Will County IL Archives Biographies.....NORTHAM, LEM ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Paula Winke-Martisek wranglerjack@comcast.net September 17, 2007, 5:15 pm Author: GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD LEM NORTHAM, proprietor of Hotel Munroe, is one of the best known hotel men not only of Joliet, but also of northeastern Illinois. He is a member of a family that has been represented in New England ever since about the time of the ''Mayflower.'' The first to leave Massachusetts for the west was his grandfather, Deacon Eli Northam, who settled in Dupage County, Ill., at an early day and remained there until his death. By his marriage to Jerusha Robbins he had a son, Robert R., who was born in North Adams, Mass., in 1818, and came west to Chicago in early manhood, entering the employ of the pioneer hardware firm of Hooker & Jones, in that city. Early in the '40s he settled in Wilmington, Will County, where he carried on a grain business with his brother Henry until the latter went to California in 1849. He came to Joliet in 1853 and opened a dry-goods store on Bluff street. About 1857 he removed to Wheaton, Ill., but the following year settled in Aurora, where he first conducted a meat market, then engaged in the restaurant business and later was interested in the wholesale fruit and provision business for many years. In 1885 he turned the business over to his son Lem and retired from active labors. Through all his busy life he took an interest in politics and kept posted on the issues before the people. Among the offices he held were those of deputy sheriff and justice of the peace. At the time of his death, in January, 1893, he was seventy-five years of age. Robert R. Northam was twice married. By his first wife he had three sons. The oldest Richard M., now of Joliet, was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting when a lad of sixteen. The second son, Edward D., lives in Chicago, and the youngest, William, was accidentally killed in that city. Of the second marriage there were born two sons, Lemual Robbins, of this sketch; and Robert, who was accidentally killed in Aurora in 1873. The second wife bore the maiden name of Louisa A. Hentze and was born in Brownsville, N. Y., a daughter of Henry and Charity (Gould) Hentze, natives of New England. Henry Hentze, who was of Hessian descent, was born in Rutland, Vt., and removed from there to New York. He brought his family to Chicago via the lakes, and was met in Chicago by his son-in-law, George Munroe, Sr., who brought them to Wilmington in a wagon. In 1852 he and Mr. Munroe went overland to California, making the trip with an ox-team, and mining there with fair success. He remained in the west until his death, but Mr. Munroe finally returned to Will County. In the family of Mr. Hentze were seven daughters and two sons, of whom four daughters are deceased. Mrs. Northam is still living and makes her home with her only surviving son. The subject of this sketch was born in Aurora, Ill., September 9, 1860. When a boy he became interested in the produce business. He succeeded to the management of the business established by his father and continued it until 1891, when he sold out. Afterward he and his brother, Edward D., built the Evans grand opera house in Aurora and this they conducted until 1893, when they disposed of it to a syndicate. November 1, 1893, he came to Joliet as manager of Hotel Munroe, which he remodeled and improved, and to which he built an annex. The building stands on Chicago street, occupying the finest location in the city. It is acknowledged by all to be the most elegant as well as the leading hotel of the city. It contains one hundred and twelve rooms, of which eighty-six are guests' rooms. The building is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Connected with the hotel are a first-class sample room and Turkish baths. The success of the business is due unquestionably to the foresight, energy and judgment of the manager, whose genial manner makes a guest his friend, while the excellent management of the hotel at the same time wins the admiration of the most critical. In 1898 Mr. Northam received from the mayor an appointment as member of the board of park commissioners, and on this board he has since served, being now interested in the improvement of the sixty acres comprising Highland park. As a Republican he is actively connected with local politics, and his aid is always to be relied upon by his party during important campaigns. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Foresters and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In religion he was reared in the faith of his ancestors, the Congregational denomination, and has always adhered to the doctrines of this church. During his residence in Aurora he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha L. Graves, who was born in Warrenville, Dupage County, Ill., and graduated from the West Aurora high school. She is a daughter of one of the pioneers of Dupage County, Capt. A. C. Graves, who won his title by his official service in the Union army during the Civil war. Additional comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/northam1708nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb