790
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
ELIJAH H. GAMMON (deceased), manufacturer and philanthropist, late of Batavia, was born in Lexington, Maine, Dec. 23, 1819, secured his education by his efforts, and in early life became a Methodist preacher. In 1851 he came to DeKalb County, Ill., and for a time conducted a private school at Ross' Grove in that county. Later resuming his ministerial work, he had charge of churches at St. Charles, Chicago and Batavia, and three years was Presiding Elder of the St. Charles district. Being compelled by a bronchial affection to retire from the ministry, he engaged in manufacturing in Batavia, and still later in the sale of agricultural implements in Chicago. In 1868 he became head of the firm of Gammon & Prindle, who were the pioneer distributors of the Marsh harvester throughout the United States^--As head of the celebrated firm of Gammon & Deering he became widely known, and was eminently successful in the manufacture and sale of farm machinery. In 1880 he was one of the founders of the Piano Manufacturing Company, and was identified with these interests until his death, July 3, 1891. He acquired a large fortune, and was generous in his benefactions. The Maine Wesleyan Seminary and the Garrett Biblical Institute were recipients of his bounty, and the Gammon Theological Seminary was founded by him.
ALEXANDER GAMSEY, physician, Batavia, Ill., born in Saratoga, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1813, son of David G. Gamsey, who was eminent as a lawyer, jurist and Congressman. The son was reared to manhood in his native State, and received his academic education in the famous schools at Fredonia and West Point Academy. He read medicine with Dr. Lewis at Buffalo, and with Dr. Shipman, the pioneer homoeopathic physician of Chicago, and in 1842 began practice in Chicago, where he conducted the first homoeopathic pharmacy in the city. In 1850 he removed to Batavia, where he followed his profession forty years, retiring in 1890. Now at the age of ninety years he is still hale and active, and officiates as Health Officer in Batavia. For many years he has been a contributor to his school of medicine, and is one of the oldest practitioners of homoeopathy in Illinois.
EDWARD C. GARFIELD (deceased), farmer, Campton Township, Kane County, born at Mt. Holly, Vt., Dec. 8, 1835; came to Kane County, Ill., with his parents in 1841; remained on his father's farm until twenty-three years of age, when he took up surveying and followed that, occupation for several years; later engaged in farming and followed that occupation until his death, which occurred Aug. 4, 1896. Mr. Gar-field was married on Oct. 7, 1857, to Frances H. Wing.
TIMOTHY P. GARFIELD (deceased), pioneer farmer, Campton Township, Kane County, Ill., born about 1800; came to Illinois in 1841, locating in Campton Township, Kane County, where he conducted a farm and hotel; politically he was a member of the Whig party and took an active interest in the management of local affairs, serving in several local offices; was a practical surveyor and laid out most of the roads in his locality. He died March 27, 1859, his widow surviving until Nov. 3, 1869.
JOHN E. GARREY, physician and surgeon, Aurora, Ill., born in Chicago Feb. 9, 1848, and educated in the public schools, State Normal School (Oshkosh, Wis.) and Bryant & Stratton's Business College (Chicago) ; read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. F. Pritchard, of Manitowoc, Wis.; matriculated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1876, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1878; practiced medicine twelve years in Wisconsin, and in 1891 went abroad and took a post-graduate course in medicine and surgery at the University of Heidelberg, Germany; removed to Aurora, Ill., in 1892, and has since been a successful practitioner of that city.
R. W. GATES, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, Aurora, Ill., born at Antwerp, Jefferson County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1834; came with his parents to Aurora in August, 1838; began his business career as a clerk in the store of John S. Hawley; has served as City Clerk three years, was City Alderman about eighteen or twenty years, and has served as Justice of the Peace for about thirty years. Mr. Gates was married in 187] to Miss Hermione L. Hill, of Batavia.
ALONZO GEORGE (deceased), merchant, financier and manufacturer, Aurora, Ill., was born in Strafford, Orange County, Vt., April 11, 1822, and during his business life became one
