John Mader, was born in Union County, Pa., Feb. 14, 1844 and became a resident of Carroll county in 1867. In July 1862, he enlisted in the 92nd Ill. Vol. Mtd. Inf. For three years or during the war. He was captured on Sept. 3, 1864 while on picket duty and served eight months in that dread prison pen at Andersonville. Left Andersonville April 28, 1865 when the prisoners were carried to within 20 miles of Jacksonville, Fla., and then turned loose to make their way as best they could to union lines. He weighed 160 when he entered the army and when he left Andersonville he was reduced to less than 95. He was married Nov. 5, 1867 to Miss Anna Green. Nine children were born to them, seven of whom are living, the wife and mother having departed this life Oct. 30, 1888. Jan. 15th, 1890 he was married to Miss Nancy V. Green, and together they life in their beautiful home on the corner of Clay and Broadway streets. When Mr. Mader left the army he was a poor man, but by industry, hard work and business management he has gained a competence. In politics he has always been a republican. He is at present one of our efficient aldermen.

The history of Mt. Carroll dates back to 1841. The town site, however, was not laid off until 1843. The old stone court house, which was a church, city hall, and almost everything else was built in 1844, on the ground where the monument now stands. The first child born in the town was Anna Mary Rapp, now Sunderland of Freeport, the second Milford Kennedy, who still lives here. The first store was the log house on “Stag’s Point.” The first hotel was the stone hotel now owned by Judge Patch at the foot of Market street. The first saloon was in the building now occupied by D. Palmer. The first post office was established in 1844. The Methodist church society was organized in 1839, the Baptist in 1849, Lutheran in 1858. Our school house was built in 1866 and cost $16,000, but has been added to until the cost is over $30,000 at present. A cut of the two central schools is given on the first page. A lawyer named Joe Miles was the first legal light in the town. The old distillery was one of the first buildings.

The Frances Shimer Academy of the University of Chicago
Formerly Mount Carroll Seminary

OFFICERS OF INSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Wm. Parker McKee, A. M., Dean and Instructor in History
Harriet Gertrude Blaine, A. M., Lady Principal and Instructor in Latin and Greek
Jane Chapin Tunnell, S. B., Instructor in England
Florence Turney, Instructor in German and Recorder
Marion Weller, A. B., Instructor in Sciences and Mathematics
Luella Totten, Instructor in Instrumental Music
Mrs. Blanche Cave Jacobs, Instructor in Vocal Music
Mary Claire Sherwood, Instructor in Art and Assistant in Instrumental Music
Mabel Genieve Taylor, Instructor in Physical Culture
Elizabeth Louise Burt, Dean’s Stenographer
Jacob P. Thomas, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Mrs. M. J. Board, Matron

Hon. Benjamin L. Patch was born in Susquehanna Co., Pa., Sept. 13, 1828. He was raised on a farm, educated in common schools and at Hartford University, in his native county. He learned the printing business, taught school in Pennsylvania and Illinois, studied law, was admitted to the bar August 13, 1853. Located in Mt. Carroll an entire stranger, December 4th, ‘53, in the law business and in a short time had a successful law practice, and where he has since resided, and during most of the time has held responsible and important public offices. Was County Clerk, 1854, Police Magistrate of Mt. Carroll six years. Member of the Legislature 1861-62, (representing Jo Daviess and Carroll counties), Judge of the County Court 29 years, from December 1865, to December ‘94. Retired from the Bench honored and respected, and is now actively engaged in the practice of law. He is, and has been the President of the Mt. Carroll Hotel Company that erected and own the large and magnificent Hotel Glen View, and is the owner of a large portion of the stock of said company and has the controlling interest of the corporation.

Dr. Reuben H. Wood was born at Stowe, Vermont and when about 11 years of age removed to Minneapolis, Minn., with his parents.

He attended the public schools of that city and developed a desire to become a physician and surgeon. He attended the Hahnamann Medical College in Chicago, from where he graduated with honor. He then begun the practice of medicine in Chicago, associating himself with Dr. A. L. Blackwood, professor of Anatomy, and associate professor of Surgery in old Hahnamann.

From Chicago he came to Mt. Carroll where he has built up a nice practice. Socially Dr. and Mrs. Wood are most pleasant people to meet.

August T. Olson was born in Malmo, Sweden, Nov. 8, 1864, and came to America in 1880; stopped in Chicago, then went to Denver where he learned cooking, and was married to Miss Dina M. Gifford, April 30, 1883, and in 1885 came to Mt. Carroll, where for five years and a half he had sole charge of the culinary department of Hotel Glen View.

