Biographies E-H
T.J.ELLIS is a native of New York, born in Seneca County, Sept. 25, 1811, a son of Lazarus and Lovisa Ellis, natives of New Jersey. His father was a miller and he was obliged to work in the mill, and had no educational advantages. Since coming to Illinois, in 1846, he has been engaged in farming, and now owns 120 acres of choice land in McHenry Township. He was married in 1834 to Lucinda Gardner. They had three children; but one is living-Amelia, wife of Albert Boone, of Iowa. His wife died in 1842, and in 1847 he married Mary Solomons. Politically Mr. Ellis is a Republican.
History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885 Transcribed by Anne Kunzen
WILLIAM F. FRETT was born in Prussia, Jan. 28, 1834, a son of Nicholas and Mary A. Frett, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1841, located in McHenry County, Ill. Nicholas Frett, Nicolas Adams and Jacob Schmitt were the first settlers of the German settlement in McHenry County, and the founders of the Catholic church at Johnsburg, Ill. Mr. Frett died in August 1844, aged forty-nine years, and was the first person buried in St. John’s Cemetery. His wife died May 1874, aged seventy-nine years. They reared a family of twelve children. William Frett attended school in Germany, but had no educational advantages after coming to America. He was married Oct. 2, 1856, to Ellen, daughter of Anthony and Margaretha Meiler, of Germany. They have twelve children-Joseph J., Katie (wife of Peter Schaefer), Albert, John Mary (wife of Joseph Freund), George, Elizabeth,, Bernard, Amelia, Ferdinand J., Susan and Charles J. In 1865 Mr. Frett enlisted in Company E, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, but only served a short time, when he was discharged on account of disability. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served nine years as School Director. He owns a fine farm of 148 acres, which is well improved and well stocked. History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885 Transcribed by Anne Kunzen
GEORGE GAGE- There are few men whose lives are blameless and pure, but when a long lifetime had been spent in one neighborhood, and the universal expression of the community is emphatic in praises of any individual, we are constrained to believe him, or them, as nearly perfect as ‘tis possible for man to become. There are numerous biographical sketches in this work of prominent and representative men of McHenry County, but to none of them does the historian refer with more pride than to this brief sketch of Hon. George Gage and his progenitors. Possessed of a liberal education, a heart full of generous impulses, and a desire to assist in every way all measures looking toward the advancement of the best interests of the community in which he has ever been an honest citizen, he has been universally accorded a place at the head of every social and educational enterprise for many years. Although somewhat advanced in years, Mr. Gage retains all the vigor of early manhood so far as his intellectuality is concerned. If his step is less elastic or his form not so erect as in the days of his youth, a glance at his ace impresses the beholder that here “genius dwells and reason holds perfect sway.” Without extolling his merits or indulging in any unwholesome flattery, we are pleases to say that few men, if any, can point to their record as honest, conscientious business men with greater pride than can the man whose name heads this sketch. His acts in every sense have been praiseworthy. As a husband and father he has been kind and generous to a fault. As a public instructor, all acknowledge his ability.
History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885 Transcribed by Anne Kunzen
S.S. Gates, a descendant of one of the patriots
of Revolutionary fame, was born at Stockbridge, Vt., Oct. 1, 1799.
Shortly after his birth his parents removed to Worcester, where his early
days were passed in the routine of boyhood. Having the advantage
of the best academic institutions then in the East he availed himself of
those opportunities until he became possessed of a liberal education.
In the spring of 1838 he visited McHenry County on a prospecting tour,
returning in the fall, the entire journey being made on horseback.
The spring of 1839 again finds him returning to the fragrant prairies of
this county, this time to make investments, which were laid at Crystal
Lake. After making his purchase he returned to his home in Massachusetts.
In 1840 we find him elected to the Legislature of his native State.
As a politician he was actuated by the noble resolve to do right; and this
honesty of purpose, connected with an extensive knowledge of the principles
which underlie our free Government, rendered him peculiarly fitted for
the position he was elevated to. In 1844 he was married to Miss Svlvia
Day, daughter of Jabez and Sarah (Eddy) Day, of Webster, Mass. Mrs.
