Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 11 of 31)

'. ohn B. Ridenour, dealer in lumber, brick, coal and agricultural implements at Woodhull, this county, was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., May 2, 1833. His parents were jC John Ridenour, born in Bedford, Pa., Jan. 26, 1807, and Susanna (Beightel) Ridenour, born in Susquehanna Co., Pa., April 18, 181 1. They were married in 1830; the father died May 21, 1885, at Beaumont, Butler Co., Kan., and the mother in Lynn Township, Henry County, Jan. 10, 1878. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was engaged in that calling in Pennsylvania until 1851, when he came to this State and settled in Fulton County. He remained in the latter county until r853, when he moved to Lynn Township, this county, where he purchased 160 acres of land, located on section 26, the same being the southeast quarter of that section. He remained on the latter tract until 1884, when he

John B. Ridenour, subject of this notice, remained on the old homestead, relieving his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools until he attained the age of 22 years. On reaching this period in his life's history he set forth to fight life's battles alone, and was engaged in breaking prairie, which occupation he followed for four years. He then purchased 40 acres in Lynn Township, on which he located and vigorously engaged in its improvement, and on which he resided until Sept. 21, 1861.

He enlisted in Co. A, 55th 111. Vol. Inf., and went to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, where he remained until Nov 9 of that year. He then went to Camp Benton, St. Louis, where his regiment remained until Jan. 12, 1862, when he proceeded to Paducah, Ky., where it remained until March of the same year. He then look a steamer up the Tennessee River, and landed at Pittsburg, March 15, 1862, where he participated in the battle of Shiloh. In that battle he received a severe flesh wound, the date being April 6, r862, and was sent home on a furlough. He returned after an absence of 60 days to his regiment at Moscow, Tenn. It next went to Hollow Springs, then to Memphis, Tenn., at which point it arrived July 21, 1862, and where it was placed on camp duty until November of the same year. He, with the regiment, then participated in a three-days fight at Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 29, 30 and Jan. 1, and also in the capture of Arkansas Post, Jan. 10 and 11, 1863. It then returned to Young's Point, La., and worked on the famous Grant Canal during the winter, and participated in the battle of Champion Hill, May 17, 1863, and in the 46 days' siege of Vicksburg. From there it went to Jackson, Miss., where it participated in another ten-days siege. It then went to Vicksburg, and from there to Memphis, with Sherman's army, by way of Corinth, and participated in the skirmish at Tuscumbia, Oct. 1, 1863, and arrived at Chattanooga Nov. 2 1 , and participated in a pontoon expedition in North Chickamaqua Creek, and also in a battle on Missionary Ridge on the 24th and 25th of November, 1863. Mr. Ridenour was with his company in all these marches and engagements, and on the 26th of Nov., 1863, he accompanied Sherman's army to - Knoxville and from there to Albany, where he was mustered out, Jan.

{g>j 28, 1864, then in the siege of Atlanta during the month of August, the battle of Jonesboro, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and then marched with Sherman in pur-' suit of Hood through Georgia and Alabama some 300 miles, returning to Atlanta. He then marched to Savannah and participated in the capture of Fort McAllister, then accompanied Sherman in his famous march from Savannah, and was engaged in the battle of Columbia, and also a three-days battle at Bentonville, N. C, arid finally accompanied Sherman to Washington. During the war he was under fire of the enemy 120 days. From the latter place he went with his company to Louisville, Ky., where .he was honorably discharged, June 15, 1865. He was promoted from the relation of private to the rank of Captain, and was elected Lieutenant Colonel, but never received his commission on account of the close of the war.

Mr. Ridenour formed a matrimonial alliance, April 28, 1859, with Miss Lois Payton, a native of Indiana. They are the parents of three children, - William H., Mary E. and Elton A. Mr. Ridenour and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is identified with the principles of the Republican party, Teetotalism and Prohibition. He is a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. He came to Woodhull in 1869, where he has been permanently located ever since. He is one of the energetic and respected citizens of the community in which he resides, and is meeting with success in the business which he is conducting at Woodhull.

county whose interests he has promoted since he became a resident therein. He is a native of Granville, Mass., where he was born March 23, ) 1817. His father, Samuel Gaines, was also a native " of the Bay State, and his mother, who before her

The family went, when the son was three years old, to Delaware Co., N. Y., and he there passed the years which intervened between his childhood and manhood. On arriving at a suitable age to commence business, he embarked in the mercantile line. In 1842 he came to Victoria, 111., and there became interested in agriculture, and operated as a farmer until 1848. In that year he removed to Cambridge, in Henry County, and was the first to establish a mercantile enterprise at that place. He conducted what is now known as an old-fashioned country store, and transacted a profitable and popular business. He remained there until the fall of i860, when he removed to Geneseo. He engaged in the management of a general store, which includes all lines of merchandise common to the trade; but in his case hardware was excluded. After 1 2 years of active business he retired, and has since lived a life of quiet, without business relations. He has acquired a considerable interest in land in Iowa and Dakota, and has been successful in his operations in that direction.

In his political relations, Mr. Gaines is an inflexible Republican, although he has never been considered an aggressive politician. While at Cambridge he officiated as Postmaster eight years, and he has filled several positions of trust in the management of local affairs. He was an Abolitionist, and has kept in the ranks of that element in its various movements. He has been a member of the Congregational Church for more than 40 years.

Mr. Gaines has been thrice married. Harriet (Andrews) Gaines, to whom he was joined in matrimony in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1837, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., and was the daughter of Hiram Andrews. She bore three children : George died at the age of four years ; Clarissa is the wife of E. G. Comstock, of Rapid City, Dak. ; Julia married James W. Stewart, of Cambridge, 111., who is a grain merchant at that place. The mother died in 1852. Mr. Gaines was again married, in Cambridge, in December, 1854, to Clarissa Hinman. She was the daughter of Willis Hinman, and was born in Bristow, Conn. The issue of the second marriage comprises five children, namely : Hattie is the wife of Charles E. Genung, of Menlo, Iowa; Emma married George L. Gilman, and they reside in Dakota ; Lucy mar- ried Dr. R. W. Miller, who is engaged in the practice of his profession at Menlo, Iowa ; Frank N. is in the provision business at Grinnell, Iowa ; Harvey S. is a student at the Collegiate Institute at Geneseo. The second wife of Mr. Gaines died at Geneseo, in October, 1877. Amy H. Wilson became his wife in February, 1879. She was born in Belchertown, Mass., and died at Geneseo, July 13, 1884.

eorge Ferguson, a retired farmer, living at Cambridge, came to Henry County in 1855 and settled on a farm in Cornwall Township. He first purchased 80 acres of land and increased his real estate until he became the owner of 400 acres. He was born May 10, 1819, in County Monaghan, Ireland. His grandfather, Samuel Ferguson, was born in Ireland and married Margaret Hall. They had six children, one of whom, John, came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he died. The children were named James, Samuel, John, Mary and Margaret. Another daughter died young. James Ferguson, the oldest son, was born and died in Ireland. He married Margaret Huss, and they had ten children. The following named reached maturity : Margaret, Martha, Jane, Isabella, Samuel, Thomas, George and James. The two last are twins. James came to the United States in the early part of May, 1847, and George followed toward the close of the same month. James settled in Hamilton, Canada, where he still lives. George was a laborer in the same place two years, and in 1849 he removed to Pennsylvania, where he was a resident six years. He came to Henry County in December, 1855. He was occupied in the Keystone State as a teamster and on removal to Illinois became a farmer. In the summer of 1856 he bought 80 acres of land in Cornwall Township and removed his family from Peoria, where they had been awaiting the preparation of their home. He bought at intervals two additional tracts of land, each containing 160 acres, and by further purchase added to his estate until he now owns 480 acres, under advanced cultivation. When he bought the first 80 acres, for which he paid at the rate of $4.25 per-acre, he had sufficient means to obtain a clear title and a small amount of money for the purchase of stock. Mr. Ferguson removed to Cambridge in May, 1884, where he expects to pass the -remaining years of his life in the comfort earned by his frugal industry.

He is a Republican, and has been since he became a citizen of his adopted country. In his own country he was an inflexible adherent of the Order of Orangemen. He and his wife are prominent members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. Ferguson was a member of the building committee for the construction of the church edifice of the society to which he belongs in Cornwall, arjd has since been one of the Trustees. He was prominent in the organization of the local body, and has been a liberal contributor to its support. The family has been unremitting in their efforts in social and religious matters in the community to which they so long belonged.

