The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 9

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

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fluential business men of Elgin. He gives his support to all measures which he be- lieves calculated to advance the general welfare, and is therefore justly numbered among the most public-spirited and pro- gressive citizens of the place.

JOSEPH RICHARD HOLMES; chief of the Elgin water works, who for many years has filled this position to the entire satisfaction of the public, was born in Lincolnshire, England, at the town of Slea- ford, November 12, 1851, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Lynton) Holmes, also natives of Lincolnshire. The father was a saddler by trade and followed that business as a life-work. He died when our subject was about five years of age, after which his widow inarried Charles Harris, who is also now deceased. By her first marriage the mother of our subject had two sons, Joseph and John, the latter now living in Lincoln- shire, England, and by her second marriage had five children: Robert, Charles and Mary, wife of Thomas Best; Martha and Elizabeth.

When about six years old Mr. Holmes came to America with his widowed mother, the family living in Chicago until 1864, when they removed to Aurora and thence to Elgin. Our subject attended the common schools of Chicago and Aurora, and when a youth of fifteen began to learn the machin- ist's trade in the shops of Carter & Pinney, of the latter city. He applied himself dil- igently to the mastery of this business and became an expert in this line. Locating in Elgin in 1870, he entered the employ of Grownberg, Bearman & Company, in whose service he remained for five years, when he began work as an engineer. After a time

he went from Elgin to Chicago, where he was engaged on the construction of a fac- tory, and in 1888 he returned to Elgin, where he has since occupied the responsible position of engineer of the city water works. The plant was constructed that year at a cost of one hundred and seventy thousand dollars, the stand pipe has a capacity of over five hundred thousand gallons while the Holly engines have a capacity of six mil- lion gallons and two Worthington engines have a capacity of a million and a half gal- lons. The plant is located at the foot of Grant avenue and is' one of the most com- plete in the state. It is supplied with a splendid filtering system and the water fur- nished to Elgin's people is therefore clear and pure as crystal. From the beginning Mr. Holmes has served as engineer and no inore capable or trustworthy man could be secured for the position. His thorough un- derstanding of the workings of the most in- tricate machinery, his unquestioned reliabil- ity and his conscientious fidelity to duty make him one of the most valued represent- atives of the public service of Elgin.

Mr. Holmes was married in Dubuque, Iowa, in July. 1873, to Johanna Pabst, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Pabst, the former living in Elgin, while the latter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are. the parents of six children: Hannah, Gertrude, Edward, Jessie, Katie and Joseph. Ger- trude and Edward are now deceased, but the others are still at home. The family is an interesting one, in which the parents take a natural pride, and to their children they are giving good educational advantages so that they may becoine useful men and wo- men. Mrs. Holmes is a member of the Catholic church and Mr. Holmes belongs to the Baptist church. His last presidential

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vote was cast for Major Mckinley, but in politics he is independent. He belongs to , the N. A. S. E., No. 49, is now serving as one of its trustees and has filled other offices. He is a man of sterling worth, a loyal son of his adopted land, and in the friendship of many of Elgin's best citizens he shares.

W INFIELD S. GAMBLE, a well-known civil engineer residing in Elgin, was born in Evanston, Illinois, July 25, 1861, and is a worthy representative of an hon- ored and distinguished family, his parents being General William and Sophia Fredreka (Steingrandt) Gamble. The father was born January 1, 1818, in county Farma- nagh, Ireland, and was the oldest of four brothers, the others. being James, David and Osborne, who all died in Chicago, where they made their home. The paternal grand- father of our subject, who also bore the name of William, was a native of Ireland, and at an early day came with his family to the United States.