April 1, 1893 he leased the hotel, furnished it, and since that time has been landlord. Mr. Olson is known far and wide among the traveling men, and has hundreds of friends. Under his management Hotel Glen View has had a large patronage, and is known as one of the best hotels in Northern Illinois. His family consists of himself and Mrs. Olson and four children, Oscar, Glenn, Floyd, and Cecil.

George J. Stiteley was born in Washington Co., Md. and came to Mt. Carroll with his parents during the same year, and has made this his home ever since.

He obtained his education in the Mt. Carroll public schools, took up the plastering trade with his father, but at the age of 21 left it for merchandizing and is now the owner of one of our best dry goods stores.

Mr. Stiteley is one of Mt. Carroll’s standbys and is always in the line of enterprise and progression.

Karl Eskelsen, Photographer, was born in Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, came to this country with his parents when eight years of age and located on a farm near Miles, Iowa. Went into the photograph business in 1883, and has continued in it ever since.

He came to Mt. Carroll November 1885, and with his brother Bahne L. purchased an established business which they increased until it was second to none. In 1887, built what is known as the Eskelsen Block. In this building he fitted up one of the finest galleries in Northern Illinois, having a groud glass skylight of the very best make.

The cuts in this edition came from pictures taken by Mr. Eskelsen.

C. L. Hostetter came to Mt. Carroll with his parents Dr. Abraham and Catharine Hostetter when a lad. He lived on a farm attending district school in winter and working on the farm in the summer. He was a pupil of the Mt. Carroll Seminary and from that institution he entered the Junior class of the University of Chicago graduating in 1865. During the war he enlisted in Co. G. 134th Illinois V. I., and served until his regiment was discharged. He then entered the Mechanics National Bank of Chicago and occupied various positions, acquiring a thorough knowledge of that business. At the same time he was reading law and attending recitations at the Union College of Law, was admitted to the bar in 1868. After a year’s practice in Chicago, he hung out his shingle in Mt. Carroll, and has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. He, for several years represented his township (Salem) on the Board of Supervisors. At the time our Soldiers Monument was erected he was chairman on the committee appointed by the County Association of Soldiers and Sailors. He was elected States Attorney and served in that capacity four years. Was afterwards appointed by the Judges of the Circuit Court Master in Chancery and served two terms. He has always taken a great interest in Mutual Fire Insurance Companies in the county, he was director of Rock Creek Township Mutual, later helped to organize the Mt. Carroll Township Mutual, and ten years ago the County Mutual, of the later he has been secretary since its organization. Mr. Hostetter and his family enjoy living in their pleasant country home on the shady banks of the Waukarusa (Straddle Creek) about two miles out of the city, where he has for many years been interested in raising fine stock.

D. L. Oberheim was born in Center Co., Pa., March 6, 1843, came to Ward’s Grove, JoDaviess county, Ill., when but six years old, where he lived until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1862 he answered the call of President Lincoln for 600,000 more volunteers, and enlisted to fight for his country becoming a member of the 92nd Ill., Vol. Mounted Inft’y being mustered into service for three years or during the war. He faithfully served his country until 1865, when he with his regiment was discharged by reason of expiration of service, the 92nd having made a record of which all were proud. But the health of Mr. Oberheim was materially impaired from exposure and hardships of soldier life, and by the request of his many friends he has announced himself a candidate for the office of sheriff of Carroll county, subject to the decision of the republican primaries, he having been a republican ever since that party existed. His friends are working for him and have the arguments of his being a strictly moral, christian gentleman, well qualified to fill the office. They say they must elect him sheriff knowing that he will fill the office with respect and credit to every voter in the county. He has made himself many friends by his manly and exemplary deportment and will be a formidable candidate.

H. E. Cole was born July 12th, 1869 at Bloomfield, Iowa. He came to Mt. Carroll in Jan. 1892, and purchased from George F. Bucher the post office jewelry store.

Mr. Cole is a skilled jeweler and an optician and by careful attention to business built up a large and ever increasing trade. About two years ago he moved into his present quarters, the Bowman building, west of the court house.

April 18, 1894 he was married to Lola G. Hoover. One son, Russell H. Cole, is the only child. Mr. Cole is one of Mt. Carroll’s foremost men in all enterprises.

