The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 8

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

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When about fifteen years old, on account of the ill-health of his father, young Owen had to take charge of the farm. The re- sponsibility was great, but he was equal to the occasion, and the old farm never suffered under his management. On the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead and it yet remains in his possession. Its limits, how- ever, have been extended, and it now com- prises seven hundred acres of as fine land as one would wish to see. The improvements have always been well maintained. Tene- ment houses, barns and other outbuildings have been erected as the occasion demanded, and in 1897 there were four families living on the old homestead. In addition to this farm, Mr. Weld owns three hundred acres at Pingree Grove, where a little town is springing up, and which now contains a tile factory, stores, a good schoolhouse, a hand- some park and a number of cottages.

On the tith of January, 1854, Mr. Weld

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was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Kelley, a daughter of John and Eliza (Mansfield) Kelley, the former born in Sche- nectady, and the latter in Esptirs, New York, but who moved to Kane county in pioneer days. Two daughters were born of this union-Hattie E. and Mary May. The former married Orlando Wing, and they now reside in St. James, Minnesota. They have two daughters and one son-Mary Belle, Lyla Abby and Owen Weld Wing. Mrs. Wing has lately made application for membership in the Daughters of the Revo- lution, both Welds and Manns being repre- sented in the Revolutionary war. Her great-great-great-grandfather, Stanford, was also in the service. Mary May married J. Frank Page and they now reside in Chicago.

Few persons are better known in Kane county than Mr. and Mrs. Weld, and their memory of bygone days is remarkable. Both remember well the Rev. N. C. Clark, the first Congregational minister to preach in Elgin, and also the Rev. Ambrose, the first Baptist minister to break the bread of life to the citizens of that place. Mrs. Weld remembers the first marriage which occurred in the neighborhood where her parents located. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Weld are Universalists, having an abid- ing faith in the love of God and in the final holiness and happiness of all mankind. Mrs. Weld has been an active member of the Universalist Ladies Benevolent Society since its organization, and has done much toward relieving the wants of the poor and deserving of Elgin. She is-also a charter and life member of the Woman's Club, of Elgin.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Weld at No. 52 North Crystal street, Elgin, into which they moved in 1882, is one of the very best

houses in the city. It is a beautiful brick mansion, elegantly furnished and located on a fine site conimanding a view of the busi- ness portion of the city. It is without doubt one of the most substantial built residences in the place. Here they from time to time entertain their host of friends in a most hospitable manner. Their acquaintance is very extended and they know personally nearly all the old settlers in the county.

Politically, Mr. Weld is a Prohibitionist, and to the cause of Prohibition has given study and thought as well as time and money. The liquor traffic has always had in him one of its most steadfast foes. He is also a firm believer in bimetallism, but as a politician he is but little known as he has never been an office seeker, and has always been content to give his time and attention to his business interests. As a farmer he was a pronounced success, and while prac- tically living retired much of his time is yet spent in looking after his farming interests, and he now raises many fine horses and cattle. While more than three-score years have passed by in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Weld they have left but a light impress upon them and 'by their cheerful manners they brighten the lives of those around them. Few persons are more popular wherever known.

JOHN MCDONOUGH is a retired farmer residing in Hampshire, Illinois, and who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and by a life of toil succeeded in accumulating enough of this world's goods to enable him to live in ease and retirement. He was born at Machelfield, near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, June 1, 1826. When quite young he accompanied his par- ents to America, sailing from Belfast, and

