The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest, Part 78

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : Wm. Le Baron, jr. & co.
Number of Pages: 980

USA > Illinois > Will County > The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest > Part 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FRED. MULLER, miller, Lockport ; was born in Prussia, Germany, Aug. 16, 1827 ; he immigrated to America in 1854, and stopped first in Chicago, but soon

came to Lockport, and was employed at general work one year; in 1855, he en- gaged in work for Norton & Co .; in 1859, he went to St. Louis, where he worked at gardening. When the first call was made for troops he enlisted May 8, 1861, in Co. H, 5th Regt. Mo. V. I., and served threc and a half months; participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., in which Gen. Lyon was killed; returning, he re- mained a short time in St. Louis, and then came again to Lockport; he worked for Norton & Co. a second time until June 1874, when he leased the old mill, now owned by Dr. J. F. Daggett, which he is now operating. In the fall of 1863, he was drafted, but employed a substitute. He was married Nov. 10, 1865, to Eliza- beth Brinkey, a native of Bohemia; has five children-Elizabeth, William, Mary, John, August. He is familiarly known as Honest Fred, the miller on the Des Plaines.

HALE S. MASON, farmer, P. O. Lock- port ; born in Attleboro, Bristol Co., Mass., March 30, 1804; when he was 12 years of age, his father moved to Ontario Co., N. Y .; in 1833, young Mason came West to Illinois, to prospect the country, return- ing home on the 6th of May, 1834 ; he took up his line of march in a two horse covered wagon to the far West, his family consist- ing of himself, his wife, and three little boys, the oldest about 7 years of age ; June 6, one month from the date of starting they landed at Gooding's Grove, Will Co .; here he remained engaged in farming till 1846, when he removed to the village of Lockport, and in company with his brother, engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes ; in 1849, he moved to the farm upon which he now resides, and engaged in the nursery business. He was married Jan. 5, 1826, to Sabrina A. Codding, a native of Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y .; has had seven- sons-Edwin B., William T., Stephen C., John Q., Charles T., living ; Hale S., and George H., deceased ; the latter was killed while in the United States' service, Dec. 13, 1863 ; he was a member of the 14th I. V. C., and was Color Bearer of the regiment. Mr. Mason owns 180 acres of land in Lock- port Township.

WILLIAM S. MYERS, attorney at law, Lockport ; was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Oct. 29, 1815; in 1818, his father

741

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP.

moved to Lewis Co., N. Y .; in May, 1841, he left home and came to Loekport, Ill., entering the employ of H. Norton as clerk in his general merchandise establishment ; the spring of 1844, he went into business for himself; in the fall of 1859, he left the counting-room, and in Mareh, 1861, went to St. Louis as the representative of the American Wine Company, where he re- mained until July, 1865 ; largely through his influence and good management, the goods were placed upon the market, and the business established on a sound basis ; after his return, he began dealing exten- sively in real estate, and was admitted to the bar March 18, 1869. He was mar- ried Sept. 28, 1843, to Gertrude Norton, a native of New York; has had two ehil- dren ; both died in infaney. Republican ; Episcopalian. Has held the office of Jus- tice of the Peaee seven years, and has held the office of Township Assessor. Mr. Myers does a large business in collections of every kind ; he is one of the solid busi- ness men of the town.

JOHN MACKIE, miller, Lockport ; was born in Perthshire, Scotland, March 7, 1842 ; he immigrated to America in May, 1865, and first settled in Gallipolis, Ohio ; here he entered the employ of W. H. Lang- ley, remaining about fifteen months, at which time Langley failed for a large amount ; he next came to Chieago, and worked for a short time in the City Mills ; in the latter part of 1867, he came to Lockport, and entered the employ of Norton & Co .; he next located in Pittsburgh, Penn., and worked in the City Mills ; in 1871, he returned to Lockport, and again entered the employ of Norton & Co., until the great fire in Chicago; a portion of his time was spent in their mills here and the remainder in their mills at Chieago. He was married in November, 1868, to Elizabeth Doran, of Canada ; has three children-Ella, Rachel and Thomas.