In his native land General Gamble was educated as a civil engineer, and was in the queen's service before his emigration to the new world. In 1839, when twenty-one years of age, he crossed the Atlantic, and for five years after his arrival served in the regular army as a member of the First New York Dragoons, stationed at Jefferson Bar- racks, Missouri. On leaving the army he located in Chicago, being in the government service at old Fort Dearborn until his re- moval to Evanston in 1859. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Union service and was commissioned lieutenant- colonel of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel Farnsworth. The regiment came into existence in this way: In August, 1861,

General Farnsworth proceeded to Washing- ton, District of Columbia, visited President Lincoln and Secretary Cameron, and from the latter obtained an order to organize the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. The service at that time was greatly in need of more cav- alry, and General Farnsworth was, by his extensive acquaintance, great ability and popularity well qualified for this work. He returned to St. Charles, Illinois, which he made his temporary headquarters, issued a call for twelve hundred men, and in two weeks the regiment was ready for duty. On the 18th of September, 1861, it was mus- tered into service and on October 14 started for Washington, arriving there two days later. With its twelve hundred stalwart men stepping to the tap of the drum and marching through the streets of Washington it created a great sensation. .. . .

When Colonel Farnsworth was promoted, Mr. Gamble became its colonel. With the Army of the Potomac he participated in many important engagements, and at the battle of Malvern Hill was wounded in the side by a minie ball. After two months spent at home he was able to rejoin his command though the wound was a very se- rious one, breaking two ribs and the ball lodging in his shoulder blade. He was com- missioned brigadier-general September 25, 1865, his command being composed of the Eighth and Twelfth Illinois, the Twelfth New York, and also a part of an Indiana reginient and a part of a Pennsylvania regi- ment. With his command he took part in all of the important campaigns of the army of the Potomac until the surrender at Appo- mattox, serving with distinguished honor and bravery. He was one of the generals on duty at President Lincoln's funeral. After the Eighth Illinois Cavalry was mus-

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY Of IL. NO.IS.

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WINFIELD S. GAMBLE.

GEN. WILLIAM GAMBLE.

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF . THIS

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tered out, he was on duty at Jefferson Bar- racks for about a year, being mustered out March 13, 1866, and July 28, 1866, he was mustered into the regular army as colonel of the Eighth United States Cavalry, which was ordered to California by way of the Isthmus. While waiting for transportation on the Isthmus the cholera broke out, and Colonel Gamble, with many of his troops, died from that dread disease December 20, 1866, being buried at Virgin's Hill, Nicar- auga. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and was a warm friend of President Lincoln. With the First Meth- odist Episcopal church of Evanston he held membership, and was a true Christian gen- tleman, as well as a loyal, patriotic and de- voted citizen of his adopted country.

The mother of our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, January 31, 1821, a daughter of George H. Steingrandt, who was a member of the army of that country. In 1838 the family emigrated to America and located in Alton, Illinois, where they continued to live until the death of Mrs. Steingrandt in 1867. After that her hus- band made a number of trips to Germany, and finally died in Hanover about 1872. In their family were five children, three of whom are still living, namely: Louis, a resident of California; Henry, of Springfield, Missouri; and Mrs. Louise Steinberg, of St. Louis. Mrs. Gamble was a Lutheran in re- ligious faith. She died June 11, 1895, in St. Louis.

To General Gamble and wife were born the following children: Louise died in in- fancy; Louise D. is now the wife of George W. Huntoon, of Evanston .. George H., now a resident of California, was a nieinber of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry during the Civil war, and was confined for eighteen

months in Libby prison. After the war he was cominissioned captain in the regular army, and was stationed at Fort Concho, Texas, later building Fort Stockton, where. he was stationed for some time. William M., now in the grocery business in Pueblo, · Colorado, was also one of the boys in blue, enlisting at the age of fifteen in the One Hundred Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. ' Mary E. is a resident of St. Louis. Henry E. is now in Berlin, Germany. Emma is the wife of George H. Stein- berg, of St. Louis. Victor H. L., city en- gineer of Rensselaer, Indiana. Winfield S. is the youngest now living. . . Besides Louise, those deceased are Elizabeth,“ Osborne, an infant and Josephine.

Reared in Evanston, Illinois, Winfield S. Gamble attended the common schools, and later was a student in the Northwestern University at that place. In the summer of 1879 he began life as a civil engineer in Da- kota, in the employ of the Chicago & North- western railroad, and was subsequently in Iowa with the same road until December, 1880. The following January he went to Indiana where he built what was then called the Chicago & Indianapolis Air Line, now the Chicago, Louisville & Indianapolis rail- road, being division engineer there. On the Ist of May, 1882, he entered the service of the Chicago & Great Southern railroad, re- maining with them one year, and the follow- ing year was with the Northern Pacific railroad. He was next with the Grand Trunk, and in 1885 again went to Dakota in the employ of the Northwestern. For two years he was with the Lake Erie & Western railroad, having his headquarters at Bloomington, and was then in the gov- ernment service on the drainage canal in 1887-8.

