Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 26 of 31)

When the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was projected through Henry County, a new field of enterprise opened to him, which, with his characteristic energy, he entered. He at once secured 1,500 acres of land along the line of the proposed route, subject to entry by land warrants ; also, in connection with his cousin, the Hon. Wm. L. Wiley, he secured a large tract of land and projected and laid out on a liberal scale, the village of Galva, dedicating to the town two large public parks, which are to-day among the finest in the State. They also ,, donated spacious grounds for churches and schools, , N paying liberally toward their erection and support. They built the first school-house in the village and hired and paid the first teacher. They built the first hotel, at an expense of $16,000, now known as the Baker House, and are certainly entitled to be known as the originators of Galva.

Mr. Wiley did by far the largest real-estate business in Galva and vicinity, buying and selling large tracts weekly, encouraging emigration to this point by liberal means, and to-day has the proud satisfaction of seeing the fruits of his labor in the beautiful farms and substantial houses of the surrounding country.

The subject of this sketch now owns 1 ,000 acres of land, much of which is underlaid with a seemingly exhaustless amount of coal, which is being success-, fully mined. He also owns a great number of houses Ǥ* in the village and is considered one of the wealthiest, (j^ most influential and liberal citizens of the town, ^^ both in Church and society. He has been a prominent member of the Congregational Church since ^/ ts organization, and its great success as a society is due largely to his liberality and active labor in its behalf. In politics he is a staunch Republican, with strong prohibition tendencies.

James M. Wiley is a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Martin) Wiley. His father was born in 1774, in Petersburg, N. H., and died in January, 1825, in Rockingham, Vt. He was a farmer by occupation and passed a. quiet and peaceful life on his farm until the time of his death. His mother was born in Wilton, N. H., in 1772, and died in March, 1825, in Rockingham, Vt.

James M. Wiley was first married to Margaret Miles, in Brimfield, Peoria Co., 111., Aug. 10, 1843. She was born in Sharon, Conn., Aug. 10, 1825, and emigrated with her parents, Eri and Maria Miles, to Peoria County in i84r. She died at Brimfield, April 9, 1 860, aged 34 years and seven months. She was highly esteemed for her devout Christian character, and the memory of her many virtues lives in the hearts of those who knew her. She bore her husband, Mr. Wiley of this sketch, five children, - Ellen A., William L., Mary C, Everett C. and Carrie I. Of these, Ellen A. became the wife of Hon W. E. Phelps; she is at present residing in Elmwood, Peoria County, and has borne her husband four children, - William J., Margaret W. , Violet and James W. William Lorenzo was formerly a lumber merchant in Galva and now has a stock farm in Monona Co., Iowa; he was united in marriage with Flora D. Wiley, daughter of D. L. Wiley, and she has borne him four children. - Mary B., Everett D., Estella and Fred L. Mary C. Wiley married George W. Moubray, a resident of Galva, and two children have been born to them, - Flora L. and Margaret W. Everett C. Wiley is a resident of Kearney, Neb. ; he married Lucella Vandervort, and of their union two children have been born, - James A. and Kathrena B. Carrie I. Wiley resides at home with her parents.

Mr. Wiley's second wife was Mary M. Brooks' daughter of Cyrus and Emily Brooks, of Brimfield. She was born in Chester, Vt., April 4, 1834, and died in Brimfield, Peoria County, this State, Jan. 9, 18,67. She was educated at Knox College, after which she followed teaching, and soon became known as one of the first educators of the State. When a model school was determined upon as an annex to the Normal University, she was invited through the advice of the President, Gen. Hovey, to take charge of it, and after three years of successful labor, she resigned her position to become the wife of the subject of this sketch, Mr. Wiley. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley were the parents of two children, - Kathrina M. and George P., both of whom reside at home.

Mr. Wiley's present wife was Miss Lizzie Yocum. She was born in Jeromeville, Ohio, in 1837, and came with her parents, Charles and Mary Yocum, to Peoria County, in 1838. She was, for a number of years before her marriage, a successful teacher in the schools of Peoria County. She was a classmate and intimate friend of Mary Brooks, mentioned above in this sketch. She is a woman of excellent qualities of head and heart, and is ever ready to work and give to all appeals of deserving charity. She is also a member of the Congregational Church, and the influence of her presence and work has aided largely in making a success of the various branches of this society.

asper Acker-man, farmer, section 9, Alba Township, is a native of Prussia, having been born in that country April 25, 1833. ' He came to the United States in 1859, landing at New Orleans, after being on the water 12 weeks. Soon after landing at the Gulf city, he came to St. Louis, which required 12 days of his time. He remained at the latter city only a few hours, when he took the train for LaSalle Co., 111., arriving there in safety, and at once engaged to work for his brother on the farm, and followed that occupation for 1 8 months. He then left the farm and went to Ottawa, and was there engaged at various occupations for four years, the principal part of his work being that of making tallow candles. At the expiration of four years, he bought the business and continued the same with signal success for seven years.

In 187 1, Mr. Ackerman sold his business at Ottawa, and came to Henry County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, located on section 9, Alba Township, and at once entered vigorously and energetically upon the task of its cultivation and improvement, and has followed that occupation until the present time. By economy and energetic labor,.

coupled with the active co-operation of his wife and children, he has added to his original purchase of land until he is at present the proprietor of 730 acres.

Mr. Ackerman was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Bodecker, on Dec. 8, 1862. She is a native of Hanover, Prussia, and has borne her husband seven children. The living are : Annie C, George C, Ernest B. and Casper A., and the deceased are Anna, who died in infancy; Henry C. and Henry (second).

Mr. Ackerman, in addition to the cultivation of his land, devotes a considerable part of his time to the raising of Holstein and Short-horn cattle and Chester White hogs. As an agriculturist he is regarded as one of the foremost in the township, and likewise one of the respected and honored citizens of Henry County.

ohn Mock is a prominent farmer of Henry County, on section 31, Munson Township. The great-grandfather of the Mock family, which is also connected with Col. A. R. Mock, of Cambridge, came from Germany. The son of the grandfather, Devault Mock, lived in Roan, now Davis Co., N. C. He died in Mocksville, that county. He was married to Phebe Clinard, who died in Ohio, leaving five children, - Catherine, John, Mary, Daniel and Phebe.

The children above referred to moved to Greene Co., Ohio, with their families about 1807. Daniel was in the War of 18 12, and was married to Ruth Lindsey, a native of Botetourt, Roanoke Co., Va. They removed to Randolph Co., Ind., in 1824, and there died, leaving nine children, namely : John, Efnsley, Jeremiah L., Polly, Martha A., Daniel, William, Phebe and Maria B. Daniel, the father of the children just named, was married the second time, to Nancy Lindsey, and of their union three children were born, namely : Elizabeth, Henry and Eli. Of the 12 children born of the two marriages of Daniel Mock, John Mock, who is the subject of this biographical notice, came to this county in 1855 and located at Cambridge.

Elizabeth McCann, who died in 1846, aged 33 years, leaving her husband six children, of whom Mrs. Ruth Wilt and Col. A. R. Mock survive. The present wife of the subject of this notice, whose maiden name was Rebecca Watson, is the mother of four living children, namely: Francis M., Mrs. Eliza A. Atwater, Arabella, Annette and Enos W., who died when 20 years of age. 1

Mr. Mock was a member of the defunct Whig party during its day, but at the birth of the grand old Republican party joined its ranks and has ever since continued to cast his vote with it. He is the proprietor of 1 17 acres of good farm land in Munson and Cambridge Townships, and has passed the major portion of his life in the occupation of an agriculturist.

arnhart Kramer, a farmer on section 19, Alba Township, was born in Saxe Coburg, Germany, June 19, 1826. He is the son of Christian Kramer, and remained in his native country until the year 1852. He sailed in that year for the American continent, and landed at New York the 4th of November. He did not stay there very long, but made his way with haste to Chicago, remained two weeks, and thence to La Salle Co., 111. He then obtained employment on the Illinois Central Railroad, in the vicinity of Bloomington, and passed six months in the same capacity. He then went to the city of St. Louis, and there he worked in a brick-yard for a period of 15 months. He came thence to Marshall County, and moved to Bureau County in 1857. In 1870 he bought 80 acres of land in Henry County, on which he has since operated in his own behalf. His marriage to Eve Lippert occurred Aug. 9, 1855. Their children were born as follows : Barney, July 28, 1856; Maria, Oct. 25, 1858; Frank, Dec. 18, i860; Stephen, June 7, 1863 ; Mary, March 29, 1867; Stephen died Nov. 15, 1865. Mrs. Kramer was born Dec. 22, 1822, in Bavaria, Germany.

eorge C. Howlette, practicing physician at Atkinson Village, was born July 28, 1858, in Hartford, Conn., and is the son of Edward D. Howlette, also a native of that State. The father married a Miss Charlotte Brewer, who was a native of Connecticut, and the parents are both living. George C. attended the district schools of his native county, and assisted his father in the maintenance of the family until he attained the age of 15 years. When about 18 or 19 years old he read medicine with Dr. Case, of Hartford, Conn., some six months, when he came to Plymouth, Ind., and was at that place about one year. During his stay at the latter place, he read medicine under Dr. E. W. Veits, after which he went to Chicago and attended lectures at the Homeopathic ( ) College, and after following the curriculum of that institution for three years, graduated therefrom at the head of his class. After receiving his diploma he associated himself with Dr. Hoppin, of Geneseo, this county. In r88o, December of that year, he removed to Annawan and there followed the practice of his profession for three years, working up a lucrative and successful practice. At the expiration of the time stated, he removed to Kewanee and there followed his profession for about one year, when, in 1884, he moved to the village of Atkinson and has since continued in practice at that place.

