F. W. Plant

RANCIS WILLIAM PLANT, A. M., was born in Utica, N. Y., September 13, 1843, a son of James and Hannah A. (Mason) Plant. His father, also a native of Utica, born June 16, 1799, was a farmer in the suburbs of Utica until the growth of the city caused him to plat his land, which is now about the center of the town. He died there January 5, 1860. His wife was born May 19, 1812, and died August 1, 1890. They had two children, Helen, wife of Thomas D. Catlin, of Ottawa, Ill., and Francis William. James was a son of Benjamin Plant, who removed from Connecticut to New York; he married Lucinda, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Lindsley) Potter. Mr. Potter held a commission in the war of 1812 as captain.

After graduating from Utica Academy in 1860 our subject entered Hamilton College in Clinton,

As printed in Genealogical and biographical record of Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANCIS W. PLANT, A. M.

The name of Francis W. Plant has figured prominently in the history of commercial and industrial interests in Joliet and the spirit of enterprise which has actuated him in all that he has undertaken has gained him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He was born in Utica, New York, on the 13th of September, 1843, his parents being James and Hannah A. (Mason) Plant. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to John Plant, of Branford, Connecticut, who was among the volunteers in the Narragansett war and received a tract of land as county for military service. The next in line of descent was John Plant, Jr., of Branford, who was born in 1678 and died in 1752. He married Hannah Whedon, who was born in 1685 and died in 1754. Their son Benjamin was born in 1732 and died in 1808. He married Lorana Beckwith and lived in Branford, Connecticut. Benjamin Plant, Jr., of Utica, New York, was born in Connecticut in 1763 and died in 1812. He married Lucinda Potter, a daughter of Stephen Potter, who held a commission as captain in the war of 1812. Their son, James Plant, was the father of our subject. He was born in Utica, New York, June 17, 1798, and married Hannah Angel Mason, who traced her ancestry back to Sampson and Mary (Butterworth) Mason, of Eehoboth, Ehode Island, the former of whom died in 1676 and the latter in 1714. The next in descent were Isaac and Hannah Mason, of Eehoboth. Isaac Mason was born in 1667 and died in 1742. His son, Nathan Mason, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, was born in 1705 and died in 1758, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lillis Hale, died in 1797. Their son, Levi Mason, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, was born in 1750 and died in 1844. He married Amy Tilson, who was born in 1753 and died in 1844. Their son, Arnold Mason, of New Hartford, New York, was born in 1777 and died in 1812, while his wife, Mercy Coman, was born in 1776 and died in 1850. This worthy couple were the parents of Mrs. Plant, the mother of our subject. After entering business life, James Plant followed farming near that city until its growth enabled him to plat his land and sell town lots, which are now in the center of the city. He died January 5, 1860, while his wife, who was born May 19, 1812, passed away August 1, 1890. In their family were two children: Helen, the wife of T. D. Catlin, of Ottawa, Illinois; and Francis W., of this review.

The latter was provided with liberal educational privileges. He supplemented his early training by study in Utica Academy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1860 and from Hamilton College, at Clinton, New York, in 1864, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Subsequently his alma water conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He was a classmate of Elihu Root, afterward secretary of war and governor general of the Philippines. His collegiate course completed, Mr. Plant spent two years in connection with a bank at Utica, after which he engaged in the book and stationery business as a member of the firm of Davis, Gilbert & Plant. Thinking to enjoy still better business opportunities in the middle west, he removed from Utica to Joliet in 1869 and joined T. A. Mason and H. B. Plant in the lumber business. Later the firm became F. W. & H. B. Plant, and they engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds and also built up an extensive planing-mill business. This became one of the important industrial concerns of the city with a large and growing trade, the success of the enterprise being attributable in no small degree to the executive force and business discernment of Frank W. Plant, For years he was also president of the Peoples Building & Loan Association, ami he is now connected with the Chicago Telephone Company as solicitor.