Mr. Ferguson married Ann, daughter of John Hall. Her father removed to Henry County in 1857, with his family, and died in the township of Cornwall. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson had nine children, seven of whom reached adult age : John, James, Esther, Margaret J., Martha A., George and Mary E. John is a farmer in Minnesota ; James is engaged in the same business in Dakota.

in point of industry, thrift and persistency in 1 the way of adding to the development of the agricultural resources of the county. He was born in Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y., March 20, 1830. His parents, Peter and Hannah (Perham) Clough, were both born in the State of New York, and were of German and English birth respectively. They went,- in the childhood of their son, to Jamaica, Vt. There Mr. Clough grew to the age of manhood, and was instructed in the business of a farmer. He was also employed at various times in a saw-mill. He continued to live in the county of Windham until 1856, when he came to the county where he is now a resident. He at once bought a tract of land at Hickory Grove, in the township of Edford, and proceeded to the business of farmer in a prairie State. He erected a frame house, 14 x 18 feet in dimen- ' \ sions and one and a half stories in height. He cleared about 60 acres of his farm, which was situated in the grove, and after a residence thereon of about nine years, he then sold out and bought the place where he has since carried on his business operations. The place contains 240 acres and is all improved. In 1879 he established his business as a dairyman and has a milk route in the city of Geneseo. His cows number 60 on an average.

j artin Boss is one of the substantial citizens of the township of Loraine in all the senses that estate and public interest can make him such. He- is a pioneer of 1845 in the county, since which time he has resided on section 17 of Loraine Township. He was born Sept. 22, 1816, in Hesse-Darmstadt, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Hinkel) Ross, and grew to the estate of manhood in his native town, where he passed the years of his youth in school and on the farm, and was 24 when in 1840 he came to the United States. He landed at the port of New York on the 3d of June of the year named, after a sea voyage of 32 days.

His cash capital on which to begin the upbuilding of his fortunes in the New World was less than $5 . But he had what is better than money in this country, - the spirit to take hold of the first thing that needs to be done ; and he at once proceeded to Pennsylvania, where he obtained work as a farm assistant. He worked one year at $6 a month, and in the year next succeeding he went to Delaware. He was similarly occupied there at double his former pay, and he passed a year there. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained until the spring of 1845, when he came to Henry County. He made a claim on sections 8 and 17, in what was then township 18, now Loraine. He built a log house on the southeast quarter of the section first named, but later removed the structure to the other section. In 1852 he bought a soldier's land-warrant, and has since been an occupant of the claim, which he secured under its provisions. He has become by subsequent purchase the owner of an additional acreage, which forms an aggregate of 452 acres, of which 370 acres are in farming condition. The proprietor has erected excellent farm buildings, and set out fruit and shade trees. On taking possession of his farm, Mr. Ross bought a cow and a pair of steers, for which he paid at a later date, when he was in more prosperous circumstances. His herd of cattle contain now about 50 head, and he has 13 horses and colts. He raises both grain and stock, and keeps a dairy, selling the cream, as is the custom in the vicinity.

Mr. Ross was' married in 1845, to Magdalena Lehman, who was born in Alsace. Their children number five, and their names are Martin, Philip, Sarah A., Rebecca and Sally. The oldest son lives in Bon Homme Co., Dak. Philip is a farmer on section 8, in Loraine Township. Sarah is the wife of Lewis Arnett, and resides in Whiteside Co., 111. Rebecca married Lavinus Heller, of Atkinson Township. Sally is the wife of Julius Lemuel, and they live in the township of Alba.

The first wife died Dec. 7, 1855. March 6, 1856, Mr. Ross was married to Eva Barbara Knapper, and they are the parents of ten children, as follows : William is a resident of Buffalo Co., Neb. ; Louisa is the wife of Solomon J. Heller, of the township of Atkinson; Christine married John Butzer, of Whiteside Co., III.; the remaining children were born in the following order : David, George F., Samuel W., Henrietta M., Lydia M., Benjamin H. and Marcella Eva Barbara.

The members of the family are connected in membership with the Evangelical Association of North America. The father has been a Trustee in the Church of which he is a member for 27 years, or since r858. He has officiated 12 years as Commissioner, and has been prominent in his interest and exer- tions for the benefit of education in his township. He has officiated as Director the greater part of the time since the organization of the township. In active religious effort he has been one of the foremost, and has officiated as Steward and Exhorter for many years. In 1885 Mr. Ross bought a residence in the city of Geneseo.

ohn H. Dabbs, photographic artist at Geneseo, established his business in that city in December, 1884. He was born Feb. 18, 1859, in Wood Co., Ohio, and is the son of John and Celia (Smith) Dubbs. He obtained a practical knowledge of his trade in Findlay, in his native State, and is a thoroughly skilled artist. Mr. Dubbs has the endorsement of a large class of patrons as being superior in his line of business. He was engaged as a photographer in Findlay and in Fremont, in Ohio, and in July, 1883, came to Port Byron, in Rock Island Co., 111. He conducted his business there until his removal to Geneseo.

Mr. Dubbs is a member of the Congregational Church, and in political relations is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 624, Port Byron ; also is a member of the society known as " Modern Woodmen," No. 34, Port Byron.

j,rederick Fritzsche, a farmer of the township of Atkinson, located on section 26, was born in Saxony, Germany, Jan. 23, 1826. In the year 1850 he left his native land to cast his fortune with that of the New World. He was dissatisfied with the distinctions in the different classes in his own country, not being able to see how one man is any better in the claims of his birth than another. He believed in his own manhood sufficiently to trust the chances under a form of government which permitted to every one the privilege of making his own way without the distinctions which in the land of his birth gave the monopoly of all things to the favored few.

Directly after landing at the port of New York, he proceeded to Wisconsin. There he passed two years, and at the expiration of that time he came to the county where he has since been a resident. He reached this section of the State of Illinois in September, 1852, and has been a citizen of the county where he is now located more than 30 years. He has returned to the land which gave him birth twice since he set out in life as an independent American citizen. He went first in 1852, and repeated his visit in 1884. He is the owner of 400 acres of land, which he has placed in the most profitable condition for farming purposes. He is extensively engaged in the rearing of swine and cattle.

The marriage of Mr. Fritzsche to Christiana Leeps took place Jan. 8, 1854. She was born in Germany, Sept. 3, 1 83 1. They have had ten children, of whom seven are living. They were born in the order in which their names are here recorded : Ernestine W., Alice M. (deceased), Frederick A. (deceased), Annie C. (deceased), Edward H., Frederick E., Moritz F., Sarah F., Wm. F. and Anna R.

Mr. Fritzsche is a Republican in his political ideas, and always has supported the issues and principles of that party. The members of the family are Lutherans.

hilip S. Schnabele is a leading business, man at Geneseo, where he is also acting in $$$$ the several capacities of Notary Public, insurance and emigration agent. He is a merchant tailor, and established his business at Geneseo, Nov. 8, i860, as a general merchant, in company with Lawrence Offerle. In 1865 he made the exchange to his present line of trade, and since 1868 he has managed his affairs alone. In connection with merchant tailoring, he carries a full line of ready-made clothing and furnishing goods, and also deals in sewing-machines, organs and pianos.

Mr. Schnabele was born at Obenheim, in Alsace, France (now under the Prussian government), Dec. 24, 1835. He is the son of Jacob P. and Mary M. (Stahl) Schnabele. The family came to the United States in 1841, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, the voyage consuming 44 days. They settled at Northfield, Cook Co., III., where Mr. Schnabele remained until his removal to Geneseo, where he ar.

Mr. Schnabele was a citizen of this country when the Republican party was organized, and he has since supported its principles. He is thoroughly in sympathy with the general and local institutions of the country of his adoption, and his value as a citizen and the quality of his abilities has been fully recognized by his several elections to office. He has officiated as Alderman two terms and as Mayor one term. He is engaged in the discharge of the duties of his fourth consecutive term as Snpervisor, and also as Alderman. He has served three terms as a member of the Board of Education, and four years as its President.

Son. William H. Shepard, practicing attorney, resident at Cambridge, has been a citizen of Henry County since 1861. He was born Sept. 18, 1836, in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., N Y., and is the only child of Chauncey L. Shepard by a second marriage. His mother, Clio G. (Grout) Shepard, is the daughter of Josiah Grout, a prominent citizen of Fairfax Franklin Co., Vt., and who was an officer in the United States Army in the second war with Great Britain. Captain Grout was engaged in the celebrated battle of Plattsburg, which was one of the most important actions of that conflict. Chauncey Shepard died Nov. 10, 1879, aged 79. Mrs. Shepard, the mother, lives with her son at Cambridge, and is 81 years of age.

Mr. Shepard passed his childhood on a farm in Fairfax, Franklin Co., Vt. He was a student at the celebrated New Hampton Institute, one of the leading educational institutions of the Green Mountain State, where he distinguished himself in scholarship.

During his.course of study he fixed on the law for a profession, and on leaving school he bent everv energy to the accomplishment of that purpose. He had no resources but those of energy, determined ambition and unbroken health. Soon after he was graduated, he entered the law office of Messrs. Hubbell & Dewey, a leading law firm of Fairfax> and commenced his preparatory reading. He gave diligent attention to his legal course, devoting his entire leisure to an acquisition of the knowledge necessary to his purpose, spending the winter seasons of two years in teaching district school. Sept. 11, 1861, he was admitted to the Bar of Vermont, with all the privileges of the State Courts. Soon after he was graduated, his name was placed before the people of Fairfax as a candidate for the responsible position of Superintendent of Schools, to which he was elected, and discharged the duties of the office two years, while he pursued his law studies. At the time he was elected he was but little more than 21 years old.