Dr. Howlette was united in marriage with Miss Sadie A. Smith, who was born in r86o, in this State, and who bore her husband one daughter, the date of her birth being July 27, 1884. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, a successful physician and respected and honored citizen of the county.

kenry Bass, a successful farmer and respect- J ed citizen of Atkinson Township, owning 1 60 acres of good farm land, located on section 14, where he resides, was born in Connecticut, Nov. 24, 18T7, in Windham County. He has made agriculture the vocation of his Remaining with his parents upon the farm and assisting in the labors thereon, until 21 years of age, he then set forth to fight life's battles alone. When 35 years old, he came to this State, in 1853, and settled in Bureau County, where lie purchased 200 acres of land, and afterwards added to it three acres of timber. On this land he located, and for 18 months was engaged in its cultivation, at which time he removed to Henry County, and has since resided here.

Mr. Bass formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mary Crandall, March 9, 1854. She was a native of Connecticut, being born in that State Feb. 15, 1825. After living together for 2r years as man and" wife, Mrs. Bass was called to the land beyond, being at her demise 48 years, 1 r months and eight days old, and leaving to the care of her husband four children, namely : Arvina, born Nov. 20, 1858 ; Leander, July 20, 1861 ; Amanda, March 22, 1863, and Orin, Oct. 15, 1864.

Mr. Bass was a second time married March 2, 1876, to Mary Innis, who was born in June, 1836, in County Down, Ireland. She emigrated to the United States in 1865. Of the latter union there is no issue.

Mr. Bass has a fine farm of 160 acres, located on sections 14 and 15, Atkinson Township, on which he has a fair residence and a good barn, and is meeting with success in his chosen profession.

ellington P. Baker, a prosperous and successful farmer, owning 240 acres of good land, located on section 34, Alba !> Township, where he resides, is a native of '"i Maine, having been born in that State March ir, 1841. Mr. Baker remained with his patents in his native State, assisting in the labors of the farm, and receiving a primary education at the common schools, until the breaking out of the late Civil War, when, sympathizing with the cause of the Union, he enlisted in Co. H, rst Maine Vol. Inf., Sept. 27, 1861, and was mustered in at Augusta. He was first ordered to Washington City, and from there went to Shenandoah Valley, and took part in Baker's Retreat across the Potomac. He was sent around to Manassas Junction and Warrenton, and there he spent the summer. He remained in the service four years, and was mustered out Aug. 15, '65.

Mr. Baker formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss H. S. Graves, Oct. 26, 1868. She was a native of Maine, having been born in that State March 18, 1848, and bore her husband eight children, namely: Emma H., Eugene G^ Melvin W., Gracie D., Mattie H., Willie, and Frank and' Fred, twins. The latter two were born July 21, 1S83. Mr. Baker has a fine farm of 240 acres, located on section 34, Alba Township, on which he resides, and is actively and energetically engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist. He has a good dwelling on his farm, 28 x 40 feet in dimensions, and two-story in height. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is engaged to some extent in the raising of Short-horn cattle, and also Norman horses, and is meeting with success in this department of his vocation.

Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., and he and his wife belong to the Congregational Church. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and as an agriculturist ranks among the foremost of Alba Township.

ton. Jonas W. Olson, lawyer, Galva, was born July 7, 1843, in Soderala Socken, Helsingland, Sweden, and is the son of Rev. Olof Olson, who settled in Weller Township as early as 1845, and was the gentleman that came one year prior to the time that the Swedish Colony came.

Our subject was sick at the time his father sailed from Sweden, and was left in the care of his grandmother and an aunt. One year later, however, when only three years of age, he was brought to America by his relatives and with the colony. His life so unfortunate at this tender age, was only beginning to enter the terrible darkness of the sorrows soon to befall him. On the day before he arrived at the colony, his mother died. She was accompanied to her eternal home by his brother Olof and sister Beatrice, and shortly after his arrival his father died. He was thus left an orphan, and was taken away from the colony by an aunt, Christine W. P. Skoglund, who married Peter Dahlgren, who went to Galesburg after a short time and subsequently moved upon a farm about five miles southeast of Victoria, Knox County. Mr. Dahlgren was killed in a sand-bank south of Galva, and our subject continued to reside with his aunt until he was 15 years of age, at which time he was apprenticed to Ira C. Reed, of La Fayette, Stark County, to learn the shoemakers' trade, to whom he was bound by written articles of apprenticeship to work for two years for only $25 per year and his board, but Mr. Reed very kindly and generously paid him twice the amount agreed upon. He served his two years, and continued one year longer, making a little money, when he came to Galva, where for a time he attended the public schools. Here misfortune overtook him again, for he soon took sick, his money ran out, and he was obliged to leave school; he then went to work for Milton Negus, at his trade, which he followed for a short time only. During this period of his life he was ambitious to enter the legal profession, and his mornings and evenings while he was working at his trade were spent in reading law books. He subsequently read law with Hon. John I. Bennett, one of the Masters in Chancery of Chicago. Mr. Olson was admitted to the Bar in 1859, and has since followed his profession, with good success.

Mr. Olson was elected by the Republican party to the House of Representatives, in the fall of 1870, and served one term, that Legislature also having an extra session on account of the Chicago fire. He took an active part in that body, and was a member of several committees. He was the author of the law giving to laborers, who work for railroad contractors and sub-contractors, a lien on all the property of such railroad to secure their wages. Mr. Olson was the first Scandinavian ever admitted to the Bar of the State of Illinois, and the first Swede elected to the Legislature. He has been Town Collector for seven years, and Police Magistrate for eight years, declining re-election. He is also a member of the Board of Education. Since 1872, Mr. Olson has been identified with the Democratic party, and while a majority of his fellow-countrymen were Republicans, no man is more admired by the Scandinavian element than he. His l^rge influence is due to his strict integrity, good moral life, his pleasing and cordial address and obliging manners.

Among other misfortunes that have befallen Mr. Olson is that of having been burned out Tour times, twice totally losing house and home and twice partially. When living near Victoria he walked over two miles on crutches through the mud, without sidewalks, to attend the Center Prairie School. He saved some of his tools from the fire the first time he was burned out, when he again worked at his trade four weeks. Mr. Olson has worked his 'way with an iron will, and by his own unaided efforts from the dependency of a crippled orphan, without means, to a place of honorable influence and esteem among his fellow men. As we have stated, he was left a hopeless cripple at the age of three years, and a poor orphan ; but notwithstanding these afflictions, and seemingly unsurmountable obstacles, he has, by reason of his native talent, energy and industry, become a representative man, even among the best native American citizens in the community in which he lives. He is a man whose favorable reputation extends to almost every Swedish community in the

State, and to whom his people of the entire State point with pride, as a man who, notwithstanding the misfortunes of his early youth, was one of the first Swedes admitted to the Bar as an attorney-at-law, and the first Scandinavian Representative elected to the Legislature. He is also one of the best Scandinavian speakers in the State of Illinois.

Mr. Olson was married Nov. 18, 1869, to Miss Carrie Matteson, a daughter of Anson Matteson, and a lady of estimable worth, a nativeof Ugglebo, Gefleborgs Lan, Sweden. She was born June 5, 1848, and is the mother of three children, viz. : Mary Aurora, born. Sept. n, 1870, Maud V., born Nov. 10, 1876, and Mabel W., born Oct. 24, 1880.

Politically, he was a Republican until the slavery question, which called that party into existence, had become permanently settled by amendments to the Constitution and those amendments ratified by the Democratic party.

He claims that the Republican party was organized for the sole purpose of opposing the extension of slavery and that men who differed on every other question became what was called Republicans, simply because they agreed on the slavery question ; that a tool made for a special purpose is unfitted for general use ; so a party organized for a special purpose has outlived its usefulness when that purpose has been accomplished, and that it is illogical and absurd to claim that those who laid aside difference of opinion on other questions because they agreed upon the slavery question should continue the unnatural union now as slaves to a party name after the question which caused them to unite and was represented by that name, had ceased to exist; that' the Republican party now is only held together by the " cohesive power of public plunder " and controlled by Federal appointees who have grown rich in its service, and chartered corporations and monopolies which it has created ; and that it is totally unlike what it was when it came into power first, from the people, and that on living questions he believes in those ancient principles of the Democratic party, - "The greatest good lo the greatest number, equal rights and exact justice to all and special privileges to none." He claims that the safety and perpetuity of a free government demands that the intelligent voter shall adhere to a political party only when it represents his opinions on living questions.