Gates was the fourth daughter of a family of four sons and eight daughters,
and now the only one living. She passed her early davs at the academies
of Eastern Massachusetts, graduating therefrom with honors. Her ancestors
were among those who fought for our liberties in '76, her grandfather holding
a commission as General under Washington. Jonathan Day, her brother,
held a General's commission in his State, and a man well known in the political
history of his county. John E. was a merchant of Dudley. Erasmus,
a merchant of Roxbury. Mr. and Mrs. Gates's family consisted of three
daughters and two sons, viz.: Sarah R., married Loren Andrews, (deceased),
formerly President of Kenyon College, a man of rare intellectual attainments,
and ranked among the leading men of Northern Ohio. Abbie E. married
J. A. J. Kendig, a prominent lawyer of Chicago. Summer E. (deceased)
was a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry; was taken prisoner by Moseby,
and placed in Libby Prison; when exchanged his health was wrecked.
His likes and dislikes were extreme, but his heart was as large as time,
and his generosity as broad as eternity. William D., a graduate of
Wheaton College and the Law School of Chicago, married Miss Ida Babcock,
of La Grange, Ill., the daughter of a gentleman well known in the business
circles of that State. In boyhood William D. was one whose fellowship
was sought by all;that trait to-day finds him the genial, courteous attorney,
as well as the designing, calculating manufacturer. Mary C., wife
of' G, W. Oakly, located at Madison, Wis., and connected with the State
Journal, the leading paper of the State. In 1852 Mr. Gates, with
his family, came West, and permanently located on the property bought at
Crystal Lake in 1839. He now gave his attention to the improvement
of his prairie home. The zeal and good judgment which characterized
his early life soon became manifest here, by his accumulating one of the
largest landed estates in the county. For upward of sixty years he
was Deacon in his church and an earnest worker in the cause of Christ.
To-day we hear the words of gratitude spoken by many who are now classed
as wealthy, that they owe their success in life to his assistance and words
of encouragement. In his expenses he was honorable but exact; liberal
in his contributions to whatever promised utility, but frowning and unyielding
on all visionary projects. His heart was warm in its affections.
He exactly calculated every man's value, and gave him a solid esteem proportional
to it. In private life of spotless character, morally without a blemish,
his life was thoroughly domestic. In all, a remarkable man; his character
was, in a mass perfect, in nothing bad, in few points indifferent, and
it may be truly said, that never did nature and fortune combine more completely
to make a great business man, and to place him in the same constellation
with whatever worthies have merited from man an everlasting remembrance.
On June 24, 1876, lie died at his home, in the village of Crystal Lake,
the place that had witnessed the active life of his more matured manhood.
When such men pass from our midst their loss seems irreparable.
History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885 Transcribed by Anne Kunzen
Mrs Margaret Gillilan is the widow of Samuel Gillilan, who died Sept. 6, 1837, and is buried on the farm where Mrs. Gillilan lives. She is the daughter of Richard and Nancy (McNeal) Hill, and came with her husband from Pocahontas County, W. Va., in 1834. She is the only one living of a family of ten children. She has had a family of nine children, six -of whom- Deida, Lydia, Cliauncy, Nancy, Martha, and James-are deceased. The living-Electa, now Mrs. Levi Seibert; Tabitha, now Mrs. Floyd Clanson, of Missouri, and Richard, who is living with his mother. Mrs. Gillilan owns 430 acres of land two miles north of Algonquin. She came to McHenry County in 1834, and was probably the first white woman to cross Fox River. The Indians were rather friendly, enough so to steal their horse, which was afterward recovered. They lost the first crop of corn planted on account of sickness. At one time when a party of indians were in her house, one of them spat in a pot of boiling meat. Mrs. Gillilan sprang on him and put him out of the house which very much delighted the rest of the savages.
History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885 Transcribed by Anne Kunzen
Mrs. E.M. Huntley was born in New York State
in 1814, a daughter of Cornelius and Tamar Carman. But two of eight
children are living-Mrs. Huntley and a brother Michael, now of Iowa.
The deceased are-Charles, William, Lot, Mary, Sarah and Judith, She was
married in 1832 to E.M Huntley, of New York, and. in 1847 they came to
Illinois, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Huntley.
They had seven children, three of whom are deceased-David, Albert and Emory.
David enlisted in the Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantrv, and was killed at
the battle of Shiloh. Emory was drowned at Elgin in 1881. William
served four vears in the Rebellion. He was wounded in the neck, from
the effects of which his right side is partially paralyzed. Nancy
married Henry Head, now of Iowa. Frank married Louisa Williams.
Charles married Mary Vetchen, who died in 1865, and in 1868 he married
Miss Smith. Mr. Huntley died in 1872. He was one of McHenry
County's most honored and respected citizens. Mrs. Huntley's farm
contains 136 acres of choice land. It is well stocked, and the improvements
are all in good repair.
History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885
Transcribed by Anne Kunzen