Our present post master was born in Freeport, Ill. March 14th, 1855 and moved here with his parents in 1862 on his 7th birthday. Mr. Frank W. Nohe grew to manhood among us all, and has for many years been identified as one of the leaders in the Democratic party and business enterprises of the city, and has for years been chairman of the Democratic District Senatorial committee.

In February 1894 he was appointed postmaster at Mt. Carroll, and under his administration the best of satisfaction has been given. He was married Jan. 18, 1880 to Miss Jennie Nelson, to whom four children were born, Mabel Louise, Augustus Charles, Myrtle, and Francis Capitola. Mr. Nohe is one of the founders of the Muggletonian Camp, to which if we are correctly informed but three persons belong.

Joe Petersen was born at LaCrosse, Wis., Aug. 4, 1867. His education was gleaned in the public schools of Charlotte, Iowa, and after leaving school he went into the merchandizing business which he has followed ever since.

He came to Mt. Carroll in February, 1896, opened a clothing store and at once became one of our leaders. His store is a model, and attracts wide attention. The Central Union Telephone office is located in his store.

He was married Nov. 30, 1880 to Miss Mamie Fritz of Sabula, Iowa, who with one baby boy forms Mr. Petersen’s household.

Lewis Chrisman was born in Chester Co., Pa., Mar. 27, 1826; worked on his father’s farm and taught school; was assistant teacher in the Rambo College; also taught at the Garber school and Whitehall in Montgomery Co., and in Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pa. Came to Mt. Carroll in May 1850, clerked in R. J. Tomkins’ store for 9 years. April 28, 1853 he was married to Hannah M. Pyle, to whom two children were born, Milliard W. and Mary Emma Moore, both of whom reside at Anita, Iowa. Mrs. Chrisman died April 5, 1881 at the age of 46 years. Mr. Chrisman remained a widower until October 26, 1897 when he married Miss Sarah Matilda Law of Savanna Township. Has been in the insurance business for the past 45 years and real estate and loan business for more than 30 years. In 1875 he established the Carroll County Abstract Office, of which he is proprietor and owner. He has one of the most complete and perfect set of abstract books in the west. He has built up a good business, has a good home and is in the enjoyment of splendid health, not having been sick so as to be kept from his business for more than 40 years.

George C. Kenyon is one of the best known men in Carroll County. He was born in Mt. Carroll township Oct. 11, 1849 and has lived here ever since; was married in 1871 to Miss Susan Warfield. They have four children: Amy A., Ethel B., Roy A., and Clarence C., all living at home.

Mr. Kenyon lives on his beautiful farm one mile from town and makes a specialty of breeding Poland China Swine, and fancy poultry. Mr. Kenyon also owns a large stock farm 5 miles south of this city, which he cultivates himself. He is secretary of the Carroll County Agricultural Society, a position he has held for a number of years, and is a hustler wherever you put him. He is one of the solid men of the town, always doing something for the good of the city. He is also a church worker; belongs to the M E. church.

George F. Phillips was born Jan. 3, 1858. He passed with high honor through the Mt. Carroll schools, after which he took a course in Carthage College. He has always had the interests of his native city, Mt. Carroll, at heart.

He filled the office of city marshal the latter half of ‘94 and all of ‘95, in a creditable and highly satisfactory manner. Is one of the foremost of the firemen, a charter member and nozzle man. At every fire “Ted” is at the front pouring water on the flames. He has been chief, assistant chief and foreman of the company, and is one of the most popular young men in Mt. Carroll. As a business man he is money maker, but always has the interests of the city at heart and gives freely to all enterprises.

Dr. James Wilson Cormany, well known dentist, was born Feb. 16, 1849 in Lancaster, Ohio, coming to Mt. Carroll with his parents when about ten years of age. At the first commencement exercises of our high school he delivered a Latin salutatory. In November 1866, he became a drug clerk for Henry Bitner and followed that business for five years. He then took up the study of medicine and dentistry, graduated from the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio in March 1873, and began the practice of his profession at Fort Scott, Kan., where he remained two years, removing to Los Angeles, Cal., where he practiced for two years more, and the last twenty one years in Mt. Carroll. The doctor stands high in the dental profession, has held all the prominent offices in the Illinois State Dental Society, and in the Northern Illinois Dental Society from president down. He is at present secretary of the N. I. D. S., which office he has held for seven consecutive years. He built the fine apartment house, corner Clay and Market streets, a monument to his enterprise.