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 99

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 99

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).

Livingston Co .; he died at the old homestead, June 25, 1878, respected and honored by his fellow-men, leaving four sons, all born at the Isle of Man. William, Dec. 30, 1834, married Miss Margaret Monty, of Canada-four chil- dren; James T., born Nov. 23, 1836, married Miss Catherine McDonald ; Thomas T., born July 18, 1841, married Elizabeth McDonald; Robert T., born Feb. 27, 1844.

PEOTONE TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM ANGUS, merchant, Peo- tone ; general merchant, firm of Angus & Fell ; born in Durham Co., England, March 18, 1830, where he lived and engaged in farming until 23 years of age, wlien he emigrated to America, landing in New York April 21, 1853, coming directly West and to Chicago; he was employed upon the Galena Division of the C. & N. W. R. R. for a period of five years, first as fireman, then as engineer ; after leaving the C.& N. W. R. R., he located in Lombard, Du Page Co., and engaged in farming for a period of eleven years, when he came to Peotone, and, Aug. 4, 1870, engaged in general merchandise, which business he has since followed. He married Jan. 1, 1857, Saloma Wolf; she was born in France.

DAVID J. BOARD, druggist and farmer, Peotone ; born in Passaic Co., N. J., April 28, 1820, living there until 11 years of age, when he attended the Crane Boarding School, at Caldwell, N. J., for four years; then to New York City ; employed in jobbing dry goods until the panic of 1837, when he retired to his studies at Bellville ; then to Morristown, where he finished his studies, preparatory to the study of law, which he commenced in 1840, with J. J. Scofield, at the above place, where he remained four years, being admitted to the bar in 1844, when he re- moved to Paterson, N. J., and commenced practice, which he followed until 1852, when, on account of ill health, he aban- doned his profession and made an overland trip to California, where he engaged as Treasurer of a mining company ; also run hotel, ferry, dairy and ranch ; selling out

his interest, he returned to New Jersey in 1854; remaining tliere a short time, he came to Jackson Co., Ill., and contracted to supply the I. C. R. R. with supplies for building the road, which business he followed until the completion of the road in that section; coming to Will Co. in 1857, he located in Will Tp., farming, and in 1858, he again contracted with the I. C. R. R. to supply ties and fuel at differ- ent points on the line of the road, which lie continued until 1861, in connection with running stores at different. points upon the line of the road; he then en- gaged for about two years in the manufact- ure of staves, at Ashley, Ill., which he fol- lowed until the tax being placed upon whisky, he sold his interest to the Ashley Woolen-Mill; removing his family to Monec, Will Co., he went to Huntsville, Ala., where he engaged in running the Huntsville House and speculating in Gov- ernment vouchers, cotton, etc., remaining until the following season, when, selling out his interest, he came North and at- tended his stock of upward of 700 head of cattle, which he had carried over the previous winter ; in 1865, he located upon luis farm and gave his attention to farming and raising blooded stock, until 1877, a period of twelve years, when he purchased an interest in the drug business, which business he now follows, under the firm name of Board & Shumway. He was married in November, 1844, to Miss Susan P. Lewis; she was born in New Jersey ; they liave five children by this union, viz., James L., Mary E., Ellsworth M., Will- iam and Nathaniel.

878

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

JAMES BARNHART, Postmaster, dealer in stationery and notions and mu- sical instruments, Peotone ; proprietor of Pcotone Eagle ; born in Perry Co., Penn., June 15, 1839 ; his parents dying when he was an infant, he went to live with an uncle, in Franklin Co., where he lived until 1855, when he came West and set- tled in Pike Co., Ill., living here and work- ing on a farm four years; then to Wood- hull, Henry Co., where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in the 45th Illi- nois Regiment and served three years ; he was engaged in the battles of Fort Donel- son, Shiloh, siege of Corinth and other se- vere engagements ; was with Grant during the entire siege and capture of Vicksburg, the regiment being actively engaged from the 19th of May until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, meeting with heavy los:, Mr. Barnhart being severely wounded by the blowing-up of Fort Hill, June 26, in the rear of Vicksburg. After being mustered out of service, he removed to Peotone, in 1866, where he engaged in farming for three years ; then, after sell- ing goods one year, was appointed Post- master of Peotone, which officc he has since held.

J. H. BRAYTON, merchant, Peotone; dealer in clothing, boots and shoes, hats and- caps and gents' furnishing goods ; born in New York State, where he lived until 7 years of age, when he removed with his parents to Manteno, Kankakee Co., Ill., living there until 21 years of age, when he removed to Joliet, Will Co., where he lived one year, when he came to Peotone and engaged in the above business, with Robert Wells, for six months, when he purchased the interest of his partner, en- larged the stock, and now keeps the only exclusive stock of the kind in Pcotone. He married, Dec. 10, 1873, Ella Christian ; she was born Feb. 27, 1854, in Du Page Co., Ill.

