USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 17
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WILSON CONARD
Wilson Conard
ILSON CONARD was born in Miller township, La W Salle county, north of Marseilles, October 5, 1863, a son of David Wilson and Elizabeth Jane (Grove) Conard. The father's birth oeeurred in Loudoun county, Virginia, April 7, 1825, and the mother was born February 17, 1828. They were married Mareh 7, 1853. The former was but three years of age when taken to Liek- ing eounty, Ohio, where he grew up and learned the earpenter's trade. In 1844 he arrived in La Salle county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade through the building season and engaged in sehool teael- ing during the winter months. In 1848 he made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of one hundred aeres of prairie land in Miller township. When he made his journey on horseback from Ohio to Illinois he had but fifty eents remaining on reaching his destination. On the journey he forded streams and met many liardships and dif- fieulties, but he possessed energy and determination and was soon on the highroad to sueeess. Before his first marriage he built a log eabin which was afterward destroyed in a prairie fire that also burned his erops. In the early years he harvested his grain himself, working with a eradle and other primitive farm implements. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his real-estate holdings and became one of the largest landowners of Illinois. He was identified with banking interests in Marseilles and other eities in both the east and west, and although he arrived in Illinois with but fifty eents in his poeket, at his death he left an estate valued at more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He continued to reside upon his farm until 1896, when he removed to Marseilles and there lived retired until his demise, April 24, 1899. His wife survived until July 1, 1910. They were the parents of six children, of whom two died in infaney. The two yet living are: Grant, now residing in San Diego, Cali- fornia; and Laura C., the wife of Samuel Montgomery of Marseilles. D. W. Conard was twiee married. His first union was with Barbara Dieboldt, whom he wedded June 10, 1849. They had one ehild, Virgil, who died in 1892, while the mother passed away February 9, 1851.
In the distriet schools of Miller township, La Salle county, Wilson Conard pursued his education and upon the home farm remained until
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he attained his majority. His father gave him eighty acres of land, and also purchasing eighty acres in Iroquois county he began farm- ing thereon, boarding with his sister. After his marriage he resided upon his own place, there living until the spring of 1894, when he sold out and purchased two hundred and forty acres in Rutland town- ship, La Salle county, upon which he lived until July, 1904. He then retired to Ottawa, purchasing a modern residence at No. 643 Congress street, which he occupied until his death, December 15, 1911. He owned a large amount of real estate, being one of the largest landowners in La Salle county, his possessions aggregating twelve hundred acres of valuable farm property. He was also interested in the Ottawa Development Association and the Fair Association. He was a lover of fine stock and while upon the farm kept a large number of high-grade horses and cattle.
On the 16th of March, 1886, Mr. Conard wedded Miss Mary Batchelor, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, a daughter of George and Christina (Morrison) Batchelor, both natives of Edin- burgh, born in 1823 and in June, 1830, respectively. In Scotland the father conducted a shoe store and also manufactured shoes. In the spring of 1862 he brought his family to La Salle county, Illinois, where he engaged in mining coal for a time but afterward sold his coal lands and about 1870 purchased a farm near Onarga, Iroquois county, Illinois, where he resided until he retired from business life and took up his abode in Onarga. There he died about 1898, while his widow still lives in that city. Of their family of nine children six are living: Christina, the wife of John Bach, of Keokuk; Betsy E., the wife of J. W. S. Clark, of Cashmere, Washington; Francis, of Canyon City, Colorado; Mrs. Conard; Davina, who is with her mother; and Jessie, the wife of Leon Powell, a ranchman of Cash- mere, Washington. Of those deceased, Anna was the wife of David R. Dowell. Mr. and Mrs. Conard have three children: David Roy, who married Winifred Lucas and resides on the old homestead in Rutland township, La Salle county; and Anna C. and Laura E., twins, residing with their mother.