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landing at Montreal, Canada, being thirteen weeks on the water. The family remained at Montreal one winter, and then moved some thirty or forty miles southeast of the city, on the line dividing. Canada from the state of Vermont. He there lived until the age of seventeen, when he went to the town of Bridgeport, Addison county, Vermont, where he worked on farms for three years. Hearing of the advantages that were open to the aspiring ones in the west, he deter- mined to emigrate where land was cheap, and the opportunities were much greater for the industrious one than in the east. Ac- cordingly, in the fall of 1848, by ox team, he went to Ogdensburg, New York, thence by boat to the mouth of the Niagara river, and by team to Buffalo, and thence to Chi- cago by boat. While on the lakes they en- countered some severe storms, at one time being storm-bound at Manitou, and again at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From Chicago he came to Kane county, Illinois, and located in Burlington township, where he purchased forty acres of land on section 35, to which he added from time to time, until he had a fine farm of two hundred acres. When he purchased the place there was on it a large log cabin, and thirty acres of land had been broken. It is now a well-improved farm, with a good house, barns and other out- buildings, and all improvements were made by our subject. For some years the farm has been used for dairy purposes, and on the place are usually kept about forty head of milch cows. John McDonough, Sr., the father of our subject, was also born in County Antrim, Ireland, and was the son of James McDonough, a native of Scotland, who emigrated to Ireland, and there died. John McDonough, Sr., married Rachel Hol- den, who was born in Ireland, but of Scot-

tish descent, and who died in Kentucky, at the age of sixty-nine years. They were the parents of seven sons and two daughters, five of whom came west, settling in Illinois and Iowa. The father also came west in 1851, and lived with our subject for many, years, but died at the home of a daughter, who was married and living in Kentucky.

The survivors of the family are: Mrs. Mary Steers, living in Kentucky; Richard, residing in Ogle county, Illinois; William, in Canada; Henry, in Missouri; John, in Hampshire, Kane county; Robert lived in Iowa, and is now deceased; and Mrs. Eliza Gould, in Chicago.

The subject of this sketch was first mar- ried in Burlington township, Kane county, November 20, 1852, to Miss Louisa Hamil- ton, born in Ohio, and a daughter of John and Sarah Hamilton. She died March 7, , 1856, leaving one son, William, who mar- ried Ella Secord, and lives in Sycamore, De Kalb county, where he is operating a creamery. They have one son, Charles. On the 15th of October, 1859, Mr. Mc- Donough was again married, his second union being with Miss Harriet Barber, born in Canada, and a daughter of Lahira and Anna (Nichols) Barber. By this second . marriage there are three children as follows: Luella, who married Ed. Cripps, by whom she has one child, Belle, and they reside in Burlington township; Herman, who married Dora Kraft, and lives in Chicago; and Es- telle, who married Eugene Young, by whom she has one daughter, Vera, and they re- side in the village of Hampshire.

Mrs. Harriet McDonough, died Feb- ruary 14, 1897. She was a woman of love- ly character, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and her death was sin- cerely mourned not alone by the bereaved

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husband and children but by many friends throughout Kane and adjoining counties. Mr. McDonough is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he takes a lively interest. In politics he is a Republican and for many years served as school director and also as road commis- sioner. A residence of fifty years in Kane county has made him many friends who es- teem him for his many estimable traits of character.

G EORGE E. HAWTHORNE .- History for the most part records only the lives of those who have attained distinction in military or political life, but in this prac- tical era it is the business man who fur- nishes to his neighbors and to future gen- erations the lessons that may be followed with profit. Those who become potential forces in a community are the men who in the face of opposition and competition work their way steadily upward, conquering all obstacles and overcoming all difficulties in their path, and their own successes lend added force to the welfare and progress of the communities with which they are con- nected.

Mr. Hawthorne is a representative of this type. . He has long been connected with the commercial interests of Elgin and is still regarded as her leading hardware merchant. He was born in Falls Vil- lage, Connecticut, December 7, 1844, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth Haw- thorne. His father was a native of Eng- land and came to the United States in early life, taking up his residence in the Nutmeg state. His wife came fromn the lit- tle rock-ribbed country of Wales. His death occurred in Elgin several years ago and his wife passed away in 1864. The

family came west in the '80s, locating in this city. In his political views the father was a Republican. His family numbered six children, namely: Richard J .; Lotta, wife of Joseph Britton, of Falls Village, Connecticut; George E .; Frederick K., who started for Michigan fifteen years ago and has never been heard from; Sarah, wife of Frank Conant, a resident of Denver, Colo- rado; and Ella, who is living in Elgin.