Mr. Olson is in the fullest sense of the word essentially a self-made man. He is emphatically one of those men of whom it is said " the American people delight to honor." While he is a foreigner by birth, he is educated really as an American. He is and always has been thoroughly identified with the institutions of his adopted country. His sad afflictions and bereavements during his infancy were so much heavier and more severe than most are called upon to endure that they can'hardly be fully realized or appreciated by those more fortunate, while his developing youth and increasing manhood were respectively types of moral courage and indomitable perseverance, which must culminate in their just reward. While his past life has been unusually clouded by adversity, it has been said that " behind the darkest cloud there is always a silver lining;" and the author ventures the prediction that a man* with such a biography will be called higher, and that very materially increased honors' are in , store for him. We will close the sketch by saying that we consider Mr. Olson an honor both to the Scandinavian race and the land of his adoption. We take, pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Olson in connection with this sketch.

[. ichard W. Batton, a farmer residing on section 18, Annawan Township, was born in Madison Co., Va\, July 8, 1829. When six years old his parents moved to Preble Co., Ohio, where Richard W. remained until 1854, when he came to Illinois with his wife. Previous to coming to this State Mr. Batton formed a matrimonial alliance, Jan. 1, 1852, with Miss Mary Jane Hiliman, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Henry Serfis, of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Batton was born Jan. 31, 1834, and bore her husband ten children, namely: Mary E , born in Ohio, Dec. 2r, 1852 ; Eli D., Oct. 13, 1855 ; Lucy I., Sept. 27, 1857 ; an infant son , born March 1,1862, who died one day after birth ; Lucy Ida, born Sept.1 23, 1864; Ulysses Grant, Jan. 19, 1865 ; Edith May, Aug. 29, 1866; James E., Dec. 31, 1867 ; Elpha E., Nov. 19, 1870; and Lottie L-rA-ug. 27,1877. Five of the above named children are deceased, namely: Lucy I. (first) April 14, 1862; Edith May, Oct. 31, 1879; Lottie L., Aug. n, 1880; and Ulysses Grant, Feb. n, 1881.

Mr. Batton is the proprietor of 300 acres of good farm land, all of which with the exception of ten acres, which is timber, is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has a good residence on his farm, 32 x 42 feet in dimensions, two storjes, with a good cellar; also a barn 32x50 feet, with 14 feet posts. His outbuildings are good and substantial, and his stock is of the best quality, graded, the hogs being of the Poland China. His farm presents a fine appearance, and his residence is surrounded by a nice grove of trees, and the place is indicative of p ^ that energy and perseverance of which its proprietor is possessed. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and in politics,

The father of Mr. Batton, Eli Batton, was a native of East Virginia, in which State he was born in 1801. It was in that State that he was united in marriage to Miss Hettie Willhite, Dec. 25, 1827, in Madison County, that State. She was born April 3, 1808, and bore her husband 13 children, namely: The first an infant, who is deceased ; then Richard, William A., Manda, Louisa, John H., Janie, James, Mary, Sarah E., Gilbert, Emeline and Webster. He and his wife art Old School Baptists, and he always casts his vote with the Republican party.

The second wife of Henry Hand, Mary H. Hanna, daughter of John F. Hanna, was born May 22, 1829, in White Co., this State, and died Jan. 9, 1881. She came here with her parents in the fall of 1835, and of her marriage to Mr. Hand two children were born - John P., the subject of this biographical notice, and Henry F. Hand.

Judge Hand received his primary education in this county, and supplemented the same by a course of study at the Rock River Seminary, at Mt. Morris, 111. After this he attended the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, graduating therefrom with honors in the class of 1875. In November of the same year he located in Cambridge, where he formed a partnership with Colonel A. R. Mock, which lasted until June 1, 1885, when Mr. Hand was elected Judge of the County Court, which office he at present fills. The Judge has always taken an active interest in pol'tical matters, and is identified with the Republican party. In 1880 he was a member of the National Convention which nominated James A. Garfield for President of the United States. He was Chairman of the Henry County Republican Central Committee from 1878 to 1884. Socially, Judge Hand is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and the A. O. U. W., and is regarded as an upright and capable Judge, well posted in the jurisprudence of

Judge Hand was united in marriage in Ogle County, Oct. 26, 187 1, to Miss Libbie Brayton, who was born Feb. 12, 1849, in Mt. Morris, this State. She is a daughter of Frederick B. and Charlotte W. (Wheeler) Brayton, natives of New York, and has borne her husband one child - Frederick H. Hand, who was born April 27, 1874.

"^ndrew Johnson, proprietor of 120 acres of \f land in Lynn Township, and residing upon section 4, where he is engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, is a native of Sweden, having been born in that country March 18, 1840. His parents both died in Sweden. Andrew Johnson lived at home until 15 years of age, when he set forth to earn his own living and fight the battles of life single-handed and alone. In 1868, he set sail for this, the land of possibilities, and on arriving at an Eastern seaport came almost immediately to this county, where he worked at different occupations until 1872. During that year he purchased 80 acres of land and subsequently increased the same by an additional purchase of 40 acres more, the latter being small timber. On purchasing his land, in 1872, he located thereon with his family and ever since has followed the vocation of an agriculturist, meeting with success.

Feb. 10, r874, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Christina Johnson, in Rock Island city. She was born in Sweden and came to the United States in 1873, and has borne her husband four children, - Minnie, Elmer, Eddie and Gilbert. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Orion, and in politics Mr. Johnson votes with the Republican party.

illiam B. Tee, engaged in the mill, elevator and grain business at Cambridge, was born Feb 17, 1829, on the Isle of Wight, y? England, and is a son of John and Mary (Hayles) Tee, natives of England, the father of Hampshire and the mother of the Isle of Wight. The father emigrated to this country with his family and died here.

William B. Tee emigrated to this country in the fall of 1853, and settled in Rochester, N. Y., where he followed the occupation of a miller, having learned that trade in his native country. After two and a half years, in which he was engaged in the milling business at Rochester, he came to Galesburg, Knox Co., this State, and there followed the same occupation for two years longer. At the expiration of this time he came to Geneseo, this county, and followed the same business until 1874, when he left that place and came to Cambridge. On arriving at the latter place he erected a mill and has since continued to operate the same in partnership with different parties. At present J. VV. Stewart is his partner and in addition to their milling business they are engaged in the grain and elevator business, the latter being run with the same power with which the mill is run, and in the different departments of their occupation are meeting with financial success.

Mr. Tee was united in marriage on the Isle of Wight with Miss Caroline King, a native of that place. She is the mother of seven children, living, namely: Carrie, Jessie, William, Fannie, Albert, Frank and Fred. The deceased are Charlie and Hugh.

flSP^ was k°m "m Holland, April 5, 1842. His mj father, Carolus Knudde, was born in 1799, in |{f- the province of Zeeland, Holland. He mar- ' ried Miss Joanna S. Temmerman in 1833. She was a native of that country, and was born there in 1806. The parents had five children, - Charles J., Peter J., Cornelian, Carolina and Amelia. The father died in his native country when the subject of this notice was 24 years of age. Of the five children born to the parents, Peter, Cornelia and Amelia are living at Annawan.

Peter Knudde was united in marriage with Miss Emilie Verbeeke, who was born April 26, 1855, and has borne him two children, - Mary C, born July 18, 1877, and Florence, born May 26, 1879.

Mr. Knudde is at present engaged in the flour and feed business at Annawan, and in addition thereto is running a saloon. His place of business is located on the corner of Main and State Streets, and the building is 34 x 56 feet in dimensions, two-story, and he is meeting with success in the different departments of his vocation.

The mother of our subject is yet living in her native country, and has attained the venerable age of 80 years. Mr. and Mrs. Knudde are members of the Catholic Church. Politically, Mr. Knudde votes with the Democratic party.

John E. Odeman is the only surviving member of his father's family. He learned his trade in Guttenburg, Germany, after serving an apprenticeship of five years. He emigrated to the United States, landing at New York city. From that place he went to Connecticut, where he remained some three months, and then came to Annawan, and e.igaged in working as a "jour" at his trade. In June, 1884, he bought the building owned by his employer and at present is running the business himself. He has his shop full of good machinery, a ten-horse-power engine, good wood planer, iron and wood lathes, and in the prosecution of his businesses meeting with that success which energy and perseverance are always sure to bring. He is one of the leading business men of the village, a good citizen, always willing to aid in any enterprise calculated to benefit the community in which he resides, and his constantly increasing trade, is attributable to his fair and honest dealings with his fellowmen.

In religious matters, he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics a Republican. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 334, at Annawan, and at present is Tyler of that lodge. Mr. Odeman is also engaged in repairing all kinds of farm machinery, such as threshers, reapers, plows, harvesters, and in fact anything and everything pertaining to machinery.

on the Emeral Isle. He was married in that country to Isabella Patterson, and after their marriage they immediately set sail for this the land of possibilities, arriving here "Safely and settling in Pittsburg, from which place they removed to Allegheny County, Pa. At the latter place, the father continued to reside engaged in working at his trade until his death, which event took place about 1864. The mother afterwards came to this State and resided with her son, the subject of this notice, until her demise, which took place about 1870.

