Chief Nelson, Geneva,Ill. fireman, fights fire, 1908
Batavia (Illinois) Herald, Oct. 8, 1908:
$25,000 Fire at Geneva.
Batavia Responded to Call.
Fire which for several hours threatened to wipe out a portion of the residence district of Geneva and the summer homes of many wealthy residents of the county seat, was fought for hours early Tuesday morning by the combined Geneva and Batavia fire departments, and completely destroyed the entire block of property owned by the Frank D. Lawrence Lumber company. The loss is placed at 425000. The cause is unknown.
When five fresh alarms of fire from as many houses which had caught from the hail of flying firebrands had come to Chief Nelson, he sent in a hurried call for aid from Batavia and ordered every attention of the Geneva firemen turned to saving the homes of Emery Abbott, Mrs. E.D. Weston, James Canon, J.C. Long and R.G. Scott, all in the direct path of the flames and within a few blocks of the fire.
Fire Chief Joseph Hoben responded to the Geneva call with twelve men and the entire equipment of the West Batavia fire company, the run being made to Geneva in a very short time.
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This newspaper item posted as a courtesy. I am not related to nor researching this family and have no further information.