Combination Atlas Map of DuPage County 1874

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XX
OLD  SETTLERS  OF   DuPAGE   COUNTY —Continued.
JOHN GLOS, a son of Johann of Adam, was born on the 7th day of September, 1812, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany. The Glos family for ages inhabited the county of Falkenslein, near the Donnersberg. John Glos, Jr., received his education in the town of Otlerburg. After leaving school, he traveled through Switzeriand, Northern Italy, France, and other parts of Europe. In 1832 he emigrated lo the United States, landing in Boston on the 27th day of November. Here he gave instruclions in German lo private classes for several years.
The first cause of the emigration of Mr. Glos might be traced to the political disorganization of .Germany. The extreme State Rights Doctrine, then being promulgated throughout Germany, produced a loss of power and general control of the different German States, causing a political dormancy of all Germany. After the P'rench revolution of 1830, and after Louis Phil¬ ippe's coronation as King of France, political agitation in Germany assumed great proportions, particularly under the leadership of Drs. AVirth and Siebenpfeifer, at the great political meeting at Hambach, near the ruins of the castle that Henry the IV, a German Emperor, had erected. At this meeting, the longings again for a political and closer reunion, and regenera¬ tion of Germany, were the main and principal features of the orations of speakers from the different German States. After this meeting the political persecutions commenced. AVirth and Siebenpfeifer, et al., were imprisoned or banished from Gennany. Such political proscriptions caused thousands of German students and intelligent citizens lo emigrate to the United States to enjoy that political freedom which was denied to them in the fatherland. This emigration is now called among the Germans in the United States, the " old emigration," lo distinguish between the later political emigration of 1848. There are yet left some very prominent citizens of the United States, from that old immigration, that have distinguished themselves in different ways, and are bearing their full share in the progress and prosperity of the United States.
On the i6th day o^ August, 1835, John Glos, Jr., married Gabrielle, daughter of Charles Mannert, of New Ysenburg near Frankfort-on-the-Main. Gabrielle was born on the 6th day of March, 1813. Her parents emigrated from Germany lo America, landing in Boston in August, 1832. Her father, fJharles Mannert, descended from a family of P'rench Protestant Refugees, who barely escaped the horrible and ever inc;iiorable massacre of Saint Bartholomew. Charles Mannett came to the United States prepared lo manufacture all kinds of the finer qualities of fine woolen goods, especially in the hosiery line. For several years he carried on that branch of manufac¬ ture with success. His family consisted of wife and six daughters. In 1836, John Glos, Sr., emigrated to the United .States by request of his son John, who was so well pleased with his experience in the United States that he wanted to see all of his friends, more especially his kindred blood, enjoying the superior advantages, that his expansive view led him to believe, that no other country offered to those developing individuality and sociability of character, thereby increasing commerce, tending towards the culture of- the fine arts, and sciences, and universal liberty, as against centralization, slavery, anarchy, and a re-occurrence of the daik ages, with a total oblitera¬ tion of the arts and sciences. In the spring of 1837, John Glos, Jr., brought his father and family, and two brothers-in-law and their families, to Illinois, locating them at Cottage Hill, Du Page county. After seeing them fairly settled in their new home, he went to Saint Charles, Kane county, and engaged in manufacturing household furniture. Looking forward lo the time when he might desire the quiet and seclusion of farm life, he bought a tract of land west of St. Charles.