James P. Blakely was the elder of the children of his parents' family, and continued to reside with them until his marriage, in the meantime attending the common schools and learning the trade of a cooper. He was first united in marriage July 14, 1848, to Miss Rebecca Crouse, in his native county and State. She was born and reared in Washington County, Pa., and there resided until her marriage. After their marriage, in the spring of 1857, they started for this State, and on arriving here, located in Western Township, Henry County, where Mr. Blakely rented a farm and for five years was engaged in farming in that way. The crops yielded well and he was compelled to haul his corn to Rock Island city, and at that time sold the same for the munificent price of ten cents a bushel, and could only make one load a day, the entire load amounting to about $5. Even at this small price for his produce he saved money ; and, although the butter was not spread upon his bread as thick as it is to-day, he realizes that by his economy at that time he succeeded in procuring 80 acres of land which to-day constitutes the fine farm upon which he resides. His eaily experience in this county was similar to that of many other pioneer who had nothing, and whose support and future prosperity depended eptirely upon his own labor. He has since made this his home, and by the same economy, energy and perseverance which prompted him so manfully to stick to the country in the beginning, he has succeeded in adding to his original purchase 147 acres, making a grand total of 227 acres of land, all of which is uuder an advanced state of cultivation.

Some years after moving into the county, Nov. ig, 1874, his wife died, leaving him the care of five children, one having preceded her to the land of the hereafter. The living are Samuel D., who is married and engaged in farming in Iowa ; Anna became the wife of John Bradham, and resides with her husband in Shelby County, Iowa ; Jane and James P. Jr., are also residents of Iowa, and Philip R. resides at home.

Mr. B. was the second time married in Dallas County, Iowa, Sept. 21, 1875, to Mrs. Margaret R. Farren, nee Ewing, who was born in Washington Co., Pa., Aug. 3r, 1834, and was a daughter of James and Elizabeth Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father died when Mrs. Blakely was only six years of age, and she afterwards lived with her mother until she came to this State, and two years later was married to David M. Farren, who died May 27, 1869, in De Soto, Iowa, to which State they had moved after their marriage. By her first marriage Mrs: Blakely had six children, all living and named Andrew B., William M., Mary, Artie M., Joseph E. and John G.

riage, and after that event settled in Western Township, this county, and resided there until 1875, when they came to Moline, where they are at present residing, retired from the active labors of life.

Milton F. Edwards continued to reside on the parental homestead, attending the district schools and assisting his father in the maintenance of the family and developing into manhood. He learnt the trade of a tinner, and followed the same for five years, after which one of the most important events of his life took place, namely, his marriage. This took place at the residence of the bride's uncle, in Western Township, this county, Oct. 4, 1873, the bride being Miss Mary, the accomplished daughter of Albert and Mary E. (Glenn) Harper, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to this State before their marriage, and after that event settled in Rock Island city. The mother afterward died in Coal Valley Township, Rock Island County, in 1868. Mrs. Edwards was 18 months old at the date of her mother's death, after which event she lived with her grandmother, Mrs. Julia Glenn, until she attained the age of ten years, at which time she became an inmate of her uncle's residence, William A. Stearns, and there lived until her marriage to Mr. Edwards. She has borne her husband one child - Milton F., born Aug. 1, 1884.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edwards moved to Andover Township, this county, and purchased 80 acres of land on which they located and entered upon the labors of improving and cultivating the same, determined to make it a permanent home for themselves and their children, and where at present they are residing. The farm is well improved and handsomely arranged, and the land is under an advanced state of cultivation.

ohn Larson, one of the large land-owners of Lynn Township, and a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 18 of the township named, was born in Central Sweden March 1, 1845.^ His father was a native of the same country, and there married to Miss Anna Coleon, also a native of that country.

Mrs. Larson was second in order of birth of his parents' children, five in number, and was seven years old when his parents emigrated to the United States, they locating in Lynn Township, this county, on 80 acres of unimproved land, where the father lived and labored until the time of his death, Feb. 12, 1884. His mother is yet living on the old homestead in Lynn Township, aged 71 years. John Larson lived with his parents on the old homestead in Lynn Township, assisting in the labors on the farm, and attending the common school until his marriage. That event occurred in Moline, Rock Island County, March 11, 1874, to Miss Hannah Peterson. She was born in Sweden, and came to this country when a young lady of 23 years of age, and resided at Moline until her marriage. Her parents were Peter and Carrie (Johnson) Peterson, and came to America in 1884, andat present reside with their daughter, Mrs. Larson of this notice, aged 63 and 59 years, respectively.

Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of five children : Mary A., FredW., Dora A., Hilda S. and John. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Larson settled on a farm on section 17, Lynn Township, consisting of 132 acres, which Mr. Larson had purchased some years prior to his marriage. By the active prosecution of his vocation, strict economy and energy, he has succeeded by adding to his original purchase until at prrsent he is the proprietor of 390 acres of land on sections r8 and 17, Lynn Township, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has made a success of his vocation in life, and the same is attributable to his energy and perseverance. In politics he votes with the Republican party. " l^amuel A. Lewis, farmer, residence on sec- L tion 20, Cornwall Township, was born in this county in 1852. He is the son of John and Mary Lewis, natives of Ohio. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch resided with his parents, assisting on the farm and attending the common schools until he attained his majority. He then left home, and went forth to fight the battles of life, single-handed and alone, and. has occupied his time until the present in the vocation of farming.

Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Susan Rogers, a native of Virginia, Rev. Totman officiating, and they are the parents of one child - Cora Belle, who was born in 1878. Mr. Lewis is at present working 540 acres of land, which belongs to his father, and as an agriculturist is meeting with success. In his religious views he is liberal, and his politics coincide with the principles of the Greenback party.

ames Johnston, an energetic and successful farmer of Cambridge Township, residing and owning 1 60 acres- on section 36, this township, was born Sept. 27, 1828, in Gallia Co., Ohio. His ancestors on his father's side were of Scotch descent, and on his mother's side of New England stock. The grandfather of the subject of this notice, James Johnston, was born on the River Tweed, Edinburgh, Scotland. He was married in that country, and became the father of seven children born there. About 1820, he and his wife came to this country, and settled with their children in Gallia Co., Ohio, where the grandparents died. Of their children, Andrew Johnston, the father of the subject of this notice, was 25 years of age when he landed upon the free soil of the United States. He was married in Ohio, to Olive Weed, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Both parents of our subject died in Gallia Co., Ohio. They reared eight children to the age of maturity, namely : Elizabeth, James, William, Andrew, Olive, wife of J. W. Glassburn, of Tampico, Whiteside County, Jennette and Samuel.

James Johnston received such an education as was to be acquired of the schools of the day and locality in which he lived and spent his early life in his native county. He came to Illinois, in October, 1853, and settled in Knox County, where he was engaged in farming until 1876, when he moved into Cambridge Township, this county, and continued to remain here. He owns a good farm of 160 acres of land on section 26, and is actively and energetically engaged in the task of its improvement, meeting with success in his chosen vocation.

in Steuben Co., N. Y., and has borne her husband nine children - Almira E., Samuel T., both of whom died of scarlet fever shortly after they came to Knox County ; Charles L., who was killed at Altona, Knox County, by the railroad cars, aged 29 years; Mary A. is the wife of Alex. Julien ; Andrew P. died when about 27 years old ; Daniel J. ; Kellum E. died aged 4 years; William S. and Fred A. reside at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While a resident of Knox County, Mr. Johnson filled several important offices, among which were Supervisor for six years. He has also been Assessor of Cambridge Township two years. Since the demise of the old Whig party, and since Fremont ran for the Presidency, in 1856, Mr. Johnston has cast his vote with the Republican party. He has been one of the Directors of the Cambridge Library Association, and takes an active interest in any enterprise that is calculated to benefit the community in which he resides.

yman J. Wilkinson, an influential citizen of Munson Township, was born in Tioga County, Pa., Aug. 17, 1833, and was the second son of George and Julia (Manton) Wilkinson, natives of Rhode Island and, on the father's side, of English descent. The latter removed to Illinois at an early day, with an emigrant wagon and a span of horses, cooking and camping out by the way. Mr. W. had previously visited this State and made a claim at Four-Mile Grove, in La- Salle County. There he built a log house and covered the roof with clapboards which he rived himself. This farm he sold in 1840, and he moved to Troy Grove, lived there two years and then moved to Concord Township, Bureau County, where he had purchased a tract of land, erected a house and improved the place, residing there until 1874, when he came to this county, settling in Munson Township and where he finally died. Mrs. W. is still living, making her home with her children.

Mr. Lyman J. Wilkinson, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood mainly in Bureau County, at farm life and with the usual attendance at the public schools. He was united in the bonds of matrimony on the 31st of March, T853, to Miss Emeline Stevens, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Stevens, the parents being both natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. W. was born near Canterbury, that State. In his youth and early manhood Mr. Wilkinson learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and he settled in Tiskilwa, that county, where he followed his trade until r862. In August of the latter year he enlisted for his country's salvation in Co. E, 93d 111. Vol. Inf., as First Lieutenant, and he served faithfully until August, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. He participated in the battles of Champion Hill, Jackson, Miss., siege and capture of Vicksburg and in numerous smaller engagements.

On the closing of his military service he returned' to Tiskilwa, residing there until 1872, serving two years and three months as Superintendent of the Bureau County Infirmary. In 1872 he was engaged as Superintendent of the Infirmary of this county, since which time he has been a resident here and-in charge of that institution, where he has always given the best of satisfaction in the discharge of his public duties.

