USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 23
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Our subject remained at home until twenty years of age. and was prepared for college at Edgar Academy, in Paris. Later he spent one year in llanover College, In- diana, and then entered Jefferson College ( now known as Washington and Jefferson College), Pennsylvania, where he pursued a literary course and was graduated in 1860. Ile was next a student at the Northwestern Theological Seminary, Chicago, and was graduated at that institution in the spring of 1863. He was licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of Palestine, now known as the Presbytery of Mattoon, and his first charge was John Knox church, in Knox county, Illinois. At the same time he also preached in the village of Oneida, the same
Mr. and Mrs. Vance have a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. (1) Selby Frame, born in Knox county, November 17, 1864, was ordained a Pres byterian minister and preached for some years, but is now professor of Greek at Wooster University, Ohio. Ile is married and has one child. (2) Harriet Shelledey, a native of Knox county, is a graduate of the classical department of Lake Forest Uni- versity, and once held a position in a young ladies' seminary, but for the past five years has been one of Pontiac's best photos raphers, having won special praise for her artistic work, especially of babies and chil- dren. She was the first to introduce the platinum finish in the city. (3) Edward Elbridge, a native of Illinois, is a Presby- terian minister of Cooksville, McLean coun-
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ty, Illinois, and is now traveling in the west on account of ill health. (4) James Milton. born in Lexington, Illinois, is also a gradu- ate of Lake Forest University, and for three years taught Latin and Greek in the township high school of Pontiac, but is now attending the Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, studying for the ministry. (5) Catherine Stewart, born in crtage county, Wisconsin, is now fourteen years of age and is attending the high school of Pontiac.
GEORGE FRY.
George Fry, the owner of a good farm of eighty acres on section 29. Forrest town- ship. Livingston county, is a native of Eng- land, born in Devonshire, in 1834, and is a son of John Fry. He lost his mother when quite young, but his father, who was also a farmer by occupation, lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years, and was still very active at the time of his death, having a short time before walked a dis- tance of nine miles and sheared forty sheep. Our subject is the youngest of a family of ten children, and he and his brother. Rich- ard, were the only ones to come to this coun- try.
George Fry remained in his native land until seventeen years of age, when he crossed the ocean and settled in Lisbon, Kendall county, Illinois, where he worked on a farmand then oprated rented land for seevral years. In 1866 he became a resident of Livingston county, and after farming for six years in Belle Prairie township, he came to Forrest township and bought the eighty- acre farm which has been his home ever since. He started out in life as a poor boy.
but by industry and good management has secured a comfortable competence.
Mr. Frve married Mrs. Susan Evans, also a native of England, who died nine months later, leaving one child, by her former marriage-William Evans-now a resident of Kansas. Mr. Fry was again married at the end of four years, his second union being with Mrs. Susan Gas, of Penn- sylvaia, whose first husband was killed in the civil war. She is now seventy-seven year of age and although nearly blind and quite deaf. she bears up patiently under her afflictions. She and her husband have many warm friends and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.
HNRY RINGLER.
Henry Ringler, a prominent business man of Strawn, Livingston county, Illinois, was born in the province of Hersfeldl. Ger- many, June 16, 1844, a son of Peter and Gertrude ( More) Ringler, who were of pure German ancestry. The mother died in that country at the age of thirty-eight years. She was the third wife of Peter Ringler and the mother of eight sons : Peter; George; one who died in infancy unnamed : Henry and John, twins; William: Fritz and August. With the exception of the one who died in infancy, all came to this country and five are still living. It being the custom from time immemorial for the Kurfusten- thum Hessen to give the father of seven suc- cessive sons forty-two dollars, Mr. Ringler received that amount from Emperor Will- iam, the grandfather of the present ruler of Germany. Of this family Fritz and August are residents of New York City, and com-
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posed the firm of F. A. Ringler & Company, who have the largest electrotype foundry in the world, emploving over one hundred and fifty hands, and are prominent business men of that city. Two years ago they cele- brated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the es- tablishment of their business, and at the World's Fair, in 1893, received the first prize for an engraving of Columbus dis- covering America. They came to the United States in 1867. George Ringler, another brother of our subject, emigrated to Amer- ica in 1858, and also located in New York City, where he was foreman of a brewery for some years, and then, in partnership with another gentleman, engaged in that business on his own account. The business established by him is still carried on under the firm name of George Ringler & Com- pany, its present officers being his son, Will- iam G. Ringler, president ; George J. Jetter, vice-president; J. Edward Jetter. secretary and manager, and Henry Hachemeister, treasurer-one of the largest in New York City-and have a large and elegant office at the corner of Ninety-second and Third avenue, while their brewery is fitted up with the latest improved machinery and was one of the first to put in operation an ice plant. George Ringler died about ten years ago, leaving an estate valued at over one million dollars. lle had two children : William G., mentioned above, and Rose, wife of George J. Jetter.