ROBERT MILNE, farmer; P. O. Lockport; was born in Banffshire, Scot- land, Feb. 14, 1805; in August, 1836, he immigrated to America and settled in Chi- cago, engaging in the lumber trade, buying out the first lumber merchant in Chicago ; in the fall of 1839, he returned to Scot- land, and came again to America in 1840; soon after his return, sold out his business in Chicago, and took contracts on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, building five of

the locks; in 1846, settled in Loekport; here he remained till 1849, when he re- turned to Chicago, and engaged again in the lumber trade, a full partner in the firm of Milne, Fergueson & Co .; this firm established an agency at Lockport for the sale of lumber, buying the saw-mills formerly erected, and established a planing- mill in connection with them; in 1850, he returned to Lockport, and has resided here ever sinee ; in 1854, he sold out his interest in the mills and lumber trade and pur- chased the farm on which he now resides. Was married in December, 1846, to Isabell Maitland, a native of Scotland; has nine- children. In 1869, was appointed Canal Commissioner by Gov. Palmer and served four years; in 1874, revisited Scotland, and while there purchased some thorough- bred eattle, in the rearing of which he has sinee engaged. Owns 242 aeres in Loek- port Tp. and 100 acres in Homer Tp. Republican ; Congregationalist. Mr. Milne is a very influential and deservedly popular- citizen.

JONATHAN S. McDONALD, editor Phoenix, Lockport ; born April 17, 1829, in the town of Salina, Onondaga Co., N. Y .; his father, Asa McDonald, Esq., set- tled, with his family, in Joliet in 1838,. and, the following year, rented the farm under the bluff, east of the Penitentiary, of Dr. A. W. Bowen (now a resident of Wil- mington), and, soon after, beeame a tenant,. at Five-Mile Grove, on land belonging to Edward, Ephraim and Pliny Perkins ; he- afterward purchased a farm on Maple st.,. in New Lenox, on which he died, Dec. 4,. 1857; at the age of 20, J. S. MeDonald started from home, and crossed the plains,. in search of California gold; he returned in 1854, and attempted to acquire a col- legiate education by entering the University of Oberlin in 1855; within a couple of' wceks, he found the undertaking altogether too irksome, and left that institution, to eventually establishı a banking-house in Lockport; in this new, and to him strange, business of banking lie prospered indiffer- ently well, and found himself involved in the general suspension of 1858-59 ; after a trip to the gold-mines of Colorado, he re- turned to Lockport, raised a company for the war, with Dr. Charles H. Bacon, and entered the service in the 100th I. V. Regiment, as a Second Lieutenant ; while.

742

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

in the service, he took an active part in all the campaigns and battles in which the regiment was engaged, except the fight at Missionary Ridge, and resigned at the opening of the Atlanta campaign, having been promoted to the rank of Captain. In 1854, Capt. McDonald bought a controlling interest in the Will County Courier, and sold out after a brilliant career of six months; he then, in the following year, started the Lockport Phoenix, and, soon after, enlarged the enterprise to what is termed " The Family of Phoenixes," in Joliet, Wilmington, Lockport and Lemont. In 1857, he married Louisa, daughter of Col. George Snoad.

HIRAM NORTON, proprietor of the Lockport Carriage Factory, Lockport ; born in Prince Edward Peninsula, Can., Oct. 3, 1828; his schoolboy days closed at the age of 11 years, and from that date until he arrived at the age of 18 years, he was completely disabled by rheumatism from engaging in any active pursuits ; after rccovering his health, he was three years on the farm, and, at the age of 21, went to his trade at Demorestville ; in October, 1860, he came to Lockport and opened up his carriage factory. He was married in January, 1865, to Catharine Banner, a native of England; has four children- Mary, Benjamin F., Charles B. and John. Mr. Norton uses nothing but the best of material, employs none but the best of workmen, and fully warrants every vehicle sent forth from his establishment.

