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HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
dlebury, Vt., with Dr. Josephus Brockway, with whom he practiced for two years before setting up for himself in Brandon, Vt. In the spring of 1859 Dr. Ormsbee came to Geneva, Ill., where he located himself, and has since been in continuous practice. He is undoubtedly the oldest dentist in Kane County, if not in the State. He was one of the original members of the Illinois Dental Society with which he has been connected more than forty years. For many years Dr. Ormsbee was actively connected with the drug business in Geneva, and has held various official positions in the city. Feb. 21, 1859, he was married in Miss Amanda C. Powers, daughter of Deacon Jacob Powers, of Brandon, Vt. She died in 1876, and two years later Dr. Ormsbee married Mrs. Frances Willard Smith, of Oberlin, Ohio, who died in 1895.
GEORGE WHEELER OSGOOD, retired merchant, St. Charles, Ill., born at Cambridgeport, Vt., Oct. 2, 1853; came to St. Charles, Kane County, in January, 1865; engaged in the grocery business at St. Charles in 1872, which he conducted until 1890; married in 1875 Charlotte P. Hall, of St. Charles.
JAMES F. PADELFORD (deceased), pioneer farmer, Dundee Township, Kane County, Ill., born at Savoy, Mass., June 17, 1814; came to Illinois in 1845, locating in Dundee Township, Kane County, where he purchased 160 acres of land to which he made subsequent additions until his holding embraced 300 acres. He was engaged quite extensively in dairy farming, and personally conducted his farm up to the time of his death, June 15, 1883. Mr. Padelford was married in 1840 to Miss Prudence Pound of Canada, and they were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are now living, viz.: Mrs. Amanda Peck, Mrs. Phoebe Chaffee, W. H., Mrs. Ida M. Gilbert, and Mrs. Jennie P. Kerr. Mrs. Padelford died April 9, 1903.
RODOLPHUS WILLIAM PADELFORD (deceased), pioneer, Elgin, Ill., born in Savoy, Berkshire County, Mass., July 21, 1806, son of Manly and Thankful (Crapo) Padelford, descended from colonial families of combined English and French ancestry, Mr. Padelford being descended in a direct line from the famous Roger Williams and John Rogers families, whose names are so prominent in colonial history. In Massachusetts he had the benefit of a school education. In 1828 Mr. Padelford established himself in Buffalo, N. Y., and was there interested in several enterprises. While living there he married Mary Wilber, a descendant of Samuel Wilber, who settled in Boston in 1634. In 1842 the family moved to Elgin, Ill., where Mr. Padelford engaged in trade for a time and then opened a daguerreotype gallery, one of the first of its kind in Northern Illinois. In 1847 he was elected City Clerk of Elgin, filling the position until 1875. 1'n 1857 he was elected Clerk of the City Court, holding the position until 1892; was also Secretary of the Northern Hospital for the Insane from its establishment until 1893. Mr. Padelford was one of the founders of the First Baptist, church of Elgin, and served as clerk and deacon for more that fifty years; for the same time was Secretary of the Fox River Valley and Chicago Baptist Association, which increased in that period from five to seventy churches. Mr. Padelford was an active anti-slavery man, and an earnest, intelligent Baptist, who secured and kept the good will and respect of all who knew him. Mr. and Mrs. Padelford were renowned for hospitality and generosity. To them were born six children, four of whom are still living.
WILLIAM J. PARKER, retired merchant, Dundee, Ill., born at Warren, Mass., March 3, 1819; grew to manhood in his native State, and came west in 1852, locating in Dundee. Ill., October first of that year. He first engaged in carpenter work, but later established a furniture store, which he conducted until 1888 when he retired from active business life, and has since devoted his time to looking after his realty interests. Mr. Parker was married Sept. 3. 1842, to Miss Ruth Litchfield, of Florida, Mass.
EDWIN C. PARRY, retired farmer, Elgin, Ill., born in Shropshire, England, August 28, 1843; came to the United States in 1871, locating in Elgin about 1873, and became connected with John Newman's mercantile establishment; later he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Plato Township, Kane County, following that occupation until the spring of 1901, when he removed to Elgin, which has since been his home. He was married in 1878 to Miss Sarah A. Pickering, and their children are: Maurice B., Edwin C., and Carl F.-another son, Kenneth, died when seven years of age.
Dundee Area History