Almost immediately upon his admission to the Bar, he came West to secure a broader field for action. Oct. 14, 1 86 1, he located at Cambridge, and established his business as an attorney. He was almost wholly without resources, save his profession, and at first had not even sufficient means to secure the most modest legal library. He brought the most steadfast perseverance to bear on his business, pursuing its relations with indomitable energy and assiduity. His entire course was characterized by inflexible honesty and manly conduct, which bore the fruit of unlimited public confidence. A few years found him in easy circumstances and in a leader's position in his profession.

In his early political life, he was a Whig, with decided .anti-slavery opinions, and on the organization of the Republican party he adopted its principles and identified himself with its issues. His first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. In 1872 he was nominated for Senator from the 21st Senatorial District of Illinois, including the counties of Henry and Rock Island, and he was triumphantly elected by nearly 2,900 majority. Upon the assembling and organization of the body of which he was a member, he was made Chairman of Committee on

Appropriations, and was placed on Committees on Judiciary, Revision, Corporations, Penal Institutions, and Judicial Department and Apportionment. He was prominent in the entire course of the busy session of the 28th General Assembly, his systematic habits and familiarity with business routine enabling him to accomplish a large amount of labor of very effective character. In his most prominent appointment, his judicious management secured for him the implicit confidence of the Senate, and he fairly won the appellation of " Watch-dog of the Treasury," , which designation was conferred upon him. Nor did the caution and foresight he exercised give him the reputation of illiberality. He operated on the fundamental principle that the " right place for the people's money was in the pockets of the people/' He suffered no loss of Legislative details, as he was always in his seat during the sessions of the Senate. He was not given to debate, and compelled no waste of time in the Legislative body on ulterior matters ; and when an exigency demanded the influence of his voice, he commanded universal respect and attention by forcible and concise argument. His affability and consideration was rewar^d by general esteem of the warmest character.

In 1872 he entered into a partnership with Ira D. Marston, and on the expiration of his Senatorial term he resumed the relations of his law business at Cambridge, to which he has since devofed his attention without intermission.

Mr. Shepard was a Delegate to the State Republican Conventions of 1876, 1880 and 1884. In that of 1880 he was appointed a Delegate from his Congressional District to the Republican National Convention which convened at Chicago in June of that year. The National Convention and that of the State of Illinois of fhat year were rendered memorable by the lamentable strife over the " Third Term " question, which shook the Republican party from center to circumference. The controversy over the question as to whether Grant or Blaine should control the organization and dictate the ultimatum of the National Convention was begun in the State Convention. The friends of Grant contended that the Convention should, as the supreme head of the party in the State, select its delegates to the National Convention in accord with the views of the majority. Blaine's friends urged that the jurisdiction of the point at issue belonged exclusively to the several Congressional Districts. The majority of the delegates to the State Convention were adherents of Grant, and they selected representatives to the National Convention accordingly. jThe controversy was thus transferred to a higher and more august tribunal and precipitated the historic action known in political parlance as the " Overthrow of the Unit Rule," which deprived 18 of the Grant delegates of their seat in the National Convention. The movement resulted in similar losses in other State delegations and the fi nale was the defeat of Grant and the nomination of James A. Garfield. Mr. Shepard had been selected for his staunch adherence to General Grant, and he lost his vote. However, when the commemorative medal was disseminated among the immortal 306, he, with the others who had been unseated, was the recipient of an honorary medal precisely similar. The medal is of bronze and bears the following words : " Commemorative of the 36 ballots of the Old Guard for Ulysses S. Grant for President. Republican National Convention, Chicago, June, 1880. Wm. H. Shepard." On the obverse is a head of Grant in relief, surrounded with a wreath of oak and laurel in a circle, recording the results of the 36 ballotts. (While this record is being made, July 23, 1885, the United States flag is flying at half-mast on the staff at Cambridge for the old commander's death at Mt. McGregor.)

Mr. Shepard is Chairman of the County Republican Committee. He occupied the same position in 1869 and in 1870. He has officiated 13 years as Treasurer of the Henry County Agricultural Society. In the memorable year, 1884, he was a Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket, and was a hearty supporter of James G, Blaine. He is, at present writing, Master in Chancery.

Mr. Shepard as a lawyer has a prominent standing, and he has from the outset won popularity. All his dealings with the public have been characterized by his traits as a man, which are of high order. In point of probity and integrity, Mr. Shepard irreproachable. As a business man he has been successful. On the organization of the First National Bank of Cambridge, he became one of its directors, and still bears the same relation to its affairs.

parents were natives of Central Vermont and were farmers. Mrs. Shepard has five brothers and sisters, as follows : Daniel Leland is a resident of Colorado Springs in the State of the same name ; Mrs. Hannah Halbert lives at Essex Junction, Vt. ; Gideon C. lives at Englewood, 111. ; Philo is a druggist in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Peleg W. went some years ago to Alburg, New South Wales, Australia, where he is the manager of a mail stage route and is a stockman. Mrs. Shepard is the youngest child of her parents. Her children were born as follows : William H., May 13, 1865; and Frederick Jackson, Aug. 18, 1869. The latter died at the age of 14 months.

ev. Jason Chapin, deceased, was one of the pioneer clergymen of Geneseo. He was born at Newport, N. H., in 1801. He received his literary education at Amherst College, and accompl ished his theologica course at Andover Theological Seminary, and was graduated from the latter. In early life he was engaged in teaching, and, later, went to Ohio as a home missionary. He passed a few years there in that occupation, and went thence to New York.

His next removal was to Geneseo, whither he came in 1840, to accept the position of Principal of of the Geneseo Seminary. He was the incumbent of the situation nearly six years, or until failing health compelled him to relinquish the post. His death occurred Sept. n, 1846. He was a man of fine culture, and possessed abilities of more than ordinary type. He was a consistent Christian and an earnest advocate and supporter of all that was calculated to elevate and improve humanity. His political sympathies were with the Republican party, and he cast his v,ote in its behalf.

Mr. Chapin was married at Ware, Mass., Oct. 4, 183 1, to Miss Caroline Snow. She is the daughter of Eli and Alice (Alden) Snow, and was born in Hampshire Co., Mass. Her mother was a lineal descendant of the historic pair at Plymouth, John Alden and Priscilla Molines (or Mullens), who discussed the claims of the " laggard in love," Captain Miles

Standish, which resulted in the question of the lady in the case, " Why don't you speak for yourself, John ? " Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chapin, - a son and three daughters. The first-born child died in infancy. Florilla is the wife of Henry Candee, a retired manufacturer of Moline, 111. Emily is the librarian of the Geneseo Library. Alice C. is at present a resident at Geneseo. She has been a teacher in the Indianapolis Kindergarten.

The widow of Mr. Chapin was married July 24, 1849, to Rev- William T. Allan. She is again a widow, and is still living at the homestead in Geneseo.

jjeon. Julius S. Hinman, deceased, formerly ^ Judge of Henry County, came to this county in 185 1. He was born June 16, 1823, in Canton, Hartford Co., Conn., and was the son of Zerah and Miriam Hinman. His lineage is English, the first representatives of the family having come to this country in its early period. _

Judge Hinman was reared a farmer, and he pursued that vocation until he relinquished all interests in order to give his undivided attention to the acquisition of a liberal education. Mr. Hinman came to Ohio when a boy of 12 years, with his parents, who settled in Rootstown, in Portage County, where he remained with his parents about ten years ; then he went to Akron, that State, where he lived two years, studying law with Gen. Beers. He moved next to Ravenna, in Portage County, in the same State, where he pursued miscellaneous studies and also his legal course, and while at Ravenna he was admitted to the Bar as an attorney. He established his practice at Franklin, Ohio, and while he remained in Portage County he had charge of his father's farm about rs months.

In Jui.e, 185 1, he came to Princeton, Bureau Co., 111., but his stay there was brief. He came thence to Cambridge, where he was a continuous resident to the date of his demise - March 25, 1885. At the time of his death he was the only lawyer living in Henry County that was here when he came.

His abilities and character received recognition from the time he became a resident at Cambridge} and his career in Henry County was one of marked prominence from his connection with its official affairs. He served for many years as Justice of the Peace and also as Swamp Land Commissioner. His period of service as Master in Chancery covered a period of 25 years, and he acted more than 20 years in the capacity of County Judge of Henry County. He was first elected in 1865 and held the incumbency continuously until his death. His long terms of service in the several official positions which he held will convey an adequate idea of his abilities, reliability, the quality of his judgment, his probity, and his qualifications as an attorney. The best tribute that can be offered in commemoration of a faithful officer is that he was loved and trusted by those whom he served. The connection of Judge Hinman with the citizens of Henry County displayed alike his character as a man and quality of the constituency that understood his value, and that honored itself in his selection as the custodian of the most important interests of a community.

He was united in marriage in Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, with Mary E. Westlake, Nov. 27, 1849. Her parents, Richard and Margaret (Victor) Westlake, were natives respectfully of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The children born to Judge and Mrs. Hinman numbered five, and were born in the following order: Hubert R., Ella M. (wife of Frank Gould), Eva Lois, a music teacher in Chicago, Alice M. (deceased), Albert V., a resident of Geneseo, and Miriam C, living with her mother.