ISAAC NOBES, proprictor Oak Hill quarries; P. O. Joliet; was born on the Isle Wight Feb. 28, 1822; at the age of 13, he was apprenticed to sea and served four years ; he then went as able seaman on board the clipper schooner Susan ; engaged in the fruit trade up the Levant ; he rc- mained at sea nine years ; three years of that time he was on board the Gangcs, an 84- gun ship of the British navy, and was pres- ent at the destruction of the forts along the coast of Syria in 1841, the last fort de- stroyed being that of San Juan Diego; in the taking of this fort, it was estimated that the Egyptian forces lost in killed, 15,- 000 in two and a half hours. The Admiral of the British forces was Sir Charles Na- pier. Mr. Nobes came to Quebec in 1843, on board a timber vessel ; he spent one summer on Lakes Erie and Ontario,

sailing out from Gordon Island in the em- ploy of Cook & Calvin, in the lumber trade ; in June or July, 1845, he came to Buffalo, N. Y., and engaged in sailing on the lakes ; during the summer of 1846, he sailed from Buffalo to Chicago; Jan. 7, 1847, he came to Joliet and engaged in hauling sand for the court house that win- ter ; in the spring, returned to Chicago and sailed upon the lakes. Mr. Nobes states that upon this trip he paid $2.00 fare, walked a good part of the way, and carried a rail to help the coach out of bad places, and was on the road from 8 o'clock A. M. until 4 P. M. of the following day before reaching Chicago, a distance of 38 miles ; the following winter, he returned to Joliet and soon went to Lockport, where he en- gaged in caulking the Gen. Fry, the first boat ever run on the I. & M. Canal, between Lockport and Chicago; he engaged in caulking and building boats one year ; in the Spring of 1848, he purchased ten acres near his present location, and in March, 1851, opened his present quarries in con · nection with G. A. Cousens & Co. A diffi- culty having arisen among the partners, he abandoned the quarries and went again to the boat yards at Lockport. After twelve years litigation, he obtained entire possess- ion of them in 1868, since which time he has successfully operated them. He was married Jan. 4, 1846, to Ann J. Haughey, a native of Ireland ; has seven children- Joseph, Charles J., Sarah, Ann I., Will- iam I. R., Elizabeth J. and Elizabeth J. (deceased) ; owns eighty-six acres includ- ing his quarries. In 1874, he erected his large stone residence at a cost of nearly $20,000, the finest in all this section of country.

NELSON H. PEASE, assistant book- keeper for J. L. Norton & Co., Lockport ; was born in Brasher, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1844 ; at the age of 15, he left home and entered the academy at Laurence- ville, remaining two years. September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 60th Regt. N. Y. V. I .; Jan. 23, 1863, was discharged at Harper's Ferry on account of disability. Returning home, he engaged for a short time in farming ; Feb. 28, 1864, he came West, and stopping in Chicago, attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Re-enlisted in the 100 days' service, in Co. F, 134th Ill. V. I., and served 140 days. Next

Jonathan Hagar PLAINFIELD

THE LIBRARY OF THE WEITERSITY OF ILLINOIS

745

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP.

located in Dwight, Livingston Co., enter- ing the employ of J. C. Hertzel as clerk in his dry goods and grocery store; at the expiration of five months, engaged in the service of the C. & A. R. R. as baggage master at the same place ; this position he held sixteen months; he was next placed in charge of the station at Carrollton on the Jacksonville & Chicago line; here he re- mained one and a half years ; was night operator on the Union Pacific at Elm Creek, Neb., and at a later date at Jules- burg as agent six months; returned to Dwight as night operator, remaining three months ; in 1869, he was appointed agent at Lockport, and remained one and a half years ; then returned to Dwight, and was agent two and a half years ; in 1872, took charge of Odell Station, remaining two years; in 1874, he abandoned railroad- ing, and entered the employ of J. L. Norton & Co., in the position he now holds. Was married March 22, 1866, to Irene C. Riggs, a native of Dwight, Ill. ; has two children - Alice L. and Myrtle K. Rep .; attends the Congregational Church.