In 1860 Peter Ringler, the father of our subject, came to the United States, and after residing for a time in New York state, came to Livingston county, Illinois, locating in Belle Prairie township, where he engaged in farming, and also contracting and building for a time. Ile had previously done ex- tensive business as a contractor and builder
of roads and railroads and accumulated a large fortune, which he lost through the schemes of a railroad company. He died in Belle Prairie township, in 1875, at the age of seventy-two years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Fairbury. He was four times married, his last wife being Cath- erine Shirteruff. by whom he had four chil- dren: Peter, now a prosperous farmer of Jowa; Catherine, wife of Conrad Heppe, a farmer of Chatsworth, Illinois; Anton, a farmer of Cullom, and Lizzie, wife of .1. M. Marks, of New York City.
Henry Ringler was educated in the schools of his native land, and later spent about five years in traveling. He worked for a year and a half at the blacksmith's trade in Germany, and after coming to this country followed the same occupation for several years. He crossed the broad .At- lantic at the age of eighteen years, and in 1866 became a resident of Livingston coun- ty, Illinois, locating first in Indian Grove township. where he leased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres for six years Later he rented a farm in Forrest township for four years, and at the end of that time came to Strawn, where he purchased prop- erty, embarking in the grocery business at that place in 1877, and carrying it on seven years. He then purchased a half-section of land on section 3. Fayette township, which he operated eleven years, and then sold, re- turning to Strawn to resume the grocery business, which he has since successfully car- ried on. Hle is one of the prosperous men of his community, whose success in life is due to his own unaided efforts, good man- agement and sound judgment.
On the Ist of March, 1868, in Belle Prairie township, Mr. Ringler was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Fox, also
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a native of Germany, and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fry ) Fox, who emi- grated to America about 1866, and lived in Chicago until 1870. Their last years were spent with our subject in Livingston coun- ty, where the mother died in 1872, the fa- ther in 1878, leaving a large family of chil- dren. To Mr. and Mrs. Ringler were born eight children, all of whom are still living. namely : ( 1) Fritz, who is now foreman of his uncle's electrotype foundry, in New York, and commanding a high salary, mar- ried Lizzie Shutt, and had one chill that died in infancy. (2) Lizzie is the wife of Thomas Dolan, secretary of the Western Union Newspaper Company, of Denver, Col- orado, and they have two children, Virgil and Gertrude. (3) August, a successful contractor and builder of Strawn, married Rosa Kuntz, and they have four children, Raymond, Dora, Ellen and August. (4) Mary is the wife of D. F. Keller, a printer, of Chicago, and they have one child. Veron- ica. (5) Henry married Hermine Bousand and is engaged in the saloon business in Pontiac. (6) George is engaged in the brewery business in Brookyln, New York. (7) Katie it at home, and (8) William, also at home, is clerking in his father's store. All of the children were born in Livingston county, and educated in the township schools.