In Brooklyn, New York, on the 16th of October, 1866, Mr. Plant was married to Miss Elizabeth Merle, who was born in New York city, November 17, 1845, and died April 23, 1889, at Joliet. They were the parents of five children, Helen Merle, Laura Merle, Grace Merle, James Merle, and Anna Merle. For many years Mr. Plant was a member of the vestry of Christ Episcopal church and served on the building committee at the time of the erection of the house of worship in Joliet. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party. Since his removal to the middle west he has been an active factor in business life here and his enterprise and activity have been of utilitarian value in promoting the growth and upbuilding of the city, while at the same time they have proven a source of individual prosperity.

John Jacobs is now living retired in a beautiful home in Peotone, while he also owns three hundred and sixty acres of finely improved farming land in Will county, from which he derives a good income, which supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Jacobs is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to this country, his birth having occurred in Hanover, May 15. 1851. a son of Henry and Catherine (Tiemann) Jacobs, the former born in Hanover in 1817. They emigrated to this country a few years after our subject arrived here and both died at his home in Peotone township, the former in 1884, while the mother survived until 1891, passing away at the age of seventy-three years. Their family numbered three sons, of whom John of this review is the youngest, the others being Henry, who is a farmer living in Manteno township, Kankakee county, where he takes an active part in political affairs and is now serving as supervisor, while William Jacobs, who followed farming in Peotone township, died at the age of fifty years, leaving a widow, who still makes her home on the farm.

John Jacobs was reared in his native country to the age of seventeen years, when, having heard favorable reports concerning the advantages offered to ambitious young men in America, he decided to try his fortune across the Atlantic. He made his way direct to Illinois, where lived his brother Henry, who had come to this country a few years previous. Mr. Jacobs was a poor boy. having no capital when he arrived in this state, but he possessed a strong determination and a will to succeed. He soon found employment at farm labor and when he had saved a sum of money continued his journey farther west, locating in Pierce county, Nebraska, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. He then returned to Kankakee county, Illinois, where he was married, expecting to return again to Nebraska but his plans were somewhat changed and he remained in this state. He began farming here by renting land for a few years, but in 1880 he purchased eighty acres in Peotone township, erecting thereon many modern ami substantial buildings. He labored diligently and energetically in his efforts to acquire a good property and as his financial resources permitted he added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres comprised in the old homestead farm, this being operated by his son, while he owns another farm of two hundred acres, which is operated by his son-in-law. He was engaged in general agricultural pursuits through a long period, during which time he followed the most practical and modern methods of farming, using only the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors in the care and cultivation of his crops. He made his home on the farm until four years ago, when he removed to Peotone, where he purchased one of the most beautiful homes in the city, paying for the same thirty-two hundred dollars. The house is supplied with every modern convenience and equipment and the property presents a neat and attractive appearance.

On the 20th of November, 1874, occurred the marriage of Mr. Jacobs and Miss Margaret Schnelly, who was likewise a native of Hanover, born February 10, 1852. Her father, John Schnelly. died in Germany at the age of eighty-two years, while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Marie Marvell, was also born in the fatherland, but died at the home of her daughter in Manteno, Kankakee county, in 1880. Mrs. Jacobs has two sisters living, Mrs. Christ Wolle and Mrs. Mary Bockermann, who reside in Manteno, Illinois. She also has a half-brother, John Schelle, living in Minnesota.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born two daughters and one son: Emma, now the wife of Fred Simpson, who is operating one of her father's fans in Peotone township; John, who wedded Mary Hoganow and lives on the old homestead farm: and Minnie, an accomplished young lady at home. Mr. Jacobs and his family are consistent members of the German Lutheran church, of which he has been treasurer for the past fifteen years, while the daughter, Minnie, is acting as treasurer of the Sunday school. The corner-stone of the new church edifice, which was erected in 190-1, bears the name of Mr. Jacobs, he being a member of the extra committee. Mr. Jacobs is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and although he has been urged to accept public office he has always refused the honor, preferring to give his time and attention to his private business interests.

In former years Mr. Jacobs worked industriously and energetically to gain a start in the world, and that his efforts have been crowned with success is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of valuable farming property and a good home in the city, all of which has been acquired through his own well directed efforts and capable business management, for when he came as a youth to this country he bail no capital, but he has worked his way upward from the bottom to the topmost round of the ladder and can now look over his past record with a feeling of just pride for what he has accomplished. He and his family arc prominent in church and social circles and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

As printed in Past and present of Will County, Illinois (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.