,rank L. Winsor, proprietor of the Maple City Lumber Yards, at Geneseo, established his business at that place in October, 1 88 1. He deals in all kinds of builders' materials, including cement, lime and sewerpipes. He was born May 1, 1851, in Chenango Co., N. Y. His parents, John and Harriet (Morse) Winsor, were natives of the State of New York, and he was there brought up. In 1879 he came to Henry County and located at Geneseo where, in the year mentioned, he purchased the business of C. W. Kinner with all its relations. The yards have been established some years, and are well known in Henry County and in surrounding districts.

Mr. Winsor was married to Bertha Skinner, in November, 1876. Mrs. Winsor is the daughter of P. Skinner, of Rock Island. She is a communicant in the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Winsor have one child - Clara, born in 1877.

which vocation he has pursued all his life, is a native of New York, having been born in Columbia County, that State, Nov. 14, 181 8. The parents of Mr. Calkins were Elijah and Philena (Coleman) Calkins, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively, and whose family comprise ten children.

Anson was the fifth child in order of birth of his parents' family, with whom he continued to reside until he attained the age of majority. He received a good education in the district schools of his native county, and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until he was 18 years of age. He then engaged to learn the carpenter's trade, and gave to his parents all wages that he received until he was 21 years of age, and up to the time that he left home. Upon becoming his own man he worked at his trade in his native State until 1841, when he came to Henry County, this State, and located on the identical tract of land on which he at present resides. He at first procured 40 acres, subsequently 40 more, then 80 acres additional, and still later has increased his acreage until he is at present the proprietor of 678 acres of land. Mr. Calkins may truly be considered a pioneer settler of Oxford Township, this county. Coming here in 1841, he found the country new and undeveloped, but his good judgment told him that in the near future it would all be settled, and what was then in its natural condition would become the fine agricultural district that it is to-day. He consequently held on to "his land, and by incessant toil and economy added to his original 40 acres until he I is to-day the proprietor of a fine estate. His accu- mulations of real estate in the county is attributable to his own indomitable energy, good judgment and economy ; and, looking back over the history of the past, he realizes that his predictions have been fulfilled even beyond his expectations. He resides today on his fine estate in Oxford Township, retired from t' e active labors of a life of toil, and is enjoying the comforts which the present attributes to the labor of the past.

Mr. Calkins was married to Miss Hulda Griffin, a native of Massachusetts, in 1847. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, living : Myra P., wife of A. A. Shaw ; Mary E., who married Ira K. Frankenberger ; James P., who married Mary E. Keer; John F., the husband of Alvira J. Elliott; and Winfield C, who was united in marriage to Anna O. Keer. Mr. Calkins votes with the Republican party. He has held various offices within the gift of the people of the community in which he resides, and was the first Assessor of the township after its organization. He has made all the improvements visible upon his farm, such as buildings, fences, setting out an orchard, ornamental trees, etc., and has a fine evergreen grove of five acres upon his farm.

ilton Jennings Miller, Pastor of the Uni tarian Church at Geneseo, was born Dec. 28, 1831, at Bethel, Clark Co., Ohio. He is the fourth in order of birth of a family of 12 children, of whom seven are yet living. His father, John Miller, was a native of Botetourt Co., Va., and went thence in his young manhood with his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Peery) Miller, to Ohio, where they located on a farm on Donnels' Creek, six miles west of the city of Springfield.

In the paternal line of descent Mr. Miller is of German extraction, his grandparents being of that nationality, but of American birth. John Miller died in 1863, aged 65. His wife was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Van Cleve) Smith. Peter Smith, her great-grandfather, was a native of Wales. He came in youth to this country, and studied for the ministry, taking his degree at Princeton. He married a lady from the State of Georgia, and a few years after that event he set forth with his family on pack-horses for the State of Ohio. He located in the vicinity of Cincinnati. Samuel Smith, his son, grew to manhood there, and became a prosperous farmer on Donnels' Creek, one mile from the Miller settlement. His father had married an Englishspeaking wife and the German tongue in their case fell into disuse. None of his children were taught it at their home. John Miller was the proprietor of 300 acres of land, and was considered a well-to-do farmer, keeping one-half of the place under a good order of cultivation. His children were sent to the common schools for three or four months in the year, and they acquired a fair degree of English education. Meanwhile the labors of the farm in which they were participants were sufficient to ensure a goodly physical development. The mother is still living, and is passing a serene old age in the families of her children at various points in the State of Ohio. Mr. Miller of this sketch was a boy of quick perceptions, and he has made good use of the opportunities afforded by the schools to which he had been sent. He was 18 when he first attempted teaching, and the results were sufficiently encouraging to warrant a repetition of the same experience. During the winters of r8sr and 1852 he attended a High School at Springfield. In 1853 Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, was opened with Hon. Horace Mann as its President, and Mr. Miller entered the institution with the intention of pursuing a course of collegiate study. He fulfilled his project and was graduated with the class of 1859. He taught several terms of school meanwhile to aid in defraying his expenses. He passed a year as tutor in the same college, and went thence to Harvard University, where he took a three years' course of theological study. In 1863 he was graduated at the Divinity School, and he passed several succeeding months in preaching at various points in New England. At three places where there were vacancies he was invited to make a settlement. He had, however, an inclination to enter upon ministerial labor in the West, and he accordingly accepted a call to fill a pulpit in Troy, Ohio, at a point about 20 miles, from his old home, and was settled as Pastor over the Christian Church in that place.

His marriage to Hannah Dean, daughter of Hon. George M. Allen, of Scituate, Mass., transpired Sept. 6, 1863. Mrs. Miller is the granddaughter of Rev. Morrill Allen, late of Pembroke, Mass.

Soon after their marriage they went to Troy, and after a ministry of nine months, Mr. Miller was commissioned Chaplain of the uoth Regt. Ohio Vol. Inf. Aug. 26, 1864, he joined the command to which he had been assigned, which was attached to the Corps of General Sheridan, at Bolivar Heights, Va. Mr. Miller was a participant in the daring and brilliant campaign of the intrepid Sheridan in the Valley of the Shenandoah. He passed the winter of 1864-5 m camp in front of Petersburg, and was present at the final conflicts which resulted in the surrender of General Lee and the consequent collapse of the Rebellion. He was mustered out of the military service of the United States at Columbus, Ohio, on the 26th day June, [865.

He immediately returned to his charge at Troy. He filled the position there until the autumn of 1868, when he resigned his place as Pastor there and was selected to take the pastorate of the First Unitarian Society just organized at Geneseo, 111. He entered upon the discharge of the duties of the position Nov. 15, 1868, and is still the incumbent of the charge.

Mr. Miller and his wife are held jn high esteem among the people where they reside. They are the possessors of a goodly share of this world's goods, and are prominent for their hospitality and liberality. Mr. Miller is one of the leading spirits in the business and prosperity of Geneseo, and is interested in banking and other corporations. He is of the highest repute for integrity and honor. He is practically interested in the educational institutions of Geneseo, and has been an official in the Public Library Association since the founding of the institution, and a large degree of its success is due to his efforts.

.rs. Susan Huls Jennings, resident on section 12, Cambridge Township, has been connected with the history of the county since 1849, when her husband located with his family on 400 acres of land in the township in which the seat of Henry County is situated. She was born Aug. 20, 18 13, near Chillicothe, Ohio, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Van Meter) Shepherd. In both lines of descent he is of German extraction. Thomas Shepherd, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Jennings, was a pioneer of Jefferson Co., Va. He was a prominent man in all the general interests of that part of the State, and was identified with its settlement, its business and its agricultural development. He built a "merchant" mill, as it was characterized in that locality, and through the energetic frugality which be inherited from his ancestors he became wealthy. Through his efforts, the town of Shepherdston, Va., was laid out and became a place of more than ordinary pretensions, and is the psrpetuator of the patronymic of its founder. Thomas Shepherd married Susan Huls, the belle of Wheeling, W. Va., and they reared a family of eight children. Two sons, two sons-in-law and the father enlisted as soldiers in the War of 1812, and the latter took a drove of cattle for the use of the army. His granddaughter, Susan, who is the subject of this account, was born on the day he came home from the war.

John Shepherd was born Feb. 16, 1786. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Wright) Van Meter. She was the child of affluence and was educated and accomplished to an unusual degree. Her father was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county of which he was a resident, and was esteemed for his sterling worth as a man, and for a life of undeviating integrity. John Shepherd and his wife became the parents of eight children. He and his wife went to Ohio when they were still young, and while there the father served as Sheriff of the county in which he settled. In the fall of 1835 the family removed to Vermillion Co., 111. The father died there April 3, 1841. By vocation he was a farmer and miller. His wife was born May 4, 1783, and died in Pickwick Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1835.

Mrs. Jennings is the fourth child of her parents in order of birth. Her brothers and sisters were named Abraham, Rebecca W., Isaac V., Rachel, Mary, Elizabeth and Joseph L. In 1885 there are but three survivors. She was married March 6, 1835, to Levi Jennings. He was born March io, 1794, in Virginia. After their marriage they located on a farm in Knox Co., 111., on which they lived two years, removing at the end of that time to Peoria Co., 111., where they continued to reside 13 years. They then sold out and returned to Ohio, and remained in the Buckeye State one summer. They came thence

They entered with vigor into the work common to pioneers of this section of the great State of Illinois, living at first in a log house, barely large enough to accommodate the members of the household. This was their home for five years.