AAs one of the leading business men and influential citizens of Strawn, Mr. Ringler has been called upon to fill several important official positions, the duties of which he has always faithfully and satisfactorily per- formed. He was supervisor of Fayette township four years; school director, ten years ; a member of the town board a num- ber of years, and is at present police magis- trate of the village, being elected in the
spring of 1900. In politics he is inde- pendent, voting for the man and not the party, and in his religions connections he and his family are members of the Reformed Lutheran church. For thirteen years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but recently withdrew from the order, though he still holds membership in Sibley Lodge, No. 761, F. & A. M. Pro- gressive and public spirited, he takes a deep interest in public affairs, and is justly num- bered among the valued citizens of his town and county.
REV. JAMES J. QUINN.
Rev. James J. Quinn, resident pastor of St. John's Catholic church, of Chatsworth, was born in Tolono, Champaign county, Illi- nois, May 16, 1857, and is the second chikl of Patrick J. and Margaret (Doheney ) Quinn, both of whom were natives of coun- ty Tipperary, Ireland, and came to the United States when young. For several years the father was successfully engaged in the mercantile business in New York, and while a resident of that city was married, at St. Peter's Catholic church, and Barclay street. June 11, 1854. Shortly afterward he came to Illinois and located in Tolono, where he opened a general store, being one of the first merchants of that village. While liv- ing there he assisted in building the Catho- lie church and in securing twenty-two acres of land adjoining for church use. Since 1885 he has lived a retired life, and has made his home in Danville the last few years. In his family were six children, four sons and two daughters, but the daughters are both deceased, and Frank, a successful physician and surgeon, of Peoria, died in
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1806. Of those living. James J. is the old- est. John P. is now pastor of St. John's Catholic church of Peoria, where he has he- come prominent as a successful organizer and builder of churches. Joseph W. is station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Milwaukee. The sons were all graduated at Notre Dame. College. Indiana.
Father Quinn, of this review, remained at home until fifteen years of age attending the public schools and worked with his fa- ther in the mercantile business. Ile also spent two years with a large wholesale firm in Chicago. . At the age of seventeen he en- tered Notre Dame College, where he was graduated in law in 1878, and in the clas- sical course in 1879. For one year he en- gaged in the practice of law, and then en- tered the Theological Semilary, where he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Gibbons, in 1882. The following year he served as secretary to Bishop Spalding of Peoria, and in 1884 as assistant to Rev. T. S. Ketling of Champaign. From 1884 to 1887 he was assistant to Rev. Weldon. of Holy Trinity church. Bloomington, and dur- ing this time aided in building several churches, being especially qualified for that work by the business training he had re- ceived. From 1887 to 1889 he was pastor of the churches at Chebanse and Clifton, Iroquois county, and the churches at both places were built under his pastorate. In 188g he was given his present charge in Chatsworth, and there again his business ability has been called into play. He pur- chased property and erected a modern brick edifice, also a parsonage and academy, which are now valued at over sixty thousand dol- lars. The church is a model affair. being the most substantial and beautiful, as well
as valuable property, in the Peoria diocese. The furnishings were all imported and the very best obtainable.
The school organized by Father Quinn is one of the best in the county, is supported by money collected from the parishioners. and is open to the children of the town and county, while the teachers are among the best in this country, all talented ladies of the Order of Sisters of the Holy Cross of Notre Dame. Father Quinn began work on the church in 1889. and in 1894 the debt was lifted through his skillful management. He also erected the church at Forrest, which property is valued at twenty-five hundred dollars, and in eight months it was dedi- cated and free from indebtedness. He is revered by all his people and is their chosen leader. Through his early experiences and business education he has acquired a knowl- edge which is invaluable to him as a pastor, bringing him in touch with his congrega- tion, of whom he has the entire confidence. Hle is also one to whom the town owes much of its advancement, both in business and social life. and his advice is sought by all who know him, both Protestants and Catho- lies. His familiarity with the law and busi- ness affairs gives him a decided advantage, and he interests himself in any enterprise which he believes will benefit the people of his town or county.
JOHN A. PETTETT.
John A. Pettett, a well-known postal clerk in charge of the sixth division on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, from Chicago to St. Louis, and a prominent citizen of Dwight, Ilinois, who has always been es- pecially active and prominent in fraternal
J. A. PETTETT.
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MISS MATILDA F. PETTETT.
