HISTORY OF KAXE COUNTY.
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of 1885; took a post-graduate course at the Post-Graduate Medical School (New York City) ; has practiced in Aurora since 1885.
WILLIAM CONANT (deceased), farmer and once Mayor, Geneva, Ill., was born in Brandon, Vt., March 13, 181ft, a son of Luther Conant, and a descendant of Roger Conant, the founder of the settlement at Salem, Mass., in 1622. William Conant received an academic education in Vermont and was trained to agricultural pursuits. In 1850 he came to Kane County, and purchased a farm near Geneva, on which he made his home until 1891. That year he removed to Geneva, and in 1893 was elected Mayor of the city on the temperance ticket. He died in 1894. He was twice married, Miss Melissa White becoming his wife in 1840 and dying in 1884. In 1886 he married Mrs. Olivia (Blanchard) Cleveland, who still survives and lives in Batavia. She comes of New England ancestry, her father having been born in Rhode Island, and her mother in Connecticut.
CORNELIUS B. CONDE (deceased), pioneer settler, Batavia, Ill., born in Troy, N. Y., in 1815; grew to manhood in his native State, and in 1836 came to Illinois, locating at Batavia where he engaged in blacksmithing. Early in the '40s he purchased lands from the Government which remained in possession of the family until 1902. In 1849 he drove an ox team overland to California, remaining in that State two years, in the meantime mining for gold with fairly successful results; retired from business in 1864, and died in 1885. He was married in New York State to Hannah Quant, who died in Batavia, in 1901.
JOHN A. CONNELL (deceased), Elgin, Kane County, Ill., born at Greenwood, Ill., Sept. 23, 1861, son of James and Jennie Connell; was trained to farming in his boyhood, and obtained his education in the public schools. Being left an orphan at an early age, he was thrown upon his own resources and obtained his later education by the dint of personal effort. Having completed a course of study at the Northern Indiana Normal School, Valparaiso, Ind., he taught school for several years and in 1882 entered the United States Railway Mail Service, with which he was continuously connected until his death. May 6, 1902. Mr. Connell had a long and honorable career in the Government service, and a memorial, as well as numerous letters written at the time of his death, testify to the high estimation of his personal character and sterling worth. He was a distinguished member of the Masonic Order, having attained the Thirty-second Degree. He was married in 1888 to Miss Cora B. Denison daughter of Daniel Denison of Richmond, Ill., and their children are named Howard, Paul and Virgine Connell.
THOMAS M. CONWAY, farmer, Blackberry Township, Kane County, was born Jan. 29, 1855, in the township where his home is found today. He was educated in the city schools of Peoria, where his home was found until 1885. That year he came back to Blackberry Township, and bought a farm of 'Squire West, which was situated four miles southeast of Elburn, and has given it his attention to the present time. In 1888 he was elected Commissioner of Highways, and served until 1890. He had charge of all the installation teams at the World's Fair in 1893. In 1897 he was again elected Commission of Highways, and is still serving in that position. In religion he is a member of the Catholic church. He was married Feb. 26, 1889, to Miss Bridget Keenan, a resident of Kaneville. They have had four sons, one of whom is dead.
GEORGE E. COOK, farmer and stock-raiser, Campton, Kane County, was born April 18, 1875, in Campton, son of George H. and Amelia (Dennison) Cook, and was educated in the local schools and in Elgin Academy, where he took a business course. In 1898 he began business on his own account on a farm adjoining that of his father, where he put up new buildings in 1901. Mr. Cook married Miss Bessie R. Buck, of Dundee, daughter of F. M. and Nettie (Russell) Buck. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Globe.
GEORGE H. COOK, farmer, Campton Township, Kane County, Ill., was born in Campton Township, July 30, 1844, son of J. Henry and Caroline (Harvey) Cook. His education was secured in the district school and he worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty-two years old, when he started out for himself. At the age of twenty-eight he bought a farm in Campton Township, which he has since divided between two sons, while making