Mr. Jennings died Dec. 28, 1859, in Sibley Co., Minn. The original purchase of 400 acres of land remained in the possession of the family, and Mrs. Jennings prosecuted the interests of the estate with characteristic energy. She interested herself in everything pertaining to real-estate matters in the county, and has been individually one of the most extensive purchasers of landed property in Henry County, and is at date of writing the owner of nearly 1,300 acres ofland. which is all in well-improved condition. The mistress of the estate has given much attention to raising stock, and fattens for market 300 hog sand 200 head of cattle annually. She owns 60 horses; t,i 20 acres of land are included in the home farm. The remainder is in timber, and is located three xzji miles from the homestead. The estate is supplied 3§5 with all necessary buildings, and the property is a ° substantial witness of the energy, thrift and perse- S^ verance of its mistress.

S Mrs. Jennings is a better exponent of theoretical ^ ) y women's rights than though she had expended her energies and ambitions in behalf of the tenets of the shrieking sisterhood, among whom there is not a representative of the variety of womanhood typified by Mrs. Jennings, - a class who show the material of which they are.made by their achievements. She is characlerized'by the possession of good business tact, enterprise, keen powers and habits of observation, accuracy in detail, and a perfect memory.

Nor has she been recreant to the obligations of maternity, as she has reared three children. AnnV. is the wife of James Bush, of Adair Co., Iowa, and she is the mother of five children; Frank is deceased. The survivors are named Rosemary, Frank (2d), Frederick and Benjamin Eugene; Mary J. married N. B. Gould, of Cambridge. Mr. and Mrs. Gould are represented by a sketch on other pages. They have had two children. Nellie L. is deceased. The remaining daughter is named KateM. JohnL., only son of Mrs. Jennings, is a resident of the township of Burns, in Henry County. He is married and has two sons, John Levi and Frank Roy.

T From the foregoing sketch of Mrs. Jennings, the satisfaction with which the publishers of the Henry County Album present the portrait of a representative woman will be understood. The likeness of Mrs. Jennings was copied from a photograph taken in r883.

Butzer, a farmer on sections 1 and 2, |i^|J§y||j in Phenix Township, is a native citizen of vWsl * tne townsnlP in which he resides. He was "jta born Feb. 27, 1844, and is the youngest son of

I His parents were both natives of Baden, Germany, and they emigrated to the United States from their fatherland in 1835. They lived about two years in Michigan, whence they came to Chicago, and a few months later they removed to Henry County, where they settled in the year 1837. -

They were among the earliest settlers in the town of Phenix. The father entered a claim of land on section 3 of the township named, and on it he built a log house. He covered the building with " shakes " (which the generation of the future may be interested in knowing were simply long shingles split from a log), and the floor was made of puncheon, which was split logs, and in this case was of black walnut. He improved a large farm, and was its owner and occupant until his death, in March, 1850. His widow survived him until July 2, 1881. They were the parents of eight children, and six of the number grew to maturity. Jacob became a prosperous farmer, and was a citizen of Phenix Township as long as he lived. His death took place Nov. 27, 1883. Catherine is the wife of Daniel Henney, and they reside at Geneseo. Louis lives in Crawford Co., Kan. Caroline married Valentine Sieben, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere. Marseilla is the wife of Joseph Arnett, of Loraine Township.

Mr. Butzer, of this personal narration, was but six years of age when his father died, and he lived on the home farm with his mother until he reached the age of 19. In 1863 he crossed the plains to California, and he became a teamster there and in Nevada, remaining in California and Nevada four years, chiefly employed as a teamster. In 1867 he came back to his native township, making the journey thither by the Isthmus and city of New York.

The first business in which he engaged was the management of the farm of his brother, in which he was occupied three years. He then went to Kansas and was absent there a few months, after which he returned and m^de a purchase of 80 acres of land on section 1 in Phenix Township, which was originally settled and improved by Dr. Maxwell. On this he has since pursued his agricultural projects, and has been prosperous to a satisfactory degree. He is at present the owner of 320 acres in a connected body, and it is all in profitable agricultural condition. The stock on the place is of valuable quality, and includes horses, cattle and swine. In 1883 Mr. Butzer built a good and substantial frame house for the accommodation of his family, and the place is fitted with all structures necessary to the care and comfort of the stock.

His marriage to Margaret Licht occurred in April, 1868, and their children are named as follows: Alice May, Hattie G., Bert J. and Belva L. The mother was born in Prussia, and she came to the United States when she was four years old.

ndrew J. Anderson, who is a general farmer and stock-raiser on section 27, Andover Township, was born in Kise, Sweden, April 6, 1833. His father, Andrew Johnson, was a farmer of Swedish nativity, and died in his native country when his son, the subject of this sketch, was about 14 years of age; and five years later, his mother,^ Sarah E. Johnson, with her two children, emigrated to the ]and of greater opportunities, first settling in Andover, this county, where he is yet living, aged 78 years.

Mr. Anderson, whose name heads this notice, was married in October, 1855, in Andover, to Miss Hannah Bankson, who was born in the parish of Oker, in the kingdom of Sweden, about 1833, and came to America with her parents, Swedish farmers, when 19 years of age, and lived with her mother until her marriage; her father died in 1854, the year in which they emigrated to I his country. She is the mother of three daughters and four sons : Sarah C. married August Nelson, who resides in Andover Township ; the rest live at home.

section 21, Andover Township; in i860 he exchanged this for 54 acres where he now resides. At present he owns 320 acres, nearly all of which is cultivated and in good condition. He rears and deals in a considerable number of live stock, especially of a Short-horn variety of cattle. Mrs. A., who was a member of the Lutheran Church, died at her home in Andover Township, July 6, 1877. Mr. A. was formerly a member and officer of the same Church. Locally, he is a Road Commissioner in his township, having now held the office for about ten years. In political views, he is independent.

]||»ugene H. Ash, bookseller and stationer at Geneseo, has resided in Henry County since 1864. He was born April 13, 1858, le city of Adrian, Mich. His parents, M. and Margaret (Gouger) Ash, removed from that State to Illinois in the year named arid located at Geneseo.

Mr. Ash was educated in the public schools of the city, and commenced active business life in the capacity of clerk with E. F. Godfry. In 1884 he established himself in trade, and has since conducted a prosperous business.

He was united in marriage to Jennie E. Lambert, April 13, 1885. Mrs. Ash was born in the city of Rochester, N. Y., and is the daughter of J. E. Lambert.

eonard R. Bothwell, general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 22, Western Township, is a native of " York State," having been born in Depauville, Jefferson County, April 28, 1838. His father, David Bothwell, was ?i farmer, by occupation, and was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 1794. He was married in Jefferson County, to Jemima Spencer. She was the daughter of a farmer, and was born in Jefferson County, that State, Feb. 6, 1803. They always resided in that county, where he died, in 1846, and the latter July 10, of the same year. Leonard R, Bothwell was the youngest of a family of five children, all of whom are living and married. Martin resides in Jefferson Co., N. Y., and is a shoemaker by trade; Mary (Scott) resides at Depere, Wis. ; her husband is a ship-builder and a carpenter; Jeremiah resides in Hannibal, Jefferson County, where he is engaged in the livery business ; David also resides in the last named county.

Leonard R. Bothwell, after the death of his parents, resided with his sister Mary until he attained the age of 15 years, when he set out on the road of adversity to fight the battles of life single-handed and alone, and in 1848 went to Wisconsin. In i860, he came to this State and enlisted in the army of the Union shortly after. The date of his enlistment was August, 1861, and he joined the nth Ohio Battery, under Captain Constable, was assigned to Pope's division, and was engaged in the battle of Iuka, Miss., Sept. 19, 1862. At that place he was severely wounded and sent to the hospital, where he remained for a time, and was finally discharged on account of disability, the date of his discharge being Jan. 12, 1863. Returning home to this State, he began the occupation of a farmer, which he has continued to the present time.

Mr. Bothwell was united in marriage at the residence of the bride's parents, to Miss Florence D., daughter of the late Mahlon B. and Amelia L. (Davenport) Lloyde, natives of Bucks Co., Pa., and New York State respectively. Both parents came West before they were married, locating in Morristown, this county, Dec. 30, 18 - . Their marriage was the first solemnized at Morristown. After that event they moved to Western Township, this county, where they resided until their deaths. Mr. Bothwell, after his marriage to Miss Lloyd, remained on her father's homestead three years, engaged in its cultivation, and afterward received from his father-in-law 80 acres of land. By good judgment, energetic effort and the active co-operation of his good help-meet, he has added to his original purchase until he at present is the proprietor of 306 acres of land, all in an advanced state of cultivation, and also an undivided interest in 200 acres of the old homestead. He has erected one of the best residences in the township, and is one of the progressive and energetic farmers and stock-raisers of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Bothwell are the parents of 13 children, four of whom are deceased. The record is as follows: Ada F. was born May 30, 1868; Herbert

Politically, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Rep-iblican party, and socially he is a member of the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W.

bhn Fleming, a retired farmer resident in the city of Geneseo, is one of the most esteemed citizens of Henry County. He has been an inhabitant of the county since 1855, and has made a record second to that of no other man who has been identified with the general interests within that time.