N. S. BEEDY, hardware merchant, of the firm of Harsh & Beedy, Pcotone ; born in Essex Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1835 ; lived there until 10 years of age, then he went to Canada, where he remained five years, when, in 1850, he emigrated to Illi nois and located at Lockport, Will Co., living there one year ; he removed to Rock- ville, Kankakee Co., and, with his father, was amongst the pioncers and organizers

of the town of Manteno in 1854; he lived here until 1865, engaged in farming, when. he removed to Peotone Tp., and followed farming until 1874, when he sold his farm and went to Indiana, where he remained two and a half years, engaged in running the railroad eating-house in Michigan City ; selling out the above business, he returned to Peotone and purchased the interest of C. M. Lewis in the above business, which he has since followed. He married Sept. 22, 1858, Phebe Goodspeed, oldest daugh- ter of Samuel Goodspeed; she was born in Will Co., Ill .; they are the parents of five children by this union-Orrel M., Hettie A., Abbie E., Daniel N. and Carl.

FELIX W. CALKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6; P. O. Peotone ; born in Burlington, Louisa Co., Iowa, May 4, 1844, and removed with his parents when quite young, to Chicago, living there until 1854; then to Naperville, Du Page Co., until 1860; then to Lockport, Will Co., until July 29, 1862, when he enlisted, at the age of 17, in the 100th Ill. Vol. In. for three years, and in less- than one month was with his regiment doing active service at the front; he was in many hard-fought battles, and at Stone River was captured, but escaped during the night, and reaching the Union lines again joined his regiment and was made prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga Sept. 20, 1863, and taken to Atlanta, Ga .; from there to Libby Prison, where he, with others was formed in line, then robbed of all money and valuables; from there he was. taken to Pemberton and Belle Island for several months; 'then to Danville, Ga., where they were placed in large tobacco warehouses and remained during the win- ter of 1863 and 1864; the winter was one of unusual severity and the prisoners were without clothing and were allowed no fire during the entire winter ; during the winter the small-pox raged with fearful fa- tality, nearly every prisoner being down and receiving no care except such as re- ccived from their fellow-prisoners; the. fatal cases exceeded upward of 50 per cent of the entire sick-list ; in May, 1864, he was removed to Andersonville, where he remained until November following ; the cruelty inflicted here was in keeping with its well-known acts of barbarism ; from Andersonville he, with 15,000 others,.

879

PEOTONE TOWNSHIP.

was taken to Charleston, S. C., and placed under the most exposed part of the fire of the Union gunboats during the bombard- ment of the city ; from there they were taken to Florence Prison, S. C .; remaining here until the 21st of February, 1865, when they were placed in box ears with upward of eighty in each car; and such as survived the journey were paroled in Rich- mond Feb. 28, 1865; Mr. Calkins was in rebel prisons nearly two years, and has his health mueh impaired and for a period of two years it was feared he would entirely lose his eyesight ; he received his discharge for disability in St. Louis June 16, 1865, when he placed himself under medical treatment for one year for physical disabil- ity caused by eruel treatment while in rebel prisons. He located upon his pres- ent place in 1866; he owns 200 acres of well-improved land, valued at $10,000, which he has accumulated by striet integ- rity, hard labor and industry. He married Aug. 23, 1865, Rosaline Calkins ; she was born in Orleans Co., Vt., April 12, 1842 ; they have three children by this union-George W., Folia M. and Ettie L.

PETER CONRAD, manufacturer and shipper of butter and cheese, Peotone; born in Odenbach Rheinphalz, Bavaria,Germany, May 29, 1825, where he lived until 32 years of age, when he learned and worked at the trade of shoemaking until he emigrated to America, where he arrived May 29, 1857, landing in New York ; eoming di- rectly West, he located in Elmhurst, Du Page Co., living there two years and worked at his trade ; from there he went to Pro- viso, Cook Co., where he lived seven years and followed shoemaking; he then eame to Greengarden Tp., Will Co., and settled upon a farm for one year, when he removed to his present place in 1866, and again fol- lowed shoemaking for a period of five years, sinee which time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was married in Germany June 11, 1849, to Katharina Gross, who was born in the Earldom of Hesse-Homburg; they are the parents of ' seven children now living-Peter H., Kat- arina, Dora, Maggie, Elizabeth, Bertha and Clara. Mr. Conrad has held the office of Poliee Constable, and is now serving his third term as Sehool Treasurer of Peotonc Township.