Mr. Conard met an accidental death, being killed by his automo- bile plunging into the hydraulic basin. His demise was deeply regretted by all who knew him, for his many sterling traits of character had endeared him to many friends. He was a popular and valued member of Occidental Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Shabbona Chapter, R. A. M .; Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, K. T .; and the Mystic Shrine, of Peoria. He also belonged to Ottawa Lodge, No. 588, B. P. O. E., and the Ottawa Boat Club. His political support was given to
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the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Congre- gational church. Honored and respected by all, no man occupied a more enviable position in business circles than Wilson Conard, and the high esteem which was accorded him was also the result of an upright life, in which he displayed all the sterling qualities of man- hood and citizenship.
Don. Splbester TO. Randall
UTY and honor were watchwords in the life of the D Hon. Sylvester W. Randall and justice was one of his strong characteristics. He was aptly termed the "man of purpose" and the story of his life is the story of indefatigable effort, intelligently directed, in the field of law practice. He was for an extended period a prominent representative of the Joliet bar and he also aided in fram- ing the laws of the state, having served as a member of the Illinois general assembly. His birth occurred in Hoosick Falls, New York, March 23, 1808, two years after his parents, Benjamin and Polly (Lathrop) Randall, who were natives of New England, removed to the Empire state. The family home was established upon a farm where their residenee was maintained until 1817, when Sylvester W. Randall accompanied his parents to Fredonia, New York. He pur- sued an academic education there to the age of sixteen, at which time he felt it ineumbent on him to provide for his own support and entered upon an apprenticeship to the printer's trade which he followed for four years. His ambition, however, was directed toward the law and about 1828 he removed to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he began preparation for the bar in the office and under the direetion of George Galbraith, a well known attorney of that day. Subsequently his studies were directed by Chief Justice Thompson and in 1834 he was admitted to the bar. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching and had worked at the printer's easc in order to meet his expenses while qualifying for law practice. The elemental strength of his character was then shown and constituted an indication of the quali- ties which were later to bring him to sueecss as a practitioner before the courts. He made his initial step as a lawyer at Erie, Pennsylvania, and also acted as associate editor of the Erie Observer in 1873. No dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon proved his ability in the successful conduet of eases entrusted to him and his clientage beeame large and of a distinetively representative character.
From the time Mr. Randall arrived in Joliet until his death he figured as one of the prominent attorneys of Will eounty. His fellow citizens, appreciative of his ability as a lawyer, ehose him to preside over the cireuit court and while acting as judge he displayed a master-
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ful grasp of every problem presented for solution. His decisions, too, were strictly fair and impartial and lawyers seldom took excep- tion to his rulings. He seemed to readily recognize the equity of the case as well as to the points in law applicable to his cause and no one was more careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics. A contemporary writer has said of him: "He was recognized as one of the ablest chancery lawyers of the state and had broad and intimate knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence in all of its departments. In civil cases he presented his cause with clearness and force and in criminal cases was strong in argument and logical in his deductions. During his practice of thirty years no client of his was ever sent to the penitentiary or to the gallows. He was a fluent speaker, of marked oratorical power, and in addition to his ready gift of language he had keen perceptive power and accurately applied the principles of law to the points in litigation."