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In June, 1889, Mr. Gamble came to El- gin, where for six years he served as city engineer, during which time he built the en- tire system of city railroads extending to Geneva, and also built the south annex to the Insane Asylum, which is regarded as the

P. Hagen acquired his education, and began his business career with W. D. Allen, a flo- rist of that city, with whom he remained for about eight years. Subsequently he was with a Mr. Hanson at Rose Hill for two years and a half, after which he was in the cheapest and best constructed building in · employ of R. J. Donoven, of Rose Hill, for the state, having enough money left out of the appropriation to furnish it. He ranks among the most able representatives of his profession in the state, and does an exten- sive and profitable business.

Politically Mr. Gamble is identified with the Republican party, and socially he affil- iates with Gen. William F. Lynch camp, S. V. He is a man of fine address, of genial nature and winning manners and is popular with all who know him.

G I EORGE P. HAGEN, the leading florist of Elgin, was born on the north side in Chicago, February 1, 1860, a son of George and Elizabeth (Shupp) Hagen. His ma- ternal grandfather, Lewis Shupp, located in Chicago during the '50s, and throughout the'remainder of his life engaged in garden- ing there. Our subject's father was a na- tive of Germany, and on coming to the United States, in 1854, took up his residence in Chicago, where he and his wife still con- tinue to live. By trade he is a carpenter, in politics is a Republican, and in religious belief is a Catholic. In the family were eight children, namely: Maggie, now the wife of Frederick Klingel, of Chicago; George P., of this sketch; August; John; Lizzie, wife of George Shall, of Chicago; Bertha, wife of Amiel Nelson, a florist of Chicago; Otto; and Franklin. With the exception of our subject, all live in Chicago.

In the public schools of Chicago George

nine years. The following three years he engaged in market gardening on his own ac- count, but during the World's Fair garden products were very low, and the business did not prove profitable. Selling out in the fall of 1893, he came to Elgin, where for three years and eight months he was em- ployed as gardener and florist by the North- ern Illinois Hospital for the Insane, and on resigning that position, he leased property at No. 311 North Spring street, where he established his present floral gardens. His greenhouses are filled with a large variety of flowers both summer and winter, but he makes a specialty of the culture of roses and carnations, of which he has a very choice collection. His early training ably fitted him for the business, and he has succeeded in building up a large and profitable trade in Elgin and other places. The bright and sweet things of life have a great attraction for him, and he has that love for his busi- ness without which there is no success.

In Chicago Mr. Hagen was married Feb- ruary 17, 1884, to Miss Bertha Ebert, daughter of Frederick and Christine (Strauss) Ebert, who are still residents of that city. Mrs. Hagen was born in Strausburg, Ger- many, and was brought by her parents to this country. Our subject and his wife have four interesting children: Minnie, Ella, George P. and Myrtle.

The Democratic party finds in Mr. Hagen a stanch supporter, and in the Lutheran church he holds membership. Socially he

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is a member of the Royal League of Elgin, and has the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

JOHN D. VOLTZ, one of the most effi- cient telegraph operators on the line of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, having charge of the station at South Elgin, is a native of Baltimore county, Maryland, his birth occurring at the family homestead on the Reistertown road, a few miles from Baltimore City, November 13, 1837. His father, Philip Voltz, was a native of Alsace- Loraine, born in 1791, and was a soldier under the great Napoleon, being one of the few survivors of the disastrous campaign against Moscow. On the return of the Emperor from Elba he again took up arms and remained with him until the fatal bat- tle of Waterloo. In 1818 Mr. Voltz came to America, locating in Baltimore, where he soon engaged in business as a market gardener, although he was a baker by trade, but which he never followed after his arrival in the United States. He married Miss Eliza Hurley, of Baltimore county, and died in 1854, at the age of sixty-three years.