WILLIAM W. PRINDLE, manufac- turer of wagons and buggies, Lockport ; was born in Prince Edward District, Canada, Sept. 30, 1823, in the town of Hollowell (now Picton) ; at the age of 3 years, he went with the family to Oswego, N. Y .; here he spent his boyhood days ; in the spring of 1837, he went to sca and remained till 21 years of age; coming home again, he found the family located at Logansport, Ind., and here he remained one ycar ; he next moved to La Fayette, Ind., and in connection with his father engaged in the hotel business ; this they carried on one year, and in the fall of 1846, came to Joliet. Mr. Prindle laid the cut stone in the court house, working for the contract- ors, Shepard & Brown. In the spring of 1847, he came to Lockport, where he has since resided. He was married July 25, 1847, to Mary A. Hutton, a native of Oxford, England; has two children - Louisa and Ada. He opened up his pre- sent shop about 1873, and has met with good success. He is a first class work- man. Uses nothing but the best mate- rial, and gives his personal supervision to all the work going out from his estab- · lishment.

ISAAC PRESTON, Lockport, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Fairfield, Cumberland Co., N. J., in 1792 ; he was left an orphan at the age of 6, and at the age of 7, went to Vermont ; at 15, he began a six-years' apprenticeship at the tanning trade. In 1815, he was married at Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., to Miss Betsy Walker. Following his trade in the State of New York until 1836, he emigrated with his family to Illinois, and settled at Hadley, in Will Co., where he remained four years, during which time he opened and improved a farm of 200 acres ; in 1840, he moved to Kane Co., in this State, where he lived twenty-five years, re- moving to Lockport, in this county, in 1865, where he still resides. Mr. Preston has been for more than half a century a firm and unalterable friend in the cause of human freedom, being among the first to espouse the Abolition cause in Western New York. He was a small stockholder in, and occasionally a conductor on the un- derground railroad, but never ran a night train, always taking his passengers through in open day before the faces and eyes of his neighbors (many of whom were the abject minions of the slave-holders), and frequently employing the fugitive on his farm. Mr. Preston became a total ab- stainer before the first move was made in the temperance cause in Western New York. He was the first employer in the city of Rochester who expelled liquor from his workshop, and has since that time in his own way used his best endeavors to discountenance the sale and use of all in- toxicants and narcotics. He lias also for more than fifty years bcen an open and persistent opponent of all oath bound secret societies, Frecmasonry in particular, be- lieving their tendency to be hostile to the best interests of morality, religion and civil government. Mrs. Preston is still living, and their combined ages aggregate over 172 years; they are as healthy, active and industrious as most people at 70; they have raised a family of five children-the late John B., Elizabeth L. (Mrs. Dr. Dan- iels), Mariah P. (Mrs. Codding), Julia M. (late Mrs. Bourland)and Josiah W ., three of whom, Josiah W., Mrs. Daniels and Mrs. Codding, are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Pres- ton have shared the joys and sorrows of con- nubial life for more than sixty-three years.

AMOS C. PAXSON, farmer ; P. O. Lockport; was born in Eastern Pennsyl- vania Nov. 21, 1810 ; his father moved to the western part of New York, near Buffa- lo, in 1818, settling on what was called the Holland Purchase ; in the Spring of 1838, young Paxson came West and settled in Dupage Tp., Will Co., working at his trade, that of carpentering, for five years; in 1843, he purchased 100 acres of land and engaged in farming; in 1868, sold out and moved into Lockport, his present place of residence. In April, 1871, he was ap- pointed Postmaster, and occupied the posi- tion four years. His first marriage, to Sabra L. Boardman, a native of New York State, occurred Nov. 18, 1841; she dicd Oct. 8, 1852; his second marriage, to Elizabeth Killmer, also a native of New York, was celebrated July 10, 1854; five children were born from first wedlock- Luther B., born Feb. 12, 1843; Peninah L., born Aug. 4, 1844 ; Charles C., born Feb. 27, 1847 ; Julia E., born Dec. 6, 1849 ; Sabra I., born Dec. 23, 1851 ; from second wedlock one child was born- Minora C., born July 11, 1855. Peninah L. (wife of Robert Strong), died Dec. 22, 1871 ; Charles C. died March 6, 1873; Sabra I. (wife of Samuel Buttles), died Jan. 1, 1876. Mr. Paxson has held the office of Supervisor three terms ; been Jus- . tice of the Peace, Assessor, School Treas- urer, etc. Owns town property, and 104 acres in Lockport Tp.