In the year 1853 Mr. Randall was united in marriage to a Miss Perry, of Pennsylvania, who died in 1857. He afterward wedded Miss Stillman, of Erie, Pennsylvania, who passed away in 1868. On the 5th of December, 1872, occurred his marriage to Miss Martha D. Risley, of Will county, who was born in New Hartford, New York, and was brought to Illinois by her father, George W. Risley, in 1860. The father's birth occurred in New Hartford, New York, April 3, 1810, and he was a representative of an old Connecticut family. In pioneer times the Risley family was established in the Empire state and the old home is still standing there. The grandfather of Mr. Risley entered land at New Hartford from the government and per- formed the arduous task of clearing and developing the tract in order to transform it into cultivable fields. On leaving the Empire state George W. Risley removed to Virginia where he remained for nine years and then came to Illinois, settling in Will county upon a tract of land that now lies partly within the corporation limits of Joliet. For a number of years he carefully, systematically and successfully tilled the soil but at length retired and his last days were spent in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he died in 1880. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Eunice Dakin, was a native of New Hamp- shire, born at New Ipswich, and she, too, represented an old New England family that removed to New Hartford, New York. Her father was an attorney but in later years retired from law practice, remaining a resident of the Empire state, however, until his death in 1843. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Risley was celebrated at New Hartford and unto them were born seven children. Mrs. Randall, still makes her home in Joliet and is highly esteemed in that city where
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she has now resided for more than a half century. She has long sur- vived her husband who passed away in 1889. He had within the period of his residence here taken not only an active but also a most helpful part in promoting public progress. He voted with the demo- cratie party because of a stalwart belief in its principles, and in 1860 he was chosen state eleetor on the Douglas ticket. He repre- sented his district in the state legislature and was serving on the committee of banks and corporations at the time the charters of the Illinois Central Railroad, the Rock Island and the Chicago & Alton Railroads were passed upon. He ever favored improvement and progress and his efforts for the benefit of the community were of a practical and resultant character. His fellow townsmen ever found him a courteous, genial gentleman and one who had the highest regard for the rights and interests of others. His life work and activities were a factor in the progress and upbuilding of Joliet and his memory is yet honored and cherished by all who knew him.
Francis Low
Francis Low
T HROUGH a period coextensive with that of the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten Francis Low was a resident of Illinois. He arrived at the present site of Havana in 1836 and with the history of development and progress in that section of the state his name was closely associated to the time of his death, in 1906. He was born at South Lancaster, now Clinton, Massachusetts, September 23, 1813, a son of Nathaniel and Annis (Kendall) Low, both of whom were descendants of noted carly New England families. The father was a well known manufacturer who also had farming interests. Amid the virile surroundings and tutored in the sterling principles of a New England home, Francis Low was reared and the characteristic New England appreciation of the value of education was manifest in the opportunities afforded him. He attended Frye's Private School, a noted institution of Berlin, Massachusetts, until the death of his parents threw him upon his own resources at a comparatively early age. He was in his nine- teenth year when in company with his two older brothers, Thomas and Eliphaz, he started out to seek a home and fortune in the west, thinking to find better business opportunities in the new and growing section of the country. They resided for a brief period in Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterward became residents of Louisville, Kentucky, where they opened and conducted a store. Still they were not content with their location and again traveled westward by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to St. Louis, which was then a typical frontier town of about six thousand population, mostly French, with saloons and gambling houses predominating, such as were common in a river town in pioneer days. Another removal brought the brothers to Illinois in the fall of 1836. Four years had passed since they left New Eng- land and Francis Low now became definitely located in the cstablish- ment of his home at Havana. For sixty-four years he remained a resident of the city, belonging to that class of progressive, enterpris- ing and determined pioneer settlers who laid the foundation for the present greatness of the commonwealth and yearly promoted its growth, advancement and prosperity by their earnest and discriminat- ing labors and their loyalty and trustworthiness in citizenship.
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Havana was at that time a small town but was feeling the stimulus of the spirit of enterprise prevalent throughout the middle Mississippi valley. Mr. Low took advantage of the business opportunities here offered and became connected with agricultural interests and the real- estate business, opening up, developing and improving a number of new farms. He also dealt quite largely in real estate on his own account and likewise became a factor in industrial circles, for in part- nership with his brother and Pulaski Scoville he built a steam sawmill which was operated for some time. Just across the river from Havana were large oak and walnut forests in which the timber was cut and then rafted to the mill, where it was converted into lumber to supply the local trade, while shipments were also made to Alton and St. Louis. About that time a railroad was being built from Naples and Meredosia to Jacksonville, this being the first in the Mississippi valley. The partners in the sawmill secured the contract for sawing the lumber used by the road and they supplied ties which were made of the choicest selected timber. As the years went on and Francis Low prospered in his undertaking he kept adding to his landed inter- ests, recognizing the fact that real-estate is the safest of all invest- ments. From time to time he purchased farms and concentrated his energies more and more largely upon agricultural pursuits. He became an extensive wheat raiser and shipped the product of his fields by flatboat to St. Louis, often making the trip down the river in that way. His business interests grew in volume and importance until he became one of the foremost representatives of agricultural and commercial interests in his section of the state.