MICHAEL COLLINS, merchant and grain dealer, Peotone; born in County Clare, Ireland, Oet. 15, 1845 ; he emi- grated to America when 3 years of age, living two years in Vermont; then six years in Canada, when he removed with his parents to Fayette Co., Ill., where he lived until 18 years of age, when, learning telegraphy, he worked as operator at Gil- - man awhile, then at Makanda as agent and operator for the I. C. R. R. one year, when, on account of ill health, he was transferred to Peotone, where he filled the different po- sitions of agent and operator of the I. C. R. R., and agent for the American Express Co. for a period of ten years when he resigned and engaged in the grain and hay trade; and now, in connection with F. Sehroeder, is largely engaged in buying and shipping grain to Chieago and Eastern markets; he is also engaged in general merehandisc of the firm of Schroeder, Smith & Collins. He married Dee. 2, 1869, Carrie Folke, daughter of Dr. Henry Folke; she was born in Will Co., Ill., May 22, 1852; they have, by this union, three children-Kittie, Grace and Paul. Mr. Collins has held the offices of Sehool Di- rector and Justice of the Peace ; is now serving his third term as Supervisor.

JOHN CONRAD, hardware dealer and Police Magistrate, Peotone ; born in Oden- bach Rheinfels, Bavaria, Germany, April 15, 1830, where he worked at shoemaking until he emigrated to America ; he landed in Philadelphia July 19, 1850, going to New York, where he lived until 1854, when he came to Illinois and located at Elmhurst, Du Page Co., where he worked at his trade until April 15, 1865, when he run a saloon for nine months ; then opened a general country store, following this busi- ness until 1869, when he removed to Peo- tone and opened the New York House, which he run for cighteen months, then selling out, he opened a general store, which business he followed for two years, when, being elccted Poliee Magistrate, he sold his store and devoted his whole time to the du -; ties of his office and collections for a period of six years ; Mr. Conrad engaged in 1875 in partnership with his son-in-law, August Schugman, in the general hardware and stove business, which business has run quite successfully under the firm name of Conrad & Sehugman, Mr. Conrad still re-

880

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

taining the office of Police Magistrate and collection agent. He married July 19, 1855, to Caroline Schaubel ; she was born in Baden, Germany, Jan. 23, 1837 ; they have by this union nine children living- Charlotte M., Caroline K. (now Mrs. A. Sehugman), John P., Frank H., Harry F., Freddie P., Hattie, Jennie and Charlie.

JACOB DEWITZ, wagonmaker and dealer in pumps, Peotone; born in Rendel, Dukedom of Hessen, Germany, Oct. 17, 1831, where he lived and followed the trade of wagonmaker until 1855, when he emi- grated to America, landing in New York June 27 of the same year, coming directly to Danby, Du Page Co., where he remained six months ; then to Grundy Co., where he engaged in farming until 1857, when he returned to Bloomingdale, Du Page Co., for one year ; he then went to Kansas for a short time, returning to Bloomingdale, where he lived four years, farming; in October, 1863, he removed to Monee and ·engaged at his trade until March 15, 1865, when he removed to Peotone and engaged in the manufacture of wagons, which he has sinec followed. He married May 21, 1866, Mary M. Offner ; she was born in Crainthal, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Dec. 10, 1841; they have by this union five children-Theodore H., Mary, August C., Otto and Ludwig C. Mr. Dewitz has held the office of Town Trustee, and is now serving the fifth year as School Director.

JOHN ELLIOT, farmer, See. 13 ; P. O. Peotone ; born in Dumfriesshire, Seot- land, in August, 1822; lived there until 20 years of age; he emigrated to America in 1842, landing in Kingston, C. W., where he engaged at his trade of stone- mason for six years, until 1848, when he located in county of Huron, C. W., and engaged in farming and also working at his trade until 1875, when he sold out all his interest in lands and emigrated to Peotone, Will Co., Ill., and located upon his present place, where he has sinee lived ; he owns 120 aeres of well-improved lands, valued at $40 per aere, which he has earned by his own hard labor. He married in Octo- ber, 1851, to Isabella Habkirk, a native of Canada ; they have two children by this marriage-Janette and William. Mrs. Elliot died in 1858. He married for his second wife Margaret Cowan; she was born in Scotland ; they have four children by

this union-Agnes, Isabella, John and Elizabeth.