He is a native of the township of Redbank, in Armstrong Co., Pa., and became by a division of his native county, a citizen of Clarion County. He was born May 14, 18 13, and is the son of John and Sarah (Everett) Fleming. He is a farmer by birth, inheritance and training, and passed all his life previous to his removal to Henry County on a farm.

He settled on sections 28 and 29, in the township of Cornwall, when he came to this county, beginning with a purchase of 120 acres of land. As he advanced in prosperity he made additional purchases, until he is now the owner of 510 acres. The entire tract is in excellent farming condition. Mr. Fleming remained a resident on section 28, Cornwall Township, until January, 1879, when he removed to Geneseo.

Mr. Fleming arrived at the period when he was under obligations to assume the duties of citizenship in 1841. The political world was then in a transition state, and although he was a Democrat by inheritance, he held to Free-Soil principles. On the organization of the Republican party he accepted the issues of that element, and has since given them his hearty support. During his residence in Cornwall he was often called to "discharge Jthe duties of responsible official positions, all of which proved his probity of character and fitness for the transaction of the business pertaining^ to the interests of the general public. He served as Assessor, Collector, Justice, Highway Commissioner and in the various school offices. At the time of the war he was made custodian of the war fund, and was intrusted with the. charge" of a large sum of money without being required to give bonds. About $14,000 was raised to avoid the draft, which was anticipated, and Mr. Fleming exerted all his influence to fill the quota. It was his opinion that the money should not be disbursed, but his judgment was overruled and the funds were devoted to the purpose for which they were raised, although the men who were enlisted in readiness [to a call were never summoned to the field.

Mr. Fleming was married in the county in which he was born, Dec. 25, 1845, to Mary A. Johnson. She was born in Center Co., Pa., and is the daughter of William and Ann Johnson. Three children were born to them before their removarto Illinois. Sarah A. is the wife of Robert Pritchard, of Henry County. WillianTmarried^NeHie^Benedict, andjthey are the managers of the homestead. Mary married S. M. Reynolds, 'of Davenport, Iowa. Elmira, the first child born to them in Illinois, died in childhood. Isabella lives with her parents. -3_Mr. Fleming and the members of his family belong to the Presbyterian Church.

hineas M. Jeffords, a prominent farmer i and stockman of the township of Atkinson, f'KP^ 's a resident on section 13, where he is the manager of a fine farm, which contains 840 acres. He is also proprietor of that property, in company with Charles Dunham, of Gen- They are interested in breeding fast horses, and exhibit about 40 animals of excellent claims for speed on the road and as trotters. They are the owners of a standard stallion, - sire, " General Knox," and dam, the celebrated " Old Drew." The pedigree is justly noted as among the best of Eastern stock, and is favorably regarded in the sporting circles, which are considered authority in Maine and in other New England States. The other stock on the farm of Messrs. Jefferds & Dunham includes thoroughbred Short-horn cattle.

Mr. Jefferds was born in Maine, Aug. 30, 1826. Alpheus Jefferds, his father, was born in York Co., Maine, and married Rebecca Gerrish, a native of the same part of the Pine-Tree State. Their marriage took place in 1825. Both are now deceased. At the age of 20 Mr. Jefferds entered the military service of the United States as a soldier of the Mexican War. He enlisted in December, 1846, in Co A, First Reg. Mass. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Edward Webster. He was in the service through the entire course of that struggle, and received an honorable discharge at Boston, July 19, 1848.

He was one of the earliest to make his way to California after the discovery of gold there in 1849, and he went by water to the Isthmus. He crossed it on foot, and sailed thence to San Francisco, reaching the Golden Slate in 1850, in the first month of spring. After passing two years in the mines, he returned in 1852 to the East, traveling via the Nicaragua route. He reached his native State in July.

True to the instincts of the spirit which characterizes every genuine American citizen, he again cast his fate with that of the throng who rushed to defend the integrity of the national flag. He enlisted in the Civil War in 1862, and was commissioned Captain of Co. B, in the 20th Maine Vol. Inf., and w~s at once sent to the front. The strain from the forced march to reach the field of Antietam, and the exposure in camp, produced rheumatism, which disabled him, and he was honorably discharged in December, 1862.

After his return to his native place, Mr. Jefferds was active in the administration of public affairs, and he served in the Legislative Assembly of Maine in the term of 1868-9. He was a member of the State Board of Agriculture six years.

In October, 1878, he came to Illinois. In the same year, in company with Mr. Dunham, he bought a half interest in the farm now owned by himself and Mr. Dunham, and has since been the resident manager thereon.

He was married Oct. 27, i852,toCleora E. Chamberlain. Her parents, Samuel and Abigail (Tucker) Chamberlain, were both natives of Worcester Co.,

Mass. Mrs. Jefferds was born. in Maine, May 15, 1827. She has borne no children. Mr. Jefferds is independent in political action, and both himself and wife are Unitarians in religious views. , lof Johnson, deceased, was born Jan. 30, 1820, in Soderala, Gefle,. Sweden. He is a son of John and Martha Olson. Olof retained his father's first name as his surname, that being customary in his native country. John Olson, father of the subjectof this notice, had five children. He was a well-to-do farmer in the old country, and belonged to the older and most respectable families of his community, having lived on the old family homestead for more than a century. The homestead was known as " Rosenwall,'' and was one-half a Swedish mile from Soderham.

Olof Johnson received a primary education in his native country. He emigrated to this country with a part of the Bishop Hill Colony, consisting of some 600 or 700, who located in this county. Previous to his emigration to this country, he was married to Miss Christina Johnson, Nov. 3, 1843. She was born Feb. 4, 1819, and is yet living. She was a daughter of John and Catherina (Swanson) Johnson, both natives of Sweden. The name of their home was " Norbynn," in the same parish that the Olson family lived. She and her husband came to this country in 1846, arriving in New York in December of that year, on board the good ship Caroline, a Swedish vessel having 200 passengers on board. They came direct to Bishop Hill, where they shared all the ups and downs through which the Colony passed, and aided very materially in establishing the Colony at that place. Mr. Johnson was the one who piloted them across the country. He was one of the seven Trustees of the Colony and princip.il business manager and financier. They came by the way of the canal and around the lakes. Many children died on the trip across the ocean, and among tliem a little daughter of Mrs. Johnson's - Martha, aged nine months. #rom Chicago many walked on foot to Bishop Hill, some 50 in number, and among them Mrs. Christina Johnson. They first lived in tents, even during the winter, and during the summer following erected sod houses. They finally built the Colonial building during the second summer, and the families had one or two rooms assigned them, according to their size. In 1861, Mr. Johnson removed with his family to Galva, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred July 18, 1870.

His leading characteristic was the disposition that he possessed for making large financial transactions. He was liberal and charitable and public-spirited. During the war he contributed freely for recruiting soldiers. He also read law in Rock Island for the benefit he would derive from it in his business', and also for the purpose of perfecting his English. In 1 85 1 he was appointed Notary Pubiic, and for several years was a member of the Galva Town Board. He traveled over nearly all the United States in the interest of the Colony, and in 1 849 returned to his native country, Sweden, where he raised upward of $6,000 for the benefit of the Colony at Bishop Hill. He was a stockholder and director of the American Central (now Galva & Keithsburg Railroad), and aided in the construction of the "Central Military Tract (now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad). He was connected with a paper published in Galva in the interest of Bishop Hill, and with the Swedish American, published in Chicago.

While in Sweden, Mr. Johnson was a member of the Lutheran Church, but on coming to this country joined no Church, but worshiped with the people of the Colony. Prior to the first election of Abraham Lincoln, he took no interest in politics, but ever since that time has voted with the Republican party. His first three children died in infancy. Three are now living, - Olivia, Christina and Lillie Valnora. Christina is the wife of Peter Larson, and they have, two children, - Ernest Olof and Rollin.

H. Lay, of the township of Munson, a farmer on section 22, has been a citizen of Henry County since 1864. He is a native of the State of New York, and was born in Cayuga County, June 22, T820. When he was still in infancy, about two years old, his mother died, and at the age of six he was wholly orphaned by the death of his father.

removed with his family to Nunda. After the death of his father he was placed in the care of a guardian, to whose charge he was assigned by his father before he died. That gentleman resided in Manchester, Ontario County, in the Empire State, and the boy remained there until he was 1 1 years of age. He then went to live with a man named George, Redfield, in the same place, and he continued under his care until he was 16, in Manchester. In that year Mr. Redfield removed tojMichigan, and settled in Cass County. Mr. Lay there grew to the age of manhood. The first event of his life of much importance was his marriage. He was joined in matrimony to Hannah Sophia Wood about the time he came of age. She is a native of the State where she was married, and was born in Camden, Oneida County. Mr. Lay bought a farm in Cass County, and was its owner and occupant until his removal to Illinois, as has been stated. On coming to Henry County he bought 168 acres of land, located on section 32 in the same township, where he has since been a citizen, and is still its occupant. The farm 1= is all improved.