With all of his increasing personal activities Mr. Low did not fail to take active and helpful part in works of a public character result- ing beneficially to the community. He was instrumental in the con- struction of the railroad from Pekin to Jacksonville called the Ulinois River road and now known as the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis. He was one of the directors of the company and its treasurer and eventu- ally became its president. In 1875 he organized the Havana National Bank, which was a strong and prosperous institution, of which he remained president throughout its existence. The bank paid ten per cent dividends and it had the remarkable record of declaring a divi- dend each year from its organization.
Mr. Low was married twice. In 1841 he wedded Hannah Noble, of Havana, Illinois, and unto them were born three sons, only one of whom is living, Thomas F. Low. On the 27th of December, 1859, Mr. Low was again married, his second union being with Fannie Mann, a daughter of John and Alice (Brooks) Mann, of Republic,
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Ohio, and a relative of Rev. Phillips Brooks, of Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and of John Mann, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. On both the paternal and maternal sides Mrs. Low is descended from old colonial families of New England and is eligible as a member of the Colonial Dames. In 1900 Mr. Low retired from active business life and removed to Oak Park, Illinois, an attractive suburb of Chicago, there building a beautiful home. He now had leisure to enjoy such things as were a matter of interest and reereation to him and his days were happily passed to the time of his death in 1906. His widow still oeeupies the home and is one of the highly esteemed residents of Oak Park. In his passing the city lost one of her rep- resentative and honored men. In polities he was a republican but had never been an active politician in the usually aeeepted sense of the term, although he served as deputy sheriff of Tazewell comty for one term and for two terms was sheriff of Mason county. He took an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of town and county and beeame widely known among leading men of this state, especially those who were its founders and active in shaping its his- tory. He enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln and others of distinetion. He loved travel and during forty years of his life spent many summers and winters in that way, during which time he visited every state in the Union. Few men know their con- try as thoroughly as he did or are more eonversant with its natural beauties. He was a lover of nature, enjoying mountain climbing and many a summer day found him in the Rockies or alone with his guide in the heart of the White mountains. His friends found him a most congenial and hospitable host when they visited him at his Havana home. The admirable traits of manhood were his in large measure. He was a lover of poetry and seientifie reading and his tastes were artistie. By nature he was kindly, genial and generous and wher- ever he went he drew men to him in ties of friendship that naught but death eould sever. He passed away Jannary 22, 1906, but it will be long ere his memory has passed from the minds of men. Although he reached the ninety-second milestone on life's journey he never seemed to have reached the stage which the poet Holmes has deseribed as the "sear and yellow leaf." He was always young in spirit and though the suns of many winters rested on his head the tides of spring were in his heart.
Joseph Braun
J OSEPH BRAUN stood for many years at the head of an important manufacturing enterprise of Joliet, being secretary and treasurer of the Porter Brewing Company. He contributed much to the upbuilding of this business and the eareful, conservative meth- ods which he introdueed proved an even balance to the progressive spirit which was a feature in the eonduet of the under- taking. Mr. Braun was a native of Naperville, Illinois, born Sep- tember 16, 1860. His father, Joseph Braun, Sr., was a native of Erbach, Wurttemberg, Germany, born on the 27th of May, 1837. The first eighteen years of his life were spent in that country and he then eame to the United States, thinking to find better and broader business opportunities in the new world. He lived at different places in America until 1859, when he went to Naperville where he was brew master for a time. At length he eame to Joliet in 1861 and aeeepted the position of elerk in Stenger's brewery. Later in connection with Joseph Braun, who was of the same name but not a relative, he built the Columbia Brewery which he eondueted until February, 1868, when he sold the business to F. Sehring. That constituted the start- ing point of the present Sehring Brewery, one of the largest produe- tive industries of the city. Before it passed out of the hands of Mr. Braun it had beeome an important undertaking for he was a man of industry, energy and determination and established his business on such a basis that exeellent results were attained.