Mr. Wilkinson has three children living, namely: George T., Willis L. and Burt H. George T. married Jennie Goshorn, of Geneseo, Oct. 23, 1856.

Ijermann Hirsehberger, engaged in the \ hardware business at Annawan, this county, was born in Brunswick, Germany, Aug. 22, 1839. He emigrated to this, the land of possibilities, when he was 15 years old, landing at New York city in July, 1854. From the latter place he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where, for three years, he was engaged in gardening. At the expiration of this time he went to Kewaunee Co., Wis., and was there engaged in a saw-mill.

Remaining in the latter State until May, 1861, Mr. Hirsehberger came to Annawan, Henry County, where he learned the tinsmith's trade, and at which he worked until Aug. 12, 1862. At this period in his life's history he enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Co. A, 112th 111. Vol. Inf.. and was mustered into the service at Peoria, 111,, Sept. 27, 1862, under

Col. T. J. Henderson. The regiment proceeded to Lexington, Ky. At Danville, in 1863, he was taken prisoner while on picket duty, but in a few days was paroled, and was at Columbus, Ohio, and at St. Louis, Mo., until September of that year, when he was exchanged, and ordered to Knoxville, Tenn., where he was assigned to the 23d Army Corps under Gen. Scofield. He was all through the East Tennessee and Georgia campaign, and joined Sherman at Goldsboro, N. C. He was never wounded in battle, and was mustered out June 20, 1865, at Greensboro, N. C, receiving his final discharge at Chicago, July 7, 1865.

The marriage of Mr. Hirsehberger to Miss Kate Seyller took place Sept. 16, 1862. She was born in Alsace, Germany, March 10, 1845, and of their union six children have been born, namely: Josephus O., Emma K, Eleanora, Charlie, Kate and Clara. Mr. Herschberger is at present is at present engaged in the hardware business at Annawan, and keeps a general stock of stoves, tinware, etc., and is doing a good and increasing business. He has a good, plain business house, 64 x 22 feet in dimensions, two stories high, and another building 16 x 24 feet. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., Post 290, at Annawan, and at present is Quartermaster-Sergeant of that Order. In politics, he affiliates with the Republican party.

ycurgus Cole. One of the prominent young farmers of Annawan Township, residing on section 33, is Lycurgus Cole. He has long been identified with the history of "Jk Henry County, but has laid the foundation for an excellent record in the future, and gives promise of being at no distant day one of the leading and representative men of his community.

He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, July 14, 1856. He remained with his parents, working on the farm and attending the district schools, until 1876. During the latter year Mr. Cole came to this State and located in Stark County, where for two years he worked out by the month. He then rented a farm of 142 acres of Mrs. Barbara McClelland, of Stark County, and for four years occupied his time«in its cultivation. In March, 1 884, he came to Annawan-

Township and bought 240 acres of improved land, on which he located with his family and entered vigorously and energetically upon the task of its cultivation and improvement, determining to make it a permanent home for himself and family. He has a splendid farm, with a good two-story residence, 36 by 48 feet in dimensions, and a good cellar. He has a fine grove of timber in his front yard and on his place there are two barns, one 48 x 48 feet, and the other 32 x 60 feet in dimensions.

Mr. Cole formed a matrimonial alliance, Dec. 24, 1881, with Miss Mary Cole, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Keene, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Kewanee. Miss Cole was born Nov. 8, 1861, in Stark Co., 111., and is the daughter of Joshua Cole, born in 1837, in Athens Co., Ohio, and who married Miss Susan Habbockin i860. Mrs. Joshua Cole was born in 1838, and bore her husband eight children, namely : Joseph, Mary (the wife of the subject of this notice), Elton, Martha, William, Wesley, Otis and Ernest.

The father of the subject of this sketch, William Cole, was born in Ohio in 1822, and married Miss Achsah Cole, in 1845. She was born in 1823, and bore her husband eight children, whose names are : Alexander, Izina, Byron, Lycurgus, Nesbit, Viola, Delmer and Etta. The venerable couple are still residents of Ohio, and the father yet takes pleasure in casting his vote, as he has done for years, with the Republican party.

apt. Sullivan Howard, a pioneer, in fact, the founder, or more nearly so than any other one man, of the village of Kewanee, was born at Temple, Hillsboro' Co., N. H.; June 30, 1806. From the old farm Sullivan \ Howard at the age of about 18 went to Andover, Mass., where he learned to be a " housewright." When nearly 21 years of age, he went to Boston and from there to Mason village, where he resided until the spring of 1836, and in the fall following landed at Wethersfield, Henry County, as a stockholder of the Wethersfield Colony. In 1844-5 Capt. Howard, as contractor, erected Henry County's first court house, and in 1854, when this village was to be laid out, he and Henry G. Little, Nelson Lay and Ralph Tenney, in company, purchased the nothwest quarter of section 33, township 15 north, range 5 east, from Dwight Needham, who traded for the land, having John Potter deed to those gentle^ men as a company, and hereon they proceeded to lay out the town of Kewanee as it now stands.

So soon as the town was started, Capt. Howard entered into the lumber business, and in 1856, taking Mr. N. Lay into partnership, engaged also in the grain business, a traffic he followed up to 1863, Mr. Lay entering probably in i860. Since 1863 he has dealt in stock, looking after his farming interests, etc., up to 1882, when he disposed of his last farm and retired from active business.

rSj!*-3 successful farmers as well as large land Mfi< owners of that township, was born in Armffi strong Co., Pa., May 3, 1827. He is a son of John and Jane (Elliott) Barge, natives of Pennsylvania. When Mr. Barge, of this sketch, was seven years of age, his parents moved to Ohio, and stopped for a while in Richland County for two years, when they removed to Wayne County, that State. In the latter county, David attended the common schools, worked on the farm and developed into manhood.

In 1847, Mr. Barge left the parental household and went forth to do for himself. He started for Wisconsin via the Lakes, but the boat could not land in that State, on account of lack of steam, and landed at Chicago. From that city, Mr. Barge came by canal to La Salle, and then took a stage to Princeton, from which latter place he came on foot to this county. On arriving here he engaged in threshing and followed that occupation until late in the fall of that year, when he came to Grant Co., Wis., for the purpose of mining, but on reaching there could not procure a job at that work and engaged in chopping cord-wood, and continued at that work during the winter. On the 4th of March following, he started for Illinois via stage to Galena, then on foot to Albany, from which place he took a stage for Geneseo, but on account of bad roads was compelled to foot it the greater part of the way. On arriving there he purchased six land warrants, and in May following went to Dixon on foot and entered 1 60 acres of land

He made his first improvements upon his land in 1850, at which time he erected a plank house 16 x 20 feet in dimensions and one-story. Since that time he has erected a fine frame house on his place, together with a good barn, and by energetic labor and economy has added to his landed interests in Phenix Township until he is at present the proprietor of 540 acres of good land, all of which with the exception of 20 acres of timber is under an advanced state of cultivation. Coming to this county with nothing but strong arms and a determination to get on in the world, and acquiring the splendid property that he owns to-day through his own exertions, he certainly deserves great credit.

Mr. Barge was united in marriage, April 6, 1851, with Eliza M. Aldrich, daughter of C. C. and Sophia Aldrich, pioneers of this county. Mrs. Barge was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, and has borne her husband two children, - Alvin W. and Alice C. Alvin is married and resides in Phenix Township, and is the father of two children. Alice is the wife of Thomas Lauderbaugh, and resides with him in Phenix Township.

. ohn P. Foster, a farmer residing upon section 5, Cornwall Township, is a son of Thomas .Foster, a native of Harrison Co., Ky. The father came to Sangamon County, this State, in the fall of 1832, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred two years later, in 1834, of cholera.

John P. Foster was born May n, 1815, in Ken- - tucky, and came with his father in 1833 to Sangamon County, this State. His mother died in Kentucky when he, John, was quite small. Her parents were Christopher and Mary Musselman. Mr. Foster of this| notice was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Browning, Jan. 25, T844, Rev. Philip Hanna officiating. Joshua Browning, her father, was a native of Georgia, having been born in that State April 25, 1805, and died Dec. 14, 1851, in this county. He was one of the first settlers of Henry County and endured all the privations incident to the settlement of a new country. His marriage to Miss Fannie Hall took place in November, 1839. She was born March 18, 1811.