George E. Hawthorne was reared on a farm and assisted his father in its cultiva- tion until seventeen years of age. His in- itial studies were pursued in the common schools and supplemented by an academical course. When seventeen years of age he went to Winsted, Connecticut, where he learned the tinsmith's and plumber's trades, serving a three years' apprenticeship, after which he located in Armenia, New York, where he served in the capacity of foreman of two shops for a year.

Mr. Hawthorne then came to the west in 1866, arriving in Elgin on the 14th of No- vember. Here he accepted a position as foreman for Edson A. Kimball, with whom he continued for two and a half years, and also spent a similar period in the service of Rodgers Brothers. He then purchased the store of his employers, at the corner of State and Chicago streets, carrying on business there for about two years, when in company with F. S. Bosworth, they purchased the hardware stock of J. A. Carlisle on Chicago street, on the east side, conducting both stores through the succeeding two years, when he consolidated the two, carrying on operations on the east side. About two years later he sold out to Mr. Bosworth, and after six months when his brother R. J. Hawthorne arrived from Iowa he entered into partnership with him and embarked in

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business on Grove avenue under the firm name of Hawthorne Brothers. This was in 1876. In 1879 they erected a business block on Douglass avenue above the Home Bank building, occupying the same for eleven years, when they erected the splendid busi- ness block on DuPage street, which has now been occupied by the firm for about five years. This is a double building, three stories in height, and is occupied with an extensive stock of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, furnaces and plumbers' supplies. They employ on an average about twelve hands and have a very large and profitable business, having secured an excellent trade by reason of the honorable dealing and the fine goods which they handle.

Mr. Hawthorne, of this sketch, is also interested in a creamery in Richmond, Illi- nois. At one time the firm had in opera- tion seven creameries in Illinois and Wis- consin, but have now disposed of all save the one in Richmond. A few years ago they purchased the Spurling Block, the finest business building in the county, the lower floor being used for stores, the upper floors being converted into fine offices, supplied with all modern equipments and conven- iences. Mr. Hawthorne, our subject, was also director of the Home National Bank for three years. He is a mnan of wide re- source and excellent ability in matters of business, is quick to recognize and take ad- vantage of opportunities and whatever he plans lie carried forward to successful com- pletion along honorable lines that have won a most enviable reputation in commercial circles.

Mr. Hawthorne was married in June, 1869, to Miss Emma Gregory, a native of Elgin and a daughter of S. Gregory. She is a member of the Congregational church

and a lady of culture and refinement, who presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home. In his political views Mr. Hawthorne is a Republican, and though often solicited to become a candidate for official honors has steadily declined. He is a valued member of Monitor lodge, A. F. & A. M., Loyal L. Munn chapter, R. A. M., and Bethel commandery, K. T. He also belongs to the Century club and to the Black Hawk club, which has fitted up a splendid summer resort on the banks of the beautiful Lake Kosh-Konong, Wisconsin. They have there a commodious club house, hunting lodge and other buildings, and the neighborhood affords ample opportunities to the followers of both Isaak Walton and Nimrod to indulge their tastes. The mem- bers of this club are from all parts of the United States, and meet in this lovely spot to enjoy the pleasures and charms of out- door life.

Mr. Hawthorne is pre-eminently a man of affairs, yet has never pursued his business interests to the sacrifice of the development of a well-rounded character such as results from the cultivation of other interests. During the hot summer months he puts aside all cares and enjoys a season of rest and recreation in travel or in visiting the club resort before described, or other places of interest and beauty. He is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, of kindly manner, generous disposition and honorable purpose, and his well-spent life has gained to him many friends.

JOHN MANLY ADAMS, a leading pho- tographer of Elgin, was born September 19, 1833, at Almer, Canada, and is a son of Edward and Abigail (Padelford) Adams, natives of Oxford, England, and Massachu-

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setts, respectively. During his boyhood the father crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Canada, where he married and continued to live until his removal to Kane county, Illinois, in 1843, locating in Elgin. Throughout life he followed the occupation of shoemaking. He died in 1877, his wife April 27, 1857; both consistent and worthy members of the Baptist church.