HENRY FEDDE, furniture, Peotone ; born in Holstein, Germany, Sept. 9, 1827, where he lived and worked at the trade of brickmason until he emigrated to Ameri- ea, landing in New York May 27, 1854, coming directly to Joliet, Will Co., Ill .; he worked at his trade for one year, then worked at the furniture business four years ; he moved to Momence, Kankakee, Co., where he started in the furniture business, which he followed for a period of eight years, when, in 1867, he settled in the fur- niture business at Peotone, Will Co., Ill., which he lias since followed ; he carries the only stock of furniture in Peotone. He married June 30, 1857, Miss Anna Hecht; she was born in Holstein, Ger- many ; they are the parents of three chil- dren-John F., born Aug. 13, 1858; Henry, born May 5, 1860, died Aug. 15, 1861; Edward H., born Feb. 13, 1867.

SAMUEL GOODSPEED, farmer, See. 30; P. O. Peotone ; born in Troy, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1812 ; he removed with his par- ents to Tioga Co., Penn., when 4 years of age ; here he lived until 22 years of age, working upon a farm in summer and attend- ing school in winter ; he emigrated West in 1835, and located upon Fox River near Oswego for one year; then to Plainfield, Will Co., where he lived eighteen years ; he located upon his present place in 1855 ; he owns 320 acres of well-improved land, with good buildings, valued at $16,000, which he has accumulated by his own hard labor and industry. He married May 24, 1835, to Caroline B. Clark ; she was born in New York April 5, 1817. They had by this union six children, viz., John, Phoebe, Eunice, Emily, George and Henry. Mrs. G. died Feb. 23, 1847; Mr. G.'s second wife was Sarah M. Messenger, mar- ried January, 1848; she was born in Ohio Aug. 8, 1825. They had six children by this union, viz., Franeis, Carolinc, Edward, William, Harrict and Samuel. Mrs. G. dicd July 25, 1869. He married for his third wife Mrs. Harriet Bryan Nov. 20, 1869 ; she was born in New York Aug. 13, 1820. Mr. Goodspeed has held the office of Sehool Trustee for upward of fourteen years and Supervisor for four years.

HENRY GATES, general merchandise, Peotone ; born in Essex Co., N. Y., July

881

PEOTONE TOWNSHIP.

12, 1833 ; living there eight years, he re- moved to Orleans Co., Vt., where he lived and engaged in farming for a period of thirteen years; he emigrated to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Huykes' Grove, and engaged in farming in the summer and teaching school and earpentering in the winter for six years, when, in 1860, he went to Joliet and engaged in traveling, selling goods and collecting for six years ; he then removed to Peotone, and engaged in buying and shipping stoek to Chicago, and butehering for the home market for one year ; then engaged in the painting business for two years, when he again re- sumed traveling, selling goods for two years ; in 1871, he engaged in the general merchandise trade, which business he still continues. He married Oct. 31, 1860, Miss Euniee Goodspeed, daughter of Sam- uel Goodspeed ; she was born in Will Co., Ill., May 5, 1840. They are the parents of three children, now living, viz., Flor- enee L., Fred A. and Richard. Mr. Gates has been Justice of the Peace for four years and Town Clerk for six years.

C. H. GILKERSON, dealer in grain, lumber, lime, coal, cement, stone and drain tile, of the firm of Warden & Gilkerson, Peotone ; born in Caledonia Co., Vt., Sept. 20, 1848; emigrating West with his par- ents in 1854, they settled in Cass Co., Ill., then to Huykes' Grove, Will Co., where they lived and followed farming for a peri- od of eleven years; in 1865, he removed to Peotone, and then, after attending the Monmouth Academy two years, he attend- ed Bryant & Stratton's Commercial Col- lege in Chicago; then returning to Peo- tone, in 1871, he purchased his father's interest in the above business, which he has sinee followed. The firm of Warden & Gilkerson, of which he is a member, do a large business, buying and shipping grain to Chieago and Eastern markets; they also supply all the lumber for Peotone and the surrounding country. He married June 18, 1872, Julia Sultzbaugh, oldest daugh- ter of Phillip Sultzbaugh ; she was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 3, 1854. They are the parents of three children, viz., Eda A., Susan M. and Phillip H.

DAVID MORRISON, farmer, See. 18; P. O. Peotone; born in County Mon- aghan, Ireland, April 15, 1831, where he lived until 20 years of age, attending

school until 18 years of age, then engaged in farming two years, when he came to America, landing in New York May 12, 1851, where he lived four years, engaged in mercantile pursuits ; then to New Jer- sey, as attendant in the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum for two years; he emi- grated to Illinois in April, 1857, and lo- eated in Carroll Co., where he farmed in summer and taught school in winter for a period of six years ; he removed to Peo- tone Tp., Will Co., May, 1863 ; he owns 283 acres of well-improved land, valued at $40 per aere, which he has seeured by his own hard labor and industry. He married Mareh 30, 1857, Matilda Dunean; she was born in Antrim Co., Ireland, Feb. 6, 1835, and emigrated to this country in 1847. They have four children by this union, viz., William A., George A., David H. and Mary E. Mr. Morrison held the office of Assessor for three years in Carroll Co .; has held the following offices in Will Co., viz .: Justice of the Peace, which he now holds and has held for nine years ; School Director for nine years, and other offices at different times. He has taught school three terms while living in this township.