Mr. Foster has resided ori section 5, Cornwall Township, for the last 20 years. His farm of 120 acres located thereon is well improved, with a good residence, 26x52 feet, with an addition, and in the vocation of his life he is meeting with that success which energy and perseverence always bring. In politics he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

Introductory

HAT is history ? A simple ^ enough question to ask, and one that all men without a thought suppose even the smallest school children fully understand. A historian commences the investigation of a country for the purpose of writing its history, and what does' he find ? A vast aggregation, perhaps, of people, moving along the great highway of life, a fixed and strong government of law and police power, social and community life, vast public and private institutions of schools, of medicine, law and theology, great cathedrals, churches and public buildings, and hovels and fine residences and great old baronial castles ; vast industries upon the farms, in the factories and everywhere. Railroads, hospitals for the sick and deceased, penal institutions; the flaming forges and the flying spindles ; happiness and joy, pain and suffering; bubbling laughter and heartbreaking sobs, and thus the active, busy world is like a vast bedlam of confused roaring - the eternal struggle between life and death. These are some of the superficies that every great community of people present to the most casual looker-on. But beneath all this is the deep and more subtle cause - the silent thoughts of men that have been the real power in molding and fashioning this wonderful and complex problem of aggregated human life. And to the philosophic historian there lies still beneath this mental power of man in this human-building, the yet more powerful and equal subtile forces of nature, of soil, climate and atmosphere that enter so largely into giving definite shapes and fixed laws to all these wonders that grow into our civilization. A large growth of civilized people, the cause and the effects, is the most intricate subject of philosophic study in the world. They are all a development and growth, exactly as is everything in this world, or in the universe. The acorn falling into its proper soil, and then sprouting into life and watered by the rains and shaped by the winds, grows to the great oak. But how many conditions are in that acorn upon which it depends before making the great tree ? and exactly as those conditions - those resistless, physical laws - are completely filled, just in that ratio is the life and growth and greatness of the tree assured. And so it is of every people in the world's history. The physical laws about them, their environment, is the destiny that shapes their ends. It is not the peculiar religion that they start in the race with that controls their destiny, but it is their physical surroundings, their soil, climate and the amount of dampness in the air that fashions even their minds, their religion, their schools and their highest social and civil life. In everything in the mental and physical world there is cause and effect - nothing more and nothing less. Hence, a people, in their good and bad, their wisdom and ignorance, their degree of civilization and their brutish barbarism, are but results flowing from antecedent causes; and to understand these causes, to partially see and comprehend and explain them is genuine history. This accounts for the physical and the mental growth, existence and powers of men's minds and bodies.

Says a great historian and philosopher (and any true history of a people is the highest type of philosophy) : " Genuine history is brought into existence only when the historian begins to unravel, across the lapse of time, the living man, toiling, impassioned, entrenched in his customs, with his voice and features/his gestures and dress, distinct and complete as he from whom we have just partedon the street." The history of a people who have passed away is the effort to make the past the present; to revivify the dead and present every phase of actual life as it once existed, with all its bad and good, its blessings and its sufferings, the home life and on the public highways, in the streets and the fields - men and women privately, collectively and publicly, at work and at play, socially and morally, in love and anger, at prayer and at war, approaching the good and relapsing to man's worst estate. The fullest details of What and How, and then the still greater question of Why, are some of the difficult problems that present themselves to the real historian. He well understands that the law, social life, religion and the schools are simply results of causes going before ; they are products that result from causes that are forever working like the law of gravitation which cannot change, cannot be controlled, but which 'enables us to walk upright, to build tall houses, to exist in short. Newton's falling apple and the consequent slight knowledge of the law of gravitation were a wonderful revelation to the world, and we are yet ignorant of what law it was that placed the apple where it could fall. We can only infer that every natural great law of matter is, like electricity, composed of a positive and negative inherent force, and it is perhaps these two wonderful qualities of matter that produce every form and quality of life.

The fundamental facts of all real history are the easiest to trace in the annals of a pioneer people. Cause and effect here present themselves in their simplest forms. Hence, of all books that come from the press, the history of these nation-builders is the most easily instructed, and possessed of the deepest interest ; and if it was all written as it deserves lo be, it will furnish every fireside in the county for the young and the old, and for the generations yet unborn, the most enduring pleasure and the most profitable instruction.

For such a purpose is this book written. And if any reader rises from the perusal of these pages, and can lay his hand upon his heart and say that he has gathered no pleasure nor profit therefrom, tnat his time and his money have been wasted; that Jie. has had no pleasure, no quickening of thought, no soothing, broadening suggestions to the mind, no extension and strengthening of the views of the great highway of human life, then the writer of these lines would exclaim in humility and shame that what he supposed was the very best of his life and work is after all but a miserable delusion and a sham.

HERE is incontestible evidence that different races of men, each distinct from the others, have been here, strutted their brief hour upon the world's great stage and passed away. How many distinct races preceded the coming of the red man, we cannot tell. We find the remains of their monuments, their great cities, their battle-grounds, mounds and occasional fossil remains, and from these busy archeologists are gaining many facts of historical interest. Those who were here and built great walled cities are designated as one of these races, the cliff-dwellers as another, and the mound-builders as yet another race. And still there is a supposition that there were distinct races of mound-builders from the distinct varieties of these curious human monuments that are found. The crumbled walls, fallen columns, the debris of pyramids and great temples and possibly palaces, that cumber the ground in profusion, in plaGes, for a mile in circumference, gives evidence which cannot be mistaken, of great and splendid cities, " whose lights are fled, whose garlands were dead " ages before were laid the first foundation stones of Baalbec or Memphis.

But others, and with possibly better resources, hold that the mounds are the oldest obtainable records of extinct nations, and therefore these remarkable antiquities are intensely interesting. Within the limits of the United States are the great majority of them, and so varied and widely scattered are they over the continent that ihey may well be considered of chief interest to the students of history.

These mounds and other works of the moundbuilders consist of remains of what were apparently towns, altars, temples, pleasure grounds, forts, possibly buried mounds, idols, battle-fields, etc. And they enable us to tell something of the lives and habits of a people, every vestige of whose physical forms have long since dissolved into their original elements.

HE world's greatest races of wild savages were found upon this continent. Fierce and powerful tribes were in possession of all this country when the white man came. The New World was a land of wonders to the peoples of the East, and the supreme obstacle to the first waves of civilized men in gaining a foothold in this land, was the half-naked savages that roamed all over the country, as migratory as the buffalo, and whose only industry was warfare and the extermination of neighboring tribes.

There is no chapter in history that equals in unqualified horrors the first hundred years that tell of the struggle for existence of civilized man for a permanent foothold upon this fair land. There was death in its multiple forms from diseases, their own inexperience of the strange new world, the isolation and lonely despair of the oppressive solitudes, the dangerous wild beasts, where the thrilling human cry of the soft-footed panther oft wake in terror the sleep of the cradle ; the reptiles, spotted with deadly beauty, noiselessly gliding in their mission of death upon their victims, and in bewildering. and exuberance of vegetable growth often that appalled man's efforts to overcome them. But far beyond and above all these combined obstacles were the Indians.

The Sacs and Foxes and the Winnebagoes dwelt in this portion of Illinois, coming, it seems^ after the destruction of the Iroquois. The French had possessed the country, and held sway over it by right of discovery a hundred years, without serious contention, before it passed to the hands of the Americans. At the conclusion of the Revolution, when Washington was President, and the present race of men were commencing that flow of immigration that has never ceased, the Indians of the Mississppi Valley^'confederated together, and determined to contest the right of the " while dogs "to come among them. They asserted that the Ohio River was the extreme northwestern boundary line, and that all the Northwest to the Pacific Ocean was granted to them "as long as Water runs and grass groWs." First Pontiac, then' Tecumseh, and last Black Hawk, in 1832, were the respective leaders in these wars to- drive back the hated white man. The defeat of Black Hawk at Bad Axe, in 1832, was the last of the Indian struggle, east of the Mississippi, that has come in_the form of war.

One of the noted characters among the Indians of that day was White Cloud, the prophet of- the WinnebagoiS, who lived at what is now Prophetstown, Whiteside County. His portrait is given on page 656.

F the question was put to any teachers' institute, What is the genealogy of the county in which the meeting is held? how often could it be at all correctly answered. The titles to all our farms and lands are derived from the Government, and the knowledge how the title came to the Government is merely

What is now Henry County was once New France, and was one of the French colonies or provinces. France gained her title by right of discovery and possession. More than 200 years ago Marquette and then La Salle had navigated. the waters of the Illinois River, and a fort had been established on Starved Rock.

From 1732 to 1759 we were under the control, or rather belonged to, the Company of the Indies. M. Penier was Governor-General, and M. D'Artaguette was Local Governor of Illinois. This brave and chivalrous man was killed in the Chickasaw War, where he had been called to assist the people of Louisiana. Illinois at this time was a part of Louisiana and a province of Canada. The Company of the Indies failing, the French Government again assumed the control and title to the country.

When the Canadas were ceded to Great Britain, in 1776, by the '' Quebec Bill," then all this portion of the Upper Mississippi Valley became a British province, and was placed under the care and government of Canada. Had any of us been pioneers here then we would have been Canadians. ' The treaty of Paris was in 1763. 'Thomas Gage was Commander-in-chief of the British troops in North America; he issued a proclamation in 1764, permitting the Catholics in Illinois to exercise their worship in the same manner the Catholics did~ in Canada, and to " travel wherever they pleased,even to go to New Orleans."

In Oct., 1778, the House of Burgesses of Virginia created the caunty of Illinois, and appointed John Tod, of Kentucky, Civil Governor or Commander, and authorized " all the civil .officers, to which the inhabitants had been accustomed," to be chosen by a majority of the citizens. Then all this county was a province and belonged to Virginia.. And John Tod established the first civil government in this valley.