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societies, was born in Hastings. Sussex, Mr. Pettett located in Tonica, Illinois. He England, December 20, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Mary Ann (Standin ) Pettett, representatives of old English families. On crossing the Atlantic, the parents first located in Canada, but after a short time spent there. they went to Tonica, Illinois, and from there came to Dwight, where the father followed his trade of mason until called to his final rest. February 2, 1892. In politics he was a Republican and in re- ligious belief a Methodist. Ilis wife died January 26, 1892. To this worthy couple were born seven children, three of whoni died in England during childhood. The others are George T., a resident of Dwight : John .A., our subject: Henry S., who is living a retired life in Lacon, Illinois, and Howard C., Republican nominee for states attorney of Peoria county, Illinois, in 1900, and a resident of Chillicothe.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed under the parental roof, and his education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of thirteen he worked in a tailor's shop in his native town of Hastings, and followed that occupation until coming to America, in 1868. Before leav- ing England he was married, in October, 1865, to Miss Fannie Freeman, a native of Biddenden, England, and a daughter of James Freeman. By this union were born four children, namely: Matilda F., her fa- ther's faithful and efficient housekeeper : Henry J., who married Nellie Lutz, and is now an employee of the Santa Fe Rail- road, residing in Streator, Illinois; George T., who is engaged in the butcher and mar- ket business in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, and Alice E., who died at the age of two and a half years.
Coming to the United States in 1868,
concluded to try some employment which would give him more outdoor exercise than his trade.and being willing to accept and hon- est and honorable work, he took that which was most available, and for some years was engaged in farm labor, which he found, when pursued on the hustling, hurrying plan of the Illinois farmer, to present quite a contrast to his previous sedentary occupa- tion. On the 20th of March, 1870, he came to Dwight and entered the service of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, being employed for about ten years in various capacities in the round house and as fireman on the road. In 1880 he entered the general bag- gage office of the same road at Chicago, where he spent two years, and in 1882 was appointed railway postal clerk from Chicago to Peoria, but after a few weeks was trans- ferred to the Chicago and St. Louis run in the sixth division, which position he has faithfully and efficiently filled for eighteen years. For several years past he has served as clerk in charge of the force on this di- vision, which is composed of three men be- sides himself. This division is one of the most important in the state, being between the two principal cities of the Mississippi valley.
The greatest misfortune that has be- fallen Mr. Pettett was the death of his wife, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmeet and was beloved by all who knew her. She passed away September 19, 1874. and his parents then made their home with him until they, too, were called to their final rest. For three years he has now been a resident of Dwight and is numbered among its honored and highly respected citizens. llis present responsible position indicates the character of his service and its apprecia-
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tion by those over him. His exacting du- ties have always prevented him from taking any active part in political affairs, and al- though he is an uncompromising supporter of Republican principles and a worker in the ranks of his party, he has never aspired to political honors. The only public office he has ever accepted has been in connection with educational work as a member of the school board, and he resigned that position after serving five years. He is a member of the Hamilton Republican Club, of Chi- cago, and is an active and official member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Dwight.