ANDREW MELVILLE, physician and surgeon, Peotone; born in Glasgow, Scotland, Jan. 2, 1840; when 5 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to Canada, where he lived until 17 years of age, engaged in his studies, when, in 1854, he commeneed the study of medicine, which he pursued for three years in Canada; in 1857, he went to New York and finished his studies; in March, 1862, he engaged with the Allan line of steamers as Emigrant Surgeon, running between Glasgow, Scotland, and New York, after which he went as Assistant Surgeon in the 79th Regt. of Highlanders from New York, remaining with the regiment eighteen months; on account of ill health he then resigned, returning to Canada ; he graduated in June, 1864; then purchased in Preseott, Can., the drug jobbing busi- ness of his old preceptor, which he run for three years ; then praetieed medicine for three years in Traverse City, Mich., when he came to Peotone in 1870, where he has since followed his profession. He married June 13, 1866, Catherine Melville; they are the parents of three children-Fred-

882

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

erick W. W., Andrew H. and Anna Bella.

DANIEL ROSS, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Peotone; born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, June 27, 1823, living there until 20 years of age, when he emigrated to England in 1843, and followed railroading and quarry- ing for nearly eight years in London, Liv- erpool and the Channel Islands. He emigrated to America in 1852, landing in New York Sept. 20, going to Quincy, Mass., where he remained a short time, then to Illinois, where he engaged in quar- rying and railroading at Joliet and other points until 1854, when he located upon his present place, where he has since lived. He owns 120 acres of well-improved land, valued at $40 per acre. He married April 6, 1858, to Annie: Anderson ; she was born in West Point, Orange Co., N. Y., May 24, 1840; her father was one of the pioneers of Will Co., securing his farm of 240 acres directly from the United States Government ; they are the parents of six children, now living-Emma J., Charles A., David D., William G., Alex- ander and Luella J. Mr. Ross is now School Director in the district which he lives.

JOHN I. RICE, hay dealer, Peotone; born in Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 16, 1837, where he lived until 1844, when he re- moved with his parents to Wheatland, Will Co., Ill., and worked upon a farm until 1862, when he was engaged with the army as Government Agent in the Quar- termaster's Department stationed at Pilot Knob, Mo., for one year, when he came North and contracted for the supply of hay to the Government, which business he followed for one year, shipping from Lock- port and three other points in Illinois to St. Louis ; in 1864, he again went South, and was Government Agent in the Quar- termaster's Department until the close of the war, when he came North, and again located at Lockport in the lumber business for two years, when he went to Chicago and in the provision business, which he fol- lowed for two years, when, being burned out, he came to Joliet, and was for several months Steward of the Illinois State Peni- tentiary ; in 1871, he came to Will Tp. and engaged in the raising, pressing, baling and shipping of hay to the Chicago and Eastern markets, which business he now

follows at Peotone and Monee. He mar- ried in Lockport Dec. 17, 1868, to Fanny Goodwin; she died October following. Married again June 11, 1873, Bella Milne, of Lockport; they have by this union one child-Robert M., born Oct. 14, 1875. Mr. Rice was Supervisor of Will Tp. for 1877.

ROBERT RAINS, hay dealer, Pco- tone ; born in Duckinfield, Eng., June 21, 1831, living there until 1848, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York Jan. 14, 1848, going at once to New Jersey, where he engaged in boiler making until 1861, when he came West and settled in Peotone, Will Co., Ill., and engaged in farming until 1869, when he engaged in the hay business, being in the employ of O. Lippincott two years, then with J. C. Willey two years; he then entered into partnership with Michael Collins and purchased the above business, doing business under the firm name of Rains & Collins four years, when Mr. Sultzbaugh purchased the interest of Mr. Collins, and the firm changed to Rains & Sultzbaugh, under which style they still continue ; they do an extensive business, buying, pressing, baling and shipping hay to Chicago and the Eastern markets. He married in New Jersey Sarah A. Foulston; she was born in England in 1829; they have three children by this union-Martha F., Ellen and Elizabeth. Mr. R. has held the office of Town Trustee for two years.

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 99

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