In 1788 Gov. St. Clair was made Governor of- the entire Northwest-Territory, and the seat of government for this vast wild was Marietta, Ohio; The territory was at that time divided into three counr ties; Hamilton, now Ohio; Knox, now Indiana, and

St. Clair, now Illinois. Hence, the student of Illinois history will know that St. Clair County was formed in 1788; is the mother county of all the counties in the State, and is the starting point in tracing the county's genealogy in the long line of carving the many counties out of the one.

The next change was that, . what is now Illinois became a part of Indiana, and the capital was at Vincennes. This condition of affairs contisued until 1809, when a territorial separation was effected, and the Illinois Territory was divided into two counties - Randolph and St. Clair. And for two years what is now Henry County was a part of St. Clair County. On the 14th of September, 181 2, Madison County was formed, and then the young and old swains of Henry County, had there been any here, would have had to go to Edwardsville to get their marriage license. Unless they had adopted the soldiers' plan in the early day and married a squaw. In that case no license was required. The wife was purchased, a pony or two, according to the quality, being the usual price.

March 22, 18 19, Clark County was created; and so little was known of this part of the world that the act creating Clark County fixed the northern line as "extending to the Canada line."

Jan. 13, 1825, Knox County was organized, and this then included Henry County. The same act, it seems, created Henry County, so far as to give it a name.

The law at that time required there should be 350 inhabitants in the territory before a new county could be organized. The Legislature often created a county, and provided it should be organized and become in fact a county when the proper population had become residents of the county territory.

In an act of the Legislature " forming new counties out of__the counties of Pike and Fulton, and attached portions thereof," approved Jan. 13, 1825, section 6 creates Henry County by defining the boundaries.

By an act approved Jan. i5_, i83i,"To establish the county seat of Knox County and for other purposes," the boundaries of Henry County were reestablished and the county attached to Knox County for judicial purposes, until organized.

It was enacted by the Legislature Jan. 5, 1835, in section 3 of said act, that the boundary lines of Henry County are defined as follows : '' Beginning ' at the southeast corner of township 14 north, in range 5 east of the fourth principal meridian ; thence north between range 5 and 6 cast, to the middle of the channel of Rock River ; thence down along the middle channel of said river, with the meanders thereof, until it intersects the fourth principal meridian; thence south with the said meridian line to the southwest corner of township r4 north, in range '1 east; thence due east on the line between townships 13 and 14 north, to the place of beginning."

These boundary lines made Rock River the entire north and northwest boundary line of the county, and included nearly one-half of the territory of what is now Whiteside County.

By an act approved March 2, 1837, Henry County was organized and the proper Commissioners appointed to locate the county seat, and to do and perform such acts as were necessary to enable the county to assume its position as an organized county.

HE thrilling story of the pioneers of the Upper Mississippi Valley, involving the proud results that we all are now enjoying, is easily touched into romance by the glowing imagination, to be proudly repeated by every generation of the English-speaking race, will live and breath and burn, in legend and in song. In its greatest incident it is a story of achievement unparelleled in the annals of the world for the majesty of its purpose and the poverty of its means, the weakness of the beginning and the grandeur of the result. Contemplating the unnoted coming of the first sparse wandering nomads of the wilds and the dreary wastes - the peaceful exiles in life - the adventurous voyagers, piloted on their way by the north star, the first frail settlements - yet the shred of the most intense and tenacious life, fringing the dark edge of outer civilization, harassed by Indians, beset by beasts, by disease, by exposure, by death in every form, beyond civilization and succor, beyond the knowledge or interest of civilized communities, a thin thread of the old settlements, yet what incalculable destinies hung upon their lives and the success of their heroic labors. Contemplating this spectacle our hearts break into the language of the proud prophecy accomplished : " The desert shall rejoice and bloom as the rose." "A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation."

Amidst these abounding joys of wealth and happy content, we are surrounded to-day by other traditions and solicited by other memories. But under these radiant heavens and these surpassing beauties, our hearts go backward to a winter day. The roaring cities sink to a silent wilderness - the rumbling highways of steam and fire into the thread-like Indian trails, the busy throngs to the silent, grave-faced lone hunter and trapper. The contrast is complete.

The great region of the Northwest lay in primeval wilderness awaiting the creative touch that should lift it into amazing and rejoicing life and in fulfillment of the aspirations of Jefferson in the Ordinance of 1787, that consecrated' to freedom all this part of the world. The blood of the pioneer flows with energizing power in the veins of every State and his undaunted spirit animates the whole continent. Did they know, think you, what a destiny they bore in their silent and heroic bosoms ! Perchance not. ; and it is possible they builded wiser than they knew, but their imperishable crown of glory is here, the fruit is rejoicing in the distant and glorious summer, where they alone planted and watered.

An instance of early social life was related to us by Mrs. William Miller, of Geneseo, is a valuable index to the social life of the first beaux and belles of Henry County. She says among her early recollections, when the earliest settlements were still new, that she was at Mr. R. R. Stewart's house one day, and, as a child, had gone with the girls to the creek, where they were to do the family washing. When the work was well under way, one of the girl's brothers came running from the house to the creek to tell the young ladies there were some gentlemen at the house and they must go home at once. The -girls knew they had to go,- and yet they were in their wash-day clothes, probably, no, of course, barefoot ; there was but one room to the house, and their clothes were in the " loft," and this was reached by cleats fastened to the logs on the inside of the house. What were they to do ? The girls were terribly distressed, but what could they do? It was soon settled ; they made their brother go to the house, clamber into the garret, get their clothes, and they made their toilet in the thicket, and in due time appeared at the house, where awaited, one of them at least, her future husband.

The seaside belles of to-day would regard this incident as horrible; and yet at that day and time it was what would easily and naturally happen, even in the proudest first family of the county. The young ladies in the Stewart family were much in advance of the average girls of their time, as is evidenced by the fact that they we^e the first schoolteachers in the county, and were* all married to the best of the young men, and to this day easily maintain their places as influential leaders in our best social life.

Dr. Thomas Baker is universally conceded to be the first settler in Henry County. There are none of his family or descendants here from whom to gain the details of his early life, except the meager details to be found elsewhere in this work as they were gleaned from those old settlers who knew him best.

The second family to make a permanent settlement in the county was Earl P. Aldrich with his wife and five children, in an ox wagon. Henry S. Aldrich was born in Henry County Dec. 16, 1835, and Mrs. Aldrich thinks he was the first white child born in the county. (See page 305.)

There were three young men who believe they came to the county before Aldrich 's family, namely, Thomas and James Glenn and Anthony Hunt, who arrived here the 13th day of May, 1835. They were all single men, and there is a strong probability that they were the first to arrive after Dr. Thomas Baker.

^fsisted of Dr. Thomas Baker and family, George ^Brandenburg and family, Earl P. Aldrich and family, ig^John P. Hanna, P. K. Hanna and family, James 1 ' Glenn, Thomas Glenn and Anthony Hunt.

HE following is a complete list, in their order, of the first separate acts and events as they occurred in the history of Henry County. They will prove a source of easy reference and great interest to the readers, as well as valuable in the settlement of those vexing questions that sometimes find their way into the legends and stories of the early settlements, and especially as to where, how and when given events ) transpired, and who were the actors and participants in those interesting beginnings of things :

First land entry of the Government, by Giles Williams, which was the north half of section 34, township 18 north and 2 east, now Hanna Township.

the first attempt at fruit-tree growing here is told of fully elsewhere. The trees were seedlings, and the first crop of apples ever gathered in the county consisted of 36 specimens, and even then this was a marked event among the people.

About the first grafted apples raised in this portion of Illinois were the Milam, under the name of Winter Pearmain. These were not really grafted trees, but had been propagated from the suckers.

The winter of 1855-6 was noted for the wholesale destruction of fruit-trees. It was estimated that onehalf of the bearing apple-trees were destroyed or rendered worthless. This for some years greatly discouraged tree-planting, especially fruit-trees. All the orchards in the county have been planted since.

Lewis Hurd and Miss Caroline W. Little were married by Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, Aug. 22, 1837. This it appears by the records was the first marriage in the county. Possibly, there may have been an earlier marriage ; but if so it was while this was still

Knox County. The next wedding was the festive Rev. Ithamar himself with Miss Caroline E. Miller, of Andover, December 18. This knot was tied by Rev. Enoch Meade. The next was W. B. Goss, of Jo Daviess County, and Ellen Baldwin, of Cleveland, by the above Rev. Ithamar.

There were five weddings in the county in the year 1838. In the year 1839 there were six. " It is not good for man to be alone;" but a more imperative order just then prevailed here : It is good to people this rich waste.

James M.Allen and Susannah D. Stewart were married by Rev. James Wilcox, March 6, 1839. In 1840 there were ten couple spliced for life. (Divorces not yet fashionable.) In this year Morristown had her first wedding, Mahlon Lloyd and Miss Amelia L. Davenport, December 30. In 1841 there were twenty-two marriages. Tis year James Knox, afterwards in Congress, was married to Miss P. H. Blish, January 20. In 1842, 23 marriages; 1843, 15; 1844, 18 r 1845, 21; 1846, 25; 1847, 23; and 1851, 63.