John D. Voltz, of this review, pursued his éducation in the school at the corner of Green and Fayette streets, Baltimore, until the age of ten years, when he laid aside his text books to learn the more difficult lessons of practical business life. The first task assigned him consisted of the duties of mes- senger boy in the office of J. D. Pratt, who conducted a commercial agency. After six months he secured a position with the Na- tional Telegraph Company, working for a short time as messenger boy and then learn- ing telegraphy. Since that time he has

made the business his life work, and has continually advanced in harmony with the improvements which have attended the art. When he entered upon this work the telegraph lines of the country . were owned by four or five hundred small companies, but gradually they have been absorbed by two or three large companies, making a more perfect system.

When Mr. Voltz had attained considera- ble proficiency, he was given a place in the government offices in Washington, District of Columbia, and thence went to Frederick City, Maryland, after which he was transferred to Station No. 4 on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, followed service at the following places, successively: Alimont Station, Roles- burg, Cheat River Valley, Smithton, Par- kersburg, West Virginia, Sandoval and East St. Louis, Illinois. Severing his connec- tion with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company about 1859 he went to the south, accepting a position at Lynchburg, after which he was stationed at Knoxville, Ten- nessee ; Atlanta, Georgia ; Montgomery, Alabama; Augusta, Georgia, and Columbia, · South Carolina, where he was located at the outbreak of the Civil war. At that time he became attached to the Army. of the Cumberland and served until the close of hostilities under Colonel J. C. Van Duser.

When the war was over Mr. Voltz se- cured a position in Nashville as agent for the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany, thence went to Huntington, Tennes- see, and later entered the employ of the Louisville & Nashville road, at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Later, at Clarksville, Tennessee, he was employed as bill clerk and afterward as agent until he was trans- ferred to Nashville, Tennessee, where he re- mained as agent until 1880, when he went

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to St. Louis. In 1883 he went to Chicago and entering the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, was sta- tioned as their agent at Clintonville, Elgin township .... He has since been in the employ of that road, and is one of the most trusted and faithful representatives. His fidelity to duty and uniform courtesy to the patrons of the road has made him very popular, and he has gained a large circle of friends.

whose well spent life commends him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he comes in contact.

R OBERT STRINGER, who resides on section 20, Elgin township, is a pioneer of 1844. He was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, near the city of York, December 15, 1816, and is the son of Richard and Han- Mr. Voltz was united in marriage in South Elgin to Miss Viola F. Gulick, a na- tive of Kane county, who died December 14, 1897. She was a daughter of Abraham and Matilda (Vastine) Gulick. Her father, born in Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1820, died November 26, 1894. He followed nah (Garbutt) Stringer. In the spring of 1819 the family came to America, sailing from Hull in May of that year, and landing in Quebec, Canada, in the July following, being ten weeks and three days en route. From Quebec they went to Sharrington, near Montreal. The father was a native of Yorkshire, England, born in 1766, and died blacksmithing at Liberty Pole, Pennsylvania,"> in Canada in 1822. He was a small farmer and after his removal to Kane county, Illi- in his native country, but on locating in Canada purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty acres. His death was probably hastened from the fact of losing money in saving his eldest son from the press gang, that tried to press him again into the serv- ice after having once served on a man-of- war. nois, purchased a large farm in Elgin town- ship, which he successfully conducted. He was an enterprising, progressive business man and accumulated valuable farming land and other property. His parents were Charles and Catharine (Boone) Gulick. His wife, Mrs. Matilda Gulick, was also a native of Rush township, Northumberland county, After the death of her husband Mrs. Hannah Stringer took charge of the whole farm. She was a woman of strong mind and force of character and of great execu- tive ability. She reared a large family and gave each of her children as good educational advantages as the country afforded, incul- cating principles that made all of them good citizens. She died at the home of our subject when ninety-five years of age, being strong in mind and body until the end. To Richard and Hannah Stringer were born eight children, as follows: William, who moved to Otsego county, New York, and located in Cherry Valley; Richard, who lost Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Louis and Martha (Boone) Vastine, the latter a daugh- ter of Henry Boone, a son of the noted Kentucky pioneer, Daniel Boone. To Mr. and Mrs. Voltz were born three children: Jay DeWitt, Florence E. and Aletia M., who are yet with their father. Mr. Voltz is a valued member of several societies, is clerk of Rustic camp, No. 548, M. W. A., and belongs to Elgin lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M. and the Telegraphers Mutual Asso- ciation. He attends the Methodist Episco- pal church, and is one of the valued and es- teemed residents of his adopted county,

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HIINDIS.