In the public schools of Canada John M. Adams began his education, being ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Elgin, where he attended the high school until sixteen years old. Three years later he started out to earn his livelihood by manufacturing mattresses, at which occupation he was engaged for three or four years with fair success. For about five years following he worked at the plas- terer's trade, and then very successfully en- gaged in the butchering business for the four years preceding the Civil war. In 1861 he began learning photography, to which art he has since devoted his time and attention, and is now one of its most able representa- tives in Kane county. Being one of the best photographers in Elgin, he receives a liberal patronage, and as an upright, honorable business man, he commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in con- tact.

In October, 1851, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Elgin with her parents, Samuel J. Johnson and wife, natives of Pennsylvania, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born two chil- dren, namely: Spencer M., a photographer; and Mattie A., now the widow of Alfred Kingsley, of Barrington, Cook county, Illi- nois, and a resident of Elgin. The mother of these children, who was a consistent

member of the Baptist church, dying in Oc- tober, 1879, Mr. Adams was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Barbara (Duston) Saunders, a native of Canada, and widow of Charles Saunders. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Politically, Mr. Adams has always been a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in politics, always refusing to accept office. He is a member of the Photographers' Association of the United States, and often attends their conventions.

SPENCER M. ADAMS, the son, was born in 1852, and was reared and educated in Elgin. With his father he learned pho- tography, and has since successfully engaged in that business. He was married in 1875 to Miss Lizzie Hobrough, a native of Can- ada, who came to Elgin in 1869 with her parents, Charles and Mary Ann (Barnes) Hobrough, natives of England. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born two chil- dren, Mabel, and Charley M., who died at thirteen years of age. The mother and daughter are both members of the Episco- pal church. Politically Mr. Adams is an in- dependent Democrat, while fraternally he is a member of Silver Leaf camp, No. 60, A. O. U. W. He is also a member of the National Photographers' Association, usu- ally attends all its conventions, and has taken a number of premiums. Many of the portraits in this work are copies of photo- graphs taken by him.

H ENRY WARFORD, residing on sec- tions 3 and 4, Geneva township, is practically living a retired life. He- has been a resident of Kane county since 1844, and is therefore numbered among its early settlers, men who by their industry and self-

MR. AND MRS. HENRY WARFORD.

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF YL+ NHS.

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denial have made the county to rank among the best. in the state of Illinois. He is a native of the town of Butcome, Somerset- shire, England, born December 11, 1818, and is the son of Willian and Ann (Weeks) Warford, both of whom were natives of the same shire. His father dying when he was but four years of age, eight years afterward he went to live with an uncle, and with hitn came to the United States in 1832. They first located in Onondaga county, New York, where he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools.

A young man of twenty-six years, Mr. Warford came to Illinois and located in Geneva township, Kane county, and soon afterward purchased a tract of eighty acres of unimproved prairie land, two miles west of Geneva. He at once began its improve- ment, erecting upon the place a small frame house, to which he later added a wing, and in due course of time had a good, productive farm. He remained on that place about twelve years, but in the meantime had pur- chased thirty-five acres, where he now re- sides, and to which he removed after leav- ing his original farm. He has now one hun- dred and fourteen acres adjoining the cor- porate limits of Geneva, which is a well- improved and substantial farm.

Mr. Warford was united in marriage in Wayne county, New York, September 29, 1846, to Miss Hulda A. Hoag, a native of Wayne county, New York, and a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Smith) Hoag, pio- neers of that county, where they reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives. Previous to their marriage Mrs. War- ford was a successful teacher in her native county. By this union six children were born, three of whoin are now living: Alice M., wife of Jonathan Farrar, of Marshall

county, Kansas; Eunice H., wife of W. B. Guild, of Wheaton, Illinois; and Kate N., wife of H. W. Hawkins, of Geneva. They lost two infant sons. One daughter, Anna D., married Charles A. Barber, and they removed to Marysville, Kansas, where she died in March, 1890.