Joseph Braun, whose name introduees this review, was the only child in a large family that grew to manhood. He was a little lad at the time of the removal to Joliet and in the schools of this eity he pur- sued his studies. After putting aside his text-books he beeame con- nected with the brewing business, being employed for a short time in the Sehring Brewery which had been established by his father. He was afterward eonneeted with a elothing store for a brief period and in 1870 in connection with Mr. Raub he purchased the Brooks eloth- ing store which they eondueted under the firm style of Braun & Raub for about fourteen years. They enjoyed a liberal and well merited patronage but at the end of that time Mr. Braun sold his interests to his partner and again returned to the brewing business, becoming
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associated with the Porter Brewing Company in organizing a new stock company. The plant had previously been conducted under the name of the Porter Brewery but after the reorganization of the busi- ness the name of the Porter Brewing Company was assumed and Mr. Braun was made secretary and treasurer. He continued in that posi- tion until his death, which occurred on the 31st of October, 1908. In the meantime the undertaking had grown to extensive proportions under his management for he was considered one of the most capable men in his line in the city. He recognized the fact that success must have its root in the accomplishment of maximum results through mini- mum effort, but while he avoided all needless waste and expenditure of time, labor and material he never sacrificed quality for quantity nor did he ever lower the standard of his business integrity.
On the 8th of October, 1882, Mr. Braun was united in marriage . to Miss Theresa Stoos, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Anna (Hos- singer) Stoos, who were natives of Alsace, Germany. Her father came to the United States when a young man and settled in Joliet where he began business as a carpenter and contractor, being thus identified with building operations in that city up to the time of his demise. Mr. and Mrs. Braun became the parents of seven children, namely : Ida; Julius J .; Alma, who married Albert Lyons, of Joliet, Illinois; Henriette; Margaret; Robert; and Maria.
Mr. Braun held membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and other organiza- tions. He belonged also to St. John's Catholic church and took a very active and helpful part in its work, contributing generously to its support and cooperating in the movements for its upbuilding. He was president of the Western Catholic Union and very prominent in the work of that organization. He became one of its charter members and for nearly twenty years served as its president and was supreme vice president of the state. In a word he did everything in his power to further the interests of Catholicism and his efforts in behalf of his church were far-reaching and effective. In matters of citizenship he manifested a progressive spirit that led to his identification with many movements for the general good. He saw the opportunities for growth and progress here and he labored for results that would prove of permanent benefit.
JOHN D. CATON
NINIAN EDWARDS
C. B. FARWELL
HENRY DEMAREST LLOYD
Rinian Cowards
PROMINENT figure in the early history of Illinois A was that of Ninian Edwards. He was born in Mary- land, March 17, 1775, and educated at Diekinson Col- lege. At the age of nineteen he emigrated to Ken- tueky where he studied law and entered upon the practice of his profession. He rose step by step until he beeame chief justice of the court of appeals.
In 1809, President Madison appointed him the first territorial governor of Illinois, which offiee he held until the admission of Illi- nois into the Union in the year 1818, when he was elected United States senator. In 1826 he was elected governor of the state, and remained in that offiee until 1830.
Soon after he beeame governor of the territory the Indians of the Illinois country became troublesome. In a message to the assembly he referred to the situation but made no suggestions as to the poliey which should be adopted. The white population of the territory when he entered upon his offiee in 1809 had been estimated to be about nine thousand, while the number of Indians, who oeeupied the larger por- tion of the country, was supposed to be about eighteen thousand; so that if the tribes should have beeome generally hostile and united, they might have overwhelmed the whites completely.
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