;§J The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lay are recorded as " follows : Phineas, a farmer, lives in Grand forks Co., >$b D. T.; Louisa is married to R. E. Whipple, and V lives at Hillsdale, Hillsdale Co., Mich.; George E. (< ) is a lawyer of Grand Forks, Dak. ; Julia is the wife of John Dangle, of Peoria, 111. ; Lovdy lives at home.

HJVLaniel P. Zimmerman, furniture dealer and WM. undertaker at Geneseo, established his business at that place in 1861. He lost his factory and machinery by fire in 1869, and, as he was wholly without insurance, the loss was total. He at once rebuilt, and his affairs were once more in a prosperous condition when, in 187 2, his store and stock were burned, and he was again a heavy loser! Notwithstanding the fact that he sustained a loss of $4,000 above the insurance, he was soon in running order again, and he has since prosecuted his affairs with the success his energy and indomitable perseverance deserves. The value of his stock of furniture is estimated at $8,000, and in the line of undertaking he keeps all articles and appurtenances common to the best institutions of the kind. He is the owner of two hearses.

Mr. Zimmerman was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 21, 1833, and is the son of Daniel and Magdalena (Lappel) Zimmerman. His father was a cabinel-maker, and instructed his son in a complete and practical knowledge of the business.

He came from his native land to America in 1854, first establishing his business at Chillicothe, Ohio, and operated there about a year. He went thence to ChicagOjin 1855, and passed a year in work at his trade in that city. In 1856 he went to St. Louis, Mo., and very soon after to Galena, in this State. In the spring of 1857 he proceeded to Davenport, Iowa, and passed the time until [861 in the pursuit of his business at that place, at Rock Island and at Moline. In November of the year named he came to Geneseo, and at once interested himself in the establishment of his affairs in the lines in which he has operated, as has been stated. The building in which he carries on his transactions is 82 x 26 feet on trie ground and two stories in height. The structure is of brick, and the extent of his relations require the assistance of nine men. He is also the owner of a store-house constructed of brick, 28 x 77 feet in extent, and two stories high. The stock of Mr. Zimmerman is large and well assorted.

In political preferences Mr. Zimmerman is a Democrat, and in religious views he claims the privilege of forming his own opinions, and accords to every other man the same right.'

He was married at Rock Island, Sept. 3, 1859, to Kunigunde Tresel, and they have four children,' namely: Emma, who is the wife of Julius Hanson, of Geneseo ; Julia, Fred C. and William G. are the three youngest children. Mrs. Zimmerman is a native of Bavaria, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

ames S. Hadsall. In connection with his h- agricultural pursuits, Mr. Hadsall is also engaged in carpentering and building. His farm, which is located on section 34 of Burns Township, was entered by hinrin 1852. He did not, however, move upon it until 1856. He was born in Luzerne Co. Pa., Sept. 26, 1822. There he lived until his removal to this county, where he was also engaged in farming and mechanical work. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed, in connection with his farming interests, until the present time. He has fine farm buildings, all of which he has erected himself.

While living in Luzerne County, Mr. Hadsall and Miss Malinda Brace were united in marriage. The ceremony was performed Jan. 13, 1848. Mrs. H. was born in that county, on the same day of the month of 1827. The number of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. H. is six, - Medora, Anna, Henry, Smith, and two who died in infancy. Henry met his death by falling from a building; Medora died when one year old, and Anna is the wife of Edgar Kemerling and resides in Nebraska. Smith is also married and resides in Burns Township. His wife was Julia Zeigler.

Mr. H. has held the office of Justice of the Peace for four years, Highway Commissioner for several years, as well as other positions of trust in the township. He was appointed Postmaster of Hawley office June 16, 1879, and has filled the position since. On the 18th of May, 1864, he enlisted in the 134th 111. Vol. Inf. and served for six months. He is a member of the Julius A. Pratt Post, 143, of the G. A. R. Politically, he is a Republican. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

nomas Greene, of the firm of F. H. Greene & Co., at Geneseo, was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., and is the son of Henry and Sally Greene. His birth occurred Dec. 18, 1823, and he was reared to manhood in the place where he was born. At a suitable age he acquired a practical understanding of the trade of a carpenter, at which he passed his time until he came to Illinois. He was married before leaving his native State to Julia, daughter of Ora Graves. She was born in the vicinity of the city of Rochester, N. Y., and was married in 1853.

i On coming to Illinois they located at Prophetstown, in Whiteside County, and there Mr. Green was interested in the business of farming, until he came to Geneseo in the winter of 1865. While they were residents of Prophetstown two children were born to them. Helen is the wife of Charles Youngs, and they live at Geneseo.

sketch is presented above, was born in Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., 111., May 28, 1857. He passed eight years in the employ of E. P. Van Valkenburg, a former merchant of Geneseo, and later in that of J. H. C. Peterson & Sons, with whom he operated three years. In 1882 he established the grocery business in which he is at present engaged. He was at first associated with Frank Trauger, and that connection continued until February, 1855, when the firm style became as recorded above, his father purchasing an interest.

lmer E. Fitch, the editor and proprietor of the Galva News, was born Aug. 13, 1846, in Trumbull Co., Ohio. He is the son of °j> 5. George and Deborah (Boleyn) Fitch, natives of Connecticut. The former was born in Norwalk, and died in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1848. The father of our subject was in early life a teacher, but the latter* years of his life were devoted to farming. He was married twice, and the father of five children, viz. : Jane, Martin B., Alice A., George W. and the subject of this sketch. His mother, 13 years after the decease of her husband, was married to O. W. Hageman, and now resides at Elgin, Iowa.

Our subject was brought from Ohio to La Porte, Ind., in 1854, and in 1856 the family removed to Fayette Co., Iowa. He was educated primarily at the Upper Iowa University, located at Fayette, and completed his education at the Iowa University at Iowa City, at which he graduated in June, 1874. After he had accomplished this, the event of his early ambition, he went to Burlington, Iowa, where he was Principal of the West Hill School. A year later he came to Galva, and was engaged as Superintendent of the Galva schools, which position he successfully for eight years. Desiring to retire from his profession, in April, 1833, he bought out the Galva News, a Republican organ which was established in 1879. Since then he has conducted that paper with credit to himself and satisfaction to its many readers.

sin, where she was born April 23, 1850, and is a daughter of Thomas Helgesen, a native of Norway. The three children born to them are George H., born June 5, 1877; Rachel L., Sept. 26, 1878; and Robert H., Jan. 17, 1881. Mrs. Fitch is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. F. is a member of the G. A. R., having served faithfully during the late war. He enlisted at the age of 16, at West Union, Iowa, in the 38th Iowa Vol. Inf., Co. A, Aug. 13, 1862, and was honorably discharged Sept. 8, 1865. During the last year and a half of his service, he was detailed as a drummer. He participated in many of the important engagements of the war, among which are the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Yazoo City and Fort Morgan, and the famous charge at Blakeley.

ust. Alfred Swanson. Among the numerous persons in Henry County bearing the name of Swanson, the subject of the following biography is both a leading and a prominent one. His home is upon section 34, of Western Township, where his attention is given to farming and stock-raising. He was born in Linkoping Lan, Sweden, Sept. 16, 1839. His father, John Swanson, and his mother, Catherine Swanson, were natives of the same State, where they followed farming. In 1853, they came to America, with their family of seven children. They made their way to this county, and settled in Lynn Township, where they purchased 80 acres of Government land, upon which the elder Swanson lived until his death. (See sketch of J. V. Swanson )

Our subject was the youngest member of the family, and was given the advantages of the common schools wherein to receive an education, and remained under the care of his parents, working on the farm, until his marriage. This event occurred on the 25th of January, 1869, at Andover, this county, when he was married to Miss Carolina C. Larson, daughter of Lewis J. and Mary C. (Munson) Larson, natives of the State of Kalmar Lan, Sweden, where they now reside, being by occupation farmers. Mrs. S. is the eldest of seven children in her parents' family, one of whom is deceased, and one sister and two brothers now living in the 'United States. She came to this country with her eldest brother, John A., when 19 years of age, having been born Jan. 12, 1849. They stopped at Andover, where the following year she was married. To them have been born eight children, bearing the following names : Joseph E., Luther A., Sophia C, Alfred N, Amanda C, John P., Otto S. and Lida A., the latter being deceased.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. S. located on 160 acres of wild land on section 34, Western Township. Here Mr. S. immediately began to make improvements, and he now has it all under excellent cultivation, and well improved. He has been a prominent and progressive farmer, and is well known throughout the community. His name was originally Gus Alfred, but at the time of his enlistment in the army during the late Rebellion, he was induced to add to it the name Swanson, which he has since borne. On the 14th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 1 1 2th 111. Vol. Inf., and served in the Army of the West, and participated in all the active battles of his regiment, being about 20 in number. Among these were Franklin, Nashville, Wilmington, N. C, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Columbia, Tenn. He was honorably discharged June 20, 1865, at Greenborough, N. C. He at once returned to Western Township, where he has since lived. Both himself and wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Orion. Politically, Mr. S. is a Republican, and has served his township as Collector.