FREDRICK RELF, farmer; P. O. Joliet ; was born in East Kent Co., Eng., April 27, 1827 ; in March, 1849, he landed in New York City, and first settled in Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y .; here he engaged in farming for three years ; in the Fall of 1852, he came West to Illinois; settled in Joliet, and for a time engaged in labor on the Chicago & Rock Island Rail- road; in February, 1866, he moved to Bureau Co., where he remained four years ; in 1870, he returned to Will Co., and located on the farm now owned by the heirs of Edw. Kelley; in 1872, he moved to his present place of residence. He was married Oct. 2, 1852, to Sarah Beeching, a native of England; nine chil- dren have been born to them-Emma J., Clara, Thomas H., Rosa, Laura, Julia, Allie, Charles H., Cora. When he came to America he was possessed of little or no

mcans, but by industry and frugality he has reared his family and accumulated considerable property ; he is a thorough- going, energetic farmer, and is highly estcemed for his many good qualities by his friends and acquaintances.

HENRY RIPSOM, Superintendent of cooper shop, Lockport; was born in Gene- sce Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1809 ; in 1811, his father moved to Syracuse, Onondaga Co .; at that time but two or three houses were standing where Syracuse now is; at the age of 15, he ran away from home, and coming to Lower Sandusky, Ohio, engaged in learning his trade; he afterward re- turned home, but at the age of 20 settled in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y .; in 1848, he came West, settled in Lockport, enter- ing the employ of Norton & Co .; in March, 1850, he took the position of Superintendent of the cooper shop, and has been continued in that position ever since. He was married in August, 1832, to Eliza Coleson, a native of New York State; has. had eight children-Nancy, Isabel, Ursula, Alice (living), Elizabeth, Sarah, Clarkson, Cora (deceased). From 1832 to 1846, he was engaged in boating on the Erie Canal in the cmploy of the Merchants' line. The shadows of two great afflictions have rested upon the family hearthstone during the past ten years, that of the untimely death of the only son Clarkson, as also that of the sudden decease of the youngest daughter, Cora; in the early part of the winter of 1868, Clarkson, a young man of 19 summers, while coasting with young friends on the streets of Lockport, was almost instantly killed by coming in con- tact with a team standing in the street ; a few years later little Cora, a bright and interesting child 9 years of age, fell from the suspension bridge into the canal and was drowned, her body being res- cucd in about one hour from the time the accident. Mr. Ripsom at present holds the office of Township Collector.

N. S. RAFFERTY, groceries and con- fectionery, Lockport; was born in Sligo Co., Ireland, Nov. 5, 1823 ; he immigrated to America Sept. 14, 1837, and settled in Hamilton, Canada West, and engaged in the merchant tailoring trade; in 1840, he moved to Jackson, Mich .; herc he re- mained two years; in 1842, located in Chicago, and in 1845, came to Lockport,. .

747

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP.

his present home; in 1868, he opencd out a full line of confectioncry, and later added a small stock of groceries; in 1876, he purchased a full line of groceries, and at present (1878) has a large and growing trade ; his fruit and confectionery trade is tlie most extensive of any in the city. He was married Jan. 22, 1856, to Catharine Boland, a native of Tipperary Co., Ireland. Was elected Justice of the Peace in the Spring of 1877, which office he now holds.