ROBERT STRINGER,

MRS. ROBERT STRINGER.

LIBRARY OF THE

uns

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his sight by premature explosion, while working for the government on Rideau canal, for which he received a pension dur- ing life; Jane, who married John Burton and died in Kane county; Ellice, who married Arthur Allison, who settled in Kane county; George, whose sketch appears elsewhere in the work; William, who died in Cherry Val- ley, New York; Mark, who settled in Plato township; Robert, our subject; and John, who died in Elgin township.

Robert Stringer was but three years old when he came with his parents to Canada, where he grew to manhood and when old enough assisted in the cultivation of the home farm. He attended the public schools of Sharrington for a time, but obtained the greater part of his education at home, studying with the aid of his blind brother. The products of the farm were marketed at Montreal. Our subject would usually start at night with his loaded wagon, reach- ing La Prairie in the morning, and there taking the ferry nine miles to Montreal. The return trip was made at night, and after all it was found there was little pay for hard work. One by one his brothers came to the states, the last one with the excep- tion of his blind brother, coming in 1844. Our subject remained with his mother work- ing the farm, which, in 1837, she divided, giving him ninety acres, on which he erect- ed a dwelling house near that of his mother.

In 1843 his mother came to Illinois to visit her sons, and liking the country, she wrote to her son Mark to sell out and come to Illinois. This he did in the spring of 1844, and on his arrival purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres. The deed for the latter, signed by President James K. Polk, was not received by him until 1850, and the old parchment deed is yet in his possession.

Part of this land he has sold, and he now owns two hundred and thirty acres, all but a very few acres lying in section 20, Elgin' township. Twenty-five acres of unusually fine timber lies in Plato township. In the early days he raised winter wheat, until the climate became unfavorable. Later he raised stock, and finally it was made a dairy farm. In 1878, he retired from active farming, renting the farm to his son, reserv- ing a part of the house to which he has built an addition.

On the 9th of November, 1841, while yet residing in Canada, : Mr. Stringer was united in marriage.with .: Miss Martha Dibb, a native of Yorkshire, England, born June 23, 1823. Her father, William Dibb, who was a farmer by occupation, located in Can- ada, in 1821. He married Mary Mitchell, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Johnson) Mitchell. He died at the age of seventy- five years, while his wife survived him many years, dying when ninety-five years old. To our subject and wife six children were born, as follows: Margaret, widow of Leman A. Wood, now resides at Lake Crystal, Minne- sota; Mary, wife of Thomas D. Cookman, of Mason City, Iowa; Alfred H., married Alice Baker, in Boise City, Idaho, where he died; Clara Emily died at the age of two years; Edwin, who leased his father's farm July 4, 1878, married Annie Dadswell, a daughter of Henry Dadswell, by whom he has three children, Alvin H., Ellice, and Marion; and Clara Alice, wife of Albert Smith, of Elgin. All of these children are well provided in life.

While residing in Canada, Mr. Stringer served in the Royalist troops during the Canadian rebellion, in 1837-8, incited by Papineau, and sometimes called by his name. The only battle in which he was

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engaged was that of Odeltown. Since com- ing to Kane county, he has seen wonderful changes in the country. Indians were oc- casionally seen for some years after his ar-

ject, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1809, and died in Hampshire township, Kane county, in 1871. By trade he was a molder, although he followed farming dur- rival, the prairies were all open and cattle ing the greater part of his life. Early in ranged at will. He is one of the last left of the early settlers, a grand old man, uni- versally honored, his long, upright life be- ing a splendid example to the rising genera- tion. In national and state elections, he votes the Democratic ticket but in local elections votes for the man, regardless of politics. During his early years he was a member of the Episcopal church, but of late attends the Methodist church.

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The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois, Part 9

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