This tract of land he traded for his present homestead in Wayne town¬ ship, DuPage county. This place he improved while in business in St. Charles. In 1850, he gave up business and went on to his farm, devoting his lime to general farming, on the progressive plan, i. e., feeding the most of his produce on the place instead of shipping in bulk, etc. In 1856, John Glos, Jr., was elected to the office of circuit clerk, when he moved his family to Naperville. In 1868, he was re-elected lo the same office, and again in 1&72. Mr. Glos is the right man in the right place, and the citizens of Du- Pf^e county will do well to continue him there indefinitely. Mi's. Glos re- mains on the homestead place, consisting of 220 acres. Her management is complete. Mr. and Mrs. Glos have children, viz. : Adam M., married and selling goods at Wayne station ; Charles A., now in circuit clerk's office with his father. Pie has taught school ; Amelia, teacher by profession. She has taught eight years. She is novi- with her father in the office of circuit clerk. There are few records that show to a belter advantage than those of her copy¬ ing ; Henry, now teaching in Addison, DuPage county ; Louis, on the farm with his mother, her man Friday ; Henrietta at home; Frederick is deaf and dumb, now at Jacksonville, at the Stale Institute. He is making rapid head¬ way in his studies, being very fond of them, but still manifesting great pleas¬ ure on returning home during vacation. In 1858 or 1859, this family and its branches in this country assembled to celebrate the golden wedding of the parents to the subject of this sketch. There were gathered together over sixty children, grand-children and great-grand-children lo partake of the sumptuous and regal repast prepared for them, and lo do Jiomage and rever¬ ence lo the illustrious and aged couple, the progenitors of their family on the western continent. The bride survived this, the celebration of her golden wedding only four years. .She died in Elmhurst in 1862. She was the first to cultivate the flower in the virgin soil of DuPage county. She had given birth to three boys and five girls, all living now with one exception, a daughter. John Glos, Sr., is now living at 'the age of eighty-seven with his third daughter in E^lmhurst, Mrs. Langgulh, a widow. P"or seventy years he cultivated the soil, the allotted time for man to live, but few of the many reaching that age. He has lived lo see many changes in the fatherland. The first great change was the capture or appropriation of Rhenish Germany, by the Republic of France. He saw the change from a Republic lo a Con¬ sulate, then to an Empire, lastly, the re-capture of the Rhenish Provinces, and the confederation of the German States. He has had the satisfaction of having seen the great Napoleon Bonaparte mounted on his celebrated white horse, when the P'rench army were on their campaign against Prussia. Not¬ withstanding these great and stupendous changes in Europe, he thinks all things considered, he has seen greater changes and more rapid progress in all that makes a nation great and powerful since he came to America in 1836.
In 1873, after an absence of over forty years, John Glos, Jr., returned to the Fatherland, first visiting Plamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, and A^ienna, returning via Linz, Salzburg, Munich, Augsburg, Stuttgardt, Carlsruhe, Strasl:iourg, Nome, thence returning to Saarbruck, Metz, Paris, and embark¬ ing at Havre for New York. This route was traveled over in two months. The distance is over 12,000 English miles. Mr. Glos says the first time he began to feel at home was on inhaling the prairie or western breeze at Bing- hampton. New York.
The paternal great-grand-falher served in the army of Maria Theresa and of Joseph the II. He was stationed on the border of Hungary and Turkey.
ELIJAH SMITPI, M.D., was born on the 8th day of May, 1815, in Morristown, New Jersey, a son of Abner, born on the 5th day of June, 1786, in Morristown, New Jersey. He married Sarah Smith, in i8og. .Abner son of Elijah, born on the 7th day of September, 1751, on Long Island, New y^ork. On the 28th day of March, 1771, he married Mary Sutton, born on the 2ist day of September, 1751, in Morristown, New Jersey. Elijah Smith served through the Revolution of 1776. Pie was in camp with General Washington in Morristown. The old homestead of this family is now in the possession of Mrs. Gillem, a sister of the subject of these remarks. Dr. Smith at the age of nineteen commenced reading medicine with his brother Dr. John Sutton Smith, of New Providence, New Jersey. He attended lec¬ tures at the college of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York city. He received his diploma on the 25th day of June, 1838. On the loth day of February, 1841, Dr, Elijah Smith married Jane C, daughter of Richard Smith of Herkimer county. New York. In May of 1841, he came to Illi¬ nois, settling on his present homestead in the following June. His first pur¬ chase was eighty acres, soon followed by the jiurchase of an ecjual amount. The Dr. at once commenced to improve his land and attend all professional calls. In ,1846, on the 31st day of May, Dr. Smith buried his wife, who left no issue. On the 23d day of PJecember, 1850, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Deacon Elijah Allen, and Miss Anna Hotchkins, of Stockbridge, Vermont. Deacon Elijah Allen died in Chicago, on his way west, in Septem¬ ber, 1847. Mrs. Smith's maternal grand-father was a Colonel in the Revolu¬ tionary army, and was one of Washington's body guards ; and her paternal grand-father was a revolutionary soldier. The Doctor and wife have had two sons, Allen, born on the I2th day of June, 1852, died on the 28th day of March, 1863 ; and Frank Amasa, born on the 29th day of February, i860, now attending school al Dunton ; Carrie C, adopted, born on the 3d day of September, 1861. For the last fifteen years, Dr. Smith has leased his land and given his attention mostly to the practice of medicine.