The first presidential vote of Mr. War- ford was cast for Martin Van Buren in 1840. At that time he was really a believer in Whig principles, but the action of the Whigs, with their coonskins, hard cider and log cabins, so disgusted him that he cast his ballot for Van Buren. A believer in the equality of all men, he united with the Republican party on its organization in 1856, and voted for John C. Fremont. Being a strong tem- perance man, and in favor of the prohibi- tion of the liquor traffic; since 1884 lie has been identified with the Prohibition party. Since locating in Kane county lie has held several local positions of honor and trust, including that of assessor, which position he held for six years. A friend of education in the public schools, he served some years as a member of the school board. While serving as a delegate to various county po- litical conventions, he has never been. a politician in the ordinary sense of the term. For many years he has been a member of the Congregational church, and has served upon its official board. His wife is also a member of that church, and both take an active and commendable interest in all de- partments of church work.

For fifty-four long years Mr. Warford has been a resident of Kane county, and while he came here a poor man, without means, by his industry and thrift, assisted by his estimable wife, he has accumulated a fair amount of this world's goods, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest, surrounded by

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many friends, who esteem him for his many noble traits of character and Christian in- tegrity.

R USSELL, WELD has demonstrated the true meaning of the word suceess as the full accomplishment of an honorable purpose. Energy, close application, perse- veranee and good management-these are the elements which have entered into his business career and erowned his efforts with prosperity. He is now the senior member of the well-known firin of Weld & Hall, who conduct a large and popular drug store on Fountain Square, Elgin, while his residence is at No. 115 College street.

Like many of the most prominent citi- zens of Kane county, he is from the New England states, his birth having occurred June 18, 1824, in Orford, Grafton county, New Hampshire. His parents, Albigenee and Betsy (Town) Weld, were both natives of Massachusetts, the former born in Charl- ton. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1852, aged fifty-two years. He had served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, and had held various local offices of honor and trust .. After his death the mother married Jonas Sibley, of Spencer, who is now de- deceased. She died in 1893, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-five years. In relig- ious belief she was a Methodist, and the fa- ther of our subjeet also belonged to that church. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom four are now living- Russell; Phylena, widow of Thomas Dwel- ley, of Oakham, Massachusetts; Daniel L., of the same place; and Adaline, wife of Clinton Bradway, of Medina, Ohio.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Josiah Weld, who was born in the old

Bay state, but his parents were natives of England, and landed in Boston some time during the eighteenth century. He was a farmer, and died in 1810, at the age of for- ty-two years. In his family were four sons and one daughter. The maternal grandfa- ther of our subject was also a native of Mas- sachusetts and of English descent. His wife, Azubah Town, lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and one.

The first eighteen years of his life Rus- sell·Weld spent in his native state, acquiring his literary education in the Lester Academy and learning the shoemaker's trade, which he successfully followed. for about fifteen years. In 1842 he removed with his par- ents to East Brookfield, Massachusetts, where he made his home for four years. He was married September 29, 1846, to Miss Content H. Porter, a daughter of- George and Esther (Adams) Porter. .. She became an active and prominent member of tlie First Methodist Episcopal church of Elgin, and her death, which occurred December 12, 1884, was widely and deeply mourned.

It was in April, 1869, that Mr. Weld re- moved to Elgin, where lie has since made his home. In company with his cousin, Salem E., a native of this city, he opened a drug store, which they carried on until 1891, when the cousin sold his interest to Edwin Hall, and the firm became Weld & Hall. They do a large and profitable business, handling all kinds of drugs, wall- paper, glass, paints, oils, etc. Although not a member of the Methodist church, Mr. Weld attends its services, and is now serv- ing as trustee of the church. Politically he is a strong Republican. Always courteous, kindly and affable, those who know him personally have for him warm regard, and he is now one of the most popular and in-

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 8

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