I obert W. Fleming, a successful farmer, a respected citizen of Henry County and the owner of 412 acres of tillable land in V^Osco Township, residing on section 35, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mealman) Fleming, natives of Pennsylvania. John Fleming, father of the gentleman whose name appears at the beginning of this sketch, died in Pennsylvania, and his widow is at present residing in Missouri.

Their children were six in number, of whom Robert W., whose life sketch we give, was second in order of birth. He was born in Indiana Co., Pa., March 29, 1847. His education was acquired in the common schools and his years prior to the age of 18 were passed in his native State. At this age in life

Mr. Fleming came to Henry County, and in 1865 engaged in farming for others by the month, and continued in that vocation for four years. He then purchased 80 acres of land on section 16, Osco Township, and engaged in its cultivation and improvement and continued to reside thereon for two years, when he removed to section 35, same township, where he is at present residing. Mr. Fleming came to this county, as will be seen by the perusal of his biography, a poor man. He possessed no means to purchase land or procure a home for himself and family ; but, with a firm determination to succeed in life, he engaged in working for others, and by energetic effort and economy has succeeded in becoming the proprietor of 412 acres of good farm land in this county, the major portion of which is in an advanced state of cultivation. He has a fine residence on his farm, together with good and substantial outbuildings. He keeps about 100 head of cattle on his place, 15 head of horses and fattens about 140 head of hogs annually. Thus we see what has been accomplished by one possessed of the qualities of energy, perseverance and good judgment; and we see, further, that his accumulations are not the outgrowth of a gift of inheritance but of honest toil, tact and good judgment.

Mr. Fleming was married in Davenport, Iowa, to Zipporah West. She was born in New York, Feb. 22, 1836. Two children, Robert W. and Blanche, have been born of their union.

illiam J. Smith is a veterinary surgeon at Geneseo, and Mrs. L. Smith is the manager of the green-house in the same place. Dr. Smith was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., May 31, 1820. Barton and Fatha (Moore) I ' Smith, his parents, were farmers in that State, and he was brought up at home and trained in the avenues of employ common to an agricultural life until he was 15 years of age. In 1830 he went to the State of Indiana, and came thence to Illinois in 1836. The family settled in Joliet.

the Rock River Conference and was assigned to min isterial duty on the Aurora Circuit. He was con nected therewith one year, and was next appointed to Sugar River, where he remained the same length of time. He was next sent to the Marietta Circuit, ij and officiated in its relations two years. The next two years he was at Macomb. His appointments subsequently were as follows : Kaneville, one year; Sheffield, one year; Victoria, two years; Wyoming, two years ; La Fayette, two years ; Oneida, two years ; Woodhull, two years. His health having become impaired, he then removed to Galva, in this county, where he resided about five years, although he had been placed on the " superannuated " list by the Conference. During the last r5 months of his residence at Galva he preached on Saxon Circuit, in Stark County, he having been again made '' effective," and then started the business of a veterinary surgeon, and conducted a drug store therewith three years at Galva. He went thence to Miami Co., Kan., and passed three years there. In 1875 he came to Geneseo, and this has since been his home. On his arrival here he opened an office for the prac tice of his professional knowledge as a veterinary ^ surgeon. He began the study of that branch of*= business at 18, and through all his subsequent career y kept pace with the progress made by veterinarians in the theory and practice of the art. He gave his entire attention to it as a business until 1848, when he entered the ministry. The practice of Dr. Smith has become extensive, and his hospital stalls are filled with patients. His uniform success is his best recommendation in his line of business, and he is specially adapted for the duties, of a practitioner from a natural love for horses and a thorough understanding of their attributes, nature and diseases.

Dr. Smith was married in Joliet, 111., June 19, r845, to Lydia Harrington. She is a native of Canada, and was born Dec. 14, 1827, near the line of Vermont. She was the daughter of Marsh T. and Lucy (Mott) Harrington, and has borne six children : Lucretia F. is the wife of J. H. Simmons, fo and they reside in the State of New York ; Lucy J. married John Dunkle, and lives in Rice Co., Kan.;^ Mary L. is the wife of W. B. Foster, of the same /jjj county; Charles W. married Annie Joslin, and they \( are living in Geneseo ; Mark B. married Mary B. ® Baker, and they have removed to McPherson Co., J Kan. ; Fred F., now residing in Rice Co., Kan. "^

In 1882 Mrs. Smith began to operate as a florist at Geneseo, and is conducting a prosperous business. Her conservatories have a roofing of 1,000 feet of glass. She made a small beginning, and, meeting with a satisfactory degree of encouragement, she has gradually extended her stock and facilities until she has an excellent assortment and a large patronage. She has resided at Geneseo since March, 1875. She is a member of the same Church in which the Doctor is a minister. He became a Republican in i860, and in later years has adopted the principles of the Prohibitionists.

ohn M. Hanna, who is engaged in agriculture and 'in the raising of live stock on section 9, of Western Township, is a native of the Keystone State, being born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., March 15, 1835. His father, Robert Hanna, a native of the same State, and of Irish descent, was a farmer by occupation, and was married in the above mentioned county to Priscilla Hamilton, also a native of that county, and of similar ancestry.

Mr. John M. Hanna, the second in a family of four, was two years old when his parents moved to Richland Co., Ohio, and three years later, in 1840, came to Illinois, settling in what is now Cornwall Township, this county, near Shabbona Grove. This was before the Indian Chief, Shabbona, left this section of the country. The first land was taken here when there were no settlements by the whites, and the Indians were numerous at Shabbona Grove. Both Mr. Hanna's parents died in Cornwall Township, his mother in 1843 and his father in r86o. The latter had been officially connected with the township and county. Both parents were members formerly of the Presbyterian Church and later of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Our subject received but a limited education. After the death of his mother, he resided a short time with Capt. Charles Jack, well known in the early history of Cornwall Township; but, owing to the unsympathetic and tyrannical disposition of the Captain, he left him and returned home. Nov. 6, 1856, Mr. Hanna was married, in Cornwall Township, to Miss

Martha Bleeks. Her parents were John and Maria (Chrisman) Bleeks, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, who settled in Crawford Co., Ohio, in which county Mrs. H. was born Aug. 16, 1838. Her father, with the family, moved from that county to Indiana, and in 1855 came to this county, settling in Cornwall Township ; her mother, however, died before the last removal. Her father has since died. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have two children - Charles R., who married Emily Finley, and resides on a farm in Western Township ; and George, who is yet at home, assisting in the cultivation and management of the farm. After his marriage, Mr. Hanna lived two years in Cornwall Township, and then in Atkinson, Geneseo" and Colona. In 1870, he purchased a quarter of section 9, where he now resides, and has a well improved farm; he has also a good farm of 86 acres under cultivation on section 1 7 , Western Township. He is also a dealer in swine to a considerable extent.

Mr. Hanna's three brothers are: Hamilton, who resides in California ; Alexander B., a farmer living in Audubon Co., Iowa; and James, married, residing in the same county.

ev. Philip K. Hanna, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Henry County in the fullest sense of the term. He came here before the organization of the county and was a factor in each and all of the earliest movements to adjust its municipal affairs. He was the head and guardian of the moral and spiritual welfare of the community, and he was foremost in the organization of the Methodist societies in Henry and Rock Island Counties.

He was born in Kentucky in 1810, and came to Henry County in 1835. At the organization of the county he was made one of the first Commissioners, and afterward he was prominent in the official management of the townships of Hanna and Geneseo in the capacity of Supervisor. In 1868 he was elected to represent the 46th District in the Legislature of Illinois. In all the official stations which he was called on to fill he discharged the obligations in a manner consistent, with his own character and with the nature of the duty incumbent on him. A detailed account of his career in Henry County, if it were possible to obtain it in its completeness, would supply a large blank of interesting matter that has passed into hopeless oblivion. At his residence, in the pioneer home of 1835, the first religious society in the county was formed. He became an extensive land-holder, and there was every .prospect that he would be permitted to close his life in the county in which he had been among the most useful and valuable of its citizens ; but in the stringencies of 1873 and 1878 he was compelled to succumb to the shrinkages, and he surrendered all he had accumulated. True to his character, he prepared to commence anew, and he went to Kansas to start once more under the auspices of another State. One of his labors there will for ages to come constitute a noble monument to his memory, - a forest of 3,000 trees set out by his own hands and nourished by his own care.

Mr. Hanna was three times married, and he was survived by his last wife. Eight of his 1 2 children are still living. His death took place at his home near Peabody, Kan., Thursday, Jan. 17, 1884, when in the 74th year of his age.

enry D. Keel, a general farmer and stockraiser, residing on section 16, Western Township, and owning three separate and well improved farms of 80 acres each, was born in Indiana Co., Pa., Jan. 16, 1833. His father, whose name was Jacob Keel, was also a farmer and an active and zealous minister of the Baptist Church. He also was a native of that State, and, in Indiana County, married Elizabeth Dewalt. The ancestry on both sides were American, and of German origin. Rev. Jacob Keel gained a fair, local reputation as a Pastor of his flock in Indiana County, which relation he sustained most of his life. He died there in 1879, a highly respected citizen and an ardent laborer for the cause he so ably advocated. The widow yet survives, and is living with her youngest daughter and child, Rebecca Lukehart.