In 1873, he laid off and platted eighty acres, a part of the homestead place as Itasca, on the Chicago and Pacific Railroad. He gave the right-of- way, also ground for the station. Itasca is one of the handsomest locations on this road. The road has just got to running trains regularly. Notwith¬ standing this, there are several buildings already up, and many more going up prospectively. Dr. Smith is one of DuPage county's most substantial men. He is now paying taxes on over 440 acres. He inclines towards Congregationalism, but is liberal in all of his views, religious and political. He cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and his last for General U. S. Grant. Mrs. Dr. Smith is a member of the Congregational church in Bloomingdale ; her membership dates back to 1838. Mrs. Samuel \A^ Smith, now a widow, 'and sister of Mrs. Dr. Smith, makes her home with them. She buried her husband in Austin, Texas, on the 2gth of January, 1873, where he went for his health, from Superior City, W'isconsin.
Doctor Smith has adopted a liberal policy in building up his town (Itasca) by giving away a lot or lots to those who will put up a respectable building,— as the building so the lot. If Itasca does not make one of the most beautiful and prominent places on the Chicago and Pacific Railroad, il will not be the fault of Nature, or Doctor Smith.
DAVID KELLEY, a son of Daniel Kelley, of Danby, Rutland county, Vermont, was born on the 15th day of December, 1806. He was reared a farmer among the mountains of Vermont. At the age of nineteen, he mar¬ ried Charity, daughter of Henry Plarrick, of Danby, by whom he had four children. Three of the four are now living, viz. : Henry, now married, and farming in Nebraska ; Margaret, now Mrs. James Lester, of Marengo, 111., and William, married and farming in Wallingford, Vermont. In the fall of 1832 Mr. Kelley married Zanna D., daughter of Ephraim Jones, of Pawlet, Vermont. By this marriage, he has had three children, one of the three now living — Benton, married and lives with parents.
In 1845 David Kelley emigrated from Vermont to Illinois, locating in Milton township in DuPage county. In 1846 he got a post-office at his house, called Landon P.O. David Kelley was appointed post-master. This office was subsequently removed to AVinfield. In 1852 he moved to Danby and built the Mansion House, and kept it up lo the fall of 1873. In 1852, Mr. toavid Kelley got a post-office established and dftignated Danby, al Danby—so named by the suggestion of Mr. Kelley, in honor of his birth¬ place, Danby, Vermont. Mr. Kelley was appointed post-master, but was subsequently beheaded on account of refusal lo support James Buchanan for President.
Mr. Kelley has six brothers living, and Iwo sisters, having buried his seventh, and youngest, brother. Major Elisha S., on the 22d day of August, 1871. He was in the Eighth IlUnois Volunteer Cavalry, and was shot through the right lung in the battle of Boonsborough, Maryland. Erastus, Alonzo, Smith F., and Moses W., are farmers in Vermont ; Daniel, importer and breeder of fine-wooled Spanish Merino sheep, in Milton township, DuPage county; Jonathan, a farmer in Arkansas; Julia, now Mrs. Jones Griggs, of Vermont, and Delia, now Mrs. Whitney, of Ohio.
In 1846 David Kelley was elected justice of the peace, and for twelve consecutive years was continued in the same office. During his whole term of office he had only two jury cases, and those at his own suggestion, and had only one case reversed by the court above.
MATTHIAS H. WAGNER, a son of Joseph Wagner and Mary A. Hoffman, who were married on the 6th day of June, 1827, in Berks county, Pennsylvania. Joseph was a son of Tobias, a son of Christine, mLo was a native of Germany. He emigrated lo the United States many years before the revolution. He was a Lutheran minister, and preached the first sermon ever preached in Philadelphia. On the outbreak of the revolution, he took up arms in defense of his adopted country, being killed while in service. Tobias, the eldest son of Christine, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mat¬ thias H. was born on the 29th day of January, 1832, in Berks county, Penn¬ sylvania. He is the third of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, to wit: John H., born in 1828, carriage and wagon maker, Sandwich, Illinois- William PL, born in i82g, a blacksmith by trade, Danby, Illinois ; Joseph IL, born 1834, enlisted in the 105th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1862. (In the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, he had the index and middle fingers on the left hand shot away, for which disability he was discharged in the fall of 1864). Now farming in DuPage county. Farosina, born in 1836, died in 1839 ; Mary R., born in 1838, now married to AVilliam O. AVatts, an attorney al law, in Louisville, Kentucky ; P^lias H., born in 1840, farmer in DuPage county ; Alainanders H., born in 1843, farmer, DuPage county ; Tobias S. H., born 1845, farmer, carries on the homestead place, DuPage county "Jacob Jackson H., born in i84g, farmer in DuPage county, and Catherine L., born 1851, died in 1852.