It is in social and fraternal matters that Mr. Pettett is best known to the public, hav- ing always taken an active part in such work. Hle is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a mem- ber of Livingston Lodge, No. 371. F. & .1. M., of Dwight; Wilmington Chapter, No. 142. K. A. M .: St. Bernard Command- ery. No. 35. K. T., in which he has served as commissary and quartermaster: Chicago . Council, No. 4. R. & S. M .: Oriental Con- sistory, of Chicago, and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the St. Bernard Drill Corps, which is conceded to be the best in the United States and has won many honors in competitive exemplification of the work, and in 1891 Le organized Dwight Chapter, No. 106, O. E. S., of which both he and his daughter are charter members, and take an active part in its work. He first joined Blooming- ton Chapter, No. 50, but on account of dis- tance and inconveniences, he set on foot measures which resulted in the organiza- tion of Dwight Chapter, with himself as worthy patron. In this, as in other fra- ternity work, Mr. Pettett has taken much pains and is given high praise by the
founder of the floral work of the order, for his inimitable manner of exemplifying the work. Ilis daughter is at present hokl- ing the office of worthy matron, and like her father takes a deep interest in the order, as well as in other society and church work. Both are charter members of Prairie Queen Chapter. No. 370, Daughters of Rebecca, and she has twice served as presiding officer and as representative to the grand lodge. Mr. Pettett is a prominent member of Dwight Lodge. No. 513. 1. O. O. F .. of which he is past noble grand, and is also past chief patriarch of Pacific Encampment, No. 126. He is a charter member of Hebron Lodge, No. 175, K. P., of Dwight. and for twenty years has been a member of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. Ile is the organizer of Pettett Lodge. No. 347. .1. O. C. W., of Dwight, which was named in his honor. Ile was elected the first master workman at its organization, in March, 1888, and since then has served con- tinnously as deputy grand master and ren- resentative to the grand lodge. In the work of all these orders he has taken an active and prominent part and stands deservedly lngh in the esteem of his fraternal brethren. Probably no man in the state is better or more favorably known in fraternal circles than he, and he is also numbered among the representative citizens of Dwight-one whose genial, cordial nature has made him hosts of friends.
JOSEPH S. FRANCIS.
One of the most straightforward, ener- getic and successful business men of Liv- ingston county is Joseph S. Francis, who is
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now prominently and actively connected of worship was located on his farm. Ile with the commercial interests of Forrest. In the field of business opportunity is un- limited. Military and political life have high honors for but few, but in the field of trade the possibilities are many, and the am- bitious, energetic and determined man may work his way steadily upward, attaining a position of affluance and prominence that cammands the respect and admiration of all. This Mr. Francis has won, and the salient features in his success are indefatigable energy, untiring labor and sound business judgment.
He was born in Jackson township. Brown county, Ohio, August 16, 1845, a son of John and Margaret ( Ross) Francis. The father was born in county Cavan, Ire- land, in February, 1812, and when five years of age came to the United States in com- pany with his father, Edward Francis, who brought his family to this country. The grandfather of our subject was born in Scot- land and on account of the feudal wars went to England, where he married. He after- ward removed to the Emerald Isle, where he carried on farming. On crossing the Atlantic he located in Brown county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm at a place called Ash Ridge. There he built a good home and became one of the leading residents of the community. He belonged to the Presby- terian church and died in that faith in 1852.
John Francis was one of a family of four sons and three daughters. He was reared in Brown county, Ohio, there learned the cooper's trade, and after his marriage also engaged in farming, making his home in Ohio until 1860. In early life he joined the Methodist Episcopal church and became one of the leading members of his congrega- tion-the Mount Olivet church. The house
served as class-leader and steward and his home was always the place of entertainment for the ministers who visited in that local.ty. All of his seven children were also mem- bers of that church. In his farming opera- tions he was also very successful. He was also recognized as one of the public-spirited men of the community, held a number of offices, including those of school director and supervisor, and faithfully discharged every trust reposed in him. On the 16th of Angust, 1837, he married Miss Margaret Ross, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Lazarus Ross, who was born in Virginia and at one time was engaged in picking salt across the mountains to Cincinnati, where he traded it to the settlers. He finally located in Claremont county, Ohio, where his daughter Margaret was born. Subse- (mmently he moved to Brown county, Ohio, and lived with his children for some time, but his death occurred in Grant county, In diana.
All of the children of John and Mar. garet Francis were born in Brown county. Chio, and in 1860 the family removed theace to Illinois, the father purchasing two bun- dred and forty acres of land adjoining the town of Forrest on the south. His pioneer home was only 12x14 feet, but as time pased he made many substantial improve- ments on his place, erected a more commo- dious residence, and, by additional pur- chase, extended the boundaries of his farm. When he came to the county there were but five or six members of the Methodist Epis- copal church in the locality. He at once identified himself with the earnest little band of Christians, was one of the most liberai contributors toward the building of the new house of worship and was one of the four
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