The first election in Henry County was held June 19, 1837, to elect a Sheriff, Coroner, Surveyor, Recorder and^three County Commissioners. The Judges were John P. Hanna, Charles Atkinson and Roderick R. Stewart.. Clerks, - James M. Allan and Arba M. Seymour. Ithamar Pillsbury, Philip K. Hanna and Joshua Browning were elected County Commissioners. Rufus Hubbard had 21 votes for Commissioner. Joshua Harper was elected Recorder, receiving 24 votes ; Thomas R. Saunders got 22 votes and Eben Townsend had n votes. For Surveyor Arba M. Seymour received the full vote cast - 58 votes. For Sheriff Robert McCullough was elected, getting 31 votes, to Stephen Marshall 24 votes, and for Coroner R. R. Stewart got 58 votes.

WAY back in 1848, Mr. and Mrs. Pollock, f of New York, made the acquaintance of ";22* " some of the leaders in the Swedish Church that was founded by " Prophet " Eric Jansen, from which came the Bishop Hill Colony. Pollock and wife were refined and educated people and had been accustomed to the comforts and social life of what may be termed the well-to-do people of New York. Mrs. Pollock was, it seems, of a strong religious turn of mind, and she listened to the new faith, shed tears over the persecution of Jansen and Olsen in Sweden ; and the cruel story made her a believer, and not only aroused her deep sympathy for the cause, but awoke within her a religious enthusiasm that was strong and unconquerable. She induced her husband to come West, and they located among the Swedes of Bishop Hill Colony. Mr. Pollock was a man of fine accomplishments and he opened a school for the Colony, and taught school and suffered and died. Mrs. Pollock then took up the work where her husband had stopped and for some time was the school-teacher of the Swedes. She married one of the wealthiest men and leaders in the Colony, named Gabrielson. This man had brought a considerable fortune to this country, and had purchased vast bodies of the Colonists' lands and had in many ways advanced about all his fortune in behalf of his poorer Church friends. Gabrielson died in a few years after his marriage and the Church leaders wound up the estate, and the widow and child in some way came out of the ordeal penniless. But her devotion to her Church and its members remained unshaken. In a few years she was married to Eric Jansen, the " Prophet " and head of the Church, and here were new fields of usefulness opened to her to minister to the Church and the Colonists.

In 1850 " Prophet " Jansen was murdered in the town of Cambridge, and again this good woman of Christian charity was a widow and penniless. Old age and infirmities were coming swiftly upon her; her heroic struggles grew more and more feeble and for the past six or eight years she has been an inmate of the county poor-house.

This simple and brief statement is one of the most pathetic stories we remember ever to have met in real, every-day Christian life. When she cast her fortunes, her life, her everything with the Church and Colony, the people were in poverty, ignorance, squalor and want. Her money, life, work and suffering with these people, instructing them, guiding them and more than dividing with them, her presence among them was truly that of a ministering angel. These good, Christian people are now rich in this world's goods ; their broad and fertile acres smile their blessings upon them and theirs, and they may well and fervently thank God for his loving beneficence through this devoted and self-sacrificing woman.

»SA in the pioneer settlements. Pills and potions, " hot water and bleeding," boneset tea, and dogwood, wild cherry and aloes bitters, were the charms that soothed the ancient stomachs and exorcised away the demon malaria, and sod-corn juice was essential in every well conducted pioneer cabin against snake-bites. The old-fashioned ague - no, s-h-a-k-e-s ! the kind when they got under-hold of a fellow and proceeded to shake him up in a style that would have made a sad wreck of a full set of false teeth upon the instant - these and snake -bites, milk-sick and spring fevers lay in wait, lurked in the tall grass and swamps, seeking whom they might make a rattle-trap of.

The medicine man of the Indians had not folded his brush tent and stole away when Dr. Thomas Baker, the first settler in the county, came. The first fellow upon the ground, and not a soul to dose but himself! It is not to be wondered at that for him life was rather shortened up at both ends !

As already intimated, the first settler was the first physician. He was rather corpulent, and supposed by all envious people to have been slightly lazy. It is said that, especially in very warm weather, it actually grated on his tender feelings to see any one at work. In a few cases he has warmly remonstrated with parties he found working away on a hot day. The Doctor died in the county, resulting from injuries received by a horse kicking him, and his family and descendants have all long since disappeared from the county.

Dr. Maxwell was the next in order. He located on Rock River, Phenix Township. He died in 1844. In 1838 Dr. King settled in the same neighborhood, on Rock River. Said to have been a fine-looking man, but there were evil stories told of him, and in about a year he left the county. In 1839 Dr. Enos Pomeroy located in Geneseo. In 1845 Dr. S. T. Hume located in Geneseo.

was a surgical case about five miles east of Cambridge. He attended the call, and when he started to return it was dark. The path was very indistinct, and very difficult to follow. Coming to " Uncle Billy Martin's " house, he applied to stay all night. He was asked who he was. " Dr. Hume, of Geneseo." " No such Doctor there. You're a horse-thief, sir, and git ! " He got to the path, and finally reached the house of James S. Hamilton and called to the occupants. Here he met the same reception, only a little more vinegary than at the first house, and he resumed his devious and difficult way. He next reached Mr. Southard's and called to the occupants, and again was asked, " Who are you? " and answered again, " Dr. Hume, a physician of Geneseo." "Git out! No such Doctor there. I guess you are after my horses." Mrs. S. had heard the Doctor's answer, and here interfered and told her husband that she had heard there was a new Doctor in Geneseo. He was finally permitted to enter the house ; a light was struck, and the Doctor closely inspected by the whole family, and his honest face and manner soon made him the welcome guest, and the best the place afforded was gladly placed before him.

All the pith there is in this story is the fact that it is a demonstration that the horse-thief was plying his industry here at rather an early day, - and that at the time when the loss of a horse was regarded as about the greatest calamity that could befall a farmer. There are probably more horses stolen now-days than there were then, but the loss now is not so incurable a calamity as it was then.

About 1840 Dr. George Shipman settled in Andover (Homeopathist), and built the house afterwards owned by Mr. Ayers, on the south side of the square. He soon left and went to Chicago to live.

Wethersfield had no resident physician for several years after its settlement, and during this time the most of the practice was by Dr. Thomas Hall, of Stark County. He was an Englishman, and judged by his patrons to be a man of vast medical lore.

Dr. Hickman was the first to settle in Wethersfield. He was soon in a good practice. He nearly perished on the prairie one night in the winter of 1848-9. His feet were badly frozen, and he lost part of one of them. He left the county.

18 1 7, William Barrows patented by military warran tthe southeast of section 5, Weller Township. This patent was signed by James Monroe, President, and this then being Madison County, it was recorded at the county seat, Edwardsville, Dec. 28,

1818. The year of the last date Barrows sold to William Hobby, consideration $160. William Stephenson, of Boston, Suffolk Co., took the acknowledgment of the deed.

On January 4, 1818, the United States issued a patent to Uriah Lockett, for the southwest of section 1, in Weller Township, and Feb. 2, 1819, Lockett sold to H. Stewart. The parties were of Williamson

County, Tennessee. The consideration given was $250. Geo. Hulin, " Chairman and Presiding Mag istrate of the Court of Common Pleas," Tennessee, took the acknowledgment of the deed.

Nov. 22, 1820, John Greenup, of Geauga County, Ohio, sold to W. Skinner, of the same place, the southeast of section 4, Weller Township. Consideration, $200.

S. Staples, by warrant for services in the war of 1812-15, entered S. E. qr. of sec. 6, Weller Township, and the records of Madison show that Staples on Nov. 22, 1819, sold the same to J. Rundlett. ' Price, $200. Staples acknowledged the deed* before James Ladd, Notary, of Rockingham, N. H.

October 15., 18 r 8, James McCartnee patented southwest section 5, Weller Township. He sold, in 1818, to M. F. Maher. Consideration, 'jjioo. The deed is acknowledged in Baltimore.

June 20, 1820, J. Van Ransalear sold to J. R. Van Ransalear, of Utica, N. Y.; southwest section 8, Weller Township, and the record says "36 quarter ^ ' sections in other counties," for the sum of $2,000.

T the time Henry County was created, the financial and official head of -the county was the County Commissioners'Court. On the 27 th of June of that year this Court met at Dayton and transacted the first official business of the county. Allan was appointed Clerk ; Atkinson, Treasurer- Clerks and Treasurers were appointed - the Circuit Clerks by the Judge of the Circuit, and the County Clerks and Treasurers by the County Commissioners until these officrs were made elective by act of the Legislature, February, 1837. In the next August election after the passage of the act, the people elected James M. Allan Clerk, and Charley Atkinson Treasurer. The Clerk gave bond, with Robert McCullough and John P. Hanna as sureties.

The first official order of the Court was one authorizing Charles Atkinson, John P. Hanna and George Tyler to keep a ferry on Rock River at Cleveland, and they "ordered that the tax on the above mentioned ferry be fixed at one dollar and fifty cents." The rate of tax was fixed at one-half of one per cent, on " pleasure carriages," horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, wagons and watches. Nothing else was taxed, except a road tax of one dollar and twenty cents on each quarter section of land ; and every man of lawful age was required to work five days on the public roads. George Brandenburg paid five dollars for the first license to sell goods, and soon