The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer's boy in Berks county, Pennsylvania, until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to boating from Pottsville to New \^ork city. After two years spent in boating he engaged in sawing wood for the Philadelphia and Reading railroad. In 1850, he became a section-boss on the same road. In 1852 he went to Ohio, and commenced to learn the carriage and wagon trade with his brother, John H. In the fall of 1853 I'^e came to Illinois, in company with his brother John, settling in Danby, DuPage county. On the 15th day of February, 1855, he married Nancy Jane Burcham, of Danby, who was born on the igth day of December, 1829, in Wayne county, Indiana, a daughter of AVilliam Bryant and Margaret Murray. AA'illiam Bryant was born in 1799, and Mar¬ garet Murray in 1803. AA^illiam Bryant died in 1844, and Margaret Bryant in i83g. Both were natives of North Carolina. They left eight children, six girls and two boys.
In 1855 Mr. AVagner commenced business for himself, and has continued in the same business up to the present time. In 1871, Matthias PI. Wagner was elected highway commissioner of the town of Milton.
In 1854, Joseph Wagner came to Illinois, locating in Milton township, where he may still be found, hale and hearty, at the age of sixty-eight, mani- festing much interest in all the modern improvements. Mrs. Joseph AA^agner is also sixty-eight years of age, and though physically feeble, is mentally as active as ever. They are both followers of Martin Luther, seeking the meek and lowly Jesus. Mr. Joseph AVagner cast his first vote for General Andrew Jackson, and his last for Cieneral U. S. Grant.
The rhalernal grandfather and grandmother were born and died as follows : Michael Ploffman born in I75g, in Albany, New York, died in 1832 ; Mary Hoffman was born in 1764 in Pennsylvania, died in 1817. E.x-Governor Hoffman, of New York, is a descendant of the same family.
Mr. M. IL Wagner is very pleasantly situated, doing quite an extensive business in the manufacture of wagons, carriages, sleighs, etc.
Hon. ERASMUS O. PULLS is a native of Vernon, Oneida county, New York, born on the 14th day of November, 1816; a son of Colonel Allen Hills and Almeda Collins. Colonel Allen Hills 'was one of the first settlers of Oneida county, New York. He was a son of Hewett Hills, of Goshen, Pitchfield county, Connecticut. The maternal grandfather lo E. 0. Hills was a veteran Revolutionary soldier, serving under General Lafayette, and being at the storming of Stony Point, under General Wayne. In the War of 1812, Colonel Allen Hills was captain of a troop ordered lo Sackett's Harbor, but before reaching their destination, the order was countermanded. He emigrated to AVorthington, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was fourteen years of age. From AVorthington "he moved to Tiffin ; thence to Perrysburg.
At the age of sixteen E. O. went into a book store in Columbus, Ohio. From Columbus he went to Tiffin with his father, where he went into a dry- goods store. After the removal of his parents to Perrysburg, he gave up this position and went to Perrysburg, where he, in company with his father, engaged in merchandising. This proved to be a disastrous venture lo the father and son, as they subsequently failed, on account of the general strin¬ gency of the money market, and hence a fixilure of customers lo pay for goods .sold on time, then a custom throughout the countrv. In 1835 E. 0. Hills engaged as clerk on the Commodore Perry. During this season the Commodore Perry made an excursion trip around the lakes to Chicago, car¬ rying !he United States paymaster and Indian supplies, to p.iy to the different tribes their annuities. The Commodore Perry stopped at Mackinaw, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chicago, Michigan City, and St. Joseph. At this time there were no regular steamers running from Buffalo to Chicago, but now and then an excursion was made by different boats. The Commodore Perry was abandoned, and the Superior took her place. Here, as aboard the Perry, was lo be found the genial, courteous and obliging clerk, E. O. The Superior latterly made regular trips from Buffalo to Chicago
In January, 1840, Colonel Allen Hills and his family,'^consisting of wife, three sons and a daughter, settled on E. O. Hills' present homestead place. Ih.s place was the first claimed in Bloomingdale township, by Lyman Meacham m March, 1833. During the summer of 1846, E. O, Hills married Mis.. Cordelia, daughter of Hiram Cody, of Bloomingdale, DuPage county, formeriy of Vernon, Oneida county, New York.
In 1847, Mr. Hills abandoned tlie lakes, devoting his lime subsequently to the supervision of his farm and merchandising. He opened the first store m Bloomingdale township. He took much nuerest in town, county and state atiairs. ^ He was one of a commiuee of three appointed under the township organization act to lay off the townships and complete the organi¬ zations under that act.    He was elected the first supervisor of his town after