating in McHenry county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits. He had a family of three sons and a daughter, and died at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather, William Dietz, was also born in New York, and was of German lineage. He was a farmer by occupation, and died at the age of sixty years. Both the parents of our subject were born in New York. The father, locat- ing in McHenry county about 1842, was a general merchant of Union for a number of years, and was a very prominent and influ- ential citizen, especially active in affairs political. He became one of the ardent advocates of the Republican party on its organization, and in 1860 served as clerk of the house of representatives of Illinois. At the beginning of the Civil war he loyally re- sponded to the country's call, mustering as a member of Company D, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. He was elected to the rank of captain, and as such fell fighting at the bat- tle of Shiloh, April 5, 1862. when thirty- eight years of age. Mrs. Wayne still sur- vives her husband, and is a member of the Methodist church, to which he also belonged.

Charles H. Wayne was reared in the village of Union, and acquired his education in the public schools of that town and Ma- rengo. Later he attended the Chicago

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University, where he was graduated in the fall of 1856, and has here since continued class of 1880. Determining to enter the to reside. He was born in Warrensburg, Tioga county, New York, November 12, 1838. His father, Samuel Ellis, was a na- tiee of the same county and state, born in 1805. He there grew to manhood and mar- ried Margaret Westbrook, also a native of Tioga county, New York. In 1844 he re- moved with his family to Canada, and there engaged in the lumber business, buy- ing and shipping to various points. For eleven years he engaged in that business legal profession and make the practice of law his life work, he became a student in the law office of A. B. Coon, of Marengo, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1882. He came to Elgin in March, 1883, and has practiced here continually since with marked success. He was a deep thinker, a logical reasoner, strong in argu- ment and forceful in delivery, and his ad- dresses before court or jury never fail to carry great weight and seldom fail to con- vince, he having won some notable forensic triumphs when opposing some of the strong- est members of the Elgin bar.

On the 17th of January, 1888, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Wayne and Miss Mary C. Smith, a daughter of Leonidas L. and Sarah (Stewart) Smith. She is a mem- ber of the Episcopal church and presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home, which is a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Wayne belongs to Marengo lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Lansing chapter, R. A. M .; Bethel commandery, No. 36, K. T., and Medinah temple of the Mystic Shrine of Chicago. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics is a Republican. He was president of the board of trustees of Elgin for one term and also mayor of the city for one year, and his administration of the munici- pal affairs was progressive and reformatory. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the public welfare and is accounted one of the most valued citizens of Elgin.

JEROME B. ELLIS, who is engaged in farining and stock raising in Geneva township, first came to Kane county in the

and in 1856 came to Kane county, Illinois, and bought the farm where our subject now resides, and which was a fairly well im- proved place. Here he engaged in general farining, and here spent the remainder of his life, dying in May, 1865, at the age of sixty years. His wife survived him for years, passing away in December, 1895, when nearly eighty-nine years old. Of their family of eight children, all grew to mature years. They were Joshua, who settled in Bay City, Michigan, where he engaged in business; Jerome B., of this review; Daniel, a farmer of Kane county; Mrs. Van Wert, of Geneva; Mrs. John Fick, Samuel, Ed- ward and Mrs. Langs. The four last named are now deceased.

The subject of this sketch was a young man of seventeen when he came with his . parents to Kane county. In the common schools of Canada and also in the schools of Geneva he received a good education. He remained with his father, assisting in the cultivation of the home farm until twenty- one years of age, when he left home, and spent two seasons upon the lake, and then spent two years roving around, principally through the east. His father being ill he returned home and took charge of the farm, taking care of his parents during the re-

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 77

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