WM. M. STOWE, farmer; P. O. Lock- port; was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1842; he is the youngest son of Nathaniel H. and Eliza (Partridge) Stowe; in 1858, the family moved to Erie Co., Penn .; in addition to his common school education, he attended for some time an academy in Waterford, Penn .; he re- mained at home farming till he was 24 years of age; in 1868, he came west to Illinois and settled two miles north of Lockport, where he engaged in farming and the dairy business; this he followed six years; in 1874, he purchased the farm on which he now resides, being the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 17, Lockport Tp. He was married Oct. 26, 1865, to Laura Barnard, a native of New York; has two children-Frank J., born May 11, 1868; Howard D., born May 9, 1877 ; owns eighty acres, valued at $5,000.

MRS. KATHARINE SANBORN, farming; P. O. Lockport; was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., March 22, 1809; her maiden name was Smith. She was married Sept. 16, 1823, to Justin Taylor, a native of New York State ; he was born Oct. 25, 1801 ; in 1833, Mr. Taylor came West to prospect the country and returning East, in 1834, brought his family and erected a log cabin on the identical spot where the family residence now stands ; in 1833, he laid a claim of 500 acres, which he afterward purchased at the Government land sale in 1835; this he improved and occupied till the date of his deccasc, which occurred Nov. 14, 1847. From first wedlock, she had eight children-Harriet, Francis, Smith, Sacia, Grosvenor, Harry, Justin and James L .; of these, Harriet, Smith, Sacia and James L. are deceased. Four of her sons went forth to battle for their country's honor, and two of them rest from toil far down in the Sunny South.

He second marriage, to William Sanborn, occurred July 4, 1850; one son, William, has been born to them, and still lives with his parents. Her first husband was pres- ent in Chicago at the treaty made with the Indians in 1833. Mrs. Sanborn says she has seen 400 or 500 Indians at her house at one time, when on their way to the Far West. Mr. Taylor held the offices of Supervisor, School Trustee, School Director and various other offices. Owns 155 acres in Lockport Tp., valucd at $9,000.

GEORGE SPANGLER, farmer; P. O. Lockport; was born in Center Co., Penn., May 18, 1826 ; he remained with his parents till about 19 years of age, cn- gaged in farming; in 1846, he left home and came to Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he engaged in peddling pottery for a cousin, in whose employ he remained about two years. In 1848, he returned home, and May 17 of that year was married to Catharine Kopp, a native of Pennsylvania; as a result of this union, ten children have been born-George F., Allie A., Wilson, Oliver Z., Elmore E., Howard, Agnes A., Mary C., Emma and Allie. Owns 400 acres of land in Lock- port Tp., worth $60 per acre ; his farms are well improved, and ornamented with good, substantial dwellings and barns. Most of his sons are married and started in life for themselves. Mr. Spangler was not by any means wealthy when he came West, but, by industry and good manage- ment, he has reared his large family and secured a fine competency for them all ; he is recognized in his community as a very successful farmer.

MRS. JACOB SMITH, farmer and fruit grower ; P. O. Lockport. Mrs. Smith was born in Ripley, N. Y., Feb. 25, 1816; she is the daughter of Martin and Mar- garet (Sacia) Smith. She was married first to Almon Taylor, a native of Chenan- go, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1832. In the fall of 1835, she came with her husband to Illi- nois, and settled in Lockport Tp., Will Co., on the farm just north of that now owned by Patrick Fitzpatrick ; in 1850, Mr. Taylor went to California and engaged in mining; while there, he met with a se. vere accident, from the effects of which he died Oct. 31, 1850. Mrs. Taylor was marricd a second time, March 26, 1852, to Jacob Smith, a native of Tennessee ;

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest, Part 78

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Chicago : Wm. Le Baron, jr. & co. Number of Pages: 980

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : Wm. Le Baron, jr. & co.
Number of Pages: 980